rear CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1S91 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE F 526 CSs'^"^" ^"'"*'^*"^ Library '^"fllimilli iiiiiiiiiifi«K,l Benton Jasper and N olin 3 1924 028 850 010 DATE DUE -'>-'-^— . " ' I '>«4^ m% ' -- V CAYLORD PRINTED IN US A. Cornell University Library The original of tiiis bool< is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028850010 COUNTIES OF Wm,B6iii,J8si6r=l6iti, IISrT3I^^^. HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. irjIL.TJSTI?.J^TE]ID. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1883. '% F giS» PREFACE nn HIS volume goes forth to our patrons the result of months of arduous, un- J- remitting and conscientious labor. None so well know as those who have been associated with us the almost insurmountable difficulties to be met with in the preparation of a work of this character. Since the inauguration of the enterprise, a large force has been employed in gathering material. During this time, most of the citizens of the four counties have been called upon to contribute from their recollections, carefully preserved letters, scraps of manuscript, printed fragments, memoranda, etc. Public records and semi-official documents have been searched, the newspaper flies of the counties have been overhauled, and former citizens, now livmg out of the counties, have been corresponded with, for the verification of the information bj' a conference with many. In gathering from these numerous sources, both for the historical and biographical departments, the conflicting statements, the discrepancies and the fallible and incomplete nature of pub- lic documents, were almost appalling to our historians and biographers, who were expected to weave therefrom with some degree of accuracj', in panoramic review, a record of events. Members of the same families disagree as to the spelling of the family name, contradict each other's statements as to dates of birth, of settlement in the counties, nativity and other matters of fact. In this entangled condition, we have given preference to the preponderance of authority, and while we acknowledge the existence of errors and our inability to furnish & perfect history, we claim to have come up to the standard of our promises, and given as accurate a work as the nature of the surround- ings would permit. Whatever maj' be the verdict of those who do not and will not compreliend the difficulties to be met with, we feel assured that all just and thoughtful people will appreciate our efforts, and recognize the importance of the» undertaking and the great public benefit that has been accomplished in preserving the valuable historical matter of the counties and biographies of man j' of their citizens, that perhaps would otherwise have passed into oblivion. To those who have given us their support and encourage- ment, we acknowledge our gratitude, and can assure them that as 3-ears go b\- the book will grow in value as a repository not onlj- of pleasing reading matter, but of treasured information of the past that will become an enduring monument. ^ October, 1883. THE PTTBLISHERS. ^^i\ CONTENTS. PART I. THE OLD NORTHWEST. PAaE. EARtY History and Early Occupancy 11 Accession of the British 17 Clark's Campaign 19 County Illinois 20 Development of the State 30 Division of the Northwest Territory 21 Formation of Counties 30 i'Al.iE French Settlement, The 16 Lords of the Soil, The 23 Organization of the Northwest Territory. 20 Organization of the State 29 Public Lands : 28 War of 1812. The 26 PART IT HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. PAGE. Geology and Settlement 31 Advantages, Natural 31 Black Hawk War 40 Bowlders, The 33 Cbatterlie Beservation 40 Cicott, Zachariah 36 Cicott and the Harrison Campaign 38 Cicott After the War 39 Coal 34 Drainage 31 Factories, Early 45 Indians, The 36 Land Entries, First 42 Landscape, The 32 Library, County 49 McCIure Workingmen's Institute 48 Mills, Early 45 Mound-Builders. The .- 35 Old-Time Customs 44 Railroads 49 Sandstone. 34 Settlement by the Whites 41 Surface (Jeology 33 Topography., Township, Medina, 1836.. Township, Mound, 1836... Township, Pike, 1836 , Township, Pine, 183G Township, Warren, 1836.. Township, Washington, : Vigilant (orapanies Wild Animals 32 53 49 50 52 51 50 47 46 County Organization o3 Acts of Commissioners.. Agenta of Three-per-cent Fund Boundary Alteration, County Boundary Alteration, Township Circuit Court, First Sitting of. Circuit Court, Second Session of Circuit Court, Subsequent Sessions of.. Circuit Court Clerks Circuit Court Judges Commissioners Common Pleas Judges Coroners County Agents 6;: 79 57 61 57 58 59 78 79 78 79 79 80 PAGE- County Officers 78 Court Houses 64 Court House, The New 65 Creation of County .53 Creation of Townships......... » 61 Cutter Bar Maoufacturing Company.. 77 Election Returns, First 55 Election Returns, 1827 to 1880 70-76 Establishment of County Seat 54 Fair, Warren County 68 Finances, (.'ounty 80 Grangers, The 78 Medical Society 77 Name of County 66 Old Settlers' Association 69 Organization of County 54 Pauper, First County 66 Politics, < ounty 70 Poor Farm 67 Population of County 66 Probate Court, First r>9 Probate Court, Second 60 Probate Judges 79 Recapitulation of Taxes, 1H82 84-85 Recorders 79 Re-location of l 'ounty Seat 56 Roads, Gravel 77 School <_'ommissioners 79 Sheriffs 79 Surveyors 79 Statistics of 1«40 69 Table of Receipts and Expenditures 82-83 Treasurers * 79 Vote for August, 1827 70 TowN.s AND Villages 85 Baltimore 113 (^'arbondale 114 ('hesapeake 114 County Press 96 Green Hill, or Milford 107 Hedrick 114 Independence 100 Johnson ville 114 Marsbrteld.. Ill Milford, or (^reen Hill 107 CONTENTS : HISTORY OF WARBEN COUNTY.— Continued. PAGE. Towns and A''illages.— Continued. Pine Village 106 Point Pleasant 114 RainsviUe 109 State Line City 104 Warrenton S5 "West Lebanon 97 West Lebanon's Incorporation 99 West Lebanon's Industries 98 West Lebanon's Newspapers 99 West Lebanon's Population 100 West Lebanon Railroad Station OS West Lebanon's Secret Societies 100 AVilliamsport f^'5 Williamsport's Merchants and Mechanics.. S7 Williamsport's Z\Iills and Factories 02 Williarasport, New Town 93 ^S'^illiamsport's Postmasters and Attorneys 9;i "Williamsport's Present Business 'J^ "Williamsport's Secret Societies 94 Military History of Warren County 115 Assassination of President Lincoln 13-i Patties in which Warren County Men Par- ticipated 134 Campaign of the Warren Guards 120 Call of August 4, 18(52 124 Call of October, 1863 126 Call of April 23, I,';64 126 Call of July 16, ls64 126 Call of September 19, 1864 127 Close of the Kebellion 132 County P.ounty 130 Democratic ISIeetiug 120 Draft of October 6, 1862 12o Enlistments, Continued 121 Enlistments Under the Calls of July and August, 1862 122 Enlistnjents During 1863 125 Fall of Atlanta 12S First County Kelief 119 Late Civil Strife, The 11". Letters from Camp and Field 119 page. 13"' Lincoln's Second Inauguration- •• - Military Olficers from Warren County J^^ Militia System, The Old JJ^ One Hundred Days' Service Men J^]^ Opposition to the War ':"'a\"'r'^ ii^ Soldiers of the Wars Prior to 1861-65 llo Re-organization of Company B j^JJ Return of the Soldier Boys J^ Return of the Warren Guards 1-0 Roll of Honor.. 13.5 KOli oi lionor --■ "■■ -"- Summary of Troops from A\ arren County. 134 Union Soldiers' Picnic 129 Volunteering, Continued 118 War Meeting, First H' War Meeting, Second US War Meeting of Julv 1^ 123 WarMt^eting of July 21 123 Williamsport Literary Society 129 Education in Warren County 138 Early Schools, The 138 Green Hill Seminary 144 High Schools 140 Moot Legislature of Indiana 147 Schoolhouses and School Funds 139 State Line City Seminary 142 Warren County Seminary 141 AVest Lebanon Seminary 144 Williamsport Debating Society 145 IlELI'ilON IN WaKREN CoUNTY 14S circuit Riders, The 148 Gopher Hill Church 150 Grand Prairie Harmonial Association 154 Huuianitarian Society of Spiritualists 156 Independence (.'hurches 150 Marshfield ihurches 152 Pine tillage Churches 153 Rains villc Churches 152 State Line City Churches 152 West Lebanon churches 151 Williamsport (.'hurches 15;j Bio<;RAr£iirAL. sketches. PAt.K. J. Q. Adams Township lOii Jordan Township 192 Kent Township 177 Liberty Township 188 Medina Township 194 Wound Township 175 PAGE- Pike Towuship 166 Pine Township ...• 202 Prairie Towuship 2ii9 Steuben Towuship i*>0 Warren Towuship 184 Williamsport and Washington Township 157 St. John, Soth, between pages. PORTRAIT. PART in. HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. PAr.K. CiKNKRAI. CmiNTY MaTTKRS LMil AiKistroi)he to tlic Old Court House 251 (.'banges in Townships 222 County I'^anii aud Huildings 2;iS Courts, l'::irly 231 Court House, I'^irst in the County 2;U Cduit HiHise, Second at Oxford-.'. 23il Court House at Fowler 247 Cvoatlou of Townships 222 Early I'Jections 22S I'>ection of Public Buildiug.s 2'.V^ Jail, First in Rt-nt^ni Couuty 235 Jail, Second in tlie County 23S .lall at l''owIer 252 Land ICntries, ICarly 222 l.ccHtiou of Seat of Justice 28;? Marri:\>;i's, Early 21S Organization y^l' the Countv 226 Re-locatioii of County Seat. 241 Settlement of the County ..." .V.V" 214 Soil, The " 21^ Timber * ^^^ jMii.itary Hi<;tory ok Penton County 252 Benton's First l\>uipany [ '^*p^ Ponton's Second Coiupany '" ^,=47 Benton's Third Company..'. '"V' Benttm's Other Volunteers........,.......*".". 265 Conclusion .%j PuI'lic Sentiment aud Civil Action 'i~i Rebellion. The Great *i.> ^ CONTENTS : HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.— Continued. PAOE. Past Events— Present Condition 274 Ambia, Town of. 315 Aasociate Judges 283 Auditors, County 284 Bar of Benton County 318 Boswell, Town of. 314 Bridges 283 Cattle Disease in 1868 318 Churches 296 ClerkSj County 283 Commissioners 284 Common Pleas Judges 283 Coroners, County 284 County Officers 283 Earl Park, Town of 312 Fowler, Town of 308 Justices of the Peace 285 Lands Entered by 11. L. Ellsworth 275 Miscellaneous Acts of the Board 317 Miscellaneous Items 316 Murder 315 Newspapers 291 Otterbein, Town of 315 PAGE. Oxford, Town of. 305 Pioneers and their Acts 318 Presbyterianism in Benton County 301 Probate Judges 283 Railroads 276 Raub, Town of. 312 Recorders, County 284 Roads, State and County 282 Schools and Schoolhouses 287 SheritFs, County 2S4 Societies and Associations 291 Spaulding Trapedy, The 274 Sunday Schools 303 Surveyors, County 284 Talbot, Town of. 315 Telephone, The 305 Templeton, Town of 313 Towns of Benton County 305 Township Trustees 285 Treasurers, County 284 Voting Population at Intervals by Town- ships 275 biooraphicaij sketches. Bolivar Township Centre Township Fowler, Town of Gilboa Township Grant Township Hickory Grove Township.. , 339 , 323 , 323 , 405 . 372 . 380 Oak Grove Township 347 Parish Grove Township 384 Pine Township 386 Richland Township 393 Uniori Township 395 York Township 389 PORTRAITS. Atkinson, Robert M 289 Raub, A. D Dunn, James 239 , Robertson, Henry McConnell, David 219 | Sumner, E. C, and Mrs. E. C. 229 249 , 269 VIEWS. Residence of Amos Hagenbuch 279 Residence of Henry Robertson 259 Residence of John E. Morgan.. PART IV. HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. Formation of County Agriculture Agricultural Societies Cabin, The Changes in Topography (^'hurches Church Summary County Officials County Superintendent's Statement.. Courts, The Early Crime Economical fieology Farm The First White Settlements Game, The Geology Horses Jasper County Apricultural Society.. Jasper Rangers, The Life on the Prairie Live Stock Material Resources Mills and Markets Origin of Name Physical Features Political Organization Prairie Fires Prairie Travel Press, The Primitive Society Public Buildings Roads, Early >AHE. ,. 4(19 .. 419 .. 427 ,. 441 . 414 ,. 472 ,. 475 . 454 ,. 479 . 455 . 456 .. 413 . 441 .. 436 . 438 .. 411 . 423 . 427 . 458 . 440 .. 420 .. 414 ,. 443 . 410 411 . 446 . 415 ,. 444 . 460 . 460 . 451 . 463 PAdB. Railroads 465 Schools 475 School Funds 477 School Fund, Common 480 School Fund, Congressional 480 School Funds, < ondition of. 481 Secret Societies iHi Settlement of the County 431 Social Development of the County 459 Swamp Lands 429 Military History of Jasper County 485 Artillery, Fourth Battery 504 Bounty and Relief Funds 489. C'alls for Troops..... 487 Cavalry, Twelfth ,102 Infantry, Ninth 489 Infantry, Fifteenth 492 Infantry, Seventeenth 494 Infantry, Forty-eighth 495 Infantry, Eighty-seventh 496 Soldiers' Aid Society 489 Tables Showing Enlistments, etc 483 Growth of Vili,a(;)-:s 50s Blue Grass Settlement .117 Davidsonvjlle 516 Fork's Settlement, The 014 lieminirton. Town of fin Rcnsseiaur, Town of. 508 Saltillo Village 511 viii CONTENTS : HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY.— Continued. BiOGRAPHICAI. SKETCHES. PAGE. 555 Milroy Township ggy Newton Township ^^ KeniinfTton, Town of. ^03 Kensselaer, Town of „„ Union Township... •■ '^^^ Walker Township J'AGE, Barkley Township 567 Carpenter Township 542 Gillam Township 571 Hanging Grove Township 560 Jordan Township 549 Kankakee Township 590 Keener Township 583 ' Wheatfield Township Marion Township 523 587 589 Hammond, E. P.. PORTRAITS. 417 I Nowels, David B . PART V. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. Erection of County 593 Archx'ology GIS Benevolent Societies 683 (^abin, The 643 Churches 676 Church Statistics 67S County Otficials 664 County Seat, The 657 Economic Geology 61S Farm, The 645 Game, The 641 Garden Vegetables and Seeds 620 Geological Survey 608 Indians, The , 631 Material Resources 608 Mills and Markets 647 Origin of Name 603 Paleozoic Geology 616 Phvsical Features 604 Politics 674 Political Organization 657 Prairie Banditti 639 Prairie Travel 649 Press, The 674 Primitive Society 650 Public Buildings 662 Itecent Geology 610 Railroads 669 Roads, Earlv 667 Schools '. 678 School Funds 680 Sections of Bores and Deep Wells 611 Settlement, Early- Settlers, First.....'. Social Development., Surface Configuration.. 638 , 666 , 666 609 Swamp Lands 621 Table of Educational Interests 683 Then and Now 604 Traces ot Earliest Inhabitants 624 Newton County in the War _ 685 Infantry, Fifty-first 691 Infantry. Ninetv-ninth 693 Militia, State ' 685 Regiment, Ninth 688 Regiment, Fifteenth 689 Regiment. Fifty-first 6S9 Regiment, Ninety-ninth 690 Regiment, (i'ne Hundred and Twenty- Eighth 690-696 Volunteers, The 6?& ViLT-AGE Growth of the County 700 Goodland T05 Kentland 700 Morocco 707 Railroad Towns, The 710 BIOh to these people, and in com- pliance with a request from the Governor General, Marquette set out, with Joliet as commander of the expedition, to ascertain whether the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico or the Pacific Ocean. On the 13th of May, 1673, accompanied by five assistants, the hardy explorers set forth from Mackinaw. Coasting along the shore of Lake Michigan, they entered Green Bay, and passed thence up the Fox Kiver and Lake Win- nebago to a village of the Miamis and Kickapoos. Here the,- found a cross erected in the middle of the village, which marked the farthest outpost reached by Dablon and Allouez. Guides conducted the advent- urers across the portage to the Wisconsin River, upon which they latmched their canoes, descending with its current to the Missis.sippi". After varied experiences, they reached a village of the Arkansas tribe, about the latitude of thirty-three degrees, where they became satistied of the true course of the river, and set about returning. Their cotirse was up the Mississippi to the mouth of the lUiuuis, thence up the latter to Its source, whence they found their way to the lake, and back to Careen Bay without loss. Marquette, in ICTd, returned to the Illinois tribes and established a mission among them. On the ISthof May of this ve'ir passing the mouth of a stream on his way up Lake Michigan he bmded 10 celebrate mass. Leaving his mea with the canoe, he retired n short distance alone and began his devotions. Considerable time elapsed and as he ,lid not return, a search for him was instituted bv his co,n,vmions when he was found dead, but still in the kneeling posture He h'ui quietly passed away while at prayers, and was buried on the sune sp',t THE OLD NORTHWEST. 13 While Marquette and his companions were fi^''J'suing their labors in the West, another explorer was preparing to follow in his footsteps, and perfect the discoveries so well liegun by him. This was Eene Robert Cavelier. Sieiir de la Salle. In i66ii, excited by the reports of the In- dians in regard to a river which rose in the country of the Senecas and dowed to the sea. he started with a party of twenty-fooi-. maintained at his own expense, on a tour of discovery. After surmounting the most vexatious difficulties, he reached the Ohio and descended it to the falls. Returning to his ti-ading post of La Chine, and pondering his plan of discovering a new route to China and the East, he was startled by the reports of !Mai-quette and Joliet. This seemed, to his eager mind, the lirst step toward the realization of his dream, and venttu-ing everything in the enterprise, he sold his property and hastened to France, where he secured loans of money, and prepared to carry out his plans upon a large scale. Constructing a large vessel — the Griffin — he set out with a party of thirty men and thi-ee monks. August 7. 1679. for the scene of Mar- quette's discoveries. He tirst conceived the idea of secui'ing the country. thus discovered, by a series of forts, which should form a barrier to re- sist the encroachments of the English, who were gaining a strong hold on the Atlantic border. This received the encoiu'agemeut and aid of Frontenac. who was then Governor General of Canada, and rebuilding Fort Frontenac as a base of operations, he set sail for Late Michigan. An-iving at Green Bay. he loaded his vessel with furs and sent it. under the care of a pilot and fourteen sailors, on its return voyage. Waiting here for the Gi'iffin's return until forced to give it up in despair, he set out with canoes to pursue his enterprise, and landed at St. Joseph. Fol- losving the river bearing the same name to its source, he reached the Kankakee by a short portage, and passed down that river to the Illinois. Marquette's mission had been established near the present site ,jf Utica, in La Salle County, 111. Here, in December of 1679. La Salle found an In. iian town of -460 lodges temporarily deserted, and, passing on to where the city of Peoria now is. found another village of about eighty lodges, where he landed, and soon established amicable and permnneut rela- tions. With the consent of the tribes. La Salle soon built the fort of Creveeceur, a half a league below, and then eaidy in March of 16S0, set out for Fort Frontenac. in Western New York, and thence to Mon- treal to repair the loss of his vessel, the Griftin. In the meanwhile the Jesuit faction, engaged in tierce competition with him in sectu-ing the peltry trade o£ the Indians, anl jealous of La Salle"s success, and the English of the Atlantic border, striving to over- reach the French in securing both territory and trade, united in stirring up the Iroquois to assault La Salle's Illinois allies in his absence. •• Suddenly.'' says Parkman, •' the village was awakened from its lethargy as bv the crash of a thunderbolt, A. Shawanoe, lately here on a visit, had 14 THE OLD NORTHWEST. left his Illinois friends to return home. He now re-appeared, crossing the river in hot haste with the announcement that he had met on is way an army of Iroquois approaching to attack them. AH was p and confusion. The lodges disgorged their frightened inmates; women and children screamed; startled warriors snatched their weapons. There were less than five hundred of them, for the greater part of the youDg men had gone to war." Here Tonti, La Salle's able Lieutenant, left m charge of the fort, found himself weakened by the early desertion of most of his force, and now, an object of suspicion to his allies, in an awk- ward and dangerous predicament. Undaunted by the untoward circum- stances, he joined the Illinois, and when the Iroquois came upon the scene, in the midst of the savage melee, faced the 580 warriors and de- clared that the Illinois were under the protection of the French King and the Governor of Canada, and demanded that they should be left in peace, backing his words with the statement that there were 1,200 of the Illi- nois and sixty Frenchmen across the river. These representations had the effect of checking the ardor of the attacking savages, and a temporary truce was effected. It was evident that the truce was but a ruse on the part of the Iroquois to gain an opportunity to test the truth of the Ton- ti's statements, and no sooner had the Illinois retired to their village on the north side of the river than numbers of the invading tribes, on the pretext of seeking food, crossed the river and gathered in increasing numbers about the village. The Illinois knew the design of their foe too well, and, hastily embarking, they set tire to their lodges, and retired down the river, when the whole band of Iroquois crossed over, and fin- ished their work of havoc at their leisure. The Illinois, in the meanwhile, lulled into a false security, divided into small bands in search of food. One of the tribes, the Tamoroas, "' had the fatuity to remain near the mouth of the Illinois, where they were assailed by all the force of the Iroquois. The men fled, and very few of them were killed; biit the women and children were captured to the number, it is said, of 700." many of whom were put to death with horrible tortiu'es. Soon after the retreat of the Illinois, the Iroquois discovered the deception of the Frenchmen, and only the wholesome fear they bad of the French Gov- ernor's power restrained their venting their rage upon Tonti and his two or throe companions. As it was, they were dismissed, and bidden to re- turn to Canada. It was in the wake of these events that La Salle returned in the win- ter of UVSO and found this once populous village devastated and deserted, surrounded by the frightful evidences of savage carnage. Disheartened but not cast down, he at once sot about repairing his fortune. Discern- ing at once the means and object of his enemies, he set about building up a bulwark to stay a second assault. Retiu-ning to Fort Jlianii on the St. Joseph, by the borders of Lake Michigan, he sought to form a detousivo THE OLD XbRTHWEST. 15 league among the Indians whom he proposed to colonize on the site of the destroyed village of the Illinois. He found ready material at hand in remnants of tribes fresh from fields of King Phillip's war; he visited the Bliamis and by his wonderful power won them over to his plans; and then in the interval, before the tribes could arrange for their emigration, he launched out with a few followers and hurriedl3' explored the Missis- sippi to the Grulf. Returning to Michilimackinac in September, 1()S2, where he had found Tonti in May of the previous year, La Salle, after directing his trusty Lieutenant to repair to the Illinois, prepared to return to France for further supplies for his proposed colony, but learning that the Iroquois were planning another incursion, he returned to the site of the destroyed village and with Tonti began, in December, 1682, to build the fort of St. Louis, on the eminence which is now known in history as " Starved Rock." Thus the winter passed, and in the meanwhile, La Salle found employment for his active mind in conducting the negotia- tions which should result in reconciling the Illinois and the Miamis and in cementing the various tribes into a harmonious colony. The spring crowned his efforts with complete success. " La Salle looked down from his rocks on a concourse of wild human life. Lodges of bark and rushes, or cabins of logs, were clustered on the open plain, or along the edges of the bordering forests. Squaws labored, warriors lounged in the sun, naked children whoojDed and gamboled on the grass. Beyond the river, a mile and a half on the left, the banks were studded once more with the lodges of the Illinois, who, to the number of 6,000, had retui-ned, since their defeat, to this their favorite dwelling place. Scattered along the valley, among the adjacent hills, or over thi^ neighboring prairie, were ■ the cantonments of half a score of other tribes and fragments of iribes, gathered uader the protecting asgis of the French — Shaw- anoes, from the Ohio, Abenakis from Maine, and Miamis from the sources of the Kankakee." In the meanwhile, a party was sent to Montreal to secure supplies and munitions to put the colony in a state of defense, which, to the disappointment and chagrin of the sorely beset leader, he learned had been detained by his enemies, who, by a change of Governors, had come into official power. Devolving the command of the enterprise upon his faithful Lieutenant, La Salle set out in November, 1683, for Canada and I'rance, where he hoped to thwart his enemies and snatch success from the very jaws of defeat. Triumphant over his enemies, he returned to America in 1685, and after wandering ineffectually for two years in the inhospitable wilder- ness of Texas, tell dead, pierced through the brain by the bullet of a treacherous desperado of his own band. It was not until the latter part of 1688 that Tonti, with grief and indignation, learned of the death of La Salle. In 1690, Tonti received fi-om the French Government the proprietorship of Fort St. Louis on the Illinois, where he continued ia 16 THE OLD NORTHWEST. command until 1702, when by royal order the fort was abandoned, and Tonti transferred to Lower Louisiana. This fort was afterward reoocu- pied for a short time in 1718 by a party of traders, when it w.iS finally abandoned. THE FEENCH SETTLEMENT. The French early improved the opening thus made for them. From 1688 to 1697, little progress was made in colonization, owing to the wars between France and Great Britain, but after the peace of Eyswick, the project was taken up with renewed activity. In 1698, large numbers of emigrants, under the lead of officers appointed by the Crown, left France for the New World, and in the following year made the settlement of Biloxi, on Mobile Bay. In 1700, the settlement of the French and In- dians at old Kaskaskia was removed to the spot where the village of that name now stands. A year later, a permanont settlement was mads at Detroit by Antoine da Lamotte Cadillac, who. in July of that year, ar- rived from Montreal with a missionary and one hundred men. and in 1795 was authorized by the French Government to grant land in small qu'iatities to actual settler; in the vicinity of Detroit. In 1703, Sieur Juchereau and a missionary named Mermet established a ••poste" at Vincennes. Trouble with the Indians, the wet, swampy condition of the sun-onnding country, delayed the development of the little settlement here, but throughout the early history of the country this post continued to be of the first importance. In 1718, FortChartres was erected on the Mississippi, sixteen miles above Kaskaskia. About the fort rapidly sprang up a village, which was subsequently called Xew Chartres ; five miles away, the village of Prairie du Eoeher became a growing settlement, while all along the river between Kaskaskia and the fort a strong chain of settlements was formed within a year after the fort was finished. The erection of Fort Chartres at this point, however, was dictated by national considerations rather than by fear of the savages. The col- onization of Lotiisiana consequent upon the exploration of the Mississippi and the influx of colonists who found a home at Cahokia and Kaskaskia, made this section the key tu the French possessions in America, the con- necting link between Canada and Louisiana. Here the French settlers, but little disturbed by the forays of the Sacs and Foxes, pushed their im- provements up to the Illinois, while lands were granted, though perhaps never occupied, some distance u]i this stream. The military force found occupation in supporting the friendly Illinois tribes against the Iroquois and Sacs and Foxes, and in unsatisfactory or disastrous campaigns against the Chickisaws. In th;> m>.iatiiu_\ this " n^^k of the woods " w as rapidly becoming a spot of national importance. From the southwest the Span- iards were jealously watching the French colonists, while the British, gradually pushing westward, were building forts near the Ohio aud^Iis- sissippi Ilivers. THE OLD NORTHWEST. 17 The European war of 1741-46, in which France and England were opposed, was echoed in these Western wilds, and it was found that the fort must be strengthened or abandoned. The former course prevailed, and in 1750 the old fortress of wood was transformed into one of stone, and garrisoned by a full regiment of French grenadiers. It was from this point that an important contingent went out to the capture of George Washington aud his forjes at Fort Necessitj', July 4, 1754, and thus furnished to George II one of the causes for a declaration of hos- tilities and a begiuningof the "Old French war." In the ensuing war, a detachment burned Fort Granville, sixty miles from Philadelphia; another party routed Maj. Grant near Fort Duqnesne, but. compelled to abandon that fortress, set it on fire and floated down the river in the light of its destroying flames; again a large detachment, augmented by a considerable number oi friendly Indians, assisted in the vain attempt to raise the British siege of Niagara, leaving dead upon the field — the flower of the garrison. The fort was no longer in condition to maintain the offensive, and, learning that the British were preparing at Pittsburgh to make hostile descent upon him, the commandant writes to the Gov- ernor General: " I have made all arrangements, according to my strength, to receive the enemy." The victory on the Plains of A-braham decided the contest, but the little backwoods citadel, knowing but little of the nature of the struggle, dreamed that it might be the means of regaining, on more successful fields, the possessions thus lost to the French crown. The news that this fort, with all territory east of the river, had been surrendered without so much as a sight of the enemy, came like a thunder-clap upon this patriotic colony. Many of the settlers, with Laclede, who had just arrived at the head of a new colony, expressed their disgust by going to the site of St. Louis, which they supposed to be still French ground. ACCESSION OF BRITISH. Though transferred by treaty to the English in 1763, the fort was the last place in Norih America to lower the white ensign of the Bourbon Kinc, and it was not until the latter part of 1765 that the British for- mally accepted the surrender of Fort Chartres. Pontiac, the unwaver- ing friend of the French, took upon himself, unaided by his former allies, to hold back the victorious English. Maj. Loftus, Capts. Pitman and Morris, Lieut. Frazer, and George Crogan, some with force, some in disguise, and others with diplomacy, sought to reach the fort to accept its capitulation, but each one was foiled and turned back with his mission unaccomjjlished, glad to escape the fate of that English- man for which Pontiac assured them he kept a "kettle boiling over a larc-e fire." "Wearied out with the inactivity of the French, the Indian soao-ht an audience with the commandant, and explained his attitude. 18 THE OLD NORTHWEST. "Father," said the chieftain, "I have long wished to see thee, to recall the battles which we fought together against the misguided Indians and the English dogs. I love the French, and I have come here with my warriors to avenge their wrongs." But assured by St. Ange that such service could no longer be accepted, he gave up the struggle, and the flag of St. George rose in the place of the fair lilies of France. Thus another nationality was projected into this restricted arena, a situation which was immediately afterward still farther complicated by the secret Franco- Spanish treaty, which made the west bank of the Mississippi the boundary of the Spanish possessions. '• It is significant of the different races, and the varying sovereignties in that portion of our country," says a writer, " that a French soldier fi'om the Spanish city of St. Louis should be married to an Englishwoman by a French priest in the British colony of Illinois." At the first announcement of the treaty, the natui-al hostility of the people to the English induced lai-ge numbers of the colonists to prepare to follow the French flag, and a hegira followed which swept out of the colony fully one-third of its 3,000 inhabitants. There was still a large number left, forming the largest colony in the West; but there were forces constantly at work which gradually depleted its numbers. Under the British rule, an abnormal activity among traders and land speculators was developed. The natives were constantly overreached iu trade by un- scrupulous persons, protected by the dominant power, and representa- tives of land purchasing organizations were acquiring vast tracts of coun- try from ignorant savages, who had little comprehension of the meaning or consequences of these transactions. These schemes and practices, though happily brought to naught b_y the Revolution, rendered the In- dians, for a time, savagely hostile, and left their blighting influence long after their removal. The Lick of proper sympathy between the gov- erning race and the governed, the hostility of the savages in which thev were involved with the British, indueeil many of the French colonists to leave their old homes as rapidly as they coald make arrangements to do so. The British garrison had hitherto occupied the old French Fort Chartres, but one day in 177'2, the river having overflowed its banks, and swept away a bastion and the river wall, the occupants fled with pre- cipitate haste to the high ground above Kaskaskia, where they erected a palisade fort. This was the principal achievement of the British forces up to the beginning of the war with the colonies. In this struggle, re- moved from the sci>ne of active operations, the commandant, resortiui-' to the favorite means of the British during their entire early history on this continent, furnished supplies and munitions of war to the savao-os, and thus equipped, incited them to war upon the unprotected frontier settle- ments in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Yiririnia. THE OLD N0RTHWE8T. 19 clakk's campaign. So disastrous iu their consequences and distraetiug in their intiuence were these attacks, that Col. George Rogers Clark earh- set about pro- curing the means to effectually check them. Eecognizing the British posts at Kaskaskia and Yincennes as the sources of the Indians' sup- plies and inspiration, he directed his efforts toward the capture of these points, and, enlisting the interest of Patrick Henry, Governor of Vir- ginia, secui-ing such help as he could give, Clark was able on June 24, 177S, to stai-t fi-om the falls of the Ohio with 153 men for Lower Illinois. So skillfully did he manage his movements that he caught the garrison napping, and captured, on the 5th of July, both force and fort without the spilling of a drop of blood. Cahokia fell in like manner without a blow. Clark's original plan contemplated the attack of Vincennes as the first object of his campaign, but on reaching the Falls of the Ohio, his force being so much smaller than he had expected, he found it necessary to change his plan of operations. In his joarnal, Clark gives his rea- sons ftir the change as follows: "As Post Yincennes, at this time, was a town of considerable force, consisting of nearly 400 militia, with an Indian town adjoining, and great numbers continually in the neighbor- hood, and, in the scale of Indian affairs, of more importance than any other, I had thought of attacking it first; but now foitnd that I could by no means venture near it. I resolved to begin my career in the Illinois, where there were more inhabitants, but scattered in different villages, and less danger of being immediately overpowered by the Indians; in case of necessity, we could probably make oiu- retreat to the Spanish side of the ilississippi ; but if successful, we might pave our wa}' to the possession of Post Yincennes," This shrewd forecast of the situation was abun- dantly confirmed by the issue of events. His sagacity in dealing with- the conquered posts of Kaskaskia and Cahokia was re-enforced by the announcement of the treaty entered into between France and the Colo- nies, and in August the delegation of French citizens, which had been sent from Kaskaskia to Vincennes, retiu-ned bearing the joyful news that the whole population had sworn public allegiance to the United States, and had displayed the American flag. On the receipt of this intelli- gence fi'om Clark, the Virginia Assembly in October erected the whole territory thus conquered into the county of Illinois and jDrovided for its government. This first attempt to organize the coitntry west of the Ohio was thwarted, however, by the descent of the British from Detroit in the following December. The French population had garrisoned the fort at the suggestion of Clark, who subsequently sent Capt, Helm as a representative of the American Government and an agent to the Indians. On the approach of the British, Capt. Helm and one private alone occupied the fort, who, 20 ■ THE OLD NORTHWEST. by putting on a bold front, obtained from the besiegers the honors of war. This sudden change in the situation boded serious evil to the Kentuc -j frontier, and necessitated prompt action upon the part of Col. Clar . Learning in December, 1779, that the English Commandant, Henry Hamilton, had greatly weakened his force by sending detachments else- where, Clark determined to attack the enemy at once with what troops he could collect. After enduring almost incredible hardships and over- coming obstacles that would have been insui-mountable to any less deter- mined officer, Clark found himself once more before the enemy. Here his skillful dispositions and unparalleled audacity were again crowned with success, and on February 24 he received the capitulation of the English garrison. THE COUNTY ILLINOIS. The temporary success of the English did not long defer the plans of the Virginia commonwealth, and the conquered territory was at once placed under control of civil authority, John Todd representing the sov- ereignty of Virginia as County Lieutenant. His instructions were broad enough to meet the whole case: he was to conciliate the French and In- dians; to inculcate on the people the value of liberty, and to remove the grievances that obstruct the happiness, increase and prosperity of that country. These certainly were the great ends to be achieved if possible! but in the nature of things their accomplishment was not possible. The French population was easily conciliated, but the education of a life-time, and the hereditary characteristics of the race rendered them incapable of appreciating the value of liberty. They had gro\vii up under the enervat- ing influence of the most arbitrarv manifestations of monarchical gjovern- ment, and self-government involved too great a risk for this simple folk. The result was a lack of sympathy with the new order of things, more decided, perhaps, than under British rule. To this was added a business competition, to which they were unaccustomed; -more frequent hostile in- cursions of the Indians in which the savages gradually forgot the old-time love for the French, and repeated losses by the inundations of the river, made up a sum of discouragement which gradually depleted this country of the French inhabitants. This loss was but imperfectly repaired by the immigration which came in from Virginia and Maryland. Notwith- standing the fertility of the soil had been widely published, and a con- siderable number had already found much better advantages here than the older colonies afforded, yet the Indian depredations that followed the Revolutionary war deterred others from following until the geuernl paciti- lieation at Greenville in ]70ri. OllOAM/.ATION OF THE NOHTIIWEST TERRITORY. On the loth of July, 1787, Congress passed au ordinance I'ov the siovern- ment of the territory northwest of the Ohio River, which had been coded to THE OLD NORTHWEST. 21 the United States "bj' Virginia tliree years before, and in October following Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair was elected by Congress as Governor. In July, 1788, the Governor arrived at Fort Harmar (now Marietta), Ohio, where, dur- ing that year, the temporary government of the territory was organized. During the first two years of his administration, St. Clair was busily engaged ■with the details of governmental organization and negotiating with the Indian tribes, who found it difficult to understand the principles upon which the whites made war. On the 8th of January, 1790, the Governor found leisure to proceed to Kaskaskia to organize the government in that quarter. In August, 1788, Congress had provided for the adjustment of land dis- putes among the settlers at Kaskaskia and Vincennes, and on the arrival of St. Clair early in 1790 this matter engrossed the larger part of his attention. Among the earliest acts of his administration was the erection of the first county, including all the present State of Illinois, extending as far north as the mouth of Little Mackinaw Creek, and named St. Clair after the Gov- ernor. The general situation is described by the Governor in his report to the Secretary of War as follows : " The Illinois countrj', as well as that upon the Wabash, has been involved in great distress ever since it fell under the American dominion. The people with great cheerfulness sup- plied the troops under George Rogers Clark and the Illinois regiment with everything they could spare, and often with much more than they could spare, with any convenience to themselves. Most of the certificates for these supplies are still in their hands unliquidated, and in many instances, when application has been made to the State of Virginia, under whose au- thority the certificates were granted, payment has been refused. The Illinois regiment being disbanded, a set of men, pretending to the authority of Virginia, embodied themselves, and a scene of general depredation ensued. To this succeeded three successive and extraordinarj' inundations of the Mississippi, which either swept away their crops or prevented their being planted. The loss of the greater part of their trade with the Indians, as well as the hostile incursions of some of the tribes which had ever before been in friendship with them ; and to these was added the loss of the whole of their last crops of corn by an untimely frost. Extreme misery could not fail to be the consequence of such accumulated misfortunes." DIVISION OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. On the 7th of May, 1800, the President of the United States approved an act of Congress, entitled " An act to divide the Territory northwest of the Ohio into two separate governments." The one retaining the former name was composed of the present State of Ohio, a small part of Michigan, and a small part of Indiana, being that part in the southeast corner which had been ceded to the United States by the Indians, in the treatj- of Green- ville. The other district was denominated the Indiana Territory, and em- braced all the region east of the Mississippi, and between the lakes and the Ohio. The population of all this tract of countrj', by the census of 1800, 22 THE OLD NORTHWEST. was 4,875, of which a small portion, in Clark's grant, was of English descent ; the remainder, mostlj' of French extraction, resided at or near KaskasKia, Vincennes and Detroit. William Henrj- Harrison was appointed Governor of Indiana Territorj-, and during his administration he discovered and thwarted the reckless speculation in public lands, which was greatly inter- fering with the prosperit}- of the new Territory. Gov. Harrison thus describes the situation in a letter from Vincennes to Mr. Madison : " The court established at this place, under the authority of the State of Virginia, in the year 1 780, assumed to themselves the right of granting lands to every appli- cant. Having exercised this power for some time, without opposition, they began to conclude that their right over the land was supreme, and that they could, with as much propriety, grant to themselves as to others. Accord- ingly, an arrangement was made by which the whole country, to which the Indian title was supposed to be extinguished, was divided between the members of the court, and orders to that effect were entered on their journal, each member absenting himself from court on the da^- the order was to be made in his favor, so that it might appear to be the act of his fellows only. The authors of this ridiculous transaction soon found that no advantage could be derived from it, as thev could find no purchasers, and the idea of holding anj- part of the land was b} the greater part of them abandoned. A few 3-ears ago, however, the claim was discovered, and a part of it pur- chased by some of those speculators who infest our countrv. and through these people a number of others, in different parts of the United States, have become concerned, some of whom are actually preparing to make settlements. The price at which the land is sold enables anybody to become a purchaser, one thousand acres being frequently given for an inditlerent horse or rifle gun." By the treaty of 1705. the whole of the Indiana Territory was reserved to the Indians, and, during his administration. Gov. Harrison was engaged in negotiating with the natives for further cessions of their lands. In 1805, Michigan was made a separate Territory, and the same vear the tirst Legislature for Indiana Territory was assembled at Vincennes. There were then live counties in the Territory — Knox, Dearborn and Clark within the present bounds of this State, and St. Clair and Randolph within those of Illinois. At the session of 180S. the county of Harrison was formed, and an apportionment ol' tiie Itepresentatives to the Legislature was made, bv which three members were to be elected from the county of Knox, one from Harris(in, two from Clark and three from Dearborn — nine iu all. The Terri- tory of Indiana was divided in ISOO, and the western part denominated llliuois. The boundary then, as now. was the Lower Wabash, and the line running north from A'incennes, where it last leaves the Wabash. In ISIO the counties of Franklin, Wayne and Jefferson were formed; iu ISl-l the counties of Cibson, "Warwick, Washington, Perry, Switzerland and I'osev were added, and iu 1815 the law creating Jackson and Orange was passed (!ov. Harrison having been ai.pointed. in the fall of 18lL\ to^.ommaud the Northwestern army, Thomas I'osey was appointed Governor of tlie Territory • THE OLD NORTHWEST. 23 and in the following year the seat of government was moved from Vin- cennes to Corydon. THE LORDS OF THE SOIL. It will be observed that when the colonies had achieved their independence, and as a nation, through the cession of Virginia, became heir to the vast territory northwest of the Ohio, there existed a prior claim to this area of country, and one that was not likely to be easily extinguished. Notwithstanding the repeated attempts of the National Government to obtain a peaceable possession and its partial success iu securing favorable treaties with the various tribes, it required the campaigns of Harmar, St. Clair and Wayne, before the Greeuville treaty of 1795 gave to the whites the undisputed possession of what is now the State of Ohio. But the boundaries established by this treaty gave the Indian nations all the territory within the present State of Indiana, except the following tracts : 1. One tract six miles square, where the city of Ft. Wayne is now situated. 2. One tract two miles square, on the Wabash River, at the end of the por- tage from the Maumee River, about eight miles westward from Ft. Wayne. 3. One tract six miles square, at the old Wea towns on the Wabash. 4. The tract called the " Illinois Grant," made to Gen. George Rogers Clark, near the falls of the Ohio, consisting of 150,000 acres. 5. The town of Vincennes and adjacent lands, to which the Indian title had been extinguished, and all similar lands at other places in possession of the French. and other settlers. 6. The strip of land east of the boundar}- line, running directly from the site of Fort Recover}', so as to intersect the Ohio River at a point opposite the mouth of the Kentucky. When Gen. Harrison became Governor of Indiana Territory, he was in- vested with authoritj' by the General Government to make such further treaties as would best extinguish the claims of the Indians. x-Vccordingly at Vincennes, September 17, 1802, a meeting of certain chiefs and head men of the Pottawatomie, Eel River, Kickapoo, Piankeshaw and Kaskaskia and Wea tribes, appointed the Pottawatomie chiefs, Winamac and Topinepik, and the Miami chiefs, Little Turtle and Richardville, to settle a treaty for the extinguishment of Indian claims to certain lands on the borders of the Wabash, in the vicinity of Vincennes. On June 7, 1803, at Ft. Wayne, certain chiefs and head men of the Delaware, Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Eel River, Kickapoo, Piankeshaw and Kaskaskia tribes ceded to the United States about 1,600,000 acres of land. Again at Vincennes, on the 18th day of August of the following j'ear, the Delawares ceded their claim to the tract of land lying between the Wabash and the Ohio Rivers, and south of the road which led from Vincennes to the falls of the Ohio, the Piankeshaws relinquishing their claims to the same tract a few daj's later in the same month. By a treaty concluded at Grouseland, near Vincennes, August 21, 1805, the Governor secured from certain chiefs and warriors of the Delaware, Pottawatomie, Miami, Eel River and Wea tribes the cession of their lands Ij'ing southeast of the line running northeasterly from a point about fifty- 2-1 THE OLD NORTHWEST. seven miles due east from Vinceiines, so as to strike tlie general boundary- line (running from a point opposite the mouth of the Kentucky Kiver to Fort Recovery), at the distance of fifty miles from the commencement on the Ohio. On the .30th of December, this year, at Vincennes, the Piankeshaw tribe ceded about 2,000.000 acres of land lying west of the Wabash, and at Ft. Wayne, September .30, 1809, the chiefs of the Delaware, Eel River, Pottawatomie and Miami tribes ceded to the United States about 2.000,000 acres of land lying principally on the southeastern side of the Wabash, be- low the mouth of the Raccoon Creek. Tlie chiefs of the Wea tribe in the following month met Gov. Harrison at Vincennes and acknowledged the validity of this treaty, which was also confirmed by the sachems and war chief of the Kickapoos December 9, 1809, besides ceding a further tract of about 113,000 acres of land. Thus far the Indians had maintained amicable relations with the whites, though it was becoming evident that there was a disturbing element among them brewing discontent. In 1805, Teeumseh and his brotner, La-lc-was-i- kaw (Loud Voice) resided at one of the Delaware villages on the West Fork of the White River, within the present limits of the county of Delaware. Sometime during this year, " Loud Voice ' took upon himself the character of prophet and reformer, and earnestly inveighed against the use of whiskj-, the practice of Indian women marrying white men, and the selling of lands, pointing out the deterioration of the natives by their contact with the whites and the tendency of the policy adopted. His crusade against their evils attracted quite a baud of Shawanoes about him. who about the end of this year moved to Greeuville. Ohio. The increase of their num- bers and the knowledge of their sentiments with reference to the whites, aroused considerable alarm among the settlers, until the spring of 1808. when the band removed to the Wabash near the mouth of Tippecanoe Creek, where they establisheil the famous Prophet's town. These proceed- ings had not escaped the watchful eye of Gov. Harrison, who sent repeated remonstrances and warnings to the band. The only result was to call forth from the Prophet a deprecatory reply and a profession of friendship for the whites. The matter proceeded until in ISIO a rupture seemed likely to occur at any moment. In August, Teeumseh, accompanied liy seventv-flve warriors, came to Vincennes to have an interview with CrO\'. Harrison. From the 12th to the 22d there was a series of couterences whieh developed the grievances and determinations of the natives. In one of these confer- ences Teeumseh said : '■ Since tiie treaty of Greenville you have killed some of the Shawanoes, Winnebagoes, Delawares and Miamis, and von have taken our lands from us ; and I do not see how we can remain at peace witli vou if you continue to do so. ^- * * * If the land is not restored to us, you will see, when we return to our homes, how it will be settled. 'We shall have a great council, at which all the tribes shall be present, when wo shall show to those who sold that they had no right to the claim thev set up ; and we shall see what will be done with those chiefs that did sell the land to THE OLD NORTHWEST. 25 you. I am. not alone in this determination. It is the determination of all the warriors and red people that listen to me." At a subsequent talk Gov. Harrison asked Tecumseh, explicitly, if the Indians woald forciblj- resist an attempt to survey the lands ceded at Ft. Wayne, and was answered in sub stance, that thej' would resist. Said he : " We do not wish you to talce the lands." Gov. Harrison replied that his '-claims and pretentions would not be acknowledged by the President of the United States." " Well," said Tecumseh, " as the great chief is to determine the matter, I hope the Great Spirit will put sense enough into his head to induce him to direct you to give up the land. It is true he is so far off that he wUl not be injured Ij}- the war. He may sit still in his town and drink his wine while you and I will have to fight it out." In the meantime, this disaffection among tlie Indians was increased by the action of the British authorities in Canada, though no positive hostilities occurred until the middle of 1811. During the summer of this year, depre- dations were committed bj- straggling parties upon the property' of the settlers. Several surve3'ing parties were driven away, and others killed. During this period, Gov. Harrison was striving by peaceful means to break up the confederation of the tribes, and preparing to erect a fort on the Wabash for the protection of the settlers in that vicinity. In the latter part of June, Harrison sent an address to Tecumseh, and the Prophet, to which the chiefs made a lengtli}^ I'eplj', and proposed to visit the Governor again in person. In pursuance of this project, Tecumseh came to Vinceunes in the latter part of July with about .300 attendants ; but, being met by a formidable array of troops, repeated his assurance of amicable intentions, and immediately left to draw the Southern tribes into the confederation. During these negotiations, the Governor had suspected the design of the Indians, and, though at one time partially convinced that the chiefs would allow matters to be adjusted without an appeal to arms, had fiuallj^ become impressed that the confederation at the Prophet's town must be suporessed by force. To this end, acting under the authority of the General Government, a force of some 900 men set out in September from Vineennes under command of Harrison. The little army moved up the Wabash, and erected Fort Harrison on the east bank of the Wabash, above whore the city of Terre Haute now stands. Leaving a small garrison here, the remain- der of the army moved in the direction of Prophet's town, encamping on the 2d of November two miles below the mouth of Big Vermillion River, where a small block-house was erected on the west bank of the Wabash. Leaving a Sero-eant with eight men to garrison it, with orders to protect the boats employed in transporting supplies to the army, the rest of the force pro- ceeded to the Indian village, arriving at this point on the tith of November. The Indians, showing no disposition to give battle, the little army selected a site for encampment on the banks of Burnett Creek, seven miles nortlieast of the present city of Lafayette. The troops encamped in order of l)attle, with clothes and accouterments on, fire arms loaded, and their bayonets 2t; THE OLD NORTHWEST. fixed. The Indians began the attack at quarter past 4 iu the morning, immediately after the Crovernor had risen to prepare for the business ot e day. But a single gun was fired by the sentinels, or by the guard, m the direction of the attack, as they retreated precipitately to the camp. As the troops were asleep on their arms, they were soon at their stations, though the war-whoop and the attack so soon followed the first alarm, that the hues were broken in several places, and one of the companies was driven from its position in the line toward the center of the camp. The want of concert amono- the Indians, and their irregular mode of warfare, did not allow them to take full advantage of their success, or of the blunders of their opponents, so that as the resistance was very obstinate along the line, they were in the end obliged to retreat iu great haste. The loss of Gen. Harrison's force amounted to 37 killed and 151 wounded, of which latter number 25 after- ward died of their wounds. The Indians engaged in the battle of Tippe- canoe were probably between six and seven hundred, and their loss was about equal to that of the whites. After burning the Indian town, which had been abandoned by the savages, the army returned to Vincennes on the 17th of November. The result of the expedition was favorable to the peace of the frontiers. Immediately after their defeat, the surviving Indians, hav- ing lost faith in their leader, returned to their respective tribes, the Prophet taking up his residence among a small band of Wyandots. THE WAR OF 1S12. The rupture of the peaceful relations between the United States and Great Britain by the declaration of war by the former in June. 1S12, was foreshadowed for some time previous, and the Canadian authorities taking advantage of the Indian disturbance of the preceding year fouud no diffi- culty in securing tlie support of the Xorthwestern tribes. Accordingly, the culmination of the international dift'erences was preceded by various acts of hostility on the part of the defeated Indians. The American Government had not been unmindful of the situation, and daring the spring and summer of this year had caused the erection of block-houses and picketed forts through- out the Indiana settlements which were exposed to Indian depredations. Notwithstanding these precautions, on the 11th of April preceding the declaration of war. an attack was made on a settlement ou the west side of the Waltash, about thirty-five miles above Vincennes. The wife of Mr. Hut- son, his four children ami his hired man were murdered iu his absence, and on the 22d Mr. Harrynian, with his wife and five children, was killed ou the same side of the Wabash, at the mouth of Embarrass Creek, about five miles from A'incenues. About the middle of the i\Iay t'oUowing. a sreat council of the Indians was held at one of their villages on the ^lississinewa Biver, at wliich nearly all the northwestern tribes were represented. The general cx[>ression at this council was iu favor of maiutainin::: peaceful rela- tions with the United States, though at the same time refusing to surrender those wlio were guilty of the murders meutioued. Tecumseh, dissatisfied THE OLD NORTHWEST. 27 ■with the action of the council, left with his following, and soon successfuUj' attacked, with the assistance of the British, the northern forts at Mackinaw • and Chicago. On the 16th of August, G-en. Hull surrendered Detroit, which so emboldened the Winnebagoes, Pottawatomies and Kickapoos that they sent out war parties to pre}- upon the frontier settlements. Two men were killed while making hay near Fort Harrison on the 3d of September. On the 4th, an attack was made on the fort, during which one of the block-houses was set on fire, the garrison, however, eventually repelling the attack. On the 3d, occurred the '■ Pigeon Roost massacre." Two men hunting bee trees were surprised and killed by a part}' of ten or twelve Shawanoes, who that night attacked the Pigeon -Roost settlement, situated within the present limits of Scott Count}-, and in the space of an hour killed one man, five women and sixteen children. In August, 1812, Gov. Harrison was appointed Major General of the forces raising in Kentucky, and in the middle of September arrived with a force of 2,700 men at Fort Wayne, where a force of Indians had been besieging the place since the beginning of the war. They retreated on the approach of the relieving force, (len. Harrison sending out several detach- ments in pursuit. These detachments failed to overtake the savages, hut destroyed the important village of 0-nox-see, on the Elkhart River, Little Turtle's town on the Eel River, and a Miami village near the forks of the Wabash. In the latter part of September, Gen. Harrison was invested with the command of the Northwestern army, and assigning the duty of operat- ing against the Indians on the Wabash and Illinois Rivers to a force of 2,000 troops stationed at Vincennes, he began preparations for his campaign against Detroit. The force at Vincennes, under the command of G-en. Hop- kins, set out early in November for the purpose of penetrating the Indian country as far as the Prophet's town, which had been rebuilt. This village and a large one in the near vicinity belonging to the Kickapoos were destroyed and a detachment sent out to destroy one seven miles out on Wild Gat Creek. Here the detachment met with a repulse. The whole force then prepared to attack the savages, but were delayed by stress of weather for a day or two, and when they reached the point, though naturally easy of defense, the Indians were found to have deserted the place. The lack of clothino- and the severity of the weather made the further pursuit of the savages impracticable, and the expedition returned to Vincennes in safety. In pursuance of his plans against Detroit, Gen. Harrison had established a depot of supplies at the rapids of the Maumee, with the intention of mov- ing thence a choice detachment of his army, and, while making a demon- stration against Detroit, to cross the straits on the ice and actually invest Maiden, the British stronghold in Canada. Before attempting this, how- ever it became necessary to break up thcMiami villages on the Mississinewa River, and thus cripple any attack that might be attempted from this quarter. Although the Miamis professed to be neutral, their participation in the at- tacks upon Forts Wayne and Harrison made it probable that a favorable 2 28 THE OLD NORTHWEST. opportunity would render them susceptible to the influence of the hostile tribes, a' detachment of 600 troops proceeded from Dayton, Ohio, m the middle of December, and a few days later surprised an Indian town occu- pied by a number of the Delawares and Miamis, anct advancing aown the river destroyed three other villages, when the expedition returned and encamped on the site of the first village. On the following morning, about a half-hour before day, while the officers were holding a council of war, the savages made a determined attack upon the camp. In this engagement which lasted about an hour, the troops suffered a loss of eight killed and forty-two wounded. The Indians, who numbered about 300 and were under the command of Little Thunder, a nephew of Little Turtle, suffered a much heavier loss, and were forced to make a hasty retreat, leaving the whites m possession of the ground and of a large number of prisoners captured in the surprise of the first village. The want of provision and forage, the severity of the cold, and the rumor that Tecumseh was at the principal vil- lage further down the Mississinewa River, deterred the troops from making any further advance, and a retreat toward Greenville was begun and accom- plished without serious annoyance from the savages. In the following sum- mer, Perry's victory on the lake paved the way for Harrison's victory over the Indians and British in the battle of the Thames River, on the 6th of October, which ended the hostilities in the Northwest. On the 22dof July, 1814, Harrison concluded a treaty at (31-reenville. Ohio, by which the Indians buried the tomahawk, whether the war ceased with tlie British or not, but this proviso was put out of the question on the i'4th of December by the treaty of Ghent, With the return of peace, further treaties were negotiated with the various Indian tribes, and the survey of the lands thus made secure was rapidly pushed forward, ITBLIC LANPS. The public lands of the General Government were all surveyed upon the same general system. To this end, " meridian lines" running due north from the mouth of some river are first established. These are intersected at right angles bj' " base lines" running east and west. The " first principal meridian" is a line running due north fiom the mouth of the Miami, and is, in fact, the east line of the State of Indiana. The " second principal merid- ian " is aline running due north from the mouth of Little Blue River, eighty- nine miles west of the former. The only base line running through this State crosses it from easr to west in latitude 38^ 30', leaving the Ohio twentv-five miles above Louisville, and striking the Wabash four miles abo\ e the mouth cif the White River. From this base line the Congressional townships of six miles square are numbered north and south, and from the second prin- cijial meridian all the ranges of townships are numbered east and west, except the counties of Switzerland. Dearborn, and parts of Franklin, Union, Wayne and Randolph. This part of the State was surveyed in townships from a base line of fifteen miles north of the former, and in ranges west of the first principal meridian. The '' Clark Grant ' in Clark County and the THE OLD NORTHWEST. 29 okl French lands in Kuox County- are also exceptions to the regularitj- of the general survey of the State. Townships are subdivided into thirty-six equal parts, or thirtj^-six square miles, containing 640 acres each, called sections. These sections are subdivided into halves, of 320 acres, and quarters, of 160 acres each, which last are again subdivided into halves, of eighty- acres, and quarters, of fort}- acres each. " Fractions " are parts of sections intersected by streams, or confirmed claims or reservations, and are of various sizes. The sections of a township are designated by numbers, beginning with the northeast corner and following in regular order to the west side, the second tier of sections beginning on the west side of the town- ship and proceeding east. That portion of the State in the southeast corner, which was included in the Ohio survej^, was disposed of at the Cincinnati land office. The rest of the public lands in this State were principally dis- posed of at offices established at Jetfersonville. Vincennes, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Winamac. ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE. The restoration of peace with Great Britain, and the pacifica- tion of the Indians in 1815, brought a great increase of population to the Territory, so that in December of this year the General Assem- bly of the Territory adopted a memorial to Congress asking the admission of Indiana into the Union as a State. Under an enabling act of Congress, a convention to form a constitution was elected, and held its sessions from the 10th to the 29th of June, 1816, and, on the 11th of December following, the State was formally admitted to the Union by a joint resolution of Con- gress. Until the close of the Territorial government, more than three-fourths of the State was in possession of the Indians, or had been so recently pur- chased as not to have been surveyed and exposed to sale. The maps of the State, even as late as 1818, represented the Indian boundary as starting from a point in the northern part of Jackson County and running northeast to the Ohio line, near Fort Recovery, and northwest to the Wabash, a few miles above Terre Haute. Yincennes was then by far the most considera- ble town in the new State. The Indian trade was then large ; there was generally one or more companies of United States troops at Fort Knox at that place ; the business at the land office and the bank, and the inclination of the French to settle in a village rather than on a farm, brought together a population of nearly two thousand. Corydon, the seat of government, had a good stone court house built by the Speaker of the Territorial Legislature, who, it is said, was often called from the hammer and trowel to the chair. The other buildings there, not exceeding one hundred in number, were either cabins or of hewn logs. The sites of New Albany and Madison presented here and there a few comfortable houses, and perhaps a hundred cabins. Jeflersonville and Lawrenceburg had been longer settled, but except the then fine residence of Gov. Posey at 30 THE OLD NORTHWEST. the former place there was no other good building in eith er, and Charleston, Salem, Vevay, Kising Sun and Brookville were then talked of as having magnificent prospects for the future. There were ver^- few large farms in the State in 181 G, The range of wild grass, the mast and roots were so abundant in the woods that hogs, cattle and horses required but little other food, and that was in general corn alone. It is probable that a single corn- field of from five to tweut3' acres constituted at least seven-eighths of the farms then cultivated in the State, DEVELOPMENT OF .STATE AND FORMATION OF COUNTIES, In 1828, the General Government purchased the '■ ten-mile strip " along the northern end of the State, and, in 1832, extinguished the remaining claims of the Indians, save the numerous reservations in the northern part. In 1835, the greater part of the natives were removed west of the Missis- sippi, and b}- 1840 all save a few had emigrated from the special reserva- tions. As the State was thus left free for settlement, the Surreyor pioneered the advancing civilization, and counties were rapidly organized in response to the growing demand of the increasing population. The tide of immigra- tion came principally from the South at first, and later from the East, the organization of counties giving a pretty clear indication of the nature of this development. At the organization of the State government, fifteen counties had been formed, and others were organized as follows : 1817, Daviess, Pike, Jennings, Sullivan ; 1813, Crawford, Dubois, Lawrence, Monroe, Randolph, llipley, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Vigo ; 1819, Fayette, Floyd, Owen ; 1820, Scott, Jlartiu ; 1821, Bartholomew, Greene, Henry, Parke, Union ; 1822, Decatur, Marion, Morgan, Putnam, Rush, Shelby ; 1823, Hamilton, Johnson, Madison, Montgomery ; 1821, Allen, Hendricks, Vermillion ; 1825, Clay ; 1S2G, Delaware, Fountain, Tippecanoe : 1828, Car- roll, Hancock. Warren ; 182'J. Cass ; 1830, Boone, Cliutoa Elkhart, St. Jo- seph ; 1831, Grant ; 1832. La Grange, La Porte ; 1834, Huntington, White ; 1835, Miami, Wabash ; 1836, Adams, Brown, DeKalb, Fulton^ Kosciusko,' Marshall, Noble, Porter ; 1837, Bhrckford, Lake, Steuben, Wells, Jay ; 1838, Jasper ; 1840, Benton ; 1842, Whitley ; 1844, Howard, Ohio, Tipton • 1850, Starke, 1850, Newton, PART II. HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. GEOLOGY AND SETTipEMENT. T!Y WESTON A. GOnDSPEKD. NATURAL ADVAKTAGES. PEEHAPS no other county in Indiana has a greater diversity of nat- ural features than Warren. On the north and west are " alhivial plains, as rich and productive as any on the globe, while bordering the A\ abash and the various smaller streams that traverse the county, are vast beds of the finest building sandstone and the choicest block coal. Sand, gravel, marl, limestone, ironstone, potter's clay, mineral springs, cas- cades, valleys, hills, prairie, woodland and numerous views of picturesque grandeur combine to render the county one of the best in the State for the abode of civilized man. An occasional discovery of virgin gold, sil- ver, lead or copper detracts nothing from the general interest felt in the county. There is scarcel}' a section of land that cannot be rendered fit for almost unlimited production. Even over the summits of the bluffs, below which lie the rich deposits of stone and coal, is found a mixed soil which yields a satisfactory return to the agriculturist. The " barrens " in the valley of the Wabash, Ihough too cold for the cereals, are excellent for certain garden productions. nRAINAGE. The entire county is within the valley oi the Wabash, which river forms the southeastern boundary. Big Pine Creek, the most important intersecting streain, enters the county in Adams Township from the north, thence flows southwesterly across Pine Township, thence south- easterly through Liberty, emptying into the Wabash at Attica, Little Pine Creek flows south through Medina and the eastern part of Warren. Kickapoo Creek rises in Medina, flows across southeastern Adams and across western Warren, with a general course of south- southwest. Mud Pine Creek drains all of western Pine Township and eastern Prairie, and joins Big Pine Creek near the northern line of Liberty. Kock Creek rises in Liberty and flows south -southeast, forming the boundary be- tween Washington and Pike Townships. Eedwood Creek rises in Jordan, crosses Steuben and Pike and reaches the Wabash with a southeast course. Opossum Run has its source in Steuben, thence it flows southeast across 32 HISTORY OF WARRE-V COUNTY. Kent and Mound, into the Wabash, Jordan Creek drains southern Prai- rie and Northern Jordan, and flows southwest into Vermillion Kiver m Illinois. Gopher Creek drains western Kent and the greater portion of Mound, and joins the Wabash in Vermillion County. A few smaller streams, such as Dry Creek, Fall Branch, Little Creek, Coal Run. Hall's Branch, Salt's Eun^ West Kickapoo Creek and Chesapeake Run have been properly christened. THE LANDSCAPE. Warren County has many natural scenes to delight the eye. Several blitffs along the Wabash, towering up like huge domes far abore the water, command a view of over twenty miles along the valley and re- veal the sinuous curves of the historical old river and the beautiful natural scenery along its banks. One may look down the river from above Independence and see live or sis natural horizons of forestry until the view is terminated by a long belt of heavy timber over twenty miles away. But the most beautiful and picturesque views are along Big and Little Pine Creeks. Perpendicular embankments of sandstone, from which cascades as airy and bewitching as a bride's vail, leap from forty to eighty feet to the rocks below, and rise in mimic clouds of spray like a miniature Niagara, kindle in the beholder the highest emotion of grandeur. Nat- ural groups of white pine, that most commanding of all trees seen at a distance, occur at intervals along the bluiis which skirt the valleys and stand like faithful sentinels over the vale below, through which the brook runs laughing aloud on its way to deeper bays and swifter currents. Even the prairies in early years, with their islands of groves, were the grandest sights to those whose view from infancy had been hemmed in by heavy bodies of timber. The eye greeted the boundless vista of green velvet until sky and prairie met in the far distance as it did the immensity of the starry spaces or the sublime expanse of the ocean. All this and much more is in Warren County. Many jieople in other coun- ties and States would travel miles to enjoy the beauties which too many of the citizens of Warren do not ap]n-eciate. Warren has three or fotir great natural pleasure resorts. TOPOGRAPHY. The following is taken from the report of John Collet. State Geolo- gist: " The topographical features of Warren County are agreeably varied. The western and northern parts, embracing more than half its area, pre- sent a broad stretch of Grand Prairie. The siirface is undulating, or gently rolling, and oifers ample facilities for drainage, withoitt am- or but little waste lauds; while from the tops of any of the slight knolls or prairie ridges the eye is delighted with miles of coru-tields.'or leagues of blue grass pasfjire and meadow land, diversitied with island o-roves or their partings of timber. Adjoining the prairie region to the south and east is a wide belt of high rolling or hilly land, that descends >i-ontlv to the abrujit bluffs which the "Wabash and the creeks that tlow into it have cut down through the underlying coai luoasures, conglomerate sand rocks, and deep into the subcarboniferous formation. The soil of this belt is mostly yellowish clay, the tlocomposition of Silurian, Devonian and sub- carboniferous lime rocks, imported by rivers aneiontlv tlowim^ at this level. It is rich in tree foixt, and was originally clothed in a dense Cor- est of onk, hickory, ash, walnut, pojilar, beech, "maple and other lav^-e HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 33 trees, beech and sugar trees predominating on the reddish clay soils, and oak trees on drift clays or sandy soils. The bluffs along the Wabash River and the principal creeks are from eighty to 150 feet in height, and are of romantic boldness. The tops at several stations are crowned with pines and cedars, and the sides are generally curtained with living walls of conglomerate or subcarboniferous sand rocks. SURFACE GEOLOGY. " The surface deposits of this county comprise two members of the Quaternary, or more recent of- the geological formation, viz. : Aluvium, new or ancient, and the Bowlder drift. The alluvial bottoms owe their origin to causes now in action. They are formed of sedimexitary sands and clays, torn away and transported by streams at high water stage, and thrown upon the flood plain by overflow. The soil is sandy, largely intermixed with decayed leaves and other vegetable matter, and is in effect a rich garden mold. "At an elevation of sixty to ninety feet near the channel of the river, are found wide areas of the more ancient alluvial formation, as the Mound Prairie, in the southern portion of the county, and the " Barrens " south of Williamsport and southwest of Independence. The soil of this formation is generally a warm, black loam, bat sometimes sand or colder clays predominate. It is underlaid by gravel, sand or the rounded frag- ments of sandstone; and from the wide range of the deposit, extending miles on either side of the river, and from the great depth and uniform- ity of the material, we may date back the age of these terraces to the time when they served as flood plains of the Wabash, then a mighty river miles in width, which poured, in a broad channel vexed with numerous is- lands of conglomerate sand rock, the surplus waters of Lake Erie to the sea. " Htiil higher, reaching up to the most elevated point in the county, and full L'OO feet above the bed of the Wabash River, are found the oldest alluvium terraces and banks of modiiied drift gravels and sand, as at Walnut Grove, in Prairie Township. These signalize the infancy of the river when, an insignificant and currentless stream with uncertain course, the Wabash, traversing all the region for thirty to forty miles on either side, sometimes flowing around through Illinois, sought by the line of least resistance the easiest pathway to the mouth of the val- ley of the continent. THE BOWLDERS. " The Bowlder drift next succeeds in age. This formation is well de- veloped in the west and northern parts of the county, and in fact under- lies all the Grand Prairie district. It contsists of tenacious gray and blue clays, obscurely laminated, and holding a considerable proportion of worn 'and polished pebbles and bowlders. Some of the latter are specimens of the Devonian and Silurian rocks in Northern Indiana and Illinois, but a larger proportion are metamorphic or transition rocks from the neighborhood of Lake Superior, or from still more arctic regions. The bowlders and coarse gravel are scattered from near the top down to within five to twenty feet of the bottom of the drift; for these clays were in a soft and oozy condition, and the heavy granite would naturally sink some distance. As a consequence, where bowlders are found on the sur- face, we may sfifely conclude that erosive action had carried away the 34 HISTORY OF WARKEX COUNTY. finer matrix, leaving bare the heavy rocks. These in return, by then- number, are a measure of the amount of denudation. Partings of quick- sands and thin lavers of stony fragments from neighboring strata are found located at large intervals through this formation, showing that for short spaces during the drift period the great ice-beariag stream from the North was obstructed or overpowered by currents from the east or from the west, thus mingling with the northern di'ift fragmentary mate- rials from Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. Near the base of the drift, and resting on a broken and irregular floor of coal measure rocks, is gener- ally found a bed of potters clay, intermixed with quicksand and black muck. A marked bed of the latter was found in sinking the West Leb- anon shaft. From the soil here discovered was taken a large number of roots of trees, shrubs and plants of pre-glacial age. S.4.NDST0NE. "Conglomerate sand rock, resting on subcarboniferoiis groups of rock, containing coal plants and dark pyritous clay, is of irregular formation. Upon exposure to the air, it decomposes, washes away, aud gives origin to caves, cascades and rock houses, so common in Kentucky. It is cjften accompanied by a thin seam of coal. In Warren County, no CL'al was found more than two inches thick and a single band of black sla^e at Munson's old mill on Little Pine. "In the northwestern portion of the coitnty, oittliers of conglomerate rock are found capping the highest tables, as at Black Rock aud near Green Hill; also at Point of Eocks, below Piainsville, and Island Rock, in Mud Pine. It extends to tbe west with a slight dip to the west bank of Pine Creek, where the dip stiddenly increases at the rate of twenty to thirty feet per mile. Southerly along the line of strike. Pine Creek tiows in a deep valley, generally walled by bold mural escarpments or over- hanging cliffs of massive sand rock, crowned with evergreen pines, cedars and juniper trees, combining scenery at once gr-and, wild and beautiful. The valley is from 150 to 200 feet deep, and the narrow mar- gin of alluvial soil was originally covered with a tangled mass of thorny brush, briers and vines. These feattires made Pine Creek a strong line of defense in Indian warfare, well suited to their strategy, and m the campaign of ISll, the confederate tribes planned to light here with Gen. Harrison. The gallant General, by a quick march fo the left llank, crossed higher up to the ojien prairie, and ended the war by the brilliant victory of Tippecanoe. The conglomerate is well developed" at Williams- port, on the Kickapoo, and in the blult's near the mouth of Red Wood. This formation consists of massive, varionslv colored sandstone, and rarely in-esents the typical character from which the name is derived, but near the mouth of Kickapoo. at Black Rock and at Thompson's .luarrv. near Green Hill, si)ecimens are found full of pebbles. These stones are easily quarried, freely ctit. but harden upon exposure, making choice material for building purposes. '^ 00.\L. "The coal measures occur nest in order of time. They lie directly upon the conglomerate and in outcrop occupy the regions south and west of that deposit, in area more than one-half of the county. The out- croi> of coal may be traced from near Ihe Ohio River in Dubois aud Pike Counties to the middlc> of Warren Coitnty. Good, clioice semi' Mock HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 35 coal is fouDcl in the lower stream on Possum Run, at Steelj^'s farm, at Adamson's and J, Briggs", from two to three and one-half feet thick. On Fall Creek, all the banks furnish choice block coal, free from sulphur, well suited for smelting iron and with an average of three feel iu thick- ness. The dark, bituminous limestone roof is almost invariably pres- ent, ranging from one to four feet, sometimes changing to a calcareous shale. It is well developed at Main's mill on Red Wood, where huge blocks are laid bare in the bottom of the creek. Here the stone is high colored, homogeneous and compact. Specimens have been dressed by workmen. Locally, it is known as black marble. Fat coking coal, con- taining much snlphur, outcrops on Mud Pine, at Briscoe's and at "Wil- son's bank, at the head of Fall Creek. The product at this point meets a ready mai'ket. The seam ranges from sis. to eighteen inches iu thick- ness. The roof of this coal seam generally consists of pyritous slate, lean iron stones and concretions of argillite, of no economic importance as far as visible in the outcrop. Good coking coal is found at Briscoe's Tinkler's Mines, near West Lebanon. Block coal is found at Hooper's and Barringer's, on Possum Bun, and nearly as good at Lupold's. on Fall Creek. The lower stratmn is generally crowded with leaves, fruits and trunks of carboniferous plants, in a remarkable state of preservation, Xear the railway station. Fall Branch plunges from the summit of an overhanging mass of rock down sixty feet to the valley, and has thence cut a narrow outlet to the river, aflbrding a first rate section of the con- glomerate sand rock, in massive strata, from twenty to forty feet thick. Here a choice quarry is worked by the Hon. B. F. Gregory's heirs. As mentioned in the general outlines, it is jjrobable that in the early ages, Wabash or Pine Creek, at a high level, flowed through this gap and thence south. At that time, was formed the valley and terrace plains aloiig the railroad, widening southward to Rock Creek. "A chalybeate spring is found on Dr. Boyer's land. The head being at an elevation, the water falls in spray or drop)s and in the winter time forms fairy grottoes of ice and frost. Near by is a sulphur spring. Prof. Cox, State Geologist, analyzed the water of the Boyer Spring- as follows- Sulphate of protoxide of iron, carbonate of protoxide of iron, bicarbonate of lime, chloride of sodium (common salt), sulphate of soda (Glauber salts), sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salts), and free car- bonic acid gas. Black Rock, near the eastern line of the county, on the Wabash River, is a notable and romantic feature in river scenery. A bold, precipitous cliff overhanging rises 140 feet above the bed of the river. The top is composed of red, brown or black conglomerate sand rock, highly ferruginous and in part pebbly. At the base of the sand rock and where it joins upon the underlying carbonaceous and pyritous shales, are ■ Pot Rock Houses.' Some of these of no great height have been tumbled back under the cliff, to a distance of thirty or forty feet, by the force of the ancient river flowing at this level." THE JIOUXD-BUILDEHS. It is a well known and conceded fact that all of Indiana and all her neighboring States were once inliabited by a semi -barbarous people, known as the Mound-Builders. Some authorities maintain that they were the ancestors of the Indian tribes, and that the lapse of several thousand years will account for the divergence in habit and osseous 36 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. Bt-ructnre. Others insist that they were a distinct race of people and that the lapse of the probable time between the lives of the two races . will not acr'.ount for such divergence. All agree that the Mound- Build- ers were an agricultural people. They were idolatrous and immolated the lower animals and even human being-, to secure the favor of their Deity. They cultivated the soil with rude stone implements, wove a rude" cloth from bark and reeds, and erected huge stone and earthen structures of various forms and uses. Three kinds of mounds are found in Warren County— sepulchral, sacrificial and memorial. Within the first class are found the crumbling skeletons of this people, besides var- ious trinkets or ornaments. Within the second are baked clay altars upon which are heaps of ashes, charcoal, and verv often burnt fragments of human bones. The sacrifices to the Deity were offered on these altars. The third class contain aothing; they seem to have been erected, like the Bunker Hill monument, to commemorate some important tribal event. Mounds are found in Medina, Pine, Prairie. Adams, Liberty, Mound, and possibly other townships. Mound Township received its name from this circumstance. THE INDIANS. FiW several hundred years prior to the appearance of the white race, all the United States was inhabited by this j^eople. Who they were or how they came here is unknown. As far back as definite accounts can be had, the Miamis occupied the following tract of country: From De- troit south to the Ohio Biver, thence down the same to the mouth of the Wabash, thence up the same to about the boundary between Vermillion and Warren Counties, .thence north to the southern extremity of Lake Michigan, thence east to Detroit. This fact comes from various reliable sources, the most noteworthy being from Mish-e-ken-o-quah, or Little Turtle, a Miami Indian of great intelligence and renown, who lived in Northern Indiana during the latter part of the eiojhteenth centiuw and the first of the nineteenth. Warren County was thus on the boundarv between the Miamis and the Kickapoos of Illinois. This was the condi- tion of things previous to about one hundred years ago. But from ITSO to the war of 1812, so great was the rush of white settlers into Eastern Ohio that the Indians resident there were compelled to abandon their an- cient home and seek a new one farther west, and thus numerous other tribes began to invade the domain of the Miamis. The Pottawatomie? soon occupied almost all of Indiana north of the Wabash, while the Miamis retired mostly south of that river. Thus Warren Countv was so situated that Miamis, Pottawatomies and Kickapoos were "found within its borders by the French traders who began to come up the Wabash from Vincennes in pirogues loaded with whisky and trinkets to trade with the Indians as early, iirobably, as the beginning of the pres- ent century, and certainly before the "war of 1S12. The^'Wabasb had been the highway of trave"l for Frenchmen and missiouai-ies between De- troit and the French settlements at Yineennes and at several places in Illnois since the latter part of the seventeenth ceuturv. and it is not un- likely that temporary trading posts were established in Warren Countv at vm-y early periods. Z.\OH.\KI.\H CICOTT. This man was a French Canadian, who at the age of about sixteen years came down the A\' abash to Vincennes, where he lived for a number HISTORY OF WARREN COUXTV. 37 of rears and then began the business of conveying boats or piroo-ues loaded with fancy articles and whisky up the river to trade with the In- dians for their furs. Nothing is known of these voyagers except what he himself told, and as the information comes from various mouths and recollections, it should be taken witli some grain of allowance. If Cicott's statements were correct, he came to trade with the Pottawato- mies and Kickapioos at Independence, Warren County, as early as eight or ten years before the war of 1812. So profitable became his trade, es- pecially when he could get the Indians under the influence of whisky, that he became a comparatively wealthy man. Interesting stories, with- out limit in number, could be told regardinc; these trading- vovages. Many times Cicott's life was in extreme danger, but he was watchful and brave, and managed to secure a confidential Indian, who speedily informed him of all plots involving danger to his person or interests. Mr. Cicott was a swarthy man of average size, was quick, wiry and very strong for his weight, and possessed considerable skill and bravery and an iron constitution. He married a squaw of the Pottawatomie tribe, by whom he had two children, John Battiece and Sophia At Independ- ence were two or more natural springs of excellent water, which cir- cumstance had caused that point to become a great place for the Indians to encamp. Cicott, in nearly all his voyages, found it profitable to stop there to trade, although he occasionally went up to Hackberry Island or stopped to trade with the Kickapoos at the mouth of Kickapoo Creek, there being quite a large encampment of the tribe there. He erected a rude building, probably before the war of 1812, and irsually occupied it while trading. On one occasion,* just before the war of 1812 broke out, he found the Indians so savage and threatening that he thought it pru- dent not to unload his liquor from the jiirogue, but moored close to the bank, where he dealt out the liquid for the valuable furs which were handed from the bank to him. Finding that his liquor was sure to be consumed before all the furs had been secured, he instructed his com- panion to cautiously pour water into one end of the barrel while he dealt out the mixtm-e from the other. In this shrewd way he got all their furs and had considerable liquor left. But the Indians became clamor- ous and violent and demanded more whiskv, and were refused because they had no more furs and were without money. One savage looking fellow, half-frenzied with intoxication, drww a huge knife and shouted that he must have more whisky or he would murder the trader, and made . preparations to put this threat into execution; but Cicott also di-ew his knife and swore that the Indian could have no more unless he were the better man. A collision seemed inevitable. Several hundred Indians were present, swarming like maddened bees on the bank, the most of whom were drunk and all were more or less infmiated at the loss of thei-r furs and ready to \\Teak their revenge on the trader, who was care- ful tn keep on his pirogue and out of their reach. The old chief Parish came forward and bought the remainder of the whisky, and taking the barrel on his shoulders, carried it to the top of the bluff, knocked in the head, and told the Indians who crowded around to help themselves, which they quickly did. Cicott saw that this was his opportunity to es- cape, and quickly and quietly pulled out into the middle of the river and began to row rapidly down the stream, his departure being greatly *Cicott told this iDcident to David ^[ofBt, from whom it was obtained hy the writer 38 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. favored by the approach of darkaess Aboat a milfi doivQ, he stj-jp^i under the shade of the opposite shore to listen. He could distinctly hear the savage revelry behind him, and finally could hear his own name shouted from scores of throats, " Se-e-cott, Se-e-cott." He did not dare to retm-n, and continued on down the river. CICOTT AND THE H.iEHISOX CAMP.A.IGX. A short time before the war of 1812. Cicott received a note from Gen. Harrison at Yincennes, directing him to go immediately to that point prepared to act as a scout for the army, which was on the eve of marching against the Indians. The trader had noticed that the Indians of Warren County were in a state of great excitement, and soon became aware that some great disturbance was on foot, as they were holding war and scalp dances and were arming themselves and ornamenting their persons with red and black paint and other horrid paraphernalia A sav- age warfare. The note was no sooner received than Cicott began mak- ing huri'ied preparations for his departure. He secretly packed every- thing of value that he could take in pirogues, and, unknown to the In- dians, left Independence at night, pulling rapidly down the Wabash. His confidential Indian was left on shore to drive about forty ponies around through Warren Couiity on the way down to a place of safety. This the faithful fellow succeeded in doing, though all the cattle, sheep and hogs were killed. Upon his arrival at Yincennes. Cicott was se- lected as a scout for the army, which soon afterward passed northward to invade the Indian country. The plan of the Indians was to brin? on an encounter in the ravines and timber, where their mode of warfare would be greatlv favored, one of the places being on Big Pine Creek, eight or ten miles from its mouth; but Han-ison was too prudent and experienced to be caught in that manner, and in his march sought the open country but kept near the timber, occasionally passing throuijh de- tached portions of woodland. His army entered the county in the south- western part of Mound Township, thence passing northeastward through Kent about a mile east of State Line City, thence on through Steuben and southwestern Jordan, and possibly northwestern Pike, thence on diag- onally on through the center of Liberty, crossing Big Pine Creek about a mile and a half northeast of Carbondale, at^ a place known as the "Army Ford," thence on through .idams and Medina Townships and into northern Tippecanoe County, Avhere, on the 7th of November. iSll, the Indians were subdued in the bloody battle of Tippecanoe. .Jud>^e Isaac Naylor, Cicott and several others who afterward lived in the coun- ty, were with this army on its march out and at the battle, and after- ward, when the county was settling up. wont over the route or' trail of the army and identified its camping places and related luanv iuterestin.- an- ecdotes. The army encamped in Warren Countv tirst'in Kent T^^^wn- ship, in a detached grove, where two of the men" died and were brried The spot is used now as the Gopher Hill Cemeterv. Much of the route of the army lay along au old Indian trail, and as it was afterward trav- eled considerably, it was worn so deep that it can vet be traced in the county some ten or twelve miles. In the door yard of G H Luc"^ who lives about a, mile east of State Line City, the trail is at lea-^t a foot' deep and live or six yards wide. The army also encamped on the east bank of Big Piue Creek immediately after crossing the stream. A few traces of this encampment were yet visible when the county was tirst settled HISTORY OF WARREX COUNTY. 39 CICOTT AITER TFE WAH. After the war of 1812 had terminated, probably about the year 1S16, Cicott resumed his voyages up the Wabash to trade with the In- dians. The following year* he erected the hewed- log house which is yet standing, though on the verge of falling down from neglect and decay. It stands on the bank of the river a few rods east of the town of Inde- pendence, and is sui-rounded by about four acres of land which were cleared by Cicott and used by his family for a garden. A few old apple trees planted by the family are yet standing. At the Indian treaty of St. Mary's, Ohio, on the 2d of October, 1818, a section of land on Flint Eiver, Mich., was reserved for Perig, a Pottawatomie chief, bat at the treaty with the Pottawatomies at Chicago on the 29th of August, 1821, the claim of Perig was transferred to John Battiece, son of Zachariah Cicott, by a Pottawatomie woman, though the section thus reserved was not the same, but was to be located by the President the United States, who, at the rec^uest of the Cicotts, established it at Independence. The Cicott reserve was located on Sections 13, 14, 23 and 24, Township 22 north. Range 7 west. Upon reflection, it would hardly seem that Cicott would go to the trouble and expense of erecting his large hewed-log house on land which did not belong to himself or some member of his family; and therefore the writer concludes that Cicott's recollection of the time when the building was construtcod, or Mr. Jacob Hanes' recollection of what Cicott told him regarding the date, is at fault, and the log house was not really erected until after the section was reserved to John Battiece Cicott, or probably about the year 1822. Here Zachariah Cicott lived until his death, about the year 1850, continuing to trade with the In- dians as long as they remained in the county. John B. Cicott could not Sell the reservation without authority from the President of the United States, but this was finally gained through John Tipton, Indian Agent, who certified (when the land passed from J. B. Cicott to his father, Zachariah Cicott, in about 1830) that J. B. Cicott was receiving a val- uable and sufficient consideration. The recorded consideration for the transfer is 11,000, though David MoiBt informed the writer that as a matter of fact the consideration was an Indian pony almost thin enough to warrant being followed b}' the crows, and a saddle which looked as if a thunderbolt had fallen on it. Mr. MofHt is no doubt correct, as it would not take much ingenitity to have the pony and saddle valued at $1,000. In March, 1830, Cicott mortgaged the reservation to Menard and VaJle, French traders of St, Genevieve, for 13,000, which amount was due them for merchandise obtained by Cicott for the Indian trade. The mortgage also covered the following personal property: Two large two horse wagons, one small wagon, two yokes of work oxen, eighteen stock cattle, twelve horses, 100 hogs, one cherry bureau, two butt rifle guns, eleven head of sheep, four promissory notes of $185 each and Cicott's Indian book ac- count."}" This mortgage was afterward largely satisfied by the transfer to Menard and Valle of numerous town lots in Independence, which was laid out by Cicott in 1832. In his latter years, Cicott was partially par- alyzed, the disorder seizing his tongue and preventing speech, which made him an object of general sj'mpathy. At last, in 1850, he died at *From the recollection of Jacob Hanes, .Sr., of Independence, who obtained the facts from Cicott. fThe Indiane were better to pay when trusted tlmu tlie whites, and this fact led Cicott and all other traders to keep running accounts with them. His old account boult would be an interesting object if it could be (ound. In 1830, he was the wealthiest resident ut the county. 40 HISTORV OF WARREX COUNTY an a-e of over eighty years, and nov.' lies burie.l in tbe cemetery at In- dependence, near the spot made historic by his own energy and darmg. THE CHATTEELIE KESEKyATION. At the treaty of St. Mary's, in Ohio, in iSlS, a section of land was frranted to or reserved for Mary Chatterlie, a daughter of ^elbust, a Pottawatomie chief, and was located on Sections 1 and 2, Township -1 north, Range S west, on Section 30, Township 2",^ norlh, Eange 1 west, and on Section 6, Township 21 north, Range / west. In the early settlement of the county, Amos Griffith became the husband of Mary, and in about 1S30 a consiaerable portion of the res- ervation was sold to John Seaman, the consent of the President of the United States having been obtained upon the certificate of A. Finch, of La Fayette, and S. B. Clark, of Warren County, who had been appointed by the Indian Agent, John Tipton, for that purpose. The remainder of the reservation was soon afterward disposed of. THE BLACK HAWK WAR. During the spring of 1832, all the Wabash Valley was thrown into a fever of consternation by the reports that the Indians of the Sac and Fos nations on Rock River, Illinois, led by the implacable old chief, Black Hawk, had taken up the hatchet and were sweeping eastward, mm-- derino- and torturing the whites without limit or discrimination. Fugitives on horses and on foot scom'ed the country with wildly exag- gerated accounts, confirming the reports that fifteen persons had been cruelly mru-dered at the Hickory Creek settlement in Illinois,, and about the IHth of May the leport spread like wildfire down the western side of the Wabash that a large bociy of hostile Indians had killed two men within fifteen miles of La l^'ayette. About half the settlers in Warren (Jounty west of the river hurriedly packed their handiest vahiables and ried across the river, where rude forts and block-houses were quickly prepared and guarded. Companies of militia were immediately organ- ized to scour tile country for signs of danger and to check the advance of the Indians upon the villages and neighborhoods where the women, children, helpless and cowards had assembled. A small company of about twenty-five men was formed in Warren County. Col. James Gregory was elected Captain, and the men, thoroughly armed and provisioned, started northwestward on a scouting expedition. A few families in the county did not leave their farms nor neglect their daily work; still fewer, ' in isolated places, knew nothing of the reports until the alarm was over, when they had their scare. The company went as far as the Hickorv Creek settlement in Illinois, remaining in that vicinity for a few days, when they returned, the a})prehensioii of danger having been cjuieted. While the alarm was highest, a man riding along Mud Pine Creek in Warren County saw two Indians skulkint; through the bushes oft' some distance to one side, and surmising that they were endeavoring to cut him off and murder him, he put whip to his horse in a paroxysm of fear, and Hed as if pursued by the Furies. The animal that liore him was a s[ilen- did one, and he waa soon far beyond the clutches of the savai^es. though he still continued to ply wliip nntl spur. The faithful "Minimal wis nearly ruined. He told all he met that the Indians were on Mud Pine Creek and had chased hiiu some distance, but his own skill and the HISTORi" OF WARREN COUNTY. ' 41 fleetness of his horse had baffled them, but that they would soon be down in Adams and Medina Townships, scalping and murdering. The few families remaining in the neighborhood gathered together to defend themselves and their property. Several men mounted their horses to go on a reconnoitering expedition. Daniel Moffit, mounted on a borrowed gray mare, being among the number. Away they went, but Mr, Moffit soon discovered that his mare was uncertain, for whenever he attempted to go too fast, she would stop suddenly, and kick as if her hind legs were a perpetual motion. "Whip or spur increased the power and ra- pidity of the kicks, while the report of a rifle caused her to buck fu- riously as well. Mr. Moffit, though a brave man, became very uneasy. Suppose a band of Indians should charge upon them, that old mare would stand like a post and kick like a pile driver till the air would be tilled with hoofs and sod. But would that stop the Indians? Mr. Moffit sorrowfully thought to himself that it would not. He begged his companions to go slower and to do nothing that would rouse the old mare. Accordingly, they all struck a moderate gait and were soon on the ground where the two Indians had been seen. In a short time they discovered the Indians in a small grove where they had killed and dressed a deer and were resting and eating after their chase. Upon be- ing questioned, it became clear they had been following the wounded deer when seen by the jnan who had roused the neighborhood with his fears and were perfectly friendly to the whites. The horsemen returned home, old mare and all. SETTLEMENT BY THE WHITES. Of course, Zachariah Cicott was the first white man to reside perma- nently within the present limits of '\^'arren County. Probably no others appeared until about the year 18'22, at which time a very few came in, and during the succeeding two or three years the settlement was quite slow. Amongst those who came into the southwestern part of the coun- ty prior to June, 1827, were Samuel Watkins, William Jolly, Thomas Cun- ningham, Joseph Thomas. John N. Lew in, Nicholas DeLoug, Lewis Evans, John Black, Humphrey Becket, Benjamin Beoket. William Becket, John Ferrell, Elias Oxford, Sylvester Stone, Elisha Miles, Hiram Miles, James Holmes, James McCune, Robert Mills, Enoch Stran, Jacob Ferrell, and others; while farther northeast were J. C. AVatson, Thomas Kitchen, Luther Tillotson, James Kitchen, Nelson DeMoss, Peter High, Amos Clark, William Hall, Samuel Clem, Henry Coons, Adam Coons, Augustus Watson, William Kent, Nathaniel Butterfield, Holder Sisson, James Shaw, Lemuel Boyd, Benjamin Cheneweth, John Jones, James Forbner and Joseph King. Near the center portion of the county were Ransom Wilkinson, Seth Shippy, James Oxford, William Harri- son, Nathan Billings, Samuel Harrison, Uriah Dunn, George Billings, Marcus Shippy, John Fields, Jr., James Gilbert, Christopher Pitzer, David Dickinson, William Harrington, Mathias Redding, John Han- kins, John Fields, James Fipps, James B. Harrison, Thomas B. Clark, Jonathan Shippy, Daniel and Robert Benjamin, Jonathan Pitzer, John Dickinson, Thomas Doan, Joan Seaman, Daniel Clark, Nimrod Harrison, David Fleming, Andrew Fleming. William Pugh, Peter Fleming, Ly- man Judd, Marshal Billings, Jacob Halstead, and farther east were David, White, Constantino Messmore, Zachariah Cicott, Thomas Herron, Solo- mon Pitzer, Francis Boggs, M. Hunt, Daniel Tevebaugh, John Teve- 42 ■ HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. baugli, Adam White, James McCord, John and Enoch Farmer, J j-eph Cox and others, while farther north, along Big and Little Pme Creeks. wei- Tames Bidwell, Archibald Davis, Samuel B. Clark, EdwaiM 3iace, Samuel Green, Isaac Rains, John Anderson, John Jackson Jeremiah Davis. John Gradner and several others, whose names cannot be learned with certainty. In 1827, the county was organized, and during the suc- ceeding five or six years the settlement was very rapid. The tii'st tracts of land entered in the county were as follows: r'UECHASEI!. Win. A; Jonas Seaman 21 John lilind 23 Benjamin Landon ; 22 .James Barnes : 20 James Barnes I 20 .James Barnes 20 .John Black ' 20 .John Blaek 20 Thomas CunninnJiam. 20 Thomas Cunningham. 20 Thomas Wright ' 20 ■■^aiiiuel Watkins 20 Sam\ion the iiead. Cattle in th.^ woods, becuTiug mired down in the swamps at night, ofteu furnished a feast for a ravenous'^pack of wolves. Ordinarily the wolves were not dangerous to man. Sheep con- stantly UM viciims to their rapacity. The County Commissioners offered a heavy bounty, which had the effect of largely ridding the countv of the nocturnal marauders They continued, however, to do soriou-^ dam-u^e to sheep folds long after the county was quite well populated Fiualh" somo time in the early part of the MDs, it was resolved to or.'aui -e "'i HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 47 grand circular hunt in order to exterminate as many of the animals as possible. The time came, and the night before a large pole was erected on the big mound at "Walnut Grove, from the top of which four wagon covers sewed together were spread to the breeze. Eighty acres at this place were staked off, the flag pole being the center, and this tract of land was to be the center where the game was to be driven, and upon which none of the hunters were to advance without orders from the Captains. Bright and early the next morning, the settlers started from Benton County, Vermillion County, 111., and Tippecanoe County on the east, and the AVabash River on the south, and as they moved along they were joined by hundreds, until the great circular line was almost solid. They made loud and constant noise to scare up all game. The big flag could be seen for ten miles, andsteadily toward it the line of excited and anx- ious men advanced. Animals could be seen running in front of the line, and at last opposite lines could see each other. The circle of men at this time was complete, and the fun began. Herds of deer, led by some fine old stag, would dash madh' round and round the cii'cle, and were met everywhere by volleys of rifles. Sometimes, when made desperate by the noise and by fear, they would dash at the line, and, jumping over the heads of the hunters, or breaking through the line, would go wildly off at full speed and escape. Notwithstanding the care which had been used, nearly all the game except deer had managed to escape through the lines during the march. A few wolves were hemmed in and shot, and a few foxes were seen and, perhaps, a few killed. Several herds of deer also had managed to escape during the advance; but there were about 300 in the circle when the lines reached the limit of march. Many of these escaped by breaking through the lines or leaping over the heads of the hunters. Many m^n were so excited that they scarcely knew what they did, and the line was sometimes very irregular and broken, thus admitting the escape of the animals. About 160 deer were killed; also six or eight wolves. It had been expected that not less than twenty-five wolves would be hemmed in and killed, so that the hiint, as a whole, did not come up to the expectations. Fortunately no man was injured by a stray bullet. This was the most extensive hunt ever in the county. David Mofiit was one of the most successful hunters and trappers ever in the county. He enjoys the sport even at this day, and for a man who has seen fourscore of years, is remarkably clear mentally, and strong and active physically. VIGILANT C0MP-\NIES. In comparatively early years, when through all this Western country the lack of law and measures to bring criminals to justice led to the formation of organized bands of horse-thieves and counterfeiters. Red wood Point became a notorious resort for their depredations; and at times lai-ge numbers of horses and quantities of jewelry, naerchandise, etc., stolen farther east and across the Wabash, were secreted in the ra- vines and heavy woods until such ^iroperty could be safely disposed of by the thieves. So far as known, no bogus coin or counterfeit paper money was ever manufactured in the county, although, many years ago, the necessary implements for such manufactiue were found concealed in the ravine at Redwood Point. Reports were once circulated that a man had been murdered not many miles from West Lebanon — an inoffensive ped- dler, supposed to have had in his possession a considerable quantity of 48 HISTORY OF WARREX COrXTY, money and jewelry— after wliic^h liis body was said to have been thrown into a certain well", and the reports i^retended to point out several ot the guilty parties. One dark night, a company of Vigilants called upon the alleged guilty persons who lived near by. and informed them that they were wanted, and accordingly conducted them to the well, around which they were stationed well guarded, while the water was thoroughly dragged for the body of the missing peddler. Xo such b^iy was found, and the suspected parties were conducted home, no doubt greatly to their relief. In consequence of the resort made of the county ravines and woods by criminals and the mysterious disappearance of horses, cat- tle, goods, etc., various companies "for the detection and arrest of theras- calsVere organized and continued to be so until the present. In 1S53. two companies for catching horse-thieves and other criminals were or- ganized in the county, the Milford Regulators, with a membership of thirty-tive, in the eas'tern part of the county, and the Grand Prairie Rangers, with about the same membership in the northern part. These companies were thoroughly organized, with Captams and Lieutenants, and were instrumental in breaking up organized bands of law-breakers. These were the first companies of the kind in the county The "Warren Regulators were organized in iSoU. Among the memliers were J. L. Dick. J. M. Fleming. Adam Troxel, H. L. Gallon , Daniel Meyers. Solo- mon Dick, Josiah Clawson, John Stephenson. John Young. John Big- ham, J. C. Adams. George Nelson and Austin Heigh. The Grand Prairie Rangers were organized in ISOl, for the same purpose, some of the members being Wesley Clark, J. R. Marshall. Andrew Brier. Isaac Christman. W. H. H. Reed, M. A. Osborn, Elias Thompson. John Mel- lott. Thomas J. Cheneweth and Isaac Cheneweth. The Warren De- tectives were organized in ISlio, in Liberty and Washington Townships, and the Pine Creek Rangers, the same year, in Southern Liberty and Southern Prairie and Pine. In lSi>">. also, Warrea Township organized the Warren County Minute Men. The State Line Detective Company was formed in 18(3(3 in Kent, Mound and Steuben Townships. Soon after this, the Liberty Police Rangers, the Warren County ilinute Men. the Pine Village Detectives, the Lilierty Guards, the Raiusville Detect- ives, the West Lebanon Detectives, the Jordan Rangers, the Ivickapoo Guards, and similar companies, were formed, the object being to bring criminals, especially horse-thieves, to justice. Such a general oro-auiza- tion has had a salutary effect upon the commission of crime. m'(^lui;e \\ouKiNiott:x's institute. The object of this association, which was organized in 1857. was "to procure and sustain a library of useful books, to imin-ove ourselves in reading, discussions and lectures, and to acquire useful and practical knowledge." The members were composed of those only "' who labor with their hands and earn their living by the sweat of their brows." The fund to secure the library was left by the ^L^Clure bequest. The mem bers wre G. H. Nordutt, ,). jM, Xorduft, P. ^\'. Lew^is, Robert Pearson, I'eter Malm, M. P. Woods, G. R Livingood. Samuel Ducket. Levi Mil- ]or. A. Suhler, E. A. Boardman, J. F. Reiff, -loseidi Jone?.. John Moore. Mohn Cox, Henry Wright. A. S. Jones. H. P. Downey, James Park. Alvin Hoigh and H, B. Thomas. The organization amounted to Intt little. HISTORY OF WARREX COUNTY. 49 THE COUNTY LIBRARY. An early enactment of the Legislature provided that ten per centum of the proceeds of the sale of county lots should be a library fund, and a short time before 1840, a small librarj' was purchased, and added to af- terward as the fund accumulated. Many of the books may yet be seen in the county. In 1855, the State distributed to the townships what became known as township libraries, then considered a most important means of disseminating knowledge to poor persons. In 1868, the to^yn- ship libraries amounted to 2,199 volumes, some of which, owing to neg- lect, were in poor condition. RAILROADS. The "Wabash Railroad was fully completed through the county in 1857, but trains ran over portions of the county the year before. In 1809, the citizens of Mound Township were called upon to vote for or against a tax to aid the Indianapolis, Crawfordsville & Danville Railroad, with this result — for, 140; against, 1,090 The vote to aid the Northern Indiana and Southern Railroad was also unfavorable about the same time. The Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad was built across Mound Township, and the coal branch of the Chicago, Danville & Yincennes Railroad was graded across Mound, Kent and Steuben Townships, but never finished. The coming year, 1883, or at any rate 1884, will see the Chicago & Great Southern Railroad constructed across the county frooi north to south. Warren County will then be well sup- plied with transportation facilities. MOUND TOWNSHIP, 1836. At the Presidential election, November, 1836, in Mound Township, at the town of Baltimore, the following settlers polled their votes: Joseph Foster, John Wilcox, Carmon Rosshand, Eclmund McGinnis, Silas Hall, Joseph Steeley, Hiram Hoagland, Charles W. Loney, Harry Johnston, G. W. Dickson, Daniel Hoover, Henry Henderson, J. D. Loney, Stephen Osborn, Abraham Henderson, Mark Kinninson, Harris Gammon, William Taylor, Sr., Jesse Wright, W. H. Taylor, G. W. Alexander, Tarpley Taylor, Shelby Ballot, William Carey, Aaron Woods, Georo-e AV. HolDbs, George Dickson, James Parrin, Thomas Johnston, Willilim Lawi-ence, Peter Dickson, William Calhoun, Stephen Ames, L'ewis Evans, Solomon Long, Nelson De Moss, Barnabas Dawson, J. R. Clark, James Rose, G. W. Moore, John Sheets, Henry Dickson, William Lee, Thomas Kitchen, Thomas Lewis, William WiJmeth, Jesse Dickson. Henry Garrish, W. Y. Taylor, John Starr. Sylvester Stone, Joel Rose, J. D."Taylor, Daniel Starry, Jr., John McConnell. Z. Story, Joseph Storv, William Henderson, Jacob Stingley, William Henderson, Samuel Osborn, Isaac Sturtzer, Thomas Cunningham, Samuel Rosebaugh, T. D. Taylor, Sanford Payne, John Taylor, John Killer, S. H. Garrison, Dan- iel Beck, John Henderson, Alexander Stewart, B. H. Becket, J. C. Taylor, Daniel Henepin, James Black, Nicholas Hizer, George Murphey, Dan- iel Riner, David Lockwood, Joshua Lawrence, John Clem, James M. Clarke, David Atridge, J. M. Clem, Thomas Miser, William H. Dill, Squire Lee, David White, Jonathan Bart, John Hummer,, Daniel Story, Daniel Miller, Michael Clem, Lawrence Kinnison, Samuel Starry, Jeffrey AVilson, James Bullington, Alfred Beckett, \^'illiam Scroggins, G. P. Saunders, Levi Murdock, J. B. King, John Black. John Osborn, 50 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. Egbert Beckett, George Mosier, Eobert Crawford. James Kitcben. David Clem, CI. W. Beckett °Amos Clark, James Johnson. John Benjamin, Ja- cob Rush. Jesse Hoiichin, Enoch Ballot, James M. Oren and Hezekiah Ballot. Total, 119. PIKE TOWNSHIP, 1836. At the Presidential election, November, 1836, held in Pike Town- ship, at Lebanon, the following men polled their votes: Jesse Morris, James Hickenbottom. Jacob Piatt, Elisha A. Wood, Jacob Tline. C. L. Moore, John Stuart, Thomas Lyon, Peter Miller, Benjamin Rodrick, Oren Cronkhite, Nehemiah Brodrick, Samuel Peet, J. H. Simpson. Abel Cook, Benjamin Smauley, Caleb Train, Ephrai'-ri Norton, John Fleming, Hugh Jackson, John Clinton, Robert Lyon, Hiram Hyatt, Josiah Biggs, Sr.. James Wason. Chaneey Adkins, Jacob Myera, Alexander Marphet, M, L. Mitchell, Eleazur P'urviance, T. P. Kinkmin, Daniel Garrison, Bernard Seals, Jacob Stingley, Silas Gan-ison, Alexander Starry, B. Payne, Abel Farshey, Cornelius B. Fleming. Samuel Nowls. John Nowls, James M. Smith, Jacob Baugh, Levi Fleming, John "Wason, David Coon. Samuel Kratzer, .To-^,1- White. David French, J. H. Mcintosh, Samuel Adams, Daniel McGregor. Jame^ White. Samuel Woods. Josiah Biggs. John Mcintosh, James Piatt. Dauiel D. Hall. Peter Fleming, Robert Ringle, AVilliam Smiley. J. H. Simpson, Joseph Ewing, Joshua Nixon, Eli Woodard, Nathan Harner, Right Glen, John Eosebraugh, John Musgrave and Nathaniel Buttertield: total, 70. WASHINGTON' TOWNSHIP. lS36. The following vote was polled in Washington Township at the Pres- idential election in November, 1836: Cyrus Pearson, J. M. Rhodefer, J. R. Harris, T. R. Irwin, John Shearer, George Folger, C. M. Hughes, N. Shefler, James Goodwine, Thomas Brown, John C. Irvin. John F. Irvin. H. S. Ludington. John Higginbotham, John Marshall, Jacob Wilkinson. Miller Watkins. James Stanford. Charles McAllister, J. K. Higginbotham, Henry Lowery, William Search, Joseph Cunningham, Thomas Goodwiue, William Brown. James Todd, M. J. Liueolu. Georo-e Pugh, Fniucis Davis, J. J. Seaman. Hiram Wilkinson, John Spigard, William Bush, William Bunnell, Seth St. John, John Durkev, John Russell, Thomas O'Neill. D;;uiel Mace, James B. McDonald, William Robb, Aaron Taylor, Ichabod Norton, Abraham Hower_y, C. M. Thomas, John Johnson, James Goodwine, Jr.. William Harrington, Closes Case. C. M. Woods, C. Rakestraw, J. L. Johnson, Daniel BigiTs. Perrin Kent, Abram Hathaway, John Seaman, Roland Harris, J. D^^FlemimT. Free- man Marshall, Freouian Dnvis, Jdhu Bush, Samuel Pearson. -James J. McAlilly, J. N. Wilson, N. F. Cunningham, William Bristow. John Swank, John Wilkinson, Oliver "Wallace, John Merical, James Birch James Buckles, William Hough, Aaron Stevensnu, Robert O'Neal. Rob- ert Clifton, William Fipps. S^th Wilkinson, Heurv Bucklev, Samuel Watkins, Mitchell Gill, J. W. Dickson, Elijah Osborii. Newbold Moore, William Barkshire, Sr.. Jacob Houghman. Silas Harris. Robert Doughty, Eden Stovall. W. M. Haines, l^.J!. Kathers, Mason Tucker Samuel Tucker, Eli Pritihet, Isaac Foruian, David Fleming, Lawrence Russell, Peter Dump, Jacob Saum, Adam Troxall, Benjaniin Landou Dennis Slanter, John Shwisher, James Stewart, George Tucker, Henry Hall, David Forman, Clement Jones, John W. Skilhuon, John' White" HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 51 John Moore, W. C. Holman, Allen Brown, John Keester, Gideon Bailey, William Barkshire, George Maines, Dempsey Scott, Reuben Biggs, R, A. Chandler, John Landon, John Miller, Nathan Davidson, Thomas Doan, Samuel Campbell, Bartlett Cleiii, David Etnire. Hpitw Cont^=. Hiram Brawrick, "William Farnsworth, E. F. Lucas, l&aac ileuuett, Henrj' Stump, George Pence, Thomas Thomas, James Rowland, Joshua Ray, Elijah Fleming, John Williams, C. Tapperry, Aaron Spurrier, William Coldren, Je^se Tumbleson, James H. Buell, Caleb Rhodes. Henry High, John Kent, William Biggs, James Bell, John Rhodes, -D. A. Rhodes, Thomas Rhodes, Obfldiah Little, John Goings, Abner Dooley, George Saum, Jonathan Rhodes, James McCoy, Henry Way- mire, Thomas Casad, William Cunningham, Robert Person, Joseph S. Robb, J. W. Shannon, W. A. Crawford, Asa Spencer, Orvil Cronkhite, Reuben Warbritton, T. D. Marshall, Sidney Cronkhite, George Will- iams, Augustus W'atson, William Collard, David Shanklin, William Boss, Amos Griffith, J. W. Purviaace, Jasper Nixon, Seymour Rhodes, Samuel Seeley, William Campbell, Pierce Eggleson, Moses Dooley, Peter Forman, Joseph Spooner. Burrell Cameron, Constantino McMahon, Horatio Thomas, Luther Tillotson, Jacob Casad, Peter Hickman, Zebu- Ion Foster, William Swisher, William Wallace, Jacob Miller. Hosea Cronkhite, N. L. Coffinberry. J. T. Cratson, Ellis Casad, John Rhodes, Jr., George Oglesby, Jacob Forman, Joseph Wilkinson, J. K. Fleming, M. Simpson, William White, Silas Bennett, James Shannon, John Low- rey, George Shrawry, Charles Person, Cyrus Stanley, John Slutton, Thomas Rakestraw; John Crow, Elias Porter, Stephen Schoonover, Thomas Clifton, ^Vesley Waldrup, Richard Purzue, Benjamin Crow, Wesley Clark, Michael Harness. Isaac Slanter, W. M. Pugh, Jesse Sharrer, Jesse Swisher, Fred Zimmerman, Thomas Clawsou. Nich- olas Saum, William Buckles, H. H. Crawford, John Baird, William Billings. J. H. Norduft, G. H. Norduft, Jacob Halstead, David Wilburn, Oliver Swank, George Brier, Abraham Houser, Andrew Fleming, James Hopkins, David Crisman. Asa Wortham, E. B. Tillotson, John Swingler, James McCord,Constadt Harris, Solomon Sharret, Jesse Doan, John Stuffle- beam, Francis Boggs, VV. S. Simpson, Walter Pawley, Henry Keester, John Pritchet, Clement Hopkins, Jacob Miller, William Miller, O. S. Hunter, C. Brown, Wilford Pugh, Abel Potter, Daniel Hutson, N. G. Crawford, Richard Pitman, Thomas Morris. Jackson Purquo, Isaac High, George Owens, W. E. Williams, Jacob Etnire. F. C. Pain. Henry Jack- son, Thocnas Brewster, Jacob Hanaway, Peter Chrisman, W. R. Boyer, Samuel Williams, Thomas Martin, David Evans, Jarrett Davis, James Quick, Jeremiah Pritchet, Henry Jlilby, John Cos, Gilbert Vannatta, Robert Robb, Eli Stratton, Isaac Bunnell, Gibson Hurst, Charles Bark- shire, and "Unknown;" total, 'iOG. W.iKEES TOWNSHIP, 1836. At the Presidential election, November, 1836, at the house of Matthew Sriver, in Warren Township, the following men cast their votes: Will- iam Benson, Benjamin Pike, Moses Clifton, Burnet Frost, ^Michael Coffett, David Begertow, Peter Mosmore, Isaac Jones. Andrew Davis, Philander Thomas, Jonathan Case; James Jacobs, Isaac Hinsbaw, Jere- miah Canaw, John Hall, William Farmer, Moses Michels, Peter Mason, Zimri Holmes, John Carey, John Cox, John Campbell, Ephraim Pike, 52 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTV. John Stevenson, Henry Rittenour, John Tweed, Samuel Thomas, Samuel - Murphey, Joseph Little, James Farrel), John Jackson, John McCord, Edward' Hemp, John Mitchell, Henry Jackson, Edward Mace, John B. J. Mace. Sylvanus Cox. William Young, Henry Jacobs, Adam Sriver, Joseph Talbert, Peter Sriver. Jacob Haines. Robert Brady, D. R. Parker, Frederick Waymire, Abraham Haines, Samuel Hanson. Job Tev(?baugh, Matthew Sriver, Joseph Michler, Daniel Doty, John Debra, D. C. Sriver. Joseph Haines, Thomas Dunn. Nathan Jackson. Zachariah Ci- cott, Thomas Spray, William Farrell, Daniel Clifton, Robert Campbell, John Cassel, Rufiis Wells, Hiram Farmer. Samuel Benefel. Stephen Cook, William Fincher, Thomas Kearns, Enoch Farmer. John W. Knapp, David Moffit, Daniel McCord, Levi Doutsil. James Smith. Ezra Gaskeli, Louis Collier, John Newell. David Waymire. Edward Hemphill. Joshua P. Smith, Lemuel B. Pierce, Andrew Franklin. Leonard EUer, Job Can-ell, Zedekiah Herley, John Sriver, Valentine Bone and William Railsback; total. 90. PINE TO^V^•SHIP. 1S30. The following persons voted in Pine Township at the Presidential election, November. 1S36: Jesse Endicott. Henry Ruble. Isaac Ellis, Jacob Bert, James Gregory, Benjamin Longman, Allen Campbell. Jefier- son Bartlett, Isaac Brier, Stephen Haneman. Isaac Templeton. John Huftman, John A. West, J. B. Harris, iTeorge Brown, Madison Collins. Michael Creek] laiuii, i3ranson Sanders. Nathan Beeson. Gideon Cos, John Dmwidclie, Silas Hooker, Aaron Coffinberry. Thomas A. Johnson, Mauden Cook, John Oilar, Baldwin Heaton. .James Thornton. Samuel Jolly, Isaac Rose. Calaway Sanders, John Mulkner, William Moore. G. L. Coiiinberry, John Lewis. Thomas Collins. Jesse Sergeant. George Sigler, John Cassel. John Jones. William Trullinger. William Lewis. James McConnell, Enoch Fenton, Daniel Brier. Martin Beaver. John Brier. David Lane. John Lane, Samuel Richards. Lewis Lewis. Will- iam S;mith. Thomas Smith, David Dawson. John Orr. John Campbell. M. Milford, George Sergeant. Samuel Harris. Joseph Stump. John Melcher, John \^'elch. Joseph Welch, Ransom Brown, John Bartlett. Joseph Beeson, John Ray, James Richardson, Seymour Cobb. J. J. "Wilson. Jacob Coffin- berry, Henry Beaver, Jesse Harlin, Harvey Bobbins, Reuben Mitchell, Thomas Bartlett, Abner Mitchell. Fred Fenton, James Brier, Harrv Eggleston, William Hickman. Thomas Monell. Henry Manes, James Armstrong, Jacob Mills, Benjamin Freeman. Joseph Whituev. Silas Daw son, Benjamin Monell. William C:u-,son. Henry Robertson. William Mo- nell. Hugh Monell, Sam lel Monell, John Hunter. John Jolly. Reeves Lewis. Ira Cobb. William Trueblood, Eli Carmon. Nathan Mendeuhall Bazil Jristice, Thomas Smith. Madison Lewis, Stephen Milton. Law- rence Rains, Thomas I'ennell. James Rains. Stephen Rains. William Hooker. Sr., Samuel Freeman. James Jolly, David Horner, Enoch ■ Evans. Henry Miller, Isaac Lewis, John Hodson. John Smitli. William Gray, Nathan Ballon. Bazil West, Adam Glaze. A. B. Harris. Nathan Rains. Trim Sergeant. Jacob Mendenhall. William Smalley. Ebenezer Hooker, John Sergeant. William Rhodes. Jr., Carjienter Morev, L. L Freeman, James Barnes, Josc>ph Osborn. Caleb Cobb. William Dickson. Joseph Clark. Thomas Taylor, Burrell Eggleston, James Muso-rave, Jesse Rains. William Hooker. Edward Michel. Jeremiah Williams'^ Na'- than Endicott, William Pringle. John Brown. Cliarles Hi.v'h, Jacob HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 53 Dickson, Lawrence Keem, Jonas Heag, and Christopher Pepper; total, 155. MEDINA. TOWNSHIP, 1836, The following persons voted in Medina Township at the Presidential election, November, 1836; ^Y. B, Bailey, William Moore, John Eitten- our, Minor Rittenour, B, Iselev. John Peniwell, A. Davis, S, Benson, C. ' Henry, E, H, Bailey, G. Little, J. Allen, T. Benson, H. Nichols, I, Metsker, A. Stewart", A. Fisher, S. Davis, W, German, T. Literal,- J. Truitt, G, Wolf, I. Bowyer, D. Nichols, J. Stewart, R. G. Smith, J. D. Bailey, D, McConnell, J. Benson, James Benson, Philip W^illiams, William Burk, J. Burk, Moses Doty, J. Coughenour, William Burk, Jr., S. White, Eli Mendenhall, G, Argabright, A. More, C. Dawson, Daniel Smith, J. D. White, J. W, Newell, G. W. Coffinberry, J. Anderson, William Odell, H. C. Benson, J. Ward, William Newell, Orren Munson, L. Foster, William Mears, R. Doty, E. Jackson, J. Carswell, William Shockley, J. Campbell, W, Pease, S. Munson, G. Reed, N. Lemons, Daniel Harp, T. M, Cahan, C. Benson, R. Odell, M. Thomas, G. Davis, T. Mitcham, T. Odell, J. Doty, J. Lindsey, J. Clark, J. Simpson, P. Brown, J. E. Thompson, I. Myrove, J. Crouch, William Dillman, C. Crouch, S. Bone, J. A. Franklin, C. Vredenburg, John Moore, John Mathers, J, Southard, T, Dawson, Ed Dawson, Ezra Dawson, E. Allen, M, Wagner, S, Green, E. Anderson, T, Johnson, J, B. Foster, G. John- son. N. F. Brown, John Macahan, J. McClatchy, J. Smiley, E. Moore, T. Bowyer, J. Harmon, P, Randle, J. Dillman, J. Bone, John Bone, R. Myers, J. Reed, E. Shockley, H. Bailey, L. Guthridge, W. Smiley, W. Carter, W, Doty, A. Bowyer, L Bowyer, P. Woodtield, W. Cantrell, J, Dills, John Burk, John Gillom-, L. Williams, G. Burk, and M. Henry; total, 125. COUNTY ORGANIZATION. BY WK.STON F. COOI.SPEKll. CREATION or THE COUNTY OF WARKEN. THE territory comprising the present county of Warren, together with a large portion of the remainder of Northwestern Indiana, in- cluding the counties of Benton, Jasper and Newton, was formerly attached to the county of Wabash; but during the legislative session of 1825-26, when the act creating the county of Fountain was passed, the following TDi-oceedinw. relative to what afterward became Warren County, was made Section 7 of that enactment: Section 7. All that pai-t of the county of "Wabash 1^ ing north and west of the said county of Fountain shall be and hereafter is attached to the said county for the purpfise of civil and criminal jurisdiction. Approved Decemljer 30, 1825. No further change was made until the session of 1826-27, when the following enactment was passed; Be it enacted hy the General Asumhly of the State of Indiana, That from and after the first day of March ne.\t all that part of the county of Wabash contained within the followius boundaries shall form and constitute a new county to be designated the county of Warren, to wit; Beginning at the iiortheast corner of Ver- million County, on the Wabash River, thence west to the State line, thence north to the line dividing Townships 2:3 and 24 north, thence east with said line to the Gi HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. western line of Tippecanoe County, tlience soutli on tlie said western line of Tip- pecanoe County to the Wabasli l«ver, and tlience with the meanders ot said river to the place of liesinninii;. . , --1*5^1 * Section 3. The said new countj' shall, from and after the said tirst da.i ot March ne.xt, enjoy all the ri^shts. privileges and iurisdictions which to separate and independent comities properly appertain. ^ r. , r. Sec. 3. Daniel Sigler, of Putnam County, James btrange, of Park Count3% Thomas Lampson. of 'Montgomery County, James Paige, of Tippecanoe County, and Rohert Wilson, of Vigo County, are hereby appointed Commissioners for the jiurpose of fixing the permanent seat of justice of said new county agreeably to the provisions of an act entitled -'An act for fixing the seats of justice in all new counties hereafter to be laid off." The Commissioners above named, or a majority of them, shall convene at the house of Enoch Fanner in said new county on the tirst Monday in June next, and proceed to the discliarge of the duties assigned them by law. Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Sheriff of Fountain County to notify the Commissioners herein above named, either in person or l)_y written notification, of their appointment on or before the 10th day of April next, and for such service the Board of Justices of the said new county shall allow him a reasonalile compensa- tion, payable out of the County Treasury thereof. Sec. 5. The Circuit and other courts of the said new county of "Warren shall be held at the house of Enoch Farmer, in said county, or at any other place therein the said courts may adjourn to until suital.)le accommodations can be had at the seat of justice of said county when the courts shall adjourn to meet there. Sec. 0. The agent who shall be appointed to superintend the sale of lots at the count}' seat of the said new county of Warren shall reserve ten per centum out of the proceeds thereof, and also ten per centum out of all donations to said county, and shall pay the same over to such person or persons as may be appointed accord- ing to law to receive the same for the use of a county library. Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the qualified voters of the said new cuiinty of Warren at the time of electing a Clerk, Recorder and Associate Judges for the said county to elect live Justices of the Peace within and for said county, who shall ronstitute a board for transacting as well the duties heretofore devolving on the Board of Commissioners as other regular county l)usiness. Sec. 8. The said new county of Warren is hereby attached to the county of Fountain until otherwise provided for all judicial purposes except what may be within the jurisdiction of a Justice of the Peace. This act to take effect and lie in force froin and after the tirst day of March next. Approved Januaiy 19, 1827." EST.VBLISHMEXT OF THE OcU'NTY SE.\.T. In aecordaiice with the provisions of the above enactment, the Lo- cating Commissioners naoiecl above, except Mv. Wilson, met. and after viewing the various eligible sites and taking into ccmsideration the dona- tions of land, money, services, etc., finally located tlie county seat on the east fraction of the southwest quarter of Section 81, Township "i^ north, Range 7 west; receiving from Creorge Hollingsworth and Enoch Farmer, in consideration of the location of the county seat upon such tract of land, certain obligations to donate to the county specified lauds named within the papers, after the county seat had been periuanentlv located on such land, tind receiving, also, from certain citizens of '\\ aVre.u and Fountain Counties, for tlie same consideration, two obligations, con- ditioned that certain sums of money would be paid the county of \Varren when the stake for the county seat had been permanently "fixed. This report of the Locating Commissioners was presented to" the Board of Justices; in March, 182 x and formtilly accepted, and the Commissioners were ordered paid and discharged. Immediately after this, the county seat was laid off on the land above described, and" was named ^V,n■rclltou. The details will bo found elsewhere in this vohxiue. OKGANIZATION OF THE COl-XTY. The 28d of June, 1.^27, was fixed as the date ui-on which an election HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 55 of Clerk, Recorder, two Associate Judges and five Justices of the Peace, lor the transaction of county business, should be held, and the county was divided into five election districts; the necessary number of In- spectors, Clerks and Judges of Election were appointed, and the election was advertised and ordered held by Luther Tillotson, Organizing Sheriff. The following were the voters in the First District: John N. Lewin, Joseph Thomas, Nicholas DeLong, John Black, Lewis Evans Samuel Watkins, Humphrey Becket, Benjamin Becket, John Miles, William Becket, John Ferrell, William Jolly, Elias Oxford, Sylvester Stone, Thomas Cunningham, Elisha Miles, James Holmes, Hiram Miles, James McCune, Eobert Mill, Enoch Stran, Jacob Ferrell and William Henoersh; total, twenty-three. The voters in the Second Election District were James C. Watson, Thomas Kitchen, Luther Tillotson, James Kitchen, Nelson De Moss, Peter High, Amos Clark, William Hall, Samuel Clem, Henry Coons, Adam Coons, Augustus Watson, William Kent, Nathaniel But- terfield. Holder Sisson, James Shaw, Lemuel Boyd, Benjamin Cheneweth, John Jones, James Forbner and Joseph King; total, twenty-one. The voters in the Third District were Ransom Wilkinson, Seth Shippy, James Ox- ford, William Harrison, Nathan Billings, Samuel Harrison, Uriah Dunn, George Billings, Marcus Shippy, John Fields, Jr., James Gilbert, Chris- topher Pitzer, David Dickinson, Joseph Readine Jonathan Pitzer, Robert Benjamin, William Harrington, Mathias Reading, John Han- kins, William Harrison, Jr., John Fields, James Fipps, James B. Har- rison, Thomas B. Clark, Jonathan Shippy, Daniel Benjamin, John Dickson, Thomas Doan, John Seaman, Daniel Clark, Nimrod Harrison, David Fleming, AVilliam Pugh, Andrew Fleming, Peter Flemino-, Lyman Judd, Marshal Billings and Jacob Halstead; total, thirty-eight. The voters in the Fourth District were Constantine Messmore, Zechariah Cicott, Thomas Horren, Solomon Pitzer, Francis Boggs, Marshfield Hunt, Daniel Tevebaugh, Adam White, John Tevebaugh, James McCase, John Farmer, Enoch Farmer and Joseph Cox; total, fifteen. The voters in the Fifth District were James Bidwell, Daniel White, Archibald Davis, Samuel B. Clark, Samuel Green, Isaac Rains, John Anderson, John Jackson, Jeremiah Davis and John Gardner; total, eleven. Grand total, 108. This election resulted as follows: ONE ONE TWO ASSOCIATE FIVE JUSTICES CLERK. RECORDER JUDGES. OF THE PE.4CE. '6 ° a a a WHEKE HELD. to a a P5 i-i 1 6 til a § ' t > FQ til a 'S a o rt __ a H ^ 7= 1 « s % 2 S ^ j= =1 .- ^ K a 3 i-j f^ rf 1^ ^ 99, S H First District. o^ ^.s 11 8 '^?. 21 1 13 "37" 3 11 18 1 10 '37' ■ill 48 1 11 29 11 11 62 8 17 13 13 10 .5 4 3 ..... 11 Third District ■ 21 !.... T^^^nrth Distrirf ■■4' 4 15 Fifth District 15 > 21 I 11 Total 58 50 .52 29 51 45 23 66 • HISTORr OF WAUREN COUNTY. This was reallv the organizing election of the county and was the tirst in the county; of anv description, after the passage ot the act by the Legislature which brought Warren into existence. Soon atter this, tne officers elected took the oath of office, and entered upon the discharge of their respective duties. RE-LOCATION OF THE COONTY SEAT. On the 22d of January, 1829, the act was approved to re-locate the county seat of Warren County, the Commissioners being Ezekiel McCon- nell, of Monto-omery County, Pevton ^Vilson, of Parke County. John Porter, of Vermillion County, S. M. George, 5f Tippecanoe County, and Jonathan Birch, of Fountain County. All the reasons why a re location was demanded cannot be stated. It was soon found that the site was not as good as farther west, and even at other points, and. besides, the donations did not prove as valuable as expected, or half as valuable as might have been obtained. Excellent donations were tendered the county by William Harrison and Thomas Gilbert, the tirst of whom had laid out Williamsport in November, 1S28, and this induced the citizens to wish a re-location of the county seat where the county could receive much greater benefit, or a re-establishment of it at AVarrenton if the proprie- tors of that town would come down, in a handsome manner, with satis- factory donations. These and other matters led to the passage of the act of re-location. This act provided that the Commissioners should meet on the second Monday of June next (1S21J). at the Clerk's office, ex- amine the various eligible sites in the county, and if, in their judgment, the donations of any other suitable place than Warrenton werr suffi- ciently valuable, and if the sale of lots would probably be sufficiently large to defray the expense of erecting the necessary county buildings, then the Commissioners wefe to re-locate the seat of justice at that point; but nothing was to prevent the Commissioners from continuing the county seat at Warrenton, providing the donations were made sufficient- ly valuable by the proprietors of that town. The Commissioners met on the day fixed, and after receiving valuable others of money and lauds from the proprietors of Williamsport and others interested, established the seat permanently at Williamsport. The act of re-location provided that the lots in Williamsport should be numbered as nearly as possible as those in Warrenton, and that persons who had purchased lots in the lat- ter town should have the right to exchange thera for lots similarly lo- cated in the new county seat, provided the exchange was made within twelve months after the re-location. It was also provided that the de- preciation in the value of buildings at Warrenton, owing to a change of the county seat, should be made good by the county. As soon assuit- able buildings could be prepared at Williamsport. the county otlicers were ordered to remove there. The provision in the enactment creatiuo- the county, regarding the reservation of 10 per centum of the proceeds of the sale of county lots for the establishment of a county library. Nvas re- affirmed and made binding. William Harrison, Jr., proprietor of the county seat, deeded to the county eighty acres of laud, where Williams- port had been laid out, reserving for his own use the greater portion of tlie original ])lat of 1828, consisting of fom' blocks of eicrht lots each, besides one-fifth of the lots that shotild be subsequently laid out from additions from the tlonatiou of eighty acres. The first addition was laid HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. -57 oiit southwest along the river's bank, in July, 1829, by Thomas Gilbert. In August, 1S29, Isaac Rains, County Agent, laid out the celebrated West Addition to Williamsport, from a portion of the Harrison donation. On the day of the public sale of lots, free whisky was furnished at the county's expense! cou>;tt bodndaey alteration. On the 30th of January,1830. by legislative enactment, the southern tier of townships of the present Benton County was attached lo the county of Warren for civil and criminal jurisdiction. On the 3d of Feb- ruary, 1832, the Legislature enacted that a Commissioner from each of the counties of Warren and Vermillion shoald be appointed, to more fully establish the boandary between those two counties; but -what was done cannot certainly be learned. In January, 1833, the following enactnient was passed, and the boundary thus fixed has endured until the present- Be it enacted, etc. , That the following shall form and constitute the dividing line between the counties of Vermillion and Warren, to wit: Beginning on the east bank of the Wabash River where the township line dividing the townships numiier 19 and 20 intersects the same, thence west with said township line to tlie range line dividmij Ranges 9 and 10 west, thence north with said range line to the township line dividing "Townships 19 and 20 north in Range 10 west, thence west with said township line to the line dividing the States of Indiana and Illinois. Approved .January 1,5, 1833. FIRST SITTING OF THE CIRCUIT COURT. The Board of Justices of Warren County, on the first Mondaj' in March, 1828, met and selected the following grand jury to serve at the May term. 1828, of the first Circuit Court of the county: Perrin Kent, Samuel Watkins, Amos Clark, Robert Hill, Enoch Strawn, Holder Sisson, Peter Fleming, Lewis Stephens, John Seamen, Daniel Benjamin, John Pugh, James McCord, John Case, of Warren Township, John Case, of Medina Township, John S. Reed, Edward Moore, John Jackson and James Bedwell. A writ was then issued directing the Sheriff to sum- mon this first grand jury to appear on the first day of the May term of the Circuit Court, at the hoase of Enoch Farmer, the place selected by the State Legislature for the sitting of that court. On that day, the jurors were all present, but as the Judges did not put in an appearance, court was adjourned until the following day, and as they were still ab- sent the court was adjourned " until court in course," which was on the 25th day of September, 1828. On the first Monday in September, the following grand jury was selected: Jacob Clem, Nicholas DeLong Gabriel Read, Jub Tevebaugh, Andrew Fleming. James Oxford, Henry Stump, Elisha Miles, James Johnson, Samuel Ferguson, Joseph King, John A. Lewin, John McCord, Lawi'ence Russell, John King, Joseph Thomas, Daniel R. Parker and Jonathan Cox. On the 25th of Septem- ber, 1828, the first Circuit Court held in Warren County convened at the house of Enoch Farmer; present, John R. Porter, Presiding Judge, and Nathaniel Butterfield and Samuel B. Clark, Associate Judges. The errand jurors drawn were called, but only the following were present: Gabriel Read, Henry Stump, James Oxford, John McCord, Lawrence Russell, Job Tevebaugh, Jonathan Cox. D. R. Parker, Nicholas DeLong. J. A. Lewin and Samuel Ferguson. As there was not a quorum of gi-and jiu'ors present, the coiui ordered those that had assembled dis- charged, and then called up the first case before the Circuit Court of 58 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. Warren County: The State of Indiana vs. Elizabeth Connor, charged with breach of the peace, under a recognizance returned by Thomas Kearns, Justice of the Peace. The court ordered the recognizance dis- charged and the case dismissed. The second case was Lewis Dequindi-e and Timothy Dequindre vs. Zechariah Cicott, tresi^ass on the case. The plaintiffs appeared by their attorney. A. Ingram, and the defendant ap- peared " m his own proper person." The latter, by agreement, confessed judgment to the amount of $539.69, whereupon, by further agreement, the plaintiffs agreed to wait one year for the payment of that sum, upon the condition that sufficient security be given. The court then ordered judgment in accordance with these agreements, and taxed the costs to the defendant. Appended to this order was the following: " Aj)ril 1, 1830, received this day the balance of the above judgment. A. Ingram, attorney for plaintiff'." The third case. John Glasspell vs. Enos Han- kins, domestic attachment, on appeal from Justice's coart, the plaintiff' appeared by Rogers, his attorney, and the defendant "in his own proper person." On motion, the case was continued at the cost of the defend- ant. The fourth was an application of Francis Boggs for a writ of ad quod damnum: whereupon it was "Ordered, That a writ of ad quod dainiinm be issued, to cause an inquest to be held at the place contem- plated by said Boggs for the erection of a mill dam, across Pine Creek, on the east fraction of the southeast quarter of Sectioir 36, Township 22 north. Range 8 west, on the third Monday in October next. " The fifth case was a petition for divorce, Polly Broady vs. Azariah Eroady. Law- yer Patterson appeared for the complainant. Evidence was introduced to prrive that the defendant was not a resident of Indiana. The pen- dency of the suit was ordered published in the Western Register and the Terre Haute Advertiser, to the effect that if the defendant did not ap- pear at the next term of the court and answer the bill, the charo-es would be taken as confessed. The case was accordingly continued, and the court then adjoiirned " until the court in course.'^ Thus the tirst term of Circuit Court in Warren County was at an end. At this term, a " scroll " was adopted as the seal of the court, until otherwise ordered. THE SECOND SESSION OF CIKCUIT COUKT. This term began May 7, 1829, the Presiding Judge not being present. Peter H. Patterson, Albert L. White, David Pattonr Jacob Au'glin and Theodore C. Caw were sworn in and admitted as counsellore at law. The case of John Glasspell (\s\ Enos Hankins was dismissed, on motion of the defendant, for want of a sufficient affidavit in the proceedings below. The divorce case, Broady (>\ Broady. was dismissed on motion of the complainant, upon whom the cost was taxed. A petition for divorce was presented by Elizabeth Barnes rs. Elijah Barnes, the former appearing by her attorney, D. Patton. The defendant was "absent and the pcmdency of the case was ordered published. The .^rand jurv re- tm-ned the following " true bills: " The State r.s\ Seth'^Shippv, for an assault and buttery; the State r.s\, John Dixon, for auling and assistim-' in assault and battery. The jury was then discharged. In the case John Conner vs. David AVhite, domestic attachment, the followiu>^ petit jury was called, sworn and given the case: William KusselJ S^imuel Enderly, Jonathan Cox, John Cox, David '\^-hite, Constantino :McMahou John E. Smith, Francis Boggs, John Jackson. Luther TiUot-^on Law' BV^JN '^fm 'M? ' ' i [.? i'f//^ HISTORY OF WARREX COUXTV. 59 rence Rains and Isaac Eains. The juiy gave the plaintiff 8194.62^ damages and the costs, amounting in all to 8286. The case of Boggs, for a writ of ad quod dainnun was dismissed, and the costs assessed to Mr. Boggs. The second session of Circuit Coiirt was thus at an end. SUBSEQUENT SESSIONS OF CIECUIT COUKT. At the October term, 1S29, John R. Porter, President Judge, and Nathaniel Butteiiield and Samuel B. Clark, Associate Judges, were pres- ent. At this term came up the case in (.'hancerv, Milton Gerard vs. Emily Gerai'd, et al. The case was ordered published and continued. Five cases were considered at this term, and two bills of indictment returned bv the orand iurv. On motion, the following seal was adopted: " A brass die. on the outer circle of which the letters 'Wan-en Circ. Courts,' with thirteen stars, all on the inner circle except two, one in the center and the other on the outer circle." The court, up to this period, had been held in the house of Enoch Farmer, in Warrenton; but in April. 1S30. it convened at the house of "U^illiam Harrison, at TVilliamsport. though no session was then held, owing to the absence of the President Judcre and one Associate Judge. On the 7th of October, 1S30, the court convened at the court house, all the Judges being pres- ent. Moses Cos, Edward A, Hannegan and Aaron Finch were admitted as attorneys. In the Gerard Chancery case, after the evidence was all in, it was " Ordered, adjudged and ^decreed by the coui-t now here, that the bill of the said complainant be taken as confessed;" whereupon cer- tain lands were orderd conveyed to the complainant. Fourteen cases were disposed of at the October term, 1830. The session of April, 1831, was held at the house of William Harrison. Peter Christman. upon petition, was given permission to construct a dam and mill on Pine Creek, on the northwest quarter of Section 22. Township 22 north, Eange 8 west. This was in response to his petition for a wi-it of ad quod dam- num, which had been issued the preceding October. Thomas J. Evans, Joseph Tatman and Isaac Pearson were admitted as attorneys. Twenty- sis cases were disposed of at this teiTQ of the coiirt. A decree of divorce was granted Polly Broady, though the defendant was absent. This was the hrst decree of the kind granted in AVarren County. The last ses- sion held at the house of William Harrison was in April, 1831; after that the " coui't house " was used. Actions during these years were case, trespass on the case, debt, assault and battery on aiapeal. affray, adultery against Mathias Bedding, domestic attachment, divorce, re- plevin, "to convey land, scz'. /a., on transcript, chanceiy cases, gaming, breach of peace," presentment, etc. E. A. Hannegan was Prosecuting Attorney in most of the State cases. Other attorneys admitted about this tinae were David Wallace, .1. B. Patterson and E. A. Chandler. In 1833, manv indictments for retailing liquor and foreign and domestic groceries and" merchandise were returned. Isaac Naylor and T. E. Brown were admitted to the bar, 1833; David Brier and Henry D. Lane were admitted in 1834; John Bryce, E. A. Lockwood were admitted in 1836. EIBST PROBATE COURT. The firit Court of Probate of WaiTen County was held at the house of Enoch Fai-mer, on the 2d day of Xovemher, 1829; present, William Willmeth, Judge-elect, who presented his commission, signed by Gov. 4 60 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. James B. Kay, and was sworn by James Cunningliam to faithfully dis- charge the duties of that office. About the first act of the Jndge was to adopt a seal, of the "letters L. S.; W. P. C, with a scrawl aro-ind them." Letters of administration, which had been issued by the Clerk in the preceding August to John Cox, for Jonathan Cox, deceased, were confirmed. Kebecca Dawson, widow of David Dawson, was appointed guardian of her children, the minor heirs of her deceased husband, and required to file her bond as such. Thus ended the first term of Probate Court. THE SECOND PBOBATE COURT. This term was held at the house of Enoch Farmer the 4th of Janu- ary, 1830; but in the afternoon of the first day court adjourned, to meet at the home of William Harrison, in Williamsport. Samuel Ensley and Abram Ensley were apjDointed administraters of the estate of Thomas Haslett, deceased. At the Mai'ch term, 1830, this order was revoked, and Elizabeth Haslett, widow of Thomas Haslett. was appointed admin- istratrix. In May, James Cunningham was appointed administrator of the estate of the late Joseph Thomas. Xo business was before the court in July. In September, Charity Cox, widow of Jonathan Cox, was selected as administratrix of the real estate of her deceased husband, and Israel Boswell was selected as administrator of the personal prop- erty. At the same time, a citation was issued against John Cox, requir- ing him to appear and show cause why settlement of the estate should not be made. Upon the application of Sally Shiji^py, widow of Jonathan Shippy, Lyman Judd was appointed administrator of the personal estate of Jonathan Shippy. deceased. In 1831. John B. King was made administrator of the estate of Phipps "SValdo. deceased, and Abraham Stewart of the estate of William Williams. John Cox appeared, and stated that though he had made great exertions, he had been unable to settle the estate of Jonathan Cox. and he was granted two months of ad- ditional time. B. M. Hays was appointed administrator of the " ^roods, chattels, rights, credits, moneys and eftects " of Jonathan Pitzer, de- ceased. John P. Hays and John Jones were appointed guardians of the minor heirs of Jonathan Pitzer. ^ The following is a list of the early Justices of the Peace of Warren County, with the date of their commencement of service: Lemuel Bovd 1827; Thomas Kearns, 1827; Edward Mace, 1827; Thomas Cunuiiicr- ham, 1827; Samuel Merrill. 1828; Levi Cronkhite, 1828; Jonathan Shippy, 1828; Lawrence Rains. 1828; Benjamin Cheneweth US'^'o- David McConnell, 1830; Thomas Robb. 1830; Benjamin Crow 1831 •' William Newell, 1831; Eleazur Purviance, 1831: John Tweed ' 183l'- John Jones, 1831; Simon Suyder, 1831; James H. Buell, 183'^- John's' King, 1832; Isaac Rains. 1832; William Harrington, " 1833"" Nicholas Shafler, 1833; '\\ ilham Allen, 1833; Abraham. Howrey 1833- William Coldreu, 1834; Bernard Seals, 1834; William Cunuiuo-ham 1835- Michael Creokpaum, 1835; David Lockwood, 1835; John Lvous 1835- John Foster, 1835; Jacob Miller, 1835; John Clinton. 1835- Boniamiu Crow, 1830; George Pence. 1830; Abraham Timmons 1837- W ili.,n Harrington, 1838; E. B THlotson 1838; N. ShaflVr, 1838; Peter Scho^n over, 1838, John Campbell, 1838; Silas Hooker, 1838- J\r H T .«-,■ , 1838; Rufus Webb, 1838; J. C. Taylor, 1838; Courtland HaiSs 1S39. Sanford Payne, 1840; F. C, Webb, 1840; John CuwgiU, 1840. " lam HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 61 CREATION OF TOWNSHIPS. On the 6th of November, 1827, the second day of the tirst session of the first Justices' Court, the county was divided into the following town- ships: Mound, bounded east by the Wabash River, south by the south line of the county, west by Illinois and north by the north line of Town- ship 20. Pike, bounded east by the Wabash, south by Mound Town- ship, west by Illinois and north by the north line of Township 21. Warren, bounded south by Pike Township, west by Illinois, north by the north line of Township 24, and east by the line dividing Sections 4 and 5, Township 24 north, Range 7 west. Medina, bounded east by Tippe- canoe County, south by the Wabash, west by Warren Township and north by the north line of Township 24 north. The southern tier of townships of the present Benton County (Township 24 north) was then a part of Warren County. TOWNSHIP BOUNDARY .ALTERATIONS. At the March session of the Board of Justices, in 1830, Washino-ton Township was created, with the following limits: Beginning on the Wabash River, at the mouth of Big Pine Creek; thence up said creek to the line dividing Townships 22 and 23 north; thence west on said line to the State line; thence south to the line dividing Townships 21 and 22 north; thence east on the north line of Township 21 to Rock Creek; thence down said creek to its junction with the Wabash; thence up said river to the place of beginning. At the same time, the following territory was attached to Pike Township, being taken from Mound Township: Beginning on the Wabash, where the ,line dividing Sections 10 and 15, Township 20, Range 9 west, intersects the same; thence due west to King's Creek; thence up said creek to the north line of said Township 20; thence east with said township line to the Wabash; thence down said river to the placeof beginning. This territory was taken from the northeastern corner of old Mound Township. At this time, also, Pine Township was created, with the following limits: Bounded east by the line dividing Ranges 7 and 8, south by the north line of Tovvnship 22 north, west by the State line and north by the north line of the county. The township then included the present Prairie and Pine Townships, and the southwestern portion of the present Benton Count3'J At this time, also, all of old Warren Township remaining, lying east of the line dividing Ranges 7 and 8 west and in Township 23 north, was attached to Medina Township; and all of old Medina, in Township 22, was at- tached to Warren. It was also ordered that all the territory on the north attached to Warren County by an act approved January 30, 1830, and lying west of Big Pine Creek, should be attached to Pine Township; and all that portion of such territory east of Big Pine Creek should be attached to Medina Township, the order to be in force after July 80, 1830, at which time the enactment of the Legislature took effect. A little later, in March, 1830, all of Warren east of the line dividing Sec- tions 2 and 3, Range 7 west, was attached to Medina Township. In May, 1830, the following re-arrangement of the township bound- aries took place: Mound, beginning on the Wabash River, at the Ver- million County line; thence west to the Illinois line; thence north to the line dividing Townships 20 and 21 north; thence east to King's Creek; thence down the same to the line between Sections 7 and 8, 62 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. Township '20, Range 9; thencR east to the Wabash; thence down the same to the place of bej^inning. Pike, beginning at the northeast corner of Mound Township; thence west to King's Creek; thence up the same to the line dividing Townships 20 and 21; thence west to the State line; thence north to the line dividing Townships 21 and 22; thence east to Rock Creek; thence down the same to the Wabash: thence down the same to the place of beginning. Washington, beginning on the Wabash, at the mouth of Rock Creek; thence up said creek to the line dividing Townships 21 and 22; thence west to the State line; thence north to the lino between Townships 22 and 23: thence east to Pine Creek; thence down the same to the Wabash River; thence down the same to the place of beginning. Warren, beginning at the mouth of Pine Creek; thence up said creek to the line between Townships 22 and 23 ; thence east to the line between Sections 2 and 3, Range 7; thence south to the Wabasli; thence to the place of beginning. Medina, beginning on the Wabash, where the eastern boundarj' of Warren Townships intersects the same; thence north to the line dividing Townships 22 and 23: thence west to the line dividing Ranges 7 and 8: thence north to tlie county line; thence east to the northeast corner of the County; thence south to the Wabash; thence to the place of beginning. Pine, beginning at the northwest cor- ner of Medina Township; thence south to the line between Townships 22 and 23; thence west to the State line; thence north to the northwest corner of Warren Count3'; thence east to the place of beginning All the attached territory on the north, west of Big Pine Creek, was attached to Pine Townshipi and all of such territory east of such creek was at tached to Medina Township. A few months later, all of Medina Town- ship in Township 22, Range 7, was attached to Warren Township, and the eastern boundary of Warren was made the line dividing Ranges (3 and 7. and its northern boundary was made the line dividing Townships 22 and 23, from the east side of Range 7 to Pine Creek. In March, 1S34, all of Pine Township, south and west of Redwood Creek, was created as Steuben Township. In January, 1S35. all of the county in Township 22, Range ('), was attached to Warren Township; and in May all the attached territory on the north of Warren Coiintv (Benton County, etc.\ was created as Madison Township, and the elec- tion of a Justice of the Peace was ordered. In March. lS+3. Libertv Township was created as follows: Beginning on Bio- Pine Creek, where the line between Townships 22 and 23 crosses the same; thence west to the State line; thence south to the line between Townships 21 and 22; thence east to the southeast corner of Congressional Township 22, Riinge S west; thence north to Big Pine Creek; thence up the same to the place of beginning. In December, 1S43, all of Township 22, .Rant^e N east, of l>ig Pine Creek, was severed from Warren and att;iched"to Liberty. In hSiS. Adams Township* was created, with about the same limits it has at present. In March, IS'iO. Jordan Township was created as it is ;it present, from the western part of Libertv. Xnmerous small changes were made in the boundaries of the townships from time to time —so numcirous tliat they canuot be followed in these pages. The last township cre;ited was Kent, iu September, 1S()4, from the northern p'ai't of Mound, the creation to take elt'ect April. ISlio. This gave the count v of Warren about its present shape. * Tlui full iM.moot" this lOTviiBlilp, na craiti'd, was " J. Q. ,Vdiim,<; " but the t.'iia.'uov ,\,„i„ .1 »cor,Miry.'ar», h»« lnuMi I,. ilr,H) llie initials, unj to cull tlio tovvueliip siini.ly ■• Adums." ' ' *~ ' >'"•' HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 63 MISCELLANEOUS ACTS OP THE COMMISSIONERS. The first act of importance was the division of the county into town- ships and Commissioners' districts, and the appointment of the necessary local officers. Elections were ordered held, and a " scroll " was adopted, as a temporary seal for the County Board. The viewing and establish- ing of county and State roads was immediately commenced, and as time progressed county affairs greatly multiplied. The county seat question, the taxes and finances, the local administration of justice, the erection of jiublic buildings, the regulation of various licences, the establishment of roads and the general welfare of the county soon engi'ossed the atten- tion of the Commissioners and the county at large as well. Constant alterations in the boundaries of the townships and of road districts were necessary, to meet the demand, as the centers of population shifted. Early in the thirties, the county jail and county court house were built. ■Tohn Seaman was Census Taker in 1830. In May, 1831, a public pound was built at Williarasport, the first in the county. A set of standard weights and measures was purchased, and kept at the county seat, that commercial people might have the advantage of a uniform system of the estimate of quantity. Circuit Court sat in houses owned by Harrison and Price. A bounty of II was offered for wolf scalps. In 1812, Ben- jamin Crow put a new roof on the court house for -f 125. Horse-thieves were too numerous and daring to suit the settled condition of things, and numerous associations for apprehending them were . formed, receiving the approval of the County Board. The court house was used for pub- lic !ecttu-es and religious services. Ferries at various points on the Wa- bash, and on Pine and other Creeks, were established very early. Young men were selected, upon application, to represent the county in the In- diana University. Various wooden bridges were built across the streams of the county at the public expense. One over Big Pine Greek, near Brier's Mill," built in 1853, cost about $1,000. About 1850, the ques- tion of gi-anting license for the sale of intoxicating liquors was submit- ted to the townships for settlement at the polls. Pike Township cast thirty-five votes against the license, and only two for it, while Washing- ton cast sixty for'^it and twenty-four against it. The result in other townships is not known. In 1852, the Commissioners ordered paid to William Kent the sum of $300, to assist in the survey of the Lake Erie, Wabash & St. Louis Railroad, provided the county might be credited with that amount of stock if the road was completed. By June, 1855, the engine had entered La Payette. Daring the war of 1861-65, vast sums w^re paid out for bounty and relief. The question of aiding the Northern Indiana & Southern Railway, by a county tax, was submitted to the citizens in 1869, with the result of 140 votes for the tax and 1,090 ao-ainst it. Mound Township voted upon the question of aiding the In- dTanapolis, Crawfordsville & Danville Railroad, to the amount of about $5,000, in'l869, but rejected the aid by a vote of twenty-four to forty- four. Kent Township voted upon the question of aiding the Evansville, Terre Haute & Chicago Railway, with what result is not known. Early in 1871, a reward of 1400 was offered for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons making the unsuccessful attempt to rifle the County Treasury, April 19, 1870, and again December 18, 1870. No discoveries were made. In 18/1. Charles Seldon, of Cincinnati, was or- dered paid $1,500 for the right to use his system of keeping the county 64 HISTORY OF WAKREN COUNTY. accounts. The amount expended for countj- iron bridges, during the year ending June, 1S75, was .?20.85t3.al. COUKT HOUSES. The first building in which the Board of Justices met, or. in other words, the first " court house," if the term is not too dignified to be ap- plicable, was a hewed-log structui-e standing ^at "Warrenton, the first county seat, and owned by Enoch Farmer, who, with others, had made such miinilicent offers of money, lots, lands, services and donations as to induce the Locating Commissioners appointed by the State Legisla- ture to establish the seat of justice of the new county of Warren, to Hx such seat of justice ou lands owaed by ilr. Farmer. This building was nothino- better than a rude building in which the family of Mr. Farmer resided, and was used for general court and county purposes until the removal of the county seat to Williamsport, when all public transactions of the county officials were conducted in a memorable old hewed-log building owned by William Harrison, the proprietor uf the town of Will- iamsport. This house of Mr. Harrison's was first used in July, 1829, and continued to be used until the autumn of 1S30, at which time a buildino' owned by Samuel Ullery, Bolly B. UUery. J. C. Irvin. Malinda Beard and Eliza C. Finch was rented for county purposes, but, owing to some unforeseen circumstances, was not occupied until the following March. Within a year from this time, the first steps toward the erection of a re- spectable court house were taken. John Merical was employed to clear the public square of timber, etc., for SlO. For some reason, the ITllery building was used only once or twice, the courts and Commissioners re- occupying the Harrison building. But in 1S3L the County Board felt too poor to order the erection of a court house, and the subject was post- poned. County business had been conducted by the issuance of couutv orders, which had accumufated since 1S27. The orders had sold at about 'j5 cents on the dollar, and had depreciated even lower than this. There was no money in the country. What little was brought in was in- vested in hind, until three-fout'ths of the settlers were s^'arcely able to pay their taxes. The orders circulated like money, a ad were receivable at the County Treasury for taxes, public labor, etc. Coumv officers were obliged to take them as a consideration of their services. " The verv low assessments of taxes were met with long deliucpront lists. Monev could not be obtained; time alone could remedy matters. Tue enormous immi- gration into the county during the year,s 1S31 and 1S82 soon served to redeem the county orders, replenish its empty treasury, and inspire the Commissioners to order the erection of a court house. Specifications were prepared and placed on public exhibition in May. 1N:]2, and bids were solicited from contractors. The building was to be of brick, forty feet s(piare and twenty-three feet high. Arrangements were completed iuJulv, 18:)2, whereby E. W. Jones and Soth Flowers contracted to build the house. They were to receive S:!Ol) on the 1st of September, and the bal- ance was to be paid in installments as the work progressed. The court house was to be ready for occupancv .'Vugust, 1S38. Among the .lonations to the county at the time of the re-location of the county seat, was one of oO.ll:)!^ bricks from Thomas ailbert. who had agreed to furnish them at the time of the erection of the tirst coiii-t house. Mr. Gilbert was u.nv called ui>ou to redeem his promise, but HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 65 postponed doing so until at last the County Board ordered the County Agent to contract for such quantity of brick with any responsible party. This was in May, 1833. Suit was begun against Mr. Gilbert to recover damages for his failure to comply with his agreement, and a judgment was recovered and steps were taken to satisfy the judgment by a sale of his property, but at last the judgment was compromised, upon what terms cannot be stated. These and other matters postponed the comple- tion of the building until about June, 1834. Disinterested committees were appointed to investigate and report on the work, and a deficiency of S64.60 was returned, which was accepted by Mr. Jones, the contract, or, The cost of the building was about $2,000. B. H. Magee was paid $129 to paint it. It was found necessary, in 1835, to strengthen the house, provide it with certain floors, stairways, etc. ; but the county officers were compelled to look elsewhere for room. Among other build- ings, they occupied one owned by James Cunningham. In June, 1845, the Board contracted with Richard Treadway to build a structure on the south side of the square, which was to contain two rooms for county offices. This was done, and Mr. Treadway was paid $868.50 for the job. Three years later, he was paid $627 for building brick fireproof safes for the county records. In 1853, a second building, for Clerk's and Re- corder's offices, was erected; James Jones taking the contract for $1,050. These buildings were used until the erection of the present court house. THE NEW COUET HOUSE. In 1870, a committee appointed to examine the condition of the old court house reported it unsafe, and about the same time B. F. Gregory and others made certain tenders of land and other j^roperty, provided the Commissioners would immediately erect anew court house. Considerable opposition was encountered at the time, although speciiications were pre- pared and bids from contractors were called for. Mr. G. K. Randall, architect, of Chicago, was employed. Sessions of court were held in store rooms and elsewhere. Still, a majority of the Commissioners de- feated any further progress of the work at that time. The question was renewed early in 1871, B. F. Gregory leading the movement, and bids were again called for from coatractors. After an examination of such bids, in March, 1871, the contract was awarded to Hays & Evans, of Bloomington, 111., for $48,400. Mr. Randall was given the superin- tendency of the work, his compensation to be 2i -per cent on the cost of the building. There was considerable money in the County Treasury at this time, but not enough to comiilete the work, and accordingly $10,000 worth of county bonds were issued. The old court house was sold to Cyrus Romine for $325. The new house, a fine brick structure, with native stone trimmings, was accepted in December, 1872, and the con- tractors were paid in full for their labor. This house is yet in use, and, doubtless, will last many years to come. .JAILS. The county was provided with a jail before a court house was built. As early as the siimmer of 1830, the contract to erect such a building was advertised. The contract was awarded to Benjamin Crow, for $560, and work was commenced without delay. The building, a heavy, hewed- log structure, well protected with stone, was accepted in November, 1831, 66 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. with a deduction of 120. This jail answered the purpose until 184S, at which time Richard Treadway was employed to construct a new one which he did, completing the work in the fall of 1S49. The oontract price was $2,500, but Mr. Treadway, claiming that he had lost boUU by the lob, asked the Commissioners to reimburse him. which they partly did to the amount of §200. This old jail is yet used by the county. POPULATION AND NAME OF THE COUNTY. In 1830, the total population of the county _was 2,861: in 1S40, 5,656; in 1850, 7,387; in 1860, 10,057, in I8<0,10,20i; in 1880, 11,497. The county was named in honor of Gen. Joseph Warren, who was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. THE FIRST COUNTY PAUPEK. :.The first assistance furnished by the county of Warren to her indigent and poor was in 1831, when Levi Murdock was paid §20. upon the order of the Commissioners, for keeping John Campbell, a transient pauper, five months. After this, orders of a similar natui-e are found with great frequency. Each township had Overseers of the Pour, whose duty was to see that the helpless of his township were provided with the necessaries if life, and given a Christian burial upon their death. The bills of expense, when properly authenticated, were paid by the County Board. Occasionally, in more than one township of Warren County, the township otficers would order poor persons to " depart the township forthwith," that they might uot become a " township charge." But that barbarous custom soon gave place to one of broader charity and humanity. The custom of "farming out" the paupers to the lowest bid- ders took the place of all others, and was continued many years. Some- times the poor fell into cruel hands, and received rough treatment and fare from the " farmers" who had taken the charge solely to make money. Generally, however, the humanity of the early settlers provided the county poor with comfortable homes. Ln 1S33, Seymour Cobb was paid quite a sum for furnishing Elizabeth Bell, a pauj^er. with comfort- able clothing and a home. James foreman, a pauper, was buried at county expense in 1837. Thomas Thomas built the coffin. The annual county expense for the poor, during these years, ranged from about 820 to $70; but about 1837, the figures began to grow. The following is one of the early bills paid by the County Board: NovEMBEK THE 20th. A. D. 1838. Board of Commissioners of ^Yarren Ooiuity, l>r. to Isaac Uigli for keepiui; Eliphalut Lovclelt, a poor boy, four months, ^,'7; nursing by .Toruslia Ford for three months, f :30; board for tiio nurse tliirtoeu weelvs, $13 T doctor bill paid to Dr. J. H, Bucll, |15; total debits, $8.'). Credits— One chest and one riddle, §4; one coat and one pair of pants, ij^T; total credits, §11, \Vhole amount due, sTl. Personally appeared before us, .Tames S. Crawford and Ephraim Xortou, Over- seers of the Poor in Steuben Township, Warren County, the said Isaac HiLch. and bcinn- by us sworn, says that the above amount is just and unpaid this Ist'^day of September, 184."). his Isaac X High. mark. We, the Overseers of the Poor of Steuben Township, "Warren County, Ind.. after examining several disinterested Avitnesses under oath, allow the aboveamount to be legal and just this 1st day of September, 184."i. .Tames S, Crawford, } ,, . , „ Ei-iiHAiM NouTON. \ Oftrseers oj the Poor. HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 6T This was the largest pauper bill paid up to November, 1838. Provis- ion was made for a period, in each township, for the care of paupers at township expense, instead of at county expense, but to what extent can- not be stated, as the township records have been destroyed. As early as IS-tO, physicians in the county contracted by the year to doctor the poor of townships, and finally of the entire county. The pauper ex- pense of the county for the year ending June, IS-tS, was !5337.20, and for the year ending' June, 1848, was §495.43; for 1849, it was 1398.06; for 1850, §878.14. POOK FARM. In December, 1853, a farm of 120 acres, being the west half of the northeast quarter of Section -!9 and the southv?est quarter of the south- east quarter of Section 2U, Township 22 north, Eange 8 wesl, was pur- chased of a Mrs. Brown for §2,000, to be used as a County Poor Farm. Upon the farm was an ordinary dwelling, which was fitted up for the re- ception of the public poor. Buildings were erected, barns built, and James Quick was employed to take charge of the farm and the paupers. These arrangements were not completed until the autumn of 1854. For some reason unknown, the contract with Quick was canceled and Keuben K. Ranson was appointed Superintendent of the Poor Farm. The Commis- sioners directed the paupers scattered in private families throughout the county to be taken to the poor house, but only about half were thus provided for, as many preferred to remain in private families, or in their own families, provided their necessary expense was borne by the county. In March, 1855, Dr. J C. Book contracted to doctor the paupers in the poor house sis months for 137.50. The j^oor expense for the year end- ing June, 1856, was §1,720. 72. This included some expense in fitting the farm. Owing to unexpected expense, in this and other directions, the Commissioners, in 1856-57, borrowed $2,000. C. R. Rogers con- tracted, for §100, to doctcn- the poor during the year 1856. E. A. San- ders became County Physician in 1857. Ranson remained Superintend- ent until 1859, when he was succeeded by Daniel J. Doty. In 1859, the paupers cost $2,000.16; in 1862, $2,640.52; in 1863, $2,310.82; in 1864, §3,479.15; in 1866, $3,819.58; in 1867, $5,004.83; in 1870, 15,700.86; in 1874, $3,714.98; in 1878, $7,535.90, and in 1882, $5,468.65. John Berry became Superintendent in 1864, and Andrew Cole in 1865, In 1869, Alexander Mehaffy took charge, and in 1870, J. S. Howland. Howland and David Moore took the farm together in 1871 and 1872, and Howland, in 1873, rented it for three consecutive years, but Alexander Mehaffy was employed in 1875. Howland went in again in 1876, continuing until 1879, when Mehaffy again took charge, remaining until his death, in 1882, since which time his son tldward has been Superintendent. In 1869, a fine farm, of aboat 440 acres, lying near- the center of Liberty Township, was purchased of Thomas J. Cheneweth, to be used as a Poor Farm. The old one had become too small to meet the demands of the poor, and the buildings were often overflowing and still others requiring home and shelter. The farm was no sooner "purchased than arrangements were made to erect thereon a county asylum of suitable dimensions. Jacob Holtz was employed to do the cellar and foundation stone work for §3 per perch, and the cut stone work for 65 cents per linear foot. Bids were called for from contractors for the contemplated building and that of James R. Shatell, of §10,282. 68 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. was finally accepted. The old farm of 120 acres was sold to Samuel Warrenfelts for $1,000 down, Sl,400 ou the 1st of March, IbiZ, bl,^UU on the 1st of March, 1873, and $1,200 on the 1st of March, 18^4. The present f=ne brick building is a credit to the county. The number of paupers in the asylum at one time has e-ceeded forty. Warren County deserves great praise for the care she has taken of her poor. WAREEN COUNTY FAIR. In 1853, the farmers of Warren and Fountain Counties organized an agricultural society, and on the 6th and 7th of September iield the first fair, at Independence, Warren County. J. J. Schermerhorn was Presi- dent of the society. There was quite a large display of live stock, grains, vegetables and fancy articles, and between three and four hun- dred men and women were present. The following year the fair was held at Attica, many of the farmers of Warren County participating; but after that as it continued to be held in Fountain County, and as the farmers of Warren gradually dropped out fi-om participating in it, the further consideration of that society will be omitted. In 1856, the farmers in the northern part of the county organized the Grand Prairie Agricultural Society, and held the first fair in the autumn of that year on ground just east of Pine Tillage, that was rented of Ichabod Boyer. George Wagner was the first President, and Thomas Atkinson first Treasurer, and a premium list of about S600 was oii'erod. The rent of the ground was mostly paid in fences, etc., built by the society. After two or three years, the society bought ten acres south of Pine Village, using the same for a fair ground a few years, when the land was sold and the proceeds used toward bu.ying thirty acres for a new ground, near the village. Some years the fair was very successful, nearly §1,000 being paid in premiums. A fair was held at Pine Village for nine con- secutive years, the last being in 1861, after which time the society went down, to rise no more in the old place. West Lebanon, however, came to the front soon afterward, and effected an organization which has en- dured until the present. James Crawford and Hudson Wood headed the movement. A large subscription was raised, amounting, it is said, to $6,000, and a strong organization of the leading citizens of the county was perfected, under the euphonious designation, " The Warren County Agricultural Joint Stock Association." After a time, thirty acres o'f woodland, about half a mile northwest of West Lebanon, were purchased for $2,550. which amount was furnished by the County Commissioners from the county treasury, upon the solicitation of numerous citizens. It was largely due to James Coodwine and William Crow that this amount was secured from the county. But the ground needed great im- provement before it could be used, and work was begun in 1875. ^ow there is no better county fair ground in the Stat?. It is stated that more than $16,000 have been spent upon the ground. There are more than two hundred excellent stalls for stock. A floral hall, an ai^-ricultural hall, a large, fine amphitheater for spectators, and various other build- ings for the use and convenience of officers and citizens have been erected. A fine stream of water courses through the ground, over whicli the race track has been built, at great expense. The entire ground is clothed with tine native timber, and surrounded with a tight board fence, which is painted white, as are also all the buildings. The county may well be proud of its HISTORY OF AVARREN COUNTY. 69 fair ground. James Goodwine was first President of the new organiza- tion; William Crow, Vice President; George T. Bell, Secretary; John C. Lincoln, Treasurer, The highest receipts for an_y one 3'ear were about $3,500, and the lowest about |,2,000. Much of this is paid out annually in premiums. In 1872, an effort was made at Pine Village tore-organize the old agricultural society, but the attempt was soon abandoned. OLD settlers' association. The "Warren County Historical Pioneer Association was organized at Williamsport in July, 1876, at which time the following first officers were elected: Bolivar Robb, President; Eobinson Fletcher, Vice Pres- ident; H, C. Johnson, Secretary. The first regular meeting was held at the county seat in August of the same year. There was a large assem- blage of old men and women present, besides many of their descendants, and many more curious spectators. Eev. Jewell, of Danville, 111., was the orator of the day. A most enjoyable occasion was passed in talking of old times. The second annual meeting was held in August, 1877, at West Lebanon, Rev. Hargrave officiating as orator. The third was held at Williamsport, the orator being Judge Gregory, of La Fayette. The fourth meeting was held in 1879, at Pine Village, H. S. Lingual being the speaker. The fifth was held at Independence, in 1880, the speaker being Rev. Colbreath Hall. The sixth was held at Carbondale in 18S1, Judge Davidson, of Covington, delivering the oration. The seventh and last was held at West Lebanon in 1882, the orator of the day being Col. John Lee, of Crawfordsville. The meetings have been greatly enjoyed by young and old. Bolivar Robb has been President of the association every year but one. The great error the association is making is not placing on record the corrected stories of the old settlers. They meet, have a good time, but their experiences, trials, labors in making the county what it is, are thoughtlessly permitted to pass into forgetfulness. A competent Secretary should be apj>ointed for each annual meeting, who should be required to put on record all such items. He should be paid for such service, and then the work would be done. The crowd would furnish the money. county statistics of 1840. Number of persons in agriculture, 694; in commerce, 24; in manufact- ure and trade, 185; learned professions or engineers, 25; military pen- sioners, 2; blind, 2; insane or idiotic, 6; number of primary or ;common schools', 8; number of scholars, 185; number over twenty years who can read and write, 465; total population, 5,656; bushels of coal, 25,420; men employed, 11; capital, Sl,50l>; horses and mules, 3,288; neat cattle, 7,936; sheep, 9,5J5; swine, 15,851; value of poultry, $4,275; bushels of wheat, 32,198; bushels of barley, 150; bushels of oats, 89,955; bush- els of rye, 1,447; bushels of buckwheat, 422; bushels of corn, 414,046; pounds of wool, 18,556; pounds of wax, 225; bushels of potatoes, 15 543; tons of hay, 2,277; tons of hemp and flax, 17; pounds of tobacco, 830; pounds of sugar, 8,200; cords of wood sold, 1,550; value of dairy products, 110,300; value of orchard products, SloO; value of home-made goods, $21,361; retail dry goods, grocery and other stores, 8; capital, $25,000; value of brick and lime, $800; men employed, 6; cap- ital, $300; tanneries, 6; sides of sole leather tanned, 1,500; sides of 70 HISTORY OF WARREN COONTI'. apper leather tanned, 2,100: men employed, r, capital, 83,050; value of iiianufactui-ed articlt^s, $2,000; distilleries, 1; gallons produced, 2,800; men employed, 2; capital invested, §300; value of wagons and can-iages manufactured, $1,350; men employed, 5; capital, S^OO; flour- ing mills, 1; barrels of flour manufactui-ed, 300; grist mills, 4; saw- mills, 19; value of manufactures, §7,100; men employed, 27; capital, $17,700; number of wooden houses built, 10; capital in all manufact- ures, $30,193. COUNTY POLITICS. It did not take long to develop a political antagonism in the adminis- tration of county affairs. The settlers had come from older localities, where the political waves had run high, and they could not forget their old exciting habits so easily. The following vote of August, 1827, dis- plays a decided political division: WHERE HELD. SENATOR. EEPKESENTA- SHEF.IEF. CORONER. p^ it ^ ^ ^ -7. = 9^ ^. < ". Samuel Watkins' (1)* 13 John .Jones' (2) 9 Schoolhouse (3) Si David White's (4) 10 Jobn Read's (5) 10 17 19 .5 16 ... 10 11 .5 1 ly 13 3 (i 14 30 3 1 11 38 ' 9 li 13 30 9 32 21 11 Total -Sd 66 31 6 31 11 34 28 103 The campa e county was organized in good season, to take up ign of November, 1828, and although news of the the Presidential outer world was hard to get, and when it did come was deticient, owing to the fact that the settlers had weightier matters on their raiuds to c'ontend with, and took no pains to inform themselves: still, what .little came kindled con- siderable interest, and neighbors met to discuss political events which had transpired several months previously, and the news of which had just reached them. About this time, the parties opposed to the Demo- cratic organization were known as National Republicans, Whi^v^.; or Anti- Masons, and in 1828 the Democrats brought forward a veiy popular man, Gen. Jackson, wlio was confronted with John Qaincv Adams, who had been placed in the Presidential chair in 1824 bv the House of Kep- resenlatives. There was scarcely any excitement "in the countv o^er the contest, but the citizens met to enjoy the privilege of freemen'iu the Gxereiso of the elective franchise. The electors in Medina Township at the November electi'^n, 1828, were as follows: Samuel Hart. Aaron Stevenson. Edward M-ioe Joseph Mooro, John E. Smith. John P. Mace. Edward Moore, John S Reed Freeman Fishback, Curtis Smith. John Jackson, Jer.Muiah D ivis John Morris, Zachariah Cicott, Matliew Sriver, Andrew R ibb. D. R. Parker. I,,, ,,;' '■''''"'' uuinbers con-espo.ul will, the distrii-ts of tUe first eleclk.n iu tlio couiuy pvon .1 low lucos HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 71 Adam Sriver, Jesse DoutJiward, Samuel B. Clark, Thomas Dawson, John Anderson, William Franklin, Thomas Boyer, Elisha Dawson and John McGhan; total, 26.- The voters in Warren Township at the same elec- tion were William Harrington, Jonathan Cox, George Willard, Christo- pher Pillser, Job Tevebangh, Joseph Cox, David Beeves, William Har- rison, Moses Finch, A. W. Finch, Francis Boggs, Thomas Kearns, Jonathan Shippy, AMlliam VVillmeth, William Harrison, Sr., John Whelkel, David White, Joseph Tolbert, William Price, Daniel Benja- min, Kobei;t Benjamin, Adam White, John Seaman, Eben Smith, James Birch, Alois Smith, James Goodwin, James Quick, Jonathan Pillser, Daniel Clark, Abraham Tweed, William F. Becket, Hiram Clark, Sam- uel Kains, John McCord, Alexis Jackson, Enoch Farmer, James McCord, Samue) Ensley, James Cunningham, John Pugh, John Cox, Hiram Farmer, William Anderson, A. S. Smith, Thomas Cunningham, Isaac Eains, Constantine McMeehan, Joseph A. Franklin. Daniel Mace, James Bedwell, Archibald Davis and Charles Dawson; total, 53. The voters in Pike Township at this election were Silas Garrison, John Gari'ison, David Fleming, Alexander Hanson, William Pugh, Thomas Garrison, Luther Tillotson, Lewis Stephens. John Fleming, Allen Wykoff, Marcus Shippy, Andrew Fleming, Levi Cronkhite, Seth Shippy, Holder Sisson, Peter Fleming, John High, James H. Simpson and John Jones: total, 19. The voters in Mound Township were Daniel Miller, Nelson De- Moss, Enoch Straun, George Coonse, John King, Henry Coonse, Amos Clark, Ferguson Moorehead, Nicholas DeLong, William Hall, William Woods, Joseph Foster, William Henderson, John Ferrill, David Ganack, Humphrey Becket, Thomas Kitchen, Samuel Clum, Thomas Lewis, John Black, Noble Owens, Lewis Evans, Joseph Thomas, Elisha Miles, Benjamin Becket, Benjamin Cheneweth, Perrin Kent, William Jolly, Jennings Wilkinton, Thomas Rittenhouse, Isaac Switser, Jacob Clem, Nathaniel Butterfield, Sylvester Stone, David Coonse, James Watson, Augustus Watson, Ebenezer F. Lucas, John Bay, Abner Gan-ison and James Perrin. The result of this election, by townships, was as follows: Adams and Eush, National Eepublican ticket — Mound, 16; Medina 16; Warren, 26; Piks, 19; total, 77. Jackscyi and Calhoun, Democratic ticket— Mound, 26; Medina, 10; Warren, 27; Pike, none; total, 63. It will be seen from this that whatever may be said of the majority at that time in the county, it was certainly not Democratic. But the opposers of Democracy could scarcely boast of a uniform and settled policy or rule of action, except that of protective tariff; they were op- posed, generally, to Democratic principles ; and all united, as they some- times do yet, after the fashion of " anything to beat Grant." ^ It was this lack of definite policy, and the positions taken on the tariff, that contributed mainly to the 'success of Jackson and the party of which he was the chosen standard-bearer. His administration was so satisfactory '' that in November, 1832, he was re-elected. The following was the vote in "Warren County; Clay and Sargent, Whig ticket— Warren Township, 33; Washington, 151; Pike, 28; Mound, 39; Medina, 34; Pine, 16; total, 301. Jackson and Van Buren, ■ Democratic ticket — Warren, 13; Washington, 81; Pike, 5; Mound, 79; Medina, 57; Pine, 32; total, 267. The county still remained anti-Democrat. In 1834, a coalition was formed between the various fragments, resulting in the formation of the 72 HISTORY OF WARKEX COUNTY. Wliio- part)', which began an active canvass for political supremacy. It was during this canvass— that of 1830— that the first really distinct partisan lines were publicly drawn in ^Varren County. Candidates for political honors were to be seen shaking hands with the dear people, and perambulating the county, offering to sacrifice themselves for the public good, very nmeh after the fashion of the present day. The meetings were 'well attended, for the settlers not only received valuable instruction regarding political events of which they were very much in the dark, but they^wero highly entertained, likewise, by the rude sports which seemed an indispensable adjunct of such occasions, and without which it is doubtful whether a respectable assemblage, numerically, could have been secui'ed. The vote of the county, by townshii:)s. at the November election, 1836. was as follows; Harrison and Granger, Whig ticket— Warren, 56; Washington, 207; Medina, 85; Mound, 49: Pike. 50; Pine, 90; Steuben*; Madison,y 4; total, 541. Van Buren and Jolinson, Demo- cratic ticket— Warren, 36; ^Vashington. 89; Medina. 40; Mound. 69: Pike. 20; Pine, 63; Steuben: Madison, 12: total. 329. Again the county went anti-Democratic, by an increased proportion- ate majority. But the Presidential campaign of 1840 was destined to ecUpse any troine before it in AYarren Countv, in interest and activity. Public too * ' meetings were held in various portions of the county, clubs were formed, and at last, just before the election, a large proportion of the citizens went informally, in wagons and on horseback, to the Tippecanoe battle ground, where a vast crowd assembled to do honor to " Tippecanoe and Tyler too." More than one canoe, or log cabin, was placed upon wheels and hauled around, and more than one barrel of " haj'd cider " (^they called it by that name) was tapped to elevate the spirits of the enthusias- tic Whigs. The vote in WaiTen County was as follows: Harrison and Tyler, Whig — AVashington, 248; Pine, 77; Mound. 67; Pike, 41: Warren,' 1(33: Steuben. 42: Medina. 102: total, 740. Tan Buren and Johnson, Democrat — Washington, 104: Pine. 53: Mound, 63: Pike, 20; Warren, 73; Steuben. 3: Medina. 32; total, 348. It was about this time that the question of an increase of slave ter- ritory began tc warmly interest many citizens of Warren County, and a limited abolition sentiment was manifested here and there, wliich was usually laughed down by some ridiculous allusion Early in 1844, it was well known that the efforts of the Democracy would be" directed, in the coming camjiaign, toward the election of a President who favored the admission of Texas into the I'uion, and thereby an increase of slave territory; while the Whigs, on the contrary, took an opposite stand, op- posing the admission of Texas, in order to limit the domain of slavery, and they accordingly nominated Henry Clay, while the Democrats selected James K. Polk. These were the prineijial tickets, thouo-h not the only ones. The Liberty party placed in the field Birney and Morris, the ])latform dift'ering, somewhat, from that of the Whig's, but resem- bling it in opposing an increase of slave territory. The vote in the county in November, 1844, was as follows; t lU'iitoii CtMuity. HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 73 TOWNSHIPS. Whig. Clay and Fre- linghuysen. Dem. Polk and Dallas. Liberty. Birney and ^lorris. Mound 60 41 63 213 36 104 173 91 79 14 16 133 11 78 104 85 Steuben Pike 3 Wasliington rr Liberty Pine Warren Medina Total 779 470 10 In the Presidential campaign of 1848, the first extensive Free-Soil. movement was made. The violent debates in Congress on questions growing out of slavery, attracted universal attention and interest. In 1846, David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, had introduced in Congress what became known as the Wilmot Proviso, which prohibited slaverj' in any territory which might be acquired from Mexico or elsewhere. Though the measure was defeated finally, some of the most eloquent and pas- sionate speeches in American history were delivered in Congress while it was pending. Neither did the excitement die out with the campaign of 1848, but continued until 1850. The interest in Warren County led to the partial organization of a Free-Soil party, which conducted a spirited campaign, many citizens who had formerly figured prominently in both old parties joining its ranks. The full vote in the county, No- vember, 1848, was as follows: TOWNSHIPS. Whig. Taylor and Fillmore. Dem. Cass and But- ler. Free Soil. Van Buren and Adams. 48 .53 91 109 125 86 79 61 m 24 34 80 78 51 58 30 30 75 40 o Pine 6 13 Pike 1 Total 708 460 68 After this election, there was no abatement of interest throughout the country, nor any cessatiou of hostile activities in Congress, until the passage of the celebrated Omnibus Bill, introduced by Hemy Clay, the "Great Pacificator," in 1850. The question of the admission of Cali- fornia into the Union had come up, and had stirred to intense bitterness the sentiments of both parties in Congress, and in all portions of the country, and when Henrv Clay came forward with his celebrated com- nromise, which provided," among other things, for the admission of Cali- fornia into the XJnion as a free State, and for the return of fugitive slaves to their masters, both Clay and his compromise were hailed by all, ex- cept the abolitionists, with universal joy. The Free-Soil party was de- termined, and kept the South violently nettled. The party constantly grew in strength in Warren County. The vote of November, 1852, was as follows: 74 HISTORY OF WARREN COUXTr. TOWNSHIPS. Mound Steuben Pike Washington. Warren Libertj- Jordan Medina Adams Pine Wme. Scott and Graham. Dem- Pierce and King. Free Soil. Hale and Julian. 59 75 108 125 92 111 41 48 73 lis 70 61 30 ■ 98 76 63 18 80 40 81 5 2 37 10 Total. S5U 56 But the excitement liad not yet reaiihecl its climax. The Fugitive Slave law was intensely odious to all the Xorth. except a few who were, by nature and training, slave-holders and slave-catchers. Xumerous out- breaks occurred, and abolitionists who had violated the law were con- cerned therein. In 1853, the straw which broke the camel's back was added. Stephen A. Douglas introduced the Kansas-Nebraska bill, which supported the doctrine of " Squatter Sovereignty," that each State, upon its admission into the Union, might decide by ballot whether slavery should be introduced and propagated within its borders. It was the repeal of the compromises of 1S20 and of IS.jO, and its passage in 18D4 roused the North to a state of fury bordering on open rebellion. The "Kansas war" occurred, and the pitiful tragedy of John Brown, a few years later, kindled a flaaie that was not wholly quenched until Ap- pomattox was reached. The Republican party spr/ing into life, and con- ducted one of the most exciting campaigns in the history of the nation. The vote in Warren County in 1856 was as follows; TOWNSHIPS. Kep. Fremont and Davtou. Pem. Piichanan Breekinrid md Americax. Fillmore and Donelson. Medinn 117 109 104 117 142 113 131 67 32 48 04 40 111 09 41 130 27 124 75 o 1 Pine 14 15 4 33 6 1 Lilurty Jori!;iii AVnshiDi;1ou I»ike Steuben ]\[oiind Total .... 1,167 767 76 The Democratic party, of which the Southern wing, havim^ the ma- jority, held control, was content to remain in the Union as lou>-' as the institution of slavery was not interfered with, even though it was deprived of the executive head of the Government. It had been "the custom of the South, for one or more generations preceding ISOO, to threaten that, in case any serious danger menacing slavery should prove victorious, suffi- cient cause would have arisen to dissolve the Union. For a few veai"s preceding 18(30, the sentiment on both sides had become so bitter! and HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 75 the North, and especiallj' the Republican party, had been so outspoken against slavery, that the South instinctively felt that the election of Mr. Lincoln meant serious interference with their favorite institution, if not the adoption of steps leading to its total and eventual abolition. The election of November, 1860, was scarcely over ere ordinances of seces- sion were passed, and preparations for war were made. During all this period, the excitement in Warren County was very great. Unfortunate- ly, the vote of November, 1860, cannot be given, as the election returns have been misplaced or destroyed. Of course the county went strongly Republican. In 1864, the contest was really upon the question of continuing the war. As the States in rebellion were out of the contest, the question was decided wholly by the Northern States. Lincoln's re-election de- veloped the fact that the country was in favor of continuing the war, and the struggle for supremacy was vigorously renewed. The election in Warren County, November, 1864. resulted as follows: TOWNSHIPS. Eep. Lincoln and Johnson. Dem. McClellan aiid Pendleton. Mound (1) 39 80 140 89 179 121 103 136 143 118 66 181 8 Mound (3) 123 Liberty 95 Pine y5 Steuben 46 Pike 35 Medina 35 Warren 104 xidama 53 Jordan 16 Prairie 53 Washiington 119 Total 1,373 761 The Presidential election of 1868 placed Gen. Grant at the head of the nation. The election returns in Warren County, like those of 1860, seem to have been misplaced. In 1872, Grant came up for re-election. The Republicans who opposed him united with the mass of the Demo- cracy, and placed Horace Greeley in the field. The Straight, or Bour- bon Democracy, nominated 0"Conor. Warren County voted as follows: TOWNSPIIPS. Eep. Grant and AVilsou. Lib. Rep. Greeley and Brown. BouE. Dem. U'Conor and Adams. 174 63 175 89 110 113 201 55 167 1:33 145 80 137 74 37 17 102 23 55 33 83 113 39 79 Kent Pike 8 2 Jordan Pine 1 Medina . Steuben . 1 1 2 Total 1,504 775 15 76 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. Soon after this election, the Greenback party was formed. Its origm was due to the hard times growing out of the depreciation of values at the close of the war. The party favored an abolition of National iianks, opposed refunding or re-issuing Government bonds except withm certai n limitations, and declared against a return to specie payments, tickets were placed in the field in November, 1S76, as will the following return for Warren County: Three be seen from TOWNSHIPS. Eep. Hayes and Wheeler. Dem. Tilden aad Hendricks. GREEyBACK. Co'tper and (_ary. Kent 5T 132 154 164 101 163 41 132 168 132 198 148 107 i i 43 101 13 139 41 34 113 25 T5 112 1 Liberty 14 15 14 14 Pike 5 W^iirren 15 Afedina 5 8 Pine . Total 1,590 sso 88 The rapid strides of the country in prosperity, the successful return to a specie basis in 1879, and the conciliatory policy of President Hayes' administration were the means of carrying the election of November, ISSO, for the Republican party. In the meantime, however, the Green- back X'arty grew to respectable proportions, continuing to augment, even, for a tinDe after the return to a specie basis. A general reform of the civil service was demanded, and many particular evils were pointed out. The (.piestion of specie resumption was dropped, the National Banks were assailed with renewed vigor, and a strong sentiment hostile to cor- porations was developed in all parts of the country. The election in "Warren jrave the followintr retui-n: TOWNSHIPS. Kef. Gavfleld and Arthur. Pem. Haneooli and Euglisli. Green HACK. ^Veaver and Chamt'ors, Medina 154 159 83 183 245 T8 136 190 48 163 209 202 25 To 28 103 40 88 119 131 44 36 ST 126 4 3 20 20 10 5 1 13 12 o Prairie .Jordan Liiterty Pilie..' Kent Pine Warren iMound Adams Sleulien 16 18 Wasliiiinion Total 1,850 901 124 Thus it will be seen that Wtirren County has been, from the tirst either Whig or Republican, and that, too, by a majority which numerous It has frequently boon the disasters have been unable to overcome. HISTORY OF WARKEN COUXTY. 77 case that numbers oi other parties have been elected to important posi- tions in the county, but this was due to the forbearance of the Eepubli- can party, owing to the recognized prominence and worth of the candi- date. GBAyEL EOADS. In 1S07. the Pine Creek Grayel Road Company was organized, with a stock of 1,200 shares, of S25 each, the road to extend from the county seat northward on the Chicago road to the county line. The company afterward became the "Williamspm-t A: Carbcmdale Gravel Eoad Com- pany, with a stock of about 85,000. About three miles of the road was built, next to "Williamsport, and then further work was abandoned. S, B. Knour & Co, owned fifty-two shares and Kent & Hitcbens forty shares when the project was first undertaken. lu 1S69, the West Leb- anon A: AValnut Groyo Grayel Eoad Company was formed, the stock amounting to 820,000. with shares of S25 each. The route was to ex- tend du.e north, or nearly so, from the old town of Iiebanon eight and one-half miles. The heaviest stock-holders were C. J. Tinkler, twenty shares, and A. C. & F. Goodwine. twenty shares. A short portion of the road was completed. A company also organized to extend a road from Independence northward to the county line, and, like the others, was only partially completed. Sections of various public roads in the county have been graveled. The tendency now is to accomplish this excellent work at the public expense, and not through the efforts of a company. Warren County has abundant and excellent gravel beds. In 1850, the Independence & Oxford Plank Eoad Company was granted the right to put down plank on the Independence & Oxford pub- lic road. The company was large, and had a declared capital of over S20.000. Saw mills were erected, old ones were set at work and a num- ber of miles of plank were soon down, and travelers began to " ante up " to toll-keepers; but within a year the work was abandoned, as the sub- scribed stock could not be secured. Some of the old plank may yet be seen, CUTTER BAR MAXLTACTUEING COMPAMT, About eight years ago, there was organized at "Williamsport the Eeaper & Mower" Cutter Bar Manufacturing Company, with announced capital stock of §300,000, the principal stockholders being Daniel and Edward Bowlers. Martin Schoonover, S. F. Messner, E. AV. Smith, J, \V, Sutton, "William .Moflitt, E. W. Claypool, L. T. Miller and Alvin High. The company was formed to manufactui-e " Oxer's improvement in cutter bars and Oxer's improvement in harvest cutters," but nothing was accomplished, and the organization soon became a thing of the past, owing largely to the fact that the inventions of Mr. Oxer were not re- ceived with as much favor as had been expected. MEDICAL SOCIETY. In May, 1S75, the Warren County Medical Society was organized, " any graduate in medicine of a respectable medical school, or licentiate of a"ny regularly organized medical society " being allowed to become a member. °Among the incorporators were A. M. Porter. W, N. Sherman, Justin Eoss, C. W. Osborn, J, G. Blanehard, J. De Hart, S. N. Osborn, and perhaps others. Many of the physicians in the county have since joined the society. Dr. Orin Aborn is President of the organization at 78 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. this writing. The couuty phy.sicians at pre.sent are, Orin Aborn, O. D. Benson, E. K. Birch, T. B. Campbell, Jacob De Hart, J. Fleming, S. C. Fenton, C. H. Hoffman, A. J. McAdams, A. Y. Moore, J. W. McMullen, S. N. Osborn, C. W. Osborn, A. M. Porter, G. W. Higgle, Justin Boss, J. C. Stewart, J. C. Simpkins, E. J. Simpkins, T. H. Trent, W. B. Vick, B. H. Wicoff, James B. Webb and Walter E. Wilson. THE GKANGERS. In Marcji, 1876, many of the farmers of Warren County, with head- quarters at Williamsport, organized the Warren County Co-operative Association, with a capital stock of S10,000. This movement was made by the Grangers, and was designed to effect the purchase of farm im- plements of all descriptions at much less than ordinary rates, by dealing directly with the manufactiirers, and thus doing away with " middle men." The organization was abandoned before any movement of note was made, but the Grangers — and there were many in the county — ac- complished a great deal of good, in a general manner, by example. COUNTY OFFICERS. Commissioners — The first Board of Justices, in lS2i, consisted of Lemuel Boyd. Thomas Kearns, Thomas Cunningham and Edward Mace. Levi Cronkhite began in 1828; Samuel Merrill, 1828; Jonathan Shippv, 1828; Laurence Eains, 1828; Benjamin Chenoweth, 182'J; Daniel Mc- Connell, 1830. In November, 1830, the county management passed to three Commissioners — Josiah B. Magie, one year; Isaac Switzer, two years, and James Goodwine, three years. James McCord began in 1831; Isaac Switxer, 1832; James Goodwine, 1833; Luther Tillotson, 1833; Seth St. John, 1834; James Goodwine, 1830: Samuel Watkins, 1836; L. D. Osborn, 1837; Seth St. John, 1838; Nathaniel Buttertield, 1S39: Carpenter Morey, 1840; John Jones, 1841; Seth St. John, 1S41; John E. Stufllebeam," 1842; David Shankland, lS43; Ozias Deyo, 1844; Elijah Thomas, 1846; E. B. Tillotson, 1847; William Crow, 1848; Elijah Thomas, 1849; J. E. Johnson. 1851: Isaac Bowyer, 1852; Isaac Slauter, 1853; Sanford Payne, 1854; Sidney Cronkhite, June, 1856; Thomas J. Chenenweth, 1856: C. V. White, 1857; Alfred Fisher, 1858; T. J. Chenenweth, 1859; Elisha Eogers, 1860; David Moftitt, 1861; T. J. Chenenweth, 186)2; Elisha Eodgers, 1803; David Motlitt, 1864;' T. J. Chenenweth, 1865; W^illiam Haines, 1800; David Moffitl, 1867; L. E, Van Eeed, 186)8; Samuel \V. Frame. 1869; D. A. Messuer, 1S70'; Zimri Atkinson, 1870; Andrew Brier, 1871; S. M. Frame. 'l872;' Zimri Atkinson, 1873; Andrew Brier, 1874; S. M. Frame, 1875; Zimri Atkin- son, 1876); E. W. Alexander, 18(7; S. M. Frame, 1878; Z Atkinson 1879; E. W. Alexander, 1880; George T. Buell, 1881; James I Barr' 1882. Clerks of the Circuit Court — James Cunningham, 1827-38; Thomas O'Neal, by api)ointment, A])ril, 1838; William Eobb, bv aiipoiutment 1838; E. F. Lucas, 1838; William E. Bovor. 1841; H." E Pomerov' 1856; William C. Smith, 1863; Fry Bryant, 1870; Henry C. Johnson^ 1879. Auditors— Prior to 1848, the business of this office was done bv the Clerk or Treasurer. ^\"altor B. Miller. 1848; Isaac S. Jones 1852 ■ James H. Bonebrake, I860; ^\'. H. Thomas. 1864; William :Nromtt ISOS' George Adams, 1S;6; A\'illiam Moffitt, 1881. ' " ' HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 79 Recorders — James Cunningham, 1827; Thomas O'Neal, 1838; Henry J. Parker, 1841; William R. Boyer, 1845; Robert M. Allen, 1852; John B. Wright, 1856; William H. Thomas, I860; George Adams, 1864; J. D. Livingood, 1872; Thomas J. Graves, 1880. Sheriffs— William F. Beckett, 1827; John Seaman, 1829; William Robb, 1833; Aaron Stevenson, 1839; Nicholas Sheffer, 1841; Isaac Templeton, 1846; John P. Pugh, 1847; William Robb, appointed 1849; George Oglesby, 1849; George W. Armstrong, 1851; C. V. White, 1853; Abram S. Jones, 1857; George Miner, 1861; W^illiam L. Hamil- ton, 1862; Samuel Clark, 1862; Henry C. Dawson, 1865; H. M. Bill- ings, 1867; Asa J. Fisher, 1868; Mahlon J. Haines, 1872; M. H. Pear- son, 1876; Joseph L. Stump, 1880-84, TreasTirers— Enoch Farmer, 1828 ($1,000 bond); John C. Irvin, 1831; James Todd, 1832; James H. Buell, 1834: William B. Boyer, 1838; B. F. Gregory, 1840; E. F. Lucas, 1842 ($15,000 bond); James C. McAlilly, 1844 (died in office, 1852); Samuel J. McAlilly, 1852; Benjamin F. Gregory, 1852; James H. Buell, 1855; Lewis Haines, 1857; Samuel P. Messner, 1859; George Hitchens, 1863 ($100,000 bond); Alvin High, 1867; Cyrus Romine, 1871; Samuel Bittinger, 1875; Phillip Gemmer, 1879. ' Agents of three per cent fund — James H. Buell, 1831: Nicholas Sheffer, 1832; B. F. Gregory, 1838; E. F. Lucas, 1839; Benjamin Crow, 1840. Surveyors — Perrin Kent, 1828; Ferdinand Woodward, 1852; Isaac N. Taylor, 1862; Ferdinand Woodward, 1866; Thomas J. Webb, 1872; John L. Trimble. 1874; Samuel Smith, 1878. Circuit Court -Judges — John R. Porter, 1828; Isaac Naylor, 1838; William P. Bryant, 1853; John M. Cowan, 1802; Thomas F. Davidson, 1870; Joseph M. Rabb, 1882. Probate Judges — William Willmeth served in 1828; John B. King, 1836; Edward Mace, 1840; Peter Schoonover^ 1846. In 1852, the CommoQ Pleas Cimrt assumed jurisdiction of probate matters. Common Pleas Judges — This court was created in 1852. Daniel Mills served as Judge in 1853; William R. Boyer, 1856; Isaac Naylor, 1861; James Park, 1867; John M. La Rue, 1867. In 1873, the Com- mon Pleas Court was abolished, the Circuit Court assuming exclusive jurisdiction. School Commissioners or Superintendents — Daniel R. Parker, 1828; James J. McAlilly, 1831; James Todd, 1837; .JohnB. Harris, 1837; Wesley Clark, 1840, resigned 1845; B. F. Gregory, 1845; J. R, M. Bryant, J. H. Buell andE. S. Thomas, three "Examiners," appointed 1847 ; B. F. Greg- ory, 1848; James J. McAlilly, 1849; J. O. Wade, B. H. Boyd and Sanford Payne, 1853; Amos Jones,'j. O. Wade and Andrew M. Shepard, 1854; Delos Warren, J. O. Wade and Joseph Franklin, 1855-56; * * * William P. Rhodes, 1860: M. T. Case, 1866; John L. Boyd, 1868; James W. McMullen, 1869; Henry Rittenour, 1871; C. M. Parks, first "County Superintendent," 1873; Alonzo Nebaker, 1875; John Bow- man, 1877; Alonzo Nebaker, 1881. Coroners— William Search, 1829; J. R. Coffin, 1832; Charles Mc- Alister, 1836; Samuel Campbell, 1840; * * * Josiah Tharp. 1851; Aaron Lesley, 1853; John Cox, 1855; E. A. Sanders, 1863; Phillip W. Lewis, 1863; Isaiah P. Ross, 1872; John Jordan, 1874; P. W. Lewis, 1881. 80 HISTORY OF WAKREN COUNTY. Associate Judges— Nathaniel Butterfield and Samuel B. ClaA, 1828; Isaac Rains, 1831; James Crawford and David McConnell. 1833: Hugh M. King, 1834; Thomas Collins, 1830; Levi Jennings, 1840; A\ illiam Coldren, 1840; Eleazur Purvianee, 1845; Josiah Tharp, 1847; Silas Hooker, 1847; Peter Schoonover, 1851. The office was abolished m 1852. County Agents— Luther Tillotson, 182/; Holder Sisson, 1828; Isaac Eains, 1828; J. J. McAlilly, 1829; Samuel B. Clark, 1830: Charles Barkshire, 1830; Lemuel W." Joiner, 1839; Benjamin Crow. 184G: Elisha Hitchens, 1848. There were many others, but t|ieir names cannot be learned with certainty. COUNTY FINANCES. The alteration, during the years since the organization of the county, in the receipts and expenditures necessary to carry on public aflairs, affords a fruitful theme for contemplation. The county began without money by issuing " county orders," which passed about as currently as the paper money of that period. They bore no interest, were transferrable at will and were placed upon the market at a discount of from 1 to 8 cents on the dollar. In their passage from hand to hand, a further de- preciation of value took place. The tirst order paid by the county of ^Varren was $28, early in 1828, to James Page, one of the Commission- ers to locate the county seat: Xo. 2 was for S32, to George Hullings- worth, for the same service; No. 3 was for §15, to Luther Tillotson. for services as Sheriff; No. 4 was for §12.02. to Holder Sisson, Deputy Sheriff: No. 5 was for 2.50, to Andrew Fleming. Deputy Sheriff. A total of twenty-eight orders was issued in 1S2S, aggregating §377.3 li^. The cash receipts for the same period (the year 1828) were §185. 43|: orders received at the Treasiuy and canceled, §174.25, leaving a cash balance in the Treasury of §11.1S|, with orders still in circulation, §203.06^. The tax assessed for thii year (1828) was as follows: Poll tax, 37^ cents; hoi'se, mule or ass, 371 cents; stallion, once the season rate; ox, 12i cents; silver or pinchbeck watch, 25 cents; gold watch, §1: brass clock, §1; pleasure carriage, §1.5(V, 100 acres of first-class land, 50 cents; 100 acres of second-class land. 40 cents; 100 acres of third class land, 30 cents. A portion of tlie receipts was from the sale of town lots, and another considerable portion was from store and tavern licenses. A small ex])euse had been incurred in 1827, and the total expense of the county for the years 1827 and 1828 was §392. 81-^: truly a wonderful amount for the entire expense of Warren County for nearly a year and a half. During this entire period, §11.93^ had been received "for town lots; 75 cents had been paid for whisky,* furnished on the day of r.he sale of the lots; county orders of §10.25 had been received as license to vend merchandise; and county orders of §1(U had been received in pay- ment of county revenue. In 1829, county orders of §353 were issued, of which §190.93 .\ worth were paid off. Up to January, 1830, fifty-six orders had been "issued, amounting to §55(5, 00.\. Of these, §220.G8,J worth had been liquidated! « A i.ul.lir sail, nf Inlswilhoul wliisky was a.lnll all'air.and was sraivolv I'vor soon U was woU- kiM.u,, lo all Ihal ir whisky ,vns iVor a„,l ahu n.lani , I ho hi,l,lin>; was nu.oh Uvol .I,- a, , hi j or ml ha -"-■ ":-'"l;l :,"-" '-11' '.' '•>;"'" ""'1... ou.lay >„ ll,o ,M-oa,or ,„„nl,or un.l h\,h p I'o , V lol, o' ;.|;;;o:;iin;^:anXart;J:r^ ko,s„r.hohi,Mo.s,asso,„hioaia,.,oo :isM.,i';;ii;:;'^;::oo: HISTORY OF WAEREX COUNTY. 81 This M-as considered, at the time, a hea\'y indebtedness, and perplexed the Commissioners to no small extent. In 1S30, orders to the amount of §342.181 were issued, increasing the debt to S677.56i; but $625.95 worth were liquidated, leaving the debt, on the 1st of January, 1831. S51.C)1J. In 1S31, orders to the amount of 81,084: 80^ were issued, increasing the debt to SI. 136.- 41^: bnt during the same time, 81,064. 52i of orders were canceled, leav- ing the debt, on the 1st of January, 1832^ 871. 89^, By May, 1833, 256 orders had been issued. On the 6th of Xovember, 1837, there was on hand 8416.22. During the year ending Xovember 6, 1838, there was received 83,091.16; the expenses were 82,006.73, leaving a balance in the Treasury of 81,501.10. At last the county was on a firm financial foundation. At the begin- ning of the year ending June. 1843. there was on hand 8954, 23; received dmlng the year, 83,629.83; expenses, 83,659.50; balance on hand, 81.024.56. For the year ending May 31, 1848, on hand, 82.S97.75; receipts, 86,378.16; expenses, 86,786.67; on hand, end of year, 82,389,- 24. Among the receipts were merchants' license, 862.47; peddlers, license, 810; clock sellers' license, 813; grocery license, 845; ferry license, $19. Among the expenses were officers' salaries, $839.80; paupers' account, $495.43. For the year ending May, 1850, the receipts from merchants', grocers' and peddlers' licenses were $154.87; an impor- tant force of revenue. The receipts in 1856 were $17,517.58. This sum included about $2,500 which remained in the Treasury from the previous year. The expense was $15,151.37; leaving a balance of 82,376.21. For the year ending May 31, 1859, the county receipts were $24,771.32; expenses. $24,561.40. For the year ending May 31, 1862, there was on hand at the beginning 83,438.07; receipts, $25,684.21; expenses, $19,- 995.99; balance on hand, $9,126.29; officers' salaries, $2,713.54. For the year ending May 31. 1870, there was on hand at the commencement of the year, $24,377.29; receipts, $90,584.85; expenses, 882,580.63; balance "on hand, 832,381.51: orders outstanding, $9,530.70; county officers' salaries during the year, 86,078.51; bridge expenses, $10,373.- 68. Before the war, the county's financial condition was comparatively dormant; but the demands for bounty and relief became so great, that heavier assessments were levied, and the Treasm-er's report showed much larger amounts collected and expended. For the year ending June, 1874, the total receipts, including what was left over, were $91,804.88, and the expenditures were 864,967.35; the county officers cost 85,118.84; the geological survey of the county, 8638.50; the poor, 83.714.98. and fox 'scalps, $154.50. In June, 1S"78, the receipts were $42,045.59 on hand at the beginning of the year, and $107.7 1 8. 84 collected, giving a total of $149,824.43; the expense was $99,726.52; the county officers cost 85,091.28 The following is a full statement of the receipts and expenditui-es of ^an-en County, Ind., for the year ending May 31, 1882: 82 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. EECEIPTS. AMOUNT ON j ASIOUNT HAND JUNE 1,' RECEIVED , 1881. DCEINO YEAR. County Revenue : |14,o63 41 Township Revenue I 3,510 93 Road Revenue ! 3,087 59 Special School Revenue 6,595 38 Dog Revenue 923 79 Common School Revenue 5,259 19 Tuition Revenue ■ 6,780 10 Corporation Revenue 172 59 Additional Special School Revenue Redemptions : 131 n Refunders — " Taxes Refunded " Estray Fund 15 23 Docket Fees Three Per Cent Fund .'.'.', Railroad Tax 2,192 75 Common School Principal , 80 66 Common School Interest Town 22, Range 8. principal Town 21, Range 8, principal Town 23, Range 6, principal Town 22, Range 7, principal 470 r; Town 20, Range 9, principal 45 97 To-svn 20, Range 10, principal 68 11 Town 23, Range 7, principal , i-U iQ Town 22, Range 9, principal Town 21, Range 9, principal 5il(i (in ' Town 21, Range 10, principal /_ Town 23, Range 8, principal Town 22, Range Id, principal ' . . . ' §24,060 57 3,377 22 9,583 36 7,283 94 917 83 11,84.5 36 8,664 80 1,093 63 1,358 67 880 06 $38,623 98 6,888 15 12,670 95 13,879 32 1,841 62 17,104 .55 15,444 90 1,266 22 1,858 67 1,011 17 17 00 32 23 54 00 54 00 56 78 56 78 869 56 3,062 31 2,511 75 2.592 41 1,472 10 1.472 10 461 10 461 10 87 85 87 85 752 38 752 38 470 77 46 89 92 86 68 11 60 6i 204 47 466 00 9. principal 8, interest . 8, interest . 6, interest . 7. interest . 9, interest . Town 23, Range Town 22. Range Town 21, Range Town 23, Range Town 22, Range Town 20, Range Town 20, Range 10. interest Town 23, Range 7, interest Town 22, Range 9. interest Town 21, Range 9, interest Town 21, Range 10, interest Town 23, Range 8, interest Town 22, Range 1(1, interest . Town 23, Range 9. interest Town 22, Range 6, interest .. . Town 22, Range 10, reiits. Town 23. Range 10, reiits Town 21. Range 10, surplus principal Damages Common School Rents 1.475 no 46 82 15 79 147 33 253 42 103 56 122 60 184 49 6 56 134 50 147 50 38 71) 163 70 827 29 378 90 300 no 34 00' 3,690 00 2.118 75 126 25 67 46 111 87 305 30 92 38 32 53 155 47 15 96 107 70 283 13 64 46 856 69 1.127 82 55 04 Totals. 437 63 ^^-j 40 'oo' 148,922 20 §85,609 30 500 00 466 00 3,690 00 3.593 75 173 07 83 25 259 20 558 73 ,195 94 155 13 339 96 22 52 242 20 430 63 103 16 1,020 39 1.955 11 55 04 378 90 300 00 437 63 34 00 40 00 1134,531 50 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 83 EXPENHITUEES;. Amouut Amount ^^ , , Overpaid Overpaid J^^Pi?"ded May 31, 1SS2 .June 1,1881. During Balauee in Year. Treasurv. Countj' Revenue Township Revenue Road Revenue Special School Revenue Dog Revenue Common School Revenue Tuition Revenue Corporation Revenue Additional Special Schpol Revenue. Redemptions Refunders — " Taxes Refunded ". . . . Estray Fund Docket Fees Three Per Cent Fund Railroad Tax Common School Principal Common School Interest Town 2i, Range 8. principal Town '31. Range S. principal Town 23. Range 6, principal Town 22, Range 7, principal Town 20, Range 9, principal Town 20. Range 10, principal Town 23, Range T, priucipial Town 32, Range 9, principal Town 21, Range 9, principal Town 21, Range 10, principal ; 474 00 Town 23, Range 8, principal j Town 22, Range 10, principal ! 235 00 Town 23, Range 9, principal Town 22. Range 8, interest 8, interest 6, interest 7, interest 9, interest Range 10, interest Range 7, interest Range 9, interest Range 9, interest Range 10, interest Range 8, interest Range 10, interest 9, interest 6. interest §148 51 $148 51 $20,801 84 4.199 58 10,661 es 9,007 99 791 52 11,883 88 11,079 66 666 65 636 13 870 71 73 38 Town 21. Range Town 23, Range Town 22. Range Town 20, Range Town 20^ Town 23, Town 22, Town 21, Town 21, Town 23, Town 22, Town 23, Range Town 22, Range Town 22, Range 10, rents Town 23, Range 10, rents Town 21, Range 10, surplus principal. Damages Common School Rents §11,823 14 3,688 57 2,009 27 4,871 33 1,050 10 5,221 17 4,365 24 599 57 722 54 140 46 15 23 54 00 2,192 75 2,440 00 460 00 87 85 679 05 450 00 91 94 500 00 940 00 3,915 00 3,150 00 30 09 245 96 236 77 164 97 1.55 13 305 55 152 49 259 18 64 46 1,361 08 437 63 34 00 17 00 56 78 869 56 153 41 1.473 10 1 10 20 77 93 68 11 204 47 443 75 173 07 53 17 13 24 321 95 30 97 " "34'4i 22 52 89 71 171 45 38 70 1.030 39 694 03 55 04 878 90 300 00 40 00 Totals $847 51 Deduct amounts overdrawn ; $331 84 i=;94,933 37 $40,334 90 847 51 Balance in Treasmy, provided all orders were redeemed Add outstanding orders , $39,387 39 3,135 36 Actual balance in Treasury. $43,512 84 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. ITEMIZED STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES OF COUNTY REVENUE. On account of assessing S 1,.346 00 On account of attorneys 30 00 On account of bailiffs '-•'^0 50 On account of books and stationer}' I,i69 10 <^n account of blind at blind asj'lum _ T.5 On account of bridges ^'Z^- ^^ On account of count}' officers' salaries 3. .572 33 On account of criminals 4^9 '^o On account of Circuit Court Si'24 70 On account of elections 98 40 On account of equalization of assessments 20 00 On account of fuel 288 85 On account of inquests 84 70 On account of insane 318 .59 On account of jurors 1.394 So On account of poor 5,468 65 On account of poor farm 1,458 01 On account of printing 509 35 On account of public buildings 940 08 On account of returning fines 17 00 On account of roads and highways 816 35 On account of County Superintendent's salary l.OOi 20 On account of teachers' institute " 50 00 On account of war — " tombstones for soldiers " 54 00 On account of fox scalps 153 00 On accouiit of wolf sculps 23 00 On account of special judges 70 00 On account of insurance ." 920 00 On account of ditch 3ii 00 Total . .S26.8ol 84 WlLLI.\M MOFFITT. Au/HtoV. Philip Gemmer, Treasurer. R. W. Alexander. Geokoe T. Bell. James I. Bark, i'oiiimissioners. RECAPITULATION OF TAXES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR l^Si -^ o i . ^_ .„ i . , _. ■^"5^^ ^_ T()w>'Siiirs. ate « = a o ;:_t -^ r ~ isii Jl ^ i = s ^ "^ f"" h^ ^ ■' ■= >- - ' >=: Writhing ton... ?-jL.'ii,no i-l:!,ii.v, 6 7r.ii $4SU ss3,ii;5 SI, 400 S'.U 0(10 70 iii:;.7(;o ir.i.-i.v". ■:'.i,4'.',". (WO i,i;:v. 3.000 ,^,07o l('io,;:50 5:;,S2o i'Jo,.-.(;ii ;i;o 1,-'S0 51^1.250 332.175 770, ',(0.-. 171 70 .Mound . Mi'iibeii 54 OS ;ilo .-Mcdinii. :;:;,:;s(i (V_'ll 1.4.->.'i lo,.7.'~5 O-'o liSO 300.415 S9 'Warren. ;>;i7',K,n -IS7,,'..|,-> .'i 1.7 10 71. r.v. l,n;ii) G,SO,'t 175,s75 1'2'J 247 l,il.ovtv. Aanins .. ^ ,1.'-, , 0-l,,l,l,T .Inrdiin .. rjl,Hln .11,711(1 l,".ll 1,L'00 107 (r'5 ■J40 7. HI 5S((. 415 L'O William- >ovl .. lll,.s'.lll ui,':.^.(i S.llM iL'J7o 11 15': I'riiii'iL' .. (;i,s,'^o L'.'.,is,-, ii;,'. 1-"4,V,I5 715.5.;0 SlaioLiii annii ;'.,ss."> ■J, IS.'. 10,705 ll.l'.S'i l,'i.'J>0 ■-',■-'-10 i;il!,-'.45 ll,(i:!5 4S.-> 4.045 31 410 215,1(^1 i23..4;;o 33.720 ('.(■07.S(10 SI v>4 41 Total ., :!,s.i:),s,s;, rifi5,;!2i^ 20,'260 1 ! 1,355 1,IUO,-JL>0 ;h57 710 2.0i;2 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 85 TO'WTN SHIPS. 1 5 - ST.VTJ'- SCHOOL TAX. f. >• ft. K < > t- : < z H SI'KCTAL SCHOOL TAX. y, c ^ S570 38 765 02 433 53 1,037 46 523 72 56S 93 766 26 93D 65 704 64 759 48 423 48 937 64 299 62 19.3 08 63 10 ? 89 23 113 25 66 42 154 08 79 87 84 32 107 12 141 19 104 94 110 08 57 91 143 10 43 18 24 68 7 93 E 748 84 991 53 566 3S 1,343 61 683 47 733 o7 980 50 1.242 03 914 52 991 65 339 31 1.243 85 386 00 244 43 83 97 Sl,631 64 2,152 94 1,232 39 2,9i2 34 1,486 73 1,597 63 2,121 70 2,695 8:3 1,986 44 2,157 42 1,166 50 2,702 39 836 78 325 S8 179 85 $1,2.55 46 1,757 68 638 17 1,992 77 976 71 1,087 22 1,833 08 2,214 89 1,349 40 1,296 74 ?S49 40 232 11 1,309 66 399 36 1,084 50 803 45 917 75 787 05 495 82 434 35 1,717 28 215 93 270 28 218 83 ?4,295 55 7,974 98 Pine §169 88 166 05 231 12 199 68 200 80 «1,175 28 498 17 Mound 3,933 22 8,993 04 Pike 683 47 1,0.54 00 964 14 1,058 93 824 55 343 24 434 33 1,073 30 539 84 232 09 119 00 5,033 01 Medina 6,420 97 "Warren 7 576 '^5 141 19 767 05 290 21 9,371 46 7,458 59 6,455 64 Williamsport 5,775 01 214 66 323 90 2,184 84 593 88 10,237 06 Xent 3,239 13 West Lebanon Star Line City 1,862 63 836 35 Total 9,030 99 1,333 30 11,697 66 25,393 46 2,734 54 [ 9,005 36 17,180 84 9,835 77 89,462 89 \'OTE — Additional special school tax— Willlamsport, $1,523.84 ; West Lebanon, S370.19 ; State Line City, ■;39.67. Corporation tax— Williamsport, 51,196.27 ; State Line Citj", S119. Total delinquent tax, Sll'4-.2.47. TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF WARREN COUNTY. BY WESTON A. GOODSPEEH. WABRENTOX. THE life of this defunct village was very short. It was laid out by the County Agent.Luther Tillotson, early in ,July,lS28, on a tract of land which had been donated to the county by a Mr. Hollingsworth, in consideration that the county seat should be located there. It ap- pears that Enoch Farmer had some interest in the land, or at least in land that had been donated by him to the county. Seven full blocks of eight lots each, and a public "scjuare of one and eight tenths acres, and four half blocks, each containing four lots, were laid out on the east fraction of the southwest quarter of Section 31, Township 22 north, Eano-e 7 west. Perrin Kent was surveyor and was assisted by Luther Tillotson, John Whelchel, Francis Boggs and Job Tevebaugh. Enoch Farmer boarded the men and also assisted in the survey. It was in Mav, 1828, that the Board of Justices ordered the survey and at the' same time thev ordered that on the 5th of August, 1828, a certain portion of the county lots should be sold at public auc- tion, one-fourth of the purchase money to be paid in advance and the remainder in three semi-annual installments. This sale took place as advertised, and free whisky was furnished for the occasion, at the coun- ty's expense, probably to loosen the tongue of the auctioneer or " crier " and the generositv of the buyers. Lots sold for from $10 to $20, ac- cording to the location. The cash receipts of the sale were $1L93|. Francis Boggs was paid 75 cents for whisky furnished. If any baild- inos were erected in' Warrenton, such fact could not be learned. David 86 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. Moffit says there were none. In January, the act was approved re-locat- ing the county seat, which proved the death kiiell of Warrenton and stopped every improvement, if any had been commenced. The provis- ions of this act may be seen in another chapter. One was that men who had purchased lots should be permitted to transfer their claim to lots similarly situated in the new county seat. Several availed themselves of this provision. Farmer, Hollino^sworth, and others who had donated land, money, or other property, or service in consideration of having the county seat located at Warrenton. were released from all such obliga- tions. WILLIAMSPOET. In November, 182S, William Harrison, owner and proprietor, em- ployed Perrin Kent, surveyor, and laid out Williamsport on the south end of the east fraction of the northeast quarter of Section 11, Township 21 north. Range 8 west. Fom- blocks of eight lots each were laid out, the streets extending back from the river being Water. Second and Third, while in the center, extending southeast and northwest, was Main, and on the northeast. Warren. The town is said to have been named for the owner, William Harrison, by annexing " port " to the given name in the possessive case — William's port, or Williamsport. The re-location of the county seat did not take place until June, 1829, and before this and after the news was received that a re-location had been ordered, but little improvement took place, owing to the uncertainty of the place to be selected b_v the Ee-locating Commissioners. Harrison. Seaman, Gilbert, aad perhaps others, made valuable donations to secure the county seat. William Harrison was no doubt the lirst resident of the town. About the time he laid out the first lots (November. 1828), he built a log dwelling on the bank of the river at the foot of Main street, where he began selling whisky and a few notions. p>aying a li- cense of $5 per annum. He also obtained a horse ferry-boat, which he began running aerciss the river to and from hi? " port," and which he conducted several years. Mr. Harrison donated 810 toward the payment of the Ee-locating Commissioners, which amotint was paid in Julv, 18211, but was refunded a few years later. The tirst addition was laid out by Thomas Gilbert, owner, in July, 1829, at which time four blocks of eio-lit lots each and one half block of four lots, were laid out on the southwest side of the original plat along the Wabash Eiver. The addition shows the same streets running back from the river as the original plat, but run- ning southwest are Washington and Jefl'erson streets. Perrin Kent was Surveyor. Esudy in August, 1829. Isaac Raius, County .Vgeut. laid out the celebrated " West Addition " to Williamsport, on laud that had been donated to the county by Mr Harrison. Twelve blocks of eight lots each, including a public square, were surveyed northwest of the original plat, and back farther from the river. This afterward became thelnisi- nesa portion of the town, the stores and other business houses being mostly on the southeast side of the square and along Main street. Pei-'- riu Kent was surveyor, and William Russell, John Seamau, William Search, James Watson, and John Regan assisted him. On the tUh of August, 1829, occurred the tirst public sale of lots in the uc^w county seat. John Seaman was the " crier '■ of the sale. The foUowim^ men were the purchasers: Sylvester Stone, Benjamin Cheueweth, "^ Isaac Martin, Samuel Rogers, E. W. Jones, Henrv Boston, Elijah \^4xim HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 87 William Hanon, Jennings, Levi Cronkliite, Samuel Connaway, James Cunningham, William Pugli and John Marlott. The total foot- ings of the sale were $635.38*. Onlj two or three of these men lived in Willi amsport. Other sales were ordered from time to time as the needs demanded. Thomas Gilbert laid out a continuation of his South Addi- tion in June, 1831, and in October, 1831, Thomas B. Clark, County Agent, laid out the Northeast Addition. Soon afterward, a continuation of the West Addition was also laid out. In May, 1832. Thomas Gilbert had surveyed another addition, and in March, 1836, the County Agent added about sixty new lots from the donated lands. A public sale of county lots occuiTed about once each year, and whisky was invariably furnished at the expense of the county, pursuant to an order from the County Board. Merchants and Mechanics. — Isaac Martin sold the first dry goods in Williamsport. He was licensed to " vend foreign and domestic mer- chandise" in July, 1829, paying ^10 for his license for one year. His stock of goods was worth about |600. At the same time, William Har- rison renewed his license to retail spirituous liquors. Martin did not re- main more than two years, and might have left at the end of about a year. His stay was so short that but few reinember him at all. It is possible that no other families located in town until the following year, and even then not more than half a dozen came in. If any others came in 1829, one must have been James Cunningham, who officiated in a multiplicity of county transactions, and was a sort of sun around which lesser satellites revolved. William Search was probably the next resi- dent. Or it may be that he came about the time Cunningham came, as the office of the latter was a portion of the time, at least, in his house. Harrison kept a tavern, and in addition to liquor sold from a small stock of groceries. Search also kept a boarding house. Cunningham quite early began to buy corn for shipment on tiat-boats down the river to New Orleans. He employed a C(5nsiclerable portion of his time in this manner and employed a young man named Sanford C. Cox, who was one of the first school teachers in Williamsport, to write on the county records. Cunning- ham constructed his own fiat-boats, bought enough corn to load them and then sent them down the river to New Orleans, usually, where boat and cargo were sold. Dr. J. H.BueH was the first resident physician, and became one of the county's most promiLent and honored citizens. Thomas Gilbert, William Harrington, Cyrus Pearson, Joel James, William Covington, Thomas Kobb, Samuel Ullery, "Wildcat" Wilson and Eussell were among the residents of the few earliest years. Thomas Gilbert began selling liquors and "foreign and domestic" groceries about the middle of the year 1831. His stock was worth less than 1500. About the same time, Samuel Ullery opened the same kind of an establishment. It was an almost every-day sight to see Indians passing through the town and stepping at the liquor shops for whisky, tobacco, etc. It was the com- monest sight to see deer feeding in herds near the town or cropping the twigs or grass near glades or clumps of bushes. The winter of 1831-32 was very severe on all wild animals, as, early in the season, a deep snow came, which lay on the ground all winter. A heavy crust was formed on the surface, through which deer broke, but which sustained the weight of man. Hundreds of deer were killed on the bottoms and near the town, often with clubs, for they could not run. On more than 88 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. one occasion the poor, half-starved creatures came timidly into stable- yards to feed with domestic cattle. During- the winter of 183 1-32, there were about twelve families re- siding in the county seat. The names of all cannot be given. After that, the population rapidly increased. In 1832, Samuel Hardestie opened a store of wet and dry groceries, and the following year Cyrus Pearson brought in an excellent stock of general merchandise. It may be that Harrison did not open his tavern until 1832 or 1S33. (^ourtlandt Lawson began with foreign and domestic groceries in 1834. Henry Lowrey was selling merchandise as early as 1833. his license being .SIO. Merchants, tavern-keepers, ferrymen, clock peddlers, etc., were obliged in those days to pay a license. Lawyers and doctors were placed in the same category. It w^as thought very sensibly then that pursuits that would furnish comfortable incomes should be placed on the same basis of taxation as land or personal property, and. accordingly almost every profession or pursuit was taxed what seemed a proportionate amount. Silver and gold watches, and other valuable jewelry or ornaments, were lev- ied iipon to assist in paying public expenses. These various direct tax- atiouM were one of the most important sources of county revenue, that would have been difficult to supply had they been omitted. "William H. Covington opened a store of general merchandise in 1834, and Jos- eph ilcMurter commenced selling liquor and groceries the followino- spring. Harrison was yet kee]iing tavern and conducting the hoi'se ferry across the river. McDonald & Hayues began merchandisino- later in the year of 1835, as did C. M. Thomas. James Todd & Co., and, per- haps, others. -John F. Irwin, John E. Hai-ris. Berkshire \- Joiner, J. L. Johnson, Hayes & Dickson. Milby A: Boyer. and. perhaps, others, bec^an business in some branch of merchandising during the vear 1830. Of course, all mentioned above were not yet in business. Some had left the county never to return; others had engaged in diflerent piu'suits. while a few yet held forth at their old places of business. The town had grown quite rapidly up to this period, and now consisted of about twenty- tive families. There were blacksmiths, carpenters and the usual number of mechanics, artisans and idlers. The town had a flourishing school, and various religious organizations had been represented by pioneer ministers. Lawyers and doctors had begun to cut quite a tio-iure and the portly figure and imposing dignity of a Judge of the Circuit Com-t had became a periodical and expected sight. The old horse-ferry, which was operated by Israel Canby, was kept busy transferring teams of new set- tlers across the river. A few hogs were bought, and, after bein^^ packed were shij.ped down the river, usually on tlat-boats. but often on f'l-ei-'ht or keel-boats or barges. Grain had begun to tiud a steady market. Money was scarce. Merchants received but little, and were generally oblio-ed to take some farm production for goods. The productions were tiieu shipped to distant markets, and the proceeds were used in replenishing- the supply of goods. Commercial transactions were effected bv exch'Uio-es and even balances were left for time to settle iu the same manner" \\ ihamsport was a thriving little town. Moses Cox opened a tavern iu 1830, and Hiram ^Vilkinson n --nloou at the same time. In 1837. Stei^hon Schoouover and Daniel Cristmnu were selling merchandise in the village. The date when the first ix-.st oQice was established at ^\-illiamsport cannot be detiuitelv ascertained HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 89 but was prior to 183G, as at that time G. W. King was liandlino- the mails of Uncle Sam, His duties were not burdensome, and not more than a dozen assistants or deputies were required. D. Jennings & Go. and "William Eobb & Co. began selling from a general stock in 1838. H^nes & Dickson, Samuel Harris, J. L. Jtihnson, McDonald & Haynes, Stephen Sohoonover, Robert Pearson, Charles Berkshire, Henry Lowery and others were yet in business. Morris Watkins began making wagons about this time or soon afterward, and Francis M. Dowler conducted a cabinet shop, where many chairs were manufactured. Thomas Thomas was also in the cabinet business before this period. He made coifins for several paupers who had died, and was paid from the county funds. One of these paupers was James Foreman. Aaron Stephenson was man- ufacturing chairs as early as 1837, In 1838, he was paid §18 for two dozen chairs for the court house. G. W. King, Schoonover & Berkshire, McAlilly & Joiner and Robert Pearson were selling goods in 1839 and 184:0. If the stock of goods exceeded 81,000 in value, the license was raised above §10. Pearson, Haynes & Dickson, McAlilly & Joiner and Schoonover & Berkshire paid each from §25 to §37 license. The heav- iest stock of goods then ran up to nearly §1,000, At this time (1840), * the town had an estimated population of about 250. The principal business men early in the '40's were James Stewart, G-. TV. & M, King, Haynes & Dickson. King & Treadway, Schoonover & Berkshire, McAlilly & Joiner, McDonald & Spears, ColDlinson & Klean, Ebenezer King, J. L, Johnson, William Cessna, King & Dewalt, Stephen Cessna, and in 1848 Samuel F. and W. Messner, Dimmick & Allen, Kent & Hitchens and Cessna & Miller were also in business during the '40b. The town had grown from a population of about 250 in 1840, to about 350 in 1850. The grain trade and the pork-packing had grown to much larger proportions, as in 1847 the canal boats had begun to run on the other side of the river; but although the buyers lived in Will- iamsport and in many instances bought grain there, the warehouses were in Attica and other places on the canal, and the trade of Williamsport was much smaller in comparison than any place on the canal which had the great advantage of easy shipment. This was early seen by the citi- zens to be a serious drawback to the growth of the town, and as early as 1848, the subject of having a side-citt canal was broached. The citizens were all anxious to have the side cut, but the cost would be enormous, and it was several years before all were worked up to the pitch of sub- stantial help. In 1849 or 1850, a subscription paper was started to raise the necessaiy funds to carry the scheme into effect, and William Kent headed the list with §1,000. and many others followed with amounts up in the hundreds, and the lists were circulated in the country and sub- scribed to liberally by the famiers in the vicinity of the county seat and by others in more distant portions of the county who would be benefited by the side cut at TYilliamsport. It took a year or more to raise the amount which an experienced engineer had stated would be necessary to complete the work. The contract of digging the cut was given to a man named Barcus. The entire cost of construction was about §16,000; but when the work was finished and boats began to run up and down the out to and from the warehouses, Williamsport received the greatest " boom" in all her history. Every branch of business was greatly augmented, and the builders of the out were more than repaid for their outlay. This in- 90 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY, crease began in about 1851. Among the business "finns early in the "oO's were Havnes & Dickson, Wan-en, Kegar & Co., B. H. Boyd & Co.. ^ark & Claypool, Kent & Kitchens, Allen & Bay, Cessna & Warren, McAlilly & Son, Bush & Templeton, Hanlev & Haynes, Cessna & Miller, Hayes & Landon, James Thomas, Sturgeon & Landon and others, or the same under different combinations. In the spring of 1853, the town had six dry goods stores, one clothing store, one drug store, one hardware store, three grocery and provision stores, three large warehouses, a steam mill, a newspaper, and numerous mechanics and manufacturers. Tnder the activity and prosperity created by the side-cut canal. -steps were taken in March, 1854, to incorporate the town. A petition signed by J. E. M. Bryant, Samuel Sturgeon and fifty-seven others was presented to the County Board, praying for the incorporation. The question was submitted to the voters as required by law, and carried by a majority of forty-two votes, there being a total of fifty-two votes polled on the question. The population of the town at the time the petition was being signed the 8th and 9th of February, 1S54, was as follows, the figures after each name being the total number of persons, rela- tives or (jthers. in the family: J. R. M, Bryant, 7: John \V. Dick- son, 7; Samuel Sturgeon, 5; E. A. Chandler, 7: W. M. Haynes. 5; Isaac N. Dickson, 3; John Cos, "2; Eobert M. Allen. 6; James Thomas, 4; Peier Dimmick, 2; Ai'chibald Shockley, 6; William Kent. 4; Elisha Kitchens, 9; B. F Boyd, 6; Stephen Cessna, 4: Francis Kail, 6, Jacob Feld, 7; Leonard Eowland, 2; Washington Wynn, 2; Samuel Landon, 4; Lewis Haynes, 5; Jacob Farris. 5: Eobert Pearson. 7; G. K. Norduft, 10; Mrs. Eussell, 3; Enos Canutt, S: Isaac Jones. 3; James Jones, 4; John Shafer, 4; H. J. Parker, 6; William Hopkins. 5: Morris Watkins, 3; George Livingood, 5: B. F. Gregory. 5: K. K. Pomeroy, 4; Henry Eegar, 7; Mrs. Schoonover, tl; Mrs. Stephens. 1; Mrs. Swingler, 3; Peter Mahn, 7; John Shode, 5; Isaac Swartz, 3; John Long, 6; Jacob Eay, 3; T. W. Swigart, 2; Miles Jones, 3: J. G. Whitehead, 4; Dr. Fennimore, 7; Perry Shafer, 5: R. Robinson. 4: Daniel Bush, 6; William Blangea, 4; Mrs. Teaman. 5; Cain Blangea, 2; Francis Walls, 4; G. W. Chirk. 2; John Kankins. 7; George Call. 8; John Wynn, 4; Henry Conner, 3: Mrs. Littlewood, 4: Vincent Virgin, 4; Delos Warren, 4; Joseph Spencer, (3; Jonathan Walls, 6; Thomas Templeton, 14; Eobert Hop^ue. 2; Mrs. Hughes, 5; Mrs. Fume, 1; Daniel Swartz, 45; Mrs. Johnson, 7; S. J? .^NL-Alilly, 4; Isaac Covington, 1; James Whitaker, 3; James Martin. 7; Mrs. Jackson, 7; Christian Homau, 2; Mrs. Laslie, 9; Daniel Holvcross, 5; Peter Struble, 12; j\[rs. Moliero. H; Ur. Dalglish. 4; Jacob" Goodman, 4; J. W. Bash, 0; Mrs. Jones. 3; Mr. Ridoi\ 5; John Howard. 4; Edward Maxwell. 15; Mr. Brelgn, 7; J. B. Wright. 7; Mr. Dickson. 5; Abra- ham Jones, 5; Calvin Slaughter. 0; Mr. Pearson. 0; total. 532. The section incorporated comprised alxiut 1 1<3 acres of the oldest portion of the town; also Kent & Kitchens' Addition ou the north. At this pe- riod Williamsiiort was familiarly known as the Side Cut City, It was very prosperous, its trade comiiig from as far north as the " Kankakee River, and from far over on the fertile prairies of Illinois. In June, 1S53, the surveyors of the Lake Erie. Wabash .'v- St. Louis Railroad appeared and located the route of the proposed road throuo-h Warren County. This had the efl'ect of arousing great public interest HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 91 and added no little to the growth of Williamsport. The County Com- missioners donated about $500 conditionally toward assistinj^ the survey, and when a subscription of stock was called for, to commence the con- struction, the citizens responded as liberally as their means warranted. Many thousands of dollars' worth of stock were taken in the county, to be paid in 5 and 10 per centum monthly installments as the work pro- gressed. It was not until 1856 that regular trains began running across the county, and soon after this the old side cut canal began to decline in usefulness. In a comparativly few year's, its field of importance was wholly usurped by that more progressive means of effecting commercial transactions — the railroad. It seems a matter of historic imi^ortance to notice somewhat in detail the development of trade and industry in the " Side Cut City " late in the '40's and during nearly the whole of the "50's. The Wabash Commer- cial, established in 1848 by Enos Canutt, assisted much in placing Will- iamsport among the list of important commercial centers of Western In- diana. The beneficial influence of the canal as a means of augmenting commerce had already increased the population and inspirited the re- lations of supply and demand. The side-cut canal had just been built by popular and organized subscription of stock, giving Williamsport all the advantage of location on the great highway between the producer and the consumer. Enormous warehouses had been erected, mills and fac- tories had begun to roll their busy wheels, and retail merchants had re- ceived wholesale patronage. All this gave great encouragement to the future of the county seat Late in the '40's, the packing and shipping of pork and the shipment of grain assumed mammoth proportions. James Goodwine packed about 3,000 hogs annually for several years, shipping the same to mar- ket via canal. He also bought considerable grain, as did Geoigo King and others. Earlv in the '50's, Kent & Kitchens, Haynes & Dickson and Cessna & Warren built three large grain and pork warehouses, each about 40x80 feet, and three stories in height. Here for a number of years these firms bought and shipped an average of more than 250, 000 bushels of wheat, oats and corn. Scores of teams would stand for hours waiting their turn to unload. Before the warehouses had been built or the side-cut made, grain, although bought extensively at Williamsport, was taken to Attica for storage in the warehouses there, to be shipped more readily .on the canal. But in about 1852, when the side-cut canal was completed, and the location of Williamsport thus rendered as advantageous for pur- poses of shipment as that of Attica or any other town or point on the canal, the three large warehouses were built and the trade and activity of the county seat were multiplied many fold. Several of the firms owned canal boats. The three firms mentioned above and others began to buy and pack pork. Slaughter yards were soon in full operation. Some seasons about 11,000 hogs were cut up, salted down, and sent off to mar- ket via canal. Often five or six canal boats could be seen at once load- ing with pork or grain. The old Wabash Commercial noticed that in the fall of 1852, although the toll on the side-cut canal was only the fraction of one cent per hundred weight of pork or per bushel of grain, a total toll of over $100 was received in one week. In May, 1853, War- ren, Eegar & Co shipped 11,000 bushels of corn at one time, and Kent & Hitch'ens and Haynes & Dickson did almost as well. About this time. 92 HISTORr OF WARREN COUNTY. the celebrated Jack Stinson aijpeared in the paper with the following characteristic letter: The liarvest is great, the laborers are few in consequence of the canal; steam- boats and towns and cities now arising amidst the once dreary forest, better pros- pect fo> fruit and crops was never witnessed in Warren County. I have lived m good old Warren when there were pre-emption rights on coon tracks. J. Stephensox. itliiis Jack STissoif, Christian Philosopher of the nineteenth century. This was published in June, 1S53; at the same time the paper said: Williamsport is the county seat of Warren, one of the best counties in tlie State, but as to churches and schoolhouses we are entirely behind the times. The popula- tion of our town has almost doubled within the last twelve months. In two days in Nove/uber, 1853, Warren, Eeojar & Co. sold to Illinois customers S2,000 worth of goods; a portion of this .sale was wholesale. It was a common thing during those days for three or four of the prin- cipal merchandising houses to retail SoOH worth of goods daily. '\[r. ' Hitchens says that he himself sold as high as -SSUO worth in one day, and at night felt completely worn out with the effort. The packing of hogs began about November and ended about March. Many of the hogs packed were purchased already slaughtered and dressed. During the winter of 1S53-.5-1:, 7,300 were packed in Williamsport. In the spring of 1854, flour was worth ST. 25; wheat, Sl.LI-Ti: corn 37 to 40 cents; oats, 27 cents; salt, 13, and butter, 15 cents. At this time there were seveh dry goods stores, one drugstore, one hardware store, two grocery stores, one bak- ery, two wagon factories, one plow factory, two saddlery stores, one steam saw, lath and stave mill, two tailors, four blacksmiths, two hotels, four lawyers and foiu- doctors. At no time during the history of the county seat w^ere the times more prosperous than during the first half of the decade of 'DO's. The town enjoyed a trade over a tract of country ten times as extensive as at present. The population was not as dense then as now, btit the trade was greater, MiUs and Factories. — The saw-mill was built early in the "50"s by the Nordufts, but after a few years it was destroyed bv tire, though soon after another was built. Late in the "oO's. Myers i Co. obtained the old Haynes & Jjickson warehouse and fitted it up with a tirst-class set of machinery for grinding grain. Within about two years, it was sold to the Jones Brothers. Mr. Hn_\nes at one time had an interest in the mill. It was tinally burned to the ground in about 1S65. Soon after this, the Jones Brothers erected a new mill near the depot, at a cost of not less than $18,000, but in a short time the brothers failed in business, with liabili- tie.i amounting to nearly $100,000. Many of whom they had obtained money cm credit, paying as high as 20 per centum interest, suftVred se- verely and lost all they had loaned. B. F. Gregory. S. F. Messner, Norduft & Kennard, and several others, some twentv or twentv-tive veai-s ago, erected a brick building, 3()s40 feet, in which tive looms and other nec- essary machinery for carding, spinning and weaving wool were placed. Flannels, blankets, jeans, satinets, yarns, etc., were furnished to the pa- trons of tliK factory. Asa Fisher was for a time connected with the fac- tory. It was operated aboat lour years. Bennett Hoxton carried on the same business afterward. Cyius Sylvester built the foundry structure in about 18()1, and did general repair work there for a few years. Syl- vester manufactured wagons about this time. The Nordufts for many years have had an excellent steam saw-mill in the old town. Durini^- We '50's, Livingood & Wood mauufactured plows and wagouJ on quite au HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 93 extensive scale. It is said they built not less than eighty plows per an- num, besides about twenty wagons, and employed four or five regular as- sistants. The Dowler Chair Factory was for many years an important in- dustrial feature of the town. Many of the old chairs may yet be seen in the dwellings of the older citizens. The packing of pork led to a strong demand for hogsheads or barrels, and as a consequence, various excellent cooper shops were established, several of the most extensive being in the country in the vicinity of \\^illiamsport. John Bush man- ufactured at "Williamsport, and '\\'illiam Wilson, Nathan Gallimore and Norton & Mcintosh in the country. The stocks of goods kept by the merchants did not exceed in value about f 15,000. At the time of the heavy pork-packing in the '50's, the merchants conducting the same could do nothing with the offal, which was thrown away or given to those who were willing to take it for the lard which it contained. The back bones and valuable portions of the heads and feet were likewise thrown or given away. Now-a-days nothing is lost. Bones, hair, intes- tines, toe-nails, blood — all are utilized. How wonderful it all is, any- way! The New Toirn. — The completion of the Wabash Railroad in 1856 was the signal for the disuse of the canal and the river and the gradual decadence of the "Old Town" of Williamsport. William Kent laid out the tirst lots in the new town soon after the railroad was finished. Amonc the earliest residents of the new town wore Robert Pearson, Charles Pitcher, William Fox and a man called H. D. Thomas. Kent & Kitchens erected the big warehouse, or rather brought the material from the old town and after a short time bought as high as 212,000 bushels of o-rain. At one time, seventy-eight teams were waiting to unload. Other early resid'^nts were W. P. Muore, Joshua Cantrell, Parker, Mil- ton Whinery, R. Hunter, Levi Moore, and, John Reif . Grain has been bouo-ht by W. P. Moore, Phillip Gemmer, W. B. Brownley and Mr. Breckenrido-e. R. W. and E. P. Claypool began in 1876, and are yet in the business. They buy about 100,000 bushels of grain annually. The old warehouse built by "Kent & Hitchens has been owned by the railroad" company for a number of years. Gradually the business inter- ests have been transferred to the new town. Dm-ing the last war, among the business men were Isaac S. Jones & Co., drugs; William M. Haynes & Brother, general merchandise; F. M. Dowler, furniture; P. Dimmick, boots and shoes, Frank Weiner, boots and shoes, C. F. Damrow, mer- chant tailor. R. M. Allen & Co., general merchandise; John R. Moore, stoves; Wolf & Waltz, furniture; Jones, Miller & Co., general merchan- dise: Isaiah Whinery, jewelry; P. Mahn & Son, bakery; E. A. Board- man, hotel. The first brass band was organized during the war, and was called out at all the military meetings and other public gatherings. At present, the business portion of the old town is almosf. wholly de- serted The new has grown up at the expense of the old. The incorporation of the town in 1854 died out in two years, and re- mained dormant for some time, but was finally revived, and has endured since until the present. The municipal olficers now are as follows: Trustees, John Hodgson, Charles H. Porch and Samuel Bittinger; Clerk, T. B. Harbaugh; Treasurer, T, R. .Harbaugb; Marshal, John R. Him- ter. The present population of the town is about 1,000. It has a bonded debt of 110,000, incurred in building the brick school structure. Postmasters and Attorneys.^Among the Postmasters at the county 94 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. seat have been G. W. King, 1834; Robert A. Chandler. 1840; * * * Lewis Haynes, 1853; H. J. Parker. 1855; Delos Warren, 18o6: J. M. Ebodifer, 1857; B. S. Wheeler. 1862; Elisha Hitchens. 18(3 to 1883. Among the lawyers who have practiced at the county seat, have been Da- vid "Wallace, A. B. Patterson, Robert A. Chandler, Isaac Naylor, Joseph A. Wright, John R. Porter. James R. M. Bryant, Benjamin F. Gregory, J. H. Buell, Lewis Wallace. W. C. AVilson. J. J. Taylor. E. A. Saunders, S. C. Fisher, G.H. Aysworth, Jonathan Birch, J. H. Beckwith, T. C. W'. Seele, H. T. McKee, G. A. May, V. A. Cobb, L M. Hall. R. F. Fah- nestock, J. M, Butler, Michael A^'"hite, A. C. Durborow. G. O. Behm, H. M, Nourse, Levin Miller, W. P. Rhodes, Richard DeHart, Richard Nebeker, Levi Cronkhite, John Benson, D. B. Beers, Frank Goben. Jesse Harper, James Park, Luke Riley, R. A. Vance, John B. Yeager, Charles McAdams, a man called MeCobe and another called Bryant. Secret Organizations. — Williamsport Lodge, No. 38, A.. F. & A. M., received its first dispensation May 29. 1844. the first otficers being R. A. Chandler, W. M. ; Levin Miller, S. W. ; James H. Buell, J. W. The organization seems to have about died out after a few years, for in May, 1849, it received another dispensation to work, the following being the officers: R. A. Chandler, W. M. ; J. H. Buell. S. W. ; J. J. McAliUy, J. W. In May, 1850, the charter was received, the following being the officers at the time: E. A. Chandler, W. M. : J. H, Buell. 8. W.;''j. J. McAlilly, J. W. ; William Hopkins. Secretary: Samuel M. Bush, Treasurer; John Ray, S, D. ; Isaac Lutz, J. D. : Robert M. Allen, Tiler. From that day to this the lodge has enjoyed great prosperity. It has had a total of 188 members, and at present has forty. It is one of the best lodges in the State. In 1878, the members erected the brick busi- ness building in the second story of which is their fine hall. Every other Masonic Lodge in the county was founded ui:ion elenjents from this lodge. It is in excellent financial condition. Its present officers are G. W. Barget, W. M. : William M.iffitt. S. W. ; Ellis Rouse. J. W.; Philip Gemmer. Treasurer; Jitstin Eoss. Secretary; S. C. Fisher, S. D. ; G P. Swartz, J. D. ; William Hirliuger, Tiler: William Moffitt and William Waltz. Trustees; John H. Messner and William Waltz, Stewards, Warren Lodge. No. 57. I, O. O. F., was organized in September. 1848, with the following first officers: Thomas Templeton, N. G.; W. H, Thomas, V. G. ; S. J. MeAlilly. Secretary: John Kent. Treasurer. After about ten years, tho lodge so ran down that it finally surrendered its charter in December, 1859, and was dead or inactive until ilav, 180)6. when it was revived and re-chartered with the following first I'uember- shi]i: A, S. Jones. Henry Held, G, R. Livingood, Jacob Held and M. \\ Woods. The first officers of the re-orgauization were: W. H, Thomas, N, (i.: G. R. Livingood. V. G, ; William Moffit. R. S. ; M. P. Woods', P. S. : G. T. Uichardsou. Treasurer. Since 18(i(). the lodo-o has been prt)si)erous. It owns a fine hall, has a large active membership, and is well fixed financially. The }>resout officers are Jacob Hanes. N. (t. ; A. V. Holmes, Y. G. ; M. H. IVar.son. E. S.; Henry Held, P. S. ; WiVliani Moffitt., Treasurer. Tntring the '40'a, when the tem|Hn-anco wave was sweeping over all tlie West, amon^ the organizations in the county was St. Jerome's Divis- ion of the Sons ol Temperance, instituted at Williamsport. Many of the loading citizens belonged, among them boino- B. F. Greo-ow Enos Cauiitt, Elislia Hitchens, J. H. Buell, J. J. MeAlilly, R. A "^Chandler HISTORV OF WARREN COUNTY. 95 William Kent and others. During the latter part of the '40'a the ques- tion of licensing the sale of alcoholic beverages was submitted to the voters of the various townships, with the following results in Pike and Washington Townships: Pike, for license, 2; against license, 35; Washington, for license. 60; against license, 24. The result in other townships cannot be stated. The temperance reform kept steadily on its way, meeting constant opposition, as it does yet, from the liquor ele- ment. Early in the '50's temperance camp-meetings became popular, and were held at T\ illiamsport, Lebanon, Milford, Independence and other places. Xo season passed without meetings of this character. The ohiu-ch organizations of the county entered heart and soul into the work. Temperance conventions to petition the Legislature for more stringent liquor laws were held in various portions of the county. A very large one was held at the county seat in December, 1853, Elisha Hitchens, Enos Canutt, Colbreath Hall, B. F. Gregory and Jesse Harper serving as man- aging committee. The following season, the convention was held at Lebanon. In 1859, the Brown Lodge. No. 2, I. O. Gr. T. , was organized at Williamsport with the following incorporators: H. C. Johnson, Henry Held, Alvin High, J. C. Miller, Elisha Hitchens, G. H. Norduft, Thomas Bartleti, J. H. Bonebreak, P. W. Lewis, Jesse Harper, T. P. Hatch and T. M.Whinery. For a number of years, this lodge did good work. Various temperance organizations have since been held in the town. The present temperance literary society was organized in Novem- ber, 1881. It was started first by the young people, but finally in i big temperance revival conducted by Mrs. MalJay from abroad, nearly all the temperance people of the town joined it. About 300 signed the pledge at this time, and the meetings continued for two weeks. The Women's Christian Temperance Union is another excellent organizatiim. The leading ladies of the town belong to it. The Knights of Honor, Lodge No. 2045, was organized at Williams- port in February, 1880, with thirty-three charter members. The first officers were Frank P. Longley, Dictator; W.J. Mawherter, V. D. ; John Gregory, Eeporter; John H. Schlosser, Treasurer; A. Pi. Owen Chaplain; Dr. O. D. Benson, Medical Examiner. The present member- ship is fiftv-f our. The lodge meets in the Odd Fellows' Hall, The pres- ent officers" are William Moffitt, Dictator; T. J. Graves,V.D.; John Hun- ter, Eeporter; John Fox, Treasurer; A. C. Pomeroy, Chaplain. The lodge is highly prosperous Bryant Post, G. A. E., No. 62, named in honor oi Col. J. E. M. Bryant, was organized in April, 1882, with eighteen charter members. The first officers were S. C. Fisher, Commander, Jacob DeHart, Sur- geon; J. H. Stump, J. V. C. ; Philip Gemmer, Quartermaster; Theodore Harbaugh, O. D. ; Hosea Cronkhite, O. G. ; A. Holmes, Chaplain; Isaiah Smith, Adjutant. The lodge meets in the Odd Fellows' Hall and is prosperous. Fresent Business.— General stores, H D. Thomas, J. H. Messner, W. T. Moore, W. F. Nichol; gi'oceries, S. B. Mathis, Samuel Bittinger, W. W. Stark, John Chambers, James Slauter, Henry Shm-tz, William Slauter. Charles Pitcher and Ellis Eoss; hardware, F. P. Longley, Hottenstine & Lupoid; drugs, A. Nebeker and W. C. Fearn; restaurant, John Armstrong; milliners, Misses J. and A. Thomas; meat market, Benjamin Stevens; hotels. Farmers' and Commercial; merchant tailor, W. K. Ward; saloons, Eli Mathis, W. P. James and Henry Karst. 96 HISTORY OF WARREN COUiNTY. THE COUNTY PEESS. During the year 1844, Enos Canutt, with a small quantity of printing material and an old-fashioned hand-press, began issuing -at Independence, "Warren County, a small sheet, of strong Whig proclivities, called the Wabash Register. The paper was a live or six- column folio, subscription price, §2 per annum, and after a time a circu- lation of about 300 was obtained, a portion of which came from Fount- am County. Late in 1845 or early in 1846, Mr. Canutt moved the office to Attica, which at that period gave promise of becoming a town of great commercial iutluenee, and continued issuing the piaper there, changing the name to the Attica Journal. At least half of the circula- tion was in Warren County. In 1848, the office was moved to Williams- p)ort, which town at that period gave almost as great promise as Attica, as the side-cut canal was in process of construction and a vast country north and west began to pour its commercial wealth into the large ware- houses just erected. Williamsport then seemed a more eligible site for a newspa])er than Attica. There was a strong demand at this period for news, as the attitude of Congress on the Wilmot Proviso and the slavery ([uestion in general created much e.^citement in the county and widely extended the circulation of the paper. The old building in whicn the paper was printed is yet standing on Main street in the old town. In December, 1854, A. S. Foster bought the office and issued the lirst num- ber of the Warren Republican, a seven-coluam folio. In June. 1S55, Isaiah Whinery became associated with Mr. Foster as joint editor and proprietor, and upon Mr. Foster's death in December, 1S55, continued alone until February, 1856, when Delos Warren purchased the interest formerly owned by Mr. Foster. In September. 1S56, the veteran editor, Mr. Canutt, bought Mr. "Whinery's interest, and in Mav, 1857. bouo-ht Mr. Warren's interest, and was thus again sole editoi' and proprietor. Politics in the county during the last few years haci run high. The largest crowd ever in Williamsport up to that time met during the cam- paign of 185G, and listened to eloquent oratoi's, from home and abroad, upon the leading topics of the day. The population of the county seat had almost doubled, and all things combined to extend the circulation and usefulness of the Repiiblica)i. which entered upon a season of threat prosperity. In September, 1856, as the duties of Mr. Canutt had greatly multiplied, and as he was getting well advanced in years, he emploved "NV. P. Khodes, a bi'illiant young lawyer and forcible' writer, to furnish regular articles for the paper on the leading subjects of the day. The paper went with the new party, Republican, steadfastly maintained its doctrines and principles, and did more than anything " else to oive the county a lieavy Republican majority. In Jaiuiary, IStiO, Mr. "^Rhodes ceased writing for the paper, after which JMr. Canutt remained alone un- til his lamented death, in September, 1801. The paper went to his heirs, and his son John A. Canutt. assumed control, and W. P. Rhodes was employed to write for the pajier. Henry F. Cauutt became connected with the paper m May. 180;l. lu iMarcb, 18(U. Orin E, Harper bouoht the oJlice, and Jesse Harper became principal editor a)id gave the paper a sti-ong religious caste. .Umost every article written byliim, on what- ever subject, coutaim-d Scriptural quotations and invocations to the IXMty. In the autunui of ISlib, the office passed to the control of a com- p^auy consisting of \\'illiam C. Smith. W. P. Rhodes, and W, H. Thomas. Rhodes officiating as editor, and Smith as business mana>'-er. The com" HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 97 pany paid 11,700 for the office, and employed J. A. Canutt to publish the paper. In June, 1867, the office was again sold for $1,600 to J. A. and H. F. Canutt, who published the paper and employed Dr. G. F. Eichardson to act as editor. No other change took place until Febru- ary, 1S70, when John Gregary, son of Benjamin F. Gregary, one of the most worthy and mHuential men ever a resident of the county, bought the office, and has since remained editor and publisher. The paper has a large circulation, and the office an excellent job and advertising patron- age. The strong position taken by Mr. Gregary on the question of tem- perance and un all questions of social and political reform has widely extended the usefulness of the Republican. Upon the sale of the Repuhlican in 1870, to Mr. Gregary, the Ca- nutt brothers moved to Kansas, where they were connected with the news- paper buisness for about twelve years. While there, the elder brother died, and in 1882, Henry F. Canutt returned to Williamsport and founded the Wabash Commercial, reviving the old name which his father, Enos Canutt, had bestowed upon the tirst paper issued in Williamsport in 1848. Although the paper has just started, the circulation and the job and advertising patronage are fast increasing. In 1871, an Inde- pendent Republican paper was started at Williamsport. It was called the Warren Leader, but after a few months it expired. WEST LEBANON. The early historj^ of this flourishing town is somewhat obscure and uninteresting. From the fact that it was an inland town, remote from any navigable water course, then the great highway along which flowed the streams of commerce, it was destined to remain in comparative obscurity until steam was harnessed and driven with enormous burdens through ttie heart of the continents. It was one ot the first towns in the county to be laid off. but for many years was small, having less than fif- teen families. In September, 1830. Eleazur Pm-viance, John G. Jemi- son and Andrew Fleming employed Perrin Kent, Surveyor, and laid out Lebanon (not West Lebanon), on portions of sections 13 and 24, Town- ship 21 north. Range 9 west. Sixty-four lots of the usual size were laid ont. besides several large outlots, numbered A, E, C and D. The old plat shows Front, Main and Water streets, and Walnut. Kent, High, Clinton and Church streets. Outlot B was donated for a meeting house, as was also Outlot C. The large Outlnt D, off some distance from the others, was donated by Mr. Jemison for a burying grotind. Some time before this, however, possibly as early as the fall of 1829, and certainly as early as March, 1830, Mr. Jemison had opened a store on the site of the old town, with a stock worth about $800. He paid 110 for bis license. He had a general assortment of goods suited to the wants of backwoods peo- ple. The Flemings and Purviances were early at the town. For ten or twelve years there were not to exceed about a dozen families in the place. ' Thomas R. Yanmeter began selling goods in 1831, his stock in- cluding liquors, then about the most profitable commodity. In 1834, Andre vv Fleming opened a store of " foreign and domestic groceries," but the following year went into partnership with a man named Lyon, under the name Lyon & Fleming, and a short time afterward became known as Lyon, Fh^.ming & Co. In 1835, Nathan Horner opened up with some sort of commodity, just what is not known. It was about this time, or perhaps a little before, that Mr. Jemison retired from the mercan- tile pursuit. In 1836, Lyon & Forshay were associated in business, and 98 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. about tlie same time William Farnsworth began selling liquor, as did also Cummings & Meeker. At this time, the town was as large as at any period during the first fifteen years of its history. It had blacksmiths, carpenters and other usual artisans and mechanics, and was quite a flourish- ing little place. L. D. Northrup was selling goods in ISSi. In 1839, James M. Dean and Conover & Shaw opened stores of merchandise; and in 1841, William Rook commenced with liquor and groceries. Be- fore this period the town ha:l begun to run down, until, in 1843, ac- cording to Dr. Jackson Fleming, there was not a store in the place and business enterprise was almost at a standstill. Later in the '40s, it be- gan to revive again.. Probably John Mick, who opened a store of merchandise in 1845, was the first merchant after the town began to revive. During the fall of 1846 or the spring of 1847, the well-known firm of Warren & Pur- viance brought a lai-ge stock of general merchandise to the town, and about a }'ear later S. F. and W. Messner followed suit. Soon afterward. Dr. J. Fleming became connected with the mercantile pursuit, as did also John W. Gearing. In 1853. J. M. Khodifer commenced the same pursuit. At this time. Lebanon contained a jwpulat^on of about 150. James Sinks was an earlj' cabinet-maker in the town, and a Mr. Stephens an early blacksmith. James Ehodifef was an early Postmaster. A man named Anderson sold goods late in the "40s. Dickson Fleming was associated in business with Dr. Jackson Fleming. In the earlv part of the '50s, they were succeeded by N. S. Brown. Soon after this, the new town began to grow at the expense of the old. The Railroad Station. — Trains began to run on the railroad regu- larly after 1856. A station was obtained aboat a mile north of the old town through the influence of the Flemings. Briggses, Purviances. et al. Five acres of land were donated for a side track and for station houses, and the side track was to be graded along the town, which cost the citi- zens %'1'IA: only. John Ruark built the first house in the new town about 1855 and opened a shoe shop. Other early residents of the new town were Charles Last, Henry Last, James Stevens, George Carithers, Elijah Fleming, Mr. Chaney, John Ross, Cornelius Fleming, Jonas Lowe and othnrs. Chaney opened the first store, his stock consisting of o-roceries and provisions. Cornelius Fleming sold dry goods in 1857."' Elijah Fleming was the first blacksmith, Stephens "was the second and Lowe the third, George Is] er sold dry goods in 1856. Dr. Richardson sold the first drugs. Mr. Cubberly sold general merchandise daring the last war. ^ Spinnings & Anderson opened the first distinct hardware store in the '60s. Subsequent buisness men have been ^Jr. Swazev, dru.^s; John Pribble, dry goods and clothing: Sireuus Tellus, drugs; " GeorW Don- nelly, drugs; Dr, A, C. A\'alker, drugs, since 1867; Hastie ^-.^Aldrich dry goods; C. S. Sanford, dry goods; Mr. HojAius, drv o-oods- John Bnce, clothing; M'illiam Bell, hardware; Edwin Brice, hardware; James Goodwin, dry goods; Harvey Bouebrake, dry goods: aud clothiu>^'. Flem- ing Brothers. " '^ J/k/((.s'^v«.— A company was organized in 1866 aud incorporated with a declared capital of ?6,0t)0, to build a large steam flourim- mill' There was a total of tweaty-three stockholders, the principal oues^ bein.- Thomas Crone, twenty shares; P. W. Fleming, ten shares- C V Flem''- ing, ten shares; aud the others with less interest. The corporate name was the " A\-est Lebanon IMill Company." The mill, a frame structure three stories high and 40x50 feet on the ground, was erected and three HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 99 runs of stone placed therein. The mill started ont well, and two years afterward was sold to Bowers & Burline, and not long afterward was ac- cidentally destroyed by fire. Mr. Tinkler also started a grist mill early in the '70s, placing the necessary machinery in the old warehouse. It amounted to but little. The large warehouse was built in 1857 by Dr. Jackson Fleming. It cost $2, 500. Large quantities of grain were bought in the early history of the new town. Morgan Davis bought many thousands of bushels an- . nually for a Lafayette company. James McDonald owned the building for a time. The Tinklers own the warehouse at present. For a number of years George Laub manufactured his own castings for a pump which he had patented and was selling. Bateman was one of the grain buyers. Ward & Cheseman manufactured buggies and wagons quite extensively over twenty years ago. Mr. Bell followed the same occupation, turn- ing out between thirty and forty vehicles per year. Incorporation. — In the year 1869, West Lebanon, as the new town was named, concluded to become incorporated ; whereupon the County Commissioners were petitioned to order an election to decide the ques- tion, which was accordingly done. A majority of vores were cast in fa- vor of the project, and the village was duly declared to be the incorpo- rated town of West Lebanon; thus it has remained until the present. The first trustees elected in September, 1869, were E. Preble, F. Ross, J. Ward, J. Brown and F. Spinning; Marshal, S. J. Smith; Treasurer and Assessor, P. W. Fleming; Clerk, VV. Y. Fleming. The present town officers are, Trustees, John Stevens, John Fritz and Warren Fleming ; Clerk and Treasurer, W. L. Eabourn; Marshal, John Amerman. In 1870-72, when the new court house was built, West Lebanon applied for the location of the court house and the county seat. Her claims were so strong that she succeeded in postponing the erection of the house a year or better, and came near wresting the prize from' Williamsport. Her location was more central, and had her citizens been as active and as generous with donations of land and money as those of Williamsport, the result might have been different. Newspapers. — The town has not been without its newspaper enter- prises. The Lebanon Patriot was issued during the war. The second owner was Andrew Hall. The next ventui-e was a seven-column folio, called the West Lebanon Advance, edited by S. P. Conner. The first issue appeared in 1871. Its politics was Republican, and a circulation of about 400 was secured. At the expiration of about a year, the paper passed to Dr. A. O. Walker, Joseph Tinkler and P. W. Fleming, Dr. Walker officiating as editor. At the end of about two years, the Advance became defunct. Its successor was the Gazette, conducted by a Mr. Bloomer. It passed to Mr. Eosenburg, when its name became the Times. A Methodist minister named Morgan conducted it for a short peri- od changing the name to the Commomvealth, after which Dr. Walker again put on editorial harness, with Eufus Fleming as partner. After a time, it was rented to Shark & Edmunds, of Illinois, but in a few months they retired, not having made their fortunes, and a son of Dr. Walker tried his hand at the business. About this time, the name was changed to the Statesman. William Olds next rented the sheet and conducted it about eighteen months, at the end of which time he shook the dust of the place from his feet, and the organ was sold to A. W. Baker, who ed- ited it until about a year and a half ago, when the office was removed to 100 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. Waynesville, 111. Thus ended the series of newspaper enterprises, none of which were profitable to the owners. West Lebanon should have a newspaper by all means. Secret Societies.— In 1858, a lodge of Odd Fellows was instituted at Lebanon, and was named Colfax Lodge, No. 109, in honor of Schuyler Colfax, who not long before had created the Rebekah Degree in that society. R. Hamilton was the first Noble Grand and A. S. Foster the first Secretary. The old books of this lodge could n(3t be found, and but little can be learned regarding it. This lodge finally ran down somewhat and was removed to Marshtield. The charter of the Masonic Lodge No. 352, was granted in May, 1867, with the following charter members: J. M. Floniing, Josiah Wood- ward, John Fritz, John AV. Brown, John Ray, Isaac Cadwallader. G. S. Fleming, N. V. Wire, M. L. Stephenson. W. M. James. J. S. Fleming and J. W. Cadwallader. The first officers ware J. S. Fleming. W. M.; G. S. Fleming, S. \V ; J. M. Fleming, J. W. The present officers are A R Cadwaflader, W. M.; B. D. Callaway, S. W. : A. E. Wilson, J. W. The present membership is thirty-nine, and the lodge is in a flour- ishing condition. The Woman's Christian Temperance ITnion of West Lebanon was organized in September, ISSO, at the residence of Mrs. Ann S. Fleming. The early members were the following ladies: Ann S. Fleming, Mrs, Cheseman, Mrs. Colton. Mrs. Wood. Mrs. Sandford, Mrs. P. W. Flem- ing. Mrs. E. E. Hayward, Mrs. S. A. Ward, Mrs. S. Porter, Mrs. James Hamilton, Mrs. Dr." Fleming, Mrs. Lower, Mrs. Walker, Mrs. L. L. Cad- wallader, Miss Ann E. Fleming and Miss Laura Stevens. The first officers were Mrs. J. P. Cheseman, President; Miss Ann E. Flem- ing, Secretary, Mrs. William Wood, Treasurer. The present officers are Mrs. V. P. Demott, President; Mrs. J. P. Cheseman, .Secretary: Mrs. P. W. Fleming, Treasurer. The number of active members at present is fifteen. The greatest number at any one time was twenty- seven. The organization is in a flourishing condition. The population of West Lebanon in ISIO was about fifteen families; in 1850 it was about 150 persons; in ISiiO, about 300; in ISTO. about 500; and in 1880, nearly 700. For thrift, energy and importance, it is not excelled by any other town in Warren County. It has not relinquished its claim to the county seat, and may one day be the countv metropolis and seat of justice. Many think the change of the county seat to West Lebanon would centralize the county and largely pireveut the constant drain of wealth into neighboring counties. INDEPENDENCE. The presence, in early years, at this ]->lace oi th(> French trader Zach- ariah Cicott, made the locality famous; not only because the trader had considerable money and a great deal of live stock and other personal property, but because his personal experience, love of adventure and fai^ulty tQ toll well what he had seen and undergone, made him an at- tractive companion for all the hardy and daring old settlers who came to the I'ounty. They delighted to hear him tell of his own exploits, and his contact with the Indians. His presence in the county before and at the time of the white settlement caused liis cabin to become a great ren- dezvous for land speculators, settlers and travelers. Some yetu-s before, he had married his second wife, a sqnawof the Sis Nations, "bv whom he HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 101 had several children. Cicott, then, was the first white man in the coun- ty, and for a number of years wielded no little influence, as his ijroperty and repute made him an object of interest, especially to those who were fortunate enough to be able to get the pecuniary advantage of him in trading or selling. It it stated that some of the most prominent men at Indepnedenee in early years, owed their good fortune in this world's goods to the skill with which they fleeced Cicott as he had fleeced the Indians. He was an inveterate card player, and lost much of his property to those who were bright enough to trap him. He loved to race horses with the whites as well as the Indians. Many of the old settlers can yet rememer how he and a number of Indians would wager a heap of fine blankets, or a few fine ponies, or other valuable property, and then go out a mile or two in the woods and ride back under whip and spur, through the bushes and around the trees, all yelling like demons and tilling the air with curses, until the place fairly smelled of brimstone; the one getting back first would carry ofl" the prize, and this lucky per- son was usually the wily old trader. After the town was laid out, its rapid growth, and the location there of men of capital and greater com- mercial ability and enterprise, soon cast Cicott in the shade, from which he never rose. He laid out the town in October, 1832. Ninety-one lots were laid out by Perrin Kent, Surveyor, on the "Cicott Reserve," in Township 22 north, Range 7 west. The plat shows Marion, Warren, Clay, Washington, Main and Liberty streets, and AYater, Second, Third and Fourth streets. Whether any other settlers besides Cicott were there before the town was laid out, cannot certainly be learned by the writer, though the evidence seems to imply that there were They were very few, however. Probably the second settler at Independence was Abraham Hower}', who located there in 1832, and opened a liquor establishment, paying §5 for his license. Then Dr. Lyon came in, and immediately afterward David Moffitt appeared, erecfed the first frame house in town, and began the manufacture of hats. After this, the rush in there was quite rapid. Jacob Hanes, Rufus Webb, William Farmer, Isaac Way- ^ mire, John Evans, Dr. Talman Tripp, Frederick Rittenour, Ann Holstook, Daniel Doty, Peter Messmore, Dr. W. G. Montgomery, Dr. Wade, Charles Steadman, Andrew Young, Thomas Julian, Isaac Bunnell, Henry I'arrell, Elijah Y'oung, Edward S. Coates, Samuel Thomas, John Crow, ■ Ailer Perry ,_ Thomas Jefferson, were among the early residents of Inde- pendence. Farrell and I'oung were blacksmiths. Moffitt was a hatter, and also one of the best hunters and tra[jpers ever in the county. He did not neglect his business 1o hunt; at odd times he would shoulder his gun, and when he came back, game usually came with him. He kept on hand a stock of several hundred hats, of the latest backwoods fashion. He bought his wool from the few settlers who owned sheep. In a few years. Independence became as promising a town as any along the Wa- bash. Towns along large water-courses had the advantage in those days, as almost all commercial transactions weie confined there. Jacob Hanes, in 1883, began selling iref and dry groceries. A few years later, Joseph Hanes became associated with him. James Hemphill began selling mer- chandise in 1835. William Farmer built the first brick house in 1834-35, making the brick himself. Soon after this, Shoup & Tate began buying and packing hogs. They bought several hundred during the colder months, packed them in ban-els Lhat were manufactured at the town or near there, and shipped them by flat-boats down the river, and on down. 102 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. usual Jy to New Orleans, where cargo and boats were sold, and the pack- ers came back in steamboats. They also bought some grain James Hemphill, Newton Morgan and others engaged in this business much mure extensively. It is probable that early in the '40'8 he packed as high as 2,000 hogs during the season, and others there at the same time did as well or better; so that, many seasons, from 2,000 to 5,000 hogs were slaughtered, packed and shipped on the river from Independence. The grain trade was even more marvelous. A much larger country than at present sought a market there. There were no railroads then. The river was the great highway where vessels, from pirogues to steamboats, draw- ing ten or twelve feet of water, were seen daily during the high water season. The smaller vessels and the pirogues, and numerous keel boats and rafts, were running the year round, going down the river with large loads of corn, wheat, oats, wool, pork and beef, and returning with all kinds of merchandise and store goods. From 1835 to 1845, Independ- ence was one of the best trading points on the river. From 10,000 to 60,000 bushels of grain were shipped annually. The population in 1840 was about 350, and in 1842-43 was about 400; this was the highest flood of human beings. But all the industries of the town have not been mentioned. Late in the '30's, Isaac Bunnell started a carding mill and a corn cracker, although the latter really exceeded the modest capac- ity of a corn cracker proper, as considerable flour was manufactured, though of a rather poor quality. It met a want, however, and was well patronized. The present mill there is the legitimate successor of the old ■' corn cracker." The carding mill, also, met a want, and soon had a thriving business, during the wool season. Two or thi-ee hands were employed. Farmers carried their wool there and had it carded into rolls, when it was taken back home and woven into cloth by the pioneer mothers. Henderson & Boxley erected a distillery about half a mile below the town proper, and began to manufacture the best quailtv of rectified spirits. This was about 1835. They also kept for sale a small stock of merchandise, as their old license to sell the same was discovered among the old papers in the court house. They gradually increased the scope of their business until, within two or three years after starting, they were consuming not less than 200 bushels of com daily, and some thmk the quantity would reach nearer 350 bushels. This was a vast birsiness fur a new country, and an important one also, as it aftbrded an excellent market for corn — a great blessing to the moneyless settlers On the op- posite side of the river, in Fountain County, were three or more other distilleries, the largest one consuming not less than 500 bushels of corn daily. Perhaps all these distilleries within a radius of ten or twelve miles, consumed 1,000 bushels of corn each day, or from 300,000 to 3(35,- 000 bushels per year. These are, perhaps, too large figures, as certain seasons of the year the quantity manufactured was quit"e small. Everv- body drank whisky in those days. It was on every mantel-piece. Chil- dren took it for the happy eft'ect, women for the" strength and nerve it' gave them, and men because it inspired them with new life. It was taken in warm weather to cool, and in c.iol weather to warm. And the whisky in those days was whisky It had no stryclmine. nor coculus indicus, nor sulphuric acid, nor other poisons which destroy the delicate tissues of the interior membranes. Old settlers yet living positively aver that there was less drunkenness in those davs than "at present". Men, women and children were moderate drinkers, aud would rarolv >-ret HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 103 intoxicateci. Tliey knew when to stop. There was no house-raising, or barn-raising, or any public gathering for work where whisky was not furnished by the employer. Men who early become impressed with a sense of the evil, and who endeavored to introduce the custom of house- raising or log-rolling without whisky, were left to raise their own houses or roll their own logs. Tavern keepers did not pretend to open their doors without a bar, where whisky cou.ld be had for the money. This immense demand led to the erection of many distilleries all through the country, gave the farmer or mechanic what he regarded as a "neces- sity," and also furnished him with a handy market for his corn. The Henderson & Boxley distillery was well patronized for some eight or ten years, when it was abandoned. This large manufacture of liquor led to a strong and steady demand for barrels, and numerous cooper shops arose, in consequence. Samuel Thomas began the work as early as 1835-36, and for several years, or while the great demand continued, turned out about 1,000 kegs, whisky barrels, slack hogsheads annually. He gave five or six men constant employment. Jacob Harmon and Jesse Tumbleson bought cattle all over the county, and drove them through to Baltimore or New York; later, Chicago became the market. James Young opened up a harness and saddlery shop, which he conducted on quite an extensive scale. Isaiah and "William Young started the old tannery with some twenty vats, and, soon had a thriving business. Much of their leather was used in the harness shop of Mr. James Y'oung. Eyan & Smith and Julian & Ritten- our were grain buyers from about 1S3S onward. The latter firm built a large warehouse across the river, on the canal. Fred Eittenour built a large flouring mill m town about 1846, but unfortunately it was soon destroyed by fire. He did a big business for about three years. Peter Messmore and Henry "Wilson were merchant tailoi's of Independence in early years. So great was the rush into the town before 1837, that in the spring of that year Joseph Hanes found it profitable to lay out an addition to the town, which was done above and adjoining the original plat. John Bunnell sold goods, beginning in 183(3, and about the same time William Meeks opened a grocery. A few months later, M. M. Mil- ford opened up with a stock of merchandise worth about SI, 000. James Hemphill conducted a general store, as well as his pork-packing and grain buying. Henry Lowrey opened a store as early as 1836. Henry Miller was among the first tavern keepers; he kept liquor at his bar. Knfus Webb, Edward S. Coates and the firm "Wells & Bradley started three good general stores in 1837. Talman Tripp kept the ferry across the river. The travel then was very great, and a ferry oh a well-traveled highway was a profitable source of revenue. Hundreds of teams, ch-aw- ing huge wagons that had come from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Yirginia, Kentucky and other States, loaded with household goods and weary, httngry-iooking settlers, often had to wait their turn before they could cross. Hotels sprang into existence to accommodate the demand. The purchase and transfer of land were a daily talk. Speculators were pres- ent with tempting ofi'ers of money at high rates of interest; to be given for first mol-tgages, that were tantamount to downright sales. Everybody was busy. Edward K. Wilson opened a store in 1839, but he soon went into partnership with Mr. Hemphill, under the style of Hemphill & Wilson. They had a large stock. John Crow was selling liqxtor and groceries in 18-12. Clark & Ogilvie did the same with a general stock 10-1 HISTORY OF WARREM COUNTV. of merchandise at the same time. Crow changed his stock to merchan- dise in 1843. Jacob Doty was ferryman in 1843. James Wilson began merchandising in 1844. Coates was yet in the same business, and prob- ably at that time had the largest stock in town. Peter H. Messmore was selling liquor in 1844. John E. Walker opened a general store in 1845. Coates, James Wilson, Samuel Ogilvie, Fred Rittenoar, Messmore, and perhaps some of the others, were still selling goods in 1845. Thompson & Barlow began in 1846, as did J. Williams and J. M. Austin. Coates & Clark held forth in 1849. John B. Yeager came in with goods in 1850, as did J. W. Bunnell. P. E. Abbott, A. G. Young, M. L. Clark, John Ryan, Peter Lobdy, Henry Welch, J. Killenbarger, G. F. Has- tings, T. P. Fulton, within the next two years. Henry Welch was ferry- man in 1855. It was during the forties, while the travel northward through Inde- pendence was very great, that a company was formed to build a bridge over the Wabash at Independence. A large subscription was raised, but after the work was begun the project was abandoned, as the subscribers failed to respond according to contract. Another abortive enterprise was the attempt to raise means to build a side cut canal. Timber was gotten out, and. money was subscribed, but at length the work was post- poned and finally stopped. A few years later, or in ]S5<.\ the plank road company undertook to extend their toll route from the town northward to the county line, in the direction of Oxford: but this scheme, after a few miles of plank had been laid, shared the fate of the side cut canal and the bridge. Independence enjoys the distinction of having had the '{ii! first newspaper in the county, an account of which may be found else- where in this volume. It was started in 1844. when the town was at the height of its jjrosperity and promise, and when but few neighboring towns could boast of greater activity in trade. After about 1850. the town began to take its destined place. Like Rome, it could not die im- mediately, but lingered long in tlie lajiiof its former greatness and grand- eur, loth to become extinct, like the crater of some prehistoric volcano whose activity had forever stopped. Its decadence was gradual, extend ing to the present time. Among the business men of the last tive-and- twenty years are David James, Thomas Julian, Bryan & Smith, Isaac Julian, John and Robert Lank, John Clawson. Xewl'in Yount, Dr. Reed. Joseph McFerren, William Adair, Jasper McClatchy, ^vho conducts a saw mill, Isaac Collyer, who condacts the old grist mill with water from the old spring, and man\ others. The present population is about two hundred. STATE LINE CITY. This town derived much of its early growth and importance from its location at the junction of the two old branches of the Wabash Railroad — in fact, it owes its existence to the construction of the road. Its o-ro\vth during the first five or six years was rapid, and for a time thi^ town promised to become a formidable .rival in population, enterprit-e and wealth of Danville, 111. In June. 1857, Robert Casement, who had just purchased the land, emjiloyed a surveyor, and hi id out about thirteen blocks of eight hjts each, besides one block for a public square the same upon which the new sehoolhouse now stands. This was scareelv accom- plished before A. P. Andrews and John Brier, who had beeii selliu^-' goods northwestward in Illinois about three miles, removed their store —building and all— to the town. William Yau Horn had been livin>v HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 105 on the town site for a uumber of years before this. Andrews & Brier were soon joined by Barkley, and about the same time by Ross, both of whom opened small stores of general merchandise. William Toole erected his dwelling, and began dealing out liquor and a few groceries. The railroad companies had erected depots and eating-houses, and for a number of years passengers were furnished with a substantial meals or a luncheon. Freight of every description was transferred, and the work thus made necessary required the attention o £ numerous employes. Numer- ous buildings were erected to accommodate the rush; hotels were opened, and saloons began to deal out their infernal liquid. The town gained a hard name, mainly by reason of the presence of a rough class of railroad and other hands, who would drink and carouse with bacchanalian delio-ht, often until nearly morning. Among tile early residents and business men were A. P. Andrews, William Edenburn, Patrick Cavanagh, L. A. Andrews, Dr. A. M. Porter, B. F. Marple, J. P. Lucas, John Brier, David Mead, Uriah Cleveland, Samuel Andrews, Dr. Foy, Andrew Van Allen, J. H. Barkley, David Frazier, Charles Pratt, Luke Kiley, Robert Casement. James Hollister, John Crane, William Dennison, Harry Ross, S. C. Boyd, Michael Griffin, William Jones and many others. Frasier kept the railroad eating-house, and Pratt kept hotel at first, but later became town butcher. Riley and Boyd kept boarding-honses. Andrews. Brier, Barkley and Ross sold dry goods, groceries and general merchandise. Casement and Hollister were grain buyers. Van Allen was car repairer. Dennison and Crane kept saloons, as did Cavanagh, who is yet in the same business. Mar- ple soon went into the drug business, which he yet continues. He is one of the best citizens of the town. Porter, the first doctor, yet ministers to the bodily welfare of the inhabitants. Among the later business men have been Ross & Hardy, J. W. Villers, W'right & Denny, Brit- tingham & Delay, Whitehead & Asbury, J. R. & G. W. John- son, Oliver Oaborn, Mr. Lyons, John Stephens, C. R. Dubois, George H. Lucas, Taylor & Son, T. H. Stephens, M, P. Sennett, B. F. Bonebrake, William Barger, Mr. Dowler, A. R. Simpson and David Shepard. Will- iam Kent established a gi-ain warehouse very early, as did Mr. Case- ment. The quantities of gi-ain bought were enormous, and probably, during some seasons, exceeded 200,000 bushels. Teams would stand waiting their turn until the drivers had replenished their stock of pa- tience by fiequent potations, during certain intervals, at the dram shops. It seemed easier for them to wait after that — the drivers, not the teams. Care, with heavy wings, flew away, and Mirth, with laughing face, touched the heart with delight. The profits of the sales of grain were often left in the pjssession of ye dram seller. And the grain buyers made money. Each of the two railroads, in about 1858 or 1859, built a round house, where engines and cars were stored and eared for. The presence of these shops was alone sufficient to insiire the town a considerable population. In fact. State Line City, with its big stores, its immense grain trade, its hotels and saloons, its transfer of freight and passengers, its round houses and depots and its seminary, was at the pinnacle of its activity, promise and prosperity. This was during the period from about 1859 to about 1867; the highest population, including the floating railroad men, being about 550. It was a lively scene at the depot when 106 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. passenger trains came steaming in, and unloaded their buvdeos of mis- cellaneous, though homogeneous, humanity. Mound Lodge, No. 274, F. & A. M., was instituted in May, lb61, and for several years worked without a charter. Among the early members were Walker Hurd, William Jones, W. M. Dixon, David Frasier, A. M. Porter, J. E. Johnson, A. J. Lyon, J. D. Ludlow and Adam Myers. Walker Hiu-d was the iii-st Master. The lodge is doing well, has valu- able property and a large membership. Simmons Lodge, No. 240, Odd Fellows, was instituted in Mar, 1865, with the following first members: John Simmons, Divan Smalley, R. S, Burke, Thomas S. Jones and John M. Knox. In 1868, the name was changed from Simmons to Illiana. John Simmons was the first Noble Grand, Burke Vice Grand, and Knox Secretary. A Eebekah degree was started in May, IS/ 5, but died out. The lodge is in a prosperous condition. PINE VILLAGE. This is younger than most of its sister towns. It was laid out in about 1S51, by Isaac and John R. Metsker, owners and proprietors, Perrin Kent doing the surveying. Daniel Connell erected the first dwelling, and began working at the blacksmith trade. Soon afterward, Woods & Fisher opened a store in the Connell dwelling, the stock being worth about §1,700. Mr. Woods did not deal fairly with his partner, and a rupture between the two transferred the goods to Mr. Fisher, and Mr. Woods left the county and State within a few months after the store had been established. Mr. Woods built the second house in town before leaving. S. C. Fisher built the third house, and for about eight years conducted one of the best stores ever in Pine Village. At one time, his goods were worth about §5,000. and his trade was large and lucrative. He made money, and finally established himself as a practitioner of the law at the county seat, where he now lives, respected and honored. Newton Morgan opened the second store, not long after Woods & Fisher began, placing his stock in a storeroom which William Moon had erected. Among those who built early iu the town were Frank ^ Hegler, J. M. Swadley, G. W. Freeman, James B. Rowan and others. , Among the business firms were Kern & Julian, Julian & Julian. John Smitli, Swadley & Thomas. Campbell & Pievson, Martindale & Little," John Shawcross, James B. Rowan, Yance & Wiggins, the Turners, Ichaliod Boyer, John Craig, Dr. William Messner & Son, Feuton & Buckley, R. C. Clark, Nelson Metsker, A. H. Haun, yet in birsiness, George Smith, T. J. Farden, Frederick Cain, W. E. Wakeman, H. W. Wagner, A. P. Rowan, J. B. Rowan, J. F. Rowan, yet in business; Haun & Farden, the Messnors, Rhode & Cobb, McCord \' Cobb, Rowan & Kigor, Daniel Boll, harness, iu 1861, FeutoQ & Literal, Fisher. Gun- kle; James Swadley, manufactured- wagons and is yet in the business. Anderson & Hall, built a large grist mill in 1860, at a cost of §Z\000. It was-au excellent mill, but for some reason did not do well after about six years, and the greater [xirtion of it was finally removed to West Leb- anon. It was built, largely, by subscription of the citizens. About six years ago, Fentou & Buckles established a brick and tile factory simth of town, which has continued to furnish large nuantitiea of material in its line. The demand is growing stronger, "as is also the factory. Mr. Buckles is the sole owner at present. S. C. Fisher built the hotel (now the Union House) about 185;T and a man named John HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 107 Ferguson rented it and became first "mine host." The cognomen of the hotel was " Our House. " John F. Sale is the present landlord. Among the Postmasters have been Yance, Henry^Webb, J. B. Kowan, Dr. "William Messner, A. P. Rowan, A. H. Haun, Y. F. Turman, Miss Mary Turman, J. B. Kowan, Frank Rowan, John Wagner and William R. Streets, the present agent of Uncle Sam. Among the physicians have been Jones, Lacey, Hall, Harbinson, Messner (two), Demming, Kidney, Pike, and Fenton; and McMullen at present. A man named Haven con- ducted a lumber yard for about one year. A few years ago, Haun & Haven began issuing a small advertising sheet, which met with such encouragement that A. P. Rowan was induced to extend the scope of the enterprise, and soon afterward issued quite a little paper. It was newsy, bright, and pleased the citizens very much; but after a few issues, when the novelty of having a paper published in the town wore off, the in- clination to pav any money to assist the enterprise also wore ofi", and Rowan was compelled to suspend the issue. People were anxious to have the sheet continued, were perfectly willing to read it without being solicited or paid for so doing, but when they were expected to pay something in return — were asked to reach down in their breeches pockets for greenbacks — such an intimation met with a chilling negation. The frozen disdain with which they met such a proposition would have put to shame a book agent or an historian. And no wonder! The price of subscription was SI per annum! The Knights of Honor established a lodge in town about four years ago, the following being the charter members: S. C. Fenton, W. T. Wagner, "\\^ R. Streets, A. H. Haun, W. H Smith, Jonathan Howell, ' S. H. Eberley,^ G. M. Smith, Samuel Thomas, R. G. Odle, Thomas Farden, N. S."Ogburn, James Metsker, and J. B. Rowan. VV. T. Wag- ner was first Dictator and R. G. Odle Secretary. Eli Fenters is the present Dictator; Dr. FentoQ, Secretary, and A. J. Eberly, Treasurer. The present membership is fourteen. Mrs. Sarah Swadley was the first milliner in town. Mrs. Elizabeth Ambler is the present milliner. John Drummond was probably the first butcher. Ambler & Smith hold forth as such at present. For many years, the town has been without a saloon. One was started, but proved to be unprofitable. About twelve years ago, the old fair ground, just south of town, was transformed into a camp- meeting ground. A large shed was erected, and other accommodations were provided. Annually the ground is used for this purpose. For the past fifteen years, W. W. Fenton has sold sewing machines, with head- quarters in Pine Village. His sales are large, a. H. Haun has been buying grain for the last two or three years. He is getting ready for the railroad, which is sure to pass within reasonable distance of the village. This is one of the finest little towns in Northwestern Indiana. The citi- zens are intelligent, moral and enterprising. The present population is almost 250, but this will be doubled when the iron horse visits the town. MILFOKD OB GEEEN HILL. This beautiful little village was laid out in March, 18.32, by Will- iam B. Bailey, proprietor, on the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 28, Township 23 north. Range 6 we^t, and comprised forty- eight lots, with East and Main streets, and Pine, Center and Warren streets. Ezekiel Timmons was surveyor. Horatio Bailey had something to do 7 108 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. with laying out the town, which was named for a town in Delaware— Milford. Alvin Potter and Joseph Timmons built houses about the same time in the village, and probably soon after the lots were laid out. Lorenzo Westgate opened the first store in 1833. placing his small stock of goods in the Timmons building. Thomas Literal began to sell liquor in 183G, and at the same time Nathan H. Biddlecome came m with a general stock of goods. This man was the first Postmaster. ^ Among the other early residents were Joseph Gray, a shoe-maker, William Jerman, John Peniwell, Thomas Shockley. John Patterson, who kept a store after Westgate, Newton Jilorgan, also' a store for many years, Nathan Worley, Joseph Thompson, the first tavern-keeper. Frederick Fenton, a cabinet- maker, Abraham Timmons and Jonathan Bailey, both of whom kept cabinet shops, made coffins, etc.; John Ward, the first blacksmith; James Stewart, who sold groceries; William Morgan; Selby Timmons, a shoe-' maker; Clem Watkins; Hiram Nichols, a tavern-keeper; John Cowgill, who conducted a tannery; Lemuel Cowgill, a shoe-maker; Zed Lewis; George Scott, a blacksmith; Stephen Moore, a wagon-maker; Dr. Poole, the first resident physician, after whom the first post office^Poolesville' — was named; Henson Watts; Aaron Stephenson, whose mm-der a few months ago so excited the little village: William Virgin, who conducted a tannery; George Harris, a tavern-keeper; William Jones, a tailor; Asa Kobb, a shoe maker; Dr. Osborn and many others. Marshall M. Milford sold merchandise as early as 1836. Newton Morgan, who had previously lived a short distance north of the village, opened his store in 1838. It is said that his first goods were obtained from Chicago. He drove a small herd of cattle to that market, but was compelled to take considerable commercial paper in payment. While there, he found that while merchants would not cash the notes for anything near what they were worth, they were willing to take the same at a small discount for goods. He therefore traded them for goods, but was obliged to en- dorse all the notes. It is said that, fifteen years later, some of those notes came to him for payment, on account of his indorsement. He es- tablished his stole with the goods, but continued to live on his iaxm. Every morning he would ride his tough little white horse. "Joe,"' down to the store, where the animal would stand all day without food, and at night horse and rider would return on the gallop — always on the gallop — and yet the pony was sleek and fat. Morgan packed some pork, and bought large numbers of cattle, which were driven east into Ohio, where they were disposed of to be fatted for the Eastern market. His goods came by river or canal to Independence, whence they were conveved to Milford by wagon. He established branch stores at Raihstille and Pine Village, and made his fortune by judicious management. At bis death in 1857, he had amassed a fortune of about ?G0,000. He owned valu- able i^ruperty in La Fayette. For years be was the principal business man in the northeastern part of the county. J;uues Stewart's grocerv store was established in 1>S38. A. S. Smith sold goods in 1811. ""Biddlecome was in the mercantile business in 1851), but whether he continued from the time he first established his store until then, cannot bo learned with certainty. Peniwell & Shockley started a store early in the forties, but broke up in a few months. John Truitt sold whisky early. Heurv Fos- ter and John Douglierty conducted stores, the former during the forties and the latter after the death of Morgan. Westgate boaixled at Mr. Bailey's, just north of town, for a time after he had first started his HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 109 store. He was a sensitive fellow, and a great lover of the sublime effects of alcohol when trouble arose." Mrs. Pratt, whose maiden name was Bailey, tells that when the wonderful meteoric shower occurred, in No- vember, 1833. Westgate was terribly frightened, and really thought the day of judgment was at hand. He took to whisky to drown his anxiety. and for two weeks, wallowed in a continual debauch. The world did not end, but the protracted drunk did, and "Westgate came out like the boy after the mule had kicked him — wiser, but not so handsome. The Hague Brothers sold goods during the fifties. Other merchants have been the Franklin Brothers; Samuel Bittinger, an excellent man, now in business at the county seat, sold goods during the last war. He owns a farm near Green Hill, upon which is an enormous mound, the reputed work of the pre-historic Mound-Builders; but the writer of this chapter, after an examination of the mound and surroundings, is satisfied that it is a natural, though peculiar formation, due to the action of Little Pine Creek and its tributaries, probably thousands of years ago. Mr. Bittinger has often refused to have it opened. It is about forty feet high, and several hundi'ed feet in basial diameter. Other business men have been Thomas C. Bailey, Lewis Le^vis, Elijah Dawson, Cummins & Whistler, T. M. Davis, W. K. Slaughter, Simeon Thompson, George Thompson, John W. James, William Timmons, Wallace Bailey, Dr. A. J. Adams, T. W. J. Sullivan, Dr. A. V. Moore. John and Zed Lewis burned brick early. Elijah Holloway made chairs, commencing before 1845. Obed Ward sold goods for a time since 1845. Among the physi- cians have been Hillis, Birch. Frankebarger, Stephens, Pressley, Sanders, Cheneweth, Lowery, Edwards and the present, Drs. Vick, Moore and Gray. Among the Postmasters have been Biddlecome, Morgan, Samuel Bittinger, Henry Foster. Thomas Davis, and the -present agent, Thomas ' Bailey. William and HoraficT Bailey conducted a saw mill as early as 1835-36. It was the usual old fashioned mill, operated by water- power on Little Pine Creek. It ran for about twelve years, and fur- nished the lumber for all the early houses. Several secret societies have been established in the town— Odd Pel lows. Masons, Good Templars, and perhaps others. The real name of the town, until about 1869, was Milford; but at that date the citizens decided at the polls that the town should be incorporated, and at this time, largely through the influence of the United Brethren, it was designated Green Hill. The incorporation led to cleanliness and to sidewalks, either of boards or gravel, largely the latter. There is not a brick build- ing in the town except the seminary. For the last thirty or forty years, there has been no liquor sold except once for about six months, when a man who had undertaken the business was compelled to shut up shop, as he received scarcely any patronage. The town has a present popula- tion of over two hundred. B.UNSVILLE. This village was laid out in April, 1833, by Isaac Eains, proprietor, on the northwest quarter of Section 1^7, Township 23 north. Range 8 west. Nine blocks of eight lots each were surveyed, the plat showing East, Jackson, Main and Bridge streets, and Water, Second, Third and Fourth streets. Some time before this, probably as early as 1832, Mr. Rains had come to the place, had located his mill site, and had erected a rude frame dwelling fi'om boards sawed at the saw mill he had just finished: His dam was located above the present bridge, and was so 110 HISTORY OF WARREN COUXTY. . imperfect that it was often washed away, thus suspending the 02:)eration of his mill and perplexing the settlers with incoavenienee. On the hill south of town, he found a granite bowlder, which had been split by a level surface into two equal fragments. These he dressed and fitted in one apartment of his mill, to grind corn and wheat for the settlers. Jt is said he furnished (juite a respectable article of flour, and his meal could not be beat. He did good work at his saw mill also. Both mills were very convenient for the settlers in that vicinity, as it saved long journeys through bottomless roads with poor teams to distant mills. Among the other early residents of the town were Michael Creekpaum. Sam- uel Harris, Granville Davis, Jesse Harlan, a carpenter. John Bartlett, Thomas Ba'-tlett, M. H. Lewis, a blacksmith. Abraham Howery. a tailor. Dr. I. W. Smith, John Brown, James Wilson, .Joseph Smith, a wacon- maker, Joseph Cowgiil, a tanner, and James Piatt, a blacksmith. G. W. Literal sold liquor in Eainsville as early as March, 1884. at which time he was licensed to thus sell by the County Board. He did not re- main longer, probably, than during the year 1834. In the autumn of 1835, Samuel Harris & Co, opened a store of general merchandise, valued at about SI, 000. About the same time, or a little later, Chester Clark did likewise. Michael Creekpaum opened a tavern, fi'om the bar of which he sold liquor. In November. 1836. Thomas Clawson began selling merchandise, and at the same time M, H. Lewis opened a store or saloon ol " wet and dry groceries. " A man named Bushnell was in about this time for a few months with goods. At this time, also, X. Blue was dealing out liquor a mile or so above Eainsville, on the creek, and John H. Bart" lett was doing likewise at his distillery a mile below to^t-n. Whisky was thought then to be one of the "necessities of life." Levi Douthil opened a saloon (that was not the name then) in about 1837. At the same time, M, H. & M. M. Milford were licensed to " vend foreign and domestic merchandise." John H. Bartlett removed his liquor establish- ment to Eainsville, where he made a great deal of monev. Samuel Har- ris still sold merchandise. Mr. Cowgiil was doing quite an extensive business at his tannery. He manufactured a few horse collars, and sup- plied the shoe-makers, for miles around, with leather, ili-. Bartlett's sale of " spirituous and strong liquors" was so great that he was re- quired to pay an annual license of 8'J5. This was'^in about 1S3S. His relative, Jeflerson Bartlett, opened a store of merchandise in 183S' Jesse Harlan sold liquor in 1839, Lvon ct Aldrieh bec-an sellin.^ mer chandise in 1830. Creekpaum still conducted his tavern and saloo'n and Samue Harris his general store. Abner Evans opened a general store m 1810. traucis Bowmgton established a tavern in I84O lldrich was alone in the general store in 1840. Lvon having left. In 1844 :Mc Murtrie & Porter were licensed to sell general merchandise; in 184'5*G V. Hofiman the same, and in 1847 Lewis Tavlor the same In 1848 Mabie's Circus was advertised to show at Eainsville, but for some reason did nothllthe appoiutuient. In 1S50, Mr. Hoffman took his brother for a partner Joseph Smith sold liquor in 1851. xNewtou Mor-^an es- tablished a braach store at Eainsville in 185-:. Laid \- Jacobs'be.-an «ie mercantile pursuit in April. kS53. At this time the Hoffman Brothers were doing a big business. In 1840. Eainsville had a popula- tion of about eighteen families. It was then a " hard place." owil^ to the bo.st,.rous conduot of drunken men. who were habitually seen reefim-- around the town engaged in tipsy fights. The venerable old settlei" HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. Ill Wesley Gray, says that on one occasion he himself rode on horseback into a saloon there, poured out a glass of whisky, tossed it off, and then rode out and went on his way. It is stated that Eainsville has never seen the time when whisky could not be obtained from some " shebang" within its limits. The Indians used to go there often for "fire-water," but they were less noisy and quarrelsome than the whites. H. &. C. Gregory were selling goods in 1851; also Henry Jacobs and Newton Morgan. John Shawcross began in 1857; he is yet in business, and is one of the substantial men of the town. "Woodlin & Coffin suc- ceeded Jacobs about a dozen years ago. Other business men of the town have been Hoffman & Nern during the war, James F. Brown, W. F. Nern, John Nern, Frank Hoffman and Brown & Crabb. Among the later doctors have been Isaac Smith, Steinbel, McCarn, Hamar, E. L . Booth, "Wycoff, Armstrong, Page, Christly, Osborn and Hoffman. Among the Postmasters have been W. F. Hoffman, G. W. MoCarn, Jacobs, Joseph Shawcross, Hoffman, Bartlett, Brown and John Shawcross. Larson & Sandel opened a shoe store in 1882. Newton Ogbum manufactured wagons. E. Nostrum follows the same pursuit now. James Hawkins built the present big grist mill some forty years ago Ten or twelve years later, it passed to John Carpenter. Twelve or fifteen years ago, James Wilson purchased it. It has been an excellent mill in its day. Its flour is not surpassed. In 1875, the Knights of Honor organized a lodge in the town. The charter members were Daniel Sigler, S. N. Osborn, John Coffinberry, C. B. Thompson, S. H. Hickman, J. M. Hooker, R. H. Wycoff, W. H. H. lleed and James Hooker. Daniel Sigler was the first Dictator. F. M. Jones was the first initiate. A Temple of Honor was established about eight years ago, and for a time flourished with a large membership. It became defunct after a few years. The Odd Fellows established a lodge about thirty years ago. They are now in good circumstances; own a building in which is their flne hall. The Knights of Honor own the upper story of the schoolhouse, where they meet to familiarize themselves with the delightful pleasure of riding the goat. The Masonic lodge was or- ganized in 1864. It is No. 315. Among the first members were Peter Garner, Joshua Anderson, William Rhode, William Brier, E. L. Booth, W. Rhode, Caleb Rhode; J. M. Rhode and others. William Rhode was the first W. M. The lodge is in good condition, with an active member- ship. The present population of the town is about one hundred. MAESHFIELD. This town owes its origin and permanence to the railroad. In ancient times, ci%'ilization sought the sea, or the larger streams, that would float vessels engaged in commerce. Inland towns were compelled to re- sort to wagons, mules, camels, etc. But when steam was harnessed, and made to propel enormous burdens on a net work of iron roads through the hearts of the continents, a revolution in commercial modes and facil- ities largely altered the customs that had been in vogue from time im- memorial. Towns sprang into existence without regard to location on streams or bodies of water. Old towns, of great former commercial power, were avoided by the iron horse, and soon fell into desertion and decay, reluctantly yielding their accumulated wealth and grandeur in building up the new along the iron roads. The rails had no sooner been laid across Warren County than the town of Marshfield was laid out. 11 -J HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. It was named for the residence of the " Great Expounder" of the Con- stitution, Daniel Webster. Some ten blocks, of eight lots .^ach, were laid out north of the railroad in May, 1857. The plat, as recorded, does not state the name of the man laying out the town — that is, the name of the proprietor. The only house near the site of the town, pre- vious to this, was that of Elijah "Cronkhite. which had been built many years before. About the time the lots were laid out, W. L. and Robert Hamilton erected a frame dwelling — the one now occupied by the fam- ily of the former, and Kent & Hitchens erected a warehouse, completing the same before the 1st of June, at which time they had contracted to have the building ready for the receipt of grain. They also built their two-storied frame building, into which they placed between $4. 000 and $5,000 worth of goods. This was the first store, which was opened in October, 1S57. The Hamilton building was used as a boarding-house. Among the early residents were James Shanklin, Daniel Forsher, Walter B. Miller, John Nail, Isaac Julian. Al. Green. Talbot and others, j\L-. Nail was a blacksmith and wagon maker, and is yet following the same callincr in the village. Mr. Miller besran sellings from a creneral stock of goods, as did Isaac Julian soon afterward. Grin Aborn was the first doctor. He is now a resident of the village, though he lived for a num- ber of years in Indianapolis. He is a man of great force of character and one of the ablest physicians in the county. Mr. Hitchens left Marsh- field in 1859, and the Kent Brothers assumed his business. The Hamil- tons, who had been wood contractors on the railroad from Lebanon to State Line City, began to sell agricultural implements when the village first started, and W, L, is yet in the business. These men, who were carpenters, erected the greater number of the buildings, not onlv in town, but throughoat all the surrounding country. They were building contract- ors, and some j^ears did an aggregate business of about S"25,00(\ But one of the most important features during the earlv history of the town was the grain trade. Mr. Hamilton told the writer that from 250,000 to 300,000 bushels of grain were bought there aunuallv, for several of the earliest years; while a citizen living a short distance "north, who was frequently in town at that period, thought the quantity would reach 400,000 bushels. Elisha Hitchens, one of the buyers, w"ho is at present Postmaster at Williamsport, stated that, as a matter of fact, not more than about 175,000 bushels were bought any one vear. This il- lustrates how easily people may be mistdjeit. Bitt the quautity actually bought was certainly eaormou^. A long Hue of teams perh-ips a hita- dred or more, would stand some days waiting their turn to uaload. The facilities for weighing and handling grain were not as perfect as at pres- ent, and the accumulation of teams, many of which had to remain until after midnight, created an impression not supported bv the actual state of facts. After the expiration of eight or ten years, the Ivonts ceased to l>uy grain, and W. L. Hamilton began, and is yet buying and shipping, A sheller, run by steam, is operated in connection with'^the warehouse. James McDonald was in town early with a stock of goods, as was the fir.. Gnudy & Kerr. The Hamiltons built the Perrin"^ House for J. Q,. A Porrin, who yet owns the building. Frank Brown began merchandisiu^T a few years later. Frank Baum was in with drugs. ""and Jonas Baum" Albert Johnson and J. 1'. Stinespring with groceries. David Holti came with his cmnmodity comparatively early. In ISdO, Colfax Lodge, No. 100, I. "O. 0."F.,was removed from West m HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 113 Lebanon to Marshfield. Here it met until about 1865, when its charter was surrendered, and the lodge became a thing of the past. In 1873, Hedrick Lodge, U. D. , F. & A. M. , was instituted, with the following first officers: C. W. Osborn, W. M. ; Edwin Pechin, S, W. ; H. Ander° son, J. W. ; J. E. Hedrick, Treasurer; H. C. Johnson, Secretary; E. S. Johns, J. D. ; A. B. Cronkhite, S. D. ; W. L, Hamilton, Tiler. BALTIMOEE. This to f/n was laid out in November, 1829, on the southwest fraction of the north half of Section 21, Township 20 north, Range 9 west, by "William Willmeth and Samuel Hill, by his attorney, owners and pro- prietors. A portion of one square was reserved for a market-place. An addition was laid out soon afterward on the north, from which a portion of one lot was reserved for a public spring of good water, and a square on the west for a " school and meeting house." This old town has been so long defunct that great difficulty was (Experienced in getting accurate information regarding it. It was situated on the bank of the Wabash, in Mound Township, and had a wharf where vessels landed and loaded their cargoes of freight and humanity. In November, 1828, just a year before the town was laid out, William and Charles Willmeth had opened a store on the site of the village, paying §10 for their license. Their goods were worth something over $800, and consisted of a general assortment. In 1830, Samuel Hill, one of the proprietors of the town, came on with goods worth |2, 500, for the sale of which he was required to pay a license of $15. This was the largest and best stock of goods in the county at the time. W^illiam Hall began to sell liquor in March, 1832, and Abijah B. Watson succeeded him the following autumn. George Hobbs was-selling liquor and groceries after March, 1834. Be- fore this, in September, 1831, Richard Taylor had opened- a store of general merchandise. His license, the following year, was $17, show- ing that his stock of goods was valued at nearly $3,000. George F. Taylor obtained an interest in the store the following year. In 1835, the goods became the property of Taylor & Cunningham. Sophia B. Weaver sold v:et and dry groceries in 1835. John McConaell sold groceries in 1836. At the same time, Willmeth & Hobbs wore selling merchandise. In 1837, A. & E. Rogers engaged in the mercantile pur- suit. The Beckets were selling liquor as early as 1882, but soon changed their stock to merchandise. Alfred Becket was alone in 1838. Samuel Wetzell was licensed to sell goods in 1839. J. B. King and others re- monstrated against granting the license to Wetzell, on the ground that he kept a disorderly house, but he was finally licensed by the County Board for $37. It is stated that he conducted a distillery in connection with his liquor store. The Rogers Brothers and Taylor & Cunningham were yet in business in 1839. Samuel Murphy began selling liquor in 1841.' A man named Fagan sold liquor iu 1845. W. A. Shangster sold merchandise in 1846. After this period, the death of the town became a certainty. The mechanics who had ventured there in prosperous days now quie'tly departed for more promising fields, and the epitaph of Carthage was written for Baltimore. The highway of water gradually ceased to be traveled as in earlier years; the business men, one by one, left; families removed, and at last, after many years, the town that once gave much promise was left to the sole habitation of the batrachians. 11-1 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. Considerable grain and pork were shipped from this old port in prosper- ous years. The town once had a population of about seventy souls. CAEBOND.iLE. John Thompson built the first house, in 1854. The following year, the brick house was erected by Aadrew Brier. The church was built in 1867. George A. Shaffer sold the first goods in 1873, his store being the old blacksmith shop; his stock was worth about $1,400. The build- ing now occupied by Mr. Sentman as a store was moved up from the Schoonover farm, where it had stood for a few years. A Mr. Kelly' suc- ceeded Shaffer, and then came Howland. after which the town had no store for a short time. Shawcross came in next; then Kelly again, and then the present merchant, Mr. Sentman. John Thompson was the first blacksmith. D. Hudson conducted a wagon shop. Dr. Wesley Clark was the first Postmaster — perhaps as earh' as 1846. The office was then called Clark's Cross Roads. In about 1873, Shaifer had the namn changed to Carbondale. JOHXSOXVILLE. This is a small town on the Wabash Railroad, in Steuben Township. It was laid out by G. ~SV. Johnson, who owned the land and lived near by. It was laid out at the crossing of the Chicago, Danville & Yin- cennes Railroad, and has a station house, one store and a residence or two. POINT PLEAS-VXT. This was a paper town only. It was laid out on Section 33, Town- ship 23 north, Range 8 west, in July. 1S30. by John H. Bartlett. Bart- lett's dwelling was there, also his liquor store, and perhaps a saw mill, but that is all. HEI>KICK. This is a little village of recent gowth, on the narrow gauge rail- road, on the Bouthern boundary of Jordan Townshij^. The first house was built by John Hendricks, and the first store opened by Zarse & Ahrens. Frank Hartman opened a drug store. About eic^ht or ten families reside in the village, which was named for an. old settler living neai-. A schoolhouse was built there about two years a^o. CHESAPEAKE. This was a very early village, and was situated about two miles east of Marshfield. If lots were laid, out, they were not recorded. Com- paratively nothing can be learned regarding this little town. Several houses were built, and various mechanics appeared to ply their craft. It is said that William Newell and Thomas Washbiu'n conducted stores there very early, but there seem to be some doubts about the troth of the statement A blacksmith was there, at all events, and a few dwell- ings, but all else is enveloped in mystery. The village bec-au early and then died early, as good-looking babies are said to do. ° HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 115 MILITARY HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED. THE OLD MILITIA SYSTEM. DURING- the early history of Warren County, and prior to the rebsll- ion of 1861-65, the old miltia system, which had done snch excel- lent service in all the Indian border wars, was in force throughout the Hoosier State. From the Indian tribes, depleted by protracted and periodical contests, but little danger was apprehended, though the habits induced in the whites by a life spent amid the alarms of the frontier, forbade the total relinquishment of organized bodies of militia, or the obliteration of that grateful sense of public security which their pres- ence afforded. But the wonderful strides of the State in population and prosperity, and the absence of encounters with predatory Indian bands, soon gave satisfactory assui'ance of general safety, and the old service- able system was permitted to die out. It is true a partial organization was maintained, and in the '50' s arms were seciu-ed from the Govern- ment of the State; but these organizations were little better than assem- blages of young men for sport and frolic, and had no feature in common with the rigid discipline that prevailed in the regular army. Among these companies was one known as the Milford Blues, organized in July, 1856, the officers being Elihu A. Saunders, Captain; J. A. Heigh, First Lieutenant; A. J. Ryan, Second Lieutenant; B. F. Magee, Ensign. SOLDIERS OF WAES PRIOE TO 1861-65. If any of the early settlers of the county were ex-soldiers of the Rev- olutionary war, such fact is not known to the writer. Doubtless there were a few. Quite a goodly number had served in the war of 1812, among whom were the following: David McConuell, Perrin, who was at New Orleans in 1815, Seth St. John, who was at Hull's surrender; Andrew Pierce, Peter C. Hall, John "Williams, Jacob White, William Odle, Perrin Kent, and others whose names cannot be learned. Aaron Spiser served in Capt. Brown's Company C, Battalion of Mounted Rangers, dm-ing the campaign in Missouri Territory against Gen. Black- hawk, in 1832-33. His discharge is on record in the Recorder's office. The campaign extended into the present States of Illinois. Missouri, Iowa, and possibly Wisconsin. A company was raised in Fountain County for the Mexican war and was joined by a few men from WaiTen County. The Captain of the company was R. M. Evans. Quite a num- ber of "ex- soldiers of this war have lived in Warren County. THE LATE CIVIL STRIFE. Opening Scenes. — The political campaign of I860 was enthusiatic and determined. All the skill, learning and eloquence of both parties in the county were brought to bear upon the issues that were overshadowing 116 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. the nation. Every schoolhouse, grove, and many of the churches were occupied by ultra politiciauH, who, with all the fiery spirit of the hour, sought to penetrate the political gloom and direct the popular will. Wide-awakes, with gaudy oil-cloth caps and capes of red. white, blue, or hickory, and with long lines of flaming torches, paraded the streets of villages and towns at night. The stirring notes of fife and drum quickened the step and fired the blood. Many fully realized that the countrv was on the brink of some great calamity, and spared no efi'ort to have the true political situation thoroughly understood. At last came the news of Lincoln's election, and great was the joy of the Republicans, who held various public meetings that the members might have the oppor- tunity of mingling their congratulations. As time passed, and the South- ern States, one after another, passed ordinances of secession, and the air became rife with fearful rumors of impending war, the inbred loy- alty of the citizens rose above party limits and all looked with hopeful eye to the new administration for relief. In the midst of all the rising tumult, nothing was to be seen at the head of the Government but pa- tience, charity and humanity — nothing but kind and pacific promises. The winter wore away, but the shadows thickened, and many faithful hearts lost hope. Many feared that Mr. Lincoln was weak and vacillat ing, and his inaction and appai-ent apathy in the face of steady prepar- ations for war in the South, gave color to the thought. Petitions were poured upon him from all the Northern States, urging him to strangle the hydra of secession in its infancy, but still he hesitated. In view of the darkness that shrouded the nation at subsequent stages of the war, when a great party in the North was denouncing the Adminis- tration, and treasonable outbreaks were occurring with fearful and start- ling frequency, the transcendent wisdom of Mr. Lincoln in throwing upon the South the burden of commencing the strife, even in the face of the most abundant concessions, undoubtedly saved the country from hope- less disruption. Even as it was, the escape from open and concerted re- bellion in the North was dangerously narrow. When the news of the fall of Fort Sumter was received, and doitbt and dread were changed to certainty and concern, the most intense ex- citement everywhere prevailed. All former political antagonisms were speedily relinquished. The rural districts were depopulated, all busi- ness pursuits wei'o suspended, and the towns, telegraph offices and news stations were thronged with vast crowds of excited, indignant and de- termined citizens. Neighbors gathered at every cross-road to discuss the awful situation and encourage one another with hopeful words. Mothers and maidens who had never felt the anguish of separation from loved ones at the stern call of a nation at war, were now pale with the first sicken- ing fear. But the intense feeling of terror that seized upon all hearts soon gave place to prompt and thoughtful action and invincible manifes- tations of loyality. The issue of the lirpithlieaii of April IS, iSGl, contained the follow- ing leader: TO .\HMS. We tliiTik thr lime has rciinc (or :ill true patriets to act in dofense nf thoir coun- try, Ik'v insliiut.ioii.s .111(1 licr laws. We have heeu oveiTuu by a swaiui of Southern Tones, both in Ooii.ni-ess ami out of Congress, for years, and it is now lime for free men ot the North— peaee-lovins and law-abidin;;- citizens of oureounlrv Ye who stand upon the glorious |il,iifoim of our Union, the constitution and "the enforce- ment ot the laws, and who liave borne and foreborne with traitors in arms a>'-ainst HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 117 you until forbearance has ceased to be a virtue, the crisis is nov.- upon j-ou. The fort upon whose defense your hearts were with an intense and all-absorbing enthusi- asm fixed, has been surrendered to traitors, and the flag- of beauty and of glory, at the sight of which every true American heart swells with pride, has been struck to those whose sworn dulj' it was to upliold it against foreign and domestic enemies. Is there a man worthy the name American whose soul does not burn with indigna- tion deep at this insult to the sacred emblem which he lias been taught to love and honor? This damning blot upon our national escutcheon must be wiped out with blood. Treason must be crushed with the strong arm of this Government, and the majesty of the laws vindicated, if need be, by a million men at the point of the bayonet and at the cannon's mouth. The time for appeal, argument, conciliation, has gone with the surrender of Sumter. Let the tocsin now sound, and from every hill and valley, from lake and river, from mountain and prairie througliout all the loyal and true States, let patriots rally to the call of their country, resolved that this stain upon our flag shall be atoned for, that the supremacy of the Union shall be maintained and the laws shall be enforced be the conseciuences what the.y may. Woe be to those who shall attempt to withstand the tempest of the nation's wratii. Immediately following the news of the fall of Sumter, came the prompt call of the President for 75,000 volunteers to put down the rebell- ion, and the hope of the citizens kindled into instant and energetic tire. Hundreds in the county came forward and signified their readiness to go out to their country's battles. Mothers were seen encouraging their sons, wives their husbands, sisters their brothers and sweethearts their lovers; and old men, long past the prime of life, with feet already on the brink of the grave, strenuously insisted on enrolling their names with their sons anci grandsons, and considered it insulting when they were refused the sacred privilege of avenging the wrong to the old flag. America had never before witnessed such a popular uprising. There was not a town of any consequence in Warren County where indignant mass meetings were not held, and where the patriotism of the people did not find prolonged utterance. First War Meeting. — The call of the President for Volunteers was no sooner received than the citizens of Williamsport and vicinity were summoned to assemble at the Court liouse to consider how the crisis should be met. Accordingly, a large crowd gathered on Tuesday evening, April 16, and B. S. Wheeler was appointed chairman and Lev. Miller Secretary. William P. Pihodes called the house to order and stated the object of the meeting, and then, amid the wildest enthusiasm, Col. Bry- ant was called out. He delivered a thrilling speech, reviewing the great issues before the people, insisting thatfhe South was wholly in the wrong, and that it was the duty of every loyal man to assist with might and means in preserving the union of the States. At the conclusion of his remarks, which were received with prolonged cheers, he moved that a paper be drawn up, calling for volunteers, and tendering their service to the Governor of Indiana. This was done, himself, Dr. F. M. T^bbs, James Park and H. P. Downing preparing the paper. While the others were thus engaged, James Park entertained the audience with an elo- quent speech. About twenty-five volanteers appended their names to the enlistment roll. On motion, a committee (B. F. Gregory, Samuel F. Messner and H. R. Pomeroy) was appointed to solicit aid in equipping the "Warren Company" fo'r the field. The Rppitblioan said: "The meeting was largely attended, and by men of all parties. Much enthu- siasm was manifested, and it was the unanimous sentiment of the meet- ing that the Union must and shall be preserved. Three rousing cheers were given for Maj. Anderson, for his gallant defense of Fort Sumter. Adjourned to Wednesday evening. " 118 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. The Second War Meeting.— The citizens again assembled at the court house on Wednesday night, April 17, on which occasion the en- thusiasm and loyalty of the previous i^ieeting were greatly surpassed. Benjamin Crow, an old resident of Kentucky, Jesse Harper, Col. Brj'ant and others were called out. A select glee club sang the stirring national aire, and the martial band executed Yankee Doodle in a manner that brought upon them the thunders of the house. The company was in- creased to about sixty, and the meeting adjourned to Friday night, on which occasion the full number, except a few, was raised. On the fol- lowing Monday, April 22, within six days after th6 call of the President, was received, the company was completed and organized, and was on the train bound for Indianapolis. The Republicom stated that the company numbered 177 men, rank and file. Just before their departure the\ met at the court house and elected the following officers: James E. M. Bry- ant, Captain; Dickson Fleming, First Lieutenant; Lev. Miller, Second Lieutenant. A beautiful national banner was then presented to the company by Miss Hannah Johnson on behalf of the ladies of •Williams- port and vicinity, in a brief, earnest and loyal speech, to which Capt. Bryant responded, pledging the lives of his company to tlie last man to prevent the flag from being trailed in the dust. The company was then drawn up in line and each member presented a copy of the New Testa- ment. They marched to the depot, accompanied by the whole town. Short speeches were made in the open air until the train came in. Ah! it was so hard to part from dear ones, for it was well known that many would never return. Tne first bitterness of that long and dreadful war wrung all hearts with keene it anguish as the train slowly steamed out of the depot, bearing its human sacrifice. The next day at noon they were in Indianapolis. There were but few counties in the State of no greater population than "Warren which succeeded in getting full com- panies into the three- months service. So great was the rush for the en- listment offices that Indiana alone could easily have supplied the entire call of 75,000 men; and at that time it was considered a mark of great distinction for small counties far removed from the rendezvous to out- strip in activity the larger and nearer counties. The fact of Warren's loyalty and activity was so manifest that the Republican, of May 2, pub- lished the following; OLD W.VRREN .UIE.iD. We doubt if any portion of tlie State has been more prompt to respond to the call of the President for troops than this county. Other counties have furnished more men, but few, if any, have done it with a" greater deuree of willingness and contributed more in jiroportion. Of the volunteers tliat left last week, loO remain in the service, and thirty more left Independence and Pine Yillace this wcel< to com- plete two full companies. Another company of rifles is now forming;-, and will be ready in a few days to march Avhenever required, makina; in all overJ;W men This proportion all over the State would furnish 30,000 or o.""i,000 men Hurrah for Old Warren and the Union! Continued Volnnteering.—The company of Capt. Bryant had no sooner departed tlian immediate steps were taken to raise another. West Lebanon headed the movement, opening enlistment offices at Williams- port, Independence, Rainsville, and tit one or more points in the south- western part of the coimty, besides at Lebanon. The companv was called the Warren Rifle Company. The county seat came to the assist- ance of this company, and on the afternoon of April, 24. held a meet- ing at the court house to encourage the enlistment of new men, to pro- HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 119 vide for the families of the company just gone, and to organize commit- tees to receive donations of food, money or clothing, to be sent to the members of Capt. Bryant's company. On the 27th of April, an enthu- siastic union meeting was held at the Campbellite Church in Pine Township to give the volunteers of "Warren and Benton Counties a free dinner and a farewell. J". M. Harris was chosen Chairman and W. Marvin Secre- tary. Bev. M. S. Eagsdale, Dr. L. Buckles and Hon. J. Young deliv- ered brief, patriotic speeches. While the orators were entertaining the assemblage, E. Sargent, W. J. Templeton, J. Young, J. T. Stokes and W. B Smith prepared a series of loyal resolutions, one of them being as follows: Besolved, That we, the citizens of Warren and Benton Counties, do pledge our live,9 and sacred honor to stand by and support the Union, believing it to be our dutj' to suppress treason wherever found. An excellent time was enjoyed. A splendid dinner that the volun- teers often thought of afterward when half or quite starved down in the South, was partaken of by a large crowd. The First County Relief. — As early as the 30th of April, the Board of Commissioners appropriated means from the county treasury to provide for the wants of the families of volunteers, and directed that each town ship should appoint suitable committees to enroll the names of such fam- ilies, to ascertain their wants and to see that the county appropriation was judiciously expended. These orders were promptly executed, and from that on, while the war continued, a thorough system of caring for the families of soldiers was in active operation. There is certainly no county in the State of equal or less population that deserves greater credit than Warren for the earnest and expensive care manifested for the families of soldiers. More on this subject will be found farther on-* in this chapter. Letters from the Cami:) and Field. — The first company was scarcely out of the county before long letters were received from the boys, and pub- lished, describing graphically the ups and downs of a soldier's life. Every letter was written with that unwavering confidence so aniversal at that early period of the war, which predicted that the rebels would receive an awful whipping when " our regiment " (" said by competent military critics to be the finest in camp here") met them on the field of battle. If the tone of the letters was over-confident, it was also over-loyal, if such a thing was possible, for the most passionate language was employed to paint the agony and universal death that would ensue ere the old flag should be permitted "to trail in the dust." But this "over-confidence'^ and this "over-loyalty" revealed the true state of the heart, and proved the sol- dier boys equal to the trying dangers of the hour. Letters came from the "Warren Guards," thanking the ladies of various parts of the county for luxuries, clothing and blankets which had been sent to them at In- dianapolis. ' The Repuhlican of May 9 said: Tlie ladies of this town are for the Union to a man. Thej^ have made and sup- plied red flannel shirts for one company from this county, and are ready to provide in the same loyal and charitable way for another whenever it becomes necessary. On Saturday, May 11, a rousing war meeting was held at the court house to organize a company of Home Guards. E. M. Allen was chair- man; W. P. Rhodes, Secretary. B. F. Gregory, H. M. Nourse and B. S. Wheeler prepared articles of association for the company. Wliile Mr. May delivered an eloquent address, about thirty volunteers appended 120 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. their names to the roll of the company. The meeting adjourned to re- assemble again the following Monday night, on which occasion, amid great loyalty and enthusiasm, the enrollment was increased to about seventy men" The officers were elected as follows: James M. Rhodifer, Captain; L. S. Hitchens, First Lieutenant; and Peter Mahn, Second Lieutenant. About this time, companies of home guards were organized at Pine Village, Rainsville and ilarshfield. A company of cavalry was organized in the neighborhood of Crow's Grove in May and Sune. A grand military parade of the County Home Guards occurred at Eaius- ville early in June. The Campaign and Beturn of the Warren Guards —The "Warren Guards, Capt. Bryant, became Company B of the Tenth Regiment, which rendezvoused at Indianapolis. The organization was scarcely com- pleted ere Capt. Bryant was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment and Dickson Fleming was appointed Captain of Company B. The regiment left Indianapolis on the l9th of June, having been mus- tered in April 25. It moved to West Virginia, and early in July partici- pated in the battle of Rich Mountain, where the Warren County boys displayed their valor in a brilliant charge on the enemy, routing him and capturing his guns. After various marches and a great deal of fa- tigue duty, the regiment returned to Indianapolis, where it arrived on the 2Sth of July. The citizens of Warren County made extensive prep- arations to receive the boys on their retm'u. A public meeting was held at Williamsport, July 31, to complete the arrangements. H. M. Nourse was Chairman and W\ P. Rhodes Secretary. B. F. Gregory stated the object of the meeting. B. F. Gregory. George Hitchens, S. F. Messner, J. H. Brown and B. S.Wheeler were appointed a committee to prepare the dinner. J. H. Brown was selected to deliver the welcom- ing speech at the depot. The following resolution was adopted: Resolred, That the Warren Guards aud other members of the Tenth Resiment. the military companies of ^Varren County, aud all the citizens of the couutj-. are invited to attend a picnic at Williamsport on Saturday, August 3. All necessary committees were appointed. West Lebanon also made arrangements to receive the boys in a fitting manner. Jesse Harper was to welcome them with a speech, The officers and mea of the company were to give an account of their army experiences. Notu-se, Brown, Cobb, Park and Gregory were auuouneed to speak. A splendid dinner was to be enjoyed. The northern part of the county also decided to welcome the boys with speeches aud a tine dinner. All these pro- grammes wore carried into effect. How happy it made all to see broth- ers, husbands, fttthers, lovers in their blue uniforms, and hear their loved voices recotrnt the stirring scenes of active war! A Democratic Meeting. — The Deynon&is of Williamspvort and vicin- ity fixed a day iu August for a big political meeting and advertised that distinguished speakers from abroad would be present. But for some reason the expected orators did not arrive auil the meetin^^ was trans- formed into a Republican jubilee of the most enthusiastic tieseriptiou, iu which all loyal Democrats participated. Among the speakers were Dr. Whitehall, Rev. C. Hall and H. M. Nourse. A resolution was passed condemning the course of Senator Bright in Cono-ress. Reorganization of Company B. — Late in August, Lieut. Levin Mil- ler was authorized to re-organize Company B^ and the work was ac- tively begun, tpite a number of the old boys reeuterin.v its ranks HISTORV OF TVARREN COUNTY. 121 though the majority were new men, anxious for a taste of war. An im- mense war meeting was held in the court house, August 31, to till up the company. Enlistment offices were oj^ened in all parts of the county. Schoolhouses wero filled with loyal assemblages which listened to fiery words from farmers and mechanics. The meeting at "Williamsport was one of the largest ever in the place. Delegations in wagons, drawn often by six horses, and men on horseback and on foot, came through the dust from all parts of the coitnty, led by stirring bands of martial music, adorned with national colors and dressed in holiday attire, while through- out the long ranks numerous banners and mottoes waved in the bright sunshine. All was loyalty and enthusiasm. Hon. James Wilson was orator. A short time before this meeting, the i?ejj((6Zi'ca» said: "War- ren County has 200 men who have gone into other regiments in other counties, and we have not a representative now in the field. " This knowledge was sufficient to lend additional activity to the en- rollment of Lieut. Miller's company. By the Dth of September, the number was almost raised, and a meeting was appointed for Monday, September 9, to complete and organize the company. The fact that about 200 men had gone out of the county to enlist, pntering the Tenth, Fifteenth, Twenty-first and other regiments, did not embarrass in the least the enrollment of men in Lieut. Miller's company. On Monday, September 9. the full number of men was secured. The following officers were commissioned September <.): Levin T. Miller, Captain; John P. Neiderauer, First Lieutenant; Henry C. Johnson, Second Lieutenant. Within a few days, the company moved by rail to Indianap- olis, followed by the tears and loving farewells of friends. It became Company K, of the Thirty-third llegiment, three years' service, and was mustered in about the middle of September, and soon afterward took the field. Continued Enlistmenia. — Capt. Miller's company was nn sooner off than the enlistment of men was renewed. Capt. Schobey began raising volunteers for the Fortieth Regiment. Lieut. Col. Blake of that regiment attended several meetings, delivering speeches and urging on the work. Col. Wilson also spoke at various places in the county. C. V. White and many citizens of the county were also active. Between thirty and forty men'were secured for the Fortieth Eegiment,, entering Company I, and being mustered December 21. Before this, however, during the month of September and October, William Cameron, Moses L. Burch and others, had secured nearly a full company in the county, and about the middle of October the members had elected Cameron, Captain, and Burch, First Lieutenant. S. T. Walker, men staggered the county, but the loyal went resolutely to work to till the quola. At this time, the county had an excess over all calls of 117 men. This num- ber taken from the quota of 267 men assigned to the couutv, left 150 men to be furnished. But the county had done so Avell at the beginning of the war, had sent ofl" man after man far in excess of their quota, and had so nearly exhausted her strength, that she now began to discover that some extraordinary effort would have to be made to meet the emergency, if success was to bo achieved. At last a meeting was called at the court house, to devise means to raise the men, and thus escape the impending draft. Dr. E. L. Booth was made President, and Lewis Rhodes, Secre- tary. Cypt. James Park, Provost Marshal of the Eighth District, was called out, to explain fully to the large assemblagethe details of the conscript law. This was done, amid breathless stillness. A resolution was adopted, that each citi/.en liable to the draft should pay into a com- mon fund the sum of $15, the same to be applied in securing volunteers; .ind a committee of one was apjiointed to solicit coatribulions in each township, the following being the amounts thus donated. Pine. $760. Mound, f 1,115; Medina, $L005; Warren, $1)65; Libert v, $1040- Adams, $()10, and Prairie, $675; total, $5,880. The countv' was' thus HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 127 willing to pour out money as well as men. At this time, the conscript officers of the Eighth District, to which Warren belonged, were George Nebeker, Commissioner; James Park, Marshal, and Z. B. Gentry, Sm-- geon. Notwithstanding all efforts, the county could not escape, and quite a heavy draft took place in October, over the greater portion oi the county. How many were drafted cannot be stated. The county was credited with thirty-five drafted men, twenty from Mound and fifteen fi-om Warren, but the draft actually took place in Pine, Prairie, and per- haps other townships as well. At the last moment, even after the name had been taken from the wheel, an opportunity was given the drafted man to volunteer, and was embraced until the number of about one hun- dred and twenty-five to be drafted was reduced to thirty-five. The fol- lowing statistics from the Adjutant General's report, prepared on the 31st of December, 1861, though not wholly free from error, are not far from correct: O a '- 5 Quota under call of March 14, 1864. Quota under call of July 18, 1864. 1 1 CREDITS '5 BY VOLUN- -^ , TARY EN- "g LISTJIENTS £ '26 15 35 1 "o 1=1 si -o a £« ■^ a> 108 54 67 67 46 41 53 63 53 47 42 641 H £ H 108 31 33 64 46 34 35 -;-r ->:■ ft '4' s . ^.2 ^" 80 1 97 54 ! 52 71 i 42 67 ; 53 46 34 41 39 53 36 63 60 50 ; 49 47 38 42 ! 40 614 540 S a I 11 2 5 14 12 2 o 3 4 9 2 66 "ft Washington 33 32 26 27 17 13 34 9 23 10 : 35 11 1 29 7 ' ':>2 '>H Pine 23 31 3 "3' Mound Pike ..' 17 i 7 17 22 9 '^2 26 i 10 ''7 7 15 19 "3' * Warren Liberty Adams 21 19 18 8 ' 21 8 i 20 7 i 17 99 267 Jordan Prairie Total 4 HI The Call of September 19, 1864. — There seemed to be no end to the demand for men, but as all instinctively felt that the rebellion would soon be crushed, the utmost efforts were made to fill the quotas-. The only way to raise the necessary men was to offer enormous bounties, which was accordingly done. Many recruits were obtained in December and January, nearly all of whom entered the companies then in the serv- ice from the county. A number of men, sufficient to form about three full companies, thus entered the older regiments. New men did not, usually, want to enter the veteran regimentS; as there was but little chance for promotion; it was greatly desired, on the contrary, that they should enter the older regiments, which had seen active service, and which, if they could be recruited to the lawful size, would still be much more available for the field than newer troops, owing to the experience through which they had passed. During the month of February, 1S05, nearly a full company was raised for the One Hundred and Fiftieth Kegiment. Small squads from Tippecanoe, Carroll, and other counties were added to raise the number to the lawful limit. The following were *No account given. 128 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. the officers: William Moffitt, Captain; John H. Mesaner, First Lieu- tenant; John H. Coulter, Second Lieutenant. The county quota under the call of December 19, 1864, was 133 men; this was reduced somewhat by a suq>lus which had been furnished previously. The recruiting in February, March and early in April, 1865, was actively pushed. Dur- ing the latter part of March and the first of April, about sixty men were enlisted in the county for the One Hundred and Fifty- fourth Regiment. A few were in almost every company in the regiment, the greatest num- ber in any one company being seventeen in Company G. Among the recruiting officers were Capt. James Park and Lieut. J. A. Canutt. Early in April, 1865, the Republican said: From late information, Warren appears to be out of tlie draft. Pine lias fur- nished her men; so has Mound, Prairie and Lilierty. Medina has been out some days. If any are lacliing in the county, they are in Adams and Warren, and may be a few in Jordan. But if any are lacking, the efforts now making will clear the county. We are glad to see it, for we would have felt bad to have had WaiTen drafted, and all the other counties of the district go clear on volunteers. Every- thing is moving on right. On the 14th of April, 1865, all efforts to raise troops in Indiana were abandoned. At that time the following quotas and credits of War • ren County, under the call of December 19, 1864, were made out by the authorities at Indianapolis: = . I (P ^ -f 1 O) a ."^ s i ^ a ■a- S? % tUi r. V X 179 15 109 22 ... 121 2G . . . . 140 11 . . . . 78 1 7;^ 8 101 16 125 20 n:{ 14 85 5 . . . . 57 10 1181 i;« 15 1 li ~ a; CREDITS BY VOLUN- TARY EN- LISTMENTS 5 "a i O is 33 TOWNSHIPS. 1 "- ^- 2i > 3 Washington Pine f^ 26 11 1 8 16 20 14 5 10 133 19 25 1 11 3 22 26 11 19 25 11 3 1 Steuben Pike . . 1 Medina 16 '.'.'.'. 20 .... 14 ' 5 .... 10 .... 127 1 1 3 8 19 20 14 5 10 135 8 19 20 14 5 10 131 Warren 8 Liberty Adams Jordan Prairie . . . . 1. . . Total 3 1 1 18 The Fall of Atlanta. — Ou Saturday eveuiug, September 3, 1864, an immense Union meeting was held at the court house, to publicly attest the joy of the community over the fall of Atlanta. Bells were rung, anvils and muskets tired, and the omnipresent small boy was out with his usual ample collection of ear-torturing instruments. Finallv, the train came in, bearing a coulirmation of the welcome news. Williams- port could scarcely contain herself. The citizens were in ecstacies. The triumpliant march of Sherman's grand army down from Chattanooga through the South from one success to another, and with b\;t a com- paratively small saerilice of life, had beeu anxiously watched from War- ren County; and now, when the long series of successes culminated in the capture of the most important city in the heart of the Confederacy, HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 129 the joyoiis sentiments could not be repressed, and only found vent in ex- tensive and prolonged utterance. Capt. James Park and Hon. B. F. Gregory attempted to talk to the audience, but it was like converBinc with the ocean in a storm. The faint glimmerings of the davrn of peace could at length be discerned. The Union Soldiers' Picnic. — This was on Saturday, October 8, 1864, and had been extensively advertised. Vast preparations had been made to entertain the crowd that was sure to assemble. The day dawned clear and bright; scarcely a cloud was to be seen, and the mellow haze of the genial Indian summer day induced the farmer and the mechanic to put asi(.le their accustomed labor, to pay a proper tribute to the meritorious public services of their soldier neighbors. National banners were flung out fro cq all the public buildings, and from many of the private residences, and the citizens prepared to enjoy the day. At last the delegations from the country began to arrive, coming in wagons, carriages, on horseback and on foot, in long lines, headed by bands of raartial music, with gay banners, streamers, mottoes and escutcheons waving over all. Almost the entire county turned out to enjoy the oc- casion. Hundreds of soldiers were present, in bright military dress, at home on fui-lough from the active scenes of war, or perhaps just ready to go out to join their comrades in the service. At last, when all the long delegations had arrived through the dust, and had begun to wonder what was the programme of the day, the Chief Marshal and his assist- ants, with red scarfs, appeared on horses, and formed the numerous lines into one long line of teams, fully three miles in length, and marched the grand cavalcade, amid the wildest enthusiasm, through the principal streets to the fair ground, where the ceremonies of the day were to be enacted. Williamsport had never before witnessed a pageant so brilliant and imposing. Wagon loads of young ladies, adorned with national colors and crowned with garlands of late flowers and autumn leaves, passed through the surging streets, drawn by four and sis horses. A company of soldiers was quickly organized, and marched around be- fore the admiring crowd in all those beautiful changes of military evolu- tion which so stir the hearts of the beholders. Eloquent and patriotic speeches from McMullen and Hull were enjoyed, as was also a picnic dinner of the choicest viands the country could produce. The Rejmbltcan said: "Such a gathering has not been in this city of rooks since 1856." The Williamsport Literary Society. — The county seat settled a few very important questions during the winter of 1864-65, to which a refer ence in these pages will not be amiss. Nearly all the prominent citizens joined the society for mutual improvement, in the beneficial encounters of debate. The question, " Resolved, That the present wai' will improve the morals of the people," was decided almost unanimously in the nega- tive, there being but one voice in the alfirmative. A little later, the question, " Resolved, That all men are created equal," was decided un- animously in the negative. The real sentiment leading to the last de- cision was the hostility to the negro, and not because the house thought that all men were not created equal. The poor colored man was yet in bad odor. Military Officers from Warren County. — Tenth Eegiment, three months' service; Captains, J. E, M. Bryant and Dickson Fleming; First Lieutenants, Diukson Fleming, Levin T. Miller; Second Lieutenants, L. T. Miller, John F. Compton. J. R M. Bryant became Lieutenant 130 HISTORY OF WARKEN COUNTY. Colonel of this regiment. A. C. Walker and J. V. Anderson were Assist- ant Surgeons of the Fifteenth Eegiment. Thirty-third Eegiment, Cap- tains, L. T. Miller, J. P. Neiderauer, H. C. Johnson; First Lieutenants, J. P. Neiderauer, H. C. Johnson, William Norduft; Second Lieuten- ants, H. C. Johnson, J. W. Slauter. Thomas Graves. J. P. Neiderauer became Lieutenant Colonel and L. T. Miller. Major. Sixty-third Regi- ment, H. M. Nourse, Major; A. C Walker, Sm-geon. Seventy-second Regiment, Captains (F), Moses Burch, J. L. Dalton: First Lieutenants, J. L. Dalton, Johnson Parker; Second Lieutenants, O. E. Harper. J. Parker, Moses Nowls: Captains (Ij, Jesse Hill. John Watts, W. H. Mc- Murtry, R. A. Vance ; First Lieutenants. L-a Brown, W. H. McMurtry, R. A. Vance, R. C. Clark; Second Lieutenant, John Watts. W. H. Mc- Murtry, R. A. Vance. H. C. Cassel. O. J. Foster. Eighty-sixth Regi- ment, Adjutant, E. D. Thomas; Surgeon. Joseph Jones; Captain (D), Lewis Stevens; First Lieutenants, Jackson Hickson. H. J. Gass; Second Lieutenants, H. J. Gass, J. G. DeLurk; Captains (E). Philip Gemmer. J. R. Moore, H. M. Billings; First Lieutenants, George Hitchens, J. R. Moore, M. J. Haines; Second Lieutenants, J. R. Moore, M. J. Haines, Stephen Cronkhite. /lDne__ Hundredth Regipient. Company G, First Lieutenants, William Burnside, Elijah Young; Second Lieutenants, Elijah Young, Asa J. Fisher.^'i One Hundi-ed and Sixteenth Regiment (six months), Captain, Samuel C, Fisher; First Lieutenant, William Henry; Second Lieutenant, William Moffitt. Eleventh Cav- alry, Cajjtains, A. T>. Lee, Cyrus Romine; Second Lieutenants, Cyrus Romine, W. H. Coon. One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment. Cap- tain, W. P. Rhodes; First Lieutenant. P. W. Fleming; Second Lieuten- ant, J. H. Messner. One Hundi'ed and Fiftieth Regiment, Captain. William Mofiitt; First Lieutenant. J. H. Messner, County Bounty and Relief. — The rebellion had no sooner begun than the citizens, individually and through the County Commissioners, began pledging themselves to provide for the families of volunteers. Shirts and blankets for the first volunteers themselves were bought with money from the Cotmty Treasm\v- Sundry individuals donated generous sums. This was as early as April 80, 1S61, During the fall and winter of iSrtl -Cy2, large amounts were paid out to the families at home, about .51.300 boing thus expended in Jantiary and February alone. About the middle of April. 1S()'2, in response to a proclamation from Gov. Morton, an aid society was organized at Williamsport. with B. S, Wheeler, Pres- ident, and S. F, Messner. Secretary. A committee for the county seat, and sub committees for the townships were appointed. Physicians and nurses were appointed to go to the field, if necessary, to care for the wounded sons of Warren on the bloody field of Pittsburo- Landiuo-. Contributions in cash ran up to about §000 at this time. Washiuo-tou Township raised $93; Pike, $2S; Adams. §51; the others unknown. Large quantities of delicacies and comforts were packed securely in boxes, and forwarded to the field hospitals, Washington Township alcine sent oft' eighty-eight rolls of bandages, eighty-five pillow sacks, eight boxes of fine linen lint, twelve do;^eu small bandages, twenty-seven bed sacks, thirteen fiaunol shirts, twenty-four jiairs of dra^vers.' one large box of lint, one large box of undershirts, drawers, bandages, sheets^ etc. At the same time, '< very large box of canned strawberries, blackberries, raspbei-ries, gooseberries, currants, cherries, tomatoes, etc.. and jellies and jams, and bottles of cordial, was sent with the clothing. All por- HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY, 131 tions of f-.he-county did as well in proportion. Not less than $1,500 in money and necessaries was sent ont of the county at this period. This excellent charity was repeated at intervals, during the warm months of 1862. Early in December, the ladies organized an aid society at Will- iamsport. and immediately similar branch organizations sprang up in almost every schoolhouse. The officers of the society at Williamsport were Mrs. B. F. Gregory, President; Miss H. Johnson, Vice President; Mrs. Scott Kitchens, Secretary; Mrs. Dilts, Auditor; Mrs. Fannie Hall, Treas- urer. All the necessary committees and directresses were appointed. Contributions in money and provisions for soldiers' families, to the amount of $53, were received for the week ending December 11. About the 1st of January, 1863, the j^oung ladies of Williamsport organized a "Knitting Society," the officers being Carrie Cox, President; L. Haines, Vice President; Sallie Jones, Secretary; Mollie Ganutt, Treasurer; Mollie Wheeler, Celia Schoonover, and Mell Minier, Donation Commit- tee. Liberal donations for buying yarn were secured. A festival was held in January, which netted the society about $30. Daring the months of January, February and March, a number of other festivals, lectures, donations, etc., were the means of obtaining about $200 in cash, and several large boxes of clothing and provisijns. But the exertions dm'ing the latter part of 1S63 were not so great. It was in this year — the darkest for the Union cause while the war continued — that many of the best citizens lost heart and hope, and feared, if they did not predict, the permanent dissolution of the Union. The Army of the Potomac could do nothing with the^ wily rebel leader confronting it; the letters from the boys in the held were discouraging, and the secret treasonable combinations in the North were multiplying, and numerous bloody out- breaks were occurring. But after the fall of Vicksburg people felt easier. The star of hope was again in the ascendant, and efforts to re- cruit men and secure donations of money, clothing, etc.. were joyously renewed. The military committees appointed during the war for the townships saw that no soldier's family suffered for the necessaries of life. Lecture bureaus were established, and the proceeds went into the treasuries of these societies. A lecture and festival in the spring of 1864 netted about $100. The churches were very active in this direc- tion. In the autumn of 1864, after listening to an eloquent sermon from Rev. B. Winans, the citizens of the county seat donated $141.67 for the Sanitary Commission. At this time, the societies all over the county were actively at work. By June, 1862, so much had been paid out by the county to soldiers' families, that the Commissioners became alarnied, and issued notice that all soldiers would be expected to send home part of their wages to their families. In July, a county bounty of $10 was paid to each volunteer under the last call for 300,000 men. Soon afterward, all soldiers' families in need of assistance were ordered paid 50 cents a week for women and 25 cents a week for children. In June, 1863, the county bought $5,000 worth of State bonds that Gov. Morton was compelled to issue, to carry on the expenses of the State. Under the call of October, 1863, for 300,000 men, the county offered $40 bounty to each volunteer who would enter the service from Warren County. At the same time, needy soldiers' wives were ordered paid $3.25 per month, and children $1.10 per month. In February and March, 1864, the county bounty was raised to $100. The Commissioners were obliged to issue $5,150 in bonds to meet the demand for money 132 HISTORY OF WARKEN COUNTY. paid as bounty. For the year ending May 31, 1864. $10,966.07 was paid to ^ar families, and $11,970 to volunteers, In December, 1861=, women were paid $b per month, and children $2 per month. The county bounty during the last two months of the war was $400 to each recruit. For the year ending May 31, 1865, the county bounty paid was $37,466, and the relief $14,407.7*5. Prior to about the year 1868, the county had paid out a total bounty of $73,456. and relief $39,081.08. During the same period, all the townships paid out what was called " township bounty" to the amount of $48,530.50, and relief, $/,371.50. Thus^War- ren County paid out, in bounty and relief, the grand total of $168,- 439.08. Opposition to the War. — Of course the county had its disloyal ele- ment — the element that persisted in wearing butternut breastpins on public occasions; that shouted for Yallandigham or Jeff Davis when there was no danger of " having a head i.iut on them;" that asked vou the pertinent question, "Do you want your sister to marry a nigger? and when you would answer "No," would chuckle, as if they had an- swered the demand of the colored race for freedom. A great many dis- turbances of a minor nature occun-ed in the county, over questions growing out of the war. One of the first acts, early in 1861, was to take an avowed secessionist from his house and compel him to take the oath of allegiance. Savage, bloody fights occasionally took place. Even women met at lonely cross roads to settle imaginary political insults. Eye-witnesses testify that such encounters were terriffic. The air would be filled with mysterious articles of apparel, piercing, horrid yells would resound, and the sod would be torn up as if a Kansas tornado had visited the spot. Treasonable secret societies were organized, and even public mass-meetings were held to denounce the war and the administration, and partially encourage a resistance to the enlistments and the drafts. The less said on this subject the better; it should be buried forever, without hope of resurrection. Lincoln s Second Inauguration. — Early in March, 1865. the citizens of Williamsport and vicinity, and many from other portions of the county, met at the court house to celebrate the second inaucjui'ation of President Lincoln. Bells were rung, anvils fired, buildings "decorated, banners flung out and a general time of joy and congratulations ensued. Speeches were delivered by Durborow. Rico. Steele and others. In the evening, although the roads were very muddy, a largo crowd assembled to witness the illumination. Buildings were illummated from cellar to garret, and a huge bonfire was built on the streets. A most enjoyable time was passed. The t7o,s« of the Rebellion. — ^Vhen the news was received th;U the army of Northern Virginia, under Gen Lee, had surrendered to Gen. Grant, on the 9th of April, 1S65, the joy of the people rose like a tem- pest, and found quiet only in long-continued jubilees. There was scarce- ly a neighborhood in the county where the citizens did not assemble to mingle their rejoicings. Williamsport went wild. Dignitv, old age, self-esteem, sex— everything was forgotten in the gladness that tilled "(ill hearts, and all shouted themselves hoarse over the glorious news. The citizens met at the court house the evening of the 10th of April. Everv- body wanted to do something; a perfect tumult seized the meeting; tlie ancient confusion of tongues seemed to have been re-enacted; but all was done with the most intense manifestations of joy. Glee clubs san^r HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTV. 133 until tJieir voices sounded like the tomb. Three times three and a tiger resounded for everything. The demonstrations were carried far into the night, and were revived again for several days. The Assassination of President Lincoln. — Before the joy over the close of the rebellion had ended, the painful news was received that Lincoln had been assassinated. The revulsion in public feeling was sickening. Many a man and woman had learned to love the name of Abraham Lin- coln He had led them through four long years of darkness and death — had been the cloud by day and pillar of lire by night through all the starless gloom of war; and now, when the sunlight of victory had lighted the national heart with boundless joy, and every eye was dim, and every knee was bent in grateful thanksgiving, to have the beloved Lincoln cut down so shamefully and untimely was indeed bitter and hard to bear. Scores burst into tears, as if they had lost their deai'est friend. All business was suspended, and the citizens were notified to assemble at the court house, where speeches were delivered in eulogy of the beloved dead by Joice, Durborow and Gregory. A. C. Durborow, J. H. Brown and W. P. Rhodes were appointed a committee to draft memorial resolu- tions, and the meeting adjourned until evening, when a much larger audience assembled at the Methodist Church. Over the altar was hung a fine, life-sized portrait of the mardered President, around and over which were immortelles of evergreen and the sable trappings of death. A long series of resolutions was adopted, two of which were as follows: Resolved, That we look with detestation and horror on the awful crime of trea- son, which, baffled in its aims, has sated its revenge in the blood of the chosen ruler of the nation. Resolved, That while we mourn over the untimel}' end of our late President, we recur with pride to his noble traits of character, kindness of heart and sympathy for the oppressed, which will inscribe his name on the page of history as the friend of the people and the benefactor of mankind. Short and touching eulogies were delivered by J. H. Brown, B. F Gregory, W. P. Rhodes, Revs. Steele and Joice and others, and a mournful psalm from David was chanted by a select choir. Several days elapsed before the universal distress passed away. The news of the capt- ure of Jeff Davis in petticoats at length revived the public heart. Return of the SoldierBoys. — During the warmer months of 1865, the soldiers returned from the war, and were met with open arms and throb- bing hearts by loved ones and friends. The flag the}- had carried through so many bloody campaigns was returned to the citizens, who had presented it to the brave boys before they went away, so proud and valiant, four years before. The shattered companies were usually re- ceived publicly, with formal ceremony, and line swords, or other elegant mementoes were presented to those who had done some specially distin- guished service. Many a boy who had gone away so bright and brave, with a mother's kiss upon his brow, was left in a patriot's grave, far down in the Sunny South. Others left limbs among the magnolias or cypress swamps, or returned with fearful scars and broken constitutions. Some were brought home and buried by loving friends. Their graves may be seen in the county's cemeteries, where the grass spreads its carpet of green velvet, and "where clusters of bright flowers are patieutly watched by-faithful hearts. The county is doing a moot excellent work in plac- ing neat marble slabs over the precious dust of the brave boys. It may be said that the citizens usually observe Decoration Day. The heroes must not be forgotten. 134 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. A public reception was given the returned boys at Williainsport, July 27, 1865, on which occasion a large crowd gathered. Capt. Park was President of the Day. The Williamsport Brass Band furnished tine music. The soldiers were mustered and marched around, to show the perfection at which they had arrived in field evolutions. Hon. James Wilson was the princiqa"l orator, delivering a long, eloquent, welcoming address. Cols. Miller and Kirkpatrick, of the Seventy- second Kegiment, spoke in high terms of the "Warren County boys. The Marshdeld Glee Club sang thrilling war songs. A large meeting was held at West Leb- anon, to welcome the returned soldiers, and probably at other places in the county. Suminary of Troops from Warren Counfij. — It is next to impossible to give the names of every regiment containing men from Warren County. An attempt will be made, however, to give the approximate number of men sent by the county to the Held. According to the report of the Adjutant Genei'al, the county had furnished, by the 20th of Sep- tember, 1862, a total of 1,180 volunteers. Using this as a basis, and considering that the county afterward filled her various quotas, the total credits can bo obtained, at least approximately. The quota of June, 1863, was about 40 men; that of October. 1S63, was 129 men: that of February, 1864, was 248 men; that of March, 1864. was 99 men; that of July, 1864, was 267 men, and that of December, 1864, the last call of the war, was 133 men. Adding these numbers together. 1,180, 40, 129, 248, 99, 267, 133, and a grand total of 2,096 men is obtained. In ad- dition to this, at tho close of the war, as will be seen by the table a few pages back, the county had fiu'nished a sui'plus over all calls of seventeen men; this, added to the above total, gives 2,113 men. This is certainly a remarkable showing, and it is not far from correct. Of course each man was counted as often as he enlisted. If a man served in the three months' service, and then in the six months service, and then in the one hundred days service, and then in the three years service, he was counted foitr times, to make up the above total of 2,113 men. Battles ill which Warren Conntij Men Participated. — The Tenth Regiment was engaged at Rich Mountain, Ya., Julv, 1861; Mill Springs, Ky., January, 1862; Corinth; Chaplin Hills, or Penyville, Ky,, October, 1862; Chickamauga, Ga., September, 1863; Mission Ridge, Ga. , November, 1863; Dallas, Ga., May, 1861; Kenesaw Mountain, Ga.. June, 186)4: Atlanta, Ga.. August. 1864. Thirty-third Regiment was engaged at Wild Cat, Ky., October, 1861; Cumberland Gap, Ky., June, 1862:' Thompsons Station, Tenu., March, 1863 (where 400 were captured and 100 killed and wounded); Resaca, Ga., May, 1864; Cassville, May, 1864; New Hope Church, May,. 1.864; Golgotha Church, June, 1864; Culp"s Farm. June. 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; Marietta, Ga., July, 1864; Peach Tree Creek, July, 1864; Chattahooehie Rivor, August, 1864; Atlanta, August, l.StU; Columbia, Tonn.. November. 1864; Averysboro. N. C, M;u-eh, 1865; Beutonville. N. C. March, 1865. Fortieth Regiment — Stone River. December, KS(i2 (losiuo- ') killed. 63 wounded and 13 missing); Chickamauga, September. 1863^ Lookout Mountain, November, 18()3; Mission Ridge, November, 1863; Dallas. May. 186 1-; Now Hope Church, May, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain. June, I864": Chattahooehie River, August, 18(U; Peach Tree Creek, July. 18(U; Resaca, May, 18(U; Atlanta, August. 1864; Franklin. November," 1864.' HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 135 Sixtieth Eegiment — Manfordsville, September, 1864 (where seven companies were captured) ; Ai-kansas Post, January, 1863; Port Gibson, May, 1863; Champion Hills, May, 1863; Blacli Eiver, May, 1863; Vicksburg, June, 1863; Jackson, July, 1863; Corteau Plains, La.. No- vember, 1863; Sabine Cross Roads, La., April, 1864; Carrion Crow Bayou, November, 1864. Seventy-second Eegiment — Hoover's Gap, Tenn,, June, 1863; Rock Springs, Ga., September, 1863; Chickamauga, September, 1863; Moores- ville, Ala., November, 1863; Atlanta campaign, numerous skirmishes; Ebenezer Church, Ala., April, 1865; Macon, Ga., April, 1865; Selma, Ala., April, 1865; West Point. Ala., April, 1865. Eighty-sixth Regiment — Stone River, December, 1862; Chickamauga, September, 1863; Lookout Mountain, November, 1863; Mission Ridge, November, 1863 (where the regiment was the storming column); Rocky Face Ridge, May, 1864; Resaca, May, 1864; Adairsville, May, 1864; Kingston, June, 1864; Pickett's Mills, June, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; Chattahoochie River, August, 1864; Peach Tree Creek, July, 1864; Atlanta, August, 1864; Jonesboro, September, 1864; Lovejoy's Station, September, 1864; Franklin, November, 1864; Nashville, De- cember, 1864. One Hundredth Rerfiment — Yicksbnrg. June, 1863; Jackson, July, 1863; Mission Ridge, November, 1863; Graysville, November, 1863; New Hope Church, May, 1S64; Resaca, May, 1864; Dallas, May, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, June, 1864; Decatur, July, 1864; Chattahoochie River, August, 1864; Atlanta, August, 1864; Jonesboro, September, 1864; Lovejoy's Station, September, 1864; Bentorville, N. C. March, 1865. One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment — Blue Springs, October, 1863; Walker's Ford. December, 1863. WAKBEN county's BOLL OF HONOE. The following, though imperfect, and doubtless containing errors, is compiled with much care from the Adjutant General's reports, and from the recollection of several boys who served in the regiment. It is the best list that can be given. Thirty-third Regiment — John Q. Goodwine died at Savannah, Ga., March, 1865; Henry C. Gibson, died at Nashville, March, 1864; Thomas J. Goodwine, killed at Atlanta, August, 1864; Marcus L. Hatten, killed at Peach Tree Creek, July, 1864; Samuel J. Williams, killed at Peach Tree Creek. July, 1864; Samuel Lee, died at Indian- apolis, January, 1864 (in the Eleventh Cavalry); Robert Ford, died at Crab Orchard, Va., 1861. Fortieth Regiment — Richard .Bunco, drowned in Tennessee River, April, 1862; Lewis H. Bunnell, killed at Mission Ridge, November, 1863; Joseph Ken-, killed December, 1864; John Riggs, died at Bards- town, Ky., January, 1862; John C. Steedman. died at home, October, 1864. Sixtieth Regiment— G. J. Clinsing, died at Milliken's Bend, April, 1863; W. M. Allen, died at Bowling Green, Ky., July, 1862; G. M. Briggs, died at borne; Columbus Bookwater, died at Indianapolis, June, 1862; Hpnry M. Bowman, died at New Orleans, February, 1864; Perry J.-Coffett, killed at Corteau Plains, November, 1863; William H. Cook, died in Warren County, October. 1863; J. M. Crane, died at Milliken's 136 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY'. Bend, March. 1863; Johu F. Jackson, died at Memphis Tenn; A. C, Johnson, died at Warrenton, Miss., June, ]S63; Dudley K Potter sup- posed to have died at St. Louis; John H. Shimp, died at Young s Point, Febraary, 1863; Levi Swarts, died at Thibodeaux. La., September 1864; Isaac J. W. Waldrip, died in Waii-en County October, 1863; Matthew Warbritton. died at Young's Point, February, 1S63; John T. Welch, died January, 1863, of wounds; M. V. Williams, died at Barry b Landing; John H Davis died at Vicksburg, December, 1863; Jacob Hessler died at St. Louis, May, 1863; William Landen, died at St. Louis, March, 1864. ' ,. :, . -D V Seventy -second Regiment— ^iisha. Cadwallader, died at Bowling Green Ky., -November, 1862; Charles J. Burch. died at Gallatin, Tenn.,' January, 1863; David Aldridge, died at Soottsville. _Ky., Decem- ber 1862- Luther Briar died at Murfreesboro. j^pril, 1863; Thomas Cas'ad, killed at Rock Spring, Ga.. September, 1863; Daniel Crowell, died at Louisville, April, 1865; John M. Hewitt, died at Castalian Springs. Tenn., December, 1862; Elisha J. Holycross, killed at Rock Spring,' Ga., September, 1863; Benjamin F. Laban, died at Bowling Green, December, 1862; Samuel M. Liggate, died at Gallatin, Tenn., December, 1862; George W. Mathis, killed at Rock Spring. September. 1863; Henry E. Millhollen. died at Mm-freesboro, March. 1863: Jasper N. Millhollen, died at Murfreesboro, March, 1863; James C. Moore, died at Scottsville, Ky., December, 1862; John A. Nixon, killed at Eock Spring. September, 1863; Benjamin F. Pugh, died at Gallatin. Febru- ary, 1863; William Pugh, died at Louisville, November, 1862; Josephus M. Pugh, died at Bardstown. November. 1862; George W. Pugh. died at Louisville. November, 1862; Harvy Schoonover, died, of wounds at Chattanooga, September, 1863; William Warbrittou, died at Scottsville, December, 1862: George Brooks, killed at Eock Springs, September, 1863; Henry Ogboru. died at Murfreesboro, April, 1863; Andrew Eater, died at Gallatin. Febraary. 1863; Johu M. Roach, died at Gallatin March, 1863; Alfred Burt, died of wounds at Chattanooga. January, 1864; Jesse Hatcher, died January. 1865; James Kidney, died at Marietta, Ga., August, 1864: Samuel H. Bowlus. died at CoUimbia, Tenn., July, 1864. Eighti/-sLvtli Kegiment — John D. Brown, died at Nashville, January, 1863; James S. Butcher, died at Nashville. March. 1865; Martin Y. Simmennan. supposed to have been lost on steamer Sultana; Charles W. B. Gilgor. died at Nashville of wounds, Jr.nuary, 1863; Jackson Jacobs, died of wounds at Stone River, January, 1863; Anson High, died in prison. Richmond. Va.. January, 1863; Samuel S. Good, died at Nashville, February. 1863; William Pye, died at Perryville, October. 1862; Elias Brady, died at Chattanooga, December, 1863; John Beaver, died at Annapolis, Md., February. 1863; Archibald Goats, died at Silver Springs, November. 1862; Thomas J. Freeman, died at Bowling Green, November. 1862; Joshua Gerard, died at NfishviUe. February. 1S63; James Guest, died of wounds at Nashville, January, 1863; Wallace B. Hanks, died at Nashville, February, 1863: Nathan Hiektuan. died at Nashville, March, 1863; Johu Krise, died at Nashville. March. 1863; William Lamb, killed at Stone River. December. 1862; Robert Maw- hereter, died at Nashville, January. 1863; Thomas J. McCartney, killed at Peach Tree Creek, (ira., July. 1864; William Oglesby, died at Mur- freesboro, March, 1863; Nathan C. Pringle, killed at Stone River. De- HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 137 cember, 1862; John Eiohards, died in Andersonville Prison, September, 1864; James E. Euloson, died of wounds received at Mission Eidge, No-vember, 1863; Lewis Stutzml, died at New Albany, Ind., January, 1863; Lysander Sweeny, died at Nashville, March, 1865; Samuel Alex^ aiider, died at Indianapolis, April, ,1862; Frederick Sheets, died at home, November, 1864; Isaac Sellers, died at Williamsport, Ind., October, 1864; Abram Fisher, killed at Stone Eiver, December, 1862; John M. Shipps, died at Murfreesboro, Februaiy, 1863; William Anderson, died at Nashville, January, 1863; John Bain- bridge, died at Bowling Gresn, November, 1862; Edward H. Barkshire, died at Nashville, January, 1863; William P. ]3ush, died at Danville, Ky., November, 1862; Henry M. Butler, died at Nashville, January, 1863; James H. Clinton, killed at Stone Eiver, December, 1862; Will- iam M. Crawford, died at Camp Dennisou, Ohio, December, 1862; John H. Cra\^ford, died at Silver Springs, November, 1862; Luke Cronkhite, died of wounds at Louisville, August, 1864; Henry C. Cronkhite, killed at Mission Eidge, November, 1863; William H. Crow, died aL Louis- ville, Juno, 1863; Oliver M. Evans, died at Nashville, January, 1863: William B. Fleming, killed at Stone Eiv«r, December, 1862; Milton Gallamore, killed at Mission Eidge, November, 1863; Peter Griner, died at Nashville, March, 1865; B. H. Henderson, died at Nashville, January, 1863; William C. Hunter, died at Nashville, February, 1863; James D. Johnson, died at Nashville, January, 1863; John A. Johnson, died January, 1863, of wounds received at Stone Eiver; Solomon Eighty, died at Knoxville, January, 1864; Samuel Eosebraugh, died at Gallatin, January, 1863; Watson C. Swank, died October, 1862; John Wilson died at Louisville, November, 1862; Harrison H. Woodard, died at Mru-freesboro. May, 1863. lOne Hundredth Regiment. — Cornelius Hunt, died at Calhoun, Tenn., January, 1864; George N. Campbell, died at Atlanta, January, 1864; George Doty, killed at Mission Eidge, November, 1863; Alfred Gerard, died at Colliersville, April, 1863; Amos Gaskill, died at La Grauge, Tenn., January, 1863; William D. Little, killed at Mission Eidge, No- vember, 1863; Allen Miniear, died at Camp, Sherman, Miss., August, 1863; James E. Nelson, killed at Atlanta, Ga., August, 1864; Thomas W. Powell, died at Indianapolis, May, 1865; Charles Wakeman, died at Scottsboro, January, 1S64.\ Miscellaneous. — William 'W. Goodwin, died at Bridgeport, Ala., Juno, 1864 (One Hundred and Thirty-fifth); William Goodwine, died at Frederick, Md., March, 1864 ;(One Hundred and Fiftieth); William H. Hann, died at Wheeling, Va. , March, 1865 (One Hundred and Fiftieth); James S. Young, died at Frederick, Md., April, 1865 (On" Hundred and Fiftieth); W. D B. Wright, died at Indianapolis, April, 1865 (One Hundred and Fifty-foiurth); Leander M. Scott, died at Indianapolis, May, 1865 (One Bundred and Fifty- fourth); Samuel Lee, died at In- diaiaapolis, May, 1865 (Eleventh Cavalry). 138 HISTORY OF WABREN COUNTY. EDrCATION IN WARREN COUNTY. BY WESTOX A. GO'tDSPEED. THE EARLY SCHOOLS. At the time of the creation of Wariea County, and for a number of years afterward, the State of Indiana was not blessed with the common school system of to-day. The constitution of the State provided for the sale of certain lands in -each county, to be used in the maintenance of Common schools, but aside from that means childi-en were mainly edu- cated at the expense of their parents, in the old " subscription schools," The county was no sooner organized than advantage was taken of the constitutional provision for the sale of such lands (Sections 16), and as early as 1828 the County School Commisioner was notified to advertise the sale of such sections near Williamsport, npar Independence, near Lebanon, near Gopher Hill and perhaps elsewhere. This was accord- ingly done, and small portions of such sections were sold, and the pro- ceeds used to pay the pioneer teachers, build and maintain the old log cabins first used as schoolhouses. The first schools of the county were taught in 1828, the expenses of which were paid by private subscrip- tion. The heaviest expense then fell on the families containing the greatest number of children, and these were usually the families least able to sustain such expenses, and as a necessary consequence in that early day, the children grew up without the advantages of education. The first schoolhouses of the county were rude log dwellings, which had been deserted by soni" family that had found the hardship of settlinof the new county too great to be borne, or log dwelliags in which the fam- ily still lived, one corner in the single room of which would be fitted up with rude clapboard seats and desks. Testaments were the first readers, and mediocres the first teachers. Ability to read, write and cipher con- stituted the sum and substance of a teacher's qualifications. Schools were started in the most thickly populated sections, no districts having been created, nor any school money from any source, except private subscrip- tion, having been provided. The proceeds from the sale of school sec- tions were positive blessings to the pioneer children. Several schools were taught in the county in 1820 — one at Williams- port, one at Gopher Hill, one near ^Vest Lebanon, one at Independence, one in the vicinity of Green Hill, and perhaps others. Every one was a subscription school. It is time to retract the statement made above that all e.arly teachers were mediocres. Several men very prominent in subsequent affairs of the county were amongst the earliest teachers. Col. Lucas, Perrin Kent and others taught some of the earliest schools in tUe county. Col. Lucas taught many terms in the viciuitv of his homo in the southwestern part. He was very severe with the olYouders. as all early teachoi's were comjiellod to be, owing to the si7.e and roughness of the young men who attended, and more than one middle-age'il man in that part of the county can to-day tell of the hard " lickings" thev re- ceived at his hands. ^ HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 139 SCHOOLHOUSES AND SCHOOL FUNDS. After the old dwellings which were first used for school purposes, came the renowned pioneer log schoolbouses, with their huge chimney, their windows of greased paper and their seats and desks made of clap- boards nr rough, unplaned plank from some early saw mill. In the thirties, quite early, other school funds were provided. In 1834, the prohts arising from the management of the State Bank were reserved as a school fund. This was called the bank school fund. The fund from the sale of school sections was called Congressional school fund. In February. 1S37, the act of the Legislature became law, which provided for the distribution, to the various counties, of the surplus revenue fund donated to the several States by the United States, by virtue of an act of Congress approved June 23, 1836. This fu.nd, distributed to the several counties of the State, was to be loaned out to the citizens of the county, and the annual interest was to be distributed to the various town- ships for the support of common schools. It will be seen that, as yet, no taxation for the support of common schools had been levied upon property, and that the support of such schools, aside fi'om the special funds, fell upon the families having children, and not upon those having money or property and no children. Such taxation, at that day, was re- garded as unjust (that is, taxation upon property for the support of com- mon schools). Many men without children and with large wealth^ men of to-day — take the same view. Such men, if financially poor, with many children, would be sure to think otherwise — " circum- stances alter cases." Besides the school funds above referred to, for the support of the common school, there were various special school funds, as the county seminary fund, the university fund, the saline fund and the bank tax fund (not the State bank fund), all of which were provided to support special school institutions of the State. The Con gressional school fund and the surplus revenue fund have ever since been the life-blood of the common schools. The fund was to be loaned in the counties upon good security, and was to draw 7 per centum interest an- nually, payable in advance, and was not to be loaned for a period longer than five years. In 1844, the surplus revenue fand at interest amounted to $6,303.93, which at 7 per cent interest would furnish abont $440, to be distributed to the townships. As the Congressional fund on interest amounted to $8,649 02, the total annually distributed to the townships at that time amounted to about $1,100. Several Congressional townships were not organized until comparatively late years, and by that time their school fund at interest had so accumulated, that the interest itself had become a large fund, which was put out at interest as fast as it accrued. Various amendments and supplementary enactments were passed after the funds above-mentioned were reserved for the uses men- tioned. Many important alterations were made at the time of the revis- ion of the statutes in 1843, but under the constitution of 1816 no system of free schools could be supported by public taxation. During the latter part of the forties, the question of free public schools began to receive serious consideration all over the State. B. F. Gregory and others were earnestly in favor of the measure, and did much to mold public opinion in that direction. Mr. Gregory was County School Commissioner late in the forties, and so earnest had been his efforts to improve the schools of the county that, when he went out of office in 1849, the County 140 HISTORY OF WARKEN CUUNTY. Board had 'spread upon the records the following resolution of thanks ; Besolred. That the thanks of this board be, and they are hereby tendered to Benjamin F. Gregory. Esq., late School Commissioner, for the prompt and efficient manner in whicli he has discharged tlie duties of his said office, to the satisfaction of the board and of the community, whose educational interests he has had in charge. In August, 1848, while Mr. Gregory was yet in olBce, the county was called upon to vote upon the question of having free common schools. Nine hundred and fifty-six votes were jiolled in favor of such schools, and one hundred and fifty-seven votes against the same. The vote throughout the State was equally satisfactory, and accordingly, when the constitution was revised in 1850, the General Assembly was authorized " to provide by law for a general and uniform system of common schools, wherein tuition shall be without charge, and equally open to all." In accordance with this constitutional provision, the General Assembly, by an act approved June 14, 1852, provided " That there shall be annually assessed and collected (for the use of free public schools), as the State and county revenues are assessed and collected, on the list of property taxable for State purposes, the sum of 10 cents on each SI 00. " This was the great beginning of the present free school system — one of the most important eras in the histoiy of the State. At the same time, by the same enactment, and in accordance with the new constitution, the school funds known as Congressional, surphis revenue, bank tax, com- mon school, saline, county seminary and all other common school funds, were constituted a perpetual fund for the support of free public schools! At the same time, important alterations and additions to the manao-ement of common schools were adopted. From that period to this, various special school funds have been created, until, at the present time, the county school fund is in the condition given in tabular form in another chapter of this volume. In 1853, there were twenty-three schoolhouses in Warren County, and in 1878 there were eighty-three. A few frame schoolhouses were erected in the thirties, and quite a number in the forties; but for all the long period up to about 1854 log schoolhouses were decidedly the rule. At the latter date, however, under the impulse given to education by the new school law, frame houses began to succeed the old log ones and by 1878 there was not a log schoolhouse in the county, and Sf the eio-hty- three buildings nine were of brick and seventy-four were of wood Teachers' institutes were first held dming the sixties, and the tirst oratorical contest among the teachers of the county was in February 1883. ' ^^ HIGH SCUOOLS. It is impossible, iu the space at th-command of the historian to detail the ostabhshmont and subsoqueut managomout of the county schools Qu'ita a respectable volume might bo written of the alVairs of each school district It will be sufficient to say that Warren County has excellent country schools. :ind those m the villages and towns will compare favorablv with any lu the State m places of no greater population. The schJols of West Lebanon and Willtanisport ttre fully up to the standard of \he times. Ihe present brick .school buidmo- at West T,eb-i,i,in ^., , t T m 18(w, at a cost of about ^C.OOO. U V.^ S^t^Z.^ '^''''''''^ rooms 'J with ticcommodations for aK.ut L'40 pupils. The large, scpiare. two-.tory HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 141 brick school building at Williamsport was constructed in 1874, and is said to have cost about 112,000. It is a credit to the town. Consider- able trouble has been experienced with the teachers (or, perhaps, rather with some of the patrons), but the present capable Principal, W. K. Walker, is pouring oil on the troubled waters, and creating order and harmony out of chaos. Eainsville, Pine Yillage.- Independence have good schools. The present two-storied frame schoolhouse at Rainsville cost about $1,200, and was erected about 1875 or 1876. Pine Village built a fine frame schoolhouse in about 1879, the cost amounting to about $1,000. Marshtield has had to enlarge her schoolhouse. The schools mentioned in the preceding pages were public schools, but there is not a neighborhood in the county where private schools have not been taught. But it is now necessary to notice the private and special school institu- tions of the county. THE WARKEN OOUNTY SEMINARY. An early law of the State of Indiana provided that certain fines be- fore Justices of the Peace and in Circuit Coui'ts should be paid into a fund that afterward, when the aggregate had reached a specified amount ($400), might be used in building a county seminary. This was long before the present system of common schools was adopted, and was re garded with great favor by the majority of citizens throughout the State. It was designed to be the next step above the ordinary subscription schools of that day, and to be an institution to prepare students, who so desired, to enter college. A Seminary Trustee was appointed, whose duty was to take care of the funds as they accumulated. The enactment of the Legislature creating the countj% provided that 10 per centum of the proceeds of the sale of county lots should go into the seminary fund. The first Trustee was Daniel R. Parker, appointed in November, 1829. Fines for assault and battery, for stealing, drunkenness, profanity, etc., etc., went into the seminary fund. In November, 1831, the fund amounted to §11.96.^. One of the fines included in this amount was as- sessed upon Rebecca Dawson for an assault and battery upon the person of Nancy demons — the fine being $1. B Cheneweth was the -Justice who levied the fine. He also levied another against Shuman and Sam- uel Barber, for quarreling on Sunday. James H. Buel became Trustee in May, 1831; William Search in September, 1831: Nicholas Shaffer in 1832; Jonathan Washington in 1833, and Hiram Farmer in 1834. In January, 1833, the fund amounted to §47.78; in March, 1834, to $127.44; in May, 1835, to $158,274; in January, 1836, to $203.7.3|, and in September, 1839, to $398.77. Robert A. Chandler became Trustee in 1838, and George B. Joiner in March. 1842. After 1843, the County Treasurer seems to have been Trustee. In January, 1841, the seininarv fund amounted to $186.14; in December, 1841, to $576.01; in December, 1842, to $013.40; in December, 1840, to $802.08; in May, 1848. to $876.36; in June. 1849, to $1,024.23. In June, 1848, B. F. Gregory and others petitioned the County Commissioners to use the fund on hand lor the erection of a county seminary, which petition was favorably considered by the board, and the following committee was appointed to purchase the best site that could be secured in the town of Williamsport as a ground for the building: B. F. Gregoiy, C. R. Boyer, J. H. Buell, J. R. M. Bryant and J. J. McAlilly — all excellent men. About this time, a delegation from Leb- 142 HISKJRY OF WARREN COUNTY. anon, headed by Delos Warren, petitioned the board to have the site located at that town, but the petition was not favorably regarded, and was finally denied. The above committee bought three lots in Williams- port, with the understanding that payment for the same should be paid out of money which had been sulascribed for that purpose. This arrange- ment wa's made in order that all the seminary fund on hand might be used to defray the expense of constructing the building, the cost of which would, even then, accordiirg to the estimate made, considerably exceed the amount on hand. The scheme continued to matui-e. and early in 1850 the contract of erecting the building was awarded to Eich- ard Treadway, who agreed to do the entire work for SI. 699. This was nearly $700 more than the fund on hand, and the Commissioners, in order to complete the house as designed, issued " seminary orders " for the additional amount, which orders were to be paid as the fund accu- mulated. The structm-e was of brick, was two stories high, and. after it had been painted and penciled in August, 1850, was a handsome edifice. The inside work was not wholly completed until December, 1S50, at which time the building was formally accepted of the contractor, who was then paid the last installment of the contract price. The name of the first teacher in this house cannot be stated. During the winter of 1850- 51, the btiilding was rented to the school distilcf at Williamsport, and a four months" school was taught therein. Dis+rict school was also taught in it the following summer. An enactment of the Legislature in 185'2, at which time the present common school system was founded, provided for the sale of the county seminary, and for the payment of the proceeds thereof into the common school fund. Accordingly, the builcling and grounds were adver*'ised for sale. As near as could be learned by the writer, the building was not really sold until April. 1857, at which time Henry Eegar bid it in for !j700. This purchase included the land upon which the building stood — Lots 78. 79 and 82 of the West Addition to Williamsport. Some strong evidence was found that the building had been sold before, but if such was the ease it was afterward forfeited. School was taught in it all the time. Mr. Goodwin con- ditcted a high school in it for some time, and owned the buildiuo-. or perha[)s he rented it of Mr. Regar, or of the County Agents whoever owned it. But the sale to Mt. Eegar proved worthless, and the buildinc reverted to the county. In July, 1862, the Trustees of AVilliamsport Lodge, No. 38, A., F. it A. M., purchased the property for SSlli. This proved to be a good sale, and after that date the building was the prop- erty of the INIasonic Lodge, How the men who had advanced monev to build the house were finally reimbursed cannot be stated. It will thus be seen that the county seminary, as such, was a total failure: but only because no sooner was the house completed and its mana^Tement fully mapp(Hl out, than it was ordiu-ed sold by the Legislature, Tmd the pro'- ceods ordered into the common school fund. Thus terminated what was expected to be a popular and successful institution of learnino-. THE STATE LINE CITY SKMIN.VUV. In the year 1800, a, stock company was formed at State Line City for the purpose of providing means to build a seminary. The town was thou very prosperous, and from all appearances was destined to become a poimlouH and important phice. The enumeration had run up to about one hundred and fifty— far beyond the limits of an ordinary villa^^e HISTORY OF WARREX COUNTY. 143 school; but what prompted the citizens to uiidertalve tlie seminary proj- ect was the demand for a higher education than could be furnished by the town school. Many young men and women in the neighborhood con- templated attending school abroad, and the parents saw that it would be wise to provide at home an institution which would meet that demand, and which would, at the same time, add materially to the worth and at> tractiveness of the prosperous young town. The stock company was ac- cordingly formed, some of the stockholders being Col. E. F. Lucas, A. Y. Taylor, Perrin Kent, Darius Duncan, J. R. Johnson, B. F. Marple and James Lewis. Almost all the principal citizens of the town and surrounding country took stock in the institution. Blbridge Marshall, who became the iirst Principal of the seminary, was largely instrumental in working up the project. Col. Lucas donated about ten acres of land adjoining the town on the east to the uses of the seminary. The Town- ship Trustee gave about $600 toward the cost of constructing the house, with the understanding that the lower story should be used, more or less, for the school district at the village. The building erected was a two- storied brick structure, about 40x50 feet, and cost not far from 15,000. It was an excellent building for the little town, and immediately after its erection school was begun by Mr. Marshall, who received his pay from tuition charged the pupils, and employed one or more assistants to help him manage the students — about one hundred and twenty-five — that at- tended. The greater number of the students came from a distance, and were thus obliged to board in town while the}' attended the school. The school ^vas thoroughly graded, and in the department taught by Mr. Marshall could be seoiu-ed all the instruction necessary for entering col- lege. In this room, the most of the scholars paid tuition, while below, in the lower department, many of the scholars attended who belonged to the district, and who were free of tuition, owing to the- contract with the Township Trustee, who had assisted in building the house. The semi- nary proved advantageous to the town, as its presence induced many worth}' people to locate there who otherwise would have passed on to where school privileges were better. For the three years that Mr. Marshall conducted the institution, it was a credit to the founders and to himself. The system was rigid, the course of instruction thorough, and the interest never diminished. Under this excellent state of affairs, intelligence and morality were at a premium, and the rough, immoral element that had infested the town was largely silenced, and more or less of it driven away by the higher and better instincts which soon pro- vailed. That the" seminary had much to do with this remains un- ipiestioned. At the expiration of about three years, Mr. Marshall severed his connection with the seminary, giving J. P. Kouts, who suc- ceeded in maintaining the reputation of the school established by Mr. Marshall. The attendance was even larger than before. la about 1864. or perhaps 1865, the stockholders, many of whom seemed to think that they ought to receive a high annual premium on their investment, concluded to dispose of the institution. It was according sold to J. H. Braden, for what price is not remembered. If the writer is correctly informed, the Township Trustee still retained his interest in the house. Mr. Braden bought it. partly as a speculation, but two or three years later sold the building and grounds to the Township Trustee (then Dr. Porter) for 12,700, taking township paper drawing 10 per centum in- terest in payment. The indebtedness ran on for some time, under the 144 HISTORY OF WAKREN COUXTY. protests of many citizens of the township remote from the village, who had opposed the purchase of it by the Trustee. Finally the debt was paid, but the building cr.st the township, principal and interest, about 15,000. After this, the seminary was an ordinary graded school, owned by the township. AVhen the village became incorporated, the building, under the laws of the State, became the property of the town, and re- mained so through all the years until it was disused in ISS'i. at which time the present two-storied frame building on the square was erected, at a cost of about §1,500. A portion of the old house was used in the construction of the new. During the past winter. Bayard Taylor taught the school — the tirst in the new house. It is stated that the school au- thorities had no legal right to erect this building on the public square, as such a course violated the contract with Mr. Casement, the proprietor of the town, who donated the lot for public, not school puqioses. Trouble may resuk yet. THE WEST LEBANON SEMINARY. The building known by the above name was. in reality, a combined church and schoolhouse, built and designed to be managed by the Meth- odists at West Lebanon, or Lebanon as it was then — the old town. The lower story of the structure was to be the young ladies' seminary, while the upper story was to be the class-room or church of the Methodist society. The funds were secured by subscription or donation, and, if re- ports are correct, the Township Trustee subscribed quite liberally, with the understanding that the children of the district might receive the benefits of the school. The building was erected about 1S51 or 1S52, but never came up, in importance, to the hopes of the founders. The first steps taken to erect the building were in 1S49, when Delos Warren, Colbreath Hall, Edward P. Marshall, George Beymer and David Etnire were appointed Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Chirrch. to receive a deed for a grant of land, upon which was to be erected a " Female Seminary and Chapel " The original design was to make the building purely a seminary, with a chapel in the second storv. and if reports are correct this design was kept in view until some time after the structure was comj^leted, when ils failure as a seminar-^- altered the intention of the founders and the fate of the building. A few terms were taught there while it was called a seminary, the teacher during the summer of 1S58 being a Mrs. Snow, who had" seen sixteen years of public teaching. The room finally degenerated into an ordinary district schooh'oom. but after a few years was abandoned. The common school system was driving out the "old subscription or tuition schools, and the day for the establishment of high schools had not yet dawned upon the inhabitants of Warren County. The common scho"ols were so popular that thoy were regarded as amply sufficient for the wants of the county. It remained for this system of schools to develop a de" maud for something liiglier, and it did not take long. THE GKEEN HILL SEMINARY. Tlie seminary at Crroen Hill was the result of church indulo-enee or design. An alteration in the territory of the conferences of the Ignited Ih-othreii 111 Indiana, and especially along the Wabash, and an increased pupidation and demand for denominational schools, decided the Ui\per Wabash Conference of Ihiited Brethren to locate a denominational school HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 145 somewliere in the vicinity of Attica, and Green Hill, or Milford, as it was then, was selected for the site of the structure by the Conference Trustees, owing to its beautiful location and freedom from immoral sur- roundings. Another reason for its location at Green Hill was the fact that in the village was a strong class of United Brethren, who offered to donate liberally toward the erection of the building and the maintenance of the school. The building was accordingly erected in 1869, partly with funds furnished by the Upper Wabash Conference, and partly by donation from the citizens at Green Hill. The house is a large, two- storied brick structure, situated in a beautiful spot in the western part of the town. Its upper story is a chapel, and its lower story is divided into school rooms. It is said to have cost $y.OOO. The Rev. Mr. Stimpson became the first Principal, and within a comparatively short time an at- tendance of about eighty students was syoured, many of whom came from abroad and boarded in the village. At this time, the school was very prosperous, and its excellent influence upon the town and surround- ing country soon became apparent. It was a means of giving a " tone " to the social intercourse of the citizens, that tended directly to the rapid promotion of advanced learning and morality. Boarding-houses sprang into existence to provide accommodation for the large number of stu dents in attendance. Assistants were employed to help the Principal. The higher department embraced the studies preparatory to a college com-se. An excellent literary society was founded by the students, under the supervision of the Princijsal, who was untiring in his efforts to ren- der the seminary all that its founders had hoped, and one worthy of pa- tronage. The Principal often visited his students in their rooms, unex- pectedly, at night, in order to see whether the evenings were properly passed. The seminary has been in successful operation since, under the manao-ement of various Principals, among whom have been Revs. W. T. Jackson, Jones, Jackson again, Gregory, and the present competent professor, Mr. Thompson. But the attendance at the school has gradu- ally decreased as the years have passed, from what cause it would be difficult to state, until the present attendance does not exceed fifteen. For a time, under Mr. Jackson, and perhaps under iVIi-. Stimpson, it was, in many respects, superior to any other school ever in the county. The course of study was farther advanced; the system of study and deport- ment was nearer perfect; the standard of intellectual, moral and social development was higher, and nearer in accordance with the most progres- sive educational institutions of to-day. Btit the strong liberal tendency of the present — the tendency to discard strict sectarian lines or limits, and unite minds and hearts on the broad, brotherly basis of universal Christianity — has contributed mainly to the decadence of educational sys- tems controlled by sectarian rituals of religion. THE WILLIAMSPOET DEB.4TING SOCIETY. On the 22d of January, 1840, pursuant to notice, a number of citi- zens of AVilliam-sport met at the schoolhotise to organize a debating 8(jciety. Benjamin Crow was made Chairman, and Buell, Boyer and Crockett were appointed a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws. This was done, and Buell, Camj^bell and Joiner were appointed to revise such constitution and by-laws. Dr. E, Thomas was elected permanent President, L. W. Joiner, Secretary, and W. R. Boyer, Treasurer. The first question debated was, " Is it morally right to inflict capital punish- 146 HISTORY OF WARERN COUNTY. ment in any caBe '; " On the affirmation were Crockett,' Gregory, Lucas, Camptell. Joiner and Thcmas: on the negative, Bnell, Crow, Boyer, Keifer and Shockley. After an exciting discussion, the question was decided in the negative. At the second meeting, the constitution and by-laws were revised and adopted. All members were taxed I'ii cents dues, to pay current expenses. The President was to hold office three week's, and the Secretary four weeks. Meetings were to be held once each week. Eeligious subjects were wholly excluded and the affirmative was to have the opening and closing argument, and all speeches were limited to fifteen minutes. The judges were required to render their decision in accordance with the " strength of argument " only. Among the early members were Benjamin Crow. E. E. Crockett. E. S. Thomas, Lazarus" Miller, James McLonald. B. F. Gregory, G. '^ . Lawson, L. W. Joiner, M. Gerard. E. F. Lucas, J. H. Buell, Erasmus Thomas, A. Shockley, R. A. Chandler, Jacob Keifer, J. W. Campbell. E. D. Thomas, W. E. Boyer, "\V. Harrington, John Higginbotham, J, C. H, Montgom- ery, John Cox, "William Bittings, Peter Longmaker, John W. Dick.son, J. H. Jordan, G. B. Joiner, Noble Pritchett, W. C. Harter an d James Eowland. Here were many of the ablest men ever in the county. At any othei's joined later. The minutes of the meetings, yet in existence, show that all the questions were hotly contested, and often their debate ex- tended far into the night. Here was laid the foundation, much of it, of the oratorical and forensic efforts in the coru't house and throughout the country in after years. Few realize the benefits of a well-conducted de- bating society, such as this was. It inspires confidence, encourages ori- ginality and individuality, promotes intellectual celerity, fires the mind and heart to greatest effort, sharpens the tongue, amplifies the logic and fills the whole being with pungent sense, courage and audacity. The second question debated. " Is intemperance a ajreater evil than slavery?" was decided in the affirmative. The third, " Is impirisonment for debt just?" was decided in the affirmative. The fourth. " Have the blacks suffered more from the whites than the Indians'." decided in the affirmative. The fifth. " Is the invasion of a nation by enemies more calculated to bind them together than municipal law?" decided in ihe affirmative. About this time, a committee was appointed tu prefer charges against "William Harrington for an alleged breach of the bv- laws. The committee jiresented the following specified charges: " That the said "William Harrington did, on the night of February 21, attend the said society in a state of intoxication: and that he behaved himself in a boisterous and uncivil manner; and that his conduct disturbed the harmony, peace and quiet of said society; and that when called to order by the President, he still continued, from time to time, to interrupt the debate; all of which was a direct violation of the by-laws of said society." Mr. Hairingtou pleaded "Not guilty;" whereupon a court was instituted to tiy the case. Crockett and Joiner were appointed pro.-e cutovs. "Witnesses Avere introduced, and finally the eluuoos were sus- tained. Then a motioii to exjiel Mr. Hai'ringion was made, I ut was lost by a majority of one. This being the night lor the election of a Presi- dent, Mr. Harrington's name was then proposed for that oflice, amid great aj>p]ause, and after a spirited ballot he was elected unanimously. His conijilete vindicatitm of the charges was thus sustained. His elec- tion was most laughable, in view of his undoubted guilt of the charges. The action ol the society was wise, as he made au excellent President. HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 147 Some time in March, the meetings were abandoned, but were revived in the following Angust. when such questions as the following were dis- cussed: "Is man capable of self-government?" "Are railroads a greater benefit to the community than turnpike roads?" " Does civiliza- tion augment the sum of human happiness?" After the first three or four meetings, it was resoK'ed to organize THE MOOT LEGISLATURE OF INDIANA. The society was to become the House of Representatives. Col. E. F. Lucas was elected Governor of Indiana; J. H, Buell, Speaker of the House, and G. W. Lamson, Principal Clerk. The members were ap- pointed to represent the various counties of the State. A committee was appointed by the Speaker to wait upon the Governor, and infoim him that the House of Representatives was organized and ready to receive any communication from him in his official capacit}'. Committees on Judiciary, Internal Improvement, Education, Ways and Means, Elec- tions, etc. . were apjoointed. Joseph McDonald, of Marion County (yes, the justly illustrious Joseph McDonald of to-day), gave notice that he would introduce a bill for the abolishment of capital punishment; also one to memorialize Congress to repeal the land bill, the bankrupt bill, and reinstate the Sub-Treasury system of fiscal operations. Mr. Lucas, of Lake, introduced a bill tor the incorporation of Williamsport,* which was referred to a select committee, consisting of Messrs. Lucas, Joiner and Keifer. Adjourned. * * * House met, pursuant to ad- journment. House Bill No. 1, to abolish capital punishment, was passed to a third reading and finally laid upon the table till the next meeting, when it was made the order of the day. Mr. Joiner, of Vanderburg, introduced a bill regulating elections; referred to Committee on Elec- tions. Mr. Lucas, of Lake, introduced a resolution repealing certain dog- laws, or dog-oned laws; referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. Joiner, of Vanderburg, introduced a bill to tax old bachelors. A motion to refer it to the Committee on W'ays and Means was lost. Vari- ous laughable amendments were introduced, all of which were lost. A motion to re-consider the motion to refer the bill to the Ways and Means Committee was lost. Various dilatory motions were made, but were lost. What finally became of that bill the legislative records fail to unravel. Adjourned. * * * House met pursuant to adjournment. The Gov- ernor's message was received, read, and 1,000 copies were ordered printed. Mi-. Keifer, of Jasper, introduced a resolution instructing the W'ays and Means Committee to inquire into the expediency of causing each man who should get drunk, to dig out a stump on the court house square. The special committee to consider the bill on the incorporation of Williamsport reported favorably. On motion, the rules were sus- pended, and the bill read by its title, and was made the special order for the next meeting. The bill to abolish capital punishment was con- sidered, amended, debated, went into committee of the whole, was re- ported back to the House, and at last tabled. Mr. G. B. Joiner, of Ben- ton, introduced a resolution to secure a levy of tax for the support of common schools,! and Mr. Lawson, of Sullivan, one to amend the jus- tice act and one to extend the "Wabash Canal on down the river to Terre Haute. Mr. Lyon, of Putnam, introduced a resolution to abolish petti - * So far as kririWD, this was the fir.st attempt to incorporate the county east of Warren County, f This was aQtlcipating the action of the real Legislature about ten years later. 148 HISTORY OF WARREN CO0NTY. fogging before Justice courts. The House went into committee of the whole to consider the incorporation of Williamsport, with Dr. E. Thomas in the chair. The bill was considered by sections, and finally reported back to the House approved. On motion before the House, the bill was engrossed and read a third time. James McDonald, of Allen, moved Lo strike out all after the enacting clause: lost. The ayes and noes wore called, and were as follows: Ayes — Dixon, Joiner, of Vanderburg, Shookley, Thomas and Lyon. Noes — Harrington, Lucas, Lawson, Joiner, of Benton, Keifer, McDonald, of Allen, and Mr. Speaker. So the bill did not pass. Mr. Gregory, of Vigo, introduced a petition from Sally Duolittle for a divorce from her husband, Jonathan Doolittle, which was referred to the Judiciary Committee. And so the record goes on. It is safe to say that the county seat, at no other time in its history, had an organization which furnished as much amusement and valuable instruc- tion as this moot Legislature. The meetings were so crowded at fir.st that the Legislature adjourned to the court house, and even there standing room was at a premium. L. W. Joiner was full of dry, pungent wit and sarcasm, and constantly brought the House down with his sallies. Many of the others were not far behind him, but none surpassed him in provoking mirth. Elisha Hitchens was a member of this Legislature in 1842, at which time he was the Representative from ^V'ayne County. It was continued, during the winter months, for several years, and was re- vived in 1859, but it never recovered its former vigor or value. 31ELIGI0N IN WAREEN COUNTY. BY W. A. (iUiiDSPKEP. EAHLY CHUKCH OBGAKIZ.iTIONS. ''r'HE early church history is very obscui-e. owing to the fact that such L records as were kept at that day have been misplaced or per- manently lost, and about all the dependence that can be relied upon comes from the recollection of old settlers. Again, manv of the old church organizations, after enjoying a few years of prosperity, went down to death without hope of resurrection, and the old records seem to have been buried with them. Almost all the early church organizations, of whatever denomination, formerly belonged to the Upper Wabash Conference, or to the Crawfordsville Conference, or to the La Favette Conference. It is certain that traveling ministers of the Methodist E|)iscoiial, United Brethren. Presbyterian. Baptist, Universalist. Chris- tian and perhaps other clun-ches, were in Warren County before 1S30: and it is also certain that some of these denominations were represented as early as 1S'2{\, the year before the county was om-anized. THE OIKCUrr EIDERS. So far as now known, the lirst minister of the United Brethren Church to cross the Wabash into Wai-ren County was Rev. John Dun- ham, a typical pioneer circuit rider, and a man of deep piety and broad HISTORY OF WARREN COUXTY. 149 culture for that early day. He journeyed on horseback to the vicinity of Green Hill (no town there then), where he had learned that several eai-nest families of that church had settled and were waiting his arrival, to be formally constituted a church. A few families had gathered at the cabin of William Bailey, early in the autumn of 182S. to listen to the new minister, who, after that, if he succeeded in organizing a class and creating sufficient interest, would become their permanent minister for an indefinite length of time. The few that had assembled, perhaps about a dozen, saw the minister arrive on his tired horse, which he tied to a sapling, saw him take his saddle-bags and throw them over his shoulder, and walk toward the house. There was nothing about the appearance of the man of God to inspire any one with a belief either in his pietv or wis- dom. He was slonchy. threadbare, insignificant in stature, and to add to the general disappointment of his little congregation, he seemed to feel his inferiority, as far as appearance was concerned, for he shufB ed into the room without recognizing any one, threw his saddle-bags on a stand, took out a testament that had evidently seen hard service, and be- can reading in a voice so low, puny and hesitating, that more than one smile of disdain might have been seen among his audience. He did not oti'er to open the exercises, after the usual manner, with singing and praver. but as he advanced his voice took a firmer tone, his figure lost its bent and withered appearance, his eyes began to kindle with earnest tire, and erelono- his atidience wi?re bent forward, with eyes fi.^ed upon his face, intently listening to every word that fell from his lips. He finished the chapter, and then went on to point out the moral lesson he had selected. After sweeping on for perhaps twenty minutes, he was not the same man that had entered the room a short time before. His voice thundered, and his eye, glowing with magnetic lire, was lustrous, and held his audience spell -bound. He was eloquent, logical and ex- tremely forcible, and the sentiments uttered were of the purest piety and the noblest humanity. His audience were wrought up to the highest pitch, and cried with joy over the holy pictures of Christian life and future happiness which he so skillfully painted. The result was that he immediately formed a class of the Baileys, the Davises. the Andersons, the Cooks, the Greens, the Magees, the Talberts and others. One month later, he visited the class again, and Mr. Bailey's house would not begin to hold all who had gathered to listen to the famous preacher. This in- cident is similar to thousands which occurred in early years. Many of the early circuit riders, though rude in manner and unattractive in ap- pearance, were men of imposing physical stature— especially when they were ^lowing with the inspiration of eloquence and religion. Occasion- ally would be found one who had received the most finished education in the classical and theological colleges of the East; but usually the early ministers were uncultured, though almost invariably they were men of great personal magnetism, the most earnest Christianity and masters of a rude, backwoods eloquence that found its way to all hearts. Thev were just the men to lay the foundation of the Christian religion on tiie frontiers. In 1829-30, Rev. Dunham held a revival at Green HiU. which was largely attended, and which was the means of greatly strengthening the class. More than forty joined, and the interest was of the most iervid description. This, in the end, proved one of the best relio-ious classes ever organized in the county, as it has endiired to the 150 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. present day. Their church was built early in the forties, and was used until the seminary building was erected in ISfJ'J. CHUKCHES AT INDEPENDENCE. It is said that Eev. Fraley organized the tirst class of Methodists at Independence in about the year 1833.* The old schoolhouse was the church. In 1835-86, they had a very extensive revival, when some thirty joined. The Universalists started up there about the same time the Methodists did, and for several years the two classes occupied the schoolhouse on alternate Sundays. "When the Methodists held their long revival in 1835-36, it threatened to interfere with the appointment of the Universalist minister, Eev. Mr. Manford. The Universalists insisted that they must have the use of the house on their Sunday. John Camp- bell, a prominent Methodist, asked Daniel MoflSt, who was then a Direc- tor in charge of the schoolhouse. for the use ot the house on the day in dispute, bat the latter refused to interfere with the arrangement that had formerly been made, and the Universalists accordingly occupied the house. A few of the Methodists came out to listen to Mr. Manford, among whom were John and Jonathan Campbell, men of very earnest religious views. As the minister procrressed. he be^an to o-ive the Methodists some hot shots, as was the custom in the various pulpits of that day, and the members of that denomination who had come in began to wince under the Scriptural evidence he was heaping up in support of his views. At last, the scorching became so severe that Jonathan Camj)- bell was no longer al)le to contain hiiiself, and leaping to his feet, with excitement, he called the minister a liar. That brought the meeting to a climax, but through the efforts of the minister harmony was soon re- stored, and the sermon was concluded without further mishaps. Mr. Campbell was taken to task, after the meeting, but he apologized for his behavior, and peace was again established. Among the earlv Method- ists at Independence were Samuel Thomas and wife, Mrs. Moffit, Mrs. Tripp, Frederick Ritenotir. Daniel Doty. Mrs, Coates. Samuel Williams, Isaac Waymire and wife, and others. A class of United Brethren was formed at Independence in the thirties, which was visited by the same ministers as the class at Green Hill. Among the parly meiiibers were Hiram Nichols, Alexander Waymire, Kev. David Brown. Jeremiah Davis, Valentine Bone, John Cowgill. Samuel \\'are. Josiah B. Mi^geo. John S. Talbert, and others. Their meeting house, built about the s^ear 1842, is said to have been the first distinctive church building of" auv denomination constructed in the county. THK GOrHER HILL CHURCH. The Methodists orgauized a class at Gopher Hill, in the southwestern part of the county, about the year 1828, and for manv vears thev met (.o worship in the famous old Gopher Hill Schoolhouse. " this class was one of the largest and most enterprising in the couutv. but, unfortunatf-lv. but little can be told of it. Among the early members were the John'- sous, Lucases, Taylors, Kents, Cunninghams'. Clems, Riners, Switzers Joneses, Dixons, Russells, of Vermillion County, Cheneweths'aud m lhV others. Rev. J5aekles was an early minister of 'this class. Their uuiop church was built early in the littles, but the building l.^io- afterward passed to the exclusive control ot the Methodists. • Do iiui iiiiaurKlHud tluil Ihis w,i3 llic lirsl Mi.Uio.Uat .■lu.-ia(.vsaui/,...g,.... Odd Fellow ;uid a nie ub r of he'o A. R. He .'nul vile never having ha.l chihlren born lo them, h;,ve adopted one child -Ella, -whom they have reared to womanhood ^ PlllLlI' GF.M MIJR, Treasurer ot Warren County, was born November 8 183-' ,n TN;issai., 1 nis.si;,. His talher. Justus Gemmer, was twice married-Iirst to 'Chris- M'lLLlAMSPORT, AND WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 159 tina Beck, who borr him one son, Philip, and died in the old country after which Mr. Gemmer married Gratia Kincel. Philip, in 1846, emigrated with his falher and step-mother to the L'nited States, locating first in Tuscarawas County Ohio Thence the parents removedto Wabash County, Ind., and there died The' sprin" of 18.j0. Phihp Gemmer cauie from Ohio to La Gro, Wabash Co., Ind.. and for two years was engaged in cabinet-making, afterward going to La Fayette, where he continued this business for some time. He then came 'to West Lebanon Warren County, whence he moved to JIarshfield two years later. At that place he enlisted m April. 1861. in Company B. Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry for three montlis' and during this time was engaged in the battle of Rich Mountain. After his dis- charge, he enlisted, August 4, 1863. in the Eiglity-sixth Resiment. and was elected First Lieutenant of Company E. Before being mustered into service, he was pro- moted Captain of his company, and a short "time before starting on the Atlanta campaign was commissioned Major of the Eighty-sixth. He was actively engaged in the battles of Painesville. Murfreesboro. Chickamauga, Missionary Rid'ge, Atlan- ta, Franklin. Nashville, and in the pursuit and capture of Bragu's arniy. Maj. Gemmer received his discharge June 11, 186.5. After the war, he engaged at Marsh- field two years at merchandising, and then in a warehouse at WilliVimsport. He afterward moved on a farm near the county seat. He was elected to the Treasurer- ship of the county in 1878, and re-elected, serving in all four years. Maj. Gemmer is a Republican, a memlier of the Masonic order and the G. A. R., and has been three times married. His first wife, Maugie Moore, bore him one son. Frederick L ; and his second wife, Lydia E. Smith, two children— William H. and Lydia E. His present wife was Minerva E. Fleming, and the result of their union is one sou, George A. WILLIAM N". GIBSON is a native of Tennessee, born June 18, 183.3, whose parents were Martin and Margaret Gibson. He received his education from the common schools, and came to Warren County. Ind.. when he was eighteen years of age. In 18.58, he was married to Maria F., daughter of James H. and Elizabeth Macintosh, to which union were born two children— Lilla M. and Cora B. Mr. Gibson settled on the farm on which he now resides in the spring of 1862. He has a fine property, with many and various improvements, all of which was acquired by hard labor and frugalit_y. Mr. Gibson has taken an active part in all moral and social improvements, and is an esteemed citizen. He and his family are members of the Christian Church. THOMAS J. GRAVES. Recorder of Warren County, was born August 31, 1835, in Ross County; Ohio, and is a son of Willis Ross, wlio was a native of the Old Dominion, and was twice married. To the first marriage was born one daughter, but both she and the mother are now dead. Jane Carothers was his second wife, and to this union were born eight children. In 1851. the family came to this coun ty, but after a number of years removed to Benton Cotmty, Mo., where the mother died in 1876. In 1877. the father returned to Warren County, but wliile on a visit to a daughter in Vermillion County, 111., in 1879, took sick and died. Thomas J. Graves lived with his parents tintil the age of thirty-five, engaged most of liis time in agricultural pursuits. August 12, 1862. he enlisted in Company D, Eighty-si.xth Indiana Volunteers; was elected Fifth Sergeant, and, on his discharge, July 19, 1864, held the rank of First Sergeant. Mr. Graves participated in a number of se- vere engagements, among which were Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and, November 25, 1863, in the last-named battle, was twice wounded. After the color-bearer had been shot down, another seized the flag, but he, too, soon fell a victim to rebel bullets. Sergt. Graves then bore the flag aloft, and, althougli twice wounded, succeeded in planting it on the top of the ridge, the first of the entire Union army. He was honorably discharged Jul)' 19, 1864, and immediately returned to Indiana, where he was engaged in farming until his removal to Missouri in 1869, where he still continued that vocation until he again came to Warren Count)', where he has since resided. November 21, 1877, Mr. Graves received a severe cut on the left foot, which necessitated amputation March 18, 1878, and about this time he received a paralytic stroke, which so affected him as to render him comparatively helpless, and it was over a year before he could do a man's work. B3' the Republi- can party, he was elected to the oflice of County Recorder in 1879, with a majority of 1,883 votes, and he is yet serving in that capacity. Mr. Graves is a member o'f the G. A. R. and the K. of H. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church and the parents of five children — Arthur L., Bertie Mc, Lewis W. , Julia M. and Cecil E. ELIAS HANES was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, July 22, 1840, and while yet a lad came with his parents. Joseph and Margaret (Leslie) Hanes, to War- ren County, where he has since resided. He received a common school education, and on attaining his majority began life's battle on hisownre.spoiisibility. January IGO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 8, 1861, he married Miss Ella Rideuour, of Liberty Township, and after this event, engaged in farming in the same township. He continued this about nineteen years, then removed to Williamsport, and in partnership with C. H. Porch and B. it. btat- tler, erected the Williamsport flouring mills afid embarked in a general merchant and custom work. Mr. Stattler's interest was purchased shortly after beginnmg operation by the other two partners, and the lirm of Hanes & Porch have ever since prosperously continued. The building is a two story and a half, not including a stone basement, is 46x34 feet, with an additional room attached, in which is a sixty- horse-power steam engine. The ijrinding is executed on what is known as the "gradual reduction system," and they have a capacity of one hundred barrels per twenty-four hours. They produce an excellent quality of flour, and are doing an avera'J-e annual business of $70,000. Mr. Hanes, the senior partner, is one of the prosperous citizens of Williamsport; is a Democrat, and he and wife are the parents of one daughter — Ladessia. HENlir HELD, harness manufacturer, is a native of Germany, born October 15, 1833, and is one of a large familv of children born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Bow- man) Held, both of whom died in jlassillon, Ohio. They emigrated from Germany in 1833, and the same year settled in Stark County, Ohio. Henry Held was reared to manhood in Ohio; received a fair common school education, and at the age of fourteen began learniug the harness maker's trade and doing for himself in Canton, Ohio. After serving four years as an apprentice, he began work as a journeyman, andinlSol came to Williamsport; worked at his trade with his lirother Jacob, who had preceded him to Warren County two years, and who had a shop at this place. For two years, our subject worked for his brother, then became a partner, and, in 1873, purchasing his brother's interest, became proprietor. He has since continued as such alone, does a good business, and besides owning good town property, has an interest in a farm of one hundred acres in Washington Township. Mr. Held has acquired his present propert_y entirely by hard work and industry. For thirty-two years, he has been a resident of Williamsport; he is a Democrat in politics, a member of botli A. F. & A. M. and I. (_). 0. F., and has been twice married. His first wife, Nancy Niroth, died in 1868, leaving him three daughters — Ella, Kate and Nellie. His present wife, Helen Koehler, has borne him live children — Fred, Lucy, John. Edward and Flora. Mr. and Mrs. Held are members of the Presbyterian Church, and esteemed citizens of Williamsport- AL"V"1N HIGH, deceased. If being old settlers, and among the most honored of her citizens would entitle a family to recognition in: the history of Warren County. the High familj', indeed, could not well he passed without an extended notice. Charles D. High, father of the subject of this memoir, was liorn in Berks County. Penn., in 1807. and his great-grandfather was a native of Germany. In May, 1838, he cameto Indiana, and located in Warren County, which was then in a state ofnature. On the same day of his arrival, William Hunter and family also located here, and in December, 183S. witnessed the marriage of Mr. Hish and Elizabeth D. Hunter. The Hunter family were of Scotch-Irish descent. They moved from Greenbriar County, Va.. to Oiiio, in about 1806, where Jlrs. High was liorn in 1808: thence to Kentucky and from there to Warren County. Ind., in tSi'^. ^Mr. and Mrs. High were hard working and worthy people; the parents of twelve children, ten of whom they reared to years of maturity. Mr. High died October 23, 1864, but his widow is ye"t living in Williamsport at the ripe old age of seventy-five years, the mother of three living children, the grandmother of twenty living children, and the great-grand- mother of six living children. Their children were named — Alvin. "Austin, who served in the late war, and died of consumption, in 1881, leaving a widow and tour cliildren; Anson, a soldier of the late war, who died in Libbv Prison in I8I10, leaving a widow and two children; Ezra, who died wlien twelve vears old; Catharine. Mrs! Gordon B. McClallm; Indiana, who died in 18tiS, the luother of one son and the wife of .b.hn Hornedy; Elizabeth, Mrs. Horace Crane; Charles, who ran awav from lioine wheii.rourtcen years old to go into the army, is married and resides in Ivansas; William, a soldier of the late warl^ a graduate of medicine, and died in 1873; Johii i;., deceast'd; Aniui, died in 1871, the wife of A. Hiukle, and Daniel, who died in infancy. AlvIn High, the (ddcst of this family, was boru at \\'aln\it Grove, Warreu t!ounty, September 30, l,s:U, and up to his eighteenth year, assisted bis parents on the farm. He was engaged in f:iriuing and teaching school until 18."i.'i, when for the second time lie w;is compellea to relini|uish active out door pursuits by reason of ill health. He removed to Williamsport and embarked in merchandisi'ng. which he disconliiiiied after a few years, and in 18111, beeaiue Deputy County .\uditor. In 1866, he was elected Treasurer of the county, and re-elected in 1868. both times as a Kcpublican; besides the above. Jtr. High served in various other positions of'local honor and trust, and thr(iU'.;hout all his oHicial duties was an otiicer who gave un- bounded satisfaction, lie was an ardent supporter of the temperance can?!', was a WILLIAMSPORT, AND WASHmGTON TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 161 member of both Odd Fellows and Masonic fraternities and was married October 7, 1852, to Miss Sarah M. Hawkins, who was born January 13,1834. To this marriage' the followine; family was born: Clarissa F., Mrs. W. U." Yeagy, Truman H., Charles M., deceased, and Alice, deceased. ELISHA KITCHENS. Postmaster, and one of the few of our remaining pioneers, was born m Chillicothe, Ohio, August 10, 1806. He was educated and married in Ross County. Ohio, his wife being Mary King. Learning the black- smith trade, he followed that occupation until about 182§, when he embarked in merchandising in the northern part of his native county. In 1833, he removed to Logan County, Ohio, and continued business there until the fall of 1836, when he came to La Fayette, Ind., and became a partner in a general store for a short time, and then returned to Logan County. In 1841, he came to Williamsport, where for some time he was engaged in clerking. In 1846, he opened a general store in part- nership with his present son-in-law, continuing the same up to 18.55, when he dis- posed of his interests, and two years later he and a partner established a grain trade in Marshfield, which they carried on for some years. In 18.52, he engaged in the same business in Williamsport, combined with the railroad agency, continuing the same until 1870. In 1873. he was appointed Postmaster. Although a man of over threescore and ten years. Mr. Hitchens has been one of the most active men ever in Warren County, and even yet he takes an active interest in all public affairs. His wife died in August, 1879, after bearing him three children — Martha, now Mrs. William Kent ; Scott, deceased, and Sarah, now Mrs. L. T. Miller. Mr. Hitchens is a pronounced Republican, having joined that party in 1856. From 1840 to 1856 he was a radical Abolitionist, and previous to that was a Democrat. For fortj'-two years, he has been a resident of Warren County, and throughout his diversified career he has occupied an upright and honorable position. JAMES M. HUNTER is the son of John P. and Elizabeth (Anderson) Hunter, who were among the pioneers of Warren County, and are now residing near West Lebanon. They were of Scotch and English descent, and natives, respectively, of Ohio and Virginia. They came to Indiana in 1844, and settled in Jordan Township, then a part of Liberty, and there engaged in farming until 1870, when they removed to where they now^ reside. The Hunter family are among the oldest of Warren County, and the inconveniences and hardships of a frontier life had to be endured in order to gain home and property. How successful they have been is illustrated by the fact of their owning over three thousand acres of land in and near Warren County, besides other valuable private interests. James M. Hunter was born in Madison County, Ohio, June 10. 1843. and is one of eight children, seven of whom are yet living. He was reared in Warren County, and received a liberal education. He was engaged in farming until 1875, when he began the study of law with his present partner, John W. Sutton. In 1876, he removed to Williamsport, and in February, 1880, the firm of Sutton & Hunter was established, and is now among the leading legal firms of Warren County. Mr. Hunter is a member of the National Greenback party and of the Knights of Honor, and he yet owns 276 acres of land in Warren County. He was married, October 17, 1872, to Miss M. J. Stump, and they are the parents of one son, Schuyler C. JAMES L. JOHNSON (deceased), father of the present Clerk of Warren County, was a native Kentuckian, born in 1800. He was a hatter by trade, and at an early day moved to Brown County, Ohio, where he plied his trade successfully until 1885, then emigrated westward and located at Williamsport. He was a man well qualified for western life by having a robust constitution and an indomitable energy, which at all times are the chief reijuisites of the pioneer. He entered about 700 acres of Warren County land, but, instead of tilling this, was engaged in mer- chandising at Williamsport, and became one of the wealthiest men of the county ; but he was not allowed to enjoy this long, for in about 1847 he was attacked by one of the prevalent disorders of the day, which caused his death. His widow survived him until 1856, when she, too, died. This lady was twice married, her first husljand being a Mr. Wright. To her marriage with Mr. Johnson six children were born, five of whom are yet living, the youngest being Henry C. Johnson. This son was born in Brown County. Ohio. December 6, 1834 ; was reared in this county, and has known no other home than this. In December, 1859, he married Miss Elizabeth Tebhs. Early in 1861, he went to Indianapolis, and for six months served as Deputy Clerk of the Supreme Court, but he then resigned his position, returned home, and assisted in recruiting Company K, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which he was elected Second Lieutenant. The summer of 1863, he was advanced to First Lieutenant, and later to the Captaincy of his company. Was in a number of hard- fought battles, among which were Wild Cat, Cumberland Gap and Thompson's StaRon. At the last-named engagement, he was captured, and for seven weeks was an inmate of Libby Prison. He was enabled to rejoin his command in time to par- 162 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ticipate in all the movements of the Atlanta campaign, part of the time as Aid of Gen. Coburn, l)ut af tenvard as Aid to Col. Dustin. At Savannah he resumed com_ mand of his company, and from that time participated in all the movements ot Sherman's army until the close of the war, including the grand review at Washing- ton. Since 1865, he has been Deputy in the County Clerk's office the greater part of the time but in 1«78 he was elected as principal to thisotbce, and in 1883 re-elected. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson's marriage, si.v children have been born— Kate, deceased ; Louis H, Lillian, Anna, Harry and Cieorge W. ^ ■ n , HENRY C JOHKSON, lumber merchant, is a native of Champaign County, Ohio was horn January 26, 1820, and he is the eldest living child of John and Mar garet (Hultz) Johnson, natives respectively of England and Ohio, and of German descent. John Johnson served his adopted country in the war of 1812, and received a severe l)ayonet wound in the arm, from the effects of which he ever afterward suffered the family moved to Vermillion Countv. 111., in 1829, and were among the first settlers of that locality, where they died. Henry C. Johnson was reared m Vermillion County, 111., receiving only such education as the pioneer schools of that early day afforded— when greased paper was used: for windows, the old-fash- ioned fireplaces for warmth, and puncheons for seats. In 18.51, he came to Warren County to follow the occupation of schoolmaster, and for many terms he was en- gaged'in this occupation and farming. In 1852, he married Helen M. Cronkhite. and in 1868 moved to Marshfleld. Steuben Township, and engaged in the grocery andprovisiontradefora time; but he afterward sold out his store and embarked in the lumber trade. In March, 1881. he removed to Williamsport, where he re embarked in the lumber business, at which he has since been employed. Mr. Johnson is a Republican, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church and the parents of five children — Emma, now Mrs. Z. J. Stine- spring; Rebecca J., now Mrs. A. J. Clifton; Mary Ellen; Lora B., now Mrs. F. M. Wolfe, and Albert. P. W. LEWIS was born in Johnson County, Ind., February 17, 1S30, and is one of ten children, four of whom are yet living, born to Thomas and Sarah (Ware) Lewis, natives respectively of Ohio and Virginia. The Wares were of Irish ances- tors, but for many years tfiej- have been identified in Virginian history-. Members of this family emigrated to Johnson County, Ind., as earl_y as 1815, and here the parents of P. 'W. Lewis first met and were married. Thomas Lewis was born near Chillicotlie, Ohio; came with his parents to Indiana in 1820. and after his marriage with Sarah Ware, he and family, in 1847, moved to Independence, Warren County, and made that their home until their respective deaths. P. W. Lewis learned the plasterer's trade with Peter Laberdee, a son-in-law of the French trader, Cicott. He remained with him two years, then passed one \-ear at Attica, perfecting himself for his business. In the spring of 1864, he located in Williamsport. In December, 1855, he married Sarah J. Schoonover, wlio was born on Independence Day, 1836, in Williamsport. Mrs. Lewis is descended from two of the oldest families of Warren County, viz. : the Sclioonovers and Chrismans. Her father was Stephen Schoon- over, who came to Warren Countj- witii his parents previous to 1830; and her moth- er was Sarah ("hrisman. who came with her father. Peter Chrisman. in 1832. P. AV. Lewis has fought liis way up from a poor boy to a successful retired tradesman. In 1864, he entered the Government's employ in the Assistant Quartermaster's de- partment, and during the time of his service had charge of sixty-four mechanics. He is one of the ])iililie-spirited men of AVilliamsport; is a strong advocate of all temperance prineiides, a Republican, a JIason; has served Warren County as Cor- oner a number of years, and in April, 1883, was ap|iointed by Gov. Porter as Com- missioner to represent Indiana in the National Mining and Industrial Exposition to meet at Denver, Colo., in July, 1883. ih\ and Mrs. t.ewis have had born to them two children, both of wliom are now dead. S. B. MATllIS. a native of Philadelphia, and .uie of the pioneers of Warreu County, was born Octotier 8, 1820; lie moved with his p;irents to Champaign County, Oliio, in 1830, wlu-re lie lived until he laime to Warren County, in 18-13." lie is tile eldest of eleven children, three only of whom are now living, born to Xehemiahand Catharine (Miller) Mathis. He was bound out when eleven years old to a farmer, and since that tiiiu' his life has been almost wholly passed ailiong strangers. July 13. 1843, he marrieil Sarah J. George, and settled in "Western Indiiina. For three y"ears! they fanned in Liberty Township, (hen moved to the place Mr. Mathis yet owns, iii Jordan Township, where they remained for upward of thirty-five years, lu De- eember, IMSl, (hey rented a part of the old homestead, which consists'of 1,6(10 acres, moved to Williamsport, erected their brick store and hotel building, ami are now engnged in the gro<'ery Iraile and in keejiing a hotel. When tliey first crossed the AVabasli River, twenty cents was the sum total of their cash assets. Tliev rented laud and farmed under all those disadvantages and hardships of pioneer life, and WILLIAMSPORT, AND WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTV. 163 •with their liard earned wages, invested in land from time to time until they are now among the heaviest land owners of the county. Mr. Mathis was a Whig until 1856, was then a Kepublican and now belongs to the National Greenback party. He and wife have had born to them thirteen children — Ephraim G., James E., William F., Eli W. 8., Mary A., Catharine E., Samuel B., Almyretta, deceased. Marsh T., de- ceased, Sarah J. and three that died in infancy unnamed. Mrs. Mathis was born in Champaign County, Ohio, Februarj' 28, 1821, and throughout her life has ably as- sisted her husband in all his efforts. GORDON B. McCLAFLlN, retired farmer, is a native of the Green Mountain State, born September 22, 1825. His father was a native of Scotland, came to America at an earl}' day, and, when the Colonies resorted to arms in order to gain their freedom from Great Britain, he served throughout the seven j'ears of war and was honorably discharged as Lieutenant Colonel. Gordon B, is one of five children, three of whom are yet living, born to Arnold and Esther (Metcalf) McClalliu, and in 1836, they emigrated west to Indiana, and in Septeml)er of that year settled in White Count}'. 5lr. JlcClaflin worked at carpentering, shoe-making and plastering in connection with farming until his death in White Count}', in 1848. His widow died in Warren County, in 1881. Gordon McClatlin lived with his parents until twenty-one years of age, then began doing for himself. Being the eldest of the family, he returned home after his father's death, and took his place in the care of the family until all had arrived to years of maturity. He received only a common school education and two different winters taught public schools. In 1850, the fam- ily removed to Warren County, Ind., and settled at Walnut Grove, where, in 1855, Mr. McClaflin and Catharine High were united in marriage. To their union have been born two sons — Charles and Ezra. In February, 1880, Mr. McClaflin and wife moved to Williamsport, where they are yet living retired. He is a Republican in politics, owns 297 acres of good land in Warren County, besides the town property where they now live, and "he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. WILLIAjVI MOFFITT, County Auditor, was born in Adams Township, this county, January 15, 1833, and is one of eight children, seven of whom lived to ma- turity and only four of whom are yet living. The parents, David and Frances (Odle) MofHtt, were natives of Ohio, the former being of Irish descent. They were mar- ried in Ohio, and in 1831, came to Warren County, where they engaged in farming until Mrs. Moflltt's death, in 1871, since when Mr. Moffitt has lived retired in Wil- liamsport. William Moffitt, with the exception of two years, has always made War- ren Countv his home. In 1856, he married Mary E. Warner, a daughter of Daniel H. Warner, and in 1859 and 1860, was engaged in farming in Kansas. In July. 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, and was elected Second Lieutenant. During their six months' term of enlistment they were located in Eastern Tennessee doing guard duty, but in Febru- ary Mr. MofHtt was discharged, and the winter of 1864 helped recruit Company G, One Hundred and Fiftieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which he was commis- sioned Captain, and their operations were in Virginia, doing guard duty principally, between Winchester and Harper's Ferry. Mr. MofBtt was honorably discharged in August, 1865 and has since resided in William.sport. The fall of 1865, he became Deputy County Auditor, and in 1868 was elected Auditor by the Republican party, and in 1872, was re-elected to this position. He served the four years after tiie ex- piration of his term of office as the Deputy of his successor, but in 1880, was again elected Auditor and is now serving in that capacity. Mr. Moffitt is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, is a K. of H., and member of the G. A. R. He is a Republican, and he and wife are the parents of four children— Frances (Mrs. Frank Demmary), Clara J. (Mrs. John Hatton), David H. and Anna M. A. NEBEKER, County Superintendent, was born near Covington, Ind., Sep- tember 9, 1838, and is one of eight children born to George and Mary (Steely) Nebeker. The family is descended from German ancestors, their advent in the United States having been previous to the Revolutionary war; lint our subject's grandfather married an English lady, and his father a native born American lady. His parents were natives of Pickaway County, Ohio, and moved to Fountain County Ind at a very early day, and were here married in 1833. His mother died in 1870 'but his fa ther'yet lives and resides in Fountain County. After attending the common schools of his locality, the subject of this sketch entered Asbury Uni- versity but after four years' application in the classical course of that institution was compelled to relinqui.sh his .studies by reason of ill health. For a number of years he was engaged in various occupations, but, m 1868, he decided on the teacher's profession as bis vocation. He was steadily employed at this from 1868 until 1875 but in the latter year was appointed Superintendent of the Public Schools of Warren County. In 1877, he established himself in the drug trade in 164 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Williamsport, at which he has since been engaged, and, in 1881, he was re-appointed County Superintendent, and is yet engaged in that capacity. Mr. Jvebeker is doing a good trade in the post office building, is a teacher of sixty-nine months experi- ence, is a Republican in politics, and a faithful and efficient officer as well as an esteemed citizen, and since 1868 has resided in Warren County. ROBERT PEARSON, a native of Maryland, was born April 13. 1808. Learned his trade of carpenter and joiner in Wilmington, Del. Married Rebecca Barnes in December, 1834, and the summer following emigrated to Indiana. July 8, 1835, they landed in Warren County, which has eyer since been their home. Mr. Pear- son had been in this county in 1832, and had purchased 160 acres of land on Pine Creek, in Liberty Township. They lived in Williamsport a number of months; there erected a cabin on their land and moved to that place. He hired the greater part of the improvements done here, while he worked at his trade. At the expira- tion of five years, they moved back to town, where they have ever since resided. Mr. Pearson was a tine mechanic, and many of the best buildings of the county were erected by him or under his instructions. After a wedded life of forty-eight years, Mrs. Pearson died, March 2, 1883, a member of the Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of five children— Eliza, now Mrs. Richard W. Claypool; George L. ; Carrie, deceased; .lohn 6., and .lulia M., deceased. Of the children liv- ing, all reside in Williamsport. .lohn G. Pearson was born at this place April 37, 1846, and, after attending the public schools of his native town, became a student of Wabash College, and remained in the scientific department for three years. He then returned to Williamsport. and began the stud_y of law with Maj. L. T. Miller. After reading with him two years he began practicing, having been admitted to the bar in September, 1871, and to practice in the Supreme Court of Indiana in Septem- ber, 1872. Mr. Pearson has md with considerable success, and is the present Mas- ter Commissioner of the Circuit Court of Warren County, having been appointed in November, 1883. He is a member of the I. O. 0. F.. the K. of JH.. is a Republican in polities, and one of Williamsport's progressive citizens. JOSEPH M. RABB. Judge of th» Twenty-first Judicial Circuit of Indiana, is a son of Smith and Mary (Carwile) Rabh. and was born February 14. 1846. in Cov- ington, Ind., the third of seven children, five of whom are yet living. He was reared, from the age of si.x weeks to manhood, in Vermillion County. Ind. His grandparents were among the first settlers of Fountain County. Ind.. arriving there as early as 1826 and 1828. July 32. 1862, Joseph 31. Rabb enlisted in Company K. Seventy-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry — afterward in the Sixth Indiana Cavalry — for three years, or during the war. His first campaign was with Gen. Nelson" in Kentui ky, in August, 1S63, participating in the battle of Richmond, ^vhere he was taken prisoner. After being paroled, he returned to Indiana, remainins in camp for some lime. Then, on being exchanged, again returned to Kentucky, and while doing guard duty was again captured. He was not long a prisoner until exchanged, after which he was placed under CtCu. Burnside's command in Tennessee, and" at- tached to the Ninth Army Corps as scout and courier. The summer of 1,864. he joined Sherman's army in the campaign against Atlanta. Then returned to Nash- ville, p;irticipiiting in the battle of thai place and the campaign against Forrest and Wheeler. Until the conclusion of the war. "Slw Rabli remained on duty in Tennes- see, but after being discharged in June, 18(i."). came home and attended" one term of school at Greencastle. In October. 1866. he began the study of law at Williamsport with Judge J. H. Brown, continuing the same until 1869, when he entered into ac- tive practice as a partner of his |ireceptor. After the death of Judge Brown in 1873. Mr. Rabb practiced alone and in partnership until his election to his present position as Judge of the Twenly. first .ludieial Circuil of Indiana in 1882 Judi-'e Rabb is an unswcrying Republican, and a member of the G. A. R. His marriao-e with jAIiss Lottie Morris was solemnized June 11. 1872. and five children have blessed their union, imly three— Clara, George and Fred— now livin'^ The mother departed this life Atay 7. 1882. " ''^ WIldAAM I'. RHODES, senior partner of the law firm of Rhodes & Rabourn was l)oni .luly 1 ,. 1883, m Tippecanoe County. Iml. He is the second born of five cluidren, ol whom James I. and Nancy (Forshee) Rhodes were the parents His lather was a nalive ol the Old Dominion, and of Swiss descent; came to Ohio' at an early day, where he married. Mrs. Nancy Rhodes is a native of Ohio and of French ■ ''Tra ■ ,," "'^•^T' ""■■■' '"°'''^:'^ '" Tippt'canoe County, Ind., where Mr. Rhodes died in bswi. I Iks widow yet survives him and resides in ^.a Fayette William P Rliodes was reared to manhood in his native county, and in 18,-)4" entered coilc-e at Fort Wayne, where he remained two years. In 18,-.8. he came to Williamspo-r* to em- bark in the pracliee of law. having previouslv studicil his profession about two years in the ,.IIice of llulf, Haird & La Rue. of La Fayette. In 1860 he «•■ s ad luitted to praeliee m the Supreme t^ourt. In bS61. he recruited Company IcV One WILLIAJISPORT, AND WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTi'. 165 Hundred and Thirt3--fifth ludiiiua Voluuteors; was elected Captain, and went into active service in Tennessee and Alabama. On being mustered out of service in October, 1864, he returned to "Williamsport and re-embarked in tlie practice of law In 1866, he purchased an interest in the Warren Bepublu'ivi. and acted as its editcn- about one year, since when his occupation has been chieflv in tlie practice of his chosen profession. In 1870. lie was elected to the Lower House in the State Lesjis- lature from Warren County, and in 1873 was elected State Senator from Fountain and Warren Counties. He formed his present partncrsliip with with W. L. Eabourn in 1882. and the firm of Khodes & Rabourn is one of the best in Warren County. Mr, Rhodes is a Republican, a member of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Honor, and his wife is a member of the ^I. E. Church. He was married, in Sep- tember, 1859, to Miss Mildred B. Dickson, who was born and reared in Williams- port, and to their union have been born three sons— James L., Weslev D. and Joseph W. jrSTIX ROSS, M. D.. was born November 15. 1839, in Brown County. Ohio, one of eight children born to Josiah and Emily (Ferguson) Ross, of whom six are yet living. His parents were natives of Ohio and of English descent. His grand- father and greatgrandfather came to Ohio at an early period. Members of the family settled near Indianapolis. Ind.. where many of their descendants still reside. Dr. Ross' father was a farmer and merchant, and with his family moved to Grant County, Ind., in 1851, but from there moved to different counties in the State, finally coming to Warren County in 1865, where they yet reside. Dr. Ross was educated in the common schools, and was engaged in different occupations until 1864, when he began the study of medicine with Dr. A. D. Kimball, of Xenia. Ind.. and after attending two terms at Rush Medical College, in Chicago, graduated. He first located at Greentown. Howard Co.. Ind.. but at the end of one year came to Williamsport. Dr. Ross is the piresent United States Examining Surgeon for War- ren County, and is a member of the Indiana State Medical Association, It was largely through his influence that the business of Williamsport was removed from the old town to its present location above the railroad. He belongs to both the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, in the former having advanced to the degree of Knight Templar. He is a stanch Republican and the Secretary of the Board of Health of Warren County. Dr. Ross was first married to Eliza Marine, in l8lil. but this ladv died in 18i)6. To his marriage with Marietta Egbert, daughter of Dr. George Egbert, of Marion, Ind., three children have been born, only two — Hope and Arnet Earl — vet living. JACOB SHEFFER was born in Warren County. Ind.. in 1840. and is a son of Nicholas and Matilda Sheffer. He was educated at the common schools of the da}", and entered the volunteer army in 1862. being assigned to the Army of the Cumber- land. After his discharge, he attended sch'bol most of the time until the fall of 1864, when he re-enlisted, was assigned to the army of the Potomac, and served until the close of the war. In 1873. he was married to Delphine Schlosser. b}' which union they had one child. Wilmer. Mr. and Mrs. Schett'er are industrious people, and promising members of their communitv. JOSEPH L. STUMP. Sheriff of Warren County, was born near Green Hill, this countv, November 5, 1845, and is one of eight cliildreu. live of whom are yet liviny. born to Lemuel and Agnes (Brier) Stump, the former of German and the latter of Scotch-Irish descent." Joseph Stump, grandfather of Sheriff Stump, emi- grated to what is now Fountain County. Ind., and entered the land on which Attica Is now situated. He afterward sold that property, and, in 1827, settled in Liberty Township, Warren Countv, entering a large tract of land, and at an advanced age he departed this life, in 1846. Joseph L. Stump was reared in Liberty Township, Warren Countv. where he received his education, and this has always been his home. In 1862", he enlisted for the war. but was rejected by reason of l^i.^ youth. February 29, 1864, he was mustered in Company H, Seventy-second Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, as private, and was discharged at Indianapolis, Septemlier 14, 1865. He was with Sherman in the Atlanta campaign, participating in all the movements of his regiment, concludins with the capture of Atlanta. After this, he was on special detailed dutv for Gen. Garrard until April. 1865. when he rejoined his com- pany under Gen. W'ilson. and started on tlie -Wilson Raid " to liberate Anderson- ville prisoners. They onlv reached Macon, Ga., when the news was received of the collap-,e of the Southern Confederacv. Mr. Stump returned to his native county and farmed until 1874, when he became engaged in milling in Rainsville, which he continued about three years, when he recommenced farming, at w-hich he was engatred when he was "elected Sheriff of the County in 1880. In 1882, he was re-elected, and is vet servins in that capacity. Sheriff Stump is a member of the Masonic order. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Knights of Honor and G. A. R., and is a Republican. August 3. 1865. w as married to Sarah E, Jones. Six children 166 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.- have been bora to this union -George, Gardella and Gertie, deceased; and Nettie, Arthur, and James Marion yet living. JESSE SWISHER is a native of this county, born in the year 1S4-, ana is a son of Jacob and Clarissa Swisher. He lost his father when he was si.x g?ars old and worked as a herder of cattle from that period until he was eighteen. Me served two years as a soldier in the late war, a member of tlie Twenty-second Indiana Kegi- ment; he took part at the siege of Atlanta, and was under Gen. bherman m his memorable march in Georgia. His wife is Martha A. Mcintosh, daugliter of James H and Elizabeth Mcintosh, to which union have been born three children— Clarissa v., Warren C. and Harvey L. Mr, Swisher has a good farm, but without as many and convenient buildings and improvements as he desires; but he and wife are working diligently to that end. Tliey have an interesting and promising family, and are members "of the Christian Church. PIKE TOWNSHIP. G. W. BIGGS, farmer, is a native of this township, born March 1.5, 1833, and is a son of Josiah and Mahala (Garrison)Big'.'s; the fath?r a native of Ohio, the mother of New Jersey, both of whom moved to Warren County, in 18J9, and settled on the land now owned by G. W. and D. D. Biggs, wliere tlie father died. December 4, 18i4; the mother is slill living, aged ninety-two years. G. W. Biggs received but an ordinary education at the district school, and at the age of twenty-one began farm- ing for himself. On December 2T, 1866. he was married to Mrs. "Mary J. Crawford, daughter of James H. and Elizalieth Mcintosh. This union was blessed with five children — Millie F., FredW.. William H. Essie E. and an infant which died un- named; of these, two are deceased. Mr. Biggs now owns 169 acres, of what was a part of the old homestead, which is well improved and one of the best farms in Warren Country. He is a thorough Republican, and gave his first Presidential vote for Gen. Fremont; he is also a worth}' citizen. !Mrs. Biggs is a member of the Christian Church. DANIEL DUTT<;)N BIGGS, was born in this township January 07, 1836, and ie the youngest of tlie eleven children of Josiah and Mahala Biggs. Josiah Biggs was one of the founders of the county, and a prominent citizen; our subject received his education in the first school of this coun'y, a log building on the land of Dr. Daniel Dutton Hall, after whom our subject was cliristened. Mr. Biggs was mar- ried September 39, 1870. to Miss Ruth E. Mcintosh, a native of this township, daughter of J. H. and Elizabeth Mcintosh. This union was blessed with five chil- dren — Nellie, Charles H. (deceased, March 13, 1883), Lewis (deceased. March 3. 1883). an infant (deceased, unnamed) and Clara. Jlr. Biggs is a Republican, and gave his first Presidential vote for Lincoln, in 1860. He is an enterprisins man, and a leading farmer of this county. In 187.5, he built his present residence, one of the finest in the township. ELIAS A. BIGGS, jeweler and fancy goods dealer, was born in this county August 3". 1850, and is the fourth of the ten i-hildren of Reuben and Elizabeth (Ayles) Biggs, both deceased, the former in l.'^63. the latter in 1877. Mr. Biirgs has gained by his industry and observation a good business education. AVlien stxteen years old, he was liouiid to Messrs. BelKt Ward, of West Lebanon, to learn wason- making, and wlien twenty, began business at Roli Roy. This, owini; to ill liealth, lie continued but two years. After visiting Micliigan he came to West Lebanon', and, with a younger brother, commenced the liakefy and eonfeetionerv trade, whitli after one year he abanchuied for the jewelry and fancy goods trade." On May 38, lS7;i, be was married to Miss Heli'na B. Cran'e. a native "of Fourtain County, da'ugh- ter of Silas and I5ell J. Crane, Iiy which union were born three children— Leota May. Ada B. (deceased Auu'iist 36. 187.-^). and Joseph N. Mr. Biirgs is a Republican and east his tirst Presidential vole fcu' Gen. Grant; he is also a Freemason. He has lunll the finest hriek liloek in West Leiianon. or in the countv. and is a man of ureat worth and enlerjirise. He has been Town Clerk and Treasurer. JAMES BKEl^N. denier in lioots, shoes and ruliber goods, was born in Xia'mra County, N. Y.. July 13, 1843, and is a son of Patrick and Bridget (Conrov) Brven, both natives of Ireland, who emigrated in is;is and settled in" Koekiiort", N. Y.'; they were sixty-six ilays ou the voyage, Mr. and Mrs. Breen moved to Delphi.' (larroll (,\>.. hid,, when James was four vears old; the father died in Favette County, IS73, the mother at Delphi in IS75. \Vhen our subjec'l was fifteen vea'rs of age he went to leiirn shoe-inaUing with John Dixon, at Delphi. In Januarv ' U'^63 PIKE TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 167 he enlisted in the Sixteenth iVrtilleiy, and in Aug,ust was wounded at the battle of Cedar Mountain; was taken prisoner at the Second Bull Run and kept in Libby Prison tnirteen months, and was lionorably discharged at Washington in September, 186.5. In 1860. he removed to Missouri and other States, where iie remained three years, and returned to La Porte, Ind.; there he worked at shoe-making, and was twice elected City Assessor. Afterward, he traveled as salesman for a Cincinnati house, and in 1874 came to West Lebanon, and after two years engaged in the boot and shoe business with J. H. Wilson, whose interest he afterward purchased, and which business he now carries on. On February 3, 1879. Mr. Breen was married to Miss Katie Bulger, a native of Pulaski County. Ind. They are members of the Universalist Church, and Mr. Breen is a Republican. JACOB BRENNER was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, March 13, 1835, and is the second of the eight children of John and Frances (Etnire) Brenner, lioth natives of Virginia; the former died Sept. 13, 1881, the latter Oct. .31, 1851. Mr. Brenner obtained some education from the common schools of Ohio and Indiana, and when he was twelve years old his parents removed to this township, where they purchased 304 acres. On December 33, 1847, Mr. Brenner was married to Miss Susanna James, a native of Fountain County, Ind., daughter of Samuel and Cyn- thia James, pioneers of Fountain County. This union was blessed with seven chil- dren^SIary E., Cynthia F.. John H. (deceased). Martha J., Jacob H.. William H. and Minnie M. In 1850. Mr. Brenner moved to Jasper County, where he purchased 130 acres and remained seven years, after which he returned to this county and pur- chased a farm on Rock Creek. In November, 1881, he came to West Lebanon to reside; his farm is one of the best improved in the township. Mr. Brenner was a Whig, then a Democrat, and is now a Greenbacker. He is also a liberal and pro- gressive citizen. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. JOHN W. BROWN was born in Montgomery County, Ind., March 13, 1838, and is a son of Annaas and Dorcas (Gibson) Brown. The father of our subject being in limited circumstances, Mr. Brown's education was that derived from the district school, excepting, however, two years at a select school. At the age of eighteen, he became an apprentice to the carpentering trade. Previous to coming to this county, he was married. Oct. 3, 1858. to Miss Martha Beck, a native of Indiana, daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth Beck, both natives of South Carolina. This union was blessed with six children— Viola D., Alonzo F. C, Laura V.,Lula May, Nellie and Nova L., of whom Viola D. and Laura V. are deceased. After coming to West Lebanon, Mr. Brown followed carpentering for sixteen years, and was town officer for fourteen years. On May 4, 1878, he became Postmaster, suc- ceeding Dr. A. C. Walker. He also then commenced the grocery business. Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Cliurch. He is an uncompromising Republican, and gave his first vote for President Lincoln. He is also a member of La Fayette Commandery, No. 3, having been made such in 1883. ASHLEY R. CADWALLADER, grain and commission merchant, was born in Montgomery County, Ind., January 11, 1854, and is a son of Jesse W. and Minerva J. (Silver) Cadwallader, the former a native of Indiana, the latter of Ohio. Three brothers of the Cadwallader family came to America from Wales at the close of the seventeenth centurv. When Ashley was one year old, his parents removed from Indiana to Ottawa, Minn., and thence, after five years, came to West Lebanon, where they have since resided. Ashley's whole education was comprised in that obtained from the district school. He began teaching when he was seventeen years old, and attended two terms at Wabash College. His last teaching was at West Lebanon, in 1878-79, when he was Principal of the high school. Afterward, in partnership with his brother, he began mercantile business at West Letianon. which was continued five years In 1881, the firm erected the West Lebanon grain elevator ; this is now owned by Mr. Cadwallader, who is the largest grain merchant of the place. He was married, September 19, 1877, to Miss Laura C. Fleming, daughter of James M. ■ and Sarah C Fleming. Mr. Cadwallader is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and Master of Lodge 352. He is. politically, a Republican ; a member of the Christian church and Superintendent of the Sabbath school. IRA W CADWALLADER was born in Le Sueur County, Minn., March 19, 18o8, and is the fourth of the thirteen children of J. W. and Minerva J. Cadwallader. When Ira was eighteen months old, his parents came to West Lebanon, m reduced health and circumstances, so that he obtained his education from the district and graded schools, and was obliged to assist in supporting thefamdy by working during the summer season. After a few years, he began the grocery business at Craw- fordsville as a partner of his brother Ashley. In 1878, the stock was moved to West Lebanon and in 18,S1 the firm built the West Lebanon grain elevator. In April, 1883, on account of increase of business, he sold his interest in the elevator, and bought 168 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Ms brother's interest in tlie store, and now Ue lias a proiitable business. Mr. Cad- wallader is a stroniJ- Republican and temperance man. r, laon a- HENRY T. CALTON was born in Scott Count}', W. Va., June 7, 1830 and is a son of K. G. and Mary (Taylor) Calton, both natives of North Carolina ; the former died in Warren County, Ohio, April 8, 184i, the latter m same locality March 17, 1848^ Mr. Calton moved to Ohio when Henry was about tif teen years old, where he attended but one term of school. He besjan life for himself when twenty-one years of a^e, and April 17, 1842, was married to Miss Sarah Nelson, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Nelson, all natives of Ohio. This union was blessed by eleven children, four of whom died unnamed, the others being— John W., Mary J., William T. Orange S., Luther L., Henry N. and George W. ; of these only three are living. In August, 1845 Mr Calton removed to Madison Township, Ind., where he remained two years thence to Jordan Tonwship. where he pre-empted land, and thereafter con- tinued to buy until he owned 400 acres. Mr. Calton was the first m this county to break soil by horse-power, his happiest day being when he found a plow to reach the prairie loam. In 1874, he moved to West Lebanon. Mr. Calton is a pioneer, a Rebublican, a Prohiliitionist, and, as also his wife, a member of the Weskyan Methodist Church. For eight years. Mr. Calton was Postmaster of Walnut Grove, and Justice of the Peace in Jordan Township. GEORGE W. CRAWFORD, farmer, was born in this township October 30, 1846, and is the tenth of a family of eleven children. His father was a native of Ohio, and his mother of Kentucky. George W. Crawford's education was of the character taught in the district schools. In 1875, Mr. Crawford purchased the old homestead, consisting of 190 acres, and is one of the best farms in the county. On January 14, 1875, he was married to Miss Sarah Porter, daughter of Ellas and La- vina Porter. To this union were born two children— Stella L. and Porter. Mr. Crawford is a man of intelligence and enterprise, and is a Republican in politics, having given his first Presidential vote for Geu. C4rant. Mrs. Crawford is a member of the Christian Church since 1870. THOMAS H. CRONE was born in Frederick County. Md., October 15, 1836, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Leachi Crone, both natives of ^Maryland. The great-grandfather of Thomas came to America from Germany previous to the Revolutionary war, and was one of the first to form a settlement in the Middletown Valley. John Crone died in 1864, and Mrs. Elizabeth Crone in 1881. Thomas re- mained with his father, for whom he worked, until he was twenty-four _vears of age. On January 17, 1850, he was married to Miss Susan R. Blessing, daughter of George and Susan Blessing, both natives of Maryland. This union was blessed with seven children — George A., Chancellor L., Minor F., Loretta C. Esther A., Stella P. and John W. After marriage, Mr. Crone removed to Amherst County. Va., where he purchased 436 acres of land and remained five j'ears; after which lie returned to his native State and became a man of all work. In 1858, Mr. Crone re- moved to a farm two and one-half miles southeast of Lebanon, where he resided until 1881, when he moved to West Lebanon, at which place he now lives. Mr. Crone has 430 acres, and a well-improved farm, with a remarkablv commodious barn, 40x80 feet; cost, ?;l,400. Mr. Crone is a thorough Republican. C. V. FLEMING, retired merchant and farmer, is a native of Ohio, born June 20, 1814, and is a son of Peter and Rebecca Fleming, the former a native of South Carolina. Mr. Fleiniug has acquired a practical education: j'et, he never attended school one whole year. When thirteen years old, his parents removed from Preble County, Ohio, to Warren County, Ind., and settled in this township, where they entered and purchased 240 acres, ' C. V. Fleming worked for his father until he was twenty-two years of age, after which he clerked in a store in Old Lelianon several years. Mr. Fleming was married February 8, 1835, to Miss ^lalinda A. Clifton, daughter of William and Elizabeth Clifton", all natives of Kentucky. This union was blessed with six children— Peter W., William B., James ]*I., Mason T, Frank C. and Jerome; of these, three are deceased: William B. was killed during the late war, at the battle of Stone River. Mr. Fleming built the first business'^ house in AVest Lebanon, and kept the first stock of dry goods, which he continued twelve years. In 1872, Mv. Fh'ining built his present residence, at a cost of §4.000. He is a Republican, a pioneer of Ibis eouuty, and is, as likewise his wife, a member of tlie Ilniversalist Church, and a liberal "citizen. PETER W. FLEJIIN(.5, was b(n-n in West Lebanon. Ind.. November 20 18S8 and is a son of Cornelius V. and Malinda A. (Clifton) Fleming. Mr. Fleming's first Iciulun- was Rev. Mr. Hall, a Methodist divine; he also attended the generafschool of the place. From 18.56, he clerked for his father, in a general store, until he wtus twenty-(me years of age, when his father gave the store to liim and his brother William (who was killed during the war at StoneRiver). Peter W was likewise a soldier of tlie late war, having enlisted in Ooni]>anvK, One Hundred and Tliirtv-fifth PIKE TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 169 Indiana Infantry, May 4, 1864. He was commissioned First Lieutenant, and iionor- ablv discharged September 21, 1864, after wliich lie resumed mercantile liusiness with his father, having since added dry goods, boots and shoe.s, etc., to tlie value of f 10.000. Mr. Fleming was married, January .5, 1860, to Miss C. J. Sinkes. daughter of James M. and Jane Sinkes. To this union succeeded one child—Leland B.i'Mrs. Fleming died February 19, 1867; Mr. Fleming was next married, June 1, 1869, to Miss Arranna Craft, daughter of W. and Mary Craft, a native of Ohio. To this union were born three children, the tirst and last dying in infancy, the second only living — Lois B. Mr. Fleming is Past Master in the Masonic order, also a member of Covington Chapter, H. R. A. In politics, he is Republican, and was Postmaster during the Lincoln adminstration. FRANK C. FLEMING, Treasurer of Warren County, was born in that county October 12, 1849, and is a son of C. V. and Malinda A. Fleming. Mr. Fleming's share of education was obtained at the district schools, with one year at Asbury University. When twenty-one 3'ear3 of age, he began mercantile business at West Lebanon, under the firm name of Fleming Brothers, in which he has since been en- gaged. In 1871, Mr. Fleming was married to Miss Sarah Nj^e, a native of Charles- ton, Ohio, who died in October, 1872. Mr. Fleming was nextmarried, June 3, 1881, to Miss Ella Wheeler, of West Lebanon, who died'October 18, 1883. In 1876. Mr. Fleming was elected Township Trustee, and in 1883, Treasurer of Warren County, by a majority of 846. He is a Ro3'al Arch Mason, and a rigid Republican, having given his first vote for U. S. Grant. HON. J. FLEMING, physican and surgeon, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, born March 24, 181,5. His father, Peter Fleming, was a native of North Carolina, his mother, Sarah (Caughey) Fleming, of Kentucky. His maternal grandfather came from Ireland during the American Revolution, through which he served, and during which he was wounded, taken prisoner and sold to thejindians. Dr. Fleming's parents died when he was young. At fifteen years of age, he removed to Liberty, Union Co., Ind., where he learned the trade of a hatter, and became an expert at that business. After serving as clerk for one year, he began the study of medicine with Drs. Co.x and Holland, the former of whom was a brother-in-law. In 1839, he removed with Dr. Cox to Paris, Ohio, where they formed a partnership in medical practice. This was dissolved in 1843, when Dr. Fleming came to Warren County, Ind., and located at Lebanon. Previous to this, July 10, 1843, he married Miss Mar3' Jamieson, who died in 1860, leaving four children — William H., Edwin, Hat- tie M. and Rufus. In 1863, Mr. Fleming married Mrs. Jane Gree; she died in 1869. In 1872. Dr. Fleming was married to Mrs. Amanda Stephens, a native of Ohio. Dr. Fleming cast his first vote for Gen. Harrison, in 1840. He was a State delegate when the Republican party was organized, and has since been a stanch supporter thereof. In 1883, he was elected Senator from Warren and Fountain Counties. He is a rigid temperance advocate, but not of a third party on that is- sue. Dr. Fleming is the principal physician in and founder of West Lebanon, which should have been namedafter him'. The Doctor is a Freemason, and religious- ly a Universalist; his wife is a member of the Cliristian Church. JAMES M. FLEMING (deceased) was born in Preble County. Ohio, June 30, 1819, and was a son of Peter and Sarah (Caughey) Fleming. James M. Fleming re- ceived a very limited education, but by study and reading he became exceedingly well informed, particularly in politics and religion. When a lad, he went to live with his brother, Thompson, and when of sufficient age began to learn the trade of tanning, at wtlch he wofEed for his brother until he was twenty-four years old. He was married, November 17, 1842, to Miss Sarah C. Hyde, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, daughter of Obadiah and Sophia Hyde. To this union were born five children— Ariadne J., Winfield S.. Thomas C, Ann E. and Laura L. In 1843, Mr. Fleming came to old Lebanon and engaged in the tanning business; thence moved to Attica in 1846, and conducted a tannery some years; and thence to this township, where he purchased eighty acres, afterward living in Prairie Township, and in Kansas in 1878, where he purchased a claim and died, at the home of his daughter, near Spcarville, March 7, 1879. Mr. Fleming was a member of the Masonic body; in politics, a Republican, and an honored and enterprising citizen. Mrs. Fleming is a member of the Universalist Church. CAPT DICKSON FLEMING (deceased), merchant and real estate dealer, son of Peter and Sarah (Caughey) Fleming, Avas born April 24, 18-33, in Preble County, Ohio and was of Scotch-Irish descent. Capt. Fleming never attended school after he was twelve years old, but through his own energy and perseverance obtained more than an ordinary education. He was a great reader, and gave special atten- tion to the subjects of finance, politics and religion. The early death of his mother and the ill financial success of his father impressed him with the idea that to live was to work, and, accordingly, at twelve years of age, he supported himself by 170 ' BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: working by the month on a farm. In 1848, he went to CaliforQia, returning, how- ever by rtnaon of failing health, in 1850, and making his home in or near West Lebanon. The marriage of Capt. Fleming occurred March 4, 1853, to Miss Ann S., daughter of Ichabod and Eunice Howe. Mrs. Fleming was born in Hampden Coun- ty, Mass. Her mother died July 35, 1835, and father December 34, 1873. To the union of Captain and Mrs. Fleming were born two children— Fred and Allie, Fred died August 9, 1881. He was a young man of sterling qualities, and of more than ordinary intelligence, of much promise. Politically, Capt. Fleming was a thorough Republican. He enlisted in 1861, and re-enlisted in 1863, but, on account of ill health, was compelled to resign the command given him, and near the close of 1863 he came home. Capt. Fleming was by faith a Universalist. Mrs. Fleming is a member of the Universalist Ch'urch, having joined in 1880. The death of Capt. Fleming occurred January 8. 1873. In his death, Warren County lost one of the most valued and representative men, and the community a highly honored citizen. Mrs. Fleming resides in West Lebanon, and is one of the most amiable ladies in Western Indiana. She is a great temperance advocate, and famed for her works of charit}'. WARREN T>. FLEMING was born in this county, May 4, 1850, and is a son of James and Lucinda (Purviana) Fleming ; the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Tennessee ; the father died in 1853, the mother in 1877. The parents of Warren came to this township in 1837, and were truly pioneers. Mr. Fleming received but littla schooling, jret he has, by diligence acquired a practical education. After he became of age, he commenced the grocery business at West Lebanon, in company with R. P. Adams ; this, after three months, he renounced for farming, and in 1873 purchased the family homestead, on which he be,gan the manufacture of tiles, under the firm name of Fleming, Hamar et Co. On April 16, 1871. he was married to Miss Ettie French, by whom he had one child, Harry L. Mr. Fleming, in 1883, began making tile by the steam-drying process, the firm having manufactured 300,000 during that year, and has since increased its facilities for the work. Mr. Fleming is a radical Republican, and gave his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant. ZEBULON FOSTER, one of the pioneers of Warren County, was born in Pike County, Ohio. August 19, 1808, and is a son of Richard and Rachel! Browning ? Foster, both natives of JIaryland ; the former died in Pike County, Ohio, in 1831, the latter in same county in 1856. Mr. Foster received what education he has in the subscrip- tion schools of Ohio. He worked for his father uuil he was twenij-live, when he was married to Miss Caroline Ostrander on Februarj- 14, 1833, daughter of Dr. Edward and Margaret Ostrander. To this union were born twelve children — Edward. Rachel, Eliza W., Mary, William and Harriet ; the others died in infancy. After marriage. Mr. Foster came to Warren County, where he liuilt a cabin 16x18 feet, and entered 400 acres, which he subsequently improved. Mrs Foster died June 3, 1871. On August 31, 1877, Mr. Foster was married to Mrs. Juliet Russell, daughter of Andrew and^Ann Fleming. Mr. and Mrs. Foster are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Foster is a stanch Republican, and has been ToNvnship Trustee for five years. SAMUEL M. FRAME, ex-County Commissiiiiier. was born in Preble r",iunty, Ohio, September 37, 1S17. and is a sou of Samuel and Elizabeth (Martin) Frame! the former a native of Virginia, who died in Prelile Countv, Ohio, in 1847 ; the latter a native of Nortli Carolina, who died in this county in 1831. In 1830, the parents of Samuel J[. Frame removed from Ohio to this township, where they entered and afterward purchased eight v acres. After his mother's death his father and he went to Ohio, where thcv remaineil until 1S;39. Ou October 11 183s; he was married to Miss Vilriah Ammermau, daughter of Jolm and Rachel Vmmerman' This union was blessed with nine children— Eliza J., Celia Rachel Maiv M Henry C, Minerva A., Elizabeth C, Samuel M. and John L. (deceased)' " In '18*39' Mr, Jranie returned to this county and purchased land, on which he lived until 1883, wlieu he moved to West Lebanon. Mr. Frame cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Harrison, in 1S40, Init is now a stanch Re|Hiblican. tie has served as Township Trustee, and as County Coinmissioner from 1S68 to 1881 nine iron bridi^es, a court house and asylum for the poor having been built durin.' his term Mr. I^rame IS a so an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Soul Sleepers t^liurch. THOMAS GOOI)^VlNE (d,>eeased) was born in Kentucky August 10 1810 and was a s.ui ot James and Elizabeth (Snyder) Godwine. The parents of Thomas came to Indiana (then the Northwest Territory) when he was live years old loot- ing lirst m .laekscm. then in Bartholomew, and I'ame to this couniy in 18->^ Mr (,oodwiiie was a soldier of (he Bhu'k Hawk war. Thomas began tlu' work "for him- ,selt when twenty-one years of age, his father having given him '^tO acres On PIKE TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 171 August 37, 1834, he was married to Miss Eliza A. Baird, a native of Ross County Ohio, daugliter of James and Elizabeth Baird. This union was blesseii with ten children— James S., Jolin C, Wesley, William W., Rosalin, Elizabeth C. .Jennie H., Thomas H., Julian and Scott W. ; of these, five are deceased. Mr. Goodwine died October 1, 187i. Mr. Goodwine had four sons in the late war— James S. John C, Wesley and William W., the last having died at Bridgeport, Ala., and Wesley at home from wounds received in the service. Mr. Goodwine was a prominent citizen of this county, and was universally respected. Mrs. Goodwine resides on the old homestead, now more than sixty-four 3'ears of age. JAMES GOODWINE, land owner and stoclT dealer, was born in Kentucky .June 19, 1813, and is the third of the eight children of James and Elizabeth (Suj'der) Goodwine. The elder Goodwine was a soldier of the war of 1812, also of the Black Hawk war; was a pioneer of Warren County, and for many years Commissioner of the same. When our subject was an infant his parents moved to Jackson County, Ind., and thence to Bartholomew County, where Mrs. Goodwine died and James first attended school. Afterward, the family removed to what is now Liberty Town- ship. Mr. Goodwine died in this county in 1851. On August 15, 1833, our subject was married to Miss Sophia Buckles, a native of Ohio, daughter of William and Lois Buckles. To this union were horn twelve children— Mar}- J., John, William H., James, Frank, Washington, Louisa L., Christiana, Indiana, Marion, Horace and Fremont; of these, five are deceased. Mr. Goodwine's first land purchase was forty acres from his father, to which he has continued adding until he now owns 10,3.50 acres, only ninety of which are not drained and improved; he has also given a good farm to each of his children. Mr. Goodwine handles from 1,200 to 1,500 head of cattle every year, and has 7,500 acres of pasture, and 1,000 acres of meadow land. Since 1874, he has been President of Warren County Agricullural Association. He is a liberal and energetic citizen, contributing freely to every worthy enterprise. He had three sons in the late war— John (who died "in the service at Savannah), and William and Frank (who were in Libby prison). He is a Republican, but liberal, and Mrs. Goodwine is a member of the L^niversalist Church. FREMONT GOODWIN (named after Gen. John C. Fremont) is a native of this county, is the son of James and Sophia (Buckles) Goodwine, and was born May 23, 1857. When five years of age, he commenced attending school in aframe house, one half mile from the homestead, and continued until he was twelve years old, when his father sent him to Perdue University, where he entered the freshman class and remained for three years, but was taken from college against his wishes, and now he designs to complete a course and graduate at some reputable institution. In 1878, Mr. Goodwin began teaching, at which he has continued, excepting a period of one year, during which he was agent of the Havanna, Rantoul & Eastern Rail- road, in 1881, he was elected Principal of the West Lebanon Public Schools. On August 15. 1878. Mr. Goodwin was marri<'d to Jliss Ettie A. Walker, daughter of Dr. A. C. and A. M. Walker. Mr. Goodwin is a radical Republican and temperance man. Mrs. Goodwin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. REV. COLBRATH HALL, pioneer mini-^ter of Warren County, was born in the State of New York January 20, 1806, and is a son of Josiah and Phebe (Dutton) Hall, both natives of Connecticut and deceased — the former in Butler County, Ohio, in 1830, the latter at same place in 1831. The parents of our subject settled in Butler County, Ohio, when he was nine years old, where lie attended the pioneer school, and afterward, by diligence and perseverance on his part, he acquired a good education, and remained on the home farm until after his father's death. In September, 1838, he married Miss Maria Horner, daughter of Naihan and Cordelia Horner. To this union were born iwo cliildren— Adaline and Harriet, both de- ceased. Mrs. Hall died in March, 1836. Rev. Mr. Hall was next married Septem- ber 14, 1836, to Miss Sarah II. Hum. daughter of Rev. William and Matilda Hunt, to which union were born eight children — Henrii'ita, Wliittield. William I., Jose- phine, Hiram D., Marshal S., Sarah A. and Sarah F., of whom Hiram D. and Sarah A. are deceased. In 1834, Mr. H.ill came 10 Jennings County, Ind., and traveled Vernon Circuit; in 1835, Lawrencelmrg Circuit; and in 1836 and 1837. AYinchester Circuit. After living in old Lebanon six years, he removed to his present home, where he has resided thirty-five yi-ars. Rev. Mr, Hall was licensed a minister of the M. E. Church July 13, 1833, in Ohio, and was f)rdained at Lawrenceburg, Ind., October 24, 1S39, by Bishop Roberts. He has performed 5.50 marriages, preached 4,000 times, and 700 funeral sermons. He has served rive terms in the Legislature. He is a Repulilican, Freemason, and a re|ircsentative man and honored citizen. ALEX HAMAR, tile manufacturer, was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., February 10, 1848. and is a son of Joseph and Amy (JlcCrea) H.-imar, both of whom are living in Iroquois County, III. Wln'n Alex Hamar was twelve years old, his parents moved to Vermillion County, 111., where he attended school during three I I 172 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: winters, when the family came to this township, and thence removed to Adams Township where Mr. Haraar finished his schooling. In 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany Q, One Hundred and Fiftieth Indiana Vohinteers, and was discharged at Indianapolis in August, 186.5, from wliicii time until about 1875 he has been engaged in threshing and manufacturing tiles, being the senior of the firm of Hamar, Flem- ing & Co. On .January 2. 1870, he was married to Miss Mary A. Johnson, a native of this county. Mrs. Hamar had four brothers in the late war, three of whom were sacrificed. To this union was born one child, Luella (September U, 1873). Mr. Hamar is a Republican, and gave his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant. Mr. Hamar came to West Lebanon in 1867, and has been Assessor of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Hamar are members of the Universalist Church. J. W. HAMAR is a native of Warren County, Ind., born April 10, 1858, and is a son of J. C. and A. T. (McCrea) Hamar, both natives of Ohio, and residents of Iroquois County, 111. When J. W. Hamar was fourteen years of age, he removed to Ohio with his parents, and received some education, mo.st of which was at Vienna, 111., although he attended the normal school at Valparaiso one year, and also a short term at Sandusky. Ohio. In 1880, Mr. Hamar removed to West Lebanon, and engaged in manufacturing drain tile, and is a junior member of the firm of Hamar, Fleming & Co. On March 22. 1882, he was married to Miss Clara E. Biaer, daughter of Henry and Mary Biser. all natives of Maryland. Mr. Hamar is a Republican, and gave his first Presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes. He is a young man of great industrv and enterprise. CHARLES HAYWARD was born in Baltimore, April 18, 1811. and is a son of William and Keziah (Coats) Hayward, both natives of Maryland; the former died in Clarke County, Ohio, October, 1853, the latter in 1848. Charles Hayward received some education in his native State, and at the age of fifteen was apprenticed to a house-joiner for five years. After finishing this trade, he removed to Cincinnati, thence to Vicksburg, and thence to Clarke County, Ohio, where he was married, April 23. 1834. to Miss Elizabeth E. Vickers. a native of Ohio, daughter of Richard and Celia Vickers. To this union were born five children — Sarah (deceased), Mas- tin, Celia K., James W. (deceased) and Ruth A. James W. was a soldier in the late war, of Company H. Second New York Cavalry, and was discharged September 10, 1864; he was captured before Richmond, sent toLihby Prison, and died of disease contracted while in tlie service. In October. 1838. Mr. Hayward and family moved to Morgan County, Ind,, where he remained until 1840, when he came toWarren County and settled in Lebanon. In 1846, he bought 240 unimproved acres, which he improved, and in 1869 moved to West Lebanon. He is now a Republican, and was an Abolitoniet; he is also a temperance man and a pioneer of this county. DAVID JAMES was born February 1, 1819, and is a son of Isaac and Gcvenney (Dunham) James. When David was about eight years old. his parents moved to Cincinnati, where he attended school and worked in a fruit house. In 1837. he came to this township and county, and in the winter of 1839-40 taught in the Benson Set- tlement, and in the summer walked to Cincinnati to attend select school, thus con- tinuing three years. On July 28, 1844, he married Miss Mary A. Davis, daughter of John and Mary Davis, to which union was born one child— Tlieodore jT; Mrs. James died November 26, 1845. Mr. James was again married. Septemlier 19, 1816, to Miss Sarah J. Hurst, by whom he had three cliildren— Mary H., John W. and Sarah G. ; Mrs. James died March 30, 1852. Mr. James was next married to Miss Frances Sherwood, September 30. 1852. To this union were born four children — Michael \V. .Elizabeth J,. FlorenceE. and Margaret A. Two years ago. Mr. James moved to West Lebanon. In 1850. he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has mostly held said office since that time. Mr. James is a Repulilican in politics, a prominent merchant, and one of the pioneer scb lolmasters For twelv.' years, he earriid on a store at Independence. Warren Township, where lie was Postmaster from 1862 to 187ll Mrs. James is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Cbureli. CHARLES E. JONES, grocer and queensware dealer, was born in Fairtield County. Conn., July 6, 1846. and is a sou of David W. and Catherine M, (Judson) Jones, the fiu'mer a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Connecticut. Mr. Jones was killed in the battle of Cliancellorsville, Jlay 3. 1862. C. E, Jones taught school in his native State for four years, when he emigrated to Lake Count v. Ind.. wliere he taught four terms of school. In the spring of 1872. he was married to Miss Ella llandley. a native of Lake County, daughter of G. W. aiid Sarah llandley. To tliis union has succeeded one child— Euhi C. (born May 81 1879). In 1875. he was appointed railwayagcnt at Alvin, 111., whence, after 't"bree years, he wan transferred to West Lebanon, after which he accepted a like position with the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railway Company, whence, after one year and a half, he came to West Lebanon, and engaged in his "present business J .nuarv 1882. Mr. Jones is a stanch Republican, and ' one of the prominent busiiiesV'me'n of his locality. PIKE TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 173 JAMES KIMBALL, Wabash. St. Louis & Pacific Railway Agent at West Leb- anon, was born in Clinton County, N. Y., Ma}^ 11, 1836, and is a son of E. and Susan (Case) Kimball, both natives of New York. His maternal grandfather was a sol- dier of the war of 1813. His mother died wiien lie was four years old, and he early began the struggle for himself. After worlving in the pineries, and when seventeen years old, went to Canada, and thence to Minnesota, where he remained four years, when he returned to Montgomery County, Ind. In the winter of 18.i9, Mr. Kimball came to West Lebanon, and in 1861 he married Miss Samantha Sliillman, a native of this county, daughter of Jolm W. and Marj' SlilUman. This union was blessed with seven children — Edwin 8., Anna (deceased). Charles H., Carrie, Frank. John and Dudley. For six years after coming to tliis county. Mr. Kimball was engaged in a saw mill, a flouring mill and in the lumber business. In Februarjr, 1876. he was appointed railway agent at West Lebanon. Mr. Kimball is a Royal Arch Mason, and also a Republican, having given his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lin- coln. He was a Councilman for six years, and is at present a member of the school board. Mrs. Kimball belongs to the M. E. Church. JAMES H. McIXTOSH, a pioneer of Warren Count}', was born in Lexington, Ky., Maj' 17, 18iy. and is a son of David and Jane (McAuley) Mcintosh. David Mcintosh was a native of Scotland, and came to America in 1801, and after one year emigrated to Lexington, Ky., whence, in 1819, he removed to Madison Coun- ty. Ohio, and in 1830 came to this township. He died October 28, 1848, aged eighty- four. He was a carpenter, and a most exemplary man. Mrs. Mcintosh died May 26, 1872. J. H. Mcintosh received his early education from the common schools, and when he reached manhood began life for liimself by working at boat-building. January 28. 1836, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Dunbar, a native of Sandusky Couniy", Ohio. This union was blessed with six children — Marv J., Maria L., Eliza- beth R., Martha A., Boston H. and Sarah F. Mrs. M. died August 15, 1879. In the autumn of 1836, Mr. Mcintosh purchased his present home. He is a public-spir- ited citizen and a worthy man. In politics, he is a radical Republican, and in re- ligion, a member of the Christian Church of a standing of forty years. BARTOX H. McI^fTOSH was born in this township and county September 17, 1848, and is the only son in a family of six children born to James H. and Elizabeth (Dunbar) Mcintosh, natives of Kentucky and Ohio respectively. Barton received his education from the common country school, and lived at home until his twenty- fifth year, sharing in the products of the farm after his twenty-first year. On June 18, 1874, he was married to Miss Morcy Greene, a native of New York, daughter of M. S. and Sarah Greene, of West Lebanon. After his marriage, Mr. Mcintosh contracted to manage his father's farm until that parent's'dea.th. In October. 1876, he was elected Township Assessor, and re-elected in April, 1878. He was elected Township Trustee April 3, 1882. He is Past Master of Ancient Masons and a radical Republican. Mrs. Mcintosh is a member of the Christian Church. ELIAS PORTER was born in Clinton County, Ohio, February 2, 1813, and is a son of Nicholas and Mahala Porter. His grandfather served through the whole of the Revolutionary war, and died in White County, Ind., aged one hundred and nineteen. His father was a native of Ohio, where he died in l8l4; he was a soldier of the war of 1812. His mother is still living, aged ninety-two. Elias came to Warren County with his step-father in 1830, and settled in Rock Creek, in this township. On February 3. 1833, Mr. Porter was married to Miss Lavina James, a native of Ohio, daughter of Thomas and Mary James. Five children have followed this union— Thomas J., Prudence, Cornelius, James W. and Sarah E., of whom two only survive. After his marriaue, Mr. Porter worked as a laborer, and for long in the'harve.st field at 25 cents per'day. In 1835, he purchased eighty acres, to which he continued to add until he possessed more than 400 acres, and one of the finest farms in Pike Township. He moved to West Lebanon March 7. 1872, where he yet resides. Mr. Porter is a Republican, and one of the pioneers of the county. Mrs. Porter is a member of the Christian Church. DAVID B PURVIANCE, one of the pioneer farmers of the State, was born in Giles County, Tenn., March 21, 1819, and is a son of Eleaser and Elizabeth (Orr) Purviance. His grandfather was a Colonel in the Revolutionary war. His father was a native of North Carolina, and died in this township in 1869. When David was ten years of age, his parents moved to this State, and settled in this township, where they purchased eighty acres, a part of which is now the Union fair grounds. Here he attended school and worked fen- liis father uatil he was twenty-one years old after which period he received a share of the products. On December 26, 1844, Mr Purviance was married to Miss Fannie Hamilton, a native of Ireland, daughter of Edward Hamilton. She died October 8. 1858. leaving four children— Edward D Mary F., Fannie and Lizzie A. Mr. Purviance was next married. April 1, 1860* to Miss Mary M. Beck, a native of Union County, daughter of Anthony Beck. 174 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: To this union were born three cliildren— Ida V.. William E. and Rhoda A. Mr. Purviance is a Republican, and was formerly a Whig, having given his first vote for Gen. Harrison. He is a member of tlie Christian Church, and a respected citizen. W. L. RABOURN" was born in Vermillion County, Ind., July 26. 184S, and is the youngest of the four children born to Fielding and Rebecca (Shepherd) Rabourn. Fielding Rabourn was a native of Kentucky; he died March 13, 1831. The motlier of W. L. Rabourn diid when he was yet an infant, and he was taken by an aunt until his father's second marriage. His early life was passed in the service of his father on tlie farm during summer and attending school during winter. So he con- tinued until he was nineteen, when he began teaching. In 1869, he commenced the study of law in the office of Davis & Mann, at Danville, 111., where he remained two j'cars, wlien, for want of means, he discontinued the law and resumed teach- ing. On April 16, 1871, he was married to Miss Dorothy Carithers, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Carlthers. Si.x children liave blessed their union —Ldlie, Nellie, Ossian, Fannie, Stella and Charles O. In August, 1871, he was admitted to the bar of Vermillion County, Ind., and one year later to the bar of Vermillion County, 111., and also, in 1877, to the b,ir of Warren Countv, Ind. In 1879. he moved to West Lebanon, where he has been since located. Mr. Rabourn is a Republican, and in 1881 was elected Town Clerk and Treasurer. On May 1, 1883, he formed a law partnership with Hon. W. P. Rhodes, and is esteemed one of the tirst lawyers at the Warren Countv bar DANIEL W. REED, Marshal, was born in Warren County, Ohio, ]May 13, 1841, and is the eldest of live children born to William M. and Mahala (Fox) Keed, natives of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and Montgomery County, Ohio, respectively, and of Scotch-Oerman descent. Mr. Red's parents came to Liberty Town>hip, VVarren Count}', Ind.. in 1860; remained until 1871, and then moved to -Jasper County, where tliey still reside. Our subject's marriage occurred November 7, 186,>, to Miss Mary J. Schoonover, a native of Liberty Township, this county, and daughter of J.-imes and Susanna Schoonover. They have had six children— Cora B., Lenora D., Desse M., Lura E., Nathan J., and William A. In 1870, Mr. Reed went to Iroquois County, III., remaining there until 1877, when he returned to this county. In 18S0, he removed to West Lebanon. In August, ls63, he enlisted in Company'F, Seveniy- seoond Indiana Volunteers, and was in battle at Chickamaus.i, Atlanta campaiirn, Selma, and all engagements in which his regiment participated, except one. He was honorably discharged July .5, 186.5. Mr. "Reed is a Kepui)llcan. and a memlier of G. A. R. In 1880, he received '357 votes in countv convention, for Recorder He was elected Marshal of West Lebanon, May 7, 18^-8. Mr. Reed is an enter- prising and creditable citizen. JOHN C. STEPHENS was born in Hamilton Countv, Ind. April 34 1849 and is a son of Henry and Mary R. (Wells) Stephens, the 'former a native of Ohio When John C. was ten years old. his mother ciied. and he lived with an uncle until his father was again married. In August, 1860, he moved with his father to this county and settled near West Leban.m, where he attended the accessilile schools'" When fifteen years of age, he began workin;j; by the month, then a^ clerk in a holeV then in the buteliering trade for ten years, then in the confectionerv and tinallv iii thesrocery business, at which he is now engaged. On Oclolier 10 b^tiO Mi Sienliens" was married to Miss Sarah F. Clawson, a native of Preble Couuiv Ohio bv which union they had three children— Everett, Elsie and Mvrtle. Mr "Stephensjs a Re- publican, and h.as been Justice of the P.Mce. Town Marshal, and is and has been a Town Iruslee; he is also a menibrr of the Mas.mic fraternilv Air uid Mrs Ste- phens are meinbers of the Alethodist Episcopal Church A. C. '\VALKE1^ M. D was born in Zanesville, Ohio. September 1, 1^33. and is son of Andrew anil Mary (Barron) Walk.T, the former a native of IMarvI in,l wl,o diecl at Dresden, Ohio, July, 18-16, the latter a native of l^mnA■lvania;•■ ' '.i Dr Wa ker was three years of age his parents moved to Dresden,' Ohio, where he at- tended school and when sixteen years old his father sent him to attend the medical departnv.iit 01 the Universily of P,.nnsvl vauia. wh-re he studied tl.rV yea n afterward one year at the University ol New York; he also eha'ked in a \ew York drug store oiir year, and gradiniled at the New York Medical rniveixitv in 1^4,5 Tn 18 0., became to t^Ouinbus, hid., where he was married to Mis Vi , 'Sl r nvu ' danghtiM- I. Asa and Ainy SluManan, This union was lilessed with live chh I'e - Lmina ^.. -l"'-"!.!.. F. (dee..ased), Eitie A., Essie L. and Elmer S. In 18, e re- moved t,o Hob lvo.V;i";l commenced practice, which he conlinued until the late war when, in July, lHt)3, lie was coinmiss oned bv Gov Morlnn -Vc,.;., „, q i the Sixty-third llegimiait Indiana Volunteeii, ai d s wed um h l^of wh^ he returned home, [n b%7. he lu^gan the dru- Ini.lness ii \V . T , ' ',' '? 1,.. is yet eii.a,ed. Or, Walker is a member o f i ^ ^ .^,X H-aiZiu'" ^1 l'"^ staneb Unmhliea,,. Mrs. Walker is a memher of the PivsbyleHan clmn'lu' MOUND TOWNSHIP— WAUREN COUNTY. MOUND TOWNSHIP. CYRUS CUNXINGHAM, was horn in Vermillion County, Ind., December 15, 1839, and is the only living child of Thomas and Eliza (Cuuniuffhara) Cunningham, three brothers, Nicholas, George and Jared, being deceased. Thomas Cunningham was born in Ross Count}', Ohio, December, 1799; was by trade a tanner; moved to Vermillion County, in i'ii'iO, of which he was one of the earliest settlers; managed a flat-boat on the Wabash and Mississippi Rivers, until 1840, and died in 1846. Cyrus Cunningham left Vermil'ion County when he was twenty-five j'ears old, and came to his present location. He was married, December 17, 1855, to Mary Oliphant, which union was blessed with seven children — Horatio (deceased), Reuben, Walter M., C. v., Marriet, Malinda and James. Mr. Cunningham's residence is three and one-half miles west of Covington, on his farm of over 1,400 acres, well drained and improved, producing good crops of corn, wheat and hay; he also raises and deals in stock. Mr. Cuningham having been born just over the line of the county, and hav- ing remained in the neighborhood, has had ample opportunity to note the transition of tlie country from a wilderness to a garden, and recalls many stories of his father's experience with the Indians. Mr. Cunningham has lived a cxuiet, unambitious life, and is a high type of the true citizen, and is an industricjus and thrifty farmer. F. 6. Dubois was born in Medina County, Ohio. .January 16, 1836, and is one of the seven children born to Abraham and .Julia A. (Randall) DuBois, tlieir names being — Abigail, Sarah, Washington, Francis, Charles, Martha and William, of whom Abigail and Frank alone are living. Abraham DuBois was born in New York in 1799. He was a farmer, but had given some attention to blacksmithing and stone masonry; he still lives in this township. At the age of twenty, F. G. DuBois came to this county, where he has made his liome. He was married, December 25, 1829, to Caroline L. H. Kent, by whom he had two children— Rebecca K. and Mary F. G. Mr. DuBois resides one and three-quarters miles southeast of State Line City, on his farm of 300 acres (123 thereof being one and three-quarter miles southeast of Vermillion County, 111.). His land is fertile, well drained and improved, and adapted to corn, wheat, hay and oats; he also gives some care to the breeding of short-horn cattle. Mr. DuBois has a large frame dwelling, with good staDles, fencing and the like. These improvements and possessions are the result of close and well-directed labor and providence. Mr. DuBois is a much esteemed citizen and exemplary gen- tleman. J. R. JOHNSON, Sr., was born in Franklin County, Ohio, September 5, 1818, and is one of the nine children of James and Carley Ann (Clark) Johnson, their names being Thomas (deceased), Henry (deceased), John, George, Nancy, James, Polly, William M. (deceased) and Carley Ann (deceased). The father of our subject was born in Pennsylvania about 1799; was a farmer and stock-dealer ; was a soldier of the war of 1812. and died in Steuben Township, Warren Co., Ind., where also his widow died in 1873. In October, 1828, J. R. Johnson was brought to what is now Kent Township, Warren Co., Ind.. by his parents, where they located for a short time, whence they removed to Steuben Township, where his father owned between 2 000 and 3 000 acres. J. R. Johnson was married November 26, 1840, to S. B. Steeley, by whom he had one child— Elizabeth N. (deceased). Mr. Johnson resides two miles southeast of State Line City, on 533 acres (seventy-three being three-quarters of a mile distant): he has also 150 acres of timber, two miles southeast, and 245, which are well improved, adjoining Hoopstown, Vermillion Co., 111. Over 500 acres of these lands are under the be.st cultivation, producing largely wheat corn, oats and hay Stock-raising is a specialty with Mr. Johnson. From 1861 to 1873, he lived in what is now the finest residence in State Line City, where he was for several vears in the dry goods business. In 1872. he erected a magnificent brick residence, modernly furnished, costing |10,000, from the observatory of which one may com- mand a delectable view of the splendid country. Mr. Johnson is one of the earliest settlers and has acquired his possessions by the hardest labor and longest persever- ance which will ever be to him a lasting monument. He is a Freemason and an Odd Fellow- he has acted as Justice of the Peace, County Commissioner and Town- ship Trustee. Mr. Johnson is a true gentleman and worthy citizen, higlily esteemed by the community. J W KENT was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 24, 1824, and is one of the eio-ht children of Perrin and Rebecca (Dill) Kent, whose names are Charlotte, 'V^ill- 176 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: iam, John W.. Sarah, Thomas, Rebecca, Isabel and Caroline. William and John alone are living. Perrin Kent was born in Wa.shington County, Penn., July, 1794. He was a practical and life-long surveyor, and made many government surveys, having located the line between Illinois and Indiana. He was under Gen. Harrison in the war of 1812, and died in January, 1882, on his farm, where he had lived since 1826. J. W. Kent came with his parents at an early age to Kent (then Mound) Township, Warren Countv, with whom he remained until he was twenty-four years old, and afterward became paymaster for the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad. After two years, he located in Steuben Township, Warren County, for fifteen years. October 1, 18G7, he was married to Kate Wallace, by which union were born two children — Gertrude and Maxwell. Mr. Kent resides two and a half miles southeast of State Line City, on 312 acres; he also has a farm of 800 acres in Steuben Town- ship, and one of 760 twelve miles southeast of Danville, 111. His farms are almost exclusively pasture land, producing luostly hay, although he raises some corn. He has paid much attention to breeding Berkshire swine and tliorouglibred short-horn cattle, and to tlie latter he now gives his chief devotion. In 186.1-66, he erected a brick residence at a minimum cost of $12,000. wtiich was burned in May, 1880. In 1882, he built his present residence, a magnificent frame structure, at a cost of $6,500; he is also erecting a fine l)rick residence in Danville. 111., to cost |1.5,000, the grandest in Eastern Illinois. In 1817, he was employed by Ellsworth & Co., land speculators, members of which company were Piof. Chauncey A Goodrich, of Yale College, the Schermerhorns, theDaytons, William Sigournej' and others. Mr. Kent was in this service fifteen years, his business being to locate, improve and sell lands, during which time he gave attention to his own stock business. Mr. Kent's record needs no eulogy; it speaks for itself. He is a true Democrat, and one of old Mound's most prominent and successful citizens. ELISHA EODGERS was born in Connecticut April 14, 1812, and is the eldest ,of the eight children of Allen and Sarah (Warner) Rodgers, the names of the chil- dren being Elisha, Daniel (deceased), Jonathan M., Jabez (deceased). John, Han- nah (deceased), Mary and Samuel (deceased). Allen Rodgers was a farmer and cooper, at which latter occupation he at one time employed several men. He removed to New Hampshire when Elisha was a child, thence to Hamilton County, Ohio, and in the fall of 1825 to Vermillion County, Ind.. where they remained until Elisha came to his present place in 1836. Mr. Rodgers removed to Iowa between 18.55 and 1858, where he died. Elisha was married, in 1840. to Juliet Evans, by whom he had one child — Melissa. Mrs. Rodgers died June, 1840. He afterward married Mary Ann Jloudy, by whom he had ten children, six of whom are living — Sarah, Emily, ]\Iartha, Lincoln. Rosa and Peter. Mr. Rodgers was an earlv settler of Veriudlion and Warren Counties. He resides fo\ir miles northwest of CoVimrton on a good farm of 393 acres, 200 of which are well cultivated, producim: wheat, corn, oats and hay; he has also engaged largely in stock-raising. The site of this farm was once a flourishing city called Baltimore, at which period steamers plowed the Wabash, and railroads were almost unknown. Mr. Rodgers was Postmaster of this town for twenty-flve years; he was also Trustee. Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner during the lale war. In 1881. he built a fine brick residence, costing $5,000, and comuiaiiding a gruml view of the Wabash River and adjoining country. Mr. Rodgers is an aide and iiilluenlial citizen, an advocate of temperance and education, having himself built on his premises a fine sehoolhouse, a monu- ment to him and a blessing to the township. JOHN HOUSE was born in Scioto Countv, Ohio. August 16, 1826, and is one of the six rlflldren of Reason and Martha (Olehy) Rouse,''the names of whom are Isaac, Rebecca (deceased), Edwanl, John. Dennis and Elizabeth tdeeeased). Reason Rouse was l)orii in Delaware in 179I1. In earlv life, he studied medicine, intending to be a physician, which he afterward aliamloned to become a farmer ; he died in Seioto County. In 1831, after his father's death, .lohn went with his mother to Vermillion County. III., where he remained until her death in 1832 when he returned lo Scioto County, thence going to Vermillion County, ami coniiu"- lo this county in April, 1852. He now resides three and one-quarter miles soutirof State Line City, on his excellent farm of 130 acres, well improved, and productive of good wheal, corn, oats and liav Mr. Rouse was married, Decemlier 1847 to Phebe Villers who died in the following November. His second marria.'c was to Maria I Ill-cell ; this union was blessed with twelve children, of wMioiu are liviii" Marv F Sarah E.. George W.. Douglas. Marion and Joseph F. Mr. Rouse volunteered for tlie Mexican war. but his regiment was not accepleil. He has lived in his present neighborhood tor halt a century. He has given much time to stoek-raisin.r ami has erected ample slables. as well as other iinprovements. Darin"- the late w'ar he was Hegisler. and acted for two ye;irs. Mr. Rouse is an active and lhorou><-h Deiuo- crat. iuid an esteemed and enterprising citizen. KENT TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 177 KENT TOWNSHIP. AMOS BROOKS was born in Trov, N. Y., October 33, 1839, and is one of the five children of Amos and Elizabeth (tJpham) Brooks, the names of said children being Theodore, Francis, .Jerusha, Elizabeth and Amos, of whom the first and last alone survive. The father of Amos was born in Massachusetts about 1793 ; was by occupation a tanner ; was a soldier of the war of 1813, and died in Troy, N. Y., in 1843. When our subject was three years old, he removed with his mother to St. Thomas, Ont. ; thence they moved to Detroit, Mich., and thence went back to Troy, where his mother died ; after remaining ten years, he removed to Kankakee County, III, where he was a schoolmaster. In 1883, he came to this county and located at State Line City, where he taught four years, and thence, after three years, to his present place. Mr. Brooks was married June 19, 1863, to Rhoda Hiser, by whom he had four boys— John W., A. Theodore, Alva (deceased) and Paul P. Mr. Brooks resides one and a quarter miles south of State Line City, on his fine farm of 1.57 acres (twenty-five of which lie one and a half miles southeast and fifty-two three miles southeast) ; the land is mostly under cultivation, well drained and adapted to wheat, corn, hay and oats ; he also raises some stock. Mr. Brooks has made many improvements, having a comfortable frame dwelling and commodious stables. He is a Freemason, a member of the Christian Church, and an earnest advocate of education. PATRICK CAyAISTAGH was born in Ireland September 19, 1836, and is one of the eight children of Frank and Catharine (Pryor) Cavanagh, the names of which children were James (deceased), Patrick, Ellen, Barnard (deceased), Thomas, Francis, Stephen (deceased) and John (deceased). Frank Cavanagh was a farmer and stock- raiser; he also dealt in stock. After he was eighteen years old.Patrick farmed in Yorkshire four 3'ears, and thence went to Lancashire. He reached New Y^ork, January. 1849, and worked at brick-makiiig some time; thence he removed to La Fay- ette, Ind., and remained two 3'ears, whence he took the " Wahasli shakes," on ac- count of which he traveled South. Mr. Cavanagh was married, July 10, 18.53, to Mary Keegan, which union was blessed with nine children — Charles P., Mary, Thomas, Ellen, Julia (deceased). James, William, Harvey and Lewis. Mr. Cavanagh is conducting the only saloon in State Line City, where he has resided since 1859. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and universally acknowledged a true gen- tleman and a good citizen. ABRAHAM CLEM, was born in Butler County. Ohio, May 39, 1836, and is one of the four children of Henr^^ and Martha (Carmichael) Clem, the names of the chil- dren being Abraham, Elsie, Harriet and Israel D. Henry Clem was born near Lexington, Ky., about 1790; was a lifetime farmer, and died in Warren Count}', Ind., in 18o5. Abraham came to this county with his parents in 1839, since which he has lived within the boundaries of what is now Kent Townsliip. and since 1853 in his present loeation. Mr. Clem was married, November 31, 1848, to Margaret Ann Taylor, which union was blessed with eight children, five boys and three girls. Mr. Clem's residence is tliree miles east of State Line City, on a superior farm of over 300 acres (sixty of which lie three miles southeast), only seventy-five of which are not under good cultivation, with natural drainage, and well adapted to raising wheat, corn, oats and hay. In 1883, he commenced and finished a handsome and commo- dious frame residence, an ornament to the city. Mr. Clem is a Mason and a mem- ber of the Methodist Church, also an esteemed citizen. ROBERT CRAIG, was born in New York City January 4, 1834, and is the only living child of Abraham and Ann Eliza (Sheppard) Craig. Abraham Craig was a native of New York, a carpenter, and was killed by the fall of a building in the city of New York. When a boy, Robert became errand boy in a diy goods house, in which lie served seven years; he afterward became apprentice to a blacksmith in Catskill. After finishing his trade, he traveled and worked in many cities, having made the ironwork for the first carriage so finished in Port Wayne, which was an object of much curiosity; he was also thefirstof his craft in Toledo, Ohio, and in La Fayette, whence he removed to Covington and became one of the firm of Craig, Lewis & Co.. tlien the most extensive works on the Wabash, and after their destruc- tion liy fire Mr. Craig met the lialiilities of the firm. He was afterward in business for himself until 1853, when he came to his present place, two and a quarter miles southeast of State Line City, on a farm of 190 acres (sixty of which are timber, one mile southeast), about 100 being under good cultivation, well drained, and well 178 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: atiapted to the production of wheat, corn and oats; there are many improvements on this land. Mr. Craig laid the first tiling in the township, and was the first to use wheat and corn drills. September 18, 1851, he was married to F. C. Mitchell, by whom he had four children— Martha J., John (deceased), Marietta (deceased) and Robert M. Mr. Craig is an old Mason, a trusty man and honored citizen. ELIJAH L. OILMAN (deceased) was born in Brown County, Ohio. June 4, 1816, and was one of the family of John and Lydia (Lindsey) Gilman ; the names of their seven children were Samuel. Elijah, Mary. .John, Hannah, Daniel and Alice, the last of whom alone is living. When Elijah was about seventeen years old. his parents removed to Fountain County, Ind., where the}' died, and where our subject remained until after his marriage, when he came to this towns hip and resided until his decease. He had in his early life worked with his father at the wheel- wright business, but he afterward gave his entire attention to farming. He was mar- ried, November 9, 1837, to Martha Oxford, to which union two boys and five girls were born, named, respectivel}'. John, Rachel A., Lydia (deceased). Mar}', Josephine (de- ceased), Lindsey and Maria. In 1871, an accident befell Mr. Gilman, which resulted in his decease; he was endeavoring to cross a stream, near his residence, and. while jump- ing from one stepping-stone to another, lost his balance, which in striving to recover, he sustained dislocation of his hip-joint ; the principal cause of his death, however, was maltreatment of the case by incompetent surgeons. He was a noble gentleman and valued citizen, a member of tlie New Light Christian Church, and deeplv mourned by friends and relatives. Mrs. Gilman is passing her latter davs on her farm of 197 acres (150 of which are one mile south), located four miles east of State Line City. She is one of the early settlers of Warren County, and a pioneer of Vermillion County (Ind.). having gone thither with her parents in 18il, GEORGE H. LUCAS was born in Williamsport. Warren Co.. Ind.. Janu;uy 29. 18-1.'). and is one of the eleven children of Ebenezer F. and Charlotte D. (Kent) Lucas, the names of the living being John P.. William K.. George H.. Rebecca E., James H.. Tliomas K.. Lloyd S.. Kale B. and Charles. Ebenezer Lucas was born in February. 1807 ; he was a teacher, and afterward appointed Deputv Clerk of the Circuit Court of Warren County, and in May. 1838. was commissioned by Gov. Wallace to fill the term of James Cunninghani. deceased ; he was also Colonel of the Sixty-eighth Militia Regiment, and Deputy Surveyor. In 18-14. he was chief engineer on the Waba.sh A; Erie Canal, and afterward general superintendent. He. died in August, 1871, having ac(|uired both means ancrposition. George H. Lucas came to this county with his parents when he was two vears of age. Except a few years' employment as a clerk, he has been a lifelong farmer. August 10, 1873. he was married to Kitt Delaplane. to which union were born four children— Harriet (deceased). Charlotte (deceased), James and Kate Clare. Mr. Lucas resides one mile east of State Line City, on his farm of 144 acres (eighteen of which are timber, two and a half miles southeast), well drained, fertile, and productive of corn wheal and hay. Mr. Lucas has served two terms as Township Trustee. He is an Odd Fellow and an esteemed and worthy citizen. WILLIAM R. MURPHY was born in this township June 12. 1836 and is one of the ten children of George and Mary (Shoemaker) Murphv ■ of these children seven are living-John, Hannah, William, Gano. Martha. Gideon and Samautha George Murphy w.as b.iru in ()hh>. 1802 : was a farmer, and died in Warren Count v' Ind in 1801. William R. Murphy has made the old homestead his lifelon.- home and has been enabled to note the transformation of this countv from a h'^iunt of wolves to a garden of civiliz.ition. He was ni;irried. August l" 18(il to Maria E Stanley, which union was blessed with nine children — Mary. Florence' Lucv (deceased), \\illiam, :\Iartha. Eliiora, Charles, Roberta and Waher (deceaseds In Seiitembcr, 18(;4. Mr. Murphy was enrollcl in the Fortieth Indiana Veteran Volun- teers, and was engagrd in the battles of Franklin and Nashville ; he was discharged at New Or.caiis in July, bsii,",, when he returned home. His residence is tive nules southeast of State Line City, on his 200-aere farm (twentv-seven of which are on^ and a ha I miles southeast) ; his land is improved and very" pro.luetive. particularly cilize'r " '""'"■ ■■ "'•'''■' *' ' prosperous farmer and a public-spirilecl A. M. PORTER. j\r D.. was born in Fleming County. Ky.. November 24 182.,, ami IS one of the s,.v,.n c'liildivn of Sell. W. and Cynthia (Davis) Porlei their names being .Albert. Ausli,,. Morris. William D., EvMine. Jane and Seb; the (iatighters are deceased. Sell. W. Porter was horn .May 29. 1791 ;,t Snow HI Md In his youth, he was apprenticed to a shoe-maUer Hn,1 ,v,„.L-„.l .,, ,u. ...\ ■..'.. 1; in ii.s youth, he was apprenticed to a shoe-maker, and worked at that trade 'untii middle ;,,ge. after which he farmed until his death. He was under t"ol iV dl,.v , the war o 1812; was taken prisoner by the Indians, and aneihve ns' ev changed at^Montrc.al „r a bob-tail pony. He died in Mav. 1870. in Boo e County Ind. Dr. Porter, with h,s parents, removed to Parke County, Ind. .am the ce to KENT TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 179 Boone County. He studied medicine at Wabash, Ind., under Dr. Loop. In July, 1847, he came to this county, and after two years began practicing in Jamestown, Boone County, and remained two and a half years. In the spring of 185'3, he re- turned to AVarren County, atid located in this township, where he has since resided, coming to his present location, near State Line City, in IS')'-). After attending Wabi-ih College, he received his first lectures, in 1847-1:8, at the Indiana Medical College, then located at La Porte, and afterward at the same institution in Indian- apolis, from which lie received his degree. Dr. Porter was married, .July 23, 18.50, to Eliza Layton, who died in February, 18.>5; afterward, March 13, 1860, he mar- ried Maria Layton, by whom he had one child, 8el)a. Mrs. Porter died in 1861. His third marriage was to Isabella Calhoun, November 23, 1865, by whom he had three children — Carrie (deceased), Albert (deceased) and George Seth. Dr. Porter is an enthusiast in his profession, and has two brothers, physicians. He is a Knight Templar Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Presbyterian. CANO SHOEMAKER was born in Butler County, Ohio, November 30, 1815, and is one of the thirl een children of Elias and Catherine (Cox) Shoemaker, whose — - names were Michael, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary, Ann, Abigail; Samuel, Elias, Gano, Louisa, Gideon, Samantha and George, of whom Gano is the only cme living. Elias Shoemaker was born in Delaware in 1771; was in the war of 1812, our subject being named after his commander. Gen. Gano; was a life-long farmer, and died about the year 1862, in Warren County, Ind. Gano was about six years of age when his parents moved to Union County, Ind. After eight years, he went back to Butler County, Ohio, and in 1842 moved to Louisiana, wliere he worked on the Atchafalaya Ba.you for seventeen winters. In October, 1831, he first came to this county, but did not locate until March, 18.56, since which time he has resided here. Mr. Shoemaker was married, September 27, 1858, to Harriet Clem, which union was blessed witli seven children, those living l)eing — Austin P., Albert R., Wilson S., George H. and Lucy A. Mr. Shoemaker resides four and one-half miles southeast of State Line City on his farm of 110 acres (40 of which lie one-half mile north- west), which is well drained and fenced, and produces good wheat and corn; there is also a good dwelling and ample stabling. Mr. Shoemaker is an excellent man, and a worthv and honored citizen. SAMUEL SONGER was born in Montgomery County, Va., February 10, 1810, and is one of the eleven children of Peter and Elizabeth (Sawyer) Songer, the names of which children were Susan, John, Jacob, Peter, Elizabeth, David, Sarah, Samuel, Lewis, Nancy and Mary. Of these, Samuel is probably the only one liv- ing. Peter Songer was a farmer, and came early to Dearborn County, Ind.. where he died when Samuel was a child, who remained in said county until he was nearly twenty years old, when he removed to Vermillion County, 111., and remained there nearly thirty-five years. In the autumn of 1869, Mr. Songer came to this county. He was married, August 13, 1829, to Sarali Parker, their union being blessed with eight children, the names of the living being Lewis, William and Andrew. Mrs. Songer died August 34, 1859, and February 5, 1863, he married Rachel A. Ruark. Mr. Songer resides five miles southeast of State Line City, on a good farm of 165 acres, under fair cultivation, well drained, and adapted to the culture of wheat and corn. He has a good dwelling, commodious staliling, and other improvements. Mr. Songer is a worthy citizen, and a memlier of tlie New-Light Church. DAVID THANEY, was born in Warren County, Ind., May 5, 1849, and is the fourth of six children born to John and Margaret (Long) Thaney, such children ' being Sarali, George, Margaret, David, Henry (deceased) and Frederick. The father of David was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in 18' i5; he was in the main a farmer, though he had learned weaving and coopering; he died in Stueben Township, War- ren Co., Ind., in April, 1880. David Thaney resided in Steuben Township untd March, 1880, when became to his present home, two and a half miles south of Marshfield. He was married, September 28, 1875, to Marietta Briggs, who has liorne him two children-— Gertrude and Claudius. Mr. Thaney farmed with his father until 1874, after which he conducted a grist mill and saw mill in Steuben Township. On coming to this township, he constructed a tile factory, having a capacity of 5,000 feet of tile per day, and at that time the only one in the township. After hav- ing received a fair .school education, he attended one year at Wabash College. Mr. Thaney has lived within a radius of half a mile all his life. He has greatly improved his farm, adding a comfortable dwelling, witti commodious stabling; his chief prod- ucts are wheat, corn and hay, and he makes a specialty of stock, principally sheep and cattle. Mr. Thaney is asucccssful farmer and an esteemed citizen. 180 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: STEUBEN TOWNSHIP. P W ANDERSON", was born iu Clarke County.Ohio. April 33, 1831, and is one of the twelve children of James and Ruth (Vickers) Anderson wHo were named Joseph, Peter, Mary (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased). William (deceased), Edward, Cecelia (deceased), Charles (deceased), Augustus, Howard, James L. and John. The father of Peter was born June 28, 1804. in Maryland; he was a farmer and stock- raiser, and died in 1871, in this township. P. W. Anderson, at the age of twenty-one, came to his present location. In April, 18G1, he enlisted for three months in the Tenth Indiana Infantry, and was in the battle of Rich Mountain. In 1862, he re- enlisted in Company E, Eighty-si.Yth Indiana Infantry, as .Sergeant; he was engaged at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Franklin, and in minor engagements; and was dis- char'j-ed June, 1865. Mr. Anderson was married October 31, 186,, to barah B. Mar- tin- The V have three children— Nellie. Clifford and Oracle. He now resides three and a lialf railed northwest of Marshtield, on his farm of 181 acres (sixty acres of timber lying three and a half miles southeast); the 12U acres are well cultivated, well drained,' well improved, and producing good wheat, corn, oats and hay; he also raises some stock for his own use. InlH76,he was elected Justice of tlie Peace, and re-elected in 1880. Mr. Anderson is a memlier of the Masonic order, the Grand Army of tlie Republic, and of the Baptist Church. ELIJAH C. BYERS was born in Washington County, Md.. August 1, 1831, and is one of the hve cliildren of Samuel S. and Nancy L. (Bo'wers) Byers. the names of said family being— Ann (deceased). Jacob, Margaret, Elijah and Ellen (deceased). The fattier of our subject was born in Washington County, 5[d., October. 1801; was a weaver and dyer by occupation, which he followed until he was thirty-eight years of age. In the fall of 1888, he removed to Noble County. Ind.. thence to Fountain and Warren Counties, residing in Washington and Pike Townships; after going to Missouri, in 1868, he came to this township, where he died in October, 1874. Elijah C. Byers came to this township in March, 18.52. and since December, ly.").). has lived on his farm of 27.5 acres (ninety-five of whicli are three-fourths of a milewest. with twenty of timber in Kent Township), 2.'j.") acres of which are under good cultivation, with neat frame dwelling, convenient stables and other improvements, such as or- chards, general shrubbery, etc.; this land produces good corn, oats and ha}^ Mr. Byers was married. November 18. 18"i2.to Sarah A. Shankland. by wlioiu he has one child — William F. Mr. Byers is a memlier of the Church of God. Mrs Byers hav- ing become a proficient taxidermist, her services have been secured by Prof. A. H. Alexander, of Hoboken, N. .1. JOSEPH C. CHAVERS was born in Putnam County. Ind.. April 14, 1836. and is one of tlie ten children of Alexander and Phcbe Chavers, the names of said fam- il}' being Elizabeth (Cunningham), William, Sarah J.. Joseph. Nancy A., Alexan- der, John A.. Rebecca, Mary C. and Ellen, of whom Joseph, John and Mary sur- vive. The father of Joseph was born in Virginia in 1806; came to Monroe County, Ind.. about 1828. where he married. He died in Boone County in April. 1850. Joseph C. Chavers was taken to Boone County when six years of age. and re- mained there until 1852, when he came to this township. He has resided where he now is since February, 1864. September 8. 1857. he was married to Orilia Barnes, who died September 4, 1865, leaving three children— Mary A.. Eveline and Adelia. Se|it<'inber 25, 1866, he married Nancy A. Brinegar, by whom he had two cliildren — William II anil Joseph L. Mr. Cliavers' residence is five and three-quarter miles iiorlliwest of Marsbfield. on his farm of ninety acres iforly being in \ ermil- lioii Coiiiily, III.), all of which is cultivated, fenced, with good frame dwelling, staliliiig, elc.. and productive of wheat, corn, oats and hay. His place is also very beaulifully ornamented. Mr. Chavers commenced his career without means, biit has, by persevering industry, aeiiuireil his (iroperty, as well as the respect of all. lie is a member of the Masonic fraternily and of the Church of God. He is also a much esteenu'd citizen. .lOlIN W. CHUMLEA was born in Knox County. Tenn.. May 3. 1832. and is one of the two children of William \V. and Jane (Anderson) Chumlea. their names being John and Rebecca P. (deceased). William W. Chumlea was born in Knox County, Tenn., in March, 180(i. He was cliiefly a farmer, but something of a mechiinical genius, having worked at twelve different trades. While in Fountain County, Ind., he was Justice of the Peace and Township Trustee. He died at his son's house in December, 1880. The parents of John moved from Fountain County STEUBEN TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 181 to Steuben Township in 1854. where our subject has since resided, and since March 1875, on his present place. He was married May 10, 1860, to Anna E. Starry, from which union have resulted si.\ children— William, Lawrence W. (deceased), Esther J. (deceased), Lizzie E., Miles P. and George W. Mr. Chumlea resides two miles northwest of Johnsonville, on his excellent farm of 186 acres (80 of which lie three- fourths of a mile northwest), fenced and drained, and adapted for wheat, corn, oats and hay. He also raises sufficient stock for his private use. In the fall of 1875, he erected a handsome frame dwelling, and his farm is well improved. Mr. Chunilea has served three terms as Township Trustee, and has been for years a Mason and member of the Christian Church. He has never sought office, and is a much esteemed citizen. MARSHALL COMPTON was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 4, 1811, and is the fourth of the six boys born to John and Catherine (Davis) Compton, their names being— John, William (deceased). Garret (deceased), Marshall, Nelson and Jackson. The father of Marshall was a soldier of 1812, and was badly wounded in that war, after which he devoted his life to farming. While our subject was a boy, he went to Pike County, Ohio, to learn the blacksmithing trade, at which he served six years, and afterward worked for fourteen years. In October, 1846, he came to this township, and purchased his present place. Decemlier 18, 1859, he was married to Nancy J. Nelson, which union gave issue to three children — Alice, Charles and Jesse (deceased). Mr. Compton's residence is two miles north of Marshfleld. on his farm of 346 acres (30 of which, in timber, are four miles south, with 40 in Pike Township). All except the timber are under good cultivation and improvement, and are well adapted to corn, wheat, oats and hay. He also raises horses, cattle and Berkshire hogs. Mr. Comptfm has a flue frame dwelling and observatory, which affords a charming view of the country. He is a Freemason; was Trustee of Kent Township several terms, and has held other minor offices. JOHN D. CRAWFORD was born in Pike Township, Warren County, Ind., April 23, 1838, and is one of the eleven children of William A. and Lutitia (Snod- grass) Crawford, then- names being Martin (deceased), Milton (deceased), Samuel (deceased), Louisa J. (deceased), 8. Margaret, John D., Lutitia (deceased), William (deceased), Harvey H.. George W. and Sarah. William A. Crawford was born in Kentuck)' in 1804 ; devoted his entire life to farming and stock-raising, and died in this county in 1854. Our subject lived at the scene of his birth until February, 1878, when he came to his present location. He was married, January 15, 1874, to Ruie Morton, by which union were born three children, of whom but one, Clara L., survives. Mr. Crawford resides on his farm of 274 acres (seventy of which are one mile north, in Pike Township), all of which is fertile, and'most under good cultiva- tion, well drained, and adapted to wheat and corn ; in addition are many improve- ments, as a large, convenient barn, etc. Mr. Crawford is an exemplary man, a member of the Christian Church and an estimable citizen. His parents were among the oldest settlers in this locality, having come hither as early as 1837. WILLIAM H. CRONKHITE, Township Trustee, was born in this township December 15, 1844, and is a son of Hosea and Eleanor (Garretson) Cronkhite, the former a native of New York, the latter of Ohio. Hosea Cronkhite came to this township in 1838, where he died February 13, 1864 ; Mrs. Cronkhite died January 24, 1874. The grandfather of our subject was afsoldier of the war of 1812. Will- iam H. Cronkhite attended the district schools in youth, and when twenty-three began hfe for himself. He was married, October 10, 1867, to Miss Mell Smith, daugliter of P. G. and Eliza Smith, a native of Boone County, Ind., to which union was born one child, Guy. After marriage Mr. Cronkhite began farming for him- self. In 1873, lie moved to the old Cronkhite homestead, one mile north of Marsh- field, and one year later purchased the farm where he now resides, it being one of the best in the township. Mr. Cronkhite is a Republican, and was elected Town- ship Trustee, in 1883, over his opponent, likewise a Republican, by sixteen votes ; he is also a member of the Church of God. JAMES C. HALL was born in this township June 4, 1837, and is one of the ten children of Daniel D. and Jane J. (Buell) Hall, the names of this family being Harvey (deceased), Frances (deceased), Joshua (deceased), Celia (deceased), Walter B., Isaiah, James C, Isaac. Charles (deceased) and Frances M. The father of our subject. Dr. Daniel D. Hall, was born in Canada in 1803, and while yet a young man began the study and completed a course of medicine at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He came to Indiana in 1829, and located three miles south of West Lebanon, where he established his practice and obtained a wide reputation in the adjoining country. At the same time he commenced preaching the doctrines of the Christian Church, and organized the first society of that denomination in West Lebanon and all Warren County. In addition to these professions, he found time to farm. He was one of the earliest pioneers of this locality, and was an able 182 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: minister, a skillful musician, a warm-hearted friend and genial gentleman. He died in Pike Township. September, 185'2, uni\'ersally esteemed and mourned. James C. Hall lived at the scene of his birtli until he came to his present location, in 1864. He was married, .January 1, 1861, to Elizabetli James, liy whom he had si.Y children— Frank E., Haryej' H. and Isaac L. alone surviving. Mr. Hall resides Ave miles southwest of West Lebanon, on his attractive farm of 181 acres (twenty- flve of which are one-half mile southwest). This land is highly fertile and well improved (with fine frame dwelling and good stabler), producing well in wheat, corn, oats and hay; he also raises some st-jck, chiefiy hogs. Mr. Hall is an esti- mable gentleman and public-spirited citizen. JAMES JOHNSON was born in Franklin County, Ohio, September 37, 1835. His father was an old and prominent settler, and was tiie purchaser in the first con- veyance of land made in this county, in January, 1838, the settler being Natlianiel Butterfield. Mr. Johnson afterward owned six sections. [For family record, see J. R. Jobnson's sketch. Mound Township.] The parents of our subject removed to Mound Township, and thence to Steuben Township, where he has made his home. He was married, November 24, 18.53, tci Mar^^ L. Lyon, who has borne him four children— Norwell, Carrie B. (deceased), Dora B. and James. Mr. Johnson resides three-fourths of a mile east of Johnsonville, on his excellent farm of 375 acres, all of which is fenced, under good cultivation and in pasture, well drained and produc- tive, mostly of wheat, corn, oats and hay; he also raises stock, chiefly cattle and hogs, to which it is well adapted by the presence of a large spring wliich forms a stream through his land. In 1854. Mr. Johnson erected a handsome frame residence. He has been for a number of years a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has acted as Justice of the Peace, and Township Assessor. From his long, unbroken residence, he has observed the growth and progress of these scenes— once the home of wild men and beasts, and now that of a high cultivation. GEORGE S. KISER was born in Vermillion Countv. 111.. July 24. 1.S33, and is the fifth of twelve children born to George and Elizal)eth (Starrv) liiser. their names bemg John. Hannah (deceased), Catharine (deceased). Daniel" aleceased). George Samuel, William, Nicholas (deceased). Alexander. Harvev (deceased). Mary J. (deceased) and Jeremiah. The father of our subject was born In Virginia in 1799; he was in early life a teamster, but after coming to this State engaged in farming, and died in this countv in June. 1868. Wiien a few years old our subject was brought hither by his parents, where he has lived, almost continu- ously since that time, having come to his present site in 1868. He was married November 32, 1857, to Mary Guinn. a union which has been productive of nine children— Sophia, Eva S.. Nicholas ideceased). William. Jeremiah. James Daniel, Stella and Olive G. (deceased). Mr. Riser resides two miles northwest of Johnsonville. on his fine farm of 185 acres of well improved, drained and fertile land, all cultivated or in pasture, and adapted to oats, corn and hav he also '^ives attention to raising stock. cliieHy hogs. In 1883. Mr. Riser built a large, handlome trame dwelling, besides making otiier improvements. Jlr. Riser is an old resident and greatly esteemed by the community. THO.MAS LL()YD was born in Stark County. Ohio. April 3. 1836. ami is oue of the five sons of William and Nancy (Cunningham) Llovd. tlie names of which chil- dren are^John, C.eorge. Edmund. Th.uuas and David, "of whom Thomas alone sur- vives. 1 he lather of our subject was a native of Virginia, a farmer and died in Stark Comity m 1839. Thomas was eleven years old when he was re no- ",o Ross "™ I's^ T? "'"" Township, whence he came to his present location, in Febru- a y. 188(1. He was inarr.ed. November 10, 1850, to Jlalinda Brings; this union was blessed with sev,m children- Mary A., Josephine (deceased). ^Nllliam (deceased)' Elmer L Ch.arhs, deceased). Edward and Celia. Mr. Llovd ix^sidos three mi es norlhwest of Marshlield. on his excellent farm, all of w liich is"well cultivat id fe c el dratned. and adapted to the production of wheat, corn, oats and hav; 1 e i nv r ises only stock for his own use, but formerly raised and dealt larirclvin a variety of A"n r '',^^'"•\'' ";', '".'''"''^■'' "f ">^' N"^' I^'sl^t tJhurch. but is-an atte dan otMl e ' i?l'r .i 'i"'.';'!n, ^''' '" '' "■"'■"'>• man and estimable citizen ''">-"^''>"' ''^ ""• .1 AMES J. I\11ICIIELL w.is iiorn in Jlontgomery County. STEUBEN TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 183 Johnson, by -which union they had seven children— Clay. Oscar T., Laura E., Clar- issa J., Edgar (deceased), Eugene and .Jessie. Mr. Mitchell resides three-fourths of a mile northwest of .Johnsonville. on his 900-acre farm (having 160 acres of timber one and a half miles southeasi). Of this land, 660 acres are well cultivated and drained, being adapted to wheat, corn, hay and oats, and all but tweuly acres are fenced; he gives attention to raising cattle, horses, sheep and hogs, particularly the former. Mr. Mitchell has a well improved home, having a conifortable dwelling, commodious stables, windmill, etc. He is a member of the Methodist Church and a public-spirited citizen; his family was among the first white settlers iu this region THOMAS C. POWELL was born in Dearborn County, Ind., August 25, 1840, and is one of the seven cliildren of Martin and Jeannette (Churchill) Powell, whose names were William JL, Thomas. John (deceased), Mary A., llvah M., Daniel C. (deceased) and Eliza J. The father of Thomas was born in England in 1811; was a fuller and cloth dresser, hut became a farmer in afterlife; came toDearborn County when twelve years old, and thence to Warren County; he is now living at State Line City. Our subject came to this town,ship with his parents iu March,'l8;5.5. In Sep- tember, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, and took part in the battles of Wild Cat Jlountain. Thompson's Station (where the entire brigade was captured and confined one month in Libby Prison), Resaca, Lost Mountain, New Hope Church and Atlanta, where he was discharged September, 1864, when he returned home. He was married. March 16, 1868, to Margaret P. Logan, by whom he had one child — Lillie M. Mr. Powell resides two and one-half miles west of Marshtield, on his excellent farm of 16 i acres, well improved, drained and fenced, and adapted to raising wheat, corn, ha}^ and oats; he also raises and deals in stock, cattle and Berkshire hogs principally. Mr. Powell is a member of the Masonic order, and a highly esteemed and worthy citizen. MILES ST.iUliY was born one-half mile east of Johnsonville, in this county, August 16, 1837. and is the eldest of the three children of Daniel and Esther (Simp- son) Starry, the names of such children being Miles, Daniel L. and Anna. The father of Miles was born in Virginia in 1S08; was a life-long farmer and stock-raiser, and died in Steuben Township in April, 1869. When Miles was very young, Iiis parents moved to where he now lives, andw^herehe lias almost continuously resided. He was married, Februarj' 24, 18.59, to Keziah Guinn, which union was blessed with twelve children — Charles, Daniel. Anna. James, William, George W., Clark (de- ceased), Guy, Eddie (deceased), Eva, Pearl and Lou. Mr. Starrj' has alarm of 500 acres, one-quarter mile south, one-half of which is cultivated, the otherpasture; this land is fertile, well drained, and adapted to wheat, corn, oatsandhay; he also raises cattle, horses and hogs. He is a good citizen and esteemed bj' all who know him. The father of Mr. Starry was an early settler, and began the improvement of the home farm, which his son continued; Mrs. Starry, mother of Miles, resides on the homestead of 160 acres, which is one and a quarter miles north of Johnsonville, which Miles has rented since 1869. D. L. STARRY was born in this township October 1. 1839. D. L. Starry lived on the homestead until October, 1868. when he moved to John W. Chuiulea's place, and in November. 1871, came to his present location. He enlisted in August. 1862, in the Eighty-sixth Indiana Infantr3', and participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, sieges of Atlanta and Nash- ville. After a faithful service of thirty-three months and seven days, he was mustered out at Nashville, June, 1865, and finally and honorably discharged at Indianapolis. He was married, September 17, 1868, to Hannah Guinn, by whom he had two children, one of whom survives — Gertrude. Mr. Starry resides two and one-half miles north- west of Marshfield, on his flue farm of 247 acres (eighty acres lying seven miles southeast, and seven, three miles south of his home), nearly all of which is well cultivated, drained and fenced, and produces good wheat, corn, oats and hay; he also gives much attention to stock-raising. Mr. Starry has made most of his farm improvements since he came to live thereon. He has passed his whole life in this township, and has witnessed and had taken part in the many improvements since the pioneer days until now. ISAAC N. TAYLOR was born in Rockbridge County. Va., April 23, 1819, and is one of the eight children of Mark and Margaret (Amyx) Taylor, the family names being Adeline (deceased), America (deceased). M,atilda R., George W., Nancy (deceased), Matthew F., Isaac N. and Harvey P. (deceased). The father of Isaac was a native of Rockbridge County, Va. ; was a farmer and stock-raiser ; had a fine stock-farm, and died in his native county in 1824, agod forty-five years. The grand- father of Isaac, George Taylor, was a native of Ireland ; was a farmer, also a sur- veyor and civil engineer ; came to America before the Revolution, in which war he was a soldier ; was supposed to have been a signer of the Declaration, and died in Rockbridge County. In 1842, I. N. Tajdor removed to Xenia, Ohio, where he 184 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: worked as carpenter, having served four j^ears at that trade, and thence to this county, in April, ISoll, where he, in partnership with Daniel Fauber, erected a saw- mill at a cost of $4,500, which they manai^ed fourteen years ; he also worked in this county as a carpenter. He was married, January 31, 18.")4, to Elizabeth Fauber, v/ith an issue of live children — Bayard. Joab, Charles, Elizabeth E. and Grant. Mr. Taylor has resided at his present home since April, 1874 ; it is one and a quarter miles nortlieast of JIarshfield. and a farm of 310 acres (170 of whicli lie four miles southeast), half of tliis being well cultivated, drained and fenced, and well adapted to wheat, corn, oats and hay. l\Ir. Taylor having compltted a course of surveying at Xenia, Oliio, he was elected County Surveyor in 1862, and served two terms, but declined a third. He is a member of the Presb3'terian Church and a true friend of Wabash College. GE(JRGE C. TYLER was born in Medina (now Summit) County, Ohio, Novem- ber I, 1828, and is one of the nine children of Parker and Anna L. (Wright) Tyler, said family names being William II., .Alary (deceased), George C, Martha S. (Jones), James, Ilirani B., Harriet M. (deceased). Homer C. and John Q. The father of our subject was born in U.vbridge, Mass., in 1789 ; he had learned the coopering trade in his early life, at which he was a proficient ; l)ut afterward turned to farming, which he followed until his death in Liberty Township, Warren Co.. Ind.. in 18.53. George C. Tvler was twelve vears old when his parent-; moved to Liberty Township, where he resided for several years, as well as in Jordan Town- ship and Vermillion Coanty. III., and in 1875 came to his present dwelling-place, two anil a half miles west of Marshtield, on a good farm of 280 acres, under fine cultivation, undulating, and very productive of the principal staples. ' >[r. Tyler also raises stock, and makes a specialty of Norman horses. He was married. October 14, 18.52, to Harriet Swank, by whom he has seven children — ^Martha J., 8ar,ah F Mary E., Julia A., Emma A., Laura A. and G. Clinton. Mr. Tyler is a member of the Masonic order and of the Methodist Church, aTid in 1882 was elected Countv Commissioner. WARREN TOWNSHIP. SAMUEL K. ABOTT is a native of Fountain Countv. Ind.. where he was born in 1841). He worked on the farm in summer, and went to school in the winter until the year 18/0, when he determined to take ii partner f(U- life ; he accordino-lv married Laura Haas, who was born in Fountain County in 1854 In 1877 JNIr Abott purchased lo4 acres of good land in this county, where he and wife and child reside in life enjoyment. Mr. Abott is a much respected citizen and a member of the Baptist C hurch ; his wife is a menihcr of the Presbyterian Church She is like- wise much respected in the community. ROGER ADAMS was born in th,. State of D.^laware in the year l.'-iOO and is a eral farmer and slock raiser. Mr Adams is -m ■inlenf R,.iV,',i,i'r,„\' """ j ^" '" i'^^"' ued .itizen. He and ,vile are niemlu'i-s of llu. m'" ' Co . "'''^""' '^"'^ ^^ "^"^" ^'^^l" JOHN J. ANDREW is a sou of Jacob and Mary Andrew ■ is a ualiye „f R,„l t County. Ohio, and was horn in 1811!. In 18,53 hisfalher iV, ve 1 t ; Tn r \ , lo tins uni,m have succeeded two diiUlivn. Mr Andrew is nm nri , ; """■ cantile business in this counly near the Kickapoo Mi Is and e ysf ^ od 1 l^!;" He IS a hi lb degree member of Hie I O O F 'ind ,if r ,^„,, v; J -V^ '^ y^^^'l ''•>dc. is a, also ,1 strong DemoernI and a worlliy ciUzen ' '^"' ^^"''^"- ^'^ ''^'^ ' ^'^^ . AMLS I. HARR is a s,,n of Ivan and Judith (Torbert) Harr and is ., n-.i;,- , .f this township, where he was hern in 18-15 He receive,! ,, , V '"!'' '"■ f "'"^^ '^^ O and afba-waid e,i^.uied in faruiim and s ,, 1 r i. ,,' 'l'"''''"'^" >'>luc.ation iu in Hiis township, with s^^^i iiouse! u::"r.ZtX>'^,^:::L,±l'!Z:':^:^.!:^' ^'^^ seveiity-hve heac born in 18(8, dai; have three childr Klren^Thonias, bornin 1875; Charlie, horn in 1877, ,„ul Torbert, WARREN TOWNSHIP— WARREX COUNTY. 185 born in 18T9. Mr. Barr is a member of Attica Lod^e. Xo. IS, A., F. & A. M., and also of Attica Lodge, Nn. 33. I. O. O. F. He was appointed County Commissioner in 188'2, and was elected to that office in the autumn of the same year, with a ma- jority of 1,050. Jlr. Barr is a stanch Republican. DeWITT C. BOSGSis a native of Warren County, Ind., was born in the year 1854, and is a son of William and ilary Bosgs. He obtained a current school edu- cation, and became a teacher in 1875.' The'same year he was married to Mary C. Schlosser, by whom lie had one daughter, now six years of age. Mr. Boggs is the owner of sixty-live acres of very excellent land, containing excellent improve- ments ; this land he inherited from his father. He is a general farmer and stock- raiser, a strong Republican and an esteemed citizen. JOHN" B.'CLAWSON" is a son of Timothy and Nancy Clawson, and was born in this township February 10, 1854. He remained at home and passed his boyhood with his father, whom he assisted in summer and attended school in winter. March 27, 18T9, he was married to Melissa Pearson, of this county, daughter of Samuel and Jane Pearson ; to whicli union have been bestowed two" children— Celia and Zada. He was elected Justice of the Peace, and served for eighteen months. About 1880, he engaged in mercantile business at Independence, wliich he still continues. In 1882, he was elected Township Trustee by the Democrats. Mr. Clawson is a Mas- ter Mason, and a Past Grand in the order of Odd Fellows. He is, besides, a very worthy gentleman and a highly esteemed citizen. JOSEPH COX is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, was born in 1815, and is a son of Jonathan and Charity Cox. He obtained but a limited education from the subscription schools, and in 1826 he came with his father to this county, where he now has 207 acres. In 183i3, he was married to Sarah Hinshaw, daughter of Elias and Sail}' (Williams) Hinshaw, born in Highland County. Ohio, in 1812, to which union were born four children — one boy, deceased, and three girls, now married. .Mr. Cox, having loVated here at an early dav, has experienced the com- mon hardships of a pioneer, having in the beginning onl}- an ox-team. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are members of the United Brethren Church, and are higlilj' respected personages. JOSEPH DOTY is a native of Pennsylvania, born May 1, 1795, and is a son of Samuel and Mary Doty. His father was a fanner in limited circumstances, hence the school days of his son were few and short — about eight months in all — the other portion of his time being passed in labor on the farm. His famiU' having moved to Ohio in 1812, there. May 16, 1816, Joseph was married to Effa Thomp- son, of Ohio, which union was blessed with ten children — five bo5'3 and five girls. In 1830, he removed to Indiana, and settled in Independence, in this township, where he followed farming and stock-raising. Mrs. Dotv died in March, 1848. and in the same year he married Cynthia A. Freeman, daughter of Henry and Mary Sharp. To this union were born two boys, one of whom died when three and the other when fourteen j^ears of age. Mrs. Doty is a member of the United Brethren Church, which he also attends. Mr. Doty is now in his eighty-eighth year, yet he enjoys good health, and can tell many interesting stories of the early settlement of this county. ENOCH H. FOSTER, a son of John and Thinetta Foster, was born in Put- nam County. Ind., in 1826. In 1833, his family moved to Benton County, where he assisteil his father in the work of the farm, who, in 1835. purchased 220 acres in Warren County, where Enoch labored until 1846, when lie was married to Mary Gaskell. daughter of Ezra and Nancy Gaskell, of Indiana. Mr. Foster then located in B -nton County, where he remained until 1853. when he removed to Illinois, and, in 1861, enlisted in the Seventy-second Illinois Volunteers. After returning from the war, he purchased 120 acres of improved land in this county. l\Ir. and Mrs. Foster are the parents of five children, of whom all are living. Mr. Foster is a member of the M. E. Church, an upright man and esteemed citizen. JOHN P. 6I_'XKLE, dealer in walnut lumber. Independence, was born in Butler County, Ohio, December 26, 1844. After 1853, he resided in Warren County, Ind.. and, in 1861, enlisted in the Fortieth Indiana Volunteers; he was taken prisoner in 1864, and confined at barbarous Andersonville for three months, thence removi-d to Charleston and Florence, S. C, whence he w-as paroled in the beginning of 1865. Thereafter he located at Battle Ground, White Co., Ind., and attended school two years. He then began the grocery business at Pine Village, and while living there "married Mary Wade, on the 17th of October, 1873. About 1876, he sold his store and moved to Kansas, where he remained two years, wdien he returned to Indiana and located in Independence. Mrs. Guiikle died in 1877, leaving one child, and December 22, 1881, he married Nancy R. Puckett, of this county. In 1822, he was elected by the Republicans Justice of the Peace. He is a member of Lone Star Lodge. No. 549, I. 0,0. F., and of Shawnee Encampment, No. 25 ; he is also a fellow of Post 47, G. A. R. 186 B[OGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: PETER J. HICKMAN, son of Roser and Mary (Jenkins) Hickman, was born in Delaware March U, 18i)8. His father was a farmer, and a soldier of the war of 1813. Peter worked for his father until manhood. .Januar.7 13, 1831, he was mar- ried to Mary Gulleit, daughter of John and Sarah (Justus) Gullett, and to their union were born eleven children— James S., Elbert G., Ann E., Eliza J. (deceased), Jolin W. (deceased), Martha, Charles, Peter, Sarah, Roger W. and Mary C. Mr. and Mrs. Hickman moved to Indiana in a wagon, and arrived at Attica after six weeks. Mr. Hickman purchased eighty acres in Warren Township, Warren County, on which he built a cabm and made improvements ; this he sold after five3rears and moved to Missouri, where he remained seven years ; he then returned to this county and pin-chased the Kickapoo grist mill, which he CDuducted some years, and after- ward bought 270 acres, the first settled farm in this township and containing the first brick liouse erected here. Mr. Hickman is a raiser of stock and general farm produce, and he and wife are inembers of the M. E. Church, of which he is a trustee. His children are all married, save one — Roger. He is in politics a Democrat. JOHN W. KELLER is a son of David and Maiy (Suiter) Keller ; he is a native of Maryland, and was born in 1810. In the year 1858, he came to Indiana and located in Wayne County, where he was married to Lydia Kiplinger, a naiive of Warren Count}', and born in 1847, also a daugliter of Jacob and Theresa Kiplinger. Mr. and Mrs. Keller liave three children, one boj' and two girls. In 1874, Mr. K(ller came to this county, where he now owns 1,].5 acres of excellent land, having received |1,,'J00 from his father. He is an industrious and well-respected citizen ; he is also a Democrat. WILLIx^^M G. KIGEIi was born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1828, and is a son of Samuel and Susan (Limerick) Kiger. He was reared on the parental farm, and assist- ed his father until 1817, when he married Harriet H. Wakeman. a daughter of Gideon and Debbie Wakeman, to wliich union f^uir children succeeded. Mr. Kiger enlisted, in 1863, in the One Hundredth Indiana Infantry. He returned to this coaniy in 186.5, and in 1871 erected a sleam saw mill near the Black Rock Narrows of the Wabash, and later he built a flouring mill, both of which he is now conducting; these mills are valued at §10,00(1; besides this property, he owns 330 acres of excel- lent land. Mr. Kiger took part in twenty-three engagements during the late war, including the course of Gen. Sherman across the SUiTe of Georgia, in all of which he was preserved from in.jury. He is a prominent Republican and worthy citizen. MARION KIGER is a son of William G. and Harriet Kiger; is a naiive of Wabash County. Ind., and was born in 18,50. While he w:is a youth, his family moved 10 a farm in Benton County, and afterward to Warren Coviuty, in 1861. near the Black Rock Narrows of the Wabash River, where his father buift a saw mill, in 1871. or which our subject was fireman. On an occasion, the boiler bursted and he was thrown sixty feet, with but slight iu.iury. lu 1873. he was married to Sarah Watts, a daughter of John and Eliza (Lister) AVatts.by which union have descended four cliildren. Mr. Kiger owns a farm of sixlv acres' in this county, with o'ood im- provements, lu bS.so, from failing health, he began to acquire a knowledge of the general lu-anches of education, and, up in examination, received a two years' license to teach. He is now Noble Grand of Lone Star Lodge. No. .549. and also a revered citizen and leading Republican. WILLIAM S. McAD.VMS is a son of Valentine and Evaline Mc Vdams .^nd was born m Warren C(nnily. Ind., in 1813. He was mostly engaged with his father on the home fai-m and attended sch.iol hut six months. "Sulis^equenlly he w.is married to S;irah t. Waymiri', a daugliter of Alexander and Louisa Waviiiire Darin"- the war he wasdralted, ami was e\emple,l on account of an aecid'eut previously^us- hiin,. ; but he was aiiMous to culisi, Mr. and Jlrs. McAdams have Ihree children. JMr. MeAdams is a gcncr.d larmci-. yet he ha^ some good stock- he is re-^idin.'- -it pr,.se,it on his f.dher-in law's farm " He is a Republican, and was twice Town'hiD rru-^tee. having receive,! al the last election a maiorilyof 303 He is -i M-ister unbc:, Br;',i:i^!:rchm-:i: ''"'•^' '"' ''-■ ^~' '^- ^^'-^ ^^-^'^-- - ^^ --^^ ^^^ DAVID B. i\[lLLER is a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind., was born in 1844 an,l ,s one ol the tan.ily ol Abraham and Elizabeth Miller.' In 1863. durin- the -Ue va.,-, Iieenbste, inlheOne Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Volullt,■er^ln which 1.' served anlil 1863, when he returned home ;ind resumed farming is he h-ts con til u.-d having a good I arm of 10) acres. In 1867. he was marril- 1 S- ,-1011,., T S,b,-e a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Sibreil, which union h^ ,^,':!;::^^',f^ tive c 1 hire,,. Mr. M, ler ,s a e.e„eral far,uer and stock-raiser ; he bclon-s to t he Iveimblieaii party, a, III IS ;i rcpnt.ibic citizen 01 ion.,> to the BI'ISTANA iMUX.sON is a native of Wa-ren C.iiiiiiv Tn f 1 ■ , 1813, and ,s a so,, of Sino a„d |.:iiz:,b;„ul'e.Uou)^M;;;;:;i,.^"i^- ^-™,- ri;,^;:;;? WARREN TOWNSHIP—WARREN COUNTY. 187 education and lived at home until 1863, when he enlisted in the Seventy-second In- diana Infantry, in which he served eigliteen moutlis, and afterward as a cavalry- man. He was in the engagements of Chickainauga, xltlanta and several minor bat- tles, and was discharged in 1865. In 18ti6, he was married to Edna Harmon, a daughter of Abraliamand Elizabeth Harmon, bj' which union they have three chil- dren — William S.. born in 18(58; Sarah E., born in 1873; and George, born in 1874. Mr. Munson is a Master Mason of Lodge 455. and is a much respected citizen. HAMILTON NOWLES is ;i son of James and Susanna Nowles, and is a native of Ohio, born in the year 183li. While a youth, his father and family moved to Indiana and located in Fountain County, where his parents died shortly afler. Our subject was instructed in the trade of farming by a family friend. In 1843, he learned l)lacksmithing, which trade he has since followed. In 1848, be was married to Delia Simpson, who died in 1860, leaving eight children ; and in 1868, Mr. Nowles married Harriet Chapman, who is yet living. Mr. Nowles .served in the army to- ward the close of the war, in 1865, and belongs to the G. A. R. He is a much esteemed citizen. Mrs. Nowles is a member of the M. E. Church. S. M. RIED. M. D., was born August 37, 1843, in Shelby County, Ohio, and is the only living child of William R. and Susanna(Young) Ried; both nativesof Ohio; Mrs. Ried died March 30, 1863, and Mr. Ried married Miss Jean Henry. This new mother, who was an excellent scholar, and fully appreciated the value of education, commenced to educate our sul)ject, and, bj' her Ci:ristian mildness, won his obedi- ence and love. At the age of seventeen, 8. M. Ried began teaching in the public schools, and in 1863. entered college in Delaware County, Ohio, but soon returned home to enter the service of his country, but was prevented therefrom by a severe illness. He then began the study of medicine under Dr. W. B. Venard. of Platts- ville, Shelby County, Ohio. During 1865-66, he attended lectures at Columbus, Ohio, and at the close of the term was, by merit, chosen by the faculty surgeon to the St. Francis Hospital for one year. He then located at Independence, in this county, where he soon obtained a good practice. October 38, 1866, he was married to Miss M. J. Johnston, of Shelby County, Ohio, to which "union were born three children — Frances A., W. Johnston and B. Lee; of these, the last only survives. B. Lee Ried was born Februarj' 4, 1876. Dr. Ried is a Master Mason and an Odd Fel- low, being Past Grand Representative of Lodge 549. Dr. and Mrs.Ried are members of the United Brethern Church, and are exemplary Christian people; their life is charity. ALEXANDER E. RUSSELL, is a son of William and Mary (Elliott) Russell; is a native of Cumlierland County, Penn., and vpas born in 1814. He worked on the home farm until 1830, when he began to learn the trade of a carpenter, at which handicraft he has since labored. He passed some time at Perrysburgh and at Woos- ter, Ohio. In the year 1840. he married Catherine Kinneard, born in Franklin County, Penn., in 1834, and daughter of John and Sarah Kinneard; seven boys and three girls have blessed their union. In 1853. Mr. Russell located in this county, where he has since resided, and where he owns 140 acres of superior land, the fruit of his unaided work, having had but 110 to begin the world after his marriage. He is an earnest Republican and a good citizen. PETER A. SIBUELL, a son of Henry and Elizabeth Sibrell, was born in Ross County, Ohio, September 13, 1831. He assisted his father on the farm during the summers and attended school during the winters, nntil 1843, when his father removed to Carroll County, lud. In 1846, our subject returned to Ohio, and on August 11th of that year married Elizabeth Edmonds, daughter of Robert and Margaret Edmonds; to which union were born four girls. After marriage, he purchased 160 acres in Tippecanoe County. Ind., where he settled and followed farming and stock-raising for twenty-tive years. About the year 1871, he exchanged his farm for 483 acres in this township. He is now living in the village, and his children are married and living on farms given to them by him. Mr. Sibrell served in the Ninth Indiana Battery, and is a member of Post 46, G. A. R. He is an ardent Republican, and a highlv esteemed citizen. JOHN VANDERBILT, is a son of Abram H. and Julia A. Vanderbilt, and was born in New York, June 1, 1833. His y(jui li was passed in assisting his father on the farm and attending school until 1850. when he began the carpentering business, at which he continued two years. In 1853. he located in this township and worked for a farmer, and afterwards taught school. In 1854, he went to New York and remained until 1857, when he moved to Kansas, where he assisted in laying out Prairie Cily, and entered eighty acres. Later, he traveled over Colorado, wcTrking at his trade and mining; he then realized asmu(h as 130 perday,but hepaid iflSper week for board, other necessaries being correspondingly high. In 1864. he traversed Montana with a scouting party, and from 186-") to 1869 worked for the Midas Mining Company. In 1870, he went again to New York, where he remained until 1873, 188 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. when he moved to the West, and in 1879, came to this county, where he is still engaged in farming. Mr. Vanderbilt is a stanch Democrat, a member of the Pres- byterian Churcli anfi a second cousin of the great capitalist Wm. H. Vanderbilt. of New York. ALEXANDER WAYMIRE, a son of Valentine and Elizabeth Waymire, is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, born February l.i, 1816. While a youth, his father removed to North Carolina, where he farmed for a time, but returned to Ohio, and afterward came to this count}' in 18i7. Here our subject was married, August 26, 18^8, to Louisa Marlow. daughter of George and Eilith Marlow, of this township. The union was crowned with four children, one of whom was made a prisoner in the late war, and contined in the Andersonville stockade, where he died in 1864. About 1866, he suffered a loss of about §2.000 by fire, from which, how- ever, b}' diligence, he soon recovered. Another and greater affliction was the loss of his wife, who died February 7, 1871. Soon after, he married a lady of Indepen- dence, where lie now resides, having rented his farm of 212 acres to his son, the revenue of which is suffleient for his support. Mr. and Mrs. Waymire are mem- bers of the United Brethren Church, and are very generally esteemed. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. ROBERT C. ANDER.SON is a native of Boone County. Ky., born January 8. 182.5. and is a son of William G. and Catherine (Cook) Anderson, the former a' na- tive of JIaryland. the latter of Penn.sylvania. In 183b. the family moved to Foun- tain County, Ind., where his father had entered and cleared some land and erected a log cal)in, in all of which Robert a.s a bov assisted. His father died when he was thirteen, wlien our subject attended school at Attica, and afterward learned the blacksmithing trade, at which he served four vears with Joseph Peacock. After this, he commenced in general blacksmithing with John B. Campbell, to whom he sold the business after two years. In 184;:). after merchandising at Painesville he went to California over the plains, and there cut wood for ex-tfov. Booth, at S8' per day and board. He soon saved !p3,000 bv variiuis labors, and in 18.50 returned to Indiana and located in Warren Countv. where he farmed on rented land and pur- chased some m Illinois. November 22. 1,854. he married Letitia Frvback dau-rliter of John and Letilia (Emerson) Fryback, of Pickawav County Ohio ifter^'mar- riage, he lived in Illinois one year, had a grocerv'in Attica some time and 'in 1858 came to this township and purchased a farm. He now has 234 acres with good buildings and improvements. He is a Republican and an Odd Fellow ' Mr and Mrs. Auders..n have ten children-Alice C. Ll,.wellvn F.. Edgar E.. Robert C, berena M.. Anna L., James A.. ..biliii F.. Bessie N. and' Susanna " 7 ici^^^^V^ BROWN was born in Warren Township. Warreu Co.. Ind.. January 7 1836 and IS he son of John B. and Hester tHurlev) Browu. wh,i were amon- the earliest selllers of that county. The father died in 18.56. the mother in 1846 Our subject was in attendance at the primitive log schoolhouse about one-third of each year, the other tw.i-thirds being given to work on the farm. December 13 18o9 he was married to Ann James, daughter of Banes E. and Alaluida 1 (Huff- man) .lanies Two children have followed this uuion-Lillie M. (born MaV 18 186-" and I.la. H (born April 24. 18.i-l). In 1867, Mr. Brown obtained forlv acres in Sec- Uon 3 of this township, lie now has ninety acn- ''"P'-ovcnunUs. Here bisVue dil' Xo^' \nLI AM I WV 1 ,''T'''''*- %';'"^'^,^'»' '1'^"' ^'ml an upright citizen, on ,Qi,. ,• '"\'',"-^ ^^^'s lioi" "1 line Townsh p. Warren Co ln,i \nril 20. I8I(.. and is a son of John W. and Margaret (Peoncr) Brown \ff,' '"''■.-H^"' schoolgoing our subject worked on the h\rm' l,ml ' ,^ w ^ ve.;^'ve.;VrTa;^^ December 2!., 1872, he was married to Melissa Grames, daugluc^- oY wl 'ISd LIBERTY TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY, 189 Elizabeth (Palmer) Graraes, who died with her infant child December 13. 1873. Mr. Brown afterward married, Febrnarj' 1. 1876, Elizabeth F. Pepper, born August 25, 18iO, diui^hter of .Jacob ani Naomi (Fraucea) Pepper, both very early settlers of Warren County. Mr. and Mrs. Browu have had two children — Nellie C . boru June 30, 1877, and ^Vilmer T., born January 22, 1883 (deceased). Jlr. Brown is an active Democrat, and he and wife are greatly respected in the community. GEORGE D. BUTLER was born m Lycoming 0(ranty. Penn., June 13, 1835, and is a sou of Robert and Sarah (Farr) Butler, also a cousin of Gen. and Gov. B. F. Butler, of Massacliusetts. George received but a small share of schooling, as he was required to assist his mother, after his father's death, who. in 184-t, sold the farm and moved to this township, where she purchased land, which our suljject managed until his marriage, whicli occurred November 8. 186(5, to Minerva Van Reed, daughter of Levi R. and Amelia (Bowman) Van Reed, natives of Berks County, Penn., and early settlers in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have four children — Clara C. Roliert A., Levi V. R. and George C. In 1868, Mr. Butler purchased eighty acres, with some improvements, in this township, and now owns 296 acres, well Improved, and as good land as the township affords. He is a general auc- tioneer, and has made sales for twenty years. He is an active Denrocratic partisan, and has lieen twice a candidate for SlierifE. He is an estimable citizen, and he and wife are generally respected. THOMAS CLINE was born in Ireland June 19, 1815, and was a son of William and Annie (Cline) Cline. Thomas passed a portion of liis time at school and the rest in lalior on the farm until March 3, 1844, at which date he was married to Catherine Doud, by wliom he had nine children — John, Michael. Steplicn, William. Bridget. Thomas (deceased), Maria (deceased), Joseph and James. In 1846. he emi- grated to America, and after a short stay in Albany. N. Y., settled in Hamilton, Ohio, wliere he bought a home and followed farm work until 1868, when lie came to this township, purchased 18 ' acres, and farmed and liandled some stock: tliis farm he improved by erecting a .good frame house, and in other ways. After a lingering illness he died, June 19. 188", universally respected. He was a meml)er of the Catholic Church, and a Democrat. He bcVjueatlied his property to iiis family. EZRA J. COVEY is a son of Elisha and Lucy (Main) Covey, botli natives of- New York, born in 1796, and bolb yet living. Our suliject was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., IMarch 25, 1817. From the age of fourteen. he attended an academy for five years, when he received a certificate to teach, and did so in the public schools for five years, when he enlered and graduated from Hamilton Colle.ge. From 1844 to 1847, he studied for the ministry^ and in the latter year was ordained by the Baptists. In 1851. he moved to Jackson. Mich., and preached there. He then traveled in several States, and while in West Virginia, in 1861. went to the field with the Twenty-first Oliio Regiment (the government did not then appoint Chap- lains), ancl in a skirmish received a slight wound in the arm. In 1862, he came to Indiana, and engaged in teaching and preaching at Attica, until 1867, when he pur- chased land in this township, on which he liuilt a brick house, and variously im- proved. July 4, 1869, lie married Auuusta A. Adams, daugliterof Sumner and Lucy (Taylor) Adams, of Massachusetts. In addition to his farm of 185 acres, he lias property in Attica and land in Warren Township. He is an active Republican, has heen twice Justice of the Peace, and is an Odd Fellow. WILLI.IM CROW was born in Lincoln County. Ky., January 12, 1816, and is a son of Benjamin and Susanna (Sullivan) Crow; His father was born at Frankfort, Ky., December 35. 1790; his mother in Tennessee. March 22. 1793. When William was four years of ase the family moved to Bartholomew County, Ind., where his falher entered land"and where William attended school in a primitive log school- house 12-\U. In 1830. his fatliercame to what is now Liberty Township. and entered 240 acres au'l made improve luents, where his son assisted in the clearing. Decem- ber U. 1834, he married Martha Young, born February 14. 1818. daughter of Matthewand Sarah (B;rry) Young; to tliis union were liorn nine children — W.alter H., Clarissa J., William H. (a soldier of Company K, Eighty-si.xlh Indiana Regi- ment who died in Louisville, Ky.. from disease contracted in the service), Mary M. (deceased), Benjamin F., V.nnficld S., Horace G.. infant boy (deceased) and Abra- ham L. (deceased). After marriage, Mr. Crow purchased eighty acres in Section 30, where he lived five years, then went to Iowa, and thence returned to this township and purcliased forty acres in Section 26. He now has 560 acres, well improved, also 64) acres in Jordan Township. Mr. Crow lost his wife March 13, 1867. He is a general farmer and stock-raiser, a member of the Universalist Church, a Master Mason and has been County Commissioner anfl appraiser of real estate for five years- he was a Republican, and is now a Greenbacker. Mr. Crow's great-grand- fath, when he resumed farming. October 4. 1866, he was married to Nancy Barrett, born April 17 1843 daughter of Moses and Nancy (Wilson Barrett, by wiiom he has four children— Mary Maud, Clarence C, William B. and Alice E. Mr. Stearns has a fine farm of 185 acres; he also raises some stock. He is a Republican, and a mem- ber of the G A. R. In 1880 and 1883, he was elected Township Trustee. His mother resides with him, aged eighty-five, and is well and active PHILANDER T STUMP, T>orB May 6, 1837. is a son of .loseph and Mary (Reed) Stump- the former born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1800, the latter in 1801. In 1829 the father of our subject entered forty acres in Fountain County, Ind., on which he built a cabin, and which he improved. This he sold, and purchased 160 acre.s in Medina Township, in this county. Five years later, he purchased a farm in Liberty Township, on which he lived and farmed. Philander 4 . Stump worked at the plow and attended school three months of each year until his marriage, April 17 1861 to Mary E. Van Reed, born December 11, 1843, daughter of Levi R. and Aiiielia (Bowman) Van Reed. This union was blessed with ten children— Lillie E., Clara M Dora B., Amelia M. (deceased), Sarah C, Lizzie M., Mary E., Bertha V., -102 BIOCxRAPHICAL SKETCHES: J'lorence and John H. Mr. Stump resides on the old farm. He raises some stock, ^^ '^ J^^VA^REE^ so^ i^fl^fa ^ImSS^wman) Van Reed. was,.orn in thPs townlldp May 39, mS. The parents of John came '"'l^\^.f7'7. Berks County Penn where ihey were born, in 1S3S, and entered land. Hi. father had .^rr^ulatoriV.OoS acres, and died April 27. lY^-/l-%'^«''^" Jf,^,"];?,':^ ^^-.^^/e^l,^ he was a member of the German Lutheran and she of tli<; Pf.^. J^^™ ,Jolm attended school one-fourth of each year and took care of the ^tock until hs sixteenth year. After attending terms of mstruction at L'^f'^-^ "."''„ f^'i^^to.ku ell he commenced farniin^^ for himself on forty acres rented ^'■'>^^^'%l^l^f-,^,^^-J% ■mnrried December 17 1874. to Zillah Burr, born January lo, is.^fi, daughter of SeYson'andsIrt (Butcher, Burr, wlueh union ,ave issue t. two chadren-Nelson E born November 4. 187.5, and Earl, birn June 2o, 18,9^ Aftei mauiage his father gave him the use of 160 acres. In 1881. he purchased eighty-tive acres in- cluding the Marshall homestead, where he now resides. The fa her of Mrs. Burr was born in New Jersey in 1813, and moved to Ohio at an early age. where his mother died. In 184.5, he married Hope Mantle came to this township and bought a grist-mill on Pine Creek, knou-n as Burr's Mills. There bis wife died, and, on April 1, 18.-.5, he married Sarah Butcher. Mr. Burr sold his mill in 18o9, and pur- chased the farm on which he died March 28 1883. DR ROBERT H WIOOFF, son of John and Margaret (Oassell) Wicoff, was born in Wayne Coantv, Oliio, Feliruary 25, 18313. He attended school in boyhood, and also workeil for his father in the carpenter shop, untd the family moved to Williams County. Here our subject attended an academy until he was sixteen years old after which having obtained a teacher's certiticate. he divided his time between teachin'^ and farmiu'^ ' Ar th" age of twenty h= commenced to read medicine with Dr Turner He was married. April 25. 185 ), to Irene J. ircConnell, daughter of John R McConiiell, of William, Coiintv. O'aio, to which union were born four cUiUlren— John B,, Lm-v (deceased), Marv M. and Irene J. In 1863. he msved to Michin-an and assoeiate'd himself with Dr. Armstrong in reading and practicing medicine During 1865 and 1866 he attended Rush Medical College. Chicago ; he then removed to Rainsville, Ind,, and began practice. Mrs. Wicoff died October 29, 1869. In 1876, he purcliased 121) acres in this township ; this he improved and now manages in conneciioa with his practice. In l'^77. Dr. Wicoff married his second wife, from whom lie is now divorced, and lives with his three children. He is highly esteemed by his neighbors. JORDAN TOWNSHIP. JOHN H. DAY w.as born in Preble County. (Ihio, .Uiue '.), 182S. and is the fourth child of John N. and Ann (Worthington) Day, natives of Kentucky and Ohio respectively. John N. Day was the sou of John Day. who was of English descent, and who settled in Kentucky in an early day, and moved to (~)hio in 1802. settling near Eaton, where he remained until his death. He had seven children, among them four sons— William, John X., Samuel and Nicholas. John N. Day (father of subject) was born in Kentucky in 1701!, and moved with his parents to Ohio, where, Marcli 3, 1820, he married Ann Worthington, who was born in Ohio, in 1802. In 1831, he moved to F.nmlain County, Ind., where they spent the reniaindi'i- of their lives. His wife died in 18-Hi. and he survived her four years. Tliey had the following chihlren — William, Miry. Ln'ina. John H., George, ,ruliel (V., .Joseph, .laines, Ellen, We^tlev and Tiieodare. John II. Day was married in Warren County, Ind., February 3, 1,S5;'., to Deliiliine. a daughter of Curtis and Ann Newell, and bnru in Fountain County, Ind,, Fehruary 18, 1835. They have had Ihirli'cn childrini —Ella (deceased), Cordelia (deceased), Laura. Lawrence N., Luella, Thi'odore, Ch;irles, Horace, Wilmer, Emma (de 'c isimK. Eva (deceased), Elmore (de- ceaseill and tJeeil. Slnnaly after marriag •, he settled in this county. He owns 780 acres of laivl. and is Tnisiei' of the township. ABNEU GOODWINE. was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., 'July 10.1826, and is the son of James and Sarah Goodwiue, natiyes of Kentucky and Virginia respeclivcdy. James iJoodwine was born in 1780, and was of English descent. His fattier, John Goodwine, settled in KentiK ky in an early day, and there died. James married in Kentneky Elizabeth Snyder, by whoiv he had seven children — Eliza- beth, Thomas, .bunes, Indiana, jNIartha, Harrison and John W. He moviai to Jack- ,Min Coiinly. Ind.. where bis lirsl wife died. He then married Mrs. Sarah Logan, widow of VViUiain M. Logan, and danghler of John Shiimaker. By this marriage. JORDAN TOWNSHIP— WAEREN COUNTY. 193 there was one child — Abner. James subsequently moved to Bartholomew County, Ind.. and in 1828 came to this county, where he died March 12, 18.51. He was a pioneer of Warren County, and an extensive land owner. His wife lived with her children until her death, June IT. 1872. Abner Goodwine was married in this county. October 30. 1851. to Miss Barbara J. Pence; born in Bartholomew County, Ind.. bctober 19. 1830; and a daughter of George and Mary Pence. They have had twelve children — George (deceased), .Mar}' C, Newton C. Bell (deceased), Sarah E., Clara V.. Frank S., Olive. Nora. Cora. Leola J. and Harry M. Mr. Goodwine is a laro-jlaiid owujr and stock dealer. His farm is well improved; aad lie has a fine brick house. HORACE G. GOODWINE is a native of Warren County, Ind., where he was born Februarv 9, 1845. His parents are named respectively James and Sophia (Buckles) Goo'dwine, of Pike Township. Warren County. Horace is one of a family of twelve children. He was married in this county November 8. 1874. to Mary A.. daughter of Eli and Cyrena Briggs, a native of this county, born September 29, 1856. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Goodwine has been favored with three children— Ora J., Edna L. and Arley 0. Mr. Goodwine is a very promising and much esteemed young man. LUTHER JONES was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, September 8, 1840, and is the fifth- of six children born to Robert and Elizabeth (Logan) Jones, natives of New Jersey and Hamilton Couatv. Otiio, respectively. Robert Jones was born September 17. 1795. His father. James Jones, settled in New Jersey, in an early day. where he married Elizabeth Todd, by whom he had nine children— John, Katie, Poliy. Ann. Robert, Enoch, Lydia, William and James. He afterward moved to Ohio, where he died. Robert Jones moved with his parents to Hamilton County. Ohio! where he married Elizabeth Logan; who was born October 19. 1807. They had the following children— Hezekiah. William. Sarah E.. David M.. Luther and Julia A After marriage, he settled on his father's old farm in the same county, where his wife died January 14. 1862. In 1863. he moved to Warren County, Ind., where he died December 22. 1866. Luther Jones came with his father to this county in 1863. Februarv 3. 1876. he married in Hamilton County, Ohio, Susie, a daughter of Ledwell and Elizabeth Jones; she was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, December 6, 1853. They have two children- William W. and Julia M. Sliortly after his marriage he returned to this county, and settled on the farm purchased by his father, where he has since remained. CH A.RLES G. McCLAFLIN is a native of this county, and was born August 13, 1856 He is the elder of the two sons of Gordon B. and Catherine (High) McClaflin, of Williamsport Ind. About the year 1847. Gordon B. McClaflin removed to this county and settled on the Walnut Grove Farm, and in 1854 removed to that of which our subject is now resident; thence he removed to Williamsport. where he and family now are- they have two children— Charles G. and James E. Our subject, Charles G was married in this county, September 5, 1878. to Alice K.. daughter of Peter and Sarah Zimmer. a native of Wiscon Jn, born April 11. 18,o8. which union was favored with one child— Grace A., born in this county October -j. 1879. Mr. McClaflin is a very excellent and promising young man^ JOHN PUGH was born in Lawrence County. III.. March 18. 1826. His father. George Pu'di was born in South Carolina. August 22. 1789. and was a son of John and Nancy Pu■! /ernaillion County III, whence he removed to Covington, Fountain Co., Ind where his wife died Deceniber 4, 1877, leaving three children-Maria R. (deceased), Henry J. J"^ ^;J,^'|,^Ip,.^^° l^?.^,^' '^'^.^ 28 he married Mrs Rebecca J. Cronkhite, widow of AVilliam F. Cionl^hite. Mr. Saunders soon after removed to this county, of which he is a much-respected citizen. He is a m-mber of the Masonic fraternity. . th n^^amhpr Q 18-^S GEORGE W. SMITH was born in Vermillion County, I"d„- December 9 1838, and is the eldest of eight children born to James W^ and Eliza (Pugh)hnith^ James W. Smith was l)orn in Warren County, Ohio, March 28 1818, and wdien young lived with his grandfather. In 1837 he was married, and has smce ived m Vermillion County, Ind., Edgar County, Ills.. Warren County Ind., Kansas, and since 1872 has resided in this county. His children were as follows : George W Frances M., Maria A.. Harriet A., James W.. John M.. William F. and Joseph L. Geor.>-e W Smith in is6i, enlisted in Company K. Thirty-third Indiana \olunteers. and served until February 23, 1864. He re-enlisted in same company and served until the close of the war'. April 9, 1867, he married, in this county, Julia A. Jones who was born in Hamilton Countv, Ohio. November .5. 184:3, and is a: daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Jones. Tliey have two children— Robert A. and iNettie^ J. After his marriage, he settled on a farm, which he had previously bought in \ er- million County, 111, In 1876, he returned to this county, and now owns 800 acres ot fine land, all of which he has acquired bv his own industry. ^ J W WARRICK was born in Fountain Countv. Ind.. October 2,, 1848, and is the third of six children liorn to John and Keziah Warrick, both natives of Warren County Ohio. They were born June 30, 1819, and August 9, 1825, respectively, and were married in Fountain Countv, Ind., in 1846. and afterward settled in the same county. They have had the following children— Ezra. Huldah 0.. James W., SylvaU., Mary B. and Birdie. J. W. Warrick attended the district schools until sixteen years old, then entered the Union Christian College at 3Ierom, Ind.. and two years later the Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Ind, In 1872, he studied at the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, taking a full law course, and received the degree of L.L. B. In June, 1874, he was admitted to the bar, and began practising his profession at Indianapolis, continuing until 1877. He then moved to the farm in this county, which he still owns. He was married in this county to JIary A. Rogers, April 20. 187."). Mrs. AVarrick was born in this county March 24, 1854. They have three children— Dole R.. Ira C. and Edison J. Mr. Warrick is a member of the M. E. Church, also of the Masonic fraternity. He is much respected by his fellow-citizens. MEDINA TOWNSHIP. CHARLES J. DAWSON, farmer and stock-raiser, is a son of Thomas and Sarah (James) Dawson, and was born in Warren County, Ind., in 1836; His early education was obtained from the pioneer schools, after which he attended Harts- ville Seminary in Banliolomew County, aciiuiring at that institution a gniid jirao- tical educalion. His parents were among the early settlers of Medina Township, having located tliere as earl}' as 1826, when there were woods on all sides of tliem and settlers were few and scattering. C. J. Dawson was engaged as stock broker during the rebellion, but has since been engaged in otlier pursuits. He now owns 428 acres of well improved laud. In 1862, his m;irriage with iliss JIarv JIunson, daughter of Orin and iMargaret Munsou. was solemnized. Mr. Dawson is a Repub- lican in politics. He and wilV are membersof the United Brethren Church, and are well known and liighly respected citizens. JAMES FOSTER, a native of tlic Buckej'e State, was born in Madison Countv in 1827, and is a son of Lackey and Elizabeth Foster. When but three years old. Ill' came with his p;ireiils to this county. He received only a limited education, as I lie advantages of schooling were very meager in those early days. In 1857, he was united in marriiige witli Eli/.n J. Midvinnis. daughter of Philip and Margaret McKin- nis, and to this marriage six children — three liovs and three girls— have been born, Mr. Foster owns a farm of 50(1 acres, with good buildings, farming implements and ccmvenient water privileges. He is much interested in stock-raising, ami thus far has lieen very fortunate in securing a good breed for his farm. jlr. Foster is a Republican in ]iiditics, and is a respected citizen of llie countv. MEDINA TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. ' 195 JOHN POSTER, sou of Lackey and Elizahetli Foster, i,s a Iloosier by birth born in Warren County in 1835. He received a common school education Enlist- ed in the service of his country in the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry in 1863, and after serving two years came home and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He now owns a farm of 296 acres of good land, well improved, and is employed in gen- eral farming and stock-raising. In 1887. his marriage with Anna E. Woodhams, daughter of George and Anna Woodhams. was consummated, and by her he is the father of four children. Mr. Foster is a Republican in politics, and takes an active interest in all the movements of his party. Mrs. Foster is a member of the M. E. Church, and the family of John Foster is among the best families of Medina Township. JOSEPH H. GRAY, M. D., one of the rising young physicians of Warren County, is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Myers) Gray, and was born in Wayne County, Ind., in 1859. He received a good practical education in youth, and in 1877 went to Dublin, Ind., where he attended two terms of the high school of that place. After this, he was clerk in a drug store until 1880, when he entered the Indiana Eclectic Medical College at Indianapolis, where, after two years of hard work, he received his diploma as M. D. February 8, 1883, he located at Green Hill, where, by close attention to his profession and gentlemanly conduct, he has ac- quired a good practice, in which he has been very successful. Dr. Gray is a Re- publican in politics, a member of the United Brethren Church and a highly respect- ed citizen. WILLIAM A. HOCK, a native of the Buckeye State, was born in Preble Coun- ty in 1825, shortly after which his parents, Jacob and Sarah (Sellers) Hock, emi- grated to Indiana, locating in Fountain County, where he remained until seventeen years of age. In 1843, he began learninp; the trade of wagon-making, and this has ever since been his occupation. His wife, Huldah L. McClure, was born in Darke County, Ohio, in 1835, and she is a daughter of Samuel and Anne McCIure. To her marriage with Mr. Hock a family of eight children have lieen born. In 1863, they removed to Independence, Warren County, from where Mr. Hock, in 1865, enlisted in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Indiana Volunteers. After the war, he returned home, worked at his trade until 1876, then removed to Green Hill, where he owns good propert}'. He is a strong Republican politically, and Mrs. Hock is a member of the United Brethren Church. JOHN W. JAMES, farmer and stock-raiser, is a son of David and Jane (Hurst) James, and was born in Warren County, Ind., in 1850. He received a good practi- cal education, and was engaged in helping his father in the store at Independence until twenty-one years old, since when he has been doing for himself. He has a farm of 100 acres in Warren County, on which he has erected a fine residence with convenient and comfortable surroundings. Mr. James takes an active interest in all Solitical issues of the day, and is a radical Republican in politics. He married "ancy J. Thompson, daughter of George W. and Elizabeth Thompson, in 1870; they are tlie parents of one child, and the mother is a member of the United Brethern Church. ANSON B. McADAMS, one of the enterprising young men of Medina Town- ship, was born at Green Hill, Ind., in 1856. and is a son of Valentine and Eveline McAdams. His youthful days were passed in assisting his parents on the farm and attending the district schools of his neighborhood. On attaining his majoritj', he began farming for himself near Independence, but, in 1878, he began attending Green Hill Seminary, teaching school and reading law. In politics. Mr. McAdams is a stanch Republican. He was married, in 1883, to Miss 'Flora Bailey, a daughter of H. J. and Leah Bailey and a member of the United Brethren Church. GEORGE W. NOLIN, is a son of Thomas and Jane Nolin, and was Ijorn in Ohio, in 1838. In 1830, he moved to Fountain County, and in 1850, to Benton Coun- ty, Ind., where he purchased 20U acres; and in the same year married Miley Stone, daughter of Thomas Stone; she died in 1851, and Mr. Nolin next married Nancy Lank, in 1855, who died in 1857; his third marriage was to Eliza Munson, widow of Sino Mun.son. and a daughter of Thomas and Elizalieth Littrell. Mr. Nolin has property in Green Hill valued at .§700. He is an upright man and esteemed citizen. Mrs. Nolin is a meml)er of the United Bretliren Church. GEORGE W. THOMPSON, a son of Jasper and Elizabeth Thompson, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1835, and when twelve years of age, came with his parents to Warren County, where, in 1818, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, a daughter of Joseph and Eleanor (Bailey) Tlmmons. He and wife began married life after the manner of pioneers, without any pecuniary means, but supplied with plenty of energy and determination; by hard work and economy, they have secured a good home and a well improved farm of 3.50 acres, which is supplied with an excel- lent grade of stock of all kinds. Mr. Thompson is a stalwart Republican, and since 196 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 1883, has served as Road Superintendfint of his township. Having liad one leg broken in an accident, he is somewliat disabled, as the injured limb is two and one- halt inches shorter than the other. Throughout his Ion? residence in Warren Coun- ty, Mr. Thompson has become prominently identified with its best educational, political and religious interests. He is a progressive and enterprising citizen, the father of seven cliildren, and he and wife are memljers of the United Brethren Church. WILLIAM B, VICK, M. D., a native of (xuilford County, N. C, was born in 1837, and is a son of William and Elizabeth Vick. When eight years old, he be- came a resident of Indiana, learned the shoe-maker's trade, at which he worked un- til 1818. and the succeeding year was united in marriage with Sarah Hershman, who was born in Hamilton County, Ind., in 18-30, and who is a daughter of .Jacob and Sarah Hershman. After receiving a good English education in j'outh, he began the study of medicine in 18.53, under the advisement of 'Dr. .John Alter, near Wol- cott, Ind., and then attended two courses of lectures at the Fort Wayne Medical College. Succeeding this, he continued his studies under Dr. Lacey for two years, and then began the practice of his profession at Rockfield. Carroll Co., Ind. He then removed to Tippecanoe Countv. near La Favette. where he continued practic- ing until his location at Green Hill "in 187.3. lu 1881. Dr. Vick graduated from the Indiana Eclectic Medical College, and he is one of the well established ph_ysicians of the county. He is a Master Mason, of Green Hill Lodge. No. 45.5, Past Grand Representative of Tippecanoe Lodge, I. 0. O. P., and is a Republican in politics. He and wife are the parents of eight children, and Mrs. Vick is a member of the M. E. Church and the Rebecca Lodge of Odd Fellows at La Fayette. WILLIAM T. WAGNER, son of .John M. and Margaret "(Day) Wagner, was born in this county in 18315. He received but a common school education, chose farming as his vocation through life, and at present owns a good farm of 330 acres. In 1855, he married Margaret E., a daughter of Young F. and Rebecca Turman, and to their union have been born a family of six children. Mr. Wagner is among ' the enterprising men of Medina Township, is a Republican, and a Master Mason of Green Hill Lodge. No. 455. Wagner's Grove, situated near his residence, was named in honor of his father. HENRY WOODHAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of England, and was horn in Sussex County in 1840. About the. year 1850, his parents, George and Anna (Brooker) Woodhams, emigrated to tlie United States, and soon after this found a home near Pond Grove, in Warren County, Ind., where George Wood- hams is yet living. Since being a resident of Warren County, Henry Woodhams has been chiefly employed in agricultural pursuits, and now possesses" 133 acres of good land in Medina"Township. When our country was imperiled in 1861. Mr. Woodhams enrolled his name in her defense as a member of the Tenth Indiana Vol- unteers, and served in all the important movements of that regiment until he was discharged in 1864. He is a Republican, and was married in 1868 to Lucy C. Tur- man, who has borne him a family of six children. J. Q. ADAMS TOWNSHIP. ZDIHI ATKINSON (deceased), was liorn in Greene Countv, Ohio, December 31. 1837, and was one of the twtdve cliildren liorn to Thomas and Frani'cs(Hcad) Atkin- son, both natives of Ohio, and of Gernuin and Irish descent. When a lad, Zimri Atkinson moved with his parents to Benton County. Ind., where he received an academic education, and was employed in farming at" home until he was twenty-one years of age. August 30. 1857, he was married' to ilarv J. Buckley, of Benton County, Ind., born November 17, 1889, daughter of Step'hen and Sarah E. (Wake- man) Buckley, both early sel Hers of said county. Mr, and Mrs. Atkinson had six (■hildrrn. lour of whom .ire living. After marri'age. Jlr. Atkinson moved to Warren Township and purchased land, on whieb he lived ten years; this he sold, and' pur- chased 43(1 acres in this township, which was his home until death, Februarv 36. 18H3. Jlr. .Vtkinson had lieen County Commissioner for eleven years, and" had amassed a baiulsinue property; he was a Freemason, a Knight of' Honor and in politns ,'1 Repuliliean; he was also a lamented citizen. jMrs. Atkinson is livin.'- on the lionu' farm. ' ^ •lOIlN BLIND, farmer and stock-raiser, is one of the pioneers of this eovintv was born in Boss County, Ohio, March 0, 1834. and is the second cliild of the famiiv ofJolii\ and Catherine (Wagner) Blind, both natives of Gernianv The father of J. Q. ADAMS TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 197 en our subject emigrated to the United States and settled in Ross County Ohio wh. ^T^j""°'>n™'^°' ''Od worked at farming on shares, and married. In 1S33 he moved to Medina Township, Ind., where he entered 160 acres, which lie improved and on T'V'^- ^'^!'f "^•^'r'^'^^V-^ '^'^ '^'"''''' J'in>iary 30, 1863, aged si.xty eight; Mrs. Blind died July ,, 1»S3. Mr. Blind owned at his death 400 acres of land. 'The suliiect of this sketch farmed with his father, the latter years on shares, until he reached the aoe of twenty-eight. In 1853, he liouglit 160 acres in this township, and later 110 moiT on which he has since resided, comprisintc 370 acres, all well improved He was married February, 1847, to Harriet Godfrey, a native of Tippecanoe County; to this marriage followed two children, but one of whom survives— Marcellus Mrs Blind died July, 1849. Mr. Blind next married, December 16, 1851, Frances M Gwinn of Greene Count_y, Ohio, by whom he had four children- Benjamin F Georo-eN Charles 0. and Anna M. Mr. Blind is a Republican, and he and wife belolig to the Methodist Episcopal Church. BENJAMIN" F. BRIER, farmer and stock-raiser, is the twelfth of the thirteen children of Isaac and Mary (West) Brier; the former a native of Penn.sylvania, the latter of Xoth Carolina, and of Scotch and Welsh descent. Benjamin was born in Pine Township, Warren Co., Ind., May 28, 1834. His father emigrated to Ohio, when a young man. where he married and followed agricultural p'ursuits. About 1831, he moved to Pine Township, Warren Co., Ind., where he entered 330 acres, of which he made a farm and a home until his death, November, 1852. Benjamin F. Brier, after the death of his father, farmed on and managed the home farm for two years, when he purchased land in Prairie Townsliip, afterward 180 in this township, and in 1882. he bought the farm on which he now lives; he owns in totality 631 acres' mostly well improved. He was married, April 18, 1858, to Ellen Jones, of Warren County, Ind., which union was blessed with thirteen children, of which number five boys and five girls are living. Mr. Brier is a member of the Masonic fraternity; he is also a Republican. JAMES F. BUCKELS was born in Warren County, Ind., August 21, 1845, and is the only living child of Jackson and Mary E, (Mills) Buckels, natives of Ohio, and of English and Scotch descent. Jackson Buckels came to Indiana at an early age, and was married in Warren County. His father gave him eighty acres in Pine Township, which, in 1851, he sold and purchased a saw-mill in "Iroquois Countj', 111., which he managed until his death, in August, 1853, James F, Buckels lost his mother when but three years old, and lived witli his grandfathers until his major- ity. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Si.xteenth Indi- ana Volunteer Infantiy, in which he served until his discharge, in August, 1864, In 1867, he began the drug business with Dr. Fenlon at Pine Village, and afterward continued it himself. He then farmed in Pine Township several years, and later commenced tile manufacturing at Pine Village. It was the first and is the most ex- tensive tile factory established llieie. He vas married, March ]9, 1871, to Verlinda T. Turman, a native of Wairen (ounty. Three children have been bom lo thtm, two of whom are living — Bertie E. and Chester E. Mr. Buckels is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church. ALBERT COBB, merchant, was born in Pine Township, Warren Co., Ind., August 17, 1850, and is one of the four children of William and Alice (Rhode) Cobb, the former a native of South ( arolina, the latter of Ohio, and of Welsh and Ger- man descent. William Cobb moved to Pine Township in this State in 1840, where he eniered 300 acres of land, which he improved. He added to this farm, until it now comprises 500 acres, and is now living thereon, aged seventy-eight years, Al- bert Cobb received a fair school education, and labored on the home farm until he was twenty-one years old, when he farmed on shares for six 3-ears. In 1878. he purchased a half interest in a saw-mill-, which he afterward sold, and in 1883 moved to Pine Village and engaged in the mercantile trade with J. D. Rhode, under tlie firm name ofRhode & Cobb, Mr. Rhode left the business in 1883, when the firm was changed to McCord & Cobb, who carry a large stock of dry goods, groceries, glass ware, hardware, boots and shoes, hats and caps and notions, and are doing a very large business, averagimr per year sales of $15,000, Mr. Cobb is a Democrat, and one of the most enterprising young men of the county, WILSON C06HILL, farmer and stock-raiser, who was born in Porter County, Ind., April 19, 1837, is the eldest child of Leonard H. and Mary (Slusher) Coghill, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky, and both of German de- scent. The father of Wilson, when a boy, moved to Montgomery County, Ind., and in 1833 went to Fountain County, where he married; after which event he bought land in Porter Cotinty. In 1855, he came to this township, and purchased 200 acres; this he sold to his son Wilson in 1883, and removed to Attica. Wilson Coghill gave his time to his father until he became of age, when he purchased eighty acres, made thereof a farm, and resided there ten years; this he sold, and purchased 198 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES; another, 160 acres; this he also sold, and in the fall of 18S3 purchased the home farm, on which he is living. December 33, 186J, he was married to M.ihala Heuton, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. Nine children have blessed their union. Mr. Oog- hill is a Democrat and a member of the Odd Fellows. ROBEKT H. COTTINGHAM. farmer and stock raiser, was born in Montgom- ery County, Ohio, December H, 1810, and is the third of the eiglit cliildreu of Joshua E. and Elizabeth (Herrett) Cottingham, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Pennsylvania. .Joshua Cottingliam. when young, emigrated with his parents to Kentucky. He afterward went to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he married, and in 1824 moved to Miami County, Ohio, where he purchased a farm and resided until his death, August 11, 1879, aged eighty-eight. He was a member of the M. E. Church, as was liis wife, who died February .5, lySi, in her ninety-first year. Robert H. Cottingham worl^ed on his father's farm until he was twenty- three, when he farmed on shares for nine years. In 1851, he came to this township, and in 1834 bought 160 acres, on wliicb he still resides. He now owns well-im- proved farms in Warren and Benton Counties, aggregating 505 acres. March 9, 1843, he was married to Lavina Mahurau, of Miami County, Ohio. They were blessed witli six children, three of whom are living. Mrs. Cottingham died May 3, 1835. Mr. Cottingham was ne.Yt married December 31, 1856, to Sarah A. Harris, of Waj'ne County, Ind., born August 7, 1839. Five children were born to them. Mr. Cottingham is a Republican. SAMUEL C. FENTON, M. D., was born in Adams Township, Warren Co., Ind., November 39, 1844, and is the second of the three children of Joseph A. and Margaret (Campbell) Fenton; the former a native of Indiana, tlie latter of Ohio, and of German and Scotch descent. Joseph A. Fenton came to this township in 18:j3, and after his marriage purchased eighty acres of wild land, which he impioved and to which he added until, at his death, he had 140 acres; he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Samuel C. Fenton received a fair education, at school and academy, and after his father's death, he, with an elder brother, managed the farm until 186(1. In 1863, he commenced studying medicine in Tippecanoe County, with Dr. H. D. Riddile, and attended Rush Medical College, Chicago, during 1866- 67 In 1867, he began practice at Pine Village, and in 1869-70, attended further lectures at said college, from which he after graduated. September 33, 1809. he was married to Anna Pearce, a native of this county. Dr. Fenton is a successful practi- tioner. Freemason, a Republican, and a prominent citizen. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. DAVID FRAZIER was liorn in Pickaway County. Ohio. January 18. 183s, and is tlie sixth of the eleven children of David and Zema (Frazier) Frazier. both'natives of Maryland, and of Scotch and HoUandish descent. The father of our subject, after emigrating to Pickaway Coimty, (Uiio, entered the war of 1813 as a teamster- he afterward married and engaged in farming for several \ears, when, in ItioO, he moved to wliat is now Adams townshiii, Warren Co., Ind.! and entered 64o acres, which he improved, and on which he lived until his death. June, 184 !; he was one of tlie earliest pioneers of this cnunty. Our subject worked for liis father until the age of twenty-one, wlien he removed to Illinois and engaged in breaking prairie. After a time, he returned to tliis county, and for three vear's operated the "first saw- mill, having a circular saw; he then, with two brothers, purchased 480 acres in Benton County. In 1H33, he sold his interest in this and purchased 340 acres of the uld homesteail. in this township, where he has since lived. In December, IWio Mr Frazier enlisted in Company I, Seventy-second Indiana Infantry; he served throu^^h the war, and was disiharged November, 1865. Jauuarv 1, U->tib. he married Sarah D. Best, of this county, liy whom he has three children— Holmes Frank and DoUie F. Mr. Frazier is a Democrat. JACOB HARjMAN, fanner and stock-dealer,was born in Frederick County Va September 6, 1S03, and is the third of the seven boj's of John and Elizabeth (Slusher) Harnian, liotli natives of Virginia, and of German descent. John Harmau was reared :i)id married in liis native State, where he followed the plow for life He served through the w;ir of 1813, anil died in his ninetieth year; lie and wife were members of the Lutheran Cluirch. Jacob ll.irimiii remained with his father until he was sevenlecn, when he emigrated to Hoss County. Ohio. In 1835 he came to the site of this township, and settled on 4S0 acres which he had since 18 '0 and on \v iich he still lives, and to this he has added until he owns 1460 acres in Vdaius and Warren Townships, making (Uie of the bestfarms in the neighborhood Mr liar man has also a stock tarni of 3000 acres in Iroijuois County,' III ■ he is the lar^'csl stock dealer in the township. ;\lr. llarman was never mariied; he is a Rrnul)'li?an and a leading citizen of ihe county. ABliAlIA.VI U. II AUN is a native of Boone County, hid born \u-ust 't 184^ and one ot the ten cliil.lim of Shepard B. andTliurza ( JtcDonnel) Haun? tlieVormJr J. Q. ADAMS TOWNSHIP—WARREN COUNTY. 199 a native of Tennessee, the latter of Virginia, and of German and English descent bliepardB. Haun was a miller by occupation. He was married in Boone Couuly where he owned and operated the Sugar Creek Mills, until 1863, when lie came to Pine Village and bought a steam flouring mill, which he operated until his death iMarch. IbW; he was a Freemason. Abraham H. Haun was enrployed with his father until that parent died, when he operated the mill until February, ISGo- he then enlisted m Company G, One Hundred and Fiftieth Indiana Volunteers, and served until August, i860. On returning, he followed the harness-making trade, which he C(mtinued until 1874, when he engaeed in the drug business at Pine Village Jllr Haun was married May 3, 186T, to .lennie Ritenour, of Warren County; they have two children— Theron C, and Claude. In 187.5, he opened a general store, which he has made succes.sful. Mr. Haun is a Freemason, also a Republican. JACOB P. ISLEY was born in Warren Township, Warren, Co.. Ind., August 12, 1838, and is the eldest of the four children of Benjamin and Margaret (Southard) Isley, the former a native of ISTorth Carolina and the latter of Virginia, both of German descent. Benjamin Isley emigrated to Preble County, tjhio, with his parents, when he was eight years old. He was married in Warren Township. War- ren Co., Ind., whither he came in 1829, and settled on 160 acres, which he improved. After twelve years, he entered 120 acres in this township, where he lived until his decease. February 6, 1866; he was a member of the United Brethren Church. Jacob P. Isley remained with his father until he became of age, after which he managed the home farm for eight years, and, with a brother, purchased 120 acres in Benton County, to which they added until it aggregated 600 acres- In September, 1881, he sold his interest in said land and boui^rht" 200 acres in this township, on which he now lives. He was married, October" 5, 1881, to Mary Hickman, of this cimnty, by which union succeeded one eon— Clement B. Mr. Isley is a Royal Arch Mason ; he is also a Democrat. April 4, 1883, Mr. Isley, with three others, engaged in hankina; at Attica, Fountain County, with the title "The Citizens' Bank." ISAAC JO!NES. farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Warren Tow nship, War- ren Co., Ind., July 6, 184o, and is the third of live children born to Clement G. and Nancy (Russell) Jones, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Ohio, and of Welsh and English descent. Clement G. Jones received his early education in Del- aware, whither his pai'ents removed. He emigrated to Chillicothe, Ohio, and was there employed until 1831, when he removed to'Warren Township, Warren Co., Ind., and entered eighty acres, residing thereon until 1849, when he purchased his present place ; he at one time owned 2,400 acres, one-half of which he has deeded to his chil- dren. Isaac Jones w^as given an academic education, and remained with his father until he was twenty-one years old, when he received from his father a partially im- proved farm of 10.5 acres, which, in 1870, he sold, and purchased 832 acres in Warren and Adams Townships, where he now. resides; he has also 240 acres iji Benton County. February, 12, 1867, he was married to Elizabeth McCord, of this county, to which union have descended four children — two bo3's and two girls. Mr. Jones is a Dem- ocrat, and one of the leading men of the county. JAMES McCORD, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Liberty Town.ship, Warren County, Ind., July 18, 1834, and is one of ten children of James and Hannah (Morris) McCord, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father of our subject was a cabinet-maker, and when a j'oung man removed to Huron Count}', Ohio, then a wilderness; he was a soldier in, and served through the entire war of 1812, soon after which he married. In 1820, he came to Indiana and settled on White River. In 1824, he entered eighty acres in Liberty Township, on which he resided until his death, September 20, 1872, at which time he owned 320 acres. Our subject obtained but little education in j-outh. which he improved by reading and observation. He worked for his father until his majority, when he was given 120 acres in Liberty Township, which he imi^roved, and on which he resided until the spring of 1868, when he sold this and bought the 336 acres on which he lives— one of the best in the township. He was married, September 13, 185.5, to Esther A. Little, of this county; tiiere have succeeded four children. Mr. !JIcCord is a Republican and a leadiiisr citizen. Jz\MES W. MESSNER, farmer and stock dealer, is a native of Butler County, Ohio, born Kovember 30, 1844, and the eldest of the ten children of Daniel N. and Reliecca A. (Wood) Messner ; the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio, and of German and English descent. J. W. Messner, when eleven years old, after rei eiving a fair education, began to learn carpentering with his father, at which trade he labored twelve or fourteen years. In 18(32, he enlisted in Compaii}' G, One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war. and was discharged in the fall of 1865 In 1866, he commenced to farm on shares and to deal in live stock, which he has continued with much suc- cess. He was married January 4, 1866, to Eveline Barker, a native of this county. 200 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: who (lied January 12, 1875. Mr. Me.ssncr was afterward married, March, 1878, to Lizzie Ellis, a native of Warren County, Ohio, wliich union was graced liy four children, three of whom are living— Anna, Edith M. and Silva. Mr. Messner is a member of A. F. and A. M. ; he is a Repuijlican and an enterprising citizen. JOHN R. METSKER, farmer and stock-raiser, is the eldest of the twelve chil- dren of Isaac and Reheeca (Richards) Metsker; the former a native of Pennsyl- vania, the latter of Kentucky, and of HoUandish and Welsh descent. J. R. Metsker was horn in Greene County^ Ohio, March 19, 1817. In 1830. his parents came to what is now Adams Towiiship, wliere his father entered 240 acres, on which he resided until liis death, JIarch 37. 1857; he owned in all 960 acres. He was for many j'ears Township Trustee, aud for fifty years a memlier of the M. E. Church, as was also his wife, who died December 25. 1865. John R. Metsker attended the schools of the day ami worked on his father's farm. After farming on sliares, he purchased a farm in this township, whicli he sold, when he bought one in Pine Township, and resided there twenty-four years. In 1871. he moved to the old home- stead, and has now a good farm of 265 acres. In 1851. he assisted Ids father in laying out Pine Village. He was married, September 20, 1888, to Sarali M. Freeman, a native of North Carolina, and daugliter of George and EUinor (Brumit) Freeman; this union was blessed with twelve children, nine of wliom survive. Mr. Metsker is a Repuhlican, and lie and wife are prominent members of tlie JI. E. Church. JOHN W. METSKER. farmer, is a native of Adams Township, Warren Co.. Ind., born September 28, 1842, and is the second of a family of twelve, the children of John R. and Sarah M. (Freeman) Metsker (a sketch of whom will be found above). Our subject received the ordinary course of education and assisted his father until he was twenty-three, after which he farmed on shares for four years; he then purchased 160 acres in this township on wliich he resides, and to which he has added eighty acres, and which is now one of the best-improved farms in this section. He was married, March 5, 1868, to Sarah Z. Little, a native of this county, which union has been blessed with five children, two of whom are living — Carrie V". and Newlon W. Mr. Metsker is a Republican, and he and wife are meinbers of the M. E. (Uiureh. JOHN W. MILLS, farmer and slock-dealer. is a native of this township, born April 6, 1832, and is the seventh of the thirteen children of Jacob and Jane iCassel) Mills, both natives of South Carolina. When a young man, Jacob Mills emigrated to Warren County, C^hio, where he married, and'where he farmed for several years. In 1829, he came to what is now Adams Township. Warren Count v. Ind.. and bougiit eighty acres, after paying for which he had SI. 25 remaining; "he improved his farm, and in 1876 sold it to his son Jolin, since when he has made a home with his children, having accumulated 320 acres. He was Trustee of Adams Town- ship for twenty years, and is a member of the Baptist Church. J. W. Mills worked for his father until he was twenty-one, after wliich he farmed on shares for several years. In August, 1803, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Volunteers, and served until JIarch, l'86t. He was married, January 1, IHiiO, to Hannah A. Frazier. a native of Warren Countv; thev have no children "but have adopted several orphans. In 1869. ilr. Jlills purchased" 320 acres adjoining the liomestead. and in 1876 purchased said homestead, which is now his home. "" Mr. Mills is a Demoeiat. HON. RICHARD G. OOLE was liorn November 15, 1889. in this township and is the fourth of a family of six horn to Thomas D. and Adelia (llorton) Odle; the former a native of Ross, the latter of llighlami Conntv. Ohio, and both of Scotch descent. Thomas D. Odle was by trade' a hatler. but "after his marria"e he farmed in Ohio, and came to Indiana in 1832, wbiac he purchased i'iglil\- acres Tn this town- ship, wlncli land he improved, and hi which he added until he o'wned 360 acres well unproved. He died January 19. ISS2. Richard G. Odle received an academie edu- cation, and divided his time between the farm and teaching until he was iwentv-oue yens (dd. In July, 1,S62. he enlisted in Company I. Sevi ntv-second Indiana Volun- leers; lie served until March 81. 1868. when he was honorably discharged He tau^Hit ,seho(d until hSIi.i, when he bought a farm in Pine Township, and a."ain ess-ivcd'a"- nruluire; tins he sold in 1S66, and purchased the old hmueslead in this township where lie has since resided. In the .session of 1872 and 1878 he represented this county ill Ihe lower house of the Slale Lc-islature. December 37 1864 he was mar- ried lo Margaiel A. Campbell, ilaugliler of Rev 8. N. Campbell; they have had live '.;,' iui-'i''i!,"'"/;n"''""' :"V '''''"- "'■"• '^'"^' ''''"'' ^''''-''l' 5' l-^^'. :'»>1 on October M ,,'n' ■ '■ ">'i'iie.l Susan El.erly. by whom he has one daughter. Rerlha G A m^'<4\""i'.',"w,''It"" ^"'"^;^"'<' r>-^it''-nily. and also of the Knights of Honor, .lAM^.S l-.lvt) WEN general merchant, is a nalive of Warren Countv hid HMii Ic iniaiy ... 18.,,, and ,s the son of James R. and Mary C. (He Caiiipi Rowen,' both natives ot Ohio. J.-mies F. Rowen obtained the usual education of Ihe day J. Q. ADAMS TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 201 and was employed in his father's store until he was twenty-one years old, when he opened a harness shop at Pine Village. He was married, February 10, 1878, to Anna McCord, a native of this county, to which union have been born two children — James E. and Charles R. In 1882, he purchased his father's business, and has successfully conducted the same. He has a well selected stock of dry goods, gro- ceries, woodenware. queensware, glassware. and notions. Mr. Rowen has been Postmaster at Pine Village; he is a Republican, and one of the rising young men of the county. JOSEPH W. ST. JOHN is the youngest of the six children of Seth and Mrs. Ruth A. (Campbell-Richards) St. John; the former a native of New York, the latter of Ohio, and of French and German descent. He was born in this township June 26, I8.i3. In 1796, Seth St. John, then four years old, was brought to Hamilton County, Ohio. In 1803, his father entered land in Warren County, where Seth was afterward married. Seth St. John was a soldier of the war of 1812, and served under Gen. Hull until his surrender to the British. In 1832, he removed to this township, and settled on 340 acres, where lie lived until his death, August 21. 1874, aged eighty-one years. Mrs. St. John died January 1, 18.i9. J. W. St. John resides on the old homestead, 160 acres of which he owns, and where he has passed his life. He was married, April 11, lS73,>to Harriet C.Kiger, a native of Benton Count}-, Ind Their union has been blessed with three children — N. S., Anna I. and Jacob W. Mr. St. John is a Republican, and one of the enterprising farmers of the township. JOHN" F. SALE, hotel keeper, wa^ born in Warren Count3^ Ohio, December 9, 1809, and is the eldest of tlie family of Robert and Magdalena (Smith) Sale, both natives of Virginia and of French descent. Robert Sale, when a young man, emi- grated to Greene County, Ohio; thence to'Warren County, where, November 8, 1808, he married and purchased 191 acres of military land, wnich he improved, and on which he resided until his death, October 1, 1823, aged thirty-eight. He served under Gen. Wayne during the war of 1812. John F. Sale worked at home until he was twenty-tive, after which he farmed on shares for seventeen years. He was married. February 27, 18.34, to Lydia A. Wilkinson, by whom he had seven children, six living. Mrs. Sale died November .5, 1867. In 1857, he purchased 160 acres in this township, which he sold in 1876, in order to engage in the hotel business at Pine Village. January 26, 1879, Mr. Sale was married to Mrs. Elizabeth A. (Camp- bell) Metsker, born in Warren County August 12, 1833, daughter of Jonathan and Evaline (Moore) Campbell. Mr. Sale was Justice of the Peace from 1858 to 1878, also a Notary Public. He is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Sale are prominent members of the M. E. Church, of which Mr. Sale has been a local preacher for more than forty yaprs. ABRAHAM SHACKLETON is a native of Yorkshire, England, born October 29, 1816, and is the son of John and Sallie (Allan) Shackleton, both natives of Eng- land, John Shackleton was a wool comber and weaver, which occupations he followed through life. Abraham's education was mostly acquired from tiie Sunday schools, but he later acquired much by reading and observation. When a boy, he worked in a machine shop, and later learned wool-combing, which he followed un- til 1842, when he emigrated to the United States. He W(u-ked at farming and wool- combing in New York and Massachusetts. He afterward moved to Bulier County, Ohio, where he labored until 1857, when he came to this township, and settled on the 120 acres which is still his home. He now owns 240 acres of good, well-im- proved land. Mr. Shackleton was married, September 30. 1849, to Mary E. Wallace, of Maryland, by which union succeeded six children, five being yet alive. Mrs. Shackleton died November 9, 1870. Mr. Shackleton is a Democrat and a leading farmer. WILLIAM R. STREET, Postmaster of Pme Village, was born in New York " City October 16, 1830, and is the second of the eight children of James W. and Joanna (Clark) Street, both natives of New York. James W. Street was a wagon- maker, which trade he followed through his life. In 1834, he emigrated to Jackson County, Ohio, and thence to this county, where he resided until his death, in 1849. His wife died'in 1848. She was a life member of the U. B. Church. William R. Street obi ained a frontier education, and from the age of eight to twenty-one he worked by the month. In 1852, he commenced farming on shares, which he con- tinued nine years. December 12. 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Fortieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Kenesaw M(mntain, he was severely wounded in the thigh and cheek, entailing a loss of his right eye He was discharged Novem- ber 23, 1864. After his return, he was compelled to abandon farming, and worked at shoe-making until 1881, when he was appointed Posi master at Pine Village, and in 1881 began the grocery business. Mr. Street was tirst married to Mary D. Wliite.^- - December 11, 1851, a native of Tippecanoe County, who died August 17, 1863, hav- ing borne six children, two of whom are living. Mr. Street was next married, Au- 202 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: gust 1, 1805, to Mrs. Lucinda (Odle) Am))ler, a native of Warren County, to which union were born two children, one of whom is living. Mr. and Mrs. Street are members of tlie M. E. Cliurcli. .JAMES M. 8WADLEY, wagon-maker and l)laclvsmith, was born in Indian- apolis, Ind., Feliruary 17, 1838, and is tlie second of a famdy of si-V born to Nicholas and Nancy (Clianey) Swadley, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. The parents of James W. were married in Highland County, Ohio; the father was a wagon-maker, and worked in Indianapolis until 1833, when he removed to Shawnee Prairie, Tippecanoe County, where he began farming and wagon niak- iny-. In 18o8, he came to this county, and resided upon 360 acres until his death. Feliruary, 1874. lie was a soldier of tlie war of 1S13, had been Assessor and Jus- tice of the Peace, and was a temperance advocate. James M. Swadle.r. at the age of twelve, began to learn his father's trade, which has been his occupation. In 1848. he came to Pine Village and moved into one of the three houses then erected, where he commenced wagon-making. In the same year, he was married to Martha Crowell, a naiive of Ripley County, by wliom he liad three children, two of whom are living. Mrs. Swadley died in l8-')3. and Mr. Swadl-y was ne.xt married in 1855, to Sarah Jane Thomas, a native of this couutv ; one daughter followed this union — Anna M., now Mrs. Theodore Doughty. Mrs. Swadley died April 8, 1883. Mr. Swadlej' was Postmaster of Pine Village ; he is a Republican, and a member of the M. E. Church. HORACE W. WAGNER, druggist, was born at Wagner's Grove. Warren Co., Ind., November 10, 1854, and is the third of the family of five born to George D. and Elizalieth (Ale.xander) Wagner, both natives of Ohio. The parents of (.xeortte moved to Medina Township. Warren Co.. Ind., when he was four years old. His father was a farmer and extensively engaged in the live-stock trade. He was a Whig until 1856, when he was elected bv the Repulilicaus as Representative, and in 1858 as Slate Senator. In 1861, he was commissioned Colonel of the Fifteenth Indiana Volunteers ; he was promoted Brigadier General and later Brevet Major General, and served with honor and distinction throughout the war. After his return, he practiced law at Williamsport until his death'February 11. 1869. A few days before his decease, he was appointed Minister to Berlin. Gen. Wagner was a very prominent Mason, was for several years President of the State Agricultural Society, and was one of the bravest and best of Indiana's patriots. Horace W. WagTier obtained an academic educaticm, and when nineteen years old bought a farm in this county, and engaged in agriculture until 1880, when he came to Pine Village and coinmenced the drug busiu'ss, nhicli he ha< since continued. April 6. 1881. lie was married to Alice M.JIalher, a n.ilive of Medina Town>hip ; they have one daughter— Blanche M. Mr. Wagner is a Freemason and a Republican. PINE TOWNSHIP. ABIGAIL yVKERS (widow of Georire Aker^l was born April 13, IsiJS. in Butler County. Ohio, and is one of the eleven children of Frederick and Nancy A. Alenduir, natives, respectively, of Ohio and .Maryland ; the former born Occein- ber -1, 17ii:!. The grandfather of our subject was killed and scalped by the Indians in 171)4. Her grandmother became Mrs. Jolm l)i( ki'rson, and afterward removed to Iowa, wlicre she died, aged ninety-si.\-. Her famdv embraced si.x chiliiren— Fred- erick, Polly, JIary A., Hannah, .lolin and Calheiinc. Frederick Alenduff was reared by a brother, and after his marrian'e purchasi'd land in Butler County Ohio where he remained until IS.'S. and thence rcmnycd ti Fountain County liid where he (lii-d April 2. 1877, and his wile March 4, 1864. leaving ileven children— Catherine Elizabeth, Mary, John. Plubc Andrew. Henry. William. Alii.'ail Jane and Amanda. Our subject was j.uncd in x\edlo k to Mr. Akers, January 8 1844 in Fount am County, Ind. George AUers was born in Butler County Ohio February 14, 1SJ4. Ills parents. Fredericdv and N.incv Akers, were eariv'.settlers of Tipn6- canoe County; the tormcr was twice married and the father of ei-hieen children Alter her marriage, iMrs, Aliigail Akers r.^sid d in F,>uut.ain Countv iiniil ab>mt 18W when she removed to her hinuc in Warrei, County. Mr. Akers' died October 04'. 1H70, leaving thirteen children -Eilmond, J.mics. Gein--e M Annie \.in inda E Joseph II . Virginia C., l\IaiT K... ,Melvin, Jo cph Charlie, Allen and Eliza ) ' .lOSEPll ALE.XANDEU was born in Bniler Ciuinty. Ohio November''; 18'\) and IS a.sonol Sainu(4 and Mary Alexander, natives of" Peunsvlvania and Ohio re- speclively. Samuel Alexander was a son of Jose]di and FraiU'cs Alexander early PINE TOWNSHIP— WAKREN COUNTV. 203 settlers of Moatsomeiy Countj-, Ind. They -were parents of ten children seven of whom were sons— James. Joseph. Richard, Franklin, Hartley, John and Samuel Samuel married Mary Kelley. in Ohio, and moved to Monlgomerv County Ind. in 1835, where lie died in 1840. In 1848, Mrs. Alexander and family removed to Tip- pecanoe County, and two years later to Warren County, where "she died, in 1858 They had a family of eleven children— Sarah, Frances, Margaret. Mary, Joseph James, Samuel, R. ^V.. Jane. Geoi-ge and Elizabeth. Joseph, our subject, came with his mother to Warren County where. September B, 1857, he married Miss Frances Hanlis, born in Ross County. Ohio. November Ifi. 1816. daughter of .Joseph and Margaret Hanks. Mr. Alexander is the father of three children— Wallace B (died in the United States military service). Honora E. (deceased), and Runick W. He also possesses i88 acres of land. THOMAS BARTLETT was born in Henry County. Va.. December 5, 183T, and is one of twelve children born to Thomas and Sabrina Bartlett. His paternal grand- father, John G. Bartlett. was an early settler of Henry County, and there died in his eighty-third year; he had been a soldier in the Revolutionary war. and was the father of the following children: William, .John H.. Betsy. Martha and Thomas. The last-named, the father of our subject, was born in Henry County. Va.. June 16, 1790. and was married to Sabrina Hill, born in Frederick County. Va.. April 1. 1793. In 1830. he came to this county, and here died June 29, 1863. his widow fol- lowing December 10. 1866. His children were John, William. Washington. George, Maria. Sabrina. Thomas. Levi G.. Eliza V., Martha J.. Nancy and Elizabeth. Our subject came to this county with his parents, and December 13. 1849. married Mar- garet E., daughter of John and Eve Keenan. and born in Frederick County. Va., March 34, 1830. The children born to this union were a son. who died in infancy, and John F.. Georse E.. Martha J. S.. Mary E., Charley T.. Elmer W., Harriet R. (deceased), Victoria A.. Schuyler C. and William S. In 1853. Mr. Bartlett adopted veterinary medicine as a profession, and is now a most skillful practitioner. He also holds the office of Justice of the Peace. WILLIAM BRIER is a native of Champaign County. Ohio, born April 35, 1820. and is one of the thirteen children of Isaac and Mary (West) Brier; the former born in Pennsylvania in 1788. the latter in South Carolina in 1794. They were married in Champaign County. Ohio, in 1809. and in 1830 moved to Warren County. Ind.. and settled where our subject now lives; here. too. they died, he November 37, 18.58. she March 15. 1868. He was a soldier of i813. and the first Postmaster of the town- ship. Their family were. Philander. Andrew, John. Mary. Hannah. Juliann. Will- iam, George, Isaac. James. David. Benjamin and Henry. William Brier learned the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked some years; he was also engaged in the millwright business. November 17. 1850, be married Amy .J., daughter of Carpen- ter and Amy J. Morey, born in this county, August 31. 1835. This union gave issue to two children — Francis E. and Sylvia A. Mr. Brier, after marriage, settled on some previously purchased land, and in 1858 moved to the old homestead, now his home. He has 383 acres of good land, well improved. HIRAM BRIGHT was born near Danville, Montour County, Penn., November 1, 1884, and is one of eleven children of Peter and Maiy Bright, natives of Pennsyl- vania, the former a son of David Bright, in Bucks County August 5, 1771, whose father was Michael Bright, also born in Pennsylvania in 1733, who married one Catharine Huber. and died in 1814. David Bright married one Catharine Hetten- stine, by whom he was blessed with ten children— Michael, Sarah, William. Abigail. Catharine. Aaron. John, Francis, David and Peter. The father of our subject was married, in Bucks Count}- December 23. 1837. to Marj' Evans, and removed in 1833 to Montour County, Penn.. where he died, and where his widow is yet living. Their family was as follows : Abner. David. Rebecca, Hiram, Dennis. Evans. Albert. Penina. Philip. Abby and Mar_y. Hiram Bright was married in Montour County. Penn., March 10. 18.j7. to Rhoda A., daughter of Robert and Sarah Butler, with an issue of five children — Mary E., Frank. Butler, Oakley and Carl. In the spring of 1858, Mr. Bright removed to this county, where he now owns 788 acres of land. HAYNIE BROWN (widow of William F. Brown), was born in Hendricks County, Ind., April 36. 1838, and is a daughter of Joshua and Sarah Foster. the former born in Anderson Count}-, Tenn., January 9, 1803, the latter in Culpeper County. Va.. July 11. 1808. In 1839. they removed to Hendricks County, and in 1848 to Warren County. Ind.. where Mr. Foster died July 37. 1875. Mrs. Foster survives, and resides with the subject of this sketch. Their children are Houston, Horace. Wiley. Jefierson, Haynie, John. George. Enoch, Caroline, Joseph and Martha. Miss Haynie and Mr. Brown were united in wedlock in this county Octo- ber 4, 1849. Mr. Brown was born in Ohio September 30. 1835. His parents were Benjamin and .Tulia Brown, both natives of Virginia, the former born January 3, 1784, the latter December 15. 1791. They removed from Virginia to Ohio, and 13 204 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: thence to this county, where the}' subsequently died. After his marriag-e, Mr. Brown purchased a farm in this county, and in 1854 bought the one on -which ilrs. Brown now resides. Mr. Brown died August 4, 1880, leaving eleven children— Emma, John, Austin, Sarah, Lam-a, Perlina, William L., Joseph, Mary E,, Arthur and Martha. JACOB BROWN, a native of this township, was born April 24, 1848, and is the son of John W. and Margaret (Pepper) Brown, parents of eleven children— Martha J., John P., Mary, Julia A., William H., Jacob, Deborah, James F., Benjamin, Margaret and a deceased infant. John W. Brown was born in Ross County. Ohio, January 28, 1812, and Margaret Pepper in Frederick County, Md., June 13, 1813; they were married in Ross County. Ohio, January 10, 1833, and in 1838 moved to this 'township, where John W. died May 20, 1880.' Jacob Brown was married in Montgomery County, Ind. , September 9, 187.5, to Rosa J., daughter of Reuben and Catherine Byrd; slie was born in Jlontgomer}' County, August 10, 1859, and died February 16, 1878. October 21, 1879, he married Katie A. Brown, a native of this county, daughter of Abel W. and Rachel Brown, and born October 21, 1859. There was one child that died unnamed, l.iorn to Mr. Brown's iirst marriage, and to his second there are two — Voorhccs F. and Jennie E. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are mem- bers of the Metliodist Episcopal Church, and own a tiuely cultivated farm of forty acres. J. J. BUSSELLis a native of Warren County, Ind., boin March 29, 1853. His parents were William andManha Bussell; the former born in Virginia November 13, 1804, the latter in Tennessee, August 30, 1812. These parties were wedded in Hendricks County, Ind.. July 7, 188(3, moved to Iowa in 1850, and thence to this county in 1852, where Mr. Bussell died. January 23, 1867. and Mrs. Bussell February 11, 1880, leaving four children — James H.. Sarah A.. Lucinda E. and John J., our subject. He was married in Benton County, Ind., December 12. .1877. to Mary J., daugliter of James F. and Martha I,. Mills, a native of this count}-, born September 6, 1856. After the death of his parents, Mr. Bussell purchased the family homestead where he now lives, and is the possessor of 160 acres of arable and productive land. Mr. and Mrs. Bussell are parents of one child — Lulie L., born Julv 26 1879 MATIIEW CiVVANAGH is a native of County Wexford. Ireland, and was born in 1827. His parents are Patrick and Bridget (Koach^ Cavauagh. likewise natives of Ireland, who, about the year 1851, emigrated to America, settled in (Orleans County, N. Y., moved to Warren County, lud.T two years later, and in 1865, to Clav County! Mo., where they now reside. They are tlie parents of eight children— ;Malhew! Michael, Mary, John, James, Philip" Patrick and Edward." Our subject. JIathew Cavanagh, emigrated to this country in the spring of 1848, lauding at New York City, thence going to Orleans Coiuity, and in 1850 to Williamsport, Ind. He was married at La Fayette, Ind.. August 8. 18.58. to JIargaret Gcorly.a native of County Mrath, Ireland, a union productive of six children— infant son (diceased). Eilward", James (deceased). Thomas. Philip and Elizabeth (dcceasedV After marriage 51?' Cavanagh settled upon the land Avhich he has sinci' known as home. EMILY D()LB()\V ^wife of Nimrod Doll>ow) is a native of RossCouutv, Ohio and was born JIarch 25, 18-13. Her parints, Willis and Jane Graves, were" natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively ; the former liaving been born in the year 1808" the latter in the year 1815. They were married in Ross County, wliere thev'remained until 1851, thence moved to Warren County, Ind.. and in 1866. to Benton County Mo, where Mrs. Graves died February IS. 1875. yiv. Graves removed to Iroquo'is County. 111., wherehedied June 7, 1879, leaving ei-ht children— Thoma* J Miry E., ErvuiT., Fmdy, Joseph, Eliza B.. James A, and Francis. Emily came with her parents to tliix county, where slu' married .\ugust 29. i860, one C. W Gray who died April 27, 18-6, and was siibsec|uently united to Ninirod Dolbow Her fimiry'eom prised live chihlren— William G., Thomas C. John W. Millie J. and Sarah idec>"'isodl liOBlSON FLETCHER is a uatiye of Greene County, Ohio, botn March ■^■'' 1824. and is a, son of Robisou and Catherine Fletcher. Robison Fletcher Sr was born near Wheeling. W. Va.. Novemlier 12. 1787, and was a son of William Fletcher" n native of England, who emigraled to Virginia liefore the Revolution irv War' rriiicived to Fairtield Couiitv, tUiio.ahout 1806, and thence, in 1816 to Greene Coun' ly, where he died. He was futher to six ehil.lien - John. Robisiui Jane laeob Sarah and James, Holuson. our suhjct's faiher. wa> married, in 1806 in Fai'rtiehi County, t)lMo, to Catherine, daughter of Abtaham and Margaret Wootring born near Hageistown MdOctober 12, 1788. In 1816, they removed to Greene Coutily Ohio, and in IS.52, to IMontgomeiy County. Ind.. where he died. September 13 Ts'kV and she September 2S, ls:,^; ih,.y.|,,ri ..eyeii .hildren-Margaret Mary AS'll Vm' John, Sarah, Robison and Naomi. Our subject. RoliiM.n Fle'teher, was"marr ed u Greene County Ohi... August 11, 18-10, to Catherine, daughter o.' David and (nv Little, born 111 INhiskingum County, Oltio, Jyly 17, 1823. hi 1852 he rMuov^d to PINE TOWNSHIP— WARREN (^OUNTV. '205 Montgomery County, Ind., Ihcuce in 181!.). to Pine Village, thence to Benton Coun- ty, and tlicnco to his present residence. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher have had ten chil- dren— Emeline (deceased), Serilda J., Rufus L., Charles, Amy C, Alfred II., Fl(u-a E. (deceased), Norah L., India M. and an infant daughter, deceased. L. L. FREEMAX was horn in Greenville County. Va., Mayo, 1807. His father. George Freeman, was born in Mecklenburg Couniy.'Va., .January 13, 1784, and was a son of James and Sarah Fi-eeman. natives of Virginia, and of English descent. After .James Freeman's death, Mrs. Freeman removed to North Carolina, and in 1823 to Ohio, where she died. They had six children— George. Lemuel, Frances, Benjamin. Polly and Elizabeth. George Freeman married a" Miss Eleanor Brum- mit, and moved" to North Carolina in 1810, where she died in 1830. In 1833, he moved to Ohio, and married Amelia IJorton, who died in 1833; he afterward moved to South Carolina, where he married Mary Emerson. His death occurred in War- ren County. Ind.. in 184'i; he was the parent of fourteen children — .James IJ* Lemuel L., William L., Benjamin B., Sanmel B., .John W.. Sarah M., Peter P.. George W., Melissa G. . Perry S., Thomas .J., Minerva G. and Allen C. Our subject, L. L. Free- man, was married October 1, 1839, in Ross Coimty, Ohio, to Elizabeth, daugliter of Isaac and Rebecca Rains, born in Ross County, December 0. 1810. In the autumn of 1835. Mr. Freeman removed to Warren County, Ind. He had born to him an infant son (deceased), William L.. Sarah E. (deceased), I^ydia M. (deceased), .John W., Rebecca .J. (deceased). Isaac N. (deceased). Abiam .1. (deceased), James P., Melissa J- (deceased). Mary E. (deceased) and Thomas J, (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Freeman are members of the Christian Church. GEORGE FRY is a native of Baden, Germany, liorn February 3, 1831, and is one of the eight children of Nicholas and Christiann Fr_y, likewise natives of Ger- man}', where they lived and died. The parents of Nicholas had live sons— Jacol), John, Nicholas, Charlie and George. George Fry emigrated to America in Septem- ber. 18o3, landed at New York, and in October went to Bucks County. Pcnn., where he married, on the 3d of December of that j'ear, Margaret ICuhn. of German na- tivity, born April 11, 1830, daughter of William and Anna M. Kuhn. After his marriage Mr. F"ry emigrated to Rainsville, Ind., where he worked one year as a. stone- mason," and thence removed to Pine Township and engaged in farming; there he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Fry have been blessed witli ten children— Christian. Amanda (deceased), Mary. Rosettie, Annie, (?arrie, Riga, .hihn (deceased), Jacob and George. JAMES GRA.MES, Sr., is a native of Ireland, and was born in the year 1813. His parents were James and ^Margaret Grames, who were also natives of Ireland, where they lived until their deaths. The former was twice married, and the father of eight cuildren— William. Joseph, .John. King, James. Thomas, David and Mar- garet', our subject being the youngest born to the first wife. In 1833. our subject married, in Ireland, Miss Elizabeth Palmer, and inl8.")l emigrated to Butler County, Ohio, and five years later removed to Warren County, Ind., where he purchased land, and has si'nce remained. His family was composed of nine children— William (deceased). James, Thomas. Isabel (deceased), Eliza .1. (deceased), Margaret, Melissa (deceased). John and Miu-ia (deceased). JAMES GRAMES, Jr.. was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, November ',), 1835, and is a son of James and Elizabeth Grames. now of Warren County, Ind. The father of James Grames, Sr.. was of Scotch descent, who married a Miss King, in Ire- land, and settled in Countv Tyrone; be was tlie father of eight children- William, Margaret, Joseph, John, I>avid, Thomas, King and James, father of our suljject. who married in Countv Tvrone, 1833, Elizalx-th Palmer. In 1851, they emigrated to Butler County, l)hio, and thence to Warren County, Ind., when they settled where they" now live. Their family consisted of William. James. Thomas, Isabel, Maria, I51iza J., Margery, John and Jlelissa. James, our sul)ject. h;is made his home in this countv. where he was married. March 19, 1863, to Mary, daughter of John W. and Marga'ret Brown, born November 10, 1813. In 1866, he moved to the farm on which he now resides, and wducli he had purchased the autumn previ- ous comnrisin"- 380 acres. :\Ir. and ilrs. Grames have had nine chddrcn— Melissa A. (deceased), Ada L., John W., Emma E.. Clark J., William R,, James F. (de- ceased). Bertha A. and ^Minnie M. ,, , , ^, _,,, WILLIAM GR.VY was born in Rockingham County, V a., .September 24, 1803. His father, John Grav, was a native of Burke County. N. V., and a son of William Gray a native of England, who, about liftcen years before tin.' Revolutionary war, emi'i-rated to America and settled in North Carolina. H ■ became a soldier in tliat •dorlous war and was killed in the surre'ider of Fiirgu. He at once engaged in practice ^n Marshfield, this county; was married, November 11, 1872, to Isadore Briggs, and m 1874 came to Rainsville. wliere he has met with flattering success. He is the father of four children — OUie J. and Scott C. by his tirst marriage, and David C. (deceased) and Fanny hy his second. LEWIS PvHODE was born in Wayne County, Ind., December 10, 1816. His grandfather and wife settled in South Carolina previous to the war of the lievola- tion, and about 1803 moved to Ohio, thence to this county, and settled in Warren Township, where he died in 1844. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and the father of six children — William, .Jonathan, Thomas, C-jIeb, Esther and Seymour. The father of Lewis, William Rhode, son of John anjTfrar}^ Rhode, was a native of South Carolina, married Sarah Lurray, moved to Warren County, Ohio, and, in 1827, to Warren County, Ind., where he died. November, 1860. His wife survived him six years ; they had thirteen children — Mary, William, .John, Thomas, Lewis, Martha, Isaac, Joel, Seymour, Caleb, Sarah J., Jacob M. and an infant. Lewis was married in this county" December 80, 1841, to Miss Eliza J., daughter of Thomas and Sarah Clifton, born in Sussex County, Del., July 26, 1825. Her father was born in Delaware March 17, 1793, hpr mother June 25, 1805. They were married in/1834, and moved to Indiana, where thej' died — he, August 6, 1874; she, 8eptemb6i^6, 1880. They had ten children— Eliza J., John, William G., Sarah, Charles W., Robert, Mary A., Thomas, Lewis and Caroline. Mr. Rhode has been in Warren County since 1827, and is one of the olde.st pioneers. He has been Township Clerk, .lustice of the Peace and Township Trustee. He is a Mason, also father of three sons — ,Iohn W., Thomas W. and Lewis N. JOHN W. RHODE is a native of Warren County, Ind., and was born Novem- ber 3, 1843. He is the eldest of the three children comprising the family of Lewis and Eliza J. Rhode, of this tawnship. He was married in this county, February 13. 1867. to Miss Fannie, daughter of Clement G. and Nancy (Russel) Jones ; Mrs. Rhode is also a native of this county, born April 17, 1849. In 1877. Mr. Rhode purchased and .settled on the farm where he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Rhode are the parents of two children— Nancy G. and Eliza C. Mr. Rhode is the possessor of six hundred acres of land. He is a mentber of the Masonic organization. L. N. ItHODE is a native of this county, and was born September 13, 1851. His parents are Lewis and Eliza J. Rhode, of Pine Township, Warren Co., Ind., and he is the youngest of their three sons. He remained with his parents untd his twenty-second year. December 11, 1873, in Benton County, Ind., he was married to Laura, daughter of John and Elizalieth Wattles, of that county, she having been born April 7, 1854. After his marriage, Mr. Rhode settled on the farm on which he now lives, having possession of 307 acres of excellent land, purchased by his father in the dawning days of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Rhode have no children. Mr. Rhode is an energetic young man and much respected. SEMER RHODE is a native of Wayne County, Ind., liorn April 38, 1835. His parents were William and Sarah Rhode, who moved to Warren County in the early time, and there resided until their decease. Semer remained at home until he was twenty-eight years of age, and was thereafter married to Miss Matilda M. Pcarce, after which he settled on a farm in Section 14, this township, which he had pre- viously purchased, and, in 1869, moved to his present property and location, com- prising 600 acres of very excellent land. Mr. and Mrs. Rhode have had four children born to them— Sarah M. (deceased), William A., Emily J. and Martha L. Mr. Rhode is a worthy man and an esteemed citizen. MARY E. 8IGLER (widow of Daniel W. Siglcr,) was born in Tippeca- noe County, Ind., February 4, 1834. Her parents were David and Mary Steeley, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio. David Steeley was a son of Jacob Steeley, a 208 ■ BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: native of Pennsylvania, where be married, and in 1808 removed to Ross County Ohio and died in 1H27. David Steeley was born near Pittsburgh 1 enn.. May H>, 1790 About 1S27, he removed to Koss County, Ohio, where he married Mary Carothers, born in Kentucl^y May i). 17(16. In is:^3, he removed to Tippecanoe County, Ind., tbence to Benton County, and in isry) to this town-^hip^ where he died Auo-ust 9 IS.M). His wife died December 1. 18o3, leaving nine children— John, LazanisrElizaliclb. James, Em-riiie, Tabitha, Mary E., Isabel and Reuben. Mary E was united to Mr. Sigler in this township December 16, 18iy-'. Mr. big er was l)orn in Ross County, Ohio, December 35, bS2H, and was a son of George and Eliza- beth Si'^ler who in 1839, removed to this county. After marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Sigler moved on a farm in Prairie Township; thence, in 1808, to RainsviUe, where he'engaged in l)usiness for two vears; then purchased the farm on whicli he died. March 31 1882 leaving live children— Olive E . l)orn August 30, 18.3.j; "Walter S.. born June 37, IS.'.S; JIary E,, liorn September 18, 1861; Minnie «., born Deccmiber 23, 1809, died' Septemljer 14, 1870; ami Bertha M., born June 34, 1870. Mr. Sigler was a Freemason, Odd Fellow, Knight of Honor, and had been Township Trustee several years. He was a man of noble nature, truly benevolent and highly respected. WILLIAM SMITH is a native of Benton County. Ind., having been liorn Feb- ruary 13, 1839. His parents were William Smith, born in Ohio in 1810. and Han- nah Smith, of Benton Counly. At an early period in the history of this section, they emigrated to Benton (bounty, where Mrs. Smith died April 1.5, 1878. They had nine cliildren— Stephen. Janiis. William, Sarah, Oliver H., Philip il.. Leah. Cath- erine, and an infant, unnamed. Our subject was married in this county, J;inuar_y 31, 1861, to Miss Malinda, daughter of Jacob and :Minerva Ilarbrider, of Benton County, Ind. The bride was a native of Hendricks County. Ind. Mr. Smith settled in Benton County after his marriage, where he remained seven years, and thence re- moved to liis present farm and home. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of seven children— Ella, iMetissa, Perry, Emma, Minerva, Harvey and Julia 11. MARY STEEIjEV (widow of John Steele}-), w-as born in Champaign County, Oliio, April 19. 1839, and is a daughter of "Basil and Rachel West. Basil Wi'st, Sr., removed from Kentucky, was an early settler of Champaign Countv. and father of seven children — Stocket, Jolin, Jeremiah. Demariea. !M;iry. Phebe and Basil, who was a native of Kentucky, where he was wedded In Lulian Xoe, who died in 1835, after wdiich, in 1837, he married Rachel Pond, and in 1831 removed to Warren County, Ind., whence, in 1860, they removed to Walla Walla, W. T. ; there Mrs. West died in 1864. In 1868. he returned to Warren County. Ind., and afterward removed to Auburn, C;d., wliere he died in 1^80. He was father to eleven children— Sarah A., Mary, Lucinda, John F.. James II.. Henrietta M., ilatilda M., Julia A., Emma J.. Seliiida .M. and Emily E. Mary, our subject, was married to Edward T. CUissel, September 28, 18.")!. anil in 185.") removed to Otoe County. Neb., where he died April 19, 1858. In June following, she and f;imily reUirned lo War- ren County, Ind.. wliere she married John Steeley. January 1. I860. In 1864. they purchased the farm on which she 'lives. Jlr." Steeley died February 11. 1883. Mrs. Steeley is motlier to seven children, three by Mr. Cassel— EmniaJ., Martha L. and Horace G. ; four by Mr. SteeU'y— Richard' II.. William W.. Rachel E. and Laura E. FKANCIS M. SUTTON was born in Miami County. Ohio. April 5. 1839, and is a son of David and Lucinda Sutton. David Sutton, father of our subject, w-as a son of Jonas Sutton, a native of Virginia, whose father, Joshua Sutton, settled and died in Virginia. Jiuuis Sutlon married, in Augusta Ciumly, Va.. Jliss Sarah Ott, and in 1818 removed lo JMiami County, Ohio, thence to Mo'ntgomerv County, Ind., and died ill 1854, leaving eight children — John. Eli/a. Margaret. Susan, Georue. William. Lucinda and David, The falher of Francis was born in Augusta Coiuity. Va., in 1811, thence emigrated with bis falher to iMianii Countv, Ohio, married' Lucinda Willson, and, in 1S5(I removed to Montgomery County, hid., w-liere he died in 1867, his wife fcdiowing him in 1873, leaving nine 'clnldreu— John W.. Leiitia, James F.', Francis M,, Thomas W.. David P.. C.iilierine M.. :\l;irtha E. and Sarah A. Our sub- ject is a gradiialt' of Wesley Academy. Montgomery Countv. Ind.. and was for many years a iiroli'ssiimal teacher. In 18(i9. he began reading law , in WiUiauisport, Ind". with James Mct^abe. wdiich he coiUiuiied lluve years, and was admitted lo practice after that time. Mr. Sutlon was married, in jMonlgomery Counly. March 36. 1863. lo Liz/,i(^l\r, daughter o! .lohn and Elizabelh Sliankiin, born in Montgomery County March 30, 1849, They became parimls of two cildrcn— Lillie ^I. and Bessie L. Mr. Sutton is County Supeiinlendenl. and resides at Williamsport. LKVI \AN Kl".l';i) is .a naUve ol Warren Coiinlv. Ind.. ;ind was born Di\'em- ber 18, ISiii), His paiviits were Levi K,. and Amelia 'l! Van Heed, both natives of Pennsylvania, wliere tliey were married, alterward removiim to Mississippi whence PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 209 I they came to this county, where they died. They were the parents of twelve chil- dren—Austin (deceased), Mary E., Milton (deceased), Byron, Sarah C, Helena Minerva, John, Newton (deceased), two infants (deceased and unnamed) and Levi' the subject of this sketch. During his boyhood, he attended the district schools' and, after the decease of his parents, the high schools of La Fayette, the Stockweli Schools, and, finally, to Bloomington, 111., where his education was completed. He is now owner of 340 acres of land, and is unmarried. VILITTA WAKEMAN (widow of William F. Wakeman), is a native of Putnam County, IS". Y., and was born November 15, 1813. Her parents were John and Martha Stow, who, in 1817, removed to Clinton County, Ohio, and afterward to Delaware County, Ind., where they lived until called away by death, leaving a family of five children— Hiram, Sarah B., Benonia, Jane and Vilitta. Miss Vilitta Stow was united in wedlock to William F. Wakeman, December 10, 1837, in Clin- ton County, Ohio. The parents of Mr. Wakeman were Gideon and Deborah Wake- man; he was born in New York, August 6, 181U, and was one of their eight children, —William F., J. A., Jane, C. B., Sarah, Mary, Harriet and Harmond. In 1888, he removed to Warren County, Ind., where, lie died March 23, 1869, leaving the fol- lowing family— Marv E., Francis JI., Charles E., Harriet A., Hannah R. and William E. PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. JOSHUA ANDEliSON was born August 16tb, 1813, in Bucks County, Penn., and is the eldest of eight children born to William and Keziah (Smith) Anderson. The family moved to Warren County, Ohio, in 1818. Joshua had only the ordinary country schooling, and worked for his father until nearly twenty years of age. He worked out awhile and then learned the cooper's trade, which he followed fourteen years. In 1833, he married Miss Harriet Crosley, by whom he had twelve children, four of whom are now living — Mary Jane High, James, Keziah Gilger, and Caroline Palmer. He lost his first wife in 1863, and in 1867 was united to Mrs. Eunice Pros- ser. One child has blessed this union, Elmer E. In 1847, he discontinued his trade, and rented a farm. He moved to Warren County, Ind., in 1853, and the following spring settled in Prairie Township on his present farm. He first bought 136 acres, and has added until he now owns 315 acres, 160 being prairie and the remainder woodland. During the war, he acted as enrolling officer, reporting at La Fayette. His son James ser%'ed three years in the Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteers. He was at Stone River all through the Atlanta campaign, and at Nashville. Mr. Ander- son was Township Trustee for several years, being the first one elected. He also acted as Land Appraiser for Prairie and Pine Townships for three terms. He has been a member of the F. & A. M. for twenty years, and joined the Odd Fellows in 1848, attending regularly until about five )'ears ago. He has been liberal and active in promoting benevolent enterprises. WILLIAM T. EVANS was born January 1, 1843, in Ross Count.y, Ohio, and is a son of 0. P. C. and Eliza J. Evans. In 1849, they settled inTippecanoe Count}',; Ind, William received a good education, having attended the high school for sev- eral years, besides two years at Asbuiy University. He remained on the farm un-| til thirty-one years old, overseeing Imsiness iu the absence of liis father, who waa often away, engaged in the cattle trade. January 4th, 1873, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Meharfy, daughter of Hugh and Margaret M. Meharry. One child, Arthur Hanson, has blessed this union. Some time after his marriage, he settled on his present farm of 330 acres, which is in excellent condition, the grounds about the house showing that he is a man of taste as well as l)usiness. He devoted some attention to raising fine hogs. In addition to his home farm, he owns 924 acres, making 1344 acres in all, over 1300 being under cultivation. A part of it is rented, the remainder under his own charge. His wife was an excellent woman, much es- teemed by her neighbors, but for several years she was in feeble health and died in 1880. Mr. Evans is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and takes an ac- tive part in Sabbath school and other church work. N. M. GEHRIS was born in Montgomery County, Penn., iu 1832, and is a son of Daniel and Julia Gehris, who were of Russian and English descent respectively. N. M. Gehris, when three years old, removed with his parents to Berks County, Penn. He became a blacksmith, and in 1850 came to Warren County, Ind., in com- pany with John V. High, and one other man. He opened a shop on Pine Creek, where he remained fifteen months, then went to Rainsville, and stayed there about .fifteen months. He then moved on the prairie, half a mile west of his present home 210 BIOGRArillCAL SKETCHES: in Prairie Township. He TN'orked at his trade, and also cultivated ^ small farm for seven years. He then bought 160 acres of land, being part of the 330 acres which he now owns. A part of the time he rented and cultivated several hundred acre in connection with his own farm; but of late years has attended principally to his own land. He has raised and traded stock extensively^ Mr. Ge^hris was married m 1853, to Miss Anna Rockenfield, by whom he had six children-Sarah tllen, Henri- etta, Rosanna, Susan, Nathan R. and Elisha, four of whom are now hying. Mrs. Gehris died in March, 1873, and in 1874 he married Miss Lvdia E. Hu/^t, by whom he had one child-Rebecca May. In 1876, his second wife died, and March 29, 18.9, he married bis present wife, who was a Miss .Johnson. By this marriage, there has been one child-Charles .Johnson. For thirty years, Mr. Gebris has been a Justice of the Peace, and has always been active in all church and school movements. He is a Democrat, but reserves a discretion in voting. t ^ -o u no ARTHUR C GOOIjWINE was born in Warren County. Ind.. February 3d, 1839 and is a son of Harrison and Isabel Goodwine. "When four years old, he went to live with his grandfather. He herded cattle for five summers, the first year with his father, the second with his grandfather, and the remaining three by himself. His grandfather died when Artliur was thirteen years old. He returned to his father, and remained there until seventeen. He then came upon the place where he now lives, in Prairie Township. He put up a small hou.se. and herded and traded cattle for six years, excepting the year 1861, during which he kept a store in Jordan Township. March 4, 18.58, he married Elizabeth Briggs. by whom he had three cliildren— Capitola. Flora and Laura. His first wife died in 1873. and June 16, 1879. he married Elizabeth Lerch. by whom he has two children. After quitting the cat- tle business, he invested his means in a drv goods, grocery and variety store in West Lebanon, and in four years he lost $1.5.000. He came back to his present place; farmed some time, and then went to Benton County, and engaged in herding and farming for two years. With his father he again entered mercantile pursuits, in Ambia, for four years, but without success. In 1880. he returned to his old home. and says he is trying to get a little ahead by the old method of stock farming. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and a Republican. .JAMES HATTON was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1822. and is a son of James and Rebecca Hatton. When James was two years old, his parents moved to Parke County, Ind.. and in 1826 to Fountain County" His father entered land, part prairie, and part timber, and on this land James was reared, and participated in the hardships of pioneer life. He relates that while following his father in a hunt for a strayed horse, he came suddenly upon a grey wolf, and not desiring that sort of company, he made a "right about face." and started on a "double titiick" toward home. He attended the" old log schoolhouse of those days, and once narrowly es- caped a whipping, having found a whisky bottle belonging to his teacher. He helped to supply the family with meat, killing deer, turkey and other game. He worked for his fatlier until twenty-one years old. and mostly on the home farm un- til he was thirty. In 1S.52, he went to "California, and engaged in mining, but was not very successful. In 1856, he married Miss Isabel Steely, liy whom he has six children — Louisa F., James AV., Elmer R.. Jlclissa B., Bert E. aiid Harvey R. Mr. Hatton's present farm in Prairie Township consists of 120 acres, which, by hard work, he has got into good cultivation. He has good outbuildings. He is in com- fortalile circumstances, and has accumulated most of his property since the war. ThdUgh not a regular member, lie contributes liliernlly to the supjiort of the church. He was Township Trustee nliout seven years, and has been for man)- years engaged in settling estates and collecting notes. Politicallv. Mr, Hatton is a Republican. ISAAC I>. HIGH was liorn in Berks County. Penn., Mari-h 9, 1845. and is a son of Jolm V. R. and Sarah A. (Hotlensteiu'i High. The family came to Warren County, Ind., in 1852, where his father had entered land some years before. They came from PiUsburgh to Williiimsport by steamlioat. Isaac received a limited edli- cation, and workeil I'm- his fatlier until seveiUecn years old. He also worked at brick-making, and as a cigar-maker. In May, 1862. lie enlisted in the Fifly-tifth In- diana VolniUeei-s. lor three months' service." ^lost of the time, he was on" detached duty, but was in llie battles of RogersviUe, and Richmond, Ky. His father died in 1861, and on Isaac's relurn home he found matters in such a condition that. being the eldesi child, he thought it liest to remain on the farm, and lielp his mother" In 1876. he visited the Centennial. In lsi80, he was married to "Miss Margaret M. Hind- man, who has borne liini two cliildren. one now living — John lliiidinan. Ue is a memlier of the G. A. R., and, in iiolitics, belongs to the National parly. His farm of KiO acres is in good e(uulition. He also owns iwentv acres of tiniber on Pine Creek, lie feeds his grain to his stock. ,IGHN B. LACEY was biu-n Jlay 1, 1833, in Stark County. Ohio, and is a son of Thomas and Nancy McGaughy Laeey. He obtained his education at the com- PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 211 mon schools, and worked on the farm for his father until he was of age In 1841 the family came to Steuben County, Ind., and, in 1855, to Warren County and worked by the month. March 16, 1856, he married Miss Martha J. Nixon, and'their union was blessed with ten children— Sarah E. (deceased), Thomas M., James V Nancy Jane, Lewis K, Mary M., Bertha R., John C, Nathan M. and Edith b' After his marriage, he rented land until 1861, when he went back to Steuben County and bought twenty acres. In October, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served two years and eight months. He was on post duty at Chattanooga until May 1, 1865, when the regiment went to Dalton, Ga He was promoted to First Sergeant. He left the regiment on account of disability, and was discharged at Indianapolis .July 20, 1865. He went back to his farm in Steuben County, which had been rented out during his absence. He bought twenty acres adjoining his first purchase, and remained there until 1872, wheii he sold out and removed to Warren County. He bought eightv acres in Prairie Township, which he sold in 1878, and went West, but not being pleased with the prospect, he returned to Warren County and bought 100 acres— his present home. His farm is all under cultivation, is well fenced, and has a good orchard. He is a member of the Grand Aj-my of the Republic, and in politics a Greenbacker, though not a strict party man. He was Constable in Prairie Township for three years. Mr. Lacey is a great reader of books and papers, and is active in all public improvements. MONTGOMERY H. MYERS was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, January 10, 1837, and is a son of William A. and Ann Myers. William Myers was engaged in the manufacture of buttons, and during the last year; of their stay in Ohio, Mont- f ornery assisted him. When our subject was in his tenth year, the family moved to la Fayette, Ind., where his father embarked in boat building. He attended school during his first year in La Fayette, and the following year worked in a paper mill. In 1849, they settled on a farm in Pine Township, Warren County. In Mont- gomery's twentieth year his father died, leaving him in care of the family. In 1859, he married Miss Ellen McDade, and eleven children have blessed their union ; Eva Alice, George S., Flora B., Salinda A., Mary O., William M.. Martha A., Perry H., Howard A., Emma E. and Walter B. For one year after marriiige, he lived south of Oxford, Benton County, then for four years lived on the McConnel farm in the same county. In 1863, his young brother having enlisted, he went back to the old home farm, where his mother and sister were living alone, and remained there four years- He then came to his present home in Prairie Township, where he had previously bought 160 acres of land. About ninety acres were fit for cultiva- tion, the remainder being slough. He has ditched the wetland, and the whole farm is now in good condition. In 1876, Mr. Myers lost his wife, and his daughters have since kept house for him. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1878, and re- elected in 1882. He is a member of the Christian Church, and active in all good enterprises. SAMUEL SMITH was born in Clinton County, Ohio, in April, 1846, and is a son of Henry and Sarah Smith. When Samuel was live years old, his father moved to Warren County, Ind., and settled at Walnut Grove, in what is now Prairie Township. Samuel worked on the farm and attended the public schools. After teaching a term or so, he, in 1869, went to Oberlin, Ohio, and spent nine months at the college. With a few exceptions, he has taught school every winter since. For some years he served as Deputy Clerk of Warren County. From 1878 to 1882, he was County Surveyor. At present Mr. Smith devotes himself to farming in sum- mer, and teaching in winter. His farm of 120 acrts is part of a large tract of land entered by his grandfather, Thomas Whinery. It is under good cultivation, and has a stable, but no other buildings. Mr. Smith is a Republican. He studies as much as a man engaged in hard pliysical work can do, and manages to keep abreast of the times. He still enjoys single life, never having found a partner to share his joys and sorrows. PART III. HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. BY ED. A. MOS.SM.iN. "Perchance the liviug still may look Into the pages of this book, And see the days of long ago Floating and fleeting to and fro, As in the well-remembered brook They saw the inverted landscape gleam, And their own faces like a dream Look upon them frorii below." — Longfellow. GENERAL COUNTY MATTERS. PHYSICAL FEATURE,?. ri)ENTON COUNTY consists of a broad expanse of gent!}- uudulatiiig J— ^ prairie, unbroken, except by a few groves, the largest of which are but a few miles in extent. It is situated in the eastern part of what is commonly denominated the Grand Prairie, which extends far to the westward, and embraces a large portion of tiie States of Indiana and Illinois. Many parts were originally ver)- wet, but a system of drainage has been adopted, which will ultimately result in bringing nearly all the surface into cultivation. Pine Creek is the only stream vvortliy of mention. It runs southerly, and empties its waters into the Wabash River. The northern portion of the county is watered b}' tributaries of the Iroij[uois River. The. county is ex- cellently adapted to grazing, and some of the finest droves of cattle produced in the West are annually shipped from tliis county to the Eastern markets. About the year 1875, or perhaps a little earlier, tile-draining was begun in the county, and it was found to enhance the productiveness of the soil to such an extent as to more than meet the expactations of the most sanguine advocates of this system of drainage. Portions of the county, and especially the southwestern portion, are still quite wet. There probably is not, how- ever, an acre of ground in the county that is so wet as to be unfit for culti- vation after it shall liave been drained as well as circumstances will admit of. Of the groves that have been alluded to, the principal ones are White ^ 214 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Oak, Parish, Hickory, Sumner's (formerlj- Sugar), Denton's and McConnell's. Mt. Gilboa and Mt. Nebo are probably the highest points of land in the county, the former, which is situated in the township of the same name, be- ing about eighty feet higher than the surrounding prairie. A splendid view of the surrounding country, for a distance of fifteen miles, can be had from its summit. THE SOIL. Throughout the greater portion of the county, the soil is a rich black loam ; although there are portions of the county in which the soil ie a light clay, well adapted to the raising of wheat. The best wheat land to be found in the county is in the vicinity of Oxford, this being the only portion of the county in which wheat is cultivated to any considerable extent. For corn and stock raising, there is not, probably, a better county in the State than Benton. TIMBER. As previously observed, the surface of the county is very large!}' com- posed of prairie. There are. however, a few groves skirting the streams, the largest of which probably is White Oak (xrove, which is situated prin- cipally in Oak (Irove Township, and in which, as may readily be inferred from the name, white oak timber largely predominates over other kinds. In other groves, other kinds of timber predominate, as may bo readily in- ferred from the names (Hickory Grove and Sugar Grove, for instance) ap- plied to them. SETTI.KMENT OF THE COUNTV. The first settlements within the limits of the present couuty of Beuton were made several years before the county was created. Tliomas Timmons, who, with liis family, settled on Big Pine Creek, in the year ISol, on or near the farm now owned by his son Benjamin A. Timmons, is eommonl\- supposed to be the first white settler within the present limits of Benton Oountv. There are. however, good reasons for doubting this. Thomas Lewis settled in or near White Oak Grove, on or near the farm now owned by R. .M. Atkinson, in the fall of 1832. He purchased the farm on whicli he settled of John Fields ; and Isaac W. Lewis, a son of Tliomas Lewis aforesaid, who. is still resi.(.h-eenwood was the van-courier, lie having pre-empteci some land, a part of which is known as the Carlisle farm, on which he erected a lougli hut on the banks of Mud Pine Creek, without d,iors or window.., s,Mne time l>efo,v he was joined by his own funily, or any other member ol' llie col.mv. lu a short time, he was joined by John Lalhrop, Matthew Armstrong, Joseph Bromley John Camp- Ion, James Jurrett, William MeQu.vn and George noun, who settled on the land pre-em|,ted by F. 1'. (ovcnwood, and made some improvements. AAer a few years of hard toil, great inc.Mivenieuee, many hardships and privn- HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 217 tions, and being unable to protect themselves from the bleak prairie winds, the colonj' was abandoned, all except Mr. Greenwood leaving the county. Mr. Greenwood moved some four miles further south, nearer the timber, and settled on the farm on which he now resides, and is the onl}- one of the col- ' ony now living in the county. Thomas Gornall and James Haworth, both Englishmen, but not belonging to the colony, came into the prairie about the same time, both of whom now own beautiful farms. From this time for- ward, families began moving into different portions of the county, as a market had opened up at La Faj'ette, which at that time was considered quite handy, as the round trip could be made during one-half of the year in two full days, allowing no time to stop for meals. Joseph Dehart settled in Pine Township in 1SJ:9, and there' were at that time the following persons in that township; John Sheetz, Henry Youtz, James Emerson, Robert Flawkins, Benjamin Hawkins (builder of the first house ever built in the township), Joshua Timmons, Amos White, Thomas Parker, the Widow Terwilliger and probably others. The time of their set- tling in that part of the county is not known any more deSnitelj' than that it was before 1849. Among the early settler.9 in the vicinity of Oxford were James N. Holton, Isaac Templeton, John Burns, John Campbell and many others. On Mud Pine. John Roberts, J. D. Roberts, H. W. Wilkinson, Will- iam Wilkinson, Ford, Stanley, Jarvis and others. On the prairie between the two places, John E. Morgan, J. F. Mills, Charles Aaron, John Wattles, J. N. Kiger and others. On Big Pine and eastern part of the county, Evan Stephenson, J. W. Swan, Benjamin Hawkins, William Hawkins, W. J. Tem- pleton, Thomas Maddux, the Deliarts, Haighs. Browns and others. There began to be some excitement about this time over the prospect of a railroad being built along the northern boundary line of the county, and in anticipation thereof, several settlers came into the northern portion of the county and commenced to improve farms, among whom were John Fleming, Sr., and family, A. D. Packard, E. C. Gould, Anthony Dehner and many others. After the completion of the railroad, the northern portion of the county improved rapidly, and settled up much faster than any other por- tion of the county, soon rivaling some of the early settled portions, and leaving the central portion still behind in improvements. The population of the county at this time was about 2,450. The following, found among the files of the Auditor's otlice, probably sh^ws who were liable to work the road in Pine Township in 1842: '■ July 2, 1842. List of persons who have performed labor on the public roads in Pine Township, District No. 1, for the yc.ir 1842, with tiie number of days each has' performed : James Thomas, eleven ; James Emerson, eleven ; Thoma>j Spriggs, eleven ; Jolin Anderson. — ; William R. Jonson, eleven ; Chaiiei Tim. nous, eleven; Rj.ij.unin Timmons, eleven; Thomas Gritfln, eleven ; James Griffin, eleven ; James Parker, eleven ; Hensou Owens, eleven ; Robert Hawkins, eleven : -Vllen Gilvan, eleven ; Albert Gilvan, eleven ; Amos White, eleven ; John White, eleven ; Jackson Gilvan, eleven ; 218 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Joseph Heftner, eleven ; Elisha Freel, eleven ; John Sheetz, eleven ; Jllijah Denton, eleven ; James Denton, eleven ; Elias Smith, eleven." The foregoing document is not signed at all, nor even marked " filed." As no similar papers appear among the files, it is not probable that this one was filed in compliance with any statutory requirement. It was probably filed by some Road Supervisor, or Township Trustee, who conceived it to be his duty to file such a list somewhere. Whatever the fact maj' be, how- ever, as to whether the filing was required by law, or was a work of super- erogation, it probably is genuine, nevertheless, and is quite an interesting pa- per, as it not only shows who were residing in Pine Township at that time, but it shows the further interesting fact that thej' could be and were re- quired to work as many as eleven days on the roads in those days. What would we, of the present day, who grumble at working two days, say to this ? Each of the three townships, Pine, Oak Grove and Parish G-rove, constituted a single road district at that time, there being but three districts in the county. EARLY MARRIAGES. During the first ten years after the count3- was created, from 1840 to 1850, there were fifty-four couples married in thts count}', as follows : Amos White, Sr., and Mary Earheart. August 2, 1840 ; Jonathan Baugh and Ruth Ann Nolan, October 1, 1840 ; Marmaduke Jennings and Elizabeth Robertson, October 1, 1840 ; Samuel Robertson and Sabina Alexander, February 25, 1841 ; Charles Robertson and Eliza Ann Mitchell, February 25, 1841 ; John Hilton and Margaret Garland, June 20, 1841 ; James E. Robertson and Jane Alexander, February 1, 1842 ; Benjamin Franlin Coffenberry and Bsthsheba Oiler, January 31, 1S42 ; Thomas Lewis and Elizabeth McConnell, March 21, 1S42 ; William R. Johnson and Marga- ret Pinch, June 2, 1842 ; James T. Parker and Raehael N. Justus, August 25, 1842 ; Eli Mendenhall and Sarah Williams, October S, 1842 : Archibald Morrison and Lawson Groom, March 21, 1843 ; Henry Van Horn and Louisa Rose, December 14, 1843 ; John Myers and Sarah Noles, September 5, 1844 ; John Whittaker and Sarah Smith, September 15, 1S44 ; Joseph Thompson and Elizabeth McConnell, February 26. 1845 ; Abraham Metsker and Elizabeth Odell, August 27. 184.') ; James Heury TerwiUiger and Mary Griffin, September 19, 1845 ; John Kelly and Sarah Ann Wood. September 29,1845, William Wray and Saiali Jane Carson, — , 1845 ; Cyrus Stanley and Amanda Beard. Feln-uary 5, 184(3 ; Thomas Geofrev and Lucinda McCnrtain, April 2, ISUi , William B. xMcConnell and Frances Jane Howard, April 7, 1810 ; Joliu .MoOide and Esther Martin, April 16, 1846 ; Thomas Carter and Martha Jolly, Juno 27, 1846 ; Elijah Bunnell and Martha Rob- ertson, August 27^ 1816 ; Addison Williams and Catharine Martin, Septem- ber 10, 184(i ; Samuel Mcllvain and Margaret Lane MeCoiuiell. Novem- ber 5, 1846 ; James Wylio and Mary Uaxis, Mav 27, 1847 ; John A. Finuey and Amanda D. I;an.., July 1, 1817 ; George Sharabaugh and Louisa Shoe- maker, January 6,1848; Ciuirles Wattles and Leah Littler, February 6 ($rcc^ '--^^^ o-*^^^ ./ HISTORY OF BENTOX COUNTY. 221 1848 ; John Brown and Sarah Wilson, March 16, 1848 ; Zebulon M. Wray and Mary Ann Earhart, March 26, 1848 ; Rinaldo Sutton and Vivena Cray- ton, February 10, 1848 ; James A. McConnell and Sarah McIIvaui, March 2, 1848 ; John Gray and Hannah Lewis, Apri 20, 1848 ; Hugh McConnell and Margaret M. Johnston, April 20, 1848 ; John L, McConnell and Eliza- beth B. Johnston, August 3, 1848 ; William Wilkinson and Nancy D. John- ston, August 10, 1848 ; John M. Cochran and Mary Magdalen Johnston, September 24, 1848; Moses Wilson and Armintha Martin, August 17, 1848 ; Isaac Templeton and Maria Jennings, January 2, 1849 ; George W. Free- man and Abigail Mcllvain, February 22, 1819 ; Thomas Smith and Marga- ret Martin, March 8, 1849 ; Henry C. Morgan and Mary Elizabeth Liptrap, April 5, 1849 ; William Courtney and Xancy Ann Robertson, October 3, 1849; Enoch Fenton and Julia Ann Crawford, October 10.1849; John Hawkins and Margaret Rebecca Sheetz, November 1, 1849 ; Elijah Denton and Mary Ann Miller, December 6, 1849 ; Elbert A. Scovill and Mary Ann Thomas, May 12, 1850 ; Isaac W. Lewis and Lucy McConnell, May 30 1850 ; Joseph M. Ferguson and Mary Jane McConnell, June 2, 1850. It will readily be seen, by an inspection of the foregoing, that the 3'ear 1848 witnessed the culmination of the matrimonial fever for the period of time mentioned, the number of ■' victims " during that memorable year reaching the then unprecedented number of twelve couples, or twenty- four persons. As the year 1848 was a leap-year, many might hastily conclude that in this fact lay the explanation of this unusual activity- in the matrimonial market. Such will readily discover, however, by ap- plying the infallible mathematical test, that the year 1844 was also a leap- year, and as there were but two matrimonial knots tied in the county during that year (as low a number as was reached in any year durin» the period), the}- will discover that their theory is wholly untenable. No solution of the matter will be here attempted, but the subject will be given over to those who have time and inclination for such pastime. It will further be seen that of those fifty-four marriages, three occurred in 1840 (afractional year), three in 1841. six in 1842, two iu 1843, two in 1844, five in 1845, eight in 1846, two in 1847, twelve in 1848, eight in 1849 and three in 1 850, which latter was also fractional, there being but sufficient of it embraced to make out the period of ten years from August 2, 1840. As tending to show the preferences which people have for one month over another, or for certain months over certain others, for the consummation of this great event, which is the bloom or blight of the happiness of all who enter the state matrimonial, it may be interesting to note that three of those matri- monial splices were made in the month of January, eight in February, six in March, six in April, three in May, five in June, one in July, seven in August six in September, five in October, two in November and two in December. It, will thus be seen that of all the twelve mouths in the yearj February, though the shortest of them all, is the most popular month for organizing new fam- ilies, and that July, though as long as the longest, is the most unpopalar 14 222 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. one for that purpose. The reason why this is so, if it really be neces- sary that any should be given, probably consists in the fact that whilst peo- ple have less time in February than in July ffrom two to three days less) they have more leisure. There may be other reasons that contribute more or less to the unpopularity of July as a month for marrying, but this is probably the principal one. EAELY LAND ENTRIES. NAMBS OP PtTRCHASEES. William Brown June 19, 1833. Bassett Timmons October 23, 1832. Thomas Timmons October 23, 1832. Matthew Terwilliger November 23, 1832. Parker Dresser September 9, 1852. David McConnell February 20, 1834. Basil Justus February 26, 1834. Lewis Williams December 31, 1832. Henry Jenninejs 'October 23, 1832 Philip Williams , March 7, 183.5. Thomas Johnston June 26, 1846. Thomas Johnston April 29, 1846. Amos White October 12, 1835. Robert M. Atkinson February 16, 1848. Thomas Atkinson March 11, 1851. Henry Robertson November 8, 1852. John F. Boswell June 8,1849, James T. Parker IMarch 2. 1844. Parnham Boswell November 8, 18.50. Isaac Templeton January 25, 1851. Thomas Hemphill. .^ 'JanuarV2, 1833. William E. Surface June 16, 1849 . John 8tephenson"r. JIareh 11, 1852. Charles T. Harris November 3, 1846. Edward C. Snmner November- 13, 1849. Alexander K. Nutt June 29. 1849. Robert Alexander June 24. 1836. John A. Lewis April 11. 1849. DESCRIPTION. A. SEC T. R. 160 33 24 6 80 31 25 6 107 31 25 6 180 31 25 6 164 6 26 6 40 19 24 7 40 19 24 t 80 33 24 7 80 33 24 7 40 35 34 7 80 11 35 7 400 13 35 7 80 25 35 7 160 33 25 7 160 31 26 7 80 6 34 8 160 17 34 8 160 24 34 8 160 31 35 8- 160 33 35 8- 80 1 34 9 160 24 34 9 160 30 24 9 80 36 24 9 280 5 3,5 9 160 34 35 9 160 34 35 9 160 14 26 9 The foregoing land purchases were not from the United States Govern- ment direct, but of lands donated by the General Government to the State, and commonly known as canal land and swamp land. The early entries of Government lands cannot be here given, for the reason that the tract book showing those entries could not be louud in the office in which it properly belongs, owing to some confusion having arisen with the records and files at the time when they were removed from the old county scat at Oxford to the new county seat at Fowler. CREATION OF TOWNSlIirs, AND CHANGES THEREIN. The time of the creation of Ihc tlircc town8hips of Oak Grove, I'arish (h'ovc and Pine, together with their boundaries, has been given, Tiic places of holding clccliiius in the several townships were changed from time to time, by order of the Board of Commissioners. At their may session, in 1841, it was "ordered that the place of holiling elections in and for Parish (irove Township is henceforth to be holdcn at the house of Joseph Smith iu HISTORY OF BENTOX COUNTY. 223 said township." At the September terra of Commissioners' Court, 134-1, it was "ordered that the place of holding elections in Pine Township be re- moved from the house of Amos White to the house of Joseph HetTner. in said township," At the December term, 1844. the place of holding elections in Parish Grove Township was removed from the honse of John Rose to the house of Thomas INIartin. At the June term. 1S47. the place of holding elections in Pine Township was -removed to the schoolhonse in said town- ship near William Pi. Johnson's residence.'' At the February term, 1S50 it was "ordered that the place of holding elections in Parish Grove Town- ship be removed from Thomas Martin's to the schoolhonse in District Xo. 2, Congressional Township 24. Range S. At the March term of Commissioners' Court, 1855, Washington Town- ship was created, bonnded as follows : Commencing at the southeast corner of Section 16, in Township 25, of Range 7 ; thence west to the southwest corner of Section 15. Township 25, of Range 8; thence north to the north- west corner of Section 3, in Township 26. of Range 8; thence east to the northwest corner of Section 3. in Township 26. of Range 7 ; and thence south to the place of beginning. ,__-• Prairie Township was created in March, 1855. and was bonnded as fol- ows : Commencing at the southeast corner of Section 16. in Township 25, of Range 8. and running thence west to the line dividing the States of Indi- ana and Illinois ; thence north to the northwest corner of Section 2, in Town- ship 26, of Range 10 ; thence east to the northeast corner of Section 4, in Township 26, of Range 8 ; and thence south to the place of beginning. The Board of Commissioners, at their December session, 1855, ordered that the order creating Washington and Prairie Townships be annulled, for the reason that there were not sufficient inhabitants in the territory embraced by them. At their ^larch term, 1858, the Board of County Commissioners created West Pine Township, ont of a part of Parish Grove Township, with boundaries as follows; Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 16. in Township 24. of Range 8. and running thence south to the south line of the county ; thence west to the southwest corner of the county ; thence north to the northwest corner of Section 14, in Township 24, of Range 10 ; and thence east to the place of beginning. In September, 1858, the line dividing West Pine and Parish Grove Townships was changed as follows : Commencing at the southwest corner of Section 11, in Township 24, of Range 9, and rnnniuo; tlience north to the northwest corner of Section 14, in Township 25, of Range 9 ; thence west to the State line ; and thence south to the southwest corner of Section 14, in Township 24, of Range 10. The Board of Commissioners, at their June session. 1860. upon petition of A. D. Packard, Isaac Hall. E. C. Sumner. Benjamin Rodlcy. Theodore Swinton, Aaron Burchell, Abram IT. Durkee. Joseph Blessing. G. W. Hug- o-ard, Patrick Erven. WilUam Grave,-, John T. Iloiigh. Thomas (.Tilbert, John Irwin and I. N. Clark, ■' Ordered that the north part of Parish Grove Town- ship be struck otf. and bounded as follows : Commencing at the northwest 224 rrrsTORv of benton county. corner of Section 2, in Townsliip 26, Range 10, and running tlience south to tlie soutliwest corner of Section 35, in Township 26, of Range 10; thence east to tliesoutlieast corner of Section o. in Township 26, of Range 8 ; thence north on line wliich former!}- divided Oali Grove and Parish Grove Town- sljips, to the northeast corner of Section 4. in Township 26, Range 8 ; and thence west on the line of Benton and Jasper, to the place of beginning, to bo linown as Yorli Township. At tlie September term of Commissioners' Court, tlie boundary between West Pine and Parish Grove Townships was again changed, this time as follows : Commencing at the northwest corner of Section 11, in Township 25. ofRangeKi; and running thence east to the northwest corner of Section 8. in Township 25. of Range 9 ; thence south to the northwest corner of Section 5, in Township 24, of Range 9 ; thence east to the line formerly dividing West Pine and Parish Grove Townships ; and thence with the old line to the place of beginning. In 3Iarch. 1861, it was ''Ordered by the Board of Commissioners of Benton County, State of In- diana, that a new township lie cut off the east part of Oak Grove Township, commencing at the southeast corner of Section 3.3, and running thence north on the line between Benton and Tippecanoe Counties, to the northeast cor- ner of Section 4 ; thence on the township line between Townships 24 and 25 west, to the northwest corner of Section 3. in Township 24. of Rant^e 7 ; tlience south to the southwest corner of Section 34. in Township 24, of Range 7 ; and thence east to the place of beginning, to be known as Bolivar Township." At the same session. Prairie Township was created, with boun"- daries as follows : Commencing at the southeast corner of Section 33, in Township 25, of Range 7. and running thence north to the line between Jasper and Benton Counties ; thence west on the line between Jasper and Ben- ton Counties to the northeast corner of Section 3, in Township 26. ofRaugeS • thence south to the line between Townships 2-1 and 25. at the southwest corner of Section 34, in Township 25. of Range 8 : ami thence east to the place of beginning." At the same term, it was - (h-dered that the boundary lines of Oak Grove be described as follows : Commencinn' at the southeast corner of Section 33, in Township 24, of Kange 7, and running thence north to the line dividing Townships 24 and 25 ; thence west to the northwest corner of Section 3, in Township 24, of Range 8 ; thence south to the county line, and thence east to the [itace of beginning." Also at the same time it was - Ordered by the board that the boundary of Pine Township remain the same, except the south line, which is on the Congressional township line between Town- ships 24 and 25." At the March term oi' Commissioners' Court. Finch's S.'hoolhouse was designated as the place of holding elections in Bolivar Township, and Wisher's Schoolhouse as the place of holding elections in Prai- rie Township. At the June term of Commissioners' Court, 1864, the follow- ing proceedings were had : " Now comes John W. Nutt and others, petitioning for a divish.n ,.f Prairie Township as follows : ' To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the County of IJenton, and State of Indiana ■ We the un- dersigned, citizens of l>rairie Township, in said eonntv, respeetfnllv'petition HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 226 your Honorable body to divide said township east and west into two equal parts; the north part to be called Union.' Petition granted." At the March term, 1865, West Pine and Parish Grove Townships were consolidated under the name of Parish Grove. In DecemTSer, 1866, upon petition of John Garretson, Isaac Allman Joseph Osborne, J. E. Sheetz, William B. Timmons, J. 8. 8hipman, G. P. Shipman, Alpheus Allman, Henry Hufhne, AVilliam T. Bowyer, Elias Shep- ard, Jerry Hufflne, H. H. Owens, Peter C. Noble, Benjamin Ellcr, J. Lam- born, Thomas Tracy, D. C. Bowjer, S. B. Johnson, Rinaldo Sutton, Jam'es Witham, Jacob Engler, Joseph K. Kinch, Jonas Henen, J. H. Tallman, Holt Dawson, William Marlow,. M. L. Cheidle, James K. Tur\-ey, John 0. Heaton and Patrick Carroll, Gilboa Township was struck off from tLie north part of Pine Township, as follows : Commencing at the northeast cor- ner of Benton County, and running thence west to the northwest corner of Section 3, in Township 26, of Range 7 ; thence south to the southwest cor- ner of Section 34, in Township 26, of Range 7 ; thence east to the line dividing White and Benton Counties, and thence north to the place of begin- ning. At the December term, 1868, the following changes were made in township boundaries ; York Township was divided, Richland being set off and bounded as follows : Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 4, Township 26, of Range 8, and running thence west to the northwest corner of Section 3, in Township 26, of Range 9 ; thence south to the line dividing Townships 25 and 26 ; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 33, in Township 26 of Range 8 ; thence north to the place of beginning, comprising three miles of Range 8, and three miles of Range 9. The remaining portion retains the name of York, and is bounded as follows ; Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 4, in Township 26, of Range 9, and running thence west to the State line ; thence south to the line dividing Townships 25 and 26 ; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 33, in Township 26, of Range 9, and thence north to the place of beginning, comprising three miles of Range 9, and two miles of Range 10, all in Township 26. The places of voting were for York Township, Fleming Schoolhouse, and for Richland Dehner's Schoolhouse. Parish Grove was divided, leaving tlie boundaries of Parish Grove as follows : Prom the northeast corner of Section 4, in Township 25, Range 8 ; thence west to State line ; thence south to the line dividing Townships 24 and 25 ; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 33, in Township 25 of Range 8 ; thence north to the place of begin- ning. The remainder to be called Grant, bounded as follows : From the northeast corner of Section 4, in Township 24 of Range 8 ; thence west to State line ; thence south to south line of county ; thence east to the south- east corner of Section 33, and thence north to the place of beginning. At, a special session in June, 1872, the boundaries of Prairie Township were changed, as follows : Commencing at the northwest corner of Prairie Town- ship as it is now located ; thence west three miles to the line dividing Ranges 8 and 9 ; thence south four rniles ; thence east one mile ; thence south 226 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. two miles to the line dividing Townships 24 and 25 ; thence east two miles to the southwest corner of said Prairie Township as it was before this addi- tion. And it is further ordered that this addition, with the present Prairie Township, shall be known as Prairie Township. At the September term, 1875, the boundary of Prairie Township was changed as follows: Com- mencing at the northwest corner of Section 30, in Township 25, of Range 8, and running thence south to tlie southwest corner of Section 31, m Town, ship 25, of ?i,ange 8, and thence east to the southwest corner of Section 32, same township and range, the territory annexed being Sections 30 and 31, in Township 25 of Range 8. At the March term, 1876, Grant Township was divided as follows : Commencing at the northwest corner of Section 3, in Township 24, of Range 9, and running thence south to the line dividing Benion and Warren Counties ; thence west to the southwest corner of original Grant Township ; tlience north, on the State line, to the northwest corner of the original Grant Tow-nship, and thence east to the place of beginning. The territory thus struck otf from Grant Township was named Hickory Grove Townsiiip, of which the hoard, at the same term, appointed John Callanan, Trustee, and John W. Cole. Justice of the Peace. At the September term, 1870, the east half of Section 21, Township 24, Range 7, was taken from C»ak Grove and attaclied to Bolivar Township. ORCAXIZATION OF THE COUNTY. Benton County was created by virtue of an Act of the Legislature, ap- proved February 18. 1810. The act being brief and of special importance, is here given in full and I'cads as follows : l)<- r Kiiacted bi/ tJir General Axscmbli/ of tlie .S'^^^• nj' liiJiniia: .'■Ikotion 1. That hereafter all that part of Jasper County, south of the r.'. ■ between Townships 20 and 27 north, shall be and constitute an independ- li county, and shall be known and designated as the county of Benton. Sec. 2. The Board of Commissioners of said county, shall meet at the liouse of Basil Justus, and shall, if necessary, hold two extra sessions for the purpose of transacting county business. Sec. 3. The othcers of said county shall be governed by the provisions of an act entitled " An act providing for the formation of new counties," approved Ketn'uary 17, 1838, and by the provisions of an act entitled " An act to regulate the mode of doing county business in the several counties of the State," approved February 17, 1838, as far as the same is practicable. Sec. 4. Threedifths of the tlu-ee per cent fund heretofore appropriated to the county of Jasper, namely, the sum ol' S2,400, is hereby approprwted to the county ol' lienton, and the Commissioner of the three per cent fund of Jasiier County is hereby directed to pay over to the Commissioner of said fund of Benton Counly, wlien the said tVtmmissioner shall be duly qualified, tlie sum of $l,(!05.^i2, if lie have so much on iumd, and he is hereby directed to retain that amount, or as much thereof as he may have on haiid at the passage of tliis act, witii a view to the delivery of the same to the Comiuis- sifTO>J COUXTV. THE SECOND JAIL IN THE COUNTY, At tiie June term of Commissioners' Court 1859, Jasper N. McConnell filed his bond for the erection of a new jail at the count}- seat, and the same was approved b}- the board. The building was to be completed b\' Septem- ber 1, 1860, and the contract price was SI, 925, which was to be paid in pay- ments as follows: SGOO June 1, I860, S600 July 1, 1860, and the balance Sep- tember 1, 1860. The Commissioners, at their June session, 18G0, contracted with Williamson & Hough, of Indianapolis, for putting iron cells in the jail, at a cost of $2,250, of which .S250 was to be paid in two months after date, $250 in four months, and the balance in twelve months. The Commissioners' records do not show whether this improvement was ever made or not; but it probably was not, for we find that the Commissioners, at their special June session, 1872, contracted with Hough & Co.. of Indianapolis for "improve- ments on jail in Oxford." which consisted in lining one room with quarter- inch plate-iron, and furnishing four window gratings, for which the Com- missioners agreed to p.'iy the sum of SI. 600, the sum of 8800 to be paid when work was completed, and S800 in ninety days after the completion of the work. A little computation will show that, if all the improvements con- tracted for were made, the cost of the impro\ements exactly doubled the or- iginal cost of the building, making the aggregate cost of building and im- provements $5,775. At the September term of Commissioners' Court, it was ordered that a warrant be drawn on tlie Treasurer for 81,600, in favor of Hough & Co,, to pay for improvements made by lliem on the county jail. This building, which is still standing, and is now used by the town of Ox- ford as a calaboose, is composed of brick, and, so far as external appear- ance is concerned, does not much surpass many of the country schoolhouses in some of the older and more wealthy counties, and one would hardly sup- pose that the cost of it was very nearly $6,000. COUNTY FARM AND BUILDINGS THEREON. In October, 1869, the Board of County Commissioners purchased of John E. Fenton and Martha L Fenton, his wife, the southeast quarter of Section 19, the east half of Section 'M and the northeast quarter of Section .^1, all m Township 25 n,.rU,, of Kange 7 west, for a countv farm and at the same tune gave ihr grantors a mortgage on the same to secure the pav- ment of four i)romiss.u-y notes given for the unpaid purchase monev a-o-.-e- gating the sum of 815,750, as follows : One for $5,000, due March 1 iItQ- one for $H.750, due Mar.^h 1, 1,^71 ; one for $:!,750, due March 1 187-' and «.,e r,n- $;!,25t., due March I. 187:1. At a special session of M>e Board of Comm>ss,oners, held on the 2:!d of December, 1872, ■• for the purpose of mak- mg sale of the nodJu.ast quarter of Section 81 and the southeast quarter of Section l;, m Township 25 north, of Range 7 west,; and for the purpose of executing the luvessary papers for such transfer " the following entrv is made ,n the Commissioners' ordor book: " Comes now Zunri Atkinson'aud presents to the court a, proposition to purchase said laud at the sum of $35 •y-"' \fi'\ ' • e^ M 'yCt:.-2't^-i'^L- HISTORY OF BENTOX COUNTY. 241 per acre, $2,240 cash and balance in four annual payments of $2,240 each, without interest." The record then made shows farther that Mr. Atkinson's proposition was accepted and that a deed was then exe- cuted. This must have been an error, however, for we see that the board, at a special session in October, 1876, ordered that the Sheriff make a deed to Zimri Atkinson for the same real estate. At the January session, 1875, the Board of Commissioners sold to Cephas Atkinson, for $4,800, the north- east quarter of Section 30, in Township 25 north, of Range 7 west, leaving the county still the owner of the southeast quarter of Section 30. The county leased the farm, from time to time, to various parties, at so much per annum for the use of the farm, the county paying the lessee a certain stip- ulated sum per capita for furnishing the paupers of the county with lodging, food and apparel. Latterly, however, the Commissioners have adopted the better plan of employing some competent and trusty person to superintend the farm, paying him a liberal salary, and the county receives the proceeds or avails. This method is found to work better, for the reason that in this way the farm is kept in better condition, as it is not to the interest of those who work it to make the most of it during the brief time that they have pos- session of it, without regard to the impoverishment of the soil. The Commissioners' record does not show that any improvements had been made on the county farm prior to 1874. The Board of Commissioners, at their June session in that year, entered into a contract with Alonzo D. Sleeper, for the furnishing and setting out of fruit and ornamental trees on the poor farm, for which the Commissioners agreed to pay the sum of $773. At a special term of Commissioners' Court, a contract was entered into with Messrs. Beardsley & Shapley, of Benton Count}-, for the erection of a house on the county farm, for the sum of $2,757.77, which house was to be com- pleted by September 3, 1879. The structure is of brick, and is a credit to the county. At the October term, 1870, the board contracted with Henry C. Patton for the building of a barn on the county farm, at a cost of S445, to be completed on or before December 1, 1879. The county farm is sit- uated about four miles north of Oxford, and is one of the most handsome sites in the county. RE-LOCATION OF COONTT SEAT. As will readily be seen by consulting a map of the county, Oxford, the original seat of justice in Benton County, is situated far to the south of the center of the county, its site being about two miles from the south line, and about four miles east of a line drawn from north to south through the center of the county. It was very indiscreet, evidently, in the Commissioners who located the county seat, to locate it so far from the center of the county. It was located there, no doubt, for the reason that almost the entire popula- tion of the county at that time resided in the south and east portions of the county. It would seem, however, that a little foresight on the part of the Locating Commissioners must have shown to them that in the course of a few years the then unsettled portions of the county would become settled 242 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. up, and that there would then be great dissatisfaction on the part of those who resided remote from the count3' seat. It is probably a fact that Oxford is built upon the best town site that could have been found in Benton County ; yet it certainly must have occurred to the Commissioners who lo- cated the county seat there, that the time must inevitably come when the county seat, if located at Oxford, would be as far removed from the center of the population of the county as from the geographical center. To sup- pose that they did not foresee this would be anything but complimentary to the intelligence of those men. The site selected for the county seat was, manifestly, far more convenient for those who were at that time residing in the county than it would have been had it been located at the geographical center of the county ; and, as a majority of men do not look beyond their own personal interest in such matters, it is very probable that a strong pres- sure was brought to bear upon those men to induce them to locate it where the}' did ; and, as the}' did not live in or have an}' interest in the county, they did not choose to bring down upon themselves the execrations of the citizens of the county by resisting that pressure. However it may have come about, the county seat was located where the town of Oxford was sub- sequently built ; and, in view of the damaging effect that its removal has had upon the then thriving and pleasantly situated town of Oxford, and of the animosities thereby engendered among the inhabitants of different por- tions of the county, it would seem, to a wholly disinterested person, to be a matter of regret that the county seat was not permitted to remain where first located, notwithstanding that the act of locating it there may have been an impolitic one. The agitation of the question of the removal of the county seat from Oxford was begun in the year 1873. It is quite probable that the question would not have come up so soon had it not been for the fact that the Commissioners of the county were then contemplating the erection of a new court house and jail at Oxford, and those who were in favor of the removal saw that if it was not made before this was done, it must be postponed for several years, if in fact, it should ever be made at all. Although the court house and jail had been built but about seventeen and thirteen years respectively, and ought yet to have been in good condi- tion, they had, in fact, reached that state of dilapidation that they were deemed unsafe, and the Board of Commissioners accordinglv instructed the Auditor of the county to employ a competent architect to make an exam- ination of them, witli a view to having them repaired, tx. P. Randall, of Chicago, was the architect employed, whose report was as follows : To TUE County Commissioners of Benton Cofnty, Ind. : Oenlkiiien—Af^TvetMy to your request, as communicated through the County Auditor, I luive this day m.ide a critical e.xamination of your court house and jail buildings at this place (Oxford) and find as follows, to wit: Tliat tliJ court house was originally built on a very poor and insutVieient foundation, the walls being of bowlders, or cobble stone, poorly laid, and apparentlv without much mortar to cement lliem together; that the frost has from year to j-ear disinte- grated the foundation wall until at the present time it seems to be hardly in .^ HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 243 condition to carry the walls resting upon them. For this cause the walls of the superstructure are giving away from time to time, as the walls beneath are breaking away by the causes enumerated; and it is at present evidently border- ing upon a condition that might be considered dangerous; and still it may not fall down for years. Yet, in its present condition it would not be a matter of surprise if it should give way at any time. The vaults are in no respect tire proof, nor were they ever so; and, should a fire occur, or the walls of the building give way, the vaults would be found to be a total wreck, probably involving a loss of all their contents. I came here with the understanding that you desired me to indicate how this building could be repaired and put into a safe condition. I frankly confess my inability to do this, and for the reason that there is nothing to build upon, as the building is a complete wreck from foundation to cupola; and, I think that any money expended in repairing it, beyond that of some slight or temporary repairs, would be a waste of money. If the superstructure was good, you might replace the foundation by a better one; or, if the foundations were good, you might mend the superstructure so that it would answer for a time; but, it is all breaking and broken to pieces, and not worth the making any repairs that would involve much expense. Of the jail, I shall have to make a report similar to that of the court house. The walls of the building are on a foundation of no particular use, and afford hardly any obstructions to the egress of a prisoner if he preferred to go out through the'wall, rather than by some other means of exit. The iron work of the walls, grates, lin- ings of corridors, ceilings, floors, etc., is all a great deal too light, having in general not more than one-fourth of the iron in the several parts which is requisite to safety; and it so light, and so badly put together that I should consider a prisoner as being very indolent who could not go out of it in any direction in half an hour if he had any motive for desiring freedom, or wanted to change his boarding place. There is the same difficulty in repairing or reconstructing this as the court house building — there is nothing there to build to. Every piece and part of the building is insuffi- cient, and unfit for the place; and if left in it, would spoil the whole. I therefore can see no way out of the difficulty, only to build a new and suitable jail in accord- ance with modern ideas and necessities. The present one is surely of no account as a place for the safe-keeping of rogues, as you have seen practically demonstrated quite recently. It is my advice, therefore, that you make no further use of this building for jail purposes. All of which is respectfully submitted. G. P. Randall, AreJdtect. Chicago, March 20, 1873. It would seem from the foregoing report that the court house and jail, and especially the former, must have been in a verj' bad plight, indeed ; and, as a further evidence of that fact, the board, after meeting at the court house, at their June session, 1873, deeming it unsafe, immediately adjourned to the Town .Hall, where the remainder of the session was held. Also, the Judge of the Circuit Court refused to hold the April term of court in the court house, on account of the unsafe condition of the house. There being such a manifest necessitj- for a new court house, the Board of Commission- ers, at the June term of Commissioners Court, declared it to be their impera- tive duty to proceed without delay to have new county buildings erected, and the Auditor was ordered to procure plans and specifications for a court house and county offices, combined, to cost not less than $55,000. At the same term the Sheriff was ordered to sell the material of the old court house. At a special session of the board, held in Jul}, 1873, the board adopted drafts, plans and specifications, furnished by G. P. Kandall & Co., of Chicago 244 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. ■ for a court house, and ordered that the Auditor give notice that he will re- ceive sealed proposals for the erection of a court house in the town of Ox- ford, in accordance with such plans and specifications, and that G. P. Randall be employed to superintend the building of said court house. Also, at this session, it was ord(ired that the order made at the June session, directing the Sheriff to sell the material of the old court house be rescinded ; and that the Sheriff take down the old house in a careful manner, and pile up the material on the public square, and that he advertise the sale of material at public sale, one-third of the price to be paid in cash, one-third in six months, and the balance in one 3'ear from the date of the sale. A second special session of the board was held in the month of July, 1873, at which the order made at the first special session in the same month, directing the Auditor to give notice of the letting of the contract for the erection of a court house was slightly modified ; the modification consisting principalh- in this, that the Auditor is ordered to give notice that the Commissioners will receive proposals instead of the Auditor, and the size of the building, and the materials to be used are specified, and it is provided that the contractor shall give bond for the performance of the work in accordance with the specifications. At the regular session in September, 1873, Moses Fowler and Adams Earl, and their wives, produced and delivered to the board a deed for two lots of land, the one containing two and one-fourth acres and upward, and the other more than one-fourth of an acre, upon which to erect a court house and jail, together with an abstract of title thereto. At this term a petition for the relocation of the county seat, which petition, the record shows, was accompanied with S250, of which SlOit was for the pur- pose of employing an architect, and the balance to defray the expenses of assessing the value of the property of the county at Oxford, the then seat of justice of the county. On September 11, 1373. during a term of Com- missioners' Court, there being but two of the Commissioners present, namely. Henry Robertson and Robert M. Atkinson, and the question of the reloca- tion of the county seat being then pending in said conrt, Robert M. At- kinson, one of the Commissioners, resigned, and Henry Robertson, the only other member of the board present, and William Snyder, the Auditor of the county, appointed William Marvin a Commissioner to fill the vacancy. At the same time, the petitioners objected to the consideration of the ques- tion of the relocation of the county seat by the board as then constituted, " upon tlie ground that William Marvin was not appointeil a Commissioner according to law, and had no authority to sit as a Commissioner of said county." Upon their objection being overruled, the petitioners dismissed their pro- ceedings, and asked leave to withdraw their petition and other papers from the files. Leave was granted to withdraw the deed and the money which they had deposited ; but the privilege was denied as to all the other plead- ings in the case. Thereupon an order is made by the hoard recitino- that "Whereas, on the 5th day of September, 1873, His Houor, E. P. Hammond HISTORY OF BENTON' COUNTY. 245 Judge of the Benton Circuit Court, l\y virtue of a petition filed in his court b}- Leroy Templeton. granted an injunction restraining this board from let- ting a contract for the building of a new court house in the town of Oxford, the count}' seat of Benton County ; and, whereas, afterward the said Judge did, at the instance of said Templeton, continue said injunction until such time as a certain petition for the relocation of the count}' seat then pending before this board should be heard and determined ; and, whereas, said pending pe- tition has been this day dismissed by the said petitioners, and is not now pending before this board, or any other court of competent jurisdiction, but is fully determined ; and, whereas, said injunction has been dissolved by the dismissal of said petition, and by the terms of the order of injunction ; it is therefore considered to be the duty of this board to proceed to let the con- tract for the erection of a new court house in the town of Oxford." The board then proceeded to open the bids that had been received prior to the institution of the injunction proceedings, and to award the contract to Isaac W. Lewis and John F. McConnell, for the sum of S55,U00 ; and the said Lewis and McConnell thereupon filed their bond in the penal sum of $100,000, which was accepted and approved by the Board. At a special session in September, 1873, it was " Ordered by the board that, whereas, an injunction suit is now pending before His Honor, E. P. Hammond, Judge of the Benton Circuit Court, to enjoin this board from proceeding to build a court house, the Auditor is authorized to employ counsel to appear and an- swer for and defend the interests of the county in that behalf" From this it appears that a new injunction had been granted, restraining the board from proceeding with the erection of a court house under the contract entered into with Lewis and McConnell at the regular session in the same month. Why the petitioners should dismiss their proceeding in the Commis- sioners' Court, thereby dissolving the injunction which they had obtained in the Circuit Court, and leaving the Board of Commissioners at liberty to proceed to let the contract for the building of a court house at Oxford, which thev did without loss of time, thereby placing those who desired a re- moval of the county seat from Oxford, under the necessity of beginning de novo in both the Circuit and Commissioners' Courts ; and why the Board of Commissioners, who were evidently in favor of retaining the county seat at Oxford, should let the contract in such haste, when they must have known that those who favored the change, being represented by as good legal talent as could be procured in the State, as they were, could not permit their ob- ject to be thus frustrated, are questions which will naturally present them- selves. Was this a bit of yjjiesse on the part of the legal luminaries who were of counsel for the respective parties, with the object of gaining some advantage over their opponents '>. Or was it the object to thus prolong the case, and make it appear a very tedious and toilsome one, requiring a vast amount of legal acumen and no end of labor, so that attorney's fees might be increased ad JiLitum, without creating in the minds of their clients any dissatisfaction on account thereof, thus proving the truth of those lines in Hudibras : 246 ■ . HISTORT OF BENTON COUNT!'. "Lawyers, lest the bear defendant, And plaintiff dog, should make an end on't, Do stave and tail with writs of error, !;-, Reverse of judgment and demurrer, • ■ To let them breathe awhile, and then Cry whoop, and set them on agen '!" At the December term of Commissioners' Court ia 1873, an election having been held in the county since the dismissal of the petition for the relocation of the county seat, and the Board of Commissioners, as now constituted, being favorable to the change, a new petition, having 1,221 sign- ers, was filed. The petition was accompanied with S250 in money, with which to employ an architect, and to pay the expense of having the property of the county at Oxford appraised ; together with a deed for two lots, on which to build a court house and jail, the same as had accompanied the former petition. Joseph Perkins, John F. Boswell, and Kobert M. Atkin- son constituted the board of Commissioners at that time. On Tuesdaj-, the second day of the term, Commissioner Atkinson being absent, the question of the removal of the county seat from Oxford to Fowler was passed upon hy the Board, and the prayer of the petitioners granted. An order was made for the removal of the count}' seat to Fowler, and the Auditor was ordered to employ G. P. Randall & Co., of Chicago, to prepare and present plans, specifications, and estimates for new eountj- buildings. The records show that Commissioner Atkinson was present next (Wednesdaj-) morning. At the March term, 1874, the report of James B. Foley, Mahlon D. Mauson and John Brownfleld, Commissioners appointed \i\ the Governor for the purpose of appraising the public property at Oxford, was filed, showing the value thereof to be 86,750. It appears of record, in the record of the pro- ceedings of this term (March, 1874), that a certificate of deposit was issued by the National State Bank of La Fayette, for $40,000, to the credit of Thomas Johnston, Edward C. Sumner, and William J. Templeton, to be by them held in trust for the purpose of building a court house at Fowler, the trustees named signing a contract to pay the money over upon the order of the Board of Commissioners. This sum was contributed by Moses Fowler and Adams Earl, the largest land owners, by far, in the county (neither of whom resided in the county, liowever), each contributing a sum proportional to the amount of land that he owned in the county, the value of which T\ould be enhanced by the location of the county seat at Fowler. No other question that was ever before the people of Benton County so convulsed society to its very center as this question of the relocation of the county seat. Of a truth, the antipathies then engendered have not yet altogether died out ; and there arc many in Oxford who stoutly declare, and with seeming sincerity, that ere many years, the county scat will again be established at Oxford. As before observed, it was certainly not the part of wisdom to establish the county scat at Oxford in the first instance, on account of its being so far removed from the geographical center of the county ; yet, it bavins^ been once located there, the act of removing it was certainly of doubtful propri- HISTOKY OF BENTOX COUNTY. 2i7 et}', to say the least. The fact of its not being conveniently accessible to those residing in the northern and western parts of the county, does not constitute a very potent argument in favor of the removal of the countj' seat from Ox- ford ; for those citizens who resided in those portions of the county bought their land, and located there with a full knowledge of the existent state of things, so far as the location of the county seat was concerned, and they ought not to be heard afterward to complain. On the other hand, those who invested their capital in and about Oxford, did so knowing that it was then the county seat, and in the reasonable belief, no doubt, that it would remain so ; and no doubt they paid more for their property than they would had they had any apprehension that the county seat would be removed. Since the change has been made, however, and since there have been such magnifi- cent county buildings erected at Fowler, costing, in the aggregate, over $85,000, and especially since it would be impossible to again change the location of the county seat without occasioning the most intensely bitter feelings between the citizens of the different portions of the county, it is certainly the duty of all good citizens, who have the well-being of their county at heart, to discountenance any further agitation of that vexed ques- tion and to treat it as forever settled. It is probably true that the town of Oxford sustained a temporary check to her progress in wealth and popula- tion by the removal of the county seat to Fowler ; yet, if such was the case, that check was but temporary, as she seems to be at present entering upon an era of greater prosperity than she has ever heretofore known. It would appear, from the fact that Fowler, which has had an existence of but about eleven years, has already outstripped Oxford, which has had an existence of about forty years, that the removal of the county seat, at §ome future time, on account of its being so far from tlie geographical center of the county, must have been anticipated ; and, that the fact of the removal being antici- pated was what so retarded the growth of Oxford would seem to be a rea- sonable presumption. As has been stated, the action brought to enjoin the Board of Commissioners from proceeding to build a court house at Oxford, was instituted in the Circuit Court of Benton County ; but the cause was afterward transferred to Warren Cqunty, by change of venue, as appears from the following entry in the record of the proceedings of the Board of Com- missioners at their March session, 1874 ; Whereas, the Warren Circuit Court has, at the suit of Leroy Templeton, granted an injunction against the perform- ance of an alleged contract between the Board of Commissioners of the county of Benton and Isaac W. Lewis and John F. McConnell, for the build- ing of a court house at the town of Oxford, Benton County, Ind., and in the opinion of this board the public interest of the county requires that said injunction should be continued, it is ordered that the board will no further •resist the proceeding for injunction. An order having been made for the removal of the county seat, the next thing in order was to proceed to build a COFRT HOUSE AT FOWLER. The contract was let :j Levi L. Lc;'*"'!) in June, 1874, for the building of 248 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. a court house at Fowler, the new county seat, in accordance with plans, specifications and estimates furnished by G. P. Randall & Co., architects of Chicago, for the sum of $54,884. By the terms of the contract, monthly estimates were to be made by the architect of work done and materials fur- nished, and eighty per cent of the estimate was to be then paid, the other twenty per cent to be paid when the building should be completed. Six months after the order was made by which Fowler became the county seat, that is, at the second session of the Board thereafter, which occurred in June, 1874, the following order was made by the Board : "Whereas, Moses Fowler has made a conditional donation of §40,000 to aid in the erection of a court house, provided that such county seat is permanently located at Fowler within one year from August 2, 1873 ; and whereas, there is no court house in the county of Benton, and no ofBces for the use of the Clerk, Re. corder or Treasurer, and the county records are in insecure places ; and whereas, a two-story brick slate-roofed building, with commodious fire-proof brick vault, situated on the corner of Fifth and Washington streets, in Fowler, is tendered to the Commissioners for the use of the county, free of charge, until the court house is completed, it is ordered that the books, papers, and fuiaiture of the offices he removed from Oxford to said building in Fowler on or before July IQ, 1874, and that all courts shall be held, and all busi- ness transacted at said town of Fowler, on and after said date. This action on the part of the Commissioners called forth a remonstrance from Alonzo Cowgill, Cyrus Foltz and others, which the Commissioners overruled, and the remonstrators thereupon appealed to the Circuit Court, and filed an ap- peal bond. On account of the remonstrance, or for some other reason, the Commissioners did not carry out their purpose of removing the files, records and other appurtenances of the diflTereut offices to the building in Fowler, as the order quoted above indicates that they contemplated doing ; but at a special session begun on the 30th dav of December, 1874, the record of the proceedings at that session shows that a report of G, P. Randall, architect, was filed, showing the whole cost of the court house to have been $57,192.- 3G, and tliat the Board of Commissioners accepted the house as being sub- stantially in compliance with tlie terms of the contract, and made an order directing " the removal of all books, papers and furniture of the several county offices, from Oxford to said new court house at Fowler, in said county, forthwith." At the same session, the board entered into a contract with William S. Wooton for furniture for the court house, at the price of $l,(i95. G. P. Randall was allowed the sum of $3,032.91, for his services as architect at the same term. The grounds of the public square, about the court house, were graded in tl>e fall of 1874, at a cost of $2,032.50. The court house at Fowler, taking into account the grading of the public grounds, cost $02,257.77, as follows ; contract price, $54,884 ; extra work, $2,308.36 ; paid to G. P. Randall for services as architect, $3,032,91 ; grading of grounds, $2,032.50. There probably is not a county in the State, with no greater popuhition than Benton, that ha.s as good public buildings, includ- HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 251 ing court house, jail and infirmar_y. The court house is situated well to the east side of the town of Fowler, it being about half a mile from the central portion of the town ; and, exactlj- in the geographical center of the county, it is said. Of course, it maj' be an inch or two this way or that, but then it is near enough for all practical purposes. A few years after the removal of the county seat from Oxford to Fowler, a paper was found among the pub- lic documents that had been removed from the old to the new county seat, in which the writer, whose name this paper does not disclose, thus apostro- phizes the old court house : APOSTROPHE TO THE OLD COURT HOUSE. " 'Death loves a shining mark,' and ere many days our court house had fallen. Where once it towered in majestic beauty, naught but ruins lie ; the breezes float over it, gently sighing, ' It might have been.' As I step along over the pavements that once composed that noble structure, every step beats its funeral march. Dear old court house, had we let thee stand as thou mightst have stood, a fit emblem of our architectural powers, Moses would not have drawn from his huge bosom $40,000, and crushed out our budding prospects and taken our capitol from our midst. Never again will a court house grace the square, but the weeping willow alone will mark thy grave. The gloomy owl will flit about in mournful silence, finding no cupola upon which to rest his weary flight, no high-toned bell to greet his ear, and in harmony with his might3' hoot send forth its clarion notes upon the sighing wind. Ere long, whilst the county seat is flourishing in the centre, we can onlj- walk our lonely streets, and in the words of Selkirk exclaim : ^ " 'Oh! Solitude, where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face ? Better dwell in the midst of alarms Than reign in this horrible place.' " When I remember the games of ball against its friendly wall, which now, alas ! are o'er forever, heart sighs with heart, and dark melancholy reigns. Could we restore thee back again, as ye stood not long ago, gladlj' would we sacriflce labor and wealth. The world may say it was not much, but the associations that were formed within its walls are dear to us. Youth and beauty soon pass away, and we, too, will soon follow in the footsteps of the departed. But we had hoped to leave the court house as a monument to future generations. But its memory alone remains to tell, and that, T hope, may live forever. When I ponder o'er what might have been ours, I cannot refrain from quoting that old familiar hymn ; " ' Could I but climb where Moses stood, . ' ■ . And view the landscape o'er, "We'd let our court house ever stand, Till tim'eT) ""''■■ ^^ ^'^ more.' " \ 252 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. / THE JAIL AT FOWLER. The contract for the building of the Benton Countj- Jail at Fowler was let to Meteer & Scovill, of Kankakee, 111., for the sum of $25,000, at a special term of Commissioners' Court in February, 1876. Notwithstand- ing the county had not, at that time, any jail in which to confine its crim- inals, this act of the Board of Commissioners was quite severely censured by many, and a remonstrance was presented, signed by ninety-seven of the one hundred and sixteen voters in York Township. The jail was built, however, and with so little deviation from the terms of the contract that the extra work amounted to but $175. This was a magnificent building, substantially built, and as commodious as any exigency is likely to render necessary in Benton County for manj- j-ears hence. This building was composed almost exclusivelj- of incombustible materials, and was probably considered practicallj' fire-proof, as well as proof against all eflForts on the part of those incarcerated within its walls to reclaim their much-coveted libert}'. But, notwithstanding the extraordinary precaution taken iu its construction to insure its durability, as well as to render it efficient to a — degree for the purpose for which it was desigaed, in the month of February', 1880, it took fire, and was damaged to such an extent that it cost the sum of $7,791.50 to " rebuild and reconstruct " it. The contract was let to Henry C. Pelton and Leroy Templeton, at a special session iu Julv, 1880, " to fur- nish all neoessaiy labor and material to rebuild and reconstruct the county . jail and Sheriff's residence " within four months from the date of the con- . tract. The greater portion of the material of the old building — the most expensive portion at least — was used in the construction of the new. The present jail is a very fine structure, and has the appearance (viewed exter- n^lly) of being a very secure place wherein to confine malefactors. MILITARY HISTORY OF BENTOx\ COUNTY. 15Y E. A. MOSSM.\N. THE GREAT REnETXION. TTTHEN the great rebellion of 1861 was precipitated upon the country, V V deluging the laud with blood, and robbing thousands of households of their loved ones, Benton County was not found wanting in those who were willing to pour out their life-lUood, if need be, a free-will ofl'ering upon the altar of their country. Benton's First Company. — Among the first to march into Camp Tippe- canoe, at La Fayette, was a company of men from Benton County, composed of ninety-eight enlisted men and three commissioned officers. The names of the commissioned officers, all of whom were from Oxford, were William J. Templeton, Captain; John Burns, F^ .>'■ -i^ieuu-iant ■ James Youn>v Sec- 1 ^- ~^i HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 253 ond Lieutenant ; and the names of the enlisted men were : First Sergeant, James F. Parker ; Sergeants, Robert J..Templeton, John Thompson, James Mitchell and Commodore P. Huff; Corporals, Daniel D. Redmond, George T. Clark, Alvin Maxsou, Mark Walker, William Snj'der, Abram S. G-askill, Oliver P. Murphj- and George Furgeson ; musicians, John Jay Wright and William H. Claspill ; Wagoner, Ira Brown ; Privates, Washington L. Adams, Frederick M. Adams, Hiram Adams, Watson Allison, John Barnes, Calvin Barkhurst, Absalom Beaver, Benjamin F. Booth, Sanford Boweu, Edwin F. Bolmer. Thomas H. Burns, Columbus M. Bushong, Benedict Climeaged, Lucian Clark, Russel Cole, John B. Creviston, William H. Curl, xlbram Davenport, John Dopson, George W. Dusenberry, William H. Duncan, Wal- lace E. Edwards, John Ekey, John Enlow, Adam Everheart, Michael Flani- gan, Conrad Ghering, Frederick Ghering, Allen C. Gobble, Thomas Graham, William Graham, Benjamin Hawk, Sherman Haskill, William Hanley, George Hedges, Riley Hickman, William H. Hauck, Edward Houghton, Leroy Hove^-, Henry Holmes, Aaron R. Hudson, Charles D. Irwin, John Jett, Hugh Johnson, John Kennedy, John Kelley, Levi Kemp, John Kinney, John Krummel, Edward Lovejoy, Martin Loyd, Ephraim Ludlum, Oliver N. Maxson, William McFarland, Barney Miller, William S. Moore, Walter S. Osborne, John Pankey, Zachariah Perdy, Oliver H. Perry, Edward Popple- stone, David L. Ream, John F. Richard, William L. Ross, Charles F. Russle, John Saunders, Frank Sewell, John Shafer, Henry L. Smith, James D. Smith, John J. W. Smith, George W. Snodgrass, Benjamin F. Stabler, John A. Sul- livan, Isaac Thorp, John S. Tracy, Joseph P. Turner, Abram Wainscott, Isaac X. Williams and John B. Williams. This company was attached to the Fifteenth Regiment, which was originally organized as one of the six reg- iments of State troops, at La Fayette, in May, 1861, and was re-organized and mustered into the United States service for three years, at the same place, on the l-lth of June, 1861, with George D. Wagner as Colonel. This company was designated as Company D, in the regiment to which it was attached. The regiment, soon after its organization was completed, went from La Fayette to Indianapolis, where it remained until July 1, 1861, when it started for West Virginia, stopping at Cincinnati until July 4. The regiment was transported by railroad to Clarksburg, whence it marched to Rich Mountain, arriving on the 11th of July, during the progress of the battle. Nest day, the regiment joined in the pursuit of the enemy, and assisted in capturing many prisoners. Afterward, the regiment moved to Elkwater Valley, and remained stationed there until November 19, when it left Huttonville for Louisville, at which place it arrived the latter part of the same month, and reported to Gen. Buell. While at Elkwater Valley, the regiment took an active part in the operations of Gen. Reynolds, among which were the repulse of Gen. Lee, and the battle of Greenbrier. The regiment reached Shiloh while the battle was in progress, and rendered very efficient aid in the nick of time 'to save the Union army from utter defeat. During the siege of Corinth, the regiment was constantly in the van ; and, 254 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. after the evacuation of that position by the enemy, it returned with Buell's army to Louisville, Ky., arriving there about the 25th of September. It left Louisville in time to take part in the closing scenes of the battle of PerryviUe. The Fifteenth joined in the pursuit of Bragg toward Cumber- land Gap, and the duties were very arduous, forced marches and skirmishes being the daily routine for some time. The regiment marched to Nashville in November, 1862, in connection with other troops, at which place the army of the Cumberland was re-organized, with Gen. Rosecrans chief in command. On the 29th of November, Col. Wagner was appointed a Brigadier General, and Lieut. Col. Gustavus A. Wand was commissioned to succeed him as Colonel. The regiment bore a conspicuous part in the battle of Stone River on December 31, 1862, and January 1 and 2, 1863, losing 197 officers and men killed and wounded, out of 440 engaged. The loss of the com- pany in this action was : Killed, Capt. Robert J. Templeton, Sergt. Commo- dore P. Huff, privates Columbus M. Bushong and Isaac N. Williams ; mor- tally wounded, private Benedict Climeaged. The regiment remained at Murfreesboro after the battle of the Stone River, until June 24, and took part in the various expeditions sent oat from that place. Upon leaving Murfreesboro, it marched to Tullahoma, where, as part of Crittenden's corps, it aided in turning the rebel position on the left, compelling the evacuation of Tullahoma. The regiment then rested in camp at Pelham, Teun., until August 17, when the advance upon Chattanooga was begun ; which place Gen. Wagner's brigade (of which the Fifteenth constituted a portion) was the first to enter. The regiment remained on post duty at Chattanooga from September 9 until shortly before the battle of Missionary Ridge, in which the regiment sustained a ver^' heavy loss. The loss of the regimen was 202 out of 334 engaged, whilst the loss of the company in this action was two (Benjamin Hawk and Frank Sewell) killed, and several wounded, among whom were William Graham and Sergt. George Hedges. On the day succeeding the battle of Mission Ridge, the regiment marched to the relief of Gen, Burnside at Knoxville. This march of over 100 miles was made in six days, a great many of the men being without shoes, and all on very short rations the while. The regiment remained in the vicinity of Knox- ville, on ver^v severe duty, destitute of tents or baggage, and on very short rations, until February, 1864, when it was ordered to Chattanooga to do gar- rison dutj-. A portion of the regiment liaving re-enlisted on the 15th of February-, 1804, the non-veterans remained at Cluxttanooga, under Gen. Stead- man, until June 16, 1S(!4, when in obedience to orders from Gen. Thomas it left for Indianapolis to be mustered out of the service, its time having ex- pired on the 14th of June, The veterans and recruits were transferred to tlie Seventeenth Indiana Volunteers in the month of June, 1S64, and served with that organization until the 8th of August, 1864, when thev were linallv disbanded. A brief history of the regiment, as shown by Adjt. Gen, W. H. H. Terrell's report, is here given, for the reason that the compauv's historv is HISTORY OF BENTOX COUNTY. 255 inseparable from that of the regiment, and in giving the history of the lat- ter, the leading points in the history of the former, which is all that is prac- ticable or desirable to give, are given. It will be of interest, no doubt, to many into whose hands this book may come, to know when and how each member of this company ceased to be connected therewith. For the benefit of such, the following statement of facts drawn chiefly from Adjt. Gen. Terrell's report, is given : John Burns, the first First Lieutenant in the company, resigned in Julj-, 1861, and John Pearce, of Attica, Second Lieutenant in Company A, was commissioned First Lieutenant in Companj- D, to fill the vacancy. In No- vember, 1861, TVilliam J. Templeton, the first Captain, resigned to accept a commission as Major in the Sixtieth Regiment ; and about the same time, First Lieut. John Pearce also resigned, whereupon First Sergt. James F. Parker was promoted Captain, and Sergt. Robert J. Templeton was advanced to the position of First Lieutenant, both being promoted over Second Lieut. James Young. Lieut. Young resigned Maj- 4, 1862, and Sergt. John Thompson was promoted to fill the vacancy. June 3, 1862, Capt. Parker resigned, and First Lieut. Robert J. Templeton was pro- moted to fill the vacanc}', whilst Second Lieut. John Thompson was advanced to the position of First Lieutenant, and Corporal Daniel D. Redmond was promoted Second Lieutenant. November 22, 1862, First Lieut. John Thompson resigned,' and Second Lieut. Daniel D. Red- mond was promoted to fill the vacancy, whilst Corporal Mark Walker was made Second Lieutenant. Capt. Robert J. Templeton was killed at the battle of Stone River, December 31, l8'^27~and Tirst Lieut. Daniel D. Redmond was advanced to the position of Captain ; Second Lieut. Mark Walker, to the position of First Lieutenant, and Corporal Alvin Mas- son to that of Second Lieutenant, all of whom were mustered out at the ex- piration of their term of service, June 26, 1861. Sergt. James Mitchell was discharged July 2, 1862 ; cause, disability ; Sergt. Commo- dore P. Huff was killed at Stone River, December 31, 1862 ; Corporal George T^Clark was discharged to accept commission in the Ninety-first Regiment, in 1862 ; Corporal William Snyder was appointed Sergeant, and discharged in May, 136-t, on account of wounds ; Corporal Oliver P. Mur- phy was discharged August 25, 1861, cause, disability ; Musician John Jay Wright was discharged on account of disability, July 9, 1862 ; Wagoner Ira Brown, was discharged October 14, 1S61, for disability ; Washington L. Adams, missing at Nashville, December 12, 1862 ; Frederick M. Adams was appointed Corporal, and subsequently transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, on account of wounds received at Stone River ; Hiram Adams was appointed Principal Musician ; Watson Allison died at Camp Wickliffe, Ky., January 25, 1862 ; John Barnes died at Camp Dennison, Ohio, February 18, 1863, of wounds received at Stone River; Thomas H. Burns was dis- charged for disability, August 21, 1861 ; Columbus M. Bushong was killed at Stone River, December 31, 1862 ; Benedict Climeaged died January 18, ■=^- 256 _ HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 1863, of wounds received at Stone River; Lucian Clark, a veteran, was transferred to the Seventeenth Regiment, May 13, 1864; Rassel Cole was discharged October 7, 1861, on account of disability ; John B. Crevi.ston was transferred to the Fourth United States Artillery, February 3. 1863 ; William H. Curl, discharged November 7, 1861, for disability ; Abram Davenport, discharged April 21, 1863, wounds received at Stoue River ^ John Dopson discharged July 22, 1862, disability ; William H. Duncan, trans- ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, November 15, 1863 ; Wallace E. Edwards, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps November 15, 1864 ; wounds received at Stone River; John Ekey, missing at Vervilla, Tenn., August 21, 1862; John Enlow, discharged September 10, 1861, disability ; Adam Everheart died at Bardstown, Ky., October 7, 1862 ; Frederick Gehring, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, September 30, 1864, wounds received at Stone River ; Thomas Graham, missing before Chattanooga, August 29, 1863 ; Ben- jamin Hawk, killed at Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863 ; Sherman Haskill, discharged August 14, 1861, disability ; Riley Hickman, died February 3, 1864 ; William H. Hauck, veteran, transferred to the Seventeenth Regiment ; Henry Holmes, missing before Chattanooga, August 29, 1863 ; John Jett, discharged August 28, 1861 ; Hugh Johnson, appointed Corporal, and transferred to the Fourth United States Artillery, February 3, 1863 : John Kennedy, discharged March 30, 1863, wounds received at Stoue River ; John Kelley, missing at Louisville, Ky., October 1, 1862, while under sen- tence of general court martial ; Levi Kemp, missing at Vervilla, Tenn., August 21, 1862 ; John Kinney, apprehended and transferred to the Seven- teenth Regiment ; John Krimmel, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, No- vember 1, 1863; Martin Loyd, discharged May 24, 1862, disability ; Ephraim Ludlum, missing at Nashville, December 12, 1863 ; Barney Jliller, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, July 1, 1863 ; William W. More, died May 21, 1862, at Corinth, Miss.; Walter S. Osborne, missing at Louisville, Ky., October 1, 1862 ; John Paukey, discharged October 7, 1861, disability ; Zachariah Perdy, missing at Louisville, Ky., October 1, 1862 ; Oliver H. Perrj-, died May 27, 1862 ; David L. Ream, died at Chattanooga, November 28, 1863, of wounds; John F. Richards, leg amputated May 24, 1S62, and discharged ; William L. Ross, discharged November 18, 1861, disabilitj' ; Charles F. Russle, transferred to the Mississippi Marine Brigade, February 19, 1863 ; John Saunders, ilischarged November 27, 1862, disability ; Frank Sewell, killed at Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863 ; John Shafer, deserted, afterward joined the Twenty-fourth Ohio Regimeut, and died at Cheat Mountain ; John W. Smith, deserted December 10, 1861, and afterward jiiined the Nineteenth United Slates Infantry ; George W. Snodgrass, ap- pointed Corporal, and afterward transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, January 15, 1864 ; Benjamin F. Stabler, discharged November 19, 1861 disability ; Jolui A. Sullivan missing at Louisville, Ky., October 1, 1862 ■ Isaac Thorp, discharged December 16, 1862, disability ; Joseph P. Turner, discharged February 2, 1863, disability ; Isaac N. Williams, appointed Cor- HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 257 poral, and afterward killed at battle of Stoue River ; John B. Williams, dis- charged Maj' 24, 1862, disability ; Augustus Adolphus, Samuel Blue, Har- vey H. Pugti and Guilford D. Snodgrass, all recruits, transferred to the Seventeenth Regiment, May 31, 1864. The following were mustered out at Indianapolis, at the expiration of their term of service, June 25, 1864 ; Abram S. G-askill, George Ferguson (appointed Sergeant), Calvin Barkhurst, Absalom Beaver, Benjamin T. Booth, Edwin F. Bolmer, John H. Burns, George W. Dusenberry, Michael Flaniganr Conrad Gehring, (appointed First Sergeant), McAUen C. Gobble, William Graham (wounded at Mission Ridge), William Hanley (wounded at Stone River), George Hedges (appointed Sergeant, wounded at Stone River, and also at Mission Ridge), Edgar Houghton, Leroy Hovey, Aaron R. Hudson,. Charles D. Irwin, Edward Lovejoy, Oliver N. Maxson, Edward Popplestone, Henry L. Smith, James D. Smith (appointed Corporal), Thomas F. Stock- ton, John S. Tracy, (appointed Sergeant). The Adjutant General's report from which the foregoing facts were obtained, does not show when or how the following members of the company severed their connection therewith : William H. Claspill, Sanford Bowen, Abram Wainscott and Hiram Adams. To sum up : Number mustered out at expiration of term of service, thirty- four ; discharged before expiration of term of service on account of dis- ability, eighteen ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps and other organi- nations, seventeen ; deserted, ten ; discharged on account of wounds, five y killed, six ; died of disease, five ; died of wounds, three ; promoted und resigned, two ; discharged to accept commission in another regiment, one ; veterans, two. This company is justly entitled to a fair share of the glory won by the renowned old Fifteenth Regiment. No higher encomium could be bestowed upon them. Benton's Second Company. — The next company that marched to the front from Benton County was officered as follows : Joseph F. Taylor, Captain ; Job H. Yan Natta, First Lieutenant, and Stephen Sappington, Second Lieu- tenant. The enlisted men of this company were First Sergeant, James Dougherty, died March 7th, 1862 ; Sergeants, James Laroe, promoted Sec- ond Lieutenant ; Warren Sheets, promoted First Lieutenant ; Levi Haw- kins, promoted Second Lieutenant ; Alonzo Cowgill, appointed First Ser- geant, and mustered out September 19, 1864 ; Corporals, Hallet Swift, trans- ferred to Vereran Reserve Corps, February 15, 1864 ; Ross McGee, ap- pointed Sergeant, and mustered out September 19, 1864 ; Wilber F. Ste- phenson, appointed Sergeant, and mustered out September 19, 1864 ; James Killen, discharged for promotion, February 22, 1863 ; James Godman, i-^' killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863 ; David MillhoUanct; appointed Sergeant and mustered out September 19, 1864 ; James B. Shaw, mustered out September 20, 1864 ; Anthony C. Thompson, detached as Sergeant Thirteenth Battery, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; Musicians, Salathiel Cowgill, discharged October 15, 1862, disability ; Perry L. Jennings, vet- eran, transferred to Fifty-eighth Regiment, and mustered out May 25, 1865 ; ,258 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Wagoner, William A. Wells, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; Privates, Joseph M. Adwell, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; Garret Auth, mus- tered out September 19, 1864 ; John Auth, died October 14, 1861 ; Samuel Ballentyne, died February 20, 1863 ; George W. Bannin, mustered out Sep- tember 19, 1864; John W. Barnard, veteran, transferred to the Fifty-eighth Regiment ; Ira D. Barnard, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; Charles Ba- ker, discharged June 8, 1863, to enlist in the Marine service ; Thomas F. S. Bennett, died at Campbellsville, Ky., January 30, 1862, disease ; John M. Bockover, mustered out September 19, 1864; Daniel C. Boyer, mustered out September 19. 1864 ; Alexander Campbell, discharged October 14, 1862, disability ; James M. Coffman, mustered out September 19, 1864; John N. Coffman, mustered out September 19,1864; Thomas M. Cook, died Feb- ruary 12, 1862 ; Calvin Creek, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; Moses Cnppy, died January 23, 1862 ; John G. Davis, transferred to Veteran Re- serve Corps, December 15, 1863 ; Charles M. Dawson, mustered out Sep- tember 19, 1864 ; John F. Dolan, died November 10. 1863, of wounds re- ceived at Chickamauga ; Ancil B. Downing, mustered out September 19, 1864; Wingate T. Downing, mustered out September 19, 1863 ; Joseph H. Evans, mustered out September 19,1864; Jonathan Evans, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; Nelson D, Felters, mustered out September 19, 1864; William Fisher, mustered out September 19, 1S64 ; Henry Foster, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; Daniel R. Gaines, veteran, appointed Corporal, transferred to Fifty-eighth Regiment ; John M. Gear, veteran, transferred to Fifty-eighth Regiment ; John A. Grant, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; George M. Haigh, appointed Sergeant, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; John M. Harbison, killed at Chickamauga, September 19, 1S63 ; James H.aw kins, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; Joseph Hinate, mustered out Sep- tember 19, 1864 ; William B. Holton, killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1803 ; Samuel Horner, transferred to A^eteran Reserve Corps, April 10, 1863; Michael Jakes, discharged February 27, 1863, disability ; Nelson M. Jakes, discharged September IS, 1862, disability ; Elnathan C. Jennings, mustered out September 19, 1864; John F. Killen, discharged October 29, 1862, cause disability ;Elisha Little, appointed Corporal, mustered out September 19, 1864; Luther Loomis, veteran, appointed Corporal, transferred to the Fifty-eighth Regiment ; Elisha M. Mattox, appointed Corporal, mustered out September 19,1864; Patrick M. Head, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; Samuel Mcllvaiu, appointed Corporal, died of injuries received at Shell Mound, September 8, 1863 ; Robert G. McQueen, appointed Cor- poral, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; Anthony C. Miller, mustered out Septcnnber 19, 1864 ; George Miller, veteran, transferred to Fifty -eighth Regiment; Henry C. IMoore, discharged December 23, 1S62, disabiHtv Benjamin R. Mollitt, discharged June 18, 1862, disaliility ; Samuel E Nuss' mustered out Septemlier 19, 1864 ; George W. Nuss, mustered out September 19, 1861 ; William M. Owens, discharged October 14, 1862, disability • Nathan J. Page, mustered out September 10, 1864 ; George M. Puoh, appointed Cor- HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 261 poral, missing at Cbickamauga, supposed to have died of wounds ; John Riley, died of wounds received at Kenesaw, June 21, 1864 ; Charles Reed discharged at Louisville, date unknown ; William 0. Robinson and Henry Rogers, veteran, transferred to Fifty-eighth Regiment ; James Ross, Joseph Rittenour, James Sauster, Jacob Shambaugh, Samuel Simmons, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; James M. Snyder, discharged January 31, 1863, to €nter marine service ; Ebeneeer E. Sparrow, appointed Corporal, died Octo- ber 22, 1862 ; Joel Staufield and John W. Switzer, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; John W. Timmons, died March 1, 1862 ; Thomas J. Thompson discharged Februarj- 12, 1863, disabilitj- ; James K. Turvey and David Vor- hees, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; John Whitmore, died March 5, 1862 ; Renjamin P. White, died October 14, 1862 ; James Whited, died May 8, 1862; Philip Woodhams and Henrj* Woodhams, mustered out Sep- tember 19, 1864; W^illiam Finlej', transferred to Fiftj'-eighth Regiment ; Alexander Williams, killed at Chickamauga, September 19th, 1863 ; Peter M. Wilds and George Willis, mustered out September 19, 1864. The following recruits were received bj' this company : Charles Rowl- ing, veteran, transferred to Fiftj'-eighth Regiment ; Robert N. Brink, trans- ferred to Fifty-eighth Regiment, mustered out August 7, 1864 ; William H. Rrown, missing October 15, 1862, at Danville, Ky.; Isaac N. Chenoweth, George J. Dexter, Thomas M. Davis, John Foster and Josiah Foster, trans- ferred to Fifty-eighth Regiment ; Jonas Herron, killed at Chickamauga September 19, 1863 ; Robert W. Hampton, died April 9,1864; Charles J. Johnston, William Loufton, Henry H. B. Moore and Perry Moore, trans- ferred to Fifty -eighth Regiment ; Elihu Mason, discharged February 22, 1864, for promotion ; Meredith B. Mason, transferred to Fifty -eighth Regi- ment ; Ferguson McLain, died May 30, 1864 ; Amos W. Nash, died at New- burg, Ind., May 29, 1862, of disease ; Albert H. Nagle, transferred to Fifty- eighth Regiment ; John P. Nagle, died May 13, 1864 ; William H. Pratt died March 13, 1864 ; Edward Riley, died November 24, 1863 ; Francis M, Robinson, transferred to Fifty-eighth Regiment ; Alfred Sheets, discharged February 19, 1864, disability ; Charles W. Stackhouse transferred to Fifty- eighth Regiment ; Albert Stair, appointed Corporal, transferred to Fifty- eighth Regiment ; Frederick Sheets, George W. Shigley, Frederick Wood- hams, John Welch and John Weber, transferred to Fifty-eighth Regiment. This company rendezvoused at Indianapolis, and was mustered into the service September 18, 1861, as Company D of the Tenth Regiment, of which Mahlon D. Manson was Colonel. On the 22d of September, it left Indian- apolis for Kentucky, and after remaining a few days at Louisville, was moved to Bardstown, where it went into camp. Here it remained for about a month when it was marched to New Haven and Lebanon, in which vicinity it re- mained until the advance to meet Zollikofer's forces in January, 1862. On the 19th of January, it participated in the battle of Mill Springs, or Logan's Fields, and there achieved an enviable reputation for gallantry, the regiment at one time saving the day by its firm resistance of a desperate charge of 16 262 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Zollikofer's forces. After the battle, it remained in that vicinity until the march of Buell's army to the Tennessee River in March, in which it took part. The regiment reached the field of Shiloh after the battle and remained there until the siege of Corinth was commenced. It then marclied with the army and participated in the investment of that place, and the marches which followed the evacuation. Returning to Nashville, it joined in the pursuit of Bragg through Kentucky, engaging in the battle of Champion Hills, at Perryville. It was then stationed in the district of country south of the Cumberland River, and east of Nashville ; and afterward joined in the march of the Army of the Cumberland across the Cumberland Mountains to Chattanooga, and participated in the battle of Chiokamauga, on the 19th and 20th of September. 1863, in which engagement its commanding officer, Col. \Yilliam B. Carroll, was filled. On the 14th of January, 1864, a portion of the regiment re-enlisted at Chattanooga. Tenn., and in the spring follow- ing, participated in Sherman's march upon Atlanta, taking part in the manj' engagements of that campaign. On the 8th of September, 1864, the veter- ans and recruits were, by order of Gen. Thomas, transferred to the Fifty- eighth Regiment, and on the 19th of September, 1864, the non-veterans were mustered out of the service. The transferred men served with the Fifty-eighth Regiment in Sherman's march through Georgia to Savannah, and through South Carolina and North Carolina, and finally were muetered out with that organization at Louisville, Ky., on the 25th day of July. 1S65. Joseph F. Taylor, the company's first Captain, was discharged December 31, 1861. About the same time (the exact date is not known). Second Lieut. Ste- phen Sappington resigned, leaving the position of Captain and Second Lieu- tenant vacant. First Lieut. Job H. VanNatta was promoted Captain, Sergt. 'VVarren Sheets was advanced to the position of First Lieutenant, and Sergt. James Laroe to that of Second Lieutenant. November IS, 1862, Capt. "\'anNatta was commissioned Major, and First Lieut. Sheets was made Captain, whilst Second Lieut. Laroe became First Lieutenant, and Sergt. Levi Hawkins, Second Lieutenant. First Lieut. Laroe resiiined Decem- ber 24, 1863, and Second Lieut. Levi Hawkins was promoted to fill the vacancy, leaving a vacancy in the office of Second Lieutenant, which does not seem to have been filled. 3Iaj. VanNatta was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel September 21, 1863, but was not mustered as such. Ho was mus- tered out as >Lijor at the expiration of his term of service. Seiitember 20, 1864. Bt'iiloii'i: Third Cmupdiiii. — The next company from Benton County was re- cruitcil in the sin-ing of 1862, being mustered about March 20. The commis- sioned ollicers of this company were: Jolui Burns, Captain; Samuel L. Young, First Lieutenant; and John A. Savage, Second Lieutenant. The enlisted men were: li'irst Sergeant, John JM. Crossou, promoted First Lieutenant ; Sergeants, Hiram Y. Wilkinson, promoted second l;ieutenant ; 'William F. Baker, trans- ferred to Eleventh United States Infantry November 18, 1862 ; James J Keys, discharged November 30, 1862, disability; David AV. Miller, mustered HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 263 out March 21, 1865 ; Corporals, Hugh H. Keys, died at St. Louis, April 4, 1863, wounds; Thomas Kenned}-, discharged December 1, 1862, disability'; Elijah McVej', promoted Second Lieutenant ; William Smith, died in Lou- isiana, June 1, 1863 ; William M, McConnell, discharged Xovember 23, 1863; Edward D. Pugh, discharged Januarj- 24, 186.5; George D. Yar- borough, discharged Jauuarj' 24, 1865 ; Walter F. Sei-geant, mustered out March 21, 1865 ; Musician. Hiram Benedict, mustered out March 21, 1865 ; Frank Wager, missing August 20, 1862 ; Privates. William B. Adams, discharged August 11, 1863 ; Abraham Aldridge, missing Xoveralier 14, 1862 ; John Ale. discharged August 4, 1862, disabilit}- ; Joseph H. Alex- ander, discharged August 15, 1863, disability ; Da\'id xVshler, discharged August 4, 1862, disal)ilitj ; Israel Balch, discharged : John A. Barns, dis- charged, disability ; Lee Beans, transferred to Eleventh United States In- fantry November 23, 18(52 ; Charles Bechtold, died February 5, 1863, of wounds received at Arkansas Post ; Frederick Bechtold. mustered out March 21,1865; John E. Bliss, discharged September 14, 1862, disability ; Cor- nelius Boice, transferred to Eleventh United States Infantry November 22, 1862; Joseph Borders, killed at Jackson, Miss, July in, 1862; Charles Buwecker, transferred to Eleventh United States Infmtry Xovember 29, 1862; Amos Campbell, killed at xVrkansas Post January 11. 1863; Philis Canette, mustered out March 21, 1865 ; Matthew W, Clark, discharged November 22, 1862, disability ; Charles B. Conklin, discharged November 29, 1862, minor; Washington Crabb, discharged August 8, 1863. disability ; William L. Dewj-ear, missing June 4, 1862 ; Mortimore Ford, missing June 1, 1862; Jacob Gibbons, discharged October 2, 1863, disability; Willi.am Gillespie, mustered out March 21, 1865 ; Hiram J. Gilbert, missing Novem- ber 22, 1862 ; Daniel S. Harris, discharged August 22, 1862, disability ; Samuel C. Harris, Henry C. Harris and Myer Harris, mustered out March 21, 1865 ; Thomas E. Hamilton, discharged June 10, 1862, disability ; Joseph Hale, mustered out March 21, 1865 ; Josepli Hatclier, died at Leb- anon, Ky., August 14, 1862 ; Charles JI. Hatcher, mustered out ;\Iarch 21, 1865 ; Samuel Henry, transferred to Veter.au Pieserve Corps 3Iarch 15 1864 ; George W. Helfield, missing May 8, 1862 ; William I. Hixson, mus- tered out March 21, 1865 ; Isaac Hoagland, died at Mempliis April 4, 1863, wounds; Andrew P. Johnson, mustered out March 21, 1863, as Sergeant; Albert Leneke, transferred to Eleventh United States Infantry November 25, 1862 ; George Liptrap, mustered out March 21, 1865 ; Jackson McDaniel, died at St. Louis, May 12, 1863 ; Thomas B. McClelland, discharged Janu- ary 24, 1865; Thomas McGregor, mustered out March 21, 1865, as First Sergeant ; John L, Mehaffy, discharged December 8. 1863, disability ; Henry Mayer, mastered oat March 21, 1865 ; William J. Newman, missing Novem- ber 1, 1862; John Prosser, missing June 17,1862; Abel Pugh, missing June 1, 1862 ; William H. Kickstraw, mastered out March 21, 1865 ; John Selby, died at Carrollton, La., December 8, 1863 ; Frank Sliell, missing May 12,1862; Francis H. Shrade, mastered out March 21. 1865; ^Villiam F. 264 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Smith, discharged September 28, 1864, clisability ; Reuben D. Steeley, died at Thibodeaux, October 11, 1864 ; James C. Tea, Milton B. Thompson and Abram L. Thompson, mustered out March 21, 1865 ; William Vanover, dis- charged November 20, 1862, disability ; Frederick D. Walker, mustered out March 21, 1865 ; Peter Ward, missing November 22, 1862 ; James E, War- ren and Sylvester Warren, missing November 9, 1862 ; Joel C. Wilmoth, transferred to Signal Corps, September 5, 1863 ; William C. Wilkinson, mus- tered out March 21, 1865 ; Robert V. Williams, discharged December 19, 1863, disability ; James W. Williamson, discharged July 15, 1864, disability ; James G. W. Woods, missing November 15, 1862 ; Recruits, George Bless- ing, George Boynton and James W. Cook, transferred to Twenty-sixth Regiment February 24, 1865 ; iMorris C, Freeman, discharged August 6, 1863, disability; John McCaslin, missing December 26, 1864 ; Robert Stan- ley and James Starr, transferred to Twenty-sixth Regiment February 24 1865 ; Wade W. Williams, transferred to First United States Cavalry Novem- ber 20, 1862 ; Robert A. Young and John A. Young, transferred to Twenty- sixth Regiment February 24, 1865. Capt. Burns resigned November 30, 1862, and Lieut. Savage resigned on the same da}-, thus creating vacancies in the olliees of Ca])tain and Second Lieutenant. First Lieut. Samuel L. Young was promoted to Captain ; First Sergt. John M. Crosson, to First Lieutenant, and Sergt. Hiram V. Wilkinson, to Second Lieutenant. Febru- ary 9, 1863, Capt. Young resigned, and John M. Crosson was advanced to the position of Captain ; Hiram V. Wilkinson to that of First Lieutenant, and Corporal Elijah McVey to that of Second Lieutenant. There were no further changes in the commissioned officers of the company up to the time when the entire regiment was mustered out. This company was assigned to the Sixtieth Regiment (Richard Owen, Colonel), in which it was designated as Company D. " A partial organization of this regiment was effected at E\-ausville, in November, 1S61, and during the progress of enlisting the regiment was ordered to Camp ^Morton, Indi- anapolis, on the 22d of February, 1862, to guard rebel prisoners. While there the organization was perfected, the last companies being mustered in in the month of INLirch. On the 20th of June, it left Indianapolis for Louis- ville, Ky., whence it proceeded to Lebanon. After remaining there for a time, it moved to Muufordville, where, on the 14th of September, the advance of Bragg's army surromuled the place and its works, and compelled the garrison to surrender after a gallant resistance. Among the captured were a nuuibor of Indiana regiments, and seven companies of the Sixtieth, under command of Col. Owen. The other companies were, at the time of the capt- ure, guarding a railroad bridge over IvoUing Fork, near Lebanon Junction, under command of Maj. Cox, and were not captured. The captured corapauies were paroled, and iiroceeded to Indianapolis, where they went into parole camps, and were there joined by the other portion of the regiment. Upon being exchanged in November, the regiment proceeded to Memphis, joining the Army of the Mississippi, and participating in the movements of that HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 265 arm}- during the winter of 1862. On the 10th of Januarj-, 1863, it took part in the battle of Arkansas Post, losing a number in killed and wounded. In the campaign against Vicksburg, it moved with the First Brigade (Bur- bridge's), Tenth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, from Milliken's Bend, on the 14th of April, making rapid and fatiguing marches through swamps, bavous and streams, under scorching; suns, drenchina; rains, and encraging in five desperate and hard-fought battles. At Port Gibson, on the 1st of May, it was among the first to enter the town ; at Champion Hills, on the 16th of May, it was in the advance, and at Black River, on the 17th of Maj', it behaved with gallantry. In the siege of Vicksburg, it took an active part, remaining in the trenches until the surrender on the 4th of July. After the capitulation, the Sixtieth marched with its brigade to Jackson, participating in the skirmishes on the route and the siege of Jackson, losing several in killed and wounded. Returning to Vicksburg, it remained there until August, when it was transported to New Orleans, where it was assigned to Banks' army. From New Orleans, it moved to Berwick City, and thence up the Teche, engaging in the battle of Grand Coteau Plains on the 3d of November, losing a few in killed- and wounded. Returning to the vicinity of New Iberia, it remained there a short time, and then proceeded to Algiers, near New Orleans, where it embarked on steamship for Texas. Landing in that State, it was stationed at Pass Cavallo for a brief period, and then returned to New Orleans, where it joined Banks' unfortunate expedition up Red River. This expedition was organized early in March, and proceeded with but little opposition to Alexandria, reaching there on the 19th of March. At Sabine Cross Roads, on the 8th of April, the Sixtieth lost heavily in killed, wounded and prisoners. " After this campaign, the regiment went to Indiana on veteran furlough, the regiment having re-enlisted. Its re-muster was not, however, approved by the War Department, the regiment not having, in its opinion, served a suflflcient length of time to entitle it to be mustered as a veteran organiza- tion. Returning to the field, it was stationed at Thibodeaux, La., where it remained until the fall of 1864. On the 3d of November, it was engaged in the battle of Carrion Crow Bayou, losing largely in killed, wounded and prisoners. After this the regiment was stationed at Algiers, near New Orleans, remaining there until February 24, 1865, when the remaining recruits were transferred to the Twenty-sixth Indiana, and the balance of the regiment proceeded to Indianapolis, where it was mustered out on the 21st of March, 1865." Other of Benton's Volunteers. — It might be possible to give the names of all those who went out from Benton County to do battle against their country's foes, but, as the task of ascertaining them would be a very oner- ous one, owing to the fact of there having been a great many companies that had been principally made up elsewhere, in each of which there were a few — from one to twenty — Benton County men, the information is not deemed of sufficient importance to justify the attempt. Some of those 26ii HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. c.jiiipanies are Company C, of the Ninety-ninth Regiment, in which there were twenty man from Benton County; Company E, of the Fortieth Eegiment, in which there were six ; Company H, of the One Hnnclred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, in which there were fifteen; Company A, of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment, in which there were thirty-nine ; Companv K, of tlie One Hundred and Forty-seventh Regiment, in which there were thirty ; and Company K of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, in which tliero were twelve ; Company C, of the Ninety-ninth Regiment was raised principally in Porter County. The members of that company from Benton County were David R. Lucas, First Lieutenant, promoted Chaplain September 27, 1862 ; Charles M. Scott, promoted from Sergeant to Captain, February 8, 1864; Miles A. Barber, mustered out June 5, 1865, as Sergeant; James Beazell. died at Louisville, Ky., November 10. 1862; Henry J. Busliong, discharged; Charles Catey, James Campbell and James D. Campbell, mustered out June 5, 1865 ; Ether A. Cook, died at Keokuk, Iowa, January 15, 1863; Henry (lermau. mustered out June 5. 1865 ; Rea- son Johnson, died at Camp Fowler, Tenn., February 26, 1863 ; Milton Keys, mustered out June 5, 1865; William. D. Kolb, mustered out June 5, 1865 ; Rol)ert B. Lank, discharged March 6. 1863 ; George W. Parker, transferred to V. R. C, October 26, 1863; William Savage, promoted First Lieutenant February 1, 1865; James Vanovcr, supposed lost on Sultana, April 27, 1865, Joseph Williams and William H. Young, mustered out June 5, 1865. In Company E of the Fortieth Regimeut were Richard Kolb, pro- moted First Lieutenant, April 17, 1863, and resigned December 13, 1864 ; Jasper Kolb, promoted First Lieutenant 3Iareh 20. 1865, and mustered out with the regiment; Frederick Cain, discharged; Brooks C. Dunwiddie, veteran, mustered out December 21, 1864, as Sergeant ; Joseph Green- wood, veteran, mustered out December 21, 1865, as Sergeant ; Smith W. Perigo, veteran, mustered out December 21, 1865, as Sergeant. Those in Company H of tlie One Hundrcil and Fifty-fifth Regiment were John H. Barber, mustered out May 15, 18t!5; Robert Brinkley. Will- iam W. Clark, Charles W. Clifton, David S, Clifton, Jetferson Donahue, Henry Eller, Aaron Jones, Benjamin ^Miller, Beujamiu C. Miller, Franklin Obermyer, George Rover, Natlian Tliompson and Arza B. Truitt, all mus- tered out August 4, 1865 ; and James F, Waterman, missing April 27, 1865; and those in Company K of the same regiment were James Bell, pr(jmoted Second ]jieutenaiit April IT, 1865, mustered out with regiment ; All'red Cover, mustei'ed ont August 4, 1865 ; .loseph A. Chandler, promoted Assistant Surgeon ; William I.. Fuglen, mustered out August 4, 1365, as First S(Mgea\it ; John W. l^ites, ^ViUiam W, l''itra\v, William Jenkins, Jere- miah Manihan, Leroy A. Swill, John Slonebcrger, George J. Thompsou and Sannul E, Walton, all mustered out .Vngust 4, 1865. In (.\inii)any K of tlie One Hundred and Forty-seventh, tliere wore Capt. Tlioinas Kennedy, mustered out with the regiment ; Serjeants James J. Keys, William M. .McConnell, (ieorge W. Crosson and Heurv yi. Smith ■ HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 267 Corporals William H. "\^anover, Alonzo Sleeper, John Elaiore, John F. Stokes and Joseph Emer}' ; and Privates Jacob Albangh, Robert Balantine, Edward Bromlej, ^lark J. Briar, James Blanchtill, Jerr}- Doj-le, John Gilles- pie, William Greenwood, Daniel W. Henderson, Alexander Hukill, James H. McDaniel, Andrew J. McConuell, William E. Orr, George Perigo, James Ritner, Lewis Rolaue, David Sn\-der, Jonathan Vanhorn, Isaac S. Wade and Isaac Ward, all of whom were mustered out August 4, 1-865, except Alonzo Sleeper, who was mustered out June 2, 1865, and David Sn3-der who died at Indianapolis, March 14, 1865. Companj' A of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment had in it the following : First Lieutenant, William S. Freeman, promoted Captain December 1, 1864, and mustered out as such with the regiment ; First Ser- geant, Lewis A. Campbell, promoted Second Lieutenant January 10, 1865, and mustered out as such with the regiment ; Sergt. George D. Boyd, discharged February 2, 1866 ; Corporals Jacob Shirm, mustered out Octo- ber 5, 1865 ; Jeremiah Anstill, discharged Julj' 10, 1865, and John B. Crane mustered out April 10, 1866, as First Sergeant ; Privates, James Beal, Joseph Carter, Rinaldo Childs, James K. Coleman, Charles B. Conklin, P. A. Carnahan, mustered out April 10, 1866, as Quartermaster' Sergeant ; Strawder DeHart, William H. Dugan, John M. Ford, Allen Ford, William C. Garland, Owen Ganothy, Eugene B. Glasgow, James M. Hobson, William H. Hopkins, John Huffman, William Handy, George Kee, died at Atlanta, Ga., October 9, 1S64 ; Stephen S. Kitchen, discharged May 21, 1865 ; William Louderback, John McBride, William McConnell, William Michaels, Isaiah R. Morris, transferred to V. R. C, April 1, 1865 ; John W. Odle, discharged January 5. 1866 ; Charles R. Tate, John Templin, Robert Wright, died at Galesville. Ala., October 20, 1864 ; Henry Wight, Paul Windier, William Phillips, discharged July 10, 1865; Milton Young and James C. Young, dis- charged July 10, 1865. The One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment was a three-years, regiment, and was mustered in between October 1, 1863, and January 31, 1864, the greater part of the men being mustered December 15, 1864. They were mustered out at various times, but the majority of them were mustered out April 10, 1864, none of them serving the full term of their enlistment. The Ninety-ninth was also a three-years regiment, and a large majority of the men were mustered into the service August 15, 1862. They were all, with a very few exceptions, mustered out June 5, 1865, the time served being a little short of three years. The One Hundred and Forty-seventh, the One Hundred and Forty- eighth, and the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiments, were in the service but a very short time, and during that time saw but little, if an}', of the hardships and dangers of .active military duty. Neither of those three regiments had a man killed or mortally wounded during the time they were in the service. They performed quite an important part in the closing scene of this great drama, however, the part that they were doubtless 2(38 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. designed to perform. They were employed to garrison posts at various points along the lines of railroad over which our supplies were conveyed, thus relieving and sending to the front several thousand soldiers who had had long experience in the service, and whose valor had been proven on many an ensanguined field. The Ninety-ninth and the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiments, although not among the first to respond to their country's call for succor, nevertheless entered the service in time to render very efficient aid to the cause of the Union, the loss of the former, in killed and mortally wounded, being forty-one, and that of the latter twenty-eight. The Ninety-ninth par- ticipated in Sherman's campaign against 'Vicksburg in the summer of 1863, and in the operations which led to the evacuation of Jackson, Miss., the same summer. After remaining in camp at Big Black Ei\'er until the latter part of September, 1863, the regiment moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., by way of Memphis, Corinth, luka, Florence, Decherd and Stevenson, arriving at Chat- tanooga on the 24th day of November, and engaging in the battle of Mission Ridge on the following day. It took part in the Atlanta campaign, and participated in many of the most sanguinarj- engagements fought during that campaign. It accompanied Sherman in his march to the sea, and on the IStli of December, 1864, took part in the charge upon Fort MeAlister. Leaving Savannah, after a short rest, the regiment started on its way through the Carolinas, skirmishing with the enemy at Duck Creek and Edisto River, and occupying Columbia, S. C, on the 17th of February, 1865. The regiment broke camp at Columbia, after a brief rest. and. marching by way of Camden, Cheraw and Fayetteville on the 19th of March, reinforced the Twentieth Corps at the battle of Bentonville. By way of Goldsboro, Raleigh, Warrenton, Petersburg and Richmond, the regiment marched over- land to 'Washington, D. C, and was there mustered out of the service of the United States on 15th day of June, 1865. During its term of service, the Ninety-ninth Regiment marched over four thousand miles, and endured man}- hardships. The One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment was raised in the Ninth Congressional District, during the fall and winter of 1863, rendez- voused at Michigan City, and was mustered into the service on the 18th day of March, 1864. On the 23d, the regiment left Michigan City by rail, and proceeded to Nashville by way of Indianapolis and Louisville. The regiment proceeded on its way southward, passing through Stevenson, Bridgeport and Chattanooga, and reaching Charleston, Tenn., April 21. From Cliarloston it marched in the direction of Atlanta, actively participat- ing in that most energetic, sanguinary and decisive campaign. The One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment was conspicuously engaged in many of the .severest engagements of this campaign, and " from the 8th of May until the 5th of Sepleuiber, under the broiling sun by day and the pesti- lential dews by night, through difficult ravines, skirmishing in dense forests, drenched l)y heavy rains, struggling through mud and mire, our troops 1 4? HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 271 pressed on. Some portion of the regiment was on ttie skirmish line nearly every day for four months." After the fall of Atlanta the regiment marched from Jonesboro to Decatur, Ga., where it went into camp with the rest of the corps. The regiment was in the engagement at Franklin, Tenn., in which it lost several officers and men. It was also engaged in the battle of Nashville, December 15 and 16, but its loss was verj' light. On the 5th of January, 1865, the regiment left Columbia, Tenn., and, marching to Clifton, on the Tennessee River, there embarked on a transport for Cincinnati, Ohio; whence it moved by rail to Washington, and thence to Alexandria, Va., from which place it sailed, on the 20th of Februar3', on the steamer Atlantic, to Fort Fisher, N. C, and thence to Morehead City, N. C. On the 10th of March, the regiment took an active part in the battle of Kingston or Wise's Fork, losing several in killed and wounded. Pahlic Sentiment and Civil Action. — It is said by those who then resided in the county that there was not in Benton Countj^ the same bitter resent- ments and deep-seated animosities engendered by the war that there were in many other portions of the countrj-. The sentiment in favor of the sup- pression of the rebellion was, it is said, almost universally prevalent. The alacritj' with which Benton County responded to the call to arms, won for it the following commendator}' notice from the State Sentinel in Maj-, 1861: " The little countj' of Benton, with a voting population of 500, has sent a companj' of ninety men to the war, and fine looking fellows thej' are. Good for Benton Countj-. Capt. W. J. Templeton commands this compan}-." Benton County was not lavish, in anj- marked degree, in the expenditure of money for the payment of local bounties; yet it does not appear, from the Adjutant General's report that there were ever more than two men — one in Prairie Township and one in York — drafted. The amounts of money paid by the county, and by the several townships, for local bounties, as shown by the Adjutant General's report, were as follows ; Benton County, 830,840; Parish Grove Township, $10,715.50; Pine Township, $7,310; Oak Grove Township, $2,250; York Township, $2,500; Prairie Township, ^-tlS; Bolivar Township, $9,550; Union Township, $900; making a total in the county of $64,510.50. The amounts paid for the relief of soldiers' families were : By the county, $3,635.08; by Pine Township, $345; by Oak Grove Township, $330; by Prairie Township, $15; by Bolivar Township, $60, mak- ing a total in the countj' of $4,385.08. At a special session of the Board of Commissioners, held April 30, 1861 (Benjamin Hawkins, Robert M. Atkinson and Samuel Mcllvaine, Com- missioners; William Jones, Auditor, and Samuel Chapman, Sheriff), it was " Ordered that $1,000 be, and is hereby, appropriated out of the county funds, or so much of the same as may be needed for the purpose of defray- ing the expenses of board and lodging of the volunteers of the Benton County Guards, and for the benefit of the families of such volunteers as may need assistance, arising from their absence. The orders for the money for volunteers to be issued in such amounts as the Captain, or other officer 272 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. in command, maj', from time to time, require. Tliat used for the benefit of the families to be used in such amounts as David McConnell, Dr. J. J. Rawlings and Basil Justus, who are hereby appointed to act as agents for the count}' in expenduig the same, may, from time to time, require." At the June session, 1861, it was " Ordered that a county order be made to Tippecanoe County for $7.3 for quartering ninety men by order of Capt. W. J. Templeton, as by his bill on file." At the same term, it was ordered that the order made April 30th, which has been alluded to, be amended to read as follows : ■' That there be a suitable person appointed to inquire into the necessities of all destitute families of those that have husbands and sons now in the army, on whom they have heretofore depended for support, and also that the merchants of Oxford be notified not to sell to such persons without an order from said person, appointed bj- the Board of County Com- missioners." At a special session, held November 10, 1363, it was ■■ Ordered that a bounty of $50 be paid out of the county treasury to each \'olunteer enlist- ing from the county of Benton uader the late call of the President for 300,- 000 men ; and that there be an allowance made monthly of $5 to the fami- lies dependent on voluuteers so recruited, and to all families whose sup- porters have heretofore enlisted in the army of the United States and still remain in the service of the same. Ordered that the Auditor draw orders on the Treasurer for the above bount}-, when the certificate of the muster- ing officer is produced that the applicant has been duly received and mus- tered into the service of the United States." At a special session, held February 23. 1364, it was •• Ordered by the board that a bounty of $50 be paid out of the county treasurv to each vol- unteer enlisting from the county of Benton under the late call of the Pres- ident for 200,000 men, upon the certificate of the mustering officer being produced that the applicaut has been duly mustered into the service of the United States." December, 1S64, it was '■ Ordered by this court that an order made by this board at a special term held on the 10th day of November, 1863, allowing $5 per mouth to the wives of soldiers in the service of the United States, from this county, be, and the same is, hereby rescinded; and further, that, in lieu of said order, the following be substituted : ' Ordered by the board that the wives of private soldiers and non-commissioned officers (until they receive their pension from the G-overn- ment), who are credited to this county, shall receive as a bounty the sum of |3 per month to each woman, and $2 per month to each child under ten years of age; and further, that, in order that the Auditor may know the proper amount due such families, such women, or their representatives, shall file with the County Auditor a sworn statement of the number of children entitled to pay under this order.'" At a special session of the Commissioners' Court, held Februarv 8, 1865 .(present Benjamin Hawkins, llobert iM. Atkinson and William Marvin, Com- missioners), it was "Ordered that a bounty of $-tOO be paid out of the count\i. HISTORY OF BEXTON COUNTY. 273 treasurj' to each volunteer who may be mustered into the service, and credited to the several townships of this county ; provided, that no bounties be paid to volunteers after the quotas of the several townships are filled ; and provided further, that no bount}' shall be paid to an}' person or persons resident or enrolled in one township who shall volunteer in any other township and have himself credited thereto, until the quota in the township in which he resides or is enrolled shall be full ; said bounty to be paid as follows, to wit : County orders shall be issued bj- the Auditor in denominations ranging from S25 to $400 ; and, inasmuch as the funds are not now on hand for the redemption of the orders above named, it is here- by further ordered that if the residents of any township shall furnish the funds uecessar}' to redeem said orders up to the amount necessarj- to fill the quota of such township, the funds so furnished b}' such township shall be paid out to volunteers to fill the quota of such township ; and, in case the qnota of any township is not filled by volunteering, the Auditor shall issue to such persons as may be drafted to fill up such quota, orders to the amount of S400 each to such drafted men as maj- be accepted and mustered into the service, and all bounties, whether to volunteers or drafted men, shall only be paid on the presentation to the person who may be authorized to pay the same, the certificate of the mustering officer, which certificate shall specify the township to which he is credited." The last order made by the board in relation to bounties was made in March, 1865, and was as follows : " Ordered that the order made at the special session of the board, held on the 8th day of February, 1865, allow- ing a bounty to volunteers and drafted men, be so amended that any person in any township in this county, who may be drafted to fill the quota of his township, and who shall procure and have mustered into the service of the United States for one year an acceptable substitute, shall, on the presenta- tion of the proper certificate of the Auditor that such substitute has been mustered in, be entitled to receive the amount of county orders allowed in said order ; and, any person in any township which has not filled its quota, who shall procure and have mustered into the service as aforesaid, and cred- ited to his township, a representative volunteer for one year, shall, on the presentation of the certificate as aforesaid, be entitled to receive the bounty provided for in said order. And it is further ordered that the Auditor be, and he hereby is authorized and directed to issue to James Emerson, of Bolivar Township, orders to the amount of $8,400, being the amount neces- sary to pay the bounty on the number of men required to All the quota of said Bolivar Township, taking the said Emerson's receipt for said orders, which said receipt shall contain the number and date of said orders, and require the said Emerson to return to said Auditor all of said orders not used in filling the quota of said township ; and for each S400 of said orders not returned to the Auditor by said Emerson, he shall be required to 61e with said Auditor the certificate of muster-in of a volunteer for one year, credited to said township." 274 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Condusion.-T\x^ men, a very large majority of them, at least, who went out from the county to serve in the army during the late rebellion, were men who had been residing in the county prior to their enlistment ; and those of them who survived the perils of war returned to the county, and are, most of them, still residing therein ; wherefore it is believed that all facts of interest pertaining to those companies, and fragmentary companies that went out from Benton County, will have a peculiar interest for a very nu- merous class of the citizens of the county. It is in view of these facts, and of the further fact that the Adjutant General's report, from which the fore- going has been chiefly drawn, is not readily accessible to the general public-, that so much space has been devoted to this subject. PAST EVENTS— PRESENT CONDITION. BY ED MOBSMAN. THE SPArLniNG TRAGEDY. ON the 15th day of November, 1882, a double murder and suicide occurred in York Township, of which the Oxford Tribune gives the following account : " On the Uth inst., James P. Spaulding, of near Raub, Ind., mur- dered his wife and child, and then committed suicide. Spaulding had sold his farm recently, and received cash in consideration. This money was deposited in the Banli of Kentlaud, where it now is. On the previous even- ing, he was heard to complain of selling the place too cheap, and seemed very morose in consequence. He was seen in the morning with lantern in hand, doing the chores about the barn, where later the horses were found with harness on. The cows had been milked, and wood chopped for the da_v. The bodies wore discovered by a relative. The lamp was burning on a table ; the mother and son lay side by side, while the father lay across them, face downward. Spaulding was thirty-five years of age ; his wife, thirtj' years of age, and the boy four years and six months. At the time the mur- der was committed, the wife was engaged in making bread, as her bauds were covered with dough, and all preparation had been made for baking. From what investigation has been made, it is firmly believed that the husband killed the wile and child, and then cut his own throat. It is supposed that he first came in from the barn quietly, and knocked his wife in the head with a singletree that was found on the fioor covered with blood and hair, and then cut her throat with a razor which was found covered with blood, and iden- tified as his own. The door knob had finger marks, showing signs of a struggle. The little boy ran out into the back yard, whither his father pur- sued him and knocked him down with the singletree, lie then cut the boy's throat from ear to ear. dragged him into the house, and laid him alongside the mother. Spaulding then cut his own throat, and fell across the HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 275 bodies of his wife and child. It is plain that the murder was not committed for the purpose of robbery, as Spaulding's purse, containing a considerable sum of money, was found on his person, while his watch was taken from his vest pocket, and the crj'stal found to be covered with finger-marks and blood." The foregoing newspaper article contains tlie faats in the case, except a5 to one or two particulars. The Coroner's report shows that tiae tragedy occurred on the loth, instead of on the lith of tlie month, as stated in the article. It also shows that Spaulding's name was Jasper, and not James K. as stated in the article. The Coroner's report discloses the further facts that Mrs. Spaulding's name was Georgia, and little boy's, Harry. LANDS ENTERED BY H. L. ELLSWORTH. Henry L. Ellsworth, of La Fayette, entered about 65,000 acres of land ia the county, a great deal of it being entered as late as the year 1851. He en- tered a great manj' entire sections, and never less than a quarter section in any one section, fie entered land in each Congressional township in the count}', except in Township 25, of Range 6. The number of acres entered by him in each township was as follows : Township 21:, Range 6, 4,G36 acres ; Township 26, Range 6, -1,020 ; Township 24, Range 7, 1,800 ; Township 25, Range 7, 9,700 ; Township 26, Range 7, 4,302 ; Township 24, Range 8, 1,280 ; Township 25, Range 8, 4,000 ; Township 26, Range 8, 6,320 ; Township 24, Range 9, 11,200 ; Township 25, Range 9, 8,600 ; Township 26, Range 9, 5,940. VOTING POPULATION AT INTERVALS BY TOWNSHIPS. In 1842, there were twenty-four voters in Parish Grove Township, thirty- three in Pine, and twenty-five in Oak Grove ; in 1846, there were forty-one in Parish Grove, forty-two in Pine, and thirty-seven in Oak Grove ; in 1849, there were fifty-one in Parish Grove, forty-two in Pine, and sixty-nine in Oak Grove; in 1854, there were eighty-six in Parish Grove, seventy-two in Pine, and one hundred and seventy-six in Oak Grove ; in 1859, there were thirty eight in Parish Grove, eighty-two in Pine, two hundred forty-two in Oak Grove, and seventy-two in West Pine ; in 1864, there were seventeen in Parish Grove, seventy-seven in Pine, one hundred thirty-seven in Oak Grove, sixty-four in West Pine, sixteen in York, twenty -one in Prairie, one hundred seven in Bolivar, and ten in Union ; in 1869, there were eleven in Parish Grove, sixty-nine in Pine, two hundred two in Oak Grove, fifty-six in York, forty in Prairie, one hundred thirty-nine in Bolivar, thirty-three in Union, sixty-seven in Gilboa, forty -three in Richland, and one hundred twenty-four in Grant; in 1874, tliere were fifty-eight in Parish Grove, ninety-eight in Pine, one hundred fifty in Oak Grove, eighty-seven in York, one hundred ninety-seven in Prairie, one hundred thirty-nine in Bolivar, one hundred thirty-three in Union, one hundred thirty-nine in Gilboa, one hundred sixty- six in Richland, and two hundred forty-six in Grant ; in 1879, there were one hundred thirty-three in Parish Grove, seventy-six in Pine, one hundred twenty-nine in Oak Grove, one hundred nine in York, one hundred seventy 276 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. in Bolivar, one hundred fifty-two in Union, one iiundred forty-two in G-ilboa, two hundred two in Riehland, two hundred fourteen in Grant, and one hun- dred sixty-six in Center, one hundred sixty-seven in Hickory G-rove, ninety- eight in Oxford, and one hundred fifty-eight in Fowler ; in 1882, there were one hundred fifty-five in Parish Grove, ninety-five in Pine, one hundred thirty-seven in Oak Grove, one hundred thirty in York, one hundred ninety- seven in Bolivar, one hundred sixty in Union, one hundred forty-three in GUboa, one hundred sixty-seven in Richland, two hundred forty-seven in Grant, one hundred twenty-two in Center, one hundred ninetj'-seven in Hick- ory Grove, one hundred fifty-three in Oxford, and one hundred eighty-one in Fowler. It will be seen that in certain townships the number was less at some periods than it had been at previous periods. From this it might be inferred that tlie population of the county was becoming less, for some rea- son. It will be seen, however, that the population of the county has been steadily increasing, if the aggregate population of all the townships be con- sidered. Thus, in 1842, the population of the countj' was eighty-two ; in 184G, it was one hundred twenty, being an increase of thirty-eight, or over forty-seven percent; the increase from 1846 to 1849 was sixty-five, an in- crease of over fifty-four per cent ; from 1 S49 to 1854, it was one hundred forty- nine, or seventy-nine per cent ; from 1854 to 1859, it was one hundred, an in- crease of over twenty -nine per cent ; from 1859 to 1864, it was fifteen, an increase of three and one-fourth per cent ; from 1864 to 1869, it was three "hundred thirty -five, an increase of over seventy-four per cent ; from 1869 to 1874, it was six hundred and twenty-nine, and increase of eighty per cent ; from 1874 to 1879, it was five hundred three, an increase of over thirty-five per cent; and from 1879 to 1882, it was one hundred and sixty-eight, an increase of nearly nine per cent in three years. Tlie lowest per cent of increase three and one-fourth — was from 1859 to 1864. This period covers the greater portion of the late civil war, and it is probably due to this that the rate of increase is so small. That some of the townships appear to have lost ground at times is due to the fact that their territorial limits have been di- muiished by the creation of new townships, out of a part of their territory. The changes made in the townships of tliis county have been very numerous. Wlien the county was first organized, and for several years afterward, there were but three townships in the county, and now there are eleven. Again, Ihere have been several townships unmade by rescinding the order creating them, whilst the names of otiiers have been chanoed. UAILUO.VPS. The first railroad projected in Benton County was called the La Favette, Oxford & Bloomington Railroad. The Board of Commissioners, at their March session, 1S68, undertook and agreed to make up to the company any delin(|uency, not exceeding $10,000, that the company might not be able to collect of $!50,000 that the citizens of Benton County luursubscribed to aid in the construction of the road, which was to run from La Fayette, in Tippe- HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 277 canoe Count}', Ind., to Bloomington, 111., passing through Oxford en route. The road was never huilt, however, as originally projected, and the board, at their June session, 1869, I'escinded the order they had made at their March session, 1868, above alluded to. At the Jul_v session of the board (special session). 1869, a petition was presented to the board, signed by 108 freeholders of the countj-, praj-ing the board to order elections to be held in the several townships of the county, to vote upon the question whether the county should aid the La Payette, Muncie & Bloomington Railroad, to the amount of S40,000, either by wa^' of an appropriation of that amount or by taking stock in the compan}-. The Commissioners decided to talre stock, and ordered elections to be held in the several townships on the 28th day of the next ensuing month. The vote in the several townships was as follows : Parish Grove Township, none for, none against ; Pine Township, twenty-nine for, forty-seven against ; Oak Grove Township, two hundred and fifty-one for, seven against ; Gilboa Township, none for, none against ; York, two for,twentj- against ; Prairie Township, thirtj'-nine for, five against ; Bolivar Township, one hundred and twent3--two for, none against ; Union Township, none for, none against ; Richland Township, twentj'-tive for, nineteen against ; Grant Township, one hundred and thirty-nine for, none against ; making the total vote of the count}' six hundred and seven for, and ninetv-eight against. In three of the ten town- ships — Parish Grove, Gilboa and Union — no votes were cast, either for or against ; whilst two — Pine and York — gave a majority against the appro- priation, and two — Bolivar and Grant — voted unanimously in fiivor of it. The townships in the northern tier — Gilboa, Union, Richland and York — being situated farthest from the line of the proposed road, and there being already a railroad within a mile or two of their northern boundary, it is not strange that they should give a majority against making the appropriation ; for it would benefit the people of that section but little, notwithstanding the benefit to the county would be incalculable. But that Parish Grove, Prairie and Pine, constituting the middle tier of townships, should have given as small a majority in favor of the appropriation as they did, is some- what surprising, inasmuch as those townships must have been benefited but little less than the southern tier of townships, through which the road was proposed to be made. In the northern tier of townships the majority against the appropriation was twelve, whilst the middle tier gave a majority of sixteen, and the southern tier a majority of five hundred and five in favor of it ; there being but seven votes against it in the southern tier of town- ships, all of which were cast in Oak Grove Township. It being discovered by the Commissioners that $40,000 was in excess of one per cent of the taxable property of the county— the utmost amount that could be lawfully levied in aid of a private enterprise — it was ordered at the June term of Com- missioners' Court, 1870, that one-half the amount of the appropriation, $20,000, should be then levied, and that the balance of it be levied at the June session, 1871. The construction of the road does not seem to have 278 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. been pushed forward very energetically, for we find in the record of the proceedings of the Board of Commissioners, at their December term, 1875, after reciting that quo warranto proceedings by information, in the name of the State of Indiana, on the relation of William B. Walls, Prosecuting Attorney of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, are pending in the Clinton Circuit Court against the La Fayette, Muncie & Bloomiagton Railroad, to wrest from .said company its corporate franchises, and that the county is a stockholder to the amount of $39,150, the board " request the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General to dismiss said proceedings, as said road is now nearly completed." This road runs in a northwesterly direction from La Fayette to Templeton, thence nearly due west to Boswell, and thence to the State line, a little south of west. The L., M. & B. Rail- road, after several successive consolidations with other roads and changes of name, has come to be known as the Lake Erie & Western Railway, and with its connections forms one of the great trunk lines of tlA country. It is doing a good business both in freight and passenger traffic. The con- struction of this road has been of incalculable benefit to the countj-, caus- ing the towns of Templeton, Chase, Boswell, Talbot and Ambia to spring up, and greatly promoting the settlement of the southwestern portion of the count}'. Besides the $10,000 of stock subscribed by the county, the citizens of the county subscribed some $60,000, making in the aggregate $100,000 obtained by the road out of Benton County to aid in its construc- tion. Verily, the county ought to be greatlj- benefited by the construction of the road, for although this enormous sum of $100,000 was not designed to be a donation, yet bj' the chicanerj' usually resorted to, the}' being small fish, tropically speaking, were swallowed up by the leviathans into whose power the}' had unwarily placed themselves, thus making it in etfect a dona- tion. Neither the county, nor any individual of the county, ever received a dollar for the stock subscribed to this road. It is ever thus. About the same time that the La Fayette, Muncie & Bloomington road was projected, or verj' soon afterward, a road was survej-ed to run from La Fayette to Chicago, to be known as the Cincinnati, La Payette & Chicago Railroad, which was to diverge to the north from the line of the La Fayette, Muncie & Bloomington Railroad, at Templeton, and run centrally to the north- west corner of the county. This road was completed about the same time that the other road was completed, and, like it, benefited the county at large very greatly, and those near the center of the county immeasurably. On this line of road, the towns of Atkinson, Fowler. Earl Park and Raub sprang up. This road, like the La Fayette, Muncie & Bloomington road, has been consolidated with other roads, and the name has been changed, until it is now a continuous line from Cincinnati to Chicago, and is known as the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad, or, other- wise as the Big Four road, and is one of the best lines of road iu the country. All trains on this road pass over the track of the Lake Erie & Western road between La Fayette and Templeton, under some sort of agree- HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 281 metit between the two roads, but they make no stops between those points for the pui'pose of taking on passengers or freight. At a special session of the Board of Commissioners, held in April, 1880, elections were ordered to be held in Union and Oak Grove Townships for . the purpose of voting aid to the Indiana & Chicago Railroad, in the sum of $9,000 in the former and $15,000 in the latter. The election in Union was ordered for Maj' 22, 1880, and in Oak Grove for June 1, 1880. The elections were held, as ordered, and resulted as follows : In Union Township, 88 votes for, and 34 against ; in Oak Grove, 249 votes for, and 75 against. This road has been completed through the countj-, and runs very nearly in a due north and south direction, running through Goodland, in Newton County, crossing the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad about four or five miles south of Fowler, and passing on thence through Ox- ford. Its termini are, for the present, Chicago and Brazil. The town of Fowler refused to aid anywise in the construction of the road, owing to some misconception of the facts ; they probabl}' either doubted the ability of the parties who were at the head of the scheme to bring it to a success- ful issue, or else they thought that the road would be built anyhow, whether they contributed to the enterprise or not, and, consequently, the road was lo- cated so as to pass just to the east of Fowler, missing it about two miles, and almost whollv, if not quite, cutting the town off from all benefits on account of the road being built. This will undoubtedly become an excellent freight line, as it will be the most direct route between the extensive coal fields of Clay County and Chicago, the great metropolis of the West. The name by which it is now designated is the Chicago & Great Southern Railroad. The three roads mentioned are the only ones, as yet, that have been com- pleted, or upon which work has been begun, although there have been two others projected, and they will probably both be built in the near future. These are the Michigan, Indiana & St. Louis and the Delphi, Fowler & Western. A petition from the citizens of Center Township was presented to the Board of Commissioners at a special session in March, 1882, asking that an election be ordered for that township, for the purpose of voting aid to the latter road in the sum of $22,567, and an election was accordingly ordered for that purpose, to be held on the 2d day of May, 1882. At the same session, a similar petition was presented from citizens of Pine Town- ship for an election to vote upon the proposition of donating the sum of $7,100, to aid in the construction of the same road, and an election was ordered for the same day as in Center Township. A canvass of the votes in Center Township showed that 289 votes were cast for, and 151 against, the proposition. In Pine Township, 51 were in favor of the donation and 47 ao-ainst it. At the October session, an election was asked for in Parish Grove Township to vote upon the proposition to donate the sum of $9,600, to aid in the construction of the same road, and an election was ordered to be held on the 24th day of November, 1882. The election was accordingly held, and resulted in 79 votes being cast in favor of the proposition, and 45 17 282 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. against it. Thiere has been a surve}- made of the line of this proposed road, but no work has been done on it as yet, in the countj-, though it is verj' con- fidently predicted by those who are wise in such matters, that it will be built in a very short time. Steps have been taken to secure the right-of-way, and the same has been generally, if not fully, secured through the county. A petition from the citizens of Oak Grove Township, praying for an election to be ordered in that township for the purpose of voting upou the proposition of making a donation of $15,000 to aid in the construction of the Michigan, Indiana & St. Louis Railroad, was presented to the Board of Commissioners, at a special session of the board held- in the month of May, 1882, and an election was ordered, as prayed for, and the time fixed therefor June 7, 1882. The election was held on that day, and resulted as follows : For the proposition, 236 ; against it, 125. When those two roads are built, as they undoubtedl}' will be, for they are evidently judiciously located, there will be no township in the county except Gilboa without a railroad. Then, with all the advantages of cheap transportation, coupled with the advantages that she already possesses, of an extraordinarily fertile soil, there is every reason to believe that Benton County will be among the most wealthy and prosperous counties in the State ere another quarter of a century shall have passed. Notwithstanding the fact that railroads are much inveighed against, denounced as grasping monopolies, and all that, yet the fact is patent that thej' create markets for the commodities of the land where before there was none, and that thej- bear a very large part of the burden of taxes ; to all of which facts a majority of the people of Benton County seem to be alive, judging from the wa}' in which they vote aid to railroads. OTHER HOADS. To describe all the roads in the countv, and give the date of their estab- lishment, would of itself require a good-sized volume. It is not the inten- tion to attempt this, but to give only the date of one or two of the early ones, with a general description of their course. By an act of the Legislature, approved February 24, 1840, Amos White was appointed a Commissioner to locate and establish a State road from La Fayette to Parish Grove. Henry Robertson acted as surveyor, and the report made by the Commissioner and surveyor to tlie Board of County Commissioners at their December session, 1840, shows that the road was located to run by way of Milton Jennings', Basil Justus' and Robert Alexander's, and on to the State line. This is probably tlic first road ever located in the county. The next probably was a State road from Independence, in Warren County, to Newton, in Jasper County, whieli was established in June, 1841. F. C. Webb, of Warren Coun- ty, was the Couiraissioner who located the road. About the same time, or earlier it may have been, a State road from Williamsport, in Warren County, to Micliigan City, was established. It was certainly established prior to May. 184B, for we find that the Board of Commissioners made an appropriation, at a special session, in that month, for a bridge across Big Tine Creek, at the lower crossing on that road. HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 283 BRIDGES. Benton County has some first-class iron bridges. In 1867. there was an iron bridge, of the kind known as the King's Patent Tubnlar Arch Wrought Iron Bridge, erected across Pine Creek, about three miles east of Oxford, ou the Oxford & La Fayette road, at a cost of $5,600. At a special session of the board held in November, 1874, the Commis- sioners entered into a contract with the Smith Bridge Company, of Toledo, Ohio, for the building of two bridges across Pine Creek at Aydelott. in Pine Township, and at Emerson's, in Bolivar Township. The}' were to be of the kind known as the Smith's Open Arch Bridge (iron), and the extreme length of each ninety-four feet; roadway, sixteen feet in the clear, and height of truss about twelve feet. The contractors were to have the bridge completed bj' January 25, 1875, and were to receive S17.4:0 per lineal foot. In Janu- ary, 1875, the Commissioners accepted the bridges and allowed the contract- ors SlOO for extra work, making the two bridges cost the county in the ag- gregate the sum of 13,371.20. In December, 1879, the Commissioners contracted with the Cleveland Bridge & Iron Company, of Cleveland Ohio, for the building of an iron bridge across Mud Pine, at or near the town of Chase, which was to be completed by March 1, 1880, and for which the contractors were to receive the sum of S810. These are all the bridges in the county of sufficient importance to deserve special mention, OFFICERS OF THE COUNTY. Circuit Judges. — Isaac A. Naylor, from organization of the county up to 1852; William P. Bryant, 1852 to 185-1; John Pettit, 1854 to 1856; Charles H. Test, 1856 to 1870; David P. Vinton, 1870 to 1872; Edwin P. Hammond, 1872 to 1883; Peter H. Ward, 1883 to present time. Associate Judges. — David McConnell and Matthew Terwilliger, from or- ganization of the county to 1844; Basil Justus and John Sheetz, from 1844 to 1850; Harvey H, Crawford and John McConnell, from 1850 until the office was abolished. Probate Judges.Samuel McConnell, 1840 to 1847; William Cochran, 1847 to 1855, when the office was abolished. Common Pleas Judges. — Daniel Mills, William R. Boyer, G, A, Wood, David P, Vinton and Alfred Reed, Daniel Mills being the only one who re- sided in Benton County, Clerics. — The following entry may be seen in the probate order book: "Be it remembered that Samuel McConnell was commissioned to the office of Probate Judge from the 27th day of July, 1840, and afterward, to wit, on the 5th day of November, 1840, he personally appeared before the Clerk of the Benton Circuit Court, and took the oath, as required by the Statute of Indiana, as appears from papers on file in this office. Witness, J, T, Parker, Clerk, p, t," The foregoing is given for the reason that it shows James T, Parker to have been the first Clerk, which is opposed to the generally re- ceived opinion that Basil Justus was the first. The Clerks after James T, 284 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Parker were: Basil Justus, 1840 to 1844; James T. Parker, 1844 to 1847. Hartley T. Howard, 1847 to 1853; Luther D. Hawley, 185S to 1866; Charles M. Scott, 1866 to 1874; Simon F. Carter, 1874 to 1882; Mahlon D. Smith, 1882 to present time. Auditors.i^ ames F. Parker, 1840 to 1847; Hartley T. Howard, 1847 to 1856; William H. Calldns 1856 to 1860; William Jones, 1860 to 1868; Will- iam Snyder, 1868 to 1876; James S. Bradley, 1876 to the present time. Sheriffs.— Ezekiel H. Davis, 1840 to 1844; Benjamin Timmons, 1844 to 1848; Elijah Littler, 1848 to 1852; Evan E. Thompson, 1852 to 1854; Sam- uel A. Keys, 1854 to 1856; William J. Templeton, 1856 to 1858: Samuel^ Chapman, 1858 to 1862; William S. Freeman, 1862 to 1864; Samuel Savage, 1864 to 1866; Alonzo Cowgill, 1866 to 1870; Elnathau C. Jennings, 1870 to 1872; Henry C. Harris, 1872 to 1876; TheophilusK. Harmon, 1876 to 1880; Carver Stanfield, 1880 to 1882; Michael Scanlin, 1882 to the present time. Treasurers — Milton Jennings, 1840 until his death; Thomas Griffin ap- pointed at a special session, January 15, 1847, vice Jennings, deceased, till election in 1847; James Emerson, 1847 to 1853; James N. Holton, 1853 to 1856; James Vawter, 1856 to 1859; Alfred J. Carnahan, 1859 to 1862; John J. Kawlings, 1862 to 1866; James T. Parb^Tr, 1866 to 1870; William McCon- nell, 1870 to 1874; William Marvin, 1874 to 1876: Walter B. Hisson, 1376 to 1880; William Moore, 1880 to the present time. Recorders.— Ba.s\\ Justus, 1840 to 184^; James T. Parker. 1844 to 1847; Hartley T. Howard, 1847 to 1857; John Burns, 1357 to 1362; Simon F. Car- ter, 1862 to 1870; Isaac H. Phares, 1870 to 1378; Thomas A. Baldwin, 1878 to 1882; Newton Sheetz, 1882 to the present time. Commissioners. — John W. Robertson, Thomas Lewis and Amos White, 1840 ; Samuel Bair, 1841 ; John W. Robertson, 1842 ; Francis Boynton, 1844 ; Amos White, Jr., 1844 ;LJ.'T. Parker, 1346 ; William Smith, 1347 ; Thomas Lewis, 1848 ; Amos White, 1348 ; Theophilus Smiley. 1849 ; Robert Hawkins 1849 ; Henry Robertson, 1850; Charles Johnston. 1351; Benjamin A. Tim- mons, 1851 ; William T. Rose, 1351; Joseph Carswell, 1852 ; William Coch- ran, 1852 ; Joseph Carswell, 1853 ; Benjamin A. Timmons, 1853 ; Jacob Cas- sel, 1854; Thomas Atkinson, 1855; Benjamin Hawkins, 1356; Robert M. Atkinson, 1858; Samuel IMcIlvain, 1860; Benjamin Hawkins, 1862, and again in 1865 ; William Marvin, 1867 ; Robert M. Atkinson, 1367 ; John M. Swan, 18GS; Henry Robertson, 1370; Robert Atkinson, 1870; Joseph Perkins, 1871 ; William Marvin, 1373; John F. Boswell, 1873; Robert M. Atkinson, 1873 ; Thomas Wilcox, 1374 ; John F. Boswell, 1875 ; W. G. W. Norwood, 1876; Henry Robertson, 1876; Francis P. (jreenwood, 1876; John W. O'Connor, 1876 ; Samuel iMcIlvain, 1873 ; James G. Travis, 1879 ; Henry Robertson, 1879 ; Anthony Dehner, 1880, William R. Menefee, 1382. Ooriincrs.— Benjamin A. Timmons, Samuel Savage, Eli Frazier, Johuathan Kolb, William M. Sleeper, James W. Barnes, J. F. Kinnev, Joseph L. Car- nahan, James H. Whitcomb, William ftl. Jones and William R. Hardestv. Summers. — Henry Robertson, Thomas E. Torrence, Jesse IMcNeal, Daniel Campbell, William M. Jones, Thomas A. Baldwin and James Wharrv. HISTORY OF BENTOX COUNTY. '285 Justices of the Peace. — The following list contains the names of all the Justices of the Peace of the count}-, so far as the}- could be ascertained from the files and records, together with the date of their election, or qualification. It is manifestly incomplete, yet it is as complete as it could be made. No attempt has been made to designate the township in which they served. Following is the list : 1840, William B. Foster and Thomas Martin : 1841, William B. Foster and Stephen Buckley ; 1842, Basil Den- ton ; 1849, Charles Johnston ; 1850, John Hopper, Daniel Mills, William Wisher [and John W. Ferguson ; 1851, James McClure and William K. Johnston ; 1852, Ezekiel Dawson ; 1855, William Marvin, William Wisher and William K. Johnston ; 1856, Ezekiel Dawson, James W. Barnes, Will- iam R. Johnston and Bertram W. Temphill ; 1857, Samuel A. Keys ; 1858, Elisha Sargent, Duncan McA. Williams and Joseph F. Taylor; 1859, Will- iam Marvin and Duncan McA. Williams ; 1860, Ezekiel Dawson and New- ton Murphy ; 1861, James Smiley ; 1862, Samson McMillen ; 1863, William Bartlett and^James McElhaney ; 1864, Rinaldo Sutton, Robinson Timmons and Newton Murphy ; 1865, William M. Tryon and William Cochran ; 1867, William Bartlett ; 1868, Rinaldo Sutton, Newton Murphy and Thomas Mott; 1869, Thomas A. McKnight, Elmer A. Black, William S. Turvey, A. Knotts and Benjamin A. Timmons ; 1870, Jacob Miller, Austin V. Flint, Daniel M. Kirlipatrick and John T. Stokes ; 1872, Edward O'Brien, Holmes M. Beckwith, John Lee, William Cochran, Jacob P. Isley and George W. Lane; 1873, William S. Turney ; 1874, Jacob Miller, Miles A. Barber, Ri- naldo Sutton, James 0. Brown, David Strachan, Sylvester King, Winfleld Menefee and Austin V. Flint ; 1875, Matthew H. Walker and Samuel T. Du Bois ; 1876, John Whole, Hiram A. Boswell, Charles Phillips, Hugh C. Sid- dons, Daniel Frasier, Matthew H. Walker, Samuel T. Du Bois, Herbert C. Woodham, John Burns and John W. Cole ; 1877, William Cochran, John P. Isley and Thomas Mott ; 1878, Samuel A. Parker, James D. Smith, Thomas Parker, John Burns, Freeman W. Hatch, Rinaldo Sutton, John A. Calais, Jacob Miller, Miles A. Barber, Austin V. Flint, Joseph F. Smith and Syl- vester King ; 1879, William H. Sale, George Wadsworth and Clinton Baker ; 1880, William H. Sale, John L. Richards, Horace L. Remie and Hiram A. Boswell ; 1881, John A. Walker ; 1882, William M. Marvin, Thomas Parks, Job H. Killen, Hugh C. Siddons, Clinton Meade, William H. Harmon, Will- iam Cochran, George H. Stewart, Jacob Back, James W. Bailey, Jacob Miller and Clark Cook : 1883, Rinaldo Sutton. TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES. Following is a list of the Trustees of the various townships, from the time of their organization to tlie present time, with the dates when they served. To avoid the necessity of employing so many figures in expressing the dates of the election, or appointment of all the different Trustees, each date is used but once, and then the Trustees of all the townships in the county, for that year, are given, in the following order : Parish Grove, Oak 28lj HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Grove, Pine, West Pine, York, Prairie, Bolivar, Union, Gilboa, Richland, Grant, Center, Hickory Grove. A part of tiie time there was more than one Trustee to each township, and a part of the time there was but one. A semi- colon is placed after the names of the Trustees, or Trustee, of each town- ship each year, and when a hiatus occurs in a township, as is frequently the case, the name of tlie next township in which there is no hiatus, is given, so that there need he no difficulty in ascertaining from the following list who was the Trustee in any particular township in any year. It will be neces- sary to bear in mind the dates when the several townships came respectively into the list, that is to say, when they commenced to have Trustees, which is as follows : Parish Grove, 1844 ; Oak Grove, 18.52 ; Pine, 1853 ; West Pine, 1858 ; York, 1860; Prairie, 1861; Bolivar, 1861; Union, 1864 ; Gil- boa, 1866 ; Richland, 1869 ; Grant, 1869 ; Center, 1876 ; Hickory Grove, 1876. The list is as follows: 1844, Samuel Jolly and John Ross ; 1852, Oak Grove, Basil Justus ; 185.3, Thomas Martin, William Cochran and Joshua Howell ; Samuel Barkhurst and Francis Boyntou ; William Hawk- ins, Elijah Dawson and Robert Hawkins : 1854, Jacob Cassel and William Surface ; John Hopper and Robert W. Thompson ; James Emerson ; 1855, Samuel Mcllvain, Thomas Martin and George Liptrap ; Isaac Runner ; 1856, John T. Stokes ; George Champley and William Moore ; Benjamin Hawkins and Robert Hawkins, elected in April, and William M. Turnev, appointed in June ; 1857, Oak Grove, John Hopper ; 1858, Parnham Boswell, E. C. Sum- ner and Henry Robertson ; George H. Finch ; Isaac Bowver ; Asa H. Van- over ; 1859, Hcnrj' Robertson ; Anson Hurd ; James Emerson ; John T. Stokes; 1860, Henry Robertson ; Daniel Campbell; Isaac Bowyer ; John T. Stokes ; Isaac Hull ; 1861, Henry Robertson; William S. Freeman ; Isaac Bowyer ; James M. Harris ; John Fleming ; William Wisher ; C3TUS Por- ter ; 1862, Daniel Garwood ; John T. Williams ; Isaac Bowyer ; James M. Harris; John Fleming ; William Wislier ; Philip P. Gritfin ; 1863, Duncan McA. Williams ; John T. Williams ; James T. Clement ; James M. Harris ; Prairie, John K. Fenton ; Marcus Blessing ; 1864, Henry Robertson ; John T. Williams ; James T. Clement ; James ^I. Harris ; John Fleming ; George Armstrong ; Marcus Blessing ; John W. Nutt ; 1865. James Kirtley ; John T. Williams ; James T. Clement. (West Pine is not in after 1864.) John Fleming; Thomas Cliilds ; Marcus Blessing ; Ephraim Sayers ; 1866, James Kirtley ; Daniel R. Lucas.; Daniel JI. Kirkpatrick ; John E. Feutou ; ;Mar- cus Blessing; Ephraim Sayers; James Withani ; 18')7, James Kirtley; Daniel !!. Lucas (Henry Parker appointed June 10) ; Jonathan Lamborn ; Anthony Dehner ; Thomas Cliilds ; Joseph Kinsey ; John W. Nutt ; John Garretson ; 1868, , lames Kirtley; James Vawter ; John Miirris ; James Coulter (James Keyt appointed December 19); Thomas Cliilds; James Loyd ; llonry Timmons ; John Garretson; 1869, Oak Grove, James Vaw- ler (W. M. Jones appointed June 16) ; John >Iorris ; Isaac Loyal ; Nathan Hibbs ; James Emerson ; Richland, Michael Sigal ; James Kirtley ; 1870, William Boswell; John T. Williams ; John Ross; William Hughes; James HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 287 Emerson ; Henry Timmons ; William Owens elected, John Garretson ap- pointed November 1 ; Anthony Dehner ; James Kirtley ; 1872, William H. Boswell ; John Carson ; W. G. W. Norwood ; S. W. McClurg ; William Hughes ; James Emerson ; Abraham W. Williams ; John McMurtry ; Rob- ert Kelley ; A. R. Gilgar ; 187-i, William H. Boswell ; John N. Crosson ; Robert Sickler ; Socrates McClurg; William Hughes (the last in Prairie); John W. Ryan ; Jaj' Battenburg ; John McMurtry ; Edward M. Slant; A. R. Gilger ; 1876. Oak Grove, John N. Crosson ; Carver Stanfield ; Socrates McClurg; John W.Ryan; Jay Battenburg ; John McMurtry; William H. Boswell; Amos R. Gilger; William Hughes; James W. Siddens ; 1878, William Burnett ; Robert Wood ; Carver Stanfield ; John Ross ; John W. R3'an ; Lorenzo D. Timmons ; John McMurtry ; Anthony Dehner ; John S. Lawson ; John W. Switzer ; James Siddens ; 1880, William Bennett ; Rob- ert Wood ; Warren B. Sheets ; John Ross ; Andrew McSmith ; Maurice N. Pelton ; Henry C. Bugbee ; Gustavus Jewell ; John S. Lamson ; John W. Switzer; Thomas J. Lewis; 1882, Frank K. Knapp ; John N. Crosson; WaiTen B. Sheets ; James Ross ; E. W. Timmons ; George H. Smith ; Henry C. Bugbee ; Gustavus W. Jewell ; William H. McKnight ; Osmer C. Brock- way ; Dennis Barragree. SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLHOUSES. At the December term of Commissioners' Court, 1847, it was " Ordered that an order be made to hold an election 'at the schoolhouse in Township 24, of Range 7, on the second Saturday in Januarj^, 1848; and, likewise, that an election be held at the schoolhouse in Township 25, Rang.e 7, same date." These are the first instances that we find in the Commissioners' rec- ord of an election being held at a schoolhouse, and, as it is quite probable that they commenced to hold their elections at schoolhouses as soon as there were any built, on account of the inconvenience of holding elections at pri- vate houses, it is probable that those were among the first, if not the first, schoolhouses built in the county. At the June term, 1847, the board ordered that the place of holding elections in Pine Township be removed to the schoolhouse near William R. Johnston's residence. The first school in Ox- ford, if not in the county, was taught by Samuel McConnell, in a building just south of the graveyard. There are, at present, ninety-one schools in the county, distributed as follows : Gilboa, nine ; Union, nine ; Richland, eight ; York, five ; Parish Grove, seven ; Center, eight ; Pine, eight ; Boli- var, ten ; Oak Grove, nine ; Grant, ten ; Hickory Grove, sis ; town of Fow- ler one ; town of Oxford, one. There are seven schools in the county that employ more than one teacher each. They are. Earl Park, two ; Raub, two ; Ambia, two ; Boswell, three ; Oxford, four ; Fowler, five. The total num- ber of teachers in the county is eighty-nine. Value of school property in the county, $65,520. Average wages paid teachers in the county in 1881 and 1882, S41. The number of school children in the county, as shown by the last enumeration, 3,729, distributed among the several townships as fol- 288 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. lows: Center, 185; Pine, 195; Fowler, 418; Oxford, 272 ; Parish Grove, 219 ; Richland, 368 ; Gilboa, 322 ; Union, 302 ; Hickory Grove, 289 ; York, 159 ; Grant, 391 ; Oak Grove, 242 ; Bolivar, 367. There is an academy at Oxford, built in 1867, of which Rev. Lynn, then pastor of the Presbyterian Church, was the first Principal. He was a rigid disciplinarian, and became unpopular. He was succeeded after five mouths by Dr. Wells, who remained in charge until 1870. Rev. Neil, of the Method; ist Episcopal Churcii, was in charge of the school from 1870 to 1873. At this time the school was at its zenith, in number and zeal. Miss Wright taught the school years of 1873 to 1875, both inclusive, and was succeeded by Prof Barr, for one year and a half Xo fault could be found with his teaching, but he was extremelj' careless with financial matters, which led to his removal. Prof Johnson took charge of the school earlj- in 1877, and taught until the close of the school year of 1880. There was more looking up and fitting up of the school under his administration than any other. Prof Bosworth taught the past year, and has been secured for the next. The school building is delightfully located, and there is nothing lacking but worth3- efforts to make it a successful and promineut feature of Oxford. The public school building of the town of Fowler is a commodious frame, two stories in height, built about 1876. and cost about S3, 000. If the population of the town continues to increase in the future as in the past, it will not be a great while until the house will not be large enough to ac- commodate all the childreu of the town. Prof Brazell has been Superin- tendent of the schools in the town of Fowler for some time past, and has given good satisfaction. He is still in charge of the schools, and is likely to remain in charge of them for some time to come. It was at one time contemplated to build a large Catholic school or col- lege near the town of Fowler, and Rev. Bishop Dewenger, of Fort Wayne, bought two hundred acres of land of Moses Fowler, adjoining Summit Grove, in September, 1875, for that purpose. The conveyance was made upon the condition that tlic deed was to be void if the grantee should fail to have a building erected on the land conveyed, within one year from the date of the conveyance, for the purpose of a college, and to be worth a specified sum. The grantee failed to comply with the conditions entitling him to an absolute conveyance; and the project was abandoned ; and, on the 12th of January, 1876, Bishop Dewenger quit-claimed to Moses Fowler, and that was an end of the matter. It is greatly to be regretted that the enterprise did not succeed, as the location was a most delightful one, and the building, had it been liuilt in accordance with the design, would have been a credit, and a great ornament to tlie town of Fowler. Mr. Fowler agreed that upon tiie completion of tlic building, lie would donate the grove — Summit Grove adjoining, wliicli is a beautiful grove situated on a high elevation about half a mile soutli of the town of Fowler — the highest point of land within sev- eral miles. ...m^ ■^■^7^^ Ci-l^^J DECEASED. v^ HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 291 NEWSPAPER S. The first newspaper published in Bentou County was the Oxford Eoen- ing Mail, started in 1855, b}' Joseph W. Jackson, editor and publisher. In 1858, he sold to S. F. Curt6n, who changed the name of the paper to Benton Register. After about A 3'ear, the paper was discontinued. The next was the Oxford Chronotype, which existed but for a short time and was discon- tinued. The Oxford Tribune was the next, of which D. R. Lucas was ed- itor and proprietor. It was first issued on September 11, 1865. October 1, 1870, A. Cowgill became editor and proprietor. Later, but at whut date is not known, A. W. Carnahan became editor and proprietor, and in 1882 the present proprietor, jT^P~Carr7Jr!] purchased it, and has greatly improved it. Mr. Carr is editor as well as proprietor, and, to say the least, it is as good a paper as there is in the county. The next was the Central Clarion of which Duncan McArthur Williams was editor and proprietor. It was first issued in Maj', 1873, at Fowler. In August, 1874, the name was changed to Benton County Herald, and, at the same time it changed hands, Messrs. Ingrim and Maxwell becoming editors and proprietors. In May, 1876, D. McA. Williams again became editor, and the name was changed to Fowler Era. The Boswell Leader was first issued November 19, 1874, in the town of Boswell, G-. C. Lyon being editor, and H. N. Carson, proprietor. It changed hands several times, Calvin Gault lieing editor in 1875, and in Sep- tember, 1876, Messrs. Seavey & Wallace of Hoopeston, 111., became its ed- itors and proprietors. Its publication was finally suspended, and October 21, 1881, the Boswell Courier was established. It was owned by Mc- Neil & Graham 'of the Fowler Eye, and edited by Charles W. Lee. It is a six-column folio, Eepublican in politics, and a zealous advocate of the cause of temperance. Charles H. Miller has been its owner and proprietor since February, 1882. The ofHce contains a good Foster hand press and a neat job outfit. It is published on Thursdays, and has a very fair circulation, with a good business that is steadily increasing. Mr. Miller, the present propri- etor, was formerlj' connected with the Kentland Gazette, and also with the Fowler Era, with Messrs. Mauck and Corkins. The Earl Park Mirror com- menced publication October 31, 1874, but suspended after three issues. The Benton Democrat was first issued July 2, 1875, in the town of Fowler, with W. B. Maddock, editor and proprietor. Subsequently, Thomas Red- mond became editor and proprietor, and in March, 1883, it passed into the hands and under the editorial management of Mr. Eastburn, the present proprietor. The Templeton Tocsin, at Templeton, was first issued in March, 1876, but soon ceased to exist. These are all the newspapers that have ever been published in Benton Countv. - , SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS. The first society organized in Benton County was probably Oxford Lodo-e, No. 190, A. F. & A. M., whose charter bears date July 24, 1855. The first officers were Elisha Sargent, Worshipful Master ; Alfred J. Carna- 292 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. han, Senior Warden ; Jesse Dailey, Junior Warden ; B. N. Curl, Treasurer ; S. McMillen, Secretary ; B. Q. Norris, Senior Deacon ; T. E. Torrence, Junior Deacon, and George Ciiampley, Tiler. The present officers are Hiram Smith, Worshipful Master ; Aaron D. Huliman, Senior Warden ; Henry C. McCon- nell. Junior Warden ; Daniel A. Messner, Treasurer ; Charles Dailey, Secre- tary ; Joseph F. Sleeper, Senior Deacon ; John G. Carnahan, Junior Deacon ; Winfield Menefee, Tiler, and Allen W. Wells, Alonzo D. Sleeper, Stewards. The building in which this lodge holds its meetings was built in the year 1874, at a cost of about $1,200. The lodge has carpet and furniture worth about $300, and is in a healthy and prosperous condition. Oxford Lodge, No. 160, I. 0. 0. F., was chartered July IS, 1855, but was not instituted, for some reason, until September 30, 1857. The follow- ing names appear on the charter : Martin Benedict, Alfred Walk, John E. Walk, Jesse Dailey, James Vawter and A. J. Carnahan. The first officers were J. W. Barnes, Noble Grand ; John Sheetz, Vice Grand : A. J. Carua- han, Treasurer, and Jesse Dailey, Secretary. The present officers are Job W. Sabin, Noble Grand ; John P. Ross. Vice Grand ; Mark Brier, Treasurer, and V. M. Benedict, Secretar3-. The Ijuilding in which the lodge hall is situated was Ijuilt by the Oxford Lodge, No. 169, I. 0. 0. F. Building Asso- ciation, organized May 2, 1864. The building was erected in 1874, and was dedicated the same year l\y Past Grand Master Thomas Underwood, of La Fayette. It is a two-storj- brick building, situated on the east two-thirds of Lot No. 1, in Block No. 8, in the original plat of the town of Oxford, and 80 feet in length b}' 40 feet in width, with a hall above and business rooms below. The cost of the building and ground was §8,000. The stock of the association was divided into 320 shares, of $25 each, of which the lodge took, originall}^, 06. The lodge has acquired a great many more shares since, by donation some, and some by purchase, and now owns a controlling interest in the stock of the association. The regalia and other hall furni- ture belonging to the lodge is worth about $60(*. Present membership, 45. The largest membership the lodge ever had was 92. Oak Grove Encampment, No. 137, I. 0. 0. F.. was instituted by dispen- sation of the (irand I'atriarch August 26, 1875, and a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge November 16, 1875. The following- names appear on the charter; Jaeol) S. Albaugh. W. C. Wilkinson, Austin Minturn, H. C. Shenkenberger, William M. Scott, "\'. :\1. Benedict and John T. JLirgan. First officers ; 11. C. Slionkenlterger, Chief Patriarch ; Jacob S. Albaugh, High Priest ; W. C. Wilkinson, Senior Warden ; Jolm J. .Moriian. Junior Warden; Austin Minlnrn, Treasurer, and V. M. Benedict, Scribe. The present officers are Jacob S. Albaugli, Chief Patriarcli ; H. C. Shenkenberoer, High Priest ; E. U. Dodson, Senior Warden ; Y. M. Benedict, Junior Warden ; JI. J. Brier, Troa.surer, and Jacob Miller, Scribe. Omega, Beliecca Degree, Lodge, No. 186, I. 0. 0. F.. at Oxford, was instituted by dispensation of the Grand Master February 25, 1878, and charter granted iMarch 12, 1878, Tlie following- names appear on the charter : HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 293 William M. Scott, Jacob H. Armour, H. C. Sheukenberger, V. M. Benedict. A. E. Myers, Jacob Miller, Mrs. Hattie Scott, Mrs. Marcia Armour, Mrs. Sarah A. Sheukenberger, Mrs. Sallie Benedict, Carrie Myers and Magdalena Miller. First officers : J. S. Albaugh, Noble Grand ; Rachel Atkinson, Vice Grand ; Sallie Benedict, Secretary, and Magdalena Miller, Treasurer. Present officers : Eachel Atkinson, Noble Grand ; Sarah A. Kelley, Vice Grand ; Jacob Miller, Secretary, and Jlagdalena Miller, Treasurer. Benton Lodge, No. 521, F. & A. M., at Fowler, was organized in July, 1875, with nineteen charter members, and the following as the first officers : Dr. J. L. Carnahan, Worshipful Master ; Jacob Smith, Senior Warden ; Charles Van Auker, Junior Warden ; M. H. Ingrim, Secretary ; Paul E. Hitze, Treasurer ; J. M. Dickson, Senior Deacon, and Julius Averil, Tiler. The fraternity was out of debt, and in a prosperous condition, until the 10th of July, 1883, when, owing to a disastrous fire, their charter and records, together with all their lodge furniture, were destroj'ed. Present membership about fort}'. The following are the present officers : J. H. Hartley, Wor- shipful Blaster ; S. F. Barnes, Senior Warden ; George Richmire, Junior Warden ; Jacob Smith, Senior Deacon ; Dr. J. S. Mavity, Junior Deacon ; G. S. Hartley, Treasurer ; F. Smith, Secretary, and F. Herman, Tiler. Fowler Lodge, No. 460, I. 0. 0. F., was chartered bj^ the Grand Lodge of Indiana November 19, 187-4, on the application of Dr. A. J. Purdy, H. T. V. Huls and R. Williams. The first officers were C. W. Van Auker, Noble Grand ; A. J. Purdy, Vice Grand ; E. M. Carr, Secretary ; W. M. Jones, Permanent Secretary'; H. D. Clark, Treasurer ; Ed Alkire, Right Supporter ; E. H. Hollis, Left Supporter ; T. K. Harmon, Warden ; George Heisler, Chaplain ; Andrew Alkire, Right Scene Supporter ; John Reid, Left Scene Supporter, and C. M. Noble, Inside Guard. They have a total of 70 mem- bers, with 44 in good standing, and are out of debt. The property owned by the lodge, of all kinds, is worth about |800. Their regular meetings are held on Friday evening of each week. Following is a list of the present officers of the lodge : William Jones, N. G. ; Thomas Shapley, V. G. ; J. C. Pearson, Secretary ; Ed Westman, Treasurer ; John Longwell, Warden ; M. L. Pearson, I. S. G. ; John Gilburg, Coud. ; Joseph Danner, P. G. of N. G. ; John Chaffer, L. S. of V. G. ; Perry Lemasters, R. S. S. ; Nelson Hanger, L. S. S. There is a Daughter of Rebecca Lodge at Fowler ; but the data for a complete history of it could not be obtained. The name and number are not known. The lodge was organized October 3, 1877, with the following as first officers : W. W. Hamer, N. G. ; Mrs. Ingrim, V. G. ; Mrs. C. Westman, Secretary, and Mrs. S. Woodington, Treasurer. Present officers : Mrs. John Longwell, N. G. ; Mrs. John Calais, V. G. ; Mrs. C. W. Van Auker, Secretary ; Mrs. S. Woodington, Treasurer ; Mrs. U. Z. Wiley, Warden ; Mrs. William Jones, R. S. of N. G. ; JMrs. Ed Westman, L. S. of N. G. ; Mrs. T. L. Merrick, R. S. of V. G. ; M. L. Pearson, L. S. of V. G., and C. H. Van Auker, I. S. G. Benton Post, No. 25, G. A. R., at Fowler, was chartered May 13, 1881, with 294 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. thirty -six cliarcer members, and witli tlie following as the first officers : Dawson Smith, P. C. ; Capt. P. Zinn, S. V. C. ; W. W. Sales, J. V. C. ; J. W. Warner, Adjutant; William Battenberg, Surgeon; J. M.Pearson, Chaplain; James Wharry, 0. D. ; John E. Rial, O. G. ; T. K. Harmon, Q. M. ; C. C. Jackson, Q. S. The Post has enjoyed an unusual degree of prosperity, and now numbers seventy-seven members. Since they have been an organized body, only one member, P. D. Corkins, has died. They meet twice each month in the old Clarion Block, and own property to the value of about S500. The following is a list of the present officers of the Post : W. S. Freeman, P. C. ; H. V. Huls, S. V. C. : John W. Longwell. J. Y. C. ; P. M. Wiles, Adjutant. Boswell Lodge, No. 480, F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation August 25, 1873, with first officers as follows : Duncan McArthur Williams, W. M. ; Hiram A. Boswell, S. W. ; Alexander Murphy, J. W. Charter mem- bers — Alexander Murphy, Hiram A. Boswell. Jacob Voltz, Duncan 3IcArthur Williams, John Spies, Charles Foster. J. A. McKnight. B. F. Hixson, S. G." Knour and William Boswell. The lodge was constituted under charter May 26, 1874, with Alexander Murphy, W. M. ; Hiram A. Boswell, S. W. ; Jacob^ Voltz, J. W. ; J. A. McKnight, Secretary ; B. F. Hixson, Treasurer ; S. G. Knour, S. D. ; John Spies, J. D., and Charles Foster. Tiler. The lodge meets in a rented hall. Value of lodge property, $175. Present officers: Alexander Murphy, W. M. ; J. A. McKnight. S. W. : Marion Menefee, J. W. ; John Spies, Secretary ; Abraham Potter. Treasurer ; Jacob Voltz, S. D. ; John F. Stokes, J. D., and Miles A. Barber, Tiler. A Post of the G. A. K., the name and number of which could not be ascertained, was organized October 1, IcSl, at Oxford, with the following chaiter members'': H. C. Shenkenborger, H. P. Chancellor, J. W. Sargent. Hiram Benedict. William M. McConnell, W. W. A'anover, A. P. Carnahan. William D. Kalb, Elisha Johnson, A. Tittsworth, P. C. Cuppy, Daniel D. Deuman, I. T. Pelliam, N. D. Coffinberry, John E. Bliss, A. D. Sleeper, J. C. Crossou, J. C. Wilmoth, S. Debra, S. B. Hare, Henry S. Lane, J. S, Albaugh, David Kelso, James Ogburn and Hiram Smith, and the following as the first officers : J. C. Crosson, Commander ; .V. D. Sleeper, Senior Vice Commander ; J, S. Albaugh, Junior Vice Comnianiler ; II. C. Slienkenberger, Surgeon ; J. C. Wilmoth, Officer of the Day : Hiram Smith, Officer of the Guard ; Z. M. Tlioraas, Quartermaster, and IT. 1'. Cliancellor. Chaplain. The present offleers are H. C. Slienkenberger, Commander of Post ; Elisha Johnston, S. V. C. ; William Dugaii, .1. A'. C. ; William ^I. McConnell, Surgeon ; Hivam Smith. of ]). ; J. IMcLaughlin, (.). of G. ; Hiram Benedict, Quartermaster, and Joseph Carter, Chaiilain. At a session (if the Hoard of Commissioners, held in January, ISoil, it was " t)rdered by the Benton County Commissioners, that we appro\e of the organization of the company known as the Benton County Horse Company, for the detection and apprehension of horse-thieves and other lelons, oraan- ized Oecember 27, 1S5S, and to exist ten years. .Vpproved by us this ITith HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 295 clay of Januarj-, A. D. 1859." At the March session, 1861, the board say : " The West Pine Detectives of Benton County, State of Indiana, organized August 24, 1860, is hereby approved by the Board of County Commissioners, at their March term, 1861, for the term of ten years." The " Parish Grove Guards," for the purpose of detecting and apprehending horse-thieves and other felons, was organized for the term nine years, from August 25, 1877, to consist of not less than ten, nor more than fortj', members. The articles of association were signed by Henry Kobertson, Adam Harper, A. K. Diltz, William H. Boswell, Andrew Johnson, Joseph W. Ermey, Michael Wayman, A. H. Boswell, George Fell, A. J. Wolf and A. C. Brink. September 9, 1871, W. B. McConnell, Alonzo Cowgill, J. D. Smyth, J. C. TuUis, J. W. Barnes, J. D. Johnston, H. Clay Cassel, John M. Carson, W. M. Scott, John Furnas and John Morgan, all of the town of Oxford, formed an association to be known as " The Oxford Flouring Mill Association," to exist for five years from date of organization. The Benton Conntj' Agricultural Society was organized March 25, 1873, with a capital of $10,000, which was divided into 500 shares of S20 each. The business of the association was to be transacted by a Board of Directors, of whom there were eleven, two of whom were to be chosen annually from Oak Grove Township, and one from each of the other townships in the count}^ The '• Kichland & York Fire Insurance Companjr " -^vas organized in November, 1879, to exist for ninet3--nine years. No risks were to be taken except upon farm buildings and their contents, at two-thirds of their value. The companj' was to insure against loss or damage by fire or lightning. The affairs of the association were to be managed by five directors, to be chosen annually. The articles of association contained nothing concerning assessments or subscription of stock. The original members of the associa- tion were J. Webb Taylor, George M. Drum, S. J. Curtis, William Drum, Richard Carton, Joseph Anstett, John Fisher and Anthony Dehner. The Patrons' Mutual Fire & Lightning Insurance Company was orga- nized at Oxford, in March, 1880, under act approved March 21, 1879. The officers of the company were to be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and five Directors. The members were James H. Howarth, William T. Kirkpatrick, Joseph Greenwood, Francis P. Greenwood, C. G. Phares, Samuel Phares, M. V. Bowman, Frank Benedict and George S. Gwin. The Benton County Medical Society was organized in December, 1 874, auxiliary to the State Bledical Society. Charter members : A. W. Wells, J. W. Barnes and Jonathan Kolb, Oxford ; J. K. Thompson, Otterbein ; L. C. Page, Boswell, and S. C. Fenton, Pine Village. The Chiquesalonghi Park & Stock Importing Association was organized in March, 1872, for the purpose of providing suitable grounds for public walks and commons, and to ornament the same wifh shade trees and shrub- bery, and to import horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and other animals for agri- cultural purposes. Capital, 110,000 ; divided into 200 shares of $50 each. Afiairs of the association to be managed by a Board of Directors, to con- 296 HISTORY OF BENTON COXINTY. sist of not less than five nor more than seven membei's, to be elected annually. The otHce and place of busiuess of the association were to be at Templeton. The first directors were James Kirtley, M. E. White, J. F. Sleeper, Joseph Atkinson, James Blanchflll, L. Templeton and W. J. Templeton. The names of the original stockholders were W. J. Templeton, Leroy Templeton, Ira Brown, Joseph Atkinson, S. 0. Abernathy, James Kirtley, Cephas Atkinson, J. F. Sleeper, M. B, White, James Blanchfill, J. F, Parker, W. S. Lingle and L, Boswell, The West Pine Detectives were organized August 24, 1860, for the pur- pose of mutual protection against horse or cattle thieves, and other wrong- doers. Their by-laws provide for the following officers : One President, one Vice President, one Secretary', one Treasurer, one Captain and three Lieutenants. The articles of association provide that '■ The Captain, or, in case of his absence, the First Lieutenant shall call as many of said companj' as he may think advisable, and pursue, immediately on information, anv and all persons charged with criminal offenses against this societj-, particularly horse or cattle thieves, and counterfeiters." The " Benton County Rangers" were organized in March, 1883, for the period of five years, for the purpose of detecting and apprehending horse- thieves and other felons. Members : Samuel Phares, James Bvard, C. G-. Phares, John Crosson, John S. Lawson, W. T, Kirkpatrick, George AV. Hal- stead, Nathan Hibbs, Andrew Tittsworth. John Wattles, John W. Boswell, Samuel Murphy and J. B. Wattles. The Otterbein Detective's Association was organized in December, 1882. The Oxford Lecture Association was organized December 11, 1882, -wvth Judge Charles Dailey, President ; Prof. E. D. Bosworth. Vice President ; James H. Bell, Socretar3-. and Zimri Dwiggins, Treasurer. Although the Lecture Association was not organized until the date stated, yet the citizens of Oxford had been having lectures by some of the most distinguished lecturers in the field for some two years prior to that time. Since the organ- ization of the association, they have had lectures by the following distin- guisiied lecturers ; Dr. Samuel (lodfrey. Col. L. F. Copelaud, Mary A. Livermore, Dr. James lleadley and Hon. Will Cumback. CHURCHES. Joseph Dchart settled in Pine Township, in Section 25, in the sprins; of 1S49, and says he helped, about the year 1853, to build the first cliuich, as he believes, that was ever built in Benton County. It was a United Brethren Cluircli,and was erected near where Mr, Dehart lived. David Brown and William Brown (brothers) were the first ministers. Among the earlv mem- liers were Carey A, and Jane Kastburn. John Johnson and wife, Denny Wiggins, Tliomas Bowyer and wife, and Ezekiel Dawson and wife. I'roliably tlie next church built in the county was the Christian Church, at Oxford, wliich was dedicated to the service of Almighty God on the 19tU day of October, 1855, on which occasion Elder George Campbell preached HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 297 the dedicatory sermon. The societj- at Oxford, of the denomination known as the Church of Christ, was organized at a meeting held at Oxford June 19, 1853, which was attended b}- Elders John Longlj-, H. R. Pritchard, Samuel Shortridge and Johnson. The solemn services were performed in the shade of a cluster of trees, on the land of Elder George Campbell, just west of the village. The names of the first members were George Campbell, Sarah A. Campbell, James N. Holton, Lucj" Holton, Basil Justus, Jane Justus, Eliza- beth Wiles, William D. Prazee, Mrs. R. N. Parker, Mrs. Martha A. Stembel, Mrs. Maria Templeton and Nancy AVilliams. Of all those first members, Mrs. Martha A. Stembel and Mrs. Piachel N. Parker are the onlj' ones now known to be alive. The following Elders have been in charge at various times since the organization of the church : George Campbell (preached for the church at intervals for about twelve years), John Langlej', John O'Kane, William Young, John A. Campbell (two or three years), D. R. Lucas, Joseph Franklin, Henrj- R. Pritchard. William Wilson, Elijah Goodwin, C. G. Bar- tholomew, Benjamin Franklin, John Rowe, C. L. Warren, W. D. Owen, John H. Kalb, H. C. Cassel, C. G. Ross, A. J. Frank, William Roe and WiUiam Jarrett. The M. E. Church, near Robert Timmons', was built about 1860. Early members : Rev. Ewen E. Stevenson, first minister ; Benjamin Hawkins and wife, John Hawkins and wife, Robert Hawkins and wife, Mrs. Sunderland, and Thomas Childs and family. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in Oxford about 18 52, Rev. T. C. Workman was one of its first pastors, and Benjamin Winans Pre- siding Elder. Worship was held for j-ears in a hall, and subsequently in the Shideler House. By the energy and self-sacrifice of Josiah Shideler and others, the present church edifice was erected in 1865. The parsonage was built in 1873. The present membership is eighty, with a Sunday school of over 100. St. Patrick's Church at Oxford is the oldest Catholic Church in the county. Rev. Father Stephens read the first mass at the Christian Church (a fact that greatly redounds to the credit of the professors of religion in Oxford at that time, inasmuch as it evinces a freedom from those deep- seated denominational and sectarian prejudices, such as is rarely seen even at the present day, and must have been very remarkable at that early date, when such prejudices -were almost universal), next in the old court house, then at the schoolhouse, and afterward at various private houses. Rev. Father Kilroy, of La Fayette, laid the corner-stone of the present church in 1863. Father Stephens and Father O'Calahan superintended the main part of the work, and Father Diunen completed it. At that time, there was no railroad at Oxford, and the material had to be all transported from La Fay- 'ette, a distance of twenty miles, by teams. The church was supplied from La Fayette until after the war, Father Stephens, who officiated in 1865, be- ing the first resident priest. After this, the church was supplied from La Fayette by Father Winters until 1869. Following is a list of the resident 298 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. priests from that time to the present : Father O'Calahan, from September, 1864, to April, 1870; Father Dinnen, from April, 1870, to November, 1875 ; Father McCarty, from November, 1875, to October, 1877 ; Father Lang, from October, 1877, to April, 1882 ; Father Maujay, from April, 1882, to June, 1882 ; and Father P. J. Crosson,from June, 1882, to the present time For several years after the organization of the church, the members were scattered all over Benton County and the north part of "Warren County. At present, but one mission, namely, St. Bridget's, in Pine Township, is sup- plied from Oxford. St. Patrick's Church numbers some 200 communicants. The church is a handsome brick structure, the cost of which was about $8,000. The altar, and other church furniture, cost about S700. The priest's residence is a handsome frame building, the cost of which was about .$2,200, and was erected by Father Dinnen in 1871. Both the church and residence are situated near the depot of the Lake Erie & Western Kailroad, in an inclosure of about three acres, which contains a beautiful natural grove, and is surrounded by an arbor vita; hedge, which is kept tastefully trimmed, giving the whole a most pleasing aspect. St. Bridget's Church, more commonlj' known, perhaps, as '' Ditch Church, " from the fact of its being situated near the State ditch, was first built by Father McCarty in 1873. It was a large frame building, nearly as large as St. Patrick's Church in Oxford. About the 10th of March, 1876, before it was j-et quite completed, it was blown down by a furious wind-storm and entirely destroyed. It was re-built by Father Cahill, in 1876-77, and completed bj- Father Dempsey in 1879, at a cost of about $2,500. The church furniture is worth about S500. The Parish Grove Catholic Church, known as Holy Trinity Church, was begun in July, 1876, and was completed in September of the same year, at a cost of about $850. The membership, which consisted of but about fif- teen families at the time of the erection of the church, had been organized a short time before. It was built by English, German and French Catholics, and is situated on the northwest corner of Section 31, Township 25, Range 9, on one acre of ground bought of Bryan Brady for 8-40. In connection with the church there is a cemetery of two acres, situated in the southeast corner of Section 36, in Township 25, of Range 10. This church seems to have been rather multinominous, as it appears to have been called by the several names, St. Columbkill's, Peregrine and Holy Trinity. It now includes sixty-five families, under the care of Rev. Father John Grogan. They will shortly begiu the erection of a fine parsonage. The Catholic Church at Fowler, known as St. John the Evangelist, was built about 1873, at a cost of about S600. There is a plat of ground, con- taining about two acres, in connection with the church, on which is situated a small but neat and comfortable dwelling, designed for the use and occu- pancy of the priest in charge ; also, a small barn, all of which have been built under the supervision of Rev. Father C. ilaujay, the present priest iu charge. Father JIaujay also supplies the ehureh at Earl Park. The Catholic Church at Earl Park was built about ISSl. at a cost of f HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 301 about $1,200. This church has not yet been named. There are six Catholic Churches in the countj-, namely : Saint Patrick's, at Oxford ; Saint John the Evangelist's, at Fowler ; Church at Earl Park, not named ; Holy Trinity, twelve miles west of Fowler ; Saint Bridget's, about fourteen miles southeast of Fowler, and Saint Anthony's, about five miles east of Earl Park. There are cemeteries at Saint Patrick's, Holy Trinity and Saint Anthony's. Those churches are served as follows : Saint John the Evangelist and Earl Park, by Rev. Father C. Maujay ; Saint Patrick's and Saint Bridget's, by Rev. Father Patrick Crosson ; Saint Anthony's, by Rev. Father Hoss, and Holy Trinity b}' Rev. Father John Grogan. There are no Catholic Schools in the county. The public at large, without regard to sect or denomination, have shown quite a spirit of liberality in the matter of contributing to the build- ing of the churches at Fowler and Earl Park, and Moses Fowler and A. D. Raub have been especiallj' liberal. The M. E. Church, at Fowler, was organized in the year 1873, by Rev. Simeon C. Head, preacher in charge of Aydelot Circuit ; Battle Ground District (Northwestern Indiana Conference), Rev. J. W. McMullen, D. D., being at that time Presiding Elder. Its first membership was James Wood- burn, Sr., Mary L. Woodburn, Emma Woodburn, Mary Pierce, Margaret Anderson, Mrs. Clarke, Rachel Jacobs, Carrie Jacobs, Frank Anderson, John Thorne, Lottie Hixson and Caroline Westman. The church edifice is a frame building, 40x65 feet, with corner tower, and was built in 1874, under the direction of Rev. John Blackstock, at a cost of about $1,500. The par- sonage is a neat frame structure, 24x28 feet, one and a half stories in height, and was erected in 1881-82, under the direction of Revs. Burgner and Bruner, pastors for the respective years, at a cost of about $1,000. The entire property has been freed from debt during the present pastorate, but carries no insurance. The present membership numbers 146, with twenty probationers. The pastors have been Simeon C. Head, 1873 ; W. H. Green, from September, 1873. to September, 1874 ; John Blackstock, from 1874 to 1875 ; Frank Faylor, from 1875 to 1877 ; C. B. Mack, from 1877 to 1879 ; D. G. Le Sourd, fiom 1879 to 1880 ; C. S. Burgner, from 1880 to 1881, and A. R. Bruner, from 1881 to the present time. Preshyterianism in Benton County. — [Contributed by Rev. D. E. Love.] The first minister known to have preached in the county now called Benton was Rev. James Aikman Carnahan. He was then a young man ; was a native Kentuckian ; had been brought up in Southern Indiana ; received a classical education in Louisville, Ky., and in 182^ was graduated at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Auburn, N. Y. !» September of that year, he returned to Indiana, and that fall made an itinerating preach- ing tour up the Wabash. He preached his first sermon in La Fayette Novem- ber 28 1829. Here he settled, and from this point — as a home missionary of his church — made many extended preaching tours into the counties adjacent. In the summer of 1833, after organizing a Presbyterian Church at Pond Grove, ten miles west of La Fayette, he rode over to White Oak 802 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTF. Grove, and there preached in a barn of one of the early settlers, near to the place where the town of Oxford now stands. In the fall of 1836, he again visited the place, and was the guest of Judge David McConnell, in whose house for several succeeding j'ears he held occasional preaching services. Mrs. McConnell was a member of the Presbj'terian Church, and the Judge, in his jocular wa}' was wont to sa}', " He was a Presbyterian brother-in-law," and had a pillow and a plate for all the preachers. There are now in Benton Count3' three Presbyterian Church organiza- tions, with 102 church members, representing sixt^'-four families, in which are 347 souls. The churches have four Ruling Elders, nine Trustees, and property valued at $9,000. The Oxford Presb3'terian Church was organized in the court house on Saturday, May 14, 1853, by Rev. Thomas M. Chestnut, then residing in and laboring at Rossville, Clinton Co., Ind. The original members were ten in number, since which time 120 persons have been received to church fellow- ship ; the present membership is twentj'-nine. During these thirty vears, the office of Ruling Elder has been held by Joseph H. Wilson, Newton Mur- phy, William Cochran, Dr. John S. French, Ayres Sanders, William Phares, D. H. Russell, Isaac H. Phares and David H. Dunham ; it is now filled by John H. Phai-es. The ministers who have acted as pastors were Revs. James J. Wilson, Francis Lynn, James F. Patterson, David R. Love and James L. Wilson ; six others have served as temporar3- supplies. The church edifice was erected during the ministry of Rev. J. F. Patterson, prin- cipally through the instrumentality of Ayres Sanders, J. H. Phares and Jacob Albaugh ; it is a neat substantial frame building, with stained glass windows and a bell. In it, every Sabbath morning, meets an interestiuo- Sabbath school of fifty members. The pulpit is at present vacant. The Benton Presbyterian Church, in York Township, near Raub. was organized April 3, 1870, by Rev. John B. Smith, who for two years supplied the church, giving it one- fourth of his time. In 1874, Rev. Gideon C. Clark supplied the pulpit for a few months. Six persons constituted the original membership ; fifty-seven have, since that time, been received to church fel- lowship ; the present membership is thirty-two. Robert Wilkinson was the first person elected to the office of Ruling Elder, which office he still fills. Andrew Hargrave also acted as Ruling Elder twelve years. Rev. David R. Love is now the installed pastor of this church, and for the past five vears has given. one-half his time to the work there, preaching twice on each al- ternate Sabbath. On February 5, 1882, Revs. D. R. Love and J. B. Smith, in the presence of a large congregation, dedicated to the service of God a beautiful, substantial (lothic church edifice, entirely free of debt. It is handsomely and tastefully furnished ; a model country church. The report of the Trustees. John Ross, Joseph Ross and John JIcEwen, showed that the entire cost of the improvements made amounted to nearly 42,400. The church has an efficient Sabbath school of sixty members. •' The Presbyterian Church in Fowler was organized September 5, 1S73, HISTORY OF BEXTON COUNTY. 303 by Revs. Gideon C. Clark and James F. Patterson, with eiglit members Tiae total number received to church membership is eightj'-seven ; the pres- ent actual membership is fort3--one. The Ruling Elders are Isaac H. Phares and Aj-res Sanders. Rev. G. C. Clark preached to the church one half of his time for eighteen months ; Revs. R. M. Neil and P, Garden supplied the pulpit a few months each. Rev. David R. Love is the first installed pastor, and since July 1, 1877, has given one-half of his time to the work here preaching twice on each alternate Sabbath, and on Sabbath afternoons at some adjacent schoolhouse. The church has a well-trained Sabbath school, with an average attendance of 100, a Woman's Missionary Society and a Thursday evening weekly prayer meeting. The church edifice was built in 1875, and was the gift of Moses Fowler, Esq. It was dedicated to tne serv- ice of God June 18, 1876, Revs. I>r. George Hickman and D. R. Love officiating. Both before and soon after its dedication, the church building was severely racked b}' a wind storm, and it became unsafe for occupancj-. It has been thoroughly repaired, at an expense of more than half the orig- inal cost, and is now one of the strongest and most commodious church edi- fices in the county. During the past six years, the pastor has raised and expended on the church property over s2,500. The society- is entirely free from debt, and in addition to the church edifice owns one of the coziest par- sonages in the State. The Presbj'terian Church and its ministers believe in doing missionarv work ; thej- rarely confine their labors to their own congregations, but are ever readj' to lend a helping hand to advancing everj' good cause. Take this as a sample. The following is a brief summary of Pastor Love's labors in Benton County: During the past six years, he has preached or lectured 1,028 times ; has conducted public services in every township in the countj-; has assisted in the organization of four Blue Ribbon Clubs ; was President of the Benton County Joint-Stock Association and Secretary of the County Temperance Council during their existence ; has been Secretary of ten Sab- bath School County Conventions ; received 114 persons to church member- ship ; conducted eighty-two funeral services ; performed the marriage cer- emony sixty times, and traveled with his horse and buggy over 1,000 miles in filling his appointments and making pastoral calls. SUNDAY SCHOOLS. In response to a call issued to the Sunday school workers of Benton County, a goodly number of the friends of the cause met in convention in the Presbyterian Church at Fowler, Ind., Wednesday evening, June 19, 1878. Rev. D. R. Love was appointed to conduct the devotional exercises. After singing, and prayer by Rev. J. M. Stallard, the Hon. W. H. Levering, of La Fayette, addressed the convention on " The Sunday School Work in the State, and the Necessity of County Organization." ' On the day following, a permanent organization was effected, and the following officers elected ; Rev. C. B. Mock, President ; Rev. D. R. Love, Secretary, and 0. Barnard, 304 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Treasurer. The following persons were also chosen Township Vice Presi- dents : Bolivar Township, S. E. Baker ; Oak Grove, Dr. Wells ; Grant, John Dangherty ; Hickory Grove, George Alexander ; Parish Grove, Andrew Hargrave ; Center, Isaac H. Phares ; Pine, C. A. Eastburn ; Gilboa, Perry D. Corkins ; Union, A. V. Flint ; Kichland, Robert Kelly, and York, Robert Wilkinson. The convention was a complete success, and, in addition to the parties already named, was participated in by Rev. C. McCain, of Kentland ; Rev. W. S. Peter, of Remington, and Messrs. John Ross, of Raub ; R. N. Evans, of Oxford ; Charles Meader and E. A. Williams, of West Union ; Dr. J. M. Rodman, Gilboa ; 0. C. Brockwaj', J. L. Carnahan, Robert Cbenoweth and Hiram Butterfield, Fowler ; also by Sisters Ellmore, Zinn, Bugby and Mock. It was resolved that two conventions be held annuallj'. The second convention was held in the M. E. Church, Fowler, October 9, 1878. The principal address was made b^' Rev. H. A. Gobin, of La Payette. Topic, " The Child in the Midst." The speakers at this convention were Revs. T. B. McMannis, F. Taylor, D. R. Love, C. B. Mock and Messrs. 0. C. Brockway, I. H. Phares, Father Hulse, U. Z. Wylie and A. J. Ford. During the next two years, two conventions were held annually. That of Maj' 27, 1879, was held in the M. E. Church, Oxford, and was opened with an address bj' Rev. T. B. McMannis ; that at Boswell on October 28, and was presided over by Rev. J. J. Claypool, who also delivered the opening address. At this meeting, 0. C. Brockway was chosen President ; Rev. D. R. Love, Secretary, and Rev. D. G. Le Sourd, Treasurer. The convention of June 9, 1880, was held in the Presbyterian Church at Fowler. Rev. James Omelvena made the opening address. Topic, " The Elements of Success in Sunday- School Work." Hon. W. H. Levering, President of the State Sunday School Association, being present, addressed the convention on " Sunday School Workers." The fall convention was held at Otterbien October 27, 1880. It was opened with an address by Rev. D. R. Love, on '■ The Sunday School Teacher's Text Book, and How to Use It." The President and Secretary were re-elected, and Thomas Daughertv chosen Treasurer. The convention of June 1, ISSl, was held in the Christian Church at Fowler. The annual address was by Rev. A. M. Blackburn, of La Fayette, on " The Worth of the Word," The fall convention was held September 21, 1881, in the Gilboa Church. Opening address by Dr. J. M. Rodman. The attendance was large, and an excellent basket dinner was provided by the Gilboa and Shiloli Schools. The President and Secretarv were re-elected, and S. E. Baker chosen Treasurer. At the convention held June 21, 1882, in the M. E. Church, Fowler, it was resolved that hereafter one annual county convention be held in the spring, and tln'ee district conventions in the fall. Also, that hereafter, the annual convention be a (J^%ated body, consisting of " all the clergy resident in, or laboring within tlie county ; also, the Superintendent and Secretarv of every Sabbath school organized in the county, and one delegate for every HISTORY OF BESTON COUNTY. 305 twentj--five attendants in each school, these delegates to be elected b^- their several schools." Rev. J. H. Claypool made the annual address. Topic, " Children and Their Teachers." The old officers were unauimouslj' reelected, viz., 0. C. Brockwa}-, President; Eev. D. R. Love, Secretarj' ; S. E. Baker, Treasurer ; Vice Presidents, First District, A. Cowgill ; Second District, Dr. Wells, and Third District. John Ross. In Benton County, we have 29 Sundaj' schools, with an average attend- ance of 1,517 persons. Seventeen of these schools are ever green, that is, carried on throughout the whole j-ear. During the past year, 82 persons have been received to church membership from our Sabbath schools. The next county convention meets in the Presbyterian Church, Fowler, June 20, 1883. [The above notes in relation to the Sunday Schools of Benton County were contributed by Rev. D. R. Love. — Ed.] THE TELEPHONE. In December, 1882, the Western Telephone Compan3' of Chicago estab- lished a telephone line from Fowler to La Fa3-ette, with offices at Fowler, Atkinson, Templeton, Oxford and Otterbein, in Benton County. Tlie cap- ital with which it was built was raised, principally if not whollj-, by the citi- zens of the county subscribing stock, for which coupon tickets were issued, in pa3'ment of which the holders were entitled to the use of the line to the amount of the subscription, at 20 per cent discount from the regular rate. This is found to be a great convenience to the public, much cheaper than the telegraph, and greatly to be preferred to it for some other reasons than that of its being a cheaper mode of transmitting intelligence. For instance, if two men in Oxford should have a slight misunderstanding, and if one should feel disposed to question tlie veracity of the other, but dare not do so for fear of punishment, condign or otherwise, he just jumps aboard the first train for Fowler, and when he gets] there repairs to the telephone office, calls up his adversary at Oxford, and calls him a liar with impunity. TOWNS. The first town laid out in Benton County was the town of Oxford, situ- ated on the south half of the southeast quarter of Section 18, and the north half of the nortlieast quarter of Section 19, in Township 24, of Range 7. The following is a description of the survey of tlie town of Oxford, the county seat of Benton County, Ind.: Beginning at the southwest corner of Block 8, on the Section line, four chains and forty-five and one-half links west of the center line of the donation ; thence extending north, at a varia- tion of the magnetic needle of five degrees, to the northwest corner of Block 3 ; thence east at right angles to the northeast corner of Block 1 ; thence south to the southeast corner of Block 6, on the ^QCtion line ; thence, based on the Section line, west to the place of beginnmg, comprising an area of 14_8 8 acres, more or less. The lots all to be 60x120 feet; alleys twelve feet 306 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. wide, and the streets sixty feet wide ; streets and alle^vs all cross each other at right angles. The public square is 120x252 feet. Ordered that the above description of said town he confirmed by the Board of Commissioners of Benton County. The foregoing is an extract from the record of the pro- ceedings of the Board of County Commissioners at their September session, 1848. The town was surveyed iu the spring of 1843, and at the October term, 1843, of Commissioners' Court, it was '■ Ordered that the Count)- Agent proceed to advertise and sell the lots in the town of Oxford, the sale to be on the first Monday in December, 1843, the terms of sale to be one-third in six months, one-third in twelve months, and one-third in eighteen months." There were a number of lots sold at this sale, yet the town did not seem to increase rapidly in population, as appears from the fact that the Board of Commissioners, at their June session in 1846, "Ordered that any person moving to and settling in Oxford, and putting up a house worth S200, shall have two lots, one corner, if vacant, and one back, said houses to be built by the 1st of June. 1847, and the selection of lots to be made iDy the 1st of September, lS4(i." The following sl-cetch of the town of Oxford was kindly furnished by Mrs. A. J. Carnahan, an' early settler of the town : - May 17. 1843, Commissioners were appointed to locate the county seat of this county, who located the same at the northern part of White Oak Grove, where the tewn of Oxford now stands. The first house built in Oxford was the court house, a frame building two stories liigh. Francis Boynton was the architect and builder. Dr. Thompson (late of Rainsville), plasterer, and Isaac Lewis, of CXxford, hod-carrier. The court house stood where the Buckej'e Block now stands. From there it was moved to the public square, then to the ground now occupied by Zeis' grocery store, whence it was moved to its present resting place, where it is now occupied by James Con- nellj- as a saloon. The second house was a hotel, built by Henry L. Ells- worth, of which James L. Hatton was first proprietor. First dwelling-house was built by Aaron Wood, on the lot now occupied b_v John Carnahan. jew- eler. The first store was a small affair, consisting of a few groceries, lieer and wliislv}', kept by Aaron Wood. The first dry goods store, Earl & Car- nahan ; first drug store, Barnes & Dailey ; first blacksmith. Dailey : first resident lawyer, Jacob Benedict; first physician, Dr. Mayo ; first preacher. Rev. Sell ; first editor, Joseiih W. Jaclvson. The first family was Hartley T. Howard's, wlio lived in the court house. First couple married. Barton Wood (l>rotlicr of Aaron Wood) and Mattie Howard, daughter of Hartley T. Howard. A child born to tliem was the first child born in the town. The first sclioolhouse was built of logs, on the lot now occupied by Volney Ben- ediet. First cluireh. Christian, George Campliell, pastor. First literarv society, Oxford Ijyeeuni." Tlic following additions have been made to 0.\:ford : By Basil Justus, December 11, ISfiL!, thirty-two lots, two streets and two alleys each wav; Ba- sil Justus' Second Addition, December 1, IS,"!,'), foitv-six lots; James W- HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 307 Barnes" Addition, September 19, 1870, twenty lots; Basil Justus' Third Addi- tion, Maj- 25, 1870, fortj'-six lots; James Campbell's Addition, November 9, 1870, four lots; Jasper N. McConnell's Addition, June 10, 1872, eight lots; W. J. Templeton's First Addition, April 11, 1866, thirt3'-one lots; W. J. Tem- plelon's Second Addition, April 2, 1873, eight3' lots; W. J. Templeton's Third Addition, June 7, 1873, twelve lots; David McConnell's First Addition, August 28, 1855, thirt)--six lots; David McConnell's Second Addition, Februarv 18, 1858, thirtj'-six lots. B3' order of the Board of Commissioners, March term, 1864, Justus' Third Addition to the town of Oxford, consisting of thirtj'-nine lots, was vacated. The parties who, upon the removal of the county seat from Oxford to Fowler, obligated themselves to pay the appraised value of the county property at Oxford, denied the validity of the bond which they had given, and offered to compromise by paying S2,500, instead of $6,750, the appraised value of the property, and after consulting good legal author- itv in regard to the matter, the board at their September session, 1875, de- cided to accept the terms proposed by the bondsmen, and ordered the grounds conveyed to the town of Oxford, together with the jail building thereon. It seems that provision had been made by the donor of the lands on which the county seat was established, that ten per cent of the proceeds of the sales of the lands or town lots, should go to purchase a county libra- ry. The library was organized in June, 1852, with Daniel Mills as Librarian, and Joseph W. Jackson as Treasurer and Cierli. The election held for the purpose of deciding the question whether Oxford should be incorporated was held at the court house on July 7, 1S69, and resulted in forty-one votes being cast in favor of incorporation, and twenty-eight against it. Judge Da- vid McConnell is one of the old landmarks of the town of Oxford, he having settled on the very spot on which he now resides in 1834. He says he has killed many a deer on the present site of the town. The first bank in Ox- ford was established in 1873. Brackenbrough & Perrin, of La Fayette, being the principal stockholders, Theophilus Stembel, President, and Luther D. Hawley, Cashier. The present bank was established December 15, 1879, by Robert S. Dwiggins, of Rensselaer, Robert S. Fisher, of Union City, and Zimri Dwiggins, of Oxford, R. S. Dwiggins being President, Z. Dwiggins, Cashier, and W. J. McConnell, Assistant Cashier. They first started with §30,000 capital, but could not use so much, and reduced it to 820,000. The present business of Oxford is as follows: Conrad H. Zeis, James Bryant, William H. Kelley and Charles Green, grocers; John J. Ripple, dry goods and clothing; Winfield Menefee, boots and shoes; Heth & Co., dry goods; C. H. Zeis, bakery; John P. Ross, furniture and undertaker; James Conley, saloon (old court house); Jacob S. Albaugh, butcher; William Shel- by, barber; Dr. H. C. McConnell, druggist; William M. Scott, druggist; Mar- garet Young, milliner; Michael Kelly, saloon; William C. Parker & Co., car- riage shop; Isaac Lewis & Son, grain dealers; Dwiggins & Dwiggins, Com- mercial Bank; C. E. Steele, hardware and tin shop; Smith & Ambler, meat market; James Bell, proprietor Ohio House; George Pagett, Postmaster; 308 ■" HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Charles Dailey, attorney; Jacob Miller, Justice of the Peace; Sampson McMil- len, furniture; Jacob Benedict, attorney and Notary Public; Mrs. Mary Fer- guson and Mattie Lewis, milliners; Mrs. Frances M. Johnson, milliner; Jo- seph B. Lane, drugs and books; Campbell & Cobb, boots and shoes; Peter Jones, blacksmith; John W. Bradley, hardware; Lewis & Scott, livery; A. P. Carnahan, saloon; Levi Waldrip, blacksmith; A. Johnson, tailor; John G. Carnahan, jeweler; Charles (jreen, restaurant; James Campbell, photog- rapher; Joel C. Wilmoth, hardware ; Smith & Messner, dry goods and cloth- ing; Charles Boss, dentist; Misses Maggie and Lucy Dodson. milliners and dress-makers; Kobert Wood, saddles and harness; Mark J. Brier, blacksmith and carriage shop; Miss Lizzie Sunderland, milliner and dress-maker; Dr. A. S.Wells; Dr. Jonathan Kolb; Lamson & Bro., tile factory; Allen McGuire and Washington L. Bryant, painters; John Richards, barber; Benedict & Wine- gardner, Elisha Johnson, Smith & Steele, and George W. Bliss, carpenters. TOWX OF FOWLER. The town of Fowler was named in honor of Moses Fowler, of La Fay- ette, who owned the land upon which the public buildings at Fowler are sit- uated, and donated the same to the county, besides making a very liberal donation toward the erection of those buildings. The town was first platted by Moses Fowler and wife, October 26, 1872, consisting of 583 lots. It was re-platted April 8, 1875, by Moses Fowler and Adams Earl and their wives, containing, as re-platted, 1,(J02 lots and twenty blocks, ranging from one to ten acres. The following additions have been made from time to time : Fowler's Addition of outlets on the east side of the original plat, consisting of forty-nine lots, ranging from two to fourteen acres, January 30, 1875 ; Leroy Templeton and wife, June 12, 1875, forty -eight lots ; Henry Jacobs and wife, September 17, 1875, thirty-six lots ; Moses Fowler and wife (north addition), June 19, 1875, fourteen lots, from one to two acres each. Henry D. Clark built the first business house in the town of Fowler in June, 1S71, about where Joseph Warner's furniture store now is. It was a small build- ing, composed of rough boards, and his stock was correspondingly small, consisting of a little of everything and not much of anything. He pros- pered, however, and increased his stock from time to time, until he came to have a pretty fixir stock. Scott Shipman built the first house, a dwelling, in March, 1871, where Dupie's saloon now stands. The next house was built by James S. Anderson, and is the house now owned and occupied b_v William AVarner, The third liouse was built by John E, Mitchell, During the sum- mer and foil of 1871, J. C. Simpson built five dwellings on Washington street. The second business house was built by Moses Fowler, and is the building now occupied by G. J, Lobdell, grocer, and Snyder & Crandall, hardware. Henry Jacobs & Son, from Oxford, put a stock of groceries into this building upon its being completed. The Summit House was completed in July, 1871, by Moses Fowler, but was not occupied until fall, and then by William I\L Jones. The elevators were built in 1871, by L. Templeton. HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 311 The first Postmaster in Fowler was John E. Mitchell, who kept the office in his blacksmith shop for about five months, when Henry Jacobs became Post- master, and the office was removed to his store. The schoolhouse was built in the summer and fall of 1871. The present business of Fowler is as fol- lows : G. J. Lobdell, groceries and queensware ; Snj'der & Crandall, hard- ware ; John H. McClar3', restaurant ; 0. G. Brockway, general merchandise; M. J. Carr, saloon ; Benjamin Schaflfer, general merchandise ; G. W. Jones & Co., druggists ; Ed Williams, boots and shoes ; Trent & Eakin, groceries; Kosenthall Bros., clothing ; J. M. Jones, merchant tailor ; Bailey & Warner, dry goods and groceries ; Thomas Baldwin, furniture and undertaker ; Leon Simonds, drugs ; H. Butterfield, harness-maker ; A. Meyer, dry goods and groceries ; Mrs. Woods, millinery store ; Mrs. Westman, millinery ; James Simpson, grocerj' and butcher shop ; Mrs. McClure, millinery ; Thomas Maddux, Maddux House ; Fowler Era ; J. M. Stow, silversmith ; Mrs. Stow, milliner ; James Moore, restaurant and boarding ; Matthews Bros., grocery and bakerj' ; Chaffer & Son, grocery and bakery ; M. McCaslin, saloon ; Ed Hughes, saloon ; C. Johnson, harness-maker ; Joseph Dunner, barber ; Hawkins Bros., meat market ; McKinney Bros., hardware and agricultural implements ; James Long, dry goods ; J. S. Mavity, physician ; James Hughes, barber ; Henrj' Templeton, Summit House ; E. Mombleau, harness; Barnes & Payne, druggists ; Frank Taylor, Postmaster ; J. S. Palissard, drj' goods ; S. Seney, groceries ; Jacob Smith, bools and shoes ; Fowler Bank ; Mrs. Holden, boarding house ; Underbill, news depot ; Nicholas Dupies, saloon ; Richard Manke, hardware and tin shop ; Samuel McDaniel, agricultural implements ; Peter Bruette, blacksmith ; E. V. & E. Brake, car- riage-makers ; Lafountain & McDaniel, liver3r and sale stable ; T. K. Harmon, marble shop ; John E. Mitchell, blacksmith and machinist; J. C. Lobdell, planing and grist mill ; H. V. T. Huls, Pioneer Mills ; W. H. Herman, lum- ber and coal ; Henry D. Clark, coal yard and junk dealer ; J. P. Smith & Co., lumber and coal, also proprietors of tile factory. The tile factory at Fowler is probably the most extensive factory in the county, except that at Templeton. There is also a flax baling mill at Fowler, which was built since January, 1883. In September, 1875, the town of Fowler contained ten lawyers, one min- ister, three doctors, one dentist, one baker, two barber shops, three billiard saloons, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, three boot and shoe stores, one grain elevator, two dry goods stores, twenty carpenters, one furniture store, two stove and tin stores, one hardware store, one hotel, three res- taurants, two drug stores, three millinery establishments, two saloons, two livery stables, three retail groceries, one clothing store, one merchant tailor, one graded school, two printing offices, two lumber yards, two churches and about 1,200 inhabitants. At the September term of Commissioners' Court, 1882, a petition was presented, praying for the vacation of a portion of Fowler, which petition was granted, and the portion of the town within the following boundary was 312 HISTORY 0-F BENTON COUNTY. vacated : All that part lying west of Washington avenue and south of Seventh street ; said tract being bounded on the north by Seventh street, oa the east by Washington avenue, on the south by the south line of the plat, and on the west by the west line of the town plat. TOWN OF RAUB. The town of Kaub consisted originallj- of seventy-one lots, and was laid out by A. D. Raub April 8, 1872. On April 7, 1881, Ira Perkins and wife made an addition to it of eighteen lots. The first house built in Raub was built b}f Ira Perkins, before the railroad was constructed through there.- The first house built in the town after it was laid out was a dwelling house built by A. Houser, in the fall of 1871, after the railroad was completed. In the same fall, Shonkwiler & Perkins went into the grain business. The grain elevator was built by Shonkwiler & Perkins about 1874. A stor}' in height and also steam were added to the grain elevator in or about 1878. The first store was built by H. E. Burchell, in the fall of 1871, and the stock put in consisted of groceries and notions. The second store was built by Henry Wright in 1873, in which a general stock was put by Samuel White the nest spring. In the fall of 1876, he sold out to James Ross, who now occupies it. The next store building was built in the fall of 1874. by Smith & Beard, for hardware. After about a year. Smith bought Beard out, and continued until the spring of 1883, wheu he sold to W. W. Wilson & Co. The next was the building now occupied by Thomas Keefe. built bv Dehner & Ferdinand in the summer and fall of 1874. for a drug store. This building was subsequently oecaijied by several different parties for different purposes. The next building was put up by W. H. Verrill for a saloon. Next was by Joseph Warner, for a saloon, now occupied by James Burrv as a drug store and doctor's office. Dwellings were built about 1874 by S. J, Gillett, Thomas Keefe and Peter Booty. Present business : J. Shonkwiler, grain ; James Burry, physician and drugs ; Keefe & Co., general store ; James Ross, general store ; Thomas Keefe, groceries ; W, W. Wilson Ot Co., hardware, agricultural implements and lumber; Thomas O'Neil, notions: B. Brown, blacksmith ; John Plunkett, blacksmith, TOWN' OF E.VRL PARK. i'larl Park was laid out July 31, 1S72, by Adams Earl and wife, and A, P. Raub, and consisted of 217 lots. The first building erected in Earl Park was the grain elevator, by Ilixson, Sherry & Mclntyre, The second was tlie iiotol now kept by IMoxie Burlage, by Charles Prue. commenced in the fall of 1871, and completed in the spring of 1872, Next, Silas H. Kent, dwelling. Next, Elias Wees, residence and store ; first stock of goods in the town, consisting of groceries and provisions, fair country stix'k. Next, Roliert Kelly, store room and residence together, general stock About same time, II, M. Beckwith moved his residence trom York T(nvnship, a distance of about nine miles. Beckwith, the first Justice of the Peace in the town HISTORV OF BENTON COUNTY. 313 First drug store, John E. M. Stout. In the summer of 1872, Raub & Earl put up a building in which thej' started a general store. Calix Buchard was the first blacksmith. His shop was moved into the town from some other locality. August 8, 1872, there was a public sale of lots in Earl Park, at which there were about 2,000 people. There was a free train from La Fayette, and free lunch at Earl Park. There is a beautiful park at Earl Park, containing about eighty acres of ground. There are two churches in the town — Catholic and Methodist — the former of which was built in 1880, and the latter in 1881. They cost about $2,500 each. The schoolhouse was built about 1874, one-story frame, cost about $1,000. About 1878, a story was added, at a cost of about $1,000 ; two schools, one above and one below. Present business : M. C. FoUansbee & Co., general store ; Eli Douglas, boots and shoes ; H. M. Beckwith, general store and post office ; Bracken- brough & Brothers, dr\' goods and groceries ; Joseph Laroche, harness shop ; Thomas Mclnerney, saloon ; Drs. R. R. Boice & Son, drugs ; Hartley & Holton, groceries ; S. R. Meader, hotel ; Laurence Braugh, saloon ; Jerrj^ Tinsman, meat shop ; R. Gers, bakerj' and confectionery ; William Burns, saloon ; John Stout, druggs ; Moxie Burlage, hotel ; Borders Brothers, livery ; first physician. Dr. Silas H. Kent, now deceased ; first lawyer, Llewellyn Gwinn ; next, F. W. Hatch ; next, H. M. Breckwith ; first shoe- maker, Benjamin Martin ; first Postmaster, Weis ; next, Robert Kelly ; next, F. W. Hatch ; next and last, H. M. Beckwith. Present black- smiths, Charles Sord, Moses Liguea and Charles Bradley ; Raub, Earl & Henry, dealers in grain, lumber, hardwood, furniture, coal and wood, and stock dealers ; Charles E. Woodington, agent C, I. St. L. & C. Railroad Co. Present teachers, Joseph S. Van Natta and wife ; pastor 51. E. Church, Rev. Braner ; Catholic Priest, Rev. Father Maujay. TOWN OF TEJIPLETON. Templeton was laid out by William J. Templeton and wife December 23, 1873, in 225 lots, and subsequently an addition was made of nine lots by same parties. The first building in Templeton was the small shanty now in rear of the building occupied by John Cosgrove as a dwelling, built by James Knight, same season town was laid out. Next, three dwellings, all about the same time, by Col. W. J. Templeton, Joseph Blue and G. H, Finch, and Joseph Dehart, Finch & Co. The three houses alluded to were the Blue House, a store building occupied by Finch & Son, and the other the building owned by W. J. Tenipleton. Next, a residence by James E. Murdock, now occupied by Col. W. J. Templeton. Nest, the Junction House, by J. E. Murdock. The elevators were built by Hayes & Brother, in 1874, and are now occupied by David Lanham & Co. as a general store. Elevators at Easton, built two years ago by John Stingle & Olney, now owned by Stingle. Mrs. Johnson's residence was built in 1876 ; tile factory, built by John Fernald, in 1881, twelve hundred feet of shed, two large kilns, one at each end, run by steam power. Present business : David Lanham 31 4 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. & Co., dry goods and groceries, a large stock ; Joseph Dehart, notions, and butclier shop ; Finch & Son, dry goods and groceries ; John Rosa, groceries ; Dr. C. W. Fall, drugs and physician ; Blue House ; Railroad House ; Jasper Bristow, physician. Col. Templeton is feeding 400 head of cattle, and 300 head of hogs. He also farms extensively. TOWN OF BOSWELL. Boswell was laid out by Elizabeth H. Scott and husband July 18, 1S72, 112 lots ; addition by Samuel P. Smith and wife December 22, 1872, twenty- three lots ; another by same, October 6, 1872, sixteen lots ; one by McKnight & Spies June 9, 1873, four lots ; one by Joshua M. Foster and wife Decem- ber 5, 1872, forty-three lots. The town was first laid out by Charles Moore, who sold it to Elizabeth Scott October 27, 1871, who replatted it. The first house in Boswell was a dwelling, just north of where A. Potter's livery stable now stands, which was built b}* S. P. Smith, about three- j-ears before the town was laid out. First building after the town was laid out, and in which first business was done, was a rough board shanty, about twelve feet square, on the north side of the railroad, built bv A. Murphj*, who had a small general stock. Next building, by J. W. Hash & Son, about the time the railroad was completed to this place ; hauled material from 0-xford ; general stock put in by Hash & Buckles. Nest, a building with two rooms, put up b}' Taylor & Smith, and McKnight & Spies ; general stock in each room. Next building, in the southwest part of town, a residence b^- Lewis Halston. Next, a hotel (the Boswell House). Pioneers in the different lines of busi- ness : McKnight & Brother, general stock ; H. N. Carson, hardware ; Charles Hoffman, drugs ; I. B. Ebberly, blacksmith and wagon-maker ; Jacob Yole, shoe-maker and shoe store ; Hash & Son, dry goods ; John Spies, groceries. Present business : 0. H. & J. Smith, clothing ; Canes & Leach, hardware ; Harris & Stembel, dry goods ; John Spies, groceries and furniture ; C. H. Miller, editor Boswell Courier, and Postmaster ; Davis & Deer, boots and shoes ; Menefee & Brother, drugs ; Thomas Davis, groceries ; Gillespie & Son, groceries ; James T. Moore, saloon ; W. T. Keys, hardware ; Thomas Kuott, harness ; C. L. Foster & Co., boots and shoes ; William Bailey, barber ; (iillespie & Brother, furniture and groceries ; Gilger & McDonald, dry goods ; W. D. Simpkins, drugs; Mrs. Jennie James, milliner and dress-maker: Joseph Moore, photographer ; P. H. Collins, saloon ; Joseph Earhart, butch- er ; David Weaver, groceries ; McKnight & Brother, general stock ; Charles Menefee, lumber ; [P. M. Clanoey, bakery and confectionery ; M. Melvin, groceries ; Asa A^anover, Vanover House ; W. D. Simpkins, Boswell House ; Abe J'otter, livery ; W, A. Dunshee, livery ; Dr. J. W. Green, Dr. J. II. Whitcomb, Dr. J. B. Christley and Dr. J. Simpkins, physicians ; Smith & Ebberly, blacksmiths and wagon-makers ; Stokes & Myers, carpenters and builders ; S. 1'. Smith and 8. II. Arms, grain dealers' Wesley Alexander, coal dealer ; Mrs. J. Richards, milliner and dress-maker ; Albert Brant, marble shop; O. V. Cones, jeweler; N. G. Fauth, shoe-maker; George. ' HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 315 Scheussler, shoe-maker ; John Rackold and D. H. Smith, plasterers and brick- laj'ers ; Miller & Ray, painters. TOWN OP AMBIA. Ambia was laid out by Ezekiel M. Talbot and wife, February 22, 1875, and consisted of 122 lots; addition, November 26, 1881, by Charles L. White, 28 lots. The first building in Ambia was erected b\- James C. Pugh, and is now owned by Washington Pugh; built about 1873; next, the elevators, same season, by James C. and William Pugh, the first grain dealers; the first bus- iness house, by Thomas Moore and Arnold Moore, small general stock, built at Weaver, about half a mile west of Ambia, and moved to Ambia in spring of 1873; first stock of goods in the town; first blacksmith, James 0. Pugh; next store by Henrj- and Samuel Parker; first drug store by Dallas M. Kel- ley; first hardware, William Parker; first physician, James Beard; first hotel, Robert Whitten. Present business; Dallas B. Kelley, Ambia House ; I. Reed Allen, general store; William A. Kline, furniture and undertaking; J. H. Myers, hardware; W. T. James, confectionery; John W. Scott, drugs; A. S. Fix, barber; Alfred Goodrick, groceries, boots and shoes and queensware; C. J. Clawson, jeweler; Dr. J. M. Beard and Dr. Evans, physicians; 0. L. Ross, meat market; Simeon H. Bowyer, agricultural implements; James Fix, saloon; Acres & Golden, bakery, grocery and confectionery; B. C. Parker, groceries, confectionery and lunch; A. R. Brown, harness; Golden & Manny, general store; S. A. Parker, groceries and provisions; and J. T. McCormick, general store. TALBOT AND OTTERBEIN. Talbot was laid out by Ezekiel M. Talbot and wife, February 18, 1873, seventy-two lots. Otterbein was laid out by John Levering and wife, Octo- ber 25, 1872, sixty lots; addition, April 24, 1883, by Mary A Clancey. Dr. John K. Thompson built the first dwelling house in the town of Otter- bein, and Henry H. Moore the first business house, a general store. William Otterbein Brown was the first Postmaster, and held the office until his death. MURDER. No Sheriflf of Benton County has ever yet had the very unpleasant duty thrust upon him of inflicting the death penalty upon a human being, yet, if capital punishment is ever right, undoubtedly Sherifi' Henry C. Harris ought, in justice, to have been called upon to perform the office of executioner to James Leonard McCullougli, for the murder.jn cold blood, of iMor- gan, in York Township, about the year 1861 The facts in this case, briefly stated, areas follows: About the year 1860, Morgan went from Warren Count3-, Ind., to tja.e, pineries in Wisconsin, and remained there, working in the pineries, until about 1862, when, after having acquired a good team of horses and about $800 in gold, he started to return homc/^. On his way home, he fell in with McCullough, who said his folks lived nea|- Mu«eiej and, partly for the purpose of having company to relieve the tedium of the trip, and 316 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. partly through a desire to accommodate, he took McCullough in to ride in his wagon as far as thej' would go together. They reached Benton County, traveling together, and encamped for the night in York Township, not far from the line. Morgan never left that camping place alive. Either during the night, whilst Morgan was asleep, or the next morning while they were getting their breakfast and preparing to resume their journey, McCullough shot Morgan in the head with his (Morgan's) own gun, and afterward chop- ped him in the head with an ax ; after which he concealed the body in a pond of water, and resumed his journey, stopping in Oxford the next morn- ing and getting Morgan's horses shod, as though nothing had happened. December 23, 1867, Morgan's bones were found in the pond, which was then dry, by John Fleming, Sr.; whereupon an inquest was held upon the re- mains by the Coroner, Dr. Jonathan Kolb, who, from the appearance of the bones, and from certain other facts, made the following deductions : That the murdered person had been a man; that he was about six feet high; that he was about thirty-five years old; that he smoked and chewed tobacco; that he had had a rib broken about six months before he was killed; that he had a tooth extracted, and that he was a mechanic. It was afterward ascertained that he was six feet and one inch in height, that he was thirtj--flve years of age, smoked and chewed; had had a rib broken and a tooth extracted, and, in fact, that the doctor's deductions were all practically correct. Further, the evidence produced at the trial showed that Morgan had had his left foot nearh' cut off, and the boot found where the murder had been committed, showed that it had been worn on a crippled foot. Dr. Kolb went to Wiscon- sin to procure evidence in tlie case, and so well was the matter worked up that the State was enabled to make out, and did make out, as clear a case against McCullough as ever could be made out against a man on circum- stantial evidence. Pending his trial, he broke jail at Oxford and was a^ large for the period of about three weeks, when he was recaptured near Muncie, and confined from that time on until his trial came ott in the jail at La Fayette. He came very near getting out of the La Fayette Jail, and would have done so if he had a little more time. 3IcCnllongh's trial was a very tedious one, costing the county about 81,800, and resulting in his con- viction, with a life sentence in the penitentiary, at which place he died about two years ago. '4 W. 1,1 ry ' In the trial of this case, the State was very ably represented by Simon Tliorapson, of Rensselaer, Prosecuting Attorney, assisted by John L. Miller. of La Fayette, whilst the prisoner was ably defended by Col. D. Hart and R. C. Gregory. MISCELLANEOUS. J. W. Barnes was the first newsdealer in the county. Bolivar Township was named for Bolivar Finch, now a merchant and Postmaster in Teuiplcton. I'arisli Grove Township was named for an Indian chief by the name of Parish. He is buried in the grove, which w.as a favorite resort for the In- dians during the summer. HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 317 In 1830, Thomas Atkiusoii was engaged in herding cattle on the prairie in what is now the southern part of Benton County, and near the old Indian trail from Scott's Landing to Iroquois and Pox Rivers. The early hunters and trappers would sometimes unintentionally stampede his cattle, and took no great pains to avoid such a result. The Indians, however, having learned that Mr. Atiiinson was a descendant of William Penn, when going back and forth along their trail, took every precaution to avoid frightening his cattle, and invariably treated him with the utmost respect. This fact Mr. Atkinson cherishes as one of the brightest recollections of a long and well-spent life. In 1840, Basil Justus, for some cause, failed to make return of the Con- gressional election in Benton Count}' as he was required by statute to do, and for this dereliction of duty he was indicted, and, at the November term of the Benton Circuit Court, he was fined the sum of $20. The fine was afterward remitted by the Governor, Samuel Bigger. Following is a list of the attorneys of Fowler, with the date of their ad- mission ; M. H. Walker, 1874; U. Z. Wiley, 1875; Merrick and Travis, 1875 ; Dawson Smith, 1874 ; D. E. Straight, 1874 ; Mahlon D. Smith, 1875 ;• John T. Brown, 1875 ; Daniel Fraser, 1877 ; Isaac H. Phares, 1882 ; George Wadsworth, 1876 ; George Stewart, 1879 ; George Gray, 1881. Alice and Phffibe Carey resided for a time (Alice about one year, and Phcebe about four years) in Oxford with their sister, Mrs. Alexander Swift, and, while there, wrote some of their best poems. Benjamin Timmons built the first house in Pine Township. MISCELLANEOUS ACTS OF THE BOARD. At a special session of the Board of Commissioners in March, 1873, a reward of $500 was offered for the arrest and detention of James L. Mc- Cullough, an escaped prisoner, and at the June session following, the Com- missioners assumed the payment of a reward of $200, which had been offered by Henry C. Harris, Sheriff, for the arrest of McCullough, they being satis- fied of McCullough's arrest, and that the escape had not occurred through Harris' negligence. The Board of Commissioners, at their September ses- sion, 1874, offered a reward of $100 " for the killing of each dangerous animal in the county, provided it be lion, lioness, tiger, panther, leopard, jaguar or puma." The order recites that there is some animal at large in the county that is doing great damage to stock in various parts of the county. The reward has never yet been claimed by any one. Prisoners iMust Work. — At the December session of the board, 1881, it ■ was " Ordered by the board that persons incarcerated in the county jail, while held for punishment, or for non-payment of fines, or costs, whether the judgment also embraces imprisonment, or is for fines and costs only, shall be put to hard labor on the public streets, alleys and sidewalks in the town of Fowler, or upon other public works." It is further provided in the order that necessary guards shall be employed to guard the prisoners whilst they are at work, who shall receive $1.50 per day, which shall be paid out of the 318 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. county treasury, when the prisoners are at work on highways out of town, and to be paid out of the town treasury when at work in the town of Fowler. It is also provided that when necessary in the opinion of the Sheriff, a ball and chain may be attached to any prisoner while thus at work on the streets or highways. Cattle Disease in lfi68. — At a special session of the Board of Commis- sioners August 7, 1868, the board being composed of Benjamin Hawkins, William Marvin and Robert M. Atkinson, it was ordered that, " Whereas, it is made to appear to this board that there is now, at this time, a disease prevailing among the native cattle of the count}- of Benton, State of Indiana, whereb}' the owners of said cattle are suffering great loss ; and, whereas, it is believed, and generallj' known to be communicated bj' cattle brought from the State of Texas, known and commonly called Texas cattle ; therefore, it is hereby ordered that said cattle, commonlj- known and recognized as Texas cattle, are hereby prohibited from running at large on the uninclosed lands in an}' of the townships of said county of Benton and State of Lidiana, and this order is declared to be supplemental to an order heretofore made by this board, prescribing what animals shall run at large in the several town- ships of the count}- and State aforesaid." BENTON COUNTY BAR. Following are the names of the Benton County bar : Merrick & Travis, Walker & Phares, Smith & Gray, A. Cowgill. William Jones. Brown & Stewart, Straight & Wiley, Lee Dinwiddle. Charles Dailey. Jacob Benedict, L. D. Hawley, Daniel Fraser, George Wadsworth, John L. Richards, John L. Pearson, George Hartley, William H. C. Isbam, J. W. Cole and H. M. Beckwith. PIONEERS AND THEIR ACTS. It is claimed that about the first sermon ever preached in Benton County was by Rev. James A. Carnahan, of Dayton, Ind. ; about the next were Revs. Homer and Casad, who preached iu White Oak Grove, and old John Sargent, on Mud Pine, all being earnest workers in the cause of the Master, and, as a rale, preaching their sermons iu the open air. in the shade of some beautiful grove, or by the fireside of the early settlers, there being no churches at that early date. None of these resided in Benton County. Amoui; the first resident ministers were Revs. George Campbell, Evan Stevenson" and William II. Calkins. Among the early physicians were Drs. Boone. Theophihis Stembel (who at that time practiced in all the territory west of the Wabash). I. H. Wright, Franklin Ulades, Anson Hurd, Jesse Dailey, J. W. Barnes and W.^M.' Sleeper. The first resident lawyers were James F. Parker, Jacob Benedict and Daniel Mills, none of whom now reside in the county except Jacob Benedict. Among the early mechanics were Jonathan Vanhorn. on :\Iad Pine; John W. Bradley, in McConnell's Grove ; Sautbrd Wilson and :\Iark Brier! ■ HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. . 321 in Oxford, and James P. Miller, on Big Pine, as blacksmiths ; George Brier, Joseph Carswell, John Fergnson, John P. Boss, George W. and John E. Bless, of Oxford, as carpenters ; E. Ferguson and Jacob Miller, of Oxford, as shoe-makers ; George Blanchfil, Ed White and Eobert Wood were first in the line of harness and saddles ; T. E. Brake and Jacob S. Albaugh, wagon-makers, and Martin Benedict, stonemason. i^ The first store in Benton Count}- was kept by Aaron Wood, in a little frame building in Oxford. The secoud, and on a much larger scale, was bj' Carn- ahan & Earl, of La Faj-ette, who built the first regular storeroom in Oxford, and stocked the same with general merchandise, Mr. James Yawter being for some time general clerk, who was succeeded by xl. J. Carnahan. The first drug store was kept by Burns & Dailey, afterward by Burns & Hurd, in Oxford. Theophilus Stembel, if not the first physician in the county, was, at least, among the first. He is still living, a short distance from Ox- ford. Surveyor Burtcell bad a novel method of measuring land in those prim- itive times, which, in a prairie country, where there was no fallen timber or other obstructions, was equally as accurate as chain measurement, as well as being easier and more expeditious. It was done in this manner : He would take a wagon wheel, tie a string around one of the spokes, place the wheel upon the ground and revolve it once, and then measure the distance passed over in making the revolution, and the diameter of the wheel being known, it was a very easy and simple matter to determine the length of a line by rolling the wheel the full length of it, and keeping au account of the number of revolutions. (^ Elijah Litler, one of the landmarks of the county, was a great stock drover, and was at one time Sheritf of the county. " Goshens " was his favorite word. He hated a negro like poison, and on being told that Christ said " Let little black children come unto me," he replied : " Is that so ? Well, goshens ! a smart man could explain it away." It is said that Judge McConneil put up the first pump. Prior to that time, a spring back of John Carnahan's shop supplied the tow-n (Oxford) with water. One time John Wood was sent for a bucket of water, and after being absent for a half hour, he was heard to call for some one to " come and stop the blame thing." Thomas E. Brake, who settled at Oxford in 1855, made the first wagon, also the first buggy ever made in the county. Joseph Hixson, of Boswell, has what is left of the first wagon. The buggy was made for W. K. Johnston, of Pine Township, and it is now owned by John Brooks. They were made about the year 18551- Benjamin Timmons built the first house (log) in Pine Township. '^ There was a wolf hunt on the ITth of February, 1877, which was about the last, if not the last, ever held in the county. The starting point was the residence of William Wiley, on the Seabury farm. , - Zimri Lewis was born in August, 1833, and Thomas J. McConneil was 19 u 322 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. born m October 11, 1837. These were probabl}' the first two children born in the county. The favorite game of the Osfordites, iu former times, was "ball alley." The game consisted in knocking the ball against the wall of the court house, and repeating the operation in the rebound. Every failure to do so was marked against the player. The game was indulged in by old and young, doctors, lawyers and merchants indulging in the sport. The Justus House, in Oxford, which was destroyed by fire, was erected in 1860, by Basil Justus. It was a very large building for the place, being fifty feet wide by near a 100 feet long, and two stories high. The dining hall was fifty feet long, and was often the scene of merry feet. Jacob Kiger traded a farm of 160 acres of laud for tlie hotel, a short time before its destruction. When he returned from the fire to the farm he had left, his wife, who had opposed the trade, consoled him with the remark : ■' You have eighty acres left ; you might trade it for the other hotel." The most exciting event in Oxford's career occurred in 1863. Dr. Rowe disappeared suddenly, and a part of his clothes was found on Pine Creek. The Horse Company suspected George King of his murder. He was taken out of his bed and threatened with instant death, unless he confessed. He confessed, and said that June Rogers, George Haggert and himself had murdered the man, and buried him on Pine Creek.^ June Rogers was sud- denly' called on one night, a rope was placed round his neck, and he was in- vited to make his peace with his Maker, but he would not. He dared them to do their worst. Not feeling sutflciently assured in their own minds of his guilt, they released him, and in a few days Dr. Rowe, the supposed mur- dered man, was found in Illinois. Suits for damages were instituted by some of the injured parties, and some of the regulators were made to pay dearly for their mistake. The writer hereof is indebted for many of the facts contained in this history to an address delivered by Luther D. Hawly, before the Old Set- tlers' Association, at a meeting held at Fowler July 4, 1874. which was pub- lished in pamphlet form ; and also to a supplement to the Oxford Tribune, July 4, 1882, containing a sketch of .the early settlement of the county written by the editor, Mr. J. P. Carr, Jr. " My task is done. The showman and his show. Themselves but shadows, into shadows go." — MTiittier. vx-a'''- vTiuC ^ BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. TOWN OF FOWLER AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP. MRS. NAN"CY E. ATKINSC^X was born September 8, 1830, in Madison Coun- ty, Ohio, and is one of twelve cliildren born to William and Kane}' (Pearson) Mc- Cllmans, the former of Irish and the latter of German descent. At the age of ten years, her father died, and from that time until her marriage she lived at various places, principally with relative.s. Septembers, 18.54, she was married to William N. Crosson, a resident of Ohio, and the year succeeding this event came to Benton County, Ind., and settled in Oak Grove Township, where her husband follo\Ycd farming until his death. Septeni))er 10, 1860. Three children — George L., .John C. and William A. were the result of this union, all of whom are living." .June 4, 1863, she was married to Robert M. Atkinson, who was born Maj' 8, 1826. jMr. Atkinson followed farming, and in connection with this purchased and sold cattle. He also operated the elevator at Atkinson Station, and was Commissioner of Benton County for over twenty years, and was one of the most prominent men in the countj'. He died in February, 1881. To this union six children have been horn, all of whom are living. Mrs. Atkinson si ill resides upon, and in connection with her son, con- ducts the farm near Atkinson Station. The farm consists of between six and seven hundred acres of well-improved land, and has upon it one of the best houses in the county. J. F. BARNARD is a native Hoosier and was born in Tippecanoe County.Decem- ber 27, 1849. After attending the district schools of his neighborhood, he went to school at Battle Ground, and later removed to Prairie Township, White County, where he engaged in farming and going to school at Brookston. In 1874, he removed to Fowler, where he has since resided, and where he has been employed as book- keeper for O. Barnard & Co., and looking after his interest in the business of J. P. Smith & Co. He is one of the stirring men of Fowler, is a Republican, a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry, and was married May 5, 1880. to Miss Mary H. Mer- rick, by whom he is the father of two children — Mary and George. Mrs. Barnard is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. BAILEY & WARNER. The present partnership was formed in .January, 1883, by Frank Bailey and I. W. Warner. They carry silks, carpets, liats, caps, grocer- ies, etc., amounting in value to al)out .|1.5.00.0, while their sales will proba))ly aver- age annually about $45,000. Frank Bailey is a native of Ashland County, Ohio, and was born May 27, 1841, t)eing one of ten children, all living, born to Amaziah and Nancy (Van Tilburg) Bailey, natives of Ohio, and of English descent. He re- ceived a liberal education and served three months in the late war in Comi)any B, One Hundred and Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He had enlisted m August, 1862. for three years, but owing to protracted ill health was dis- charged in November of the same year. For a few years he was employed in teaching and going to school. In 1868, he emigrated to Indiana and first settled in Carroll County, afterward removing to White County. In the last-mentioned place he was engaged in farming and merchandising, eight months of the time, as a partner of J. F. Warner, at Wolcott. Together they removed their stock of goods to Fowler in February, 1874. Mr. Bailey retired from the firm in 187.5 and em- barked in the grocery trade alone, at the end of four years adding dry goods, and a little later purchasing his former i)artner's stock and consolidating the two stores. In 1882, he sold this store, luit in 1883, with his present partner, repurcha.sed it, and has since been employed-in its management. Mr. Bailey is a Republican, has served three years as Town Treasurer, and was married June 25, 1872, to Miss Elizabeth Warner, by whom he is the father of one daughter, Oma. I. W. Warner is a broth- er of J. F. Warner, and was born in Fayette County, Ohio, August 5, 1853. Mov- 324 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : ing with his pareats to Champaign County, 111., when two j'ears old, he was there reared and educated. At sixteen years of age, he began for himself, and on attain- in.g his majority, left home and went to Wolcott, End., where he was engaged in merchandising in partnership witli his Ijrother, afterward with his present partner. ■ In November, 1874, he removed to Fowler, where he has since resided, engaged in mercantile pursuits, part of the time on his own responsibility, and part of the time in the capacity of clerk. He began life a poor boy, and what he now possesses was obtained by his own labor. December 25, 1873, he was married at Wolcott, to Miss Alice J. Lisk, and to their union three children have been born — Charlie, Oda and Fredilii-. Mr. Warner is a Ri-publican, and one of the progressive citizens of Benton County. T. A. BALDWIlSr, was born in Oak Grove Township, Benton County, Ind., March 28, bS.oO, and is a son of Ira and Phebe W. (Atkinson) Baldwin, who were pioneers of Benton County. Mr. Baldwin received a good commim scho;)l aud aca- demical education, and when twenty years old began on his own account. For two and a half year-; he was a teacher iii the Oxford Academj^ — his alind mutfr—and in 1874 was elected Surveyor of the county, and re-elected in 1876, serving in all four years. During the winter months he taught public school tliree terras.'but the fall of 1878 was elected County Recorder, and came to Fowler and entered upon the du- ties of his ofHee. At the close of four vears he retired, refusing a reuomination, and in March, 1882, formed a partnership with C. E. Head in a general store, but in November of the same year Mr. Baldwin disposed of his interest, and immediately engaged in his present occupation. He has the only furniture store in the place', which is yielding him a good revenue, and his stock is valued at about S3, .500. In addition, he has a hearse, and is doing the principal undertaking business of the town. Mr. Baldwin is one of the progressive business men of Fowler, and isamem- ber of the I. 0. 0. F. and a Democrat. He was married October 25, 1882, to Miss Eva Mock, daughter of C. B. Mock, the present editor of the Fowk-r Era OBEn BARXARD was born December 5, 182'5, in Washington County Ind and 13 a son of ,Iohn and Sophrona (Sottle) Barnard. His familv moved to Tippe- canoe County, Ind., when he was seven vears old; he attendcl school until he was twenty. He went to La Fa.vctte and entered the grain business, continuing until 18(i5, when he went to Brookstou, in the same trade. In 187-t, he moved to Fowler still engaging in the grain business, which is now of great magnitude. He was one ot the first Trustees of the town of Fowler, after' the incorporation in 1875-76 J^orraerly he was a Whig, but is now a Repnlilican. Mr. Barnard has been twice married, first .lanuary 31), 1819. to Elizabeth .Tennings, of Tippecanoe Countv Ind tn \ ■ ''-''^'"S two sons. He next married, :\Iav 23, 187(i, Elizabeth >I Barnes' ',, ^=^"1'' •■rrouud. by whom he is the father of one daughter. He is a meml>er of the Jl. h. longregatiou. 'Mr. Barnard is at present exlensivelv cnga.i-ed in stock- raising having on his farm near Fowler 100 head of line HerefoVd cattle HAKNlib & PA\NF. This partnership was established in Alav 1881 and tiieii slock consists of drugs, brushes, paints, oils, books, stationerv; etc to the value of aliout !?.),000. Their annual sales are between $10 000 and .'Slo 000 For a er^HvJt!'; l'"' 'i"'T 'r''' '" ''^"''■' ^'"^ '"'"■''-^■- ^^'y "'" '^"'"'■'^ ■•' l^"-^'e'an,l remun- er.atne tiade. b. I. Barnes, senior partner, was born at Battle Ground in Tiime- wlZ r'^r-'' I"'-, ■''■ly-H,l«2. He is the youngest of nine chil rcn t v "^.f whoin a e deceas,.d, born to Samuel and Nancy (Rice) Barnes, natives of Ohio, and of Sc.trh and Irish desreiit respectively. The father died :\Iarch 14 1S(53 bu he mother ye resides at Battle Ground, S. T. Barnes received a good practical edu ■■a .on, and at the age of twenty-one became a drug clerk in hil na i?e to vn At ■■r^ W rfvn'f' ^' T'' '" 'V'-'^^'"' ""'^ l'">-J.>"""'^^>- y^^"- clerked in the drug sou, of VV. J^. Lytic, who became his partner at Roekticld, Ind., in 1>*70 In 1870 hsparlnersh.p was dissolved. Mr. Barnes removing to Brookstou, White Cm ny' where for about a year lie conducted a drug store; but in June, 1S80 e\aime o .KM, i»i(kson. All. Barnes IS a Democrat, and a member of the Masonic order He was marned, ay 1 t, I87S, to Miss Olla Head, a daughter of Truxton Head of ? i'o t'';,'^'!'^ t",V"''n l^-'vc I'cen born three children-Samuel T rn M u-dl ^>. 18,0; Ethel b.u-n May 31, 18S0, and Raymond, born .luue 28 lW> -the ,ld es ,s now living. The mother is'a member of the Christian Church a, cs w" 1 .yne, ,,un,or member of Barnes & Payne, is a Iloosier by in /nd was bo?„ [n rip|,cra,noe Counly Mav 10, 18,58, and is the youngest livin- of tluve chihir V and' •■;;,:;;'■, :::;■,:;; ''''^T ^'"il l^li-'H.,h\Tlnunas) Pa^^,;, wlulweivbo^ born is w Ml- "a ^ '^"" ' ^'-r."' ''•"'"■' ''t^^'l ''^ tlic United States in 1830 aud s u I i„ isi,, liK.y wcr.. married in 1810, and in 1818 removed West to Tim , a - ountv, Ind,, where- they have since resided in Mo u more ci w lero Mr 1 .Mne IS engaged in wagon ami carriage manufacturing. Jai;^J\v Prvne, a^^ TOWN OF FOWLER AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 325 attending the public scliools of Montmorenci, until the age of nineteen, studied at Purdue University for one 5'ear. He began teaching school, and followed this for three winter terms. In 3Iay, 1881, he came to Fowler. November 7, 1880, he was married to Miss Nellie Worthington, of La Fayette. Ind., and to their union has been born one daughter, Lela. Mr. Payne is a Republican, and his wife is a mem- ber of the M. E. Church. JAMES S. BRADLEY, County Auditor, a native of Fredericls County, Ya., was born March 12, 1849. lie is a son of John W. Bradley, also a native of the Old Dominion, a blacksmith by trade, and who was twice married. In 18 j3, lie (John W.) and wife (who was formerly Mary W. Haynie), emigrated to Indiana and first located at Attica, Fountain County, afterward In Warren County. In 186,5, tliey re- moved to Benton County. They were the parents of six children, five yet living; one son served in the late war. The mother died November 25, 1875, but the fattier is yet living and resides in Oxford with his second wife, Nancy J. Branson, wlio has borne him one son. James S. Bradley was, reared chiefly in Warren and Benton Counties, receiving only a common school education. From 1869, he clerked in Oxford until February, 1874, when he accepted the position of Deputy County Au- ditor, serving about tliree years, when he was elected County Auditor by the Repub- lican part}'. After serving four years in this capacity, Mr. Bradley was re-elected, and is now serving his second term. He was married in January, 1876, to Miss Su- sanna Balantyue, a daughter of Samuel Balantyne, and their marriage has been blessed by the birth of three children — A. Beatrice, J. Ralph and Frank B. Mr. Bradley and wife are members of the Christian Church. O. C. BROCKWAY was born in Elk County, Penn., May 25, 1831. He received only limited schooling and worked onafarm until 1854, tlien migrated to Kankakee County, 111., and purchased a farm. The same year, he visited Iowa, and again in 1855, his last visit resulting in his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Brandenburg, daugh- ter of Nathaniel Brandenburg, who became a resident of Iowa in 1838. Mr. Brock- way farmed, taught school, and for two years kept store in Kankakee County, until 1876, when he removed to Fowler, Ind., which has since been his home, although for about two years he was engaged in merchandising at Atkinson. His present stock is worth about $8,000, and he is doing a prosperous business. Mr. Brockway is a Republican and is the present Trustee of Center Township, having been elected in 1882. For five terms he was an officer of the Illinois State Grand Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., serving two terms as G. W. Treasurer. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. They have had seven children— Ella, Mrs. George Mellish; Luna, Mrs. C. J. Hempstead; Myrtle, Mrs. C. S. Cran; Laura. Clara. Clarence and Oscar. Mr. Brockway is one of eight living children in a family of eleven born to Chauncey and Rhoda (Nichols) Brockway, natives of New York, and of English and Irish tie- scent respectively. Chauncey Brockway was born in 1793. served in the war of 1812, has lived under the administration of every President of the United Slates, has been a member of the Bap'tist Church since 1815, and is yet living in Kankakee County, III. His wife was liorn in 1797, joined the Baptist Church when eleven years old, and is still living in Kankakee County with her liusband. They have en- joyed a felicitous married life together of sixty-seven years. ISAAC BROWN is of New Hampshire birth, and was born Deceml)er 15, 1821. He was reared in his native State and received a common school education. He worked at painting for a number of years in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, hut when nineteen j^ears old Ijegan teaching, and continued for fourteen years, also paint- ing and farming. From I80O to 1860, he was farming and lumbering in New Hamp- shire and a part of the time was manager of two saw mills. Ill health compelled him to give thisupiu 1860, and the same year he cami to Illinois. Leasing aplacein Champaign County, heenga.gedin the stock business. Tiie cold weather of 1862-68 killed four hundred sheep and large quantities of other slock, value about |2,500. In 1863, he sold this property and returned to New Hampshire. In 1866, he again came West and located on Section 31, Center Township, Benton County. lad,, and in part- nership withMr. Seabury purchased the wliole of Section 21, and again engaged in stock dealing and farming. Mr. Brown owned land in Benton County until June, 1882, when he sold out, and is now residing in Fowler. In 1876, he went to Texas and Mexico and dealt in stock several months. He has succeeded in making a good home. Mr. Brown is a Democrat, and for two years was a member of the New Hampshire Le.'dslature. and has held other local positions. He was married. May 23, 1850, to Frances L. Bunday, and they have had four children- George B., Char- lie H., deceased, Mary L. and Fred A. Mr. Brown is a son of Aaron and Eda (Watts) Brown, both of whom were of English ancestry, and on the paternal side, of Puritan progenitors. SIJION F. CARTER, ex-Recorder and Clerk of Benton County, was born in Fountain County, Ind., April 30, 1837, and is a son of Absalom and Barljara A. 826 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: (Conrad) Carter, natives of Ohio. Soon after the birth of Simon F., his father died, after which his mother removed to Warren C^ounty, where she married Hiram Wil- kenson. To this marriage were born six children, and in 1848 the family removed to Oak Grove, now a part of Grant Township, Benton County, where Mr. Wilken- son died in 1853. Mrs. Wilkenson is living, and resides in Oxford. Simon F. Car- ter, in 18.54, began learning the brickmason's trade, but was afflicted with white swelling, which unfitted him for heavy work. In 1855, he entered the printer's trade, on the Oxford Evening Mail, the first newspaper published in Benton County. Mr. Carter became proprietor and editor in 1838. He changed the name of his paper to Benton Gounty Expositor, continuing this as a local county periodical, independ- ent in politics, for a few months; then sold out to Calvin Snjrder, and the same year was appointed Postmaster at Oxford, in connection with which he handled ready- made clothing. In 1860, he was elected County Recorder, serving two terms. Soon after the expiration of tliese terms, he became connected with the Oxford Tribune, but in 18^ severed his connection with this paper to enter the County Clerk's office as Deputy. In 1874, he was elected principal in this office, to succeed Capt. Scott, as a compromise candidate. At the eud of four years, he was re-elected on the Re- publican ticket, and served another term of four years. In November, 1883, he was admitted to the bar of Benton County, since when he has been engaged in legal pursuits. Mr, Carter has been twice married; first in 1862, to Ann Harper, who bore him three children — Laura B. (deceased). Frank and one that died in infancy. The mother departed this life March 17, 1867. In January. 1869, he married his "present wife, Allie Miller, and to this union one daughter, Eva Anna, has been born. Mrs. Carter is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Carter has become known all over the Union as a breeder of choice poultry. LEE DINWIDDIE, attorney at law and notary public, was born in Pine To^^n- ship, Warren County, Ind., Novenilier -1, 1854. His parents, .John Dinwiddle and Matilda (Buckles) Dinwiddle, were natives of Ohio, where they were married Octo- ber 3, 1833, emigrating to Indiana in the fall of 1834. locating'in the northern part of Warren County, south of Fowler, wliere they endured all the hardships and pri- vations of frontier life. They now reside in Newtown, Ind.. and the 3d of October. 1883, will be the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. Thev were accompanied to this country by the parents of Mrs". Dinwiddle, in a'two-hors'e wagon, and the "old Buckles homestead" is yet familiar to the minds of all who live in that locality. Lee Dinwiddle, the youngest but one in a family of nine children, received the ad- vantages of a country school until nineteen years of age. when he entered the busi- ness world for himself. He gained a fair "educationT closing his schooling by a course iu the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso. He began the study of law, iu 1877, with Straiglit Lt Wiley, of Fowler, and in 1880 purchased the abstract books of Redding & Phares. He is now doing well in the legal and abstract business, and is one of the successful men of Fowler." January 13. 1881, he married Miss Annie Hinkley, who was born March 13, 1855, in :Monniouth County, N. J., and is a member of the Christian Church. D. J. EASTBURN, editor and proprietor of the Benton Count!/ Review, is a na- tive of Iro(]uois County, 111., and was born Mav 10, 1815. He was'reared on a farm until 186D, and attended the district scliools. "He afterward attended school at Bat- tle Ground.^in Tippecanoe County, Ind., until 1864, Avhen he I'utered Asburv Uni- versity, at Greencasfle, Ind., fvoiu the classical department of which institution he .graduateil July 1, 1869. The season following, he served as Principal of the Kcnt- lanil High School, after which he embarked in the drug trade at Sheldon 111 con- tmuuig unld the spring of 1874, when he sold out and removed to Hutchinson ' Kan. -He remained there only (me season, then returned to Sheldon, and iu 1875 purchased an interest in the Sheldon Knteriirine, of which he became sole owner and editor Uiree months later. In Noveiub-r, l-^^O. he moved the press and material to Kent- aiid. Ind. and established the JVewton Oounti/ AV;r,*, continuing the publication of that penodu'al until Jlarch 18S3. when he Icase.l the olhcc, which was burned the month h.l owing in ihv Kcntland disaster. -iNlareh 5, 1S83, yu-. Eastburn became a rcsulcntot iMiwler. where he has since conducted the Benton Reeiew Under his management, the Renew has become one of the leading local papers of Northwestern iMd. and an inlhicntial factor in Benlou Counlv. Jtr. Easlburn is a Democrat He is a l,.,H,..ss writer, an able edilor and an excellent localist. which rcndeVs him well titu , oi tlu' work in whiiJi be is engaged. He is a member of Hie itethodist Enis- copal Cluiivb, and the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, in the t'ovn er order having advaiicn to the Knigbts T.anphir degree. He was married a Watseka boiii---Kllc| ( ., |,oi-n Deeenibcr 1. 1S73. Mr. Eastburn is a son of .1 esse and J-ine ^!^medly) Lastbiini, who setllcd iu Iroquois Counlv, 111., in 1835, and were (he par '."V^S, ",'";■ r!"''''.';"' l"-"- -f ^vb.-m are yet living." Jesse Easlburn di.al S,.' ..'nlh,!, i. I«i3, but his widow yet survives him. \ ■ Jesse Easlburn died September TOWN OF FOWLER AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 327 /■ "WILLIAM R. HARKRIDEK, a native of Indiana, Avas born near Indianapolis, August 29. 1844. and when eiglit years old moved with his parents, Jacob and Min- erva (McCormick) Harkrider, to Warren Countj', Ind. His mother v\-a3 twice mar- ried, first to Mr. Cooper who died, leaving one daughter. !Mrs. Cooper afterward married Mr. Harkrider, and to this inarriage were boru eleven children, all of whom are living, and all married excepting one. The parents are still living. William R. Harkrider is the second born of this family, and while in youth received a limited education. August 14, 1863, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served six months, receiving his discharge in March, 1864. He was in battle at V.^ilker's Ford, and in several skirmishes. He worked as a carpenter about four year;, in Warren County,and November 10, 186T,was marriedto Elizabeth Mount. He became a resident of Benton County in 1869. fol- lowed farming until 1880, and then embarked in the livery business at Fowler, Mr. Harkriderhas one of the best statiles in the county, comprising fifteen driving horses, and eleven flrst-class rigs, H3has succeeded in building up a profitable business, Mr. Harkrider is a Democrat, and a member of the G. A, R., and he and wife are members of the L^nited trethren Church. T. K. HARMAN, ex-Sheriff of Bei ton County, is a native of Centre County, Penn,, and was born October 13, 1838. At the age of seven years, he, with his parents, came to Tippecanoe County, Ind. The parents resided there until 1854, when they moved to Benton County, anc' ten years later to near Remington, Jasper County, where both still reside. T. K. ilarman is the eldest of eight children, five of whom are living, born to Jolm and Harriet (Floe) Harman. He received a lim- ited education, and in May, 1861, enlisted in Company H, Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, When the three months, for ^ -hich time "he had enlisted, had expired, Mr. Harman re-enlisted in the same company. He was discharged in Decc-Jiber, 1863, by reason of disability, but during nis service participated in the battles 61^ Mill Springs, Corinth, Perryville, Triune, Chickamauga, and numerous minor engagements. For about four years afterward, he was unable to do any hard work, but from that time until 1870, was engaged in farming and stock-dealing. The fall •of that year, he was elected County Sheriff by the Republican party, and served in this capacity four years. In 1880, he embarked in the marble business, in which he has succeeded in establishing a good trade_,_He wa3.in;iui&d EtiUi-Jw-jw4r V9?7-, -te *- Mi«s ^lay Oram, aud iiiuv have Uaa three children— Kate, Pearl (deceased) and Grace Mr. Harman is a member of the Masonic order, I, 0. 0. F. and G. A. R., and is one of the enterprising men of the county. , . „ ^ ,„^ I K HARTLEY was born October 16, 1844. in Hawkms County, Tenn. When four vears old he removed with his parents. William L. and Matilda (Anderson) Hartley to Ripley Countv, Ind. After completing a two years' course at Moore s Hill Col'leo-e he engaged in farming two years, and, m 1867, began clerkmg m a dry goods store at Catlin, HI., where he was married December 16, 1808, to Miss Deborah j Hodges Shortly after this event, he engaged in merchandismg, and, m March, 1871 toother with" his brother, George S., removed to Indianola, and established a mercanfile business. In 1877, they began similar business at Earl Park, Benton Countv Ind., continuing three vears, and for the ensmng four months traveled throu<^h all the States and Territories of the West. In Au.gust, 1880, the^ Hartley brothers purchased their brick block, now occupied bv A. Meyer, where they con- ducted a successful mercantile business of aboiit 19-10,000 per annum, until March, 1883 when thev sold out, and in June, 1888, J. K. Hartley and L. A. Warden asso- ciated together in a general grocery business Mr. Hartley is a Democrat and was defeated by thirteen votes in the election of a joint Representative to the^ State Legislature from Benton and White Counties. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and he and wife have two daughters-Valley Pf..- aad- ^^'"bIs-JAMIN HAWKINS is a native of Butl-r .ounty, Ohio, and was born October 28 1813, He is one of six living children, m a family of nme born to Levi and Mary Hawkins, natives, respectively, of South Carolina and Georgia and of English and Welsh descent. The grandfatlier of Levi Hawkins emigrated to Amer- ica before the Revolutionary war, and settled on the James River, m ^ irg nia, wL-rer embraced the Quaker religion. He afterward ^«"l^d in South Card^^^^^^^ where he nassed the remainder of liis life. His son, the grandfather of the ^inject, being opp^oed to Ive";, emigrated into Ohio in 1805 where l^^;,;' ^erward d.ed^ Levi Hawkins and family removed to Tippecanoe County Ind., wheie he and wife died in 1S:S and 18''6 respectively. Benjamin H.awkins' education was only such as wa Sorded at^hat e"ri?- day. 'in Oct^U-r, 1834, he married Elizabetli Lett, who died September 28, 184S, leaving five children, four of whom are yet living His second wife, Mrs. Sarah (Baugh) Jones, to whom lie was mariied in 1849, ded in 1875 leaving him three children, all living in Fowler. He_and his present wife, 328 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Sarah A. (Brown) Hollingsworth, were married in April 1878. ^r. Hawking after aiding his children to a considerable extent still owns 160 acres of a°d ^n Benton County, besides -ood town property in Fowler. He was first a Wh g bu became a Republican in 18.o6. For twelve consecutive yeiirs, be^nning m 18ob he lias served as one of the Commissiouers of Benton Coun y. .fl't^'^J^fh reared a Quaker^ he has for the past forty years been a member of tie ^^E- Church 1 hree sons served their countrv faithfully in the late war, two throughout the entire rebellion, and one, a year, the latter being discharged for disability W B HIXSON {firm of J. P- Smith «.t Co.), was born in Attica, Ind March 6 1843, and is a son cf Andrew and Esther (Brady) Hixson, who re- moved to Warren County, Ind., about 1848 and began farming ■- P-'"^! T°wnship, where our subiect's mother yet resides, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. His father died in 1854. W. B. Hixson is one of three stirviving children m a family of eight, and was reared on a farm, receiving limitededucational advantages. In Aueust 1862, he enlisted in Company D. Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infan- try serving in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, >Jew Hope Chlirch Kenesaw Mountain, and the siege of Atlanta. He was made prisoner at Stone River but was kindly allowed, by the confederates, to take care of his broth- er Lieut Jackson Hixson, who was severelv wounded at that engagement. In 1864 he' wasjxppointed Commissary Sergeant of the regiment, and was finally discharged at Nasliville in .Tune, 1865. Until 1869, he was engaged in farming in Warren County and then became a resident of Benton County. He is a supporter of the Democratic partv, by whom he was elected Countv Treasurer in 1876, and re-elected in 1878. Besides his interests in the firm of .1. P. Smith & Co., he owns 240 acres of land near Earl Park, and 260 acres near Fowler. Mr. Hixson and wife are the parpn.tJ of this famil}'— Lettie I., Lottie M., Susan E., LeRoy T., Ella G. and Bertha R. HEXRY V. T. HULS, a native of Yates County, N. Y., was born October 30, ,*5 1825, and is one of seven living children in a family of nine born to James and Sally X (Pruden) Huls, both natives of New York, and of German and English descent respectively. Henry V. T. IIuls moved with his parents to Illinois in 1843, where both parents afterward died. In is+s, he was married to Elizabeth IMoore, a native of AVashingtou County, N. Y. With the exception of three years, while in Iowa, farming and merchandising, he resided' in Kane County, 111., engaged in agricultural pursuits until the lireaking-out of the rebellion, and September 6, that year, enlisted in Company A, Eigluli Illinois Cavalry. On the 11th of the following February, he was made Quartermaster of the Third Battalion of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, serving as such until be was honorably mustered out of service on the 5th of August. 1862. ^Ir. Huls participated in the engagements of Winchester, Cold Harljor, Savage Station, While Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, and was discharged at Harrison's Landing by special order from tlie War Department. He was engaged in various iiursuits in Illinois. Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, until 1873, when he came to Fowler. He is at present engaged in milling. Mrs. Huls died in 1869 in Clifton, Iowa, and was buried at Columbus City. To her union with Mr. Huls seven chililj'en were born, only three — Herbert, Jfiisie and Pearl — j'et living, Mr. Huls is a Republican, and a member of the G. A. R,. of Fowler, of which organ- ization he is si'cond in command. HENRY JACOBS, a native of Greene County, Ohio, was born June 7. 1814. and is the second of eight children, five of whom are living, born to James and MiirjM Welsh) Jacobs, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively, and of Dutch and Welsh descent. Until eighteen years old, Henry Jacobs lived in his native county assisting his father at shoe-making. He had no schoM advantages, luit by ij]ill>f,tv»r odivatcd himself. In 1832, the'faiuilv emigrated to Indiana, "then a new country, and wnile ,,. !'>» way to Greencastlc, where they afterward settled, his mother's death was caused by a fall, and she lies buried three miles east of Indian- apolis. The family lived in Putnam, Fountain and Warren Counties. His father died in Warren County in 1853. In 183(i, Ilenrv movcii to Independence, Warren County, anil opened a shoe shop, lie was married, Mav 18, 1836, to Miss Rachel Riinyoii. They have luul eight children— Rufus; Addeline, now ^Irs. George Grim- nielte of Frankfort, Ind. ; .Vudrew J., a soldier who was killed in the en-'a^ei Clt rtt,An,. TJl.r...,, 'P., K: I I... 1 1 t .1 . . . . 1 IT : , 1 , .^ r. -^ TOWN OF FOWLER AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 329 wife died January 30, 1881 and lies by the side of her children at Rainsvillc Mr Jacobs IS a Rc.publicmi. P or forty years he has been a member of the Odd Fellows' B. b. JOHNbOX bupenntendent of the schools of Benton County, is a native of Muskingum Couny, Ohio, and was born at Zanesville October 4, 1847. and is a son of Abel and barah (Bmith) Johnson, who were of English and Franco-German descent respectively. The family emigrated to HuntingtSn County, Ind in 1850 and three years later removed to Wells County, where they still reside b'f John' son attended the common schools, and for one year was a student at Ridgeville Col lege In 1868, he became a public teacher, and his first six terms were t-ciuallv di- vided between Indiana and Illinois. For eight years he was Principal of the schools of Montpeher, Ossian and Oxford, but in 1881 was elected Superintendent of the schools of Benton County. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is a Republican. November 8, 1873, he was united in marriage to Mary C Fox This union has been blessed by three children— Louise M., Lee F. and Edward m' The parents are member of the Baptist Church. „,,*^- ^- J*^^ES & BROTHER. This firm was first established in September 1877, as Jones & Johnson, and for four years the partnership continued carryino- a stock of drugs in value about §3,000. The firm became G. W. Jones & Brother'in September, 1881. They carry drugs, paints, oils, patent medicines and stationery amounting m value to §3,500, and they transact an average annual business of about !}.10,000. George W. Jones is a native of Indiana, and was born July 6, 1850 in Bartholomew County. He is one of fii^e surviving children in a family of seven born to \Yorden P. and Elizabeth N. (Richardson) Jones, the former deceased the latter yet living. He received an academical education, and with his brother Edgar A., succeeded his father, who died in 1871, in the drug trade, at Hope, Ind. A year later he began clerking in a drug store at Indianapolis; remained there four years and then came to Fowler. In September. 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma A. Nelson, and by her he is the father of one son— Roscoe N., born June 1 1880. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Christian Church. Eldun F. Jones was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., September 28, 1861; was there reared, and attended the graded schools of Hope, afterward taking a collegiate course at Franklin College. He clerked in a grocery stOre at Hope for one year, then came to Fowler, and has since been associated in the drug trade wdth his brother. MARTIN McCASLIN.'a native Hoosier, was born in Marion County October 29, 1843, and is the second in a family of six children born to George and Hannah (Martindale) McCaslin, natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana. George McCaslin was one of the pioneers of Marion County, locating there as early as 1830, and, being a millwright by trade, erected some of the first mills on Wiiite River. He ai ' wife are living in Marion County on a farm, a few miles from the State capital. Foi -.hirtj' years, Martin McCaslin lived on the farm where he was born. Receiving but a limited education in youth, he began for himself at twenty years of age, and until 1873 had charge of tlie home farm. June 11, 1873, he was married to Lydia A.. Nelson, and in November of the same year moved to Hoopeston, 111., and engaged in merchandising, continuing until 1879, when he moved to Fowder, which has since been his home. Mr. McCaslin is a Democrat, and to him and wife two children have been born — Carl and Paul. JOHM F. McCONNELL was born October 26, 1831, in Warren County, Ind., and is one of ten children born to David and Mary (Moore) McConnell. For a sketch of the father, see biography of Judge David McConnell, Oak Grove. John F. McConnell received his education in the log schoolhouses of the frontier, and at- tended the first day of tlie first term of school ever taught in the county, the teacher being his uncle, Samuel McConnell. He has followed tlie business of farming all his life, and has never left Benton County since his first settlement in it. He lived with his father until about twenty-nine years of age, when he was married, and lived in Oxford until 1873, when he came to Center Township and purchased alarm of 140 acres, upon which he'still resides, and has erected upon it one of the best houses in the county. He gives some attention to stock-raising, and is a member of Summit Grange, "No. 247. Mr. McConnell was married. May 29, 1862, to Elenore Menefee, a native of tlie Old Dominion, and ten children have blessed this union, nine of whom are yet living. In politics, Mr. McConnell is a Democrat, and is one of the oldest settlers in the county. J. B. McKINNEY came to" Fowler. Benton County, Ind., in March, 1881, erected the building on the corner of Fifth and Adams streets, and in connection with his brother, who conducts a similar business at Red Key, Ind., opened a hardware and implement store. He has one of the largest and best selected stocdisof hardware and implements in the county, and is agent for the Moline plows, Deer's corn planters, and McCormick's harvesters, and also carries a very large stock of shelf hardware 330 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: and stoves. In 1883, he transacted a business of $41,000, and during 1883 will exceed tliat amount by more tliau §4,000. Mr. McKinney was born in Jay County Ind., December 11, 18.50, and is one of nine children in the family of Joseph J. and Ehza- beth (Haitian) McKinney. The former traces his ancestry to four bro hers who came to Pennsylvania from Ireland about two hundred years agv>; the latter is of Scotch descent, and both are natives of Ohio, but removed to .lay County, Ind., where the former practices law, and oversees several farms of which he is the owner. He was for four years a member of the Indiana State Legislature. J. B. McKmney was married, November 10, 1873, to Sarah J. Dunn, a native of Franklin Count}-, Ohio, and they have three children— Arthur D., Nellie A ancl Harley J- Both parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. McKm- ney is a Democrat. t j j W. T. McNEIL, attorney at law, is a native of Montgomery County, Ind.. and was born Januarv 2C. 18.i8. He removed with his parents. Jesse G. and Lavina '■(Holloway) McNeil, to Benton County in April, 1860, where he was principally reared. His father, who served Benton County as Surveyor for ten years, is yet liv- ing, and resides in Grant Township, but his mother died April 1, 1882. After at- tending the common schools of Benton County, he completed his schooling with a course at the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. At eighteen years of age, he began his career as a pedagogue, and this vocation he has plied for fifty- six months in Benton County. InMay,l8T8, he became editor and proprietor of the Oxford Tribune, and conducted that periodical until September, 1880, when he sold out, and in February, 1881. established the Fowler Eye. For over a year he con- tinued the pul]lication of the Eye, making a success of it in every respect; he then sold it, and it was then merged into the Rcpublimn. and afterward converted into the Era. Since his retirement from journalistic W(jrk. Mr. McXiel has devoted his attention to the study of law and working insurance. In politics, he is an uncom- promising Republican, and although a memlier of no church, is of the Methodist Episcopal faith. DR. J. 8. MAVITY, a Hoosier bj' birth, was born in Ripley County Februarv 19, 1845, and is one of six children, five of whom are living, born to David J. and Lurania B. (Davis) Mavity, natives of Virginia, and who were there married. They emigrated to Ripley County, Ind., in 18o(). and there Mr. Mavit_v died August 7, 1872, but his widow survives him and resides with her son. Dr. J. S. Mavity at- tended Moore's Hill College in Dearborn County, Ind.. for a number of 3"ears, after- ward teaching school in Indiana and Illinois six 3'ears. He began the study of medicine under Drs. Smith & Wagner, of Newman, 111., and in 1870-71 attended the State Indiana Medical College at Indian^jpolis. Tlie latter year he opened an office in Tipton, Inil., and remained there just five years, tlien came to Fowler, where he has since resided. As a practitioner. Dr. Mavity has met with success, as his exten- sive practice indicates. He is a Republican, and is the present Health Officer of Benton Counlj' He is a member of the ^Masonic fraternity, and Mrs. Mavity is a member of the Presbyterian Church. September (!. iSliS, he was married to* Miss Mary A. Hart, a native of Franklin County, Ind., and to their union have been born six children — Robert Ernest (deceased^. David Everett, Joseph Hallcs, Agnes (deceased), William Asher and Helen. MEllRICK & TRAVIS, attorncvs and counselors at law. and adjusters of land titles, formed their partnershi|> at Fowler in March, 1875, and have since been rec- ognized as one of the prominent legal finns of the Benton Countv l)ar. They have a complete set of abstracts of land titles for the county, and in this branch are doing an extensive business. Thomas L. Merrick, the sen'ior partner, was born inWabasii County, Ind., June 7, 1842, and is one of four surviving children in a family of six born to ts.'iac and Margaret (LateUen^t Merrick, natives'of Dover, Del. The'parents moved to Fayette (\iunly. Ind.. in 1S;!5, and afterward to Wabash County. Isaac Merrick was a carriage-maker and trimmer by trade, but after coming to the Hoosier State, farmed until his death in Deeeinbcr, 1870. His widow and three children are yet living in Wabash County. Thomas L. Merrick was reared and educated in his native county, lie enlisted as a private in Companv F. One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteer Inlimlry. in September, 1862. lie "participated in the 'Milton en- gagement. Mission Ridyc, and some severe skirmishes. Bv reason of ill-health he was r(-lieved I'roni active lield work after the last named battle, and until his dis- cliarge in July, 1S(!5, was on detached duty. He liegan tlie study of hnv with Peltit & (\nvgill. of Wabash, and in 1867 located in Oxford for the praeliee of his profession. At lliejimc of his localicm, lu' was the third altornev then practicing in tlie county. In 1^^75, he removed to Fowler, wliich has since becii bis home. He is a Republieaii, and 111 1S7II was elected Slate's Attorney for the counties of Benton. White and Car- roll. He is the present Nolile Grand of Fowler Lodge No. 460 1 O O F He was married .hn.e 2!i, 1,'<75, to Miss Jennie Hawkins. Thcv have one daughter— Laura. TOWN OF FOWLER AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 331 Mrs. Merrick belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is the dau'diter of Robert Hawicins, one of the old pioneers of Benton Connty. Henry S Travis is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Armstrong County September 4 1848 His father, Stephen Travis, was born in 1800, and died June 14, 18)1. His mother' Frances Travis (her maiden name was the same as her husband's) was l)orn in 1807, and died at Rensselaer June 13, 187J. Henry S. Travis received oulv one year's schooling in youth, but perseverance under difficulties enabled him to secure a teacher's twelve months' certificate when twenty years old. With the proceeds derived from one term's teaching;, he became a student at Illinois Stale Normal School, where he remained two school years; then came to Rensselaer Ind and taught the intermediate department in the graded schools one term In 1870 he began the study of law with Dwiggins & Thompson, and a year later became a partner of the senior member of that firm, under the name of Dwiggins & Co. At the end of about one year, this partnership was dissolved, Mr. Travis movin"- to Ox- ford, Benton Connty, where he continued practicing law until his removal tolFowler m 187.'j. He is a Republican, and in 1878 was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit, serving two years. May 7, 1871. he was united in mar- riage with Miss Josie Halstead, daugliter of David T. Halstead, one of the old set- tlers of Jasper County.and they are the parents of four sons— Guy, David, Ray and Leigh. A. MEYER began business first in Fowler as a butcher in November, 1875, and continued six years with success. For the succeeding two years he was engaged in the liotel business, first as proprietor of the Fowler House, and, after it was burned, of the Summit House, March 10, 1883, he enibarkjd in his present business, which has averaged $i,O0n per month. He carries a full and complete line of dry goods, hats, caps, boots, shoes, groceries, queensware andglassware, amounting in"value to about §10,00 ). Mr. Meyer is a native of Strasbourg, France, and was born October 13, 1837. He had excellent scliooling advantages, and, besides his native language, spealcs German, Hebrew and English equally well. In 186.5, he crossed tlie Atlan- tic, and until his location in Benton County traveled all over the United States, from New York to California, working at the butcher's trade. On his location in Fowler, ten years after his arrival in this country, Mr. Meyer had;only $1], but by persistent pluck and good business management, he has acquired valuable property. Owing to a too generous disposition, he has at different times lost thousands of dollars by having to pay security debts for friends, but he has never failed to gain the ground thus lost. He is a Republican. Mr. Meyer has been twice married, fl'rst in Strasbourg, France, to Rosali Block, who died in the old country in 1866, leaving three children, all of whom are living. He married his present wife, Olive Lent in 1874. at New York. JOHN E. MITCHELL, a native of Wyoming County, N. Y., was born April 4. 1837, and is one of three children, two yet living, born to Gilbert and Al)bey (Dodge) Mitchell, natives of Colchester, Conn., and of Irish descent. John E. Slitchell was educated at the district schools, and began working at the painter's trade when fourteen years old, hut two years later began blacksmithing. He served a three years' apprenticeship in Albion, Mich., and in 1857, opened a shop in Chalmers, White County, Ind., where, on the 9th of November. 1857, he married Jane E. An- derson, and the year following removed to C'olburn, Ind., where he remained until 1861. In October of that year, he enlisted in Company C, Forty-sixth Indiana "Volun- teer Infantry; served at the battle of New Madrid, after which he was detailed as blacksmith." He received his discharge in September, 1864, and located atPyrmont, Ind. In March, 1869, he opened a shop at Hickorjr Grove. In March, 1S72, he raised the first building in Fowler, it being a blacksmith shop, on the corner of Washing- ton avenue ami Fourth street. He was the first Postmaster of the place, and has remained here ever since, steadily engaged at his trade. February 13, 1833. he pat- ented a new cultivator plow. He has disposed of half of his interest to Mr. Adams D. Raub. They expect to introduce their patent over the whole countrjr. Mr. Mit- chell is a RepuV)lican, a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry, and he and wife are parents of three living children — Sarah E.. Wilbur L. and Gilbert D. WILLIAM MOORE, Treasurer of Benton County, is a native of Adams County, Ohio, and was born October 30, 1817. In March, 1831, his parents, William and Keziah (Baldwin) Sloore, emigraterl to Warren Count}^ Ind., and entered Govern- ment land, which the}- improved and lived on the remainder of their lives. Will- iam Moore, sub.ject of this biography, is one of twelve children, seven of whom are living. He was reared on a farm, and had a common school education. At the age of eighteen, he .began working for himself. In 1840, he was married to Elizabeth Moore (no relation), and the fall of that year came to Benton County, and settled in what is now Bolivar Township (then a part of Oak Grove), and erecting a cal)in. began farming. He remained there until 1850. Ihen moved to Tippecanoe County, •JO- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. for the purpose of educating his children at the Battle Ground School. He was en- gaged in various pursuits here until his return to Bolirar Toivnship, Benton County, in 1873. He ivas elected County Treasurer in 1880. Mr. Jloore is a Republican, but previous to 1856 was a Democrat. He began life a poor bo}-, but bj- economy and industry has accumulated comfortable surroundings. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have had born to them tbe following children: Sarah C, now Mrs. M. C. Barnes, of Crawfordsville; John S. (deceased). Rebecca (deceased), .James 0., a merchant of Fowler; Luella H., Deputy County Treasurer, and Grace. A. .1. PURDY, M. D., is of Hoosier birth, and was born in Clifton County, April 2, 1849. He is the third of eight children Ijorn to George F. and Mahala (Luddington) Purdy, natives! of Onondaga County, X. Y., and of Scotch and Ger- man descent respectivel3^ Tlie f.'imily removed to Ohio in 184;3, and later to Kirk- lin, Clinton County, Ind., where the father of Dr. Purdy first engaged in farming, afterward in mercantile pur.suits. He died in 18T8, but iris widow j^et survives him, and resides in Kirlvlin. A. .J. Purdy was reared in liis native county, and was edu- cated in the public scliools, afterward attending three years at school in Frauiifort. In 1869, he became a student of Dr. C. H. Smith, of Kirklin, and the winter of 1873-73 attended lectures at the University of Butler, at Indianapolis. March 5, 1873, Dr. Purdy came to Fowler, then a village of about thirty inhabitants — and be- gan the practice of medicine. Being the first physician to locate at this place, his practice increased witli the growth or the town, and he has been remarkablv suc- cessful. The winter of 1879-80 he attended half a term of lectures at hi- old a?ma mater, which had since taken the name of the Medical College of Indiana, but, owing to sickness in his family, was unable to complete bis course; but the term of 1880-81 he graduated from that institution, receiving hisdegi-ee of M. D. Dr. Purdy is one of the enterprising citizens of the place. Hcms a member of the I. O. <). P., and is a Republican. October 38, 1878. he was married to Miss Leah Ellen Kutz and three children have blessed their union— Cecil F.. Leonora and Zerah M. The mother is a member of the Christian Church. ^YILLIAM ROMEL was born Februarv 4, 1848, in Hesse-Cassel. Germany, and is one of eight children born to Henry and Marg'aret (Sturch) Romel, both natives of Germany. Henry Romel was liorn July 30. 1814. and received a common school education m his own language. He has followed the business of farming all his life, having owned a farm in Germanv. In about 183.".. he was married and in 18.54 ■ moved with his family to O.'cford, Benton County, Ind., where he rented and worked farms until 1866, wlien he came to Center Township and bought the farm of 80 acres upon which he still resides. William Romel received a good practical educa- tion m the common schools of Benton and Warren Counties, has alwavs followed the business of farming and has alwavs lived with his father's familv In 1876 he bought a farm of eighty acres and has since added 40 acres. Mr Romel -till re- mains unmarried, and in politics both he and father are Democrats, and old settlers and prominent men of the eounty. . ^^'^^^ SANDERS was born 5[ay 17, 1830, in Washington Countv, Penn and is one ol fourteen children born to Absalom and Phebe (Avers) Sanders ilwilom Sanders was a native of New Jersey and when about eight Vears of age moved with his parents to Washington County. Penn., where he obtained his education which was bmited on account of tlie meager school facilities of that tim.'. He followed larniing all Ins life and died in Pennsylvania in about 1853. He and wife were mem- tiv'fi^i , } resbyterian Cluueh. Avers S.inders received his education in his na- ve State, lived with his f.atliei- s family until he was about twentv vears of a.-e and ler. "med out until b'^lU. and in that yvnv came to Center Township, and lived on !■ . ■ no^y owneil by Benjamin Speers, staying there two vears. when he came to tn .1 „t rigbty acres, previously bought, upon which he still resides. He and wife are members ot the Piesi.yterian Chuivli. and he is an Elder in that soc etv Mr Samha-s was married. O.lol.er S. 1S43. to Eli/.abeth Baine. a native of Pennsvlvauii and „nc ,.on, S,m„i, S.. wa- born to this union. Mrs. Sanders died Jam r y 3 b^ll, an. Air. .Sanders «as next married, in December, 1S46. to Maria Dodd ai d tun -InMren weir the result of this union. Mrs. Maria Sanders died April is^S 'H' . une ;,, 1,S:,( . Mr. Sanders married Mrs. Catharine Malnifv. In po i i e< he U a Ivcpiiblic;,!,, Mild one ot the earlv .settlers of the countv " ' ''■■ '' '» \'. n . , r Q- , "'i' '" """' '^'"I'l'-i'ii. «i^' .vi^t living, born to Morris ami I 7,i>s""?r' ^.'■■i"'""- "''lives of Ireland, and Who came to the rnil ed >^tat^'s about 1838 Morris Scanlon folhnved farming after coming to Tip h> uu e Co, n v Ind., in 18,50. He ,l,cd in the latter place in 1857, bat his'wido v is 1 hi,, /./n -V,' s,un IM,4 has made his home m Benton County. He reeeived a common TOWN OF FOWLER AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 338 school education, and wlien twenty years of age began doing for liimself. In Feb- ruary, 1865, he enlisted for the war in Company K, One Hundred and Fiftieth Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry, and until the close of the war was situated in the Shenan- doah Valley. After the war, he came back to Grant Township and remained tliere until November, IHSJ, when he was elected to his present position. Mr. Scanlon is a member of tlie G. A. R. at Boswell and is a Democrat. NEWTON SHEETZ, Recorder of Benton Countv, is a native df this county, and was born in Pine Township, July 8, 1856. His home was with his parents until he attained his majority, and in 1878 he began his public career as Deputy Count} Sheriff, but in 1883 was elected to his present position, in which capacity he has since served. John R. Slieetz his father, and one of the pioneers of Benton Coun- ty, was a native of the Old Dominion, born in 1827. He came with his parents, John and Isabelle. (Parker) Sheetz, to Indiana in the year of his birth, and was rear- ed chiefly in Benton County. His education was but limited, having been confined to the schools of that early day, and his occupation through life was farming. He was an lionest and industrious man, and by hard work and economy acquired a good home. In 1852, he was united in marriage with Lucy Templeton, and to their union were born the following children; Frances, Mrs. D. J. Eastburn; Newton, present County Recorder; James L., a farmer of White County; Agnes L., Deputy County Recorder; William. Isabel], Minnie, Johnnie, deceased, and Albert. DAWSON SMITH, attorney at law, is a native of England and was born in Yorkshire, March 25, 1810. At the age of eight years he was employed in a woolen factory. His education was obtained by self culture. In 1860, he was married to Emily Thomas, and January 7, 1864, set sail for the United States, leaving his wife and family behind. On his' arrival, he joined Company C, Eleventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and served through the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, at the siege of Petersburg, and on the Appomattox when Lee surrendered. He was discharged June 16, 1865, and for two years he worked at his trade in different fac- tories in the New England States. His family arrived in July. 1865, but the fall of the same vear they were attacked by typhoid fever and none survived. In 1868, Mr. Smith came to Monticello, White Co., Ind., and took charge of the woolen mills at that place. December 24, 1868, he married Miss Tillie Hackenburg. In 1869, he went to Fairbury, 111., and embarked again in the manufacture of woolen goods, but by the treachery of his partner, he was left penniless, and |400 debt to pay. This he paid off in time, but in 1871, went to Leavenworth, Kan., and started a woolen factory for Eastern capitalists. The same year, he returned to Fairbury, and for three j^ears was Superintendent of the coal mine at that place, during which time he also studied law. Mr. Smith located in Fowler, the fall of 1874, for the practice of his profession, and has met with success. He is a Democrat, and for two years has held the office of County Attorney; is a member of the G. A. R. and is an Agnostic. Mrs. Smith is a memljer of the Methodist Episcopal Church. JACOB SMITH, in March, 1875, established the first boot, shoe, hat, cap, and glove store in Fowler, with a stock valued at about 15,000. The year preceding this, he erected his present store building, a two story brick 20x60 feet. His business has so increased as to necessitate an ig8,000 selected stock of goods. He transacts an average annual business of between ftl8,000 and !g2'i,000. Mr. Smith is a native of Stark County, Ohio, and was born December 22, 1835. With his parents, Michael and Mary (Smith) Smith, he removed West in 1844, and located m Miami County, Ind. He received a common school education and at uineteen years of age, learnt the boot and shoe maker's trade. He served a three years' apprenticeship, and for a year following worked as a journeyman. In 1857, he opened a shoe shop in Gilead, Ind., and for eighteen years remained in business at that place. From there he came to Fowler, which has since been his home. Mr. Smith is of German descent, his parents being natives of Alsace, Germany. He is a Republican, a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry, and is the President of the Board of Trustees of Fowler. September 6, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Hoagbn, and they have had five children— Alice, deceased; William D., deceased; Mmnie, Cornelius T and Ida The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Fowler. J P. SMITH & CO. This firm was first established by J. P. Smith, J. P. Bar- nard and J M. Dixon, in August, 1877, with a cash capital of $4,r00. Until the summer of 1878, they dealt almost exclusively in lumber, coal and farm wagons. They then added an agricultural implement store. In August, 1879, Mr. Dixon s interest was purchased by W. B. Hixson, the firm name remaining as before, after which their implement trade was discontinued, and an extensive ice trade was es- tablished. The fall of 1879, they began to ship tile into Fowler. In order to obtain tiling cheaper, they employed experts to examine the soil near Fowler, which proved to be of a superior quality for either brick or tile. They erected a factOTy. the fall of 1883, the shed of which was 20x150 feet. They built one lain, added 334 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: some of the best and latest machinery, and before tlie season was over the demand necessitated increased capacity. In April, 188S, they lensthened their ,shed to 5.30 feet, and built two more kilns, while the drying capacity was increased by three tiers of portable shelves throughout the entire shed. Each kdn has a capacity of three car loads, wliile the present drying power is eighteen car loads. The machin- ery has a capacity of aliont three car loads per day, and the firm transacts an aver- age weekly business, in this branch alone, during the season, of $9 0. The annual business done aside from this, will average §13,0ii0, and their ice trade, for which they have a storage capacity of 3.")ittons, forms an important factor in their business. Their firm is one of the most prosperous in Western Indiana. J. P. Smith is a na- tive of South Carolina, and when eight years of age removed with his parents, A. M. and Minerva C. (Wagerman) Smith, to Hamilton County, Ind. The spring of 1873, he became a clerk in the store of H. Jacobs, at Fowler, and a year later asso- ciated himself in partnership with Mr. Gaddis in the lumber trade, under the title of Smith & Gaddis. At tlie expiration of six months. Mr. Smith purchased his part- ner's interest, and conducted the business alone until 1S7.5, when he sold out, and in 1877, became interested in the above firm. MAHLON D. SMITH, Clerk of Courts of Benton County, a native of Montgom- ery County, Ind., was born June 17, 18-13. He is the youngest son of six children, five of whom are j'et living, born to Isaac and Hannali iGaskill) Smith, natives of Virginia and New Jersey, and of German and English descent respectively. Mr. Smith is yet living in Montgomery Count}', but his wife died in December, 1881. M. D. Smith was reared in Montgomery County, and after attending the public schools, studied at Stockwell Collegiate Institute in Tippecanoe County for three j'ears. In 1870, he began the stud.y of law at Crawfordsville, in the office of M. D. White, an attorney, but in 1873 located at Oxford, then the cotmty seat of Benton County, and began the practice of his profession. In 1876, he removed to Fowler, where he continued legal pursuits, until he entered the office of County Clerk, hav- ing been elected to this position November 7. 1883. Sir. Smith is a Democraf. and a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry. He was married at Oxford, January 11, 1876. to Miss Anna Burdett. Two children — Hattie B. and Oma, have blessed their marriage, and both are living. ^ . - ^ SNYDER & CRANDALL first started in February, 1883, with a general assort- ment of hardware, stoves, tinware and agricultural implements, amounting in value to ahout $8,000; while judging from their sales since the firm's organization, they transact an average annual business of between §18,000 and S20,000. Their store is on Fifth street, near the corner of Washington avenue, where Jlr. Zinn handled liardware for a number of years. Each member of the firm being an ex-farmer, the}' know precisely wliat farmers most desire, which the.v furnish at reasonable figures. ^VilHam Snyder was born in Tippeecanoe Ci'uuty. Ind., Marcli 14. 1833, and is one of seven children Itoru to John and Rachel (RidgewayySnyder, natives of Ross County, Ohio. About 18'37, the parents emigrated to Tippecanoe Countv. Ind., ' entered lancl, engaged in farming, and died in 184'.3 and 18.!i3 respectively. William Snyder was edueateil in tlie common schools, and afier his mot lier's marriage with Solomon Young.and when sixteen years old. he began working for himself. In 1855, he was employed teaming between Keokuk and (Miariton, Iowa, and in 1856 was with Ueniral Lane on his expedition in Kansas. In 18."i7. he returned to Indiana, anIill Springs. Tullahoma, Res- aca, Kencsaw jlountain, and the siege of Atlanta and Corintli. James Swan claims to be, and undoulitedly is. tlie man who sliot Ctcu. ZollioofEer at ilill Springs. He was requested to attempt it by Col., afterward Gen. M. D. ;Man. He stepped to a tree, rested his gun. took deliberate aim. and fired, and the General fell, mortally wounded. Both brothers are members of Benton Post. G. A. R., and James is also a member of Benton Lodge, No. 561, F. & A. M.. and Fowler Lodge. I. 0. O. P. William F. Swan was married September 18. 1870. to Elizabeth Sanders, a native of Greene County. Penn.. and six thildren liave been born to them, three of whom. Ella M., Edna B. and Roliert A., are living. James Swan was never married. Polit- ically. Iiotli are Uepuhlieans. and prominent men of the county. FRANlvLlN TAYLGK. Postmaster at Fowler, is a Kentuckian bv birth, and was born in Camiibell County December 9, 1815. Wlieu he was four years old, his parents, William W. and Mary (ColvliO Tavlor. moved to Warren Couutv, Ohio, remaining tliere until 1830, then emigrated to Clinton County, Ind. Both'parents died at Fraiikfiu't. the county seat cd' that county, at au advanced age. Franklin Taylor made his home with his parents until tlie age of seventeen years, during which time he received cmly au ordinary education. In about 1834. he became a bar-keeper in a hotel at La i\iyette. He fell into dissipated habits, which steailily increased until he was twenty two years of age. when, through the efforts of his mother, he was induced to reform. July 4. 1840, he was licensed (o preach the !\l. M. failh. luid for thirty live years has been actively engaged in ministerial labors in Indiana. Through ill' health he became superannuated, ami retired from the ministry in 1878. and July 1, 1879, received the appointment of Postu\asler at Fowler, in which capacity he has since been engaged. Mr. Tavlor has been three ' times niarried; lirsl, to Susanna Fisher, who died in 1859, after 'bearim;- a familv of six children — iMargaret A., deceased; Martha J., now a teacher in Cleveland, Ohio; TOWN OF FOWLER AXD CENTRE TOWNSHIP— BENIGN COUNTY. 337 John F., deceased; Sanford F., deceased; Joseph F., now a resident of Delphi, Ind., and Charles E., deceased. Mr. Taylor married Lucinda Spotts, in 1859, who died in 1869, and his present wife, Margaret (Petro) Blackburn, in 1873. Since 1878, Mr. Taylor has resided in Fowler, in the history of which he has been closely identified, having been pastor of the M. E. Church of this place in 1875-76. He is a Republican. LE ROY TEMPLETON, a native of Shelby County, Ind., was born November 20, 1830, but when four months old came with his parents, Isaac and Rhoda (Gregory) Templeton, to near Rainsville, Warren County, where he grew to man- hood. Isa;ic Templeton was a native of Virginia, and wlien twenty years old emi- frated'westward to Shelby County, Ind., where he married his wife the fall of 1823. Irs. Templeton was a sister of Hon. B. F. C4regory, deceased, a once prominent man of Warren County. These old pioneers endured all the hardships of pioneer life, and Mrs. Templeton, after bearing a family of eleven children (two of whom were killed in the late war), died in 1849. Mr. Templeton, Sr., afterward married Melissa Jennings, who bore him three children, and died in 1871. His third wife died in 1874. Le Roy Templeton, in 1855, moved to Fayette County, Iowa, attend- ing school two years at Upper Iowa University. He resided in Iowa eight years. He enlisted in Company F, Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry. On the organization of the company, he was elected First Lieutenant. Mr. Templeton participated in the battles of Ft. Donelaon, Shiloh, Corinth, and various minor engagements, but owing to ill health was compelled to resign. He was discharged in 1863. Mr. Templeton engaged in the live-stock business in California, and later in the live-stock commission trade in New York (;ity for five years. In 1868, he returned to Indiana, located in Benton County, where he has since resided, engaged in various occupa- tions. Mr. Templeton is a Republican, a Master Mason, and his wife is a member of the U. B. Church. He was married, in 1851, to Mary J. Patterson, who bore him six children— Orne, George R., Henry V., Wallace U., Frank and Laura. Mr. Templeton married his present wife, Jenny McKeuney, in May, 1881. WILLIAM S. VAN NATTA, stock-raiser, and superintendent of the Fowler farm, was born in Tippecanoe County September 27, 1830, and is a son of John S. and Sarah A. Van Natta, who were pioneers of the Wabash Valley. He was reared a farmer, and that and merchandising were his occupations, until he began dealing in stock in 1865, since when he has been exclusively engaged in farming, buying, selling and rearing blooded stock. He is a Republican, a Master Mason, and is the owner of 1,100 acres of land south of Fowler, on which his son resides. He is a partner of Mr. Fowler in the stock business, and they have become noted all over Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky, as among the finest stock-owners in the West. They have a fine herd of 300 imported Hereford cattle on their farm, some of which have taken first premiums and sweepstakes at various State fairs, besides at many county fairs. They also own one of the finest pure-blood English draft stallions in the United States. Mr. Van Natta and Miss Harriet Sheetz were married November 10, 1858, and to them a family of five children have been born. JOSEPH F. WARNER was born in Ro.=s County, Ohio, Jlay 29, 1846, and of the ten children born to bis parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Farmer) Warner, only five are now living. When but seven years old, he removed with his parents to Champaign County, 111., where his father died in 1873, his mother dying at Fowler in 1882. J. F. Warner was reared on a farm, received a limited education, and in February, 1864, euHsted in Company F, Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and participated in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoj-'s Station, Macon, Fayetteville, Kingston and Raleigh. Owing to ill health he had so decreased in weight that at the time of his discharge, July 20, 1865, at Louisville, he only weighed eighty-three pounds. He was engaged in various pur- suits until February, 1874, when he moved to Fowler, and established the second general store, erected sood buildings, encouraged immigration, was the first Town Clerk and has always been identified with the town's best interests. He is a Re- publican and a member of Benton Post, No. 25, G. A. R. He is at present a member of the firm of Warner & Gray, general collection agents, and is doing a first-class business. ^ .,, ^ . JAMES WHARRY, Surveyor of Benton County, was born at Greenville, Ohio, July 23 1841. He worked at the carpenter's trade and surveying until 1861, when, on the first call for 75,000 troops, he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Ohio Volun- teer Infantry. On tlie re-organization of the three-months troops he became a pri- vate in Company D, Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; participated in Stone River, Chickamauga, Atlanta campaign. Sherman's memorable march to the sea, Bentonville through the Cajolinas, and was discharged at Louisville, Ky., on the 25th of August, 1865. In October, 1863, he was promoted from Orderly Sergeant to 20 338 BIUGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Second Lieutenant of his company, and in September of the following year was advanced to the First Lieutenancy of Company H, and subsequently was made Quartermaster of tlie rea;iment. In May, 1865, he was commissioned Captain ot his old company, and from' the 1st of July until his discharge served m this position After the war, he recommenced carpentering in his native State, and contmued that and surveying until 1869, when he emigrated to Missouri. In February, 18.4 he came to Fowler. Mr. Wharry is a Republican in politics, and is the present Surveyor of the county, having been first elected m 18(8, re-elected in 18b0. and again re-elected in 1883. He was married in April, 1867 to Miss Mary Robertson o! La Fayette and they are the parents of eight children, all of whom are yet livintr Mr Wharry is a member of the G. A. R. of Fowler, and Mrs. A\ harry of the Methodist Epi.scopal Church. John and Eliza (Duncan) Wharr.y, parentis of the subiect of this slictch, were natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Ohio, of Scotch descent, and the parents of ten children, only eight of whom are now alive. They were among the pioneers of Ohio, and especially of Darke County, where Mr. Wharrv located in 1821. Both he and wife are now dead. P "M WILES, a native of Fayette County. Iiul., was born November 11, 1843, and is one of eleven children born to John H. and Sarah (Puntenney) Wiles, natives of Ohio, and of Welsh and Scotch descent respectively. They now reside in Tippe- canoe County, engaged in mercantile pursuits. P. M. Wiles came to Tippecanoe County, with his parents, when he was fourteen years old. He received a good academical education. September 6, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Tenth Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battle of Mill Spring (in which Gen. ZollicofEer was killed) and Shiloh. He was at the siege of Corinth, and the battle of luka, and on the marclies to Tuscumbia and Florence. His regiment then made a forced march back to Louisville, to intercept Bragg's army. He was at the battle of Perryville. The regiment went from Nashville to intercept Morgan. They rejoined the army at Murfreeslioro, and were at the battles of Chattanooga. Cliicka- mauga. Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. They were also in the Atlanta campaign. Sir. Wiles was discharged September 18. 1864. He returned home, and for a numlier of years attended and taught school. He was married, September 1. 1870. to Eliza M. Brown, after which he resided in Kansas six _vears. then returned to Indiana, and eng.aged in the grain trade at La Fayette. The winter of 1880. he removed to Fowler, which has since lieen his home. He is a Repuliliean, an Odd Fellow and a member of the G. A. R. He and wife have three children — Law- rence A., Frank A. and Effle. ED P. W1LLL\.MS was born at Waco, Texas, August 7. 1857, and is the eldest of three children born to D. McA. and Elizabeth (Boswell) Williams. His father, when a young man, moved to Tippecanoe County. Ind.. where lie remained only one year, then came to what is now Parish Grove Township, where he was married. He carried on farming, owning at one time over 1,700 acres of land. In 1873. he began the publication of the Central Clarion, now Fowler Era. which he edited about six years, but at present is in the employ of a school- furnishing company, and resides at Fowler. Ed P. Williams, when about two weeks old. came from Texas witli his parents, his mother having been in that State for her health. He worked on his fallier's farm until attaining liis majority, after which he rented and worked farms for two years. He then traveled for a school chart company for one year, subsequently acting as Deputy Sheriff ot Benton Count}' for two years. In March, 1883, he opened a boot and shoe store at Fowler. lud.. "and is building up a first-class trade. He keeps one of the largest and best selected stock of goods in the town. He is a Reiniblican, and was chairman of the County Central Committee for 1883. Mr. Williams was married. Jainiaiy 13, 1878, to Nannie Hawkins, a native of Benton County, and two children have been born to them, only one, Mabel L.. now living. WILLI.VM WISHER came to this countv in September, 1848, and settled on the farm then owmd by liis lirother-iu law, Elisha Littler, where he remained for three years, after which he came to Center Township and entered the UiO acres upon which lie still resides. He was Justice of tlie Peace of Oak Grove Township nine years, and Trustee of Prairie Township two years. When a bov. he learned the blacksmilli's and wagon-maker's trades in his father's shop, whiehbusiness he fol- lowi'd until about twentj'-one years of age. When small, hi' moved with his parents to Fairlield Ccninty, Oliio, where he remained about nine years; then went to Pick- away County, Ohio, and remained until his removal to Indiana. Jlr. Wisher was married Dci-cmber 31. 183S. to Sarah Littler, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, and eigbt children have been born to tlieni, two of whom. Elizabeth and Jane, are living. Botb Mr. Wisher and wile were at one time mcmlicrs of the United IBreth- reu C'hureh, and it was at their request that tlie first religious services were con- ducted by a minister in Center Township. Mr. Wisher was born September 37, BOLIVAR TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTV. 339 1815, in Mifflin County, Penn,, and is one of tliirteen children in the family of David and Eleanor (Vallentine) Wisher, of German and Irish descent respect- ively. David Wisher was a native of Lancaster County, Penn. When a young man, he went to Mifflin County, Penn., where he remained untd 1837. He then removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he opened a shop and remained in the county until his death, March 27, 1854. His wife died on the 4th day of the same month. BOLIVAR TOWNSHIP. SUMNER W. BAKER was born in Kosciusko County, Ind., February 28, 1843. His father was born at Wheeling, W. Va., during the pilgrimage of his parents from Maine to Ohio, in 1816; his mother in Massachusetts in 1818. When our subject was twelve years of age. his father moved to Warsaw, Ind. Sumner attended school and worked on a farm until the war. when. August 2, 1862. he enlisted in Company C. Fourth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry. He participated at the battles of Vicksburg, Champion Hills, Haines' Blulf, West Point and others ; and was honorably dis- charged July 7, 1865. He then entered the University at Warsaw and finished his education, after which he learned the trade of a brickmason, working thereat dur- ing the summer, and teaching in the winter, having taught fifteen terms, two being in graded schools. January 23. 1873, he married Susan A. Beekcr. daughter of Dan- iel Beeker, from which union resulted five children — Pearl. LinnaeusE., Ernest W., Barnard (deceased) and Bertha (twins). In 1880, Mr. Baker came to this township'' andinvested in 200 acres, which are well improved. He is an Odd Fellow, a Ilepub- lican, and, as is his wife, a member of the M. E. Church. DR. JASPER BRISTOW, ayoung and rising physician of Templeton, is the son of John and Lucinda (Harding) Bristow, both natives of Kentucky, who moved to Clinton County, Ind., in the early time and entered land, and where our subject was born July 24, 1854. While at school, Jasper began reading anatomy and phys- , iology, and in 1873 commenced reading medicine with Drs. Cooper and Farrar, of Scircleville, Ind., and attended tlie Cincinnati Medical College, from which he grad- uated. He then returned to Scircleville and practiced his profession. In 1877, at the written request of many persons, he was induced to move to Templetim, where he has secured a large and satisfactory patronage. Dr. Bristow has an improved eighty-acre farm ; he is a Master Mason. John Bristow, his father, was stricken suddenly with heart disease, and died April 14. 1877. He came from Kentucky with little means and in feeble health, but bj- energy and prudence became one of the foremost citizens of this county. He was greatlj' esteemed, and his death, was la- mented. DAVID BROWN was born in Indiana August 5, 1824, and is a son of John and Catherine A. (Mater) Brown. With very little schooling, our subject labored at clearing and breaking ground until Feljruary 10, 1847, when he was married to Anna, daughter of John and Christina (Young) Beeker, of Washington County, Ind. Their union was blessed with nine children — John W., born August 29, 1849 ; Harriet F., born February 8, 1^51 (deceased) ; Leonard, born August 1, 1853 ; Millie A., born October 7, 1856; Flora A., born August 11, 1859; Aaron, born March 4, 1861 (deceased) ; Peter, Ijorn Octolier 6, 1863 ; Andrew J., born July 31, 1807. and Cora, born December 29, 1869. After owning land and living in Fult(jn and Tippe- canoe Counties, Mr. Brown came to Benton County in 1855. and purchased 120 acres in Section 28, which he improved and on which he built a home. He now has 3U9 acres. The parents of Mrs. Brown came to this State at an early day, as did those of Mr, Brown. He is a liberal Democrat. WILLIAM OTTERBEIN BROWN, son of William and Sarah (Koch) Brown, was born in Maryland January 31, 1837. Wlien he was six years of age, his father moved to Warren County, where he had entered land ; he was a farmer and a Bishop of the United Brethren Church. Our subject attended school until he was ei,ghteen, when he was sent to Baltimore, where he graduated. He was married, Octbljer 6, 1850, to Eliza A. Moore, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Wayman) Moore, of Tip- pecanoe County, Ind. ; this union was blessed with si.v children— Mary E. (deceased), Ella J., Alice P., Sarah W., Mysie S. and Iduna C. IMr. Brown was a farmer and stock-dealer, and the first Postmaster of Pond Grove (now Otterbein), which posi- tion he held at death. He donated twenty acres of land to the railroad, the com- pany building a depot and naming the town Otterbein, in honor of our subject. Mr. Brown was an earnest Republican, but refused every solicitation to accept office. Up to 1858, he continued in the United Brethren Church, but afterward became a 340 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: strong Spiritualist, and so died Februar_y 10, 1879. He left a large estate to his fam- ily. His widow and two single daughters are living at their former home — all greatly respected. TIMOTHY BURNS was a native of Ireland, born in the year 1828, and came to America in the year 1840. He located at La Fayette, Ind., where he worked b}' the day. In 1852, he was married to Barbara Toole, also a native of Ireland ; their union was graced with twelve children — Michael (deceased), Mary, Frank, Timothy, JIalcom (deceased), Mark. Honora, Barbara E., John (deceased), Patrick (deceased), John (deceased) and Bridget. Mr. Burns was a practical economist in monej' mat- ters, and purchased 130 acres in this township, therebj' making a home and becom- ing a gem-nil farmer; he died April 5. 1879; he was a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. His wife and children are residing on the home farm, made for them and be(|ueatlied to them by their late protector. JOSEPH CARMANY is a .son of Joseph and Mary (TToodring) Carman.y, the former a nalive of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio. Our subject was born Septem- ber 3, 1838, and when twelve years old his parents moved to Indiana, thence to Linn Count}', Iowa, wliere Joseph attended his hrst school. In 1860. he moved to Clinton County, Ind,, and August 29, 18S2, enlisted in Company I, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Jackson, ^Mission Ridge and Atlanta. Subsequentlj^ he took part in the battles with Hood, and was in the "irrand review at Washington; he was discharged June 20, 1865, and thereupon worked for his father, who (lied January 29, 1866. The family then moved to this township, and pur- chased ninety acres. October 5, 1875, he married Catherine V. Machir, daughter of Isaac and Jane (Long) ilachir; to tliis union were liorn five children— Arthu°r A May Bell, M.iry J., Daisy Deane and William [. 3Ir. Carmanv added to his laud until he had 210 acres; this he sold and purchased eighty acres in Section 9. He and wife are meml^ers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, ilr. Carmany has im- proved his land, and lias some stock. He is a Democrat. PATRICK CARROLL was born in Ireland in the year 1835. and is a son of Thom- as and Ellen Carroll. He went to school until he was twelve years of age. after which he worked on the home farm uivtil 1847, when his father died, and our subject came to America. After working one year on a farm in New York, he moved to La Fay- ette, Ind., and worked for "William Hawkins. In 1850. he bought a section of land in White County, and the same year came to this township and'exchauged said land for 200 acres, well improved, in Section 22, of this township, on which he is now liv- ing and farming. February 19. 180o. he was married to Joanna Collins a native of Irelanrt his mother, who died in 1872. He has a fine, well-cultivated farm of 160 acres, and is a Republican. JOSHUA H. ICE is a native of Virginia, born December 23, 1827, and is a son of Jess.' and Sarah (Hickman) Ice, also natives of Virginia. Grandfather Ice estab- lished the ferry across Cheat River, near Cheat Mountain, Va., afterward conducted by his son Jesse. Joshua had a grandfather who was a soldier under Gen. Wash- ington, and his father commanded a regiment in the war of 1812. In 1833, Jesse Ice sold the ferry, moved to Henry County, Ind., and purchased considerable land, where our sub.jeet attended the pioneer school and worked on the farm; he after- ward attended two terms of graded school. September 14, 1852, he married Rebecca Hickman, daughter of Ezekiel T. and Jemima fHarvev) Hickman (her father was St;ite Senator in 1843, and the first and onlv Democrat smit from Henry County); this union was blessed with ten chiMren— 'Ezekiel T., Sarah, Howard, Jesse A., William .M., Warren M., Joseph and Josio (twins). :Mary A. and Ella m'. In 1865. Mr. Ice sold his land and purchased 170 acres in this township; his farm is in good cultivation, and is productive. He has been Township Assessor many years, and is a Democrat. Mrs. Ice is a member of the Baptist Church. THOMAS B. ISLEY is a son of Benjamin and Margaret (Southard) Isley, the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of Viricinia. Benjamin Isley was a carpenter, and erected some of the first houses in Medina and Adams Townships. He was married in Warren County, tnd., where our subject w;is born November 20, 1840, Thomas saved some money during his youth, with which he boushi some stock and 12(1 acres in this township, where he "can now count 700 acres as^is own, and also some of the finest cattle and hogs in the State ; in this respect, he is the banner farmer. Mr. Isley is unmarried, and lives with his a^ed mother— the "-reat- est virtue of man!— of whom he takes the greatest care. He has a very excellent farm, having thereon about fifteen miles of uiiderdraining. He is a Mas'ter Mason of Oxford Ln(li,r,., No. 190, a Denincrat and a justlv respected citi/en GEORGE H. JENNINGS, son of Milton'and 'Maria (Finch) Jenuinc-s was born m this townslnp March 29, 1842. His father was an early settler, who improved his land luid died in 1874, having been the first Treasurer "of Benton Countv ■ his wife died in 1S56. George II. obtained a f.iir education, and attended f ^ ary and ; they were early settlers of Payette Countv. John Lank moved I. Mindolph County Ind. in 1,837; thence to Tippecanoe, Boone, and finally to «hat is n^.w l.oliyar To^yllsl^Ip, Benton County, and at bis house, in 1851 wash dd he hrst Mellu.distmeKingconiprisin!; some fifteen persons, all named Lank but ill M, one a Ki'v. W dliam Wheeler. Ihomas Lank \yoiked on his father's farm until \»M. When he married Mary H. (\)ok, daughter of James W. and Lucinda (:\IiIlnor) yook. 1 lirir union has been blessed with sevei» children— Melissa V Thomas A Jessie, ,|,,,,,,,,.i) Olive J., John William. Flora D. and Mary L. Mr. Lank ;oo.; atUiJiiian a-' pur.d.ased forty aeres in Section 14. and now has 113 acres well im- proved wnh underdraining. He is a general farmer, and keeps solm stock Is a Itepubhean. and he an 1 wife are lueraliers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. * BOLIVAR TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 343 DA.V[D LANUM wa?i born in Boone County, Ind.. Septembpi- *1, 1856, and is a son of Thomas 3. and Anna C. (Maroney) Lanuiu, He attended the common sjhools of the timj, meanwhile workin:^ on the farm and saving his money to "-o to a higher school ; he attended the Lebanon Academy, and in 1871 was granted a teacher's certificate, when he lau,'ht in Boone and ilontgomery Counties. He af- terward engaged in mercantile business at Colfax, and was married, October 19, 1881, to Mary .J. Bradbnrn, daughter of Napoleon Bradburn, of Zionsville. Ind. In February. 18S3, he moved liis stock to Templeton and associated with him Daviil M. Davis and George H. St. Clair, under the firm name of David Lanum & Co. They carry the hxrgest stock of merchandise in the township ; they are agents for Robin- son & Co. 's machine worlcs ; they also iiandle various forms of farm machinery, manufacture a superior article of tile, and have the onlv tile factory in the town- ship. _ Mr. Laniira is an Odd Fellow, an! was twice elected Town Clerk of Colfax. The tlrra is rapidlv increasing their business and gaining confidence. BEN.IAlIiN'T. LEE, sou of Henry and Elmira (Cowherd) Lee, was born in Missouri July i, 1845. whither his parents emigrated, having been born in Shelby County. Ky. After the death of his father, Benjamin was compelled to labor for himself, and so worked in a tobacco factory until his marriage, June 8, 1865, to Vir- ginia E., daughter of Anthony and Theodosia (Carver) Harman. After marriage, Mr. Lee farmed in Missouri, and in 1870 came to this township, where his wife's father and her uncle (.Jacob Harman) gave her eighty acres, and money with which to build a house and improve ; the_y now have 300 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Lee is a general farmer, and raises some stock, Mr. and Mrs. Lee have three chil- dren — Rooert E., Emma and OUie. Mr. Lee is a Democrat, and his wife is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. THOMAS J. xMeCOXXELL. farmer, was born in Benton County, Ind., Octo-' ber 11, 1837. He is said to be th.- first male white child brouglit to light in that locality, and was the ninth of the eleven children of David and Polly (Moore) Mc- Connell (it-eteeteli, at wiwm- Biay-.l>e found- elsewhere in this volume). Thomas obtained a preliminary education from the pioneer schools, and remained on the home farm, near O.xford. until he was thirty-five years old, when he purchased eighty acres of partially improved laud in this township, where he still resides, said fartrrbmTnrnOTv ^we-ll-improTi-d. Mr. McConnell was married. April 4, 1866, to Artie Wilmoth, a native of \Yyaudot County. Ohio, to which uni'.in were born two children — Joseph W. and iSTettie A. In |iolitics, Mr. ilcConuell is a Democrat. aa4 oiie--m which he was discharged November 30, 186;, In 1867. he ilioved to Oxford, Benlon County, where he worked lie f/'n'- .r" ^^'''' 1"^^ '■^"1-'-- to Templeton. where he carries on blaeksmithin^ lie 13 a Ki'piiliiK-nn, ^ Fn,n"!,^n'V'^ ' 1 V ■'*^\'" " ""'^'Y" °f Portugal, born August 34, 1844, and is the son of Eiua Kiel and Anna Rosa. After attending school until he was eighteen years of age, he emigrated to America, and located in Benton Ccmnty, Ind., where he'worked at farm work, saved lus money, and in 1877 started a ge.ieral merchandise s ore- he second in the l,eauliful ;uul fast-growing town of Tenipleton-wl ere he s do n' very we 1 owing ,o Ids honesty, industry and courtesy, 'and rapidly ncre;isinl Ids lr;i^e. .He oeeasionally de:ds in stock. Mr. Rosa is ;■, Republican aXrcio-oor and universally respected in the comiiuinity. '- ' Y BOLIVAE TOWNSHir— BENTON COUNT!". 345 JOHN M. EOWE was born Juty 17, 1834. His parents were Frederick C. and Kosina B. Rovre, both natives of Germany, the former born in 1^01, the latler in 1804. When nineteen years old, our subject came to America, and located at La Faj'- ette. Ind., where he labored as a farm hand. October 3, 1861, he was married to Ciitherine F. Cox. daughter oi Joel and Catherine (Keenaen) Cox. which union gave being to nine children — Martha E.. born July 24, 1863; Mary A., born July 16. 1864; Rosetta. born October IS. 1866; William H". born February 19, 1869; Charles F., born January 6. 1872; ^Margaret A., born April 2.5, 1874; Lillie Bell, born May 21, 1877 (deceased October 6, 1880); John, born December 5, 1879, and Albert F.. born March 9. 1883. After living in Tippecanoe County nine years, ilr. Rowe came to this county and purchased 160 acres, where he built a log house, and afterward, in 188J, as fine a frame house as the townsliip affords, together with outbuildings and various improvements. Jlr. Rowe has some stock, and some very fine horses. He is a liberal Democrat, and was earnest in building Willow Groye Methodist Episcopal Churcli. HUGH M. SCOTT, one of the pioneers of Indiana, and one of Benton County's self-made men, was born in Gallia County. Ohio, February 1, 1826, and is the son of John and Nancy (Porterfield) Scott. His father was a farmer, and died when he was very young. "When ten years of age. he moved with his guardian — one Robin- eon — tothis State, where he assisted in clearing land. Robinson's family were sick. his wife died, and he returned to Ohio, leaving our subject to do or die. He worked in a brickyard for .Jo per month and board, and undertook to learn blacksmithing, but was not strong enough. He then worked in a woolen mill for $1 per daj' and hoard, for eight ^'ears. where he saved ^300. and then began dealinu- in stock. In 1847, he eulisted'in the Fourth Indiana Regiment, for the war with ite.xico. and was in the battle of Puebla and at the shelling'of the City of Mexico. In 1848, he was discharged at New Orleans, came to Indiana, and resumed cattle-dealing. March 21. 18.50. he married Elmira Catev, of Wayne County, daughter of Stacv B. Catey; they have had six chUdren— Alfred B., Stacy C, John F.,Mary L.,Emma E. (de- ceased), and Arthur (deceased). In 1858, Jlr. Scott purchased 160 acres in this township, where he now has 4,500 acres. He is a Republican, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ALFRED B. SCOTT, son of Hugh M. Scott, was born in Wayne County. Ind. , April 25, 1851. He worked on the La Fayette, Munice & Bloomington Railroad, taught writing school at Huntsville, Randolph County, and ran an engine in the mill of George W. Nichols, at Oxford. He was married. September 10, 1872, to Martha J. Comer, daughter of John Comer, of Jasper County; their union was blessed with five children. Mr. Alfred B. Scott resides near his father, on eighty acres of improved land. He is a Republican, and an esteemed citizen. STACY C. SCOTT, also a son of Hugh il. Scott, was born in Randolph County, September 19, 1855. He commenced to work at farming when ten years old, and attended the Normal School at Valparaiso two terms, in-eluding a book-keeping course, and received his diploma. After this he worked for his father until his mar- riage, January 18, 1883. to MaryL. Blue, born April 9. 1855. daughter of Jasper and Elizabeth E (Sparks) Blue, the" former a native of Oliio. the latter of North Caro- lina, and both early settlers of Indiana. Mr. Stacy C. Scott is a general farmer. He is a Repulilican". and a member of the Jletliodist Episcopal Church. DAVID F. SEWELL, son of Joseph and Mary (Goodwine) Sewell. the father a native of Virginia, the mother of Penusylv;mia, and both early settlers of Pike County Ohio, where our subject was born "October 9, 1818, and attended school in a loff sc'hoolhouse of that day, and afterward worked for his father on the farm and at Ills mill until he was nineteen years old, when he learned the blacksmithing trade December 28 1M48, he was married to Henrietta N. Ladd, daughter of Thomas and Nancy A. (Godridse) Ladd. both early settlers in Pike County. :\Ir. Sewell continued a"t his trade until 1851, when he moved to this county and pur- chased 160 acres of prairie land, which he improved -and cultivated. Mr. and Mrs. Sewell became the parents of twelve children— Mary E (deceased). Thomas J. .Samuel I Charles A Nancy J. (deceased), Angelitta, Eriza M., Elizabeth M., Oliver P., Delilah. Prisciila S. and Alice F. Mr. Sewell is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church. t , ^ , -, .a.n , • J D STINGLE was born in Rush County. Ind., Octooer 1, 1846, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Stewart) Stingle, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio. "The father of our subject moved to La Fayette, Ind.. where he purchased a farm, and where his son attended the common and the graded school. When he was fifteen years old, he commenced to handle stock, in which business he has continued. He was married, December 26, 1865, to Priscilla A. Royal, of Tip- pecanoe County, by whom he has had four children— Harvey C. (deceased), Alva- retta, Clara B! and Orianna. In 1879, by mutual consent, Mr. and Mrs. Stingle 346 ClOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: were divorced, and on May 6, ISSO. he married Eva Freeman, daughter of William 8. and Minerva (Conklin) Freeman, of Rush County, tlie issue of which union was one child, Charles F. In 1879, he moved to Templeton, and in 1883 built the only .grain elevator in the township. He is one of the largest stock dealers and shippers in the county, having sent away thirty car loads in a week. Mr. Stingle is a Master Mason and a Republican. MILTON SUNDERLAND is a son of Andrew R. and Eliza A. (Crasher) Sunderland, early settlers of this county; wbeise-he was born October 30, 18o2. At an early age his father died, and he worked on a farm and went to school during boyhood, continuing his labor on the home place until he was twenty years old. On the 29th of Januari', 1879. he was united in marriage with Hannah L. Cochran, daughter of .lames and Nancy (Myers) Cochran, formerly of Ohio. -' One child suc- ceeded to their union, Thomas W. The mother of our subject, now sixty-four years of age, resides with him. Mr. Sunderland is a Democrat, and he and wife are attendants at church. COL. WILLIAM J. TEMPLETON was born in Shelby County, Ind., June 8, 1827, and is a son of Isaac and Rhoda (Gregory) Templeton. Col. templeton was reared on a pioneer farm. After his twcnty-tir^t year, he engaged in buying and shipping cattle, and soon purchased a tract of land in Bolivar Township, which he farmed." He was married, September 14, 18.51, to Melissa A. Jennings, daughter of Milton and Maria (Finch) Jennings, of Benton County, by whom he had four chil- dren—Horace G., Eva M. (deceased), Iva V. and William L'. When the late war occurred, die raised a company, not mustered in, and went out as Captain of Com- pany D, Fifteenth Indiana Volunteers, their first battle being Greeulirier, W. Va., November 16. 18G1. he was appointed by Gov. Morton. Major of the Sixtieth In- fantry. At the battle of Munfordsville, he was captured, but soon exchanged. May 27, 1862, he was promoted Lieutenant Colonel. In consequence of a wound received at Arkansas Post, he left the service August, 1863, and resumed cattle dealing ; this business lie continued to enlarge, and lost at one time §150,000. He assisteci in building the La Fayette. Muncie & Blooniiuglon. and also the C. I. & St. L. & G. Railroads ; he also founded the town of Templeton. Col. Templeton was a Republican, but is now a Greenbaeker. and aNo a memlier of the I. 0. 0. F. JOHN K. THOMPSON. M. D., the oldest medical practitioner north of the Wabash, is a son of Autliony C. and Martha (Kersey) Thompson, and was born in Maryland April 16. 1817. ile attended school until he was nineteen, when he en- tered the Medical University at Baltimore, and graduated therefrom. He engaged in practice at Muscatine. Iowa, but returned to Maryland, and January 23, 1844, married Henrietta W. Lecompt, a union graced liy six children — Anthony C. Charles C, Daniel JL. JIattie, Kate and Lida. Dr. Thompson continued in "prac- tice until 1856, when he moved to La Fayette. Ind.. and practiced with success until 1873, when he came to Otterhein. and built the first dwelling in the town. Mrs. Thompson died March 4. 1866. and on October 8, 1873, he wedded Mary Silvester, daughter of William and Irene (Carr) Sylvester, of Warren Countv ; one child fol- lowed this unicm — William. Dr. Thom|isou has beeii President of ihe State Medical Societv for four years ; he is an active Republiian and esteemed citizen. BENJAMIN A. Tl.MMONS Mas born in Pickaway Countv. Ohio, April 10, 1816, and is a son of Thiunas and Hester ( Winright) Tiiiimons. "His education was limited, owingto the poor opportunities therefor. In 1829, he moved witli his father to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and in 1831 to Benton County, where his father built the liist liouse, a log one, 16x32. in said county, which is yet standing. Benjamin attended school and farmed at home until 1833, at which time his father srave him money to buyforly acres in this township, to which he added fortv nnu'e, and now has 7U0 acres. Ile was married, Angus! 5, 1840, lo Sarah J. Audersou, licu-n Feb- ruary 13, 1824, daughter of John and Sarah Anderson. This union was graced with five (diildren—lnrant gill (deceased). Nancy J. (deceased). John W.. Thomas J. and Esther A. Mr. TiuiiiKUis is a slock dealer, and has handled 300 head of cattle in one year. He has given a farm lo each of his children. In 1842. lie was elected County Oorcuier, and afleiward SberilT for two terms, and also County Commis- sicuier. lie is a ^Masli r M.-ison, a Democrat, and an honored citizen IK.\ TnniONS was lioni December 20, 1818, in Pickaway County. Ohio, whilher his |)arwa City, Iowa, where he helped lo make the brick in the Stale Capitol ; he then went lo Ihe lead mines at I)ubU(|iie, where he remained eight years. In tS,50 he went by ovialaud to California. In 1853. he moved lo Jacksonville, 111 and on Ihe 3(1 ol Mny was we.lded lo Ellen Williams, daughter of Abner and Emilv Will- OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 347 iams, b}' whom he had three children — Edgar W., born February 3, 1854 ; infant boy (deceased), and Charles "\V.. born December 11, 1856. Jlrs. Timmons died May 7, 1857. In 1859, Mr. Timmons went to Pike's Peak, and in 1879 came to Otterbeiu, and began a general store. He, with his son Edgar, is a Republican, a member of the M. E. Church, and a valued citizen. GEORGE W00DHAM8, one of the prosperous farmers of Bolivar Township, is a native of England, where he was born in 1811, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Christmas) T\'oodhams. Receiving a good practical education in youth, he embarked in merchandising in his native country, and in 1831 was united in mar- riage witii Anna Broolver, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Brooker. Meeting with pecuniary reverses, he emigrated to the United States in 1850, and engaged in farming near the boundary line iietween Warren and Benton Counties, in Indiana. At the time of his location here. Mr. Woodhams possessed only about !|20, but since that time he has prospered by hard work and economy, and to-day owns 365 acres of good land. He and wife are among the Christian people aud esteemed citizens of their neighborhood, and the parents of six sons and two daughters. ISAIAH C. YOUNG was born in Rockbridge Covmty.'Va., October 21, 1805; he is a son of Andrew and Jane (JIcBride) Young, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania, the latter of Virginia. The father of Isaac emigrated to Rosa County, Ohio, when the son was seven years old, and there he attended school about three months out of twelve. At the age of eighteen, he served three years to learn the trade of tanner and currier, after which lie moved to Pickaway Count}' and worked at his trade. In 1832, he moved to "Warren County, Ind., and opened a tanyard. .Tanuarj' 13, 1837, he was married to Nanc}' Oungs, by whom he had one child— William H. Thereafter, in 1848. he came to this township and pur- chased forty acres, to wliich he has added until he has 160 acres. In 1862, his son, William H.". enlisted in Company C, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteers, and served actively at Vicksburg, Jackson, Mission Ridge, and with Gen. Sherman in his march from Atlanta to th%coast. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865. Jul)' 18, 1867, lie was married to Rebecca Ford, daughter of Solomon Ford. Three children followed their union — Clark, Luther and Allen. William H. Young has full charge of the farm, his father residing with him, in his seventy-eighth year. Mr. Young is a Republican. OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP. JACOB S. ALBAUGH was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, April 15, 1836, and is the eldest of ten children born to Reuben and Sarah (Ryder) Alhaugh, natives of Harrison and Jeiierson Counties, Ohio, and of German descent. Reuben Albaugh has followed the plow aud wagon making trade all his life, and at present has a shop at Bowling Green, Ohio. His first wife, Mrs. Sarah Albaugh, who was a member of the Lutheran Church, is deceased. He has been Trustee of his township. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Jacob S. Albaugh followed the wagon- making trade in his native county until 1862, when he came to O.xford, this county, and op'ened a shop, in company with his brother. His brother subsequently retiring, Jacob conducted the business about fifteen years. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment until the close of the war. In 1878, he opened a meat market at Oxford, and has since continued the business. He was a Trustee of Ox- ford for many years, and is uow Marshal of the town. Mr. Albaugh was married, June 2, 1859, to Elsie Travis, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio. They have six children. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of Oxford Lodge, and of Oak Grove Township Encampment, I. O. O. F. He has pa.ssed the chairs in the subordinate lodge and camp, and is at present D, D. G. M. He is a Democrat, and in 1880 was candidate for the office of County Sheriff, and was defeated by only a few votes. THOMAS ATKINSON was born in YorK County, Penn., August 17, 1806, and is the tenth of eleven children born to Joseph and Susanna (Mills) Atkinson, both natives of Pennsylvania and of English descent. The ancestors of the Atkinsons and Mills families were among the early Quaker colonists, who settled in Pennsyl- vania about 1682. Joseph Atkinson was married in his native State, and followed weaving some time, but afterward engaged in farming. In 1811, he bought 300 acres of military lands in Clinton County, Ohio, which he farmed. Fifteen years later, he lost the purchase money and all his improvements throjigh a defect in the title. After that, he farmed the same place on shares until his death in 1830, He 348 BIOQRAPfllCAL SKETCHES: and wife were members of the Friends' Church. Thomas Atkinson was educated in a log schoolhouse. but by his own exertions has since acquired considerable busi- ness knowledge. He is an extensive reader and possesses a tine library. He re- mained on tlie home farm until twenty years old. when he married, and .soon after moved to Greene County, Ohio, where he bought 200 acres of military lands and im- proved a farm. In 1830. and for some years afterward, he herded large droves of cattle on the prairies now included in the southern part of Benton Countv, driving them to market at Philadelpliia. In 1830, he traded a horse worth §.)0 for the claim of Luke Conner to 2,000 acres, known as lost lands, now in the southeast part of this township. Soon after, lie sold tlie claim for iglOO, l)utin ISiS repurchased a portion at $13 per acre and moved his family on to tlie land, where thej'have since resided. He and sons subsequently bought nearly all of the 2.000 acres, in addition to about 1,800 acres of other land in Warren and Benton Counties. Mr. Atkinson was mar- ried, August 5, 1834, to Frances Head, a native of Clinton Countj\ Ohio. The twelve ckildren, six boys and six girls, born to them, all lived to maturity, and nine of them are still living. They are farmers and fanners' wives, and their "lands adjoin. Mr. Atkinson was one of the first Commissioners of Benton County, and held the office three years. In 186.5, he represented Benton and AVhite Counties in the Lower House of the State Legislature. He is not a church member, being liberal in his religious views. Mr. Atkinson was formerly an Abolitionist, and is now a Republican." He is one of the most prominent citizens, and an earlv pioneer of the county. JOSEPH ATKINSON was born in Madison County, Ohio. FebruarV 13, 1883, and is the fourth of twelve cliildren born to Thomas and Frances (Head) Atkinson. Our subject received a limited common school education in his vouth. but lias since acquired considerable knowledge by his own exertions. He was emplovcd on the home farm until he was twenty-four years old. In 18.'i7. he moved to a partially improved farm of 148 acres in this township, which he had bought the vear before", and which he still owns. In 1876, he moved to the farm where he now lives, just south of Oxford. Mr. Atkinson owns well-improved farms in "Warren and Benton Counties amounting to 2,200 acres. He is extensivelv engaged in cattle-breeding raising annually al)out 400 head of cattle, loOmules and ■'ioo hogs. He was married,' March 1, 1857, to Rachel Wayraire, a native of Warren Couutv. Ind. Four chil- dren have blessed their >mion. two now living— Sarah J. (Mrs. B. F. Gephart). and Frank. Mr. Atkinson is a member of Oxford Lodge. I. O. 0. F. ; he is a Republican, and one of the leading stock-raisers and dealers in the countv. JAMES II. B.ELL was born in Floyd Countv, Ind., September 10 1850 and is the second of five children born to William and Mahiila (Hancock) Bell natives of Harrison ami Floyd Counties, Ind., respeetivelv. and of English descent. AN'illiam Bell was left an orphan when nine years old. after which "he lived with bis sister near New Albany, Ind., until nineteen vears old; be then went to New Vlbanv where he afterward married. For several years, he engaged in the produce trade' and amassed a handsome fortune, but thr(uigh the failure^ and abscondin-- of some Southern consignees during the late civil war, he lost all his propertv'' He was engaged in various |iursuiis in White. Tipjiecanoe and Benlon Count'ie* and in oV JS"? ■'■''".'''"'^ "^ lbe"01iio House," at O.Kford. remaining until his death July -1, 1880, HI his sixty-first year. He served in the Second Indiana Volunteer Infan- try dun ug the Mexican war. James H. Bell had a good common school education After his fathers death, the support of his mother and two sisters devolved upon Iniii. He assumed the in-oprietorship of the "Ohio House," and has proved liim- s
', ' '1 "'"-' "\ ^^'"'°''^ County's enterprising citizens. MARTiN L. BLNEDUM' (deceased) was born in Lancaster Countv Pcnn and was ol German descent. When eleven years ol.l. be removed with his'parents to Ilarnscm ( ounty, Ohio, where he received most of his education He learned the stone-mason ,s trade, and followed it in Ohio many years. Soon after his niaioritv he married IMiss Eve A^ llendri.ks, a native of Ilarrfeon County, Ohio and of urmandcseeiit Eleven children blessed tliisunion. of whom four .sons Levi Frank- I ouiKv. Ill 18..,. .Mr. Benedict came lo llns township, where he had entered 100 acres OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 349 erected, the children received tlieir education. The three eldest sons, Levi, Frank- lin H. and Martin, worked at the stonemason's business with their father several years. Levi Benedict T\'as born in Harrison County, Ohio, August 18, 1834, and is the second child in the family. He remained on the home farm until twenty six years old, after which he farmed on shares eight j'ears; he then bought a farm of 80 acres in this township, which he sold in 1882, and purchased another farm of 171 acres, same township ; he resides on this farm, and it is in capital condition. He was married. October 14, 1860, to Miss Mahala Kolb, a native of Rush County, Ind. Seven children have been born to them, all of whom are living. Mr. Benedict is a member of Summit Grange, No. 247, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. Franklin H. Benedict was born in Harrison County, Ohio, November 37, 1836, and is the third child in the family. He stayed on the home farm until twen- t3--five years old ; he then worked at the stonemason's trade ten j'ears. During that time, he bought forty acres of wild land in this township, upon which he has ever since resided. In 1876, he began to farm the land, also working at his trade; in 1881, in conseciuence of failing health, he abandoned the trade; he now owns a well- improved farm of eighty acres. March 1, 1864, he married Miss Anna L. Forbes, a native of County Cork, Ireland. Five children have blessed their union, all now living — Lewis H., Olive J., Rosanette, Franklin R. and Mj'rtle M. Mr. Benedict is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., and he and wife are members of the Christian Church, also of Model Grange. No. 937, of which they were charter mem- bers. Martin Benedict was born in Harrison County, Ohio, January 16, 1844, and is the sixth child in the family. He was employ eel principally on the home farm until nineteen years old; he then followed the stonemason's trade sixteen years. In 1879, he bought a farm of eighty acres m this township, on which he resided until the spring of 1882, when he sold that farm, and bought the old homestead of 160 acres, same township, and still resides there; the farm is well cultivated, and has several groves of fine deciduous and evergreen trees planted by his father, and assisted by himself and brothers. He was married, January 19, 187.5, to Miss Isa- bella Sabin, a native of La Fayette, Ind. Two children have been left to them — Arthur E. and Lillie M. Mr. Benedict is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. 0. O. F. Andrew .1. Benedict, the tenth child in the family, was born in this township Julj' 4, 18.54. He is not yet married, and resides with his mother. With the exception of one year, when he farmed in Kansas, all his life has been spent in this town- ship. He learned the stonemason's trade with his brothers, and has followed that, in connection with farming, ever since. He is a member of Model Grange, No. 937, and w as formerly an Odd Fellow. In politics, the Benedict brothers are Democrats; they were earlv "settlers in the countv, and are all enterprising farmers. "JESSE BIRCH was born in Licking County, Ohio, March 11, 1830, and is the fourth of eight children born to Thomas and Eleanor (Horn) Birch, natives of Mary- land and 'VVest Virginia, and of English and German descent. When a child, Thomas Birch went to Virginia, where he subsequently married and engaged in agricvdtural pursuits, until 1818. He then moved to Licking County, Ohio, and followed farming until 1837, when he came to Fountain County, Ind. He entered and bought 160 acres of land, which he farmed until 1854. He then moved to Attica, Vhere he died June 13, 1856. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. J3irch was a local preacher. He was a member of the Sons of Temperance. Jesse Birch farmed in Fountain Coimty sev- eral years; then engaged in brick-making and the building trade at Attica. He was in m"ercantile and stock business at the same place seven years. He next embarked in the arain trade at Independence Station, W. & P. Railway. In March. 1867. he moved "to Adams Township. Warren County, whi^re he had previously bought a farm. In 1873, he came to Oxford, and was in the grain trade seven years. During that time, he owned and operated an elevator at Rankin, 111. After this, he was in the cattle trade one year. Since then, he has lived a retired life. Mr. Birch was married March 3, 1844. to Elizabeth Wiggins, a native of Ohio. They have had one daughter — Elvesa J. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Birch has filled various offices. He is a member of Oxford Lodge. 190, A. F. ifc A. M., and is a Republican. MILTON V. BOWMAN was born in McMinn County, Tenn., .July ^s, 183U, and is the eldest of twelve children born to Robert P. and Sarah (Griffin) Bowman, na- tives of North and South Carolina respectively; the former of Scotch and the latter of English descent. When a young man, Robert P. Bowmian removed to McMinn County, Tenn., where he aftei-ward married. He owned a farm there, and followed agrieu'llural pursuits several years. In 1834, he came to Hamilton Coimty, Ind., where he entered 130 acres, wliich he cultivated and resided on until his death, March 4, 1856. Pie was one of the Trustees of his township, in Ilamillon County, under the old constitution. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal 350 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Church. Milton V. Bowman bad measer schooling facilities during his youth, bu since arriving at manliood has acquired a good practical education. He i.s an ex tensive reader, and well informed on all current topics. He worked ou his father s farm until twenty-four years old ; then learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed about twelve years. In 1866, he came to this township and bouglit Iw acres of wild land. This land he has improved, and still resides upon it. Irom 1«60 to 1869, he taught several terms of school. He also taught penmanship during the winter season, about fifteen years. October 15, 1874, he married Miss barah Bow- man, a native of Switzerland" County, Ind. One daughter has blessed their union- Sarah E. He and wife are members of Summit Grange, No. 247, and Mr. Bowman is a Democrat. ^, ,„„„ JOHN W. BRADLEY was born in Madison County, Va., September 24, 1822, and is one of thirleen children born to Augustin and Mary (Lillard) Bradley, natives of Virginia, and of English descent. Augustin owned and operated a farm in Vir- ginia, until'his death in 1852 or 1853. He was a veteran of the war of 1812, having fought through the entire .struggle. John W. Bradley received a limited education, and from the age of twelve years made his home with his sister, until seventeen. He then served a two years apprenticeship to the blacksmith trade. In 1851, he came to Indiana and worked at his trade in different places in Warren and Benton Counties until 1873, when he bought a farm in Oak Grove Township, this county. He followed agrioiiltural pursuits until the fall of 1880, when he came to Oxford, and engaged in the hardware business, and has since been doing a thriving trade. He carries a stock of shelf and heavy hardware, barljed wire, stoves and all kinds of agricultural implements, in value about §8,00U. and his average annual sales amount to ^10,UOO. Mr. Bradley was married, in 1842, to Mary W. Haynie, a na- tive of Virginia. They had six children, five of whom are living. Jlrs. Mary Bradley (lied in 1875. She was a member of the Christian Church. In 1877, Mr. Bradley married Jlrs. Nancy J. (Clark) Branson, a native of "Warren County, Ind., by whom he has had one son— Morton C. Mr. Bradley is a member of the Christian, aiid his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican, and one of the leading men of the town. MARK J. BRIAR was born in Miami County, Ohio, October 10, 1827, and is the hfth of six cjjlldren born to Da«id and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Briar, natives of Pennsylvania and (.)hio, of Scotch and German descent. When young, David Briar removed to Miami County, (^liio, and subsequently to St. Louis, Mo., where he fol- lowed shoe-making. He was in the war of 1812, after which he returned to Miami Count}', Oliio, married, and engaged in farming. In 1830, Ik- entered KiO acres in Washington Township, Warren Co., Ind.; and improved a farm, on which he resided until hfs death in January, 1841. He and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mark J. Briar served a seven j-ears' apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade, and worked as a journeyman in Indiana and Missouri two years. He then opened a shop at Terre Haute, Ind., and remained nine months. In March. 1851, he ojieni'il a shop at Oxford. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Company F. One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana \ olunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. About 1866, he opened a wagon and carriage shop at Oxford, and has since done a good business. Mr. Briar, in 1850, married JMary J. Hawkins, a na- tive of Vi.go County, Ind., by whom he had three children, all now living. That ladj', who was a member of tlie Jlethodist Episcopal Church, died in JIarch, 1857. In July, 185!l. lie married Jlailha !M. Lane, a native of South Carolina. They had a son and daugliter, bolli now deceased, Jlrs. Martha Briar died in Februarv,'l862. She was a member of Hie Jlelhodist Episcopal Church, her fattier having been a minister of (hat denominalion. Mr. Briar married his present wife, Hester R. An- derson, a native of Ohio, in January, 1866. By this union there are five children, all living. Mrs. Briar is a menilier of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Jlr. Biiar holds to tliat faith, though not a church member. He is a member of Oxford Lodge, 1. O. O. F., and is a Hepuliliean. JAMES BVAltn was born in Fountain County, lud., Novcraber 7, 1830, and is the eldest of four children now living born to John and JIargaret (Smith) Bvard, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively, the former of German, and the latter of English, Irish and Welsh descent. When a boy, John Byard moved to Coshoc- ton Counly, Ohio, where he received a limited education. He afterward went to l);irke t!()unly, Ohio, where he married. In lS2!t, he came to Fountain County, Inil. In IH3I, he moved to what is now Grant Township. Reuton County, entered 2(11) aeris of land, and imiiroved a farm. In 1842, he was in W.ashington County, Iowa, one year. He returned to Grant Township, and resided in Warren and Ben- Ion Cininlies until his deatli, December 18. 1851. James Byard was educated in the old log sehoolliouse. Uis mother died when he was thirteen years old, after which he made his home among strangers. He worked by the month about one year. OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BEXTON COUNTY. 351 then farmed on shares until 1859, when he bought a farm in Iroquois County, 111. In 1870, he moved to Pine Township. Warren County Ind., where he bought a farm. In 1882, he came to 0.\ford. this county, and opened a grocery store, and has since done an excellent business. He carries a stock of groceries, provisions, glass- ware, queensware and notions, valued from $2,500 to §3,000. Mr. Byard was mar- ried, September 12, 1855, to Nancy A. Sargent, a native of Warren County, lud. That lady died July 11, 1865. She was a member of the Christian Church. Marclr 29, 1871, he married Rebecca A. Hooker, a native of Warren County, Ind. They have only one daughter, Fannie, now living. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of Du Tour Lodge, No. 101, I. 0. O. F., at Rainsville, also of Sigler Lodge, No. 101, Knights of Honor, at Raiusville, and of Silva Lodge, A. O. IJ. W., at Boswell. Pohtically. he is a Democrat. JOHN CAMPBELL was born in Penobscot, Me., September 4, 1808, and is the youngest of ten children born to Daniel and Elizabeth (Thom) Campbell, natives of Maine, and of Scotch and Irish descent. Daniel Campbell removed with his wife and family, in 1817, to Hamilton County, Ohio, and farmed on shares until 1821, when he removed to Fayette County, Ind. He bought between 200 and 300 acres of land, and improved a farm, upon which he died in 1842, in his eightieth year. He and wife were members of the Christian Church. Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell died in 18-18 in her eighty-fourth year. John Campbell, on attaining his majority, was deeded, bj' his father, 140 acres of the old homestead. He ultimately bought the whole of the farm, and added to it until he owned 330 acres. In 1854, he sold out and came to this township, where he bought partially improved farms, amounting to over 700 acres. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1866, when he sold the farm and came to Oxford. He owns valuable business and residence property in the town. October 17, 1830, he marriecl Mar}' Furrey, a native of Pennsjdvania, by whom he had ten children, seven of wliom are living. Four of his sous were in the late war, one of whom, Amos, was killed at the battle of Arkansas Post. Mrs. Mary Campbell died June 29, 1868. She was a member of tlie Christian Church. In September, 1869, he married Mrs. Hannah (Janes) Nelson, a native of New York. They have no children, but Mrs. Campbell had eight children b}' her former marriage. Mr. Campbell and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a Republican, i and an earnest worker in the temperance cause. > i-'.' ' '■<*{. JA31ES CAMPBELL was born in Fayette County, Ind., August 1, 1840, and is the sixth of ten children born to John and Mary Campbell, natives of Maine and Pennsylvania, of Scotch and German descent. James received a good educa- tion in the comiuon schools, and was employed on his father's farm luitil he was twenty-one years old. He then rented his father's farm one year. August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Ninetj'-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He iDartici- pated in the battles of Jackson, Miss., Resaca, Ivenesaw Mountain, through the Atlanta campaign, and with Sherman's army on the memorable march to the sea. He was mustered out at Washington, D. C, June 5, 1865. After his return from the arm}', he farmed two or three years, and was then in a brick yard some time. In 1872,"he opened an art studio at Oxford. He is the onlj' photographer in the town. March 29, 1873, he was married to Margaret Miller, a native of Prussia. They have no children. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Campbell is a Republican. ALFRED J. CARNAHAN was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 12, 1824, and is the second of seven children born to Robert and Martha J. (Jones) Carnahan, natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and of Scotch and German descent. In 1796, Robert Carnahan removed to Hamilton County, Ohio. His father bought 160 acres of land and made a farm, which was afterward owned by Robert, and now by our subject. Robert followed the brick and stone mason trade, in connection with farming, for several years. In 1830, he engaged in dry goods at Cincinnati, and in 1846 returned to the farm, where he died November 18, 1848. He was Justice of the Peace and Township Trustee, and he and wife were members of the Christian Churcli. Alfred J. Carnahan received a common school education, and worked on his father's farm until twent3'-six years old. He clerked in a dry goods store at Ri-ing Sun, Ind. In 1851, he managed a general merchandise store at Oxford for his brother, James G. Carnahan, and Adams Earl. Subsequently he bouglit Mr. Earl's interest, and later his brother's. In 1861, he sold out and engaged in live-stock on a farm. In 1863, he bought a fami of 200 acres in this township, which he sold in 1868, and returned to Oxford, where he bought the hack and mail line from that place to La Fayette. In 1871, he was employed on the L. E. &W. Railway. From 1873 to 1876, he clerked at Oxford, then became baggage master between Muncie and Bloomington. The same year, he and Joseph Heath engaged in dry goods at Oxford as Heath & Co. Mr. Carnahan manages the business. They have a well- selected stock, value about $8,000, and are prospering. Mr. Carnahan has been 352 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Township Treasurer, also Couuty Treasurer. September 39, 1852, he married Amanda M. Batchelder, a native of Cincinnati. They have four sons. He is a char- ter member of Oxford Lodge, No. 190, A., F. & A. M., and has been W. M. of same lodge. He is also a charter member of Oxford Lodge. I. O. O. F., and pohtically is a Republican. JOHN P. CARR, Jr., editor of the Oxford Tribune, was born in White Coun- ty, Ind., September 36, 1854. He is a sonof Hon. John P. Carr, Sr., one of the pio- neers and representative men of White County, Ind. Our subject received his early education in his native county, and in 1866 entered the State University at Bloom- ington, Ind.. graduating from that institution in 1880. The following year, J ane 15', 1881, he purchased the Oxford Tribune. Mr. Carr was married. May 31, 1883, to Martha A. Bell, who was born January 8, 1861, in Floyd County, Ind. Politically, he is a Republican, and is one of the ablest editors of Northwestern Indiana. HIRAM CLARK was born at Geneva. N. T., August 37, 1103, and is the fourth of ten children born to Richard and, Lydia (Tatton) Clark, natives of New York, and of English and Dutch descent.\i^«r many 3'ears, Richard Clark was Revenue Collector in Genesee County, N. iT, and in 1813 he removed to Scioto County. Ohio, and during the war was in the butchering business. He then went to Ross Count}', Ohio. He traded with the Indians at Sandusky until 1824, when he returned to New York and practiced medicine until 1851 or 1853. He then came to Attica, Fountain Co., Ind., where he resided until his death, in 1856. His wife died in 1812. Thej' were members of the Baptist Churcli.' Hiram Clark, in 1835, came to what is now Medina Township, Warren Co.. Indr^; entered eiglitj' acres of -land, whicli he farmed, and to which he added until he possessed over TOO acres. lu 1856, he sohl out and moved to Attica, living in and near the town until 1870. He then retired to Oxford, where he owns a handsome propert}'. August 37, 1836, he mar- ried Harriet W. Smith, a native of Maryland. They ha4 six children, four-now-Uv- ijig, . Three of Mr. Cdark's sons were in the late war: one, William H.. was killed. IKs-lir-st-ndfe, wJio was a. member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died March 19, 1855. 5Ir. Claxk married his present wife, Mrs. Mary J. (Smith) Coats. October 16, 1855. She-is' a native of Mjuyland and a sister of his first wife. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, ili-. Ciark is a Republican ,and one of the pioneers of Warren and Benton Counties. WILLIA:\I E. CUIGLER was born in Favette County. Ind., January 33, 1845, and is the only child born to Owen T. and Margaret (Tindall) Crigler, "natives of Fayette and Shelby Counties, Ind. The Criglers are descended from two brothers who -emigrated to America from Germanv and settled in Madison County. Va., in the seventeentli century. Criglersville." Va.. was laid out bv them or their de- scendants. Owen T. Crigler followed farming in his native coun'tv until his death March 6, 1846. Mrs. Margaret Crigler died in February, 18-1,5. William E. Crisler lived with his father's relntives until August. 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Sh'ilohi C'hickamauga. Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge. Resaca. Keuesatf Mountain! through the Atlanta campaign and in many minor engagements. He was mustered out in September, 1864. Mter his return, he farmed on shares in Favette Ccuuity. Ind., two years. He then bought a farm in same couuty. In 1873, "he engaged in the grocery trade at Lebanon, Boone Countv, and afterward was emphn-ed in the marble and stone-cutting trade. In August, 1880. he came to Oxford, and has since done a good business in the marble trade. He was married. April 3. 1866. to Eliza- beth II. Oliphant, a native of R\ish Countv. Ind. They have tliree sons. Mr Crigler is a member of Lebanon Lodge, No." 45, K. of P.". also of G. A. R. Post at Oxford, and is a ltci)ubliean. CAPT. JOHN M. t'ROSSON was born in Washington County, Penn.. October 19. 1)^33, and is tlie sixth of seven children born to Jaures and Margaret J. (Brown) Crosson, the former a native of Ireland, near Belfast, the latter oif Pennsylvania When a yming man. .lames Crosson. in 1815, emigrated to the United State's and settled ill \Vashingl(m County, Penn.. where he married and bouirht a farm He suliseqviently farmed on shares in Perry County. Ohio, and in 1849 came to this township and resided here until his death April 14. 1866. He and wife were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Clun-eh. He joined the Masonic fraternity in the old country, iind was high up in the order. John :M. Crosson was educateci in the com- mon seliools and at Bloomington University. He taught school about three years then engaged m general merehandise at Oxford until Deceiuberl. 1^^6( when he en- listed in Comiiany 1>, Sixiirtb Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the b.attleof Jackson, Miss., the siege of Vicksburg. the battle of Munf.ndvillc Kv and many miiuir engagements. Iti December, 1863. he was pr,nnoted to Fir^t Lieu- tenant.^ and m April, 1863, to Captain, and was mustered out, at Indianapolis March ^.5, i"i)o. After his return, he bought a farm in this township, near Oxford on which OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 353 he still resides. The Captain has been candidate for SherifE, and Treasurer of Ben- ton County, and is at present serving his eighth year as Trustee of Oak Grove Town- ship. He was married, October 16, 1860, to Margaret E. Justus, a native of Benton County, lud. They have three daughters. The Captain is a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 190, A., F. & A. M., also of I. O. O. F. and of G. A. R. He is a Re- publican. CHARLES DAILEY was born in Fayette County, Ind., October 27, 1823, and is the eldest of three children, now living, born to William and Nancy (Frazee) Dailey, natives ofVlrgiuiaimd Kentucky jfta lH..]| i 4 Tr-i wir1 fnrTn>ipnr rWffni i ri ItTTOrir^K.vnlii. 'Al^v^pifmfH^jL injj w l o uu. ^ — ZIMRI DWIGGINS was born in Grant County, Ind., August 31, 1849, and is the seventh of ef.ght children born to Daniel and Mary (Starbuck) Dwiggins, natives of Ohio, and of Scotch descent. Daniel, soon after his marriage, removed to Grant Count}', Ind., entered land, erected a rude log cabin, and made a farm. In time, he owned well-improved farms, amounting to several hundred acres. About 1856, he lost most of his property, through having to pay a surety. In 1858, he farmed on shares near Rensselaer, and the next year bought a farm in Jasper County. He now resides in Rensselaer, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. Zimri Dwiggins was educated at the common schools, and at the Normal and Com- mercial College, at Terre Haute, Ind. He was employed on the home farm until twenty-one years old. In 1871, he studied law with Ids brother at Rensselaer, and the same year began to practice, and continued until 1879. In February, 1879, he and his brother, R. S. Dwiggins, started the Citizens' Bank of Rensselaer, and in the fall of the same year, the Commercial Bank of Oxford. Zimri has since resided in Oxford, and has the entire management of tlie bank. In April, 1883, he and his brother purchased a three-fifth interest in the Citizens' Bank of Attica, Ind. Mr. Dwiggins was married, June 22, 1874, to Astella M. Purcupile, a native of Jasper County, Ind. Three children have blessed this union, two of whom are living, both daughters. Mr. Dwiggins is a Republican, and one of the prominent business men of the county. The great-great-grandmother of our subject was a direct descendant of the Stuarts of Scotland. She was married on the Island of Nantucket to a man named Starbuck, a sailor, and this is said to have been the first marriage of white people in America. On this occasion, the first "tea party" in America was given. JOHN FARRELL was born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1829, and is the eld- est of three children, now living, born to John and Catherine Farrell, natives of Ire- land. John Farrell, Sr., followed agricultural pursuits in Ireland until his death in 1846. He and wife were members of the Catholic Church. John Farrell (our sub- ject) was engaged in fruit culture and gardening in Ireland, until 1850, when he emigrated to America. For two years he was employed in a brick yard at Syracuse, N. Y. In 1852, he removed to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where he worked on a farm, and in a brick yard, several years. In 1859, he came to Bolivar Township, this county, and farmed on shares eight years. In 1867, he bought the farm of 160 acres, in this township, on which he now resides. He was married, April 14, 1858,' to Mary Hews, a native of Galway County, Ireland. They have five sons and three daughters. Mr. Fan-ell and wife" are members of the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat, and one of the enterprising farmers of the county. JOHN "VJ. FREEMAN was born in Pine Township, Warren County, Ind., March 26, 1836, and is one of ten children born to Lemuel and Elizabeth (Reins) Freeman, natives of North Carolina and Ohio respectively. John W. Freeman had limited school faciUties in his youth, but, by his own exertions, has since acquired a good business education. He was employed on his father's farm until twenty-six years old; the last four years of the time he farmed the place on shares. He then 364 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: bought a partially improved farm in this township, and followed farming and stock- raising until 187"?, when he came to Oxford and entered the live-stock trade, con- tinuing three years. Since that time he has been engaged in the banking business, owning stock 'in the Commercial Bank of Oxford. January 9, 1863, he was married to Margaret .1. Mills, a native of Warren County, Ind., and daughter of .Jacob Mills, one of the oldest pioneers of that county. They have no children. Mr. Freeman is a Republican, and a prominent citizen of Benton County. ZACHARIAH GEPHART was born in Butler County, Ohio, October .5, 1833, and is the eldest of ten children born to Peter and Elizabeth (Silby) Gephart. na- tives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and of German and Irish descent. When eight years old," Peter Gephart, in 1807. removed, with his parents, to Butler County, Ohio. He has lived in that county ever since, and now resides upon a farm, upon which he settled soon after his marriage. He is not a church member, but holds to the Universalist faith. Zachariah Gephart was employed on his father's farm un- til he attained his majprity. He then farmed on shares several years in his native county. In 1850, he went to Miami County. Ohio, where he followed agricultural pursuits. In 1864, became to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and about a j-ear later to Warren County, where he resided nine years, and then came to this county, where he still resides." November 17. 1844, he married Sarah A. Davis, a native of Butler County, Ohio. Thej' have had fourteen children, thirteen of whom are living. Mr. Gephart is a Republican. BENJAMIN F. GEPHART was born in Butler County, Ohio, November 1, 1849, and is the fourth of fourteen children born to Zachariah and Sarah A. (Davis)- Gephart, natives of Butler County. Ohio, and of German and English descent. Ben- jamin Gephart, when fifteen years old. came to Tippecanoe County, Ind.. where he received most of his education. In 1866, he removed to Adams Township, Warren County, and two years later to Pine Township, same county. In 1875. he came to this township. He was employed on his father's farm until he was twenty-three years old. He then commenced farming on his own account, and now ownsa well- improved farm of 160 acres. Jlr. Grephart was married. November 16. 1873. to Sa- rah J. Atkinson, a native of this county. Thej- have had four children — Nellie, Bertie, Ernest and Lottie. He is a Republican and one of the enterprising farmers of the township. THOMAS GORNALL was born in Lancaster. England. June 36. 1808. and is the eldest of eight children l)orn to William and Nancy (Rodler) Goruall. natives of England. In early life, William Gornall was engagedin agricultural pursuits. At the age of twenty-two, he learned the wool-combing trade, which he followed dur- ing the remainder of his life. He was a British soldier during the war with Napo- leon Bonaparte. He died in 1863. He and wife were members of the Presb\'terian Church. Thomas Gornall followed wool-combing several years, and later was a gardener at Bradford, England. In 1844, he emigrated, with his wife and family, to America, first settling near Albany, N. Y.. where he was occupied in gardening! In 1849, he came to this township, where he had previously bought eighty ac res of land. He farmed the land and added more, and now owiis 330"acres' In Decem- ber, 1881, he came to Oxford, and has since lived a retired life. JIarch 9. 1834, he married Martha Greenwood, a native of Halifax. England. Thev have no children of their own, lint adopted a son of Mr. Gornall's sister, Thomas G'oruall. Jr. He and wife were memliers of the Church of England before coming to America, but have since generally attended Presbyterian services. Jlr. Gornall is a Democrat, and one of the oldest settlers in the countv, CHARLES Jl. GUEEN was" born at Rising S\ui. Ohio Countv. Ind.. June 10. 1858, and is the fitlli of six children liorn to Benjamin and Jane iG"arett) Green, na- tives of Ohio and Indiana, and of English and German descent. When a young nuui. Benjamin removi'd to Lawreuceburg. Ind.. where he was afterward married. He worked in a distillery, and in 18,54. went to Rising Sun and engaged in the gro- cery business, suliseiiuenlly going to Carroll Couiilv. Ky., wliere he was "em- idoyed in a distillery four years, lie then returned to 'Rising Sun and engaged in the saw-mill liusiness. In lM(i9. he removed to Zionsville, Boone Countv Ind where he now resides. He is a member of I. O. O. F. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Charles M, Green was educated at the common schools. He served fliri'e years' apprentii'esbip to the baker and confectioner's trade, and then Worked for some lime as a journeyman. In June. 1S77, he came to Fowler this county, and opened a bakery aiideoTif'eetionery. In 1881. he came to Oxford, opened a grocery and confectionery store, and has since done a good trade He was mar- ried, February 3, 1881, to Lizzie M. Birch, a native of Oxford. One daughter has blessed their union, Nina C. 1^1 /^^'\^*-'^^ ^' *;'1'KENW00D was born in Yorkshire, England, September 11 1817, and is the youngest of three children born to Francis aud Elizabeth (Turner) OAK GROVE TOWXSFIIP— BEXTON COUNTY. 355 Greenwood, natives of Yorkshire. Francis Greenwood. Sr.. followed wool-comb- ing at Bradford, in Yorkshire, nearly all his life. During the war with Napoleon Bonaparte, he served live years in the First West Yorksliire ililitia. He was not a church member, bnt was araember of the Ancient Order of Druids. He died in Jan- uary, 1848. Mrs. Elizabeth Greenwood, after her husband's decease, lived with her son Francis, until her death November 00, 1840. Francis P. Greenwood was engaged in wool-combing in England. In 18"i2. he sold a part of the farm and came to this township, where he bought eighty acres of wild land. He subsequently im- proved the farm, upon which he now resides. His land is well cultivated. He was married. February 2.3, 18.51, to Margaret C. Kiblinger, a flative of Logan County, Ohio. Four children blessed their union, t^o of whom ir^ now living— Sarah R. (Mrs. W. A. Colvert)^nd Anna M. ;^Ir. Gwm and family are members of the M. E. Churcli, also of Summit Grange, Xo. 247. Mr. Gwin is a Republican, and one of the township's prominent citizens. DANIEL S. GWIX was born in Greene County, Ohio, August 2.5. 1829, and is the second of nine children born to I^icholas and Rebecca (Smith) Gwin. natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively, the former of Irish, and the latter of Ger- man descent. When six years old, Nicholas Gwin removed with his parents to Virginia, where he afterward married. He served a two years' apprenticeship to the cooper's trade, which he followed in Virginia until 1827. He then bought 'a farm in Greene County, Ohio, and in 1835 came to Warren Township, "Warren County. Ind. ; he bought 160 acres of wild land, which he improved and resided on until his death in September. 1868, in liis seventieth year. He and wife were mem- . bers of the JI. E. Churcli. Daniel S. Gwin worked on his father's farm until twen- t)'- five j'cars old, the last four 3-ears of that time farming the place on shares. He then farmed onshares in Adams Township, same county ; in 1857, removed to a farm in Bolivar Township, Benton Countv, which he sold three years later. Then he farmed on shares about five years. In 1865, he bought a partially improved farm of 240 acres in this township, upon which he still resides. The farm is now well cultivated. He was married in February, 1853, to Phcebe Lank, a native of Fa)-- ette County, Ohio. Thej' have had nine children, four of whom are now living. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church, and ilr. Gwin is a Republican. He is one of the prominent farmers of the county. J(")SEPH R. HALL was born in Somerset County, Jld., December 4, 1841, and is the eldest of two children born to William .T. and Margaret P. (Tull) Hall, na- tives of Maryland, and of Scotch and English descent. "William J. Hall was a farmer all his life, and died in 1844. Joseph R, Hall at an earlv age had the care of his mother and a sister. In 1862, with his mother and sister, lie removed to Zions- ville, Boone County, Ind., and engaged in merchandise and the lumber trade about ten years. In January, 1865, he helped to recruit Companv D, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which company he was appointed First Lieutenant. He served until the close of the war. In 1872. he came to Oxford and embarkeil in the coal and lumber business for five vears. A part of the time he also owned and operated coal and lumber yards at F'.)wlcr and Tenipletou. In the mean- time he bought a grain farm of 240 acres in this township, and a few years later he bought a stock farm of 320 acres, between Oxford and Fowler. Since 1877, he has been extensively engaged in stock-raising. Ho owns some of the finest thorough- bred short-horn and Hereford cattle in Benton County, and keeps on an average 300 head of cattle. Mr. Hall was married ^March 10. 1873, to Mary E. Lewis, a na- tive of this county. They have two children— Charles P. and Erta" ^l. He and wife are members of tfie j\[. E. Church, Mr. Hall is a Democrat. JACOB M, HARMAN was born in Frederick Count v. Va.. December 12, 1334. and is the youngest of thre'e children now living born to John and Elizabeth (Crider) Ilarnian, natives of Virginia and of German descent. John Harman followed cab- inet making several years at Middletown, Frederick Co., Va. After this he was Superintendent of the Frederick County Poor Asylum for five years. Since that time he has been engaged in agricultural inirsuits. " Jacob M. Harman worked on tlie home farm until he was twenty-one years old. He- then farmed on shares in his native county until 1872. when he eiime to Bolivar Township, this countV and liurciiaseda jiartially improved farm of 240 acres, and engaged in farming and stock- raising. A few years later he bought another farm of 120 acres in this township InSepicinber, 18SI. he came to Oxford, where he has since resided. He was married Movendier 20, 18,5U, u. Jliss Raeliel A. Bond, a native of Virginia. Thev have two daughiers and one son. Jlr, Harman is a memlier of Oxford Lodge. No" 100 A F A; A. M. He generally votes the Democratic ticket, but is liliei-:a in his' politicai views. "^ JOHN Hl'lBER was born at Wurtemlierg, Germanv, August 27, 183tl and is the fourlh of twelve children born to Christopher and Anna M (Colphus) llelier na- tives ,)f Gernniny. Christopher Heber followed weaving and farming in Germany le was Hurgomaster of Ins native village for many years. He died June '^-^ 1^7"l He and wde were members of the Lutheran Church. John Heber w.is a weaver two years m Germany. In 1854, he emigraled fo America, and settled in Medina OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BEXTOX COUNTY. S57 Township, Warren Co., Ind. For si.x years be -n-orked in TVarren and Tippecanoe Counties, Ind., and in Kansas. In tlie" meantime, lie bought a partiall}' improved farm in Adam? Township, AVarren County, on which be resided one year. After- ward, he bought andsold other farms, andin 1867came to this townshiii and bought the farm upon which he has since resided. He was married, September 8, 1864, to Hannah J. Garner, a native of ilontgomerv County, Ind. They have bad live chil- dren, four of whom are living— Elizii". I., George R., Martha A. and Peter W. Jlrs. Hannah J. Heber died September 18, 1881. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Heber was a member of the Lutheran Church in Germany, but there not being any churches of that denomination within a convenient distance of his present location, he has not renewed his membership. He is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. 0. O. F. . and is a Democrat. NATHAN HIBBS was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, January 15, 1S34, and is the second of six children born to Thomas and Lovica (Crago) Hibbs, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Thomas Hibbs, when young, came with his parents to Hamilton County, Ohio. At that time, Cincinnati was a small village. In 1834 or 183-5. he entered ninety-six acres of land in Fayette County, Ind., which he farmed, and to which he added until he possessed 370 acres. In 1872, he i-emoved to Cambridge City, Wayne Co.. Ind.. where he still resides. He and wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church. Nathan Hibbs attended, the common schools, hut since arriving at manhood he has acquired a good academic education. After at- taining his majority, he farmed on shares in summer and taught during the winters, in Fayette County. Ind.. for several j-ears. In Februarj', 1865, he came to this township, where he had previously bought eighty acres of land. He improved the farm, and (with the exception of thiee years spent in Center Township, this county) has since resided on it. He was Township Trustee one term. January 22, 1868. he married Mary B. Phares, a native of Hamilton Cotmty. Ohio. They have had eight children, six of whom are now living. He and wife are members of Model Lodge, No. 937, of Oak Grove Township. Mr. Ilibbs is a Democrat. JOHN HOPPER was born in Buckingham County. Va.. January 3, 18U8, and is the fourth of fourteen children born to John and Martha (Anderson) Hopper, na- tives of Virginia, and of English descent. John Hopper, Sr., removed in 1829 to Pike County. Ohio, and bought a farm, on which he resided several years. l>ut ulti- mately lost the farm in consecmence of a defective title. He was a sokher through the war of 1812. He died in Pike County. Ohio. John Hopper, our subject, was overseer of a plantation tw-o j'cars. In 1829, he removed with his parents to Pike County, Ohio, where he farmed; also worked on the Ohio & Erie Canal ; after- ward bought a farm in same county. In 1846, he removed to Tippecanoe County, Ind.. where he farmed on shares until 1848, when he came to Grant Township, this count}', and settled on land he had previously entered. Later, he bought a farm in this township. In 1861, he came to Oxford and engaged in general merchandise. In 1869. he moved upon the farm where he now resides. He was Justice of the Peace of this township several years. January 10, 1833, he married Mary D. An- derson, a native of Virginia. By this marriage there are three daughters living. Mrs. Marj' D. Hopper (wlio was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church) died in March. 1858. In November. 1858, Mr. Hopper married Mrs. Margaret J. (Cros- sou) Littler, a native of Washington County, Penn. They have had five children, only one of whom is now living, Eva. Mr. Hopper is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, also of the Freemason fraternitv. He is a Democrat- JAMES HOWARTH. deceased, was born in Manchester, England, in 1804. When six j'ears old he was left an orphan, after which he lived with his aunt and grandfather until twenty-one years old. At seven j'ears of age, he began work in a cotton factory. He reniainedthere seven j'ears, and mastered all the details of cot- ton manufacfuring. Durina- these years, under the tuition of his grandfather, he became an expert'mathematician and mechanical draughtsman. When fourteen J'ears old, he began a seven j'ears' apprenticeship to the machinist's trade. About the time that this apprenticeship expired, he was married to Miss Frances Hilling- worth, also a native of Manchester, England, by whom he had thirteen children, only four of whom (two sons and two daughters) are now living. Soon after his marriage, he was appointed Superintendent of two large cotton factories and the machine shops in connection with them, at JIanchester. lu 1840. he received the appointment (over twentj'-two other candidates) of General Manager of Cotton !Mills. at Tammerfors. in Finland. He superintended the re-building and the placing of the machinery of the mills, and aftern-ard operated them several years. While in Finland he taught mathematics and mechanical drawing, also learned the Swedish and Finnish languages. While in Tammerfors. the Czar of Russia offered to give Mr. Ilowarth's eldest sou, J. Alfred, a thorough Russian education on condition that he would allow him to remain in Finland, and teach for five years. This he 358 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: fleclined. In 1845, two of his cluldren died, and in the same year he returned to Manchester, Enu^land, where he again managed a cotton factory. In 1850, he emi- grated to America, and came to this township. He Ijought half a section of land, and purchased property in Oxford. He improved a farm, upon which he resided until his death, February 1, 1877. Mr. Howarth was essentially a self-made man. He was an enthusiastic student and was endowned with great mental acquirements. He was invariably read}' to aid those in distress. His two eldest sons, J. Alfred, born September 8, 18:36, and .lam 3S H., bjra April 2, 18:38, are natives of Jlanchester, England. They received a good education in their native land, and in Finland, where they acquired the Swedish and Finnish languages. After the family came to America, both sons were employed on their father's farm until after their marriage. During the latter years of his I'esidence on the home farm, J. Alfred farmed the place in partnership with his father. Soon after attaining their majority, theytiought 200 acres of land (adjoining the old homestead) which they divided and farmed, and upon wliich they liave lived since their marriage. J. Alfred Howarth was married Febi'uaiy 15, 1876, to Eva Heiining, a native of Utica, X. Y. Tliey have two chil- dred — AnuaF. and .Jaiues F. He and wife are members of the Church of England, also of Suminit Grange, No. 247. Mr. Howarth is a Republican. James H. Ho- wartli Avas married February 23, 1871, to Louisa Glass, a native of Rush County, Ind. Thc'3' have two children— Lillian M. and Bertha. Mr. Howarth is a member of the Englisli, andMrs. How.irthof the Christian Churcli. Mr. Howarth is a Re- publican. By his father's will he wa'^ appointed executor of the estate, and after the death of his mother. Mrs. Frances Howarth, June 17, 1880, the old homestead was sold. Mr. Howarth is Treasurer of Oalc Grove Township. -*. PANIEL HUFFMOX was horn in 'Westmoreland County, Peiin., Septem- ber 27, 1828. and is one of nine children born to George ami M.-irtha (Fink) Hufl- mon, \'i0^tmni«'^-<*f\ Til a ti ri 1 1 f^.'SiSQlcTT fleice u t . _George Huffmon ya ua.tiv*-(>f-Mi«»y- lanjl) followed the wagon-iuidcing trade in '\"\'estmoreiand CounlV. PetiuT, iintiL his death in 1S78.- H-e he-H vrnT0tI5'"avn TrtHTFr," slrch "af'A'sse.-sor, "Trustee, etc. He Alidwilt;.„were members of the LutheranTntiiTch. A^Daniel Huffmon, when ten years old, left liis hoiue and lived with relatives in Kentucky and other States. He followed the carpenter's traile until he was twenty-seven years old u;jxepljag ont* ,yjjai--S4afin*iTflTnitaTi'i3t-wiH;'n he returned to Pt;aus.yl\:in«*. After his marriage in 1858, he came to Oxford, ami has since been engaged at his trade. He has "been School Trustee several terms. Mr. Huffmon was luarried. Januaiv 13, 1858, to Sarah S. Potts, a native of Peiuisylvania. They had two cliildren. His first wife died December 23, 1871, and Mr. Huffmon next married, June 26, 187:3, Sarah S. Snyder, also a native of Pennsylvania. They have had one child— Laura E. He and wife are membL-rs of the Lutheran Church, but now attend the Presbyterian services Mr. Huffmon is a iii(nib,r nf Oxford Loilge, Xo. 101, A., P. ^t A. il. JUDGi:: BASIL JUSTUS (deceased) was born in Pennsvh'ania March 29. 1796. "When cpiite young, lie n'raoved to Pick;iway County. Ohio." with his parents. In 18:31, he came to Indiana, and the following year settled in Benton County. After the organization of the county, he was clect"ed its first Clerk of the County Court, and served in that capacity several years. Subsequently he was elected an Asso- ciate Judge, which jiosiiiou he hefd until the office wiis abolished by the Legisla- ture. The early County Courts were held at his private house for s"everal years: She Judges and lawyers slaying with him. His dc:ith oeccurred at Vinceunes" Ind. . April 8. 1M79. The Judgi' was one of the earliest pioneers of the county. WILLIAM II. KEIJjEY was born in Tippecanoe Countv, Ind., M:irch 5, 1837. and is the eldest of five children born to Janics and Sarah A. '(Williams) Kellc'v, ua- fives of Ohio, and of Irish descent. In 18:i3, J.aiucs Kelley came to Tippecanoe County, Inil. ai»d soon ;ifter married. He farnu\i in Tippecanoe, Fulton and War- ren Counties unfil 1,S7.>, when he settled on a farm in Grant Township, this countv on which he resided until his death June 17, 1877 During the last two years of his lile, he opcraleil a livery stable at Oxford. 'William 11. Kellev received a limited eiluealion in the common schools, and worked on his father's farm until he was twenly-dne years old. He then farmed on shares two vears, after which he bou"-ht a farm in Piairie Township, Warren County. In bS(iO,"he removed to Watseka ill ;ind engaged in the lively business until 1873, when he went to Sheldon 111 nMiK'niiiiig one year. In 1S74. he came to Oxford, was in the liverv business one year and the hotel business two years. He then opened a groccy "store and has *i"'ni .'!""i^■l, r,''""',';''"'" ''">'"'"^'«5- "f '■'"■'■''^''^ •> ^-''H -elected stock, worth froni *1..)IU lo .'£,2,000 llr was married, December 2!i, 18.59, to Sarah A. Ogborn a native 01 W anvil County. Ind. They have not had any children, but have adopted one >oy. Uis. Kelli'v IS a ni ■mber of the .Methodist Episcopal Church. Her father the >ev Oavid Ogborn, was one of the pioneer ministers of the United Brethren '- liHi'eli Ml Hie W aba^h \ alley, .Mr. K.dlev i-< a member ol' Oxford 1 od-e I O t-) OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 359 F., to which he has belonged since he was twenty-two years old. He is a Repub- lican. JAMES J. KEYS was born at Hillsboro. Highland Co., Ohio, June 4, 1834, and is the second of ten children born to Samuel A. and Jane Keys, natives of Vir- ginia and Ohio, and of Scotch descent. When a boy, Samuel Keys came to High- land County, Ohio. His father. Col. William Keys, entered land and felled the first tree on the present site of Hillsboro. The Colonel recruited and commanded the First Ohio Volunteers, during the war of 18r2. Samuel was married in High- land County, where he became a painter, and later engaged in agricultiiral pursuits and in milling. In ISol, he entered land in this township, where he farmed until his death in September, 1857. He was for a time Justice of the Peace of the town- ship and Sheriff of the county. He and wife are members of the Presbj-terian Church. James J. Keys was employed several years farming and handling live stock. In 1860, he learned the plasterer's trade, which he has since followed. De- cember 3, 1861, he enlisted iu Company D, Sixtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was soon after appointed Sergeant and served with the regiment until Novem- ber 14, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability. He had two brothers in the arm}' — Miltou and Hugh H. Milton served through the whole of the war. Hugh was severely wounded at Arkansas Post, and died in hospital at St. Louis, Mo., in March, 1863. Mr. Kevs is a Democrat. THOMAS KIRK was born in Ireland December 22, 1825, and is "the fifth of six children born to John and JIary (Lee) Kirk, both natives of Ireland. John Kirk followed agricultural pursuits, also the dairy business, in Ireland, where he died in l84."i. He and wife were members of the Catholic Church. Thomas Kirk, in the spring of 1846, emigrated to America and settled at Syracuse, N. Y., where he was employed in the salt works and at farming about three years. He then came to La Fayette, Ind., where he worked in a warehouse oue year: then moved to Pine Township, Benton County, and farmed on shares about four years. In 1854, he went to California and was engaged in mining there, also in Washington Terri- tory, British Columbia (on the Frazer River), and in Vancouver's Island. In the fall of 1858. he returned to the States, and the spring of 1859 came to this township and farmed on shares one year. In 1860, he bought 200 acres of wild land in this townsliip. which he improved and where he still resides. He was married in New York City November 38, 18.58, to Hanora Murry, a native of Ireland. They have had eight children, six of whom are living — Mary T., John S., Catherine H., Ellen. Thomas and Joanna. In 1880, Mr. Kirk was candidate for Sheriff of Benton Coun- ty. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Kirk is a Democrat. WILLIAM T. KIRKPATRICK was born in Nova- Scotia June 10, 1821, and is the third of nine cliildren born to John and Letitia (Patterson) Kirkpatrick, natives of Ireland. John Kirkpatrick was married in Ireland, where he followed agricult- ural pursuits manj- years. About 1819, he emigrated to Nova Scotia, where he farmed several years. He afterward resided on Long Island, N. Y., and a short time at Brooklyn. Later, he moved to Middlesex County, N. J., and bought a farm, upon which he resided until Ids death in 1852. He and wife were members of the Episcopal Church. William T. Kirkpatrick worked on his father's farm until he attained his majority. He then farmed on shares several years in Middle- sex Countv, N. J., wherij he subseijuently bouglu a farm. In 1864, he came to this township and farmed the "Otis farm " on shares two years. He then bought 320 acres of unimproved land, on which he still resides. His farm is one of the best in the township. Mr. Kirkpatrick was married. September 10, 1851, to Elizabeth V. N. Van Deripe, a native of New Jersey, and of Holland descent. Five children have blessed their union— James V. N.,"Anna, William B,. Letitia and Margaret S. Jlr. Kirkpatrick and wife are me mber s ofJlicuEpisuajiaMJliurch, blso of Summit Grango ..^iQ^_2j2— Mr. Kirkpntl ' icli Is a ^eading farmer and sTStkWiser,_ajjd is a JONATHAN KOLB, M. D., was born in Fayette County, Ind., October 22, 1830, and is the second of nine children born to William and Kezia (Rich) Kolb, natives of Georgia and Ohio, and of G-erman and Scotch descent. About 1810, Will- iam removed to Fayette County, Ind.. where his fatlier entered land and made a farm. In that count}', Wdliam" was educated and married. He engaged in teaching, and in 1833 removed to Rush County and bought a farm. In 18,5'4, he came to this township and bought 160 acres, which he farmed until 1869, when he sold out. came to Oxford, and has since lived a retired life. He is in his seventy-eighth year, and he and wife for over fifty j-ears have been members of the Christian Church. Jon- atlian Kolb received a good common school and academic education, and worked on the farm imtil he attained his majority. He then taught school for some years. In 1855, he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. J. J. Rawlings, of Oxford, and in 186'2. and 1863 attended the Medical College at Ann Arbor, Mich.: he then 360 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: located at Oxford and lias an excellent practice ; he is a member of the School Board, and had been Coroner of the eouDt\'. Dr. Kolb was married, November 14, 1858, to Mary E. Sketo, a native of Logan County, Ohio. Five children have blessed this union, four of whom are living. The Doctor and his familj' are mem- bers of the Christian Church. He is a member of Oxford Lodge, L O. O. F., and has always been an active worker in the cause of temperance. JOSEPH B. LANE was born at Lebanon, Boone Co., Ind., Januarys, 18o7, and is one of nine children born to Levi and Pheriba (Hays) Lane, natives of Ten- nessee and Indiana respectively. About 183."). Levi moved to Boone County, Ind., then almost a wilderness ; he was tliere married ; he was one of the first County Clerks, and served two terms in that office, and has been Deputy Clerk over forty years, having made out every docket in that county since its organization. He and wife from their childhood have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Joseph B. Lane received a good common school and academic education, and at fifteen 3'ears of age began learning the blacksmith's trade, but abandoned it in about a year. He then clerked in a drug store for his brother. In April. 1881. he came to Oxford, Benton County, bought a drug store, and has since done an excellent busi- ness. He carries a large and well-eelected stock of pure drugs, paints, oils, liquors, lamps, wall and window paper, carpets and druggists' sundries. 3Ir. Lane was mar- ried, September 10, 1876, to Margaret E. Sink, a native of Boone County, lud. Two daughters have blessed their union— Daisy and Blanche. Mrs. Lane is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Lane is a Republican and one of the enterprising young business men of the town. MITCHELL LANK was born in Ross County. Ohio. December 29, ISiS.and is the third of eleven children born to John and Sarah (Wilkins) Lauk, natives of Delaware and of Maryland, and of Welsh and Irish descent. When John Lank was six weeks old, in 1805, his parents removed to Ros-^ County, Ohio. In this countv he was educated and married. He farmed for several years, and in 1836 went to Randolph Count)", Ind., and aj'terward to Tippecanoe, Boone, Benton and Warren Counties. About 1861. he removed to Independence and engaged in the grocerj' trade, and still resides in that town. He is a member of tlie Jlethodist Episcopal Church, in whicli he has held official positions. Mitchell Lank received a common school education, and was employed on his father's farm until twenty-one. He fanned on shares in Bolivar Township until 1856, when he bought a farm of forty acres in same township, afterward adding eighty acres. In 1874, he sold out and removed to Iroquois County, 111., where he bought a farm of 160 acres, which he still owns. In 1880, he came to Oxford and engaged in the lumber business, and was doing a good trade when, in April, 1883, he sold out. Mr. Lank was married, January 19, 18,54, to Elizabeth Ladd, a native of Pike County, Ohio.' The}- have had eight children, seven of whom are living. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, iu which Jlr. Lank has held official positions since he was twentyone years old. He is a Republican, and a prominent citizen. ISAAC W. LEWIS was born in Clarke County, Ohio, September 20. 1827, and is the 'third of ten children born to Tiiomas and Prudence (Waldrip) Lewis, natives respectively of South Carolina and New Jersey, both of Welsh descent. Thomas removed with his parents to Wayne County. Ind. He married in that county, and soon after removed to Clarke Co'unty, Ohio! subsequently to Adams Township! War- ren Co., Ind. He afterward bought 160 a"res in Oak Grove Township. Benton County. Later, be farmed in Keokulv County. Iowa, and in Tehama Countv. Cal., where he died lu February, 1862. In 1849. he went to California and engaged in mining with fair success, returning to Indiana in 1851. He was Justice of the Peace and one of the Commissioners of Benton County. He and wife were mem- bers of the Quaker Church. Isaac W. Lewis, by his own exertions, acquired a good business education. He worked at home until twenty years old, then a year on a farm at f 13 |icr month. He farmed on shares in Benton Countv two or three years. In 1S52, lie bought 100 acres in t)ak Grove Township, and sold it the follow- ing year. He Iheii )iuichased 200 acres in same township ; aflrrward bought 160 acres, and in 1S79 bougbl the place where lie now lives, near Oxford. In 1871, he, with P. Jt. and C. Atkinson, Imilt an elevator at Oxford on the L., E. & W. Rail- road, and has since been engaged in the grain business and farming. He was mar- ried. May 28, 1850, lo Lovlcy McConncll.'a native of Adams County. Oliio. Eight children blessed llieir union, seven now living. Mr. Lewis is a liepublican and one of the iironiinent men of (he county. He and son own an elevator at Ambia. April 14. 1878, be losi by lire a liarii, sixteen bead of horses and mules and l,O0li bushels (if grain, lie now owns well improved farms in Benton Couulv amounting' to about 600 acres. " ^ _^,Tri)GE DAVID McCONNELL was born in Ohio Countv, AV. Va., November 1. 1792, and is (be third of twelve children born to Hugh and Elizabeth ^Jolley) Mc- OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 361 Connell, the former a native of Delaware, the latter of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch and Irish descent, respeclively.ZAVhen voung, Hugh removed to Virginia, ivhere he married and engaged in farming until 1801, when he removed to Ross County, Ohio, where he farmed on shares, on land owned hy Gen. Massey, for several years. He then went to Highland Coimty, Ohio, where he resided some fifteen years. In 1828, he came to Fountain County." lud., where he died in 183.J. He was a veteran of the Revolutionary war, having served through the whole struggle, and immediately af- terward in a war with the Indians, by whom he was severely woundecl in a battle near Wheelinir "W. Va. He w-as from'early life a consistent member of the Presby- terian Churet^ David ^McConnell received a fair education in the log sehoolhouse of his youth. In 1812, he enlisted in Col. Kay's regiment, and served under Gen. Harrison until the close of the war. , Jle then engaged in farming in Highland Coun- ty. Ohio, until 1822, when he removed to Adams County, Ohio, where he was mar- ried. In the spring of 1831. lie came to Warren County, Ind., remaining till 1835, when he came to Oak Grove Townsihip, Benton County.' where he entered S^O acres of land, upon which he erected a log cabin, and subsequently improved the farm, and has resided there ever since. He added to his farm unti'l he owned 560 acres. The first and second additions to the town of Oxford were laid out on a part of his farm. Mr. MeConnell was Justice of the Peace for a term in Warren County, As- sociate Judge of Warren and Benton Counties for some ten years, afterward Pro- bate Judge in Benton and Jasper Counties for two years, and still later Associate Judge in Benton County for two years. In the winters of 1843-44 and 1848-49, he represented Benton, Jasper. White and Pulaski Counties in the Lower House of the State Legislature. Mr. MeConnell is a Democrat, and has never been defeated for auy office for which he was a candidate. He was twice appointed District !>Iarshal by the Governor. Mr. MeConnell was first married, in 1822, to Miss Poll_v Moore, a native of Adams County. Ohio. To this union eleven children were born, ten of whom are now living. Mrs. Polly JlcConnell died in 1846, and in 1852 he married Mrs. Sarah (Brown) Kanchfll, a native of Ireland. They have no children, but Mrs. MeConnell has two children by her former marriage. Mr. MeConnell is not a member of any cliurch. He is one of the oldest pioneers and most prominent citi- zens of Benton County. WILLIAM B. McCO^TNELL was born May 10. 1825. in Adams County, Ohio, and is one of ten children born to David and Polly (Moore) MeConnell. For sketch of father see biography of .Judge David MeConnell, Oxford. William B. MeCon- nell received an ordinary education, principally in the schools of Benton County; lived with his father's familv until about twenty-one years of age, and afterward rented and worked farms in Oak Grove Township, Benton County, for several years. He then bought the farm now owned bj' J. ]S!". MeConnell and C. H. Zeis, which he owned a few years; he next opened a grocery store in Oxford, which he con- ducted for several years, when he bought a part of the farm owned by D. S. Gwin, which be owned for about ten years; he was then elected Treasurer of Benton Coun- ty, for two terms, and since the expiration of his term of office he has passed the greater portion of his time in farming. In 1881, he received the appointment of Superintendent of the County Poor Farm, which position he still holds. He was married, April 7, 1847, to Frances J. Howard, a native of Ohio, and eleven children have blessed this union, only five of whom are nowliviug. In politics, Mr. MeCon- nell is a Democrat, and is one of the oldest settlers, and prominent men of the countv. JASPER N. McCOXNELL was born in Adams Countj-, Oliio, June 10. 1828, and is the fotirth of eleven children born to David and Polly (Moore) MeConnell. Jasper worked on the home farm until he attained his majority. He then bought forty acres of land in this township, which he farmed, and from time to time added more land, until he owned 160 acres. In 1860. he sold this farm and pur- chased another containing 168 acres, in the same township. This farm he still owns, and also propertj' in the town of Oxford, where he now resides. He has been one of the Town Trustees, and a member of the school board. Mr. MeConnell was married, November 17, 1853, to Sallie M. Wilson, a native of Highland County, Ohio. The3' have had fourteen children, nine of whom are living. Mrs. MeConnell is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. MeConnell is a Democrat, and one of the pioneers of the countV. HUGH McCONNELL was born in Highland County. Ohio. April 20, 1807, and ia the tenth of twelve children born to Hugh and Elizabeth (Jolley) MeConnell. Our subject was employed on his father's farm until he was nearly thirty years old. In 1836, he entered and" bought 160 acres of land in this township, which he farmed, and has since added more land, now owning about 400 acres. In 1857, he removed to Warren County, Iowa, hut did not sell his farm here. In Iowa, he bought a farm, and remained there till 1878, when he returned to Benton County, where he still 36 2 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: resides. He was married, in 1S40, to Margaret M. Johnston, a native of Preble County, Ohio, They have had six children, four now living. Mr^JNlcConnell is liberal in his religious views, and is not a member of auy church. He is a Demo- crat, and one ot the oldest pioneers of the county, -m tot, A WILLIAM H. McCONNELL was born in this township October lo 1844, and is the elder of two sons born to Thomas L. and Margaret (Wdkinson) McOonnell, natives of Ross County, Ohio, and of Scotch-Irish and German-Welsh descent. In 1884, Thomas McConnell entered and bought 200 acres of land m this township He improved a farm, and resided on it until 1851, when he engaged in the saw-mill business in Warren County, Ind. He died February 17, 1853. He was one of the first grand'jurors of this countv. William H. McConnell enlisted in 1863, in Com- pany H, One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment until mustered out in 1864. He farmed on shares three years, and then moved onto a farm he had previously bought in this township. His farm con- tains 165 acres of well-improved land, including a part of the old homestead. Sep- tember 9, 1866, he married Mary .J. Jackson, a native of Clinton County. Ohio. They have two sons— John T. and Samuel F. Mr. McConnell is a memVjer of Garfield Post, No. 33, Q. A. R. at Boswell, Ind. He is a Republican, and a prom- inent farmer of the township. PATRICK MALONEY was born in Belleville, Upper Canada, February 7, 1833, and is the fourth of five children born to John and Ann (Larkin) Maloney, both natives of IreUlnd. John Maloney was married in his native eountiy. and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits several years. About 1837, he emigrated with his wife and family to Upper Canada, where he bought a farm of 300 acres. He success- fully cultivated this land until 1843 or 1843, when he sold out, and came to La Fayette, Ind., where he died in 1850. He and wife were members of the Catholic Church. Patrick Maloney received a limited education, but has since acquired con- siderable practical knowledge. After liis father's death, the support of his mother and a younger brother fell upon him. His mother died in 1854. 3Ir. Maloney Avorked about six j'ears on the Wabash ct Erie and Jliami Canals. He was em- ployed a similar time on a farm in Warren and Tippecanoe Counties. In 1865, he moved to a partially improved farm of sixty acres in this township, which he had bought two years previously. He still resides on this farm, which is well cultivated. In the spring of 1883. he was elected Road Superintendent ot this township. December 13, 1857, he married Catherine Gannan, a native ot Jeiierson County, Ind. They have had twelve children, seven of wbom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Maloney are members of the Catholic Church, and Jlr. JIaloney is a Democrat. WILLIAM R. MEXEFEE was born iu Rappahannock County, Va.. July 10, 1817, and is the second ot twelve children born to J. and Frances (Hopkins) Menefee, natives of Virginia, and of English and Irish descent. ,T. Menefce was married in Virginia, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits many years. In 1854, he removed to Greene County, (.^hio, remained there two years, "and then moved to Van Wert County. Ohio. He resided there until his death, October 4, 1866. Mr. Menefee was a veteran of the war of 1S13 He was for several years Justice of the Peace in his native State. He was a member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Frances Menefee, who died in 1868, was a member of the M. E. Church. William R. ]\Ienefee was employed on his father's farm until twenty j'cars old. He then bought a farm iu his native State. In 1858, lie moved to Greene Countv. Ohio, accomplishing the journey in a wagon. He farmed there on shares two years, and, in 1860, came to this township, where he farmed on shares about seven years. He then bouglit eighty acres of wild land, which he has improved, and on'which he still resides. In the fall of 1883. he was elected Commissioner for the south district of Benton Cminty, whicli position he still holds. Mr. ^lenefee was married, September 13, ISi;;, to Jane C. JNbJjaren, a native of Fauquier County, Va. Seven children have blessed their union, six of whom — five bo3-s and one girl— are living, and all are now married. Mrs. Menefee is a member ot tlie Presbj'teriau Church. Jlr. Menefee is a member of Summit Grange, No. 347, and is a Democrat. ■Wi^FH54TU JlKNKFFEwas born in Rappahannock County, Va., February 13, 1848, and i,s the third of seven children born to William R. and Jane C. Menefee", natives of Virginia, and of English-Seoteh and Irish descent. Winfield received a ■coinraou school and academic education, and was employed on his father's farm until eighteen years old. In 1867, he went West, and worked at teaming, ranching and mining in Kansas, ('(dorado and New Mexico. In 1870, lie came to \iiis county and Mtteniled school about one year; he then taught for a time. In the spring of 1873, he went lo Hiiswcll, and engaged in the lumber business with his lu-othei\ re- maiidng until 18S3, when he sold his interest and came to (~)xford and embarked iu the boot and shoe tradej and has since licen doing a flourishing trade ; he carries a well selected stock, wor>li from ^1,000 to !?5,000, and his annmil sales avera^-e about OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 363 $9,000. Mr. Menefce was Justice of the Peace in Grant Townsliip from 1875 to 1879. He was married, October 27, 1872, to Harriet A. Leach, a native of Virginia. Three children have blessed tlicir union, all of whom are living. Mr. Menefee is a member Oxford Lodge, Ko. 190, A., F. &. A. M., and has been W. M. of Bo^well Lodge, No. 486. He is a Democrat. DANIEL A. MES8NER, Sr., was born in Cumberland County, Penn., July 29, 1825, and is the second of three children born to Michael and Catherine (Clark) Messner. natives respectivelv of Cumberland and Berks Counties, Penn., both of German descent. Michael Messner was a carpenter all his life, and for many years an extensive builder and contractor. He married in his native State, and in 1836 removed to New Madison, Darke Co., Ohio, where he died in June, 1848. He and wife were both members of the Christian Church. Mrs. Catherine Messner was a daughter of Daniel Clark, a pioneer of Butler Count}', Ohio. Her death occurred in Warren County, Ind. Daniel received a common school education, and became a carpenter, which has been his chief occupation. In 1849, he moved to Warren County, Ind., and the following spring bought 300 acres (a part of which he has since sold), and engaged in agricultural pursuits, in connection with his trade. He built most of the frame houses and barns in the north part of Warren County. In 1874, he embarked in merchandise in Pine Village, Warren County, and in 1876 came to Oxford, Benton County, and started in dry goods with William C. Smith, trading as Messner & Smith; they carry a well-selected stock, value iplO.OOO, and their average annual sales are 1518,000; they are doing a good business. Mr. Mess- ner has been County Commissioner of Warren County, also Trustee and Assessor of Adams Township (same county) six years. He married, December 28, 1844, Rebecca A. Wood, a native of Warren County, Ohio. They had ten children, nine of whom are living. Mrs. Rebecca Messner died in February, 1871, and January 26, 1876, he married Mrs. Fannie (Barker) Burt, a native of Ross County, Ohio. Mr. Messner is Treasurer of Oxford Lodge, No. 190, A., F. &. A. M.. and is a Republican. JACOB MILLER was born in'Germany September 19, 1822, and is the eldest of four children liorn to Matthias andElizabeth(Sittig) Miller, natives of Germany. Matthias was a weaver, and in June, 1853, came to the United States with his fam- ilj', and settled at Oxford, this county; he died April 8, 1874. He and wife were members of the Lutheran Church. Jacob Miller was a nail-maker in Germany, and was a soldier in the German Army five years. After coming to this country, he fol- lowed slioe-making until 1872, when ill-healtli caused him to abandon it. He is now serving his fourth term as Justice of the Peace in Oak Grove Township. In June, 1849, he married Anna M. Motz, a native of Germany, by whom he had two dauchters— Emily and Margaret. /That lady, who was a member of the Lutheran Church, died April 17, 1852. and Mr. Miller next married, January 1, 1853, Mrs. Margaret (Yager) Rhinehart, "a native of Germany. They had two sons and a daughter, all of whom are deceased. His second wife died October 28, 1861 ; she, also, was a member of the Lutheran Church. He tben, July 25, 1863, married his present wife, JMrs. Magdalene M. (Klien) Kluth, a native of Germany. By this maiTiage there were five children, three of whom are living. Mrs. Miller is a mem- ber of 'tlie Lutheran Church. Mr. Miller is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., and is a Democrat. JAMES F. MILLS was born in Warren County, Ohio, December 28, 1826, and is the fourth of thirteen children born to Jacob and Jane (Cassell) Mills, natives of South Carolina and of English, Scotch and German descent: They were early pioneers of Warren and Benton Counties, Ind. James F. Mills came in 1829, with his parents, to Fountain Countv, Ind.. and tlie following spring went to what is now Adams Township, Warren County, where he received his early education. In 1847, he attended the school of Hartley T Howard, in Benton County. He then attended the Fairfield Farmers' Institute. For several years he farmed on* the home farm. He was one of the organizers of Adams Township, Warren County, and helped to make most of the roads in that townslup. In 1850, he came to this township, and bouylit eighty acres of land, upon wliich he still resides. He added to his farm until he owned 530 acres of well-improved land, a part of which he has since deeded to his son. Mr. Mills has acquired all his property by industry and economy, as he had nntbing to be[!;in with. He has a handsome residence, and the grounds are tastefully laid out,"there being about twenty-five varieties of evergreens, and an equal nu'ral)er of deciduous trees. He is a large stock-raiser, and keeps a high grade of cattle. He was married, in 1852, to Martha L. Young, a native of Fountain _ Countv. Ind. Tbey have two sons and four daughters. Mrs. Mills is a member of the Cliristian Church, and Mr. Mills (though not a cliurch memlier) professes Chris- tianity. He is a Republican, and takes a lively interest in political affairs. During the late civil war, he donated §3,000 to soldiers and tlieir families, and was active in recruiting. 364 BIOC.EAPHICAL SKETCHES: JOHN E. MORGAN was born in Obampaii,'n Countj'. Ohio, August 1, 1827, and is tlie sixth of nine children born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Rochester) Morgan, natives of Virginia, and of Endish descent. Jacob Morgan removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, 'in 1810 or 1812. He enlisted under Gen. Harrison, and served through the war of 1812. Soon after the war, he removed to Champaign Count.y. Ohio where lie wa^ married. He farmed on shares several years, and in 1835 entered 1-0 acres of land in Pine Township, Warren Co., Ind. He improved a farm, to which he added more land. His death occurred in Februarj-, 1861, and was caused by his being thrown from a load of hay bv a runaway team. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church." John E. 'Morgan, in youth, received a limited education, but has since acquired considerable business knowledge by his own elforts. After his twenty-second year, he farmed on shares, (m the home farm, three years. In 1850. he bought eighty acres of wild canal lands in this township. He erected a small frame house, and subsequently improved a farm, adding land until he now owns 330 acres. He has a fine residence, and the grounds are taste- fully laid out. His bam is surmounted hj a wind-mill, which pumps water for various pasture fields, and drives machinery in the barn, which shells the corn and grinds all kinds of grain, except wheat, and chops the feed. All this can be done at one time. Mr. Morgan breeds extensively thoroughbred and high grade short- horn cattle, also full-blooded Poland-China hogs. "When he started in life, he had to borrow monev to purchase land, but by industrj' and economy he has become one of the wealthiest farmers in the county. He was married, February 21, 1850, to Marj' Wattles, a native of Fountain County. Ind. They have had three children, two now living — Elizabelh J. and Luther J. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. IMr. Morgan is a Republican. LUTHER J. JIORGAN" was born '"in this township February 17, 1856, and is the 3'oungest of three children born to John E. and Mar3' (Wattles) Morgan. Luther J. Morgan received a good practical business education, and was employed on the home farm until attaining his majorit}-. He has since farmed the home farm in partnership with his father, and owns a half-interest in the stock. He was married, April 17, 1878, to Aneva Courtney, a native of La Faj'ette, Ind. Mr. L. J. Morgan is a Republican, and one of the rising farmers of tlie count}". JOHN K. NALLEY was born in Tippecanoe County. Ind., De'cember 18. 1848. and is the fourth of fourteen children born to Isaac and Susanna (Kraft) Nalley. natives of Maryland and Ohio, and of English and German descent. When about eighteen years f>ld. Isaac Nalley removed, in 1836. to Hancock County. Ohio, where he married, and followed farming several years. He then went to Ogle County. 111.; remained there two years, and in 1844 came to Tip)X'canoe County.' Ind.. where he bought a farm, on which he resided until his death July 23. 1878. He and wife were members of the United Brethren Church. John K. Nalley was employed on his father's farm until he attained his majoritj'. He then farmed on shares iii his native county two years, and in 1872 he came to this township and farmed on shares two years. His ifather-in-law then gave him a farm in this township, on which he still resides. He was married, September 14. 18611, to Susanna Runner, a native of Oak Grove Township. They have had four children, three of whom are living — Eva. Cora and Alta. Mr. Nallev is one of the rising voung farmers of the countv" WILLIAM C. PARKER was born at Portland. "Jay Co.. Ind.. Nove'mber 17, 1819. and is the second of seven children liorn to Calvin J. and Catlierine G. (Shade) Parker, natives of North Carolina and of Pennsylvania, and of Eudish-Irish and German-French descent, respectively. Calvin J.. who was self-educated, was a teacher and civil engineer. He removed to Darke County. Ohio, where he married, but prior to his marriage he was Principal of the Public Schools at Palestine. Ohio! He was also employed as engineer of various public works. Later he went to Port- land, Jay Ciuuity, Ind.. where be had charge of the public schools. After that he was Superintendent of Schools at Greenville. Darke Co.. Ohio. He then superin- tended a large school in Jay County. Ind.. and in 1855 removed to Vermillion Ccmnty. 111., remaining until 1850, when he came to Pine Township, Warren Co., hid. He sulise(]ueiilly removed to Kainsvillc. same county, and died in 1870. He was a Freemason. William C. Parker served a three yeaVs' apprenticeship to the carriage-builders trade, and worked as a journeyman at'iout seven years. In 1876. he opeiieil a carriage manufactory at Oxford, ami has now the larljest business iii that line in the county. He turns out from thirty to tliirty-hve carriages ami bugiies a year, and has a large repairing trade. Mr. Parker was married, Noveiiiber 28 187^8 to Mary Underwood, a native of La Favetle, Ind. Thev have had throe children two of whom, Leah and William W,, are living. Mr. V'arkcr is a Republican, and one of llu' leading luisiness men of the countv. .lUlIN II. I'llAKES wasborn in Hai'nilton Couutv, l)hio. August 6 1821 and IS the eldest of live cliildren born to William and Jenisha (Hutchinson) Pharos, na- OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 3b5 tives of New Jersey, and of English-Irish and German descent. When two years old, in 1805, William Phares removed with his parents to Hamilton County, Ohio. He was there married, and followed asricnltural pursuits until his death in August, 1854. He was for many years Trustee of his township. John H. Phares was em- ployed on his father's farm until he attained his majority. He then farmed on shares several j^ears. In 1855, he bought 133 acres of land in this township, on which he still resides. His farm is well improved. October 6, 1842, he married Hannah Butler, a native of Butler County, Ohio. By this union thej' had seven children, four of whom are now living. Mrs. Hannah Phares (who was a member" of the Presbyterian Church) died August 19, 1860. Mr. Phares, in January, 1862, married Mrs. Naomi (Hutchinson) Frost, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio. That lady died March 10, 1872. She also was a member of the Presbyterian Church. In May. 1875, Mr. Phares married Mrs. Eunice G. (Butler) Frost, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio. Thej' have one daughter, Minnie P. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which jlr. Phares is an Elder and a Trustee. He is a Democrat. SAMUEL PHARES was born in Hamilton Count}', Ohio, September 37, 1823, and is the second of five children born to William and Jerusha (Hutchinson) Phares. Samuel Phares was employed on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old. He then worked the home farm on shares with his father until the hitter's death. During the last four years of that time, they were also engaged in merchandise at Harrison, Ind. After his father's tleath, Samuel operated the farm and store alone for two years. In March, 1856, he bought a tract of wild land. He subsequently added more land, and has now a well improved farm of 372 acres. He has already put in 1,300 rods of tiling, and is continuing the work. Mr. Phares was married in December, 1846, to Jane Gould, a native of New York. The}' have had nine chil- dren, seven of whom are now living. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Phares is a member of Model Grange, No. 937, of Oak Grove Town- ship, and also for many years one of the Directors of the " O.xford Academy." He is a Democrat. JOHN J. RAWLINGS, M. D. (deceased), was born in Bloomington, Monroe County, Ind., March 22, 1833, and was the youngest of eleven children born to Dan- iel and Rebecca (Jenkins) Rawlings, native's of Maryland and of English descent. Daniel was an extensive planter, and owned a number of slaves. Under the minis- try of Rev. Whitfield, he was converted to the Methodist faith, and soon after lib- erated his slaves. After this, his persecution by neighboring planters became so intense that he emigrated to Indiana, and in 1818 settled in Bloomington. After coming to Indiana, he followed the carpenter's trade until his death, which occurred in 1833. John J. Rawlings was educated at the common schools and at Blooming- ton University. In 1845, he began studying medicine with Dr. R. C. Hamil, of Bloomington, with whom he read three years. He then practiced his profession with his preceptor until 1850, when Dr. Hamil removed to Chicago, and he took charge of the entire practice. He graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Missouri with the class of 1853-54. In the fall of 1854, he came to Ox- ford, Benton County, and practiced successfully several years. The Doctor was married. October 2, 1849, to N. Agnes Langley, a native of Rush County, Ind., and daughter of John Langley, a pioneer of Rush County. Six children blessed their union, three of whom are living. In 1871. he removed to Oregon, where he died May 4, 1873. He and wife were members of the Christian Church. In 1862, he was elected Treasurer of Benton County, and re-elected in 1864. He was a Republican, and took a lively interest in all political affairs. He was also a mem- ber of Oxford Lodge, I. 0. O. F. JONATHAN kHODE was born in Adams Township, Warren Co., Ind., Mav 4, 1830, and is the third of six children born to Seymour and Rebecca (Herley^ Rhode, both natives of Ohio, and of English descent. Seymour Rhode was married in Ohio, and soon after came with his father and brothers to Warren County, Ind. His father deeded him a tract of land in what is now Adams Township, which he farmed until 1855, when he sold out, and removed to Fremont County, Iowa, where he bought a farm, on which he resided until his death in 1864. He was not a church member, but adhered lo the "Friends' doctrine." Jonathan Rhode lost his mother when he was eight j-ears old, after which he lived with two uncles until sixteen; then worked on his father's farm until twenty-one. He then farmed the home farm on shares three years, then another farm in same county one year. In 1856, he moved lo a farm in Fremont County, Iowa, deeded to him by his father; in 1859, he bought 160 acres in this township, which he improved, and now resides upon. November 33, 1855, he married Dorothj' Gray, a native of Warren County, Ind. Seven children have blessed their union, six of whom are living — Rebecca A. (Mrs. I. H. Edwards), Sarah E. (Mrs. John C. Messner), Lillus M. (Mrs. F. D. Stotts), Mary J., Martha K. and Charles S. Mr. Rhode is a Democrat. 366 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: JOHN W. R05OIEL was bora in Germanj' September 3, 1843, and is tlie sec- ond of six children born to Henry and Margaret (Storcli) Rommel, natives of Ger- many. Henry Hommel followed farming in his native country several years. In 1853, he emigrated to the United States, and came to this township ; he farmed sev- eral years on shares, and in 1866 bought a farm in Center Township, this county, where he still resides. .John W. Rommel was employed on his father's farm until after his twenty-first year. He then worked nine years for Dr. Stembel; at the end of that time began fanning eighty acres, which he had previously bought in Center Township. He remained 'here until 1877, when he sold out, and bought 130 acres in this township, on which he still resides. The farm is well cultivated and drained, Mr. Rommel having put in over 600 rods of tiling. He was married, October 30, 1870, to Amelia Miller, a native of Germany. They have no children. Mrs. Rom- mel is a member of tlie Presb3'terian Church, and Sir. Rommel, though not a church member, adheres to the same faitli. He is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. 0. O. F., and is a Democrat. JfJHN P. ROSS was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Septeml.ier 7, 1831, and is the third of nine children l)orn to William F. and Sarah J. (Patton) Ross, natives of New .Terse}' and Pennsylvania, and of English and Scotch descent. In 1808. Will- iam F. Ross moved to Cincinnati, Ohio; he became a carpenter, and followed that trade nearly all his life. He was married in Cincinnati; he died at Harrison, Ham- ilton Co., Oliio. May 30, 1878, in his eighty-eighth j-ear. He was Mayor of Harri- son for a time; for many years he was a member of -the ^Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife of the Presbyterian Churtfh. John P. Ross was educated in the common schools; he learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it in Ohio and Indiana thirty j'ears. In 18.53, he removed from Cincinnati to Harrison, and in 1853 to Oxford, this county, and worked at his trade until 1873; he then engaged in the furniture and undertaking business: he carries a good stock, worth from S3_000 to !»4,000. Mr. Ross was married, June 9. 1843, to Adeline M. Geisse, a native of Philadelphia. They have had four children, three of whom are livini;- — Marv E. (now Jlrs. AV. D. Owen, of Logansport), William J. and Charles G. He is X. G. of (.)xford Lodge, I. 0. O. F., and a Republican. DR. CHARLES G. ROSS, dentist, was born in Cincinnati. C^bio. April 15. 1851, and is tlie youngest of three children now living born to John P. and Aiieline Ross, natives of Cincinnati and Philadelphia, and of Scotch and German descent. Charles G. Ross received a good common school education, and in 1868 studied dentistr}' under Dr. R. S. Mo'wrer, of Watseka, 111. In 1876. he attended the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery' at Philadelphia, graduating from that institution in 1877. Since then he has practiced at Oxford, and has the most extensive practice in the county. He was married, June 13. 1873. to Mary E. Furness, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, by which union they have had one child — Warner A, He and wife are members of the Christian Church, in which the Doctor has filled various posi- tions. He is a Republican, and takes a lively interest in State and county politics. For many years be has been ;m active worker in the temperance cause. ISAAC RUNNER was born in Berkeley County, Va.. October 34, 1833, and is the only child now living born to William and Rebecca (Miller) Runner, natives of Virginia and Maryland, and of German descent, William Runner w-as a farmer in his native State until Ids death in 1834. He was a Captain in the Virginia militia (luring the war of 1813. IMrs. Rebecca Runner died six weeks after hX-r husliand. Isiiac Runner lived with hisgr;indfiither until lie was twelve ye:irs old, and then with an uncle tliree years. In 18;'.S. he came (on foot) to La Fayette. Tippecanoe Co.. Ind., where he worked in a p;icking house and subsequently on a farm. About 1830, he went to La Salle County, 111., where he operated a ferry and w;is afterward on a farm. Later, he bought a team and farmed on shares. In 1840. he returned to Wea Plains, Tippecanoe Co.. Ind. In 1843, he entered 160 acres in this township and nnule ;l farm, on which he still resides. He added more land, until he owned l,3t)0 acres, a part of whicli he has since deeded to his children. Jlr. Runner had abso- lutely nothing when he started in life, but by econoniv and industry lias aecumu- hited a handsinne fortune. He was married,' Jlarch 5,' 1846. to Rebecca lieavers a 11,'itive of Lawrence County, Ind., by whom he luid four children, all still living. Ills first wife died February 18. 1853. She w iis a member of the Methodist Enisc'o- pal Cliurcli. Mr. Runner next married, Januiu-v 35. 1855. Charlotte E. Brake a na- tive of Highland Counly, Ohio. They have had eidit children, four of whorii are living. Mis. Runner is a member of the Presbyterian Church. ]SIr Runner is 'i imiiilierc.f the 1. (). (). F. ami a Repulilican. TIILOI'IIILUS C. RUNNER was born in Oak Grove Township Benton Co Ind,. April 3il, 18,il, and is the youngest of four children born to Isaac and Rebecca Kuniier. Theophilus received a good common school education, and was emidoved on till' home f;u-ni in this county, until twenty-three yciu's old. He thou bought -i OAK GROVE TOWiNSHlP— BENTON COUNTY. 367 farm of eighty acres in tliis towusliip (one mile north of tlie home farm), upon whicli he resided until the spring of 1883. when he rented that farm and moved to another, owned by his wife, in the northeast part of the township. He was mar- ried. March 4, 1875, to Cjmtliia Atkinson, a native of this township. They have had three children — Isaac E.. Robert R. and William E. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Runner is a Republican and one of Benton Countv's enterprising farmers. CAPT. CHARLES M. SCOTT was born in Fayette County, Ind., January 22, 1833, and is one of eight children born to Andrew and Jane E. (Dannells) Scott. Charles was educated in Delaware and Tippecanoe Counties, Ind., and in 1849 went by the overland route to California. He was engaged in mining and the cattle busi- ness three years, and then returned to Indiana, stayin.g with his fatlier three years. He then went back to California, remaining there eighteen months. In 1857, he married Miss Elizabeth Murdock, a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind. They have had five children, only two now living. He soon after removed to this county and farmed several years. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantr}', and at the organization of the companj' was appointed a Sergeant, and in February, 1864. was promoted to Captain. He participated with his regiment in all its marches and engagements, excepting the march from Atlanta, whence was on sick leave, but rejoined the regiment on the coast. They were mustered out June 5, 1865. Soon after his return, he was appointed Deputy Clerk of this county, and was subsequently elected County Court Clerk, which otEce he held eight years. He then went into the boot and shoe trade at Oxford, afterward in'the lumber business at the same place and at Ambia. He next farmed for some time, and has also been extensively engaged in real estate business. In March. 1883, he returned to Oxford, where he now resides. Mrs. Scott is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and the Captain is a member of Oxford and Boswell Lodges, I. 0. 0. F. The town of Boswell was laid out by him. WILLIAM M. SCOTT was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind.. January 29, 1844, and is the seventh of eight children born to Andrew and Jane E. (Dannells) Scott, natives of Ohio and Kentucky. Andrew, in early life, was for several years flat- boating on the Kanawha River. In 1828, he came to Fayette County, Ind., engaged in farming, and was there married. From 1838 to 1856, he was occupied in mercan- tile pui'suits in Yorktown and Granville. About 1846, he erected a grain warehouse on the Wabash & Erie Canal at Granville. The warehouse was destroyed by fire in 1856. He removed to Grant Township, where he owned 2,300 acres of land. He farmed and raised stock until his death, September 16, 1803. He held to the Lini- versalist faith, but was not a member of any church. William M. was educated in the common schools. August 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Ninety- ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Jack- son, Miss., Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain and through the At- lanta campaign. July 28, 1864, he was wounded before Atlanta. He was promoted to Sergeant, and mustered out June 5, 1865. He was salesman in a drug store at Oxford until 1867, when he engaged in the dru^ trade with J. W. Barnes, trading as Barnes & Scott. In January, 1869, he sold his interest, and in October of the same year, with his brother, he started a drug store at Goodland, Newton County. He returned to Oxford, and is now in the same trade. He built the first brick store room in Oxford, which he still occupies. He carries a large stock, and is doing a good business. Mr. Scott was married. October 29, 1865, to Harriet C. Bradley, a native of Virginia. They have had eight children, six of whom are living. H'e is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. 0. 0. F.', was a charter member of Goodland Lodge, No. 346, I. 0. 0. F., and was its first N. G. Mr. Scott is a Republican. WILLIAM M. SLEEPER, M. D.. was born in Butler County, Ohio, July 4, 1824, and is the eldest of three children born to Jonathan and Elizabeth (HoUings- worth) Sleeper, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and of Welsh and Scotch descent. Jonathan Sleeper served in the array in the war of 1812; about 1820. he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, afterward to Butler County, Ohio, where he married. There, and in Warren County, Ohio, he followed the cooper's trade, in connection with farming, several vears; "in, and after 1835, he engaged in mercantile pursuits at Philadelphia; in 1848,"he came to Tippecanoe County. Ind., and lived with his chil- dren until his death, which was caused by his being thrown from a load of hay. He and wife were members of the Friends Church. William M. Sleeper's mother died when he was nine years old. He was employed in a store at Philadelphia; in 1839, he came to Indianapolii^! Ind.. and was engaged in a store; in 1845, he studied medi- cine with Dr. Wilson, of Indianapolis; in 1846, he attended the Physopathic Medi- cal Collegaat Cuicinnati, Ohio; in 1848, he came to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and practiced lik profession ten years; in 1858, he settled on 120 acres of land in this township, and improved the farm, on which he still resides. He commenced the 368 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: nursery business in 1864; his was the first, and is tlie only nursery in the county. He ceased the practice of his profession in 1880, having practiced longer than any physician in the county. The Doctor was married in 1844 to Deborah A. /inamer- maii, a native of Pennsylvania. They have had three children, all now living^ Ur. Sleeper was County Coroner one term. He is a Republican. The bleepers in Amer- ica are descended from three brothers, two of whom were Quakers, who settlea near Boston, Mass., about 1740. ^ , ti , io io3,"he was detailed on si"-nal dutv and was transferred to the signal corps after the fall of Vicksburg, lle^was miis- r OAK GKOVE TOWNSHIP— BENTOX COUNTY. 371 tered out in December, 1864. He participated in all the battles of tlic Vtcksburg campaign, and at Missionary Ridge. Resaca. Kenesaw Mountain and the Atlanta campaign, besides many .lesser engagements. He engaged in the hardware business at Brookston. White Co.. Ind.. until 1866, when he sold out and went on a tour throngh Kansas. Colorado, Xew Mexico and Arizona. From 1867 to 1870, he was a hardware salesman at Danville. 111. He then returned to Oxford and opened a hardware store. He carries shelf and heav^^ hardware, barbed wire, agricultural implements and machinery, in valtie between $.5,000 and |6.000. His annual aver- age sales are from §1^,000" to ^15,000. He has been a Trustee of Oxford, and in 1876 he was candidate for Sheriff, [n November, 1S70, he married Hattie Parkins, in Champaign, 111. Mrs. Hattie Wilmoth died iSTovember 11. 1873. She was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. June 30, 1875, Mr. Wilmoth married Han- nah M. Wright, a native of Salem. N. J. They have had one son, Joel G. Mrs. Wilmoth is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wilmoth is a mem- ber of Oxford Lodge, I. 0. 0. F.. and politically is a Democrat. ROBERT WOOD was born in Yorkshire. England, December 7, 1831, and is the fourth of eight children born to Thomas and Marj- (A'^andervart) Wood, natives of England. Thomas Wood owned a farm in his native countrj', and was also occu- pied in milling and hotel-keeping until 1844, when he brought his family to the Ignited States and settled in Dearborn County. Ind.. on a farm. In 185.T, he' bought a farm in Iroquois County. 111., on whicli he died in the fall of 1863. He was a member of I. 0. 0. F. in England, but did not renew his membership in this coun- try. Robert Wood served a four vears' apprenticeship to the harness-maker's trade, and worked as_a journeyman in Lawrenceburg and Oxford. In 18.15, he opened a shop at Oxford, in company with Frederick Hamerly. Mr. Hamerly sulMeqtiently retired, since when Mr. Wood has conducted the luisiness alone, with success. He has twice been Trustee of this township, and is a Trustee of Oxford. He was mar- ried. November 20, 1858, to Matilda Hickman, a native of Owen Count}', Ind. They have had four children, three of whom are living. Mr. Wood is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., and is a Democrat. One of Mr. Wood's sons. William R. Wood, is now practicing law at La Fayette, Ind.. having been admitted to the bar in 1882. He graduated with honors at Ann Arbor University, and is rising in his profession. CONRAD H. ZEIS was born in Hesse-Cassel. Germany, November 3, 1843, and is the second of five children born to .John and Elizabeth (Ludwig) Zeis, natives of Germany. John Zeis was a book-keeper, and died in April, 1882. Mrs. Elizabeth Zeis died in 1877. They were members of the Dutch Reformed Church. Conrad H. Zeis received an excellent education in his native country, and, emigrating to the United States in 1858. came to Greencastle, Ind. He served a three years' ap- prenticeship to the baker's and confectioner's trade, and then worked as a journey- man at La Fayette. Ind., until 1864. He then started a bakerj' and confectionery, which he sold'in 1868 and came to Oxford. He hauled his entire stock on a one- horse wagon. He opened a grocer_v store and bakery, and his trade hps so increased that he is now the most extensive trader in his line in the county. He carries a well- selected stock of groceries, provisions, confections and notions, in value about $10,000. His balier}' has a capacity of "over 1.000 loaves per day. He at present turns out -500 or 600 loaves a day. besides other articles in the bakery line. His average an- nual sales are from $30,o'l0 to .$40,000. His business premises are 120 feet long and two stories high. Both floors and the cellar are filled with goods. His custom ex- tends over a radius of twenty miles. Mr. Zeis was married, October 25, 1866, to Barbara Smith, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have five children. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of Friend- ship Lodge, No. 32, I. 0. O. F.. at La Fayette. Politically, he is a Republican. Mr. Zeis owns a fruit and stock farm near Oxford, and is extensively engaged in raising blooded hogs and Jersey cattle ; also in gardening. 372 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: GRANT TOWNSHIP. S. II. ARMS, grain and commission merchant, is a native of Fountain County, Ind., born December 6, 1833, a son of (Jrren and Cynthia (Hubbard) Arjus, and of English descent. The parents of S. PI. Anns were born in Vermont and Massachu- setts respectively. The father came to Indiana and settled in Fountain County when twenty-one years of age, where tlie mother died in 1843. The fatlier is living at Attica, aged eighty-two years. In 18.56, S. H. Arms removed to Kansas, engaged in farming and trading, and returned to tliis State in 1861. He was married, Janu- ary 17, 1867, to Miss Diana, daughter of Michael and Elizabetli Kell ; their union was graced by two children — Gertrude and Ira O. After marriage, Mr. Arms moved to this township, on land purchased two years previously, and remained until 1879, when he came to Boswell, where he has |ill),000 invested, and engaged in the grain commission business successfully, and has continued the same. He is a Republican, anil cast his first Presidential vote for Mr. Lincoln. .Mr. Arms is a member of the M. E. Church, and one of the solid business men of Boswell. LUKE BEAZELL, son of Joseph and Sarah (Sphor) Beazell, is a Tiative of Westmoreland County, Penn., born Octolier 16, 1859, and of Irish-German descent. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, where his father died February, 1881, and his mother yet resides, aged seventj'-four. The education of Luke Beazell was lim- ited to tlie early schools, and he worked for his fatheruntil after his majorilv. In May, l.'^55, heniovcdto Wells County. Ind., and remained tw~o years, thereafter coming to tliis county, where he rented Daniel Biirdett's farm, ami there lived five years, after which he purchased afarm near Oxford, and farmed until 187-t, when he "changed to his present residence. Here he purchased 312 acres, which, by adding, now number 'S92 acres, and which is one of the best improved farms in the localitv. December 24, 18.56, he was wedded to Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of Edward "and Emcline Ferguson, a native of Ohio. Their union was followed bv six children — William, Emma, James, Elizabeth, Sarah and Joseph. Mr. Beazell was a Whig ; cast his tirst Presidential vote for Gen. Scott, and is now an earnest Republican, and an honored citizen. Mr. and and Mrs. Beazell are members of the United Brethren Chun h. W. S. BROWN is a native of Champaign County, Ohio, was born February 13. 1829. and is a .son of William and Martha Rhodes (Brown), the former a native of New York, the latter of IMaryland, and of German-English descent. Ills father was a soldier in the war of 1S12, and was present at Hull's surrender. In 1S33 be moved to Pine Township, Warren County. Ind.. but died at Attica. Fouutaiu County March 24, 1H68 ; his mother died on the hiunostead in Warren Countv Oc- tober, "1870. The education of W. S. Brown was of the ordinarv log scliool v"ariety lie was married April 1, 18.">7, to Mrs. Mary J. Brown, daughter "of William and Ann Myers, a native of Cincinnati, which union Avas followed by six children Fannie E., Walter S., lienjaniin C., Jennie Ci. and two deceased in infancy In the spring of 1863. Mr. Brown moved to his present localum. where he purchased 120 acres, which arc now well improved. He is a Republican, but cast his first vote for Gen. Scott. Jlr. Brown, a-; also his wife, is a member of the U. B. Chiu-ch JACOB CASSEL, farmer, is a native of Warren Countv. Ohio born Julv3 1813. a son of Job and Mary (Hoffman) Cassel. and of German-English descent (h-andfallier lIolTman was a soldier in the American Revolution, in which slru'^.i-le he was killed. J.icob's father was a native of Virginia, his mother of South Caro- lina. In the early lime, they emigrated from South Carolina to Kentucky, and about I'ighty years ago to Warren County, Ohio, and when Jacob was thirteen year's old moved to Founlain County. Inil., where they died— the father about 1847 the mother .about 1S,")2. Ours\d:j('el bore his share of the farm labor until his marria^n' December 17, ISIO, to Miss M.ary A. JI., daughter of Thonnis and Mary Young, and a native of Kenliicky. Four children dignified their onion -llarrv C", Frankfin C Melissa \ and .IcITerson M. In 1814. Mr. Cassel came to this township, and has now ovei- o'txi acres. In 1W,57, he budl a resilience costing i«8,00(l. He has lieen Township Trustee and County Commissioner. Mr. Cassel had three sinis in the late war He has suf fereilnumv losses— at (Uic time $13,000 by the death of cattle, and ^6 000 bv thc buruing ol hishouse. lie and wife are members of the Church of Christ ,1, n. CIIUISTLICY. jM. I)., was born in Butler Countv. Penn Jvilv 15 183-' ;ind is the lliird ol the live elnldicn of Michael ami Rachel (BeckwithVChr'istlcy % GRANT TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 373 the former, a native of Penns_Tlvania, died in 1866, the hitter, a native of Connecti- cut, died in 1839. Dr. Christlejr attended school at New Wilminglon, and after- ward Allegheny College, at ileadville. Penn. Thereafter, he read niedicine for three years with Dr. J, B. Livingston, at Centerville. Penn,, and atlended the Michigan University at Ann Arbor^ In 1860, he began practice in Bnller Count}'. Penn. In 18(il, lie moved to Warren County, Ind,, and commenced practice, and in 1873 came to Boswell, wliere he now resides and continues practice. In 1865. he purchased a farm in Prairie Township, and on July 6 of that year married JIary E,, daughter of Solomon and Margaret Borders ; she is a native of New Ridimond, Fountain County, and has borne seven children — Alpha A., Clara L,, Edltli M. (de- ceased). Everett"M., Lloyd. Carl E. and Joseph Q. Dr. Christley is a Republican, and one of the leading physicians and citizens of the county, and he and Mrs. Christley are members of the Jletliodist Episcopal Church. SAMUEL P. DAVIS, boot and shoe dealer, was horn in Chester Countv. Penn,, February 3, 1820, and is a son of E. H. and Elizabeth (Pawling) Davis, and of Ger- man descent. His grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutoin. His father was a native of Chester, and his mother of Union County. Penn. ; in 1837, they came to this county, of vshich E. H. Davis was the first Sheriff, and served from 1840 to 1844, when he moved to Warren County, and died February 29, 1859, aged seventy. Mrs. Davis died in Benton County. December, 1837, Samuel P, Davis attended school in Pennsylvania and Indiana, and afterward became a farmer and stock-raiser. He was married. April 4, 184(!, to Miss Prances A. Perry, born March 39. 182!>, at Day- ton, Ohio, by which union succeeded eight children — John V, (deceased). Perry H., Hannah E., Samuel P., Frances A., Benjamin E., Catherine R. and Joseph H, After marriage, Mr. Davis rented for one year, then he purchased land in Pine Township, Warren County, where he now owns 550 acres, with a small farm in this count}', on which he resides. In 1853, Mr. Davis went to California, where he farmed and engaged in mercantile business for two years. In March, 1881. he came to Boswelh where he has a half-interest in a boot and shoe business, the firm name being Davis & Deer. Mr. Davis is an earnest Republican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. BENJAMIN F. DEER, boot and shoe dealer, is a native of Gallatin County, Ky., and a son Simeon and Mary E. (Close) Deer; he was horn March 24, 1839, and isof German-Irish descent. His grandfather was a Revolutionary soUlier, and served the entire period. His parents were natives of Virginia; both moved to Ken- tucky at an early day. were married, and lived there until 1833; then they moved to Mont.gomery County. Ind., where his father died Mareli 15, 1878; his mother died in Fountain County, December, 1880. (.»ur sul^.iect remained witn his father until his majority, and afterward, for a time, worked by the month, anywhere and at any thing. He was married, August 19, 1851, to Miss Cynthia Ann, daughter of Abednego and Mehitable Stevens, a native of Fountain County, Ind To this union were born si.x childreu — an infant, Simeon S, N., Martin R., Maiy L., Judith E. and JohA D. Ot these, the tirst three are deceased. Mrs. Deer died" September 24, 1880, aged forty-seven years', and September 13, 1881, Mr. Deer married Mrs. Mahala Elder, daughter of Walter and Rebecca Harris. Mr. Deer came to Boswell March 10. 1883; he has 513 acres, with a half-interest in a boot and slioe store. He is a Republican, and, with his wife, a member of the Predestinarian Baptist Church. AMOS K. DILTZ. Ditch Comtuissioner and farmer, is a native of Champaign County, Ohio, born March 15, 1839, a son of Wesley and Cynthia (Keiinard) Diltz, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Kentucky, and of German-English descent, Mr. Diltz died in 1883, and Mrs. Diltz in 1881. Our subject attended, for a time, the Mechanicsburg (Ohio) Academy, of which Mr. William D. Hinkle, the mathe- matician, was Priiicipal. Mr. Diltz taught school for three years. He was married, October 15, 1868, to Miss Ada A., daughter of Parnham and Ada Boswell. a native of Tippecanoe County. This union has been crowned with six cliildren— -Ella 0. (deceased), Parnham B., Bruce K.. Lloyd E., William H. and Eail D. In 1874, Mr, Diltz moved to this township, engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1882, when lie came to Boswell. He cast his first Presidential vote for James Buchanan, since which time he has been a stanch Republican. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Com- pany E, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteers, served until the close of the "war, and received an honorable discharge as Orderly Sergeant. Mr. Diltz is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In 1882. he was appointed Ditch Commissioner, and both himself and wife are members of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, JOHN DOLTGHERTY, retired farmer, was born in Ross County, Ohio. Decem- ber 31, 1816; is the second of the eight children of James and Mary (Wood) Dougherty, and of Irish-American descent. Grandfather Dougherty emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania, where his son James was born, who, with his father. 374 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: moved to Ross CoTinty, Ohio. In 1838, having obtained but little education, our subject moved to Clinton County, 111., where he farmed eight years; he moved thence to Medina Township, Warren Co.. Ind. ; remained five years, and came to this township, where be has 610 acres of superior, attractive land, and well- improved, his residence having cost $4,000. ^Mr Doughertv was married, August 24, 1838, to Miss Ruth, daughter of .Joseph and Sarah Mather, a native of Ross County, Ohio. This union was blessed by three childr»n— .James M., Sarah F. and Martha; the first died in the United States service during the late war, Marcli 7, 1863, at Somerset, Ky. Mrs. Dougherty died October 23, 1846, and .January 2o, 18.56, Mr. Dougherty was married to Mrs. Rebecca Dolohan (formerly Foster), who died August 22, 1881. Mr. Duugherty is a Republican, a member of the M. E. Church, and a strong Prohibitionist. He resides on his farm, is worth $50,000, and is a representative farmer of Indiana. CHARLES h. FOSTER, mSnufacturer of and dealer in boots and shoes, is a native of Pennsylvania, born August 30, 184.5, a son of Henry and Barbara (Miller) Foster, and of CJerman descent. The father of Charles was a native of Germany, who emigrated to America ami settled in Pennsylvania, whence he moved to Lee County, Iowa, where his wife died in 185.5; he now resides at Des Moines, and is nearly seventy years of age. Charles received some schooling in Iowa, and served two years to fearn shoe-making. After serving his time at this trade he worked in several places, and finally removed to Springfield, 111., where, .January 13, 1865, he enlisted in Company A, (Dne Hundred and Forty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, and was discharged January 13, lM6(i, in Jv^ovember of which vear he commenced the boot and shoe business at Baltic Ground, Tippecanoe Co.. Ind. In 1870, he moved to Oxford, and thence to Boswell, where he is the pioneer in his line, and has been successful, having a stock of $6,o00. Mr. Foster is a Mason, a member of the I. O. 0. F., and a Democrat. He is one of the prominent business men of Benton County. JOHN GHjLESPJE, dealer in groceries and provisions, was born in Ross County. Ohio. November 15, 1824; is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Moody) Gilles- pie, and of Irish descent. Our subject's grandfather was a native of Virginia and a soldier of the Revolution, through which he served the entire time. His father was also a native of Virginia, a soldier of the war in 1812. and was in the battle of Tippecanoe. In 18.54, his parents moved to this township, where they died — the father in 1863, the mother in 1861. John attended school in Chillicothe", Ohio, and worked with his father until after his majority. He was married, February 11, 184'J, to Miss Martha, daughter of Jacob and Mary Myers, a native of Lancaster County, Penn. By this union were born four children — Amanda E., William H., James L. and Albert J. (deceased). In 1873, 3[r. Gillespie commenced the grocery business in Boswell, and after one year sold to John Spies, and resumed farming. In 1879, he returned to the grocery trade at Boswell. Fel)ruarv 15, 1865, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and" Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, and was dis- charged August 17 of tliat ve.ir. He is a radical Republican, and belongs to Gartield Post, No. 32, G. A. R. :\Irs. Gillespie belongs to the M. E. Church. ■" WILLIAM J. HARIUS, farmer and stock dealer, is a native of this township, and was born August 2(1, 1857. He is a son of James M. and Julia A. Harris, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter ot Illinois. His father came to this town- ship wlien young in years, remained until 18S3, then moved to Kansas. He was Townsliip Trustee and Couuuissi(uuM-, is an active Republican politician, and a sterling gentleman. After some preliminary schooling, our subject attended the Northwestern Ciu-istian University of Indianapolis for one term.' AVlien nineteen years old, he began farming on li\nd given to liim bv his fathrr. and May 31, 1877 lie was married to Miss F.annic E.. dau^rliter of William and Jane Brown, and a native of Warren County, Ind. The issue of this union was one child, Delbcrt J. Since liis marriage, Jlr. Harris has engaged in farming and stock dealins;, in both of which be bas been successful, now having a wi'U-improved farm. He fs a Repub- lican, and gave his tirsi Presidential \'o[v for Hayes. >tr. Harris' property is esti- maled al $l),(MIO; he is an enterprising man. Mrs. Harris is a member of the Christian Cbureli. WILLlAlNI UUHHARD. farnler. is a native of Vermillion Couuty. Ind and IS the ninlh of the eleven children of Noah and Cvntliia (Clark) llubliard, bolii ua- lives (if Niirtli Sbemeld. >Iass., and memliers of the >Iormon Clliuri'h His father set- tled m Vermilli(m Coiinly, Ind., in 1821, and died at Council BlutTs. Iowa, on liiswav to Sail [jake Oily. His mother died in Ibis State in ISliS, William Hulibird was born Srplember2(), IS'.'-, and is of English descent. He was married, October 3, tibl lo iMiss ,ludilb, daughter of Abednego and Mehitable Stevens a native of Kniler Counly, ()l,i„. l?,-om this union there sprang five children — Abuer (4 Melnlable (d.veas,.,!), David C Margaret A. and Cvnthia E. Mrs. Hubbard died in GRANT TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. • 375 1862, and in August, 1863, Mr. Hubbard married Mrs. EHzabeth Cheney, froiji which union sprang two children — Anna and Ada, tlie former 'being deceased. In youth, Mr. Hubbard attended one term at Wabash College, and taught afterward for four years, having commenced the struggle of life without education and with but |8 in money ; but he had ambition and industry. In 1844, he settled iu this township, where he owns 340 acres of well-improved laud. He is a Democrat and a success- ful farmer. DAVID HURST, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Warren County, Ohio, born January 15. 1S23. a sou of DaVid and Mary (French) Hurst, and of English- German descent. His grandfathers were soldiers of the American Revolution, and his father was a hero of the war of 1812. The parents of our subject were natives of Xew Jersey, and in the fall of 183.5 settled in Warren County, Ind., where the father died Januarj' 17, 1850; the mother died in Benton County February 7, 1870. December 15, 1844, Mr. Hurst married Miss Stirah, daughter of Eli and Leah Prichett, who died February 7, 1855, leaving six children — Leah, Mary C, Rebecca J., Lydia E.. George W. and John A. June 21, 1855. Mr. Hurst married Miss Margaret, daughter of William and Susan Smilev. This union was productive of nine children— William D.. .James X, Sarah L.. Thomas G.. Charles B., John F., Perry C. Lewis B. and Smiley C. In the spring of 1856, Mr. Hurst purchased the farm on which he now lives — a half section of land— and has given to each of his children |1,6 lO. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Taylor, and is now a Republican. Mr. Hurst is eminently a self-made man, a pioneer of the county and a respected citizen. LEWIS JONES, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Brown Courrty, Ohio, born July 13, 1828, a sou of John and Mary (Pitzer) Jones, and of German-Welsh descent. The parents of Lewis were natives of Kentucky and Ohio respectively, who came to this county, remained awhile at Conner's Grove, and moved to Sec- tion 4, Raoge.8, soon after, where the father died in 1871, and the mother twenty 5'ears earlier. Lewis Jones was married. April 36, 1857. to Margaret K., daughter of Benjamin and Abigail Brown, a native of Ohio, who died June 12, 1862, leaving two children — Salinda and Dorwin. ;Mr. Jones next married, .January 18, 1863, Mrs. Rebecca Dunshee, daughter of Andrew and Esther Hickson, to which union followed four children — Margaret E., Ada A., Harvey T. and Alta B. Mr. Jones has resided on his present place since March, 1861. He first purchased 190 acres, to which he has added until it aggregates 960 acres of improved land. He also han- dles 150 head of cattle annuall3'. Mr. Dougherty is a Republican, and gave his first Presidential vote for Zachary Taylor. He is a public-spirited citizen and prom- inent farmer. W. T. KEYS, dealer in hardware and agricultural implements, was born March 14, 1837, in Warren Count}-, Ind.; is a son of Samuel and Mary (Champ) Keys, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Ohio, and is of Irish American descent. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. and died in Pine Township, Warren County, in 1845. as did also his wife. W. T. Keys lived with an elder brother until his eighteenth year, when he worked for various persons. He was married, Sep- tember 29, 1863, to Miss Sarah Evans, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of David Evans. This union was ble.5sed with eiglit children — William, Isalona. Charles D., Sylvia 0., Anna L., Roy O., Raman and Faman ; of these, William and Charles D. are deceased. After marriage, Jlr. Keys purchased a farm in Prairie Township, Warren County, which he managed until 1872, when he came to Boswell and engaged in the livery business, and in 1881 in the hardware business, which he still manages. He has one of the finest residences in Boswell. and is worth .'?9,000. He enlisted, August, 1862, in Company I, Seventj'-second Indiana Volunteers, but, owing to sickness, served but three months. Mr. Keys is a Republican, and Mrs. Keys is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. JAMES KIRTLEY, farmer and grain-dealer, was born in Putnam County, Va. ; is a son of Thomas and Jeannette (Morris) Kirtley; was born September 12, 1835, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. Grandfather Kirtley was a soldier in the war of 1812. The parents of our suljject were natives of Virginia. In 1845, his father moved to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and settled near La Faj^ette; in 185^^ he removed to Champaign County, 111., where he yet lives, aged seventy-two; his mother died in 1843. James' Kirtley was mairied, September 12. 1861, to Miss Catherine! daugh- ter of William T. and Sarah Murdoek, a native of Tippecanoe County. Four chil- dren crowned this union — William T., Perry C, Floyd H., and Edgar D. (deceased March 15, 1879), with one adopted child, Mattie G. After his marriage, Mr. Kirtley acted as Clej-k for one year at Culver's Station, whence he removed to this township, and purchased land, on which he remained until 1872, when he engaged in o-eneral merchandising at Chase, which he continued until 1882. Mr. Kirtley has been suc- cessful as a farmer, gi;ain-dealer and merchant, and owns 328 acres in one tract. He is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Mr. Lincoln. In 1864, he 376 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: served seven years as Township Trnstee, and in 1873 was appointed Postmaster of Chase, at which he served ten years. lie is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the United Bretliren Church, as is also Mrs. Kirtlev. He assisted in organizing Com- pany H, Fortieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was the first railroad agent at Chase; his property is valued at iJiO.OOO. WILLIAM T. KIKTLEY, railway agent and telegraph operator, was born at Culver's Station, Tippecanoe Co., Ind., July 5, 1N62. His parents were James and Catherine (Murdock) Kirtley, and he is of Scotch-Irish descent. "William attended his first school at what was known as "Kiger's Sehoolliouse," one mile north of Chase. In October, 1880, he went to Scircleville, to study telegraphy under E. M. Dudding. and the next year received the position of railway agent and telegraph operator at Chase, from the Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company, which posi- tion he yet holds. He was married, February 12, 1882, to Miss Elizabeth J., daugh- ter of Luke and Elizabeth Beazell, a native of Oak Grove Township, in this county. Mr. Kirtley is a Repulilican, a very promising young man, and a most respected citi- zen. He and wife are members of the L^nited Brethren Church. JACOB LAMB, retired fanner, was born in Wayne County, Ind., October 12, 1829. Is a son of Barnabas and Ruth (Bentley) Lamb, and of Scotch-English descent. The Lambs were Quakers, and in opposition to the resort to war, while the Bentleys were without such scruples, and of eight sons, sevSn were soldiers of the Bevolutionaiy war. The parents of our subject were natives of North Carolina and Virginia respectivel}'. They came to Wayne County. Ind.. in 1817, and thence, in 1853, to Fountain County; the father died in 18-57, the ihotlier one year earlier. When Jacob was twenty years old. he went to California, engaged in mining, and remainml one year. June 2, 1852, he married Miss Rachel A., daughter of Samuel and Hulda Smith, a native of Clinton County, Ohio, who died .January- 1. 1856, leaving two children — Thomas S. and Samuel C. -Mr. Lamb was afterward" married, December 20, 1856, to ^liss Elizabeih, daughter of Ephraim and Martha Bunnell, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1S8H, Mr. Lamb moved to Boswell. He is a stanch Republican, and in August, 1862. enlisted in Company D, Eighty-sixth Indiana Vol- unteers, and was honorably discharged February 3, 1864, on account of a wound received at Chickamauga OctoVier 18, 1863. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. JOHN S. LAWSON, farmer and stock-dealer, was boru in Sweden June 8, 1835; anil is a son of Lon and Lena (Johnson) Lawson. His father died in 1844. In 1853, he and his mother emigrated to America; came by a canal boat from Toledo to La Fayette, on which trip his mother died, and was buried at Logausport, where he landed Octoljer 4, 1853. He now began farm labor, and worked at one place seven years, at the rate of §10 per mouth. He was married, March U, 1861, to Miss Christina Johnson, of Sweden, a daughter of Jonas and Marv Johnson. This union was followed liy five children — Ella J.. Jliunie E., Cbarles'F., John W. and Oscar V. After marriage. Mr. Lawson rented land, on which he fanned. In 1S65. he came to this township, and formed a partnership in farming and stock-raising with Hiram W. Chase, now a prominent lawyer of La Fayette." wliicli partnerslnp still continues. Mr. Lawson is now owner of about 5l)0 acres of land, and handles about 100 head of cattle annually. He is a Democrat, and gave his first Presidential vote for James Biiclianan. In'l878, he was elected Township Trustee, served two terms, and is a representativ.' citizen. ^Mr. and Mrs. Lawson are members of tlie United Brethren Church. SILAS H, MrlLV.VINE is a native of this township, bi.rn July 5, 1854, and is a son of Samuel and Margaret (ilcConnell) "Mcllvaine. tlie foruier a native of Champaign County, Ohio, the latter of Highland Countv. Ohio. Samuel Mcllvaine came to wliat is now Grant Township. In 1848, he ente'red 40 acres in this county, and served as County Assessor from 1851 to 1853 ; he was also elected Countv Com- niissioiier in 18(;o. On Seplembev 6, 1861, he enlisted in the Tenth Regim'eut In- diana N'oluntcers. liis priiu-ipal engagement was at Mill Spring, but he was injured by a fall in Nickajaek Cave, "Tennessee, Septemlier 5, ls63, an. 1 died Septemlier 8, Me was buried in the South, Mr. Jlcllvaine had lieen a Whig lint bi'caiiiea Republican, and was strcmglv patriotic, noone being more devoted t'o thi' cause of his counlry. Hi' was an active member of the Christian Church and a pulibe^spiriled. exemplary citizen. Mrs. Mcllvaine is living in tVxford. aged fiftv- five. Tlie edilcatiiiii of our subject was obtained in this countv. after which he be- came a leaehi'r, taught many lenns, and was one of the lirst of'iiistnietors He was married. March 15, 1883, to Miss ,Marv Wortliin-lon, daughter of Hiehard and Melvi- na, Worlhinglon. a native of Kalamazoo, Mich. In 1883, :\lr. Mcllvaine purchased the laniily farm. He is a stanch Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Sir layes. Ml. and Mrs. Mi llvainebeloiigto the Christian Church, of which he is an J'.,kler. Mr. .Mcllvaine is a promising young man and a worthy citizen. GRANT TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 377 WILLIAM McILVAINE is a native of Cbarapaigu County, Ohio, bora .July 13, 1826, a sou of Silas and Mary (Rhodes) Mcllvaiue, and of Scotch-GevmaD descent. The parents of our subject moved to Fouuiaiu County, Ind., and settled on the Shaw- nee Prairie, where his father died in 1835 ; his mother died in Benton Couutj' in 1873, aged seventy-three. In 1867, Mr. Mcllvaine purchased 130 acres of his present farm of 300 acres, whicliis well cultivated and improved. He was married Januaxy 30, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Cyrus Stanley — a union favored with eleven chil - dren— Rachel E., Charles N., an infant, Cyrus \V., Frank, Samuel W., Mary B., Sal- lie, Eigar L., Perry and Carrie. Mr. Mcllvaine was a Whig, audcast his tirst Pres- idential vote for Gen. Taylor. He is now a Republican, an excellent man, and a re- spected citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Mcllvaine are members of the Christian Church. JAMES A. McIvNIGHT, County Auditor-elect, is a native of Warren County, Ohio, born March 8, 1834, and is a son of Linton and Margaret (Marquess) Mc- Knight, both natives of Virginia. Linton McKnight moved to Warren County, Ohio, where he married and resided until 18-11 ; thence to Xenia, and in 1850 to Richland Township, Fountain County, Ind. His father was an active Republican, and an ear- nest supporter of the late war. He died August 18,1879. Hismother died May 32, 18(57. In addition to the common schools. James attended the high school and an academy at Xenia. He worked for his father until his majorit}^ when he farmed on rented ground until August 3, 1863, at which time he enlisted in Company F, Seventy-second Indiana Volunteers. He was in battle at Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Selma, and in other en- gagements, and was honorably discharged July 6, I860, whereupon he resumed farm- ing, and May 1, 1867, came to this township and purchased a farm. In July, 1868, he inaugurated a merchandise business, in partnership with Moses T. Hamer, at Peters- burg. In 1869, he was elected Justice of the Peace. In 1870, he succeeded in having a post office at Boswell, and was made Postmaster, and in 1873 he removed his store thereto. Mr. McKnight was married, October 34, 1869, to Dorcas Ann, daughter of Benjamin and Tabitha Smith. She is a native of Warren County, Ind., and has borne four children— Elmer L., Charles B., John W. and William A. In 1883, he was elected by the Republicans County Auditor. Mr. McKnight is a Freemason, and a memberof the G. A. R., and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church. WILLIAM H. M0KNI6HT, merchant and Township Trustee, is a son of Lin- ton and Margaret (Marquess) McKnight, and was born September 6, 1840. When about nineyears of age, he moved with his parents to Fountain County, Ind.. where some of his" early schooldays were passed. He remained at home with his fatlier until the trump of war was heard, when he enlisted June 14, 1861, in Company A, Fif- teenth Indiana Volunteers. After three years' service, he was honorably discharged, June 34, 1864, and resikned farming. He was married, October 37, 1870, to Miss Mary J. Applegafe, daughter of James H. and Susan Applegate, and a native of Fountain County, Ind. From this union descended four children — Eva M., Emma L., Maggie E. and OUie ; of these, the first two are deceased. Mr. McKnight came to and settled in Grant Township in 1873, and in December, 1874, to Boswell, where he engaged in general merchandising with his brother, James H., a business he still continues. Mr. McKnight is a thorough Republican. In April, 1883, he was elected Township Trustee, by a majority of 103. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the G. A. R. WILLIAM MARVIN, a farmer and e.^-County Treasurer, was horn in Fount- ain County, Ind., August 7, 1831; is tlie elder of the two children of Runa and Cath- erine (Allenduff) Marvin, and of English-German descent. The father of our subject died when the latterwas two years old, afterwhich hismother married John Roberts, for whom he worked until nineteen years old, and afterward by the month. October 9, 1853, he married Miss Lovia N., daughter of Charles and Elizabeth John- son, a native of Montgomery Coimty, Ind. This wedding was productive of six children— John J., Charles R., Mary F., Jesse E., Elizabeth C. and an infant, of whom John J. and Jesse E. alone survive. After his marriage, Mr. Marvin farmed in summer and taught in winter for seven years, and in 1871 purchased the farm on which he resides, comprising 160 acres of well-cultivated land. Politically, Mr. Marvin is an Independent. He has served as County Commissioner and County Treasurer— as the first on the Republican, as the last on the Independent ticket, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. J. N. PERIGO, farmer and stock dealer, is a native of this county, born June 11, 1839, one of the family of I. H. and Sarah A. (McBurney) Perigo, and of Irish- Welsh descent. His fatlier came to this county in 1837, and now resides on the Perigo homestead. He hauled grain to Chicago when that city was but a village, and once owned 1,100 acres. He was born in Sussex County, N, J., in 1811. Our subject obtained but sparse education, and worked for his father until he was mar- ried, October 36, 1865, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of James and Mary Smith, a na- tive of this county. Their union was fruitful in three children— Clara F., Maggie 37 S BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: E. and Oliver N. After marriage, Mr. Perigo moved to some land of his father in Hickory firove Township, where he remained fourteen years, and then moved to this township. He has 600 acres of good land, and handles about 100 head ot cattle annually, and has besides a fine residence; he is worth about |30,000, He is a Democrat, a member of the I. 0. O. F., of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a temperance man. . in \V. R. PHARES is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born September lb, 1853 and is the second of the seven children of Samuel and Jane (Gould) Phares, the former a native of Ohio, the latter ot New Yorli. In 18.55, his father came to this county and settled two and a half miles west of Oxford, where he now resides. Our subject ;ittended the high schoil at Oxford, and worked for his father on the farm until he, was twenty-one, then clerked in a hardware store. In September, 1880, he came to Boswell and engaged in the boot and shoe trade, in which he was successful and which he sold in 1883. In 1881, on tl)e 11th of Novomber, he mar- ried Miss Isabel, daughter of Dr. Theodore and Martha StemOel, a native of this county. Mr. Phares is a Democrat and one of the prominent citizens of the coun- tv. He and wife are menil)ers of the Christian Church. .TON'ATHAN RHODE, farmer and stock-raiser, was born December 19, 1848, in Warren County, Ind. His parents were Caleb and Elizab^'th (McCord) Rhode, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Indiana, who lived in Warren County till their deaths, the father .lanuary 25, 18Si, the latter .June 14, 1880. Jonathan worked for his father uaiil his majority. In 18T2, on the 14th ot March, he married Miss Cordelia, daughter of Robert and Levina Cottinsham. a native of Ohio. The fru- ition of this union was one child— Alma E. Mr. Rhode moved to this township after his marriage, and purchased eighty acres, wliich he improved and where he lived until 1882, when he moved to his present location, where he owns 161 acres under good cultivation, and one of the best farms in the county. Mr. Rhode is a Republican, an esteemed citizen and one of the prominent farmers of Benton Oountv He an^l wife are members of the United Brethren Church. JOHN ROBERTS was born in Hardy (now Grant) County, Va., November 2, 1811, and is a son of Dorcas Roberts, who was a native of Virginia, where she died in 1877, aged ninety-seven vears. Mr. Roberts is of Welsh descent. The grand- father ot our subject was a Revolutionary war soldier, for which services he received a pension. The life of John Roberts, in Virginia, was confined to labor b}' the month, and October 19, 1834, he emigrated with an elder brother on horseback to Indiana. Just before reaching Indianapolis, the company into which they had fallen learned that it was John's birthda}', and so he had to Ueat the party. Though the " drinks " cost but 3 cents each, it took nearly all the ino*ey he had. He settled in Fountain County, and worked by the mouth until his marriage, September 20, 183,"), to Mrs. Catherine ilarviu, a widow with two children, daughter of Frederick Allenduff, which union was graced bv twelve children — Isaac, Frederick A., Eliza- beth, John, Jordan, Nancy A., Samuel M., Thomas J., Mary C, Eliza J., Charles B. and Phebe C. In 18,50, jSIr. Roberts purchased 160 acres" in this township, and two years later moved thereon. In farming and stock-raising he has been success- ful, and at one time owned nearly 900 acres. He is a Republican. Came to Indiana on account of slavery, and gave his tirst vote for President to Gen. Harrison. He has been Township Trustee and is much esteemed. SAMUEL .M. ROBERTS, farmer and stock-raiser, is a son of John and (Catherine (Allendulf) Roberts, born March 27, 1846, in Fountain County, Ind. When Samuel was six years of age, he came with his parents to this township, and a(i|uired a commcui-school education; he assisted his father in the work of tlu' larin until he was married. December 23, 181)9, to !Miss Susanna, daushter of ,l,iiues and Mary Smith, a native of this townsliip. This union was followed by one (;liilil, Ella V. After his marriage, ;\Ir. Roberts settled on eighty acres ot his present farm, wliich now comprises 15:5 acres, all well improved. He is a stanch Republican, and gave his tirst Pri'sidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. >lr, Roberts is one of the most .successful farmers and stock-raisers of Benton County, and also one of the most esteemed <-iti/.ens. S. P. S.MITlt, grain merchant, was born iu Richmond. Ind., March 22, 1849, is the lifth of the eleven children of David A. and Martha J. (Parker) Smith, and of SeotehOerman descent. The parents of S. P. Smith were natives of t>iiio and North Carolina respectively, who moved to Richmond and engaged in milling, thence, alter eleven vears, to near La Fayette, thence to Rainsville. where M"r. Siniih alianiioueil milling. He afterward moved to Vermillion County, 111, where he imrchased a large -tract of laud and now resides. ^Mrs. Smith' diedMarch 21, iwri. Our sulijecl remained with his father until 1870, in which year on I lie 9th of January, he married :\Iiss Sarah, dauirhter of J. W. and Nancy M. : Hash, who died :\Iarch 21, 187.5, liaviu!; borne two children— Clinton E GRANT TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 379 and Louis B. (deceased). Mr. Smith was next married, October 17, 1877, to Miss Lydia A., daughter of Henry and Ann Mj'ers, by wliich union were produced two children — Anna B. and Frederick P. In 1883, Mr. Smith, in partnership with G. W. Swadbey, began the milling business; but the mill burned February 9, 1883. He is now in the grain trade, and has !:een verj' successful. Mr. Smith is a radical Republican, and in April, 1864, enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty- fifth Illinois Volunteers, and was honorably discliarged October, 1864. He is a member of the I. 0. O. F. and G. A. R. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the M. E. Church. WILLIAM SMITH, the oldest living settler of Benton County, is a native of Ohio, born January 14, 1809, a son of James and Catherine Sraitb, and of Irish descent. He came to this county in the year 1833, worked for an uncle by the month, and on December 14 of that year married Miss Hannah Smith, daughter of William and Sarah Smith, a native of Ohio, who died April l.i, 1878, having borne nine children — Stephen, James, William, Philip, Oliver, Sarah, Catherine, an in- fant and Leah: of these, two are deceased. After marriage, Mr. Smith settled on the farm he now owns, having begun with a quarter-section and reached 500 acres, some of which lie gave to his chddren, but reserving 800 acres, with improvements and good brick residence, worth |2,000. Mr. Smith remembers how abundant were the Indians and wild game when he came to this territory, and recalls many interest- ing incidents of the early times. He is a life-long Democrat, and has served two terms as County Commissioner. He is one of the most moral of men and mo^t exemplary of citizens. Mrs. Smith was a member of the M. E. Church. OLIVER H. SMITH, dealer in clothing and gents' furnishing goods, is a native of Grant Township and a son of William and Hannah (Smith) Smith; he was born February 15, 1847, and is of Irish- American descent. Mr. Smith's education was not the most elaborate, but he had acquired a good practical education, and labored for his father, on his farm, until his majority. In 1873, he came to Bos- well, and, in companj' with D. E. Taylor, began a general store, being the second firm in the town — J. W. Hash & Son being the flrst — known as Taylor & Smith. Mr. Smith continued the business, after purcliasing las partner's interest, two years, when he sold the same to H. C. Harris, and, in 18S1. in company with his brother, he began the clothing business, theirs being the only store of tliat line in the town, in which they have been successful. In 1876, Mr. Smitli was married to Miss S. J., daughter of John and Sarah Dawson, a native of Illinois. Their union has been productive of three children — Perry, jSTellie and .John W. Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and east his first Presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden. He is an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. JOHN SPIES, grocer and furniture dealer, was born in Reading, Penn., August 7, 1839; is a son of John and Sarah (Hickman) Spies, and of Scotch-German descent. His grandfather Hickman was a Scotchman, took part in the Revolution- ary war, and died at Hamburg, Penn., in 1844, aged one hundred and nine. The father of our subject died in 1881, the mother In 1846. When seventeen years of age, John Spies emigrated to Illinois, and in 185S moved to Warren County, Ind., and worked at farming until the war, whereupon, 3aly. 1863. he enlisted in Com- pany F, Seventj'-secoud Indiana Volunteers, and was in the battles of Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Farmington and the Atlanta campaign, in which he was captured and sent to priijon at Macon. Ga., thence to AndersonviUe, Savannah and Florida. He escaped, however, and, Kovember 7, 1864, rejoined his regiment at Gravelly Springs, After the war, he was disch.arged July 6, 1865, and engaged in butchering at Williams- port, and afterward in ihe grocery business, with M. T. Hamer. In 1867, he engaged in merchandise business in this township, and in 1873 commenced his pres- ent business. He was married, October 15, 1871, to Miss Anna Banes, to which union succeeded three children — Charles F., Ora and Laura. Mr. Spies is a Free- mason and a Republican. JOHN" M. STANLEY was born in this township October 8, 1845, and is a son of Cyrus and Amanda (McConnell) Stanley, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Indiana, who settled in this township in 1845, where the father died, March 35, 1873; the mother is yet living on the homestead. John M. Stanley attended what was known as the "Perigo" School, and oljtained an ordinary education. January 13, 1875, he married Miss Josie, daughter of D. K. and ilar}' Slife, a native of Indiana, to which marriage succeeded two children— Edith M. and (xertrude. In 1871, Mr. Stanley built on his portion of the homestead, and now has 130 acres under good cultivation. He is an ardent Repul)lican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Stanley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. • 380 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: HICKORY GROVE TOWNSHIP. SAMUEL ALEXANDER, son of Samuel and Mary Alexander, was born Sep- tember 35, 1835, in Butler County, Ohio. His parents moved to Indiana in 1836, and settled near Crawfordsville. where Samuel and his father worked together until the latter's death in 1843. Iii 1848, they moved to Tippecanoe County, and tlience to War- ren C'ounty, where Samuel had purchased eighty acres, to which he added until he owned 480 acres, and went into stock-raising; his mother remained with him until her death in 1857. In 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth Hargreaves. daughter of John and Betty Hargreaves, a native of England, from which union sprang ten children, three of whom are living — James H., Tilla Lutis and Opal Vio. In 1873, Mr. Alexander sold his farm and came to this township, where, in partnership with Mr. Fowler, he purchased 3,000 acres, and they have since added 2,000 more, having 4.000 acres in common. They raise only sufficient grain for their stock, most of which is raised by renters, and purchased therefrom. Their sales of stock average §40.000 annually. E.Kcept the allowance to Mr. Alexander for his labor of supervision, the profits are divided. Mr. Alexander is a Republican, and a public-spirited citizen and benevo- lent gentleman. Mrs. Alexander is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is likewise a charitable and estimable ladv. DENNIS BARRAGKEE, a son of Thonias and Margaret Barragree. was born Julj', 1843. in County Limerick. Ireland. His father was a prosperous farmer for the countr}', but was only a renter. After attending the high school and an acad- emy, Dennis departed from Dublin for the United States February li), 1803. during the Fenian troubles, to escape imprisonment, if no worse. He journi'yed to War- ren County, Ind., after leaving New York, and worked at farming, "also on the Wabash Railroad. Soon after his parents arrived, whereupon he engaged in farm- ing. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Rosaline, daughter of Thomas" and Cathe- rine (McCabe) Deneny, which alliance was blessed with six children — Katie. Mar- garet, Thomas, Mary," John and Jane. In 1873, Mr. Barragree rented a farm in Ver- million County, 111., which he managed profitably for three years, when he moved to this county on eighty acres, on which he has also done well. He was elected Township Assessor in 1878 and Township Trustee in 1883. Mr. Berragree is a Democrat, a member of the Catholic Church, and strong in his allegiance to his adopted country. JAMES M."G. BE.VRD. M. D., is a son of William and Eleanor (McMillan) Beard, and was born in New Boston, May 37. 1844. He was educated at Boscawen Academy, N. H. ; studied civil engineering, and afterward medicine under Drs. Jo- seph Jones and T. B. Campbell ; he also studied at the University of :Michigan and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Kansas Citv, Mo., where he graduated in JIarch, 1875, taking the faculty prize. He settled "in Oakwood. KanT. in 1870, and at Arabia, Ind., in 1875. He is a member of the BLmton County Medical Soci- ety. In 1861, he pulilished an almanac called the '■ New Euglaud Calendar," and in 1863 one for Hillsboro and .Merrimack Counties, N. H, In Julv. 1871, he married Miss Roseltlia Small, of Wintield, Kan., a union which was ble"ssed by three chil- dren—Walter S., Eleanor E. and John G. Dr. Beard has a large pra"ctice in this and Warren Counties, and in Iroquois and Vermillion Couutiesr 111., and is an es- teemed physician ; he is also a u'an of much mechanical talent, having constructed se\cr,'d excellent and \ aliiable electric batteries. SOLO.MON BROE. Su.. is a native of Lower Canada, and was born June 3, 1833. His parents. Reler and Mary Broe, were also natives of Canada, and his grandparents nativesof France, who'emigrated to Canada in 1713. Solomon worked lor his father imtil he was nineteen years old. when he was married to Felicite Pon- ton, a union productive of five chirdreii— Solomon. JIarv. Julia, Harriet and Law- rence. ,Mr.s. Broe died in 1857. and in 1858 he married Lenora Logue This union ikewise ]iroduced live children— George. Fred, Alda, Louisa anil Napoleou In I8.i3. Mr. Broe purchased and settled on eighty acres of land in Kankakee Co III winch he did not long keep, but bought a second eighty acres on which he 'lived eUwen years. In 187:!, he went to Chicago, where he e"ugaged in teaming and in 18,(1 I'lune to this county, where he purchased his presentshorae. then whoUv unim- proved, but now m excellent coiiditiiMi. with neat hedges, foiumodious fruiu' dwell- n'^nK- 'VP''^''"*''"'' witness of his well-directed labor, " Mr. Broe is a member of the (. atliobc Church. HICKORY GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY, 381 JOHN W- COLE, son of John and Elizabeth Cole, was born September 5, 1848, in Vermillion County. Ind. His parents were natives of New Jersey, who came to this State in its early daj's. The educational advantages of our subject were much constrained. He worked for his clothing and board until he was six- teen, and afterward by the month, giving most of his wages to his parents. He was later a teamster, and worked in a grain warehouse, for which company he moved to Danville, ill., and thence to Hoopeston, where he was married to Sliss Sarah E. Voss. In 1873. jMr. Cole moved to this county, settled on the present site of Ara- bia, and engaged in the grain business, to which he added merchandise. In 1874, he failed, and the next year went into business with A. C. Goodwin, but after one year sold his interest, aliandoned the business, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and has now a reasonably fair and a good local practice. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have a family of five — Ira. Marj', EfSe, Robert and Nannie. Mr. Cole is a Republican, and is an active man in county polilics; he is also a Knight of Honor, a member of the United Brethren Church and an earnest church and Sundaj' school worker. C. S. GOLDEN wasborn in Gettysburg. Penn., December'll. 1840. and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth Golden ; the former died in 1881, the latter in 1869. Our subject worked for his father until 1860. when he moved to Washington to learn the tradeof baking, at which he worked more than three years, when he enlisted in March, 1865, in the Ninety-third Pennsylvania Regiment, after which he resumed baking at Gettysburg. He then learned carpentering and worked at building barns, after which he settled at Hoopeston. 111., where he bought a lumber j'ard, and after- ward an elevator in Arabia, Ind. ; this he exchanged for 19'3 acres in Iroquois Count3% 111., where he engaged in farming, and afterward bought a drug store, and served as Postmaster one j-ear. This store be sold to J. W. Scott. In 1880, he began the clothing business in Arabia, to which he added a general stock, and has done a good business. Mr. Golden has made many changes, and has also made money thereby. He was married. May 1. 187i, to Miss" Amanda Dunkleberger, a marriage fruitful in four children — Alviii Leo, Jennie May, Thomas Jefferson and Edgar Poe. Mr. Gol- den is a Democrat, a Knight of Honor, and he and wife belong to the United Breth- ren Church. ALFRED GOODRICK. son of John and Sarah (Canady) Goodrick, was born June 6, 1841. in Rush County. Ind., wheie he worked for his father untill861. when he enlisted in the Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served through the war. At Thompsons Station, 1,117 men were captured and sent to Libby Prison, exchanged in twenty days, and assigned to guard duty on the Nashville & Chatta- nooga Railroad. In" 1863' he re-enlisted, and was in ail the battles of the Atlanta campaign, in the last of which he was wounded Ijy a minie ball, which split his cheek from mouth to ear, and after recovery he resumed duty at Gen. Rousseau's head- quarters. He was discharged August, 180.5 ; went to Kansas for a time. In 1871. he retiu-ned and purchased 120 acre's in Warren County. Jlr. Goodrick was married, March 21, 1873, to Miss Emma Morphew, by which union they have two children — Munroe and George. In Feiiruary, 1882, he sold said farm and engaged in the gro- cery trade in AmtJia, having erected a spacious store Imildingand established a tine bus'iness. Mr. Goodrick is'a Repuljlican, and a member of the Knights of Honor. JOHN C. GREENBURG, son of Frederick William and Charlotte Greenburg, is a native of Prussia, liorn in 1842, ilarch 20. His father was a general merchant. John obtained a fair education, as most German boys can obtain, and after serving as clerk for some time, came to America in 1S61, and then to a brother in Tippe- canoe County, Ind., where he worked until .luly, 1862, when he enlisted in the Seventy-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served as musician through the war, and was promoted to chief umsieian. He was discharged in July. 1865. In 1866, he married Miss iMary Wallace, who died after six months, and in 1871 he married Miss Jane Barber, da'ughter of Alvin and Julia Barber, which union resulted in five children— Estelle, Alien, Lucretia, Viola and Carl. After improv- ing sixty acres of wdld land, and selling the same for §35 per acre, he took up eighty acres of unbroken prairie, sixty of which he afterward sold for $3,200. He again set- tled on eighty acres of wild land, which he improved and sold very advantageously. Finally, he purchased his present eighty-acre home. Mr. Greenburg is a member of the Masonic and G. A. R. fraternities, a Republican, and an honorable citizen. His familv also came to this country in 1805. J'OHN 8. I-IERRIMAN was born JIarch 13. 1812, in Warren Co\mty, Ind.. and is a son of John B. and Nancy A. Herriman. both natives of Ohio, who came to In- diana in the early time, when settlers were very few. and moved to Iroquois County, 111., in 1852, where John had but little chance for school-going ; he therefore gave his time to his father until 1862, when he enlisted in the Sevcnty-sixtl} Illinois Vol- unteers. Soon after his enlistment he took measles, the sequel of wliicli compelled him to return. In 1868. he married Miss Martha Smith, to which union have been 3«2 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: born four children— Mar^- Ada, Annie L., Charles and William. After marriage, Mr. Herriman resided on his father's farm for five years, when he purchased eighty, and added fofty acres ; this he improved with good buildings and in other ways, and sold. In the springof 1883, he came to this township, and occupied his present farm of 160 acres. While doing a general farming business, he has given much attention to stock. He is a Republican, and while in Illinois was Tax Collector, Township Commissioner for seven years, and Jastice of the Peace when he left that State. JOHN" F. McC(JRiI[CK is a native of Worcester County, Mass.. born Decem- ber .5, 1853, and a son of Michael and ^largaret McCormick. both natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1848, Michael McCormick was a farmer, and John worked - with his father, with but a sparse education, until be reached the age of twenty- four years. The family emigrated to Peoria County. 111., in IS.")" ; thence to Stark County in 1870, and to Vermillion County in 1878, where they now reside. Janu- ary 31, 1878, John F. McCormick married Miss Annie, daughter of Patrick and Annie Weston, a union followed by one child — William M. After his marriage, Mr. McCormick farmed successfully upon rented land for three j'cars. when he moved to Amhia and went into the general merchandise business with C. S. Golden. In one year he sold his interest to (). P. ilanny, and purchased Mr, Eellv's interest of the firm of Allen &: Kelly, and now has a ver3' prosperous business. Mr. Mc- Cormick is independent in politics, and a memlier of the Catholic ChuFch. A. F. MALO is a native of Canada, born November 8. 1849. a son of Samuel and Mary Malo, both natives of France, who emigrated to Canada in the long ago. In 1851, Mr. Samuel Malo settled in Chicago, where he worked at his trade of blacksmith, to which handicraft he trained his boj's after the fourteenth vear. Our subject worked for his father until of age, and afteVward as asteamfitter in Chicairo. In 1875. he moved to Ambia. Benton County. Ind.. where he is engaged in black- smithing. In 1882, he began manufacturing buggies, and in 1883 i:op7iers for T. J, Lewis, all with much satisfaction. Mr. >ialo has also been doiuif general work and has been generally successful. In 1869. he was married to^Miss Marv Mc- Knight, to which alliance descended five children— Huzeb Charles, Samuel Lean- der. Furdano Thomas, John and William Francis. Mr, Malo is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Honor and a Republican. JOHN" H. MYERS was born in Hanover, Germauv. Mav 5, 1849. His family emigrated to this country when he was a child, and settled at St. Charles Mo On the death of his father. Matthew Jlyers. he was adopted by a teacher, who took hmi to Wisconsin and thence to Chicago, from which point, at the ;ure of fifteen he commenced his life alone, working on a farm ; in a freisrht office at" Riverton 111 ■ in a restaurant at llliupolis ; in a grocerv store, as clerk ^ and in 1S7'.? as proprietor of a restaurant, which he sold and removed to Danville, 111., where he enoaned in a gi-ocery and bakery. In 1877, he moved to Amliia and settled in the hardwal-c busi- ness. He has now greatly increased his stock, and neccssarilv his storeroom is a good evidence of his success. He was married, in 1872, to Mary A Cline which marriage furnished one child— Ora Pearl. Mrs. Mvers' parents" were natives of Pennsylvania ; her greit-grandfathcr was a sol. tier of the Amerie^in Revolution 'her grandfather of the war of 1812, and her onlv brother, Peter, 2:ave his lif,. duriivi^ the late rebellion. Jtr- j\Iyers is a Reiniblican, was Township Clerk while in Illinois and IS a member of the Lutheran Church, i^i^".'^^RT J PARKER so,i of John and Eli/.abeth Parker, was born July 3 18is.in Tioga County, N. ^. He worked for his father during his minoritv and m is:!7the family settled in Lawrence Countv, Ohio, where, "in 1839 he married Miss Susanna S., daughter of Thomas and EJizabeth Walton, bv wliich alliance they have nine living children— Eliza C. :^IeCov. Samuel A lleurv V William' W (xeorge F., Hiraiii C.. Louisiana Bell. James C'and Franklin. Mrs Parker's father wa.s Surveyor of Lawrence County for thirtv-two successive vears In 184o' Mr I arker emigrated to Indiana and settled at AVilliamsport. Warren Countv where he followed coopering and became Countv Recorder, tn 1855. he removed 'to Tro quois County, II, bought and impioved some land and remained until 1873 when he .s.'ttled at Ambia, then containing but seven buihiin-s, and be bein- the tirst ,sell,.r of goods. Alter four years, he sold his stock and rented his buifd in.' and or several years has been express agent at Ambia for the Lake Erie .t Western aibnad. Mr. 1 a, ker was for eight years Commissioner of Hiohwavs in Illinoi " lie IS a IVmocral. and he and wite are members of the Methodist Eniscoivd (M, ,VlV VVASlllNtJTON M. PUGll was born in Bedford Coun v tX Tana 4 So; h Carolina to Indiana, many y.airs ago, and settled near ViTuauincs -I ,,,• 1^ budt a nidl, n 1845, be move,! West, destined for t)regon, but died b" ore richin. tbere^ Washington worked for his father until he was married i^n Vmi 8'-n? Miss Nancy Crawford; they have had nine children, four liv ng-1 am C IVr. h HICKORY GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 383- A., Harvey H. and Isabel. After his marriage. Mr. Pugh moved on and farmed some land of Mrs. Pugh, to whicli he added fort}' acres. In 1853, they moved to Illinois, and in 1873 came to what is now Arabia, of which place they are among the first settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Pugh are worthy members of the Christian Church. HENRY REED was born in England, October 35, 1834, and is a son of David and Ann Reed; the former died in England, the latter lives in Illinois. After his boyhood, Henrj^ worked bv the j'ear. In 1851, his mother, with part of her family, came to America and settled in Connecticut, where Henry worked as a farmer. He then went to Virginia, and was for two years an overseer of slaves, after which he moved to Iowa, where he worked as a teamster. He then moved to Illinois, where he farmed on rented land successful]}'. In 1869, he purchased 160 acres of unimproved land. In 1876, he came to this count}' and township, and bought 120 acres, on which he remained three j'ears, and in 1883 purchased the 120 acres now comprising liis home, in this township, which is under good cultivation, with comfortable frame house, promising orchard, etc. Mr. Reed was married in the year 1876 to Mrs. Lottie Abbott, daughter of .lohn and Sarah Doty, by which marriage they have two children — Ella May and David D. Mr. Reed is politically a Republican, and while in Illinois was Township Commissioner. HUGH C. SIDDENS is a native of Kentucky, born January 28, 1824, and a son of James and Sarah Siddens. In 1829, the family emigrated to Putnam County, Ind., where Hugh worked during his youth on the farm. In 1843, he married Miss MatOda Rains, from which union resulted twelve children, nine of whom survive — Sarah Cadel. James, William, Armilda James, Lucy Brown, Catherine Pierson, Franklin, Daniel and Emma Browning. The parents of Hugh remained with him until their deaths, his father dying in 1864, and his mother in 1865, Mr. Siddens had one son, William, who served four years during the late war. In 1864, Mr. Siddens settled in this township, where he has since made his home. When he came there he found but four families and one post office in the county. Seventy- five of the two hundred acres he had purchased were improved, but stock being at large, it required much watching to save the crop. When he settled here there was no railroad in the count}', but now the Lake Erie & Western passes his door. Mr. and Mrs. Siddens have, by hard work and the assistance of their children, secured a comfortable home, with improved farm and good buildings. Mr. Siddens is serving his ninth year as Magistrate of this township. He is a Democrat, and an enter- prising citizen. .JAMES SIDDENS is a native of Putnam County, Ind.; was born April 15, 184-5, and is a son of Hugh C. and Matilda Siddens. In 1861, he enlisted in the Twenty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but was discharged after a few months by reason of sickness. As soon as he became able, he worked at farm work by the month, and in the year 1865 was married to Miss Sarah C. Browning, by w"hich union they had four children— Ida, Eva, Hattie and Lola. After marriage, Mr. Siddens farmed on rented land until 1881, when he purchased his home in this township, then eighty acres of unbroken prairie, but now under fair cultivation and having a good dwelling-house upon it. He is a general farmer, and raises some cattle and hogs. Mr. Siddens was Trustee of this township, first elected in 1876 by twenty-nine majority, and in 1878 by sixty majority— a remarkable result by a Democrat in a Republican township. He is, as the above fact demonstrates, a highly respected citizen. CHARLES L. WHITE was born April 38, 1851, in Bath, Me. His father, Benjamin Loring White, resides in Massachusetts, and is a lineal descendant of the first white child born in New England. His mother died in 1859. Charles attended the high school, and was prepared for college, after which he studied the German and Spanish languages, went one term to Conner's College, Boston, and became a book-keeper in Bath, afterward engaging in the coal trade. Later, he traveled as far as Cuba, stopping in Washington, D. C, and returned to Maine, when he went to the northern part of the State'as paymaster for a lumber company; he was also surveyor and inspector of lumber. He served as book-keeper at Toledo and Chicago, and as salesman, likewise; when traveling to Ambia, Ind., he purchased a grain elevator and lumber-yard, in which he has been since engaged extensively, his annual sales of grain reaching 200,000 bushels, and of lumber 1,000,000 feet. Re- cently he has added to his business an agricultural implement department. In February, 1877, he married Miss Abbie Parks, of Bath, Me. One child has crowned their union, Sara Marion, Mr. White is politically a Republican, and a most active, enterprising business man. He and wife are forward in Sabbath school and other good works. 384 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: PARISH GROVE TOWNSHIP. WILLIAJI BENNETT is a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind. : he came to Parish Grove Township, Benton County, in 18?."), and in connection with R. W. Sample and Nelson Lutz bought two sections of land, from which they have since sold 320 acres, leaving a farm of 960 acres still owned by the firm, but operated by Mr. Bennett. He gives his attention principally to stock-raising, having at present al>out 130 high-grade Hereford cows, besides a large number of horses and hogs; hitherto he lias been raising English draft horses, but at present owns a fine Clydes- dale horse wliich cost him $2,000. He has one of the most extensive stock farms in the county. Before his removal to this county, he owned a farm in Tippecanoe Coun- ty, Ind. Mr. Bennett was Trustee of Parish Grove Township for four years; is a . Republican and a member of Silver Star Lodge, A. O. U. W. He was married, De- cember 20, 1865, to Angle Stewart, a native of Montgomery County, Ind., and six children have been born to them, all of whom are living. Mr. Bennett was born January 1, 1841, and is one of five children born to Strother and Mary (Carr) Ben- nett, the latter probably of Irish and the former of German descent, and both na- tives of Virginia. The former, when a young man, removed to Pickawaj' Countv. Ohio, where he remained several j"ears, when he went to Illinois and remained one j-ear; he ne.xt came to Tippecanoe County, where he died in March 18,50. CAPT. .lAMES DUNN is a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, and was born April 27, 1839. His father. John Dunn, was a merchant in his native country, and married Julia Murphy. In 18-11, Jolm crossed the Atlantic, and for four years found emploj'ment in and around Chicago, as a brick and stone mason. In 1845. his famil}' came from Ireland, and thej' settled in Lockport, 111., wiiere Mr. Dunn, Sr., died November 28, 1854. James Dunn made his home with his father's family until his mother's death in August, 1863, Previous to this time, he had been known as the champion shot of the Desplaincs Valley. August 9, 1862. he enlisted in Com- pany C, Ninetieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was chosen First Sergeant. June 15, i864, he was commissioned First Lieutenant, and promoted to the Captaincy of his company in September, 1864, and was mustered out June 6, 1865. Capt. Dunn was a participant in the battles of Holly Springs. Mission:iry Ridge, Resaca. Look- out and Kenesaw Mountains, Atlanta, in Sherman's march to the sea, the capture of Fort McAllister, through the Carolinas, and the engagements of Beutonville, and Aveiysboro. He was in 27 battles and 240 skirmishes. During the memorable march to the sea, he was in command of the foragers in Hazen's division, of the Fifteenth Army Corps, and of the 84 men who composed the company only 15 were mustered out, and he was the only one not wounded. After the war, he went to Will County. 111., and in connection Avitb a brother managed their farm until 1872, when he came to Benton County, lud., and was the tirst to settle on what is known as the Dunn settlement, in Parish Grove Township. He owns a tine farm of 300 acres, well iiujiroved and cultivated. He breeds fine stock, and besides forty head of high-grade cattle owns one full-blooded Durham, and an extra quality of "horses and hogs. Capt. Dunn is a Democrat, and one of the prominent men of the county. He was married, January 9. 1868, to Miss Lucy Robhins, who was born in October, 1851; is a native of WiH'Ccuinty, 111,, and daughter of William and Margaret (Tracy) Rolibins. Their union has been blessed with six children — William H., born Janu- ary 30, 1,869; Maggie. January 29, 1871; John F., February 10, 1874; Escy, Febru- ary 25, 1877; J;inies, July 11, 1879. and George E., FebruarV 15, 1882. Mrs. Dunn is of Irish descent, and is a graduate of Notre Dame Seminary, South Bend, Ind. (.!apt. Dunn and wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church, and he is an honorary member of G, A. R. JOHN DUN^N is a native of the Emerald Isle, and was born November27, 1837, When seven year.sold, he became a resident of Lockport, 111., making his home with his parents until their respci'live deaths. Duringhisyouthful days, the greater por- licinof his lime was passed in hunting, and, like liis brother, "James.'he became a noted marksman. On the breaking out of the reliellion, he sci'ured a contract from the Government to furnish baled hay for the cavalry service, continuing this occupation unlil the close of the war, whcii he eng:iged in farming near Lockport, 111, In 1874, he removi'd to Parish Grove Township, Benton Co find., where he has since rcsitled, engaged cMensively in stock-raising. He owns a w-eil-iniproved farm of 320 acies; be is a Democrat. Mr. Dunn w;\s married. Jlav 9. 1867, to Marv PARISH GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 385 A. Robbies; he and wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church, and the parents of three children — Julia, Mauuella and Clara. DAVID R. FIXLEY was born July 16, 1832, in Delaware County, Ohio, and is one of seven children born to Robert and Elizabeth (Riley) Finley. Robert Finley was a native of Virginia, and while a youn,a: man he removed with his father to Del- aware County, Ohio, but in 1839 went to Kane County, 111., where he bought a farm and continued to reside until his death in 1879, his wife having died four j'ears previously. He was a soldier iu the American Army during the war of 1813. David R. Finley received agood practical education, and lived with his father's family, work- ing upon the farm until he was twentj'-eight years of age. He then went to Livingston County, 111., where he remained until 1870, when he came to Parish Grove Township, Benton County, Ind., and bought about 219 acres of good land. He now has in this county 480 acres, and eighty acres in Illinois. He gives considerable attention to stock-raising, and has about fiftj' head of cattle, besides a large number of horses and hogs. He enlisted. August 8, 1862, in Company C, One Hundred and Twent3'-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served with the regiment until it was mustered out at TN'ashington, D. C, June, 1865. He participated in the battles of Resaca. Kenesaw Mountain, the siege of Atlanta, and on Sherman's march to the sea, through the Carolinas, the battles of Bentonville and Averysboro. He was in thirteen battles and numerous skirmishes. Mr. Finley was married, October 31, 1870, to Lizzie Is. Throop, a native of Kane County, 111., and eight children have blessed this imion, seven of whom are living. Mr. Finley is a Republican, and one of the prominent men of Benton Count}'. JAMES A. LOWMOX is a native of La Salle County. 111., where he received his education. He lived with his father's familj' until 1873 ; then came to Benton County, Ind., and settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Butterfleld, five miles north of Fowler, where he remained four j'ears. He then transferred this farm to LeRoy Templeton. in part payment for a farm of 400 acres in Parish CTrove Town- ship, upon which he now resides. It is well cultivated and improved. He gives considerable attention to stock-raising, having at present about $4,000 worth of cat- tle, hogs, etc. Mr. Lowmon is one of the prominent men of the county, and is a Republican. He was married, January 21, 1875, to Alice Good, a native of Mont- gomery County, Ohio, and they have four children — Mamj', Walter, Laura and Homer. Mr. Lowmon was born January 1, 1848, and is one of five children in the family of Arthur B. and Priscilla Lawmon. The former, a native of Virginia, when a boj', removed with his parents to Hamilton Count}', Ohio, where he remained about eight }-ears, then went to La Salle County, 111., and operated a saw mill for a time, after which he turned his attention to fai-ming, in which occupation he is still engaged. He is one of the oldest settlers in that region. DOXALD McEWEN, a native of Chateaugay County, Canada, was born Octo- ber 10, 1841. He was reared in his native county, received a good practical educa- tion, and was married September 28, 1875, toJMiss Agnes McNaughton, who was also a Canadian. Mr. McEwen. together with his father, Peter McEwen, emigrated to Benton County, Ind., in 1870, and has since resided m Parish Grove Township, en- gaged in farming and raising stock. He owns a well-cultivated farm of 444 acres, which yields him 4.000 bushels of corn per annum, besides a large amount of other produce. Mr. McEwen is one in a family of six children, his mother's maiden name being Grace McEwen. He is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and the parents of three children— Peter, Isabella and Grace M. Peter McEwen (father of Donald) and his wife were natives of Scotland. He left his native country in 1838, and came to Canada, where he remained until his removal to the United States in 1870. He is living with his sons at the advanced age of eighty years. Both he and wife were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church. HENRY ROBERTSON, only survivor of four men who lived in Benton County in 1835. is a native of Bath County, Ky., and was born February 19, 1813. He is the sixth in a family of seventeen children born to John H. and Anna (Burton) Robert- son, natives of Virginia, and of English descent. In March, 1835, Henry Robert- son, in company with a brother, purchased a quarter-section of land on Section 36, in Parish Grove Township, for his father, and the same season put out a crop, and bought an additional 160 acres for himself and brother, adjoining his father's land. The fall of 1835, John H. Robertson and family moved to the land selected, and lived there fifteen years. The parents then went to Fountain County, where Mrs. Robertson died in 1863. Mr. Robertson, Sr., then made his home with his son Henry, until his death in 1874. He was one of the early County Commissioners. There has been no one so closely identified with the development of Benton County as Henry Robertson. In 1838, he was appointed Sheriff by Gov. Wallace, with power to organize Jasper County, and after this was completed, he was elected 23 386 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Sheriff. In April, 1840, he was appointed organizing Sherifl: for Benton County, and on retiring from this oiEce was elected as the tirst Surveyor of the County. Since that time he has almost continuously served as Surveyor, Commissioner or Land Appraiser, and at present is a Commissioner. About 1853, he made the sur- vey for what is known as the Richards line of railway, from La Fayette to the Illi- nois State line, it being the tirst road projected through the county. Mr. Robertson was formerly a Whig, and is now a Republican, and lias twice been a candidate for State Representative. On one occasion, although the district was largely Demo- cratic, he was only defeated by eight votes. He has increased his original 160 acres, to 2.100 acres, and for over thirty years lias been a large stocli-raiser. August 19, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Sarah A. (Turb3'ville) Courtne}', a daughter of John Turbyville, an early settler of Cincinnati, and widow of William Courtney. They have had no children, but adopted four of Mr. Robert- son's sister's orphan children, Ijesides three whom thej^ are now caring for. Mr. Robertson ishighly respected by his fellow citizens. He is a member of the 3Iasonic order and a Protestant. Mrs. Robertson is a member of the M. E. Church. DAVID WOODLOCKis a native of Ireland, and his father died when David was ten years old. He was brought to America to his brothers and sisters, who had preceded him, and who were living in Xew Haven, Conn. For several years, he worked with his brother, who was gardener for Mrs. Eli Whitnev; he subsequently worked in the machine shops at New Haven, and the lock manufactory at Brant- ford, Conn. In 1858, he went to New Orleans, where he worked as a forwarder of freight until 18G1, wlien, on the breaking-out of the war, he went to La Salle County, 111. He there rented and worked' his brother's farm until 1867, w-hen he came to Parish Grove Township, Benton Co., Ind.. and bought 300 acres of land, but did not settle upon this land until four years later. He now owns 560 acres of land, well improved and cultivated. He devotes his attention largely to stock- raising, and has aJ great numljer of cattle and hogs. Mr. Woodlock was married, in July, 1850, to Bridget Loughery, a native of Ireland, and thej' have had nine chil- dren, seven of whWi are living. The parents are members of 'the Catholic Church. Mr. Woodlock was^orn about 18-29, and was the voungest of a family of eleven children of Patrick and Catherine Woodlock, natives of Ireland, and residents of that country all their lives. The former traced his aucestrv back for nearlv three • centuries to a number of Danes who settled in Ireland. He" had a collegiate'educa- tion, and owned a large estate. PINE TOWNSHIP. C^REY A. EASTBURN, one of the heaviest land-owners and best farmers of Pine Township, is a native of the Buckeye State, was born in Highland County in 1S2S, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Haigh) Eastburn "His eirlv educa- tion, was considerably neglected, as his time was employed lartrelv in assis'tin-^ his parents in their farm duties; but after he arrived at years of ma\ur"ity he •■■aye him- self a thorough schooling, wliich has proven a lasting benetit to hifn In 1833 his parents settled in Tippecanoe County, Ind.. where ht^was reared to manhood 'and in 1850 he married Jane Johnson, daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Bowver^ .fohn- son. The same year of his marriage, Mr. Eastburn became a resident of Benton County, and he IS at present engaged in superintending his large stock farm of 1,^00 acres_. He has never aspired to any high political office, but, "through the per- suasions of his friends, alUnved himself to be elected Trustee of his township serv- ing as such two years. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church and the parents of t(m children, eight of whom arc yet living. "uuu, LKVI HAWKINS, son of Benjamin IIawkius,"whose biography appears in the biographieal (hpartment of Fowler, was b.U'n in Daviess County Ind in 1840 received but a common sel„.ol educalion, and at the age of fifteen Vears removed to ,V:° ;,■" 1 ?,!"; y,; ,'^' '"•" ^Trrr "^:';" '"■'* "^''"^:- I" ^'^"l- ^'^'h many brave boys of est, and who aided in laying the foundation of PINE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. §87 the prosperity which the present generation now enjoys, is a native of Butler Coun- ■ t}', Ohio, and is a son of Levi and and Mary (Evens) Hawkins. He was horn in the year 1815, secured a good practical education, and in 1828 came with his parents to the Hoosier State, settling eight miles south of La Fayette, in Tippecanoe County, where he resided until 1841. then removed to Benton County, and at first was em- plo3-ed herding cattle ; he afterward purchased a farm in P'ine Township and en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, and now owns one of the finest farms in the town- ship, consisting of 400 acres, which is well improved and supplied with living water all the year. He was married to Sarah A. Carter, daughter of Robert and' Anna Carter, in 1843, and by her became the father of six children, only three of whom are yet living, ilrs. Hawkins, a loving wife and mother and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in 1883, aged sixty years, beloved and respected bj'^ all who knew her. JAMES W. HAWKINS, a son of Robert Hawkins, whose biography precedes this, was born in Benton County in 1844, received a good common schooling, and "with the exception of a few years while in the service of his country, has been eri- gaged in farming. In 1862,"he became a member of the Seventy-second Indiana Volunteer Mounted Infantry and served three years; participated in a number of severe campaigns and battles, and was wounde'd at Chickamauga, and in 18R,j re- turned home, where he recommenced farming. He married Miss Mary M. Switzer, daughter of Peter and Katie Svi-ifzer, in 1871, and liy her is the father of two song and two daughters. Mr. Hawkins is one of the intluential Republicans of western Benton County, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. , JOHX R. HAWKINS, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Benton County, Ind., in 18,52, and is a son of Roliert and Sarah A. (Carter) Hawkins. After re- ceiving a good education, he embarked in farming, and now possesses a well-im- proved farm of 533 acres. Jlr. Hawkins is one of the progressive citizens of his township, and favors the advancement of all laudable iiiiblic enterprises. In poli- tics, he is a warm adherent to the principles of the Republican party, and has ever been identified with its best interests. To his marriage with Miss Sarah McKinnis, which occurred in 1881, one child has been born. Mrs. Hawkins is a daughter of Phihp and Rachel (Wolfer) McKinnis, one of the prominent families of Warren County. .JOHN HAWKINS, brother of Benjamin Hawkins, of Fowler, and Robert Hawkins, of Pine Township, and son of Levi and Mary (Evens) Hawkins, was born in Butler Countj-, Ohio, in 1825, and when three years old moved with his parents to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where he was reared to manhood. Receiving but lim- ited educational advantages, he chose farming as his employment through lite, and in 1850 was married to Miss ^Margaret Sheetz, daughter of John and Isabel (Parker) Sheetz. Two years after this event, he removed to Benton County, where he has since resided, engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Hawkins is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the parents of a family of five children. They own a tine body of land, consisting of 520 acres, and are among the most respected residents of the township. W. G. W. NORWOOD, a self-made man, and one of the prominent farmers of TTOstgrn Benton County, is a native of Blount County, Tenn., where he was born in 1B15. At the age of four years, he came with his parents, George and Mary Ann (Rooker) Norwood, to Wayne County, Ind., and three j-ears later to Indianap- olis, where our subject received a good education. In 183li, he was united in mar- riage with Rachel Kelley, daughter of William and Elizabeth Kelley, and in 1860 removed to Putnam County, Ind., where he engaged in farming and following grain-threshing. While engaged in the latter occupation, lie met with a distressing accident. In oiling the gearing near the feeder, one foot treacherously slipped and was crowded into the cylinder, which was revolving with frightful velocity, and was so mangled as to necessitate amputation. In 1871, Mi-. Norwood removed to Benton County, where he owns 585 acres of well-improved farming and grazing land. He is a Republican, and, previous to his removal to Benton County, served the township in which he resided a number of years as Trustee. I-Iis wife is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they have left to them three living children in a family of nine. CHARLES E. OPP, farmer and stock-raiser, is a son of John and Catharine (Emerson) Opp, and was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 18.50. After receiving a good business education, he selected farming as his vocation, and in 1875 was united in marriage with Miss Vinettie Combs, daughter of James and Sarah (Green) Combs. The same year of his marriage, he removed to Benton County, and is now engaged in managing a farm of 400 acres belonging to his father. He is one of the progressive citizens in Pine Township, is a Republican in politics, and to his uniot 388 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: with Miss Combs two children have been born. Mrs. Opp is a menilier of the M. E. Church. DR. JAMES M. RODMAX, son of James and Marr (Guisiu.a-er) Rodman, is a native of Shelby Co^nt3^ III, and was born in 18i2. Together with his parents, he removed to Indiana in 11S47. where he resided until 1861, and in that 3'ear enlisted in the First Indiana Heavy Artillery. He served through the many dangers of war unharmed, and was discharged at iN^ew Orleans in 1863, after which he returned to his home in the Hoosier State, and began the stud}' of medicine. He began the practice of this profession in 1866, and the same year married Miss Sarah F., daugh- ter of W. G. W. and Rachel (Kelley) Norwood. In 1871, he removed to Benton County, where he owns eightv acres of laud, and his time is occupied in farming, practicing medicine and preaching. He is a member of the Masonic order, I. O. 0. F., and G: A. R., and, besides being honored with local offices of trust, was elected to represent the counties of Benton and Xewton in the State Legislature in 1878, serving in the regular and special sessions of that term. Dr. Rodman is a member of the Christian Church, and he and wife are parents of seven children, five of wliom are now living. "WARREN B, SHEETZ, Trustee of Pine Township, is a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind. ; was born in 1837, and is a son of Fredrick and Eliza (Taj'lor) Sheetz, who were among the ]iioneers of Tippecanoe County. Warren B. Sheetz received a liberal education, and was engaged in farming until 1861, when he enlisted in the cause of his country in Company D. Tenth Indiana Volunteers. After being in the service eight months, he was promoted Captain of his company, and servedlis such until his di-scharge at Indianapolis. September 18, 1864. Capt. Sheetz was an effi- cient and faithful officer, and was a participant in some of the hardest campaigns of the war. Since the war, he has been engaged ehieflj' in agricultural pursuits, and at present owns a fine stock farm of 210 acres in Pine Township. He is a Republican, member of Benton Post, No. 2.5, G. A. R., and was married in 187(1 to Harriet H. Johnson. Mrs. Sheetz is a daughter of William and ^largaret (Finch) Johnson, and to her marriage with Capt. Sheetz five children have been born, three of whom are now living. JACOB SICKLER, one of the prosperous and enterprising farmers of Benton County, is a native of Gloucester County. N. J., born in 183.5. a'nd is a son of Jacob and Riioda (Hunt) Sickler. After attending the district schools of his neighbor- hood, he completed his education by a three years' course at hish school and ciSllege, shortly after which he engaged for "five years in milling in Warren County. Ind. In 1861, he moved to Tippecanoe County, Avhere he followed farming three years, then removed to Benton County, purchasing a farm of 160 acres in Pine Township, for which he paid !?1,760. For the first year's produce derived from this farui^ he was paid $1,600. or !?160 less than what he paid for the entire farm. Mr. Sickles has been by good management enabled to increase his original farm to nlm&st 1,000 acres of good land, on which ho has erected some verj-'^substanlial buildings. He is an e.\--Trustee of Pine Township, having been elected in 1878, and is the father of three children, two— a son and a daughter— .yet living. He has given his chil- dren splendid schooling advantages. In 1882, his son axaduated from Purdue Uni- versity with honors, while his daughter is also attendingthe same school, and taking a thorough course in music at Indianapolis, fnmi some of the most accomplished musicians in the West. Jlr. Silkier was married in 18.57 to :Miss Elizabeth Hunt d.'uighter of Isaiah and Rebecca (.Sleeper) Hunt, and the Sickler familv is amom' the best known of Benton Count}". " " ' ^ .lOlIN W. TI5IJ10NS is a representative of one of the pi.meer families of lieiitou County. He is one of the prosperoiis farmers of Pine Township owuim^ 300 acres of its' best lands, siluated on Sectiiuis 31 and 32, and this farm since it w;iS first entered from the Govcrnnu'nt by his uncle. Basset Tinuuons. in 1828 has always been in llie possession of some member of the familv, John W. Timmous" IS a nalnc of Hcnloii County, born in 1844. and is a member of the familv born to Benjamin .-iial Saiali Jane ( Ander.son) Timmons. His youthful cdiicalion" wis liiu- iled to Ihe comnum schools of ihat earlv dav. and the greater portion of his life has been passed ni farming and meriliandising, in the latter occupation being located in ( \lord. His marriage willi IMarrietta. daughter of Zachariah and Sarah Jane (l>avis) Gephart, was .solemnized in 1881. and one child has blessed their union Mr. 1 iiiimons is Demoeralic in politics, and is the present Assessor of Pine Town- slii|i, h;iviiig been dected in 18S2 ROBISON TIMMONS, .uie of the earliest selllers in Benton Counlv is de- .scendiMllrom an okl and lumored family, his parents being Joshua and Sarah (ixowen) I iiumons. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1828 and two years lal,.,- w:is liroughl hy his parents to Tippecanoe Couutv, Ind.. where he was "■•'"■'■'I I" niaidu.od. In 1815. he located pcrmanentlv in Pine Township, Benton YORK TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 389 County, and this has since been his home. "By industrj', he has been successful in tlie accjuisition ot a plentiful supph' of this world's goods, and besides a fine farm of 160 acres, improved with a fine hvo-story dwelling, he owns a general store in the village of Aydelolt. which is situated on his farm. He was married, in 18.51, to Angeline Foster, a daughter of .John and Ruth (Coen) Foster, and a family of eight children have been born to them. Mr. Timmons is a Republican, with strong tem- perance proclivities, and has served, as Justice of the Peace and in various local positions of honor and tru^t. He and wife are members of the Jlethodist Episcopal Church, and are among the best citizens of Pine Township. He was appointed Postmaster of Aydelott in 1874, and also served, during the late war, as Provost Marshal. T7ILLIAM S. TURYEY. son of YTilliam M. and America (Cupp) Turvey, was born in Bracken Count}', K_y., in 1828. He received a good education in youth, and in 1849 removed to Tippecanoe County. Ind.. where two years later he was married to Miss Xaney C.. daugliter of William and Delilah (Curry) Bowycr. He selected farming as his vocation in life; in IS'i'i came to Pine Township, Benton County, engaged actively in agricultural pursuits, and is the possessor of a good farm of 160 acres. He is a Democrat, and for a number of j'ears has served his township in the capacity of Peace Justice. He was also elected Trustee of Pine Township, but owing to the fact of being .Justice at that time, was not eligible to another oflice. He and wife are among the well-known and respected citizens of their neiglibor- hood. are members of the Christian Church, and the parents of seven children, all living but one. Mr. Turvey met with a painful accident on the 81st of May, 1883, while working around his buzz saw, which resulted in the complete severing of his left hand at the wrist. His mother is yet living, hale and heart}', at the advanced age of seventy-eight j'ears. .JAME.S G. YAy NATTA. farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Tippecanoe County. Ind.. in I8.S.5. His life has been chiefl}' occupied in farming, and for the past nine years, having moved to Benton County in 1874, he has resided in Pine Township, where he owns 320 acres of good farming and grazing land. He takes considerable pride in the rearing of blooded stock, especially Hereford cattle. Mr. Van Natta is a son of John S. and Sarah (Haigh) Van Natta, and his wife, Martha J., to whom he was married in 18.59, is a daughter of John and Elizabeth Obenchain. He is a Republican in politics, an enterprising and esteemed citizen, and he and wife are the parents of seven children. YORK TOWNSHIP. CAPT. yv. J. BART is the only son of John and Maria (Baryhman) Bart, and was born in Adams County, Penn., March 37. 1833. March 30. 1830, he was wed- ded to Mary M. Biehl, and afterward settled near Littlestown, Penn,, where he re- mained until the late war, and October 1(i, 1863. he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-fifth Pennsylvania Y^'olunteers. in which company lie was pro- moted to be First Lieutenant, a position he occupied until mustered out October, 1863, at Gettysburg, Penn. He afterward entered the recruiting service as Captain, in which he continued until August 29, 1865, when he was mustered out at Clarks- burg, W. Va. In October. 186.5" he removed to Huntington. Ind., and, in 1873, to thiscounty. Mr. and Sirs. Bart have been favored with a family of nine children —Catherine (deceased). Jane (deceased). Ellen, Alberta (deceased), Annie (deceased), Margaret (deceased), William H., Ida and Harvey E. L. M. BAYLESS is a son of Cyrus and Caroline Bayless, having been born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., January"l5, 1845. His parents were natives of Ohio, his father being a son of Piatt Bayless, a native of Virginia and early settler of Hamil- ton Countv, ( )hio. w hence, in 1833, he removed to Tippecanoe County, this State, at which "locality he died, leaving eight children— John. Sarah A.. Lot, Alfred, ]Martha .J., Platf, Samuel and Cyrus, the father of our subject, who was l)orn in Butler County, Ohio, August ll' 1821. He was married in Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 1843, "to Miss (jaroline Cory, and there he }'et lives. His familv numbers five— Lot M., Harriet F., Pratt S., Martha S. and Carrie F. Our subject. Lot M., was married in Tippecanoe Count}' January 16, 1867, to Martha M. Warwick, born in Clark County, Ohio, December 24, 1844. To this union were given three chil- dren — YVilliam S. Bertie I. and Gertrude G. In 1870, Mr. Bayless moved to New- ton County, in this State, and one year tliereafter to this county, where he pur- chased and occupied the farm he now resides upon. 300 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: JOHN COCKERLINE was born in Yorkshire, Eng-land, March 20, 1833, a son of John and Mar}' Cockerliue, also natives of Yorkshire. The father of our subject was a son of William and Esther Cockerline. of Eno-land, where the}' died, each aged eighty-five years. They had five children— William, Thomas. John. Elizabeth and Esther. John Cockerline, Sr., married Mary Jackson, of Yorkshire birtli, in the year 1800. In 1831, Mr. Cockerline emigrated to Canada, where Mrs. Cocker- line died January 3, 1869, and he November 17, 187.i. Their family comprised eight in number— Annie, Esther, William. John. Mary, Elizabeth, Charles and Thomas. Our subject was married in Canada September 4, 1866, to ]Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Whyte, and in 1868 removed to Benton County, Ind., and settled on the farm where he now is. Mrs. Cockerline died Maj' 3, 1870, leaving one child — Minnie E. Mr. Cockerline was next married, September 28, 186.5, to Jennie, daughter of Alexander and Jane Graham, born at Montreal, Canada, April 7, 1840. By this was also born one child— John A. (deceased). Mrs. Cockerline is a meml)er of the Methodist Episcopal Church. HORATIO DOOLITTLE is a native of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and born Oc- tober 29, 1844. His parents, Reuben and Caroline Doolittle, were natives of New York and Ohio, respectively, the former born in 1809. the latter in 1818. They were married in Oliio, and in 1854 removed to Will County, III., thence to Porter County, Ind., and finallj' to Kent County, Jlich.. where they are yet living They had four children — Horatio, Benjamin F., an infant daughter (deceased) and Ida M. The sutiject of this sketch, Horatio Doolittle, removed to Will County, III., with his parents, and there, February 25, 1888, was married to Miss Olive V. Rand, a native of Vermont, born May 9, 1.S3S. This union was blessed with four children — Clarence H. (deceased), Stella' M., Cora B. and Walter. In 1869, Mr. Doolittle came to and made his home in this county. JAMES E. FLEJIING i^ a native of Irehind. where he first saw the light May 3, 1838, and is one of nine cliildren making the family of John and >Iary Fleming, both natives of Ireland. Jolm Fleming was born December 25, 18 '9. married, in Ireland, to one Mary Edmonds, and in 1856 emigrated to America. He went to La Porte County, Ind., and afterward to this county, where he still resides. Mrs. Fleming died in 1870, leaving the following fami"ly: John, James E., Sampson, Roljert, Mary A., Thomas, William, Sarah and Henry. Our subject, James E. Fleming, wa.s married, in Iroquois Counlv, III., March 5, 1863, to Rachel Hough- land, born in said county June 4, 1848, who died Mav 4. 1867. Mr. Fleming was subseciuenlly married, October 12, 1871. to JIartha .AI. Davison. He is the parent of six children- Mary A., Charles, Susan, John F.. Richaril and an infant son de- ceased. * JOSEPH GRETTER is a native of Germany, and was born Februarv 9, 1828. He is a son of Sebastian and Margaret (.Treiter, who were likewise natives of Ger- many, tlie former liorn May 1, 1792, the latter in 1794. Thev were married in 1817. and died, she April ;>, and he July 9. 1862. Their family co"miivised the following : Magdalena, Henry. Anthony, Sebastian. Joseph and Catharine. Joseph Gretter emigrated to the United States, and readied New York February 9, 1854, thence he went to Columbus, Ohio, and the following October to Indianapolis, Ind., and thence to La Fayette, where he was married, September 9, 1S56, to !Mis's Susanna Ueierling, tlie result of which union was eleven children- Elizabeth, Catherine, Helen. JIary, Susanna. Henry. Sophia, Josc]ih. John, Alice and Annie. ]\Ir. Gret- ter is a much res])ected citizen. WILLIAM KEEFE, of tlio firm of Keefe ^t Co., is a native of Countv Tip- porary, Ireland, born May 2. l.'^44. His parents were Patriid-c and Sarah Keefe, and li^e is the third of their fourteen children. In 1864, he journeyed to PIvmouth. England; thence to Africa; Ihence to Australia, where he mined for a short time; tlieiu'c to San Francisco, where" jic also mined for a period, and, in September, 1876,' 'came to Hcnion County, hul, and located at Ratib, at which point he has since been engaged in mercantile business. On the 13th of May. 1881. he was married to Mary Fitzgerald, the fruition of which union was one child- Sarah A, On the 1st of .lan\i;iry. IH77, be was ajipointed Postmaster, a position which he has since held salisraciorily to all. i\lr. and Mrs. Keefe are members of the Catholic Church. ITId.MAS KEEFI'j, merch.ant. is :i native of tin' Countv Tipperary. in Ireland anil was burn Seplemlier 4, 1849. He is a son of Patrick ai'id Sarah (Cunningham) Keele, who were likewise nalives of Ireland, and the parents of fourteen children -^Hridget, William. Emma. Patrick, llohaima. Thomas, Sarah. John Catherine Stephen. Timolliy. Maria, Annie and James. Our subject. Thomas Keefe at the age of sixteen years, began the groi'crv trade at Dublin, and in 1871 emi"-ratcd to America ;uid settled in Kentland, in this State. t)ii the 5||i of Septcuilier'''l876 he married Delia Fife, and later in the same year removed to Raub. in this Slate and began the niiTcanlile business, which be has since continued :\Ir and Mrs Keefe have been blessed with two children- William P. and John H YORK TOWNSHIP— BENTOX COUNTY. 391 D. M. KIRKPATRICK is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and was born October 10, 18U. His parents were Thomas and Phebe Kirkpatrick, natives of New Jersej' and Pennsylvania respectively, who were married in Washington County, Penn., and in the early time removed to Trumbull County, Ohio; thence they re- moved to Beaver County, Penn., where both died. Their family embraced thirteen children— Polly, Betsey, Amanda, Andrew, Sarah, Baldwin, Thomas, Phebe, Daniel M., Eleanor, Henry, Deidamia and Alvina. Our subject, D. M. Kirkpatrick, was married in Mercer County, Penn., September 12, 1842, to Mary Church, born in Os- wego County, N. T., March 30, 1815. In the year of his marriage, he moved to Iroquois County, 111., and thence to Benton County, Ind., where he is owner of 318 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick are parents of six cbildi'en — Chalmers, Welthy, "Wallace, Truman, Willis and Corwin. W. J. LOWES is a native of Franklin County, Ind., and was born January 10, 1837. His parents were Josiah and Rebecca Lowes, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Indiana. They were the parents of five children— William J., Mary J., Elizabeth A., George and Rebecca A. Our subject, W. J. Lowes, is the eldest of his father's family. He was married, January 28, 1864, to Mary Seeley, and in the spring of 1888 removed to this county, and purchased the farm on which he has since been living, comprising 120 acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Lowes have been favored with five children, named as follows, Emma E., Anna B., Ma- tilda, Pearl and Rebecca. Mr. Lowes is much esteemed among his neighbors. SOCRATES McCLURG was born near Covington, Fountain County, Ind., August 23, 1834, and is a son of Hamilton and Rebecca (Brier) McClurg, natives of Westmoreland County, Penn. Hamilton McCIurg was born December 11, 1800, and Mrs. Rebecca McClurg September, 1808; they were married in 1828, removed to Fountain County, and in 1835 to Delphi, Carroll County, where Mrs. McClurg died Fehruar}' 10, 1814. Mr. McClurg subsequently removed to Camden, same county, where he died June 9, 1859. Their familjr consisted of Nancy J., Socrates, Rettie, James and Cyrus. Onr subject remained at home until 1854, when he went to Min- nesota; thence he returned for a time, and in 1856 went to Sioux City, Iowa; thence, in 1857, to Niobrara, Neb.; thence, in 1859, to Denver, Colo., where he was engaged in mining until 1862, .and thence to Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. In 1866, he came to Logansport, this State, and in 1867 to this township, where he purchased land and remained. June 27, 1867, he was married to Annie Houser (who died March 2, 1880), and February 13. 1883, to Ruth A. Conner. Mr. McClurg is the parent of five children — Hamilton, Don, Carl, Bruce (deceased) and Lillie B. JOHN McEWEN is a native of Canada East, and born May 5, 1837. He is a son of Peter and Grace McEwen, who were natives of Scotland, and emigrated to Canada in the long ago. They were parents to six children — John, Daniel, Jean- nette, Christina, Duncan and William. Our subject, John McEwen, emigrated to Kendall County, 111., in 1857, where, October 15, 1860, he marriedMiss Martha Ham- ilton, a union fruitful to the number of eight children — William P.. Nettie M., Frederick L., Grace M., Charlie H., John A., Walter S. and infant son (deceased). In 1868, Mr. McEwen removed to this county, and purchased his present home and farm. He is comfortably located and is a worth}' citizen. IRA PERKINS is a native of Putnam County, Ind., and was born August 10, 1841. His parents were William and Maria Perkins, who were natives of Delaware. William Perkins was born May 20, 1815, and Mrs. Perkins, February 4, 1815. They were married in Delaware, and thence moved to Putnam County, Ind., where they now reside. The family was composed of nine children — Mary A.. Ira, George, Wesley, Lydia, Hannah, William, Elam and Oren. Our subject, Ira Perkins, en- listed July 18, 1862, in the Eighteenth Indiana Artillery, and was discharged July 2, 1865, at Indianapolis. After returning to Putnam County, he married April 19, 1866, Miss Sarah A. Gibson, and the same year moved to this county, where they purchased and settled on the identical farm on which he now lives. Mrs. Perkins died September 4, 1877. On the 10th of May, 1878, he was married to Emma M. Loyer, from which alliance sprang a family of six children — Dora B., Mary J., Ma- ria E., Carrie A., Samuel (deceased) and Emery. GEORGE PERKINS is a native of Putnam County, Ind., having been born Septemljer 16, 1843. His parents were William and Maria Perkins, who were na- tives of Delaware, and moved to Putnam County, in the long ago, where they are now living. Their family comprises nine children — Mary A., Ira, George, Wesley, Lydia. Hannah, William, Ellen and Oren. It was on Januarv 10, 1867, that George Perkins was wedded to Elizabeth Slavens, who was likewise born in Putnam County, Ind., on September 12, 1846, a daughter of Hiram and Naney Slavens, both natives of Kentucky. In Februar}', 1867, Mr. Perkins moved to this county, and settled on the farm he now occupies. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins are the parents of three children — Martha I., William H. andOrvilleH. Mr. Perkins is a excellent citizen. 392 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: JOSEPH PERKINS was bora in Putnam County, Ind., May 23, 1840, and is a son of Caleb and Orpha Perkins, botli natives of Delaware. Caleb Periling is a son of Joseph Perkins, who settled in Delaware many years ago, and there died. He was twice married, the father of eighteen children,' and lived to be ninety years old. Caleb Perkins was born August 19, 1809, and married in Delaware, one Orpha Lloyd, born in 1813. In 1836, he removed to Clermont County, Ohio, and two years later, to Putnam County, Ind., where he now lives. He is the father of eight children — infant daughter (deceased), Emeline. Joseph, Susan, Edmund, Harriet, Orpha and Margaret. Joseph Perkins, our subject, was wedded in Putnam County, November 6, 1864, to Elizabeth V. Matkin, also born in Putnam County. January 20, 1843. To this marriage succeeded five children — Ida M. (born August 24, 1863), Eva O. (born April 30, 1.S6,T), William (born August 24, 1870, deceased September 1, 1870), Bertha G. (born April 8. 1873, deceased .luly 17, 1877) and Jessie L. (born September 29, 1878). In 186.'), Mr. Perkins removed to this township, of which he has been Asses- sor. He has also been Countj- Commissioner. ?- WILLIAM SIIONKWILER was born in Putnam County, Ind., January 28, 1841, and is a son of Daniel and Ruth Slionkwiler. The grandfather of our subject emi- grated many years ago from Germany to Scioto County, Ohio, and in 1833 removed to Putnam County, Ind., and there came to his Ufe's end, aged eighty 3-ears. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, was twice married, and was the parent" of twelVe children — Jacol), Nancy, Simon, Julia, David, Mary, Daniel, Adam. Nathaniel, Christian, Franklin and George. Daniel Shonkwiler "-svas born in Scioto County, Ohio, September, 181.1, and married in Putnam County Ruth Spergin. of Kentucky, who died February, 1S7,S. He subsequently married Mr.-=. Amanda'Thonipson. H'is children were John F., William, Jacol.i, James F., Mary, Daniel and ^Malinda. Will- iam Shonkwiler, our subject, was married in Putnam County, Ind.. November 20, 1863, to Mary A., daughter of William and JIaria Perkins, of saidcounty. born .June 2, 1839. In 186.J, Mr. Shonkwiler removed to Benton County. Ind. He is the par- ent of nine children— Emma, Elmer, Lydia, Estella, Wesley (deceased), William, Mary, George W. and Annie. ABIGAIL SUMNER (widow of Edward C. Sumner, deceased, was born in Hampshu-e County, W. Va., January 23. 1812. She is a daughter of Christopher and Theresa Cooper, who were natives of Virginia, and parentis of live children- Delilah, Sarah, Leah, John, and Abigail, our subject, who was wedded to 3Ir Sum- ner in Pike County, Ohio, September 4, 1832. He was a native of Vermont, born .January 31, 1811; his parents were Henry and JIary Sumner. In 1833. Mr Sumner moved to Fountain County. Ind., and in 1849 to Benton County, where he settled on the farm on which Mrs. Sumner now lives. He died Ausust 2. l.'^83 and was a large land-owner, possessing at the period of his decease about 20 oOo'acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Sumner have had a family of five children— Louisa Jane" Jesse, .lerome and Minerva. HENRY II. TUBES is a native of Oneida County. N. Y.. and was born June 23, 1834. Ills parents were Peter and Theodosia Tubbs. Henry II Tubbs was wedded, February 12, 18.")7, in Jellerson County, Wis., to Badora S'elev and in 1859 he removed to Knox County. Mo., thence to Kane County. 111., and'tiience to Mc- Henry County, 111., where Mrs. Tubbs died in 1861. Mr.'Tubbs was next married to Mary A. Dunn, and m 1871 he removed to this county, where he has since remained. Mr. Tubbs has been the parent of ten children in all By his fir^t wife —Nathan 11. , Lois C. and Theodore B.; by his second wife— WilliAm E Bidora A., Victoria B., Elliy A.. Clara M.. .Tames E. and .lohn R ,c,.J''°,'P-^'^ WILKINSON is a native of Belfast, Ireland, and was born April 19 182.3. He 16 one of the children of George and Sarah Wilkinson, who were also natives of Ireland. The foiiner was born at Jlount Jlilie in I7S0 married at Bel- fast, ami emigrated to Canada, where he and wife died. They had a family of eleven cliildren-JIary E., Jane, Thomas, John, Samuel, Robert Sarah Geo'r.-e l)eb(.rali, and two infanls who died unnamed. Our subject. Robert Wilkinson ^in vou I h learned the trade of blacksmilhiiig, which he followed a number of" years While in Canada, May ,, ms. he marricl .Miss Ann, daunhler of Robert L • n d Ann Drake, and in 1868 moved to Kentland. Ind., and the foUowiu- sprin- to York Township, Benton County. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson have had a family of eb-ht ch 1 undciSR- ■"'■^'■- ^'"'^'"'' ^'- -^'"^■"^' "■ " ■ ^''^'■^' '^- •^""" ^^- ThSnias W. in ^:J^- AYl^^'^^N is a native of Oswego County. N. Y.. where he was born \iiril 15^ 1889. lis father, William P. Wilson, was a son of Samuel Wilson f S:^.' orign who in an early ,lay settled in Chenango County. N. Y andlived there until his death. He was liy occupation a miller, and reared a Iar.-e f a y \ f wl om SIX wc.re sons-Th,unas. Harry, Merritt, James. Benjamin, ami Wi ian ' t lie Vt t of our subject, who married in Oswego County. N. V.. a Miss Lovina S hit an a d RICHLAND TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 393 in 1847 removed to Bureau County, 111., and thence to La Salle Count}-, where he died in 1851, leaving a family of Jane, Emily, Charles D., Parmelia and Sophronia. C. D. Wilson, our subject, was married in La Salle County, 111., November 5, 1858, to Sarah, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Wilson. In 1872, Mr. Wilson removed to this county, and made a home. By the above stated marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wil- son became the parents of eleven children— William P., Henry E., Lovina E., War- ren A., Charles O., Bertie L., Delia, Alfred, Ira, Nettie M. and Stella M. RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. PETER ANDRES, farmer, is a native of France, and a son of Jacob and Mar- garet Andres, also natives of France, where they are quiet in death. Peter Andres, at about the age of seyenteen, in the year 1854, emigrated to the United States, and labored bj' the mouth for about twelve years. While in New Jersey, lie was wedded to Miss Susanna Brass, daughter of Jacob Brass, shoe-maker and farmer. After marriage, Mr. Andres rented land for a year, when he purchased fortj^-three acres; this he sold, and removed to Ohio, where lie rented one year, after which he came to this county and purchased forty acres; this, too, he sold, and bought eighty acres, which constitutes his present home, and is a very good farm. Mr. and Mrs. Andres have seven children — Susanna, Annie, Peter, John, Flora, Antoine and Joseph. JOSEPH ANSTETT is a native of France, whence he came to America at the age of fifteen years. His parents, Bruno and Margaret M. Anstett, were also natives of France; his father was a farmer, and made barrels and staves for the Government. Joseph learned the trade of weaving, but did not follow the same. For ten years he conducted a saw mill in Louisville, Ky., also one on White River, Ind., and in the spring of 1868 located on his present farm of 120 acres, to which, by industry and tact, he has added until he has 240 acres of as line land as can be seen in the township, with good buildings and other improvements. While in Louis- ville, he was married to Miss Marj' E. Fisher, a native of France, which union has been crowned with six children — Catherine, Christopher, Emma, Melvina, Ophelia and Frank N. P. A. BLACK is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Black, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of New York, who were pioneers of Miami County, Ind., whence, in March, 1836, they had a son stolen by the Indians. Our subject remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years old. In 1861, he was married to Josephine Voorhis, a native of Ohio. After his marriage, he farmed on rented land for four years, and then purchased eighty acres of his present home, and has since added forty acres, making a good farm, on which he raises 2,000 bushels of corn per year usually. Mr. and Mrs. Black have seven living children — Dora, Schuyler C., T. V., Frederick, Carrie, Gertrude and Walter. Dora is a graduate of the Institution for the Deaf. B. R. BOICE, physician and surgeon, is a native of Pennsylvania, which State he left for Ohio with his parents when a child. His father was John and his mother Mary Boice, both natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a merchant, and a pioneer in his locality, where he kept a store and cleared a farm. Our subject engaged in the stud}' of medicine with one Dr. Arter, of Salineville, Ohio, and afterward attended lectures at Cleveland, where he graduated about 1860. He began practice at Salineville, Ohio, and after a year removed to Goshen, where he practiced until 1875. He then moved to "Champaign, 111., where he set up a drug store in connection with his practice, which was soon burned. Dr. Boice tlien located at Earl Park, engaging in practice and drug selling, where he is the oldest practitioner. His marriage took place in Columbiana County, Ohio, the bi-ide being Miss Mary J. Croxton, to which union succeeded three children— Martha I., Mary Eleanor and Abram C. Abram C. Boice, son of B. R. Boice, is likewise a physician and surgeon, who studied under his father, and graduated from the Rush Medical College of Chicago in 1880, since which time he has practiced with his father, they being the only pliysicians located at Earl Park. Dr. Boice was married in October, 1881, at Lo.gansport, Ind., to Miss Olive M. Ross, daughter of Hon. N. O. Ross, attorney and solicitor for the Pan Handle Railroad. AVILLIAM BURNS, farmer, is a native of the State of Ohio, and a son of William and Catherine Burns, both natives of Ireland, who emigrated to the United 394 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: States about the year 1850. William passed bis boyhood in labor on the^home^farm, and after reaching manhood was married in La Fayette, Ind., to Miss Mary tr. Mc- Cormick, daughter of Owen McCormick, whose business was farming, iiy ttiris marriage Mr. and Mrs. Burns have four children— John, Charles O., Williani J. and Margaret. After his marriage, Mr, Burns purchased eighty acres of land m Newton County, Ind. ; he also owns one house and four lots in the town of Kentland. RICHARD CARTON, farmer, is a native of Illinois, and a son of James and Ellen Carton, natives of Ireland, and pioneers of Ottawa County, 111., where they located in 1853, and subsequently died. Richard Carton was married, at Vincennes, Ind., to Miss Mattie Parker, daughter of James Parker, a pioneer of this county, where Mrs. Mattie Carton was born. IMr. Carton located on his present home, where he owned 160 acres, in 1873, and to which he afterward added eighty acres, the place now comprising 210 acres of excellent land. ilr. and Mrs. Carton have been blessed with four children— Nellie, Mary, James and Ralph (twins). V.- "^ ANTHONY DEHNER. farmer and County Commissionep, is a native of Ger- many and son of John and Mary A. (Konnane) Dehner. both natives of Germany, who emigrated to America in 1884, and located at Dayton for two years, and thence moved to Carroll County, Ind., where they cleared land known as the "Dehner .settlement," where the elder Mr. Dehner died. Anthony was engaged in the still- ing and saw-milling business for twelve years in Carroll "County, where he was mar- ried, in 1847, to Miss Jane Wolf, daughter of Anthony Wolf, of German descent. Mr, Dehner then began keeping hotel, and managed it four years ; this property be afterward exclianged for 2,640 acres in this county, to which he removed in 1860, and improved in various ways, the farm being now an excellent one. Mr. and Mrs. Dehner have four living children — Joseph, Anthonj', -E-mma and Jolin, all of whom have received careful eclucations. Mr. Dehner was elected Trustee of York Town- ship (afterward divided into York and Richland Townships), and afterward served Richland several terms. In 18T9, he was elected County Commissioner for four years and re-elected in 1882. Joseph dehner, farmer, stock-dealer and Assessor, to which office he was elected in 1878, was born in Carroll County, Ind.. in 1853, and remained with his parents, for whom be worked on the farm, until his majoritv. when he engaged in mercliandising for one year at Earl Park, then for one year at Raub Station, and afterward to farming, on account of ill health. Mr. Dehner was married in this county to Miss Margaret Horney, a native of Dubois, Ind, This marriage was blessed with five children — Carroll, Marv, Emma, Helen and Genevieve. JOHN DONOHOUE, farmer and small stock-dealer, is a son of Laurence and Ellen Donohoue, and a native of Ireland, who came to America when twenty-five years of aue. His parents were also natives of Ireland, emigrated to our country and died in Ohio. John Donolioue was wedded in the State of Ohio to Miss Bridget Gaynor, daughter of Maitliew Gaynor, and a native of Ireland'.**' Mr. Dono- houe moved to Indiana in ISlil. and purchased fiftv acres near Raub Station, in this county ; tliis he sold, and purchased and moved to his present residence, then 137, now 280 acres, all gained by honest toil and earnest industry-, and making a valuable farm. Mr. and Mrs. Donohoue have nine children— Catherine. Laurence, Ellen. Michael, John, Rosie. Mary, jMattliew and Annie. JOHN FLINN. farmer, is a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind., and is a sou of J. and Nora Flinii. both natives of Ireland, (")ur subject is the son of a farmer, and was in youth bovind to one John Carran, of Tippecanoe Countv. in which county he was afterward wedded to Miss Josie Sherry, a native of Tippecanoe Countv. and daugliter of James Sherry. After his marri.ige. Mr. Flinn fanned for some lime in his native county, and about six years ago came to tliis countv and settled on his present liomestead. His average' yield of corn is from o.tKlO to 6,00il bushels; he has usually from twelve to fourteen horses, also from four to six colts. Mr. and Mrs. Fliiin have been blessed with two cbililren — Grace C. and Nellie Gl'IOlit^E W. HENRY, of the firm of Raub. Earl & Henry, grain, lumber, bardware, h.ay and eoal dealers, is a native of Herkimer County. N. Y., and one of Ihe live children of George W. ami Susan C. (Brown) Henry, tlie former a native of New llaniiisbire. the bitter of Pennsylvania. George \V. Ilenrv. Sr.. has the honor of having built the first, railway-ear'useil in the United States, also forty miles of the Alleghany & Portage Railroad, and tbe Chesapeake it Ohio Canal. After- ward, be lost bis sight, and preached and published many religimis works. lie died in Herkimer County, N. Y.. in 1876. aged seventy-six ye'ars. Our subject learned the trade of liook-binding, and assisted his father in the"publisbins; business until 1S61. when be Incnteil at l^a Fayette an wholesale'drv goods trade with Purdue, Brown it Co. for three years; 'later, at Indianapolis, for two years, when he came to this county and engaged in larmimj for ten years. Mr Henry was married, in Clinton Coiuiiy. N. Y.', to Miss Sarah A. Tavlor dau'dilor of R. N. and Amanda Taylor. Mr. and'iMrs. Henry have one child— Vloreuce'A RICHLAND TOWNSHIP— BEXTON COUNTt. 395 J. A. HIXSON was born in Attica, Fountain Coimt.v, Ind.. and is the fifth of nine children of Andrew and Esther (Brady) Hixson, of German descent. Our sub- ject is of the firm of Hixson, Earl * Rauli, which handles upward of 1,0(10 head of cattle annual!}'. The}' deal large!}' in thoroughbred stocli — short-horns, Herefords, etc., for supplying the Western ranches. They have some of the finest stock in the State, some tlioroughlu-eds which cost |1,000 in England; they also raise from 400 to 500 hogs, and from 10,000 to 1.5,000 bushels of corn per year. Mr. Hixson was educated in the schools of Warren County, and in 18.")9 was married to Miss Eliza A. Sherry, a native of Warren County, and daughter of Jacob Sherry of Ohio. To their union followed two children — Iva and Effa. Mr. Hixson was engaged in farming in Warren County until 1863, at which date he moved to his present home. He has a superbly develope II. FULLETON was born April 4, is;!5. in Clinton County, Ohio, and is one of six children lunn to James ami JIary (Kyle) Fnlleton, liotli of Scotch- Irish descent, .lames Fullcl(ni was a native of Pennsylvania. In his vouth. he went to Ohio, where he learned the l)l.'icksinith trade, which he followed for a few years, and .■iflerward engaged in larming. About b84o. he returned to his old home in Peiuisylvania. where he remained two years, then removed to Michigan, where he remained live years, anil thence to La Salle County. 111. Two yearslieforc his dealb. in IH7I!, he went to Iroquois County, 111. Both'he and wife were members of thejNl. K, Chm-eh. David 11. Fnlleton, at an early age, learned the blacksmith's UXION TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 399 trade, but never followed it as a business. He lived with his parents until his ma- jority, and, in 1859, carue to Union Township, Benton Co., Ind., and bought 400 acres of land, from which he has sold 160, and has yet 210 acres well improved. Two years previous to his removal to Indiana, he carried on the business of making corn plows at I'tica. 111., and for three years operated a coal mine in La Salle County. Mr. Fulleton was married, July 29, 18.58, to Mary A. Solomon, a native of West Kent, England, and bj' her is the father of eight children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Fulleton is a Republican, and one of the substantial men of the county. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. JAMES GILMORE, one of the enterprising farmers of the township, was born November 20, 1841, in Ireland, and is one of five children born to Samuel and Mar- garet (Curry) Gilmore, both of Scotch descent. Samuel G-ilmore was a native of Ireland, and followed farming through life, having owned a farm of thirty-four acres, and valued at §2,000. fie died December 31, 186.5. James Gilmore received a practical education, and lived with his father's farailj- until eighteen years of age. when he went to Orleans County. Vt.. and remained there about two years. He next went to La Salle County, 111., and rented and worked farms for seven years, after which he went to Livingston County, and remained there two years. In 1874, he came to I'nion Township, Benton Co.. Ind., where he purchased a farm of eighty acres, to which he has added sixty acres, making a well-improved farm of 140 acres. Mr. Gilmore was united in marriage with Mary J. Stevenson, a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, March 31, 1863, and three children — Samuel J., JohnW. and ilinnie A. — have blessed this union, all of whom are living. A3I0S HAGENBUCH was born March 27, 184.S, in Delaware County, Ind., and was one of thirteen children born to Enoch and Christina (Greenawalt) Hagenbuch, both of German descent. Enoch Hagenbuch was a native of Schuylkill County, Penn., and traced his ancestrj' to one Andrew Hagenbuch. a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born in 1711, who came to this country in 1737, and settled in Pennsyl- vania. "He was a tanner, and had three children, one of whom, Michael, was the grandfather of the above. He was born in 173S, and had seven children, four sons —Christian, Heniy, Jacob and Andrew. Jacob, the father of Enoch, was horn June 13, 1777, and died January 8, 1842. He was married, August 24, 1799, to Mag- dalena Wolf, who died December 22. 1817; they had ten children. Enoch, the father of our subject, being the seventh, was born November 8, 1814, and is still living. By a second marriage, in 1818, to Magdalene Knapper, he had four chil- dren. Enoch Hagenbuch followed farming all'his life. He removed to Ohio, and thence to Pennsylvania in a short time, but soon after went to Delaware County, Ind. In 1852, he removed to La Salle County, 111., where he bought a large farm, and is now living a retired life at Utica. Amos Hagenbuch lived with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age. In 1875, he came to Benton County, Ind. After three years, he returned to La Salle County, and remained until 1880, then came to Union Township. Benton County, to the farm which he had previously ' bought. He now owns 480 acres of well-improved land, with fine buildings. He is a member of Waltham Lodge. No. 384. A. F. & A. M. He was married, February 20, 1873, to Louisa M. Douvia, a native of France, born February 15, 1849, They have four children— Albert H., Amos E., Allen W. and George W. Mr. Hagenbuch is a Republican, one of the extensive farmers of the township and county, and the heaviest taxpayer in I^nion Township. ISAAC HESS is one of five children born to Jonathan and Nancy (Klinefelter) Hess, and was born May 25, 1844, in Lebanon County, Penn. -Jonathan Hess was a native of Pennsylvania," a carpenter and architect, and worked on several buildings in Philadelphia, among which was Independence Hall. In 1848, he moved with his family to La Salle County, 111., where he lived until his death in November, 1852. He seWd in the Penn.S3dvania MiUtia. and he and wife are members of the Church of God. Isaac Hess received a common school education, learned the carpenter's trade, but has followed it little. He lived with his parents until twenty-two years of age, and moved with them to Illinois, where he rented and worked farms for about three years, and thence came to Union Township, Benton County, Ind., which has since been his home. Mr. Hess was married. February 1, 1866, to JIaggie Fowlie, a native of Scotland, and three children— Nancy A., Alice A. and Loy E.— have blessed this union. Mr. Hess is a Republican and one of the progressive men of the township. He owns eighty acres of tinely improved land, and is extensively engaged in stock-raising. .JOHN KAAR, tile manufacturer, is a native of the same State as his father- New Jersey— and is the eldest of two children born to George and Eliza (Sharp) Kaar. The occupation of George Kaar was farming. He became a resident of Will County, 111., in 1853. He and wife are now living a retired life at Princeton, and are members of the Lutheran Church. John Kaar, born February 9, 1845, secured 400 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: a practical education, moved West witli his parents when eight years old, and since the aee of twenty-four has been doing for himself. After his marriage with Emma J. Le^Fevre, March 2, 1869, he rented his father's farm until 1874, when he removed to Benton County, Ind., purchasing a good farm in Union Township, on which he still resides. In 1881, he erected a tile factorv, 18x150 feet, which the next year he enlarged to 84x18.5 feet, with a shed 41 feet square. This he operated until No- vember, 1882, when it was destroyed by fire. The spring of 1883, he erected one of the largest factories in Benton County, if not in the State. It has an engine-room 20x50 feet, with four furnaces capable of producing i?2,u00 worth of tile per month, and is admirably arranged with steam pipes for winter work. Mr. Kaar is a Demo- crat. He and wife arc the parents of five children. .1. PERRY LEMASTERS is a native of Indiana, born December 7, 1850. in Adams County, and is one of the eight children of Cornelius B. and Lucy (Rice) Lemasters. Cornelius B. Lemasters was a native of Carroll Count}', Ohio, born March 12, 1821, and was a farmer. "While a bo}', he moved with his parents to Adams County, Ind., where he remained until 1864. In that year he came to New- ton County and purchased eighty acres near Goodland, which he owned until 1874. This he sold, and rented until 1878, when he came to 132 acres previously purchased in Union Township, from which he has sold fifty-six acres. He was Sheriff of Adams County one term and Deputy several years. " J. Perry Lemasters lived with his parents until he was sixteen. After leaving home, he attended .school at Battle Ground one term, clerked in a hotel at Logausport one summer and was then em- ployed in a hotel in Goodland about two years, since when he has rented and worked farms in Union Township, and has for five years rented a farm in Section 27, owned by D. C. Denniston. He is a member of Fowler Lodge, No. 460. I. O. 0. P., and a Democrat. Mr. Lemasters was married, January 1.5T 1874, to Bell May, of New York, with a result of three children. 3Irs. Lemasters died August 14, 1881. Mr. Lemasters married his present wife, Ida Ladd, a native of Benton Coun- ty, in September, 1882. JAMES MEAD, farmer and old settler, was born in Morris County, N. J., No- vember 3, 1830, and is one of eight children born to Garrett and Nancy (Post) Mead. He learned house carpentering, which he followed five or six years, then went to farming. In 1856, he removed to Chicago, where he remained six months, thence to Ottawa, 111., wliere he remained eleven years, when he came to Union Township, Benton County, Ind., then a wild prairie. He rented a farm for two years, when he bought 160 acres, which he still owns, and in addition rents 160 acres. He managed a corn sheller for about ten years, having shelled over 500,000 bushels of corn during that time, by which he lost two fingers of his right hand. He has held the office of Road Superintendent. April 6, is5ii, he married Samantha Hadley, a native of (3hio. Eight children have blessed this union, seven of whom are living. Jlr. Mead is a Republican and a member of Benton Lodge. No. 521, A., F. & A. M. Garrett Mead, father of James, was a native of Bloommndale "Morris Co., N. J., and while young learned the fuller trade, which he followed several years, after wliich he turned his attention to farming, and continued the same until his death. May 10, 1871. Both he and wife were members of the Presbvterian Church. WILBER F. MEADER, one of the old settlers and enterprisiun- farmers of Union Township, was l)orii August 11, 1834, at Industry, Me,, and is one of the six children of Shubal L. and Abigail (Fallctt) Meader. His father was also a natiVe of Maine and could trace his ancestry to an early period in the history of our coun- try, lie followed farming the greater part of his life, but while in his native State worked a portion of the time in a saw mill. In 1814, he emigrated to Indiana and settled in Dearborn County, where he remained six years,' when he removed to Kankakee Countj', 111 and tor three years kept a toll-bridge at .Aloraence where he died m the spring of ISiiO. He had held various ollices of local trust and he and wife were members of the M, E. Cliurch. Wilbcr F. Meader learned the stone- cutter s trade, but followed it only two or three years, since when he has been engaged in farming. At tlie age of ten, he eame'wilh his parents to Dearborn County, Inc. , anil afterwar.l removed with them to Kankakee County HI 'where he remaiiH'd untin873, wlicii he came to Union Township. Benton Co Ind and bought eighty acres of wild land, and converted it to a high state of cultiva on he lie UNION TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 401 native of Montgomery County, Ind., who followed farming all his life; he owned a farm in his native county, which he sold in the spring of 1861, and the next year moved with his family to Center Township. Benton County; remained four years, and then came to Union Township. Mr. Michael owned this place two years, when he located where he died, which place is now owned by his heirs. He was an enthu- siastic temperance man, and for several years a member of the I. 0. Q. T. Neal D. Michael received a limited education, which he has since improved by his own efEorts. He remained at home until his father's death, when he became the head of the family, and has since managed the farm, where he now lives with one sister and two brothers. Mr. Michael is a Republican, and is one of the progressive young men who have grown up in the township. JOSEPH MOiSTTT, a native of Lower Canada, was born June 17, 1836, and is one of seven children born to Joseph and Isabel (McQaaid) Monty, of French and Scotch descent respectively. Joseph Monty, 8r., was a native of Canada, where he followed farming all bis life, and was a member of the Catholic Church. Joseph Monty, Jr., has made farming his life vocation. In 18.54, he moved to Illinois and remained working on the farm by the month and renting farms until 1860, when he went West, and for one year engaged in driving team from Kansas City to New Mexico and Colorado. He returned to Illinois, where he remained until 1868, then came to Union Township, Benton Co., Ind., and purchased 160 acres of laud where he still resides, and has most highlj' cultivated; he has erected fine buildings, and has one of the best farms in the county. August 1, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Sixty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until discharged from the hospital at Quincy, 111., May 2, 186.5. He participated in the battles of Corinth and the Atlanta campaign, and was wounded before Atlanta July 92, 1864, from which he has never fully recovered. He is a member of G-oodland Lodge, No. 445, A., F. & A. M., and also of Goodland Post, G. A. R. Mr. Monty was married January 39, 1874, to Hilda Bloom, a native of Kankakee Count}^ 111. He is a Republican, and one of the leading farmers of the county. JOHN W. NUTT was born May 5, 1816, in Loudoun County, Va., and is the only child of Joseph and Mary (Wolfcale) Nutt, of Scotch and German descent respectively. At the age of nineteen, his parents died, leaving about $1,000 for his support. For two years he worked on the farm of his uncle, and during this time bought a farm of eighty acres, and soon after married and settled. He made this his home for eighteen years, adding to it. meanwhile, 100 acres. In 1858, he sold it, rented another farm in the same county for four years, and in 1862 came to Union Township, Benton Co., Ind., and bought 520 acres of wild prairie, from which he sold .160 acres, leaving 360 acres of well-improved land, \ipon which he still resides. He was Trustee of Union Township six years, and has the honor of having named the township. Mr. Nutt was married in September, 1839, to Sarah J. McCollough, a native of Montgomery County, Ind , to which union twelve children were born, nine of whom are living. Mr. Nutt is a Republican, and a pioneer of Benton County. His father, Joseph Nutt, was a native of Bucks County, Penn., and fol- lowed farming all his life. While a boy, he moved with his parents to Loudoun County. Va., where he remained until 1830; he then came to Montgomery County, Ind., where he rented land until his death in September, 1835. Mr. Nutt served in the American Army during the whole of the war of 1812, and he and wife were mem- bers of the Society of Friends. WILLIAM B. NUTT was born February 18, 1844, in Montgomery County, Ind., and is one of twelve children born to John W. and Sarah (McCollough) Nutt, who were of German and Scotch descent respectively ; he received an ordinary ed- ucation, and resided with his parents and worked on the farm until he was twenty- five years old. In 1861, he came with the family to Union Township, Benton Co., Ind., to the place now owned by Samuel N. Nutt. For about two years he worked on land rented from his father, but in 1870 bouglit a farm of 160 acres, on which he lives, and devotes the greater part of his attention to stock-raising. Both Mr. Nutt and wife are members of the Christain Church. He was married, December 34. 1875, to Malvina Lipscomb, a native of Virginia. Three children— Oliver I., Boy 0. and Anna F.^-have blessed this union. Mr. Nutt is a Republican, and one of the oldest settlers and most prominent men of the township. WILLIAM ROWE was born July 25, 1803, near Troy, N. Y., and is one of the eleven children of John and Mary (Ruff) Rowe, both of German descent. His father was a native of New York, and learned the liatter's trade at Albany, which he followed until he retired, after which he went to live with a son in New York, and there died in his seventy-seventh year. William Rowe educated himself, and learned coopering, which he followed a few years ; he then gave attention to farm- ing, which he has since followed. In 1836, he moved to Will County, 111., and bought a farm, which he owned until about 1868. This he sold, and came to Union 24 402 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Totvnship, Benton Co., Ind., where he purchased 480 acres, from which he sold 160, and gave to his sons eighty acres each ; he now owns 156 acres of improvea lana, on which he resides ; he is a member of the United Brethren Church, and was mar- ried, November 16, 1827, to Mary A. Teneyck, of New York, and twelve children, ten of whom are living, blessed this union. Mrs. Rowe died Jtily ^b, l»5b. m^. Rowe is a Republican, and a pioneer of the West. Winfield S. Rowe son of the above, was born April 27, 1849, in Rockville, Kankakee Co., 111. ; has followed farm- ing the greater part of his life, and lived with his father to the present time re- moving to Indiana in 1869. He has owned the farms now owned by the heirs of. h. Stevens John Wilkinson and Frank Clark ; he is a member of Goodland Lodge, No 445 A F & A. M., and Goodland Lodge, No. 346, I. O. O. F. He was mar- ried October 1, 1878, to Florence Mann, and by her is the father of three children — Mabel I., Helen W. and Hartley. . ^ WARREN B. ROWLEY is a native of New York ; was born m Eaton, bteu- ben County, March 31, 1845, and is one of eight children born to Philo J. and Abi- gailj. (Brown) Rowley. Philo J. Rowley was a native of Schoharie County, N. Y., born February 5, 1810, and after spending some time in farming in his native State and in Illinois, came to Union Township, this county, and in connection with his son, purchased a farm of 220 acres, on which he lived until his death. December 4, 1880 ; he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Warren B. Rowley re- ceived good educational advantages in youth, and for a time taught school, but has since made his chief business farming ; he emigrated with his parents from New York to Chicago, and came to Union Township in March, 1872, and still resides on the farm purchased b}' himself and father; he gives some attention to stock-raising, and he and wife are members of the Baptist "Church. Mr. Rowley was married, January 8, 1871, to Mary A. Farrel, a native of Albany, N. Y., and "four children — Clara A., Addie E., Nellie E. and Frank I. — have been born to them. Mrs. Row- ley died March 10, 1880. Mr. Rowley was next married, July 2, 1882, to Nettie A. Bruce, a native of Jasper County. EPHRAIM SAYER8 was born March 20, 1835, in Marion County, Ohio, and is one of thirteen children born to William and Charlotte (Martin) Sayers. William Sayers was a native of Virginia, and moved with his parents to Pennsylvania, where he followed farming in connection with wagon-making. After some _vears, during which he married, lie removed to Marion County, Ohio, where he bought a farm and remained about ten years, after which he went to Fountain County. Ind., and remained there and in Montgomerj' County until the spring of 1857. when he came to Union Township, Benton County, Ind., and bought a farm of 880 acres, from which he sold 640 acres. In 1866, he went to Kansas, where he died February 12, 1867. He served in the American Army during the war of 1812. He was a pio- neer of this State and of Ohio, and both iie and wife were members of the 51. E. Church. Ephraim Saj'ers lived with his father's family until his marriage, and re moved with them to Indiana. In 1860, he worked and owned the farm now owned by David Reed, until 1869, when he moved to the 340 acres on which he still re- sides. Both he and wife are members of the U. B. Church, and he was first elected Trustee of Union Township. He was married. October 13, 1859, to Amanda Dawson, a native of Warren Count}-, Ind. Ten children have been born to them, eight of whom are living. Mr. Sayers is a Republican, and one of the old settlers and prominent men of tlie township and count}-. JAMES D. SMYTH, one of the prominent men of Benton County, was born in Ross County. Ohio, December 18. 1842, and is one of six children born to Douglas and Rachel (C'onner) Smyth. Douglas Smyth was a native of Londonderry County, Ireland, and received agood education. At an early age he entered a store asclerk, and for fifty years was engaged in the dry goods trade. In 1832. he removed to Ross County, Oliio, anil went into partner.^hip with Frederick Edwards, in the dry goods business, until 18(12. when be sold his store, went to a farm in Pickaway County, Ohio, and remained four years. After this, having lived again in Ross County, he came to Oxford, Benton County, Ind., where he engaged in merchan- dising, whicli he continued until 1869, wlicn he relumed to Ross Count}-, and re- sided un(il Ids dealli. James D. Smyth has a good, practical education. In youth, lie enlered liis falbci's store as clerk. In I8(i9. be bcught said store, and, in con- nicliwn Avitli .I0I111 Tullis and Isaac .lulian. respectively, continued the business until tM77. In November, 1880. he opened a lioot and shoe store, now occupied by Camvi- bell & (\ibb, which he conducted until February. 1883. when he sold out aiul came 10 LcM'hiel, will re he opened a general dry goods and grocery store, and has an uu- iisually large slock. This is (he finest slore in Ibe township, and Mr. Smyth has just received bis conimissiim as I'ostniaslcr at Loehiel, it being the first post olfice m the lownsbiii. lie was married, October 28, 18(i9, to Melvina E. Boswell, of Ben- ton County. Five children have blessed this union. Mr. Smyth is a Republican. UNION TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 403 ABNER T. STEVENS, farmer, was born April 9, 1834, in Erie County. X. y., and is one of eight children Ijorn to Ansel and Merrllai (Foster) Stevens. Ansel Ste- vens was a native of Vermont, and has been a farmer all his life. At the aiie of sixteen, he moved with his brother to Erie County, N. Y.. where he remained'until 18J4, -when he went to Du Pag-e County, 111., and has since been encased in agri- culture. Abner T. Stevens lived Avith his parents until about twenty-two years of age. and moved with them to Illinois. He there worked on the farm by the month, for eight years, remaining with one man the whole time, and afterward purchased a farm in Irociuois County, III., where he remained five years. In 1871, he came to Union Township, this county, and bought a farm of 160 acres, upon which he still resides. Mr. Stevens is a lie'publicau. and Avas married. October 11, 1861, to Rosella Bovee, a native a Canada, and five children have blessed this union. GEORGE E. STREETER. farmer, is a native of JIcHenry County, 111.; was born November iS. 1848, and is one of the six children of Zeno and ilary (Everett) Streeter. He received a practical education, and lived at home until he was twen- ty-two years of age. InlSTi, he came to Union Towuslrip and bought the farm of ISO acres on which he has since resided. He was married, September 21, 1870, to Miss Minnie Seely, a native of Illinois, and by her is the father of four children- Arthur, Edith, Zeno and Raymond. Zeno Streeter, father of George E., was a na- tive of Massachusetts, and of limited education. He was a wheelwrfght by trade, an occupation which he followed several years, after which he turned his attention to farming. While yet a boy. he moved with his parents to New York, where thev re- mained a short time, and later he went to Chicago, and remained about eight years. He then purchased a farm in Kankakee County, 111., which he owned "until his death. .Tune 14. 1882. Both he and wife were members of the M. E. Church. JOHN ^X. SWAN was born in ilontgomcry County. Ind. , May 28. 1828, and is one of ten children born to Robert and Elizaljeth Swan, of German and Scotch descent respectively. Robert Swan, father of our subject, was a native of South Carolina, born in 1799. During his early life, he followed the profession of teaching, but at the age of eighteen moved to Tennessee; was there married, and remainecl about five years, when he removed to Ohio, and was there two years. About 182.5, he removed to Montgomery County, Ind., where he farmed in the summer and taught school in the winter. In 1838, he went to Iowa, where he is supposed to have been killed by the Indians, as no tidings of him have ever reached his family. lie was Captain of a militia company in the Black Hawk war. At eighteen, John W. Swan began teaching in the district schools, and until 18()8 followed teaching in conhec- tion with farming; since then he has given his entire attention to the latter. In 1856, he came to Union Townsliip, Benton Co., lud.. where he bought 160 acres of land, to which he has since added 400 acres, making a farm of .560 acres of well- improved land. Mr. Swan was married. August 17. 1852. to Ann C. McCollough, a native of Jefferson County. Six children, four of whom are living, have blessed this union. He is a Greenbacker. and he and wife are members of "the Disciples' CTiurch. HENRY TIMMONS was born March 13, 1837, in Ross County, Ohio, and is one of nine children born to .Joseph and Nelly (Bailey) Timmons. When two years of age, he came to Warren County, Ind.. and from the age of thirteen until he was twenty-three worked on the farm b^^ the month. In 1861. he came to Union Town- ship and settled on eighty acres, previouslj' purchased by his father, and to this he has added 120, making a "total of 200 acres of well-improved land. September 11, 1861, Mr. Timmons enlisted in Company G. Tenth Indiana Volunteer Inj fantry. and served until mustered out Septemlier 19. 1864. having participated a Mill Springs and other important engagements. He is a member of Green Hill Lodge. No. 455. A., F. & A. M.. and a Republican, and was Trustee of Union Town- ship tor six years. Mr. Timmons was married November 20, 1866, to Maria Massej', a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind. Eight children have resulted from this union, five of whom are living. Both himself and wife are members of the United Breth- ren Church. Joseph Timmons. father of Henry, was a native of Maryland, and removed to Ross County. Ohio, with his father's family, when two years of age. In early life, he was a surve3'or, and in 1834 moved to Warren County, Ind.. but remained only two years, when he returned to Ross County, Ohio. In 1839, he returned to Warren County. Ind.. renniined until 1852. and thence came to Benton County, Ind., and settled in Gilboa Township. After six j'ears. he returned to War- ren Count}', where he died in November. 1867. He was for vears .Justice of the Peace, for eighteen years an ordained Elder in the United Brethren Church, and was a thorough Biblical scholar. JAMES E. WATT, a native of ''Bonnie Scotland," was born in Aberdeenshire October 33, 1830, and is one of six chililren born to Alexander and Christina (Elms- He) Watt, both natives of Scotland. Alexander Watt was born in 1793, received a 404 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: collegiate education, and graduated from Aberdeen. He was Corporal in a British regiment at Waterloo, Ijut after his return from the army was engaged in tarmmg in connection with a boot, shoe and harness shop. Mr. and Mrs. \V att were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and he died in 1846. James E. AYatt received a practical education, and has followed farming. He lived with his parents until his majority, after which l\e came to Richland County, Ohio, remained one winter, and tlience went to Soutli Bend, made brick for a season, and, at the end of the year, went to La Salle County, 111., where he worked three years by the month. After this, he rented and worked farms for four years, and nine years later came to Union Town.ship this county, soon after going to Kentland and remaining several years. In 1880 he came again to Union Township, wliere he bought a farm of 240 acres, and here he resides. Mr. Watt was married, April 12, 1S59, to Lydia Hagenbuch, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he is the father of fourteen children, eleven of whom are living". The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church. ABRAHAM W. WILLIAMS, a prominent resident of L^nion Township, was born February 7, lKii\ in Licking Countv, Chio. and is one of eight children born to Philip and Nancy J. (Graves/ Willianis, the former of Welsh and the latter of English descent. Philip Williams was a native of Virginia, and learned distilling, whicli he followed several years, after which he gave attention to farming. He died in Licking County, Ohio, in April, 1842. Abraham W. Williams, when sev- enteen 3'ears of age, left home and went to work b.v the month. In 1861, he went to Wayne County. Iowa, and was there engaged in farming until 1866. After the war, he went to Union County, i!)hio. where he remained about four years, being ageiitfor the C, C, C, & I. R.'R.. at Unionville. Laterhe went to Goodland. Xew- ton Co.. Ind., and bought property and remained until 1869, when he came to the farm of 160 acres owned by him in Union Township. Benton County. L"pon this he resides, and has erected a good house. November 14, 1861. he enlisted in Com- pany H. Fifth Kansas Cavaliw; was mustered in at Fort Leavenworth, and served mostly in Arkansas until mustered out December 8, 1869. Mr. Williams and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. lie is also a member of Goodland Post, G. A. R., and a Republican. He was married. March 15, 1865, to Sarah J. Ilawn, of ITnion County, Ohio. Six children have lilessed this union. .lOIIN WOODBURN. farmer, was born xVugust 8, 1848, in Perry County. Penn., and is one of the eleven children of James and Mary (\Vait) Woodburn. of Irish and English descent respectively. James Woodburn was a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer. In 18.53, he emigrated to Miami County. Ind.. where he bought a farm and lived until aliout 1872, wlien he removed to Union Township. Benton County, and purchased a farm of forty acres, where he still resides; he and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John Woodburn received a practical edu- cation, and at the age of si.xteen left his father's famil_v and came to IBenton Coun- ty in 1866, where he worked on farms by the month for four years. After this he bought a farm in Richland Township, which he soon sold, ami afterward purchased tlie one owned by Charles Mcader, after wliieh lie l)ought forty acres in Section 27, In 1881, he purchased 160 acres, eighty of whieli he still owns. Mi'. Woodburn en- listed in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-tirst ludiana Volunteer Infantry. Jan- uaiy 19, 1865, and served until mustered out in September. 1865. He is a Repub- lican and a member of Post No. 25. G. A. R. WILLIAM YANCEY, farmer, was born May 31. 1830. in Tennessee, and is one of twelve children born to Alexander and Elizabeth Yancey, the former of French- Irisji and the latter of Seolcli and Irish descenl. Alexander Yancey was a native of Soutli Carolina, and learned the millwriglit trade, following that until he came to Indiana. At the age of sixteen, he moved to Tennessee, and remained there until 1841, wlien lie removed to Hamilton County. Ind., where he remained until 1858, and then went to Missouri, where he resides. He served in the Union army during the rcliellion. from 1S62 until 1865, and took part in many important battles. Will- iam Yancey followed farming, with the exception of working at the carpenter trade at times, all his life. At the age of ten he removed with'his father'.s family to Hamiltcui County. Ind.. where he remained until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he went to Tippecanoe County, and was there one year. In the sprin'^%f 1859, he came to Benlon County, and located a short distance north of Oxford." In 1871, he removed to Union Township and purchased a farm of 160 acres, upon which he still resides. He has the remarkable experience of running a threshing machine for Iwenty-six falls. Mr. Yancey was married, November 19, 1855, to SLuia Wone- settler, a native of Pennsylvania, and eight children have blessed this union, seven of wliom are living. GILBOA TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 405 GILBOA TOWNSHIP. H. C. BUGBEE is the son of Amos and Sarah (Spalding) Bugbee, and was born in Plainfield, N. H., in 1841. When about twenty-one years of age, be enlisted in the Ninth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, and served until 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C. In 1866. he moved to Bereau County, Dl.; farmed during the summer and taught school during the winter until 1869, when he came to this township and settled on a farm of eighty acres, which he has greatly improved. ' In 1870. he m.arried .Julia A., daughter of William and Delilah (Cox) Daniels, and is now the father of five boj's. In 1880. he was elected Township Trustee by the Republicans, and in 1882 re-elected. Both he and wife are members of tte Baptist Cliurch. I AJX)N^OC\OWGILL. son of Israel and Elizabeth (Donnelly) Cowgill, was born in fe?TWmbia5S~votmty. Ohio. Novemlier '20, 1S40. He came to Warren Count}', Ind.. in 1846, and in 1856 to Pine Townsliip, this county. In 1861, he enlisted in Company D. Tentli Indiana Volunteer Infantr_y, being the second man to enroll in that company. At theToattle of Chickamauga, September 19, 1863, he was shot through both legs, and in 1864 received liis discharge. In 1865, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of William and Malinda (Bucket) Massey, and to this marriage have been born six children, of whom foiu- are living. Mr. Cowgill was elected Sher- iii of Benton County by the Republicans in 18(36. and served two terms. He also moved to Oxford in 1866 and; in 1870, purchased the Tribune, which he conducted until Jidy. 1876; in 1870, also, he was appointed Postmaster at Oxford, which office he resigned in 1872. when a candidate as jointRepresentative for White and Benton Counties, for which office he was beaten bj- Robert Gregory with a ma.i(.rity of only sixty votes in lioth counties. Mr. Cowgill is a Past Grand of Oxford Lodge, No. 169. I. 0. 0. F.. Past Chief Patriarch of Oak Grove Encampment, No. 137, was for many vears connected w-ith the Good Templars of Oxford, and he and wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church. In 1881, he settled on forty acres in this town.ship, and in 1883 his house and library were destroyed bj' tire, entailing upon him a loss of $1,200. PHILLIP V. DOBBINS is a native of White County, Ind.. is the son of Will- iam and Elizabeth (Leatherman) Dobluns. and was Ijorn in 1853. He was reared a farmer, received a fair education in youth, and worked industriously until 1874, when lie married, in his native county. ^liss Sarah Steely, a daughter of Ed- ward and Martha (Brink) Steely, and then moved to this county, where he is still engaged in general farming. He is a Republican in politics, is always active for the success of his partv. and is a thoroiighlv good citizen. JAMES ERASER, son of Donald and Elizabelb (Mcintosh) Eraser, was born in the parish of Blair-Athol. Perthshire, Scotland. September 4, 1813. At the age of about fifteen, he hired out as a farm hand, receiving about 25 cents per day for his latjor for nearly twenty-six years— the highest price paid. In 1854. he came to Canada to superintend a farm for a friend; in 1856, he moved to New York, wiiere he was employed in farming until 1871, when he came to this countj' and settled on eighty acres he had purchased in 1869; he has taken great pains in improving his place" and has a fine orchard of all kinds of fruit. .Tune 211, 1846, he married Sarah Robison, daughter of Donald and .lane (Canipliell) Robison, and to this union luxve been liorn five children, of whom tliree are living — Jane C, who was born in Scot- land in 1847; Daniel, a member of the Fowler bar, who was born in Canada in 1855; and Charles William, who is at home, and was born in New York in b858. Mr. and Mrs. Fraser are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the Blood-Washed Arlnv. and are hiirhly-respected citizens. LUCAS 8. GAHVIN was liorn in Kosciusko County, Ind., October 25, 1836, and is the son of James and Prudence (Powell) Garvin. In 1864, he moved to Jlich- igan, but returned in 1869, and in 1873 came to this township and purchased a farm of 220 acres, known as the Denton Grove Farm, one of the oldest in the county, where he is still carrying on general farming and stock-raising. May 29. 1860, he married Jane Denny, daughter of James and Amy (Jackson) Denny, and to this union have been born five children — four boys and one girl. Mr. and Mrs. Garvin are members of the Baptist Church, and during liis sojourn in Michigan Mr. Garvin was elected Treasurer of Home Township, Montcalm County, whicli position he filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the conimunitv. 406 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: DANIEL HxiUK, sou of Philip and Sarah (Baldwin) Hauk, was born in the town of Venice, Butler Co., Ohio, in 1833. In 1839, he was removed by his parents to Montgomery County. Ind., where he assisted on the home farm until 18.j9, when he married Miss Missouri Tracy, daughter of Bazil and Elizabeth Tracy, and in 1800 came to this township, purchased 120 acres of good land, erected substantial buildings, and began general farming and stock-raising, whicli he still follows. In politics, he is a Democrat, and takes an active part in the public affairs of his town- ship. He aud wife are members of the Church of God. Mr. H. having joined at the age of eighteen, and they are tlie parents of one son and two daughters. WILLIAM HOWARD is a native of England, is tlie son of George and Anna (Curapton) Howard, and was born November 19, 1837. In 1843, he came to New York with his parents, wlio there died when our subject was but thirteen years old. He learned carpentering, and in 18,57 moved to Kendallville. Ind., where he followed his trade until 1870, when he purchssed 160 acres in this county, and a year later moved upon the same; he has sinc'e increased his farm to 240 acres, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, giving special attention to hogs, of which he possesses some choice breeds. He uses steamed food for his stock, saving about 33 per cent in consumption. In 18.58, he married ,?opliia Vereland. a daughter of Rufus and Jane (Moore) Vereland. and is the father of four boys and one girl. In 1880, Mr. Howard had the misfortune to lose his riglit hand in a corn-sheller. but other- wise he enjoys excellent health. He is a Republican, and he and family are among the most respected of Gilboa Township. E A. HUNT was born in Litchlield County, Conn., August 11. 1828, and is the son of Mitchell aud Mary (Kingsbury) Hunt. He received a good education in his youth, and at the age of si.xteeu began to learn tanning and currying, which he followed until 1849, when he went to New Haven, worked on a farm until 18.57, and then moved to Illinois, where he farmed until 1874. when he came to this township, where he owns a good farm of 160 acres, and is engaged in general farming and stock raising. His dwelling and other improvements are first-class, and his two barns are supplied with Church's patent hay elevator and carrier, for which he is the agent in Warren, Benton. .Jasper and Newton Counties. In 1855, he married Lydia A. Hemingway, a resident of New Haven County. Conn. Both are members of the Baptist Churcli, aud are liighlv respected bv their neighbors. The mother of Mr. Hunt died in 1835 and his father'in 1869. ROBERT LITTLE, son of Guy and Jennetta (Dickson) Little, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, March 10, 1817. When about twelve years of age, he began to learn weaving, at wliicli he W(uked imtil 1835. when he came to America, landing in New Ynrk. He passed eight months in Canada, then returued to New York, but shortlj' after moved to Pennsylvania, where, in 1839, he married ,Iaue Brine, a native of the North of Ireland. He engaged in weaving and farming until 1S55, in which year his fattier died in Canada, when lie moved to Illinois, purchased a farm and conducted it until 1S71 : he tlien came to this township, wliere he owns lliO acres of hue land on Section 13, well stocked ami furnished with good buildinirs and all kinds of fruit. He had liorn to liim seven cliildnui — .Taue. born in 1840: Robert, in 1842: James, in 1843: tbiy. in 1S45; Jlary. in 1S47: Anna, in 1.849. and AYilliara Jolin in 1852. and all in Pennsylvania excepting Mary, who was born in New Jersey. Mr. Little is a successful f;u-mer, and stands liigli in the esteem of his fellow- citizens. (JEORtiE j\LVJOR. sou of Thomas aud Catherine (Green) IMajor. was born in Hamillon County, (Miio, Septemlier IS, 1819, and there received his earlier education. In is:;i, his parents removed to Clinton County, Ind., where (George assisted on the home farm until 18()4, when be moved to Jasper County, and tlienee. in 1878, to this county. lU' jiere owns 110 acres imder :\ liigli state of eullivation. Mr. Major being one of |]ie most successful agi iiulturisis in the county. From 1874 to 1882, he serveil as senator I'roni Wliite. I'.i'ntou. Jaspi'r and Newlon Counties, and lie luid also served three years as Commissicmer of Jasjier Countv. In 1883. he was appointed a memlier of the Board of Directors of the Noitluau Indiana State Prison, of which bimnl he is the lU'esidiMit. In 18,50, he married Julia A. Suoddy. a resident of Tippec.inoe County, lud.. and by her is the father of seven children. >Ir. and IMrs. Majin- are im inbers cd' tlie Presliyterian Churcli. aud stand high in the regard of Iboir ,l('i^■llllo^s. WIlddAM II, MA1!(,)LESS, son of James and Maruaretta i^Berry") Marquess. was born in Fountain CcunUy, Ind.. October li. 1841, and was reared a farmer. lu 1875. he came to this township. ]iurchased 273 acres, crecteil a tine house and farm buildings, anil became a successful farmer and larirely interested in stock-raising. In .\ugust, I8(;2. he cnlisU'd in the Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteer lufautrv, but was (liscli,-irged on aeeoiint of ill health In'Jauuary, ISO:!. In August. 18ti5. lie inar- rieil iMary, daiighlcr of Siniiui ;inil Xaticy (Reedl Brown, aud To this union have GILBOA TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 407 been born four boys and two girls. Mr. Marquess is a member of Remington Lodge, No. 351, A. F. & A. M., and of Benton Post, No. 2.5, G. A. R. In 1882, lie received the unanimous vote of his fellow-citizens for the office of Township Assessor. G. G. PLUMMER, son of Philip and Maria (Waters) Plummer, was born in Knox County, Ohio, April 21, 1812. In 1863, he enlisted in the Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was in the Atlanta campaign, with Sherman on his march to the sea, and at the surrender of .Johnston in 186.5. On his return, he prepared him- self for teaching, and in 1868 located in White County, Ind., where he taught until 1881. and then came to this county, where he is engaged in the same vocation. In 1868, he married Phebe A. T. Boulden, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (McClure) Boulden, and to this union have been born four children, of whom two are still liv- ing. Mr. Plummer is a member of the S. R. S. Wolcott Lodge. No. 2, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. .JAMES S. SHIPMAN, son of James and Mary (Wine) Sliipman, was born in Fountain Count}', Ind., April 11, 1836. He first moved to Montgomery County, and six years later to Cass Count}'; in 1849 he went to Iowa and in 18.56 returned to Montgomery 'County; four years later he took up his residence in this township, where he owns forty acres of good land finely improved. He learned carpentering in his younger days and still occasionally worlds at the trade. In 1863, he married Miss M. E. Merrill, of Montgomery County, Ind., and of the children born to him there are four living and two deceased. He has served as Road Commissioner of Gilboa Township, and is a highly respected citizen. SAMUEL STANPIELD. son of John and Catherine (Cox) Stanfield, was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 1S31, and was engaged on the home farm until 1865, when he came to this township and purchased a farm of eighty acres. This farm is highly cultivated and devoted to general crops and to stock-raising. At the house, there is a well 201 feet deep, with a wind pump, that supplies an adundance of wa- ter for the stock and for general purposes. Mr. Stanfield served for one hundred days in the One hundred and Thirty fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. On his re- turn, he was married, in 1870, to Mary H., daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Laugh- lin. Mr. Stanfield takes an active interest in politics and is a highly respected citi- zen. -T^^' "Ti PART IV. HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. BT J. H. BATTLE. FORMATION OF COUNTY. "POURING the session of the Legislature of 1834-35, the question of -»— v' the disposition of unorganized area of the Northwest Territory came up, and after some discussion and investigation, an act was passed form- ing the counties of Jasper, Newton, Pulaski, Starke, Marshall, Fulton, Adams, Wells, Whitley, DeKalb, Noble, Kosciusko, Steuben and Jay, of which the following is in relation to Jasper and Newton : Section 12. That all the territory within the following boundary shall con- stitute a county, to be known by the name of .Jasper ; Beginning at the southeast corner of Section 33, Township 24 north. Range 6 west, thence west to the line of the State of Illinois, thence north with the State line thirty miles, thence east with the line dividing Townships 28 and 29 north, to the northeast corner of Section 4, Township 28 north. Range 6 west, thence south with the section line thirty miles to the place of beginning. Sec. 13. That all the territory within the following boundary shall constitute a county to be known by the name of Newton ; Beginning at the southeast corner of Township 29 north, Range 5 west, thence west to the State line, thence north with the State line thirty miles, thence east with the line dividing Townships 88 and 34 north, to the northeast corner of Township 33, Range 5 west, thence south with the range line thirty miles to the place of beginning. By these boundaries, it will be observed that the original county of Jasper included the whole of Benton County, the present townships of Carpenter, Jordan, and so much of Marion and Newton Townships south of the line dividing Townships 28 and 29 north, together with the town- ships of Grant, Iroquois, Jefferson and Washington, in the present limits of Newton County. Newton County at that tim^e included all of the present counties of Jasper and Newton north of this line, the townships of West Creek, Cedar Creek and Eagle Creek, of Lake County, and Boone and Pleasant Townships of Porter County. In 1836, Porter County was organized, and the year following Lake County, each of which took all the territory north of the Kankakee River. In 1838, Jasper, ■which had been attached to White County, was organized as an independ- ent county, Newton County being attached, for some purposes, to Jasper, 410 HISTORY OF JASPEE COUNTY. and for others, subject to White. In the following year, however, the Legislature passed " An act relative to the location of the county seat of Jasper, and for other purposes," as follows : Section 1. Be it enacted hy the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That George A. Spencer and .Jacob Moyers, of White, and Solomon Hatfield, of Fountain, and Samuel H. Garrison, of Warren, and William Simms, of Tippecanoe Counties be, and the same are, hereby appointed Commissioners, agreeably to an act entitled, "An act fixing the seat of justice in all new counties hereafter laid off." The Commissioners, aforesaid, shall meet at the house of Robert Alexander, of Jas- per County, on the first Monday of June next, and immediately proceed to discharge the duties hereafter assigned them. Sec. 2. And it shall be the duty of the Sheriff of Jasper County, either in per- son or writing, to inform said Commissioners of their appointment on or before the first Monday of Maj' next, and for such services shall be entitled to such compen- sation as the law requires. Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Commissioners, in addition to the duties as- signed them by the act to which this has reference, to examine the counties of Jas- per and Newton, with a view of their being consolidated, and if, after examination, the Commissioners are satisfied that the interests of the two counties would be pro- moted by the union of the same, they are hereby authorized to fix the seat of jus- tice in said enlarged territorj^, taking into view the peculiar situation of said terri- tory in regard to prairie, timber, water-privileges, and the known wishes of the citi- zens of different parts of Jasper County being attached to other counties ; and the seat of justice, if consolidated, shall be called Newton. Sec. 4. If, after examination, the Commissioners shall be of opinion that either county would be injured by the consolidation, they shall proceed to fix the county seat as provided by law, in Jasper Count}'^ agreeably to its present bound aries. Sec. 5. If, after examination, they shall be of opinion that the interests of the two counties would be promoted by the union of the same, from thenceforth the terri tory known by the name of Jasper and Ncwtou Counties shall be known as Jasper County. This act to be in force from and after its passage. Approved January 39, t839. The Commissioners thus appointed found the plan of consolidating the two counties advisable, and accordingly located the coutitv seat at the falls of the Iroquois River, with the name of Newton, thus strikimr the county of that name from the map of the State. In TS40, the county of Benton was formed, taking its territory from Jasper, the latter re- ceiving by way, of compensation thirty sections adjoining the southeast angle, and now principally contained in Milroy Township. In 1859, however, Newton County was revived, though shorn of much of its early dimensions, leaving Jasper in its present shape. Oriiiin of Name. — The names of most of the counties of the State are suggestive of tlie Ilevolution. The period when most of them were designated was so near to those heroic times, that no memorial to the virtues of its heroes seemed so appropriate as the political divisions which owed their existence to their achievements. The name of Jasper is a tribute to that heroic devotion which Americans are glad to lienor in the HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTV. 411 subordinate as well aa in the chieftain. Among the garrison of Fort Moultrie, in Charleston, S. C, Harbor on the 28th of June, 1776, was a Sergeant by the name of Jasper. It was on this day that the British fleet, which had occupied the harbor, opened the attack upon the fort with such a heavy and well-directed fire as to cause the observing patriots on the shore to tremble for the outcome of the conflict. Once during the day, as the smoke from a terrific cannonading cleared away, the flag of the fort was nowhere to be seen. The shot of the fleet had carried it away, and the anxious spectators, with sinking hearts, feared the fort had struck its flag to the foe. But the ensign had not fallen willingly nor unnoticed. In face of the storm of shot and shell that fell upon the garrison, Sergt. Jasper rescued the flag, and in a perfect hail- storm of bullets, nailed it to the broken staff'. At night the fleet quietly left the harbor, with the fort unsubdued. Jasper was made the hero of the occasion, the delighted citizens of Charleston uniting to do him honor. The ladies presented him with a beautiful flag, which he pledged himself to defend with his life, and true to his word he was found later in the war dead upon the field of battle, clinging to his and his country's flag. Such is the hero which this county honors. PHYSICAL FEATCfRES AND GEOLOGY.* Jasper County is just north of the hydrographic basin of the Wabash. The southwestern half is a gently rolling prairie of black loamy soil. In the northern and northeastern portions, the soil is sandy, with oak open- ings and slashy prairies interspersed with sandy knolls and ridges, and is in a wild state of nature, scarcely disturbed by the hand of man. The whole country is underlaid by beds of bowlder drift, which varies in depth from twenty feet in the valley of the Iroquois Rive-r to nearly two hundred feet at some of the higher ridges. The rocky exposures of this county are wholly of the Devonian and Silurian ages. Considerable fragments of black slate and small bits of coal are met with in digging wells in the bowlder clays, which indicate that the subcarboniferous sandstone, and possibly the outline of the car- boniferous age, at one time, extended beyond this county to the north, but were eroded during the great ice flow from the northwest. The fol- lowing connected section made from observations of isolated localties will serve to give a general idea of the rocks of this county : Soil and loam, 2 to 5 feet ; bowlder drift, 20 to 200 feet ; " Waverly " or Knob sandstone, 15 feet; Louisville-Delphi black slate, 62 feet; coarse, white sand rock (local), to 15 feet; Devonian limestone, 2 to 5 feet; Silurian limestone (exposed), 8 feet; Silurian limestone, porous, with cav- ities filled with petroleum and gas (inbore), 855; total, 1,162. • Compiled from the State Beport ot 1872. 412 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. The highest rocks in the geological series occur near the southern boundary of the county, a short distance north of Remington. They are an argillaceous sandstone, having an exposure of about twelve feet in Jordan's Grove, on Carpenter's Creek. It is the lower division of the Waverly or Kent sandstone, sometimes considered a member of the Devo- nian ; it is better known as the sub-conglomerate sandstone. In former years, this stone was quarried for local use in foundations, but is not now in work. At the only exposure, it was irregularly bedded, and from the fragments visible would not compare favorably with other stone in the the county. A short distance further north, on Carpenter's Creek, the Louisville-Delphi black slate is seen in the bluif underlying the above- mentioned sandstone. The exposure measures twenty-three feet, is slightly glazed with bituminous matter, and the odor of petroleum is per- ceptible. During the oil excitement a bore was here put down, and the slate was found to extend forty feet below the surface, making the total thickness sixty-three feet. It is probable that the erosive force of the bowlder drift had thinned this bed not less than thirty feet. About four miles west, at Allen's quarry, on a branch of Carpenter's Creek, a thin bed of limestone has been extensively worked for building purposes. Several dwelling houses and barns of this material give a pleasing variety to the architecture. The stone seems to weather well. At Rensselaer, the Iroquois River flows over a bed of limestone. A few corals and other fragmentary fossils show that it belongs to the Upper Silurian age. This limestone is here cherty, and neither fit for burning into lime nor for building purposes. A short distance below the town it is purer, and has been burned to lime to supply the local market. Above the town, near the old mill dam, thin beds of limestone of the Devonian age are seen in the low banks of the river. This bed is the onlv rocky exposure seen on the Iroquois in Jasper County. It is an original ridge of deposit, having a line of strike from north-northeast to south- southeast, and from surface indications veering to the northeast a few miles north from Rensselaer. A new exposure in the western part of the town still records the mighty effects of the great ice flow which resulted in the bowlder drift. The surface is rutted and polished, while the scratches show that the direction of the current was a little west of south. Three miles southeast of the town is the Phillip's sand rock quarry. It is a coarse grit, containing a few pebbles, and is very similar to the con- glomerate sand rock. It has been used for building and other purposes at Rensselaer with good results. Being in a considerable degree fire as well as weather proof, it is an important part of the material resources of the county. A reliable bed of gravel, of about twenty-five acres in area, is located HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 413 on Section 16, Township 29 north, Range 6 west, a few miles north of the town, and another bed of about two acres was seen on the opposite side of the creek. These, together with the abundant limestones about the county seat, aiford ample facilities for the construction of gravel roads. ECONOMICAL GEOLOGY. Bog ores of iron are abundant in the northern part of the county. The area of deposit, after careful examination, is estimated as follows: Township 30 north. Range 7, 700 acres; Township 30 north, Range 6, 500 acres; Township 30 north, Range 5, 500 acres; Township 31 north, Range 6, 1,500 acres; Township 31 north. Range 7, 500 acres; Town- ship 32 north. Range 5, 1,000 acres ; Township 32 north. Range 6, 500 acres; Township 32 north. Range 7, 500 acres. Many other beds of smaller area are known to exist. These ores are collected in a soluble state by the waters of sloughs and ponds, in the center or lower pai-t of which they are found in comparatively pure layers, deposited as the waters are evaporated in dry seasons. The beds are generally from one to two and a half feet below the surface of the ground, and from five to six inches thick, though it is reported, in some places, to be two to two and a half feet thick. In 1870, 1,600 tons of this ore, taken partly from Jasper and partly from Starke County, were shipped from San Pierre Station, on the Louisville, New Albany & Chi- cago Railroad. The ore was taken to the Planet Furnace in Clay County, but the high rate of freight imposed by the railroad caused the business to be abandoned. The ore is pure, and makes, by admixture with the rich ores of Lake Superior, a very desirable quality of metal ; and with practicable freights large quantities of the ore would be in demand. A number of mineral springs are found near Rensselaer, the waters of which experience has determined to be highly medicinal. Among them are some white sulphur springs, which, in a malarious climate are worthy of attention. Half a mile east of the county seat, a well that was bored to the depth of 800 feet discharges a large volume of sulphu- reted water. This well is supplied from a crevice about 180 feet below the surface. Another well in the corner of the court house yard, that was bored with a "diamond drill," furnishes a supply of water near the surface. It has long been known that Jasper County affords abundant evi- dences of the presence of petroleum. In the geological map of Indiana, published by Dr. Brown, former State Geologist, this county was included in a small area marked "the oil region." At low water, oil oozes from crevices and partings in the limestone rocks at Rensselaer ; and from a well sunk to the depth of fifteen feet in this rock, several gallons of 414 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. oil were obtained, and large lumps of bitumen (desiccated petroleum) were found in the excavations made for the railroad track a few miles east of town, some of which were hardened into asphaltum. These evidences of its presence induced search for the oil, and several bores were put down. The bores at the county seat determined the existence of a bed of porous lime rock from eighteen to thirty feet thick, just below the thin bedded limestone which underlies the black slate. None of these wells yielded any appreciable quantity of oil, and it is not probable that a paying quantity will be obtained, as the fluid is so diffused in the small pores of the rock as to render its collection very difficult. Small quantities of in- flammable gas escape from each of these bores, and also from many natural fissures. MATERIAL RESOURCES. The divide which separates the Kankakee and Iroquois Rivers, is a succession of low ridges of pure yellow or white sand, interspersed with swampy valleys from one hundred to four hundred yards in width, indi- cating ancient river channels. These numerous river beds show the ex- tent of the region traversed by the Kankakee and Iroquois rivers before finding a fixed channel, when "old Lake Kankakee" was first drained off. The soil in these valleys is peaty, and of no very great depth, and is underlaid by a deposit of white sand. A narrow strip of deep, rich, alluvial soil, from one to two miles in width, along the southern margin of the Kankakee, is well timbered and highly productive. Groves and skirts of timber are found along the water-courses, which have been found sufficient to supply the demand for all purposes. This timber con- sists principally of white oak and hickory, and on fair soil, burr oak. CHANGES IN TOPOGRAPHY. Cultivation has wrought marked changes in this country during the fifty years which the white man has possessed the land. What appeared to the early settlers a dead level expanse of prairie and swamp, is now a pleasant rolling area of thrifty farms. This transformation has been brought about not by physical changes, but by the natural effects of the farmer's occupation. The open land was originally covered with a rank growth of prairie grass ; on the high lands the grass did not reach its normal height, while on the lower lands its growth was of astonishini^ proportions, frequently reaching a height which would hide a man on horseback, and thus would tend to create the illusion of a perfectly level plain. In the timber lands the change has been still more marked. The dense t'ol•c^^ts of young growth, underbrush aad saplings, did not exist fifty years ago. Then the timber, save along the rivers, was marked onlv by scattered oaks and hickories, which favoring localities preserved HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 415 from the annual fires that swept the prairies. These were started by ac- cident from the fires of hunters, or by the Indians, for the purpose of keeping the timber in check, and clearing the country of the rank grass stubble. These fires that kept the beautiful panorama of prairie unob- structed, were the most to be dreaded of all the early contingencies with which settlers had to deal. Those only who have been awakened at the dead hour of the night by the lurid light of the approaching flames can appreciate the horror connected with such an event. The feeling of utter helplessness, in face of the unequal combat ; the wall of fire, from ten to fifty feet in height, advancing with the speed of a race-horse ; the winged denizens of the prairie flying afirighted and screaming before its approach ; the maddened rush of the deer, wolves and other animals, for- getting all other fear in the presence of this overshadowing calamity ; the terrible grandeur of its irresistible advance ; the suflbcation and heat of its presence ; the charred and blackened waste which marked its fateful course ; the bewilderment of the isolated family grouped on the only bare spot that off"ered safety ; all this cannot be imagined, it must be felt to be appreciated. The excitement of its approach, passage and retreat, followed by the contemplation of the smoking ruins of a house and im- provements which cost months of toil, or of a crop that was the only hope of sustenance during the approaching winter, burns upon the brain of an interested spectator, a sight never to be forgotten, and one the farmer took pains never to see repeated. PRAIEIE FIRES. From the time the grass would burn, which was soon after the first frost, usually about the 1st of October, till the surrounding prairie was all burnt over, or, if not all burnt, till the green grass in the spring had grown sufiicient to prevent the rapid progress .of the fire, the early set- tlers were continually on the watch, and as they usually expressed the idea, "slept with one eye open." When the ground was covered with snow, or during rainy weather, the apprehension was quieted, and both eyes could be safely closed. A statute law forbade setting the prairie on fire, and one doing so was subject to penalty, and liable to an action of tres- pass, for the damage accruing ; but convictions were seldom efi'ected, as proof was difiicult to obtain, though there were frequent fires. Those started on the leeward side of an improvement, while dangerous to prop- erty to the leeivard, were not so to property to the windward, as fire progressing against the wind is easily extinguished, and the temptation to start one of these fires for some trivial purpose was often quite irresisti- ble. Various means were resorted to for protection. A common one was 416 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. to plow several furrows around a strip, several rods wide, outside the im- provements, and then burn out the inside of this strip, or to wait until the prairie was on fire and then set fire outside of this furrowing, reserv- ing the inner strip for a late burn, i. e., until the following summer, and in July burn both old grass and new. The grass would start afresh imme- diately, and the cattle would feed it close in preference to the older grass, so that the fire would not pass over it in the following autumn. This process repeated would soon, or in a few years, run out the prairie grass, which in time would be replaced by blue-grass, which will not burn to any serious extent. But all this took time and labor, and the crowd of business on the hands of a new settler, of which a novice has no conception, would prevent him doing what would now seem a small matter ; and even when accomplished, all such precautions often proved futile. A prairie fire driven by a high wind would often leap such bar- riers and seem to put human effort at defiance. A prairie fire when first started, goes straight forward with a veloc- ity proportioned to the force of the wind, widening as it goes, but the center keeping ahead ; it spreads sideways, but burning laterally, it makes but comparatively slow progress, and if the wind is moderate and steady, this spreading fire is not difiicult to manage ; but if the wind veers a point or two, first one way and then the other, it sends this side fire beyond control. The head fire in dry grass and a head wind is a fearful thing, and pretty sure to have its own way unless there is some defensible point to meet it. A contest with such a fire requires such skill and tact as can be learned only by experience, and a neighborhood of settlers called out by such an exigency at once put themselves under the direction of the oldest and most experienced of their number, and go to work with the alacrity and energy of men defending their homes and property from destruction. The usual way of meeting advancing fires was to begin the defense where the head of the fire would strike, which was calculated by the smoke and ashes brought by the wind along in advance of fire. A road, cattle-path, or furrow is of great value at such a place ; if there was no such, a strip of the grass was wetted down if water could be procured, which was, however, a rather scarce article at the time of the annual fire. On the side, nearest the coming fire, of such a road or path, the i^rass is set on fire, which burns slowly against the wind until it meets the coming conflagration, which latter stops, of course, for want of fuel, provided there has been sufficient time to burn over a strip that cannot be leaped by the head fire as it comes in. This is called " back-firing ; " but in this .method, great care must be exercised to prevent the fire gettin>^' over the furrow or path, or whatever is used as the base of operations. If it .'ets in '..,^, HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 419 the rear of this and once under way, there is no remedy but to fall back to a more defensible position. The head of the fire successfully checked, the force of fire-fighters divide, part going to the right and part to the left, and the back-firing continues to meet the side fires as they come up. This must be continues until the fire is checked along the entire front of the premises endangered, and the sides secured. Various implements were used to put out a side or back fire, or even the head of a fire in a moderate wind. A fence board, four to six feet long, with one end shaved down for a handle, was very eifective when struck flat upon the narrow strip of fire. A bundle of hazel brush, a spade or shovel were often used with effect. The women frequently lent their aid, and dextrously wielded the mop, which, when thoroughly wet, proved a very efiicient weapon, especially in extuinguishing a fire in the fence. When the fire overcame all opposition, and seemed bound to sweep over the settlement, a fear of personal loss would paralyze for the moment every faculty, and as soon as the danger seemed imminent, united efFort ceased, and each one hastened to defend his own as best he could. It is due to historical truth to say that actual losses were much less than might have been expected, though frequently quite severe. The physical efforts made in extinguishing a dangerous fire, and protecting one's home from this devouring element, were of the most trying nature, not unfre- quently resulting fatally. The premises about the residence and yards being trampled down by the family and domestic animals, after a year or two became tolerably safe from fire, but the fences, corn and stubble fields were often attacked. When the open land was all fenced and under cultivation, so that these fires were a thing of the past, the residents of prairie were happily re- leased from the constant apprehension which for years had disturbed their peace by night and caused anxiety by day, though the early settlers still retain vivid recollections of the grand illuminations nightly exhibited in dry weather, from early fall to late spring, by numberless prairie fires. The whole horizon would be lighted up around its entire circuit. A heavy fire six or seven miles away would afford sufficient light in a dark night to enable one to read fine print. When a fire had passed through the prairie, leaving the long lines of side fires like two armies facing each other, the sight at night was sublime ; and if one's premises were securely protected, and he could enjoy the exhibition without apprehen- sion, it was a sight well worth going far to see. AGEICULTUEE. Jasper County is still too new, its soil too little exhausted, to encour- age or feel the necessity of a regular system of agriculture. Though con- 25 420 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. sisting of what may be called a prairie country, it is supplied with suiEcient timber for fuel and other purposes, and while much of this is small or of " scrubby" character, it has increased in quantity since the prairie fires have ceased to run, and is rapidly growing into timber valu- able for manufacturing purposes. Wood is still the principal fuel used in the county, and as the natural advantages for manufactures are not large, it is likely to be used as fuel for years to come. The chief products are corn, oats, barley, wheat, and the usual varieties of vegetables found in this range of climate. Wheat was in early years sown upon the first plowing of the sod, and bore good crops, but of late years this practice has not been found successful. Wheat is not found so well adapted to the soil as to form a staple crop in recent years, and while it is still sown to a considerable extend it is not the crop upon which the farmers place most dependence. Corn and oats are the principal crops upon which reliance is had as a source of revenue, and much of this is sold for exportation, though a large quantity of either is fed to stock with profit. No attempts have yet been made to enrich the soil with commercial fertilizers, nor is the ordinary accumulations of the barn yard applied with scrupulous care. Some parts of the sand lands of the county are found to grow clover successfully, and some are turning this under to crive strength to naturally weak soil, but all these efforts can hardly be said to be expended in a systematic way by the farmers in general. There are evidences, however, that the attention of farmers is being aroused to this matter, and that a few years will show a marked improvement in this direction. Chinese sugar-cane or Sorghum has been extensively experi- mented with, and some tobacco grown, but they cannot be classeil amono- the permanent products of the county. All classes of stock are found here, but horses and cattle predominate, as the wide ranges of prairie-grazing are best adapted to raise them with profit. A writer in the Rensselaer Grazette of 1S5S and 1851:1 discusser the subject as follows : " As a grazing county, we scarcely have an equal, and cannot be easily surpassed. Grass grows here in rich abundance, and truly, cattle are made to ' lie down in green pastures.' This fact is well known to many cattle raisers, who are in the habit of bringini-r their cattle two or three days' drive every spring, that they may luxuriate on our rich pasture, and drink of our cooling streams. Some of the finest cattle that go from grass to market go from this county. LIVE STOCK. " Beef cattle hnve commanded the attention and capital of farmers to a greater extent than any other stock in this branch of rural labor. Horses swine, sheep and asses have eacli occupied more or less time, but more capital has been devoted to cattle than to either of the others. HISTORY OP JASPER COUNTY. 421 "Dairies, except with a very few farmers, have been a seconilary object. Butter-making has not been made a serious branch of business. No attention has been paid to it, except by families for private use, or to supply the limited trade with the villages of the county, and even this has been very inconsiderable, because almost every villager keeps a cow during the summer season. " There has not yet been any general system of cattle-raising adopted from deliberate or scientific trial, by farmers of this county. Each indi- vidual has acted upon the scheme suggested by his own judgment or fancy, or such as the state of improvement or the natural features of his own particular location has afforded, or his own particular case has dictated. " Numerous breeds of cattle have been raised in this county. Herds have been purchased abroad and raised and fatted here. But little or no attention has been given to the fineness or firmness of the texture of the beef, the color of the flesh, or the odor or flavor of the meat, or the pe- culiar frame of the animal, but that breed would undoubtedly receive the preference which will attain the greatest weight of carcass in the shortest time, and with the least labor, and, what is of not less importance, thev should be of a hardy variety, able to stand the greatest degree of cold and extreme exposure in winter on inferior food, without shelter. "In selling, the practice has been to sell for so much per hundred pounds, live weight. Drovers have offered so much per hundred and raisers have accepted the bid, and driven their cattle from the grass on to the scales, or themselves taken them to market where the same or similar result was achieved. " A few only have packed the beef of their own raising or even of their own fattening, and where any have had it packed on their own account, it has generally been done at some larger towns out of the county, at La Fayette, Chicago, or some other city, the butcher furnishing barrels, salt, cutting the meat, and packing it, for the hide, head, shanks and tallow as payment. In this case the drover must, of course, await the action of the market before be can realize. In some instances, advances are made by the consignees, but whatever have been the final arrange- ments of drovers and packers, cattle have always commanded cash in hand to the growers and fatteners, though there has been but little com- petition among buyers, drovers generally giving their own prices. " The general practice in raising cattle has been either to keep breeding cows, and let the calves run with them on the open prairie in summer, throwing the herd a handful of salt once or twice a week, and taking care, either by an employed herdsman or by occasional super- vision, that they do not wander too far from the proper range. This is 422 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. the only expense during seven and a half months in the year, from the middle of April to December. " A very few, if any, calves are ever slaughtered in Jasper County for their veal. Those who do not wish to winter their calves find a market among their neighbors in the fall, at from $i to $6 per head. After the grass of the prairies has been killed down by the frosts of autumn, the calves are generally separated from the larger cattle, and kept up in an inclosure, in some part of which is an open shed, built of logs or 1 ails, and covered with a pile of straw or coating of prairie hay, and there fed on prairie hay, with a small daily allowance of ears of Indian corn or meal. Some keep them on corn fodder, which has been cut and shocked up in the fall, or turn them into stock-fields ; that is, fields where the ears of corn have been gathered, and the stalks left standing, or more recently, since tame grasses have been cultivated, feed them on timothy, blue-grass or clover, during a portion of the winter. " In some cases, calves are exposed throughout the winter to all changes of weather, with no other shelter besides what is aiforded by a clump of brush or glade of timber. It is not surprising that with such neglect, many calves perish and die before the end of the first winter. Others that survive get on the 'lift,' or have the 'hollow-horn,' or 'wolf,' or some other disease, the result of starvation and exposure. Very few if any calves in this county are ever kept in a thriving condition, much less in a fat condition, during the first winter they are kept. But as soon as spring opens they are again turned out upon the prairies. Here, in a few weeks, the whole appearance is changed. The old hair falls off, and is replaced by a new and smooth coat. In a short time they become fat, and before the ensuing fall they usually attain the size of two-year- old stock that is raised on timbered lands. In this condition thev are brought to another winter, in which they fare no better than durino- the first. They are now kept without shelter, many of them without o-rain, and fed on bay, which costs about $1.50 per ton in the stack. It is seldom that any of them die during the second winter, althouo-h it would appear strange to a New England fanner that any of them should live through. Heifers with calf at this age — and most of them come in at two years old — need some grain to do well, especially when they come in early, but steers and other stock, if they have only enouofh coarse feed got through without difficulty. Early in the succeeding summer and fall the two-year-olds are ready for market. " The average value of such cattle, during the last four or five years has been from $15 to $17 a head in the spring, and from $2.75 to $3 per cwt., live weight, in the summer and tall. Nothwithstandin^^ the loss of some calves and some older cattle, the last two hard winters, stock- HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 4-23 raising has been considered profitable, and some have realized hand- some fortunes from it." HORSES. From the same writer we take the following on the subject of horses : " With horses, as with everything else, the middling good, toler- ably cheap, every-day-article, is of more general usefulness than any others. If they are very inferior, whether vicious, unsafe, balky or tender, their services will not pay for their keeping. If a horse is exoensive or high- priced, few can afford to invest their capital in him. A large majority of people have all they can do to live comfortably from year to year. We cannot afford to try experiments, or risk our means in uncertain enter- prises. We know that the dearest horses are not the most useful to us ; that, incur circumstances, fancy horses and fast horses are not what we most need. We have three purposes for which we want horses, i. e., for draught, for travel and for sale. " First. We want horses to assist in plowing our lands and raising produce; to take our grain to mill and market; to haul our wood, and to take our families to worship on Sunday. This is our common business. For this we do not need fast horses, but compact, well-built horses that possess the powers of endurance ; horses that will keep in good working condition in winter on hay and a moderate share of grain, with indifferent shelter. ''Second. We need horses for herding on the open prairies. Here we need an occasional test of speed, although not great nor long contin- ued, for it does not demand a horse of extra dispatch or bottom to outrun a cow or ox. " Third, for sale. Several farmers have entered pretty extensively into this branch of grazing, and some have made money at the business. There has been a steady home market for common draught horses at good prices, and a foreign market at great prices for horses of extra quality. " Our colts are mostly bred from mai-es that are occasionally worked throughout the year, and pastured on the prairie in the summer. On the approach of winter, the colts are weaned, fed some grain with straw or hay, and sheltered during the hardest weather, and have no other care. They usually look pretty thin and squalid toward spring. They are gen- erally ' broken ' in the second or third year, and by the fourth year are put to hard service. Good geldings then bring from $100 to $125. A few horses of extra quality have sold for fancy prices. The care bestowed on colts is but little more than that devoted rearing calves, and at four years of age the ox may be worth $40, while a colt at the same age rates at $100. Why has not more capital been invested in this busi- ness? Not over one-half, probably not over one-third, annually, of 424 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. the brood mares in the county have colts. Not half the farmers who keep mares ever raise a colt. " One reason is directed against the business itself, i. e., that the busi- ness opens the door to dissipation, and while it pays well, it is subject to many excitements and tempts to great risks. "Another reason is, men who have made a moderate income by rais- ing a few common colts annually, have been too often led to try the fancy breeds, by which they have changed the character of their asso- ciates, fallen under the influence of blacklegs and sharpers, run into idle- ness, betting, racing and gambling, and in the end lost both their char- acter and property. Men judge that a business liable to such results IS not safe, and shun it. " Another reason is, there is personal danger in it. Many careful men neither wish to break colts nor have they sons to do it. They there- f)re raise only just what is needed for their own service; and as' a span of horses will last for from seven to nine years, after they have come to a working age, their wants do not require continued attention to the busi- ness, and they decline it. " There is another objection that influences some. Horses, like other stock, are liable to die, and careful farmers do not care to risk so much value in a single animal. It is necessary to keep them in good condition throughout the year, to insure their profitable sale when the market favors their disposal, and this involves a considerable expense generally over- looked in making a computation of the expenses of the business. "But the principal objection to breeding blooded stock of this de- scription is that the business requires more capital than the ordinary farmer is able to invest until the profits can be realized. To be success- ful, the breeder needs good stalls, tame pastures, good fences and plenty of help to give the stock all necessary, care. With all these accessories, the event is at best uncertain. Not one colt in a hundred will brine an extraordinary price. Horses noted for beauty, force or speed, have not always reproduced their like, and even wlien they do the owner of the colt, unless prepared to expend a costly school of training upon it, is likely to discover the fact only after it has passed from his possession. " We have in Jasper County the names of all the noted horses in the land, and the names of all the breeds : but we have neither the stock nor the means at present of producing it, and while we frequently find valu- able horses, both under the saddle and harnessed to the plow, we have nevei' yet seen here a first-cla.ss horse." This review of the stock of the county is substantially correct for the present d:i,te. More recent years have wrought some changes affect- ing general grazing interests ; the public hinds have been alKsorbed by HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 425 purchasers, and some facilities have been added that were not practical a score of years ago. There is more interest manifested of late in improved stock of all kinds, a few persons paying particular attention to swine and poultry, as well as cattle and horses. This is probably due to a sort of mania, that has become almost epidemic, rather than to any natural de- mand in circumstances or advantages of the county. The admirable reports of Horace E. James, the Secretary of the Agri- cultural Society at Rensselaer, give a concise and accurate survey of the present state of agriculture in the county. In his report of 1879, he says: "Last winter was favorable to the growth of fall-sown wheat; the spring helped its development ; insects did not ravage it, nor summer storms do it damage, and at harvest time a good, well-matured crop was found, which was saved in fine condition. Generally, however, wheat has not been a reliable crop in this locality. The soil does not seem to be favorable to its growth. But possibly the topography of the county is really the greatest obstacle to overcome. A large part of the country is prairie, nearly level, with great capacity for supporting water. What little snow falls, does not rest quietly where it settles, but is blown about by the winds, which have almost unbroken sweep. This leaves the wheat plants at the mercy of the thawing, freezing and heaving-out process of February and March. Systematic draining, by means of open ditches and of tile, and liberal coatings of coarse manure, applied before the mid- dle of February, may solve the problem of successful wheat culture upon light and loamy soils and flat surfaces, such as are to be seen with us. At least those farmers who have experimented in this direction are greatly encouraged by the results' that have invariably followed such treatment The wheat crop of Jasper County in 1879 is estimated at double that of any former year, being more than enough to supply the home demand. '• Small fruits, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, are not ex- tensively cultivated, although both soil and climate are favorable; grapes do well with us, the commoner kinds being hardy and yielding sure crops of good fruit. Producers are only beginning to cultivate them as they merit. Vines bore abundantly this year. " Some varieties of pear may be grown with moderate returns only. Peaches and quinces winter-kill badly. Plums suffer too much from the ravages of the curculio ever to be popular. Apples do well usually. The exhibition of this fruit at our fair this season was remarkably fine. The perfection of specimens equaled any that were shown at the State Fair. " Quite an interest has developed in Jasper County within a year or two in the breeding of poultry. An association had been organized, and several gentlemen lay claim to the title of amateur fowl-fanciers. " Ours is emphatically a cattle and hog producing district, and prob- 426 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. ably more attention has been paid to the improvement of these classes of live stock than to any of the other branches of husbandry. The great desire has been to produce beef to the neglect of milkers, hence short- horn breeders have been favorites with cattle-raisers. Recently a few Jerseys have been introduced, but thus far have not been looked upon with that degree of favor which is calculated to increase the enthusiasm of those who have invested their money in them for the purpose of breed- ing. "Large herds (report of 1881) of cattle are less frequently met than in earlier days. I do not mean that fewer cattle are bred and fed here, but they are scattered around more generally, not kept together in large bunches, as in the days before the county was so thickly inhabited, and before so much of the land was inclosed by fences. The breed has been greatly improved by separation, better care, better feed, and the introduc- tion of improved blood. The improvement has, however, been altogether in the direction of beef-making. There are few, if any, good milkers or butter producers to be found in our pastures. ''In no former year was there so much good hay, both cultivated and wild, put into stock. Tons by the thousand were not even moistened by dew. It has commanded satisfactory prices. Next to corn and not much behind, either, is the hay in importance with us. Much of it is fed on the ground, but there is also an important industry in baling and shipping it, which has sprung up within a few years. " After cattle, hay and corn, come hogs in point of importance. Our breeds are Berkshire, Poland-China and Jersey Red, with a decided pref- erence for the first named, either pure breed, crossed or common grade. "Sheep hold a modest position. No large flocks are kept, but many farmers own from a dozen to thirty or fifty. The long-wool breeds and their crosses with the natives are the favorites. There are occasional thoroughbred animals, but the object seems to be to grow mutton rather than wool. " Our horses are ehietly what may be called general-purpose animals. The introduction of the Norman and the Clydesdale breeds has m;ide the stock on many farms much more serviceable and marketable than pre- vious to their advent. The quarter crosses of tliese large breeds upon scrubs are excellent horses for general purposes. There are, however, a few flyers owned in the county, some of which are known to the race courses of three or four States, and boast genealogies recorded in the stud book, but no breeding is done for the special object of speed. " A decided change for the better is perceivable eacli succeedini; voar in the method which farmers employ for the tilling of the soil and the cultivation of crops. The land is better and more svstematically worked HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 427 than formerly. There is a manifest desire to learn and adopt improve- ments. There is a growing taste for literature treating upon farm topics. In brief, there seems to be more mind-work combined with hand-work. Several tile factories are finding employment in the solution of the problem of systematic draining. A butter factory or creamery of the capacity of 1,000 pounds of butter daily has lately been built at the county seat, which is doing a good paying business, while opening up a new field to the vision of stock breeders. Orchards and vineyards are being planted, and what is more to the purpose, are being cared for with a thought to their ultimate value as a source of revenue." AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. The history of the Central Agricultural Society of this county has been a checkered one, and owes so much of success as it has had to the per- severing energy of a few devoted friends of the cause. The enterprise has labored under various hindering influences, some of which are still operative. At first, the county was largely engaged in stock grazing for market purposes, a pursuit which did not furnish material out of which to build a fair, but since the growth of population and change of circum- stances have largely removed this obstacle, two district fairs, the one in- fringing upon the eastern border and the other on the southern border, so divide and distract the agricultural interests of the county that the oldest and central society finds its efforts to maintain an annual agricultural display greatly hampered. Jasper County Agricultural Society. — The first attempt at an agri- cultural show was made in 1854, but under what auspices it is difficult to determine. There was no regular organization, and exhibitions were held upon a plat of two and a half acres, which is now the site of Mr. Kannal's I'esidence. Under this arrangement, four annual fairs were held. An ordinary fence inclosed the grounds, and a premium fund was made up by subscription, which was distributed in premiums of from 50 cents to $5, the latter being offered for the best farm, and the latter for sundry articles of home manufacture, including "the best made vest," pants, dress, etc., making a total of some $50 or $75. In December, 1858, a joint-stock company was formed with a capital of $500, under the style and name of " Jasper County Agricultural and Mechani- cal Association." At a subsequent meeting, the following officers were elected : Robert Parker, President ; J. C. Post, Vice President ; Alfred McCoy, Treasurer ; S. Donaldson, Secretary. The first fair was held by this society on the 27th, 28th and 29th days of September, 1859. The occasion was somewhat marred by the wet weather, but the exhibition was generally voted a success. "Floral Hall" was well-filled, and the ladies' 428 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. department was well-represented. The show of agricultural products was good, but the show of stock was not so good. There were some fine blooded animals, however, shown in the ring, cattle, and horses and hogs were represented, and for the first exhibition the display was encouraging. The society had purchased ground and fenced it, and considerable revenue was derived from the admissions. These grounds consisted of seven acres about a mile down the river from the county seat and on the north side. The ultimate fate of this society is told in the Secretary's report for 1879 : •' The Jasper County Agricultural Society was organized July 18, 1879, to supersede the County Agricultural and Mechanical Association, which had become hopelessly entangled in debt. On the 18th day of August, it was determined to hold the first fair of the society on the 7th to the 10th days of October inclusive. Although late in the year, the display of articles in some departments was large and good, and the attendance was highly gratifying to those who were interested in the wel- fare of the society. The show of horses, cattle and hogs was excellent ; that of sheep and poultry, passable ; of apples, remarkably fine ; of corn and other cereals, Irish potatoes and produce of the garden was probably never surpassed for excellence in the county. Except harness, the ex- hibition of manufactured articles was nothing to be proud of; still many useful things were exhibited, in needle-work especially, that gave evidence of taste and skill. A high degree of excellence was attained in the but- ter, cheese, fruit preparations, pickles, bread, cakes, and kindred articles shown. It was too late in the season for an attractive showing of flowers, and people are loath to expose house-plants to the vicissitudes of fill weather and rural fairs. However, taken all in all, the fair was a good and suc- cessful one. The public was satisfied with what was to be seen : exhibit- ors received in cash the full amount of the premiums, and the society realized enough to pay its expenses, and leave a small surplus in the treas- ury. It is proper to say that in a large degree the successful issue of this hastily arranged exposition is to be credited to the excellent manage- ment of Hon. William K. Parkinson, President; to the ener^jv of Marion L. Spitler, Vice President; David H. Yeomans, Superintendent; and the excellent board of directors, together with the zeal of Messrs. H. A. Barkley and James Welsh, of the Committee on AdvertisiniT. All were industriims to perform the duty assigned to them. ■' The Jasper County Agricultural Society owns twentv acres of ground within the incorporated limits of Rensselaer, modestly improved, worth probably $3,000, and is entirely out of debt." The Union District Agricultural Society was organized April 27, 1S72, and holds its annual exhibitions at Remington. This society draws HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 429 its support from the contiguous territory lying in Benton, Newton and Jas- per Counties. SWAMP LANDS. A very important feature in any agricultural survey of Jasper County is the vast body of swamp lands found here. In the early history of the county, the river margins were impassable marshes, save at one or two points where a limited passage could be found. Cultivation and such improvements as enterprising settlements bring about have changed the natural features of the county in this respect, and Congress made a liberal provision by which these lands might have been largely converted into fine, arable soil, had not these provisions been converted into plunder for the enriching of a comparatively few unscrupulous men. The Legislature of the State took cognizance of these misdemeanors at last, and appointed a committee to investigate the frauds which had been perpetrated, but unfortunately not until they were substantially beyond remedy. Jasper County suffered in this respect severely. Two or three fairly effective ditches were dug in Kankakee and Wheatfield Townships, but these are but a moiety of the work that should have been done for the expenditure of land which was made. The report of the Legislative Committee of Investigation, in 1859, gives asummary of the whole ques- tion, as follows : Bv the act of Congress of September 20, 1850, the swamp or overflowed lands in the State, belonging to the United States, were granted to the State of Indiana, upon condition that the same should be drained and reclaimed, and rendered fit for agricultural purposes. By the provisions of the second section of that act, it was made the dut}' of the Secretary of the Interior to transmit to the Governor of the State, upon his request, a list and plats of the swamp lands previously ascertained, together with patents therefor, vesting the title in the State, subject to the disposal" of the Legislature, with the express ^jroi-iso that the proceeds of said lands, wheth- er from sale or direct appropriation in kind, shall be applied exclusively, as necessary, to the reclaiming of said lands. As near as can be ascertained bj' your committee, the amount of lands patented bj' the General Government to the State, under the act aforesaid, and under the act of Congress of jNIarch 3, 185o, granting lands to the State for swamp lands, which had been located upon by militar}' land warrants, amount to 1.302, 638. 65 acres. It has been decided by the Commissioner of the General Land Office that the title to all unsold lands in the State, that belonged to the United States on the 28th of Sep- tember, 18.50, were swamp lands vested in the State bj' the passage of said act. After showing how certain State olScials had defrauded the Swamp Land Fund to the extent of upward of §40.000, the report continues as follows : The law of 1853 provided for the sale of swamp lauds in the several counties by the county officers. Under this act, all of these lands, in some of the counties, were disposed of, whilst in others large bodies remained unsold at the passage of the act of 1857, which act made " direct appropriation in kind " for the purpose of reclaiming for agricultural purposes such lands. 430 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. By the law of 1853, it was made tlie dutj- of the Governor to appoint Swamp Land Commissioners in every county owning swamp lands. In many instances, these appointments were singularly unfortunate, possessing neither qualifications nor honesty of such a character as to fit them for their responsibilities. AVe have had our attention called to the official misconduct of these officers in several counties, but have found it utterly impossible to give the subject that inves- tigation which the interests of the State and justice demand. In the county of Ja.sper, our investigations have satisfied us that the officers of that county have not only aided others in the commission of great frauds upon the Swamp Land Funds, but have also been participants in the profits arising therefrom. In this charge we make no reference to the present Treasurer and Auditor of this count}'. The Commissioner, at a letting of a large amount of ditching under a law of 1852, let almost the entire work to one man, for the sum of 20 cents the cubic yard, although at this letting there were other good and responsible bids for the same work at 14 cents the cubic yard, and one as low as 10 cents. The ditching contracted for at this letting has never been finished according to the plans and specifications, and some of the ditches are worthless. The entire estimate of this work, amount- ing to $39,451.59, has been paid to the contractor. According to the testimony before us, this one transaction has resulted in great loss to the Swamp Land Fund, and loss to the value of real estate in the vicinity of the work. In the year 1856, without the color of law, and in violation of all right, the then Auditor of State, Hiram E. Talbot, directed tlie Auditor of .Jasper County to withhold from sale a large amount of swamp lands designated by him. The com- mittee are compelled to conclude that this order was prompted with a view to per- sonal and private .speculation. This, no doubt, was the commencement of a system of frauds unheard of before. A spirit of speculating in these lauds was engendered, and in a short time there were formed four separate companies, who selected as they termed it, and actually obtained, by the complicity of Swamp Land Commissioners, deeds for about one hundred and twenty-four thousand acres of the best of the lands vacant in the county. (For the names of the parties in this scheme we refer you to the evidence herewith filed. ) The deeds to these lands were procured without the shadow of law from the officers of State. The Swamp Land Act, approved March 5, 1857, required that these fraudulent conveyances should lie returned and canceled when the work was not completed, but provided that the loose contracts upon which they had been obtained, might be ratified and confirnu'd by the Swamp Land Commissioner, and provided that the contractors niiglit file with the County Auditor lists of the lands selected by them to l)e taken in payment tor ditching, and the sale of these selected lands was then prohibited by the county officers till the completion or perfcctini: of the contract for the paynienl of which they were filed, and that 75 per cent upon the estimates of the work done should be issued lo tlic contractor until all was done, when cer- tificates for the whole should hr isMied; and provided further that the contractor might at any time, bv depositing !?1.25 per acre with the County Treasurer, for the whole or any part of the lands in his list, take out certificates "and procure patents for the same, and that tlie money so paid into the county lrcas\u-y should be then retained, to be rei>aid lo the contractor at the rate of 75 per cent upon estimates of work done, until the contract was completed, when all should lie repaid. Under this law. the Swamp Land Conuuissioner of Jasper County confirmed all tlie old contracts at 2(1 cents jier (aibie yard, which had been originally let at from 12 to l,S eeiits jier cubic yard, and (lie contractors were permitted to file lists o( hands to any amount tliey desired, and the amounts of their respective con' tracts were swelled u)i to cover the amount filed for, and in a short time after the taking elleel of this law. all the unsold swamplands in Jasper Countv, amouulin.'- lo about 175.0(10 acres, were then absorbed, and nearly all the contrai'tors without HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 431 paying any money into the county treasury, by private arrangement with M , the then Treasurer of Jasper County, obtained from him certificates of purchase, and upon these obtained the greater part of their patents for these hinds. In a few in- stances, the contracts have been, in whole or in part, completed, but probably not one-half the ditching is yet completed. From estimates of the whole amount of these contracts, and of the amount of work done upon the same at the expiration of the term of said M 's term of office, he should have paid over to his successor in office at least $100,000 of money deposited with him by contractors for lands obtained by them, but not one cent was so paid over by him. The lands being gone and there being no money for the same on deposit in the county treasury, and con- sequently no incentive to the completion of the contracts, and tliere being no law to enforce their completion, your committee vs'ould recommend that some law be passed to remedy this defect. There is evidence before the committee showing that M , without the shadow of authoritjr or law, issued to , in the name of his brother and others, cer- tificates of purchase for a large amount of these lands, previously filed for by contractors, and that upon these fraudulent certificates obtained patents; and that the contractor, whose lands he had thus stolen, in order to avoid troublesome and expensive litigation, compromised with him, permitting him to retain 3, .500 acres of these lands thus obtained, of which M got a portion. From the evidence in possession of your committee, they cannot but express their surprise that Gov. "Willard sliould have appointed M to tlie responsible otHce of Swamp Land Commissioner of .Jasper County, soon after the expiration of his term of office as Treasurer of said county, notwithstanding it was known to His Excellency that the said M had been sued on his oificial bond as a defaulter to the Swamp Land Fund, in 18.j5, which suit he had compromised by giving his notes with surety for the sum of $33,460.30, thus acknowledging liis defalcation, and that the greater part of those notes, though due, were still outstanding and unpaid; and notwithstanding it was known to His Excellency that said M had again been sued in 1856, upon his official bond as Swamp Land Treasurer, for the further defal- cation of $14,000 to the Swamp Land Fund, as certified by the Auditor of State; and that in his official bond as County Treasurer to the amount of $1,000 for State reve- nue, and that was then and still is pending against him upon his official bond for defalcation of county revenue, and had not at the date of his appointment as said Commissioner, and still has not, settled with the Auditor and Treasurer of State, or County Commissioners, for either State, swamp land or county revenues; and not- withstanding it was known to His Excellency that bj^ Section 10, Article II, of the Constitution of Indiana, said M was wholly "ineligible to any ofliee of trust or profit," and that by an act of the Legislature, approved March 1, 1855, he was guilty of felonjf — still, with a full view of all these disqualifications and disabilities, he, M , was appointed and invested by His Excellency with the duties of this im- portant and responsible otfice, for the performance of which he is not recjuired to give any bond. In view of all these facts, your committee would recommend that His Excellency be respectfully requested to remove Mr. M from said office. SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTY. Traces of the former inhabitants of this county are found, but not in great abundance. A mound on the east side of the Iroquois River, about four miles northeast of the county seat, is the only relic of the Mound- Builders to be found here. It is nearly ten feet high, about forty feet in diameter, and contained ashes, bones and shells. Spear and arrow heads of an unusual form, and of a gloss chert, seen naturally only in Tennes- 432 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. see, are discovered here. A number of highly polished stone axes and scrapers have also been found. Besides these more enduring relics of the Builders, there are found in Jasper County the more curious but less sub- stantial evidences of their domination, in vestiges of corn-fields and trails left here and there untouched, bearing the evident marks of their pres- ence here. The first discoverers of the territory covered by the present State of Indiana found it in possession of the Delaware, Miami and Pottawato- mie nations. The great family to which these tribes were allied by language, physical and mental peculiarities, was the Algonquin. Before the encroachment of the whites, the numerous tribes of this family occu- pied most of the territory now embraced in the United States, between the 35th and 60th parallels of latitude, and the 60th and 105th meridians of longitude. The starting point in the wanderings of the Algonquin tribes on the continent as determined by tradition and the cultivation of maize, their fiivorite cereal, was in the Southwest. Passing up the western sideof the Mississippi Valley, they turned eastward across that river, the south- ern maxgin of their broad tract reaching about to the 35th parallel, while the center probably covered the present territory of Illinois. On reach- ing the Atlantic coast, they seem to have moved northeasterly along the sea-board to the mouth of the St. Lawrence : thence, ascending this river and the shores of the great lakes, they spread northward and westward to Hudson Bay. the basin of Lake Winnepeg and the valley of the LTpper Mississippi; and thence the head of the migratory column circling around the source of the great river, recrossed it in a southeasterlv direction above the Falls of St. Anthony, and passing by way of Green Bay and Lake Michigan came into the present limits of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Thus, after revolving in an irregular ellipse of some 3,000 miles in diameter, they fell into the original tract eastward. This extended course of misjra- tion, induced by a variety of causes and circumstances, continued through a long period, the original stock probably receiving considerable acces- sions from the nomadic tribes of the Pacific Slope, and leavincr behind large numbers at each remove, until the head of the column came to rest from sheer lack of momentum, or other moving influences. Thus scat- tered over a large expanse of country, and broken into numerous tribal organizations, they lost much of their family affiliations and characteris- tics, and the early ■« lutes found them distinct nations, evervwhere posses- sing the border lands, and waged with tliem their first and bloodiest wars. Situated witliin tlie ellipse above described were the nation of the Iroquois iiimily, who, Indd together by circumstances, and posted advanta^-eouslv on the inner sides of the circle, able at any time to mass their forces upon a single point of the circumference, early proved a devastating scourge to the Indian world, and especially so to the Algonquins. HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 43S Of the tribes of this latter family, this history has to do only with the Pottawatomie nation, the tribes of which to the number of 4,000 occupied the northern part of the State. Their chief village was early at Chitchakos, near the Tippecanoe River, where the earliest French ex- plorers found them, and where a mission was established nearly 300 years ago. The nation originally occupied a part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, whence they were driven by the irresistible Iroquois. They sub- sequently found a place of refuge in Wisconsin, but when the power of Iroquois was broken, they returned and found an abiding place near their old haunts. They were a bold, war-like people, and were generally found allied against the whites. Among them were found some of the most prominent warriors and chiefs of the Western tribes, the record of whose eloquence and feats of daring is found in all the history of the Western wars. They were allied with the French against the Iroquois and English, with the English against the Americans, and took promi- nent part in Pontiac's conspiracy, yielding only to the inevitable in the general pacification which closed the war of 1812. Notwithstandino' their bitter hostility to the whites, arising from their conviction that the pale face, if unresisted, would drive them to the Western ocean, when once they had plighted their faith, they were less vacillating than many of the tribes. During the Winnebago outbreak in 1827, they resisted the en- treaty of the hostile tribes, and again, in 1832, when Black Hawk strove to unite the savage nations in a combined attack upon the whites, he met a fatal obstacle in the faithful attitude of the Pottawatomie nation. Shab- bona, who shares with Shakespeare the distinction of having his name spelled in an endless number of ways, was a prominent civil chief of the nation in Eastern Illinois. He was known as the "white man's friend " among the natives, and when Black Hawk was betrayed into hostilities-, at the news of the Indians' first blow and success, he sent his son and nephew in diiferent directions, when he went in still another, to warn the settlers of Iheir impending danger, thus saving the lives of many in the isolated settlements. In the military operations which followed, with Waubonsie, " Billy Caldwell," and a considerable number of Pottawat- omie warriors, he enlisted with the army under Gen. Atkinson, who at once placed him in command of the Indian contingent The French priests were remarkably successful in their missionary la- bors among this nation. At first the eflForts to convert them were almost universally at the expense of the lives of the priests. But when the Pot- tawatomies yielded to conviction, they were scarcely less firm and devot- ed than the primitive Christians. When the priests left them, and they were without spiritual instruction for years, they taught each other, and attempted to preserve the religious influences they had enjoyed. It 434 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. is said, when a priest met one of their chiefs on one occasion, he entreated him if he would not visit them, at least to pass through their woods, for the very thought of the " man of prayer " having been through their coun- try would, he said, be sufficient to remind them of their duties, and make them better. Even those who remained unconverted, retained a pro- found reverence for the " black gown." Until 1834, they were only visited occasionally by priests from Vincennes or Detroit. At this date, Vincenneswas made the See of a bishop, who early provided the Indian mission with a regular priest. M. Desseilles was the appointee, and la- bored among the natives with wonderful results. The fatigue to which his labors exposed him brought on sickness that left him almost at the point of death, and feeling that his last moments were approaching, he roused himself, repaired to the altar, and while attending to his duties, surrounded by his dusky followers, expired on its very steps. The Indi- ans who had watched him with anxiety, and had followed him to the church, unwilling to believe that he was dead, remained about in prayer for four days, when another clergyman who had been previously written to, arrived and performed the funeral obsequies. The new priest had been with the tribe but a short time, when the general removal took place. The Government, aware of their repugnance to remove, had determined to use force if necessary, and accordingly, while one of the chiefs was discussing the removal, at the village of Chichipy — Outipy — the village was surrounded by troops, who summoned him to surrender. His savage in- stinct got the better of his judgment for the instant, and, seizing his rifle and tomahawk, he placed himself in a posture of defense ; but observing the troops were accompanied by a " black go svn," he yielded, saying, "the Son of God submitted to be bound." The Rapids of the Rockwise. as the Iroquois was early called, was a favorite resort of the Pottawatomie Indians, and every spring and fall during their stay in this State found large numbers gathered here to fish and hunt. She river swarmed with the largest fish, the prairie supplied innumerable deer and grouse, and the swamps of the Iroquois and Kan- kakee afforded some of the best trapping grounds in the whole State. Two or three tribes of this nation made their homes in Jasper County, whose principal viHages were located near the line of Sections 17 and 20 in Newton Township, and just east of the spring on the Phegley farm. Their principal chiefs here were Job, whose following numbered about three hundred persons ; Jim, with a tribe of about a hundred and ten, and Wapakonatta, with a smaller band. Their corn-fields were scattered all over the county. What is now known as tlie Indian Garden, on the Kankakee River in Wheatfield Township, was one of the largest of their corn-fields. Others were on the site of the Beniamin farm, some five HISTORY OF JASPER COUXTY. 435 miles west of the county seat, on the Mallatt place, a few miles further west, and on the site of Rensselaer. The corn was quite different from anything now in cultivation. It was universally of a blue and white color, similar to our sweet-corn in texture, never acquiring that flinty hardness which is characteristic of the grain now in general cultivation. The sites chosen for corn-fields were such as could he the easiest tilled; with the rude implements at command, and where the rank prairie grass could be best held in control. The squaws performed the labor with the " sanghoe," chopping off the sod and piling it up at one side. On the spot thus cleared the corn was planted and left to grow as it might. On the following year, the spot on which the sod had been piled was found bare of grass, and here another hill of corn was planted ; thus, in the second year, double the number of hills were planted. The ground thus brought under cultivation was worked each successive year, the corn being planted each time in the same spot, and the earth successively hoed up to the same spot formed little mounds to mark the site of each hill of corn. The stalk grew about four and a half or five feet high, from which the corn was stripped in the fall and hung up by the iusks in the rude sheds provid- ed for the purpose. Cured fish was an important part of the Indians' winter supplies. On the Rhodes farm, about three-quarters of a mile southeast of Rensselaer, they had their pits for this purpose. These were rectangular pits about two by four feet, sunk into the ground about three feet. These were filled with wood, which was set afire, and when the whole was reduced to a body of live coals, short sticks were placed upon these, on which a fish was placed just as drawn from the water ; when sufficiently cooked, the fish was taken off the fire, the skin removed, and the flesh stripped entirely from the bones ; the shred flesh was then placed on pieces of sheet iron and again placed over the coals, the meat being turned from time to time and rubbed between the palms of the hands until the (vhole was reduced to a rather fine, dry powder. When the fire was exhausted, this fish powder was removed, packed closely in a deer skin sewed up to receive it, and laid aside for the winter. A few handfuls of this powdered fish with pounded corn made a very acceptable dish to the Indian. Although the tribes which made their homes in Jasper exhibited no indication of having imbibed the religion of the priests, they were not less friendly to the early whites that found their way here on trading or hunting expeditions, and even when the whites came to take possession of the land after the Logansport treaty, they still maintained the friend- liest relations with them. The larger part of the Pottowatomie nation was removed in 1838, under the direction of Gen. Tipton, to a reserva- tion in Kansas. Of these the larger portion has abandoned the tribal re- 436 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. lation, and become citizens. Of the otliers, some are in Kansas, upward of 300 are in Indian Territory, a few are yet on reservations in this State, and the remainder are wanderers. The First White Settlements. — Until the treaty of 1832, this county was not open to white settlers, nor was there any considerable immigration in this direction. The whole "Northwest Territory" had been thrown open, and the tide of in-coming population being principally from the south, at this time the southern parts of Illinois and Indiana and the whole of Ohio aiforded abundant opportunities for the selection of choice farms considerably in excess of the demand. Besides being some distance re- moved from the natural source of supplies and general lines of communi- cation at that time, the character of the country operated to discourao^e immigration. The general rumor described the country here as alternate swamps, sterile sand ridges and flat, wet prairies. Its reputation as a paradise for game, however, induced the more adventurous to seek this region in quest of sport and the profit arising from the sale of peltries, and eventually brought the first actual settlers. The first actual settler within the present limits of Jasper County was William Donahue. Attracted by the fur-bearing game to be found here in great abundance, and the prospect of ti-ading with the Indians that possessed the land here in considerable numbers, he came to what is now Gillam Township as early as 1832. He stayed here a number of years, improved a good farm and died here; his descendants, however, have all left this vicinity. The next settlement was made at the Falls of the Iroquois, by Joseph Yeoman, John and David Nowels, in the fall of 1831. There is some confusion in the date of this settlement, some putting the date of their coming a year later. The Nowels were natives of Kentucky and early moved to Ohio. From thence the fiimily moved to Fountain County, Ind., where the wife of John Nowels died, and his daughter was married to Joseph Yeoman. Anxious to better his prospects in life, Mr. Yeoman proposed to move into the new country opened up by the recent treaties, and went to a place on the Iroquois River, in Illinois ne;;ir the Indiana line, known as Bunkum. Here the familv all moved and soon learned of the Falls of Iroquois. The site was noted for its fine fishing, and rumor doubtless exaggerated the beauty of its surroundings so that Yeoman determined to explore the situation for himself Ac- cordingly in this year, Nowels having nothing to prevent his enga^'ing in such an expedition, with his son David, accompanied Mr. Yeoman. ^At- taching a yoke of oxen to the forward wlieels of a wacon and fixinn' un a cart to carry what the party would need while gone, the little partv set out on their journey. Their road was up the course of the river "until they reached the rapids. Here, pleased with the prospect, Yeomau left HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 437 Mr. Nowels and returned to arrange matters for the removal to the new site. In the meanwhile the latter prepared logs for a cabin and drew them to the site chosen for the new home. This done, David returned to Bunkum with the oxen, and as soon as practicable, the family came, ar- riving here in the fall of 1835. There were no neighbors to assist in the "raising," and the three meji, assisted by Mrs. Yeoman and the team, soon had a home erected. The first addition to the settlement here was in the person of Charles G. Wright; he was a native of North Carolina and came to Indiana when a Territory, in 1807. After several removals within the present limits of the State, he found himself in White County, and soon after the Yeoman settlement, came here to trade with the In- dians. He did not bring his family, but boarded with Mr. Yeoman for some time, subsequently, however, building a hewed-log house near the site of the Baptist Church. In the latter part of 1834, Thomas Randle and George Culp, re- cently from Virginia, started for the " new purchase," which had just been surveyed, and on their way hither met Mr. Morris returning from his work of surveying the ceded territory. He suggested a fine location directing them to follow up the Monon River to a point named, from thence to strike due west over the prairie until they reached a grove of trees, which appeared to hang down. They had no trouble in following . these directions, and proceeding northward made a selection of land at the forks of the rivers Pinkamink and Iroquois, but not until they had examined the famed "falls" of the latter river. In the following May, they returned with their families and made the settlement of the Forks. In the following year, this settlement was re-enforced by Royal Hazleton, John G. Parkinson and Henry Barkley, Jr., and soon afterward by the Shannahans, Reeds, Casads, Gutheridges, Burgets and other families. The settlement near the sight of the old Indian village in Newton Township, now locally known as Blue Grass, was an early one. William Mallatt was among the earliest of the families gathered here. He came to the Falls of the Iroquois m 1835 or 1836, and made a claim on the south- west side of the river near Yeoman's house, but this improvement being " floated " by a W. M. Kenton, he removed to the former place, where he lived until his death in 1859. Another settlement here was that of Mrs. Jared Benjamin with her family, consisting of two sons and a daughter Jared, Jr., Samuel and Phoebe. The Benjamins were natives of Ohio and the first-named son having married and determined to try his fortune in the new West, the whole family came in 1838. Previ- ous to their coming, a brother of Mrs. Benjamin, Gilbert Yeoman came out to examine the country, bought a claim which had been made here by Mr. Nowels, and on which he had erected a cabin of quaking-ash poles. 438 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. Not being pleased with the outlook, Mr. Yeoman decided to stay in Ohio, and sold his claim to Mrs. Benjamin, who came with her family in a sin- gle wagon to this place. Others in this vicinity, were Erastus Smith, Elijah, and Alta Yeoman. David Phegley, who made a claim near the "springs," east of Rensselaer, on the Iroquois River, and John Jor- dan, who came from Tipton County, about 1836, and made a claim in " Carpenter's Grove," were among the pioneers of the county.* THE GAME. The country which these earlier pioneers had thus chosen was a hunter's paradise. The prairie, timber and water-ways were crowded with game of all kinds, and without this it is doubtful if this region could have been settled until a score of years later. The early thoroughfares, obliged to deviate from a true course to avoid marshes and impassable rivers, left this region isolated, and the tide of population following these lines of travel, naturally avoided this section. Thus cut oif from the natural sources of supply, the pioneer was forced to depend upon the re- sources of the country alone, which, even with abundance of game, proved but a meager support for the family. Deer were found in un- limited numbers, and the first settlers found no trouble in killing more than the needs of the family required, right at his own door. Droves, reaching to the number of a hundred, were often seen, and settlers were in the habit of carrying their guns on almost all occa- sions, and seldom returned from any expedition without an evidence of the abundance of these animals in the shape of a haunch or ham of venison. Wild hogs served also to vary the frontier fare. These were animals that liad escaped from the older settlements, and sub- sisting upon the nuts and roots of the woodland, had gone wild in the course of nature. They were of a long-legged, gaunt species, and kept the timber pretty closely. They were no particular damage or annoyance to the settlers, but furnished capital hunting sport, and gave a relief to the monotonous recurrence of venison upon the table of the settler. Wolves were of the coyote species, and were found in tlie open prairie. These were of more annoyance to the settlements, attackintT sheep, vounf *Thei-o In oonaidorublo confusion !i« to the date of the eomini; of some of the oarlv settlers Tt is dlHioiilt, also, to leniTi of nil who inny lie entitled to be listed as old settlers, and witlioiit atteiuniiu" to pass anv "iiinion upon these questions, a [uiblished list of the "Old Sutlers' Soeietv "'is here civen Tho snrielv's lisl, published iu l.s;;, is as I'ullows: is:::;, Aaron Lvons ; IS.U, Haniol No'wels- l^-i": la'k' Bou riiusley, Mrs. Malinda .Spitler, ,1. l\ Uaudle ; lS:!i;, Samuel Sparlini;, Mrs. Samuel Sn irii'ii.-' u'en'rvT A, Sparling, Marlon L.Spitler; ISliT, Williain K. Parkinson, Addison Parkinson .losephV I'arkinsin" IKIIH, Ceorgo II. llrown, .hired iienjaiuin, .loseph W. .Sparling, .loseph Williams J[rs Pavid' Vovr'ols ' Mrs. W. K. I'arkiusou, Jlrs. William Shaw, Miss Belle Harkley; l,s:l;l, .Sanuiel K Yeoluaii Stew mi ('' Ilammcuid, Mrs. Williaui llurns, Mrs. II. i', Thornton, Mrs. .loseph Sparliuir; l.sio Xathiiiiel Vv.'rt 11' M.I'riee, W..r. Wright, Sidu.-y Stewart, 'i-homasK. Barker, Mrs. William IVekrill, .M,-s lleniam in Weish ■ IHtl, Lemuel llarkle, Kial lleiijaiuin, \\illiam Noland, Mrs. G. H. Hrown ; LSI" .Vlexander iiowe, <„ , ' u«l Me.CHlh.ugh, .■S;„„„el Long, .loseph V. Itenkle, .lohn A. Itenkle; .lohn W Huv'all .jbe w'rr:^?' lsl;),Audre«- farris, Henry ;Sayler, 11. C. Thornton, (\ t\ Thornt.uf. isil, .Tosepl Veo man Hm, s Yeoman, Wesley Downing, Madison Makuron, Ira W. Veounin, ('lenient Timmons ■ IS l", ,.:.,' I l", I ler, Lemuel Shorlrblge, Alu-an, Kreelaml, ,lohn Daugbertv, Oaniel DauglLerlv I'e vis 1 n ,''1 , w Wiilium 11. llaugherlv.Slmou Fhillipa, L. W. Sayers. .- . . i.- t.. nailsUerl) , HISTORY OF JASPEK COUNTY. 439 pigs and sometimes cattle. They were miserable cowards, never attack- ing a person, and were hunted and killed as a nuisance. They were small and undersized, making the night dismal with their howling, and when overtaken by the dogs, would fall on their backs and fight much like a cat. On frozen ground, and when filled with a recent meal, they were run down with little difficulty on horseback, as they seemed to avoid the timber, and would risk capture rather than go into it. Pinnated and ruffed grouse, better known as prairie chickens and partridges, were everywhere found in inexhaustible numbers, and furnished a touch of del- icacy to the early fare. Wild geese, cranes, herons, ducks of the mallard, pintail, blue-winged teal, wood and ring-necked varieties, were found by thousands, and are still found here in hardly diminished profusion, to the delight of hunters, who are attracted in large numbers to enjoy the hunt- ing. The Iroquois River has sustained its reputation as one of the best stocked rivers in the State, from the earliest knowledge of the whites to the present. Long before any settlements were made here, rumors of its profusion of fine edible fish came to the frontiers through the Indians, to whom this was a favorite place of resort each fall and spring. Here bass, bream, pike, salmon, mullet, suckers and other varieties are found, some of these varieties having been found over twenty-five pounds in w^eight. "With this abundance of what are even now considered luxuries, it would seem at a casual glance that the pioneer life was a life of ease rather than hardship ; but when it is considered that these were the sum of their early luxuries, that what we deem the common necessities and find so cheap as to pass almost unnoticed in our estimate of family supplies and expenses, were to the early settlers almost inaccessible and the most expensive, a great change is wrought in our estimate. Salt was more expensive than sugar, and more difficult to procure'. Flour could not for a time be procured at any price, and even meal, such as is provided to-day, was unknown on the frontier. And even the variety of game provided, soon failed to answer the purposes of beef and pork. The system exposed to ravages of disease, and subject to the trying experience of early farm labor, de- manded somethins more substantial than this. Nor could all aive their attention to hunting. The prime reason for the presence of most of the pioneers in this country was to build up a home and lay the founda- tions for a future competence, and to accomplish this the larger part of the community centered here had only their hands with which to accomplish their mission. It was no uncommon occurrence to find men surrounded by this profusion of game who never shot a deer, and oc- casionally one who never owned a gun. 440 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. LIFE ON THE PRAIRIE. The pioneers who formed the early settlements in this county were gen- erally familiar with the isolation, and inured to the hardships and priva- tions, of frontier life, but with all this the open prairie presented diiEcul- ties to which they had hitherto been a stranger. From the standpoint of this later day, when the adaptability of the prairie has been so abundantly proven, it seems unfortunate that the early experiences of these pioneers led them to cling to the timbered portions of the country, where foul water and miasma accravated the inevitable discomforts of frontier exist- ence. Life in a new country is everywhere subjected to the misery of malarious diseases. The clearing-off of timber or the breaking-up of prairie sod, involving the rapid decay of large quantities of vegetable mat- ter, gave rise to the inevitable miasma, which wrought its sure work upon the system. Such sickness was generally confined to the last of the sum- mer and fall. There was but little sickness in winter, except a few linger- ing fall cases that had become chronic ; there were but few cases after se- vere frosts, and the spring and early summer were perfectly healthy. It was commonly remarked that when the bloom of the resin weed and other yellow flowers appeared, it was time to look for the ague. The first spring flowers on the prairie were mostly pink and white, then followed purple and blue, and about the middle of August yellow predominated. High water in spring, flooding the bottoms and filling the lagoons and low places along the streams, and then drying off' with the hot sun of July and August, was a fruitful cause of disease, and in such localities it was often quite sickly, while the higher prairie was comparatively exempt. With these evils, the pioneer was generally forced to struggle alone. Physicians were very few and often §o far situated from the scattered settle- ments that it took a day's ride to reach them. But where thev were found within practical distance, the urgent necessity for the practice of every economy led the settlers to depend upon their own skill. Boneset, Culver's physic (root), and a long list of teas and herb decoctions were to be found in every cabin, and most of the ailments incident to a frontier were generally made to yield to them. To have a severe case of malarial fever or several seasons' run of the ague, was expected bv each new-comer, and none were considered as having been fullv inducted into all the mysteries of citizenship until they had had the regular malarial experience. Yor years, people who had liitherto possessed a fresh com- plexion and buoyant spirit, after coming here, wore the pale, sallow com- plexion of semi-invalids, and often the wliole community would be so Gen- erally attacked with the prevailing distemper as to leave none to attend upon those who were ill. It got to be very much the custom for each family to prepare for the inevitable attack, arranging matters so that they HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 441 could care for themselves, it being no infrequent thing for a whole family to be confined to the bed at the same time. The Cabin. — The early settlers brought with them nothing but what the necessities of the situation demanded. One wagon generally sufiiced to bring the family; household furniture, farming implements, and fre- quently two or three months' supplies. It requires no great amount of consideration to conclude that luxuries, or even comforts, could find no place in such an outfit, and so the pioneer, after constructing a shelter for his family, found his skill and ingenuity taxed to their utmost to supply this deficiency. It was necessary to manufacture tables, chairs and bed- steads before they could be used, and some of the most striking incidents of frontier life are founded upon this universal dearth of ordinary com- forts. Hand tools were always a part of the load when possessed by the emigrant, but when in the absence of these the ax accomplished all that was necessary. A section of a good sized log, smoothed with an ax and furnished with a rough back, or often without a back of any sort, and legs, took the place of chairs. A rude bedstead was often constructed in the corner of the cabin with a single leg, the two sides of the structure sup- porting the rest of the bedstead which was framed in the logs. Upon this the bed cord, which could be easily brought, was arranged, or in its ab- sence, deer hide thongs. This or simply a pile of brush supported the " tick," which was brought with the family, and filled with leaves and dried grass until the first crop supplied a better substitute in the husks. The cabin itself displayed the ingenuity of the pioneer and the pov- erty of his resources. A log pen, with a single door and window, the latter closed with greased paper, and the door provided with a simple blanket, the fire-place constructed of such loose stones as could be found, and the chimney built up of sticks protected with a covering of mud; the roof of "shakes " split from a straight-grained tree, and held in place by weight poles, completed the tout ensemble of the early homes. At first there was often no floor but the ground, but generally slabs split out from the unseasoned timber were smoothed with the ax and made to do good service as a protection from the bare earih. When the door was con- structed, these "puncheons" served as the material from which it was constructed, wooden pins taking the place of nails, and wooden hinges, latch and bars serving the purposes of the modern builder's hardware. The Farm. — These preliminaries accomplished, the most urgent neces- sity was to secure a crop. The plows were crude afiairs, strong and serv- iceable, but requiring great team power and considerable mechanical skill in the plowman. The sod was found tough, not easily " tamed," and very uncertain in producing a first crop. So tenacious was the turf, that the furrow turned out one unbroken strip of earth, and occasionally 442 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. when not especially careful, the plowman had the disappointment of see- ing yards of this leathery soil turn back to its natural position, necessi- tating the tedious operation of turning it all back again by hand. The expenditure of all this labor was generally well repaid the first year, if the sod became thoroughly rotted, even though it produced but a small crop. Oftentimes the second and third plowing showed the soil stubborn and unkind. Few, even among farmers, know much of the labor involved in "breaking prairie," unless they have experienced its obstacles and overcome them. Corn was the only crop planted at first, and this fur- nished food for man and beast. A few years later, it was a mark of un- usual prosperity to be able to furnish wheat bread to especial guests. The first crop was generally planted by cutting a gash in the inverted sod with an ax, dropping in the corn and closing it by another blow beside the first ; or it was dropped in every third furrow, and the sod turned on it ; if the corn was so placed as to find the space between the furrows, it would find daylight; if not, the result of the planting was extremely doubtful. Of course cultivation in this case was impossible, and if the squirrels and crows gave the crop an opportunity to mature, it generally proved a satisfactory return. Later, the culture of wheat was begun, and with the increase of markets has grown to larger proportions. Most of the settlers brought in horses and cows, but the former pretty generally gave way to oxen for working purposes. Hogs were bought in the older settlements, and a little later sheep were introduced. All these animals were supported with little cost. The wide range of wild grass afforded excellent pasture and hay. With the range the early settlers had, their cattle would put on more flesh and in less time than on any other pasture. The sedge which grew along the sloughs was the first to start in the spring, and furnished the earliest pasture. The bent or blue-joint, which was principally found along the sides of the sloughs, or, in the vernacular of the pioneer, "between the dry and wet land." was preferred by stock to all other varieties, especially when mixed with the wild pea-vine. This made the best hay, and as its yield was verv large, was generally selected for this purpose. But the combined rava>-Tes of stock and scythe rapidly exterminated it, so that in many cases the ground where it grew became almost bare of vegetation. The stock and the firmer then resorted to upland grasses, but before the settlers multi- plied so as to limit the range of the stock, the older and more experienced of the herd would go long distances to find their favorite pasture, often necessitating on the part of the pioneer a hunt of several days to recover them. The native grasses were scarcely less marked for their medicinal qual- ities. Cattle and horses seemed to be remarkably free from disease so lonof HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 443 as they could find plenty of wild grass and hay to feed upon. Horses raised upon the prairie were said never to be aiBicted with the heaves, while horses brought here, suffering with this malady, were speedily cured by simply feeding on the native grasses. This advantage, however, was somewhat offset by the colic which this rank grass frequently produced in horses with fatal effect. The introduction of tame grasses has largely remedied this evil, and most farmers are now able to supply their stock with a mixture of the two kinds. But the wild grass of the present is not found in all its original purity, and the pea-vine is almost if not en- tirely extinct. Mills and Markets. — There is a beatitude not found in the usual list " Blessed be nothing, for ye shall want nothing," which finds abundant confirmation in every day's logic. Its converse, " The more we have, the more we want," is only another way of putting the same truth, and is suggested by the experience of the pioneers. No sooner was a crop secured than the lack of any proper means to reduce it to the necessities of the household was made painfully apparent. So long as the corn was soft, it was grated on rude graters, made by punching holes through a piece of tin. After it became hard, it was sometimes parched and ground in a coffee mill, and at other times pounded in a rudely constructed mortar. A stump was hollowed out by burning and scraping to serve as a mortar. Over this was suspended from a " sweep " a pestle, to the end of which was fixed an iron wedge, and with this rude machinery bushels of corn were broken sufficiently fine to use in the various ways common to pioneer days. The finest was used in " corn-pones " and dodgers, while the coarser part was used as hominy, the separation being effected by means of a sieve made of a perforated deer skin stretched tightly over a frame. " Corn-crackers " were put up in the various settlements at an early date, but these did but little better work than the mortar. They did the work quicker, and such a mill was kept running night and day, while the patrons coming from distances of fifteen or twenty miles would wait patiently for a day or two to get their '• grist." But for flour, the only resort was to La Fayette, where an older settlement had secured the advantages of a " flouring mill." The demand for groceries was limited to the means of purchasing, which were generally of the most slender sort. There was but little to sell, and then the only market was at Chicago, where the settlers hauled hundreds of bushels of shelled corn to sell at 30 cents per bushel. Coon skins, however, were almost " land- office " money. Fur buyers were an institution of the early times here, and many a quarter section was purchased with the price of these skins. There were some luxuries, however, that could be secured without money. Bee trees were, in many parts of the country, found in great 444 HISTOEY OF JASPER COUNTY. numbers, and no piece of timber was entirely devoid of them. It some- times required an expert to find them, and some united pleasure and profit in this sort of hunting. An experienced hunter would go out in a bright, warm day in winter or late fall and burn some honey comb, which seldom failed to attract the game to the honey, which was provided for them. Loading up with this, the bee would rise, circling in the air, and then fiy straight to its tree. It was then the hunter's business to follow the fleet-winged insect closely, and thus discover its secret. To do this required an expert, and there were few who were marked for their success. Sometimes, a number of bees from a single tree, at no great distance, were attracted. These do not rise in circles, but darting to and fro in a straight line, make the course plain enough to be easily followed, but this is rare. In other cases, the best that can be done is to discover the direction of the bee's flight, and taking this — against the sun if possible — to stumble along with upturned gaze, scanning every tree for the tell-tale hole or crack. But when the tree was found, the battle was but half won. This must be felled, and the occupants dispossessed of their stores. When the hollow extended down to the point where the ax must penetrate it, the hunter was often obliged to decamp in hot haste as soon as the blows had aroused the swarm. The bee was easily domesticated, and many of the settlers captured swarms; placed them in sections of hollow logs, and in a little while possessed a constant source of supply for the table and the market. In some cases, this was the principal source for the sweetening used in the culinary work of the cabin, and was the basis of a favorite drink. " Metheglin " was made of steeped honeycomb, and honey fermented. It was counted an excellent drink, and much preferred to cider, and when strengthened by age became a powerful intoxicant. This, however, has passed away with many other of the homely joys of pioneer davs. The ready tact of the pioneer housewives, and the unpampered tastes of that early day, found a good substitute for fruit in the pumpkin. When frozen, they were prepareil and stewed down to a sirup, which furnished a very acceptable substitute for sugar or molasses in the absence of honey, and mixed with fresh, stewed pumpkin formed a desirable sweetmeat. They were planted in considerable numbers, and stored in a vault constructed underneath the hay stacks to be fed to the cattle durinc the winter. Well may this "fruit loved of boyhood " be apostrophized by the poet, and be honorably placed in a State's coat of arms. Prairii'. yradc/.— Neighborhoods extended over a wide area of countrv, and a journey of fifteen miles was not considered a great undertaking fVir an afternoon's visit. Roads were few, and the prairie, easily cut up, often presented, at points where lines of travel were obliged bv the conformation HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 445 of the land to unite, bog holes, that proved almost impassable. So long as the paucity of settlement allowed a pretty free selection of route, mud holes could be generally evaded, and a worn track avoided. But this practice had its disadvantages. In a country without continuous fences, and few landmarks, save the groves, it requires some skill and an intimate knowledge of the country to successfully cross even a small prairie in daylight. Crossing the uncultivated prairie at night was a very uncertain venture even to the most expert. If the night was clear, the stars were a reliable guide, and the pioneers became quite proficient in the simpler rudiments of astronomy. In a cloudy night, and a snowy or foggy day, their resources were less sure. A steady wind often proved the only guide. The traveler, getting his bearings, would note how the wind struck his nose — the right or left ear — and then, keenly alive to these sensations, would so maintain his course as to keep the bearing of the wind always the same, and regardless of all other guides would generally reach his destination without diflBculty. To do this required no little skill, and a steady wind. If the latter changed gradually, the better the skill, the wider the traveler diverged from his true course. Without these guides, it was a mere accident if a person succeeded in crossing even a small prairie. The tendency is to move in a circle, and when this is once began and observed by the traveler, the only resource is to camp in the most convenient place and manner, and wait for morning. Each family had its signal light, which served to mark the place of the cabin. It was a frequent practice to erect a pole by the chimney, upon which a lighted lantern was placed. Others had a light in the window, which often saved a dreary night's experience on the open prairie. Such experiences, unpleasant in mild weather, were too often fatal in the winter season. The trackless prairie, covered with a deceptive expanse of snow, and swept by a fierce blast, which pierced the most ample clothing and the hardiest frame, made the stoutest heart waver. Journeys were seldom undertaken in such circumstances, save under stress of the most urgent necessity. But nearly every early settler can remember some experience in winter-season traveling, while some never reached the home they sought, or the end of the journey reluctantly begun. An incident of this sort is related which resulted in the first adult death in the county. John M. Piper, who had come in 1837 to select land, made his choice in the Barkley settlement, and started on the 18th of December on foot for La Porte to make the proper entry. Soon after starting on his journey, a snow storm set in, and he was never again seen alive. For thirty miles his route lay through the untracked prairie with no guide but a faint Indian trail, and it was thought that he must have succumbed to the fierceness of the storm the first night. His body was 446 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. found on the 4th of the March following, oa the farm of Mr. Henry Barkley, Sr. Attention was attracted to the spot by the collection of buzzards, and on examination the remains were found and identified, though horribly mutilated by wolves and birds. His shoes were found nearly cut to pieces by the snow, his mittens in his pocket, and his cane in his hand. His money, consisting of some §200 in gold and silver, was undisturbed, and it was supposed that becoming bewil- dered, he had traveled in a circle until, overcome with fatigue and cold, he laid down and died. With the settlement of the prairie, and the regular laying-out of roads, traveling became less dangerous, though scarcely less diflicult. The amount of labor which could be devoted by the few people in the scattered settlements, made but little effect upon the roads of a country, which seemed particularly exposed, by the character of the soil and the conformation of its surface, to the unfavorable action of rain, and even now the farming community pays a heavy annual tribute to muddy, im- passable roads. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION. It will be observed that the county of Jasper, while projected in 1835, had no independent organization until some time later. As originally erected, it occupied the territory now known as Benton County, and a part only of its present area. Until 1838, it remained attached to Warren County when it was organized by the Commissioners of that county. The principal settlements at that time were on the Big Pine Creek, some thirty miles south of the present site of Rensselaer, and the Kenoyer settle- ment west of the present location of Brook, in Newton County. The county seat was fixed at Pine Township, and the first Board of Commis- sioners elected in 1837 met at the house of Robert Alexander in Parish Grove in January, 1838. The members of this board were Amos White, Joseph Smith and Frederick Kenoyer, and at their first session it was ordered " that the Circuit Court, Probate Court and Commissioners' Court be held hereafter at the house oi' George W. Spitler, provided a majority of Pine Township be in favor of it, which is to be known, by Amos AVhite taking a petition through said Pine Township and getting everv voter to sign the petition for or against the removal." The result was that six- teen signed in favor and eight against the proposed removal. This was a remarkable vote when it is considered that it moved the seat of justice to a smaller settlement in the northern edge of the county. It is explained, however, by the fact that George W. Spitler had been elected as Clerk, and refused to act unless the place of business was broui'ht nearer to his residence. The Commissioners would be better accommodated bv this change, and as the duties of these offices were a thankless task, this HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 447 concession was made, and in March, 1839, the Commissioners met at the house of Mr. Spitler, which was located about half of a mile south of Lyon's mill, in Iroquois Township, ia Newton County. In the meanwhile, the act of the Legislature providing for the consolidation of the counties of Newton and Jasper had been passed and the whole political geography of this section changed. In 183.5, the Commissioners of White County ordered that all of Indiana west of White County, and north of Township 28 north, to the Illinois line, and north of White Oouaty to the line dividing Townships 33 and 34 north, which territory had been attached to White County, should be organized as Marion Township, and an election was ordered to be held at the house of William Donahue on the "26th of September, 1835. ^ At this election, the following votes were polled : Thomas Randle, John Stump, David Phegley, George Culp, George Phillips and William Dona- hue. Of these six votes, Thomas Randle received three votes and John Stump three. This was undoubtedly the first election held within the limits of this county, and in consequence of the tie a second one was ordered to be held at the same place in the following May. On this occasion, the following persons voted : Herbert Owens, David Phegley, Harry Owens, Eli Haskins, John Nowels, .John Price, Thomas Randle, George Culp, Alexander Crockett, J. D. Yeoman, .John L. Stump, Silas Phillips, George Phillips, William Donahue and Michael Stump, Randle receiving ten votes and George Stump receiving five votes for the Justice of the Peace, and Alexander Crockett being elected Constable by the same vote. Some time during the early summer of 1836, the few settlers of Marion Township petitioned the County Commissioners of White County to change the place of election to a more central point, and the house of John Price was accordingly designated. The names appended to this petition exhibit, in addition to the names recorded above, that of Samuel Shannahan. In the meanwhile, Porter County had been organ- ized, and in addition to absorbing that part; of Newton County north of the Kankakee River, its jurisdiction was temporarily extended over all or part of the remaining territory of the original county of Newton. At their September session in 1837, the County Commissioners of Porter ordered, " that all the territory attached to Porter County that it called Newton County shall form and constitute a township to be known by the name of Marion, and that there shall be an election held at the house of John Price on October 21, 1837, to elect one Justice of the Peace, and William Donahue is appointed Inspector." In accordance with this action of the Commissioners, an election was held on Saturday, October 21, 1837, at the house of Mr. Price, when the following persons voted : Thomas Randle, Robert Mallatt, William Overton, Stephen Nowels, 448 HISTORY (5F JASPER COUNTY. Alfred Marvin, George Gulp, George G. Williams, J. D. Yeoman, Robert Parker, Herbert Owen, Solomon Davidson, Edward Dyer, Hiram Mallatt, John Nowels, Samuel Shannahan, William GiUam, John M. Gillam, Erastus Smith, John Price and George Burgett. At this election, William Donahue received the unanimous vote for the position of the Justice of the Peace. In the following spring (1838), Donahue, ex officio Coroner, held an inquest on the body of John M. Piper, who was lost in the snow as noted in the preceding pages. The jury summoned on this occasion shows the names of J. G. Parkinson, James Reed, S. Sherwood, John Burcrett, George B. McCulloch and S. H. Benjamin in addition to others already named. In the August election of this year, 1838, the list of voters include, in addition, names of Robert and Henry Barkley, Enos Marshall and John Lewis. On the organization of Jasper County in 1838, the old county of Newton seems to have been re-attached to White County, and on the 3d day of September in that year, this territory, which had been named Mar- ion Township by the White County authorities, and subsequently confirmed in the same title by the Porter County officials, was divided by the former authorities under whose jurisdiction the territory had come again. According to this action, " all of Newton County lying in the forks of the Pinkamink, and all lying east from the bridge across the east branch of that creek, and by a line due east from that bridge : all on the north of that line," was erected into the township of Barkley in honor of Mr. Henry Barkley, Sr. This territory was subsequently attached to Jasper County as originally formed, and the Commissioners of the latter county, at their March meeting in 1839, divided this territory into Newton and Pinkamink Townships, the latter containing all territory south and east of the Iroquois River. The voting precincts were established at the house of Joseph D. Yeoman, and at the house of William Donahue, and an elec- tion ordered for the April following. Owing to the destruction of the early records in the burning of the courthouse, it is difficult to ascertain the result of these early measures, but it is probable that the action of the Legislature in January of this year rendered their action of no effect. The name of Pinkamink did not cling to any civil division, and Newton was established later. In June, 1839, the Legislative Commissioners met, consolidated the territory of Jasper and Newton, and restricted the latter name to a township which probably included the present townships of Newton and that part of Marion north of the Iroquois. What was the subsequent action of the County Commissioners elected under the new dispensation is simply a matter of conjecture. The records previous to 1849 were destroyed, but at this date there were five townships, Jordan, Marion, HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 449 Newton, Barkley and Gillam, which covered the present territory of Jasper County. Jordan and Marion occupied the territory south of the Iroquois River, the latter including the village of Rensselaer and some little ad- joining territory. The rest of the county was covered by the other town- ships, each of which had the Kankakee River as its northern boundary. The next township organized was Walker, the original boundaries of which were doubtless plain and accurate enough for the purposes of that time, but rather obscure now. It was erected at the March session of the Commissioners in 1851, with the following boundaries : Commencing at the bridge over Copperas Creek ; thence east to Moses Davidson's mill-dam ; thence to the mouth of Stump's slough ; thence to the east line of the county ; along said line to the Kankakee River ; thence westwardly along the river to a line of Beaver Township (now Newton County line), thence to place of beginning." This was probably intended to include all the present territory of Jasper north of the Copperas Creek. In 1853, there was a general revision of township lines, and the boundaries of Walker were changed to the following: " Commencing at the southeast corner of Section 17, Township 31 north, Range 5 west ; thence east to the county line ; thence north on that line to the Kankakee River ; thence along said river to the line dividing Ranges 7 and 8 ; thence south on said line to the southwest corner of Section 18, Township 30 ; thence east to the line of Gillam Township ; ttience north to place of beginning." This includes nearly one-half of the whole area of the present county. The lines of Gillam Township were arranged as now found on the map, save the northwest corner was square, the corner being established at the southeast corner of Section 17, Township 31 north. Range 5 west. The southwest corner of the township also followed the section line between Sections 4 and 5 instead of the line of the river. Barkley Township was defined as follows : " Commencing at the southwest corner of Section 18, Township 30, on range line between Ranges 6 and 7, thence south to the Iroquois River ; following the river thence to the forks, and thence northeastly, following the line of the Pinkamink to the line of Gillam Township ; thence north to the southeast corner of Walker Township ; thence west to the place of beginning." Marion Township was comprised within the following boundaries : Commencing at a point one and a half miles west of the northwest corner of Barkley Township ; thence south twelve miles ; thence east to range line between Ranges 5 and 6 ; thence north to the Pinkamink River ; thence along said river to the forks of the Pinkamink and Iroquois River; thence northwest along the river to the line between Ranges 6 and 7 ; thence north to the line of Walker Township ; thence west to the place of beginning. 450 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. The lines of Newton Township began at the point where the Iroquois River crosses the line between Ranges 7 and 8, follows up the stream to the west line of Marion, thence with this line to Walker Township, and thence with that line to the line dividing Ranges 7 and 8, and thence south to the place of beginning. At this session, Hanging Grove Township was erected substantially as it is at present. The first boundaries made the line between Townships 28 and 29 to the southern limit, but subsequently at the same session the following boundaries were established, which remain to the present writ- ing : " Commencing at a point where the dividing line between Ranges 6 and 6 crosses the Pinkamink River ; thence east following the river to the center line dividing Section 9, 10, 11, and 12 ; thence due east to the county line ; thence south to the White County line ; thence west three miles; thence south one mile; thence west to the line between Ranges 5 and 6, thence north to the place of beginning." This township was struck off from the original territory of Marion Township which was not included in the revised boundaries of that township given above. Jordan Township included all the rest of the present territory of Jasper County. In the March session of 1856, the Commissioners erected the town- ship of Kankakee, which included all that territoi-y north of Township 31, Ranges 5 and 6 ; i. e., the present townships of Kankakee and Wheat- field. In March of 1858, Keener Township was erected out of " Town- ships 31 and 32, in Range 7, and so much of Township 30, Range 7, as lies north of Newton." In the following June Wheatfield Township was erected with its present boundaries; i. e., so much of Range 6 as lies be- tween Township 31 and the Kankakee River. In March, 1862, Jordan Township was divided, the following boundaries defining the new town- ship, which was called Carpenter: " Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 4, Township 27, Range 6, and running west on the township line to the west line of the county ; thence south on said line to the Ben- ton County line ; thence east on said line to the southeast corner of Sec- tion 33, Township 27, Range 5 ; thence north on the White Coiintv line to place of beginning." In December, 1867, Milroy Township was erected as follows : " Commencing at the southeast corner of Section 4, Township 28, Range 5 ; thence west to the southwest corner of Section 3, Township 28, Range 6 ; thence south to the southwest corner of Sec- tion 27, Township 28, Range 6 ; thence east on the southern boundary of the county to the southeast corner of Section 28, Township 28, Range 5 ; thence north on the east boundary of thecounty to place of beginnin.i-." In December, 1868, tlio last townsliip organized. Union, was erected as follows : " Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 20, Township HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 451 31, Range 6, thence west to the northwest corner of Section 19, Town- ship 31, Range 7 ; thence running south to the southwest corner of Sec- tion 31, Township 30, Range 7 ; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 32, Township 30, Range 6 ; thence north to the northeast corner of Section 20, Township 31, Range 6, to place of beginning." These lines were changed in June, 1861, so as to restrict the new township within its present limits. The minor changes in the boundaries of the various townships have been numerous and in many cases trivial, and very often necessitated by oversight in the original lines. These have not been stated, nor will the present map of the county exactly agree with these boundaries, as some minor changes have since been made. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Official dignity of the early day was of a homespun character, and required no great expense to provide appropriate surroundings. When it was decided to remove the place of county business to the Brook settle- ment, Mr. George W. Spitler, who was the first Clerk, and subsequently discharged the clerical duties of all the offices save that of Sheriff and Treasurer, erected a log building about sixteen feet square for the uses of the Commissioners and Circuit Court at his place of residence. This served in the double capacity of court room and boarding house until the removal of the seat of justice, in 1839, to the Rapids of the Iroquois. In this year, Rensselaer was laid out, and in accordance with the custom of that day, the proprietor donated, in addition to the public square, four blocks for the erection of public buildings. The first building to serve as a court house in the new county seat, was a small building erected on Cor- nelia street between Front and Van Rensselaer streets, near where the Barton residence was subsequently built. In 1845, Van Rensselaer also erected, at his own expense, a two-story frame building, 31x36 feet, on the lot nearly east of the square, on Cullen street, for a court house. ■ This was arranged with the court room below and offices above. The offices were not used, however, by the county officials as they pre- ferred their own residences as more convenient, and as the records were not then voluminous, this served the county just as well and required no extra expense for fuel. This served until 1857, when a brick structure was erected on the public square. The first steps toward securing this building were taken by the Board of Commissioners in the September session of 1853. It was then ordered by the board that the Auditor con- tract for a hundred thousand brick and for the delivery of material for a foundation. The specifications required the walls of the foundation to be of stone, to be begun two feet below the surface, to be two feet wide and four feet high, and to be of faced work above the ground. The specifica- 452 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. tions were so far changed as to make the foundation three feet wide be- low the surface, and the work to be finished by December 15, 1853. The outside dimensions were to be 70x40 feet, court room abo^e and six office rooms below, three on each side of a hall, ten feet wide, extending through the length of tlie building. The plans seem to have been de- vised by the Commissioners, and the specifications drawn by George Brown, architect, of La Fayette. On May 6, 1854, a contract was awarded to Benjamin Henkle for the erection of the superstructure, he to take the brick purchased by the county, at a stipulated price, and to complete the building within two years. For this he was to receive §10,000, and an allowance for anticipating the time set for the completion of the contract at the rate of fSOO per annum. The finances of the county were not in the most flourishing condition, and the records show that Henkle finally begged to be relieved from finishing the building, reciting the fact that he had been put to great inconvenience and loss by the failure of the county to pay according to contract, and that if final payment was delayed until the completed building should be accepted, there would be no money in the treasury. The contractor was, however, put off with expressions of satisfaction as to the work so far as finished, but still held to his contract. The building was finally accepted in September, 1856. The original specifications called for vaults for the records of the county, but these were subsequently modified in this respect to the eventual cost of the county: In 1864, the court house caught fire and was partially destroyed. The fire was first discovered about 11 o'clock at night, and at that time the flames had got beyond the control of the facilities which the town afforded for checking it. It was generally supposed that the fire was the work of an incendiary, who was interested in the destruction of the records, and suspicion pointed generally to one man who left the county about that time, though no evidence was obtained to fasten the guilt upon any one. The whole interior and roof of the structure was burned and all the papers and records of the county were destroyed save such as were rescued an:s at the HISTORY OF JASPER ^COUNTY. 467 schoolhouses throughout the northern part of the county. The amount demanded from Jasper was $50,000, and in October of this year the grat- ifying announcement was made that this amount had been pledged, the amount to be paid when the road was constructed and a train of cars run into the village of Rensselaer. " How it was done," is the caption of an article in the Union of No- vember 1, 1877, from which we extract the following : '' Toward the close of the late canvass for subscriptions to the stock of the Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago Railroad Company, to aid in building the division be- tween Rensselaer and Bradford, public feeling became quite warm, and rose in intensity as the subscriptions began to hesitate and diminish in size, $-5,000 or so below the quota demanded. Not only was active can- vassing done on the streets as people came into town on business, but they were waited on at their homes and treated to most eloquent special lectures ; they were invited to dinners where their generosity and public spirit were appealed to between the elegant courses of the table ; and as a grand conclusion of the canvass, a meeting was held in the court house, to ' close the thing up,' at which the enthusiasm became immense." On the 3d day of October, 1877, the company contracted with Yeo- man, Hegler & Co., for the construction of the road, the latter to furnish all the material necessary for the purpose, and the corps of engineers nec- essary to lay out and construct the grades. The road was to be three feet gauge ; road-bed, eight feet wide on top, and the rails to be not less than thirty-five pounds to the yard; "to furnish the necessary machinery and rolling stock, and run and operate the same by themselves or assigns in perpetuity." In consideration of these engagements, the company agreed to furnish the right-of-way free of cost to the contractors, and to pay for the construction and equipment of the road, $550,000 in cash and subsidies, $5,000 per mile in first mortgage bonds of the company, and $5,000 per mile in stock of the company. The road was divided into eight divisions ; the first to consist of the line from Dyer to the south line of Lake County ; second, from Lake County line to the town of Rensselaer ; third, from Rensselaer to Bradford ; fourth, from Brad- ford to Monticello ; fifth, from Monticello to Delphi ; sixth, from Delphi to Rossville ; seventh, from Rossville to Frankfort ; and eighth, from Frankfort to Indianapolis. Payments were to be made on the completion and operation of a division, work to begin at Bradford, and the road from Dyer to Delphi to be completed by the 1st of January, 1879, and from Delphi to Indianapolis by 1st of .January, 1880. Work was at once begun on the third division, and on Thursday, February 14, 1878, Rensselaer celebrated the event of its completion by a barbecue, a free excursion on the road and an enthusiastic meeting. Mr. McCoy furnished the fatted 468 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. OX of the occasion; it weighed 834 pounds net. It was estimated that some 2,000 persons were present, and the inland county seat for the first time experienced the advantage of railroad communication. The fourth division was completed to Monticello August 11, 1878, and on the 4th of September, 1879, the road was opened to the public from Rens- selaer to Delphi. This is the extent of narrow gauge track that was ever constructed on this road. It subsequently passed into the possession of the Louisville, New Albany k Chicago Railroad Company ; the road from Rensselaer to Chicago was constructed as a standard gauge road ; the part already constructed was widened to the new gauge, and the road opened from Delphi to Chicago in January, 1882, and from Delphi to Indianapolis in early sumiper of 1883. The Logansport & Peoria Railroad was built through the southern part of Jasper in 1859. This part of the county was then a sparsely settled country, and given up principally to grazing. The Rensselaer Gazette of August 3, 1859, says of this road: "The Toledo, Logansport & Burlington Railroad Company commenced laying the tracK at the junc- tion with the New Albany & Salem Railroad at Reynolds Station, on the 16th ult. * * * 'jljg i-oa(j runs through the southern part of our county. It runs most of the way through rich agricultural and graz- ing country, and will greatly aid in developing the resources of the south- ern part of Jasper County." There was no attempt made to enlist the enthusiasm of the county in its aid, as it did not pass through the region best able to afford assistance. It is now under the control of the Pitts- burgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad Company, and it is known a^ the State line branch of this corporation. The Plymouth, Kankakee & Pacific Railroad is a line that has been agitated for some ten or twelve years. It is now known as the Indiana, Illinois & Iowa Railroad Company, and at the present writing is building its track through the townships of Kankakee, Wheatfield and Keener. This line passes through a sparsely settled part of the county, and attracts but little general interest through the county. The locality through which it passes will undoubtedly be greatly benefited, but its general im- portance to the county is not great. The Pacific, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad have 8. 84 miles of main track, and .45 side track in Carpenter Township, and the L., N. A. & C, twenty-two miles of main track and .88 miles of side track in the county, the combined valuation of which for taxation is $1:80,550. The Western Union Telegraph Company have nine miles of lines in Carpenter Town- ship, 4.7 miles in Milroy, 8.2 miles in Marion, 3.5 miles in Newton, and 6.2 miles in Union; an aggregate of 31.2 miles in the county. HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 469 THE PRESS. The newspaper is an important factor in American society, and its es- tablishment marks an epoch in the history of a community. In the main, it reflects the character of its constituency ; it leads to a union of senti- ment and purpose, and thus renders the moral force of society more ef- fective. Hand in hand with the church, the school and railroad, it comes in the van of civilization, and society in this age cannot afford to dispense with its power. It was with something of this sentiment that the people of Rensselaer secured the establishment of the Jasper Banner in 1853. Political lines had not, up to that time, been closely drawn. The majority of the early . settlers had brought with them well settled convictions of the soundness of Democratic principles, and while later years had brought in some rep- resentatives of the Whig school, the disproportion of the two parties and the minor differences of political creed, sufficed to keep the party lines from being drawn in local elections. The Banner was therefore started by the subscriptions of members of both parties, upon the conditions that the paper should be politically neutral, and that the subscriptions should be considered as stock and repaid out of the net earnings of the paper. John McCarthy was the editor, a stranger in the county, who signified his willingness to conduct such a paper upon such conditions. It was almost an impossibility in the nature of the times for a man to be polit- ically neutral. The agitation of national questions during the years of 1854 and 1855, was breaking down old party lines throughout the coun- try, and even in the sparsely settled county of Jasper this influence was felt. The Banner caught the infection and showed its party bias by re- ferring to those opposed to the Administration, as " Abolitionists," "Ne- gro-worshipers," etc. In the campaiga of 1856, the lines between Democrat and Republican were sharply drawn, and the Banner openly espoused the cause of the former party. This gave rise to considerable controversy and brought about the establishment, on April 29, 1857, of the Rensselaer G-azette. Its profession of faith was unmistakably clear : " The Gazette will be Republican in politics, ' now and forever.' We will exert all the energy that is in us to advance the cause of freedom, whose standard was so nobly borne aloft last fall by John G. Fremont." Political differences engendered animosities that resulted in assaults. The " Old Line " party in possession of the post office, sought to prevent the free circulation of the Gizette on technicalities, and for several years a large part of the space in either paper was occupied with recriminations. The Republican school of politics gradually gained in strength, and has since been the prevailing influence in the county. The Democratic party, true to its colors, kept up its organization here throughout the period of 470 HISTORY OP JASPER COUNTY. the war, and since that time has gathered some strength. During the agitation against monopolies, better known as the " Grange movement," and the succeeding movement in favor of the " Greenback " monetary system, and the " Silver Dollar," the Republican organization suffered defeat, but it is usual to refer to the county at present as " Republican by 300 majority." The Jasper Banner ceased publication in 1861. The Rensselaer Gazette was founded by J. W. Sullivan and Daniel F. Davies. Mr. Da- vies sooa afterward became sole proprietor, and in 1S59 or 1860, being elected to office, sold the establishment to I. N. S. Alter and Thomas Boroughs. In 1861, James Spencer bought Mr. Boroughs' interest, and the firm became Alter & Spencer. In the following year, Robert C Mitchell purchased Alter's interest, and the new firm was known as Mitchell & Spencer. The senior partner soon afterward retired, and Mr. Spencer a little later sold the paper to C. H. Tatman. In the latter part of 1864, or early in 1865, Mr. Spencer again became proprietor, and in July or August of that year sold a half interest to A. H. Green. The name of the paper was then changeil to the Jasper Signal. This continued only some two or three months, when the material was sold to R. B. Jaraos, who issueil the first number of the Pra(V/t; Telegrafh, Wednesday, October 18, 1865. It was a weekly, Republican, six-column folio. The Iroquois Press was started in Rensselaer in the latter months of of 1867, by Joshua Healey and Jacob Keiser. It was seven-column folio, weekly. Republican paper. In the latter part of the month of Sep- tember, 1868, Mr. R. B. James sold the Prairie Telegraph to his son, Horace E. James. Col. Healey became sole proprietor of the Iroquois PresK, and the two ofiices were consolidated, the new paper bearing the name of the Rensselaer Union. This was a seven-column weekly. Re- publican in politics. In 1874, it announced itself independent of polit- ical parties, and was enlarged to a six-column quarto. November 9, 1875, Col. Healey retired, leaving Mr. James sole proprietor. The Remington Journal was started in Remington, July 3, 1872, by Messrs. 0. E. Do Forest and J. E. Duuhiim. It was a seven-column weekly folio, neutral in politics. Charles M. Johnson bought the ofiice in March, 1871, and continued the publication of the Journal until Sep- tember, 1874, when it ceaaod publication, and the material was moved to Rensselaer. The Jasper Republican appeared September 18. 1874, be- ing printed on the types and presses of the defunct Remington Journal. It was Republican in politics, but otherwise unchanged in its ^'eneral character from its predecessor. Spitler's Ileal Ustate LJazette was started at Rensselaer in July 1872, and was continued a year. It was a four-column folio, issued HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 471 monthly by Thomas J. Spider, to advertise his real estate business, and was printed by James & Healey. February 1, 1876, H. E. James and C. M. Johnson formed a partnership, united their respective offices in one, and published a consolidated paper under the name of the Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican. The first number appeired February 3, 1876, taking the volume and number of the 'Union. It was a weekly, seven-column quarto, and Republican in politics. Subsequently John- son retired, and later M. 0. Gissel became partner with Mr. James, under the firm name of H. E. James & Co., the paper in the mean- while being reduceil co a folio. In May, 1879, Mr. Gissel retired, and the following month started the Rensselaer Standard, a sevea-coluran folio, Republican, weekly. Mr, .Jamei, in Occober, 1879, sold the Union to T. M. Bitters, who also bought the Standard in January, 1880, and merged it in the former paper. In the following July, Mr. Bitters sold the establishment to Calkins k Johnson, but the latter never took an active part in the business beyond the fact of the sale, an.l was suc- ceeded in a few months by a brother of Mr. Calkins, and the firm became Calkins Brothers. May 1, 1881, Messrs. C. F. Overacker and (t. E. Marshall purchased the office, ami August 1, 1882, Mr. Oi^er- acker retired, leaving George E. Marshall the sole proprietor. The name of the paper was changed in 1880, by Calkins & Johnson, to the Rensselaer Republican, a name it still retains. It is now a five-column quarto, weekly, and Republican in politics. The first paper started distinctly as a Democratic paper is the Democratic Sentinel, at Rensselaer. This was first issued February 18, 1877, by James W. McEwen, who came from Monticello, Ind., where he had conducted a similar paper for eighteen years. The Sentinel is an eight-column weekly paper, devoted to the interests of the county seat and the Democratic party. In October, 1874, Messrs. Shortridge & Winegarden commenced publishing a six-column quarto. Republican weekly paper at Remington, which was called the Guard, but it survived only a few months. In the same month, Messrs. A. J. Kitt and A. B. Clark came from Rochester, Ind., and established the Record at Remington. It was supported by several gentlemen, who supplied the capital for the press and material, and a seven-column weekly paper was issued. This continued until about 1877, when the paper was suspended, and the office was removed. About this time the Times was started by Charles Jouvenat, who continued its publication until the fall of 1878, when he removed the plant to Good- land. Charles Cox then started the Reporter, in which 0. W. Church became interested. This paper continued until January, 1881, when W. H. Coover assumed editorial management, changed the name to the 472 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. News, and has since controlled the editorial columns. It is a five-column quarto, and is now published by 0. B. Mclntire. But little attention is given it, save in odd hours taken from abetter paying business. Reming- ton at present presents but a limited field for journalistic ventures, and the News is maintained by the public spirit of its proprietor for the bene- fit of the village rather than for the hope of any financial return. CHURCHES. But before all these influences, more important than markets, or rail- roads, or newspapers, to the highest social progress, are the church and school. Whatever success the individual lacking these influences may achieve, a community can never prosper without them. The early settle- ments were considerably scattered, and it was for some time a diflicult mat- ter to get more than two or three families together for religious services. The pioneer preachers were men of slender education and homely address, but were wonderfully effective in their self-denying earnestness. They visited from cabin to cabin, exhorting, counseling, reproving, as occasion might demand ; they became in every home a welcome guest, and many a weary heart and feeble hand was stayed h\ these simple-hearted servants of the cross. Among the names most familiar here were the Woods, and especially one who was familiarly called '" Long Enoch." Others preached in various parts of the county, the Methodist Episcopal denomination pio- neering the way in church work. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Rensselaer was the first church organization in the county, nnd was founded in 1S34 by E. G. Wood. At that time the charge of which Rensselaer was a part included consid- erable territory in addition to the new counties of Jasper and Newton, necessitating long rides on liorseback to reach the various appointments. For years this organization straggled against the disadvantages of a sparsely settled country and the lack of means, until they achieved a comfortable frame place of worsliiji, which the cliurch still occupies. This is --^TxoT feet, will seat about three hundred per-ous. an 1 the property is valued at about fl,800 ; besides this, the church owns a pai'sonni^e valued at .^750. A movement is now on foot to secure a new brick edifice, which will probably be erected in the near future. The Independence ^lethodist Episcopal Church oF Gillam Church was organized in May or June, 183(3, at the cabin of .John M. Gilhuu, by Rev. II. Bradenburg, an itiuei'ant preacher. The original membership consisted of ,1. M. Gillam and his wife Mary. George Culp and wife Miiry, Tliomas Handle and wife Nancy, Sarah McJeinsey and Maria Gillam. Their first meeting house was built in 1849 near the present site of Indeiiendence Chapel. It was a hewed-log buildiuL; with glass HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 473 windows, sliiagle roof, lath overhead, with the plastering put on above the lath, because the plasterer could not make it stick from beneath. The first sermon was preached in it by Rev. George Guild in 1849, the congregation sitting on the floor sleepers. Their present house of wor- ship, known as Independence Chapel, is a neat frame building, 30x50 feet in size, and was built in 1872 at a cost of §2,400. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Remington was organized in 1859, by Rev. J. H. Hull. They have the best house of worship completed in the county. It is a frame building, 50x70 feet in size, well finished, and is valued at $8,000. A parsonage, built in 1875, is valued at $1,600. Two other societies, organized in 1848, one holding its services at the Watson Schoolhouse and the other at Blue Grass, have never built places of worship of their own, and have been on the Rensselaer charge from the first. There are a number of classes at various points in the county which, with the regular organizations, aggregate a membership of five hundred and fifteen. The Protestant Methodist Church had at one time a strong following in Jasper County, but it has of late years languished until the member- ship IS quite small, and no regular organizations are reported. The first organization was made near Carpenter's Grove, by Rev. John Alter, in 1849. The second class was organized at the house of Isaac D. Bark- ley, in Barkley Township, in 1858, by F. Long. The first circuit was organized by Rev. John Alter and his daughter, Rev. Mrs. Helenor M. Draper, subsequently Mrs. Thomas Davisson, in 1863 or 1864. Mrs. D. served the work as pastor for three years. It was during this time that the question as to the legality of a marriage solemnized by a woman was raised by lawyers. Subsequently classes were organized at schoolhonses in Barkley, Wheatfield and Jordan Townships. In 1876, there were six classes in the county, four in Pleasant Grove Circuit, and two in Grand Prairie Mission, with a membership of about one hundred and fifty persons. Six ministers resided in the county, and two others labored here. The denomination had places of worship of their own, however, and only one parsonage valued at $300 The Rensselaer Presbyterian Church was organized February 10, 1847, by Rev. Edward W. Wright. Its members then were James and Susan Van Rensselaer, Susan C. Weston, Ezra and Martha Wright, Lncinda Mahaffee, Henry Barkley, Ira and Lois B. Allen. Ezra Wright ami Henry Barkley, Sr., were elected Elders. None of these persons now rerniiin. The body of Mr. Van Rensselaer lies buried in the churchyard. The building is a frame structure 36x50 feet in size, and is valued at- $2,000. 474 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 9, The first Presbyterian Church of Remington was organized April 9, 1865, by Kev. Horace A. Mayhew, J. C. Irwin and Elder Corne- lius Hutton, a committee appointed by the Logansport Presbytery. The church has a frame building 30x50 feet in size, which was built in 1866, and is valued at $2,000; also a manse, consisting of two lots and a framed two-story house, large barn and other buildings, valued at $1,800. The original membership was fifteen, which was increased to one hundred and ten, but is somewhat less now. The two churches of this denomin- ation now aggregate a membership of eighty-six. The Rensselaer Baptist Church (Missionary) was recognized by Coun- cil, according to the practice of the denomination, in 1851. Its first pas- tor was Rev. Moses A. Kern, who was succeeded by Reuben R. James. Revs., John C. Post, Lewis .McCreary, James Dunlap and D. J. Huston are among the pastors who have served the church. The society owns a frame church edifice in Rensselaer, 38x46 feet in size, which is valued at $1,000. The First Free-Will Baptist Church of Rensselaer was organized Janu- ary 1, 1853, by Rev. Peter Lansing. Its first meetings were held at the residence of Mr. Barney Daughtery, two miles south of the county seat. The first quarterly meeting held in Rensselaer was January 3, 1871. Previous to that time, all of the church work was done outside of the village. At present, the church has a brick structure under way. The two churches aggregate a membership of seventy-six. In former days there was a strong Baptist society in Newton Town- ship, but the organization has dwindled to very small proportions, and no longer maintains regular services. The Church of God at Rensselaer was organized February 4, 1860, by Elder William P. Shockey. The name of this organization, which is iden- tical with that adopted by the Winebrennarians. has led in some cases to confusion of the one with the other. The peculiarity of their faith con- sists in the belief tliat immorality is the gift of God, and granted only to the righteous ; that the earth, restored or renewed, is to be inherited by the meek who will " dwell therein forever." They discard, as authority in the matter ofnameaswell as of faith and practice, everything except as prescribed by ordained embassadors prior to the church of Rome. There is an organization of this fellowship at Remington, who worship in the ciiurch edifices of other denominations. At Rensselaer, this church occupies a neat frame place of worship, 35x50 feet in size, and valued at $1,500. The Christian Churcli at Remington is a flourishing organization. It has a fine edifice erected in 1867, at a cost of some $2,000. The United Brethren in Christ have two organizations in the couuty HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 475 Dne in Barkley Township, which holds its services in the schoolhouse ; the other is at Remington, but has no regular pastor or services at present. St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, near Rensselaer, was organized by Right Rev. J. Luers, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne, in 1866 or 1867. It is connected with St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum and Manual Labor School. The farm consists of 900 acres, about a mile from the county seat, is furnished with good substantial frame buildings, including a place of worship, two dwellings, barns, etc. A fine brick church edifice is now in course of erection in the village, which will cost, when com- pleted, in the vicinity of $8,000 to $10,000. The value of the farm property is placed at $35,000. The St. John's Church at Remington was organized in December, 1875. They have a neat frame place of worship, neatly finished, 32x60 feet in size, a steeple 100 feet from the ground, and valued at $5,000. The last State report gives the following church summary of Jasper County : a WEMBEKSHIP. bo «i c3 "o 'O i O g 3 a ■s as Is ■35 ^3 CD O II a 2p fl DEKOMINA- li TIONS. O XI ■?,nS alue of Chu Lot and oth Property. ■g-c: •s» ^ fl m a >■ o S a a 3 o o 1 ^ 6 a <\ Qj bo oa.2 Is ax- S3" .23 as d S.9 ■A ^ ^ h H 515 "A 12 S6200 < o 8275 a Zi » •t Methodist R 3 210 305 $1300 S191 27 350 700 Churcli of God- 2 1 43 72 115 4 2000 500 160 200 7 75 45 Presbyterian 2 2 30 56 86 15 3700 700 250 103 21 250 175 2 36 64 100 j 2 1300 120 100 13 6 35 150 Baptist (Mission- 1 1 20 30 60 1 9 1500 700 300 70 6 60 100 Baptist (Predes- i 2 10 37 16 68 26 1 1 95 7 50 2 3000 Totals - 15 10 386 601 987 60 817700 S3370 81085 S576 130 1460 1200 SCHOOLS. Scarcely second of the active forces that influence the development of society is the public school. In common with the whole " Northwest Territory," Indiana enjoys the advantages of the enlightened legislation of the General Government which laid the foundation of the present excellent system nearly a century ago. On May 20, 1785, when this State was under the unquestioned control of the savage, the Congress passed an ordinance reserving the " sixteenth section " in all the territory northwest of the Ohio, for the maintenance of public schools. Two years later, the policy was re-affirmed in the famous^ ordinance of 1787, which 476 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. declared that "religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools, and the means of education, shall be forever encouraged." The great principle thus enunciated made but slow progress, however, in this State during the early years, although public-spirited men were not altogether wanting. In 1807, tiie Territorial Legislature incorpo- rated a university at Vincennes ; October 26, 1808, and December 14, ISIO, the Leo-islature provided for the administration of the school lands, the first act authorizing the Common Pleas Courts to lease the reserved sections, for a period not to exceed five years, with the obligation that lessees should clear ten acres upon each quarter section, and the latter act prohibiting the wasting of sugar trees and timber thereon. The constitution of 1816 provided for the enactment of laws for the suitable improvement of these lands, to prevent their sale before 1820, and to adopt measures for the security an 1 proper management of the school fuml. The constitution further provided for a general system of public schools, as follows : " It shall be the duty of the General Assembly, as soon as circumstances will allow, to provide by law, for a general system of education, ascending In regular gradation from a township school to a State University, wherein tuition shall be gratis and equally open to all." In the constitution of 1851, the same provision is made, with the excep- tion of a State University. December 14, 1816, the General Assembly provided for the appointment of Superintendents of School Sections in the several townships, who were authorized to lease the lands for a term not exceeding seven years, every lessee being required to set out each year twenty-five apple trees and tweuty-five peach trees, until 100 of each had been planted. January 9, 1821, the General Assembly provided against "any distinction between the rich and the poor," which eventuated in the first general school law of the State. It would be impossible within reasonable space to trace the varied course of legislation upon tills important subject. Almost every session of the Legislature has witnessed the passage of some special or general law in relation to the school interests of the State. The difficulties in the way of the early progress of the system were numerous and for a time insurmountable. Funds for the pay of teachers and for erecting school- houses were lacking, qualified teachers could not be found, the school districts were sparsely settled, much of the legislation was impracticable, the school fmitla were mismanaged, and more fatal than all, was the strange prejudice entertained by many against popular education under the name of " free scliools." Against the various hindrances, however, the system has slowly made its way, in spite of hostile judicial decisions, until in efficiency of organization and extent of the public fund, the public schools of Indiana are equal if not superior to the best in the Union. HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 477 School Funds. — There are eleven sources of school revenues, which the State Superintendent, in his report of 1872, divides into three classes, productive, contingent and unproductive. Of the first class is the Congressional township fund, which consists of the money arising from the sale of the "sixteenth sections, " most of which have been sold and the money placed at interest. 2. The saline fund, which arose from a second grant by Congress to the State in the act enabling the Territory to form a constitution and State Government. This act provided, " that all salt springs within the said Territory, and the land reserved for the use of the same, together with such other lands as may, by the President of the United States, be deemed necessary and proper for working the said spi'ings, not exceeding in the whole quantity contained in thirty-six entire sections, shall be granted to the said State for the use of the people of the said State, the same to be used under such terms, conditions and regulations as the Legislature of said State shall direct. The Legislature afterward saw it proper to make this a part of the permanent school fund. 3. The surplus revenue fund, which originated under the administration of Pre-iiilent Jackson. At this time the national debt coutracted durinsr the Revolutionary war and in the purchase of Louisiana was entirely dis- charged, leaving a large surplus in the treasury. In June, 1836, Congress distributed this money among the States in the ratio of their representation in Congress, and ^860,254 fell to the share of Indiana. February 6, 1837, the Legislature set apart $573,-502.96 as a permanent part of the school fund. By the terms of this distribution, this amount is subject to be recalled into the national treasury, but the strong probabil- ity is that it never will be. -4. The bank tax fund arose from the " State Bank," chartered by the Legislature in 1834. A part of the stock in this bank was owned by individuals and part by the State. Section 15, of the charter provided that " there shall be deducted from the dividends and retained in bank each year the sum of 12|- cents on each share of stock, other than that held by the State, which sliall con- stitute part of the permanent fund to be devoted to the purposes of com- mon school education under the direction of the General Assembly, and shall be suffered to remain in bank and accumulate until such appropria- tion by the General Assembly." 5. The sinking fund also originated in the operations connected with the State Bank. To pay her subscription to the stock of this bank, and to assist individual stockholders to pay the second and third installments upon their stock, the State borrowed 31,300,000. A fund was created out of the unapplied balances of this loan, and out of the principal, interest and dividends of so much as was loaned to individual stockholders, for the purpose of sinking the debt of the bank. A section of the original charter provided that after full pay- 478 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. ment of the bank's indebtedness, principal, interest and incidental ex- penses, the residue of said fund should be a permanent fund, and appro- priated to the cause of common school education. From this source the educational fund of the State received about $5,000,000. The summary of these funds in 1872 was aa follows : Congresssional Township Fund $2,281,076 69. Saline Fund 85,000 00. Surplus Revenue Fund 573,502 96. BanliTax Fund ^0.000 00. Sinking Fund 4,767,805 89. The contingent class of funds arise under the provisioQ of law from, 1. All fines for a violation of the penal laws of the State, which are made a part of the permanent fund. 2. All recognizances of witnesses and per- sons indicted for crime, when forfeiced. 3. Moneys arising under the statute which provides that " the estate of a person dying intestate, without kindred capable of inheriting, shall escheat to the State, aad shall be applied to the support of common schools, in the manner pro- vided by law." This fund, in 1872, amounted to §17,866.55. 4. From the proceeds of the sale of swamp lands under a clause in the constitu- tion which provides that "all lands which have been, or may hereafter be granted to the State, when no special purpose is e.xpressed in the grant, and the proceeds of the sale thereof, including the proceeds of the sales of the swamp-lands granted to the State of Indiana by the act of Congress of the 28th of September, 1850, after deducting the espouses of selecting and draining the same," shall be a part of the common school fund. These lands were disposed of. not without some loss by peculation, and a considerable fund derived. ■^. From " taxes on the property of corporations that may be assessed by the General Assembly for common school purposes." This clause of the constitution is not clear either in its application or purpose, and has not been productive of any revenue to the school fund. Under the unproductive class fills so much of the sixteenth sections as remain unsold. Nearly all of such lands furnish no revenue to the general fund, though a part has returned sometliing in the way of rents or profits. The summaiy of the school funds for 1SS2 is as follows: Conunou Sclmol Fund held by counties in June, 1SS2, , . .$2,8;lS,675 65. Nou nei,'ii liable bonds o,',Hl4,78o 21. Total Conunou Seliool Fund 6,748,458 86. Congres.sional Township School Fund 2,46;1,952 65. Grand total 9,207,411 51, Grand Total held in ,lune. 1881 9,Uk1,577 09. Increase for year 73,834 42. HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 479 The early settlers of Jasper were not behind the general sentiment of the State in their appreciation of the advantages of schools, and long be- fore the State could give the scattered communities aid, they had solved the problem for themselves, had erected schoolhouses and maintained schools by subscription. Neighborhoods turned out and put up the cabin, and each patron paid the expense of the teacher's salary in proportion to number of children sent. Money was scarce, but anything the settler had was valuable to the teacher, and by exchange the farmer's hog or cow was transformed into the children's education. In the Barkley settle- ment, the first school was held in the winter of 1838-39, and taught by a Mr. Webster ; in the Blue Grass settlement, the first school was taught about 1840, by a Miss Price, and G. W. Spitler taught the first school at Rensselaer in 1841. The growth of schools here was subject to all the hindrances of a sparsely settled country and the limited means of the pioneers. The slow growth of the population deferred the improvement of these early schools, and in 1853 there were but eight schoolhouses in the combined territory of the present counties of Jasper and Newton. Since 1875, the progress in this direction has been rapid and highly satisfactory, the following statement of the County Superintendent gives a comprehensive view of this period: 1877. 1878. 1879. 1880. 1881. 1882. Enumeration 3,490 2,749 1,691 122 78 131 $1 78 81 52 $19,182 91 6 53,430 00 ' 57,805 13 S41,870 00 3,452 2,796 1,706 128 85 132 81 70 81 46 820,880 42 4 82,200 00 $7,427 06 843,405 00 3,378 2,940 1,714 137 84 127 81 53 SI 38 819,151 03 2 $650 00 $6,801 80 $33,135 00 3,396 2,850 1,807 140 86 123 81 67 81 40 819,606 61 5 S2,.300 00 88,064 00 $38,130 00 3,513 2,843 1,882 140 89 119 $1 65 SI 46 819,349 03 9 S.5,135 00 $10,057 45 848,665 00 2 84 4 90 3,511 2,815 1,921 146 88 Length of school year in days Number of districts in ivhich school 122 Average compensation of male teach- 81 52 Average compensation of female 81 47 820,281 44 2 81,076 DO Number of new schoolhouses built.... Special school money expended....... 810, .377 03 842,775 00 2 Number of frame schoolhouses 73 7 80 76 7 83 77 8 85 83 85 84 The course of study as prescribed by the County Board of Education is thorough and extends through five grades, and the grammar grade, which adds to the common branches of reading, spelling, arithmetic, writing, grammar and geography, those of history, physiology and elo- cution. The County Board, as an inducement for pupils to complete the course of study, has provided for the graduation of those who do complete it, as follows : I. The County Superintendent is hereby empowered to issue a certificate of graduation to any pupil in the public schools of this county, who shall have com- 480 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. pleted the adopted course of study, sustained correct deportment and passed the re- quired examination. II. Before any pupil is graduated he shall be required to pass a satisfactory examination before the County Superintendent in all the eight common school branches, and shall sustain a grade of at least 70 per cent in every branch. III. At least two months before the close of the term, the teacher shall report to the Superintendent the names of those pupils who are finishing the course of study and are preparing for the examination. IV. The Superintendent shall examine such pupils at a time and place agreed upon by him and the Trustee. V. There shall be no more than one examination held in any one township within a year, and all examinations shall be held some time between the 1st of February and the 1st of July. VI. The Superintendent shall determine from such examination and from other information whether the applicants are worthy to graduate and shall notify the teacher and Trustee of his decision. VII. At a time and place designated by the Trustee, the schools of the town- ship shall be assembled, and the successful applicants shall be called upon to recite orally, in the presence of the assembled schools, patrons and visitors, in such man- ner as may be directed by the Superintendent, or, in the event of his absence, by the Trustee. VIII. Other exercises may be provided for the daj- as may be deemed expedi- ent. IX. At the conclusion of such exercises, the certificates of graduation shall be publicl}^ presented to the graduate by the Superintendent. Trustee or some other person selected for that dut}'. Said certificates shall tie signed by the Superintend- ent, Trustee, Director and Teacher. X. A record of the names and age of pupils, date of graduation, name of the school, and of the teacher under whose tuition the pupils gi-aduate, shall be kept by the County Superintendent and Township Trustee. The following exhibit give.s the status of the county's share of the gener- al school fund as shown in the report of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Jasper, in the State of Indiana, to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the year ending the last day of May, 1S82, as re- quired by the 105th and 106th Sections of the School Law : C0XGI!ESST0N.\Tj PUNII.* Amount of fund held on trust as shown by last report |44,68li 71 Amount since added from the sale of lands 1,040 00 Total 143.706 71 Total amount of Congressional Township school fund held in trust at this dale 45,7i}fl 71 Number of acre.«i of unsold Congressional Township school lands L.'i'JO Value of unsold Congressional Towushi]i School lands SO 806 COMMON SCUOOI, FUNH. Aiuoinit (if fund licld in trust liy county as shown by last report ^11,170 29 Aiuouiit since added from tmes and forfcil.\u-cs by Clerk of Court tlO OO Aiuoiiut since added from fines and forfeitures by Justices of the Peace. . Ill 76 Amount since added froni all other sources V,.M (iO HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 481 CONDITION OF SCHOOL FUNDS. , Congressional Common Fund. School Fund. Amount of funds safely invested 143,128 83 |11,536 79 Amount not invested and in the county treasury at this date ." ' 2,597 89 5 13 Total funds as above 145,726 71 $11,531 91 Amount in treasury at last reporl 435 00 195 71 Amount of loans paid within the year 10,134 00 3,695 73 Amount of funds loaned within the year 7,971 11 3,886 31 Amount of interest on the fund collected within the year, 3,650 43 1,044 63 Amount of interest on funds delinquent 7 71 Amount derived from renting or leasing unsold Congres- sional school lands 56 50 How much of the fund is represented by forfeited lands, 3,007 50 134 10 What is the estimated cash value of such forfeited lands, 3,743 00 305 50 Witness our hands this 10th day of June, 1883. Isaac D. Dunn, ) Elisha E. Rockwood, >■ County Commission-ers. George W. Bukk, ) Attest : Ezra C. Nowbls, Auditor. Moses B. Alter, Treasurer. SECKET SOCIETIES. Prairie Lodge, No. 125, of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, was organized at Rensselaer, under a charter from the Grand Lodge of Indiana, issued May 29, 1860. Its predecessor, Jasper Lodge, No. 125, was organized under a dispensation of the Grand Lodge, and held its first meeting July 19, 1851. Its charter members were : John Test, Joshua Clarke, Peter S. Benham, Presley Dunlap, G. A. Moss. R. Purcupile, E. Whitson and J. Langel. The lodge subsequently came to a disagreement among themselves, and surrendered the old charter in 1859. Steps were im- mediately taken to form the present organization as above, when D. T. Hal- stead was appointed Master ; I. M. Stackhouse, Senior Warden, and W. S. Hopkins, Junior Warden. The lodge meets in a pleasant hall in Newels' Block. Their assets are limited to their fixtures, the demands upon their income for charitable purposes being so large as to prevent the accumulation of any considerable fund. Remington Lodge, No. 531, of the same order, was organized at Remington, under dispensation of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, June 24, 1867, by Isaac M. Stackhouse, of Rensselaer. The Iroquois Lodge, No. 143, of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, was organized at Rensselaer under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Indiana, May 15, 1854, by D. D. G. M. William B. Davis. First meeting, June 9, 1854. The first officers were : J. M. Troxel, N. G. ; R. Brearly, V. G. ; D. P. Spears, Sec. ; A. F. Reed, Treas. The 482 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. lodge occupies a hall in Newels' Block ; have assets valued at about $4,000, and a membership of forty-three. Schuyler Lodge, No. 284, of the same order, was organized at Rem- ington July 10, 1857, by D. D. G. M. James H. Loughridge, of Rens- selaer. It numbers about thircy-five members, and has no accumulated fund. The calls upon it for assistance have been considerable, and there has not been felt any special ambition to amass any considerable re- sources. Remington Lodge, No. 58, of the order of the Knights of Pythias, was organized February 18, 1875, by Mr. Carnahan, of La Fayette, Ind. The order did not seem to thrive, and in 1877 or 1878 the lodge surrendered its charter. Rensselaer Lodge, No. 82, of the same order, was instituted June 13, 1878, under dispensation, and secured its charter, March, 1879, with the following charter members: C. H. Price. M. F. Chilcote, B. F. Wal- dorf, F. B. Myers, E. D. Rhoades, D. B. Miller, E. I. Philipps, N. W. Reeve, R. B. Patton, I. N. Lowman, G. M. Robinson, Benjamin Tuter, F. H. Robinson, Louis Bass, C. H. Hopkins, L. C. Grant, 0. P. Robin- son, C. C. Starr, T. A. Knox, A. W. Cleveland, G. W. Allen, Lud Hopkins and E. Peacock. C. H. Price was elected first C. C. There are now about thirty-seven members, who meet in a pleasantly furnished hall in Nowels' Block. The assets of the lodge reach about §400. % Is 11 6 9 a 11 6 9 £ s TOAVNSHIPS. 3 & o "-A i 6 9 d > 9 3 00 Hanging Grove Township Gilhim Township o' Barklev 'I'ownsliip Kankakee Township Wheattielil Township 1 . . . . 1 Keener Townshiji Walker Township 3 10 7 3 5 60 o "3' 11 4 4 10 4 4 1 8 "^ Newton Township Marion Township 10 1 4 38 i 1 Jordan Township Carpenter Townsliip 1 Totals 13 51 50 . . . . 1 14 1 NOTK.— The total number of soldiers credited to Jasper Coimty is 935, HISTOET OF JASPER COUNTY. 489 But little difficulty was felt in obtaining volunteers during the first two years of the war, and no eftort was made by the county to stimulate enlistments by the offering of bounties. In fact, the financial condition and resources of the county would not permit any extravagance, however urgent the necessity. In August, 1862, an order was passed by the County Commissioners to pay a bounty of $25, but was subsequently rescinded. On November 24, 1863, the subject was again brought forward, and an order passed to pay $60 to volunteers credited upon the quota of the county under the call of October 17, 1863, and this amount was increased in the following month to $100, which resulted in the payment of $4,900 as bounties by the county. Various measures of relief for the families of soldiers were introduced, which were carried out at an expense of $4,641.77. The various townships, in their independent capacity, added to the general expenditure for both objects, as follows: TCWN'SHIPS. Hanging Grove Township S 2,700 00 Gillam To-misMp 1,9.50 00 AVallier Township Barkley Township Marion Township Jordan Township Newton Township Keener Township Kanlial^ee Township Wheatfield Township Carpenter Township County Commissioners 4,90U 00 BOUNTY. RELIEF. , 2,700 00 $ 400 00 1,9.50 00 500 00 25 00 5,900 00 300 00 5,050 00 200 00 200 00 200 00 100 00 30 00 100 00 323 00 600 00 4,900 00 4,641 77 Totals §21,978 00 $6,141 77 The ladies also formed a Soldiers' Aid Society at Rensselaer. This was not completely organized, nor auxiliary to the city organization, but patriotic ladies, with earnest hearts and willing hands, busied themselves in providing such articles as the hospitals and the boys in the field stood in greatest need. The society met at the residence of its members, and worked up the material that some member, or the donation of some mer- chant, had provided. Donations of the usual kind were solicited in the country and town ; •' boxes " were sent to volunteers of the county ; con- tributions to general hospitals were made, and wherever the demind seemed most urgent, the labor and contributions of these ladies were freely given. The amount thus expended cannot be estimated, but there is no doubt but that it would compare very favorably with the amount of the •' relief" fund expended by the county treasury. ninth Infantry. — In the Mexican war, the State had five regiments, and to avoid historical confusion, the regiments raised for the war of the rebellion were designated by numbers, beginning with six. The Ninth 490 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. was therefore the third regiment organized, for the war of 1861-65. This regiment was organized and mustered into the service for three months, at Indianapolis, on the 25th of April, 1861, with Robert H. Milroy as Colonel. In this regiment Jasper County was represented by a full com- pany, the original officers of which were Robert H. Milroy, Captain; Gideon C. Moody, First Lieutenant ; and Edward P. Hammond, Second Lieutenant. In the organization of the regiment, this company was ranked G; the Captain promoted to the Colonelcy of the regiment, and the regu- lar promotion of the Lieutenants, placing Albert G. Guthridge in com- mission as Second Lieutenant. Company G may be said to be the nursery of Jasper County's military renown, as from its organization rose one General, three Colonels and a number of line officers. The Ninth was the first regiment that left the State for Western Vir- ginia, departing from Indianapolis on the 29th of May, and arriving at Grafton on the 1st of June. From this point it marched toward Philippi, in the column commanded by Col. Kelley, and took part in the surprise of the rebel camp at that place on the morning of the 3d of June. This march of twenty-two miles over muddy roads, in an intensely dark and stormy night, was the first introduction of the regiment to the drudgery of army life. The affair at Philippi was but little more than a skirmish, the enemy, after a momentary resistance, making a precipitate retreat. The expedition returned to Grafton, when the Ninth was assigned to Gen. Morris s brigade. By July 4, 1861, the army at Grafton, under the im- mediate command of McClellan, numbered 30,000 troops, and operations were at once begun against the enemy who had taken position at Laurel Hill. Here the rebels made a more vigorous resistance, but, trreatlv out- numbered, they gave way iu a disorderly retreat, not, however, before in- flicting a loss of some fifty killed and wounded upon tlie Union forces. Here Comiiany G lost one man killed. Retreating across Cheat River, the commander of the rebel forces turned at bay at Carrick's Ford. From this position the enemy was promptly dislodged after short resistance, and pursued by a part of the army under Gen. Hill. This closed the cam- paign of the Ninth under their three months' term ot enlistment, and in the hitter part of July, the regiment returned to Indianapolis and was discharged. Oil its return, tlie regiment found the early idea that the war would be over in ninety days e.xplode24 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: down the Ohio River on a raft. His father, Ozro Bates, was reared on a farm. His parents died of cholera about 1818. He moved to this State in 1848, purchased land in Marion County, and settled there. He reared a family of seven children. Our subject was married to Marj' H. Haven,s, daughter of Rev. George Havens, which union was blessed with the gift of three children — Glen, Lessie and Mar}'. F. W. BEDFORD is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and was born June 8, 1828. His father, Ellas Bedford, was a Colonel in the war of 1813, was twice made a pris- oner, and four times wounded, the last time at Lundy's Lane, by a bayonet stab, after which a silk handkerchief was thrust into said wound, and he continued to fight. After the war he lived at Genesee County, N. Y., and married Mary Maria Scott, niece of the late Gen. Scott. He was aprominent Mason, and belonged to the lodge said to have the dastard William Morgan; he once ran a flat-boat on the Ohio, and had an interest in the first steamboat that ruffled that river; he was one of the found- ers of Lafayette. Ind., where he died thirty years after, and from the remote effects of the wound at Lundy's Lane, F. W. Bedford was fourteen years old when his father died. September 15, 1857, at La Fayette, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Sarah Phillips. Mr. Bedford has a steam power brick and tile manufac- tory, which turns out 2.50,000 brick and 200,000 tile annually; he also has a general store in Rensselaer. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, and is a Republican; he is strictly temperate, a verj- prominent man in the county, and foremost in every cause of advancement and general benefit. Mrs. Bedford is a native of Preble County, Ohio, a member of the Christian Church and a most estimable woman. RIAL BENJAINIIN was born in Tompkins County, X. T.. in 1809. His father Jared Benjamin, was of English descent, a native of Vermont, and emigrated to New York, where he married Miss Nancy Hemingway, of Scotch ancestry, said to date back to Sir Walter Scott. This marriage was pr(iductive of the following is- sue; AVilliam, Saloma, Rial and Charles. Mrs. Benjamin died in 1814. Jared Ben- jamin next married Polly Yeoman. They reared a large family, and removed to Ohio, where he and the Yeomans purchased a large tract of land. He was a soldier of the war of lAl2, and died from causes contracted in that war. Rial Benjamin was reared in Ohio, and apprenticed to a blacksmith, who taught him his trade. He there married Sarah Ann. daughter of Dr. Joshua Clark ; her mother was a daugh- ter of Rev. John Dailey, a Methodist minister. To this union were born twelve chil- dren— Jlary Catharine, Ruth Ann, Joshua C. Eliza. Drusilla and Mary Jane (twins). Sarah Elizabeth, Charles R., :Margaret Amelia. Clara. Rial P. and Caddie (deceased)! Charles was a soldier in the late war. in the Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, and was wounded at Vicksburg. Our suliject came to this county in 1841, and worked at his trade for twenty-five years, in addition to farnung. ilv. Benjamin is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and takes aelive part in religious and edu- cational matters. PHILIP BLUE. i>rn|irietor of tlic :\lcKeever House. Rensselaer, Ind., was born in Kosciusko Comity. Ind.. Doemiber IS. 1840. and is the son of David and Sarah (Bolirer) Blue, the former a native of Ohio, the laller of Virginia, and of En- glish and German extraction. Mr. Bhie enlisted July 20. 1863, in Company G. One Hundred and Eighteenth Rcgimi'ut Indiana Volunteers, under ('apt. H. A. White and Col. (George AV. Jackson. AVas located in East Tennessee; kept on detached duty, and henee withheld from engiigemrnts. He was discharged Jlarch 1. 1864 and came to .lasper County in 1876. Philip Blue was married. Ju'lv 13. 1867. to Bdle Baylor. daughliT ,,1' .laeob and Sarah (Stacker) Baylor, natives'of Pennsylvania ami of (!erm;in descent. Four children have crowned tliis union— Luella T born November 21), 1S6S; Charles M., born May 17, 1870; Lerov. born i\Iay 'm' 1870- Pearlie, born Janu.'iiy 11,1880. Mrs. Belle Blue was born Februarv 13.1847. Jlr Blue IS a member of the Masonic fraternity, an active Republican, a wide-awake and gen TOWN OF RENSSELAER AND MARION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 525 ial gentleman. He is a man in the right place— proprietor of a first-class hotel in Rensselaer. GEORGE H. BROWN, ex-member of the Legislature, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, May, 1816. His father, Zephaniah Brown, was born in Vermont in 1789, and removed with his parents to Cayuga County, N.Y., where he was reared and educated, subsequent!}' removing to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he married Miss Elizabeth Headley, a resident of that State. They had eleven children. Heremovedto Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 1837. His wife died in 1843. He married again, and bought a large tract of land, on which our subject was reared. Zephaniah died in the spring of 1875. George H. Brown came to Jasper'County in 1840, and settled in Barkley Township, where he entered a quarter-section in Section 34. This he improved and exchanged; he now owns 1,395 acres, which he has obtained by unremitting toil and good management. He has also given his children as much land as he now owns. He was educated at the common schools, and in 1844 married Miss Nancy Welch, by which union they had one child, which died in infancy. Mrs. Brown died a few years after, and he next married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of George W. Nich- ols, who came from Ohio to this county in 1843. By this marriage they have had the following children — Caroline, Evaline, Cecilia, George H., La Fayette (de- ceased), Rebecca, Margaret M., Elizabeth, Isabella and Rachel A. Mr. Brown is not a member of any party, but votes for the man. In 1878, he was elected to the Legis- lature on an independent ticket; his majority was about 500 in the county. He was opposed b}' Mr. M. F. Chilcote, a Republican. He is principally self-educated; has acquired considerable wealth, and is a member of the Christian Church. GEORGE W. BURK, County Commissioner, was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., July 31, 1833. His father, John Burk, was a native of Jamestown, Va. ; was reared a farmer, and came with his parents to Tippecanoe County, where he after- ward married Miss Sarah E. Philips, whose father, Simon Philips, settled in said county in 1823. He had served as Captain in the Revolutionary war, and died aged sixty-eight. John Burk's family were Lavina J., George W., Maria L., Jo- seph, Mary A., Delilah A., Cornelius, Clarise F. and Charles. Our subject, Febru- ary 19, 1857, married Miss Amanda J. Kenton, born in Champaign County, Ohio, January 1, 1838, to which union succeeded six children — Sarah E., born December 14, 18,57, married David B. Nowels; Lilly Ann, born November 35, 1859, married Wallace Robinson; Eva A., born November 25, 1861; EdmondJ., born September 7, 1863; George M., born August 9, 1875, and Bessie A., born February 9, 1879. The Kentons (originally O'Canton), emigrated from Ireland to Virginia. According to an old record in possession of Mr. Burk, Mark O'Canton was born in Ireland in 1701, and died in Pittsburgh, Penn., on his way to buy land in Kentucky, October 16, 1783. His son, William Kenton, was born in Fauquier Couutj', Va., September 30, 1737; married Slary Clelland, December 15, 1763, and died after fasting for forty days. The record also has : Mary Clelland, wife of William Kenton, died in 1783. Ed- mond C, Eliza, William H., Rebecca F., Elizabeth Ann, Marj' J., and Benjamin F., were the children. Edmond C. was the father of Mrs. George Burk, and died July 16, 1852. George Burk is an industrious and worthy farmer, a strong advo- cate of education, and a friend to every enterprise that promises good. His own education was much neglected, but he made up for that deprivation by diligent and systematic study. His farm lies in the north part of the township, and is well im- proved. MORDECAI F. CHILCOTE, one of the leading attorneys and counselors at law of Rensselaer, and son of Mordecai and Elizabeth (Culbertson) Chilcote, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, November 4, 1840, where his early life was spent on the farm, and where he received a fair school education. Moved by a desire for knowledge, and purpose to be and do something, he made the best use of such lim- 526 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ited facilities as were afforded for storing his mind with useful information. Thus, like many others who have risen to eminence, he studied at home, and memorized rules and definitions while at work. In this way he added to the little gained in the short terms of the schools, until by the time he had reached the proper age to sup- port himself at school, he had acquired a fair knowledge of the primary branches of learning. After the removal of his parents to ilichigan, he attended the seminary, and at the age of eighteen entered Olivet College in that State, at which time Mr. Fairchild, who was after elected Lieutenant Governor of the State, was President. After his graduation, he taught several terms of district schools. At the breaking- out of the war in 1861, he enlisted for three months' service in the Ninth Indiana Infantry, and at the call of the President for more troops, he joined the Forty- , eighth Regiment, and after six months was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and came home Captain; he served in the department of Tennessee and "West Virginia, and was with his regiment in all its marches and engagements. At the close of the war, he taught school, and afterward engaged in the practice of law in Rensselaer. In September, 1805, he married Miss Lizzie H., daughter of .Nathaniel and Hannah (Sering) Hammond, and sister of the Hon. E. P. Hammond, all of this State. The result of the union was three children— Fred L., Gaylord H. and Mary T. Nathaniel Hammond was born in Blue Hill. Me., in 1786", and died in 1877; his wife, formerly Hannah Sering, was born in Ohio in 1803. JOHN COEN was born in Knox County, Ohio, March 14. 18i4, and Is a son of John and Asenath (Mills) Coen, the former a native of Washington County. Penn., born in 1793, the latter of the same State, born in 1794, and of Irish and Welsh de- scent. These parties removed in the early times to Jnox County, Ohio, where they reared a family of nine children— Marilla A. (widow of James A. Porter), Isaac Joshua (deceased), Rachel (deceased), John, Rhoda (deceased), Thomas. William S- and Hugh E. The maternal grandfather of our subject. Isaac Mills, served seven years as a Revolutionary soldier. John Coen, our suliject. was reared a farmer and was married, in 1844, to Sarah, daughter of James Miller, of Ohio, whose mother Mary McCabe, is said to have been the first white child born in Cincinnati Ohio To this union were granted the following children: TesziaP.. Charles F (deceased) Mary McCabe (deceased), Jennie 3Iarrilla, Rosilla and Hattie AV. ^h: Coen came to this county in 1852, and purchased 160 acres two miles northwest of Rensselaer- he IS now proprietor of one of the finest nurseries in the county, keeps a varietv of the best bearing trees, and is located one-quarter of a mile north of Rensselaer ' F, L. COTTON, of the firm of Cotton & Patton. grain, lumber and live stock merchants, was born in West. Virginia in the vear 1849; his father W R Cotton was likewise a native of Virginia; he is still living, a-cd sixtv-four F L Cotton was married October 6, 186!., to Miss Lee A. Patton, who was born in Greene County Fenn. To these parents were born three children-Ella Mav, Homer and Don of whom the two first are deceased. Richard Patton, father of Mrs Cotton is also a native of Greene County, Penn.; he has reared a fa.uily of three ^^irls and one bov E vira marricl George A. Nolan, Chief Examiner in the patent office at AVashin^ton' who died m 1873, and his wif.. a few houfs later on the same day, leaving onediild' George, who is now m the keeping of his Grandfather Patton. J[r Cotton has been m business near Rensselaer for almost, seven years, and is an energetic and respected THOMAS H. T.AVISSOX. Postmasfr at Pleasant Ridge, was born in John- ;;;; T7' ■ ■" '""''■ ""' '^ '■ ^^^ ^^ ''■ ^- ^"^ ^^'">""'^ j- ii^-iywine) d ". son, the fornier a native ol Ohio, the latter of Kentucky. Our subieefs fa h r time, sold the same and e;une to this county in 1844, where he bon.v|,f ,> , r .00 acres in Bark.ey Township, whhh he improved, sold, :;d\h:M::nt^amin TOWN OF RENSSELAER AND MARION TOWNSHIP—JASPER COUNTY. 527 which he sold to John Haddocks, as afterward known b.y his name. He also built other mills, and now resides in Pulaski Covinty, where he is a Justice of the Peace. His family comprises three girls and five boys, three of whom died in the late war — Daniel and Jesse at Nashville, and Hezekiah at Louisville. Thomas H. Davisson was a member of Company G, Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantrj', and was wounded at the battle of Stone River December 31, 1863, from which he is yet crippled. He was wedded, March 4, 1864, to Helen M. Draper, who died in October, 1876, and was next luarried, in 1877, to Nancy McColley, of this county. JOHN W. DUVALL, livery keeper, is a native of Darke County, Ohio, and was born January 9, 1827. His father was Daniel Duvall, a native of Pennsj'lvania, who died in 1845, leaving .seven children, of whom but three survive. Daniel Du- vall was an early settler of Ohio, whence he removed to Kosciusko County, Ind., about 1835, and from there to Jasper County in 1842. John W. Duvall was married, July 15, 1850, to Rebecca Ann, daughter of Crawford Anderson. Mrs. Duvall died August 20, 1867. In 1868. he married Elizabeth, daughter of Edmond Kenton, of this county, and a native of Jasper County, to which union succeeded two children — Edmond D. and Ora. Mr. Duvall engaged in the liverj' business, in companj' with a brother, Samuel 0., in 1856. but now carries on said business alone. Mr. Duvall is an enterprising, benevolent gentleman, upon whose shoulders fell the main support of his brothers and sisters. The children born to his first marriage are Martha J., Cyrus W., Samuel H., Mar_v D., .Jennie and Albertie. ROBERT STARBUCK DWIGGINS was born November 12, 1834, in Clinton County, Ohio. His father, Daniel Dwiggins. moved to Grant County, Ind., in 1836. The country was then wild, there being many Indians and much game. In March, 1858, he came to Rensselaer, where he has since resided. He was born in 1807, and married Mary Starbuck, born in 1811; they are both living in good health. Their ancestors came from the Island of Nantucket, Mass. Edward Starbuck, great-great- grandfather of our subject, was one of the original purchasers of that island in 1659. Robert attended the common schools, and when seventeen years old went to Antioch College, Ohio, but, being afflicted with inflamed eyes, was vmable to con- tinue his studies for five years. He worked on a farm until twenty-four years of age, and in March, 1859, came to Rensselaer, and entered the law office of R. H. Milroy (Gen. Milroy), and commenced practice in 1860. In 1861, he enlisted in the Ninth Indiana Regiment, undei' Capt. Milroy, for three months, and served through the West Virginia campaign. In 1862, Gov. Morton commissioned him a recruiting Lieutenant; he enlisted over 200 men for the Eight3r-seventh Indiana Volunteers, and also a company for the Ninety-ninth Regiment, but, being taken sick, and the , quota of the State being full, he did not again enter the service. He continued practicing law until 1879, when he and his brother Zimri organized the Citizens' Bank of Rensselaer, in which he is still engaged. He was elected Prosecuting At- tornej' in 1860, and appointed Inspector of tobacco, snuff and cigars in 1867. He was Presidential Elector on the Republican ticket 'in 1868, and elected to repre- sent the counties of Jasper, Benton, Newton, White and Pulaski in the State Senate in 1870; he was an Abolitionist before the organization of the Republican party. One of his brothers died from sickness contracted in the army. In 1862, Mr. Dwig- gins married Miss Fannie Travis, born in Clarion Countj', Penn., May 1, 1836. They have two sons — Elmer, aged nineteen, now at Michigan ITniversity; and Jay, aged sixteen, now at the Military Academy at Orcliard Lake, Mich. ; they had also one daughter, Gertie, who died when two years old. He is a member of the Church of God, and holds a letter from the Indiana Conference, recommending him as a pro- claimer of the Gospel. R. FENDIG, merchant, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, was born in 1836, and is a son of Benjamin and Nancy (Abraham) Fendig, the former a native of 528 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Germany. These parents had seven children, three of whom are deceased. Our subject emigrated to America in 1854. He went first to Hartford, Conn., for two years, thence to Macon, Ga., in whicli State and in Alabama he resided and did business six years, and in 1862 removed to New York, dodging the rebel forces on the way. He was in business at Chicago until 1870, when he came to Rensselaer and became a partner with Mr. Leopold, and afterward began general mercantile business on his own account. Mr. Fendig was married in Milwaukee to Miss Ruble, from wliich union descended live children— Tillie, Benjamin, Albert, Louis and .Samuel. Mr. Fendig has been successful, although utterly without means after coming to the United States. He is Treasurer of a Masonic Lodge, and has been School Trustee. He is a liberal, enterprising man, and greatly esteemed in the community. BRAZILLER F. FERGUSON was born in Randolph County, N. C May 31, 18.J0. His father. George W. Ferguson, was a native of the same county, was reared a farmer, and married, in North Carolina. Miss Nancy Miller, with an issue of four children— Eliza S., Braziller F., William H. and one deceased. Mr. Fergu- son was a school teaolier up to 1863, and about 186.=) engaged in mercantile business in Tippecanoe County, where Mrs. Ferguson died January 2^), 180.5, aged thirty-six. In September, 1865, Mr. Ferguson married Miss Malinda Clevinger, and died Octo- ber 9, 1869. Our subject finished his schooling at Battle Ground and commenced to work Avhen about thirteen years old; taught school, studied theology, entered the ministry, and preached at Badger's Grove, Francesville and Rensselaer. In 1874, he engaged in the lumber trade, and did business also at Francesville, and in the same year he married Miss Martha Robinson, who died January 2, 1881, leaving one child— George W. March 7, 1883, Mr. Ferguson married Miss Hattie Coen, of Rensselaer, daughter of John Coen. The parents of Mr. Ferguson were Methodists, but lie is a Baptist. DANIEL GRANT was born in Faucpiier County, Va., in 1707. T^Tien a boy, he emigrated to Kentuckj' with his parents, where he was reared, meagerly edu- cated and afterward married Rebecca Hale, born in Fleming County, that State, in 1803, daughter of Abraham and Amelia (Pickerel) Hale. Daniel Grant, father of the above, was for seven years a Revolutionary soldier, and was the parent of nine children, of whom Daniel was the only survivor. Our subject's famih'are; James W., born in Fleming County, Kj'., in 1831, and in 1848 married America, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Gin) Bantham, of Wabash Count}', in this State, which union produced six children — Leslie C, Laura E., Serepta (deceased), Charles B., Amanda and Thomas W. ; Mrs. America Grant died in 1869, and Mr. Grant married Eliza James, daughter of Daniel James. Thomas H. married, in 1847, JIartha, daughter of John and Catharine (Coon) !McDanicl, of AVabash County; to this union were born five children — Livonia. Rebecca C Daniel F., John A. and Schuj-ler C; Mrs. Grant died in 1860, and 5Ir. Grant married, in 1863, Hannah Hemphill, for- merly of Ohio. Washington S. was born in Kentuck_v in 1826; married Lovina Hurley; he has sixty acres of good land, and five children living — Josie, Harvey, Delia, Rollie and Warner. Francis Jlariou was born in Kentucky in 18'.}6, and mar- ried in this county in 1846 to Pbebe Morland, daughter of Joseph and Almond (Hayes) Morlanil, residents of this county, to whieli union were bestowed five chil- dren—Lucy G., IT. S., Nellie, Edmund H. and Grace. Ruth married Fleming Phil- ips. Evaline C. (deceased) was the wife of David Carr. Amelia (deceased) was the wife of Jacob Troxel. Josie is the wife of Norman Warner. Alton was born in Wabash Clounty, Ind,, in 1839, and married, in 1875, to Miss Maggie Dilon, whose parents were old settlers of that county, and now deceased; the fruit of this union was Iwo children— Charlie and Garland. Shelby was born in Wabash Countv in 1843, served a period of two years in the late war, and was married, in 1869, to TOWN OF REXSSELAER AND MARION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 529 Caroline Israel, a native of Indiana, born in 1844, daughter of Archibald and Amy (Parr) Israel, formerly of Tennessee. Daniel Grant is one of the best farmers in this section. He emigrated to Rush County in 1827, to Wabash County in 1834, and to Jasper County in 1850, where he purchased 600 acres of land. Mr. Grant made his way b}' energy, having begun life poor. He is well preserved, mentally and physically, and is now in his eightj'-sixth year. Fifty children and grandchil- dren celebrated his anniversary in 1803. REV. D. T. HALSTEAD is a native of the State of Ohio, was born in 1823, and came to this State with his father in 1831; they settled in La Porte County, where they rented a farm, and afterward entered land in Lake County. His father, Samuel Halstead, was born in Kings County, N. Y., in 1797. His mother was Susan Webster, likewise a native of New York, who came to Ohio with her parents when very young, where she and Mr. Halstead were married. These parties were parents of the following children : Letta, D. T., Merryman (deceased), William, Micah B., and one who died in infancy. In 1839, Samuel Halstead moved westward, since which nothing has been heard from him, and it may be supposed that he died there, and was unknown, Mrs. Susan Halstead died near Ottawa, 111., in 1838. D. T. Halstead came hither in 1854, and was elected Auditor in 1859. He has taken care of himself since the date of his mother's death, has done worthily, and is a universally esteemed gentleman. EDWIN POLLOK H.A3IM0ND, Judge of the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit, was born at Brookville, Franklin Co., Ind., November 26, 1835. His father, Nathaniel Hammond, was born in Maine November 2, 1786, and died in Jasper County, Ind.. February 2, 1874. He was a temperate, industrious man, and was blessed with a happy old age. He left four sons and five daughters, among the former Abram A., fonnerly Governor of the State, and Willmm P., once a representative of the State in the Indiana Legislature from Jlorgan County, and aftei-ward a prominent lawyer at Albia. Iowa. The widow of Nathaniel and mother of Judge Hammond is now in her eightieth year. Her maiden name was Hannah H. Sering. Our subject, in early life, engaged in farm and other labor. He had fair school advantages, and with dili- gent application obtained a good education. He became a law student in 1855, in the office of his half-brother, Abram A. Hammond, and Hon. John Thomas H. Nelson, in Terre Haute. In the winter of 1856-57, he was admitted to the Senior Law Class of the Asbury Cniversity at Green Castle, and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In 1858, Mr. Hammond located at Rensselaer, and opened a law office. Upon the breaking-out of the rebellion, he enlisted under Capt. (afterward Gen.) Robert H. Milroy, in Company G, Ninth Indiana Volunteers. He was commissioned Second, and afterward First, Lieutenant, and served in the three months' campaign in West Virginia. He was with the force that surprised the rebel camp at Philippi, and in the engagement at Carrick's Ford, in which the confederate Gen. Garnett was killed. Returning to his home in Rensselaer, he resumed the practice of the law. In October, 1861, he was elected, without opposition, as Representative in the Legis- lature from the counties of Newton, Jasper and Pulaski. In August, 1862, he assisted in organizing Company A, Eight3'-seventh Indiana Volunteers, and was com- missioned as Captain of the company. He was promoted, March 22, 1863, to the rank of Major, and November 21, 1863, as Lieutenant Colonel. In the battle of Chickamauga, the regiment lost 190 m killed and wounded, Out of 363 officers and men. Col. Newell Gleason, the head of the regiment, having been placed in charge of the brigade, Lieut. Col. Hammond commanded the regiment during the last year of the war. They were at Chattanooga, and at the siege of Atlanta, and with Sherman on his march to the sea. Mr. Hammond enjoyed the respect and good- will of the officers and men under his command, and the confidence of his superior officers. At the close of the war, for gallant and meritorious services, he was 530 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: appointed by the President to the brevet rank of Colonel in the United States Volunteers. Col. Hammond again entered into the practice of the law at Rensse- laer, and at once had a profitable business. In March, 1873, Gov. Thomas A. Hen- dricks appointed Col. Hammond to be Judge of the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit. This appointment was ratified I13- tlie people at the next Oct.ol)er election. In October, 1878. the Judge was unanimously re-elected. May 14, 1883, he was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court from the Fifth District, by Gov. A. G. Porter, to fill the vacancy caused l)y Judge W. A. Woods, who was appointed Judge of the District Court of the United States for the District of Indiana, to succeed Judge Gresham, who had been appointed Postmaster General. Previous to the war, Judge Ham- mond was a Democrat, l)ut since then has been a Republican. He was a delegate to the National Convention in 187'3, which nominated Gen. GJrant for his second term. He has been an Odd Fellow twenty-three years, and a Mason twenty years. His first wife was Miss Lucy J. Sayler. She died a few months after the marriage. She was a daughter of David and Ann Sayler, who were early residents of Rensse- laer. His present wife, Marj' V., whom he married in 1864, is a daughter of Col. George W. and JIalinda Spitler. Mrs. Hammond is an amiable and accomplished lady, and highly cultivated in vocal and instrumental music. By this m.u-riage there are five children— Louis, Birdie, Eddie, Jean and Nina Van Rensselaer. The Judge is still in the prime of life, and there are probalily many years of usefulness before him. FRANK HENGESBACH, manufacturer of brick and tile, is a native of Ger- many, born in 1S39. and came to the United States in 1863. He received an academic education in his native country, after which he studied architecture, and which was his first business in this country. While residing at Chicago, he became interested in the business of tiling, and was the first person to begin a tile factory in Barkley Township; he is also interested in the same l.msiness with F. W. Bed- ford, at Rensselaer, in one of the largest factories of the kind in Northern Indiana. Mr. Hengesbaeli is one of the enterprising men and valued citizens of Jasper County, and a successful bu.'^iness manager. HORACE EDWARDS JAMES wa"^ born in Evansi.ort. Ohio. :\Iay 2. IMl. His father, Reuben B. James, was born in Deerrield. N. IL. July IT. "isiO. His mother was Miss Sarah Norton, born in New York Decemlier i-'i. 1>;-,\1. These par- ents moved from Ohio to Michigan in 1847; to Erie Countvin 18411. and to Rens- selaer, Ind., July 31, 1854. The elder James was a pioneer settler of Northwestern Ohio, where beheld several otliees. among whit-h were Postmaster and Assnci;ite Judge. lie abandoned the profession of law to beciune a minister in the Baptist denomination. After moving to Indiana, he lived on a farm, and tau^'ht school. He held the ofiieeof County Surveyor a term or two. When the war broke out in 1861, he was among the first to enlist, carrying a ritle during the three months' eim- paign. although over fifty years old. A few months after this, he received a coni- mi.ssi,.n as Commissary o|- Subsisten.'e. with rank of Captain, and was assi>T„ed to duty on the staff of Gen. Cooper, of East Tennessee, in Gen. Schofield's Vnnv of the Oluo, and serve.l as such until the close of the war. when he was mustered'out witli tlie rank of Brevet JIajor. Three of his sons were in the armv durin.. this period. Keturnii,.; to Rensselaer, Maj. James bought the material and o,„„i will of the local newspaper, and published the Prairie T.JegrapJi from lsti,-> to I8li8 He moved to Crawford County. Kan., in 1870, and died there JIarch 'Jil 1877 He wis a, vigorous thinker, .a ready debater, a v.ilumiiunis writer, a man' of pro-re-sive ideas and strong eoiivii'lions, espe.'ially in religion and politics, llj^ ehiruUu- wis bold and aggressive, an.l lu' left his impress upon the society of everv commuuit v in which he lived. 1 he work of which he was most proud-the great work of his iifo as he termed it-upon which were spent his best years, is a 'religious volume eu- TOWN OF RENSSELAER AND MARION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTl'. 531 titled "Prophetic Revelations." now out of print. The entire edition, -nith tlie e.x- ception of perhaps a few dozen copies, was destroj'ed by fire directly after publica- tion, and he never afterward found means to issue another edition. Maj. James' family consisted of four sons and four daughters, who lived to years of maturity. Horace E. was the first born. Owing to the semi-nomadic life led by the family, which kept them upon the frontier settlements, and the itinerant clergyman's slen- der purse, the schooling of this flock of children was not extensive; still the train- ing of the parent was such that at the age of sixteen years this oldest child pro- cured a license and taught a successful term of district school. This occupation was followed in winter, with employment on the farm in summer, until he was twenty years old. when the war broke out and he enlisted in Company 6, Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteers. He re-enlisted as a veteran, and was in the service from August, 1861, until October, 1865. In February, 186.5, he was granted a furlough. This occasion was improved to secure for a wife Miss Frances J. A., daughter of Chauncey and Julia (Jenks) Wilson, of Lake County, Ind., and a native of New York. Upon receiving his discharge, Mr. James took a position at a casein his father's printing office. Three years afterward, October 1, 1868, he bought the office material and formed a copartnership with Col. Joshua Healj', who was then conducting a rival paper in the town, and the Eenssdaer Union was thus established. The firm of James & Healy was dissolved in the summer of 1875, Col. Healy retir- ing. Soon afterward Charles M. Johnson brought over the material of the Repub- lican office and the two papers were consolidated. During the year, Mr. Johnson withdrew. In 1878, Mr. James was made chairman of the Republican Committee of Jasper County, and was also elected a member of the Republican State Committee of Indiana, representing the Tenth Congressional District. In the same year, Presi- dent Hayes sent his name to the Senate for United States Consul to Turks Island, which nomination was confirmed, but the honor declined. In March, 1879, he was appointed Postmaster at Rensselaer, and entered on duty on the 1st of April fol- lowing. In October, 1880, he sold the Union newspaper and retired after eleven years of editorial life. February 14, 1881, he was commissioned Postmaster for a term of four years. In the Indiana State Republican Convention of June, 1880, he received the second highest number of votes for nomination for Secretary of State. Mr. James is the father of three daughters and three sons. The sons onlj' are liv- ing. Their names are Francis H., Chase M. and Otto D. The subject of this sketch is an extensive reader and a hard worker; is liberal in thought and progress- ive in ideas rather than conservative. He has been a member of the Board of School Trustees of his town, and for 1880. 1881 andl88'3 was Secretary of the Jasper County Agricultural Society. ABRAHAM LEOPOLD, merchant, was born in Grunstadt. Bavaria, in 1836. Simon Leopold, his father, was also a native of Bavaria, where he died in 1873. His mother, Sarah (Stanfeldts) Leopold, was born in the Duchy of Darmstadt, and also died in 1878. Our subject came to America and landed at Pliiladelphia in 1850, where he clerked for a time, then went to Pittsburgh, and thence to Cincinnati, where he clerked two years. Afterward, he removed to La Porte, Ind., where he kept a store for three years. He then went to Iowa, and thence to Rock Island, 111., and opened a confectionery store; thence he went to Fraucesville, where he engaged in mercantile business with one Heidelberg, which was continued until 1862, when he removed his stock to Rensselaer. Mr. Leopold married Miss Amelia, daughter of Philip Eltzbacher, and a native of Prussia. This union was productive of ten chil- dren — Milton, Rachel, Simon, Bernhart, Isaac, Louis, Moses, Sadie, Julia and an infant (deceased). When Mr. Leopold landed in this country, he had but 95 cents. He commenced business at Francesville with a capital of $800, and now has one of the finest stores in tlie town, besides seventy acres known as Leopold's Addition to 532 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Rensselaer. This is now laid off in lots, and the streets named for his children; he has also much other property. Mr. Leopold has been School Trustee. JAMES W. McEWEN, editor and proprietor of the Democratic Sentinel, is a native of Lewistown, Mifflin Co., Penn., born December 10, 1831. He is the eldest of seven children born to John S. and Isabella (Hylands) McEwen, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they reside. James W. McEwen received a common school education in youth, and at the age of seventeen began learning the printer's trade in his native town on the True Democrat, afterward on various other local papers imtil 1856, when he became editor of the Clinton, Penn., Democrat. In 1857 and 1858, he conducted the Didependent Press, of Lewistown, Penn., and in March, 1859, emigrated to Indiana and assumed control of the White County Democrat, of which he remained editor and proprietor for eighteen years. In February, 1877, he re- moved to Rensselaer, established the Democratic Sentinel, and has since remained engaged here in journalistic work. (For history of Democratic Sentinel, see " Press of Jasper County," to be found in this work.) Jlr. McEwen is an unswerving sup- porter of the principles of the National Democratic part)-, and, in religious princi- ples, a member of the Presbyterian Church. September 11, 185."), he married Sarah J., daughter of Henry and Ann (Willard) Jenner; she was born in Rochester, N. Y., July 1(3, 1837. Five children have been the result of this union— Cordelia Q., Will- iam H., George B,, Anna B. and Frances E., only the last two named being now among the living, GEORGE E, MARSHALL, editor and proprietorof the Reniie\a.ev Republican, was born in Will County, 111., October 5, 1850, and is one of eight children, six of whom are living, born to George and Margaret (Paddock) Marshall, who were na- tives of the State of New York and of English descent. George E. Marshall was reared in his native State, receiving the major part of his schooling at Joliet, Engle- wood and Champaign, He read law about two years, but gave this up in order to pursue some branch of business more suitable to his disposition. For a number of years he was engaged in various occupations, teaching principally in Illinois and California, but in 1881 he came to Rensselaer and purchased an interest in the Re- publican. In August, 1883, he became sole proprietor, and at present has the only Republican paper in Jasper County. Mr. Marshall is a Republican, a member of the I. O. 0. F. and the V. W., of Rensselaer. DAVID NOWELS. a native of Holmes Coimty, Ohio, and the pioneer of Jas- per County, was born Septemlier 15, 1821, and is the seventh sou in a family of eight sons and tliree daughters liorn to John and Hetty (Vulgameu) Nowels. natives'^of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively, and of English and German descent. John Now- els was among the pioneers of Ohio, and as a hunter in that State and Indiana became justly celelirated. He removed with his family to the "Hoosier State" when our subject was three years old, and selected for his iionie the town of Portland on the Wabash, then county seat of Fountain County. Here Jlrs. Nowels died abcmt 1830, and in 1834, together with his daughter and her luisbaud. Joseph Yeoman and David Nowels, our subject, he removed to what is now Jasper County, and became the lirst settler. They made homes where Rensselaer now stands, but aft'erward moved to the nortliern part of the township, where Jlr. Nowels died :May 01 1805 ao-od over ninety-five years. David Nowels has made Jasper County his home' since I8.M. He received no educational advantages, and in his vouth and earlv manhood partR.ipated m the hardships of all i>ioneers. He puiehased his time of his father when seventeen years old, went to Cass County, and obtained a position as mail earner from Lngausport to Iroquois County, 111. Atter three months he returned tu Jasper County and Mar,-!. 10, 18-12, nuuaied Pbebe A. Benjamin, daughter of Jare.l and Mary (^ eoman) Benjanun. Mrs. Nowel's parents were born in-Conneeti- cut and New \ ork State respectively, and were of English descent; this familv TOWN OF RENSSELAER AND MARION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 533 removed to Ohio in 1814. After the death of Mr. Benjamin, the widow and the family, in 1838, emigrated to Indiana, and settled in this county. David Nowels has been .engaged in farming and stock-raising since his marriage. He began life without means, but with industr}' and good management has secm-ed a competence. Besides giving to each of his six cliildren about 340 acres of improved land, he has retained some eighty lots in Rensselaer, the Nowels House, and other valuable busi- ness property, forty acres of land in Jasper County, and 700 acres thirty-two miles from Little Rock, Ark. Mr. Nowels, throughout his long life in this county, has acquired mam' friends; he and wife are living retired in Rensselaer. Mrs. Nowels is a member of the Baptist Church. The}' have had nine children born to them in this order: Jared. born August 29. 1843, died December 39, 1843; Ezra C, born Jan- uary 30, 18-15; William R., August 2, 1846; Charles D., November 14, 1847; Mary H., November 9, 1849; Eliza Jane, born July 1, 1853, died April 33, 1854; Eliza Jane, born April 1, 18.54, died March 30, 1860; David B., born in 1856; and Ida A., Janu- ary 14, 1859. The mother was born February 33, 1819, in Ohio. In politics, Mr. Nowels is a Democrat. EZRA C. NOWELS, County Auditor, was born in this county January 30, 1845. He was reared a farmer, and has followed the same the greater part of his life. He received a practical education, and began doing for himself on attaining his majority. October 25, 1868, he married Sarah J., daughter of Andrew J. and Americus (King) Busey, and to this union have been born six children — Myrta E., who died, aged nine years; EveretteM., Lucy M., Trellyen E., Lennie E. and Odessa L. The mother was born April 5, 1853, in Miami County, Ind. Mr. Nowels is now serving as Auditor of the county. He is owner of 400 acres of good land, is a Democrat, and a member of Iroquois Lodge, No. 143. I. 0. O. F. Mrs. Nowels is a member of the Baptist Church. WILLIAM R. NOWELS was born in Marion Township, Jasper County, August 2, 1846, and was educated in the common schools and at Tippecanoe College. He was married, in 1868, to Miss Emma Rock, daughter of William and Eliza Rock, who reside in Tippecanoe County. Mr. Rock was formerly from Pennsylvania. Their union has been blessed with the following children; Charles E., Maybelle, Adehna Vernon, Gaylord, Bertha and Lillie. Mr. W. R. Nowels owns 391 acres of tine land in Section 36. CHARLES D. NOWELS was born in Marion Township, Jasper Co., Ind., November 14, 1847, and has made Jasper County his home. At the age of eighteen, he began doing for himself, although remaining with and assisting his parents until twenty-three years of age. September 33, 1870, he married Miss JIargarct J. Burns, daughter of Oliver S. Burns, of Carroll Countj', Ind. ; and the month of March succeeding this event, moved to a farm on Section 1 in Marion Townsliip, and remained there nearly eleven years, actively engaged in farming and stock-raising. He then removed to Rensselaer on account of the ill-health of his wife. For about a year, he was engaged in the lumber and coal trade at this place, then sold out the lumber interest, and has since dealt in coal exclusively, besides attending to his stock interests. Mr. Nowels secured an academical education, has taught three terms of public school in Jasper County, and at present owns a good farm of 320 acres in one place, and in another 240. He is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. The}' are parents of two children — Arthur S. and Floy Latrue. ^Irs. Nowels was born October 9, 1850. D. B. NOWELS was born in Jasper County in 1850, and finished his education at Lebanon, Ohio. He began teaching at the age of eighteen, and taught five years. In 1879, he married Miss Sarah E. Burk, daughter of George Burk. They have one child — Auburn. jMr. D. B. Nowels was chosen County Commissioner in June, 1879. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and reside on the old homestead. 534 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: JOSEPH V. PARKISON was bora in Logan County, Ohio, May 16, ly29, and is a son of John and Matilda (Kenton) Parkison, both natives of Kentucky. John Parkison came to this county about 1837 and purchased land. He was the father of ten children— Eliza Ann, William, Anderson, Juliet, Margaret, Joseph V., Emma, Mary J., Isabel, and Frank, who died in the volunteer service of the late war. Mrs. Matilda Parkison's father was the celebrated Indian fighter, Simon P. Kenton, a native of Virginia, who in consequence of a love imbroglio at home, was compelled to flee to Kentucky, where, in association with Daniel Boone, he engaged in a wild life, but was afterward engaged in surveying that State. He received much land from the Government for thinning out the troublesome "redskins." and also was largely remunerated for locating the lands of others. Joseph V. Parkison was reared a farmer, and when of age was given 240 acres by his father. About 1852, he married Miss Fannie Kenton, whose father was one of this country's early pio- neers. Their union was graced by seven children— Mary M., born October 9, 1852; William W., born November 5, 1854; Eveline, born January 1, 1837; Amanda E., born November 14, 1858; Josephine, born January 1, 1862; Margaret, born October 9, 1865, and Jaley A., born April 24, 1868. BEliRY PARRIS is a native of Clark County. Ky., was born in 1823. and is a son of James and Anna (Jlay; Parris. the former a native of Penns^dvania. the latter of Virginia. They reared the following family : Sarah. John. Nancy, Fannie, Stephen, Joshua, Mary, Berry. Asa, Amanda, James M., Harrison. George, Eliza and Pamelia. Mr. Parris died in Highland Couuty.iOhio. and was a soldier of 1812. Berry "Parris was brought to Highland County, Ohio, as a child, but afterward re- turned to Kentuckj' and remained nine j'ears. when he moved to Grant County. Ohio, lived to manhood, and married Sarah, daughter of Daniel and Mary Starbuck. natives of North Carolina. Mr. Parris is an enterprising farmer, and has a good farm near Rensselaer, all the acquirement of his industry and thrift. He is also a much esteemed citizen. SIMON PHILLIPS was born in Darke County, (^hio. in 1823. and is a son of Valentine and Abigail (Crawford) Phillips. Valentine Phillips was a native of Maryland, who emigrated to Ohio at an early day. and there luarried. In 1825. he removed to Rush County. lud.. where he died in 1842. and Mrs. Phillips in 1845. leaving the following issue ; John. Susan and Simon. Valentine Phillips was a soldier of the war of 1812, as were also his tw-o brothers — John and Simon, the lat- ter having been a Captain. Our sub,iect came to this county in 1847, where he mar- ried Miss Nancy Irvin, daughter of Alexander and Chaiity Irviu. to which union succeededeight children— William. Elza. Abigail, Emily. Nancy. Robert. Agnes and Augustus. Mr. Phillips first located in Hanging Grove Township, then on a farm near Rennselaer, which contained the only stone quarry in the county. He was Cap tain of the vigilance committee in the earlj^ time, and was a terror to horse-thieves and such people; he was made SheritT in 1856. and in 1882 a keeper of the county house. The grandfather of Jlr, Pliillips was a Revolutionary soldier, and was wounded by a bayonel thrust from tlie kiu-e to the groin. CHARLES 11. PlilCE. Cireviit Clerk, was born in Portage County, Ohio, in 1849. His father. AVilliaiu 15. Price, was born in Camula in 182ii. and came to Jas- per County, Ind,. in 1867. lie w.is elected Commissioner in 1S76. and re-elected in 1878, was an able oIIicim-. and gave great satisfaction. Charles H. Price was edu- cated in the common scJmols, and suliscciucntly took a collegiate coiu-se at Stock- well, Ind. He was married in 1874 to Miss Lizzie A. Jones. They have two chil- dren—Max and Don. Mr. Price, on the paternal side, is of Irish, and on the mater- nal side is of Scotch progenitors. He is a Knight Templar in the JIasonic order, an Olid Fellow and Knight of Pythias, and in the last two has passed the chairs; he is also a (harter member of Uie Knights of Pythias at Remington, and Grand Guar- TOWN OF I'vENSSELAER AND MARION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 535 dian of the State, having organized the lodge in Rensselaer. In 1874, he was elected Circuit Clerk, and re-elected in 1880. Mr. Price is an efficient officer, and a fine orator. He was a delegate to the convention which nominated AVeaver for Presi- dent; also Secretarj' of the Greenback County Central Committee. J. T. HANDLE, retired farmer, is a native of Hampshire County, W. Va., and was born in 1831. His father and mother, Thomas and Nancy (Culp) Randle, were natives of the same count j', the former born in 1798, the latter in 1802, and were married in their native count}-. Thomas Randle, in company with a brother-in- law, came to this State, having been induced so to do by a brother of Mr. Randle, who had previously located on the Wabash River. They came in four-horse wagons, and were twenty-seven days on the journey. Mr. Randle entered a half section in this county, on which he lived until his death, in 1870. Mrs. Randle died in 1852. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living— James. Mary, Isabel, Henry, John, Nelson, Nancy and Savia. J. T. Randle was married in 1854. to Miss Mary E. Overton, who died in 1877. He afterward married Mrs. Ruth A. Harris, by which union thej' have live children — Robert, Thomas, John, Emeline and Edward. Mrs. Randle is a daughter of Rial and Sarah Ann Benjamin. NELSON RANDLE was born in Jasper County, Ind., December 22,1^844. In 1865, he was married to j\Iiss Caroline Brown, born in 1848, daughter of George H. and Elizabeth (Nichols) Brown. Thej' had a family of five children — Edward, Virginia (deceased), Juliette, Addie May (deceased), and James, Mr. Randle ia owner of 500 acres of laud in Section 30, Township 30. Range 6. Jlrs. Handle's father, George H. Brown, was a pioneer settler, and was twice elected to the Leg- islature from Jasper County. JOHN G. REYNOLDS was born in White County, Ind., in 184.5. His father, Ben- jamin Reynolds, was the second settler inWhite County, where he resided thirty-nine years, anddied June 6, 1869. He was one of the most sympathizing, determined and remarkable men of his time. He was a kind husband and father, whose motto was ecjuity. He left a wife and nine children, with innumerable friends to mourn for him. A Logansport paper said; "Benjamin Reynolds, Esq., of White County, died at his residence after an illness of some days. Mr. Reynolds was one of the oldest settlers in this section, having come to Indiana in 1830, and has long been identified with the progressive interest of that portion of the State. Mount Jack- son, the home of Mr. Rejnaolds, was known far and near, and no one knew better how to entertain after the old-fashioned, hospitable manner, and none made his guests more at home, than did ' Uncle Ben,' as he was familiarly called. He leaves a large property, that he accumulated through economy and industry, to a family of nine children, and is gathered to his rest in the fullness of his years. May he rest in peace! " CHARLES RHOADES, eldest child of Rufus and Tabitha (Reynolds) Rhoades, was born at Winslow, Kennebec Co., Me., in 1813. His father, Rufus Rhoades, was born in Massachusetts, and married in Winslow, Me., where he reared a family, and died in 1873. Charles was reared and educated in his native county, and married Miss Mar3' Ann Duren, who was born in 1814. They reared seven children, all living except two. Their names were Wilham, Charles (killed at Cheat Mountain in the late war, and was a musician), Marshall D. (all three members of the same reg- iment), Amanda, Edward, Caroline, and one who died in infancy. Our subject came to Indiana twenty-eight years ago, to attend to business for Charles DeLaney, a large land owner here. He started a harness shop, a trade at which he had worked from his fifteenth year. He and his son William are associated in business. They sell harness, robes, whips, organs, sewing machines, and have one of the best stores in the town. William graduated at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, and taught two terms in the Union School at Lockport. He enlisted in the Ninth Indi- 32 536 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ana Infantry for three months, and again joined the same regiment. He was pro- moted to Lieutenant, and also served as Adjutant. He was married in 1865 to Miss Fannie O. Yorlc, of Indianapolis, daughter of John G. and Susan (Howard) York. JAMES RITCHEY was born in Erie County, Penn., June 6, 1804. When nine years old, he was brought by his parents to Butler County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. He afterward studied medicine, and attended the Ohio Medi- cal College at Cincinnati. In 1829, he located at Franklin, Johnson County, Ind., where he remained until 1865, when he came to this county and purchased 400 acres. November 2, 1829, he married Miss Sarah, a daughter of William Vanhise, who died in 1831, leaving one son — Leander. His second marriage was to Miss Louisa A. Huntington, who died in 1849, leaving four children — Emily, Angeline, Louisa and Clara. His third marriage was to Mrs. Catherine Williams, at Franklin, with the following issue: Omar C, Kate, Ella, Anna and Irene. The father of our subject, John Ritchey, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he practiced medicine, and mar- ried Mary Conej^. Their children were James, Jane, Samuel W., Powers, John, Lucinda, Clarinda, Lawrence P., Louisa, Andrew J. and Sarah. James Ritchey was elected to the Legislature from Johnson County in 1840, bj- the Democrats; was two years in the House and three in the Senate, and was chairman of educational affairs; was the first to make a report favorable to the Insane Hospital at Indianapo- lis; was a delegate to the National Conventions that nominated Polk, Lincoln and Fremont;was a Cass elector, for whom he stumped the State, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1851. He is now a Liberal Republican, refined in manner and affable in intercourse. JOSEPH ROBINSON was born in New York January 2, 1815, and is the son of Edward and Martha (Capron) Robinson, natives of Rhode Island. Edward Rob- inson removed to Washington County. Ohio, where he married, and subsequently went to Medina County, then to Summit County, where he died in 1834, affed forty- nine years. He had the following children: Welcome, .ledediah, Simeon. Orlan, John, Daniel, Barton, Lydia, Rosalind and Joseph. Our subject worked in Oliio .as a cooper, also farmed in Summit County, and then bought sixty-seven acres at Montrose. In 1837, he married Miss Gretta. born September 8, 1818, a native of Susquehanna County, Penn., and daughter of Levi and Waitsell Aldrich. both natives of New Hampshire, and parents of six children The marriage of Joseph resulted in a family of five: Charles L.. born July 29. 1838. killed at Port Republic June 9. 1863; he was a member of the Twenty-ninth Ohio Regiment; Jane M.. boru Julv 3, 1840; George M., SherilT of this county in 1876. re-elected in 1878. and Auditor in 1882; he married, in 1868. Miss jMary E. Catt, with a result of eight children; Oliver P., born December 7, 1845, and Deputy Sheriff for seven years; and Welcome Dewitt, born October 16. 1848. Jlr. Robinson came to this county iu 1864. and pur- chased 100 acres, on which he now resides. In 1882. Jlrs. Robinson, at the age of sixty-four, wove more than 800 yards of carpet, FRANCIS J. SEARS was born in Connecticut September 15. 1837, and is a son of Elijah C. and Ann B. (Hill) Sears, both natives of Connecticut,' Elijah C. Sears Avas born June 23, 1805. and was a farmer. His wife, a daughter of David Hill, a native of Connecticut, was born in 1807. and died in 1860, Both were mem- bers or the Baptist Church, Francis J. Sears was reared and educated in Orleans County, N, Y. In Jlay. 1846. he c:ime to Jlellenry County, 111., and in 1849 moved to Warren County Ind., and taught several terms of school. In 1855. he opened a .grocery store at Ruinsville, and in 1859 moVed to Milford, 111,, where he continued merchandising. Iu 1860, he took a partner, and opened a dry goods store at Wat- seka. 111., remaining there nine years. During that time he was three times' Town- ship Trustee, also Supervisor of Middlcport Township, and Overseer of Countv Farm. In 1869, he and partner sold, moved to Chicago, and opened a wholesale TOWN OF RENSSELAER AND MARION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 537 store ou Lake street, where the}' remained until October 9, 1871, when all the hard earnings of twenty-two years were swept by fire. In 1872, Mr. Sears went to Clin- ton, Iowa, opened a dry goods store, and stayed there two years; then came to Rensselaer, and was in the dr_y goods business until 1879, when he sold to John Pur- cupile, and opened a furniture and carpet store. Mr. Sears has served two terms in the Town Council, and is now County Coroner. He was married, Januarj- 1, 1848, to Mary J. Denney, who died July 39, 18.50, leaving two girls — Mary F. J. and Sarah Ann; the latter died September 17, 1850. July 3, 1855, he married Mattie J. Fi'eeman, who died December 3, 1871, leaving four childi-en — Willie E., Char- lie G., Hattie and Sallie; the two girls are deceased. August 12, 1873, Mr. Sears married Arabelle Coats, widow of J. W. Coats. By this union there was one child, born February 2, 1880, died August 21, 1883. GEORGE SIGLER was born in Lake County, Ind., in 1840. His father, Sam- uel Sigler, a native of ^Maryland, was bom February 13, 1816, the third of eight children born to Samuel and Nancy (Taylor) Sigler. Samuel Sigler, Sr., was a merchant, and later a reed-maker, and of Dutch descent. His father (great-grand- father of subject), Adam Sigler, was for fifty j'ears a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Samuel, Jr., at the age of six years, went with his parents to Clarksville, Va., and in 1834 the family settled in Elkhart Count}', Ind., near Go- shen, and three j'ears later on 160 acres of laud in Hobart Township, Lake County. March 21, 1837, Samuel married Nancy Stockdale, a native of Washington County, Penn., by whom he had four children — Mrs. Margaret A. Arnold, George, Mrs. Eliza Willey and John N. In 1859, he located at Wheeler, and engaged in mercan- tile pursuits. In 1866, he was appointed Postmaster, succeeding his son George. Mr. Sigler has been a successful man. Besides town property, he owns sixty-flve acres near Wheeler. He is a Republican, an active temperance advocate, and dur- ing the war was a member of the Union League. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been identified over forty years. George Sigler came to this county March 1, 1869, and was married in 1864 to Miss Jane Willej'. They have two children — Annie and Joseph. Mr. Sigler is a mem- ber of the firm of Willey & Sigler (Trade Palace); the}' have a fine store and are doing a good business. C. D. 8TACKH0USE was born in Butler County, Oliio, in 1838. The Stack- houses (two brothers) came to America from Wales, and settled near Philadelphia, where they married Dutch women, and where the father of our subject was born. He emigrated from Kentuckj' to Ohio in the early days, and there ended his life. In 1853, C. D. Stackhouse married Delilah Obernchain, which marriage was pro- ductive of two children, a boy and a girl. .Mrs. Stackhouse died in 1856, whereupon our subject married Jane Obernchain, sister of his former wife. To these nuptials were born eight children — Alice, Venrick, Milroy, Clara Elizabeth, Byron, Willard, Lucy and George. Mr. Stackhouse came to this county in 1851, and purchased 120 acres near where he now resides, on which land was an abandoned log cabin. His first settlement in the State, however, was in Montgomery County, at a period when game and wild cats were alike abundant. Mr. Stackhouse is a good farmer, a gen- erous, clear-headed gentleman, and has a fine farm and residence. CHARLES C. STARR, merchant, is a native of Tippecanoe C'ountj', Ind., was born October 6, 1840, and is a son of Henry and Lydia P. ( Webb) Starr, the former a native of Botetourt County, Va. Henry Starr was an early settler of Tippecanoe County, where he died when our subject was six years old. Charles C. Starr at- tended the common school, and afterward a high sdiool in Bartholomew County. After working some time on the home farm, he clerked for Mr. Austin. In 1861, he enlisted in the Eighty-seventh Indiana Volimteers, but by reason of sickness was discharged after six months' service. After his return, he became a partner with 538 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Mr. Austin, under the firm name of Austin & Starr; this partnership continued one year. In 1863, he married. Lucy C. Warner, who died in 1879; he was next married, in August, 18S1, to Miss Emma E. Rhoades, with an issue of one child, Feme. In 1864, Mr. Starr engaged in business alone, and now continues the same, with a stock valued at from !?r),0()0 to S7,n00. and does a yearly business of from 12.^,000 to |3.j,00(). SIMON P. THOMPSON, counselor at law, was born in Hancock County, Ohio. May 8, 1838, and is a son of David M. and Eliza (McCoy) Thompson, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Columbiana County, Ohio. Our subject began attending school when four .veai-s of age, and began teaching at the age of fifteen; he afterward attended an academy for one term, and Otterbein University one year, and graduated at the Southwest Normal School in 18.^9; he is also a grad- uate of the School of Law at Ann Arbor, Mich. "While a student, the recent civU war was inaugurated, and he enlisted, but did not serve; he afterward taught school in Rensselaer, and has served three terms as School E-x:aminer. In 1873, he was made Prosecuting Attorney of this circuit for four j-ears. In 1876. and again in 1880, he was a candidate for nomination at the Congressional Convention, and since that time has lieeu engaged in the practice of his profession, in which he holds a prominent rank. NORMAN WARNER was born in Rush County, Ind., March 15, 1883: he is the son of Daniel K. and Elizabeth (Phillips) Warner, the former a native of Con- necticut, the latter of Ohio. Daniel K. went to Cincinnati, Ohio, in l3-t3, and was married in Rush Count}', Ind., and reared tlie following children: Norman, Martin, John, Marshall, Chauncey, William, Sarah, Lucy and Elizabeth. He was a carriage- maker by trade, and carried on the business in Cincinnati until his return toJiiis native State. In 1849, he went to California. Norman commenced learning car- riage-making in Cincinnati, and finished at La Fayette. Ind. February 24. 18.57, he came to this county, started a small shop and married Miss Josephine, a daughter of Daniel Grant. They reared three boys — D. G.. Norman Hale and Charles C. Tlie two first named are with their father in the hardware business. Charles is a student at Greencastle. Mr. Warner is the leading hardware merchant in the town, and is doing a fine business, huvins; liL'guu the same in 1871; he has worked his way up from nothing, and is mucli liked by his fellow-citizens. MARSHALL P. WARXER w:is liorn in the month of April, and the year 1839; his father. Daniel Warner, was born in the ye:ir ISUij. and removed to Cincin- nati, Ohio, in is4t. In 1849. he went to California, luu afterward returned to the States and came to Rensselaer, where he died in 185(i; his first settlement in this State was in Ru.sh County, whence he removed to Connecticut, thence to Cincin- nati, and thence to California. Our subject. ^larshall P. Warner, was brought to Rensselaer wlien six years old, where he was brought up. In 1859, he removed to Colorado, but returned in 1872, went back in 1874. and returned to Rensselaer finally in 1881, where he is located and engaged in the grocery basiness. Mr. Warner is an agreeable gentleman, a successful merchant and estimalile citizen. I. B. WASHBURN, M. D., is a son of Moses L. and Susanna (Brown) Wash- burn, natives of ( )hio, the former born in Brown County, April 2. 1815, the latter in Prelile CoinUy in 1814; she was daughter of Jleri'er Brown. Dr. Washburn was Iiorn in Cass (\')unty, Ind,. in 1838; was reared on his father's farm, trained in the county school, and later sent to Franklin College, Ind., where he took a scientific course. (hi leaving college in 1857, he taught school in Fulton and Pulaski Coun- ties during winter and worked at farming during summer. In March 1858 he began reading medicine with Dr. Thomas, of Cass County, with whom he remained two years; afterward read with Prof. Powell, of Chicago, for a time, and attended two courses of lectures at Rush Medical College, from which he graduated January TOW'X OF RENSSELAER AND MARION TOWNSIl IP— JASPER COUNTY. 539 25, 1861. as third in a class of tliii-ty-six. In November, 1862, he enlisted in the Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteers, and was detailed for field hospital serv- ice; in December, he was made Assistant Surgeon, and one year later appointed Surgeon. After his discharge, December 28, 1864, he located at Star City, Ind. In 1870; he was elected to the House of Representatives from Pulaski, Jasper and Newton Counties. In 1873, he resumed practice at Logansport, and remained until November 1, 1877, when he removed to Rensselaer and was at once appointed County Physician. He was made a Mason in 186.5, and an Odd Fellow in 1861. He is a Republican, and a member of the Christian Church. Dr. Washburn was mar- ried, .luly, 1864, to Mattie A., daughter of G. B. and ilary (Beckley) Moore. Dr. Washburn's paternal grandfather was from Scotland, settled in New Jersey, and later removed to Virginia and Kentucky; his maternal grandfather was from Wales, and lived some time in Georgia. HENRY H. WATSON was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., in the year 1840, and is a son of Charles M. and Amanda (Babcock) Watson, the former a native of Virginia, born in 1808. At the age of nine years, he moved with his parents to Wabash, and later to Jasper County, where he was reared to the plow. On the 11th of August, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Col. Hammond, and served three years. He was in the Lexington cam- paign, in the pursuit of Gen. Hood, in all the battles of Atlanta, and with Gen. Sherman in his march through the State of Georgia. In 1879, he married Mary Shortridge. b.y which union they had seven children — Dee, Daisy, Bernice, Frank, Harry, Lizzie Amanda and Charles. Mr. Watson has a productive and well- improved farm, and is a worthy man and esteemed citizen. JAMES F. WATSON is a native of Carroll County, Ind., was born June 23, 18-14, and is a son of Charles M. and Amanda (Babcock) Watson. Charles M. Wat- son moved to Jasper County in 1849, where three of his children were born, the whole number being Henry H., who resides on the original farm; Charles B., born about 18o2. died in infancy; Amanda, born June. 1849, and James F., born 1844. On his arrival in this county, Mr. Watson entered ei.ghty acres, and after- ward purchased land adjoining. He died, aged about seventy-two years, at which time he was owner of 600 acres. He had previously been a resident of Greene County, Ohio. James F. Watson was married, in 1880',cto Miss Kate Ritchey, daughter of Dr. Ja mes Ritche}', who was once a member o||litt Legi|laturc from Johnson County. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are parents of two ^(^I^Bea^rEliaie. born October 20, 1880, and Ella, born in April, 1882. '^^ fe ' "*'^%4,-- ■ JAMES WELSH was born in 183.5, and in 186.5 married jrislBiary-,- dau^i^fe. of Dr. Samuel W. Ritchey, to wliich union succeeded two children — Carrie A., born ' 1867, and George H., born 1875. Benjamin WsfSh. father q| our subject, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., in 1796. In 1821, in Adahis County, Ohio, , he' m.arried Mary Moore, born in Pennsylvania May 3, 1795. Jlr. and Mrs. Welsh had the foUowine children, beside James, our subject: Nanc)^,^'born in 1823; Henry, born in 1.838, and Rhoda, l)orn in 1833. Mr. ^^"^'shj^^y trade a millwright, and built the first cotton-gin in Arkansas; he also tra'^llpRhs^ugh the West as a surveyor. In 1834, he moved to Tippecanoe County, iFcompany with others, one of whom. John Compton, was a brother-in-law. After six years. Mr. Welsh removed to this countj', and purchased 720 acres of land. Prior to 1852, he was elected County Commissioner and Probate Judge; he was also elected C.unty Surveyor. His daughter Mary was the tirst person to be l)uried in the Welsh Grave- yard in 1840, and for whom the cemetery was named. During the period of his service as Surveyor, his son James was Deputy, and was afterward appointed to that office. He has also served as Assessor and Ditch Commissioner. G. M. WILCOX was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1847, and is a son of Jesse and Eveline Wilcox, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio. 540 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Jesse Wilcox moved to Ohio with his parents many years ago, and purchased eighty acres; this he sold, and in 1854 came to this county and purchased 245 acres, which he yet owns. Mrs. Wilcox died in 1803. They had eleven children— Martha, Lewis. Jacob R., Josiah, Charles, G. M., Abner C, Zebedee, Mary, Mahala and Jehu. Lewis was a member of the Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, and was killed at luka. G. M. Wilcox was reared and educated in this county, was a soldier of the One Hundred and Thirty-lifth Indiana Regiment, and was married, in 1874, to Lucy Busey, from which union descended three children— Ferry, Louis and Treaver. He opened a store at Surrey May 10, 1.S82. Mrs. Wilcox's parents were prominent set- tlers of Indiana. Iler father, S. A. J. Busey, was a native of Kentucky, and mar- ried America King. They lived for a long time in the south part of what is now Miami County. Durmg the land sales, he purchased land fourteen miles south of Peru, then the principal trading point for the Indians, where he lived until 1860, when he removed to this county. He had the following family: William H., Sam- uel Greenburg, John Franklin, Andrew Jackson. Mary Catharine, Lucy A. and Sarah Jane. ilr. Busey died in 1866, and Mrs. Busej' in 1852. HARVEY W. WOOD is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, was born in 1838, and there re as a farmer. His parents were .John and Salome (Rasor) Wood. The family is of French and English descent. John Wood was born in 1804, and in 1827 emigrated from Virginia to Ohio on horseback, where he bought 'and, married and reared the following family: Elizabeth. Sarah A., Aldeva, Eli H., II. W., Mary M., J. H., Amanda J., Clara "h.. Malissa E., Clayton, Charles W., Loretta and Justina. Mr. Wood died in ilontgomery County, Ohio, in 1871. Mrs. Wood's father, Daniel Rasor, was a man of wealth and influence, and once owned much valuable mill and other property near Dayton. He was the parent of ten children— Daniel, Salome, Susan. Elizabeth, David. Jacob, .lohn, Abraham, Chris- tina and Maria. Mrs. Wood now resides with the subject of this sketch. Harvey W. Wood was married, in 1871. to ^[ary C. daughter of Mordecai ,and Caroline (Sampson) Crocket, as a result of which were four cliildren — John P.. Mabel. Van M. and Harvey. Mr. Wood was in the Xhiety-third (Uiio Regiment during the last war, and was wounded at Chickamauga; his brother. I. 11. Wood, was also in said regiment. Mr. Wood is a Republican, has been County Clerk and Treasurer, and is the owner of one of the best farms in this county. WILLIS J. WRIGHT was Imru in 1814. in what was then Union County. lud. His father, Charles G. Wright, a native of North Carolina, moved hitlier in a wagon when a boy, where his father located on and entered land, which he improved and sold in 1830. at which time he removed to White County and purchased sixty acres- Charles G. Wright was married in the then Territory about the year 1808, and reared the following family: Jane, Andrew W., Willis J., .lames M. and Elizabeth A., of whom all except our subject and Elizabeth are deceased. In 1832, 'Mr. C. G. Wright came to this eounty and established a trading post at Rensselaer, where he died De" ceml)er 22, 1845. Willis J. Wright was reared a farmer's boy. and when fourteen apprenticed to learn Ibe carpentering, wliit-li he followed for many years, and made tlie first frame house nuule in Rensselaer. In 1845. lie married IMiss Minerva Ferris, to which marriage were granted Ave children— Charles P., Truet P.. Mattie M. and Mellie M. (twins) and Elizidieth. j\[r. Wright served as Sheriff from 18,55 to 1862. and was an ellieient ollieer. His oldest son, Charles P., was a soldier of the Eightv seventli Indiana Volunteers during the late war. and served about two years. He and (uie George Miu-gan were among the youngest soldiers in the service. I>. It. YKOMANisa son of Joseph D. and Sarah CXowels"! Yeoman, and was born in Jasper County, Iiul., Septen\ber 26, 1841. His parents were among Ihe early settlers of the county, who came hither with a yoke of oxen luui settled in what is now Rensselaer, where they planted a crop of corn. Joseph D. Yeoman was a TOWN OF RENSSELAER AND MARION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 541 school teacher in Ohio during his early days, and among- his pupils was Sarah Nowels, whom he afterward married, and to which uniou descended the following family: Cynthia, Helen, Thomas J, (the first white child born in this county). D. H. and Sarah O. Mr. "i'eoman came here with scarcely an}' means, but acquired a property of 200 acres of land. He was a man of great enterprise and strong .personal influence; he served some time as Justice of the Peace. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and their remains lie in Bluegrass Cemetery in New- ton Township. D. H. Yeoman was reared on the farm of his father, and received a fair education in the schools of the county. October .5, 1865, he married Mary E,. daughter of James and Elizabeth (Hurshman) MoiTis, with a result of the following children: Effie L., Morris D., Pleasant Victor, Daisy, Ettie Belle, James F., Hattie M. and David V. Mr. Yeoman is a man of prominence in the community. He enlisted in the recent war, was discharged from reason of sickness, but was after- ward valuably instrumental in raising troops, and was afterward First Lieutenant in the Eighty-seventh Indiana Regiment. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His portrait is in the history of the State. LEWIS K. YEOMAN was born in the county of Fayette and State of Ohio, in the year 1853. In the year 1875, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of A. C. and Elizabeth Norton, the former a native of Maine, born in the year 1810, and the lat- ter of Pennsylvania, born in 1816. Mrs. Yeoman is a native of Indiana, born in the year 1853. Her parents moved to Vermillion County, 111., and reared a family of thirteen children — William, Mary A., Adaline, Harvej', Madison, Jefferson, James, Laura, John, Sarah, Zerenah, Rebecca and Lizzie. Our subject, Lewis K. Yeoman, has a good farm of eighty acres, solely obtained by his own industr}-, labor and economy. He is a highly respected citizen and a good farmer. .lAMES A. YEOMAN was born February 3, 1855. His father, Eli Yeoman, < was a native of Dryden, N. Y., and born in 1816. When young, he moved to Fayette County, Ohio, where he learned farming, married Jane Knox, and reared the following family: Joseph, Andrew, Jane, Robert, Ogle, Lewis, James A., Charles, Frank and Marcus. In 1856, Mr. Yeoman built a sleigh, and removed therein with his family to this county. They were twelve daj's on the journey, dur- ing eight of which it snowed continually. On his arrival, he purchased some land of James and Andrew Ferris. Most of the land was so wet that Mrs. Yeoman de- clared that she could, by springing up and dovim, shake the ground for several feet around her. Mr. Yeoman improved this land bj' ditching, as a result of which it became the most productive in the county. Mrs. Yeoman is still living on the home place, now farmed by her son James A., who in 1880 m.arricd Miss Amy, daughter of Whit and Frances (Kenton) Israel. Mr. and Mrs. Yeoman are parents of two children — Guy and an infant unnamed. Mrs. Amy Yeoman's father was killed at the battle of Chickamauga, just previous to which event he had received a commis- sioQ as First Lieutenant of his company. He left two children — Amy and Maggie. LYMAN A. ZEA is a native of La Salle County, 111., and was born in 1849. His father, William Zea, was born in the State of New York in 1813, and his mother, Laura (Blakman) Zea, in Connecticut in 1813. These parties settled in La Salle County in the fall of 1847, where they entered land and lived for several years. They were parents of nine children, eight of whom are living — Jane, John, Cather- ine, James, Francis, Peter, Joseph and Lyman A. On the 15th of 5Iarch, 1871, our subject married Stella Aldrich, daughter of Henry Aldrich, of this county. Mr. Zea was elected Constable in the year 1880. He began life's struggle as a poor boy, and acquired his property by his own unaided efforts, but has speculated to some extent, and successfully. 542 BIUGRArHICAL SKETCHES: TOWN OF REMINGTON AND CARPENTER TOWNSHIP. LEWIS S ALTER. County Surveyor, is a son of John and Mary Aun (Cham- berlin) Alter, and was born in Jasper County, Ind.. June 23, 185L His father was born in Westmoreland County. Penn., July 1, 1801, moved to Indianapolis in 1836, and to this county in 1848, where he entered a tract of land and died in 18/6. He was well known as an early pioneer, and left the following record of the family : ••Grandfathers on both sides were of Swiss origin. My father's father, Jacob Alter, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., and during the Revolutionary war made shoes for the army; he was afterward elected to the Legislature, and served fifteen years. My father was born in York County, Penn., and emigrated to Westmore- land County, Penn., in 1800. My mother's father settled in York County, followed the trade of a jeweler, and made a clock which played seven tunes. My grand- mothers on both sides were American born. My father removed his family on a farm. When twelve years of age, spent a few months in school to Uncle Abraham Alter, who was studying Greek under Alexander Campbell. My uncle and aunt united with the first organization of the Campbellite Church as disciples." r>. H. BATES was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1846, and is a son of Ozro and Mary (Hartman) Bates. His parents moved to Marion County, Ind., when he was six years old, where they purchased laud, and our subject assisted in the im- proving thereof. When twenty-one years of age, he began farming for himself on eighty acres. In 1873, he went to Texas, where he engaged in farming in Clay County, which county he assisted to organize, and lived there long enough to see the county seat grow to be a good town (Henrietta). While in said State, he was appointed Land Commissioner by Gov. Coke, an appointment wholly unsolicited by him, and one generally satisfactory. After two years, he returned to Indiana, and carried on the furniture and undertaking business, in connection with farming. In 1881, he commenced buying grain, which he has continued as a business; he is also interested in fine stock, of which he has a full supply. Mr. Bates was married, in 1876, to Miss Rachel Hughes, daughter of Michael Hughes, a descendant of the Calhoun family, of Kentucky. The Hughes family are descended from Robert Burns. G. F. BLOOM, Remington, was born in Bradford County, Penn., in IS'28. He is a son of David and Mar}' Bloom, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and Scotch descent, respectively. David Bloom purchased land thirtj'-five miles south- west of Chicago, in 1834; this he improved and sold, thence removing to near Kan- kakee River, where he made a home, and died in 1876; his wife died in 18o4; they reared a large family. G. F. Bloom was reared a farnu'r. At the age of twenty-one, he worked at civil engineering, and afterward as a clerk. In 1860, he began a store in Illinois, and later at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Some time afterward, he came to Uem- ingt(m, and purchased grain; he finally engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. In 1870, Jlr. Bloom was married to itiss Caroline E. Jones, of Raynham, Jlass., a union crowned by two children — Ellery E. and Clara M. Mrs. Bloom's father, Samuel Jones, resides at Plymouth, where the elder Mr. Bloom first settled. The Jones family is connected with the Tildens, of New York. Mr. Bloom is a member of the Presbyterian Cliureh, and a Democrat in politics. SAMUEL BOWMAN was born in Maryland June 17, 1840, and is the sixth of nine children born to Samuel and Jlary Bowman, natives of Pennsylvania. His father died in Cumlierlaud County, Penn., in 1866, and his mother five years earlier. TOWN OF REMINGTON AND CARPENTER TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY- 543 At eighteen years of age, our subject began a three j'ears' apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade. In 1870, he came to Remington, where (excepting about nine months) he has since resided. For some time after coming here, he worked by the day at his trade. In 1874, he began business for himself, and in 1876 formed a partnership with his brother Ezra, which firm still* carries on busine.ss. Mr. Bow- man was married, September 19. 1875, to Miss Frances B. Blood, a native of Erie County, N. Y., and daughter of Horace and Nancy Blood. They have two children — Florine E. and Charles. Mrs. Bowman is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Bowman is a Republican, and would have cast his first Presidential vote for Grant (second term), but went on a visit to Pennsylvania. He has been successful in his business. When he came here, he possessed SlOO, now he is worth §3,000. He is an enterprising citizen, and an lionorable man. EDWARD H. BRIGGS was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., September 1. 1859. and is the only child of John M. and Mary H. (Bilyea) Briggs, natives of New- York, and of Scotch descent. His parents came to Remington in 1877, where his mother died in December, 1880. His father married again, and is now living in Al- bany. N. Y., engaged in mercantile pursuits. In February, 1881, our sul)ject began the drug business in Remington, and is now doing a prosperous trade. He has from $5,000 to §6,000 invested in the business. Mr. Briggs was married, December U. 1883. to Miss ReneBranhan, a native of Madison, Ind, and daughter of Edward and Farmy Branhan. He is a Democrat, and cast his first Presidential vote for Han- cock. He is an enterprising citizen, and a leading business man of Remington. JAjMES BROADIE was born in Piqua, Ohio, June 16, 1831, and is the third of eleven children born to .John and Elizabeth Broadie, natives of Delaware and Ohio respectively, and of Scotch descent. In 1836, his parents came to this State, and settled five miles from La Fayette, in Tippecanoe County. His mother died Sep- tember 8, 1855; his father, after residing in Tippecanoe County nearly halt a cent- ury, is now living with his children. James Broadie attended what was known as "Frog Pond Schoolhouse," in Tippecanoe County; he now has a good business edu- cation. When twenty years old, he began farming for himself. August 18, 1853, he man-ied Miss Mary Stidham, a native of Wayne County, Ind., and daughter of Thomas A. and Amelia Stidham. They have had four children— Elizabeth A., Era- ma J., Priscilla E. and John W. In 1858, Mr. Broadie moved to Montgomery County, Ind.; remained two years, and then returned to Tippecanoe County. In 1872, he came to this township, four miles northwest of Remington; two years later he came to Remington, where he still resides. He is now a butcher and stock deal- er, and has been very successful. He is a Republican, and became a member of the Odd Fellows in April, 1882. Mrs. Broadie is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Broadie is an influential citizen. W. H. COOVER, is a native of Cumberland County, Penn., and was born April 18, 1847; his parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were natives of Eastern Pennsylvania, on his father's side of French and German, and on his mother's of English. Scotch and Irish descent. His father, Adam Coover, was iden- tified with the public schools and educational interests in Cumberland County, Penn.. for twenty years; his mother, two sisters and two brothers are residing in Reming- ton, with one brother in Goodland, Ind., and one in Dorrance, Russell Co., Kan. W. H. Coover lived on his father's farm, and worked and attended district school until he was sixteen years old, at which time he began teaching and attending the Normal School at Millersville, Penn., during the spring and summer; he taught six years in Penns^dvania, two years in Illinois, one year in Colorado in 1879, and com- menced the boot and shoe business in Denver in 1880. Shortly afterward he came to Remington, Ind., and in 1881 began the publication of the Remington News. which, after about two years, he sold to 0. B. Mclntire, and engaged with him in 544 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: the grain business, but continued to manage tbe News. Mr. Coover has always been active in matters of education and public benefit, and is a prominent and re- spected citizen. t j t HENRY C GOLDSBERRY. was bom in Tippecanoe County, Ind., January 15 1836, and is of French and Irish descent; his parents were Jacob and Nancy (Bowsher) Goldsberry, botli natives of Ohio, wliere they were married, and reared four children-Thomas, a physician, who resides in Kansas; Mary, deceased; Rachel deceased, and Henry. The father died in 1836, and the mother in 1875. After the death of his parents, he lived with his uncle, George Bowsher; he began clerkmg m Remington when twenty-three years of age, and is now one of the firm of " Golds- berry & Co.," who carry the best stock of goods to be found in the county. In 1875, he was married to Miss Mary J. Coover, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Coover; the former is deceased. Mr. Goldsberry began life in a poor state, but has made his way by energy and industry. He is a Freemason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias; he 'is also a member of the Independent Order of Workmen and an expert business man. In politics, he is a Republican. Mr. and Sirs. Golds- berry have one child — Opel E. A. 6. HARDY was born in Carroll County. Ind.. ^March 3, 1851, and ia the third of eleven children born to Christopher and Elizabeth (Guss) Hardy, both na- tives of Pennsylvania, and of German-Irish descent. His parents came to Indiana in 1848, and settled in Carroll County. They now reside in this township. Our subject worked on his father's farm until twenty-two years old; then began on his own account; he was married, December U, 1S81, to Miss Mabel Besse, a native of Will County, 111., and daughter of G. H. Besse. They have one child— Bruce B. In March, 1879, Mr. Hardy came to Carpenter Township, where he still resides; he is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Grant; he is a farmer and one of the principal stock men in Remington, and an honored citizen. CHRISTIAN IIEN8LER was born in Ohio. March 12, 1836. and is the sixth in a family of ten children, and of German extraction; his parents, who were natives of GJermany, came to America in 1830, and settled in Ohio; his mother died in Owen County, Ind., in 18-14, and his fatlier in this county in 1871. When our subject was fifteen years old, he began life for himself, working first by the month. He was married, February 15, 1857, to Miss ]Mary M. Wiggins (of Hardin County. Iowa, but a native of Ohio). They have had eight children — Lear C., George, Charles L., Matilda, Jacob A., Mary E., Clara C. and Rosa. Two of these children are de- ceased. In 1865, Mr. Hensler came to this township and settled in Section 2. where he has since resided; he owns 700 acres of good land. 'When he came to Jasper County, he possessed about $1 ,000. and is now worth at least .f 16,000, all made by hard work and good management; he is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. Mr. Hensler was elected President of the Jasper County Agricultural Association in 1883; he is one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers, and is in all respects a "self-made man." HON. FREDERICK HOOVER. Remington, is a native of the county of Henry, Ind. ; was born Di'cember '-. 1837, and is of German descent. His father was boru in Wayne County. Ind., in 1806. anil died in August, 186VI; his mother was a native of Henry C'ounly, Ind. Frederick Hoover began life as a clerk, in whicli role he contin- ued for five years; after he engaged in business for himself at Sliddletown, lud. He now lias a fine farm near Reraingtou. where he deals in stock. Sir. Hoover has served as a member of the Board of Commissioners of this county, and is now a member of the State Senate, to which he was elected by the Democratic party. He is a very poinilar and inlhiential citizen, lie was married, January, 1859, to Miss Mar- tha Bowman, of MIddlelown, Ind. Four children have blessed this union — Adda M., Frank L., Charlie K. and Eva 15. Adda M. died in 1866. a^ed six vcars. Frank TOWN OF REMINGTON AND CARPENTER TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 545 L. was married, November, 1883, to Adda Irwin, of Remington. Mr. Hoover was Director in the Northern Prison. J. S. IRWIN is a native of Carroll County, Ind. His father, Thomas Irwin, was born in Claris County, Ky., in 1809; moved to'CarroU County, Ind., about 1832, and engaged in the mercantile business. Owing to the financial crisis of 183T, he entered and improved some wild land, which he subsequently traded for a stool: of goods, and opened a store in Rensselaer. In 1864 lie retired, and died in 1866. He married Miss Sarah Bryson, in Carroll County, in 1838. Only one of their children— our subject— is living; two of them (Archiljald and Albert, brothers of our subject) were soldiers in the war of the rebellion, and both died from disease contracted in that service. J. S. Irwin is located in Remington, where he has been dealing in grain since 1870. In 1873, he shipped over 300,000 bushels of corn, oats, wheat and flax. In 1873, he married Lucinda A. Conner, of Grant County, Ind. ; her parents are the earliest pioneers of that county, and were married when there were no county officers, the license being procured in an adjoining county. Both are liv- ing, and celebrated their golden wedding in 1881. Mr. Irwin's great-grandfather was of Scotch descent, and settled in Penn.sylvania, whence he sent his son to Ken- tucky to purchase land, and who purchased a large tract where Lexington now stands, and located there. He was Surgeon General during the war of 1813, and was killed with a number of officers in battle. JAMES F. IRWIN, son of William and Sarah A. (Cottingham) Irwin, was born in Hamilton County, Ind., August 3, 1843. He attended the Butler Univer- sity at Indianapolis, and also one year at the Greencastle School. In 1863, he moved to this county, where he has been engaged in general farming and stock dealing. In 1864, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-second Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry, for 100 days, after which service he resumed farming. In April, 1866, he married Mary Ravenscroft, of this county, to which union succeeded six children, three boys and three girls. Mr. Irwin was elected Trustee of this township in 1870; resigned in 1876, was re-elected six months later, and again in 1882. He was also elected Clerk of Jasper County, term beginning May, 1884. He is a member of Remington Lodge. No. 384, I. 0. 0. F. ; also of the G. A. R., Post No. 84, and of Lodge No. 88, A. 0. U. W. Mr. Irwin is a Republican, and active in polities. M. E. JORDAN was born December 28, 1826, in Virginia. His parents emi- grated to Indiana when he was a child, and settled in La Fayette, where his boy- hood was pas.sed. In 1844. the family removed to White County, where his father purchased land, and of which our subject assisted in the improvement. In the meantime, he grew to manhood, and married Margaret Almon, who, in 18.53, died in the birth of a son William, who died in infancy. His second marriage, in 1876, was to Mollie Flake, by which union they have three children — Jacobs, Dora E. and Margaret E. William Jordan, father of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1808. He married Catherine Sexton, and reared a family. He traveled from Virginia to La Fayette, Ind., in a wagon, and entered 120 acres, his possessions being one horse and $7 in money. He afterward moved to White County, where he owned at his death, in 1876, 1,900 acres of the best land in the county, all of which, except about 300 acres, he divided among his children. OLIVER B. McINTIRE, banker. Remington, was born December 32, 1840, in Ripley County, Ind., and is a son of Edward and Rachel A. (Bright) Mclntire, the latter a sister of the celebrated Jesse D. Bright, for eighteen 3'ears United States Senator from Indiana. His grandfather was one of the earlist settlers of Jefierson Coimty. The parents of Oliver moved to Madison, Ind., when he was an infant. He attended Hanover College two years, and returned to the farm to labor. In 1864, he moved to Jasper County, where he bought a farm, remained until 1871 546 BlOGRArHICAL SKETCHES: then removed to Remington, and commenced mercantile business, and afterward real estate and banking, under the firm of J. K. Shaw & Co. In 1876, he purchased the interest of Mr. Shaw, and the business is now known as the Exchange Bank of Remington, where is done a regular real estate and banking business. Mr. Mclntire has been active and useful in building up his town, and has had a successful business career. He is a Democrat, a School Trustee and a member of the Christian Church. His marriage occurred February 3.5, 1864, to Margaret C. Hughes, daughter of M. C. Hughes, of Warsaw, Kj. They have one child, Jessie Hughes. Mr. Mclntire is also pu))lisher of the Remington JVews. PATRICK MAGUIRE was born in Belfast, Ireland. June 17, 1850, and is the seventh of ten children born to Patrick and Elizabeth (McArdle) Maguire, both natives of Ireland. His fatlier died in his native countrj- in 1861; his mother died in America in 1876. Our subject came to the United States in 1870; was in Youngs- town, Ohio, four years; and in New Brighton, Penn., one year; then in Marion, Grant County, Ind., six 3'ears. In June, 1883, he came to Remington, where he now^ resides. Mr. Maguire was m.arried. October 4, 1875, to Miss Marj' J. Costello, a native of Newcastle, Pcnn., and d;iughter of Michael and Ellen Costello. They have had three children— Ella E., Agues M. (deceased) and Emma C. Mr. Maguire is one of the proprietors of the Remington Flax ^Mill, established in 1883. D. B. Sweetzer, of Marion, Ind., has a controlling interest in the enterprise. There is about $30,000 invested in the business. They employ twelve to fifteen men. at good wages. The establishment is one of the largest of the kind in West Indiana, and is a most valuable addition to the business interests of Remington and its vicinity. Mr, and Mrs. Maguire are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Maguire is a Democrat, and an enterprising citizen. He possesses a good library, and is a con- stant reader, being well posted on all genera] topics. ROBERT W. MAY was born in Greenbrier County, Va., March 33, 1840, and is the fifth of eight children liorn to George and Mary (Yeager) May, natives of Virginia, and of English-German descent. When Robert was eight years old, he came with his parents to Jasper County, Ind., where his father died in 1856. and his mother ten years later. At twenty years of age, our subject began doing for him- self. September 38, 1865, he married 3Iiss JIary Guy, a native of Iowa, and daughter of Samuel and JIarietta Guy. They have had four children— Charles, Samuel, Dolly and Eddie (deceased), in 1S65, Mr, :\Iay came into possession of the old homestead. He now owns 430 acres of well-improved land near Remington. He has been very successful, and is worth at least $3(t,000. For many years, he has handled from lOU to 150 head of cattle. Jlr. Jlay is a Republican, anda pioneer of Jasper County, having been a resident since 1848. SAjMUET. C. MAXWELL, M. D., was born in Crawfordsville, Ind,, (~)ctol)er 3, 1840. His parents were Harvey H. and Isaphena (:MeCollough) Ma.xwell; the fori mer died when our subject was four years old. Samuel entered Ladoga Academy, took (he scientific and cla,ssieal course, and graduated in 1863. In August of that year, he enlisted in the Seventy-second Indiana Volunteers, but owing to ensuing sickness, was discharged in November following; he then studied medicine with Dr. J. B. AVilson, attended his first course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1864 and 1865, and began practice at Kcntland, Ind.; he soon after re- turned to Chicago, graduated at the aforesaid college, class of 1866. and resumed practice at Remington, where he has a large and lucrative business, extending tlirough foiu- counties; he has also an extensive practice as surgeon and eonsultin" physician. Dr. Maxwell was President of the District Medical Society several years"" and School Trustee of his town; he is an Elder of the Christian Church, a SablKit'li School SuiHMintendent, and a Republican. June 30, 1865, he married Jennie Parker daughter of Robert and Mary Parker, pioneers of Jasper County. To their uuioa TOWN OF REMINGTON AND CARPENTER TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTV. 547 -were born the following children: The eldest.a boy.died in infancy; Grace, Blanche, Mate and James Garfield. GEORGE NICHOLSOX is a native of Canada, and was born in the year 1848. He removed to Joliet, 111., in 1854, thence to this State in 1871, and settled on Sec- tion 28, in Carpenter Town.ship. His father, William Nicholson, was a native of England, born in 1811, and his mother, Eleanor Austin, was a native of New York; their children were named George, John, Elizabeth. Charles, Nancy, Francis, Cal- vin. Sarah, Emma, and an infant dead, unnamed. George Nicholson was married to Miss Dora Spangler, daughter of Joseph Spangler, an old settler of this county, an enterprising farmer, who erected one of the first power wind mills in the township. He has also a well-improved farm, on which is a fish pond, thoroughly stocked with German carp. He is a member of the Clmrch of God. ROBERT PARKER. Sr., was born in Kentucky in 1811, whence he moved to Rush County, in this State, at an early day, and was married to Miss Mary Over- ton. About 1839, he came to this county, and was among the first settlers of the vicinity of Rensselaer, where he entered land and fanned successfully. He had been a Whig, but became a Republican, and was an earnest advocate of the late war. Once, when some soldiers were leaving for the field, he gave them $40, which they answered with three rousing cheers for " Uncle Bob." His family embraced nine — Nanc}', Clara, Jennie, Emma, Elizabeth, North, Robert, Esther and Anna. He at one time owned over 3,000 acres of land. Robert Parker, Jr. .oursubject, was reared a farmer, and attended an academy in Montgomery County, Ind. In 1870, he engaged in the lumber and coal business, and was railroad agent. He sold the coal business to B. M. Butler, and commenced that of deposit and exchange agent; he afterward took J. K. Shaw as a partner, and in 1874 sold his interest to 0. B. Mclntire; two years later he again engaged in the coal and lumber trade, with John Burger as partner, which he now manages in connection with banking. Mr. Parker was mar- ried, in 1868, to Miss Hattie Black, daughter of Samuel M. Black; thej^ have three children — Mabel, Kittie and Twonnet. D. H. PATTON, physician and surgeon. Remington, was born in Fleming County, Ky., in 1837. His parents are Andrew D. and Nancy (Cowan) Patton; her father was Enoch Cowan, well and favorably known in his State. Andrew D. Pat- ton was a man of strong personalitj- and atone time of considerable wealth; he was a great advocate for education, and moved to Montgomery County, IncL, on account of larger opportunities therefor. He was a farmer and trader, and reared a family of eight children, four of whom are now living. He died at the residence of his son, D. H. Patton, in 1869, The Pattons were of Scotch-Irish ancestrj', and they were generally antislavery people, particularly Joseph Patton, a brother of Andrew, still Uving in Ripley, Ohio, who purchased the freedom of many slaves. He has posses- sion of Gen. Andre's sword, which he will bequeath to Dr. Patton. In August, 1862, our subject enlisted, with eleven students, in the Thirty-eighth Indiana Regi- ment; he was first made color guard at battle of Perry ville, October, 1862, at which battle four of the nine color guards were killed instantly, and two were wounded; after which he was made color-bearer, and at the battle of Stone River, he held the colors while thirty-one balls passed through the same; and afterward Sergeant Ma- jor, from which he rose to Colonel and Commander of the brigade. The Doctor had his clothes and hat cut with bullets, but did not receive a wound. His brigade on one occasion marched 192 miles in six consecutive daj-s; he was in the grand review at Washington; was mustered out July. 186.5. He graduated from the Chicago Med- ical College, at Chicago, class of 1867, and began practice at Remington the same year. Dr. Patton was married in the same year to Miss Clara Bennett, of Carroll County, Ky., daughter of Joseph Bennett. They have three children — Fannie, Alice and Luther (the latter twins). He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, also of the G. A. R. 548 , BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: J. E. STILLER, general merchant, Remington, was born in New York City in 1842; is the son of Robert and Jane (Rowe) Stiller, and of German descent. His father was a native of Germany, his mother of New York, of German parents. Robert Stiller was a gentleman of education, and an expert in book-keeping, having been employed by Linthendahl & Co. At the occurrence of the war, he went into the service of the Government; he was a fine penman. He was married in New York City, and about 18.50 emigrated to Kankakee, 111.; he had six children, five of whom are living^James E., Mary E., Catherine, William and Peter. Robert Stiller took a large interest in education and morals. He enlisted in 1862, in the Twentieth Illinois Volunteers. The subject of this sketch enlisted in 1861 in the Forty-second Illinois Volunteers — the old Douglas brigade — and was in all the battles up to Chickamauga, where he was wounded, and soon after discharged. After this event he entered and graduated from Fulton College, in which he subsequently became a Professor of Penmanship. In 1872, he married Miss Mar3- Jones, by whom he has two children— Bertie Eugene and George Edwin. Mr. Stiller began business in Remington in 1877. 0. P.,TABER, a son of George and Lois (Vickery) Taber, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., December 33, 1840. In 1870, he moved to JMichigan, thence, one year later, to Benton County, Ind., and in 187.5 crossed the line to this county, where he built a good frame house and barn. He has 307 acres of fine land, which is in a rich state of cultivation. In 1865, he married Tammie E. Terpening, daugh- ter of William and Rennette (Hunt) Terpening: upon this union have followed three boys and one girl. Mr. Taber is by trade a carpenter, and has built twenty-one dwelling houses and seven schoolhouses since he came to this State. He is a general farmer and stock-raiser; he is Treasurer of the Remington Fair Associ:Ltiourand is a very greatly respected citizen. W. A. TRAUGH, druggist, was born in Tioga County. Penn.. in 1843. and was educated at Dickeson Seminary, Williamsport, under the iate Bishop Bowman. In 1857, he moved with his parents to E:irlsville, 111. His father was a druggist, from whom our subject acquired the liusiness. W. A Traugh served duringVhe war in the Fourth Illinois Cavalr}^ after which he engaged in stock dealing Tn the West, operating in Kansas in the summer and in Texas in the winter. At this he con- tinued eight ye:irs, when he returned to Remington and engaged in the nursery trade with his father, and in ISSO i„ the drug business, in companv with William Townsend. and keeps a very superior stock of medicines. In 1(<82, Mr. Trauuh w:\s married to Miss Carrie Boyce. of Remington. Mr. Traugh is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and a most thorough :ind engaging business man WRIGHT WILLIAMS, railro:ul :,gent and kleuraph operator, was born in Carroll County, tnd., July 10, 1851, and is the se.ond of six children (three boys and three girls, subject being the only one now living) born to R. A S and S \. (Reed) Williams. Mr. Wilharas is of Welsh descent; his father w:is born inVir- ginia, his mother in New York: they now reside :il Rossville. 111. I,, 1.-^70 Mr Will- iams began the railroa,! business. , and learned lele-r.apli v under J W Kishlar at Brookston, Whitr County. In February, 1N71, lie bee:nne telegraph operator at San Pierre, Ind.; shortly alterward he \s as promoted and given an office at La Crosse, Ind.: later, he worked at Urynolds. lu December, 1^74. he e:nne to Rem'- uigtonand was ai-poinled railway agent and telegraph operator bv the Chiea-o St. Louis .V: I'lltslungh K:,ilway Go,, which position be still holds ' Jlr Willi'ims was married Inly ;iO is;;!, ,., Mis. Etnma lliUer. :, le.tive of Indianapolis, and .laughter ot Jolin W . Ihller. They have four ehildren-Willard E AValter Ernest =u'd IJrrllei S. Mr. Williams is a thorough Republie;in. and east histirst Pre^'identi^l vole lor U.S. Grant, lie has luau, Clerk and Treasurer of Renungton :.nd 'is :, pop ular luid mtluential citizeu. ' ' JORDAN TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUiNTV. 54& JORDAN TOWNSHIP. HENRY I. ADA:MS was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1838. and is a son of Isaac and Ann (Idings) Adams, both natives of Jefferson County, Ohio (the former born May ,28, 1814, the hitter January 3, 1818), who came to Jliami County, this State, in 1841 ; there Mr. Adams bought sixty-six acres, and paid therefor with Bhie Point money; several years later, he bought forty acres near by, all of which he sold in 1856 for |1,400, when he came to Marion Township, this county, and pur" chased 240 acres. Mr. Adams died in 1879, and Mrs. Adams in 1882, leaving the following family: Henry, Elizabeth, Sarah Ann, Joseph, William E., Mary and Marion. Henry I. Adams was reared a farmer, educated at the common schools, and when sixteen years old engaged in teaching, which he followed for twelve win- ters. December 23. 1859, he married Sophia M. Beale. to which union were born six children — Clara D. (deceased), Florence (deceased), Francis, Judson L., Mary S. and Cecil E. Mrs. Adams died March 29, 1ST2. His second wife was Miss Ellen McCuUough, by which marriage descended five children —William I., Kittle, Belle, Lou and Henry S. Mr. Adams enlisted in the Eighty-seventh Indiana Regiment in 1862, and was discharged in 1863, by reason of illness. He was elected County Treasm-er in 1876, and later appointed Postmaster. He now owns 600 acres of land, and is a prominent citizen. BENJAJMIN BARGER is the fourth of the eight children of Henry and Catha- rine (Kennedy) Barger, natives of Pennsj'lvania, and of German descent. He was born in Lycoming County, Penn., November 4, 1845, and was reared and worlvcd on the farm, with but small chance for schooling, until 1865, when he engaged as a farm hand at i?20 per month, so continuing until 1873, when he came to this town- ship and purchased forty acres, and added forty acres after, maliing a comfortable home and good farm. Mr. Barger was married, January 26, 1871, to Anna, daugh- ter of Michael and Matilda (Arnold) Bowers, a native of Ohio. This union was crowned with three children — Nathan P., Benjamin H. and Frederick, all of whom are living. Mr. Barger is a hard-working and industrious man, and one who has merited the property and position he has acquired. JOHN L. BICKNELL is the ninth of thirteen childi-cn born to Lewis T. and Jane (Felse) Bicknell, natives of North Carolina, and of Scotch and English extrac- tion. The grandfather of John was a Revolutionary soldier seven years, and a portion of the time a cavalryman. After the war, he settled in North Carolina as a farmer, where he died. Lewis T. Bicknell lived for a time in Rush County, Ind., and afterward came to Hancock County, where he remained until his death. John L. Bicknell was born in Wilkes County. N. C, April 7, 1833, and reared on the home farm. When he was fifteen j-ears of age, he learned the blacksmithing trade, at which he labored until 1876, when he engaged in farming, and has since followed that occupation, having now 100 acres in this county. Mr. Bicknell was married, September 6, 1859, to Rebecca A., a native of Indiana, and daughter of James V. and Elizabeth P. (Pritchett) Dutton. Nine children have blessed this union — James L., Ida May, John M., Louis B. (deceased), Frank A., Willis E., Marion W., Bertha A. and Freeman 0. Mr. Bicknell is a Freemason and a much respected citizen. ELLIOTT R. BURR, the youngest son of the family of Eli R. and Susan (Monagle) Burr, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of New York, and of English and Irish descent, was born in Allegany County, N. Y., August 2, 1843. 550 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ^ . He was reared on a farm, and after his father's early death was placed in care of an uncle. August 20, 1862. he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth New York Volunteers, and served one year, after which he was discharged for rea- son of sickness. He was married, June 14, 1863, to Sarah J. Voorheis, of New York, daughter of John and Cynthia (Vanness) Voorheis. Soon after marriage, Mr. Burr moved to Michigan, where he engaged in coopering ; thence to Ilhnois, where he was Deputy Clerk of Jackson County. Afterward, he came to this town- ship, where he located on 190 acres, his present home. Mr. and Mrs. Burr have had seven children— Frederick R., Emma, Susan, Anna, Edwin, Cynthia and Willie. Mr. Burr is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, and workers for temperance and education. WILLIAM H. CAIN is the youngest of four children born to Thomas and Catherine (Oinley) Cain, l)Oth natives of Ireland, and of Irish descent. Thomas Cain landed at New Orleans in August, 1853; thence going to St. Louis; thence to Illinois, and thence to Jordan Township, this county, March IT, 1869, where he pur- chased 160 acres and remained until his death, August 10. 1880. William H. Cain was born in Will County. 111., July 22. 1859, and was reared a farmer, and remained with his father until his majority, soon after which he married Barbara Ulm, a na- tive of (Jhio, daughter of John and Eve (Ecki Ulm. Mr. Cain has continued as a farmer, and now has 160 acres of good and improved laud, as well as an attractive home; he is also made happy with one child — William Edward, born May 20. 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Cain are members of the Catholic Church. JA3IES V. DUTTON. the second of the five children of John and Martha (Cleaver) Dutton, was born in Warren County, Ohio. September 29. 1809; his father was a native of Virginia, his motlierof Pennsylvania, and both of English descent, .lames V. Dutton was reared on the farm. During winter, he attended school, and accjuired sufficient education to become a teacher, and he taught in Ohio and In- diana. Mr. Dutton was married. April 30. 1-^35. to Elizabeth Pritchett. a native of Delaware, and a daughter of Soloman and Sarah iKillon) Pritchett. This union was followed bj' nirie children — Asa. Mary. Rebecca. Lydia. Sarah E.. Harriet M., Isabel, John C. P. and Lilian. After his marriage. Mr. Dutton engaged in farming in Tippecanoe County. Ind.. where he resided until 1865. and was County Trustee for a period of thirty years. In that year, he moved to this county and purchased and settled on 360 acres, where he has made his home. He is an active Republic;m, and a liberal and benevolent citizen. Mr. Dutton was of service in raising soldiers during the war. and in caring for their families. JOSEPH EAST was born in Garret County. Ky., March 10, 1810, and is one of the ten children of James and laicy (English) East, natives of Virginia, and of Irish descent. Joseph East is a farmer, and has spent most of his time in this State. He was married, in Jackson County. Ind.. November 9. 183-t. to Olive, daughter of Ebenezer and Susanna (Buck) Neff. a native of Washington County, N. Y. To this union have succeeded eleven children — Henry J.. Margaret (.now Mrs. Fuller). Elizabeth (deceased). Levi B.. Susanna (deceased), Lewis (dece:ised), Isaac M.. Mary E. (now Mrs. Ellis). John E.. Catharine (now Mrs. Frasier), and Frank J. i\Ir. Kasl came to this township in March. ISTt. and purchased 160 acres, on wliich the family is settled ; the farm I'Oiitaius many improvements, and is an attractive home. Mr. East h;is accpiired this desirable possession by his indusli-y and la'onomy; he is a Hepuhlii;iu. but cast his first ballot for An- drew Jackson, in 1S31. Frank J. East. :\Ir. E;ist's youngest son. residing with his parents, was born in La Salle County. 111., June 26. 1856. He was reared on the farm, and married, November 29, 1876, to Emily K. Henderson, of this State, daughter of \Villi:im C, and Jane (Woody) Henderson, also natives of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs, East have two children— Maiulie Gertrude and William Roscoe. JORDAN TOWNSHIP— JASPER COrNTY. 551 ALBERT G. ^Y. FARMER is the third of the eight children of Nirarod and Mary E (Smith) Farmer, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Tennessee, and of English descent. Albert was Ijorn in Jefferson County, Tenn., June 8, 1837; he was reared on the farm, and whan eighteen came to Indiana with his uncle, and engaged as a farm hand, and afterward as a partner in land. During this time, he married Matilda, a native of Wayne County, Ind., daughter of Alva and Mary (Lewis) Macy. Nine children were the consummatioQ of this marriage — Macy A. (deceased). Charley E. (deceased), Clarence R. (deceased), Orpah. MaryE., Malinda C, Albert C, "Worth and Henry P. Mr. Farmer continued in agriculture until 1865, when he came to his present location, and settled on forty acres near Good- land, Mr. Farmer is a Republican; he was Trustee of Milroy Township, and is now Justice of the Peace in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Farmer are active religious persons, she of the Friends' Society, and he of the M. P. Church, of which he has been for several years local minister. EPHRAIM FLEMIXG was born in Licking County, Ohio, in May, 1839, and is the second of the eight children of James and Sarah (Bright) Fleming, natives of Ohio, and of German and English descent. In oonseciuence of his father's death, Ephraim engaged as a farm hand for $10 per month. At the age of twenty-two years, he was married to Eliza Goodwin, a native of Ohio, daughter of Richard Goodwin. Four children bind their union — Ellen (deceased), Anthonj', Franklin and Robert. Mrs. Fleming died soon after the birth of the last child — December 9, 1860. October 13, 1861, Mr. Fleming enlisted in Company E, Forty-sixth Re,giment Indiana Volunteers, but was discharged May 29, 1863, by reason of sicliuess, and was married shortly after to Pernine Reed, a native of Indiana, daughter of Josiah and Anna (Shoej') Reed. This union has been strengthened by seven children — Mary A. (deceased). Rosalie J., Andrew J., Charity M. (deceased), Arthur E., Ber- tha G. and James E. After farming in Kewton County until 1870, Mr. Fleming came to this township and located on eighty acres near Rensselaer, which he has made his home and which he has proudly earned. JOSEPH G. GALEY is the fourth of the six children of Samuel and Matilda (Chamberlain) Galey, both natives of Kentucky, and of English and Irish descent. Samuel Galey removed from Montgomery to Jasper County, Ind., in 1819, and was a pioneer of Jasper County, where he died in February, 1856. Joseph G. Galey was Ijorn in Montgomery County, Ind., March 18, 1844, and was reared on a farm. After the death of his father, he commenced worlv for himself, receiving only his board and clothes; he afterward worked for §14 per month. At the blast of war, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served thirty- eight months, and took part in the battles of luka, Corinth, Jackson, Champion Hills, the siege of Vicksburg, and Gen. Slierman's course to the sea. During this service, he was several times ill, but never received a wound. After his return, he resumed farming, and Jul}^ 10, 1870, married Margaret German, daughter of Joshua and Sophia German, from which union sprang two children — Homer (deceased) and Xellie A. (born September 31, 1873). Mr. Galey has an improved farm of eighty acres and an attractive home, all the result of his labors. Mrs. Galey belongs to the M. E. Church. JOHN GUEST is the second of thirteen children born to Robert and Mary (Pritchard) Guest, natives of Ireland, and of Welsh extraction. John was born in Roscommon County, Ireland, probably in June, 1837, and obtained his education in the main at the Protestant night schools of his native country. At the age of thir- ty-seven, he arrived in Illinois, where he remained until 1874, at which time he came to Indiana, and settled on 120 acres in this county, near Rensselaer, on which he is making his home. Mr. Guest was married, March 6, 1867, in Joliet, III., to Fannie Sampey, born in Ireland February 1, 1837, daughter of Thomas and Mary 33 552 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Sampey, natives of Ireland and of Welsh extraction. Their union has been made happy with two children— Robert J. (born November 15, 1871), and Thomas J. (bom April 25, 1874). Mr. Guest has made for himself a home and friends by the labor of his hands and the goodness of his heart. CHARLES W. HARRIS is the only son of Rowland and Elizabeth (Pike) Har- ris, the foi-mer a native of North Carolina, the latter of Georgia; both of English descent. Rowland Harris settled in this township in 1866, and remained until his death, October 4, 1876. Charles W. Harris was born in Warren County, Ind., May 20, 1855, and was reared to the ancient occupation of farming. He was married, October 10. 1878, to Laura J. Timmons, a native of this State, and daughter of Nel- son and Martha A. (Lamborn) Timmons. After his marriage, Mr. Timmons con- tinued to farm in this county— whither he had come with his father in 1865. He has ninety-four acres near Remington, which land is well-improved and productive; and he has, besides, a very pleasant home. Jlr. Harris has earned this property, and it is a durable monument to his ambition and industry. STEARNS F. ILIFF, pioneer farmer, is the seventh of the family of William V. and Hannah (Morrison) IlifE, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania, and of English and German descent. Our subject was born in Wa- bash County, Ind.. AugustSO, 1836, and was brought up a farmer. After the death of his parents, and at the age of sixteen, he began work for himself as a farmhand, and later, made an investment in stock. In 1861, March 21, Mr. Iliff was married to Eleanor K., daughter of Cornelius and Jane V, (Kline) Hutton. Mrs. IlifE is a native of this State, and by this union mother of seven children — William C, John W., Harriet A., George K.. Mary J., Charles E. and Lela Grace. !Mr. Iliff contin- ued to farm successfully after his marriage. He now has 200 acres near Rens- selaer, with improvements on the land, and the comforts of home to make him pros- perous and happy. Mr. IlifE is a benevolent and respected man, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. HENRY P. JONES, farmer, was born in Carnarvon County, Wales, April 24, 1836, and is the son and youngest of eight children of Henry P. and Jane Jones, natives of Wales and of Welsh extraction. Our subject passed most of his boy- hood between the farm and the school, and when sixteen year- of age emigrated to America. Visiting an only brother at Warren County. N. J., he worked there in a slate quarrj^, at $]..50 per daj', for eight months, thence going to Vermont for twelve years, and thence to Calitoniia. In ISTl, he came to this township, where he is located on a good farm of i:!0 acres m-nr Rensselaer. Mr. Jones has made this great possession, unaided, by his energy and care. In addition to general farming, he has a predilection for. and makes a specialty of fiue horses, a fair supply of which he has always on hand. JAMES E. LAIMSOK is (he third of four children born to r>aniel and Mar- garet (Pogue) Lamson, natives of Indiana, and of German and English ex- traction. James E. Lamson was born in Howard County, Ind.. August 3, 1849, and was reared to farming. His parents moved to this county in 1852, and located on 160 acres near Rensselaer, where he now lives, with all the improvements on the land, and comforts of life. Mr. Lamson was married. February 10. 1S73, to Susan Rlankenlinker, a native of Kentucky, daughter of Michael and Elizabetli (Gates) Hlankenbaker, natives of Oliio and Kentucky, and ot (Jernian descent. Mrs. Lam- son died July 8, 1S70, leaving one child— llarley. born October 17, 1875; she was a nieiulicr of tile Lullierau Church, hi July. 1881, J[r. Lamson married Anna L. Mc- Coy, n n,ilive of Indiana, a prominent school teacher of Jasper Countv, and daugh- ter of B<'njninin and Rachel (Ih'udersiui) JlcCoy. natives of Maine and Pennsvlva- nia. and of Seotcli-lrish descent. To tliis union has been born one child— Hazel Jl born Mareli 27, I8,'S2. JORDAN TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 553 JOHN LEWIS, a pioneer faimer, is the fifth of nine children born to Ciileb and Susanna (Cook) Lewis; the former a native of South Carohna, the latter of North Carolina, and of Welsh descent. John was born in Clinton Count}', Ohio, Septem- ber 1,5, 1813, and was reared as a farmer b_y his father, with whom he came to War- ren County, Ind., in 1834, and located near Pine Village, where he was married, De- cember 28, 1836, to Sarah Beard, a native of North Carolina, daughter of 'W'illiam and Rachel (Pearson) Beard. 'Sir. Lewis engaged in farming in Union Count}- for fourteen j-ears, and after manj' removals came to this township and purchased 100 acres, to which he has since added 103, making 203 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had five children — Semira (deceased), Telemachus (deceased), Armand, Jiai'cus G. and Ida Sadora (deceased). Mr. Lewis is a Republican of the abolition school. He has served three successive terms as Justice of the Peace, and he and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and urgent temperance workers; for the past seven \'ears Mr. Lewis has acted as a local preacher. JONATHAN LEWIS was born in Morgan County. Ohio, May 10. 1843, and is the second of the nine children of Valentine and Catharine (Grimes) Lewis, na- tives of Ohio, and of German and English descent. He was brought up to follow the plow, but was aroused by war, and, November 21, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteers, afterward transferred to Twenty-eigUtli Illi- nois Regiment, served through the war, and participated in the engagements of Bull Run, Pittsburg Landing, Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, Corinth, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, where he was captured, and afterward sent to Andersonville for nine months. He was one of a party, who escaped l)y digging, and were tracked by bloodhounds and retaken after five days. He was afterward with Gen. Sherman on his march through Georgia. At Shiloh, he received six flesh wounds, and lost the fibula by a bullet. After his discharge, July 31. 186.J, he resumed his trade of black, smith, and September 21, 1867, married Elizabeth Ann, daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Shaw) Littlefield. Six children bind theii union — Elnora E., Frances O., James W., Edith M., Margaret F. and Orsa. Mr. Lewis is a Republican and gave his first vote for Mr. Lincoln in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are members of the United Brethren Church; they came to this count}' in 1870. JOSEPH McCART is the second in the family of four cluldren liorn to Benjamin and Rebecca McCart; the former a native of Kentuclvy, tlie latter of Ohio, and of English extraction. Joseph McCart is a native of Buchanan County, 'Mo., and was born January 19, 18.57. He was reared in the city of St. Joseph, 'and came to this township and county in 1878, where he is now settled and engaged prosperously in farming. Mr. McCart was married, November 23, 1879, to Ida Michals, a native of this State, and daughter of Jonathan and Susannah (Rhow) Michals, natives of Ohio, and of German and Eaglish descent. This union has been made happy with one child, Arthur Benjamin, born May 23, 1881. Mr. McCart is an enterprising, energetic young farmer, with a good record and a clear future. EUGENE PARK is the third of six children born to Philander and Amelia (Searls) Park, natives of New York, and of English descent. Our subject is a native of Franklin County, Ohio, born September 8, 1842, and was reared to farm- ing. May 20, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-third Ohio Volunteers, served nine months, and participated at Bermuda Hundred and Petersburg, and was dis- charged February, 1864. He was married, January 1. 1869, to Margaret Mackalpin, daughter of Dr. P. 8. and Catharine Anderson. Three children bind this union- Jessie, May and Ruble. After marriage, Mr. Park moved to Newton County, and purchased 400 acres, wliere he i-emained five years. This he .sold, came to this township, and bought 4.50 acres near Fordsraan Station, and here he has a good farm and all conveniences and comforts. Mr. Park is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and an active Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. 554 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: He can say that he has earned all he possesses. Mrs. Park is a member of the M. E. Church. LYMON RAYMOND is the tliinl of four children comprising the family of Reuben and Caroline (Lord) Raymond, both natives of Wisconsin, and of English and Irish extraction. Lymon Raymond was born in Grundy County, 111.. May 27, 18.52, and reared to the'plow as a livelihood. In the winter, however, he went to school and so obtained a fair education. He remained with his parents, sharing in the labor of the farm, until Xovember 2. 18T.J, when he was married to Nellie, daughter of Morris and .lulia Gorman, natives of Ireland, and of Irish descent. Two children bind this union— Hattie. born January 0, 1878. and Carl, born June 11, 18,S3. Mr. Ra3mioud has a good farm of KiO acre?, near Goodland. containing many improvements and making an ideal home. He is a stanch Republican, and gave his first vote for Gen. V. S. Grant, in 1872. JOHN REED, farmer, is the eldest of eleven children of the family of Michael and Mary (Ca-ry) Reed, natives of Ireland and of Irish descent. John is also a na- tive of Ireland, and was born June 24, ls-37. He was brought up a farmer. In 1863, he emigrated to America, remained in New York one month and moved to Illinois, where he worked as a mason for eight years. He thence moved to Benton County, Ind., in 1872, and there remained five years, whereupon he came to this township and purchased 200 acres, on which he is now a resident. His land is fairly improved, and his liome is comfortable. September 7. 18,57. Mr. Reed wedded Mary, davighter of Patrick and Catharine Bray, natives of Ireland. This marriage was crowned with eight children — Michael, Mary (now Mrs. Cacy). John, Ann (de- ceased), Catharine (deceased), Thomas, Bridget (deceased) and William. Mr. Reed has acquired his property b.y industry and care, and deserves the commendation of his friends. Both he and wife are members of the Catholic Church. JOHN ROADIFER is the fifth of the seven children descended from Daniel and Rhoda (Huff) Roadifer, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Ohio, and of German and English descent. John Roadifer was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Atigust 18, 184.5. He was reared a farmer, but during winter attended school and obtained sufficient education to enable him to liecome a teacher, which voca- tion he followed in Indiana and Illinois. He afterward engaged in farming and breaking prairie. He thus, and by other work, economised sufficient means to purchase eighty acres, near Goodland. where he now lives, and has a good farm and comfortable home. This properly and the position ilr. Roadifer has in life were attained by his own eft'orts, vuuudcd. aud his future is clear and promising. HENRY WELSH Avas born in Adams County, Ohio, June 10, 1809. He is the second of the five children of Benjamin and Mary tJIoore* Welsli. natives of Penn- sylvania and Virginia respectively, and of Iri>li descent. In company with his father, Henry came to tlus township in 1S40. where tliey erected a cabin and where he has since resided. In 18.52, May bl, oiu- subject was married to Sarah Ann, daughter of fra aud Elizabeth (Darling) Baker. This union gave is-;ue to ten chil- dren — Frank M.. Benjamin A.. Mary E. (now Goodrich!. Ira L., Agues A,. Jose- phine (now BuUis), Robert E., Ella, (b-aee G. and Jersey. Mr. Welsh is located on ■ViO acres near Rensselaer. He has a well-improved farm and a pleasant home. Mr. Welsh is a, mendier of llie Odd Fellows' fraternity and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is fortiin:Ue in the nuniy blessings and comforts which surround him. ALLEN J. YEOMAN, the second of the five children of I,evi and Eliza J. (White) Yeoman, natives of Ohio, and of English and Gernian extraction, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, September ;!, 1841. He was reared to the farm, working in sunuuer luul goUig to school in winter. Owing to his mother's death, he went to live with an unele in Jasper County, in 1854, in which county he has since resided. He was married, November 23, 18li5, to Lydia A. Shull. a native of Indiana, damrh- MILROY TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTV. 555 ter of Jonathan and Patsej' (York) ShuU, a union crowned by three cliildreii — Ed- ward E., Albertie and Charles M. After his marriage, Mr. Yeomau farmed, and has now 500 acres near Rensselaer; he also deals in and ships considerable stock. In 1861, he enlisted in Compan}' H, Fifteenth Indiana Volunteers, and served through the war, participating at Shiloli, Corinth, Perrj'ville, Stone Rivet'. Chicka- mauga, Missionarj' Ridge and Gen. Wilson's raid, in which Mr. Yeoman was severely wounded in the right lung, for which he was treated at a private dwelling in Selma. He was discharged August 8, 1865. Mr. Yeoman is an Odd Fellow and a Repub- lican, and has served two successive terms as Sheriff of Jasper County, to the second being elected without opposition. He is now holding his second term as Trustee of Jordan Township. MILROY TOWNSHIP. WILLIAM H. BEAVER is the eldest of seven children born to Luke and Sarah (Owens) Beaver, the former a native of Ohio, and of Irish descent. Our sub- ject first saw the light in Marion County, Ind., January 10, 1840. He was brought up on a farm, and attended school somewhat in the winter. In the time of the war, November, 1863. he enlisted in Companj' K. One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Regi- ment, Twelfth Cavahw. and served twentj'-three months, during which he took part in the battles of Stone River. Mobile, Spanish Fort, and all through the Mobile cam- paign. He was discharged November 33, 1865, and some time after, March 37, 1867, married Margaret, daughter of Jacob and Sarah E. (Fisher) Owens, and a native of this State. After his marriage, Mr. Beaver commenced farming in this county, which he has made his home, and is located near Wolcott Post Office. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver are parents of seven children — Martha J., Charles W., Matilda E., Albert A., Lewis ^I., George W. and Jacob B. Mr. Beaver is a strong advocate of the Democracy. JOHX G. BRADDOCK is the third of three children born to Moses and Sarah (Longdon) Braddock. natives of Pennsylvania, and of Welsh descent. Our subject was born December 15, 1833, and was brought up to the business of farming. In 1833, he moved with his father to Hancock County, Ind. At the age of eighteen, he began the course of life on his own account, working as a farm hand for IJIO per month; this he continued until September, 1843, when he married Mary, daugh- ter of John and Catharine (Camrey) Jones, a native of this State, who died July 33, 1853, leaving three children — Mary G., Nancy and William Henry. March 31, 1854, Mr. Braddock married Elizabeth Jones, sister of his deceased wife, by which union resulted six children — Sarah J., Mrs. McColly; John M., a student at Asbury University; Rose Althie, Mrs. Price; Nettie V., Mrs. McCoy; Oliver P. L. and Maggie M. In 1857, Mr. Braddock came to this county and located on eighty acres of his present home. He is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. PETER FOULKS was born in Covington, Ky., December 35, 1839, and is a son of Richard and Nancy (Ellis) Foulks, the former a native of Georgia, the latter of New York, and of German and English descent. Richard Foulks was a soldier of the war of 1813, and assisted at Perry's victor\' on Lake Erie. After the war, he settled in Ohio, near Cincinnati, and after the death of his wife removed to this county,' where he died August 15, 18.54. Peter began work at an early age. After reaching maturity, he learned carpentering, and on September 39, 1854, married Louisa J., daughter of Riley C. and Catharine (Coghill) Meadors; the former was 556 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ii pioneer of Montgomery County, but canie to this county in 1842, and died Janu- ary 27, 1854. Mr. Poulks is located on 120 acres, and has a good farm and a pleas- ant home. He and wife are members of the IMethodist Episcopal Church, and parents of five children— Josephine, deceased; Richard E., George W., Lacie and Effle A. Mr. Foulks is an active Uepublican, though his first vote was given to Franklin Pierce in 1852. fie has served two terms as Trustee of this township, of which he was one of the organizers. THOMAS W. ILIFF is the youngest of the nine children of James and Sarah (Hill) lliff, the former born in 1776, a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of North Carolina, and of Englisli descent. Thomas first saw the light in Greene County, • Ohio, April 13, 1820, was reared by agriculture, and began life for himself as a farm hand, when fourteen years of age, at |10 per month. December 19, 1843, he mar- ried Lydia, daughter of Upton and Mary (Cravens) Evans, a native of Ohio. Suc- ceeding liis marriage, Mr. lliff farmed in Randolph and White Counties, Ind., and came to this township in September, 1867, and located on his present farm and home. Mr. and Mrs. lliff are parents of nine children — Hester Ann, deceased: Mary E., now Mrs. Wooslcy; John F., Dorothy E., deceased; Elmira, deceased: Minerva, now Mrs. "Wood; Lydia, now Mrs. Phillips; Bertha A., deceased, and Bryam. Mr. and Mrs. lliff are members of the ^Methodist Episcopal Church, and benevolent toward all worthy enterprises. JACOB JOHKS is the fourth of tlie seven children of Robert and Betsey (Boosenborg) Johns, natives of Indiana. He first saw- the light in Boone Countv, Ind.. January 24, 1836, and was reared to labor and on a farm. He worked for his parents until lf^58, at which period he married Elizabeth Umphris. a native of In- diana, after which event he continued farm work until September, 1862. when he enlisted in Company E, Fifty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, served about si.xteen months and took part in the engagements of Vicksburg. Arkansas Post, Grand Gulf and Big Black River. He was discharged at New Orleans in Decem- ber, 1H63, and immediatelj' resumed farming in Boone County. In l87l), he came to this township and purchased fifty acres, on which he has since made his home. Mr. and Mrs. Johns are the parents of five children— Martha J. (Mrs. Benson). Emma Bell, Charles Anderson, Rolla and Lilly L. :\Ir. Johns has acquired his home and property solely by his earnest efforts and continued industry, which is one of tlie few things of which a man may be laudably proud. WILLIAM C. McCORD is the sixth of tlie eiglit children of James and Leah (Rhiver) McCord, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German extraction. Will- iam came to the world in Decatur County, Ind., September 6, lS4."i. and was to the maiiiiei- born a farmer. He assisted his father until his majority, after which, No- veinl)er 25, 1868. he was married to Clnr:i A. Cosier, a native of this State, and daughti'r of William II. and Eliz:\belli lEuder) Cosier, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Kentucky, inul liolli of Germ.iu descent. The union of Mr. and Mrs. McCord was productive of four cliihlrcn— James F., William O.. Ira D. and Milton N. In bsC)!), Mv, M( (,'ord c:uue to this lounty. wliere he has made a good farm and eiimforhilile home, lie is an urgent Democrat, for which party he h;is held several otlices of honor and trust, and is at this time Township Trustee. Mrs. 3IeCord is a memlier of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are liberal contributors to every good cause. NEWTON TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 557 NEWTON TOWNSHIP. CHARLES R. BENJAMIN" is a native of Paj^ette County, Ohio, was born in 1840, and is a son of Rial Benjamin, one of the first pioneers of this county. Our subject enlisted during the late war, and served three years in the Forty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry (Col. Eddy). He was at the siege of Corinth, the battle of luka and Champion Hill, in the Vicksburg campaign, in the heroic march with Gen. Sherman through the State of Georgia, and was once wounded. In 1808, Mr. Benjamin married Miss Letitia, daughter of Micah and Hannah Say- ler, and a native of Marion County, born in 1847. The result of their union was two children — Maud and Ray. Mr. Benjamin has a good farm, numbering 180 acres, and a comfortable home. He is an esteemed citizen. JARED BENJAMIN was born October 10, 1830, in Fayette Counti^, Ohio; his father, also Jared Benjamin, was born in Connecticut, Februarj^ 16, 1782, and was reared, educated and afterward married, in Tompkins County, N. Y., to Miss Mary Hemingway, by which union they had five cliildren. After Mrs. Benjamin's death, Mr. Benjamin married Mary, daughter of Stephen and Abigail (Fountain) Yeoman. This union also gave issue to five children. Jared was married, Septem- ber 10, 1848, to Lettie, daughter of Samuel and Susan (Webster) Halstead. They had the following children: Teresa, born June 17, 1849; Mar3^ born August 6, 1850; Martha, born March 13, 1852, and Clarissa, born August 8, 1853. Of these, Mary and Clarissa died in 1858; Teresa married John Martindale and had two children — Jared and Nina. Mr. Benjamin is one of the earliest settlers of the county, having come hither in 1838, and located on land vacated by the Indians, and on which are yet many traces of that people. He began life a poor boy, but has acquired a good farm and home and is an esteemed citizen. The grandfather of our subject, Stephen Yeoman, was a soldier and hero of the Revolutionary war; he was an unyielding Whig, and intensely hated hy the Tories for his fealty to tlie Colonial Government. On one occasion, he was visited by a band of about ten Tories, who, finding him at the plow, took him to a tree for the purpose of hanging him, but, upon consulta- tion, they agreed to lash him instead, and, having fastened lum by his plow lines, each one then inflicted thirty lashes by means of straps, and fled. He was found bleeding and nearly insensible, from which horrible cruelty he never fully recovered. May his reward be as great as his glory is imperishable ! A. J. FREELAND was born in Baltimore County, Md., in 1800. His father died when he was four years old, after which he was brought up by an uncle, and also reared a farmer; he was married there to Nancy Tracj', and after they had three children born to them, he emigrated hy horse to CraT\rford County, Ohio, whence he came to Jasper County, Ind., and settled on 160 acres in Section 17, where he still resides, at the age of eighty-three, in mental and physical vigor, and in the highest esteem of his friends and neighbors. Mr. Freeland has reared the following fam- ily: Sarah Ann, Charlie, .John, Mary, Andrew J., Eliza J., Rachel H. and Wesley. After the death of his first wife, he married Polly Bond; his son Jackson was mar- ried to Josephine, daughter of Jacob Sayler, an old settler of this State, from wluch union sprang two children — Marion and Annie. L. W. HENKLE was born near Springfield, Ohio, December 3, 1818, His father JoelHenkle, was born on the North and his mother on the South Fork of the Potomac River, Va. They emigrated to Ohio in 1800, where Mr. Henkle purchased some military land. His family consisted of Rebecca, Henr}' V., Elizabeth, James f'58 bioctHapmical sketches: S., L. W. and Margaret. Our subject's parents were swept away in 1848 by cholera, which threw him upon the world. His good grandmother gave him a puny colt, which he nursed into restoration, to her great astonishment, and on which he rode to Indiana. lie also exchanged a pocket comb and twenty-five cents for a fine brood sow, and thus he started out to success. He first came to La Fayette and af- terward to this county, in 1841. where he superintended some business for an uncle for a year, and thereafter purchased a portion of land. In 1842, Mr. Henkle mar- ried Mary, daughter of .James and Nancy (Hunt) Griffith, who died in 18.50, leaving the following children: Eliza J., Emily. Sarah and Luther G. Afterward, Mr. Henkle married Lucinda C. daughter of Henry Russel. of White County. This union gave issue to eleven children — Mary A., Ilenrj' C. Martha, Anna, William, Bruce, Charles V., Alice. Horace R.. Harvey M. and Lemuel W. Mr. Henkle was elected Count}' Treasurer in 1870. and served two vears most satisfactorily. He is an Odd Fellow, a Republican, and was active in war affairs during the late struggle. .JOHN C. KENTON (deceased! was born in Kentucky in 1808. His father. Philip Kenton, was a native of Virginia, and removed to Kentucky in company with Simon P. Kenton, the renowned Indian fighter. Philip Kenton and his son, Jolm C, came to Urbana, Ohio, and bought a section of land, but later removed to the Blue Licks, where the former died. .John C. Kenton came to this county in 1843. and purchased 200 .acres of land. While in Champaign County, Ohio, he" kept the poorfhouse and worked at his trade of shoe-making. 'Slv. Kenton was father of the following children: Edmund, Philip C. (killed by the explosion of a steamboat while homeward bound from California). Barbara A.. Fannie. Simon, William, Cynthia A., J.asper and Mary Jane. .John C. Kenton was a successful man in every line of his effort, and as a reward of his industry and integrity left a fine estate to his family. He was genial, liberal and just, and had many" friends. Indeed, the whole Kenton family were well known and esteemed. SiMox Kentok was born in Ohio in 183(5. and in 18.j9 married to Josephine Spry, daughter of Samuel and Peggy (McGill) Spry, old settlers of Champaign County, Ohio. Their union was honored by eighl cliildren— Alda. Emma. Edmond. Milon, Omer. and three infants, deceased. .Jaspei! Kkntox was born in tliis county in 1840. and resides on his father's old farm. In 1873. he married Miss Mary Catharine Wilcox, to which union have been bestowed three children— ilaggie. John Stewart and Charlie. Mr. Kenton owns 240 acres of fine land, besides 200 of timber. mOIUS STRONG was born in INIarion County. Ohio. September 21 1836 and IB a son of Horace and Abigail (Williams) Strong, natives respectively of Vermont and New Jersey. The grandparents of our subject. Daniel and Hannah Stron.r emigrated to Ohio about 1802; they were parents of seven children. Horace Stron^- entered land a few miles north of Rensselaer. Lucius Strong married, in 1868 Mi.ss Clara, daughter of Joshua and Sophia (Lyons! Ponsler. and'born Oitobt-r '^9 1840 Her brother John settled on Ir,>,]uois River, an,l was once captured by the Indian's" Mr. and j\lrs. Lucius Strong have one child— Ada. born November I'l, 1872 J[r Strong was elected Townsliip Trustee in 1870. .onlinned six ve:irs and re-clectci in 18S0. He has a line fann of 700 ;,rrcs: is a man of integrity and character and highly esteemed liy all. GEORGE R. THORNTON w:,s born in 01,io in 1821. where he was reared to m;.nhoo,l. His falhcr w;,s born in Mass:,.bu,set.s. seryed as a Corporal under Gen Wa.shmgton, and wasdet:ul.ed as :, wagoner. He lived in Vermont, and was there married to M,ss Mcvy (Joodell: ll„.y were afterward early settlers of Ohio havin- emigrated in I81(r, l,i« son Solomon, who died in 1882, in this county was likewise an old settler. Our subject, in 1842, married Marx Roberts, formerly of New York who dud :d,oui 18,W, leaving five children-Mary, Melviua, Jerome," Greenleaf and NEWTON TOWNSHir— JASPER COUNTY. 559 Margaret. Mr. Thornton afterward married, inlSoS). Louisa Blankenbaker, wliosepar- ents removed from Virginia to tlris county many years ago. To this union succeed- ed eight children — Mary, Samuel, Jane, Maggie, Sherman, Delia. Clinton and Henry V. Mr. Thornton commenced life poor, having borrowed |5 with which to be married. In 1842, he came to this county and did various work and entered fortj' acres, to which he added until he now has a half section of land and indulges a predilection for stock-raising. He was elected Township Trustee in 18.55. STEPHEN YEOMAN was born in Tompkins County. N. Y., in 1801, and moved with his parents to Fayette County, Ohio, where he afterward purchased 200 acres of land, and in 18-14 removed to this county; he died September 9, 1845; his wife. Hannah Smith, was born in Berkeley County. W. Va.,iu 1803, whence she moved to Fayette Count}- with a sister, and married July 28, 1825. They reared the follow" ing children: Joseph. Sarah (deceased), Elvina, James, Mary, Minerva, Elizabeth, John, Ira and Stephen. The first. Joseph, was born Sepitejnber 2, 1826, and married in 1852, Rachel A., daughter of Roljert and Elizabeth (MoKinley) Moore, early set- tlers in this State. By this union descended Robert J., born November 2, 1853; Marietta E., born in 1857; Mary E., born in 1863, and Reuben C, born in 18T6. Tlie secorid^Sarah (deceased), was born July 2. 1827. The third, Elvina, born Septem- ber 371830. The fourth. James, born September 20, 1832, married Miss Phebe Ben- jamin, and had five children — David, Effie M.. Charles R.. A. J. and James M. The fifth. Mary, born October 18, 1834, married Hugh Coen. The sixth, Minerva, born August 2, 1836, married W. Hopkins. The seventh.JElizabeth, born September, 1838, married Lewis Sa_yler. The eighth, John, born October 20, 1840, married Ab- bie Sayler. The ninth. Ira, born April 28. 1843. married Hattie Sayers. The tenth, Ste_pheii, born October 4. 1.845. married Nancy Jane ^Talker. The Yeoman family came hither poor, but have, b}- diligence, economy and tact, become wealthy; they are also influential and respected citizens. James Yeoman also deals in stock, and has been Justice of the Peace of New-ton Township; he owns a fine farm, as does likewise his brother Joseph. SAMrEL E. YEOilAN was born in this county in 1839; his father, Jared Yeo- man, was born in New York in 1813; later his parents moved to Faj-ette County, Ohio, where he was reared a farmer. In 1836. he married Miss Mary, daughter of Samuel Edwards, a native of Maryland, by which tmion the}' had the following family; Ira, killed at Nashville during the war, while exchanging papers with the rebels; he was first a member of Company B. Fifty-first, and next of Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry: Samuel E., also in the Fifty -first Regiment as a flfer: Asa. of the Ninety-ninth Regiment, died after the siege of Vicksburg; and Alva, a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment, who served three years. In 1838. Jared Yeoman, in company with Jared Benjamin, came to this county and purchased land six miles north of Rens- selaer, whence, in 1850, he removed to Newton Count}-, and finally to Missouri, where he died in 1876; i[rs. B. died in 1872. Samuel E. Yeoman married, in 1863, Miss Nancy, daughter of John G. and Mary C. (Jones) Braddock. and a native of Han- cock County. Ind.. born in 1844; this family are descended from Gen. Braddock, of Revolutionary fame. Mr. Braddock came hither in 1856. Mr. Yeoman is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, a strong advocate for universal education, a Repub- lican and a respected citizen. 360 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: HANGING GROVE TOWNSHIP. TURNER ALLEN KNOX was born in North Carolina August 26, 1809; was brouglit to Washington County, Penn., before he was two years old; worked at farming until he was seventeen, from which time until he was twenty-three, he worked at house painting in the city of Pittsburgh. He moved to Rush County, Ind., in 1833; taught a few terms of school, was elected Probate Judge of that county in 1836 and was made Postmaster at Rushville the same year. In 1837, he mariied Maria Bussell; moved to Jasper County, Ind., in 184:3; practiced medicine from 1845 to 185.j; was elected Auditor of Jasper County, and served till 1859, since which time he lias not been capable of much labor; he also filled the office of Jus- tice of the Peace for nearly fourteen years, and is now Justice of the Peace in Hang- ing Grove Township, He left home when a small boy, educated himself, having learned Latin and German by himself, and has been successful in life. He is a fine conversationalist, has a well-stored mind, and is practical in all his business dealings. JAMEh LEFFLER is a native of Jasper County, born in 185-3. and is a son of Mi- chael and Jane Ann (Overton) Letfler. Michael Leffler was boru in Washington Couniy, Penn., in 1812. When a boy, he removed with his parents to Rush County, Ind.. where his father purchased 160 acres, on wliich he was reared. Here he labored until about 1836, when he married Jane Ann, daughter of Gad and Nancy (Gilmore) Overton, and born in Kentucky in 1814. After marriage, Mr. Lefller farmed in Rush County until 1839, when he removed to Jasper County, and settled where his father had entered 300 acres, eighty of which he was to have on pa3-mcnt therefor. This he did without assistance, besides adding eighty thereto, and made a good farm and comfortable home. He was a man of the strictest integiity and purest Christian character; lie died in 1876, leaving a devoted wife and eleven children — John B.. Reuben, Elizabeth, Micliael, JIargaret, Elmira C, Jane Ann, James, Kansas, Henri- etta and Mary Ann. James Leffler married Miss Lucy, boru in March, 1851, daugh- ter of John and Catliarine (Martin) Lashbaugh, witli an issue of two children — Leonard L. and Robert J. JOHN B. LEFFLER is a native of Rush County, hu!., horn in 1837. In 1861, he married Miss Sarah L., daughter of Caspar 11. and Ann (Stokes) Garrigus, both natives of Philadelphia. Jlrs. Leffler died in 1879, leaving the following family: H. Jlarshall, Eliza A., Micliael A.. Esther and Israel. W. E. Moore was bom in RaniUilpli County. Ind., January 8, 1807, and is a son of William and Jincy (Minter) ^loore, lioth natives of Virginia, the former boru in 17116 and the latter in 1797. William Moore moved to Ohio about 1817. He iiiteiuled liuying land there, but not lieing satisfied with the title, he came to Indiana and luniglil 'JOO acres of choice land on White Rivgv, in Randolph Comity. They resided in the county aliont forty years, and died in 1857 and I.S67 res]ieclively. Tiiey had the following children: Elizabeth, Susan. Samuel \V.,W. E., N.ancy. Silas. Eliza, Cyrus S. and Hebeeca. W. E. Moore was reared Id fanning, and in 1S47 niarrieil Aliss Diana Evans, a d;iughter of John and .luditli (.lones) Evans, and liorn in Wayne County, Ind., in 18-o. This union was lilcssi'd Willi the following children: Franklin C. Melissa J., Melvina C. ilary E., ,\ustin I!,, William ,1. .and :\liirtlia .V. Mrs. Moore's parents had the following cbildreii: ,lesse, Xaiicy. John. Kiailieii. Zeiia, Miuy A.. Dinah ami Ira. Mr. Moore came lure in the year 18,"i;!, with scarcely any means; he bought -00 acres, which he inipidvecl, iuul now has a tine farm; he was elected Justice of the Peace in 1855, and is :i meinliir of the Methodist Episcopal Church. HANGING GROVE TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 561 SAMUEL PARKER, farmer, is a native of Virginia, and was born in 1819; his parents were George and Susanna (Martin) Parker, botii natives of Virginia. After his father's death, his mother re-married, and Samuel came with her and husband to the West, and one year tliereafter, being fifteen years of age, he began to worli for himself. After ten years' hard labor, he saved a small amount of money, which he invested in land in Jasper County, which was then a wild, but where he now possesses 740 acres of choice land. He afterward married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Bateman) Evaus, to which union were born eight children —Alma. Isaac, Felix. Albert, Jacob, Ida, George and Samuel. Two years following his marriage, ilr. Parlier removed to this county, erected a cabin and occupied his land; his cabin had one door and two windows, looliing north and south, and in which they lived for fifteen years. Mr. Parker is now one of the most substantial farmers of the county. ISAAC PARKER was born in Virginia in 1834. When ten years old, he emi- grated with his n-other to the West, and worthed at farming during youth and early manhood. In 1848, he moved to this county, where, in 1849, he purchased his first 160 acres, and the same year emigrated to California, whence he returned in 18.53, having in the meantime worlced in the Inines there, and received for the first month's service iS400. After his return, he worked a threshing-machine, and in 18.55 married Rudia Moor, who died in 1864; he afterward married Miss Isabel, daughter of John and Matilda (Kenton) Parkison. and born in this county in 1843. This union was crowned with five children — William R., Isaac, Susanna, Charles and Tliomas M. Mr. Parker is now the possessor of 1,640 acres of land, all earned by his labor and tlirift. He is an enterprising, honorable man, one of the leading farmers of his county, and prominent in the advocacy of educational and public affairs. FLEMING PHLLLIPS was born in Rush County, Ind., in 18'35, where lie was reared and obtained some schooling. His parents were John S. and Sarah (Webb) Phillips, natives of Virginia, the former born in 1796, the latter in 1798. Both re- moved to Preble County, Ohio, married, and reared ten children. They afterward removed to Rush County. Ind., where they purchased and improved land. This they sold, came to this county and purchased 240 acres, where Mr. Phillips died in 1879, and Mrs. Phillips in 1873; the former was a soldier of 1812, and was ten times elected Sheriff, during which our subject was his deputy. The grandfather and granduncle of Fleming were soldiers of the Revolution, the latter being a Captain. Fleming Phillips removed to this county with his parents in 1844. where he married Ruth A., daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Hale) Grant, natives of Virginia. From this union descended two children — George and Kansas. Mr. Phillips came hither a poor man, but has acquired a good farm of 173 awes. He was Postmaster in 1868, and is a member of the Christian Church. WILLIAM H. RANDLE. son of Thomas and Nancy (Culp) Randle, was born in Jasper County. Ind., in 1839, and reared to farming, which has since been his business, in connection with stock-raising. Having to work hard during his boy- hood, he had but meager opportunities for acquiring a school education. In 18.58, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of Cyrus and Margaret (Parker) Stires, and born in Rush County, Ind., in 1840. This union was favored with six children — Melissa, Nora. Nancy, Frank, Alfred and Charlie. The father of Mrs. Randle was widely and estiinably known — a man perhaps without an enemy. He died from causes en- gendered by exposure during the last war, in carrying provisions to the soldiers. North Parker, grandfather of Mrs. Randle, was once made captive by the Indians in Kentucky. William H. Randle was a renter of land for a long time, and sixteen years ago made his first purchase of forty acres, which number has since grown to be 340 acres of desirable farm land. Mr. Randle is an esteemed neighbor and citizen. THOMAS SMITH was born in Montgomery County, Ind., in 1829, and is a son of James and Catharine (Coghill) Smith, both natives of Kentucky, and who moved 562 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : to Jefferson County with their parents in the pioneer days, where they resided for seven years before moving to Montgomery County, where they were married about 1827, with a result of two children-Thomas and James W, (once a resident ot Mil- roy Township). Mr. Smith carried on 'blacksmithing five miles northeast of Crawfordsville. Thomas Smith married in 1861 Miss Mary, daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Williams) Gulp, both of whom were early settlers of this county. Mrs. Smith was born February 11, 1S39, and has been honored as the mother of a very interest- inff family. Mr. Smith began life with the slenderest means, but now is the owner of 138 acres— all the result of his industry and thrift. He is a great believer m and advocate for education. UNION TOWNSHIP. JOHN E. ALTER, farmer, was born Feliruary 14, Is.'jS, in this county, and :.s the first of the six children of Isaac and Eliza (Willet) Alter, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Michigan, who came to this county in the early days of emigration. At the age of eighteen, John applied himself to the acquirement of knowledge, in which he made so rapid a stride that he soon received a teacher's cer- tificate, after which he taught several terms, and attended the State Normal School at Terre Haute. He now teaches during the winter and oversees his farm during the summer, which he has continued five j-ears. August 10, 1873, he married Hat tie McColly, the result of which alliance has been four children — Harry Enow, de ceased; Ira L., John C. and Charles L. Mr. Alter is a Republican, and an active worker in that party, by which he was elected Justice of the Peace in lS7ii, and served for four years; he was afterward candidate for Trustee, but there being a tie vote, the board cast lots, his opponent thus receiving the office. Mr. and Mrs. Alter are members of the Jlethodist Episcopal Church. JOHN CARLIN, farmer, was liorn in Scotland June 11, 1848, and is \hv ^^■■'■^aA of the ten ehihlren of Bernard and Bridget (I'uUeni Carlin, of Irish descent. In company with his parents. John came to this country in 18.il. located in Illinnis, and remained until the death of his father, alter which event the family removed to Pennsylvania. In 1868, in company witli his mother and stepfather, our subject came to this county and made a home. November -5. 1879. he married Elizabeth Brushnahn. This union was blessed with one briglit, beautiful child, Agnes. Mr. and Mrs. Carlin are members of the Catholic Cluirch. Jlr. Carlin is a Democra; and an energetic, prosperou-- farmer, and one of llie promising men of I'ni >n Townsliip. STEPHEN T. CONNER was born Etbruary bi. 1S48, in this county, and is tlxe seventh cd' tlie family of William and Phebe (Dayclle) Conner, natives of Ohio, and of English and German extraction. In 1N3S, they came to this countv :ind located in Barkley Township, look a claim and remained seven years, after whiih tliey removed to (rillam Township, where they lived a like period of time, then eiUTie to this townsliip. where William Conner died. His widow stdl survives. cai<>d for and eoinforted by lua- sons Ste|>hen and Barney, the otlu>r children lieina' m.ir- ried. Slie is a mcnilii'f of the Jlethodist Cluircb, as w.is also her husband, who was lor twenty years a lieeiised minister. October!), 1871, Stephen T. Conner married Ella Danels, now deceased, to which union was born one child, an interesting' bov. Slielby. After the death of his wife, Stephen returned to his mother's home, lie and his lirolher Barney overseeing Ihe homestead, notwithstanding Ihcv both have good farms. In addition to their farms, they dciil extensively in cattle, Stcphi-n is UNION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 563 an active member of the United Brethren Clmrch, and botli are active members of tbe Republican party; the}' are also energetic, commendable and promising j^oung men. WILLIAM COOPER was born in Madison County, Ohio, and is the lirst of the nine children of John and Sarah (Osborn) Cooper, natives of Kentucky, and of English and Scotch descent. His parents came to this county in 1843, and now live in Barkley Township. Out of the land entered by his father, with the help of the sons, were made some of the best farms in the county. E-xcepting a period of seven years, William Cooper has made this county his home, and by economy and diligence he has obtained a farm of 420 acres. His first marriage was to Mary Price, to which succeeded four children— Charlie, Scott, Prank and Amandanet, deceased. Mrs. Cooper died, the victim of consumption, and Mr. Cooper's second marriage was to Sarah Parker, who also died after having borne three children — Marion, Mary, deceased, and Noah, deceased. Mr. Cooper's third marriage was to Kancy E. Wenrick, a union crowned with four children — Warren, deceased; Jasper, Sarah A. and Levi. Mr. Cooper formerly voted with the Republicans, but now votes with the Democrats. He was elected Township Trustee in 1880, and re-elected in 1882. FRANCIS C. HALL is a native of New York, born April 17, 1833, and the first of the family of Ancel C. and Elvira F. (Cusliman) Hall, natives of Vermont, and of English and Irish descent. When quite young, his parents removed to Ohio, in which commonwealth he resided, working on the farm and going to school until his seventeenth year; he also learned from his father the trades of cabinet work and shoe-making, but abandoned both to become a successful farmer. In 1860, he came to this county, and located for a few j^ears in Gillam Township„thence he removed to Illinois, and again to this county, where he located on 100 acres of choice land. November 9, 1854, he married Mary PuUen. Seven children have cemented this union — Martha, now deceased; John, Ella, Joseph, Lilley, Arthur and Lj'man. Not having received any assistance in the beginning of his career. Mr. Hall can only attribute his success in life to the virtues of industry and economj'. He is an active member of the Republican part}^ B. W. HARRINGTON was born June 21, 1835, in Licking County, Ohio, and is the third child of Brunson and Catharine (Lockwood) Harrington, natives of Ver- mont, and of English descent. B. W. Harrington learned the trade of coopering, which he followed until he was twentj' years old, when he came hither with his parents, since which time he has been engaged in farming. November 28, 1858, he married Susanna Burget, a native of this county. This union has been blessed with five children — Walter, Viola, Charles, Scott and Catharine. His son Walter is one of the leading teachers of the township, having been prepared therefor at Valparaiso. Mr. Harrington is the possessor of eighty acres of good land, which is wholly self-acquired. He was formerlj^ a Republican, and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, but of late years he has been a stanch Greenbacker and a leader of his party; he lacked but ten votes of being elected Commissioner in 1878; he was also defeated in a race for Sheriff. JOHN HUMES is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, born August 21, 1836, and the fifth of the family of William and Mary (Watson) Humes, both natives of Virginia, and of English and German descent. After the death of his mother, the family removed to Logansport, Ind., and in 1866 he came to this county, worked at his trade of blacksmithing, and made a home; he has now a farm of sixty acres under cultivation and with good improvements. John Humes was married, October 4, 1866, to Priscilla Smith, a union dignified by seven children — Mary L., Martha (deceased), Wdliam E., Willis E., John W., Helen M. and Iva P. Mr. Humes en- listed in Company E, Twenty ninth Indiana Regiment, and did good service at Shi- 664 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: loh, siege of Corinth, Stone River and Chickamauga; lie was mustered out at the close of the war with the honors of a soldier. Mr. Humes is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of tlie United Brethren Church. JACOB KEENER is a native of Ross County, Ohio, born April 7, 1822, and one of the family of John and Catharine (C4ossard) Keener, the former a native of Penn.sylvania, the latter of Ohio, and of German descent. Our subject came to this State in 18.55, and located in what was then Walker, then Keener, and later Union Township, where he has a good farm of 100 acres, on which are many im- provements. He was married April 7, 1850, to Lucia M. Harrington, which union has been favored with three children— Augustus F. (deceased). Francina (now Mrs. Spitzer) and Minnie (now Mrs. Braskett). Mr. Keener was originally a Whig, but later became a Republican, by which party he is much esteemed. He has been elected Assessor nine years, and Trustee and Constable each one term in Keener Township. He is a liberal and progressive citizen, and he and wife are long-stand- ing members of the Christian Church. AUSTIN N. LAKIN was born in this county December 22. 1864, and is the first-born child of Francis M. and Barbara (Guss) Lakin, the former a native of In- diana, the latter of Germany, and of English and German extraction. The father of Austin is an extensive dealer in cattle, Austin being brought up to the business of farming, with some attendance at school during the winter season. He afterward prepared himself for a teacher at Valparaiso, obtained a license and began teaching. He is now serving his second term, and has been more than commonly successful. Mr. Lakin is painstaking in his profession, and an energetic and promising young man. In politics, he is a Democrat. CLARK McCOiLLYwas born May 24, IStsi, in Clark County, Ohio, lie re- mained with his parents until he was twenty-eight years of age, being reared as a farmer, working in summer and going to school in winter. In the fall of b'^ii7. he came to this countj\ locating in Jlarion and afterward in this township, where he has a farm of sixty acres, well improved. He received some assistance in the begin- ning, but has practiced economy tlirougli life, thus acquiring sufficient means to live comfortably. March \i\ 1842. he married ]\Iary Hance. which uniini was blessed with an issue of tliirtecn children — Rosctta. Phebe. Nancv. John. Willis. Harriet, Mary A., Elizabeth, deceased; Clarinda, deceased; James, Benjamin, Charles A. and Edgar G. Jlr. McColly was once a AVhig. but is now a Republican. He was elected Justice of tlie Peace in Delaware County. Ind., in 1847, also almost muinimously Sheriff in l!S."il, nud re-elected two yearslater. He was elected Justice of the .Peace in this township in lS7(i, sinci^ which time he has retained the otlice. His commission will expire in 1S,S-| AUGUSTUS M. ]\1UNDEN. protVssi,,nal teac her. was born February 2.-.. 184(i, in Pasquotank County, N. ('.. and is the tirst of three children comprisini; the family of Isaiah and Mabel (BidgotnU :\Iun.li ii, and ot German and English descent. Augustus lived at lionie until IS(;2. when he inlisled in Com|ian\- A. Fifty-third In- diana Volunteer Infantry, in Hancock County. Ind., serving until the close of the war, and in many hard won battles. After Ids discharge, he came to this cinintv in 1871, cilil:iiiied a leaclier's certiticate. and .ifterward taught twenty-three terms of seliool, hax'ing missed but two winter terms since he begun the profession, lie has lieeii greatly snccessfid, and obtained his tunditieations from our public schools. Decemher :il, is:2. he was married to Damaris Given, to which union was born fuie ehihl, .lolni G. l\Ir. IMunilen wiis an active member of the Grange movement, ami is .■iclive in connectidn witli the Grand Army of the Reimblie and the Sous of Temp, ranee. Me has always veled I he Republican ticket. Hi:V. .\AKON K. I'lEHSON is a mitive of Noble Countv. Ind., born Febru- ary 17, IMO, iind is the fourth of the family of Thomas S. and Marsjaret v'raylor^ UNION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 565 Pierson, natives of Ohio and of English and Irish descent. Aaren remained with his parents until he was twenty years old, at which time he enlisted in Company 6, Forty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was in the battles of Shi- loh and Corinth, and on the march to Boonsville, Miss., under Gen. Pope, where 10,000 prisoners and 1,400 stand of arms were captured. After considerable sick- ness, he was discharged October 6, 1863, and for five j'ears thereafter was unfit for business. In 1874, he came to this county, and soon after to this township On July 7, 1864, he married Phebe McCoUy, a native of this State. Eight children bind this union— Clark C, David D., Estelle E., Willis O., jNIary M.. Lydia H.. James M. and Omer W. Sir. and Mrs. Pierson are members of the Christian Church, of which Mr. Pierson was ordained Elder in 1877. He is a Republican, served as Assessor of Barkley Township and is a well-to-do farmer and much respected citizen. WALTER PONSLER, extensive cattle-dealer, is a native of Ross County, Ohio, born October 13, 18.53, and is the third of six children born to Joshua and Sophia (Lyons) Ponsler, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio, and of German and Irish descent. Walter was bred a farmer, and obtained his schooling during the winter months. After manhood, he was married, November 20, 1882, to Josephine Dowell. Mr. Ponsler is in comfortable circumstances, having made his start by working for 2.5 cents per day, and first investing in a calf. Cer- tain it is that he received no help from any one. He is at present overseeing Simon C. Thompson's farm, in which he has a half -interest in all except the land. Mr. Ponsler is a member of the Republican party, of which he is one of the most active workers. He is also an energetic, prosperous and promising farmer. THOMAS C. SAYERS is a native of this township, and first saw the light Jlay 6, 1859; and he is the eldest of the four children born to Ephraim and Mary J. (Israel) Sayers, whose names are Thomas C, Charitj' M., Lester A. and Albert L. Ephraim Sayers is a native of Ohio, and his wife of Indiana; he is of Irish and she of German descent. They came to this county in 1845, settled in Marion Town- ship, and later came to this township, where Mr. Sayers has a good farm of 160 acres, with many improvements; he gives much attention to cattle raising. Thom- as C. Sayers is at present overseer of the farm. He was reared a farmer, and after attending the common schools, he'received further education at the town of Rcas- seler, thereby being better fitted for the business demands of life. Mr. T. C. Sa}'- ers is an earnest Republican, and is a worthy and promising young gentleman. NEWMAN S. SNOW was born January 1, 1826, in Trumbull County, Ohio, and is the fourth child of Lovell and Freelove Snow. Newman lived witli one John Harris until he was sixteen years old. when he began life for himself. After living in Illinois, he came to this county in the year 1845, which he has since called his home. He enlisted for the Mexican war in Company C, Fifth Indiana Infantry, under Col. J. H. Lane. After his discharge, he was married to Rachel Hurley, September 18, 1840, with a result of twelve children — Benjamin H., "William H., Sarah, George N., Martha A., Conunodore W., Theodore W.. Samuel 31., Francis M.. Charles E. and two infants, deceased. Mrs. Rachel Snow died with consump- tion, and Mr. Snow next married Mrs. Marszilla E. (Conner) Nelson, who is also deceased, having borne three children, who died nameless. Mr. Snow's third mar- riage, July 31, 1880, was to Rachel Mitchel. In the fall of 1861, Mr. Snow enlisted in Company K, Forty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and spent most of his serv- ice as hospital nurse, but was in the engagement at luka; he was mustered out in 1865. Mr. SnoAv is a member of the Masonic order, also of the G. A. R. He is a Republican, and was elected Road Superintendent in 1883. JACOB M. TROXELL, farmer and stock-raiser, was born November 28, 1828, in Jackson County, Ala., and is the elder of the two sons of Michael and Margaret 566 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: (Merkle) Troxell, natives of Peunsylvania, and of German descent. Jarob moved to this county in 1854, and engaged in the grocery and provision business for three years. He then purchased a farm and tilled the soil for several years. In the spring ■of 1865, at Carroll County, Ind., he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty- fourth Regiment, and was mustered out the following summer, when he returned to this county, and engaged in burning the first brick burned in Rensselaer. After some assistance from his father, he became possessor of 160 acres, well stocked, where he gives most attention to raising cattle and in the dairy branch of farming; he makes usually from fifty to sixty pounds of butter per week. His first marriage was to Amelia J. Grant, who died .lune 18. 1854, leaving five children — Eva M. (now Mrs. Hemphill), Mary E., Minnie W.. Lilian E. and Josephine G. Mr. Troxell's second marriage was to Mary E. (Roljerson) Bruner. October 33. 1877. she having one daughter — Emma. Mr. Troxell is an (Jdd Fellow, and a charter member of Iro- quois Lodge, 143, of Rensselaer: He is an active member of the Republican party, and an earnest worker therein. He is also an energetic business man. and a leading farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Troxell are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ABRAM WARNE, farmer, is a native of Muskingum County. Ohio, and is the sixth of the twelve children of Joseph and Elizabeth (Mitcbel) Warne, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and Irish extraction. Abram was brought up to the occupation of farming, and worked diligently during boyhood. In the year 1856, he moved to this county, and made for himself a home. December 7. 1857. he married Elizabeth Greenfield, which union has been cemented by nine children- Pierce F., Frank E., Effie A., Delia A.. Charlie K., Gracie G., Mertie A.. Elizabeth M. and an infant. Mr. Warne commenced the race for self support with a capital of ISOD. He is at present owner of '.280 acres of land, with many advantages and improvements. Mr. Warne is a Republican, having voted that ticket since succeed- ing to the privilege of a franchise. He is a liberal, benevolent gentleman, and ac- tive in all good causes. BARKLEY TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 567 BARKLEY TOWNSHIP. WILLIAM BLTRNS, a son of .Joseph and Susanna (Barnes) Burns, was born in Champaign Count}-, Ohio, March 25, 1813, and came with his parents at an early day to White County, Ind., where he married Susanna Barnes, a native of Virginia, born March 13, 1812. In 18'.3s, they came to this county and entered 160 acres in Section 34. Barkley Township, near which the}' resided until death; Mr. Burns died December 11; 1862 — one of the first settlers, a man of the strictest integrity and ad- herence to principle, and one of tlie most generally esteemed residents of the county. It is believed that " Uncle William" did not have an enemy; liis family consisted of the following children; James Irvin, born December 16, 1840; Francis Marion, born May 11, 1842, a member of the Eighty-seventh Indiana Infantry, died of pneumo- nia at Nashville, January 4, 1863; John Milton, born March 11, 1845; Vilena, born January 1, 1847; Mary Ann, born July 31, 1849; Joseph Martin, born March 17, 1853; :\Iargaret Matilda, born January 20, 1855; Myra Jane, liorn .July 20, 1858, and William Wallace, born April 27, 1861; there is also an adopted daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Ann, born Septemlicr 21, 1838. Tlie mortal remains of these old and hon- ored pioneers now repose on the land once owned and so hardly won by them during this life. It was by their special requests the}' were so buried. . JOHIN T. CULP was born in this county December 2, 1836, and is a son of George and Mary (Burton) Culp, the former born in Virginia March 8, 1800, the lat- ter October 26, 1809. George Culp was one of the earliest pioneers of this county, and died on the place on which he first settled April 18, 1847; Mrs, Culp died Octo- ber 22, 1871. They reared the following family: Harriet Ann, William G., James, Elizabeth J., Maria, John T., Matilda P., Nancy R., Rachel J. T. and Walter. Out subject, John T. Culp, married Mrs. V. Wade, widow of George Wade. By this union have descended two children — Ursula, born October 14, 1876; and John, born May 28, 1883. Mr. Culp is a practical farmer and is the possessor of a good farm. NATHAN ELDRIDGE, farmer and stock-dealer, was born August 8, 1841, in Crawford County, Ohio, and is the fifth of the children of Peter J, and Catharine (Traxler) Eldridge, the former a native of Massachusetts, the latter of Pennsylvania, and of English and German descent, Nathan's mother died when he was six years old, after which he made his home with his uncle until he was fourteen years of age, when, his father having remarried, he went home to that parent until 1862, at which time he enlisted in Company F, Twelfth Indiana Regiment Volunteer Infantry, and served until the war dosed. He took part in many battles and skirmishes, but came out without bodily injury, and never missed a day from inability to do duty. He was mustered out at Vicksburg, with all the honors of a veteran. April 25, 1873, he married Clara J. Webb, a native of Jasper County. To this union were born two children— Lora M. and Jesse G. In the fall of 1876, Mr. Eldridge came to this county and located in this township. He has always voted the Republican ticket; has been an active worker for the party, and was elected Township Trustee in 1882. He is a respected, influential citizen, and has a good farm of 100 acres — all the re- ward of shrewdness and Industry. JOHN ENGLISH was born in Clark County, Ohio, in 1832, but was reared in Champaign County, where his father, Abel English, died in 1848, In 1849, in com- pany with his mother, Mary (Wolf) English, he removed to this county, where Mrs. English entered land. Ten years later they removed to this township, where Mra. English died in 1863, aged seventy-three years; she was a native of Pennsylvania, 568 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: and mother of eight children — Mary Ann. Stacey, Margaret, George, Job, John, Samuel and Peter. John English married Jliss Mary Shanaban, daughter of Sam- ,uel and Fidelia (Ferguson) Shanahan, with a result of four children — Martha J., Eveline, Samuel and Eudora. Mrs. English is a native of White County, whither her parents came in the early days, when their neighbors were Indians. Her mother could talk the Indian language, which made her friends among them. Their milling was done at Tippecanoe, which frequently required twenty-one days for the round journey. Samuel Shanahan was born in Maryland and died in this county in 1854, aged forty-seven: his wife died in 1857. aged forty-four years. Their family was — Thomas, Nancy, Martha, Alfred, Warwick, Elizabeth, Ma- rauds, Smith and Malinda. John English began life a poor man, but has now a fine and well-improved farm of 240 acres. RIAL B. HARRIS is a native of this county, and was born in the year 1854. He is the son of William F. and Ruth A. (Benjamin) Harris, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. R. B. Harris, in September, 1875, married Miss Eliza, daughter of Hon. George H. and Elizabeth (Nichols) Brown. To this union has been born a family of three children— Sedella A., Nellie M. and Ruth. Mr. Harris is one of the energetic farmers and stock-raisers of this county, as well as being the owner of a good farm of 405 acres, which is well stocked and well improved. Mr. Harris is an estimable citizen and an active Republican. JOHN A. HENKtE was born in Butler County. Ohio, in 1835. Samson Hen- kle, father of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1800. where he married. His family were George Washington. Bejamin Franklin, Louisa M.. Amelia F.. Joseph C, John A., Augustus M., W. H.. Martha and Coke T. A. Mr. Henkle was a pioneer preacher, a member of the United Brethren Church, and a Justice of the Peace. Our subject's parents moved when he was young to La Fayette, Ind., and afterward to this county, where he was reared and attended the common schools.' In November, 1860, he married Miss Catharine, daughter of George P. and Tena (Smoots) McCollocb, and a native of White County. Ind., born in 1837. Mr. McCol- loch W!is one of the first settlers of this, and Mrs. McColloch. of White County. Mr and Mrs. Henkle are the parents of four children— Flora. Florence, Morton and Cora. Mr. Henkle is a member of the Campbellite Church, and a Republican THEODORE HURLEY, merchant, was born October 9. 1837. in Allen County Ohio, and is the fourth of the children of William B. and Cassa (Burget) Hurley' natives of Ohio, and of Irish and German descent. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age. working on the farm in summer and attend- ing school in winter: most of his education, however, lie acquired after becoming of age. In 186], he enlisted in Company K. Forty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, and was in seven heavy battles and not less than thirty skirmishes in which he received only a wound in the hand. He was mustered out at Louis- ville with the honors due a soldier. His father was in the war with Jlexico and both grandfatliers were in the war of 1812. October 6, 1859, he married Jane Mc- Ginnis. a native of Ohio, to wliich union followed seven children— Cassa A Alex ander, Sarah C. Huldalr J. (deceased), Charles W.. William and Owen' Mrs Hur ley died December 17. 1879. a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church' Mr Hurley is a Republican, and an active worker for that party. He is an energetic well-to do business man. and now Postmaster of Blackford, "jasper County ' GEORGE KESSLER was born in Botetourt County, Va.. in 1814 His father Jacob Kessler, was born in Penn.sylvania. and died in Virginia in 1824- his mother was a native of Maryland, and died in Virginia in 1844. When twenty veir^ ill our subject moved to La Fayette, Ind. ; be made the trip on horseback accompauicHl by an uncle who was bound for Illinois. While there. Mr. Kessler stopped wi'th his brothers, David and Daniel. He was then a fine physical specimen, and so .10 BAKKLEY TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 569 cally regarded that he was met by the great Kentucky wrestler, who came from that State to meet him. Mr. Kessler was the victor, gaining two falls out of three. In 1837, our subject married, at Pretty Prairie, Abigail, daughter of .Tames and Elizabeth (Shearer) Shaw, with an issue of two children — Mary E. (Mrs. J. C. Hlu- kle) and James S., who died from disease contracted in the late war service. About 1844, he removed to this county, and purchased a few acres of land, which he has since made into a good farm, now numbering several hundred acres. He has been eminently successful, especially in the culture of grapes, and is broadly and gra- ciously known. Heformerly acted with the Democrats, but before the war became a Republican; he voted for Gen. Hancock, however, in 1880, and is now an adherent of the National party. Mr. Kessler is a man of many fine ciualities, a true friend and valued citizen. He has been a memberof the Board of County Commissioners, and has held other township offices. WILLIAM W. MURRAY was born in Ohio in 1838. In 1836, his parents moved to White County, Ind., where they entered 600 acres of wild land. At the age of twenty-one, William W. Murray came to this county, and worked for John Parki- son at the rate of |10 per month. In 1854, he married Miss Rosanna, daughter of 'Henry and Ziltha (Moore) Barkley, born in Pennsylvania in 1833. To this marriage succeeded five children — Henry, Mary, Emma J., William and Charles. Mr. Mur- ray is a grandson of the renowned Indian fighter, Simon Kenton, whose exploits have become history. During the late war, Mr. Murray was a member of the Eighty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunreer Infantry, but, owing to disability, was discharged after six months' service. His l)rothers — Lewis and Henry — were like- wise volunteers in thai service; the former was discharged after being wounded at Shiloh, and afterward entered the Twelfth Regiment. Mr. Murray is a prosperous and thorough farmer, and has a finely improved farm. He is a good citizen, a kind neighbor, and a man generally esteemed. S. R. NICHOLS Avas born in Jasper County, Ind., in 1846. His father, George Nichols, was born in Kentucky in 1803, and married, in Ohio, Rebecca Lewis, born in 1803. They had the following children: Jackson, who enlisted for the Mexican war, but died at La Fayette on his way; Cj^nthia (married first to William Davis, and later to Joshua German, who died in the late war, at Crab Orchard,Ky.); Alonzo and Benjamin (died in infancj'). Elizabeth (wife of George H. Brown, of Rensselaer, twice elected to the Legislature), Solomon, Hester J. (wife of Henry Nichols), Olive (died aged sixteen), John L., Harrison T., Matilda (wife of William Potts) and Samuel R. George Nichols was for many years a Justice of the Peace, and once Deputy Sheriff. He contracted a disease while in the late war which caused his death in 1879. He was a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Nichols' father. John McCurtain, was born in Kentucky, about 1799, and married Esther McGill, born in 1801. They reared the following children: Solomon, .John, Newton, Barbara, Lizzie, Lucinda and Evaline. The father died in 1867. He was a long time in the army without remuneration, after which he served four years. One son, Charles, left home wlien about fifteen, and was never heard from. S. R. Nichols owns a farm of 300 acres, the result of his own indus- try. He is a Republican, and is now County Commissioner of the Second District. WILLIAM M. NOLAND is a son of Henry and Mary (Ashby) Noland, and was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, May 39, 1838. His parents were married in Virginia, and soon after removed to Knox County, Ohio, thence to Tippecanoe Count}', Ind., and thence to this county, where they purchased eighty acres of canal land, which they improved. Mr. Noland wis born in Virginia in 1791, and died in this county in 1845. Mrs. Noland was also born in Virginia, and died in Iowa. Their family was Lydia (married John J. Campbell, of Iowa, and deceased), Rebecca (married Wesley Irwin, of Iowa), Sarah (deceased), Mary (married William Querry, 570 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: and deceased), and William M. Our subject married Emma Parliison, who died in 1857, leaving one child, one having died very young. He next married Louisiana Gray, daughter of Robert and Mahala Gray, and a native of Virginia. To this union were born four children— Mary Emma, Frank E., Ross E. and an infant not named. Mr. Noland went to California in 1850, but returned to this State in 1853. James Ashby, the maternal grandfather of Mr. William Noland, was a Revolution- ary soldier, and kept a prisoner for a long time on board of a vessel. JOHN G. PARKISON was born in AVashington County, Penn., in 1795. When young, he moved with his parents to Kentucky, and suljsequently to King's Creek, Ohio, where his father bought and improved land, and later moved to Urbana. The father died during the war of 1812. John G. Parkison was with the army as Sut- ler's Clerk at Fort Meigs and Detroit. After the war, he manufactured hats in Urbana, where he married ilatilda, daughter of Simon and Elizabeth (Jarbo) Ken- ton, the former the celebrated Indian fighter. In 1837. Mr. Parkison removed to White County, Ind., and the same year to this count}', and located on 160 acres, for which he paid !p300; afterward he bought other lands. lie reared the following children: Eliza Ann, William K. , Addison, Juliet. Margaret, Joseph, Emma, Mary Jane. Benjamin, Isabella and Mattie. William K. Parkison was born in Logan County, Ohio, in 1820, and married Marj', daughter of Henry Berkley. By this union descended the following family: John G., born in 1843, killed at the battle of Buzzard's Roost; William M.. born in 18-16. died in 1867; George, born in 1850, mar- ried Miss Ida Gwin. daughter of John and Mary Gwin; Harvey, born in 1851, mar- ried Melvina Moore, daughter of William E. and Dinah Moore; James R., born in 1853, married M;uy Etta Collins, daughter of William 11. and L. Collins; Mary J., born in 1856, married Granville Moody, son of Col. and Elizabeth Moody; and Rob- ert, born in 1861. William K. Parkison has been County Commissioner twelve years, is now Postmaster, and owns a fine farm. GILLAM TOWjSSHir— JASPER COUXTr. 571 GILLAM TOWNSHIP. MILES BISHIR, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Hij,diland County, Ohio, born Januar_v 11. 1830, and is a son of .Teremiah and Esther (Millet) Bishir, of German and Welsh descent. They were married in Ohio, were farmers, and about 1833 moved, among the first settlers, to White County. Ind., where Mr. Bisliir fol- lowed his trade of cooper. He died in 187.5, aged seventy-five years; he was a strong Democrat and a good citizen; his wife died a few years previous. Miles Bishir passed his boyhood in White County, going to school and assisting his father on the farm untU his majority. In 18.52, he located in this township on 160 acres of land secured by a Mexican land warrant, July 11, 1852, he wedded Miss Lovina Gillam, born May 16, 1831, daughter of .John M. Gillam. To this marriage were born five children, three of whom are living — .John G., Jeremiah and Martha E. Mr. Bisher continued to farm until 1859, wlien he moved to the Gillam farm, where he has since resided, which is a highly-improved piece of land. Mr. Bishir is an active politician of the democratic school, and served as Justice of the Peace from 1871 to 1882. He is a member of the Masonic order, and brought the first "sepa- rator " to this township. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. JOHN E. COMER, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Carroll Count}', Ind., October o, 1839, and is the eldest son of William and Phoebe Comer, natives of Ohio, and of German extraction. William Comer was married in Carroll County, made a home, and in 1840 sold the same, came to this county and settled on forty acres in Barclay Township; he afterward lived in this township, and then on the Irociuois River, where he died. He had been a Whig, but became a Repuljlican, and was a licensed minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John E. Comer was reared a farmer, and worked on a farm for §10 a month, which he continued until he was twenty-three years old; and he soon, by diligence and care, paid for fortj' acres and one horse; this was his beginning. June 21, 186.3, he married Harriet J. Dunn, born September 26, 1841, a daughter of ,1. D. Dunn. Six children were the fruition of this marriage, tive of whom are living — Presto. <_)Iiver P., Charles, Jacob I. and Nettie. After improving and augmenting his land in Union Township, he sold the same, and in 1874 came to this township, locating on his present place, which comprises 280 acres, 150 of which are under cultivation, all made l)y his thrift and economj'; he was for many years a noted and successful hunter, iiaving earned $300 in one winter thereby. Mr. Comer is a solid Republican, and was Justice of the Peace of Union Township; he and wife are memljers of the Metliodist Episcopal Church. WILLIAM T. COMER, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of this county, was born October 23, 1843, and is a son of William Comer, a pioneer. Our subject as- sisted his father until manhood, during which time he received not more than three months' schooling. He was an industrious man, and, after work on the farm, would frequentlj' hunt the coon, mink and rat, thus becoming an expert marksman; he also followed trapping in four States. At the age of twenty-one, he al)andoned hunting and found a wife, November 12, 1863, in Miss Margaret Gilibs, born in Car- roll County, Ind., Jul}' 14, 1843,;and daughter of Freeman Gibbs. From this union sprang six children — George Milro\'. Celia J., William F.. James H., Ida A. and Martha M. After marriage, Mr. Comer engaged in farming and stock-raising, but with limited means; he advanced gradually, however, and is now the owner of 620 572 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETOHES: acres, 90 of which are under cultivation, and the whole stocked with $3,000 worth of horses, cattle and hogs. For the last ten years, he has been engaged in buying and shipping hogs; he is identified with the Republican party, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. JAMES COOPER, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio; was born January 11, 1836, and is the fifth of the family of Thomas B. and Tacey (Simpson) Cooper, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish and English descent. Thomas B. Cooper moved to Ohio about 1814, where he married, and followed farming in Muskingum and Champaign Counties until 1851, when he came to this county and located on eighty acres, where James now lives, and where he died August 10, 1855, aged si.xty-two; his wife died in Ohio in 1858, aged sixty-three. Both were members of the Baptist Clmrch. James Cooper began life empty hand- ed, rented land and engaged in preparing railroad ties, having after three years saved suflicient means to purchase 160 acres of wald land, and after, ran a breaking team and farmed his father's land. In December. 1855, he married Miss Hettie A. Flint, born in Crawford Count_y, Ohio, June 2, 1836, and daugliter of Luther C. and Rebecca (Deda) Flint. Mr. Cooper has a fine, large two-story house and 320 acres, 60 of which are well cultivated; he is a leading stock-raiser; is now raising thorough- bred cattle, and has some sheep; he is an enterprising farmer, and he aud wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ADAM COPPESS, stock-raiser and farmer, was liorn in Greene County, Ohio, March 8, 1812, and is a son of Adam and Mary (Mock) Coppess. natives of North Carolina, and of German extraction. He was taught the art of farming and reared to industry, by assisting his father, until he was twenty years old. when he began business for himself as a farm hand, and in two years he saved money sufficient to pay for eighty acres of land in Darke County. Ohio. lie then rented his father's farm for four years, during which' period lie wedded. April 5, 183S. Miss Elizabeth Oliver, of Darke CounU', born December 25, 1817, daughter of George and Sarah (Frampton) Oliver, a marriage which gave an issue of ten children, tlu-ce sons and seven daughters. In 1851, Mr. Coppess moved to this township, by overland route, in a covered wagon. He purchased his present home from Mr. Robinson, and erected a hewed-log house, where lie lived tor many years, but now he has as good a farm as the townsliip contains. Mr. Coppess was a Democrat in earlvlife, having voted for Mr. Pierce, but afterward he alUliated witli the Repulilicaus. aud gave his three sous — Calvin. Harry and George— to the service of their country for various terms. He and wife are memliers of the M. E. Cliurcli. CALVIX COPPESS was liorn in Darke County. Chio. Oeli.lier 13, 1831). and is the eldest of the family of Adam aud Mary Coppess. His father was a pioneer of Darke County, who removed tliither Avitli his parents when but seven years of a'^e, in 1819. Our subject was twelve years of age when he was brought to this towu- -sliip, wliere he passed his boyhood days, during which he had much desire for hunt- ing. In 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Ninth RegimciU Indiana Volunteer Infantry; was mustered into -icrvive at I.ogaii-;port. marched to Virginia, where he was engaged in tlie battle of GreeiihriiT. and afterward at Sliiloh. Stone River, Chiekamauga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, after whicli he re-enlisted, came liome for thirty days antl joined Sherman's army, where lie experienced hard figlitiiig for ninety days; he also tool< part at Ihc battles of Franklin and Xashville, W!is limdly sent into Texas, ami honoialily discharged as a veteran in September, 1H65. lie is a lifi' eriiiple from ])rolonged marching, by reason of an enlarged aiikh'. III! resumed farming, and Oitolier 17. 1866, married Jliss Sarah K. Prevo. hirn January 15. 1812. daugbler of Malaehi Prevo. From this union six children are ilcscended -:\Iarit'tla, Leol.a ,1., .Malachi W., t>raeie E,, Julia F. and Charles 0. Mr. (^ipprss purelia.sed liis present liome of ninely acri's in 1874, and has now a GILLAM TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 573 good farm and stock of cattle. He is a stanch Republican, and a member of the 6. A. R. Mr. and Mrs. Coppess are members of the M. E. Church. J. D. DUNN, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Greene County, Tenn., Au- gust 15, 1820, and is the only child of James and Elizabeth (Hedrick) Dunn, natives of Tennessee, and of Irish and English descent; the former died of yellow fever in 1821, and his widow afterward married Henry Freshaur, and both moved to Iowa, where they died. Our subject came to this State with his mother when twelve years old; his education was neglected, having to work at farm work, which he followed until manhood, after which he worked at teaming from Port Wayne to Toledo and Logansport. In 1840, he came to this county, and the next fall managed a breaking team with five oxen, which he followed for thirteen summers. He also bought and sold claims, and his first purchase of land for himself was forty acres; this and other purchases he sold, and finally bought his present place of 153 acres, forty of which are in cultivation, with buildings and other improvements, November 86, 1839, he married Miss Rachel Campbell, of Stark County, Ohio, daughter of James Camp- bell, a pioneer of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn in the early days made their own clothing from their own fabrics, and otherwise experienced the hardships of the pioneer. They are both members of the M. E. Church. Sx\3IUEL ELLIOT, stock-raiser and farmer, is a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind., was born March 27, 1833,. and is a son of John and Rebecca (Steel) Elliot, both natives of Virginia, and of Irish descent. Samuel Elliot has taken care of himself since he was sixteen years of age, after being reared as ii farmer, and at which he continued to labor. He was married, March 13, 1859, to Miss Almira J. Gibbs, who died in 1866, leaving four children — John W., Estaline, Sylva A. and Phebe J. Mr. Elliot's second marriage was to Mrs. Sarah E. (Cooper) Swisher, of this county, by which union were born four children — Martha, Emery, James T. and Asa A. In 1864, Mr. Elliot came to this township and located on eighty acres, which are now very fairly improved. Although he has been so far successful, he gives much credit to his industry and tenacit}'. He is a liberal Democrat, and he and Mrs. Elliot are members of the M. E. Church. ELI FARIS, retired farmer, was born in Fleming County, K}-., June 29, 1813, and is the eldest of the twelve children of John Faris. Eli removed with his father to Rush County, and thence to Marion County, Ind., in 1838, but passed his boyhood in this county, where he assisted his father in making brick, and worked diligently until he reached his majority, whereupon, with the first money made for himself, he bought a marriage license costing 95 cents, also some housekeeping articles. He afterward purchased eighty acres in Hendricks County, at $1.25 per acre, built a cabin, and moved thereto in 1837, where he suffered many hardslxips in the clearing of forty acres. This land he sold for $1,600, when he purchased his present home for .$1,200; he has been a hard worker, and for years his wife made their clothing from the raw flax and wool. Mr. Faris has been twice married; first, December 25, 1834, to Miss Isabel Jones, of Marion County, Ind., born in Kentucky February 37, 1816, who died May 4, 1874, leaving six children, with three deceased — John T., Sarah J., Jemima A., Fleming J., Malinda and William H. His second marriage, January 1, 1875, was to Amanda (Colwell) Cunningham, born in Kentucky in 1834. The second son of Mr. Faris, George W., enlisted in Company G, Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and died in the service at Cheat Mountain, Va. Mr. Faris was once a Whig, but is now a Republican, and has .served four years as Jus- tice of the Peace. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church. ANDREW FARIS, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Fleming County, Ky., was born December 7, 1821, and is the son of John and Sarah (Truitt) Faris, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Delaware. John Faris removed to Rush County, Ind., in 1826, and two years later to Marion County, where he fol- 674 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: lowed brick-makina; until 1841 ; thence be removed to Warren and Benton Counties, and thence to this county, where he located some land, and died two years later of typhoid fever, leaving ei?ht sons and three daughters; he was aged tiftj-two years. Mrs. Paris died in 18<16.' Andrew Faris came to this township m I806. ^here he resided for ten years, and in 1860 located on his present farm of liO acres. He had butslender means and but little learning, yet these deticiencies he has made up by integrity and industry. Mr. Faris was married, February 10, 1853. to Miss Lovma Burk of this county, who died in 1863. leaving one son-Calvm G. His next mar- riage was to Miss CJynthia .J. Rowen, of this county, daughter of Alexander Rown. Two children were the result of this marriage-Florence M. and Clyde R. Mr. Faris has been always an ardent Republican, and held several township offices. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church. WILL1Aj\[ faris, farmer, is a native of Marion County, Ind., was born June 25, 1834, and is the eleventh born of John Faris. Our subject was but eight year* old when he came with his parents to this county. Two years later, his father died, when he worked for his brothers until his majority, after which, November 7, 1855, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of Paris Robinson, of this township, by which union descended four children— Charles W.. Paris R.. Lizzie B. and Emma J., of which number the three eldest are teachers. After his marriage, Mr. Faris located where his father-in-law settled in 1838. In 1863, he located in La Porte County, where he and his brother John established a general store. After abandoning this store, he purchased eighty acres in this township. Imt located in Pulaski County, where he suffered from a prairie tire in bSTl, after which he returned to and located in this township, where he now has a good farm and a comfortalile home. ilr. Faris is a loading Republican and an active worker in that party. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church. JOHN T. FARIS is a native of Indianapolis, was born December 5, 1835. and is the eldest of those born to Eli and Isabel (Jones) Faris. He was reared to work on a farm and in a brickyard, having access to school but a few months in each year. He came to this county about the year 1853 with his father, and, in 1860, began work as a farmer. In September. 1861. he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was a participant in the battle of Green- brier, and afterward was detailed to attend his sick lirother, George W.. on Cheat Mountain, and after his death came home with the body. After returning to his regiment, he took part at the siege of Corinth, the battles of Stone River, Chicka- mauga, the Atlanta campaign, and Nashville. He was discharged, September, 1865, his only injury being a tlesh wound received at the battle of Nashville. After his return, he resumed the plough, and in IStiii, on liic -id of March, he married Rachel A. McCuUough, of this township, born September 19. 1840. and daughter of Samuel McCullough. Their union was fruitful in six children — McKendree C. Edwin E., Mary I., Harry, Frank B. and Cora M. After marriage, 3Ir. Faris pur- chased land on the county line, and two years later ninety-tive acres of his present home; he has now 143 acres, forty-five of which are in good cultivation, with fair improvements. Sir. Faris has held some township ollices and is a strong Repub- lican; he is also a member of the G. A. 1\. and Ihe Christian Church. Mrs. Faris belongs to the M. E. Church. G. W. FARIS, farmer and stock-raisc-r, is a native of JIarion County. Ind., was born February 18. ISilti, ami is the youngest of the twelve children of John Faris. Our subject was left fatherless when nine years old, and remained with his mother until his eightceiitli year, after which time he farmed ou rented land. Au- gust 15, lt<62, he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to Bowling Green, Ky., after which he was engaged at Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Buzzard's Roast; he later took part ia : GILI.AM TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 575 the Atlanta campaign, at Frauklin and Nashville. He was honorabl}- discharged, and located where he now lives, on a farm of 100 acres, sixty of which are improved and under cultivation. February 36, 1862, he married Miss Sarali M. Coppess, born August 30, 1841. and daughter of Adam Coppess. This union was honored by nine children, eight of whom are living — Ehoda J., Martha E., Nora M., William A., Carrie E., Edward E., Nellie E. and George R. Mr. Paris set out as a farmer empty handed, and commenced stock-raising with one pig; he has been successful and has now a good home. He is a strong supporter of the Republican party, and he and wife are leading members of the M. E. Church. GEORGE .J. FRESHAUR, farmer and stock-raiser, was Morn in Allen County, Ind., February 10, 1835, and is the second of the family of William and Hannah (Robinson) Freshaur, natives of Tennessee and Ohio, and of German and Irish descent. William Freshaur was an early settler of Allen County, and in 1840 came to this county and entered 160 acres, which he improved, and where he died Julv, 1858; his widow yet lives and resides with her children, aged seventy-one years. Mr. Freshaur was a great hunter; he was a Democrat in early life, but became a Republican and a standard-bearer of the party; he was also a class leader in the M. E. Church. George J. Freshaur passed his b03'hood with his father, and when of age took charge of the farm. .January 13, 1859, he married Sarah J. Faris, tlie fruition of which union was four cliildren, two of whom are living — James A. and Paris C. After marriage, he lived upon the home farm until August 15, 1863, when he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantr3'. He took active part at Murfreesboro, in the Atlanta campaign, and at Nashville, under Gen. Thomas, where he was wounded by a minie ball in the arm, after recovering from which he rejoined his regiment at Knoxville, and was honorably discharged June 30, 1865. After returning, he purchased 100 acres, where he lived until 1878, when he rented his farm and removed to Ellis County, Kan., by reason of his wife's impaired health; there he took up and improved a homestead, remaining until 1883, at which time he returned to the old home. He now has 147 acres, of which sixty are under cultivation. He is a prominent Republican and member of the G. A. R. Mr. and Mrs. Freshaur belong to the M. E. Church. REV. GEORGE GUILD was born in Hartford, Conn., June 9, 1812, and i.s a son of Jeremiah and Martha (May) Guild, natives of New England, and of English descent. Jeremiah Guild was a tanner, and, in 1816, emigi-ated to Butler County, Ohio, where he died in 1820, followed by his wife the next year, leaving a family of eight children. Our subject being an orphan at nine years, was put out to a farmer, by whom he was so maltreated as to compel him to run away when thirteen and apprentice himself to saddletree-making at Cincinnati, and afterward becoming a journeyman in Butler County, Ohio, whence he removed to Wayne County, Ind., in 1886. When twenty-one years of age, he experienced religion and likewise the necessity of an education, which induced him to spend all his leisure hours in study in preparation to enter a school in Dublin. In 1838, he was licensed to preacli by the M. E. Church, and on the 8th of April, he married Sarah Hull, of Highland County, Ohio, born May 7, 1819, a union blessed by ten children, but four of whom now survive — George S., James R., Thomas M. and Daniel H. In 1840, he com- menced teaching, and, in 184:3, was ordained and given a circuit embracing live counties. In 1849, he built the first church in Rensselaer, and did arduous work in many stations for many years. In 1853, he located on land entered in 1850, com- prising 130 acres. In 1873, he was superannuated, having preached more than forty years. Charles L. Guild, son of our subject, enlisted in 1861 in the Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he proved a gallant soldier, being wounded in the head at the battle of Shiloh, which caused his immediate death. He was buried by his father in the Independence Cemetery. 576 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ALEXANDER HAMILTON, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Noble County, Ind., was born August 9, 1«38. and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Mor- row) Hamilton, both natives of Pennsylvania, of Irish descent and Protestant faith. Alexander Hamilton was reared to the plow, received a fair education, and began for himself at the age of twenty-two, working on the home farm until 1868, when he moved on fifteen acres of what was known as the " Haw Patch." This he sold for $1,500. which, with |300 personal property, made $1,800. He was married, Oc- tober 3, 1862, to Miss Lydia B. Painter, of Coshocton County, Ohio, born June 24, 1840. From this union descended six children, four of whom .are living — Simeon W., Nettie B., Perry N. and Daisy M. Mr. Hamilton afterward moved to this town- ship and, after purchasing forty acres, had $300 with which to make improvements, after doing which, four years later, he sold, and purchased his present place of 100 acres, sixty of which are being cultivated, and on which he has good frame build- ings. Mr. Hamilton has been a life-long Republican, and has held several township offices. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. J. G. HUNT, stock-raiser and farmer, was born in Hamilton County. Ohio. December .5, 1830, and is a sou of Noah and Charity (Stout) Hunt, both natives of New Jersey. Noah Hunt, after his marriage, in 1818, emigrated to Hamilton Coun- ty, Ohio, from which, in 1844, having acquired a good home, he removed to Bar- tholomew County, Ind., where he again began in ■' the green," and where he died in 18.T3, aged fifty-seven, followed bj' his wife in 1867, aged seventy years. He was a Democrat, and both were members of tlie Christian Church. Our subjeet spent his childhood in Hamilton County, Ohio, and his boyhood in Bartholomew County, Ind. In youth, he learned the trade of a cooper, and afterward carried on a shop until IS.'iS, when he abandoned his trade for farming, and November 28 of that year married Miss Sarah M. Winship. born September 23. 1833. daughter of Martin L. and Betty (Hinman) Winship. natives of New York and Pennsylvania. This union gave issue to four sons— Oscar H.. Frank L.. Lewis "W. and Judson J. In Novem- ber, 1865. Mr. Hunt removed to this township and purchased 160 acres, which he has increased to 1,120 acres. 200 of wliicli are in cultivation, all the result of his industry and skill in trading. He is also an extensive sheep and cattle dealer. Mr. Hunt is a Freemason, and Jlrs. Hunt is a member of the Missionarv Baptist Church. L. C. LOGAN, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of North Carolina, born August 29, 1840, and the youngest of the family of John Logan, bkewise a native of the old North State. Our subject was left motherless when four years old, and was reared by a half-sister. He worked on a farm until be was twenty years of ao-e. and tlien he began working for himself as a farm hand. In 1862. he cnlisted^'in Company H, Twenty-first Regiment North Carolina Volunteers, and was in the battles of Bull Run. Winchester and Richmond. He was in Stonewall Jackson's C(n-ps, and at Gettysburg was wounded in the right arm. He was then furloughed for sixty days, and honoral)ly discharged in 186:.. He returned to his home and resumed work until 1868, when he emigrated to Peoria County. 111. worked as a farm hand and tlience came to this county in b>^72. in which year. Au-ust A. he was married to Miss Maria E. Mason, of tliis town .hip, l,„rn May 25. 1S4.^. daughter of George Mason. Tliis marriage has lieen honored liy six cliiUlren— Georne F.. Sarah E ElizabeUi J., .lolin II., Thomas N. and Jlyron H. After marriasje, Jlr.' Losau rented hind for two years, then removing to his present home of eiu'hty acres "hc has been a Inivd Laborer, and is a tirni supporter of the Democracy'" Mr! and Mrs Logan are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. llKN.lAiNllN 0. LONG, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Maryland born July 27, bs;!|. and a son of David and Sarah (Bowers) Long, uativesof Pennsylvania an.l Maryland, an.l of German extraction. Benjamin was reared to farmiu- in GILLAM TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTV. 577 Champaign County, Ohio, and at the age of twenty began learning the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked for seven years and did considerable building. In 18611, he moved to this State and purchased 160 acres in Pulaski County, on which he lived. In a cabin, and improved until 1865, when he purchased some amount of his present home ; he now has 133 acres, fifty-five of which are under cultivation, a tribute to his thrift and perseverance. October 33, 1856, he married Miss Susanna Demory, of Champaign County, Ohio, born September 13, 1836, daughter of Will- iam and Elizaljeth Demor}-, a union cemented bj' seven children, four of whom are livin;;— Ella E., Jennie. Mary E. and William J[. Mr. Long has one of the neatest farm-- and best flocks of sheep in the township, shearing an average of ten pounds per head. He is a liberal Democrat, a public-spirited man. and has filled several township offices. He and wife are members oE the Methodist Episcopal Charch. T, H. McCULLOUGH, farmer and stock-raiser, is of American birth, born December T, 1845, and the onl_v son in a family of seven, born to Samuel and Mary (Querry) McCullough, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. Samuel Mc- Cullough spent his boyhood in Adams County. Ohio, and after manhood removed to Hamilton County, Ind., where lie married, and in 1841 came to this county, where he acquired a farm of U19 acres, on which he erected a good frame house and barn, and raised a fine orchard, l^revious to 1856, he was a Democrat, but after that period he voted with the Republicans. He was the first Commissioner of the County, and served a number of terms; he also served as Probate Judge. Justice of the Peace and Township Trnstee. He was an earnest worker in the Methodist Epi-. (jpal Church, and died April 39, 1883, la his seventieth year. T. H. McCul- lough was reared on the farm, and at the age of seventeen enlisted in Company G. i.iue Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which service he did mostly guard duty. After his discharge, he resumed farming with his father. March 13. 1868. he married Miss Mary L. Robinson, a native of this township, born October 8, 1847, daughter of William Robinson, a union which gave issue to two children — Samuel 0. and Effie C. After marriage, he located on the farm on which he now lives, comprising 153 acres, fortj'-five of which are under cultivation, with good buildings and improvements. 3Ir. JlcCuUough is a Republican, and was elected Township Trustee in 1883. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Ciiurcli. GEORGE MASOX was born in Allen County. Ind., May 18, 1817, where the city of Fort Wayne now stands, and Is the fourth child of Lewis and Judith (Terry) Mason, natives of Lower Canada and Ohio respectively. Lewis Mason emigrated to Ohio previous to the war of 1813. in which glorious contest he served as a soldier. He married, about 1809, and in 1813 removed to ilie neighborhood of Fort Wayne, and engaged in farming. The Indians were then verjr troublesome, preying upon stock, etc. The familv procured their breadstuffs from Ohio, and made all their clothing. Mr. Mason was a Catholic, dying at the age of seventy-eight. Mrs. Mason, a Baptist, djdng at seventy years of age; their lives were their monuments. George Mason was reared on the frontier, and Indians were his playmates. He remained at home until manhood, and in 1838 came to this county, carrying his clothing in his arms, where, in January, 1839, he entered 130 acres, and on Febru- ary 33. of that year married Miss Maria Gillam, born in 1818, and a daughter of John M. Gillam; she died Septemljer 7. 1854, leaving ten children, seven of whom are living — Josephus, Sarah L., John, Xathan, Maria E., Thomas and Elizabeth. Mr. Ma^on was next married. March 15. 1855, to Sarah Booher, born September 14, 1815. daughter of George and Sarah Booher. By thrift and frugality Mr. Mason has made a home and 130 acres, with good house and many improvements, besides giving to each of his children $1,300. He was first a Whig, then a Know-Nothing, and later a Republican; he also served six years as Township Trustee. He and wife iire members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 578 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: R. L. P. MASSEY wa^ born in C4raDt Couniy, Ind.. August 18, 1835, on the bank vf the river where Marion now stands, and is of the family of Robert and Rebecca L. (Butler) Massev, natives of North Carolina and Georgia. Robert Massey removed to Wayne County, Ind.. m his youth, where he married, and, previous to 1830, located in Grant County, moving thereto in a covered wagon, in which he lived until his cabin was finished, afterward making a farm of eighty acres; this he sold and purchased eightv acres ..n the Huntington road, on which farm he died in 1859; his widow yet resides on an adjoining farm near where she has resided more than sixty shears, aged eighty-eight years. Our subject was brought up a farmer, and enjoyed but three months' schooling each year. He remained at home until 18.J6, when he engaged as a farm hand. In 1860, he removed to Iowa, from which State, in 1863, he°erilisted in Company D, Thirty-fourth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He took action in Duvall's Bluff and Chickasaw Bayou; thence, the regiment was s(..nt to Little Rock, by way of White River, said regiment being detailed to take -1,715 prisoners to Chicago. After the regiment was sent to St. Louis, he took ill, and was therefore discharged in 1863, in which year, October 13, he married Eliza Poisel. of this county, born April 38. 18-14. which marriage gave issue to six children— Ettis M., Ida M., deceased; Milley F.. Jerome. Charlie H. and an infant. In 1876. Mr. Massey purchased-his present home of 140 acres, sevenly-six of which are under cultivation, and which he has generally improved, this being the result of his thrift and tenacity. He is now raising thoroughbred cattle, is a Re- publican, a member of the G. A, R.. a temperance man. and. with his wife a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. SAMUEL OL^OM. farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Henry County. lud., born August 14. 1836. and is the eldest of ten children born to Lewis and Hannah (Batsen) Odom. natives of Xorth Carolina and Pennsylvania, and of English descent. Both emigrated from North Carolina, married in 1834, and commenced their new life empty handed. He obtained his necessaries by bringing them 100 miles and paying for them with skins acquired In' hunting; he also made a home, secured 1,500 acres, and died at the age of fifty-two; his widow lives on the old home, aged neventy-seven years. Samtiel Odom was brought up to farming, and assisted his father to establish a home, where he remained until he was of age. and on Febru- arj' 33. 1848. married Mis-; Catharine Runyau. of Henry County, born December 39, 1838, by which union ten children wei'e born, live nf whom are living — George, Lewis, .lohn, C!liavles and Susan. Mr. iMoin rented land after his marriage, after- ward pureliased eighty acres, built a round lo^- cabin, and was soon comfortalile, owning 130 acres, with good improvements and an orchard. After a residence of eighteen years, he reiimved to Madison County. Ind.. where he had 160 acres, and lost by fire iifS.OOO. In Is^TS. lie sold this, and i-ame to his present residence, which contains -138 acres. 350 uf which are in cultivation. ^Ir. Odom is a stanch Democrat. .lESSE C>SBORX is a nali\'e of Aslie Couniy. X. C. was born September 31. 1834, and is the second s,>n of William and Delilah i,Pricel Osborn. both natives of North Carolina, and of Iri^li and English descent. William Osborn was reared in North Carolina, was a f.armev. an .anti-slavi'ry man. a Whig, and the larirest bee eulturisl of tlie Slate, having nearly 100 ^landsal a time. He died February 35. I8S1, aged sixly-nine, followed liy hi^ wife, in 1SS3, at llie same atre; he was a mem- lier of Hie Melliodisl. .and Ids wifeof ilu' Haplisl Churcli. .lesse Osborn as^isled Ids father iiiilil Ids majorily. and was married .Vugust 1!). 1S55. to ;Miss Elmina Knighl, of t^uilford Couniy, N. C.. liorn September 3. 1834. daushtcr of .\mmicl Kuight. To this union succeeded ten children, si'ven of whom survive .Vlvira .1.. Rebecca i\I.. Widiani F,. Laura C,. Mary L.. Leiilia F. and RiUa V. .Vfier mar- riage, and while engageil in farming and stock raising, he was conscripted, tV'tober, 1863, ami from ehoica', enlisted in Company I, Fifty-eighth North Carolina Volun GILL.\M TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 579 teer Infantry, was assigned to Gen. Bragg' s command, and did skirmish duty for seven days on three daj's' rations. Afterward he was appointed nurse, then chief cool^;. and served in the ranks at Lookout Mountain and Chickauiauga, after which events he and five comrades deserted to tlie Union army and were sent north. He passed some time in Cincinnati and in this State, and in April, 1865, he returned to North Carolina, sold his property, removed hither, settled inWalker Township, and in 1881, came to this township, where lie has seventy-eight acres, with good build- ings and other improvements. Mr. Osborn is a stanch Republican, and was Trustee of TValker Township for two terms. He and wife are members of the !Methodist Episcopal Church. ASA C. PREVO, County Commissioner, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind.. September 4, 1830, and is the eldest son of Malachi and Nancy (Conier) Prevo, natives of Virginia and Tennessee. The maternal great- grandfather of Asa was a British soldier of the Revolutionary war. Malachi Prevo was married in Tennessee, whence he removed to Wayne County, Ind., thence to Tippecanoe, afterward to Carroll County, and in 1839, came to Barclay Township, this county, and finally to Gillam Township, where he acquired a home of 160 acres, and died March 24, 1870, his wife five years later; they reared a family of ten. He was a Democrat, a .Justice of the Peace, and with his wife, a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. Asa C. Prevo passed his boyhood in Ibis county, remaining at home until twenty years of age, when he rented farming land. His first pui'- chase was eighty acres of canal land for s;]i0, in 18.j0. and he now has 23.5 acres, 150 of which are in cultivation, with good house and barn. September 28, 1854, he married Miss Mary Coppess, of this county, born October 13, 1838. This union was fruitful in twelve children — seveuof whom are living— Andrew W., Sarah E., George D., Daniel C, Frank G., Jessie M. and Cyrus A. Mr. Prevo is a Republican, and an ardent supporter of that party. He was elected County Commissioner in 1882, and was a very efficient officer. He and wife are lifelong members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A. PULLIN, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Champaign County, Ohio_ was born January 18, 1831, and is the ninth of the twelve children of Samuel and Sarah A (Butt) Pullin, natives of Virginia, and of Irish and English extraction. Samuel Pullin was bj- trade a cooper, who moved to Ohio and located near Urbana, where he remained until death. Our subject assisted his father in clearing land until sixteen years old, when he began work as a farm hand for .'i;8 per month, his father receiving a portion thereof. He afterward farmed on rented land. Nov- ember o, 1855, he married Miss Sarah Ropp, of Champaign County, Ohio, born May 14, 1836, daughter of Simon and JIargaret (Demory) Ropp. natives of Virginia, and of German and French extraction. This union was productive of fourteen children, of whom nine survive— Iba A.. Barbara A., James A.. Rosa E., Preston. Elmer E., Elias W., Frank and Charles W. In 1865. ISlr. Pullin came to and purchased eighty acres in this township, where he resided until March, 1881, when he sold this farm and purchased his present home of 156 acres, which contains good buildings and is well stocked with various fruits. Previous to the war. Mr. Pullin was a Democrat, but later he became an earnest Republican, and was elected Road Superintendent in 1882. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. JOHN QUERRY (deceased). In 1881, this township lost one of the most prom- inent men, farmers and stock-raisers who have ever lived here; that man was the late John Querry. He was born In Rush County. Ind., April 16. 1826, and was a son of Thomas Querry, with whom he came to this county in 1840, and whom he assisted in farming; he also taught school several terms. He began life with limit- ed means, but acquired as good a home of 300 acres as the township presents. April 4, 1850, he married Miss Mary M. Freshaur, a native of Allen County, born 580 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: October 5, 1831, and the eldest of the family of William and Hannah (Querry) Fresh- aur, natives of Tennessee and Ohio respectively. As a result of this union were nine children, seven of whom survive— Preston M., Lydia H., Harriet C, William F., Florence C, Mary E. and Rachel C. Mr. Querry was a man of excellent char- acter and superior jud.gment, whose inte.crity was commended, and whose opinion was sought as arbiter in various matters of importance; hence he was frequently chosen as administrator. He was a prominent worker in the Republican party. He was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and was largely influential in building the Independence Church. Mrs. Mary M. Querr}-, his widow, resides on the home farm, and is a zealous member of the Methodist Epi.scopal Church. WILLIAJI B. QUERRY, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Rush County, Ind., was born April 13, 1838, and is the son of Thomas and Sarah (McCullough) Querry, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. He came to this town- ship when twelve j'ears old, was reared to farm work, and assisted his father in making a home from the forest. March 14, 18,50, he married Miss Catherine, daugh- ter of Thomas Hanley, of Allen County, and born October 10, 1833. This marriage gave birth to eight children, six of whom survive — .Tames W. , Mary .!., .John, Charles, Thomas H. and William L. After marriage, Mr. Querry took charge of the farm for tlirce years, when he removed to his present location, where he lias suc- ceeded in obtaining 170 acres, in addition to 200 added by his sons, who are doing a good business in stock-raising, to which branch'Mr. Querry attributes his greatest success. He is a prominent Republican, served as .lustice of the Peace for sixteen years, and was a verj' efficient officer; he also served as Deputy Assessor, and is a public-spirited and esteemed citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Querrv are members of the M. E. Churcli. .JAMES RAYBURN, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of ^lontgomerv Coun- ty, lud., was born .January 8, 1838, and is the fifth of the seven children of Henry and Drusilla (Nicholson) Ra3-burn, natives of Virginia and Ohio respcctivt-ly. His parents were pioneers, having emigrated in 1830. He obtained the few educational advantages of the day, and began life for himself at the age of twenty-four, as a farm hand; he came to this county in 18."i3, and with two younger brothers, David and Rufus C., purchased 108 acres of land; tlds purchase he has augmented until he now has 300 acres, seventy of which are \mder fair cultivation. April 9, 18C7, he married Miss Jlazilla .T. Prevo, born May 35, 1837, a daughter of Malachi Prevo one of this township's pioneers. This union was fruitful in five children— Xaucy D., Sarah E. (deceased), Mary C. Rebecca A. and Jlelissa F. :Mr. Rayburus par- ents resided with him until the father died. Jlay 1. lS7,i, aged seventy-nine; his mother yet enjoys good health, aged eighty-four years. Mr. Ravlnirn is regiu'ded as a representative man, and his life has been active :indlaborious; he has, however been successful. He is a Republican, and an anient supporter of the partv. Ho and wife are leading memliers of the M. E. Cluueh. R. C. RAYBURN", slo-k raiser andfarniei-, is a native of Montgomer\- Countv • Ind.. and was bornFebruary 14, 18;U. lie was reared to the independeut living "of a farmer, and received a fair education. After coming to tins county with his faUier in I8.'it, he retvuiied to Monlgomery Cmmty, and engaged in teaming and farminrr for tlirec years, during which time he was married, September 3, ISiil to Miss "Marv E. Teeters, or this coimty, lioiai nceemlier b"), 1837, daughter of Roliert and Harriet (Hainiy) Tecii IS, To this miion were vouchsafed five children — William R Eva M.. Henry M., Enuna L. and Melvin C. Mr. Rayburn located upon the farm he now owns, of 120 acres, sixty of. which are luider fair cultiviition, and improved bv good Imildiugs, making a desirable property and home. :Mr. Haybiirn is a stanch KeiHibliean, and he and Mrs. Rayburn are active memliers of the M, E. Church IjIEUT. a. C. ROHIS, larmcf and stock-raiser, was born in Brown Countv, GILLAM TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 581 Ohio, April 8, 1835, and is the fourth of the ten children of John and Mary (Fisher; Robb, natives of Penns3'lvania and Ken tuclcj' respectively. A. G. Robb, when eight years old, removed with his father to Morgan County, this State, and settled in White River Valley, where our subject remained until 18-13, when he removed to De Kalb County, 111., and engaged in farming as a hand until 1849, when he drove an ox-team across the plains to California. After working with the pick and pan for two years, he returned with !|1,600, and engaged in mercantile business at Genoa, 111. .luly 17, 18.53, he married Amy E, Williams, of De Kalb County, 111., born No- vember 9, 1831, from which union descended seven children, of whom six survive. In 1857, he returned to Morgan County, lad., and engaged in business with hi,s brother, .Joseph 8. One year later, he acquired the lousiness, 'and continued it until 1861, at which time he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was engaged in the sieges of Vicksburg and Mobile; was promoted to be Orderly Sergeant in 1863, then to be First Lieutenant, and distin- guished himself as a brave^soldier in a hot skirmish at Prairie Grove. Ark. In 1866, after four years' faithful .and bright service, he was honorably discharged, when he returned to his family at Medarysville, and purchased eightj^ acres; he has since increased his farm to 395 acres, 115 of which are now producing, with good build- ings. He cast his first vote for Gen. Taylor, and later became a Republican. He has been twice Township Assessor, and is a member of the G. A. R. JOHN H. ROBINSON, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Allen County, Ind., September 35, 1831, and is the eldest child of Paris and Sarah (Coppess) Rob- inson, natives of Ohio and of Irish and German descent. Paris Robinson located in Allen County when that section was a wilderness, and in 1838 came to this county and entered 160 acres. He experienced many hardships, but he was a rugged man and an efficient hunter. He served as Probate Judge for a number of years, and was in the Legislature from Pulaski County one session. After making a home on 160 acres, he removed to Francesville, engaged in mercantile business and died in January, 1869, aged sixty-nine years. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John H. Robinson spent his boj'hood in this county, and as- sisted his father until his majority. -September 3, 1853, he wedded Miss Mary E. Querry, born in Rush County April 36, 1831, and daughter of Thomas Querry. The fruits of this marriage were eight children — Sarah, Rosa, Mary, Caroline, Lydia, Paris T., W. Harvey and Alfred C. After marriage, Mr. Robinson applied himself to farming, and continued until about 1856, when he exchanged his farm for his present home of 140 acres, most of which is well improved. Mr. Robinson has been an industrious man and a life-long Democrat. He has also been a noted hunter, and a dealer in furs of all kinds. He and wife are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. THOMAS H. ROBINSON, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in this township February 38, 1843, and is the third of the family of William and Mary (Hanley) Robinson, natives of Ohio and Ireland respectivelj'. William Robinson came with his family to this township in 1838, of which he was one of the earliest settlers. He was also one of the most valued citizens, and reared a family of twelve children, seven of whom are living. He was a zealous member of the MethcKlist Episcopal Church ; had been a Whig, but later became a Republican. In 1878, he sold and removed to near Hayes City, Kan., where he now lives, at the age of eighty years. Thomas H. Robinson was reared a farmer, but obtained a fair education, and in 1864-65 taught one terra of school. lu 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Ninth Reg- iment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he was promoted to be First Sergeant, He was engaged at Greenbrier, Stone River, Shiloh, in the Atlanta campaign, and was discharged in September, 1864. He then resumed farm labor until 1865, when he purchased forty acres. April 19, 1866, he married Frances M. Roxwell, of Jas- 582 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: per County, Ind. , born August 37, 1845, daughter of Clark and Ruth P. (Knapp) Roxwell, bj' which union resulted five children— Emma P., Lois I., Effie G., Schuyler C. and Mary S. Mr. Robinson is owner of 900 acres of land. 300 of which are now cultivated. He is a leading stocli-raiser. having from 100 to 150 head of cattle on hand, besides horses. MIICHAEL ROBINSON", farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of this township, was born December 28, 1843, and is the fourth of the family of William and Mary (Hanley) Robinson. He worked on the home farm until his eighteenth year, at which time he enlisted in Company I, Twentieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer In- fantry. He was at the seven days' fight, Fredericksburg, second Bull Run, Chan- cellorsville and Gettysburg, where his brother was fatally shot in his side ; he gave him a few moments' attention, then moved to avenge him. At the Wilderness, he was wounded int lie foot and remained all night on the field; he was afterward placed on detached dutj' at the Soldiers' Home, Indianapolis, and honorably dis- charged in March, 18ii5, after which he resumed farming for two years on the home place. April 23, 1807, he married Miss Sarah E. McCullough, born February 9, 1834, daughter of Samuel McCullough, of this township. This union was made happy by five children — Millie •!., Florence C, Clarence A., Nora L. and Alfred 0. After marriage, he located on tortj' acres in this township, which he afterward ex- changed for a portion of his present home, to wliich he removed in the spring of 1879, made important improvements and increased said land to 400 acres. He has now eighty liead of cattle and lOJ of sheep, and has bought and sold cattle for the past seventeen years. Mr. Robinson is a member of the G. A. R., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. WILLIAM S. STEVENS, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, April 26, 1828, and is one of the family of James D. and Christen a (Idle) Stevens, natives of Virginia and of German descent. James D. Stevens re- moved with his parents to Ohio previous to 1805. He was in the war of 1812, and was kept prisoner after Gen. Hull's surrender. After his liberation, he returned, married, located on land and made a good home. Later, he moved to 01,iio. and died at Urbana, March 27, 1883, aged ninety-two years and six months. He had been a Whig, became a Republican, and was long a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. William S. Stevens was reared a farmer, and began to work for himself when eighteen years of age. In 1855. he eomnienced to farm on rented land. December 3, 1858, he married Jlatilda J. Demory. born in Clark County, Ohio, July 10, 1838, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Neer) Demory. Two chil- dren followed this union— Ida C. and James W. Mrs. Stevens died March 13. 1878, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1804, Mr. Stevens removed to this county and purchased fifty acres of his present home, to which he has added until he now has 103 acres, all fairly improved. He is a large stock-raiser of cattle, horses and hogs. He is a Republican, and was elected Township Trustee in 1880, wliich office he filled satisfactorily. JOHN TILLETT is a native of Virginia, was born November 22, 1825, and is the third of the twelve children of James and Susan (Buck') Tillett. natives of Vir- ginia, and of English and German descent. James Tillett was a shoe-maker, and in 1828 moved to Wayne County, Ind., and engaged in teaming from Ciueinnati, Ohio, to Richmond, Ind., and during the seven years of this service handled much gold and silver witli which to pay the Miamis. In 1,835. he removed to Miami County, located 100 acres, made a good home, and at one time owned 2,000 acres in that county and 1,600 in thi.s county. He was a Jackson Democrat, and was several years County Commissioner. He died suddenly July 5, 1879, aged eighty years. John Tillett passed his boyhood days on the home farm, and remaiued^'untirjauu- ary 17, 1835, when he married Miss Eliza A. Cain, of Miami County, born in lilout- KEENER TOWNSHir— JASPER COUXTV. 583 gomery County, Va., December 18, 1839, daughter of Cornelius and Ann (Kip- inger) Cain; they were natives of Virginia and pioneers of Miami County. Mr. and Mrs. Tillett are parents of nine children — James M., Cornelius F., Sarah E., John E., Mary J., Emma D., Martha A., "Willie, deceased, and Jesse A. After marriage, Mr. Tillett began farming on his father's land, with limited means, and in 18.56 he came hither with 3.50 cattle, and herded them hard by where he now lives; thus he continued until 1867, when he came to this county and located on eighty acres. He now owns 580 acres in a body, besides 266 in Miami County. Mr. Tillett is mainly engaged in stock-raising; is a Freemason and a Democrat. Mrs. Tillett is a member of the Christian Church. KEENER TOWNSHIP. DR. THOMAS ANTRIM, physician and farmer, was born June 30, 1814, in Clinton County, Ohio, and is the youngest of the four children of Thomas and Rachel (Jenkins) Antrim, natives of Virginia, and of Irish and Welsh descent. Dr. Antrim left his native State when six years of age, came with his parents to Wayne County, Ind., and remained about sixteen years, then moved to Wabash County, and thence to this county in 18.58, where he has since remained, and has a good farm of eighty acres. December 37, 1838, he married Lucinda W. Massey, a native of this State, which union was favored with eight children — Rebecca J., deceased; Rachel E., Mahlon F., deceased; William D., deceased; Milton F., James P., George B. and Sarah C. Dr. Antrim's earliest and strongest predilection was for the prac- tice of medicine. He did much reading in youth, and after marriage he applied himself thoroughly to the study of his chosen profession. He is truly a self-made man. He was formerly a Whig, having given his first vote for Henry Clay; after- ward, he became identified with the Anti-slavery party, and was a conductor on the underground railroad. He is now an earnest Republican; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1882, and is the Recorder-elect of this county. JAMES F. AXTRIM, a self-made, energetic young man, a son of Dr. Thomas Antrim, was born in this county April 17, 1857. He was reared upon a farm, but, having a desire for books, he early sought after knowledge, and thus ascertained that by arduous study he was enabled to lift the veil of hidden mysteries and dis- close truths to his inquiring mind. Close devotion and the exercise of his God- given intelligence have made him the young man of fame that he is. He has attended the State Normal School at Terre Haute, the Northern Normal School and the Business Institute at Valparaiso. He began teaching on a six months' license, and has since held two eighteen-months' and two two-years' licenses, and is now regarded as one of Jasper County's most prominent teachers, having frequently assisted the County Superintendent in holding his examinations. He has been, and Is now, a reporter for several newspapers and periodicals. Thus has our subject been favored in overcoming obstacles to his onward course of progression, which leads men from the farm to become the first in the ranks of all professions. Mr. Antrim is an earnest, working Republican, as well as an upright, industrious, economical young gentleman, and one of the brightest promise. In addition to the amount expended on his education, he has purchased forty acres of land in Gillam Town- ship, this county. DANIEL E. PAIRCHILD, farmer and cattle-dealer, was born in Hancock County, Ohio, June 33, 1840, and is the second of thefamily of Acton H. and Har- 35 584 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: riet (Day) Fairchild. Our subject came to this county in 1868, where, by industry and frugality, and without assistance, he has made himself owner of eighty-srs acres of good land, fairly improved. In 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Twenty- first Ohio Infantry; was engaged in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga. and many others, but came out unscathed, and was honorably discharged in 1864. April 3, 1868, he married Hannah Fry, a native of Ohio, to which union were born eight children— Essa B. ; CliSord E. ; Alfred D., deceased; Delia A., Daniel J., Sarah, Florence and May. Mr. Fairchild has an ordinary education, and is a suc- cessful farmer. He is also an ardent Republican; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1870, and re-elected in 1874. BLAM D. FAIRCHILD, farmer and cattle dealer, was born June 2, 1844, in Hancock County, Ohio, and is the fourth of the family of Acton H. and Harriet (Day) Fairchild, natives of Ohio, and of English descent. Our subject moved to this county with his parents in the spring of 1866, and located in this township, where he has continued to live. He was bred a farmer, but has taught several terms of school. To the small help he received from his father, he has continued to add until he now has 4.50 acres of excellent and well-improved land. In 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first Infantry Regiment, and was in the following hard-contested battles: Chickamauga, Jonesboro, Atlanta and Bentonville, in none of which he was wounded. He was mustered out with martial honors in the sum- mer of 1865. March 18, 1869, he married Efiie Garis, a union fruitful by five children — Nina, deceased; Ethie, Ruth, Harriet and Susan. Mr. Fairchild is a solid Republican; he was elected Justice of the Peace in 1876, and re-elected in 1880. JOSEPH P. FAIRCHILD. farmer and stock dealer, is a native of Hancock County, Ohio, and the sixth of the family of Acton H. and Harriet (Day) Fairchild. Our subject was born July 13, 1847, and came with his parents to this county, where, unassisted, he has made himself owner of a comfortable home of ninety acres, and with considerable modern improvements. He was married, January 12. 1870, to Mary A. Hawkins, a native of Indiana, which union has given issue to four chil- dren — Eva, Edwin H., Nelson and Loren, deceased. Mrs. Mary A. Fairchild died by consumption September 16. 1881. Mr. Fairchild is a Republican, and one of the stanchest workers of that party. He is a well-to-do. energetic farmer, and has a promising future for enjoyment and usefulness. GEORGE 8. GUILD, farmer and cattle dealer, is a native of Fulton County, Ind., was born January 16. 1848, and is the fourth child of George and Sarah (Hull) Guild, natives of Connecticut and Ohio respectively, and of English extraction. George S. Guild was reared on his father's farm, and remained at home until he was nineteen years old. in the meantime having acquired a very fair education. In the year 1853, he came to this county with his parents. By well-directed industry and consistent economy, he has secured a fairly improved farm of eighty acres in Gillma Township. May 19, 1867, he married Clara R, 3IcJimcey, the result of their union being five children— Charles H.. Nathan II.. John H. D,, Gurtha M. and Jaines A. Mr. Guild has always voted with the Republican party, in which he is an active worker. In the spring of 1881 he was appointed Trustee of the township to fill a vacancy, and in the spring following elected to the office for two years. IRA B. ROBBINS. M. D., eminent physician, cattle de.iler and farmer, was born November 10, 1831. in Marion County. Oliio, and is the eldest of the six chil- dren of Edward and Elizabeth (llurd) Robbins, natives of Pennsylvania and Ken- tucky respectively, and of German and Irish descent. Dr. Robbins remained with his parents until he was twenty-fovu- years old. After attending the eonunon schools, he passed two terms at a seminary at Ont:u-io. La Grange Countv. Ind He then began the study of medicine, re;id under his uncle for two vears and afterward attended two courses at Cleveland, Ohio. He becanxe disgusted with the KEENER TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 585 allopathic practice, and thereafter studied the homcBopathic system, and graduated from the Homoeopathic Institute at Chicago. He hegan directly the practice of medicine in Will County, 111., ■working in a way to leave nothing undone to advance his proficiency. March 1, 1855, he married Mary J. Ray, by which union were born eight children — James 8., Lola I., David S., deceased; Albert B., Samuel R., Susie, John and Fannie. In 1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundredth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was in seventeen engagements, several times wounded, and was discharged with honor in the fall of 1864. Dr. Robbins cast his maiden vote for Zachary Taylor, and is now a stanch and active Republican. Both he and wife are members of the ^I. E. Church. REV. LEMUEL SH0RTRID6E was born March 18, 1830, in "Wayne County, Ind., and is the eldest of the twelve children of Elisha and Esther (Crum) Short- ridge, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of Ohio, who removed to Henry County, Ind., when our subject was two years old, and there he remained until his twenty-fifth year. He was reared a farmer, and followed that calling for twelve years in White County, whence he removed to Valparaiso and lived seven years, about the same time in Wabash, also in Lake County, and, in 1873, located in this township. October 19, 1843, he married Lydia Gwin, by which union descended ten children, nine of whom were named — Ireneus, Mary, John, Hattie, deceased; Catharine C, deceased; Clara, Elisha, Thomas and William. Mrs. Shortridge was a member of the Christian Church, and died March 23, 1865. November 30, 1866, Mr. Shortridge married Paulina Ojder, and to this union were born three children — Lydia, Rosetta and Kate. Mr. Shortridge enlisted in 1863, and served as Chaplain until 1865. He is a member of the Masonic order; he was once a Whig, gave his first vote for Henry Clay, and became, later, one of the organizers of the Repub- lican party in Northern Indiana. Mr. Shortridge became a member of the Christian Church when fifteen years old, and began preaching when eighteen, to which pro- fession he has given a majority of his time. His wife is also a member of the above church. JOHN SHORTRIDGE, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of White County, Ind., and the third of the family of Lemuel and Lydia (Gwin) Shortridge, both natives of Wayne County, Ind., and of German and Scotch descent. John Short- ridge lived with his parents until he was twenty-seven years of age, working during summer and attending school during winter. Without any assistance, and with his native will, diligence and frugality, he has alreadj^ acquired a competence. April 15, 1877, he married Lola Robbins, by which alliance has resulted two children — Flora B., born April 9, 1879, and an infant unnamed. Mr. Shortridge came to this county, in company with his parents, in 1873, and located in this township; he is now the possessor of a good farm of 160 acres. He has always voted with the Republicans, and is an active worker in that party. CHARLES H. THOMPSON, farmer and cattle dealer, is a native of the State of New York, and was born .June 8, 1843. He is the second of the family of Hiram and Harriet Thompson, also natives of New York, and of English and Irish descent. Charles H. Thompson came to this State with his parents in 1852, and located in Lake County; afterward removed to Newton, and thence to this county, where he has a good farm of eighty acres. He is a successful farmer, to which business he has been reared. September 18, 1864, he was married to Mrs. Margaretta (Hunt) Woods, to which union succeeded two children — Hattie E. and Annie 0. Mr. Thompson is an earnest advocate of the principles of the Republican party. Mr. Thompson's weekly production of butter averages forty pounds. He is an upright man and a liberal benefactor. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 586 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: MERRIL M. TYLER is a native of Wabash County, Ind., born May 27, 1859, and is the youngest of three children born to Alexander A. and Martha J. (Brown) Tyler, natives of Indiana, and of English extraction, who came to this county in 1868 and located in this township, where Alexander A. Tyler, with the help of his sons, made one of the best farms in the township; he at present deals somewhat in cattle. Merril M. Tyler was reared on the farm, where he worked during the sum- mer, but during the winter attended school. He afterward attended school at Rens- selaer and Valparaiso, thus preparing himself for the profession of teaching, which he has practiced successfully for ten terms in this county. Mr. Tyler is now engaged as salesman in a mercantile business at Rose Lawn. He is an active, reliable, edu- cated young man, and one for whom there is a hopeful future. WILLIAM C. TYLER is a native of Wabash County, Ind., was born September 4, 1862, and is the eldest of four children born to Asa and Sarah J. (Bruner) Tyler, natives of Indiana, and of English and German descent, who came to this county and located in this township in 18fi8. William C. Tyler was reared on a farm, on which he worked in the summer, and in the winter he attended school at Rensselaer, and, owing to rapid advancement, received a certificate to teach in the public schools, which he followed two years successfully. Mr. Tyler is at present engaged in a general store, consisting of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, in which he is doing a prosperous business in the little station called De Motte. Mr. Tyler is an energetic, painstaking young man and is an active Republican. ELIJAH WHITSON, farmer, is a native of Clinton County, Ohio, was born March 6, 1817, and is the third of the family of .John and Cynthia (Tacket) Whit- son, natives of South Carolina, and of English descent. Elijah remained with his parents op the home farm until he was twenty-four years of age, during which period he enjoyed but six months' schooling. He studied diligently, however, after he became of age, and thus acquired a share of learning. His first business enter- prise was in the saw mill line, which he followed for some time. After removing to Howard County, Ind., he settled in New London, and engaged in mercantile busi- ness, and after four years engaged in the same line at Morocco, Xewton County, for three years. He was then appointed Swamp Land Commissioner, and served four years. In the spring of 1873 he located in this township, where he owns a fine farm of 160 acres, with many modern improvements. March i. ISSl.he married Susanna Killenburger, which union gave being to four children — Rachel, Maria, Marcellua A. and Peter E. Mr. Whitson is a member of the Masonic order. He was once a Whig, and cast liis vote for William H. Harrison, but since the decline of that party he has voted with the Democrats. WALKER TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 587 WALKER TOWNSHIP. WILLIAM D. MEYERS, f ai-mer and stock dealer, was born January 31, 1853, in Hamilton County, Ohio, and is the second of the family of William and Mary (Dinkleman) Meyers, natives of Germany and of German descent. William D. Meyers came to this county in company with his parents in 1872, and located in this township, which has since been his home. Mr. Meyers was reared as a farmer, and received what education he could from the common schools during winter sea- sons. He is now engaged in the stock trade with his brother, and they are doing a thriving business. Mr. Meyers is an enthusiastic Republican, by which party he was elected Township Trustee in the spring of 1883; he takes pride in securing the best of teachers for the schools under his care, by which, and attention to other duties, he has earned the respect and confidence of the people. He is a young man of great possibilities and promise. GEORGE STALBAUM, farmer and cattle-raiser, was born December 22, 1835, in northwest Germany, and is the second of the family of Joseph and Hannah Stal- baum, natives of Germany and of German descent. In company with his parents, George came to this country in 1854, landing at New York City. Soon afterward he came to this county and has here remained. After good opportunities, which he improved, he possesses a very fair education. Without assistance, but with the virtues of industry and frugality, he is possessor of a good farm of 160 acres, and with improvements. November 16, 1862, he married Adeline Heferlin, of which union eight children lived to receive names — Charlie A., Anna, Josephine, John H., Emma, William, Frederick and George, deceased. Mr. Stalbaum takes high pride in educating his children. He is a Democrat, and a very active worker in that par- ty. He was elected Township Trustee in 1878, served two years, and was re-elected in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Stalbaum are both church members — he of the Lutheran, and she of the Catholic. JOSEPH TANNER, farmer and cattle-dealer, is a native of Switzerland, was born August 5, 1844, and is a .son of John and Elizabeth (Stuckey) Tanner, natives of Switzerland, and of German descent. After emigrating in 1853, they arrived at New York and lived for various periods on Long Island, in New .Jersey, on Staten Island, in Pennsylvania and in Chicago, whence they removed to Lake County, Ind., and in 1870, came to this township. Joseph Tanner emigrated to America with his parents, and was reared a farmer, which has been his business through life, he having now a fine farm of 300 acres. February 33, 1865, he married Mary A. Griesel, which union was crowned by eight children — Elizabeth J., John W., William E., EliE., deceased; Charles F., Sarah L., Joseph E. and Mary E. Mr. Tanner has always voted the Republican ticket, and is an active worker in that party. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. JESSE WILLCOX was born July 37, 1814, in Muskingum County, Ohio, and is the fifth of the family of James and Rebecca (Campbell) Willcox, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of Virginia, and both of English descent. Jesse Will- cox located in this township in 1853, where with a little aid in the beginning, and much industry and frugality afterward, he has been enabled to secure 345 acres, now containing many modern improvements. In 1835, he married Eveline Hershman, who died July 9, 1863, having been the mother of thirteen children — Lewis, de- ceased; Jacob R., George M., Josiah, Abner C, Zebedee, William, Edward, de- 588 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ceased; John W., deceased; Charles, deceased; Martha, Mary and Mahal a J. Mr. Willcox was formerly a Democrat, but is now a Republican, an earnest worker in that party, and has filled several township positions. Mr. Willcox is a much re- spected citizen, and is, as Mrs. Wilcox was, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. WHEATFIELD TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 589 WHEATFIELD TOWNSHIP. ELMER H. BROWN, farmer and cattle-raiser, was born April 13, 1838, in Will County, 111., and is a son of Simeon and Rachel (Weaver; Brown, natives of New York, and of English extraction. Elmer H. Brown is a throughbred farmer. He attended the common schools in youth, and after his majority went to a school at Joliet for a time, and thence to Valparaiso, Ind. There be enlisted, in 1861, in the Twentieth Indiana Regiment, and was engaged in eleven battles; he was mus- tered out at New Orleans in 1864. with martial honors and without injury. After returning, he married Emeline M. Patterson, August 18, 186-t, to which union were horn seven children — Merritt N., Clarence L., CoraE., Ina M., deceased; Earl E., Stella A. and Bessie G. Without assistance, he has succeeded in getting a beginning in the cattle business in this county, whither he came in August, 1877; he now manufactures about 100 pounds of butter per week. Mr. Brown is and has alwaj^s been a Republican, and was elected Township Assessor in 1878. .lOHN H. SHAFFNER was born December 37, 1796, in Dauphin County, Penn., and is the fifth of the family of Martin and Fannie (Iloldaman) ShafEner, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent, John remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years old, and, having learned the business of milling, followed the same for more than thirty years. In 1833, he emigrated to Ohio, and remained six years, thence to La Fayette, Ind., in 1838. -where he purchased a saw and grist mill; there he remained until IS.'iG, when he located in this township, and manu- factured the first beer brewed on the Wabash River. Mr. ShafEner has now a good, improved farm of 330 acres. February 31, 1819, he m.arried Susan Pranck, daughter of David Franck, and a native of Pennsylvania. Five children blessed this union — Wosine F., Holdaman B., deceased; Hoklaman B.; Salburtis R., deceased; and Louisa H., deceased. Mrs. ShafEner died October 15, 1878; she was a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. ShafEner was a Democrat until the outbreak of the war, after which he voted with the Republicans. He is a good and worthy man, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. WOSINE F. SHAFFNER is a native of La Fayette, Ind., where he first saw the light in the year 1830, where he was reared and educated, and where he was at one time interested in one of the largest mercantile houses of that city. He is the son of .John H. and Susan (Franck) ShafEner. In 1853, he was married to Miss Sophia Ford, daughter of Henry Ford, formerly of Pennsylvania, which union re- sulted in the birth of five children, only one of whom— Leon— is living. Mr. ShafE- ner was elected Trustee of De Motte Township in 1883. He is a Republican, and a gentleman of unusually excellent business qualifications. His father, John H. Shaffner, is the owner of 600 acres of land. 590 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: KANKAKEE TOWNSHIP. ISAAC D. DUNN, farmer and stock raiser, was born July 4, 1822, in Cumber- land County, Me., and is the ninth of the twelve children of William and Nancy (Farriugton) Dunn, both natives of Maine, and of Irish and Italian extraction. Isaac Dunn was reared a farmer, and remained with his parents until he was twenty- one years of age, and then attended the Asbury College at Greencastle, Ind., six years, some of which time was spent in teaching. On leaving home, he had $.50, but on arriving in this State .'J4..50, After his school period, he paid a visit to hia father, for whom he purchased a home, and thereafter traveled for the North Wayne Scythe Company for two years, when he settled in Richmond, Ind., and engaged in the leather and tanning business, in which he has j'et an interest. In 1873, he located in this township, where he owned a farm, now comprising 1,000 acres, and from which he ships from 1,300 to 1,500 tons of hay each year. In the summer of 1852, he married Nancy B. CofBn, a native of Massachusetts, which union was honored with four children, three having lived to receive names — John C, Carrie C. and George N. Mr. Dunn is a Feeemason and Odd Fellow; has been an active Republican since the creation of that party, and was elected Commissioner of Jasper County in the fall of 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn are members of the M. E. Church. THOMAS M. JONES, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Owen County, Ind., October 19, 1838, and is the fourth of the children of Berryman and Elizabeth (Han- cock) Jones, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of Indiana, and of Irish and Scotch descent. Tliomas M. Jones remained with his parents until he was nineteen years old, and in the county of his birth until 1864, when he located in this town- ship, where he has a good farm of eighty acres, the result of his individual industry. August 23, 1857, he married Sarah, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Pryor) Acord, both natives of Pcnnsjdvania. Nine children have followed this unioii, of whom eight lived to receive names— Berryman F., John M., Silas H., Hannah M.. Rose E., Charles E., Lillie F., deceased, and George H. Mr. Jones was formerly a Whig, but since the decline of that party has voted with the Democrats, and is now ,an active supporter of the Independent movement; he was also an earnest meiuber of the Grange. He was elected Township Trustee in 1865. and has beeiS several times Assessor; was re elected Trustee in 1880, and again in 1882. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. FREDERICK VAN PATTEN, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of New York, born October 26, 1820, and the fourth of the family of Abram and Sophia Van Patten, natives of New York, and of German descent. Frederick Van Patten remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age; he then followed canal- boating for several years, and, in 1856. came to this county and located in Kankakee To^^'nship, where he now has a good farm of 663 acres, with many improvements wholly acquired by industry and thrift. He was fii-st married to Catherine Prater' in 1846, who died, and, in 1868, he married Elizabeth Hall, by which union he" had one child, Frederick. Mr. Van Patten is a member of the Masonic order- he was once a Whig, but when that party fell into a decline he ioined the Democrats -ind .^ an active worker among them. Mrs. Van Patten is a member of the Baptist PART V. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. BT .1. H. BATTLE. ERECTION OF COUNTY. AT the session of the Indiana Legislature in 1834-35, an act was passed forming the counties of Newton, Jasper, Pulaski, Starke, Marshall, Fulton, Adams, Wells, Whitley, De Kalb, Noble, Kosciusko, Steuben and Jay, of which the following is in relation to Newton and Jasper : " Section 12. That all the territory within the following boundary shall constitute a county to be known by the name of Jasper : Beginning at the southeast corner of Section 33, Township 24 north. Range 6 west, thence west to the line of the State of Illinois, thence north with the State line thirty miles, thence east with the line dividing Townships 28 and 29 north, to the northeast corner of Section 4, Township 28 north. Range 6 west, thence south with the section line thirty miles to the place of beginning. "Sec. 13. That all the territory within the following boundary shall constitute a county to be known by the name of Newton : Beginning at the southeast corner of Township 29 north. Range 5 west, thence west to the State line, thence north with the State line thirty miles, thence east with the line dividing Townships 33 and 34 north, to the northeast corner of Township 33, Range 5 west, thence south with the range line thirty miles to the place of beginning." By these boundaries, it will be observed, the original county of New- ton included all of the present counties of Jasper and Newton north of the line dividing Townships 28 and 29 north, the townships of West Creek, Cedar Creek and Eagle Creek in Lake County, and Boone and Pleasant Townships in Porter County. In 1836, Porter County was organized, and the year following Lake County, each of which took all the territory north of the Kankakee River. In 1838, Jasper, which had been attached 594 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. to White County, was organized as an independent county, Newton County being attached for some purposes to Jasper, and for others subject still to White. In the following year, however, the Legislature passed an act relative to the location of the county seat of Jasper, and for other purposes, as follows : Section 1. Be it enacted by the fjeneral Assembly of the State of Indiana, That George A. Spencer and Jacob Moyers, of White, and Solomon Hatfield, of Fountain, and Samuel H. Garrison, of Warren, and William Simms, of Tippecanoe Counties, be and the same are hereby appointed Commissioners, agreeably to an act entitled "An act fixing the beat of Justice in all new counties hereafter Laid off." The Commissioners aforesaid shall meet at the house of Robert Alexander, of Jasper County, on the first Monday of June next, and immediately proceed to discharge ihe duties hereafter assigned them. Sec. 2. And it s hall be the duty of the Sheriff of Jasper County, either in person or writing, to inform said Commissioners of their appointment on or before the first Mon- day of May next, and for such service shall be entitled to such compensation as the law requires. Sec. 3. It shall be the duly of Ihe Commissioners, in addition to the duties as- signed them by the act to which this has reference, to examine the counties of Jasper and Newton, wilh a view of their being consolidated, and if, after examination, the Commis- sioners are satisfied that Ihe interests of the two counties would be promote'l by the union of the same, they are hereby authorized to fix the seat of justice in said enlarged territory, taking into view ihe peculiar situation of said territory in regard to prairie, timber, wa- ter privileges, and the known wishes of the citizens of different parts of Jasper County being attached lo other counties; and ihe seat of justice, if consolidated, shall be called Newlon. Sec. 4. If. after examination, the Commissioners shall be of opinion that either county would be injured by the consolidation, they shall proceed to the county seat as provided by law, in Jasper County, agreeably lo its present bouudanes. Sec. 5. If, after examination, ihey shall be of opinion that the interests of the two counties would be promoted by the union of the same, from thenceforth the territory known by the names of Jasper and Newlon Counties, shall be known as Jasper County. This act to be in force from and after its passage. Approved, January '29, 183y. The Commissioners thus appointed found the plan of consolidating the two counties advisable, and accordingly located the county seat at the Falls of the Iroquois River, with the name of Newton, thus striking the county of that name from the map of the State. In IS-tO. the county of Benton was formed, taking its territory from Jasper, the latter receiv- ing by way of compensation thirty sections adjoining the southeast ancle, and now principally contained in Milroy Township. While the obliteration of Newton County was thus complete for the time, there existed a conviction that the vast territory thus consolidated as one county would eventually be divided in some way, and another county formed. The passing years brought increased population to the western portion of this territory, until the dissatisfaction with the remote- ness of the county seat began to find expression and influence from the increasing numbers. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 595 Matters ran along until the year 1857, when it became known that certain parties had lobbied through the Legislature a bill for the division of old and the organization of new counties, with the intention of making a new county out of the north part of Jasper County with the county seat on the Kankakee River. It became evident to the citizens of the western portion of Jasper County that if they allowed the scheme to be carried out that their prospects for a new county would be forever hope- less, and although the matter was considered to be somewhat premature, they at once went to work and called a public meeting of the citizens liv- ing west of the line dividing Ranges 7 and 8, to be holden at the town of Morocco, at which time it was resolved to at once proceed to get up peti- tions to the Commissioners of Jasper County, asking to be set off in a new county, to be called by the name of Beaver ; afterward, but at the same meeting, on motion of Mr. Thomas Barker, the name was changed from Beaver to Newton, carrying down to history the friendship of Jas- per and Newton, as related by Weems in his Life of Marion. The petition was signed by neai'Iy every voter in the territory, and in September, 1857, was presented to the Commissioners of Jasper County for their action. The petition was very naturally opposed by the citizens of the other portion of the county, and after about two days' skirmishing the petition was dismissed on the ground that a part of the names were attached before the taking eifect of the law. The matter was decided on Tuesday afternoon. The same night petitions were written out and the next day circulated, and on Thursday morning sent to Rensselaer for presentation. The court had adjourned the evening previous to meet the next morning at 9 o'clock, but by some means the Commissioners got wind of what was coming, and two of the Commissioners never came back again during the term. There was no remedy left but to watch the court until the week expired and then go home and wait until the next term. A.t the December term, certain parties had got up a counter petition, striking off the territory along the Kankakee River into a new county, and had filed their petition first, intending to hold that as a preventive against any action in favor of striking off the new county of Newton. The first day of the term all parties were on hand, the county of New- ton being represented by Silas Johnson, John Andrews, Zacharia Spitler, John Ade and a few others. The opposition was led by Judge Milroy and L. A. Cole, and after a short time spent in consultation the case was continued until Thursday. On consultation of the friends of Newton County, it was determined, as the best line of procedure, to go into the territory asking to be set off as a new county along the Kankakee, and 596 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. if possible get signatures to remonstrances against being set off as a new county. This was so far successful that quite a large majority of all the voters signed the remonstrances. This strategy was kept as quiet as pos- sible, and on Thursday afternoon, when the case was called up, the oppo- sition had not got wind of it. Judge Milroy presented his petition, fol- lowing it by a few remarks, after which some two hours were spent in hearing objections and arguments in favor of it, until [finally Silas John- son, to whom had been assigned that part of the programme, stated to the court he thought there had been fatal objections to the petition pre- sented, but that he had another argument against it which he wished to lay before the court, at the same time pulling out of his pocket the re- monstrances duly sworn to, which he read and then sat down. There was silence for about two minutes, after which, with but little further dis- cussion, the petition was dismissed. Thereupon the petition for Newton County was called up. This petition was presented December 7, 1857, and was opposed by a remonstrance signed by upward of 300 voters of the middle and eastern end of the county. The remonstrance was rejected, however, by the Commissioners, who held that those residing outside of the territory pro- posed to be cut off had no voice in the matter, and granted the prayer of the petitioners, appointing Messrs. Z. Spitler, John Darroch and David Creek a committee to run the boundaries of the proposed county. An appeal was taken from this decision to the Circuit Court, which overruled the decision of the Commissioners and granted an injunction restraining them from entering the order upon their records. An appeal thereupon was taken to the Supreme Court by the defeated party. In the meanwhile, the persons engaged in the legal struggle had se- cured the passage of a new law by the Legislature in the session of 1S5S- 59, and in the following June a new petition and a new remonstrance was brought before the Commissioners, who rejected both on the ground that the case could not be heard at the same time in two courts, the ques- tion having been taken to the Supreme Court on an appeal. The case in court was reached and decided in November, 1859, the decision being as follows : Board of County Commissioners vs. George W. Spitler. Appeal from Jasper Circuit Court. Davison, Justice. The case made by the pleadings is as follows: Under the act entitled " An act to authorize the formation of new counties, etc.," approved jNIarch 7, 1857, certain citi- zens of Jasper County, residing within a certain district in that county, presented to the Board of Commissioners of said county a petition wherein they set forth the boundaries of the district in which they resided, HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 597 and alleged that such district ought to be formed into a new county to be called the county of Newton ; that the area embraced within the bounda- ries was as near a square as may be, and would, if formed into a new county, leave 400 square miles in the old county of Jasper, etc. The Commissioners, at their December term, 1857, proceeded to act upon the petition, and upon final hearing appointed a committee of three freehold- ers, residents of said district, to lay off and establish the boundaries of the proposed new county. And the committee thus appointed having made their report, the same was by the Commissioners duly filed. After the filing of the report, and before the Commissioners had further acted in the matter, Spitler, the appellee, whp was the plaintiflf be- low, filed his complaint in the Jasper Circuit Court, reciting substantially the above proceedings, and alleging that the act of March, 1857, does not authorize the division of a single county by the act of a single Board of Commissioners, acting through a single committee of freeholders ; and further, said act of 1857 is in conflict with the constitution. Plaintiff, in his complaint, suggests that unless prohibited by an order of the court, the Commissioners may, at their next term, enter an order establishing the boundaries of the proposed county and certify their proceedings to the Secretary of the State, etc. He therefore prays that a writ of pro- hibition may issue, directed to said Commissioners, commanding them not to enter upon their order book an order establishing such boundaries, etc. The defendants demurred to the complaint ; but their demurrer was over- ruled, and an order granted as prayed for. The act to which these pro- ceedings refer provides that, '' whenever a majority of the legal voters to be affected thereby, in any district embracing an area of not less than 400 square miles, shall desire the formation of a new county, and by a written request petition the Board of Commissioners of the several counties to be affected by the formation of said county, the said board shall appoint each a committee of three resident freeholders in each county of the district embraced in such change, who shall form a Board of Commissioners to lay off and establish the boundaries of the proposed county, * * * aji(j shall report the same to such Boards of Commis- sioners of the several counties affected by the formation of said new county, at the next or some subsequent session, and upon said report be- ing made, the Board of Commissioners of said several counties aforesaid shall enter upon their order books respectively an order establishing the boundaries of said new county, which shall be by them filed in the office of the Secretary of State." Acts of 1857; 25, 26. Does this act conflict with the constitution ? It is insisted that the power to organize new counties has ever been exercised by direct legis- 598 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. lation, and cannot be delegated. The position thus affirmed is not, in our opinion, well taken. The act of March, 1857, is a general law of uniform operation, to be executed through the agency of the Board of Commis- sioners, and it seems to us that the power thus conferred, so far as it relates to their duties under the act, is purely ministerial and not legis- lative. Indeed, the Constitution itself declares that "the General Assembly may confer upon the boards doing county business in the several coun- ties, power of a local administrative character." — Art. VI, Sec 10. Under this provision, the Legislature seems to be plainly authorized to con- fer the power embraced in the act before us. In cases like the present, the taking effect of the law is not the result of any action on the part of the Commissioners. Nor do they decide whether the act is or is not in force ; but simply whether it applies to the case made by the petition which the act prescribes. This is evidently not the exercise of dele- gated legislative power, but merely the application of the provisions of a general law, to a given case, local in its character. But it is thus argued : The county boundary of Jasper County is fixed by law. — 1 R. S. page 168, Sec. 39. And Art. IV, Sec. 21, of the constitution having provided that " No act shall be revised or amended by mere reference to its title ; but the act revised, or section amended shall be set forth, and published at full length," no general law can be made applicable ; and Sec. 39. de- fining the boundary of said county can only be amended by an act local in its nature, the subject matter being local. The answer to this is, that Sec. 39, defining the boundaries of Jasper County, is one provision in an act entitled, "An act dividing the State into counties, and defining their boundaries," etc., which is a general law ; and that the act in question does not purport to be, nor is it, an amendment of any law ; but a general, independent enactment, having for its object the formation of new counties. And this court having decided that "the removal of county seats can be made the subject of a general law," there seems to be no reason why such a law cannot be applied to the case stated in the record. — Thomas vs. The Board, etc., 5 Ind., 4. In our judgment, the act of March, 1857, is not in conflict with the constitution. But it is argued that that act, though it be valid, " does not authorize the division of single county by the act of a single Board of Commis- sioners, acting through a single committee of freeholders." It savs : "Whenever a majority of the legal voters, etc., in anv district, etc., shall desire the formation of a new county, and, by written reouest petition the Board of Commissioners of the several counties to be affected by the formation of such new county, etc., the said boards shall HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 599 appoint each a committee of three freeholders in each county of the dis- trict embraced in such change, who shall form a board, etc., to lay off, and establish the boundaries of the proposed new county," etc. This phraseology thus used would seem to favor the construction as- sumed in the complaint ; but when the reason and object of the enact- ment is considered, the intent of the Legislature evidently was that the provisions of the act may be applied to a district existing within the bounds of a single county. Indeed, the words " several " and " each " and " county " and the phrase "Board of Commissioners," in the con- nection in which they are used in the act, plainly allowed the construc- tion that a district in an old county may be formed into a new county, provided such district contains an area of 400 square miles, and that such new county, when so formed, does not reduce the old county below that area. In this instance, we will judicially notice that the old county of Jasper contains an area of at least 800 square miles, and that consequently it may be divided so as to form two counties, each having the requisite area. An inquiry is raised as to whether the plaintiff has adopted the proper remedy. The appellants contend that the case stated in the com- plaint is not one in which a writ of prohibition can be sustained. The statute allows such a writ, but fails to point out the causes for -vj-hich it may be allowed ; hence for these causes we must look to the common law. Blackstone says : " A prohibition is a writ issuing out of the courts of King's Bench, Chancery, Common Pleas, or Exchequer, directed to the Judge and parties of a suit in an inferior court commanding them to cease from the prosecution thereof, upon the suggestion that either the cause originally, or some collateral matter arising therein, does not be- long to that jurisdiction, but to the cognizance of some other court." This writ, says the same author, may also be issued to courts of special jurisdiction, as ecclestiastical courts ; when " in handling of mat- ters clearly within their cognizance, they transgress the bounds prescribed to them by the laws of England, as when they require two witnesses to prove the payment of a legacy, a release of tythes and the like. For, as the fact of signing a release, or of actual payment, is not properly a spiritual question, but only allowed to be decided in these courts because incident or accessory to some original question clearly within their juris- diction, it ought, therefore, when the two laws differ, to be decided, not according to the spiritual, but the temporal law, else the question might be decided different ways, according to the court in which the suit is de- pending (.3 Blacks. Comm., 112; Tomlin's Law Dictionary, 242 ; 8 Bacon's Abr. [Bouvier's Ed.], 206 ; Bouvier's Law Die, 377 ; 2 Chitty's Gen. Prac, 388). 600 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. This exposition of the cases for which a writ of prohibition may issue at common law at once shows that, under our system of procedure, it can only be used for one cause, namely, to command the Judge and parties of a suit in an inferior court to cease the prosecution thereof, upon a sug- gestion that the cause originally, or some collateral matter arising therein, does not belong to that jurisdiction, but to the cognizance of some other court (Perk. Prac, 489). If this position be correct, and we think it is, the writ of prohibition in this instance was not the proper remedy, be- cause the Board of Commissioners of Jasper County had, in the case pending before it, original and exclusive jurisdiction. Indeed, we per- ceive no reason why the party, instead of prosecuting the writ in question, did not adopt the usual remedy of appeal, because such an appeal is plainly authorized by express statutory enactment (1 R. S., p. ^29., Sec. 31). Judgment reversed, costs, etc. Barbour & Rowland, McDonald & Rooche and R. L. Hathaway for the appellant. This utter defeat of the remonstrants not only decided the legal status of the question, but also put an end to the division of sentiment in the district involved in the action. The general sentiment was that Newton was victorious and should go in peace to the accomplishment of her own destiny. The final action upon the separation of Newton was taken by the Board of Commissioners, December 8, 1859, when the board ordered the following entry upon their records : Wfiereaa, The action of this court was heretofore so restrained by an order of the Jasper Circuit Court as to preclude the entry of the following order, and ^Vhereas,The Supreme Court of the State, on an appeal from said Circuit Court, reversed the action of said Circuit Court in said case; it is, therefore, now ordered by this court that the following report, the entry of which was heretofore restrained by said Circuit Court, be spread upon the order book, to wit: To the Honorable Board of County Conimissinncrs of Jasper County, Ind. : We, the undersigned com- mittee, appointed by your houorabh' body at the December terra, A. D. 1857, for the purpose of establishing and laying off the boundaries of Newton County, Ind,, make the following report: Commencing at a point on the State line between Indiana and Illinois, at the southwest corner of Town 07 north. Range 10 west, at the corner of Beuton and Ja.'^per Counties; thence east along the line of said counties of Jasper and Benton, between Townships 5H and 37 north.to Ilange line between Ranges 7 and 8 west; tlience north along said range line of 7 and 8 to the Kankakee river; thence west along the channel of said river to State line between Indiana and Illinois; thence south along said line to place of beginning^ and hereby establish the above as the boundaries of the aforesaid County of Newton, Ind.; all which we respectfully submit to your honors. David Creeiv, President. ) Zecii.v. Siuti.eh, ^Committee. John D.wiKocu, \ February 27, 1858. ,^/^^A^-^cle.t ^ yijo-vi' DECEASED. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 603 ORIGIN OF NAME. The name of the county at this date was a revival of the name origi- nated in 1835. It seems that " The Story of Marion's Men " had just then been published, or that the members of the Legislature especially influential in forming the new purchase into counties greatly admired the heroes of the narrative. It was appropriate that the adjoining counties, at present so similar in size and shape, and so closely related in their early history, should be named for the two Sergeants in this noted band of Revolution- ary troops. Sergeant Newton was a compatriot of Jasper, and the two were often united in deeds of daring. One of these occasions is repre- sented as follows : " Like many families of that time, Jasper's was divided on the great question. His elder brother took the side of the English, and served in their army. Out of affection to his brother, and a wish to examine into the strength and condition of the enemy, he resolved, with another patriot soldier. Sergeant Newton, to pay the British a visit. His brother's position enabled him to receive his two friends without any sus- picion of their being spies, and they were entertained for two or three days with great hospitality. " While they were thus engaged, a small party of Americans were brought in prisoners, and, as they had deserted from the British, and en- listed in the American ranks, their doom would have been death. This the brother of Jasper assured him was to be their fate. With them were the wife and child of one of the prisoners. Her distress at her husband's approaching fate touched the heart of Jasper. Confiding his purpose to his friend Newton, they bade adieu to Jasper's brother, and took their leave. They had no sooner got out of sight of the camp than they made a detour, and stretched across the country, so as to elude all suspicion should they meet with any British soldiers. " It was the custom of the English then to send all the prisoners taken in that quarter to Savannah for trial. At a little spring, two miles from Savannah, Jasper and Newton secreted themselves, awaiting the arrival of the British escort with their prisoners. It had occurred to Jasper that, as they must pass this spot, it was very probable they might rest here for a short time to refresh themselves, and the woody nature of the spot would favor a rescue. "After some hours' anxious suspense, they saw the escort, with their prisoners, approach; the guard was ten in number, and armed. The Corporal with four men conducted their captives to the water, and told them to rest themselves for an hour, at the same time giving them pro- visions. The guard then stacked their arms, and seated themselves. The prisoners threw themselves upon the earth in hopeless despair. Near to 36 604 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. the wretched man sat his wife and child. Two of the guards alone kept their arms as sentries. As the rest of the men were filling their canteens with water, Jasper and Newton came stealthily from their ambush, seized two of the muskets that were stacked, shot the two sentries, and rushing upon the others, stunned them with the butt of their weapons. Depriveil of their weapons the others abandoned the conflict and fled." It was such deeds as these that made each man in Marion's band a hero, and the names of Sergts. Jasper and Newton may well be given a perpetual place in history as the names of the Twin Counties that form the subject of these pages. PHYSICAL FKATURES. Newton County lies just north of the hydrographic basin of the Wabash River, and embraces an area of 401.2 square miles, or 256,720 acres. Its topography does not differ widely from that of Jasper County, which joins it on the east. Along the banks of the Kankakee some timber is found fringing the southern bank. The Iroquois, which flows in a general westerly course through the southeast part of the county, has a belt of timber of varying width along its banks. South of this timber belt lies that portion of the Grand Prairie of Illinois, which covers the southern tier of townships. This is the most fertile part of the county, and contains a larger proportion of inhabitants to the square mile than any other part. North of the Iroquois, until the Kankakee is reached, there are alternate groves of timber, much of which is of inferior value, and low prairies, which, when drained, will form quite valuable farming lands. Beaver Creek runs through the western half of the center of the county, and flows into the Illinois. Between this stream and the Kan- kakee lies Beaver Lake, which, at one time, covered nearly an entire Congressional township. The waters, which were, in places, of a depth of twelve feet or more, were drained off into the Kankakee, some twenty- five or thirty years ago, by an inexpensive ditch, some six miles in len^-th, under the swamp land law. The entire original area of the lake, except a portion of its southern part, is now susceptible of cultivation, and much of it is covered with fertile farms. THEN AND NOW. During the fifty years that have marked the presence of the white man here, groat changes have been wrought, and what appeared to the earlv settlers a dead level of prairie and swiimp, is now a pleasant area of tliriftv farms. This transformation has been achieved not by physical chan-^es, but by the natural effect of tillnge. The open land was originally eovei-ed HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 605 with a rank growth of prairie grass ; on the high lands the grass did not reach its normal height, while on the lower levels, its growth was of astonishing proportions, frequently reaching a height which would hide a man on horseback, and would thus tend to create the illusion of a per- fectly level plain. In the timber lands the change has been still more marked. The dense forests of young growth, underbrush and saplings did not exist fifty years ago. Then the timber, save along the .streams, was marked only by scattered groves which farming localities preserved from the ravages of the annual fires that swept over the prairies. These were started by accident from the fires of the hunters, or by the Indians to keep the timber in check and to clear the country of the rank grass stubble. These fires which kept the beautiful vista of prairie unobstruct- ed, were most to be dreaded of all the early contingencies with which the settler in the region had to deal. Those only who have been awakened at the " dead hour" of the night by the lurid light of the approaching flames, can appreciate the horror connected with such an event. The feeling of utter helplessness in face of the unequal combat ; the wall of fire, from ten to fifty feet high, advancing with the speed of the wind; the winged denizens of the prairie flying affrighted and screaming before its approach ; the maddened rush of deer, wolves and other animals, for- getting all other fear in the presence of this overshadowing calamity ; the terrible granduer of its irresistible advance ; the saffocating heat of its presence ; the charred and blackened waste which marked its fateful course ; the bewilderment of the isolated family grouped on the only bare spot that offered safety — all this cannot be imagined ; it must be feit to be appreciated. The excitement of its approach, passage and retreat, followed by the contemplation of the smoking ruins of a house, and im- provements which had cost months of toil, or of a crop that was the only hope of sustenance during the approaching winter, burns upon the brain of an interested spectator, a sight never to be forgotten, and one the early farmers took pains never to see repeated. " From the time the grass would burn, which was soon after the first frost, usually about the first of October, till the surrounding prairie was all burnt over, or if not all burnt till the green grass in the spring had grown sufliciently to prevent the rapid progress of the fire, the early settlers were continually on the watch, and as they usually expressed the idea, ' slept with one eye open.' When the ground was covered with snow, or during rainy weather, the apprehension was quieted, and both eyes could be safely closed. A statute law forbade setting the prairie on fire, and one doing so was subject to penalty, and liable in an action of trespass for the damage occurring ; but convictions were seldom effected. 606 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. a? proof was difficult to obtain, though there were frequent fires. These, started on the leeward side of an improvement, while dangerous to property to the leeward, were not so to property to the windward, as fire progressing against tne wind is easily extinguished, and the temptation to start one of these fires for some trivial purpose was often quite irre- sistible. " Various means were resorted to for protection. A common one was to plow several furrows around a strip, several rods wide, outside the im- provements, and then burn out the inside strip ; or to wait until the prairie was on fire and then set fire outside of this furrowing, reserving the inner strip for a late burn, i. e., until the following summer, and in -July burn both old grass and new. The grass would start afresh immediately, and the cattle would feed it close in preference to the older grass, so that the fire would not pass over it in the following autumn. This process re- peated would soon, or in a few years, run out the prairie grass, which in time would be replaced by blue grass, which will not burn to any serious extent. But all this took time and labor, and the crowd of business on the hands of a new settler, of which a novice has no conception, would prevent his doing what would now seem a small matter : and even when accomplished, all such precautions often proved futile. A prairie fire driven by a high wind would often leap such barriers and seem to put human eff"ort at defiance. " A prairie fire when first started goes straight forward with a velocity proportioned to the force of the wind, widening as it goes, but the center keep- ing ahead ; it spreads sideways, but burning laterally, it makes but com- paratively slow progress, and if the wind is moderate and steady, this spreading fire is not difficult to manage ; but if the wind veers a point or two, first one way and then the other, it seuiis this side fire bevond con- trol. The head fire, in dry grass and a head wind, is a fearful thing, and pretty sure to have its own way unless there is some defensible point to meet it. A contest with such a fire requires such skill and tact as can be learned only by experience, and a neighl)orhood of settlers called on bv such an exigency at once put themselves under the direction of the oldest and most experienced of their number, and go to work with the alacritv and energy of men defending their homes ami property from destruction. " The usual way of meeting advancing fires was to begin the defense where the head of the fire would strike, which was calculated bv the smoke and ashes brought by the wind along in advance of fire. A road, ciittle-path or furrow is of great value at such a place ; if there was no such, a strip of the grass was wetted down, if water could be procured, which was, however, a rather scarce article at the time of the annual HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 607 fire. On the side nearest the coming fire, of such a road or path, the grass is set on fire, which burns slowly against the wind until it meets the coming conflagration, which latter stops of course for want of fuel, pro- vided there has been suificient time to burn over a strip that cannot be leaped by the head fire as it comes in. This is called ' back-firing ; ' but in this method great care must be exercised to prevent the fire getting over the furrow or path, or whatever is used as the base of operations. If it gets in the rear of this and once under way, there is no remedy but to fall back to a more defensible position. The head of the fire successfully checked, the force of fire-fighters divide, part going to the right and part to the left, and the back-firing continued to meet the side fires as they come up. This must be continued until the fire is checked along the en- tire front of the premises endangered, and the sides secured. •' Various implements were used to put out a side or back fire, or even the head of a fire in a moderate wind. A fence board, four to six feet long, with one side shaved down for a handle, was very effective when struck flat upon the narrow strip of fire. A bundle of hazel brush, a spade or shovel was often used with effect. The women frequently lent their aid and dexterously wielded the mop, which, when thoroughly wet, proved a very efficient weapon, especially in extinguishing a fire in the fence. When the fire overcame all opposition, and seemed bound to sweep over the settlement, a fear of personal loss would paralyze, for the moment, every faculty, and as soon as the danger seemed imminent, united effort ceased, and each one hastened to defend his own as best he could. It is due to historical truth to say that actual ' losses were much less than might have been expected, though frequently quite severe. The physical efforts made in extinguishing a dangerous fire, and protecting one's home from this devouring element, were of the most trying nature, not unfrequently resulting fatally. " The premises about the residences and yards being trampled down by the family and domestic animals, after a year or two became tolerably safe from fire, but the fences, corn and stubble fields were often attacked. When the open land was all fenced and under cultivation, so that these fires were a thing of the past, the residents of the prairie were happily released from the constant apprehension which for years had disturbed their peace by night and caused anxiety by day, though the early settlers still retain vivid recollections of the grand illuminations nightly exhibited in dry weather, from early fall to late spring, by numberless prairie fires. The whole horizon would be lighted up around its entire circuit. A heavy fire six or seven miles away would afford sufficient light in a dark night to enable one to read fine print. When a fire had passed through the 608 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. prairie, leaving the long lines of side fires like two armies facing each other, the sight at night was sublime ; and if one's premises were securely protected, and he could enjoy the exhibition without apprehension, it was a sight well worth going far to see. MATERIAL RESOURCES. Geological data are rather meager in Newton County, and have never formed the subject of a report by the State Geologist, though it is ex- pected that the forthcoming report of this year (1883) will furnish some- thing of a survey of this interesting feature in the county's history. Boc ore is found in considerable quantities in the marshes, but to what extent, or what its commercial value may be, is uncertain, as no sys- tematic effort has as yet been made to ascertain the facts concerning it. Should railroad facilities and cheap freight ever be supplied, this deposit may prove the source of considerable revenue, as there is no reason to doubt that it differs materially from that found in Jasper County. Good limestone is found for building and lime purposes in the southern part of the county between Kentland and Goodland. The outcrop, some two miles east of Kentland, has caused some difficulty to amateur geologists, and various theories have been mooted to account for its phenomena, but not satisfactorily. It lies upon a shallow bed of sand, and some sixty- five feet above the nearest rock below, and seems to " stand upon its edge.'' The State Geologist made an examination of this quarrv in 1882, and finds difficulty in explaining the presence of certain fossils found here. Timber is found in quantities sufficient for all the demands thus far. [Note. — Since the above remarks were put in type, the report of John Collett, State Geologist, for 18S-2, and issued in 1883, has come to hand, and we think that portion which relates to Newton Countv will be acceptable reading to our subscribers, and therefore make room for it here. — Pubs.^ GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NEWTON COUNTY. Newton County contains four hundred square miles, of which the number of acres subject to taxation is 252,079, with an additional area of wet and swamp lands, in part belonging to the State, and not taxed, of about 2,000 acres, making a total of 2.5 4,079 acres. The whole of this area was originally about ^'6 per cent prairie, and at that time the number of acres in good timber was about 60,000 ; to which may be added about 25,000 acres of brush and small timber. The Kankakee River flows from east to south of west alom"' the whole of the northern boundary, forming the dividing line between it and Lake HISTORY OP NEWTON COUNTY. 609 County. Throughout its whole course it is sluggish and tortuous. The Iroquois River flows across the county in a nearly west direction, through the southern half, while Curtis Creek flows in a general southeasterly direction near the east-central part,joining the Iroquois in Jasper County, and Beaver Creek (the former outlet of Beaver Lake) runs south and west through the central parts into the State of Illinois. These were originally strong streams of water, with a full flow, gener- ally yellowish in color, from the decay of vegetable matter on its banks and from the iron in the marshes and swamps, while from the present constant source of supply of water they are not addicted to extreme very low stages or to sudden overflows. Their waters being of gentle current and muddy bottoms, are well adapted for the homes of non-migratory fishes, especially of the lake type ; hence the Kankakee, Iroquois and other streams are the delight of fishermen, who are rewarded with the best and brightest of the finny race. Beaver Lake, near the central part of the county, was formerly drained in a south and west direction by Beaver Creek. Its original area was about 25,000 acres, having a depth of from two to six feet, averaging about three and a half feet. It was drained by the State ditch from its northern extremity into the Kankakee River, and now the area covered with water is less than 1,000 acres. Of this original lake bed, 2,500 acres are at present in cultivation, while the balance is being rapidly drained and prepared for tillage. Little Lake, in the southwestern, and Mud Lake, in the northwestern, corner of Colfax Township, are smaller bodies of water, lying south and east of Beaver Lake. Surface Qonfiguration. — The general aspect of the county is a great plain, being an elevated plateau well up toward the summit of the glacial drift. Since, and during that epoch in geological history, the surface has been molded by sluiceways from melting ice and the waters of the present actual streams, formerly in greater volume. This has resulted in the formation of wide valleys, through which all the streams flow, with inter- vening ridges of from fifty to eighty feet above the valley centers. The ridge dividing the waters which flow into the Iroquois from those of the Wabash system, is close to the southern boundary of the county. Another important ridge, not quite so well defined, divides the Iroquois from the Kankakee. These ridges afl"ord ample facilities for the drainage of the northern and central districts, which will be treated further on, under the head of "Economic Geology." 610 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. In the northern third of the county, the soil is largely composed of loose sand ; hence, while it is not so well adapted to ordinary agricultural purposes, yet for special crops, with manures, it has been found productive and profitable. This last district is palpably lacustral in its characteristics. Sloughs, swamps, and marshy thoroughfares indicate the old beds of lakes, while the sandy divides between them show the ancient shore lines. But, sig- nificant of that time of many lakes, the whole region is traversed by sandy ridges on the northeastern shore of such lakes, having an invariable trend from northwest to southeast, with sloping sides to the southwest, and abrupt banks to the northeast. Heretofore it has been supposed that these were simply the shore lines of such bodies at different stages of water. The foregoing circumstances, however, added to a careful examination of the fact that these sand ridges are not laminated as by a deposit by water, show that their origin is due to other causes. The prevailing summer and autumnal winds at that time, as at pres- ent, were from the southwest. It is well known that loose sand is rapidly and powerfully drifted before a strong wind, as is seen at the '• Hoosier Slide " and adjoining regions at Michigan City, as well as in the donnes or sandy lands of France. Hence, in the direction from which the winds came, the slope of these sand ridges faces toward the southwest, and their abrupt bank is opposite to it, or toward the northeast. At occasional points, where an uninterrupted wind impinged against these ridges, or where the grass and brush had been removed bv Indian encampments, or by the passage of herds of buffalo, a break would occur upon the surface; the loose sand would be subjected to the action of the winds, and portions- of such ridges would be blown away, to be built up in the shape of new ridges, or mounds and hillocks, leaving behind cup- shaped basins or hollows, at the place of removal. Instances of such action may be seen all along the eastern and southeastern ridges surround- ing Beaver Lake. These knolls and sharp conical mounds naturally at- tracted the attention of our Mound-Builder predecessors, and are some- times mistaken for their own handiwork. On the divide between the Kankakee and the Iroquois are ridc'es, knolls and areas, underlaid by good beds of gravel, which had scarcelv been noticed until the time of my visit. This matter, of considerable practical value, will be noticed under the head of " Economic Geolo<>v." Recent Geology.— 'Y\\(; surface of the county is so deeplv covered with soil, sand and loam, which had their origin in causes still in action, such as lake, river and pond deposits, that but little study is afforded of HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 611 the greater modifying causes of the glacial and ancient lacustral epochs. The presence of the great ice drift is attested by the bowlders, gravels, and imported rocks from the distant North, as seen in the ditches and hillsides of this region, as well as occasionally in the open prairies. The deep wells throughout the county pierce the great bowlder drift. or clays of the " Ice age," and there is found a constant bed of this material covering the underlying rocks to a depth of from sixty to one hundred and fifty feet or more. This would indicate that powerful denuding currents swept from east to west over the county, cutting out deep, wide valleys in the rocky beds below, and removing remarkable amounts of stony material. Following upon this came the great northern ice flow, which filled up these valleys, and deposited its immense burden of clay, bowlders and gravels upon the surface to the depths mentioned above. The phenomena of these ancient erosions and denudations and the replacement of the surface of the county are indicated by the following sections of bores and deep wells : SECTION IN ALEX J. KENT S AYELL. Section 22, Township 27 north. Range 9 west, one mile northeast of Kentland, bored 1869 and 1870. Soil, black 3 ft. 06 in. Gray clay, bowlders 10 00 Bowlder, blue clay 70 00 The same, with partings of sand and fine gravel 100 00 Black slate, with bituminous partings 70 00 Devonian limestone 20 00 Upper Silurian limestone 48 00 00 Total 320 ft. 06 in. SECTION IN KENTLAND WELL, PUBLIC SQUARE. Section 21, Township 27 north, Range 9 west. Soil 3ft. 00 in. Blue glacial day 148 00 Black slate 73 00 Devonian limestone 35 00 Upper Silurian limestone 130 00 Total 368 ft. 00 in. Water flowed at 300 feet. 612 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. SECTION AT KENT'S WAREHOUSE, KENTLAND. Section 21, Township 27 north. Range 9 west. Soil 3ft- OOi"!- Blue bowlder clay 80 O'^ Black slate 80 00 Total 163 ft. 00 in. No water. SECTION AT Kent's farm, two miles southwest of kentland. Section 29, Township 27 north. Range 9 west. Blue clay 50 ft. 00 in. - Hard limestone. 00 00 Total 50 ft. 00 in. SECTION AT Kent's farm, four miles northeast of kentland. Section 18, Township 27 north. Range 8 west. Blue Clay 50 ft. 00 in. Water, in limestone 3 00 Total 53 ft. 00 in. section at besicker s. Section 14, Township 28 north. Range 10 west, eight miles north- west of Kentland, one and one-half miles east of State line. Soil 3 ft. 00 in. Yellow clay 6 00 Blue glacial clay 156 00 Gravel and sand 6 00 Total 171 ft. OOin. section AT MARK PETERSEN S FARM, EIGHT MILES NORTHWEST OP KENTLAND. Section 11, Township 28 north, Range 10 west, half a mile east of State line. Soil 2 ft. OOin. Y'ellow clay 6 00 Blue bowlder clay 154 00 Fine gravel 6 00 Sand •> 00 Total 170 ft. 00 in. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 613 SECTION AT P. STBICKLER's, TEN MILES WEST-NORTHWEST OF KENTLAND, HALF A MILE WEST OF STATE LINE. Soil 3 ft. 00 in. Yellow clay < 4 00 Yellow sand 1 00 Blue bowlder clay 117 00 Black slate 35 00 Limestone, Devonian 35 00 Limestone, Silurian 10 00 Total 195 ft. 00 i in. SECTION ON SAME FARM. Soil 3 ft. 00 in. Blue clay 132 00 "Water, in black slate 1 00 Total 126 ft. 00 in. Other wells in the adjoining regions of Illinois give slate and lime- stone at 110 to 125 feet, showing the deep erosion of the ancient valley of the Iroquois from northeast to west-southwest, and invites drainage in that direction. SECTION AT W. C. RUSSELL'S. Section 13, Township 28 north, Range 10 west, eight miles northwest of Kentland. Soil and drift 125 ft. 00 in. Black slate 10 00 Total 135 ft. 00 in. SECTION AT J. V. SPECK S. Section 18, Township 27 north. Range 10 west, five miles northwest of Kentland. Four wells, fifty-five to eigbty-six feet in blue clay ; wood and plant remains, ^vitll brown swamp muck at bottom 80 ft. 00 in. Sand and gravel 6 00 Total 86 ft. 00 in. Did not go down to slate or stone. This would indicate the ancient or early river bed south of Speck's and north of Kentland. In the Iroquois Valley many wells have been bored close along the stream ; all of these, so close to the river that the high water backs up to them, flow the year round. All are charged with iron and some with burning gas. 614 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. AVERAGE SECTION IN WELLS, FOUR MILES NORTH OF KENTLAND. Soil 2 ft, 00 in. Quiclisand 12 to 15 00 Blueclay 30 00 Hardpan gravel 5 00 Blue sand 4 00 Total 56 ft. 00 in. This average section indicates a great thickening of fluviatile deposits, and suggests the possibility that the channel of the Iroquois is being filled up. SECTION AT ISAAC EASTBURN's. Section- 23, Township 27 north, Range 10 west, four miles west of Kentland at State line. Black soil 3 ft. 00 in. Yellow clay 6 00 Blue glacial clay 25 00 Blue glacial clay with partings of sand 46 00 Gravel and fine sand 3 00 Total 83 ft, 00 in. The foregoing wells were bored by David McKenzie, to whom the survey is indebted for the statements here given. SECTION AVERAGE OF TWELVE WELLS BORED BY HYER BROTHER.- IN AND NEAR KENTLAND. Soil 2 ft. 00 in. Yellow clay 10 00 Blue glacial clay 45 q^ Sand, sharp .i qq "Tot"! 50 ft. 00 in. Water rises to within eighteen or twenty feet of the surface. SECTION IN drake's WELL. Section 25. Township 27 north. Range 9 west. ^''', ■ Ift.OOin. "1 ellow clay jo qO Blue glacial clay .i0 q^^ Gravel and sand .1 q,, '^''^"^' 35ft,00iu. Artesian flow. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 615 SECTION AT ED BRUSH'S, THREE MILES SOUTHWEST OF KENTLAND. Soil 2 f t. 00 iu. Tellow clay 7 00 Sand and gravel 4 00 Blue clay 68 00 Hardpan gravel 4 00 Limestone 1 00 Total 86 ft. 00 in. In this bore, artesian water rises to level of the ground. SECTION AT EZRA JONES', NEAR BROOK, ELEVEN MILES NORTHEAST OF KENTLAND. Soil 2 ft. 00 in. Yellow clay and sand 10 00 Blue glacial clay 45 00 Sand 1 06 Rock bottom 00 00 Total .58 ft. 06 in. SECTION IN GAS W^ELL, FRANCIS LOWE'S ONE-QUARTER MILE SOUTHWEST OF KENTLAND. Soil 2 ft. 00 in. Yellow clay 10 00 Blue clay 45 00 Quicksand 12 00 Black slate bottom 00 00 Total 69 ft. 00 in. Burning gas was discharged with violent periodic bursts, throwing sand and water thirty feet in the air. When gas was discharging, the tube trembled with agitation, and the outer tube became electrified, giving shocks. Another gas well in the town continued to discharge for twelve years. From these bores it is evident that the ancient valley of the Iroquois River existed one to two miles south of its present bed, and had a depth below the surface from 150 to 200 feet, deepening to the west. It is also known by a bore near the south line of Iroquois County, 111., that one of these east-west valleys had a depth of 500 feet through soil and bowl- der drift to its rocky bed. These indications seem to show that a new bed for the Iroquois, opened one or two miles south of the present channel, and produced across the line to some water-course 100 to 150 feet lower than the present surface of that valley, would cut for itself a deep channel through the clay sub-strat- um, drain this and adjoining regions to the east, and benefit the citizens 616 HISTORY Of NEWTON COUNTY. of this section of country, and the State of Indiana, to the extent of mill- ions of dollars. SECTION IN WELL AT MOROCCO. Yellow Clay 1^ ft- 0" in Blue clay "3 00 Niagara limestone to bottom 9 00 Total 136 ft. 00 in. Paleozoic Geology. — As before mentioned, nearly the whole surface of this county is deeply covered with glacial drift impenetrable to the ge- ologist's eye. It is known from the geology of the adjoining regions to the north, and from deep bores, that the northern part of the county is underlaid with Niagara limestone of the Upper Silurian age; that the Valley of the Iroquois is underlaid by Genesee shale (or black slate) of the Devonian age. Inferentially, the southern portion of the county should be underlaid by rocks of the Upper Devonian groups, or of the Subcarboniferous age. But three and a half miles southeast of Kentland the rocky beds come to the surface, or nearly approach it. over an area of more than 100 acres. At one of these exposures the bedding is nearly horizontal ; at the other, in close proximity, the rocks were in nearly a vertical position, with a north-south trend, showing either serious dislocations or deposition under circumstances which gave origin to the most pronounced false bedding. At the latter station, the stone was a slightly crystalline, bluish-gray limestone, with great nodules of cone-in-cone one to two feet in diameter, indicating pressure of superimposed material while it was in a plastic con- dition. At the time of my first visit, accompanied by Assistant George K. Greene, after a most careful and thorough search, not a single fossil, or fragment of a fossil, was found which could determine the aaje of these rocks. On a subsequent visit, Mr. Greene was alile to find, at one of these — McKee's Quarry (Section 26, Township '11 north. Range 9 west) some slabs, containina the followintr fossils : Telrndium libriiluni SalTord. Zygospira modesta Say. Strcptorbyut'iis Sp. '.' Lcpcrdilia Sp. '.' Plilodicty n Sp. ? Orl b oceras Sp. '? Fiiif;iu('iit.s of stems of (Jlyplocrimis. TIk'sc fossils indicate that the rocks are Silurian, and probably of Lower Silurian age. The mass is too large to admit of explanation by HISTORY OP NEWTON COUNTY. 617 its transportation during the ice period ; while the uniform, undisturbed condition of the strata of this and adjoining States will not allow the pre- sumption of upheaval and such dislocation of strata as would account for these phenomena. As shown by the bores reported, it is surrounded to the north and west, and at levels 150 to 200 feet lower than this point, by later Devo- nian shales and limestones ; on the south and east, still at a lower level, are the rocks of the Keokuk group of the still later Carboniferous age. This quarry is a mystery. Its investigation invites and will reward the future geologist, who may be enriched with better light than is now available. At present the only explanation which can be here given is that once the Silurian rocks of this and adjoining regions may have been built up to a thickness of 200 or 300 feet more than they are at present, and that eroding forces at the close of the Silurian age removed all the upper beds of that age to a depth of 200 or 300 feet, leaving this small area an immovable island in the surging waters, and afterward the later Devonian and Carboniferous beds were deposited around and against the sides of this monumental island. More light and research is needed and invited. Near Goodland, eight miles east of Kentland, the following exposures occur upon Cherry Creek, which show the occurrence of the Keokuk and Knobstone shales of the Subcarboniferous, and the black slate of the Devonian rocks. SECTION ON BLAKE WILSON'S FARM, GRANT TOWNSHIP. Section 25, Township 27 north. Range 8 west. Buff and light-colored limestone (Keokuk), con- taining geodes, fragments of crinoid stems and bryozoans 12 ft. 00 in. Knob shale with Diacitut newberryi and Lingula spatula 5 00 , Total 17 ft. 00 in. SECTION ON WILLIAM FOSTER'S FARM. Southwest half Section 25, Township 27 north, Range 8 west. Blue clay and shaly limestone (Keokuk gi-oup), containing geodes, geodized shells and crinoid stems 4 ft. 00 in. Ferruginous sandstone, containing vermiform fu- coids and Taoaurus. . . .8p ? 6 00 Total 10 ft. 00 in. 618 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. Archceology. —^toriQ implements of the pre-historic age are often found scattered over this county, more especially those used for the taking of fish. While the sand hillocks and knolls of the northern part of the county are often mistaken for works of the Mound-Builders, it is true that many such elevations have been capped by the homes and tumuli of that race. The elevated sandy ridge east of the southern part of Beaver Lake, built up by the winds to a height of seventy or eighty feet, which gives a wide outlook toward the rising sun and a grand view of the lake in its ancient dimensions, was extensively occupied by the Mound-Build- ers. Several clusters are reported, one of which contained seven mounds from two to twelve feet in height, and from twenty to eighty feet in diam- eter. Partially explored, two of these gave up bones, pottery and imple- ments of our extinct predecessors. Economic G-eology. — The soil of the southern half of the county is a rich, black pond alluvium or mold, varied by areas of loamy soil. It has been enriched and manured by the decomposition of plants for thousands of years, and is fully equal to the richest and best lands of the world. No manures are used or required. Since the first settlement, these farms, instead of deteriorating, have increased in productive power, and will con- tinue for years to grow richer and better as the country is improved. The oldest fields of the county were seen bearing full crops of corn, oats and other cereals, while it is even better adapted to the growth of grazing and meadow grasses. The citizens are generally prosperous, as indicated bv comfortable residences and improved farms. The northern areas, as before mentioned, are sand ridges, sandv loams, with intermediate aUuvial lake basins. These need special treat- ment, and are being cultivated by immigrants from Chicago and the East, with astonishing success. To enable the farmer to reap full returns from the rich soil above mentioned, drainage is a necessity. The alternate ridges and valleys of this country afford a certain mode of elTectuallv bringing these soils to the highest state of cuUvation h\ the ficilities they oft'er. A plan devised by a competent engineer — runuinir open ditches from the southern part of the county to the Iroquois, or from the northern riilges to the neighboring sttoams, located upon each north-south section line, and cut down to the underlying clays, will, by their pronounced fall, continually deepen and clear their own way. These will aftord ample facilities tor the use of tiles on adjoining lands, make improved roads possible along their banks, and bless the people of the county with boun- HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 619 tiful returns of health, wealth and their concomitants — intelligence and morality. Bores in deep wells show that the ancient valley of the Iroquois, a short distance south of its present course, was in early ages deeply eroded, and when a new course is re-opened through this channel, as in the future it may and will be. it will offer ample facilities for the drain- age of all the center of this and the southern parts of Jasper County. In time of wet weather, the roads of this county are simply abomi- nable, and deny the citizens the proper enjoyment of civilization, the fruits of labor and social life. With the system of open ditches before mentioned, a possible road- bed is attainable. The stone of McKee's quarry, when properly broken, will afford abundant material of excellent quality for " metaling" the highways of the southern part of the county. Throughout the region north of Kentland, the common excuse for the impassable roads was the lack of material with which to improve them. Upon examining the knolls and dividing ridges north of the Iroquois, beds of gravel from six to twelve feet in thickness were found, near to and south of Morocco, at Kennedy's and A. Doty's. Four miles southeast of Mo- rocco, in Section 31, Town 29 north, Range 8 west, there is a gravel hill having an area of ten acres, indicating a good supply, as also on the land of G. W. Carmichael. This gravel is the detritus of the bowlder drift, and of such quality as to offer the best possible material for constructing turn- pikes and other good roads. Other beds exist along the whole course of this ridge, and the sup- ply is sufficient to afford good roads, passable at any season of the year in every part of the county. It seems strange that this bounty of nature, this grand source of comfort has hitherto been so constantly overlooked. Clays, for brick and tile, of good quality, are found in all parts wher heavy growths of timber have existed, and in some of the island groves they invite use by the prudent builder and farmer. On rolling lands, or those partially ditched, the crops of corn, wheat and oats were excellent, showing heavy and profitable yields. Sorghum is cultivated and does well, while the cultivation of flax seed could be made profitable. The black lands, in a state of nature, were covered with a luxuriant growth of wild grass, and when subdued they readily set to tame grasses, including blue grass. The more elevated sandy hills and ridges are well suited to the growth of fruits. Grapevines and the small fruits are especially productive and profitable, and meet a ready market in the city of Chicago. 37 620 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. Garden vegetables grow luxuriantly in the warm, rich soils of this county, with profit to the farmer and joy to the housewife. The remuner- ation "in their cultivation invites the devotion of larger areas to this pur- pose. Several farms in the northern parts are devoted to the raising of garden seeds for the great dealers in Michigan, New England and the Eastern seaboard. The choicest grades of seeds, raised on Indiana soil, are bettered (?) and largely improved (?) by shipment from hence to the great dealers, who return them with flashy show bills, well engraved en- velopes, and doubled prices! The garden seeds produced here are equal if not superior to those raised elsewhere, and return a handsome profit, or 200 to 300 per cent, upon the labor bestowed. Timber consists principally of oak, and is used for mechanical pur- poses and for fuel. Coal is used to some extent in the villages, but rather on account of its convenience than on account of its cheapness. The soil, however, is the great resource of the county. This is principally a dark or black loam, with here and there in the north, a sand ridge. The sloughs and ponds are being gradually drained, and the promise is that in a few years the county will be transformed from a low marshy country to fine grain lands and grazing farms. The prairie fires did not cease altogether before 1860. and systematic farming found but little encouragement here before ISTO. The county is still too new, and its soil too little exhausred to enforce the necessity of such cultivation to any considerable extent. The chief products are corn, wheat, oats, flax, potatoes, etc. Corn and hay, cattle and hogs are, how- ever, the principal source of revenue to the fanner. Wheat is sown to some extent, and one gristmill in the county finds custom business enough to keep it in operation the entireyear, though a large part of the business is preparing feed and grinding corn. Generally this grain is not found to be , a reliable crop in this locality. A large part of the county is prairie, nearly level, with great capacity for supporting water. What little snow falls, does not rest tjuietly where it settles, but is blown about by the winds, which have almost unbroken sweep. This leaves the wheat plant at the mercy of the thawing, freezing and heavintr-out process during February and March. Systematic draining, by means of open ditches and of tile, and libera! coatings of coarse manure applied before the middle of February, may solve the problem of successlul wheat cul- ture here. Small fruits, straw, rasp and bhick berries, are not extensively rultivated, although both soil and climate are favorable. Grapes do well, tlie commoner kinds being iiardy, and yielding sure crops of good fruit. HISIORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 621 Some varieties of pears may be grown with success, but with moderate re- turns only. Peaches and quinces are subject to severe cold in winter, and die badly, while apples prove hardy and return a pretty sure and abundant crop. This is emphatically a cattle and hog producing district, and probably more attention has been paid to the raising and improvement of these classes of stock than to any other of the branches of husbandry. The aim has been to produce beef to the neglect of milkers, lience short-horn breeds have been the favorite with cattle-growers. Large herds of cattle are less frequently met than formerly, not that there are fewer cattle bred, but they are scattered around more generally and not kept together in large bunches as in the days before the county was so thickly settled. Among those who have been prominent in this branch of industry, are A. J. Kent (deceased), William Russell, Thomas Barker, Joseph Law, Dr. Triplett, G. N. Stewart, T. S. Brecount, L V. Speck, Blake Wilson and others. Corn holds a prominent place among the sources of revenue to the farmer, eighty bushels to the acre, in a good year, being a common prod- uct, the county reaching an aggregate of upwards of two and a half millions of bushels. A large proportion finds its way to market through the three large elevators at Keutland and one at Goodland. Hay is be- coming a large feature in the marketable produce of the county, a con- siderable quantity finding its way to market each year. Next to cattle, corn and hay, hogs find an important sale here. The breeds are Berkshire, Poland-China, and Jersey Red, with a decided preference for the first named, either pure breed, cross or common grade. Sheep hold a modest place, no large flocks are kept, but many farmers own from a dozen to fifty head. The long-wool breeds, and their crosses with the natives are the favorites. The horses are chiefly what may be called general-purpose animals. The introduction of the Norman and Clydes- dale breeds has made the stock on many farms much more serviceable and marketable than before their advent. The quarter crosses of these large breeds upon scrubs are excellent horses for the general use of the farmer. Swamp lands constitute a large part of the territory of Newton County, and, as in Jasper County — of which Newton was then a pare — were the prey of unprincipled schemers. These lands were granted to the State by the General Government for the purposes of drainage, and by a law enacted in 1852, the State provided for the drainage of such counties as needed it by the revenue arising from the disposition of these lands. Newton was one of the counties most directly interested in this provision. 622 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. and had the property thus granted been properly administered, most of the land now a barren waste would have been long ago reclaimed. The plan of operations by which the frauds were carried on are thus described in an official report by a committee of the Legislature : "The Commissioner, at a letting of a large amount of ditching under the law of 1852, let almost the entire work to one man for the sum of 20 cents the cubic yard, although at this letting there were other good and responsible bids for the same work at 14 cents the cubic yard, and one as low as 10 cents. The ditching contracted for at this letting has never been finished according to the plans and specifications, and some of the ditches are worthless. The entire estimate of this work, amounting to $39,451.59, has been paid to the contractor. According to the testi- mony before us, this one transaction has resulted in great loss to the Swamp Land fund, and loss to the value of real estate in the vicinity of the work." So easily were these frauds committed, and so little check were the officials in charge of this interest, that a spirit of speculation entered into these operations, and several companies were formed which obtained deeds for large amounts of land in Newton and adjoining counties. When these proceedings were discovered, an act was passed by the Legislature requiring the return of these fraudulent conveyances, but providing that the loose contracts, by which these frauds had been effected, might be ratified and confirmed by the Swamp Land Commissioner. Through the loop-hole thus left the balance of these lands, amounting in this and Jasper County to some one hundred and seventy-five thousand acres, were absorbed without the return of any adequate equivalent. This, of course, could be done only through the complicity of officials, but where there was so great a corruption fund, and so little check against malfeasance, the officials were readily won. Under the provision that the contractor might at any time, by depositing §1.25 per acre with the County Treasurer, for tiie whole or any part of the lands in liis list, take out certificates and procure patents for the same, and that the monev so paid into the county treasury should then be retained', to be repaid to the contractor at the rate of seventy-live per cent upon estimates of work done, until the contract was completed, when all should be repaid, tlie officer in charge confirmed old contracts at prices niucli higher than originally let for, and contractors were permitted to file lists of lands to any amount they desired. Hy arrangement with the proper official, oven this requirement was abated, and many obtained certificates of purchase for which no deposit had ever been made. The land, being thus absorbed and there being no money on deposit to compel the completion of the contract, the HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 623 great project for which there was originally abundant means to carry out failed and the county at large is no better for the generous donation of the General Government. Newton takes pre-eminence in this general raid upon the swamp lands, in that a considerable amount of land was acquired without the observance of even this limited show of legality. In refer- ence to this transaction, the report above cited, goes on to say : " There is evidence before the committee showing that M , with- out the shadow of authority or law, issued to , in the name of his brother and others, certificates of purchase for a large amount of these lands previously filed for, by contractors, and upon these fraudulent certi- ficates obtained patents ; and that the contractor, whose lands he had thus stolen, in order to avoid troublesome and expensive litigation, com- promised with him, permitting him to retain 3,500 acres of these lands thus obtained, of which M got a portion." A considerable portion of this county is now suffering from this general misappropriation of the drainage fund, but the settlement and tillage of these lands will, in the near future, effect what the State failed to do. Already a great transformation had been eft'ected, and every year brings new energy and new resources to this effort, of such vital importance to lands bordering the Kankakee. The change that has been effected in the character of the surface of the country since the settlement of the whites is marvelous. Only the pioneer, who beheld the broad prairie covered with ever-present joint grass, the varying height of which rendered the broad expanse a decep- tive level, and contrasts that with the rolling area of cultivated forms of the present, can fully appreciate the change. The timber lands that fringe the margin of the streams have undergone a hardly less remarkable change. Unlike the experience in a timbered country, here the wooded area has increased. The young growth and saplings which the fires of early times kept in check, have developed into considerable trees under the fostering care of the farmer, and the timber has encroached upon the open land, so that the area of woods is now mucli larger than fifty years ago. The prairie fires were as regular a phenomenon as the recurring sea- sons, and while, fortunately, they were less destructive than the uninitiated might expect, they were none the less serious to deal with. The pioneer farmer built as few fences as possible, and such as he was obliged to con- struct cost him an expensive outlay of time. When these with his rude barn and stacks of grain began to mark the home of the thriving settler, his very prosperity made him the readier victim of this early scourge. Against this evil, there was no sure defense, but eternal vigilance. So great was the danger from this cause, the State forbade the wanton fir- (524 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. ing f.f the grass, which at certain times of the year burned like tinder; but the subject was one little able to be controlled by legislative action. The inadvertence of hunters or teamsters was sufficient alone to account for most of the fires. It was the habit, too, of many farmers to plow a few furrows along the line of their fences and then a few rods further out to plow another series of farrows. Between these lines of plowing the grass was burne'., by starting from some barrier, and firing the grass, and allowing it to burn slowly' to meet the approachini; conflagration. The property principally endangered was the fences. The cabins and stacks, after a few years at least, were generally safe from distruction. The joint grass was destroyetl by the constant tramping of animals, and the mowing and grazing to which it was subject, and its place supplied by the blue grass which springs upon its place spontaneously, and will not burn. Blazing grass, however, is often carried far out of the track of the fire, and in very dry.scascuis, this caused some anxiety, as there was dan- ger that a stack or even the roof of the cabin might aftord material for it to ignite. With all the precauti()ns that were taken several severe losses were experienced in this county', and the fires did not entirely cease to run nnlil about 1860. TRACES OF EARLIEST INHABITANTS. The wdiite, if the evidences of arcluBology teach anything, is the third race to inhabit this region. The traces of former inhabitants, while not the most perfect or abundant, are .sufficiently well attested as to leave no doubt but that there are some relics of that i)re- historic race that scientists HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 625 have agreed to call Mound-Builders. The principal remains of this race ■which have been discovered are several mounds, which furnish in the characteristics of their construction the evidence of their origin. One is found in Washington Township, and is plainly marked. Others are to be seen some three miles north of Morocco, where excavations have been re- warded by the discovery of human bones and primitive stone implements. Still another mound, with large sized trees growing upon its surface, is found near the Illinois State line, on the south bank of the Iroquois River. No scientific examinations of these structures have as yet been made, and it is quite probable that the bones and implements found be- longed to the Indians, and were placed there by the intrusive burials, which are so frequently found elsewhere in these mounds. Still other evidences are so complete as to leave little doubt that this mysterious race once had their existence here. Robinson Crusoe's unexpacted discovery of a human footprint upon the sands' of his solitary island, was hardly more startling than have been the discoveries of antiquarians in Europe within the past twenty-five years. Scientific followers of Usher and Petarius had placed the various migrations of men, the confusion of tongues, the peopling of continents, the development of types — the whole evolution of human society, within the narrow compass of a little more than four thousand years, when the discoveries of the geologist and ethnologist developed the trace of human existence dating back to a possible period 30,000 years ago. Nor are confirmatory evidences to the truth of these discoveries entirely wanting in the new world. The gold-drift of California has supplied abundant testimony to the high antiquity of man, and notably the " Pliocene skull," the popular conception of which is derived more widely, perhaps, from a characteristic poem by Bret Harte than from scientific publications. Ex- plorations in Illinois, Missouri and South Carolina have yielded similar testimony, and while it should be stated that in many cases these evi- dences rest upon the testimony of single observers, and that there is not that recurrence of " finds " which would render "assurance doubly sure," yet there seems to be no doubt in the minds of scientists that the " eider man " was also an inhabitant of this neiv world. Descending to a later time, and one probably falling within the his- toric period, we find the more tangible traces of an early race of men. Of this race, named from the character of their remains, the Mound- Builders, we find the evidences vastly multiplied, and of such character as to afford means of forming a reasonable conjecture as to their mode of life, their advancement in civilization, and final destiny. These evidences, though first accepted with great distrust, have been so amplified and con- 626 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. firmed by more recent researches, as to leave no room for reasonable doubt as to the former existence of this race. The remains upon which this conclusion is based, " consists," says Mr. Foster, " of tumuli symmet- rically raised and often inclosed in mathematical figures, such as the square, the octagon and circle, with long lines of circumvallation ; of pits in the solid rocks, and rubbish heaps formed in the prosecution of their mining operations, and of a variety of utensils, wrought in stone, or cop- per, or molded in clay."* To the uninstructed mind these mounds, doubtless, seem a very slight foundation upon which to construct the fabric of a national existence, and yet to the archaeologist they furnish "proofs as strong as Holy Writ;" in them they find as distinctive characteristics as mark the pre-historic remains of the Pelasgi, the "wall-builders" of Europe, a not dissimilar race in many respects, and one who long ago found a place in the realities of history : and while they diifer in ex- ternal form and are scattered over a wide scope of territory — character- istics in marked contrast with those of the aboriginal race found here in possession of the country, yet the scientist finds in each mound the never- failing marks of a race peculiarity. The widest divergence from the typical mound is found in Wisconsin. Here, instead of the circular or pyramidal structure, are found forms, for the most part, consisting of rude, gigantic imitations of various animals of the region, such as the buffalo, bear, fox, wolf, etc.: of the easrle and night hawk, the lizard and turtle, and in some instances the unmistakable form of man. These, though not raised high above the surface, and even in some cases represented intaglio, attain the largest dimensions : one repre- senting a serpent extending 700 feet, and anotiier representing a turtle, had a body fifty-six and a tail 1^50 feet long. The significance of these peculiar forms has not been determined, but unmistakable evidences have been discovered which mark them as the work of the same race whose structures are found elsewhere, so numerous throughout the Mississippi Valley. Typical structures are sometimes classified with reference to their purpose, as " Inclosures — 1. For defense ; -. Sacred: 3. Miscellaneous. Mounds — I. Of sacrifice: 2. For temple sites : 3. Of sepulture; 4. Of observation." Of the first class, the inclosures for defense seem to have been constructed simply for protection against hostile attack. The loca- tions chosen are those best adapted naturally to repel a military attack. The only approach is generally by a steep and narrow way, requiring- the assailant to place himself at immense disadvantage, while the t^arrison provided with parapets often constructed of rubble stone, could fight uml er cover, and m ay bo found in these stones his store of ammunition. •FoBlnr'e " Pre-biBtoric Racos i>f the United Slates." HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 627 The "sacred" inclosure included within its lines the mounds of the three leading classes, as the uses to which they were put were all sacred to this people, and yet in the "American Bottom" in Illinois, where the mound system reaches, perhaps, its highest development, the mounds of these classes are not inclosed. The mounds of sacrifice, or altars, as they are variously termed, are generally characterized by the fact "that they occur only within the vicinity of the inclosures or sacred places ; that they are stratified ; and that they contain symmetrical altars of burned clay or stone, on which were deposited various remains, which in all cases have been more or less subjected to the action of fire."* In re- lation to this latter characteristic, it should be said that it is not at all plain that the use of fire was intended for cremation. A thin coating of moist clay was applied to the body nude, or wrapped in cloth, and upon this a fire was maintained for a more or less prolonged period, but in most cases the heat was not sufEcient to destroy the cloth sometimes found in a good state of preservation. This evidently did not result from a lack of knowledge, as cremation and urn burial was also practiced. Temple mounds are described by Squier and Davis as " distinguished by their great regularity of form and general large dimensions. They consist chiefly of pyramidal structures, truncated and generally having graded avenues to their tops. In some instances they are terraced or have successive stages. But whatever their form, whether round, oval, octangular, square or oblong, they have invariably flat or level tops," and upon these were probably constructed their temples, but which, con- structed of perishable materials, have left no trace of their existence. This class of mounds are not found along the lake region or that line which seems to mark the farthest advance of this people. The principal structures of this class are found at Cahokia, in Illinois; near Florence and Claiborne, in Kentucky ; at Seltzertown, Miss. ; at Marietta, New- ark and Chillicothe, in Ohio, and at St. Louis, Mo. The mound at Ca- hokia, " the monarch of all similar structures in the United States," may well serve as a type. When in all its integrity, this mound formed a huge parallelogram, with sides at the base, respectively, 700 and 500 feet in length, towering to the height of ninety feet. On the southwest, there was a terrace, 160x300 feet, which was reached by a graded way, and the summit was truncated, affording a platform, 200x450 feet. This structure, upon which was probably reared a spacious temple, perhaps the principal one in the empire, covered an area of about six acres, while in close proximity were four elevated platforms, varying from 250 to 300 feet in diameter. The great mound of St. Louis reached a height of thirty-five feet, and that at Marietta to about the same height. ♦Squler and DaviB' "Ancient Monumente," etc. 628 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. "Sepulchral mounds," says Mr. Foster in his volume oa the pre-his- toric races, " consist often of a simple knoll, or group of knolls, of no con- siderable height, without any definite arrangement. Examples of this character may be seen at Dubuque, Merom, Chicago and La Porte, which, on exploration, have yielded skulls differing widely from the Indian type. * * * The corpse was almost invariably placed near the original sur- face of the soil, enveloped in bark or coarse matting, and, in a few in- stances, fragments of cloth have been observed in this connection. Some- times a vault of timber was built over it, and in others it was inclosed in long and broad flags of stone. Sometimes it was placed in a sitting position, again it was extended, and still again it was compressed within contracted limits. Trinkets were often Strang about the neck, and water jucs, drinking cups and vases, which probably contained food, were placed near the head. Over the corpse thus arrayeii, a circular mound was often raised, but sometimes nothing more than a hillock." Other mounds have been found that favored the theory that many of these structures were used for miscellaneous burial. A notable example is the " Grave Creek Mound," in West Virginia, twelve miles below Wheeling. This mound is something over seventy feet high, of circular form, with a circumference at the base of about "JOO feet. In the center of this mound, on a level with the original surface, was found a vault with twelve human skeletons, and thirty-four feet above this was found a similar vault, in- closing a skeleton which had been decorated with a profusion of shell- beads, copper rings and plates of mica. In a mound at Vincennes, " a bed of human bones, arranged in a circle eighteen feet in diameter, closely packed and pressed together." In another, at Merom, three tiers of vaults were found, in each of which were found from five to seven human skeletons. Mounds of observation is a rather fanciful classifica- tion intended to mark mounds found on elevated points of land. The authors of this classification think tliat these may have been used as plat- forms on wliich to buihl signal fires, and such is their elevation and out- look that such signals could have been seen at great distance. This theory of a special purpose, however, has not been accepted, as supported by any special evidence. They may have been so used, or simply as an eligible site for residence. There is in addition to these mounds a large number which are not embraced in this classification, which, following Mr. F. W. Putnam, whom Mr. Foster (juotes at length, may be called " Habitation Mounds." A large number of these are described as located at Merom, Ind., and " a grou[) of fifty-nine mounds " at Hutsonville, 111., a few miles above the former place and across the Wabash River. These mounds were care- HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 629 fully examined " to ascertain if they were places of burial," without dis- covering a single bone or implement of any kind, but, on the contrary, the excavations " showed that the mounds had been made of various ma- terials at hand, and in one case ashes were found, which had probably been scraped up with other material and thrown upon the heap." In the ancient fort at Merom, in depressions found within the earthworks, were found striking evidences of food having been cooked and eaten there, and the conclusion drawn by Mr. Putnam is " that these pits were the houses of the inhabitants or defenders of the fort, who were probably further protected from the elements and the arrows of assailants by a roof of logs and bark, or boughs." Another writer in a paper* read before the American As.sociation for the Advancement of Science at their Bos- ton meeting, August, 1880, says: "There is in this region a peculiar class of mounds that was for a long time a puzzle to me. They are usu- ally found in groups of from two or three to twenty or thirty, and even more, and are generally on some pleasant knoll or rising ground in the vici:iity of a spring of water-course, especially in the vicinity of our prai- ries or level areas of land. These mounds are from one to three, and in a few instances, even four, feet in heiglit, and from twenty to fifty feet in diameter. One mound of the group is always larger than the rest, and always occupies the commanding position. Sometimes the group is ar- ranged in a circle ; other groups have no apparant design in arrangement. Numbers of these mounds can be seen in the cultivated fields. " Although I have made excavations in them, and dug trenches en- tirely through them, I have found nothing but ashes, charcoal, decayed portions of bones of fishes and animals partially burned, shells from the adjacent streams, flint chippings, and in one or two instances a flint im- plement of a rude character. " After examining many of these structures, I am induced to believe that they are possibly the remains of ancient dwellings, made by placing in an upright position the trunks of young trees in a circle, or in parallel rows, the tops of the poles inclining inward and fastened together, the whole being covered with earth and sod to form a roof, or in the same manner as many Indian tribes make their mud lodges; as, for instance, the Mandana and the Omahas. Such a structure, after being repaired from time to time by the addition of more earth on top, would finally, by the decay of the poles, fall inward and the ruins would form a slight mound. '■ Conant and Putnam describe such mounds in Missouri and Ten- nesee, some of the largest of these ancient towns being provided with streets and highways. They are also found in Southern Illinois, Indiana » Hon. William McAdams, Jr., Otterville, 111. 630 . HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. and Ohio. Putnam has rlescribed an inclosed town in Tennessee, in which were many low mounds, or rather, as he calls them, earth circles, that he has pretty conclusively shown to be sites of the lodges or houses of the people." To which of these classes the mounds in Newton County shall be re- ferred can only be determined by a thorough investigation, but it is prob- able, from such reports as are current among the well informed persons of the county, that they are pretty well described in the language of Mr. Mc Adams. These mounds, with the implements formed in stone, metal and pot- tery (of which the scope of this work allows no mention), form the data upon which is founded the historical speculation concerning this people. Once having reasonably established the former existence of this extinct race, the absorbing question presents itself — Who were the Mound- Builders? The limited space devoted to this subject, however, forbids any extended consideration of the interesting scientific deductions made from these data, though the conclusion arrived at may be briefly stated in the language of Mr. Foster,* as follows : "Their monuments indicate that, they had entered upon a career of civilization ; they lived in station- ary communities, cultivating the soil and relying on its generous yield as a means of support ; they clothed themselves in part at least, in garments regularly spun and woven ; they modeled clay and carved stone, even of the most obdurate character, into images representing animate objects, even the human face and form, with a close adherence to nature! they mined and cast copper into a variety of useful forms ; they quarried mica, steatite, chert, and the novaculite slates, which they wrought into articles adapted to personal ornament, to domestic use, or to the chase; utdike the Indians who were ignorant of the curative proper- ties of salt, they collected the brine of the salines into earthen vessels molded in baskets which they evaporated into a form which admitted of transportation ; they erected an elaborate line of defense, stretching for many hundred miles, to guard against the sudden irruption of enemies ; they had a national religion, in which tlie elements were the object-^ of supreme adoration ; temples were erected upon the platform mounds, and watchfires lighted upon tlie highest summits ; and in the celebration of the mysteries of their fiith, human sacrifices were probably oftered up. The magnitude of their structures, involving an infinitude of labor, such oulv as could be expended in a community where cheap food prevailed, and the great extent of tiieir commercial relations reaching to widely separated portions of the continent, imply tlie existence of a stable and * " Fre-Iiistoric Races," etc., p. 350. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 631 efficient government, based on the subordination of the masses. As the civilizations of the old world growing out of the peculiar conditions of soil and climate developed certain forms of art which are original and unique, so on this continent we see the crude conception in the truncated pyramid, as first displayed in Wisconsin, Ohio and Illinois, and the accomplished result in the stone-faced foundations of the temples of Uxmal and Palenque. And finally, the distinctive character of the Mound- Builders' structures, and also the traditions which have been preserved, would indicate that this people were expelled from the Mississippi Valley by a fierce and barbarous race, and that they found refuge in the more genial climate of Central America, where they developed those germs of civilization originally planted in their Northern homes, into a perfection which has elicited the admiration of every modern explorer." The obvious inquiry suggested by these conclusions is. Who succeeded this extinct race? To this question science offers no answer. Two hy- potheses are entertained as the origin of Mound-Builders here, the one supposes them to be of autothionic origin, aiid that semi-civilization orig- inating here flowed southward and culminated in the wonderful develop- ments of the Toltecs of Mexico ; the other supposes them to have origi- nated in the South American continent or in Central America, and to have emigrated northward from natural causes, and later to have returned to Mexico, driven from their northern empire by an irresistible foe or by a powerful political irruption among themselves. Upon any theory, the line of their most northward advance is pretty clearly defined, and writers upon this subject generally agree that the line of defenses " extending from sources of the Alleghany and Susquehanna, in New York, diagonally across the country, through Central and Northern Ohio, to the Wabash," accurately indicates the region from whence attacks were made and ex- pected, and marks the farthest extent of the Mound-Builders' empire. But what was the character of the foe, what his action on the retreat of the Mound-Builders, and what his final destiny, is an unwritten page of science, and for which there exists no known data. It is a late suggestion that the North American Indian may be a degenerate but legitimate de- scendant of the dominant race, but there is a broad chasm to be bridged before the Mound-Builder or his successful assailant can be linked with these aboriginal tribes. Without making any such attempt, however, the Indian naturally succeeds this people in regular historical order, and passing over the vexed question of his origin, it is sufficient for the pur- poses of this work that the whites found him everywhere in full posses- sion of the country. The Indians. — With the advent of the white man in America be- 682 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. gan the ''irrepressible conflict" which was destined never to cease so long as the red man retained a vestige of power. In this struggle the absence of national organization or affiliations on the part of the Indians, made the final success of the whites inevitable from the beginning. Tak- ing each tribe or section of country in succession, the little band of ad- venturers conquered this vast country, and planted here one of the mighty nations of the world. It was due to this lack of any bond of union that the Indiana tribes were allowed to rest so long undisturbed in their fancied security. Rumors of the conflict waging on the Atlantic border were borne to their ears by chance visitors from other tribes, and later by remnants of vanquished tribes who sought with them an asylum from their fjes, but still no apprehension of impending disaster dawned upon their super- stitious ignorance, while the reflection that the Iroquois, the enemy which their experience had taught them most to fear, had met an overpowering foe, gave them no little satisfaction . The great family to which these tribes were allied by language, phys- ical and mental peculiarities, was the Algonquin. Before the encroach- ment of the whites the numerous tribes of this family occupied most of the territory now embraced in the United States, between the 35th and 60th parallels of latitude, and the 60th and 105th meridians of longitude. According to Davidson,* the starting point in the wanderings of the Al- gonquin tribes on the continent as determined by tradition and the cultivation of maize, their favorite cereal, was in the Southwest. Passintr up the western side of the Mississippi Valley, they turned eaat\yard across that river, the southern margin of their broad tract reaching about to the 35th parallel, while the center probably covered the present terri- tory of Illinois. On reaching the Atlantic coast, they seemed to have moved northeasterly along the seaboard to the mouth of the St. Lawrence; thence ascending this river and the shores of the great lakes, they spread northward and westward to Hudson Bay, the basin of Lake Winnipecrand the valley of the Upper Mississippi ; and tiience the head of the misratory column, circling round thesource of tlie great river, re-crossed it in a south easterly direction above the Falls of St. Anthony, and passintr bv wav of Green Bay and Lake Miciiigan came into the present limits of Illinois. Indiana and Ohio. Thus after revolving in an irregular ellipse of some 3,000 miles in diameter, they fell into the original track eastward. This extended course of migration, induced by a ^rariety of causes and circum- stances, continued through a long period, the original stock probably re- ceiving considerable accessions from the nomadic tribes of the Pacific .slope, and leaving behind large numbers at each remove, until the head *It:iviils(MiN iind Slnvo's " Kislory of Illiuois." HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 633 of the column came to rest from sheer lack of momentum or other mov- ing influences. Thus scattered over a large expanse of country, and broken into numerous tribal organizations, they lost much of their family aflSliations and characteristics, and the early whites found the Algonquins e'^erywhere possessing the border lands, and waged with them their first and bloodiest wars. Situated within the ellipse above described, were the nations of the Iroquois family, who held together by circumstances and posted advantageously on the inner side of the circle, able at any time to mass their forces upon a single point of the circumference, soon proved a devastating scourge to the Indian world, and especially so to the Algonquins. Of the tribes of this latter family, the Pottawatomies are the only ones closely identified with this county. The various tribes of this nation, to the number of 4,000 persons, occupied the northern part of the State up to 1832. 'Their chief village was early at Ohitchakos, near the Tip- pecanoe River, where the earliest French explorers found them, and where a mission was established nearly 300 years ago. The nation orig- inally occupied a part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, whence they were driven by the irresistible Iroquois. They subsequently found a place of refuge in VVisconsin, but when the power of their enemy was broken by the whites, they returned to a place near their own haunts. The Pottawatomies were a bold, warlike people, and were generally found allied against the whites. Among them were found some of the most prominent warriors and chiefs of the Western nations, the record of whose eloquence and feats of daring is found in all the history of the frontier wars. They were allied with the French against the Iroquois and En- glish, with the English against the Americans, and took a prominent part jn Pontiac's conspiracy, yielding only to the inevitable in the general pacification which closed the war of 1812. Notwithstanding their bitter hostility to the whites, arising from their conviction that the pale face, if unresisted, would drive them to the western ocean, when once they had plighted their faith, they were less vacillating than many of the tribes. During the Winnebago outbreak in 1827, they resisted the entreaty of the hostile tribes, and again in 1832, when Black Hawk strove to unite the savage nations in a combined attack upon the whites, he met a fatal obsta- cle in the faithful attitude of the Pottawatomie nation. Shabbona, who shares with Shakespeare the distinction of having his name spelled in an endless number of ways, was a prominent civil chief of the nation in Eastern Illinois. He was known among the natives, as the " white man's friend," and when Black Hawk was betrayed into hostilities, at the news of the Indians' first blow and success, he sent his son and nephew in difi"er- 634 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. . ent directions, while he went in still another to warn the settlers of the impending danger, thus saving the lives of many in the isolated settle- ments. In the operations which followed, with Waubonsie, " Billy Cald- well," and a considerable number of Pottawatomie warriors, he enlisted with the army under Gen. Atkinson, who at once placed Shabbona in command of the Indian contingent. The State of Indiana was the last retreat east of the Mississippi. When finally subdued here and removed to the West, the race of the red man was henceforth no longer independent. Though assuming an atti- tude of tribal freedom, the Indian yet accepted the position of " ward " to- ward the Great Father at Washington. The section of the State of which Newton County forms a part, was occupied some years after the larger part had been abandoned, and,here they trapped and hunted, oblivious of the fate which was delayed but not thwarted. The earlier settlers had but little knowledge of them by actual contact. Hunters, whose occupa- tion took them far beyond the lines of the frontier settlements, found them along the Iroquois River, here and there, in small villages, and the settlers aftersvard saw the traces of their habitations and corn-fields. The Algonquin was the great family to which these tribes belonged. Traditions among them set forth their wanderings over a great scope of the country. Early settlements along the Atlantic coast, from Florida to Maine, and explorers along the great water-way from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the farthest shores of Lake Superior, found the traces every- where of this great family of the Indian. Much has been written of the origin of the tribal division and peculiarities, but research has done but little more than to show how little has been developed of this interesting question. Of this family, the Pottawatomie tribe was found here — a small village or two of the three or four thousand that occupied the principal portion of the northern part of the State. Their chief village was on the Tippecanoe River, where the earliest explorers had found them some three centuries before. In their relations to the whites during the early history of the country, they were bitterly hostile, and not until defeat after defeat did they yield their enmity in the treaties which closed hostilities in the West at the close of 1813. From that time forward, they wore as firm in their loyalty to the whites as thev had been vindictive in their hostility, and in the subsequent Indian disturbances in 1.S27 and IS'S'I their friendly disposition prevented the outbreak of a general Indian war. During their stay in this vicinity of the country, they were fre- quently visited by French priests from Vincennes. who gained a strong influence over them. The Kickapoos were sometimes found in — ■%i^J<(^^>» ^ =¥;' /^, >f ^ W' HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 637 this region in quest of game and fish. They seem to have received durable impressions from the teachings of the priests, and incidents are related of their peculiar forms of worship while here. The Pottawato- mies that were found along the Iroquois, however, were not marked for their observance of Christian institutions. They were, nevertheless, well disposed to the whites on that account, and during their stay not a single rupture of this friendly feeling is reported. There was but one village within the limits of Newton County, and that was situated a few miles north of Morocco, This had been abandoned before the whites had made settlements here. The country was the Indian's typical paradise; the river swarmed with fish, the prairie supplied in- numerable deer and grouse, while the marsh lands attracted thousands of aquatic birds, and afforded some of the best trapping grounds in the State. Indian corn-fields were found in a number of places about the county, and the sites of many of them are still pointed out, with the places of the hills plainly to be seen. The character of these fields indicate a peculiar cultivation, which would seem odd enough to one ac- quainted with the white man's method. The lack of proper imple- ments, as well as ignorance of the best methods, had its influence upon the Indian's practice. The squaws worked with a rude sort of a hoe, and, selecting a site where the joint-grass could best be kept down, the seed was planted in hills, irregularly placed in the chosen area. The practice in planting was first to remove the sod from a small spot, which was placed in a small pile near. The next year the spot cov- ered by the piled-up sod was found free from grass, and here another hill was planted, and this plan was continued until the whole availnble area was occupied or sufScient was had for the needs of the family. A hill once used, was pknted on each subsequent season, and the suc- cessive seasons of hoeing gradually raised small mounds, which are now the lasting monuments of female industry. The character of the product was quite as peculiar as the culture. Those who have seen it, often describe it as invariably of a blue and white color and soft texture, never attaining that flinty texture which the white farmer finds a necessary characteristic. Fish was a staple article of food with the Indians, and the whole village would repair to the rapids of the Iroquois, where the Indian method of catching was most successful. Here the men would wade the stream at night with a torch and pad- dle in either hand, and by a dexterous dip, would toss la*rge num- bers of fish on the bank. The dog fish was the only variety the In- dians used, and these were prepared in large quantities by the squaws for winter use. The plan was to bake and dry them, and finally reduce 38 638 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. them to powder between the palms of the hands. Thus prepared, this powdered fish was stored in deer skins to furnish the winter's chowder. The Indians were formally removed in 1838 or 1839, the larger part having left this county before. THE EAKLT SETTLEMENT. It would be difficult to determine who was the first white man to settle temporarily in this county. Something more than one half of its terri- tory was originally a wet, marshy country, inhabited by a vast number of fur-bearing animals, which early attracted trappers. There is but little definite information to be had of this country during that period. The beo'inning of the permanent settlement was not later than that of Jasper County, but the nearer location of the county seat, for several years after 1839, operated to the disadvantage of this section. Immigration naturally gathered about the county seat, and this western settlement re- mained at almost a " stand still," and showing only a slow growth up to 1854. Josiah Dunn and John Elliott are known to have been in the county, on the Iroquois, as early as 1832 ; among the very oldest settlers was an old man Joseph Redding, who came from Ohio, and settled near the Iroquois River, in the western part of the county. He subsequently moved further west. About the close of the year 1832, the Brook settle- ment was formed by James W. Lacy. G. W. Spitler, Squire Lyons, Meekins, T. K. Barker and Samuel Benjamin. The latter first settled on the river in the western part of the county, but left on the break- ing-out of the Black Hawk disturbance, returning, however, and settling on the eastern side of the county. About this time came, James Cuppv, Jacob Trout, John Meyers, Bruce Dunn and Matthias Redding. About 1836, Jacob Kenoyer came from Southeastern Indiana, to near Spitler's Creek, and about 1845 erected the first saw mill and corn- cracker in the county. It was run by a dam thrown across Spitler's Creek, and stood near the present residence of Zachariah Spitler. Samuel and Frederick Kenoyer came in soon afterward, and Amos Clark and Charles Anderson. These families formed the nucleus for the entire settlement which gathered in the middle-western part of the county. This colony was further reinforced at an early date by Amos White, Michael Haney and Philip Earl. In 1838, John Murphy came to this region and settled north of the Kenoyer settlement on Beaver Creek. He was a native of Virginia and removed to Ohio in 1808. In 1825, he removed to Indiana, choosimT a site on the Tippecanoe River, opposite the site of the city of La Fayette, HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 639 which was then a wilderness. In 1838, he came to the territory which is now Newton County. At that time, there were but about twelve fami- lies in the county, among whom were the families of Bridgeman, Cuppy, Smith and himself in the edge of the Beaver timber, while on the Iro(pois there were but a few families — John Lyons, Job Hunt, Frederick Kenoyer, John Myers and a few others. The rest of the county was an unbroken solitude. The first time he went to Chicago was in June, 1822, when he assisted in driving cattle from Ohio to Green Bay, for the United States garrison located there. It took two months and two days to make the trip. From Piqua, Ohio, to Green Bay was an unbroken wilderness, except a small settlement at Fort Wayne, and the garrison at Chicago. Just after the town of La Fayette was laid out, Taylor and Linton opened a store, and Mr. Murphy engaged to take an ox team and find a road to Chicago for them, by which goods could be bought at less expense than to haul them from the east. In company with two other teams, he pro- ceeded through Parish Grove, to Buncombe, 111., and thence to West Point. Buncombe, at that time, consisted of four or five log cabins and a French trading post about a mile up the Iroquois River, on the north side. From this point, he had to make his own road, there being no trace to Chicago. The latter place had increased since his first visit to some twenty-five dwellings, but land was still very cheap. Mr. Murphy was offered lots, near where the 2Vj6MMe building stands at $10 each, the pay- ment to be made in potatoes or oats at 50 cents per bushel. Murphy was subsequently joined on the Beaver Creek by James Elijah, John Darroch, David Kestler, Daniel Deardorff, Benjamin Roadnick, Silas John- son and others. PRAIRIE BANDITTI. In the interval between the actual possession of the Indians and the coming of the class of permanent settlers, a transient class of whites took possession of this region. It was not unusual for professional trappers to take up their abode here for the larger part of the year, and even squat- ters found this a congenial location, and gathered here in considerable numbers. Under cover of this practice, a class of outlaws found their way to the northern part of the county, and from the jungles that skirted the banks of the Kankakee, plied their vocation to the no small detriment of Newton County's fair name. As originally constituted, Newton alone furnished refuge for these people, but by the change of di- vision line, Jasper shared the opprobrium of their presence. Horse- stealing and counterfeiting were the prevailing crimes of pioneer times, and so common were they that the practice was looked upon by the com- 640 . HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. munity as more inconvenient than criminal. As society became more firmly established, the orderly and law-abiding element became the con- trolling power, and these peccadilloes became crimes and were safely prac- ticed only by banded outlaws, who had to resort in some obscure corner of the country. This, Newton County supplied, and for fifteen or twenty years was the abode of a most desperate gang. Their method was to take the lighter horses of one State and sell them in another, making the return trip with a heavier class of horses, which were in demand in the timber country of Iowa and Michigan. For years, these operations were carried on almost in open daylight. Their perfect acquaintance with the country, their many sympathizers who aided, while not engaged in the business, enabled them to elude pursuit. An incident is related of a farmer being awakened by some unusual noise in the night ; he rushed out, fearing that some one might be after his team, and startled two men who were sleeping on his haystack. They did not stop to parley, but made their escape as rapidly as their feet could carry them. He found two good horses left behind, and for a considerable time had no reason to believe them stolen, save from the manner in which they came into his possession. Subsequently they were found to belong to farmers in an ad- joining county and were restored. Such a state of affairs could not long continue without some attempts being made to bring such depredators to justice, but these early attempts were made too often single-handed or without sufficient organization, and too often resulted in failure. When once involved in the meshes of the law, so complete was the organization of these bandits, that suflScient evidence was always forthcomina: to clear them of the charge. Counterfeiting was closely allied to horse-stealin<-T. The stolen horse was frequently traded for a better one, and the difference paid in counterfeit money. The horse then rapidly changed hands by means of accomplices, and usually no trace of either man or animal could be found. Occasionally, when a pursuing party came close upon the thieves, discretion seemed the better part of valor, and the chase was given up. So prevalent was this experience throughout the State, that the Legislature passed '• an act authorizing the formation of companies for the detection and apprehension of horse-thieves and other felons, and defining their powers." Under this act, a company was formed in Feb- ruary, 1858, to ferret out the author of these crimes. This companv consisted of a captain, and two men from each township. Their proceed- ings were extra-judicial, and partook somewhat of the character of a vig- ilance committee. The members were volunteers, and served withoiit pay. Their discipline was of the strictest sort, and implicit obedience the rule. The Captain would summon a man to be ready in an hour's notice. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 641 armed and rationed. Alone, or in company with one or two others, he would be sent to investigate some clew, or to arrest some suspected in- dividual. No warrant was required, and the culprit was hauled before a Justice forthwith. The characters of the people dealt with, were of the most desperate sort. Emboldened by success in one class of crime, burglary and murder were added to the list, and isolated settlers, who could give evidence, were so terrorized by whippings or threats, that few could be got to testify against them. The company organized here was known as the Jasper County Rangers (the two counties being one at that time), and was com- posed of men noted for their nerve. The effect of its work was prompt and salutary. Within two weeks of its first organization, it had effected the capture of a noted criminal, and a week later had him incarcerated in the penitentiary, undergoing a sentence of a five years' penalty. The honest residents of the county cordially aided the company, which in a year or two rid the county of the gang which infested this region. This organi- zation was successful in ferreting out the retreat of these outlaws, and de- stroyed their dens in McClellan Township, Bogus Island and further west. These places were evidently the workshops of the band, and con- tained guns, ammunition, saddles, bridles, counterfeit coin, dies, pro- visions, etc. There was no serious encounter at this time, though armed men appeared to dispute the party's advance. Finding a determined show of force would not turn the Rangers from their course, they made a hurried retreat. These encounters were not always so harmless. Many a deed of violence is related, and several of the noted characters were killed here. With the growth of the settlements, this species of out- lawry was crowded out, and Newton County possesses a reputation as a law-abiding community second to none in the State. THE GAME. The settler placed in Newton County, though deprived of any near source of supplies, found no difficulty in finding support for himself and family. A new-comer brought with him a limited amount of flour, coffee, tea and sugar. With this stock, he found no difiiculty in furnishing his table with all that he needed. Deer were found in great abundance, and the earliest settler found no difiiculty, even if not an adept in the use of the rifle, to kill all he needed without leaving the precincts of his cabin. Large droves of these animals were seen on the prairie, and the pioneer, who was in the habit of carrying his gun wherever he went, need not spend much time in the special duty of providing meat for his family. Grouse were found here in unlimited numbers, and, while it required a 642 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. marksman to secure them, no cabin was deprived of this delicacy. Wild geese, cranes, herons and the whole list of the varieties of ducks were found here, and shot in great numbers, and are still here in scarcely di- minished profusion. The Iroquois River, the praise of which was upon the lips of every hunter and trapper before the coming of the settler, furnished bass, bream, pike, salmon and less noted varieties of fish, and the older residents never tire of telling the famous catches that have been made all along its length. The wild hog, a gaunt, long-legged species, which had escaped from older settlements and run wild in the course of nature, were almost as plentiful as the regular game of the region. These were not so desirable eating as the tame hog, but they furnished a variety in the fare, and their hides, it is said, were very serviceable on occasion, when properly dressed, to patch the harness, or make a collar. They were often hunted for the sport. Wolves, however, were better for this purpose, while their scalps at the same time brought in a very respectable revenue. The coyote was the principal variety found here, and these haunted the prairie in great numbers. They were a small animal, and dangerous only to sheep, small pigs and, occasionally, calves. They were of the most cowardly nature, and were never known to attack a person, though their howling at night did not tend to impress the hearer with their friendly disposition. In the winter, when driven to despera- tion by hunger, or attracted to the cabin by the scent of food, the inmates could distinguish their footsteps about the door and hear their vicious snapping at each other. When only a blanket guarded the entrance, as was frequently the case, the sound was anything but assuring. They were no match singly with a well-trained dog, and whenever overtaken would fall upon the ground and fight like a cat. Tliey were sometimes hunted on horseback, and when heavy with a recent meal could readily be over- taken and dispatched with a club. Tiiey were no kin to the timber wolf, and would be captured rather than take refuge in the woods. In the timber, the larger species were found. They were a bolder and fiercer variety, but never attacked persons. There was therefore no dearth of food, nor of material for tlie best of sport for the hunter. There were 8onie wlio devoteil their time to hunting, and for the time made more prcifit than the farmer. The trapper was always well repaid for his intel- ligent efforts, and found a good market right in the county for all the peltries he had for sale. But the prime reason for the presence of most of the pioneers in this county was to build up a home, and lay the founda- tion of a future competence, and to achieve this end there was little capi- tal to employ save energy and hard work. The early thoroughfares lead- iTig from one principal point to another did not pass through this rei:ion. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 643 and the first comers often broke the first trail to their destination. Thus cut ofi' from the source of supplies, the greatest privation in the matter of food was the lack of those necessities which are so common to-day that we overlook them in our estimates. Salt was one of the luxuries of pioneer days and often so expensive that a wagon-load of grain would scarcely suffice to buy a barrel of it. Flour could not be secured at any price. No wheat was raised at first, and when a crop was secured the first mills were so distant that it required a long journey, a week's valu- able time, to secure the flour. The ordinary meal of to-day was a lux- ury in that early day of hominy and corn cakes. Fortunately, there was generally a supply of milk, and butter could be had. With this, the grated corn, or, when the corn became hard, the pounded meal supplied the lack of more palatable food. THE CABIN. The regulation cabin seems to have been from sixteen to twenty feet square, daubed with mud, covered with clapboards, a log cut for a win- dow, with a greased paper in lieu of glass, and a stone fire-place, sur- mounted by a " cat and clay " chimney. Often the cabin had nothing better than a dirt floor. The furniture was such as the settler could manufacture with an ax and auger. Hand tools, when possessed, were always part of the load, and nothing were more advantageous to the pioneer in setting up housekeeping in a new country. Bedsteads were often made by boring a hole in the cabin wall, in which rested one end of a pole, the other end of which was supported by a forked stick in the ground. Upon this svas placed impromptu slats, supported by one side of the cabin and this foot-rail, and upon this structure prairie hay was placed. This composed the bed of many of the first settlers, and. though scarcely as soft " as downy pillows" are, sufficed until more elaborate accomoda- tions could be provided. Chairs were blocks of wood, with holes bored in them, in which legs were put; and tables were a packing box fort- unately brought with the family, or were constructed of puncheons, split from the tree, provided with legs as were the chairs. These character- istics were true in only the earliest cabins, and were seldom all combined in any one. A few nails and some glass and hardware were occasionally brought in by some rather well-to-do immigrant or thoughtful pioneer, but the other picture had its counterpart in every settlement in the county. But with such inconveniences, the people, many of whom had known something of refinement in older communities, had no time for repining or melancholy, and it is often said by those who survive to the present that they seemed to enjoy themselves more then than to-day. People 644 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. were more sociable then; all were neighbors for miles and miles about. A man would divide his last crust with another, and loan him anything he had, and to know that a man needed help to raise his cabin or roll his logs was all the invitation he needed. " The latch-string is always out," was the type of the early hospitality. This latch and its string were novelties in their way, and could not have been evolved except from the brain of the pioneer, whose necessities were truly the mother of many inventions. The latch was made in the form of an ordinary barn door or gate-latch, only it was of large size and made of wood. The latch, instead of being outside, was placed inside of the door, and to enable one without the door to raise it a hole was bored a few inches above and a leather thong was attached and drawn through the hole, with one end hanging out. At night, this string was withdrawn, and thus the door was locked in such a manner as to render it diiBcult for a burglar to pick. When the string hung out, it was taken to mean, " Come in without knocking." The site chosen for the erection of the earlier cabins was in the edge of the timber. Most of the pioneers who came to this county were familiar with the experiences to be met with in a frontier settlement, but most of them had been reared in a timber country and knew but little of the difficulties or advantages of the prairie. The wisdom of the first settlers in clinging to the line of timber, and beginning their farms by laboriously clearing off a space here, when the prairie seemed to offer a place 80 much easier adapted to their purposes, has been often challenged. But such criticism proceeds too often upon a misconception of the early character of the open country. The luxuriant growth of joint grass. after fall, unless burned over, became a tangled mass that was not easily penetrated. The new grass sprung up and presented the ajipearance of a beautiful meadow, which, however, was grossly deceptive. The rainfall during the year saturated the ground, and the dense growth of grass, shielding it from the sun, the natural drainage being deficient, the surface for a large part of the year was too wet to till. There was room enough at first in the timber, and. acquainted with its demands, the pioneer wisely began here. This nearness to the streams, however, exposed the inhabitants to the miasmas of which they were the fruitful source. The " shakes " seem to be the inevitable companion of the pioneer wherever he may be, and it may be doubtful whether there is any escape from their baleful presence. The clearing off of timber, or the breaking of prairie sod, which involve the decay of largo amounts of vegetable matter, bred disease, and no settler was considered naturalized until he had experi- enced the distress of cliills and fever. Sickness of this kind was generally HISTORY OP NEWTON COUNTY. 645 confined to the latter part of summer and fall. The cold of winter seemed to destroy the germs of the disease, and there was but little sick- ness in this season, save a few lingering cases which had become chronic. The spring and early summer were generally healthy, and the old nurses were in the habit of saying that when the resin weed and other yellow flowers appeared it was time to look for ague. Particular localities were more marked than others for the prevalence of this trouble. High water in the spring, which flooded the lagoons and low places along the bottoms, which slowly dried out under the hot suns of July and August, was a fruitful cause of this disorder, and in such localities there was consider- able sickness, when in more elevated places it was perfectly healthful. Against these evils, the pioneer was forced to contend single-handed. Boneset, Culler's physic, and a long list of herbs, of which teas were made, were familiar to every housewife, and were found in every cabin. Doctors were not to be had, or were situated at long distances from the isolated cabins, but when they were to be had within practical distance, the former, impelled by the urgent necessity to practice every economy, led the settler to depend upon the skill of his own family. Such at- tacks were not looked upon as serious, and were generally deemed the natural way of becoming acclimated. But these frequent attacks made their effects to be seriously felt. The new-comer, who brought buoyant spirits and a fresh, healthful countenance to his new home, soon took on the pale, sallow hue of semi-invalids, and some never outgrew these evil effects. None were spared, and it was no uncommon thing for a whole neighborhood to be prostrated at once, and to be so confined and inca- pacitated as to be unable to attend to outside duties. Sometimes the whole family would be sick at the same time and only the more resolute left to care for the younger and weaker. But with the clearing of the country, the wider spread of the cultivated area brought about great changes, and the succeeding generations reaped the result of the toil and suffering of the pioneers. THE FARM. The pioneers brought but a meager outfit of this world's goods, but, strong in faith and hope, expected to increase their worldly store and pro- vide a home in old age. Some came in frontier wagons, drawn by horses or oxen, and some used the more primitive pack-horse as means of migra- tion. Either way was slow compared to the more modern modes of travel; but as they then knew of no other way than that mentioned, un- less a river lay in their course, they were content. While on their journey, if away from the settled route, their encampment for the night 646 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. was made wherever night overtook them. A fire was built by the way- side, over which an iron kettle was suspended, in which the evening meal was cooked. The father's gun through the day provided abundance of fresh meat, for game was abundant, and deer could be had for the shoot- ing. Yet, let the advantages of the journey be the best, it was one of toil and privation. Then there were no bridges over the streams, no fences by the roadside, no well-trodden highway. Each emigrant fol- lowed the general trail, but each sought a new track for his own team. This cut the way into innumei'able ditches and ruts made by the wheel of the waa-on or the hoof of the horse or ox. If the season was one of much rain, the swamps they were often compelled to cross would be almost impassable, and the roads heavy. If dry, the roads were rough, so that at its best, the journey could not be said to be pleasant. Under such circumstances, nothing but the necessities and those small in bulk could be brought hither. For farming implements the farmer was forced to depend upon what could be secured at the nearest village. The plows of that time, everywhere, were rude, ungainly tools, and not at all fitted to do the work of "breaking the prairie." As before intimated, the early settlers all sought the timber and cleared out farms. Here the land, thickly shaded, had not produced the heavy, tough grass roots of the prairie, and was comparatively easy of cultivation. The roots of the prairie grass were almost as tough and hard as hickory withes, and the small bar-share, wooden mold-board was not equal to this tougher soil. The question of cultivating the prairie was often discussed, but the con- clusion generally arrived at was that this broad expanse of natural meadow was designed for a great pasture-field, and must forever remain such. But the necessity of the occasion developed the heavy sod plow, which, though in comparison to modern inventions seems illy-conceived, nevertheless revolutionized the farming of the pioneer da vs. This was an immense machine, with a beam ten or fifteen feet in length, a share that would cut about two feet in width, and a mold-board constructed of iron bars. To this giant plow was attached all the team power the farmer couUl command, and it was no infreijuent thing to see six voke of cattle attached. The sod was found tough, and so tenacious that the share turned out one unbroken strip of earth of several rods' length. Occasion- ally tliia stubborn glebe would turn back to its natural position, and the plowman was then forced to lift by hand yards of this unwilling turf. The expenditure of all this labor was generally well repaid the first vear, if the sod became thoroughly rotted, even though it produced only a small cidp. The second year, a " Gary." or some other kind of two horse side }ilow was useil to turn the dead sod hack again. Besides this, a small HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 647 side pfow, or shovel plow, was subsequently added, which, with the hoe, made up the sum of the farmers' implements, until the harvest, when the old reap hook, the cradle and the scythe and flail came into use. Corn was the crop usually first planted. Some experimented with wheat, but it grew too rank and produced sickness, or else miserably failed under the conbined attack of insects and unpropitious weather. Corn was for a niniiber of years the only crop, and furnished food for man and beast. While the sod was being turned over, it was customary to drop the corn in the edge of the furrow which grew and produced an inferior crop. Each settler brought in at first his team and cows. Horses were generally brought first, but oxen were soon found to be more serviceable, and in- volved a less outlay of capital, and one horse was often traded off for a yoke of oxen, which for years became the motive power of the farmer's business. Hogs were soon secured, and multiplied. These, fattening upon the mast which the timber supplied in abundance, not only afforded the farmer with a good, substantial meat, but also afforded a source of income, which, though not as considerable as now, was of great advantage when a "little money went a great way." Though what he had to sell brought the farmer but little money, it generally cost him still less to produce it, so far as stock was concerned. The wide range of wild grass afforded the most nutritious of pasturage, and this sufiiced for his stock with a very little addition of corn. MILLS AND MARKETS. It is diflBcult at this day to imagine a state of society where even the commonest means of social progress must be invented and set in motion, but the pioneer found this fact a very prominent and practical one in his early experience. The supplies brought into the country by the immi- grant were occasionally by the closest economy made to last until the grow- ing crop or garden could supply the necessities of the family. For years, in some of tRe settlements here, the people were thrown entirely upon their own resources. The nearest point where flour could be got or wheat could be ground was at La Fayette and other older points on the Wabash River. A temporary supply of corn was occasionally secured from some older settler who had harvested a crop, which sufficed until the growing corn became of sufficient size to eat. When the kernel was sufficiently firm, the grater was brought into requisition, and a sort of bread and porridge was made. The grater often got the name of ■" blood mills," from the mishap which befell the fingers of the operator. This simple machine was made by perforating the bottom of a worn-out tin pan with numerous small holes, which were punched with a nail or similar instrument, and 648 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. upon the ragged edges of these perforations the immature corn was fubbed until little but the cob remained. This old grater was an eye-sore to most of the children, as it occupied the greater portion of their leisure time. It might be fun at first, but it soon became real work that was exceeding- ly tiresome in its monotony. Still food must be had, and the task of supplying a family of hearty eaters with meal thus manufactured took con- siderable time and labor. When the grain became hard, and the grater no longer effective, the mortar was brought into requisition. This con- sisted of a large block or stump in which a kettle-ahaped excavation was made by burning and scraping. A pestle was made of a heavy pole, to the end of which was often fixed an iron wedge. This was suspended to a sweep, such as is still seen at wells, the lower end of which was fixed to the ground by stakes, converting it into a s»pring pole. Every cabin had )ts " hominy block," and among the earlier sounds about the cabin was the monotonous pounding of the frontier mill. This machine furnished several grades of meal, from fairly fine meal to simply cracked grains, and this was separated by sieves that were often constructed with a deer skin tightly stretched over a frame, and punctured with small-sized holes. The finer part was transformed into the dodger which was baked upon the hearth, while the courser product was served up as hominy. Some of the better provided settlers possessed hand mills which were made of "nigger-head" buhrs. In the upper stone was made an "eye" and a handle inserted, and the boys would grind hour after hour at this slow method. The meal was of a finer quality, but the progress was much slower than the mortar. Others on especial occasion resorted to the coffee mill for meal to furnish the material for the entertainment of some guest. Although the streams afforded good sites for the construction of water mills, the necessary machinery and the mechanical skill was for a long time wanting. Horse mills came in to supply this need, and while they were called corn-crackers, did a much more effective service than the name would implv. These consisted of a small set of " nioftrer head buhrs," propelled by a large cog wheel set upon a perpendicular axis. This wheel was often ten or fifteen feet in diameter. In the lower part of this axis horizontal levers were attached, so that two teams mic^ht be attached to give motion to the machinery. Such a mill was constructed in several places in the county at different dates, and greatly relieved the farmers in the task of making meal. They ground very slowly, and the patron was obliged not only to furnish teams, but often was obliged to wait several days for an opportunity to use it. Several water mills were attempted, but the character of the streams made the experiment verv unsatisfactory. During the larger part of the year, the mill could not HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 649 run for the lack of water, and other times the sudden rising of the water would wash out the rudely constructed dams. But all of these mills were adapted only to the grinding of corn. Wheat was ground in them, hut it was a slow and unsatisfactory method, and the flour was bolted by hand. Of course, such mills were only employed on custom work, and had no capacity for other work, even if circumstances would warrant it. Markets were reached only by a long journey over tedious roads. Chi- cago furnished the only market for the surplus produce, and shelled corn was wagoned to that place and sold for 30 cents per bushel. Shelling corn for market was the evening work for the whole family. The ear was held in one hand, while with a sharpened stick or other similar instrument a row of grains was stripped from the cob. Hundreds of bushels of corn have been shelled in the county in this way. Another method sometimes resorted to, was to seta pole horizontally upon legs. On this, by means of pegs and boards, a shallow trough was made in which the corn was placed, and beaten with a flail. A little later, stock formed a considerable source of income and was driven to market, though the farmer generally disposed of his surplus animals to buyers who found their way among the settlers. In addition to the peltries taken at such seasons as the demands of the farm would permit, honey formed quite an article of trade for some time. Bee-trees were found in every piece of timber, and large quantities ware sold. The bees were easily domesti- cated, and a great many of the farmers prepared rude hives and thus established a source of regular supply. In addition to its market value, it served a much more valuable purpose in the culinary department of the cabin. Newton County had the advantage of the surrounding region in the possession of some sugar trees, from which the Indians made sugar, and the settlers after them, but it never was produced in such quantities as to become an article of commerce. PRAIRIE TRAVEL. In this day of established roads and multiplied landmarks, when what was prairie can only with difBculty be distinguished from the original woodland, it is not easy to understand the inconvenience and peril of the early traveling from one neighborhood to another. And yet the remin- iscences of almost every settlement are marked by incidents of death or extreme danger arising from the vagueness of early 4ine3 of travel across these plains. This region was especially dangerous, from the fact that at an early date none of the great thoroughfares leading to Chicago from the older settlements passed through here. The first settlers found their way here guided only by surveyors' stakes, or the natural landmarks of 650 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. groves or streams. Each one made his own road, and so light was the travel that even after a considerable settlement had formed, the usual wagon trail was discovered only by the low flower that springs up where the sod of the prairie had been bruised by the wheel. The traveler who felt confident in his ability to maintain a given direction took no heed to the usual course of travel, but made his own way unhindered by fence or boundary. Like distance at sea, the broad expanse of the prairie was deceptive to all but the most expert. Horseback was the prevailing mode of travel save when the whole family or a load was to be taken, and the settlers soon learned to have little fear in their own immediate neigh- borhood. But new-comers and transient visitors were constantly exposed to the danger of being lost in broad daylight. At night, crossing an un- cultivated prairie was a very uncertain adventure to all save the most expert. When clear, the moon and stars were a very reliable guide to the experienced, and many of the pioneers became as proficient in making a desired course as the pilot upon the water. The tendency, when the traveler becomes confused, is to travel in a circle, and when this is once observed, the only safe plan is to wait until daylight reveals some point of timber, or other recognized landmark. It was generally safe, when no other course seemed open, to make for the timber, as some sign of habitation or trail was likely to be met with tliere. In a cloudy night, or in the midst of a fog by day, the danger and difficulty were increased, and nothing but necessity induced the experienced pioneer to venture off the well-marked trail. When one of the family was belated on such a night there was the greatest anxiety manifested in the household, and a light was kept at the window to mark the site of home to the belated traveler. When it was necessary to make a journey which involved a late return home, some signal was agreed upon, and many were in the habit of hoisting one of the old perforated tin lanterns upon a pole near the chimney of the cabin. In the winter the danger was increased. The broad expanse, covered with an untracked fall of snow and swept by an icy blast which pierced the heaviest cloth- ing, was a route that the stoutest heart might well hesitate to attempt, and one in which many a traveler perished. PRTMITIVE SOCIETY. Society can hardly be said to have had much organization here before the year 1850. The population was small and widely scat- tered. Many were squatters, and save in one or two more thickly settled localities, few knew anything of the antecedents of their nearest neighbors. The earliest settlers of Newton County came principally HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 651 from Southeastern Indiana, but were originally emigrants from and natives of Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Later years have brought considerable numbers from New York State, Maryland and Illinois. The date of the principal settlement of this county is of so recent a date that many of the characteristics so prominent in early com- munities were lacking here. There was, however, sufficient of that disre- gard of self-restrait and ignorance of the general rights of the commu- nity, so common in frontier society, to mark society here as in the early formation period found in a new country. There were many who were betrayed into counterfeiting that could not be justly termed outlaws. They were almost as open in their operations as when engaged in legal occu- pations, and manufactured the coin more as righteous plunder of the gov- ernment than to defraud their neighbors. There were others who affiliated with the outlaws who infested this region, but they were never received as a part of the community, and were gradually shunned out of the county. When law and order reigned supreme their occupa- tion was gone, and they left for a more congenial locality. The majority of the permanent settlers who came here before 1850 were such as had known something of the advantages of older settlements, and brought with them a desire for the best development of the new society which they founded in Newton County. Whisky never played the prominent part here that it did in many a new settlement. It was made and freely drank, but unseemly carousals and fighting was not characteristic of the pioneers of this county. Owing to the early relations of Newton to Jasper County, there was not that early division of society into smaller communities. A well- defined settlement existed on the west side, and another on the east side of the present county limits, but the inmates of the cabins along the Iroquois on either side found themselves members of the same social circle. There was no marked difi"erence in wealth, and no observance of ranks. In such a community, where " the richest were poor and the poor lived in abundance," there was no chance for the growth of caste, and families for miles around were linked together as one neighborhood by the social customs of the time, which in the spirit of true democracy drew the line at moral worth alone. The amusements of a people, taking their character from the natural surroundings of the community, were here chiefly adapted to the masculine taste. Hunting and fishing were always liberally rewarded, while log cabin raisings, the opening of court with its jury duty, and the Saturday afternoon holiday with its scrub horse race, its wrestling match, its jumping or quoit-pitching, afforded entertainments that never lost their zest. It was a common remark, 652 HISTOKY OF NEWTON COUNTt. however, that a new country furnished an easy berth for men and oxen, but a hard one for women and horses. Outside of visiting and camp- meetings, the diversions in which women participated at that early day were very few ; husking and spinning bees, and " large " weddings, where the larger part of the night was spent in dancing, did not have the frequent occurrence so characteristic of the Eastern States, and nothing here seemed to offer any substitute. Pioneer customs and habits have passed away with the times and cir- cumstances that gave them existence. Although the pioneers possessed some characteristics repellent to refined ideas and modern culture, yet in their social intercourse with each other they displayed those exemplary traits of character which might well be esteemed a bright legacy to a more advanced age. If they deviated from the strict rules of morality and indulged themselves in habits and excesses which have been discarded by progressive civilization as enervating and ruinous, they still retained those estimable virtues which are the token of a generous and sympa- thetic people. Unpretentious and unostentatious, they tendered what- ever of hospitality their houses afforded, and were assiduous in their efforts to provide for those whom chance brought within the circle of their charities. AflFectation had no place in the cordial entertainment tendered visitor or stranger, and self-seeking was never the incentive which prompted their open-doored hospitality. It is worthy the remark that society had not yet matured enough at that time to produce the " tramp,'' and the footsore traveler was likely to be a worthy recipient of their kindness. But while this modern infliction had not then been grown to sour the pioneer's disposition, his unquestioning and unsuspicious dispo- sition often made him the victim of the miscreants that infested the country in the form of highwaymen. It was dilScult to discriminate between the worthy stranger and the bandit, and the stranger taken in too often proved a robber in disguise. Notwithstanding such discourage- ments, the passing stranger had but to solicit entertainment, when the "sissing hog " and steaming hominy bespoke the stranger's welcome. The early society made no allowance for middlemen. Every man and woman was a worker, with enough to do to keep them busy the year around. The frontier house, as a rule, had but one room, which served all the domestic and social purposes of the family alike. Labor- saving appliances were unknown. The crane, hung with iron pots and kettles, and the Dutch oven, half submerged in coals, were, in all cabins, the instruments with which the cook worked her magic. A few years' residence in the settlement placed the industrious family in that " fore- handed " condition tliat enabled them to indulge in liop-yeast or salt- '^. Ti 7i\ :^ r* ■^t(^ ,, jft. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 655 rising bread, ciiickens and a variety of fresh, luscious vegetables. Pearl- ash, which was prepared from the ordinary potash by the housewife, was the early substitute for the " baking powder " of to-day. But this part of woman's work was made to occupy but the smaller part of her attention. The necessities of the situation required that the family depend upon themselves for all they required. The surplus product of the farm scarcely sufficed to purchase a slender stock of tea, coffee and spices, with an occasional hat for the man and a calico dress for the woman ; all else must be derived from the soil. Flax was grown, and most farmers kept a few sheep. There were no factories near, or carding machines for years, and the raw material was placed in the hands of the women to adapt to the use of the family. How well they wrought, is the burden of the rem- iniscences of that day. To dye and weave, to card and spin, were ac- complishments that all women possessed and put in daily practice. The women's clothing was made of linsey-woolsey, a mixture of linen and wool, and the children's and men's apparel of the same. It was not un- common for young ladies to attend gatherings in homespun dresses and sun bonnets, and without shoes and stockings. It was a mark of improved circumstances when the women could wear calico and the men wear jeans. With all this activity and self-helpfulness in the cabin, there was plenty to engage the energy of the men out of doors. The common remark that women and horses found a hard berth, and men and oxen an easy one in a new country, was true here in many respects. Men found time for attending court, logging frolics and hunting, though it was not difS- cult to find those who had never indulged in the latter sport. But the duties of a farmer were in the main severe amd numerous enough to sat- isfy the general equilibrium of the share of work among the sexes. Log- gings and cabin-raisings, while they involved an element of sport, were none the less fatiguing and necessary. In a community where there were few or no independent mechanics and no place for loafers, each one was forced to depend upon his fellows for assistance in times of especial emer- gency. "Changing work" was the only way to secure help, and the " hired man" only came in vogue when the great stress of pioneer work had been accomplished. What with insufficient tools, and too often an inadequate supply of these, and the debilitating effect of disease, there was little in his lot that any one should desire to exchange for it. Nowhere in the world were husband and wife more necessary to the general success as right here in the days of the pioneer. Without a wife the farmer was a hopeless failure, and it was no infrequeat thing that a settler left his improvement without a cent for his labor, or at best a great sacrifice 656 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. of its value, when his wife died. There were no supernumerary men and women, and the older settlements of the East among friends of the family was the only resource left in such a case. The discouragements of the farmer need to be felt to be appreciated. The opinion is too often entertained that the men lead a rollicking sort of life, with some privations to be sure, but sure in the outcome to achieve a comfortable competence. There could be no greater mistake. Failure and abandonment of improvements were too frequent to lead any pioneer to imbibe such a notion. Each man was the architect of his own fortune here, and it was achieved not by brilliant strokes of policy, but by daily effort, self-sacrifice and a courage that surmounted difficulties. How this country was settled and improved under the meager inducements held out by the situation can be explained upon none of the settled principles of political economy. The men who settled and labored here were not such as had capital upon which they could afli'ord to wait and see the result of their labors. A life-time success or failure, which involved their families with them, hung upon the result of their experiment, and it was probably this daily struggle for subsistence which gave no time for weigh, ing the chances, that led them to struggle on through disappointments and difficulties. Perhaps one of the most serious of the many discourage- ments was the little value of the crop, which the farmer had labored for through heat and cold and sickness. The markets were distant, the cost of transportation considerable, and the crop when sold would scarcelv bring the cost of getting it to the purchaser. But they had learned from the traditions of their parents "'to labor and to wait." and in due time thev triumphed. When roads began to be established and the flow of immi- gration began to build up towns, a home market was established, and, stimulated by this improvement in his prospects, the settler betran to look beyond the difficulties of the present and renew his couraofe. The influ- ence of good roads and thoroughfares upon the society of a country is too often ignored. So long as a community is isolated, it lacks the pub- lic spirit and emulation begotten by constant contact and contrast with others. The change of the old law, which allowed the whole county ou general elections to vote at the county seat was another powerful influ- ence in the right direction. The large community embracing the whole county was thus broken into smaller ones, and a proper spirit of emula- tion was begotten within the counties. With better means of access to the older settlements, improvements were brought in, invention was stimu- lated, and some adequate idea of the necessities and possibilities of the situation was gained. The rough freedom of society was more subject to the control of the more sober minded and industrious; churches and HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 657 schools followed and the frontier community began to assume the duties it owed to the larger community of the State and world. With the general settlement of the prairie, and the laying-out of regular roads, traveling became less dangerous, though scarcely less diiBcult. The amount of labor which could be bestowed upon them by the few people in the scattered settlements made but little effect upon the highways of a country which seemed particularly exposed, by the character of the soil and the conformation of the surface, to the unfavor- able action of rain, and even now the farming community of Newton County pays a heavy annual tribute to muddy, impassable roads. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION. The County Seat. — The question of the highest importance next to the formation oT the county, to the people of Newton, was the location of the seat of justice. On this issue, the sentiment and united eifort which succeeded, in spite of so many diflSculties in respect to the first, was entirely wanting. The prime moving cause which led to a division of Jasper County, was the remoteness of the county seat from most of the western part of the county, and the large majority of the people in the new county desired a central location for the new county seat. On the formation of the county. Gov. Willard promptly appointed Livingston Dunlap, of Marion County, John B. Winstandley, of Floyd County, and Joseph Allen, of Montgomery County, to fix upon the location. The event clearly showed that the Governor was actuated by personal motives in the appointment of this committee, and was present on the ground when the Legislative Commission came to view the situation. Samuel H. Owen was subsequently substituted for Mr. Windstandley, and on March 15, 1860, the Commissioners thus constituted submitted the fol- lowing report : To THB Hon. A. P. Willahd, Governor : The undersigned Commissioners, appointed by tlie Govei-nor of tlie State of Indiana, to locate the county seat of the county of Newton, in said State, after a full and faithful consideration of the subject, a view of the various sites proposed by the inhabitants of said countj'of Newton, and after having given an opportunity for the maliing of donations, and having duly considered the same, report that they by a majority of said board do locate said county seat of Newton County at the proposed and platted town of Kent, on part of Section 22, in Township 27 north, and Range 9 west, of the lands in said county; and we return herewith the original proposition of donations to said county for said location, to wit: Cash, A. .J. Kent, $.500; subscription by sundry persons, $245; one hundred and sixty acres of land, being the southeast quarter of Section 23, Township 28 north. Range 8 west, as de- scribed in patent, 195 lots of 30 by 150 feet each, as per proposition, court house .square, 350 by 250 feet, to be selected by the County Commissioners. Respectfully submitted this 15th day of March, A. D. 1860. L. Dunlap, Joseph Allen, S.^m'l H. Owen. 658 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. It is needless to say that this decision gave rise to the liveliest dissat- isfaction. Charges of bribery and every unworthy motive were freely made, and the facts in the case certainly gave very good grounds for sus- picions. A little east of the point selected lay a considerable tract of land, the title of which rested in the name of the Governor's wife ; the Governor, by his presence here during the visit of the Commissioners, gave color to the report that he did not care to trust even his own hench- men out of his sight, and his own intimate relations with Mr. Kent formed a combination of circumstances that might well give circulation to such charges, even among a people less willing to believe them. An effort was at once made to change the location thus decided upon, and, under the mistaken supposition :liat if a court house was erected near the center of the county the court would ilecide to remove the county seat to that point, a small town was accordingly projected in the southeast corner of Beaver Township, a court house erected, and on the 4th of Septem- ber, 1860, a petition was prssented to the new Board of Country Commis- sioners, bv John Darroch, John Coffelt, F. W. Hamey, Andrew Hess, Silas Johnston and James Archibald, for the removal of the county seat, and for its re-loc:ition at and on the south half of the northwest quarter of Section 36, Township 29 north. Range 9 west, averring that the petition contained the signatures of two-thirds of the legal voters in the county, and by affidavits proving that the petitioners were legal voters of the county, and thnt their signatures were genuine, and also at the same time filed a deed for a site for county buildings, at and on the point above named, containing three and one-quarter acres and upward : also, at the same time, deposited $50, as provided by the statute, to employ an archi- tect, etc.; all of which was laid before the board by the Auditor. This movement was promptly met by a remonstrance numerously signed and headed by A. J. Kent, and after several days of legal sparring the Com- missioners gave their decision as follows : We fiml tluU, said petitious had 3S3 signatures, and after the parties had in- vestigated tlie petitions, tlie remonstrants, being permitted to introduce evidence that persons who were on said petition had since signed a remonstanee a-gaiust said removal, and aiso tliat persoTis whose names were on said petitions liad died or re- moved out, of the county; and after lieariiig the evidence of parties as to who were properly on the petition for removal, we liud that there was, for cause, sixtv-two names struck from Ihe list of said petitioners, reducing the number to 3-1 legal voters, at the time said petitions were tiled; and in making up our opinion as to The testimony introduced by the parties, we believe that when the petitions were tiled with the Auditor that all the persons whose signatures were on said petition at that time, and that were residents and legal voters in the county, and who previouslv to said tiling of the petition had not signed a remonstrance against said petitions, were properly in eovirt. And we lind farther, that the remonstrants against said removal introilueed a remonstrance whicli we believe was eireiilated, and the signatures obtained after the HISTOPa' OF NEWTON COUNTY. 659 filing of said petitions, by which there was twenty-one names stricken from the list of signatures for the removal of the county seat; we, therefore, add said twenty- one names to the list of petitioners, making 342 signatures on the petitions for removal of the county seat at the time said petitions were filed, which we determine to be the true number of persons who are properly on the petitions for the removal of the county seat at the time said petitions were filed The petitioners introduced the poll of the last spring election, duly ccl*ftfi«cl, as the number of voters in the county; and the remonstrants ofEered as evidence the number of names whose signatures were on the petitions for removal, as also the number who were properly on the remonstrances against the removal, as evidence of the number of legal voters in said county. We are of the opinion that the act of 1855, under which the petitioners are acting, leaves the question as to the basis upon which Boards of Commissioners are to ascertain the number of voters an open question, and to be decided by the board as any other fact by the best evidence before them. We, therefore, determine that the legal voters in the county at the time when said petitions were filed is the num- ber that the act of 1855 requires, that two-thirds of whom shall be on the petition for the removal and relocation of the county seat. We are of the opinion that the 493 votes cast at the last spring election would fall short of the number of voters in the county at the time the petitions were filed, for the reason that there was only township and county officers to be elected, which never draws out a full vote as do our annual elections, when State and county officers are to be elected; and also that it is supposed that there is an increase in the voters annually. We therefore are of the opinion that the 343 names that are on the petitions, and those who are properly on the remonstrances against said petition, and verified by tlie affidavits, amounting to 303 names, making 544 as the true number of legal voters in the county at the time of filing said petitions. It is our opinion that the petitioners have failed, not having two-tiiirds of the legal voters in the county; and it is Ordered that the case be dismissed. An appeal was subsequently taken from this decision, but with no avail. This explicit statement, with its legal verbiage, may be taken as an exposition of the points upon which an effort to remove the county seat depends, and the manner of procedure in the case of both petitioner and remonstrant. On June 3, 1861, C. E. Triplet, Z. Spitler, E. Bridgeman, John Ly- ons, Andrew Hess, etal., presented another petition " for the removal and re-location of the county seat," the site designated this time being " near the town of Brook, to wit : On the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 19, Township 28 north, Range 8 west." Ten pe- titions, said to contain 390 signatures, a deed conveying five acres for public buildings, a bond conveying a tract of land not less than 160 acres for the use of the county, a further donation of every third lot in the proposed plat of the town, and a bond for the payment of $1,000 in law- ful money, were the inducements offered at this time. This movement was also met by a counter movement, but fate seemed kind to the be- leaguered minority, and a flaw in the money-bond threw the petitioners' case out of court. 660 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. On the 3d of March, 1870, another " petition for the removal and re- location of the county seat," signed by Daniel Ash and 609 others, was broutrht before the Board of Commissioners by Messrs. Hammond k Spitler, attorneys for the petitioners. The object at this time was to move the seat of justice to Morocco. The usual remonstrance was filed, but the case was summarily withilrawn by the petitioners without a hear- ing of the case. It afterward transpired that they had been made the victims of misplaced confidence, some of the important papers pertaining to tlie case having been stolen. Again in December, 1872, John W. Deaner, John Thompson and 952 petitioned for the removal of the county seat to Brook. This was opposed by a remonstrance signed by C. B. Cone, A. J. Kent and 580 others. This remonstrance was at first ex- cluded for insufficiency, but was subsequently amended and filed, where- upon the petition was summarily withdrawn. On June 20, 1876, the last and most determined attempt to remove the county seat was made by Daniel Ash, et al., in favor of Morocco. The petitioners retained Hon. J. R. CoftVoth. Hon. R. S. Dwiggins, Carmichael and Darroeh. The remonstr.nnce, headed by J. G. Perry and Patrick Keefe. was supported by Col, R. DeHart, E. 0. Brian, W. H. Mailin and J.T. Sanderson. In this case, the petitioners made the fatal error of neglecting to deposit with the Auditor the money required by law to hire an architect and pay expense of assessing damages. A tender of this money was made at the time of liearing. but the Board of Com- missioners refused to accept it, and an appeal was taken to the Circuit Court. A change of venue was taken to Jasper County, and subsequently to Tippecanoe County. Here the case was finally dismissed, upon motion, on the ground that tlie Commissioners' Court had original and filial jurisdiction. But the end is not yet. There is little question tliat the merits of the case are with the petitioners in these efl'orts to remove the county Seat to a more central location, but the management of details has been faulty in every instance, while the minority have shrewdly availed themselves of every technical right the law granted them. Tliere has been -.i marked lack of unanimity between the two rival points, Morocco and iirook, and tlie remonstrants have not been slow in taking advan- tage of tJiis lact to foment discord, and in every instance the remonstrants have been materially aided by those who were naturally opposed to them. There is but one voice as to the final issue. Circumstances may delay the event, and eacli year will add difficulty to such removal, but that the county seat will eventually be removed is felt to be well assured. In the midst of this spirited contest over the site of the county seat, HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 661 the public business proceeded as steadily as though there was no public agitation. The Governor appointed Thomas Barker Organizing Sheriff for the new county, who issued his call for a special election to be held April 2, 1860. There were six voting precincts, one in Beaver, Jackson, Iroquois and Lake Townships, and two in Washington. There was a total vote of 492, resulting in the election of Z. Spitler, Clerk ; Alexan- der Sharp, Auditor; Samuel McCullough, Treasurer; John Ade, Re- corder; Elijah Shriver, Sheriff; A. W. Shidler, Surveyor; Jared Yeo- man, Coroner ; Thomas R. Barker, William Russell and Michael Coffelt, Commissioners. On the 22d day of April, 1860, these ofScers filed their respective bonds and assumed the duties of their offices. On the following day the Commissioners held their Srst session in a building be- longing to Mr. Kent, facing the railroad. The new Board of Commissioners found the county divided into five townships, as mentioned above, the oldest of which were Beaver and Jackson. How the territory embraced within the limits of Newton County was originally divided cannot be ascertained. The Commission- ers' records of Jasper County previous to 1849 are destroyed. At that date these were the only townships in this territory, and it is probable that the line of division was the Iroquois River. Subsequently Hess Township was formed of that portion of Beaver lying in Ranges 8, 9 and 10 north, and north of Township 30. In the March term, 1853, the Commissioners of Jasper corrected the boundaries of all the townships in the county, and at that time made the township of Jackson to consist of all that territory in Range 8 west, and Townships 29, 30, 81 and frac- tional 32, to the Kankakee River ; Beaver embraced all the territory in Range 9 and fractional 10, in Townships 29 and 30 ; Hess, its name changed to Lake, occupied the territory in Range 9 and fractional 10: north of Township 30 ; and Iroquois, was formed to embrace the terri- tory in Townships 27 and 28 north, in Ranges 8, 9 and fractional 10 west. In September of the same year, Iroquois, twelve by fifteen miles in area, was found to be too large, and for the sake of " harmony," Townships 27 and 28 north, in Range 9 and fractional 10 west, were struck off and formed into a township called Washington. At the session of March, 1857, Lake Township was enlarged to take in that part of Jack- son lying in Townships 31 and 32, in Range 8. This was the condition of the townships when Newton County assumed control of her own af- fairs. The first business to come before the new board was a petition signed by Ralph Swiggert and others, for the division of Washington Township on the line of the Iroquois River, that part north of the river to retain the name of Washington, and the part south of the Iroquois to 662 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. be called Jefferson, which was granted. The designating number of townships was provided in 1861 as follows : Iroquois, No. 1 ; Jackson, No. 2; Lake, No. 3; Beaver, No. 4; Washington, No. 5; and Jefferson, No. 6. In September, 1861, Jackson Township was reconstructed, tak- ing a portion of Lake, so that its territory should consist of Townships 29, 30, 31 and fractional 32. in Range 8, leaving Lake to consist of Township 31 north, in Range 9 and fractional 10. as at present. In December, 1862, Z. T. VVheaton presented a petition of himself and others to strike off a portion of Beaver Township to be called Mc- Clellan, which should consist of Township 30 north, in Range 9 and frac- tional 10. leaving both townships as at present. On December 6. 1865, Ziba W. AVood and John C. McMasters pre- sented a petition for themselves and others asking for a division of Iro- quois Township. This petition, signed by R. C. Currens, Blake Wilson, F. E. Pierce, and thirty others, set forth the inconvenience of the pres- ent size of the township, and desired the Commissioners to name the new township Grant, as an expression of the petitioners' admiration for the successful Union General. This petition was granted, the new township to consist of Congressional Township 27 north. Range 8 west, and Iro- quois of Township 28 north. Range 8 west, leaviag both townships in their present shape. On March 9, 1871, a petition by Philip Miller and others was pre- sented asking for the erection of a township out of the territory lying in Townships 30, 31 and fractional 32, in Range 8, to be called Colfax. This was granted, and on the 8th of June, 1^72, Aaron Wilson and four- teen others petitioned for the division of Colfax Township on the Con- gressional township line between the Townships 30 and 31, to be called Lincoln. There has been no minor changes, and the geographv of the county is fortunately freed from those arbitrary meanderings of division lines which breed so many difficulties. The map presents a symmetrical ar- rangement of political divisions, which is a striking exception to the most of the State. rUr.LlC BUILDINGS. Among the earliest transactions of the Commissioners of Newton County was the appointment of Reuben White as agent to receive the donations for the county seat, and the selection of a site for the court house. The latter was fixed on Block 16, containing thirty lots, the whole area being 450x322 feet in size. On March 6, 1861, the Auditor, Recorder, and Clerk of the Circuit Court were appointed a committee, with full powers to contract for and superintend the erection of a building for court HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 663 room and connty offices, not to exceed $1,000, which was to be paid out of the donation fund. In the meanwhile, the Commissioners contracted for the use of Joel Anderson's store building, which had been erected on a lot adjoining Kent's store, for six months, at $6 per month. In June, 1861, the new court house was completed and accepted. As provided by the original order of the Commissioners, the other officers declining to take any responsibility in regard to the erection of the building, A. Sharpe, taking the assistance of Reuben White, advertised for bids, and found the lowest made by James Van Natta. This bid, of $974, was ac- cepted by the committee, but the contractor refused to accept the terms of payment and did not make out the necessary papers. The contract was ac- cordingly awarded to J. B. Cheesbrough, the next lowest among those bid- ding, but at the price of Van Natta's bid. This price, however, was in- creased to §1,000, and the porticos on either end of the building added to the specifications. The building was a plain, framed structure, with court and jury rooms above and four offices below. These lower rooms were appropriated by the Clerk, Auditor, Recorder and Treasurer, the Sheriff finding such quarters as he could. This state of things continued until 1867, the grand jury being forced to meet on one occasion in the discarded calaboose of the village. In this year, the small building fronting the north side of the court house was erected for a jury room. One room was immediately appropriated by the Clerk, and soon after- ward the Recorder appropriated the other, the Auditor's office being en- larged to take in the whole south side of the court house below, and the Sheriff appropriating the quarter deserted by the Recorder. This leaves the jury as poorly provided as before, the grand jury occupying such quarters as occasion offers. No jail has ever been built. The only public building, other than the court house, is the poor house. This is an ordinary farm dwelling on the farm situated on Section 33, in Washington Township. The poor of the county were " farmed out " at first, but in September, 1868, a farm was purchased of Mary and Solomon Warren for $5,500. This was on Sec- tion 13, in Iroquois Township, and in 1871 a part was sold and later the whole was disposed of, the county going back to the primitive way of caring for the dependent poor. January 24, 1878, in settling with D. A. Pfrimmer, a former Treasurer, the present poor farm consisting of 102 77-100 acres, was taken, at $35 per acre, in part settlement of his indebtedness to the county. The Superintendent of the farm leases the property at about $225 per year, and is allowed a certain amount per week for maintaining the inmates. About 1874, the offices of Clerk and Recorder were supplied with fire- 664 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. proof vaults for the storage of the county records, and the Auditor was supplied with a large safe, purchased in 1867 at an expense of $1,600 and previously used by the Recorder. The question of more commodious buildings is rapidly becoming an . important one. and will not be kept in abeyance much longer. Aside from the usual principle of economy supposed to be the dominating influ- ence with all Boards of Commissioners, the bearing a request for a vote of money for such expenditure would have on the question of the county seat removal will have a tendency to defer the agitation for new public buildings as long as possible. The court house square, indebted to the taste of Jira Skinner, a former Sheriff, for its fine grove of trees, is a marked feature in the village. COUNTY OFFICIALS. The gentlemen who have filled the oflice of Clerk of the Circuit Court of Newton County are : Z. Spitler, from 1860 to 1864 ; E. L. Urmston, from 1864 to 186S : Nath. West, from 1S68 to December, 1870, when he resigned. Andrew Hall was appointed to fill the vacancy, and was subsequently elected his own successor, filling the oiBce until 1876. W. W. Gilman was Clerk from 1877 to 1880, and John G. Davis from 1880, and is the present incumbent. Alexander Sharpe was the first Auditor, and served from 1860 to 1864; John Ade, from 1864 to 1868: Alex Ekey, from 1868 to 1871, when he absconded. John S. Veatch was appointed to fill the vacancy, and was elected to fill the succeeding term, serving until 1876. John Z. Johnston was Auditor from 1876 to 1880; Alexander Sharpe, from 1880 to April, 1883, when he died. John Z. Johnston was appointed to fill the vacancy, and was elected to fill the office, so that his term will not expire until 1884. John Ade was the first Recorder, serving from 1860 to 1864 : John Peacock from 1864 to 1872 ; EzraB. Jones, from 1872 to 1880 ; George M. Bridgeman, from 1880, and is the present incumbent. The Treasurers of the county have been : Samuel McOollough, from 1860 to 1864 ; Samuel Bramble, from 1864 to 1868 ; Abraham A. My- ers, from 1868 to 1872 ; D. A. Pfrimmer, from 1872 to 1876 ; John F. Johnstin, from 1876 to 1880; George G. Jenkins, from 1880. and is the ])rcsent official. Each Treasurer has been honored with the second term. Tlie Sheriffs of tlie county have been: Elijah I. Shriver, from 1860 to 1864: II. K.Warren, from 1864 to 1866; Charles Frankonberger, lr(,m 1866 to 1868; II. K. Warren, from 1868 to 1872; William A. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 665 Patrick was elected in 1872, but served only a short time, when he re- signed ; Jira Skinner was appointed to fill the vacancy, and was subse- quently twice elected, filling the office from 1873 to 1878 ; Hugh Par- ker followed, from 1878 to 1880, and J. W. S. Ulrey from 1880,"and is the present officer. The Surveyors of the county have been : A. W. Shidler, from 1860 to 1864; Barnett Hawkins, 1864 to 1870 ; C. W. Clilfton was elected in 1870, but did not qualify for the position, and Hawkins held over until the election of Joseph Chambers, who served from 1872 to 1874 ; Milton Cook succeeded from 1874 to 1876 ; Benjamin Harris, from 1876 to 1878, and Otis Shepard from 1878, and is the present incumbent. The Coroners have been : John Vandyke, from 1870 to 1872 ; H. K. Warren, from 1872 to 1874 ; J. B. Wescott was elected his successor, but refused to qualify, and the office went begging until 1879, when H. K. Warren assumed its duties until 1880 ; then J. C. M. Chaffee, dis- charged its duties from 1880 to 1882, and Anson Coppocks from 1882, and is the present official. In 1860, the Board of Commissioners divided the county into three districts. No. 1 to be composed of Township 27 north. Ranges 8, 9 and fractional 10 west, and Township 28 north. Range 9, and fractional 10 ; jSTo. 2 to be composed of Township 28 north. Range 8 west and Township 29 north. Ranges 8, 9 and fractional 10 ; No. 3 to be com- posed of all territory in the county north of Congressional Township 29 north, in Ranges 8, 9 and fractional 10. From the District No. 1, Will- iam Russell served as Commissioner from 1860 to 1865; Reuben White, from 1865 to 1868 ; John F. Johnson, from 1868 to 1871 ; R. S. L. Cur- ren, from 1871 until his death in 1872 ; the vacancy was filled by the appointment of Blake Wilson, on June 3, 1872, until the election of Daniel Gray, in October, 1872, who completed the term. 0. G. Mcllvaiu succeeded from 1874 to 1877 ; T. S. Brecount, from 1877 to 18-^S, and J. A. Timmons from 1883, who is the present member from that district. DistT'ict No. 2 has been represented by Thomas R. Barker, from 1860 to 1864, his first term being for one year only ; Daniel Deardorf, from 1864 to 1867 ; Andrew Hess, from 18(57 to 1873 ; W. W. Wishard, from 1873 to 1878, when he resigned , John D. Spohn was appointed to fill the vacancy, and was elected his own successor, holding the office until 1882, and was succeeded by Ebenezer Hunter, the present incumbent. District No. 3 has been represented by Michael Coffelt, from 1860 to 1863 ; Philip Hunter, from 1863 to 1866 ; Isaac Timmons, from 1866 to 1869 ; James Halleck, from 1869 to 1872; A. M. Skinner, from 1872 to 1875 ; A. M. Guilford, from 1875 to 1878; Silas Sinks from 1878 666 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. to 1881, and J. W. Chizum, from 1881, and is a member of the present Board. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY. The First Settlers.— The early reputation of Newton County (or rather the western part of Jasper) in regard to its social as well as phys- ical characteristics, greatly retarded the coming in of settlers. There were no railroads, no newspapers, and but very few people until about 1860, and so long as these characteristics remained prominent, the unsettled portions of other parts of the State secured the larger part of the west- ward emigration. The tide began to change, however, about 1853, and the prospects of the county began to improve until tlie coming of the rail- road in 1860, when its growth received a decided impulse. The pioneers of Newton County came principally from Southeastern Indiana, but natives, however, of Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Succeeding years have brought the principal contributions to the population of the county from New York State. Maryland, Pennsylvania and Illinois. The early families had been pioneers in older settlements from which they came, or had grown up in frontier colonies which their fathers had founded, and had been trained in the stern school of e.xperi- ence to meet and conquer the difficulties of a new country. But the prob- lem here, nevertheless, presented experiences entirely difterent from those with which their earlier life had acquainted them. The Iroquois Kiver, with its fringe of timber, divided the vast open plain of grass and flowers into two divisions. North of the river the meadow stretched out to the marshes of the Kankakee and Beaver Lake ; while to the southward the broad expanse of the Grand Prairie, marked here and there by a stray clump of stunted trees, stretched away, unbounded save by the horizon, and the pioneer with his little retinue of wagons was lost in this luxuri- ant wilderness like a convoy of sloops in mid-ocean. The first sight of a great prairie in the height of its native beauty is one never to be forgotten. The beholder strains his eyes to take in its extent until the effort becomes painful, while its beauty and variety foils the power of expression. It is a new and wonderful revelation. Strange sights and sounds greet the senses on every side. The piping cry of the ground squirrel, as he drops from his erect position and seeks the protec- tion of his burrow at the first alarm, the slirill notes of the plover, scat- tered about in countless numbers, fitfully starting and running over the meadow ; the booming of the prairie-cock ; the mad scream of the crooked- bill curlew, as you approach its nest ; the distant whoop of the crane; the pump-sounding note of the bittern ; the lithe and graceful forms of the deer, in companies of three or five, lightly bounding over the swell of HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 667 the prairie ; the beautiful harmony of color and rich profusion of flowers — it all seems like a new creation — an earthly paradise. Every immigrant supplied his own means of reaching his destined home. The pioneer from Pennsylvania or the Southern States, betrayed his nativity and prejudice in the schooner-shaped wagon box, the stiff tongue, the hinder wheels double the size of the forward ones, and close- ly coupled together, the whole drawn by a team of four or six horses which were guided by a single line in the hands of a teamster riding the " nigh wheeler." His harness was of gigantic proportions. What be- tween the massive leather breeching, the heavy hames and collar, the immense housing of bear-skin upon the hames, the heavy iron trace chains, and the ponderous double-tree, the poor beasts seemed like humanity in a chain gang, or some terrible monsters that human ingenuity could scarcely fetter securely. The Eastern immigrant, from New York or farther east, was marked as far as his caravan could be seen, by a long coupled, low boxed, two-horse wagon, provided with a seat, from which with double lines the driver guided his lightly harnessed pair of horses. There was about each part of the outfit evidences of the close calculation of means to an end, and an air of utility which left no room to doubt the purpose of the maker in every part of it. In such a community, where " the richest were poor and the poor lived ' in abundance," there was no chance for the growth of caste, and families for miles around were linked together as one neighborhood, by the social customs of the time, which in the spirit of true democracy drew the line at moral worth alone. The amusements of a people, taking their charac- ter from the natural surroundings of the community, were here chiefly adapted to the masculine taste. Hunting and fishing were always liber- ally rewarded, while log cabin raisings, the opening of court with its jury duty, and the Saturday afternoon holiday with its scrub horse race, its wrestling match, its jumping or quoit-pitching, afforded entertainments that never lost their zest. It was a common remark, however, that a new country furnished an easy berth for men and oxen, but a hard one for women and horses. Outside of visiting and camp meetings, the diversions in which women participated at that early day were very few; husking and spinning bees, and "large " weddings, where the larger part of the night was spent in dancing, did not have the frequent occurrence so char- acteristic of the Eastern States, and nothing here seemed to offer any substitute. EARLY ROADS. The fact that Newton and Jasper Counties were one during the early years of the former county's history,had an important bearing- upon its devel- 668 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. opment. That portion of the consolidated area which is now included in the limits of Jasper took the leading place in public matters. It afforded the site of the county seat, it was more thickly settled, and had less marsh land and low, wet prairie than the territory of Newton County. This made a settlement in the eastern part of the old county in many respects the more desirable, and had the effect to advance the interests of that section, while it proportionately retarded this. It is natural, therefore, to find all the early interests tending toward the common county seat at Rensselaer. The associations of the Indians were in the same direction before the whites. Their trails led eastward along the river to Blue Grass, and thence on to La Porte. The first lines of travel followed by the settlers were these trails until they became sure enough of their sur- roundings to locate lines independent of them. An early if not the first road through Newton County was from Buncombe, III., to Rensselaer. Another was from jMorocco to Rensselaer; a third was one direct to La Fayette, and another to Momence, 111., and thence on to Chicago. A mail route was earl}^ between Logansport. Rensselaer and Buncombe, 111., with an office at White Post, the residence of Zachariah Spitler. This was maintained between the two latter places until 1864. In the fall of 1854, a post office was established at the town of Morocco, and a mail route allowed from there to Rensselaer on condition that it was to be sustained entirely by the citizens along the route. At the same time, or shortly after, a post office was established at Pilot Grove. The first Postmaster at Morocco was John Ade, who remained in oflSce some three or four years. The first Postmaster at Pilot Grove was Stephen Ellett, who was shortly afterward superseded by Mr. Brenner. This state of things existed until about 1859, when the Government adopted the route and placed it under the same rules and provisions governing other mail routes. These lines of communication served the demand of the earlv com- munity until the thicker settlements ami the conflicting claims of the vari- ous farm owners demanded a more complete system of roads, when the numerous local trails from one neighbor to anotlier were made to give way to regularly established highways. The marshy character of the streams and the unfortunate character of the general conformation of the land has made roads and bridges an important and difficult subject. The character of the streams has changed from the rather sluggish current and pretty constant stage of water to a rapid rise and fall of water. This change, with the unfavorable character of the banks, has made brid>^in>^ expensive, and a. spirit of short-sighted economy has kept public improve- ments in tliis particular in a rather backward state. Three iron brid^'es HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 669 have been constructed at a cost of upward of $20,000 ; four wooden bridges made up the seven which spanned the water-ways of the county ; but all of these latter structures have been swept away by the high water of the winter of 1882-83. They are now being supplied by more substantial structui'es of wood. La Fayette was the point at which the early mer- chants got their goods, and these were brought on wagons over the thirty- odd miles of tedious road that intervened. It was, perhaps, not an un- mixed good that the county had a railroad before its growth actually demanded it, and while its location has aided in its symmetrical develop- ment, had greatly aided in its growth. RAILROADS. Hopes of securing railroad facilities were entertained as early as 1852, but it was not until two years later that any definite plan was urged. About this time, a line of road was projected from New London, Ohio, to Chicago. This passed through the usual changes incident to railroad organizations until 1857, when the money stringency of that time killed the project. Early in this year, the question in which Jasper and New- ton Counties were intei-ested with reference to their road, was the course the line should take from Fort Wayne. Kankakee and Rensselaer were ostensible competitors, and the projectors of the road shrewdly kept the two places straining their resources to outbid each other in the amount of contributions. In this contest, the people in the present area of Newton was interested in common with Rensselaer, Rochester and Winamac, which made the struggle not altogether uneven. It was held in the first named town, as a self-evident truth, that, if the road diverged to Kanka- kee, " Rensselaer would be killed dead as a mackerel," and the conviction was just as strong that Newton would share in the general " deadness " that would follow. It cannot be said that the latter county shared fully in the feverish anxiety which possessed the eastern part, as there was expectation that the road might not reach the western part of the original territory of Jasper. The heavy defalcation of the Ohio State Treasurer, upon whose bond some of the men most prominent in this railroad scheme were involved, sounded the first note of failure. The air line to Rock Island from the proposed junction at Rensselaer, which was to pass through Newton, was deferred, and after a vain effort to secure the sub- scription payable when the grade should be made and ties placed upon it, the enterprise succumbed to the financial pressure of the times, and was heard of no more. In 1870-71, this railroad scheme was again revived. The road had been projected in Ohio and Indiana under the general laws. These 670 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. charters were revived, a special charter obtained in Illinois and New- Jersey, and the line projected to Council Bluffs under the general laws of Iowa. In Pennsylvania, this combination purchased an old charter granted to the Continental Railway Company of Pennsylvania, which gave the new combination its name of " The Continental Railway Com- pany." .Through each State the organization was independent of any other, and when these several organizations were complete a gradual con- solidation combined the various fragments of the great line into the Con- tinental Company with a line of road projected in practically a straight line from New York City to Council Bluffs. The local organization in In- diana was known as the Fort Wayne & Western Railroad. Hon. R. S. Dwiggins, of Rensselaer, was and is still President of this company, and under the plan of consolidation, a Vice President and Director in the gen- eral company. A branch to Chicago was also projected, and arrange- ments made to locate important shops of the company there. In 1872, some fifteen miles of grade was made eastward of Rensselaer, and some one hundred and twenty miles in Ohio from New London to Tiffin, and elsewhere along the line. In 1870, the Commissioners of Newton County granted a petition of a number of the citizens to submit a proposition to raise $21,500 (one per cent on the valuation of 1869), by tax, to a vote of the people. This proposition w;is defeated, however, by a vote of 529 to 367. A liberal private subscription, however, was raised, and the pros- pect of a railroad seemed bright, though its former failure guarded against too sanguine expectations. The Continental Railway, as projected, consumed only Hfty-nine miles in curvature over the geographical distance between New York and Chicago, and only nineti/-uinf miles between New Y'ork and Council Bluffs, a geographical distance of 1,131 miles. The line was to be constructed with double tracks of heavy steel rails as far as Chicago, and with a single track from Rensselaer westward. The whole equipment was intended to be first-chiss in every respect, and the whole cost placed at ijf l.')0,000,000. There is no (|iiostiou that the construction of this road would liave been of immense advantage to Newton County, though there was not that general eutlmsiasm upon tlie suliject which one might naturally expect. Tiie existence of the other railroad divided the inter- ests of tlie [leople here, and led those in the southern part of the county to view Its construction as hostile to their advanceiueut. Still the ijrad- ing of the road-bed in Jasper, raiseil the hopeful anticipations of the peo- l)le to a high pitch when the financial disaster of 1873 doomed the enter- ]irise to fiiluro and the people to another disappointment. Tlie project IS still occasionally heard from, but the golden opportunitv is lost. Its ^1^^ HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 673 construction through Newton on the original line, would work great and valuable changes here, but the general distrust in its final success would operate very much to the discouragement of subscriptions in its aid if it should now be revived. The Logansport ifc Peoria Railroad was built through the southern part of Newton County in 1809, the first train passing over the road December 25, in that year. The name of the road was changed before its completion here to the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw, the final designa- tion, changing from that to Oquawka, and later to Burlington. It subse- quently was operated by the C, C. & I. C, and later by the Pittsburgh, Chicago & St. Louis, which has recently changed this nomenclature to Chicago, St. Louis & Pittsburgh. This road was constructed before there was any general settlement in this part of the county, and ran most of the way through an open prairie country, where there were not enough people to sell the "right of way." This latter formality has only been attended to in the past year. The report of the Superin- tendent of this road, dated .July, 1S60, reports the gross earnings of the road from Logansport to State line, for the first six months, at $25,000, and the expenditures at §20,000. The Superintendent adds : The local business of the road is quite small. From the dividing line between the States of Indiana and IHinois, eastward to Eeynold's Station, the junction with the New Albany & Salem Railroad, a distance of tbirty-tiye miles, the country is very thinly settled and but slighth' improved. There is not a town or village in this entire distance, and at the time of opening the road, there were but two or three dwellings. Improvements are now being made which will add materially to the business of the road. At Kent's Station, four miles east of the Dlinois State line, a village is rapidly springing up, wliich will tend to draw grain and other produce to this point for shipment, which has hitherto sought a market at La Fayette. The same may be said of Carpenter's Creek Station, a point seventeen miles east of Kent. The actual result has amply confirmed the judgment expressed in this report. The Plymouth, Kankakee & Pacific Railroad is a line that has been agitated for some ten or twelve years. It is now known as the Indiana, Illinois & Iowa Railroad Company, and at the present writing, is building through Jasper and Newton Counties. This line passes through the northeast corner of Lincoln Township, but does not aifect the interest of the county at large. The Chicago & Great Southern Railroad is another recent but more important enterprise. A railroad which should connect the coal-fields of this State with Chicago, has been the subject of considerable agitation for the past twenty -five years. Most of the various enterprises that have been entertained have projected lines through Jasper or Newton Counties, but 40 674 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. * none have " materialized " until about 1879, when the Indiana & Great Southern road came before the public. This road proposes to connect at Attica with southern roads, and join the Louisville, New Albany & Chi- cago at Fair Oaks, in Jasper County. . From Oxford, a point on the Lake Erie & Western road, in Benton County, to the junction in Jasper County, the track is laid and traiEc begun. In 1880, the townships of Grant and Iroquois voted $15,000 and $10,000, respectively, in aid of this road, and considerable subscriptions from private parties were received in addition. The line passes through Goodland, and along the west line of Sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36, in Iroquois Township, where some considerable aid was secured from per- sons interested in its construction. The township aid was voted on the supposition that a two per cent tax upon the valuation of 1879 would aiford the amount. It is found, however, that property has really or osten- sibly depreciated, so that the tax is likely to fall short of the promised amount by some $4,000 or $5,000. A case is now before the courts to compel the Commissioners to levy an additional tax to make up the sum voted. The effect of this road upon the development of the county is yet to be fully determined. It is too far east to affect the general interests of the county largely. Several towns have sprung into existence along 'its line, only one of which now promises to have any assured prosperity in the future. THE PRESS AND POLITICS. Politics in Newton County has not been an absorbing topic. There has been a healthful division of political sentiment here, and "independ- ent" tickets have resulted in the election of members of the Democratic party ; but, as a rule, the Republican organization has borne rule in the county. Before the organization of Newton, the sentiment up to 1857 was largely in sympathy with the Democratic party. But with the agita- tion of that period there was a very general turning to the Douglas school of Democracy, or to the rapidly growing party, which had assumed the name of Republican. The swamp land diflSculty, and the supposed action of Gov. Willard in the matter of the county seat, had a tendency to further alienate the sympathy of the people from the "Old Line" party. With the opening of the war, these subtile distinctions in the Democratic ranks were suddenly swept away, and men became Republican or Demo- cratic as indicative of their attitude in regard to the prosecution of that struggle. The first paper, however, was not started as an "organ," but rather as an indispensable piece of furniture for a new county, and on September 26, 1861, the first issue of the '' m-wtim Ohrono'type" was HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 675 given to the expectant people. V. B. Cowen was the editor, and Cowen & Schoonover, proprietors. It was a six-column folio. Price, per year, $1.50. April 2, 1863, Bissell, Ade & Ross bought the office and changed the name of the paper to the Neivton County Union. December 16, 1863, H. Wyatt became editor. June 23, 1864, John Myei's became a partner in the paper, and March 24, 1864, it suspended till May 5, 1864. February 2, 1865, Streight & Watson bought the office, and changed the name of the paper to the Newton County Gazette. May 22, 1864, the office was sold to J. I. Horrell & Co. Afterward Horrell & Streight became proprietors. In August, 1865, J. I. Horrell again be- came proprietor, and November 28, 1865, he changed the name to the Citizen. February 15, 1866, H. 0. Bowden purchased the office and became publisher, and changed the name to Neivto7i County Gazette. February 22, it was enlarged to a seven-column folio, and July 21, 1866, McKernan & Horrell became publishers and proprietors. October 27, 1866, D. S. McKernan became publisher and proprietor. February 16, 1867, 0. P. Hervey becameeditor and proprietor. May 25, 1867, D. S. McKernan again became editor and proprietor. Up to this time it had been Republican in politics, but it was now run as a neutral paper until August 3, 1867, when J. B. Conner became editor and proprietor, and made it a Republican paper again. July 23, 1874, the Gazette was pur- chased by J. M. Arnout and S. P. Conner, the present proprietors, who enlarged it to a seven-column quarto. May 24, 1877, John French bought the interest of Arnout, and the business was continued under the firm name of French & Conner. April 17, 1879, Edwin Graham pur- chased the interest of S. P. Conner, and the firm became French & Gra- ham, which was finally changed to French & Conner, by R. A. Conner's purchase of Mr. Graham's interest. On the 13th of December, 1870, the entire office, with presses, type and material was consumed ; but on the 24th inst. a half sheet was issued, giving the editor's idea of what had "hit 'em." In April, 1883, another fire swept a large part of the business part of the town away, and destroyed two papers. The Kentland Gazette still survives. Owing to the improved outlook and the natural ambition of progressive men, the proprietors now propose to enlarge the facilities of the office and the size of the paper, which is now a five-column quarto. The Newton Democrat was established August 6, 1862, with W. C. Rose, editor. In the spring of 1863, the office passed into other hands and Mr. John McCarthy became editor and publisher, continuing to run the paper till the fall of 1865. The paper then suspended for a time, but was re-established August 24, 1867, with W. C. Rose, editor. Novem- 676 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. ber 19, 1867, J. B. Spotswood became editor. May 13, 1868, E. M. Howard and J. B. Spotswood, were its editors and publishers, and August 12, 1869, Mr. Howard retired. March 13, 1873, C. Root and Ed Gra- ham became the publishers. June 13, Mr. Boot retired and Mr. Spots- wood became editor. July 10, 1873, the Democrat suspended, as its editor stated in its obituary, from eating too much crow. August 28, 1874, the paper came forth again under the name of the People's Press, with J. B. Spotswood and W. L. Dempster as editors and publishers. No- vember, 1874, Mr. Spotswood became sole editor and proprietor. Under its last name the paper was allied to the " Greenback " interests, with notalarge constituency. The fire of 1883 destroyed the office, and no attempt has since been made to revive its publication, but it is expected that the summer will see its revival in the form of a neutral paper. The Neu'ton County Neivs was a late venture in the interests of the Democratic party. It was started by D. J. Eastburn in Decem- ber, 1881. In March, 1883, it was leased by Abram Yager, but its ca- reer was summarily ended by the fire. It was a five-column quarto, with co-operative inside pages. The Goodland Saturday Herald was founded in 1877, by Ingraham & Keyes, who published it for upward of two years. The paper was then sold to William C. Coppock, who continued its publication until September, 1878, when the office was destroyed by fire. It was revived in the following January, and soon afterward purchased by A. J. Kitt, who has been publisher, editor and proprietor ever since. On the 28th of December, 1882, the office was again swept away by fire, but in a few weeks new presses and new material, with the renewed energy of the pro- prietor, were again sending forth the Herald. The paper is now enjoying a healthful "boom " of business prosperity, and circulates very exten- sively in the adjoining county of Benton. The office is supplied with a good job outfit, and facilities equal to the best country offices. The Her- ald is now a six-column quarto, at this writing the largest sized paper in the county. CnUKOllES. Ill the early settlement of the county, the United Brethren were the most numerous denomination here, and under the ministry of Frederick and Jacob Kenoyer, father and sou, and both now deceased, was an im- portant influence in shaping the character of the early comraunitv. New- ton County owes a , 3 O . a ti o = 9 3''- 1 a k .3 O « aj o II ja eg s- a .2 J a DENOMINA- TIONS. i o g d . IS a) c- 11 as 3— < o CD . 3>0 6 13 _. a <; § to 6S.S 3 *J o a 0) 3 3 o is .a 3 icto gag i^ Zi a ti H ^ > < c s Zi z; -< Methodist Epia- 15 5 S2380 1200 $304 220 57 16 540 100 1375 175 PresbyteriaD 2 46 85 131 4000 39 Baptist (New School) 2 2 6 2 2 3 55 215 75 58 235 125 113 450 200 2700 51100 33.50 600 800 500 100 300 lOO Catholic , 46 t 20 150 370 United Brethren 29 1S5 450 Christian 2 1 1 1 2 1 53 125 35 50 75 135 25 50 120 260 60 100 2700 2000 200 300 300 10 50 39 16 100 150 15* 40 75 Lutheran 1 Mennonltes : Totals 32 17 938 1268 2196 i>? S33750 S6230 S10S4 S713 lis 875 3905 SCHOOLS. Among the active forces that are influential in the development of society, the public school is hardly second to any, and Indiana, with the whole " Northwest territory," enjoys the advantages of the enlightened legislation of the General Government, which laid the foundation of the pres- ent excellent system nearly a century ago. On May 20, 1785, when this State was under the unquestioned control of the savage. Congress passed an ordinance reserving the " sixteenth section " in all the territory north- west of the Ohio, for the maintenance of public schools. Two years later, this policy was re-affirmed in the famous ordinance of 1787, which declared that " religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 679 good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall be forever encouraged." The great principle thus enunciated made but slow progress, however, in this State during the early years, although public-spirited men were not wanting. In 1807, the Territorial Legislature incorporated a uni- versity at Vincennes. October 26, 1808, and December 14, 1810, the Legislature provided for the administration of the school lands, the first act authorizing the Common Pleas Court to lease the reserved sections for a period of not to exceed five years, with the obligation that lessees should clear ten acres upon each quarter-section, and the latter act pro- hibiting the wasting of sugar trees and timber thereon. The Constitu- tion of 1816 provided for the enactment of laws for the suitable improve- ment of these lands, to prevent their sale before 1820, and to adopt meas- ures for the security and proper management of the school fund. The Constitution further provided for a general system of public schools aa follows: "It shall be the duty of the General Assembly, as soon as cir- cumstances will allow, to provide by law for a general system of education, ascending in regular gradation from a township school to a State univer- sity, wherein tuition shall be gratis and open to all." In the Constitu- tion of 1851, the same provision is made, with the exception of a State university. December 14, 1816, the General Assembly provided for the appointment of Superintendents of school sections in the several townships, who were authorized to lease the land for a term not exceed- ing seven years, every lessee being required to set out, each year, twenty- five apple trees and twenty-five peach trees, until 100 of each had been planted. January 9, 1821, the General Assembly provided against " any distinction between the rich and the poor," which eventuated in the first general school law of the State. It would be impossible, within reasonable space, to trace the varied course of legislation upon this important subject. Almost every session of the Legislature has witnessed the passage of some special or general law in relation to the school interests of the State. The difficulties in the way of the early progress of the system were numerous, and for a time insurmountable. Funds for the pay of the teachers and for erect- ing schoolhouses were lacking, qualified teachers could not be found, the school districts were sparsely settled, much of the legislation was imprac- ticable, the school funds were mismanaged, and more fatal than all was the strange prejudice, entertained by many, against popular education under the name of " free schools." Against the various hindrances, however, the system has slowly made its way, until, in efficiency of or- ganization and extent of the public fund, the public schools of Indiana are equal, if not superior, to the best in the Union. 680 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. SCHOOL FUNDS. There are eleven sources of school revenue, which the State Superin- tendent, in his report of 1872, divides into three classes : Productive, Contingent and Unproductive. Of the first class is the Congressional Township Fund, which consists of the money arising from the sale of the " sixteenth sections," most of which have been sold and the money placed at interest. 2. The Saline Fund, which arose from a second grant by Congress to the State in the act enabling the Territory to form a consti- tution and State government. This act provided "that all salt springs within the said Territory, and the land reserved for the use of the same, together with' such other lands as may, by tlie President of the United States, be deemed necessary and proper for working the said springs, not exceeding in the whole qiiantity contained in thirty-six entire sections, shall be granted to the said State for the use of the people of the said State, the same to be used under such terms, conditions and regulations as the Legislature of said State shall direct." The Legislature afterward saw proper to make this a part of the permanent school fund. 3. The Surplus Revenue Fund, which originated under the administration of President Jackson. At this time, the national debt, contracted during the Revolutionary war and in the purchase of Louisiana, was entirely dis- charged, leaving a large surplus in the treasury. In June. 18-36, Con- gress distributed this money among the States in the ratio of their re- presentation in Congress, and $860,254 fell to the share of Indiana. Feb- ruary 6, 1837, the Legislature set apart §573.502.96 as a permanent part of the school fund. By the terms of this distribution, this amount is subject to be recalled into the national treasury, but the strong proba- bility is that it will not be. 4. The Bank Tax Fund arose from the " State Bank," chartered hj the Legislature in 1834. A part of the stock in this bank was owned by individuals and part by the State. Sec- tion 15 of the charter provided that " there shall be deducted from the dividends and retained in bank each year the sum of 121- cents on each share of stock, other than that held by the State, which shall constitute part of the permanent fund to be devoted to the purposes of common school education under the direction of the General Assembly, and shall be suffered to remain in bank and accumulate until such appropriation by the General Assembly." 5. The Sinking Fund, which also originated in the operations connected with the State Bank. To pay her subscrip- tion to the stock of this bank, and to assist individual stockholders to pay the second and third installments upon their stock, the State borrowed Jf 1,300,000. xV fund was created out of the unapplied balances of this loan, and out of the principal, interest and dividends of so much as was HISTORY OP NEWTON COUNTY. 681 loaned to individual stockholders, for the sinking of the debt of the bank. A section of the original charter provided that, after full pay- ment of the bank's indebtedness, principal, interest and incidental ex- penses, the residue of said fund should be a permanent fund and appro- priated to the cause of common school education. From this source, the educational fund of the State received about ?5, 000, 000. The summary of these funds in 1872 amounted to the following : Congressional ToTvnsliip Fund $3,281,076 69 Saline Fund 85,000 00 Surplus Revenue Fund 573,503 96 Bunli Tax Fund 80,000 00 Sinking Fund 4,767,805 89 The contingent class of funds arise under the provisions of law from, 1. All fines for a violation of the penal laws of the State, which are made a part of the permanent fund; 2. All recognizances of witnesses and persons indicted for crime, when forfeited ; 3. Moneys arising under the statute which provides that " the estate of a person dying intestate, without kindred capable of inheriting, shall escheat to the State, and shall be applied to the support of common schools, in the manner pro- vided by law." This fund, in 1872, amounted to $17,866.55; 4. From the proceeds of the sale of swamp lands under a clause in the constitution which provides that " all lands which have been, or may hereafter be, granted to the State, when no special purpose is expressed in the grant, and the proceeds of the sales thereof, including the proceeds of the sales of the swamp lands granted to the State of Indiana by the act of Con- gress of the 28th of September, 1850, after deducting the expenses of selecting and draining the same," shall be a part of the common school fund. These lands were disposed of, not without some loss by specula- tion, and a considerable fund derived; 5. From "taxes on the property of corporations that may be assessed by the General Assembly for com- mon school purposes." This clause of the constitution is not clear either in its application or purpose, and has not been productive of any revenue to the school fund. Under the unproductive class falls so much of the "sixteenth sec- tions" as remain unsold. Nearly all of such lands furnish no revenue to the general fund, though a part has returned something in the way of rents or profits. 682 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. The summary of the school fund of the State for 1882 is as follows : Common School Fund held by counties in June, 1882, .$2,838,675 65 Non-negotiable bonds 3,904,783 21 Total Common School Fund 6,743,458 86 Congressional Township School Fund 2,463,953 65 Grand total 9,207,411 51 Grand total held in June, 1881 9,133,577 09 Increase for year 73,834 42 The early settlers of Newton were not behind the general sentiment of the State in their appreciation of the advantages of schools, and long before the State could render eiEcient aid, they had solved the problem for themselves — had erected schoolhouses and maintained schools by sub- scription. Neighborhoods turned out and built the cabin, and each patron paid the expense of the teacher's salary in proportion to the number of children sent. Money was scarce, but anything the settler had was generally valuable to the teacher, and by exchange the farmer's hog or cow was transformed into the children's education. The pioneer school was held in the Kenoyer settlement, and among its earliest teachers was Byron Kenoyer. When the county was organized, there were twenty- five schools, and the enumeration showed some 900 children of school age. Since then the advance has been rapid, modern methods have found willing acceptance, and most of the schools are supplied with maps, globes, etc. In 1871, a fine brick building for the accommodation of the village schools was erected in Kentland at a cost of $25,000. Until 1873, county examiners were appointed by the Commissioners; since that time County Superintendents have been elected by the united board of Township Trustees. The first examiner appointed was Na- thaniel West who served from June 8, 1861, to 1864. He was followed by W. C. Rose, from 1864 to 1865: J. M. Nelson, from 1864 to 1865; 0. P. Hervey, from 1865 to 1868 ; D. M. Graves, from 1868 to Decem- ber 8, 1870, when J. B. Smith was appointed to fill the vacancy to June, 1871. The first Superintendent was J. H. Merchant, who served until 1873, and was followed by B. F. Niesz, from 1873 to 1875; D. S. Pence, from 1875 to 1877 ; R. F. Kerr, from 1877 to 1878, when he resigned to go to Japan. Pierce Archibald was appointed to fill the vacancy until May 1, 1879, when W. II. Hershman was elected, and has continued to the present. The following statement covering the period from 1877 to 1882 gives an outline of the growth of educational interests: HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 683 Enumeration .-. Enrollment Average daily attendance Length of school year in days Number of districts in which school was taught Number of teachers employed Average compensation of male teach- ers per day Average compensation of female teachers per day Tuition expended during year Number of new schoolhouses built Estimated value Special school money expended Total value of school property Number of brick schoolhouses , Number of frame schoolhouses , Number of log schoolhouses Total number of schoolhouses $14, 2.851 2,309 1,260 119 68 87 SI 72 SI 61 847 63 ,850 87 940 00 1 59 60 2,781 2,284 1,689 133 62 83 SI 88 SI 76 818,491 63 1 8450 00 812,188 34 852,995 00 1 62 63 2,743 2,164 1,361 158 62 78 81 83 81 52 816,903 18 2 81,500 00 810,713 96 857,360 00 1 2,743 2,205 1,410 144 64 74 $1 60 81 63 815,410 51 3 81,450 00 810,196 58 856,920 00 1 65 319,187 83 66 1,345 64 853,300 00 1 65 1 67 2,720 2,248 1,379 129 75 81 82 13 81 77 818,432 66 1 8500 00 85,180 05 869,205 00 1 67 1 69 It will be observed that a log schoolhouse appears in 1881. A colony of colored people gathered here about that time with some sixteen pupils, and there being no schoolhouse at convenient distance, a log cabin was appropriated and fitted up for their use, and is now maintained as a distinctively colored school. The report for 1881 is unfortunately de- fective from the fact that no printed report is made for this year, and the duplicate retained by the County Superintendent was partially destroyed. BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. Morocco Lodge, No. 372, Free and Accepted Masons, is the oldest lodge of the order in the county. It was instituted in 1865. Newton Lodge, No. 361, of the same order, was instituted at Kent- land July 13, 1867, with A. L. Brecount, W. M. ; E. L. Urmston, S. W. ; E. G. Smith, J. W. ; and John Ade, Secretary. The lodge has been unfortunate enough to lose its hall and furniture in each of the fires that have devastated the business quarter of the county seat, and has there- fore no accumulated fund ; at this writing it has no regular place of abode. Kentland Chapter, No. 89, Royal Arch Masons, was instituted Jan- uary 9, 1873, with William Perry, H. P. ; A. L. Brecount, K. ; Gil- bert Goff, S., and John Peacock, Secretary. This organization suffered with Newton Lodge in both fires in Kentland. Goodland Lodge, No. 445, was instituted in 1869 ; and Brook Lodge, No. 458, soon afterward, with J. T. Graham, W. M. ; G. N. Stewart, S. W. ; H. F. De Haven, J. W. Goodland Lodge, No. 346, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted April 22, 1870. The first officers were W. M. Scott, N. G. ; W. B. Canine, V. G. ; C. W. Wilson, Secretary ; Blake Wilson, Treasurer. The lodge met with serious loss by fire February 28, 1874, 684 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. when all its effects, together with charter and books, were destroyed. The members with undaunted courage and energy went to work and re- fitted the hall, and it is now the oldest and strongest lodge of the order in the county. Beare Lodo-e, No. 378, of the same order, located at Morocco, was instituted August 21, 1871. The first officers were T. G. Flowers, N. G. ; Joseph McClain, V. G. ; J. B. Schissler, Secretary, and H. R. Fields, Treasurer. Kentland Lodge, No. 390, of this order, was organized May 24, 1872, with J. J. Saunderson, N. G. : H. K. Warren, V. G. ; J. S. Veatch, Secretary ; B. F. Drake, Treasurer. Brook Lodge, No. 423, was instituted August 7, 1878, when Andrew Hess was installed Noble Grand, and S. Mather, Secretary. Western Encampment, No. 126, was instituted at Goodland, January 28, 1874, with the following ofiicers : Blake Wilson, C. P. ; W. B. Pat- terson, H. P. ; C. W. Wilson, S. W. ; John Higgins, J. W. ; J. A- Lovett, Scribe : R. C. Currens, Treasurer. One month after the En- campment was instituted its affects were all destroyed. Harmony Degree Lodge, No. 108, was instituted at Goodland March 31, 1874. Damon Lodge, K. of P., No. 72, was instituted at Kentland No- vember 9, 1876, with the following charter members : J. S. Veatch, C. H. Miller, W. R. Payne, N. R. Donaldson. R. C. McCain, E. T. Scott, D. W. Fletcher, E. A. West, J. Skinner, J. E. Arnold, N. K. Fowler, B. C. Kent, R. W. Allen, G. Shonio, J. W. Randall, E. P. Gard. The lodge has been unfortunate in losing a large number of its members by removal from the village. Its membership now num- bers about thirty-five. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 686 NEWTON COUNTY IN THE WAR. IN the early wars of the Union, the Revolution, the war of 1812, the Black Hawk war in 1882, the war with Mexico in 1846-47, New- ton County took no part. The county was but sparsely settled at this later period, and while some of its citizens may have found their way into the army, there was no military ardor or warlike enthusiasm mani- fested here. From the formation of the State to 1830, the State militia was in high repute, and afforded the surest channel through which to achieve civil distinction. Four years later, the organization was entirely aban- doned, and public sentiment seemed to react and render the later efforts to revive the system a failure. On the 14th of June, 1852, an act was passed for the organization of the militia by Congressional districts ; and on the 12th of February, 1855, an act concerning the organization of volunteer associations was passed, providing for the formation of mili- tary companies by filing articles of association in like manner as pro- vided for organizing building, mining and manufacturing companies. These laws were practically of no value, merely providing, in a general way, for the organization of the militia, without regulations sufficient to secure any successful result. Many commissions were issued, in most cases for the mere purpose of conferring honorary military titles upon the recipients ; but with the exception of probably a dozen companies (most of which had but a brief existence) formed in various parts of the State in 1859 and 1860, aggregating about 500 men, no organizations were made.* Such was the condition of the militia force of the State when Fort Sumter surrendered on the 13th of April, 1861, and when Gov. Morton, on the 15th, telegraphed to President Lincoln the tender of 10,000 men " for the defense of the Nation." The Senatorial campaign of 1858, with the succeeding Presidential contest in 1860 (in both of which Lincoln was the exponent of political principles that were rapidly gaining the ascendency in Newton County), served to fix the attention of the people here upon the political storm which seemed to be gathering with portentous mutterings over the south- ern portions of the country. It is doubtful whether hope or fear pre- dominated in the minds of the people as the day approached when Lincoln was to be inaugurated ; but the hope and expectation of the great majority * Adjutant Geaerara Report. 686 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. seemed to be that in his grasp the viper of secession would be summarily strangled, as Jackson had done before with the "nullifiers." It was in this state of vacillation between hope and fear that the reverberations of Fort Sumter's guns assailed the ear of the eager North. It was this explosion, echoing round the world, that gave pause to political bicker- ings and made men Union or non-Union. Niceties of political distinction were generally lost sight of, but there were some who, too obtuse to catch the inspiration of the hour, and caught in the re-action of the patriotic outburst, developed a determined opposition to the dominant party, and to the prosecution of the war. The first demonstration of patriotism, when men struggled for the privilege of defending the nation in the army, silenced all disposition to give expression to this opposition, but when the disastrous result of McClellan's futile campaign gave pause to the nation's enthusiasm, this disloyal sentiment came forth to work its disgraceful mission. It existed in many parts of the North, and, con- cisely stated in the Adjutant General's report — "it showed itself strong enough to take Indiana out of loyal hands in 1862, and leave her nothing but the iron will and unfailing sagacity of her Governor to prevent her own soil being made the scene of endless and ruinous local wars. It was strong enough to endanger the loyal control of Congress; it was wide- spread enough to cripple the army by encouragement of desertion, and to provide protection for deserters in every township. It organized secret societies in the interest of the rebellion, of which the members were sworn to resist the just demands of the Government, and obstruct the prosecu- tion of the war. It murdered draft officers, and destroyed enrollment papers. It distributed arms for treasonable uses, and plotted the destruc- tion of Government arsenals and storehouse?. It conspired to release rebel prisoners and arm them for a raid upon our own soil. It created riots in nearly every county of the Northwest, and in the East it excited the most inhuman and dastardly mob ever known in this country. * * * * rpj^g righteous wrath of loyal men for awhile awed it into silence, if not into inactivity. But the disasters of the Government and the failures of men, whom its own influence had weakened or depraved, encouraged it to show itself again within a year." Newton County shared in this state of things to a limited extent. Opposition to the general course of the State and national administra- tions was manifested by a minority, though no violent demonstrations were made. In 1862, H. II. Dodds, of Indianapolis, made a violent speech denouncing the policy of the National Government. This aroused considerable temper, but it was allowed to pass off without demonstration. At Rensselaer, on the siicceeding day or two, Dodds was arrested, but HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 687 soon released. His sympathizers in Jasper proposed to rescue him, and burn the village. Fortunately, no collision occurred, but Newton County contributed a number of recruits to the force, that, like the famous King of Spain, " marched up with twice five thousand men, and then marched back again." Saturday, April 13, 1861, Fort Sumter fell. The rumors of the night before were confirmed on Sunday, and on the 15th Gov. Morton telegraphed to the President his tender of 10,000 men " on behalf of the State of Indiana." On the same day, President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling forth the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of 75,000 men. The quota of Indiana was sub- sequently fixed at six regiments of infantry, comprising in rank and file 4,683 men, to serve for three months, if not sooner discharged. No militia existed in fact, and on the 16th inst. Gov. Morton issued his proclamation, in which, after stating the cause, he called " upon the loyal and patriotic men of this State, to the number of six regiments, to organ- ize themselves into military companies, and forthwith report the same to the Adjutant General, etc." The response from every part of the State was prompt and unanimous ; the day after the call there were 500 men in camp, on the 19th there were 2,400 men, and in less than seven days more than 12,000 men had been tendered. Contests to secure the accept- ance of companies were earnest and frequent, and all seemed anxious to discharge their perilous duty of citizenship. The response from Newton County to the Governor's call was prompt and enthusiastic ; the ranks of one of the earliest companies formed in the State were filled by the volun- teers of Newton and Jasper. The first call for troops by the President was April 15, 1861, for 75,000 men for three months' service; the second was May 3, 1861, for 42,034 men, for three years' service ; the third was August 4, 1862, for 300,000 men, for nine months' service ; the fourth was June 15, 1863, for 100,000 men, for six months' service ; the fifth was October 17, 1863, for 300,000 men, for three months' service ; the sixth was July 18, 1864, for 500,000 men, for one, two and three years' service ; the seventh was December 19, 1864, for 300,000 men, for one, two or three years' service. Up to the sixth call, Indiana furnished her quota of troops without resort- ing to draft, but under this demand something over 12,000 men were conscripted. No serious difiiculty was felt in Newton County in obtaining volun- teers to fill the quota until the fifth call. Under this demand, Newton County's quota was thirty-six men, and the Commissioners authorized E. L. Urmston and two others to proceed to Indianapolis and secure the re- 688 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. quisite number of men. This was done at an expense of $15,949.40, besides a payment of $200 to Mr. Urmston for his services. Under the sixth call, the quota was filled by volunteers, but large bounties were paid by both townships and county. On February 15, 1865, the Commission- ers passed an order to pay $250 to each accepted volunteer accredited upon the quota of the county. It was also provided that this should be paid only where the township's bounty did not exceed $200. This bounty was to be paid also to each drafted man, or the substitute. The Adjutant General's report credits the county with but one man raised by draft, and he from Jefferson Township. The total expenditure of the county for bounties is as follows: By the Commissioners, $26,900; by Iroquois Township, $2,200; Jackson, $2,200 ; Beaver, $1,500; Wash- ington, $2,000; Jefferson, $3,000; making a total of $37,800 paid by the whole county in securing the quota of troops during the war. The expenditure for the relief of needy families of the county's vol- unteers on the part of the whole county was $3,288.50 ; of which the Commissioners applied $1,288.50, and the various townships as follows: Iroquois, $400 ; Jackson, $300 ; Beaver, $500 ; Washington, $200 ; Jeff- erson, $600. The miscellaneous expenditures of the county with refer- ence to the war amounted to $800; which swells the grand total of amount expended to $41,888.50. The ladies were not idle here, and in a private way sent such comforts as stockings, mittens, delicacies for the sick, or for a holiday dinner, etc. There were no regular societies formed, but each one took the opportunities as they were afforded. THE VOLTJNTEEKS. The county was but sparsely settled at the opening of the war. and most of its volunteers joined companies from Jasper County, save Com- pany E, of the Ninety-ninth Infantry, which was chiefly made up of Newton County men. The county was represented as follows : Ninth Regiment, Company D — Thomas M. Clark, died in service; John Deardurff, John D. Goddard, Joseph Shaffer, died in service ; Adonijah Smart, killed ; Isaac Smart. Company G — William H. Peck, killed; Jacob II. Sager. Fred K. Bartholomew, John M. Bloomer, died ; Edmund Catt, died : Thomas J. Cashaw, William H. Earl, died ; Christian Enfield, George C. Hawkins, Charles W. Lynch. Milton J. Mooreman, Theodore F. Maxwell. Anthonv Odell, Jefferson T. Reading, killed; George W. Smith, William M. Strench, killed; John II. Thornton, Ezra S. Treadway. died. The Ninth Regiment participated in the following battles: Green brier, Alleghany, Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Wild Cat Mountain. Stone HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, all of the battles of the Sherman campaign to Atlanta, and battles of Franklin and Nash- ville. A more extended notice of the campaigns of this regiment will be found in the sketch of Jasper County. Fifteenth Regiment. Company H — Horace K. Warren, commis- sioned Captain April 25, 18(31 ; L. H. Bartholomew, Warren T. Haw- kins, John Blue, died; Henry C. Jones, David F. Sager, Charles Mess- horn, Joseph T. Hardesty, William Kennedy, William V. Rutledge, Ira J. Baker, A. J. Bartholomew, died; Jared S. Benjamin, William T. Beardsley, John Billings, Josiah Burton, died ; William Burton, James Burton, John M. Butler, G. D. Campbell, George W. Deardurff, William L. Graves, John H. Grants, George D. Hardesty, Christian Hundershell, John A. Isaacson, Moses A. Jones, John Jungling, killed ; Samuel Kelley, Daniel K. Laforce, died ; John B. Blake, John R. Linton, J. C. Nottingham, John Nulligan, killed ; Jackson Plummer, Aaron Reed, killed ; Thomas Smith, Charles G. Spear, Ira Steel, John Stout, George Welch, Henry Wishorn, died. The Fifteenth Regiment was in the battles of Greenbrier, Rich Mountain, Shiloh, Corinth, Pcrryville, Stone River and Mission Ridge. This regiment is noticed fully elsewhere in this volume. Fifty-first Regiment — David A. McHoUand, commissioned Colonel March 17, 1865; Erasmus B. Collins, commissioned Surgeon November 19, 1861 ; Amos Esterlinor, commissioned Assistant Surgeon December 19, 1863 ; Adolphus Wonder, Captain Company B, died in rebel prison; William A. Lewis, Captain, John D. Morgan, Captain ; Albert Light, First Lieutenant, died ; Edwin R. Arnold, First Lieutenant ; Charles Mallatt, First Lieutenant ; Jeremiah Sailer, Second Lieutenant, died; J. F. Shaffer, Aaron Kenoyer, G. E. Tiffiney, killed; J. S. Hurst, killed; William Deweese, A. Arnold, D. Doty, Samuel Yeoman, John Bramble, Robert Barr, I. N. Bush, Samuel Clark, killed ; William Collins, John Cashew, killed ; Thomas Crawn, Reece Denney, Alexander Bkey, Patrick Griffin, George W. Haney, William Haney, Walter Hawkins, George W. Heshner, died ; Jacob Hasier, J. H. Harrington, Ezra G. Handley, James Helms, Henry Hawery, died ; John T. Harris, E. T. Ham, died ; Lemuel J. Johnson, James Kenoyer, L. H. W. Kelley, James Kenan, Samuel Lyon, Able Lyon, Cyrus Louthan, John Lowe, Dennis P. Morris, H. W. Merridith, Alexander A. Myers, James Not- tingham, died ; Stark Olmstead, Jonathan Pruett, G. W. Smith, David G. Smith, died ; Jonathan Staten, Edward Sherman, John Sherman, Harry Troup, killed; Barden B. Best, Ira Yoeman. Joined after organization of regiment : 690 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. Henry Bishop, James Corn, J. S. Christopher, Charles W. Clifton, I. C. Denney, Jessie Dodson, Charles B. Davis, John A. Guinn, John J. Horn, Ephraim Haney, Levi Haney, Charles W. Lynch, Hiram H. Mc- Clain, Warren Marat, Albert Myers, W. B. Roney, W. W. Thoroughman. Ni7iety-ninth Regiment— Sa,mue\ Moore, commissioned Major May 3, 1865; Daniel Ash, commissioned Captain August 22, 1862 ; William W. Downes, commissioned Captain March 1, 1865 ; Elias W. Shaner, First Lieutenant; George W. Smith, First Lieutenant ; Carroll L. Shidler, Second Lieutenant; James W. Graves, Abraham W. Bebout, Stephen D. Kerns, Austin M. Darroch, John Barker, Clark A. Wood, William Rinker, died ; William T. Board, B. T. Roadrick, J. E. Longwell. Solo- mon Ash, W. H. Alexander, William Airhart, died ; George C. Bartholo- mew, killed ; Charles Bartholomew, Abner Bartholomew, died ; Sylvester Board, John Brown, William Brown, died ; James Burns, Cyrus Brun- ton, Allen Catt, Christian Enfeldt, Jacob Houscheldt, John Holoway, died ; William Holoway, died ; Joseph Hooks, A. B. Hosier, Jonas L. Horner, died ; E. L. Humphries, John Johnston, F. B. Jones, died ; Joseph Kennedy, Hiram W. Kelley, died : Henry S. Kramer, Paul La- force, Joseph L. Laforce, died ; D. W. Lowe, Benjamin Martin, Thomas C. Moore, Andrew Murphy, died; William A. Patrick, John Reynolds, A. J. Saunderson, died ; E. J. Shidler, Soloman Shriver, Joseph Shafer, S. M. Skeggs, John C. Sarver, John Starkey, died : Thomas Starkey, Thomas L. Thornton, Young Thompson, died; G. C. Vannatta, J. Web- ber, died; John D. Wyatt, died ; Levi White, killed ; Andrew S. Young, Asa Yeoman, died ; James Atkinson, John W. Moore, died. Joined regiment after organization : James Anderson, John Grenfeldt, James Griifith, died ; William Wil- son. One Hundred and Ihvcnty-eighth Rigiment, Company A — James Bissell, Captain, killed; Joseph Blessing, Second Lieutenant; George D. Boyd, Jeremiah Branson, died; William Sherwood, A. L. D. Scott, pro- moted First Lieutenant ; Abel Lyons, A. W. Scott, M. L. Ham, S. V. Peabody, John L. Mercer, William Burnes. Theodore Broadfield, J. Bell, D. P. Brenesholtz, N. K. Carmichael, H. B. Childers, W. Clark, John Corn, J. N. Drake, D. Dexter, C. Frankenberger, John Glaspy, S Green, John Glaze, George Garrison, N. Holt, S. Headly, George Hoflf- man, A. Herrington, D. Headdington, L. J. Johnson, Eph Kesler, died; John W. Knight, J. J. Lamb, J. H. Lothain, James H. Lowe, F. M. Line, John W. Maxy, J. W. Murphy, Thomas Metts, B. Mullet, C. Musson, J. M. Moone, William Odel, M. Ottemwalter, J. M. Patterson, J. Reynolds, J. A. Smith, L. Stroup, G. Scrauiblin, G. A. Storv, W. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 691 T. Smith, W. L. Veatch, J. G. Vanfoasen, John ,Vaughn, I. Yeoman, killed ; A. Yoeman. C. E. Triplett joined the Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteers as As- sistant Surgeon. Was afterward promoted to Surgeon of that regiment. John Brodrick and B. F. Evans were also members of the Eighty-seventh. J. Staton, T. Staton, S. Pierce and two or three other Newton County boys — whose names we cannot ascertain — enlisted in an Illinois regiment. Newton boys in Fifth Indiana Cavalry — C. Leaming, S. Carroll, J. Howenstine, A. A. Harrington. J. A. Hatch joined the Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry as Assistant Surgeon. Was afterward promoted to Surgeon of that regiment. Joseph Ade enlisted in the Sixth Ohio Infantry. Charles E. Ross enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and was with that regiment all through its campaigns in the East. Newton County boys in Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, Company K — Daniel M. Graves, Captain ; Henry E. Ash, Mahlon Fell, William Flemming, Albert S. Graves, Thomas Staten, Elijah M. Standridge. John Strohn, Company L. Newton also sent a full company in defense of the State against the raid of John Morgan. They were recruited and on their way to the front within twenty-four hours after receiving iiews of the invasion. Horace K. Warren, Captain; John Ade, First Lieutenant; John B. Chesebrough, Second Lieutenant. In the Mexican war, the State had five regiments, and to avoid his- torical confusion, the regiments raised for the war of the rebellion were designated by numbers beginning with six. Fifty-first Infantry. — This regiment was organized at Indianapolis on the 11th of October, 1861, and mustered in on the 14th of Decem- ber, 1861, with Abel D. Streight as Colonel. From Indianapolis it pro- ceeded to Kentucky, going into a camp of instruction at Bardstown. In February, 1862, it marched with Buell's army toward Nashville, where it encamped for awhile and then moved to the Tennessee River, reaching the field of Shiloh too late to participate in the battle at that place. In the movement upon and the siege of Corinth, it took an active part, and after the evacuation it marched with Wood's division of the Army of the Ohio through Northern Alabama to Stevenson. When Buell's army fell back from Nashville to Louisville, the regiment marched with it, and after the campaign in Kentucky it returned to Nashville, from whence it marched with Rosecrans' army toward Murfreesboro in December. The regiment was engaged in the battle of Stone River, on the Slst of December, 1862, and 1st and 2d of January, 1863, losing five 692 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. killed, thirty-six wounded and missing — making a total of forty-nine. After this engagement, it remained in the vicinity of Murfreesboro until the month of April, when it left on the Streight expedition. The forces engaged in this expedition had been organized as a provisional brigade by Col. Streight at his own solicitation, and by command of Gen. Rosecrans, and consisted of the Fiftj-first and Seventy-third Indiana, Third Ohio, and Eightieth Illinois, with two companies of cavalry and two pieces of artillery. The brigade, numbering about 1,700 men and 800 animals, left Nashville under command of Col. Streight on the 11th of April, and proceeded to Palmyra, on the Cumberland River, by transports, and then marched through the country to Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, picking up on the route all the serviceable horses and mules that could be found. From thence it proceeded on transports to Eastport, Miss., which place it left on the 21st of April (about two-thirds of the command being mounted), and marched in the direction of Rome, Ga., for the pur- pose of making a raid in the rear of Bragg's army, then at Tullahoma. The expedition reached the base of Sand Mountains on the evening of the 29th, and on the 30th were overtaken by the rebel cavalry under Forrest, when a battle ensued, resulting in the defeat of the enemy. This was the battle of Day's Gap, in which the Fitty-first lost thirty-one killed and wounded. Among the latter was Lieut. Col. Sheets, who fell mortally wounded. On the 1st of May, another fight took place on Crooked Creek, in which the enemy was again repulsed. On the 2d of May, another engagement was fought on Blunt's farm, near Gadsden Ala., the enemy being again defeated. In this fight, Col. Hathaway, of the Seventy-third Indiana, was killed. The command pushed forward in hopes of capturing Rome, Ga., but on the 3d of May it was overtaken near Gaylesville, Ala., by the command of Gen. Forrest, and compelled to surrender. The whole force was consigned to rebel prisons, and the ofiicers were treated with great severity. After being kept prisoners for some time, the enlisted men were paroled for exchange, and ^7ent into parole camp at Indianapolis until their exchange was effected. On the 9th of February, 1864, Col. Streight escaped from Libby Prison, by means of a tunnel, after ten months' imprisonment. In November, 1863, the regiment was exchanged, and at once returned to the field, joining the army at Nashville. During the fall of 1863, the regiment was engaged in guarding the communications of the armv be- tween Nashville and Chattanooga. It was afterward sent into East Ten- nessee, and in the months of January and February, 186-1, a portion of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans. On the 29th of February, the vet- erans reached Indianapolis on veteran furlough, and about the 1st of April HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 693 returned to the field. During the campaign of 1864, the regiment did duty at Chattanooga, and after the occupation of Atlanta moved to that place, where it remained until the Fourth Corps marched northward, when it moved with the First Brigade, Third Division of that corps, reach- ing Pulaski, Tenn., in November, and, upon the advance of Hood's army on Nashville, it fell back toward that place. On the lith of December, the non-veterans were mustered out of service, and proceeded home. On the 15th of December, the regiment participated in the battle of Nash- ville, and afterward joined in the pursuit of the routed rebels, going as far as Huntsville, Ala. At this place it remained until March, 1865, when it moved with the Fourth Corps into East Tennessee. About the 1st of May it returned to Nashville, where a number of recruits that re- mained in service after the muster out of the Seventy-ninth Regiment were transferred to the Fifty-first. In June, the regiment moved on transports to New Orleans with the Fourth Corps, and from thence was transported to Texas, and landing on the coast marched into the interior of Western Texas, as far as San An- tonio, where the regiment was stationed until November, 1865. It was subsequently ordered North, and was mustered out December 13, 1865. Ninety-ninth Infantry. — The Ninety-ninth Regiment was organized during the months of August and September, 1862, in the Ninth Con- gressional District, and rendezvoused at South Bend. Three companies recruited in the Sixth Congressional District for the Ninety-sixth Regi- ment; were assigned to the Ninecy-ninth, completing its organization, and it was mustered into the service October 21, 18ij2, with Alexander Fow- ler as Colonel. The regiment moved in November to Memphis, Tenn., and upon its arrival there, was assigned to the Third Brigade, First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps. On the 26th, the regiment moved with its corps on the Tallahatchie campaign, and, returning, was placed on duty on the Memphis k Charleston Railroad, at La Grange and Moscow, Tenn., where it remained during the winter of 1862 and 1863. On the 6th of May, 1863, the regiment moved to Memphis, and em- barking on steamers, sailed down the Mississippi River, and joined the besieging forces of Gen. Grant, in the rear of Vicksbura;. On the 4th of July, the regiment marched with Sherman's command for Jackson, Miss., and was engaged in a skirmish on the Big Black River during that march. Our advance reached Jackson on the 9th, and its invest- ment was complete on the 12th. The siege progressed vigorously, and for three days the regiment laid under a heavy artillery fire from the enemy, and was engaged in skirmishing. On the night of the 16th, the enemy evacuated Jackson, and Sherman's command moved into the place. 694 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. and destroyed the railroads and public buildings. Expeditions were at once sent to the surrounding country, and the railroads centering at Jackson destroyed. The regiment assisted in capturing Brownsville, Miss. The regiment remained in camp at Big Black River until the latter part of September, when it moved with its corps to Memphis, and from thence, in October, marched by the way of Corinth, luka. Florence, Decberd and Stevenson, to Chattanooga, arriving at the latter place on the 24th of November. The Ninety-ninth at once took possession of In- dian Hill, the eastern extremity of Mission Ridge, and worked all the following night throwing up works. By daylight the next morning, the regiment had improvised a fine line of defenses, being compelled to use sticks, tin plates and cups as intrenching tools, no shovels or picks being convenient. On the 2.5th the regiment was engaged in the battle of Mission Ridge. Immediately after the battle, the regiment marched with Sherman's army in pursuit of Bragg's, in the direction of Graysville. The road was lined with broken wagons, abandoned caissons, and debris of a retreating army. As the head of the column emerged from a swamp, it encountered the rear guard of the enemy. A sharp fight en- sued, but night closed further operations. 'Upon reaching Graysville, the column moved east for the purpose of cutting communications between Bragg and Longstreet, and to relieve Gen. Burnside, then besieged at Kiioxville. The regiment, this dreary march, was almost entirely destitute of clothing, blankets and shoes, and without reguhir rations or supplies of any kind, and marched barefoot through mud and over rocks, and compelled Longstreet to raise the siege of Knoxville. Returning with Its command, the regiment reached Scottsboro, Ala., on the 26th of De- cember, having made a march of more than 400 miles, and fought its part of the battle of Chattanooga. At Scottsboro the regiment remained in camp until the 11th of Feb- rnarv, 1864. It tlien moved into East Tennessee, and was eni-'a<-''ed at Rocky Face Ridge on the 2.3th. The regiment then returned to Scotts- boro, and encamped until the 1st of Mav. Sherman's army then moved on its campaign, of which Atlanta was tlie objective point. The Ninoty-ninth marched and fought with the dashing Ar-ray of the Tennessee, and was engaged in every skirmish, as- sault and battle, in which that army took part, "under the gallant Mc- Plierson. The regiment was engaged at Resaca, Mav 14: at Dallas, on the 2Sth. The enemy made a bold assault upon our columns, but met a bloody repulse. On the 15th of June, the regiment participated in a charge at Big Shanty. Subsequently it was engaged in skirmishing for sevrii days, near Kenesaw Mountain. HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 695 The regiment also took part in skirmishes at Nickajack Creek, and also at Decatur, on the 20th and 21st of July. On the morning of the 22d, Gen. McPherson had gained a high hill, which gave him a com- manding position within view of the heart of Atlanta. At noon. Hood's forces made a desperate assault, and a terrible battle raged along the whole front, and after four hours' fierce fighting, the enemy was checked and driven back. In this battle, the noble McPherson was killed. On the 28th, another battle was fought in front of Atlanta, in which the corps to which the Ninety-ninth was attached, was chiefly engaged ; the result was a victory to our arm's. In both these sanguinary fights, the regiment was an active participant. The Ninety-ninth was engaged every day in skirmishing from August 3 to the 15th. The regiment marched with Sherman's army on its flank movement around Atlanta, and had a slight engagement at Jonesboro on the 31st of August ; also a skirmish at Lovejoy's Station on the 1st of Septem- ber. It then returned with the main army to Atlanta, and went into camp at East Point. On the 3d of October, it joined in the pursuit of Hood, and had a fight at Little River, Ga., on the 26th. After a march of 200 miles, it again reached Atlanta. On the 15th of November, the Ninety-ninth marched from its camp, and with its colors pointing to the South, moved with Sherman on his great march to the sea. The regiment moved with the right wing of the army, under Gen. Howard. On the 7th of December, it had a sharp skirmish with the enemy at a crossing on the Canochee River, and on the 9th a sharp fight on the. Ogeechee River. After having marched over 300 miles in twenty-four days, our army reached the front of Savannah. On the 15th of December, the regiment took part in the charge upon Fort McAllister, which, after a desperate hand-to-hand struggle with its garrison, surrendered, and opened Sherman's communications with the sea. After a short rest at Savannah, the regiment, with Sherman's army, through the Carolinas, was engaged in a skirmish at Duck Creek and Edisto River, and occupied Columbia, S. C, on the 17th of Febru- ary, 1865. From Columbia, the march was continued through Camden, Cheraw and Fayetteville. On the 19th of March, the regiment re-en- foi'ced the Twentieth Corps at the battle of BentonviUe. The march was then made to Goldsboro, from there to Raleigh, and thence, by way of Warrentou, Petersburg and Richmond, to Washington, D. C, where, on the 5th of June, 1865, the regiment, then commanded by Col. Farrar, was mustered out of the service of the United States. Six companies only of the regiment were entitled to discharge, but, by a special order, the remaining four companies were mustered out of the service. The 696 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. remaining recruits were transferred to the Forty-eighth Indiana Veter- ans, with which organization they served until its muster out. The Ninety-ninth left for the field with 900 men, and returned from its campaign with 425 officers and men. It marched during its term of service over 4,000 miles. Upon arriving at Indianapolis, the regiment was present at a reception to returned soldiers on the 11th of June, in the State House grounds, and was welcomed by Gov. Morton and others. One Hundred and Twenty -eighth Begiment. — This regiment was recruited from the Ninth Congressional District during the fall and win- ter of 1863, rendezvoused at Michigan City, and was mustered into serv- ice on the 18th of March, 1864, with Richard P. De Hart, as Colonel, and Jasper Packard as Lieutenant Colonel. On the 23d, the regiment left Michigan City by rail, and proceeded by the way of Indianapolis and Louisville, to Nashville, where the division commanded by Gen. Hovey, was organized, and the regiment assigned to the First Brigade. On the 6th of April, the regiment started on a march for the front, and moving by the way of Stevenson, Bridgeport and Chattanooga — through a sec- tion of country famed for the beauty of its mountain scenery, where hills kiss the clouds, and the silver streams laugh in the sunshine — reached Charleston, East Tenn., on the 21st. Gen. Hovey's division was then designated as the First Division, and assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps, under command of Gen. Schofield. On the 4th of May, the resinient marched with its corps from Charleston, and entered immediately on the campaign against Atlanta. Sherman's moving columns were concentrating in the vicinity of Chatta- nooga, preparatory to moving with determined vigor upon the forces of the rebel Gen. Johnston, wiio, apparently secure behind the inaccessible ridges of Rock Face, challenged our advance through the dangerous de- file of Buzzard's Roost Gap, leading to Dalton. But Sherman decided to take another route, and not expose his men to certain destruction from the fire of plunging shot, or the deep waters of the creek, by which the enemy flooded the pass. The pass was unapproachable, and the " great flanker " turned to the left, and left the enemy in position. On the 9th day of May, Gen. Schofield moved with his corps close to Dalton, when Gen. Thomas demonstrated with vigor against Rocky Face Ridge. Meanwhile, McPherson reached Snake Creek Gap, surprised a force of the enemy, and held the Gap. On the 12th, the whole army, save one corps, moved through the Gap on Resaca. The battle of Resaca followed. Thus constantly moving, threatening, flanking and fighting, the approaches to Atlanta were won, the One Hundred and Twenty- eighth taking part in the principal movements, culminating in such bat- HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 697 ties as Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro. From the 8th of May until the 5th of September, under the broiling sun by day, and the pestilential dews by night, through difficult ravines, skirmishing in dense forests, drenched by heavy rains, struggling through mud and mire, our troops pressed on. Some portion of the regiment was on the skirmish line nearly every day for four months. On the 9th of June, Gen. Hovey retired from the command of the First Division, and the First Brigade was assigned to the Third Division (Cox's) of the same corps. On the 6th of June, Col. De Hart having been disabled by wounds, Lieut. Col. Packard assumed command of the regiment. On the 9th of August, the First Brigade was re-organized, and the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth assigned to the Third Brigade of the same division. After the fall of Atlanta, the regiment marched from Jonesboro to Decatur, Ga., where it went into camp with the rest of the corps. On the 1st of October, the rebel Gen. Hood crossed the Chattahoochee River with his army, and marched north, by the way of Dallas. Sher- man's army, with the exception of the Twentieth Corps, moved in pursuit. The regiment left Decatur with its corps on the 4th, and, crossing the Chattahoochee, moved toward Dallas, threatening the flank and rear of the enemy's forces then assaulting AUatoona. The rebels being defeated at AUatoona, moved rapidly to the northwest, striking the railway at Resaca on the 12th, and capturing Tilton and Dalton. The army of Sherman meanwhile made a march to Rome, where the Twenty-third Corps crossed the Oostanaula and drove a brigade of the enemy through the narrow entrance of the valley of the Chattooga, capturing two guns. Then learning that the enemy had moved for Resaca, the pursuit was continued through Resaca, Snake Creek Gap and Grover's Gap to Gaylesville, Ala., which place was reached on the 20th. The regiment inarched in this pursuit over 300 miles. On the 30th of October, the Twenty-third Corps was detached from Sherman's army, and ordered to proceed to Chattanooga and report to Gen. Thomas. The regiment marched with its corps to this point, and was moved from thence by rail to Pulaski and Nashville. As soon as it was as- certained that Hood was moving to invade Tennessee, the regiment moved with its corps to Columbia. On the 24th of November, the skirmishers of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth encountered the advance of the enemy. For six days, severe skirmishing was had with the enemy's line at Columbia, one-half of the regiment being alternately on the skirmish line. The enemy pressed our line strongly, but did not assault. 698 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. Meantime, Gen. Schofield made preparations to fall back to Franklin. During the night of the 29th, the regiment marched twenty-six miles, and reached Franklin at daybreak of the 30th. The enemy followed closely, and repeatedly assaulted our line at Franklin as soon as we had formed, but Gen. Schofield had chosen an excellent position, and repulsed the rebel onslaught with decisive results. The regiment lost several oflScers and men in this battle, which was fought with great fury and obstinacy, the enemy continuing his assaults until late on the night of the SOth. The battle of Franklin was the first severe check of Hood's invasion of Tennessee. The regiment fell back the night after the battle to Brentwood Hills, and the next morning marched to Xashville and took position in its de- fenses. For two weeks the army of Gen. Thomas faced the rebel force of Gen. Hood, who occupied the southern approaches to Nashville. On the 1.5th of December, Thomas' army moved upon the enemy in his chosen position, and after two days' hard fighting, utterly defeated the boastful foe and drove his demoralized command beyond the waters of the Tennessee. This battle closed the existence of Hood's army. From that time it ceased to exist as an organized bodv. The regiment was actively engaged in the closing up of Hood, and joined in the pursuit as far as Columbia, Tenn., arriving at that place on the 26th. Here the command rested for a short time preparatory to another campaign, which was to strangle the last army of the rebellion. On the 5th of January, 18(35, the regiment left Columbia and marched by way of Mount Pleasant and Waynesboro to Clifton, on the Tennessee River, where it embarked on transports and sailed to Cincin- nati, Ohio. From thence the regiment moved by rail to Washington, and thence to Alexandria, Ya. On the 20th of February, the regiment embarked on the steamer Atlantic, and sailed to Fort Fisher, N. C, and from thence, without landing, sailed to Morehead City. N. C, where the regiment disembarked and proceeded by rail to New Berne. Early in March, the regiment set out with its division, and marched along the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad in the direction of Kings- ton, repairing the railroad as the column moved. On the 8th of March, the enemy was encountered in force at Wise's Fork, four miles below Kingston. The enemy had met with success in capturing two regiments of Eastern troops by surprise, and was pushing on, confident of victorv, when lie was met and checked by Ruper's division, just arrivim^ on the field. For two days, heavy skirmishing resulted, and on the 10th, the ene- my made heavy assaults, but was repulsed, and fled in great disorder from the field. The regiment took an active part in this fight, losin^^ severely HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 699 in killed and wounded. The whole command then moved to Kinsston, which was occupied without resistance from the enemy. On the 20th, the regiment left Kingston, and after a march of thirty miles reached Goldsboro and marched to Le Noir Institute, where the regiment was employed in protecting the railroad until the 9th of April. The regiment then returned to Goldsboro, and was assigned to duty in that city. It was subsequently stationed at Raleigh, N. C, until the spring of 1866, when it was ordered home and mustered out April 13. i~ — •-^2>3i- from HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 70B the stove ; and again, that it started in the building of John Hubertz. As to who first discovered it is also unknown, but possibly Mr. Powers, who was keeping up the engine fires at the Brown elevators. He was early on the scene. It broke out about midnight, and was not discovered until too late to check it at the point of its starting, two doors below GoflF's store. "The fire had evidently been in progress for some time when discovered, for it was but a few minutes after it burst out till the harness shop, Chris Rettinger's and John Hubertz's were all a sheet of flame. The wind was blowing steady and strong from the south, and drove the tougues of flame on to GofTs barn and into the west windows of his store and residence, below and above. The fiery tide beat onward, and higher and higher it threw its devouring flames. Leaping from Goff's barn it reached Capt. Warren's barn, which fell a speedy prey to the rushing and increas- ing flood of flames. Through Goff's fine residence above, and forward through the store below, the flames poured like an ocean billow before the south gale that blew with violence. " From this point it leaped the alley and found food for still greater flame in the restaurant building of Bela C. Kent, and the stock of goods of Weide & Coflfman. It was but a moment till the flames were observed in front and rear of the Discount and Deposit Bank, creeping in at the windows, and making short work of the interior. The Park's brick block came next in order, but here the bucket brigade met it with a dogged and firm resistance Here were the flames to be stayed if stayed at all. The second story windows burned out, the upper floor caught fire, as well as the wood work in the front, but the steady, persistent and stubborn fight of the people with the water, conquered and held the raging flames at bay. The Imes House and outbuildings were also saved by timely work. " But there was destruction elsewhere. The flames backed from the starting point, south to the corner on Front street and licked up Hetzner's small shoe shop and attacked Nicholas Kirch's large two-story frame saloon and residence, and soon found material to increase it fury. While this was going on, the intense heat from the burning west side of Third street set fire to Keefe tk, Bro.'s on the east aide and swept the contents away with terrible rapidity. As on the other side of the street, the fire backed south to Front street again, licking up the frame buildings like chaff and sparing only the corner building, Flaherty's saloon. From Keefe's, it was soon into Mrs. Hull's millinery establishment, then to Noble's jewelry and gun store, which buildings were quickly consumed. . Still driven by a steady and strong wind, it attacked the Phelp's brick 704 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. block, which was occupied by the following firms on the ground floor : South room, A. C. Vanderwater, dry goods and groceries ; center room, Mrs. Jesse D. Ganders, millinery and dry goods : north room, W. S. Mc- Cullough & Co., druggists. On the second floor were : Graham & Jones, law, real estate and insurance ; Masonic Lodge, G. A. R. Post, and the Newton County News. The flames swept through this structure from garret to cellar with irresistible power, the tumbling roof and walls markinar its fateful progress. Just north of the brick stood the block which belongs to the Travelers' Insurance Company. Of this the flames made short work, and of the one adjoining it on the north. Onward it marched unopposed to Poole & Bro.'s hardware store, and it, too, collapsed like a paper balloon. Here again was another danger. The building of Mrs. Eliza McCray, across on the corner of Graham and Third streets, and occupied by I. H. Coulter and the meat market adjoining, were on the point of burning from the intense heat from the flames at Poole's cor- ner. Nothing but heroic work again saved this building, as heroic work an hour before had saved it by stopping the flames at the brick block in which Frank Ross and the post ofBce is located. Twice was there great peril in that locality. From Poole & Bro.'s store, on the east side of Third street, the fiery giant marched his flaming forces eastward in unconquerable array, and fell on P. H. Ward's law oflice, licking it up like splinters. Next and last, John Peacock's real estate and collection oflice succumbed, by which time the high wind had Allien to a gentle evening zephyr. When the fire had reached and destroyed the bank building, the wind wheeled quickly and without warning to the west, or nearly so, and this was the salvation of the Imes House, the livery stables and the entire square of buildings in which the Gruzette is located. Their destruction must have been realized but for the change of wind; in which case not a business house would have been left in Kentland on the north side. " From beginning to end. it was a roaring, seething flame. Buildings fell, cartridges popped, walls tumbled, powder exploded and oils in the stores sent the flames leaping higher. It was a time when it looked that nothing could be saved. The smoke was blinding, the flames scorching, and from the earth to half a mile high, the atmosphere was literally filled with great flakes of burning shingles, which floated off burning as far as the north end of town. Goods carried and saved from the flames cauijht fire on the streets a square away, and much goods would have burned had they not been watched. " It was a fearful spectacle as well as a destructive fire. It burned nearly four hours, and though bad enough, the loss could have been HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 705 greater. A continuous rainfall on Wednesday afternoon doubtless saved what is saved of the town not in the immediate vicinity of the track of the flames. The roofs of houses and outbuildings were wet, and thus the flying fire in the atmosphere fell harmless upon them." No accurate estimate can be made of the loss occasioned by this fire. There was general insurance on most of the property. The effect upon the future of the village is equally uncertain, but the disposition to re- build is gradually being made apparent, and the most favorable comment is that it will not damage the permanent interests of the village much. The original name of the village was Kent, but there being another village of that name in the State, considerable delay and annoyance was experienced in receiving mail, and the name was subsequently changed to Kent Station. This did not prove satisfactory to the post office department, and in December, 1863, the post office was called Adriance, and for several years the town and post oifice bore different names. This was the source of a good deal of annoyance, and when the town was incorporated it was decided to change the same to Kentville, but this name found objectors, as it was so easily confused with other villages of similar names. While in this state of perplexity, the Grazette called upon some genius to solve the riddle. Hon. Schuyler Colfax had represented this county in Congress, and he responded to the appeal with the name of Kentland, which was adopted. Q-oodland. — The name of this village seems to have been suggested by its surroundings. It is located within two miles of the Benton County line, and a mile and a half from the line of Jasper County. From these counties the town draws a valuable trade in all lines of business, and furnishes an active market for grain and produce of the surrounding country. The surrounding country is an undulating prairie, with a rich, fertile soil, finely adapted to growing com, oats, and grazing stock. Much of this land is underlaid with a good quality of building stone, which may be reached at a depth of from three to six feet. Some small tracts of land had been entered previous to 1850, but during that year and the following they were all taken in large bodies. There had been so much legislation and litigation about Jasper County swamp lands, and so much of it forced upon the market, that this whole section of country was overlooked and received no attention for years after they were entered from the Government. The land upon which Goodland is located, with several adjoining sections on the east, was sold in 1856, at Marshal's sale, at an average of $3.50 per acre, after the building of the Logansport &• Peoria Railroad. But few farms were improved at once. 42 706 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. When the road was opened for traffic, a cheap building was put up where the stock yards are now, which was used by section men, and this was made a flag station and called Tivoli. David Creek, his sons Moses and John, Blake Wilson, and John and Charles Wilson were living upon farms in the neighborhood at that time. In the fall of 1860, William Foster bought some 800 acres of land and built a store and warehouse on the north side of the railroad, in which his brother Timothy opened up the first business house at this point. It served also as station house, post office and rallying point for this section generally. It has since been occupied by Martin & Gordon, 0. W. Church, Church & Hartley, J. P. Streight and others. In 1861, Timothy Foster laid out the village of Goodland, which consisted of forty-seven lots, with Jasper and an unnamed street along the railroad, and Union streets, passing east and west, and Newton and Beaton streets crossing these at right angles. The town made rather slow progress for five or six years, the surrounding lands fi.nding little sale, and several crop failures adding to the general depression. Good lands within two miles of the station could be bought at from $5 to $8 per acre, that are now worth from $25 to §50 per acre. In 1868, Abner Strawn, of Ottawa, 111., commenced the purchase and sale of land, and brought a large number of buyers from his own and other sections of Illinois. These attracted others, and lands advanced in price and sold rapidly ; the country filled up and improved more in three years than it had in the six years preceding. The village felt the new impulse, and in 1869 Haire and Currens each made an addition to the plat, and lots found frequent sale. The class of farmers attracted to the surrounding lands were men who had tried Illinois prairies, but attracted by these rich lands adjacent to a good market, have been ambitious to improve their property, the elfect of which is seen in the fine farm property which lays on every side of the village. Their preference for grain culture has built up a lively market in the village with mutual benefits. In 1870, Osborne k Pierce erected a large warehouse, and a year later doubled its capacity and added steam power and elevator machinery. Abner Strawn, in the same year, erected a large corn elevator. Mr. Foster added steam and improved machinery to his warehouse. These three elevators are now in active service and handle immense quantities of grain during the season. The Chicago, St. Louis & Pittsburgh is the principal railroad, and passes through the center of the village. The Chicago & Great Southern la a small road with a large name which passes through the vilia.^e from north to south. Business shows a healthy activity, and the populacion HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 707 and extent of the village steadily increasing. In 1868, the village had but ten houses and fifty inhabitants ; since that time there has been a steady increase by imigration, and new buildings have been in steady demand. Among those who have lived considerable time in Goodland, and whose influence in building up the town has been felt, in addition to those named, are David Creek, Blake Wilson, John Wilson, Ports Wilson, William Foster, C. M. Hopkins, I. S. Atkins, 0. W. Church, George McCarn, John McCurry, Thomas McCurry, Thomas Gray, G. W. Ball, N. Chamberlain, Thomas Shively, William Mills, S. C. Spoor, N. L. Dyke, Ansel Pierce, Marion James, J. A. Hansboro, Amos Creider, A. M. Culver, B. H. Osborne and others. Morocco. — Beaver Prairie is the site of some of the finest farming land in Newton County. At the time of its first settlement, it was right in the midst of the finest trapping grounds, and the chief article of com- merce was fur, sold to the Northwestern Fur Company agents, with head- quarters at Detroit, Mich. John Day, of South Bend, Ind., traveled in their employ for several years, and became well and favorably known to all hunters and trappers of those days, the headquarters for fur purchasing for several years being at Morocco, which town was laid out by John Murphy January 18, 1851. The town was located on Section 21, Town 29, Range 9, and was the first laid out in the territory now embraced in the county of Newton. The town grew slowly ; the first merchant was Elijah Whitson. In 1853, Ayers & Co., of Buncombe, 111., started a branch store at Morocco. In the fall of 1854, the famous Bank of America was thrown upon the world, with reputed headquarters at this place. This institution was one of those speculative concerns known as "wild-cat banks," which were organized under the laws of the State. All that was required by law was to deposit with the Secretary of State bonds of any State in the Union to secure the circulation, and then the speculator was at liberty to launch out upon the world. The ob- ject of the projectors of this bank was to locate as far from the centers of business as possible, so as to reduce the necessity for redeeming its circulation to the lowest possible amount. The first intimation the citizens of the little burg had of the dis- tinction thus thrust upon them, was the sight of a large bill issued by bank in question. John Ade was temporarily in Cincinnati, Ohio, at that time, and saw the bill. On his return by way of Rensselaer, he learned, on inquiring, that such a bank had been established, and the proprietor tried to persuade Mr. Ade to act as Cashier. Mr. Mur- phy was finally prevailed upon to attend to the redemption of any bills that found their way to this neck of the woods, but could be in- 708 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. duced only to accept the guardianship of $100 in gold at a time. A great many stories in regard to this bank have circulated in the papers, which are simple fabrications or wide exaggerations, but Mr. Ade furnishes one which has the merit of being true, and exhibits a part of , the capital on which the bank did business : " In the summer of 1854, during the exist- ence of the noted free-banking laws of Indiana, in what was then the county of Jasper, which embraced at that time all the territory now included in the counties of .Jasper and Newton, three banks were organized, two of which were located in Rensselaer, the county seat, and one in Morocco, at a point some twenty miles from Rensselaer, almost due west. The country between the two points being very sparsely settled at that time, and although it has since become one of the finest farming regions in the State, at that time it was almost unknown, except what reputation it had acquired in the adjoining counties by reason of the breaking-up of a gang of counterfeiters on Bogus Island, a short time previous, and which was not calculated to invite timid strangers to spend their time in look- ing for its good qualities. " At that time, Bradford, a station on the New Albany & Salem Railroad, was the nearest railroad point to Rensselaer, and then the two points were connected by a stage route which made dailv trips and which ran so far as to connect with the trains, which at that time went north late in the afternoon, so the trip from Bradford to Rens- selaer had nearly all of it to be made after night, and to a person ac- quainted with the country at that time, was not very invitina;, to say the least. " One afternoon, late in the fall, five men got oif the train at Bradford, made their way to the hotel and called for supper, and engasjed passage in the hack for Rensselaer. Two of them were attorneys from La Fayette, going over to Rensselaer to attend to some legal matters ; two of the others were citizens of Rensselaer, one an attorney and the other a doc- tor. These four were well known to each other; in fact, old acquaint- ances, and were ' hail fellows well met' with each other. The other was a stranger, and although he ate supper at the same table, he seemed to keep as far away from the others as possible, and it was no- ticed that he kept a small satchel which he had, on his lap all the time while he was eating his supper ; this and a few remarks to the landlord in regard to the location of Morocco and the manner of getting there, satisfied one of the parties at least that his objective point was the Bank of America, at Morocco, and he communicated his suspicions to the rest of the company. After supper, the hack drove up and all got in ; but a mile or two liad been traveled, when, by a preconcerted arran>Temont, the HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 709 two La Fayette gentlemen commenced an attack on the two citizens of Rensselaer for the great and terrible system of outlawry allowed to exist in their county, in the neighborhood of Morocco, instancing many cases of murder, horse-stealing and the gangs of counterfeiters said to exist in that neighborhood. The Rensselaer gentlemen defended themselves as best they could from these charges, claiming that they were no more responsible for violations of law in their county, than the gentlemen from La Fayette were for crimes committed in Tippecanoe County. These charges and countercharges were kept up until late at night, when Rens- selaer was reached and all retired to bed. Early the next morning the livery stable keeper was posted by one of the passengers of the night previous, and who, on being met by our friend with the black satchel, refused to take him to Morocco for less than $30 and take a guard of four men ; and also, that he would be responsible for all loss or damage to team and wagon. About this time one of his fellow-passengers of the night before called him off privately and told him that he supposed that his business at Morocco must be of the greatest importance, and as a friend would advise him how to go there. In the first place, it would never do for him to go in the clothes he had on, for he would be almost certain to be murdered if he did. And he proposed letting him have an old suit of clothes and a rifle, and, that in the disguise of a hunter, he might on foot make his way to Morocco and back with at least some promise of safety. Our friend thanked him for his kindness, went back to his hotel, and in a short time the hack for Bradford drove up, and he secured passage for that point, and the Bank of Morocco was saved, at least, one demand for specie at its counter had it been found." Under such circumstances, it is not surprising that the " run " on the bank was very light. Mr. Murphy deposited his bag of gold in the bottom of a barrel of potatoes and redeemed an occasional note until the amount was gone, and then, having entire confidence in the proprietor, he redeemed other notes, as they were presented by his neighbors, out of his own pocket to the extent of another $100. About this time, he happened to be in Rensselaer and proposed to turn over the redeemed notes for $100 that he had expended, but was informed that the bank had changed hands, and there was no one to speak for the further action of the institution. There was no clew to the proprietors, and Mr. Murphy had $200 of the paper of the "Bank of America," without any assurance that he would realize anything for his money ex- pended. It is safe to say he did no further banking business ; but when the affair was eventually wound up by the Secretary of State, he made a reasonable salary besides the return of his money, as the issue was all re- 710 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. deemed at 80 cents upon the dollar. Mr. Ade was the reputed cashier of this bank, though at that time engaged in blacksmithing, and has followed the bent of his early initiation in continuing the banking business with McCray & Urmston, at Kentland, though this is not a bank of issue, and invites the visit of all who have any business in this line. Morocco is a village of " great expectations," and though deprived by unavoidable circumstances of realizing upon its undoubted advantages, still looks to the future with hope. Could the continental railroad be projected through the county and this village, it would probably become the seat of justice for the county, and its present enterprise and business would proportionately expand. It is now an important point in the county, second only to Kentland. THE RAILROAD TOWNS. The recent construction of the Chicago & Great Southern Railroad has given rise to quite an activity in village-building along its line. Rose Lawn consists of sixteen blocks, platted on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 14, in Township 31 north. Range 8 west, and was made in January, 1882 ; Thayer was laid out by M. A. Atherton and J. P. Stratton, September 21, 1882, on the northwest corner of Section 3, and on the northeast corner of Section 4, in Town- ship 31 north. Range 8 west; Julian was laid out by Martha and J. B. Julian in October, 1882, on the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 2, and on the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 11, all in Township 28 north, Range 8 west ; Fores- man was laid out in December, 1882, by J. B. Foresman, on the south- west quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 11, Township 28 north. Range 8 west; Mt. Airy was laid out by Louis Marion in October, 1882, on the northeast quarter of Section 23, Township 29 north. Range 8 west. This is the more pretentious and promising of the new railroad towns, and has drawn to the older village of Brook, which stood west of it and a little south. A correspondent voices the general opinion in the Goodland Herald as follows: " Mt. Airy is situated on the railway, about fourteen miles north of Goodland, and near the center north and soutli, in Jackson Township. It is certainly a beautiful location for a town, being situated on a very elevated tract of land owned by Lewis Marion, one of the most substantial and influential farmers of Jackson Township, who has, we are informed, made liberal donations to the public of a suitable and fine tract of land for a public square, and has also been quite liberal with the C. & G. S. R. R. " We have been informed by the railway engineer that the location HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 711 of Mount Airy is over 100 feet higher than Goodland. The town is situ- ated three miles south of the timber land on the north, and about one and a half miles west of the east belt of timber, and is in the midst of as beautiful and productive prairie land as any person could wish to find. Among the largest land owners are Messrs. Lewis Marion, Henry 0. Harris, Dr. Caldwell, Samuel Long, Mr. Crisler, Harris' heirs and Joseph Yeoman, and it is perhaps the wealthiest portion of Newton County. " The character of the soil is mostly a black loam, with a clay sub- soil ; but immediately at Mount Airy there is sufficient sand to prevent the streets from becoming impassable with mud. " We found the citizens of the town to be wide awake and energetic, attending strictly to their interests. Among them we found J. M. Hufty, who is engaged in general merchandise ; John Brenner, drug store ; S. B. Coen, grain and lumber; S. Royster, lumber; Mr. Ashley, black- smith ; George Hufty, boarding house ; Fred Nichols, general hardware ; Sayler & Yeoman, groceries and hardware. " Mr. Alexander Lardner has built quite a fine business building, two stories high, twenty-five feet wide and seventy-five feet deep, which will be occupied next week as a general merchandise store room by Messrs. Willey & Sigler, of Rensselaer, and Mr. Wishard, of Mount Airy. It is a building that would be a credit to any town. There is also a steam grist mill, owned by J. M. Hufty, which has a capacity of about 100 bushels per day, and does good work. The village has also the advantages of a good school, and the Methodist Episcopal Church congregation con- template building a fine church edifice in the near future. Viewing Mount Airy from all the diflFerent standpoints, we think it a desirable place for any person seeking a location to engage in business pursuits, and we pre- dict for the town a bright and prosperous future. We have no hesitation in saying that it is our candid opinion that Mount Airy is destined to be the leading town in Newton County at no distant day. Building is now progressing rapidly, and the town has already assumed a position of no mean importance. " We found the construction train on the railway busily engaged in building a commodious side track at the station, which we presume is completed ere now. The Chicago & Great Southern Railway Company has now forty miles of main track in successful operation between Oxford, in Benton County, and Fair Oaks, in Jasper County, and is doing a great deal to improve and develop as fine a country between those points as you could wish to see." This village is located well toward the northern limit of the well- 712 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. settled part of the county in this direction. In the vicinity of Morocco and north into Lake Township, the settlement is in advance of the same latitude in other parts of the county. Lake Village, laid out by Malone in January, 1876, is the post office point in this township. A disposition to try the "far West" is taking a considerable number of Newton County citizens away, who are replaced largely by Germans. The Swedes have found homes in the county to some extent, but the percent- age of foreign population is not large, the principal immigration being from the more eastern States. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. I^EAVTOK" COUNTY. TOWN OF KENTLAND AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. JOHN ADE, banker, Kentland, was born September 21, 1828, in Sussex Coun- ty. England. He is the eldest of six children, three of whom are living, of John and Esther (Wood) Ade. His father came to America in 1840, and settled near Cincinnati, Ohio. John, Jr., learned the blacksmith's trade and followed that four or five years. From 1849 to 1851, he kept a toll-gate near Cincinnati. In 1851, he was married to Miss Adaline Bush, of Cheviot, Ohio.' In 1853, he moved to Iro- quois County, 111., resided but a few weeks, and then removed to Morocco, Ind., where he resided until 1860, at which time Newton County was formed. At the first election of officers in the new county, he was elected Recorder, and moved to Kentland, the county seat. This office he held until 1864, when he was elected Auditor, which office he held until 1868. Soon after his term had expired, the Dis- count and Deposit Bank of Kentland was organized. Mr. Ade accepted the posi- tion of Cashier, which position he held until 1875, when he became a partner of the same, and retained the position of Cashier, which he holds at the present time. Mr. Ade is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Kentland Lodge. He is an official member of the Christian Church, and in politics is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Ade have had seven children — Anna, William, Alice, Joseph, Emma, George and Ella. Emma died November 28, 1865, aged five years. Anna married John W. Randall May 18, 1871, and Alice married John G. Davis, elsewhere mentioned. ROBERT W. ALLAN, wagon, carriage and repair shop, was born .June 22, 1849, in Chateauguay County, Canada East, and is a son of Robert and Sarah M. (Wilkinson) Allan, the former a native of Scotland, the latter of Ireland. These parents had ten children, nine of whom are now living. The mother died in No- vember, 1869, at the age of forty-four. The father died in 1878, at the age of fifty- three. Both were members of the Presb3'terian Church. They came to Illinois in March, 1867, and to Benton County, Ind.,inl808. Robert W. had limited school advan- tages in Canada, attending but a few years. He worked on his father's farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to learn his trade. After serving two years, he went to Kendall County, 111., and from 1867 to 1875 he farmed and worked at carpentering and wagon-making in Kendall, Grundy and La Salle Counties, 111. He moved to Kentland in 1875, and worked for C. A. Wood about one year, and later he began for himself. He is now pursuing his business in South Side, and is doing a good and increasing business. Mr. Allan was married, October 13, 1881, to Miss Patience E. Home, of Sheldon, 111., formerly of Knox County, Ohio. These parents have one child — Robert Angelo. Mr. Allan is a chapter member of the K. of P., Damon Lodge, No. 72, Kentland, and has twice acted as Past Chancellor. "Robert " has been the name of the eldest male in the Allan family since 1657. 716 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: JOHN ANDERSON, farmer, was born May 5, 1853, in Newton County. Ind. He is tlie son of Joel and Matilda (Montgomery) Anderson. The father, a native of Kentucliy, was a farmer and a resident of Newton (then Jasper) County formore than twenty-five years. He was married July 14, 18.50, and died in 1876, aged sixty- one. He was a Democrat. His wife died in 1863, aged thirty-five These parents had five children— Minerva J., John, William, Sarah A. and Andrew J. Minerva married, January 27, 1878, Alva Rowley, of Newton County ; they have two chil- dren—William and Arthur. Sarah A. married, March, 1880, Nelson Hough, of Momence. 111.; they have two children — Flora B. and William. Andrew J. was married, October 14, 1880, to Jennie Jones, of Newton County ; thej' have one child — William. John Anderson lived at home until eight years of age ; afterward, at Benjamin Timmons', of Benton County ; then at Henry Steerman's ; then at the home farm ; at John Roberts', at James Martin's, and again at the home farm. From fifteen until twenty-one, he worked for his father, and at the age of twenty- three he administered on his father's estate. Mr. A. owns 197 acres of improved land. He was married. March 30, 1876, to Miss Ella, daughter of George and Elizabeth Herriman, of Newton Count}-. Ind. To them were born three children — Estella May. Sarah Amy and Bertha M. Mrs. A. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. A., a Democrat. GEORGE W. ARNOUT, merchant, was born June 1, 1828. in Clarke County, Ohio. He is the son of Alexander C. and Mary (Warwick) Arnout. the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Virginia. The mother died in 1829. at the age of twenty-two; the father died in 1864. at the age of sixty-four. The father was a Mason, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics a Republican. George W. remained at home on the farm until he was about thirty }'ears of age. He was married in November, 1851, to Miss Sarah A. Castle, of Cass Count.r^ Ind. After marriage, they moved to New Waverly. Cass Co., Ind.. where he engaged in the mercantile business, remaining there about four years, then moved to Kentland in 1860, where he has lived ever since, and has been engaged in merchandising, at which he has been quite successful and has acquired a valuable property. These parents have had four children, viz.. Carrie D.. Schuyler. Maud J. and Levanche M.; Schuyler died in 1863, aged about one year; Miss Carrie D. has been a teacher in the county for three years: she has taught in the Kentland Public Schools the past year, and was re-elected for the coming year before the school closed. Both parents are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican, also a mem- ber of Damon Lodge, K. of P.. No. 72. Kentland. THADDEUS S. BRECOUNT. farmer and stock-trader, was born January 18, 1837, in Champaign Couuty. Ohio, and is a sou of Solomon G. and Joanna (Robin- son) Brecount, natives of Ohio. The father died in 1870. aged sixty. He was Com- missioner of his county for six, and Justice of the Peace of ^his township for twenty years, and was a Republican. Tlie mother died in 1838. aged thirty-tive years. During the French and Indian war, two little boys were captured by the French. They could not or would not give any name that could be understood bV the French, wlio named the one Brecount. the other Decamp. It is said the Brecounts are senee of the natural protector. JOHN B. CHBSEBROUGH was born in Decatur, Otsego Co., N. Y., July 13, lf<3^. His parents moved from Alljany to Otsego County after their marriage, thence to Oneida County, N. Y., in 1837. John B. was educated in the seminary at Whitesboro, N. Y. ' At the age of twelve 3'ear.s, he was Captain and part owner of the canal boat " D. C. Balis." He was in this Ijusiness about two years. He then went to California as one of the company equipped by A. J. Kent at Oriskan}', N. Y. , in 1849. On arrival of the companj' in California, they repaired to the mining districts. There the company engaged in mining for about six weeks, when they disbanded and divided their stocks. J. B. Chesebrough and W. R. Fowler returned to Sacramento City, and engaged in wholesale grocery business, the firm being styled W. R. Fowler & Co. After continuing in business about eighteen months. A. J. Kent arrived in California and engaged in business with the firm, the firm name then changing to Kent, Fowler & Co. After six or eight months, they were burned out, and sustained a loss of ^150,000, no insurance. But they built again and continued the business for about two years. About this time, Chesebrough ct Kent bought the bark Anna Welsh, Capt. Rider. J. B. Chesebrough engaged as supercargo, and engaged in trade between San Francisco and China. The first trip the vessel made to China, on its return brought the first Chinese that ever came to America as a col- ony. While engaged in the business, Mr. C. visited the ports of Hong Kung, Whampoa. Canton and Shanghai. The firm sold their vessel to a mandarin, and Jlr. C. returned to New York, where he remained about one year, and then came West with A. J. Kent to locate lands, after which he went back to New York. He finally came to Indiana in 1855, and engaged in business with ilr. Kent, farming and stock- raising, where he has remained ever since. The past seventeen years he has been engaged in merchandising. In the fire of 1870, he was burned out— loss |13. 000. time twenty minutes, insurance none. At the time of the fire, Mr. C. was engaged in business for himself. After the fire, he built a brick store and engaged°again in business. After remaining two 3'ears in business, he sold out to A. J.^Kent. but con- tinued manager of his business to the time of 3Ir. K.'s death. Since, he has been manager of the mercantile busines.s of the firm of John A. Kent it Co. In 1857, he was married to Miss Allie Hogle, of Genesee County, X. Y. Tliey were married at Iroquois, 111., since which time they have been residents of Newton County. Mrs. C. has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for nianv years. They have four children-Clara L., George K., Nora L. and Rosamond. Clara L. was married to R. S. Coppock in 1880. They now reside at Logausport. Ind. In 185ti, :\[r. C was elected Justice of the Peace, which ofiice he held eight successive years, and aftjr- ward was elected Township Trustee, which he held three successive terms. He was Treasurer of the Keutland School Board for several years. In politics, he is a Dem- ocrat. He is a Knight Templar of St. John's Commauderv. Logausport Ind FRANK A. (H)ULOAIBE. farmer, was born November IS, 1858 in Iroquois County, 111., and is a son of Frank X, and Mary B. (Besse) Coulombe. both natives of Canada, wlieuee tlie father came to Kankakee Countv, III., commenced black- snuthmg, :uid married. From 1854 to 1859, he kept shop at L'Erable III ti.ence going to Danville. 111. His first wife died iu 1859, bv whom he had two chil- dren, Cornelia and Frank A, The former married. April, 1877, Joseph Gerard of St. Anne, 111. They have one child, Walter. J\tr. C. marrieu in 18(30 Miss JIarv Du- rand, of Ir<,quois (^unty. 111.; they had two children -Beniamin F. and Nellie E Mr. Coulombe was overseer in a saw mill at Danville. 111., where he died iu 18til' trom an aeeulent. Frank A., aflerhis father's death, went to his ixrandtather Louis TOWN OF EENTLAND AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHir— NEWTON COUNTY. 719 Besse, who lives north of Kankakee, and attended school, and later worked on the farm until 1873, when he worked at harness-making for near three years, part of the time in Kentland. In 1870, he began to work on the farm for JNIrs. 0. M, West. He has been there since, working and overseeing the farm. In 187.5, he could not speak English. Heisagi-eutreader, attentive student, and now speaks flueutl}'. His con- tinuing so long in one position speaks well for his earnest work aud good manage- ment. He is now farming 100 acres with good prospects. Mr. C. is a Republican. MARTIN CRA.WN, farmer, was born December 34. 1837, in Darke County, Ohio, and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Smith) Crawn, both of Ohio. The fa- ther died in 18,53, aged sixty-six, the mother April, 1875, aged seventy-two. These parents had eleven children, four of whom are living, viz., Hester Haney, Elizabeth (wife of Daniel A. Pfrimmer), Nancy Nimrod and our subject. Martin's boyhood was spent on the farm in Darke County, whence he came with his parents to New- ton County, Ind., in 1843. He was married, January 1, 1854, to Phebe Sutton, of Newton County, Ind. After marriage, he settled on a farm on Section 8, Jefferson Township, where he owned 130 acres and commenced farming. He now owns 300 acres of improved land, three miles north of Kentland. He is respected as a pioneer, having been in this county forty j^ears, and at present is the oldest resident. He has had six children— Mary E., Francies M., Daniel J., William David, Charlie E. and Tunis R. Mary E. died October 8, 185.5, aged eight months; Francies M. died October 6, 1876, aged twenty years; Charlie E. died Decemljer 15, 1872, aged two years; Tunis R. died March 38, 1880, aged five years. Mrs. Crawn is a member of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. C. is a Democrat. G. A. CUMMINGS was born .July 31, 1840, in Lancaster County, Penn., and is a son of William and Jane C. (Kennedy) Cummings. When our subject was eleven years old, he moved with his parents from Pennsylvania to La Salle County, 111., where he spent his boyhood days until the war. when he enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Illinois Regiment August 17, 1861, at Newark, and was ordered into camp at Aurora September 34, when the regiment was sent to Quincy, and thence to St. Louis; at the latter place they drew arms, and were sent to Rolla, Mo. There the real soldier- ing commenced, under that old drill master of the Thirty-sixth Illinois, Col. Nich- olas Greusel. From this time until discharged on expiration of service, he saw pretty rough times. From August, 1863, till spring of 1864, was under Sheridan, and to be under him meant business; he was in the fight at Pea Ridge, and fought with Sigel; from this department was ordered to Corinth, Miss., to watch Beaure- gard; "we watched day and night, and when the rebel General left, Halleck's grand army followed sixteen and one-half miles; would have gone further but it was ber- ry season, and we stopped to gather them. Thence we were sent, under Sheridan, to Cincinnati, to check Gen. Kirby Smith; thence were ordered to Louisville, Ky. We left Louisville, under Gen. Buell, after Gen. Bragg." He was in the battle of Perryville, and under Rosecrans at Stone River and Chickamauga; under Grant at Mission Ridge; under Sherman at Resaca, Adairsville. New Hope, Kenesaw Mount- ain, Peach Tree Creek and Jonesboro. He resumed farming in Grundy County, 111., in 1867; in 1876, moved to his farm in Newton County, In connection with farming, he is engaged in breeding Poland-China recorded swine. JOHN G. DAVIS, Clerk of Circuit Court Newton County, was born in Miami County, Ohio, March 34, 18.54. He is the eldest in a family of eight; he atteuded the public school at Pleasant Hill, Ohio, until January, 1867, at which time he entered business as editor and publisher of the Chronicle, published at Pleasant Hill, Ohio, in which he continued until the spring of 1868, when he came with his parents to Newton County, Ind., where they engaged in the nursery and farming business; he was employed from 1869 to 1871 in the nursery and traveling for the sale of fruit trees; from 1871 to 1873, he was engaged in farming; in March, 1873, he 720 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: came into the Clerk's office, as Deputy under Andrew Hall (elsewhere mentioned), which position he held until 1876, when W. W. Gilman took the office as Clerk, and appointed Mr. Davis his Deputy. Mr. Gilman did not attend the office in person, but left the work to his Deputy. In July, 1878, Mr. Davis received the nomination for Clerk at the hands of the Republicans by acclamation, he having no opposition in the convention. He was elected the following October, being one of the two Republicans elected at that time in the county. In 1883, he was re-nominated by acclamation, and was elected by a handsome majority, his second term of office will expire in April, 1886. Mr. Davis was married, January 1, 1876, to Miss Allie M., daughter of John and Adeline Ade. favorably known as pioneer settlers of New- ton County. They have one child— William Harry. Both parents have been con- sistent members of the M. E. Chui-ch since childhood. Mr. Davis is a member of the K. of P., and in politics a Republican. JAMES DORN, City Marshal, Kentland, is a native of Kilkenny County, Ire- land, born August 24, 1844, and came with his parents to America in 1848. After remaining in Kew York, New Jersey and Ohio during three years, they moved to Branch County, Mich., where they engaged in farming and railroading. The parents are still living in that State. Schools were three miles distant, and James had poor school advantages, besides having to help his father. August 24, 1862, he enlisted in Company D. Eleventh Michigan Regiment Volunteer Infantrj', and was mustered in at Detroit; went to Louisville, thence to Nashville, where he had measles and took cold, from which effects he yet suffers. He took part in battles of Stone River, Chickaraauga. Mission Ridge, and in the Atlanta campaign. He was one of one hundred and forty who guarded the militarj- prison in Chattanooga — 1864-6.5 — where they were mustered out. Returning to Michigan, he engaged in railroading and farming a year, then got a position as track foreman, then breaking on a construction train, and later freight brakeman; he next moved to Milford, 111., where he was conductor on a construction train. These promotions were from Jiimes Lumsden, who secured him a position on the Pan Handle. His family have lived in Kentland since 1873. Mr. Dorn was track foreman on the last-named road when elected to his present position last JIa}'. In 1869. he married Bridget Maekin, of Ireland. The}' have six children — Edmund B., Mary, Kate. John, Egmett and Charley. Both parents are members of the Catholic Church. Jlr. Dorn is a Na- tional in polities, and member of the McHoUand Post, G. A. R. WARREN T. DRAI^, farmer, was liorn March 20, 1842, in Hamilton County, Ohio, and is a son of Theodore and Sarah ('Williams) Drake, natives of Ohio, and now living in Kentland, the former aged sixty-eight, the latter fifty-nine; both are members of the Presbyterian Church. The}' have had eight children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Drake is a Democrat, and came from Ohio in 1871. Warren attended Babbitt's Academy several terras, in addition to the common school, and worked on the farm until his nineteenth year, when he went, as teamster, to West Virginia and Kentucky, but came home dangerously sick in 1862. Afterward he enlisted, in September, 1862, in Company B. Seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Col. Gerrard. Their first engagement was Dutton Hill, Kj'., where they remained until the fall of 1863, when they crossed to East Tennessee and captured the rebel forces at Cumberland Gap. In this adventure he lost all his clothes and b'lSSa.ge, and was never so frightened as at Rogersville, as, in imagination, he could see into Andersonville. At Knoxville, during the siege, he lived on parched corn for one week. By order of Gen, Burnside, they killed 800 horses, in order to save the corn for the men. After the siege was raised, they joined Sherman at Resaca, and took part in the Atlanta campaign, when Sherman started for the sea and Scho- flehl for Gen. Hood. The regiment took part at Franklin and Nashville, whcre Uood's army was captured and almost annihilated, and were then ordered to join TOWN OF KENTLAND AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 721 Sherman at Goldsboro, N. C. Mr. D. served three years without being wounded, and was side three months, but did not leave the command. He was at the surren- der of Joseph E. Johnston near Raleigli, and was mustered out at Nashville, through General Order 83, June 30, 1865. Mr. D. is well satisfied with his army record, but not anxious to make another. December 14, 1865, he married Miss Mattie, daughter of Rev. Henry and Sarah Wright, of Cincinnati. Miss Lizzie, a sister, was married to Lieut. Joseph Hayden, of the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, at the same time. Rev. R. B. Herron officiating. Mrs. Drake taught six years in Hamilton County, Ohio, and was First Assistant in the Cummingsville Graded School for three years. Her sister Lizzie had also taught four years. "When the war was over," these ladies resigned their positions and took others, " for better or* worse," as sol- diers' wives. Mr. and Mrs. D. are parents of three children — Frederick W., Clara L. and Anna E. Mrs. D. is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. D. is a Democrat and prosperous farmer. They came to this county in 1869, lived in Kent- land three j^ears, then moved to their present residence, three miles west of the town. It then was wild land, but is now a beautiful and improved home of 130 acres. WILLIA3I F. J. EDWARDS, teacher, was born June 11, 1843, in Bartholomew County, Ind. , and is a son of James and Sarah (Edmondson-Chenoweth) Edwards, both natives of Kentucky. The former died in August, 1854, in his fiftieth year; he was an official member of the Christian Church, his wife also being a member. They had five children, four of whom are living — Arthur L., James H., Mary A. and William P. J. The two former are preachers in said church. The mother died in her sixty-sixth year in August, 1878. William came with his parents to Clinton County, Ind., in 1845, and to White County in 1852. His early school advantages were limited, but by close application he procured a license to teach at the age of twenty-four. For two years he was engaged in going to school and teaching, then farmed for three years, when, being called again to teaching, he abandoned farm- ing and prepared himself therefor. During this interval, he had attended the Bur- nettsville High School and Northern Indiana Normal and Business Institute at Valparaiso, Ind. He joined Kentland Lodge, I. O. 0. F., in 1883; he is a Repub- lican, and in 1876 received the nomination for Surveyor of White County. He was elected by a hftndsome majority, and during that year was Principal and Superin- tendent of the Burnettsville High School. He has been a teacher for six years in Jefferson Township, and m 1883 taught in Iroquois County, 111. Mr. E. is very suc- cessful, and was chosen, in 1883, to assist in the County Normal; will also assist the present year. In April, 1869, he married Miss Emma Gates, of Perry County, Ohio, who died in March, 1870, leaving a child two weeks old, which also died. He was next married, December 35, 1873, to Miss TeiTissa E. Wolf, of White County, a na- tive of Athens County. Ohio. She had twelve years' experience in teaching, having taught in the graded school of Kentland, in the Primary Department at Burnetts- ville in 1876, and the following year had charge of the Reynolds Public School. She has also been eminently successful in her work. She was formerly a Baptist, having a brother, William L., a minister, but now she and husband are both mem- bers of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. E. are among the progressive teachers of Newton County, and have lately been elected Principal and Grammar School teacher in the Walcott Graded School. WILLIAM H. FERGUSON, farmer, was born in La Salle County, 111., Febru- ary 27, 1846. He is the son of John and Elspit (Moir) Ferguson, both natives of Scotland. The former died in 1857, aged fifty-two ; the latter is still living in La Salle County, aged seventy-seven. They came to this country in 1838, settled in La Salle County, and had eleven children, six of whom survive. William H. Ferguson attended Mendota College two years, after he was of age, and taught subsequently one year, then went to farming in Ford County, III, for two years, thence to Jasper 722 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: County, Ind„ where he farmed four years, and thence to Newton County, where he now resides. His residence was burned in 1878, with some Insurance. He now owns 160 acres of valuable land, well improved and situated three miles southeast of Kentland. February 33, 1873, Mr. F. married Miss Laura E, Smith, of La Salle County, 111 Thev have five children-Rollie, Harry, Arthur, Gracie and Charles L. The last two are with their grandma in Illinois. Mr. Ferguson is a Republican. January 1883 he toolc his wife to California for her health, she being consumptive. This effort was in vain, as she died March 5. 1883, at Santa Cruz, Cal., where by her request she was buried. THOMAS M. FERGUSON, farmer, was born October 30, 1847, in La Salle County, 111. His educational advantages were those of "ye olden time." His father died when he was nine 3'ears of age. and he remained at home until he was eighteen, when he went to Livingston County, 111., and worked by the month, then returned to La Salle County and worked for his brother two and one-half years. He then procured a team and broke prairie in Livingston County one year. Later, he rented a farm for a year, after which he returned and farmed three years, his mother and sister keeping house. He finally came to Newton County, where he is now located, and lived in a shanty 13x14 now used as a kitchen. He improved his farm, has now 160 acres of fine land, is engaged in farming, stock-raising and ship- ping and is classed among the well-to-do farmers of the county. He was married. February 30, 1874, to Miss Adda M. Lamson. a successful public school teacher of Illinois of seven years' standing. One child cements their union— Bennie Ray. Mr. F. is a member of Kentland Lodge. I. 0. 0. F., and is a Republican. .TOHN" FISHER, retired farmer, was born April 33, 1833, in Sultz County. Al- sace, France, and is a son of George and Mary A. (Rosner) Fisher, both natives of Alsace. They came to America in 1843. landing in New York after a voyage of thirty-seven days. Thence they moved to Louisville, Ky.. where the father died in August and the mother in September, 184.5. and were buried in the Catholic Cem- etery, the former was tifty eight and the latter sixty-three years old. George Fisher drew a pension while in France, having been a soldier under Napoleon, and wounded at the battle of Leipsic. John was eleven years old when he came here. From his sixth to eleventh year, he attended school and studied Ihe French and German languages. He went to school in Louisville one year before his parents died, when he began working for himself, in a bagging factory. The first j'ear his wages were |3 per week, the second year $3 and the third §4. From this he went to learn his trade, stove molding, at which he continued to work four years, and then went as a farm hand in Dubois County. Ind., at SlO per month. He continued two years, when he married, ISIay 37, 1856, Veronica Erb, only child of Joseph and Anna (Schwab) Erb. of Dubois County, formerly of Baden, Germany. From that date he has been farming for himself. In ISlii). Jlr. F.. his wife and her parents came to Benton County and settled two and one-half miles northeast of Earl Park.jwhere he and wife own 130 acres of well improved land. He moved to Kentland in Febru- ary, 1883. His father-in-law Erb lives witli him. aged eiglity. ^Irs. Erb having died in July. 1877, aged seventy-eight. Mr. Erb and ilr. Fisher are Democrats, and all are Catholics. DAVID S. FLETCHER was born November 30. 18.50, in Ituulington County. Ind., and is the son of George and .lane E. (Binkley) Fletcher, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Oliio. The tatlier died at Lancaster, Ind.. in 18ti.5: lie was by trade a potter, and a Reinibliean politically. His widow resides in Iluutiugtou County, aged sixty-six, a member of the German Baptist Church. Both parents were of German descent. David S. had poor school avantages. His father's death necessi- tating help at home, he worked at fanning ulitil he was eighteen, when he served tiiree years to farm implement making and general blacksinithing. after whicli he TOWN OF KENTLAND AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 723 commenced for himself at Van Buren, Ind. He was in partnersliip with Ellsha Ford, the firm being Ford & Fletcher. After several years, Mr. F. sold to Mr. Ford and went into business at Marion, Ind., and subsequent!}' at Kentland, where he has been for ten years. He then went into partnership with Mr. Hoober, the firm being Hoober & Fletcher. They are now having a run on the Gopher Plow, and have built more than 2.50, which have been sent to different points in Indiana and Illinois, the demand having exceeded the supply. May 6, 1864, Mr. F. mar- ried Miss Elizabeth C, daughter of .John H. and Catharine Hoober. These parents have two children— Cloj'd H. and MjTtle V. Mrs. F. belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. F. is a member of Damon Lodge, K. of P., No, 72, also of No. 396, I. O. F., Kentland. CHARLES FRANKENBERGER, furniture dealer and undertaker, Kentland, was born in York Count}-, Penn., Februar}' 33, 1828, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Phillips) Frankenberger, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Maryland. They had seven children, three of whom are living. Both were members of the M. E. Church, and moved to Indiana in 1836. He died in 1839. The father was a mechanic in early life, and later a farmer. His wife died in La Payette about 18.56. She was in Baltimore when Gen. Ross landed Ijelow the fort, intending to attack and burn the city. He had been to Washington not long before, and was closely pursued and somewhat demoralized. His observation was, "I will sup in Baltimore or in hell this eve." He did not sup in Baltimore, for he was killed; but where he supped we leave the reader to judge. Charles F. had the educational advantages of that day. Farming and carpentering were his occupations until he enlisted, in the fall of 1863, in Company A, One Hundred and Twentj'-eighth Regi- ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Dick De Hart. The regiment's first move was to Charleston, Tenn., thence to Dalton; the first battle, "Buzzard's Roost." Subsequently, they took part in the Atlanta campaign, and afterward went to Nashville, thence to Pulaski, thence to Franklin, and thence to Nashville. Mr. F. left the regiment on account of sickness, and was sent to the field hospital, thence to Nashville, and thence to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., whence he was dis- charged after the surrender of Lee. He then returned to his farm of 200 acres in Newton County, which he had improved before enlisting. He came to this county in 1851, and, in 1866, was elected Sheriff of the county by an overwhelming ma- jority. He held this office two years, since which he has been successfully engaged in his present business. Mr. F. was married, January 3, 1850, to Miss Mary E. Parks, of Montgomery Count}-, Ind. They have seven children — Susan A., Sarah E,, Alice A., Willie (died in 1857, aged three years), Dora, Eva and Charles. Both parents are members of the M. E. Church, in whioii Mr. F. has held an official relation for many years. He is a member of Lodge No. 396, I. 0. 0. F., also of McHolland Post, G. A. R. His store is the only one of the kind in Kentland. and he has a successful business. In politics, he is Republican. JOHN FRENCH was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, July!, 1833, and is the fifth in the family of ten children, all of whom are living, of William R. and .Judith (Crew) French, the former a native of New York, the latter of Virginia. The father was a farmer, and lived to the age of sixty-three years; his wife died in her fifty-eighth j'ear. They were buried in Columbiana County, Ohio. John, tiie subject of this sketch, is one of the editors of the Kentland Gazette. Previous to the war, he was engaged in carpentering. In 1863, he enlisted in Company K, Fifty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Since the war, he has been engaged in farming in Newton County, Ind., and since 1867 has been a partner in the above-mentioned paper. In politics, he is a Republican, and has been a member of the M. E. Church about twenty-five years, also of the A. , F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 163, Morocco, Ind. He has been twice married, first to !Miss Harriet Conner, of Jennings County, Ind.; 724 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: she died in February, 1881, a member of the M. E. Church since her fifteenth year. She left five children, all of whom are living— Leanna, William I., Carrie B., Jessie F. and Luella. May 31, 18S2, Mr. F. married Mrs. E. S. Conner, of Indian- apolis, Ind. She has one child living, by her first husband, Bertha. Leanna was married, in 1875, to Rev. A. W. Wood, of the Northwest [ndiana Conference. William I. was married in June, 1881, to Miss Flora Thayer, of Kentland, Ind. JOSEPH J. GARDNER, miller, was born August 30, 1838, in Morgan County, Va. His parents are John P. and Martha E. (Higgins) Gardner, both natives of Virginia; the former died in 1867, aged flfty-five; was a miller, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Democrat. The mother is living in White County, Ind., aged sixt3'-eight; she also is a member of the Presbyterian Church. They had eleven children, nine of whom are living. Joseph J. had good advantages, having attended school and worked in his father's mill until he was twenty-flve years of age, and he is a practical miller. He came with his parents in 1860, and settled in Monticello, White Co., Ind., vvhere he remained ten years, after which he went to Logansport for two years, sulisequently returning to Monticello, later to Monon, and thence to Kentland in 1875, where he has charge of the Kentland Mill. There is, perhaps, no better custom mill than the one he represents in Kentland. In 1863, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of Dr. M. H. and Lucinda Mitchison, of Lyons County, Ky. They have seven children — John M., Frank C, Effie L., Mar- tha L. (deceased), Joseph F., Roy P. and Earl K. Both parents are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Gardner of Damon Lodge, No. 73, K. of P. ; he is also a Democrat. SIMEON B. GILLETT, farmer, was born JIarch 3.5, 1838, in Hartford, Conn. His parents were Gideon and Ruth (Goddard) Gillett, both of Connecticut. The father died in 1866, aged eighty-five; the mother in 1849, aged fiftj^-two. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father was a farmer, and moved to La Salle County, 111., in 18:53; in politics, he was a Democrat. % These parents had nine children, only five of whom are now living. Simeon came with his par- ents to Illinois at the age of four years. At that time schools were of a very in- ferior kind, but by his own exertions he has acquired quite a good business education. He came to Newton County in 1869, and settled on a farm of 280 acres in Section 35. It was then wild land; it is now well improved, and a very valuable property, and is nicely located five miles southwest of Kentland. Mr. Gillett has been very successful in business, and is numbered among the progressive, respected farmers of Newton County. He was married. April 5, 1850, to Jlargaret E. Baker, of New York. They have had six children— Sidney J.. Mary D.,C}'nthia L.,DavidF., Edward H. and Margaret N. ; Edward H. died May 8, 1873. aged seven j-ears. Slary D. was married March 10. 1871, to John O. Worsley, of Illinois; they have had four chil- dren — Alfred V., Allen, Arthur and Cora E.; Arthur died in 1879, aged two years. Cynthia L. was married March 19. 1873, to L. J. Worsley, of Illinois; the.v have one cluld — Frederick L. Daniel F. was married Feliruary 33, 1875, to Caroline Cooper; the cliildren were Burton, Harley and Winona; Hailey died in 1879, Winona in 1883; the age of each was about two years. Sidney J. was married to Jessie Mc- Call, of Gait, Canada, August 30, 1878; one child— Linna N.— has blessed this union. ]\Irs. Margaret Gillett died January 10, 1873, aged forty-two. Januarv 39, 1873, Mr. (lillett married Mrs. (Moore-Beam) Clark, of this county. These parent had one child — William Lynn — wlio died July 31, 1S76. aged two years. Jlrs. B. C. Gillett came to this county in October, 1853. She was married to John Beam, of Pennsylvania, September 13, 1861; he died November 9, 1861, aged twenty-six. She was next married to Amos Clark, of this county; he died December 11. 1871, aged sixty-eight; one child, Lillie May. was born to them, but died in infancy. Mrs. Gillett, although not an old lady, may be classed among the older settlers of the TOWN OF KENTLAND AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP—NEWTON COUNTV. 725 county. She came here in her twelfth year, 1853, with her parents, and has been a resident of the county ever since. She lived here when the nearest neighbor on the south was Carey M. Eastburn, of Pine Creek; La Fayette then was the nearest point for trade. In politics, Mr. Gillett is a Greenl)acker. GILBERT GOFF, merchant, was born in JManchester, N. H., .luly 38, 1838; his parents were Stephen and Mary T. (Cutler) GofE, both natives of New Hampshire. His father died in 1836 at the age of thirty-three. His mother is now living at the home farm in New Hampshire at the advanced age of eighty. These parents had five children, three of whom are now living. Gilbert, the subject of this sketch, labored on the farm until he was twenty-five years of age, and then came West and located at Ottawa, 111., and engaged in merchandising for fourteen years. In 1869, he came to Kentland and opened a dry goods store, and has continued in that business ever since. In the Kentland fire of April .5, 1883, his entire store and household goods were consumed; insurance, §6, .500. April 13. he moved into the Kent Block with an entire new stock of goods, where he is now selling to a very large and increasino- trade. He has now the largest stock of dry goods of any firm in the county. He was married, June 33, 1853, to Miss Susan E. Post, of Spencer, Tioga County, N. Y. These jsarents have two children— Edward M. and George P. Mrs. S. E. Goff died January 37, 1883, aged fifty-two years. Mr. GofE is a member of Occi- dental Lodge, No. 40, F. & A. M., Ottawa, III.; he is also a member of Kentland Chapter, No. 89. In politics, he is a Republican. ABRAHAM HALLECK was born November 15. 1861. in Kankaliee County, 111., and is a son of James and i[iry Halleck. Al)raliam liad the school advantages offered by Lake Township, Newton County, and what they lacked he made up by love for books and zeal in study. He worked on the farm and began attending the Central Normal School at Danville, Ind., in 1879, from which he graduated in the scientific course in 1880, the youngest in a class of seventeen, and had the honor of being the alumni speaker at the commencement in 1833. He has been a teacher since he was seventeen years of age, and has a most creditable record. Tlie coming year, he will teach in this county. He began the study of law in 1883, and was admitted to the bar in 1883 and has been in the law office of Judge Ward in Kentland for six months; he is a Republican, and represented Lake Townsliip in the county conven- tion. THEODORE H. HARNISH, photographer, was born June 33, 1856, in Adams County, Penn., and is the soa of Simon and Margaret A. (Shriner) Harnish, the for- mer a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Maryland. They are both living near Gettysburg, Penn., the father aged fifty-eight, the mother fifty-two. They had eight children, si.x of whom are living— William F. P. Harnish, a photographer; their fourth child died in Milford, III., September, 1881; the others are Amanda L., Clin- ton S., Charles S., Harry W., Oliver P. and Aberilla (deceased). The father is a Democrat and a member of the German Reformed, the mother of the UnitedBrethren Church. Theodore had good educational advantages until he was sixteen, being oc- cupied in attending school and selling goods. For the next four years, he was in several localities, clerking and harness-making. Hecame to Kentland in 1874, and except two years has been here since; lie is no\v,located in the two-story brick on the west side of Third street, has a beautiful gallery, and is amply prepared for doing first- class work. He has a good trade, does good work and lias the only establishment in the county. Mr. H. was married, September 31, 1879, to Mis5 Idella Self, of Franklin County, Ohio. One child has blessed this union, Harley Hamlin. Mr. H. is a Democrat, a member of the Methodist Episcopal and Mrs. H. of the Christian Church. BARNETT HAWKINS, carpenter and builder >as l)orn December 9, 1836, in Dutchess County, N. Y. He is the son of Edgar .,■ 1 Lydia M. (Ward) Hawkins 726 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: the former a native of New York, the latter of the Isle of Nantucket. These par- ents had six children, five of whom are now living. The father died in February, 1868, at the age of flftj'-two. lie was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics a Repuljlican. The mother is still living in Goodland, lud., and has married Philip Earl. She is seventy-six j-ears of age, and is one of the pioneer Methodists. Barnett Hawkins, the subject of this sketch, had only moderate edu- cational advantages. He came West with his parents in 1838, and settled in La Porte County, Ind. They moved in 1853 to a farm near Brook, Newton County, Ind. Mr. H. worked on a farm until he was eighteen, at which time he went to learn his trade and continued at that for two years. In 1854, he began working for himself at carpentering, and has pursued that business ever since, and is one of the best carpenters in the county. He served as County Surveyor for nine 3'ears, hav- ing been elected three times and serving an entire term as Deputy. He moved to Kentland in 1805, and has been living here ever since, working at his trade. He was married, April 25, 1858, to Miss Anna B. Jones, of Newton County. These par- ents have had six children — Flora, HomerE., Arthur, Frederick. Edgar and Clyde B. Flora died in 1861, at the age of three years; Frederick died in 1870, at the age of four years; the other children are living at home. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In polities, Mr. Hawkins is a Republican. JETHKO A. HATCH, M. D., Kentland, was born in Chenango County, N. Y., June 18, 1837; is the son of Jetliro and ^Minerva (Pierce) Hatch, the former a native of Connecticut, the latter of New Hampshire. They had five children; all are living. Mr. Hatch died January, 1878, ageil eighty, and Mrs. Hatch in Mav. 1882. aged sev- enty-six. He was a well-to-do farmer, and an active Republican. Both were mem- hers of the Congregational Church; moved to Illinois in 1847. and settled in Kane County, of which they were pioneers. Jethro A. Hatch had good schooling. He attended the academy atBatavia, 111., for several years, and subsequently Rush :Med- ical College at Chicago, graduating therefrom in 1860. He was the tirst physician to locate in Kentland (1861), and practiced until 186'2, when he was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the Thirly-sixth Regimeivt Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; after- ward promoted to be Surgeon, and continued until the close of the war. and was mustered out in October, 1865. He then returned to Kentland and resinned practice. In the special legislative session of 1873, and in the regular session of 1873, he rep- resented the counties of Jasper, Pulaski and Newton. He has been chairman of the Reiuil)lican Central Committee of his county for two years. Through his energy and management, to a great extent, the Republican ticket was elected t\epast yea^r. He married (May 36, 1881) Miss Sarah, daughter of Gilbert and Margaret Shaeffer! of Lancaster, Ohio. One child-Darwin S,. has bh-s.sed this union. The Doctor is W. M. of Lodge No. 361, F. & A. JI., and C. H. of Chapter No. 89, Kentland. Ind. He Is also a member of McHolland Post, Xo. 103, G. A. R. The Doctor's location is at Third and Washington streets, and he has a tine residence in the city. He is an experienced and successful practitioner. TIK )MAS HAYWOOD, farmer, was born May 38, 1,<43, in Montgomery County Ind., and is tlie son of Henry ami JIartha (Sherwood) Haywood, the father a native of Ohio, tlie motlier of Norlh Carolina. The father lives in La Fayette, a.-ed'sev- enty. The motlier died January, 187,s, aged titty-six— a member" of tlie'rniled Brethren Church, Tliomas was reared in Tippecanoe County, on Shawnee Prairie He enlisted July 35, 1863, in Company K, Seyenty -second Regiment Indiana Volun- teer Intanlry; discharged July 6,1865, He was in tlie battles of Hoover's Gap Cliie,knmauga,and, besides, many skirmishes. He never received a disabliu- wound' although once a niinie ball struck and went through the stock of his oun and s^at' tcring pieces of wood, one of which struck him in the side with smli force as to kn.vk liun down. He patched up that same Spencer rllle, carried it until the close TOWN OF KEXTLANU AND .lEFFERSOxN TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 7-7 of the war, bought it from United States for ?10, and it may be seen at his home. He had one severe attack of sickness, wliich kept him from tlie regiment ten days, — the only time he lost from disability during the three years. He never received a furlough, but took a " French leave " a time or two. He is somewhat deaf, caused by being too near a discharged cannon whde supporting a battery. While sick, he was at the liome of an old woman who had two sons in the rebel armj'. Her treatment was kind, but rebel bushwhackers made it a dangerous rendezvous. Soon as he could travel, he and a Lieutenant, also there sick, paid her §10 — all the monej- they had. He, with 199 others, belonged to "Wilder's brigade — "Wilder's hell-hounds." On the Okaloma raid, none of the brigade was out of the saddle for si.x days and nights (except three hours), only while they were fighting. The}' slept on their horses while riding. At the close of the six days, only ten out of the 200 had hats. The rest of the hats were lost while passing through the woods after night ; many of them were " nodded off." Mr. Haywood made one good record as a soldier. He does not care to make another. He was married, March 16, i860, to Miss Louisa Smith, of Indiana. They had four children — Carrie, Phebe A. (an infant which died in 1871, and Johnnie, who died in July, 1874, aged nine months. Mrs. Haywood died April 27, 1874, at the age of thirty-two, a member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Haywood was next married to Mrs. Elizabeth R. Montgomery, relict of William P. Montgomery. The latter died April 25, 1871. They were married June 9, 1862. They had four children— Ella J., John W., xUva 0. and Thomas J. Ella J. died February 6, 187.5, at the age of twelve years. Thomas J. died March '>, 1871, aged seven months. Mr. and Mrs. Haj'woodhave three children— Thomas L., Mag- gie F. and Luella 31. Mrs. (Montgomery) Haywood, came to this county from Tip- pecanoe, February, 1864, with her husband. They settled where they now reside, three miles northwest of Iventland. It was then prairie sea, now an improved farm. Mr. Haywood has resided here since 1876, bought 150 acres (in addition to 200 owned before) since he came. He still owns 100 acres in Tippecanoe County. He is classed among the thrifty farmers of the county. Mrs. Haywood holds to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Haywood is a member of McHolland Post, G. A. R. He is a Republican. WILLIAM H. HERSIIMAX, Superintendent of the county schools, was born in White County, Ind., July 20, 1851, and is the third of seven children born to Ja- cob H. and ilary (Edmondson) Hershman. Jacob H. Hershman was married in 1844, in Hamilton County. Ind. He removed to Benton County, and in 1849 to White County. He is a farmer, and is now living in this county. He and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since their childhood. Will- iam II. Hershman received a common school education, and since his eighteenth year has been most of the time engaged in teaching. His second re-election as Su- perintendent of County Schools, occurred in June, 1883. As proof of the esteem in which he is held, at his first election he had only a majority of one ; but at the two subsequent elections, he received a unanimous vote. Mr. Hershman was married iu 1873, to Miss Jennie Lyons, of Brook, Ind. They have had one child— Ara Ethel. Both parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hershman is a Steward in that church. He is N. G. of Lodge 396, I. O. 0. F., at Kentland. He is a Republican, and a progressive citizen. His schools rank among the liest in the State. JOHN H. HOOBER was born in Pike County, Ohio, October 27, 1829. He is the son of EUrey and Mary A. Hoober, both natives of Virginia; the former died in 1835, aged forty-five, the latter in 1875, aged eighty. Mr. H. was by trade a cooper, in politics a Whig, but voted for Gen. Jackson; and bad been a soldier in the war of 1812. John H. Hoober had little schooling. He came with his parents from Pike County to Crawford County, Ind., in 1835, where liis father died six v>eeks 7-28 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: afterward, and his mother returned to Ross County, Ohio. From 1842 to 1847, John H. traveled with a blind man, and received a boy's wages. He began to learn his trade in 1847,from which time until the present, excepting that in the United States service, he has followed manufacturing farm implements and general blacksmithing. He enlisted in 1861 in Company C, Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. Don Piatt, as musician (solo alto) in the regimental band. He was in the "Morgan raid" in Ohio in 1863, and had a personal encounter with one of his men, in which the latter received a dangerous wound, and had his horse captured by Mr. H.. who escaped death by the mis-discharge of the rebel's gun. In 1864, he went from Circleville, Ohio, in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment Ohio National Guards, with the hundred-day men. Col. Sage. On his return, he was mustered out, returned to Circleville, and resumed business. From Pickaway County, Ohio, he moved to 'White County, Ind., in 1865, where he was burnt out, saving only his clothing and a team of horses. He then came to Kentland in 1871, and is located where the first building was erected. December 31, IS.'il, he married Miss Catherine Kemp, (jf Madison County, Ohio. They have four living children — Laura, Letitia. Elizabeth and Eugene. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Christian Church. Mr. 11. is a Republican, and a member of Lodge 861, F. & A. M. Mr. Hoober is patentee of the " Hoosier Gopher, " a cultivator made liy the firm Hoober & Fletcher, at jiresent in good demand, and was patented March 6. 1883. WORTHINGTON HUMES, farmer, was born February 6, 1844, in Hamilton Coir.itj', Ohio. and is a son of Thomas and Eliza Humes.the latter a daughter of Israel and Eliza Brown. Mr. Brown was for man}' years District Judge, living in Hamilton Giunty, Ohio. In 1844, Mr. Humes moved to Rush County. Ind., and settled ou a farm near Xcw Salem, where he lived thirty five years. He and wife were early pioneers of that county. He died December, 1879, aged sixty- nine; she, September, 1877. also aged sixtj'-ninc. both members of the M. E. Church, their house being the preaching place and preachers' home for many years. Mr. Humes was a Republican of the abolition type. They had nine children, eight of wliom are living. Worthington Humes attended school and worked on the f.-irm until his ilghteeuth year, when he enlisted in Company I. Sixly-eiglith Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantrv, and went to Greensburg. thence to Indianapolis, Louisville. Baidstown and Rowling Green, where they were capt- ured by Bragg's forces, paroled, returned to eanip at Indianapolis, and remained until 181)3, when they were exchanged. They then went to Xashville, Murfrees- bnro and Chattanooga, t;dsiiig part in tliat campaign. At Ohickamauga, he was wounded, captured and tak^n to Castle Tliundev, and kept four months. "Tongue cannot express," says he, " whal I sutTered, I saw eighteen carried to the dead house at one time, the average lieing seven a day, all from hunger. Then we were exchanged, and sent to hospital at Annapolis. Tliis was heaven on earth compared Willi \vli;it we h.ad experieneeil." He wits furloughed, eame home, and returned to the army in 1S(!4, Tile regiment was stationed at Murfreesboro, and he did such duly as he was al le to perform until the w ar w as closed, and he was discharsed. He afterward fanned in liush County five years, and then came to Newton County. wluTe 111' lias sinre follnwed fanning successfully, lie married, February 6, 1868, Miss Sarah Iv .I.Mies, of Kush County, Ind. They had Ihri'e children— Flora. Chaili's M, and Samuel. JIis. Ilumesdied June 04, 1881. aged thirlv-tive, a member of II, e M. Vj, (liurcli. Mr. Humes is a memlnr of Xi'Wton Lodge. Xo. 144. F. & A. M., and a Krpubliean. et- tle with the insurance adjusters. He now carries ,-t heavy slock, and is well insured. In 1873, he married IMiss Caroline, daughter of Anthony Dehner, one of the oldest settlers and a County Commissioner. Mrs. Keefe died June 36, 1878. Mr. Keefe was Town Treasurer three consecutive terms, and gave general satisfaction and was thr Deniocratio candidate for SherilT in 1873; he was defeated, but ran ahead of his ticket. Mr. Keefe is and Mrs. Keefe was a member of the Catholic Church. ALLEN W. KENOYER, carpenter, was born April 30, 1850. in Newton lihcu Jasper) County, Ind.. and is a son of Rev. Jacob and Jane T. iFrame) Kenover the former a native of Indian,!, the latter of Ohio. The father was a minister in'ihe TOW>- OF EENTLAND AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 731 United Brethren Church for thirty years, and labored in Indiana and Illinois. He died July 23, 1870, aged forty-nine years, a pioneer of the county. Mrs. K. is still living, aged sixty-two. Her father. Col. James Frame, was a pioneer and favorably linown in Eastern Illinois. She is a sister of Thomas Frame, whose death by freez- ing, December 21, 1836, is referred to in the history of Iroquois Count}', 111. Allen W. Kenoyer was reared on the farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he went to college at Westtield, 111., two terms, and after taught one term, with good satisfaction. November, 1871, he married Millie J. Liltlejohu, of this county. They have three children — Edith A., Centennial May and Etfle E. The father is a member of the United Brethren, the mother of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. K. has worked at carpentering the past two _years, and is classed among the finished workmen. He is a Republican of the abolition school. ALEXANDER .1. KEN"T, deceased, founder of the town which bears his name, was born August 30, 181.5, in Oneida Count}', N. Y. His parents were Carrol C. and Pheba (D3'mock) Kent, both natives of Connecticut, the latter a daughter of Col. Dymock, who served in the English Arm}'. Mr. and Mrs. Carrol Kent were born the same year, same month and same day, October 17, 1777. Carrol C. Kent owned the laud at Oriskanj-, N. Y.. on which was fought the battle of Oriskany, under Gen. Herkimer, during the Revolutionary war, said land being afterward owned by his son, A. J. Kent. Carrol C. Kent died in Whitesboro, N. Y. , at tlie age of eighty-three, and his wife August 21, 1827, at tlie age of fifty years. Alex- ander J. Kent had such educational advantages as the common schools afforded, and was, in the',true sense of the word, a self-made man. At the time of the gold fever in California, in 184fl, Jlr. K. equipped live men, viz.. John Allison, W. R. Fowler, Daniel Shaw, James Izzard and J. B. Chesebrough, and furnished them with transportation to Sacramento Cit}*, Cal. About the year 18.31, Mr. K. joined the firm, W. R. Fowler it Co., in Sacramento City, and the firm name changed to Kent, Fowler & Co. They did a splendid wholesale grocery business for many months, but were interrupted by a destructive fire; they arose again and did a larger business than before. After continuing some two years, they sold, bought a vessel and en- gaged in the trade between San Francisco and China, and were very successful, financially, as importers. That vessel, "Anna Welsh," on her first trip brought the first Chinese that ever came to America as a colony. After making three trips, they sold the vessel to a Chinese mandarin and returned to New York. Soon after, Mr. Kent was visited by his brother, Hon. P. M. Kent, of Indiana, and by him in- duced to invest in wild lands in Northwestern Indiana. He accordingly made visits in 18.53 and 1854 to what became his possessions, and invested largely. He moved to New Albany, Ind., in 18.55, engaged in the wholesale grocery trade, and kept one of the most extensive establishments of the kind in the State. He made several visits to Northwestern Indiana, each time investing, till he had more than 25,000 acres. In 1859, he moved his family from New Albany to what is now Newton Countv. About this time, many bought farms in this township, with little prospect of paying for them, and, had he pressed them for payment, many now prosperous farmers would have given up their farms and perliaps have been poor men. Mr. Kent encouraged his debtors, and was patient in waiting for payment. He could seldom refuse help to a deserving person or to a worthy enterprise. It is said that he had from |50 to §300 invested in every church in Wdshington Township, New- ton County. To the suilering in Kansas from the drought in 1861, his donations were immense. On one occasion to the solicitors for corn he replied, "Go to my crib and take out what you think I ought to contribute; I don't know exactly how to deal out to the worthy, unfortunate sufferers." Five hundred bu,shels, after taking a survey of the crib, gave evidence that the keen edge of the hard times was to be turned, and §400 worth of clothing at a later date went to Nebraska for the grass- 732 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: hopper sufEerers from Mr. Kent's store, with the same free good-will, a generous offering of a kind heart. In 1861 came the war, and with it untold distress to a - most every household. Money was close, and, as was characteristic of Mr. Kent, he proved himself a man for the times-the right person in the right place-domg much to alleviate the wants of the soldier on the field of battle, and going to his grave followed by the blessings of the soldiers and their families, widows and help- less children, and by the orphan, who looks longingly for charity from those who have little sympathy. Now that his lips, which spoke words of cheer and kindness, are forever closed, and the hands that were ever ready to do acts of kindness are silently folded in their last resting place, it is refreshing to know that all unite m kindly expressions of gratitude for his timely aid in the hour of pressing want and dire distress On one occasion as a company, composed of his neighbors and his neighbors' boyi were about to leave for the South, and were marching to the depot, Mr Kent came on the scene at this time and directed the Captain. Darnel Ash, to '• order open ranks." When the order was obeyed, Mr. Kent passed through from one end of the company to the other, and gave to each man a §5 bill. "That came in good time," said a faithful soldier, "for some of us were leaving home and fam- ily^ without knowing when the next dollar would come, or where it would come from." Mr. Kent was a remarkable man, with a busy life. He was seldom seen talking on the streets except on urgent business. We deem the above details of a successful life due to one of Newton County's most worthy and enterprising men, as .showing what well-directed effort, coupled with untiring industry and prompted by unflinching integrity, can accomplish toward building up a county composed mainly of appreciative, deserving citizens. Mr. Kent was twice married, the last time in 1857, at Whitesboro, N. Y., to Miss Rosamond C. Chesebrough, daughter of Noyers P. and Clara (Moore) Chesebrough, the latter a niece of the poet. Tom Moore. Mr. K. was not a member of any church, but a liberal giver to all churches. He died May 7, 1882. His family, wife and five children, reside at the family residence in the suburbs of Kentland. His extensive business is being carried on under the direction of his eldest sou, John A. Kent, who is developing business qualifications and sterling qualities such us characterized his lamented father. In politics, Mr. Kent was a Democrat. HORACE D. KENT was born August '31 . 1817, in Oneida County. N. Y., and is a son of Carrol and Pheba (Dymock) Kent, both natives of Connecticut. Horace D. worked on the farm until his thirteenth year, from which time until he was tAventy-five he engaged in clerking, steamboating on the lakes, and afterward on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and in mercantile business at New Albany. Ind. In April, 1K40. he started from Independence, Mo., in a crowd called "the Louisville Lesion Company" (twenty-seven wagons and sixty persons), over the plains to Sac- runientd, Cal.. where they safely arrived in one hundred and twenty days. There he spent the first winter in mining, merely making a living. In April, 1850, he joined hisbrother, A. .1. Kent, .Tohn B. Chesebrough and W. R. Fowler in the gToeery business in Sacramento. Their success was good, but the firm was broken up on account of cholera. Mr. Kent then took a large stock of goods to Rough and Ready (near MarysviUe) and 0]iened a store. Here he lost on account of no rain "dry dig- gins." In February, b'v'il. he went to Sacramento, bought fifty pack mules, and piuked Ills goods to Onion Valley. South Feather River, where he again met with loss. In ,lune, he dosi'd his store, sold his mules, and in August left for home by Nicaragua, arriving in New Albany October 1, where, in November, in company witb liis lirotbers, A. .1. and Bela C, he went into the grocery trade until 1850. when lie sold lo bis brothers, and opened a commission house in New Orleans with good sneerss, until 18(11, when he closed and removed to New Albany. In 1803. he went to Trnnrssee, emitloyed by (he Government until the close of the war. when he TOWN OF KENTLAND AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 733 erected a manufacturing establishment, door, sash and blinds, in Nashville, Tenn., and continued there until 1870, when he came to Kentland. Formerly, he was en- gaged buj-ing grain for A. J. Kent, hut latterly in the wood and coal trade, and do- ing well. March 34, 1S41, Mr. Kent married Miss Martha Liudley, of Vevay, Ind. These parents have had five children. two of whom are living, viz. .Angle Dj'mockand Bela C; Angle married, in 186.5, A. M. Van Dyke, of Cincinnati; Bela C. married, in 1876, Miss Jennie, daughter of E. L. and Mary Urmston, of Kentland. Mr. Kent is a member of Jefferson Lodge, F. &. A. M., No. 104, New- Albanj'. In politics, he is independent. JOHN KNOUFF, farmer, was born December 24, 1831, in Bedford County, Penn., and is a son of Anthony and Sarah (Croft) Knouff, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Pennsylvania. The_v moved to Stark County, Ohio, in 1857, and settled on a farm. The father died August 8, 1874, aged seventy-four; the mother in December, 1882, aged seventy, both in Stark County. The father was a member of the Dunkard, and the mother of the Lutheran Church. They had twelve children, seven now living. John made his father's house his home, and came to Ohio with that parent in 1857. He was married in June, 1861. to Miss Julia A. Sell, of Stark County, Ohio. They came to Newton County in April, 1864, stopped in K.-ntland the first six months, and then moved to his present faim two and three- quarter miles north of Kentland, where he owns 171 acres of well-improved land. He lias been here since 1864; has his farm well stocked, and is classed among the prugressive farmers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Kent have had nine children — Ida J., Minnie E., John E., Albert, Willie, Charles A., Warren B.. Bessie M. and Sherman. Aliiertdied in infancy; Willie in 1872, in his third year; Minnie E.was married, April 30, 1883, to Charles Ulrey. of this county; the other children are living with their parents. Mrs. Kent is a member of the M. E. Church. In politics, Sir. Kent is a Democrat. ELMER McCRAT (deceased) was born October 12, 1834, in Fayette County. Ind.. and was the son of William and Lucinda McCray. In 1849, Elmer moved with his parents to Crawfordsville, and had good school advantages. He graduated in Bacon's Commercial College, Cincinnati, in 1856, and was a practical book-keeper. October 8, 1867. he married Miss Eliza Kern, of Huntington, Ind. After marriage, he spent one j'ear on a farm north of Kentland, and afterward moved to town. He built ilie only livery stable in the town, and continued in that business for a time, handled agricultural implements several years, and was thus engaged at his death. Ap:il 11, 1874. To Elmer and Eliza McCray were born three children — William K. , Jolin Ade, and Lillie (deceased). Mrs. McCray is a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of John S. and Catherine (Tittle) Kern, also natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. McCray was a good and successful man, and left 300 acres to his family, besides a valuable property in Kentland. GREENBURY W. McCRAY, farmer, stock-raiser and banker, Kentland, was born July 13, 1839, in Fayette County, Ind., and is the son of William and Lucinda (Edwards) McCraj-, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Pennsylvania. They had eight children. The father died in 1864, aged fifty-three; the mother is living at the age of seventy. William McCray was a pioneer Abolutionist of the State. On his tombstone was inscribed at his request, ■' Freedom to all men;" he is buried in Crawfordsville. Greenbury W. McCray moved with his parents in 1849 to Craw- forlsville. where he had good school advantages, and the help of the Normal De- partment of Wabash College. In Octoljer, 1861, he came to Newton County, Ind., prospecting, and in November purchased a farm in Iroquois Township, near Brook. Until tli.^ following spring he was engaged trading. He remained on that farm un- til Nov,.'aiher, 1870, when he moved to Kentland. From 1870 to 1875. he was engaged in the livery, the farm implement, and in the fuel trade, at the same time overseeing 734 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: his farm. Since December, 1875, he has been a partner with Messrs. Ade & Urm stonin the "Discount and Deposit Bank of Kentland," which, with farming and stoclc-raising, engages his attention. Mr. McCray has been very successful. He owns 350 acres of land in his name, and with Messrs. Ade & Urmston, bankers, 3,000 acres, located in Washington, Jefferson, Grant, Iroquois and Beaver Town- ships, in Newton County, and in Beaver Township, Iroquois Co., 111.; has been for years a member of the School Board, and is the busiest man in the town. March 6, 1863, he married Miss Martlia J. Galey, of Montgomery County, Ind. They have three children-Fanny F., Warren T. and Anna E. Mrs. McCray is a member of the Presbyterian Church; Mr. McCray is a Republican. Mr. McCray is forty-four years old, and has never smoked or chewed tobacco, or drunk a dram of any intoxi- c ant. He signed the tirst temperance pledge ever presented, and has signed all since. JOHN McDERM, aged five years. Mr. Martin had three children by his first wife, and nine bj' each of the other two. In 1831, when Mr. Martin's father moved to Benton County, he had six horses, three cows, five steers, thirty sheep and thirty hogs. "When the winter of 1831-33 was over, there were left of the above one yearling colt, one cow and four steers. Starvation was the cause. For two months, three of the four steers had to lie helped up when they lay down. He had but one neighbor within seven miles; he was there five years before he saw a rabbit or a quail, but there were man}- prairie wolves; prairie fires were destructive to fowls and rabbits. Another hard scene was in the Black Hawk war. Mr. Martin has seen the road crowded for miles, almost day and night, mostly with ox-teams filled with men, women and children, many with only night clothes on, not having taken time to dress — women and men carr3'ing children, all fleeing for their lives from the Indians. Had it not been for some wheat which he had left in Fountain County, the family would most likely have starved; they suf- fered very much as it was. Mr. Martin and wife are both members of the Christian Church. In politics, he is a Democrat. Mr. Martin never danced, never chewed tobacco, never was drunk, but says, " I might have been a drunkard had I not seen mj' father di-unk twice; that settled the question forever with me." Mr. Slartin smoked for forty years, then quit, and has not touched the weed in three years. In 1839 Mr. Martin traded a heifer for five ewes; he still has the offspring of that flock; he has never changed the flock except by adding twenty to it at one time by purchase. He has sold two car-loads at one time, has butchered a great many, and the dogs killed sixty at one time, and a less number at many other times; occasion- ally one has died a natural death. The wolves have at times been terribly destruct- ive, and his flock now numbers 1,")0; they have never been off the farm, and Mr. Martin thinks there is hardly a parallel case in the county. CHARLES T. MARTIN, farmer, was born Januarys, 1845, in Benton County, Ind., and is a son of James and Eliza Martin. Charles received his early education 3G BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: in a cru rude building, and later in one wliicli was some improvement o^er the former. In 1853, he came with his parents to this county, and located four miles northwest of Kentland, near the Iroquois River. His father lives on the same farm now. Charles lives two miles east, and has made farming his busmess; he owns 220 acres of improved land, secured by industry and economy. He makes stooli-raismg a specialty; the farm is well stocked with sheep, hogs, cattle and horses. Mr. Martin was married, September 14, 1871, to Miss Sarah M. Herriman, of this county. They have had six ehilrlren, five of whom are now living. Both are members of the Chris- tian Church. Mr. Martin deserves mention among the good citizens of the county. WILLIAM C. MILLER, pastor of the Catholic Church, Kentland. was born July 11, 1857, ill County Ahrwiler, Germany. He is the son of Frank Stephen and Anna Catharine Miller, also of Germany; the former died in 1866, aged sixty-six, having been an invalid eighteen years; he is buried in Heimersheim, Germany, and was a member of the Catholic Church. The mother is still livintr in Germany, aged seventy-two, also a member of the Catholic Church. They had six children, five of whom are living. William C. had good educational advantages, both in this coun- try and in Germany. He attended the St. Meinrad Seminary in Spencer County, Ind., where he completed his course in 1881, and was ordained priest September 24, 1881. His first station was Roanoke, which position he held one and one-lialt years; his second was Kentland, where he began his laDors April 2, 1383. He arrived in this country .lanuary 30, 1879, after a voyage of twenty-two days, with the experi- ence of a storm, and an intense sea sickness for three days. He landed at Xew -Jer- sey on the JSTotre Dame Line, and proceeded to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he entered at once on the work of his studies. At the Roanoke Station, he had a congregation of about fifty families, and in Kentland he has about one hundred and twenty fam- ilies, including those from Goodland. Ind. His present work is in a thriving condi- tion; the location is good, but the house is not in keeping with the progressive spirit of the congregation, and the members talk of liuilding a new house at an early day. The station has no school at present, but will open one, according to present expecta- tion, in September, 1884. WILLIAM W. MILLER, teacher. Kenthnid, was liorn February 9, IS.li;. in Fulton County, Ind. He is the second in a family of eleven children of William and Anna (Kibbler) Miller, the former a native of Scotland, the latter of Pennsyl- vania. William Miller settled in La Porte County, but moved to Fulton, thence to Jasper, and subse(|uently to Mewton County, where he has lived twenty 3'ears. He lield the office of Justice about twelve years in Jackson Township, and is well known and respected; he is a Republican. Jlrs. stiller is a member of the Dunkard Cliurch. William AV. Miller had the advantages of the Normal School at Valpa- raiso, and was reared on the farm. He has taught school five successive years, three in his home district, where lus services are engaged at increased salary the coming year. All his teaching has been in Jackson Township, save two terms; he stands 'No. 1 " in that calling, but few having a better record. He served as Dpi)ing them into their hands in sueli a way that they fell through their fingers into th(^ leaves. They stooped to pick them up, aud while in that stooping position 111' drew from his breast inside pocket a tomahawk, aud killed them both before lli.y amse. He died neai Indianapolis that same year, at the age of about forty. He was twice miuried. The second marriage was about tlie year 1818. to Miss Scw- ;ird. By hiM- he liad three children -Ruth. John and Sarah A. The mother died TOWN OF KENTLAND AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 749 April 28, 1873, aged eiglity-one; she had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church forty years. John went to school about seven months in his life; he was reared on the farm of his grandfather, Samuel Seward, near Connersville, Ind. Mr. Seward was farmer, tanner and shoe-maker. Mr. Whiteakker, on his eighteenth birtliday, started for Benton County, with his cousin Joseph Ward. They came to the grove on Mud Pine, near where Oxford now stands; he had 35 cents on arriving. He hired to Mr. Ward for three years, receiving one hoTse, saddle and bridle, !|50 in money, and three suits (two everyday and one "freedom suit"). He invested his earnings in Kewton (then Jasper) County, where he now lives, four and one-half miles northwest of Kentland; this was in 1847. He paid fS per acre for thirty acres of timber and fortj^ of prairie. He now owns 337 acres in Newton Count}', eighty in Knox County, and eighty acres in Osboru County, Kan. He has been very suc- cessful in business, and is classed among the responsible, well-to-do farmers of the county; he sold about the first lot of corn that Mr. A. J. Kent ever bought in this county. He was married in September, 1844, to Miss Sarah Smith, of Benton Coun- ty. They had three children — Elizabeth, Hannah and Thomas. Hannah died September 33, 1851, aged two years; Thomas died September 17, 1853, aged one year. Mrs. Sarah Williams died August 37, 1853, aged thirty-one; was a member of the M. E. Church almost all her life. Mr. Williams was next married, in 1856, to Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, a cousin of the former Mrs. Whiteakker. Their children by this marriage were William and James; William died August 15, 1855, aged eight months. The mother died December 31, 1857, aged twenty-seven; she was a mem- ber of the Christian Church. Mr. Wliiteakker had the misfortune to lose his house by fire January 9, 1883. Tlie family record and the principal part of his household goods were destroyed. In politics, he is Republican; formerly was a Whig. ADDISON WILLIAMS, farmer, was born November 5, 1837, in Fayette County, Ind., and is a son of Samuel and Susan (Hackleman) Williams. The father died about 1841 ; the mother in 1868, aged eighty-eight years. They had six children. Addison had poor school advantages, and worked for his father, and later l)y the month a few years; earned a team, and subsequently bought forty, then eighty, then 320, then 300 acres, since which he "has hacked his neighbors off a little," until now he owns more than 1,200 acres, having been remarkably successful, adding farm to farm, and is among the wealth}' and respected farmers of the county. In 1847, he married Miss Catherine Martin, of Darke County, Ohio, which alliance produced eight children — Leah, Carpenter, Susan, Margaret (deceased), Esther, Thomas, Martha, and Cornelia (deceased). Esther married William Staton Decem- ber 25, 1871, and died February 15, 1878, aged seventeen and one-half years; Leah married Charles Cleaner, of Illinois; Carpenter married Mary Murray, of New York; Susan married George D. Major, of Ohio; Thomas married Vina Wilson, of Illi- nois; Martha married George Schyver, of Ohio. Mrs. Williams died suddenly, .July 30, 1883, aged fifty-five, of heart disease, a member of the Christian Church, and well beloved by all. Mr. Williams is a Democrat. JOSEPH J. WILT, engineer, Kentland, was born October 11, 1848, in Lehigh County, Penn. His parents were Aaron and Mary (Moyer) Wilt, both natives of Penns3'lvania. where the fomier is still living, a farmer, member of the Lutheran Church, and a Democrat; he is seventy-two, and in good health. The latter died in 1857, a member of the Reformed Church. They had eight children, five of whom are living. Joseph J. Wilt in j'outh attended school and worked on the farm; at eighteen began work in the mill; he served one year, and as second miller for five years; then went to engineering, in which he has been engaged eleven years, and in the Kentland Mill as engineer eight years, which is proof of his efficiency, especially as he has never been the cause of an accident, having few equals and no superiors in his vocation. In 1869, he married Miss Louisa Stowe, of White Coun- ty, Ind. Tlieirchildren were Mollie E,, Almira E. and Lulu May; Mollie E. died in 750 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: July, 1S73, aged nine months. Mrs. Wilt is a member of the >I. E. Church, aud Mr. Wilt is a Democrat. ABRAM G. WITHROW, farmer, was born August 7, 1833, in Butler County, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Graift) Withrow, natives of Ohio. The father was a farmer, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Democrat. The mother died in 1835, aged thirty-seven years, also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Tiiey had six children— Eliza (deceased), Granderson (deceased), Julia A., Eunice E., Jane and Abram. Samuel Withrow afterward married Ann Moorehead, of Ohio. They had two children— Matthew T. and James D., both de- ceased. The latter enlisted from. the Ohio Wcsleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, in the 75,000 call; re-enlisted, and died at Jefferson Barracks, Februarj^, 1863, aged twenty-seven. Mrs. "Withrow died in 1854 — a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Withrow next married Mrs. Ellen Lloyd, of Ohio, who bore him no children. Mrs. (Lloyd) Withrow is still living, and had one child — Robert. Sam- uel Withrow died December 2, 1871, aged eighty years. Abram G. Withrow worked on the farm and attended school until he was twenty-three, aud later farmed near Dayton, Ind. January 1, 1869, he married Theressa Willia*is, of Will County, 111. After marriage he settled near Dayton and remained until the following October, then went to Illinois, remaining until the next March, then moved to Butler County, Ohio, where he remained twelve j'cars, and moved to Newton County, Ind., August, 1873, to the farm he noiv owns. He is a respected, progressive farmer, and the father of seven children — Samuel J., James L., Lcroy C, Robert C. L. (deceased), Anna E., Joseph C. (deceased), and Walter A. Both parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Witln-ow is a Repulilican. CLARK A. WOOD, wagon and carriage maker, was liorn January- 12, 1833, in Rensselaer County, N. Y,, and is a son of Jerrod L. and Elizabeth (Fuller) Wood, natives of New York, the former born 1800, died 1879. The latter died in 1833. They had four children, and were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a Democrat until 1860, and afterward a Republican. Clark A. Wood worked at his trade during the day; attended a school at night for three years. He worked at his trade three years, and then moved to Bureau County, 111., where he continued four years, and accumulated §1,500, which he lost in wild cat money. He came to Newton County in 18.")7; and engaged in building the lirst sulky corn-plows in this county, made for Amos White. In 1858, he built the slock barns of A. J. Kent, aud later moved to Momenee; thence to La Fayette in 1859, where he remained until 1861, then returned to Newton County, built a house, arranged for his family, and enlisted in Company E, Ninety-ninth Regiment Indiana \'oluuteer Infantry. Au- gust 11, 1863. The regiment did guard duty ou the :\Iciiipliis ..t Charleston Rail- road, and in 1863 went to Vicksburg under Sherman, and thence to Jackson. They were also in the Ijallle of Jlission Ridge, the Atlanta campaign of 104 days; thence '■ from Allanta to the Kca ;" thence to Washington, and took part in the grand re- view, and thence (o Indianapolis, where tlic>- were mustered out. Mr. Wood opened a wagon shop with Jlr. Learning in Kentlaiui. ;iiui continued two years, when, his health failing, he went into business with William Ross, aud continued two years, and then into Kent's slore. In 1879, he opened his carriage and wagon shop, aud has continued since, doing good \York and a good business. April 29. 1858. :*[r. Wood married :Miss Elizabetli iMnoie. of Xewlou L'ounly. They had two children —Hubert J. and Clark A. Jlrs. Wood died Novemtier 30, 1865, a member of the Melhodist Episcopal Cloirch, Ihough raisc-il in (he tjuaker faith. iMr. AVood next unirried i\Irs. Sarah ,1. Tesl. daughler of G, B. Myers, of While County, Ind. She bad one daughter— Li/.zie (ierlnuie Tost. The children of the second marriauv are Malta ]\I., Lillie U. aud l\Uv.zie C. The parents are members of the Jlethodist Epis- copal Church. iMr. "Wood is a member of the Jlasonic traleinity, .Mellolland Post, G. A. R, lie i.s also a Republican. TOWN OF GOODLAND AND GRANT TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 751 TOWN OF GOODLAND AND GRANT TOWNSHIP. WILLIA3I BANES, general merchant, ■n-as born in the Dominion of Canada on June 29, 1853, and is the third of the ten children of William and Betsy Ann (Mills) Banes, and is of English descent. His parents were born in England — his father in Yorkshire, his mother in Devonshire. The.y still reside in Canada. Oar subject came to the States when he was sixteen 3'ears old, and began life on his own responsibility. He came to Benton County, and worked on a farm by the month for William Mills, an uncle. In ISTl, he began clerking in a store at Remington, Ind., being engaged in that duty for nine j-ears, the most of the time at Goodland. His education was confined to the common schools of Canada, the district schools of Benton County, Ind., the public schools Remington, Ind., and the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind. In April, 1881, he formed a partnership in general merchandise with William Mills, at Goodland, this connection existing until April, 1882, when Mr. Banes began the business alone. In this he still con- tinues, and he has S6,000 invested. The sales receipts last year were §25,000. Mr. Banes was married on November 13, 1879, to Aurelia I. Spinney, daughter of Arthur J. and Susanna Spinney. To this union was born one child. Myrtle B. Mr. B. is a Republican in politics. His first Presidential vote was cast for Hayes. He and his wife are both members of the Christian Church. He is one of the prominent young business men of the countj^. ,J. W. BEAR is a native of Carroll Cotmty, Ind., born July 16, 1847, and is the tenth of thirteen children of George and Maria (De Walt) Bear, and of German ancestry. His parents were born in Pennsylvania. removing when quite young to Car- roll County, Ind., where they settled eight miles northeast of Delphi, and remained until the death of his father, which occurred in 1860. His mother, after a time, married again, and, in 1865, came to Newton Countj^ where she still resides. Mr. Bear's early education was confined to the common schools of Carroll County, but through his own efforts he has acquired a thorough business education. When but fourteen years of age, he commenced life for himself, working on a farm for |7 a month. In 1867, he came to Goodland, and began clerking in the general store of Church & Hartley. In 1880, he opened a grocery, in which business he continued a short time, then went to farming. Besides superintending his farm, he directed, for two years, the construction of the C. & G. S. Railwaj'. He now has 160 acres of well-improved land, four miles north of Goodland, besides a pleasant home in Goodland. Mr. B. commenced life with S37.50, given him by his father, and is now worth 18,000, all made by his own exertion. His marriage took place centennial year. May 17, to Emilj- M. McCurry, a native of Jefferson Count\% Ind., and daughter of John and Elizabeth McCurry. Mr. and Mrs. Bear are members of the M. E. Church. In politics, Mr. B. is a stanch Republican, and one of the sound and practical business men of Goodland, and amostpleasant and reliable gentleman. HIRAM BURGESS, druggist, a native of Washington County, N. Y., born July 9, 1832, is the son of John C. and Acsah (Christe) Burgess, and is of Scotch- German descent. His parents were also born in New York, and were among the pioneers of Washington County. There the mother died in March, 1860, and his father in July, 1865. His early education was obtained in the common schools of his native State. In addition, he has gained a thorough business education. At the death of his father, he came into possession of the old Burgess homestead on the shore of Lake George. In 1867, he came to Will County, 111., remaining three 752 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: years, going from there to Grant Township, Newton Co., Ind., where he purchased 120 acres of wild prairie, two miles from Goodland. This farm he cultivated and lived upon until 1873, when he came to Goodland and engaged in the drug business, which he still continues. In 1872, he built the Burgess Block, a most substantial building, with a frontage of sixty-two feet on Newton street, by eighty-six feet deep on Union street. It cost $6,600, and is an honor to the town and a credit to the enterprising spirit of Mr. Burgess. In this building is his store, in which he has a stock of drugs unexcelled in the county. Mr. Burgess was married, January 14, 1855, to Miss Tirza Warren, a daughter of N. A. Warren, of Essex County, N. Y. Three children have been born to them — Eliza G., Elmer and Edward A. The last died in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Burgess are members of the M. E. Church, and for ten successive 3'ears he has been Superintendent of the Sabbath school. He is a thorough Republican in politics, and cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont. He is one of Newton County's most prominent citizens, is greatly respected, and is a most earnest Christian gentleman. C. E. BURGESS was born in Washington County, N. Y., :March 17, 1854, and is second in a family of six children of Charles and Jane (Barrett) Burgess, and of German extraction. His parents, also natives of New York, removed, when he was three years old, to Will County, 111., and from there, in 1872, to Grant Township, Newton Co., Ind., where his father died in March, 1880. His mother still lives in Goodland. On account of the poor health of his father, Mr. Burgess took control of the farm, which he still manages. In politics, he is a Republican; cast his first Presidential vote for Hayes. He is a member of the M. E. Church since 1880. His early education was confined to the common schools of Will County, 111., and Newton Count}', Ind.; but he has accjuired more than an ordinary business educa- tion, and is one of the most prominent young farmers in the county, and an honor- able citizen. HENRY BUTLER is a native of England, born December 28, 1832, and the younger of two children of Henry and Fanny F. (Parker) Butler. His parents were born in England, where his father died in 1868, and his mother still lives, at the aire of seventy-two years. His marriage occurred September 20, 1857, to Sarah A. Roul- ston, daughter of John and Elizabeth Roulston. of Leicestershire, England. To them have been horn five children— Harry, West. Alfred, Fanny and Thomas, two of whom arc deceased. After his marriage, he commenced business as a butcher in Birmingham, which maybe called the " Pittsbvu-gh of England." In 1865, he left Birmingham and came to America, landing at New York City November 4 of that year. He spent two years in Chicago, and one and a half years in Bclvidere. Rl.. after which he came to Grant Township, Newton County, and broke prairie two years, also keeping a meat market as soon as the town would support it. From 1871 to 1878, he kept a market in Goodland; then farmed two years, again returning to the market business. He is in politics a Republican, a s\ucessful business man, and one of the substantial citizens of Goodland. W. B. CANINE, Poslmastcr, was born June IS), 1832, in Shelby County. Ky.. and is the oldest of seven children of Abraham and Sarah (Lefller) Canine, and isof German lineage. His parents were born in Kentucky, and came in 1832 to Mont- gomery County, Ind.; in 1850, they moved lo Jasper County, where the mother died in 1861. The father now resides in JIarion County. Ind. The son worked at home on his father's farm until he was twenty-three years of age. In Januarv, 18,-i6. >Ir. Canine nuu-ried ^larlba E. Galcy. Tliree children were born to them— Edgar L.. Arthur E. and Minnie May. Two of tliese are dead, the mother ;dso dying. Novem- ber 15, 1870. Mr. Canine agidn married in November, 1871. IMiss c". l! Fountain became his wife, she luiving been born in Troy, N. Y. Two children have been born to this union— Emnui Jt. and William R. (deceased). In 1873, Mr. C. came to TOWN OF GOODLAND AND GRANT TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 753 Goodland, and in 1878 he was appointed Postmaster of tliis village, which position he still holds. In polities, he is a Republican. He is a member of Goodland Lodge, No. 346, I. O. O. F., being one of its charter members. RICHARD CONSTABLE, farmer, a native of Kent County, Eng., born July 1, 1819, and is the second of nine children of Henry and Ann (Austen) Constable, tioth were English, and died in Kent County, England, the father in 1874. the mother two years previous. At the age of fourteen years, Richard was apprenticed as a clerk in a dry goods store for seven years; then clerked five j-ears for wages, and in 1843 he began business for himself in Battle, county of Sussex, Eng., where he con- tinued until 1849, when he came to America, lauding at Chicago .lul}' 20. He was married, in Battle, Eng., April 4. 1843. to Mary Ann Knight, daughter of Jesse and Maria Knight, of Sussex; County, Eng. To themhave been born eightchiUlreu — Clem- ent L., Emily, William, Richard, Benjamin A., Elizabeths., Edwin C. and Herbert. Four are dead. In the fall of 1849, he bought a farm near Elgin, 111., and there lived four years; then moved to Will County, where he lived until 1869, when he came to Newton County, Ind.. and settled in Grant Township, two and one-half miles from Goodland. He now owns 400 acres of well-improved land, with a fine residence. When he came to America, he had only iS400; he is now worth |2,5,000. In politics, he is a Republican; cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont. Mr. and Mrs. Constable are members of the Baptist Church. He is a prominent man, and one of the most successful farmers In Western Indiana. JOHN L. COOKE, druggist, is a native of Lawrence County, Ind., born Octo- ber 14. 18.57, and second of four children of Jacob and Martha (Potter) Cooke, and is of German-English descent. The parents were also born in Lawrence County, but in 1868 came to Goodland. where they remained a short time, moving upon a farm, and, after several changes, going to Cass County, Mo., where they now reside. His earl}' education was obtained in the common schools of Lawrence Coun- ty and the graded school of Goornian descent. When six months old, Ids parents re- moved lo Tipiu'cauoe (.\nuity, Ind.. settling in Fairfield Township, where they died, the father in 1858. the mother in 1866. After his mother's death, he lived with an older sisterfour years, attending district school in tl\e winter, and working by the month on rt farm in summer. In the fall of 1871. he entered Roanoke Semi- nary, at Ivoanoke. Ind., where he remained two years. Since that time he hasbeen leaching. In 1.S78, he was I'lected Principal of the Goodland Schools, of which he still lias eharge. Tlu' seliools have been very successful under his supervision, and TOWN OF GOODLAND AND GRANT TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 755 are among the best in the count}-. Mr. Eekman was married. June 29. 1880, to Miss Mary S. Petit, daughter of Antoine and Felicie Petit, a native of Watseka, 111. They have one child — Claud Antoine. In politics. Mr. Eekman is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Horace Greeley. He has been a member of the I. 0. O. F., since 1879. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Eekman is a self-made man, much respected, and an influential citi- zen. The people of Goodland are to be congratulated on having such a man in charge of their schools. GEORGE GALBRAITH was born in Scotland March 36, 1S28. and is the sec- ond of four children of William and Ann (Wallace) Galbraith. His parents were natives of Scotland. In that country his father died when our subject was fourteen years of age; in the same country liis motlier died in 1881. In 1849. he came to America, and settled in Ontario County. N". Y.. where he was married, on Kovem- ber 18. 18.50. to Diana Burdus. daughter of Thomas and Diana Burdus. His wife was also born in Scotland. To them were born nine children — Anna L., Jessie D., William W., Thomas J.. Sarah I., George B. M., Robert J., Forbes and Burdus, of whom two are dead. In 18")o, Mr. Galbraith went to Will County. 111., and there re- mained until 1874, when he came to Grant Township, Newton County, and settled four and a half miles northwest of Goodland. He now owns 320 acres of well-im- proved land, and has been quite successful as a farmer. In politics, he is a Demo- crat. For President. Buchanan received liis first vote. Since 1874, he has been a m'^mber of the Masonic fraternity. He and wife are both members of the Presby- terian Church. He has made his own way in life, his parents being poor, and is now in good circumstances, and one of the most prominent farmers and citizens in his township. HON. WILLIAM W. GILMAN, farmer, is a native of Essex County, N. T., bom Sept.'mber 4, 1834. and is the second of five children of Hiram and Elizabeth (Palmer) Gilman. and of English descent. His father was a native of Vermont, his motlier of New York. In 18.53, his father left the old Empire State and went to Illinois; remained there two ye:irs, then went to Jlinnesota, and died there in 1868. His mother now resides in Dakota. Mr. Gilman left New York when he was twenty-one years of age, and went to Minnesota, where he lived seven years; then removed to Kankakee County, 111., remaining in the State five years; then, in the autumn of 1868, came to Grant Township, Newton Co., Ind., and settled in Good- land, purcliasing, in 1869, the farm on which he now lives. On March 12, 1864, he married Miss H. C. Morse, daughter of William and Mary Morse, of Essex County, N. Y. They have had nine children — Minnie E., Hiram F.. Merritt C, William H., Frederick D.. .Jessie C.. Nellie E.. Jennie C. and George D., of whom two are deceased. He is a radical Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Lin- coln. In 1870. he was elected Trustee of Grant Township, and re-elected in 1873, serving four years. In 1874, he was elected Clerk of the District Court of Newton County. In 1880. he was elected Joint Representative from Newton and Ja.sper Counties, and re-elected in 1883. In the Legislature of 1880, he introduced a num- ber of bills, and in 1883 he introduced IMlls Nos. 7, 8. 9, 18. 19, 170, 371 and 332, Of these. No, 170 became a law. The most important bill introduced by him was House Bill No. 7. He has occupied official positions in Newton County for twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Gilman have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Chui'ch since 1864. As a candidate of his party, he is unknown to defeat, and is one of the party's leading men in West Indiana. Lie is a prominent citizen, and a man of ster- ling worth. DANIEL GRAY, Justice of the Peace and ex-County Commissioner, is a native of Steuben County, N. Y., a son of Levi and Tryphena (Baker) Gray, born August 7 1813, the second of ten children, and of English descent. His father was one of 45 756 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: the pioneers of Steuben County, and died there November, 1863. His mother died at Tiffin, Ohio. August, 1882. The education of Daniel Gray was confined to the com- mon schools of New York and Franklin Academy at Plattsburg, N. Y. He was married, November 19, 1835, to Miss Lydia Myrtle, daughter of Philip and Margare, Myrtle, of Steuben County, N. Y. Ten children have been born to them— Carrie. Thomas J., Catharine, Clara, Aaron, Ellen, Henry, James, Francis and Williamt Of these, three are deceased. Mrs. Gray died April 26. 1883, aged sixty-nine year.s. In 1868, Mr. Gray came to Grant Township, Newton County, and settled on a farm one and a half miles from Goodland. In March, 1881. he moved to Goodland, where he now resides. He is a stanch Republican, and one of the party leaders in Newton County. He cast his first Presidential vote for Harrison in 1836. In 1859, he was elected a member of the General Assembly of the State of New York, from Steuben County. He also filled the unexpired term of Richard Curen as County Commissioner. As a citizen, he is much respected, and is one of the most enter- prising men of the county. T. J. GRAY, dealer in hardware, stoves and agricultural implements, is a native of Steuben County, N. Y., and is a son of Daniel and Lvdia (Myrtle) Gray, the second in a family of ten children, and of English descent. The early educa- 'ion of Mr. Gray was confined to the common scliools of his native State. He also ■attended Franklin Academy, at Plattsburg. N. Y. . and the Genesee Weslej-an Sem nary, at Lima, N. Y. He has acquired a thorough business education. He followed the occupation of a farmer until he came to Indiana in 1868. His m;irriage occurred December 16, 1866. to Cornelia Bellis, daughter of Charles and Eliza Bellis, born at Jerusalem, Yates County, N. Y. To this marriage was born one child — Clara. -Who is deceased, died April, 1881. In 1870. Mr. Gray engaged in the hardware business in Goodland, in partnership with Ports Wilson. He has now been in this business alone seven years, has ^10,000 invested, and is one of the successful merchants of Goodland. He has also a farm near town. He is a radical Republican, cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. In 18T9, he was elected Treasurer of the town of Goodland. which office he now holds. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are members of the Pres- byterian Church. Mr. Gray has always manifested an enterprising spirit, and is one of the leading business men and influential citizens of Goodland. HAMILTON H, GREEN, furniture dealer and insurance agent, was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego County. N. Y., December 29, 18-13. and is the third in a family of seven children of Daniel M. and Maria ^Aurclia) Green, and of German descent. His parents were natives of New York. His mother still resides in her native county; his father died there in 1875. His education was confined to the common schools of New York, attending school in winter, and working in summer. When eighteen years of age, he began learning the carpenter's trade, under the instruction of his father. At the age of twenty years, he began life for himself, in 1866 coming to Goodland where he worked at his trade until 1879, when he engaged in the furniture business with A. T. McCurry. Mr. Green is the senior member of the firm. These sentleinen have the only furniture store in Goodland, and have §25.000 invested in stock. The marriage of Mr. Green took place November 22, 18()9, to Miss Mosey Wilsey, daughter of Joseph and Sophronia Wilsey. She was also a native of the Empire State. Thev have one child— Daisy M. Mr. Green is in politics a Democrat; cast his first Presi- dential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1879. Mrs. Green is a meinber of the Advent Church. Mr. Green is a strong advocate of ali public enterprises, and of a liberal spirit. He helped build the first store in Good- land; tak<'s much interest in the public schools, and is a most courteous gentleman. He represents ten of the leading fire insurance companies of the United States. E. L. HALL was born in Holmes County. Ohio, May 5, 1837, and is the son of Edward and Sarah (McClurc) Hall, is the sixth of eleven children, and is of English TOWN OF GOODLAND AND GRANT TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 757 Irish and Scotch extraction. The father was born in Jefferson County, Oliio, and afterward lived in Holmes County; was Circuit Judge for six years, and one of the pioneers and representative men in the early history of Ohio; he died December 8, 1881. in Holmes Count}'. His mother was born in Virginia, and died in Holmes County in 1872. Mr. Hall worked on his father's farm until his nineteenth year. August 13, 1857, he married Salina Teel, who was a native of Seneca County, Oliio. They have had seven children — John E., Henrietta J., Mary, Matilda Clara, Frank S., Harry S. and Andrew. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; re-enlisted in September, 1861, in Company F, Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; again enlisted in May, 1864, in Company I, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry (or National Guards), and was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C, in September, 1864. After the war, he remained in Holmes County, Ohio, until 1869, when he came to Newton County, Ind., and settled in Grant Township, near Goodland, where he has 120 acres of good land. In politics, he is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. He is a member of the G. A. R. In 1874, he was made Assessor of Grant Township, and has held the office ever since. He was a good soldier, and is one of the leading farmers and politicians of the county. HENRY G. HECOX, a native of Oneida County, N. Y., son of Solomon and Cynthia (Birdsall) Hecox, was born June 19, 1834, and is the fourth of a family of six children, and of English lineage. His father is a native of Oneida County, N. Y., his mother of Connecticut. In 1859, the p.arents left the old Empire State, and went to Grundy County, 111., and in 1869 came to Newton County, Ind., settling two miles west of Goodland. Here the mother died October 7, 1871, the father October 23, 1873. The grandfather of the subject of this mention was a soldier in the Rev- olutionary war. Mr. Hecox received his education at the district schools of New York. In 18,55, he came West, and settled in Grundy County, 111., remained there fourteen years, and in 1869 came to Grant Township, Newton Co., Ind., where he still resides. In 1871, he came into possession of what was known as the " Hecox Homestead," and he now owns 330 acres of well-improved land, situated near Good- land. Politicall3^ he is a Democrat, and cast his first Presidential vote for Buchan- an. In 1878, he was elected Trustee of Grant Township, Newton County, serving two years. Mr. Hecox is a thorough gentleman, and an influential citizen. EBENEZER HUNTER, farmer, is a native of Ireland, born August 33, 1840, is the son of Robert and Keziah (Simpson) Hunter, the seventh of eleven cbildren, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His parents were born in Ireland, but our subject came to America when twenty-three years of age, and settled in Will County, III., where he remained until 1874, when he came to Grant Township, Newton Co., Ind., and here he still resides. On September 14, 1804, he was married to Elizabeth Pincher; she was a native of England. Eight children have been born to them — Robert, John, Harriet, Alice, Charles L., Jessie, Keziah and William C, one of whom is deceased. Mr. Hunter is a thorough Republican, and in 1880 was elected County Commissioner of Newton County for three j^ears. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in 1868. He is in possession of an enterprising, liberal spirit, and advocates all measures which are conducive to the good of humanity. RUF JACOBS was born May 18, 1842, in Warren County, Ind,, and is the old- est of three children of Henry and Rachel (Runyan) Jacobs, and is of Irish-German lineage; his parents are natives of Ohio. His education was confined to the com- mon schools of the Hoosier State, and the Stockwell Collegiate Institute, at Stock- well, Ind. He has a thoroughly practical business education. At the age of eigh- teen }'ears, he conducted a general store at Rainsville, Ind.; remained there about twelve years, and then engaged in the same business at Fowler, Ind., remaining 758 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: there eight years; he came to Goodland in 1881, and is here engaged in the same business, and has been one of the successful men in the mercantile trade, he having .18,000 invested in it; the total sale receipts last year were |46,000. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. Since 1871, he lias I)een a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is considered one of the prominent busines.s men of Newton County. A. G. .lAKWAY is a native of Rutland County, Vt., born August 4, 184.5, and is the eldest of six children of George A. and .Julia (Cook) .Jakway, and of English descent. His parents were born in Vermont, ami his mother is still living there. His father died there in 1869. When nineteen years of age, he went to Buchanan County. Iowa, remaining but one year. He then returned to Vermont, and en- gaged in lumbering until 187."), Avhen he came to Grant Township and settled on a farm two miles from Goodland. In 1.S81, he moved to Goodland and engaged in the lumber trade, in which business he continues. ]Mr. Jakway's marriage took place .lune 'H, 1874, to Mary E. Hulett. To this marriage were born two children — Lena E. and Bernice A. ; the first is dead. Mrs. Jakway died ISTovember 19, 1830. Mr. .Jakway. was next married Octobers, 1883, to Susan A. Hulett, a sister of his first wife. Mrs. Jakwaj' is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. J. is politically a Greenliacker, and cast his first Presidential vote for Peter Cooper. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 187s. He has been successful in business, and is one of the prominent citizens of Goodland. GEORGE HARDY, banker, is a native of Addison County. Vt., son of Tru- man and JIary (Buckbee) Hardy, of Scotch-English lineage and pioneers of Ver- mont. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was in the battle of Platts- burg. His early education was obtained in the common schools of Vermont. In 1844, he entered Knox College, at Galesburg. 111., attending three years, but was obliged to leave and abandon the idea of graduating, on account of ill health. Wlien nineteen years of age, he entered a commission house as clerk, at La Salle, 111., continuing there three years, then worked on a farm four years. He then for eleven years speculated in stock, real estate, etc. His marriage occurred Novem- ber 21, 1867, to Emma D. Armstrong, of Morris. 111. They have three children — Etliel M., Truman G. and "ffilliam A. In 1868. Mr. Hardy came to Goodland. where he still resides. He de;dt largel_v in real estate, buying and selling 17.000 acres of land, inducing many people from Illinois to settle in Newton County. Abner Strawn was for a tinn' his partner. In October, 1875, he established the People's Bank, and as a banker has been successful. ]\Ir. Hardy raised fifty-one men for the Fourth Illinois (.Rivalry, but diil not enter the service on account of physical disability, 3Ir. Hardy is in politics a Democrat; is a member of the Ma- sonic fratennly since 18."i4; lie is a nieinlur of llic Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the most prominent men in his county, and has been mentioned, in his party, as a candidate for Congress. C. W. H.'VHTLEY, grain dealer, is a native of Bucks County, Penn.. son of (Ihiuies anil Sarali .V. (Clark'l Hartley, and was Imru November 28. ISI^G. He is of English descent, ami one of I'ight children. His parents, also natives of Bucks County, Penn.. removed, inlSIO. to 'Wayne County. Ind., remaining there but one year, then nioving Id (^dlicnm Ciuuily, ^lich.. where, in IS,"i-t. .lune 6, the father died. His mother still lives there, and is sevcniy six years of a^e. C. W. Hartley obtained his early cilucati'.n in Ihc common schools of Michigan, afterward attended th(! Delphi Academy, in Iowa, and a school in West Bedford, Ohio. In tS.'iO, he and three comrades crossed the great plains and went to Colorado. After seven years of mining and wandering through the far West, he returned and settled at Goodland, wheri^ he still resides. He was married, Decemticr 17, 186:"), to Miss Mattie K. Lane, daughter of William and Mary Lane, Mrs. Hartley died October 7, l87,i. at Rem- TOWN OF GOODLAND AND GRANT TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 759 ington, Ind. Mr. H;irtle3' is a Republican in politics, and cast bis first Presidential vote for Lincoln. He is a member of Cbicago Board of Trade, and one of tbe greatest business men in Indiana. He handled, last j'ear, at Goodland, 750,000 bushels of grain, his business running from .|20,000 to |90,000 a year. He is also well informed upon all the topics of the day, is genial and social, and is greatly respected and honored, as a man of sterling worth. MTLTOX L. HmiSTON. M. D., isa native of Henry County, Ky., son of Charles Morehead Humston and Susan JMorebead (Triplett) Humstou, born Novem- ber 3, 1838, the second in a family of tTvelve children, and is of English extraction. The great-great-grandfather of Dr. Humston came to America in 1776 and located in Virginia ; his great-grandfather was Edward, and his grandfather, Thomas Humston. Thomas had tlu-ee brothers, Edward, John and JSfathaniel Q. Edward died near Bedford, Lawrence County, Ind., John in Ohio, and Nathaniel iu Vir- ginia. The grandfather of Dr. Humston died in Henry County, Ky,, March 1, 18.57, in his eighty-seventh year. The father of Dr. Humston was born September 27, 1815, in Virginia, and in 1835 emigrated to Fleming County, Ky., was married tliere in 1836, and began the practice of dentistry; in 1837, removed to Henry County, where he now resides. He served as Sheriff of Henry County four years, .from 1856 to 1860 inclusive. He lost $15,000 in the lale war. The grandmothers of Dr. Humston were both Moreheads, cousins of .James F. and Charles Morehead, both ex-Governors of Kentucky. The mother of Dr. Humston was born in Virginia in 1811, on Christmas day, and died in Henry County, Ky., May 15, 1871. Dr. H.'s early education w^as limited to the common schools of Kentucky. After acting as Deputy SherifE under his father four years, he began the study of medicine wi!h his uncle, Dr. J. A. Humston, near Port Royal, Ky, After attending lectures at the Medical Universitj' at Louisville. Ky., he came to ^lorocco, Newton County, Ind., and practiced medicine three years; he then returned to Louisville and attended lectures at the Kentucky School of Medicine, and graduated from that institution in March, 1866, He then returned to ;Morocco and continued the practice of his pro- fession until January 3, 1883; then he removed to Goodland, where he now resides, still practicing medicine. Dr. Humston was married, Maj' 18, 1863. to Miss L. Amanda Nichols, of La Grange, Ky. They had five children— Charles Nichols, George Gold- smith, Llewellyn Claud, Ada Burnace and Bcnzoni. Mrs. Humston died July 3. 1878. Dr. H. was next married August 36, 1879, to Miss Rhoda E. MeCurry, of Good- land. Politically, Dr. H. is a National. During his residence in the South, he was loyal to the North. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1866; has held the ofllces of J. G. D.. 1878, .S, G. D., 1879, and G. M., 1881 and 1882, of the Grand Lodge of the State of Indiana; is a member of the I. 0. O. F., Beaver Lodge, No. 378. He and wife are both members of the ^lethodist Episcopal Church. Hh is a good physician, an influential citizen and an honorable man, V, B. JENKS, coal and wood dealer, was born in Orange County, N. Y.. ^March 9, 1816, and was a son of Dr. John S. and Penelope (Webb) Jenks, and the ninth in a family of ten children. He is of Irish-Yankee descent, his father having l)een born in Connecticut, his mother in Orange County, N. Y. His parents both died in Pennsylvania, his father in 1843, his mother two years before. They had ra^ved to Pennsylvania when he was about eight years of age, and when he was sixteen he was apprenticed to a carpenter and joiner for four and a half years, at which trade he worked for forty-five years. His marriage occirrred April 1, 1838, to Martha Cal- kins, daughter of Lemuel and Lois Calkins, and a native of New York. To tliis union have been born ten children — Adaline, Horace, Penelope, Allen P., Almira, Arabella, Helen, Almon P., Virgil E. and I\Iorey J, Of these children, five are de- ceased. In 1874, Mr. Jenks came to Stark County, Ind,, and remained one and a half years. In 1883, he came to Goodland, and still resides here. At his coming. 760 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: he engaged in the coal and wood business, and still continues in it. Politically, he is a Greenbacker; cast his first Presidential vote for Van Buren. He has been suc- cessful in business, and is one of the prominent citizens of Goodland; is greatly re- spected, and a most pleasant gentleman. A. J. KITT, editor and proprietor of the Goodland Herald, was born in Pul- ton County, Ind., July 13 1852, the youngest of five children of Jacob and Anna (Bozarth) Kitt, and is of German extraction. He finished his apprenticeship to the printer's trade in 1867, then worked on the Peru Republican for some time. In 1874 lie established the Record, at Remington, Ind., conducted the paper two and a half years, and then sold it to James McEwen, of Rensselaer, and purchased the Monliccllo Democriit. In 1878 lie sold the Democrat, and with W. H. Mattingly es- tal)lished the Rochester Independent, at Rochester, Ind. In 1879. he sold the Inde- pendent, and assumed control of the Goodland Register. That oflace was destroyed by fire, September 10, 1879, and re-established in October of the same j'car, after- ward purchased by C. W. Hartlej'. Mr. Kitt continuing as editor and publisher. January 1, 1881, Mr. Kilt purchased the office, and changed the name to the Good- land Siiturday Herald. The paper is a six-column quarto, and under the supervi- sion of Mr. Kitt, has increased from a circulation of eight}- to 600. and is now on a firm foundation. The office was a .second time destroyed by fire December 8, 1882; no insurance. The citizens of Goodland, and farmers of the vicinity came immedi- ately to the rescue, anil subscribed money for a new outfit. The Herald has a lib- eral advertising patronage, and is on a paying basis. Mr. Kitt is a prominent news- paper man; is a member of the Knights of Pythias, I. 0. O. F., aud of the Masonic fraternity. In polities, he is a Democrat, and in 188i was Democratic candidate for County Recorder, and defeated by only eighty votes. Mr. Kitt's father died in October, 1852. His mother, still a widow, resides in Goodland. The history of Newton County would be incomplete without a mention of the Herald and its editor. J. W. KISHLOR, is a native of Monroe County, X. Y.. born January 27, 1837. and is llie youngest of eight children of John aud Nancy (Lowden) Kishlor. and of German-Irish extraction. His father was born in Pennsylvania, aud his mother in New York, on the shores of Seneca Lake. Ilis father was one of the pioneers of Monroe Couuty, there being, when he moved there, but four lumses where the city of Rochester now stands. His jiarents both died in Monroe County, the father Septemlierl, 1855, and tlie motlier Feluaiarv 1, 1817. When Mr. Kishlor left his native Stale became to Marshall, :\licli,, remaining there four years; thence to Brool Little, and of English lineage. Ilis father was born in Ohio, and his mother in Virginia, but came to 'Whit,' Counly, Ind., previous lo llieir marriage, and are still living at Brookston, in thai counly. When Mr. Lillle was eighteen yearsof age, he began life for himself. In l^^OI, |„. coimnenced learning telegraphy under the iustiuclion of J W Kishlor who was ilie agent for the L.. N. A. & C Raihoad at Brookston. In 1868 .Mr Lit- TOWN OF GOODLAND AND GRANT TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 761 tie was appointed agent of the L., N. A. & C, and P. , C. & St. L. Railroad, at Rey- nold.s, Ind. Here he remained until 1873, when he was appointed Railway Agent at Goodland. In 1879, he became a partner of J. W. Kishlor, dealer in general mer- chandise at Goodland, where he still continues, having resigned his railway agenc}^ In 1881. His marriage occurred November 25, 1875, to Anna E., daughter of Rev. Harley and Ann B. Miner, and a native of Connecticut. They have two children — Harry F. and Ruby M. Politically, Mr. Little is a Republican; cast his first Presi- dential vote for Grant. He has been a member of the Masonifc: fraternity since 1871- Mrs. Little is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Little is an enterprising young business man, an honorable citizen, and a gentleman. A. T. McCURRY, furniture dealer and Township Trustee, is a native of Jeffer- son County, Ind., and son of .lohn and Elizabeth (Stites) McCurry, and was born December 24, 1844, being the second of five children, and of Scoteh-German descent. In 1867, Mr. McCurry's parents settled in Beaver Township, Newton County. His marriage occurred September 9, 1867, to Miss Susan E. Gasaway, daughter of Na- than and Amanda Gasawa}', and also a native of Jefferson County. Two children have been born to them — John S. and William N. After his marriage, he engaged in stock-raising two years, when he was elected Principal of the Goodland schools. Mr. and Mrs. McCurry taught the first graded school in Goodland. After teaching two years, he engaged in dry goods business, but lost ever3'thing in the panic of 1873. In 1879, he engaged in the furniture business in Goodland, H. H. Green being his partner. This business he still continues, and has been successful. In politics, he is a Republican. He was elected Trustee of Grant Township in 1880, re-elected, there being no opposition, in 1882. He retained the same length of terms in school, but raised the wages of the teachers. The township, in this respect, is the best in Nevrton County. Mr. and Mrs. McCurry are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is prominent in musical circles, is an influential citizen, and a man without an enemy. •lOHN McCURRY is a native of Jefferson County, Ind., born October 9, 1818. third in a family of eight, and is of German descent. His parents were born in North Carolina, but emigrated to Indiana in 1812, and settled in Jefl'erson County, where they died, the father in 1853 and the mother in 1865. In those early days, the education of Mr. McCurry was limited to the one-windowed log schoolhouse with its fire-place. The article presented to the parents agreeing that the teacher "would teach the pupils reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic, as far as the single rule of three," is still remembered by him. At twenty-one years of age, he began life for himself. His marriage took place October 26, 1841, to Mrs. Elizabeth Carson. To them were born six children — William A.. Abraham T., Rhoda E., Mary A., Martha E., and Jane, who died in infancy. The life of Mr. McCurry while in Jefferson County, was that of a farmer. In 1869, he settled in Beaver Township, Newton County, remaining one year, then moved to Kentland, where he remained but a short time, and then came to Goodland, where he has since resided, living a retired life, greatly respected by all. He is a Republican, and he and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. GEORGE B. MAXWELL is a native of Delaware County, N. Y., born March 29, 1830, and is fourth in a family of seven children of Alexander and Emma (Wiard) Maxwell, and of Scotch descent. His father was a native of New York, where he spent his whole life, dying in 1879. His mother, a native of Connecticut, also died in N'ew York in 1874. His marriage took place July 4, 1853, to Delia May, daugh- ter of Kingsbury and Isabell May, and also a native of New York. To this union were born seven children — Albert L., Eva B., Edwin, Orville, Mark, Guy and George, who died April 2, 1866. After his marriage, he farmed in his native State, until 1867. when he came West and settled in McHenry County, 111., and there lived four years; then came to Grant Township, Newton Co., Ind., where he still lives and now 762 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 0WD3 120 acres of Tvell-improved land. His residence, wbicli is one of the best in the township, cost |1,600. In politics, Mr. Maxwell is a Republican. He is a prominent citizen, and one of the best farmers in the count}'.' HOWLAND MEEKER, known as Capt. Meeker, was horn in Schoharie County, N. Y., March 27, 1829, son of Aaron and Cena Meeker, is the fifth of seven children, and is of German descent. His parents were born in New York. He was married, February 28, 1857, to Martha Kellogg. Mrs. Meeker is a native of the Emi)ire State. Six children have been born to them— Edgar, Jennie, Delos, George' Walter and Maud; the last is deceased. In 18.57, Mr. Meeker went to La Salle County, 111., remaining there until 1880. when he came to Grant Township, Newton Co., Ind., and settled one and a half miles northeast of Goodland, buying 120 acres. His farm is well improved. In September, 18(51, he enlisted in Company A, Sixty- fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In March. 1864, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and in July following was promoted to First Lieutenant. He was in the battles of Island No. 10. Corinth, and in twenty-seven different engagements, having been wounded at Dallas. Ga.. May 30. 1864. He was discharged at Chicago, 111., in July, 1865. He is a Republican politicall}-, and a member of the G. A. I!. He has been successful as a farmer, was a good soldier, and is a prominent citizen. J. W, OSWALD, attorney at law, is a native of Wabash County, Ind., born May 11, 1853, and is the eighth of nine children of Michael and Elizabeth (Lambert) Oswald, and of English descent. His grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. His parents are of Bucke}-e nativity, but left their native State in 1840, and came lc Wabash County, Ind.. where his father still resides; his mother died in 1877. !Mr. Oswald obtained his education in the district school of Wabash County, afterward attending the Northern Indiana State Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., during two years. He then taught school in Waliasli County six years. February 15, 1881, he was admitted to the bar in Wabash County, and October 4, 1882, in the Circuit Court of Newton County. He came to Goodland in May, 1882. His mar- riage occurred centennial year, February 24. to Maggie Kecghler, a native of Buff:ilo, N. Y. Two children were born to this union — ilabel C. and Loran W.. both deceased. He is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Hayes. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Hannah Lodge, No. 61. Wabash, Ind., since 1874. Mrs. Oswald is a member of the M. E. Church, Mr. Oswald is enterprising, and one of the most prominent and successful lawyers in Newton Countv, and a most social and genial gentleman. JOHN POULSON, blacksmith, was born in Denmark May 29. 1849, and is the third of five children of Robert and ilary Poulsou. His parents were also born in Denmark. At fourteen years of age, he began learning the trade of blacksmith, in Waila, Denmark, under the instruction of Peter Nelson, and to whom he was apprenticed for five years. Alter serving his time, he worked at boiler-making for one and one-half years. In 186',l, he canu< to xVmcrica, and during the five succeed- ing years worked at his trade in various parts of the United States, coming, in 1874. to Goodland, and opening a blacksmith shop. Here he still resides, prosecut- ing the business with signal success. On JIarcb 20. 1875, he married Minnie Weid- anbacker, her birthplace being Jlansficld, Ohio. They have had three children- Edward, Frederick and Willian\. In politics, he is a Democrat, having cast his first Presidential vote for Tilden. Since 18T3, he has been a member of the I, O. O. F. His wife is a, member of the Baptist Church. He has a good, comfortable home in Goodland, besides sonu- other iiropcrly, and is one of the enterprising citizens of (loodland. E. A. PECK, farmer, was l)orn in Addison County. Vt.. December 19. 1843. is the eldest of live children, and is of English descent. In 1869. he came to Good land. Fcbr\iary 21. 1867. he married Gertrude Morgan, daughter of George and TOWN OF GOODLAND AND GRANT TOWNS[IIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 768 Evaline Morgan. The}' have one child, Dumout M. Mr. Peck's education was acquired in the common schools and Fort Edward Institute, at Fort Edward, N. Y. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and cast hist vote for Lincoln. He and his "wife are both members of the M. E. Church. He is worth about $1,5,000, and is also one of the leadinic farmers and citizens of Newton County. His wife is one of the lirst ladies of Goodland. ELIHU P. PECK, deceased, was born in Addison County, Vt., Novemlier 30, 1809, and was the son of Abel and Diadamia (Phinney) Peck. He was of English origin, but his parents were born in Connecticut, and were among the pioneers of that State. His father died at New Haven, Conn., in 18.51, and his mother ten years later at Stockholm, N. Y. On February 3, 1834, Mr. Peck married Jane A. Scott, daughter of Hiram and Abigail Scott. Mrs. Peck was also born in Addison County, Vt. They had five children— Albert E., Harrison C, Egbert A., Spencer E. and Fordyce A., the latter of whom enlisted December 23, 1864, in Company C, Ninth Vermont Infantry, as drummer boy, and died, in 1806, of injuries received in the service. He was a hrave and good soldier. Mr. Peck left Vermont in 1869. and moved to Iowa, remaining there three years, then came to Goodland, residing here nntil his death, which occurred .January 6, 1874. In politics, he was a Republican. He was a member of the M. E. Church, a thorough temperance man, and a greatly respected citizen. Mrs. Peck resides in Goodland. and is an estimable ladj'. C. A. PERKINS was born in Cohoes. N. Y., December 20. 1852, and is the eldest of two children of P. J. and Elizabeth G. (Skill') Perkins, and is of English extraction. His parents are natives of New York. When he was two years old, they moved to Kane County, 111., living there until he was sixteen; then moved to Mishawaka, Ind.. where his mother died in 1881, his father still living there. When he was twenty-one years of age, he began life for himself, and in 1877 came to Grant Township, Newton County, Ind., settling four and a half miles southeast of Goodland. Now he has 1.55 acres of well-improved land. He was married, .January 20, 1877, to Nellie Hutchinson, daughter of John and Jane Hutchinson. Two chil- dren have been born to them — Inez M. and Ernest J. (deceased). Mr. Perkins is a Republican in politics, and cast his first Presidential vote for Hayes; is also a strong temperance man. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. He has a common school education, is a good citizen, and a prominent young farmer. ELAM C. SAWY'ER is a native of Connecticut, born January 39, 1808, son of Nathan and Sarah (Whitcomb) Sawyer, and the eldest of a family of seven chil- dren, and is of English descent. The parents were natives of Connecticut, they both dying in their native State— the father in 18.51, the motlier in 1837. When our subject was sixteen years of age. he began working at the shoe-maker's trade with his uncle. In 1837, he left Connecticut and went to New York, remained there nearly nine years, then removed to Illinois, where he remained until the centennial year, then came to Grant Township, Newton County, Ind., and purchased 160 acres of land one and a fourth miles northeast of Goodland. This farm is now one of the best improved in the county. He was married on March 16, 1830, to Eliza- beth Hawley, who was also born in Connecticut. To the pair were born four chil- dren-Eliza C, Ralph N.. Mary J. and Helen C. Mrs. Sawyer died March 16, 1850. In May, 1852, Mr. Sawyer married, for his second wife, Eliza W. Chapin, who was born in the Empire State. Only one child has been born to them— Edwin N. He is a Republican in politics; she a member of the Baptist Church. He is a respected man in the township, and a most honorable citizen. OTIS SHEPARD. farmer and ex-County Surveyor, is a native of Tompkins County, Ky., born October 7, 1819, a son of George and JIary (McQuigg) Shepard. 1873, is the eldest of ten children, and of Irish-Scotch lineage. His father was born i n Massachusetts, his mother in New York; both died in Steuben County, N. Y. Otis' 'i'64 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: education was confined to the common schools of that State, and acquired princi- pally through his own efforts. At the age of eighteen years, he began teaching school, and taught eight winters. On October 28, 1852, he married Lydia A. Aulla, wlio is a native of Steuben County, N. Y. Eleven children have been born to them — Jennie L., Otis, Charles C, Kate A., Clara G., George E., John, Sarah, Albert, Fannie M. and Myrtle, of whom three are deceased. In 1868, Mr. Shepard came to Grant Township, Xewton County, Ind., purchased 153 acres of land three and a half miles northwest of Goodland, where lie still resides. He is a radical Republican in politics; was a Whig. In 1878, he was elected County Surveyor, re-elected in 1880, and again elected in 1883, but resigned the office at the March, 1883, term of the Commissioners' Court. He is one of the well-read men of the county; has a commis- sion that authorizes him to practice in any court in New York; has also a fine library; is one of Newton County's prominent citizens. ULERY SHIVELY, farmer, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Novem- ber 7, 1814, and is the youngest of thirteen children of Isaac and Catherine (Raysor) Sbively, and is of German descent. When he was eleven years of age he be^an making his own way in the world, as his father died in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1823. When our subject was fifteen, he went to Dayton, Ohio, and commenced serving time at the trade of cabinet-maliing. He came to Henry County, Ind., in 1833, and settled there; came to Can-oil County in 1836; to Newton County in 1865, and settled wlicre he now resides, and is one of the pioneers of Grant Township. He was married. November 14, 1833, to Elizabeth Patton, who has borne him nine chil.lren— Thomas, Nancy, an infant (deceased). Louisa (deceased), Amanda, Mary J.. Ira, Albert and Uriah P. Mrs. Shively died in Iowa in 1861. He was ne.\t married, in 1863, to Mrs. Maria Bear, of Carroll County. She is a native of Penn- sylvania. He and his wife are members of the Church of God. Besides his farm near Goodland, lie has oue in Kansas. Mr. Shively, politically, is a Republican, and one of the pioneers of Indiana. E. H. STRUBBE, harness dealer, was born in Gennanv, April 26. 1837, and is the seventh of nine children of E. H. and Catharine (Wehm'lius) Sirubbe. His par- ents were born in Germany His father was a soldier in the English Army at the battle of Waterloo, and for bravery at that memorable battle wasawarded a medal. His mother died in Germany in 1838; his father in Holmes Countv, Ohio, in 1880. When he was seven years of age, he came to America with his father, and settled in Holmes County, Ohio, and began life for himself at the age of fourteen farmin'' principally until tlie autumn of 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Inl-antry, for three years. On the 03d of Mav, 1863. he was wounded at the siege of Corinth, losing a limli; he was discharged JIarch 18 1863 His marriage took place Octolier 8, 1863, to Margaret Hall, who is a native of Holmes County, Ohio. To this marriage have been born nine children— Sarah :\I Mary E Edward E., Harry L., George, Charles T., Franklin, Alvin and William four of whom are deceased. In 1S80, Mr. Sirubbe came to Goodland, and encaged in the harness business, still continuing in it. In politics, lie is ;i Kepublican ' He and his wife are both members of (he Presbyterian Church, he also being a member of the G. A. R. He has a profitable. Inisiness. takes much interest in the education of his children, and is one of the leading business men in Goodland. SAMUEL K. VERRILLis a native of Penobscot County. Me., born July 10 ,'' r'w'f ,""■ "'''"" "^ "'"■'""" <-hil'l"'Q0f Charles and Martha (Lord) Yen-ill' and of A\ ,.lsh descent. His parents were born in Maine, and still reside there -Vt the ,,ge of sixteen years, Mr. Verrill commenced learning the shoe-maker's trade -U which o.eupation he worked in Maine until 1850. when he went to California, 'in 1861 October .,, he enlisted in Company F, Second California Volunteer Infantry Al the ,.nd of three years, he returned to his native State. He re-culisted M-irch TOWN OF GOODLAND AND GRANT TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 765 15, 1805. in Company B, Eighth United States Veteran Volunteers, at Auburn, Me., ami WHS discharged March 14, 1860, at Washington, D. C. In 1867, he came to In- dianapolis, Ind., and remained a short time, returning to Maine, but again the fol- lowing year came to Indianapolis, and after a few months to Goodland, where he still resides. He is one of the pioneers of the town. In 1869. he began to deal in coal and lime, in which business he has been successful. He was married in 1872, December 37, to Augusta M., daughter of William and Minnie Geier. They have four children — Albert W., Emily J., Artliur L. and Samuel L. In politics, Mr. Verrill is independent. His wife is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a prominent business man an d an influential citizen. N. C. WICKWISE, farmer, is a native of Connecticut, born August 20, 1818, son of Oliver and Mary (Gibbs) Wickwise, and of Imll* descent. His parents were also born in Connecticut, and were among the pioneers; his father died there August 18, 1829, his mother in 1865. Mr. Wickwise, at the age of twenty-one years, left his native State, and went to Jefferson County, N. Y., where he remained six years; he then went to Kendall County, 111., living there until 1873, when he came to Grant Township, and bought 100 acres of land one mile from Goodland. There he lived until two years ago, when he moved to Goodland, where he still resides. He was married, October 2, 1840, to Hannah Dayton. They had four children — Clark 0., Henry A., George H. and Marshall T., all of whom are dead; Clark 0. died at Murfreesboro of wounds received in the battle of Stone River in 1862. Mrs. Wickwise died in March, 1850. Mr. Wickwise was next married the following August to Elizabeth Crandell. Five children were born to them— Francis, Elnora, Chester W., Clara, and an infant that died unnamed. Mrs. Wickwise died in 1869. In 1870, Mr. Wickwase married Margaret Liscom, of New Hampshire. To this marriage were born three children — Nellie, Frederick and Dora, of whom but one is living. Mrs. Wickwise died in 1879. His last m;wriage took place November 30, 1881, to Emily J. Reed, of Connecticut. He is a Republican, and oast his first Presidential vote for Harrison. He has one of the best residences in Goodland, and a well-improved farm of 960 acres; he is one of the most enterprising men in the county, and a man of sterling worth. CHESTER W. WICKWISE, farmer, is a native of La Salle County, 111., son of N. C. and Elizabeth (Crandell) Wickwise, born May 17, 18.58, is the third of four children, and of Irish descent. When he was sixteen years of age, his father came to Newton County, Ind., and settled in Grant Town.ship. Chester W. now lives on the Wickwise homestead, one mile east of Goodland. His marriage occurred Jan- uary 1, 1880, to Tillie Hayer, daughter of Oliver and JiUia Hayer. One child is the fruit of this union — Newton 0. Mr. Wickwise is a thorough Republican in poli- tics, casting his first Presidential vote for Garfield. He has a good common school education, is an honorable citizen, and a leading young farmer. The family are greatly respected. JOHN T. WILSON, farmer, is a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind., and born Fel)ruary 37, 1836, and is the fourth of eight children of John and Emily (Rice) Wil- son, and of Irish descent. The father was born in Ohio, the mother in Kentucky. They came to Tippecanoe County about a half a century ago, and settled in La Fay- ette, being among the first settlers of that city. His father died August 14, 1846, near La Fayette, and his mother in this county in 1881. He lived with his mother until he was sixteen, when he began his life struggles alone. In 1852, he came to Newton County, and in 1858, married Charity Canine, daughter of Abraham and Sarah A. Canine. Mrs. Wilson was born in Montgomery County, Ind. They have had eight children — Lawrence H., Charles L., Grace L., Claud, Lorena, Oscar, Raymond and Mabel. Of these Claud and Charles are deceased. In 1869, Mr. Wilson bought his present farm and residence. He has fifty acres in the corporation of Goodland, and 766 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: another 100 acres near the town. He has been successful as a farmer. He is a Re- puljlican in politics; cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. His wife is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the most prominent farmers and citizens of his county. A. H. WITMAN, jeweler and silversmith, was born in Pennsylvania February 15, 1858, and is the son of Dr. A. H. and H. C. (Eisenbice) Witman, is the eldest in a family of two children, and of German extraction, the father having been born in 1801 in Pennsylvania, and graduating in medicine in 1832, being the oldest physi- cian in Berks County, Penn., a Surgeon in the late war, serving the entire time, he died in his native county in 1868. The mother of the subject of our sketch is still living, and is now residing in Iroquois County. 111. In 1871, Mr. Witman came to White County, Ind., and settled in Burnettsville. In 1877, he commenced serving time at the trade of silversmith, at Remington, Ind.'; remained there two years, then went to Brookston, White Co., Ind.. and engaged in the jewelry business, re- maining there two years. In 1880, he came to Croodland, engaging here also in the jewelry business, andretnained eighteen months, then went to Deuel County, D;ik., and engaged in same business, combining with it that of hardware. In Juh'. 1883, he returned to Indiana, and onthe 21st of that month he again established a jewelry store in Goodland. where he still resides. He was married July 24. 1879, to Lucy Reigle, daughter of Dr. and Anna Reigle, of Remington, Ind. To this union w.-re born two children — A. H., and Lucy E. (deceased in August, 1881). He is a Repub- lican in politics, is well educated, has a spirit of enterprise, has been succes-^ful in his business, and is an honorable citizen; he is a member of the Chicago Jewelers' Association. His wife is a consistent member of the United Brethren Church. MARCELLUS "WOLTZ, railway agent, was born in "White County, Ind., Au- gust 22, 1855, and is the third of five children of G. B. and ElmjTa (Glassford) Woltz, and is of Scotch-German extraction. The father was born in Pennsylvania, the mother in Indiana, the parents now residing in Monticello. Ind. Mr. Woltz has an education acquired through the medium of the common schools, and the public schools of Monticello. In March, 1875, he began learning telegraphy and railroad- ing, under the instruction of J. V. Vinson, at Monticello. Ind. In August. 187(! he entered the employ of the Pan Handle Railway Company, first at Kentland, thcr at Logansport, then at Chicago, until, in 1879, he gave his attention exclusively to telegraphy, and in May of that year he was appointed Railway Agent at Good- land, and has held the position ever since. He has been in the employ of the Pnn Handle Company since 187(.i. He is a thorough Republican, and cast his first Presi- dential vote for Hayes. He is a practical business man, and a responsible gentle- man. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 7 67 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. JAilES ARCHIBALD was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, January 22, 1819. He is the son of Robert and Elizabeth (McCormack) Archibald, who were born in Pennsylvania. His grandfather on his father's side was a Revolutionary soldier. In 1833, he came with his parents to Tippecanoe County, Ind, , where his father bought a farm, upon which .James were employed part of the time, attend- ing school until about seventeen, when he worked steadily at farming until March 2], 1845, when he married Sallie Johnson, a native of Clinton County, Ohio. Her parents were early settlers of Tippecanoe County, Ind. Ten children were born to them — Mary F. (deceased), Worth (deceased), Amanda, Zella, Pierce, Jasper, Plor- iene, Laura, Mira, and an infant girl, deceased. He had purchased several hun- dred acres of land from the Government in Section 6, Washington Township, and in 1854 took up his residence there, farming and raising stock. He has been Town- ship Trustee. At present he has about 500 acres under cultivation, and 600 mostly in pasture. He keeps about sixty liead of cattle, some hogs, and is a general farmer and stock dealer. In politics, he is a Republican. He has been a member of the Christian Church since 1842. PIERCE ARCHIBALD, son of James Archibald, and Sallie (Johnson) Archi- bald, was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., April 3, 1853. When a little child, he came with his parents to Washington Township, Newton County, wliere he at- tended school about three months in a year, and worked the rest of the time on the farm. He went to Battle Ground Collegiate Institute one term, after which he was granted a teacher's certificate. He also attended Eureka College, 111., one year, after which he taught ten terms of school. On September 8, 1878, he was married to Hattie J. Graves, daughter of William and Harriet E. (Stretch) Graves. They have had three children — Lora J., James A. and William P. Mr. Archibald was elected County Superintendent in May, 1879; is active in politics, being a Re- publican, and is a member of the Christian Church, as also is his wife. WILLIAM BEST was born in Ohio, December 8, 1822. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Berry) Best, natives of Virginia. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and afterward settled in Ohio. When William was seven years old, his father moved to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where our subject was sent to a sub- scription school, working some on farm until eighteen. He worked at farming un- til twenty-one, when he learned blacksmithing, working at that trade until recently. In 1849, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Prior and Anna (Hayes) Russell, of Wayne County, Ind. They had seven children — John P., James A., Luther H. (deceased), Laura J. (deceased), Anna M., William R. and Margaret. In 1853, Mr. Best moved to White County; farmed until 1857, then came to this township and bought 100 acres of land, which he has cultivated, and also worked at his trade. He owns now 175 acres, well improved, and keeps some stock. When his father moved to Indiana in 1829, he built his house next to an Indian. His parents died on theland they entered, his father in 1869, his mother in 1870. Mr. Best lost his wife in 1881; she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a mem- ber of the same church, and a Democrat in politics. EPHRAIM BRIDGEMAN, son of Michael and Mary Bridgeman, was horn November 19, 1818, in Harrison County, Ind., where his parents were e,arly settlers. When our subject was seven years of age, his father moved to Fountain County; 768 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: lived there about four years, then went to Logansport, then '^ :^'°f'r"^ ^^Z to Carroll County, where Ephraim cleared land by the acre, ^ere he .aved ome money, and when twenty-one years of age bought forty ^\=7 ° .' °^ '"^^l-^t County, which he still owns. On June 31, 184.., he marned ^l-^beth E,l^ o Butler County, Ohio, and two children were born to them-John (who ^J^^^" Z in Company B, Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry), and Mary A. (now the wife of Phillip Brown). Mr. Bridgeman's wife died August 13, 1844; she wa a member of the United Brethren Church. On April 16,184b, he marned Joanna Doty of Warren County, Ind. They have had the following chddren : Joseph Otterbem (who was a soldier in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Indiana Infantry Volunteers), Ephraim, David W., Levi (deceased), MichaeK deceased), Sarah C (de- ceased) Daniel Wainscot and George E. Soon after his first marriage, in lh40, he hought eighty acres in Section 1". Washington Townsliip, Jasper (now Newton) County He improved this land and now owns 280 acres, as fine a farm as there is m the township In 18fi9, Mr. Bridgeman was elected Township Trustee. Politically, he is a Republican Since 1843, he has been a member of the United Brethren Church, and is a member of the Annual Conference. Of this church he has been Steward. Trust- ee, Class Leader; of its Sabbath School, a teacher and Superintendent. JOHN BROWN was born in Marion County, Ohio, November 4, 18.34, and is one of nine children (six now living) born to Valentine and Mariah (Shuman) Brown, natives of Pennsylvania and New York respectively. The father died in 18.^7. aged fifty-eight, the mother in 1859, aged forty-eight. John Brown came with his parents to Carroll County, Ind. ; he helped open out a timbered farm, and began for himself at the age of nineteen years; he rented land of his father for two years; then went to Linn County, Iowa, bought a farm of 200 acres, and remained there six years; he then came to Newton County, Ind., and worked one year for Mr. Archibald. In September, 18(52, he enlisted in Company E, Ninetj'-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infan- try (Col. Fowler). He participated in the liattles of TuUahoma. Vicksburg, Jack- son, Miss., Dalton, New Hope Church. Lost Mountain. Big Shanty. Little Kenesaw, Big Kenesaw, Marietta, Atlanta campaign and East Point. Ga. They then went into camp, and re-organized, preparatory lo the march to the sea. He was in the grand review, and was mustered out at Indianapolis in June, 1865. Whilst in the service, Mr. Brown was wounded seriously, but not dangerously. He had measles in the fall of 1H62, and subsequently typhoid fever. From the eflEects of the former he still suffers, and probably always will do so. He then came to where he now re- sides (Section 5), and opened out a farm; he owns T-'O acres of land. 100 acres of which are improved. Mr. John Brown was married. („1ctober 19. 1867. to Miss Susan Johnston, of Greene County, Ohio. They have two children — Eva and Edwin; he and wife are members of (he Christian Church. Mr. Brown is a Republican. THOMAS BUSWELL. an old Virginia gentleman, the son of George and Sarah (Whaley) Buswcll. was horn July 3. 1817; his father was boru in Shenandoah County February 27. 1774, bis mother in Westmoreland County January l.'i. 177,1. The father was a farmer in Virginia, and was married September 29, 1796. Tliomas Buswell attended a country school until he was twentj' years of age; then entered an academy, and afterward worked mty. DANIEL BRADY was born in Darke County. Ohio, :March 12, 1828, and is one of nine children of William and Elizabeth (Crumrine) Brady, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania. AVilliam Brady, when a young man, went to Darke County, Ohio, where he worked at the blacksmith's trade for ten years. In March, 1841, he came to Newton County, Ind.. and settled in Iroquois Township, buying what is known as the '■ Jacob Wright farm." He afterward removed to Barton County, Kan., wliere he now lives. Daniel attended the schools of Newton County, and remained with his parents until twentj'-one, when, in connection with his brother, he bought a farm, wiiich they owned but a short time. He entered 120 acres adjoining, living upon it uvo years. He then entered 160 acres in Iroquois County, HI., where he lived four years. In 1860, he came to Beaver Township, and bought a farm of 190 acres, upon which lie still lives. It is in a high state of culti- vation, and has one of the Hnest houses in tlie county. Ho gives considerable atten- tion to stock-raising. Mr. Brady was married. September 24. 1854. to Arlina Peck, a native of New York. Tliey have had six children, four of whom. Mrs. Prances A. Clark, Mrs. Helen E. Elijah, Alma and Laura E. are living. Mr. Brady is in politics a Republican, and is one of the early settlers of the county. JOSEPH W., CIIIZUM was born October 31, 1825, in Ross County. Ohio, being the oldest of eight children of Garrison and Nancy A. (Shafer) Chizum. the former of Irisli descent, Init a native of Maryland. In 1833, Joseph's parents came to Fountain County, lud.. where lie received a common school education in a loi? BEAVER TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 787 scboolhouse. He remained with liis father's family until twenty-three years of age. On February 28, 1847, he married Mary J. Hanger, a native of Virginia. Six chil- dren have been born to them, four of whom, William W., James B.. Joseph M. and Albert, are still living. In 18.50, he came to Beaver Township, and entered eighty acres of wild land, to which he has added until he now owns 750 acres well im- proved land. He gives considerable attention to stock-raising; he has served one term as Commissioner of Newton County, and is re-elected for a second. He and his wife belong to the ilethodist Episcopal Church. Politicallj', he is a Repub- lican, prominent in the township and county. WILLIAM W. CHIZUM wasborn June 32, 1850.inTippecanoe County. Ind.,and is one of six children of Joseph and Mary ( Hanger) Chizum. His parents came to Newton County when he was an infant, where he remained through his childhood, attending the common schools. In 1870, he went to California and Oregon, where he spent eighteen months working on a farm and teaming. He then returned to Newton County and bought the farm of eightj' acres where he now resides. It is in a good state of cultivation. April 17, 1873, Mr. Chizum married Nancy J. Dear- durff, a native of Newton County, and daughter of George W. and Catherine (Ash) Deardurff. They have had five children, four of whom are living— Mary E., Flora, Omer and Ned; an infant, born in JIarch, 1882, died in July of the same year. Po- litically, Mr. Chizum is a Republican, and one of the enterprising young men of the township. WILLIAM DARROCH was born in Parke County, Ind., December 31, 1848, and is one of six children of John and Caroline (Puett) Darroch, both of whom were of Scotch descent. William, after receiving his earlj^ education in the com- mon schools of his county, entered Asbury University at Greencastle, Ind., and graduated from that institution in 1874. While in college he also studied law with William A. Brown. After leaving college, he taught several months, still pursuing his legal studies. In 1875, he opened a law office at Morocco, Ind., and still contin- ues the practice of his profession, principally in the courts of Newton County. June 23, 1878, he was married to Emma V. Sammons, a native of Wellandport. Canada. They have one child — Ethel, born Jul3' 31, 1879. Mr. Darrock was Trust- ee of Beaver Township for four years; is a prominent attorney of the county, and a Democrat. JOHN S. DEARDURFF. a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind., was born March 10, 1843, and is one of ten children of Daniel and Lucinda (Heckethorn) Deardurff, the latter of German descent, born in Virginia, the former a native of Ohio, from which State he removed with his parents, when four years of age, to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where he grew to manhood, married and remained until 18-14, when he came to Beaver Township, Newton County, and located on the farm now owned by D. Owen, remaining there until 1883, when he removed to Kentland, where he still lives. His wife died in April, 1881. John received his education in the common schools of Newton County, remaining at home until April 13, 1861, when he enlisted in the State Militia, in which ht served until July, when he was discharged on account of sickness. In September of the same year, he enlisted in Company D, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with the regiment until mustered out at Indianapolis, September 39, 1864. He participated in all the cam- paigns and marches of the regiment, and the l)attles of Greenbrier. Sliiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, the Atlanta cam- paign, and many lesser engagements. He was wounded three times; at Shiloh his leg was broken on a reconnoitering expedition; he received a shot through the leg at Woodbury; at Chickamauga he received a shot through the left shoulder. Al- though thus badly wounded, he has never applied for nor received a pension, prefer- ring to make his own support independent of the Government. After his return 788 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: from the war, he bought the farm of forty acres, to which he has since added until he now has 130 acres, well improved, upon which he lives. He gives some attention to stock-raising. Mr. Deardurff was married February 1, 1865, to Rachel A. Thomp- son, anative of Warren County, Ind. Five children have been born to them— Alfred A., Daniel Y., John O., Cyrus R. and William E., all of whom are living. Mr. Deardurff is a member of Morocco Lodge, No. 372, A,, F. & A. M., and Morocco Post, No. Ill, G. A. R. In politics, be is a Democrat, and he is one of the well- known citizens of the township. ANDREW DOTY was born in Butler County, Ohio, December 36, 1835, and is one of eight children of Joseph and Efiie (Thompson) Doty. His parents, natives of Pennsylvania, removed to Ohio when 3'oung, where the}' lived until 1830, when they came to Warren County, Ind., where the father still lives at an advanced age. Andrew received his education in the primitive schoolhouse of the frontier, residing with his parents until attaining his majority. He then worked on a farm, renting for three years. He then came to Wasliington Township, Newton Co., Ind., enter- ing 120 acres, to wliich be afterward added 380 acres more, and upon which he erected good buildings. In Jlarch, 1883, be removed to Morocca, purchasing 15 acres, with a fine house, where he now resides. Mr. Doty was married March 18. 1849, to Elmira Dotj'. of Warren Co., Ind. Twelve cbildren have been born to them, four of whom — Leander, Lydia, Zella and Charles — are living. Mr. Doty is a prominent man in the county, being one of its early settlers. In politics, he is a Republican. He belongs to the church of tlie United Brethren ; his wife anlett, hotli natives ot llie " Old D.iiuiuion." though spending most of their lives in Kcu tucky. where tlu^y accunuilaled a large property. Cliarles was left an orphan when hut two Avecks old, and was adopted and reared by his paternal grandparents. Losing his grandfather at the age ot fourteen, he went to Henry County. Ky.. and hegan the study of medicine with Dr. James Humstun, with whom ho remained four years. May S, 1856, he came to Morocco, Ind.. and commenced the practice of medicine, which he has continued until the present time, with the exception of BEAVER TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 795 three years spent m the army. He enlisted in August, 1863, in Company E, Ninety- mnth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private, but before reaching the field was commissioned Assistant Surgeon in the Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry receivmg a commission as Surgeon in four months from that time. He remained with the regiment until it was mustered out in June, 1865, at Washington D C having been in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mis^sion Ridge' and through the Atlanta Campaign, the "march to the sea," and in the Carolinas at BentonviUe and Averysboro. and many other engagements. Dr. Triplett was married. May 17, 18o7, to Alice Pulver, a native of Newton County. Eighrchildren have been born to them, of whom the following, Charles E., Chester L. and Hattie are living. He is a member of Concord Lodge No. 585, I. 0. 0. F., and a Demo- crat. In his profession, he has the reputation of being skillful, both as physician and surgeon. 796 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: JACKSON TOWNSHIP. JOB B. ASHBY was born in the County of Sussex, England, May 31, 1849, and js a son of William and Mary Ashby. The former was injured to death, in conse- quence of being run over by a heavy wagon; the latter died about one year later. After these deaths. Job B. Ashby and his sister, Sarah Ashby, were given to their j,'randparents to be reared, in company with whom they emigrated to America in 1857, and settled first in Wisconsin, then in Ohio, and finally in Pulaski County, Ind., where the grandfather died in 1872. In 1868, our subject began to learn blacksraithing under C. H. Robinson, of Edgerton, Ohio, and about one year later came with Mr. Robinson to Pulaski County, Ind., where he finished his trade. July 30, 1871, he married Hannah E. Hall, who died May 22, 1872, leaving one child- Hannah I. (deceased). January 26, 1873, Mr. Ashby married Hettie A. Witham, and in the spring of that year removed to Francesville, thence, after one year, to White County, and in 1878 to this county, where he has remained. Mr. and Mrs. Ashby have had a family of four children — Arthur A., Hiram A., Sarah A. (deceased), and Larettie. THOMAS R. BARKER was born in Lincolnshire, England, February 4, 1813. His parents were John and Ann Barker, also natives of England, where they lived and died, leaving a family of five children — Joseph. Thomas R., John, Harriet and Ann. Our subject, Thomas R.. emigrated to America in August, 1831, and landed at New York in September. From that city he went to White County, Ind., and in 1832 to Fountain County, where he engaged in butchering. Thence he went to New Orleans, then to Texas, and to several Western States. In 1840, he came to this county, and later returned to Fountain County, where, May 15, 1841, he married Miss Maiy J., daughter of John Slyers, and, in 1842, again removed to this county, and settled, wliere he has since resided. Mrs. Barker died in 1866. Mr. Barker is one of the first settlers of Jackson Township, where he improved a quantity of wild land, having at present 700 acres as his own. He was one of the three first Trustees of the township, and was also County Commissioner from 1847 to 1849. besides hav- ing held other township offices. Mr. Barker is the father of eight children— John (deceased), William, Ann (deceased). Samuel. Slalinda, Thomas B. (deceased), E. Lanier and Gallagher. JAMES T. BLANKENBEKER is a native of Preble County, Ohio, and was born Deceml)er 24, 1834. His parents, Joel and Susan Blankenbeker. were both natives of Virginia, where they were married, and whence, about 1833, they erai grated to Preble County, Ohio, thence to Bartholomew County, Ind.. and "thence in the fall of 1Sfi4, to this county, where they died— she shortly after coming hither, and he in 18611. They were the parents of nine children— Jlichael L., Mary" Nancy, Ellen. John, Louisa, .Fames T.. Sarah and Simeon. James T. Blankenbeker. oiir subject, came to this county in 1866, wliere. August 15, 1869, he married Eliza A. Crisler, and in the succeeding winter moved to the farm, on which he has settled and made a home. Mr. and Mrs. Blankenbeker have been favored with a family of four children— Wilbur E., Myrtle E., Simeon W. and William C. Mr. Blanken- beker is a respected citizen. J. J. BRENNER, of the firm of Brenner & Son, was born at Davton, Ohio. Sep. teniber 7, 1835. His parents were John and Frances (Etiiire) Brenner, natives re- spectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The former's sire was Samuel Brenner, a native of Germany, who emigrated to Pennsylvania in the early days, and, in 1830- JACKSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 7 97 to Montgomery County, Ohio, where his life was closed. He was a soldier of the 1812 war. John Brenner was born in Pennsylvania February 23, 1800. In Ohio he married Frances Etnire, a native of Virginia, born November 17, 1817. In 1838, he removed to Warren County, Ind. Mrs. Brenner died in 1849, He afterward mar- ried Betsey Brenner, and died in 1882, the father of eight children— David, Jacob, Elizabeth, Samuel, Eliza, Susanna, John J. and Ephraim. J. J. Brenner, when quite young, learned the trade of a carpenter, and followed the same a number of years. In 1856, he came to this county, and February 9, 1861, married Sarah J. Kennedy, born in Greene County, Tenn., March 27, 1842, who died March 7, 1883, leaving seven children— John 8., Mary A., Andrew J., Bertie L., Charlie, Clermont and Mattie. In 1879, in company with J. M. Hufty, he opened a dry goods and grocery store at Pilot Grove, which, in 1881, he sold to Mr. Hufty, then engaged in the drug trade, and, in 1883. moved to Mount Airy, where he follows the same busi- ness; he is also Postmaster at Pilot Grove. PHILLIP BROWN is a son of Wentle and Nancy Brown, both natives of Penn- .sylvania, where they married and early removed to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and there died. Their family consisted of six children — Daniel, William, Catherine, George W.. Matilda and Phillip. Our subject. Phillip Brown, was born in Tippe- canoe Count}', Ind., December 12, 1838. Inasmuch as his parents died when he was young, he began the struggle for himself in advance. When sixteen years of age he came to this county, where he had a brother, and remained until 1862. He also purchased land, and December 13, 1863, married Mary A., daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth Bridgeman, and a native of Newton County, born December 12, 1844. After marriage Mr. Brown settled on his present farm, which is a good one, and also a comfortable home. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have becD favored with the follow- ing-named children: Ephraim, Nancj'M., Martha E., Effle (deceased), George W. and Willie. EDWARD BURNS is a native of Coimty Down, Ireland, and was born August 12, 1828. His parents were Edward and Isabel (Anderson) Burns, both natives of Ireland, of whose farailj' he is the fifth. The former was born in 1783, the latter in 179o. They were married in County Down, and in 1838 emigrated to New York. Shortly afterward moved to Connecticut, and si.x j'cars later to Newton County, Ind., and settled in this township, where they both died, he in 1858, and she in 1877. Their children were five, and named Alice, Marj-, Catherine, .Tolin and Edward. Our subject, Edward, was married in this county November 14, 1870, to Rhoda, daugh- ter of Madison and Mary Collins, and a native of Warren County, Ind., born Octo- ber 10, 1839. After marriage, Mr. Burns settled on the farm on which he now lives, and on which he has since remained, where he has a comfortable home. His family comprises four children — Wallace, Mary I., James and Ella M. S. N. CALDWELL, M. D., was born at Piqua, Miami County, Oliio, December 14, 182.5. His parents were Samuel and Mary J. (Mitchel) Caldwell, natives respect- ively of Kentucky and Virginia. Samuel Caldwell's father was Matthew Caldwell, of Belfast, Ireland, who came with his parents to Westmoreland County, Penn., and where, in 1781, he married Miss Mary Pinkevton, after which he removed to Ohio, and died October 2."), 1810. Samuel Caldwell was born in Fayette County. Ky., settled in Miami County, Ohio, and died July 12. 1840, leaving four children — Samuel N., Eliza G., Ormsby and Mary J. Our subject, at the age of twenty-one, audafter a thorough education, entered the Cincinnati Medical College, from which he graduated in 1850, and immediately afterward commenced practice at Piqua, Ohio, wliere he married September 30, 1851, Miss Mary J. McKinney, who died Feb- ruary 23, 1873. July 29. 1874, he hiarried Miss Henrietta Lester. Dr. Caldwell has been a resident of this county since 1865, and yet lives on the same farm, where he successfully pursues his practice. He is the father of six children — Mary (deceased), Mack, Samuel O., Newton G., Myrtle M. and Grace . 798 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: G. W. CLARK was born in Shell)y County, Ky., October 28, 1S29, and is one of the eight children of Allen W. and Martha Clark, natives of Henrico County, Va., the former born February 25, 1793, the latter June 27, 1803. They were mar- ried in Virginia, and in early life moved to Kentucky, where they remained until 1833, and thence moved to .Johnson County, Ind., where they died, she December 9, 1849, and he September 21, 18()7. Allen W. Clark was a soldier of the war of 1812, a member of the Baptist Church, and the parent of eight children — Sylvester, Elizabeth, >Iar_y, George W.. .Tames, Sarah C, Lucy A. and Alexander. Our sub- ject began to learn the blacksmithing trade when eighteen years old, under James C. Wilson, of Kentucky, served two years, was afterward an emplo5'e of Robert Todd, of Franklin, K3'., and subsequently moved to Morgantown. Ind., and en- gaged in Imsiness with Adam AVise. He then returned to Franklin, and was there married, April 17, 1851, to Eliza, daughter of Jacob and Ellen Sibert, and born in Lancaster County, Penn., April 8, 1828. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Ninetieth Indiana Cavalry, and served until June, 1865, the date of his discharge. In 1867, he removed to and settled in this county, to resume his trade. Jlr. and Mrs. Clark have had eight children — Amanda J. (deceased), Albert L. (deceased), Henry S., Laura A., James P., George T., Hiram G. and Charles C. S. B. COEN is a native of Jasper County, Ind., and was born April 12, 1861. His parents, Hugh E. and Mary (Yeoman) Coen, were born near Dayton, Ohio, the former July 4, 1833, the latter :May 25, 1835: their place of birth were also the place of their marriage. After this event, they moved to and settled in Newton Town- ship, Jasper County, where they now are. Their family consists of the following children: Stephen B., Rosie S., Ul.ysses, Alvira E., William J., Edgar L., Ira C. Ernest J. and Bessie. On the 24th of February, 1883. in Jasper County, our sub- ject, S. B. Coen, married Alda A., daughter of Samuel and Hannah Fulton, of Jas- per County, and a native of Geneva, N, Y., l.)orn January 21. 1862. In 1883. Mr. Coen removed to Mount Airy, where he opened a lumber and coal yard. He also handles grain. HxUIILTON CRISLER is a native of Preble County. Ohio, and was born Sep- tember 12, 1822. His father, William Crisler, was the youngest of the six children of Adam Crisler, and was born in Madison County, Ya.. where he man-ied JIary Robuck, and whence he emigrated to Ohio, and later, in 1846. removed to Barthol- omew County, Ind., where he ended his life. He was the father of eleven children —Albert, William A., Eliza A., Adam. Sarah, Hamilton. Emily, Alfred, John A., Mary J. and Elmira. Our subject, Hamilton Crisler, married, in Preble County. Ohio, March 13, 1845, Miss Elizabeth M., daughter of Joel and Susan Blankenbeker, and a native of Madison County. Va., born (October 14. 1822. This union gave issue to nine children— Emily J.. William A., James A.. Margaret E. (deceased), John H., Sarah A., Allison W., Margaret E. and Archibal.l. In 1846. Mr. Crisler moved to Bartholomew County, Ind., and in 1861 to this countx . where he owns 240 acres of tine land. GEORGE W. DEARDl'RFF was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind.. December 17. 1837. and is a son of Daniel and Lueinda Deardurff, the former ;i son of John Deardurff, who removed from Ohio to Tippecanoe Counlv in 1833, and thence to this county in 1S47. wliere he ended his life. Daniel Deardurflf was born in tHtio iu 1816. came lo Tippecanoe Comity in 1833, and afterward married Lueinda Heck- atlicirne. He remained in said county until 184.5, removed to Newton County, and now lives in Kentland. lie was twice married, and is father to ten children— George W., Christian, John, Samuel, Daniel, Henry, Josephine. Sallie, Elizabeth and Ma- habi. Our subject, George W. Deardurll, was brought to this countv bv his jiarcnts. A|Hil25, l.siu, he enlisted in Company II. Fifteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Inf.'i.ilry. :nhl served until Jun,. 1, 1864, during which period he participaled in JACKSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 799 many heavy battles, and was wounded at Mission Ridge November 35, 1863, by gunshot through the right shoulder and ankle, from which cause he remained in the hospital until discharged. August 37, 1865, he married Josephine Wolcott, born in Jackson County, 3Iich., July 14, 1850. which marriage gave issue to nine children — David, John, Mary, Alphonso, Aletha, Olive M., George W., Cora and James L. FRANKLIN V. ELIJAH, son of Lewis and Sarah Elijah, is a native of Alle- gany County, N. Y., born October 13, 1830. His parents were born and married in New York, whence they moved, in 1835, to Newton County, Ind., and there died. They were the parents of ten children — Morgan J., Sarah A., Franklin V., Harriet, Oran, Louisa, Ransom, Millie, Hiram and James. October 36, 1849, Franklin Eli- jah married Elizabeth Elliott, born in Perquimans County, N. C, April 14, 1830, and a daughter of Jacob and Sarah Elliott. After his marriage, Mr. Elijah removed to Iowa; thence to Kansas; thence, in 1863, to Illinois; thence, after one year, to this county; thence, in 1873, again to Kansas, and thence, finally after one year, again to this county, where he has made his home and is the owner of 130 acres of excellent land. He and wife are the parents of seven children, named as follows : Orrin, Ja- cob, Lewis, Ransom, Archibald, Ellen and Emma. Mr. Elijah deserves the com- mendation of ttie citizens, which he receives. RANSOM ELIJAH is a native of Saratoga County, N. Y., and born February 3, 1835. His parents were Lewis and Sarah Elijah, the former a native of Delaware, and the latter of Vermont. They were married in New York, whence, in 1835. they moved to Newton (then Jasper) County, Ind., where they remained and died — she in 1853, and he in 1856. They were pioneers of the county and parents of ten chil- dren — Morgan, Sarah A., Franklin, Aaron, Harriet, Louisa, Vermelia, Ransom, .Tames and Hiram. Our subject. Ransom Elijah, came with his parents to Newton County, where, January 35, 1859, he married Mar}' J., daughter of William F. and Polly Williams, and born March 4, 1841. In 1864, Mr. Elijah went to Montana, where he engaged in mining, but returned to this count}' in 1866, where he has since remained, and now owns 640 acres of land, Mr, and Mrs. Elijah are the parents of seven children — Charles A.. Cynthia A,, Franklin, JamesR., Luella, Alexander and Parmelia. JOHN M. C. GULDENZOPF is a native of Germany, and was born Feliruary 36, 1838. His father, John H. Guldenzopf, was also born in Germany in 1803, and a son of Nicholas and Mary J. Guldenzopf, also natives of Germany. John H. Guld- enzopf married and lived in Germany throughout his life, leaving a familj" of four children— Marmon L., JohnM. C John M. and Wilhelm M. Our subject, John M. C. Guldenzopf, is the only one of his family now living, and emigrated to America in 1848, landing at New York City, whence he went to New Orleans, thence to Flor- ida and Tennessee, thence to Joliet, 111., and thence in 1855 moved to Jasper County, Ind., thence to Illinois, and thence again to Jasper County in 1856, where he was married July 13, 1860. to Amelia Zoborasky. This union was productive of seven children— Louisa I., John H.. Emma N., Ettie B., Mattie A., Julius V. and Caro- line R. In 1863, Mr. Guldenzopf made a purchase of land and settled where he now resides. WILLIAM R. HANDLEY was born in Athens County, Ohio, October 18, 1830, his parents being Michael and Rhoda Handley. The former was one of the three sons of Jeremiah Handley, who many years ago emigrated to Virginia, and thence to Ohio, where he died. Michael Handley was born in Loudoun County, Va., October 17, 1787, and moved to, and married one Rhoda Rosein, Athens County, Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Mary Rose, and born in Greene County, Penn., in 1797. In 18.50, they moved to this county, where they died, he in 1869 and she in 1881; they had eleven children — Chauncey P., Samantba, William R., Elizabeth, John, Horace, Morris, David, Jeremiah, Josiah and Ezra. William R. Handley, when eighteen 800 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: years old, began to learn cabinet-making. In 1850, he came to tiiis count}', where he and Elizabeth, daughter of William and Rachel Lambkin, were joined in wed- lock February 28, 1857; the bride was born near London, England, January 27, 1837. After marriage, Mr. Handley moved to the place on which he now lives, and which he had purchased in 1850, comprising 330 acres; he was one of the first set- tlers of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Handley have had ten children — Michael, John, Harriet, Samantha, Jane, Charles, Alice (deceased), George, Arabell and Chris- topher. Mr. Handley has been Justice of the Peace a number of years, and also Coroner. He is a memlier of the Masonic order and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. J. M. HUFTY was born in Greene County, Penn., July 13, 1889. and is one of the familj' of Thomas L. and Louisa Huft}-, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father of the former was James Hufty, likewise a native of Pennsylvania, and who there died. Thomas L. Hufty married, in Greene County, Louisa Murdock, and in 1856 removed to White County, Ind., where he now resides. He had six children- John M., Thomas C, Charles, Joseph J., Martha and George G. In White County, J. M. Ilufty learned the carpentering trade, at which he worked for years, and Xo- vember 9, 1861, married Mary E. Chamberlain, of said county, born in 1845. In 1865, he removed to Remijigton, thence to Kentland, and thence, in 1874. to Pilot Cxrove, where he engaged in mercantile business until 1883. when he removed to Mount Airy, opened a store, and is doing a fair business. In 1877, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and still holds said office. Mrs. Hufty died at Kentland Sep- tember 1, 1869, after wliich event, in 1871. he married Martha A. Webster. Mr. Hufty is a worthy citizen, and father of six children— William A., John C. and Hattie M., by the first wife, and Ernest E., Elmore T. and an infant unnamed liy the second wife. ALEXAXDEK LAHDXER is a native of Bucks County. Penn.. and born August 24, 1845. His parents— Laurence and :ilary Lardner- settled in Berrien County, Mich., about the 5'ear 1848, where his mother shortly after died. Mr. Lardner subsequently removed his family to Waukesha County, Wis., where" he died in 1878, leaving seven children, as follows: Hannah, George, Katie. Richard Alexander, Lucy and Elizabeth, (^ur subject, Alexander Lardner. remained with his father until his twenty-first year, and thereafter engaged in business for himself. In 1870, he left Wisconsin and came to this county, where he married December 35, 1871, Miss Sarah A., daughter of Alfred and Jane Crisler, and born in Barthol- omew County, Ind.. August 36. 1855. Mr. and Jlrs. Lardner are haiinv in a family of three children, James L.. Jane C. and an infant vet unnamed. JUIIX F. XICHOLS, merchant, is a native ut Cambridgeshire. En.-land was born Kovember 19, 1843. and is a son of Robert W. and Sarah A. iJoues) Nichols who were also natives of England, the former having been born in 1809 the latter in 1814. They were married at London in 1840. and in 1850 emigrated to Cook County, 111., where they now are living. Their familv was composed of nine chil- dren-Inf,int daughter (died unnamed). AVilliara L.. James E Emilv John F barah A.. Alfred C.. Francis B. and Albert 1. Our subject, John "f Xichols' moved with his parents to Cook County in 1850, and in 1S76 came to Newton Countv' Ind., where he engaged in fanning until 1883. when he moved to Mount Airy and opened his present business. On :^Iay 37. 1883. he married iMi.ss Marv E dauohter of John and Nancy T. Roberts, and a native of this countv. born June 23 ■"i8.5- Mr. Nichols is a man of energy, and lias promise of sueeos. IKA .1. SAYLEi; is a native ot ,las|,er County, Ind., was born April 18 1858 andisoneol the twelve children of Lewis and Elizabeth Sayler, natives of Ohio' lie tonner born in Marion County in 1,S80. Lewis Sayler's father was Henrv and Ins H.other Elizabeth Sayler, natives of Pennsylvania, who moved to Ohio' an JACKSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 801 there closed their lives, leaving eleven children— Jacob, Michael, John, Samuel. Henry, Benjamin, Bernhard, Caroline, Sarah, Mary and Lewis, who married in Jasper County, in 1857, Elizabeth Yeoman, and soon after settled in Newton Town- ship, vphere he still resides. He is father of the following children : Ira J., Laura v., Mary E., Lewis V., John B., Florence V., Cora A., Lawrence B., Lily A., Horace C, and two infants (deceased). Our subject, Ira J. Sayler, in the spring of 1883, formed a partnership with R. J. Yeoman, and opened a business in hardware and farming implements at Mount Airy, and they are making a satisfactory trade. JAMBS H. WATTS was born in Erie County, N. Y., July 8, 1842. His parents were James and Julia Watts, who were respectively natives of England and Ireland. The father of James Watts lived and died in England. James Watts emigrated to America, settled in Erie County, N. Y., married, and, in 1844, removed to Canada, where he died April 10, 1852. Mrs. Watts died September, 1857. Their family em- braced seven children — Ann, John V., James H., Mary J., William, Nellie and Elizabeth. James H. Watts, after the death of his father, returned to Erie County, N. Y., and, in 1858, removed to Wayne County, Mich. In 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany H, First Michigan Cavalry, and served until March 28, 1863. He received three wounds at Brentsville, Va., in the foot, in the knee and in the hip ; he was. besides, captured by the enemy, and passed three weeks in Libby Prison. In 1864, he went to Wayne County, Mich., and the next year to Cass County, where, Novem- ber 5, 1868, he married Rena M., daughter of Daniel and Catherine Oyler, and h native of Cass County, born Julj^ 28, 1851. In 1870, Mr. Watts removed to Newton County, Ind., and has now 288 acres of good land. He has had four fine children — Frank (deceased), Willie (deceased), Edna M. and Clyde D. Mr. Watt.9 is a member of the Masonic order, Trustee of the township, and belongs to the Baptist Church. W. L. WISHARD, of the firm of Willey, Sigler & Wishard, was born at Rensse- laer, in this State, July 9, 1856, and is a son of William W. and Mary Wishard. The former is a son of James L. Wishard, a native of Kentucky, who, about 1833, settled in Vermillion County, Ind., where he yet enjoys life at the age of eighty- nine. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, was twice married, and is the father of six children. William W. Wishard was born in Kentucky December 19, 1816, and was for years engaged in rafting on the Mississippi River, and afterward as clerk at Clinton, Ind., where he was joined in wedlock to Mary Irwin, in 1849, a native of Kentucky, born 1828. In 1850, Mr. Wishard removed to Rensselaer, where he engaged in mer- cantile business with his father-in-law, Thomas Irwin. In 1877, he removed to the old home in Vermillion County, where he now lives. He was twice married (Mrs. Mary (Irwin) Wishard having died in 1865), the second time to Lucinda Porter, and is the father of eight children — by bis first wife Lulu, William L., Annie, Fannie and Thomas; by his second wife, Melvin B., Effle and Ernest. Our subject, W. L. Wishard, was married in this county August 27, 1876, to Elmira, daughter of Alfred and Jane Crisler, and born in Bartholomew County June 19, 1861. In 1882, he became a partner with Willey & Sigler, merchants at Rensselaer, and in May, 1883. they established a branch store at Mount Airy. 802 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: McCLELLAN TOWNSHIP. DAVID S. CALKINS was boru February 9, 1833, in Onondaga County, N. Y. being the youngest of three children of David and Maria (Tinlier) Calkins. Hia father came in 1840 with his family to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where he was Post- master and Justice of the Peace for several years. David received his education in the primitive log schoolhouses of Tippecanoe County. He remained on his father's farm until attaining his majority, when he rented a farm in Kankakee County, 111., working there until 1869, when he came to JlcClellan Township, I^ewton Co., Ind., where he rented farms until 1883, when he purchased the farm of 160 acres where he now resides. During several years of this time, he gave his attention to stock dealing. He was married, June 5, 1851, to Harriet C. Holmes, a native of New York, and daughter of Israel and Betsey fShaw) Holmes. Four children have been born to them, only one of whom, Anna B., is living. Those deceased were Maria E., David S., and Charles, all of whom died when quite young. Mr. Calkins is a member of Morocco Lodge, No. 3T2, A., F. & A. M. He is prominent in politics, a Democrat, and has been Trustee of the township. ANDREW J. ELLIS was born in Muskingum County. Ohio, July 81, 1838, and is one of five children of Ellas and Susan (Nash) Ellis. The father traces his an- cestry to three brothers who came from Wales at an early period of our country's history. He has spent his life in his native State. Ohio, occupied in farming. He was four years in the Ohio House of Representatives, and a similar period in the Senate. He was Colonel of militia several years, and at the beginning of the re- bellion offered his services, which were rejected on account of his advanced age. He and wife will celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversarj' September 24, 1883. Andrew, the subject of this sketch, received his education at Zanesville, Ohio, re- maining at home until his majority, when he enlisted in Company K. Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three months. He then became Captain and half owner of a. steamboat plying on the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers. In 186T, he located in Newton County, Ind.. purchasing 900 acres in McClellan Township^ where he now resides, farming and raising stock. He was married, December 29, 1869, to Susan Peters, daughter of William and !Mary (French) Peters, of Illinois. Five children were born to them, two only of whom, Elias and Horace, are living. The others died in infancy. Jlr. Ellis is a member of ^Morocco Lodge, No 372, A., F. & A. M.. In politics, he is a Democrat, and one of the prominent men of the township. EDWARD E. PARSONS, a native of Kankak.'c County. 111., was born March 4, 1851, being the oldest of two children of Elisba and (~)rpha (Sirpless) Parsons. He is of Irish and Welsh descent. In 1868, his parents removed to Lake Township. Newton Co., Ind., where his fallicr i)urchased tlic farm upon which he still lives. Edward E. remained with liis parents until twenty-one, receiving a comnuiu school education. On May."), IST:i. lie married Sarah M. Rolierts, of Wabash County, 111.. 5, when be enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the regiment was mustered out, when he was transferred to Company G, One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and re- mained until mustered out at Springfield, III., in September, 1865. After the war LAKE TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 805 he rented and worked farms for two years, and then bought a farm in this township, which he owned until he engaged in his present business. Mr. DeWolf was married, in September. 1861, to Ann Ilooton, a native of Indiana. They have had six chil- dren, five of whom are living— Minnie. Mahlon F., Cora J., Lucy A. and Guy- James A. died when two years old. Mr. DeWolf has been Trustee of the township for twelve years. He is a Republican, and one of the prominent men of the county- PETER FEDDE was born in Holstein, Germany, November 1, 1834, and is the eldest of six children born to John and Margarette (Martens) Fedde, both natives of Germany. His parents passed their lives on a farm, which they owned, in their na- tive country. Peter Fedde was educated in Germany, and by his own efforts has since acquired a practical knowledge of English. When twenty years old, hejcame to Chicago, and worked on railroads at different places for three years; afterward on a farm for seven years. He married, March 23, 1863, A. M. Kolb, a native of Ger- many, and daughter of Christian and Wipke (Rathman) Kolb. They have had sev- en children, of whom five are living — .John H., Anna W., Mary C, Alice M. and Eva R. Robert E. and Frederick A. both died in infancy. After working farms in Will and Kankakee Counties, 111., he engaged in mercantile pursuits at Shelbyville, 111., continuing three years; then again Avorked a farm in that State, about three years. In 1874, he came to this township, and purchased the farm of 100 acres upon which he still resides; about one-half of the farm is improved. Mr. Fedde de- voles considerable attention to stock-raising. He and wife are members of the Lu- theran Church. Mr. Fedde is a Republican and a citizen of high standing in the communit}'. JOHN W. GUILFORD was born in Kalamazoo County, Mich., August 30, 1835, and is one of five children (all b03''s) born to Erastus and Elizabeth (McElvain) GuiP ford, the former a native of Massachusetts, the latter of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch descent. Erastus Guilford, when a young man, went to Michigan, where he pre- empted land, and was one of the first four settlers of Kalamazoo County, where he married and lived the remainder of his life. John W. Guilford was educated in his native county. His father died when John W. was si.xteen years old, leaving him the head of the family, which position he held until twenty-one. He then worked by the month for a few j-ears, after which he went to Kankakee County., 111., and bought a farm, on which he lived until 1871, when he came to this township and located upon the farm of 360 acres, his present home. It was then wild prairie, but is now well improved, and he is at present building a fine house upon it. Mr. Guilford was married, April 20, 1860, to Ann E. McElvain, a native of Michigan. Three children have been born to this union, two of whom are living — Lodema A. and Elmo A. Hamlin died at about four years of age. Mr. Guilford has been Township Trustee. He is a Republican. JAMES HALLACKwasbornin New York January 3, 182.5, and is one of thirteen children b(n-n to John and Sarah Hallack, both natives of New York. The parents passed their lives on a farm in their native State. James Hallack remained at home until twenty-one years old; then spent two years in Canada, following various oc- cupations. After that he lived two years in New York, and five years in Canada, and in 1855 moved to Kankakee County, 111., where he owned a farm a short time. He then went into the fruit-raising liusiness, continuing until 1862, when he came to this township and located upon the farm of 120 acres, upon which he still resides. Sixty acres of this farm consists of orchard, wliicli is tlie largest in the county. He also owns 360 acres of land in different parts of the township. He gives considera- ble attention to the dairy business, having some high grade and thoroughbred Jer- sey cattle. Mr. Hallack was married, October 18, 1847. to Mary Gleason, a native of Canada. They have had ten children, of whom eight are living— Mrs. I,. N. Wells, Mrs. John White, Mrs. Fletcher Bunton, Netlie, Charles, Abraham, Ransom 806 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: and William. Mr. Hallack was Commissioner of Newton County for one term, and also served a term as Township Trustee. He is a Republican, an early settler, and a prominent citizen. SOLO^MON KENRICH was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, August 7, 1833, and is one of four children born to Isaac and Magdelena Kenrioh, natives of Ohio, and of German descent. Isaac Kenrich,was married in Ohio, and followed farming until his death. His widow married again, and is living in Momence, 111. When our subject was three years old, his father died. Solomon remained with his mother until twenty years of age, when he bought a farm of 200 acres in Kankakee County, III., which he owned until six years ago, when he exchanged with Mr. Gar- vais for 120 acres. His farm comprises 850 acres, most of it in this township. It is in a high state of cultivation, and has good buildings. He gives considerable attention to stock-raising, principally cattle, having some high-grade Durhams. Mr. Ken- rich was married, September 8. 1864, to Mariah Bennett, a native of Trumbull Count}', Ohio, who died June 16. 1873, leaving four children — Isabel, Rose, Adacah and Ray. Mr. Kenrich next married, April 15, 1874, Cora Metcalf, a native of Kan- kakee County, 111. Four children have been born to them, of whom there are liv- ing — Jay, Effie and Ora. Ivy died when three years old. Mr. Kenrich and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a Republican, and highly es- teemed in the community. GEORGE W. MILK was born in Port Byron, Cayuga Co., N. Y.. November 30, 1850, and is one of live children born to William W. and Elizabeth (Criss) Milk, the former a native (probably) of JIassachusetts, and the latter of New York, and of English and German descent respectively. William W. Milk removed to New York when quite yotmg, and was there married, and lived until his death in Decem- ber, 1871. George W. Milk moved to Kankakee Count}', 111., when fourteen years old, and worked on a farm by the month for three years; afterward he rented and worked a farm for one year. He then returned to New York and worked in shoe factories at Auburn and Utica for five years, when he came to McClellan Township, Newton Co., Ind., and managed a farm for his uncle Lemuel Milk for two years. He next spent about three years in Kansas and Colorado, following stage driving, mail carrjdng, etc., after which he returned to Newton County and located on the farm of 2,800 acres belonging to his uncle, which he still operates. He keeps a large amount of stock, sheep, cattle and hogs, and does an extensive business. Mr. Milk was married to Mrs. Mary A. Kay, a native of Tippecanoe County. Ind. Mr. Milk is a Repulilican, and one of the most enterprising farmers of the county. JOSEPH PACY was born in Lincolnshire, England, November 8, 1829, and is one of four children born to Robert and Ann (Iloulton) Pacy, both natives of En- gland. The parents spent their lives m their native country. Subject's paternal grandfather was in the marine service during the Napoleonic war. and was twice shipwrecked. Joseph Pacy workcnl on a farm in England until 1857. when he came to Cook County, 111., where he farmed until 1865. He then worked under contract for excavating and macadamizing for the city of Chicago and real estate men until 1875. lie built and graded the three parks. Douglas, Humboldt and Garfield, and also paved many of the strcels, having been the first to use cinders for that purpose. After spending two years in England, he came again to Chicago and continued as contractor until 1882, when he came to lliis towuship and bought the farm of 330 acres upon which he now resides. He is improving the place very m\ich. and will soon liave one of the best farms in the township. Jlr. Pacy was married in Decem- ber, 1875, to Jlrs. Harriet Cleal, a native of England. She has four children— Jo- seph. Lila, Elizabetli and Hugh. Jlr. Pacy has never become a naturalized citizen. KLISIIA PARSOKS was bom in Vigo County. Ind.. August 13, 1821, and is one of eleven children born to Elisha and Hannah (Taggert) Parsons, natives of LAKE TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. . 807 Massachusetts and Rhode Island respectively, the former of remote Welsh, and the latter of English descent. The parents when young removed to New York, where, they married, and in 1818 removed to Vigo County, Ind., and in 1835 to Parke County, where Mr. Parsons, Sr., died in 1837. The family returned to Vigo County. April 11, 1869, Mrs. Parsons, Sr., died in Kankakee, 111. Elisha Parsons, our sub- ject, after his father's death became the head of the family. When twenty-five years old, he went to Kankakee County, 111., and lived with his brother two years, after which he owned and worked farms until 1808, when he came to this township, and soon after bought the farm of .560 acres upon which he still resides. Mr. Par- sons has been twice married, first. May 1, 1840, to Orpha L. Sirpless, a native of Ohio, who died October 10, 1854, leaving two children— Edward E., and Frank C. (who died in April, 1883). Mr. Parsons next married, March 30, 1856, Eleanor J. Gartrell, a native of Maryland. By this union they have had seven children, five of whom are living— Charles A., Mary E., Henry T., Lucy 6. and John E. Mr. Parsons held various civil offices in Illinois, and is Recorder-elect of Newton County, Ind. He is a Republican, and one of the prominent men of the county. ENOCH SPRY was born in Estill County, Ky., December 27, 1830, and is one of nine children born to John and Vina (Kimbrell) Spry. John Spry was a native of North Carolina, from which State he moved when a boy, with his mother, to Kentucky, where he passed the remainder of his life on a farm. Enoch Spry was married, July 12, 1850, in his native State, to Mary Burton, a native of same State. Their union has been blessed with three children, two of whom are living— Mrs. Isaac Kight and William. Elizabeth died when nine years old. Mr. Spry rented and worked farms until 1855, when he moved to Kankakee County, 111., and con- tinued farming three years, after which he worked in a grist mill six years, and then resumed farming. In 1867, he came to this township and settled on a farm for six years. He now manages the farm belonging to A. Gregory, of Chicago, consisting of 1,280 acres, of which about 320 acres are improved. The business is extensive, and a large amount of stock is kept on the farm. Mr. Spry is a Demo- crat and a prominent farmer. 808 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. ALBERT M BOYLE was born in Bureau County, 111., February 33, 1843, and i3 one of six children born to Oliver and Elizabeth (Wilson) Boyle. For sketch of parents see biography of Ed T. Boyle. Albert M. Boyle was educated at Prince- ten 111 Oliver Boyle died when our subject was eight years old. Albert remained with his mother workin- on a farm until December 5, 1861, when he married Charlotte M Hook, a native of Daviess County, Ind. By this union there are six chil- dren-Marion D., Charles M., Elizabeth A., James 0., William H. and Minnie B. Mr Boyle rented and worked farms for two years. In June, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until mustered out at Springfield, 111., in November of the same year. His service was principally in Missouri and Kansas. After his return, he managed the wintering of 1,300 head of cattle in Putnam County, 111. In March. 1865, he came to Lake Township, this county, and bought a farm near Blue Grass Landing; sub-, sequently he made two removals in same township, and in 1875 came to this town- ship and bought the farm of eighty acres, upon which he now resides. He has been a contractor for railroad work. Mr. Boyle has been Justice of the Peace in Lincoln Township for four years, and is a Republican. He is one of the earliest settlers in this part of the county; at the time of his arrival, the nearest family on the east was sixteen miles distant. EDWARD T. BOYLE was liorn in Bureau County, 111., April 4. 1844, and is one of six children born to Oliver and Elizabeth (Wilson) Boyle, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. The parents when young removed to Illinois, where they married, and where Oliver Bojie was partner in the firm of Boyle & Temple- ton" at Princeton, 111., until his death, November 36. 1850. His wife died July 16, 1881. Edward T. Boyle was educated in Princeton, 111., and attended the college at that place about a year. After his father's death, his mother removed to a farm upon which Edward worked until August 36, 1863, when he married Sarah J. Hook, a native of Daviess County, Ind. He then worked two years upon the farm which he owned in conncction-with his brother; then spent about three years in Dade County, Mo., after which he went to La Salle County, 111., and bought alarm, which he owned until 186S. He next came to this county and remained on his brother's farm near Lake Village a few years, when he came to this township and bouglit the farm of eighty acres upon which he now resides. He has since added eighty acres, and it is well cultivated and improved. Mr. Boyle was Township Trustee three terms, and is a Republican. He has tliree children — Clarence O., Charles A. and Clara J. EDWIN W. GOULD was liorn in Jelferson County, N. Y.. October 3, 1834. and is one of twelve children liorn to James and Lydia (Goodwin) Gould, both na- tivesof New York, the former of remote German descent. The parents were married in New York, where they lived on a farm until 1839, when they moved to Geauga County, Ohio, and in IH4(i went to Will County, III., where they passed the remain- der of their lives. Edwin W. Gould attended the high schools at Joliet. 111., after which he taught school four years in Illinois, and two years in Arkansas, He next owned a farm and store, and also engaged in the lumber trade, getting out staves, etc., all of which he lost on the breaking-out of the war. September 4. 1861. he en- listed in First I5altery, Kentucky Light Artillery, and served with the Battery (ex- <'epling two years when he was on detached service), until mustered out at Louis- LINCOLN TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 809 ville, .August 31, 1865. He participated in the battles nf Stone River, Donelson, Corinth, Perry ville, Liberty and Hoover's Gap, in the pm-suit of Morgan, and in many minor engagements. September 15, 1865, he married Mary L. Bruechet, a native of Switzerland, and daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Lopinat) Bruechet. They have had six children, five of whom are living— Ada, Lydia, Eva, Edwin and Joseph. Mr. Gould then went into the mercantile business at Gardner, 111., next rented and worked his father's farm until 1875, when he came to this township and bought the farm of 280 acres upon which he now resides. The greater part is well cultivated and improved. Mr. Gould is a Greenbacker, and one of the prominent men of the township. KELLER, CRAIG ct CO., general merchants. Rose Lawn, Ind., began busi- ness May 10, 1881, in their present building, which was the first foundation laid in Rose Lawn. Their business is the most extensive, and they carry by far the largest and finest stock of dry goods, groceries, hardware, implements, etc., inthe county. They owq a large warehouse, and handle grain and all kinds of produce, and also operate a lumber yard. They have an annual trade of $60,000 to |75,000. Jacob Keller, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in October, 1847. "When a boy, he removed with his parents to Pulaski Count}', Ind., and was one of the earliest settlers of that county. At the age of eighteen, he went into the mercantile business at North Judson, Ind., in which business he still owns a half interest. In 1878, he opened a store at Winamac, and has since opened similar stores in Lowell, Crown Point, and a commission house at Chicago, in all of which he owns a half or third interest. In 1881, he removed his residence to Chicago, in order that he could the better manage so extensive a business. He is considered the heaviest buyer for the retail market, purchasing goods in Chicago. He also has a large banking interest. Mr. Keller is 3'et a j'oung man, and has made every dol- lar of his property. As a business man. he probably has no superior in the State. Lon Craig, the second member of the firm, was born in Jennings County, Ind., February 13, 1847, and is one of eight children born to John and Lois (Sanford) Craig. John Craig, a native of Scotland, came to the United States-when he was seventeen years old. He soon after began business as a contractor for stone work on railroads, and worked in nearly every State in the Union. He had the contract for the stone work and bridges on the first railroad built in Indiana. He died March 16, 1863. Lon Craig, in February, 1864, enlisted in Company D, Twenty-ninth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, and served until mustered out December 10, 1865. He participated a*, the battles of Dalton and Decatur, on Hood's campaign to Nashville, and in other minor engagements. After his return, he followed various occupation.s, such as driving team across the prairie to New Mexico, railroading, etc., until 1873, when he engaged as clerk with L. and J. Keller, at North Judson, where he re- mained until 1879, when he took charge of a branch house at Winamac, remaining there until his removal to Rose Lawn. He was married, March 9, 1879, to Nellie Gilkey, a native of Montgomery County, Ind. Mr. Craig is a member of North Judson Lodge, No. 438, A., F. & A. M. He is a Republican, and one of the most enterprising business men of the county. WILLIAM M. KENNEY, general merchant, Thayer, Ind., began business in May, 1883, and has the only business of the kind in the village; he carries a well- selected stock, and is doing a large and increasing trade. He is also agent for the stations of Thayer, Water Valley and Shelby, on the L., N. A. & C. R. R., and is Postmaster at the first-named place. Mr. Kenney wa.s born in Ontario, Canada, August 24, 1847, and is the only child of Absalom H. and Charlotte C. (Smith) Ken- ne}', both natives of Canada, where the latter is still living. When our subject was ten years old. his father died. AVilliam M. lived with his mother until he attained his majority, spending considerable time traveling in the United States. He then 810 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES; ; rented and worked farms in Canada until 1879, Then he came to this township, and erected the first store building in the township; conducted a general merchandise business until 1883, when he removed to his p€-eseut location. Mr. Kenne}' was married, December 23, 1879, to Alice M. Freeman, also a native of Ontario, Canada. They have had one child. Mr. Kenney is a Republican, and one of the enterprising men of the county. JOHN D. SINK was born in Cass County, Mich., July 23, 1843, and is one of five children born to Silas and Frances (Layman) Sink, both natives of Virginia, and both of German and English descent. The parents when young removed to Michigan, where they were married, and lived upon a farm until 18.56. when they went to Grundy County, 111., remaining until 186.5, when they came to this county, where they still reside. The father, Silas, in 1863 enlisted in the Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and served about two years, participating at the battle of Shi- loh, and other engagements. .John D. Sink remained with his parents until twenty years old; went with them to Illinois; then- returned to Michigan, and followed car- pentering four years; afterward worked in a saw-mill three years. In 1868, he came to this township, and remained on his father's farm two years; then managed the farm of John Adams, of Chicago, until 1873, when he came to the farm of eighty acres upon which he now resides. Mr. Sink was married. June 4, 1868, to Emma Garrett, a native of England. They have two children — Frances G. and Mj'rtie B. Mrs. Sink died, and Mr. Sink next married a daughter of Aaron TVilson. He was a Justice of the Peace from the organization of the township until elected Trustee, which office he still holds. He is a stanch Republican. AARON AVILSON was born in Union County. Ind.. June 21. 1837, and is one of eleven children born to Daniel and Sarah (Sunderland) "U'ilson, both natives of Ohio, the latter of Irish descent. The parents were married and lived in Ohio until 1823, when they moved to Union County, Ind. In 1856. Daniel Wilson removed to Cass County, Ind., where he resided until his death. His wife died just previous to his removal from Union County. Aaron Wilson was married, November 18, 1847, to Bridget .1. Hester, a native of Union County, Ind. He rented and worked farms for two years, then bought farms in various places in Indiana and Illinois until 1866, when he came to this township, and purchased the farm of 130 acres (70 acres of which be has since sold) upon which he now resides. He gives his attention largely to fruit-raising and gardening. August 4. 1863. he enlisted in Company A, Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment until Sep- tember, 1863, when he was transferred to the Invalid Corps. He was at the battle of Munfordsville, after which he was taken sick, which prevented further active service. Mr. Wilson's first wife died in January, 1857, leaving one child, now Mrs. P. A. Downer. November 1, 1857, he married JIary Ray. a native of Union County, Ind., and d.aughter of Robert and Hannah (Fordyce) Ray. They have three children- William F., Mrs. John Sink and George M. Jlr. Wilson was the first Trustee of the township, and one of the early settlers. He is a Republican. t