'o ^/ -^ -^ ^<'^ ^ X' * ., ,1 ■ "6, .V' ^^ -^c^. s-'^v ^^^^..,, \^' ■\ ^^A v^ .-J^' ' « * .-^' ^N^ ' ^'P ,^\ ,-is^ .Vl, :% %^ v\^ '' n ^, .. v;; 'jj ": f J ., . ^ _ oo' '^A v^^ ': ^ ''u ^^^- / ,0 %<"' '.^' "'r^. .'^^ ^'^ '■»:'> vV-' ■'>< 00 % '^' % o> s V .6^ a -6" •^' v. * ■>' .^ V '^' .'■ .0 -J, vO ^y o " '/, A^^ .0 o. . V c ° '^ •• * -r, " 0> <-:s- ..<<■ ;> ..^.^;^\' .o.^' /■ '■ /,■ '^^ .V~ o. .-0" .^^' 'cf- 'bo^ ,^- -^> A' A- if>. ■^^^ \^' x\" .^' ,0o v^' 't. ^-" . '^^ V^ '^y. v^^' vV' . ( COUNTIES OF nn Bito u,u r^if IN^DIA^N^. HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, IXjILiTJSTI^.A.a?EID. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1883. 4 n'^x 'Of >f PREFACE. THIS volume goes forth to our natrons the result of months of arduous, un- remittincr 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. Durina 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 files of the counties have been overhauled, and former citizens, now living out of the counties, have been corresponded with, for the verification of the information by a conference with many. In gathering from these numei-ous sources, both for the historical and biographical departments, the conflicting statements, the discrepancies and the tallible 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 accuracy, in panoramic review a record of events. Members of the same families disagree as to the spellin'evelopnieut of the State 30 Division of the Northwest Territory 21 Formation of Counties 30 l>A(iE French Settlement, The 16 Lords of the Soil, The 23 Organization of the Northwest Territory. 20 Organization of the State 29 I'ublic Lands 28 War of 1«12. The 26 PART IT. HISTORY or WARREN COUNTY. OEO logy AND Sf.TTLKMENT 31 Advantages, Natural 31 Black Hawk War 40 Bowlders, The 33 Chatterlie Reservation 40 Cicott, Zachariah 3() Cicott and the Harrison Campaign 38 Cicott After the War 39 Coal 34 Drainage 31 Factories, Early 4") Indians, The 3() Land Entries, First 4'i Landscape, The 32 Library, County 4'J McClure Workingmen's Institute 4H Mills, Early 4o Mound- Builders. The 35 Old-Time Customs 44 Railroads 49 Sandstone .34 Settlement by the Whites 41 Surface (ieology .'13 Topography 32 Township, Medina, 18.36 ."iS Town.ship, Mound, 1836 49 Township, I'ike, 1836 50 Town.ship, Pine, 1836 52 Townshiii, Warren, 1836 51 Township, Washington, 1836 HO Vigilant Companies 47 Wfld Animals 40 CoiTNTY ORS 53 Acts of < oniraissioners 63 Agents of Thrce-per-cent Fund 79 Boun7 Ik)undary Alteration, Township 61 Circuit ( ourt, First Sitting of. .57 Circuit Court, Second Session of. 58 Circuit Court, Subsequent .Sessions of. 59 Circuit Court Clerks 78 Circuit Court .ludges 79 Commissioners 78 Common Pleas .ludges 79 Coroners 79 County Agents 80 I'AOE- County Officers 78 Court Houses 64 Court House, The New 65 Creation of County 53 Creation of Townships 61 Cutter Bar Manufacturing Company 77 Election Returns, First 55 Election Returns, 1S27 to 1880 70-76 lOstablishment of County Seat 54 Fair, Warren County 68 Finances, County....". 80 ("■rangers. The 78 Medical ."society 77 Name of County 66 Old .'Settlers' Association 69 Organization of County 54 Pauper, First County 66 Politics, County .'. 70 Poor Farm 67 Population of County 66 Probate Court, First ^9 Probate Court, Second 60 Probate .ludges 79 Recapitulation of Taxes, 1882 84-85 Recorders 79 He-location of County Scat 56 Roads, (iravel 77 School Commissioners 79 Sheriffs 79 Surveyors 79 Statisticsof 1K40 69 Tal>le of Receipts and Expenditures 82-83 Treasurers 79 Vote for August, 1.S27 70 Towns ani> Villages RT) Baltimore 113 Carbondale 114 Chesapeake 114 County Press 96 Orecn Hill, or Milford 107 lledrick 114 Independence 100 .lolinsonville 114 Marshlield Ill Milford, or (irecn Hill 107 CONTENTS : HISTORY OP WARBEN COUNTY.— Continued. PAGE. Towns and Villages.— Continued. Pine Village 106 Point Pleasant 114 Rainsville 109 State Line City 104 Warrenton 85 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 98 West Lebanon's Secret Societies 100 Williams2)0rt 86 Williamsport's Merchants and Mechanics.. 87 Williamsport's Mills and Factories 92 Williamsport, New Town 93 Williamsport's Postmasters and Attorneys 93 Williamsport's Present Business 95 Williamsport's Secret Societies 94 Military History of Warren County 115 Assassination of President IJncoln 133 Battles in which Warren County Men Par- ticipated 134 Campaign of the Warren Guards 120 Call of August 4, 1862 124 Call of October, 1863 126 Call of April 23, 1864 126 Call of July 16, 1864 126 Call of September 19, 1864 127 Close of the Pvebellion 132 County Bounty 130 Democratic Meeting 120 Draft of October 6, 1862 125 Enlistments, Continued 121 Enlistments Under the Calls of July and August, 1862 122 Enlistments During 1803 125 Fall of Atlanta 128 First County Relief. 119 Late Civil Strife, The 115 Letters from Camp and Field 119 page. Lincoln's Second Inauguration 132 Military Officers from Warren County 129 Militia System, The Old 115 One Hundred Days' Service Men 126 Opposition to the War 132 Soldiers of the Wars Prior to 1861-65 115 Re-organization of Company B 120 Return of the Soldier Boys 133 Return of the Warren Guards 120 Roll of Honor 135 Summary of Troops from Warren County. 134 Union Soldiers' Picnic 129 Volunteering, Continued 118 War Meeting, First 117 War Jleeting, Second 118 AVar Meeting of July 19 123 War Meeting of July 21 123 Williamsport Literary Society 129 Education in Warren County , 13S p:arly Schools, The 13S 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 West Lebanon Seminary 144 Williamsport Debating Society 145 Religion in Warren County 148 Circuit Riders, The 148 Gopher Hill Church 150 Grand Prairie Ilarmonial Association 154 Humanitarian Society of Spiritualists 156 Independence Churches ^150 Marshfield Churches 152 Pine Village Churches 153 Rainsville Churches 152 State Line City Churches 152 West Lebanon Churches 151 Williamsport Churches lo3 BIO«RAPHICAIi SKETCHES. page. J. Q. Adams Township 196 Jordan Township 192 Kent Township 177 Liberty Township 188 Medina Township 194 Mound Township 175 PAGE. Pike Township 166 Pine Township 202 Prairie Township 209 Steuben Township 180 Warren Township 184 AVilliamsport and Washington Township 157 PORTKAIT. St. John, Seth, between pages . .58-59 PART III. HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. PAGE. General County Matters 213 Apostrophe to the Old Court House 251 Changes in Townships 222 County Farm and Buildings 238 Courts, Early 231 Court House, First in the County 234 Court House, Second at Oxford 236 Court House at Fowler 247 Creation of Townships 222 Early Elections 228 Erection of Public Buildings 233 Jail, First in Benton County 235 Jail, Second in the County 238 Jail at Fowler 252 Land Entries, Early 222 Lji 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 Calls for Troops 487 Cavalry, Twelfth ."502 Infantry, Ninth 489 Infantry, Fifteenth 492 Infantry, Seventeenth 494 Infantry, Forty-eighth 495 Infantry, Eighty-seventh 49G Soldiers' .Md Society 489 Tables Showing Enlistments, etc 488 Growth of Vii,t.Aiih:.s ."ios Blue (IrasM SettleiiH'nt 617 David.sonville ,516 Fork's ,' NORTHWEST. 21 the United States I)}' Virginia tlirec years before, and in October tbllovviny Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair was elected by Congress as Governor. In July. 1788. the Gbvernor arrived at Fort Ilarinar (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 diliicult 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 count}', 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- ei'nor. The general situation is described b}^ the Governor in his report to the Secretary of War as follows : "'The Illinois country, 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 the}' 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 extraordinary* 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." DIVI.SION 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 Oliio, 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 b}' the Indians, in the treatv of Green- ville. The other district was denominated the Indiana Territor}', and em- braced all the region east of the Mississippi, and between the lakes and the Ohio. The population of all this tract of countr}-, b}' the census of 1800, 22 THE OLD NORIHWEST. was 4,875, of which a small portion, in Clark's grant, was of English descent ; the remainder, mostl}' of French extraction, resided at or near Kaskaskia, Vincennes and Detroit. William Henr}' Harrison was appointed Governor of Indiana Territor}-, 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 the\' could, with as much propriet3\. grant to themselves as to others. Accord- inglv, an arrangement was made by which the whole countr}^, 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 day 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 they could find no purchasers, and the idea of holding any part of the land was by the greater part of them abandoned. A few years ago, however, the claim was discovered, and a part of it pur- chased by some of those speculators who infest our country, 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 indifferent horse or rifle gun.'' By the treaty of 1795, 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 year the first Legislature for Indiana Territory was assembled at Vincennes. There were then five 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 1808, the county of Harrison was formed, and an apportionment of the Representatives to the Legislature was made, by which three members were to be elected from the county of Knox, one from Harrison, two from Clark and three from Dearborn — nine in all. The Terri- tory of Indiana was divided in 1809, and the western part denominated Illinois. The boundary then, as now, was the Lower Wabash, and the line running north from Vincennes, where it last leaves the Wabash. In 1810, the counties of Franklin, Wayne and Jefferson were formed ; in 1814, the counties of Gibson, Warwick, Washington, Perry, Switzerland and Posey were added, and in 1815 the law creating Jackson and Orange was passed Gov. Harrison having been appointed, in the fall of 1812, to command the Northwestern army, Thomas Posey was appointed Governor of the Territory; THE OLD NORTHWEST. 23 aud ill the following year the seat of government was moved from Mn- 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 ihe vast territor}- 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 in securing favorable treaties with the various tribes, it required the campaigns of Harraar, St. Clair and Wayne, before the Greenville 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. AVa3'ne is now situated. 2. One tract two miles square, on the Wabasli lliver, at the end of the por- tage from the Maumee River, about eight miles westward from Ft. Wayne. o. 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 Yincennes 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 boundary' line, running directly from the site of Fort Recovery, so as to intersect the Ohio River at* a point opposite the mouth of the Kentucky. When Gen. Harrison became Governor of Indiana Territorj-, he was in- vested with authority by the General Government to make such further treaties as would best extinguish the claims of the Indians. Accordingly 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 Kichardvillc, to settle a treaty for the extinguishment of Indian claims to certain lands on the borders of the Waljash, in the vicinity of Vincennes. On June 7, 1803, at Ft. Wavne, certain chiefs and head men of the Delaware, Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Eel River, Kickapoo, Piankeshaw and Kaskaskia tribes ceded to the United States about 1,000,000 acres of land. Again at Vincennes, on the 18th day of August of the following year, the Delawares ceded their claim to the tract of land lying between the Wabash and the Ohio Rivers, aud south of the road which led from Vincennes to the falls of the Ohio, the Piankeshaws relincpiisliing their claims to the same tract a few days later in the same month. By a treaty concluded at Grouseland, near Vincennes, August 21, 1805, th(! Governor secured from certain chiefs and warriors of the Delaware, Pottawatomie, Miami, Eel River and Wea tribes the cession of their lands lying southeast of the line running northeasterly from a pi)int about fifty- 24 THE OLD NORTHWEST. seven miles clue east from Vincennes, so as to strike the general boundary- line (running from a point opposite the mouth of the Kentucky River to Fort Recover}'), at the distance of fift}' miles from the commencement on the Ohio. On the 30th of December, this 3'ear, at Vincennes, the Piankeshaw tribe ceded about 2,600,000 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 2,900,000 acres of land lying principally on the southeastern side of the Wabash, be- low the mouth of the Raccoon Creek. The chiefs of the Wea tribe in the following month met Grov. Harrison at Vincennes and acknowledged the validit}^ 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, Tecumseh and his brotner, La-le-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 3'ear, " Loud Voice" took upon himself the character of prophet and reformer, and earnestly' inveighed against the use of whisky, 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 band of Shawanoes about him, who about the end of this year moved to G-reenville, Ohio. The increase of their num- bers and the knowledge of their sentiments with reference to the whites, aroused considerable alarm among the settlers, untiK the spring of 1808, when the band removed to the Wabash near the mouth of Tippecanoe Creek, where they established the famous Prophet's town. These proceed- ings had not escaped the watchful eye of Grov. 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 1810 a rupture seemed likely to occur at an}' moment. In August, Tecumseh, accompanied by sevent^'-five warriors, came to Vincennes to have an interview with Gov. Harrison. From the 12th to the 22d there was a series of conferences which developed the grievances and determinations of the natives. In one of these confer- ences Tecumseh said : " Since the treaty of Greenville you have killed some of the Shawanoes, Winnebagoes, Delawares and Miamis, and 3'ou have taken our lands from us ; and 1 do not see how we can remain at peace with you 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 we shall show to those who sold that they had no right to the claim they set up ; and we shall see what will be done with those chiefs that did sell the land to THE ()M> 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 would forcibly resist an attempt to survey the lands ceded at Ft. Wayne, and was answered in sub- stance, that the}' would resist. Said he : •' We do not wish you to take 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 directyou to give up the land. It is true he is so far ofl' that he will not be injured by the war. He ma}' sit still in his town and drink his wine while you and I will have to fight it out." In the meantime, this disatf'ection among the Indians was increased b}' 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 b}' straggling parties upon the property of the settlers. Several surveying 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 vicinit}'. In the latter part of June, Harrison sent an address to Tecumseh, and the Prophet, to which the chiefs made a lengthy reply, and proposed to visit the Governor again in person. In pursuance of this project, Tecumseh came to A'incennes 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 immediatel}' 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 finally become impressed that the confederation at the Prophet's town must be suppressed by force. To this end, acting under the authority of the General Government, a force of some 900 men set out in September from Vincennes under command of Harrison. The little army moved up the Wabash, and eilected Fort Harrison on the east bank of the Wabash, above where the city of Terre Haute now stands. Leaving a small garrison here, the remain- der of the army moved in the direction of Prophets town, encamping on the 2d of November two miles below the moutli of Big Vermillion liiver, where a small block-house was erected on the west bank of the Wabash. Leaving a Sergeant with eight men to garrison it. with orders to protect the boats emplo3ed in transporting supplies to tiie army, ihe rest of the force pro- ceeded to the Indian village, arriving at this point on the Otii 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 northeast of the present city of Lafayette. The troops encamped in oriler of battle, with clothes and accouterments on, fire arms loadcnglomerate sand rocks, and deep into the subcarboniferous formation. The soil of this belt is mostly yellowish clay, the decomposition of Silurian, Devonian and sub- carboniferous lime rocks, imported by rivers anciently flowing at this level. It is rich in tree food, and was originally clothed in a dense for- est of oak, hickory, ash, walnut, poplar, beech, maple and other large HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 38 trees, beech and sugar trees i)redominating on the reddish clay soils, and oak trees on drift clays or sandy soils. The bluflfs along the Wabash River and the principal creeks are from eighty to 150 feet in height, and are of romantic boldness. The tojis at several stations are crowned with pines and cedars, and the sides are generally ciu'tained with living walls of conglomerate or subcarboniferous sand rocks. SURFACE GEOLOGY. " The surface deposits of this connty 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 sedimentary sands and clays, torn away and transported by streams at high water stage, and thrown upon the Hood plain by overflow. The soil is sandy, largely intermixed with decayed leaves and other vegetable matter, and is in eflfect a ricli 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 Mouod 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, but 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 unifonn- i:y of the material, we may date back the age of these terraces to the time when they served as Hood 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. •' Still higher, reaching up to the most elevated point in the county, and full 'JOG feet above the bed of the Wabash River, are found the oldest alluvium terraces and banks of modilied drift gravels and sand, as at Walnut Grove, in Prairie TowDship. These signalize the infancy of the river when, an insigniticant and currentless stream with uncertain course, the Wabash, traversing all the region for thirty to forty miles on either side, sometimes flowing ground 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 j^roportion 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 bowldere and coarse gravel are scatteretl from near the top down to within tive 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 safely conclude that erosivo action had carried away the 34 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. liner matrix, leaving bare the heavy rocks. These in return, by their number, are a measure of the amount of denudation. Partings of quick- sands and thin layers 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- bearing str-eam from the North was obstructed or overpowered by currents from the east or from the west, thus mingling with the northern drift 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 potter's 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. SANDSTONE. "Conglomerate sand rock, resting on subcarboniferous groups of rock, containing coal plants and dark pyritous clay, is of irregular formation. Upon exposure to the air, it decomposes, washes away, and gives origin to caves, cascades and rock houses, so common in Kentucky. It is often accompanied by a thin seam of coal. In Warren County, no coal was found more than two inches thick and a single band of black slate at Munson's old mill on Little Pine. " In the northwestern portion of the county, outliers of conglomerate rock are found capping the highest tables, as at Black Rock and near Green Hill; also at Point of Rocks, below Rainsville, and Island Rock, in Mud Pine. It extends to the west with a slight dip to the west bank of Pine Creek, where the dip suddenly increases at the rate of twenty to thirty Eeet per mile. Southerly along the line of strike. Pine Creek flows in a deep valley, generally walled by bold mural escarpments or over- hanging cliffs of massive sand rock, crowned with evei'green pines, cedars and juniper trees, combining scenery at once grand, 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 features made Pine Creek a strong line of defense in Indian warfare, well suited to their strategy, and in the campaign of 1811, the confederate tribes planned to fight here with Gen. Harrison. The gallant General, by a quick march to the left flank, crossed higher up to the open prairie, and ended the w^ar by the brilliant victory of Tippecanoe. The conglomerate is well developed at Williams- port, on the Kickapoo, and in the bluffs near the mouth of Red Wood. This formation consists of massive, variously colored sandstone, and rarely presents the typical character from which the name is derived, but near the mouth of Kickapoo, at Black Rock and at Thompson's quarry, near Green Hill, specimens are found full of pebbles. These stones are easily quarried, freely cut, but harden upon exposui'e, making choice material for building piurposes. COAL, " The coal measures occur next 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- crop of coal may be traced from near the Ohio River in Dubois and Pike Counties to the middle of Warren County. Good, choice semi- block HISTORY OF WARIIEN COUNTY. 35 coal is found in the lower stream on Possum Run. at Steely's farm, at Adamson's and J. Brii^j^s', 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 feet iu thick- ness. The dark, bituminous limestone roof is almost invariably pres- ent, ranging from one to foiu* 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 dres.sed by workmen. Locally, it is known as black marble. Fat coking coal, con- taining much sulphur, 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 market. The seam ranges from six to eighteen inches in 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, neai* West Lebanon. Block coal is found at Hooper's and Barringer's, on Possum Run, and nearly as good at Lupold's. on Fall C'reek. The lower stratiun is generally crowded with leaves, fruits and trunks of carboniferous plants, in a remarkable state of preservation. Near 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, aftbrding a first rate section of the con- glomerate sand rock, in massive strata, from twenty to forty feet thick. Here a choice cpiarry is worked by the Hon. B. F. Gregory's heirs. As mentioned in the general outlines, it is probable that in the early ages. Wabash or Pine Creek, at a high level, Howed through this gap and thence south. At that time, was formed the valley and terrace j^lains 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 drops and in the winter time forms fairy gi'ottoes of ice and frost. Near by is a sulphur sjn'ing. 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 ])obbly. At the base of the sand rock and where it joins uj)on 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 MOUND-BUILDERS. It is a well known and conceded fact that all of Indiana and all her neighboring States were once inhabited by a semi -barbarous peojde. 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. structure. 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 accoimt for such divergence. All agree that the Mound- Bui Id- er.s were an agricultural people. They were idolatrous and immolated the lower animals and even human beings to secure the favor of thoir 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 nothing; they seem to have been erected, like the Bunker Hill monument, to commemorate some important tribal event. Mounds are foimd in Medina, Pine, Prairie, Adams, Liberty, Mound, and possibly other townships. Mound Township received its name from this circumstance. THE INDIANS. For several hundred years prior to the appearance of the white race, all the United States was inhabited by this people. 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 River, 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 eighteenth century and the first of the nineteenth. Warren County was thus on the boundary between the Miamis and the Kickapoos of Illinois. This was the condi- tion of things previous to about one hundred years ago. But from 17S() 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 Pottawatomies soon occupied almost all of Indiana north of the Wabash, while the Miamis retired mostly south of that river. Thus Warren County 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, probably, as the beginning of the pres- ent century, and certainly before the war of 1812. The Wabash had been the highway of travel for Frenchmen and missionaries between De- troit and the French settlements at Vincennes and at several places in Illnois since the latter part of the seventeenth century, and it is not un- likely that temporary trading posts were established in Warren County at very early periods. ZACHARIAH CICOTT. This man was a French Canadian, who at the age of about sixteen years came down the Wabash to Vincennes, where he lived for a number HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 37 of years and then began the business of convoying boats or pirogues 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 with some grain of allowance. If Cicott's statements were correct, he came to trade with the Pottawato- mies and Kickapoos 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 regarding these trading voyages. 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 caiised 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 usually 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 pirogue, but moored clo.se 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 mixture from the other. In this shrewd way he got all their furs and had considerable liquor left. But the Indians becaiiie clamor- ous and violent and demanded more whisky, and were refused because they had no more furs and were without money. One savage looking fellow, half-frenzied with intoxication, dr«w 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 drew 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 infuriated at the loss of their furs and ready to wreak their revenge on the trader, who was care- ful to keep on his pirogue and out of tlieir reach. The old chief Pari.sh came forward and lx)Ught 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 hi.s opportunity to es- cape, and quickly and cpiii'tly pulh'd out into the middle of the river and began to row rapidly down the stream, his departure being greatly *Cicott told this incident to Darid Mofflt, from whom it was obtained by tlie writer. 38 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. / favored by the approach of darkaess Aboufc a luilo dovvQ, he stoppai 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-eott, Se-e-eott." He did not dare to return, and continued on down the river. CrCOTT AND THE HARRISON CAMPAIGN. A short time before the war of 1812, Cicott received a note from Gen. Harrison at Vincennes, 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 persoiis with red and black paint and other horrid paraphernalia of sav- age warfare. The note was no sooner received than Cicott began mak- ing hun'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, jpulliug rapidly down the Wabash. His confidential Indian Avas left on shore to drive about forty ponies around through Warren County 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 Vincennes, 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 bring on an encounter in the ravines and timber, where their mode of warfare would be greatly favored, one of the places being on Big Pine Creek, eight or ten miles from its mouth; but Harrison 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 through 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 Adams and Medina Townships and into northern Tippecanoe County, where, on the 7th of November, 1811, the Indians were subdued in the bloody battle of Tippecanoe. Judge 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, went over the route or trail of the army and identified its camping places and related many interesting an- ecdotes. The army encamped in Warren County first in Kent Town- ship, in a detached grove, where two of the men died and were buried. The spot is used now as the Gopher Hill Cemetery. Much of the route of the army lay along an old Indian trail, and as it was afterward trav- eled considerably, it was worn so deep that it can yet be traced in the county some ten or twelve miles. In the door yard of G. H. Lucas, who lives about a mile east of State Line City, the trail is at least a foot deep and five or six yards wide. The army also encamped on the east bank of Big Pine Creek immediately after crossing the stream. A few traces of this encampment were yet visible when the county was first settled. HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 39 CICOTT AITER THE WAR. After the war of 1812 had terminated, probably about the year 181 G. Cicott resumed his voyages up the AVabash to trade with the In- dians. The followinpj year* he erected the hewed- lo<( house which is yet standing, though on the verge of falling down from neglect and decay. It stands on the bank of thf> river a few rods east of the town of Inde- pendence, and is surrounded 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 River. Mich., was reserved for Perig.u Pottawatomie chief, but at the treaty with the Pottawatomies at Chicago on the 20th 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, bub was to be located by the President the United States, who, at the request of the Cicotts, established it at Independence. The Cicott reserve was located on St^ctions 18, 14, 28 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 construtced, 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 aboiat 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 laad passed from J. B. Cicott to his father, Zachariah Cicott, in about 1830) that J. B. Cicott was receiving a val- uable and siifficient consideration. The recorded consideration for the transfer is 81,000, though David Moffit informed the writer that as a matter of fact the consideration was an Indian pony almost thin enough to waiTaut being followed by the crows, and a saddle which looked as if a thunderbolt had fallen on it. Mr. Motlit is no doubt con-ect, us it would not take much ingenuity to have the pony and saddle valued at $1,000. In March, 1830, Cicott mortgaged the reservation to Menard and Valle, French traders of St. Genevieve, for §8.0(K), which amount was diae them for merchandise obtained by Cicott for the Indian trade. The mortgage also covered the following jiersonal 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 SIS-") each and Cicott's Indian book ac- count, t This mortgage was afterward largely watisfied by the transfer to Menard and Valle of numerous town lots in Independence, which was laid out by Cicott in 1882. In his latter years, Cicott was partially par- alyzed, the disorder seizing his tongue and preventing speech, which made him an object of general sympathy. At last, in 1850. he died at •From the recollection of Jacob IIane», Sr., of Inil»'|Hjndence, who ulitained the facta from Cicott. tThp Indiana were hotter to pay when trnntpd than lli« whites, and thia fact led Cicott and all other traders to keep rnnnliiK aci-niinta with them. Ills old account liotik would be an iuteretting object if It could l)e (uurid. In l«:j(), he was the wraltliicHt reoldrnl <>l the county. 40 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY an age of over eighty years, and now lies buried in tbe cemetery at In- dependence, near the spot made historic by his own energy and daring. THE CHATTERLIE EESERVATION. At the treaty of St. Mary's, in Ohio, in 1818, a section of land was granted to or reserved for Mary Ghatterlie, a daughter of Neibust, a Pottawatomie chief, and was located on Sections 1 and 2, Township 21 north. Range 8 west, on Section 36, Township 22 north, Range 2 west, and on Section 6, Township 21 north, Range 7 west. In the early settlement of the county, Amos Griffith became the husband of Mary, and in about 1830 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 Fox nations on Rock River, Illinois, led by the implacable old chief. Black Hawk, had taken up the hatchet and were sweeping eastward, mur- dering and torturing the whites without limit or discrimination. Fugitives on horses and on foot scoiu'ed the country with wildly exag- gerated accounts, confirming the reports that fifteen persons had been cruelly murdered at the Hickory Creek settlement in Illinois, and about the 18th of May the report spread like wildfire down the western side of the Wabash that a large body of hostile Indians had killed two men within fifteen miles of La Fayette. About half the settlers in Warren County west of the river hurriedly packed their handiest valuables and fled across the river, where rude forts and block-houses were quickly prepared and guarded. Companies of militia were immediately organ- ized to scour the 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 Hickory Creek settlement in Illinois, remaining in that vicinity for a few days, when they returned, the apprehension of danger having been quieted. While the alarm was highest, a man riding along Mud Pine Creek in Warren County saw two Indians skulking through the bushes off 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 fled as if pursued by the Furies. The animal that bore him was a splen- did one, and he was soon far beyond ihe clutches of the savages, though he still continued to ply whip and spur. The faithful animal was nearly ruined. He told all he met that the Indians were on Mud Pine Creek and had chased him some distance, but his own skill and the HISTORV OF WARREN COUNTY'. 41 fleetness of his horse had baffled them, but that they would soon b» down in Adams and Medina Townships, scalping and niurclt'ring. The few families remaining in the neighborhood gathered together to defend themselves and their pro])erty. Several nien mounted their horses to go on a reconnoitering expedition, Daniel Moffit, mounted on a borrowed gray mai-e, 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. AVhip or spur increased the power and ra- pidity of the kicks, while the report of a ritle caused her to buck fu- riously as well. ^Ir. 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 Lime 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 l)e- ing questioned, it became clear they had been following the wounded deer when seen by the man who had roused the neighborhood with his fears and were perfectly friendly to the whites. The horsemen returned home, old mare and all. SETTLE.MEXT BY THE WHITES. Of course, Zachariah Cicott was the firat white man to reside perma- nently within the present limits of Warren County. Pi-obably no others appeared until about the year 1S22. at which time a very few came in, and dnriug 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, Jo.seph Thomas, John X. Lew in, Nicholas DeLoug, Lewis Evans, John Black, Humphrey Becket, Benjamin Becket, William Becket, John Ferrell, Elias Oxford, Sylvester Stone, Elisha Miles, Hiram Miles, James Holmes, James McCune, Robert Mills, Enoch Stran, Jacob Fen-ell, and others; while farther northeast were J, C. Watson, Thomas Kitchen. Luther Til lot.son. James Kitchen, Nelson DeMoss, Peter High, Amos Clark, "William Hall. Samuel Clem, Henry Coons, Adam Coons, Augustus "Watson, "William Kent, Nathaniel Buttertield, 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 Shii)py, John Fields, Jr., James Gilbert, Christopher Pitzer, David Dickinson, William Harrington, Mathias Redding, John Han- kins, John Fields. James Fipps, Jjimes 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 Hal.^tead, and farther east were David White, Constantine Messmore. Zachariali Cicott, Thomas Ilorron, Solo- mon Pitzer, P'rancis Boggs, M. Hunt, Daniel Tevebaugh, John Teve- 42 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY, baugli,' Adam White, James McCord, John and Enoch Farmer, Joseph Cox and others, while farther north, along Big and Little Pine CrReks. were James Bidwell, Archibald Davis, Samuel B. Clark, Edward Mace, Sanmel 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 tirst tracts of land entered in the county were as follows: PURCHASER. Wm. & Jonas Seaman John Blind Benjamin Laudon James Barnes James Barnes James Barnes John Black John Black Thomas Cunningham. Thomas Cunningham. Thomiis Wright Samuel Watkins Samuel Green William Newell Silas Hooker James McCvme Unknown Lewis Colleyer Lewis Evans Enoch Farmer « 2 14 29 33 33 9 i 33 9 I 33 9 38 Acres. 80 40 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 41.86 80 40 80 274.80 80 70 80 w. i s. e. i. n. w. i s. 6 J. e. i s. e. i. e. i n. e. i. e. i s. w. i. w. I s. w. h w. i n. 6. h e. i n. w. i. e. i s. e. i. w. i s. e. i. j e. i s. w. i & } ( w. fr. s. e, i. f e. i s. e. i. n. e. i n. w. J. e. I s. w. i. n. e. i s. w. J. w. * n. e. i. si. n. i s. w. i. s. e. fr. w. 4;. w. i s. e. i. rUTE OF Entry. December 16. September 11, September 15, November 15, November 15, November 15, November 15, November 15, November 15, November 15, 1820. 1822. 1822. 1S22. 1822. 1822. 1822. 1822. 1822. 1822. November 18, 1822. September 20, 1823. November 9, 1823. January 22, 1824. February 25, 1824. May 29, '1824. August 9, 1824. August 28, 1824. December 27, 1824. December 81, 1824. In 1825, the following men entered land: Thomas Bowyer, Town- ship 23, Range 6; William H. Mace, Township 23, Range 6; James Bidwell, Township 23, Range 6; John S. Reid, Township 23, Range 6; John Cox, Township 22, Range 7; John McCord, Township 22, Range 7; Jonathan Cox, Township 22, Range 7; Samuel B. Clark, Township 22, Range 7; Nancy Maudlin, Township 22, Range 8; Henry Coons, Township 20, Range 9 ; Thomas Lewis, Township 20, Range 9 ; Lewis Evans, Township 20, Range 9; Benedict Morris, Township 20, Range 9. In 1826, the following men entered land: Isaac Shelby, Township 22, Range 6; John Stanley, Township 23, Range 6; Jeremiah Davis, Township 23, Range 6; Samuel B. Clark, Township 23, Range 6; John Rhode, Township 22, Range 7; David White, Township 22, Range 7; Samuel Ensley, Township 22, Range 7; Henry W^etchell, Township 23, Range 7; William Kendall, Township 22, Range 8; Will- iam Worthington, Township 23, Range 8; Levi Osborn. Township 23, Range 8; Abel Oxford, Township 20, Range 9; Joseph Thomes, Town- ship 20, Range 9; William Henderson, Township 20, Range 9; Joseph Foster, Township 20, Range 9; William White, Township 21, Range 9. After this, the settlement was more rapid. A great many families came in — some from neighboring older counties and some direct from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and other States east. The early settlers sought the tim- ber for four reasons: First, because, as they had been reared in a tim- HISTORY OF AVARREN COUMV. 43 bered country they knew nothing of the prairie, and thought the soil ■was too poor for the production of forests, and consecjuently too p()or to be cultivated: secondly, they thought it impossible to survive the cold winters in such an exposed situatit)n; thirdly, they preferred to remain where wood was abundant; fourthly, they concluded to locate near some water-courses which were then the great commercial highway. It is therefore seen that the very earliest settlers preferred the timljered land, and selected their farms on streams where there was a good mill site and where never-failing springs of good water issued from the ground. Some of the settlers had learned the value of prairie land, and they res- olutely pushed out on the broad expanse despite the scoft's of those who pre- tended to be wiser. Many of the earliest settlers squatted upon their farms, being too poor to pay the entry price until after the harvest of the tirst or second ci'op. Others had barely sufficient to enter their lauds. Others still had considerable means, and found that settling up a new country was not so hard after all. Still others were obliged to retiu'n whence they came. Money was very scarce, and people were often en- forced to resort to barter in order to eftect exchanges. The compai'ative demand and supply regnlated the price of all articled. A yard of calico was worth so many pounds of butter: a deer skin was worth so much sugar or coffee, and an a\ was worth so many bushels of potatoes. The tanneries supplied leather, which was obtained and made for whole fam- ilies at once into shoes and boots. Sheep were early introduced, and those that were not killed by wolves supplied wool, which was taken, very often, by the backwoods mother, and washed, rolled, carded, spun, woven into cloth, dressed, cut and made into suits without once leaving the house where it had been clip]ied from the sheep. Everybody had ox teatns. Young men went courting with ox teams, and many young couples went gayly oft" to some old '' Squire " to get married, driving a span of fast young cattle. If they were fortunate enough to own a horse, they would both mount the animal, the girl on behind, and away they would go, followed by a shower of old shoes, horseshoes and rice. The firfct marriage in the county was after this fashion. It occurred on the 1st of January, 182'!^, between Noble Owens and Catharine Coons, Nathaniel Buttertield, Associate Judge, performing the ceremony. The second marriage was June 19, 182S, between James Pei-rin and Cassan- dra Clarke. Lemuel Boyd, Justice of the Peace. The third was Novem- ber 80, 1828, between Jonathan Pitzer and Nancy Bivens, by Squire Dunn. On this occasion the evening was passed in an old-tashioued backwoods dance. It mitst have been a sight to have seen them whirl- ing around the room of the little log cabin, shaking their feet to some familiar tune on an old fiddle, " As the lidfUor fouchcd the string, boine youuKsler cut tlK- pi^'eon wing." The Scotch, Virginia and other varieties of reel were indulged in; old men took the Hoor under the inspiiation, and uulimbered themselves in a manner to elicit rounds of api)lause from boys of less skill and ex- perience. There were no "stuck-up" people in the new counby; all were friendly, for all were poor. The latch string hung out for everybodv; this hospitality was so universal that every settler seemed to keep tavern. 3 44 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. It would not do to tarn ti'avelers away, for the cabins were so few that the night would probably have to be passed in the woods. The only question was, can they put up with what we have ? Travelers in the backwoods usually could and did. OLD TIME CUSTOMS. The first thing for the family to do was to ei'ect the little log cabin; and while this was being done by the men, often assisted by the neigh- bors, who came for that purpose often four or five miles, the families were oblio-ed to live in the wagon, or in a tent of boughs, bark and blankets, or in the cabin of some near neighbor. The cabin, such as it was, often without floor or permanent roof, and destitute of door or windows, was very often ready for occupancy at night of the day it was begun. Blankets served for doors, greased paper for windows, while the floor was, perhaps, the bare earth. The next few days were passed in getting comfortable. The chinks must be daubed with mud; the chimaey and fire-place must be made serviceable and reliable; puncheon floors and doors must be split out, and the latter hung on wooden hinges, with a huge wooden latch on the inside provided with a string which extended outside through a small hole in the door. To draw in the string was to prevent entrance, and hence the old saying that "the latch-string is out" is tantamount to an invitation to all in need of hospitality to enter the humble cabin home. After the family had been made comfortable, act- ive work was begun to clear a spot of ground for the first crop. The men would cut down trees all day and far into favorable nights, while the women would often pile and burn the brash. Mrs. William Robb said she did that many a time and enjoyed it. Her husband, William Robb, said he would rather live in a log cabin on the frontier with the family he loved and with all the surrounding hardships and privations than to live in a palace amid the gilt and pride of to-day. Many of the old settlers think likewise. Those were active, happy times for them— the sunshine in their long lives, and now, when the twilight of age comes swiftly on, it is happiness to see the old times again, even in a momentary vision. How nice it was some crisp, bright moonlight night in winter, when the snow lay thick upon the ground, to close the house and all take a brisk walk through the sharp air a mile or two to the house of a neighbor to spend the lono- evening! There is inspiration in the thought of old times. We see the pioneers\uilding their log cabins and cutting down the great trees; we hear the echoing axes and the thunder of falling timber; we see the blazing brush and the sky is filled with the glare of burning heaps of logs, and the sun is darkened with blinding smoke; we hear the sturdy pioneers shouting to their oxen as they roll the logs or tarn the soil for the expected crop; we hear the sound of mauls as the rails for the little fields are split; we see men and women planting corn with hoes and weeding pumpkins and potatoes among the roots and stamps. The au- tumn comes and the corn is husked and the potatoes dug. The evening comes and we hear the ding-dong of the cow-bells — for the cows have re- turned from the prairie and are standing down by the bars, with dis- tended sides, waiting to be milked. The chores are done and night has thrown her curtain upon the earth, and the long-drawn mournful howl of the wolf and the weird hootings of the owl are heard down by the swamp. Now the scene is changed. The crops are gathered, the corn is cribbed, HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 45 the potatoes are biu'ied, the <;reat yellow pumpkins are covered with hay and vines to protect them from the frost, the prairie hay is cut and stacked and great heaps of lotjs have been hauled into the door-yard for winter use. The boys and girls have bright new suits of home-made linsey, or the faded old ones have been patched; and each with a new pair of cow-hide shoes (which must last a year), is getting ready for the winter school in the new log schoolhouse, with a great open tire-place and windows of greased paper, and long benches hewed out of split logs. There is the old schoolmaster. What an important personage he is! How stafely he looks, as, with whip in hand, he marches up and down the room, hearing the little ones saying their A B C's and showing the older ones how to cipher. Occasionally he touches up some of the boys who are caught whispering to the girls. How they jump and scratch! for their pants are thin, and the whip is hickory, well seasoned in the hot embei-s of the glowing tire. There is the school standing in a lono- row with folded arms, ready to spell — yes, ready to spell every word in the old spelling book. How hungry rhe scholars are at noon, and what dinners they have! Johnny-cake, venison, and sometimes a big piece of pumpkin pie, and once in a great while a slice of wheat bread with but- ter and a little sugar sprinkled on the butter. Now they are at home, gathered around the blazing fire-place. What tires! How they roared and snapped those cold winter nights! There sits father, smoking his wooden pipe, and mother with her knitting, while the girls are making the old spinning-wheel hum as they spin into yarn the rolls which have been carded by hand, and there are the boys working their sums, crack- ing hickory nuts or whittling puzzles out of little wooden blocks, while the great tire throws out a cheering heat and gleam, and comfort per- vades the whole house. Now it is the fall of the year. The poison of the uudrained swamps has made all to shake and shiver with the ao-ue, or lay for weeks burning with fever, without well ones enough to wait on the sick. There comes the old doctor, picking his way among the loc^s and swamps, on horseback, with blazed trees for his guide and an old Indian trail for his road. What doses of medicine he doles out! Cal- omel, jalap, ipecac, Dover's powders, Peruvian bark, pink and senna and snake root, and pills as big as peas. How the patient is vomited, purged and bled, and how, after weeks of shaking and burning fever, he pulls through, a mere skeleton, a yellow, bilious-looking wreck. EARLY MILLS, FACTORIES. ETC. Warren County was well supplied with early mills, owing to the ease with which the water powers along the creeks were made available. However, the settlers, prior to 182S were obliged to go south into Fountain County. Henry Stump started a saw mill on Big Pine Creek in 1828; Isaac Rains started one soon afterward at what afterward became Kains- ville. He conducted a small corn cracker. Francis Boggs also began sawing about the same tinie northeast of Williamsport, on Bier Pine Creek. Peter Cristuian's mill was started later on the same creek. Enoch Farmer started the tirst saw mill on Kickapoo Creek. Isaac Rains started a saw mill lower down on Big I'ine Creek, afterward known as the Brier Mill, as early as 1828. A small grist mill or corn-cracker was conducted at the same place. The Cristman Mill was afterward owned by Mr. Dick. William Rhodes built a saw mill on Big Pine Creek, as 46 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. early as 1833, about two miles northeast of Rainsville. A corn-cracker was also located there, and afterward an excellent grist mill. AVilliam Fincher, Isaac Waymire, William Boggs, Jonathan Cos, Levi Douthert and Frederick Waymire built early saw mills on Kickapoo Creek. Isaac Waymire also started a small flouring mill. S. and O. Munson built a saw' and grist mill on Little Pine Creek as early as 183L Christopher Henry built a saw mill on the same creek, and a Mr. Burshren a grist mill. Henry Stewart and John Talbert liuilt saw mills on the same creek early. Stewart conducted a small carding mill, as did Brier also, on Bio- Pine Creek. These old factories were well patronized. WILD ANIMALS. A few bears have been killed in the county, two or three of them beino- sti'agglers, in comparatively late years. Eai'ly in the 'SOs and in the month of October, Wesley Gray and others were hunting by moon- lio-ht one night, when the dogs started a bear not far from Rainsville. The large animal started northward at a rapid rate, closely -pur-sued by the doo-3 and followed by Mr. Gray, who was on horseback, and who could scarcely keep up with it, owing to the swamps and woods. But finally he reached the fierce animal near the northern boundary of the county, just as it was in the act of killing one of his dogs. It had seized the dog in its deadly embrace and was crushing the unfortunate animal to death by repeated hugs. Mr. Gray jumped from his horse, which was very restless, and threw his rifle to his ■ shoulder just as the bear, with mouth open and gleaming teeth, displayed in the moonlight, released the doc»- and made a dash at him. He tired as the animal reared up, and a half ounce of lead went crashing into its body near the heart. The maddened animal gave a spasmodic bound, fell over on the leaves, and after a few feeble kicks was dead. The Grays and some of their neigh- bors ate bear steak for breakfast the following morning. Wolves were very numerous, especially in very early years, and some- times in winter, when I'endered desperate by hunger, they would enter door and stable-yards and attack domestic animals, and sometimes would pursue and attack man himself. This, however, was only when they were half starved and desperate. A settler in Liberty Township once pursued a large wolf, chasing it on horseback. He ran over it once, but the horse was severely bitten by the wolf, and would avoid the beast upon subsequent charges. At last it was broiight to bay, and the settler, hav- imy no o-un, took oflf his stirrup, intending, if possible, to brain the ani- mal by one blow. He advanced upon it, and it, in turn, rendered furi- ous by the long chase, advanced iipon him, showing two rows of teeth that a crocodile might have envied, and that snapped together like a steel trap. When close enough, he struck it upon the head with the heavy iron stirrup, stretching it upon the ground, and finishing the work by x'epeated blows upon the head. Cattle in ths woods, becoming mired down in the swamps at night, often furnished a feast for a ravenous pack of wolves. Ordinarily the wolves were not dangerous to man. Sheep con- stantly fell victims to their rapacity. The County Commissioners offered a heavy bounty, which had the effect of largely ridding the county of the nocturnal marauders They continued, however, to do serious damage to sheep folds long after the county was quite well populated. Finally, some time in the early part of the '40s, it was resolved to organize a HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 47 gi-au(l circular bunt in onler to exterminate as many of the animals as possible. Tlie 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 j)lace were staked oft', the Hag pole being the center, and this tract of lan(l 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., aiul Tippecanoe County on the east, and the ^^'abasll 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 Hag could be seen for ten miles, and steadily toward it the line of excited and anx- ious men advanced. Animals could be seen running in front of the line, and at lust 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 tine old stag, woiild dash madly round and round the circle, 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 ezcept 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 cii'cle 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 mpn 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 IGO deer were killed: also six or eight wolves. Jt had been expected that not less than twenty-tive wolves would be hemmed in and killed, so that the hunt, as a whole, did not come xip to the expectations. Fortunately no man was injured by a stray bullet. This was the most extensive hunt ever in the county. Diivid Moftit 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 fom'suore of years, is remarkably clear mentally, and strong and active physically. VIGIL.\NT COMPANIES. 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, lied wood Point became a notorious resort for their depredations; and at times large numbers of horses and (juantities of jewelry, merchandise, etc., stolen farther east and across the \\" abash, were secreted in the ra- vines and heavy woods until such property could be safely disposed of by the thieves. So far as ku<)wu, no bogus coin or counterfeit paper money was ever manufactured in the county, although, many yeai's ago. the necessary im{)lements 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 inoflonsive ped- dler, supposed to have had in his possession a considerable quantity of 48 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. money and jewelry — after wbieh his body was said to have been thrown into a certain well, anei the reports pretended to point out several of the guilty parties. One dark night, a company of Vigilants called upon the alleged guilty persons who lived near by. and inforrtied 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. No such body 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 the ras- cals were organized and continued to be so until the present. In 1853, two companies for catching horse-thieves and other criminals were or- ganized in the county, the Milford Regulators, with a membership of thirty-live, in the eastern part of the county, and the Grand Prairie Rangers, with about the same membership in the northern part. These companies were thoroughly organized, with Captains and Lieutenants, and were instrumental in breaking up organized bands of law-breakers. These were the tirst companies of the kind in the county The Warren Regulators were organized in 1859. Among the members were J. L. Dick, J. M. Fleming. Adam Troxel, H. L. Caltou, 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 1861, for the same purpose, some of the members being Wesley Clark, J. R. Marshall, Andrew Brier, Isaac Christman, W. H. H. Reed, M. A. Osboru, Elias Thompson, John Mel- lott, Thomas J. Cheneweth and Isaac Cheneweth. The Warren De- tectives were organized in 1865, in Liberty and Washington Townships, and the Pine Creek Hangers, the same year, in Southern Liberty and Southern Prairie and Pine. In 1865, also, Warreu Township organized the Warren County Minute Men. The State Line Detective Company was formed in 1866 in Kf>nt, Mound and Steuben Townships. Soon after this, the Liberty Police Rangers, the Warren County Minute Men, the Pine Village Detectives, the Liberty Guards, the Rainsville Detect- ives, the West Lebanon Detectives, the Jordan Raugers, the Kickapoo Guards, and similar companies, were formed, the object being to bring criminals, especially horse-thieves, to justice. Such a general organiza- tion has had a salutary effect upon the commission of crime. m'olure wokkingmen's institute. The object of this association, which was organized in 1857, was "to procure and sustain a library of useful books, to improve ourselve.s 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 McClure bequest. The mem- bers were G. H. Norduft, J. M. Norduft, P. W. Lewis, Robert Pearson, Peter Mahn, M. P. Woods, G. R Livingood, Samuel Ducket, Levi Mil- ler, A. Suhler, E. A. Boardmar, J. F. Reiff, Joseph Jones, John Moore, John Cox, Henry Wright, A.. S. Jones. H. P. Downey. James Park, Alvin Heicrh and H. B. Thomas. The organization amounted to but little. HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTV. 49 THE COUNTY LIBRARY. An early enactment of the Lej^islature provided that ten per centum of the ])roceeds of the sale of county lots should be a library fund, and a short time before 1840. a small library was purchased, and added to af- terward as the fund accumulated. Slany 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 disseminatinor knowledge to poor pereons. In ISOS. the town- ship libraries amounted to 2.1U*J volumes, some of which, owing to neg- lect, were in poor condition, RAILRO.\DS. The Wabash Eailroad 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, 14(^; against, 1,()*J0 The vote to aid the Northern Indiana and Southern Railroad was also unfavorable al)out the same time. The Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad was built across Mound Township, and the coal branch of the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes Railroad was graded across Mound, Kent and Steuben Townships, but never tinished. The coming year. 1883, or at any rate 1884, will see the Chicago &, Great Southern Railroad constructed across the county from north to south. Warren Counly will then be well sup- plied with transportation facilities. MOUND TOWNSHIP, 1836. At the Presidential election, November. 183'). in Mound Township, at the town of Baltimore, .the following settlers polled their votes: Joseph Foster, John Wilcox, Cannon Rosshand, Edmund McGinnis, Silas Hall, Joseph Steeley, Hiram Hoagland, Charles W. Loney, Hariy Johnston, G. W. Dickson, Daniel Hoover. Henry Henderson, J. D. Loney, Stephen Osborn, Abraham Henderson. Mark Kinuinson. Harris Gammon. William Taylor, Sr., Jesse Wright. W. H. Taylor. G. W. Alexander. Tarpley Taylor, Shelby Ballot, ^^'il Ham Carey. Aaron Woods, George ^V. Hobbs, George Dickson. James Parrin. Thomas Johnston, William Lawi^nce, Peter Dickson, AN'illiam Calhoun. Stephen Ames, Lewis 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 Wilmetb, Jesse Dickson. Henry Garrish, W. Y, Taylor, John Starr. Sylvester Stone, Joel Rose, J. D. Taylor, Daniel Starry, Jr., John McConnell, Z. Story, Joseph Story, William Henderson, Jacob Stingley. William Henderson, Samuel Osborn, Isaac Sturtzer, Thomas Cunningham, Samuel Rosebaugh, T. D. Taylor, Sauford Payne, John Taylor, John Killer, S. H. Gan-ison. Dan- iel Beck, John Henderson. Alexander Stewart, B. H. Becket. J. C. Taylor, Daniel Henepin, James Black. Nicholas Hizer. George Murjjhey, Dan- iel Riner, David Lockwood, Ju.shua 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 Stoiy, Daniel Miller, Michael Clem, Lawrence Kinnisou, Samuel Starry, JeflVey Wilson, James Bullington, Alfred Beckett, William Scroggins, G. P. Saunders, Levi Murdock, J. B. King, John Black. John Osborn, 50 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. Egbert Beckett, George Mosier, Robert Crawford. James Kitcbeu. David Clem, Gr. W. Beckett, Amos Clark, James Johnson, John Benjamin, Ja- cob Rush, Jesse Houchin, 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 Uline. C. L. Moore, John Stuart. Thomas Lyon, Peter Miller, Benjamin Bodrick, Oren Cronkhite, Nehemiah Brodrick, Samuel Peet. J. H. Simpson. Abel Cook, Benjamin Smauley, Caleb Train, Ephraim Norton, John Fleming, Hugh Jackson, John Clinton, Robert Lyon, Hiram Hyatt, Josiah Biggs, Sr. , James Wason, Chancey Adkins, Jacob Myers, Alexander Marphet, M. L. Mitchell, Eleazur Purviance, T. P. Kinkmin, Daniel Garrison, Bernard Seals, Jacob Stingley, Silas Garrison, 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, Joab White, David French, J. H. Mclutosh, Samuel Adams, Daniel McGregor, James White, Samuel Woods. Josiah Biggs, John Mcintosh, James Piatt. Daniel D. Hall, Peter Fleming, Robert Ringle. William Smiley, J. H. Simpson, Joseph Ewing, Joshua Nixon, Eli Woodard, Nathan Harner, Right Glen, John Rosebraugh, John Musgrave and Nathaniel Butterfield; total, 70. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, 1836. 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. Sheffer, 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 Seai'ch, Joseph Cunningham, Thomas Goodwine, William Brown, James Todd,M. J. Lincoln. George Pugh, Francis Davis, J. J. Seaman, Hiram Wilkinson, John Spigard, William Bush, William Bunnell, Seth St. John, John Durkey. John Russell, Thomas O'Neill. Daniel Mace, James B. McDonald, William Robb, Aaron Taylor, Ichabod Norton, Abraham Howery, C. M. Thomas, John Johnson, James Goodwine, Jr., William Harrington, Moses Case, C. M. Woods, C. Rakestraw, J. L. Johnson, Daniel Biggs, Perrin Kent, Abram Hathaway, John Seaman, Roland Harris, J. D. Fleming, Free- man Marshall, Freeman Davis, John 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 Stevenson, Robert O'Neal, Rob- ert Clifton, William Fipps, Sf»th Wilkinson, Henry Buckley. Samuel Watkins, Mitchell Gill, J. W. Dickson, Elijah Osborn, Newbold Moore, William Barkshire, Sr., Jacob Houghman, Silas HaiTis, Robert Doughty, Eden Stovall, W. M. Haines, R. M. Kathers, Mason Tucker, Samuel Tucker, Eli Pritchet, Isaac Forman, David Fleming, Lawrence Russell, Peter Dump, Jacob Saum, Adam Troxall, Benjamin Landon, Dennis Sianter, John Shwisher, James Stewart, George Tucker. Henry Hall, David Forman, Clement Jones, John W. Skillmon, John White, HISTORY OF WAUKEN COUNTY. 51 John Moore, W. C. Holmaii. Allen Brown, John Keester, Gidpon Bailey, William Barksliire. George Maines, Dempsey Scott, Reuben Biggs, R, A. Chandler, John Laiwlon, John Miller, Nathan Davidson. Thomas Doan, Samuel Campbell, Bartlett Clem, David Etnire, Henry Coates, Hiram Brawrick, William Farnsworth, E. F. Lucas, Isaac Bennett, Heniy Stump, George Pence, Thomas Thomas, James Rowland, Joshua Ray, Elijah Fleming, John Williams, C. Tapperry, Aaron Spurrier, "William Coldren, Je.sse Tumbleson, James H. Buell, Caleb Rhodes, Heniy High, John Kent, AVilliam Biggs, James Bell, John Rhodes, D. A. Rhodes, Thomas Rhodes, Obadiah Little, John Goings. -Abner Dooley, George Saum, Jonathan Rhodes, James McCoy, Henry Way- mire, Thomas Casad, William Cunningham, Robert Person, Josei)h S. Robb. J. W. Shannon, AV. A. Crawford. Asa Spencer, Orvil Crunkhite, Reuben Warbritton, T. D. Marshall. Sidney Cronkhite, George Will- iams, Augustus Watson, William Collard, David Shanklin, William Boss, Amos Griffith, J. W. Purviance, Jasper Nixon, Seymour Rhodes, Samuel Seelev, "William Campbell. Pierce Egglesou, Moses Dooley, Peter Forman, Joseph Spooner, Burrell Cameron, Constantino MoMahon, Horatio Thomas, Luther Tillotsou, Jacob Casad, Peter Hickman. Zebu- Ion Foster, William Swisher, William Wallace. Jacob Miller. Hosea Cronkhite, N. L. Coffinberiy, J. T. Cratson, Ellis Casad, John Rhodes, Jr., George Oglesby, Jacob Forman, Joseph Wilkin.son, J. K. Fleiuing, M. Simpson, William White, Silas Bennett, James Shannon, John Low- rev, George Shrawry, Charles Person, Cyrus Stanley, John Slutton, Thomas Rakestraw, John Crow, Elias Porter, Stephen Schoonover, Thomas Clifton, Wesley Waldrup, Richard Purzue, Benjamin Crow, "Wesley Clark, Michael Harness, Isaac Slanter, W. M. Pugh, Jesse Shari-er, Jesse Swisher, Fred Zimmerman, Thomas Clawson. Nich- olas Saum, "William Buckles, H. H. Crawford, John Baird, \\ illiam Billings. J. H. Norduft, G. H. Norduft, Jacob Halstead, David A\ ilburn, Oliver Swank, George Brier, Abraham Houser, Andrew Fleming. James Hopkins, David Crisman. Asa "Wortham, E. B. Tillot.son, John Swingler, James McCord,Constadt Han-is, Solomon Sharret, Jesse Doan, John Stuliie- beam, Francis Boggs, W. S. Simpson, Walter Pawley, Henry Keester, John Pritchet, Clement Hopkins, Jacob Miller, William Miller, 0. S. Hunter, C. Brown, Wilford Pugh, Abel Potter, Daniel Hutsoa. N. G. Crawford, Richard Pitman, Thomas Mon'is. Jackson Purquo, Isaac High, George Owens, W^. E. Williams, Jacob Etnire, F. C. Pain, Henry Jack- son, Thooias Brewster, Jacob Hanaway, Peter Chrisman, AV. R. Boyer, Samuel AVilliams, Thomas Martin, David Evans, Jarrett Davis. James Quick, Jeremiah Pritchet, Henry Alill)y, John Cox, Gilbert A'.tunatta, Robert Robb, Eli Stratton, Isaac Bunnell, Gibson Hurst, Charli'> Bark- shire, and "Unknown;" total, 290. WARREN TOWNSHIP, 1830. At the Presidential election, November. 1830, at the house of ilutthew Sriver, in AVaiTen 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 Hinshaw, Jere- miah Canaw, John Hall, William Farmer, Moses Michels. Peter Mason, Zimri Holmes, John Carey, John Cox, John Campbell, Ephraim Pike, 52 HISTORY OF WARREi!! COUNTY. John Stevenson, Henry Rittenour, John Tweed, Samuel Thomas, Samuel Murphey, Joseph Little, James Farrell, John Jackson, John McCoi'd, Edward Hemp, John Mitchell, Henry Jackson, Edward Maee, John B. J. Mace. Sylvanus Cos., William Young, Henry Jacobs, Adam Sriver, Joseph Talbert, Peter Sriver, Jacob Haines, Robert Brady, D. R. Parker, Frederick Waymire, Abraham Haines, Samuel Hanson, Job Tevobaugh, 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, Rufus 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 Gaskell, Louis Collier, John Newell, David Waymire, Edward Hemphill, Joshua P. Smith, Lemuel B. Pierce, Andrew Franklin, Leonard Eller, Job Carrell, Zedekiah Herley, John Sriver, Valentine Bone and William Railsback; total. 90. PINE TOWNSHIP, 1836. 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, Jeffer- son Bartlett, Isaac Brier, Stephen Haneman, Isaac Templeton, John Huffman, John A. West, J. B. Harris, tieorge Brown, Madison Collins, Michael Creekpaum, Branson Sanders, Nathan Beeson, Gideon Cox, John Dinwiddie, Silas Hooker, Aaron Coffinbeny, Thomas A. Johnson, Manden Cook, John Oilar, Baldwin Heaton, James Thornton, Samuel Jolly, Isaac Rose, Calaway Sanders, John Mulkner, W^illiam Moore, G. L. Coffinberry, Jtjhn 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 Smith, Thomas Smith, David Dawson, John Orr, John Campbell, M. Milford, George Sergeant, Samuel Harris, Joseph Stump, John Melcher, John Welch, 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, Harry Eggleston, William Hickman, Thomas Monell, Henry Manes, James Armstrong, Jacob Mills, Benjamin Freeman, Joseph Whitney, Silas Daw son, Benjamin Monell, William Carson, Henry Robertson, William Mo- nell, Hugh Monell, Sam lel Monell, John Hunter, John Jolly, Reeves Lewis, Ira Cobb, William Trueblood, Eli Carmon, Nathan Mendenhall Bazil Justice, Thomas Smith, Madison Lewis, Stephen Milton, Law- rence Rains, Thomas Pennell, James Rains, Stephen Rains. William Hooker, Sr., Samuel Freeman, James Jolly, David Horner, Enoch Evans, Henry Miller, Isaac Lewis, John Hodson, John Smith, William Gray, Nathan Ballou. Bazil West, Adam Glaze, A. B. Harris, Nathan Rains, Urim Sergeant, Jacob Mendenhall, William Smalley, Ebenezer Hooker, John Sergeant, William Rhodes, Jr., Carpenter Morey, L. L. Freeman, James Barnes, Joseph Osborn, Caleb Cobb, William Dickson, Joseph Clark, Thomas Taylor, Burrell Eggleston, James Musgrave, Jesse Rains, William Hooker, Edward Michel, Jeremiah Williams, Na- than Endicott, W^illiam Pringle, John Brown, Charles High, Jacob HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 53 Dickson, La^vreuce Reem, Jonas Heaj]^, and Christopher Pt*i)i)or; total, 155. MEDINA TOWNSHIP, 1 S/iP). The followiug ])ersons voted in Medina Township at the Presidential election, November, 188G: AV. B. Bailey, William Moore, John Ritten- our, Minor Rittenour, B. Iseley. 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 Williams, William Bnrk, J. Burk. Moses Doty, J. Coughenour. William Burk, Jr., S. White, Eli Mendenhall, G. Argabricrht, A. More, C. Dawson, Daniel Smith. J. D. AVhite, J. W. Newell, G. W. Coffinbei-ry, 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. Miinson. G. Reed, N. Lemons, Daniel Harp, T. M. Cahan, C. Benson, R. Odell, M. Thomas, G. Davis, T. Mitcham, T. Odell, J. Doty, J. Lindsay, J. Clark, J. Simpson, P. Brown. J. E. Thompson, I. Myrove, J. Crouch, William Dillman, C. Crouch, S. Bone, J. A. Franklin, C. Yredenburg, John Moore, John Mathers, J. Southard, T. Dawson, Ed Dawson, Ezra Dawson. E. Allen, M. Wagner, S. Green. R. 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. Bailev. L. Guthridge. W. Smiley, W. Carter, W. Doty. A. Bowyer, I. Bowyer, P. Woodtield, W. Cantrell, J. Dills, John Burk, John Gillom*, L. Williams, G. Burk, and M. Hemy; total, l'J5. COUNTY ORGANIZATION. BY WKSTON F. GOOI'SrEEI). CREATION OF THE CODNTY OF WARREN. 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 th-^ county of Wabash; but during the legislative session of 1S25-20. when the act creating the county of Fountain was passed, the following proceeding, relative to what afterward became AVarren County, was made Section 7 of that enactment: Section 7. All tliat piirt of tlic fouiity of Waliasli \\\uis, nortli and we.st of tlio said county of Fountaiii sliall be and hiTcaftcr is attachi'd to tJK' said count}' for the purpose of civil and criminal jurisdiction. Approved neceinher ;}(>. 182"). No further change was made until the session of L8*J()-'J7, when the following enactment was passed: Jie it enactfd hij the Geurnd Annembly of the State of Indiana, That from and after the first day of March next all tliat part of the county of Wal)a.sh contained within till- following boundaries sliall furin anf a 5 S 1 SE a = 5 % ^ H First District 9« 23 1....!.... 11 8 28 03 Second District 21 1 '87' 18 .... 1 ( 37 11 29 "8* 17 13 10 5 .... .... .... 11 21 .... Third ni-tricl Foiirtli Di-^lrict 13 2 11 10 .... ....ill 11 11 2 8 18 4 3 "4* i5 .... 1... Fifth District Total 58 50 52 48 62 29 61 45 4 15 21 11 i 28 56 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. This was really the organizing election of the county, and was the first in the county, of any description, after the passage of the act by the Legislature which brought Warren into existence. Soon after this, the officers elected took the oath of office, and entered upon the discharge of their respective duties. RE- LOCATION OF THE COUNTY 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 Montgomery County. Peyton Wilson, of Parke County, John Porter, of Vermillion County, S. M. George, of Tippecanoe County, and Jonathan Birch, of Fountain Coiinty. 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 first of whom had laid out Williamsport in November, 1828, 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 Warrenton 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 (1829), 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 were 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 were 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 offers of money and lands 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 them for lots similarly lo- cated in the new county seat, jorovided 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 as suit- able buildings could be prepared at Williamsport, the county officers were ordered to remove there. The pi'ovision in the enactment creating 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, was re- affirmed and made binding. William Harrison, Jr., proprietor of the county seat, deeded to the county eighty acres of land, where Williams- port had been laid out, reserving for his own use the greater portion of the original plat of 1828, consisting of four blocks of eight lots each, besides one- fifth of the lots that should be subsequently laid out from additions from the donation of eighty acres. The first addition was laid HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 57 out southwest along the river's bank, in July. 1820, bv Thomas Gilbert. In August, 18*29, Isaac Rains, County Agent, laid out the celebrated "West Addition to Williainsport, from a portion of the Harrison donation. On the day of the public sale of lots, free whisky was furnished at the county's ex^iensel COUNTY BOUNDARY ALTERATION. On the 30th of January,l830. by legislative enactment, the southern tier of townships of the present Benton County was attached lo the county of WaiTen for civil and criminal jurisdiction. On the 8d of Feb- ruary, 1882. the Legislature enacted that a Commissioner from each of the counties of Warren and Vermillion should be appointed, to more fully establish the boundary between those two counties; but what was done cannot certainly be learned. In Jauuaiy, 1833, the following enactment was passed, and the boxindary thus fixed has endured until the present • Be it enacted, etc., XliJ^t the followini; shall form aud constitute the dividing line between the counties of Vermillion and Warren, to wit: Bei^innin;^ on the east bank of the Wabash River where the township line dividing the townships number 19 and 20 intersects the same, thence west with said township line to the range line divi(hng Ranges 9 aud 10 west, thence north with said range line to the township line dividing Townships 19 and '-io north in Range 10 west, thence west with said township line to the line dividing the States of Indiana and Illinois. Approved January 15, 1833, FIRST SITTING OF THE CIRCUIT COURT. The Board of Justices of Warren County, on the first Monda}'^ 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 house 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 " itntil court in course," which was on the 25th day of September, 1828. On the first Monday in September, the following gi'and jury was selected: Jacob Clem, Nicholas DeLong Gabriel Read, Job Tevebaugh, Andrew Fleming, James Oxford, Henry Stump, Elisha Miles, James Johnson, Samuel Ferguson, Joseph King, John A. Lewin, John McCord, Lawrence Russell, John King. Josei)h Thomas. Daniel R. Parker and Jonathan Cox. On the 2r)th 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 grand jurors drawn were called, but only the following were ])re.sent: 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 (juorum of grand jurors present, the court ordered those that had assembled dis- charged, and then called up the firet 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- chai'ged and the case dismissed. The second case was Lewis Dequindre and Timothy Dequindre vs. Zechariah Cicott, trespass 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: " April 1, 1830, x-eceived this day the balance of the above judgment. A. Ingram, attorney for plaintiff." The thii'd case, John Glasspell vs. Enos Han- kins, domestic attachment, on appeal from Justice's court, 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 damnum 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 Section 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 Broady. Law- yer Patterson appeared for the complainant. Evidence was introduced to prove 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 charges would be taken as confessed. The case was accordingly continued, and the court then adjourned " until the court in course." Thus the first 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 CIRCUIT COURT. This term began IMay 7, 1829, the Pi'esiding Judge not being present. Peter H. Patterson, Albert L. White, David Patton, Jacob Auglin and Theodore C. Caw were sworn in and admitted as counsellors at law. The case of John Glasspell vs. Enos Hankins was dismissed, on motion of the defendant, for want of a sufficient affidavit in the proceedings below. The divorce case, Broady vs. Broady, was dismissed on motion of the complainant, upon whom the cost was taxed. A petition for divorce was presented by Elizabeth Barnes vs. Elijah Barnes, the former appearing by her attorney, D. Patton. The defendant was absent, and the pendency of the case was ordered published. The grand jury re- turned the following "true bills:" The State vs. Seth Shippy, for an assault and battery; the State vs. John Dixon, for aiding and nssisting in assault and battery. The jury was then discharged. In the case John Conner vs. David White, domestic attachment, the following petit jury was called, sworn and given the case: William Russell, Samuel Enderly, Jonathan Cox, John Cox, David White, Constantiue McMahon, John E. Smith, Francis Boggs, John Jackson, Luther Tillotson, Law- d :-*%,. K?*.' ^fT/oJff^^ HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 59 rence Rains and Isaac Rains. The jiuy gave the ])laintiflf $194.62 J damages and the costs, amounting in all to S2S0. The case of Boggs, for a writ of ad quod dam)iitn was dismissed, and the costs assessed to Mr. Boggs. The second session of Circuit Court was thus at an end. SUBSEQUENT SESSIONS OF CIRCUIT COURT. At the October term, 1829, John R. Porter, President Judge, and Nathaniel Butterfield and Samuel B. Clark, Associate Judges, were pres- ent. At this term came up the case in chancery, Milton Gerard cs. Emily Gerard, et al. The case was ordered published and continued. Five cases were considered at this term, and two bills of indictment returned by the gi-and jury. On motion, the following seal was adopted: "A brass die, on the outer circle of which the letters ' WaiTen 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, 1830, it convened at the house of "William Han-ison, at Williamsport. though no session was then held, owing to the absence of the President Judge and one Associate Judge. On the 7th of October, 1830, the court convened at the court house, all the Judges being pres- ent Moses Cox, Edward A. Hannegan and Aaron Finch were admitted as attorneys. In the Gerard Chancery case, after the evidence was all in, it was " Ordei-ed, adjudged and ^decreed by the court now here, that the bill of the said com])lainant 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 (|uarter of Section 22, Township 22 north, Range 8 west. This was in response to his petition for a writ of ad quod dam- num, which had been issued the preceding October. Thomas J. Evans, Joseph Tatman and Isaac Pearson were admitted as attorneys. Twen+y- six cases were disponed of at this term of the court. A decree of divorce was granted Polly Broady. though the defendant was absent. This was the first decree of the kind granted in ^\'arren County. The last ses- sion held at the house of William Harrison was in April, 1831; after that the " coiu't house " was used. Actions during these years were case, trespass on the case, debt, assault and batterj' on appeal, aflray, adultery against Mathias Redding, domestic attachment, divorce, re- plevin, to convey land, sci. fa., on transcript, chancery cases, gaming, breach of peace, presentment, etc. E. A. Hannegan was Prosecuting Attorney in most of the State cases. Other attorneys admitted about this time were David Wallace, A. B. Patterson and R. A. Chandler. In 1833, many indictments for retailing lit|Uor and foreign and domestic groceries and merchandise were returned. Isaac Naylor and T. R. Brown were admitted to the bar, 1833; David Brier and Henry D. Lane were admitted in 1834; John Bryce, R. A. Lockwood were admitted in 1836. FIRST PROBATE COURT. The first Court of Probate of A\'arren County was held at the house of Enoch Farmer, on the 2d day of November, 1829; present, William Willmeth, Judge-elect, who presented his commission, signed by Gov. 4 60 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. James B. Ray, and was sworn by James Cunningham to faithfully dis- charge the duties of that oflfice. About the first act of the Judge was to adopt a seal, of the "letters L. S.; W. P. C, with a scrawl aroand them. " Letters of administration, which had been issued by the Clerk in the preceding August to John Cox, for Jonathan Cox, deceased, were confirmed. Rebecca 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 PROBATE COURT. This term was held at the hotise 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 appointed administraters of the estate of Thomas Haslett, deceased. At the March 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. No 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 Shippy, 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 Waldo, 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 " goods, chattels, rights, credits, moneys and effects " 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 Boyd, 1827; Thomas Kearns, 1827; Edward Mace, 1827; Thomas Cunning- ham, 1827; Samuel Merrill, 1828; Levi Cronkhite, 1828; Jonathan Shippy, 1828; Lawrence Rains, 1828; Benjamin Cheneweth, 1829; David McConnell, 1830; Thomas Robb, 1830; Benjamin Crow ,1831; William Newell, 1831; Eleazur Purviance, 1831; John Tweed, 1831; John Jones, 1831; Simon Snyder, 1831; James H. Buell, 1832; John B. King, 1832; Isaac Rains, 1832; William Harrington, 1833; Nicholas Shaffer, 1833; William Allen, 1833; Abraham Howrey, 1833; William Coldren, 1834; Bernard Seals, 1834; William Cunningham, 1835; Michael Creekpaum. 1835; David Lockwood, 1835; John Lyons, 1835; John Foster, 1835; Jacob Miller, 1835; John Clinton, 1835; Benjamin Crow, 1836; George Pence, 1836; Abraham Timmons, 1837; William Harrington, 1838; E. B TiUotson, 1838; N. Shafifer, 1838 ; Peter Schoon- over, 1838, John Campbell, 1838; Silas Hooker, 1838; M. H. Lewis, 1838; Rufus Webb, 1838; J. C. Taylor, 1838; Courtland Harris, 1839; Sanford Payne, 1840; F. C. Webb, 1840; John Cowgill, 1840. HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTV. 61 CREATION OF TOWNSHIPS. On the 6th of November, 1827, the second day of the first 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 AVabash, 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. Washington 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 place of 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 \)\ 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 County. At this time, also, all of old AN'aiTen 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 j)ortion of such territory east of Big Pine Creek should be attached to Medina Township, the order to be in force after July 30, 1830, at which tim*- 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 WARREx\ COUNTY. Township 20, Range U; thencR east to the Wabash; thence down the same to the place of beginning. 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 line 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 Wabash; thence to the place of beginning. Medina, beginning on the Wabash, where the eastern boundary of Warren Township 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 the 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 County; thence east to the place of beginning. All the attached territory on the north, west of Big Pine Creek, was attached to Pine Township; 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 6 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, 1834, all of Pine Township, south and west of Redwood Creek, was created as Steuben Township. In January, 1835, all of the county in Township 22, Range 6, was attached to Warren Township; and in May all the attached territory on the north of Warren County (Benton County, etc.\ was created as Madison Township, and the elec- tion of a Justice of the Peace was ordered. In March, 1843, Liberty Township was created a'- follows: Beginning on Big 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, Range 8 west; thence north to Big Pine Creek; thence up the same to the place of beginning. In December, 1843, all of Township 22, Range 8 east, of Big Pine Creek, was severed from Warren and attached to Liberty. In 1848, Adams Township* was created, with about the same limits it has at present. In March, 1850, Jordan Township was created as it is at present, from the western part of Liberty. Numerous small changes were made in the boundaries of the townships from time to time — so numerous that they cannot be followed in these pages. The last township created was Kent, in Septembei', 18G4, from the northern part of Mound, the creation to take effect April, 1865. This gave the county of Warren about its present shape. * The full iiHUie of tliis township, as created, was " J. Q. Adams; " but the tendency, during the past score of years, has been to drop the initials, and to call the township simply " Adams." IIISTOIIV OF WAUUKN (OUNTV. 63 MISCELI.ANEOl'S ACTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS. The first act of importance was the division of the county into town- ships and Commissioners' districts, and the ajipointmentof 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 aft'airs greatly multiplied. The county seat (piestion, the taxes and finances, the local administration of justice, the erection of )>ublic buildings, the regulation of various licences, the establishment of roads and the general welfare of the county soon engrossed 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. John Seaman was Census Taker in 1830. In May, 1881, a public pound was built at Williamsport, 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 hous'>s owned by Harrison and Price. A bounty of -SI was offered for wolf scalps. In 1842, Ben- jamin Crow put a new roof on the court house for $\2o. 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 Jectures 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 Lniversity. Various wooden bridges were built across the streams of the county at the public expense. One over Big Pine Creek, near Brier's Mill," built in 1858, cost about .S1,000. About 1850, the ques- tion of granting 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, th** Commissioners ordered paid to William Kent the sum of S800, to assist in the survey of the Lake Erie. Wabash & St. Louis Kailroad. provided the county might be credited with that amount of stock if the road was completed. By June. 1855, the engine had entered La Fayette. During the war of 18(31-05, vast sums were paid out for bounty and relief. The (juestion of aiding the Northern Indiana & Southern Railway, by a coiuity tax, was submitted to the citizens in ISO'.), with the result of 140 votes for the tax and 1,01)0 against it. Mound Township voted upon the (juestion of aiding the In- dianapolis, Crawfordsville & Danville Railroad, to the amount of about $5,000, in 18^)5.1, but rejected the aid by a vote of twenty-four to forty- four. Kent Township voted upon the (|uestiou of aiding the Evansville, Terre Haute iS: Chicago Railway, witli what result is not known. Early in 1871, a reward of S400 was ofHered for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons making the unsuccessful attempt to rifle the County Treasury', April 10, 1870. and again December 18, 1870. No discoveries were made. In 1871, Charles Seldon, of Cincinnati, was or- dered })aid S1,5(K) for the right to use his system of keeping the county 64 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. accounts. The amount expended for county iron bridges, during the year ending June, 1875, was $20,856.51. 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 structure standing ^at Warrenton, the first county seat, and owned by Enoch Farmer, who, with others, had made such munificent 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 fix such seat of justice on lands owaed by Mr. Farmer. This building was nothing 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 c^f the town of Will- iamsport. This house of Mr. Harrison's was first used in July, 1829, and continued to be used uutil the autumn of 1830, at which time a building owned by Samuel Ul^lery, Bolly B. UUery, J. C. Irvin, Malinda Beard and Eliza C. Finch was rentdl 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 |10. For some reason, the Ullery building was used only once or twice, the courts and Commissioners re- occupying the Harrison building. But in 1831, 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 county orders, which had accumulated since 1827. The orders had sold at about 95 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 land, until three-fourths of the settlers were scarcely able to pay their taxes. The orders circulated like money, and were receivable at the County Treasury for taxes, public labor, etc. County otticers were obliged to take them as a consideration of their services. The very low assessments of taxes were met with long delinquent lists. Money could not be obtained; time alone could remedy matters. Tue enormous immi- gration into the county during the years 1831 and 1832 soon served to redeem the county orders, replenish its empty treasury, and inspire the Commissioners to order the erection ©f a court house. Specifications were prepared and placed on public exhibition in May, 1832, and bids were solicited from contractors. The building was to be of brick, forty feet square and twenty -three feet high. Arrangements were completed in July, 1832, whereby E. W. Jones and Seth Flowers contracted to build the house. They were to receive $300 on the l^t of September, and the bal- ance was to be paid in installments as the work progressed. The court house was to be ready for occupancy August, 1833. Among the donations to the county at the time of the re-location of the county seat, was one of 50,000 bricks from Thomas Gilbert, who had agreed to furnish them at the time of the erection of the first court house. Mr. Gilbert was now called upon to redeem his promise, but HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 65 postponed doinf^ so until at last the County Board ordered the County Agent to contract for such quantity of brick with any res])onsible party. This was in May, 1888. Suit was begun against Mr. Gilbert to recover damages for his failure to comply with his agi-eement, 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, 1884. Disinterested committees were appointed to investigate and report on the work, and a deficiency of 5^04.60 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 $120 to paint it. It was found necessary, in 1885, 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 s([uare, 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 COURT 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 property, provided the Commissioners would immediately erect anew court house. Considerable opposition was encountered at the time, although specifications were pre- pared and bids from contractors were called for. Mr. G. R. 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 fmiher progress of the work at that time. The (piestiou was renewed early in 1871, B. F. Gregory leading the movement, and bids were again called for from contractors. After an examination of such bids, in March, J871, the contract was awarded to Hays «fe Evans, of Bloomington, 111., for §48,400. Mr. Randall was given the superin- tendency of the work, his compensation to be 2.V per cent on the cost of the building. There was considerable money in the County Treasury at this time, but not enough to complete the work, and accordingly §10.000 worth of ccunty bonds were issued. The old court house was sold to Cyrus Romine for §825. The new house, a tine 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 jn-ovided with a jail before a court house was V)uilt. As early as the summer of 1880, 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, hewetl- log structure, well protected with stone, was accejited in November, 1831, 66 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY, with a deduction of $20. This jail answered the purpose until 1848, at which time Richard Treadway was employed to construct a new one, which he did, completing the work in the fall of 1849. The contract price was $2,500, but Mr. Treadway, claiming that he had lost $500 by the job, 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 1840, 5,656; in 1850, 7,387; in 1860, 10,057; in 1870, 10,204; 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 PAUPER. t 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 Commissi onei's, for keeping John Campbell, a transient pauper, five months. After this, orders of a similar nature 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 officers would order poor persons to " depart the township forthwith," that they might not 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, in 1833, Seymour Cobb was paid quite a sum for furnishing Elizabeth Bell, a pauper, with comfort- able clothing and a home. James I'oreman, 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 $20 to $70; but about 1837, the figures began to grow. The following is one of the early bills paid by the County Board: November the 20th, A. D. 1838. Board of Commissioners of Warren County, Dr. to Isaac High for keeping Eliphalet Lovelett, a poor boy, four months, $'37; nursing by Jerusha Ford for three months, f30; board for the nurse thirteen weeks, $13 ; doctor bill paid to Dr. J. H. Buell, $15; total debits, $85. Credits — One chest and one fiddle, $4; one coat and one pair of pants, $7; total credits. $11. Whole amount due, $74. Personally appeared before us, James S. Crawford and Ephraim Norton, Over- seers of the Poor in Steuben Township, Warren County, the said Isaac High, and being by us sworn, says that the above amount is just and unpaid this 1st day of September, 1845. his Isaac X High. mark. We, the Overseers of the Poor of Steuben Township, Warren County, Ind., after examining several disinterested witnesses under oath^ allow the above amount to be legal and just this 1st day of September, 1845. James S. Crawford, } /i,..^„..«.„ ^f ,7,. p„.^ Ephraim Norton, f ^>^erseers oj the roor. HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 67 This was the largest pauper bill paicVup to November, 1S38. Provis- ion was made for a period, in each township, for the care of pani)ers at township ex])ense, instead of at county expense, but to what extent can- not be stated, as the township r(»cords have been destroyed. As early as 1840, 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, 1848, was S387.2(). and for the year ending June, 1848. was $495.43; for 1849, it was $398. (J6; for 1850, $878.14. POOR FARM.' In December. 1853, a farm of 120 acres, being the west half of the northeast (jiaarter of Section 29 and the southwe.st (juartor of the south- east (juarter of Section 20, Township 22 north. Range 8 west, 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 R. Ranson Wcis 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 six months for $37.50. The poor 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 doctor 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. Dotv. 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, $5,700.86; 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 Mehafly took chai-ge, and in 1870, J. S. Rowland. Rowland and David Moore tr>ok the farm together in 1871 and 1872, and Howland, in 1873, rented it for three consecutive years, but Alexander Mehafiy was employed in 1875. Howland went in again in 1876, continuing until 1879, when Mehafify again took charge, remaining until his death, in 1882, since which time his son tldward has been Superintendent. In 1869, a fine farm, of about 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 reijuiring 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 Warrenfeits for $1,000 down, $1,400 on the 1st of March, 1872, $1,200 on the 1st of March, 1873, and 11,200 on the 1st of March, 1874. The present fne brick building is a credit to the county. The number of paupers in the asylum at one time has exceeded forty. Warren County deserves great praise for the care she has taken of her poor. WARREN 'COUNTY FAIR. In 1853, the farmei's of Warren and Fountain Counties organized an agricultural society, and on the 6th and 7th of September lield 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 from 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 Village, that was rented of Ichabod Boyer. George Wagner was the fii-st Px'esident, and Thomas Atkinson first Treasurer, and a premium list of about $600 was offered. 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 buying 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 1864, 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 of 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 Goodwine 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. Now there is no better county fair ground in the Stata. 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 agricultural hall, a large, tine amphitheater for spectators, and various other build- ings for the use and convenience of officers and citizens have been erected. A tine stream of water courses through the ground, over which the race track has been built, at great expense. The entire ground is clothed with fine 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 WARREN COUNTY. 69 fair ground. James Goodwine was first President of the new orj^aniza- tion; William Crow, Vice President; George T. Bell, Secretary; John C. Lincoln, Treasurer. The highest receipts for any one year were about S3, 500, and the lowest about S2.()00. Much of this is paid out annually in premiums. In 1872, an eftbrt was made at Pine Village to reorganize the old agricultural society, but the attempt was soon abandoned. OLD settlers' association. The Warren County Historical IMoneer Association was organized at Williamsport in July, 187G, at which time the following first officers were elected: Bolivar Robb, President; Robinson 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 largo assem- blage of old men and women present, besides many of their descendants, and many more curious spectators. Rev. Jewell, of Danville, III, 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 thii-d 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 hold at Carbondale in 1881, 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 Crawfordsvillo. 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 z-ecord 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 forgotfulness. A competent Secretary should be ap|)ointed for each annual meeting, Avho 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, 094; in commerce, 24; in manufact- ure and trade, 185; learned professions or engineers, 25; military pen- sioners, 2; blind, 2; insane or idiotic, 0; number of primarj' or _common schools, 8; number of scholars, 185; number over twenty years who can read and write, 465; total population, 5,050; bushels of coal, 25,420; men employed, 11; capital, SI. 500; horses and mules, 3,288; neat cattle, 7,93(5; sheep, 9,515; 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, 414,040; pound'j of wool, 18,550; j)ounds 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, §10,300; value of orchard products, SI 50; value of home-made goods, $21,301; retail dry goods, grocery and other stores, 8; capital, §25,000; value of brick and lime, §800; men employed, 0; cap- ital, §3(K1; tanneries, 0; sides of sole leather tanned, 1,500; sides of 70 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. upper leather tanned, 2,100; men employed, 7; capital, 13,050; value of manufactured articles, $2,000; distilleries, 1; gallons produced, 2,800; men employed, 2; capital invested, $300; value of wagons and carnages manufactured, $1,350; men employed. 5; capital, $700; flour- ing mills, 1; barrels of flour manufactured, 300; grist mills, 4; saw mills, 19; value of manufactures, $7,100; men employed, 27; capital, $17,700; number of wooden houses built, 19; 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: REPEESENTA- i W TIVE. 1^ tij m'=^ .a-S 0-^ O bo "c4 ^.^ ■ .^ WHERE HELD. S Robinso (Democr Beard (Wh .2 9 lan Birc (Democr d Harri (Wh m Becke (Wh s Boggs (Wh 11 3 i P CS 1 1-5 o a ■< 17 a .a 19 a w 6 8 C3 □ O 5 1 a •a o W 3 6 26 3 a "9' »-5 28 Samuel Watkins' (1)* 13 q 30 John Jones' (3) Sclioolhouse (3) 9 3'^ ?1 11 18 14 1^^ 82 David White's (4) 16 10 80 5 22 16 10 66 5 1 31 13 6 1 11 41 13 91 John Read's (5) ! 11 Total 6 81 29 34 28 103 The county was organized in good season, to take up the Presidential campaign of November, 1828, and although news of the outer world was hard to get, and when it did come was deficient, owing to the fact that the settlers had weightier matters on their minds to contend 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, Whigs or Anti- Masons, and in 1828 the Democrats brought forward a very popular man. Gen. Jackson, who was confronted with John Quincy Adams, who had been placed in the Presidential chair in 1S24 by the House of Rep- resentatives. There was scarcely any excitement in the county over the contest, but the citizens met to enjoy the privilege of freemen in the exercise of the elective franchise. The electors in Medina Township at the November election, 1828, were as follows: Samuel Hart, Aaron Stevenson, Edward Mace, Joseph Moore, John E. Smith, John B. Mace, Edward Moore, John S. Reed, Freeman Fishback, Curtis Smith, John Jackson, Jeremiah Davis, John Morris, Zachariah Cicott, Mathew Sriver, Andrew Robb, D. R. Parker, * These numbers correspond with the districts of the first electiqp in the county given a few pages back. HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 71 Adam Sriver, Jesse Doutliward, Samuel B. Clark. Thomas Dawson, John Anderson. AViJliam 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, Josei)h Cox, David Reeves, William Har rison, Moses Finch, A. Vi. Finch, Francis Boggs, Thomas Kearns, Jonathan Shippy, William Willmeth, William Harrison, Sr., John Whelkel, David White, Joseph Tulbert, William Price, Daniel Benja- min, Robert Benjamin. Adaiu \N'lute, 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 Rains. John McCord, Alexis Jackson, Enoch Farmer, James McCurd, Samuel Ensley, James Cunningham, John Pugh, John Cox, Hiram Farmer, William Anderson, A. S. Smith. Thomas Cunningham, Isaac Rains, Constantine McMeehan, Joseph A. Franklin. Daniel Mace, James Bedwell, Archibald Davis and Charles Dawsun; total, 53. The voters in Pike Township at Ihis election were Silas Garrison, John Gari'ison, David Fleming, Alexander Hanson. William Pugh, Thomas Garrison, Luther Tillotson, Lewis Stephens, John Fleming, Allen Wykotf. Marcus Shippy, Andrew Flemiijg, 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. Gecrge Coonse, John King, Henry Coonse, Amos Clark, Ferguson Moorehead, Nicholas DeLong, William Hall. William Woods, Joir^eph 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 Wilkiusion, Thomas Rittenhouse, Isaac Switser, Jacob Clem, Nathaniel Bntterfield, Sylvester Stone, David Coonse, James Watson, Augustus Watson, Ebenezer F. Lucas, John Ray, Abner Gan-ison and James Perrin. The result of this election, by tcrwnships, was as follows: Adams and Rush, National Re])ub]ican ticket — Mound, 10; Medina 16; Warren. 26; Pike, li); total, 77. Jackson 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 tarifl'; 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 tarifl". 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, 3D; Medina, 34; Pine, 16; total, 301. Jackson and Yan 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 WARKEN COUNTY. Whig party, which began an active canvass for political supremacy. It vpas during this canvass — that of 1836 — that the first really distinct partisan lines were publicly di-awn in Warren County. Candidates for political honors were to be seen shaking hands with the dear people, and perambulating the coianty, offering to sacrifice themselves for the public good, very much 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 were 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 secured. The vote of the county, by townships, 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, f 4; total, 541. Van Buren and Johnson, Demo- cratic ticket — Warren, 36; Washington, 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 eclipse any going before it in Warren County, in interest and activity. Public 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 " hard cider " (they called it by that name) was tapped to elevate the spirits of the enthusias- tic Whigs. The vote in Wan-en County was as follows: Harrison and Tvler, Whig — Washington, 248; Pine, 77; Mound, 67; Pike, 41; Warren,' 163; Steuben, 42; Medina, 102; total, 740. Van 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 to warmly interest many citizens of Warren County, and a limited abolition sentiment was manifested here and there, which was usiially 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 campaign, toward the election of a Pi'esident who favored the admission of Texas into the Union, 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 principal tickets, though not the only ones. The Liberty party placed in the field Birney and Morris, the platform differing, somewhat, from that of the Whigs, but resem- bling it in opposing an increase of slave territory. The vote in the county in November, 1844, was as follows: * No electiou held. f Benton County. HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 78 TOWNSHIPS. Whig. Clay and Fre- linghuysen. Dem. Polk and Dallas. Liberty. Birney and Morris. Mound 60 41 62 213 36 104 172 91 79 14 16 133 11 78 104 35 Steuben Pike 3 Washington 7 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 ont of slavery, attracted universal attention and interest. In 1840, David Wilmdt, of Pennsylvania, had introduced in Congress what became known as the Wilmot Proviso, which prohibited slavery in any territory which might be accjtiired from Mexico or elsewhere. Though the measure was defeated finally, some of the most eloquent and pas- sionate speeches in American history were delivert^d 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. Medina 48 52 91 109 125 86 79 61 57 24 34 80 78 51 58 30 30 75 40 Adams 2 Pine 6 Warren 2 Liberty 5 Washington 12 Pike 1 Steuben Mound Total 708 460 68 After this election, there was no abatementof interest throughout the country, nor any cessation of hostile activities in Congress, until the passage of the celebrated Omnibus Bill, introduced by Henry Clay, the "Great Pacificator," in 1850. The (juestion 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 Henry Clay came forward with his celebrated com- promise, which provided, among other things, for the admission of Cali- fornia into the Union 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 COUNTY. TOWNSHIPS. Whig. Dem. Free Soil. Scott and Pierce and Hale and Graham. King. Julian. 59 70 75 61 108 20 125 93 2 92 76 5 111 63 41 18 2 48 30 37 73 40 118 81 io 850 552 56 Mound Steuben Pike Washington Warren. ... Liberty Jordan Medina.. . . Adams .... Pine Total... But the excitement had not yet reached its climax. The Fugitive Slave law was intensely odious to all the North, except a few who were, by nature and tx'aining, slave-holders aud slave-catchers. Numerous 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 1820 and of 1850, and its passage in 1854 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 flame that was not wholly quenched until Ap- pomattox was reached. The Republican party sprang 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. Eep. Fremont and Dayton. Dem. Buchanan and Breckinridge. American. Fillmore and Donelson. Medina Adams Pine Prairie Warren Liberty Jordan Washington. Pike Steuben Mound 117 109 104 62 127 117 78 142 113 131 67 32 48 64 40 111 69 41 136 27 124 75 14 15 4 33 6 1 Total 1,167 r67 76 The Democratic party, of which the Southern wing, having the ma- jority, held control, was content to remain in the Union as long 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 1860, 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 years preceding 1860, the sentiment on both sides had become so bitter, and HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 75 the North, and especially the Re})ublican 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, ISGO, cannot be given, as the election retui-ns have been misplaced or destroyed. Of course the county went strongly Republican. In 18G4, 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 continiiing the war, and the struggle for supremacy was vigorously renewed. The election in WaiTen County, November, J 804. resulted as follows: TOWNSHIPS. Rep. LiDColn and Johnson. Dem. McClellan and Pendleton. Mound (1) 29 80 140 89 179 121 102 126 142 118 66 181 8 Mounded) 122 Libert}' 95 Pine 85 Steuben 46 Pike 35 i\Iedina 25 Warren 104 Adams 53 Jordan 16 Prairie 53 Washington 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 Bom*- bon Democracy, nominated O'Conor. "WaiTen County voted as follows: TOWNSHIPS. Rep. Grant and Wilson. Lib. Rep. Greeley and Brown. BoiTR. Dem. O'Conor tfdd Adams. Washington 174 63 175 89 110 113 201 55 167 132 145 HO 137 74 87 17 102 23 55 22 82 112 39 79 Kent Pike 8 2 Jordan Pine 1 Medina . Steuben 1 Mound Lil)ert v 1 Warren 2 Adams Prairie Total 1,504 775 15 76 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. Soon after this election, the Greenback party was formed. Its origin 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 Banks, opposed refunding or re-issuing Government bonds except within certai n limitations, and declared against a return to specie payments. Three tickets were placed in the field in November, 1876, as will be seen from the following return for Warren County: TOWNSHIPS. Rep. Hayes and Wheeler. Dem. Tilden and Hendricks. Greenback. Cooper and Gary. Kent 57 133 154 164 101 163 41 132 168 133 198 148 107 77 43 101 13 139 41 34 113 35 75 113 1 Prairie 2 Adams .• Liberty 14 Jordan 15 Washington 14 Mound 14 Pike 5 Warren 15 Medina 5 Steuben 3 Pine Total 1,590 880 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, 1880, for the Republican party. In the meantime, however, the Green- back party grew to respectable proportions, continuing to augment, even, for a time after the return to a specie basis. A general reform of the civil service was demanded, and many particular evils were pointed out. The question 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 gave the following return: TOWNSHIPS. Rep. Garfield and Arthur. Dem. Hancock and English. Greenback. Weaver and Chambers. Medina 154 159 83 183 245 78 136 190 48 163 309 303 25 75 28 103 40 88 119 131 44 36 87 126 4 Prairie 3 Jordan 20 Liberty 30 Pike 10 Kent 5 Pine 1 Warren 13 Mound 12 Adams 2 Steuben 16 Washington 18 Total 1,850 901 124 Thus it will be seea that Warren County has been, from the first, either Whig or Republican, and that, too, by a majority which numerous disasters have been unable to overcome. It has frequently been the HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 77 case that numbers ol other parties have been elected to iinjiortant posi- tions in the county, but this was clue to the forbearance of the Republi- can party, owing to the recognized prominence and worth of the candi- date. GRAVEL ROADS. In 1867, the Pine Creek Gravel 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. Thw company afterward became the Williamsp(U-t & Carb^ndale Gravel Road Com- pany, with a stock of about .^5.000. About three miles of the road was built, next to Williams])ort, and then further work was abandoned. S. B. Knour & Co. owned tifty-two shares and Kent & Kitchens forty shares when the project was tir^t undertaken. In 1869, the West Leb- anon tt AValnut Grove Gravel Road Company was formed, the stock amounting to $20,000, with shares of §25 each. The route was to ex- tend due north, or nearly so. from the old town of Iiebanon eight and one-half miles. The heaviest stock-holdei's were C. J. Tinkler, twenty shares, and A. C. ct 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 pitblic expense, and not through the efforts of a company. AVaiTen County has abundant and excellent gi-avel beds. In 1850, the Independence & Oxford Plank Road 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 §20,000. Saw niills 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 MANX'FACTURING COMPANY. About eight years ago, there was organized at Williamsport the Reaper & 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, R. W. Smith, J. \V. Sutton, William Moffitt, R. W. Claypool, L. T. Miller and Alvin High. The company was formed to manufacture " Oxer's improvement in cutter bars and Oxer's im])rovement in harvest cutters," but nothing was accomi)lished, 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, 1875, the Warren County Medical Society was organized, "any graduate in medicine of a respectable medical school, or licentiate of any regularly organized medical society " being allowed to become a member. Among the incorporators were A. M. Porter, W. N. Sherman, Justin Ross, C. W. Osborn, J. G. Blanchard, 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 physicians at present are, Orin Aborn, O. D. Benson, E. E. Birch, T. B. Campbell, Jacob De Hart, J. Fleming, S. C. Fenton, C. H. Hoffman, A. J. McAdams, A. V. Moore, J. W. McMullen, S. N. Osborn, C. W. Osborn, A. M. Porter, G. W. Biggie, Justin Ross, J. C. Stewart, J. C. Simpkins, R. J. Simpkins, T. H. Trent, W. B. Vick, B. H. Wieoff, James B. Webb and Walter R. Wilson. THE GRANGERS. In March, 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 $10,000. 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 manufacturers, 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 lirst Board of Justices, in 1827, consisted of Lemuel Boyd, Thomas Kearns, Thomas Cunningham and Edward Mace. Levi Cronkhite began in 182S; Samuel Merrill, 1828; Jonathan Shippy, 1828; Laurence Rains, 1828; Benjamin Chenoweth, 1829; 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 Swit/er, 1832; James Goodwine, 1833; Luther Tillotson, 1833 Seth St. John, 1834; James Goodwine, 1836; Samuel Watkins, 1836 L. D. Osborn, 1837; Seth St. John, 1838; Nathaniel Buttertield, 1839 Carpenter Morey, 1840; John Jones, 1841; Seth St. John. 1841; John E. Stufflebeam, 1842; David Shankland, 1843; Ozias Deyo, 1844; Elijah Thomas, 1846; E. B. Tillotson, 1847;" William Crow, 1848; Elijah Thomas, 1849; J. R. Johnson, 1851; Isaac Bowyer, 1852; Isaac Slauter, 1853; Sanford Pavne, 1854: Sidney Cronkhite, June, 1856; Thomas J. Chenenweth, 1856; C. V. White, 1857; Alfred Fisher, 1858; T. J. Chenenweth, 1859; Elisha Rogers, I860; David Moffitt, 1861; T. J. Chenenweth, 1862; Elisha Rodgers, 1863; David Moffitt, 1864; T. J. Chenenweth, 1865; William Haines, 1866; David Moffitt, 1867; L. R. Van Reed, 1868; Samuel W. Frame, 1869; D. A. Messner, 1870; Zimri Atkinson, 1870; Andrew Brier, 1871; S. M. Frame, 1872; Zimri Atkinson, 1873; Andrew Brier, 1874; S. M. Frame, 1875; Zimri Atkin- son, 1876; R. W. Alexander, 1877; S. M. Frame, 1878; Z. Atkinson, 1879; R. W. Alexander, 1880; George T. Buell, 1881; James! Barr, 1882. Clerks of the Circuit Court — James Cunningham, 1827-38; Thomas O'Neal, by appointment, April, 1838; William Robb, by appointment, 1838; E. F. Lucas, 1838; William R. Boyer, 1841; H. R. Pomeroy, 3856; William C. Smith, 1863; Fry Bryant, 1870; Henry C. Johnson, 1879. Auditors — Prior to 1848, the business of this office was done by the Clerk or Treasurer. Walter B. Miller, 1848; Isaac S. Jones, 1852; James H. Bonebrake, 1860; WML Thomas, 1864; William Moffitt, 1868; George Adams, 1876; William Moffitt, 1881. HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 79 Recorders — James Cunninffh am, 1827; Thomas O'Neal, 1888; Henry J. Parker, 1844; William R. Boyer, 1845; Robert M. Allen, 1852; John B. Wright, 185C); William H. Thomas, 1860; George Adams, 1864; J. D. Livingood, 1872; Thomas J. Graves, 1880. Sherifts— William F. Beckett, 1827; John Seaman, 1820; William Robb, 1S88; Aaron Stevenson. 188'J; Nicholas Sheflfer, 1841; Isaac Templeton, 1S4<); John P. Pugh, 1847; W^illiara Robb, appointed 1840; George Oglesby, 1840; George W. Armstrong, 1851; C. V. White, 1858; Abram S. Jones, 1857; George Miner, 1861; William 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. Stumi), 1880-84. Treasurers— Enoch Farmer, 1828 (S1,000 bond); John C. Irvin, 1831; James Todd, 1832; James H. Buell, 1884; William R. Bover, 1838; B. F. Gregory, 1840; E. F. Lucas, 1842 ($15,000 bond); James C. McAlilly, 18.44 (died in office, 1852); Samuel J. McAlilly, 1852; Benjamin F. Gregory, 1852; James H. Buell. 1855; Lewis Haines, 1857; Samuel F. Messner, 1850; George Kitchens, 1863 ($100,000 bond); Alvin High, 1867; Cvrus Romine, 1S<1; Samuel Bittinger, 1875; Phillip Gemmer, 1870. ^ Agents of three per cent fund — James H. Buell, 1831; Nicholas Shefler, 1882; B. F. Gregory, 1888; E. F. Lucas, 1830; Benjamin Crow. 1840. Siu'vevors — Perrin Kent, 1828; Ferdinand W^oodward, 1852; Isaac N. Tavlor. 1S62; Ferdinand W'oodward, 1866; Thomas J. Webb, 1872; John L. Trimble, 1874; Samuel Smith, 1878. Circuit Court Judges — John R. Porter, 1828; Isaac Naylor, 1838; William P. Bi-yant. 1853; John M. Cowan, 1*862; 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 Common Pleas Court assumed jurisdiction of probate matters. Common Pleas Judges — This court was created in 1852. Daniel Mills served as Judge in 1853; William R. Bover, 1856; Isaac Navlor, 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, 1887; JohuR. Harris. 1887; Wesley Clark, 1840, resigned 1845; B. F. Gregory, 1845; J. R M. Bryant, J. H. Buell and E. S. Thomas, three "Examiners." appointed 1847; B. F. Greg- ory, 1848; James J. McAlilly, 1840; J. O. Wade, B. H. Boyd and San ford Payne. 1853; Amos Jones, J. O. Wade and Andrew M. Shepard, 1854; Delos Warren, J. O. Wade and Joseph Franklin. 1855-5(5; * * * William P. Rhodes, 1860; M. T. Case, 1866;*John L. Boyd, 1868; James W. McMullen, 1860; Henry Rittenour, 1871; C. M. Parks, first "County Superintendent," 1873; Alonzo Nebaker, 1875; John Bow- man, 1877; Alonzo Nebaker. 1881. Coronei-s— William Search, 1820; J. R. Coffin, 1832; Charles Mc- Alister, 1836; Samuel Campbell, 1840; * * * Josiah Tharp. 1S51; 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 WARREN COUNTY. Associate Judges— Nathaniel Buttertield and Samuel B. Clark, 1828; Isaac Rains, 1831; James Crawford and David McConnell, 1833; Hugh M. King, 1834; Thomas Collins, 1836; Levi Jennings, 1840; William Coldren, 1840; Eleazur Purviance, 1845; Josiah Tharp, 1847; Silas Hooker, 1847; Peter Schoonover, 1851. The office was abolished in 1852. County Agents — Luther Tillotson, 1827; Holder Sisson, 1828; Isaac Rains, 1828; J. J. McAlilly, 1829; Samuel B. Clark, 1830; Charles Barkshire, 1836; Lemuel W. Joiner, 1839; Benjamin Crow, 1846; Elisha Hitchens, 1848. There were many others, but their 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 affairs, 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 first order paid by the county of Warren was $28, early in 1828, to James Page, one of the Commission- ers to locate the county seat: No. 2 was for $32, to George Hollings- worth, for the same service; No. 3 was for $15, to Luther Tillotson, for services as Sheriff; No. 4 was for $12.62, 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 1828, aggregating 1377.3 1^. The cash receipts for the same period (the year 1828) were $185. 43|; orders received at the Treasury and canceled, $174.25, leaving a cash balance in the Treasury of $11.18|, with orders still in circulation, $203.06^. The tax assessed for this year (1828) was as follows: Poll tax, 37^ cents; horse, mule or ass, 'Sl^ cents; stallion, once the season rate; ox, 1 2 i^ cents; silver or pinchbeck watch, 25 cents; gold watch, $1; brass clock, $1; pleasure carriage, $1.50; 100 aci'es 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 the receipts was from the sale of town lots, and another considerable portion was from store and tavern licenses. A small expense 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, $11.93f had been received for town lots; 75 cents had been paid for whisky,* furnished on the day of r.he sale of tho lots; county orders of $10.25 had been received as license to vend merchandise; and county ordei's of $164 had been received in pay- ment of county revenue. In 1829, county orders of $353 were issued, of which $196.93i worth were paid off. Up to January, 1830, fifty-six orders had beeu issued, amounting to $556,06^. Of these, $220. 68i worth had been liquidated, * A public sale of lots without whisky was a dull affair, and was scarcely ever seen. It was well- known to all that if whisky was free and abundant, the bidding was iiuich livelier and higher, and the seller would more than reap a return for the outlay in the greater number and higher price of the sales. Accordingly, on the record of all the early sales of county lots in Warren t'ounty, is found an order from the Board of Commissioners for from three to ten gallons of whisky. It loosened the tongue of the auctioneer, opened the hearts and pockets of the bidders, assembled Jarge crowds, and oiled the oc- casion with satisfactory success. HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 81 leaving the county debt at that time $335. 37|. This wa.s considered, at the time, a heavy indt'btednes.s, and perplexed the Commissioners to no small extent. In 1830, orders to the amount of 8342. IS | were issued, increasing the debt to $677.50.V; but S6'25. '.'5 worth were liquidated, leaving the debt, on the 1st of January, 1831, §51.()l.i. In 1831, orders to the amount of SI, 084 80| were issued, increasing the debt to SI. 136.- 415; ^^^t during the same time, Sl,064.52.^ of orders were canceled, leav- ing the debt, on the Ist of January, 1832^ $71. 89^. By May, 1833, 256 orders had been issued. On the 6th of November, 1837, there was on hand S416.22. During the year ending November 6, 1838, there was received $3,091.16; the expenses were $2,006.73, leaving a balance in the Treasury of $1,501.10. At last the county was on a firm financial foundation. At the begin- ning of the year ending June, 1843, there was on hand $954.23; received dm-ing the vear, $3,629.83; expenses, $3,659.50; balance on hand, $1,024.56. For-the year ending May 31, 1848, on hand, $2,897.75; receipts. $6,378.16; expenses, $6,786.67; on hand, end of year, $2,389,- 24. Among the receipts were merchants' license, $62.47; peddlers, license, $lO; clock sellers' license, $13; grocery license, $45; 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 $2,376.21. 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 $3,438.07; 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, $82,580.63; balance on hand, $32,381.51: orders outstanding, $9,530.70; county officers' salaries during the year, $6,078.51; 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 Treasurer'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 $6)4,9(57.35; the county officers cost $5,118.84; the geological survey of the county, $638.50; the poor, $3,714,98. and fox seal j)s, $154. 50. In June, 1878, the receipts were $42,045.59 on hand at the beginning of the year, and $107,778.84 collected, giving a total of $149,824.43; the expense was $99,726.52; the county officers cost $5,091.28 The following is a full statement of the receipts and expenditures of Warren County, Incl. , for the year ending May 31, 1882: 82 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. RECEIPTS. AMOUNT ON AMOUNT HAND JUNE 1,! RECEIVED 1881. DURING YEAR, County Revenue Township Revenue , Road Revenue Special School Revenue Dog Revenue Common School Revenue Tuition Revenue Corporation Revenue Additional Special School Revenue. Redemptions Refunders — " Taxes Refunded " Estray Fund Docket Fees Three Per Cent Fund Railroad Tax Common School Principal Common School Interest Tow^n 22, Range 8, principal Range 8, principal Range 6, principal Range 7, principal Range 9, principal Range 10, principal Range 7, principal Range 9, principal Range 9, principal Range 10, principal Range 8, principal Range 10, principal Range 9, principal Town 21 Town 23 Town 22 Town 20 Town 20 Town 23 Town 22 Town 21 Town 21 Town 23 Town 22 Town 23 Town 22 Town 21 Town 23 Town 22 Town 20 Town 20 Town 23 Town 22 Town 21 Town 21 Town 23 Town 22 Town 23 Town 22 Town 22 Town 23 Town 21 Damages Common School Rents Range Range Range Range Range Range 10, Range 7, Range 9, Range 9, Range 10, Range 8, Range 10, Range 9, Range 6, Range 10, rents Range 10, rents Range 10, surplus principal. nterest merest , nterest nterest , nterest nterest nterest nterest nterest nterest , nterest nterest , nterest . nterest , Totals. ,563 41 ,510 93 ,087 59 595 38 923 79 259 19 ,780 10 172 59 131 11 "15*23' ,192 75 80 66 470 77 45 97 68 11 144 46 500 00 $24,060 57 3,377 22 9,583 36 7,283 94 917 83 11,845 36 8,664 80 1,093 63 1,358 67 880 06 17 00 54 00 56 78 869 56 2,511 75 1,472 10 461 10 87 85 753 38 46 89 60' 6i 466 00 ,475 00 46 82 15 79 147 33 253 42 103 56 122 60 184 49 6 56 134 50 147 50 38 70 163 70 827 29 378 90 300 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 34 00 437 63 "46' 66 148,922 20 [ $85,609 30 $38,623 98 6,888 15 12,670 95 13,879 32 1,841 62 17,104 55 15,444 90 1,266 22 1,358 67 1,011 17 32 23 54 00 56 78 3,062 31 2,592 41 1,472 10 461 10 87 85 752 38 470 77 92 86 68 11 204 47 500 00 466 00 3,690 00 3,593 75 173 07 83 25 259 20 558 72 195 94 155 13 339 96 22 53 343 30 430 63 103 16 1,030 39 1,955 11 55 04 378 90 300 00 437 63 34 00 40 00 $134,531 50 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY, 83 EXPENDITURES. Amount Amount Overpaid Overpaid nurifie Year Treasury May 31, 1882 June 1, 1881. ^^"^S »ear. ireasury. Expended Balance in Count_y Revenue Township Revenue Road Revenue Special Seliool Revenue Doi^ Revenue Common School Revenue Tuition Revenue Corpi 'ration Revenue Additional Special School Revenue. Redemptions Refunders— " Taxes Refunded ". . . . Estray Fund Docket Fees , Three Per Cent Fund Railroad Tax Common School Principal Common .School Interest Town 22, Range 8, principal 126,801 84 I 4,199 58 10,GG1 68 ' 9,(MI7 99 791 52 11.883 38 11,079 66 666 65 636 13 870 71 $148 51 $148 51 8, principal. 6, principal. 7, principal. 9, principal. Town 21, Ranire Town 23, Range Town 22, Range Town 20, Ran^e Town 20, Range 10, principal. Town 23, Range 7, principal Town 22, Range 9, principal Town 21, Range 9, principal Town 21, Range 10, principal Town 23, Range 8, principal Town 22, Range 10, principal Town 23, Range 9, principal Town 22, Range 8, interest Town 21, Range 8, interest Town 23, Range 6, interest Town 22, Range 7, interest Town 20, Range 9, interest 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 10, interest Town 23, Range 9, interest Town 22, Range 6, interest Town 22, Range 10, rents Town 23, Range 10, rents Town 21, Range 10, surplus principal. Damages Common School Rents 73 33 474 00 '225' 66 15 23 54 00 2,192 75 2,440 00 460 00 87 85 679 05 4.50 00 91 94 500 00 940 00 3,915 00 3,150 00 30 09 24.5 96 236 77 164 97 155 13 305 55 152 49 259 18 64 46 1,261 08 437 63 34 (X) 11,822 14 2,688 57 2,009 27 4,871 33 1,0.50 10 5,221 17 4,365 24 599 57 722 54 140 46 17 00 56 78 869 56 152 41 1,472 10 1 10 20 77 92 68 11 204 47 443 75 173 07 53 17 13 24 321 95 30 97 34 41 22 52 89 71 171 45 38 70 1,020 39 694 03 55 04 378 90 300 00 40 00 Totals Deduct amounts overdrawn. $847 51 $221 84 $94,922 27 $40,234 90 847 51 Balance in Treasury, provided all orders were redeemed ' Add outstanding orders Actual balance in Treasury. $39,387 39 .3,125 36 $42,512 75 84 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. ITEMIZED STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES OF COUNTY REVENUE. On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account On account of assessing $ 1, of attorneys of bailiffs of books and stationery 1, of blind at blind asylum of bridges 5, of county officers' salaries 3, of criminals of Circuit Court of elections of equalization of assessments of fuel of inquests of insane of jurors 1 of poor 5 of poor farm 1 of printing of public buildings of returning fines of roads and highways of County Superintendent's salary 1 of teachers' institute of war — " tombstones for soldiers " of fox scalps of wolf scalps of special judges of insurance of ditch 346 00 30 00 280 50 369 10 75 283 58 572 33 479 85 824 70 98 40 20 00 288 85 84 70 318 59 394 85 468 65 458 01 509 35 940 08 17 00 816 35 ,001 20 50 00 54 00 153 00 23 00 70 00 920 00 30 00 Total 126,801 84 WiLLI.AM MOFPITT, AudUoT. Philip Gemmer, Treasurer. R. W. Alexander, George T. Bell, James I. Barr, Commissioners. recapitulation of taxes for the FISCAL YEAR 1882. Townships. o . III O ID ^ _3 o > Value of Improve- ments. Value of Personal Property. 22S c« c« ? "p Washington... Pine $226,110 350,175 193,760 461,455 201,875 271,225 297,160 487,545 259,205 424,100 10,890 529,485 130,830 8,885 2,185 $43,055 52,085 29,425 81,6.50 33,380 43,630 54,740 71,425 69,570 41,700 40,250 61,850 25,185 7,215 165 $ 760 640 $480 3,000 $83,465 160,350 53,820 120,560 107,785 103,455 175,875 146,985 186,875 107.025 161,355 124,195 28,095 66,345 14,035 $1,400 "260 1,280 620 $91,000 $446,270 566,250 332,175 770.905 399,415 421,605 535,670 705.955 524,820 580,415 2.89,660 715,.530 215,980 123,430 39,720 70 171 54,910 98,355 53,680 70 1,635 620 875 1,090 6,970 1.455 2,420 6,805 226 Pike 89 122 247 Liberty 225 935 150 8,165 8,235 1,200 54,270 150 6,240 14,730 126 Williamsport.. 152 198 '35,286 12,240 485 '31,385 81 10,705 3,685 94 State Line City 7,410 41 Total 3,849,885 655,325 29,260 131,355 1,640,220 4,045 357,710 6,667,800 2,062 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 85 Townships. Washington.... Pine Mound Steuben Pike Medina AVarren Liberty Adaius Jordan Williani.sport ... Prairie Kent West Lebanon. Star Line (itv. If. ■< 570 765 43:< ,037 .52:t .566 766 9.".9 704 7.')9 42a 9.'.7 299 19.1 6.S 8 89 23 11.1 25 66 42 l.->4 OH 79 S7 .S4 .•!2 107 12 141 19 104 94 lie 08 57 91 14:i 10 4.3 18 24 68 7 93 8 748 84 991 53 566 38 l,34.-> 61 683 47 7:$5 57 980 50 1.242 03 914 52 991 65 , 539 31 1.243 8.5 386 00 244 43 83 97 81,631 64 2,152 94 1,2.32 39 2,9 -'2 34 1,486 73 1.597 63 2,121 70 2,695 83 1,986 44 ' 2,157 42 1,165 50 I 2,702 39 Ii36 78 525 88 ' 179 85 S 169 88 $1,175 28 166 05 231 12 199 68 200 80 141 19 787 05 290 21 "in 66 323 90 498 17 683 47 1,054 00 964 14 1,058 93 824 55 .•M8 24 434 35 1,073 30 539 84 232 09 119 00 81,25.5 46 1,757 68 638 17 1,992 77 976 71 1,087 22 1,8:J3 08 2,214 89 l,:i49 40 1,296 74 Total 9,030 99 1,3.33 30 11,697 66 25,395 46 2,734 54 ! 9,005 36 17,180 84 9,835 77 89,462 89 2,184 84 .593 88 J o ■<: o PI 8 849 40 232 11 1,309 66 .399 36 1,084 50 803 45 917 75 7S7 05 495 82 4:54 :« 1,717 28 215 93 270 28 218 83 84,295 55 7,974 98 3,9.'« 22 8,993 04 5,033 01 6,420 97 7,576 25 9,371 46 7,4.'..S .'59 1 6,455 64 .5,775 Ul 10,237 06 I 3,-239 13 , 1,862 63 I 836 35 Note. — Additional special school tax — Williaiusport, 81,523.84 ; West r>ebanon, S;no.l9 ; State Line City, S39.67. Corporation tax — Williamsport, 81,196.27 ; State Line City, 8119. Total delinquent tax, 811,482.47. TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF WARREN COUNTY. BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED. WARRENTON. THE life of this defunct village was very short. It was laid out by the County Agent, Luther TilJotson. 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 square 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. Range 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 May, 1828, thai the Board of Justices ordered the survey and at the same time they ordered that on the 5th of A'.igust, 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 generosity of the buyers. Lots sold for from §10 to S2t), ac- cording to the location. The cash receipts of the sale were §11.1)3!|. Francis Boggs was j)aid 75 cents for whisky furnished. If any build- ings were erected in ^\'arrentoIl, 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 knell of Warreaton 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, Hollingsworth, 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. WILLIAMSPOKT. In November, 1828, 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. Four blocks of eight lots each were laid out, the streets extending back from the river being Water, Second and Third, while in the centei-, 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 by the Re-locating Commissioners. Harrison, Seaman, Gilbert, and perhaps others, made valuable donations to secure the county seat. William Harrison was no doubt the first 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, paying a li- cense of %t) per annum. He also obtained a horse ferry-boat, which he began running acrc>ss the river to and from hi? "port," and which he conducted several years. Mr. Harrison donated $40 toward the payment of the Re-locating Commissioners^ which amount was paid in July, 1829, but was refunded a few years later. The first addition was laid out by Thomas Gilbert, owner, in July, 1829, at which time four blocks of eight lots each and one half block of four lots, were laid out on the southwest side of the original plat along the Wabash River. The addition shows the same streets running back from the river as the original plat, but run- ning southwest are Washington and Jefferson streets. Perrin Kent was Surveyor. Early in August, 1829, Isaac Rains, County Agent, laid out the celebrated " West Addition " to Williamsport, on land 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 the busi- ness portion of the town, the stores and other business houses being mostly on the southeast side of the square and along Main street. Per- rin Kent was surveyor, and William Russell, John Seaman, William Search, James Watson, and John Regan assisted him. On the 6th of August, 1829, occurred the first public sale of lots in the new county seat. John Seaman was the " crier " of the sale. The following m^n were the purchasers: Sylvester Stone, Benjamin Cheneweth, Isaac Martin, Samuel Rogers, E. W. Jones, Henry Boston, Elijah Osborn, HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. ' 87 "William Hanon, Jenuinprs, Lovi Cronkhitp, Samnol Connaway, JaiiH'H Curiningbam, "William Pugh and John ^larlott. Tht> total foot- inf]jp of the sale were SG85.8SL Onlv two or throe of these men lived in "Willi anisport. Other sales were ordered from time to time as the needs demanded. Thomas Gilbert laid ont a continuation of his South Addi- tion in June, 1831. and in October. ]831, Thomas B. Clark. County Agent, laid out the Northeast Addition. Soon afterward, a continuation of the AVest Addition was also laid out. In May. 1832, Thomas Gilbert had surveyed another addition, and in March, 1830, the County Agent added about sixty new lots from the donated lands. A puVilic 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. Merchaids and Mechanics. — Isaac Martin sold the first dry goods in "WilliamsporL 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 $000. 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 remember him at all. It is j)Ossible 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 ofiSciated 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. HaiTison 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 fiat-boats down the river to New Orleans. He employed a considerable ])ortion of his time in this manner and employed a young man named Sanford C. Cox, who was one of the first school teachers in "W^illiamsport, to write on the county records. Cunning- ham constructed his own flat-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. HBuell was the first resident physician, and became one of the county'h most promiuent and honored citizens. Thomas Gilbert, "William Han-ington, Cyrus Pem'son. Joel James, "William Covington, Thomas Eobb, Samuel Ullery, ""Wildcat" "Wilson and llussell 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 $500. About the same time, Samuel "Ulleiy opened the same kind of an establishment. It was an almost every-day night to see Indians jiassing through the town and stci)j)ing at the liquor shops for whisky, tol)acco, etc. It was the com- monest sight to see deer feeding in herds near the town or cro])ping the twigs or grass near glades or clumps of bu.shes. 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 COUxNTY. one occasion the poor, half-starved creatures came timidly into stable- yards to feed with domestic cattle. During the winter of 1831-32, 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 1833. (^-ourtlandt Lawson began with foreign and domestic groceries in 1834. Henry Lowrey was selling merchandise as early as 1833, his license being $10. 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 was 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 upon to assist in paying public expenses. These various direct tax- atioufi 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 McMurter commenced selling liquor and groceries the following spring. Harrison was yet keeping tavern and C(mducting the horse ferry across the river. McDonald & Haynes began merchandising later in the year of 1835, as did C. M. Thomas, James Todd & Co., and, per- haps, others. John F. Irwin, John R. Harris, Berkshire & Joiner, J. L. Johnson, Hayes & Dickson, Milby & Boyer, and, perhaps, others, began business in some branch of merchandising during the year 1836. Of course, all mentioned above were not yet in business. Some had left the county never to return; others had engaged in different pursuits, 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- live 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 figure and the portly figure and imposing dignity of a Judge of the Circuit Court 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 being packed, were shipped down the river, usually on flat-boats, but of ten on freight or keel-boats or barges. Grain had begun to find a steady market. Money was scarce. Merchants received but little, and were generally obliged to take some farm production for goods. The productions were then shipped to distant markets, and the proceeds were used in replenishing the supply of goods. Commercial transactions were effected by exchanges, and even balances were left for time to settle in the same manner. Wiliamsport w^as a thriving little town. Moses Cox opened a tavern in 1836, and Hiram Wilkinson a saloon at the same time. In 1837, Stephen Schoonover and Daniel Cristman were selling merchandise in the village. The date when the first post office was established at Williamsport cannot be definitely ascertained, HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 89 but was prior to 1830, as at that time G. W, King was handling the mails of Uncle Sam. His duties were not burdensome, and not more than a dozen assistants or deputies were required. D. Jennings & Co. and William Robb & Co. began selling from a general stock in 1838. Hayne.s & Dickson. Samuel Harris, J. L. Johnson, McDonald & Haynes, Stephen Schoonover, 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 coffins for several paupei-s who had died, and was paid from the county funds. One of these paupers was James Foreman. Aaron Stephenson was man- ufactiu-ing chairs as early as 1837. In 1838, he was paid S18 for two dozen chairs for the court house. G. W. King, Schoonover «fc Berkshire, McAlilly & Joiner and Robert Pearson were selling goods in 1830 and 1840. 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 S25 to §37 license. The heav- iest stock of good^3 then ran up to nearly $4,000. 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. W. 6l M. King, Haynes & Dickson, King & Treadway, Schoonover & Berkshire, McAlilly & Joiner, McDonald & Spears, Coblinson & Klean, Ebenezer King. J. L. Johnson, AVilliam 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 '40s. The town had grown from a population of about 250 in 1840, to about 350 in 1850. The gi-ain 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-cut 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 1840 or 1850, a subscription paper was started to raise the necessary 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 fanners 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 Williamsport. It took a year or more to raise the amount which an exjjerienced engineer had stated would be necessary to complete the work. The contract of digging the cut was given ^o a man named Barcus. The entire cost of construction was about S1(V()00; but when the work was finished and boats began to run up and down the cut to and from the warehouses, Williamsport received the greatest " boom" in all her history. Every branch of Imsiness was greatly augmented, and the builders of the cut were more than repaid for their outlay. This in- 90 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. crease began in about 1851. Among the business'tirms eai'ly in the '50's were Haynes & Dickson, Warren, Hegar & Co., B. H. Boyd & Co.. Park & Clayi^ool, Kent & Kitchens, Allen & Bay, Cessna & Wanen, McAlilly & Son, Bnsh & Templeton, Hanley & Haynes, Cessna & Miller, Hayes & Landon, James Thomas, Stnrgeon & Landon and others, or the same under difi'erent 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. Under 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. R. M. Bi-yant, 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 qiTestion. The population of the town at the time the petition was being signed the 8th and 9th of February, 1854, was as follows, the figures after each name being the total number of persons, rela- tives or others, in the family: J. B. M. Bryant, 7; John W. Dick- son, 7; Samuel Sturgeon, 5; B. A. Chandler, 7; W. M. Haynes, 5; Isaac N. Dickson, 3; John Cox, 2; Bobert M. Allen, 6; James Thomas, 4; Peier Dimmick, 2; Archibald Shockley, 6; William Kent, 4; Elisha Kitchens, 9; B. F Boyd, 6; Stephen Cessna, 4; Francis Hall, 6, Jacob Feld, 7; Leonard Rowland, 2; Washington Wynn, 2; Samuel Landon, 4; Lewis Haynes, 5; Jacob Farris, 5; Bobert Pearson, 7; G. H. Norduft, 10; Mrs. Bussell, 3; Enos Canutt, 8; Isaac Jones, 3; James Jones, 4; John Shafer, 4; K. J. Parker, G; William Hopkins, 5; Morris Watkins, 3; George Livingood, 5; B. F. Gregory, 5; H. E. Pomeroy, 4; Henry Begar, 7; Mrs. Schoonover, 6; Mrs. Stephens, 1; Mrs. Swingler, 3; Peter Mahn, 7; JohnShode, 5; Isaac Swartz, 3; John Long, 6; Jacob Ray, 3; T. W. Swigarfc, 2; Miles Jones, 3; J. G. Whitehead, 4; Dr. Fennimore, 7; Perry Shafer, 5; R. Robinson, 4; Daniel Bush, 6; William Blangea, 4; Mrs. Yeaman, 5; Cain Blangea, 2; Francis Walls, 4; G. W. Clark, 2; John Kankins, 7; George Call, 8; John Wynn, 4; Henry Conner, 3; Mrs. Littlewood, 4; Vincent Virgin, 4; Delos Warren, 4; Joseph Spencer, 6; Jonathan Walls, 6; Thomas Templeton, 14; Robert Hogue, 2; Mrs. Hughes, 5; Mrs. Fume, 1; Daniel Swartz, 45; Mrs. Johnson, 7; S. J. .McAlilly, 4; Isaac Covington, 1; James Whitaker, 3; James INIartin, 7; Mrs. Jackson, 7; Christian Homan, 2; Mi's. Laslie, 9; Daniel Holycross, 5; Peter Struble, 12; Mrs. Moliere, 6; Mr. Dalglish, 4; Jacob Goodman, 4; J. W. Bash, 6; Mrs. Jones, 3; Mr. Eider, 5; John Howai-d, 4; Edward Maxwell, 15; Mr. Brelgn, 7; J. B. Wright, 7; Mr. Dickson, 5; Abra- ham Jones, 5; Calvin Slaughter, 6; Mr. Pearson, 6; total, 532. The section incorporated comprised about 116 acres of the oldest portion of the town; also Kent & Hitchens' Addition on the north. At this pe- riod Williamsport was familiarly known as the Side Cut City. It was very prosperous, its trade coming from as far north as the Kankakee Eiver, and from far over on the fertile prairies of Illinois. In June, .1853, the surveyors of the Lake Erie, Wabash & St. Louis Eailroad appeared and located the route of the proposed road through W^arren County. This had the effect of arousing great public interest, HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 91 and added no little to the j^rowth of Williamsport. The Coiintv Com missioners donated about §500 conditionally toward assisting the survey and when a subscription of stock was called for, to commence the con struction, the citizens responded as liberally as their means warranfed Many thousands of dollars' worth of stock were taken in the county to be paid in o and 10 per centum monthly installments as the work pro- cessed. It was not until 1.S50 that re-ular trains becran runnincr across the county, and soon after this the old side cut canal bei^in to decline in usefulness. In a comparativly few yeju-s, its field of importance was wholly usurped by that more progressive means of eflfectincr 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 6 and dunng nearly the whole of the '50's. The Wabash Cormner- ctal, established in 1848 by Enos Canutt, assisted much in placincr Will lamsport among the" list of important commercial centers of Western»In diana. The beneficial intluence of the canal as a means of augmenting commerce had already increased the poi)ulation 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 1 "^o'^nnnT"'^'^ mammoth proportions. James Goodwine packed about d, 000 hogs annually for several years, shipping the same to mar ket via canal. He also bought considerable grain, as did Geoicro King and others. v^^wi^u Early in the T.O's, Kent & Kitchens, Haynes & Dickson and Cessna & VVarren 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 com. Scores of teams would stand for hours waitino- their turn to unload. Before the warehouses had been built or the sfde cut made, gram, althouirh 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 185'2, when the side-cut canal was completed and the location of Williamsport thus rendered as advantacreous for pur' poses of shipment as that of Attica or any other town o? 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 becran to buv 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 l)oats could be seen at once load ingw:th pork or grain. The old Wahash Connnercial noticed that in the fall of 18o2, although the toll on the side-cut canal was only the fraction of one cent per hundred weight of pork or per bushel of .rrain a total toll of over SlOO was received in one week. In May 185'] V-ir' ren^ Kegar & Co shij)ped 11,000 bushels of corn at one time, and Kent .V Hitchens and Haynes & Dickson did almost as well. About this time 92 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. the celebrated Jack Stinson appeared in the paper with the following characteristic letter: The harvest 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 for fruit and crops was never witnessed in Warren County. I have lived in good old Warren when there were pre-emption rights on coon tracks. J. Stephenson, alias Jack Stinson, Christian Philosopher of the nineteenth centuiy. This was published in June, 1853; at the same time the paper said: Williamsport is the county seat of Warren, one of the best counties in the State, but as to churches and schoolhouses we are entirely behind the times. The popula- tion of our tow^n has almost doubled within the last twelve months. In two days in Novevuber, 1853, Warren, Recrar & Co. sold to Illinois customers $2,000 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 $500 worth of goods daily. '.^fr. Hitchens says that he himself sold as high as $300 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 1853-54, 7,300 were packed in Williamsport. In the spring of 1854, flour was worth $7.25; wheat, $1.25; corn 37 to 40 cents; oats, 27 cents; salt, $3, and btitter, 15 cents. At this time there were seven dry goods stores, one drug store, 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 four doctors. At no time during the history of the county seat were the times more prosperous than during the first half of the decade of '50' 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, but the trade was greater. Mills and Factories. — The saw-mill was built early in the '50's by the Nordufts, but after a few years it was destroyed by tire, though soon after another was built. Late in the '50's, Myers & Co. obtained the old Haynes & I>ickson warehouse and fitted it up with a first-class set of machinery for grinding grain. Within about two years, it was sold to the Jones Brothers. Mr. Haines at one time had an interest in the mill. It was finally burned to the ground in about 1865. 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- ties amounting to nearly $100,000. Many of whom they had obtained money on credit, paying as high as 20 per centum interest, suffered se- verely and lost all they had loaned. B. F. Gregory, S. F. Messner, Norduft & Kennard, and several others, some twenty or twenty-five years ago, erected a brick building, 30x40 feet, in which five 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 thu factory. Asa Fisher was for a time connected with the fac- tory. It was operated about four years. Bennett Hoxton carried on the same business afterward. Cyrus Sylvester built the foundry structure in about 1861, 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. During the '50's, Livingood & Wood manufactured plows and wagons on quite an 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 fur 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 hb a consequence, various excellent cooi)er shops were established, several of the most extensive being in the country in the vicinity of Williamsport. John Bush man- ufactured at Williamsport, and "William AVilson. Nathan Gallimore and Norton & Mcintosh in the country. The stocks of goods kept by the merchants did not exceed in value about §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 Toicn. — The completion of the ^V abash Railroad in 1856 was the signal for the disuse of the canal and the river and the o-radual decadence of the "Old Town" of Williamsport William Kent laid out the first lots in the new town soon after the railroad was finished. Among the earliest residents of the new town were Robert Pearson, Charles Pitcher. William Fox and a man called H. D. Thomas. Kent & Kitchens erected the big warehouse, or rather broughi the material from the old town and after a short time bought as high as 212,000 bushels of grain. 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 bought by "\V. P. IMoore, Phillip Gemmer, W. B. Brownley and Mr. Breckenridge. R. W. and E. P. Claypool began in 1870, and are vet in the business. They buy about 100,000 bushels of grain aunuaUv. The old warehouse built by Kent & Hitchens has been owned bv the railroad company for a number of years. Gradually the business inter- ests have been transferred to the new town. Dm-iug the last war. amonw the business men were Isaac S. Jones & Co., drugs; William M. Havne*s & Brother, general merchandise; F. M. Dowler, furniture; P. Dimmick, boots and shoes, Frank AN'einer. 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. ]\Iahn & Son, bakery; E. A. Board- man, hottfj. The first brass band was organized during the war and was called out at all the military meetings and other public "-atherinrrs. At present, the business jjortion of the old town is almost wholly de- serted. The new has grown up at the expense of the old. The incorporation of the town in 185-4 died out in two vears, and re- mained dormant for some time, hut was finally revived, and has endured since, until the present. The municipal officers now are as follows: Trustees, John Hodgson. Charles H. Porch and Samuel Bittinger; Clerk T. R. Harbaugh; Treasurer, T. R. Harbaugh; Marshal. Jolm R. Hun- ter. The present poi^ulation of the town is about 1,000. It has a bonded debt of !?10,000, incurred in building the brick school structure Poslnuintern and Attonirys. — Among the Postmasters at the count-' 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, 1856; J. IVI. Rhodifer, 1857; B. S. Wheeler, 1862; Elisha Kitchens. 1873 to 1883. Among the lawyers who have practiced at the county seat, have been Da- vid W^allace, A. B. Patterson, Robert A. Chandler, Isaac Naylor, Joseph A. Wright, John R. Porter, James R. M. Bryant, Benjamin F. Gregory, J. H. Bnell, Lewis Wallace, W. C. W^ilson. J. J. Taylor, E. A. Saunders, S. C. Fisher, G.H. Aysworth, ,Jonathau Birch, J. H. Beckwith, T. C. W. Seele, II. T. McKee, G. A. May, V. A. Cobb, L M. Hall, R. F. Fah- nestock, J. M. Butler, Michael White, 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 Gobon. Jesse Harper, James Park, Luke Riley, R. A. Vance, John B. Yeager, Charles McAdams, a man called McCobe and another called Bryant. Secret Organizations. — W^illiamsport Lodge, No. 38, A. , F. & A. M., received its first dispensation May 29, 1844, the first officers 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. McAlilly, J. W. In May, 1850, the charter was received, the following being the officers at the time: R. A. Chandler, W. M. ; J. H. Buell, S. 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 upon eleiuents from this lodge. It is in excellent financial condition. Its present officers are G. W.^Barget, W. M. ; William Moffitt, S. W. ; Ellis Rouse, J. W\; Philip Gemmer. Treasurer; Justin Ross, 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. McAlilly, 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 May, 1866, when it was revived and re-chartered with the following first member- ship: A. S. Jones, Henry Held, G. R. Livingood, Jacob Held and M. P. Woods. The first officers of the re-organization were: W. H. Thomas, N. G.; G. R. Livingood, V. G. ; William Moffit, R. S. ; M. P. Woods, P. S. ; G. T. Richardson, Treasurer. Since 1866, the lodge has been prosperous. It owns a fine hall, has a large active membership, and is well fixed financially. The present officers are Jacob Hanes, N. G. ; A. V. Holmes, V. G. ; M. H. Pearson, R. S.» Henry Held, P. S. ; W^illiam Moffitt, Treasurer. Durino- the '40's, when the temperance wave was sweeping over all the West, among the organizations in the county was St. Jerome's Divis- ion of the Sons ol: Temperance, instituted at Williamsport. Many of the leading citizens belonged, among them being B. F. Gregory, Enos Canutt, Elisha Kitchens, J. K. Buell, J. J. McAlilly, R. A. Chandler, HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 95 AVilliam Kent and others. Durincr the latter part of the '40's the ques- tion of licensing the sale of alcoholic beverages was submitted to the voters of the various townships, with the following results in Piko and Washington Townships: Pike, for license, 2; against license, 85; Washington, for license. tJO; against license, 24. The result in other townships cannot be stated. The temperance reform kejit 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 Williamsport, Lebanon, Milford, Indei)ondence and other places. No season passed without meetings of this character. The church 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 poi'tions of the county. A very large one was held at the county seat in December, 1853. Elisha Kitchens, 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. G. T. , was or'^^anized 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 a big temperance revival conducted by Mrs. MalJuy from abroad, nearly all the temperance people of the town joined it. About 800 signed the pledge at this time, and the meetings continued for two weeks. The Women's Christian Temperance Union is another excellent organization. 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 oflScers were Frank P. Longley, Dictator; W. 0. Mawherter, V. D. ; John Gregory, Reporter; John H. Schlosser, Treasurer; A. R. Owen Chaplain: Dr. O. D. Benson, Medical Examiner. The present member- ship is tifty-four. The lodge meets in the Odd Fellows' Hall. The pres- ent officers are William Moffitt, Dictator; T. J. Graves,V. D.; John Hun- ter, Reporter; John Fox , Treasurer ; A. C. Pomeroy, Chaplain. The lodge is highly prosperous Bryant Post, G. A. R., No. 02, named in honor of Col. J. R. M. Bryant, was organized in April, 1882, with eighteen charter members. The first officers were S. C. Fisher, Commander, Ja<;ob DeHart, Sur- geon; J. H. Stump, J. y. C. ; Phili[) Gemmer, Quartennaster; Theodore Harbaugh, O. D. ; Hosea Cronkhite, O. G. ; A. Holmes, Chaplain; Isaiah Smith, Adjutant. The lodge meets in the Odd Fellows' Hall and is ])rosperous. Present Business. — General stores, H. D. Thomas, J. H. Messner, W. T. Moore, W. F. Nichol; gi-oc(^rie.s, S. B. Mathis, Samuel Bittinger. W. W. Stark. John Chambers, James Slauter, Henry Shiu'tz, William Slauter. Charles Pitcher and Ellis Ross; 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. I'armers' and Commercial; merchant tailor, W. K. Ward; saloons, Eli Mathis, W. P. James and Henry Karst. 96 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. THE COUNTY PRESS. During the year 1844, Enos Canutt, with a small quantity of printing raaterial 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- ain County. Late in 1845 or early in 1846, Mr. Cauu*^t moved the office to Attica, which at that period gave promise of becoming a town of great commercial influence, and continued issuing the j^aper 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- port, 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 newspaper than Attica. There was a strong demand at this period for news, as the attitude of Congress on the Wilmot Proviso and the slaver}* question in general created much excitement 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 first num- ber of the Warren Republican, a seven-column folio. In June, 1855. Isaiah Whinery became associated with Mr. Foster as joint editor and proprietor, and upon Mr. Foster's death in December, 1855, continued alone until February, 1856, when Delos W^arren purchased the interest formerly owned by Mr. Foster. In September, 1856, the veteran editor, Mr. Canutt, bought Mr. Whinery's interest, and in May, 1857, bought Mr. Warren's interest, and was thus again sole editor and proprietor. Politics in the county during the last few years had run high. The largest crowd ever in Williamsport up to that time met during the cam- paign of 1856, and listened to eloquent orators, 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 Republican, which entered upon a season of great prosperity. In September, 1856, as the duties of Mr. Canutt had greatly multiplied, and as he was getting well advanced in years, he employed W. P. Rhodes, a brilliant 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 give the county a heavy Republican majority. In January, 1860, Mr. Rhodes ceased writing for the paper, after which Mr. Canutt remained alone un- til his lamented death, in September, 1861. The paper went to his heirs, and his son John A. Canutt, assumed control, and W. P. Rhodes was employed to write for the paper. Henry F. Canutt became connected with the paper in May. 1863. In March. 1864, Orm E. Harper bought the office, and Jesse Harper became principal editor and gave the paper a strong religious caste. Almost every article written by him, on what- ever subject, contained Scriptural quotations and invocations to the Deity. In the autumn of 1866, the office passed to the control of a com- pany consisting of AVilliam C. Smith, W. P. Rhodes, and W. H. Thomas, Rhodes officiatinsr as editor, and Smith as business manager. The com- HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 97 pany paid $1,700 for the office, and eraployod J. A. Canutt to ])ubli8h the paper. In June, 1807, the office was ac^ain sold for iBl,<)t D, off" some distance from the others, was donated by Mr. Jemison for a burying ground. Some time before this, however, possibly as early as the fall of 1829, and certainly as early as March, 1880. JMr. Jemison had opened a store on the site of the old town, with a stock worth about S8(H). He paid SIO for his licen.se. 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 e.Kceed about a dozen families in the place. Thomas R. Vanmeter began selling goods in 1881, his stock in- cluding liquors, then about the most profitable commodity. In 1834, Andrew Fleming opened a store of " foreign and domestic groceries," but tht« following year went into jiartnership with a man named Lyon, under the name Lyon & Fleming, and a short time afterward became known as Lyon, Fleming & 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 188G, Lyon Si Forshay were associated in business, and 98 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. about the 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 1837. 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 had begun to rvin 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 begran to revive. During the fall of 1846 or the spring of 1847, the well-known firm of Warren & Pur- viance brought a large stock of general merchandise to the town, and about a year 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. Rhodifer commenced the same pursuit. At this time, Lebanon contained a population of about 150. James Sinks was an early cabinet-maker in the town, and a Mr. Stephens an early blacksmith. James Rhodifer 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 early 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 beo-an to run on the railroad recru- 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 $224 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 others. Chaney opened the first store, his stock consisting of groceries and provisions. Cornelius Fleming sold dry goods in 1857. Elijah Fleming was the first blacksmith. Stephens was the second and Lowe the third. George Isler 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 Mr. Swazey, drugs; John Pribble, dry goods at)d clothing; Sirenus Tellus. drugs; George Don- nelly, drugs; Dr. A. C. Walker, drugs, since 1867; Hastie & Aldrich. dry goods; C. S. Sanford, dry goods; Mr. Hopkins, dry goods; John Brice, clothing; William Bell, hardware; Edwin Brice, hardware; James Goodwin, dry goods; Hai'vey Bonebrake, dry goods; and clothing, Flem- ing Brothers. Industries. — A company was organized in 1866 and incorporated, with a declared capital of $6,000, to build a large steam flouring mill. There was a total of twenty-three stockholders, the principal ones being Thomas Crone, twenty shares; P. W. Fleming, ten shares; C. V. Flem- ing, ten shares; and the others with less interest. The corporate name was the " West Lebanon Mill 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 out well, and two years aftorward was sold to Bowoi's & Buriine. and not long afterward was ac- cidentally destroyed by fire. Mr. Tinkler also started a grist mill early in the 'TOs, placing the necessary machinery in the old warehouse. It amounted to but little. The large wai'ehouse 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 Sc Cbeseman manufactured buggies and wagons <|uite extensively over twenty years ajro. Mr. Bell followed the same occupation, turn- ing out between thirty and forty vehicles per year. Incorporation. ^-\n 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 ({ues- tion, which was accordingly done. A majority of votes were cast in fa- vor of the project, and the village was duly declareort. 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. Neicspaperfi. — 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 Adrance, edited by S. P. Conner. The tirst issue aj)peared in 1871. Its politics was Republican, and a circulation of about 400 was secured. At the exjiiration of about a year, the paper passed to Dr. A. C. Walker, Joseph Tinkler and P. W. Fleming, Dr. Walker officiating as editor. At the end of alx)ut two years, the Adrance became defunct. Its successor was the Gazette, conducted by a Mr. Bloomer. It passed to Mr. Rosenburg. when its name became the Times. A Methodist minister named Morgan conducted it for a short peri- od changing the name to the Conimoniri'allh, after which Dr. Walker again put on editorial harness, with Rufus 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 ho 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 LafC. 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 not 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. Fleming, Josiah Wood- ward, John Fritz, John W. 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 were J. S. Fleming, W. M.; G. S. Fleming, S. W. ; J. M. Fleming, J. W. The present officers are A R. Cadwallader, 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 Union of West Lebanon was organized in September, 1880, 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 W^ood, 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 1840 was about fifteen families; in 1850 it was about 150 persons; in 1860, about 300; in 1870, about 500: and in 1880, nearly 700. For thrift, energy and importance, it is not excelled by any other town in W^arren County. It has not relinquished its claim to the county seat, and may one day be the county metropolis and seat of justice. Many think the change of the county seat to West Lebanon would centralize the county and largely prevent the constant drain of wealth into neighboring counties. INDEPENDENCE. The presence, in early years, at this place of the 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 faculty to tell 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 county. 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 his cabin to become a great ren- dezvous for land speculators, settlers and travelers. Some years before, he had married his second wife, a sqaaw of the Six Nations, by 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 property and repute made him au object ol interest, esjiecially to those who were fortunate enouj^h to be able to get the pecuniary advautaj^e of him in trading or selling. It it stated that some of the most prominent men at Indepnedence 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 tmough 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 tine 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 veiling like demons and filling the air with curses, until the place fairl}- smelled of brimstone; the one getting back first would carry oti' the jirize, 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. Ho 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 Water, 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 Howery, who located there in 1882, and opened a licjuor establishment, paying §5 for his license. Then Dr. Lyon came in, and immediately afterward David Molfitt appeared, erected the tii-st 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 Holstock, Daniel Doty, Peter Messmore, Dr. W. G. Montgomery, Dr. "Wade, Charles Steadman, Andrew Young. Thomas Julian, Isaac Bunnell, Henry Farrell, Elijah Young, Edward S. Coates, Samuel Thomas, John Crow, Ailer Perry, Thomas Jefferson, were among the early residents of Inde- pendence. Farrell and Young were blacksmiths. Moftitt was a hatter, and al.so one of the best hunters and traj^pers ever in the county. He did not neglect his business to hunt; at odd times he would shoulder his gun, and when he came back, game usually came with him. He ke})t 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- cournes had the advantage in those days, as almost all conuuercial transactions weie confined there. Jacob Hanes, in 18;{;}, began selling iccf and dry groceries. A few years later, Josej)h Hanes became associated with him. James Hemphill began selling mer- chandise in 1885. William Farmer built the first brick house in 1884-8"), making the brick himself. Soon after thi.s, Shoup & Tate began buying and packing hogs. They bought several hundred during the coMer months, jiacked them in bjurols (hat were manufactured at the town or near there, and ship[)ed them by flat-boats down the river, and on down, 102 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. usually to New Orleans, wliere 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 more 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 I'iver. 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 40(); this was the highest flood of human beings. But all the industries of the town have not been mentioned. Late in the 'SO'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 three 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 manufactm-e the best quailty 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 scoi^eof their business until, within two or three years after starting, they were consuming not less than 200 bushels of corn daily, and some think the quantity would reach nearer 350 bushels. ' This was a vast business for a new country, and an important one also, as it afforded 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 365,- 000 bushels per year. These are, perhaps, too large figures, as certain seasons of the year the quantity manufactured was quite small. Every- body drank whisky in those days. It was on every mantel-piece. Chil- di-en took it for the happy effect, 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 cool weather to warm. And the whisky in those days ivas whisky. It had no strychnine, 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 days than at present. Men, women and children were moderate drinkers, and would rarely get HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 103 intoxicated. They 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 im])ressed 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 theii' doors without a bar, where whisky could 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 Si Boxley distillery was well patronized for some eight or ten years, when it was abandoned. This large manufacture of li(jUor led to a strong and steady demand for baiTels, and numerous cooper shops arose, in consequence. Samuel Thomas began the work as early as ] 835-30, 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 qiiite an extensive scale. Isaiah and AVilliam 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 Young. Ryan & Smith and Julian &, Ritten- our were grain buyers from about 1838 onward. The latter firm built a large warehouse across the river, on the canal. Fred Rittenour built a large flouring mill in town about 1846, but imfortunately it was soon destroyed by tire. He did a big business for about three years. Peter Messmore and Henry AVilson were merchant tailors of Independence in early years. So great was the rush into t^ie 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 1836, and about the same time William Meeks opened a grocery. A few months later, IM. 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 183(3. Henry Miller was among the first tavern keepers; he kept licjuor at his bar. Rufus Webb, Edward S. Coates and the firm "NVolls & 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 on a well-traveled highway was a profitable source of revenue. Hundreds of teams, draw- ing huge wagons that had come from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky and other States, loaded with household goods and weary, hungrj'-looking 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. SjK'Culators were pres- ent with tempting offers of money at high rates of interest; to be given for first mortgages, that wer<» tantamount to downright sales. Everybody was busy. Edward K. Wilson opened a store in 183't), but he soon went into partnership with Mr. Hemphill, under the style of Henii)hill & Wilson. They had a large stock. John Crow was selling liquor and groceries in 1842. Clark &, Ogilvie did the same with a general stock 104 HISTORY OF WARREN 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 duriiig 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 1850, 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 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 prosperity 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 the lap of its former greatness and grand- eur, loth to become extinct, like the crater of some pre-hisioric volcano whose activity had forever stopped. Its decadence was gradual, extend ing to the present time. Among the business men of the last five-and- twenty years are David James, Thomas Julian, Bryan & Smith, Isaac Julian, John and Robei^t Lank, John Clawsim, Newlin Yount, Dr. Reed, Joseph McFerren, William Adair, Jasper McClatchy, who conducts a saw mill, Isaac Colly er, who conducts the old grist mill with water from the old spring, and manj 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 growth during the first five or six years was rapid, and for a time the town promised to become a foi*midable ,i'ival in population, enterprise and wealth of Danville, 111. In June, 1857, Robert Casement, who had just purchased the land, employed a surveyor, and laid out about thirteen blocks of eight lots each, besides one block for a public square — the same upon which the new schoolhouse now stands. This was scarcely accom- plished before A. P. Andrews and John Brier, who had been selling goods northwestward in Illinois about three miles, removed their store — building and all — to the town. William Van Horn had been living HISTOKY OF WARREN COUNTY. 105 on the town site for a number of years before this. Andrews <& Brier wore soon joined by Barkley, and about the same time by Ross, both of whom ojjened small stores of j^eneral merchandise. William Toole erected his dwellini^, and Ix^i^an dealini; out liquor and a few gi*oceries. The railroad companies had erected depots and eatinj^-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 rec^uired the attention of 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 pi'esence of a rough class of railroad and other hands, who would drink and carouse with bacchanalian delight, often until nearly morning. Among the 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 Riley, Robert Casement. James HoUister, 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 tirst, but later became town butcher. Riley and Boyd kept boarding-houses. Andrews. Brier, Bariley 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 biisiness. 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, Wright &, Denny, Brit- tingham tSc Delay, Whitehead & Asbury, J. R. & G. W. John- son, Oliver Osborn, 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 grain warehouse very early, as did Mr. Case- ment. The quantities of grain 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, Hew away, and Mirth, with laughing face, touched the heart with delight. The profits of the sales of grain were often left in the possession 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 cared for. The presence of these shops was alone sutHcient to insure 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 seminar}', was at the pinnacle of its activity, ])romiHe and prosperity. This was during the period from about 185U to about 1807; the highest |)opulation, including the Hoating 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 burdens of mis- cellaneous, though homogeneous, humanity. Mound Lodge, No. 274, F. & A. M., was instituted in May, 1861, 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. R. Johnson, A. J. Lyon, J. D. Ludlow and Adam Myers. Walker Hurd was the first Master. The lodge is doing well, has valu- able property and a large membership. Simmons Lodge, No. 240, Odd Fellows, was instituted in May, 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 lUiana. John Simmons was the first Noble Grand, Burke Vice Grand, and Knox Secretary. A Rebekah degree was started in May, 1875, 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 1851, 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 stuck 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 W^oods & Fisher began, placing his stock in a storeroom which William Moon had erected. Among those who built early in 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 Smith, Swadley & Thomas, Campbell & Pievson, Martindale & Little, John Shawcross, James B. Rowan, Vance & Wiggins, the Turners, Ichabod Boyer, John Craig, Dr. William Messner & Son, Fenton & Buckley, R. C. Clark, Nelson Metsker, A. H. Haun, yet in business, 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 Messners, Rhode & Cobb, McCord & Cobb, Rowan & Kigor, Daniel Bell, harness, in 1861, Fentou & Literal, Fisher, Gun- kle; James Swadley, manufactured wagons and is yet in the business. Anderson & Hall, built a large grist mill in 1800, at a cost of $5,000. It was an excellent mill, but for some reason did not do well after about six years, and the greater portion of it was finally removed to West Leb- anon. It was built, largely, by subscription of the citizens. About six years ago, Fenton & Buckles established a brick and tile factory south of town, which has continued to furnish large quantities of material in its line. The demand is growing stronger, as is also the factory. Mr. Buckles is the sole owner at pi-esent. S. C. Fisher built the hotel (now the Union House) about 1853, and a man named John HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 107 Ferguson rented it and became lirst " mine host. " The cognomen of the hotel was " Oui- House." John F. Sale is the present landlord. Among the Postmasters have been Vance, Henry Webb, J. B. Rowan, Dr. AVilliam Messner, A. P. Eowan. A. H. Haun, Y. F. Turman, Miss Mary Turman, J. B. Rowan, Frank Rowan, John Wagner and William R. Streets, tbe present agent of Uncle Sam. Among the physicians have been Jones, Lacey, Hall, Harbinson, Messner (two), Demming, Kidney, Pike, and Fenton; and McMullou 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 (|uite 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 pay any money to assist the entei'prise also wore off, and Rowan was compelled to suspend the issue. People were anxious to have H;he 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, W. 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, \\ . T. Wag- ner was lirst Dictator and R. G. Odle Secretary. Eli Fenters is the present Dictator; Dr. Fenton, 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 Driimmond 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 pui-pose. 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 throe 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 po[)ulation is almost 250, 'but this will be doubled when the iron horse visits the town. MILFORD OR GREEN HILL. This beautiful little village was laid out in March, 1882, by Will- iam B. Bailey, proprietor, on the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 28, Township 28 north. Range (5 we-st, and comprised forty-eight lots, with East and Main streets, and Pine, Center and Warren stre(»ts. Ezekiel Timmons was sui'veyor. 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 bnilt 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 1836, and at the same time Nathan H. Biddleuome came in with a general stock of goods. This man was thefii'st 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 ^Morgan, 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 murder 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 Robb, 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- VJorse 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 stoje with the goods, but continued to live on his farm. Every morning he would ride his toagh 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 conveyed to Milford by wagon. He established branch stores at Rainsville and Pine Village, and made his fortune by judicious management. At his death in 1857, he had amassed a fortune of about $60,000. He owned valu- able property in La Fayette. For years he was the principal business man in the northeastern part of the county. James Stewart's grocery store was established in ]838. A. S. Smith sold goods in 1841. Biddlecome was in the mercantile business in 1850, but whether he continued from the time he first established his store until then, cannot be learned with certainty. Peniwell & Shockley started a store early in the forties, but broke up in a few months. John Truitt sold whisky early. Henry Fos- ter and John Dougherty conducted stores, the former during the forties and the latter after the death of Morgan. Westgate boarded 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, ami a threat lover of the sublime effects of alcohol whoa troul)le arose. Mrs. Pratt, whose maiden name was Bailey, tells that when the wonderful meteoric shower occurred, in No- vember, 1838. AVestgate was terribly frightened, and really thought the day of judgment was at hand. He took to whi.sky 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 rifties. Other merchants have been the Franklin Brothers; iSamuel 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 hundred feet in basial diameter. Other business men have been Thomas C. Bailey, Lewis Le>vis, Elijah Dawson, Cummins & Whistler, T. M. Davis, W. R. 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, ChenHweth, Lowery, Edwards and the present Drs. Vick, Moore and Gray. Among the Postmasters have been Biddlecome, Morgan, Samuel Bittinger, Hemy Foster, Thomas Davis, and the present agent, Thomas Bailey. William and Horatio Bailey conducted a saw mill as early as 1835-36. It was the iisual 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 I'el lows. Masons, Good Templars, and perhaps others. The real name of the town, until about 1S()1), was Milford; but at tliat date the citizens decided at the polls that the town should be incorporated, and at this time, largely through the influence of the United Bi-ethren, 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 scarc(dy any patronage. The town has a present popula- tion of over two hundred. RAINSVILLE. This village was laid out in April. 1833, by Isaac Rains, proprietor, on the northwest (juarter of Section 27. 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 from boanls sawed at the saw mill he had just fiDished. His dam was located above the present bridge, and was so 110 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. imperfect that it was often washed away, thus suspending the operation of his mill and perplexing the settlers with inconvenience. 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. It is said he furnished quite 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 I'oads 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 BaHlett, M. H. Lewis, a blacksmith, Abraham Howery, a tailor, Dr. I. W. Smith, John Brown, James Wilson, Joseph Smith, a wagon- maker, Joseph Cowgill, a tanner, and James Piatt, a blacksmith. G. W. Literal sold liquor in Rainsville 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 $1,000. About the same time, or a little later, Chester Clark did likewise. Michael CreekpauQi opened a tavern, from 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 of " wet and dry groceries." A man named Bushnell was in about this time for a few months with goods. At this time, also, N. Blue was dealing out liquor a mile or so above Rainsville, on the creek, and John H. Bart- lett was doing likewise at his distillery a mile below to^^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 1 837. 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 Rainsville, where he made a great deal of money. Samuel Har- ris still sold merchandise. Mr. Cowgill 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. Mr. Bartlett' s sale of " spirituous and strong liquors" was so great that he was re- quired to pay an annual license of $25. This was in about 1838. His relative, Jefferson Bartlett, opened a store of merchaadise in 1838. Jesse Harlan sold liquor in 1839. Lyon & Aldrich began selling mer- chandise in 1839. Creekpaum still conducted his tavern and saloon, and Samuel Harris his general store. Abner Evans opened a general store in 1840. Francis Bowington established a tavern in 1840. Aldrich was alone in the general store in 1840, Lyon having left. In 1844, Mc- Murtrie & Porter were licensed to sell general merchandise; in 1845, G. F. Hoffman the same, and in 1847 Lewis Taylor the same. In 1848, Mabie's Circus was advertised to show at Rainsville, but for some reason did not till the appointment. In 1850, Mr. Hoffman took his brother for a partner. Joseph Smith sold liquor in 1851. Newton Morgan es- tablished a branch store at Rainsville in 1852. Earl & Jacobs began the mercantile pursuit in April, 1853. At this time the Hoffman Brothers were doing a big business. In 1840, Rainsville had a popula- tion of about eighteen families. It was then a " hard place," owing to the boisterous couduot of drunken men, who were habitually seen reeling around the town engaged in tipsy fights. The venerable old settler, HISTOKY OF WARREN COUNTY. Ill Wesley, Gray, says that on one occasion be himself rode on horseback into a saloon there, pouro.l out a glass of whisky, tossed it off, and then rode out and went on his way. It is stated that Rainsville 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 Shawcro.ss began in 1857; he is yet in business, and is one of the siibstantial 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. AV. F. Nern, John Nern. Frank Hoffman and Brown & Crabb. Among the later doctors have been Isaac Smith, Steinbel, McCaru, Hamar, E. L . Booth. Wycoff, Armstrong, Page. Christly, Osborn and Hoffman. Among the Postmasters have been W. F. Hoffman, G, W. McCarn, Jacobs, Joseph Shawcross, -Hoffman, Bartlett. Brown and John Shawcross. Larson & Sandel opened a shoe store in 1882. Newton Ogburn 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 Carpentei*. 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 Coffinberrv, C. B. Thompson, S. H. Hickman, J. M. Hooker, K H. Wycoff, W. H. H. Heed 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 membershiji. 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 tine hall. The Knights of Honor own the upper story of the schoolhouse, where they meet to familiarize themselves with tlie 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. AV^illiam 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. M.\RSHFIELD. This town owes its origin and permanence to the railroad. In ancient times, civilization 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. Bat when steam was harue.ssed, 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 customb 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 Mar.shfield was laid out. 11"^ HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. It was named for the residence of the " Great Expounder" of tlie Con- stitution, Daniel Webster. Some ten blocks, of eight lots t^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 Cronkiiite, 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, 1857. 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. Mr. Nail was a blacksmith and wagon-maker, and is yet following the same calling in the village. Mr. Miller began selling from a general stock of goods, as did Isaac Julian soon afterward. Orin 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 only in town, but throughoat all the surrounding country. They were building contract- ors, and some years did an aggregate business of about $25,000. But one of the most important features during the early 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 annually, 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, who is at present Postmaster at Williamsport, stated that, as a matter of fact, not more than about 175,000 bushels were bought any one year. This il- lustrates how easily people may be mistaken. Bat the quantity actually bought was certainly enormous. A long line of teams, perhaps a hiin- ' dred or more, would stand some days waiting their turn to unload. . 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 by the actual state of facts. After the expiration of eight or ten yeai's, the Kents ceased to buy 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 firm Gundy & Kerr. The Hamiltons built the Perrin House for J. Q. A. Perrin, who yet owns the building. Frank Brown began merchandising a few years later. Frank Baum was in with romising fields, and the epitaph of Carthage was written for Baltimore. The highway of water gradually ceased to bo 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. 114 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. CARBONDALE. John Thorapson built the first house, in 1854. The following year, the brick house was erected by Andrew 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 early as 1846. The office was then called Clark's Cross Roads. In about 1873, Shaffer had the name changed to Carbondale. JOHNSONVILLE. This is a small town on the Wabash Railroad, in Steuben Township. It was laid out by G. W. Johnson, who owned the land and lived near by. It was laid out at the crossing of the Chicago, Danville & Vin- cennes Railroad, and has a station house, one store and a residence or two. POINT PLEASANT. This was a paper town only. It was laid out on Section 33, Town- ship 23 north, Range 8 west, in July, 1830, by John H. Bartlett. Bart- lett's dwelling was there, also his liquor store, and perhaps a saw mill, but that is all. HEDRICK. This is a little village of recent gowth, on the narrow gauge rail- road, on the southern boundary of Jordan Township. The first house was built by John Hendricks, and the first store opened by Zarse & Ahrens. Frank Hartman opened a drug store. About eight or ten families reside in the village, which was named for an old settler living near. A schoolhouse was built there about two years ago. 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 Washbui-n conducted stores there very early, but there seem to be some doubts about the truth of the statement. A blacksmith was there, at all events, and a few dwell- ings, but all else is enveloped in mystery. The village began early and then died early, as good-looking babies are said to do. HISTORY OF WARKEN COUNTV. 115 MILITARY HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. BY WESTOS A. OOODSPEED. THE OLD MILITIA SYSTEM. DURING the early history of ^V^^rren County, and prior to the rebell- ion of 1861-G5, the old miltia system; which had done such 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 luilitia, 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 assiu-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 secured 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 pi-evailed in the regular army. Among these companies was one known as the Milford Blues, organized in July, 185<3, the officers being Elihu A. Saunders, Captain; J. A. Heigh, First Lieutenant; A. J. Ryan, Second Lieutenant; B. F. Magee, Ensign. SOLDIERS OF WARS PRIOR TO 1861-G5. 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 McConnell, 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, during 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 Warren 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. fippiiing Scenes. — The political campaign of 1800 was enthueiatic and determined. All the skill, learning and eloquence of both j)arties in the county were brought to bear ui)on the issues that were overshadowing 116 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. the nation. Every schoolhouse, grove, and many of the churches were occupied by ultra politicians, 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 country was on the brink of some great calamity, and spared no effort 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 apparent 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, undou.btedly 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 doubt 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 were suspended, and the towns, telegraph oiSces 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 ioyality. The issue of the Republican of April 18, 1861, contained the follow- ing leader: TO ARMS. We think the time has come for all true patriots to act in defense of their coun- try, her institutions and her laws. We have been overrun by a swarm of Southern Tories, both in Congress and out of Congress, for years, and it is now time for free men of the North — peace-loving and law-abiding citizens of our country. Ye, who stand upon the glorious platform of our Union, the constitution and the enforce- ment of the laws, and who have borne and foreborne with traitors in arms against HISTORY OF WARREN CODxXTY. 117 you until forbearance has ceased to be a virtue, the crisis is now upon you. The fort upon whose defense' your hearts were with an intense and all-absorbing enthusi- asm fixed, lias been surrendered to traitors, and the fla^ of beauty and of glory, at the sight of which every true Ameru an heart swells with pride, lias lieen struck to those wliose sworn duty it was to uphold 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 eiiiblim which he has been taught to love and honor? This damning blot upon our national escutcheon must be wiped out with blood. Treason nuist be crusiied with tiie strong arm of this Government, and the majesty of the laws vindicated, if newl 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 throughout all the loyal and true States, let patriots rally to the call of their countr}', resolved that this stain ui)on our flag shall be atoned for, that the supreniacj" of the Union shall be maintained and the laws shall be enforced be the con.sequences what they may. Woe be to those who shall attempt to withstand the tempest of the nation's wrath. 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 and grandsons, and considered it insulting when they were refused the sacred privilege of avenging the wrong to the old tlag. America had never before witnessed such a popular uprising. There was not a town of any consequence in Wan-en 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 fcEouse to consider how the crisis should be met. Accordingly, a large crowd gathered on Tiiesday evening, April IG, and B. S. Wheeler was appointed chairman and Lev. Miller Secretary. William P. Rhodes 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 that the 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 tinion 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 thtis engaged, James Park entertained the audience with an elo- quent speech. About twenty-five volunteers 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" for the field. The Rcpnhlican said: " The meeting was largely attended, and by men of all parties Much enthu- siasm was manifested, and it was the unanimotis sentiment of the meet- ing that the Union must and sliall be {^reserved. 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 meeting were greatly surpassed. Benjamin Crow, an old resident of Kentucky, Jesse Hardier, Col. Bryant and others were called out. A select glee club sang the stirring national airs, 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 the call of the President, was received, the company was completed and organized, and was on the train bound for Indianapolis. The Republican stated that the company nximbered 177 men, rank and file. Just before their departure they met at the court house and elected the following officers: James R. M. Bry- ant, Captain; Dickson Fleming, First Lieutenant; Jjev. 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 the 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 retvu'n. The 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 WARREN AHEAD. We doubt if aa}^ portion of the 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 degree of willingness and contributed more in proportion. Of the volunteers that left hist week, 130 remain in the service, and thij-ty moi'e left Independence and Pine Village this week to com- plete two full companies. Another company of ritles is now forming, and will be ready in a few days to march whenever required, making in all over 230 men. This proportion all over the State would furnish 30,000 or 35,000 men. Hurrah for Old Warren and the Union! Contimied Volunteering. — The company of Capt. Bryant had no sooner departed than immediate steps were taken to raise another. West Lebanon headed the movement, opening enlistment offices at Williams - port, Independence, Rainsville, and at one or more points in the south- western part of the county, besides at Lebanon. The company 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, t«) be sent to the members of Capt. Bryant's company. On the 27th of April, an enthu- siastic union meeting was hold at the Cumpbellite Church in Pine Township to give tho 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. Bagsdale, Dr. L. Buckles and Hon. J. Young deliv- ered brief, patriotic speeches. While the orators were entertaiuing the assemblage, E. Sargent, AV. J. Tem})leton, J. Young, J. T. Stokes and "\V. B. Smith prepared a series of loyal resolutions, one of them being as follows: Resolved, Tliat we, the citizens of Warren and Benton Counties, do pled.^^e our lives and sacred honor to stand by and support the Union, believing it to be our duty to suppress treason wlierever 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 jiartaken 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 treasmy 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 Camp 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 li fe. Every letter was written with that unwavering confidence so universal at that early period of the war, which predicted that the rebels would receive an awful whipping when " oiu' 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 fiag 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 Republican of May U said: The ladies of this town are for the Union to a man. They have made and sup- plied red Hannel shirts for one company from this county, and are ready to provide in the same loyal and charitable way for anotlier whenever it becomes necessary. On Saturday, May 11, a rousing war meeting was held at the court house to organize a company of Homo Guards. R. M. Allen was chair- man; W. P. Rhodes, Secretary. B. F. (iregory, H. M. Noiirse and B. S. Wheeler prepared articles of as.sociation for the com|)any. While Mr. May delivered an eloquent address, about thirty volunteers api>ended 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 Marshlield. A company of cavalry was organized in the neighborhood of Crow's Grove in May and June. A grand military parade of the County Home Guards occurred at Rains- ville early in June. The Campaign and Return 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 Id 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. Affer 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 return. A public meeting was held at Williamsport, July 31, to complete the arrangements. H. M. Nourse was Chairman and W. P. Rhodes Secretaiy. 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: Resolced, That the Warren Guards and other members of the Tenth Regiment, the military companies of Warren County, and all the citizens of the county, are invited to attend a picnic at Williamsport on Saturday, August 3. All necessary committees w^ere 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 men of the company were to give an account of their army experiences. Nourse, Brown, Cobb, Park and Gregory were announoed to speak. A splendid dinner was to be enjoyed. The northern part of the county also decided to welcome the boys with speeches and a line dinner. All these pro- grammes were carried into effect. How hapj^y it made all to see broth- ers, husbands, fathers, lovers in their blue uniforms, and hear their loved voices recount the stirring scenes of active war! A Democratic Meeting. — The Democrats of Williamsport and vicin- ity hxed a day in 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 and the meeting was trans- formed into a Republican jubilee of the most enthusiastic description, in 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 Congress. Re-organization of Company B. — Late in August, Lieut. Levin Mil- ler was authorized to re-organize Company B, and the work was ac tively begun, quite a number of the old boys re-entering its ranks. IIISTORV OF WARREN COUNTV. 121 though the majority were new men, anxious for a taste of war. An im- mense war meetin<; was held in the courthouse, Auc:just 31, to till up the Company. Enlistment offices were opened in all parts of the county. Schoolhouses wer^ tilled with loyal assemblages which listened to tiery words from farmers and mechanics. The meeting at Williamsport was one of the largest ever in the i)lace. Delegations in wagons, drawn often by six horses, and men on horseback and on foot, came through the dust from all parts of the county, 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. Jaines Wilson was orator. A short time before this meeting, the Republican 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 oth 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, entering the Tenth, Fifteenth. Twenty-tirst and other regiments, did not embarrass in the least the enrollment of men in Lieut. Miller's company. On Monday, September U, the full number of men was secured. The following officers were commissioned September G: Levin T. Miller, Captain; i 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 aboiit the middle of September, and soon afterward took the field. Continued Enlistments. — Capt. Miller's company was nn sooner oflf than the enlistment of men was renewed. Capt. Schobey began raising volunteers for the Fortieth Eegiment. 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 Regiment, entering Company I, and being mustered December 2L Before this, however, during the month of September and October, William Cameron, Moses L. Burch and others, had secured nearly a full comjnmy in the county, and about the middle of October the members had elected Cameron, Captain, and Burch, First Lieutenant. S. T. AN'alker, H. P. Downing and W. K. Stafford had assisted in raising the company. The officers of this company were mostly from Fountain County. Warren County soldiers enlisted and commanded bj Fountain County officers! Although the company was completed in October, ISGl. it was not mustered in until the latter part of February and the first of March, 1802. By that time many changes had taken place. Other officers and men from other counties bad come in, but finally the men were named Com|)any H and were assigned to the Sixtieth Regiment. A big war meeting was held at ^\'illiams])ort dur- ing the firs^ week in February, 1S<)2. to .secure additional men for the Sixtieth. Major Temi)leton, Dr. Walker and R. C» Gregory, of La- fayette, were present to secure recruits. B. F. Gregory publicly prom- ised to pay each of the first three men to volunteer $5 per month ivs lo*ng 122 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. as they remained in the service. That number of men came promptly forward. Dr. Messner then offered to give any single man $25 or any married man ^50 to become the next volunteer, providing the man went from Williamsport, the offer not to be binding until the proposition of Mr. Gregory was filled. These offers tired the occasion with enthu- siasm. Dr. Messner' s offer was accepted. H. R. Pomeroy, Kent & Hitchens, Isaac and A. S. Jones, H. D. Thomas and J. H. Bonebrake and W. M. Haynes each offered $25 to each of the next six men who would volun- teer. The offer was instantly taken up. A " pony purse" of $20 was made up by Al Johnson, George Minier,S. D. Landon, W. P. Rhodes, John Canon, James Park and others, and another vohmteer was secured. The re- cruiting officers from abroad remained several days, obtaining in that time about twenty volunteers, all of whom went into the Sixtieth. The Republican said: * * * * jyjj. Gregory deserves the highest commendation for the active part he has taken in procuring recruits — working indefatigably since the first arrival of the recruiting officers — besides the praise due him for leading off in a generous and patriotic offer. * * * * In March, H. P. Downing and others secured about fifteen additional recruits for the Sixtieth. No doubt the earnest and successful efforts made at this time were the means of clearing the county from the draft of the following October. After this, during the months of April, May and June, but little was done to secure additional men for the war. Great interest was felt, however, in all the army movements; and when intelligence was received that some great battle had been fought, friends waited with anxious faces for news from their loved ones. Many a loyal heart was crushed when the sickening details of some bloody battle were received. Boys were brought home and buried. Others came home to die of frightfvU wounds or fitful fever. But loyalty did not falter. Enlistments tinder the Calls of July and August, 1862. — On the 2d "of July, the President called for 800,000 men. the quota of Indiana being eleven regiments. The Republican of July 10 contained the fol- lowing: The President of the United States has made another call upon the patriotism of the people, and eleven regiments have been called for from Indiana. Our patri- otic Governor has made an eloquent appeal to the citizens of the State to come forth and maintain for the State the high character which her brave sons have won for her vipon fields of strife. Responses from thirty counties have been received, and Warren County will not be behind them in action. Col. Bryant is alreadj- recruit- ing a compan}^ m this countv. He is a tried soldier, and no doubt his companions in arms will gladly rally again around their former leader. * * * One month's pay in advance and $25 of the bounty. Soldiers of Warren County, forward march ! The next issue of the paper published a call for a war meeting to be held at the court house the evening of July 19, to take immediate steps to raise the county quota under the call, the recruits raised to be as- signed to the Seventy-second Regiment. Appended to this call was the following announcement: If a company of soldiers to the number of sixty-four privates can be made up in Warren County in fourteen days from this date, I will donate to said company, to be distributed equally among the private soldiers only, the sum of $100, to be paid when mustered into service at La Favette, Ind. B. F. Gregory. July 16, 1862. This and similar propositions served to fire the county with the nec- essary zeal. The County Commissioners met and appropriated out of the county treasury the sum of $10 for each man who should volunteer HISTOliV OF WAKRKN COUNTV. 123 under the call and bp credited to the coiiuty. The Rejmblican ca ■ e out in the most stirring leaders, callinj^ for men, recounting the offers of bounty and regular pay, and dnpicting the disgrace of the draft that would ensue unless the quota was tilled. The War Meeting of ,Saf unlay, Jnhf l->. — The Republican said this was one of " the lai'gest and most enthusiastic meetings ever wit- nessed in Warren County." Men of all parties who favored a contin- uance of the war were present. Jesse Hodrick was made Chairman, and 1\. M. Allen, Secretary. B. F. Gregory stated the object of the meeting in a liery speech that was received with tumultuous applause. A com- mittee of three, J. H. Brown, B. F. Gregory and INIadison Fleming, was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. In a few minutes, the following were reju^rted, read, and adopted amid thundering cheers and the deep roll of the drums: Resolved, That in the opiuion of this assfinhly of the people of Warren County, a more vi> o a _ ■ o "5 |2 5 '* ¥ 34 23 35 29 22 17 22 27 21 20 17 267 « a> "O -O a 1 . cry _ c 80 54 71 67 CREDITS BY VOLUN- TARY EN- LISTMENTS Credits by draft. Total credits by enroll- ment and draft. & Washington 33 22 26 27 17 17 22 26 21 19 18 ?48 13 9 10 11 7 7 9 10 8 8 7 99 97 52 42 53 11 !... !i08 98 Pine . .." 2 5 14 12 2 2 3 4 9 2 66 ....54 20 67 .... 67 46. .... 41 15 53 .... 63 .... 53 .... 47 .... 42 35 641 23 31 3 "s Mound 4 Steuben Pike 46 34 41 39 ^Medina 7 15 19 * Warren 53 63 50 47 42 36 60 49 38 40 Liberty Adams 3 Jordan Prairie Total 614 540 4 31 The Call of September 19, 1S64. — There seemed to be no end to the demand for men, but as all instinctively felt that the rebellion would soon be crushed, the titmost 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 pas.sed. During tlu^ month of February. 1S()5, nearly a full company was raised for the One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment Small s<[uads from Tippecanoe, C'arroll, and other counties were added to raise the number to the lawful limit. The following were *Mo account given. 128 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. the officers: William Moffitt, Captain; John H. Messner, First Lieu- tenanl"; John H. Coulter, Second Lieutenant. The county quota under the call of December 19, 1864, was 133 men; this was reduced somewhat by a surplus 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 Republicmi said: From late information, Warren appears to be out of the draft. Pine has fur- nished her men; so has Mound, Prairie and Liberty. Medina has been out some days. If any are laclting in the county, they are in Adams and Warren, and may be a few in Jordan. But if any are lacliing, the efforts now making will clear the county. We are glad to see it, for we would have felt bad to have had Warren 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 efiforta 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: "3 2 "p S w a 8 e o i-i - a en i If 3 CO G i CREDITS BY VOLUN- TARY EN- LISTMENTS 4f g Q .a '"a " Eh C3 0) a >H a .2 '3 TOWNSHIPS. a m "S > 3 3 CO Washington Pine 179 109 121 '22" 15 15 15 22 26 11 1 8 16 20 14 5 10 19 25 11 "{' 3 22 26 11 19 25 11 3 Mound 1 Steuben 140 11 78 1 73 8 104 16 125 20 Pike 1 Medina 7 16 20 14 5 10 127 1 3 8 19 20 14 5 10 135 8 19 20 14 5 10 131 Warren 3 Liberty Adams 113 85 57 1181 14 5 10 138 Jordan Prairie 1 7 3 1 Total 133 ' 18 The Fall of Atlanta. — On Saturday evening, 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 fired, and the omnipresent small boy was out with his usual ample collection of ear-torturing instruments. Finally, the train came in, bearing a confirmation of the welcome news. Williams - port could scarcely contain herself. The citizens were in ecstacies. The triumphant march of Sherman's grand ai'my down from Chattanooga through the South from one success to another, and with but a com- paratively small sacrifice of life, had been anxiously watched fi'om 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 joyous sentiments could not be repressed, and only found vent in ex- tensive and prolonf^ed utterance. Capt. James Park and Hon. B. F. Gregory attempted to talk to the audience, but it was like conversing with the ocean in a storm. The faint glimmerings of the dawn of peace could at length be discerned. The Union Soldiers' Picnic. — This was on Saturday, October 8, 1804, 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 aside their accustomed labor, to pay a proper tribute to the meritorious public services of their soldier neighbors. National banners were flung out from 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 martial music, with gay bannei's, streamers, mottoes and escutcheons waving over all. Almost the entire county tiu-ned out to enjoy the oc- casion. Hundreds of soldiers were present, in bright military dress, at home on furlough 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 an-ived 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, lind 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 j)ageant 80 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 six 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 tbe 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 Republican said: "Such a gathering has not been in this city of rocks since J856." The Williaiiiftport Literanj Society. — The county seat settled a few very important questions during the winter of 1864-05, to which a refer ence in these ])ages will not be amiss. Nearly all the prominent citizens joined the society for mutual improvement, in the beneficial encounters of debate. The question, " Renoli-ed, 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 atfirmative. A little later, the question, " lie-solced, 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 }iot created ecembor, 1840, to .$802.08; in May 1848. to $870.80; in June. 1849, to $1,024.28. In June, 1848, B. F. Gregory and others i)etitioned the Countv Comujissioners to use the fund cm hand Tor the erection of a county seminary, which petition was favorably consithu-ed by the board, and the following connniltee was appoint(\l to purchase the best site that could be securi'd in the U)wn of Williamsport as a ground for the building : B. F. Gregoiy. C. R. Boyer, J. H. Bueli, J. R. M. Bryant and J. J. McAlilly — all excellent men. About this time, a delegation from Leb- 142 HISTORY 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 linally 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 subscribed for that purpose. This arrange- ment was 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, according to the estimate made, considerably exceed the amount on hand. The scheme continued to mature, and early in 1850 the contract of erecting the building was awarded to Rich- ard Treadway, who agreed to do the entire work for $1,699. 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 structui'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, 1850, 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 building was rented to the school district at Williamsport, and a four months' school was taught therein. District school was also taught in it the following summer. An enactment of the Legislature in 1852, 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 building and grounds were advertised for sale. As near as could be learned by the writer, the building was not really sold until April, 1857, at which time Henry Regar bid it in for $700. This pui'chase 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 case it was afterward forfeited. School was taught in it all the time. Mr. Goodwin con- ducted a high school in it for some time, and owned the building, or perhaps he rented it of Mr. Regar, or of the County Agent, whoever owned it. But the sale to Mr. Regar proved worthless, and the building reverted to the county. In July. 1862, the Trustees of W^illiamsport Lodge, No. 38, A., F. & A. M., purchased the property for $810. This proved to be a good sale, and after that date the building was the prop- erty of the Masonic Lodge. How the men who had advanced money 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 management fully mapped out, than it was ordered sold by the Legislature, and the pro- ceeds ordered into the common school fund. Thus terminated what was expected to be a popular and successful institution of learning. THE STATE LINE CITY SEMINARY. In the year 1860, a stock company was formed at State Line City for the purpose of providing means to build a seminary. The town was then very prosperous, and from all appearances was destined to become a populous and important place. The enumeration had run up to about one hundred and fifty — far beyond the limits of an ordinary village HISTORY OF WAUUEN COUNTY. 148 school; hut wLi.it projuptod tho citi/.eas to undertake the seminary proj- ect WHS the demand for a higher education than could be furnished by the town school. Many younj^ men and women in tho neij^hborhood con- templated attendin<^ 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 tho same time, add materially to the worth and at- tractiveness of the prosperous youn^f town. The stock company was ac- cordingly formed, some of tlie stockholders bein^ Col. Iv F. Lucas, A. Y. Taylor, Perrin Kent, Darius Duncan, J. 11. Johnson, B. F. Mar[)le and James Lewis. Almo.st all the principal citizens of the town and surrounding country took stock in the institution. Elbridge Marshall, who became the first 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. Tho Town- ship Trustee gave about SOOO 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 40x'"')C) feet, and cost not far from S5, ()()(). It was an excellent building for the liitle 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 they attended the school. The school was thoroughly graded, and in the department taught by Mr. Marshall could be secured all tho 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 thecontra(!t with the Township Trustee, who had assisted in building the house. The semi- nary proved advantageous to the town, as its presence induced many worthy people to locate there who otherwise would have i)assed on to where school privi leges were better. For the throe years that Mr. Marshall conducted the institution, it was a ci'edit 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 le.ss of it driven away by the higher and better instincts which soon pre- vailed. That the seminary had much to do with this remains un- (|uostioned. At the expiration of about three year.'5, Mr. Marshall severed his connection with the sc^ninary, 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. In about 1804, or perhaps 1805, tho stockholders, many of whom seemed to think that they ought to receive a high annual ])remium on their inve.strnent, concluded to dispose of the institution. It was accoi-ding 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. "Sir. Braden bought it, jiartly as a speculation, but two or three years later sold the building and grounds to the Township Trust(^« (then Dr. Porter) for $2,7lM), taking township paper drawing 10 per centum in- terest in payment. The indebtedness ran on for some time, under the 144 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 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 cost the township, principal and interest, about $5,000. After this, the seminary was an ordinary graded school, owned by the township. When 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 sqiaai'e 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 first 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 purposes. Trouble may result 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 oE 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 1851 or 1852, but never came up, in importance, to the hopes of the founders. The first steps taken to erect the building were in 1849, when Delos Warren, Colbreath Hall, Edward P. Marshall, George Beymer and David Etnire were appointed Trustees of the Methodist Episcoj)al Church, 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 story, and if reports are correct this design was kept in view until some time after the structure was completed, when iis failure as a seminary 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 1853 being a Mrs. Snow, who had seen sixteen years of public teaching. The room finally degenerated into an ordinary district schoolroom, 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 schools were so popular that they were regarded as amply sufficient for the wants of the county. It remained for this system of schools to develop a de- mand for something higher, and it did not take long. THE GEEEN HILL SEMINARY. The seminary at Green Hill was the result of church indulgence or design. An alteration in the territory of the conferences of the United Brethren in Indiana, and especially along the Wabash, and an increased population and demand for denominational schools, decided the Upper Wabash Confei-ence of United Brethren to locate a denominational school HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 145 Bomewbere 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 biiilding was accordingly erected in 180*J, 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 $9,000. The Rev. Mr. Stimpson became the first Principal, and within a comparatively short time an at- tendance of about eighty students was secured, 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 ap])arent. It was a means of giving a " tone " to the social intercourse of ttie citizens, that tended directly to the rapid promotion of advanced learning and morality. Boarding-hou.-!es 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 Course. An excellent literary society was founded by the students, under the supervision of the Principal, 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 management 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 pi*esent attendance does not exceed fifteen. For a time, under Mr. Jackson, and perhaps under Mr. 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 anil 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. But 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- iems controlled by sectarian rituals of religion. THE WILLIAMSPORT DEBATING SOCIETY. On the '22d of Janu»iry, 1840, pursuant to notice, a number of citi- zens of W illiamsport met at the schcjolhouse to organize a debating society. Benjamin Crow was made Chairman, and Buell, Boyer and ■Crockett were a])[)ointed a comiuitti'e to draft a constitution and by-laws. This was done, and Buell, Campbell and Joiner wore appointed to revise such con.stitution and by-laws. Dr. E. Thomas was elected permanent President, L. W. Joiner, Secretary, and W. R. Boyer, Treasurer. The firftt (juestion debated was, " Is it morally right to inflict capital punish- 146 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. ment in any case? " On the aflfirmation were Crockett, Gregory, Lucas, Campbell, Joiner and Thomas; on the negative, Buell, 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 12| cents dues, to pay current expenses. The President was to hold office three weeks, and the Secretary four weeks. Meetings were to be held once each week. Religious 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, R. E. Crockett, E. S, Thomas, Lazarus Miller, James McDonald, B. F. Gregory, G. W. 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, R. Boyer, W. Harrington, John Higginbotham, J. C. H. IVlontgom- ery, John Cox, William Bittings, Peter Longmaker, John W. Dickson, J. H. Jordan, G. B. Joiner, Noble Pritchett, W. C. Harter and James Rowland. Here were many of the ablest men ever in the county. Many others 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 court 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 tills the whole being with pungent sense, courage and audacity. The second question debated, " Is intemperance a greater evil than slavery?" was decided in the affirmative. The third, " Is imprisonment 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 moi-e calculated to bind them together than municipal law?" decided in the affirmative. About this time, a committee was appointed to prefer charges against William Harrington for an alleged breach of the by- laws. The committee presented 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, hestdl continued, from time to time, to interrupt the debate; all of which was a direct violation of the by-laws of said society." Mr, Harrington pleaded "Not guilty;" whereupon a court was instituted to try the case. Crockett and Joiner were appointed prose cutors. Witnesses were introduced, and finally the charges were sus- tained. Then a motion to expel Mr. Harrington was made, Icut was lost by a majority of one. This being the night for the election of a Presi- dent, Mr. Harrington's name was then proposed for that office, amid great applause, and after a spirited ballot he was elected unanimously. His complete vindication of the charges was thus sustained. His elec- tion was most laughable, in view of his undoubted guilt of the charges. The action oJ: the society was wise, as he made an excellent President. HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. 147 Some time in March, the meetings were abandoned, but were revived in the following Augnst. when such (juostions as the following were dis- cusHed: " Ls man capable of self-government":'" "Are railroads a greater benefit to the community than turnpike roads":'" " Does civiliza- tion augment the Bum of human hap[)iness ":' " After the first three or four meetings, it was resolved 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 wore 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 capacity. Committees on Judiciary, Internal Improvement, Education, Ways and Means, Elec- tions, etc., were appointed. 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 for the incorporation of Williamsport,* which was referred to a select committee, consisting of Messrs. Lucas, Joiner and Keifer. Adjoui'ned. * * * 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 Ways 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 W^ays 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 ],OtK) copies were ordered printed. Mr. Keifer, of Jasper, introduced a resolution instructing the Ways and Means Committee to impiire 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 })unishment 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 Bon- ton, introduced a resolution to secure a levy of tax for the support of common schools,t and Mr. Lawson, of Sullivan, one to amend tho jus- tice act and one to extend the Wabash Canal on down the river to Torre Haute. Mr. Lyon, of Putnam, introduced a resolution to abolish petti - * 80 far an known, tliiH wai the flmt Httempt tn lncnr|H)rale the county past of Warren County, t ThU wai anticipating the action oftbo real Legiiilature about ten years later. 148 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. fogging before Justice courts. The House went into committee of the whole to consider the incorporation of Williamspurt. 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 were called, and were as follows: Ayes — Dixon, Joiner, of Vanderburg. Shockley, 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 Doolittle 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 first 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 Wayne 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 WARREN COUNTY. BY W. A. GOnDSPBED. EARLY CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS. THE early church history is very obscure, owing to the fact that such 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, many 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 bui'ied 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 Fayette Conference. It is certain that traveling ministers of the Methodist Episcopal, United Brethren, Presbyterian, Baptist, Universalist, Chris- tian and perhaps other chiu-ches, were in Warren County before 1830; and it is also certain that some of these denominations ^vere represented as early as 1826, the year before the county was organized. THE CIRCUIT RIDERS. So far as now known, the first minister of the United Brethren Chui'ch to cross the Wabash into Warren County was Rev. John Dan- ham, a typical pioneer circuit rider, and a man of deep piety and broad HISTOKY OF WARREN COUNTY'. 149 culture for that early day. He journeyed on horseback to the vicinity of (ireen Hill (no town thor(> then), where he had learned that several earnest families of that church had settled and were waiting his arrival, to be formally constituted a church. 'A. few fatuilies had gathered at the cabin of William Bailey, early in the autumn of 1828, to listen to the new minister, who, after that, if he succeeded in organizing a class and creating sufficient interest, would become their ])ermanent minister for an indefinite length of time. The few that had assembled, perhaps about a dozen, saw the minister ai-rive 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 a[)pearance of the man of God to inspire any one with a belief either in his piety or wis- dom. He was slouchy, 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 shuffled in^o the room witliout recognizing any one, threw his saddle-bags on a stiind, took out a testament that had evidently seen hard service, and be- gan 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 offer to open the exercises, after the usual manner, with singing and prayer, 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 erelong his audience were bent forward, with eyes fixed 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 samd man that had entered the room a short time before. His voice thundered, and his eye, glowing with magnetic fire, 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 nido in manner and unattractive in ap- pearance, were men of imposing physical stature — especially when they ■ were glowing with the inspiration of eloquence and religion. Occasion- ally would be found one who had received the most finished education in the classical and therdogical 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 eloi^uence that found its way to all h(\'xrts. They w(ye just the men to lay the fuuudation of the Christian religion on the frontiers. In 1S2U -8i), Uev. Diiuhain hold a revival at Green HiM, which was largely attended, and which was the means of greatly strengthening the class. More than forty joined, and the int(»rest was of th(> most fervid description. This, in the end, proved one of the best religious classes ever ortranl/.ed in the countv. as it has endured to the 150 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. preseat day. Their church was built early in the forties, and was used until the seminary building was erected in 1869. CHURCHES AT INDEPENDENCE. It is said that Rev. Fraley organized the first class of Methodists at Independence in about the year 1833.* The old schoolhouse was the church. In 1835-36, 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 schoolhou.se on alternate Sundays. When the Methodists held their long revival in 1835-36, it threatened to interfere with the appointment of the Univeraalist minister. Rev. Mr. Manford. The Universalists insisted that they must have the use of the house on their iSunday. John Camp- bell, a prominent Methodist, asked Daniel Moffit, who was then a Direc- tor in charge of the schoolhouse, for the use of the house on the day in dispute, but 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 progressed, he began to give 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 suppm-t of his views. At last, the scorching became so severe that Jonathan Camp- bell was no longer able to contain himself, and leaping to his feet, with excitement, he called the minister a liar. That brought the meeting to a climax, but through the efibrts 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 early Method- ists at Independence were Samuel Thomas and wife, Mrs. Moffit, Mrs. Tripp, Frederick Ritenour, 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 early members were Hiram Nichols, Alexander Waymire, Rev. David Brown, Jeremiah Davis, Valentine Bone, John Cowgill, Samuel Ware, Josiah B. Magee, John S. Talbert, and others. Their meeting house, built about the year 1842, is said to have been the fii'st distinctive church building of any denomination constructed in the count^^ THE GOPHER HILL CHURCH. The Methodists organized a class at Gopher Hill, in the southwestern part of the county, about the year 1828, and for many years they met to worship in the famous old Gopher Hill Schoolhouse. This class was one of the largest and most enterprising in the county, but, unfortunately, but little can be told of it. Among the early members were the John- sons, Lucases, Taylors, Kents, Cunninghams, Clems, Riners, fswitzers, Joneses, Dixons, Russells, of Vermillion County, Cheneweths and many others. Rev. Buckles was an early minister of this class. Their union church was built early in th^ fifties, but the building long afterward passed to the exclusive control of the Methodists. * Do not underetaad that this was the first Methodist class orgaaized in the county. HISTOHV OF WARREN COUNTY. 151 CHURCHES AT WEST LEBANON. The Metliodist class at Lebanon was organized about the year 1837, inHhe old schoolhouse, by Rev. Ansel Beach (probably). Among the first ineinbers were Jesse Swisher, Dolos Warrou, Rev. Colbreath Hall, Ed- ward P. Marshall, (xeorge Beymer, David Etnire, Zebulon Foster, Sam- uel Wood, Charles Hay ward, William B. Owens, Josiah J. Cooper and others. Rev. C. Hall was the second minister of this class; he has served it the greater i)ortion of the time to the present day. Perhaps no man ever a resident of the county has done more for the cause of religion than this respected and venerable old man. Many of the Methodist cla.sses in all parts of the county were organized by him. He will some day reap the rich reward he so justly merits. Their church was built not far from 1849, in the old town, and the one of brick, in the new town, about 18G7, at a cost of about $4,500. It is related that in this class, at quite an early day, while one of the pioneer preachers was laying down the law of the Gospel with effective and marked em phasis. a summer storm arose, and the deep thunder began to reverberate throughout the heavens. Several women pre.sent, who were timid and afraid of thunder, became very uneasy, which fact was soon noticed by the preacher. Thinking that he could remove their fears, he solemnly said. "There is no cause for alarm; it is the voice of God." Moses Lincoln, a very humorous and bright old fellow, who was seated in the amen corner, pondered for an instant over the statement of the minister, and then suddenly said, in a loud, though doubting, hesitating tone, " Why, I thought, it was thunder! " The narrator of this incident, the old settler, William Robb, did not state what effect thisi'emark had upon the audience or upon the minister. On another occasion, when Mr. Lincoln was among the audience which had assembled to listen to Rev. Mr. Shanklin, a Soul Sleeper, and after the minister had concluded his discourse, Mr. Lincoln was called iipon to close the meeting. The old gentleman slowly and solemnly arose to his feet, took his place with much dignity before the audience, and began in this wise: " It is cus- tomary for ministers, when they have doubts regarding the soundness of their doctrines, to call on some one, when they are through, to indorse what they have said. Pll close the meeting, but I want to state that I have one objection to the sermon, and only one — there is not a word of truth in it, and if the brother will come here next Sunday he will hear genuine Gospel truth." It is not related how this little difference ter- minated, but if. is safe to say that Mr. Shanklin still remained a Soul- Sleeper. The Christiafi Church at Lebanon was organized, it is said, in 1828, and is, therefore, one of the olde.st in the county. For many years it was (if not the strongest) one of the strongest in the county, having at one time a membership of about two hundred and fifty. Their brick church was built in the old town early in the forties. The class is said to have been founded l)y Rev. D. D. Hall, a very earnest, capable man. Among the early members were Rev. Levi Fleming, Moses Lincoln, Rev. Daniel Shanklin and wife, Rev. Pugh and wife, Eli Woodward and wife, William Robb, Eleazer Purviance, Nathan Horner, Peter Fleming, Harvey Mcintosh, Isom Hiatt and many others. Their new church, in the new town, was erected about ISOl), at a cost of -St. 000. The class is at present large and prosperous. The Universal ist Cliurch was built about four years ago, at a cost of about Sl,20iJ. The membership is fif- 152 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. teen. The minister is Eev. Mr. Grandy. At one time, the Presbyte- rians had a nourishing class at Lebanon, and their church was erected soon after 1850, but when the new town started up it was move 1 thither. Rev. Crosby was the minister at the time of the removal of the church. West Lebanon and vicinity have always had good church privileges. CHUECHES AT STATE LINE CITY. The Presbyterians at State Line City organized their class during the latter part of the fifties, among the early members being John Brier, Harry Ross and wife, Henry Stevenson and wife, C. Andrews and wife, Mrs. Frasier, Dr. A. M. Porter, Mrs. Lucas. Mrs. Carmichuel, Mrs. Dubois. Mrs. John Kerr, George Elliott and others. Revs. Bacon, Lit- tle and Steele were early ministers. Their frame church was erected about 1860. The Methodists, also, started up soon after the town was founded, and the class was composed largely of members who had former- ly belonged to the old Gopher Hill and other classes. A few of the early members were A. Y. "Taylor, Adam Myers, Mr. Frasier. Daniel Lope and family, David Shepard, Samuel Clem and family, David Clap and others. Rev. Samuel Beck was their minister when their frame church was erected, about 1863-64. Revs. Buckles, Joice and Foxworthy were early with the class. The Christian Church there was erected about 1868, the class having been organized some time before. This is the only brick church in town. Among the early members were Asa Dun- can. M. P. Sennett, Robert Monell, John Braden, Joseph Braden, L. W. Denny and wife. Rev. Jacob Wright and others. Each of the three churches at State Line City cost about 12,000. CHURCHES AT MARSHFIELD. The Methodist Church at Marshfield was erected at the close of the late war, though the class was formed some time before under the min- istration of Rev. C. Hall. The house was built as a union church, but afterward the Methodists, in some manner, secured exclusive control. The Presbtyerians built their church about four years ago. Rev. John Mitchell was one of their ministers; he succeeded Rev. Moore. The Catholics lately built a small church in town. A Christian class was organized on Clear Branch, Washington Township, about twenty- live years ago, some of the members being J. H. Mcintosh, Charles Mc- Alister, J. H. Lincoln, Isaiah Bowlus, Elias Porter, J. S. Crawford and Bolivar Robb. No church was built. The Rogers Meeting House class, on Little Pine Creek, was established more than, forty years ago. Job Haigh, Thomas Johnson, Edward Moore, Thomas Boyer and Isaac Boyer were early members. The Friends had an organization in the northern part of the county nearly fifty years ago. The Gillman Church, in Steuben Township, was erected in the forties. Benjamin Gray, E. L. Gillman, D. J. Hiatt, Benjamin C. Griner and James Will- iams belonged. The "Free Hall," at Carbondale, was built in 1867, mainly by Dr. Wesley Clark, at a cost of about $1,800. All denomina- tions and outsiders in the neighborhood contributed. Mrs. Mary Clark often preached in the house. The Methodists have lately assumed con- trol of the building, but their claim is disputed. CHURCHES AT RAIN8VILLE. The Baptists organized a class at Rainsville in the thirties, and after- HISTORV OF WARREN COUNTY. 153 ward, late in the forties, erected a rude chui-ch. It was a small frame building, now used as a barn. Among the membors were Bazel West, John Castle, Abram Buckles and wife, John Dinwiddle and wife, Mr. Swett and wife, Jacob Mills and wife, and George B. Swett and wife. In the latter part of the fifties, the clasn went down, and their church was sold to the Methodists. The Baptists have not since been per- manently revived. The Methodist class there was organized before 1840, and for years met in the old schoolhouse. The class was organized by Rev. William M. P'raley. Among the early members were Peregrine Garland. Milton Pearce, William Brown, Lewis Lewis, Jacob Morgan and others. The line frame Methodist Church there cost about $2,500. James Wilson and wife gave of this amount about $800; John Shaw- cross gave $50; Joseph Blancl.ard, $50; J. H. Keyes, $100; \N'esley Gray, $100; Sylvester Lewis, $50; Dr. Charles Hoffman, $50, and many others smaller amounts. Other members have been Dr. I. M. Smith, John Carpenter, John Bradley, Peter Gray, B. O. Carpenter, Fletcher Brook, Jacob Brown and others. CHURCHES AT PINE VILLAGE. The Methodist Church at Pine Village was built in 1845, before the town was laid out or started. The class was first organized in 1831, at the house of Isaac Metsker. Among the earliest members were George and Elizabeth Nichols, Hester Dawson, Sarah Oxford, Sarah Lyons, George Campbell, Isaac and Ruby Metsker, Ruth Campbell, John Campbell, Lydia Campbell, and later were the Fishers, Andersons, Fosters, Halls, St. Johns, J. B. Campbell, Alfred Rose, J. J. Cooper, Thomas Julian, Thomas Hamilton, Eli Frasier, William Coldren, William Odell. William Hooker. Revs. James Mc- Cain and John C. French organized the class. Rev. Fraley served the class many years; other ministers were Cooper. Bredenburg, Armstrong and Farman. Meeting was held at the schoolhouse after about 1884, and since 1845 in their church. The Free Methodists are now bui Id- ing a church in the village. CHURCHES AT WILLIAMSPORT. 5?t Within a year after the town became the county seat, circuit riders appeared and preached to the few who had made the village their abid- ing place; but it was several years before classes were regularly organ- ized and supplied at stated periods with ministers. In about 1833, Rev. Cooper, a Methodist circuit rider, organized a small class, among the early members being William Search and wife, Laurence Russell and wife, James Bell and wife, David Etnire, Jacob Etnire, Nicholas Shafer, Mr. Davis and a few others. After that, meetings were quite regularly held, either in the schoolhouse or in the old court house. An independ- ent circuit was established at AVilliamsport about 1837. In 1830, the Methodist Trustees were Colbroath Hall, Thomas Thomas. Thomas O'Neal, Charles Hall and J. P. B. McCoy. The County Commissioners agreed to donate a lot, 'upon which to build a church, provided the church was erected within three ytnirs, at which time a deed was to be executed for the land. In case the church was not built within the period stated, the lot was to go back to the county. The building was not erected ; the Commissioners extended the time, but still no house was built. The Trustees in May, 1843, were Elisha Hitchens. R. A. 154 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. Chandler, Thomas Thomas, J. P. B. McCoy and H. N. Barnes. In 1845, the Trustees, old and new, were Elisha Kitchens, Charles Hall, Thomas O'Neal, B. F. Gregory, Henry J. Parker and Morris Watkins. Kev. Joseph White was the minister at this time. He had served the class for several of the preceding years. Colbreath Hall had also served the class before, as he did also afterward. At this time the circuit be- longed to the Crawfordsville District. In May. 1846, the Trustees were J. R. M. Bryant, W. R. Boyer, Elislia Hitchens, Israel Hanley and George King. At this time they called themselves the " Free Church Association;" the object being to raise means from among themselves, from other religious organizations, aad from outsiders, to build a church which should be free to all orthodo.K denominations; but in this the class again failed, and was obliged to continue to use the old court house. This state of affairs continued until the last war, when the pres- ent Methodist Church was built. It was dedicated Sunday morning, July 17, 1864, by Rev. Dr. Bowman, assisted by Elder Gee. On this day, $1,400 was subscribed toward freeing the church from debt — that amount being the total indebtedness. Since then, the class has flourished, with growing strength, iiuancially and numerically. There were a few Presbyterians in town at quite an early day, who were occasionally preached to by traveling and neighboring ministers, and it is stated a partial class was at one time formed early in the for- ties. It was not until the 20th of December, 1850, that the present or- ganization was founded. Rev. A. F. White, LL. D., of Attica, con- ducted the services. The first members were Mrs. H. A. Ray, Mrs. Anna Brandenburg, Mrs. Elizabeth Schlosser, Mrs. Rebecca Pearson, Mrs. Dorcas Bryant and Miss Jane McCorkle. In 1851, Curtis Newell became the first Ruling Elder; Rev. Amos Jones was the first resident minister. Rev. Isaar De Lamater supplied the church after 1856, and until 1860. Rev. F. S. McCabe came on in 1861; Rev. J. L. King in 1862; Rev, W. N. Steele in 1863; Rev. W. Wilmer in 1869. For the past eleven years, VVilliamsport and Attica hsLve been associated in the support of a minister. At present, there are about seventy-five members. The church was erected about 1853. The Christian class was organized during the latter part of the sixties, and the church was erected early in the seventies. Rev. L. L. Carpenter preached the dedicatory sermon. Revs. S. R. Owen and Warren have since been the regular pastors. The first members were H. M. Billings, Sarah Billings, Martha Crawford, Amanda Woodard, William Robb, Abi Robb. Mary Dowler, Bolivar Robb and S. M. C. Robb. A. Romine, H. M. Billings and Boliver Bobb were chosen Elders. Later members were Justin Ross, Cyrus Romine, Mariella Ross and Ellis Ross. The present Trustees are Justin Ross, Bolivar Robb and Cyrus Romine, The class at present is not able to employ a minister. THE GRAND PRAIRIE HABMONIAL ASSOCIATION. During the decades of the forties and fifties, when the impression became general that mankind was, in many respects, unreg»merate and hopelessly drifting into moral and social turpitude, and when the iron- clad, ritualistic doctrines or orthodox denominations of religion were meeting persistent and semi-successful opposition, various moral organ- izations were instituted throughout the country, to afford man the means of escaping the evil which his course seemed to have provided. A sys- HISTORY OF WARUKN COUNTV. 155 tern of social life, founded by Charles Fourier, and known as the " Fourier System," became very popular, as it appeared that the system was destined to encompass phases of human conduct which church or- ganizations could not reach, and at the same time check and control the tendency towarti liberal thought on the subject of morals. This system, and others. ditTering from it mainly in degree, was of the nature of in- stitutions called "communities," such as exist in a few portions of the country to-day. Among other things, the various systems provided that all property should be held in common, and controlled by a Board of Trustees, and that conduct and labor should be regulated by a constitu- tion and by-laws. Horace Greeley was an earnest advocate of the system, and became connected with many of the organizations instituted under it. Many other prominent men, in all parts of the country, identified themselves with the systems. In 1853, an organization of the kind was effected in the northern part of "Warren County, which organization be- came known by the' name at the head of this paragraph. Among those connected with it were John O. Wattles, Esther Wattles, Isaac Komine A. L. Child, Philander R. Child, Alvin High, Thomas Scott, George Brier, John Gass, Washington Waltz, Lucy M. Waltz, James R. M. Bryant, Leroy Templeton, Edgar Ryan and Charles High. Mr. Romine himself donated about ^2,000, in trust, for the uses of the community. The funds were placed in the hands of John O. Wattles, in trust, to be by him expended in the purchase of real estate and in the erection of build- ings, and after such purchase and labor the whole property was deeded to the Trustees, to be held in trust by them for the uses specified in the constitution and by-laws. The following is the deed to the Trustees: Know all men by these presents that we, John O. Wattles and Esther Wattles, his wife, of Tipperanoe County and State of Indiana, in consideration of the prem- ises and one dollar to them in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, do herebj' give, grant, convey, bargain and sell, to Horace Greeley, of New York City, Thomis Trusdale, of Brooklyn, N. Y., Edgar Ryan, Charles High and James R. M. Bryant, of Warren County, Indiana, Trustees, and to their heirs and assigns the following real estate to wit: The northeast quarter of Section 5, Township 23 north. Ranged* west, containing KiO acres more or less; also the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of said section, containing forty acres more or less; also the east three-fourths of the southwest (juarter of the southeast quarter of the same .section, containing thirty acres more or less; al.so the northeast quarter of llie south- east quarter and the east half of the southwest quarter and the east lialf of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section H, in the aforesaid township and range, containing 120 acres more or less, amounting in all to 350 acres more or less, together with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging, to have and to hold imto the said Greeley, Trusdale, Ryan, High and Bryant and their heirs and assigns forever in trust to and for the uses named, viz.: For the use and occu- pation of an association for educational and social reform purposes. The objects of the association, as stated in the constitution, were " to secure the education, elevation, j)urity and unity of its members, and, so far as may be, to forward the elevation, peace and unity of the human family, by means of the three following departments, viz., educational, agricultural and uiechanical, and these comV)ined and carried out in the social, in which d('])artment provision must be made for the culture of both mind and body of the nicnibers of the association and its depart- ments, and an op])ortunity afliorded on the domain for living the true life in accordance with the suggestions of ' Outlines of a Community Charac- ter.' " There was a Treasurer, a Secretary and one Chief of each of the above departments, to be elected by a majority vote of the members, and these oificers were to constitute a IBoard of Directors, which should have 10 156 HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. charge of all the departments. Persons over eighteen years of age, of good moral character and free from debt, were eligible to membership after they had remained with the community one year. An inventory of the property of each new member was made out when he entered the community. Money was not allowed to accumulate in the treasury to a greater amount than $1,000. The land above-described was valued at $4,600. The school was to be called an institute or a college, and was to be controlled by the "College Council," consisting of seven members. All endowments were to be by donation, subscription, bequest or scholarship, to any amount not to exceed $200,000, which stock was to be divided into shares of $50 each. The first officers were CharJes High. President; Edgar Ryan, Corresponding Secretary; AlvinHigh, Recording Secretary; Thomas Scott, Treasurer. Two or three buildings were erected on the land above described, in one of which school was taught one or more terms. But the enterprise was not destined to long survive. The few members lost interest and faith in the success of the system, and finally all effort to carry on the system was abandoned. Just how the affairs of the association were closed up cannot be stated. In 1870, an organization called the " Warren County Humanitarian Society of Spiritualists," was instituted in the county, upon the follow- ing basis: " Whereas, The religious sects and denominations of the Christian world, after unremittent effort for 1,800 years, have failed to redeem man from the manifold evils incident to human life, and Whereas, The spirit of the age in which we live demands improvement and progress in the religious, political and social departments of life," etc, etc., this organization did but little beyond filing articles of association. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. WARREK COUNTY. WILLIAMSPORT,— AND WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. SAMUEL BITTINGER is a native of Franklin County, Penn.; was horn April 28, 1838, and is one of six living children in a family of nine horn to Jacoh and Sally (Games) Bittinger. At the age of thirteen years, in company with a friend. Augus- tus Oler, he preceded his parents on a visit to his mother's relatives in Xorthern Ohio. Instead of returning to Pennsylvania, he and his friend, on their arrival at La Faj'ctte, took an inventory of their resources, and found only 25 cents hetween them and starvation. They replenished their jnirses for the time Itj- husking corn on the Wea Plains. For two j'ears, he was engaged in farm work, but in IH.IS came to Warren County, where he taught school for two terms and farmed in Medina Township until he had acquired sufficient means to eml)ark in tiie grocery trade in a small way at Poolsville. now Green Hill. He discontinued merchandising in 1859, and started West on a prosj)ecting tour. The spring of 1805, after he had re- turned, he enlisted in Company 1, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. At the close of the war, he returned to his home in Medina Township, followed farming, and served as Township Trustee and Assessor until 1874, when he was elected Treasurer of Warren County, and re-elected, serving in all four years. Since that time, he has been engaged in the grocery and provision traflic in Williamsport, and is now looking after that and his farming interests in this county. Mr. Bittinger began poor, anil has acquired about 800 acres of land in Warren County and other valuable property through his own exertions. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has ascended to the Knight Templar deirree. In politics, he is a Republican. Was married in Warren Countj' to Mary E. Fen- ton, to their union having been born three children — Wallace, Oscar and Jessie. RICHARD W. CLAYPOOL, grain dealer, was born in Fountain County, Ind.. March 12, 1831, and is one of nine children who lived to years of maturity, and eight of whom are yet living, born to Wil.son and Sarah (Evans) Claypool, natives of Ohio. They emigrated to Fountain County, Ind., in 1824. Mr. Claypool died on the land he first entered in July, 187G, but Mrs. Claypool yet resides on this Elace, and in the house, which has been remodeled, where all her children were orn. Abraham Claypool, grandfather of Richard W., moved from Randolph County, Va., to Ohio, in 1778, for the purpose of freeing his slaves, as he was radi- cally opposed to the institution of slaver}'. Richard W. Claypool lived to manhood in his native county. In 1852, he came to Williamsport and embarked in the dry foods trade, but, in 1854, discontinued that and moved to Ludlow, Champaign Co., 11., and took charge of the Illinois Central Railroad depot. He soon purciia.sed a farm, improved it, and, in December, 1861, came back to Williamsport. where he and a brother looked after the general interests of the family while four brothers were in the war. Mr. Claypool practiced law for sonu; time in Williamsport, but for the past seven years has been dealing in grain. Durini; his diversilied business career, he has accumulated comfortable surroundings. ite yet owns his farm of 320 acres in Illinois, besides his town property' in \ViHiamsport. He is an inde- pendent Democrat, a Mason, and is the father of nine children. He was married, in January, 1855, fo Eliza T. Pearson, and the names of his children are as follows: Evans, Robert, Horace, Rollin, Lorenzo (decea.sed), Elizabeth, Jessie, Frederick and Mabel. HENRY DANNECKER is a native of the State of New York, was born in the year 1852, and is the eldest f)f a famil}' of four. His family moved to this county m 1865, where Henr}' received a conunon .school education. E.xcept five years passed at rock-quarrying, he has followed farming, having now seventy-two acres under good cultivation, with fair buildings and improvements. Henry has never mar- ried, his sister. Miss .Mary Dannecker. living with and keeping house for him. J. De hart, M. D., a native of Warren County. Ohio, was born May 10. 1841. and is one of eight living children in a familj" of nine born to Dr. Gideon and Ma- 158 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: linda (Patten) De Hiirt, the former being a native of Ellzabethtown, X. J., and of Frencli ancestry. To escape a large practice which was undermining his health, Dr. Gideon De Hart moved with his family to Logansport. Ind., in 1853, prac- ticed there until 1865, and then removed to La Fayette, where he continued in active practice until his death, in 1873. His widow yet survives him and resides with her children in Western Indiana. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until the breaking-out of tlie war, when he enlisted in the Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Xot having attained majority, his father withheld his consent. He afterward succeeded in enlisting in the Forty-sixth Regiment, in 1862, but again was recalled by his father. The fall of 1863, he became a member of Company B, One Hundred Tvventy-elghth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and, being then of age, went to the front with his regiment; participated in the engagements of Resaca and all the battles of the Atlanta campaign, including the siege of that city; he fought in the battles at Pulaski, Franklin and Nashville: also in the battle of Kingston, finally joining Sherman's army at Goldsboro in March, 1865. April, 1866, Mr. De Hart was discharged as Sergeant Major; he returned to Indiana and recommenced the study of medicine under his father, which he had commenced in 1858; also studying dent"istry under Dr. Moore of La Fayette. He graduated from the Ohio DentalCol- lege at Cincinnati in 1869, and the succeeding four years practiced this profession and medicine at Chattanooga, Tenn. He then graduated from the Ohio Medi- cal College at Cincinnati; he came to Williamsport in 1875, where he has since re- mained as a practitioner of medicine, and has patients not only in and near Will- iamsport, but in many of the adjacent towns. Dr. De Hart was married in 1878 to Miss Joanna Wall, of Williamsport. He is a Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the G. A. R. JACOB T. ETN'IRE is a native of Butler County, Ohio, born in the year 1830, and is a son of Jacob and R. Etnire. His father came to Indiana in 1833, and en- tered land and settled in this township; our subject, during youth obtained such education as the county schools afforded. Later, he was married to Rachel Rush, by whom he has five children — Mary J., Celia C, William T., Charles C. and David; both daughters are married. In 1863, he entered the Seventy-second Indiana Regi- ment, and when that was mustered out at the close of the war he was transferred to the Forty-fourth, in which he remained until the fall of 1865. After his return he resumed farming, which his wife had carried on during his absence. Mr. Etnire has for the past five years been engaged in making tile; he is one of the leading men in his community. His son, William T. Etnire, was born in 1858, attended the com- mon school, and assists his father and brothers in the work of the farm. S. C. FISHER, attorney at law, is a native of Warren County, Ohio, born August 10, 1831, and is the eldest of eight children, five of whom are yet living, born to Alfred and Elizabeth (Campbell) Fisher, natives respectivelj" of North and South Carolina and of English descent. The fall of 1831, the family emigrated westward, and Mrs. Fisher having relatives in Fountain County, thej^ located near Attica and passed the winter there. During this time, Mr. Fisher crossed the river to Warren County and entered 160 acres of Government land in Adams Township. April 6, 183'3, they located on this property, and here Mrs. Fisher died in 1856. Mr. Pishei' was next married in 1858, to Mrs. Abigail (Odle) Kidney, and lived on the land he entered for over fifty years. He died February 20, 1883, from the effects of a fall on the ice. S. C. Fisher lived in Warren County to manhood; was married, in 1854, to Miss Amanda L. Sewell, and from that time until the breaking-out of the war, was engaged in merchandising in Pine Village, his being the first dry goods store opened at that place. September 7, 1861, he enrolled his name as private in Com- pany H, Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and on the 17th was mustered into service. He served as private and as a non-commissioned officer until July 17, 1863, when he was promoted over three ranking officers to the Captaincy of Company H, One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for merltorious'conduct. Six weeks after this lie was promoted Post Commissary at Tazewell in Eastern Tennessee; January, 1864, he was advanced to the position of Chief Commissary of the Depart- ment; the fall of 1864, he was discharged, his term of service having expired. Mr. Fisher served in eleven pitched battles, among them being Shiloh, Perryville, Fish- ing Creek and Fort Donelson, and was three times wounded. For a few years after the war, he traveled for his health, but in 1869 settled down in Williamsport and has since been engaged in legal pursuits. He is a Republican, and in Masonry is one of the first twelve man who took the thirty-second degree at New Al- bany, Ind., in 1868. He is a Camp Degree Odd Fellow and a member of the G. A. R. He and wife never having had children born to them, have adopted one child Ella — whom they have reared to womanhood. PHILIP GEMMER, Treasurer of Warren County, was born November 8, 1832, in Nassau, Prussia. His father, Justus Gemmer, was twice married— first to Chris- WILLIAMSI'OIIT, ANl> WASHINGTON TOWNSHII'— WARIIKN COUNTY. l')'J tin:i Beck, who bore him one son, T'hilip, and died in the ohl country, after wliicli Mr. Gemmcr marrictl Gratia Kincel. Philip, in 1S4(), eniiirrated with his father and step-motiier to the United States, local iu^ tirst in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Thence the parents removed to Wabash CV)unty, Ind., and there died. The spriui,' of 18.10, Philii) (4emmer came from Ohio to La Gro, Wabush Go., Ind.. nnd for two 3'ears was eniiajred in cabinet-makinn-, afterward iroin>f to La Fayette, where he continued this business for some time, lie tiien came to West Lebanon, Warren County, whence he moved to Marshtield two years liitv.r. At that place he enlisted, in April. ISdl, in Company H, Tenth IndianaVolunteer Infantry for three months, and durinu: this time was engaged in • he battle of Rich Mountain. After his dis- charge, he enlisted. August 4, 1862, in the Eighty si.xth Regiment, 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-si.\ih. He was actively engaged in the battles of Painesville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Athm- ta, Franklin, Nashville, and in the pursuit and capture of Bragg's army. Maj. Gemmer received his discharge June 11, 1865. After the war, he engaged at Marsh- field two years at merchandising, and then in a warehouse at WilliaWisport. He afterward moved on a farm near the county .seat. He was elected to theTrea.surer- ship of the county in -1878, and re-elected, .serving in all four years. Maj. Gemmer is a Republican, a member of i the Masonic order and the G. A. R., and has been three times married. His tirst wife, Maggie 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 .son, George A. WILLIAM N. GIBSON is a native of Tennessee, born June 18, 1833. 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 1858, he was married to Maria F., daughter of James H. and Elizabeth Macintosh, to which union were born two chihlren— Lilla M. and Cora B. Mr. Gibson .settled on the farm on which he now resides in the spring of 1W2. He has a fine proper!}*, with many and various improvements, all of wliich was accpiired by hard lal)or and frugality. 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 Cliri>;lian Church. THOMAS J. GRAVIES, Recorder of Warren County, was l)orn August 31, lH3r), in Ross County, Ohio, and is a sou of Willis Ross, who 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 18.")!, the famil}' came to this coun- ty, but after a number of years removed to Benton County, Mo., where the mother died in 1876. In 1877, the father returned to Warren County, but while on a visit to a daughter in Vermillion County, 111., in 1879, took sick and died. Thomas J. Graves lived with his parents until the age of thirty-five, eng.iged most of his 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, 1H63, in the last-named battle, was twice wounded. After the color-bearer had been shot down, another seized the Mag. but he, too. .soon fell u victim to rel)el bullets. Sergt. Graves then bore the fi.ag aloft, and. altliough twice wounded, succeeded in planting it on the top of the ridge, the first of the entire Union arm}'. He was honoral)iy tlischarged July li*. 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 County, where he has since resided. Noveml)er 21, 1877, Mr. Graves received a severe cut on the loft foot, which necessitated amputation .March IH, 1K7H, and al)out this time he received a paralytic stroke, which so afTected him as to render him comparatively helpless, and it was over a year before he could do a man's work. By tiie Repuldi- can party, he was elected to the office of County Recorder in 1879, with a majority of 1,H83 votes, and he is yet serving in that capacity. Mr. Graves is a m-mber of the G. A. R. and the Iv. of H. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church and the parents of five cliildren— Arthur L., Bertie Mc, Lewis W.. Julia M. and Cecil E. ELIAS HANES was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, J\dy 22. 1810. and while yet a lad came witii his jiarenls. Joseph and Margaret (Leslie) Hanes. to War- ren County, where he has since residil. He received a common school education, and on attaining his majority began life's battle on his own responsibility. January 160 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 8, 1861, he married Miss Ella Ridenour, 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. F. Stat- tler, erected the Williamsport flouring mills and embarked in a general merchant and custom work. Mr. Stattler's interest was purchased shortl}^ after beginning 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 grinding 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 average 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. HENRY HELD, harness manufacturer, is a native of Germany, born October 15, 1833, and is one of a large family of children born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Bow- man) Held, both of whom died in Massillon, Ohio. They emigrated from Germany in 1833, andthesame 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 learning the harness maker's trade and doing for himself in Canton, Ohio. After serving four years as an apprentice, he began work as a joui'neyman. and in 1851 came to Williamsport; worked at his trade with his brother Jacob, who had preceded him to Warren County two 3^ears, and who had a shop at this place. For two 3'-ears, 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 property entirely by hard work and industry. For thirty-two j'ears, he has been a resident of William.sport; he is a Democrat in politics.a member of both A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F., and has been twice married. His first wife, Nancy Nirolh, died in 1868, leaving him three daughters — Ella, Kate and Nellie. His present wife, Helen Koehler. has borne him five children — Fred, Lucy, John. Edward and Flora. Mr. and Mrs. Held are members of the Presbyterian Church, and esteemed citizens of Williamsport- ALVTN 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 family, indeed, could not well be passed without an extended notice. Charles D. High, father of the subject of this memoir, was born in Berks County, Penn., in 1807, and his great-grandfather was a native of Germany. In May, 1838, he came to Indiana,and located in Warren County, whicli was then in a state of nature. On the same day of his arrival, William Hunter and family also located here, and in December, 1828, witnessed the marriage of Mr. High and Elizabeth D. Hunter. The Hunter family were of Scotch-Irish descent. They moved from Greenbriar County, Va., to Ohio, in about 1806, where Mrs. High was born in 1808; thence to Kentucky and from there to Warren County. Ind., in 1828. Mr. and Mrs. High were hard working and worthy people; the parents of twelve children, ten of whom they reared to j'ears of maturity. Mr. High died October 23, 1864, but his widow is yet living in Williamsport at the ripe oldage 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 four children; Auson, a soldier of the late war, who died in Libby Prison in 1863, leaving a widow and two children; Ezra, who died wiien twelve years old; Catharine, Mrs. Gordon B. McClatlin; Indiana, who died in 1868. the mother of one son and the wife of John Hornedj^ Elizabeth, Mrs. Horace Crane; Charles, who ran away from home when fourteen j'ears old to go into the army, is married and resides in Kansas; William, a soldier of the latelwar, a graduate of medicine, and died in 1872; John R.. deceased; Anna, died in 1871, the "wife of A. Hinkle, and Daniel, who died in infancy. Alvin High, the eldest of this family, was born at Walnut Grove, Warren County, September 20, 1831, and up to his eighteenth year, assisted his parents on the farm. He was engaged in farming and teaching school until 1855, when for the second time he was compelled to relinquish active out door piu'suits by reason of ill health. He removed to Williamsport and embarked in merchandising, which he discontinued after a few years, and in 1861, became Deputy County Auditor. In 1866, he was elected Treasurer of the county, and re-elected in 1868, both times as a Republican; besides the above, Mr. High served in various other positions of local honor and trust, and throughout all his official duties was an officer who gave un- bounded satisfaction. He was an ardent supporter of the temperance cause, was a WILLIAM3P011T, AND WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 161 member of both Odd Fellows and Masonic fraternities and was married October 7, \Srt2, loMiss Sarah M. Hawkins, who was born January 13,1834. To this raarriaM, tlie followinj;: family w;is horn: Clarissa F., Mrs. W. U. Yeagy, Truman H., Charles M., deceased, and Alice, deceased. ELISHA IIITCHENS. Postmaster, and one of the few of our remaining pioneers, wjus born m Chillicothe, Ohio, August 10, 1806. He was educated and married in Ross County. Oiiio, his wife being Mary King. Learning the black- smith trade, he followed that occupation until about 1828, when he embarked in merchandising in the northern part of his native county. In 1H3'2, 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 thej' carried on for some years. In 1852, 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 j'et he takes an active interest in all public affairs. Flis 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 forty-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. The3-camc to Indiana in 1844, and settled in Jordan Township, then a part ot Libertj', 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 l)orn in Madison County, Ohio, June 10, 1843, and is one of eight children, seven of whom are yet living. lie was reared in Warreu Count}', and received a liberal education. He was engaged in farming until 1875, when he began the studv of law with his present partner, John W. Sutton. In 1876, he removed to Williamsport, and in Februarv, 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 be yet owns '276 acres of land in Warren County. He was married, October 17, 1872, to Miss M. J. Stump, and they are tiie parents of one son, Schuvler 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 1835, 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 re(iuisites of the i)ioneer. 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 1H47 he was attacked by one of tiie previilent disorders of the day, which caused his death. His widow survived him until 1H.5(), when she, too, died. This lady was twice married, lier first husband being a Mr. Wright. To her marriage witii Mr. Johnson six children were born, five of whom are yet living, the youngest being Henry C. Johnson. This son was born in lirown Coiiiity, Ohio, December ipreme Court, but he tiuMi resigned his position, returned home, and assisted in recruiting Company K, Thirty-third Imiiana Volunteer Infantry, of which he was elected Se(;ond Lieutenant. The summer of IM*;:], li(> was advanced to First Lieutenant. ;ind later to tiie Cajitaincy of his company. Was in a numlier of hard- fouglit battles, among wliieii were Wild Cat, Cumberland Oap and Tliomjison's Station. At tiu! last-named engagismenl, he was captured, and for siven weeks was an inmate of Libby Prison, lie was enabled to rejoin his command in time to par- 162 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ticipate in all the movements of the Atlanta campaisjn, part of the time as Aid of Gen. Coburn, but afterward as Aid to Col. Dustin. At Savannah, he resumed com- mand of his company, and from that time participated in all the movements of Sherman's army until the close of the war, including:? the grand review at Washing- ton. Siuce 186"), he has been Deputy in the County Cleric's office the greater part of the time, but in 1878 he was elected as principal to thisoifice, and in 1882 re-elected. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson's marriage, six children have been born — Kate, deceased ; Louis H., Lillian, Anna, Harry and George W. HENRY C. JOHNSON, lumber merchant, is a native of Champaign County, Ohio, was born January 26, 1826, 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 bayonet wound in the arm, from the effects of which he ever afterward suffered. The family moved to Vermillion County, 111., in 1829, and were among the first settlers of that locality, where they died. Henry C. Johnson was reared in Vermillion County, 111., receiving only such education as the pioneer schools of that early day afforded — when greased paper was usedjfor windows, the old-fash- ioned fire-places for warmth, and puncheons for seats. In 1851, he came to Warren County to follow the occupation of schoolmaster, and for many terms he was en- gaged ia this occupation and farming. In 1852, he married Helen M. Cronkhite, and in 1868 moved to Marshfleld, Steuben Township, and engaged in the grocery and provision trade for a 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; Marv Ellen; LoraB., now Mrs. F. M. Wolfe, and Albert. P. W. LEWIS was born in Johnson County, Ind., February 17, 1830, 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 they have been identified in Virginian histor3\ Members of this family emigrated to Johnson County, Ind., as early as 1815, and here the parents of P. W. Lewis first met and were married. Thomas Lewis was born near Chillicothe, 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 year at Attica, perfecting himself for his business. In the spring of 1864, he located in Williamsport. In December, 1855, he married Sarah J. Schoonover, who was born on Independence Day, 1836, in Williamsport. Mrs. Lewis is descended from two of the oldest families of Warren County, viz. : the Schoonovers and Chrismans. Her father was Stephen Schoon- over, who came to Warren County with his parents previous to 1830; and her moth- er was Sarah Chrisman, who came with her father, Peter Chrisman, in 1832. P. W. Lewis has fought his way up from a poor boj' 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 public-spirited men of Williamsport; is a strong advocate of all temperance principles, a Republican, a Mason ; has served Warren County as Cor- oner a number of years, and in April, 1883, was appointed by Gov. Porter as Com- missioner to represent Indiana in the National Mining and Industrial Exposition to meet at Denver, Colo., in July, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had born to them two children, both of whom are now dead- S. B. MATHIS, a native of Philadelphia, and one of the pioneers of Warren County, was born October 8, 1820; he moved with his parents to Champaign County, Ohio, in 1830, where he lived until he came to Warren County, in 1843. He is the eldest of eleven children, three only of whom are now living, born to Nehemiahand Catharine (Miller) Mathis. He was bound out when eleven years old to a farmer, and since that time his life has been almost wholly passed among strangers. July 13, 1843, he married Sarah J. George, and settled in Western Indiana. For three years, they farmed in Liberty Township, then moved to the place Mr. Mathis yet owns, in Jordan Township, where they remained for upward of thirty-five years. In De- cember, 1881, they rented a part of the old homestead, which consists of 1,600 acres, moved to Williamsport, erected their brick store and hotel building, and are now engaged in the grocery trade and in keeping a hotel. When they first crossed the Wabash River, twenty cents was the sum total of their cash assets. They rented land and farmed under all those disadvantages and hardships of pioneer life, and WlLLIAMSrORT, AND WASHINGTON TOWNSFIIP— WARREN COUNTY. 163 with their hard earned wages, invested in land from time to time until they are now among the heaviest land owners of the countv. Mr. Mathis was a Whig until 1856, was tlicn a Hcpuhlican ami now l»cl()n,i,'s to the National (Jrccnliack i)arty. He and wife have had horn to them thirteen children — Ephraini G., James E., William F., Eli W. S., Mary A., Catharine E., Samuel B., Almyretta, deceased, Miirsh T., de- ceased, Sarah J. and three that died in infancy unnamed. Mrs. Mathis was horn in Champaign County. Ohio, Feliruary 28, 1821, "and throughout her life has ably as- sisted hei lHisl)ai\d in all his ctTorts. GORDON B. McCLAFLlN, retired farmer, is a native of the Green Mountain State, horn Septeinher 22, 182."). His father was a native of Scotland, canie to America at an early day, and. when the Colonies resorted to arms in order to gain their freedom from Great Britain, lie served throughout the seven years 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) McClatlin, and in 183<'>. they emigrated west to Indiana, and in September of that year settled in White County. Mr. McClaflin worked at ( arix'niering. shoe-making and plastering in connection with farming until his death in White County, in 1^48. His widow died in Warren County, in 1S81. Gordon McClatlin lived wilii his parents until twenty-one years of ago, 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 jears of maturit}'. He received only a common school education and two different winters taught public schools. In 1850, the fam- ilv removed to Warren County, Ind.. and settled at Walnut Grove, where, in 1855, Mr. McC'laHin and Catharine "High were united in marriage. To their union have been born two sons — Charles and Ezra. In Feliruary, 1880, Mr. .McClatlin and wife moved to Williamsport, where they are j'et living retired. He is a llepublican in politics, owns 297 acres of good land in Wtirren County, besides the town property where they now live, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. WILLIAM ]SIOFFITT, County Auditor, was born in Adams Township, this county. January 15, 1883, 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) Moffitt, 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. >Ioftitt's death, in 1871, since when Mr. MolHtt has lived retired in Wil- liamsport. William Moffitt, with the exception of two years, has always made War- ren County his home. In 1850, 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 II. 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. Moffiit was discharged, and the winter of 18(i4 helped recruit Company G, One Hundred and Fiftieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which he was commis- sioned Captain, and their operations were in Viruinia. doing guard duty principally, between Winchester and Ilarjx'r's Ferry. ]\Ir. Moffitt was honorably discharged in August, 1865, and has since resided in Williamsport. The fall of 18(i5, 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 the ex- piration of his term of office as the Deputy of his successor, luit in 1880, was again elected Auditor and is now serving in that capacity. Mr. Mofiitt is a member oif 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 tiie |)arenis of four eiiildren — Frances (Mrs. Frank Demmary). Clara J. (Mrs. John Hatton). David H. and Anna .M. A. NEBEIvER, County Superintendent, was born near Covinijion, Ind., Sep- tember 9, 1N38, 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; liut our subject's frandfather married an English lady, and his f.ithrr a native lioni American ladv. lis parents were nativ<'s of Pickaway County, Ohio, and moved to Fountain County, Ind., at a very early day, and were here married in 1833. llis mother died in 1870, but his father yet lives iind 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' a|)plication in the classical 4, after which he resumed mercantile business witli iiis father, having since added dry goods, boots and shoes, etc.. to the value of $10,000. Mr. Fleming was married, January T), 18(i(). to Miss C. J. Sinkes, daughter of James M. and Jane Sinkes. To this union succeeded one child — Leland IJ.; Mrs. Fleming died February 1!». 18(57: Mr. Fleming was next married, June 1, 1869, to Miss Arranna Craft, daughter of W. ;ind ]\Iary Craft, a native of Ohio. To this union were born three cliiidren, the Hrst and last dying in infanc}', the .second only living— Lois B. Mr. Fleming is Past ^Lister in the Masonic order, also a member of Covington Chapter, H. K. A. In politics, he is Republican, and was Postmaster during the Lincoln adminslration. FRANK C. FLE3IING, 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 Bhare of education was obtained at the district schools, with one year at Asbury University. Wlieu twenty-one years of age. lie began mercantile business at West Lebanon, under the tirm name of Fleming Brothers, in which he has since been en- gaged. In 1871, Mr. Fleming was married to Miss Sarah Nye, a native of Charles- ton, Ohio, who died in October, 1872. Mr. Fleming was next married, June 3, 1881, to Miss Ella Wheeler, of West Lebanon, who died October 18, 1882. In 1876. Mr. Fleming was elected Township Trustee, and in 1882, Treasurer of Warren County, by a majority of 846. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and a rigid Republican, having given his tirst vote for U. S. Grant. HON. J. FLEMING, physican and surgeon, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, born March 24, 1815. 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 the*Indians. 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 stud}' of medicine with Drs. Cox 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 fractice. This tvas di.ssolvedin 1843, when Dr. Fleming came to Warren County, nd., and located at Lebanon. Previous to this, July 10. 1842, he married Miss Mary 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 tirst 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 1882, 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 jihysician in and founder of West Lebanon, which should have been namcdafter 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 Sarali (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 sunicient age began to learn the trade of tanning, at which he worke(l 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., Wintield S., "Thomas C, Ann E. and Laura L. In 1843, Mr. Fleming came to old Lebanon and engaged in the tanning business; thence movv h1 o W ."st L b^ M^n-h '"'iS^"' wf '"". ""^"^^ K;^is^^L!;;i;;.^v;;;.^^siSVh^^^^ inouc;^^Iun^.'T;.n,)''^>S^M"8H'';mi'r';"" ''vsr''^ "' '"".^"'^^- -- '-n Purvian,.e. 11^ ^--If^ 'U- was a'^o o "^^ ::pn;-r;:!f^.i^^------ old. after which period he rec -ivJ:;;; Ilmre of'h!: I,.:;; 't " rii^'Xr";; ^ f^io-i -.£;t E-- 1 of^!^i-=;™9S'E^ ;l^74 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: To .hi, union were 1>or„ ^ ^^S^^'^^"!^:^^^ STfi'rstto.e for Gen. Harrison riL Vermillion County. Ind., July 2b. 1848, and is the ,™n%St??h'^'SS. ™n bgn .o r,e,m,^^^^^ s;-^s^r^is=;aK tinned until he was ameteen, when he be^-an ^eacniu ^^^ remained study of law in the «<1^^« ^^^.^fj^^^.^f S^^^'li^u^^^^ and resumed teach- two years, when for want of mean^ he d,«^ Carithers. daughter of ^'^l^tS^I^::^'^^^^^^^.:^^^^ oL'of the first lawyers "''DA^^YErW 'reed' Marshal, was born in Warren County O^o May 13, 1841^^Ui^uSof h^childr^i^orn^^ natives of Lavvreneeburg ^^^ X^^.^'i-^^^^ Warren of Scotch-German deso^nL^^^^^ ^^ ilvsper County, where County Ind., in I860, ^^,'^,"^J^"fjn",';.;^^^^^^^^ November 7, 1865, to Miss Mary they still reside. <^^J^^^-ff 5'^.; Township this county, and daughter of James J. Schoonover, a native o^ ^iber y iownsmp, i^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^^ and Susanna Schoonover. J^^^^ ^,^^^4^'^^ ''^i^^^^^ Mr. Reed went to Iroquois M., Lura E., Nathan J-- ^^^ W 1 am ^- ^\ ^Jg^^^j^ed to this county. In 1880, County, I'V >'T" t'l fh mon In iulusri862 he enUsted in Company F, Seventy- he removed oWest^^^^^^^^^^^^^ '^^ Chickamauga, Atlanta campaign, second I^fJ'^"/Vn"A™Ssn which his regiment participated, excep one. He Selma, and all engagements in wu.lu "'o„pfi ;= ^ Republican, and a member ".^^p'^rT''[n'mr"if ri^eiedlsT vo'^Js Jn'county contention.' for Recorder. ?fe^w.4-e^ecteS iSI'haloTwIst Lebanon, May 7, 1883. Mr. Reed is an enter- P"''?5hSVTtEPHENS was born in Hamilton County Ind., April 24, 1849 and JOHJN U &iEirniii>o ci .x^r ,, n stenhens the former a native of Ohio. is a son of Henry and Mary R. ^ ^ ^'^/^ ^;Xd and he lived with an uncle until When John C. was ten Jears old his mothci du^d ami ue^^ ^^^^^^ ^_^ ^^.^ his father was again marnel I^'^^^^f ^^iJ^e^rattended the accessible schools, county and settled near West Lebanon, ^^hereh^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ .^ ^ ,^^^^^^ When fifteen yearsof ^^^O- he begc^n workm by t^ie ' . ^^^ finally in then in the Hitchermg trade fo^ten year, th^^ ^^^^^^ ^^. ^^-^ ^^^_ g,^^ .on ^- ^^^^^^ died at Dresden. Ohio, J^^/' ^f,*^: ";V„''j^t\'\n,^^ Dresden," Ohio, where he at- Walkor was three years of ^^e ^i^ paients move a 10^ ^^^^ ^^^^^.^^^^^ tended school and whe^ sixteen ^^^^ "^^^hi^ taUie, sent n ^^.^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ department ot ^^'i ^mve sUy of Pcnnsy W^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^_.^^^^^ .^^ ^ ^ afterward one year at the "J^^'^eraty 01 Medical University in 1845. drug store one year and f ^^/^i'^^^ed at the in e w i Miss Anna Sherman, In 1849. he came to Columbus, In 1 wheie ^*^^.^f ^°^f ,7i^,3,,i ,^,th five children- daughter of Asa and Amy Sherman This "^^'^'^l '^^'l^f,,,,, g. i^ 1850. he re- Emma L.. Jerome F. (deceased) Ettie A.. E.su^L. J^'»^ ^ ^^^^-^ ^i,, l^te war, moved to Rob l^-y,-"f/J,'^f ^^^^.^^ Assistant Surgeon of when, in July, 1863, he was eommissioneu u> ^^^ ^^^^^ the Sixty-third l^egime.it Indiana Volunt^^ers. and ^ ^^^^^^^^^ .^ he reiurned home I'l^l^*^^. |^f f V^ember of the Masonic fraternity, also a ^^^■^SS:': M^. mis !s ^member of the Presbyterian Church. MOUND TOWNSHIP— WAiaiEN COUNTY. 175 MOUND TOWNSHIP. CYRUS CUNNINGHAM, was born in Vtrmillion County. Ind.. December 15, 1829, and is the only livini^ cliild of Tliomas and Eliza (Cunninnham) Cuunini^ham, tbree brothers, Nicholas, George and Jareii, being deceased. Thomas Cunningham was born in Ross County, Ohio, December, 1799; was by trade a tanner; moved to Vermillion County, in 1820. of wiiich he was one of the earliest settlers: managed a flat-boat on the AVabash and Missi.ssippi Rivers, until 1840, and died in 1846. Cyrus Cunningham left Vermil'ion County wiien lie was twenty-five years old, and came to bi.>< present location. He was married, Deceml)er 17, 1855, to Mary (Jlipiiant, which union was blessed with seven children— Horatio (decea.sed), Rcul)en, 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 neighborhocjd. has had ample opportunity to note the transition of the country from a wilderness to a garden, and recalls many stories of his father's experience Avith the Indians. Mr. Cunningham has lived a (piiet, unambitious life, and is a high type of the true citizen, and is an industrious and thrifty farmer. F. G. DuIi()IS was born in Medina County, Ohio, January 16, 1836, and is one of the seven ciiildren born to Al)raham and Julia A. (Randall) DuBois, their names being — Abigail, Sarah, Wa.shington, Francis, Charles, Martha and William, of whom Abigail and Frank alone are living. Abraham DuBois was born in New York in 1799. lie 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 home. He was married, Decemt)er 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-cjuarter 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 stables, fencing and the like. These improvements and po.ssessions are the result of close and well-directed lal)or and providence. Mr. DuBois is a much esteemed citizen and exemplary gen- tleman. J. R. JOHNSON, Sr.. was born in Franklin County, Ohio, Septembers, 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, AVilliam M. (deceased) and Carley Ann (deceased). TJie father of our subject was born in Pennsylvania about 1799; was a farmer and stock-dealer ; was a soldier of the war of IHlvJ. and died in Steuben Townshij), Warren Co., Ind., where also his widow died in 1873. In October, 1828, J. R. Johnson was brought to what is now Kent Township, AVarren Co., Ind., by his parents, where they located for a short time, whenci- thev removed to Steuben Township, where liis father owned between 2,000 and 3,000 acres. J. R. Johnson was married Novemlx-r 26,1840.to 8. B. Steeley, by whom he had one child— Elizabeth N. (deceased). Mr. Johnson resides two miles southeast of State Line Cit}', on 533 acres (seventy-three being three-iiuarters of a mile distant); he has also 1.50 acres of timber, two miles southeast, and -245, which are well improved, ailjoining Hooitstown, Vermillion Co., 111. Over 500 acres of these lands are under the best cultivation, producing largely wheat, corn, oats and hay. Stock-raising is a specialty with Mr. Johnson. From 1861 to 1872. he lived in what is now the tinesi residence in State Line ('ity, where lie was for several years in the dry goods business. In 1872. he erected a magnilicent brick residence, modernly furnished, costing f 10,000, from the observatory of which one may com- mand a delectable view of the splendid (;ountry. Mr. Johnson is one of the earliest settlers, and lias ac(iuired his j)ossessions by the hardest labor ami 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 tiie Peace, County Commissioner and Town- ship Trustee. Mr. Johnson is a true gentleman and worthy citizen, highly esteemed by the community. J. W. KENT was born in Ross Count}', Ohio, June 24, 1824, and is one of the eight children of Perrin and Rebecca (Dill) Kent, whose names are Charlotte, Will- 176 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: iam, John W.. Sarah, Thomas, Rebecca, Isabel and Caroline. William and John alone are living. Perrin Kent was born in Washington County, Penn., July, 1794. He was a practical and life-long surveyor, and made many government surveys, having located the line hetweenlllinois 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 County, 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, ISoT, he w^^s 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 B12 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 mostly hay, although he raises some corn. He has paid much attention to breeding Berkshire swine and thoroughbred short-horn cattle, and to the latter he now gives his chief devotion. In 18(35-66, he erected a brick residence at a minimum cost of $12,000, which 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 brick residence in Danville, 111., to cost $15,000, the grandest in Eastern Illinois. In 1847, he was employed by Ellsworth & Co., land speculators, members of which company were Prof. Chauncey A Goodrich, of Yale College, the Schermerhorns, the Daytons, William Sigourney 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 RODGERS 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., Jahez (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 1855 and 1858, where he died. Elisha was married, in 1840, to Juliet Evans, by whom he had one child— Melissa. Mrs. Rodgers died June, 1849. He afterward married Mary Ann Moudy, by whom he had ten children, six of whom are living — Sarah, Emily, Martha, Lincoln, Rosa and Peter. Mr. Rodgers was an early settler of Vernullion and Warren Counties. He resides four miles northwest of Covington on a good farm of 393 acres, 200 of which are well cultivated, producing 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-five years; he was also Trustee, Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner during the late war. In 1881, he built a fine brick residence, costing $5,000, and commanding a grand view of the Wabash River and adjoining country. Mr. Rodgers is an able and influential citizen, an advocate of temperance and education, having himself built on his premises a fine schoolhouse, a monu- ment to him and a blessing to the township. JOHN ROUSE was born in Scioto County, Ohio, August 16, 1826, and is one of the six children of Reason and Martha (Olehy) Rouse, the names of whom are Isaac, Rebecca (deceased), Edward, John, Dennis and Elizabeth (deceased). Reason Rouse was born in Delaware in 1796. In early life, he studied medicine, intending to be a phy.sician, which he afterward abandoned to become a farmer ; he died in Scioto County. In 1831, after his father's death, John went with his mother to Vermillion County, 111., where he remained until her death in 1832. when he returned to Scioto County, thence going to Vermillion County, and coming to this county in April, 1852. He now resides" three and one-quarter miles south of State Line City, on his excellent farm of 130 acres, well improved, and productive of food wlieat, corn, oats and hay. Mr. Rouse was married, December, 1847, to Phebe illers, who died in the following November. His second marriage was to Maria Purcell ; this union was blessed with twelve children, of whom are living Mary F., Sarah E., George W., Douglas, Marion and Joseph F. Mr. Rouse volunteered for the Mexican war, but his regiment was not accepted. He has lived in his present neighborhood for half a century. He has given much time to stock-raising, and has erected ample stables, as well as other iniprovements. During the late war, he was Register, and acted for two years. Mr. Rouse is au active and thorough Demo- crat, and au esteemed and enterprising citizen. KENT TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 177 KENT TOWNSHIP. AMOS BROOKS was born in Troy. N. Y., Octobi-r 22, 1839. and is one of the five cliildiTn of Amos and Elizabeth (UphaniJ Brooks, the names of said children being Tlieodore, Francis, Jerusha. Elizalieth and Amos, of whom the lirst and last alone survive. The fatlier of Amos was l)orn in Massachusetts about 1793 ; was by occupation a tanner; was a soldier of the war of 1812, and died in Troy. N. Y., in 1842. 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 remainlnic ten years, he removed to Kankakee County, 111., where he was a .schoolmaster. In 18(53, he came to this county and located at State Line City, where he tauyht four years, and thence, after three years, to his present place. >lr. Brooks was married June 19, 1862, to Rhoda Iliser, by whom he liad four boys — John W., A. Theodore, .Viva (deceased) and Paul P. Mr. Brooks resides one and a quarter miles south of State Line City, on his fine farm of 157 acres (twenly-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 CAVANAGII was born in Ireland September 19, 1826, 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 York, January. 1819, and worked at brick-making some time; thence he removed to La Fay- ette. Ind., and remained two years, whence he took the "Wabash sliakes," on ac- count of which he traveled South. Mr. Cavanagh was married, July 10, 18.")3, to Mary Keegan, which union was blessed with nine children — Charles F., Mary, Thomas. Ellen, Julia (deceased), James, William, Harvey and Lewis. Mr. Cavanagh is conducting the onlj^ 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 29. 1826. and is one of the four dnldren of Henry and Martha (Carmichael) Clem, the names of the chil- dren b'ing .\l)raham, Elsie, Harriet and Israel I). Ilenrj^ Clem was born near Lexington. Ky., about 1790; was a lifetime farmer, and died in Warren County, Ind., in 18")"). Abraham came to this county with his parents in 1829, since which he h IS lived witliin the boundaries of what is now Kent Township, and since 1853 in his present location. Mr. Clem was married, November 21, 1848, to Margaret Ann Taylor, which union was blessed with eight children, five boys and three girls. Mr. Clem's residence is three 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 arc not under good cultivation, with natural drainage, and well adapted to raising wheat, corn, oats and hay. In 1882, he commenced and finished a handsome and commo- dious frame residence, an ornament I0 the city. Mr. Clem is a Mason and a mem- ber of th<' .Mr'thodist Churcii, also an esteemed citizen. ROBKR T CR.VIG, was born in New York City January 4, 1824, and is the only living child of Abraham and Ann P^liza (Shei)par(l) 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 l)ecame errand boy in a dry goods house, in which he served seven years; he afterward became apprentice to a blacksmith in Cat-, 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 conunenct^d preaching the doctrines of the Christian Church, and organized the first society of that denomination in Wi'st Lebanon and all Warren County. In addition to the.se nrofessions, 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, 1853, universally esteemed and mourned. James C. Hall lived at tiie scene of his birth until he came to his present location, in 1864. He was married, January 1, 18(51, to Elizabeth James, by whom he had six children — Frank E., Harvey H. and Isaac L. alone surviving. Mr. Hall resides five miles southwest of West Lebanon, on his attractive farm of 181 acres (twenty- five of which are one-half mile southwest). This land is highly fertile and well improved (with fine frame dwelling and good stables), producing well in wheat, corn, oats and hay ; he also raises some stock, chiefly hogs. Mr. Hall is an esti- mable gentleman and public-spirited citizen. JAMES JOHNSON was born in Franklin County, Ohio, September 37, 1825. His father was an old and prominent settler, and was tUe purchaser in the first con- veyance of land made in this county, in January, 1838, the settler being Nathaniel Butterfield. Mr. Johnson afterward owned six sections. [For family record, see J. R. Johnson'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, 1853, to Mary 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 875 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 which 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 County, 111., July 24, 1833, and is the fifth of twelve children born to George and Elizabeth (Starry) Kiser, their names being John, Hannah (deceased), Catharine (deceased), Daniel (deceased), George, Samuel, William, Nicholas (deceased), Alexander, Harvey (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 county in June, 1868. When 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 23, 1857, to Mary Guinn, a union which has been productive of nine children — Sophia, Eva J., Nicholas (deceased), William, Jeremiah, James, Daniel, Stella and Olive G. (deceased). Mr. Kiser resides two miles northwest of Johnsonville, on iiis fine farm of 135 acres of well improved, drained and fertile land, all cultivated or in pasture, and adapted to oats, corn and hay; he also gives attention to raising stock, chiefly hogs. In 1883, Mr. Kiser built a large, handsome frame dwelling, besides making other improvements. Mr. Kiser is an old resident and greatly esteemed by the community. THOMAS LLOYD was born in Stark County.Ohio, April 3, 1836, and is one of the five sons of William and Nancy (Cunningham) Lloyd, the names of which chil- dren are John, George. Edmund, Thomas and David, of whom Thomas alone sur- vives. The father of our subject was a native of Virginia, a farmer, and died in Stark County in 1839. Thomas was eleven years old when he was removed to Ross County, Ohio, where he lived six years. In 1843, he came to Warren County, Ind., and located in Jordan Township, whence he came to his present location, in Febru- ary, 1880. _ He was married, November 10, 1850, to Malinda Briggs; this union was blessed with seven children — Mary A., Josephine (deceased), William (deceased), Elmer L , Charles (deceased), Edward and Celia. Mr. Lloyd resides three miles northwest of Marshfield, on his excellent farm, all of which is well cultivated, fenced, drained, and adapted to the production of wheat, corn, oats and hay; he now raises only stock for his own use, but formerly raised and dealt largely in a variety of stock. Mr. Lloyd is a member of the New Light Churcli, but isan attendant of the Methodist Church. He is a worthy man and estimable citizen. JAMES J. MITCHELL was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, May 8, 1832, and is one of the twelve children of Edward and Martha (Girard) Mitchell, named in order of birth— Martha (deceased), Lucinda (deceased), Ilettie (deceased), Abner, John, William (deceased), Julia A. (deceased), Henry, James, Eliza (deceased), Linda (deceased) and Milton (deceased.) The father of our subject was a native of Virginia; came to this township in 1826, and for several years was the first Trustee of the township; he was a life-long farmer, and died in 1844, aged seventy-three years. James J. Mitchell came at an early age to this township with his parents, and to his present location, in 1844, on the "l7lh of March of which year he married Nancy STEUBEN TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNT V. 183 Johnson, by which union thi^j' had seven children— Chiy, Oscar T., Laura E., Clar- issa J., Edi,'ar (deceased). Eui,'ene and Jessie. Mr. Mitciicll resides tliree-fourtlis of a mile northwest of .lohnsonville, on iiis Uon-acre farm (havin.ij KU) acres of timber one and a half miles southeast). Of this land. l»6() acres are well cultivated and drained, beinsj adapted to wheat, corn, iiay and oats, and all but twenty acres are fenced; he ijives attention to raisinji cattle, horses, shet-p and hoi:s. particularly the former. Mr. Mitchell has a well improved home, having a comfortable dwelling, commodious stables, windmill, etc. lie is a meml)er of the Methodist Church and a public-spirited citizen: his family was among the first while settlers in this region. THOMAS C. POWELL was born in Dearl)orn County, Ind., August 2.1, 1S40, and is one of the seven children of Martin and Jeannette (Churchill) Powell, whose names were William M., Thomas. John (deceased), Mary A., Vlvali ^L, D.miel C. (deceased) and Eliza J. The father of Thomas was born in England in ISll; was a fuller and cloth dresser, but became a farmer in afterlife; came to r)eari)orn County when twelve years old, and thence to Warren County; he is now living atSlate Line City. Our subject came to this township with his pari-nts in Murch, 18");"). In Sep- tember, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, and took part in the battles of Wild Cat Mountain. 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, 18<>4, when he returned home. He was married. March Itj, 1S(>8, to Margaret P. Logan, i)y -vhom he had one child— Lillie M. Mr. Powell resides two and one-half miles west of Marshfield, on his excellent farm of 16 • acres, well improved, drained and fenced, and adapted to raising wheat, corn, hay 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 hitrhly esteemed and worthy citizen. MILES STAKIIY was born one-half mile east of Johnsonville. in this county, August 16, 1837, and is the eldest of the three chihh-en of Daniel and Esther (Simp- son) Starrv, the names of such children being Miles, Daniel L. and Anna. The father of Miles was born in Viririnia in 1808; was a life-lomr farmer and stock-raiser, and died in Steuben Township in April, 1869. When Miles was very young, his parents moved to where he !iow lives, and where he hasalmostcontinuously resided. He was married, February 24. 1859, to Keziah Guinn. which union was blessed with twelve children— Charles. Daniel, Anna, James, William, (Tcorge W., Clark (de- ceased), Guy. Eddie (deceased), Eva, Pearl and Lou. Mr. Starry has a farm of oOO acres, one-quarter mile south, one half of which is cultivated, the otherpasture; this land is fertile, well drained, and adapted to wheat, corn, oats and hay; he also raises cattle, horses and hogs. He is a good citizen and esteemed by 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 cpiarter miles north of Johnsonville, which Miles has rented since 1869. D. L. STARRY was l)orn in this township October 1. 1889. D. L. Starry lived on the homestead until Octo!)er. 1868, when he moved to John W. Chumlea's place, and in November. 1871, came to his present location. He enlisted in August, 1862, in the Eighty-sixth Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, siegesof Atlantaand Nash- ville. After'a faithful service of thirty-three months and seven days, he was mustered out at Nashville, June. 186"). and fiiiallv and honorably discharged at Indianapolis. He was married. September 17, 1868. to Hannah Guinn. by whom he had tw() children, one of wiiom survives— Gertrude. Mr. Starry resides two and one-half miles north- west of Marshfield, on his fine farm of 247 acres (eighty acres lying sevfi> 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 pa-^sed his whole life in this townshii). and has witnessed and had taken part in the many improvements since the pioneer d.ays imtil now. ISAAC N. TAVLOR was born in Rockbridge County. Va.. April 23. 1819. and is one of the eight children of Mark and Margaret (Amy.v) Taylor, the family names being Ad(dine (deceased). America (deceased). Matihla R.. George W.. Nancy (deceased). Matthew F.. Isaac N. and Harvey P. (deceased). The father of Isaac was a native of Rockliridge County. Va. ; was a farmer and slock raiser ; had a tine stock-farm, and died in his native county in 1H24. aged forty-five years. The grand- father of Isaac, George Taylor, was a niitive of Ireland ; was a farmer, also a sur- veyor and civil engineer ; came lo America before the Revolution, in which \var he was a soldier ; was supposccl to have been a signer of the Declaration, and died in Rockbridge County. In 1842, I. N. Taylor removed to Xenia, Ohio, where he 184 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: worked as carpenter, having served four years at that trade, and thence to this county, in April, 18.")9, where he, in partnership with Daniel Fauber, erected a saw- mill at a cost of f 4,500, which they mana:?ed fourteen years ; he also worked in this county as a carpenter. He was married, January 31, 1854, to Elizabeth Fauber, with 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 northeast of Marshtield, and a farm of 310 acres (170 of which lie four miles southeast), half of this being well cultivated, drained and fenced, and well adapted to wheat, corn, oats and hay. Mr. Taylor having completed a course of surveying at Xenia. Ohio, he was elected County Surveyor in 1862, and served two terms, but declined a third. He is a member of the Presbj'terian Church and a true friend of Wabash College. GEORGE C. TYLER was born in Medina (now Summit) County, Ohio, Novem- ber 1, 1838, and is one of the nine children of Parker and Anna L. (Wriglit) Tyler, said family names being William H., Mary (deceased), George C, Martha S. (Jones), James, Hiram B., Harriet M. (deceased), Homer C. and John Q. The father of our subject was born in Uxbridge, Mass., in 1789 ; he had learned the coopering trade in his early life, at which he was a proficient ; but afterward turned to farming, which he followed until his death in Liberty Township, Warren Co., Ind., in 1853. George C. Tyler was twelve years old when his parents moved to Liberty Township, where he resided for several years, as well as in Jordan Town- ship and Vermillion County, III., and in 1875 came to his present dwelling-place, two and a half miles west of Marshfield, on a good farm of 380 acres, under fine cultivation, undulating, and very proluclive of the principal staples. Mr. Tyler also raises stock, and makes a specialty of Norman horses. He was married, October 14, 1853, to Harriet Swank, by whom he has seven children — Martha J., Sarah 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, and in 1883 was elected County Commissioner. WARREN TOWNSHIP. SAMUEL K. ABOTT is a native of Fountain County, Ind., where he was born in 1849. He worked on the farm in summer, and went to school in the winter until the year 1876, when he determined to take a partner for life ; he accordingly married Laura Haas, who was born in Fountain County in 1854. In 1877, Mr. Abott purchased 154 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 Church ; his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. She is like- wise much respected in the community. ROGER ADAMS was born in the State of Delaware in the year 1806, and is a son of Roger and Mary (Willis) Adams. He assisted his father on the home farm until the year 1836, when he removed to Indiana and located in Fountain County. In the year 1831, he was married to Elizabeth Barkshire, a native of Ohio, born in 1810, and a daughter of William and Dinah (Lackey) Barkshire. This union has been l)lessed with three boys and two girls. In 1853, Mr. Adams located in this county, where he owns 316 acres of good land, well improved, a tribute to his industry and carefulness, having commenced the struggle of life with 75 cents. He is a gen- eral farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Adams is an ardent Republican, and a much val- ued citizen. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church. JOHN J. ANDREW is a son of Jacob and Mary Andrew ; is a native of Butler County, Ohio, and was born in 1846. In 1853, his father moved to Indiana, and located in this county. Here our suliject engaged in milling, at Independence, and in the year 1870 he was married to Mary Smith, a daughter of Sovine and Sarah Smith. To this union have succeeded two children. Mr. Andrew is now engaged in mer- cantile business in this county near the Kickapoo Mills, and enjoys a good trade. He is a fifth degree member of the I. O. O. F., and of Lone Star Lodge, No. 549 ; he is a also a strong Democrat and a worthy citizen. JAMES I. B ARR is a son of Ivan and Judith (Torbert) Barr, and is a native of this township, where he was born in 1845. He received an academic education in Ohio, and afterward engaged in farming and stock-raising. He now owns 640 acres in this township, with good house, barn and other improvements ; he usually keeps seventy-five head of cattle. His wife was Mary Andrew, a native of Butler County, born in 1848, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Neyhard) Andrew. Mr. and Mrs. Barr have three children— Thomas, born in 1875 ; Charlie, born in 1877, and Torbert, WARREN TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 185 born in 1879. Mr. Barr is a member of Attica fiOdfrc No. 18, A.. F. & A. M., and also of Attica Lodge, No. 33. I. O. O. F. He %v;is ajjpoiiitcd County Commissioner in 1882, and \va.s eiecied to that ofticc in the aiiliunn of the same year, with a ma- jority of 1,0,")(I. Mr. Barr is a .stanch Itcpuhlicaii. I)k\VITT C. B()(t(tS is a nntive of Warren ('ounty, Ind.. was born in the year 1854. and is a son of William and Mary Boi;;i,^s. lie obtained a current school edu- cation, and became a teacher in 1875. The same year he was married to Mary C. Schlosser. by whom he iiad one daui^hter, now si.v years of age. Mr. Boggs is the owner of sixty-tive 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. C'LAWSON is a .son of Timotliy and Nancy Clawson, and was i)orn in this township February 10. 18.'J4. He remained at home and passed his boyhood with his father, whom he assisted in summer and attended school in winter. Niarch 27, 1879, he was married to Melis.sa Pearson, of this county, daugiiter of Samuel and Jane Pearson : to whicli union have been bestowed two chddren— Celia and Zada. He was elected Justice of the* Peace, and served for eighteen months. About 1880, he engaged in mercantile business at Independence, wliieh he still continues. In 1882, he was elected Township Trustee by the Democrats. ]SIr. 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 182(> he came with his father to this county, where he now has 207 acres. In 1S3(), he was married to Saraii Ilinshaw, daughter of Elias and Sally (Williams) Hinsliaw, born in Higliland County, Ohio, in 1812, to which union were born four children— one hoy, deceasecl, and three girls, now married. Mr. Cox, having located here at an early day, has experienced the com- mon hardships of a pioneer, having in the beginning only an ox-team. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are members of the United Brethren Church, and are highly 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 farmer 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 family having moved to Ohio in 1812, there, ^lay 1(5, 181(5, Joseph was married to EiTa Thomp- son, of Oiiio, which union was blessed with ten children — live boys and live girls. In 1830, he removed to Indiana, and settled in Independence, in this township, where he followed farming and stock raising. Mrs. Doty died in March. IS+'S. and in the same year he married Cynthia A. Freeman, daugiiter of Henry and Mary Sharp. To this union were born two boys, one of whom died wlion three and the other when fourteen years of age. Mrs. Doty is a member of the Uniteil Brethren Church, which he also attends. Mr. Dotj' 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 II. 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 assisted his father in the work of the farm, who, in 1835, purchased 220 acres in Warren County, where Enoch labored until 184(5, when lie was married to Mary Gaskell, daughter of Ezra and Nancy Gaskcll, of Indiana. Mr. Foster then located in Bi'nton County, where he remained until is,"j3, when he removed to Illinois, and, in 18(51, enlisted in the Scvent\^-second Illinois Volunteers. After returning from the war, he purchased 120 acres of improved land in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Foster are the parents of five children, of whom all are living. Mr. Foster is a memher of the M. E. Churcli, an upright man and esteemed citizen. JOHN P. Gl'NKLE, dealer in walnut luml)er. Independence, was l)orn in Butler County, Oiiio, December 2(5, 18U. After 1853. he resided in Warren County, Ind., and, in 18(51, enlisted in the Fortietli Indiana Volunteers ; he was taken prisoner in 18(54, and confined at barbarous Andersonville for three months, thence removed to (."hiirleston and Florence, S. C., wiicnce h<' was paroled in the beginning of 18(55. Thereafter he located at Battle (iround. White Co.. Ind.. and attended school two years. He then hegau the grocery business at Pine Village, and wiiile living there married Mary Waile, on tiie 17th of October, 1873. About 187(5, he sold his store and moved to Ivansas, where he remained two years, when he returned to Indiana and located in Independence. Mrs. Gunkle died in 1877, leaving one child, and Deeemher 22, 1S.S1, lie married Nancy R. Puckelt, of this county. In 1822, he was elected by tlie Repui)licans Justice of the Peace. He is a member of Lone Star Lodge. No. 549, I. O. O. F., and of Shawnee Encampment, No. 25; he is also^ a fellow of Post 47, G. A. R. 186 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: PETER J. HICKMAT^", son of Ro^er and Maiy (Jenkins) Hickman, was born in Delaware March 14, 1808. His father was a farmer, and a soldier of the war of 1813. Peter worked for his father until manhood. January 13, 1831, he was mar- ried to Mary Gullelt, daughter of John and Sarah (Justus) Gullett, and to their union were born eleven children— James S., Elbert G., Ann E., Eliza J. (deceased), John 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 eiglity acres in Warren Township, Warren County, on which he built a cabin and made improvements ; this he sold after five years and moved to Missouri, where he remained seven years ; he then returned to this county and ptn-chased the Kickapoo grist mill, which he conducted some years, and after- ward l)ought 276 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 members 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 Mary (Suiter) Keller ; he is a native of Maryland, and was born in 1840. In the year 1858, he came to Indiana and located in Wayne County, where he was married to Lydia Kiplinger, a native of Warren County, and born in 1847, also a daughter of Jacob and Theresa Kiplinger. Mr. and Mrs. Keller have three children, one boy and two girls. In 1874, Mr. Keller came to this county, where he now owns 155 acres of excellent land, having received $1,500 from his father. He is an industrious and well-respected citizen ; he is also a Democrat. WILLIAM G. KIGER 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 1847, when he married Harriet H. Wakeman, a daughter of Gideon and Debbie Wakeman, to which union four children succeeded. Mr. Kiger enlisted, in 1862, in the One Hundredth Indiana Infantry. He returned to this county in 1865, and in 1871 erected a steam 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 $10,000; besides this property, he owns 320 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 State of Georgia, in all of which he was preserved from injury. He is a prominent Republican and worthy citizen. MARION' KIGER is a son of William G. and Harriet Kiger; is a native of Wabash County, Ind., and was born in 1850. While he was a youth, his family moved to a farm in Benton County, and afterward to Warren County, in 1861, near the Black Rock Narrows of the Wabash River, where his father built a saw mill, in 1871, of which our subject was fireman. On an occasion, the boiler bursted, and he was thrown sixty feet, with but slight injury. In 1872, he was married to Sarah Watts, a daughter of John and Eliza (Lister) Watts,by which union have descended four ciiildren. Mr. Kiger owns a farm of sixty acres in this county, with good im- provements. In 1880, from failing health, he began to accpiire a knowledge of the general branches of education, and, upon examination, received a two years' license to teacii. He is now Nobh; Grand of Lone Star Lodge, No. 549, and also a revered citizen and leading Republican. WILLIAM S. McADAMS is a son of Valentine and Evaline McAdams, and was born in Warren County, Ind., in 1842. He was mostly engaged with his father on the home farm, and attended school but six months. Subsequently he was married to Sarah E. Waymire, a daughter of Alexander and Louisa Waymire. During the war h(' was drafted, and was exempted on account of an' accident previously sus- tained; but he was anxious to enlist. Mr. and Mrs. McAdams have three children. Mr. McAdams is a general farmer, yet he ha-i some good stock ; he is residing at present on his father-in-law's farm. He is a Republican, and was twice Township Trustee, having received at the last election a majority of 203. He is a Master Mason, and a member of Attica Lo Ige, No. 18. Mrs. McAdams is a member of the United Breihren Church. DAVID B. MILLER is a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind., was born in 1844, and is one of the family of Abraham and Elizabetli Miller. In 1862, during the late war, lie enlisted in the One Hundred and Six'teenth Indiana Volunteers, in which he served until 1863, when he returned home and resumed farming; this he has con- tinued, having a good farm of 100 acres. In 1867. he was married to Samantha J. Sibrell, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Sibreil, which union has been graced by five children. Mr. Miller is a general farmer and stock-raiser ; he belongs to the Republican party, and is a reputal)le citizen. BESTANxl MUNSON is a native of Warren County, Ind., born in the year 1812, an 1 is a son of Sino and Elizabeth (Fenton) Munson. He received a current WARREN TOWNSHIP— WARREN COUNTY. 187 education and lived at home until 1863, when he enlisted in the Seventy-second In- diana Infantry, in wliich he served eiii^hleen inoiitlis, and afterward as a cavalry- man. He was in tlie engai^emenls of Chickainaui^a, Atlanta and several minor bat- tles, and was dischari^od in 18(55. In ISlUi, he was married to Edna Hartnon, a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Harmon, by whicli union they have three chil- dren—William S.. born in 1808; Sarah E., born in 1873; and Geor;,'e, born in 1874. Mr. Munson is a Master Mason of Lodge 455. and is a mucii respected citizen. HAMILTON NOWLES is a .son of James and Susanna Nowles, and is a native of Ohio, born in the year 183»». While a youth, his father and family moved to Indiana and located in Fountain County, where his parents died shortly after. Our .sul).iect 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, he was married to Delia Simpson, who died in 1866, 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. KIED, M. D., was born August 37, 1813. in Shelby Coimty, Ohio, and is the only living child of William 11. and Susanna(Young) Kied; both nativesof Ohio; Mrs. Ried died March 30, 1863, and Mr. Ried married Miss Jean Henry. This new mother, who was au-excellcnt scholar, and fully appreciated the value of education, commenced to educate our subject, and, bj- her Ci.ristian mildness, won his obedi- ence and love. At the age of seventeen, S. 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 28, 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 the.se, the last only survives. B. Lee Hied was born February 4, 1876. Dr. Ried is a Master ^lason 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,i8 a son of William and Mary (Elliott) Russell; is a native of Cumberland County, Penn., and was l)orn 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 pa.ssed .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 $10 to begin the world after his marriage. He is an earnest Republican and a good citizen. PETKR A. SIBKELL. 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, until 1843, when his father removed to Carroll County. Ind. In 1846, onr subject returned to Ohio, and on August nth 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-live j'ears. About the year 1871, he exchanged his farm for 483 acres in this township. He is now living in the village, andliia children are married and living on farms given to them by him. Mr. Sibl-ell served in the Ninth Indiana Battery, and is a member of Post 46, G. A. R. He is an ardent Republican, and a liighlv esteemed citizen. JOHN VANDERBILT. is a .son of Abram II. and Julia A. Vanderbilt. and was born in New York, June 1, 1833. His youth was pas.sed in assisting his father on the farm and attending school until 185(1. when he began the carpenteriii"- liusiness at which ill- continued two years. In IH.53, he located in this township and worked for a farmer. an, universally respected. He was a member of the Catholic Church, and a Democrat. He bequeathed his property to his family. EZRA J. COVEY is a son of Elisha and Lucy (Main) Covey, both natives of New York, born in 1796, and both yet living. Our .subject was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., March 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 fi\^ years, when he entered and graduated from Hamilton College. From 1844 to 1847, he studied for the ministry, and in the latter year was ordained bj' 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 Ohio Regiment (the government did not then appoint Chap- lains), and in a skirmish received a slight wound in the arm. In 1.S62. he came to Indiana, and engaged in teaching and jireaching at Attica, luitil 1867, when he i)ur- chased land in this township, on whicli he built a brick house, and variously im- proved. July 4, 1869, he married Augusta A. Adams, daughter of Sumner and Lucy (Taylor) Adams, of Massachusetts. In addition to his farm of 185 acres, he has property in Attica and iand in Warren Township. He is an active Republican, has been twice Justice of the Peace, and is an Odd Fellow. WILLLV.M CROW was born in Lincoln County, Ky.. January 12, 1816, and is a son of Benjamm and Su-ise and followed i^nieral farniinLcand stock-raisin.;, dealini^ lari^ely in hoi?s. He has ISJ^ acres, of which 10) are in i^ood cultivation, with j^ood iioiise and outbaildinijs. Mr. Owjns is a Democrat, and a worthv citizen. PETER W. SCHOONOVER is a native of this township, born April 4. 1853, and is the son of James and Susanna (Chrisman) Schoonover; the father born in Clark County, Ohio, December 26, 181it. James Schoonover came to this township with his brother when nineteen years of a.u;e, wiiere, December 26, 1889, he married Susanna Chrisman, daujj:hter of Peter and Sarah (Stout) Chri.sman, bj^ whom he had nine children — Sarah A. (deceased), Joseph F. (deceased), Benjamin F. (de- ceased), Mary J., Francis M. (deceased). William J. (deceased), Peter \V., James S. and Louisa B. Shortly after marriai^e, he purchased eighty acres in Section 21, to which he added, unaided, until he had several hundred acres. In 1858, he built a •rood liouse, which Avas burned in 1874. He died September 8, 1818, universally re- gn tt( d. Peter W. Sclioi nover went to sch( ol nnlil ab( ut ^ev(nt( en }( nrs (Id, and afterward attended the Attica IIij.;h Scliool. In IblH, he was giv( n a certificate to teach, and he taught in the public schools during i878 and 1874. December 25, 1873, he married Amanda M. Wilson, daughter of William and Amanda (Pearson) Wil- son. To this iinion succeeded three children— Lizzie M. (born September 5, 1875), Gemmie B. (born September 14. 1877). and James W. (born October 13, 1882). Mr. Schoonover is a Republican, and in 1880 was elected Justice of the Peace. He is a general farmer, raising some stock, with 185 acres of good land and good improve- ments. Mrs. Schoonover is a member of the M. E. Church. ZARA T. STEARNS is the son of Zara and Mary (Smalley) Stearns; the former was born November 22, 1794; he was a soldier of 1812; the latter in 1798. Our sub- ject was born in Vermillion County, 111., .Inly 15, 1840. When si.\ j'cars of age, his father moved to Texas, where Zara T. attended school and herded cattle. After a time, the family returned to Vermillion County, 111., where Zara T. taught school some time. In 1857, the family came to this townsliip. In 1862, our subject enlist- ed in Company F, Seventy-.second Indiana Volunteers, and was made Sergeant. He was in the battles of Hoover's Gap, .Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Atlanta and Chickamauga. He was also a clerk for four months. His regiment was mounted at Nashville. In the fight of Okalomo. Miss., he was very nearly captured, and was in the saddle twenty days while pursuing Wheeler's Cavalry. After .service in many engagements and " hair-breadth 'scapes," he was discharged, July 24, 18()5, when he resumed farming. Octolier 4. ISIW!, he was married to Nancy Barrett, born April 17, 1812, daughter of Moses and Nancy (Wilson Barrett, by wliom he has four children — Mary Maud, Clarence C, William B. and Alice E. Mr. Stearns has a fine farm of 185 acres; he also rai.ses .some stock. He is a Republican, and a mem- ber of the (i. A. R. In 1880 and 1882, he was elected Township Trustee. His mother resides with him. aged eighty-five, and is well and active. PHILANDER T. STUMP, born May 6, 1837. is a son of Joseph and Mary (Reed) Stumj); the former born in Wayne County, Ohio, in IHOO, 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 acres in Medina Townsliip, in this county. Fiv(! years later, he punMi.ised a f.irin in Liberi}' Township, on which he lived and farmed. Philander T. 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 Deci-rnber 11, 1812, daughter of Levi II. and Amelia (Bowman) Van Reed. This union was blessed vvitii ten children — Lillie E., Clara M., Dora B., Amelia M. (deceased), Sarah C, Lizzi6 M., Mary E., Bertha V., / 1^2 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Florence and John H. Mr. Stump resides on the old farm. He raises some stock, is an active Republican, and is very generally esteemed. JOHN VAN REED, son of Levi R. and Amelia (Bowman) Van Reed, was born in this township May 39, ISIS. The parents of John came hither from Berks County, Penn., where they were born, in 1836, and entered land. His father had accumulated 17,000 acres, and died April 27, 1877, the mother February 21, 1873 ; he was a member of the German Lutheran and she of the Presbyterian Church. John attended school one-fourth of each year and took care of the stock until his .sixteenth year. After attending terras of instruction at Lafayette and Stockwell, he commenced farming for himself on forty acres rented from his father. He was married, December 17, 1874, to Zillah Burr, born January 15, 185(5, daughter of Nelson and Sarah (Butcher) Burr, wliich union gave issue to two children — Nelson E., born Noveml)er 4, 1875, and Earl, born June 25, 1879. After marriage his father gave him the use of 160 acres. In 1881, he purchased eighty-flve acres, in- cluding the Marshall homestead, where he now resides. The father of Mrs. Burr was born in New Jersey in 1813, and moved to Ohio at an early age, where his mother died. In 1845, he married Hope Mantle, came to this township, and bought a grist-mill on Pine Creek, known as Burr's Mills. There his wife died, and, on April 1. 1855, he married Sarah Butcher. Mr. Burr sold his mill in 1859, and pur- chased the farm on which he died March 28, 1883. DR. ROBERT H. WICOFF, son of John and Margaret (Cassell) WicoEf, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 25, 1836. He attended school in boyhood, and also worked for his father in the carpenter shop, until the family moved to Williams County. Here our subject attended an academy until he was si.xteen years old, after which, having obtained a teacher's certificate, he divided his time between teaching and farming. At the age of twenty he commenced to read medicine with Dr. Turner. He was married, April 25, 1860, to Irene J. McConnell, daughter of John R. McConnell. of Williams County. Ohio, to which union were born four children — John B., Lucy (deceased), Mary M. and Irene J. In 1863, he moved to Michigan, and associated 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 purchased 120 acres in this township ; this he improved and now manages in connection with his practice. In 1877, Dr. Wicoff married his second wife, from whom he is now divorced, and lives with his three children. He is highly esteemed by his neighbors. JORDAN TOWNSHIP. JOHN H. DAY was born in Preble County, Ohio, June 9, 1828, and is the fourth child of John N. and Ann (Worthington) Day, natives of Kentucky and Ohio respectively. John N. Day was the son of John Day, who was of English descent, and who settled in Kentucky in an early day, and moved to Ohio in 1802, settling near Eaton, where he remained until his death. He had seven children, among them four sons — William, John N., Samuel and Nicholas. John N. Day (father of subject) was born in Kentucky in 1796, and moved with his parents to Ohio, where, March 3, 1820, he married Ann Worthington, who was born in Ohio, m 1802. In 1831, he moved to Fountain County, Ind., where they spent the remainder of their lives. His wife died in 1846, and he survived her four years. They had the following children— William, Mary, Lovina, John H., George, Juliet A., Joseph, James, Ellen, Westley and Theodore. John H. Day was married in Warren County, Ind., February 3, 18.53, to Delphine, a daughter of Curtis and Ann Newell, and born in Fountain County, Ind., February 18, 1835. They have had thirteen children— Ella (deceased), Cordelia (deceased), Laura, Lawrence N., Luella, Theodore, Charles, Horace, Wilmer, Emma (deceased). Eva (deceased), Elmore (de- ceased) and Cecil. Shortly after marriage, he settled in this county. He owns 780 acres of land, an acres; and in the same year married .Miley Stone, daughter of Thomas Stone; she died in 1H51, and Mr. Nolin next married Nancy Lank, in 18.55, who died in 1857; his third marriage was to Eliza .Munson, widow of Sino Mun.son, and a daughter of Thoin:is .inii Elizalx'th Littrell. Mr. Nolin has properly in Green Hill valued at $70(t. He is an upright man and esteemed citizen. Mrs. Nolin is a memi)er of the United Brethren Church. GEORGE W. THOMP.SON, a son of Jasper and Elizal)eth Thompson, was born in Ross County, Oiiio, in 1825, and when twelve years of age, came with his parents to Warren County, when', in 1848, he was uniied in marriage with Elizabeth, a daughter of Joseph and Eleanor (Bailey) Tinuiions. He and wife began married life after the manner of pioneers, witlmut !iny pecuniary means, Init sup|>lied with plenty of energy and determination; by hard work and economy, they have secured a good home and a well improved farm of 2.50 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: 1882, has served as Road Superintendent of his township. Having had one leg broken in an accident, he is somewhat disabled, as tlie injured limb is two and one- half inches shorter than the other. Throughout his long residence in Warren Coun- ty, Mr. Thompson has become prominently identifii;d 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 members of the United Brethren Church. WILLIAM B. VICK, M. D., a native of (luilford County, N. C, was born in 1827, 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 w^orked un- til 1818, and the succeeding year was united in marriage with Sarah Hershman, who was born in Hamilton County, Ind. , in 1830, and who is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah Hershman. After receiving a good English education in youth, he began the study of medicine in 1853, 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 Rocktield, Carroll Co., Ind. He then removed to Tippecanoe County, near La Fayette, where he continued practic- ing until his location at Green Hill In 1875. In 1881, Dr. Vick graduated from the Indiana Eclectic Medical College, and he is one of the well established physicians of the county. He is a Master Mason, of Green Hill Lodge, No. 455, Past Grand Representative of Tippecanoe Lodge, I. O. O. F., 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. WILLI A^I T. WAGNER, son of John M. and Margaret (Day) Wagner, was born in this county in 1836. 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 born in Sussex County in 1840. About the year 1850, his parents, George and Anna (Brooker) Woodhams, emigrated to the 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. ZIMRI ATKINSON (deceased), was born in Greene County, Ohio, December 31, 1837, and was one of the twelve children born to Thomas and Frances (Head) Atkin- son, both natives of Ohio, and of German 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 Mary J. Buckle3^ of Benton County, Ind., born November 17, 1839, daughter of Stephen and Sarah E. (Wake- man) Buckley, both early settlers of said county. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson had six children, four of whom are living. After marriage, Mr. Atkinson moved to Warren Township and purchased land, on whicti he lived ten years; this he sold, and pur- chased 420 acres in this township, which was his home until death, February 26, ,1882. Mr. Atkinson had been County Commissioner for eleven years, and had amassed a handsome property; he was a Freemason, a Knight of Honor, and in politics a Republican; he was also a lamented citizen. Mrs. Atkinson is living on the home farm. JOHN BLIND, farmer and stock-raiser, is one of the pioneers of this county; was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 9, 1834, and is the second child of the family of John and Catherine (Wagner) Blind, both natives of Germany. The father of J. Q. ADAMS TOWNSnir—WARREN COUNTY. 107 our subject emiirnitccl to tho United States and settled in Ross County, Ohio, wlien ii younirnian, and worked at farniiiiu: on sliares, andniarricd. In 1H88, be moved to Medina T. married Mar- faret E., daughter of John and p]ve Keenan, and born in Frederick County. Va., larch '24:. iSliO. The children born to this union were ij son. who died in infancy, and John F., George E., Martha J. S., Mary E., Charley T., Elmer AV.. Harriet R. (deceased), Victoria A.. Schuyler C. and William S. In 18."»i, Mr. Bartlett adopted veterinary medicine as a profession, and is now a most skillful practitioner. He also holds the oflice of Justice of the Peace. WILLIAM BRIER is a native of Champaign County, Ohio, born April 25, 1830, 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 1801), and in 18:30 moved to Warren County, Ind., and settled where our subject now lives; here, too, they died, he November 27, 1858, she March 15, 1868. He was a soldier of 1812, 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, he married Amy J., daughter of Carpen- ter and Amy J. Morey, born in this county, August 21, 1835. Thisunion gave issue to two children— Francis E. and Sylvia A. Mr. Brier, after marriage, settled on some previously purchased land, and in 18.58 moved to the old homestead, now his home. He has 283 acres of good land, well improved. HIRAM BRIGHT was born near Danville, ^Montour County, Penu., November 1, 1834, and is one of eleven children of Peter and Mary Bright, natives of Pennsyl- vania, the former a .son of David Bright, in Bucks County August 5, 1771, whose father was Michuel Bright, also born in Pennsylvania in 1732. svho married one Catharine Iluber, and died in 1814. David Bright married one Catharine Hetten- stine, by whom he was blcs.sed with ten children— Michael, Sarah, William, Abigail, Catharine. Aaron, John, Fraiicis, David and Peter. The father of our subject was married, in Bucks County December 23, 1827, to Mary 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, Rel)ecca, Hiram, Dennis, Evau.s, Albert, Penina, Philip, Abt)y and Mary. Hiram Bright was married in Montour County, Penn., March 10. 1857, to Rhoda A., daughter of Robert and Sarah Butler, with an Issue of five children— Mary E., Frank. Butler, Oakley and Carl. In the sprmg of 1858, Mr. Bright removed to this county, where he now owns 788 acres of land. IIAVNIE P.ROWN (widow of William F. Brown), was born in Hendricks County, Ind.. April 20, 1.S33. and is a daughter of Joshua and Sarah Foster, the former born iu Anderson County. Tenn., January 9. lHO:t, the latter in Culpeper County. Va.. July 11. 180.S. In 1829. they removed to Hendricks County, and in 1848 to Warren County. Ind., where Mr. Foster died July 27. 1875. Mrs. Foster survives, and resides with the subject of this sketch. Their children are Houston, Horace, Wiley, JelTer.son, Haynie, John, (Jeorge, Enocii, (Jarolinc, Joseph and Martha. Mi.ss Haynie and Mr. Brown were united in wedlock in this count}' Octo ber 4, 1849. Mr. Brown was born in Ohio September 20. 1^25. His parents were Benjamin and Julia Brown, iioth n.itives 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 they subsequently died. After his marriage, Mr. Brown purchased a farm in this county, and in 1854 bought the one on which Mrs. Brown now resides. Mr. Brown died August 4, 1880, leaving eleven children — Emma, John, Austin, Sarah, Laura, 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, 1875, to Rosa J., daughter of Reuben and Catherine Byrd; she was born in Montgomery County, August 10, 1859, and died February 16, 1878. October 31, 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, born to Mr. Brown's first marriage, and to his second there are two — Voorhees F. and Jennie E. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and own a finely cultivated farm of forty acres. J. J. BUSSELLis a native of Warren County, Ind., bom March 29, 1853. His parents were William and Martha Bussell; the former born in Virginia November 18, 1804, the latter in Tennessee, August 30, 1812. These parties were wedded in Hendricks County, Ind., July 7, 1836, 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., daughter of James F. and Martha L. Mills, a native of this county, 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 July 26, 1879. MATHEW CAVANAGH is a native of County Wexford, Ireland, and was born in 1827. His parents are Patrick and Bridget (Roach) Cavanagh, likewise natives of Ireland, who, about the year 1851, emigrated to America, settled in Orleans County, N. Y., moved to Warren County, Ind., two years later, and in 1865, to Clay County, Mo., where they now reside. They are the parents of eight children — Mathew, Michael, Mary, John, James, Philip, Patrick and Edward. Our subject, Mathew Cavanagh, emigrated to this country in the spring of 1848, landing at New York City, thence going to Orleans County, and in 1850 to Williamsport, Ind. He was married at La Fayette, Ind., August 8, 1858, to Margaret Georty,a native of County Meath, Ireland, a union productive of six children — infant son (deceased), Edward, James (deceased), Thomas. Philip and Elizabeth (deceased). After marriage Mr. Cavanagh settled upon the land which he has since known as home. EMILY DOLBOW (wife of Nimrod Dolbow) is a native of Ross County, Ohio, and was born March 25, 1843. Her parents, Willis and Jane Graves, were natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively; the former having been born in the year 1808, the latter in the year 1815. They were married in Ross County, where they remained until 1851, thence moved to Warren County. Ind.. and in 1866, to Benton County, Mo., where Mrs. Graves died February 18, 1875. Mr. Graves removed to Iroquois County, 111., where he died June 7, 1879, leaving eight children — Thomas J., Mary E., Ervin T., Emily, Joseph, Eliza B., James A. and Francis. Emily came with her parents to this county, where she married August 29, 1860, one C. W. Gray, who died April 27,1876,and was subsequently united to Nimrod Dolbow. Her family com- prised five children — William G., Thomas C, John W., Millie J. and Sarah (deceased). ROBISON FLETCHER is a native of Greene County, Ohio, born March 22, 1824, and is a son of Robison and Catherine Fletcher. Robison Fletcher, Sr., was born near Wheeling, W. Va., November 12, 1787, and was a son of William Fletcher, a native of England, who emigrated to Virginia before the Revolutionary War; removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, about 1806, and thence, in 1816, to Greene Coun- ty, where he died. He was father to six children— John, Robison, Jane, Jacob, Sarah and James. Robison, our subject's father, was married, in 1806, in Fairfield County, Ohio, to Catherine, daughter of Abraham and Margaret Wootring, born near Hagerstown, Md., October 12, 1788. In 1816, they removed to Greene County, Ohio, and in 1852, to Montgomery County, Ind., where he died, September 13, 1858, and she September 28, 1878; they left .seven children — Margaret, Mary, William, John, Sarah, Robison and Naomi. Our subject, Robison Fletcher, was married in Greene County, Ohio, August 11, 1840. to Catherine, daughter or David and Amy Little, born in Muskingum County, Ohio, July 17, 1823. In 1852, he removed to PINK TOWNSHIP-WARRKN COUNTY. 205 MontiToniPry County, Iml.. iIu'IUh; in IHti."). to Pine Villii^L', tlR-nce to Benton Conn ty, and tluMice to his present residence. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher have liad ten cliil- dren— Enieline (deira.sed). Serilda .!.. Hufu-i L., Cliarles. Amy C, Alfred II.. Flora E. (deceased). Norah L., India M. and an infant dans^hter. deceased. L. L. FREEMAX was iM.rnin (Jncnville Connty. Va.. May o. 1807. His father. George Freeman, was born in Mecklcnliiiri,' ("ouniy.N^i., January 12. 17H4, and was a son of James and Sarah Freeman, natives of Virginia, and of English descent. After James Freeman's death. Mrs. Freeman removed to North Carolina, and in 182;^ to Ohio, where she died. They had si.\ children— George. Lemuel, Frances. Benjamin, Polly and Elizahetii. George Freeman married a". Miss Eleanor Brum- mit, and moved to North Carolina in 1810, where siie died in 1820. In 1H2;{, he moved to Ohio, and married Amelia Horton. who diecl in 18:W; he afterward moved to South Carolina, where he married .Mary Emerson. His death occurred in War- ren County, Ind.. in 184"); he was the jiareiit of fourteen children— James H., Lemuel L., William L., Benjamin B., Samuel B., John W.. Sarah M., Peter P., George W., Melissa G.. Perry S., Thomas J.. Minerva G. and Allen C. Our sul)ject, L. L. Free- man, was married Octol)er 1, 1829. in Ross County, Ohio, to Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Rains, born in Ross County, December 9, 1810. In the autumn of 18;35, Mr. Freeman removed to Warren County, Ind. He had born to him an infant .son (deceased), William L., Sarah E. (decea.sed), Lvdia M. (decea.sed), John W., Rebecca J. (deceased), Isaac N. (deceased), Abiam J. (deceased), James P., Melissa J. (deceased)! Mary E. (deceased) and Thomas J. (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Freeman are members of the Christian Church. GP^ORGE FRY is a native of Baden, Germany, l)orn February 3, 1831, and is one of the eight children of Nicholas and Christiann Fry, likewise' natives of Ger- many, where they lived and died. The [jarents of Nicholas had tlve sons— Jacob, John, Nicholas, C'harlie and George. George Fry emigrated to America in Septem- ber, 18.")3, landed at New York, and in October went to Bucks County. Penn., where he married, on the 2d of December of that year. Margaret Kuhu, of German na- tivity, born April 11, 1830, daughter of William and Anna M. Kuhn. After his marriage Mr. Fry emigrated to Rainsville, Ind.. where he worked one year as a stone- mason, and thence removed to Pine Township andeng.iged in farming; there he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Fr>; have been blessed with ten children— Christian, Amanda (deceased), Mary, Rosettie, Annie, Carrie, Riga, John (deceased), Jacob and George. JAMES GRAMES, 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 ciiildren— William. Joseph, John, King, James, Thomas, David and Mar- garet, our sul)ject being the youngest born to the first wife. In 1833, our subject married, in Ireland, Miss Elizabeth Palmer, and in 18.')1 emigrated to Butler County. Ohio, and live years later removed to Warren County, Ind., where he purchased land, and has since remained. His family was composed of nine children— William (deceased), James, Thomas, Isabel (deceased), Eliza J. (deceased), Margaret, Melissa (deceased), John and Maria (decea.sed). JAMES GRAMES, Jn., was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, November 9, 18^1"), 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 Covinty Tyrone; he was the father of eight children — William, Margaret, Joseph, John. David, Thomas. King ;md James, fatlier of our subject, who married in County Tyrone, 1833, Elizabeth Palmer. In 18,-)1, they emigrated to Butler County, Ohio, and thence to Warren County, Ind., "when they settled where they now live. Their family consistcid of William. James, Thomas, Isabel, Maria. Eliza . I., Margery, .lohn and .Melissa, .fames, oursui)jeet. has made his home in this county, where he was married. .March 19, 18(i3, to Marv. daugliter of Joiin W. and Margaret Brown, born November 10, 1^42. In 180(i, he movtd to the farm on which he now resides, and which he had |)iu-cha.sed the .autumn previ- ous, comprising 280 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Grames have h.id nine children — Melissa A. (deceased), Ada L., John W., Emma E., Clark J., William R., James F. (de- cea-sed), Bertha \. and Minni<- M. WILLIAM GRAY was born in Rockingham County, Vi\., September 24, 1802. Mis father, John (Jray. was a native of Burke County, N. C., and a son of William (Jray, .i native of Englaml, who, about tifteen years before the Revolulionary war, emigrated to .\merica and settled in North Carolina. H" became a soldier in that glorious war, and was killed in the surretider of Furgmon. at King's Moimtain. John (Jray, after the Revolution, moved to Rockingham County. Va.. .md married Mary Trumbo. In 1802, he moved to Clark, anr. I)., was liorn in Parke County, Ind., October 11, IKM'y, and is the son of Hiram and Mary ((4rant) Oshurn. natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, and born July 4. 1S0;{, and Marcb 21, same year. They married in Ken- tucky, and thence moveil to Parke County. Ind.. where Mrs. Osburn died in \s:iH. Subsecjucntlv lliram Osliurn married .Mrs. Hannah Tiiompson and moved to Boone County, where lie died in isiis. the father of ten children— Martraret. Columl)Us \V., .To-;eph X.. M.irtha .V.. Mary Iv. S(iuire X.. Sarah, I>avid N , lliram M. and Xa- poleon H. In the district schools of Boone County, S. X. Osburn accpiired a \n-v- paratory education, and liien, from IS^s to IstiO studied at the Thorntown Academy. In IStJO! he married Minerva Hinton and'moved to Clinton County. In 1H61, he en- tered Company (J, Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a non-commissioned oliicer; was promoted to a Lieutenancy in .January, IHtvJ. and to a Captaincy in Octo- ber of the same year, lie served until .laiuniry 20, IsfiCi, in which year his wife died. In. 1867, he entered the office of Dr. J. W. Strong, of Parkersburg" Ind.. and studied medicine for two years; in the spring of 1S()9, he entered the Cincinnati ('ollege of .Medicine, and graduated in December, lS7i». He at once engaged in practice in Marshtield, this county; was married, Xoveml)er 11, 1S72, to Isadore Briggs, and iu 1874 came to Kainsvill*, where, he has met with tlattering success. He is the father of four children— Ollie J. and Scott C. by his first marriage, and David C. (dcceaseti) and Fanny bv his second. LEWIS "RHODE was born in Wayne County, Ind, December 10, 181(5. His grandfather and wife settled in South Carolina previous to the war of the Revolu- tion, and about lNO:i moved to Ohio, thence to this county, and settled in Warren Townsliip, where he died in 1.S44. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and the father of six children— William. Jonathan. Thomas, Caleb, Esther and Seymour. The father of Lewis, Willi.im Rhode, son of John and Mary Rhode, was a native of South Carolina, married Sarah [>urray, moved to Warren County, Ohio, and, in 1S27, to Warren County, Ind., where he died. November, ISfJO. His wife survived him si.v years ; the}' had thirteen children — .Mary, \V'illiam, John, Thomas, Lewis, .Martha. Isaac, Joel, .Seymour, Caleb, Sarah J., Jacob M. and an infant. Lewis was married in this county' December 80, 1N41, to Miss Eliza J., daughter of Thomas and Sarah Clifton, born in Sussex County, Del., July 2(5, 182.). Her father was born in Delaware March 17. 17S);5, her mother June 2'). 180."). They were married in 1S34, and moved to Indiana, where tliev dii'd — he, August (5, 1874; she, September (i. ISSO. They had ten children— Eliza J.. John, William G.. Sarah, Charles W., Robert. ^lary .V., Thomjis, Lewis and Caroline. Mr. Rhode has been in Warren Coimtj' since \X'l7. and is one of the oldest pioneers. He has been Township Clerk, .lustice of the Peace and Township Trustee. He is a Mason, also father of three sons — John W.. Thomas W. and Lewis N. JOHX W. RHODE is a native of Warren County. Ind.. and was born X^ovem- ber 'S. 1S42. He is the eldest of the tlin-e children comprising the family of Lewis and Eliza J. Rhod*". of this tawnship. He was marrie^t>7. to Miss Fannie, daughter of Clement (J. and Xancy ( Russcl) .loncs ; .Mrs. Rhode is also a native of tliis county, born April 17. 1849. In 1S77. Mr. Rhode f)urchascd and settled on the farm where he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Jihode are the parents of two children — Xancy (4. and Eliza C. Mr. Rhode is the possessor of six hundred acres of land. He is a ineinlicr of the .Alasonic organization. L. X. RHODE is a n.itive of this county, and was born September 13, 1851. His parents are Lewis and Eliza J. Rhode, of Pine Township, Warren Co.. Ind., and lie is the youngest of their three sons. He remained with his j)arents until his twenty secontl year. December 11, |S7:{, in Benton County, Ind., he was married to Laura, daughter of John and EIIzmIk-iIi Wattles, of that county, she havinir been born .Vpril 7, 1H.")4. After his mariiage, Mr. Rhode settled on the farm on which he now lives, havinsj pos.session of 207 acres of exc<'llent land, purchased by his father in the dawning days of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Rhode have no children. Mr. Rhode is ,111 energetic vouiig man and much respected. SE.MER RHODE is a native of Wayne County. Ind., born April 28, 182.'). His parents were William and .Sarah Rhode, who moved to Warren County in the early time, and there resided until their decease. Scmer remained at home until he was twenty-eight years of age, and was thereafter married to Miss Matild.i M. Pearce, after which he settled on a farm in Section 14, this township, which he had pre- viously purchased, and, in l.^liK, moved to his present |)roperty and location, com prising liOO acres of very excellent laml. Mr. and Mrs. Ithode have had four children born to them— Sarah M. (deceased), 'W^illiam A., Emily J. and Martha L. Mr. Rhode is a worthy man and an esteemed citizen. MARY E. SIGLER (widow of Daniel W. Sigler.) was born in Tippeca- noe County. Ind., Febru.iry 4, 1834. Her parents were David and Mar}' St<'eley, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio. David Stceley was a son of Jacob Steeley, a 208 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: native of Pennsylvania, where he married, and in 1808 removed to Ross County, Ohio, and died in 1837. David Steeley vras born near Pittsburgh, Peun., May 10, 1790. About 1827, he removed to Ross County, Ohio, where he married Mary Carothers, born in Kentuclvy May 9, 1796. In 1833, he removed to Tippecanoe County, Ind., thence to Benton County, and in 1850 to this township, where he died August 9, 18o9. His wife died December 1. 1853, leaving nine children — John, Lazarus, Elizabeth. James, Emerine, Tabitha. Mary E., Isabel and Reuben. Mary E. was united to Mr. Sigler in this township December 16, 1853. Mr. Sigler was born in Ross County, Ohio, December 25, 1828. and was a sou of George and Eliza- beth Sigler, who, in 1829, removed to this county. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Sigler moved on a farm in Prairie Township; thence, in 1868, to Rainsville, where he engaged in business for two years; then purchased the farm on which lie died, March 21, 1882, leaving live children — Olive E., born August 30, 1855; Walter S., born June 27, 1858; Mary E., born September 18, 1861; Minnie G., born December 22, 1869, died September 14, 1870: and Bertha M., born June 24, 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 b^evolent and highly respected. WILLIAM SMITH is a native of Benton County, Ind., having been born Feb- ruary 13, 1839. His parents were William Smith, born in Ohio in 1810, and Han- nah Smith, of Benton County. At an early period in the history of this section, they emigrated to Benton Count}\ where Mrs. Smith died April 15, 1878. They had nine children— Stephen, Jam3s, William. Sarah, Oliver H., Philip M., Leah, Cath- erine, and an infant, unnamed. Our subject was married in this county, January 31, 1861, to Miss Malinda, daughter of Jacob and Minerva Harbrider, 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 theuce re- moved to his present farm and home. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of seven children — Ella, Melis.sa, Perry, Emma, Minervii, Harvey and Julia H. MARY STEELE V (widow of John Steeley), was born in Champaign County, Ohio, April 19, 1830, and is a daughter of Basil and Rachel West. Basil West, Sr., removed from Kentucky, was an early settler of Champaign Count)^ and father of seven children — Stocket, John, Jeremiah, Demarica, Mary, Phebe and Basil, who was a native of Kentucky, where he was wedded to Lulian Noe, who died in 1825. after which, in 1827, 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, Cat., where he died in 1880. He was father to eleven children— Sarah A., Mar3^ Lucinda, John F., James H., Henrietta M., Matilda M., Julia A., Emma J., Selinda M. and Emily E. Mary, our subject, was married to Edward T. Cassel, September 28, 1851, and in 1855 removed to Otoe County, Neb., where he died April 19, 1858. In June following, she and family returned to War- ren County, Ind.. where she married John Steeley, January 1, 1860. In 1864, they purchased the farm on which she lives. Mr. Steeley died February 11, 1883. Mrs. Steeley is mother to seven children, three bj- Mr. Cassel — Emma J., Martha L. and Horace G. ; four by Mr. Steeley— Richard H., William W., Rachel E. and Laura E. FRANCIS 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, was a son of Jonas Sutton, a native of Virginia, whose father, Joshua Sutton, settled and died in Virginia. Jonas Sutton married, in Augusta County, Va., Miss Sarah Ott, and in 1818 removed to Miami County, Ohio, thence to Montgomery County, Ind., and died in 1854, leaving eight children — John, Eliza, Margaret, Susan, George, William, Lucinda and David. Tlie fatlier of Francis was born in Augusta County, Va., in 1811, thence emigrated with his father to Miami County, Ohio, married Lucinda Will.son, and, in 1850 removed to Montgomery County, Ind., where he died in 1867, his wife following him in 1872, leaving nine children — John W., Letitia, James F., Francis M., Thomas W., David P., Catherine M., Martha E. and Sarah A. Our sub- ject is a graduate of Wesley Academy, Montgomery County, Ind., and was for many years a professional teacher. In 1869, he began reading law, in Williamsport, Ind., with James McCabe, which he continued three years, and was admitted to practice after that time. Mr. Sutton was married, in Montgomery County, March 26, 1863, to Lizzie M.. daughter of John and Elizabeth Shanklin, born in Montgomery County March 20, 1840. They became i)arents of two cildren— Lillie M. and Bessie L. Mr. Sutton is C^ount}^ Superintendent, and resides at Williamsport. LEVI VAN REED is a native of Warren County, Ind., and was born Decem- ber 18, 1860. His parents were Levi R. and Amelia B. Van Reed, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married, afterward removing to Mississippi, whence PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 209 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, lie attended the ilistrict schools, and, after the decease of his parents, the high .schools of La Fayette, the Stockwell Schools, and, finally, to Bloomington, 111., where his education was completed. He is now owner of 240 acres of land, and is unmarried. VILITTA WAKEMAN (widow of William F. Wakeman), is a native of Putnam County, N. Y., and was born November l~). 1813. Her parents were John and Martha Stow, who, in 1817, removed to Clinton (bounty, Ohio, and afterward to Delaware County, Ind., where they lived until called away by death, leavin^j a family of five children— Hiram, Saraji B., Benonia, Jane and Vilitta. Miss Vilitta Stow was united in wedlock to William F. Wakeman, December 10, 1837, in Clin- ton Count}', Ohio. The parents of Mr. Wakeman were Gideon and Deborah Wake- man; he was born in New York, August H, IHIU, and was one of their eight children, —William F.. J. A., Jane. C. B., Sarah, Mary, Harriet and Harmond. In 18:{H, he removed to Warren County, Ind., where he died March 23, 1869, leaving the fol- lowing family— Mary E., Francis M., Charles E., Harriet A., Hannah R. and William E. PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. JOSHUA ANDERSON was born August 16th, 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 tiie 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 — Mar}- 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 126 acres, and lias added until he now owns 215 acres, 160 being prairie and the remainder woodland. During the war, he acted as enrolling officer, reporting at La Fayette. His son James .-served tiiree 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 years ago. He has been liberal and active in promoting benevolent enterprises. WILLIAM T. EVANS was born January 1, 1842, in Ro.ss County, Ohio, and is a son of O. P. C. and Eliza J. Evans. In 1849, they settled in Tippecanoe County, Ind. William received a good education, having attended the liigh school for ."Sev- eral years, besides two years at Asbury University. He remained on the farm un- til thirty-one years old, overseeing business in the absence of bis father, who was often away, engaged in the cattle trade. January 4tli, 1H72, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Meharry, daughter of Hugh and Margaret M. Meharry. One child, Arthur Hanson, has bles.sed this union. Some time after his marriage, he settled on his present farm of 320 acres, which is in excellent condition, the grounds about the house showing that he is a man of taste as well as business. He devoted some attention to raising fine hogs. In addition to his home farm, he owns 924 acres, making 1244 acres in all, over 1200 being umier cultivation. A part of it is rented, the remainder undt;r 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 ilied in 1880. Mr. Evan* is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and takes an ac- tive part in Sal)bath school and other church work. N. M. GEHRIS was born in Montgomery County, Penn., in 1832, and is a son of Daniel and Julia Gohris, who were of Russian and English descent respectively. N. M. Gehris, when three years old, removed with his parents to Berks C'ounty, Penn. He became a blacksmith, and in 1H,50 came to Warren County, Ind., in com- pany with John V. High, ami 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 BIOGUAIMIICAL SKETCHES: in Prairie Township. He worked at his trade, and also cultivated a small farm, for seven years. He then bought 160 acres of land, being part of the 320 acres which he now owns. A part of the time he rented and cultivated several hundred acres, 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. Gehriswas married, in 1853, to Miss Anna Rockentield, by whom he had six children — Sarah Ellen, Henri- etta, Rosanna, Susan, Nathan R. and Elisha, four of whom are now living. Mrs. Gehris died in March, 1873, and in 1874 he married Miss Lydia E. Hurst, by whom he had one child — Rebecca May. In 187(i, his .second wife died, and March 29, 1879, he married his present wife, who was a Miss Johnson. By this marriage, there has been one child — Charles Johnson. For thirty years, Mr. Gehris 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. ARTHUR C. GOODWINE was born in Warren County, Ind., February 23, 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 tive summers, the first year with hi.'^ father, the second with his grandfather, and the remaining three by himself. His grandfather died when Arthur 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 house, and herded and traded cattle for six j^ears, excepting the year 1861, during which he kept a store in Jordan Township. March 4. 18o8, he married Elizabeth Briggs, by whom he had three children — 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 diy goods, grocerj^ and variety store in West Lebanon, and in four j'ears he lost |15,000. 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 laud 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 quick" 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 father until twenty-one years old, and mostly on the home farm un- til he was thirty. In 1852, he went to California, and engaged in mining, but was not very successful. In 1856. he married Miss Isabel Steely, by whom he has six children — Louisa F.. James W., Elmer R., Melissa B., Bert E. and 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- fortable circumstances, and has accumulated most of his property since the war. Though not a regular member, he contributes liberally to the support of the church. He was Township Trustee about seven years, and has been for many years engaged in settling estates and collecting notes. Politically, Mr. Hatton is a Republican. ISAAC D. HIGH was born in Berks County, Penn., March 9, 1845, and is a son of John V. R. and Sarah A. (Hottenstein) High. The family came to Warren County, Ind., in 1852, where his father had entered land some years before. They came from Pittsburgh to William.sport by steamboat. Isaac received a limited edu- cation, and worked for his father until seventeen years old. He also worked at brick-making, and as a cigar-maker. In May, 1862, he enlisted in the Fifty-fifth In- diana Volunteers, for three months' service. Most of the time, he was on detached duty, but was in the battles of Rogersville, and Richmond, Ky. His father died in 1861. and on Isaac's return home he found matters in such a condition that, being the eldest child, he thought it best to remain on the farm, and help his mother. In 1876, he visited the Centennial. In 1880, he was married to Miss Margaret M. Hind- man, who has borne him two children, one now living — John Hindman. He is a member of the G. A. R., and, in politics, belongs to the National party. His farm of 160 acres is in good condition. He also owns twenty acres of timber on Pine Creek. He feeds his grain to his stock. JOHN B. LACEY was born May 1, 1833, in Stark County, Ohio, and is a son of Thomas and Nancy McGaughy Lacey. He obtained his education at the com- PRAIRIE TOWNS n I r— 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 18").'), to Warren County, and worked by the month. March HI, lH'i(\, he married Miss Martha J. Ni.xon, and their union was blessed with ten cliildron— Sarah E. (deceased), Thomas M, James V., Nancy .lane, Lewis K, Mary M., Bertha R., John C, Nathan M. and Edith B. After his marriage, he rented land until 18(51, 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, 18t)r), 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, 1!^(),"). 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, when he sold out and removed to Warren County. He bought eighty 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 Army of the Republic, and in politics a Greenbackcr, 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, (Jhio, January 10, 1837, and is a son of William A. and Ann flyers. William Myers was engaged in the manufacture of buttons, and during the last year; of their stay in Ohio, Mont- fomery assisted him. When our subject was in his tenth year, the family moved to la Fayette, Ind., where his father embarked in boat buildmg. 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- fomery's twentieth year his father died, leaving him in care of the family. In 859, he married Miss Ellen McDade, and eleven children have blessed their union : Eva Alice, George S., Flora B., Salinda A., Mary Q., William M., Martha A., Perry H., Howard A., Emma E. and Walter B. For one year after marriage, 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 lo^t 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 five 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 acros 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 physical work can do, ami manages to keep abreast of the times. He stdl enjoys single life, never having found a partner to share his joys and sorrows. PART III. HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY, BY ED. A. MDSSMAX. "Perchance the living .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 Tliey saw the inverted landscape gleam, And their own faces like a dream Look upon them from below." — Longfdlow. GENERAL COUNTY MATTERS. PHYSICAL FEATURES. BENTON COUNTY consists of a broad expanse of gently undulating 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 the States of Indiana and Illinois. Many parts were originally very 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 worthy of mention. It runs southerl}', and empties its waters into the Wabash River. The northern portion of the county is watered by tributaries of the Iroquois 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 this 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 expectations 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 have been drained as well as circumstances will admit of. Of the groves that have l)een alluded to. the principal ones are White 214 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Oak, Parish, Hickory, Sumner's (formerly Sugar), Denton's and McConnell's. Mt. Gilboa and Mt. Nebo are probably the highest points of land in the county, the forraei-, 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 is 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 largely com- posed of prairie. There are, however, a few groves skirting the streams, the largest of which probably is White Oak Grrove, which is situated prin- cipally in Oak Grove Township, and in which, as may readily be inferred from the name, white oak timber largely predominates over other kiiids. In other groves, other kinds of timber predominate, as may be readily in- ferred from the names (Hickory Grove and Sugar Grove, for instance) ap- plied to them. SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTS. The first settlements within the limits of the present county of Benton were made several years before the county was created. Thomas Timmons, who, with his family, settled on Big Pine Creek, in the year 1831, on or near the farm now owned b}' his son Benjamin A. Timmons, is commonly supposed to be the first white settler within the present limits of Benton County. 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. iM. Atkinson, in the fall of 1832. He purchased the farm on which he settled of John Fields ; and Isaac W. Lewis, a son of Thomas Lewis aforesaid, who is still residing at or near Oxford, says that there were trees on the farm on which his father settled, which had evidently been deadened five or six years before his father bought it. This he says was evident from the fact that the bark had fallen off, and the trunks of the trees had become very much blanched by exposure to the weather. About the same time that Thomas Lewis settled in the county, the following-named persons came : Thomas Nolin, Matthew Terwilliger, Levi Thornton, Henry Jennings, Philip Williams and others, and settled in the timber along Big Pine Creek. Also, there were two or three families, among whom were James 0. Denton and William Denton, settled at Denton's Grove about 1832, although the exact date can- not be ascertained. From this time until 1835, a few families settled in the same locality, but the increase was very slow. In 1835, Basil Justus, with HISTORY OF BRNTON COUNTY. 215 his family, moved to White Oak Grove, and erected a log-cabin on or near what i3 now known as the Justus farm, at that time one of the most advanced posts in the county. On this farm Mr. Justus or some of his family have ever since resided until within the last few years. It is now occupied by Joseph Atkinson. At the time of his first settlement there, there were only two Dr three families in the grove. During the fall of the same year, John W. Robertson and his family moved to Parish Grrove, his sons, Henr}' and Samuel, having come the previous spring and raised a crop. There were living in Parish Grove at that time, Enoch Evans, John Foster and William Douglas, who had settled there a short time before. Robert Alexander came to the grove a short time thereafter, and lived for many years on the farm now owned by Parnham Boswell. At about the same time, there were living at Sugar Grove, Hamaniah Huett and family, and a family by the name of Peck. About the same time, there were a few fixmilies set- tled on the banks of Mud Pine Creek, in the southern portion of the county, among which were David Lane, Thomas Martin, Perigan Garland, William Smith and James Smith and families, with periiaps a few others. In the spring of 1834, Judge David McCounell and his family moved to White Oak Grove, and erected a small log house on the ver}- spot where he now resides, and has resided on the farm he first settled on from that date down to the present time. There were at that tiuve five or six families on the east side of Big Pine Creek, and about four families in the south part of White Oak Grove. Those on the east side of Big Pine were Philip Will- iams, Thomas Nolin, Aaron Finch, James Holmes, James Thornton. John Emerson. Those in the south part of White Oak Grove were William Lewis, Basil Justus and Thomas Lewis. Philip Williams was then living on what is known as the old Williams fiirm. Milton Jennings lived on the farm now owned bj' George H. Jennings, and Thomas Nolin was living on the farm on which his son, George W. Nolin, now resides. About the same time, there were a few families settled in what is now known as McConnell's Grove, about four miles southwest of White Oak Grove, consisting of Samuel Mc- Connell and brother, and one or two others. In 1840, the first house in Benton County, on the road from La Fayette to Oxford, was the house of Peter Jennings, where P. P. Gritlin now lives ; thence four miles west to houses of Justus and McConnell, in White Oak Grove ; thence west, no house for ten miles, until j'ou reached Parish Grove ; then none for eight miles further to Sugar Grove ; and then sixteen miles to Bun- kum, 111. ; and not one house north of White Oak Grove to the Iroquois River, about twenty-five miles, this entire grand and now beautiful prairie being wholl}' wild and uninhabited. For although a few families began to now move into the county, they still kept in the timber portion, or close thereto, as the grand prairie was still considered a barren, bleak and drear}- waste, and was known and spoken of as *' The Lost Land," its principal pro- ductions being prairie wolves, sand-iiill cranes and green-head files. It has been farmed since, however, and its virgin soil has been yielding most valu- 216 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. able produce. Up to this time, and for a few years thereafter, the nearest market for Benton County was the village of Chicago, and the Benton County farmers would once a year load up their grain and produce in a lum- ber wagon, and, putting in two weeks' provisions, with an ox-team would start to market to sell their surplus produce, and lay in their necessarj' gro- ceries for tUp coming year ; and, after swimming rivers, wading sloughs and sleeping on the cold ground every night, would finally succeed in making the entire round trip inside of fifteen days. About the 3'ear 1845, a few settlers began to move into different portions of the county, and gradually to encroach on the confines of the hitherto unsettled prairie. On Mud Pine, about first were Isaiah H. Perigo and Joshua Howell, who settled on the prairie just north of what was then known as the Smith settlement, followed soon after by William Smalley, the Mcllvains, Jacob Cassell, David Ogburn, Jesse Lutz, Joseph Pierce, John Gage, John Hopper, John C. Anderson, the McDaniells, William Hubbard, the Vanovers and others. James S. Crawford settled near Hickory- Grove, in what is now Hickory Grove Town- ship, in 1846, and was probably the first settler in that township. He was followed soon afterward by Harvey H. Crawford, John French and Enos Rush. About the same time the following-named persons settled in and near White Oak Grove : William Oiler, James McKinsey, L. B. Wattles, Ezekiel Davis. Francis Boyntou, the Littlers, Isaac Runner, the Wakcmans, a man named Burch, Robert and Hartley T. Howard, Dr. Theophilus Stem- bel, Thomas Atkinson, William Cochran and others. On Big Pine Creek, George H. Finch, James Thomas, Isaiah H. Young, William Young, James Emerson and man}- others commenced breaking prairie for their future homes, all, however, up to this time clinging as closely to timber and groves as possible. In 1849, Parnham Boswell came to Parish Grove, buying the farm of Robert Alexander, while Ed Sumner, a little more bold, pushed across the prairie eight miles further, to Sugar Grove, settling on lands pre- viously bought. At North Hickory Grove, Samuel Finne^^ had a little log cabin, and herded his cattle close around him. Near Mount Gilboa, John Southard, Jacob Lucas, a man named Jones and others, located at an early date, probably some time in the forties. Among the first who located far out on the prairie, and far awaj- from timber, about this time, were William Wisher, on the farm on which he now resides ; Daniel Birdsall close b}-, on what is known as the Anstill farm ; and a small colony of English people who had just come to this country, of which Mr. F. P. Greenwood was the van-courier, he having pi-e-empted some land, a part of which is known as the Carlisle farm, on which he erected a rough hut on the banks of Mud Pine Creek, without doors or windows, some time before he was joined by his own family, or any other member of the colony. In a short time, he was joined by John Lathrop, Matthew Armstrong, Joseph Bromley, John Camp- ton, James Jarrett, William McQueen and George Bonn, who settled on the land pre-empted by F. P. Greenwood, and made some improvements. After a few years of hard toil, great inconvenience, man}' hardships and priva- HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 217 lions, and being unable to protect themselves from the bleak prairie winds, the colon}' 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 only one of the col- ony now living in the county. Thomas Gornull 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 ope'ned up at La Fa^'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 1849, and there were at that time the following persons in that township : John Sheetz, Henry Youtz, James Emerson, Robert Hawkins, 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 definitely than that it was before 1849. Among the early settlers in the vicinit}' 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, Johu 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 Deharts, 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 l)eliind iu improvements. The population of the county at this time was about 2,450. The following, found among the files of the Auditor's office, prol)ably sliows 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 year 1842, with the number of days each has performed : James Thomas, eleven ; James Emerson, eleven ; Thomas Spriggs, eleven ; Johu Anderson. — ; William R. Jonson, eleven ; Charles Timmons. eleven; B-:;iJ.iiain Timmons. eleven; Tliomas Griffin, eleven ; James GriiHa, eleven ; James Parker, eleven ; Menson Owens, eleven ; Robert Hawkins, eleven ; .VUen Gilvan, eleven ; Al)ert 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 ; Elijah 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 an}' statutor}^ requirement. It was probably filed by some Road Supervisor, or Tpwnship Trustee, who conceived it to be his duty to file such a list somewhere. Whatever the fact may 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 they 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 G-rove and Parish Grove, 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 count^^ was created, from 1840 to 1850, there were fifty-four couples married in this county, 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 Coffenberrj' and Bethsheba Oiler, January 31, 1842 ; Thomas Lewis and Elizabeth McConnell, March 21, 1842 ; William R. Johnson and Marga- ret Finch, June 2, 1842 ; James T. Parker and Rachael N. Justus, August 25, 1842 ; Eli Mendenhall and Sarah Williams, October 8, 1842 ; Archibald Morrison and Lawson Groom, March 21,1843; Henry Van Horn and Louisa Rose, December 14, 1843 ; John M^^ers and Sarah Noles, September 5, 1844 ; John Whittaker and Sarah Smith, September 15, 1844 ; Joseph Thompson and Elizabeth McConnell, February 26. 1845 ; Abraham Metsker and Elizabeth Odell, August 27, 1845 ; James Henry Terwilliger and Mary Griffin, September 19, 1845 ; John Kelly and Sarah Ann Wood, September 29, 1845 ; William Wray and Sarah Jane Carson, — , 1845 ; Cyrus Stanley and Amanda Beard, February 5, 1846 ; Thomas Geofre}' and Lucinda McCurtain, April 2, 1846 ; William B. McConnell and Frances Jane Howard, April 7, 1846 ; John McDade and Esther Martin, April 16, 1846 ; Thomas Carter and Martha Jolly, June 27, 1846 ; Elijah Bunnell and Martha Rob- ertson, August 27, 1846 ; Addison Williams and Catharine Martin, Septem- ber 10, 1846 ; Samuel Mcllvain and Margaret Lane McConnell, Novem- ber 5, 1846 ; James Wylie and Mary Davis, May 27, 1847 ; John A. Finney, and Amanda D. Lane, July 1, 1847 ; George Shambaugh and Louisa Shoe- maker, January 6, 1848 ; Charles Wattles and Leah Littler, February 6, V <^ ^^^^^ '--fji^ o-t-t^-^^- HISTOKV OF BKNTON COUNTY. 221 1848 ; John Brown and Sarah Wilson, March 1«, 1848 ; Zebulon M. Wray and Mary Ann Earhart, March 2(>, 1848 : llinaldo Sutton and Vivena Cray- ton, February 10, 1848 ; James A. McCotuiell and Sarah Mcllvain, 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 8, 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 Terapleton and Maria Jennings, January 2, 1849 ; George W. Free- man and Abigail Mcllvain. February 22, 1849 ; Thomas Smith and Marga- ret Martin, March 8, 1849; Henry C. Morgan and Mary Elizabeth Liptrap, April f). 1849 ; William Courtney and Nancy Ann Robertson, October 3, 1849 : Enoch Fonton 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. Scoviil 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 year 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 during the period), they 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 in 1843, two in 1844, five in 1845, eight in 1846, two in 1847, twelve in 1848, eight in 1849 and three in 1850, 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 bligiitof the happiness of all who enter the statxi matrimonial, it may be interesting to note that three of those matri- monial splices were made in the montii 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 montlis in the year, February, though the shortest of them all, is the rao^t popular month for organizing new fana- ilios. and that July, though as long as tha longo^t, is the m^-it unpoptilar 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 (from 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. EARLY LAND ENTRIES. NAMES OF PURCHASEBB. William Brown Bassett Timmons. . . . Thomas Timmons... Matthew Terwilliger. Parker Dresser David McConnell. . . Basil Justus Lewis Williams Henry Jennings Philip Williams Thomas Johnston... Thomas Johnston. . . Amos White Robert M. Atkinson. Thomas Atkinson... Henry Robertson. . . . John F. Boswell James T. Parker Parnham Boswell. . . Isaac Templeton. . . . Thomas Hemphill. . . William E. Surface.. John Stephenson. . . . . Charles T. Harris. . . Edward C. Siunner. . Alexander K. Nutt... Robert Alexander. . . John A. Lewis DATE. DESCRIPTION. A. SEC. T. R. June 19, 1833. 160 33 24 6 October 23, 1832. 80 31 25 6 October 23, 1832. 107 31 25 6 November 23, 1832. 180 31 25 6 September 9, 1852. 164 6 26 6 February 20, 1834. 40 19 24 7 February 26, 1834. 40 19 24 7 December 31, 1832. 80 33 24 7 October 23, 1832 80 33 24 7 March 7, 1835. 40 35 24 7 June 26, 1846. 80 11 25 7 April 29, 1846. 400 12 25 7 October 12, 1835. 80 25 25 7 February 16, 1848. 160 33 25 7 March 11, 1851. 160 31 26 7 November 8, 1852. 80 r6 24 8 June 8,1849. 160 17 24 8 March 2. 1844. 160 24 24 8 November 8, 1850. 160 31 25 8 January 25, 1851. 160 33 25 8 January 2, 1833. 80 1 24 9 June 16, 1849. 160 24 24 9 March 11, 1852. 160 30 24 9 November 3, 1846. 80 36 24 9 November 13, 1849. 280 5 25 9 June 29, 1849. 160 34 25 9 June 24, 1836. 160 34 25 9 April 11, 1849. 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 found 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 seat at Oxford to the new county seat at Fowler. CREATION OF TOWNSHIPS, AND CHANGES THEREIN. The time of the creation of the three townships of Oak Grove, Parish Grove and Pine, together with their boundaries, has been given. The places of holding elections 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 holding elections in and for Parish Grove Township is henceforth to be holden at the house of Joseph Smith in HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 223 said township. " At the September terra of Commissioners' Court, 1844, it was -ordered that the place of holding elections in Pine Township be re- moved from the house of Amos Wiiite to the house of Joseph HefFner, in said township." At the Deecniher term, 1844, the phu-e of holding elections in Parish Grove Township was removed from the house of John Rose to the house of Thomas Martin. At the June term, 1847, the place of holding elections in Pine Township was "removed to the schoolhouse in said town- ship near William K. Johnson's residence." At the Feliruary tc^rm, 1850 it was '"ordered that the place of holding elections in Parish Grove Town- ship be removed from Thomas Martin's to the schoolhouse in District No. 2, Congressional Township 24, Range 8. At the March term of Commissioners' Court, 1855, Washington Town- ship was created, bounded 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 bounded as fol- ows : Commencing at the southeast corner of Section 16, in Township 25, of Range 8, ami 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 tiie reason that there were not sutlicient inhabitants in the territory embraced by them. At their March term, 1858, the Board of County Comini.ssioners created West Pine Township, out 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 Townsliip 24, of Range 9, and running thence 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, 18()(), upon petition of A. n. Packard, Isaac Hall, K. C. Sumner, Benjamin Rodlcy, Theodore Swinton, Aaron Burclu'll. Abram H. Durkee, Joseph Blessing, G. W. Hag- gard, Patrick Erven, William Graves, John T. [[ough. Thomas Gilbert. John Irwin and I. N. Clark, 'Ordered that the north part of Parish Grove Town- ship be struck off, and bounded as follows : Commencing at the northwest 224 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. corner of Section 2, in Township 26, Range 10, and running thence south to the southwest corner of Section 35, in Township 26, of Range 10 ; thence eastto the southeast corner of Section 3, in Township 26, of Range 8 ; thence north on line which formerly divided Oak Grove and Parish Grove Town- ships, 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 be known as York Township. At the September term of Commissioners' Court, the 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, of Range 10; 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 March, 1861, it was "Ordered by the Board of Commissioners of Benton County, State of In- diana, that a new township be cut off the east part of Oak Grove Township, commencing at the southeast corner of Section 33, 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 Range 7 ; thence 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, of Range 8 ; thence south to the line between Townships 24 and 25, at the south west corner of Section 34, in Township 25, of Range 8 ; and thence east to the place of beginning.'' At the same term, it was " Ordered that the boundary lines of Oak Grove be described as follows : Commencing at the southeast corner of Section 33, in Township 24, of Range 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 place 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 of Commissioners' Court, Finch's Schoolhouse 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 terra of Commissioners' Court, 1864, the follow- ing proceedings were had : " Now comes John W. Nutt and others, petitioning for a division of Prairie Township as follows : ' To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the County of Benton, and State of Indiana : We, the un- dersigned, citizens of Prairie Township, in said county, respectfully petition HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 225 your Honorable body to divide said township east and west into two equal parts ; the north part to be culled Union.' Petition granted." At the March term, 1865, West Pine and Parish Grove Townships were consolidated under the name of Parish Grove. In December, 1866, upon petition of John Garret&on, Isaac Allman Joseph Osborne, J. R. Sheetz, William B. Timmons, J. 8. Shipman. G. P. Shipman, Alphous Allman, Henry Hutline, William T. Bowyer, P^Iias Shep- ard, Jerry Ilurtine. H. H. Owens, Peter C. Noble. Benjamin Eller, J. Lam- born, Thomas Tracy. D. C. Bowyer, S. B. Johnson, RinaJdo Sutton, James Withara, Jacob Engler, Joseph K. Kinch, Jonas Henen, J. H. Tallman, Holt Dawson. William Marlow, M. L. Cheidle, James K. Turvey, John 0. Heaton and Patrick Carroll, Gilboa Township was struck off from the 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 ; tiience 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 ^^^^<^/>^>f_ HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 241 per acre, $2,240 cash and balance in four annual payments of $2,240 each, without interest." The record then made shows further 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 Cei>lias 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 countj' 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 am^i trust}- 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 hot 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 County, for the erection of a house on the count}' 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, 1879, the board contracted with Henry C. Patton for the building of a barn on the count}- farm, at a cost of $445, 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 COUNTY 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 18 242 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. up, and that there would then be great dissatisfaction on the part of those who resided remote from the county seat. It is probably a fact that Oxford is built upon the best town site that could have been found in Benton County ; 3'et it certainly must have occurred to the Commissioners who lo- cated the county seat there, that the time must inevitabl}^ come when the count}' 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, manifestl}', 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 count}' ; 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 they did ; and, as they did ncft live in or have any interest in the count}', 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 accordingly instructed the Auditor of the county to employ a competent architect to make an exam- ination of them, with a view to having them repaired. G. P. Randall, of Chicago, was the architect employed, whose report was as follows : To THE County Commissioners of Benton County, Ind. : Oentlemen — Agreeably to your request, as communicated through the County- Auditor, I have this day made a critical examination of your court house and jail buildings at this place (Oxford) and find as follows, to wit: That the court house was originally built on a very poor and insufficient foundation, the walls being of bowlders, or cobble stone, poorly laid, and apparently without much mortar to cement them together; that the frost has from year to year disinte- grated the foundation wall until at the present time it seems to be hardly in a HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 243 condition to carry the walls resting upon them. For this cause tiie 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 involvin'.^ 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 super.^tructure was good. 3^ou 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 tlie 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 isrecpiisite 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 budd 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 practicall}- 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. Q. P. Randall, Architect. Chicago, March 20, 1873. It would seem from the foregoing report that the court liou.se and jail, and especiall}- the former, must have been in a very bad plight, indeed ; and, as a further evidence of that fact, the board, after meeting at the court house, at their June session, 187.3, deeming it unsafe, imraediatelv adjourned to the Town Hall, where the remainder of the session was hold. 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 tiie house. There being such a manifest necessity for a new court iiouse, the Board of Commission- ers, at the June terra of Commissioners Court, declared it to he thoir impera- tive duty to proceed without delay to have new county buildings erected, and the Auditor was ordered to pnjcuri! plans and specificntions for a court house and county offices, combined, to cost not less than $55,000. At the same terra the Sheriff was ordered to sell the material of the old court house. At a special session of the board, held in Julj , 1873, the boaid adopted drafts, plans and specifications, furnished by G. P. Randall & 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 ordered 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 year from the date of the sale. A second special session of the boai'd 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 principally 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 $250, of which $100 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, 1873, 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 court, Robert M. At- kinson, one of the Commissioners, resigned, and Henry Robertson, the onl}- other member of the board present, and William Snyder, the Auditor of the county, appointed William Marvin a Commissioner to fill the vacanc}'. 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 the ground that William Marvin was not appointed 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 board reciting that "Whereas, on the 5th day of September, 1873, His Honor, E. P. Hammond, HISTORY OF HENTOX COUNTY. 245 Judge of the Benton Circuit Court, by virtue of a petition filed in his court by 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 county 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 county 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 b}- the dismissal of said petition, and by the terms of the order of injunction ; it is therefore considered to be the dut}' 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 $55,1)00 ; and the said Lewis and McConnell thereupon filed their bond in the penal sura of $100,000, which was accepted and approved b}' the Board. At a special session in September, 1873, it was " Ordered b}- 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 emplo}- 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 the}' had obtained in the Circuit Court, and leaving the Board of Commissioners at libert}' to proceed to let the contract for the building of a court house at Oxford, which they 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 wh}' the Board of Commissioners, who were evidently in favor of retaining the count}' 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 the}' were, could not permit their ob- ject to be thus frustrated, are questions which will naturally present them- selves. Was this a bit of finesse 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? (Jr 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 aiJ lihifuni, without creating in the minds of their clients any dissatisfaction on account thereof, thus proving the truth of those lines in Hudibras : 246 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTF. "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 in 1873, an election having been lield 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 $250 in money, with which to employ an architect, and to pa}' 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 Robert M. Atkin- son conr3tituted the board of Commissioners at that time. On Tuesday, 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 by the Board, and the prayer of the petitioners granted. An order was made for the removal of the county 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 county buildings. The records show that Commissioner Atkinson was present next (Wednesday) morning. At the March term, 1874, the reiDort of James B. Foley, Mahlon D. 3Ianson and John Brownfield, Commissioners appointed by the (lovernor for the purpose of appraising the public property at Oxford, was filed, showing the value thereof to be $6,750. 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 Fa^'ette, 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 pa}' 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, b}' far, in the count}' (neither of whom resided in the county, however), each contributing a sum proportional to the amount of land that he owned in the county, the value of which would 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 are many in Oxford who stoutly declare, and with seeming sincerity, that ere many years, the county seat will again be established at Oxford. As before observed, it was certainly not the part of wisdom to establish the county seat at Oxford in the first instance, on account of its being so far removed from the geographical center of the county ; yet, it having been once located there, the act of removing it was certainly of doubtful propri • HISTOKY OF BENTON COUNTY. 247 ety, to say the least. The fact of its not being conveniently accessible to those residing in tlie northern and western parts of the count}', does not constitute a very potent argument in favor of the removal of the count}' 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 the}' 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 some future time, on account of its being so far from the 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 County, 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, 187-4 : Whereas, tlie 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 COURT HOUSE AT FOWLER. The contract was let to Levi L. Leach, in June. 1874, for the building of 248 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. a court hou8e 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. B3' the terras 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 offices for the use of the Clerk, Re- corder or Treasurer, and the county records are in insecure places ; and whereas, a two-stoiy 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 furniture of the offices he removed from Oxford to said building in Fowler on or before July 10, 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 different 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 day of December, 1874, the record of the proceedings at that session shows that a report of Gr. P. Randall, architect, was filed, showing the whole cost of the court house to have been $57,192.- 36, and that the Board of Commissioners accepted the house as being sub- stantially in compliance with the terms of the contract, and made an order directing " the removal of all books, papers and furniture of the several count}' 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 $1,695. 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 the 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 $62,257.77, as follows : contract price, $54,884 ; extra work, $2,308.36 ; paid to Gr. 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 population than Benton, that has as good public buildings, includ- 'i/y/- '■T^t- "fr^^^^c-^. '/^T-tj HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 251 ing court house, jail and infirmary. 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, exacth' in the geographical center of the county, it is said. Of course, it may be an inch or two this way or that, but then it is near enough for all practical purposes. A few 3'ears after the removal of the count}- 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, gentl}- sighing. ' It might have been.' As I step along over the pavements that once composed that noble structure, ever}' 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 mighty hoot send forth its clarion notes upon the sighing wind. Ere long, whilst the county seat is flourishing in the centre, we can only walk our lonely streets, and in the words of Selkirk exclaim : " 'Ob! 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, gladly would we sacrifice 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, I 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 bouse ever stand. Till time should be no more.' " 252 - HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. THE JAIL AT FOWLER. The contract for the building of the Benton County 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 many years hence. This building was composed almost exclusively of incombustible materials, and was probably considered practicall}" fire-proof, as well as proof against all efforts on the part of those incarcerated within its walls to reclaim their much-coveted liberty. But, notwithstanding the extraordinary precaution taken in its construction to insure its durability, as well as to render it efficient to a degree for the purpose for which it was designed, 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 Henr}* C. Pelton and Lero}' Templeton, at a special session in July, 1880, '' to fur- nish all necessar}' 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 verj* fine structure, and has the appearance (viewed exter- nally) of being a very secure place wherein to confine malefactors. MILITARY HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. BY E. A. MOSSMAN. THE GREAT REBELLION. WHEN the great rebellion of 1861 was precipitated upon the country, deluging the land with blood, and robbing thousands of households of their loved ones, Benton Count}' was not found wanting in those who were willing to pour out their life-blood, if need be, a free-will offering upon the altar of their country. Benton s First. Company. — Among the first to march into Camp Tippe- canoe, at La Fayette, was acompan}' 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, First Lieutenant ; James Young, Sec- 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. Hurt"; Corporals, Daniel D. Redmond, George T. Clark, Alvin Maxson, Mark Walker, William Snyder, Abram S. Gaskill, Oliver P. Murph}' and George Furgeson ; musicians, John Jay Wright and William II. 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 Bowen, Edwin F. Bolmer. Thomas H. Burns, Columbus M. Bushong, Benedict Climeaged, Lucian Clark, Russel Cole, John B. Creviston, William H. Curl, Abram Davenport, John Dopson, George W. Dusenberry, William H. Duncan, Wal- lace E. Edwards, John Ekey, John Enlow, Adam Everheart, Michael Flanl- gan, Conrad Ghering-, Frederick Ghering, Allen C. Gobble, Thomas Graham, William Graham, Benjamin Hawk, Sherman Haskill, William Hanley, George Hedges, Rile}' Hickman, William H. Hauck, Edward Houghton, Lero}' Hovey, Henry Holmes, Aaron R. Hudson, Charles D. Irwin, John Jett, Hugh Johnson, John Kenned}-, John Kelley, Levi Kemp, John Kinney, John Krummel, Edward Lovejoy, M:irtin 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. Russia, 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 N. 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 14th 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. Next 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 I'eturned 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 Perry ville. 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 Gren. 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 out 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, Tenn., 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 very 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 very 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 duty. A portion of the regiment having re-enlisted on the 15th of February, 1864, the non-veterans remained at Chattanooga, under Gen. Stead- man, until June 16, 1864, 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 the Seventeenth Indiana Volunteers in the month of June, 1864, and served with that organization until the 8th of August, 1864, when they were finally 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 company's history is HISTORY OF BENTON 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 com pan}' 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 July, 1861, and John Pearce, of Attica, Second Lieutenant in Corapan}' A, was commissioned First Lieutenant in Company D, to fill the vacaucy. In No- vember, 1861, William J. Terapleton, 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 Sorgt. 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 May 4, 1862, and Sergt. John Thompson was promoted to fill the vacanc}-. 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, 1862, and First Lieut. Daniel D. Redmond was advanced to the position of Captain ; Second Lieut. Mark Walker, to the position of First Lieutenant, and Corporal Alvin Max- son to that of Second Lieutenant, all of whom were mustered out at the ex- piration of their term of service, June 26, 1864. 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 Ninetj'-first Regiment, in 1862 ; Corporal William Snyder was appointed Sergeant, and discharged in May, 1864, 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 disabilit^^ July 9, 1862 ; Wagoner Ira Brown, was discharged October 14, 1861, 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, Februar}' 18, 1863, of wounds received at Stone River; Thomas H. Burns was dis- charged for disabilit}', August 21, 1861 ; Columbus M. Bushong was killed at Stone River, December 31, 1862 ; Benedict Climeaged died January 18, 1^56 HISTORY OF BENTOxN COUNTY. 1863, of wounds received at Stone River ; Lucian Clark, a veteran, was transferred to the Seventeenth Regiment, May 13, 1864; RiisselCole was discharged October 7, 1861, on account of disability ; John B. Creviston 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 Stone 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, dischai'ged 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 Artiller}', February 3, 1863 ; John Kennedy, discharged March 30, 1863, wounds received at Stone 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, Decembar 12, 1863 ; Barney Miller, 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. Perry, died May 27, 1862 ; David L. Ream, died at Chattanooga, November 28, 1863, of wounds ; John F. Richards, leg amputated Ma}' 24, 1862, and discharged; William L. Ross, discharged November 18, 1861, disability ; Charles F. Russle, transferred to the Mississippi Marine Brigade, February 19, 1863 ; John Saunders, discharged November 27, 1862, disability ; Frank Sewell, killed at Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863 ; John Shafer, deserted, afterward joined the Twenty-fourth Ohio Regiment, and died at Cheat Mountain; John W. Smith, deserted December 10, 1861, and afterward joined the Nineteenth United States 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 ; John 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 Stone River ; John B. Williams, dis- charged May 24, 18(32, disability ; Augustus Adolphus, Samuel Blue, Har- vey H. Pugh 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, 18G4 : Abram S. Gaskill, George Ferguson (appointed Sergeant), Calvin Barkhurst, Absalom Beaver, Benjamin T. Booth, Edwin F. Bolmer, John H. Burns, George W. Dusenberry, Michael Flanigaur Conrad Geiiring, (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 Popplcstone, Henr}' 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, thirt}'- 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 ; killed, six ; died of disease, five ; died of wounds, three ; promoted and resigned, two ; discharged to accept commission in another regiment, one ; veterans, two. This company is justh' entitled to a fair share of the glory won b}- 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. Van Natta, First Lieutenant, and Stephen Sappington, Second Lieu- tenant. The enlisted men of this company were First Sergeant, James Dougherty, died March 7th, 18G2 ; 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, 1S64 ; Ross McGee, ap- pointed Sergeant, and mustered out Septemijcr 19, 1864 ; Wilber F. Ste- phenson, appointed Sergeant, and mustered out September 19, 1864 ; James Killen, discharged for promotion. February 22, 1863 : James Godman, killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863 ; David Millholland, 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 Februar}^ 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 Cuppy, 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, 1864 ; 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, 1863 ; James Haw kins, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; Joseph Hinate, mustered out Sep- tember 19, 1864 ; William B. Holton, killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863 ; Samuel Horner, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, April 10, 1863 ; Michael Jakes, discharged February 27, 1863, disability ; Nelson M. Jakes, discharged September 18, 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 Mcllvain, 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 September 19, 1864 ; George Miller, veteran, transferred to Fifty-eighth Regiment ; Henry C. Moore, discharged December 23, 1862, disability ; Benjamin R. Moffltt, discharged Jnne 18, 1862, disability ; Samuel E. Nuss, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; George W. Nuss, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; William M. Owens, discharged October 14, 1862, disability ; Nathan J. Page, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; George M. Pugh, appointed Cor- ^'.'ilif ^ imk^jik^ ■\i HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 261 poral, missing at Cliickamauga, 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 ; Ebene^er E. Sparrow, appointed Corporal, died Octo- ber 22, 1862 ; Joel Stanfield and John W. Switzer, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; John W. Timraons, died March 1, 1862 ; Thomas J. Thompson discharged February 12, 1863, disabilitj' ; James K. Turvey and David Vor- hees, mustered out September 19, 1864 ; John Whitmore, died March 5, 1862 ; Benjamin V. "White, died October 14, 1862 ; James Whited, died Ma3-8, 1862; Philip Woodhams and Henry Woodhams, mustered out Sep- tember 19, 1864; William Finley, transferred to Fift3'-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 by this companj* : Charles Bowl- ing, veteran, transferred to Fifty-eighth Regiment ; Robert N. Brink, trans- ferred to Fifty-eighth Regiment, musttred out August 7, 1864 ; William H. Brown, 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 Fiftj'-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 gallantr}-, 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 marched 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 Perry ville. 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 Chickamauga, on the 19th and 20th of September, 1863, in which engagement its commanding officer, Col. William 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 many 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 Cai'olina, and finally were mustered out with that organization at Louisville, Ky., on the 25th day of July, 1865. 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 Sappingtoft resigned, leaving the position of Captain and Second Lieu- tenant vacant. First Lieut. Job H. VanNatta was promoted Captain, Sergt. Warren Sheets was advanced to the position of First Lieutenant, and Sergt. James Laroe to that of Second Lieutenant, November 18, 1862, Capt. VanNatta 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 resigned 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. Maj. VanNatta was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel September 21, 1863, but was not mustered as such. He was mus- tered out as Major at the expiration of his term of service, September 20, 1864. Benton s Third Company. — The next company from Benton Count}^ was re- cruited in the spring of 1862, being mustered about March 20. The commis- sioned officers of this company were : John Burns, Captain; Samuel L. Young, First Lieutenant; and John A. Savage, Second Lieutenant. The enlisted men wei'e: First Sergeant, John M. Crosson, promoted First Lieutenant; Sergeants, Hiram V. Wilkinson, promoted second Lieutenant ; William F. Baker, trans- ferred to Eleventh United States Infantry November 18, 1862 ; James J Keys, discharged November 30, 1862, disability; David W. Miller, mustered HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 263 out March 21, 1865 ; Corporals, Hugh H. Keys, died at St. Louis, April 4, 1863, wounds ; Thomas Kennedy, discharged December 1, 1862, disability; Elijah McVey, promoted Second Lieutenant ; William Smith, died in Lou- isiana, June 1, 1863 ; William M. McConnell, discharged November 23, 1863 ; Edward D. Pugh, discharged January 24, 1865 ; George D. Yar- borough. discharged January 24, 1805; Walter F. Sergeant, 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 November 14, 1862 ; John Ale, discharged August 4, 1862, disability ; Joseph H.Alex- ander, discharged August 15, 1863, disability ; David Ashler, discharged August 4, 1862, disability ; Israel Balch, discharged ; John A. Barns, dis- charged, disability ; Lee Beans, transferred to Eleventh United States In- fantry November 23, 1862 ; Charles Bechtold, died February 5, 1863, of wounds received at Arkansas Post ; Frederick Bechtold, mustered out March 21, 1865; Johu 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 10, 1862 ; Charles Buwecker, transferred to Eleventh United States Infantry November 29, 1862; Amos Campbell, killed at Arkansas 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, disabilitj' ; William L. Dewyear, missing June 4, 1862 ; Mortimore Ford, missing June 1, 1862; Jacob Gibbons, discharged October 2, 1863, disability; William 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 ; Joseph Hatciier, died at Leb- anon, Ky., August 14, 1862 ; Charles M. Hatcher, mustered out March 21, 1865 ; Samuel Henry, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps March 15, 1864 ; George W. Helfield, missing May 8, 1862 ; William L Hixson, mus- tered out March 21, 1865 ; Isaac Hoagland, died at Memphis 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 Mareli 21, 1865 ; Jackson McDaniel, died at St. Louis, May 12, 1863 ; Thomas B. McClelland, disciiarged Janu- ary 24, 1865; Thomas McGregor, mustered out March 21, 1865, as First Sergeant ; John L. Mehaffy, discharged December 8, 1863, disability ; Henry Mayer, mustered out March 21, 1865 ; William J. Newman, missing Novem- ber 1, 1862; John Prosser, missing June 17,1862; Abel I*iigli, missing June 1, 1862 ; William H. Rickstravv, mustered out March 21. 1S65 ; John Selby, died at Carrollton, La., December 8, 1863 ; Frank Shell, missing May 12,1862; Francis H. Shrade, mustered out March 21, 1865; William F. 264 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Smith, discharged September 28, 1864, disability ; 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 ; Morris 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 day, thus creating vacancies in the offices of Captain 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- arv 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 Ptegiment (Richard Owen, Colonel), in which it was designated as Company D. " A partial organization of this regiment was effected at Evansville, in November, 1861, 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 March. 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 Munfordville, where, on the 14th of September, the advance of Bragg's army surrounded the place and its works, and compelled the garrison to surrender after a gallant resistance. Among the captured were a number 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 Rolling Fork, near Lebanon Junction, under command of Maj. Cox, and were not captured. The captured companies -were paroled, and proceeded 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 army during the winter of 1862. On the 10th of Januar}-, 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, ba^-ous and streams, under scorching suns, drenching rains, and engaging 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 May, 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 G-rand 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 b}' the War Department, the regiment not having, in its opinion, served a suflScient 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 ver}' oner- ous one, owing to the fact of there having been a great many companies that had been principall}- 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 266 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. companies are Compaii}' C, of the Niuetj'-uinth Regiment, in wliich there were twenty men from Benton County ; Company E, of the Fortieth Regiment, in which there were six ; Company H, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, in which there were fifteen ; Company A, of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment, in which there were thirt3'-nine ; Company K, of the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Regiment, in which there were thirty ; and Company K of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, in which there were twelve ; Company C, of the Ninet3'^-ninth Regiment was raised principal!}' in Porter Count}-. The members of that company from Benton Count}' 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. Bushong, discharged ; Charles Catey, James Campbell and James D. Campbell, mustered out June 5, 1865 ; Ether A. Cook, died at Keokuk, Iowa, January 15, 1868; Henry German, 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 ; Robert B. Lank, dischai^ged March 6, 1863 ; George W. Parker, transferred to V. R. C, October 26, 1863; William Savage, promoted First Lieutenant February 1, 1865 ; James Vanover, supposed lost on Sultana, April 27, 1865; Joseph Williams and William H. Young, mustered out June 5, 1865. In Company E of the Fortieth Regiment were Richard Kolb, pro- moted First Lieutenant, April 17, 1863, and resigned December 13, 1864 ; Jasper Kolb, promoted First Lieutenant March 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 the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment were John H. Barber, mustered out May 15, 1865 ; Robert Brinkley, Will- iam W. Clark, Charles W. Clifton, David S. Clifton, Jefferson Donahue, Henry EUer, Aaron Jones, Benjamin Miller, Benjamin C. Miller, Franklin Obermyer, George Rover, Nathan Thompson 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, promoted Second Lieutenant April 17, 1865, mustered out with regiment; Alfred Cover, mustered out August 4, 1865 ; Joseph A. Chandler, promoted Assistant Surgeon ; William L. Bnglen, mustered out August 4, 1865, as First Sergeant ; John W. Fites, William W. Fitraw, William Jenkins, Jere- miah Manihan, Leroy A. Swift, John Stoneberger, George J. Thompson and Samuel E. Walton, all mustered out August 4, 1865. In Company K of the One Hundred and Forty-seventh, there were Capt. Thomas Kennedy, mustered out with the regiment ; Sergeants James J. Keys, William M. McConnell, George W. Crosson and Henry M. Smith ; HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 267 Corporals William H. Yanover, Alonzo Sleepei", John Elmore, John F. Stokes and Joseph Emer3' ; and Privates Jacob Albaugh, Robert Balantine, Edward Bromley, Mark J. Briar, James BlanchfiU, Jerry Doyle, John Gilles- pie, William Greenwood, Daniel W. Henderson, Alexander Hukill, James H. McDaniel, Andrew J. MeConnell, William E. Orr, George Perigo, James Ritner, Lewis Rolane, David Snyder, Jonathan Vanhorn, Isaac S. Wade and Isaac Ward, all of whom were mustered out August 4, 1865, except Alonzo Sleeper, who was mustered out June 2, 1865, and David Snyder who died at Indianapolis, March 14, 1865. Company A of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment had in it the following : First Lieutenant, William S. Freeman, promoted Captain December 1, 1864, aud 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 July 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 Ganoth}^, Eugene B. Glasgow, James M. Hobson, William H. Hopkins, John Hutfman, William Handy, George Kee, died at Atlanta, Ga., October y, 1864 : Stephen S. Kitchen, discharged May 21, 1865 ; William Louderback, John McBride, William ^IcCounell, 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-3-ears 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 any, of the hardships and dangers of active military duty. Neither of those three regiments had a man killed or mortally wounded during the time thev 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 268 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY, designed to perfoi*m. 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 River 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 sanguinary- engagements fought during that campaign. It accompanied Sherman in his march to the sea, and on the 15th of December, 1864, took part in the charge upon Fort McAlister. 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 Groldsboro, 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 Ninetj'-ninth Regiment marched over four thousand miles, and endured many 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 Charleston 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 September, under the broiling sun b}' day and the pesti- lential dews by night, through difficult ravines, skirmishing in dense forests, drenched by heavy rains, struggling through mud and mire, our troops \ ^ u ^ Id D (^ HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 271 pressed on. Some portion of the regiment was on the skirmish line nearly every day for four moutlis." 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 vcrj- 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 February, 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. Public Sentiment and Civil Action. — It is said by those who then resided in the county that there was not in Benton Count}' the same bitter resent- ments and deep-seated animosities engendered by the war that there were in many other portions of the country. The sentiment in favor of the sup- pression of the rebellion was, it is said, almost universally prevalent. The alacrity with which Benton County responded to the call to arms, won for it the following commendator}' notice from the State Sentinel \n May, 1861: " The little count}' of Benton, with a voting population of 500, has sent a company of ninety men to the war, and fine looking fellows they are. Good for Benton Count3^ Capt. W. J. Templeton commands this compan}*." Benton County was not lavish, in any 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 mone}' 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, 030,840; Parish Grove Township, $10,715.50; Pine Township, $7,340; Oak Grove Township, $2,250; York Township, $2,500; Prairie Township, $415; 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 county 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 defraj'- 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 sucli amounts as the Captain, or other officer 272 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. in command, may, from time to time, require. That 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 county in expending 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 $73 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 by the Board of County Com- missioners." At a special session, held November 10, 1863, it was "Ordered that a bounty of $50 be paid out of the county treasurj^ to each volunteer enlist- ing from the county of Benton under 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 volunteers 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 bounty, 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 Februarj^ 23, 1864, it was " Ordered by the board that a bounty of $50 be paid out of the county treasury to each a'oI- 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 applicant has been duly mustered into the service of the United States." December, 186-4, 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 month 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 Govern- 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 Februar}- 8, 1865 (present Benjamin Hawkins, Robert M. Atkinson and William Marvin, Com- missioners), it was " Ordered that a bounty of $400 be paid out of the county HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 273 treasury to each volunteer wlio ma}- 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 bounty shall be paid to any person or persons resident or enrolled in one township who shall volunteer in an}- 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 by the Auditor in denominations ranging from $25 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 necessary to fill the quota of such township, the funds so furnished by such township shall be paid out to volunteers to fill the quota of such township ; and, in case the quota of any township is not filled b}' volunteering, the Auditor shall issue to such persons as ma}' be drafted to fill up such quota, orders to the amount of $400 each to such drafted men as ma}' be accepted and mustered into the service, and all bounties, whether to volunteers or drafted men, shall onl}' 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 ma}- 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 fill 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 $400 of said orders not returned to tlie Auditor by said Emerson, he shall be required to Qle with said Auditor the certificate of muster-in of a volunteer for one year, credited to said township." 27-i HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Conclusion. — The 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 SPAULDING TRAGEDY. ON the 15th da}- of November, 1882, a double murder and suicide occurred in York Township, of which the Oxford Tribune gives the following account : " On the l-Ath 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 Bank of Kentland, 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 day. The bodies were discovered by a relative. The lamp was burning on a table ; the mother and son la}^ side by side, while the father lay across them, face downward. Spaulding was thirty-five years of age ; his wife, thirty 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 hands 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 wife 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 floor 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 3'ard, whither his father pur- sued him and knocked him down with the singletree. He then cut the boy's throat from ear to ear. di'agged 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 robber}-, 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 crystal found to be covered with finger-marks and blood." The foregoing newspapsr article contains the fa.!ts in the case, except as to one or two particulars. The Coroner's report shows that the tragedy occurred on the 15th, instead of on the 14th of the 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 Coroners report discloses the further facts that Mrs. Spaulding's name was Georgia, and little boy's, Harry. LANDS ENTERED BY II. L. ELLSWORTH. Henry L. Ellsworth, of LaFaj-ette, entered about 65,000 acres of land in the county, a great deal of it being entered as late as the year 1851. He en- tered a great many entire sections, and never less than a quarter section in any one section. He entered land in each Congressional township in the count}', except in Township 25, of Range 6. The number of acres entered b}- him in each township was as follows : Township 2-4, Range 6, 4,636 acres ; Township 26, Range 6, 4,020 ; Township 24, Range 7, 4,800 ; 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, 1 1,200 ; 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 sixt3'-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, sevent3--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, there 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 hundred forty-two in G-ilboa, two hundred two in Richland, 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 Gilboa, one hundred sixty-seven in Richland, two hundred forty-seven in Grant, one hundred twenty-two in Center, one hundred ninety-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 the 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 county was eighty-two ; in 1846, 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 1849 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. The 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- minished by the creation of new townships, out of a part of their territory. The changes made in the townships of this county have been very numerous. When the county was first organized, and for several years afterward, there were but three townships in the county, and now there are eleven. Again, there have been several townships unmade by rescinding the order creating them, whilst the names of others have been changed. RAILROADS. The first railroad projected in Benton County was called the La Fayette, Oxford & Bloomiugton Railroad. The Board of Commissioners, at their March session, 1868, undertook and agreed to make up to the company any delinquency, not exceeding $10,000, that the company might not be able to collect of $50,000 that the citizens of Benton County had subscribed to aid in the construction of the road, which was to run from La Fayette, in Tippe- HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 277 canoe County, Ind., to Bloomington, 111., passing through Oxford en route. The road was never built, however, as originally projected, and the board, at their June session, 1869, rescinded the order they had made at their March session, 1868, above alluded to. At the July session of the board (special session), 1869, a petition was presented teethe board, signed by 108 freeholders of the county, praying 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 Fayette, Muncie & Bloomington Railroad, to the amount of $40,000, either by way of an appropriation of that amount or by taking stock in the company. The Commissioners decided to take 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, twenty against ; Prairie Township, thirty-nine for, five against ; Bolivar Township, one hundred and twenty-two for, none against ; Union Township, none for, none against; Richland Towiiship, twenty-five 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 ninet3'-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 favor 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 the}' should give a raajorit}' 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 $-10,000 was in excess of one per cent of the taxable property of the county — the utmost amount that could be lawfuU}- levied in aid of a private enterprise — it was ordered at the June term of Com- missioners' Court, 1870, that one-iialf 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 Cix'cuit. are pending in the Clinton Circuit Court against the La Fayette, Muncie & Bloomington Railroad, to wrest from said company its corporate franchises, and that the count}' is a stockholder to the amount of $39,150, the board " request the Grovernor, Lieutenant G-overnor and Attorney Greneral 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 the 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 count}^ 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 county. Besides the $40,000 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 greatly benefited by the construction of the road, for although this enormous sum of $100,000 was not designed to be a donation, yet by the chicanery usually resorted to, they being small fish, tropically speaking, were swallowed up by the leviathans into whose power they had unwarily placed themselves, thus making it in effect a dona- tion. Neither the county, nor an}^ 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 very soon afterward, a road was surveyed to run from La Fayette to Chicago, to be known as the Cincinnati, La Fayette & 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 in 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- X o m < X o u. o o -z. UJ Q Gl UJ or HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 281 merit between the two roads, but they make no stops between those points for the purpose 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 May 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, 2-49 votes for, and 75 against. This road has been completed through the county, and runs very nearly in a due north and south direction, running through Goodland, in Newton Count3-, 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 ; the}' probably 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, consequent! }■, the road was lo- cated so as to pass just to the east of Fowler, missing it about two miles, and almost wholly, 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 sam 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 against 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. There has been a survey made of the line of this proposed road, but no work has been done on it as yet, in the county, though it is very con- fidentl}' 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 upon 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 da}', and resulted as follows : For the proposition, 236 ; against it, 125. When those two roads are built, as they undoubtedly 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 they create markets for the commodities of the land where before there was none, and that they 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 way in which they vote aid to railroads. OTHER ROADS. To describe all the roads in the county, 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 the 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 the first road ever located in the county. The next probably was a State road from Independence, in Warren County, to Newton, in Jasper County, which was established in June, 1841. F. C. Webb, of Warren Coun- ty, was the Commissioner who located the road. About the same time, or earlier it may have been, a State road from Williamsport, in Warren County, to Michigan City, was established. It was certainly established prior to May, 1843, for we find that the Board of Commissioners made an appropriation, at a special session, in that month, for a bridge across Big Pine Creek, at the lower crossing on that road. HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 283 BRIDGES. Benton County has some first-class iron bridges. In 1 867. there was an iron bridge, of the kind known as the King's Patent Tubular Arch Wrought Iron Bridge, erected across Pine Creek, about three miles east of Oxford, on the Oxford & La Fayette road, at a cost of 85,(]00. 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. They were to be of the kind known as the Smith's Open Arch Bridge (iron), and the extreme length of each ninety-four feet; roadwa}-, sixteen feet in the clear, and height of truss about twelve feet. The contractors were to have the bridge completed by January 25, 1875, and were to receive S17.40 per lineal foot. In Janu- ary, 1875, the Commissioners accepted the bridges and allowed the contract- ors 8100 for extra work, making the two bridges cost the county in the ag- gregate the sum of $3,371.20. In December, 1879, the Commissioners contracted with the Cleveland Bridge & Iron Companj-, 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 $810. 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 1854; John Pettit, 1854 to 185G; 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 Shoetz, from 1844 to 1850; Harvey H. Crawford and John McConnell, from 1850 until the office was abolished. Frohnte Judges. — Samuel McConnelJ, 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 lacing the only one who re- sided in Benton Count}-. Clerks. — 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 1858; Luther D. Hawley, 1858 to 1866; Cbarles M.' Scott, 1866 to 1874; Simon F. Carter, 1874 to 1882; Mahlon D. Smith, 1882 to present time. Auditors.— James F. Parker, 1840 to 1847; Hartley T. Howard, 1847 to 1856; William H. Calkins 1856 to 1860; William Jones, 1860 to 1868; Will- iam Sn3'der, 1868 to 1876; James S. Bradley, 1876 to the present time. Sherifs.—Fjzekiel 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. Tbmpleton, 1856 to 1858; Samuel Chapman, 1858 to 1862; William S. Freeman, 1862 to 1864; Samuel Savage, 1864 to 1866; Alonzo Cowgill, 1866 to 1870; Elnathan C. Jennings, 1870 to 1872; Henry C. Harris, 1872 to 1876; Theophilus K. 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. Rawlings, 1862 to 1866; James T. Parker, 1866 to 1870; William McCon- nell, 1870 to 1874; William Marvin, 1874 to 1876: Walter B. Hixson, 1876 to 1880; William Moore, 1880 to the present time. Recorders.— Basil Justus, 1840 to 1844; James T. Parker, 1844 to 1847; Hartley T. Howard, 1847 to 1857; John Burns, 1857 to 1862; Simon F. Car- ter, 1862 to 1870; Isaac H. Phares, 1870 to 1878; 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 ; J. T. Parker, 1846 ; William Smith, 1847 ; Thomas Lewis, 1848 ; Amos White, 1848 ; Theophilus Smiley, 1849 ; Robert Hawkins 1849 ; Henry Robertson, 1850 ; Charles Johnston, 1851; Benjamin A. Tim- mons, 1851 ; William T. Rose, 1851; Joseph Carswell, 1852 ; William Coch- ran, 1852 ; Joseph Carswell, 1853 ; Benjamin A. Timmons, 1853 ; Jacob Cas- sel, 1854 ; Thomas Atkinson, 1855 ; Benjamin Hawkins, 1856 ; Robert M. Atkinson, 1858; Samuel Mcllvain, 1860; Benjamin Hawkins, 1862, and again in 1865 ; William Marvin, 1867 ; Robert M. Atkinson, 1867 ; John M. Swan, 1868 ; Henry Robertson, 1870 ; Robert Atkinson, 1870 ; Joseph Perkins, 1871 ; William Marvin, 1873 ; John F. Boswell, 1873 ; Robert M. Atkinson, 1873 ; Thomas Wilcox, 1874 ; John F. Boswell, 1875 ; W. G-. W. Norwood, 1876; Henry Robertson, 1876; Francis P. Greenwood, 1876; John W. O'Connor, 1876 ; Samuel McHvain, 1878 ; James G. Travis, 1879 ■; Henry Robertson, 1879 ; Anthony Dehner, 1880; William R. Menefee, 1882. Coroners.— Benjamin A. Timmons, Samuel Savage, Eli Frazier, Johnathan Kolb, William IM. Sleeper, James W. Barnes, J. F. Kinney, Joseph L. Car- nahan, James H. Whitcomb, William M. Jones and William R. Hardesty. Surveyors. — Henry Robertson, Thomas E. Torrence, Jesse McNeal, Daniel Campbell, William M. Jones, Thomas A. Baldwin and James Wharry. / HISTORY OF BENTON 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 manifestl}- 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 R. Johnston ; 1852, Ezekiel Dawson ; 1855, William Marvin, William Wisher and William R. Johnston ; 1856, Ezekiel Dawson, James W. Barnes, Will- iam R. Johnston and Bertram W. Temphill ; 1857, Samuel A. Keys ; 1858, Elisha Sargenl, 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 Timmona 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. Kirkpatrick 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, Winfield Menefee and Austin V. Flint ; 1875, Matthew H. Walker and Samuel T. Du Bois ; 1876, John Whofe, 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 VV. 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 Buck, James W. Bailev, 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 the present time, witii 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 difllerent 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 28t3 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Grove, Pine, West Pine, York, Pz-airie, Bolivar, Union, Gilboa, Richland, Grant, Center, Hickory Grove. A part of the 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 the next township in which there is no hiatus, is given, so that there need be 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, 1852 ; 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 ; 1853, Thomas Martin, William Cochran and Joshua Howell ; Samuel Barkhurst and Francis Boynton ; 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. Turney, appointed in June ; 1857, Oak Grove, John Hopper ; 1858, Parnham Boswell, E. C. Sum- ner and Henry Robertson ; George H. Finch ; Isaac Bowyer ; Asa H. Van- over ; 1859, Henry 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 ; Cyrus Por- ter ; 1862, Daniel Garwood; John T. Williams; Isaac Bowyer; James M. Harris ; John Fleming ; William Wisher ; Philip P. Griffin ; 1863, Duncan McA. Williams ; John T. Williams ; James T. Clement ; James M. Harris ; Prairie, John E. Fenton ; Marcus Blessing ; 1864, Henry Robertson ; John T. Williams ; James T. Clement ; James M. 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 Childs; Marcus Blessing ; EphraimSayers ; 1866, James Kirtley ; Daniel R. Lucas ; Daniel M. Kirkpatrick ; John E. Fenton ; Mar- cus Blessing; Ephraim Sayers ; James Witham ; 18)7 James Kirtley; Daniel R. Lucas (Henry Parker appointed June 10) ; Jonathan Lamborn ; Anthony Dehner ; Thomas Childs ; Joseph Kinsey ; John W. Nutt ; John Garretson ; 1868, James Kirtley ; James Vawter ; John Morris ; James Coulter (James Keyt appointed December 19); Thomas Childs; James Loyd ; Henry Timmons ; John Garretson; 1869, Oak Grove, James Vaw- ler (W. M. Jones appointed June 16) ; John Morris ; Isaac Loyal ; Nathan Hibbs; James Emerson; Richland, Michael Sigal ; James Kirtley; 1870, William Boswell ; John T. Williams ; Jol^|i Ross ; William Hughes ; James HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 287 Emerson ; Henry Timmons ; William Owens elected, John Garretson ap- pointed November 1 ; Anthon}' Dehner ; James Kirtley ; 1872, William H. Boswell ; John Carson ; W. G. W. Norwood ; S. W. McClurg ; William Hughes ; James Emerson ; Abraham W. Williams ; John McMurtr}- ; Rob- ert Kelley ; A. R. Gilgar ; 1874, William H. Boswell ; John N. Crosson ; Robert Sickler ; Socrates McClurg ; William Hughes (the last in Prairie); John W. Ryan ; Jay 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 McMurtr}- ; 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; Warren 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 January, 1848 ; and, likewise, that an election be held at the schoolhouse in Township 25, Range 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 an}- 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, ninetj'-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, six ; 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 count}', $65,520. Average wages paid teachers in the county in 1881 and 1882, $41. 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 months by Dr. "Wells, who remained in charge until 1870. Rev. Neil, of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, 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 No fault could be found with his teaching, but he was extremely careless with financial matters, which led to his removal. Prof Johnson took charge of the school early 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 an}' 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 worthy efforts to make it a successful and prominent 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 $3,000. 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 children 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, 1 875, for that purpose. The conveyance was made upon the condition that the 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 built in accordance with the design, would have been a credit, and a great ornament to the town of Fowl-er. 3Ir. Fowler agreed that upon the completion of the building, he would donate the grove — Summit Grove adjoining, which is a beautiful grove situated on a high elevation about half a mile south of the town of Fowler — the highest point of land within sev- eral miles. ''^'>^j>(Dn,^^ DECEASED. HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 291 NEWSPAPERS. The first newspaper published in Benton County was the Oxford Eoen- ing Mall, started in 18o5, b}- Joseph W. Jackson, editor and publisher. In 1858, he sold to S. F. Curton, who changed the name of the paper to Benton Register. After about a 3'ear, the paper was discontinued. The next was the Oxford Chronoti/pc, 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 what date is not known, A. W. Carnahan became editor and proprietor, and in 1882 the present proprietor, J. P. Carr, Jr., 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 McArthiir Williams was editor and proprietor. It was first issued in May, 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 Uoswell 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 being 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. Republican in politics, and a zealous advocate of the cause of temperance. Charles H. Miller has been its owner and proprietor since February, 1882. The office contains a good Foster hand press and a neat job outfit. It is published on Thursdays, and has a ver^' fair circulation, with a good business that is steadily increasing. Mr. Miller, the present propri. etor, was formerly' 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 County. SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS. The first society organized in Benton County was probabl}- Oxford Lodge, 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. ban, Senior Warden ; Jesse Daile}', Junior Warden ; E. N. Curl, Treasurer ; S. McMillen, Secretar}- ; B. Q. Norris, Senior Deacon ; T. E. Torrenee, Junior Deacon, and George Champley, Tiler. The present officers are Hiram Smith, Worshipful Master ; Aaron D. Huffman, Senior Warden ; Henry C. McCon- nell, Junior Warden ; Daniel A. Messner, Treasurer ; Charles Dailey, Secre- tary ; Joseph F. Sleeper, Senior Deacon ; John Gr. 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. 169, I. 0. 0. F., was chartered July 18, 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. Carna- han, Treasurer, and Jesse Daile}^, Secretary. The present officers are Job W. Sabin, Noble Grand ; John P. Ross, Vice Grand ; Mark Brier, Treasurer, and V. M. Benedict, Secretar3^ The building in which the lodge hall is situated was built 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 by Past Grand Master Thomas Underwood, of La Fayette. It is a two-story bi'ick 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 by 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, originally, 96. 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 $600. 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 Grand Patriarch August 26, 1875, and a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge November 16, 1875. The following names appear on the charter : Jacob S. Albaugh, W. C. Wilkinson, Austin Minturn, H. C. Shenkenberger, William M. Scott, V. M. Benedict and John T. Morgan. First officers : H. C. Shenkenberger, Chief Patriarch ; Jacob S. Albaugh, High Priest ; W. C. Wilkinson, Senior Warden ; John J. Morgan, Junior Warden ; Austin Minturn, Treasurer, and V. M. Benedict, Scribe. The present officers are Jacob S. Albaugh, Chief Patriarch ; H. C. Shenkenberger, High Priest ; E. M. Dodson, Senior Warden ; V. M. Benedict, Junior Warden ; M. J. Brier, Treasurer, and Jacob Miller, Scribe. Omega, Rebecca Degree, Lodge, No. 186, I. 0. 0. F., at Oxford, was instituted by dispensation of the Grand Master February 25, 1878, and charter granted March 12, 1878. The following names appear on the charter : HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 293 William M. Scott, Jacob H. Armour, H. C. Shenkenberger, V. M. Benedict. A. E. Mj'ers, Jacob Miller, Mrs. Hattie Scott, Mrs. Marcia Armour, Mrs. Sarah A. Shenkenberger, 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 : Kachel Atkinson, Noble Grand ; Sarah A. Kelley, Vice Grand ; Jacob Miller, Secretary, and Magdalena Miller, Treasurer. Benton Lodge, No. 521, F. & A. M., at Fowler, was organized in Jul}', 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. II. 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 destroyed. Present membership about forty. The following are the present officers : J. H. Hartley, Wor- shipful Master ; S. F. Barnes, Senior Warden ; George Richmire, Junior Wax-den ; 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, 1874, 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. HoUis, 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, Cond. ; Joseph Danner, P. G. of N. G. ; John Chaffer, L. S. of V. G. ; Perry Leraasters, 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. ; IMrs. 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. ; Mrs. 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 charter members, and with the 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, 0. G. ; T. K. Harmon, Q. M. ; C. C. Jackson, Q. S. The Post has enjoj^ed an unusual degree of prosperity', and now numbers seventy -seven members. Since the}' have been an organized body, only one member, P. D. Corkins, has died. The}- meet twice each month in the old Clarion Block, and own property to the value of about $500. 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. V. C. ; P. M. Wiles, Adjutant. Boswell Lodge, No. 486, 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 McArthur 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. R the name and number of which could not be ascertained, was organized October 1, 1881, at Oxford, with the following chaiter members : H. C. Shenkenberger, H. P. Chancellor, J. W. Sargent, Hiram Benedict, William M. McConnell, W. W. Vanover, A. P. Carnahan, William D. Kalb, Elisha Johnson, A. Tittsworth, P. C. Cuppy, Daniel D. Denman, I. T. Pelham, N. D. Coffinberry, John E. Bliss, A. D. Sleeper, J. C. Crosson, 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 ; A. D. Sleeper, Senior Vice Commander ; J. S. Albaugh, Junior Vice Commander ; H. C. Shenkenberger, Surgeon ; J. C. Wilmoth, Officer of the Day ; Hiram Smith, Officer of the Guard ; Z. M. Thomas, Quartermaster, and H. P. Chancellor, Chaplain. The present officers are H. C. Shenkenberger, Commander of Post ; Elisha Johnston, S. V. C. ; William Dugan, J. V. C. ; William M. McConnell, Surgeon ; Hiram Smith, of D. ; J. McLaughlin, 0. of G. ; Hiram Benedict, Quartermaster, and Joseph Carter, Chaplain. At a session of the Board of Commissioners, held in January, 1859, it was " Ordered 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 felons, organ- ized December 27, 1858, and to exist ten years. Approved by us this 15th HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 295 day of JanuaiT, A. D, 1859." At the March session, 1861, the board say : " The West Pnie 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 tlie purpose of detecting and appreliending horse-thieves and other felons, was organized for tlie term nine years, from August 25, 1877, to consist of not less than ten, nor more than forty, members. The articles of association were signed oy Henr}- Robertson, Adam Harper, A. K. Diltz, William H. Boswell, Andrew Johnson, Joseph W. Krmey, 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 Count}- Agricultural Society was organized March 25, 1873, with a capital of $10,000, which was divided into 500 sliares of $20 each. The business of the association was to be transacted by a Board of Directors, of whom there were eleven, tvvo of w:hom were to be chosen annually from Oak Grove Township, and one from each of the other townships in the county. The " Richland & York Fire Insuranc/e Company " was 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 company 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. 1874, auxiliary to the State Medical 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 with shade trees and shrub- bery, and to import horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and other animals for agri- cultural purposes. Capital, $10,000 ; divided into 200 shares of $50 each. Affairs of the association to be managed bv a Board of Directors, to con- 296 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. sist of not less than five nor more than seven members, to be elected annually. The office and place of business of the association were to be at Templeton. The first directors were James Kirtley, M. E. White, J. F. Sleeper, Joseph Atkinson, James Blanchfill, L. Templeton and W. J. Templeton. The names of the original stockholders were W. J. Templeton, Leroy Templeton, Ira Brown, Joseph Atkinson, S. 0. Abernath}', James Kirtley, Cephas Atkinson, J. F. Sleeper, M. E. 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 company as he may think advisable, and pursue, immediately on information, any and all persons charged with criminal offenses against this society, 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 Byard, C. Gr. Phares, John Crosson, John S. Lawson, W. T. Kirkpatrick, George W. 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 LectTire Association was organized December 11, 1882, with Judge Charles Dailey, President ; Prof. E. D. Bosworth, Vice President ; James H. Bell, Secretary, 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- guished lecturers : Dr. Samuel Godfrey, Col. L. F. Copeland, Mary A. Livermore, Dr. James Headley and Hon. Will Cumback. CHURCHES. Joseph Dehart settled in Pine Township, in Section 25, in the spring of 1S49, and says he helped, about the year 1853, to build the first church, as he believes, that was ever built in Benton County. It was a United Brethren Church, and was erected near where Mr. Dehart lived. David Brown and William Brown (brothers) were the first ministers. Among the early mem- bers were Carey A. and Jane Eastburn, John Johnson and wife, Denny Wiggins, Thomas Bowyer and wife, and Ezekiel Dawson and wife. Probably the next church built in the county was the Christian Church, at Oxford, which was dedicated to the service of Almighty God on the 19th day of October, 1855, on which occasion Elder George Campbell preached HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 297 the dedicator)' sermon. The society 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 by Elders John Longly, 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, Lucy Holton, Basil Justus, Jane Justus, Eliza- beth Wiles, William D. Frazee, Mrs. R. N. Parker, Mrs. Martha A. Stembel, Mrs. Maria Templeton and Nancy Williams. Of all those first members, Mrs. Martha A. Stembel and Mrs. Rachel N. Parker are the only 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 Langley, John O'Kane, William Young, John A. Campbell (two or three years), D. R. Lucas, Joseph Franklin, Henry 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 William Jarrett. The M. E. Church, near Robert Timmons', was built about 18G0. 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 1852, Rev. T. C. Workman was one of its first pastors, and Benjamin Winans Pre- siding Elder. Worship was held for years 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 eight}', with a Sunda}' 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 18G3. Father Stephens and Father O'Calahan superintended the main part of the work, and Fatlier Dinneu 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 olliciatetl in 18G5, 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 Mauj ay, from April, 1882, to June, 1882 ; and Father P. J. Crosson, from June, 1882, to the pi'esent 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 $700. 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 Railroad, in an inclosure of about three acres, which contains a beautiful natural grove, and is surrounded by an arbor vitse hedge, which is kept tastefully trimmed, giving the whole a most pleasing aspect. St. Bridget's Church, ^ more commonl}^ 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 yet 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 by Father Dempsey in 1879, at a cost of about $2,500. The church furniture is worth about $500. 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 $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 begin 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 $600. 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. Maujay, the present priest in charge. Father Maujay also supplies the church at Earl Park. The Catholic Church at Earl Park was built about 1881, at a cost of •3: o o UJ X o u. o UJ Q ca UJ or :? u. HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 301 about $1,200. This church has not yet been named. There are six Catholic Churches in the count}-, namely : Saint Patrick's, at Oxford ; Saint John the Evangelist's, at Fowler ; Church at Karl 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 foUaws : Saint John the Evangelist and Earl Park, by Rev. Father C. Mauja}- ; Saint Patrick's and Saint Bridget's, b}- Rev. Father Patrick Crosson ; Saint Anthony's, by Rev. Father Hoss, and Holy Trinity by 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 especially liheral. 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. \V. McMullen, J). J)., 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, 40xG5 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 twent}- 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, from 1879 to 1880 ; C. S. Burgner, from 1880 to 1881, and A. R. Bruner, from 1881 to the present time. Freshyterianism 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 3-oung man ; was a native Kentuckian ; had been brought up in Southern Indiana ; received a classical education in Louisville, Ky., and in 1829 was graduated at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Auburn, N. Y. In September of that year, he returned to Indiana, and that fall made an itinerating preach- ing tour up the Waliash. 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 18 302 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 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 years he held occasional preaching services. Mrs. McConnell was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and the Judge, in his jocular way was wont to say, " He was a Presbyterian brother-in-law," and had a pillow and a plate for all the preachers. There are now in Benton County three Presbyterian Church organiza- tions, with 102 church members, representing sixty-four families, in which are 347 souls. The churches have four Ruling Elders, nine Trustees, and property valued at $9,000. The Oxford Presbyterian 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 twenty-nine. During these thirty years, 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. Phares. 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 temporary 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 interesting 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 years 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 Gothic 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 McEwen, showed that the entire cost of the improvements made amounted to nearly $2,400. The church has an efficient Sabbath school of sixty members. The Presbyterian Church in Fowler was organized September 5, 1873, HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 303 by Revs. Gideon C. Clark and James F. Patterson, with eiglit members The total number received to church meml)ership is eighty-seven ; the pres- ent actual membership is forty-one. The Ruling Elders are Isaac H. Phares and Ayres Sanders. Rev. G. C. Clark preached to the church one-half of his time for eighteen months ; Revs. R. M. Neil and P. Carden 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. Dr. George Hickman and D. R. Love officiating. Both before and soon after its dedication, the church buildino- was severely racked by a \\ind storm, and it became unsafe for occupancy. It has been thoroughl}- 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 $2,500. 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 Presb3'terian Church and its ministers believe in doing missionarv work ; they rarel}- confine their labors to their own congregations, but are ever ready to lend a helping hand to advancing every 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 county; has assisted in the organization of four Blue Ribbon Clubs , was IVesident of the Benton Count}' 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 marriat^e 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 con\"ention in the Presbyterian Church at Fowler, Ind., Wednesda}' evenino^, June 19 1878. Rev. D. R. Love was appointed to conduct the devotional exercises. After singing, and prayer by Rev. J. M. Stallard, the lion. W. H. Leverinn-, 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 followintr officers elected • Rev. C. B. Mock, President; Rev. D. K. Love, Secretary, and (). 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 Daugherty ; Hickory Grove, George Alexander ; Parish Grove, Andrew Hargrave ; Center, Isaac H. Phares ; Pine, C. A. Eastburn ; Gilboa, Perry D. Corkins ; Union, A. V. Flint ; Richland, 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. Brockway, J. L. Carnahan, Robert Chenoweth and Hiram Butterfield, Fowler ; also b}^ Sisters EUmore, Zinn, Bugby and Mock. It was resolved that two conventions be held annually. The second convention was held in the M. E. Church, Fowler, October 9, 1878. The principal address was made by Rev. H. A. Gobin, of La Fayette. 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, L H. Phares, Father Hulse, U. Z. Wylie and A. J. Ford. During the next two years, two conventions were held annually. That of May 27, 1879, was held in the M. E. Church, Oxford, and was opened with an address by 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 " Sunda}' 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 Daugherty chosen Treasurer. The convention of June 1, 1881, 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 Shiloh Schools. The President and Secretary 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 three district conventions in the fall. Also, that hereafter, the annual convention be a delegated body, consisting of " all the clergy resident in, or laboring within the county ; also, the Superintendent and Secretary of every Sabbath school organized in the county, and one delegate for every HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 305 twent5'-five attendants in each school, these delegates to be elected by their several schools." Rev. J. H. Clay pool made the annual adJress. Topic', " Children and Their Teachers." Tlie old officers were unanimously re-elected, viz., O. C. Brockway, President ; Rev. D. R. Love, Secretary ; 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 Sunday schools, with an average attend- ance of 1,517 persons. Seventeen of these schools are ever green, that is, carried on throughout the whole year. 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. — El>.] THE TELEPHONE. In Decembei-, 1882, the Western Telephone Company of Chicago estab- lished a telephone line from Fowler to La Fayette, with offices at Fowler, Atkinson, Templeton, Oxford and Otterbein, in Benton County. The cap- ital with which it was built was raised, principally if not wholly, by the citi- zens of the county subscribing stock, for which coupon tickets were issued, in payment 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 the 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 witii impunity. TOWNS. The first town laid out in Benton County was the town of Oxford, situ- ated on the south half of the southeast ([uarter of Section 18, and the north half of the northeast quarter of Section 19, in Township 24, of Range 7. The following is a description of the survey of the 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 G, on the Section line ; thence, based on the Section line, west to the place of beginning, comprising an area of 14^^^ acres, more or less. The lots all to be 00x120 feet; alleys twelve feet 306 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. wide, and the streets sixty feet wide ; streets and alleys all cross each other at right angles. The public square is 120x252 feet. Ordered that the above description of said town be confirmed by the Board of Commissioners of Benton Count3\ The foregoing is an extract from the record of the pro- ceedings of the Board of Count}^ Commissioners at their September session, 1848. The town was surveyed in the spring of 1843, and at the October term, 1843, of Commissioners' Court, it was " Ordered that the County 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 an}' person moving to and settling in Oxford, and putting up a house worth $200, 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 by the 1st of September, 1846." The following sketch 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 count}' seat of this county, who located the same at the northern part of White Oak Grove, where the town of Oxford now stands. The first house built in Oxford was the court house, a frame building two stories high. Francis Boynton was the architect and builder, Dr. Thompson (late of Rainsville), plasterer, and Isaac Lewis, of Oxford, hod-carrier. The court house stood where the Buckeye 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- nelly 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 by John Carnahan, jew- eler. The first store was a small affair, consisting of a few groceries, beer and whisky, 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, Joseph W. Jackson. The first family was Hartley T. Howard's, who lived in the court house. First couple married, Barton Wood (brother of Aaron Wood) and Mattie Howard, daughter of Hartley T. Howard. A child born to them was the first child born in the town. The first schoolhouse was built of logs, on the lot now occupied by Volney Ben- edict. First church, Christian, G-eorge Campbell, pastor. First literary society, Oxford Lyceum.'" The following, additions have been made to Oxford: By Basil Justus, December 11, 1852, thirty-two lots, two streets and two alleys each way; Ba- sil Justus' Second Addition, December 1, 1855, forty-six lots; James W- HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 307 Barnes" Addition, September 19, 1870, twenty lots; Basil Justus' Tliird Addi- tion, Ma}' 25, 1870, forty-six lots; James Campbell's Addition, November 9, 1870. four lots; Jasper N. ^IcConnell's Addition, June 10, 1872, eight lots; W. J. Templeton's First Addition, April 11, 186G, thirty-one lots; W. J. Tem- pleton's Second Addition. April 2, 1873, eighty lots; W.J. Templeton's Third Addition, June 7, 1873, twelve lots; David McConnell's First Addition, August 28, 1855, thirty-six lots; David McConnell's Second Addition, February 18, 1858, thirty-six lots. B}' order of the Board of Commissioners, March term, 1864, Justus' Third Addition to the town of Oxford, consisting of thirty-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 validit}' 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- ity 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 conve^-ed 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 count}- libra- ry. The library was organized in June, 1852, with Daniel Mills as Librarian, and Joseph W. Jaclcson as Treasurer and Clerk. The election held for the purpose of deciding the question whether Oxford should be incorporated was held at the court house on Jul}' 7, 1869, 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 $20,000. 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; VVilliam 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 Mouse; George Pagett, Postmaster; 308 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. Charles Dailey, attorney; Jacob Miller, Justice of the Peace; Sampson McMil- len, furniture; Jacob Benedict, attorne\^ and Notary- Public; Mrs. Marj' 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 Glreen, restaurant; James Campbell, photog- rapher; Joel C. Wilmoth, hardware ; Smith & Messner, dry goods and cloth- ing; Charles Ross, dentist; Misses Maggie and Lucy Dodson, milliners and dress-mak,ers; Robert Wood, saddles and harness; Mark J. Brier, blacksmith and cai-riage shop; Miss Lizzie Sunderland, milliner and dress-maker; Dr. A. S.Wells; Dr. Jonathan Kolb; Larason & Bro., tile factory; Allen McGuire and Washington L. Bryant, painters; John Richards, barber; Benedict & Wine- gardner, Elisha Johnson, Smith & Steele, and Greorge W. Bliss, carpenters. TOWN 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, 1,602 lots and twenty blocks, ranging from one to ten acres. The following additions have been made from time to time : Fowler's Addition of outlots on the east side of the original plat, consisting of forty-nine lots, ranging fi'om 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. Henrj^ D. Clark built the first business house in the town of Fowler in June, 1871, 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 ever3'thing and not much of anything. He pros- pered, however, and increased his stock from time to time, until he came to have a pretty fair 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 by William Warner. The third house was built by John E. Mitchell. During the sum- mer and fall 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 Gr. J. Lobdell, grocer, and Snyder & Crandall, hardware. Henr^^ 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 M. 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 Henr\' 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 ; Snyder & Crandall, hard- ware ; John H. McClar^-, restaurant ; 0. C. Brockway, general merchandise; M. J. Carr, saloon ; Benjamin Schaffer, general merchandise ; G. W. Jones & Co., druggists ; Ed Williams, boots and shoes ; Trent & Eakin, groceries; Rosenthall Bros., clothing ; J. 31. Jones, merchant tailor ; Baile}^ & Warner, dry goods and groceries ; Tiiomas Baldwin, furniture and undertaker ; Leon Simonds, drugs ; H. Butterfield, harness-maker ; A. Meyer, dry goods and groceries ; Mrs. Woods, milliner}' store ; Mrs. Westman, millinery ; James Simpson, grocery 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., grocer}'" and bakery ; Chaffer & Son, grocery and baker}' ; 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 ; Henry Templeton, Summit House ; E. Mombleau, harness; Barnes & Payne, druggists ; Frauk Taylor, Postmaster ; J. S. Palissard, dry goods ; S. Seney, groceries ; Jacob Smith, boots 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, livery 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 OF BENTON COUNTY. vacated : All that part lying west of Washington avenue and south of Seventh street ; said tract being bounded on the north bj' Seventh street, on 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 Raub consisted originall}- 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 by 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 story 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 next 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, when he sold to W. W. Wilson & Co. The next was the building now occupied by Thomas Keefe. built by Dehner & Ferdinand in the summer and fall of 1874, for a drug store. This building was subsequently occupied 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 Burry 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 & Co., hardware, agricultural implements and lumber ; Thomas O'Neil, notions ; B. Brown, blacksmith ; John Plunkett, blacksmith. TOWN OF EARL PARK. Earl Park was laid out July 31, 1872, by Adams Earl and wife, and A. D. Raub, and consisted of 217 lots. The first building erected in Earl Park was the grain elevator, by Hixson, Sherry & Mclntyre. The second was the hotel now kept by Moxie 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 stock. Next, Robert Kelly, store room and residence together, general stock. About same time, H. M. Beckwith moved his residence from York Township, a distance of about nine miles. Beckwith, the first Justice of the Peace in the town. HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY. 313 First drug store, John E. M. Stout. In the summer of 1872, Raub & Earl put up a building in which the}' started a general store. Calix Buchard was the first blacksmith. His shop was moved into the town from some other localit}'. 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. The}' cost about $2,500 each. The schoolhouse was built about 1874, one-stor}' 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. Follansbee & Co., general store ; Eli Douglas, boots and shoes ; H. M. Beckwith, general store and post office ; Bracken- brough & Brothers, dry goods and groceries ; Joseph Laroche, harness shop ; Thomas Mclnerney, saloon ; Drs. R. R. Boice & Son, drugs ; Hartley & Hoi ton, groceries ; S. R. Meader, hotel ; Laurence Braugh, saloon ; Jerry Tinsman, meat shop ; R. Gers, bakery 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 & Henr}-, dealers in grain, lumber, hardwood, furniture, coal and wood, and stock dealers ; Charles El. Woodington, agent C, I. St. L. & C. Railroad Co. Present teachers, Joseph S. Van Natta and wife ; pastor M. E. Church, Rev. Braner ; Catholic Priest, Rev. Father Maujay. TOWN OP TEMPLETON. 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 bv 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, b}' 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 b}' W. J. Templeton. Next, a residence by James E. Murdock, now occupied bj- Col. W. J. Templeton. Next, the Junction House, b}' J. Yj. 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 b}' John Stingle & Olne}-, now owned by Stingle. Mrs. Johnson's residence was built in 1876 ; tile factory, built b}' John Fernald, in 18S1, twelve hundred feet of shed, two large kilns, one at each end, run by steam power. Present business : David Lanham 314 HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY, & Co., dry goods and groceries, a large stock ; Joseph Dehart, notions, and butcher 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, 1872, 112 lots ; addition by Samuel P. Smith and wife December 22, 1872, twenty- three lots ; another b}" 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, fortj'-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 by S. P. Smith, about three years 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 by A. Murphy, 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 Oxford ; general stock put in by Hash & Buckles. Next, a building with two rooms, put up by Taylor & Smith, and McKnight & Spies ; general stock in each room. Next building, in the southwest part of town, a residence by Lewis Halston. Next, a hotel (the Boswell House). Pioneers in the diflferent lines of busi- ness : McKnight & Brother, general stock ; H. N. Carson, hardware ; Charles Hoffman, drugs ; I. B. Ebberly, blacksmith and wagon-maker ; Jacob Vole, 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 ; Grillespie & Son, groceries ; James T. Moore, saloon ; W. T. Keys, hardware ; Thomas Knott, harness ; C. L. Foster & Co., boots and shoes ; William Baile}', barber ; Grillespie & Brother, furniture and groceries ; Grilger & 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. Clancey, bakery and confectioner}' ; M. Melvin, groceries ; Asa Vanover, Vanover House ; W. D. Simpkins, Boswell House ; Abe Potter, livery ; W. A. Dunshee, livery ; Dr. J. W. Green, Dr. J. H. Whitcomb, Dr. J. B. Christley and Dr. J. Simpkins, physicians ; Smith «& Ebberly, blacksmiths and wagon-makers ; Stokes & Myers, carpenters and builders ; S. P. Smith and S. H. Arms, grain dealei's ; Wesley Alexander, coal dealer ; Mrs. J. Richards, milliner and dress-maker ; Albert Brant, marble shop ; 0. 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- Ia3'er8 ; Miller & Ray, painters. TOWN OF 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 by James C. Pugh, and is now owned by Washington Pu5'ichols) Brockway, natives of New York, and of English and Irish de- scent respectively. Chauncey Brockwaj' was born in 1798. served m the war of 1812, has lived under the administration of every President of the United States, has been a member of the Baptist Church since 1815, and is yet living in Kankakee County, 111. His wife was born 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, anil was born December 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, but when nineteen years old began teaching, and continued for fourteen years, also paint- ing and farming. From 1850 to 1860, he was farming and luml)ering in New Hamp- shire and a part of the time was manager of two saw mills. Ill health compelled him to give thi^upin I860, and the siime year he cam' to Illinois. Leasing a place in Champaign County, heen-i^aged in the stock busin<;ss. T!ie cold weather of 18i»2-63 killed four hundred sheep and large quantities of other stock, value about $2,500. In 1863, he sold this propertj* and returned to New Hampshire. In 1866. he again came West and located on Section 21, Center Township, Benton Coimty. Ind , and in part- nership with Mr. Seabury purchased the whole of Section 21. and again engaged in stock dcalinir and farming. Mr. Brown owned land in Benton County until June, 1882, when he sold out. and is now residing in Fowler. In 1S7(), he went to Texas and Mexico and dealt in stock several montlis. He has succeeded in making a good home. Mr. Brown is a Democrat, and for two years was a member of the New Hampshire Legislature, and has held other local positions. He was married. May 23, 18.50, to Frances L. Bunday, and they have had four children — George B.. Char- lie II., decea.sed, Mary L. and Fr<'d A. Mr. Brown is a son of Aaron and Eda (Watts) Brown, both of whom were of English ancestry, and on the paternal sidt, of Puritan progenitors. SIMON 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 Barbara A. 326 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: (Conrad) Carter, natives of Ohio. Soon after tlie birth of Simon F., his father died, after which his mother removed to Warren County, where she married Hiram Wil- kenson. To this marriage were born six children, and in 1848 tiie family removed to Oak Grove, now a part of Grant Township, Benton County, where Mr. Wilken- son died in 1852. Mrs. Wilkenson is living, and resides in Oxford. Simon F. Car- ter, in 1854, 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 1858. He changed the name of his paper to Benton County Expositor, continuing this as a local county periodical, independ- ent in politics, for a few months; then sold out to Calvin Snyder, 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 these terms, he became connected with the Oxford Tribune, but in 1873 severed his connection witli this paper to enter the County Clerk's office as Deputy. In 1874, he was elected principal in this office, to .succeed Capt. Scott, SIS a compromise candidate. At the end 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 tliree 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 Town- ship, Warren County, Ind., November 4, 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, where 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. They were accompanied to this country by the parents of Mrs. Dinwiddle, in a two-horse 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 education, closing his schooling by a course in the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso. He began the study of law, in 1877, with Straight & 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 12, 1881, he married Miss Annie Hinkley, who was born March 12, 1855, in Monmouth County, N. J., and is a member of the Christian Church. D. J. EASTBURN, editor and proprietor of the Benton County Review, is a na- tive of Iroquois County, 111., and was born May 10, 1845. He was reared on a farm until 1869, and attended the district schools. He afterward attended school at Bat- tle Ground, in Tippecanoe County, Ind., until 1864, when he entered Asbury Uni- versity, at Greencastle, Ind., from the classical department of which institution he graduated July 1, 1869. The season following, he served as Principal of the Kent- land High School, after wliich he embarked in the drug trade at Sheldon, 111., con- tinuing until the spring of 1874, when he sold out and removed to Hutchinson, Kan. He remained there only one season, then returned to Slieldou. and in 1875 purchased an interest in the Sheldon Enterprise, of which he became sole owner and editor three months later. In November, 18S0, he moved the press and material to Kent- land, Ind., and established the Newton County News, continuing the publication of that periodical until March 1883, when he leased the office, which was burned the month following in the Kentland disaster. March 5, 1883, Mr. Eastburn became a resident of Fowler, where he has since conducted the Benton Review. Under his management, the Revieic has become one of the leading local papers of Northwestern Ind., and an influential factor in Benton County. Mr. Eastburn is a Democrat. He is a fearless writer, an able editor and an excellent localist, which renders him well fitted for the work in which he is engaged. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, in the former order having advanced to the Knights Templar degree. He was married at Watseka, 111., February 12, 1873, to Miss Carrie H. Lyon," and to them one daughter has been born— Ethel C, born December 1, 1873. Mr. Eastburn is a son of Jesse and Jane (Smedly) Eastburn, who settled in Iroquois County, 111., in 1835, and were the par- ents of nine children, four of whom are yet living. Jesse Eastburn died September 3, 1873, but his widow yet survives him. TOWN OF FOWLER AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 327 "WILLIAM R. IIARKRIDER, a native of Indiana, was born near Indianapolis. August 29. 1844. and when eigiit 5'ears old moved with his parents, Jacob and Min- erva (McCorniick) Ilarlvrider. to Warren County, Ind. His mother was twice mar- ried, lirst to Mr. Cooper who died, leaving one daughter. Mrs. Cooper afterward married Mr. Ilarkridcr, and to this marriage were born eleven children, all of whom are living, and all married e.xeepting one. The parents are still living. William R. Ilarkrider is the second born of this family, and while in youth received a limited education. August 14, IHOa, 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 Walker's Ford, and in several skirmishes. He worked as a carpenter about four years in Warren County. and November 10, 1867, was married to Elizabeth Mount. He became a resident of Btnton County in 1869, fol- lowed farming until 1880, and then embarked in the livery l)usiness at Fowler. Mr. Ilarkrider has one of the best stables in tlie county, comprising fifteen driving horses, and eleven first-class rigs. He has 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 United Brethren Church. T. K. HARMAN, ex-Sheriff of Benton 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, and ten years later to near Remington, Jasper County, where both still reside. T. K. llarman is tlie eldest of eight children, five of whom are living, born to John 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 which time he had enlisted, had expired> Mr. Harman re-enlisted in the same company. He was discharged in December, 1863, by reason of disability, but during his service participated in the battles of 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 1876, 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 was married. February 4, 1877. to Miss May Grant, and they have had three children— Kate, Pearl (deceased) and Grace. Mr. Harman is a member of the Masonic order, I. O. O. F. and G. A. R., and is one of the enterprising men of the countv. J. K. HARTLEY was born October 16. 1844, in Hawkins County, Tenn. "When four years old, he removed with his parents. William L. and Matilda (Anderson) Hartley, to Ripley County, Ind. After completing a two years' course at Moore's Hill College, he engaged in farming two years, and, in 1867. began clerking in a dry foods store at Catlin, 111., where he was married December 16. 1868. to Miss Deborah . Hodges. Shortly after this event, he engaged in merchandising, and, in March, 1871, together with his brotlier. George S.. removed to Indianola. and established a mercantile business. In 1877, they began similar business at Earl Park, Benton County. Ind., continuing three years, and for the ensuing four months traveled througli all the States and Territories of the "West. In August, 1^80, the Hartley brothers purchased their brick block, now occupied by A. Meyer, where thev con- ducted a successful mercantile business of about .^40,000 per annum, until March. 1883, when they sold out, and in June, 18S3, J. K. Hartley and L. A. Warden iisso- ciated to^^ether 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 tw© daughters— Valley Pearl and Maud Golden. BENJAMIN HA"WKINS is a native of Butler County. Ohio, and was born October 2H. 1813. He is one of six living children, in a family of nine l)nrn to Levi and Mary Hawkins, natives, respectively, of South Carolina and (Jcorgia, and of English and Welsli descent. The grandfatlier of Levi Hawkins emigrated to Amer- ica Ix'fore the Revolutionary war, and settled on the James River, in Virginia, where he embraced the Quaker religion. He afterward settled in Soutli Carolina, where he passed the remainder of his life. His son. the grandfather of the subject, being opposed to slavery, emigrated into Oiiio in 1S0,5, where lie afterward died. Levi Hawkins and family removed to Tippecanoe County. Ind., wlieic he and wife died in is:{:{ nnd 1H"J6 re.- 329 wife died January 30. 1881, and lies by the side of her children at Rainsville. Mr. Jacobs is a Rt'publican. For forty years lu; has Ijeen a member of the Odd Fellows., B. F. JOHNSON, Superinteiidcnt of tlie schools of Benton County, is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, and was born at Zanesville October 4, 1847, and is a son of Abel and Sarah (Smith) .Johnson, wlio were of English and Franco-German descent respectively. The family emigrated to Huntington County, Ind., in 1850, and three j-ears 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 RidgevilleCol lege. In 1868, he became a public teacher, and his first si.x terms were ecjually di- vided between Indiana and Illinois. For eight years he was Principal of the schools of Montpelier, Ossian and Oxford, but in iwi was elected Superintendent of the schools of Benton County. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Republican. November 8, 1878, 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 Cluirch. G. W. JONES & BROTHER. This lirm was first established in September, 1877, as Jones & Johnson, and for four years the partnership continued, carrying a stock of drugs in value about $.'5,000. The firm became G. vV. Jones & Brotiier in September. 1881. They carry drugs, paints, oils, patent medicines and stationery, amounting in value to §3, .500, and thej' transact an average annual business of about .$10,000. George W. Jones is a native of Indiana, and was born Jul}- G, 18.50, in Bartholomew County. He is one of five surviving children in a family of seven born to Worden 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 drag 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. Ei.DuN F. JoNKs 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 with his brother. .MARTIN McCASLIN,'a native Hoosier, was born in Marion County October 29. 1'843, 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 CountJ^ locating there as early as 1830, and, being a millwright by trade, erected some of the first mills on White River. He and wife are living in Marion County on a farm, a few miles from the State capital. For thirt}' 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 ago, and until 1873 had charge of the home farm. June 11, 1873. he was married to Lydia A. Nelson, and in November of the same year moved to lloopeston. 111., and engaged in merchandisiuf^. continuing until 1879, when he moved to Fowler, which has since been his home. Mr. McCaslin is a Democrat, and to him and wife two children have been born — Carl and Paul. JOHN F. McCONNELL was born October 26, 1831, in Warren County, Ind., and is one of ten children born to David and Mary (Moore) ]^IcConnell. 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 ins uncle, Samuel McConnell. He has follower! the business of farming all his life, and has never left Benton County since his first .settlement in it. He lived with his father until ai)out twenty-nine years of age, when he was married, and lived in Oxford until 1873, wh(m he came to Center Township and purchased a farm 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 the 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 countv. J. B. McKINNEY came to" Fowler, Benton County. Ind.. in March, 1881, erected the building on the corner of Fifth and A'lams .streets, and in connection with his brotiier, wlio conducts a similar business at Red Key, Ind., opened a hardware and implement store. He has oiieof tlie largest and best selected stocksof 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 1882, he transacted a business of $41,000, and during 1883 will exceed that amount by more than $4,000. Mr. McKinney was born in Jay County, Ind., December 11, 1850, and is one of nine children in the family of Joseph J. and Eliza- beth (Maitlan) McKinney. The former traces his ancestry to four brothers who came to Penn.sylvania from Ireland about two hundred years ago; the latter is of Scotch descent, and both are natives of Ohio, but removed to Jay 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. McKinney was married, November 10, 1873, to Sarah J. Dunn, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, and they have three children — Arthur D., Nellie A. and Harley J. Both parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. McKin- ney is a Democrat. W. T. McNEIL, attorney at law, is a native of Montgomery County, Ind., and was born January 26, 1853. 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. In May, 1878, 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 publication of the Eye, making a success of it in every respect; he then sold it, and it was then merged into the RepuUicnn, and afterward converted into the Era. Since his retirement from journalistic work, Mr. McNiel has devoted his attention to the study of law and working insurance. In politics, he is an uncom- promising Republican, and although a member of no church, is of the Methodist Episcopal faith. DR. J. S. MAVITY, a Hoosier by birth, was born in Ripley County February 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 1836, and there Mr. Mavity 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 years, after- ward teaching school in Indiana and Illinois six years. He began the study of medicine under Drs. Smith & Wagner, of Newman, 111., and in 1870-71 attended the State Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis. The latter year he opened an office in Tipton, Ind., and remained there just five years, then 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 County He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and Mrs. Mavity is a member of the Presbyterian Church. September 6, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary A. Hart, a native of Franklin County, Ind., and to their union have been born six children— Roliert Ernest (deceased), David Everett, Joseph Halles, Agnes (deceased), William Asher and Helen. MERRICK & TRAVIS, attorneys and counselors at law, and adjustors of land titles, formed their partnership at Fowler in March, 1875, and have since been rec- ognized as one of the prominent legal firms of the Benton Coimty bar. 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 senior partner, was born in Wabash County, Ind., June 7, 1842, and is one of four surviving children in a family of six born to Isaac and Margaret (Latchem) Merrick, natives of Dover, Del. The parents moved to Fayette County, Ind., in 1885, 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 December, 1870. His widow and three children are yet living in Wabash County. Thomas L. Merrick was reared and educated in his native county. He enlisted as a private in Company F, One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in September, 1862. He participated in the Milton en- gagement, Mission Ridge, and some severe skirmishes. By reason of ill-health he was relieved from active field work after the last named battle, and until his dis- charge in July, 1865, was on detached duty. He began the study of law with Pettit & Cowgill, of Wabash, and in 1'867 located in Oxford for the practice of his profession. At the time of his location, he was the third attorney then practicing in the county. In 1875, he removed to Fowler, which has since been his home. He is a Republican, and in 1870 was elected State's Attorney for the counties of Benton, White and Car- roll. He is the present Noble Grand of Fowler Lodge No. 460, I. O. O. F. He was married June 29, 1875, to Miss Jennie Hawkins. They have one daughter— Laura. TOWN OF FOWLER AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 331 Mrs. Merrick bolonj^s to the Methodist Episcopal CImrch, and is the daui^hter of Robert Iliiwkiiis, one of the old pioneers of Benton County. Henry S. Travis is a native of Peunsylvania, and was bora in Annstroni? County. September 4, 18t8. His father. Stephen Travis, was l)orn in ISOO, and died June 14. 18">1. His mother, Frances Travis (her maiden name was the same as her husband's), was born in 1807, and died at Rensselaer June 13, 1873. Henrv S. Travis received only one year's sehoolinj; in youth, but perseverance under ditfl';ulties enabled him to secure a teacher's twelve months' certiticate wlien twenty years old. With the proceeds derived from one term's teaching, he became a student at Illinois State Normal School, where he remained two .school years; then came to Rensselaer, Ind., and taught tlie intermediate department in tlie graded schools one term. In 1870, he began the stud}' of law with Dwiggins ct Thonipson, 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 moving to Ox- ford, Benton County, where he continued practicing law until his removal to Fowler in 1875. 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. Ilalstead, 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 continueil six years with success. For the succeeding two years he was engaged in the hotel business, first as proprietor of the Fowler House, and, after it was burned, of the Summit House. March 10, 1883, he embarked in liis pn^sent business, which has averaged $2,00') per month. He carries a full and complete line of dry goods, hats, caps, boots, shoes, groceries, queensware and glassware, amounting in value to about $10.00 •. Mr. ^lej'cr is a native of Strasbourg. France, and was born October 13, 1837. He had excellent schooling advantages, and, besides his native language, speaks German, Hebrew and English equally well. In 18(55, he crossed the 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'ouly $11, but by persistent pluck and good business management, he has ac(iuired valuable property. Owing to a too generous disposition, he has at different ^times lost thousands of dollars by having to pa}' 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, first 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 Y'ork. 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 Abbey (Dodge) Mitchell, natives of Colchester, Conn., and of Irish descent. John E. Mitchell was educated at the district schools, and began working at the painter's trade when fourteen years old, but 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 (Jolburn, 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 at Pyrmont, Ind. In March, 1869, he opened a shop at Hickory Grove. In March. 187'2, he raised the first building in Fowler, it being a blacksmith shop, on the corner of Washing- ton avenue and Fourth street. He was the first Postmaster of the phue. and has remained here ever since, steadily engaged at his trade. February 13, 1S33, he pat- ented a new cultivator plow. He has disposed of half of his interest to Mr. Adams D. Raul). They expect to introduce their patent over the whole country. Mr. Mit- chell is a Republican, a member of the liluc; Lodge in Masonry, and he and wife are parents of three living children — Sarah E., Wilbur L. and Gili)ert D. WILLIAM MOORE, Treasurer of Benton County, is a native of Adams County, Ohio, ancl was born October 30, 1S17. In March, 1H31, his parents, \Villiam and Keziah f Baldwin) Moore, emigrated to Warren County. Ind., and entered Govern- nicnt land, wiiich they imitroved and lived on the rcniaindcr of their lives. Will- iam Moore, subject of this l)iograi)hy. is one of twelve children, seven of whom arc living. He was reared on a farm, and had a common school education. At the age of eighteen, he began working for himself. In 1S40, 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 cabin, began farming. He rern.iined there until \xi'>\). then moved to Tippecanoe County, 332 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. for the purpose of educatiiii^ his children at the Battle Ground School. He was en- gaged in various pursuits here until his return to Bolivar Township, Benton County, in 1873. He was elected County Treasurer in 1880. Mr. Moore is a Republican, but previous to 1856 was a Democrat. He began life a poor boy, but by economy and industry has accumulated comfortable surroundings. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have had born to them the 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. J. PURDY, M. D., is of Hoosier birth, and was born in Clifton County, April 2, 1849. He is the third of eight children born to George F. and Mahala (Luddington) Purd3% natives of Onondaga County, IST. Y., and of Scotch and Ger- man descent respectively. The family removed to Ohio in 1843, and later to Kirk- lin, Clinton County, Ind., where the father of Dr. Purdy first engaged in farming, afterward in mercantile pursuits. He died in 1878, but his widow yet survives him, and resides in Kirklin. A. J. Purdy was reared in his native county, and was edu- cated in the public schools, afterward attending three years at school in Frankfort. In 1869, he became a student of Dr. C. H. Smith, of Kirklin, and the winter of 1872-73 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 with the growth or the town, and he has been remarkably suc- cessful. The winter of 1879-80 he attended half a term of lectures at his old alma mater, which had since taken the name of the Medical College of Indiana, but, owing to sickness in his family, was unable to complete his course; but the term of 1880-81 he graduated from that institution, receiving his degree of M. D. Dr. Purdy is one of the enterprising citizens of the place. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is a Republican. October 28, 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. WILLIAM ROMEL was born February 4, 1848, in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and is one of eight children born to Henry and Margaret (Sturch) Romel, both natives of Germany. Henry Romel was born July 30. 1814, and received a common school education in his own language. He has followed the business of farming all his life, having owned a farm in Germany. In about 1835, he was married and in 1854 moved with his family to Oxford, Benton County, Ind., where he rented and worked farms until 1868, when 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 in the common schools of Benton and Warren Counties, has always followed the business of farming and has always lived with his father's family. In 1876, he bought a farm of eighty acres and has since added 40 acres. Mr. Romel still re- mains unmaiTied, and in politics both he and father are Democrats, and old settlers and prominent men of the county. AYERS SANDERS was born May 17, 1830, in Washington County, Penu., and is one of fourteen children born to Absalom and Phebe (Ayers) Sanders. Absalom Sanders was a native of New Jersey and when about eight years of age moved with his parents to Washington County, Penn., where he obtained his education, which was limited on account of the meager school facilities of that time. He followed farming all his life and died in Pennsylvania in about 1852. He and wife were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. Ayers Sanders received his education in his na- tive State, lived with his father's family until he was about twenty j^ears of age, and then farmed out until 1864, and in that year came to Center Township, and lived on the place now owned b}^ Benjamin Speers, staying there two years, when he came to the farm of eighty acres, previously bought, upon which he still resides. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is an Elder in tliat society. Mr. Sanders was married, October 8, 1842, to Eliza1)eth Baine. a native of Pennsylvania, and one son, Simon S., was born to this union. Mrs. Sanders died January 13, 1844, and Mr. Sanders was next married, in December, 1846, to Maria Dodd, and two children were the result of this union. Mrs. Maria Sanders died April 16, 1855, and June 5, 1856, Mr. Sanders married Mrs. Catharine Mahafy. In politics, he is a Republican, and one of the early settlers of the county. MICHAEL SCANLON, County Sheriff, is a native of Virginia, and was born November 27, 184S. He is one of nine children, six yet livihg, born to Morris and Naacy (Connor) Scanlon, natives of Ireland, and who came to the United States abou!>i§28. Morris Scanlon followed farming after coming to Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 1850. He died in the latter place in 1857, bat his widow is living and re- sides near Boswell. Michael Scanlon was reared in Tippecanoe and Benton Coun- ties, and since 1864 has made his home in Benton County. He received a common TOWN OF FOWLER AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 333 school education, and when twenty years of age began doing for himself. In Feb- ruary. 18(55, 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 hack to Grant Township and remained there until November, 1.S82, when he was elected to his present po.sition. Mr. Scanlon is a member of the G. A. R. at Boswell and is a Democrat. NEWTON SHEETZ, Recorder of Benton Count., is a native of this county, and was b(un in Pine Township, July 8, 18.56. His home was with his parents until he attained his majority, and in 1878 he began his public career as Deputy Count_> Sherilf, but in 188"2 was elected to his present position, in which capacity he has since served. John R. Sheetz. 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 earl}' day, and his occupation through life was farming. He was an honest and industrious man, and by hard work and economy acquired a good home. In 1852, he was united in marriage with Lucy Tcmpleton, and to their union were born the following children: Frances, Mrs. D. J. Eastburn; Newton, g resent County Recorder; James L., a farmer of White County; Agnes L., Deputy ounty Recorder; William, Isabell, Minnie, Johnnie, deceased, and Albert. DAWSON SMITH, attorney at law, is a native of England and was born in Yorkshire, March 25, 1840. 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, lie 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, l865, 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 year the)' were attacked bj' typhoid fever and none survived. In 1868, Mr. Smith came to Mouticello, 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 member 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 §5,000. The year preceding this, he erected his present store building, a two storj' brick 20x60 feet. Plis business has so increased as to necessitate an |8, 000 selected stock of goods. He transacts an average annual business of between $18,000 and |2 '.OOO. Mr. Smith is a native of Stark Count)'. Ohio, and was born December 22, 1835. With his parents, Michael and Mary (Smith) Smith, he removed West in 1844, and located in Miami County, Ind. He received a common school education and at nineteen 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 journeynum. In 1S57, 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 bein^ natives of Alsace, Germany. He is a Republican, a member of the Blue Lodge m Masonry, and is the President of the Board of Trustees of Fowler. September 6, 18.56, he was united in marriiige with Miss Susan Iloaglin, and they have had five children — Alice, deceased; William D., deceased; Minnie, Cornelius T. and Ida. The parents are members of the Mctiiodist Episcopal Church of Fowler. J. P. SMITH & CO. This firm was first established by J. P. Smith. J. F. Bar- nard and J. M. Dixon, in August, 1877, with a cash capital of $4,' OO. Until the summer of 1N78, they dealt almost exclusively in lumber, coal and farm wagons. They then added an agricultural implement store. In August. 1^79, Mr. Dixon's interest was purchased by W. B. Hix.son. 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 onler 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 factory, the fall of 1882, the shed of which was 20x150 feet. They built one kiln, added 334 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: some of the best and latest machinery, and before the season was over the demand necessitated increased capacity. In April, 1883, they lengthened their shed to 550 feet, and built two more kilns, while the drying capacity was increased by three tiers of portable shelves throughout the entire shed. Each kiln has a capacity of three car loads, while the present drying power is eighteen car loads. The machin- ery has a capacity of about 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 $12,000, and their ice trade, for which they have a storage capacity of 350 tons, 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. (Wagcrman) Smith, to Hamilton County, lud. 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 the expiration of six months. Mr. Smith purchased his part- ner's interest, and conducted the business alone until 1875, 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, 1843. He is the youngest son of six children, five of whom are yet living, born to Isaac and Hannah (Gaskill) Smith, natives of Virginia and New Jerse3% and of German and English descent respectively. Mr. Smith is yet living in Montgomery County, 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 years. In 1870, he began the study of law at Crawfordsville, in the office of M. D. White, an attorney, but in 1873 located at Oxford, then the county 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, 1882. Mr. Smith is a Democrat, 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 about $8,000; while judging from their sales since the firm's organization, they transact an average annual business of between $18,000 and $20,000. Their store is on Fifth street, near the corner of Washington avenue, where Mr. Zinn handled hardware for a number of j'ears. Each member of the firm being an ex-farmer, they know precisely what farmers most desire, which they furnish at reasonable figures. William Snyder was born in Tippeecanoe Covmty, Ind., March 14, 1833, and is one of seven children born to John and Rachel (Ridgeway) Snyder, natives of Ross County, Ohio. About 1827, the parents emigrated to Tippecanoe County, Ind., entered land, engaged in farming, and died in 1842 and 1853 respectively. William Snyder was educated in the common schools, and after his mother's marriage with Solomon Young, and when sixteen years old, he began working for himself. In 1855, he was employed teaming between Keokuk and Chariton, Iowa, and in 1856 was with General Lane on his expedition in Kansas. In 1857, he returned to Indiana, and January 15, of that year married Amanda Kenton, a grand-daughter of Simon Kenton, the celebrated scout and Indian fighter, and in 1858 again returned to Iowa. In 1859, he started for Pike's Peak, but gave this up, and the winter of 1859-60 was employed as railroad bridge carpenter between Corinth and Mobile, Ala. He then returned to Benton County, Ind., and enlisted April 21, 1861, in Company D, Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Rich Mount- ain, Greenbrier, Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville and Stone River, being wounded by a shell in the last-named battle. In 1863, he served through Hoover's Gap, Tullahoma, and while on a charge at Mission Ridge, he was sliot so severely in the left arm by a minie ball as to necessitate the removal of one bone, the mZ««, effectually putting an end to his military career. He was discharged May 8, 1864, returned to Benton County, and has since made it his home. He was engaged in farming until 1868, when he was elected County Auditor and re- elected in 1872. Since 1876, he has followed farming and merchandising. His first wife dying in 1858, he married her sister, Mary J., on the 12th of May, 1864. Mr. Snyder is a Republican, 'a member of the I. O! O. F. and the G. A. R. To his present marriage eight children have been born— Grant, Charley N., Jennie, deceased, Tom B., two that died in infancy, without names, Herbert, deceased, and Laura. Myron Crandall, a native of Cook County, 111., was born August 9, 1848, and is one of eight surviving children in a family of nine born to Mark and Eliza Crandall, natives of the States of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively, and of Irish and German descent. Mark Crandall TOWN OF FOWLER AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 335 emigrated westward when eighteen years old, and stopped for a time in Chicago, then an unpromising village. He refused to trade his yoke of spotted cattle for 160 acres of land, on a part of wliioli the court house now stands. He pre-empted a farm in the northern part of the county, improved it, tlien traded it for a larger tract, and continued until he became a large land owner. He is living in Cook County. Myron Crandall grew to manhood in his native county, and had a common school education. At twenty-two years of age he began on his own account. January 26, 1871, he married Miss Elmira Gilson, a daughter of De.xter Gilson, a pioneer of Cook County, III. Shortly afterward he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Ford County, 111.; but in 187") he removed to Center Township, Benton County, Ind. He still owns his farm of 160 acres in Center Township. Mr. Crandall is .a Republican, and served one year as Road Superintendent. He is a prominent citizen, and he and wife are the parents of three children — Clara, Elmer and Elva. BENJAMIN F. SPEERS was born September 22, 1833, in Pike County, Ohio, and is the oldest of three children born to George and Jane (Summers) Speers. George Speers was a native of Pennsj-lvania. received his education in tliat State ; learned the stone cutter's trade while young, and followed that in connection with farming all his life. Before his mTirriage he removed to Pike Count)'. Ohio, where he remained until his death, about 1840. He was a member of the F. & A. M., and Mrs. Speers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and resides with her son. Benjamin F. Speers received a common school education, principally in his native State, and when about eight years of age his father died, since when he has lived with his mother and sister. In 1853, he removed with his mother to Oak Grove Township, and for a niunber of years rented a farm owned by W. II. Ellsworth, and then a farm owned by B. S. Williams. He next went to Tippecanoe County, where he remained live years, after which he returned to Oak Grove Township. In 1880, he came to Center Township, and bought the farm of 160 acres upon which he still resides. Mr. Speers was married, October 31, 1870, to Mary Scott, a native of Jasper County, Ind., and two children — Rosw^ell C. and Nathaniel E.— have been born to them. In politics, Mr. Speers is a Republican, and takes an active interest in all political movements of the day. CARVER STANFIELD, farmer and ex-Sheriff of Benton County, was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., March 27, 1835, and is one of eight living children in a family of ten born to John and Catharine (Cox) Stanlield, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee respectively, and of English descent. .lohn Stanfield and wife, im- mediately after their marriage in Tennessee, emigrated into the Hoosier State in 1817, and eleven \'ears later removed to Tippecanoe County, where they passed the remainder.of their lives. Mr. Stanfield was an honored farmer, and died the summer of 1878, followed by his widow some eighteen months later. Carver Stanfield was reared on a farm and secured a good practical education, and for four years pursued the vocation of a Hoosier schoolmaster. He was married to Miss S. E. Wilson in 1852, and for four years afterward engaged in farming in his native count}- ; then removed to Pine Township, Benton County, where he continued farming until his election to the office of County Sheriff in 1880. For two years he administered the duties of this office, since when he has been engaged in farming. Mr. Stanfield is a Repub- lican, a member of the Masonic order, and to him and wife four children have been born— Mary. Sarah, John and Elfie. STRAIGHT & WILEY, attorneys bf Benton County, formed their partnership in December, 1875, and have since continued prosperously. Both members of this firm have been residents of Benton County for about ten years, and their acknowl- edged ability and unquestioned integrity have r.inked them among the most success- ful lawyers of Western Indiana. David E. Straight, senior partner in the firm, is a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y. He is one of .seven surviving children in a family of ten i)orn to Arby 1'. and Philcna (Simmons) Straight, and was born Au- gust 18, 1832. He was reared in his native State, and received there an academical education, finished by a two years' course in the Michigan State University. In 1855, in company with two older brothers, he went to I^IcLean County, 111., pmvhased a half-section of land, and for some time was engaged in farming and working at the carpenter's trade. In 1H.5H. he was married to Miss Annie M. Cassady. and from that time until tiie breaking-out of the war. was engaged in farming and teaching. Au- gust 6. 1M()2, he was mustered into the United St.iles service as private in Company E, One Hiindred and Twenty ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was a partici- pant in the battles of Perry ville and Crab Orchard, and in 1H63 was doing guard duty between Bowling Green and Nashville. While at Chattanooga in 1864, Mr. Straight was compelled to relincpiish active field work by reason of ill health. In August, 1864, he was promoted to the Captaincy of Company I, One Hundredth United States Colored Infantry. He participated in tiie battles of John.sonville and Nashville, at the last-named place being wounded in the right leg by a nnnie ball, which he yet car- 336 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ries as a memento of the Rebellion. He was on detailed duty until he was mustered out of the service December 26, 1865. Capt. Straight's oldest and youngest brothers were both in the service, and both lost their lives. He returned to Illinois and followed merchandising until 1869, when he removed to Bloomington to read and practice law. In 1874, he came to Fowler, Ind., where he has since resided. He is a Republican, and a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry. His marriage has been blessed with four children — Lettie E., Hattie, Ben D. and Dell (deceased). U. Z. Wiley, the other member of the firm, is a native of Jefferson County, Ind., and was born November 14. 1847, and is the yoimgest of five children born to Preston P. and Lucinda W. (Maxwell) Wiley. June 20, 1867, he graduated from the classi- cal course of Hanover College. He read law with William Wallace (a son of ex- Gov. Wallace and a nephew of Gen. Lew Wallace) at Indianapolis two years, and in May, 1873, graduated from the Law Department of Butler University, having paid his way through this institution with the proceeds derived from teaching school. In October, 1874, he located at Fowler, where he has since resided, engaged actively in legal pursuits. Mr. Wiley has always taken a deep interest in the county's wel- fare, and a prominent part in its political history. In March, 1875, he was appointed County Attorney, and served two years, and in 1882 was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature. He is a Republican, and a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. He was married. May 6, 1874, to Miss Mary A. Cole, and three children have blessed their union — Carl, Nellie E. and Maxwell H. , WILLIAM F. and JAMES SWAN are two brothers in the family of ten chil- dren born to Robert and Elizabeth (Combs) Swan. [For a sketch of their father, see biography of John W. Swan, Union Township.] William F. Swan was born in Mont- gomery County, Ind., April 3, 1837 ; received a good practical education, lived with his mother until nineteen years of age, after which he spent four years traveling in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas. During this time, he learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed until about 1873. After his return from the West, he settled in Union Township, being the first carpenter who ever located there, and in 1864, came to Center Township, and in connection with his brother bought a farm of 160 acres, to which they added eighty acres. In 1872, this was divided, giving each 120 acres of well-improved land, with good buildings, upon which they respect- ively reside. James Swan was born January 31, 1833, in the same county as his brother ; received his education in the log schoolhouses of that day, and continued to live with his mother until her death in September, 1875, she having moved with him to Center Township in 1869. To his 120 acres he has added 100 acres, and now has a farm of 220 acres. In August, 1861, he and brother enlisted in Company H, Tenth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, and William F., having enlisted five days previous to his brother, was the first enlistment in Union Township. They served with the regi- ment until it was mustered out September 18, 1864, at Indianapolis. They partici- pated in all the campaigns and marches of their regiment, and were present at the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Mill Springs, Tullahoma, Res- aca, Kenesaw Mountain, and the siege of Atlanta and Corinth. James Swan claims to be, and undoubtedly is, the man who shot Gen. Zollicoffer at Mill 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. O. O. F. William F. Swan was married September 18, 1870, to Elizabeth Sanders, a native of Greene County, Penn., and six children have been born to them, three of whom, Ella M., Edna B. and Robert A., are living. James Swan was never married. Polit- ically, both are Republicans, and prominent men of the county. FRANKLIN TAYLOR, Postmaster at Fowler, is a Kentuckian by birth, and was born in Campbell County December 9, 1815. When he was four years old, his parents, William W. and Maiy (Colvin) Taylor, moved to Warren County, Ohio, remaining there until 1830, then emigrated to Clinton County, Ind. Both parents died at Frankfort, the county seat of that county, at an advanced age. Franklin Taylor made his home with his parents until the age of seventeen years, during which time he received only an ordinary education. In about 1834, he became a bar-keeper in a hotel at La Fayette. He fell into dissipated habits, which steadily 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 to preach the M. E. faith, and for thirty five years has been actively engaged in ministerial labors in Indiana. Through ill-health he became superannuated, and retired from the ministry in 1878, and July 1, 1879, received the appointment of Postmaster at Fowler, in which capacity he has since been engaged. Mr. Taylor has been three times married; first to Susanna Fisher, who died in 1859, after "bearing a family of six children — Margaret A., deceased; Martha J., now a teacher in Cleveland, Ohio; TOWN OF FOVVLEK AND CENTRE TOWNSrflP— BENTON COUNTY. 337 John F., deceased; Sanford F., deceased; Joseph F., now a resident of Delphi, Ind., and Charles E., deceased. Mr. Taylor married Liicinda Spotts, in 1859, who died in 18()9. and his present wife, Mar^^arct (Petro) Rlackhurn, in 187;i Since 1878, Mr. Taylor has resided in FoAvler, in the history of \yhi(h he has been closely identified, iiaving been pastor of the M. E. Church of this place in 1875-76. He is a Republican. LE HOY TEMPLETON, a native of Shell)y County, Ind., was born November 20, 1880, hut when four months old came with his parents, Isaac and Khoda (Gregory) Tcmpleton, to near liainsvillc, Warren County, where he grew to man- hood. Isaac Templeton was a native of Virginia, and wliou twenty years old emi- grated'westward to Shelb}' County, Ind., where he married his wife the fall of 1823. Mrs. Templeton was a sister of Hon. B. F. (Gregory, 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 184!). 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 twu) j'ears 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. Donelsou, Sliiloh, 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 (Mty for tive 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 McKenney, 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 tlie owner of 1,100 acres of land south of Fowler, on which his son resides. He is a fartner of ^Ir. Fowler in the stock business, and the)' have become noted all over ndiana, Illinois and Kentucky, as among the tinest stock-owners in the West. The)' 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 countj' 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 famil}' of five children have been born. JOSEPH F. WARNER was born in Ross County. Ohio, May 29, 1846, and of the ten children born to his 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, enlisted 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 llopa (Ihurch. Kene.saw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station, ^lacon, Fajetteville, Kingston and Raleigh. Owing to ill health he had so decreased in weight that at the time of his discharge, July 20, 1865, at Louisvilk', he only weighed eighty-tiu-ee pounds. He was engaged in various pur- suits until February, 1874, when Ik; moved to Fowler, and estaljlished the second general store, erected food buildings, encouraged immigration, was the first Town Clerk, and has always been identified witli 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 6c Gray, general collection agents, and is doing a first-class business. JAMES WHARRY, Surveyor of Benton Countj-, 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 the reorganization of the thrcemonths troops he became a pri- vate in Company D, Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; particiiMited in Stone River, Chickainauga, Atlanta campaign. Sherman's nu-morable march to the sea, Bentonvilh;, through the Carolinas, and was discharged at Louisville, K}., on the 25th of August, 1865. In October, 1863, he was promoted from Orderly Sergeant to ' 20 338 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Second Lieutenant of his company, and in September of the following }'ear was advanced to the First Lieutenancy of Company H, and subsequently was made Quartermaster of the regiment. In May, 1865, he was commissioned Captain of his old company, and from the 1st of July until his discharge served in this position. After the war, he recommenced carpentering in his native State, and continued that and surveying until 1869, when he emigrated to Missouri. In February, 1874, he came to Fowler. Mr. Wharry is a Republican in politics, and is the present Survey.or of the county, having been first elected in 1878, re-elected in 1880, and again re-elected in 1882. He was married in April, 1867, to Miss Mary Robertson, of La Fayette, and they are the parents of eight children, all of whom are yet living. Mr. Wharry is a member of the G. A. R. of Fowler, and Mrs. Wharry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John and Eliza (Duncan) Wharry, parents of the subject of this sketch, 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. Wharry located in 1821. Both he and wife are now dead. P. M. WILES, a native of Fayette County, Ind., was born November 11, 1842, and is one of eleven children born to John H. and Sarah (Puntenney) Wiles, natives of Ohio, and of Welsh and Scotch descent respectivel3^ 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. Zollicoffer was killed) and Shiloh. He was at the siege of Corinth, and the battle of luka, and on the marches 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 Murfree.sboro, and were at the battles of Chattanooga, Chicka- mauga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. They were also in the Atlanta campaign. Mr. Wiles was discharged September 18, 1864. He returned home, and for a number of years attended and taught school. He was married, September 1, 1870, to Eliza M. Brown, after which he resided in Kansas six years, then returned to Indiana, and engaged in the grain trade at La Fayette. The winter of 1880, he removed to Fowler, which has since been his home. He is a Republican, an Odd Fellow and a member of the G. A. R. He and wife have three children — Law- rence A., Frank A. and Effie. ED P. WILLIAMS 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 he 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 with his parents, his mother having been in that State for her health. He worked on his father's farm until attaining his 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 of Benton County for two years. In March, 1883, he opened a boot andshoe store at Fowler, Ind., 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 Republican, and was chairman of the County Central Committee for 1882. Mr. Williams was married, January 12, 1878, to Nannie Hawkins, a native of Benton County, and two children have been born to them, only one, Mabel L., now living. WILLIAM WISHER came to this county in September, 1848, and settled on the farm then owned by his brother-in-law, Elisha Littler, where he remained for three years, after which he came to Center Township and entered the 160 acres upon which he still resides. He was Justice of the Peace of Oak Grove Township nine years, and Trustee of Prairie Township two years. When a boy, he learned the blacksmith's and wagon-maker's trades in his father's .shop, which business he fol- lowed until about twenty-one years of age. When small, he moved with his parents to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he remained about nine years: then went to Pick- away County, Ohio, and remained until his removal to Indiana. Mr. Wisher was married December 31. 1838, to Sarah Littler, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, and eight children have been horn to them, two of whom, Elizabeth and Jane, are living. Both Mr. Wisher and wife were at one time members of the United Breth- ren Church, and it was at their request that the first religious services were con- ducted by a minister in Center Township. Mr. Wisher was born September 27, BOLIVAR TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY'. 339 1815, in Mifflin County. Penn., and is one of thirteen children in the family of David and Eleanor (Vallentine) Wisher, of German and Irish descent respect- ively. David Wisiier was a native of Lancaster County. Penn. When a young man, he went to MitHiii County, Penn.. where he remain"d until 1827. He then removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, v*rhere he opened a shop anfl remained in the county until his death, March 27, 1854. His wife died on the 4lh da^^ of the same montii. BOLIVAR TOWNSHIP. SUMNER W. BAKER was born in Ko.seiusko County. Ind., February 28. 1843. His father was born at Wheeling, W. Va., during the pilgrimage of his parents from Maine to Ohio, in 1810; his mother in Massachusetts in ISIS. When our subject was tw^elve years of age. his father moved to Warsaw, Ind. Sumner attended school and worked on a farm until the war, when, August 2, 1S62, he enlisted in Company C. Fourth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry. He participated at the battles of Vicksburg, Champion Hills, Haines' BluflF, West Point and others; and was honorabl}' dis- charged July 7, 186;). 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 28, 1873, he married Susan A. lieekcr, daughter of Dan- iel Seeker, from which union resulted five children — Pearl, Linnaeus E., Ernest W., Barnard (deceased) and Bertha (twins). In 18S0, Mr. Baker came to this township and invested in 200 acres, which are well improved. He is an Odd Fellow, a Repub- 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, 18.")4. While at school, Jasper began reading anatomy and phi'S- iology, and in 1872 commenced reading medicine with Drs. Cooper and Farrar, of Scircieville, Ind., and attended the Cincinnati Medical College, from which he grad- uated. He then returned to Scircieville add practiced his profession. In 1877, at the written request of many persons, he was induced to move to Templeton, where he has seciu-ed 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 hearldisease, and died April 14, 1877. He came from Kentucky with little means and in feeble health, but by energy and prudence became one of the foremost citizens of this county. He was greatly 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 untjl February 10, 1847, when he was married to Anna, daughter of John arul Christina (Young) Becker, of Washington County, Ind. Their union was blessed with nine children— John W., born August 2!), 1S49 ; Harriet F., born Felu'uar}' s, is.jl (deceased); Leonard, born August 1, 18."")2 ; Millie A., born October 7, 18o6 ; Flora A., born August 11, 18r)9 ; Aaron, born March 4, 1861 (deceased) ; Peter, born October G, 1863'; Andrew J., born July 31, 1867. and Cora, born Decemi)er 29, 1869. After owning land and living in Fulton and Tippe- canoe Counties. Mr. Brown came to Benton County in is,")."), and purchased 120 acres in Section 28, which he improved and on which he built a home. He now has 309 acres. The parents of Mrs. Hrown came to this Slate at an early day, as did those of Mr Brown. He is a liberal Democrat. WILLIA.AI OTTERBEIN BROWN, .son of William and Sarah (Koch) Brown, was born in .Maryland January 31, 1827. When he was si.\ years of age, his father moved to Warren County, where h(! had entered land ; he was a farmer and a Bishop of the United Brethren Chin-ch. Our subject attended school until he was eighteen, when he was sent to Baltimore, wlxre he graduated. He was married, October 6, 18r)(), to Eliza A. Moore, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Wayman) Moore, of Tip- Eeeanoe ("ounty. Ind. ; this union wasblessed with si.\ children — Mary E. (deceased). Ilia J., Alice P., Sarah W., .Mysie S. and Iduna C. Mr. Brown was a farmer and stock-dealer, and the first Postmaster of Pond Gtove (now ()tleri)ein), 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 otlicc. Up to 1858, he continued in the United Brethren Church, but afterward becanu* a 340 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: strong Spiritualist, and so died February 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 1838, and came to America in the year 1849. He located at La Fayette, Ind., where he worked by 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, jNIalcom (deceased), Mark. Honora, Barbara E., John (deceased), Patrick (deceased), John (deceased) and Bridget. Mr. Burns was a practical economist in money mat- ters, and purchased 120 acres in this township, thereby making a home and becom- ing a general farmer; he died April 5, 1879; he was a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. His wife and children ai-e residing on the home farm, made for them and bequeathed to them by their late protector. JOSEPH CARMANY is a son of Joseph and Mary (Woodring) Carmany, the former a native 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 Xiinn County, Iowa, where Joseph attended his first school. In 1860, he moved to Clinton County, Ind., and August 29, 1862, enlisted in Company I, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Jackson, Mission Ridge and Atlanta. Subsequently, he took part in the battles with Hood, and was in the grand review at Washington; he was discharged June 20, 1865, and thereupon worked for his father, who died 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 andJane (Long) Machir; to this union were born five children — Arthur A., May Bell. Mary J., Daisy Dcane and William I. Mr. Carmany added to his land until he had 210 acres; this he sold and purchased eighty acres in Section 9. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Carmany has im- proved his land, and has some stock. He is a Democrat. PATRICK CARROLL was born in Ireland in the year 1825, 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 until 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 exchanged said land for 200 acres, well improved, in Section 82, of this township, on which he is now liv- ing and farming. February 19, 186i», he was married to Joanna Collins, a native of Ireland. Theyhave had several children — two infants, died October 15, 1860; Ella, born October 10, 1861; Mary Ann, born May 25, 1863; Thomas P., born Augusts, 1865; Joanna, born June 4, 1867, died February 6, 1872; one infant, died April 10, 1869; Elizabeth, born December 29, 1870; Joanna, born November 27, 1873. Mr. Carroll is a general farmer, and has some imported stock. He is a Democrat, and he and family are members of the Catholic Church. WILLIAM COCHRAN. Justice of the Peace, son of Hugh and Jane (Myers) Cochran, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of Virginia, who emigrated to Ross County, Ohio, in 1797, and were married January 11, 1811; Mrs. Cochran died April 18, 1849. William was born in Ross County October 31, 1811. He worked on the farm and in stores, and was in business until 1846, when he purchased land and farmed until 1862; he then sold the same, and came to this township and purchased 160 acres. He was married, Angust 27, 1840, to Mary DeHart, born No- vember 1, 1817, daughter of Thomas De Hart, of Ohio; this union produced eight children — Thomas D., Hugh (deceased), William, John C, Elizabeth H,, Jane (de- ceased), Mary M. and Nancy A. (deceased). Mr. Cochran was a Republican, but is now a Greenbacker, and, excepting four years, has been Justice of the Peace from 1863, being re-elected in 1882. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Cochran died April 3, 1881, and was also a member of the M. E. Church. The family Bible has the following: " Hugh Cochran, born in Lexington, Ky., April 10, 1778; moved to Ross County.^Ohio, in 1797, where he died July 20, 1863. His fa- ther was the first Justice inRoss County; his aunt, Elizabetli Cochran, -was the first white woman married, and Hannah Kilgore, her daughter, the first white child born there. JOHN A. COOK, son of James W. and Susanna (Lank) Cook, was born in Boone County, Ind., March 27, 1855. When John was two years old, his father moved to Pine Township, Benton County, where he worked on the farm and attended school until he was twenty years of age. He then attended the graded school al Green Hill three terms; was given a teacher's certificate, and began teaching. Aprit 16, 1878, he was married to Sarah A. Isle3^ born December 12, 1854, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Southard) Isley, of Warren County, to which union two children succeeded — Alpha T., born June 6, 1879, and Arthur, born March 25, 1881. BOLIVAR TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 341 Some time after marriage, he purchased a fine farm of 160 acres of good land, now well improved and undcrdniined, witii irood buildings and barn. lie has consider- able stock, but lost some sixty-eight head of iiogs l)y cholera. Mr. Cook is a stirring Republican, and he and wife are members of tiie Methodist Episcopal Churcii. HON. JAMES EMERSOX, son of James and Catherine (Fryback) Emerson, was born December 9, 18:20, in Pickaway Count}', Ohio. In 1828, his father came to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and entered land. There James worked for hi'^ father, and when fifteen years old went to a graded school at La Faj^ette for three years, and divided his time between study and labor until his marriage, January .">, 1842, to Elizabeth Legget, daughter of Alexander and ^huy (Mount) Legget, from which union succeeded five children— John W., Mary E. (deceased), James A., George T. and Harriet C. After marriage, Mr. Emerson came to this county and setlled on GW acres given to him by his father. In the same year, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and afterward served several terms as Township Trustee and County Treasurer. In 1874, he was elected to the State Legislature (in which he served im- til l8Tfi) from Benton and Xewton Counties, overcoming a Republican majority of 700 votes. Mr. Emerson is a Democrat and a universally respected citizen. GEORGE H. FINCH was born in Pickaway County, Oliio, September I, 1825, and is a son of Solomon and Rachel (Justus) Finch, the former a native of Massa- chusetts, the latter of Ohio. George was left an orphan when ten years old, and went to live with an uncle who had settled in this county in 1883," for whom he worked until he saved money enough to purchase two yokes of o.xen, and l>egan to deal in cattlei In 1845, he made his first purchase of land, 240 acres, in liiis town- ship, to which he has added until he owns 1,100 acres, and is one of (be largest stock dealers in the township. On November 5, 1850, he married Pha-be C. Keys, born September 6, 1831, which union was bles.sed witli eight children— Bolivar P. (from whom the township derives its name), Norton J., Laura B., Elmer B., Cliarles W., Halleck E.. Addie M. and Harriet D. Mr. Finch has built a commodious frame house, where his family are enjoying life; he also has 200 head of cattle. He has done much for the prosperitj' of the township, of which he has been three terms Trustee. He has been Postmaster of Templeton since 1876, where he built the first store, and has a general merchandise business imder the firm name of George II. Finch ife Son, managed I)j' his son Bolivar P.. wlio is Assistant Postmaster. DANIEL M. FISHER, son of John and Mary (Alexander) Fisher, was born in Frederick Count j% Md., July 26, 1836. His grandfather Fisher was a soldier of the war of 1812, in which he was badly wounded in the foot; his grandfather Al^'xander was likewise in the same war as Captain. When Daniel was fifteen, his parents moved to Clarke Count}', Ohio, and there he learned the trade of a carpenter. April 11, 1861, he enlisted in Company I), Third Ohio Volunteers. He was in the battles of Rich Mountain, Va., Perrysvillc, Ky.. Stone River, Pittsl)urg Lan factory until his marriage, June 8, 186-), to Vir- ginia E., daughter of Anthony and Theodosia (Carver) Harman. After marriage. Mr. Lee farmed'in Missouri, and in 18r() came to this township, where his wife's father and her uncle (Jacob Harman) gave her eight}' acres, and money with which to build a house and improve ; tliey now have 3 )0 acres of well-improved land. ^Ir. Lee is a general farmer, and raises some stock. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have three chil- dren — Robert E., Emma and Ollie. Mr. Lee is a Democrat, and his wife is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. THOMAS J. McCOXXELL. farmer, was born in Benton County, Ind., Octo- ber 11, 1887. He is said to be the first male wliite cliild brought to light in that locality, and was the ninth of the eleven children of David and Polly (Moore) Mc- Connell (a sketch of whom mav be 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 land in this township, where he still resides, said farm being now well improved. Mr. McConnell was married. April 4, 186fi, to Artie Wilmoth, a native of Wyandot County, Ohio, to which union were born two children — Joseph W. and Nettie A. In politics, Mr. McConnell is a Democrat, and one of tlie enterprising farmers of Benton County. FREDERICK F. MADDOX was born in Greenbrier County August 8, 1797. He obtained but little education, inasmuch as schools were scarce in those days, and emigrated early to Ohio, where he married Maria Hague, a native of England. In 1828, lie movec\ to Indiana, and entered and improved forty acres in Warren County, to which he added until he owned 200 acres. In 1870, Mrs. Maddox died, having had eight children— Elizabeth II., Mary F.. Sarah (deceased). Jot) II., Eliza J. (de- ceased), Hannah W., Francis M., and John A. (deceased). In 1874, he came to live with his son, Francis M., in this townshi)), who was born April 3. 1834. In the late war, he was a soldier of Company D, Tentli Indiana Volunteers, with which he served until 1864, when he was discharged. He then resumed farming, and January 11, 1870. married Cynthia A. Garner, a daughter of Peter Garner, of Warren County, with an issue of several children — Ella, May, John W. (deceased), an infant girl and three infant boys (deceased). Mrs. Maddox died February 9, 1883, a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of whicli Mr. Maddo.x is a Trustee and Steward. MONSON MARTIN was born in Sweden July 17. 1844, and is a son of Martin Ericson. His father died in l!^")3, and he came witli his mother to America; they were without means, and were unable to speak the language. When they reached Tippecanoe County, Monson was bound to one John Austin; this man sent him to school. After four years, he left Mr. Austin and came to this county, where lie rented a pic^e of land until the war, when he enlisted in Company C, Sevent\'-second Indiana Vr)lunteers. He was at tin- battles of Hoover's Gap, Murfreesboro (after which his regiment was mounted). Rock Spring, Chattanooga, Cliickamauga, and others. While in the service, he never lost one day's service, and was honorably disl)er f), 1870, and Albert F., born March 9, 1883. After living in Tippecanoe County nine years, Mr. Rowe came to this countj' and purchased 160 acres, where he built a log house, and afterward, in 1881, as fine a frame house as the township affords, together with outbuildings and various improvements. Mr. Rowe has some stock, and some very fine hor.ses. He is a liberal Democrat, and was earnest in building Willow GroVe Methodist Episcopal Church. HL GH 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 Nancj' (Porterflehl) Scott. His father was a farmer, and died when he was very young. When ten years of age, he moved with liis guardian — one Robin- son — to this State, wiiere 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. lie worked in a brickyard for §5 per niontli and board, and undertook to learn blacksmithing, but was not strong enough. lie then worked in a woolen mill for .$1 per daj' and board, for eight years, where he .saved $300, and then began dealinir in stock. In 1847, he enlisted in the Foiuth Indiana Regiment, for the war with Mexico, and was in the battle of Puebla and at the shelling of the City of Mexico. In 1848, he was discharged at Xew^ Orleans, came to Indiana, and resumed cattle-dealing. March 21, l8o(), he married Elmira Catej', of Wayne Count}', daughter of Stacy B. Catey; the}' have had six children — Alfred B., Stacy C, John F., Mary L.,Emma E. (de- ceased). and Arthur (deceased). In 1858, Mr. Scott purchased 160 acresin 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 it 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 improv(?ti land. He is a Republican, and an esteemed citizen. STACY C. SCOTT, also a son of Hugh M. 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, including 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, l)orn April 9. 18.55, daughter of Jasper and Elizabeth E. (Sparks) Blue, the former a native of Ohio, 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 ^lethodisf Episcopal Church. DAVID F. SEWELL, son of Joseph and Mary ((roodwine) Scwell. the father a native of Virginia,, the mother of Pennsylvania, and both early settlers of Pike County, Ohio, where our subject was born October !), 181S, and attended school in a log schoolhouse of that day, and afterward worked for his father on the farm and at his mill until he was nineteen years old. wiun he learned the blacksmithing trade. Deceml)er 28. 1848, lie was married to Henrietta N. Ladd, daugiiter of Thomas and Nancy A. (Godridge) Ladd, both early .settlers in Pike County. Mr. Sewell continued at his trade until 1851, when he moved to this county and pur- chased 160 acres of prairie land, which he impr )V('d and cultivated. Mr. and Mrs. Sewell became the parents of twelve (;iiildren — .Mary E (deceased). Thomas J. .Samuel I., CHiarles A.. Nancy J. (deceased). Angelitta, Eliza M., Elizabeth M., Oliver P., Delilah, Priscillii S. and Alice F. Mr. Sewell is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church. J. D. STINGLE was l)orn in Rush County, Ind., October 1, 1846, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Stewart) Stingle, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ghio. The father of our subject moved to La Fayette, Ind., where he purcha.sed a farm, and where his son attended the common and the graded school. When he was fifteen years old, he commeiifed to handle stock, in which business he has continueodge, and of Oak (irove Township Encampment, I. O. O. F. He has passed the chairs in the sul)ordinate lodire and camp, and is at present I). D. G. M. He is a Democrat, and in 18H0 was candidate for the oflice of County Sheriff, and was defeated bj' oiilv a few votes. THO.MAS ATI\INSOX was Imrn in Y'orK Countv, Penn., Augu.st 17, 1806. and is the tenth of eleven children liorn to Joseph ami Susanna (Mills) Atkin.son, both natives of Penn.sylvania and of Englisli descent. The ancestors of the Atkin.sons and Mills families were among the eiuly (Quaker colonists, who settlei] in Pennsyl- vania aliout 1682. Joseph .Vikinson was married in his native State, and followed weaving some time, but afti'rwanl engagid in farming. In IHil.hc Itought 200 acres of military lands in ( linton (Jouiity, Ohio, which he farmed. Fifteen years later, he lost the ])urcha.se money and all his improvements through a defect in the title. After that, he f.irmed the same i)lace on shares until his death in 1830. He 348 BIOGRAPHICAL 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 fine 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 183(), and for some years afterward, he herded large droves of cattle on the prairies now included in the southern part of Benton County, driving them to market at Philadelphia. In 1830, he traded a horse worth $50 for the claim of Luke Conner to 2,000 acres, known as lost lands, now in the southeast part of this township. Soon after, he sold the claim for $100, butin 1848 re-purchased a portion at $13 per acre and moved his family on to the land, where thej- have since resided. He and sons subsequently bought nearly all of the 2,000 acres, in addition to about 1,200 acres of other land in Warren and Benton Counties. Mr. Atkinson was mar- ried, August 5, 1824, to Frances Head, a native of Clinton County, Ohio. The twelve children, six boj's and six girls, born to them, all lived to maturity, and nine of them are still living. They are farmers and farmers' wives, and their lands adjoin. Mr. Atkinson was one of the first Commissioners of Benton County, and held the office three years. In 1865, he represented Benton and White Counties in the Lower House of the State Legislature. lie 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 early pioneer of the county. JOSEPH ATKINSON was born in Madison County, Ohio, February 13, 1832, and is the fourth of twelve children born to Thomas and Frances (Head) Atkinson. Our subject received a limited common school education in his j'outh, but has since acquired considerable knowledge by his own exertions. He was employed on the home farm until he was tweniy-four years old. In 1857, he moved to a partially improved farm of 148 acres in this township, which he had bought the year 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 extensively engaged in cattle-breeding, raising annually about 400 head of cattle, 100 mules and 500 hogs. He w\as married, March 1, 1857, to Rachel Waymire, a native of Warren County, Ind. Four chil- dren have blessed their imion. two now living — Sarah J. (Mrs. B. F. Gephart), and Frank. Mr. Atkinson is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; he is a Republican, and one of the leading stock-raisers and dealers in the countv^ JAMES H. BELL was born in Floyd County, Ind., September 19, 1859, and is the second of five children born to William and Mahala (Hancock) Bell, natives of Harrison and Floyd Counties, Ind., respectively, and of English descent. William Bell was left an orphan when nine years old, after which he lived with his sister near New Albany, Ind., until nineteen years old; he then went to New Albany, where he afterward married. For several years, he engaged .in the produce trade, and amassed a handsome fortune, but through the failure and absconding of some Southern consignees during the late civil war, he lost all his property. He was engaged in various pursuits in White, Tippecanoe and Benton Counties, and in 1878 took charge of the "Ohio House," at Oxford, remaining until his death July 21, 1880, in his sixty-first year. He served in the Second Indiana Volunteer Infan- try during the Mexican war. James H. Bell had a good common school education. After his father's death, the support of his mother and two sisters devolved upon him. He assumed the proprietorship of the "Ohio House," and has proved him- self a first-class landlord. His hotel is deservedly one of the most popular on the L. E. & W. Railway. Mr. Bell is one of Benton C/Ounty's enterprising citizens. MARTIN L. BENEDICT (deceased) was born in Lancaster County, Penn., and was of German descent. When eleven years old, he removed with his parents to Harrison County, Ohio, where he received most of his education. He learned the stone-mason's trade, and followed it in Ohio manj^ years. Soon after his majority, he married Miss Eve A. Hendricks, a native of Harrison County, Ohio, and of German descent. Eleven children blessed thisunion, of whom four sons, Levi, Frank- lin H., Martin. Andrew J., and several daughters, are yet living, and reside in Benton County. In 1853, Mr. Benedict came to this township, where he had entered 160 acres of land two years before. He improved a farm, upon which he resided until his death, in November, 1876. After he came to Indiana, Mr. Benedict continued his trade, in connection with farming, and built the first stone work in Benton County; he was widely known throughout Benton and adjoiningcounties as an excellent workman. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., also of the Grange; he and wife were members of the Christian Church. Mrs. Eve A. Benedict is still living, and has a pleasant home near the residence of her son Levi, in Oak Grove Township. When the Benedict family came to this State, there were no schoolhouses in this township, but schools were taught at private houses, where, and in the log schoolhouses soon afterward OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 349 erected, the children received their echuiilion. The tliree eldest sons, Levi, Frank- lin H. and Martin, worked at the stonemason's husiness witii their father several years. Levi Benedict was born in Harrison County, Ohio, August 18, 18:}4, 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 years; he then l)Ought a farm of 80 acres in this township, which he sold in 1S82, 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, IstU), to Miss Mahala Kolb, a native of Hush 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 27, 1836, and is the third child in tne family. He stayed on the home farm until twen- ty-five years old ; he then worked at the stonemason's trade ten j'ears. During that time, he bought fort}' acres of wild land in this township, upon which he has ever since resided. In 187fi, he began to farm the land, also working at his trade; in 1881, in consequence 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 Cprk, Ireland. Five chihlren have blessed their union, all now living— Lewis II., Olive J., Rosanette. Franklin K. and Myrtle M. Mr. Benedict is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of the Christian Church, also of Model Grange, No. t»y7, of which thej' \vere charter mem- bers. Slartin Benedict was born in Harrison County, Ohio, January 10, 1844, and is the sixth child in the familj-. He was employed principally on the home farm until nineteen j'cars old; he then followed the stonemason's trade sixteen years. In 1879, he bougirt a farm of eighty acres in 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, Januar}' 19, 1875, 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 ineml)er of Oxford Lodge, I. O. O. F. Andrew J. Benedict, the tenth child in the family, was born in this township July 4, 1854. 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 was formerlj^ an Odd Fellow. In politics, the Benedict i)rothers are Democrats; they were earlv settlers in the county, and are all enterprising farmers. JESSE BIRCH was born in Licking County, Ohio, March 11, 1820, and is the fourth of eight children born to Thomas and Eleanor (Horn) Birch, natives of Mary- land and West Virginia, and of English and German descent. When a child, Thomas Birch went to Virginia, where he subsequentl}- married and engaged in agricultural pursuits, until 1813. He then moved to Licking County, Ohio, and followed farming until 1827, when he came to Fountain County, Ind. He entered and bought 100 acres of land, which he farmed until 1854. He then moved to Attica, where he died June 13, 1850. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Birch was a local preacher. He was a member of the Sons of Temperance. Jesse Birch farmed in Fountain County sev- eral years; then engaged in brick-making and the building trade at Attica. He was in mercantile and stock business at the same i)la(e seven years. He next embarked in the gi-ain trade at Independence Station, W. pbell removed with iiis wife and family, in 1817. to Hamilton County, Ohio, and farmed on shares until 1821, when he removed to Fayette County, Ind. He bougiit 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 1848 in her eighty-fourth j'car. John Campbell, on attaining his majority, was deeded, by his father, 140 acres of the old homestead. He ultimately bought the whole of the farm, and added to it until he owned •i'-iO 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 1860, when he sold the farm and came to Oxford. He owns valuable business and resilience property in the town. October 17, 1830, he married Mary Furrey, a native of Pennsjlvania, by whom he had ten children, seven of whom are living. Four of his sons were in tlie late war, one of whom, Amos, was killed at the battle^f Arkansa-! Post. Mrs. Mar}' Campbell died June 20. 18(58. She was a member of the Christian (Huirch. In September, 18(50, he married Mrs. Hannah (Janes) Nelson, a native of New Yoi-k. They have no children, but ]\Irs. Campbell had eigiit children by her former marriage. Mr. Campbell and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a Republican, and an earnest worker in the temperance cause. JAMES CAMPBELL was l)orn 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" common schools, and was employed on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old. He then rented his father's farm one vear. August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteer infantry. He partici- pated in the battles of Jackson, Miss., Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, through the Atlanta campaign, and with Sherman's army on the raemoral)]e march to the sea. He was mustered out at Washington, D. C, June 5, 18(55. After his return from the army, 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 only 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 anrl Kentucky, and of Scotch and German descent. In 1796, Robert Carnaiian removed to Hamilton County, Ohio. His father bought 160 acres of land and made a farm, whicii was afterwanl owned by Robert, and now by our subject. Robert followed Ihc l)rick and ston(' mason trade, in connection with farming, for .several j'ears. In 1830, he engaged in dry goods at Cincinnati, and in 1846 returned to the farm, where lie died November 18. 1848. He was Justice of the Peace and Townshij) Tiustee, and he and wife were members of the Christian Cliurch. Alfred J. Carnahan received a common sciiotW education, and worked on his father's farm until twenty-six years old. He clerked in a dry goods store at Rising Sun, Ind. In 1851, he managed a general merchandise store at Oxford for his brother, James G. Carnahan, and Adams Earl. Subsecjuently he bought 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 farm of 200 acres in this township, which he sold in 1868, and returned to Oxford, wiiere he bouglit the hack and mail line from that place to La Fayette. In 1871. he was employed on the L. E. ik 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 cpteml)er IS, 18S1. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ileljer 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. lie is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is a Democrat. NATHAN IIIBBS was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, January 15, 1834, and is the second of six children born to Thomas and Lovica (Crago) Ilibbs. natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Thomas Ilibbs, when young, came with his larents to Ilamilton County, Ohio. At that time, Cincinnati was a small village. n 1834 or 1835, he entered ninety-six acres of land in Fayette County. Ind., which he farmed, and to which he added until he possessed 270 acres. In 1872. he removed to Cambridge CMty, AVayne Co., Ind., wiiere he still resides. He and wife are mem- bers of the Christian Churcii. Nathan Hibbs attended; the common schools, but since arriving at manhood he has acquirecl 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 years. In February, 18G5, he came to this township, where he had previously bought eighty acres of land. He imjiroved the farm, and (with the exception of t"hiee 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 County, 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. Sir. Hibbs is a Democrat. JOHN HOPPER was born in Buckingham County. Va.. Januarys, 1808, 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, but ulti- mately lost the farm in con.se(nience of a defective title. He was a soldier through the war of 1812. He died in Pike County, Ohio. John Hopper, our subject, was overseer of a plantation two years. 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 county, 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. Jiinuary 10, 1833. lie married Mary D. An- derson, a native of Virginia. By this marriage there are three daughters living. Mrs. Mary D. Hopper (who was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church) died in March. 1858. In November, 18.58, Mr. Hopper married Mrs. Margaret J. (Cros- sou) Littler, a native of Washington County, Penn. They have bad 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 years old he was left an orphan, after which he lived with his aunt and grandfatiier until twenty-one years old. At seven years of age, he began work in a cotton factory. He reniained there seven years, and mastered all the details of cot- ton manufacturing. During these years, under the tuition of his grandfather, be became an expert mathematician and mechanical draughtsman. When fourteen years old, he liegan a seven years' apprenticeship to the machinist's trade. About the time that this apprenticesliip exi>ired, lie 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 Manchester. In 1M40. he received the appointment (over twenty two other candidates) of General Manager of Cotton Mills, at Tammerfors. inFiidand. He superinten(h'd the rebuihling and the placing of the machinery of the mills, and afterward operated them several years. While in Finland he taught mathematics .and meciianical drawing, also learned tiie Swrilish and Finnish languages. While in Tammerfors. the Czar of Russia offered to give Mr. Ilowarth's eldest son. .1. Alfred, ;i tliorougii Russian education on condition that he would allow him to remain in Finland, and teach for five years. This he 358 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: declined. In 1845, two of his children died, and in the same year he returned to Manchester, En'j,land, where he again managed a cotton factory. In 1850, he emi- grated to America, and came to this township. He bought half a section of land, and purchased property in Oxford. He improved a farm, upon which he resided until his death, Februar}^ 1, 1877. Mr. Howarth was essentiallj^ a self-made man. He was an enthusiastic student and was endowned with great mental acquirements. He was invariably ready to aid those in distress. His two eldest sons. J. Alfred, born Septembers, 1838. and James H., born April 2, 1838, are natives of Manchester, England. They received a good education in their native land, and in Finland, where they ac(|uircd tiie 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 residence on the home farm, J. Alfred farmed the place in partnership with his father. Soon after attaining their majority, they bought 200 acres of land (adjoining the old homestead) which they divided and farmed, and upon wliich they have lived since their marriage. J. Alfred Howarth was married February 15, 1876, to Eva Henning, a native of Utica, N. Y. They have two chil- dred — AnnaF. and James F. He and wife are members of the Church of England, also of Summit Grange, No. 247. Mr. Howarth is a Republican. James H. Ho- warth was married February 23, 1871, to Louisa Glass, a native of Rush County, Ind. They have two children — Lillian M. and Bertha. Mr. Howarth is a member of the English, and Mrs. Howarth of the Christian Church. Mr. Howarth is a Re- publican. By his father's will he was appointed executor of the estate, and after the death of his mother, Mrs. Frances Howarth, June 17, 1880, the old liomestead was sold. Mr. Howarth is Treasurer of Oak Grove Township. A. DANIEL HUFFMON was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., Septem- ber 27, 1828. and is one of nine children born to George and Martha (Fink) Huflf- mon, who were of German and Scotch descent. George Huffmon (a native of Mary- land) followed the wagon-making trade in Westmoreland Countj^. Penn., until his death in 1878. He held various civil offices, such as Assessor, Trustee, etc. He and wife were members of the Lutheran Church. A. Daniel Huffmon, when ten years old, left his home and lived with relatives in Kentucky and other States. He followed the carpenter's trade until he was twenty-seven j'ears old (excepting one year spent in Indiana), wlien he returned to Pennsylvania. After his marriage in 1858, he came to Oxford, and has since been engaged at his trade. He has been School Trustee several terras. Mr. Huffmon was married, January 13, 1858, to Sarah S. Potts, a native of Pennsylvania. They had two children. His first wife died December 23, 1871, and Mr. Huffmon next married, June 23, 1873, Sarah S. Snyder, also a native of Pennsylvania. They have had one child — Laura E. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, but now attend the Presbyterian services. Mr. Huffmon is a memb-r of Oxford Lodge, No. 19^, A., F. & A. M. JUDGE BASIL JUSTUS (deceased) was born in Pennsylvania March 29, 1796. When quite young, he removed to Pickaway County, Ohio, with his parents. In 1831, he came to Indiana, and the following year settled in Benton County. After the organization of the county, he was elected its first Clerk of the County Court, and served in that capacity several years. Subsequently he was elected an Asso- ciate Judge, which position he held until the office was abolished by the Legisla- ture. The early County Courts were held at his private house for several years ; the Judges and lawyers staying with him. His death occcurred at Vincennes, Ind. , April 8, 1879. The Judge was one of the earliest pioneers of the county. WILLIAM H. KELLEY was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., March 5, 1837, and is the eldest of five children born to James and Sarah A. CVyilliams) Kelley, na- tives of Ohio, and of Irish descent. In 1833, James Kelley came to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and soon after married. He farmed in Tippecanoe, Fulton and War- ren Counties until 1872, when he settled on a farm in Grant Township, this county, on which he resided until his death June 17, 1877. During the last two years of his life, he operated a livery stable at O.xford. William H. Kelley received a limited education in the common schools, and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old. He then farmed on shares two years, after which he bought a farm in Prairie Township, Warren County. In 1866,' he removed to Watseka, 111., and engaged in the livery business until 1873, when he went to Sheldon, 111., remaining one year. In 1874, he came to Oxford, was in the livery business one year and the hotel business two years. He then opened a grocery store, and has since done a prosperous business. He carries a well selected stock, worth from $1,500 to $2,000. He was married, December 29, 1859, to Sarah A. Ogborn, a native of Warren County, Ind. They have not had any children, but have adopted one boy. Mrs. Kelley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her father, the Rev. David Ogborn, was one of the pioneer ministers of the United Brethren •Church in the Wabash Valley. Mr. Kelley is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. O. O. OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 359 F.. to which he has belouijecl since he was tweuty-two years old. He is a Rejiub- 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 Ki-ys, 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 laud "and felled the first tree on the present site of Hillsboro. Tiie Colonel recruited and commanded the First Ohio Volunteers, during the war of 1812. Samuel was married in High- land County, where he became a painter, and later enixagcd in agricultural pursuits and in milling. In 18.")1, he entered land in tliis township, where he farmed mitil his death in September, 18)7. 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 Presb3'terian Church. James J. Keys was employed several years farming and handling live stock. In 18G0, he learned the |)lasterer's trade, which he has since followed. De- cember 8. 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Si.xtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was soon after appointed Sergeant and served with the regiment until Novem- ber 14, 18()2, when he was discharged on accoiuitof disabilit}'. He had two brothers in tile army — Milton and Hugh H. Milton served tlirough the whole of the war. Hugh was severely wounded at Arkansas Post, and died in hospital at St. Louis, Mo., in March, 18()3. Mr. Keys is a Democrat. THOMAS KIRK was born in Ireland December 22, 1825. and is the fifth of six children born to John and Mary (Lee) Kirk, both natives of Ireland. John Kirk followed agricultural pursuits, also the dair}' business, in Ireland, where he died in 1S45. He and wife were meml)ers 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 j'ears. He then came to La Fayette. Ind.. where he worked in a warehouse one year; then moved to Pine Township, Benton Countj', 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 Fraz.er 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 townsiiip. which he improved and wliere he still resides. He was married in New York Citj^ November 28, 1858, 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 children born to John and Letitia (Patterson) Kirkpatrick, natives of Ireland. John Kirkpatrick was married in Ireland, where he followed agricult- ural pursuits many 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 his death in 1852. He and wife were members of the Episcopal Church. William T. Kirkpatrick worked on his father's farm until lie attained his majority. He then farmed on shares several years in Middle- sex County. N. J., wiiere he subse(iuently bought 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. Mr. Kirkpatrick aud wife are members of the Episcopal Church, also of Summit Grange. No. 247. Mr. Kirkpatrick is a leading farmer and stock-raiser, and is a Democrat. 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 German and Scotch descent. About ISIO, Will- iam removed to Fayette County, Ind.. wiiere his fatlier entered land and made a farm. In that county. William was educated ami married. He engaged in teaching, and in 1^:53 removed to Rusli County ;ind hougiil a farm. In 1>>54, he came to this townsiiip and bought 1ers 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 shoe-making until 1872, when ill-health 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 daughters — Emil}' and Margaret. That lady, who was a member of the Lutheran Ciuuch, died April 17, 1852. and Mr. Miller next married, January 1, 1853, Mrs. Margaret (Yager) Rhlnehart, 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 then, July 25, 1862, married his present wife, Mrs. Magdalene M. (Klien) Kluth, a native of .Germany. Bv this marriage there were five children, three of whom are living. Mrs. sillier is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Miller is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. O. O. 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 County, Ind.. and the following spring went to what is now Adam>; Township, Warren County, wiu;re 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 farnu'd on the home farm. He was one of the organizers of Adams Townsliip, Warren County, and helped to make most of the roads in that township. In 1850, he came to this township, and bougiit eighty acres of bind, upon which he still resides. He added to his farm until he owned 520 acres of well-Improved land, a part of which he has since deeded to his son. Mr. Mills has acquired all his jiroperly by Industry and economy, as he had nothing to begin with. He has a handsome residence, and the grounds are tastefnlly laid out, there Ix'ing about twciuy-five varieties f)f evergreens, and an equal number 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 County. Ind. They have two sons and four daughters. Mrs. Mills is a member of the Christian Church, and Mr. Mills (tiiough not a ciuu'ch meml)er) professes Cliris- tlanity. He is a Repul)liean. .ind tuki-s a lively Interest in political atTairs. During the late civil war, he donated |3.0t>0 to soldiers and their families, and was active in recruiting. 364 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: JOHN E. MORGAN was born in Champaign County, Ohio, August 1, 1837, and is the sixth of nine children born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Rochester) Morgan, natives of Virginia, and of English descent. Jacob Morgan removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1810 or 1812. He enlisted under Gen. Harrison, and served through the war of 1813. Soon after the war, he removed to Champaign County, Ohio, where he was married. He farmed on shares several years, and in 1835 entered 130 acres of land in Pine Township, ^yarren 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 by 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 efforts. After his twenty-second year, he farmed on shares, on 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 line residence, and the grounds are taste- fully laid out. His barn is surmounted by 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 money to purchase land, but by industry and economy he has become one of the wealthiest farmers in the county. He was married, February 21, 1850, to Mary Wattles, a native of Fountain County, Ind. They have had three children, two now living— Elizabeth J. and Luther J. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Morgan is a Republican. LUTHER J. MORGAN was born in this township February 17, 1856, and is the youngest of three children born to John E. and Mary (Wattles) Morgan. Luther J.Morgan received a good practical business education, and was employed on the home farm until attaining his majority. 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 Fayette, Ind. Mr. L. J. Morgan is a Republican, and one of the rising farmers of the county. JOHN K. NALLEY was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., December 18, 1848, ^nd 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 old, 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 Tippecanoe County, Ind., where he bought a farm, on which he resided until his death July 33, 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 majority. He then farmed on shares in his native county two years, and in 1873 he came to this township and farmed on shares two years. His father-in-law then gave him a farm in this township, on which he still resides. He was married, September 14, 1869, to Susanna Runner, a native of Oak Grove Township. They have had four children, three of whom are living— Eva, Cora and Alta. Mr. Nalley is one of the rising young farmers of the county. WILLIAM C. PARKER was born at Portland, Jay Co., Ind., November 17, 1819, and is the second of seven children born to Calvin J. and Catherine G. (Shade) Parker, natives of North Carolina and of Pennsylvania, and of English-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 County, Ind., where he 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 County. 111., remaining until 1859, when became to Pine T6wnship, Warren Co., Ind. He subsequently removed to Rainsville, same county, and died in 1870. He was a Freemason. William C. Parker served a three years' apprenticeship to the carriage-builders trade, and worked as a journeyman about seven years. In 1876, he opened a carriage manufactory at Oxford, and has now the largest business in that line in the county. He turns out from thirty to thirty-five carriages and buggies a year, and has a large repairing trade. Mr. Parker was married, November 38, 1878, to Mary Underwood, a native of La Fayette, Ind. They have had three children, two of whom, Leah and William W., are living. Mr. Parker is a Republican, and one of the leading business men of the county. JOHN H. PHARES was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, August 6, 1831, and is the eldest of five cliildreu born to William and Jerusha (Hutchinson) Phares, na- OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 365 lives of New .lersoy. and of English-Irish and German descent. When two years old, in 1805, Williani Phares removed with his parents to Hamilton County. Ohio. He was there married, and followed agri( ultural pursuits until his death in August, 1854. He was for many years Trustee of his township. Jolin H. Phares was em- ployed on his father's farm until he attained his majority, lie then farmed on shares several years. In 18')"), he bought Vii acres of land in this township, on which he still resides. Ills farm is well improved. October 6, 184"2, he married Hannah liutlcr, a native of BuUcr County. Ohio. By tliis union they had seven cliildren, foiu- of whom are now living. ]\Irs. llannali Pliares (who was a member of the Presbyterian Church) died August 19, 18(50. 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 Prei5b3'terian Church. In May. IS?'). Mr. Phares married Mrs. Eunice G. (Butler) Frost, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio. They have one daugiiter, Minnie P. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Phares is an Elder and a Trustee. He is a Democrat. SAMUEL PHARES was born in Hamilton County, Ohio. September 27, 1823, and is the second of five children born to William and .lerusha (Hutchinson) Phares. Samuel Paares was employed on his father's farm until Iv: was twenty-one years old. He then worked the home farm on shares with his father until the latter's death. During the last four years of that time, they were also engaged in merchandi^^ at Harrison, Ind. After his father's death, Samuel operated the farm and store alone for two years. In March. ISHQ, he bought a tract of wild land. He subsequentlj' added more land, and has now a well improved farm of 372 acres. He has already 6ut in 1.200 rods of tiling, and is continuing the work. Mr. Phares was married in •ecember, 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 " Oxford Academj'." He is a Democrat. JOHN J. RAWLINGS, M. D. (deceased), was 1)orn in Bloomington, Monroe County, Ind., March 22, 1822, and was the youngest of eleven cliildren born to Dan- iel and Rebecca (Jenkins) Rawlings, natives of Maryland and of English descent. Daniel was an extensive planter, and owned a numi)er 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 Ijy neighboring planters became so intense that he emigrated to Indiana, and in 181S settled in Bloomington. After coming to Indiana, he followed the carpenter's trade until his death, which occurred in 1823. 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 profes.sion 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, 1819, 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 Chu^x-h. 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. O. O. F. JONATHAN RHODE was born in Adams Town.ship, Warren Co., Ind.. May 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 Town.ship, 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 liisdcatliin IH(;4. He was not a church mend)er, but adlK'red to the "Friends' doctrine." Jonatiian Rhode lost iiis mother when he was eight years 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 jears, then another farm in same county one year. In 1856, he moved to a farm in Fremont ("ounty, Iowa, deeded to him by hfs father: in 1859, lie bought 160 acres in this township, which he improved, and now resides upon. November 23, is.")5. he married Dorothy Gray, a native of Warren County, Ind. Seven cliildren 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. ROMMEL was born in Germany September 2, 1842, and is the sec- ond of six children born to Henry and Margaret (Storch) Rommel, natives of Ger- many. Henry Rommel followed farming in bis 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 farming eighty acres, which he had previously bought in Center Township. He remained here until 1877, when he sold out, and bought 120 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 niarried, October 20, 1870, to Amelia Miller, a native of Germany. They liave no children. Mrs. Rom- mel is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Rommel, though not a church member, adheres to the same faith. He is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is a Democrat. JOHN P. ROSS was l)orn in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 7, 1821, and is the third of nine children born to William F. and Sarah J. (Patton) Ross, natives of New Jersey 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., Ohio, May 20, 1878, in his eighty-eighth year. 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 Church. John P. Ross was educated in the common schools; he learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it in Ohio and Indiana thirty years. In 1852, 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 $3,000 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 living — Mary E. (now Mrs. W. D. Owen, of Logansport), William J. and Charles G. He is N. G. of Oxford Lodge, I. O. O. F., and a Republican. DR. CHARLES G. ROSS, dentist, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 15, 1851, and is the youngest of three children now living born to John P. and Adeline 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 dentistry under Dr. R. S. Mowrer, 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, 1872, 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 he has been an active worker in the temperance cause. ISAAC RUNNER was born in Berkeley County, Va., October 24, 1822, and is the only child now living born to William and Rebecca (Miller) Runner, natives of Virginia and Maryland, and of CJerman descent. William Runner was a farmer in his native State until his death in 1824. He was a Captain in the Virginia militia during the war of 1812. Mrs. Rebecca Runner died six weeks after her husband. Isaac Runner lived with hisgrandfather until he was twelve years old, and then with an uncle three years. In 1838, he came (on foot) to La Fayette, Tippecanoe Co., Ind., where he worked in a packing house and subsequently on a farm. About#1839, he went to La Salle County, 111., where he opemted a ferry and was 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 made a farm, on which he still resides. He added more land, until he owned 1,200 acres, a part of which he has since deeded to his children. Mr. Runner had abso- lutely nothing when he started in life, but by economy and industry has accumu- lated a handsome fortune. He was married, March 5, 1846, to Rebecca Beavers, a native of Lawn-ence County, Ind., by whom he had four children, all still living. His first wife died February 18, 1853. She was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Mr. Runner next married, January 25, 1855, Charlotte E. Brake, a na- tive of Highland County, Ohio. They have had eight children, four of whom are living. Mrs. Runner is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Runner is a member of the I. O. O. F. and a Republican. THEOPHILUS C. RUNNER was born in Oak Grove Township, Benton Co., Ind., April 29, 1851, and is the j'oungest of four children born to Isaac and Rebecca Runner. Theophilus received a good common school education, and was employed on the home farm in this county, until twenty-three years old. He then bought a OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 367 farm of eighty acres Ln this township (one mile north of the home farm), upon which he resided until the sprinj^ of 1KS3. when he rented that farm and moved to another, owned by his wife, in the northeast i)art of the township. He was mar- ried, March 4. 1875, to Cynthia Atkinson, a native of this township. They have had three children— Isaac' E., Robert R. and William E. lie and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Ciiurch, and Mr. Runner is a Republican and one of Benton County's enterprising farmers. CAPT. CilARLES 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, staying with his father 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 live 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 Infantry, and at the organization of the company was appointed a Sergeant, and in February, 1804, was promoted to Captain, lie participated with his regiment in all its marches and engagements, excepting the march from Atlanta, when he was on sick leave, but rejoined the regiment on the coast. They were mustered out June 5, 18(55. Soon after his return, he was appointed Deput}' Clerk of this county, and was subsequently elected County Court Clerk, which office he held eight }'ears. He then went iiito the boot and shoe trade at O.xford, 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. O. O. 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 pursuits 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 2,200 acres of land. He farmed and raised stock until his death, September 16, 1863. He held to the Uni- 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 drug trade with J. W. Barnes, trading as Barnes it 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, lie is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. O. O. F., was a charter member of Goodland Lodge, No. 346, I. O. O. F., and w^as 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- worlh) Sleeper, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and of Welsh and Scotch descent. Jonathan Sleeper .served in the army 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 years; in, and after 1835, he engaf^ed 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 memi)ers 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 Indianapolis, Ind.. and was engagefl in a store; in 184.5, he studied medi- cine with Dr. Wil.son, f)f Indianapolis; in 1846, he attended the Physopathic Medi- cal College at Cincinnati, Ohio; in 1848. he came to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and practiced his profession ten years; in 18.58. he settled on 120 acres of land in this township, ancl improved the farm, on which he still resides. He conuuenced the 368 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: nursery business in 1864; his was the first, and is the only nurserj' in the county. He ceased the practice of his profession in 1880, havini? practiced longer than any physician in the county. The Doctor was married in 1^44 to Deborah A. Zimmer- man, a native of Pennsylvania. The}' have had three children, all now living. Dr. Sleeper was County Coroner one term. He is a Republican. The Sleepers in Amer- ica are descended from three brothers, two of whom were Quakers, who settled near Boston, Mass., about 1740. ALONZO D. SLEEPER was born in Marion County, Ind., February 18, 1845, and is the eldest of three children born to William M. and Deborah A. (Zimmerman) Sleeper. Alonzo D. Sleeper was employed on his father's farm until February, 1863, when he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He served with the regiment until July, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability. He then engaged ten years in the nursery business with his father. In 1873, he bought a farm in this township, and has since followed agricultural pursuits. He was married, June 5, 1873, to Lucy Underwood, a native of Philadelphia. They have four children— Anna A., Edith, William A. and Arnold Z. Mr. Sleeper is a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 190, A., F. & A. M., in which lodge he has held various official positions. He is also a member of La Fayeite Chapter, R. A. M,, and politically a Republican. HIRAM SMITH was born in Henry County, Ind., December 15, 1837, and is the fourth of ten children born to Nathan and Rebecca (Pickering) Smith, natives of Virginia and Ohio. When six years old, Nathan Smith removed to Preble County, Ohio; subsequently went to Henry County, Ind., where he married, and soon after went to Wayne County, where he farmed four or five years. He returned to Henry County and bought a farm, on which he resided until 1870, when he moved to Greensboro, and has since lived there, excepting two or three years spent in Ne- braska. He is a member of the Quaker Church, in which he has filled various offices. Hiram Smith was employed in farming until he was twenty-two years old, when he learned the carpenter's' trade. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Twelfth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which regiment he remained until May, 1863. In July of the same year, he enlisted in Company A, Seventy-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain, through the Atlanta cam- paign, and on Sherman's march to the sea. After his return, he worked at his trade in Wabash County. Ind., until 1870, when he came to Oxford, and has since fol- lowed his trade. Mr. Smith was married in 1866 to Ann Nelson a native of Fay- ette County, Ind., by whom he has had five children, three now living. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Smith is a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 190, A., F. & A. M., of which lodge he is W. M. He is a Republican. THEOPHILUS STEMBEL, M. D., was born in Frederick County, Md., De- cember 9. 1813. In 1833, he moved to Ohio, and in 1837 graduated at the Ohio Medical College. In 1843, he came to Warren County, Ind., and in 1846 removed to Benton County and settled on a farm near Oxford, where he still resides. For some years Dr. Stembel practiced his profession in connection with farming, but since 1855 he has devoted his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits. He was one of the Commissioners of Benton County for two years, and also County Treas- urer one term. Dr. Stembel was the first physician who located in this county. FRANK H. STEMBEL was born in Oak Grove Township, Benton Co., Ind., July 89, 1854, and is the fifth of twelve children born to Theophilus and Martha A. (Justus) Stembel. Frank H. Stembel was employed on the home farm until he was eighteen years old. He then engaged in the cattle business two years for his brother-in-law, Mr. Harris. In the spring of 1878, he moved on to the farm of 160 acres in the northern part of this township, where he now resides. This farm, which is well cultivated, was subsequently deeded to himself and wife by his father and father-in-law. He was married, April 14, 1880, to Ida J. Runner, a native of this township. They have one son, Charles K. Mr. Stembel is a Democrat, and one of Benton County's enterprising farmers. EDWIN C. STEELE was born at Winchester, Randolph Co., Ind., February 18, 1854, and is the eldest of eight children born to Amaziah and Andelia (Binna^er) Steele, natives of Ohio, and of Scotch and German descent. Amaziah, in 1839, came to Randolph County with his parents, and was afterward married in that countv. He worked as a tanner, and also farmed for several 3'ears. In 1864, he went Ford County, 111., and in September of that year enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-sixth "Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was soon after tran.sferred to the regi- mental band. He was mustered out July, 1865. He then learned the carpenter's trade, wliich he has since followed. In 1870, he came to Oxford, and later to Otter- bein, this county, where he still resides. He is a member of Oxford Post, G. A. R. Edwin C. Steele received a common-school education. He served a three-years OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 369 appfentieeship to the tinner's trade, and then worked as a journeyman in Indiana and Ohio until 1872. The sprini^ of that year, lie came to Oxford, opened a hard- ware store, and has since done a prosperous trade. He carries a well-assorted stock of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves and agricultural implements. Mr. Steele was married. August IS, ISSO. to Josie V. McConnell. a native of this county. One son has blessed their union. Roy. Mr. Steele is a member of the Presbyterian Church, lie is a Republican, and one of the prominent business men of the town. ZLMRI N. THOMAS was born in Fayette County, Ind.. December 2, 1843, and is the eldest of four children born to John I. and Clarissa (Utter) Thomas, natives of New York and Indiana, and of English and German descent. Mrs. Clarissa Thomas' parents were pioneers of Ftu'etie Count}-, Ind. When five years old. John I. Thomas came with his parents to Fayette County, Ind., where he afterward mar- ried, and followed farming .several years. In 1856, he removed to ]\Iason County, 111., but in 1861 returned to Fayette County, Ind. June. 1861. he enlisted in Com- pany C, Second Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and served with the regiment until mustered out in Julv. 1864. After the war, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Fayette Count}', Ind., until his death in 1872. He and wife were members of the Chri-stian Church. Mr. Thomas was a member of I. O. O. F. Zimri N. Thomas had a good common-school and academic education. June 18, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Eighty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone'River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, on Sherman's march to the sea, and in many minor engagements. After the war. he taught school in Fayette Coimty. Ind.. several years. In 187' >, he came to this township, and has since been engaged in airricultural pursuits and iu teaching. He has taught eighteen or twenty terms in Rush. Fayette, and Benton Counties. March 27, 1872, he married Charlotte Martin, a native of Fayette County, Ind. They have one daughter. Ruby. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Thomas is a member of Oxford Lodge. No. 190. A. F. & A. M., in which lodge he has held various offices. He is a Republican. JOHN WATTLES was born in Butler County, Ohio. August 26, 1827, and is the fourth of six children born to L. W. and Lucretia (Stout) Wattles, natives of Connecticut and New Jersey, and of English and German descent. L. W. Wattles was educated in Chenango County, N. Y. While a young man, he removed to Butler County, Ohio, where he married, and farmed several years. In 1830, he came to Fountain County, Ind., and farmed there and in Warren and Benton Counties, until 1854, when he removed to Wisconsin, where he died Febi-uary 14. 1859. He was a veteran of the war of 1812. John Wattles received a common- school education, and at fifteen years of age was employed on a farm, continuing eight years. He then farmed on shares in this township five years. In 1853, he bought eighty acres of wild land in this township, which he cultivated, and on which he still resides. He now owns 200 acres of well-improved land. He was married. September 19, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth K. Gray, a native of Warren County, Ind. Six children have blessed their union, all of whom are living. Mr. Wattles is a member of Model Granjje, No. 937, and is a Democrat. ALLEN W. WELLS. M. D., was born in Lorain County. Ohio. August 14. 1836, and is the eldest of four children born to David and Cynthia (Eddy) Wells, natives of Connecticut and New York, and of Welsh and English descent. About 1829, David Wells removed to Lorain County. Ohio, journeying mostly on foot. He entered 160 acres, made a farm, and married in that covmty^ In 1868, he sold his properly and retired from active life. He is now in his seventy-sixth year. For some time he was a Comissioner of Lorain County. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife belongs to the Friends Church. Allen was educated in the common and high schools, and at Oberlin College. At the age of eighteen, he began teaching, and continued, at intervals, about seven years. He studied medicine un- der Dr. H. C. Pcarce, of Urbana. Ohio, and in 1860-61 attended a course of lectures at the Cincinnati College; he then practiced with his preceptor at Urbana. In March, 1864, he graduated from the Starling .Medical College of Columbus, Ohio. In the spring of 1863, he was one of a commission of thirlcen physicians to look af- ter the Ohio sick and wounded in the hospital boats on the Mississippi Riv- er. In 1864, he was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the fall of the same year. January 1865. he came to Oxford, this county, and has acquired an extensive and lucrative practice. During the winter of lS(i(i-»)7, he attend- ed a course of lectures at Bellevue Hosi)ital Medical College of New York. From 1868 to 1870. he was Superintendent of the Academy at Oxford, and for several years has been a member of the school board. The Doctor was mar- ried, May 25, 1868, to Myra N. Shideler. a native of La Fayette, Ind. Five children 22 370 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: have blessed this union, all now living. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 190, A. F. & A. M. AXLEN H. WHINERY was born in Clinton County, Ohio, September 4, 1833, and is the ninth of ten children horn to Joseph and Lydia(Perlcin8) Whiuery, natives of Pennsylvania and North Carolina, and of Scotch and English descent. Joseph Whinery worked as cabinet-maker in Philadelphia three years. About 1812, he re- moved (on horseback) to Clinton County, Ohio, and followed his trade at Wilming- ton until 1887, when he removed to Grant County, Ind. There he continued at the cabinet-maker's trade twenty years, after which he retired from active life, and lived with his children until his death, April 24, 1873. He was a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. Allen H. "Whinery, in 1851, came to O.vford, Benton County, hav- ing at the time only $4. He worked on a farm, several years, and in 1858 bought 100 acres of land in this township. He has improved his farm, and still resides on it. He was married, January 29, 1858, to Mary Adkinson, a native of Greene County, Ohio, by whom he has five children. Mr. Whinery is a Republican. WILLIAM D. WHITE was born in Charleston, S. C, August 14, 1821, and is the second in a family of five boys born to William D. and Mary (Cogan) White, natives of Scotland and Maryland, and of Scotch and Irish descent. William D. White, Sr., learned the machinist's trade in Scotland. Soon after attaining his ma- jority, he came to America, and first settled at Baltimore, where he was employed in the United States Arsenal during the war of 1812, and where he was afterward married. Soon after that war, he went to Greenville Court House, near Charleston, S. C, and was engaged in the manufacture of arms in the United States Arsenal several years. He afterward built and put in the machinery in several cotton facto- ries in South Carolina and Georgia, some of which are still in operation. In 1835, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at his trade two years, then came to Harrison, Ind., where he resided until his death. He and wife were members of the Christian Church. William D. White, Jr., was a machinist, many years in the employment of Winslow Jones & Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio, for whom he put in machinery all over the South and West. In 1856, he gave up his trade, and bought a partially improved farm in this township, on which he has since resided. He was married, in 1850, to Amy Pharis, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, by whom he had three children— Emma, Mary A. and William E. The latter graduated from Purdue University in 1883. Mrs. White died March 4, 1859. She was a member of the Christian Church, of which Mr. White is also a member. He is a Democrat. WILLIAM WILKINSON (deceased) was born in Warren County, Ind., and was of Scotch ancestry. In 1844, he came to Benton County, where he married Miss Nancy P. Johnston, a native of Vigo County, Ind., of Irish and Welsh descent. About 1846 or 1847, he entered and bought 121) acres of land in this county, part in Oak Grove, and part in Grant Township. On that portion in Grant Township, he erected a cabin and improved a farm, which he subsequently sold. He continued to buy, and improve land until he had improved some half dozen farms in the county. With the exception of eighteen montlisspentinlowa, he resided in Benton County un- til his death, August 1, 1867. He was not a church member, but held to the Baptist faith. Of Mr. Wilkinson's children, only two are living — Thomas M., born in Oak Grove Township February 28, 1852, and John W., born in Grant Township September 20, 1855. Both were employed on their father's farm, until they attained their majori- ty.' Thomas M. Wilkinson farmed on shares for several years. In 1881, he bought a farm in this township, but he lives on rented land in Grant Township. December 34, 1876, he married Harriet A. Jackson, a native of this township. They have had two children, Cecilia L. and Chesney W. He is a member of Benton Grange, No. 857. John W. Wilkinson, after his twenty-first year, farmed the houK; farm on shares until after his mother's death, January 29, 1881. Pie now owns the old home- stead, having bought his brother's interest. He was married, March 13, 1881, to Clara J. Jones, a native of Warren County, Ind. They have one son, William C. Mrs. Wilkinson is a member of the Christian Church. ' Mr. Wilkinson is a member of Benton Grange, No. 857. The two brothers are Democrats. JOEL C. WILMOTH was bornjin Seneca County, Ohio, June 30, 1845, and is the youngest of two children now living, born to Solomon and Margaret (Henry) Wilmoth, natives of Virginia and of English descent. In 1832. Solomon moved to Seneca County, Ohio, where he afterward married. In 1846, he removed to Wyan- dot County, Ohio, near Upper Sandusky, and bought 160 acres of wild land, which he farmed until his death in May, 1850. He was at one time Sheriff of Wyandot County, Ohio. Joel C. Wilmoth received a common school education. April, 1861, he came to Oxford, this county, and the following December enlisted in Company D, Sixtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. In 1863, he was detailed on signal duty, and was transferred to the signal corps after the fall of Vicksburg. He was mu3- OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 371 tered out in December, 18(U. He participated in all tlie battles of the Vicksburg campaign, and at Missionary Ridge, Resaca. Kenesaw Mountain and the Atlanta campaign, besides many lesser engagements. He engaged in tin; hardwan' business at Brookston. White Co., Ind., until lS()(i, when lie sold out and went on a tour throngh Kansas, Colorado, New Me.xieo and Arizona. From I8(i7 to 1S70, lie was a hardware salesman at Danville, 111. He then returned to Oxford and opened a hardware store. He carries .shelf and heavy iiurdware, I)!U'bed wire, agricultural implements and macliinerv. in value between A.!. ()()() and :?().()()(). His annual aver- age sales are from $l-.i.O()(»" to $15,000. He has Ix'cn a Trustee of Oxford, and in 1876 he was (;andidate for Siieritt. In Xovemb.-r, 1870, he married Hattie Parkins, in Champaign, III. Mrs. Hattie Wilmoth died Xoveml)erll, 1878. She was a mem- ber of the Methodist Kpiscopal Church. June :]0, 187"). Mr. Wilmoth married Han- nah M. Wright, a native of Salem. N. J. They have had one son, Joel (J. Mrs. Wilmoth is a member of the Methodist Episeopal ("hurch. Mr. Wilmoth is a mem- ber of Oxford Lodge, I. O. O. F. , and politicallv is a Democrat. ROBERT WOOD was born in Yorkshire, England, December 7. 1831, and is the fourth of eight children born to Thomas and Mary (Vandervart) Wood, natives of England. Thomas Wood owned a farm in his native country, and was also occu- pied in milling and hotel-keeping until 1844, when he ])rought his family to the United States and settled in Dearborn County, Ind.. on a farm. In 1855, he" bought a farm in Irocjuois County, III., on which he died in the fall of 180:}. He was a member of I. O. O. F. in England, but did not renew his membership in this coun- try. Robert Wood served a four years' apprenticeship to the harness-maker's trade, and worked as a journejMiian in Lawrenceburg and Oxford. In 1855, he opened a shop at Oxford, in company with Frederick Ilamerly. Mr. Ilamerly subsequently retired, since when Mr. Wood has conducted the business alone, with success. He has twice been Trustee of this township, and is a Trustee of Oxford. He was mar- ried, November '20, 18.58, to Matikla Hickman, a native of Owen County, Ind. They have had four chiMren, three of whom are living. Mr. Wood is a member of Oxford Lodge, I. O. O. 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 1883. 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 tive children born to John and Elizabeth (Ludwig) Zeis, natives of Germany. John Zeis was a book-keeper, and died in April, 1882. Mrs. Elizal)eth Zeis died in 1877. The}' 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 1804. He then started a bakery and confectionery, which he sold in 1808 and came to Oxford. He hauled his entire stock on a one- horse wagon. He opened a grocery store and bakery, and his trade has .so increased that he is noAvthemost extensive trader in his line in the county. He carries a well- selected stock of gi'oceries, provisions, confections and notions, in value about $10,000. His bakery 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])akery line. His average an- nual sales are from $80,0i)0 to $40,000. His business premi.ses are 120 feet long and two stories high. Both floors and the cellar are tilled with goods. His custom ex- tends over a radius of twenty miles. .Mr. Z<'is was married, October 25, 1806, 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. 22, I. O. 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. H. ARMS, grain and commission merchant, is a native of Fountain County, Ind., born December 6, 1833, a son of Orren and Cynthia (Hubbard) Arms, and of English descent. The parents of S. H. Arms were born in Vermont and Massachu- setts respectivelv. The father came to Indiana and settled in Fountain County when twenty-one years of age, where the mother died in 1843. The father is living at Attica, aged eighty-two years. In IBoG, S. H. Arms removed to Kansas, engaged in fanning and trading, and returned to this State in 1861. He was married, Janu- ary 17, 1867, to Miss Diana, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Kell ; their union was graced by two children — Gertrude and Ira O. After marriage, Mr. Arms moved to tlus township, on land purchased two years previously, and remained until 1879, when became to Boswell, where he has |lO,000 invested, and engaged in the grain commission business successfully, and has continued the same. He is a Republican, and 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 native of Westmoreland County, Penn., born October 16, 1829, and of Irish-German descent. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, where his father died February, 1881, and his mother yet resides, aged seventy-four. The education of Luke Beazell was lim- ited to the early schools, and he worked for his father until after his majority. In May, 1855, he moved to Wells County, Ind., and remained two .years, thereafter coming to this county, where he rented Daniel Burdett's farm, and there lived tive years, after which he purchased a farm near Oxford, and farmed until 1874, when he changed to his present residence. Here he purchased 312 acres, which, by adding, now number 392 acres, and which is one of the best improved farms in the locality. December 24, 1856, he was wedded to Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of Edward and Emeline Ferguson, a native of Ohio. Their union was followed by six children — William, Emma, James, Elizabeth, Sarah and Joseph. Mr. Beazell was a Whig ; cast his first 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 Church. 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 Maryland, and of German-English descent. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was present at Hull's surrender. In 1833, he moved to Pine Township, Warren County, Ind., but died at Attica, Fountain County March 24, 1868 ; his mother died on the homestead in Warren County, Oc- tober, 1870. The education of W. S. Brown was of the ordinary log school variety. He was married April 1, 1857, to Mrs. Mary J. Brown, daughter of William and Ann Myers, a native of Cincinnati, which union was followed by six children — Fannie E., Walter S., Benjamin C, Jennie G. and two deceased in infancy. In the spring of 1862, Mr. Brown moved to his present location, where he purchased 120 acresfwhich are now well improved. He is a Republican, but cast his first vote for Gen. Scott. Mr. Brown, as also his wife, is a member of the U. B. Church. JACOB CASSEL, farmer, is a native of Warren County, Ohio, born July 3, 1813, a son of Job and Mary (Hoffman) Cassel, and of German-English descent. Grandfather Hoffman was a soldier in the American Revolution, in which struggle he'was killed. Jacob's father was a native of Virginia, his mother of South Caro- lina. In the early time, they emigrated from South Carolina to Kentucky, and about eiffhty years ago to Warren County, Ohio, and when Jacob was thirteen years old, moved to Fountain County, Ind., where they died— the father aI)out 1847, the mother about 1852. Our subject bore his share of the farm labor until his marriage, December 17 1840, to Miss Mary A. M., daughter of Thomas and Mary Young, and a native of Kentucky. Four children dignified their union— Harry C, Franklin C, Melissa A. and Jefferson M. In 1844, Mr. Cassel came to this township, and has now over 600 acres. In 1857, he built a residence costing |8,000. He has been Township Trustee and County Commissioner. Mr. Cassel had three sons in the late war. He has suf- fered many losses— at one time $13,000 by the death of cattle, and |6,000 by the burnino- of his house. He and wife are members of the Church of Christ. J B. CHRISTLEY, M. D., was born in Butler County, Penn., July 15, 1882, and is the third of the five children of Michael and Rachel (Beckwith) Christley, GRANT TOWNSHIl'— BENTON COUNTY. 373 the former, a native of Pennsylvania, died in 1866, the latter, a native of Connecti- cut, died in 1839. Dr. Christley attended school at New Wilmington, and after- ward Alle^dieny CoHoufe, at Mcadvlllc, Peun. Thereafter, he read medicine for three years with Dr. J. B. Livini^ston, at Centerville, Penii.. and atiemlcd tiie Michigan University at Ann Arbor. In ISfiO, lie began practice in Buller County. Peun." In 1861. lie moved to Warren County, Ind., and commenced practice, and in 1873 came to Boswell. where he now resides and continues practice. In IStio, he purchased a farm in Prairie Townsliip. and on Jidy 6 of that year married .Mary E., daughter of Solomon and Margaret Borders ; she is a native of New liichmond, Fountain County, and lias liorne seven cliildren — Alplia A., Clara L., Editli M. (de- ceased), EvcrettM., Lloyd. Carl E. and Joseph G. Dr. Christley is a Hc])ublican, and one of the leading physicians and citizens of the county, and he and Mrs. Christley are members of the Methodist Epl.scopal Church. iSAMUEL P. I)AVIS, boot and shoe; dealer, was born In Chester County, Penn., February 3, 1820, and is a son of E. H. and Elizabeth (Pawling) Davis, and of Ger- man descent. Ilis grandfather was a soldier of tlie Revolutoin. His f;iilitr. 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. KPjYS, dealer in hardware and agricultural implements, was born March 14, 1837, in Warren County, Ind.; is a son of Samuel and Marj' (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 1H12, and died in Pine Township, Warren County, in 1S45, as did also his wife. W. T. Kej's lived with an elder brother until his eighteenth year, when he worked for various persons. He was rnarried. Sep- tember 29. 1863, to Miss Saraii Evans, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of David Evans. This union was bles.sed with eight ciiildren— William, Isalona. Charles D., Sjdvia O.. Anna L., Roy O., Raman and Faman ; of these, William and Charles D. are decea.sed. After marriage, Mr. Keys jiurchascd a farm in Prairie Township, Warren County, which he managed vmtil 1S72, when he came to Boswell and engaged in the livery business, and in 1881 in the hiirdwarc business, which he still manages. He has one of the finest residences in Boswell, and is worth !f9,0(K». He enlisted, August, lHfi2, in Company I, Seventy-second Indiana Vobmteers. but, owing to 6icknes.s, served but three months. Mr. Keys is a Repui)lican, and Mrs. Keys is a member of the Methodist Ei>iscoj)al Churcli. JAMES KIRTLF^Y, farmer and grain-dealer, was born in Putnam County, Va. ; is a son of Thomas and Jeannette (Morris) Kirlley; was born September 12, 1K35, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. Grandfatiier Kirtley was a soldier in the war of 1812. Tlie parents of our subject were natives of Virginia. In 1S45, his father moved to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and settled near La Fayette; in 1858. he removed to Champaign County, 111., where he yet lives, aged seventy-two; his mother died in 1H43. James Kirtley was married, Stjptember 12. IHtU, to ]\Ii,ss Catherine, daugh- ter of William T. and Sarali Murdock. a native of Tippecanoe County. Four chil- dren crowned this union — William T., P<'rry C, Floyd R., and Edgar I), (deceased March 15, 1H79), with one adopted child. .M.ittie G. After his marriage. Mr. Kirtley acted as Clerk for one year at Culver's Station, whence he removed to this township, and purchased land, on which he remaiiKMl until 1872. when he engaged in general merchandising at Chase, wiii<'ii he continiieil until IHH2. Mr. Kirti<'y has l)een suc- cessful as a farmer, grain-dealer and merchant, and owns32H acres in one tract. He is a Republican, and cast his first Presiilential vole for Mr. Lincoln. In 1864, he 376 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: served seven years as Township Trustee, and in 1873 was appointed Postmaster of Chase, at which he served ten j^ears. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the United Brethren Church, as is also Mrs. Kirtley. He assisted in organizing Com- pany H, Fortieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was the first railroad agent at Chase; his property is valued at $20,000. WILLIAM T. KIIITLEY, railway agent and telegraph operator, was born at Culver's Station, Tippecanoe Co., Ind., July 5, 1863. His parents were James and Catherine (Murdock) Kirtley, and he is of Scotch-Irish descent. William attended his tirst school at what was known as " Kiger's Schoolhouse," 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 Republican, a very promising young man, and a most respected citi- zen. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. JACOB LAMB, retired farmer, 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, seven were soldiers of the Revolutionary war. The parents of our subject were natives of North Carolina and Virginia respectively. They came to Wayne County, Ind. , in 1817, and thence, in 1853, to Fountain County; the father died in 1857, the mother one year earlier. When Jacob was twenty years old, he went to California, engaged in mining, and remained 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 Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Ephraim and Martha Bunnell, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1883, 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 Octol)er 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 born in Sweden June 8, 1835; and 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 Logansport, where he landed October 4, 1853. He now began farm labor, and worked at one place seven years, at the rate of $10 per month. He was married, March 11, 1861, to Miss Christina Johnson, of Sweden, a daughter of Jonas and Mary Johnson. This union was followed bv five children— Ella J., Minnie E., Charles F., John W. and Oscar V. After marriage, Mr. Lawson rented land, on which he farmed. In 1865, 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, which partnership still continues. Mr. Lawson is now owner of about 500 acres of land, and handles about 100 head of cattle annually. He is a Democrat, and gave his first Presidential vote for James Buchanan. In "1878, he was elected Township Trustee, served two terms, and is a representative citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson are members of the United Brethren Church. SILAS H. McILVAINE is a native of this township, born July 5, 1854, and is a son of Samuel and Margaret (McConnell) Mcllvaine, the former a native of Champaign County, Ohio, the latter of Highland County. Ohio. Samuel Mcllvaine came to what is now Grant Township. In 1848. he entered 40 acres in this county, and served as County Assessor from 1851 to 1853 ; he was also elected County Com- missioner in 1860. On September 6, 1861, he enlisted in the Tenth Regiment In- diana Volunteers. His principal engagement was at Mill Spring, but he was injured by a fall in Nickajack Cave, Tennessee, September 5, 1863, and died September 8. He was buried in the South. Mr. Mcllvaine had been a Whig, but became a Republican, and was strongly patriotic, no one being more devoted to the cause of liis country. He was an active member of the Christian Church, and a public-spirited, exemplary citizen. Mrs. Mcllvaine is living in Oxford, aged fifty- five. The education of our subject was obtained in this county, after which he be- came a teacher, taught many terms, and was one of the first of instructors. He was married, March 15, 1883, to Miss Mary Worthington, daughter of Richard and Melvi- na Worthington, a native of Kalamazoo, Mich. In 1883, Mr. Mcllvaine purchased the family farm. He is a stanch Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Mr. Hayes. Mr. and Mrs. Mcllvaine belong to the Christian Church, of which he is an Elder. Mr. Mcllvaine is a promising young man and a worthy citizen. GRANT TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 377 WILLIAM McILVAINE is a iialivc of ("luiinpaign County, Ohio, born July 12, 1826, a son of Silas and Mary (Iliiodcs) Mcllvaine, and of Scotch-German descent. The parents of oursubject moved to Fountain Count}', Ind., and settled on the Shaw- nee I rairie, where his father died in is;i") ; his mother died in Benton Count}' in 1873, agedseventy-three. In ix<)7, Mr. Mellvainepurchased 120 acres of ills ])reseiit farm of 200 acres, whi(;li is well cultivated and improved, lie was married January 20, ls.");j, to Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Cyrus Stanley — a union favored with eleven cliil - dren— Rachel E., CliarlesX.. an infant. Cyrus W.. Franii. Samuel \V., Mary B.. Sal- lie, E l.jar L.. Perry aid Carrie. Mr. .Mcllvaine wa-< a Whig, and cast iiis first Pres- idential vote for Gen. Taylor. He is now a Republican, an excellent man, and a re- spected citizen. ^Ir. and Mrs. ^Icllvaine are members of tiie Christian Church. JAMES A. Mcknight, county Auditor-elect, is a native of Warren County, Ohio, born March S, 1S;U. and is a .son of Linton and Margaret (Mar([ucss) Mc- Knight. both natives of Virgiiua. Linton McKnight moved to Warren County, Ohio, where he married and resided until 1.S41 ; thence to XiMiia. and in ISfjO to Richland Township, Fountain County, Ind. His father was an active Republican, and an ear- nest supporter of the late war. He died August 1H.1S79. His mother died May 22,1867. In addition to the conunon schools, James attended the high school and an academy at Xenia. He worked for his father until his majority, when he farmed on rented ground until August 3. 1862, 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 honoral)ly discharged July 6. 1S65, whereupon he resumed farm- ing, and May I, 1867, came to this township and purchased a farm. In July, 1868, he inaugurated a nierchandi.se 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 1872 he removed his store thereto. Mr. McKnight was married, October 24. 186U, 1o 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 1882, he was elected by the Reioul)licans County Auditor. Mr. McKnight is a Freemason, and a member of the G. A. R., and he and wife are members of tlie M. E. Church. WILLIAM H. McKNIGHT, merchant and Township Trustee, is a son of Lin- ton and Margaret (Manjuess) McKnight, and was l)()rn September 6, 1840. When about nine years of age, he moved with his parents to Fountain County, Ind., where some of his early school days were passed. He remained at home with his father 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 24, 1864, and resumed farming. He was married. October 27, 1870, to Miss Mary J. Applegate, 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 Ollie : of these, the first two are deceased. Mr. McKnight came to and settled in Grant Township in 1872. 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, 1882, he was elected Township Trustee, by a majority of 10:i. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the G. A. R. WILLIAM MARVIN, a farmer and ex-County Treasurer, was born in Fount- ain County, Ind., August 7, 18:51; is the elder of the two children of Runa and Cath- erine (AUenduff) Marvin, and of Engli-, 18(m, and engaged in but(;hering at Williams- port, and afterward in the grocery i)usiness, with .M. T. Hainer. 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- ma.son and a Repuldican. J(JH\ M. SrAXLF^Y was born in this township October 8, 1845, and is a .son of Cyrus and Amanda (McCV)nnell) Stanley, tiie former a native of Ohio, the latter of Indiana, who settled in tliis township in IMJ."), where the father died, March 25, 1873; the mother is yet living on the homestead. John M. Stanley attended what was known as the " Perigo" School, and obtained an ordiiiiiry education. January 13. 1875, he married Miss Josie, daughter of 1). K. and Mary Slife, a native of Indiana, to which marriage succeeded two children— P^dith ,M. and (Jertrude. In 1871, Mr. St.mley built on his portion of the homestead, and now luis 120 acres under good cultivation. He is an ardent Repulilican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Al)rahani Lincoln. Mrs. Stanley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 380 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: HICKORY GROVE TOWNSHIP. SAMUEL ALEXANDER, sou of Samuel and Mary Alexander, was born Sep- tember 25, 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. In 1848, they moved to Tippecanoe County, and thence to War- ren County, 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 Har^reaves, daughter of John and Betty liargreaves, a native of England, from which union sprang ten children, three of whom are living— James H., Tilla Lutis and Opal Vio. In 1872, Mr. Alexander sold his farm and came to tliis township, where, in partnership with Mr. Fowler, he purchased 2,000 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. Except 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 ladJ^ DENNIS BARRAGREE, a son of Thomas and Margaret Barragree. was born July, 1843, in County Limerick, Ireland. His father was a prosperous farmer for the country, but was only a renter. After attending the high school and an acad- emy, Dennis departed fro"m Dublin for the United States February 19, 1863, during the' Fenian troubles, to escape imprisonment, if no worse. He journej^ed 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, wiiich 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 profitabl}' 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 1882. Mr. Berragree is a Democrat, a member of the Catholic Church, and strong in his allegiance to his adopted country. JAMES M. G. BEARD, M. D., is a son of William and Eleanor (McMillan) Beard, and was born in New Boston, May 27, 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 City, Mo., where he graduated in March, 1875, taking the faculty prize. He settled in Oakwood, Kan., in 1870, and at Ambia, Ind., in 1875. He is a memlier of the Benton County Medical Soci- etv. In 1861, he published an almanac called the " New England Calendar," and in 1862 one for Hillsboro and Merrimack Counties, N. H. In Julj^, 1871, he married Miss Roseltha Small, of Winfield, Kan., a union which was blessed by three chil- dren—Walter S., Eleanor E. and John G. Dr. Beard has a large practice in this and Warren Counties, and in Iroquois and Vermillion Counties, 111., and is an es- teemed physician ; he is also a tran of much mechanical talent, having constructed several excellent and valuable electric batteries. SOLOMON BROE, Sk.. is a native of Lower Canada, and was born June 2, 1822. His parents. Peter and Mary Broe, were also natives of Canada, and his grandparents natives of France, who emigrated to Canada in 1712. Solomon worked for his father until he was nineteen j^ears old, when he was married to Felicite Pon- ton, a union productive of five children— Solomon, Mary, Julia, Harriet and Law- rence. Mrs. Broe died in 1857, and in 1858 he married Lenora Logue. This union likewise produced five children— George, Fred, Alda, Louisa and Napoleon. In 1852, Mr. Broe purchased and settled on eighty acres of land in Kankakee Co., 111., which he did not long keep, but bought a second eighty acres, on which he lived eleven years. In 1873, he went to Chicago, where he engaged in teaming, and in 1876 came to this county, where he purchased his present home, then wholly unim- proved, but now in excellent condition, with neat hedges, commodious frame dwell- ing etc., a pleasant witness of his well-directed labor. Mr. Broe is a member of the Catholic Church. HICKORY GROVR TOWNSHIP— BRNTON COUNTY. 381 JOHN W. COLE, son of John and Eli/abit little chance for school-going ; he therefore gave his time to his father tmtii IMO'J, when he enlisted in the Seventy-sixth IHinois Vol- unteers. Soon after his enlistment he took measles. Ilie sequel of wliich compelled him to return. In 186H, he married Miss Martha Smith, to which union have been 382 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: born four children — Mary Ada, Annie L., Charles and William. After marriage, Mr. Herriman resided on his fatlier's farm for five years, when he purchased eighty, and added forty acres ; this he improved with good buildings and in other ways, and sold. In the springof 1888, 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 Justice of the Peace when he left that State. JOHN" F. McCORMtCK is a native of Worcester County, Mass., born Decem- ber 5, 1853, and a son of Michael and Margaret McCormlck, 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 he reached the age of twenty- four years. The family emigrated to Peoria County, 111., in 1857 : 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 lantl for three years, when he moved to Ambia and went into the general merchandise business with C. S. Golden. In one year he sold his interest to O. P. Manny, and purchased Mr. Kelly's interest of the firm of Allen & Kelly, and now has a very prosperous business. Mr. Mc- Cormick is independent in politics, and a member of the Catholic Church. 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 boys after the fourteenth \'ear. Our svibject worked for his father until of age, and afterward as asteamfitter in Chicago. In i875, he moved to Ambia, Benton County, Ind., where he is engaged in black- smithing. In 1882, he began manufacturing buggies, and in 1883 gophers for T. J. Lewis, all with much satisfaction. Mr. Malo has also been doing general work, and has been generally successful. In 1869, he was married to Miss Mar}' 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, Germany, May 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 Myers, he was adopted by a teacher, who took him to Wisconsin and thence to Chicago, from which point, at the age of fifteen, he commenced his life alone, working on a farm ; in a freight ofiice at Riverton, 111. ; in a restaurant at Illiopolis ; in a grocery store, as clerk ; and in 1873 as proprietor of a restaurant, which he sold and removed to Danville, 111., where he engaged in a grocery and bakery. In 1877, he moved to Ambia and settled in the hardware busi- ness. He has now greatly increased his stock, and necessarily 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. Myers' parents were natives of Pennsylvania ; her great-grandfather was a soldier of the American Revolution, her grandfather of the war of 1812, and her only brother, Peter, gave his life during the tate rebellion. Mr. Myers is a Republican, was Township Clerk while in Illinois, and is a member of the Lutheran Church. HENRY J. PARKER, son of John and Elizabeth Parker, was born July 2, 1818, in Tioga County, N. Y. He worked for his father during his minority, and in 1837 the family settled in Lawrence County, Ohio, where, in 1839, he married Miss Susanna S., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Walton, by which alliance they have nine living children — Eliza C. McCoy, Samuel A., Henry A., William W., George F., Hiram C, Louisiana Bell, J^mes C. and Franklin. Mrs. Parker's father was Surveyor of Lawrence County for thirty-two successive years. In 1840, Mr. Parker emigrated to Indiana and settled at Williamsport, Warren County, where he followed coopering and became County Recorder. In 1855, he removed to Iro- quois County, 111., bought and improved some land and remained until 1873, when he settled at Ambia, then containing but seven buildings, and he being the first seller of goods. After four years, he sold his stock and rented his building, and for several years has been express agent at Ambia for the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. Mr. Parker was for eight years Commissioner of Highways in Illinois. He is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. WASHINGTON M. PUGH was born in Bedford County, Tenn., January 26, 1812. His parents were William and Sarah Pugh. William Pugh emigrated from South Carolina to Indiana many j^ears ago, and settled near Vincennes, where he built a mill. In 1845, he moved West, destined for Oregon, but died before reaching there. Washington worked for his father until he was married, in April, 1832, to Miss Nancy Crawford; they have had nine children, four living— James C, Sarah HICKORY GROVF. TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 38S A., •Harvey H. and Isabel. After liis inarriai^e, Mr. Puj^h moved on and farmed some land of Mrs. Puijli, to whicli he added forty aeres. In IH^.i, tliey moved to Illinois, and in 1878 eame to what is now Aml)ia, of whieh phiee they are among the first settlers. Mr. and ^Irs. Pu,^-li are worthv members of the Christian Church. HENRY' REED was born in England, October 25, 1834, and is a son of David and Ann Reed; the former died in England, the latter lives in Illinois. After his boyhood, Henry worked bv the year. In IS."")!, his mother, with part of her family, came to America and settled in Connecticut, wliere Henry worked as a farmer. lie 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 successf nil}'. In 18(i9, he purchased ICO acres of unimproved land. In 1876, he came to this county and township, and bought 120 acres, on which he remained three j'ears, and in 1882 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 187() to Mrs. Lottie Abbott, daughter of John 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. SIDDEXS is a native of Kentucky, born January 28, 1824, and a son of James and Sarah Siddens. In 1829, tlie family emigrated to Putnam County, Ind., where Hugh worked during his youth on the farm. In 1842, he married Miss Matilda 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 deatiis, his father dying in 18(54, and his mother in 1805. Mr. Siddens had one son. William, who served four years during the late war. In 18ti4, 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 county, 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 Countv, Ind.; was born April 15, 1845, and is a son of Hugh C. and Matilda Siddens. In 18(il, 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 3'car 18H5 was married to JSIiss Sarah C. Browning, by which union they had four (children — Ida, Eva, Hattie and Lola. After marriage, Mr. Siddens farmed on rented land until 1881, when he purciiased his home in this township, then eighty acrefe of unbroken prairie, but now under fair cultivation and having a good dwelling-house upon it. He is a general farmer, and rai.ses some cattle and hogs. Mr. Siddens was Trustee of this township, first elected in 1876 by twenty-nine majority, and in 1878 by sixty nuijority— 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 28, 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 motlier died in !8.")J>. Charles attended the high school, and was prepared for college, after wiiich 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 W^asiiington, D. C., Jind returned to Maine, when he went to the northern part of the State as paymaster for a luml)er <;ompany; he was also surveyor and inspector of lumber. He served as book-keeper at Toledo and Chicago, and as salesman, likewi.se; when traveling to Amiiia, Ind., he purchased a grain elevator and lumber-yard, in which he has i)een since engaged e.\tensivel3\ liis annual .sales of grain reaching 200,000 l)usiiels. ;ind of lumber 1.000,000 feet. Re- cently he has added to his business an agricultural implement department. In February, 1877, he married Mi.ss Abbie Parks, of Batii. Me. One child has crowned their union, Sara Marion, Mr. White is politically a Repul)lican, and a most active, enterprising business man. He and wife are forward in Sal)bath school and other good works. 384 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: PARISH GROVE TOWNSHIP. WILLIAM BENNETT is a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind. ; he came to Parish Grove Township, Benton County, in 1875, 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 about 130 high-grade Hereford cows, besides a large number of horses and hogs; hitherto he has been raising English draft horses, but at present owns a fine Clydes- dale horse which 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 §tar Lodge, A. O. U. W. He was married, De- cember 20, 1865, to Angle Stewart, a native of Montgomerj' 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 Pickaway County, Ohio, where he remained several years, when he went to Illinois and remained one year; he next came to Tippecanoe County, where he died in March 1850. CAPT. JAMES 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 1841, John crossed the Atlantic, and for four years found employment in and around Chicago, as a brick and stone mason. In 1845, his family came from Ireland, and they settled in Lockport, 111., where 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 Desplaines Valley. August 9, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany C, Ninetieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and w^as chosen First Sergeant. June 15, 1864, 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, Missionary liidge, Resaca, Look- out and Kenesaw Mountains, Atlanta, in Sherman's march to the sea, the capture of Fort McAllister, through the Caroliuas, and the engagements of Bentonville, and Averysboro. 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 with a brother managed their farm until 1872, when he came to Benton County, Ind., and was the first to settle on what is known as the Dunn settlement, in ParLsh Grove Township. He owns a fine farm of 300 acres, well improved 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 Robbins, who was born in October, 1851; is a native of Will County, 111., and daughter of William and Margaret (Tracy) Robbins. Their union has been blessed with six children — William H., born Janu- ary 30, 1869; Maggie, January 29, 1871; John F., February 10, 1874; Escy, Febru- ary 25, 1877; James, July 11, 1879. and George E., February 15, 1882. Mrs. Dunn is of Irish descent, and is a graduate of Notre Dame Seminary, South Bend, Ind. Capt. Dunn and wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church, and he is an honorary member of G. A. R. JOHN DUNN is a native of the Emerald Isle, and was born November 27, 1837. When seven years old, he became a resident of Lockport, 111., making his home with his parents until their respective deaths. During his youthful days, the greater por- tion of his time was passed in hunting, and, like his brother, James, he became a noted marksman. On the breaking out of the rebellion, he secured a contract from the Government to furnish baled hay for the cavalry service, continuing this occupation until the close of the war, when he engaged in farming near Lockport, 111. In 1874, he removed to Parish Grove Township, Benton Co., Ind., where he has .since resided, engaged exten.sively in stock-raising. He owns a well-improved farm of 320 acres; he is a Democrat. Mr. Dunn was mai'ried. May 9, 1867, to Mary PARISH GROVE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 385 A. Robbins; he and wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church, and the parents of three children — Julia. Maiiuella nnd Clara. DAVID R. FINLEY was born .July Id. 183J, in Di-laware County, Ohio, and is one of .seven children born to Robert and Eli/abetli (Riley) Finley. Robert Finlev ■was a native of Virginia, and while a j'oung man he removed with his father to Del- aware County, Ohio, but in 183t» went to Kane County, 111., where he bought a farm and continued to reside until his death in 1>^79, his wife having died four years previousl)'. He was a soldier in the American Army during the war of 1H12. David R. Finley received a good practical education, and lived with his father's family, work- ing upon the farm until he was tvventy-eiglit years of age. He then went to Livingston County, 111., where he remained until 1870, when lie came to Parish Grove Town^liip, 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, ]8r»2, in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Iliinois Volunteer Infantry, and served with the regiment until it was mustered out at Washington. D. ('., June, ISO,"). He participated in tiie 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 21, 1870, to Liz/ie N. Throop, a native of Kane County. 111., and eight children have blessed this union, .seven of whom are living. Mr. Finlej^ is a Republican, and one of the prominent men of Benton County. •JAMI'^S A. LOWMON is a native of La Salle County. 111., where he received his education. He lived with his father's family until 1873; then came to Benton County, Ind., and settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Butterfield, five miles north of Fowler, where he remained four years. He then transferred this farm to LeRoy Templeton, in part payment for a farm of 400 acres in Parish Grove 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 countj', and is a Republican. He was married, January 21, 187,"), to Alice Good, a native of Mont- gomery County, Ohio, and they have four children — Mamy, 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 boy, removed with his parents to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he remained about eight jears, then went to La Salle County, 111., and operated a saw mill for a time, after which he turned his attention to farming, in which occupation he is still engaged. He is one of the oldest settlers in that region. DONALD 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, to Miss 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 ni Parish Grove Township, en- gaged in farming and raising stock. He owns a well-cultivated farm of 444 acres, which yields him 4.0U0 bushels of corn per annum, l)esides 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, 1H13. He is the sixth in a family of seventeen children born to John II. and Anna (Burton) Robert- son, natives of Virginia, and of English discent. In March, 1^35, Henry Robert- son, in comjjany with a brother, purciiased a (luartersection of land on Section 36, in Parish Grove Township, for his father, and tlie same season put out a crop, and bought an additional KM) acres for himself and brother, adjoining his father's land. The fall of 1835, John II. 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 18f)3. Mr. Robertson, Sr., tlien made his home with his son Henry, until his death in 1874. He was one of tlie 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 Sheriff for Benton County, and on retiring from this office 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 first road projected through the county. Mr. Robertson was formerly a Whig, and is now a Republican, and lias twice been a candidate for State Repres"^entative. 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 has been a large stocli-raiser. August 19, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Sarah A. (Turbyville) Courtney, 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, besides three whom they are now caring for. Mr. Robertson is highly respected by his fellow citizens. He is a member of the Masonic order and a Protestant. Mrs. Robertson is a member of the M. E. Church. DAVID WOODLOCK is 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 New Haven, Conn. For several years, he worked with his brother, who was gardener for Mrs. Eli Whitney; 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 1861, when, 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, when he came to Parish Grove Township, Benton Co., Ind., and bought 320 acres of land, but did not settle upon this land until four years later. He now owns 560 acres of laud, well improved and cultivated. He devotes his attention largely to stock- raising, and has a great number of cattle and hogs. Mr. Woodlock was married, in July, 1850, to Bridget Loughery, a native of Ireland, and they have had nine chil- dren, seven of whom are living. The parents are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Woodlock was born about 1829. and was the youngest 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 ancestry back for nearly three centuries to a number of Danes who settled in Ireland. He had a collegiate educa- tion, and owned a large estate. PINE TOWNSHIP. CAREY 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 1828, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Haigh) Eastburn. His early educa- tion, was considerably neglected, as his time was emploj^ed largely in assisting his parents in their farm duties; but after he arrived at years of maturity, he gave him- self a thorough schooling, which has proven a lasting benefit to him. In 1833, his parents settled in Tippecanoe County, Ind., where he was reared to manhood, and in 1850 he married Jane Johnson, daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Bowyer) John- 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 1,200 acres. He has never aspired to any high political office, but, through the per- suasions of his friends, allowed 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 ten children, eight of whom are yet living. LEVI HAWKINS, son of Benjamin Hawkins, whose biography appears in the biographical department of Fowler, was born in Daviess County, Ind., in 1840, received but a common school education, and at the age of fifteen years removed to Benton County, which has since been his home. In 1861, with many brave boys of his neighborhood, he enlisted for the war, and was assigned to duty in the Tenth Indiana Volunteers, in which, for about three years, he rendered efficient service. Being wounded severely at the battle of Chickamauga, he was discharged in 1864, returned home, and has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising in Pine Township, where he owns a fine tract of land, comprising 220 acres. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and was married, in 1869, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Owens) Broadie, by whom he is the father of three children. ROBERT HAWKINS, one of those sturdy old pioneers who braved the hard- ships and privations of the then far West, and who aided in laying the foundation of PINE TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 387 the prosperity which the present generation now enjoys, is a native of Butler Coun- ty, Oliio. and is a son of Levi and and Mary (Evens) llawkins. Ho was l)orn in the year 1H15, secured a nood practical education, and in 18l'8 came with his i)ari'nts to the Iloosier State, settling eii,dit miles south of La Fayette, in Tii)j)Ccanoc County, where he resided until 1841, then removed to Benton County, and at first was em- ployed herding cattle; he afterward purchased a farm in Pine Township and en- gaged in agricultural ])ursuits. and now owns one of the finest farms in tlie town- ship, consisting of 400 acres, which is well imi)roved and supplied Avith living water all the year. He was married to Sarah A. Carter, daugiiter of Robert and Anna Carter, in 1843, and by her l)ecame the father of six children, only three of whom are yet living. Mrs. Hawkins, a loving wife and mother and li member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in 1882, aged si.xty years, beloved and respected by 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 en- gaged in farming. In 18()2,'he became a member of the Seventv-.second Indiana Volunteer Mounted Infantry and served three years; participated in a number of severe campaigns and battles, and was wounded at Chickamauga, and in 186") re- turned home, where he recommenced farming. He married Miss Mary ^I. Switzer, daughter of Peter and Katie Switzer, in 1871, and l)y her is the fatheV of two sons 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. JOHN R. HAWKINS, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Benton County, Ind., in 1852, and is a son of Robert and Sarah A. (Carter) Hawkins. After re- ceiving a good education, he embarked in farming, and now possesses a well-im- provecl farm of 533 acres. Mr. Hawkins is one of the progressive citizens of his township, and favors tlie advancement of all laudable public 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 oMcKinnis. which occurred in 1881, one child has been born. Mrs. Hawkins is a daugiiter of Philip and Rachel (Wolfer) McKinnis, one of the prominent families of Warren Count}'. JOHN HAWKINS, brother of Benjamin Hawkins, of Fowler, and Robert Hawkins, of Pine Township, and son of Levi and ]\Iary (Evens) Hawkins, was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1825, and when three years old moved w'llh 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 life, and in 1850 was married to Miss Margaret Sheetz, daughter of John and Isabel (Parker) Sheetz. Two years after this event, he removeci to Benton County, where he has since resided, engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Hawkins is a liepublican in politics, and he and Avife are members of the ^^lethodist Episcopal Church, and the parents of a family of five children. They own a fine bodj' of land, consisting of 520 acres, and are among the most respectell residents of the tf)wnship. W. G. W. NORWOOD, a self-made man. and one of the prominent farmers of western Benton County, is a native of Blount County, Tenn.. where he was born in 1815. At the age of four j'cars, he came with his parents, George and ^lary Ann (Rooker) Norwood, to Wayne County. Ind., and three years later to Indianap- olis, where our subject received a good education. In 183(i. he was united in mar- riage with Rachel Kelley, daughter of AVilliam atul Elizabeth Kellev. and in 1860 removed to Putnam County. Ind., where he engaged in farming and following gi-ain-tlireshing. While engaged in the latter occupation, he met with a distressing accident. In oiling the gearing near the feeder, one foot treacherously sli|)ped and was crowded into the cylinder, which was revolving with frightful velocity, and was so mangled as to necessitate amjiutation. In 1H71, Mr. Norwood removed to Benton County, where he owns 585 acres of well-im])roved farming and grazing land. He is a Republican, and, jnevious to his removal to Benton tountv, .served the township in wliicli he resided ;i number of years as Trustee. His 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 liorn in Tijjpccanoe County, Ind., in 1850. After receiving a good business education, he selected fanning a.s his vocation, and in 1875 wjig united in marriage with Miss Vincttie Combs, daughter of James and Sarah (Green) Combs. The same year of his marriage, he removed to Benton County, and is now engaged in managiiig 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 union 388 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: "with Miss Combs two children have been born. Mrs. Opp is a member of the M. E. Church. DR. JAMES M. RODMAN, son of James and Mary (Guisinger) Rodman, is a native of Shelby County, 111., and was born in 1843. Together with his parents, he removed to Indiana in 1847, where he resided until 1861, and in that year enlisted in the First Indiana Heavy Artillery. He served through the manj' dangers of war unharmed, and was discharged at New Orleans in 1863, after which he returned to his home in tlie Iloosicr State, and began the study 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 eightj" acres of land, and his time is occupied in farming, practicing medicine and preaching. He is a member of the Masonic order, I. O. O. F., and G. A. R., and, besides being honored with local offices of trust, was elected to represent the counties of Benton and Newton 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 whom 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 (Taylor) Sheetz, who were among the pioneers 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 mouths, he was promoted Captain of his company, and served as such until his discharge 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 chiefly in agricultural pursuits, and at present owns a fine stock f aim of 210 acres in Pine Township. He is a Republican, member of Benton Post, No. 25, G. A. R., and was married in 1870 to Harriet H. Johnson. Mrs. Sheetz is a daughter of William and Margaret (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 1835, and is a son of Jacob and Rhoda (Hunt) Sickler. After attending the district schools of his neighbor- hood, he completed his education by a three years" course at high .school and college, shortly after which he engaged for five years in milling in Warren County, Ind. In 1861, he moved to Tippecanoe County, where 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 farm, 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 almost 1,000 acres of good land, on which he has erected some very substantial buildings. He is an ex-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 graduated from Purdue Uni- versity with honors, while his daughter is also attending the same school, and taking a thorough course in music at Indianapolis, from some of the most accomplished musicians in the West. Mr. Sickler was married in 1857 to Miss Elizabeth Hunt, daughter of Isaiah and Rebecca (Sleeper) Hunt, and the Sickler familj* is among the best known of Benton County. JOHN W. TIMMONS is, a representative of one of the pioneer families of Benton County. He is one of the prosperous farmers of Pine Town.ship, owning 300 acres of its best lands, situated on Sections 31 and 32, and this farm, since it was first entered from the Government by his uncle, Basset Timmons. in 1828, has always been in the possession of some member of the fanidy. John W. Timmons, is a native of Benton County, born in 1844, and is a member of the family born to Benjamin and Sarah Jane (Anderson) Timmons. His youthful education was lim- ited to the common schools of that early day, and the greater portion of his life has been passed in farming and merchandising, in the latter occupation being located in Oxford. His marriage with Marrietta, daughter of Zachariah and Sarah Jane (Davis) Gephart, was solemnized in 1881, and one child has blessed their union. Mr. Timmons is Democratic in politics, and is the present Assessor of Pine Town- ship, having been elected in 1882. ROBISON TIMMONS, one of the earliest settlers in Benton County, is de- scended from an old and honored family, his parents being Joshua and Sarah (Rowen) Timmons. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1828, and two years later was l)rought by his parents to Tippecanoe CountJ^ Ind., where he was reared to manhood. In 1845, he located permanently in Pine Township, Benton YORK TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 389 County, and this has since been his home. By industry, he has been successful in the acquisition of a plentiful supply of this world's goods, and besides a tine farm of KiO acres, improved with a tine two-stor\' dwelling;, he owns a general store in the village of Aydelott. wliich is sitviated on his farm. He was married, in 1851, to Angeline Foster, a daugiiter of Jolin and Ruth (Coen) Foster, and a family of eight children have been born to them. Mr. Tinimons is a Republican, with strong tem- perance proclivities, and has served as Justi(;e of tiie Peace and iu various local positions of honor and trust. He and wife are meml)ers of the Methodist 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. WILLIAi^r S. TURVEY, son of William M. and America (Cupp) Turvey, was born in Bracken Count)-, K)'., in 1828. lie received a good education in youth, and in 1849 removed to Tippecanoe County. Ind., wlu-re two years later he was married to Mi.ss Nancy C, daughter of William and Delilah (Curr)') Bowyer. He .selected farming as his vocation in life; in 18.>j eame to Pine Town.sliij\ Benton County, engaged actively in agricultural pursuits, and is the possessor of -a good farm of KJO acres. He is a Democrat, and for a number of years has served his township iu 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 office. He and wife are among the well-known and respected citizens of their neighbor- 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 I^lst 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 j'et living, hale and hearty, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. JAMES G. VAN NATTA. farmer and stock-raiser, was born iu Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 1835. His life has been chiefl}' occupied in farming, and for the past nine 3'ears, having moved to Benton Count}' in 1874, lie has resided iu Pine Township, where he owns 220 acres of good farming and grazing land. He takes considerable pride in the rearing of blooded stock, especiall)- 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 1859, is a daughter of John and Elizabeth Obeuchain. He is a Republican in politics, an enterprising and esteemed citizen, and he and wife are the parents of seven children. YORK TOWNSHIP. CAPT. W. J. B.VRT is the only son of John and Maria (Baryhman) Bart, and was born in Adams County, Penn., March 27, 1832. March 20, 1856, he was wed- ded to Mary M. Biehl, and afterward settled near Littlestown, Penn,, where he re- mained until the late war, and October 10, 18(52, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Si.xty-fiftli Penn.sylvania Volunteers, in which company he 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, 1H65, wlien he was mustered out at Clarks- burg, W. Va. In October, l!-(65, he removed to Huntington, Ind., and. in 1873, to this county. Mr. and Mrs. Bart have been favored wiih a family of nine children — Catherine (deceased), Jane (deceased), Ellen, Alberta (deceased),' Annie (deceased), Margaret (deceased), William H., Ida and Harvey E. L. M. BAYLPjSS is n son of Cyrus and Caroline Bayless, having been born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., Januarj- 15, 1H45. His parents were natives of (^hio. his father being a son of Piatt Bayle.ss, a native of Virginia and early settler of Hamil- ton C^ounty, Ohio, whence, in 1H33. he removed to Tippecanoe County, tiiis State, at which locality he died, leaving eight children— John, Sarah A.. Lot. Alfred, Martha J., Piatt, Samuel anrl Cyrus, the father of our subject, who was liorn in Butler County. Ohio, August 11, 1821. He was married in Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 1843, to Miss Caroline Cory, and there he vet lives. His faniilv numbers five— Lot M., Harriet F., Pratt S., Martha S. and ('arrie F. Our sui)ject. Lot M., was married in Tippecanoe County .liinuaiy 16, 1867, to Martha M. Warwick, born in Clark County. Ohio, December 24. isil. To this union were given tlin-e chil- dren— William"S. [{crlie I. and Gertrude (i. In 1870, .Mr. Bayless moved to New- ton (bounty, in this Slate, and one ye.ir thereafter to this county, where he pur- chased ana occupied the farm he now resides upon. 390 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: JOHN COCKERLTNE was born in Yorkshire, England, March 30, 1832, a son of John and Mary Cockerline, also natives of Yorkshire. The father of our subject was a son of William and Esther Cockerline. of Enii:land, where they died, each aged eighty-five years. They had five children— William, Thomas. John, Elizabeth and Esther. John Cockerline, Sr., married Marj- Jackson, of Yorkshire birth, in the year 1800. In 1831, Mr. Cockerline emigrated to Canada, where Mrs. Cocker- line died Januar}' 3, 1869, and he November IT, 1875. Their family comprised eight in number— Annie, Esther, William, John, IMary, Elizabeth, Charles and Thomas. Our subject was married in Canada September 4, 18(56, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Whyte, and in 1868 removed to Benton County, lud., and settled on the farm where he now is. Mrs. Cockerline died May 3, 1870, leaving one child— Minnie E. Mr. Cockerline was next married, September 28, 1865, 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 member 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 l)orn in 1809, the latter in 1818. They were married in Ohio, and in 1854 removed to Will County, 111., thence to Porter County, Ind., and fiuall}^ to Kent County, Mich., where they are yet living. They had four children— Horatio, Benjamin F., an infant daughter (deceased) and Ida M. The subject of this sketch, Horatio Doolittle, removed to Will County, 111., with his parents, and there, February 25, 1868, was married to Miss Olive V. Rand, a native of Vermont, born May 9, 1838. 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. FLEMING is a native of Ireland, where he first saw the light May 3, 1838, and is one of nine children making the family of John and Mary Fleming, both natives of Ireland. John Fleming was born December 25, 18ii9, 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 family: John, James E., Sampson, Robert, Mary A., Thomas, William, Sarah and Hemy. Our subject, James E. Fleming, was married, in Iroquois County, III, March 5, 1863, to Rachel Hough- land, born in said county June 4, 1848, who died May 4, 1867. Mr. Fleming was subsequently married, October 12, 1871, to Martha M. Davison. He is the parent of six children— Mary A., Charles, Susan, John F., Richard and an infant son de- ceased. JOSEPH GRETTER is a native of Germany, and was born February 9, 1828. He is a son of Sebastian and Margaret Gretter, who were likewise natives of Ger- many, the former born May 1, 1792, the latter in 1794. They were married in 1817, and died, she April 3, and he July 9, 1862. Their family comprised the following : Magdaleua, Henry, Anthony, Sebastian, Jo.seph and Catharine. Joseph Gretter emigrated to the tJnited States, and reached 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, 1856, to Miss Susanna Heierlin,'^ the result of which union was eleven children^Elizabeth, Catherine, Helen, Mary, Susanna. Henry, Sophia, Joseph, John, Alice and Annie. Mr. Gret- ter is a much-respected citizen. WILLIAM KEEFE, of the firm of Keefe & Co., is a native of County Tip- perar}', Ireland, born May 2. 1844. His parents were Patrick and Sarah Keefe, and he is the third of their fourteen children. In 1864, he journeyed to Plymouth, England; thence to Africa; thence to Australia, where he mined for a short time; thence to San Francisco, where he also mined for a period, and, in September, 1876, came to Benton County, Ind., and located at Raub, 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 luiion was one child— Sarah A. On the 1st of January, 1877, he was appointed Postmaster, a position which he has since held satisfactorily to all. Mr. and Mrs. Keefe are members of the Catholic Church. THOMAS KEEFE, merchant, is a native of the County Tipperary, in Ireland, and was born September 4, 1849. He is a son of Patrick and Sarah (Cunningham) Keefe, who were likewise natives of Ireland, and the parents of fourteen children — Bridget, William, Emma, Patrick, Hohanna, Thomas, Sarah, John, Catherine, Stephen, Timothy, Maria, Annie and James. Our subject, Thomas Keefe, at the age of sixteen years, began the grocer}^ trade at Dublin, and in 1871 emigrated to America and settled in Kentland, in this Slate. On the 5th of September, 1876, he married Delia Fife, and later in the same year removed to Raub, in this State, and began the mercantile business, which he has since continued. Mr. and Mrs. Keefe have been blessed with two children — William P. and John H. YORK TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 391 D. M. KIRKPATRICK is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and was born October 10, 1S14. His parents were Thomas and Phebe Kirkpatrick, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively, who were married in Washington County, Penn., and in the early' time removed to Trumbidl County, Ohio; thence they re- moved to Beaver County, Penn., where both died. Their family embraced thirteen children— Polly. Betsey, Amanda, Andrew. Sarah, B.ildwin, Thomas, Phebe, Daniel M., Eleanor. llenrj', Deidamia and Alvina. Our subject, I). M. Kirkpatrick, was married in Mercer C'ounty, Pemi., .S('pteml)er 1'2, 1S4'2, to ]SIarv Church, born in Os- wego County, N. Y., March 30, \Xl~). 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 children — Chalmers, Welthy, Wallace, Truman, Willis and Corwin. 'W. J. LOWES is a native of Fr.mklin 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, Januar}' 28, 1864. to Mary Seeley, and in the spring of 1883 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 ^IcClurg was born December 11, 1800, and Mrs. Rebecca ^IcClurg Septeml)cr. 1808; thej' were married in 1828. removed to Fountain County, and in 183.5 to Dcliihi, Carroll County, where Mrs. McClurg died February 10, 1844. ^Ir. McClurg subsequently removed to Camden, same county, where he died June 9, 18.")9. Their family consisted of Nancy J., Socrates, Rettie, James and Cj'rus. Onr subject remained at home until is.l4,'when he went to Min- nesota; thence he returned for a time, and in ]8.")(j went to Sioux City, Iowa; thence, in 18.07, to Niobrara, Neb.; thence, in 1859, to Denver, Colo., where he was engaged in mininjj 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 llouser (who died March 2, 1880), and February 13, 1883, to Ruth A. Conner. .Air. 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 married ^liss Martha Ham- ilton, a union fruitful to the number of eight children — William P., Nettie M., Frederick L., Grace ^I., Charlie II., John A., Walter S. and infant son (deceased). In 1868, Mr. McEwen removed to this coimty, 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, Haimah, 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. Gib.son, 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, 1.S77. On the 16th of .May, 1878, he was married to Emma M. LoN'er, from which alliance sprang a family of six children — Dora B., Mary J., Ma- ria E., Carrie A., Samuel (deceased) and Emery. GEORCJK PERKINS is a native of Putnam County, Ind.. having been born September 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 famil}' 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 Klizabcth .'^liivens, who waslikewise born in Putnam County, Ind., on September 12, 1H46, a daughter of Hiram and Nancy Slavcns. both natives of Kentucky. In Februar}', 1S67, Sir. Perkins moved to this county, and settled on the farm he now occupies. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins are the j)arents of three children — Martha I., William H. and Orville II. Mr. Perkins is a excellent citizen. 392 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: JOSEPH PERKINS was born in Putnam County, Ind., May 23, 1840, and is a son of Caleb and Orpha Perkins, both natives of Delaware. Caleb Perkins 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 1812. In 1886, 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, 1804, 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, 1865), William (born August 24, 1870, deceased September 1, 1870), Bertha G. (born April 8, 1873, deceased July 17, 1877) and Jessie L. (born September 29, 1878). In 1865, Mr. Perkins removed to this township, of which he has been Asses- sor. He has also been County Commissioner. WILLIAM SHONKWILER was born in Putnam County, Ind., January 28, 1841, and is a son of Daniel and Ruth Shonkwiler. 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 life's end, aged eighty years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, was twice married, and was the parent of twelve children — Jacob, Nancy, Simon, Julia, David, Mary, Daniel, Adam, Nathaniel, Christian, Franklin and George. Daniel Shonkwiler was born in Scioto County, Ohio, September, 1815, and married in Putnam County Ruth Spergin, of Kentucky, who died February, 1878. He subsequently married Mrs. Amanda Thompson. His children were John F., William, Jacob, 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 Maria Perkins, of said county, born June 2, 1839. In 1865, 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 Hampshire County, W. Va., January 22, 1812. She is a daughter of Christopher and Theresa Cooper, who were natives of Virginia, and parents of five children — Delilah, Sarah, Leah, John, and Abigail, our subject, who was wedded to Mr. Sum- ner in Pike County, Ohio, September 4, 1832. lie was a native of Vermont, born January 31, 1811; his parents were Henry and Mary 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 August 2, 1882, and was a large land-owner, possessing at the period of his decease about 20,000 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Sumner have had a family of five children — Louisa, Jane, Jesse, Jerome and Minerva. HENRY H. TUBBS is a native of Oneida County, N. Y., and was born June 23, 1834. His parents were Peter and Theodosia Tubbs. Henry H. Tubbs was wedded, February 12, 1857, in Jefferson County, Wis., to Badora Seley. and in 1859 he removed to Knox County, Mo., thence to Kane County, 111., and thence to Mc- Henry County, 111., where Mrs. Tubbs died in 1861. Mr. Tubbs was next married to Mary A. Dunn, and in 1871 he removed to this county, where he has since remained. Mr. Tubbs has been the parent of ten children in all. By his first wife — Nathan H., Lois C. and Theodore B.; by his second wife— William E., Badora A., Victoria B., Elby A., Clara M., James E. and John R. ROBERT WILKINSON is a native of Belfast, Ireland, and was born April 19, 1823. He is one of the children of George and Sarah Wilkinson, who were also natives of Ireland. The former was born at Mount Milie in 1780, married at Bel- fast, and emigrated to Canada, where he and wife died. They had a family of eleven children— Mary E., Jane, Thomas, John, Samuel, Robert, Sarah, George, Deborah, and two infants who died unnamed. Our subject, Robert Wilkinson, in youth learned the trade of blacksmithing, which he followed a number of years. While in Canada, May 7, 1845, he married Miss Ann, daughter of Robert L. and Ann Drake, and in 1868 moved to Kentland, Ind., and the following spring to York Township, Benton County. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson have had a family of eight chil- dren—Sarah A., George, Robert M., Amelia H. B., Mary A., John A., Thomas W. and Charles E. C. D. WILBON is a native of Oswego County, N. Y., where he was born April 15, 1839. His father, William P. Wilson, was a son of Samuel Wilson, of Scotch origin, who in an early day settled in Chenango County, N. Y., and lived there until his death. He was by occupation a miller, and reared a large family, of whom six were sons— Thomas, Harry, Merritt, James. Benjamin, and William, the father of our subject, who married in Oswego County, N. Y., a Miss Lovina Shipman, and RICHLAND TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 393 in 1847 removed to Bureau Count}-, 111., and thence to La Salle County, where he died in 1851, leaving a family of Jane, Emily, Charlea I)., Parnielia 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 187'3, Mr. Wilson removed to this county, and made a home. By tlie 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 Franca, 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 by the month for about twelve years. While in New Jersey, he was wedded to Miss Susanna Brass, daughter of Jacob Brass, shoe-maker and farmer. After marriage, Mr. Andres rented land for a year, when lie purchased forty-three acres; this he sold, and removed to Ohio, Avhere he rented one ja-ar, after which he came to this countv 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 j'ears. 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 j-ears 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 a.s fine land as can be seen in the township, with good buildings and other improvements. While in Louis- ville, he was married to Miss Mary E. Fisher, a native of France, which union has been crowned with six children — Catherine, Christopher, Emma, Melvina, Ophelia and Frank X. 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, botii 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 study of medicine with one Dr. Arter, of Salineville, Ohio, and afterward attended lectures at Cleveland, where he graduated about 1860. Pie began practice at Salineville, Ohio, and after a year removed to Goshen, where he practiced until 1H75. He then moved to Champaign, 111., where he set up a drug store in connection with his practice, which was soon I)urned. Dr. Boice then located at Earl Park, engaging in practice and drug .selling, where he is the ohlest practitioner. His marriage took place in Columbiana County, Ohio, the liridc being Miss Mary J. Cro.xton, to which union succeeded three children — Martha I., «\Iary Eleanor aud Abram C. AnuAM C. BoK K, son of B. R. Boice, is likewise a ph3'sician and surgeon, who studied under his father, and graduated from the Rush Medical College of Chicago in 18H0, since which time he has i)ra(ticed with liis father, thi-y being the only physicians located at Earl Park. Dr. Boice was married in October, 18S1, at . Logansport, Ind., to Miss Olive M. Ross, daughter of Hon. N. O. Ross, attorney and solicitor for the Pan Handli' Railroad. WILLIAM BURNS, f.-irnur, is a native of the State of Ohio, and a son of William and Catherine Burns, b(jth natives of Ireland, who emigrated to the United 394 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: States about the year 1850. William passed his boyhood in labor on the home farm, and after reaching manhood was married in La Fayette, Ind., to Miss Mary G. Mc- Cormick, daughter of Owen McCormick, whose business was farming. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Burns have four children — John, Charles O., William J. and Margaret. After his marriage, Mr. Burns purchased eighty acres of land in 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, HI., where they located in 1852, 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. Mr. 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. Mr. and Mrs. Carton have been blessed with four children — Nellie, Mary, James and Ralph (twins). ANTHONY DEHNER, farmer and County Commissioner, 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 Count3% 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 he afterward exchanged 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, Anthony, Emma and John, all of whom have received careful educations. Mr. Dehner was elected Trustee of York Town- ship (afterward divided into York and Richland Townships), and afterward served Richland several terms. In 1879, 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 he worked on the farm, until his majority, when he engaged in merchandising 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 Homey, a native of Dubois, Ind. This marriage was blessed with five children — Carroll, Mary, 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 age. His parents were also natives of Ireland, emigrated to our country and died in Ohio. John Donohoue was wedded in the State of Ohio to Miss Bridget Gaynor, daughter of Matthew Gaynor, and a native of Ireland. Mr. Dono- houe moved to Indiana in 1861, and purchased fifty acres near Raub Station, in this county ; this 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, Matthew and Annie. JOHN FLINN, farmer, is a native of Tippecanoe Coiinty, Ind., and is a son of J. and Nora Flinn, both natives of Ireland. Our subject is the son of a farmer, and was in youth boimd to one John Carran, of Tippecanoe County, in which county he was afterward wedded to Miss Josie Sherry, a native of Tippecanoe County, and daughter of James Sherry. After his marriage, Mr. Flinn farmed for some time in his native county, and about six years ago came to this county and settled on his present homestead. His average yield of corn is from 5,000 to 6,000 bushels ; he has usually from twelve to fourteen horses, also from four to six colts. Mr. and Mrs. Flinn have been blessed with two children — Grace C. and Nellie. GEORGE W. HENRY, of the firm of Raub, Earl & Henry, grain, lumber, hardware, hay and coal dealers, is a native of Flerkimer County, N. Y., and one of the five children of George W. and Susan C. (Brown) Henry, the former a native of New Hampshire, the latter of Pennsjdvanla. George W. Henry, Sr., has the honor of having built the first railway-car used in the United States, also forty miles of the Alleghany & Portage Railroad, and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. After- ward, he lost his sight, and preached and published many religious works. He died in Herkimer County, N. Y., in 1876, aged seventy-six years. Our subject learned the trade of book-binding, and assisted his father in the publishing business until 1861, when he located at La Fayette and engaged in the wholesale dry goods trade with Purdue, Brown & Co. for three years; later, at Indianapolis, for two years, when he came to this county and engaged in farming for ten years. Mr. Henry was married, in Clinton County, N. Y., to Miss Sarah A. Taylor, daughter of R. N. and Amanda Taylor. Mr. and Mrs. Henry have one child — Florence A. RICHLAND TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 395 J. A. HIXSON was born in Attica, Fountain County. Ind.. and is the fifth of nine children of Andrew and Esther (lirady) Ilixson, of German descent. Our sub- ject is of the firm of Hixson. Earl it Raub, which handles ujjward of 1,000 head of cattle annually. They deal lari^ely in thorouirhtired stock— short-horns, Herefords, etc., for supplying the Western ranches. They have some of the finest stock in the State, some thoroughbreds which co.st |1,0()0 in England; they also raise from 400 to 500 hogs, and from 10,000 to lo.OOO l)ushels of corn per year. Mr. Ili.xson was educated in the schools of Warren Count}', and in \HV.t was married to Miss Eliza A. Sherry, a native of Warren County, and daujrhter of Jacob Sherr}^ of Ohio. To their union followed two children — Iva and ElTa. Mr. Ilixson was engaged in farming in Warren County until 1868, at which date he moved t6 his present home. He has a superblv developed farm, supplied with ever}' comfort. FRANK MESSMANN, farmer, is a native of Germany. His parents were Frank and Agnes Messnu\un, likewise natives of Germany, where liis mother is buried. His t'stther emigrated to America November 7, 18o9, and died in Cincinnati in 18G6. Frank Messmann followed the .sea four years before coming to America, and landed at New Orleans June 19, 185(5; he afterward followed the sea for twelve years; and also, later, had a second-hand store in Cincinnati. April 19, 1874, he came to this county, and has since resided on his farm. In 1883, he had the ill fortune to break both arms, and dislocate the elbow and shoulder of the right arm, by falling from a hay-rack. While in Cincinnati, he was wedded to Marv A. Steflfens, a'native of Holland, of German parents, who came to Cincinnati, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Messmann have had six children— Rose (deceased). Mary, Helena, Frank, Anthony and Joseph. Mr. Messmann has 160 acres of fine prairie land, and is comfortably circumstanced. R. D. MILLER, farmer and stock-dealer, is a son of C. I. and Eliatha (Harris) Miller, natives of Kentucky. His father was a blacksmith and farmer, and fol- lowed his trade to his life's end in 1879; his mother died Januarj' 6, 1882. Our sub- ject's boyhood was passed at the home of his parents. In 1862, he went to Minne- sota, and in 1863 to Montana, where he was engaged at mining for four years. Green C. Smith, at that time Governor of the territory, was a schoolmate of our subject. Mr. Miller, after returning to Kentucky, came to Indiana, and settled in Goodland, where he remained until 1876, when he purchased 240 acres, and one year thereafter occupied the same as a home. He has a fine farm, handles from thirty to forty head of cattle, and from forty to fifty hogs each year; he also raises from* 5,000 to 6,000 bushels of corn in the same period. In 1878 and 1879, he real- ized over 2,900 bushels of wheat from his land. Mr. Miller, while in Kentucky, was wedded to Miss Susan J. l^arrett. daughter of James Barrett, a native of Mis- souri. To this marriage were born six children — Laura F., Miranda M., Calitha A., Susan R., Edmund L. C. (deceased) and C. Irvin. ADAMS D. RAUB. merchant and live-stock dealer, is a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind., born in 1840, and a son of John and Caroline (Earl) Rauli, both na- tives of Ohio, who came about 1884 to this State and located near La Fayette. At the age of nine years, our subject went to La Fayette with Adams Earl, with whom he has Ijeen engaged in business of various kinds. He was in the grain business in 1860, at Wea Station, and in 1863 located in Hickory Grove Township, where Fow- ler now stands ; he had also an interest with Mr. Earl in land, owning about 10,000 acres. When the Cincinnati, La Fayette & Chicago Railroad was built, they lo- cated at Earl Park, and operated an elevator, under the firm name of Raub & Earl, with a canacity of nearly 1,000,000 bushels. He was also interested with Mr. Earl and Mr. Follansbee in general merchandise business, averaging an annual trade of 160,000, and al.so with Mr. Earl in breeding Hereford and shorthorn cattle, having about 125 thoroughl)reds; they can furnish the ranch tr.ide of tlie West with the above-named stock. In 1874", Mr. Raub was wedded to Mrs. Nannie D. Jones, daughter of Mr. Hardesty, and a native of (^Jreencastle. This marriage has given being to one cliild— Rutli D. One sister of Mrs. Raub married Daniel Voorhes, and another J. P. Luse. LYS.\NDER SHIPMAN, farmer and stock raiser, was a native of Chenango County, N. Y., and a son of David and Levina Shipinan, also natives of New YorK, whose business was farming. After an ordinary education, and after reaching manhood, he was wedded, in the State of New York, to Mi.ss Elizabetli Smith, who died al)out twenty years after her marriage. Mr. Shipman was next wedded, in 1872, to Miss Lydia Smith, a sister of his former wife, both daughters of Curtis and Lydia A. (Loomis) Smith, and natives of New York. Mr. Siiiiinum was father of four children— Curtis I)., Ida E., Hattie S. and Guy L. Mr. Shipman farmed for a nunilfcr of years on land he bail lea.sed, and afterward purcha.sed 160 acres of their home farm," in 1H69. He died July 19, 1S75. PERliY WASHBURN is a native of Ohio. His father, Eleazer Washburn, was a native of Ma-ssachuselts, and claimed to l)e a descendant from the Mayfiower 396 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: party. He emigrated to Noblesville, Ind., in 1834, and afterward moved to Texas, where he died. Perry remained with his "parents on the home farm until he was twenty-one years old, and was thereafter employed by A. D. Graf, of Ohio, who was constructing railroads between Indianapolis and the Wabash River ; also, later, with Boody, Ross & Co., of New York, builders of the Wabash Valley Railroad. At the age of twenty four, Mr. Washburn married Miss Mary E. Clayton, daughter of Ephraim Claj^ton, hotel-keeper at Bunker Hill, Ind., and then moved to Marshall County, where he purchased land and engaged in farming for four years ; this he sold and bought a farm on the Tippecanoe River, seven miles above Winamac. Thence he went to Kentland, and managed a stock ranch for A. J. Kent twelve years. Finally, he purchased a half section of land in this township, which farm yields him $2,500 a year. JOHN M. WILSON, farmer and small stock-raiser, is a native of Scotland, as were also his parents, William and Margaret Wilson, who came to America in 1867, and now reside in La Salle County, 111. " John M. Wilson emigrated to this country in 1864. In 1870, he was married to Miss Marion Henderson, a native of Scotland, daughter of Robert and Jane Henderson, also natives of Scotland, who came to the United States in 1874 or 1875, and are now living in Newton County, Ind. After renting land for several years, Mr. Wilson moved to his present home of 160 acres, which he had previously owned, in 1870, and has added thereto until he has now 270 acres, in good condition and well improved, with good house, underdraining, and many comforts; he handles from fifteen to twenty head of cattle, and from thirty to fifty head of hogs yearly; he also averages from 4,000 to 5,000 bushels of corn each year. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have six children — Willie, Jane, Maggie, Mina, Robert L. and Lillie A. PAUL WINDLER, farmer, is a native of Germany, and son of Frank and Elizabeth Windier, also natives of Germany, where they lie buried. Paul Windier emigrated to America when twenty-one years of age, and came to this county, where he afterward married Miss Mary J. In, a native of Ohio, which union was blessed with ten children — James, Joseph, John, Frances, Elizabeth. Mary, Matilda, Thomas, Rosie and Edward. Mr. Windier has 200 acres of excellent land, on which he raises upward of 1,500 bushels of corn each year. He is a worthy and growing farmer, and has a very comfortable home. UNION TOWNSHIP. ISAAC AMFIELD, one of the progressive men of Union Township, was born in Guilford County, N. C, February 25, 1839, and is the youngest of three children born to Julian and Hannah R. (Idding) Amfield. Isaac lived with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age, and removed with them to Indiana. He began teaching when eighteen years old, and followed this until 1866, when he came to Richland Township, Benton Co., Ind., and bought a farm of seventy acres, which he owned until 1877, when he purchased the farm of 160 acres in Union Township where he now lives. It is highly cultivated, and he is giving some attention to stock- raising. Mr. Amfield has the honor of having named the township of Richland. He was married, January 1, 1862, to Mary J. Simonton, a native of Huntington, Ind. Five children have blessed their union, four of whom are living. Mr. Amfield is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Julian Amfield, father of Isaac, was a native of North Carolina, followed the turner's trade, making spinning wheels, chairs, etc., until he removed to Miami County, Ind., in 1849, and bought a farm which he owned nineteen years, when he moved to Peru, Miami County, and purchased an interest in a woolen mill, which he owned until his death, January, 1875. He and wife were members of the Baptist Church, and he held various olfices of local trust. H. O. BINGHAM was born May 31, 1836, in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and was the second of the eleven children of William H. and Malvma {B\y) Bingham, the former of French, the latter of Scotch descent. William H. Bingham was a native of Canada. At an early age, he learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed in connection with farming. At the age of two years, he removed with his father's family to Pennsylvania, where they remained a short time and removed to New York. In 1842, he removed to Kendall County, 111., where he remained until his death, in September, 1858. Both he and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of this sketch lived with his father's family until he attained his majority; also removed with the family to Kendall County, III., UNION TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 397 wbLTo he romainod until 1875. when lie came to Union Township, Benton Co., Ind., and purchased lOO acres of laud, on which he still resides. September 3, 1861, he enlisted in Company C. Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and served until it was mustered out at Springfield, in November, 18(54. lie served under Grant until he took charge of the Army of the Potomac, when he was jilaced under Thomas. He was present at the capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, the battle of Shiloh and other en- gagements. Mr. and Mrs. Bingham belong to the United Brethren Church. He is a meml)er of Benton Post, G. A. B., and was married. October 15, 1867, to Laura C Starkweather, a native of Illinois. Five children have resulted from this union, three of whom are living. Mr. Bingham is a Republican, and one of the promi- nent men of the county. K()BF:UT CHAMPLEY, farmer, and one of the oldest settlers of the county, was born in Hull. England, July 7. 1817, and is the only child born to George and Charlotte (Lawson) Champley. George Champley was a native of Hull, England, and at an early age learned book-binding, which he followed most of his life. In 1818, he and family emigrated to Montreal, C'auada, where he worked as a journeyman one ■winter ; he then went to New York, began business for himself, and continued twenty years, during which time he spent three j'ears in Mexico. After returning, he removed to Warren County, Ohio, and opened a store ; this he continued two years, after which he went to Xenia, Ohio, resumed book-binding, and five years later re- moved to Center Township. Benton County, Ind. Mr. Champley was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and died January 15, 1871. Robert Champley removed with his parents to Montreal, Canada, at the age of ten months, and remained at home until his father's death. He worked at book-l)inding for several years, but during his residence in Ohio and Indiana he has followed farnnng. In 1851, he came to Benton County, and bought 32(J acres in Center Township, which he kept until 18(56, when he purchased sixty acres, on whicli he still resides. Mr. Champley is a Democrat. He was married, June 12, 1842, to Jane Goodsell, a native of Yorkshire, England, by whom he was the father of twelve children, seven of whom are living. JOHN COCHRANE was born July 20, 1839, in Dunlap, Avr.shire, Scotland, and is the eldest of four children born to John and ]\Iarj' ( Wi'lie) Cochrane, both na- tives of Scotland. John has been mostly engaged in farming, and lived with his parents until he attained his majority, and removed with them to Illinois. After this, in connection with his brother, he rented farms for two years, when they bought eighty acres in La Salle County, 111., which they owned about nine years. He then came to Union Township, Benton County, Ind., and purchased a farm of 240 acres, upon which he resides, and enjoj's now the pleasant surroundings his hard work has ac- complished. He gives considerable attention to stock-raising, and has several head of thoroughbred Durhams. Both he and wife are members of he Presbyterian Church and he is a Republican. Mr. Cochrane was married in 1865, to Mary E. Rich- ards, a native of Maine, and to them have been born eight children, four of whom are living. John Cochrane, Sr., followed farming and stock-raising. He removed with his family in 1853, to St. Clair County, III., remained one year, and went to La Salle County, where he lived until his death in Februarj^ 1867. He was a mem- ber of the A., F. & A. M., while in Scotland. THO.AIAS G. DANIELS, farmer, was born June 10, 1847, in Clinton County, Ohio, and is one of ten children born to William and Delilah (Cox) Daniels, the lat- ter being of German descent. William Daniels was a native of New Jersc)'. At an early age he was bound toservice until he attained his majority, after which he went to Clinton County, Ohio, where he purchased a farm and remained until 1854, when he moved to Bureau County, 111., where he lived until his death, in August, 1881. Thomas G. Daniels made his home with his parents until he became of age, and moved with them to Illinois when about six years of age. He rented and worked on farms in Bureau County until 1872, when he came to Union Township, Benton Co., Ind., where he bought a farm of 1(50 acres, to which his wife has added 80, making a farm of 240 acres of welliinproved land. Mr. Daniels was ma.rried Feb- ruary 6, 1877, to Frances Bugltee, a nativt; of New Hampshire, and teacher in that State and in Indiana. To their marriage have been born two children — William T. and Jennie F. Mr. Daniels is a Democrat, and his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. BENJAMIN DAVIDSON was born in Columbiana Countv, Ohio, October 12, 1846. and is one of seven children born to George and Sarah (Pancake) Davidson, both of German descent. George Davidson wjis a native of Cohnnbiana County, Ohio, and a cabinetmaker by trade, but followed it few years when he turned liis attention to fanning, and now owns large tracts of land in Pennsylvania and Ohio, lienjamin Davidson lived with his father's family until seventeen years of age. After the war, lie remained at honw a short time, then went to Pennsylvania; en- gaged in the oil business for about two years, and afterward worked on a .Mississippi 398 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: River steamboat for a year; the succeeding year, he worked at farming in Illinois. He then came to Union Township, broke prairie for a few seasons and has since made his home in Benton County. He lias a good farm of 100 acres, and gives the greater part of his attention to stock, shipping from 1,000 to 4,000 head of hogs, besides cattle, every year. He enlisted, February 22, 18(J3, in the Twenty-sixth Ohio Battery, and served until mustered out at Vicksburg, November 15, 1865. He also participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Champion Hills and other en- gagements. He is a member of Goodland Lodge, No. 445, A., F. & A. M., a charter member of Goodland Post, G. A. R. Mr. Davidson was married, December 16, 1873, to Frances Lucas, a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind. Three children blessed this union. Mr. Davidson is a Republican, and has served as Township Assessor six years. DeWITT C. DENNISTON, one of the prominent farmers of Benton County, was born January 19, 1847, in Orange County, N. Y., and is the youngest of four children born to George and Eva A. (Embler) Denniston, of Irish and German de- scent respectively. George Denniston was a native of New York, born in July, 1802. He lived on his farm for several years, after which he lived in the town of Newburgh, N. Y., where he had an interest in two grist mills, a store, and near by a farm of 235 acres. He was a member of the Board of County Supervisors for sev- eral years, and died Novem])er 7, 1879; he and wife were members of the Presbyte- rian Church. DeWitt C. Denniston received a practical education, and lived with his father's family until twenty years of age, when he went to La Salle County, 111., and worked on a farm for a few years. In 1872, he came to Union Township and purchased 300 acres, which he has made one of the best farms in the county. Mr. Denniston was married May 6, 1875, to Lillie E. Aulsebrook, a native of St. Louis. Mo. They are the parents of three children — George A., Elizabeth and Sarah M. Mr. Denniston is a Democrat and one of the progressive men of the township. JOHN C. FLINT. The father of our subject— Zachariah Flint— was a native of New York, born March 13, 1807. In 1842, he moved with his family to Green- ville, N. J., where he remained about fourteen }'ears, when he went to Will County, 111. ; remained until 1870, then came to Union Township, where he bought a farm of eighty acres; he died December 10, 1877. John C. Flint was born May 20, 1838, in Montgomery County, N. Y., and is one of the seven children of Zachariah andMar- garetta (Rowc) Flint, both of German descent. He has been engaged in farming all his life. After his return from the war he rented and worked farms in Kankakee County, 111., for two years, when he came to Union Township, Benton County, Ind., and bought the eighty acres on which he resides. He enlisted, August 16, 1861, in Company K, Forty-second Illinois Voluntary Infantry, and served until mustered out at Port Lavaca, Texas, December 16, 1865. He participated in the sieges of Island No. 10, Corinth, Nashville, Atlanta and Chattanooga; also at Stone River, Chickamauga, Columbia, Nashville, Spring Hill and the Tullahoma campaign. Mr. Flint was married, March 18, 1867, to Miss R. A. Rowe, a native of Illinois, and they are the parents of six chikb'en, five of whom are living. Mr. Flint is a Republican and he and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. EBER C. FORBES was born March 23, 1850, in Will County, 111., and is the youngest of three sons born to James and Elizabeth (Merwin) Forbes. James Forbes was a native of New York, and farming was his vocation. When a young man, he moved with his father to Wilmington, Will Co., 111., and there bought a farm, which he owned at his death. May 20, 1864. Eber C. Forbes, at the age of fourteen, was left an orphan, and was obliged to support himself. He, in connec- tion with his brother, worked the home farm for three years, after which he worked by the month for two or three years, and then spent some time in the Western States, working for a stage company. He returned to Will County, 111., and, with his brother, bought land, and remained three years. In 1874, he came to Union Township, and the next year rented the farm on which he still resides. Mr. Forbes was married, February 24, 1875, to Alice J. McElvane, a native of Kankakee County, 111., and four children — three of whom, Lillie E., Daisy M. and Walter A., are living — have blessed this union. Mr. Forbes is a Republican, and one of the enter- prising farmers of the township. DAVID H. FULLETON was born April 4, 1835, in Clinton County, Ohio, and is one of six children born to James and Mary (Kyle) Fulleton, both of Scotch- Irish descent. James Fulleton was a native of Pennsylvania. In his youth, he went to Ohio, where he learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed for a few years, and afterward engaged in farming. About 1845, he returned to his old home in Pennsylvania, where he remained two years, then removed to Michigan, where he remained five years, and thence to La Salle County, 111. Two years before his death, in 1876, he went to Iroquois County, 111. Both he and wife were members of the M. E. Church. David H. Fulleton, at an early age, learned the blacksmith's UNION TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 399 trade, but never followed it as a business. He lived witb bis parenls until bis ma- jority, and, in IMO, came to Union Townsbip, Benton Co., Ind., and boupbt 400 acres of land, from wbicb be bas sold KiO, and bus yet 240 acres well improved. Two years previous to bis removal to Indiana, be carried ontbe business of making corn plows at Utica. 111., and for tbree years operated a coal mine in La Salle Countv. Mr. Fulleton was married, July 2i), 1S.")H, to Mary A. Solomon, a native of West kent, England, and by ber is tbe fatber of eigbt cbildren, seven of wbom are living. Mr. Fulleton is a Hepubliean, and one of tbe substantial men of the county, lie and wife are members of tbe Uniteil liretbren Cbureb. JAMES GILMOKE, one of tbe enterprising farmers of the township, was born November 20, 1841, in Ireland, and is one of five cbildren born to Samuel and Mar- faret (Curry) Gilmore, both of Scotch descent. Samuel Gilmore was n native of reland, and followed farming through life, having owned a farm of thirty-four acres, and valued at $2,000. He diedDecenilier ;^1, IHO.'). James Gilmore received a practical education, and lived with bis father's family until eighteen years of age, when he went to Orleans County, Vt., and remained tliere alxnit 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 Union Townsbip, 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, 1S63, and three cbildren— Samuel J., John W. and Minnie A. — have blessed this union, all of wbom are living. AMOS IIAGENBUCH was born March 27, 1848. in Delaware County, Ind., and was one of thirteen children ])orn to Enoch and Christina (Greenawalt) Hagenbuch, both of German descent. Enoch Hagenbuch was a native of Schuylkill County, Penn., and traced his ancestry to one Andrew IIagenl)ueh, 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, Miciuiel, was the grandfather of the above. He was born in 1738, and had seven children, four sons — Christian, Henry, Jacob and Andrew. Jacob, tbe father of Enoch, was born June 13, 1777, and died January 8, 1842. He was married, August 24, 1799, to Mag- dalena Wolf, who died Deceml)er 22, 1817; they had ten children. Enoch, tbe father of our subject, being the .seventh, was born November 8, 1814, and is still living. By a second marriage, in 1818, to ^Magdalene Knappcr, he had four chil- dren. Enoch Hagen])ucb 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, III., 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 (bounty, and remained until 1880, then came to Union Township, Benton County, to tiie farm wiiich he had previously bought. He now owns 480 acres of well-improved land, witii 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 cbildren— AH)ert 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 L'nion Townsbip. ISAAC HESS is one of five cbildren born to Jonathan and Nancy (Klinefelter) Hess, and was born May 25, 1844, in Jjcbanon County. Penn. Jonathan Hess was a native of Pennsylvania, a carpenter and architect, aiid 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 serTed in the Penn.sylvania Militia, and be 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 witb bis parents until twenty-two years of age, and moved witb tiiem to Illinois, where lie rented and worked farms for about three years, and thence came to Union -Township. Benton County. Ind., which has since been bis home. Mr. Hess was married. February 1. ISOH, to Maggie Fowlie. a native of Scotland, and three cbildren— Nancy A., Alice A. and Loy E.— have blessed this union. Mr. He.ss is a Kepultlican and one of tbe progressive men of the township. He owns eighty acres of finely imi)roved 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 (Siiarp) Kaar. The occupation of George Kaar was farming. He became aresident of Wdl County, 111., in 18.')3. He and wife are now living a retired life at Princeton, and are members of the Lutheran Church. Joiin Kaar, born February 9, 184."). secured 400 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: a practical education, moved West with his parents when eight years old, and since the age 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 factory, 18x150 feet, which. the next year he enlarged to 34x185 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 $2,000 worth of tile per month, and is admirably arranged with steam pipes for winter work. Mr. Kaar is a Demo- crat. He and wife are the parents of five children. J. 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 County, Ohio, born March 12, 1821, and was a farmer. While a boy, 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 122 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 Logansport 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. O. F., and a Democrat. Mr. Lemasters was married, January 15, 1874, to Bell May, of New York, with a result of three children. Mrs. 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., where 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 oflSce of Road Superintendent. April 6, 1859, he married Samantha Hadley, a native of Ohio. Eight children have blessed this union, seven of whom are living. Mr. 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 Bloomingdale, Morris Co., N. J., and while young learned the fuller trade, which he followed several years, after which he turned his attention to farming, and continued the same until his death. May 10, 1871. Both he and wife were members of -the Presbyterian Church. WILBER F. MEADE R, one of the old settlers and enterprising farmers of Union Township, was born August 11, 1834, at Industry, Me., and is one of the six children of Shubal L. and Abigail (Fallett) 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. He 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 1844, he emigrated to Indiana, and settled in Dearborn County, where he remained six years, when he removed to Kankakee County, 111., and for three years kept a toll-bridge at Momence, where he died in the spring of 1860. He had held various offices of local trust, and he and wife were members of the M. E. Church. Wilber F. Meader learned the stone- cutter's trade, but followed it only two or three j^ears. since when he has been engaged in farming. At the age of ten, he came with his parents to Dearborn County, Ind., and afterward removed with them to Kankakee County, 111., where he remained until 1873, when he came to Union Township, Benton Co., Ind., and bought eighty acres of wild land, and converted it to a high state of cultivation; he has also erected substantial buildings, and has one of the best farms in the town- ship. Mr. Meader is a charter member of Benton Lodge, No. 521, A., F. & A. M. He was married in September, 1859, to Rose C. Gibbins, to which union one child has been born— Albert F., who died July 5, 1863. Mr. Meader is a Republican. NEAL DOW MICHAEL, farmer, was born in Montgomery County, Ind., Feb- ruary 28, 1854, and is the eldest of twelve children born to 'Thomas and Sarah (Swan) Michael, of German and Irish descent respectively. Thomas Michael was a UNION TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 401 native of Montgomery County, Ind.. who followed farming all hi8 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. O. Q. T. Neal D. Michael received a limited education, which he has since improved by his owa efforts. 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 MONTY, a native of Lower Canada, was born June 17, 1836, and is one of seven children born to Joseph and Isabel (.McQuaid) Monty, of French and Scotch descent respectively. Joseph Monty, Sr., was a native of Canada, where he followed farming all his life, and was a member of the Catholic Church. Joseph Monty, Jr., has made farmins^ his life vocation. In 1854, he moved to Illinois and remained workini;; on the farm by the month and renting farms until 1860, when he went West, and for one year enga.iijed in drivinj; team from Kansas City to New Mexico and Colorado. lie returned to Illinois, where he remained until 1868, then came to Union Township, Benton Co., Ind., and purchased 160 acres of land where he still resides, and has most highly 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, 1865. He participated in the battles of Corinth and the Atlanta campaign, and was wounded before Atlanta July 2i, 1864, from which he has never fully recovered. He is a member of Goodland Lodge, No. 445, A., F. & A. M., and also of Goodland Post, G. A. R. Mr. Monty was married January 29. 1874, to Hilda Bloom, a native of Kankakee County, 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, upon which he still resides. He was Trustee of Union Township six years, and lias the honor of having named the township. Mr. Nutt was married in September, 1839, to Sarah J. McCollough, a native of Montgomer}' 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 Countj^, 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, andhe 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 l)orn 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 tlie family to Union Township, Benton Co., Ind., to the |)lace now owned by Saniuel N. Nutt. For about two years he worked on land rented from his father, "but in 1^<70 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 CImrch. He was married, December 24, 1875, to Malvina Lipscomb, a native of Virginia. Three children— Oliver I., Roy O. 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 WAVE was born July 25. 1M02. near Troy, N. Y., and is one of the eleven children of John and .Mary (Rulf) Itowe, both of German descent. His fatlier was, a native of New York, and learned the hatter's trade at Albany, which he followed until he retired, after which hi' went to live with a son in New Y'ork, and there died in his seventy-seventii year. William Rowe educated liimself, and learned coopering, which he follr)wed 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 84 402 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: To-wnship, 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 improved land, 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 July 26, 1856. Mr. 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 E. 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. 0. 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 in Eaton, Steu- ben County, March 31, 1845, and is one of eight children born to Philo J. and Abi- gail J. (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 by 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 SAYERS 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 years, during which he married, he removed to Marion County, Ohio, where he bought a farm and remained about ten years, after which he went to Fountain Countj\ Ind., and remained there and in Montgomery 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 he and wife were members of the ]M E. Church. Ephraim Sayers lived with his father's family until his marriage, an 1 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 County, 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 the township and county. 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 (Conner) Smyth. Douglas Smyth was a native of Londonderry County, Ireland, and received a good education. At an early age he entered a store as clerk, and for fifty years was engaged in the dry goods trade. In 1832, he removed to Ross County, Ohio, and went into partnership with Frederick Edwards, in the dry goods business, until 1862, when he sold his store, went to a farm in Pickawaj"- 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, which he continued until 1869, when he returned to Ross County, and re- sided until his death. James D. Smyth has a good, practical education. In, youth, he entered his father's store as clerk. In 1869, he bought said store, and, in con- nection with John TuUis and Isaac Julian, respectively, continued the business until 1877. In November, 1880, he opened a boot and shoe store, now occupied by Camp- bell & Cobb, which he conducted until February, 1883, when he sold out and came to Lochiel, where he opened a general dry goods and grocery store, and has an un- usually large stock. This is the finest store in the township, and Mr. Smyth has just received his commission as Postmaster at Lochiel, it being the first post office in the township. He was married, October 28, 1869, to Melvina E. Boswell, of Ben- ton County. Five children have blessed this union. Mr. Smyth is a Republican. • UNION TOWNSnH'— BENTON COUNTY. 403 ABNER T. STEVENS, farmer, was l)orn April 'J. 1834, in Erie County, X. Y.. and is one of eight (.•liiMren horn to Ansel and Merrllai (Poster) Stevens. Ansel Ste- vens was a native of Vermont, and has been a farmer all his life. At the aire of sixteen, he moved with his brother to Erie County. N. Y., where he remaineduntil 1844, when he went to I)u Pauc Coimty, 111., and has since l)een engajred in agri- culture. Abner T. Stevens lived with his parents until about twenty-two years of age, and moved with them to Illinois. He there worked on the farm by tiie' month, for eight years, remaining with one man the wiiole time, and afterward purcliased a f.-irm in Iroriuois County. 111., where he remained live years. In 1S7], lie came to Union Township, this county, and bouglit a farm of 160 acres, upon which he still resides. Mr. Stevens is a Kepublican, and was nuirried. October 11, 18Iaria Mas.sey, a native of 'fippecanoe County, Ind. Eight cliildren have resulted fron> this union, five of whom are living. Both himself and wife are memiters of the United Breth- ren Church. Joseph Timmons, father pf Ilenrv, was a native of Maryland, and removed to Ross County, Ohio, with his father's family, wiien two years of age. In early life, he was a surveyor, and in 1S;U moved to Warren County, Ind., but remained oidv two years, when he returned to Ross (Jounty, Ohio. In I^<39, lie returned to Warren (bounty, Ind., remained until 1852. and thence c;ime to Benton County, Ind., and settled in Gilboa Township. After si.x years, he returned to W.ir- ren County, where he died in Novemlier, IS67. He wis for vears .lustice of the Peace, for (dghteen years an ordaincfl Eider in the Uniteil Brethren (.'hurch. and was a thorough Biblical scholar. J.VMES E. WATT, a native of "Boniue Scotland," was l)orn in Aberdeenshire October 22, 1830, and is one of si.x children born to Alexander and Christina (Elms- lie) Watt, both natives of Scotland. Alexander Watt was l)orn in 1792, received a 404 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: , collet^iate education, aud i^raduated from Aberdeen. He was Corporal in a British regiment at Waterloo, but after his return from the army was engaged in farming in connection with a boot, shoe and harness shop. Mr. and Mrs. Watt were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and he died in 1846. James E. Watt received a practical education, and has followed farming. He lived with his parents until his majority, after which he came to Richland County, Ohio, remained one winter, and thence went to South 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 Township, this county, soon after going to Kentland and remaining several years. In 1880, he came again to Union Township, wiiere he bought a farm of 240 acres, and here he resides. Mr. Watt was married, April 13, 1859, 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 Union Township, was born February 7, 1836, in Licking County, Ohio, and is one of eight children born to Pliilip and Nancy J. (Graves) Williams, the former of Welsh and the latter of English descent. Philip Williams was a native of Virginia, and learned distilling, •which he followed several years, after which he gave attention to farming. He died in Licking County, Ohio, in April, 1843. Abraham W. Williams, when sev- enteen years of age, left home and went to work by 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, Ohio, where he remained about four years, being agent for the C, C, C. & I. R. R., at Union ville. Later he went to Goodland, New- 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. Upon this he resides, and has erected a good house. Novemlter 14, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany H, Fifth Kansas Cavalry; 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. He is also a member of Goodland Post, G. A. R., and a Republican. He was married, March 15, 1865, to Sarah J. Hawu, of Union Countv, Ohio. Six children have blessed this union. JOHN WOODBURN, farmer, was born August 8, 1848, in Perry County, Penn., and is one of the eleven children of James and Mary (Wait) Woodburn, of Irish and English descent respectively. James Woodburn was a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer. In 1853, he emigrated to Miami County, Ind., where he bought a farm and lived until about 1873, when 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 sixteen left his father's family and came to Benton 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, and afterward purchased the one owned by Charles Meader, after which he bought forty acres in Section 27. In 1881, he purchased 160 acres, eighty of which he still owns. Mr. Woodburn en- listed in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Jan- uary 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- Irish and the latter of Scotch and Irish descent. Alexander Yancey was a native of South Carolina, and learned the millwright trade, following that until he came to Indiana. At the age of sixteen, he moved to Tennessee, and remained there until 1844, when he 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 rebellion, from 1863 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 Hamilton 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 spring of 1859, he came to Benton 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 twenty-six falls. Mr. Yancey was married, November 19, 1855, to Maria Wone- settler, a native of Pennsylvania, and eight children have blessed this union, seven of whom are living. GILBOA TOWNSHIP— BENTON COUNTY. 405 GILBOA TOWNSHIP. H. C. BUGBEE is the son of Amos and Sarali (Spaldinir) Biigbee, and was born in Plainlicld, N. H., in lH4i. When al)i)Ut twenty-one years of age, he enlisted in the Ninth New Hampshire Vohinteer Infantry, and servi-d until 180,"), when he was honorably discharged at Washington, I). C. In IHU!, he moved to Bereau County, 111.; 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 married Julia A., daughter of William and D( lilah (Cox) Daniels, and is now the father of five boj-s. In i«8L), he was elected Township Trustee by the Republicans, and in 18S2 reelected. Both he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. ALONZOCOWGILL. son of I.srael and Elizabeth (Donnelly) Cowgill, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, November 20, 1^40. He came to Warren County, Ind., in 1846, and in 1H56 to Pine Township, this county. In 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, being the second man to enroll in that company. At the battle of Chickamauga, Septeml)er 19, 1863, he was shot through botli legs, and in 1H64 received his discharge. In i860, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of William and Malinda (Pucket) Massej-, and to this marriage have been born six children, of whom four are living. Mr. Cowgill was elected Sher- iff of Benton County by the Republicans in 1866, and served two terms. He also moved to Oxford in 1866 and in 1870, purchased the Tribune, which he conducted until July, 1876; in 1H70, also, he was appointed Postmaster at Oxford, which office he resigned in 1872, when a candidate as joint Representative for White and Benton Counties, for which office he was beaten by Robert Gregory with a majority of only sixty votes in both counties. Mr. Cowgill is a Past Grand of Oxford Lodge, No. 169, I. O. O. F., Past Chief Patriarch of Oak Grove Encampment, No. 137, was for many years connected with the Good Templars of Oxford, and he and wife are mem bers 01 the Christian Church. In 1881, he settled on forty acres in this township, and in 1883 his house and library were destroyed by fire, 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) Dobbins, and was born in 1853. He was reared a farmer, received a fair education in youth, and worked industriously until 1874, when he married, in his native county, ]\Iiss Sarah Steely, a daughter of Ed- ward and Martha (Brink) Steel}', and then move"), granting lands to the State for swamp lands, which had been located upon by military land warrants, amount to 1,252,638.65 acres. It has been decided by the Commissioner of the General Land Office that the title to all im.sold lands in the State, that belonged to the United States on the 28th of Sep- tember, 1850, were .swamp lands vested in the State b}' the pa.ssage of said act. After showing how certain State officials had defrauded the Swamp Land Fund to the extent of upward of r^40,000, the report continues as follows : Tiie law of 1852 provided for the sale of swamp lands in the several counties by the county officers. Lender this act, all of these lands, in some of the counties, were dispo.sed of, whilst in others large bodies remained unsold at the passage of the act of 1857, which act made "direct appropriati(jn in kind " for the purpose of reclaiming for agricultural purposes such lands. 430 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. By the law of 1852, it was made the duty of tlie Governor to appoint Swamp Land Commissioners in every county owning swamp hinds. In many instances, these appointments were singularly unfortunate, possessing neither qualifications nor honesty of such a character as to fit them for their responsibilities. We have had our attention called to the ofiicial 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 Jasper, our investigiitions have satisfied us that the officers of that county have not onl}^ 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 county. 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 the 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 lands 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 be 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 confirmed by the Swamp Land Commissioner, and provided that the contractors might file with the County Auditor lists of the lands selected by them to be taken in payment for ditching, and the sale of these selected lands was then prohibited by the county officers till the completion or perfecting of the contract for the payment of which they were filed, and that 75 per cent upon the estimates of the work done should be issued to the contractor until all was done, when cer- tificates for the whole should be issued; and provided further that the contractor might at any time, by depositing f 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 the money so paid into the county treasury should be then retained, to be repaid to the contractor at the rate of 75 per cent upon estimates of work done, until the contract was completed, when all should be repaid. Under this law, the Swamp Land Commissioner of Jasper County confirmed all the old contracts at 20 cents per cubic yard, which had been originally let at from 12 to 18 cents per cubic yard, and the contractors were permitted to file lists of lands to any amount they desired, and the amounts of their respective con- tracts were swelled up to cover the amount filed for, and in a short time after the taking effect of this law, all the unsold swamp lands in Jasper County, amounting to about 175,000 acres, were then absorbed, and nearly all the contractors, without HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 431 paying any money into the eounty 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 i)ateuts for these lands. 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 bj' 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 trea.sury, and con- sequently no incentive to the completion of the contracts, and there being no law to enforce their completion, your committee would recommend that some law be passed to remedy this defect. There is evidence before the committee showing tliat M , without the shadow of authority 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 should have appointed M to the responsible office 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 official bond as a defaulter to the Swamp Land Fund, in 1855, which suit he had compromised by giving his notes with surety for the sum of $23,460.30, thus acknowledging his 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 count}' revenues; and not- withstanding it was known to His Excellency that by Section 10, Article H, of the Constitution of Indiana, said M was wholly "ineligible to any office of trust or profit," and that by an act of the Legislature, approved March 1, 1855, he was guilty of felony — still, with a full view of all the.se dis(iualifications and disabilities, he, M , was appointed and invested by His E.xcellency with the duties of this im- portant and responsible office, for the performance of which he is not reipiired 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. Tmces of the former inhabitants of this county are foiiml, l»ut 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 discoverei*s 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 favorite cereal, was in the Southwest. Passing up the western sideof the Mississippi Valley, they turned eastward across that river, the south- ern margin 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 Upper Mississippi; and thence the head of the migratory column circling around the source of the great river, recrossed it in a southeasterly 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 migra- 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 leaving 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 whites found them distinct nations, everywhere posses- sing the border lands, and waged with them their first and bloodiest wars. Situated within the ellipse above described were the nation of the Iroquois family, who, held together by circumstances, and posted advantageously 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. 433 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, wiiere 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 Americana, and took promi- nent part in 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 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 different directions, when he went in still another, to warn the settlers of their impending danger, thus saving the lives of many in the isolated settlements. In the military operations which followed, with Waubdnsie, " 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 missionarv la- bors among this nation. At first the efforts to convert tiiem were almost universally at the expense of the lives of the priests. But when the Pot- tawatomies yielde < O S !z; !z; < Methodist 5 2 3 1 210 43 305 72 515 1 12 115 1 4 86200 81300 8275 8191 200 27 7 350 75 700 Church of God... 2000 500 160 45 Presbyterian 2 2 30 56 86 ! 15 3700 1 700 1 250 103 21 250 175 2 36 64 100 2 1300 120 100 13 6 35 150 Baptist (Mission- 1 1 20 30 50 9 1500 700 300 70 6 60 100 Baptist (Predes- 1 2 10 37 16 58 26 1 60 60 2 95 7 3000 Totals 15 10 386 601 987 50 817700 '«3370 81085 8576 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, the Territorial Legislature incorpo- rated a university 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 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 and proper management of the school fund. 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 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 i^elation 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 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, 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, continjjent 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 sp)"ing3, 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 reijiilations as the Legislature of saiil 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 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, 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 12J cents on each siiare of stock, other than that held by the State, which shall 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 $1,300,000. 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 loanetl 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 as follows : Congresssional Township Fund $2,281,076 69. Saline Fund 85,000 00. Surplus Revenue Fund 573.503 96. Bank Tax Fund 80,000 00. Sinking Fund 4,767,805 89. The contingent class of funds arise under the provision 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 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 constitu- tion 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 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 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 peculation, and a considerable fund derived. 5. 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 falls 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 something in the way of rents or profits. The summary of the school funds 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 2,463,952 65. Grand total 9,207,411 51. Grand Total held in June, 1881 9,133,577 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 liail 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. Enumeration Enrollment Averace 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 Average compensation of female teachers Tuition expended during year Number of new schoolhouses built.... Estimated value of the same i 83, Special school money expended | 87, Total value of .school property 841, Number of brick schoolhouses. Number of frame schoolhouses. Number of log schoolhouses Total number of houses 819 3,490 2,749 1,691 122 78 131 81 78 81 62 182 91 6 430 00 805 13 870 00 3,452 2,796 1,706 128 85 1.32 81 70 81 46 820,880 42 4 82,200 00 87,427 OG 843,405 00 3,378 2,940 1,714 137 84 127 81 63 81 38 319,151 03 2 8650 00 86,801 80 8;t3,135 00 1880. 3,396 2,850 1,807 140 86 123 81 57 81 40 319,606 61 5 82,300 00 88,064 00 838,130 00 1881. 3,513 2,843 1,882 140 89 119 81 65 81 46 819,349 03 9 85,135 00 810,057 45 848,665 00 2 84 4 90 1882. 3,511 2,815 1,921 146 88 122 81 62 81 47 820,281 44 2 81,075 00 810,377 08 842,776 00 2 84 4 93 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 day as may be deemed expedi- ent. IX. At the conclusion of such exercises, the certificates of graduation shall be publicly presented to the graduate by the Superintendent, Trustee or some other person selected for that duty. Said certificates shall be 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 graduate, shall be kept by the County Superintendent and Township Trustee. The following exhibit gives 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, 1882, as re- quired by the 105th and 106th Sections of the School Law : CONGRESSIONAL FUND. Amount of fund held on trust as shown by last report $44,686 71 Amount since added from the sale of lands 1,040 00 Total $45,726 71 Total amount of Congressional Township school fund held in trust at this date 45, 726 71 Number of acres of unsold Congressional Township school lands 1,520 Value of unsold Congressional Township School lands $3,806 COMMON SCHOOL FUND. Amount of fund held in trust by county as shown by last report $11,179 29 Amount since added from fines and forfeitures by Clerk of Court 119 26 Amount since added from fines and forfeitures by Justices of the Peace. . Ill 76 Amount since added from all other sources 121 60 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 481 CONDITION OF SCHOOL FUNDS. Congressional Common Fund. School Fund. Amount of funds safely invested 143.128 82 111.526 79 Amount not invested and in the county treasury at this date 2,597 89 5 12 Total funds as above $45,726 71 $11,531 91 Amount in treasury at last report 435 00 195 71 Amount of loans paid within the year 10,134 00 2,695 72 Amount of funds loaned within the year 7,971 11 2,886 31 Amount of interest on the fund collected within the year, 3,650 43 1,044 62 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, 2,007 50 134 10 What is the estimated cash value of such forfeited lands, 2,742 00 205 50 Witness our hands this 10th day of June, 1882. Isaac D. Dunn, ) ' Elisha E. Rockwood, y County Commissioners. George W. Burk, ) Attest : Ezra C. Nowels, Auditor. Moses B. Alter, Treasurer. SECRET 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 Nowels' 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 1). 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 thirty-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.J'. Wal- dorf, F. B. Myers, E. D. Rhoades, D. B. Miller, B. L 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. ^ct/l^i^cC' ^:^^^^<^ HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 485 MILITARY HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. BY J. H. BATTLE. IN the early wars of the Union, the Revolution, the war of 1812, the Black Hawk war in 1832, the war with Mexico in 1846-47, Jasper County took no part. The county was scarcely settled at this later period, and while several of her citizens were represented in the Indiana troops that were organized at that time, the county was not marked as the scene of especial enthusiasm or military ardor. In 1860, while still one of the most sparsely settled counties, Jasper was one of the few counties of the State that had a militia organization under the law of 1855. " From the formation of the State to 1830, the State militia was in high repute, and aiforded the surest channel through which to achieve civil distinction. Four years later, the organization was entirly aban- doned, and public sentiment seemed to re-act, 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 voluntary associations ' was passed, providing for the formation of mili- tary companies by filing articles of association in like manner as provided 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 se- cure any successful result. Many commissions were issued, in most cases for the mere purpose of conferring honorary military titles upon the re- cipients ; 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 1859-60, aggregating about 500 men, no organizations were made."* Such was the condition of the military force of the State when Fort Sum- ter surrendered on the 13th of April, 1861, and when on the 15th, Gov. Morton 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 the polit- ical principles that were rapidly gaining the ascendancy in Jasper County), served to fix the attention of this section upon the political storm which seemed to be gathering with portentous mutterings over the southern *A41uUnt General's Report. 29 486 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. portions of the country. It is doubtful whether hope or fear predominat- ed 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 was that in his grasp, the serpent of secession would be strangled, as Jackson had done before in the case of the "NuUifiers." It was in this state of vacillation between hope and fear, that the reverberations of Fort Sum- ter's guns assailed the ears of the eager North. It was this explosion, echoing round the world, that united the various political elements, and made men Union or non-Union. Niceties of political distinctions were almost entirely lost sight of, and while the change of front was too sudden and radical to secure the adhesion of all to one party, Jasper County, in the main, presented but one sentiment, and that for the support of the Union. There existed, however, a disloyal feeling at the North that was especially prominent in the State of Indiana. The first burst of patri- otism which led men to struggle for the honor of defending the country in her armies, silenced all disposition to give expression to this feeling, but when the disastrous result of McClellan's futile campaign gave pause to the nation's enthusiasm, it sprang up hydra-headed to work its dis- graceful mission, concisely 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 war. It was strong enough to endanger the loyal control of Congress. It was widespread enough to cripple the army by en- couragement 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 Gov- ernment and obstruct the prosecution of the war. It murdered draft- officers, and destroyed enrollment papers. It distributed arms for treason- able uses, and plotted the destruction of Government arsenals and store- houses. 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 North- west, and in the East it excited the most inhuman and dastardly mob ever known in this country. * * * * The righteous wrath of loyal men for awhile awed it into silence, if not into inactivity. But the dis- asters of the Government, and the failures of men whom its own influence had awakened or depraved, encouraged it to show itself again within a year." Jasper County shared in this general state of things to some extent. Opposition to the general course of the State and National administrations was strongly manifested by a minority, though no violent demonstrations were made here, as in many other counties in the State. One episode HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 487 only served to mark this period here. In 1862, H. H. Dodds, of Indi- anapolis, made a violent speech, denouncing the policy of the nation, which 80 aroused the indignation of the loyal element ' of the county seat that they caused his arrest. This was probably a hasty and ill-considered action, and the speaker was subsequently unconditionally released; but the hot-headed sympathizers among the political minority in the county organized a band of vindicators with avowed intention of burning the town. There was a show of force sufficient to alarm the citizens, and for two or three weeks a cordon of pickets was maintained in the suburbs of the village to resist any efforts that might be made to carry out such in- tentions. The "besiegers" appeared in some force at two points several miles distant, and several camp-fires about the town served one night to give a show of reality to the raid ; but the event passed without signif- icant result, and the story of " Dodds' Raiders " is told simply to illus- trate the decided difference of opinion that existed in this county in 1862. Saturday, April 13, 1861, Fort Sumter fell. The rumors of the night before was 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, the President issued his proc- lamation calling forth the militia of the several States of the Union to the aggregate number of 75,000 men. The quota of Indiana was subse- quently fixed at six regiments of infantry, comprising in rank and file 4,683 men, to serve for three months, if not sooner discharged. No mi- litia existed in fact, and on the 16th inst. Gov. Morton issued his proc- lamation, in which, after stating the cause, he called " upon the loyal and patriotic men of this State, to the number of six regiments, to organize 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 this perilous duty of citizenship. The response from Jasper County to the Governor's call was prompt and enthusiastic. A grand rally brought the citizens together from every township. R. II. Milroy took the lead, and called for volunteers, who crowded forward and filled the ranks of one of the earliest companies in the State. 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 call was August 4, 1862, for 300,000 men for nine months' service; the fourth call was June 15, 1863, for 100,000 men for six months' service ; the fifth call was October 488 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 17, 1863, for 300,000 men for three months' service ; the sixth call was July 18, 1864, for 500,000 men for one, two and three years' service, and the seventh call 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 resorting to draft, but under this demand some- thing over 12,000 men were conscripted. The record of Jasper County under this call is as follows : TOWNSHIPS. Hanging Grove Township. Gillam Township Barkley Township Kankakee Township Wheatfield Township Keener Township Walker Township Newton Township Marion Township Jordan Township Carpenter Township Totals ■^ CREDITS ^ >* 4 p a a W t». 11 6 9 a 11 6 9 i i 0) ■3 Q TOWKSHIPS. '3 n « 7 6 9 a 2 1 1 2 2 2 3 10 7 3 5 60 2 2 "'3* 2 2 11 4 4 51 2 2 10 4 4 50 1 8 Marion Township 10 1 4 38 1 4 1 1 14 Totals 1 12 1 7 Note.— The total number of soldiers credited to Jasper County is 935. HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 489 But little difficulty was felt in obtaining volunteers during the first two years of the war, and no eflbrt 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, 18(38, tiie 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: TOWNSHIPS. BOUNTY. Hanging Grove Township $ 2,700 00 Gillara Township 1,950 00 AValker Township 25 00 Barkley Township 5,900 00 Marion Township 5,050 00 Jordan Township 200 00 Newton Township 200 00 Keener Township 30 00 Kankakee Township 100 00 Wheatfield Township , 323 00 Carpenter Townsliip 600 00 County Commissioners 4,900 00 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 tiie 4, against the attack of a portion of Forrest's command. These companies subsequently joined the regiment at Tullahoma, and on the '2Gth of No- 504 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. vember, upon the evacuation of that post, the regiment proceeded to Mur- freesboro, Tenn., and participated in the battle of Wilkinson's Pike and Overall's Creek, and was employed in the several skirmishes in the defense of Mux-freesboro against the command of Forrest, in December, 1864. Soon afterward, the regiment proceeded to Nashville, and went into winter quarters ; received new arms, and was assigned to the Second Brigade, Seventh Division, Cavalry Corps. February 11, 1865, the regiment embarked, under orders to proceed to New Orleans, but, by subsequent orders, landed at Vicksburg to engage in a raid along the Mobile & Ohio Railroad. These orders were subse- quently countermanded, and the regiment, newly armed and mounted, embarked for New Orleans, where it arrived on the 12th of March, 1865, where it proceeded to Navy Cove, Mobile Bay. Under Gen. Canby, the regiment participated in the operations against the forts and defenses of Mobile, a portion of the regiment acting as escort to the General. The balance of the regiment engaged, also, in running a courier line into Flor- ida, from near Fort Blakely, Ala. After the fall of Mobile, the regiment reported, on the 17th of April, to Maj. Gen. Grierson, and participated in the raid of over 800 miles through Alabama into Georgia, and then across the State of Alabama to Columbus, Miss., where it arrived on the 20th of May, 1865. The regi- ment was highly and specially complimented by Gen. Grierson in a letter to Gov. Morton for its gallant conduct and military discipline. Here the regiment remained until about the middle of July, when a portion of the regiment proceeded to Grenada, Miss., where the head- quarters were established. Companies D, K and L proceeded to Austin on the Mississippi River, in command of Capt. D. M. Graves, where they remained about two months, employed in protecting Government cotton and other property. These companies then rejoined the detach- ment at Grenada, where this part of the regiment remained until orders were received for muster out. The remaining six companies remained at Columbus, Miss., and vicin- ity, engaged in guard duty, until they were ordered to Vicksburg, to re- join that portion of the regiment which had preceded them. Here, on November 10, 1865, the regiment was mustered out, and subsequently left for Indianapolis, where it arrived on the 16th inst., and was paid off and discharged, November 22, 1865. Fourth Battery, Light Artillery. — This organization was mostly re- cruited in La Porte, Porter and Lake Counties, though Jasper had a con- siderable representation in its ranks. The battery was organized at In- dianapolis on the 15th, and mustered into the service on the 30th of Sep- HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 505 tember, 1861, with Asahel K. Bush as Captain. Soon afterward it pro- ceeded to Louisville, and then joined the army of Gen. Buell. During the winter it remained in camp in the vicinity of New Haven, Munford- ville and Bowling Green, and wiien the forward movement of the army was commenced, it moved with it to Nashville. From there it marched to Savannah, on the Tennessee River, with Buell's army ; but for lack of transportation did not cross the river in time to take part in the en- gagement at Shiloh. During the siege of Corinth, the battery marched with Buell's army, and participated in the subsequent campaign through Northern Alabama and Middle Tennessee, reaching Nashville late in the month of August, 1862. Falling back into Kentucky, and to the Ohio River, at the time of Bragg's invasion, it moved out from Louisville with Rousseau's divi- sion of McCooks corps, and took part in the cimpaign that resulted in driving that rebel General from Kentucky. In this campaign the battle of Chaplin Hills, near Perryville, was fought on the 8th of October. The Fourth Battery and Stone's Kentucky Battery were placed on a high ridge on the extreme left of Rousseau's division, ar^d extending diagonally to the front. To support these batteries, the First Wisconsin was placed on the ridge, and the Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania on another ridge run- ning almost at right angles with the one on which the batteries were planted. This formation gave a cross fire, and proved of great value in maintaining that all-important position during the day. Gen. Rousseau, in his official report, says of this movement: "These formations were made in great haste, and in a few moments, but without the least confu- sion or disorder, the men moving into line as if on parade." The opera- tions at this point saved McCook's left, and secured to the army the Max- ville road, upon which stood the entire ammunition train and ambulances. After this campaign, the Fourth Battery marched to Nashville, and upon re-organization of the array under Rosecrans, it was assigneil to the Third Division of Gen. McCook's corps, of which Gen. Sheridan was the division commander. In December, the division marched with the right wing of the army toward Murfreesboro, then the headcjuarter.') of Gen. Bragg. On the morning of December 30, the battery moved near the enemy's lines at Stone River, and by order of Gen. Slieriilin, opened fire on a rebel battery at 1,500 yards range, and drove it under cover. About 10 o'clock, it moved across the open field near the woods occupied by the enemy, when a rebel battery opened fire on it from the woods, at aboyt 600 yards range, an'l Gen. Sill ordered Capt. Bush to place his battery in position in the woods, and silence the opposing bat- tery. This was accomplished after a sharp contest of about two hours, at 506 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 450 yards range. As a result, about one-half the horses of the enemy's battery were killed, one of his gun carriages disabled, one of his Lieu- tenants and twelve men killed, and several others wounded, besides the killing and wounding of a number of the infantry supports, which lay near. The Fourth Battery lost in the contest four men killed and three wounded. After dark, the battery was posted about 300 yards fur- ther to the right, in open ground, where it remained till next morning. About daylight on the 31st, the enemy began the attack. The battery replied with canister at short range, until the division was flanked and obliged to retire, the battery moving to the rear of its brigade, and firing canister as it fell back. On reaching the first position of December 30, it made another stand, and fired canister from its howitzers and 6-pound smooth-bores in the enemy's front, and with its rifles drove two of the enemy's pieces from position. In reaching this position, one caisson was lost, every horse drawing it being shot down by the enemy's musketry. Retiring from this position, it moved to a point 800 yards to the left, ad- joining Hegley's division, near which point it remained until its ammu- nition was expended, and then retired to the left. In crossing a dense cedar woods, near the Murfreesboro pike, the infantry were driven rap- idly past the battery, causing the two rear guns to be captured by the enemy. These were not abandoned, however, until all the horses except four had been killed, and one piece had become fastened among the trees, and the enemy within forty yards of the two guns. On reaching the pike, Capt. Bush moved his battery a short distance to the rear, and obtained a supply of ammunition, and then reported to the front with three pieces for duty. By order of Gen. Rosecrans, the battery was then placed in park in front, and on the left of the pike. The next morning. Gen. Sheridan placed it in position, where it remained until the morning of the 2d of January, 1863, without further casualties. The total loss to the battery in this battle was six killed, seventeen wounded, two pa- roled by the enemy, and one missing. Encamping near Murfreesboro until June, 1863, it then moved with its division in the campaign against Tullahoma, engaging the enemy on the 24th at Hoover's Gap. After the occupation of Tullahoma, it marched with the army toward Chattanooga, crossing the Tennessee River at Bridgeport, Ala. Passing over Lookout and Sand Mountains, the en- emy was encountered at Dug Gap, where a brisk engagement ensued. On the 19th and 20th of September, the battery participated in the en- gagement at Chickamauga, rendering eS'ective service on both days. It fired fewer shots than at Stone River, but with much greater efi'ect. Af- ter the battle, it fell back to Chattanooga until the 21st of September, HISTORY OF JASPER COUNT!. 507 1864, when the .veterans and remaining recruits were transferred to the Seventh Battery. The non-veterans proceeded to Indianapolis, where they were mustered out of the service. On the 14th of October, 1864, the re-organization of this battery was authorized by the War Department, and on the 28th its organiza- tion was perfected with Benjamin F. Johnson (one of the First Lieuten- ants of the old organization) as Captain. In a few days afterward, the battery joined the Army of the Cumberland, at Nashville, and after the battle at that place was assigned to garrison duty at Fort Rosecrans, at Murfreesboro, where it remained to be mustered out. It returned to Indianapolis, and was mustered out of service and finally discharged August 1, 1865. Jasper County was represented in other organizations in the army, but concerning whom there is no reliable information. To notice the es- pecial achievements of the volunteers from this county would be a pleas- ant but an impossible work. Even to note the individual experiences of companies formed in the county has been found impracticable. A brief sketch of the regiments of which they formed a part is all that has been attempted, and if this shall show that Jasper County was not wanting in patriotism and sacrificing devotion when demanded by the nation's peril, the object of the foregoing pages will have been reached. 508 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. GROWTH OF VILLAGES. TOWN OF RENSSELAER. THE development of Jasper County from one to thirteen political divisions has been noted in the foregoing pages, and the dates of their organization is a fairly correct measure of the growth of the com- munity. In 1840 (the county then embraced the present territory of Newton, Benton and Jasper), the number of polls assessed was 188, and the amount of taxable property was placed at $20,347. This is the financial statement for an area of about 1,300 square miles — equal to the State of Rhode Island. In 1844, the whole amount of revenue of the county, Benton having in the meanwhile been struck off, was $457.87. In the State Gazetteer of 1850, is found the following: "Jasper is the largest county in the State, and contains about 975 square miles ; but Beaver Lake, the Kankakee Marshes and the Grand Prairie occupy so large a portion of it, that its settlement and improvement have hitherto proceeded slowly. It is divided into eight townships, viz. : Iroquois, Newton, Marion, Barkley, Jordan, Beaver, Jackson and Gillam. The population in 1840 was 1,267, it is now about 3,.000." In 1856-57, the county revenue was over $9,000, and the taxable property was reported at $1,540,000. In 1882, the income of the county, shorn of the terri- tory which is now Newton, was $111,738.11. This in a brief way shows the progress that has been made since 1839. Five settlements divided the early community that settled within the present territory of Jasper County. Among these, the one most advan- tageously placed, though not the strongest, was the one at the rapids of the L-oquois. The Iroquois, or the Rockwise, as the earlier settlers knew it, was a famous stream among the Indians and among such trappers and hunters as found their way her« before the treaty. Its waters were famous for the fish it contained and the fowl they attracted, while the game along its course gave this region the reputation of the hunter's El Dorado. These rumors were not lost upon the settlers of the frontier in White County, and in 1831 or 1832 Royal Hazelton, accompanied by Levin Willis and W. J. Wright set out in search of the " bold rapids of the Rockwise." They struck the head of the stream, followed its course as closely as the state of its margin would allow, to a point which is now the site of the iron bridge east of the county seat, and there gave up the HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 509 search and returned. Not satisfied with this bootless errand, Hazelton, after failing to enlist the enthusiasm and company of the others, started out alone in a second quest of the rapids. Providing himself with two large "corn-pones," a few cooking utensils, his lariat, and accompanied with his five dogs, he set out on horseback for the noted place. He struck the river about twenty-five miles south from the rapids, and then following up the stream came upon the rapids. The place did not meet his expectations. An impassable marsh bordered either side of the stream, and while it afforded all that the savage or hunter might desire, it presented a very discouraging site for the settling of a claim, and he re- turned after a seven days' absence without any desire to exchange Mootz Creek for the Iroquois. The solitude of the rapids seems to have remained undisturbed by the white man until 1834, when they were visited and rejected by Randle and Gulp, and later accepted by Joseph D. Yeoman and Nowels. In the fol- lowing year, the family came and pitched their tent about in the geograph- ical position, now known as Liberal Corner. On this spot the family re- mained while the permanent home of logs was reared. Mrs. Yeoman chose the site for this structure which was placed on the site of the bridge which crosses the mill race on Washington street. It was nearly winter when the last weight-pole was placed on the top course of clapboards that formed the roof of the new cabin, and the family found it necessary to take possession without waiting for fire-place or door. A log heap in the middle of the room furnished the necessary warmth and light, while a few displaced clapboards allowed the smoke to escape. This served un- til further improvements could be added. The nearest resident in the county at that time was David Phegley who then lived about five miles to the eastward of the county seat, on the Crockett farm. The family re- lied upon their own resources in raising the cabin, Mrs. Yeoman man- fully doing her share in the heavy work. In the spring following, Mr. Yeoman was under necessity of going to the Wabash for provisions with an ox team. During his absence, Mrs. Yeoman with two children were left alone, and while thus unpro- tected a party of fifty Indians came down to the rapids to fish. They camped about where the grist mill now stands and caught wagon loads of fish. Their method was to throw the fish out with paddles, made for the purpose, with one hand, while holding a torch in the other. None but dog-fish were preserved for their own use, however ; a bass or pickerel being brought to the cabin to exchange for bread. The savages were very docile, and offered her no discourtesy, though it may be imagined that the solitude was preferable to the presence of such visitors. 510 HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. Mr. Yeoman made a farm upon the site of Rensselaer, extending from the ravine which reaches the river at the mill on the south to the Western Grove on the north. Here he lived and improved his claim without near neighbors for three years. The family heard of the advent of the Forks' settlement, but the impassable character of the stream between the two locations prevented any communication. The first accession to the little settlement thus begun, if the father W. J. Wright be excepted, was William Mallatt. He located his claim across the river from Yeoman, and broke ten acres of ground covering the site of Mr. Thompson's residence and others westward toward the bend of the river. He was not allowed to rest long in the possession of this site, as it was taken by a " float" owned by a W, M. Kenton. This was a peculiar way the General Government had of disposing of its lands, and very often worked grave injustice, as in two cases, at least, at the rapids. To discharge certain obligations, the Government granted a warrant for a certain amount of land to be located at the option of the holder on any land belonging to the United States. Until 1837, lands could not be bought here, and settlers made claims with the intention of perfecting their title at the first opportunity. This was sometimes neg- lected, and while their "claim" was proof against any similar demand, it was powerless before a "float." In this case Mr. Mallatt was obliged to forsake his improvements, and removed to the Blue Grass settlement. In the meantime, the county seat had been changed to the Rapids of the Iroquois, and the pi ice named Newton. Mr. Yeoman had determined in his own mind to lay out a village here, and was flattering himself upon the outlook, when he found himself ''floated" out of his prospects by James Van Rensselaer. The latter had been a merchant in Utica, N. Y., where he had failed in the panic of 1837, and becoming the owner of a " float" issued to some of the Indians, he came West, with this capital to repair his fortunes. The site at the rapids seemed to offer the opportunity he sought, and he soon became the possessor of a good farm, considerably cultivated, and a portion of it well-fenced. More than this, the site of a village was foreshadowed at this point, and for all these advantages there is no evidence that he allowed his predecessor a dollar for his improve- ments. It is said that there was a decided opinion entertained as to the equity of the proceeding, and it was marked as an instance of poetic jus- tice that a certain well-fenced corn-field seemed to be the especial prey of all the stock that grazed on the prairies. Donahue's cattle were fre- quently found to have strayed to this distant point, and superior to fences, were found rioting in the standing corn. On June 12, 1839, the original plat of the town of Newton was filed, HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY. 511 The specifications accompanying the plat explain that " the town of Newton is situated at the Rapids of the Iroquois River in Jasper County, Ind., on Section 30, Town 29 north, Range 6 west. The Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are each 390 by 300 feet; the remaining whole blocks are each 300 feet square. Block 25 is 295 by 300; Block 26 is 295 by 300 feet. The lots are each 50 by 150 feet, except the middle lots in Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 ; they are each 45 by 150 feet. The lots in fractional blocks vary according to the shape of the blocks. There are twenty-six blocks besides the Public Square ; the Public Square is 300 feet square. The streets around the Public Square are each 75 feet wide ; Susan street is 63 feet wide ; Mill street is 50 feet wide ; the street immediately south of Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, is 50 feet wide till its junction with Mill street, where it expands to 56 feet wide; the rest of the streets are 66 feet wide. It is not intended that Front street should be laid out as a public street more than 50 feet wide, although it is believed it will always remain open to the river. From the junction of Front and Angelica streets westward, it is QQ feet wide." The town thus laid out was divided, commancing on the river by Mill (Short street, near the site of the old mill, near the foot of the rapids), Front, Van Rensselaer, Cullen and Weston streets, and at right angles to these by Susan, Angelica, Cornelia, Washington, Harrison and Rutsen streets. This street was laid out in the name of Van Rensselaer's wife as his pecu- niary liabilities would not permit him to hold property in his own name. A public sale of lots was held some time in this year, the first one being disposed of to J. D. Yeoman for a consideration of ^100, and is described as Lot 6 in Block 1. The location of the county seat here gave the growth of the town an impetus, bringing several families, among which was that of George W. Spitler. But the growth of the village was destined to be slow. The proprietor came from the old Dutch stock, once prominent in New York, and impressed with certain aristocratic notions and an exag- geratete, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Novemlier 4, 1H40, where his early life was spent on llic 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 Michigan, 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 mouths 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, 1865, 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, 1824, 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 Knox 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 subject, was reared a farmer, and was married, in 1844, to Sarah, daughter of Jame3 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 Marrilla, Rosilla and Hattie W. Mr. 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 countj', keeps a variety 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 year 1849; his father, W. R. Cotton, was likewise a native of Virginia; he is still living, aged sixty-four. F. L. Cotton was married October 6, 1869, to Miss Lee A. Patton, who was born in Greene County, Penn. To these parents were born three children — Ella May, 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 family of three girls and one boy. Elvira married George A. Nolan, Chief Examiner in the patent office at Washington, who died in 1873, and his wife a few hours later on the same day, leaving one child, George, who is now in the keeping of his Grandfather Patton. Mr. Cotton has been in business near Rensselaer for almost seven years, and is an energetic and respected citizen. THOMAS H. DAVISSON, Postmaster at Pleasant Ridge, was born in John- son County, Ind., in 1836, and is a son of M. E. and Mahala J. (Early wine) Davis- son, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Kentuck}^ Our subject's father moved to Johnson County many years ago, where he bought land, farmed for a time, sold the same and came to this county in 1844, where he bought a claim of 160 acres in Barkley Township, which he improved, sold, and then built a mill. TOWN OF RENSSELAER AND MARION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 527 which he sold to John Hiiddocks, as afterward known bj- his nanu-. He also built other mills, and now resides in Pulaski County, where he is a Justice of the Peace. His family comprises three girls and five boys, three of whom died in the hite war — Daniel and Jesse at Na.shville. and Hezekiah at Louisville. Thomas 11. Davis.son was a member of Company G, Ninth Reyimeni Indiana Volunteer Infantrj', and was wounded at the battle of Stone River December 81, 1HG2, from which i»e is yet crippled. He was wedded, March 4, \^64, to Helen M. Draper, who died in October, 1876, and was next^narried, in 1N77, to Xancy McColley, of this county. JOHN W. DUVALL, livery keeper, is a native of Darke County, Ohio, and was born January 9, 1827. Hi.^ father was Daniel Duvall, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 184.'), 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, Julj' 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 liver}- business, in compauj' with a brother, Samuel O., in 1856. but now carries on said business alone. Mr. Duvall is an enterprising, benevolent gentleman, upon whose shoulders fell tiiemain support of his brothers and sisters. The children born to his first marriage are Martha J., Cyrus W., Samuel H., Mary 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 unable to con- tinue his studies for five years. He worked on a farm until twenty-four years of age, and in March, 1S59, 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, under Capt. Milroy, for three months, and served through the West Virginia campaign. In 1862, Gov. Morton commis.sioned him a recruiting Lieutenant; he enlisted over 200 men for the Eighty-.seventh Indiana Volunteers, and also a company for the Ninety-ninth Regiment, but, being taken sick, and the (juota 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- torney in 1H60, and appointed Inspector of tobacco, snuff and cigars in 1867. He was Presidential Elector on tlie Republican ticket in 1868, and elected to repre- sent the counties of Jasper. Benton, New ton. White and Pulaski in the State Senate in 1870; he was an Abolitionist before the organization of the Repuitlican party. One of his brothers died from sickness contracted in the army. In 1H62, Mr. Dwig- gins married Miss Fannie Travis, born in Clarion Count}^ Penn., May 1, 1836. They have two sons — Elmer, aged nineteen, now at Michigan University; and Jay, aged sixteen, now at the Military Academy at Orchard 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 daimer 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 which 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 nntil 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 whicli union descended five children — Tillie, Benjamin, .Albert, Louis and Samuel. Mr. Fendig has been successful, although utterlj- 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, 1850. 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 teacher up to 1863, and about 1865 engaged in mercantile business in Tippecanoe County, where Mrs. Ferguson died Januar}^ 35, 1865, aged thirty-six. In September, 1865, Mr. Ferguson married Miss Malinda Clevinger, and died Octo- ber 9, 1869. Our subject finished liis schooling at Battle Ground and commenced to work when 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 he is a Baptist. DANIEL GRANT was born in Fauquier County, Va., in 1797. When a boy, he emigrated to Kentucky 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, fatlier of the above, was for seven j-ears a Revolutionary soldier, and was the parent of nine children, of whom Daniel was the only survivor. Our subject's family are: James W., born in Fleming Count}% Ky., in 1821, and in 1848 married America, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Gin) Bautham, of Wabash County, 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, Martha, daughter of John and Catharine (Coon) McDaniel, of Wabash County; to this union were born five children — Livonia, Rebecca C, Daniel F., John A. and Schuyler C; Mrs. Grant died in 1860, and Mr. Grant married, in 1863, Hannah Hemphill, for- merly of Ohio. Washington S. was born in Kentucky in 1826; married Lovina Hurley; he has sixty acres of good land, and five children living — Josie, Harvey, Delia, Rollie and Warner. Francis Marion was born in Kentucky in 1826, and mar- ried in this county in 1846 to Phebe Morland, daughter of Joseph and Almond (Hayes) Morland, residents of this county, to which union were bestowed five chil- dren — Lucy G., U. 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 Countj^ 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 uniou was two children — Charlie and Garland. Shelby was born in Wabash County in 1843, served a period of two j^ears in the late war, and was married, in 1869, to TOWN OF RENSSELAER AND MAl'JON 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 1M27, to Wabash County in 1834, and to Jjisper County in is,")!), where he purchased 600 acres of land. Mr. Grant made his way by energ}', having begun life poor. He is well preserved, mentally and physically, and is now in his eighty-si.xth year. Fifty children and grandchil- dren celebrated his anniversary in 1802. KEV. D. T. HALSTPLVD 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 Count}'. "" 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 Oliio with lier parents when very young, where she and Mr. Halstead were married. These parties were parents of the following children : Letta, D. T., Merrymau (deceased), William, Micah B., and one who died in infancJ^ In 1.S39, 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. Su.san 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 deatii, has doiie worthily, and is a universally esteemed gentleman. EDWIN POLLOK HAMMOND, Judge of the Tiiirtieth Judicial Circuit, was born at Brookville, Franklin Co., Ind., November 26, 1835. His father, Nathaniel HaTnmond, 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 live daughters, among the former Abram A., formcrl}' Governor of the State, and William P., once a representative of the State in the Indiana Legislature from i^Iorgan ('ounty. and aftenvard a prominent lawyer at Albia, Iowa. The widow of Nathaniel and mother of Judge Hammond is now in her eightieth j'ear. 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 University 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, Nintii 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 tiiat surprised the rebel camp at Philippi, and in the engagement at Carrick's Ford, in which the confederate Gen. (4arnett 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, Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, and was com- missioned as Captain of the comjjany. 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 in killed and wounded, out of 363 officers and men. Col. Newell Gleason, the head of tlie regiment, having been placed in charge of the brigade, Lieut. Col. Hammond commanded tlie regiment during the last year of the war. They were at Chattanooga, and at the siege of Atlanta, and with Sherman on his nuirch to the .sea. Mr. Hammond enjoyed the respect and good- will of tlie 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 by the people at the next October 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 by 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, but since then has been a Republican. He was a delegate to the National Convention in 1873, which nominated Gen. Grant 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, Mary V., whom he married in 1864, is a daughter of Col. George W. and Malinda Spitler. Mrs. Hammond is an amiable and accomplished lady, and highly cultivated in vocal and instrumental music. By this marriage there are five children — Louis, Birdie, Eddie, Jean and Nina Van Rensselaer. The Judge is still in the prime of life, and there are probably many years of usefulness before him. FRANK HENGESBACH, manufacturer of brick and tile, is a native of Ger- many, born in 1839, 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 business with F. W. Bed- ford, at Rensselaer, in one of the largest factories of the kind in Northern Indiana. Mr. Hengesbach is one of the enterprising men and valued citizens of Jasper County, and a successful business manager. HORACE EDWARDS JAMES was born in Evansport, Ohio, May 2, 1841. His father, Reuben B. James, was born in Deerfield, N. H., July 17, 1810. His mother was Miss Sarah Norton, born in New York December 25, 1830. These par- ents moved from Ohio to Michigan in 1847; to Erie County in 1849, and to Rens- selaer, Ind., July 31, 1854. The elder James was a pioneer settler of Northwestern Ohio, where he held several offices, among which were Postmaster and Associate Judge. He abandoned the profession of law to become a minister in the Baptist denomination. After moving to Indiana, he lived on a farm, and taught school. He held the office of County Surveyor a term or two. When the war broke out in 1861, he was among the first to enlist, carrying a rifle during the three months' cam- paign, although over fifty years old. A few months after this, he received a com- mission as Commissary of Subsistence, with rank of Captain, and was assigned to duty on the staff of Gen. Cooper, of East Tennessee, in Gen. Schofield's Army of the Ohio, and served as such until the close of the war, when he was mustered out with the rank of Brevet Major. Three of his sons were in the army during this period. Returning to Rensselaer, Maj. James bought the material and good will of the local newspaper, and published the Prairie Telegraph from 1865 to 1868. He moved to Crawford County, Kan., in 1870, and died there March 29, 1877. He was a vigorous thinker, a ready debater, a voluminous writer, a man of progressive ideas and strong convictions, especially in religion and politics. His character was bold and aggressive, and he left his impress upon the society of every community in which he lived. The work of which he was most proud— the great work of his life, as he termed it — upon which were spent his best years, is a religious volume en- TOWN OF RENSSELAER AND MARION TOWNSfHP— JASPER COUNTY. 531 titled "Prophetic Revelations," now out uf print. The entire edition, witli tlie ex- ception of perhaps a few do/cn copies, was destroyed by lire 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. (Jwing to the semi-uomadic life led by the family, which kept them upon the frontier settlements, and the itinerant clergyman's slen- der purse, the schooling of this tiock 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 G, Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteers. He re-enlisted as a veteran, and was in the service from August, 18G1, until October, 1865. In February, 1865, 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, Iiid., 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 Healy, who was then conducting a rival paper in the town, and the Rensselaer 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 j^ear, 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, 1N79, he was appointed Postmaster at Rensselaer, and entered on duty on the Isl 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 fiumber of votes for nomination for Secretary of State. Mr. James is the father of three daughters and three sons. The sons only are liv- ing. Their names are Francis H., Chase M. and Otto D. The subject of this Bketch 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 and 1882 was Secretary of the Jasper County Agricultural Society. ABRAHAM LEOPOLD, merchant, was born in C.runstadt. Bavaria, in 1836. Bimon 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 1873. Our subject came to America and landed at Philadelphia 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 Francesville, 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 (decea.sed). 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 the 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 Independent 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.) Mr. McEwen is an unswerving sup- porter of the principles of the National Democratic party, and, in religious princi- ples, a member of the Presbyterian Church. September 11, 1855, he married Sarah J., daughter of Henry and Ann (Willard) Jenner; she was born in Rochester, N. Y., July 16, 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 proprietor of the Reniis,G\2iQv 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, 1882, 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. O. F. and the U. W., of Rensselaer. DAVID NOWELS, a native of Holmes County, Ohio, and the pioneer of Jas- per County, was born September 15, 1831, and is the seventh son in a family of eight sons and three daughters born to John and Hetty (Vulgamen) Nowels, natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively, and of English and German descent. John Now- els was among the pioneers of Ohio, and a3 a hunter in that State and Indiana became justly celebrated. He removed with his family to the "Hoosier State" when our subject was three years old, and selected for his home the town of Portland, on the Wabash, then county seat of Fountain County. Here Mrs. Nowels died about 1830, and in 1834, together with his daughter and her husband, Joseph Yeoman, and David Nowels, our subject, he removed to what is now Jasper County, and became the first settler. They made homes where Rensselaer now stands, but afterward moved to the northern part of the township, where Mr. Nowels died May 21, 1865, aged over ninety-five years. David Nowels has made Jasper County his home since 1834. He received no educational advant ages, and in his youth and early manhood participated in the hardships of all pioneers. He purchased his time of his father when seventeen years old, went to Cass County, and obtained a position as mail carrier from Logansport to Iroquois County, 111. After three months, he returned to Jasper County, and March 10, 1842, married Phebe A. Benjamin, daughter of Jared and Mary (Yeoman) Benjamin. Mrs. Nowel's parents were born in Connecti- cut and New York State respectively, and were of English descent; this family TOWN OF RENSSELAER ANI> MARION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 533 removed to Ohio in 181 1. After tlie deiith of Mr. Bctijamin, 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 industry and good management has secured a competence. Besides giving to each of his six children about 340 acres of improved land, he has retained some eighty lots in Ronssehier, 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 many friends; he and wife are living retired in Rensselaer. Mrs. Nowels is a member of the Baptist (!hurch. They have had nine children born to them in this order: Jared. born August 29, 1843, died December 29, 1843; Ezra C, born Jan- uary 30, 1845; William R., August 2, 184B; Charles D.. November 14, 1847; Mary H., November 9. 1849; Eliza Jane, born July 1, 1852, died April 22, 1854; Eliza Jane, born April 1, 1854, died March 30, 1860; David B.. born in 1856; and Ida A., Janu- ary 14, 1859. The mother was born February 22, 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; Everette M., Lucy M., Trellyen E., Lennie E. and Odessa L. The mother was born April 5, 1852, 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. O. 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, Adelma Vernon, Gaylord, Bertha and Lillie. Mr. W. R. Nowels owns 391 acres of fine land in Section 36. CHARLES D. NOWELS was born in Marion Township, Jasper Co., Ind., November 14, 1847, and has made Jasper Couutj' his home. At the age of eighteen, he began doing for himself, although remaining with and assisting his parents until twenty-three j'ears of age. September 23, 1870, he married Miss Margaret J. Burns, daughter of Oliver S. Burns, of Carroll County, Ind.; and the month of March succeeding this event, moved to a farm on Section 1 in Marion Township, 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 pultlic 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 Cliurch. They are parents of two children — Arthur S. and Floy Latrue. Mrs. Nowels was born October 9, 18,50. D. B. NOWELS was born in Jasper Count}' in 1856, and rtnisiied his education at Lebanon, Ohio. He began teacliing at tiie age of eighteen, and taught five years. In 1879, he married Miss Sarah E. Burk, daughter of George Burk. They have one child — Auburn. Mr. 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 born in Logan County, Ohio, May 16, 1829, and is a son of Jolin and Matilda (Kenton) Parkison, both natives of Kentucky. John Parkison came to tliis 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 largel}^ 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, 1857; Amanda E., born November 14, 1858; Josephine, born January 1, 1862; Margaret, born October 9, 1865. and Jaley A., born April 24, 1868. BERRY PARRIS is a native of Clark County, Ky., was born in 1825, and is a son of James and Anna (May) Parris, the former a native of Pennsylvania, 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 County,iOhio, and was a soldier of 1812. Berry Parris was brought to Highland County, Ohio, as a child, but afterward re- turned to Kentucky and remained nine years, 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 w\as born in Darke County, Ohio, 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 married. In 1825, he removed to Rush County, Ind., 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 two brothers— John and Simon, the lat- ter having been a Captain. Our subject came to this county in 1847, where he mar- ried Miss Nancy Irvin, daughter of Alexander and Charity Irvin, to which union succeeded eight 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 early time, and was a terror to horse-thieves and such people; he was made Sheriff in 1856, and in 1882 a keeper of the county house. The grandfather of Mr. Phillips was a Revolutionary soldier, and was wounded by a bayonet thrust from the knee to the groin. CHARLES H.. PRICE, Circuit Clerk, was born in Portage County, Ohio, in 1849. His father, William B. Price, was born in Canada in 1820, and came to Jas- per County, Ind., in 1867. He was elected Commissioner in 1876, and re-elected in 1878, was an able officer, and gave great satisfaction. Charles H. Price was edu- cated in the common schools, and subsequently took a collegiate course at Stock- well, Ind. He was married in 1874 to Miss Lizzie A. Jones. Tiiej" 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 Masonic order, an Odd Fellow and Knight of Pythias, and in the last two has passed the chairs; he is also a charter member of the Knights of Pythias at Remington, and Grand Guar- TOWN OF RENSSELAER AND MARION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 535 dian of the State, having organized the lodge in Itenssehver. In 1H74, he was elected Circuit Clerk, and reelected in ISSO. Mr. Price is an clHcient oflicer, and a fine orator. He was a delegate to the convention which nominated Weaver for Presi- dent; also Secretary of the Greenback County Central Committee. J. T. RANDLE, retired farmer, is a native of Hampshire County, W. Va., and was born in 1831. His fatlier and mother, Thomas and Nancy (Culp) Randle, were natives of the same county, the former born in 1798, the latter in 1802, and were married in their native county. Thomas Handle, 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 tlie journey. Mr. Randle entered a half section in this county, on which he lived until his death, in ISTO. Mrs. Randle died in 1853. They were the parents of eleven children, eiglit of whom are living — James. Mary, Isabel, Henry, Jolin, Nelson, Nanc)' and Savia. J. T. Randle wns married in 1854, 10 Miss Mary E. Overton, who died in 1877. He afterward married Mrs. Ruth A. Harris, by which union they have five 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 22,1844. In 1865. he was married to Miss Caroline Brown, born in 1848. daughter of George H. and Elizabeth (Nichols) Bi-own. They had a family of five children — Edward, Virginia (deceased), Juliette, Addie May (deceased), and James, Mr. Randle is owner of 500 acres of land in Section 36, Township 30, Range 6. Mrs. 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 1845. His father. Ben- jamin Reynolds, was the second settler inWliite County, where he resided thirty-nine years, and died June 6, 18G9. He was one of the most sympathizing, determined and remarkable men of his time. He was a kind husband and father, whose motto was equity. 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. Rej'nblds 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. Reynolds, 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 familiarl\' called, lie 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 Mi.ss Mary Ann Duren, who was born in 1814. They reared seven children, all living except two. Their names were William, Charles (killed at Cheat Mountain in the late war, and was a musician), Marshall I), (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 «.t 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. York, 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 Leuisa 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 Coney. 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, by 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, aged forty- nine years. He had the following children: Welcome, Jedediah, Simeon, Orlan, John. Daniel, Barton, Lydia, Rosalind and Joseph. Our subject worked in Ohio 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, 1862; he was a member of the Twenty-ninth Ohio Regiment; Jane M., born July 3, 1840; George M., Sheriff of this county in 1876, re-elected in 1878, and Auditor in 1882; he married, in 1868, Miss Mary 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. Mr. Robinson came to this county in 1864, and pur- chased 100 acres, on which he now resides. In 1882, Mrs. Robinson, at the age of sixty-four, wove more than 800 yards of carpet. FRANCIS J. SEARS was born in Connecticut September 15, 1827, and is a son of Elijah C. and Ann B. (Hill) Sears, both natives of Connecticut. Elijah C. Sears was 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 of the Baptist Church. Francis J. Sears was reared and educated in Orleans County, N. Y. In May, 1846, he came to McHenry County, 111., and in 1849 moved to Warren County Ind., and taught several terms of school. In 1855, he opened a grocery store at Rainsville, and in 1859 moved to Milford, 111., where he continued merchandising. In 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 Middleport Township, and Overseer of County Farm. In 1869, he and partner sold, moved to Chicago, and opened a wholesale- TOWN OF RENSSELAER AND MAItlON TOWNSHH' — JASPER ('or.NTV. 537 store on Lake street, wberf.' they 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 dry 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, lie was married, Januar}- 1, 1848, to Mary J. Denney. who died Jidy 2S), 1850, leaving two girls— Mary F. J. and Sarah Ann: the latter died September 17, 1850. July 3, 1855, he married Mattie J. Freeman, who died December 8, 1(S71. leaving four children — Willie E., Char- lie G., Hattie and Sallie; the two girls are deceased. August 12, 1872, Mr. Sears married Arabelle Coats, widow of J. W. Coats. Bj' this union there was one child, born February 2, 1880, died August 21, 1882. GEORGE SIGLER was born in Lake County, Ind., in 1840. His father, Sam- uel Sigler, a native of Maryland, waft born 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 years a preacher in the Methodist Eyiiscopal Church. Samuel, Jr., at the age of six years, went with his parents to Clarksville, Va., and in 1834 the family settled in Elkhart County, Ind., near Go- shen, and three years later on IfiO acres of land in Hobart Township, Lake County. March 21, 1837, Samuel married Nancy Stockdalo, a native of Washington County, Penn., by whom he had four children— jNIrs. 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 hi's son George. Mr. Sigler has been a successful man. Besides town property, he owns sixty-five 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, 1809, and was married in 1864 to Miss Jane Willey. They have two children— Annie and Joseph. Mr. Sigler is a mem- ber of the firm of Willey & Sigler (Trade Palace); they have a fine store and are doing a good business. C. D. STACKHOUSE was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1828. 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 l)orn. He emigi-ated from Kentucky to Ohio in the early days, and there ended his life. In 1852, C. D. Stackhouse married Delilah Obernchain, which marriage was pro- ductive of two children, a boy and a girl. Mrs. Stackhou.se died in 1856, whereupon our subject married Jane Obernchain, sister of his former wife. To these nuptials were born eight children — Alice, Venriek, ^lilroy, Clara Elizabeth. Byron, Willnrd, 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. Stackliouse 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 County, Ind., was born October 6, 1S40, 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 school in Bartholomew (!ount}-. After working some time on the home farm, he clerked for Mr. Austin. In lN(il, he enlisted in the P^ighty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, but by rea.son of sickness was discharged after six months' service. After his return, he became a partner witli 538 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Mr. Austin, under the firm name of Austin & Starr; tliis partnership continued one year. In 1863, lie married Lucy C. Warner, who died in 1879; he was next married, in Augu.st, 1881, 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 $5,000 to $7,000, and does a }'early business of from 125,000 to $35,000. 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 yea'-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 1859; he is also a grad- uate of the School of Law at Ann Arbor, Mich. While a student, the recent civil war was inaugurated, and he enlisted, but did«ot serve; he afterward taught school in Rensselaer, and has served three terms as School Examiner. In 1873, he was made Prosecuting Attorney of this circuit for four years. In 1876, and again in 1880, he was a candidate for nomination at the Congressional Convention, and since that time has been engaged in the practice of his profession, in which he holds a prominent rank. NORMAN WARNER was born in Rush Count}^ Ind., March 15, 1838; 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 1843, and was married in Rush County, Ind., and reared the 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 to his native State. In 1849, he went to California. Norman commenced learning car- riao"e-making in Cincinnati, and finished at La Fayette, Ind. February 34, 1857, 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. The 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, having begun the same in 1871; he has worked his way up from nothing, and is much liked by his fellow-citizens. MARSHALL P. WARNER was born in the montli of April, and the year 1889; his father, Daniel Warner, was born in the year 1806, and removed to Cincin- nati, Ohio, in 1841. In 1849, he went to California, but afterward returned to the States and came to Rensselaer, where he died in 1856; his first settlement in this State was in Rush County, whence he removed to Connecticut, thence to Cincin- nati, and thence to California. Our subject, Marshall P. Warner, was brought to Rensselaer when six years old, where he was brought up. In 1859, he removed to Colorado, but returned in 1873, went back in 1874, and returned to Rensselaer finally in 1881, where he is located and engaged in the grocery business. Mr. Warner is an agreeable gentleman, a successful merchant and estimable citizen. I. B. WASHBURN, M. D., is a son of Moses L. and Susanna (Brown) Wash- burn, natives of Ohio, the former born in Brown County, April 3, 1815, the latter in Preble County in 1814; she was daughter of Mercer Brown. Dr. Washburn was born in Cass County, 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. On 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 bean 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 TOWN OF RENSSELAER AND MARION TOWNSUir— JASPER COUNTY. 539 25, 1861, as third in :i class of thirty-six. In November, 1802, 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 Ma.^on in 186."), and an Odd Fellow in 1861. He is a Republican, and a member of tlie Christian Church. Dr. Washburn was mar- ried, July, 1864, to ]^rattie A., daughter of (i. B. and Mary (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 reappd to the plow. On the 11th of August, 1862, 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. by which union they iuid seven children— Dee, Daisy, Bernice, Frank, Harry, Lizzie Amanda antl Charles. Mr. Watsou 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, 1844, 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 II., who resides on the original farm; Charles B., born about 1852, died in infancy; Amanda, born June, 1849, and James F., born 1844. On his arrival in this county, Mr. Watson entered eighty 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, to Miss Kate Ritchcy, daughter of Dr. James Ritchey, who was once a member of the Legislature from Johnson County. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are parents of two children— Elsie, born- October 20, 1880. and Ella, born in April, 1882. JAMES WELSH was born in 1835, and in 1865 married Miss Mary, daughter of Dr. Samuel W. Ritchey. to which union succeeded two children— Carrie A., born 1867. and George H., born 1875. Benjamin Welsh, father of our subject, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., in 1796. In 1821, in Adams County, Ohio, he married Mary Moore, born in Pennsylvania May 3, 1795. Mr. and Mrs. Welsh had the followini: children, beside James, our subject: Nancy, born in 1822; Henry, born in 1828. and Rhoda, born in 1832. Mr. Welsh was by trade a millwright, and built the first cotton-L'-in in Arkansas; he also traveled through the West as a surveyor. In 1834. he moved to Tippecanoe County, in company with others, one of whom, John Compton, was a brother inlaw. After six years, Mr. Welsh removed to this county, and purciiased 720 acres of land. Prior to 1852, he was elected County Commissioner and Probate Judge; he was also elected ('..unty Surveyor. His daugliter Mary was the first person to be buried 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 As.sc-ssor and Ditc-h Conmiissioner. 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 ulilo. 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 1863. 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-fifth Indiana Regiment, and was married, in 1874, to Lucy Busey, from which imion descended three children — Ferry, Louis and Treaver. He opened a store at Surrey May 10, 1883. Mrs. Wilcox's parents were prominent set- tlers of Indiana. Her 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. During the land sales, he purchased land fourteen miles south of Peril, 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. Mr. Busey died in 1866, and Mrs. Busey 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 m 1827 emigrated from Virginia to Ohio on horseback, where he bought \and. married and reared the following famil}^: Elizabeth, Sarah A., Aldeva, Eli H., H. W., Mary M., J. H., Amanda J., Clara H., Malissa E., Clayton, Charles W., Loretta and Justina. Mr. Wood died in Montgomery 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, John, Abraham, Chris- tina and Maria. Mrs. Wood now resides with the subject of this sketch. Harvey W. Wood was married, in 1871, to Mary C, daughter of Mordecai and Caroline (Sampson) Crocket, as a result of which were four children — John P., Mabel, Van M. and Harvey. Mr. Wood was in the Ninety-third Ohio Regiment during the last war, and was wounded at Chickaniauga; his brother, I. H. 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 born in 1814, in what was then Union County, Ind. His father, Charles G. Wright, a native of North Carolina, moved hither 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., James M. and Elizabeth A., of whom all except our subject and Elizabeth are deceased. In 1832, Mr. C. G. Wright came to this county and established a trading post at Rensselaer, where he died De" cember 22, 1845. Willis J. Wright was reared a farmer's boy, and when fourteen apprenticed to learn the carpentering, which he followed for many j'ears, and made the first frame house made in Rensselaer. In 1845, he married Miss Minerva Ferris, to which marriage were granted five children — Charles P., Truet P., Mattie M. and Mellie M. (twins) and Elizabeth. Mr. Wright served as Sheriff from 1855 to 1862. and was an efficient officer. His oldest son, Charles P., was a soldier of the Eighty seventh Indiana Volunteers during the late war, and served about two j^ears. He and one George Morgan were among the youngest soldiers in the service. D. H. YEOMAN is a son of Joseph D. and Sarah (Nowels) Yeoman, and was born in Jasper County, Ind., September 26, 1841. His parents were among the early settlers of the county, who came hither with a yoke of oxen and 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 durina: his early days, and among his pupils was Sarah Nowels, whom he afterward married, and to which union descended the following family: Cynthia, Helen, Thomas J. (the first white child born in this county), D. H. and Sarah O. Mr. Yeoman came here with scarcely any means, but acquired a property of 200 acres of land. He was a man of i^reat 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 Blucgrass 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., viaughter of James and Elizabeth (Hurshman) Morris, with a result of the following children: Effie L., Morris D., Pleasant Victor, Daisy, Ettie Belle, James F., Hattie M. and David V. Mr. Y'eoman 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. Y''EOMAN was born in the county of Fayette and State of Ohio, iu the year 1852. 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 1810. 3Irs. 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, Harvey, Madison, Jeffers(m, James, Laura, John, Sarah, Zerenah, Rebecca and Lizzie. Ouf subject, Lewis K. Yeoman, has a good farm of eighty acres, solely obtained by his own industry, labor and economy. He is a highly respected citizen and a good farmer. JAMES A. Y'EOMAN was born February 2, 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 days on the journey, dur- ing eight of which it snowed continually. On his aiTival, 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 down, shake the ground for several feet around her. Mr. Yeoman improved this land by 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 l)y her son James A., who in 1880 married Miss Amj', dauirhter of Whit and Frances (Kenton) Israel. Mr. and Mrs. Y'eoman 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- sion 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 Y'orkin 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 March, 1871, our subject married Stella Aldrich, daughter of Henry Aldrich, of this county. Mr. Zea was elected Constable in the j'ear 1^80. 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 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: TOWN OF REMINGTON AND CARPENTER TOWNSHIP. LEWIS S. ALTER, County Surveyor, is a son of John and Mary Ann (Cham- berlin) Alter, and was born in Jasper County, Ind., June 22, 1851. 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 1876. 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." D. 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 land, and our subject assisted in the im- proving thereof. When twenty-one years of age, l>e 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 1828. He is a son of David and Mary Bloom, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and Scotch descent, respectively. David Bloom purchased land thirty-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 1854; they reared a large family. G. F. Bloom was reared a farmer. 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 Rem- ington, and purchased grain; he finally engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. In 1870, Mr. Bloom was married to Miss Caroline E. Jones, of Raynliam, Mass., a union crowned by two children — EUery 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 Yoi'k. Mr. Bloom is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Democrat in politics. SAMUEL BOWMAN was born in Maryland June 17, 1849, and is the sixth of nine children born to Samuel and Mary Bowman, natives of Pennsylvania. His father died in Cumberland County, Penn., in 1866, and his mother five j'ears earlier. TOWN OF REMINGTON AND CAIU'ENTEU TOWNSHIP— JASPKR COUNTY- 543 At eit^hteen years of ago, our subject began a three years' apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade. In 1870, lie 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 bS7-4. he began business for himself, and in 187G formed a partnership with his brotlier Ezra, which firm still carries on business. Mr. Bow- man was married. September 15». 187."). to Miss Frances E. Blood, a native of Erie County, N. Y., and daughter of Horace and Nancy Blood. They have two children — Fiorine 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 .$100, now he is worth ^3,000. He is an enterprising citizen, and an honorable 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 oame 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 15,000 to $6,000 invested in the business. Mr. Briggs was married, December 14, 1882, to Miss ReneBranhan, a native cf Madison, Ind, and daughter of Edward and Fanny Branhan. He is a Dempcrat, and cast his first Presidential vote for Han- cock. He is an enterprising citizen, and a leading business man of Remington. JAMES 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 half 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 married Miss Mary Stidham, a native of Wayne County, Ind., and daughter of Thomas A. and Amelia Stidham. They have had four children— Elizabeth A., Em- ma J.. PrLscilla E. and John W. In 18,58. Mr. Broadie moved to Montgomery County, Ind.; remained two years, and then returned to Tippecanoe County. In 1872, he came to this town.ship, 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, Scoteli 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 whicli time he began teaching and attending the Normal School at Millersville, Penn., during the spring and summer; he taught six years in Pennsylvania, two years in Illinois, one year in Colorado in 1H79, 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 O. B. Mclntire, and engaged with liini in 544 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: the grain business, but continued to manage the News. Mr. Coover has always been active in matters of education and public benefit, and is a prominent and re- spected citizen. HENRY C. GOLDSBERRY, was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., January 15, 1836, and is of French and Irish descent; his parents were Jacob and Nancy (Bowsher) Goldsberry, both natives of Ohio, where 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 clerking in 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 Mrs. Golds- berry have one child — Opel E. A. G. HARDY was born in Carroll County, Ind., March 3, 1851, and is 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 14, 1881, 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 HENSLER was born in Ohio, March 13, 1836, and is the sixth in a family of ten children, and of German extraction; his parents, who were natives of Germany, came to America in 1830, and settled in Ohio; his mother died in Owen County, Ind., in 1844, and his father 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 December 3, 1837, and is of German descent. His father w,as born in Wayne County, Ind., in 1806, and died in August, 1869; his mother was a native of Henry County, 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 Middletown, Ind. He now has a fine farm near Remington, where he deals in stock. Mr. 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 popular and influential citizen. He was married, January, 1859, to Miss Mar- tha Bowman, of Middletown, Ind. Four children have blessed this union — Adda M., Frank L., Charlie R. and Eva B. Adda M. died in 1866, aged six years. Frank TOWN OF REMINGTON AND CAHTKNTKR TOWNSHIP— .lASPEIl COUNTY. 545 L. was married, November, 1882, 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 Clark County, Ky., in 1809; moved to'Carroll County, Ind., about 1832, and engaged in the mercantile business. Owing to the financial crisis of 1837, he entered and improved some wild land, which he subsequently traded for a stock of goods, and opened a store in Rensselaer. In 1864 lie retired, and died in 18fH5. He married Miss Sarah Rryson, in Carroll County, in 1838. Only one of their diildren — our subject — is living; two of them (Archiliald and Albert, brothers of our subject) were soldiers in the war of the rebellion, and botli died from disease contracted in that service. J. S. Irwin is located in Remington, where he has been dealing in grain since 1870. In 1872, he shipped over 200,000 bushels of corn, oats, wheat and flax. In 1878, 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 Pennsylvania, 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 1812, and was killed with a number of officers in battle. .TAMES F. IRWIN, son of William and Sarah A. (Cottingham) Irwin, was born in Hamilton County, Ind., August 3, 1842. He attended the Butler Univer- sit)' 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 Raven.scroft, 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. 284, I. O. O. F. ; also of the G. A. R., Post No. 84. and of Lodge No. 88, A. O. U. W. Mr. Irwin is a Republican, and active in politics. .M. E. JORDAN Avas born December 28, 1826, in Virginia. His parents emi- grated to Indiana when he was a child, and settled in La Faj'ette, 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 gi-ew to manhood, and married Margaret Almon, who, in 18.~)2, died in the birth of a son William, who died in infancy. His second marriage, in 1876, was to Mollie Flake, bj- which union they have three children — Jacobs, Dora E. and Margaret E. William Jordan, father of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1803. 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, l,9f)0 acres of the Ijest land in the count}-, all of which, except about 300 acres, he divided among his children. OLIVER B. MclNTlRE, banker, Remington, was boan December 22. 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 years United States Senator from Indiana. His grandfather was one of the earlist settlers of JefFerson County. The parents of Oliver moved to Madison, Ind., when he was an infant. He attended Hanover College two years, ami returned to the farm to labor. In 1864, he move \v)th 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 Town.ship Trustee in 1855. STP]PIIEN 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 1844 removed to this county; he died September 9, 1845; his wife, Hannah Smith,was born in Berkeley County, W. Va.,in 1803, whence she moved to Fayette County 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 September 2, 1826, and married in 1852, Rachel A., daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (McKinley) 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 1876. The second, Sarah (deceased), was born July 2, 1827. The third, Elvina, born Septem- ber 3, 1830. The fourth, James, born September 20. 1832, married Miss Phebe Ben- jamin, and had five children — David, Eftie M., Charles R., A. J. and James AI. The fifth, Mary, born October 18, 1834, married Hugh Coen. The sixth, Minerva, born August 2, 1836, married W. Hopkins. The seventh. Elizabeth, born September, 1888, married Lewis Sajier. The eighth, John, born October 20, 1840, married Ab- bie Sayler. The ninth, Ira, born April 28, 1843, married Hattie Sayers. The tenth, Stephen, born October 4, 1845, married Nancy Jane Walker. The Yeoman family came hither poor, but have, by 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 Newton Township; he owns a fine farm, as does likewise his brother Joseph. SAMUEL E. YEOMAN 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'ctte County, Ohio, where he was reared a farmer. In 1836, he married Miss Marj', daughter of Samuel Edwards, a native of Maryland, by which union they had the following family: Ira, killed at Nashville during the war, while e.Kchanging 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 Infantrj': Samuel E., also in the Fifty-first Regiment as a fifer: 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 County, and finally to Missouri, where he died in 1876; Mrs. B. died in 1H72. 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. 560 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES; HANGING GROVE TOWNSHIP. TURNER ALLEN KNOX was born in North Carolina August 26, 1809; was brought to Washington County, Penn., before he was two years old; worked at farming until he wag 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 married Maria Bussell; moved to Jasper County, Ind., iu 1843; practiced medicine from 1845 to 1855; was elected Auditor of Jasper County, and served till 1859, since which time he has 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 converisationalist, has a well-stored mind, and is practical in all his business dealings. JAMEto LEFFLER is a native of Jasper County, born iu 1852, and is a son of Mi- chael and Jane Ann (Overton) Leffler. Michael Leffler was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1812. When a boy, he removed with his parents to Rush County, lud., wliere his father purchased 160 acres, on which 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. Leflier 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 payment therefor. This he did without assistance, besides adding eight}' thereto, and made a good farm and comfortable home. He was a man of the strictest integrity and purest Christian character; he died in 1876, leaving a devoted wife and eleven children — John B., Reuben, Elizabeth, Michael, Margaret, Elmira C, Jane Ann, James, Kansas, Henri- etta and Mary Ann. James Leffler married Miss Lucy, born in March, 1851, daugh- ter of John and Catharine (Martin) Lashbaugh, with an issue of two children — Leonard L. and Robert J. JOHN B. LEFFLER is a native of Rush County, Ind., born in 1837. In 1861, he married Miss Sarah L., daughter of Caspar II. and Ann (Stokes) Garrigus, both natives of Philadelphia. Mrs. Leffier died in 1879, leaving the following family: H. Marshall, Eliza A., Michael A., Esther and Israel. W. E. MOORE was born in Randolph County, Ind., January 8, 1827, and is a son of William and Jincy (Minter) Moore, both natives of Virginia, the former born in 1796 and the latter in 1797. William Moore moved to Ohio about 1817. He intended buying land there, but not being satisfied with the title, he came to Indiana and bought 200 acres of choice land on White River, in Randolph County. They resided in the county about forty years, and died in 1857 and 1867 respectively. They had the "following children: Elizabeth, Susan, Samuel W.,W. E., Nancy, Silas, Eliza, Cyrus S. and Rebecca. W. E. Moore was reared to farming, and in 1847 married Miss Diana Evans, a daughter of John and Judith (Jones) Evans, and born in Wayne County, Ind., in 1825. This union was bles.sed with the following children: Franklin C, Melissa J., Melvina C, Mary E., Austin R., William J. and Martha A. Mrs. Moore's parents had the following children: Jesse, Nancy, John, Reuben, Zena, Mary A.. Dinah and Ira. Mr. Moore came here in the year 1853, with scarcely any means; he bought 200 acres, which he improved, and now has a fine farm; he was elected Justice of the Peace in 1855, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. HANGING GROVE TOWNSHIP — JASPHH COLNTY. 561 SAMUEL PARKER, farmer, is u native of Virginia, and was born in 1819; his parents were George and Susanna (Martin) Parker, both natives of Virginia. After his father's death, his mother re-married, and Samuel came w^ith her and hu.sband to tlie West, and one year thereafter, being fifteen years of age, he began to work for liimself. After ten years" liard labor, he saved a small amount of money, which he invested in land in Jasper (bounty, 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) Evans, to which union were born eight children — Alma, Isaac. Felix. Albert, Jacob. Ida, George and Samuel. Two j^ears following his marriage, Mr. Parker removed to tliis county, erected a cabin and occupied his land; his cabin had one door and two windows, looking north and south, and in which they lived for fifteen years. Mr. Parker is now one of the most su))stantial farmers of the county. ISAAC PARKER was born in Virginia in 1824. AVhen ten years old, he emi- grated with his nrother to the West, and worked at farming during youth and early manhood. In 1848, he moved to this county, where, in 1849, lie purchased his first 160 acres, and the same year emigrated to California, whence he returned in 1853, having in the meantime worked in the mines there, and received for the first month's service ^400. After his return, he worked a threshing-machine, and in IH')') 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 1842. This union was crowned with five children— William R.. Isaac, Susanna, Charles and Thomas M. Mr. Parker is now the po.ssessor of 1,640 acres of land, all earned by his labor and thrift. 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 PHILLIPS was born in Rush County, Ind., in 182."), where he 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 Count}'. 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 1872; the former was a soldier of 1812, and was ten times elected Sheriff, during which our subject was his deputy. The grandfather and granduncie 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 acies. He was Postmaster in 1868, and is a member of the Christian Church. WILLIAM II. RANDLE. son of Thomas and Xancy (Culp) Randle, was born in Jasper County. Ind., in 1H39, and reared to farming, whidi has since been his business, in connection with stock-raising. Having to work hard during his boy- hood, he had but meager opportunities for accpiiring a school education. In 1858, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of Cyrus and Margaret (Parker) Stires, and born in Rush County, Ind., in lH4t». Tiiis union was favored with si.x children — Melissa, Nora. Nancy, Frank, Alfred and Charlie. The father of Mrs. Randle was widely and estimably known— a man jjcrhaps .without an enemy. He died from causes en- gendered by exposure during tin; last war, in carrying provisions to the soldiers. North Parker, grandfather of Mrs. Randle. was once made captive !)y 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 niunber has since grown to be 340 acres of dcsirai)le farm land. Mr. Randle is an esteemed neighbor and citizen. THOMAS SMITH was born in Montgomery County, Ind.. in 1S29, and is a son of James and Catharine (Coghill) Smitli, 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 of Mil- roy Township). Mr. Smith carried on 'blacksmithing tive miles northeast of Crawfordsville. Thomas Smith married in 1861 Miss Mary, daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Williams) Culp, both of whom were early settlers of this county. Mrs. Smith was born February 11, 1839, and has been honored as the mother of a verj' interest- ing 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 in and advocate for education. UNION TOWNSHIP. JOHN E. ALTER, farmer, was born February 14, 1853, in this county, and is 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 day.s 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 years. August 16, 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 1876, 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 Methodist Episcopal Church. JOHN CARLIN, farmer, was born in Scotland June 11, 1848, and is the second of the ten children of Bernard and Bridget (Pullen) Carlin, of Irish descent. In company with his parents, John came to this countryin 1851, located in Illinois, and remained until the death of his father, after which event the family removed to Pennsylvania, In 1868, in company with his mother and stepfather, our subject came to this county and made a home. November 25, 1879, he married Elizabeth Brushnahn. This union was blessed with one bright, beautiful child, Agnes. Mr. and Mrs. Carlin are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Carlin is a Democrat and an energetic, prosperous farmer, and one of the promising men of Union Township. STEPHEN T. CONNER was born February 15, 1848, in this county, and is the seventh of the family of William and Phebe (Dayette) Conner, natives of Ohio, and of English and German extraction. In 1838, they came to this count3' and located in Barkley Township, took a claim and remained seven years, after which they removed to Gillam Township, where they lived a like period of time, then came to this township, where William Conner died. His widow .still survives, cared for and comforted by her sons Stephen and Barney, the other children being mar- ried. She is a member of the Methodist Church, as was also her husband, who was for twenty years a licensed minister. October 9, 1871, Stephen T. Conner married Ella Danels, now deceased, to which union was born one child, an interesting boy, Shelby. After the death of his wife, Stephen returned to his mother's home, he and his brother Barney overseeing the homestead, notwithstanding they botii liave good farms. In addition to their farms, they deal extensively in cattle. Stephen is UNION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 663 an active member of ilu- United Rrethren Ciiiuili, and both are active members of the Republican parly; tlie}' are also energetic, commendable and promising young men. WIUJAM COOPEli was born in Madison County. Ohio, and is the first 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.\cepting 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, Frank 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. JMr. Cooper's third marriage was to Nancy 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. (Cushman) Hall, natives of Vermont, and of English and Irish descent. When quite young, his parents removed to Ohio, in which commonwealth lie 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 years in Gillam Township, thence he removed to Illinois, and again to this county, where he located on 100 acres of choice land. November 9, 18'54, he married Mary PuUen. Seven children have cemented this union— Martha, now deceased; John, Ella, Joseph, Lilley, Arthur and L3'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 economy. He is an active member of the Republican party. B. W. HARRINGTON was born June 31, 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 twenty 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 formerly a Republican, and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, but of late years he has been a stanch Qreenbacker and a leader of his party; he lacked but ten votes of being elected Commissioner in 1878; he was al.so defeated in a race for Sheriff. JOHN HUMES is a native of Muskingimi 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 180(1 he came to this county, worked at his trade of black.smithing, and made a home; he has now a farm of si.xty acres under cultivation and with good improvements. John Humes was married, October 4, 1806. to Pri.scilla Smith, a union dignified by seven children — Mary L., Martha (deceased), William 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- 564 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: loh, siege of Corinth, Stone River and Chickamauga; he 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 the 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 (Gossard) Keener, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio, and of German descent. Our subject came to this State in 1855, 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 trermau 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 McCOLLY was born May 24, 1818, in Clark County, Ohio. He 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 1867, he came to this county, locating in Marion 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 through life, thus acquiring sufficient means to live comfortably. March 10, 1842, he married Mary Hance, which union was blessed with an issue of thirteen children— Rosetta, Phebe, Nancy, John, Willis, Harriet, Mary A., Elizabeth, deceased ; Clarinda, deceased ; James, Benjamin, Charles A. and Edgar G. Mr. McColly was once a Whig, but is now a Republican. He was elected Justice of the Peace in Delaware County, Ind., in 1847, also almost unanimously Sheriff in 1851, and re-elected two years later. He was elected Justice of the Peace in this township in 1876, since which time he has retained the office. His commission will expire in 1884. AUGUSTUS M. MUNDEN, professional teacher, was born February 25, 1846, in Pasquotank County, N. C, and is the first of three children comprising the family of Isaiah and Mabel (Bidgood) Munden, and of German and English descent. Augustus lived at home until 1863, when he enlisted in Company 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 his discharge, he came to this county in 1871, obtained a teacher's certificate, and afterward taught twenty-three terms of school, having missed but two winter terms since he begun the profession. He has been greatly successful, and obtained his qualifications from our public schools. December 31, 1872, he was married to Damaris Given, to which union was born one child. John G. Mr. Munden was an active member of the Grange movement, and is active in connection with the Grand Army of the Republic and the Sons of Temperance. He has always voted the Republican ticket. REV. AARON E. PIERSON is a native of Noble County, Ind., born Febru- ary 17, 1840, and is the fourth of the family of Thomas S. and Margaret (Taylor) UNION TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 565 Pierson, natives of Ohio and of English and Irish descent. Aaron remained with his parents until he was twenty years old, at which time he enlisted in Company G, 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, 1862, and for five years 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 McColly, a native of this State. Eight cliildren bind this union— Clark C, David D., Estelle E., Willis O., Mary M., Lydia H., James M. and Omer W. Mr. 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 fanner and much respected citizen. WALTER PONSLER, extensive cattle-dealer, is a native of Ross County. Ohio, born October 13, IS'ri. 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 25 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 over-seeing 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, jn-ospcrous and promising farmer. THOMAS C. SAYERS is a native of this township, and first saw the light IMay 6, 1859; and he is the eldest of the four children born to Ephraim and Mary J. (Israel) Sayers, whose names arc Thomas C, Charity 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^rcceivcd further education at the town of Rens- seler, thereby being better fitted for the business demands of life. Mr. T. C. Saj'- ers is an earnest Republican, and is a worthy and promising young gentleman. NEWMAN S. SNOW was born January 1. 1820, in Trumbull Count)', Ohio, and is the fourth child of Lovcll and Freelove Snow. Newman lived with 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, 1849, with a result of twelve children — Benjamin II., William H., Sarah, George N., Martha A., Commodore W., Theodore W., Samuel M., 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 Mitcliel. In the fall of 1861, Mr. Snow enlisted in Companj' 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. Snow is a member of the Masonic order, also of the G. A. R. He is a Republican, and was elected Road Superintendent in 1882. JACOB M. TROXELL, farmer and stoek-rai.ser, was born November 2H, 1828, in Jackson County, Ala., and is the eldej of the two sons of Michafl and Margaret 666 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES (Merkle) Troxell, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Jacob moved to this county in 1854, and engaged in tlie 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 June 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. (Roberson) Bruner, October 23, 1877, she having one daughter— Emma. Mr. Troxell is an Odd 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 (Mitchel) 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 P., Frank E., Effle 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 $300. 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. BARKLEV TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 567 BARKLEY TOWNSHIP. WILLIAM BURNS, a son of Joseph and Susanna (Barnes) Burns, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, March 25, 1813, and came with his parents at an early day to White County, Ind., wiiere he married Susanna Barnes, a native of Virginia, born March 13, 1812. In 182H, they came to this county and entered 160 acres in Section 34, Barkley Township, near which they 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 the most generally esteemed residents of the county. It is believed that "Uncle William" did not have an enemy; his family consisted of the following cliildren: James Irvin. born December 16, 1S40; Francis Marion, born May 11, 1842, a member of the Eighty-seventh Indiana Infantry, died of pneumo- nia at Nashville, January 4, lHf)3; John Milton, born March 11, 1845; Vilena, bor^ January 1, 1847; Marj' Ann. born July 31, 1849; Joseph Martin, born March 17, 1853; Margaret Matilda, born January 20, 1855; Myra Jane, born July 20, 1858, and William Wallace, born April 27. 1801; there is also an adopted daughter. Sarah Elizabeth Ann, born Septeml)er 21, 1838. The 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 they were so buried. JOHN T. GULP was born in this coiintj' 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. Our 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 3, in Miss Margaret Gibbs, born in f'ar- roll County, Ind., July 14, 1843,! and daugiiter of Freeman Gibbs. From tliis union spranj; six children— George Milroy, Celia J., William F.. James IL. Ida A. and Martha M. After marriage, Mr. Comer engaged in farming and stock-raising, but with limited means; he advanced graduallv, however, and is now tlie owner of 620 572 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 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 w;ife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. JAMES COOPER, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio; was born January 11, 1826, 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 16, 1855, aged sixty-two; his wife died in Ohio in 1858, aged sixty-three. Both were members of the Baptist Church. James Cooper began life empty hand- ed, rented land and engaged in preparing railroad ties, having after three years saved sufiicient means to purchase 160 acres of wild 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 County, Ohio, June 2, 1836, and daughter 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 and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ADAM COPPESS, stock-raiser and farmer, was born 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 he wedded, April 5, 1838, Miss Elizabeth Oliver, of Darke County, born December 25, 1817, daughter of George and Sarah (Frampton) Oliver, a marriage which gave an issue of ten children, tlu'ee 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. Robinsoq, and erected a hewed-log house, where he lived for many years, but now he has as good a farm as the township contains, Mr. Coppess was a Democrat in early life, having voted for Mr. Pierce, but afterward he affiliated with the Republicans, and gave his three sons — Calvin, Harry and George — to the service of their country for various terms. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church. CALVIN COPPESS was born in Darke County, Ohio, October 13, 1889, and is the eldest of the family of Adam and Mary Coppess. His father was a pioneer of Darke County, who removed thither with his parents when but seven years of age, in 1819. Our subject was twelve years of age when he was brought to this town- ship, where he passed his boj'hood days, during which he had much desire for hunt- ing. In 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry; was mustered into service at Logansport, marched to Virginia, where he was engaged in the battle of Greenbrier, and afterward at Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, after which he re-enlisted, came home for thirty days and joined Sherman's army, where he experienced hard fighting for ninety days; he also took part at the battles of Franklin and Nashville, was finally sent into Texas, and honorably discharged as a veteran in September, 1865. He is a life crip'ple from prolonged marching, by reason of an enlarged ankle. He resumed farming, and October 17, 1866, married Miss Sarah E. Prevo. born January 15, 1842, daughter of Malachi Prevo. From this union six children are descended — Marietta, Leota J., Malachi W., Gracie E., Julia F. and Charles C. Mr. Coppess purchased his present home of ninety acres 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 G. A. K. Mr. and Mrs. Coppess are members of the M. E. Church. ,]. D. DUNN, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Greene County, Tenn., Au- gust 15, 1820, and is the only child of James and Klizabeth (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 Frcshaur, and both moved to Iowa, where they died. Our subject came to this State witii 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 Fort Wayne to Toledo and Logansport. In 1840, became to this county, and the next fall managed a breaking team with five oxm, 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 ills present place of 153 acres, forty of which are in cultivation, witii buil lings and other improvements. November 26, 1839, he married Miss Rachel Campbell, of Stark County, Ohio, daughter of James Camp- bell, a pioneer of this town.ship. 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. SAMUEL 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 a 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 — Jolin 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, Fernery, James T. and Asa A. In 1864. Mr. Elliot came to this township and located on eighty acres, which are now verj' fairly improved. Although he has been so far successful, he gives much credit to his industry and tenacity. He is a liberal Democrat, and he and Mrs. Elliot are members of the M. E. Church. ELI PARIS, retired farmer, was born in Fleming County. Ky., June 29, 1813, and is the eldest of the twelve children of John Paris. Eli removed with his father to Rush County, and thence to Marion County, Ind., in 1828, 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 hardships in the clearing of forty acres. This land he sold for $1,600. when he purchased his present home for $1,20<); 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 27, 1816, who died May 4, 1874, leaving six children, with three deceased — John T., Sarah J.. Jemima A., Fleming J., Mulinda ami William H. His second marriage. January 1, 1875, was to Amanda (Cohvell) Cunningham, born in Kentucky in 1824. The se(;ond son of Mr. Faris. Georgf 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 l{c|)ublican, and has served four years as Jus- tice of the Peace. He and wife aremc-mbrns of the M. E. Church. ANDRKW PARIS, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Fleming County, Ky., was bom December 7, 1821, and is the son of John and Sarah (Truitl) Paris, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Delaware. John Paris removed to Rush County, Ind.. in 1826. and two years later to Marion County, wiiere he fol- 674 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: lowed brick-making until 1841; thence he removed to Warren and Benton Counties, and thence to this county, where he located some land, and died two years later of tj'phoid fever, leaving eight sons and three daughters; he was aged- fifty-two years. Mrs. Faris died in 1866. Andrew Faris came to this township in 1856, where he resided for ten years, and in 1866 located on his present farm of 120 acres. He had but slender means and but little learning, yet these deficiencies he has made up by integrity and industry. Mr. Faris was married, February 10, 1853, to Miss Lovina Burk, of this county, who died in 1863, leaving one son — Calvin G. His next mar- riage was to Miss Cynthia J. Rowen, of this county, daughter of Alexander Rowen. 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. WILLIAM 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 years 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 1888. In 1868, 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, but located in Pulaski County, where he suffered from a prairie fire in 1871, after whicii he returned to and located in this township, where he now has a good farm and a comfortable home. Mr. Faris is a leading 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, 1885, and is the eldest of those born to Eli and Isabel (Jones) Faris. He was reared to work on a farm and in a brickj'^ard, 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 brothe"r, George W., on Cheat Mountain, and after his death came home with the bod}^ 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 flesh wound received at the battle of Nashville. After his return, he resumed the plough, and in 1866, on the 22d of March, he married Rachel A. McCullough. 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, Mr. Faris pur- chased land on the county line, and two years later ninety-flve acres of his present home; he has now 143 acres, forty-five.^of which are in good cultivation, with fair improvements. Mr. Faris has held some township offices and is a strong Repub- lican; he is also a member of the G. A. R. and the Christian Church. Mrs. Fari& belongs to the M. E. Church. G. W. FARIS, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Marion County, Ind., was born February 18, 1836, and is the j^oungest of the twelve children of John Faris. Our sul)ject was left fatherless when nine years old, and remained with his mother until his eighteenth year, after which time he farmed on rented land. Au- gust 15, 1862, 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 GILLAM TOWNSHir— JASPER COUNTY. /)T5 the Atlanta campaign, at Franklin and Nashville. He was honorably discharged, and located where he now lives, on a farm of 10()acre«, sixty of which are improved and under cultivation. February 26, 1HH2, he married Miss Sarah M. Coppess, born August 30, 1841, and daughter of Adam ('oppes,s. This union was honored by nine children, eight of whom are living — Khoda J., Martha E., Nora M., William A., Carrie E., Edward E., Nellie E. and George R. Mr. Fari.s 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 Hepul)lican party, and he and wife are leading members of the M. E. Church. GEORGE J. FR?]SHAUR. farmer and stock-raiser, was horn in Allen County, Ind.. February 10. 1835. and is the second of the family of William and Hanuiih (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 July, 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 boyhood with his father, and when of age took charge of the farm. January 12, 1859, he married Sarah J. Faris, the fruition of which union was four children, two of whom arc living — James A. and Paris C. After marriage, he lived upon the home farm until August 15, 1862, when he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantr}'. He took active part at Murfreesboro, in the Atlanta campaign, and at Nashville, under Gen. Thomas, where he was wounded by a minie pall in the arm, after recovering from which he rejoined his regiment at Kno.wille, and was honorably discharged June 20, 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 1882, at which time he returned to the old home. He now has 147 acres, of which sixtj' 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 is a son of Jeremiah and Martha (May) Guild, natives of New England, and of English descent. Jeremiah Guild was a tanner, and, in 1816, emigrated to Butler County, Ohio. wher6 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 1836. 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 scjiool in Dublin. In 1838, he was licensed to preach by the M. E. Church, and on the Hth of .\pril. he married Sarah Hull, of Highland County. Ohio, born May 7, 1819, a union l)lessed by ten children, but four of whom now survive — George S., James R.. Thomas M. and Daniel II. In 1840, he com- menced teaching, and, in 1H4;J, was ordained and given a circuit embracing five counties. In 1H49, he built the first church in Rens.selaer, and di; State and purchased IfiO acres in Pulaski County, on which he lived, in a cabin, and improved until 1S(5."), when he purchased some amount of his present home ; he now has 13'3 acres, fift}' five of which are under cultivation, a tribute to his thrift and perseverance. October 2;i, 1856, he married Miss Susanna Demory, of Champaign County, Ohio, born September 13, 1836, daughter of Will- iam and Elizabeth Demory, a union cemented by .seven children, four of whom are living— Ella E., Jennie. Mary E. and William M. Mr. Long has one of the neatest farms and best flocks of sheep in ihe townsliii), shearing an average of ten pounds per head. He is a liberal Democrat, a pul»lic-.spiritcd man. and has filled several township offices, lie and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. T. H. McCULLOUGII, farmer and stock-raiser, is of American birth, born December 7. 1^4"), and the only 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 he married, and in 1841 came to this county, where he acquired a farm of 199 acres, on which he erected a good frame house and barn, and raised a fine orchard. Previous 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 Trustee. He was an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died April 39, 1883, in his seventieth year. T. H. McCul- lough was reared on the farm, and at the age of seventeen enlisted in Company G, One 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 12, 1868, he married Miss Mary L. Robinson, a native of this township, born October 8, 1847, daughter ot William Robinson, a union which gave issue to two children— Samuel O. and Effle C. After marriage, he located on the farm on which he now lives, comprising 153 acres, forty-five of which are under cultivation, with good buildings and improvements. Mr. McCullough is a Repilblican, and was elected Township Trustee in 1883. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. GEORGE MASON 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) Ma.son, 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 the lu-ighborhood of Fort Wayne, and engaged in farming. The Indians were then very troublesome, preying upon stock, etc. The family jjrocured 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, dying at .seventy years of age; their lives were their monuments. George Mason was reared on the frontier, and Indians were his pla\'mates. He remained at home until manhood, and in 18:{8 came to this county, carrying his clothing in his arms, where, in January, 18;j9, he entered 130 acres, and on Febru- ary 23. of that year married Miss Maria Gillam, born in 1818. and a daughter of John M. (lillam; she died Sejjtember 7. 1854, leaving ten children, seven of whom are living— Josephus, Sanih L.. John, Nathan. Maria E., Thomas and Elizabeth. Mr. Mason 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, liesides 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 are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 578 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: R. L. P. MASSE Y was born in Grant Couniy, Ind., August 18, 1885, on the bank of the river where Marion now stands, and is of the family of Robert and Rebecca L. (Butler) Massey, natives of North Carolina and Georgia. Robert Massey removed to Wayne County, Ind., in his youth, where he married, and, previous to 1820, located in Grant County, moving thereto in a covered wagon, in which he lived until his cabin was finished, aftei"ward making a farm of eighty acres; this he sold and purchased eighty acres on 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 years, aged eighty-eight years. Our subject was brought up a farmer, and enjoyed but three months' schooling each year. He remained at home until 1856, when he engaged as a farm hand. In 1860, he removed to Iowa, from which State, in 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-fourth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He took action in Duvall's Bluff and Chickasaw Bayou; thence, the regiment was sent to Little Rock, by way of White River, said regiment being detailed to take 4,715 prisoners to Chicago. After the regiment was sent to St. Louis, he took ill, and was therefore discharged in 1863, in which year, October 12, he married Eliza Poisel, of this county, born April 28, 1844, 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, seventy-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 u 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 ODOM, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Henry County. Ind., born August 14, 1826, and is the eldest of ten children born to Lewis and Hannah (Batsen) Odom, natives of North Carolina and Pennsylvania, and of English descent. Both emigrated from North Carolina, married in 1824, and commenced their new life empty handed. He obtained his necessaries by bringing them 100 miles and paying for them with skins acquired by hunting; lie also made a home, secured 1,500 acres, and died at the age of fifty-two; his widow lives on the old home, aged seventy-seven years. Samuel 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- ary 22. 1848, married Miss Catharine Runyan, of Henry County, born Decemlier 29, 1828, by which union ten children were born, five of whom are living— George, Lewis, John, C'harles and Susan. Mr. Odom rented land after his marriage, after- ward purchased eighty acres, built a round log cabin, and was soon comfortable, owning 120 acres, with good improvements and an orchard. After a residence of eighteen years, he removed to MadLson County, Ind., where he had 160 acres, and lost by fire $3,000. In 1878, he sold this, and came to his present residence, which contains 428 acres, 350 of which are in cultivation. Mr. Odom is a stanch Democrat. JESSE OSBORN is a nativeof Ashe County, N.-C, was born September 21, 1834, and is the second son of William and Delilah (Price) Osborn, both natives of North Carolina, and of Irish and English descent. William Osborn was reared in North Carolina, was a farmer, an anti-slavery man, a Whig, and the largest bee culturist of the State, having nearly 100 stands at a time. He died February 25, 1881, aged sixty-nine, followed by his wife, in 1882, at the same age; lie was a mem- ber of the Methodist, and his wife of the Baptist Church. Jesse Osborn assisted his father until his majority, and was married August 19, 1855, to Miss Elmina Knight, of Guilford County, N. C, born September 2, 1834, daughter of Ammiel Knight. To this union succeeded ten children, seven of whom survive — Alvira J., Rebecca M., William F., Laura C, Mary L., Letitia F. and Rilla V. After mar- riage, and while engaged in farming and stock raising, he was conscripted, October, 1862, and from choice, enlisted in Company I, Fifty-eighth North Carolina Volua- GILLAM TOWNSHIP— JASPER COUNTY. 579 teer Infantry, was assigned to Gen. Bragg' s command, and did skirmish duty for seven days on three days' rations. Afterward he was appointed nurse, tlien chief cook, and served in the ranks at Lookout Mountain and Chickaniauga, after which events he and five comrades deserted to the Union army and were sent north. He passed some time in Cincinnati and in this State, and in April, 186."). he returned to North CaroHna, sold his. property, removed hither, settled in Walker Township, and in 1881, came to this township, where he has seventy-eight acres, with good build- ings and other improvements. Mr. Osborn is a stanch Republican, and was Trustee of Walker 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 (Comer) 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 acijuired a home of IGO 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 this county, remaining at home until twenty years of age, when he rented farming land. His first pur- chase was eighty acres of canal land for $)20, in 1850, and he now has 235 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 — sevenof whom are living —Andrew W., Sarah E., George D., Daniel C, Frank G., Jessie M. andi^'yrus A. Mr. Prevo is a Republican, and an ardent supporter of that party. He was elected County Commissioner in 1882, and wi\s 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 by 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 si.xteen years old, when he began work as a farm hand for $8 per month, his father receiving a portion thereof. He afterward farmed on rented land. Nov- ember 5, 1855, he married Mi.ss Sarah Ropp, of Champaign County, Ohio, born May 14, 1836, daughter of Simon and Margaret (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, Mr. 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 wlio have ever lived here; that man was the late John Querry. He was born in Rush Couuty, Ind., April 16, 1826, and was a son of Thomas (Querry, with wiiom he came to this county in 1810, and whom he assisted in farming; he also taught school several terms. He began life with limit- ed means, but acquired as good a honu; of 300 acres as the townsliip presents. April 4, 1850. he nnarried Miss Mary M. Freshaur. u nativ(( of .Mien 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 judgment, whose integrity 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-1 ong member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and was largely influential in building the Independence Church. Mrs. Mary M. Querry, his widow, resides on the home farm, and is a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. WILLIAM B. QUERRY, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Rush County, Ind., was born April 13, 1828. and is the son of Thomas and Sarah (McCullough) Querry, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. He came to this town- ship when twelve years old, was reared to farm work, and assisted his father in making a home from the forest. March 14, 1850, he married Miss Catherine, daugh- ter of Thomas Hanley, of Allen County, and born October 10, 1832. This marriage gave birth to eight children, six of whom survive — James W., Mary J., John, Charles, Thomas H. and William L. After marriage, Mr. Querry took charge of the farm for three years, when he removed to his present location, where he has 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 Justice 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. Querry are members of the M. E. Church. JAMES RAYBURN, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Montgomery Coun- ty, Ind., was born January 8, 1828, and is the fifth of the seven children of Henry and Drusilla (Nicholson) Rayburn, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. His parents were pioneers, having emigrated in 1826. 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 1852, and with two younger brothers, David and Rufus C, purchased 108 acres of land; this purchase he has augmented until he now has 200 acres, seventy of which are under fair cultivation. April 9, 1867, he married Miss Mazilla J. Prevo, born May 25, 1837, a daughter of Malachi Prevo one of this t ownship's pioneers. This union was fruitful in five children — Nancy D., Sarah E. (deceased), Mary C, Rebecca A. and Melissa F. Mr. Raybiirn's par- ents resided with him until the father died, May 1, 1875, aged seventy-nine; his mother yet enjoys good health, aged eighty-four years. Mr. Rayburn is regarded as a representative man, and his life has been active and laborious; he hiis, however, been successful. He is a Republican, and an ardent supporter of the party. He and wife are leading members of the M. E. Church. R. C RAYBURN, stock-raiser and farmer, is a native of Montgomery County » Ind., and was born February 14, 1834. He was reared to the independent living of a farmer, and received a fair education. After coming to this county with his father in 1854, he returned to Montgomery County, and engaged in teaming and farming for three years, during which time he was married, September 2, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Teeters, of this county, born December 15, 1837, daughter of Robert and Harriet. (Ramey) Teeters. To this union were vouchsafed five children— William R., Eva M., Henry M., Emma L. and Melvin C. Mr. Rayburn located upon the farm he now owns, of 120 acres, sixty of which are under fair cultivation, and improved by good buildings, making a desirable property and home. Mr. Ravburn is a stanch Republican, and he and Mrs. Rayburn are active members of the M. E. Church. LIEUT. A. G. ROBB, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Brown County, GILLAM TOWNSHIP— .JASPER COUNTY. 581 Ohio, April 8, 1825, and is the feurlh of the ten cliihiren of Jolin and Mary (Fisher; Robb, natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky respectively. A. G. Ilobb, when eight years old, removed with his father to Morgan County, this State, and settled in White River Valley, where our subject remained until 1848, when he removed to De Kalb County, 111., and engaged in farming as a hand until 1849, when he drove an o.x-team across the plains to California. After working with the pick and pan for two years, he returned with f 1.(500, and engaged in mercantile business at Genoa, 111. July 17, 18.53. he married Amy E. Williams, of I)e Kalb C^ounty, 111., born No- vember 9, 1831, from which union descended .seven children, of whom si.\ survive. In 1857, he returned to .Morgan County, Ind., and engaged in business with his brother, .Joseph S. One year later, he acrjuired the business.'and {;ontinued it imtil 1861, at which time he enlisted in Company E, Tvventy-si.xth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was engaged in the sieges of Vicksburg and Mobile; was promoted to be Orderly Sergeant in 18<}2. then to be First Lieutenant, and distin- guished himself as abrave.soldier in a hot skirmish at Prairie Grove, Ark. In 186C, after four years' faithful and bright service, he was honorably discharged, when he returned to his family at Medarysville, and purchased eighty 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 11. ROBINSON, farmer and stock-raiser, wjis born in Allen County, Ind., September 25, 1831, and is the eldest child of Paris and Sarah (Coppe.ss) Rob- inson, natives of Ohio and of Iri.sh 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 hardsiiips, 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 si.xty-nine years. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. .John H. Robinson .spent his boyhood in this county, and as- sisted his father until his majority. September 3, 1852, he wedded Miss Mary E. Querry, born in Rush County April 26, 1831, and daughter of Thomas (^uerrj-. 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 18.56, 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 lift^-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 23. 1842, and is the third of the family of William and Mary (Hanley) Robinson, natives of Ohio and Ireland respectively. William Robinson came with his family to this townsiiip in 1838, of which he was one of the earliest settlers. He was also one of tlie most valued citizens, and reared a family of twelve children, seven of whom are living. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; had been a Whig, but later became a Repul)lican. In 1H7H, 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 1864-00 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 effected, 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 much 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 mjght expect, they were none the less serious to deal with. The pioneer farmer built as tew 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- 624 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. ing of 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 tiien a few rods further out to plow another series of furrows. Between these lines of plowing the grass was burned, care being taken tliat the flame did not leap these barriers. This arrangement, when successfully carried out each year, proved a sufficient protection against an ordinary fire, as the flames would not leap the space thus bared of fuel. This operation, however, often proved the direct cause of igniting the prairie beyond, and once thoroughly fired there was no checking its fury until a stream or heavy body of tim- ber checked its progress. The tall joint grass was of considerable body nearer the .ground, and when dry and partially broken down by frost and wind, it afforded fuel substantial enough under a high wind to feed a terrible flame. The fire when once started proceeds with the rapidity of the wind which propels it. The heat which precedes it prepares the dry grass to ignite at the touch of the blaze, and the fiery tide passes almost like a flash. The central portion keeps the direction of the wind, but the tinder-like mate- rial needs but little fanning to burn, and the fire spreads slowly sideways as it advances. The lateral fire advances but slowly, and is successfully checked by back firing, i. e.. by starting from some barrier, and firing the grass, and allowing it to burn slowly to meet the approaching 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 destroyed 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 seasons, this caused some anxiety, as there was dan- ger that a stack or even the roof of the cabin might afford material for it to ignite. With all the precautions that were taken several severe losses were experienced in this county, and the fires did not entirely cease to run until about 1860. TRACES OF EARLIEST INHABITANTS. The white, if the evidences of archaeology 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 prehistoric 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 unexpected 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," yfet there seems to be no doubt in the minds of scientists that the " elder man " was also an inhabitant of this new 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 aflford 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 differ 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 eagle 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 another representing a turtle, had a body fifty-six and a tail 250 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; 2. Sacred; 3. Miscellaneous. Mounds — 1. 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 garrison provided with parapets often constructed of rubble stone, could fight under cover, and may be found in these stones his store of ammunition. •Foster's " Pre-hietoric Races of the United States." 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 sufficient to destroy the cloth sometimes fouml 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. •Squier kod DavU' "Ancient MonumenU," etc. 628 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. " Sepulchral mounds," says Mr. Foster in his volume on 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 strung about the neck, and water jugs, drinking cups and vases, which probably contained food, were placed near the head. Over the corpse thus arrayed, 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 900 feet. In the center of this mound, on a level with the oriorinal 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 that these may have been used as plat- forms on which to build 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 quotes at length, may be called " Habitation Mounds." A large number of these are described as located at Merom, Ind., and " a group 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 irapleraenc 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 tiie 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 Association 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 vicinity 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 height, and from twenty to fifty feet in diameter. One mound of the group is always larger than flie 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 mstances 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 raantier as many Indian tribes make their mud lodges; as, for instance, the Mandans 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- nesse, 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 described 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. McAdams. 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 communnties, cultivating the soil and relying on its generous yield as a means of support ; they clothed themselves in part at leai3t, 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 ; unlike 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 the elements were the objects of supreme adoration ; temples were erected upon the platform mounds, and watchfires lighted upon the highest summits ; and in the celebration of the mysteries of their faith, human sacrifices were probably offered up. The magnitude of their structures, involving an infinitude of labor, such only as could be expended in a community where cheap food prevailed, and the great extent of their commercial relations reaching to widely separated portions of the continent, imply the existence of a stable and * " Pre-historic Kaces," 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 Boil and climate developed certain forms of art which are original and unifjue, so on this continent we see the crude conception in tiio 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, and 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- 632 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 foes, 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 tc 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 poiat 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. Passing up the western side of the Mississippi Valley*, they turned eaatward 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 Winnipeg and the valley of the Upper Mississippi ; and thence the head of the migratory column, circling round thesource of the great river, re-crossed it in a south_ easterly 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 track eastward. This extended course of migration, induced by a variety 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 ♦Davidsons and Stave's "History of Illinois." HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 638 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 affiliations and characteristics, and the early whites found the Algonquins everywhere 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, Hoon 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 Chitchakos, near the Tip- pecanoe River, where the earliest French explorers found them, and where a mission was established nearly 300 years ago. The nation ori"- 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 Wisconsin, 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 ihe 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 thoy 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' fir»t blow and success, he sent his son and nephew in differ- 634 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. ent directions, while he went in still another to warn the settlers of the impending danger, thus saving tl\g 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 afterward 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 were as firm in their loyalty to the whites as they had been vindictive in their hostility, and in the subsequent Indian disturbances in 1827 and 1832 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^-z ?C. >i'a.^^. mSTOllY 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 available area was occupied or sufiicient was had for the needs of the family. A hill once used, was planted 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 large 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 EARLY 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 beginning 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 Cuppy, Jacob Trout, John Meyers, Bruce Dunn and Matthias Redding. About 1836, Jacob Kenoyer came from Southeastern Indjiana, 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, choosing 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<{uois 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 davs 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 2Ve6wne 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 80 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 luost 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 sufficient evidence was always forthcoming to clear them of the charge. Counterfeiting was closely allied to horse-stealing. 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 company 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 without 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, l^he effect of its work was prompt and salutary. Within two weeks of its first organization, it had efi'ected 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, tiiougli 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 difficulty in furnishing his table with all that he needed. Deer were found in great abundance, and the earliest settler found no difficulty, 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 her(^, 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 knoAvn 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. They were sometimes hunted on horseback, and when heavy with a recent meal could readily be over- taken and dispatched with a club. They 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 the best of sport for the hunter. There were some who devoted their time to hunting, and for the time made more profit 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- ing from one principal point to another did not pass through this region, HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 643 and the first comers often broke the first trail to their destination. Thus cut off 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 raariufacture 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 was 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. 15ut 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 difficult 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 so 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 appearance 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 large amounts of vegetable matter, bred disease, and no settler was considered naturalized until he had experi- enced the distress of chills and fever. Sickness of this kind was generally HISTORY OF 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 eff'ects 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 eff'ects. 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 innumerable ditches and ruts made by the wheel of the wagon 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 " breajcing 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 days. 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 could command, and it was no infrequent thing to see six yoke 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 this 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 year, if the sod became thoroughly rotted, even though it produced only a small crop. The second year, a " Gary," or some other kind of two horse side plow was used to turn the dead sod back again. Besides this, a small HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 647 side plow, 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 number 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 oflF 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 suflSced for his stock with a very little addition of corn. MILLS AND MARKETS. It is difficult 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 the 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 becam§ 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 mishiip 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 rubbed 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- sidei'able 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-shaped 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 spring pole. Every cabin had its "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 imply. These consisted of a small set of "nigger-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 might 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 very 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, but 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 were 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 difficulty 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 lines 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 660 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 there. 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. PRIMITIVE 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 difference 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 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 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. Affectation 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 difficult 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 that enabled them to indulge in hop -yeast or salt- HISTORY OK NEWTON COUNTY. 655 rising bread, chickens 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 suflBced 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 tiie 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 iiard 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 diffi- 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 infrequent 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 afford 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 difiiculties. 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 scarcely 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 they 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 began to look beyond the difficulties of the present and renew his courage. 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 on 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 difficult. 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 of the county, to the people of Newton, was the location of the seat of justice. On this issue, the sentiment and united effort which succeeded, in spite of so many difficulties 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 THE Hon. A. P. Willakd, Governor: The undersigned Commissioners, appointed by the Governor of the State of Indiana, to locate the county seat of the county of Newton, in said State, after a full and faithful ronsideration of the subject, a view of the various sites proposed by the inhabitants of said county of Newton, and after having given an opportunity for the making 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, frKK); subscription by sundry persons, $245; one hundred and sixty acres of land, being the southeast quarter of Section 21^, Township 28 north, Range 8 west, as de- scribed in patent, 195 lots of 80 by l^'O feet each, as per proposition, court house square. 350 by 250 feet, to be selected bj' the County Commissioners. Respectfully submitted this 15th day of March, A. I). IHfiO. li. DlNLAP, JOSKIMI Al-LEN, 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 madCj 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 that if a court house was erected near the center of the county the court would decide 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 County Commis- sioners, by John Darroch, John Cofifelt, F. W. Hamey, Andrew Hess, Silas Johnston and James Archibald, for the removal of the county seat, and for its re-location 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 that 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 find that said petitions had 383 signatures, and after the parties had in- vestigated the petitions, the remonstrants, being permitted to introduce evidence that persons ^vho were on said petition had since signed a remonstance against said removal, and also that persons whose names were on said petitions had died or re- moved out of the county; and after hearing the evidence of parties as to who were properly on the petition for removal, we find that there w;as, for cause, sixty-two names struck from the list of said petitioners, reducing the number to 321 legal voters, at the time said petitions were filed; and in mailing up our opinion as to the testimony introduced by the parties, we believe that when the petitions were filed with the Auditor that all the persons w^hose signatures were on said petition at that time, and that were residents and legal voters in the county, and who previously to said filing of the petition had not signed a remonstrance against said petitions, were properly in court. And we find farther, that the remonstrants against said removal introduced a remonstrance which we believe was circulated, and the signatures obtained after the HISTORY 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 certified, as the number of voters in the county; and the remonstrants offered as evidence the number of names whose signatures were on the petitions for removal, as also the number who were properly or 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 count}' 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 492 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 election.s, when State and county officers are to be elected; and ab^o that it is supposed that there is an increase in the voters annually. We therefore are of the opinion that the 342 names that are on the petitions, and those who are properly on the remonstrances against said petition, and verified by the affidavits, amounting to 202 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-thirds 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 proposod plat of the town, and a bond for the payment of 31,000 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 brought before the Board of Commissioners by Messrs. Hammond & 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 withdrawn 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 the 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 i-eraonstrance 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. Coffroth, Hon. R. S. Dwiggins, Carmichael and Darroch. The remonstrance, headed by J. G. Perry and Patrick Keefe, was supported by Col. R. DeHart, E. 0. Brian, W. H. Martin and J. T. Sanderson. In this case, the petitioners made the fatal error of neglecting to deposit with tlie 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 hearing, 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 the Commissioners' Court had original and ^wa? jurisdiction. But the end is not yet. There is little question that the merits of the case are with the petitioners in these efforts 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. There has been a marked lack of unanimity between the two rival points, Morocco and Brook, and the remonstrants have not been slow in taking advan- tage of this fact 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 each 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 oflBcers filed their respective bonds and assumed the duties of their offices. On the following day the Commissioners held their first session in a building be- longinff 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 lless 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 Jeft'erson, which was granted. The designating number of townships was provided in 1861 as follows: Ii'oquois, No. 1; Jackson, No. 2; Lake, No. 8; 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. Wheaton presented a petition of himself and others to strike oflF 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. Wood 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, leaving 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 80, 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 geography 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. PUBLIC 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 county offices, not to exceed $1,000, which was to be paid out of the donation fund. In the meanwhile, the Corainissioners 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 Sherifl", for its fine grove of trees, is a marked feature in the village. COUNTY OFFICIALS. The gentlemen who have filled the ofiice of Clerk of the Circuit Court of Newton County are : Z. Spitler, from 1860 to 1864 ; E. L. Urmston, from 1864 to 1868 ; Nath. West, from 1868 to December, 1870, when he resigned. Andrew Hall was appointed to fill the vacancy, and was subsequently elected his own successor, filling the office until 1876. W. W. Oilman 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 ofiice, 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 McCollough, 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. Johnson, from 1876 to 1880 ; George G. Jenkins, from 1880, and is the present official. Each Treasurer has been honored with the second term. The Sheriffs of the county have been : Elijah I. Shriver, from 1860 to 1864; H.K.Warren, from 1864 to 1866; Charles Frankenberger, from 1866 to 1868; H. K. Warren, from 1868 to 1872; William A. HISTOID' OF NEWTON COUNTY. 665 I 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. Cliffton was elected in 1870, but did not qualify for the position, ilnd 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 ; No. 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 I860 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. Mcllvain succeeded from 1874 to 1877 ; T. S. Brecount,' from 1877 to 1883, and J. A. Timmons from 1883, who is the present member from that district. District No. 2 has been represented by Thomas R. Barker, from 1860 to 1m64, his first term being for one year only ; Daniel Deardorf, from 1864 to 1867 ; Andrew Hess, from 1867 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 the 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 experi- ence to meet and conquer the difficulties of a new country. But the prob- lem here, nevertheless, presented experiences entirely different from those with which their earlier life had acquainted them. The Iroquois River, 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 shrill 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, ita 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 off"er 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 dovel- 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, 111., to Rensselaer. Another was from Morocco to Rensselaer ; a third was one direct to La Fayette, and another to Momence, 111., and thence on to Chicago. A mail route was early between Logansport, Rensselaer and Buncombe, 111., with an ofiice 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 oflSce 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 office some three or four years. The first PostToaster 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 early com- munity until the thicker settlements and 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 another 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 bridging expensive, and a spirit of short-sighted economy has kept public improve- ments in this particular in a rather backward state. Three iron bridges 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 structures 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 interested 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 deferr^, 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 ^ave the new combination its name of '' The Centinental 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 was 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 fifty-nine miles in curvature over the geographical distance between New York and Chicago, and only ninety-nine miles between New York 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-class in every respect, and the whole cost placed at $150,000,000. There is no question that the construction of this road would have been of immense advantage to Newton County, though there was not that general enthusiasm upon the subject which one might naturally expect. The existence of the other railroad divided the inter- ests of the people here, and led those in the southern part of the county to view its construction as hostile to their advancement. Still the grad- ing of the road-bed in Jasper, raised the hopeful anticipations of the peo- ple to a high pitch when the financial disaster of 1873 doomed the enter- prise to failure and the people to another disappointment. The project is still occasionally heard from, but the golden opportunity is lost. Its / 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 & Peoria Railroad was built through the southern part of Newton County in 18-">9, 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, 1860, 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 Illinois, eastward to Reynold's Station, the junction with the New Albany & Salem Railroad, a distance of thirty-tive miles, the country is very thinly settled and but slightly 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 Illinois State line, a village is rapidly springing up, which 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 affect 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 traffic 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 afford 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 lo 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 difficulty, 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 " Newton Ohronotype " 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 Newton County Union. December 16, 1863, H. Wyatt became editor. June 23. 1864, John Myers 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 Neiotori 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 Newton 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. Kose, 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 18, 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. Root 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 Newton 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- i'eer 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. CHURCHES. In 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 son, and both now deceased, was an im- portant influence in shaping the character of the early community. New- ion County owes a debt of gratitude to these early pioneer preachers, who, at their own expense, labored for the spiritual advancement of its people, at a time when " no other help was nigh." The United Brethren built the first place for public worship in the HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 677 county, and located it on the farm of Frederick Kenoyer. This was a log cabin, and was afterward replaced by a hewed log structure. The first church edifice erected in Kentland was by this denomination, and was mainly due to the efforts of Frederick Kenoyer and Mr. Merz. The church in Kentland has lost ground, however, and has recently sold its church building. Elsewhere in the county the denomination has in- creased in numbers and in influence, and has six organizations with two good church buildings in Washington Township. The First Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at Morocco prior to 1850. At that time it seems to have been recognized by the General Conference as Morocco Mission, which embraced the whole county, and numbered some 100 members. Since then its progress has been marked and now it has some fifteen organizations in the county. In 1862, Kent Station was left to be supplied. In 1871, Kentland Circuit was organized by A. E. Anderson, Presiding Elder, and in 1872, both Goodland and Beaver Lake Circuits were formed. There are now five charges in the county, at Brook, Goodland, Kentland, Morocco and Rose Lawn. Each of these have good places of worship. The church at Kentland was organized about 1861, and subsequently erected a good frame building at a cost of some ^4,000. The first class organized at Goodland was in 1855, and was called " Cherry Grove Class." There were ten original members, but others were united, making a vigorous organization for a time. In 1860, the class was re-organized, and named " Tivoli class," from the name of the town at that time. In 1863, the name of the class was changed to " Goodland," and in 1872 a fine frame church building was erected at a cost of $8,000, and is the finest building of its kind in the county. The Baptist denomination was early represented here, and were early gathered about Brook. There is an organization at Goodland with a neat place of worship, and another in Washington Township. The Presbyterian denomination has a church in Kentland, which was organized in 1867, by Rev. C. Palmer, of Watseka, 111. There were ten members who united in the organization of the church. Rev. A. Jones preached for the church nearly two years. On the 3d of October, 1870, Rev. J. B. Smith was called to the pastorate, who built up the church, and largely increased its numbers. Mr. Smith continued to labor here until 1872, when he was followed by Rev. R. E. Hawley. In 1875, Rev. C. McCain began pastoral labor for the church, and continued with eminent success until 1882. He was succeded by Rev. J. MacIIatton, who is the present pastor. A neat frame church edifice was erected in 1870 at a cost of about $1,000. 678 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. The Goodland Presbyterian Church was organized November 11, 1866, with six members. It has a pleasant church building and parson- age, and is one of the stable churches of the county. The Christian denomination has two organizations in the county, one at Kentland and one in Washington Township. At Kentland the church has bought the building formerly occupied by the United Brethren. The Lutherans have a church at Goodland, with a substantial house of worship. The Catholics have churches in Kentland and Goodland, the former being among the earliest churches at the county seat. Other denominations are represented here ; the German Reform have two organizations, and the Mennonites one. The following statistics were gathered by the County Superintendent of Schools, W. H. Hersh- man, and ai^e the best information upon the topic at this date : a o •s u 3 la 3 Q o MEMBERSHIP. it a'-' Mm ■S.S So o « « 3 O g |3 so ^ a 3 s 3m m .o HO .23 to -a a 3 M MS in ■g fcObO 3.2 .S 3 DENOMINA- TIONS. 6 "3 0) •3 a lis < S so 8 a . (U > bo;S ^ 'A S f^ H iz; > ■< c S 5?; ;z; <5 Methodist Epis- copal 15 5 284 479 763 33 S14000 $2380 $304 $273 57 540 1375 Presbyterian 2 2 4G 85 131 4000 1200 220 39 16 100 175 Baptist (New School) Catholic . 2 2 6 2 2 3 55 215 75 58 235 125 113 450 200 2700 5000 3350 600 800 500 100 300 100 120 46 20 150 212 370 United Brethren 29 135 450 2 1 1 1 2 1 53 125 35 50 76 135 25 50 129 260 60 100 2700 2000 200 300 300 10 50 39 16 100 150 150 40 75 Totals 32 17 938 1268 2196 99 S33750 S6280 $1084 $713 118 875 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- tionof 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 as 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 the President of the United States, be deemed necessary and proper for working the said springs, 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 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, 1836, 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 by 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 12J 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 suflfered 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 $1,300,000. 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 HISTORY OF 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 Township Fund $2,281,076 69 Saline Fund 85,000 00 Surplus Revenue Fund 573,502 96 Bank 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 HISTORV 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 2,463,952 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 efficient 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. H. 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 Enrol linen t Average daily attendance Len^b 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 1877. S14: 2,851 2,:}()9 1,260 119 58 87 81 72 81 61 ,847 68 $47 ,a50 87 ,940 00 1 59 CO 1878. 2,781 2,284 1,589 133 62 83 81 88 81 76 818,491 63 1 8450 00 812,188 34 852,995 00 1 62 63 1879. 2,743 2,164 1,301 158 62 81 83 81 52 816,903 18 2 81,500 00 810,713 96 §57,360 00 1 63 64 1880. 2,743 2,205 1,410 144 64 74 $1 60 81 63 815,410 51 3 81,450 00 810,196 58 855,920 00 1 65 1881. 819,187 83 66 89,345 64 853,300 00 1 65 1 67 1882. 2,720 2,248 1,379 129 75 81 82 13 81 77 818,432 66 1 8500 00 85,180 05 859,205 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 schoolliouse 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 suftered 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 Lodge, 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, 1873, 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 officers : 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. 685 NEWTON COUNTY IN THE WAR. IN the early wars of the Union, the Revolution, the war of 1812, the Black Hawk war in 1832, 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 whetiier 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 • AdJuUnt Gnoeral'i 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 o^ 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 storehouses. 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. * * * * The 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. H. Dodds, of Indianapolis, made a violent speech denouncing the policy of the National Government. This aroused considerable temper, but it was allowed to pass oif without demonstration. At Rensselaer, on the succeeding day or two, Dodds was arrested, but HISTORV 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 tiiousand 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 diflBculty 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 VOLUNTEERS. 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 B, 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 H. 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, Anthony Odell, Jefferson T. Reading, killed ; George W. Smith, William M. Strench, killed ; John H. 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. 689 River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, all of the battles of the Sherman campaign to Atlanta, and bactles 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(U ; 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, Porryville, Stojjie River and Mission Ridge. This regiment is noticed fully elsewhere in this volume. Fifty-first Regiment — David A. McHolland, commissioned Colonel March 17, 1865; Erasmus B. Collins, commissioned Surgeon November 19, 1861 ; Amos Esterling, 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. Tilfiney, 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 Ekey, Patrick GriflSn, 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. II. 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 Stateii, Edward Sherman, John Sherman, Harry Troup, killed ; Barden B. Best, Ira Yoeman. Joined after organization of regiment : 41 690 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 Marst, Albert Myers, W. E. Roney, W. W. Thoroughman. Ninety-ninth Regiment — Samuel 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, Thoma8 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 Griffith, died ; William Wil- son. One Hundred and Twenty -eiglith Regiment, 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. Carraichael, 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 Hoff- 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. Scratnblin, G. A. Story, 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 news 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' arniy toward Murfreesboro in December. The regiment was engaged in the battle of Stone River, on the 3l8t 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 Fifty-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 Fifty-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 officers were treated with great severity. After being kept prisoners for some time, the enlisted men were paroled for exchange, and went 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 army be- tween Nashville and Chattanooga. It was afterward sent into East Ten- nessee, and in the months of January and February, 1864, 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. C93 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 14th 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 Ninety-ninth, completing its organization, and it was mustered into the service October 21, 18d2, 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 Vicksburg. 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 readied 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 lieavy 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, Decherd 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 25th 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 Knoxville. The regiment, this dreary march, was almost entirely destitute of clothing, blankets and shoes, and without regular 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- ruary, 1864. It then moved into East Tennessee, and was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge on the 25th. The regiment then returned to Scotts- boro, and encamped until the 1st of May. Sherman's army then moved on its campaign, of which Atlanta was the objective point. The Ninety-ninth marched and fought with the dashing Army of the Tennessee, and was engaged in every skirmish, as- sault and battle, in which that army took part, "under the gallant Mc- Pherson. The regiment was engaged at Resaca, May 14 ; at Dallas, on the 28th. 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 scvon days, near Kenesaw Mountain. HISTORV of NEWTON COUNTY. 695 The regiment also took part in skirmishes at Nickajack Creek, and also at Decatur, on the 20th and 2l8t of July. On the morning of the 22(1, 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 arms. 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 array reached the front of Savannah. On the loth 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 Bentonville. 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 oflScers 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 Regiment. — 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 regiment 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, who, 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 Athinta, 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 Allatoona. The rebels being defeated at Allatoona, 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 marched 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 wa3 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 officers 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 30th. 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 Nashville 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 15th 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 body. The regiment was actively engaged in the closing up of Hood, and joined in the pursuit as far as Columbia, Tenn., arriving at ttiat 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, 1865, 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, Va. 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 victory, when he was met and checked by Ruper's division, just arriving 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, losing severely HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 699 in killed and wounded. The whole command then moved to Kingston, 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 x\pril 13. 700 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. VILLAGE GROWTH OF THE COUNTY. Kentland. — A. J. Kent was a native of New York. In 1846, he went to California and engaged extensively in the China trade. It is said he brought the first emigrant from the Celestial Kingdom to these shores. He stayed there but a few years, when he returned to New York, engaging in the milling business. In 1852, he located 7,000 acres of land in what is now Newton County, and, in the same year, building a residence on his property, he began farming on a large scale, raising and shipping stock, engaging also in milling and shipping grain, and in mer- cantile pursuits. His whole life was one of bustling activity, and for a time did two-thirds of the business of the town which bears his name. He died May 7, 1882. In February, 1860, he platted the village of Kent, and submitted his proposition for the location of the county seat. This was accepted and the seat of justice officially fixed there in the following month. The orig- inal plat consists of eighteen blocks, the northern boundary of which is marked by Dunlap street. Proceeding south, the streets running east and west follow in succession — Graham, Seymour, Goss and Owen. At right angles to these, streets cross and are designated by numbers from one to five inclusive. At the time the village was chosen as the county seat, the track hands were the sole occupants of the plat, William Service erect- ing the first shanty, and Michael ColFelt erecting one soon after. Mr. Kent and J. B. Chesebrough, however, lived in the near vicinity. Early in the year I860, William Ross came and erected the first building, save the shanties alluded to ; he was soon joined by John Peacock, Oscar Phelps and Isaac Beyea, who occupied Mr. Ross' store as a residence. There was no boarding house, hotel, nor even women to take charge of the culinary department, and the gentlemen maintained bachelor's hall while pioAeering the way for the future city. During this spring, Mr. Kent erected a store and a hotel building, in the latter of which Mr. Sylvester Root opened a much-needed boarding house and hotel. Orris King put up a building and opened a store here in the same spring. A building was erected by Joel Anderson, also for a store, but was occupied the first six months by the court officers. The village at this time gathered about Seymour street, which passes through the village along the north side the railroad, and presented the appearance of a frontier town of to-day. The railroad had been com- HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 701 pleted through the village the preceding December. There was no sta- tion here as yet, and not a lantern at command, and it is said that one individual who wished to board the train gathered a quantity of prairie grass and 6red it to attract the attention of the engineer. One of the evidences of the growing importance of the town was the appointment of an agent and the regular stopping of the trains. People called here by election to county offices, or by the opportunities for business, made a spirited demand for houses, and business of all sorts manifested consider- able activity. In the following year, the court house and the United Brethren Church were added, and from thence forward to 1865 thegtowth was steady and of a substantial character. The number of business houses was not large, but each had a satisfactory patronage. Mr. Kent was the animating spirit of the business activity, and gradually enlarged the scope of his operations. From 1865 to 1870, the growth of the village was characterized prin- cipally by the improved character of the buildings, which in new struct- ures began to take on the appearance of permanent, substantial edifices, the display of taste bespeaking the prosperous condition of the builders. In 1866, McCullough's Addition to the town was made, and Kent's North- ern Addition, which added 123 lots to the town. In 1868, the village was incorporated, with A. J. Kent, S. Root and G. W. Arnout as Trust- ees ; J. Z. Johnston, Assessor and Clerk ; Joseph Blessing, Marshal and Treasurer. On the 13th of December, 1870, the thriving village was visited with a destructive fire that blotted out most of the business buildings. The Cra- zetfe, issued on the 24th, gives this account of the calamity: " The fire originated in the upper story of Mr. Kent's building, and is believed to be the work of an incendiary. Our neighbor of the Democrat thinks, and with some reason, that the criminals whom Constable Mike Coffelt let run away from justice did the work. However this may be, there is much reason for believing that the building was purposely set on fire, as the flames were first seen as much as fifteen feet from any chimney or flue, and burned through the east side of the house before it was seen in the roof. The Masonic Lodge was in session in the same building on the same floor, and just north of where the fire originated. The lamp, which was kept burning on meeting nights half way up the stairs, was blown out by some one, the incendiary, doubtless, who entered the building up the same stairway, and did this to conceal himself from easy observa- vation. " The fire was discovered at half past 8 o'clock at night, and by 11 o'clock it had swept away more than a dozen business houses. A smart west wind aided the flames, and they leaped and hissed to the end 702 HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. without hindrance." The whole loss was estimated at $100,000, in indi- vidual sums of $200 to $30,000. One loss of $2,300 was by Dr. Tiche- nor, who had received it by express too late to place it in any safe. He had, therefore, put it in his trowsers' pocket, and piled wood upon them in his office to secure it against the possibility of a thief. In the excite- ment of the fire, while succeeding in saving all his office furniture, he for- got his greenbacks until they were gone beyond recovery. Most of the business men replaced their buildings at once, E. G. Smith, the druggist, putting up a new building and doing business on the old spot in thirty hours after the fire. The fire, while causing a heavy loss of property, there being no in- surance, effected an advantageous change in the character of the town. Business gradually went on to Third street, from Seymour to Dunlap, and with renewed vigor began to replace the loss occasioned by the fire. Two or three years after the fire, some good brick buisness blocks were erected, and in 1880 the town had not only recovered its loss, but had doubled the amount of business transacted. The rich farming country which surrounded the village had attracted buyers, and the village had grown into a valuable shipping point, which gave business to three exten- sive elevators. Public improvements had not been neglected ; a system of good sidewalks was found reaching to every part of the village, and coal-oil street lamps on every corner served to mark the crossings on a dark night. After the serious experience of 1870, there was considerable agitation on the subject of securing some apparatus with which to fight a general conflagration. Many of the business men procured " extin- guishers," which have served a valuable purpose on several occasions, and the town finally procured a hook and ladder apparatus. There was no regu- larly organized company, however, and lulled into a false feeling of security, the ladders became scattered, and the wagon rotted down in its tracks or was spirited away. A hand fire engine was actually brought to the vil- lage and tested, but it did not give satisfaction, and it was returned to the owners. This was about the state of things when the village was alarmed again by the cry of fire. As before, it originated in the buisness part of the village, and aided by favoring winds at one time threatened to sweep the whole town before its devastating power, and in the end did cause an almost irreparable damage. The Grazettes account of the fire, from which we extract the following, gives a graphic description of the misfortune : " Of the origin of the fire it is impossible to arrive at the facts, as to whether it originated from accident, or was incendiary, or in what building the flames started. But at least it started. It is claimed by some that it started in the harness shop of David Parks, catching from HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY. 708 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 GoflTs 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 GofF's 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 & Coff"man. 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 Iraes 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 siile of Third street set fire to Keefe & Bro.'s on the east side 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 chafl" 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 marking 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 office 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 office, licking it up like splinters. Next and last, John Peacock's real estate and collection office succumbed, by which time the high wind had fallen 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 G-azette 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 caught 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 oriojinal name of the villaui;e 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 office 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 G-azette 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 adapteil to growing corn, o.its, and grazing stock. Much of this land is umlerlaid 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 ailjoining 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 Benton streets crossing these at right angles. The town made rather slow progress for five or six years, the surrounding lands finding 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, III., 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 effect 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 & 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 is a small road with a large name which passes through the village from north to south. Business shows a healthy activity, and the population HISTORY OF NHWTON 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 fiaest 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 ti mid 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 daily 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 inviting, to say the least. " One afternoon, late in the fall, five men got off the train at Bradford, made their way to the hotel and called for supper, and engaged 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 had been traveled, when, by a preconcerted arrangement, 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 clo1;hes 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 Mirther 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 14, 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 south, 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. Wiiley & 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 diff'erent 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 tiie 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 , 1871, aged seven months. Mr. and Mrs. Haywood have three children — Thomas L., Mag- gie F. and Luella M. Mrs. (3Iontgomery)Haj'wood, came to this county from Tip- pecanoe, Februar}', 1864, with her husband. They settled where they now reside, three miles northwest of Kentland. It was then prairie .sea, now an improved farm. Mr. Haywood has resided here .since 1876, bought loO acres (in addition to 200 owned before) since he came. He still owns 100 acres in Tippecanoe Count}'. He is classed among the thrifty farmers of the county. Mrs. Haj'wood holds to the .Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Haywood is a member of McHolland Post, G. A. R. He is a Republican. WILLIAM II. HERSHMAX, Superintendent of the county schools, was born in White Countj', Ind., Jul}' 20, 18.51, and is the third of seven children born to Ja- cob 11. and Mary (Edmondson) Ilershman. Jacob II. Ilershman was married in 1844, in Hamilton County, Ind. He removed to Benton County, and in lf^4y to White County. He is a farmer, and is now living in this count}'. He and wife have been members of the Methodist Epi.seopal Church since their childhood. Will- iam H. Ilershman 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, 18H3. 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. Ilershman was marri<'(l in 1H73, to Miss Jennie Lyons, of Brook, Ind. They have had one child — AraElliel. 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. F.. at Kentland. He is a Republican, and a progressive citizen. His .schools rank among the best in the State. JOHN H. IIOOBER was born in Pike County, Ohio. October 27, 1829. He is the son of Ellrey and .Mary A. HooI)er, both natives of Virginia; the former died in 183.J, aged forty-five, the latter in 187.'>, aged eighty. Mr. H. was by trade a cooper, in politics a Whig, l)Ut voted for Gen. Jackson; and had been a soldier in the war of 1812. Joiin H. Hoober had little schooling. He came with his parents from Pike County to Crawford County, Ind., in 1835, where his father died six weeks 728 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, 1851, he married Miss Catherine Kemp, of Madison County, Ohio. They have four living children — Laura, Letitia, Elizabeth and Eugene. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Christian Church. Mr. H. is a Republican, and a member of Lodge 361, F. & A. M. Mr. Hoober is patentee of the " Hoosier Gopher," a cultivator made by the firm Hoober & Fletcher, at present in good demand, and was patented March 6, 1883. WORTHINGTON HUMES, farmer, was born February 6, 1844, in Hamilton County, Ohio,and is a son of Thomas and Eliza Humes.the latter a daughter of Israel and Eliza Brown. Mr. Brown was for many years District Judge, living in Hamilton County, Ohio. In 1844, Mr. Humes moved to Rush County, Ind., and settled on a farm near New 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 sixty-nine, 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 whom are living. Worthington Humes attended school and worked on the farm until his eighteenth year, when he enlisted in Company I, Sixty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and went to Greensburg, thence to Indianapolis, Louisville, Bardstown and Bowling Green, where they were capt- ured by Bragg's forces, paroled, returned to camp at Indianapolis, and remained until 1863, when they were exchanged. They then went to Nashville, Murfrees- boro and Chattanooga, taking part in that campaign. At Chickamauga, he was wounded, captured and taken to Castle Thunder, and kept four months. " Tongue cannot express," says he, "what I suffered. I saw eighteen carried to the dead house at one time, the average l)eing seven a day, all from hunger. Then we were exchanged, and sent to hospital at Annapolis. This was heaven on earth compared with what we had experienced." He was furloughed. came home, and returned to the army in 1864. The regiment was stationed at Murfreesboro, and he did such duty as he was able to perform until the war was closed, and he was discharged. He afterward farmed in Rush County five years, and then came to Newton County, where lie has since followed farming successfully. He married, February 6, 1868, Miss Sarah E. Jones, of Rush County, Ind. They had three children— Flora, Charles M. and Samuel. Mrs. Humes died June 24, 1881, aged thirty-five, a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Humes is a member of Newton Lodge, No. 144, F. & A. M., and a Republican. GEORGE G. JENKINS, Treasurer of Newton County, was born August 10, 1843, in Cass County, Mich. He is the second in a family of ten, seven living. His education was obtained in the public schools of Michigan. On the anniversary of his twenty-first birthday, he enlisted in the Twelfth Regiment Michigan Volunteer TOWN OF KENTLAND AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 729 Infantry, Company A; he went immediately to the front, where he was captured, taken back into the country a hundred miles and his clothes exchanged for those of the rebels. He was then paroled with the injunction that he was not to return to his regiment. He took a course due north, reaching Pilot Knob, Mo., about 200 miles from place of starting. On reaching that place, he was destitute, being robbed of everything by the rebels. He had traveled on foot, subsisting on what could be begged from a very destitute people, even a raw turnip answering for din ner and supper. Before enlisting, he had invested in a pair of boots costing $9; on the sole of either could be found in tacks an initial of his own name. Before start- ing on his journey, the rebels had taken his boots for their own u.se and left him a pair of lady's shoes in exchange. They were so small his feet could not get into them. The first move was to cut them open on the top, to admit his feet; this was suggested by the little rebel who claimed the boots, and who, after putting them on, amused the bystanders by standing on one foot and with the other kicking the boot on that foot to a distance of about three rods. He said, " They are a little large, but they'll do better'n shoes." The road being rough, the shoes soon gave waj', and the only material accessible for repairs was his shirt, which was taken, by pieces, to tie around his feet to prevent the shoes from dropping at every step. Mr. J. declares he never went into that exchange of his own free will. From Pilot Knob, he went to parole camp, at Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio. Here he remained until he was exchanged, when he returned to his regiment and continued with it until the war closed, since which he has been a resident of Newton County. His busniess was farming until October, 18H0, when he was elected Treasurer of Newton County; was re-elected in 1882; his present term will expire in 1884. He was married, February, 1872, to Miss Mary J. Chrisler, of Pilot Grove, Newton County. Their children were named Alfred M., John, "William F. and Elbert J. Alfred M., the oldest, died in his fourth year. Both parents are active workers in the M. E. Church. The former is at present Steward and Sunday School Superintendent at Kentland. Mr. J. is"a comrade of the G. A. R., McHolland Post, No. 102. His re-election by a majority of the voters of the county is a compliment more forcible, perhaps, than anything else we can add. JOHN Z. JOHNSTON, Auditor of Newton County, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, April 13, 1836. He attended the public schools and the Mahoning Academy, after which he taught in winter, farmed in summer and attended school in fall. He enlisted in Company E, Second Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, August, 1861. The regiment went to Camp Dennison, then to Western Missouri, thence to Fort Scott, Kan., Indian Territory and Arkansas under Gen. Blunt, in December, 1862, was re- turned to Ohio and remounted; subsequently into Kentucky, under Burnside, and was among the first to enter East Tennessee, in the summer of 1863. In January, 1864, Mr. J. re-enlisted; was sent to Army of the Potomac; was under Gen. Grant through the Wilderness; at Petersburg, in August; the Shenandoah Valley, under Sheridan, in Custer's division of cavalry, and all the battles of the Shenandoah campaign. He saw Sheridan arrive at the battle of Cedar Creek " with Sheridan twenty miles away," in 1865; then went across the mountains and was in the battles before the fall of Richmond and Petersburg. He passed througii Richmond the second day af- ter its fall, then started for Johnston's army, and when near the North Carolina line, learned that Johnston had surrendered, and then was mustered out in 186"), at St. Louis, having served more than four years. After returning, he graduated at East- man's National Business College, and was nuirried, October 24, 1S()7, to Miss Wealthy Kirkpalrick, of Iroquois County, III. They have liad three children, two of whom, Frank and Mary, are living. Both parents are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. J. of the Masonic fraternity, K. of L. and G. A. R., Post No. 102. He was a partner in the firm of Walton &, Johnston, grocers, Kentland. for two years. He 730 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: held the office of Auditor from 1876 to 1880, and yet holds the same, having been elected in 1882. He is a pronounced Republican. At the last election, he had a majority in every township. As an earnest of the estimation in virhich Mr. J. was held by his predecessor, Mr. Alexander Sharp, he said, "I have never found any errors, his books are all right in every respect; I regard him as an honest and effi- cient officer, and as good an Auditor as the county ever had," and this from Mr. Johnston's political antagonist is all that need be added. EZRA B. JONES was born March 14, 1833, in Ross County, Ohio, and is the eldest son of Cornelius and Matilda (Minshall) Jones, natives of Ohio. The former died in 1858; the latter is still living near Brook, Newton County, Ind., at the age of seventy years. Both were members of the United Brethren Church, but she is now of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They came from Ross County, Ohio, in 1856. Ezra B. had fair educational advantages in Ohio. He came to Newton County, Ind., in the fall of 1855, after which he taught school in winter and worked in summer for three years. In September, 1858, he married Miss Prudence J., a native of Montgomery County, daughter of Philip and Mary Earl, who came to this county in 1837. Mrs. Jones has lived here for forty-six years, and is one of the oldest inhabitants of Newton ; Count3^ Mr. Jones followed farming until the spring of 1872. He had been elected, in 1870, Recorder of Newton County, and in 1872 took that office, retaining the same until April, 1880, having been re-elected in 1874. In the fall of 1881, he engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business, and is doing a good business. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had three children — Laura, Ida and Mary. Laura was a graduate of Kentland High School, class of '81 ; she also attended the Normal School at Valparaiso, and taught school one term. Her sickness dates from November, 1881, and her death occurred September 4, 1882, aged twenty-two years. "She was a willing worker in every good cause where the Mas- ter seemed to direct. We have seen her in the school room, in the temperance work, in the place of public worship, in the prayer circle, at the social gathering and at her home, and under all of these circumstances she exhibited Christian virtiK-s rarely possessed by one of her age." The other sisters live with their parents. Mr. J. is a member of Kentland Lodge, No. 396, I. O. O. F.. also with his wife is a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and is a Republican. PATRICK KEEFE, groceries and hardware, Kentland, was born March 23, 1845, in County Tipperary, Ireland. At the age of twenty, he emigrated to this country, and after twelve days arrived at Castle Garden, N. Y. ; then went to Black- ston, Mass., where he stayed a year on a farm. Pie then moved to Benton County, Ind., on a farm, and remained one year ; then to Kentland in 1866, where he has since been in business. He is senior partner in the firm of Keefe Bros., established in 1880, and they drive a thriving business. The great fire of 1870 swept almost everything, without insurance. As an example of his energy, he moved his few remaining goods, the same night, into another building (the one which burned first in the last fire) and began selling immediately. In the fire of April, 1883, he lost all except |200 worth, with some insurance, and in the last fire he moved his slock the same night into his present store, and was .selling again as soon as he could set- tle with the insurance adjusters. He now carries a heavy stock, and is well insured. In 1873, he married Miss Caroline, daughter of Anthony Dehner, one of the oldest settlers and a County Commissioner. Mrs. Keefe died June 26, 1878. Mr. Keefe was Town Treasurer three consecutive terms, and gave general satisfaction, and was the Democratic candidate for Sheriff in 1872; 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 29, 1850, in Newton (then Jasper) County, Ind., and is a son of Rev. Jacob and Jane T. (Frame) Kenoyer, the former a native of Indiana, the latter of Ohio. The father was a minister in the TOWN OF KENTLAND AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 731 United Brethren Church for thirty years, and labored in Indiana and Illinois. He died July 2'S, IHTO, 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 known in Eastern Illinois. She is a sister of Thomas Frame, whose death by freez- ing. December 31, 1830, is referred to in the history of Iroquois County, 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. Littlejohn, of this county. They have three children— Edith A., Centennial May and Effle 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 J. KENT, deceased, founder of the town which bears his name, was born August HO, 1815, in Oneida County. N. Y. His parents were Carrol C and Pheba (Dymock) Kent, both natives of Connecticut, the latter a daughter of Col. Dymock, who served in the English Army. Mr. and Mrs. Carrol Kent were born the same year, same month and same day, October 17, 1777. Carrol C Kent owned the land at Oriskany, 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 the age of eighty-three, and his wife August 31, 18-37. at the age of fifty years. Alex- ander J. Kent had such educational advantages as the common schools afforded, and was. in theltrue sense of the word, a self-made man. At the time of the gold fever in C"alifornia, in 1849, Mr. K. equipped five men. viz., John Allison. W. R. Fowler. Daniel Shaw. James Izzard and J. B. Chesebrough, and furnished them with transportation to Sacramento City. Cal. About the year 18r,l, Mr. K. joined the firm, W. R. Fowler & 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 1808 and 18.54 to what became his possessions, and invested largely. He moved to New xVlbany, Ind., in 185,5, engaged in the wholesale grocery trade, and kept one of the most extensive establi.shments 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 County. About this time, many bought farms in this township, with little pro.spect of paying for them, and, had he pressed them for payment, many now prosperous farmers would have given up their farms and perhaps 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 Jf^Ol) invested in every church in Washington Township. New- ton County. To the suffering in Kansas from the drought in 18(J1. 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 dont know exactly how to deal out to the worthy, unfortunate sufferers." Five hundred bu.shels, after takuig a survey of the crib, gave evidence that the keen edge of the hard times was to be turned, and $4(M) worth of clothing at a later date went to Nebraska for the grass- 732 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: hopper sufferers 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 al- 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 — doing 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 in 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, Daniel 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 as characterized his lamented father. In politics, Mr. Kent was a Democrat. HORACE D. KENT was born August 21, 1817, in Oneida County, N. Y., and is a son of Carrol and Plieba(Dymock) Kent, both natives of Connecticut. Horace D. worked on the farm until his thirteenth year, from which time until he was twenty-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, 1849, he started from Independence, Mo., in a crowd called "the Louisville Legion Company" (twenty-seven wagons and sixty persons), over the plains to Sac- ramento, 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 his brother, A. J. Kent, John B. Chesebrough and W. R. Fowler in the grocery 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 Marysville) and opened a store. Here he lost on account of no rain " dry dig- gins." In February, 1851, he went to Sacramento, bought fifty pack mules, and packed his goods to Onion Valley, South Feather River, where he again met with loss. In June, he closed his store, sold his mules, and in August left for home by Nicaragua, arriving in New Albany October 1, where, in November, in company with his brothers, A. J. and Bela C, he went into the grocery trade until 1859, when he sold to his brothers, and opened a commission house in New Orleans with good success, until 1861, when he closed and removed to New Albany. In 1863, he went to Tennessee, employed by the Government until the close of the war, when he TOWN OF KENTLAND AND JKFFKRSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 733 erected a manufacturing establishment, door, sash and blinds, in Nashville, Tenn., and continued there until 1S70, when he came to Kentland. Formerly, he was en- gaged buying grain for A. J. Kent, but latterly in the wood and coal trade, and do- ing well. March 24, 1841, Mr. Kent married Miss Martha Lindley, of Vevay, Ind. These parents have had five cluldren,t\vo of whom are living, viz., Angle Dymock and Bela C. ; Angie married, in 1865, A. M. Van Dyke, of Cincinnati; Bela C. married, in 1876, Miss Jennie, daugliterof E. L. and Mary Urmston, of Kentland. Mr. Kent is a member of Jefferson Lodge, F. »&. A. M., No. 104, New Albany. 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. They moved to Stark County, Ohio, in 1857. and settled on a farm. The father died August 8, 1874, aged seventy-four; the motlier in December, 1882, aged seventy, both in Stark County. The father was a member of the Dimkard, 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 Count}', Ohio. They came to Newton County in April, 1864, stopped in Kentland the first six months, and then moved to his present farm 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 progressive 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. Albert died in infancy; Willie in 1872, in his third year; Minnie E. was married, April 30, 1883, to Charles Ulrey, of this count)*; the other children are living with their parents. Mrs. Kent is a member of the M. E. Church. In politics, Mr. Kent is a Democrat. ELMER McCRAY (deceased) was born October 13, 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 year on a farm north of Kentland, and afterward moved to town. He built ihe 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, April II, 1874. To Elmer and Eliza McCray were born three children — William K.. John 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-rai.ser and banker, Kentland, was born July 13, 1839, in Fayette County, Ind., and is the son of William and Lucinda (Edwards) McCray, 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 wa.s inscribed at his rec^uest. " Freedom to all men;" he is buried in Crawfordsville. Greenl)ury W. McCray moved with his ])arents in 1849 to Craw- for.lsville, where he had good school advantages, and the help of the Normal De- partment of Wabash College. In Octolter, 1H(51. he came to Newton County, Ind., prospecting, and in November purchased a farm in Irocjuois Township, near Brook. Until til'" following spring he was engaged trading. lie remained on that farm un- til Nov.^'mber, 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 ston in the "Discount and Deposit Bank of Kentland," which, with farming and stock-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, 2,000 acres, located in Washington, Jefferson, Grant, Iroquois and Beaver Town" ships, in Newton County, and in Beavev Township, Iroquois Co., 111.; has been for years a member of the School Board, and is the^busiestman in the town. March 6, 1863, he married Miss Martha 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 yeai's old, and has never smoked or chewed tobacco, or drunk a dram of any iutoxi- cant. He signed the lirst temperance pledge ever presented, and has signed all since. JOHN MoDERMOTT, farmer, was born in County Kildare, Ireland, and is a son of John and Margaret (O'Hara) McDermott, natives of Irleand, who died about 1856. In 1853, John came to America, landing at Castle Garden after a voyage of fifty- two days; went to Warren County, Ohio, and began farm work. He contin- ued in this county thirteen years, during which he farmed, and worked on the rail- road, and at repairing the canal. In 1857, he returned to Ireland, remained three weeks, became disgusted, again came to Warren County, Ohio, and in August, 1805, to Newton County, Ind., and bought the eighty acres on which he lives. He has been eminently successful, and now owns 160 acres of well-improved land, with good prospects for an abundant crop this j^ear. He is respected by all as a worthy pio- neer of Newton County. In January, 1860, he married Miss Ellen Donahue, of Butler County, Ohio, formerly of Ireland, which union gave issue to Thomas A., James P., Margaret E., Mary M., Ellen C, Katie (deceased), and Sarah E. Both are members of the Catholic Church. OLIVER G. McILWAIN, farmer, was born May 10, 1822, in Payette County, Ind., and is a son of John and Sarah (Logan) Mcllwam, natives of Scotland. On coming to this country they .settled in South Carolina, and in 1808 moved to Brook- ville, Ind. ; thence they removed to Faj^ette County in 1813. The father died in 1869, aged sixty-three ; the mother in 1874, aged seventy-nine — a member of the Presby- terian Church, Mr. Mcllwaiu was a Republican. They had nine children, six liv- ing. Oliver G. Mcllwain attended school and worked on the farm until nineteen years of age, and in 1843 settled on the Indian reservation in Cass County. He taught school six years successfully, at $1 per day, and had eighty pupils. The schoolhouse was a very primitive one. He moved to Fayette County in 1847; took an interest in a dry goods store with his brother-in-law, Solomon Brown; he re- mained a year, and sold to his partner. He then took a partnership in a mill with one Hattield ; then bought out Mr. Brown, and ran the store in connection with the mill until 1854. Soon after he traded his part of the store for Hatfield's part of the mill, and continued the same with success. In 1857, he sold the mill, moved to Wi- ami County, Ind., and bought a farm; thence came to Newton County, Ind., in 1864, and settled in Washington Township. He served five years as Trustee, and three years as County Commissioner. He now owns a quarter-section of land two miles northeast of Kenthxnd. Mr. Mcllwain is a successful farmer. In 1843, he married Miss Lucinda Worster, of Fayette County. They have had eight children — James P., John R., Anna (deceased), Elizabeth, Burwell, Rose, Minnie and Emma. James F. was in the war, and has not been heard of since the battle of Perryville. Mrs. Mcllwaiu is a member of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Mcllwain of the Masonic fraternity. He is also a Republican. JAMES MARTIN, farmer, was born April 14, 1821, in Darke County, Ohio. He is the son of Thomas and Leah (Smith) Martin, the father from Pennsylvania, the mother from Ohio. The father was a farmer, and had nine children, eight of whom TOWN OF KENTLAND AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 735 lived to be of age, and he never had a doctor in his house for professional service. James Martin has living one brother in Wells County, Ind., and one sister, Mrs. Leah Swanson, of this eountj'. The father died October 1. 1870, a^ed seventy-four; the mother died December 8, 1872, at the age of sixty-nine; both were members of the Christian Church. In the fall of 1828. James came with his parents and settled near Newton, in Fountain County. Ind. They stayed there three years, then came to Benton County, settling on Mud Pine, three miles southeast of Bcswell. Here they remained until 1842, when they came to Newton (then Jasper) County, and James bought of Jack Torbit 140 acres. Since that Mr. Martin has added 360 acres. It was then timber, brush and open prairie; it is all improved now, fenced, and he farms 400 acres; the rest is in pasture. When he came, lie had $1,000 and a two-horse team; he gave it all for the 140 acres. His other land has cost him from $5 to $20 per acre. He is among the oldest residents of this count}'. He was married, No- vember 20, 1842, to Miss Eli/a Jane Harris, of Ohio; she died March 4, 1847, aged twenty-three. Mr. Martin was next married, September 28, 1848, to Miss Nancy Smith, of Darke Count}', Ohio; she died January 17, 1867, at the age of thirty-nine and a half. Mr. Martin was then married, March 10, 1867, to Miss Caroline Foy, of Blackford County, Ind. His children were born as follows: Perry, Charles T., Thomiis, Eliza J., Joseph, David, infant, Leah E., Harvey, William L.. Rhoda, Franklin, Nancy, Christopher, Philip, Katie, Jasper, Esther, Newton, Harry, Gil- bert. They died as follows : Perry, October 7, 1848, aged two months; David, Feb- ruary 28, 1881, aged twenty-seven years; infant, January, 1856; Harvey, November 16, 1861, aged one year and eight months; William L., February 25, 1864, aged one year and eight months; Rhoda, July 8, 1868, aged one year and three months; Nancy, February 10, 1875, aged nine years; Christopher, September 29, 1870, aged one year and four months; Philip, February 7, 1875, aged five years. Mr. Martin had three children by his first wife, and nine by 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 1831-32 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 be 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 many prairie wolves; prairie fires were destructive to fowls and rabbits. Another hard scene was in the Black Hawk war. i\Ir. 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 carrying 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 my father drunk twice; that settled the question forever with me." Mr. Martin 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 ])ut(hered 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 1.50; they have never been off the farm, and Mr. Martiu thinks there is hardly a parallel case in the county. CHARLES T. MARTIN, farmer, was born January 3, 1845, in Benton County, Ind., and is a son of James and Eliza Martin. Charles received his early education 730 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: in a crude building, and later in one which was some improvenieut over the former. In 1852, 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 business; he owns 220 acres of improved land, secured by industry and economy. He makes stock-raising 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 children, 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, in County Ahrwiler, Germany. He is the son of Frank Stephen and Anna Catharine Miller, also of Germany; the former died in 1836, aged sixty-si.x:, having been an invalid eighteen years; he is buried in Heimersheim, Germany, and was a member of the Catholic Church. The mother is still livinsr 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-half years; his second was Kentland, where he began his labors April 2, 1883. He arrived in this country January 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 New Jer- sey on the Notre 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 woTk 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 building 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, Kentland, was born February 9, 1856, 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 subsequently to Newton County, where he has lived twenty years. He held the office of Justice about twelve years in Jackson Township, and is well known and respected; he is a Republican. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Dunkard Church. William W. 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 his 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 Deputy in the (Uerk's office for some months last spring, under Mr. Davis. He has handled books somewhat, has acted as agent for difiEerent periodicals during his va- cation, and is at present writing in the Auditor's office. ALBERT B. MOORE, farmer, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., December 24, 1840, and is a son of John B. and Sophia (Todd) Moore, both of New York; the former still lives on the farm in Kane County, 111., aged sixty-four, and is a Demo- crat. The mother died in 1852, aged thirty-one. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Albert B. Moore came with his parents to Grundy County, 111., in 1844, his minority being spent on the farm. At the age of twenty-two, he enlist- ed, July, 1862, in Company E, Ninety-first Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry (Col. Day). The regiment's first move was building stockades and guarding the railroad TOWN OF KENTLAND AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 737 in Kentucky, until December, when they were taken prisoners by John Morgiin, and sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, there cxchanp^ed and sent to Vicksburg, where they remained until the surrender; thence went to Port Hudson and C'arrollton, and took part in a review of 60.000 troops before Gens. Grant and Banks. Thence they went to Brazos, Te.xas; on the gulf, they encountered a stoiin of eleven days, in which two vessels were lost, the one with cannon, the otlier with Negro troops. They helped to take the Spanish fort at Mobile, which took thirteen days; thence went to Mobile City, where the Mayor and officers surrendered the city, and were mustered out at Mobile, lie remained on the farm until 187.J, when he moved to his farm in Newton County, and improved KJO acres. In 1866, he married Miss Mattic E. Ilanna, formerly of Pennsylvania; they have had seven children — Lillie S., Luella S.. Cjtus H., Burton S., Adda, Johnnie (deceased) and George E. Mr. M. is a member of .McHolland Post, No. 102, G. A. R. ; is an inde- pendent Democrat. STILLMAN M. NOBLE, jeweler, was l)orn December 21, 1842, in Lewis Coun- ty, N. Y., and is the son of Stillman D. and Martha (Ausborn) Noble, both natives of New York. The former is still livingin New York at the advanced age of seventy-two; the mother died in 1848, aged twenty-seven. Their children were Stillman M., John G. and David. The latter died at the age of eight years. The father was married in 1849 to Maria Ausborn (a sister of the former wife), by whom he had three chil- dren—Ely, Elliott and Eddie. Elliott is still living in New York, Eddie died in 1873, Ely in 1876. Stillman. M. remained on he farm until about si.xteeu, when he went to learn his trade, at which he continued two and one half j^ears. He worked next in the llemington gun armory until January, 1864, when he enlisted in Company A, Second New York Heavy Artillery, and continued in the service until the clo.se of the war. He was captured at Cold Harbor, June 6, 1864, and taken to Libby, thence to the tobacco house, thence to Andersonville, where he stayed four mouths. There were about 33,000 prisoners there at that time. From Andersonville, he vas taken with five car loads of prisoners to Savannah, where he remained forty days, when he was paroled and sent to Annapolis, Md. After the expiration of the parole, he returned to the regiment at Petersburg. Pie was with those who followed Lee from that time until he surrendered. Mr. N. returned to New York in 1861, honorably dis- charged. He was married to Mrs Marian M. Mather, of New York. She was the widow of a soldier, Russell Mather, Jr., by whom she had two children, Isabel M. and Estella E. She has two children by her present husband, viz., Edith and Willie S. Mr. Noble is a member of McHolland Post, No. 102, G. A. R. He has been in the jewelry business in Kentland since 1868. By the great fire of 1870, he lost every- thing, with no insurance. AVas also in reach of the fire of April 5, 1883. Loss. $3,000, insurance, $400. He is now located on the east side of Main street on the same ground, with the largest stock of jewelry, perhaps, there is in the county, and is driving a good, well-paying business. FRANK M. OSWALT was born October 22, 1838. in Montgomery County. Ohio, and is a son of Michael and P^lizabeth (Lambert) Oswalt, both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; mother died in 1878, father is living, at the age of seventy-one. Francis moved West with ids parents in 1846. He attended school and farmed until his twentieth year, at wliich tim« lie learned the carpenter trade, and continued thereat four years. He enlisted in Noveniber, 1863, in Com- pany L, Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, Col. Bob Stewart. They went to Nashville, Tenn., thence to Stevenson. Ala., and thence to Larkinsville, where they remained on guard duty until fall, when they were mounted, ecjuipped and returned to Nashville, and took part in tiie Tenne.s.see campaign of 1864-6.'). January, 1865, they landed at Gravelly Springs and marched to Eastport Lamling, Miss., where they stayed until May, were remounted, went to Fort Riley and thence to Walnut River, 738 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Kan. In 1865, they guarded the United States mail from Council Grove to Walnut Creek; returned to Fort Leavenworth in September, 1865, and were mustered out. From November, 1865, to January, 1868, he worked at his trade; then was in the furniture business until May, 1871, since which he has clerked. He passed through the service without serious injury, but was dangerously sick for two months in 1864. March 17, 1864, Mr. O. married Miss Margaret J., daughter of Edward Car- nsy, of Wabash, Ind. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. O. is a member of Lodge 361, F. & A. M., also of Kentland Chapter, No. 89, K. of P., and of McHoUand Post, G. A. R. In politics, he is Republican. Mr. Oswalt has had control of the store of Mr. Walton, the latter living in another town. He is doing a first-class business, and is worthy of the confidence of all. JOHN PEACOCK, real estate, loan and insurance agent, was born August 29, 1817, in North AUerton, Yorkshire, England. He is the third in a famih'^ of fifteen. He is the son of Thomas and Ann (Stokell) Peacock; the former died about 1865, in his seventy-fourth year; the latter is still living in Sheffield, England, in her nineti- eth year. John was educated in the grammar school at his native town. He served an apprenticeship in a woolen manufacturing firm in Leeds, in which his father was a partner. On becoming of age, he continued in the firm with his father for a time, and then began manufacturing merino goods at Bradford for himself. He was married, in 1841, to Miss Selina Lee, of Halifax, England. In 1842, they came to America and settled in Oriskany, N. Y. Here he engaged in the woolen factory of "Dexter in the valley," remaining fifteen years; thence he went to Kane County, 111., where he remained three years in the mercantile business. After sell- ing out, he and Mr. Ross came and erected the first building in Kentland. This firm had the depot, post office and express office all in the same store. An employe who "bached" with the firm, Peacock & Ross, would often in early morning stand in the door and shoot prairie chickens when they came to a corn crib for food. This firm handled all kinds of goods, not excepting "good old rye." In 1864, Mr. Peacock took the office of Recorder, being elected successor to John Ade. This office he held eight 5^ears, being re-elected in 1868. In 1872, he went into his pres- ent vocation, in which he has continued, doing an increasing business. Four chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peacock— Harriet O. (deceased), Anna, Selina C. and John L. Both parents are members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. P. is a member of Newton Lodge, No. 361, F. & A. M., and of Chapter 89; also of Kent- land Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; he is also a Republican. GEORGE PEIRCE was born May 4, 1885, in Camden County, N. J., and is a son of James and Ann (Walker) Peirce, both natives of New Jersey. The father died in 1873, at the age of eighty-seven, a farmer and a Republican; the mother in 1871, at the age of seventy-seven. These parents had twelve children, eleven of whom are living, the youngest thirty-eight years of age. Their names are William, Sarah (deceased), John, Richard, James, Margaret, Levi, Josiah, George, Samuel, Martha Ann and Alexander. George Peirce had poor educational advantages, there being no free schools in New Jersey at that day. He spent his boyhood working on his father's farm, and he began working for himself when twenty years of age. He left New Jersey, in 1855, with his father and family, who settled on Pine Creek, and ran the saw mill one year; then came to Newton (then Jasper) County, and settled four miles northwest of Kentland, where the family lived until the death of their father, after which he moved to his present home, containing 126 acres in Section 1, four and a half miles northeast of Kentland. This farm he has put in as good a state of cultivation as is accessible. He is a good farmer, a worthy citizen, and a Democrat. WILLIAM PERRY, manufacturer of saddles, harness, and dealer in agricult- ural implements, Kentland, was born April 13, 1837, in Hamilton County, Ind., and TOWN OF KENTLANI) AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHH'— NKWTON COUNTY. 739 is a son of Dr. Freeman and Phoibc (Mills) Perry, the former a native of Massa- chusetts, the latter of Pennsylvania. They moved from Hamilton to Tippecanoe County, in 1847, and scttUd in Ilarrisonville. now Battle Ground. Dr. Perry was a regular practitioner, and continued in his profession about four years, when, owing to an accident, he was rendered unable to practice. Having moved into White County, he began teaching. This he followed ten or twelve years, Ids health gradually growing worse, and died in September, 1875. His wife is still living with her son William in Kentland, at the age of sixty-seven. Both parents were lifetime Methodists. He was a Republican, and parent of five children, three of whom are living. William Perry was engaged working on the farm most of the time of his boyhood. When he was twenty-one, he began learning carpentering, and after ■working thereat three years, learned harness-making. After working ten months, he removed to Kentland, February, 1862. and commenced business for himself as a harness-maker. Judging from his stock and customers, we would say he does a successful business. Mr. Perry has served as Township Trustee, member of Town Council, and is now President of the Kentland School Board. Mr. Perry was mar- ried. November 21, 1861, to Miss Fanny Shields, of White County, Ind. They have had three children — Harry O., Fanny N. (deceased), and Mary A. Mrs. Perry is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Perry is a member of the Masonic order, Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and Consistoiy. In politics, he is a Democrat. WILLIAM W. PFRIMMEH, insurance and real estate agent, was born January 27. 1856, in Massac County. 111., and is the son of Daniel A. and Melinda (Conrad) Pfrimmer, both of Indiana. The former is still living in Cowley County. Kan., aged fifty-seven. Daniel A. Pfrimmer enlisted, in 1861, Company E, Thirty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until July, 1864. He received a sliot at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, which was the cause of his discharge. He was Lieutenant, and promoted to be Captain, and was in every battle in which his regiment took part from 1H61 to June, 1864. In whatever position he had, ho was never known to shrink from duty, whether in field, in camp, or on scout. He was married, January 27, 1846. to ^liss Conrad, who died March, 1860, a member of the United Brethren Chur(!h. They had eight children, three yet living. Ilis second marriage was to Miss Harriet Jemmison, of Illinois, in 1S62. She al.>^o died. His third marriage was to Miss Elizabeth Crawm, with whom he is now living in Kansas. William W. Pfrimmer lived with his grandfather until his thirteenth year, when he returned home and remained four years, when he began teaching in Newton County, which he followed eight years, teaching in winter and farming in summer for him- self. He was compelled to leave the farm on account of an injury while working in the saw-mill with his father, by the bursting of an emory wheel. He studied law at Indianapolis, under Hon. S. A. Huff, near one year, and has been pursuing that study ever since. He was elected Trustee of Jefferson Township in 1882. He is the youngest Trustee the township ever had. By attention to duty he has made a well-paying business in insurance and real estate. Mr. P. was married. May, 1878, to Miss Mary E. Webster, a late successful teacher in this county for five years. They have three children — Mabel. Conrad W., and one unnamed. Mrs. Pfrimmer is a member of the M. E. Church, and Mr. Pfrimmer is a Republican. EDGAR L. FRESHER, farmer, was born September 7. 1844. in Newark. Ken- dall Co., 111., and is a son of Lot and Eliza (Gridley) Fresher, both natives of New York. The father was a farmer and mechanic; he died in February, 1874, at the age of sixty-one. These parents came from New York to Kendall County, 111., in 1843; they had three; children— William II., Sarah E. and Edgar L. They were members of the Baptist Church; in politics, he was a Republican. The mother makes her home with Edgar's family, is in good health, and will in a few months reach the allotted time— threeserire years and ten. Edward L. had for employment 740 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: in his early days working on the farm and in the machine shop. He is a natural mechanic, and runs and owns a steam thresher and sheller. He was married, De- cember 20, 1865, to Miss Melissa S. Watson, late of La Salle County, 111., but for- merly of Connecticut. Her parents are Joseph L. and Elsie A. (Phillips) Watson. To Edgar L. and Melissa S. Fresher is born one child — Josie Lot. lu politics, he is a Republican. He lived one year in Kentland, after coming to this county in Sep- tember, 1867. He has been very successful in business, having had a small start, and was unfortunate in the beginning; he is classed among the thrifty, progressive farmers of the county. He has a beautiful home, handsome residence, good barns, and finely laid out yard, dotted with beautiful evergreens. His farm is well im- proved, reflecting much credit upon its proprietor, and is the result of his own hard labor. GEORGE D. RIDER, luml)er dealer and farmer, Kentland, was born March 7, 1851, in Jasper (now Newton) County, Ind., and is the eldest son of Henry and Mary J. (Enslen) Rider, the former of Stark County, Ohio, the latter of Iroquois County, 111. Henry Rider was three times married; first, December 15, 1842, to Miss Mary Thomas, of Iroquois County, 111. They had two children — Joseph H. (deceased) and Sarah A. (married to Simon Hornet). Mrs. Rider died December 18, 1845, a member of the United Brethren Church. His second marriage, December 18, 1849, was to Miss Enslen, who bore six children— George D., Maria, William A., John P. (de- ceased), Elenora and Flora Z. She died, October 28, 1864, a member of the United Brethren Church. His third marriage, December 20, 1866, was to Mrs. Eliza E. McCollough, who died August 18, 1877. It will be observed that his mar- riages occurred in December, and that his wives were from Iroquois County, 111. Mr. Rider is one of the oldest citizens of this county, having come hither with an uncle in 1836. He is now living with his son in Kentland, aged sixtj^-eight. George D. Rider attended school three months, and later, about six months in the year, and finally the high school at Watseka, 111., where he graduated in 1870, and subse- quently taught ten terms in the counties of Iroquois, 111., and New^ ton, Ind. He had the best success, and taught nearly all that time in one school in his home district. Mr. Rider left the farm in 1875, engaged in the lumber business at Kentland, and continued in this two years, when he sold and returned to the farm he had bought for four years, after which he leased the farm, returned to Kentland, and is again in the lumber business, having the only yard in the town, and has a well-paying trade. April 2, 1872, Mr. Rider married Miss Lizzie Pfrimmer, of this county. They had five children, four living— Cleremout, Lulu, Ethel and Merle ; Homer died in infancy. Mr. Rider is Independent in politics, and is a member of Kentland Lodge. No. 396, I. O. O. F. EDWARD ROOT, farmer and Justice of the Peace, was born February 7, 1818, in Bristol, Conn., and is a son of David and Electa (Roberts) Root, both na- tives of Connecticut. These parents had three children— Charlotte, Maria and Edward. The father died in 1862, aged eighty -four; the mother in 1835, aged fifty- one; they were married December 21, 1803. Edward Root had a common school education, and worked with his father during boyhood. He came West in 1856, with his wife and two children, and settled in Oxford, Benton County, for two years, and moved thence to Iroquois County, 111., where they remained ten years. During this time he served as Postmaster five years, kept hotel, and was Constable a portion of the time. He then came to Kentland, and has been a resident of the town since. He is well located in Kentland, at the corner of Third and Seymour streets, and the surroundings indicate a nice and comfortable home. October 17, 1838, he married Miss Lydia Yale, a descendant of Gov. Yale, of Bristol, Conn. Two children bind this union— Jane Elizabeth and Mary Eliza (now Mrs. Isaac Hardesty). TOWN OF KENTLAND AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 741 SYLVESTER ROOT was born March 9, 1820, in Litchfield County. Conn., and is a son of Abel and Poll}- (Roberts) Root, both natives of Connecticut. The former died in 18")2, a^ed tifty-eij;lit; the latter in 1878, a^ed eighty-five j'ears, both mem- bers of the Pre.sbjterian Church. They had five children, three of whom are living. Sylvester Root attended th* high school of J. C. Covell, in Bristol, for two years, and afterward taught school for several years. At the age of fifteen, he began learning clock-making, in which he continued until twenty-one, and afterward man- ufactured clocks, and sold Yankee Notions in New York. In 1856, he came to New- ton (then Jasper) Count}'. Ind., and settled one and one-lialf miles southwest, on the Van Natta farm, until 18()(i, since which time he has been a resident of Kentland. On the organization of the county, he was appointed Deputy Clerk, and served under Zechariah Spitler four years, Mr. Spitler leaving the office to him. lie was then for five years in the grocery business, and afterward engaged in the lumljcr trade ex- clusively for ten years; for three years past, he has been selling school su[)plies and stationery. In January, 1883, he went to Long Wood, Orange Co., Fla., and is now engaged in making up orange groves. Mr. Root married, in 1847, Miss Mary Ann Hurlburt, of Union ville, Hartford Co., Conn. These parents have four living chil- dren—Franklin S., Mary E., Charles A. and Lieut. Edwin A. (United States Army, Class of 1883). 3lrs. Root died in 1874, aged forty-seven, a member of the Episcopal Church; Mr. Root is a member of the same church, and also of Lodge No. 396, I. (>. O. F.. Kentland. . lie is a Democrat, with strong leaning toward tiie Independ- ents. JOHN SCHMITT, tailor, was born in Reinprovince Preussen Bezirk Trier Kreisse Sarburg Courgernieistrei Nittel June 2s, 1837. He has a good education. At the age of fourteen, he began learning bis trade, and has followed it ever since, ex- cept the time he was in the army of the United States. In 1851, he left Prussia, traveled through France, Belgium, to England, then back to Holland, thence to France, where he worked two j'ears. All this time, nine years, he was working at his trade in different cities to perfect himself in his business. From France he came to the United States in 1860, and was fifty-six days on the passage. He went to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne and to Chicago; in the last city he stayed five years. While there he enlisted, did general guard duty for five months, when he was discharged. In January, 1865, he left New York for Germany. After thirteen days, he arrived at Liverpool, thence to Hull, thence across the Nortli Sea to Ant- werp, thence to Bristol, thence to city of Luxemburg, thence to Trier Citv, wliere he remained four months. There he was married, March 28, 1865, to Miss Ellen Yager, of Gravenmacher, Grand Duchy of Luxemburg. He inunediately returned to Chicago with his bride, and stayed there until 1868; then went to Logansport, re- maining until 1870, when he came to Kentland, where he has been ever since, fol- lowing his business. He is a No. 1 tailor, as well as citizen. He has had ten children, eight of whom are now living — Lizzie, Charlie, Lawrence, Anna, Ellen, Mattie, John and Josephine. Both parents are members of the Catholic Chinch. He is a member of Mcllolland Post, G. A. R. ; in politics, a Democrat. EPIIRAIM SELL, hardware, stove and tinware merchant, was born February 2. 1852. in Adams County, Penn. His parents are Jacob and Harriet (Willet) Sell, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father died in 1S82. at the age of sixty-eight He was a member of the Reform Church, and in iwliticsa Republican. The mothe' is still living in Pennsylvania, at the age of sixty nine, and is a member of the Lu- theran Church. Ephraim had such .school advantages as could be gained by attend- ing school three montiis during the year for six or eight years. He worked on the farm until he was fifteen, when, in the spring of 1867, he went to Columbia City, Whitley Co., Ind. He stayed there only six months, when he took the ague and re- turned home. There he stayed one and one-half years; then, with restored health. 742 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: he came to Newton County in 1869. Mr. Sell, on lii.s first visit to Newton County, did not have an ac(iuaintance here from Pennsylvania. He has passed over the road from Indiana to Pennsylvania nineteen times, and now about thirty families from his neighborhood in Pennsylvania are livintr in Benton and Newton Counties. The past fourteen years, he has been in Kentland. The first three of the fourteen he worked on the farm for A. J. Kent. In August, 1871, he began learning the tin- ner trade with J. W. Williams, now of Rensselaer. He worked for Mr. W. eleven years, three as an apprentice, and eight as journeyman. He bought out Mr. W. in November, 1883, and now he carries the heaviest stock of hardware, stoves and tin- ware of any firm of the kind in the county. Mr. Sell was married to Miss Sarah J. Baughman, of York County, Penn., August, 1878. One child, Jay Cameron, has blest this union, and both parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Republican. ALEXANDER SHARP (deceased) was born in Indiana County, Penn., May 87,1810; was a son of Thomas and Isabella (McCullough) Sharp, both natives of Penn- sylvania, members of the Presbyterian Church, lived to old age, and are buried in Armstrong County, Penn. Alexander, the subject of this sketch, had poor school advantages. At the age of sixteen, he carried the mail, which he continued three years, and subsequently, in 1837, moved to Marion County, Ohio, located on a farm and remained until 1852, when he was elected Treasurer of Marion County, and served the full term, four years. In 1857, he came to Jasper (ripw Newton) County, Ind., settling near Pilot Grove. He farmed until 1860, when Newton Count}' was formed, and he had the honor of being elected Auditor of the new county, which office he held four years, from which time until 1880 he was engaged with the late A. J. Kent as chief advisor and book-keeper. In 1878, he was re-elected Auditor, and held offices until his death, April 9, 1883. In 1837, Mr. Sharp married Miss Mer- cy, daughter of John and Ann Dunbar, of Ashtabula County, Ohio. The former was under Gen. Harrison in the battle of Tippecanoe. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Sharp had five children, viz., Thomas, Joseph, Mary L., Andrew and Alexander. The mother died March 9, 1879. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and from his youth, he was an officer or teacher in the Sunday school. In pol- itics, he was a Democrat. Thomas, the eldest, is a farmer in Dakota; Joseph mar- ried Miss Rettie Stively, of Hardin County, Ohio; Mary L. married in 1873 Levi C- Devlin. Andrew married in 1881 Miss Annette E. Ward, of Ashtabula County, Ohio; Alexander, Jr. married Laura Hoober, of Kentland, Ind., in 1871. In this connec- tion, it may be said in all truth that the official services of Alexander Sharp were efficient and in accordance with his well-known principles of fidelity to public trust. WILLIAM S INCLAIR, Superintendent of Schools, Kentland, was born January 13, 1854, in Sullivan County, Ind., and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Wil- lis) Sinclair, the former a native of Kentucky. He was a farmer, a pioneer, of Sul- livan County, Ind., and the father of nine children, eight of whom7are living. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty years, and a Democrat. Mrs. Sinclair is living in Sullivan County, at the age of fift5'-five; she is a native of Delaware, and has been a member of the Methodist Church nearly forty years. William M. Sinclair had such education as was afforded by country schools, attend- ing ab®ut three months in winter and working the remaining portion of the time. At the age of seventeen, he taught his first school, and for five years he taught in win- ter, attended school in spring and worked in summer and fall. He attended the As- cension Normal and Commercial Institute at Sullivan, Ind., and graduated therefrom in May, 1875, with the honors of his class. He then entered the Evansville Business College, from which he also graduated, his diploma indicating a standing of 99.41. He then engaged as Principal of the Bridgeton Graded Schools one year. In 1876, he was elected Principal of Annapolis Graded School in Parke County, which he TOWN OF KENTLANI) AND JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP— NKU TON (OUNTV. 743 held five successive years, and was then elected Superintendent and Principal of Kentland Public Schools for three years, when he was elected Superinlendcnt of the Monticcllo Pul)iic Schools. Mr. Sinclair has a i^ood record as a teacher, and bids fair to become a leader in his profession. In 1S74, Mr. S. married Miss Caliiui M. Haddon, of Sullivan County, lud. They have two children — Hope and Carlelon B. In politics, he is a Republican. JIRA SKINNER was born May '.2!), 18:38, in Chenango County, N. Y., and is a son of Sidney M. and Naomi (Peck) Skinner, both natives of New York, who are living?, at the advanced ages respectively of seventy-nine and seventy- five. Mr. Sid- nc}' Skinner is a farmer, a Republican, and has taken the New York Tribune since its first issue, then called The Ltxj Cabin. Jira Skinner had such educational ad- vantages as the schools afforded. lie taught one term during his minority, and the remaining time worked on tlic farm. A' came to Newton County, Ind., in April, 1860. He was engaged in farming until his enlistment in October, 1861, in Company B, Fifty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Col. A. D. Streigiit. The regi- ment camped at Indianapolis until December, wdien they started South and took part in the battle of Stone River — the only hard battle in which he took part — and was discharged the following April for disubilit}\ Mr. S. returned to Newton County, and, after regaining health sufliciently, engaged in farming and stock-rais- ing in McClellan Township. December 12, 1867, he married Miss Lizzie A. Tim- raons. of McClellan Township. Subsequently, he moved to Morocco and engaged in selling goods and carpentering, and was working at the bench when he received his appointment, March, 1873, as Sheriff of the county. He then moved to Kent- land, where he has since resided. Since that time, he has been twice re-elected, making a successive term of nearl}'^ six years — perhaps tlie longest on record. Mr. S. is a Royal Arch Mason of Kentland Chapter, No 89; a member of Kentland Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; also of K. of P., Damon Lodge, No. 72, and he was the first Past Chancellor of that lodge; in all of these he has had office, and has represinted the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. in the Grand Lodge. His wife died in April, 1877, leaving three small children— Sidney G., Frank E. and Olivia J. In politics, he is Republican. ELAM G. SMITH, druggist, Kentland, was born September 14, 1838, in Portage County, Ohio, and is the eldest in a family of five, two of whom are living. David and Catharine (Richards) Smith, his parents, are natives of Stark County, Ohio, the former still living at the age of seventy-one, in Cleveland, Ohio; the latter died in 1860. both active members of the M. E. Church. Mr. S. was steward and leader in his church for many years. Elam G. had a common school education, attendetl a seminary at Franklin Mills two terms, and Oberlin College three terms. He taught in winter, and worked and handled stock in summer. In 18!'»0, Mr. S. married Miss Sarah A. Neisz, of Stark Counly, Ohio, and in November, 1861, Mr. S., with his brother-in-law, started for Newton County, Ind., in a two-liorse covered wagon, through swamps, over corduroy bridges and througli dense forests of Western Ohio and Eastern Indiana, taking a hard 27. 1869) and Clara Mary. Mr. War-* ren resides at Cherry Grove, near Kontland. JOHN WELDON. farmer, was born June V2, 1809, in .Meath County, Ireland. In Januarv. 1832, he married Bridget Mead, of the same county, and emigrated the same year, landing at Quebec after a fortj'-two days' voyage. Thence went to Plattsburg, N. Y., and worked one j'ear for the father of Gen. Halleck; for this service they together received $16 per month. They moved from New York in 1838, and since he has worked on the farm. In 1849, he bought land in Grundy County, 111., where he remained until 1877, when he came to Benton County, Ind.; he has since bought in Newton County. He now owns 160 acres of good land one and one-half miles east of Kentland. and is classed among the best farmers of the county. He is the father of seven children — James (killed at the battle of Shiloh), John, Margaret, Thomas, David, Kate and Nancy. Mrs. Weldon died April 21, 1872, aged si.xty-two. a member of the Catholic Church. Kate Weldon married, in 1868, Charles McNoun, a native of Canada; they have si.\ children. Miss Nanc}- Weldon married, in 1879, Fred Simons, of Utica, N. Y. ; they have three children, viz., Willie, Johnnie and Mary. Messrs. Simons and McNoun each own one-quarter section of land two miles east of Kentland. Their land is well improved, and joins that of Mr. Weldon. They are good farmers, and all are Greenbackers. NATHANIEL WEST, farmer, was born in Salem, Mass., October 15, 1815, and is a son of Nathaniel and Mary B. (White) West, both natives of Mas.sachusetts, wlio had eight children, three of whom are living. They moved West in 1836, and settled in Indianapolis. The father died in 1842, aged fifty-seven; the mother in 18")9, aged fifty-eight. Botii were members of the Unitarian Church. Nallianiel West had good educational adv.mtages, being able to enter the freshman da.ss at Harvard College at the age of fifteen, and from which he graduated with eighty-two others in the Class of 1H34, there bi-ing but one younger than Mr. West. For al)out ten years he was manager in the farming :ind milling business in Indianapolis, and subsecjuently engaged in real estate, in wliich lie continued in that city until 1860, when he came to Newton Count}-, .settling in Kentland, and still continuing the real estate imtil 1868; when he was elected Clerk of the Court of Newton County, on the Independent ticket. He held this office near three years, when he resigned in favor of Andrew Hall, the newly elected Clerk. Mr. West owned a farm of 240 acres southwest of Kentland, and, desiring to improve it, he moved from Kentland about that time, and has continued there. He is well located, with evidence of a 748 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: retired, happy home. He was first married, in 1843, to Miss Esther J. Harvey, of Wayne County. They had one child, Francis, who died in 1878. The mother died in 1845, aged twenty-two, a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. West was next married, in 1859, to Miss Elizabeth A. Cook, of Indianapolis, to which union have been born eight children, all living — Lillie, Charles H., William, Alexander L., Ada, Clara, Mary and Howard, the first being the first child born in Keutland. Mrs. West is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. West is a Democrat. JULIEN N. WHITE, farmer, was born February 16, 1861, in Will County, 111. He is the son of Timothy and Joan (Witherell) White, natives of Massachu- setts. The father died in January, 1881, aged fifty-eight; the mother in 1863. Three children were born to these parents — Edwin, Arthur and Julien. Mr. White was married twice, the second time to Isabel Anderson, of New York, by whom he had five children, three of whom are now living — Ella,Nettie and Alfred; the deceased are Almira, in January, 1882, aged seventeen years; and Rosa Bell, in 1875, aged one year. Mrs. White died in 1877, aged about thirty-four. Julien N. had a fair edu- cation, and worked on his father's farm during most of his boyhood days. At the age of eighteen, he went to Kansas with two horses and a wagon, and spent one year, besides considerable money. He then settled to business on the farm. Sep- tember 11, 1883, he married Miss Ella Littlejohn, daughter of William Littlejohn, late of Newton County. They have one child — Willie. Mr. White owns a small farm, and has a bright prospect for his years. In politics, he is a Republican. GEORGE W. WHITE, farmer and stock-dealer, deserves notice in the history of the county. He was born July 1, 1827, in Hamilton County, Ohio, a son of Reu- ben and Cornelia (Brocaw) White, natives of Ohio. The father died March 3, 1875, aged seventy-five; he was a farmer, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Republican. The mother died March 30, 1870, in her sixty-seventh year, also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had six children, three of whom, Joseph, George and Richard, are living. Joseph lives in Franklin County, Ark., and Richard in San Diego County, Cal. George W. White attended school and worked on the farm during his bojiiood, and began for himself when twenty- one- He rented while in Ohio, but bought in this county in 1847, moved hither in 1856, and settled on the Iroquois River for twenty-six yeai's, after which he removed to where he now lives, three miles northeast of Kentland.in 1882. He owns 600 acres of improved land, showing that he has been successful; he is now nicely located. Jul'. 4, 1855, he married Miss Jane Myers, of Newton County. Her step-father is Col. John Myers, a soldier of the war of 1813. These parents have had eight children — Charlie, William H. (deceased), Sherman, Effie Priscilla, Jacob A., Ida G., Nora. and James (deceased). Mr. White is a Republican. JOHN WHITEAKKER, farmer, was born February 8, 1833, in Fayette County, Ind. His parents are Thomas and Elizabeth (Seward) Whiteakker, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter born at North Bend, Ohio, in a block fort, while the Indians without were doing their murderous work. The father was farmer and hunter, a private in the war of 1812, and one of the early pioneers of Indiana. About the year 1833, he made a trip from Fayette County to the Wabash. It re- quired .seventeen days to go and return on foot. In making this trip, he did not see a white man, nor did he sleep in house or tent. The first human being he saw was an Indian chief, whom he shot and killed instanter. Soon after, he met two Indi- ans who asked him for slugs (bullets) ; he took from his pouch a handful of bullets, dropping them into their hands in such a way that they fell through their fingers into the leaves. They stooped to pick them up, and while in that stooping position he drew from his breast inside pocket a tomahawk, and killed them both before they arose. He died near Indianapolis that same year, at the age of about forty. He was twice married. The second marriage was about the year 1818, to Miss Sew- ard. By her he had three children— Ruth, John and Sarah A. The mother died TOWN OF KENTLAND ANU JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTV. 749 April 28, 1873, aged eighty-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. Whiteakkcr, on his eighteenth birthday, started for Benton County, with his cousin Jo.seph 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 horse, saddle and bridle, f50 in money, and three suits (two everyday and one "freedom suit"). He invested his earnings in Xewton (then Jasper) County, where lie now lives, four and one half miles northwest of Kentlaiul; this was in 1847. He paid -fO per acre for thirty acres of timber and forty of prairie. He now owns 227 acres in Xewton Count}', eighty in Knox County, and eighty acres in Osborn Count}-. Kan. He has been very suc- cessful in business, and is classed among the responsible, well-to-do farmers of the count}'; 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 Sarali Smith, of Benton Coun- ty. They had three children — Elizabeth, Hannah and Thomas. Hannah died September 22, 1851, aged two years; Thomas died September 17, 1852, aged one year. Mrs. Sarah Williams died August 27, 1852, 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, 18.55, aged eight n:onths. The mother died December 21, 1857, aged twenty-seven; she was a mem- ber of the Christian Church. Mr. Whiteakker had the misfortune to lose his house by fire January 9, 1883. The 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, 1827, in Fayette County, Ind., and i>< a son of Samuel and Susan (Hacklemau) Williams. The father died about 1841 ; the mother in 18G8, aged eighty-eight years. The}"^ had six children. Addison had poor school advantages, and worked for his father, and later by the month a few years; earned a team, and subsequently bought forty, then eighty, then 320, then 200, acres, since which he "has backed 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 wealthy and re.'^pected 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). ICsther married William Staton Decem- ber 25. 1871. and died February 15. 1873, aged seventeen and one-half years; Leah married Charles Cleaner, of Illinois; Carpenter married Mary Murray, of New York; Su-isan married (ieorge D. Major, of Ohio; Thomas married Vina Wilson, of Illi- nois; Martha married George Schyver. of Ohio. Mrs. Williams died suddenly, July 30, 1882, 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 Octoi)er 11, 1848. in Lehigh County, Penn. His parents were Aaron and Mary (Moyer) Wilt, both natives of Pennsylvania, where llie former 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 Heformi'd (Miurch. They had eight children, five of whom are living. Joseph J. Wilt in youth attended school and worked on the farm; at eighteen began work in the mill: he served one year, and as .^^econd miller for five years; then went to eiigineeiiiig. in which he has been engaged eleven years, and in tlie Kentland Mill as engineer eight years, which is proof of his elliciency, especi.illy as he has never been the cause of an accident, having few equals and no superiors in his vocation. In 18(59, he married Miss Louisa Stowe, of Wliite Coun- ty, Ind. Theirehildren were MoUie E., Almira E. and Lulu May; Mollie E. died in 750 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: July, 1873, aged nine months. Mrs. Wilt is a member of the M. E. Church, and Mr. Wilt is a Democrat. ABRAJVI G. WITHROW, farmer, was born August 7, 1833, in Butler County, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Grafft) 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 Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, in the 75,000 call; re-enlisted, and died at Jefferson Barracks, February, 1863, aged twenty-seven. Mrs. Withrow died in 1854— a member of the Metliodist 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 3, 1871, aged eighty years. Abram G. Withrow worked on the farm and attended school until he was twenty-three, and later farmed near Dayton, Ind. January 1, 1869, he married Theressa Williams, of Will County, 111. After marriage he settled near Dayton and i-emained until the following October, then went to Illinois, remaining until the next March, then moved to Butler County, Ohio, where he remained twelve years, and moved to Newton County, Ind., August, 1873, to the farm he now owns. He is a respected, progressive farmer, and the father of seven children— Samuel J., James L., Leroy C, Robert C. L. (deceased), Anna E., Joseph C. (deceased), and Walter A. Both parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Withrow is a Republican. CLARK A. WOOD, wagon and carriage maker, was born January 13, 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 1857; and engaged in building the lirst sulkj^ corn-plows in this county, made for Amos White. In 1858, he built the stock barns of A. J. Kent, and later moved to Momence; thence to La Fayette in 1859, where he remained until 1861, then returned to Newton Countj% built a house, arranged for his family, and enlisted in Company E, Ninety-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Au- gust 11, 1863. The regiment did guard duty on the Memphis & Charleston Rail- road, and in 1863 went to Vicksburg under Sherman, and thence to Jackson. They were also in the battle of Mission Ridge, the Atlanta campaign of 104 days; thence " from Atlanta to the sea ;" thence to Washington, and took part in the grand re- view, and thence to Indianapolis, where they were mustered out. Mr. Wood opened a wagon shop with Mr. Leaming in Kentland, and continued two years, when, his health failing, he went into business with William Ross, and continued two years, and then into Kent's store. In 1879, he opened his carriage and wagon shop, and has continued since, doing good work and a good business. April 29, 1858, Mr. Wood married Miss Elizabeth Moore, of Newton County. They had two children — Hubert J. and Clark A. Mrs. Wood died November 30, 1865, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, though raised in the Quaker faith. Mr. Wood next married Mrs. Sarah J. Test, daughter of G. B. Myers, of White County, Ind. She had one daughter — Lizzie Gertrude Test. The children of the second marriage are Matta M., Lillie B. and Mezzie C. The parents are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. Wood is a member of the Masonic fraternity, McHoUand Post, G. A. R. He is also a Republican. TOWN OF GOODLAND AND GRANT TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 751 TOWN OF GOODLAND AND GRANT TOWNSHIP. WILLIAM BANES, gentTal iiRTchiint, was born in the Dominion of Canada on June 29, IKW, and is the third of tlie ten cliildien of William and Betsy Ana (Mills) Banes, and is of English de.seent. His parents were born in England — his father in Yorkshire, his mother in Devonshire. They still reside in Canada. Our subject came to the States when he was sixteen j'ears old, and began life on his own responsibility. He came to Benton County, and worked on a farm bj' the month for William Mills, an uncle. In 1871, he began clerking in a store at Remington, Ind.. being engaged in that duty for nine years, 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 f(5,000 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 county. J. W. BEAR is a native of Carroll County, 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 County, where she still resides. Mr. Bear's early education was confined to the common schools of Carroll Count)^ but through his own efforts he has acquired a thorough business education. When but fourteen years of age, he commenced life for him.self. 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. Railway. 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 $37.50, given him bj' his fatlier, and is now worth $8,000, all made by his own exertion. His marriage took place centennial year. May 17, to Emily M. McCurry, a native of Jefferson County, Ind., and , at Washington. D. C. In 1867, he came to In- it again the fol- lowing year rame 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 27, to Augu.sla M.. daughter of William and Minnie Geier. They have four children— Albert W.. Emily J., Arthur 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 and an iuHuential citizen. N. C. WICIvWISE, farmer, is a native of Connecticut, born August 20, 1818, son of Oliver and Mary (Gibbs) Wickwise, and of Irish 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 ho remained six years: he then went to Kendall County, 111., living there until 1873, when he came ^o Grant Township, and bought 160 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 O., Henry A., George II. and Marshall T., all of whom are dead; Clark O. died at Murfreesboro of wounds received in the battle of Stone River in 1862. Mrs. Wickwi.se died in March, 1850. Mr. Wickwise was next married the following August to Elizabeth Crandell. Five children were born to them— Francis, Elnora, Chestf-r W., Clara, and an infant that died unnamed. Mrs. Wickwise died in 1869. In 1870, Mr. Wickwise 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 marriage took place November 30, 1881, to Emily J. Reed, of Connecticut. He is a Republican, and cast 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, 1858, 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 Township. 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 Julia Hayer. One child is the fruit of this union — Newton O. 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, anri)oration of Goodland, and 766 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: another 100 acres near the town. He has been successful as a farmer. He is a Re- publican in politics; cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. Ilis 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 1804 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 Goodland, engaging here also in the jewelry business, and remained eighteen months, then went to Deuel County, Dak., and engaged in same business, combining with it that of hardware. In July. 1883, he returned to Indiana, and on the 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 were 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 successful 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 Elmyra (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, 1876, he entered the employ of the Pan Handle Railway Company, first at Kentland, then 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 Pan Handle Company since 1876. 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. 767 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. JAMES ARCHIBALD was born in Monti^omery County, Ohio, January 23, 1819. He is the son of Robert and Elizabeth (McCormack) Archibald, who were born in Pennsylvania. His gnndfather on his father's side was a Revolutionary Boldier. In 1832. 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 21, 184r), 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, Flor- 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 oOO acres under cultivation, and 600 mostly in pasture. He keeps about sixty head 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 AR(;HIBALI), 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, where 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 teachers 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 II. 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 the'land they entered, his father in 18(59, 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 BRIDGE.MAN. son of Michael and Mary Bridgeman, was born November 19, 1818, in Harrison County, Ind., where his parents were early 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 to Ilot-hester, and then to Carroll County, where Ephraim cleared land by the acre. Here he saved some money, and when twenty-one years of age bought forty acres of land in Pulaski County, which he still owns. On June 21, 1840, he married Elizabeth Exly, of Butler County, Ohio, and two children were born to them — John (who was a soldier 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 was a member of the United Brethren Church. On April 16,1846, he married Joanna Doty, of Warren County, Ind. They have had the following children : Joseph Otterbein (who was a soldier in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Indiana Infantry Volunteers), Ephraim, David W., Levi (decea.sed), Michael (decea.sed), Sarah C. 'de- ceased), Daniel Wainscot and George E. Soon after his first marriage, in 1840, he bought eighty acres in Section 1", Washington Township, Jasper (now Newton) County. He improved this land and now owns 280 acres, as fine a farm as there is in the township. In 1869, 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, 1834, 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 1857, 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, 1862, he enlisted in C'ompany E, Ninetj^-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infan- try (Col. Fowler). He participated in the battles of Tullahoma, 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 to 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 1862, and subsequently typhoid fever. From the effects of the former he still suifers, and probably always will do so. He then came to where he now re- sides (Section 5), and opened out a farm; he owns 120 acres of land, 100 acres of which are improved. Mr. John Brown was married, October 19, 1867,to Miss Susan Johnston, of Greene County, Ohio. They have two children — Eva and Edwin; he and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Brown is a Republican. THOMAS BUSWELL, an old Virginia gentleman, the son of George and Sarah (Whaley) Buswell, was born July 3, 1817; his father was born in Shenandoah County February 27, 1774, his mother in Westmoreland County January 15. 1775. The father was a farmer in Virginia, and was married September 29, 1796. Thomas Buswell attended a country school until he was twenty years of age; then entered an academy, and afterward worked on his father's farm. On December 22, 1840, he married Rebecca Spitler, daughter of Abraham Spitler, of Vii'ginia. To thiS union have been born eight children — Sarah E. (deceased), George D., Mary E. (de- ceased), Susan E. (deceased), Wesley T., Abraham W. (deceased), William M., and John Z. (deceased). He remained on the home farm until 1864, when he moved a short distance from the same. In 1868, he disposed of the old homestead in Vir- ginia, and came to this township, and settled on Section 30, where, in 1846, he had purchased several hundred acres of wild land. While in Virginia he was a member of the Legislature four years in the Upper and four years in the Lower House; WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 769 was a member of the Virginia Militia before the war, and in tliat organization liild positions from Lieutenant up to Major General: he resi^^ned in 1^60, on the disband- ment of the militia. In 1861, he was elected Lieutenant Colonel of a regiment of Virginia troops, and served till they were disbanded; his wife is a member of the Baptist Church; he is a stanch Democrat, politically, lie is now living in his comfortable home, his three remaining children, happily married, residing near him. GEORGE D. BUSWELL, son of Thomas and Rebecca (Spitler) Buswell, was born in Page County, Va., November 27, 1843; he went to school in the pioneer log house, and worked on the farm till he was eighteen years of age, then entered the academy in Rockingham County, Va. At the breaking-out of the war, he enlisted as a Lieutenant in the Ninety-seventh Virginia (Confederate) Infantry, and later in the Second Virginia Troop. After a service of nine months he resigned, and in 1862 he volunteered in the Thirty-third Virginia (Confederate) Infantry, as a private, and at the battle of Malvern Hill was severely wounded. lie was then promoted to Second Lieutenant, and was afterward wounded at the battle of Spott.sylvania Court House. After his recovery from the last wound, he remained at home on the farm. In 1868, he came with his father's family to their Indiana home. On Febru- ary 16, 1869, he married Florence A. Bell, daughter of Reuben P. Bell, of Virginia. Six children have been born to them — R. Lee. Annie R., Abraham T., Nannie Bell, Carrie E. and Mattie M. He is farming on 160 acres in Section 30, and has a fine house built on 40 acres purchased by his wife, and all is well improved. Adjoining his father's is the farm of his brother, Wesley T. Buswell, who, on February 28, 1871, married Sallie V. Hattel, daughter of .Tared Hattel, of Virginia. They have four children— Thomas J., Charley W., Mary P. and Sarah M. He is living in a comfortable house, and is a good farmer; he raises some stock. REV. WILLIAM M. BUSWELL. son of Thomas and Rebecca (Spitler) Buswell, was born in Page County, Va., on February 26. IHol. In his youth he attended a country school, and at intervals labored on the farm; he then attended the Roanoke College at Salem, and for about three years was a student of the Luray County Academy. In 1868, he came with his father's familj^ to Washington Township. Newton County, Ind. In 1S69, he was granted a certificate, and taught school two terms in this township; he then entered Wabash College, remaining there one year, after which he again taught school. On August 13, 1872, he married Melissa M. Harritt, daughter of William and Catharine (Myers) Ilarritt, who came to Newton County in 1840, and were among the first .settlers of Washington Township. ISIr. Harritt died October 18, 1879. Our subject and his wife have had these children — Minnie Laura (deceased). John. William Ilamtt and Weaver. In 1874, he became a member of, and in 1878 he was licensed to preach in the United Brethren Church. In 1879. he was given charge of the Watseka (111.) Circuit, and in IHSO he took charge of the Sheldon United Brethren Church, and is located at the town of Shel- don, 111., where he is living in his comfortable home, purchased some time ago; his wife is a member of the church; her mother, Mrs. Harritt, is making her home with them. VALENTINE C. COX, son of William and Ann (Agherington) Cox. was born June 21, 1828, in Delaware County, Ohio. His father was born in England, his mother in Pennsylvania, and they were early settlers in Ohio. Our suVtject went to school and worked on a farm until he was about eighteen j'ears old. Then he employed himself at harne.'ecanoe County, Ind., having gone thither in 1833. John B. Foresman lived with his parents until 1H.")5, when he married Miss Minerva Davis. They have nine living children— William D., Frederick R., Alice, 780 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Ida, Mary, Mattie, Nettie, John B. and Frank. After marriage, Mr. Foresman rented 200 acres of land, and afterward, by means of his savings, purchased 193 acres, and this he exchanged for 490 acres, giving as a difference the sum of $3,000. To this land he added until he now owns 650 acres, of his present farm, and 200 south of Goodland, which he gave to his son William D. Mr. Foresman has usu- ally from 100 to 200 heads of hogs, and is a large and constant shipper. He has perhaps the largest tile manufactory in the State, with a capacity for making 6,500 daily. WILLIAM FORESMAN, manufacturer of drain tile, is a native of the State of Ohio, but was early brought to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where his boyhood was passed. He resided on the home farm with his parents until he was married to Miss Jeanette Peters, daughter of J. A. Peters, who is now living, aged seventy-three years. This union was happy in the number of five children — Charles, R. B., William, Marcus and Harvey. Mr. Foresman lived and farmed in Macon County. 111., until 1880, at which time he removed to his present location. In that year he entered into partnership with his brother, J. B. Foresman, to which business he has ^iven his whole attention. The factory for making tile, in which our subject has a half interest, has a capacity for making 6,500 tiles daily. Besides the domestic trade, they ship largely, and their production is thought to be the best in the market. HENRY T. GRIGGS, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Morris, Grundy Co., 111., was born October 29, 1845, and is the fifth of the six children of Peter M. and Catharine (Moore) Griggs, both natives of Pennsylvania, and pioneers of Grun- dy County, where they improved two farms, and where Mr. Griggs died in 1849; Mrs. Griggs is yet living at Piper City, 111. Henry T. Griggs enlisted January 2, 1864, in Company C, Seventy-sixth Regiment Illinois Infantry; he was in the battle of Mobile, in several skirmishes, and was discharged June 6, 1866. March 30, 1869, he married Miss Clara, daughter of Peter Retterath, which union was honored with two children — Fraukie (deceased) and Ella. In 1868, Mr. Griggs purchased 140 acres of his present farm, to which, he added until he has 440 acres of very excellent land, with a fine frame house and other desirable improvements, including three miles of beautiful hedge*. Mr. Griggs raises and ships considerable stock, 45 to 50 head of cattle, 50 to 75 head of hogs, and 10 to 15 head of horses per year; he also raises from 4,000 to 5,000 bushels of corn, 1,000 to 1,500 bushels of oats, and 200 to 400 bushels of flax. He is a prosperous farmer. J. R. HERSHMAN, farmer and Township Trustee, was born in Benton Count}'- Ind., in 1848, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Edmoudson) Hershman, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Tennessee. Jacob Hershman was an early settler of Hamilton County, Ind., of which his father was a pioneer. J. R. Hershman passed his boyhood in White County, and remained at home until, in 1871, he married Miss Hannah, daughter of John Lyons, a pioneer of Newton County, who died in 1863. Mrs. Hershman is a native of Newton County. For the first year after his marriage, Mr. Hershman rented a farm, and afterward purchased eighty acres of his present home, to which he later added forty acres, the same constituting a fine farm, con- taining comfortable buildings and desirable improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Hershman are the parents of two children — Ray and Lloyd. Mr. Hershman is a member of the Republican party, and was elected Township Trustee, first in 1880, and again in 1882; he is a much respected citizen. ■ EDWIN- G. HOFF, farmer, is a native of Will County, 111., and is a son of Horace and Sarah A. Hoff ; the former died in Joliet, the latter resides in Chicago, aged seventy-three, the wife of a Mr. Morrison, whom she married when seventy years of age. Mr. Hoff was owner of 16'J acres in Will County, which he sold and came to his present location. He was married in Will County to Miss Caroline, a daughter of Edward and Rosella (Searls) Law, and born September 1, 1846. Five IROQUOIS TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 781 children followed this union — Evelyn, Florence, Caroline (deceased), Horace, and Rostlla (deceased) Mr. llofl has a fine prairie fann of IGO acres, with 300 rods of hediie, which he has owned since IMHl. He raises from 2,i)00 to 3,000 bushels of corn, and about 1,200 l)ushels of oats annually; he also raises some Hereford cattle, the finest stock of the world, from fifty to seventy-tive hogs a year, and has six working horses. Mr. Hoff is an excellent man, and one of the representative farm- ers of the township. MORRIS A. JONES is a native of Ross County, Ohio, his parents being Cor- nelius and Matilda (Minshall) Jones, likewise natives of Ohio. Cornelius Jones was a farmer, and died in this county ?n 1858; Mrs. Jones is yet living, about seventy years of age. Morris A. Jones remained in Ohio until ten years old, when his par- ents moved to this county, and here he has since lived, except the time spent in the service. In 1864, he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served one and a half years. He took part at Res- aca. Peach Tree Creek, in the Atlanta campaign, and at Gold.sboro. X. C, and was mustered out at Indianapolis. In 1868, in Newton County, he married ^liss Sarah Whittaker, daughter of James Whittaker, and a native of this State. From this union have descended three ciiildren — Minnie I., Ezra G. and Edith A. Mr. Jones has resided on his rented farm of ninety-two acres since the year 1871. A. C. LESTER, farmer, is a native of Parke County, Ind., was born February 10, 1823, and is a son of Joseph E. and Elizabeth (Phillips) Lester, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of North Carolina. They were pioneers of their county, and their neighbors Were Indians, one of whom made his home with Joseph Lester, who died on the homestead in 1832, as did Mrs. Lester, in 1848. Our sub- ject's youth was passed in the wilds of his native county. In 1843, in Vermillion County, Ind., he married Miss Malinda, daughter of Philip French, and a native of Butler County, Ohio. By said union were born eight children — Adaline, Henrietta, Stanton P., Sarah ()., Felix, Mary, John (deceased), and Flora. Mr. Lester rented land for three years in Vermillion County, afterward in Newton County for one year, and later pre-empted his present farm of 160 acres, which he improved by tree-planting, particularly walnut trees; he has also 500 rods of hedge, a good grapery, and some of the best fencing in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Lester are members of the Church of God, of which the former has been an Elder and Deacon for many years. JOHN LOWE, farmer and stock-dealer, is a native of Tennessee, and came witli his parents, about 1848, to Jasper County, of which his father was a pioneer, and where betook a claim, made some improvements, and later removed to another part of the county; he improved. in all, three farms, and is now a resident of Kentland. In 1861, John Lowe enlisted in (Company B, Fift3'-first Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was engaged at the battles of Perryville and Munfordsville, and on the forced march of Gen. Buell from Stevenson, Ala., to Louisville, Ky. After fif- teen months' .service, he was discharged on account of illness. In 1863, he married Miss Keziah Jones, daughter of Cornelius Jones. This union was honored with four children— Charles C, M. E., Bennett and Greenberry G. Mr. Lowe has a fine and productive farm. He usually plants 100 acres of corn, raises from fifty to sixty tons of hay, 200 head of hogs, and seventy-five to eighty head of cattle every year, be- sides 1,200 to 1,5(K) bushels of oats. DAVID E. LOAVE, dealer in drugs and groceries, Foresman Station,'is a native of Tennessee, born in 1847, and a son of Francis and Sarah (Keeiicy) Lowe, both natives of North Carolina. Francis Lowe was a pioneer of Jasper County, he now resides at Kentland. David lived with liis parents vmtil 1H75. when he married Miss Ella Smith, daughter of Nathaniel Smitii, an early settler of Newton County, of whicli Ijer grandfather was a pioneer, who is yet living, and more than eighty years 782 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: of age. Mr. and Mrs. Lowe have three children — May, Lola and Clarence. After his marriage, Mr. Lowe farmed for three years, and thereafter began his present business — first at Brook, a village in Iroquois Township, where he remained three years. Mr. Lowe has the only drug store at Foresman Station, where he sold the first bill of goods in February, 1882; the post office is connected with his present business. He is an upright, fair-dealing man, and hopes thereby for a continuance and increase of patronage. AARON LYONS is a native of what is now Newton County, was born in 1832, and is a son of John and Anna (Jones) Lyons; the father of Virginia, the mother of Ohio, who were pioneers of Newton County, to which they moved about the year 1831, and where Aaron passed his boyhood on the paternal farm. About 1853, Aaron purchased a half interest in 1865 acres, and in the same year married, in Newton County, Miss Sarah Smith, a native of Benton County, by which union were born six children— Anna, Ella, Grace, Luther, Flora and Arthur. Mr. Lyons now sold his tract of land and purchased his present farm, first of 160 acres, to which he made an addition of thirty acres, the whole being 190 acres, with 200 rods of hedge. He has served two terras as Treasurer of the township, when three constituted the board. Mr. Lyons plants from fifty to sixty acres of corn, twenty-five to twenty-eight of oats; raises about twenty-five tons of hay, and handles about fifty head of cattle and twenty-five head of horses annually, with about six for farm use. J. B. LYONS, farmer and stock-dealer, is a native of Newton County, born Feb- ruary 23, 1845, and is the eldest child of Samuel and Margaret Lyons, the former being a farmer. Our subject was married in this county to Miss Mary C. Hess, a daughter of Andrew Hess, likewise a farmer. Mr. Lyons purchased eighty acres of his present home in 1868, and has since added 120 acres thereto, making, in totality, 200 acres of very excellent farming land and a comfortable home; there are also, as improvements, commodious buildings, and 500 rods of Osage hedge. Mr. Lyons is a successful and prosperous farmer, and has served foxiv years as Township Trustee. Mr. and Mrs. Lyons are parents of six children — Lawrence E., Oliver P., Fred, Elsie, Elmer and Lulie. JAMES McCLINTOCK, farmer and minister, is a native of Ireland, and the third of five children born to Robert and Nancy McClintock, also natives of Ireland. His mother died in 1848, and in 1850 his father emigrated to America, where he died in 1878. James McClintock was brought up to linen making, which he abandoned after coming to this country. In 1855, he married Miss Margaret G., daughter of Simeon and Nancy Avrett. Simeon Avrett was an Illinois pioneer, and is supposed to have shot Joseph Smith. Mr. and Mrs. McClintock were parents of six children — Robert S. (deceased), William H., James B. (deceased), Sarah E. (deceased), Ida M. and Cecil J. (deceased). Mr. McClintock is a minister of the M. P. Church, and was an itinerant for fourteen years. He afterward rented a farm for five years in Iroquois County, 111., and removed to his present farm in this township in August, 1870, where he had purchased eighty acres in 1869, since which period he has pur- chased and inherited 160, making 240 in all— a very good and desirable farm. Presi- dent Arthur's father and Mr. McClintock were reared within five miles of each other. A. J. MONTGOMERY, farmer, was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., and is a son of John and Jane (McMillin) Montgomery, the father a native of Virginia, the mother of Tennessee. They were pioneers of Tippecanoe County, where the latter died. About 1833, Mr. Montgomery removed to Newton County, and purchased a farm, which he improved; he is yet living, at the age of eighty-two, and resides in Kentland. Our subject was married to Miss Mary Dewese, a native of Ohio, who died about 1868. He next married, in 1871, Miss Eliza, daughter of Nelson and Amanda (Blankenbeker) Conn, all natives of Kentucky. Mr. Montgomery is the IROQUOIS TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 783 parent of three children — Charles E., John and James N. He "owned 260 acres at one time, twenty of which were timber, thd rest very fine prairie land; this he sold, and has occupied since 18G3 his farm of 190 acres. Mr. Montgomery raises largely of hogs and cattle, also of oats: he has many improvements, including 160 rods of beau- tiful hedge. LEANDER REED (deceased farmer), was a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, and a son of William and Prudence (Doty) Reed, the fonner a native of Virginia, the latter of Ohio. William Reed shipped the first load of tan bark to La Fayette, and was a pioneer of Tippecanoe County. Leauder Reed was a partner with his father in boating previous to his marriage, which took jilace in Tippecanoe County. to Miss 3Iary, daughter of Henry Stair, a farmer and pioneer of that county, where he ended his life. Mr. Reed first purchased fifty acres adjoining his father-in-law, later bought sevent}' acres, and inherited forty; of this lie sold ninety, and purchased 157 acres of his present farm about 1870, on which he lived until death closed his labors, in 1873. He was the parent of ten children— Mary E., W. H., E. F., T. M., C. A., Sarah E., L. L., C. A., W. P. and P. O. Mrs. Reed is living on the home- stead, which is cultivated and managed by her eldest son, W. H. Reed. JOHN W. SAPP, farmer, is a native of Madison County, Ohio, and was born in 1886, his parents being Thomas and Nancy Sapp, the father a native of Pennsj'l- vania, the mother of Ohio. They were pioneers of Henry County, Ind., and both died on the same da}' in 1879. The boyhood of John W. Sapp was passed on his parents" farm. In 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and continued in the service until December 24, 1864; he was in action at Stone River, Chickamauga, and through tlie Atlanta campaign; he was wounded at Atlanta, and also at Chickamauga. In Henry County, Ind., he married Miss Theresa, daugliter of George Rogers. Mr. Sapp's first location of land was on forty-two acres in Iowa; his second on forty acres in Grant County, Ind.; his third on land rented in Henry County, Ind.; and finally on his present location, where he first purchased ten acres, and has added thereto until it aggregates 120 acres, and is adorned with a fine residence. Mr. and Mrs. Sapp have six children — William H., George R., John W., Nelson M., James W. and S. Mabel. GEORGE L. SAWYER was born in January, 1843, and is a son of Louis and Rebecca Sawyer, pioneers of Illinois, where thej' made and improved a farm. George enlisted in 1863, in Company I, Sixty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, and afterward in the Ninety-first Regiment. He was injured by a railway accident on the way to Chi- cago, thus being rendered unfit for dut\', and, after h'ing for three months at Joliet, he returned home. In March, 1866, at Ottawa, 111., lie married Mi.ss Millie Dyke, a natire of La Salle County, 111., by which marriage he became the parent of .-^ix chil- dren—Fred, Frank, Ida M. (deceased). Addle, Carl L. and Iva M. In 1866, Mr. Sawyer purchased eightj' acres in Illinois, which, after three j'ears, he sold and re- moved to Kansas, where he remained one year. He then returned, and in 1872 piu'- chased eighty acres of his present place, which, by additions, he has enlarged to 200 acres, which is good, productive prairie land. Mr. Sawyer handles from 30 to 40 head of cattle, and 60 to 70 head of hogs annually; he produces in corn from 3,000 to 4,000 bushels, in oats about 800 bushels, and keeps from 12 to 15 head of horses. JOHN SHAEFFER, fanner and stock-raiser, was born in Berks County, Penn., in 1824. His parents were George and Maria (Baddorf) ShaefTer, the former a native of Lancaster, the latter of Lebanon Count}'. Penn. Mrs. ShaefTer died in Berks, and Mr. Shaefifer in Lancjuster County, Penn. John ShaefTer passed his youth in Ins native county. In 1850, he married Miss Auguslina Schlascnuin, of Berks County, who died three years to a day from date of marriage, leaving two children — .lames and Agnes. His second marriage was to MissSarali Sclilaseinan. sister <>{ his former 784 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: wife, who also gave being to two cliildren — Wilson and Malinda. While in Berks County. Mr. Shaeffer purchased eight acres, which lie sold, and removed to Henry County, Ind., where he rented land for two and one-half years; thence removed to this township, in 1862, where he also rented land, then purchased the same, sold it, and came to his present place of 100 acres, to which he added sixty acres; he after- ward purchased 320 acres in Jasper County, later forty-live more, and still later 115 in this county, then forty-five acres more in Jasper County, and eighty of timber north of his present farm, making a total of 765 acres. Mr. Shaeflfer is a successful farmer, handling much stock, raising largely of corn and hay, and keeping from twenty to twenty-five horses. He is a Democrat in politics. JAMES SHAEFFER is a native of Berks County, Penn., was born June 5, 1853, and is a son of John Shaeffer, a fanner by occupation. James Shaeffer is like- wise a farmer, and was married in Newton County, in 1878, to Miss Priscilla Jones, a daughter of Cornelius Jones, one of the pioneer farmers of Newton County, where he ended his earthlj' existence. Mrs. Priscilla Shaeffer is a native of Ross County, Ohio, and has been favored as the mother of two children — Katie M. and Mattie G. Mr. Shaeffer has resided on his present farm since the year of his marriage, which farm he owns, and which comprises 103 acres. He plants about fifty acres in corn, twenty-five acres in oals, also handles fifty to seventy-five head of hogs, twenty-five to thirty head of cattle, and about thirty tons of hay each j-ear. Mr. Shaeffer has a productive farm, and is located two and one-half miles from Foresman Station. JOHN A. SIMPSON, farmer and stockdealer, is a native of Orleans County, Vt., was born in 1855, and is a son of Alexander and Margaret (Patterson) Simpson, the former a native of Scotland, the latter of Vermont; they are now living in Illinois, and farming. In 1875, John A. Simpson married Miss Eliza, daughter of John and Mary Antcliff, and a native of England. To this union has been granted two children — Alice M. and Grace J. Mr. Simpson farms upon 320 acres of rented land. He cultivates 170 acres of corn, forty of oats and fortj^ tons of hay; raises about 140 head of hogs, and fifty of cattle each year. Mr. Simpson has 696 acres of unimproved land in Kossuth County, Iowa, on which tract breaking has now lieen begun. 6. B. SMITH, M. D., is a native of Hancock County, Ind., was born April 12, 1843, and is the eldest of the six children of Josiah and Hannah (Braddock) Smith, the former a native of West Virginia, the latter of Pennsylvania, and of Welsh and English descent, who located in this township in 1852. Mr. Smith was a farmer and carpenter. G. B. Smith was reared in Newton County, and in 1861, enlisted in Company B, Fifty-first Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry; he was a corporal and took part at Shiloh, Stone River, the siege of Corinth, the raid of Gen. Streight, and was wounded at the battle of Crooked Creek, April 30, 1863. He was honor- ably discharged, after three years' service, in December, 1863. On April 16, 1872, at Remington, he married Miss S. J., daughter of David Chambers, of Montgomery County, Ind., where Mrs. S. J. Smith was born. To this union has been bestowed one child — Mary E. Dr. Smith is now a practitioner of medicine and surgery at Foresman Station, where he has erected a fine residence; he also practiced at Brook, and formerly at Chili, Miami County. He is a graduate of 1873 from the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis. GEORGE SPAULDING, farmer, is a native of Waukegan, 111., and is the eldest of the six children of Chester andRoxanna(Tuttle) Spaulding, natives of New York. They were pioneers of Illinois; the former died at Waukegan, the latter at the home of her son George. Our subject passed his boyhood days in Chicago, in the pur- suit of the trade of carpentering, and after two years spent in Chebanse, he enlisted, August 15, 1862, in the Thirteenth Illinois Volunteers, and was at the siege of Vicks- burg and the battles of Champion Hills and Arkansas Post; he was also engaged in IROQUOIS TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 785 many skirmishes, and was discharged after three years' service. He then purchased a houso and lot in Chcbanse, which he sold and bought 120 acres of his present farm, which he occupied in 1874. The place contains many improvement.s— such as groves of white ash and maple trees, and 400 rods of hedge. In November, 1879, he married Miss Helen, daughter of Andrew Johnson, of .loliet, 111., and from this union has sprung one child— William. Mr. Spaidding is a thoroughgoing farmer and a respected citizen. HARRISON TYLER, farmer, is a native of Indiana, and a son of George and Animy (Blankenbeker) Tyler, natives of Kentucky, and pioneers of Southern Indi- ana, whither they emigrated in 1818, at which period the}- had to pen their calves and lambs to save them from the avoIvcs. Mr. Tyler removed to Kentucky, where he died; Mrs. Tyler is yet living at the advanced age of ninety years, and is active. Harrison Tyler passed his boyhood in Kentuckj', where he remained until twenty- nine j'ears of age, and where he married Miss T. Isabella Blankenbeker, also a na- tive of Kentucky, a daughter of Felix C. Blankenbeker. In 1856, Mr. Tyler re- moved to Clark County. Ind., where he purchased, improved and lived some time on seventy acres, to which he afterward added fifteen acres, until 1866. This he sold and removed to Brook, Newton County, where he lived two years. He after- ward purchased 160 acres of his present home, then wild land, but now a finely cul- tivated farm; to this he added until the farm now numbers 265 acres with good buildings, and other necessaries and conveniences. Mr. and ^Irs. Tyler have si.x children — Milton, Felix, Newton J., Mary E., Edmond and William A. (deceased). JOHN L. VOSBURGH, boatman and farmer, is a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., was bom November 15, 1826, and is the eldest of the fourteen children of Henry I. and Martha (Kilby) Vosburgh, the former a native of New York, born August, 1796, the latter of Connecticut, born January, 1802, the one dying in 1848, the other in 1857. John L. Vosburgh followed the occupation of boating from 1843 to 1855. December 29, 1852, he married, in Lysander, N. Y., Mi.ss Nancy M., daughter of Seneca and Hannah (Bradway) Allen, natives of New York and Ver- mont respectivel}'. and aged eighty-three and seventy-nine years; they reside with Mr. Vosburgh, who in 1855 removed to Michigan and engaged in lumber dealing until 1857, when he located in Illinois, where he worked for a railroad company. After renting land for nine years in Illinois, he purchased eighty acres of his pres- ent home in 1869, broke ten acres and located on the same in 1870, cultivated and improved; he has a number and variety of shade trees and strawberry grounds, also many fine horses. PAUL WEISHAAR, farmer and stock-dealer, is a native of Prussia and a son of George and Hannah Wei.shaar. Our .subject emigrated to this country when twenty- one years of age. He is a mason by trade, but worked thereat onlj'^ long enough to save sufficient money to buy a farm. In 1853, he went for and in 1854 brought his parents to America; they died and are buried in Hamilton County, Ohio. In August, 1855, he married, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mi.ss Catherine Werner, a native of Germany. Their union was productive of ten children — Paul, Anne, Elizabeth, George, Frank, Mary, Clara, Emma, Tillie and Rosa. In 1861, Mr. Weishaar pur- chased 160 acres, which he improved, and to which he added until he has now 550 acres. He has good buildings and various and many improvements. He keeps about twelve horses for farm use; raises from 4,000 to 5,(HI0 bushels of corn, seventy- five to 100 tons of hay, and handles, by average, 100 hogs per year. It will he seen that Mr. Weishaar is a buccessful farmer, all of which is due to his thrift and toil. 786 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: BEAVER TOWNSHIP. ISAAC W. BEMENDERFER, furniture dealer and undertaker, Morocco.began business in 1873, which was solely undertaking, until 1881, when he opened his present store, and added a stock of furniture. He is doing a good business, and has as large and well selected a stock as can be found in the county. From 1874 to 1880, he had D. M. Pulver associated with him as partner. Mr. Bemenderfer is a native 01 Stark County, Ohio, was born September 4, 1840, and is one of nine children of William and Sophia (Lichtenwalter) Bemenderfer, the latter a native of Pennsyl- vania, the former of Maryland, from which State he came, when quite young, with his parents to Virginia, where he grew to manhood, when he went to Stark County, Ohio, where he married and remained until 1853, when he came to Fulton County, Ind., where he owned a farm until his death, January 27, 1881. His wife still lives on the same farm. Isaac remained at home attending the common schools until twenty-one, where he rented and worked farms until 1869, after which he learned the carpenter's trade, which he has followed more or less since. He came to Newton County in the spring of 1865, and rented various farms until the fall of 1869, when he came to Morocco. November 9, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-sixth Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry, and served with the regiment until discharged on account of sickness, in July, 1862. He was married, April 8, 1863, to Melissa A. Enslen, a native of Allen County, Ohio, and a daughter of Frederick and Anna (Burch) Enslen. Eleven children have been born to them, six of whom — Mary E., Elida L., Melville E., Lillie D., Ionia and Ted — are living. He and his wife are bpth members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is Superintendent of the Sunday school, and leader of the choir at Morocco. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and an Odd Fellow. He has been Justice of the Peace for four years. In politics, he has been since the war a Republican; previous to that time, was a Democrat. He is one of the prominent men of the township and county. 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. William 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., where he now lives. Daniel attended the schools of Newton County, and remained with his parents until twenty-one, when, in connection with his brother, he bought a farm, which they owned but a short time. He entered 120 acres adjoining, living upon it two years. He then entered 160 acres in Ii'oquois County, 111., where he lived four years. In 1860, he came to Beaver Township, and bought a farm of 190 acres, upon which he still lives. It is in a high state of culti- vation, and has one of the finest houses in the county. He gives considerable atten- tion to stock-raising. Mr. Brady was married, September 24, 1854, to Arlina Peck, a native of New York. They have had six children, four of whom, Mrs. Frances 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. CHIZUM was born October 31, 1825, in Ross County, Ohio, being the eldest of eight children of Garrison and Nancy A. (Shafer) Chizum, the former of Irish descent, but a native of Maryland. In 1833, Joseph's parents came to Fountain County, Ind., where he received a common school education in a log BEAVER TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 787 scboolliouse. He remained with liis father's family until twenty-three years of age. On February 38, 1847, he married Mary .1. Hanger, a native of Virginia. Six chil- dren have been born to tlu-m, four of whom, William \V., James B.. Joseph M. and Albert, are still living. In 1850, he came to lieaver Town.ship, and entered eighty acres of wild land, to which he has added until he now owns 750 acres well iin- 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 Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a Repub lican, prominent in the townshij) and county. WILLIAM W. CHIZUM wa; born June 22, 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 be 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 bougiit the farm of eiglity acres where he now resides. It is in a good state of cultivation. April 17, 1872, Mr. Cliizum 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 March, 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 early 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. Samraons, a native of Wellandport, Canada. They have one child — Ethel, born July 21, 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, 1842, and is one of ten children of Daniel and Lucinda (Heckethorn) Deardurff, the latter of German descent, born in Virginia, th(! 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 1844, when he came to Beaver Township, Newton County, and located on the farm now owned by D. Owen, remaining tliere until 18S3, when he removed to Kentland, where he still lives. His wife died in April, 18S1. John received his education in the common schools of Newton County, remaining at home until April 12, 1861, when he enlisted in the State Militia, in which he served until July, when he was discharged on accoimt 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, Septeml)er 29, 18(5i. He participated in all the cam- paigns and marches of the regiment, and the battles of Greenbrier, Shiloh, 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 Cliickamauga In; 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 r)f the Government. After his return 47 788 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, a native of Warren County, Ind. Five children liave been born to them — Alfred A., Daniel Y., Jolm O., Cyrus R. and William E., all of whom are living. Mr. Deardurff is a member of Morocco Lodge, No. 372, A., F. »fe A. M., and Morocco Post, No. Ill, G. A. R. In politics, he is a Democrat, and he is one of the well- known citizens of the township. ANDREW DOTY was born in Butler County, Ohio, December 26, 1825, and is one of eight children of Joseph and Effie (Thompson) Doty. His parents, natives of Pennsylvania, removed to Ohio when young, where they 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 Washington Township, Newton Co., Ind., enter- ing 120 acres, to which he afterward added 280 acres more, and upon which he erected good buildings. In March, 1883, he removed to Morocca, purchasing 15 acres, with a fine house, where he now resides. Mr. Doty was married March 18, 1849, to Elmira Doty, of Warren Co., Ind. Twelve children 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 the United Brethren ; his wife and daughter are also members. LEVI S. EWAN was born in Genesee County, N. Y., June 6, 1815, and is one of nine children of Samuel and Mercy (Sprague) Ewan, the former of Scotch de- scent, a native of New Jersey, from which State he removed, when a young man, to New York, where he lived until 1819, when he went with his family to Cincinnati, Ohio, thence to Indiana, where he remained until his death July 18, 1848. Levi received his education in the schools of Dearborn County. He remained with his father's family until twenty-four years of age. He learned the cooper's trade, which he followed several years. In 1837, he entered a half-section of land in Jen- nings County, Ind., to which he removed eight years later, and where he lived twenty-two years. In October. 1867, he removed to Beaver Township, and located on a farm of over 300 acres. He retains 121 acres, upon which is a fine house, where he lives. The rest he has sold and given to a son. In 1842, he began the study of law, with James Brown, of Lawrenceburg. He was admitted to the bar in Jennings County, under Judge Gushing. He has, however, practiced his profession l)ut little. He was married December 16, 1838, to Elmira E. King, a native of Dearborn County, Ind. Nine children have been born to them, five of whom, viz., Phineas B., Mrs. Catharine Day, Mrs. Cordelia B. Edmunds, Mrs. Florence Goddard and Charles C, are living; one, Isaac Newton, fell at Vicksburg, in the service of his country. Mr. Ewan and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, in which church he has been a local minister for over twenty years. He is a stanch Republican, and, previous to the formation of that party, was a Whig. JOHN D. GODDARD was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., November 9, 1842, and is one of five children of Benjamin H. and Nancy (Deardurff) Goddard, the latter a native of Ohio, the former of Maine, whence he emigrated, when a young man, to Tippecanoe County, Ind., remaining there until 1846, when he came to Newton County and settled on a farm, where he died the next year. John, who was five years old when his father died, attended school in Newton County until his mother's second marriage to Andrew Murphy, who died at Nashville, Tenn., when he went with her to Tippecanoe County, and remained seven years, coming again to Newton County, where he worked by the month until September 7, 1861, when he enlisted BKAVKR TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 780 in Company D, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served witli the regiment until mustered out at C'iiattanoofra September 7, 1H(54. He particijjated in the battles of Greenbrier, Stone River. Chiekamauf^a, the Atlanta campai;j;n, and many lesser engajjements. At C'hiekamauga, he reeeived a slight wound. After liis return from the war, he purehased a farm of 120 acres, to which he lias added, so he now has 383 acres well improved, and also upon it one of the best houses in the county. He gives considerable attention to stock-raising. Mr. Goddard was mar- ried, February 15, 1H6<5, to Mary J. Ivesler, a native of Newton County. Six chil- dren have been born to them, live of wiiom, viz., Clara, Anna (}., Rachel E.. Will- iam A. and Nancy B., are living. lie and his wife are members of the M. K. Churcli. He is also a member of Morocco Post, No. Ill, G. A. R. Politically, he is a Rei)ub- lican, and one of the large farmers of the county CAPT. DANIEL M. (IRAVES was born in Coshocton County, Oliio, January 5, 1830, and is one of ten children of Benjamin and Mar}' (Pierce) Graves. He received a good practical education, principally in the schools of Johnson Countj', Ind. While attending school, he often taught a winter term. After finishing his studies, he owned and worked a farm ia Newton County, still continuing to teach. In 1877, he sold his farm and went to Kentland, where he engaged in the general merchandise business for about a j'ear. He then came to Morocco, and in connec- tion with his brother pursuecP the same business, under the firm name of Graves Bros. In 1879, he sold his interest to D. ^I. Johnson, since which he has l)een deal- ing in horses and mules. In October, 18(53, he enlisted in Companj' A, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but l)efore being mustered in was commissioned bj^ the Governor to recruit a cavalry company, which lie did, and was mustered into service January 7, 18G4, as Captain of Companv K, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, in which capacitj' he served until mustered out November 21, 1865. He participated in all the marches, raids and campaigns of this regiment, and was pres- ent at the capture of Mobile. He was also in numerous skirmishes in Georgia and Mississippi. Under the military government of Mississippi, he commanded the sub- district at Starkville until 1865. when he was sent with a detachment of three com- panies to Austin, Miss. He was then sent as a member of a court martial to Jack- son. Capt. Graves is a charter mem])er of Morocco Post, 111, G. A. R., and has been its commander since its organization. He has been three times married: First, September 2, 1854, to Elizabeth Graham, a native of Marion County, Ohio, who died in 1861, leaving three children— Flora P., Charles M. and Frank F.. all of whom are living. In September. 1862, he married Mar}' A. (iraham, a sister of his former wife, and after her death, which occurred in 1864, he was married, in 1874, to Rachel A. Parkhurst, of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have four children— Orth. Mildred M., LoUa B. and Annie R. In politics, Capt. (traves is a Republican, hav- ing voted for every Presidential candidate of that party since Fremont. At the second election of Lincoln, in 1864, he was sent home in care of a detail of 400 men. GRAVES &, JOHNSON, general merchandise, Morocco, Ind.; began business December 13, 1877, under the firm name of Graves Bros., who conducted the busi- ness for about eighteen months, when D. M. Johnson bougiit the interest of D. M. Graves. The above firm have since conducted the business, and have a large and well selected stock of goods. J. W. Graves, senior member of the firm, was born at La Fayette, Ind., November 17, 1H38, and is the youngest of ten children of Ben- jamin and Mary (Pierce) (Graves, both natives of Virginia, from wliicli State, soon after their marriage, they removed to Ohio, remaining a short time, wl>en. in 1828, they came to Tippecanoe County, Ind.; located upon a farm, where they lived thirty years, when they moved to Newton County, where tlie father died in 1868. J. W. Graves received a more tiian common school education, having attended Leoni Col- 790 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: lege, Michigan, for a time. August 11, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with the regiment until it was mustered out at Indianapolis, June 16, 1865; he participated in the battles of Viclisburg, Mission Ridge, Jackson, Lookout Mountain, the Atlanta campaign, the march to the sea, and through the Carolinas, and was not wounded nor sick a day during the entire service. After his return from the war, he went to Minnesota, where he married, August 8, 1865, Jemima B. Brennesholtz, a native of Indiana; he then came to Newton County, Ind., but soon returned to Minnesota, pre-empted a homestead, and lived there eleven years, holding the office of Slieriff of the county two years. In 1876, he again returned to Morocco, where, besides his mercantile business, he con- ducts the Morocco Hotel. He is a member of Morocco Lodge, No. 372, A. F. & A. M., and Morocco Post, 111, G. A. R. Five children have been born to them, four of whom— Orlando M., John C, Cora E. and Sherman A., are living. Politically. Mr. Graves is a standi Republican, and is one of the prominent men of tlie county. Dempsey M. Johnson, junior member of the firm of Graves & Johnson, came to Newton County, Ind., in 1848, residing on the farm now owned by John F. John- son, in Beaver Township, there being at that time but fifteen families within its bor- ders; he remained there until 1876, when he came to Morocco, and bought the house and lot of I. M. Kinney, which he owned until 1883, when he exchanged it with D. M. Pulver for twenty acres near Morocco, where he'still lives; he was born in Clin- ton County, Ohio, September 1, 1827, and is a son of Micajah and Margaret (Carson) Johnson; he received a practical education, remaining at home until twenty-one; he was married, in April, 1850, to Louisa Graves, a native of Ohio. Four children have been born to them, two of whom— Mrs. John R. Archibald and Elizabeth— are still living. In politics, Mr. Johnson is a Republican; before the formation of that party, a Whig. For the past fifteen years he has been a minister in the Christian Church, preaching at various places in Newton, Jasper, White, Cass and Benton Counties, Ind., and Iroquois and Kankakee Counties, 111. JOHN F. JOHNSON was born in Montgomery County, Ind., May 22, 1834; he is the youngest of eleven children of Micajah M. and Margaret (Carson) Johnson, both natives of Virginia, removing soon after their marriage to Greene County, Ohio_ crossing the mountains on horseback, each carrying a baby. John's early childhood was spent in Montgomery and Tippecanoe Counties, where he received a common school education. In 1857, his parents removed to Washington Township, Newton Co., Ind., where his father died in 1859; he remained upon the home farm until after the death of his mother, when, in 1876, he moved to Kentland, having been elected County Treasurer, which office he held four years. At the expiration of his term he came to Beaver Township, bought a farm of 160 acres, where he still resides; he was at one time Commissioner of Newton County; has also been Assessor and teacher in common schools. April 17, 1858, he married Mary Graves, a native of Tippecanoe County. Four children have been born to them, three of whom— Orley A., James L. and Edwin G., are living. Mr. Johnson and wife belong to the Chris- tian Church. In politics, he is a thorough Republican, and one of the prominent men of the county. WILLIAM KENNEDY, dealer in hardware and implements, Morocco, Ind.; began business October, 1874, in connection with John Smart, under the firm name of Smart & Kennedy. In 1877, he bought the interest of Mr. Smart, since which he has been sole proprietor. Besides having a large and well selected stock of hard- ware, he is agent for the Piano Harvester and Mower, and the Buford and Wier Plows. Mr. Kennedy was born in Montgomery County, Ind., February 11, 1841, and is a son of David and Susan (Gooding) Kennedy, natives of Virginia. William received his early education in the schools of Newton County, remaining with his parents until twenty-one, when, with two brothers, he bought a farm of eighty BEAVER TOWNSHIP— NEWTOiN COUNTY. 701 acres, to which they afterward added forty more. In 1S()9. he carne to Beaver Town.'^hip. aud purchased a farm of 2'20 acres, whicli lie still owns, and upon which he resided before coming to Morocco. He was married, October 1, ISC)."), to Mary A. Smart, a native of Newton County, and daughter of John and Lucinda Smart, botli natives of Ohio. They have two children— Stella and Gertie. Mr. Kennedy served in the late war, enlisting in April. 1861, in Company II, Fifteenth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, and serving until discharged March 12, 18(53. He participated in all the marches and battles of the regiment; was at Greenbrier, Va., Pittsburg Land- ing and Stone Kiver, where he was severely wounded in the hand, on account of which he was discharged. Politically, he is a Greenbacker; is a prominent man, and one of the early settlers of the count)'. KENNEDY 6c KETCIIAM, dealers in hardware and drugs, began business in Morocco, Ind., in 1878, Kctcliara bujing the interest of Schaub, a former partner of Kennedy. Previous to Septembi-r, 1SH2, the business was .solely drugs, but tliey now carry a large stock, both of hardware and drugs, also operating a tin-shop. In 1879, their builcjiug was destroyed bj' fire, and stock consideral)ly damaged, but with characteristic enterprise they re-built immediately, resuming business in seven days. Joseph Kennedy, the senior member of the firm, came to Newton County, Ind., in 1853, and located on a farm four miles east of Morocco, where he remained until March, 1874, when he bought the store of which he is now one of the firm. From 1878 until 1882, he was partner in a dry goods store. Mr. Kennedy also owns a farm, and is extensively engaged in shipping stock, principally cattle and hogs. He was born in Montgomerj' County, Ind., December 30, 1842, being one of nine children of David aud Susan (Gooding) Kennedj". He remained with his father's family until twenty-one, working at fanning. On September 20, 1802, he enlisted in Company E, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with his regi- ment in all its campaigns until mustered out on June 10. 18(55. He participated in the battles of Vicksburg, Jackson. Mission Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, and the march to the sea, through the Carolinas, and battles of Bentonville and Averysboro. He was wounded at Jackson, Miss. Mr. Kennedy was married in 1867 to M. L. Warren, who died September 15, 1868, leaving one child, Charles W., now fifteen years of age. On December 31, 1872, he married Martha J. Ham. They have four children — Cary, aged nine; Ernest, aged six: Ethel, aged four, and Roxie. aged two. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is a i)rominent citizen and one of the early set- tlers of the county. D. E. Ketcham, junior member of the firm of Kennedy & Ketcham, was born August (5, 185.-), in Delaware County, Ohio, and is the eldest of five children of Norris F. and Helen (Wilkinson) Ketcham. of remote German de- .scent, natives of New York. He lived with liis parents in Ohio until about 1860. His father removed his family to Iowa, where they remained but a short time, moving to Kankakee County, 111., afterward to Vermillion County. D. E. Ketcham re- mained with his parents until about twenty, receiving a good, practical education. When fifteen, he entered a drug store in Kankakee, 111., where he remained until 1877, when he came to Morocco. He was married, November 10, 1879, to Emma DeardurfT, a native of Newton Count\'. He was three years Notary Public, and has l)een Trustee of Heaver Township. In politics, he is a Republican, and is one of the most ente^pri^ing young business men in the county. FAYETTE H. LA.MPHERE was born in Will County, III., July 24, 18.-)2. and is the elder of two children of Joshua and Mary (Pepper) Lamphere, of New York. Joshua Lamphere came with his family, in 18,")0, to Will County, 111., where he owned a farm until his deatii in 1^<54. His wife has l»een twice married since, and is now a widow, living in Iroquois Township, Newton Count)-, Ind. Faj'ctte, wljo was onl)' two years olil when his father died, continued to live with his motlier, at- tending school .some until nine years of age, when he went to work Ity the month. 792 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: on a farm, until 1875. He then rented and worked a farm for two years, when. July 27, 1877, he married Mrs. Ardilla Shriver, a native of Edgar County, 111., and daughter of Isaac and Anna (Smith) Vanhauten. Mrs. Lamphere has four chil- dren — Mrs. Sarah Collins, Mrs. Alice Archibald, Mrs. Emma Enfield and Miss Anna Shriver. They have a farm of seventy-one acres, and also work fifty acres belong- ing^ to the other heirs of E. T. Shriver. In politics, Mr. Lamphere is a Republican. PATRICK & ENSLEN", general merchandise, Morocco, Ind., began business in January, 1881. They have a fine stock of general merchandise and are doing a large and constantly' increasing business. William A. Patrick, a native of Fulton County, Ind., was born August 16, 1843, and is one of eleven children of John and Sarah (Burch) Patrick, the former born in Virginia, but moving to Ohio when a boy, where he lived until after his marriage, when he went to Fulton County, Ind. In 1859, he came to Beaver Township, where he still lives. William received his education in Fulton and Newton Counties, also attended the high school at Bat- tle Ground, Ind., and Kennedy Bros.' Business College at La Fayette, Ind. He en- listed, August 11, 1862, in Company E, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with the regiment until July 22, 1864, when, at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, he was severelj' wounded, being shot directly through the shoulder. He was in hospital until September of same year, and in November received his dis- charge. He is still much disabled. Before he was wounded he participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Jackson, Mission Ridge, the Atlanta campaign and many lesser engagements. When he recovered from the effects of his wound, he taught school and studied. He also traveled in the Western States. In 1871, he came to Morocco and engaged in mercantile business. He also owns two farms, upon one of which he resides. He was married, August 16, 1876, to Mary E. Ewan, a native of Jennings County, Ind. Three children have been born to them, two of whom, Elmer and Leon, are living. In politics, he is a Republican, and he is also well known and respected. He was once elected Sheriff of the county, but resigned after a few months. Charles E. Enslen was born May 9, 1836, in Allen County, Ohio, and is one of four children of Frederick and Anna (Burch) Enslen. The former was of German descent, but a native of Pennsjivania, removing when a young man to Al- len County, Ohio, where he married, and lived until 1850, when he came to Fulton County, Ind., dying there three years later. His wife re-married, and is now living near Morocco. Charles remained at home until twenty-one, having at the death of his father become the head of the family. In 1865, he came to Beaver Township, Newton Co., Ind., and followed farming for some j-ears. His health failing, he came to Morocco, and held the position of clerk until the purchase of the present busi- ness. He was married, in Allen County, Ohio, November 20, 1857, to Julia A. Pat- rick. Five children have been born to them, four of whom, viz., Mrs. Daniel Stoner, Anna V., William F. and Carrie, are living. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a member of the A., F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. In politics, he is a Republican, and a prominent man of the township. DR. THOMAS PECK was born near Providence. R. I., September 14, 1813, and is one of nine children of Phillip and Avis (Brown) Peck, both natives of Rhode Island, from which State thej^ moved to Chenango County, N. Y., where they lived until their deaths. Dr. Peck received his education in the schools of New York, and remained at home until twenty-one, then worked upon a farm by the month for four years. He was married, March 8, 1838, to Alzina Medbury, a native of New York, and daughter of William F. and Betsey (Wilber) Medbury. He remained in Chenango County, N. Y., until 1843, then, after spending four years in Cayuga and Allegany Counties, N. Y.. he removed, in 1847, to Newton County, Ind.* and lo- cated on the farm now owned by Alonzo Skinner, in McClellan Township, where he lived eleven years. In 1838, he came to Morocco, and bought three lots, to which BEAVER TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 793 he has since added eight lots, where they reside. Dr. Peck also owns a farm in Mc- Clellan Township, and ijives some attention to stock-raising and dairying, liis wife making her own buttt-r and cheese. He is still very active, and is known as one of the pioneer huntsmen, and one of the best marksmen in the county. His wife Is also equally active, weaving carpets, besides doing her own work in the house and dairy. Tliey have had si.\ children, four of whom, Mrs. Daniel Brady, Mrs. Maria C Skmner, Mrs. Helen E. Arnold and Mrs. Mary E. Peck, are living. Dr. Peck has practiced medicine thirty-five years, under the botanic system. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and before tlie organization of that party was a Whig. JAMP]S H. RICE, a native of Pownal, Me., came to Newton County, Ind., in 1875, and located in Beaver Township, on the cattle ranch of J. M. Gaff, of Cincin- nati, Ohio, which he has since managed. It consists of 11,000 acres, all under fence, upon which are usually from (500 to 1,000 head of cattle. Mr. Rice has made manv improvements in fencing, building and ditching. He was born September 2, is:^2, being one of ten children of Rufus and Mary (Sylvester) Rice, both natives of Maine. When six years of age, his parents came to Dearborn County, Ind., and located at Manchester, where they remained three years, after which his father bought a farm near that place, where he resided until his death in 1839. He served in the American Army during the war of 1812. James H. received his education -in the common schools of Indiana, and at the age of thirteen went from home to work on a farm, where he remained six years. In 1851, he came to what is now Kanka- kee, 111., where he managed a farm ten years; he then spent four years in Iroquois County in farming and stock-dealing, then returned to Kankakee, where he remained twelve years, except an absence of six months in Dakota Territory, where he herded cattle. While there, he assisted in the erection of Fort Totten. He was married, January 1, ISol, to Hannah M. Taylor, a native of Ohio. Seven children have been born to them, three of whom, viz., Mrs. James M. Wheaten, Emma and Cora, sur- vive. He is a member of the M. E. Church, to which all his family belong. He is also a member of Morocco Lodge, No. 372. In politics, he is a Republican, and one of the prominent men of the county. BENJAMIN F. ROADRUCK was born July 8, 1841, in Warren County, Ind., and is the eldest of six children of Benjamin and Catharine (Stoner) Roadruck, the former of Scotch-Welsh, and the latter of German descent. His parents came to Newton County, Ind., in 1844, and located on the farm now owned by their son, Benjamin F., where they lived until the death of the father, with the exception of nine years spent in Minnesota; the mother still lives in Morocco. He remained with his parents vmtil Auijust 12, 1802, when he enlisted in Company E, Ninety- ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until .«ieverely wounded in the hand in a battle before Atlanta, August 10. 1864. He participated in all the battles of the Atlanta campaign, and many other engagements in Missi.ssippi, Tennessee and Ala- bama. He was married, October 2"), 1864, to Florence M. Butler, a native of Co- 8ho('ton County, Ohio. Six children have been born to them— Charles E., Clara E., Anna M., Elma M., Guy A. and Marion H., all of whom are living. After his return from the war, he went to Minnesota, and pre-empted a homestead of 160 acres, upon which he lived nine years, returning on account of his health to Mo- rocco. After his father's death, he bought the interest of the other heirs, and now owns his fatlier's farm and other property in Morocco. Mr. Roadruck is a member of Beaver Lodge. No. 378, I. O. O. F., and has passed all the ciiairs in tiiat lodge. and is at present D. D. G. M.; he is also a ciiarter member of Morocco Post. Ill, G. A. R. He and wife are tnenil)ers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Democrat. SHELDEN SMITH, a native of Allen County, Ind., was born January 17, IS'A. and is one of nine children of ('liarles II. and Murgarelte (DriscoU) Smith, the latter 794 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: a native of Ireland, the former of Connecticut, from which State he came when quite young, with his parents, to Huron County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He then went to Allen County, where he married and still lives on a farm. Shelden received his education in the common schools of his native county, remaining at home until twenty-one, when, in 1872, he came to Beaver Township, Newton County, and located on a farm of 120 acres belonging to his father, upon which he still lives. He also owns, with his brother, a farm of eighty acres in Section 35. Mr. Smith was married in March, 1875, to Louie E. Smith, of Ohio, daughter of N. G. and Elizabeth (Stephens) Smith. They have four children — George A., Amelia A., Joyce C. and Margarette. He is a Catholic in religion. In politics, he is a Greenbacker, and. though a recent settler, a prominent man in his township. GEORGE T. STONER was born June 29, 1827, in Muskingum County, Ohio, and is one of four children born to Daniel and Mary (Baker) Stoner, the former of German, the latter of Welsh descent. In 1830, his parents came to Fountain Coun- ty, Ind., where his father ran a grist and saw mill for ten years. In 1863, he came to Beaver Township, Newton County, Ind., and located on the farm now owned by his grandson, D. A. Stoner, which was his home until his death, which occurred December 23, 1879. Geoi-ge T. received his education in the log schoolhouse of th& frontier, in Warren County, principally, and remained with his parents until twen- ty-two, when he rented a farm for a year. He then purchased eight}^ acres of land, to which he added 440, a well-improved farm, upon which he now resides. Mr. Stoner was married, July 21, 1850, to Mary E. Clark, a native of Clark County, Ohio. Six children have been born to them, three of whom, Oliver F., Daniel A. and Louisa J., are living. Mr. Stoner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife of the United Brethren; he is also a member of Morocco Lodge, No. 372, A., F. & A. M., and Beaver Lodge, No. 378, I. O. O. F. He has held various civil offices, is a Democrat, and one of the most prominent farmers of the county. GEORGE W.THOMPSON is a native of Warren County, Ind., and was born September 12, 1851, being the second of four children of Young and Catharine (Ma" gee) Thompson, both natives of Ohio. Young Thompson, when a boy, came with his parents to Warren County, Ind., where he grew to manhood, was married, and owned a farm until 1853, when he came to Beaver Township, Newton County, Ind., and located on the farm now owned by John DeardurfF, where he lived until his death while in the army at St. Louis, Mo., in August, 1862; his wife still lives ou the same farm. George W. received his early education in the common schools of Newton and Warren Counties, and afterward attended Westfield College, at West- field, 111., also the Normal School at Danville, Ind.; he remained at home until twenty-one, then taught school in Newton County, for two years, after which he bought the farm now owned by W. B. Plummer, which he owned five years, then purchased the sixtj'^ acres upon which he now resides; he also teaches in winter. Mr. Thompson was married. August 13, 1879, to Elsa Jessen, a native of Newton County, and daughter of James and Mary A. (Hill) Jessen. They have one child — Daisy Bell, born May 15, 1880. Mr. Thompson is a Republican in politics, and one of the respected teachers of the county. CHARLES E. TRIPLETT, M. D., was bora December 13, 1834, in Fleming County, Ky., being one of four children of Charles and Clarissa (Duckings) Triplett, both natives of the "Old Dominion." though spending most of their lives in Ken- tucky, where they accumulated a large property. Charles was left an orphan when but two weeks old, and was adopted and reared by his paternal grandparents. Losing his grandfather at the age of fourteen, he went to Henry County, Ky., and began the study of medicine with Dr. James Humstun, with whom he remained four years. May 8, 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 TOWNSFIIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 795 three years spent in the army. lie enlisted in August, 1862, in Company E, Ninety- ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private, but before reaching the Held was commissioned Assistant Surgeon in tiie Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, receiving a commission as Surgeon in four months from that time. lie remained with the regiment until it was mustered out in June, I860, at Washington, D. C, having been in the battles of Perryville. Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and through the Atlanta Camjiaign, the "march to the sea,"' and in the Carolinas at Bentonville and Averysboro, and many other engagements. Dr. Triplett was married, May 17, 1857, to Alice Pulver, a native of Newton County. Eight children have been born to them, of whom the followinir, Charles E., Chester L. and Ilattie, are living. He is a member of Concord Lodge No. 585, I. (). O. 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 21, 1849, and is 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 ^nandparents 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 blacksmithing 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 23, 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 Mary J., daughter of John Myers, and, in 1842, again removed to this county, and settled, where 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, Malinda, Thomas B. (deceased), E. Lanier and Gallagher. JAMES T. BLANKENBEKER is a native of Preble County, Ohio, and was born December 24, 1834. His parents, Joel and Susan Blaukenbeker, were both natives of Virginia, where they were married, and whence, about 1833, they emi grated to Preble County, Ohio, thence to Bartholomew County, Ind., and thence in the fall of 1864, to this county, where they died — she shortly after coming hither, and he in 1869. They were the parents of nine children — Michael L., Mary, Nancy, Ellen, John, Louisa, James T., Sarah and Simeon. James T. Blankenbeker, our subject, came to this county in 1866, where, 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 K., Simeon W. and William C. Mr. Blanken- beker is a respected citizen. J. J. BRENNER, of the firm of Brenner & Son, was born at Dayton, Ohio, Sep, tember 7, 1835. His parents were John and Frances (Etnire) 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 COUNTV. 7 97 to Montgomery County, Ohio, where his life was closed. He was a soldier of the '[XVi wiir. John Brenner was born in Pennsylvjinia February 22, IHOO. In Ohio he married Frances Etnire, a native of Virj,nnia, l)orn November 17, 1817. In 1838, he removed to Warren County, Ind. Mrs. Hrenner died in 1849. He afterward mar- ried Betsey Brenner, and died in 1882, the father of ei^ht 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 18,')6, he came to this county, and February 9, 1K(51, married Sarah J. Kennedy, born in Greene County. Tenn., March 27, 1842, who died March 7, 1883. leaving seven children— John S., Mary A., Andrew J., Bertie L., Charlie. Clermont and Mattie. In 1879, in company with J. M. Ilufty, he opened a dry goods and grocery store at Pilot Grove, whicli. in 1881, he sold to Mr. Hufty, then engaged in the drug trade, and, in 1H8;1 moved to Mount Airy, where he follows the same busi- ness; he is also Postmaster at Pilot Grove. PHILLIP BROWX is a son of Wcntleand 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 County. 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 liad a l)rother, and remained until 1862. He also purchased land, and December 18, 1863, married Mary A., daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth Bridgeman, ind 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 been favored with the follow- ingnamed children: Ephraim, Nancy M.. Martha E.. Effle (deceased). George W. and Willie. EDWARD BURNS is a native of County Down, Ireland, and was born Aiigust 12, 1828. His parents were Edward and Isabel (Anderson) Burns, both natives of Ireland, of whose family he is the fifth. The former was born in 1783, the latter in 1795. They were married in County Down, and in 1838 emigrated to New York. Shortly afterward moved to Connecticut, and six years later to Newton County, Ind., and settled in this township, where they both died, he in 18.58, andshe in 1877. Their children were five, and named Alice, Mary, Catherine, John and Edward. Our subject. Edward, was married in tliis 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 whicli he now lives, and on which he has since remained, where he has a comfortable iiome. His family comprises four children — Wallace, Mary I.. James and Ella M. S. N. CALDWELL, M. D., was born at Piqua, Miami County, Ohio, December 14, 1825. His parents were Samuel and Mary J. (Milchel) 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 Pinkerton, after which he removed to Ohio, and died October 25, 181(1. Sanuiel Caldwell was born in Fayette County, Ky , settled in Miami County. Ohio, and died July 12, 1840, leaving four children — Samuel N.. Eliza G., Ornisby and Mary J. Our subject, at the age of twenty-one, andafter a thorough education, entered the Cincinnati Medical College, from which he graduated in 18.50. and immediately afterward conunenced practice at Piqua. Ohio, where he married Scptemlier 30, 1851, Miss Mary J. McKinney. who died Feb- ruary 23, 1873. July 29. 1871, he married 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. lie is the father of six children— Mary (deceased). Mack, Samuel ()., Newton G.. Myrtle M. and Grace . 798 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: G. W. CLARK was born in Shelby County, Ky., October 28, 1829, 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, 1867. 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, Mary, George W., James, Sarah C, Lucy A. and Alexander. Our sub- ject began to learn the blacksmithing trade when eighteen years old, under Jamea C. Wilson, of Kentucky, served two years, was afterward an employe of Robert Todd, of Franklin, Ky., and subsequently moved to Morgantown, Ind., and en- gaged in business with Adam Wise. He then returned to Franklin, and was there married, April 17, 1851, to Eliza, daughter of Jacob and Ellen Sibert, and born in Lancaster Countj% Penn., April 8, 1828. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company P, 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. Mr. 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., Ulysses, 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., born January 21, 1862. In 1883, Mr. Coen removed to Mount Aiiy, where he opened a lumber and coal yard. He also handles grain. HAMILTON 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, Va., where he married Mary 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), JohnH., Sarah A., Allison W., Margaret E. and Archibald. In 1846, Mr. Crisler moved to Bartholomew County, Ind., and in 1861 to this county, where he owns 240 acres of fine land. GEORGE W. DEARDURFF was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., December 17, 1837, and is a son of Daniel and Lucinda Deardurff, the former a son of John Deardurff, who removed from Ohio to Tippecanoe County in 1833, and thence to this county in 1847, where he ended his life. Daniel Deardurff was born in Ohio in 1816, came to Tippecanoe County in 1833, and afterward married Lucinda Heck- athorne. He remained in said county until 1845, removed to Newton County, and now lives in Kentland. He was twice married, and is father to ten children — George W., Christian, John, Samuel, Daniel, Henry, Josephine, Sallie, Elizabeth and Ma- hala. Our subject, George W. Deardurff, was l)rought to this county by his parents. April 25, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Fifteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until June 1, 1864, during which period he participated in JACKSON TOWNSHIP— NEWTON COUNTY. 799 m.iny heavy battles, and was wounded at Mission Ridge November 25, 1863, by gunshot through the right shoulder and ankle, from which cause he remained in the hospital until discharged. August 27, 1HG5, he married Josephine Wolcott, born in Jackson County, Mich., July 14, ISTiO, which marriage gave issue to nine children — David, John, Mary. Alphonso, Alelha, Olive M., George W., Cora and James L. FHANKLIISr V. ELIJAH, son of Lewis and Sarah Elijah, is a native of Alle- gany County, N. Y., born October 13, 1820. 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 26, 1849, Franklin Eli- iali married Elizabeth Elliott, born in Perquimans County, N. C, April 14, 1H30, 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 1872, again to Kansas, and thence, finally after one year, again to this county, where he has made his home and is the owner of 120 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 the 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 1852, and he in 1856. They were pioneers of the countj' and parents of ten chil- dren — Morgan, Sarah A., Franklin, Aaron, Harriet. Loui.sa, Vermelia, Ransom, .lames and Hiram. Our subject, Ransom Elijah, came with his parents to Newton Count}', where, January 25, 1S."")9, he married Mary 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 county 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, James R., Luella, Alexander and Parmelia. JOHN M. C. GULDENZOPF is a native of Germany, and was born February 26, 1828. His father, John H. Guldenzopf, was also born in Germany in 1802, 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 family 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 Almerica 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 12, 1.S60, to Amelia Zoborasky. This union was productive of seven (iiildren— Louisa I., John II., Emma N.. Ettie B.. Mattie A., Julius V. and Caro- line R. In 1862, Mr. Guldenzopf made a purchase of laud and settled where he now resides. WILLIAM R. HANDLEY was born in Athens County, Ohio, October 18, 1820, his parents being Michael and Rhoda Handley. The former was one of the three sons of Jeremiah Hanrlley, wiio 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 Uose, and born in (treeiu- County, Penn., in 1797. In 18.50, they moved to this county, where they died, he in 1M69 and she in 1881; they had eleven children— Cliauncey P., Samaiitha. William U., Elizabeth. John, Horace, Morris, David, Jeremiah, Josiah and Ezra. William II. Handley, when eighteen 800 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: years old, began to learn cabinet-making. In 1850, he came to this county, 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 320 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 member of the Masonic order and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. J. M. HUFTY was born in Greene County, Penn., July 12, 1839, and is one of the family of Thomas L. and Louisa Hufty, 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. Hufty learned the carpentering trade, at which he worked for years, and No- vember 9, 1861, married Mary E. Chamberlain, of said county, born in 1845. In 1865, he removed to Remington, thence to Kentland, and thence, in 1874. to Pilot Grove, 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 which 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 by the second wife. ALEXANDER LARDNER is a native of Bucks County, Penn., and born August 24, 1845. His parents — Laurence and Maiy Lardner — settled in Berrien County, Mich., about the year 1848, where his mother shortly after died. Mv. 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. Our 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 25, 1871, Miss Sarah A., daughter of Alfred and Jane Crisler, and born in Barthol- omew County, Ind., August 26, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Lardner are happy in a family of three children, James L., Jane C. and an infant yet unnamed. JOHN F. NICHOLS, merchant, is a native of Cambridgeshire, England, was born November 19, 1843, and is a son of Robert W. and Sarah A. (Jones) 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 family was composed of nine chil- dren — Infiint daughter (died unnamed), William L., James E., Emily, John F., Sarah A., Alfred C, Francis B. and Albert I. Our subject, John F. Nichols, moved with his parents to Cook County in 1850, and in 1876 came to Newton Count3^ Ind., where he engaged in farming until 1883, when he moved to Mount Airj- and opened his present business. On May 27, 1883, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of John and Nancy T. Roberts, and a native of this county, born June 23, 1852. Mr. Nichols is a man of energy, and has promise of success. IRA J. SAYLER is a native of Jasper County, Ind.. was born April 18, 1858, and is one of the twelve children of Lewis and Elizabeth Sayler, natives of Ohio, the former born in Marion Count}'^ in 1830. Lewis Sayler's father was Henry, and his mother Elizabeth Sayler, natives of Pennsylvania, who moved to Ohio, and 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 (bounty, in I8r)7, Elizabeth Yeoman, and soon after settled in Newton Town- ship, where 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 sul)ject, Ira J. Sayler, in the spring of 1883, formed a partnership with K. J. Yeoman, and opened a business in hardware and farming implements at Mount Airy, and they are making a satisfactory trade. JAMES II. 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 Walts 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 cm- 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 II, 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 ; lie was, besides, captured by the enemy, and passed three weeks in Libby Prison. In 1864, he went to Wayne C'ounty, Mi(;h., and the ne.xlyear to Cass County, where, Novem- ber 5, 1868, he married Kena 31., daughter of Daniel and Catherine Oyler, and a native of Cass County, born July 28, 1851. In INTO, Mr. Watts removed to Newton County, Ind., and has now 28H acres of good land. He has had four fine children — Frank (deceased), Willie (deceased), Edna M. and Clyde D. Mr. Watts 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. AVishard, a native of Kentucky, who, about 1833, settled in Vermillion County. Ind., where he yet enjoys life at tlie 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 ^lississippi River, and afterward as clerk at Clinton. Ind., where he was joined in wedlock to Mary Irwin, in 1849, a native of Kentucky, born 1H28. In 1850, Mr. Wishard removed to Ren.sselaer, where he engaged in mer cantile business witii his fatiier-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 1H65), the second time to Lucinda Porter, and is the father of eight children — by his first wife Lulu, William L., Annie, Fannie and Thomas; by his second wife, Melvin B., Eflie 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 1832, he became a partner with Willey Si Sigler, merchants at Rensselaer, and in May, 1883, they established a brancii store at Mount Airy. 802 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: McCLELLAN TOWNSHIP. DAVID S. CALKINS was born February 9, 1833, in Onondaga County, N. Y. being the youngest of three children of David and Maria (Tinker) Calkins. His 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 McClellan Township, Newton 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 ^Shaw) 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. 372, 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 31, 1838, and is one of five children of Elias 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 anniversary 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 1867, 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. Mr. 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 Kankakee County, 111., was born March 4, 1851, being the oldest of two children of Elisha and Orpha (Sirpless) Parsons. He is of Irish and Welsh descent. In 1868, his parents removed to Lake Township, Newton Co., Ind., where his father piirchased the farm upon which he still lives. Edward E. remained with his parents until twenty-one, receiving a common school education. On May 5, 1875, he married Sarah M. Roberts, of Wabash County, 111., daughter of William F. and Rachel A. (Cokeland) Roberts. He employs most of his time in operating a ditching and grading plow, at present being employed on the farm of Lemuel Milk, of McClellan Township. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Republican, and is serving his second term as Trustee of McClellan Township, being one of its prominent men. McCLELLAN TOW NSH IP— NEWTON COUNTY. 803 JUSTUS L. SIMPSON was born in Otsego County, N. Y.. May 16, 1837. He is one of seven children of William and Lovina A. (Young) Simpson, natives of New York. lie received his education in the common schools of his native State. At the age of ten, he was adopted by S. Flatt, with wlioni he lived until twenty-one. He then worked ])y the month until 18(j2. when he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-second New York Volunteer Infantry', and .served with the reg- iment until discharged February 24, 1865. He participated in all marches of this regiment, being under (Jen. Di.x at the siege of Suffolk in the Peninsular campaign. During the New York riots, his regiment was ordered out, after which they were transferred to the Army of the Potomac, under Gen. Grant. He was at the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvanla Court House, and, while charging the enemy's works at Hanover Court House, received a gunshot wound in the leg, which laid him up eighteen months, and from the effects of which he has never entirely re- covered. On December 22, 1869, he married Susan E. Clemans, of Wayne County, N. Y., daughter of Lorenzo D. and Sarah (Kelley) Clemans. Four children have been born to them, three of whom, Jennie A., Cora M. and Jesse R., survive. Ro- meo died in infancy. In 187."), Mr. Simpson came to McClellan Township, Newton <'o., lud., where he has since managed a cattle ranch for Lemuel Milk. It consists of 3,000 acres, upon which are several hundred cattle. In politics, Mr. Simpson is Republican, and one of the foremost men of the township. ALONZO M. SKINNER was born in New Berlin, Chenango Co., N. Y., May 11. 1829. His parents, Sydney M. and Naomi (Peck) Skinner, are still living, at an advanced age, and will celebrate their fifty-eighth wedding anniversary October 8, 1883. Alonzo received a good education at the schools of his native county; he re- mained at home, working on the farm until twenty-five years of age, when in 1854 he came to McClellan Township, where he worked for a few years at the cooper's trade. January 1, 1857, he was married to Maria Peck, of Chenango County, N. Y., and .settled upon a farm of forty acres, where four children were born to them— Elmer E., Albert B., Elva N., and a son born June 19, 1883, all of whom are living. Mr. Skinner has added 180 acres to his farm, having now 220, well improved. He gives considerable attention to bee culture, having eighty-five Bwarms, with the latest improved hives. Mr. Skinner is Republican in politics, a prominent man, and has frequently held the office of Trustee, having been the first Trustee of the township. 804 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: LAKE TOWNSHIP. CHRISTIAN L. BRANDT was born in Denmark December 3, 1847, and is one of four children born to N. M. and Ellen M. (Fredricks) Brandt, both natives of Denmark. N. M. Brandt followed farming in his native country all his life. His widow is living with her son in this township. Christian L. Brandt at the age of fourteen, began working by the month on a farm, continuing until 1868, when he came to Iroquois County, 111., where he farmed until 1879; he then came to this township, and settled on the farm of about 1,000 acres belonging to Lemuel Milk: he raises a large amount of stock. In 1883, he purchased a farm of 320 acres ad" joining the one upon which he lives, both of which he conducts. Mr. Brandt was married, November 7, 1870, to Ann S. Christiansen, a native of Denmark. They have five children — Mary, Christines, Winthrop P., Laurina and Edward. Mr. Brandt is a Republican, and a substantial farmer. GEORGE C. A. BRYANT was born in Cortland County, N. Y., January 7, 1837, and is one of nine children born to James F. and Charlotte (Taylor) Bryant, natives of Massachusetts and Vermont respectively, both of remote Scotch descent. James F. Bryant and his wife when young removed to New York, where they lived upon a farm until 1863 or 1864, when they removed to Kankakee County, 111., where they passed the remainder of their lives. George C. A. Bryant left home when about fifteen years old, and followed carpentering a few years. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavaliy, and served until dis- charged in September, 1862; he participated in the sieges of Forts Henry and Donel- son, at the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, and in many lesser engagements. On the Tallahatchie River he was severely wounded, an ounce ball passing through his left lung. On the same day he was taken prisoner, and six weeks after was released on parole. He has never full}"^ recovered from the effects of the wound, and is still much disabled. After his return, he rented and worked farms in Kankakee County, 111., for eight years, when became to Newton County, Ind., and owned farms in Beaver and McClellan Townships; he then operated a saw mill, in connection with a partner, until 1880, when he came to this township, and settled upon the place where he now resides; he sold the saw mill in 1882, and is at present engaged in farming. Mr. Bryant was married, February 10, 1863, to Mary E. Shaw, a native of New York. They have had seven children, four of whom are living — William A., Demaris, Mark A. and Eddie A. Those deceased were John, and two infants un- named. Mr. Bryant is a Democrat. JAMES A. DeWOLF, general merchant, Lake Village, began business in Jan- uary, 1874, in connection with C. B. Scott, purchasing the building and stock from H. Wilber. In 1876, they added hardware, and in 1878 Mr. DeWolf became sole proprietor. He has largely increased the trade, and has one of the largest and best selected stocks in the county. Mr. DeWolf was born in Upper Canada March 4, 1840, and is one of four children born to Joseph and Waitty (Mott) DeWolf, both natives of Canada. When our subject was about two years old, his father died and at the age of ten years he came with his mother to Kankakee County, 111., and worked on a farm until twenty years old. He then rented farms until March, 1865, when he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantrj', and served until the regiment was mustered out, when he was transfeiTcd to Company G, One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and re- mained until mustered out at Springfield, 111., 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. Tliey have had si.x 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 PETEH 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 tlieir 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, he'came to {'hicago, and worked on railroads at different places for three years; afterward on a farm for seven years. lie married, March 23, 1862, A. M. Koll), a native of Ger- many, and daughter of Christian and Wipke (Rathman) Ivolb. They have had sev" en children, of whom five are living— John II., i\.nna 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 worked 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- votes considerable attention to stock-raising. He and wife arc members of the Lu- theran Church. .Mr. Fedde is a Republican and a citizen of high standing in th^ community. JOHN W. GUILFORD was born in Kalamazoo County, Mich., August 30, 1835, and is one of five children (all boys) born to Erastus and Elizabeth (McElvain) Guil" ford, the former a native of Massachusetts, the latter of Penn.sylvania, 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 sixteen 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 years, 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 26, 1H60, to Ann E. McElvain, a native of Michigan. Throe children have been born to this union, two of whom are living — Lodema A. and Elmo A. Hamlin died at about four }'ears of age. Mr. Guilford has been Township Trustee. He is a Republican. JAMES HALLACK was born in New York January 3, 182."), and is one of thirteen children born to John and Sarah llallack, both natives of New York. The parents passed their lives on a farm in their native State. James llallack 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 18.")5 moved to Kankakee Coimty, 111., where he owned a farm a short time. He then went into the fruit-raising business, continuing until 1862, when he came to this township and located upon the farm of 120 acres, upon which he still resides. Si.xty acres of this farm consists of or(;iiard, which is the 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 Gleasoii, a native of Canada. They have had ten children, of whom eight are living— Mrs. L. N. Wells, Mrs. John White, Mrs. Fletcher Bunton, Nettie, Charles, Abraham, Ransom 806 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: and William. Mr. Hallack was Commissioner of Newton Countj' for one term, and also served a term as Township Trustee. He is a Republican, an early settler, and a prominent citizen. SOLOMON KENRICH was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, August 7, 1833, and is one of four children born to Isaac and Magdelena Kenrich, 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, 111., 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 County, 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, III. Four children have been born to them, of whom there are liv- ing — Jay, Effle 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 five children born to William W. and Elizabeth (Criss) Milk, the former a native (probably) of Massachusetts, and the latter of New Xork, and of English and German descent respectively. William W. Milk removed to New York when quite young, and was there married, and lived until his death in Decem- ber, 1871. George W. Milk moved to Kankakee County, 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 carrying, 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 Republican, and one of the most enterprising farmers of the county. JOSEPH PACY was born in Lincolnshire, England, November 8, 1829, and ia one of four children born to Robert and Ann (Houlton) Pacy, both natives of En- gland. The parents spent their lives In their native countr}\ Subject's paternal grandfather was in the marine service during the Napoleonic war, and was twice shipwrecked. Joseph Pacy worked 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. He built and graded the three parks, Douglas, Humboldt and Garfield, and also paved many of the streets, 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 this township and bought the farm of 330 acres upon which he now resides. He is improving the place very much, and will soon have one of the best farms in the township. Mr. Pacy was married in Decem- ber, 1875, to Mrs. Harriet Cleal, a native of England. She has four children — Jo- seph, Lila, Elizabeth and Hugh. Mr. Pacy has never become a naturalized citizen. ELISHA PARSONS was born 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 1885 to Parke Connt}', 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 1868, 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, tirst. 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 Mar^iand. By this union they have had seven children, live of whom are living — Charles A., Mary E., Henry T., Lucy G. and John E. Mr. Parsons held various civil offices in Illinois, and is Ilecorder-electof 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 is 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- ton, 111. Oliver Boyle died when our subject was eight years old. Albert remained with his mother working 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 O., 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 born 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 Boyle 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 connection with his brother; then spent about three years in Dade County, Mo., after which he went to La Salle County, 111., and bought a farm, which he owned until 1868. 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 bought 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 three children — Clarence O., Charles A. and Clara J. EDWIN W. GOULD was born in Jeflferson County, N. Y., October 2, 1834, and is one of twelve children born to James and Lydia (Goodwin) Gould, both na- tives of 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 1846 went to Will County, 111., 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 w-hich he lost on the breaking-out of the war. September 4, 1861, he en- listed in First Battery, Kentucky Light Artillery, and served with the Battery (ex- cepting 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 of Stone River, Donelson. Corinth, Perryville, Liberty and Hoover's Gap, in the pursuit 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, live of whom are living — Ada, Lydia, Eva, Edwin and Joseph. 3Ir. 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 '.?8() acres upon which he now resides. The greater part is well cultivated and improved. Mr. CJould is a Greenbacker, and one of the prominent men of the township. KELLER, CRAIG &. CO., general merchants, Rose Lawn, Ind., began busi- ness May 10, 1881, in their present building, which was the first foundation laid ift 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., in the county. They owq a large warehouse, and handle grain and all kinds of produce, and also operate a hmiber 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 County, 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 iu 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 isj^et a young 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 Count3% 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 L'nited 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 L^nion. 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, enlisftid 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 occupations, 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. Kenncy was born in Ontario, Canada, August 24, 1847, and is the only child of Absalom H. and Charlotte C. (Smith) Ken- ney, both natives of Canada, where the latter is still living. When our subject was ten years old, his father died. William M. lived with his mother until he attained his majority, spending consideraljlc time traveling in the United States. He then 810 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES; rented and worked farms in Canada until 1879, wiien he came to this township, and erected the first store building in the township; conducted a general merchandise business until 1882, when he removed to his present location. Mr. Kenney 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 22, 1842, 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 1856, when they went to Grundy County, 111., remaining until 1865, 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 Myrtie B. Mrs. Sink died, and Mr. Sink next married a daughter of Aaron Wilson. 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 WILSON was born in Union County, Ind., June 21, 1837, and is one of eleven children born to Daniel and Sarah (Sunderland) Wilson, 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 J. 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 120 acres (70 acres of which he 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 Munf ordsville, 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 Mary Ray, a native of Union County, Ind., and daughter of Robert and Hannah (Fordyce) Ray. They have three children — William F., Mrs. John Sink and George M. Mr. Wilson was the first Trustee of the township, and one of the early settlers. He is a Republican.