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COUNTIES 


OF 


WARD  AND  TIPTON. 


INDI^N^. 


HISTORICAL  A.ND   BIOGRAPHICAL. 


ILLUSTI^ATED. 


CHARLES    BLANCHARD,    EDITOR. 


CHICAGO: 
F.   A.  BAITEY  &  CO. 

1883. 


PREFACE. 


THIS  volume  goes  forth  to  our  patrons  the  result  of  months  of  arduous, 
unremitting  and  conscientious  labor.  None  so  well  know  as  those  who 
havevbeen  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 — both  local  and  other — 
in  gathering  material.  During  this  time,  most  of  the  citizens  of  both  coun 
ties  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  newspa- 
per files  of  the  counties  have  been  overhauled,  and' former  citizens,  now  living 
out  of  the  counties,  have  been  corresponded  with,  all  for  the  purpose  of 
making  the  record  as  complete  as  could  be,  and  for  the  verification  of 
the  information  by  a  conference  with  many.  In  gathering  from  these  nu- 
merous sources,  both  for  the  historical  and  biographical  departments,  the  con- 
flicting statements,  the  discrepancies  and  the  fallible  and  incomplete  nature 
of  public  documents  were  almost  appalling  to  our  historians  and  biographers, 
who  were  expected  to  weave  therefrom  with  some  degree  of  accuracy,  in  pano- 
ramic review,  a  record  of  events.  Members  of  the  same  families  disagree  as 
to  the  spelling  of  the  family  name,  contradict  each  other's  statements  as  to 
dates  of  birth,  of  settlement  in  the  counties,  nativity  and  other  matters  of 
fact.  In  this  entangled  condition,  we  have  given  preference  to  the  prepon- 
derance of  authority,  and  while  we  acknowledge  the  existence  of  errors  and 
our  inability  to  furnish  a  perfect  history,  we  claim  to  have  come  up  to  the 
standard  of  our  promises,  and  given  as  complete  and  accurate  a  work 
as  the  nature  of  the  surroundings  would  permit.  Whatever  may  be  the 
verdict  of  those  who  do  not  and  will  not  comprehend  the  difficulties  to  be 
met  with,  we  feel  assured  that  all  just  and  thoughtful  people  will  appreciate 
our  efforts,  and  recognize  the  importance  of  the  undertaking  and  the  great 
public  benefit  that  has  been  accomplished  in  preserving  the  valuable  histor- 
ical matter  of  the  counties  and  biographies  of  many  of  their  citizens,  that 
perhaps  would  otherwise  have  passed  into  oblivion.  To  those  who  have 
given  us  their  support  and  encouragement,  and  they  are  many,  we  ac- 
knowledge our  gratitude,  and  can  assure  them  that  as  years  go  by  the  book 
wili  grow  in  value  as  a  repositoi\y  not  only  of  pleasing  reading  matter,  but 
of  treasured  information  of  the  past  that  will  become  a  monument  more 
enduring  than  marble.  THE  PUBLISHERS. 

August,   18S3. 


CONTENTS. 


PART    I. 
PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES. 


PAIiK. 

Algonquiiis,  The 10 

Customs,  Indian :!6 

Delawares,  The 21 

tlovernmcut,   Indian 36 

Indians,  The 15 

Laws,  Indian 'M 

Lord's  Prayer — in  Cherokee  and  English 40 

Mianiis,   The 2o 


PA'.K. 

Moiind-15uiIders n 

Pottawatoniics,  Tlie 20 

Religion  and  Mythology,  Indian -tl 

Vocabulary,   A  Short 18 

PORTKAITS. 

Ovornian,  .ludgc  N.  R 27 

Overman,  Mrs.  Mary  .J 42 


PART  II.— HISTORY   OF    HOWARD   COUNTY. 


i>a<;e. 

Acts  of  County  Commissioners,  First 47 

Agricultural  Society i'O 

Anti-Horse-Thiet'  Society '.tl 

Assessment  of  Property 50 

Board  of  Health ." 70 

Crimes  and  ( 'asualties ,     92 

Common  Roads T-> 

Concluding  Remarks '.lO 

Drainage 71 

IClections,  First 47 

(i  ravel  Roads 74 

Library,  County ii5 

Lynching 03 

Medical  Fraternity 83 

Murder  Case OS 

Newspapers S5 

( tflicers  of  ( 'ounty ,  From  Organization 50 

<  irganizatiou 43 

Population  of  County 50 

Public  Ruildings •j>i 

I  vail  roads lO 

Richardville  Circuit  Court 05 

Schools  in  Howard 77 

Surface  of  Country 43 

Water-Coursos 4-1 

Military  IIistoev 101 

P>eginning  of  Hostilities 105 

Bounties,  First  120 

Bounties,  'i'bc  Matter  of 125 

Bounty  JCxpeuditures 192 

Call  to  Arms,  The 100 

Causes  of  the  Uebellion 104 

Chase  After  Moi-gan 121 

Close  of  the  Struggle 127 

Departure  of  the  Boys 109 

Draft,   First 121 

Draft,  Second 124 

ICleventh  Cavalry,   Company  B 122 

Fnlistment,  Final 120 

Fifth  Cavalry,  Company  A 117 

First  Company,  The 107 

Men  of  1812...." lOt 

Militia  Companies I  !2 


I'AI^E. 

MOitia  Enrollment 120 

Othcers'  Record 132 

Party  Dissension 120 

President's  Assassination 12S 

Record  of  the  Thirteenth  Regiment Ill 

Regimental   Representation,  Howard's 131 

Regiment,  Thirty-fourth 113' 

Regiment,  Thirty-ninth 114 

Regiment,  Fifty-seventh 115 

Regiment,  Seventy-fifth 117 

liegiment.  Eighty-ninth 117 

Regiment,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fifth...  124 
Jteginaent,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-seventh  124 
Regiment,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-second, 

Company  1 125 

Relief  for  Shiloh 117 

Result  of  the  War 130 

Roll  of  Honor 139 

War  with  Mexico 103 

Welcome  Home 129 

TO^VXSHISP   HISTORIES. 

City  uk  Koicomo 144 

Bar  and  Courts 170 

Births ., 151 

Churches 158 

Deaths 151 

(ieneral  Prosperity 170 

Incorporation  of  the  Town 152 

Knights  of  Pythias 17S 

Location  of  the  City 148 

.Masonry 173 

Medical  Profession 172 

Naming  the  Town 14() 

Odd  Fellows 174 

Officers,  City 1-55 

Organization  of  City  Government 143 

Schools  .and  Education 167 

Settler,  First 144 

Centre  TowNsiiir 177 

Cemeteries  179 

Churches 17!) 


CONTENTS. 


I»A(i  K. 

t  .ravel  Koads 1^1 

Manufactories !><- 

Mills 179 

Newspapers 179 

I'ast  ami  Present 182 

ropiilatiou lf*l 

I'roporty l^il 

I'ublif  Institutions 181 

Settlers,  ICarly IT- 

Soil  and  Timber 17.S 

Wild  Animals 1"S 

JlONICY  Cltr.KK  ToWN-SIIIl- 182 

JJar,  The -'U3 

<  luuehes l'.i2-20O 

l>eutistry 20:! 

(irand  Army  of  the  Ucimblic 200 

Improvement  of  Lauds 189 

Lauds  Entered 180 

Manufacturing 190 

Marrin^re,  lirst 188 

Masonic  (trder 199 

Medical  Prulessiou 20;i 

Mirehauts,  Leadina' 190 

Mills 190-197 

Murder,  The  iiinns 204 

N(!w  spapers,  The 20:! 

Odd  Fellows 19S 

I'olitics 194 

I'o.st  Office 197 

Itailroads 194 

Kussiaville 195 

.Sliools 191 

Schouls  in  Itussiaville 19S 

Settlers,  First 185 

■faxes,  First 186 

Transfer  of  Honey  Creek  Township 190 

MoNiiOE  Township 205 

business  Houses 210 

Churches , 209 

I'unkards,  The 209 

IClection,  First 207 

Masonic  Order,  Tlie 210 

Medical  Profession,  The 210 

New  London  Village 207 

Sehools 20S 

Settlers,  I'irst 206 

-Society  of  Friends 209 

Teachers,  Present 210 

I1aui;i<on  Townshii' 210 

Alto,  Town  of 216 

Hirth,  First 214 

<  abin  in  the  Clearing  (Poetry) 211 

''hurches  and  Schools 215 

l>escription  of  Township 212 

Cus  Well 218 

Lef,'isliitiou,  Early 217 

Marriage,  First 214 

Medicine,   Law  and  Politics 216 

Middleton  Flouring  Mill oji) 

Mills,  Saw  and  tirist 215 

Origin  of  Name  212 

Population 220 

Ueminiscenees,  lOarly 21:! 

Settlers,  First ". 212 

Taxes 220 

AVest  ^fiddleton.  Town  of 219 

T.wi.dR  TowNsiiiv 221 

<  hurcUes oSi 

I'rainagc 221 

FUctio'is,  Karly 229 

Faiiiield  Vilhige 229 

Improvements,  (ieueral 226 

Mills,  Grist  and  Saw 227 

officers 229 

liailroads '  228 

Sebool  and  Teacliers -"3;! 

Settlers,  Farlv '    oo 

Soil,  The .". '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.  221 

Tampico  Village 232 

Terre  Hall  \'illage ..."  2:32 

Turnpikes 22s 

T'nion  Township 237 

Hirth,  First 246 

i  'burehes 250 

I'eath,  I'irst '..'...'.  -"qc 


Jerome  Village 247 

Marriage,  First 246 

Mills,  Saw  and  (irist 245 

Pioneer  Settlement 239 

Primitive  Farming 239 

Roads 245 

Schools 25:! 

Soil,  Timber,  etc 238 

West  Liberty  Village 249 

Jackson  Townshii' 254 

Births,  Farlv 259 

Church  History 260 

l>eaths,  l^arly 259 

Educational 258 

Elections,  Earliest 258 

Marriages,  Early 259 

Pioneer  Settlement 255 

Roads 259 

Saw  Mills 2611 

Soil  and  Drainage  254 

Sycamore  Village 262 

Liberty  Township 262 

Churches 277 

Condition  of  County,  Early 268 

Death,  First ". 271 

Elections,  Early 272 

(Jreentown  Village 273 

Improvements,  Early 270 

Marriage,  First 271 

Officers,  ICarly 272 

Pioneer  Settlement 264 

Plevna  Village 27(! 

Itoads 271 

Schools 276 

Topography  and  Productions 263 

HowAKD  Township 2So 

Birth,  First 285 

Cassville  Village 290 

Cemetery,  First 286 

Churches 287 

Election,  First 285 

Marriage,  First 285 

Schools 2S6 

Settlers,  First 2S1 

Vermont  Village.... 291 

Clay  Township 292 

Drainage 295 

lOarly  Events 29;: 

Miscellaneous  Notes 294 

Settlers,  First 292 

Tax  Statistics.... 295 

Trustee  Meetings,  Early 294 

Ervin  Township 296 

Churches :!0i) 

Improvements,  Early 29S 

Ministers,  First '. :'.ui» 

i'hysicians.  First :iOO 

Pioneer  Settlers 297 

Schools ::01 

Settlers,  Later 299 

Streams,  etc  29!i 

Trustees,  Fii'st :iiHi 


BIOGRAPHIC  AI.  KKKTCHKS. 

Centre  Towusliip ;i74 

Harrison  Township .'!99 

Honey  Creek  Township :i82 

Jackson  Townshiji 4:!9 

Kokomo  City ::o;! 

Liberty  Township 153 

Monroe  Township :>94 

Taylor  Township 109 

Uni07i  Township 117 

PORTRAITS.     " 

Armstrong,  A.  F.,  between  pages 148,  151 

tiarrigus,  Milton,  between  pages 98,  ii»l 

Johnson,  L  C,  between  jiages 182,  185 

Kirkpatriek.Capt.  Thomas M.,  between  pages  80    83 

Moulder,  J.  McL.,  between  pages 200,  20:! 

Philips,  T.  ('.,  between  pages... 62,    65 

Piichmond,  Coi-ydou,  between  pages 41.    47 


CONTKNT.^ 


PART   III.— HISTORY   OF    TIPTON   COUNTY. 


\'Al.E. 

Agricultural  Society iO 

Circuit  Court 11 

(.'ommon  Pleas  Court 16 

Court  Houses  and  Jails 18 

Drainage,  County 24 

Educational  Statistics 20 

Election,  First 7 

Events  Prior  to  County  Organization 1 

Finances,  County 44 

Grange  Association 21 

Justices  of  the  Peace 17 

Land,  First  Pui'chase  ol' 2 

Legal  Practitioners 2S 

Marriages,  Early 23 

Medical  Societies 27 

Miscellaneous  Items 20 

Jlurder  Trials IG 

Officers,  County 42 

Organization  oi'  County 9 

Paupers 25 

Pioneer  Society 36 

Politics,  County 37 

Population  of  County 23 

Press,  County ,..  31 

Probate  Court 14 

Railroads 24 

Roads,  County  and  State 23 

Roads,  (iravei 24 

Seminary  and  Library 30 

Settlement,  Subsequent 3 

Table  of  Taxable  Property  in  l.ssl 47 

Township  Boundaries,  Subsequent IS 

Voters  at  First  Flection S 

Military  Record 4S 

Calls  for  Volunteers .il-oS 

Capt.  Montgomery's  Recruits 53 

Death  of  Adjt.  Evans 60 

Death  of  Lieut.  I.  M.  Runisey 61 

Feeling  at  tlie  Outbreak  of  the  War 49 

Knights  of  the  (jolden  Circle 57 

List  of  Officers  and  .Men 63 

One-Hundred  Day  Men 58 

Organization  of  First  Company 50 

Organization  of  Second  Company  5T 

Organization  of  Third  Company." .52 

Organization  of  Fourth  Company :  52 

Picnic  and  Speeches 54 

Start  lor  the  I'ront .50 

TOWKSHIP   mSTOKlES. 

Town  01'  Tii'TON 90 

Court  House,  First 94 

Educational 103 

Incorjidration 100 

Laying  out  the  Town 92 

Leading  Industries 108 

Location  of  Town 9X 

Mail  Service 95 

Merchants,  Pioneer ^ 95 

Mills  and  Manufactures 110 

Professions,  The 113 

Public  Sale  of  Lots 93 

Religious 105 

Secret  Societies 107 

Situation  in  1.S4.S-49 97 

Situation  from  1.S50  to  1855 98 

Situation  from  1856  to  1870 99 

Summary 113 

Taverns,  Early 94 

»  ICKRO  Towx.siup 114 

Amusements 125 

Bridges 124 

Drainage 116 

Elections,  Early 129 

Fight  with  Wolves 126 

First  Session  of  County  Board 115 

Game  Hunting 124 

Habitations,  Early 120 

Independence  Village 136 

Industrie's,  Fir.st 128 

Jackson  Station 134 


Officers,  l^arly \2'.) 

Parker's  Mill i.if, 

Parrotsville 13."; 

Products  and  Markets i:;4 

Retrospective y.m 

Roads 123 

Schools  130 

Settlement,  First : 117 

Taxation,  Statement  of 129 

N'alue  of  Lands 12!) 

West  Kiuderhook 135 

Wild  C.*.t  Townsiiii- 137 

Birth,  First 147 

Boundaries v>S 

Cemeteries 147 

Crime 1.14 

Deaths,  Early 147 

Fire,  A  Big..'. 1.55 

Oeneral  Description i;(S 

Incorjjoration  of  Windfall 154 

Life  in  the  Woods 144 

Pioneers,  The 141 

Press,  The 153 

Religious  History 149 

Roads,  etc ." 146 

Schools 14S 

Secret  Societies 153 

Water-Courses i.3,s 

What  Thirty  Years  Have  Done 155 

Windfall  Village 151 

LiiiERTY  Township... i5(j 

Church  History ifio 

Death,  First 15!) 

Elections,  Early 1C9 

(ieneral  Description I5t) 

Indian  History i.jii 

Marriage,  Eai-ly 159 

Nevada  Village 1C8 

Organization^  Township 170 

Retrospect  and  Prospect I7i 

Roads,  County 170 

Schools,  Early IGO 

Settlers,  Early 157 

sharpsville  Village 1G3 

War  Record 170 

Prairik  Township 171 

Burials 178 

Churches 179 

(iroomsville 1S3 

Life  in  the  Backwoods 178 

Marriages 178 

Masonic  Lodge -82 

.Schools  and  Education 182 

Settlement i7;j 

Jefeeksox  To\vxship 184 

Cemeteries 197 

Churches 204 

ICkin  Village 202 

Goldsmith  Village 202 

How  the  Settlers  Lived 192 

Improvements,   ICarly 195 

.lericho  ^'illa^e 199 

Keniiiton  Village 20O 

lyiarket  Places,  Early 197 

.Marriages,  Early .". 197 

Nonuauda  Village 200 

Pioneer  .Vmuscments 194 

Pioneer  Settlements 1S5 

Schools 203 

Tetersburg  Village 199 

Voting  Places 198 

Madlson  Township 2O6 

Cemeteries 220 

Curtisville  Village 219 

IHections,  IJarly 2I6 

(ieneral  Improvements 214 

Hobbs  Village 220 

Miscellaneous  Matters 224 

New  Lancaster  Village 216 

Religious  History 220 

■Schools 222 

Settlement 209 


CONTENTS. 


BIOftRAPHKAI.  !*iKET<'HEK. 

PAGE. 

(  icero  Township 267 

.lefferson  'J'ownship 377 

Liberty  Township 334 

Aradison  Township 419 

I'rairle  Township 349 

Town  of  'I'ipton 225 

Wild  Cat   Township 293 

FORTH  A  ITS. 

Alexander,  1).  II.,  between  passes 13S,  141 

(ireen,  John,  between  pages 32,    35 


PAGE. 

Jaclcsou,  C.  T.,  between  pages 442,  445 

Jessup,  J.  T.,  between  pages 424,  427 

Kemp,  David,  between  pages 386,  389 

Lilly,  (Jreen,  between  pages 416,  419 

Miner,  W.  J.,  between  pages 206,  209 

iMontgoniery,  ('apt.  I.  II.,  between  pages 66,    69 

I'ershing,  M.  W.,  between  pages 120,  123 

I'itzer,  A.  li.,  between  pages 110,  113 

Shank,  Joseph,  between  pajj-es 100,  103 

Shank,  Marinda,  between  pages 100,  103 

Smith,  John  D.,  between  pages 216,  219 

Van  Buskirk,  Jehu,  between  pages 188,  191 

Ward,  L.  R.,  between  pages 404,  407 


PART  I. 


PRELIMINARY    HISTORY 


OF 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES. 


PRELIMINARY   HISTORY 

OF 

HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES. 


THE  MOUND-BUILDERS. 
rpHE   history  of  a  county   should  contain  little  else  than  a  faithful 
-L-    record  of  the  settlement,  development,  caste  and  condition  of  her 
people. 

Howard  and  Tipton  Counties,  although  now  rich  in  fertile  fields  and 
gardens,  schools  and  churches,  furnishing  to  the  world  more  than  a  pro- 
portionate share  of  commerce,  with  an  educational  development  and  ad- 
vancement that  proudly  stand  in  the  front  ranks,  are  yet  in  their  infancy 
There  are  now  living  among  us  a  few  faithful  pioneers  who  saw  the  dense 
forests  first  broken,  the  fields  first  opened  to  Anglo-Saxon  civilization 
^ducation  and  religion.  To  write  of  and  about  such  a  people  is  certainly 
delightful.  To  able  and  faithful  hands  has  been  assigned  this  pleasant 
duty,  but  to  me  m  this  opening  chapter  is  referred  the  sadder  task  of 
pronouncing  the  funeral  notes  of  two  widely  different  peoples,  who  once 
occupied  and  cultivated  portions  of  the  soil  of  each  county-first  the 
Mound  Builders,  secondly,  the  Indians-the  former  extinct  many  gener- 
ations before  Europe  opened  her  eyes  upon  America,  the  latter  now 
'reading  their  doom  in  the  setting  sun." 

Upon  the  discovery  of  America,  nearly  four  hundred  years  a^o  the  re- 
mains of  their  ancient  earthworks,  mounds,  moats  and  forts  were" scattered 
from  Mexico  all  along  the  Mississippi  and  Ohio  Valleys,  and  thence  to 
the  lake  regions  north.  The  Indians  knew  nothing  of  their  age,  purpose 
or  cause  of  construction.  Outside  of  a  few  vague  and  conflicting  super- 
stitions, they  had  no  well-defined  tradition  with  reference  to  them 

The  city  of  St.  Louis  was  a  city  of  mounds,  while  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  river  more  than  two  hundred  were  counted,  among  which  was  the 
great  Lahokia  mammoth  mound  of  the  Mississippi  Valley.  Before  the 
desecrating  hand  of  the  white  man  despoiled  this  magnificent  temple  it 


12  TRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF 

rose  in  height  ninety  feet ;  in  shape  it  was  at  the  base  a  parallelogram, 
the  sides  at  the  base  measuring  seven  hundred  by  five  hundred  feet.  On 
the  southwest  there  was  a  terrace  160x300  feet-the  top  being  level  and 
constituting  a  platform  200  feet  wide  by  450  feet  long,  upon  which  could 
congregate  thousands  and  thousands  of  people,  at  an  elevation  of  nearly 
one  hundred  feet  above  the  surrounding  country. 

The  mounds   at  Grave  Creek,  Marietta,  Miami  and    Vincennes,  with 
many  others,  are  but  little  less  immense,  massive  and  imposing.       The 
walls  and  embankments  in  the  vicinity  of  Newark,  Ohio,  are  said  to  meas- 
ure more  than  twenty  miles  in  length.      Similar  walls  and  circles   are 
found  all  over  Indiana  and  several  other  States,  one  of  the  best  preserved 
in  this  State  being  about  three  miles  east  of  Anderson  ;  another  near  the 
confluence  of  Bear  and  Duck  Creeks  with  White  River.     The  latter  is  the 
only  circle  in  the  State  having  the  moat  or  ditch  on  the  outside.     The 
walls  have  been  almost  razed  to  the  ground  by  the  invading  plow,  yet 
fragments  of  highly  polished  pottery-ware  are  found  in  almost  every  shovel 
of  dirt  thrown  from  the  walls  of  this  ancient  metropolis.      These  immense 
works  of  man  required  the  joint  labor  of  hundreds  for  years  and  years. 
They  must  have  had  a  governmental  head,  settled  life  and  agricultural 
pursuits,  differing  widely  from  the  wild,  wandering  and  erratic  tribes  of 
North  American  Indians,  who  had  no  settled  homes,  save  a  few  rude  vil- 
lages constructed  of  poles  and  covered  over  with  the  skins  of  wild  animals, 
which  could,  in  a  few  minutes,  be  piled  upon  the  backs  of  their  wives  and 
squaws  and  transported  to  distant  happier  hunting  homes  in    the  forest 
The  Indians  of  Peru  and  Mexico  had'  reached  the  highest  elevation  and 
advancement.     There,  doubtless,  was  the  seat  of  empire  of  this  unknown 
race  that  occupied  and  cultivated  the  soil  of  Howard  and  Tipton  Counties. 
There  the  ruins  of  great  cities,  beautiful  edifices  and  magnificent  temples 
lie  buried  in  the  debris  of  untold  centuries.     These  remains  display  a  civi- 
lization and  science,  immense  toil  and  industry,  but  little  less  than  that 
displayed  by  the  ruins  of  Nineveh,  or  the  wonderful  pyramids  of  Egypt. 
From  this  metropolis  and  center  of  civilization,  the  Mound-Builders  radi- 
ated, and  reached  almost  every  part  of  the  continent. 

The  rivers,  streams  and  rivulets  constituted  .their  national  highways 
and  channels  of  commerce.  Upon  the  banks  of  these  streams  they  built 
their  cities,  towns  and  villages  and  cultivated  fields  and  farms  extending 
far  inland.  Upon  these  waters  they  transported  emigration  and  floated 
their  commerce.  The  copper  ore  mined  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior 
has  been  found  in  a  manufactured  condition  in  all  parts  of  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  Valleys,  and  in  Mexico,  Central  and  South  America ;  and  in 
return  Gulf  shells  and  volcanic  obsidian  and  other  Southern  products,  are 
found  all  along  these  valleys  and  channels  of  commerce  to  the   Great 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES.  13 

Lakes  of  the  North — thus  binding  together   by  commercial   laws,  if  not 
by  government,  a  populous  and  widely  extended  people. 

The  Mississippi,  with  its  tributaries,  directed  the  course  of  emityration 
and  settlement.  They  seem  to  have  followed  this  great  water-course,  from 
the  Gulf  shore  to  the  very  source  of  each  rivulet  that  empties  its  waters 
into  this  grand  continental  basin.  It  is  possible  that  rude  canoes,  con- 
structed with  fire  and  implements  of  stone  from  trunks  of  forest  trees 
grown  here  upon  our  own  soil,  were  moored  upon  the  VVild  Cat  and  Cicero 
Creeks,  consigned  to,  freighted  for,  and  landed  upon  the  shores  of  Mexico 
and  Central  America.  It  is  true  this  pre-historic  ship  differed  widely 
from  the  floating  palace  propelled  by  steam,  or  the  huge  ship  of  war 
freighted  with  a  hundred  guns,  and  manned  by  armies,  that  now  traverses 
the  waters  of  the  globe  ;'  yet  man,  then  as  now,  was  the  master  of  the 
world,  guided  by  intellectual  superiority ;  huge  reptiles,  mammoths  and 
monsters,  were  obedient  to  his  will.  It  is  probable  that  at  the  confluence 
of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivers,  two  widely  diverging  lines,  the  Mound 
Builders  met  in  solemn  council  to  give  laws,  adjust  and  determine  difii- 
culties  between  settlements  and  States.  The  Ohio,  with  its  tributaries, 
constituted  the  highways  of  pre-historic  man  in  Indiana,  and  several  other 
States  and  parts  of  States.  More  than  twelve  hundred  inclosures  and  ten 
thousand  mounds  have  been  counted  in  Ohio.  Indiana,  too,  is  but  little 
less  fertile  in  these  antiquities. 

Professor  Cox  says :  "  Only  a  small  portion  of  this  State  has  so  far 
been  examined  in  this  respect,  yet  the  results  accomplished  are  in  the 
highest  degree  gratifying."  Prof.  Collett,  in  his  report  of  Knox 
County,  says :  "  Perhaps  the  seat  of  a  royal  priesthood,  their  eff"orts  essayed 
to  build  a  series  of  temples,  which  constituted  at  once  capital  and  holy 
city — the  Heliopolis  of  the  West.  Three  sacred  mounds  thrown  upon,  or 
against  the  sides  of  the  second  terrace  or  biufl",  east  and  southeast  of  Vin- 
cennes,  are  the  result,  and  in  size,  symmetry  and  grandeur  of  aspect  rival, 
if  not  excel,  any  pre-historic  remains  in  the  United  States." 

The  Wabash,  Whitewater  and  White  Rivers  and  their  tributaries  con- 
stituted the  leading  lines  of  navigation  in  this  State.  The  Wabash 
formed  the  great  artery  of  communication  between  the  Ohio  River  and  the 
Northern  lake  regions  ;  and  its  whole  valley  bears  evidence  of  a  once  nu- 
merous people. 

Tipton  County,  a  water-shed,  mostly  level  and  uninviting  to  these  peo- 
ple, is  not,  however,  without  her  evidences  of  a  pre-historic  man.  From 
the  Wabash  they  followed  up  the  Wild  Cat  to  its  head-waters,  in  the  north- 
east part  of  the  county,  and  there  established  a  colony,  and  cultivated 
the  soil.  A  mound  and  numerous  rough  and  polished  stone  implements 
have  been  found.     The  southeast  part  of  the  county  was  still  more  densely 


;^4  PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF 

populated.     From  their  metropolis  and  ancient  circle    at  Strawtown    on 
White  River,  they  followed  up  Duck  Creek,  and  formed  a  contmuous  line 
of  settlement  on  its  banks,  and  inland,  through  that  portion  of  the  ^oun^y^ 
There- a  stone  circle,  several  sacrificial  and  burial  mounds,    with  highly 
polished  implements,  bear  evidence  of  their  ancient  existence.     Again  we 
find  the   remains   of  that   strange  people   in  the   southwest  part  of  the 
county,  on  the  banks  of  Cicero  Creek,  another  diverging  line,  near  Center 
Grove  Church,  where  humble  Christiansnow  meet  to  supplicate  and  thank 
the  God  of  revelation  ;  they,  too,  built  a  church,  the  pyramidal  foundation 
of  which   was  siity-four  feet  in  diameter,  and  yet  stands  out  in  bold  re- 
lief after  the  lapse  of  untold  centuries.  v,       m-   .      •„ 
Howard  County  is  no  less  fertile,  and  probably  more  so,  than  Tipton  in 
pre-historic  remains.     I  have  examined  some  very  fine  specimens  of  rough 
Ld  polished  stone  implements  found  in  the  county.     A  broken  tube  of 
quartz  rock  handed  me  by  Mr.  Moon,  displays  the  very   highest  skill  in 
lessing  stone  by  pre-historic  man.     There  are  a  number  of  mounds  along 
Wild  Cat  Creek,  and  doubtless  many  others  in  the  county,  that  have  not 

been  examined.  .„   , 

And  here  let  us  pause  to  meditate  upon  this  unknown  race.      We  know 
that  Howard  and  Tipton  Counties,  as  well  as  the  entire  Ohio  and  Missis- 
sippi Valleys,  were  many  centuries  ago  inhabited  by  these  unknown  peo- 
ple with  settled  and  agricultural  pursuits,  antedating  and  far  excelling 
in  art,  industry  and  civilization  the  North  American  Indians.     Relics   ot 
the  spinning  wheel,  the  weaver's  loom  and  lapidary's  art  are  found  in 
almost  all  parts  of  both  counties.   Much  of  our  land  now  in  use  and  generally 
believed  to  be  only  recently  farmed,  was  thousands  of  years  ago  cleared 
and  cultivated.     Corn,  potatoes,  tobacco  and  other  agricultural  products 
^ere  grown  upon  the  same  soil.     Since  their  extinction,  great  forests  of 
trees  have  successively  grown,  died  away  and  re-grown.     No  history,  no 
tradition  reflects  a  single  ray  of  light  upon  these  semi-civilized  people. 
Long  centuries  have  forever  closed  to  the  vision  of  man  their  true  name, 
their  history  and  religion,  their  immigration,  stay  and  extinction. 

But  through  the  persevering  efforts  of  antiquarians,  collecting,  compar- 
ing and  contrasting  their  implements  of  husbandry,  industry  and  art ;  their 
mounds,  moats  and  forts,  much  of  their  nature,  habits,  religion  and  civiliza- 
tion is  being  developed,  yet  the  great  cycles  of  time  have  so  completely  veiled 
in  darknessand  night  the  gloomy  silence  of  the  past,  that  the  most  sanguine 
antiquarian  does  not  hope  to  measure  by  years  or  centuries  the  time  ot 
their  existence  in  this  country.  Perhaps  when  these  strange  people  were 
.atherin^r  around  their  sacred  fires,  living,  loving  and  worshiping  their 
Great  Spirit,  the  Pharaohs  of  Egypt  were  erecting  the  Cheops,  the  Vocal 
Memnon  or  some  other  colossal  statue  in  honor  of  their  gods. 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES.  15 

THE    INDIANS. 

When,  where  or  how  man  first  made  his  appearance  in  the  Western 
World  is  wrapped  in  darkness  and  dispute,  and  probably  will  remain  for- 
ever a  perplexing  and  profound  secret.  Various  conjectures  and  specu- 
lations have  been  promulgated  as  true,  and  written  as  history,  which  have 
little  or  no  foundation  in  proof,  truth  or  reason,  such  theories  reflecting 
the  anxiety,  ignorance  or  egotism  of  the  author,  or  prejudice  of  the  ances- 
tor. That  they  came  by  the  way  of  Behring  Strait  from  Kamtchatka, 
has  little  if  any  evidence  to  support  it;  that  they  came  from  Europe,  Asia, 
or  Africa  by  sailing  from  island  to  island  is  possible,  but  not  at  all  probable; 
that  they  descended  from  the  ancient  Israelites  is  absolutely  absurd  and 
foolish.  Science,  reason  and  research  are  fast  developing  new  truths  and 
demonstrating  new  facts,  and  it  now  may  be  well  said  that  if  Americans 
were  not  born  in  America,  the  period  of  their  separation  from  the  parent 
stock  was  so  exceedingly  remote  as  to  more  confuse  and  confound  us  than 
to  acknowledge  their  separate  existence  and  independent  originality. 

Volney,  the  learned  French  traveler,  while  visiting  America,  explained 
to  the  great  Miami  Chief,  Little  Turtle,  that  many  believed  his  people 
were  descendants  of  the  Tartars,  and  on  a  map  showed  him  the  near  con- 
nection of  Asia  and  America.  To  this  Little  Turtle  replied  :  "  Why 
should  not  these  Tartars,  who  resemble  us,  have  come  from  America  ?  Are 
there  any  reasons  to  the  contrary  ?  Or  why  should  we  not  both  have  been 
born  in  our  own  country  ?" 

A  white  man  accosted  an  Indian  as  brother.  The  red  man  inquired 
with  an  expression  of  surprise,  how  they  came  to  be  brothers.  The  white 
man  said,  "  Oh,  by  way  of  Adam,  I  suppose."  The  Indian  replied,  "  Me 
child  of  Great  Spirit,  me  no  kin  to  Adam." 

Be  these  opinions  or  prejudices  as  they  may,  we  now  know  that  a  peri- 
od of  three  thousand  years,  in  the  absence  of  amalgamation  and  miracles, 
make  no  perceptible  change  in  the  types  of  mankind.  The  original  pict- 
ures and  paintings  carved  upon  the  ancient  pyramids  of  Egypt  repre- 
sent different  types  of  the  human  race,  as  distinctly  marked  as  they  exist 
to-day,  which  features  and  physical  developments  have  been  substantially 
stamped  and  fixed  upon  them  in  every  climate  and  condition  in  life. 

Schoolcraft,  who  has  used  every  effort  in  his  exhaustive  work  to  prove 
that  they  are  of  transatlantic  origin,  says :  "  But  whenever  visited, 
whether  in  the  9th,  10th  or  15th  century,  or  late  in  the  16th,  when  Vir- 
ginia was  first  visited,  the  Indians  vindicated  all  the  leading  traits  and 
characteristics  of  the  present  day.  Of  all  races  on  the  face  of  the  earth, 
who  were  pushed  from  their  original  seats,  and  cast  back  into  utter  bar- 
barism, they  have  apparently  changed  the  least ;  and  have  preserved  their 
physical  and  mental  type  with  the  fewest  alterations.     They   continue  to 


1*3  PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  GF 

reproduce  themselves,  as  a  race,  even  where  their  manners  are  compara- 
tively polished,  and  their  intellects  enlightened,  as  if  they  were  bound 
by  the  iron  fetters  of  an  unchanging  type."  When  unmixed  with  other 
languages,  the  dialect  of  a  people  are  enduring  muniments  of  their  identi- 
ty. Bancroft  says:  "Another  and  more  ceitain  conclusion  is  this,  that 
the  ancestors  of  our  tribes  were  rude  like  themselves.  It  has  been  asked 
if  our  Indians  were  not  the  wrecks  of  more  civilized  nations.  Their 
language  refutes  the  hypothesis;  every  one  of  its  forms  is  a  witness  that 
their  ancestors  were,  like  themselves,  not  yet  disenthralled  from  nature. 
The  character  of  each  Indian  language  is  one  continued,  universal,  all- 
prevading  synthesis.  They  to  whom  these  languages  were  the  mother 
tongue,  were  still  in  that  earliest  stage  of  intellectual  culture  where  reflec- 
tion has  not  begun." 

Were  a  few  English  families  isolated  from  the  remainder  of  mankind, 
and  during  long  periods  of  time  should  propagate  and  people  a  continent, 
thousands  and  thousands  of  years  would  hardly  suffice  to  change  every 
word  and  combination  of  words  as  now  used  by  them.  Yet  the  different 
dialects  of  the  Indians  upon  the  discovery  of  America  were  wholly  and 
totally  different  from  every  known  language  of  the  old  world. 

Upon  the  discovery  of  America,  this  hitherto  unknown  race  of  men 
was  scattered  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  ;  from  the  Arctic  Archipela- 
go to  Terra  del  Fuego ;  from  east  to  west  more  than  three  thousand 
miles  ;  from  north  to  south  more  than  seven  thousand  miles  ;  thus 
occupying  every  clime,  condition  and  variation  of  the  globe,  they 
roamed  over  the  mountains  and  through  the  valleys,  and  with  their  bark 
canoes  navigated  the  great  lakes  and  rivers,  creeks  and  rivulets  of  both 
continents.  The  Fuegians  and  Esquimaux  were  as  passionately  fond  of 
their  ice-built  huts  and  homes  as  were  the  Aztecs  of  Mexico  of  their  ter- 
raced gardens,  sacred  altars  and  imperial  thrones. 

The  condition  of  these  native  tribes  differed  as  widely  as  the  climate 
and  soil  over  which  they  were  scattered,  extending  from  the  lowest  depths 
of  barbarism  through  various  shades  and  grades  of  civilization.  Early 
observations  led  to  the  belief  that  they  were  all  one  family  or  tribe  of 
people.  Schoolcraft,  in  his  able  treatise  on  the  aborigines,  says  :  "  It  is 
an  adage  among  travelers  in  America,  that  he  who  has  seen  one  tribe  of 
Indians  has  seen  all — so  closely  do  the  individuals  of  this  race  resemble 
each  other,  notwithstanding  their  immense  geographical  distribution  and 
those  differences  of  climate  which  embrace  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold. 
The  Fuegian  in  his  dreary  climate  and  barren  soil  has  the  same  general 
cast  of  lineaments,  though  in  an  exaggerated  degree,  as  the  Indians  of 
tjie  tropical  plains ;  and  these  also  resemble  the  tribes  inhabiting  the 
region  west    of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  those  of  the  great  valley   of  the 


i 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES.  17 

Mississippi,  and  those  again  which  skirt  the  Esquimaux  on  the  North. 
All  possess,  though  in  various  degrees,  the  long,  lank  black  hair,  the  heavy 
brow,  the  dull  and  sleepy  eye,  the  full  and  compressed  lips,  and  the  salient 
but  dilated  nose."  Continues  our  learned  author  :  "  A  similar  conformity 
of  organization  is  not  less  obvious  in  the  cranial  structure  of  these  people. 
The  Indian  skull  is  of  a  decidedly  rounded  form.  The  occipital  portion  is 
flattened  in  the  upward  direction  ;  and  the  transverse  diameter,  as  measured 
between  the  parietal  bones,  is  remarkably  wide,  and  often  exceeds  the 
longitudinal.  The  forehead  is  low  and  receding,  and  rarely  arched  as  in 
the  other  races — a  feature  that  is  regarded  by  Humboldt,  Lund  and  other 
naturalists  as  characteristic  of  the  American  race,  and  serving  to  dis- 
tinguish it  even  from  the  Mongolian.  The  cheek-bones  are  high,  but 
not  much  expanded  ;  the  whole  maxillary  region  is  salient  and  ponderous, 
with  teeth  of  a  corresponding  size  and  singularly  free  from  decay.  The 
orbits  are  large  and  squared,  the  nasal  orifice  wide,  and  the  bones  that  pro- 
tect it  arched  and  expanded.  The  lower  jaw  is  massive,  and  wide  be- 
tween the  condyles  ;  but,  notwithstanding  the  prominent  position  of  the 
face,  the  teeth  are  for  the  most  part  vertical.  I  have  had  opportunities 
for  comparing  upward  of  four  hundred  crania  of  tribes,  inhabiting  almost 
every  region  of  North  and  South  America,  and  have  found  the  preceding 
characteristics,  in  greater  or  less  degree,  to  pervade  them  all.  This  re- 
mark is  equally  applicable  to  the  ancient  and  modern  nations  of  our  con- 
tinent ;  for  the  oldest  skulls,  from  the  Peruvian  cemeteries,  the  tombs  of 
Mexico,  and  the  mounds  of  this  country,  are  of  the  same  general  type  as 
the  most  savage  existing  tribes." 

Notwithstanding  this  first  impression,  arising  from  the  uniform  appear- 
ance of  the  natives,  a  more  thorough  acquaintance  soon  disclosed  that 
they  were  divided  into  numerous  clans,  families,  tribes  and  confederacies. 
The  language  of  some  was  totally  distinct  from  other  tribes  ;  by  many, 
widely  different,  yet  having  some  words,  or  roots  of  words,  allying  them 
to  a  parent  stock.  The  Ottawas  could  no  more  understand  the  Choctaws 
than  an  illiterate  Englishman  could  a  Dutchman.  Their  different  dialects 
have  guided  their  classification,  which  has  by  no  means  been  uniform. 
That  adopted  by  Bancroft  has  usually  been  acquiesced  in. 

Lord  Kaimes,  a  writer  of  great  good  sense,  has  not  omitted  to  say 
something  on  this  subject.  He  very  judiciously  asks  those  who  maintain 
that  America  was  peopled  from  Kamtchatka,  whether  the  inhabitants  of 
that  region  speak  the  same  language  with  their  American  neighbors  on 
the  opposite  shores.  That  they  do  not,  he  observes,  is  fully  confirmed  by 
recent  accounts  from  thence;  and ''whence  we  may  conclude,  with  great 
certainty,  that  the  latter  are  not  a  colony  of  the  former."  We  have  con- 
firmation upon   confirmation  that  these  nations  speak  languages  entirely 


Nionstichtchitch. 

Agliogoch. 

Iskh. 

Athan. 

Naskh. 

Anaan. 

Paatche. 

L-laan. 

Souguing. 

Aschkiun. 

Ktchidsch. 

Koyota. 

Skoch. 

Ougiinn. 

Nanit. 

Thack. 

Ouskaams. 

Toyoch. 

Kaankang. 

Aughosiun, 

18  PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF 

different;  and  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  curious,  we  will  give  a  short  vo- 
cabulary in  both,  with  the  English: 

English.  Kamtchatka.  Aleontean. 

God. 

Father. 

Mother. 

Son. 

Daughter. 

Brother. 

Husband. 

Eye. 

A  man. 

The  nose. 

The  tribes  inhabiting  the  United  States,  east  of  the  Mississippi,  were 
the  Algonquin  (Al-zhon-kwin),  Huron-Iroquois  (^rokwah),  Catawba, 
Cherokee,  Uehee,  Natchez  and  Mobilians  ;  west  of  the  Mississippi,  the 
Dakotah  or  Sioux,  and  their  kindred.  The  territory  east  of  the  Mississippi 
was  principally  occupied  by  the  three  great  families,  or  confederacies — the 
Algonquin  and  Iroquois,  in  the  North,  and  Mobilian  in  the  South,  the  other 
four  having  small  tracts  of  territories  surrounded  by  the  Algonquin  and 
Mobilian  tribes.  The  Iroquois  were  distributed  around  Lakes  Erie  and 
Ontario,  and  were  surrounded  by  the  Algonquins.  They  were  a  confed- 
eracy of  five  free  and  independent  tribes,  often  called  the  "  Five  Nations," 
consisting  of  the  Senecas,  Cayugas,  Onondagas,  Oneidas  and  Mohawks. 
The  Iroquois  excelled  all  other  Northern  Indians  in  the  arts  of  war,  gov- 
ernments and  agriculture.  Knowing  well  the  advantages  of  their  position 
on  the  great  water-ways,  which  led  to  the  interior  of  the  continent,  they 
made  themselves  feared  by  all  their  race.  From  Canada  to  the  Carolinas, 
and  from  Maine  to  the  Mississippi,  Indian' women  shuddered  at  the  name 
of  the  Ho-de-no-saii-nee,  while  even  the  bravest  warriors  of  other  tribes 
went  far  out  of  their  way,  in  the  wintry  forests,  to  avoid  an  encounter 
with  them.  Within  sixty  years  from  their  first  acquaintance  with  white 
men,  the  Iroquois  had  exterminated  the  Ilurons — their  own  nearest  kin- 
dred and  bitterest  foes — the  Eries  and  Neutrals,  about  Lake  Erie,  and  the 
Andastes,  of  the  Upper  Susquehanna,  while  they  had  forced  a  humiliating 
peace  upon  the  Lenape,  or  Delawares,  the  most  powerful  of  the  Algon- 
quins, and  had  driven  the  Ottawas  from  their  home  upon  the  river  which 
bears  their  name.  Though  now  at  the  height  of  their  power,  they  num- 
bered only  1,200  fighting  men  of  their  own  race  ;  but  they  had  adopted 
a  thousand  young  warriors,  from  their  captives,  to  fill  the  vacancies  made  by 
war."  Their  government  and  laws,  similar  to  those  of  the  United  States, 
guaranteed  to  the  people  of  the  tribes  (States)  the  right  to  manage  their 
local  affairs  in  their  own  way  subject  only  to  the  general  and  foreign 
polity  of  the  confederacy.  Their  union  was  based  upon  pure  principles  of 
friendship  and  voluntary  adhesion.     One  of  their  chiefs,   Canassatego,  in 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES.  19 

1774,  delivered  a  speech  to  the  Commissioners  of  Pennsylvania,  Virginia 
and  Maryland,  which  is  worthy  of  a  Grecian  sage  in  the  brightest  days 
of  that  republic.  It  would  bear  perusal  by  modern  American  politicians. 
"  Our  wise  forefathers,"  he  said,  "  established  union  and  amity  between 
the  Five  Nations.  This  has  made  us  formidable.  This  has  given  us 
great  weight  and  authority,  with  our  neighboring  nations.  We  are  a  power- 
ful confederacy,  and  by  observing  the  same  methods  our  wise  forefathers 
have  taken,  you  will  acquire  fresh  strength  and  power.  Therefore,  I  coun- 
sel you,  whatever  befalls  you,  never  to  fall  out  with  one  another." 

THE  ALGONQUINS 

were  a  numerous  family  of  North  American  Indians,  once  spread  over  all 
the  northern  part  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  south  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence. Their  language  was  heard  from  the  bay  of  Gaspe  to  the  valley  of 
the  Des  Moines  ;  from  Cape  Fear  to  the  land  of  the  Esquimaux  ;  from 
the  Cumberland  River  of  Kentucky  to  the  western  banks  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. It  was  spoken,  though  not  exclusively,  in  a  territory  that  extend- 
ed through  sixty  degrees  of  longitude  and  more  than  twenty  degrees  of 
latitude.  All  the  tribes  of  New  England  were  Algonquins ;  the  tribes  in 
Maine,  the  great  tribe  of  the  Delaware  Indians,  the  Creeks  in  the  region 
of  the  Great  Slave  Lake,  and  the  Ottawas,  Pottawatomies  and  Miamis,  in 
Michigan,  claimed  the  same  origin.  Traces  of  the  primitive  Algonquin 
language  appear  in  the  names  of  places,  such  as  Alleghany,  Connecticut. 
At  present  the  Algonquins  do  not  number  more  than  two  hundred  war- 
riors, included  in  the  tribe  of  the  Chippewas." 

The  States  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois  and  Michigan,  with  slight  excep- 
tions, were  originally  occupied  by  them.  The  Iroquois  called  them 
Adarondah,  which  meant  bark-eaters.  At  the  first  settlement  of  this 
country,  they  were  composed  of  the  following  tribes  :  Delawares — Len 
no  Lenapi,  Loups  ;  Shawnees — Oshawano,  Chats  ;  Miamis — Omamees, 
Twe  Twee  ;  Peorias,  Kaskaskias,  Weas,  Piankeshaws — Illinese  ;  Ottawas 
— Atawas,  Atowawas;  Chippewas,  Missisawgees — Nepersinians,  Nipiseing, 
Odjibwa,  Santeaux,  Chibwa  ;  Kickapoos,  Miscotins,  —  Miscatins, 
Prairie  Indians,  Muscodanig  ;  Pottawatomies — Poux  ;  Sacs — Osawkees  ; 
Foxes — Misquekee,  Reynards. 

At  later  periods  :  Kenistenos,  Crees  ;  Muskegos,  Tete  Boulcos,  Gens 
de  Terres, — Nepemings  ;  Munsees — Delawares  ;  Stockbridges,  Mohegans  ; 
Brothertons — Pequots,  etc. ;  Wabunakies — Various  Eastern  tribes.  The 
local  Indian  history  of  Howard  and  Tipton  Counties  is  chiefly  confined 
to  the  Miamis,  the  Delawares  and  Pottawatomies,  who  for  years  occu- 
pied the  same  territory  on  terms  of  friendship  for  hunting  grounds. 


20  PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF 

THE  POTTAWATOMIES 

had  for  a  long  time  been  encroaching  upon  the  ancient  possessions  of  the 
Miamis,  had  established  themselves  in  considerable  numbers  in  the  north- 
western portion  of  the  State,  had  crossed  the  Wabash  and  were  familiar 
to  the  early  settlers  of  both  counties ;  hence,  they  became  an  important 
factor  in  our  local  Indian  history. 

"  At  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century,  they  occupied  the  Lower 
Peninsula  of  Michigan,  apparently  in  scattered  bands,  independent  of  each 
other, there  being  at  no  period  of  their  history  any  trace  of  a  general  authority 
or  government.  They  were  hunters  and  fishers,  cultivating  a  little  maize, 
but  warlike  and  frequently  in  collision  with  neighboring  tribes.  They 
were  finally  driven  west  by  tribes  of  the  Iroquois  family,  and  settled  on 
the  islands  and  shores  of  Green  Bay,  and  the  French  established  a  mission 
among  them.  Perrot  acquired  great  influence  with  the  tribe,  who  soon 
took  part  with  the  French  against  the  Iroquois.  Onangnice,  their  chief, 
was  one  of  the  parties  to  the  Montreal  treaty  of  1701  ;  and  they  actively 
aided  the  French  in  the  subsequent  wars.  They  gradually  spread  over 
what  is  now  Southern  Michigan  and  Upper  Illinois  and  Indiana,  a  mission 
on  the  St.  Joseph's  being  a  sort  of  central  point.  The  Pottawatomies 
joined  Pontiac  and  surprised  Fort  St.  Joseph,  capturing  Schlosser,  the 
commandant,  May  25,  1763.  They  were  hostile  to  the  Americans  in 
the  Revolution  and  subsequently,  but  after  Wayne's  victory  joined  in  the 
treaty  of  Greenville,  December  22,  1795.  The  tribes  comprising  the 
families  or  clans  of  the  Golden  Carp,  Frog,  Crab  and  Tortoise,  was  then 
composed  of  the  St.  Joseph's,  Wabash  and  Huron  River  bands,  with  a  large 
scattering  population  generally  called  the  Pottawatomies  of  the  Prairie, 
who  were  a  mixture  of  many  Algonquin  tribes.  From  1803  to  1809  the 
various  bands  sold  to  the  Government  portions  of  lands  claimed  by  them, 
receiving  money  and  annuities.  Yet  in  the  war  of  1812  they  again  joined 
the  English,  influenced  by  Tecumseh.  A  new  treaty  of  peace  was 
made  in  1815,  followed  rapidly  by  others,  by  which  their  lands  were  al- 
most entirely  conveyed  away.  A  large  tract  was  assigned  to  them  on  the 
Missouri,  and  in  1838  the  St.  Joseph's,  band  was  carried  off"  by  troops, 
losing  150  out  of  800  on  the  way  by  death  and  desertion.  The  whole 
tribe  numbered  then  about  4,000.  The  St.  Joseph,  Wabash  and  Huron 
bands  had  made  progress  in  civilization,  and  were  Catholics  ;  while  the 
Pottawatomies  of  the  Prairie  were  still  roving  and  pagan.  A  part  of  the 
tribe  was  removed  with  some  Chippewas  and  Ottawas,  but  they  eventual- 
ly joined  the  others  or  disappeared.  In  Kansas,  the  civilized  band,  with 
the  Jesuit  mission  founded  by  De  Smet  and  Hoecken,  advanced  rapidly, 
with  good  schools  for  both  sexes.  A  Baptist  mission  and  school  was 
more  than  once  undertaken  among  the  less  tractable  Prairie  band,  but  was 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES.  21 

finally  abandoned.  The  Kansas  troubles  brought  difficulties  for  the  In- 
dians, made  the  Prairie  band  more  restless,  and  the  civilized  anxious  to 
settle.  A  treaty,  proclaimed  April  19,  1862,  gave  individual  Indians  a 
title  to  their  several  tracts  of  land  under  certain  conditions,  and  though 
delayed  by  the  civil  war,  this  policy  was  carried  out  in  the  treaty  of  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1867.  Out  of  the  population  of  2,180,  1,400  elected  to  be- 
come citizens  and  take  lands  in  severalty,  and  780  to  hold  lands  as  a 
tribe.  Some  of  the  Prairie  band  were  then  absent.  The  experiment  met 
with  varied  success.  Some  did  well  and  improved  ;  others  squandered 
their  lands  and  their  portion  of  the  funds,  and  became  paupers.  Many 
of  these  scattered,  one  band  even  going  to  Mexico.  In  1874,  the  Prairie 
band  still  under  the  Indian  department  numbered  467,  on  a  reservation  of 
17,357  acres  in  Jackson  County,  Kan.,  under  the  control  of  the  Society  of 
Friends,  who  had  established  schools  and  reported  some  improvement. 
There  were  then  sixty  Pottawatornies  of  the  Huron  in  Michigan  on  a  little 
plot  of  160  acres,  with  a  school  and  log  houses,  181  in  Wisconsin,  and 
eighty  in  Mexico  or  Indian  Territory." 

THE    DELAWARES. 

The  Delaware  Indians  are  a  tribe  of  the  Algonquin  family,  dwelling,  when 
they  were  first  known  by  the  whites,  in  detached  bands,  under  separate 
sachems,  on  the  Delaware  River,  and  calling  themselves  Renappi,  meaning 
a  collection  of  men,  sometimes  written  Lenape  or  Leno  Lenape.  The 
true  meaning  of  the  word  Lenape  has  been  the  subject  of  various  inter- 
pretations. It  appears  to  convey  the  same  meaning  as  Inabee,  a  male,  in 
the  other  Algonquin  dialects  ;  and  the  word  was  probably  used  nationally, 
and  with  Europeans,  in  the  sense  of  man.  For  we  learn  from  their  tra- 
ditions that  they  regarded  themselves,  in  past  ages,  as  holding  an  eminent 
position  for  antiquity,  valor  and  wisdom.  And  these  claims  appear  to 
be  recognized  by  the  other  tribes  of  this  lineage,  who  apply  to  them  the 
name  of  Grand  Father.  To  the  Iroquois,  they  apply  the  term  Uncle,  and 
this  name  is  reciprocated  by  the  latter,  with  Nephew.  The  other  tribes 
of  the  Algonquin  family,  they  call  brothers,  or  younger  brothers. 

The  Delawares  claim  to  have  come  from  the  West,  with  the  Minquas, 
after  having  driven  from  the  Ohio  the  Allequewi.  The  Minquas  soon  re- 
duced the  Delawares  to  a  state  of  vassalage,  and  when  they  were  conquered 
by  the  Five  Nations  they  were  styled  women.  They  formed  three  clans, 
the  Turtle,   Turkey  and  Wolf. 

During  the  early  Virginia  settlement  at  Jamestown,  supply  ships  bound 
for  the  colony  stopped  at  various  places.  Upon  one  of  these  came  Lord 
De  la  Warre,  who  put  into  the  mouth  of  the  river  upon  which  these  In- 
dians were  settled  ;  hence  the  name  of  river  and  tribe.     The  Dutch  settle- 


22  PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF 

ments  traded  with  these  clans,  the  most  important  of  which  was  the 
Saukhicans,  at  the  falls  of  the  Delaware  River.  These  traders  bought 
lands  of  the  Renapi,  who  had  to  strike  inland  for  game  to  supply  furs. 

In  1744,  during  the  progress  of  the  treaty  negotiations  at  Lancaster, 
Penn.,  the  Iroquois  denied  the  Delawares  the  right  to  participate  in  the 
privileges  incident  to  the  treaty,  and  refused  to  recognize  them  as  an  in- 
dependent nation  entitled  to  sell  and  transfer  their  lands.  The  Iroquois 
chief  on  that  occasion  upbraided  them,  in  public  council,  for  having  at- 
tempted to  exercise  any  rights,  other  than  such  as  belonged  to  a  conquered 
people.  In  a  strain  of  mixed  irony  and  arrogance,  he  told  them  not  to 
reply  to  his  words,  but  to  leave  the  council  in  silence.  He  ordered  them 
in  a  peremptory  manner  to  quit  the  section  of  the  country  where  they 
then  resided,  and  remove  to  the  banks  of  the  Susquehanna.  They  de- 
parted from  the  council,  and,  erelong,  left  forever  their  happy  hunting 
grounds  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware,  and  turned  their  faces  Westward, 
humiliated  and  subdued,  except  in  the  proud  recollections  of  their  former 
achievements.  Again,  in  1751,  after  having  endured  the  dangers  incurred 
by  the  whites,  and  the  tomahawk  of  their  former  enemies,  the  Iroquois, 
they  took  up  their  march  toward  the  setting  sun.  They  settled  on  the 
White  River  of  Indiana.  Here  a  missionary  effort  was  set  on  foot  among 
them,  but  was  broken  up  by  the  Prophet,  brother  of  Tecumseh,  during 
his  popular  career  of  jugglery  and  imposition. 

In  the  war  with  Great  Britain,  the  Delawares  refused  to  join  Tecumseh, 
but  maintained  their  fidelity  to  the  States.  They  joined  the  United  States 
in  a  peculiar  treaty,  at  Greenville,  July,  1814,  which  gave  peace  to  the 
hostile  tribes.  In  1818,  they  again  took  up  the  burden  of  emigration,  and 
moved  Westward,  this  time  locating  on  the  White  River  of  Missouri,  to 
the  number  of  1,800,  leaving  only  a  small  band  in  Ohio.  Another  change 
soon  followed.  Some  went  to  Red  River,  but  the  mass  of  the  nation  was 
settled  by  treaty  on  the  Kansas  and  Missouri.  They  numbered  about 
1,000,  and  were  brave,  enterprising  hunters  on  the  plains,  cultivated  the 
soil,  and  were  friendly  to  the  whites.  The  Baptists  and  Methodists  had 
mission  schools  among  them,  and  built  a  church,  but  they  suffered  severely 
from  the  Sioux  and  lawless  whites.  The  Delawares  were  unaffected  by  the 
Kansas  troubles,  and  during  the  civil  war,  when  they  numbered  1,085, 
they  sent  170  out  of  their  210  able-bodied  men,  and  proved  efficient 
soldiers  and  guides  to  the  Union  army. 

In  1866,  their  reservation  was  cut  up  by  the  Pacific  Railroad,  and  they 
finally  sold  it  to  the  Government  and  removed,  and  settled  on  lands  near 
the  Verdigris  and  Cane,  in  1868,  where  they  still  remain.  They  are  not 
regarded  as  a  tribe,  but  have  a  code  of  civil  laws,  and  are  acknowledged 
as  United  States  citizens. 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES.  23 

THE  MIAMI  INDIANS. 

The  Miamis  were  a  leading  and  powerful  branch  of  the  Algonquin  fam- 
ily. The  tribe  has  been  known  by  various  names,  of  which  the  first  or 
generic  name  was  probably  "  Twa  twas."  They  are  frequently  referred 
to  in  history  as  the  "  Twe  twees,"  and  sometimes  as  the  Twightwees, 
Omees,  Omamees,  Aumamias,  and  finally  Miamis.  Bancroft  says  they 
were  the  most  powerful  confederacy  in  the  West,  excelling  the  Six  Na- 
tions (Iroquois).  Their  influence  reached  to  the  Mississippi,  and  they 
received  frequent  visits  from  tribes  beyond  that  river.  Mr.  La  Salle  says: 
"  When  the  Miamis  were  first  invited  by  the  French  authorities  to  Chi- 
cago in  1670,  they  were  a  leading  and  very  powerful  Indian  nation.  A 
body  of  them  assembled  near  that  place  for  war  against  the  powerful  Iro- 
quois of  the  Hudson,  and  the  still  more  powerful  Sioux  of  the  Upper 
Mississippi.  They  numbered  at  least  3,000,  and  were  under  the  lead  of 
a  chief  who  never  sallied  forth  but  with  a  body-guard  of  forty  warriors. 
He  could  at  any  time  call  into  the  field  an  army  of  from  3,000  to  5,000 
men." 

The  Miamis  were  first  known  to  Europeans  about  the  year  1669  in  the 
vicinity  of  Green  Bay,  where  they  were  visited  by  the  French  missionary 
Father  Allouez,  and  afterward  by  Father  Dablon.  From  there  they 
passed  south  and  eastward  around  the  southern  shores  of  Lake  Michigan, 
occupying  the  regions  of  Chicago,  and  afterward  establishing  a  village 
on  the  St.  Joseph,  another  on  the  River  Miami,  from  which  tribe  it  de- 
rived its  name,  and  another  on  the  Wabash.  The  territory  claimed  by 
this  confederacy  is  ably  and  clearly  set  forth  by  their  chief,  Little  Turtle, 
in  a  speech  delivered  by  him  at  the  treaty  of  Greenville  on  the  22d  of 
July,  1795.  He  said :  "  Gen.  Wayne,  I  hope  you  will  pay  attention 
to  what  I  now  say  to  you.  I  wish  to  inform  you  where  your  younger 
brothers,  the  Miamis,  liv^e,  and  also  the  Pottawatomies  of  St.  Joseph's, 
together  with  the  Wabash  Indians.  You  have  pointed  out  to  us  the 
boundary  line  between  the  Indians  and  the  United  States,  but  now  I  take 
the  liberty  to  inform  you  that  that  line  cuts  off  from  the  Indians  a  large 
portion  of  country  which  has  been  enjoyed  by  my  forefathers  time  imme- 
morial, without  molestation  or  dispute.  The  print  of  my  ancestors'  houses 
are  everywhere  to  be  seen  in  this  portion.  I  was  a  little  astonished  at 
hearing  you  and  my  brothers  who  are  now  present,  telling  each  other  what 
business  you  had  transacted  together  at  Muskingum  concerning  this  coun- 
try. It  is  well  known  by  all  my  brothers  present,  that  my  forefather 
kindled  the  first  fire  at  Detroit;  from  thence  he  extended  his  lines  to  the 
head-waters  of  the  Scioto ;  from  thence,  to  its  mouth  ;  from  thence,  down 
the  Ohio  to  the  mouth  of  the  Wabash  River,  and  from  thence  to  Chicago  on 
Lake  Michigan  ;  at  this  place  I  first  saw  my  elder  brothers,  the  Sbawnees. 


24  PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF 

I  have  now  informed  you  of  the  boundary  lines  of  the  Miami  Nation,  where 
the  Great  Spirit  placed  my  forefather  a  long  time  ago  and  charged  him 
not  to  sell  or  part  with  his  lands,  but  to  preserve  them  for  his  posterity. 
This  charge  has  been  handed  down  to  me.  I  was  much  surprised  to  find 
that  my  other  brothers  differed  so  much  from  me  on  this  subject,  for  their 
conduct  would  lead  one  to  suppose  that  the  Great  Spirit,  and  their  fore- 
fathers, had  not  given  them  the  same  charge  that  was  given  to  me  ;  but  on  the 
contrary,  had  directed  them  to  sell  their  land  to  any  white  man  who  wore 
a  hat  as  soon  as  he  should  ask  it  of  them.  Now,  elder  brother,  your 
younger  brothers,  the  Miarais,  have  pointed  out  to  you  their  country,  and 
also  our  brothers  present.  When  I  hear  your  remarks  and  proposals  on 
this  subject,  I  will  be  ready  to  give  you  an  answer.  I  came  with  an  ex- 
pectation of  hearing  you  say  good  things,  but  I  have  not  heard  what  I  ex- 
pected." 

In  1765,  the  Miami  confederacy  was  composed  of  the  following  branches: 
The  Twightwees,  situated  at  the  head  of  the  Miami  River  with  250 
warriors  ;  and  the  Ouiatenons,  in  the  vicinity  of  their  village,  Ouiatenon 
(pronounced  We-ot-e-non).  They  were  situated  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Wea  Plains,  on  the  South  Branch  of  the  Wabash,  a  short  distance  below 
the  present  city  of  La  Fayette,  and  had  300  warriors.  This  village  of 
Ouiatenons  at  one  time  had  a  population  of  5,000  inhabitants,  and  was  the 
metropolis  of  the  Indians  of  the  Wabash  Valley.  It  was  nearly  four  miles 
in  length  and  a  half  mile  in  width.  It  was  destroyed  in  the  year  1791 
under  the  command  of  Gen.  Charles  Scott.  The  Piankeshaws,  on  the 
Vermilion,  had  300  warriors.  In  the  early  Indian  wars,  the  Miamis 
were  the  enemies  of  the  English  and  the  friends  of  the  French.  After- 
ward, in  the  trouble  between  the  king  and  the  colonies,  they  were  gener- 
ally the  allies  of  the  English  and  the  foes  of  the  States.  They  looked 
upon  the  approach  of  the  white  man  with  the  deepest  distrust,  fearing  deg- 
radation, destruction  and  ultimate  extinction.  They  loved  their  native 
forests,  worshiped  freedom,  and  hated  restraint.  They  feared  the  ad- 
vance of  invaders,  and  abhorred  the  forms  of  civilization.  It  is  said  the 
Miamis  were  early  and  earnestly  impressed  with  a  fearful  foreboding  of 
ultimate  ruin,  and  therefore  seized  upon  every  opportunity  to  terrify,  de- 
stroy, and  drive  back  the  invading  enemy.  Their  chiefs,  their  officers  and 
warriors  were  found  in  the  fiercest  battles  in  the  most  desperate  places. 
They  bared  their  savage  forms  to  civilized  bullets  and  bayonets,  and  died 
without  a  murmur  or  a  groan.  In  their  treatment  of  the  whites,  they 
were  as  brutal  as  they  were  brave,  and  they  often  murdered  the  defense- 
less pioneer  without  regard  to  age,  sex  or  condition,  with  the  most  brutal  and 
shocking  savagery.  Not  only  men,  but  helpless  women  and  children  were 
burned  to  death,  or  cut  to  pieces,  in  the  most  painful  manner,  while  the 


J 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES.  25 

warriors  and  squaws,  in  fiendish  ferocity,  gloated  over  the  misery  and  suf- 
ferings of  their  helpless  victims. 

As  against  Anglo-Saxon  armies,  no  tribe  on  earth  did  more  to  stay  the 
tide  of  civilization,  to  stop  the  flow  of  emigration  into  their  venerated 
forests,  and  none  records  so  many  brilliant  victories,  with  so  few  defeats. 
Their  love  for  the  land  of  their  fathers,  of  home,  friends  and  country, 
burned  in  their  barbarous  bosoms  with  an  intensity  that  pleads  their  ex- 
cuse for  the  most  savage  acts  of  cruelty.  They  were  a  leading  power  in 
defeating  Gen.  Braddock  in  1755,  and  from  that  on  almo^  every  battle- 
field was  moistened  with  the  blood  of  the  Miamis.  The  following  sketches 
are  taken  from  Drake's  Indians  of  North  America :  We  now  pass  to  a 
chief  far  more  prominent  in  Indian  history  than  many  who  have  received 
much  greater  notice  from  historians.  This  was  Mishikinakwa  (by  no 
means  settled  in  orthography),  which,  interpreted,  is  said  to  mean  Little 
Turtle.  In  the  different  works  bearing  his  name,  we  find  these  spellings  : 
Meshekunnoghquoh,  Meshekunmoghquoh,  Mashekanohquah,  Mesheken- 
oghqua  ;  and  were  we  disposed  to  look  into  all  the  authors  who  have  used 
the  name,  we  might  nearly  finish  out  the  page  with  its  variations. 

Little  Turtle  was  chief  of  the  Miamis,  and  the  scenes  of  his  warlike 
achievements  were  in  the  country  of  his  birth.     He  had  in   conjunction 
with  the  tribes  of  that  region,  successfully  fought  the  armies  of  Harmar 
and  St.  Clair ;  and  in  the  fight  with  the  latter,  he  is  said  to  have  had  the 
chief  command  ;  hence  a  detailed  account  of  that  affair  belongs  to  his  life. 
The  Western  Indians   were  only  emboldened  by  the  battles  between 
them  and  detachments  of  Gen.  Harmar's  army  in  1790,  and  under  such  a 
leader  as  Mishikinakwa,  they  entertained  sanguine  hopes  of  bringing  the 
Americans  to  their  own  terms.     One  murder  followed  another  in  rapid 
succession,  attended  by  all  the  horrors  peculiar  to   their  warfare,  which 
caused  President  Washington  to  take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  recom- 
mending Congress  to  adopt  efl5cient  measures  for  checking  these  calami- 
ties ;  and  2,000  men  were  immediately  raised  and  put  under  the  com- 
mand of  Gen.  St.  Clair,  then  Governor  of  the  Northwest  Territory.     He 
received  his  appointment  the  4th  of  March,  1791,  and  proceeded  to  Fort 
Washington  by  way  of  Kentucky,  with  all  dispatch,  where  he  arrived  on 
15th  of  May.     There  was  much  time  lost  in  getting  the  troops  collected 
at  this  place,  Gen.  Butler  with  the  residue  not  arriving  until  the  middle 
of  September.  There  were  various  circumstances  to  account  for  the  delays, 
which  it  is  not  necessary  to  recount  here.  Col.  Drake  proceeded  immediately 
on  his  arrival,  which  was  about  the  end  of  August,  and  built  Fort  Ham- 
ilton on  the  Miami  in  the  country  of  Little  Turtle  ;  and  soon  after  Fort 
Jefferson  was  built,  forty  miles  further  onward.     These  two  forts  being 
left  manned,  about  the  end  of  October  the  army  advanced,  being  about 


26  PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF 

2,000  strong,  militia  included,  whose  numbers  were  not  inconsiderable, 
as  will  appear  by  the  miserable  manner  in  which  they  not  only  confused 
themselves,  but  the  regular  soldiers  also. 

Gen.  St.  Clair  had  advanced  but  about  six  miles  in  front  of  Fort 
Jefferson,  when  sixty  of  his  militia,  from  pretended  disaffection,  commenced 
a  retreat;  and  it  was  discovered  that  the  evil  had  spread  considera- 
bly among  the  rest  of  the  army.  Being  fearful  that  they  would  seize  upon 
the  convoy  of  provisions,  the  General  ordered  Col.  Hamtramck  to  pursue 
them  with  his  regiment  and  force  them  to  return.  The  army  now  consist- 
ed of  but  1,400  effective  men,  and  this  was  the  number  attacked  by  Little 
Turtle  and  his  warriors,  fifteen  miles  from  the  Miami  villages. 

Col.  Butler  commanded  the  right  wing,  and  Col.  Drake  the  left.   The 
militia  were  posted  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  advance,  and  were  encamped  in 
two  lines.    The  troops  had  not  finished  securing  their  baggage,  when  they 
were  attacked  in  their  camp.     It  was  their  intention  to  march  immediate- 
ly upon  the  Miami  villages   and  destroy  them.      The  savages  being  ap- 
prised of  this,  acted  with  great  wisdom  and  firmness.     They  fell  upon  the 
militia  before  sunrise,  November  4.    The  latter  at  once  fled  into  the  main 
camp  in  the  most  disorderly  manner  ;  many  of  them  having  thrown  away 
their  guns,  were  pursued  and  slaughtered.     At  ihe  main  camp,  the  fight 
was  sustained  some  time,  by  the  great  exertion  of  the  officers,  but  with 
great  inequality,  the  Indians  under  Little  Turtle  amounting  to  about  1,500 
warriors.      Cols.  Drake,  Butler  and   Maj.  Clarke   made  several  success- 
ful charges,  which  enabled  them  to  save  some  of  their  numbers  by  check- 
ing the  enemy  until  flight  was  more  practicable.     Of  the  Americans,  593 
were  killed  and  missing,  besides  38  officers  ;  242  soldiers  and  21  officers 
were  wounded,  many  of  whom   died.      Col.  Butler  was  among  the  slain. 
The  account  of  his  fall  is  shocking.     He  was  severely  wounded  and  left 
on  the  field.     The  well-known  and  infamous  Simon  Girty  came  up  to  him 
and  observed  him  writhing  under  severe  pain  from  his  wounds.     Girty 
knew  and   spoke  to  him.     Knowing  that  he  could  not  live,  the   Colonel 
begged  of  him  to  put  an  end  to  his  misery  ;  this  Girty  refused  t9  do,  but 
turned  to  an  Indian  and  told  him  that  the  officer  was  the  commander  of 
the  army,  upon  which  the  Indian  drove    his  tomahawk  in  the  Colonel's 
head.     A  number  of  others  then   came  around,  and  after  taking  off  his 
scalp,  they  took  out  his  heart,  and   cut  it   into  as   many  pieces  as  there 
were  tribes  in  the  action  and  divided  it  among  them.     All  manner  of  brutal 
acts  werecommitted  on  the  bodies  of  the  slain.      It  need  not  be  mentioned 
for  the  information  of  the  observer  of  Indian  affairs,  that  land  was  the  main 
cause  of  this,  as  well  as  all  other  wars  between  the  Indians  and  whites  ; 
and  hence  it  was  very  easy  to  account  for  the  Indians  filling  the  mouths 
of  the  slain  with  earth  after  this   battle.     It  was  actually  the  case,  as  re- 
ported by  those  who  visited  the  scene  of  action  and  buried  the  dead. 


-^'IS^  y^jrx' 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES.  29 

Gen.    St.    Clair   was    called  to  account  for  this   disastrous    campaign 
and  was  honorably  acquitted.     He  published  a  narrative  in  vindication ''of 
his  conduct,  which,  at  this  day,  few  will  think  required.     What  he  says 
of  his  retreat  we  will  give  in  his  own  words  :    "  The  retreat  was,  you  may 
be  sure,  a  precipitate  one  ;  it  was  in  fact  a  flight.     The  camp  and  the  ar- 
tillery were  abandone<l,  but  that  was  unavoidable,  for   not  a  horse   was 
left  to  have  drawn  it  off,  had  it  otherwise  been  practicable.    But  the  most 
disgraceful  part  of  the  business  is,  that  the  greatest  part  of  the  men  threw 
away  their  arras  and  accouterments,  even  after  the  pursuit,  which  contin- 
ued about  four  miles,  had  ceased.    I  found  the  road  strewn  with  them  for 
many  miles,  but  was  unable  to  remedy  it ;  for,  having  had  all  my  horses 
killed,  and  being  mounted  upon  one   that  could   not  be   pricked  out  of  a 
walk,  I  could  not  get  forward  myself,  and  the  orders  I  sent  forward,  either 
to   halt   the  front,   or  prevent  the  men  from   parting  with   their    arms 
were    unattended     to."        The    remnant     of     the     army     arrived     at 
Fort  Jefferson   the  same  day,  just  before  sunset,  the  place  from  which 
they   fled,    being  twenty-nine  miles   distant.     Gen.   St.  Clair  did  every- 
thing that  a  brave  General  could  do.   He  exposed  himself  to  every  danger, 
having,  during  the  action,  eight  bullets  shot  through  his   clothes.     In  no 
attack  on  record  did  the  Indians  discover  greater  bravery  or  determination. 
After  giving  the  first  fire,  they  rushed  forward  with  tomahawk  in  hand. 
Their  loss  was  inconsiderable  ;  but  the  traders  afterward  learned  amoncr 
them  that  Little  Turtle  had  150  killed  and  many  wounded.     They  rushed 
on  the  artillery,  heedless  of  their  fire,  and  took  two  pieces  in  an   instant. 
They  were  again  retaken  by  our  troops  ;  and  whenever  the  army  charged 
them,   they  were  seen  to  give  way,   and  advanced  again,  as  soon  as  they 
began  to  retreat,  doing  great  execution,  both  in  the  retreat  and  advance. 
They  are  very  dexterous  in  covering  themselves  with  trees  ;  many  of  them 
however,  fell,  both  of  the  artillery  and  infantry.      Six  or  eight  pieces  of 
artillery  fell  into  their  hands,  with  about  400  horses,  all  the  baggage,  am- 
munition and  provisions. 

Whether  the  battle-ground  of  St.  Clair  was  visited  by  the  whites, 
previous  to  1793.  I  do  not  learn  ;  but  in  December  of  that  year  a  de- 
tachment of  Gen.  Wayne's  army  went  to  the  place,  and  the  account 
given  of  its  appearance  is  most  truly  melancholy.  This  detachment  was 
ordered  to  build  a  fort  there,,  which  having  done,  it  was  called  Fort  Re- 
covery. Within  a  space  of  about  350  yards,  they  found  500  skull  bones, 
the  most  of  which  were  gathered  up  and  buried.  For  about  five  miles  in 
the  direction  of  the  retreat  of  the  army,  the  woods  were  strewn  with 
skeletons  and  muskets.  The  two  brass  cannon,  which  composed  St. 
Clair's  artillery,  one  a  three,  the  other  a  six  pounder,  were  found  in  a  creek 
adjacent. 


30  PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF 

This  terrible  defeat  disappointed  the  expectation  of  the  General  Gov- 
ernment, alarmed  the  frontier  inhabitants,  checked  the  tide  of  emigration 
from  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States,  and  many  fearful,  frightful  and 
horrible  murders  were  committed  upon  the  white  settlers.  St.  Clair  re- 
signed the  oflfice  of  Major  General,  and  Anthony  Wayne,  a  distinguished 
officer  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  was  appointed  in  his  place.  In  the 
month  of  June,  1792,  he  arrived  at  Pittsburgh,  the  appointed  place  of 
rendezvous.  On  the  28th  of  November,  1792,  the  army  left  Pittsburgh, 
and  moved  down  the  Ohio,  about  twenty  miles,  to  a  point  called  Legion- 
ville,  where  they  remained  until  April  30,  1793,  and  then  moved  down 
the  river  to  Fort  Washington  (Cincinnati),  and  encamped  near  the  fort  at 
a  place  called  Hobson's  Choice.  They  were  kept  here  until  the  7th  of 
October,  and  on  the  23d  of  the  same  month  they  arrived  at  Fort  Jefferson, 
with  an  effective  force  under  Wayne's  command  amounting  to  about 
3,680  men,  together  with  a  small  number  of  friendly  Indians  from  the 
South.  On  the  8th  of  August,  1794,  they  arrived  at  the  confluence  of 
the  Rivers  Auglaize  and  Maumee,  where  they  built  Fort  Defiance.  It  was 
the  General's  design  to  have  met  the  .enemy  unprepared  in  this  move,  but 
a  fellow  deserted  his  camp  and  notified  the  Indians.  He  now  tried  again 
to  bring  them  to  a  reconciliation,  and  from  the  answers  which  he  re- 
ceived from  them,  it  was  some  time  revolved  in  his  mind  whether  they  were 
for  peace  or  war,  so  artful  was  the  manner  in  which  their  replies  were 
formed.  At  length,  being  fully  satisfied,  he  marched  down  the  Maumee, 
and  arrived  at  the  Rapids  on  the  18th  August,  two  days  before  the 
battle.  His  army  consisted  of  upward  of  3,000  men,  2,000  of  whom 
were  regulars.  Fort  Deposit  was  erected  at  this  place  for  the  security 
of  the  supplies.  They  now  set  out  to  meet  the  enemy,  who  had  chosen 
their  position  upon  the  banks  of  the  river,  with  much  judgment.  The 
troops  had  a  breastwork  of  fallen  trees  in  front,  and  the  high  rocky  shore 
of  the  river  gave  them  much  security,  as  also  did  the  thick  woods  of 
Presque  Isle.  The  force  was  divided,  and  disposed  at  supporting  distances 
for  about  two  miles.  When  the  Americans  had  arrived  at  a  proper  dis- 
tance, a  body  was  sent  out  to  begin  the  attack,  with  orders  to  rouse  the 
enemy  from  their  covert,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet ;  and,  when  up,  to 
deliver  a  close  fire  upon  their  backs,  and  press  them  so  hard  as  not  to  give 
them  time  to  reload.  This  order  was  so  well  executed,  and  the  battle  at  the 
point  of  attack  so  short,  that  only  about  900  Americans  participated  in  it. 
But  they  pursued  the  Indians  with  great  slaughter  through  the  woods  to 
Fort  Maumee,  where  the  carnage  ended.  The  Indians  were  so  unexpect- 
edly driven  from  their  stronghold,  that  their  numbers  only  increased  their 
distress  and  confusion  ;  and  the  cavalry  made  horrible  havoc  among  them 
with  their  long  sabers.     Of  the  Americans  there  were  killed  and  wounded, 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES.  31 

about  130,  The  loss  of  the  Indians  could  not  be  ajcertained,  but  must 
have  been  very  severe.  The  American  loss  was  chiefly  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  action,  as  they  advanced  upon  the  mouths  of  the  Indian 
rifles.  They  maintained  their  coverts  but  a  short  time,  being  forced  in 
in  every  direction  by  the  bayonet.  But  until  that  was  effected  the  Amer- 
icans fell  fast,  and  we  only  wonder  that  men  could  be  found  to  thus  ad- 
vance in  the  face  of  certain  death. 

It  has  generally  been  said,  that  had  the  advice  of  Little  Turtle  been  re- 
garded at  the  disastrous  fight  afterward  with  Wayne,  there  is  but  little 
doubt  that  he  would  have  met  with  as  ill  success  as  St.  Clair  did  before 
him.  He  was  not  for  fighting  General  Wayue  at  Presque  Isle,  and  rather 
inclined  to  peace  than  fighting  him  at  all.  In  a  council  held  the  night 
before  battle,  he  argued  as  follows :  "  We  have  beaten  the  enemy  twice 
under  separate  commanders.  We  cannnot  expect  the  same  good  fortune 
always  to  attend  us.  The  Americans  are  now  led  by  a  chief  who  never 
sleeps ;  the  night  and  day  are  alike  to  him.  And  during  all  the  time  he 
has  been  marching  upon  our  villages,  notwithstanding  the  watchfulness  of 
our  young  men,  they  have  never  been  able  to  surprise  him.  Think  well 
of  it.  There  is  something  whispers  me  it  would  be  well  to  listen  to  his 
off"ers  of  peace."  For  using  this  language  he  was  reproached  by  another 
chief  with  cowardice,  which  put  an  end  to  all  further  discourse.  Nothing- 
wounds  the  feelings  of  a  warrior  like  the  reproach  of  cowardice,  but 
Little  Turtle  stifled  his  resentment,  did  his  duty  in  the  battle,  and  its 
issue  proved  him  a  truer  prophet  than  his  accuser  believed.  His  resi- 
dence was  upon  Eel  River,  twenty  miles  from  Ft.  Wayne,  where  our  Gov- 
ernment built  him  a  house,  much  to  the  envy  of  his  countrymen.  There- 
fore what  had  been  bestowed  upon  him  to  induce  others  to  a  like  mode  of 
life  by  their  own  exertions,  proved  not  only  prejudicial  to  the  cause,  but 
engendered  hatred  against  him  in  the  minds  of  all  the  Indians.  He  was 
not  a  chief  by  birth,  but  was  raised  to  that  standing  by  his  superior  tal- 
ents. This  was  the  cause  of  so  much  jealousy  and  envy  at  this  time,  as 
also  a  neglect  of  his  counsel  heretofore.  Drake  says  that  Little  Turtle 
was  the  son  of  a  Miami  chief  by  a  Mohegan  woman.  As  the  Indian 
maxim,  with  regard  to  descents,  is  precisely  that  of  the  civil  law  in  rela- 
tion to  slaves,  that  the  condition  of  woman  adheres  to  the  offspring,  he 
was  not  a  chief  by  birth. 

Little  Turtle  died  in  the  summer  of  1812  at  his  home,  but  a  short  time 
after  the  declaration  of  war  against  England  by  the  United  States.  His 
portrait,  by  Stewart,  graces  the  walls  of  the  war  office  of  our  nation.  The 
following  notice  appeared  in  public  prints  at  the  time  of  his  death  at 
Fort  Wayne,  in  July,  1812:  "  On  the  14th  inst.  the  celebrated  Miami 
Chief,  Little  Turtle,  died  at  this  place  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years.     Per- 


32  PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF 

haps  there  is  not  left  on  this  continent  one  so  distinguished  in  counsel  and 
war.  His  disoi'der  was  the  cjout.  He  die<l  in  camp,  because  he  chose  to  be  in 
the  open  air.  He  met  death  with  great  firmness.  The  agent  for  Indian 
affairs  had  him  buried  with  the  honors  of  war  and  other  marks  of  dis- 
tinction suitable  to  his  character.  He  was  generally  in  his  time,  styled 
the  Messissaso  Chief,  and  a  gentleman  who  saw  him  soon  after  St.  Clair's  de- 
feat  says  he  was  six  feet  high,  about  forty-five  years  of  age,  of  a  very  sour 
and  morose  countenance,  and  apparently  very  crafty  and  subtle.  He  was 
alike  courageous  and  humane,  possessing  great  wisdom."  The  author 
before  quoted  says :  "  There  have  been  few  individuals  among  ab- 
origines who  have  done  so  much  to  abolish  the  rites  of  human  sacrifice. 
The  grave  of  this  noted  warrior  is  shown  to  the  visitor  near  Ft.  Wayne. 
It  is  frequently  visited  by  the  Indians  in  that  part  of  the  country,  by 
whom  his  memory  is  cherished  with  the  greatest  respect  and  veneration." 
The  following  is  taken  from  the  Howard  County  Atlas,  published  by 
Kingman  Brothers,  a  few  years  ago  : 

The  treaty  of  Greenville  (in  Darke  County,  Ohio),  in  1795,  followed, 
and  the  United  States  obtained  large  bodies  of  their  lands  in  that  and 
various  other  treaties.  In  the  war  of  1812,  they  again  fought  the  United 
States  and  were  whipped  by  the  forces  under  Lieut.  Col.  Campbell  on  the 
18th  of  December,  1812,  in  the  southern  part  of  what  is  now  Wabash 
County,  being  the  last  battle,  of  any  note,  with  the  Miamis  in  this  region. 
The  expedition  against  them  was  resolved  upon  by  Gen.  Harrison  in 
November,  1812.  Six  hundred  mounted  men  and  a  small  company  of 
scouts  and  spies  were  accordingly  sent  out  from  Greenville,  Ohio,  in 
December,  under  Lieut.  Col.  John  B.  Campbell,  who  reached  the  north 
bank  of  the  Mississinewa,  near  the  mouth  of  Josina  Creek,  December  17, 
1812,  and  surprised  an  Indian  village  there,  destroying  it,  killing  eight 
warriors  and  taking  forty-two  prisoners.  The  troops  then  destroyed  three 
other  villages  further  west  on  the  river  and  encamped  for  the  night. 
While  holding  a  council  of  war,  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,  they  were 
attacked  by  the  Indians,  under  Little  Thunder,  in  considerable  force.  The 
fight  lasted  about  an  hour,  and  the  Indians  were  defeated,  leaving  fifteen 
dead  upon  the  field  and  carrying  many  away  in  their  retreat. 

A  portion  of  the  tribe  were  then  friendly  to  the  United  States,  but 
they  could  not  control  the  hostile  portion.  In  1818,  a  treaty  was  made 
with  them,  and  again  another,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Wabash  River, 
just  east  of  the  city  of  Wabash,  on  the  2t)th  day  of  October,  1826,  by 
Gen.  John  Tipton,  then  Indian  Agent,  assisted  by  Gen.  Cass  and  James 
B.  Ray.     The  place  was  called  "Paradise  Springs." 

The  tribe  which,  under  Little  Turtle,  sent  1,500  warriors  to  the  field, 
had,  in  1822,  dwindled  down  to  between  2,000  and  3,000  people,  all  told. 


HOWARD  AiND  TIPTON  COUNTIES.  38 

They  had  acquired  a  burning  desire  for  liquor,  and  drunkenness  led  to 
innumerable  lights  among  the  members  of  the  tribe,  and  it  is  estimated 
that  as  many  as  500  were  killed  in  eighteen  years  in  these  broils.  In  the 
treaty  of  October,  1826,  the  Indians  gave  up  large  quantities  of  land, 
but  reserved  some  valuable  tracts,  among  which  was  a  reservation  begin- 
ning two  and  one-half  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Mississinewa,  extend- 
ing five  miles  up  and  along  the  Wabash,  and  north  to  Eel  River,  includ- 
ing the  present  site  of  Peru.  In  payment  for  this  they  received  |31,000 
in  goods ;  $30,000  immediately,  and  §26,000  in  goods  and  $35,000  in 
cash,  in  1827  ;  $30,000  in  1828.  and  |25,000  annually  thereafter.  In 
1838,  the  Aliamis  numbered  but  1,100,  and  in  this  year  they  sold  to  the 
Government  177,000  acres  of  land  in  Indiana  for  $335,680,  among  which 
was  a  seven-mile  strip  off  the  west  side  of  the  "Reserve,"  in  what  is  now 
Cass,  Howard  and  Clinton  Counties,  which  was  by  the  United  States 
transferred  to  the  State  of  Indiana  and  by  it  the  proceeds  were  used  for 
the  completion  of  the  Wabash  &  Erie  Canal,  from  the  mouth  of  the  Tip- 
pecanoe River,  down.  A  five-mile  strip  had  also  been  used  in  the  same 
way,  five  miles  wide  along  the  Wabash  River  on  the  south  side,  to  con- 
struct said  canal  to  the  mouth  of  the  Tippecanoe. 

William  Marshall,  of  Jackson  County,  Ind.,  helped  negotiate  with  the 
Miamis  in  the  treaty  of  November  28,  1840,  at  the  ''  Forks  of  the 
W^abash,"  in  which  they  finally  relinquished  the  tract  known  as  the 
"Miami  Reserve,"  being  all  their  remaining  lands  in  Indiana,  to  the 
United  States  for  the  consideration  of  $550,000  and  several  smaller  items, 
such  as  reservations,  houses  for  the  chiefs,  etc.  Three  sections  of  this 
kind  of  reservation  lie  in  Howard  County,  one  being  the  site  of  Kokomo. 
Previous  to  this,  the  Wea  and  Piankeshaw  bands,  384  in  number,  had  in 
1834-35  removed  to  the  south  side  of  the  Kansas  River.  By  the  treaty 
of  1840,  the  remainder  agreed  to  leave  at  the  expense  of  the  United 
States,  in  five  years ;  but  their  departure  was  delayed  until  1847, 
in  which  year  they  were  removed  to  the  Marais  des  Cygnes,  in  the  Fort 
Leavenworth  Agency.  The  Kansas  Miamis  at  the  time  of  their  removal 
numbered  only  about  250  souls,  each  individual  receiving  an  annuity  of 
about  $125.  They  were  removed  to  the  Quawpaw  Reservation  in  the 
year  1873,  and  now  number  about  150.  A  large  number  of  Miamis 
have  renounced  their  tribal  relations  and  draw  the  interest  on  their  money 
held  for  them  by  the  United  States  through  G.  A.  Crowell,  of  Peru, 
Special  Indian  Agent,  The  greater  part  of  these  are  known  as  the 
•' Miamis  of  Indiana,"  numbering  339  people.  The  remainder  are  the 
remnant  of  the  Eel  River  band,  nineteen  in  number.  The  former  re- 
ceived, in  1875,  each  $32.73  as  their  individual  share  of  the  interest  on 
their  money,  while  the  payment  to  the  Eel  Rivers  was  $57.89  per  capita, 


34  PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF 

in  tlie  shape  of  an  annuity.  The  total  sum  disbursed  yearly  to  the 
Indians  at  Peru  is  $12,000.  The  births  are  less  frequent  than  the  deaths, 
and  so  they  are  going  gradually  to  the  "  happy  hunting  grounds,"  and 
will  soon  all  be  gone.  These  Indians  are  scattered  over  the  country  from 
Grant  County  on  the  south  to  Grand  Rapids  on  the  north,  and  from  Na- 
poleon, Oliio,  to  the  Indian  Territory  on  the  west.  The  largest  number 
who  live  in  any  one  locality  are  on  the  Me-shin-go-me-sia  Reservation, 
embracing  ten  sections  of  land  in  Grant  and  Wabash  Counties.  Besides 
these  there  are  a  number  of  other  Indians  settled  on  individual  reserva- 
tions, some  OAvninfj  as  much  as  four  or  five  hundred  acres  of  land,  well 
improved,  with  fine  residences.  The  Me-shin-go-me-sia  Reservation  was 
held  in  common  until  1873,  but  in  may  of  that  year  a  partition  was  made 
in  which  all  of  the  Me-shin-go-me-sia  band  participated. 

The  Indians  were  not  gathered  from  Howard  and  Tipton  Counties  for 
removal  until  1846.  They  went  north  to  Peru,  then,  via  Cincinnati,  to 
their  Western  home  beyond  the  "  Father  of  Waters.  " 

Ricliardville,  the  Miami  Chief,  for  whom  Howard  County  was  originally 
named,  was  the  successor  of  Little  Turtle.  His  other  name  was  Pee-jee- 
wah.  He  was  the  party  who  signed  "by  his  X  mark"  at  the-treaty  of 
August,  1795,  made  with  Gen.  Wayne,  at  Greenville,  Ohio,  by  the 
sachems  of  the  Miamis,  Eel  Rivers,  Wyandots,  Delawares,  Shawnees,  Ot- 
tawas,  Chippewas,  Pottawatoniies,  Weas,  Kickapoos,  Piankeshaws  and 
Kaskaskias. 

The  Miami  tribe  of  Indians  are  frequently  seen  at  Marion,  Peru  and 
Wabash  on  business  or  on  pleasure.  They  have  pretty  generally  adopted 
the  dress,  language  and  habits  of  the  whites,  but  occasionally  a  "  Lo  "  is 
in  full  Indian  costume;  and  in  many  of  their  families  they  still  speak  the 
Shawnee  dialect. 

It  is  said  there  were  four  brothers,  Kokomo  (Black  Walnut),  Shock-o- 
mo  (Poplar),  Me-shin-go-me-sia  (Burr  Oak),  and  Shap-pan-do-si-a  (Sugar 
Tree),  all  of  whom  were  Indian  chiefs.  Exactly  how  this  was  and  the 
full  signification  of  their  appellations  we  do  not  know — old  settlers  differ. 
Then  there  were  in  Howard,  Jim  Sassafras,  and  Pete  Cornstalk,  who  is 
buried  on  Pete's  Run.  Kokomo  was  headquarters  in  Howard  County, 
as  it  is  now,  and  there  were  Indian  villages  south  of  Greentown  and  Cass- 
ville,  and  "  traces"  or  paths  led  from  Kokomo  down  Wild  Cat,  via  N.  P. 
Richmond's  farm  in  Ervin  Township,  to  Frankfort  and  Thorntown  ;  from 
Kokomo  via  Greentown,  to  "  Squirrel  Village"  (Meshingomesia's),  and 
from  Kokomo  to  Peru,  via  Cassville.  These  were  well  worn  and  much 
used. 

From  1840  to  1845,  there  were  about  two  hundred  Indians  along  Wild 
Cat  Creek  and  in  different  parts  of  this  county. 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES.  35 

There  were  Indian  villages  or  settlements  at  different  places  as  herein 
stated,  and  Kokomo  was  a  sort  of  headquarters  for  them,  especially  just 
before  and  after  the  United  States  made  payments  to  them.  They  went 
to  the  forks  of  the  Wabash,  about  two  miles  this  side  of  Huntington,  to 
make  treaties  and  get  their  annuities  there.  There  were  about  forty  traders 
who  dealt  with  them,  and  Wash.  Ewing  and  D.  Foster,  of  all  these,  suc- 
ceeded best. 

Nip-po-wah  lived  at  Vermont,  Shoc-co-to-quaw  at  Greentown,  Pete 
Cornstalk  at  Indian  Suck,  near  the  southeast  corner  of  Ervin  Township, 
Ma-shock-o-mo  one  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Greentown,  Shap-pau-do- 
sho  (Through-and-Through)  was  at  Cassville,  and  Kokomo  at  our  county 
seat.  From  here  they  branched  off  in  hunting  parties,  and  trails  led 
from  one  village  to  each  of  the  others. 

The  Indian  Reserve  was  originally  thirty-six  miles  square,  as  follows ; 
Commencing  near  the  town  of  La  Gro,  on  the  Wabash,  where  the  Sala- 
monie  unites  with  the  Wabash,  running  thence  through  Wabash  and 
Grant  Counties  into  Madison  County,  its  southeast  corner  was  about  four 
miles  southeast  of  Independence  at  the  center  of  Section  27  :  thence 
running  south  of  west,  parallel  with  the  general  course  of  the  Wabash 
River,  across  Tipton  County  and  through  the  town  of  Tipton,  and  cross- 
ing the  west  line  of  Tipton  County  about  three  miles  from  its  southwest 
corner  to  where  it  intersects  a  line  running  north  and  south  from  Logans- 
port,  which  is  the  western  boundary  of  Howard  County,  one  mile  west 
of  range  line  number  one  east ;  thence  north  to  Logansport ;  thence  up 
the  Wabash  to  the  mouth  of  the  Salamonie,  then  embracing  parts  of 
the  Wabash,  Grant,  Madison,  Tipton,  Clinton,  Carroll  and  Cass  Counties, 
and  all  of  what  was  Richardville  and  is  now  Howard,  and  containing 
about  930,000  acres.  By  treaty,  a  strip  was  taken  off  the  north  side,  five 
miles  wide,  to  build  the  Wabash  &  Erie  Canal.  The  United  States  gave 
it  to  Indiana  to  use  the  proceeds  in  that  way  from  the  State  line  in  Ohio 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Tippecanoe  River.  Then  to  complete  the  canal  from 
the  mouth  of  the  Tippecanoe  down,  another  strip  seven  miles  wide  off  the 
west  side  of  the  Reserve  was  obtained  by  the  United  States  of  the  In- 
dians in  the  same  way,  and  given  to  the  State,  who  disposed  of  its  pro- 
ceeds in  the  same  manner.  This  last  strip  included  all  of  Ervin  and 
Monroe  and  nearly  all  of  Honey  Creek  Townships,  and  they  were  conse- 
quently opened  to  settlers,  and  were  settled  by  whites  before  the  other 
portions  of  Howard  County. 

Within  a  historic  period,  there  never  was  an  Indian  village  or  battle 
on  the  territory  constituting  the  county  of  Tipton.  In  the  early  part  of 
the  present  century,  it  constituted  the  joint  hunting  grounds  of  the 
Miamis,  Delawares  and  Pottawatomies.      An   old  settler  says  that  he 


36  PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF 

was  told  by  Mr.  Samuel  McClure,  of  Marion,  Ind.,  that  the  Cicero 
country  was  once  famous  for  the  great  number  of  black  bears  infesting  the 
present  territory  of  the  county.  The  Indians,  far  and  near,  when  wishing 
to  "tackle"  or  capture  an  ugly  bruin,  pitched  their  tents  in  this  territory. 
In  several  parts  of  the  county  Indian  bones  have  been  exhumed,  though 
to  no  considerable  extent.  These  deaths  probably  occurred  from  acci- 
dent, violence  or  sickness,  while  temporarily  camping  for  hunting  pur- 
poses. Hence  the  county  is  without  an  Indian  history,  other  than  that 
t)  be  gathered  from  their  relics  and  remains  found  slumbering  in  the 
ground.  There  is  a  melancholy  legend  of  these  people,  connected  with 
the  weeping  elm  that  rears  its  drooping  boughs  seventy  feet  in  the  east- 
ern part  of  Tipton,  but  it  is  too  vague  for  publication. 

GOVERNMENT,  CUSTOMS  AND  LAWS. 

The  Indians  of  North  America,  except  the  Mexicans,  were  emphati- 
cally a  free  people.  Their  powers  and  privileges  were  purely  democratic. 
Their  laws,  like  the  ^'•Lex  non  Scripta"  of  England,  consisted  in  usages 
and  customs  consented  to  and  acquiesced  in  by  the  tribes.  No  man's 
property  or  services  could  be  commanded,  without  his  consent;  war  could 
not  be  declared,  peace  made  or  treaties  concluded,  only  through  their 
councils,  in  which  women  as  well  as  men  exercised  rights.  This  freedom 
antedated  the  discovery  of  America,  we  know  not  how  long,  probably 
since  the  mastery  of  the  Mound- Builders  by  these  free  but  ferocious  fam- 
ilies of  the  forest.  The  seeds  of  liberty  were  sown  among  the  rude 
savages  of  the  United  States,  and  by  them  transmitted  to  their  Anglo- 
Saxon  conquerors.  The  tree  has  grown  to  immense  grandeur,  bearing 
on  every  branch  the  proud  motto,  "''Liberty,  Justice,  Equality" 

The  government  of  Mexico  was  imperial,  but  all  others  were  pure 
republics.  Unlike  the  Oriental  barbarians,  the  Occidental  savages  could 
not  be  enslaved.  An  Indian  chief,  on  being  asked  whether  his  people 
were  free,  answered,  "  Why  not^? — since  I  myself  am  free,  although  their 
king." 

A  tribe  of  Indians  is  a  body  of  kindred,  subdivided  into  the  clan, 
the  gens  and  the  family.  The  gens  constitutes  an  organized  band  of  re- 
lations, the  family  the  household.  The  name  of  the  mother  follows  the 
children  and  fixes  the  line  of  kinship. 

If  her  father  was  a  chief,  her  son  inherits  the  honor.  In  their  domes- 
tic relations,  she  is  the  head  of  the  family,  and  through  her  blood  all  prop- 
erty, political  and  personal  rights,  must  descend.  If  she  was  a  "Turtle" 
the  name  of  all  of  her  children  is  "Turtle"  and  they  are  known  as  the 
Turtle  gens,  clan  or  family.  An  Indian  man  or  woman  may  marry 
a  cousin  on  the  fathers  side,  but  not  on   the  mother's.       The   father^ 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES,  •       37 

though  a  chief  and  crowned  with  a  hundred  victories — though  he  has 
lined  his  wigwam  with  the  scalps  of  enemies,  cannot  cast  upon  his  kin  his 
property,  his  fame  or  name,  and  though  he  be  Wolf,  Beaver,  Bear  or 
Hare,  the  children  are  all  "Turtle,"  Big,  Black  or  "Little  Turtle,"  as 
fancy  may  direct. 

When  we  reflect  that  the  unwritten  but  fixed  and  immutable  laws  of 
God  have  stamped  upon  the  offspring  the  type  of  the  mother,  and  bound 
them  together  by  the  most  consecrated  law  of  love,  who  dare  say  that  the 
Indian  rule  is  wrong  or  that  the  civilized  rule  is  right?  In  moans,  groans 
and  misery,  the  woman  gives  life  to  the  world.  In  painful  anxiety  and 
eager  suspense,  she  guards  every  want,  wish  and  motion  of  her  offspring; 
by  day  and  by  night  she  prays  for  its  health,  for  its  happiness,  its  safety 
and  success.  She  prays,  not  as  the  Pharasee  prays,  but  from  her  ver^^ 
soul  she  breaths  forth  deep,  ardent,  earnest,  practical  prayers,  such  as 
none  but  a  mother  can  pray.  Her  offspring  possesses  her,  and  misery 
or  misfortune  to  them  is  to  her  excruciating  sorrow  and  pain.  She  divides 
not  her  last  morsel  of  food  or  raiment  with  her  child,  but  gives  it  all. 

Marriage. — A  man  seeking  a  wife  usually  consults  her  mother,  some- 
times by  himself,  sometimes  through  his  mother;  when  agreed  upon,  the 
parties  usually  comply,  making  promises  of  faithfulness  to  the  parents  of 
both. 

Polygamy  is  permitted,  but  practiced  little.  Wife  number  one  re- 
mains at  the  head  of  the  family  while  wife  number  two  is  the  servant. 
Divorces  occur,  but  not  often,  however. 

Marriage  and  divorce  are  well  illustrated  by  the  following  anecdote^ 
"An  aged  Indian,  who  for  many  years  had  spent  much  time  among  the 
white  people  both  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  one  day,  about  the 
year  1770,  observed  that  the  Indians  had  not  only  a  much  easier  way  of 
getting  a  wife  than  the  whites,  but  also  a  more  certain  way  of  getting  a 
good  one.  'For,'  said  he  in  broken  English,  'white  man  court — court — 
maybe  one  whole  year!  maybe  two  years  before  he  marry!  Well — may- 
be then  he  get  very  good  wife — but  maybe  not — maybe  very  cross!  Well, 
now,  suppose  cross!  Scold  so  soon  as  get  awake  in  the  morning!  Scold  all 
day!  Scold  until  sleep!  All  one — he  mus  keep  him!  White  people  have  laws 
forbidding  throw  away  wife  he  be  ever  so  cross — must  keep  him  always! 
Well,  how  does  Indian  do?  Indian,  when  he  sees  industrious  squaw,  he  go  to 
him  place  his  two  forefingers  close  aside  each  other,make  two  like  one — then 
look  squaw  in  the  face — see  him  smile — this  is  all  one,  he  say  yes!  So 
he  take  him  home — no  danger  he  be  cross!  No,  no — Squaw  know  too 
well  what  Indian  do  if  he  cross!  Throw  h-im  away  and  take  another! 
Squaw  love  to  eat  meat — no  husband,  no  meat.  Squaw  do  everything  to 
please  husband,  he  do  everything  to  please  squaw — live  happy.'  " 


88  PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF 

Rights. — Each  clan  is  protected  in  its  mode  of  painting  the  face,  and  a 
peculiar  badge  of  office  worn  by  the  chief  and  council  women.  The  coun- 
cil of  the  tribe  assigns  to  the  gens  a  particular  tract  of  land  for  cultiva- 
tion. The  woman  council  carefully  divides  and  distributes  this  tract  of 
land  among  the  heads  of  the  families  who  are  responsible  for  its  cultiva- 
tion. The  crops  are  planted,  cultivated  and  gathered  by  the  squaws. 
The  wigwam  and  all  articles  of  the  household  belong  to  the  woman,  and, 
at  her  death,  descend  to  her  eldest  daughter  or  nearest  of  female  kin. 

Each  individual  has  a  right  to  freedom  of  person  and  security  from 
bodily  harm.  Like  a  patentee,  they  have  the  exclusive  right  to  use  a 
particular  charm,  and  their  religious  rights  are  well  illustrated  by  the 
following  anecdote : 

"  In  the  year  1791,  two  Creek  Chiefs  accompanied  an  American  to 
England,  where,  as  usual,  they  attracted  great  attention,  and  many 
flocked  around  them,  as  well  to  learn  their  ideas  of  certain  things  as  to 
behold  the  savages.  Being  asked  their  opinion  of  religion,  or  of  what 
religion  they  were,one  made  answer  that  they  had  no  priest  in  their  country, 
nor  established  religion,  for  they  thought  that  upon  a  subject  where  there 
was  no  possibility  of  people's  agreeing  in  opinion,  and  as  it  was  altogether 
matter  of  mere  opinion,  it  was  best  that  every  one  should  paddle  his 
canoe  his  own  way." 

Qriminal  Code. — Adultery  is  punished,  in  the  first  offense,  by  crop- 
ping the  hair;  repeated  offenses,  by  cutting  off  the  left  ear.  If  the  mother 
fails  to  inflict  the  penalty,  it  is  done  by  the  council  of  women  of  the  gens. 

Theft  is  punished  by  twofold  restitution.  It  is  tried  by  the  council 
of  gens,  from  which  there  is  no  appeal.  Maiming  is  compounded,  and 
the  trial  the  same.  Murder  is  triable  by  the  gens,  but  an  appeal  lies  to 
the  council  of  the  tribe ;  technical  errors  in  the  prosecution  are  proofs 
positive  of  the  defendant's  innocence;  if  found  guilty,  the  friends  of  the 
accused  must  pay  for  the  dead  man,  and  on  failure  to  do  so,  the  friends 
of  the  deceased  may  kill  the  murderer  at  pleasure. 

Witchcraft  is  punished  by  death,  by  tomahawking,  stabbing  or  burn- 
ing ;  an  appeal  lies  from  the  grand  council  of  the  tribe  to  the  holy 
ordeal  by  fire.  A  circular  fire  is  built,  and  if  the  accused  can  run 
through  it  from  east  to  west  and  from  north  to  south  without  injury,  he 
is  adjudged  innocent.  Treason  is  punished  with  death,  and  consists  in, 
first,  giving  aid  or  comfort  to  the  enemies  of  the  tribe;  secondly,  in  re- 
vealing the  secrets  of  the  medicine  men.       With  them,  as  with  us,  the 

Doctors  are  held  in  high  esteem.  "The  daughter  of  a  Patagonian 
chief  came  in  carrying  a  child  that  was  crying  very  loudly.  A  messen- 
ger was  dispatched  for  the  wise  man,  who  soon  came,  and  brought  with  him 
his  magic  medicines  rolled  up  in  two  pieces  of  skin.     These  were  laid  on 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES.  39 

the  ground,  and  the  doctor  squatted  by  the  side  of  them,  fixing  a  steady 
gaze  on  the  child,  who  presently  ceased  crying.  Encouraged  by  this  suc- 
cess, the  wise  man  ordered  a  clay  plaster  to  be  applied.  This  was  done. 
Some  yellow  clay  was  brought,  moistened  until  it  was  like  paint,  and  with 
this  substance  the  child  was  annointed  from  head  to  foot.  The  clay 
seemed  to  have  but  little  good  effect,  for  the  child  began  to  cry  as  badly 
as  ever.  The  two  mysterious  packages  were  now  untied,  and  out  of  one 
the  doctor  took  a  bunch  of  rhea  sinews,  and  from  the  other  a  rattle.  The 
doctor  then  fingered  all  the  sinews  successively,  muttering  something  in 
a  very  low  tone  of  voice,  and  after  he  had  muttered  for  some  five  minutes 
or  so,  he  seized  his  rattle  and  shook  it  violently.  He  next  sat  in  front  of 
the  patient,  and  stared  at  him  as  he  had  done  before.  After  an  interval 
of  silent  staring,  he  turned  to  the  chief  and  asked  whether  he  did  not 
think  that  the  child  was  better.  A  nod  and  a  grunt  expressed  assent, 
and  the  mother  on  being  asked  the  same  question  gave  a  similar  response. 
The  same  process  was  then  repeated — the  silent  stare,  the  painting  with 
clay,  the  fingering  of  the  sinews,  the  muttering  of  inaudible  words,  the 
shaking  of  the  rattle,  and  the  concluding  stare.  The  treatment  of  the  pa- 
tient was  then  considered  to  be  complete.  The  chief  gave  the  doctor  two 
pipefuls  of  tobacco  by  way  of  fee.  This  was  received  gratefully  by  the 
man  of  skill,  who  gave  his  rattle  a  final  shake  by  Avay  of  expressing  his 
appreciation  of  the  chief's  liberality,  and  went  his  way.  As  soon  as  he 
had  gone,  the  child  resumed  its  crying,  but  the  parents  were  satisfied  that 
it  was  better." 

No  Organized  Crovernment. — The  system  of  laws  here  introduced  is 
based  upon  that  of  the  Wyandot  branch  of  the  Iroquois  family,  which  rep- 
resents the  highest  type  of  Indian  government  in  North  America,  ex- 
cept perhaps  the  Mexicans  ;  yet,  m  modified  degrees  and  less  definite  forms, 
similar  customs  and  usages  prevailed  in  many  if  not  the  most  of  the 
tribes. 

There  is  a  distinction  to  be  drawn  between  Indian  laws  and  govern- 
ment. Except  that  of  Mexico,  it  might  be  said  they  had  no  organized  form 
of  government.  There  were  certain  customs  and  usages  consented  to  and 
acquiesed  in,  granting  to  the  party  injured,  or  his  relatives,  redress  for 
the  wrong  but  that  redress  was  not  afforded  by  governmental  aid.  If  one 
stole  from  another  the  party  aggrieved  might  by  force  or  otherwise  take 
two-fold  from  the  thief.  Bancroft  says  :  "  Unconscious  of  political  prin- 
ciples, they  remained  under  the  influence  of  instincts.  Their  forms  of 
government  grew  out  of  their  passions  and  wants,  and  were  therefore 
everywhere  nearly  the  same.  Without  a  code  of  laws,  without  a  distinct 
recognition  of  succession  in  the  magistracy  by  inheritance  or  election, 
government  was  conducted  harmoniously  by  the  influence  of  native  gen- 


40  PRELIMINARY  HISTORY  OF 

ius,  virtue  and  experience.  Prohibitory  laws  were  hardly  sanctioned  by 
savage  opinion.  The  wild  man  hates  restraint,  and  loves  to  do  what  is 
right  in  his  own  eyes."  "  The  Illinois,"  writes  Marest,  '•  are  absolute 
masters  of  themselves,  subject  to  no  law."  The  Delawares,  it  was  said, 
"  are,  in  general,  wholly  unacquainted  with  civil  laws  and  proceedings, 
nor  have  any  kind  of  notion  of  civil  judicatures,  of  persons  being 
arraigned  and  tried,  condemned  or  acquitted."  As  there  was  no  commerce, 
no  coin,  no  promissory  notes,  no  employment  of  others  for  hire,  there 
Avere  no  contracts.  Exchanges  were  but  a  reciprocity  of  presents,  and 
mutual  gifts  were  the  only  traffic.  Arrests  and  prisons,  lawyers  and 
Sherifts  were  unknown.  Each  man  was  his  own  protector,  and,  as  there 
was  no  public  Justice,  each  man  issued  to  himself  his  letter  of  reprisals, 
and  became  his  own  avenger.  In  case  of  death  by  violence,  the  departed 
shade  could  not  rest  till  appeased  by  a  retaliation.  His  kindred  would 
"  go  a  thousand  miles  for  the  purpose  of  revenge,  over  hills  and  mount- 
ains, through  large  cane  swamps  full  of  grape  vines  and  briers  ;  over 
broad  lakes,  rapid  rivers  and  deep  creeks  ;  and  all  the  way  in  danger  of 
poisonous  snakes,  exposed  to  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  to  hunger 
and  thirst.  And  blood  being  once  shed,  the  reciprocity  of  attacks  in- 
volved family  in  mortal  strife  against  family,  tribe  against  tribe,  often  con- 
tinuing from  generation  to  generation.  Yet  mercy  could  make  itself 
heard  even  among  barbarians;  and  peace  was  restored  by  atoning  presents, 
if  they  were  enough  to  cover  up  the  graves  of  the  dead." 

The  Lord's  prayer,  as  translated  into  the  Cherokee  language: 

ENGLISH.  CHEROKEE. 

Our  Father 0-gi-do-da 

Who  art  in  heaven Ga-lo-la-di-e-hi 

Hallowed Ga-lo-zuo-di-yu 

Be Ge-se-sti 

Thy  name De-tsa  do-v-i 

Thy  Kingdom Tsa-go-wi-yai--hi-ge-so 

Come  (makes  its  appearance) Wi-ga-na-nu-gs-i 

Thy   will Ha-da-no-te-sko 

Be  done  (take  place) Wi-ni-gi-li-sta 

(Here)  on  earth A-hni-e-lo-hi 

As  it  is  done Na-ski-ya  tsi-ni-ga-li-sti 

In  heaven Ga-lo-la-di 

Our  food O-ga-li  sta-yo-di 

Daily Ni  da  do  da  gui  so 

Give  to  us Ski-v-si 

This  day Go-hi-i-ga 

Forgive  us Di-ge-ski-v-si-quo 

Our  debts De-ski-dw-go-i 

As   we  forgive Na-ski-ya-tsi-di-ga-yo-tsi-ne-ho 

Our  debtors Tso-tsi-du  gi 

And  do  not A-le-tle-sti 

Lead  us  into Wi-di-ski  ya  di-no-sta-mo 

Temptation N  da  le  na  sti  yi 

But  deliver  us  from Ski-y-da-le-gi  ske-sti-quo-shi-ni 

Evil W-yo-ge-so-i. 


HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES.  41 


RELIGION    AND    MYTHOLOGY. 


Their  pictography,  implements  and  customs  are  child-like  and  simple, 
their  reasoning  and  reflective  powers  feeble  and  infantile.  The  instinct 
of  love  leads  them  to  form  friendships  and  families  ;  and  that  of  aifection, 
marriage,  parents  and  offspring.  Resentment  of  wrong,  and  self-preser- 
vation, with  them  as  with  us,  are  the  first  laws  of  nature.  The  infant 
instinctively  strikes  the  child  who  has  struck  him  ;  the  belligerent  cannon 
reverberates  in  the  nation  that's  threatened.  A  reverence  for  the  dead 
and  respect  for  his  relatives,  is  sublime,  solemn  and  courteous.  Although 
a  famine,  food  is  furnished  the  pilgrim  spirit  until  it  reaches  its  happy 
hunting  grounds,  and  his  implements  for  hunting  are  buried  with  his  body, 
and  so  careful  are  they  of  the  feelings  of  his  friends  that  they  will  not 
mention  his  name  in  their  presence.  The  word  father  is  avoided  in  the 
presence  of  orphans  for  fear  of  grieving  the  children.  They  disbelieve 
in  the  resurrection  of  the  body,  but  carefully  preserve  their  bones. 

Their  heaven  abounds  in  buffalo,  beaver  and  bear;  ours  in  angels? 
saints  and  golden  streets.  Thus  we  differ  in  detail,  but  agree  in  the  hon- 
est hope  of  happiness  hereafter.  While  they  venerated  the  dead,  they 
feared  not  death  on  the  battle-field,  and  often  spoke  prophetically  of  their 
own  loss  of  life.  They  regarded  self-destruction  a  shameful  cowardice, 
but  to  endure  death,  disaster  and  torture  without  a  murmer,  moan  or 
groan,  the  highest  type  of  manhood.  The  family  training  is  an  educa- 
tion of  endurance,  by  practical  exposure.  The  children  are  almost  as 
free  as  the  parents,  punishment  being  rarely  ever  resorted  to.  As  soon 
as  large  enough,  they  are  taught  the  art  of  fishing,  hunting  and  trapping, 
and  their  first  success  is  celebrated  by  a  family  feast.  Like  themselves, 
every  insect,  bird,  beast  and  fish  has  its  tutelary  God,  which  crawled  out 
of,  or  came  from  the  earth,  air,  water  or  sky.  These  great  Manitous 
mold  and  control  the  destiny  of  their  descendants.  These  myths  and 
superstitions  exist  in  countless  numbers,  some  gross,  senseless  and  insig- 
nificant; others  beautiful,  simple  and  conducive  of  good.  A  Swedish 
minister,  having  assembled  the  chiefs  of  the  Susquehanna  Indians, 
made  a  sermon  to  them,  acquainted  them  with  the  principal  historical 
facts  on  which  our  religion  is  founded ;  such  as  the  fall  of  our  first  par- 
ents by  eating  an  apple;  the  coming  of  Christ  to  repair  the  mischief;  his 
miracles,  suffering,  etc.  When  he  had  finished,  an  Indian  orator  stood 
up  to  thank  him.  "  What  you  have  told  us,"  said  he,  "  is  all  very  good. 
It  is  indeed  bad  to  eat  apples ;  it  is  better  to  make  them  all  into  cider. 
We  are  much  obliged  by  your  kindness  in  coming  so  far  to  tell  us  of 
those  things,  which  you  have  heard  from  your  mothers." 

He  then  told  the  missionary  one  of   their    legends.       He    said  :    "A 


42  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  AND  TIPTON  COUNTIES. 

beautiful  woman  came  down  from  the  skies,  and  sat  on  the  ground  ;  she 
was  very  hungry,  and  the  Indians  brought  her  food  in  abundance,  and, 
to  reward  them  for  their  kindness,  she  caused  corn  to  grow  where  her 
right  hand  had  touched  the  earth,  beans  where  her  left  hand  rested  and 
tobacco  where  she  sat."  The  missionary  treated  it  with  contempt,  and 
said  :  "  What  I  told  you  were  sacred  truths  ;  what  you  tell  me  is  fiction, 
fable  and  falsehood."  The  Indian  was  indignant,  and  replied:  "My 
brother,  it  seems  your  friends  have  not  done  you  justice,  in  your  educa- 
tion. They  have  not  well  instructed  you  in  the  rules  of  common  civility. 
You  see  that  we,  who  understand  and  practice  those  rules,  believe  all  your 
stories;  why  do  you  refuse  to  believe  ours?"  They  were  faithful  to  a  friend, 
but  ferocious  to  an  enemy.  Dare  we,  however,  compare  the  cruelty  of 
these  savages  with  that  of  the  Anglo-Saxons?  It  is  true  they  killed 
witches  and  wizards  ;  but,  at  the  same  time  the  Rev.  Drs.  Cotton  Mather, 
Stoten  and  other  ministers,  were  killing,  hanging  and  murdering  the 
purest  people  of  Massachussetts  for  the  same  imaginary  offense.  It  is 
true  they  sometimes  offered  human  sacrifices  to  appease,  or  propitiate 
their  great  Manitou,  but  during  the  same  time  the  infamous  Inquisition 
and  auto-da-fe,  burned  to  death  over  82,000  innocent  men,  women  and 
children  to  appease  the  wrath  of  the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus.  It  is  true 
they  often  massacred  and  murdered  defenseless  women  and  children  who 
had  invaded  their  country  ;  but  for  cold-blooded  iniquity  and  horrid 
atrocity,  these  crimes  sink  into  insignificance  compared  with  the  Portu- 
guese in  Brazil,  who  deposited  the  clothes  of  scarlet  fever  and  small-pox 
patients  on  the  hunting  grounds  of  the  Indians,  thereby  spreading  these 
malignant  maladies  among  the  simple  natives.  They  are  men  and 
women,  child  and  children,  like  ourselves.  They  are  now  the  dying  in- 
fants of  the  continent,  we  their  invading  conquerors ;  in  Heaven's  name, 
let  no  act  of  wrong  be  done  against  them. 


a 


vk.a 


PART  II. 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY 


I 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 


ORGANIZATION 

BY    CORYDON    RICHMOND. 


HOWARD  COUNTY  is  a  part  of  what  was,  at  one  time,  known  as 
the  Indian  Reserve,  owned  by  the  Miami  Indians.  The  reserve 
was  situated  south  of  the  Wabash  River.  On  the  east  was  Grant  County, 
on  the  south,  Hamilton  County  and  on  the  west  Clinton  and  Carroll,  and 
on  the  north  Cass  and  Miami  Counties.  A  portion  of  the  reserve  was 
attached  to  Miami  County;  another  portion,  with  a  strip  off  of  Hamilton 
County,  forms  Tipton  County,  and  the  portion  between  Tipton  and  Miami 
Counties  forms  Howard  County. 

The  county  is  eleven  miles  wide  by  twenty-seven  miles  long,  and  is 
consequently  bounded  on  the  north  by  Miami  and  Cass  Counties,  on  the 
east  by  Grant  County,  on  the  south  by  Tipton  and  Clinton,  and  on  the 
west  by  Clinton  and  Carroll. 

The  Indian  Reserve  was  about  thirty  miles  square,  and  was  selected  by 
the  Indians  on  account  of  its  good  qualities  of  soil,  timber,  game,  fish, 
etc.,  and  was  highly  prized  by  them  and  cherished  as  their  home.  But 
they  were  finally  induced  to  part  with  it,  and  the  Government  became  the 
purchaser. 

SURFACE    OF    COUNTRY. 

The  face  of  the  country  is  what  would  be  termed  level,  having  no  high 
hills,  but  is  gently  undulating,  and  was  originally  covered  with  a  dense 
forest  of  valuable  timber,  such  as  white  oak,  burr  oak,  red  oak,  yellow 
poplar,  black  walnut,  white  walnut,  hickory,  elm,  the  various  kinds  of 
ash,  hard  and  soft  maple,  and  sycamore,  which  last  grew  all  over  the 
county,  and  not,  as  in  other  localities,  confined  to  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  water-courses. 

The  value  of  the  timber  of  this  country  has  been  great,  and  during  the 
hard  times,  culminating  in  1873,  and  on  till  1876,  was  what  furnished  the 
principal  resource  of  the  people  for  paying  debts  and  buying  the  neces- 
saries of  life. 


44  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

WATER-COURSES. 

The  principal  stream  in  the  county  is  Wild  Cat  Creek,  which  has  one 
of  its  principle  branches,  called  Mud  Creek,  heading  in  the  northwest 
part  of  Tipton  County,  running  a  northeast  direction,  until,  near  the  east 
end  of  the  county,  it  turns  north,  and,  uniting  with  a  branch  called  Grassy 
Fork,  forms  the  Wild  Cat,  which  runs  nearly  west,  through  the  middle  of 
the  county.  Lilley  Creek  empties  in  near  Jerome ;  Kokorao  Creek 
empties  in  one  and  a  half  railes  below  the  city  of  Kokorao,  and  Little 
Wild  Cat  about  seven  miles,  and  the  Honey  Creeks  still  lower  down.  The 
last  three  are  all  on  the  south  side  of  the  main  stream.  Springsthat  supply 
abundance  of  good  water  abound  throughout  the  county.  On  the  north 
side  of  the  county  are  the  heads  of  Deer  Creek  and  Buck  Creek,  which 
empty  into  the  Wabash  River.  So  that  it  may  be  said  the  county  is 
well  watered. 

In  the  first  settlement  of  the  Eastern  portion  of  the  county,  and  in 
fact  the  whole  of  it,  the  settlers  found  a  great  deal  of  the  land,  for  a  good 
portion  of  the  year,  under  water,  which  formed  what  were  called  sloughs 
and  slashes.  This  was  owing  to  the  great  amount  of  down  timber,  in  an 
unbroken  forest,  so  dense  that  the  sun  had  little  chance  to  penetrate  to  the 
ground  to  dry  it,  and  the  extensive  obstructions  to  the  flow  of  the  water 
caused  it  to  accumulate  in  low  places,  and  for  years  it  never  dried  out. 

The  difference  in  the  appearance  of  the  county  now  and  thirty-five 
years  ago  is  great,  brought  about  by  the  industry  and  perseverance  of  the 
inhabitants,  who  early  learned  the  value  of  draining  by  ditches.  Further 
on  we  shall  say  more  on  the  subject  of  drainage. 

ORGANIZATION  AND  COUNTY  SEAT. 

The  General  Government,  having  purchased  from  the  Indians  the  lands 
composing  the  reserve,  would  come  into  possession  of  them  about  the  year 
1847. 

The  State  Legislature,  in  view  of  the  near  approach  of  the  time  when 
the  State  would  be  entitled  to  assume  jurisdiction  over  the  territory  thus 
acquired,  at  their  session,  in  the  winter  of  1843-44,  passed  a  law,  in  order 
to  the  formation  of  the  reserve  into  counties,  which  was  done  by  defining 
the  boundaries  of  the  counties  of  Howard  and  Tipton,  and  changing  the 
boundaries  of  surrounding  counties  as  heretofore  alluded  to. 

The  county  was  organized  under  the  name  of  "  Richardville,"  which 
was  the  name  of  a  prominent  member  of  the  Miami  tribe  of  Indians. 
The  act  of  the  Legislature  provided,  by  appointment.  Commissioners  to 
locate  the  county  seat,  as  follows :  John  Moulder,  John  Armstrong  and 
S.   H.   Colip.     They  were  required  by  the  act  to  meet  at  the  house  of 


t 


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V 


^.irhz. 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUXTY.  47 

John  Harrison,  on  the  second  Monday  in  May,  1844.  They  met  on  that 
day,  and  at  once  proceeded  to  examine  the  various  points  that  had  been 
proposed  as  suitable  for  a  county  seat.  After  a  careful  inspection  of  the 
various  locations  and  propositions  for  donations,  they  finally  determined 
on  the  location  upon  which  Kokomo  is  situated. 

This  location  is  situated  in  the  northwest  corner  of  an  individual  Indian 
reservation,  made  by  Lafontaine,  one  of  the  principal  men  of  the  Miami 
tribe.  It  was  purchased  by  David  Foster,  who  was  a  considerable  trader 
among  the  Indians. 

Mr.  Foster  agreed  to  donate,  as  a  site  for  a  county  seat,  forty  acres, 
and  pay  the  expenses  of  the  Locating  Commissioners,  which  he  did,  and 
delivered  the  deed  for  the  land,  on  December  5,  1844,  to  the  County 
Commissioners. 

FIRST    ELECTIONS. 

The  first  election  ever  held  in  what  is  now  Howard  County  was  while 
the  western  portion  of  it  Avas  attached  to  Carroll  County,  and  was  held  in 
the  year  1840,  at  a  Presidential  contest,  and  at  the  house  of  John  Har- 
rison, when  twenty-four  votes  were  cast — twelve  Whig  and  twelve  Dem 
ocrat. 

The  first  election,  under  the  county  organization,  was  held  May  27, 
1844,  at  which  all  the  county  officers  were  elected,  as  follows :  John 
Lamb,  Benjamin  Fawcett  and  David  Bailey,  Commissioners :  Franklin 
S.  Price,  Clerk  ;  Benjamin  IS'ewhouse,  Auditor  ;  Austin  North,  Recorder  ; 
Harless  Ashley,  Treasurer;   and  John  Harrison,  Sherifi". 

FIRST    ACTS    6F    COUNTY    COMMISSIONERS. 

The  County  Commissioners  held  their  first  meeting,  commencing  June 
17,  1844,  at  the  house  of  John  Harrison,  at  which  but  little  business 
was  done. 

They  divided  the  county  into  three  townships.  The  west  one  was 
named  Monroe,  the  middle  one  Kokomo,  and  the  east  one.  Green  Town- 
ship. They  met  again  in  called  session,  on  the  17th  day  of  Au- 
gust following,  to  receive  the  report  of  the  Locating  Commissioners,  when, 
after  the  formal  acceptance  of  said  report,  they  adjourned  to  meet  at 
David  Foster's,  in  Kokomo,  on  the  first  Monday  in  September. 

At  the  September  term,  1844,  Peter  Gay  was  appointed  County  Agent, 
and  other  subordinate  oflSces  were  filled  by  appointment,  so  that  the  county 
machinery  was  ready  for  business. 

The  first  tax  levy  was  made  at  this  meeting,  of  25  cents  on  each  $100 
valuation,  and  25  cents  on  each  poll.  Austin  C.  Sheets  was  appointed 
County  Surveyor,  and  proceeded  without  delay  to  survey  and  plat  the  town 
of  Kokomo. 


48  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

At  the  December  term,  1844,  the  Commissioners  acted  upon  the  first 
road  petition.  Isaac  Price,  Jonathan  Hayworth  and  J.  C.  Barnett  were 
appointed  Viewers  ;  and  made  the  following  report :  "  In  pursuance  of  the 
order  of  the  Board,  they  have  viewed  and  laid  out  a  road  of  public  utility, 
to  wit :  Beginning  at  the  forks  of  Honey  Creek,  and  running  the 
nearest  and  best  route  in  the  direction  to  Peter  Duncan's  tavern,  on  the 
Michigan  road,  ending  at  the  county  line." 

At  this  meeting,  Charles  J.  Allison  was  granted  a  license  to  retail  in- 
toxicating liquors  for  f  10  ;  this  was  the  first  license  granted  in  the  county, 
and  Mr.  Allison  was  the  first  person  who  was  indicted  for  violating  the 
license  law.  Charles  Price,  who  had  been  appointed  Assessor  for  the 
county,  was  allowed  $34.50  for  that  work — rather  a  small  sum,  when 
compared  with  the  present.  The  board  ordered  elections  in  each  of  the 
three  townships,  for  the  election  of  one  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  each,  to 
to  be  held  on  the  third  Monday  in  January,  1845.  The  price  of  liquor 
license  was  put  at  |50  after  this  year. 

At  the  March  term,  1845,  the  board  took  the  preliminary  steps  for  the 
building  of  a  court-house.  They  decided  that  it  should  be  twenty-four 
feet  square,  and  two  stories  high,  to  be  built  of  hewn  logs,  and  covered 
with  boards  three  feet  long,  showing  one  foot  to  the  weather.  David  Foster 
and  Dennis  McCormack  were  appointed  to  let  the  job,  which  was  taken 
by  Rufus  L.  Blowers  at  $28.  Arrangements  were  also  commenced  for 
building  a  jail.  This  was  built  of  hewn  timbers,  twelve  inches  square, 
throughout  walls,  floor  and  ceiling,  the  logs  notched  down  close,  and 
boarded  on  the  outside,  with  double  doors  of  two-inch  oak  plank.  The 
lock  to  the  door  was  made  by  Judge  Thomas  A.  Long ;  the  key  was  about 
ten  inches  long,  and  weighed  about  four  pounds.  The  building  was  to  be 
eighteen  feet  by  twelve  feet  in  the  clear. 

The  report  of  T.  A.  Long,  one  of  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the 
Legislature  to  view  and  locate  a  State  road  from  Burlington,  in  Carroll 
County,  by  the  way  of  Kokomo,  to  Marion,  in  Grant  County,  was  made 
to  the  board — this  being  the  first  State  road  through  the  county.  At 
this  session,  the  several  townships  were  divided  into  road  districts,  and 
Supervisors  appointed.  Most  of  the  time  of  the  board  was  taken  up  in 
making  orders  directing  various  ofl^cers  and  other  persons  to  perform  cer- 
tain services  for  the  public  good,  and  in  appointing  various  petit  officers 
in  the  different  townships,  where  the  rapidly  increasing  settlement  of  the 
country  seemed  to  render  such  action  necessary,  and  looking  after  the 
safety  of  the  public  property,  as  is  evinced  by  the  following  : 

"  It  appearing  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  court  that  H.  C.  Stewart  has 
taken  from  the  court  house  eight  pieces  of  plank,  and  that  others  have 
done  the  same,  it  is  ordered  that  David  Foster  be  requested  to  call  on  all 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  49 

such  persons  as  have  taken  lumber  and  require  them  to  return  it  in  fif- 
teen days." 

It  was  no  uncommon  thing  in  those  days  for  persons  to  use  any  lumber 
found  lying  around  loose.  Lumber  was  very  scarce  and  in  great  demand 
in  fitting  up  houses  to  live  in,  and  only  one  slow-going  saw-mill  within 
many  miles.  Doubtless  the  lumber  was  returned,  as  we  hear  nothing 
more  of  it.  Two  State  roads  were  located,  one  from  Kokomo  to  Michi- 
gan town,  and  one  to  Peru,  in  Miami  County,  at  the  September  term. 

At  the  December  term,  the  court  house  was  accepted  of  the  contract- 
or, R.  L.  Blowers,  after  deducting  ^2  for  some  deficiency  in  the 
work.  The  office  of  County  Auditor  was  declared  vacant,  but  for  what 
cause  is  not  shown,  and  Austin  C.  Sheets  was  appointed  to  fill  the 
vacancy. 

During  the  early  history  of  the  county,  much  of  the  time  of  the  Board 
of  Commissioners  was  taken  up  in  ordering  the  location  of  roads  through 
the  trackless  wilderness  of  the  county,  and  also  in  hearing  reports  of  such 
roads  as  were  located.  A  specimen  of  these  reports,  and  a  curiosity  in 
its  way,  is  the  following,  out  of  a  number  quite  similar.  J.  C.  Barnett 
and  J.  C.  Chitwood  were  appointed  Viewers  of  a  certain  proposed  road, 
and  they  report:  "We  viewed  the  same,  commencing  near  the  south- 
west corner  of  Section  BO,  in  Town  24  north,  of  Range  2  east;  thence 
northeast  to  the  south  end  of  Abram  Brubaker's  lane  ;  thence  through 
said  lane  to  the  north  end  of  the  same ;  thence  northeast  to  the  quarter 
post  between  Judge  Ervin  and  William  CuUum's  farms  ;  thence  north  to 
Judge  Ervin's  fence;  thence  northeast  along  said  fence  to  the  mouth  of 
Judge  Ervin's  lane;  thence  through  said  lane;  thence  northeast  to  the 
northeast  corner  of  Section  29,  and  so  on,  and  report  the  same  of  public 
utility."  Of  course,  in  a  few  years  this  road  was  lost,  and  could  not  be 
relocated  by  the  description.  Another  county  road  was  located  by  Rich- 
Staunton  and  George  Taylor,  as  follows  :  Commencing  at  New  London  ; 
thence  with  the  Delphi  and  Muncie  State  road  to  Mr.  Walls :  thence  east 
via  Miles  Judkin's  lane  to  James  Shanks,  on  Little  Wild  Cat ;  thence 
east  to  Laomi  Ashley's;  thence  east  to  a  schoolhouse  near  McCune's. 

At  the  June  term,  184G,  Harles  Ashley,  County  Treasurer,  made  his 
annual  statement  of  receipts  and  expenditures  for  the  year,  as  follows  : 
Received  during  the  year  ending  June  1,  $1,021.44,  and  paid  out  for  same 
time  $984.51;  balance  in  treasury,  $36.93.  He  was  paid  $125.25  for  his 
services  for  collecting  and  paying  out  the  sura  above  stated. 

The  board  received  the  jail  of  James  H.  Johnson,  contractor,  for 
which  they  paid  him  $178.10.  The  assessment  of  personal  property  this 
year,  1846,  amounted  to  $60,143,  this,  added  to  the  real  estate,  made  a 
total  valuation  of  $118,838. 


50  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

At  the  December  term,  1846,  the  board  made  an  appropriation  of  • 
toward  building  a  bridge  across  Wild  Cat  at  Kokomo,  on  the  west  side  of 
the  town,  where  the  gravel  road  bridge  now  is.  This  was  the  last  meeting  of 
the  board,  under  the  name  of  "  Richardville,"  the  Legislature  having, 
on  the  28th  day  of  December,  1846,  changed  the  name  of  the  county  to 
Howard,  in  honor  of  Tilman  A.  Howard,  a  popular  Democratic  politician 
of  the  State.  At  this  term,  the  county  was  divided  into  townships,  as  fol- 
lows :  Ervin,  Monroe,  Harrison,  Clay,  Centre,  Taylor,  Howard,  Jackson 
and  Green.  These  townships  were  divided  into  road  districts  at  the 
March  term,  1847. 

At  the  June  term,  1847,  the  Treasurer  reported  receipts  for  year  end- 
ing June  1,  11,210.74,  and  paid  out  $1,115.33,  showing  but  a  slight 
difference  between  this  year  and  the  last. 

At  the  September  term,  N.  R.  Linsday  was  appointed  County  Agent, 
and  Austin  C.  Sheets,  County  Surveyor. 

At  the  December  term,  on  account  of  the  frequent  depredations  of 
wolves  upon  the  few  sheep  owned  in  the  county,  the  board  offered  a 
premium  of  50  cents  on  Avolf  scalps. 

It  appears  that  in  June  the  board  had  taken  forty  shares  of  $25 
each  in  the  capital  stock  of  the  Peru  &  Indianoplis  Railroad,  which  it 
was  proposed  to  build  through  the  county,  and  ordered  $2  on  each  share 
to  be  paid. 

At  the  March  term,  1848,  A.  C.  Sheets  resigned  the  office  of  County 
Surveyor.  The  board  subscribed  sixty  additional  shares  to  the  Peru  k 
Indianapolis  Railroad,  and  ordered  $2   on  each  share  to  be  paid. 

At  the  June  term,  1848,  Andrew  V.  Apperson  was  appointed  a  student 
to  Wabash  College.  Treasurer's  report  of  receipts  for  the  year,  |2,197.86; 
paid  out  during  the  year,  $1,685.97. 

The  property  valuation  of  1849  was  $148,390.  Number  of  polls,  888. 
Treasurer's  receipts,  $2,892.03;  expenditures,  $2,450.56. 

The  above  figures  show  a  gradual  increase  in  the  taxables  of  the  county. 
This  is  owing  to  the  fact  that  most  of  the  settlers  were  men  of  quite  limited 
means  when  they  came  into  the  county,  and  any  increase  must  have  been 
mada  from  the  ground  by  the  persistent  labor  of  the  hands,  and  that, 
too,  from  land  covered  by  a  heavy  forest  that  had  to  be,  at  least  in  part, 
removed  before  anything  could  be  raised.  This  necessarily  made  accu- 
mulation tedious  and  laborious.  It  was  also  attended  with  privation  and 
hardships  that  persons  who  never  went  through  such  scenes  know  noth- 
ing about.  The  men  thus  brought  together  with  limited  means  and  limit- 
ed opportunity  for  anything  but  hard  work,  were  the  men  who  had  all 
the  public  business  also  to  attend  to  in  addition  to  making  clearings  and 
securing  the  means  to  pay  for  their  lands    when  the  time  came  to  make 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  51 

their  entries.  Coming  together  from  different  localities,  and  many  of 
them  having  never  engaged  in  any  kind  of  public  business,  it  was  to  be 
expected  that  some  embarrassment  would  attend  the  performance  of  duties 
they  were  comparatively  unacquainted  with,  and  as  a  consequence  many 
things  were  done  in  a  crude  and  imperfect  manner,  so  that  much  that  was 
done  proved  but  temporary  and  often  useless  ;  but  as  the  years  went  by 
these  irregularities  and  imperfections  were  corrected,  and  they  glided 
easily  and  readily  into  a  more  systematic  mode  of  doing  business. 

The  business  of  the  board  was  necessarily  of  a  routine  character,  yet 
there  was  much  that  for  the  first  time  claimed  their  attention  and  called 
forth  the  best  efforts  of  the  men  selected  by  the  people  for  that  purpose. 
During  these  early  days  of  our  history,  men  in  office  were  not  so  easily 
nor  were  they  so  likely  to  be  influenced  by  cliques  and  rings  which  have 
become  the  bane  of  public  business  everywhere  of  late  years. 

September  term,  1850  :  some  time  before  this  the  board  had  subscribed 
to  the  capital  stock  of  the  Peru  &  Indianapolis  Railroad,  amounting  to 
^4,000,  and  at  this  term  they  made  an  order  for  issuing  bonds  of  the 
county  for  that  sum,  to  run  ten  years,  but  they  might  be  redeemed  in 
eight  years  if  the  board  so  desired. 

For  the  June  term,  1851,  the  following  order  was  issued  by  the  board  : 
Ordered,  that  the  Sheriff  be  required  to  notify  G.  W.  Poisal,  C.  &  0. 
Richmond,  N.  R.  Linsday  and  C.  D.  Murray,  to  meet  this  board  at  its  next 
meetinor  to  settle  with  said  board  for  office  rent  of  the  court  house.  At 
this  meeting  Rev.  John  Dale  and  C.  Richmond,  who  had  been  appointed 
by  the  board  for  the  purpose,  reported  the  purchase  of  $99.50  worth  of 
books  for  the  County  Library.  The  board,  at  this  meeting,  adopted  rules 
for  the  management  of  the  library  and  the  use  of  the  books,  and  James 
H.  McCool  was  appointed  Librarian  in  place  of  A.  North,  resigned. 

On  the  21st  day  of  August,  1851,  the  Peru  &  Indianapolis  Railroad 
Company,  by  William  J.  Holman  and  C.  D.  Murray,  presented  a  propo- 
sition to  the  County  Board  to  subscribe  to  the  capital  stock  of  said  com- 
pany, $10,000,  and  in  payment,  issue  county  bonds,  provided,  that 
other  counties  on  the  line  of  the  road  should  subscribe  the  balance  of 
$50,000.  The  board  took  the  matter  under  consideration  until  the  next 
day,  when  they  expressed  a  willingness  to  accept  the  proposition  of  the 
railroad  company,  and  issue  said  bonds,  provided  they  were  or  could  be 
indemnified  against  loss  by  any  defalcation  of  said  railroad  company, 
when  the  following  persons  entered  into  a  written  obligation  indemnifying 
the  county  against  loss,  with  the  provision  that  the  guarantors  were  to 
have  all  the  privileges  and  benefits  conferred  on  the  county  : 

Wm.  J.  Holman $4,000 

C.    Richmond 500 


52  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

JohnBohan 1,000 

Austin  North 500 

William  Brown 500 

George  Deffenbaugli 500 

John  Dale 500 

J.  D.    Sharp 1,000 

F.  S.  Price 1,000 

J.  i\J.  Skein 500 

Whereupon  tlie  board  directed  the  Auditor  to  subscribe  for  400  shares 
of  ^25  each,  and  that  county  bonds  bearing  10  per  cent  interest,  and  to 
run  for  ten  years,  be  issued  to  the  amount  of  $10,000.  The  bonds  were 
subsequently  issued  and  signed  by  Tence  Lindley,  Richard  Nixon  and 
John  Knight.     Certificates  of  stock  were  issued  on  delivery  of  the  bonds. 

At  the  December  term,  1853,  C.  D.  Murray,  agent  of  the  Peru  & 
Indianapolis  Railroad  Company,  came  before  the  board  and  presented  a 
motion  that  they  make  an  order,  surrendering  the  above-named  certificates 
of  stock  for  i^l0,000,  and  that  said  certificates  be  canceled  and  the  guar- 
antors be  released.  The  order  was  m.ade  in  accordance  with  the  motion. 
but  the  railroad  company  still  held  to  their  agreement  to  pay  interest  and 
principal  as  they  came  due.  The  immediate  reason  for  the  above  pro- 
ceeding was,  that  the  Peru  &  Indianapolis  Railroad,  and  the  Indianap- 
olis &  Madison  Railroad  Companies  had  consolidated  their  interests, 
which  was  considered  to  be  a  sufficient  guaranty  for  the  payment  of  the 
bonds  and  interest.  The  view  taken  of  the  matter  was  that  the  issuing 
of  the  bonds  wns  a  loan  of  the  credit  of  the  county  to  the  railroad,  and 
was  not  intended  as  a  subscription  to  the  capital  stock  of  the  company. 
The  reason  given  for  asking  the  board  for  help  in  this  manner  was  this : 
The  railroad  company,  as  such,  could  not  sell  its  bonds,  because  the 
company  had  no  credit  in  the  market,  but  county  bonds  could  be  sold. 
The  company  lacked  $50,000  to  finish  the  road  and  could  do  no  more 
unless  the}''  could  raise  that  amount.  This  being  the  condition  of  the 
company,  they  determined  to  apply  to  the  counties  for  aid,  by  getting 
them  to  issue  bonds  as  above  described.  Miami,  Hamilton  and  Howard 
Counties  went  into  the  arangement  and  raised  the  money,  and  the  road 
was  finished.  The  Peru  k  Indianapolis  Railroad  was,  in  the  greater 
part,  built  through  a  new  and  unimproved  country,  that  could  furnish  but 
a  limited  amount  of  business,  at  a  time  when  the  road  needed  it  the  most, 
and  the  expense  of  running  it  constantly  increasing,  so  the  company 
was  unable  to  keep  up  running  expenses  and  pay  10  per  cent  interest  on 
so  large  a  debt.  They  had  to  give  it  up ;  the  company  became  bankrupt, 
and  the  road  was  sold.  The  failure  of  the  railroad  company  caused  the 
county  to  pay  the  balance  remaining  unpaid  at  the  time  the  company 
went  under,  which,  of  principal  and  interest,  amounted  to  about  $6,000. 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  53 

Some  complaint  was  made  on  account  of  the  action  of  the  board  in  re- 
leasing the  guarantors  from  their  liability,  but  at  the  time  that  it  was  done, 
there  appeared  good  reason  for  thinking  that  the  railroad  company  would 
perform  their  part  of  the  agreement ;  but,  if  there  had  been  no  special  reason 
for  thinking  so,  they  had  secured  the  completion  of  the  road,  which  caused 
the  rapid  development  of  the  country,  and  greatly  increased  its  wealth  and 
the  prosperity  of  its  inhabitants.  Most  men,  on  reflection,  regarded  the 
action  of  the  board  in  releasing  the  guarantors  as  correct ;  that  it  would 
be  unfair  to  require  a  few  individuals,  who  were  no  more  benefited  than 
others,  to  make  good  a  few  thousand  dollars,  when  to  the  general  public 
it  was  worth  many  times  the  amount  paid  by  the  county. 

Al  the  June  term,  1852,  C.  D.  Murray,  C.  Richmond  and  A.  C.  Sheets 
were  appointed  by  the  board  to  superintend  and  let  to  contract  the  erec- 
tion of  public  county  offices.  This  they  did  by  getting  up  the  plans  and 
specifications,  advertising  and  letting.  The  work  was  let  to  D.  C.  Hur- 
ley, Jesse  x\rnold  and  H.  C.  Stewart,  for  $975.  There  were  two 
buildings  of  brick,  one  story  each,  18x86  feet,  two  rooms  in  each  build- 
ing ;  they  were  built  on  the  north  side  of  the  square,  leaving  space  between 
them  for  a  court  house  to  be  built  subsequently.  The  offices  on  the  east 
side  were  occupied  by  the  Auditor  and  Treasurer,  and  those  on  the  west 
by  the  Clerk  and  Recorder.  These  buildings  remained  until  the  present 
court  house  was  built.  In  putting  in  the  foundation  of  these  offices, 
William  Albright  was  employed  as  a  stonemason;  they  had  procured  a  large 
stone  from  the  quarry  south  of  town,  out  of  which  to  make  a  corner  stone  ; 
the  old  gentleman  had  worked  faithfully  and  carefully  for  nearly  two  days 
in  the  dressing  of  this  stone,  and  had  it  about  completed;  after  inspecting 
it  carefully,  he  observed  a  small  spot  that  appeared  to  require  a  little  im- 
provement, and  he  began  carefully  to  pick  it  with  his  hammer,  when  the 
stone  fell  into  a  large  number  of  pieces,  to  the  utter  disgust  of  Mr.  Al- 
bright. Raising  himself  up  to  an  erect  position  (he  was  a  tall  man),  he 
threw  down  his  hammer  and  stood  contemplating  the  complete  destruction 
of  his  labor ;  was  about  to  give  expression  to  highly  wrought  feelings,  but 
just  then,  remembering  that  he  was  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel,  he  conclud- 
ed to  call  on  some  one  else  to  give  expression  to  what  he  conceived  to  be 
due  to  the  occasion.  He  sang  out  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  "  Where  is  Mike 
Craven  ?  Run  here,  everybody ;  here  is  some  swearing  to  be  done,  and 
I  dare  not  do  it.     Where  is  Mike  Craven  ?" 

In  1853,  Green  and  Jackson  Townships  were  divided,  forming  between 
them  a  new  township,  which  was  named  Union. 

At  the  March  term,  1853,  the  report  of  the  first  Coroner's  inquest  was 
made.  Calvin  McCoy,  Coroner,  held  an  inquest  on  the  body  of  Elisha 
McCool,  who  came  to  his  death  in  consequence  of  injuries  received  at  the 


54  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

hand  of  Henry  Shank.  Dr.  C.  Richmond,  assisted  by  Drs.  Amos  Petti- 
john  and  J.  H.  Kern,  made  the  post  mortem  examination.  The  jury 
was  composed  of  James  Ellis,  Noah  Freed,  Philip  Ramseyer,  Sr.,  Jonathan 
Pickering,  Clinton  Gray,  Jack  Gray,  Joseph  Coats,  Miram  Beard,  Philip 
Ramseyer,  Jr.,  Levin  Young,  Sylvester  Edwards,  James  Brooks  ;  and 
James  Creason,  Elijah  McCool,  William  Morrison  and  Samuel  Mulkins 
were  'j'itnesses. 

At  the  June  term,  1854,  total  valuation  of  property  returned  for  taxa- 
tion was  $1,784,530,  and  the  number  of  polls  was  1,256.  A  petition  to 
incorporate  the  town  of  Kokomo  was  presented,  and  an  election  ordered 
for  October  1,  which  resulted  in  sixty- three  votes  for  and  three  votes 
against,  and  it  was  incorporated. 

At  the  September  term,  agents  were  appointed  in  the  several  town- 
ships to  sell  intoxicating  liquors. 

At  the  March  term,  1857,  the  board  purchased  165  acres  of  land  of 
Thomas  S.  Gatewood,  Avhich  was  designed  for  the  County  Asylum  ;  a 
small  portion  was  sold  to  Col.  Blanche  at  the  same  term. 

At  the  June  term,  1858,  Samuel  Woody  and  Elijah  Johnson  presented 
to  the  board  a  petition  of  sundry  citizens  of  Clinton  County,  asking  to 
be  attached  to  Howard  County.  Said  petition  was  referred  to  the  next 
meeting  of  the  board  for  further  action. 

At  the  September  term,  1858,  the  petition  of  sundry  citizens  of  Clin- 
ton County  was  taken  up  and  considered,  and  the  prayer  of  the  petition 
granted,  and  Sections  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28,  29,  32,  33,  34, 
35  and  36,  in  Township  23  north,  Range  2  east,  and  Section  1,  2,  3,  4 
and  5,  in  Township  22,  same  range,  were  attached  to  Howard  County^ 
and  formed  into  a  township  and  named  Honey  Creek. 

September,  1860,  the  board  ordered  the  grading  and  macadamizing 
of  the  street  around  the  public  square,  to  be  completed  November  1, 
1861. 

December,  1860,  the  board  sold  the  Poor  Farm  to  Nelson  Purdum  for 
$3,472.50,  and  at  a  special  session  in  January,  1861,  they  purchased  of 
J.  H.  McCool  eighty  acres  off  of  the  west  side  of  his  farm  west  of  town, 
for  $2,800.  In  April  following,  they  contracted  with  James  Linville  to 
build  a  house  on  the  farm  for  $369.  Then  again,  in  March,  1865,  they 
contracted  with  William  Chadwick  to  build  another  house  on  the  farm, 
the  building  to  be  two  stories  in  height,  20x36  feet,  with  a  wing  running 
back  16x36  feet,  one-story  high,  price,  $1,800.  This  house  was  in- 
tended for  the  use  of  the  superintendent  of  the  farm,  and  the  keep- 
ing of  the  paupers  of  the  county.  It  would  be  difficult  to  construct  a 
house  more  illy  adapted  for  the  purpose  than  this  one,  and  in  a  few  years 
the  board  becoming  satisfied  of  its  bad  arrangement  and  unhealthfulness, 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  00 

determined  to  build  one  better,  which  they  did.  (See  public  buildings.) 
In  June,  1861,  there  was  'a  surplus  in  the  treasury,  which  the  board  set 
apart  as  a  fund  to  be  used  in  building  a  new  court  house,  and  the 
money  was  deposited  in  the  bank  for  that  purpose. 

In  July,  1862,  at  a  special  session,  the  board  made  an  appropriation  of 
$5,000  for  the  benefit  of  the  families  of  volunteers  in  the  Seventy-fifth 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteers,  then  forming.  At  the  special  session, 
December,  1863,  they  appropriated  $3,000  for  the  benefit  of  soldiers' 
families.  At  the  special  session,  February,  1865,  they  appropriated 
$98,000  to  pay  bounties  to  fill  the  county's  quota  under  the  call  for  300,000 
men,  and  in  June,  1865,  they  appropriated  $3,000  more  for  the  benefit 
of  soldiers'  families,  and  placed  it  in  the  hands  of  the  Township  Trustees 
for  distribution. 

In  July,  1865,  the  board  ordered  the  letting  of  a  contract  to  build  a 
new  jail  in  place  of  the  old  log  jail.  The  conti'act  was  let  to  J.  W.  Coff- 
man  for  $9,600.  This  jail  was  built  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Washing- 
ton and  High  streets,  in  a  bad  location.  The  prison  part  was  supposed 
to  be  sufficient  to  prevent  any  escape  from  it  possible,  but  a  few  years  dem- 
onstrated the  fact  that  it  was  more  insecure  than  the  old  wooden  jail 
had  been. 

At  the  June  term,  1867,  the  New  London  Gravel  Road  Company  was 
organized.     These  roads  will  be  described  in  a  separate  article. 

In  September,  1867,  the  board  conveyed  to  the  city  of  Kokomo  what 
is  known  as  the  Old  Cemetery j^  and  also  confirmed  the  enlargement  of  the 
city  limits. 

In  August,  1870,  the  board  ordered  bonds  issued  amounting  to  $22,000 
to  complete  the  court  house,  and  in  November  following  additional  bonds, 
amounting  to  $10,000,  for  the  same  purpose. 

At  a  special  session,  April,  1871,  on  petition,  an  election  was  ordered 
on  the  question  of  appropriating  $52,000  toward  building  the  Evansville, 
Crawford sville,  Kokomo  &  Toledo  Railroad,  which  was  defeated.  At  this 
session  the  board  ordered  the  issuing  of  bonds  running  five  years,  draw- 
ing ten  per  cent  interest,  for  $18,000,  for  the  purpose  of  funding  the 
debt  of  the  county.  These  bonds  were  sold  to  Francis  Smith,  of  Indian- 
apolis. 

From  this  time  on  the  board  has  been  engaged  most  of  the  time  in 
superintending  the  arrangements  for  the  construction  of  ditches  and 
gravel  roads.  There  are  now  in  the  county  eleven  gravel  roads  completed, 
and  a  number  of  others  ready  to  commence  as  soon  as  the  board  can  le- 
gally furnish  the  means.  There  are  also  about  150  public  ditches  that 
cost  from  $300  to  $15,000 ;  to  this  should  be  added  the  tile  drains,  over 
which  the  board  have  no  control,  and  they  amount  to  600,000  rods,  or 


5f)  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

even  more.     A  general  and  particular  account  of  these  public  improve- 
ments is  given  under  the  heading  of  "  Gravel  Roads  and  Drainage." 

POPULATION  OP  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Previous  to  the  census  of  1850,  we  have  no  accurate  account  of  the  pop- 
ulation, but  in  that  year  the  census  was  taken,  and  is  put  down  at  6,657  ; 
in  1860,  it  was  12,524 ;  in  1870,  it  was  15,874 ;  and  in  1880,  it  was 
19,400 ;  showing  a  very  creditable  increase  from  one  decade  to  another, 
or  about  500  each  year. 

ASSESSMENT  OF  PROPERTY. 

For  1860,  P,145,351 ;  number  of  polls,  2,090.  For  1870,  $5,287,500; 
number  of  polls,  2,618.     For  1880,  $6,061,541 ;  number  of  polls,  3,492. 

NAMES    OF    OFFICERS    OF   HOWARD    COUNTY    FROM    ITS    ORGANIZATION. 

Circuit  Court  Judges. — John  W.  Wright,  from  1844  to  1845;  Horace 
P.  Biddle,  1846  to  1850;  R.  H.  Milroy,  1851  ;  John  U.  Petit,  1852;  J. 
M.  Wallace,  1853  to  1857;  J.  S.  Buckles,  1858  to  1865;  H.  A.  Brouse, 
1866;  John  Davis,  1867  to  1869;  James  O'Brien,  1870;  C.  N.  Pollard, 
1871  to  1879;  N.  R.  Overman,  1879  to  1883,  whose  term  expires  1885. 

Associate  Judges. — Thomas  A.  Long  and  Robert  Ervin,  from  1844  to 
1850,  when  j^ssociate  Judges  were  dispensed  with. 

Probate  Judges.— 'N.  C.  Reals,  1844  to  1845;  B.  Lesoura,  1846  to 
1850;  N.  C.  Beals  and  Robert  Ervin,  1850  to,  1851,  when  the  Probate 
Court  was  dispensed  with. 

Common  Pleas  Judges. — E.  S.  Stone,  1852  to  1855;  N.  R.  Linsday, 
1856  to  1859;  John  Green,  1860  to  1863;  William  Garver,  1864  to 
1873,  when  the  Common  Pleas  Court  was  dispensed  Avith. 

Prosecuting  Attorneys. — Silas  Colgrove,  1844 ;  William  Z.  Stewart, 
1845;  D.  Dunn,  1846;  J.  G.  Patterson,  1847  ;  H.  D.  Johnson  and  John 
Green,  1848 ;  William  Potter,  1849  to  1851 ;  I.  M.  Harlan,  1852  to 
1855;  C.  S.  Parish,  1855;  Isaac  DeLong  and  C.  D.  Murray,  1856  to 
1857 ;  David  Nation,  1858 ;  David  Moss,  1859  to  1860  ;  J.  A.  Harrison, 
1861  to  1863 ;  L.  W.  Gooding,  1864  to  1865 ;  N.  Vanhorn,  1866 ;  Will- 
iam O'Brien,  18'37  to  1868;  J.  F.  Elliott,  1869  to  1872;  R.  B.  Beau- 
champ,  1873  to  1874;  J.  F.  Vaile,  1875  to  1879;  J.  E.  Moore,  1880  to 
1882;  C.  C.  Shirley,  1883. 

Clerks  of  Cowri.— Franklin  S.  Price,  1844  to  1853 ;  Adam  Clark, 
1854  to  1861 ;  David  C.  Metsker,  1860  to  1865 ;  H.  H.  Winslow,  1866 
to  1873;  John  W.  Cooper,  1874  to  1883;  H.  M.  Sailors,  1883. 

Sheriffs. — John  Harrison,  1844  to  1846 ;  Adam  Clark  filled  out  Har- 
rison's term,  by  appointment,  Harrison's  death  having  made  a  vacancy  ; 


HISTOHY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  57 

J.  D.  Sharp,  1846.  to  1849;  G.  W.  Poisal,  1850;  T.  M.  Kirkpatrick, 
1851  to  1852 ;  David  Hatfield,  1853  to  1855  ;  Samuel  Lamb,  1856  to 
1859;  N.  B.  Brown,  1860  to  1864;  N.  Prime,  1864  to  1867;  Joseph 
Taylor,  1868  to  1869 ;  John  S.  Trees,  1870  to  1872 ;  Willis  Blanche, 
1873  to  1874  ;  John  H.  Terrell,  1875  to  1876 ;  D.  0.  Freeman,  1877  to 
1878 ;  A.  H.  Duke,  1879  to  1880 ;  James  W.  Dehaven,  1881  to  1882 ; 
Luther  McReynolds,  1883. 

Auditors. — Benjamin  Newhouse,  1844;  John  Bohan,  1845  to  1855 ; 
Harles  Ashley,  1856  to  1858  ;  James  A.  Wildman,  1859  to  1866 ;  L.  S. 
Gray,  1867  to  1873  ;  J.  C.  Ware  filled  the  last  year  of  Gray's  term  ;  H. 
L.  Moreland,  1874  to  1883  ;  W.  H.  Sellars  for  succeeding  term,  1883  on. 

Treasurers.— R.  Ashley,  1844  to  1846 ;  Adam  Clark,  1847  to  1855  ; 
Hiram  Newlin,  1856  to  "^1857  ;  H.  W.  Jones,  1858  to  1860;  L.  F. 
Springer,  1861  to  1864;  John  W.  Lovin,  1865  to  1868;  J.  N.  Under- 
wood, part  of  1868,  and  died ;  Harvey  Brown  filled  out  his  term  by  ap- 
pointment ;  I.  W.  Rayburn,  1869  to  1872  ;  I.  C.  Johnson,  1873  to  1877  ; 
David  C.  Spraker,  1879  to  1882  ;  B.  B.  Johnson,  1883,  present  incum- 
bent. 

Recorders.— Anstin  North,  1844  to  1848  ;  James  McCool,  1849  to 
1857 ;  D.  C.  Metsker,  1848  to  1862 ;  D.  J.  Kemp,  1863  to  1867  ;  Sam- 
uel Richey,  1868  to  1873 ;  C.  S.  Edwards,  1874  to  1878 ;  L.  Rich,  1879 
to  1883  ;  Seth  Slyter,  1883,  present  incumbent. 

Coroners. — William  P.  Judkins,  1844  to  1845;  Andrew  Barngrover, 
1846  to  1850 ;  Calvin  McCoy,  1851  to  1855 ;  John  C.  Linsday,  1856  to 
1858;  John  Jimmison,  1859  to  1862;  John  Stewart,  1863  to  1865 ; 
John  W.  Slider,  1866  to  1868 ;  Jesse  Leeka,  1869  to  1871  ;  Edward 
Freeman,  1872  to  1874 ;  John  H.  Ross,  1875  to  1879  ;  J.  C.  Wright, 
1880  to  1882 ;   R.  H.  Smith,  1883,  present  incumbent. 

Count//  Surveyors. — Austin  C.  Sheets,  G.  A.  Gordon,  C.  Richmond, 
John  Newlin,  J.  L.  D.  Hannah,  B.  F.  Fields,  Silas  Stout,  John  B.  Miller, 
A,  T.  Wright,  W.  F.  Mann,  present  incumbent. 

County  Commissioners. — First  District,  John  Lamb,  Charles  0.  Fry, 
George  H.  Taylor,  Richard  Nixon,  James  Brown,  Jacob  Tucker,  B.  W. 
Gifford,  Robert  Coat,  John  Moulder,  H.  S.  Moreland,  John  Rodkey, 
Josiah  Beeson,  Robert  M.  Long,  William  Gordon,  present  incumbent. 
Second  District,  B.  Faucett,  A.  Randolph,  John  Knight,  Willis  Blanche, 
David  Greeson,  T.  M.  Kirkpatrick,  D.  B.  Hendrickson,  S.  Stratton,  G.  P. 
Pitzer,  David  Smith,  G.  H.  Francis,  Charles  Wilson.  Third  District, 
David  Bailey,  John  M.  Jones,  S.  J.  Good,  Tence  Lindley,  M.  B.  Gold- 
ing,  Harvey  Brown,  William  Woods,  Jerome  Brown,  James  A.  Ellis, 
Daniel  Barrett,  re-elected. 

Representatives  to  General  Assembly  in  a  Joint  District. — A.  L.  Rob- 


58  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

inson,  of  Carroll  County,  1844  to  1840 ;  William  S.  Palmer,  of  Cass 
County,  1846  to  1847  ;  Dr.  C.  Richmond,  Howard  County,  1847  to 
1848;  G.  W.  Blakemore,  Cass  County,  1848  to  1849;  C.  D.  Murray, 
Howard  County,  1849  to  1850  ;  D.  D.  Pratt,  Cass  County,  1850  to  1851; 
Dr.  I.  W.  Parker,  Tipton  County,  1852  to  1854 ;  C.  D.  Murray,  Howard 
County,  1854  to  1856  ;  M.  P.  Evans,  Tipton  County,  1856  to  1858  ; 
Samuel  Woody,  Howard  County,  1874  to  1876  ;  William  H.  Thompson, 
Howard  County,  1876.  Hoivard  County  as  a  Full  District. — Thos. 
J.  Harrison,  1858  to  I860;  D.  D.  Lightner,  1860  to  1862;  J.  M. 
Leeds,  1862  to  1864  ;  S.  T.  Montgomery,  1864  to  1866  ;  Willis  Blanche, 
1866  to  1868  ;  J.  A.  Wildman,  1868"  to  1870  ;  T.  M.  Kirkpatrick, 
1870  to  1874;  Dr.  J.  M.  Darnall,  1874  to  1876  ;  M.  Thompson,  1876 
to  1878  ;  T.  M.  Kirkpatrick,  1878  to  1880;  N.  R.  Linsday,  1880  to 
1882  ;  M.  Thompson,  1882  to  1884. 

State  Senators. — The  following  citizens  of  Howard  County  have  been 
elected  State  Senators  from  the  district  of  which  this  county  forms  a  part: 
C.  D.  Murray,  1856  to  1860  ;  N.  P.  Richmond,  1864  to  1868  ;  A.  F. 
Armstrong,  1870  to  1874  ;  M.  Garrigus,  1878  to  1882. 

PUBLIC    BUILDINGS. 

Public  buildings  will  include  court  house,  jail,  county  asylum  and 
orphans'  home.  In  March,  1868,  the  board  ordered  that  bids  for  build- 
ing a  court  house  be  advertised,  to  be  considered  at  a  special  session,  on 
the  15th  day  of  April  following.  They  reserved  the  right  to  reject 
any  or  all  bids  if  they  were  not  found  to  be  satisfactory,  on  inspection. 
The  bids  received  on  that  day  were  all  rejected,  the  board  coming  to  tlie 
conclusion  that  they  could  do  better  by  undertaking  the  job  themselves. 
Having  decided  upon  a  plan  of  operation,  they  appointed  one  of  their  own 
number,  Samuel  E.  Stratton,  as  Superintendent,  with  full  power  to  con- 
tract for  work  and  material,  as  he  might  deem  best  for  the  interest  of  the 
county,  the  building  to  be  under  the  general  supervision  of  the  architect, 
Mr.  Rumbaugh,  and  to  be  finally  approved  of  by  the  board.  Under  this 
plan  of  operations,  the  house  we  now  have  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $110,000, 
including  the  improvements  around  it,  and  heating  apparatus.  The  final 
report  on  completion  of  the  building  was  made  December  3,  1870,  and 
shows  that  the  whole  cost  of  the  building  was  $97,548.40.  But  several 
allowances  afterward  ran  the  expense  up  considerably  above  these  figures. 

The  court  house  is  two  stories  high,  besides  the  basement,  and  is 
eighty-two  by  eighty-six  feet,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  feet  to  top 
of  the  tower,  which  has  a  clock  in  the  top  section.  The  court  room  is 
fifty-one  feet  by  eighty-two,  and  thirty-eight  and  one-half  feet  in  height 
between  floor  and  ceiling.     There  are  five  offices  on  the  lower  floor,  twenty- 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  59 

two  by  twenty-four  feet,  except  the  Sheriff's,  which  is  twelve  by  fourteen 
feet.  On  the  upper  floor,  besides  the  court  room,  there  are  four  other 
rooms,  used  as  jury  rooms,  and  one  is  occupied  by  the  County  Super- 
intendent, for  an  office.  The  lower  rooms  are  occupied  by  the  Clerk,  Re- 
corder, Auditor,  Treasurer  and  Sheriff.  In  the  basement  is  placed  the 
heating  apparatus  ;  the  whole  building  is  heated  by  steam,  the  machinery 
for  which  was  put  in  at  a  cost  of  $5,000. 

The  building  is  substantially  built,  of  good,  durable  material,  and  has 
within  it  fire  proof  vaults  for  the  different  offices  in  which  to  store  the 
records  and  valuables  belonging  to  the  county.  The  square  upon  which  it 
is  built  was  filled  up  several  feet,  so  that  it  appears  to  stand  on  high  ground  ; 
there  is  surrounding  the  grounds  an  iron  fence,  with  stone  foundation,  and 
a  heavy  guard  chain,  entirely  around  outside  the  sidewalk,  which  is  well 
paved.  All  the  walks  leading  to  the  building  are  paved  with  large  cut 
stones.  It  is  a  fine  appearing  house,  and  when  the  forest  trees  that  have 
been  planted  around  it  are  sufficiently  grown,  it  will  be  a  beautiful  place. 
A  clock  in  the  tower  gives  to  the  inhabitants  of  Kokomo  the  time  of 
day. 

The  building  on  the  county  farm  intended  as  a  home  and  asylum  for 
the  poor  of  the  county,  was  so  entirely  worthless  for  that  purpose  the 
board  determined  to  build  a  house  that  would  not  only  accommodate  the 
occupants  comfortably,  but  should  be  a  credit  to  the  county.  After  pro- 
curing plans  and  specifications  that  met  their  approbation,  they  proceeded 
to  advertise  a  letting  for  the  erection  of  the  building.  Bids  were  re- 
ceived May  24,  1881,  and  of  those  that  put  in  bids  David  0.  Freeman 
had  the  lowest  one,  and  the  contract  was  awarded  him  ;  he  associated 
with  him  Mr.  Peter  A.  Sassaman,  and  they  together  entered  into  a  con- 
tract for  the  completion  of  the  building  and  furnishing  all  material,  and 
were  paid  for  it  $14,965.85.  G.  W.  Bunting,  of  Indianapolis,  was 
architect  and  superintended  the  erection  of  the  building.  This  house  is 
well  adapted  to  the  use  for  which  it  was  erected,  and  it  is  a  credit  to  the 
county.  It  is  an  enduring  structure,  of  good  material,  well  built  and 
arranged  for  comfort,  health  and  convenience.  The  building  is  two  stories 
high  above  the  basement,  is  136  feet  in  length  and  forty-five  feet  in  width, 
and  is  divided  into  forty-five  rooms.  There  are  several  rooms  in  the 
basement,  in  one  of  which  is  the  apparatus  for  heating  the  whole  build- 
ing by  steam.  The  water  is  supplied  by  a  well  and  large  cistern.  Those 
who  have  examined  the  asylum  pronounce  it  an  excellent  one.  A  sep- 
arate house  of  brick  near  by  is  used  for  the  care  of  the  insane.  The 
asylum  and  farm  are  under  the  management  of  Mr.  White,  who  has  had 
it  for  several  years,  which  amounts  to  saying  that  he  is  appreciated  in  the 
position,  as  a   suitable  man  for   the  place.     The  farm   for  the   use  of  the 


60  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

asylum   is  composed  of  158|^  acres  of  excellent  quality  of  soil,  situated 
one  and  one-half  miles  west  of  Kokomo,  on  the  Petes  Run  pike. 

The  first  jail  was  a  log  house,  built  on  the  same  lot  on  which  the  pres- 
ent one  is  situated,  and  it  can  be  said  of  that  jail  that  no  prisoner  ever 
escaped  from  it ;  but  it  was  a  log  house  and  must  needs  give  place  to  a 
more  costly  and  respectable  one.  To  this  end,  in  1865,  the  board  let 
the  contract  to  build  a  brick  and  stone  jail  to  J.  W.  Coflfman  for  $9,600. 
The  front  part  is  a  residence  for  the  Jailer's  family,  and  is  of  brick  ;  the 
prison  part  is  back  of  this  and  attached  to  it  so  that  the  entrance  to  the 
prison  is  through  a  hallway  in  the  dwelling.  The  prison  part  is  built  of 
s  tone  and  the  cells  of  iron.  It  has  a  well  inside  by  which  the  prisoners  are 
supplied  with  water,  and  on  one  occasion  furnished  an  outlet  by  which 
several  prisoners  escaped  by  digging  from  the  well  out  under  the  wall. 
The  location  of  this  prison  is  very  objectionable  from  its  not  having  good 
sewage,  and  is  rapidly  becoming  untenantable  and  is  not  a  secure  place 
and  cannot  be  made  secure.  The  board  came  to  the  conclusion  that  a 
new  jail  was  absolutely  required,  and  in  1880  began  to  arrange  for  the 
building  of  a  prison  that  would  be  efficient  and  so  situated  as  to  be  healthy. 
For  this  purpose  they  purchased  a  piece  of  ground  at  the  south  end  of 
Main  street  on  the  bluff  of  Wild  Cat,  where  there  could  be  ample  sewage 
and  a  dry  soil  on  which  to  build.  In  1882,  the  contract  was  let  to  Mc- 
Cormack  and  Sweney  at  a  cost  of  $34,314.  The  building  is  103  feet 
five  inches  in  length,  and  the  front  or  residence  is  thirty-seven  feet  nine 
inches  wide  and  the  prison  portion  is  forty-three  feet  seven  inches  wide. 
It  is  two  stories  above  the  basement.  In  the  basement  is  placed  the 
steam  heating  apparatus,  and  also  two  or  three  dungeons  built  of  stone, 
each  stone  forming  the  entire  side,  end  or  bottom  or  top  of  the  room.  Cells 
are  built  on  the  first  floor  and  at  a  distance  from  the  outer  walls,  so  that 
communication  from  without  will  not  be  possible.  Accommodations  are 
provided  for  different  classes  of  prisoners  and  a  hospital  room  for  the  sick 

The  building  which  is  the  Orphans'  Home  is  situated  one-half  mile 
south  of  Kokomo.  In  1868,  the  ladies  composing  the  Ladies'  Union  ■ 
Missionary  Society,  having  come  to  a  definite  conclusion  with  regard  to  the 
idea  of  a  home  for  orphan  children,  arranged  for  and  gave  a  festival, 
October  22,  1868,  in  aid  of  the  project,  and  were  successful  in  realizing 
$125  in  money,  which  sum  was  placed  in  the  First  National  Bank  and 
set  apart  for  the  purpose,  and  to  which  they  added  from  time  to  time  by 
the  same  and  similar  efforts.  In  January,  1873,  a  number  of  these  ladies 
who  had  actively  interested  themselves  in  the  work,  formed  and  incorporated 
an  association  called  the  Orpans'  Home  Association  of  Howard  County. 
Under  the  direction  of  this  organization,  they  continued  to  hold  festivals 
and  systematically   solicit  donations  to  their  funds,  so  that  at  the  close  of 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  61 

the  year  1873,  they  had  in  bank  and  notes  close  on  to  $1,200.  The  ob- 
ject of  the  association,  as  its  name  indicates,  was  to  provide  wavs  and 
means  by  which  the  orphan  and  destitute  children  of  the  county  might  be 
provided  a  comfortable  home,  clothing  and  food,  and  also  to  bring  them  as 
far  as  possible  under  the  influence  of  good,  moral  training,  leading  them 
into  habits  of  industry,  and  extending  to  them  the  hygienic  benefits  of 
cleanliness  and  fresh  air,  and  finally  procuring  homes  for  them  in  good 
families.  Having  amassed  a  fund  deemed  sufiicient  to  start  with,  and  feeling 
confident  in  the  beneficial  influence  of  an  illustration  of  their  work  by  open- 
ing a  home,  they,  on  the  1st  day  of  November,  1873,  rented  a  house  and 
secured  the  services  of  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Street  as  Matron,  who  took  charge 
with  five  children.  Miss  Anna  Street  acting  as  teacher.  The  efforts  of 
the  association. were  not  relaxed,  but  were  constantly  but  forth  to  increase 
their  material  resources.  The  first  opening  of  the  home  was  in  the  west 
end  of  the  city,  but  its  increasing  demands  made  it  necessary  to  secure 
more  ample  accommodations,  and  a  larger  house  was  rented  on  North 
Union  street,  where  they  remained  until  their  new  home  was  completed. 

During  the  year  1874,  it  became  very  manifest  that  other  and  more 
extensive  accommodations  were  needed,  as  demands  were  constantly  com- 
ing to  the  managers  for  the  admission  of  children.  The  management  had 
also  extended  the  sphere  of  their  design,  and  now  had  in  view  the  re- 
moval of  all  small  children  from  the  County  Infirmary,  regarding  it  as 
an  unsuitable  place  for  rearing  the  young,  and  also  to  remove  from  them 
in  after  years  the  odium  of  having  been  paupers.  The  association  was 
limited  in  means,  but  determined  to  procure  if  possible  a  site  on  which  to 
erect  a  building  that  would  be  ample  in  its  capacity  for  years  to  come.  In 
canvassing  for  this  object,  a  committee  of  the  association  visited  Mr.  Peter 
B.  Hersleb,  who  resided  half  a  mile  south  of  the  city,  for  the  purpose  of  try- 
ing to  purchase  ground  of  him  ;  Mr.  Hersleb  refused  to  sell  them  the 
ground,  but  gave  them  one  acre  of  land  and  $300  in  money,  and  after- 
wards gave  them  $500  more,  besides  many  other  things  that  were  of  value 
'';0  them.  They  continued  their  efforts  to  increase  their  means  so  that 
they  could  commence  to  build,  and  among  other  efforts  made  application 
to  the  County  Commissioners  for  assistance,  but  could  get  none  for  the 
reason  alleged  that  there  Avas  no  law  authorizing  them  to  make  donations 
for  such  purposes.  However,  after  much  importuning,  they  gave  them 
$15,  and  at  their  next  term  they  gave  $20,  at  the  next  $35. 

Conceiving  that  benefit  would  accrue  to  the  Home  if  recognized  as  a 
county  institution,  they  procured  the  services  of  Judge  James  O'Brien  in 
the  preparation  of  a  bill  to  be  laid  before  the  Legislature,  which  was  passed 
and  became  a  law  in  1875,  by  which  they  were  authorized  to  take  orphan 
and  destitute  children  into  their  home,  and  receive  for  each  child  25  cents 


62  HISTORY  OF  TIOWAKI)  COUNTY. 

per  day  toward  its  support.  Another  effort  made  was  the  opening  of 
a  dining  hall  at  the  county  fair,  by  which  they  netted  ^200,  P.  B.  Hoss 
giving  them  $25  for  one  meal.  The  Sigourney  Band  of  young  ladies  of 
Kokomo  generously  donated  $125.  Individuals  gave  various  amounts, 
ranging  from  $1  up  to  $100,  In  addition  to  these  was  a  bequest  of  Elicum 
Boggs,  deceased,  of  $800;  of  this  amount  $600  was  in  city  bonds.  With 
the  amount  of  funds  now  secured,  the  association  felt  justified  in  com- 
mencing their  building ;  the  contract  was  let  to  J.  W.  Coffman,  and 
during  the  summer  the  building  was  put  up  and  finished  so  that  they 
occupied  it  October,  1857.  The  building  is  a  two-story  brick  with  base- 
ment, and  40x46  feet,  and  thirteen  rooms,  all  heated  by  a  furnace  in  the 
basement,  all  costing  $4,000, 

The  following  have  been  the  most  active  and  continuous  workers  in 
the  interest  of  the  home  from  the  beginning :  Mrs,  Emma  E.  Dixon, 
Mrs.  Eva  Davis,  Mrs.  Jane  Turner,  Mrs.  Dr.  Dayhoff,  Mrs,  Hendry, 
Mrs.  Mariah  Leach,  Mrs,  Lizzy  Hasket,  Mrs.  L.  B.  Nixon,  Mrs.  J. 
Coffman,  Mrs.  L.  W.  Leeds  and  Electa  Lindley;  of  these  some  five  or 
six  are  still  active  members,  some  have  moved  away  and  two  of  them, 
Mrs.  Lindley  and  Mrs.  Eva  Davis  are  deceased.  Others  came  into  the 
organization  afterward,  as  follows:  Mrs.  Adison  Armstrong,  Mrs. 
Sarah  Davis,  Mrs.  N.  R.  Linsday,  Mrs.  T.  C.  Philips,  Mrs.  Dash,  Mrs. 
Dr.  Mavity,  Mrs.  Kraus,  Mrs.  Rosenthal,  Mrs.  Dr.  I.  C.  Johnson  and 
others,  some  of  whom  remain ;  others  have  moved  away  and  one,  Mrs. 
Philips,  is  dead.     There  are  remaining  of  active  members  about  fourteen. 

OFFICERS. 

President,  Mrs.  Mary  Armstrong ;  Vice  Presidents,  Mrs.  Mavity  and 
Mrs.  Dash  ;  Recording  Secretary,  Mrs,  L,  B.  Nixon  ;  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary, Mrs,  E,  E,  Dixon ;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Dr.  Johnson ;  Matron,  Mrs. 
Celia  Hocket,  who  also  acts  as  teacher.  At  present  they  have  no  gov- 
erness, but  will  have  as  soon  as  a  suitable  one  can  be  had.  The  number 
of  children  now  in  the  home  is  twenty,  and  the  average  number  is  about 
twenty.  In  the  ten  years  of  the  home,  there  have  been  over  200  children 
provided  with  good  homes  in  good  families,  thus  securing  them  from 
want,  neglect,  ignorance  and  possible  pauperism  and  degradation.  We 
are  justified  in  saying  that  through  the  efibrts  put  forth  by  this  organiza- 
tion it  was  that  the  present  law  was  enacted  by  which  young  children 
are  taken  from  the  county  poor-houses  and  cared  for  properly  until  good 
homes  can  be  secured  for  them,  thus  saving  many  from  becoming  not  only 
paupers,  but  criminals.  With  the  twenty-five  cents  per  day,  given  by 
the  county  for  each  child,  they  are  enabled  to  keep  the  home  in  active 
operation,  paying  the  matron  from  $20  to  $25  per   month,  and  a  govern- 


?-^-^a 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  65 

ess  $12  per  month,  and  the  cook  $2  per  week.  People  from  the  country 
also  often  bring  them  donations  of  eatables  and  sometimes  articles  of 
clothing. 

COUNTY    LIBRARY. 

For  the  purpose  of  procuring  a  county  library,  the  Board  of  County 
Commissioners  appropriated  ten  per  cent  of  the  funds  arising  from  the 
sale  of  lots  belonging  to  the  county.  This  fund  was  allowed  to  accumu- 
late until  it  amounted  to  $100,  when  John  Dale  and  C.  Richmond  were 
appointed  to  purchase  books  to  that  amount.  They  purchased  $99.50 
worth  of  books  and  made  report  of  the  same  in  June,  1851.  Individual 
donations  of  books  were  made  from  time  to  time,  and  occasional  purchases 
as  funds  accumulated.  There  was  also  secured  a  donation  from  what  was 
known  as  the  McClure  Library,  in  all  making  a  collection  of  several 
hundred  volumes.  J.  M.  Vaughan  was  first  put  in  charge  of  the  library  ; 
he  left,  and  Austin  North  was  appointed  in  his  place  and  had  charge  until 
June,  1851,  when  James  H.  McCool  was  appointed;  at  the  same  time  the 
boiird  adopted  rules  for  management  and  use  of  the  library.  But  few 
persons  availed  themselves  of  the  benefits  of  the  library,  and  it  stood  com- 
paratively useless  for  several  years.  In  December,  1854,  the  board 
divided  the  county  into  six  districts  and  distributed  the  library  among 
them,  giving  it  in  charge  of  the  Trustees.  The  number  of  volumes  in 
township  libraries  in  1882  was  1,386,  and  12-i  volumes  were  used  during 
the  year. 

RICHARDVILLE    CIRCUIT    COURT. 

The  first  term  of  the  Richardville  Circuit  Court  was  held,  commencing 
on  the  7th  day  of  November,  184-4,  at  the  house  of  John  Harrison,  in  what 
is  now  Ervin  Township.  In  May  preceding,  an  election  had  been  held, 
at  which  Thomas  A.  Long  and  Robert  Ervin  were  elected  Associate  Judges 
for  the  Circuit  Court  for  the  county;  Franklin  S.  Price,  Clerk,  and  John 
Harrison,  Sheriff.  These  officers  constituted  the  court  at  this  term,  the 
President  Judge,  John  W.  Wright,  of  Cass  County,  being  absent.  In  or- 
ganizing the  court,  Silas  Colgrove  was  appointed  Prosecuting  Attorney 
pro  tern. 

The  first  grand  jury  was  composed  of  the  following  persons,  selected 
by  the  County  Commissioners  in  June  preceding,  to  wit:  William  P. 
Judkins,  John  P.  Wright,  Robert  Walker,  David  Iseley,  Peter  Gay,  Jonas 
Deselm,  Joseph  Clark, Thomas  M.  Kirkpatrick, Christopher  Cromer,  David 
Lambert,  Thomas  Kenneday,  David  Bailey,  Ethan  Birch,  John  Ford, 
William  S.  Rodman,  John  Rine,  John  W.  Wright  and  John  B.  Miller. 
The  following  persons  composed  the  first  petit  jury  for  this  term,  to  wit : 
Job  Garner,  Thomas  McClure,  John  Jones,  Ephraim  Bates,  Joseph  Coats, 
George    Taylor,   Benjamin    Newhouse,    Jason    Clark,    William    Grant, 


66  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Joseph  Skein,  James  Fortner  and  Andrew  Barngrover.  There  being  no 
business  for  the  petit  jury,  they  were  discharged.  On  the  third  day  of 
the  term,  the  grand  jury  returned  into  court  twenty-five  indictments  for 
various  minor  ofi'enses.  Of  these  causes,  but  two  were  tried  this  term. 
The  first  cause  tried  was  the  State  u«.  C.  J.  Allison,  for  retailing.  The 
defendant  pleaded  guilty,  and  was  fined  $2  and  costs.  The  second  cause 
was  also  for  retailing — State  vs.  John  Harrison — who  pleaded  not 
guilty,  and  was  acquitted.  Court  adjourned  to  meet  at  court  house  in 
Kokomo.  The  Clerk  made  his  first  entry  of  the  receipt  of  public  laws  and 
documents  for  the  county,  on  April  25,  1845. 

The  second  term  of  the  Circuit  Court  was  held  at  the  log  court  house 
in  Kokomo,  commencing  on  the  6th  day  of  May,  1845.  Richardville 
County  was  now  included  in  the  Eighth  Judicial  Circuit,  with  John  W. 
Wright,  of  Cass  County,  as  President  Judge,  T.  A.  Long  and  Robert 
Ervin,  Associates;  F.  S.  Price,  Clerk;  John  Harrison,  Sheriflf',  and  W. 
Z.  Stewart,  Prosecuting  Attorney.  Several  State  cases  were  tried  at  this 
term,  resulting  in  the  conviction  of  two  for  assault  and  battery,  and  one 
for  surety  of  the  peace.  At  this  term,  the  court  ordered  the  Clerk  to  pro- 
cure a  metallic  seal  for  the  use  of  the  Circuit  Court,  with  a  device  on  the 
face  thereof  of  a  man  on  horseback  on  a  chase  after  wolves  in  the  distance, 
with  his  hounds  in  pursuit,  the  horse  to  be  represented  on  the  lope,  and 
the  words,  "Richardville  County,  Ind.,  Seal,  A.  D.  1844,"  engraved  on 
the  face,  and  until  this  is  procured  the  clerk  will  use  a  scroll,  thus  : 
[R.  C.  C.].  The  grand  jury  returned  into  court  several  indictments,  but 
the  record  fails  to  state  the  number  or  for  what  ofienses. 

The  court  house  in  which  this  second  and  many  subsequent  terms  of 
court  were  held  was  built  of  hewed  logs,  was  twenty -four  feet  square,  and 
two  stories  high,  covered  with  boards  three  feet  long,  called  clapboards. 
The  upper  room  was  fitted  up  for  a  court  room,  having  a  rough  board 
rostrum  for  the  Judges'  seat,  a  large  table  for  the  use  of  the  Clerk  and  at- 
torneys, and  slab  seats  for  the  audience.  In  this  room  all  public  meetings 
were  held  for  several  years. 

The  lower  room  was  divided  by  board  partitions  into  office  rooms,  one 
of  "which  was  occupied  by  the  clerk,  one  was  used  by  H.  B.  Havens  as  a 
saddler  shop,  and  another  was  occupied  by  G.  W.  Poisal  as  a  tailor  shop, 
and  also  by  Dr.  C.  Richmond  as  a  doctor's  office.  While  occupying  this 
room  as  an  office,  an  incident  occurred  which,  to  the  observers,  was  very 
amusing,  but  somewhat  disagreeable  to  the  principal  actor.  The  Doctor 
had  among  his  bottles  one  in  which  he  kept  whisky  for  the  preparation 
of  tinctures.  He  noticed  that  the  contents  of  the  bottle  were  disappearing 
rather  mysteriously,  when,  on  inquir3%  it  transpired  that  a  certain  car- 
penter, living  on  Taylor  street,  was  in  the  habit  of  visiting  the  office  every 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  (57 

morning,  loafing  about,  and  taking  a  drink  out  of  the  bottle.     When  this 
was   d.scovered,  the   Doctor  dissolved  a  few  grains  of  tartar  emetic  in 
water  and  poured  it  into  the  bottle,  and  left  it  standing  as  before      Next 
morning  the  customer  came  in  as  usual  and  took  his  dram.     Poisal     who 
was  present  and  on  the  watch,  noticed  that  the  fellow  began  to  spit  rather 
more  frequently  than   common,  and  that  directly  he  took  another  .ood 
drink        In  a  short   time  he  was  observed  to  get  up  suddenly  and'pass 
rapidly  out  of  the  door,  and  immediately  he  was  seen  holding  on^vith  both 
hands  to  a  large  stump  near  the  corner  of  the  court  house,  where  he  with 
much  effort  and  many  tears,  deposited  his  breakfast.     This  performance 
was  repeated  atseveral  stumps  on  his  way  home,  where,  after  getting  there 
he  remained  quiet  the  remainder  of  the  day.      He  was  not  seen  to  ente; 
the  court  house  for  a  long  time  afterward,  and  the   Doctor's  whisky  re- 
mained undisturbed  thereafter.  ^ 

At  the  November  term,  1845,  the  first  civil  suit  was  docketed.  There 
were  several  appealed  cases  in  this  court,  the  first  of  which  was  John 
Wright  vs.  Austin  North,  in  which  plaintiff  recovered  the  sum  of  $6     The 

eredtlT.'  Z  ''''  ""'"'""  "'  '''  ^^^^'"^^'  ^"  ^^^^'^^  P^-"^^^  -cov- 
ered ^L95.    There  was  one  suit  in  chancery  commenced  at  this  term   be- 
tween Peter  Long lois  and  William  G.  Coffin;  this  cause  was  determined 
at  t  e  May  term,  1846.     The  first  case  of  larceny  was  tried  at  this  term 
fine  oflsO.  """'"'  ""''""'  ''"'^^^"  ^"  *^^  penitentiary  and  a' 

Nothing  of  interest  transpired  in  court  until  November  term    1846 
when  Peter  Hersleb   who  was  a  native  of  Denmark,    was  naturalized- 
the  hrst  case  of  the  kind  in  the  county. 

On  December  28,  1846,  the  Legislature  passed  the  law  changing  the 
name  of  the  county  to  Howard,  and  the  law  was  filed  in  the  office  of  the 
Clerk  of  the  (.ircu.t  Court  on   February  IS,   18i7,  when  the  law    took 

September  term,  184T,  we  meet  with  the  first  jury  trial;  this  was  in 
a  case  of  grand  larceny,  the  State  vs.  Moses  Crumwell,  which  resulted 
in  his  acquittal.  ^e.uiLcu 

iMayterm,  1848  a  ^vnt  ol  ad  guod  damnum  was  issued  in  favor  of 
Dame  McClure  and  Jacob  Rhodes  vs.  Samuel  Hofi;  to  prevent  him  build 
ing  a  dam  across  Wild  Cat  Creek  at  the  point  where  the  P.,  C  &  St  L  R 

fto7oTHof  "'"''''  '"""""'  "'  '^"^°"°'  "'"'=''  ^''^  fi"'>"^  ^^^^^  i" 
February,  1849,  Adam  Millman  applied  for  a  writ  of  haiea,   corpus 

mant  Z^-^  '''""  '^  '^  ^»«'  ^^-"'-  ^^'"^^  -"ing  in  i^. 
At  the  May  term,  1849,  the  first  divorce  case  was  tried,  before  Judge 


68 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 


H   P  Biddle.  and  resulted  in  divorcing  James  Ralston  and  Emily  Ral- 
ston     The  next  divorce  case  was  tried  in  May,  1850,  by  which  Joseph 
Alvord  and  Elizabeth  Alvord  were  divorced.      During  these  years   the 
divorce  business  was  not  very  great;  but  in  a  few  years  after  this,  there 
was  seldom  a  court  passed,  that  there  were  not  several  cases  disposed  of. 
and,  indeed,  so  frequent  were  these  applications  to  the  courts  for  release 
from  the  marriage  relation,  that  there  were  good  grounds  for  the  conclu- 
sion that   that  relation  was  falling   into   disrepute,   and  was  lightly   re- 
crarded  by  manv.     The  laws  of  the  State  were  so  framed  as  to  warrant  an 
application  upJn  slight  and  trivial  causes,  which  causes   could  be  easily 
multiplied  and  magnified  until  they  made  success  sure.     Indiana  has  suf- 
fered <.reatly  in  her  reputation  on  account  of  her  divorce  laws,  persons 
from  other  States  frequently  coming  into  this  State  for  the   sole  purpose 
of  .rettinc  divorced,  because  our  laws  made  it  quite  easy  for  them  to  suc- 
cee"     when  in  their  own  State  they  could  not  succeed.     But  the  feeling 
of  opposition  to  this  state  of  things   finally  began  to  manifest  itself,  and 
developed  in  1873,  in  the  modification  of  the  law,  so  that  it  is  not  now 
quite  so  easy  to  set  aside  the  marriage  relation. 

On  the  7th  of  September,  1850,  John  Broughard  was  arrested  and 
had  a  preliminary  examination  before  H.  B.  Havens,  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
who  bound  him  over  to  court,  in  the  sum  of  $800,  to  answer  to  the  charge 
of  manslaughter.  This  charge  was  finally  dismissed,  and  he  was  then 
charged  with  an  affray,  found  guilty  and  fined  p.  In  this  affray,  Jim 
Lane  was  killed  by  a  blow  in  the  stomach,  struck  by  Broughard 

May  term,  1851,  State  of  Indiana.  The  case  of  Sarah  Jane  Kei- 
zer  vs.  John  Haas,  for  bastardy,  was  tried;  judgment  against  defendant  for 
$300      This  was  the  first  case  of  the  kind  tried  in  this  court. 

Murder  Oase.—'Lewi  Mills,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  held  a  preliminary 
trial  of  Henry  Shanks  on  the  24th  day  of  January,  1853,  and  recognized 
him  in  the  sum  of  $2,000,  to  appear  in  court  and  answer  to  the  charge  of 
murder  in  the  second  degree.     At  the  first  term  of  court  after  this,  the 
cause  was  continued   to   the  next  term   in  November,  when  it  was  again 
continued  to  the  May  term,  1854,  when  it  was  tried.     The  jury  took  the 
case  on  the  27th  day  of  the  month,  and  on  the  29th  they  returned  a  ver- 
dict of  guilty,  and  "made  his  punishment  two  years  in  the  penitentiary. 
Motion  for  new  trial  was  made  and  time  given  till  next  term  to  present  the 
reasons.     November  terra,  motion  to  set  aside  the  verdict  of  the  jury  and 
grant  a  new  trial  was  heard  and  sustained.     At  the  May  term  the  cause 
was  again  continued,  and  at  the  November  term,  1855,  the  Prosecuting 
Attorney  refused  to  prosecute  the  case  any  further,  when  the  court  decid- 
ed that  he  go  acquit.     So  ended  the  first  murder  trial  in  Howard  County. 
This  trial  grew  out  of  the  results  of  a  difficulty  arising  between  Henry 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  09 

Shank  and  Elisha  McCool,  at  a  gathering  of  the  neighbors,  at  which 
Shank  was  not  invited ;  but  in  the  evening  he  went  to  the  place  where 
they  were  assembled.  The  two  young  men  got  into  an  altercation,  stand- 
ing on  opposite  sides  of  a  fence,  when,  because  of  some  remarks  made 
by  Shank,  McCool  started  to  cross  the  fence,  and  wliile  in  the  act  of 
crossing,  Shank  struck  him  with  a  pocket-knife  in  the  right  breast,  divid- 
ing the  fourth  rib  through  its  cartilaginous  attachment  to  the  breast  bone, 
and  dividing  a  small  artery  on  the  inner  and  under  edge  of  the  rib,  from 
which  he  bled  to  death,  living  sixteen  days  after  the  injury  was  received. 
The  following  are  the  names  of  the  jury  trying  H.  Shank  :  James 
Combs,  Daniel  Cline,  Henderson  Johnson,  Jonathan  Dunkle,  David  Den- 
nison,  C.  C.  Richardson,  David  Endicott.  Oscar  Todd,  John  Aulteru, 
James  M.  Hays,  Charles  Newlin  and  David  McEntire. 

During  vacation,  after  the  November  (1854)  term,  S.  S.  Wilson  was 
arrested  for  assault  with  intent  to  commit  murder,  and    was   admitted  to 
bail  for  his  appearance  at  the  next  term  of  court. in   the  sum   of  §1,500, 
with  the  following  persons  as  his  bondsmen  :  J.  D.  Sharp,  I.  H.  Hauck, 
T.   V.  Kimble,  F.  S.  Price,  W.  C.  Jones,  John  Bohan,    C.   D.  Murray, 
Thomas  J.  Harrison,  H.  Ashley,  John  M.  Harland,  R.  D.  Markland,  J. 
J.    Wills,  C.    J.  Allison,  William  Grant  and  M.    P.   Young.     Sam  was 
tried   at    the  next  term  of  the  Circuit  Court,  in  May,  by  the  foIlowimT 
jury  :     Allen  Carter,  Henderson  Johnson,  T.  N.  Crothers,  L.  D.  Bennett, 
Jacob  Applegate,  John  Knight,  Hayden  Reyburn,  T.  A.    Long,  Reuben 
Waldern,  Reason   Hardesty,  John   Pollock  and    Reuben    Hawkins,  with 
Thomas  R.  Calhoon,  Bailiff.      Sam   was  acquitted.     S.  S.  Wilson  was  a 
native  of  Kentucky,   had   emigrated  to  Indiana  some  years  before  this, 
living  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State  until  he  came  to  Howard  County. 
Entertaining  ideas   in  harmory  with  his  early  education   of  the  exalted 
state  of  the  white  over  the   colored    race,  he  was  disposed  to  regard  the 
negro  as  not  suited  to  him  as  an  associate.      He  was  also  in  the  habit  of 
mdulging  rather    freely    at    times    in   the   use    of    intoxicating  drinks ; 
when  this  was  the  case,  he  was  especially  severe  on  his  colored  fellow-cit- 
izen.    So,  when  an  old  colored  man  made  his  appearance  among  us,  Sam 
concluded  that,  as  he  was  a  Kentuckian,  it  became  his  special  duty  to  rid 
the  neighborhood  of  such  people.   Taking  his  gun,  he  commenced  follow- 
ing the   old    man   around,  acting  as  though   he  was  trying  to  get  a  good 
chance  to  shoot  him  ;  the  old  colored   man  became  badly  frightened,  and 
made  for  the  corn-field  and  got  away— and  thus  did  Samuel  get  into  trou- 
ble— but  he  never  liked  the  "  niercrer." 

But  the  further  relation  of  incidents  of  the  Circuit  Court  would  not 
be  interesting  to  the  reader,  as  all  the  cases  there  tried  are  separately 
described  under  the  head  of  crimes  and  casualties  and  will  not  therefore 
be  pursued  any  further  here. 


70  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

HOWARD    COUNTY    BOARD    OF   HEALTH.* 

The  law  creating  State,  county,  city  and  town  boards  of  health  is  com- 
paratively a  new  one  in  Indiana,  and  although  but  a  little  over  one  year 
has  elapsed  since  its  passage,  the  physicians  are  fast  becoming  familiar 
with  its  operations  and  are  highly  appreciating  the  work  contemplated  in 
the  law. 

The  organization  of  the  Howard  County  Board  of  Health  was  per- 
fected as  provided  in  the  statutes  of  this  State,  January  2,  1882.  The 
County  Commissioners,  William  F.  Gordon,  G.  P.  Pitzer  and  Isaac  Reed, 
constitute  the  board,  and  they  elected  J.  McLean  Moulder,  M.  D.,  as 
their  Secretary  and  executive  officer.  The  board  was  re-organized  in 
January,  1883,  with  the  same  officers. 

It  becomes  the  duty  of  these  boards,  far  as  is  in  their  power,  to  pre- 
vent the  spread  of  all  contagious  diseases  or  diseases  that  are  dangerous 
to  public  health  ;  to  keep  the  people  posted  as  to  the  locality  of  epidemic 
or  contagious  diseases;  to  make  investigations  as  to  the  effects  of  alcohol, 
adulterated  food,  sewers  and  drainage,  contagious  diseases,  temperature, 
location,  and  in  fact  anything  which  has  a  tendency  directly  or  indirectly 
to  influence  the  length  and  strength  of  the  life  of  our  people ;  to  report, 
tabulate  and  keep  a  record  of  all  matters  pertaining  to  sanitary  science ; 
to  be  a  means  by  which  all  nuisances  that  influence  public  health  can  be 
abated. 

From  a  careful  study  of  the  statistical  reports  filed  in  this  office  dur- 
ing the  past  year,  it  is  appalling  to  notice  the  deaths  reported  that  are 
due  "wholly  to  causes  that  are  preventable.  Prominent  among  these  are 
bronchitis,  whooping-cough  and  pneumonia.  These  diseases  can  all  be 
accounted  for  upon  scientific  principles,  and  it  is  the  work  of  health 
officers  to  ferret  out  the  causes  and  acquaint  the  people  with  them. 

The  following  facts  are  taken  from  the  records  in  the  Health  office  of 
this  county  for  the  year  1882  : 

BIRTHS    REPORTED. 

Males 284 

Females '256 

Total 540 

Whites 531 

Colored 9 

Twins 5 

Illegitimate 10 

Age  of  oldest  father 62  years 

Age  of  oldest  mother  45  years 

Age  of  youngest  father 17  years 

Age  of  youngest  mother 15  years 

♦Contributed  by  J.  McLean  Moulder,  M.  D, 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  71 

DEATHS. 

Males 64 

Females 98 

Total 162 

The  greatest  mortality  was  in  the  month  of  August. 

CAUSES  OF  DEATH. 

Prominent  among  these  may  be  mentioned  bronchitis,  pneumonia, 
still  birth,  whooping  cough,  pulmonary  consumption  and  cholera  infantum. 

DISEASES  DANGEROUS  TO  HEALTH. 

Number  reported 32 

Diphtheria 2 

Typhoid  fever 13 

Small-pox 8 

Cerebro  spinal  meningitis 5 

Measles  14 

MARKIAOES. 

Number  reported 200 

Whites 199 

Colored 1 

Native  brides 200 

Native  grooms 198 

Foreign  grooms 2 

Age  of  oldest  groom 77  years 

Age  of  oldest  bride 66  years 

Age  of  youngest  groom 19  years 

Age  of  youngest  bride 15  years 

The  year  1882  was  the  healthiest  ever  known  in  Howard  County,  and 
what  is  most  gratifying  to  all,  is  the  knowledge  of  the  gradual  fading 
away  of  diseases  that  owe  their  origin  to  malarial  or  miasmatic  influences  ; 
the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  chills,  biliousness  and  malarial  fevers 
will  be  unknown  to  the  citizens  of  Howard  County,  as  the  swamps,  ponds, 
marshes,  and  low,  wet  and  uncultivated  lands,  which  were  such  a  prolific 
source  of  these  dreadful  diseases,  have  given  way,  under  the  intelligent 
system  of  underdraining  of  our  farmers,  to  fields,  yielding  an  abundant 
harvest  of  what  is  much  more  desirable,  fruits  and  cereals. 

DRAINAGE  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

We  have  had  occasion  several  times  in  this  history  to  speak  of  the  face 
of  the  country  ;  the  condition  it  was  found  in  when  first  settled  ;  that 
much  of  the  land  was  extremely  wet,  and  from  the  nature  of  the  ob- 
struction to  the  flow  of  water,  would  remain  so  until  the  land  should  be 
cleared.  But  this  alone  was  found  to  be  insufiicient  to  bring  the  land  into 
a  condition  that  would  develop  its  productive  capacity  to  the  fullest  ex- 
tent. From  the  nature  of  the  subsoil  it  was  found  that  surface  draining 
did  not  remove  all  the  water  necessary  to  dry  the  ground  so  that  the 
crops  would  grow  to  perfection.  Beneath  the  top  soil  there  is  generally  a 
stratum  of  compact  yellow  clay,  and  beneath  that  another  of  blue    clay. 


27  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

very  close  and  hard,  through  which  the  water  makes  its  way  very  slowly, 
so  that  in  a  moderately  wet  season  there  is  always  abundance  of  water  to 
be  found  in  from  two  to  three  feet  of  the  surface  ;  the  majority  of  wells 
dug  were  from  ten  to  twelve  feet  deep  except  on  the  banks  of  the  creeks. 
Farmers  were  led  to  investigate  this  condition  and  were  induced  to  adopt 
some  mode  of  getting  rid  of  the  water.  Drains  of  various  kinds  were 
made  and  it  was  soon  found  that  any  kind  of  deep  underground  drain  was 
beneficial.  Some  of  the  drains  were  made  of  sawed  timber  laid  in  a  ditch 
dug  for  the  purpose  and  then  covered  over ;  others  were  made  with  poles 
laid  in  the  bottom  of  the  ditch,  while  others  were  made  by  placing  green 
brush  in  the  bottom  of  the  ditch,  and  covering  up  with  leaves,  etc.,  and 
also  dirt.  After  a  time  tile  ditches  were  introduced,  and  proved  so  bene- 
ficial that  they  multiplied  rapidly.  On  their  first  introduction  the  sizes 
used  were  as  a  general  thing  too  small,  and  would  soon  fill  up  with  roots 
and  dirt.  Of  late  years  the  size  of  tile  used  has  been  increased,  and  but 
little  that  is  less  than  six  inches  is  now  used. 

The  latest  estimate  of  the  amount  of  tile  drain  ditches  as  founded  on 
the  last  census  reports  is  fully  500,000  rods  in  the  county  worth  |500,- 
000.  The  eifect  of  this  large  amount  of  drainage  has  been  a  marked 
benefit  to  the  land,  increasing  its  producing  capacity  in  a  wonderful  de- 
gree. 

In  years  gone  by,  it  was  thought  that  wheat  could  not  be  raised  here 
to  any  profit ;  now  it  is  as  good  and  as  sure  a  crop  as  any  other,  and  the 
opinion  now  prevails  that  this  is  destined  to  be  a  good  wheat-growing 
county.  The  efiiciency  of  our  system  of  tile  drainage  is  greatly  in- 
creased by  the  construction  of  a  large  number  of  large  open  ditches  that 
look  like  canals  running  through  the  country.  They  furnish  ample 
outlets  for  the  tile  drains  and  greatly  assist  in  draining  the  land,  as  well 
as  carrying  off"  the  surface  water.  There  are  twenty-five  tile  mills  in  the 
county. 

Company  Ditches. — The  conviction  grew  upon  the  minds  of  men  from 
year  to  year  that  there  was  a  lack  in  the  drainage  of  the  county  that 
could  only  be  supplied  by  the  combined  action  of  the  land  owners  in 
forming  ditch  companies  and  constructing  long  lines  of  open  ditches  of 
sufficient  size  to  carry  off"  the  surface  water  in  a  general  wet  time,  and 
would  also  furnish  outlets  to  the  tile  drains. 

In  the  commencement  of  these  improvements,  the  laws  regulating  the 
proceeding  were  imperfect,  and  as  a  consequence  underwent  many 
changes,  and  were  from  time  to  time  amended  or  repealed,  but  under 
each  of  them  some  good  was  effected. 

The  first  movement  of  this  kind  was  begun  in  October,  1859,  when 
a  company  known  as  the  Prairie  &  Slough  Ditching  Company  was  or- 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  I'd 

ganized  and  presented  their  articles  of  association  to  the  Board  of  Com- 
missioners, asking  for  the  appointment  of  Viewers.  This  was  under  the 
law  of  March  4,  1859,  and  T.  A.  Long,  Tence  Lindley  and  William  B. 
Smith  were  appointed  Viewers.  This  ditch  was  constructed  and  the  re- 
sult was  a  wonderful  transformation  of  the  country  through  which  it 
passed. 

Since  that  time  numerous  other  ditches  have  been  made  ;  there  is 
seldom  a  meeting  of  the  board  but  there  are  one  or  more  ditch  compa- 
nies organized.  The  estimate  of  the  number  of  ditches  of  this  kind  in 
the  county,  founded  upon  the  records  of  the  Auditor's  and  Clerk's  offices,  is 
about  150,  and  the  cost  of  them  ranges  all  the  way  from  §300  to  $15,000, 
a  moderate  average  would  be  $4,000  each,  which  w^ould  make  $600,000 
expended  in  open  ditches,  and  the  end  is  not  yet  reached  ;  many  more 
will  be  constructed  as  the  years  roll  on. 

THE    COMMON    ROADS. 

In  the  bewinnino:  there  were  no  roads.  The  inhabitants  of  the  coun- 
try  were  Indians,  and  they  only  needed  paths,  or  traces,  to  enable  them 
to  get  from  one  locality  to  another  ;  their  modes  of  locomotion  were 
either  on  foot  or  on  horseback,  and  a  path  was  all  the  convenience  in  the 
way  of  roads  that  they  needed.  But  the  white  man,  as  a  general  rule, 
when  he  moves  has  a  little  property  to  take  along  for  the  use  and  comfort 
of  his  wife  and  children;  he  therefore  must  have  such  modes  of  convey- 
ance as  necessitate  the  making  of  roads,  especially  in  a  densely  wooded 
country.  The  coming  to  this  county  was  not  of  itself  a  very  great  un- 
dertaking, but  the  making  a  road  by  which  to  get  here  amounted  to 
quite  a  job.  From  the  time  you  struck  the  wilderness  until  you  arrived 
at  your  destination,  the  ax  was,  or  had  to  be,  in  constant  use.  You  could 
seldom  move  a  wag-on  a  rod  without  having  to  cut  oif  or  cut  down  some  ob- 
struction.  All  the  roads  that  we  had  through  this  region  for  several 
years  were  made  in  this  way.  They  were  to  be  found  running  to  all 
points  of  the  compass,  and  if  you  should  strike  into  one'  with  which 
you  were  not  familiar,  you  could  not  be  certain  where  it  would  lead  you 
until  you  reached  the  end  of  it,  which  might  be  a  long  way  off  in  the 
woods,  and  nobody  there ;  then  all  you  had  to  do  was  to  turn  around  and 
go  back  and  take  another  road.  Sometimes  the  settler  would  go  and 
blaze  out  a  road ;  that  is,  he  would  determine  on  the  course  he  wanted  to 
go,  and  then  on  that  course  blaze  the  trees  that  were  in  the  line  or  near 
it  on  that  course.  To  blaze  a  tree  is  to  cut  off  a  strip  of  bark  on  oppo- 
site sides  of  the  tree,  looking  to  and  from  the  course  you  wish  to  go. 
After  blazing  out  a  route,  it  was  necessary  to  cut  out  the  underbrush  and 
cut  off  and  roll  out  the  logrs  that  were  too  large  to  run  over. 


74  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

When  neighborhoods  began  to  form,  more  elaborate  roads  became 
necessary  and  more  possible,  because  of  the  increased  number  of  hands 
to  work  them.  Finally,  when  the  county  was  fully  organized,  and  its 
machinery  in  full  operation,  regularly  laid  out  roads  were  resorted  to. 

To  improve  them,  the  hands  in  a  given  district  were  notified  by  a  Su- 
pervisor to  meet  on  the  road,  when  they  would  first  cut  out  the  under- 
brush and  cut  off  and  roll  out  the  logs,  and  deaden  the  green  trees  that 
stood  in  the  road — that  was  to  be.  When  the  trees  died,  the  sunshine 
could  get  to  the  ground  and  dry  it  out  some,  but  as  the  soil  was  soft  and 
louray,  and  frequently  wet  by  heavy  rains,  it  took  but  little  travel  over  it 
to  make  it  desperately  muddy.  Such  were  the  roads  all  over  the  county 
for  many  years.  The  condition  of  the  roads  was  but  little  improved  until 
the  farmers  generally  commenced  to  drain  their  land  by  tile  drains  and 
public  or  company  ditches  which  carry  off  the  water  rapidly.  It  is  true  that 
clearing  off  the  timber  and  opening  up  the  country  did  do  some  good, 
but  until  the  ditching  commenced  the  improvement  was  slow.  Some  sea- 
sons the  roads  never  got  dry  and  solid. 

Over  these  mud  roads  all  our  travel  went,  year  in  and  year  out ;  our 
mails  had  to  be  carried  over  them  until  the  opening  of  the  P.  &  I.  R.  R. 
in  1854.  In  winter,  it  often  happened  that  for  weeks  we  were  without 
mails,  because  of  the  bad  condition  of  the  roads.  The  citizens,  many 
times,  would  club  together,  raise  |10,  and  hire  a  man  to  go  to 
Tipton  for  our  mail.  The  mail  carrier  could  get  that  far,  but  with  a 
heavy  load,  could  go  no  further.  We  had  a  mail  from  Burlington,  Carroll 
County,  but  little  of  our  mail  matter  came  that  way  after  the  first  two 
years.  At  this  time,  1882,  our  common  roads  are  quite  passable  for  the 
greater  part  of  the  year.  Three  railroads  furnish  as  many  mail  routes 
over  which  we  have  daily  mails ;  there  are  also  several  short  routes  to 
neighboring  villages  that  carry  a  mail  two  or  three  times  a  week. 

GRAVEL    ROADS. 

The  New  London  &  Kokomo  Gravel  road  was  the  first  of  the  kind 
built  in  the  county.  It  was  commenced  in  1867,  and  completed  in  1870, 
and  cost  about  $27,000.  The  road  is  ten  miles  in  length,  and  in  its 
course  passes  through  Middleton  and  Alto.  This  is  a  good  road,  is  kept 
in  good  repair,  and  has  good  iron  bridges.  The  leading  citizens  interested 
in  getting  up  and  managing  it  were  Capt.  B.  Busby,  Dr.  E.  W.  Hinton 
(now  in  Kansas),  Isaac  Ramsey  (Kansas),  Josiah  Beeson,  S.  Stringer, 
Samuel  Stratton,  C.  S.  Wilson,  Joseph  Stratton,  Hiram  Newlin  (Kansas) 
and  Richmond  Terrell.  It  is  the  only  road  in  the  county  organized  under 
the  law  of  1865. 

The  Kokomo  &  Petes  Run  Gravel  road  was  begun  in  1869  and  com- 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  75 

pleted  in  1871  at  a  cost  of  $33,058.  This  road  leaves  Kokomofrom  the 
west  end  of  JefiFerson  street,  and  runs  directly  west  on  a  section  line,  and  is 
eleven  miles  in  length.  The  persons  who  were  prominent  in  getting  up  this 
enterprise  were  PI.  W.  Smith,  James  McCool,  Israel  Brubaker,  Michael 
Price,  S.  D.  Hawkins,  D.  B.  Hendrickson,  T.  M.  Kirkpatrick  and  others. 
The  road  is  a  good  one  and  accommodates  a  large  scope  of  country,  pass- 
ing through  a  part  of  Centre,  Clay  and  Ervin  Townships. 

The  Wild  Cat  Gravel  road  was  begun  in  1869,  and  completed  in 
1871.  It  leaves  Kokomo  from  the  west  end  of  Sycamore  street,  and  runs 
westward  in  the  near  vicinity  of  Wild  Cat,  through  Centre,  Clay  and 
Ervin  Townships,  ten  miles,  and  ends  on  the  bank  of  the  creek  opposite 
Brubaker's  mill.  This  road  cost  $22,000.  It  was  started  under  the 
management  of  N.  R.  Linsday,  William  B.  Smith,  N.  P.  Richmond,  Isaac 
Hauk,  Silas  Grantham,  S.  E.  Overholser  and  Thomas  Dimitt.  This 
road  was  enjoined  from  the  collection  of  taxes,  and  the  Legislature 
repealed  the  law  under  which  it  was  operated;  the  result  Avas  to 
cripple  the  organization,  and  as  a  consequence  the  road  ran  down,  and 
also,  suffering  damage  from  overflow  along  the  creek,  the  resources  of  the 
road  failed,  and  the  management  was  finally  induced  to  abandon  the 
organization. 

The  Kokomo,  Green  town  &  Jerome  Gravel  road  was  begun  in 
September,  1869,  and  is  the  leading  road  running  east  from  Kokomo, 
via  Vermont  and  Greentown  to  Jerome,  passing  through  Centre,  Howard, 
Union  and  Liberty  Townships,  and  is  twelve  miles  in  length  ;  was  com- 
pleted in  1871,  and  cost  $38,000.  The  active  friends  of  this  road  are, 
in  part,  David  Smith,  Andrew  Patterson,  C.  C.  Willetts,  R.  Gray,  James 
Brunk,  B.  Learner,  D.  S.  Farley,  J.  S.  Trees,  J.  Covalt,  E.  P.  Gallion, 
W.  M.  Sims,  J.  R.  Curlee  and  M.  Garrigus.  This  is  a  good  road  and 
has  been  of  great  value  to  the  country  through  which  it  runs.  The 
management  of  the  road  has  been  good,  and  has  resulted  in  some  profit  to 
the  owners,  who  have  kept  it  in  good  repair. 

The  Deer  Creek  Gravel  road  was  commenced  in  the  early  part  of 
1873,  and  finished  in  the  fall  of  1875,  at  a  cost  of  $15,000.  This  road 
passes  through  a  level,  rich  farming  country  ;  starting  from  the  north  end 
of  Smith  street,  in  Kokomo,  it  runs  through  part  of  Centre  and  Clay 
Townships,  to  the  north  county  line,  between  Howard  and  Miami  Counties, 
and  is  five  miles  in  length.  It  was  abandoned  as  a  company  road  in  1882, 
and  steps  taken  to  make  it  a  free  gravel  road.  Among  its  early  support- 
ers were  William  Kirkpatrick,  John  Davis,  J.  M.  Leeds,  Jesse  Swisher, 
William  Mills,  J.  B.  Early,  John  Lovin,  Mahlon  S.  Reeves  and  others.  This 
is  a  much  needed  road  to  the  neighborhoods  of  Cassville  and  Galveston. 

The  Kokomo    &    Greentown   Gravel  road  is  built  on  the  south  side 


76  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

of  Wild  Cat  Creek,  starting  from  the  south  end  of  Union  street  in  Ko- 
komo,  and  running  to  Greentown,  eight  and  two-third  miles.  It  was  com- 
menced inl869  and  finished  in  1871,  at  a  cost  of  |23,218.  Those  who 
took  the  lead  in  getting  up  the  enterprise  and  managing  it  were  R.  Vaile, 
Noah  Carter,  J.  W.  Smith,  W.  T.  Manring,  V.  Goyer,  Paul  Miller,  C. 
S.  Boggs,  N.  J.  Owings  and  others.  The  route  of  this  road  is  through 
a  thickly  settled  region  and  well-improved  farms.  The  road,  however ,  has 
not  been  a  paying  road,  but  is  kept  in  good  repair,  and  is  worth  a  great 
deal  to  the  people  living  along  its  course.  It  is  parallel  to  the  K.  G.  & 
J.  G.  R.  and  less  than  a  mile  from  it. 

The  Albright  Gravel  road  was  commenced  in  1878  and  finished  in 
1879,  at  a  cost  of  $14,751,77.  It  runs  south  through  Centre  and  Tay- 
lor Townships  and  stops  one  and  a  half  miles  east  of  Fairfield. 

The  Rickets  Gravel  road  was  commenced  in  1878  and  finished  in 
1879  and  runs  south  from  Kokomo  on  the  range  line  between  Ranges 
2  and  4  to  the  county  line  between  Howard  and  Tipton  Counties, 
and  was  built  at  at  cost  of  $13,946.62,  This  is  a  good  road,  in  good  re- 
pair, and  is  located  in  a  well-improved  section  of  the  county  and  is  a  very 
great  convenience  to  many  persons. 

The  Peter  Touby  Gravel  road  was  built  in  1882,  runs  from  Kokomo 
in  a  northeast  direction  to  Deer  Creek,  and  up  that  stream  into  the  Omish 
settlement.  This  Avas  a  much-needed  road,  as  the  country  throilgh  which  it 
runs  is  quite  level  most  of  the  distance,  and  in  a  wet  time  extremely 
muddy  ;  it  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $28,860,20,  and  is  about  eight  miles  in 
length. 

The  J.  L.  Smith  Gravel  road  was  built  in  1882,  and  runs  in  a  north- 
west direction  from  Kokomo,  and  is  in  the  beginning  connected  with  the 
Harlan  Gravel  road  for  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile,  when  they  diverge 
and  again  unite  some  four  miles  out.  The  Smith  road  continues  on  from 
there  west  to  Poplar  Grove,  fourteen  miles  from  Kokomo.  This  road 
starts  from  the  west  end  of  North  street. 

The  Harlan  Gravel  road  was  built  in  1882,  is  four  miles  and  some- 
thing over  in  length,  runs  three-fourths  of  a  mile  in  connection  with  the 
Smith  road,  then  diverges  to  the  north  for  some  distance,  then  turns  west 
and  again  intersects  the  Smith  road.    It  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $19,990.27. 

RAILROADS. 

The  Peru  &  Indianapolis  Railroad  was  chartered  in  1846,  and  Will- 
iam J.  Holman  was  its  first  President ;  afterward,  John  Burke,  E.  W. 
H,  Ellis,  J.  D.  Defrees  and  David  Macy.  Work  upon  the  road  com- 
menced at  the  south  end  in  1849,  and  in  two  years  twenty-one  miles  of 
flat  bar  track  was  laid,  which  was  subsequently  replaced  by  the  T  rail. 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  77 

The  road  was  completed  to  Peru  in  1854,  and  an  extension  of  it  was 
built  to  Michigan  City  in  1871.  Through  the  instrumentality  of  this  road, 
Howard  County  was  greatly  benefited.  For  a  number  of  years  it  has  done 
a  large  business. 

The  Cincinnati  &  Chicago  Air  Line  Railroad,  now  known  as  the  P.,  C.  & 
St.  L.,  or  Pan  Handle,  also  passes  through  the  county,  and  connects  Rich- 
mond, Ind.,  with  Chicago.  This  road  also  does  a  good  business  in  the 
county,  and  the  road  is  being  put  in  first-class  condition. 

Growing  out  of  several  projects  for  building  railroads  in  this  region, 
we  have  the  Toledo,  Cincinnati  &  St.  Louis  Narrow  Gauge  Railroad  ; 
it  is  a  new  road,  and  from  Kokomo  to  Frankfort  it  takes  the  place  of  the 
F.  &  K.  road.  The  F.  &  K.  Railroad,  twenty-six  miles  in  length,  was 
built  as  a  standard  gauge  road,  but  sold  out  to  the  Narrow  Gauge  Com- 
pany, and  the  track  was  reduced.  This  road  runs  through  the  county 
from  the  northeast  to  the  southwest,  and  connects  us  with  Toledo,  Cin- 
cinnati and  St.  Louis  by  the  narrow-gauge  system. 

SCHOOLS    IN    HOWARD    COUNTY. 

The  schools  of  Howard  County  were  commenced  on  the  primitive 
order  of  things.  In  each  neighborhood,  where  a  school  of  a  dozen  to 
twenty  children  could  be  collected,  arrangements  were  soon  made 
to  start  a  school;  if  no  house  could  be  found,  a  cabin  would  be  built,  and 
fitted  up  with  puncheon  seats,  paper  windows,  and  a  large  fire-place  for 
heating ;  wood  was  handy,  and  large  fires  were  in  order.  A  teacher  who 
could  read,  write  and  cipher  a  little  would  be  employed,  who  would  teach 
for  a  certain  price  per  day,  or  so  much  per  scholar — what  was  called  a 
subscription  school — and  would  "  board  around."  Within  the  first  ten 
years,  the  school  lands  belonging  in  the  county  were  sold  for  about  $20,- 
000,  and  the  proceeds  put  out  on  interest.  This  interest  was  all  the 
tuition  fund  that  was  available,  and  the  expenses  of  schools,  over  and 
above  that,  had  to  be  raised  by  taxation.  Each  Congressional  township 
being  a  separate  school  corporation,  was  managed  by  three  Trustees,  a 
Clerk  and  Treasurer.  A  School  Commissioner  filled  about  the  place  oc- 
cupied by  the  School  Superintendent  of  to-day  ;  he  had  charge  of  and 
loaned  the  school  funds  of  the  county,  and  distributed  the  proceeds  to 
the  different  townships.  As  the  school  system  of  Indiana  developed  in 
after  years,  nearly  all  the  features  of  the  old  order  of  things  were 
changed,  and  some  dispensed  with.  Now  one  trustee  in  each  township 
and  a  director  for  each  school  attend  to  the  interests  of  the  school  while 
in  operation.  The  County  Superintendent  and  the  Trustees  form  the 
County  Board  of  Education,  and  have  control  of  the  schools  of  the  county, 
hire    teachers,  fix    their    salaries,  locate   houses,  adopt  text  books,    and 


78  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

establish  all  rules  and  regulations  for  the  government  of  schools.  The 
system  includes  the  holding  of  institutes,  which  are  intended  for  the  ben- 
efit and  improvement  of  teachers,  and  it  is  made  their  duty  to  attend 
them.  As  a  rule,  the  teachers  in  this  county  attend  these  institutes,  and, 
judging  from  reports  published  of  their  transactions,  we  conclude  that 
they  are  productive  of  great  good,  both  to  teachers  and  schools. 
Under  the  benign  influence  of  our  school  laws,  the  development  of  our 
schools  has  been  rapid.  The  eflSciency  of  both  teachers  and  schools  is 
steadily  on  the  increase.  Howard  is  a  comparatively  small  county,  hav- 
ing but  2951^  square  miles  ;  yet  we  have  ninety-nine  schoolhouses — forty- 
three  brick  and  fifty-six  frame — and  as  fast  as  new  houses  are  required 
they  are  replaced  by  substantial  brick  edifices,  of  a  size  sufficient  to 
accommodate  the  district  in  which  they  are  located.  The  size  of  districts 
is  so  arranged  that  the  school  is  convenient  to  all  the  scholars,  a  conven- 
ience that  the  early  settler  was  mostly  deprived  of,  pupils  often  having  to 
travel  two,  three  or  four  miles  morning  and  evening  along  some  path 
through  the  woods,  carrying  their  dinner  with  them. 

The  first  departure  from  the  old  routine  of  teaching  was  introduced 
by  Prof.  Baldwin  in  1859.  He  procured  the  use  of  the  old  Chris- 
tian Church  building  in  Kokomo,  in  which  he  commenced  operations, 
adopting  what  is  known  as  the  Normal  method  of  teaching.  He  suc- 
ceeded in  gathering  quite  a  large  number  of  students,  and  for  about  three 
years  labored  zealously  and  succeeded  in  effecting  quite  a  revolution  in 
the  mode  of  teaching  and  management.  Numbers  of  those  who  attended 
his  school  went  out  to  teach  in  the  surrounding  country,  thoroughly  im- 
bued with  the  new  ideas  of  what  school-teaching  was  and  what  schools 
ought  to  be.  These  new  ideas  and  modes  about  schools  were  canvassed 
by  the  people,  and  as  a  general  thing  were  at  once  adopted  and  as  fast  as 
possible  put  into  active  operation.  A  Normal  school  building  was  built 
in  Kokomo  by  subscription,  participated  in  by  persons  all  over  the  county. 
The  design  was  a  school  to  prepare  teachers  who  would  be  thoroughly 
prepared  in  all  respects  to  conduct  successfully  the  schools  of  the  county. 
Before  the  building  was  completed,  the  war  of  the  rebellion  commenced 
and  many  teachers  and  scholars  threw  down  their  books  and  shouldered 
the  musket  or  rifle  and  went  forth  to  do  battle  for  their  country — some 
of  them  never  to  return.  After  the  war,  the  Hon.  M.  B.  Hopkins  and 
his  son,  A.  C.  Hopkins,  organized  Howard  College  at  Kokomo,  occupy- 
ing the  Normal  building ;  this  school  was  continued  by  them  until  M.  B. 
Hopkins  was  elected  State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction. 

The  Normal  building  was  finally  purchased  by  the  city  of  Kokomo 
and  erected  into  a  high  school  by  the  City  Trustees,  where,  year  by  year, 
from  September  until  June,  a  large  and  efficient  school  is  going  on.  [For 
a  description  of  city  schools,  see  city  of  Kokomo.] 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  79 

Statistics. — Number  of  teachers  required  to  carry  on  the  schools  of 
the  county,  129 ;  one  county  institute  held  in  Kokomo,  commencing 
August  29  and  continuing  five  days  with  three  evening  lectures ;  at- 
tendance, males,  52 ;  females,  37 ;  cost  of  institution,  $60 ;  number  of 
private  institutes  in  the  county  for  1882,  two,  one  held  in  Kokomo  and 
one  in  Russiaville,  conducted  by  J.  W.  Barnes,  County  Superintendent, 
and  J.  C.  McCormack ;  number  of  teachers  employed,  5 ;  session  of 
seven  weeks,  with  an  attendance  of  48  males  and  59  females,  total  107  ; 
number  of  schoolhouses  in  county — brick  houses,  43  ;  frame  houses,  56; 
total,  99;  value  of  houses,  $102,300;  value  of  apparatus,  $3,105;  num- 
ber of  children  between  six  and  twenty-one  years — white  males,  3,360  ; 
white  females,  3,058 ;  total,  6,418  ;  colored  males,  79  ;  colored  females, 
67  ;  total,  146  ;  grand  total,  6,564.  Children  between  ten  and  twenty-one 
that  can  neither  read  or  write — males,  3 ;  females,  4 ;  total,  7.  Whole 
number  of  teachers  employed  during  the  year  1882 — white  males,  84;  white 
females,  48  ;  colored  male,  1;  total,  133.  Wages  paid  teachers — in  town- 
ship, males,  $2.33;  females,  $2;  in  towns,  males,  $2.63;  females,  $2: 
in  cities,  males,  $2.81 ;  females,  $2.11. 

SCHOOL    REVENUE,    1882. 

On  hand  September  1,  1881, $12,759.90 

Amount  received  January  1,  1882 14,393.65 

Amount  received  June,  1882 14,130.56 

Amount  received,  miscellaneous 832.75 

Total $41,616.86 

SPECIAL    SCHOOL    EEVENUE. 

Amount  on  hand  September  1,  1881 $10,116.60 

Amount  received  since  September  I,  1881 11,192.26 

Amount  from  other  sources 546.38 

Total $21,855.24 

Tuition  Fund 41,616.86 

$63,472.10 
Expended  during  year 45,398.53 

Total  on  hand $18,073.57 

For  the  purposes  of  comparison  of  the  different  decades  of  the 
progress  of  the  schools  in  the  county,  the  data  at  hand  and  obtainable  are 
not  sufficiently  accurate  to  be  reliable,  and  are  therefore  omitted.  But  the 
character  and  efficiency  of  our  schools  are  satisfactory,  and  under  the 
efficient  management  of  our  County  Superintendent,  John  W.  Barnes, 
they  are  likely  to  increase  in  usefulness. 


80  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

THE  BAR  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY, 

A  considerable  number  of  attorneys  have  from  time  to  time  attended 
the  courts  of  this  county ;  a  number  of  them,  however,  never  becoming 
residents  of  the  county.  Of  the  resident  members  of  the  bar,  Nathaniel 
R.  Linsday  is  the  oldest,  having  attended  the  first  term  of  the  court  ever 
held  in  the  county,  and  being  the  only  one  that  has  since  remained  in 
the  county.  Zachariah  Pucket  lived  in  the  county  but  a  short  time. 
Besides  the  two  above  named,  there  were  present  at  this  term,  Isaiah  M. 
Harland  and  Silas  Colgrove ;  Mr.  Colgrove  was  appointed  by  the  court 
as  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  the  term. 

At  the  next  term  the  following  attorneys  were  present  and  admitted: 
William  S.  Palmer,  S.  D.  Maxwell,  J.  F.  Suit,  H.  P.  Biddle,  G.  W.  Blake- 
more,  J.  Forsee  and  W.  Z.  Stewart — all  foreigners,  who  never  resided 
in  the  county. 

At  the  November  term,  1845,  Williamson  Wright,  of  Logansport,  was 
present  and  admitted  to  the  bar,  as  was  also  C.  D.  Murray,  who  was  then 
a  citizen  of  Kokomo,  and  continued  to  be  until  he  died,  and  John  Wren, 
and  Williamson  Wright.  At  the  May  term,  1846,  D.  M.  Dunn, 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  and  J.  W.  Wright,  President  Judge,  were  present. 

In  November,  1846,  William  F.  Brady,  of  Tipton,  was  present  and  ad- 
mitted. And  in  April,  1847,  Charles  B.  Lasselle,  J.  W.  Wright  and 
Thomas  S.  Shephard  were  admitted.  Shephard  was  a  resident  of  the 
county  for  a  few  years. 

Hadley  Johnson,  who  resided  here  a  few  years,  was  admitted  May, 
1848.  John  Green,  of  Tipton,  was  admitted  November,  1848,  and  ever 
since  has  been  frequently  in  attendance  in  our  courts — a  genial,  hearty 
good  fellow,  though  now  well  up  into  the  seventies. 

In  May,  1851,  George  A.  Gordon,  a  resident,  and  D.  D.  Pratt,  of 
Logansport,  were  admitted.  Mr.  Gordon  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
constitutional  convention,  in  1851,  from  this  county.  He  remained  in  the 
county  a  few  years  and  left.  In  November,  1851,  R.  D.  Markland  and 
Thomas  J.  Harrison,  of  Howard,  and  Hiram  Allen,  of  Carroll,  were  ad- 
mitted. In  May,  1853,  John  U.  Petit,  Judge,  and  J.  M.  Connell  were 
admitted.  Some  time  before  this,  but  not  of  record,  Leonidas  Sexton 
spent  some  time  here,  but,  not  satisfied  with  the  prospect,  soon  left. 

November,  1854,  J.  W.  Robinson  was  admitted, 

William  Brown,  H.  A.  Brouse,  R.  Vaile,  William  M.  Waters  and 
N.  P.  Richmond  were  among  the  early  resident  attorneys. 

As  the  court  records  fail  to  give  the  appearance  of  all  the  attorneys, 
we  are  under  the  necessity  of  giving  a  list  of  the  resident  practicing  attor- 
neys without  the  date  of  their  admission: 


HISTORY  OF  HOAVARD  COUNTV,  83 

N.  R.  Linsday,  N".  P.  Richmond,  M.  Garrigus,  James  O'Brien, 
Milton  Bell,  J.  F.  Elliott,  J.  E.  Moon,  John  Ingels,  B.  F.  Harness, 
W.  E.  Blacklidge,  I.  E.  Kirk,  D.  A.  Woods,  A.  C.  Bennett,  C.  C. 
Shirley,  A.  C.  Merick,  H.  A.  Brouse,  Rawson  Vaile,  C.  N.  Pollard, 
J.  H.  Kroh,  C.  E.  Hendry,  John  W.  Kern,  L.  J.  Kirkpatrick,  J.  C. 
Blacklidge,  Josiah  Stanley,  A.  N.  Grant,  Freeman  Cooper,  N.  B. 
Smith,  J.  F.  Morrison,  W.  0.  Purdum,  C.  M.  Walter,  A.  B.  Kirk- 
patrick, Milton  Hanson,  now  living  in  Hamilton  County;  Nelson  Purdum, 
Arthur  Bell  and  Millard  McDowel,  S.  M.  Con,  J.  D.  Johnson — these 
last  five  are  dead.  N.  Vanhorn,  Mahan  and  Smith  lived  here  a  short  time 
and  practiced  in  our  court. 

The  bar  of  Howard  we  think  will  compare  favorably  with  that  of 
other  counties.  They  have  lately  organized  a  bar  association  of  which 
most  of  the  attorneys  are  members.  They  hold  stated  meetings  at  which 
legal  questions  are  thoroughly  and  intelligently  discussed,  evincing  that 
the  spirit  of  investigation  and  research  is  actively   at  work   among   them. 

THE    MEDICAL    FRATERNITY    OF    HOWARD. 

Before  the  central  portions  of  the  county  were  settled,  the  people  liv- 
ing upon  the  borders  were  under  the  necessity  of  traveling  long  distances 
for  their  physicians.  On  the  western  border,  medical  aid  was  procured 
from  Burlington,  in  Carroll  County.  Drs.  Anderson,  purry  and  Darnall 
did  most  of  the  practice  in  this  part  of  the  county  up  to  1845.  In  1844, 
the  county  seat  was  located,  and  the  town  of  Kokomo  laid  out,  and  lots 
sold,  but  no  immigration  to  it,  that  amounted  to  much,  took  place  until 
the  spring  of  1845,  when  it  became  considerable.  Dr.  Corydon  Rich- 
mond arrived  in  Kokomo,  with  his  family,  on  the  28th  day  of  March, 
1845,  having  in  November  and  December  previous,  in  company  with  N. 
R.  Linsday  and  Dr.  J.  L.  Barrett,  built  houses.  Some  time  in  the  sum- 
mer following,  Dr.  Orsemus  Richmond  moved  in  and  went  into  practice 
with  his  brother.  In  1846,  Drs.  Stoneman  and  Wickersham  located  in 
New  London,  Avhere  they  practiced  several  years.  Some  time  later,  Dr. 
J.  F.  Henderson  located  there. 

About  the  same  time.  Dr.  W.  C.  Jones,  from  Grant  County,  located 
in  Kokomo,  and  in  1848  Dr.  J.  A.  James  settled  here.  In  1849,  Dr. 
Barbee  came,  and  remained  only  four  years.  Dr.  Jacob  Kern  settled  in 
Alto,  and  Dr.  King  at  Cassville.  In  1853,  Dr.  A.  F.  Dayhoff  located 
here,  and  connected  himself  with  Dr.  James  in  the  practice.  Without 
being  able  to  give  the  dates  of  the  arrival  of  quite  a  number,  we  append 
a  list  of  all  who  came  into  the  county  subsequently  : 

Dr.  Pettyjohn,  New  London ;  W.  J.  Morgan,  Greentown ;  J.  M. 
Erlougher    and  Cochran,  of  Jerome;     E.    A.    Armstrong  and    Shirley, 


84  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Russiaville.  E.  A.  Armstrong  and  Horace  studied  medicine  in  Kokomo, 
and  graduated  in  the  Ohio  Medical  College.  Of  the  foregoing  list,  but 
a  few  remain.  0.  Richmond,  J.  A.  James,  Horace  Armstrong  and  W. 
J.  Morgan  are  dead.  Those  who  remain  are  A.  F.  DayhoiF,  A.  E.  Arm- 
strong and  Shirley.  C.  Richmond  is  still  here,  but  out  of  the  practice, 
in  consequence  of  disability  from  protracted  rheumatism.  Then,  follow- 
ing those  gone  before,  we  have  Drs.  L.  D.  Waterman,  J.  D.  Linsday,  I. 
C.  Johnson,  A.  B.  Taylor,  Kokomo ;  Nathan  Mendinthal,  S.  D.  McCann, 
New  London;  J.  W,  Clark,  E.  W.  Hinton,  L.  Kern,  Theodore  Kern, 
Alto.  In  July,  1854,  the  physicians  then  resident  in  the  county  formed 
what  is  still  in  existence,  the  Howard  County  Medical  Society,  with  nearly 
all  the  doctors  in  the  county  members.  For  a  few  years,  the  society  did 
not  do  much  in  the  way  of  improvement,  but  still  kept  up  its  meetings, 
with  limited  attendance.  In  1865,  the  society  was  re-organized,  and 
quite  an  addition  to  its  active  members  was  the  result.  Among  those 
added  were  Drs.  Darnall,  W.  K.  Mavity,  E.  W.  Hinton,  L.  Kern,  0.  H. 
Martin,  H.  C.  Cole,  R.  H.  Buck,  L.  McAllister,  William  Scott,  J.  S. 
Benson,  M.  Saville,  H.  Armstrong,  W.  T.  Akins,  J.  J.  Saville,  G.  Scott, 
L.  0.  Miller,  E.  W.  Smith,  H.  C.  Lester,  S.  T.  Murray,  J.  C.  White, 
J.  W.  C.  Eaton,  A.  A.  Covalt,  W.  B.  Cooper,  J.  V.  Hoss,  C.  M.  Ware, 
L.  Marrill,  J.  H.  Ross  Simpson,  L.  Prater,  J.  0.  Garr,  C.  J.  Kirk,  R. 
Q.  Wilson,  J.  A.  Ellis,  I.  W.  Martin,  D.  W.  Moore,  J.  McL.  Moulder, 
J.  T.  Scott,  D.  S.  Caylor,  W.  H.  Homiday.  Dr.  William  Loraax,  of 
Marion,  is  an  honorary  member. 

In  1865,  the  physicians  of  the  city  of  Kokomo  formed  a  City  Medical 
Society,  with  thirteen  members,  and  continued  to  operate  under  this 
organization  until  June,  1866,  when  a  new  constitution  and  a  new  name 
were  adopted.  From  that  time  it  has  been  known  as  the  Kokomo  Acad- 
emy of  Medicine.  This  form  of  organization,  as  the  name  would  indi- 
cate, was  intended  to  change  the  mode  somewhat  in  the  investigation  of 
medical  subjects.  The  members  are  assigned  some  particular  branch  of 
medicine,  upon  which  they  are  expected  to  write  an  essay  or  give  a  lecture. 
This  has  been  found  to  be  very  much  better  than  the  old  mode.  Since  its 
organization,  the  academy  has  been  actively  engaged,  especially  during 
the  winter  season,  and  much  greater  interest  is  manifested  by  the  mem- 
bers than  formerly,  and  the  benefits  are  manifest.  The  profession  in  this 
county  occupy  a  respectable  standing  in  the  community,  and  are  recog- 
nized abroad  as  intelligent  and  worthy  members  of  the  profession.  But 
few  cages  are  met  with  where  foreign  aid  is  called  in  to  assist,  but  among 
us  are  men  prepared  for  any  emergency  likely  to  occur.  We  have  one 
homoeopathic  physician,  Dr.  Sawyer,  who  is  enthusiastic  and  very  ener- 
getic in  his  profession,  and  in  that  school  is  well  qualified.      The  Doctor 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  85 

is  doing  quite  an  amount  of  business,  and  has  the  reputation  among  his 
customers  of  being  quite  successful.  We  have  also  one  eclectic,  Dr. 
Cooper,  who  maintains  a  fair  standing  among  those  who  favor  that  school 
of  medicine,  and  is  doing  his  share  of  business. 

HOWARD  COUNTY   NEWSPAPERS. 

Kokomo  Saturday  Tribune. — In  tracing  the  history  of  this  paper  it 
will  be  necessary  to  go  back  to  18-18,  when  the  first  newspaper  was  pub- 
lished with  the  appropriate  name  of  The  Pioneer.,  in  New  London,  and 
edited  by  Dr.  Moses  R.  Wickersham.  It  was  a  sixteen-column  sheet  and 
was  published  as  a  Free-Soil  paper  for  one  year.  After  this,  by  an  ar- 
rangement with  the  editor,  the  Whig  and  Democratic  parties  were  each 
given  a  page  of  the  paper  for  the  advocacy  of  their  distinctive  political 
views.  The  Whigs  elected  Charles  D.  Murray  as  their  advocate,  and 
the  Democrats  selected  Dr.  J.  F.  Henderson.  Wickersham  managed  the 
balance  of  the  paper  to  suit  himself.  The  Pioneer  was  published  reg- 
ularly until  1850,  when  the  office  was  sold  to  John  Bohan  and  Harles 
Ashley  and  moved  to  Kokomo,  and  on  the  30th  day  of  October,  1850, 
the  first  number  of  the  Hoivard  Tribwie  was  issued,  published  by  James 
Beard  and  edited  by  Hon.  C.  D.  Murray,  both  now  deceased.  It  was 
published  for  one  year  and  then  for  a  time  discontinued.  In  1852,  C.  B. 
Hensley,  a  Logansport  printer,  bought  the  office  and  became  editor  and 
publisher  ;  he  continued  the  publication  of  the  paper  until  1856,  when 
the  office  was  sold  to  T.  C.  Philips,  Hiram  Newlin  and  J.  H.  Young. 
Mr.  Newlin  was  a  Quaker,  and  Mr.  Young  was  a  Kentuckian,  with  strong 
pro-slavery  ideas,  andas  tbe proprietors  could  not  agree  upon  political  and 
temperance  measures,  acompromise  was  effected  and  resulted  in  giving  to  T. 
C.  Philips  the  exclusive  control  of  the  paper.  In  the  edition  o^tlieTribune 
of  January  14,  1857,  Mr.  Philips  presented  his  salutatory.  The  Tribune 
continued  as  a  six-column  folio  paper  until  1858,  and  has  been  changed 
three  times  since.  From  186-1  until  1876,  it  was  published  as  a  nine- 
column  folio,  and  in  1876  it  was  again  enlarged  to  a  six-column  quarto, 
in  which  form  it  has  continued  until  the  present  time.  The  office  of  the 
Pioneer  was  located  in  a  small  rude  hut,  situated  on  the  corner  of  Ilio-h 
and  Main  streets,  where  Mrs.  Martha  McGool  now  lives. 

The  first  issue  of  the  Howard  Tribune  was  from  the  building  known 
as  the  "'old  dead-fall.  "  The  office  was  subsequently  removed  to  a  build- 
ing owned  by  Crowley  &  Armfield,  and  used  by  them  as  a  furniture 
store.  The  entire  outfit  of  the  office  at  this  time  was  not  worth  more 
than  §600.  After  several  years,  the  office  was  moved  to  a  two-story  brick 
block  on  the  southeast  corner  of  the  public  square.  In  1862,  a  tornado 
overthrew  a  three-story  brick  block,  which  was  in  processof  being  finished 


86  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

by  Messrs.  James,  Armstrong  &  Co.,  upon  the  building  in  which  the  Trib- 
unp-  office  was  located,  totally  destroying  it,  from  the  ruins  of  which 
only  |60  worth  of  property  was  recovered.  Mr.  Philips  declined  the 
offer  of  four  gentlemen  to  furnish  the  money,  and  only  asked  that  one 
thousand  subscribers  should  advance  one  year's  subscription  ;  this  number 
was  raised  in  just  four  days  and  the  publication  of  the  paper  was  resumed 
July  31,  1862,  in  the  second  story  of  a  frame  building  on  the  east  side 
of  the  square,  owned  by  J.  M.  Leeds.  The  patronage  and  business  of 
the  paper  continued  to  increase,  and  in  1868  a  new  cylinder  press  and 
jobber  were  added  to  the  outfit  of  the  office.  In  1869,  the  business  of 
the  paper  had  increased  to  such  proportions  that  a  building  of  its  own  was 
commenced,  and  in  November  of  the  same  year  the  office  was  moved  to 
its  new  quarters,  where  it  has  since  been  published.  The  office  building  is 
large  and  commodious.  The  lower  room  is  occupied  as  a  business  office 
in  front  and  the  back  part  as  a  press  room  ;  the  upper  story  is  divided, 
and  the  rear  room  is  the  composing  room  ;  the  front  is  arranged  in  a  neat 
and  comfortable  manner  as  editorial  rooms. 

Mr.  Philips  remained  in  control  of  the  paper  until  1878,  when  he 
died.  He  had  associated  with  him,  at  different  times,  several  different 
persons,  among  them  S.  T.  Montgomery,  James  A.  Wildman,  A.  F.  and 
C.  H.  Philips  ;  the  last  two  were  admitted  to  an  interest  in  the  paper  in 
1872,  under  the  firm  name  of  T.  C.  Philips  &  Sons.  After  the  death  of 
Mr.  Philips,  T.  C.  Philips'  sons  continued  the  publication  until  1881, 
when  C.  H.  Philips  died.  This  left  A.  F.  Philips  to  continue  the  pub- 
lication of  the  paper  alone.  In  February,  1888,  he  associated  his  younger 
brother,  William  R.  Philips,  with  him,  under  the  firm  name  of  A.  F.  & 
W.  R.  Philips. 

The  history  of  the  Tribune  is  a  fair  illustration  of  what  may  be  ac- 
complished by  talent,  perseverance  and  industry.  From  a  very  small  be- 
ginning, and  in  a  locality  where  the  conveniences  and  material  of  such  an 
institution  were  difficult  to  obtain,  it  has  increased  in  its  capacity  and  in- 
fluence until  it  is  not  surpassed  by  any  county  paper  in  the  State.  Its 
literary  character  has  been  excellent,  and  through  the  efforts  of  C.  H. 
Philips,  he  succeeded  in  bringing  to  its  aid  not  only  the  best  of  home  tal- 
ent, but  a  long  list  of  foreign  contributors  of  recognized  ability  as  writers 
both  in  prose  and  poetry.  T.  C.  Philips  was  an  editor  of  the  aggressive 
kind ;  he  had  opinions  and  the  courage  to  express  them,  and  as  a  polit- 
ical writer  was  up  to  the  standard  of  the  times,  and  often  made  himself 
felt  in  the  political  contests  through  which  he  passed.  C.  H.  Philips  was 
a  pleasant  writer,  and  gave  promise  of  greater  attainments  if  his  life 
had  been  spared  him,  but  his  career  was  suddenly  checked  in  the  midst  of 
his  aspirations  for  fame  and  usefulness. 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  87 

The  Tribune,  under  its  present  management,  bids  fair  to  maintain  its 
reputation  for  usefulness.  It  adheres  to  the  political  faith  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  will  put  forth  its  best  efforts  in  sustaining  it.  It  now 
has  a  list  of  subscribers  numbering  over  2,000.  Among  the  many  con- 
tributors that  have  favored  the  Tribune  vf'ith.  special  articles,  the  following 
is  a  partial  list :  J.  C.  Walker,  Maurice  Thompson,  Crawfordsville,  Ind.; 
J.  W.  Riley,  Lee  0.  Harris,  Greenfield,  Ind. ;  Miss  M.  H.  Krout,  Mrs. 
Mary  Hartwell  Catherwood,  Oakford,  Ind. ;  Mrs.  L.  V.  Boyd,  Dublin, 
Ind.  ;  Mrs  Amy  E.  Dunn,  Indianapolis,  Ind. ;  Mrs.  Kitty  Knox,  New- 
ark, N.  J. ;  L.  N.  Cushman,  West  Meridan,  Conn. ;  Mrs.  M.  E.  Har- 
man,  Oshkosh,  Wis.,  and  many  others. 

Kokomo  Dispatch. — This  paper  also  came  up  through  great  tribulation 
in  its  early  life  and  history  to  finally  attain  to  prominence  and  influence. 
The  starting  of  a  Democratic  paper  was,  under  the  circumstances,  rather 
a  bold  undertaking ;  the  Democrats  in  Howard  County  had  but  a  feeble 
organization  at  that  time,  and  did  not  know  to  what  extent  they  could 
depend  on  the  rank  and  file  of  the  party  to  stand  by  them  in  this  risky 
undertaking.  The  starting  point  of  the  Dispatch  was  a  paper  called  the 
Radical  Democrat.  William  J.  Turpin,  of  Tipton,  who  had  published 
the  Tipton  Times,  and,  having  sold  that  paper,  came  to  Kokomo  in  the 
early  spring  of  1870,  full  of  the  idea  of  founding  a  Democratic  paper  in 
the  unpromising  regions  of  Howard  County.  The  first  number  of  his 
paper  was  published  on  the  18th  day  of  May,  1870,  and  when  his  bold 
venture  Avas  launched  before  the  public  he  received  the  encouragement  of 
many  prominent,  but  not  hopeful.  Democrats ;  and  their  fears  were  not 
to  be  made  light  of,  when  it  was  known  that  the  majority  against  them 
was  from  1.000  to  1,200,  they  casting  but  little  over  1,000  votes  in  the 
county.  But  notwithstanding  all  these  discouragements,  Mr.  Turpin 
started  with  a  few  hundred  subscribers.  A  temporary  contract  was  made 
with  the  then  Kokomo  Journal,  a  Republican  paper,  to  do  the  com- 
position of  the  new  venture,  and  another  with  the  Tribune  to  do  the  press 
work.  But  little  hope  was  entertained  that  the  Democratic  infant  would 
survive  the  campaign  of  1870.  Thus,  without  a  type,  press  or  a  dollar, 
the  Radical  Democrat  was  given  to  the  world. 

Mr.  Turpin  was  assisted  in  his  editorial  labors  by  John  W.  Kern,  who 
was  that  year  the  regularly  nominated  candidate  of  the  Democratic  party 
for  Representative.  After  the  first  number  was  issued,  it  was  decided  to 
drop  the  word  Radical  from  the  name  of  the  paper,  and  in  subsequent 
issues  it  was  simply  the  Democrat. 

On  the  3d  of  August,  Mr.  Turpin  withdrew  from  the  paper  as  editor, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  John  M.  Goar,  then  of  Tipton,  but  now  editor  of 
the  Newcastle  Democrat.    On  October  27,  after  the  close  of  the  campaign. 


88  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Mr.  Goar  retired  from  the  editorial  control  of  the  paper.  A  joint-stock 
company  was  at  once  formed  of  ^1,000  capital,  to  continue  the  publica- 
tion of  the  paper,  and  Dr.  John  F.  Henderson  was  elected  editor  and 
manager.  A  second-hand  press  and  some  type  were  purchased,  and 
for  the  first  time  the  Democrat  was  considered  a  fixed  fiict.  The  party 
now  began  to  have  faith  in  the  perpetuity  of  their  organ  in  Howard 
County.  Faith  grew  into  confidence  and  the  experiment  of  only  a  few 
months  ago  was  now  a  realization.  As  the  liabilities  of  the  concern  be- 
came due,  Dr.  Henderson  paid  them  out  of  his  own  private  funds,  and  in 
a  short  time,  without  any  purpose  on  his  part,  he  became  sole  owner  of 
the  paper.  In  April,  1871,  the  name  of  the  paper  was  again  changed  to 
that  of  the  Kokomo  Dispatch.  It  was  now  Dr.  Henderson's  ambition  to 
place  the  paper  on  a  sure  and  paying  basis,  even  at  the  cost  of  several 
thousand  dollars.  He  was  determined  that  a  Democratic  paper  should 
be  sustained  in  Howard  County.  The  Democracy  of  Howard  County 
are  to-day  indebted  to  Dr.  J.  F.  Henderson  for  the  existence  of  a  Demo- 
cratic paper;  the  Doctor  was  willing  and  did  make  the  sacrifice  necessary 
to  establish  it,  else  most  likely  they  would  have  no  paper  in  the  county. 

On  January  9,  1873,  J.  0.  Henderson,  then  fresh  from  college,  was 
admitted  as  an  editorial  writer  and  part  owner  in  the  concern.  In 
September,  1873,  the  Dispatch  moved  into  its  present  commodious  quar- 
ters in  the  Opera  House.  Dr.  Henderson  had  in  mind  a  permanent 
home  for  his  paper,  and  conceiving  the  project  of  the  Opera  House,  he, 
in  connection  with  other  citizens,  proceeded  to  build  it.  After  attaining 
the  object  of  his  desire  in  regard  to  the  paper,  and  feeling  satisfied  that 
its  life  was  assured,  on  May  21, 1874,  the  Doctor  formally  retired,  giving 
up  his  interest  in  the  management  of  the  paper,  and  was  succeeded  by  H. 
E.  Henderson.  The  Doctor,  in  turning  over  the  paper  to  his  sons,  did  it 
by  bidding  his  patrons  and  the  public  farewell  in  a  very  original  and 
characteristic  valedictory. 

One  of  the  first  things  done  by  the  "boy  editors,"  as  the  new  pro- 
prietors were  called,  was  to  thoroughly  refit  the  office  throughout,  and  en- 
large the  paper  to  a  nine-column  folio  sheet ;  they  purchased  new  type, 
book,  news  and  job,  two  new  job  steam  presses  for  the  paper,  capable  of 
printing  1,500  impressions  per  hour.  They  expended  $2,500  at  the  out- 
set, and  paid  every  dollar  of  it  out  of  the  profits  of  the  office  before  their 
obligations  became  due.  On  January  27,  1876,  the  name  of  the  paper 
was  again  changed  to  the  Kokomo  Dispatch,  the  name  it  has  ever  since 
borne.  On  December  11,  1879,  the  form  was  changed  from  a  folio  to  a 
quarto,  its  present  form. 

The  life  of  the  Kokomo  Dispatch  has  been  an  eventful  one,  commenc- 
ing with  doubtful  prospects,  and  a  very  few  hundred  subscribers;  it   now 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  89 

has  an  assured  foundation  to  rest  upon,  with  over  2,000- subscribers,  and 
the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  best  Democratic  papers  in  the  State, 
and  bids  fair  to  be  of  extended  and  lasting  usefulness  to  its  party  and  the 
cornmunity.  The  "boy  editors"  are  deserving  of  great  credit  for  their 
energy,  tact,  and  perseverance  in  the  conduct  of  their  paper ;  they  have 
without  doubt  made  the  paper  a  power  in  its  field  of  operation. 

Kokomo  Gazette. — This  paper  was  established  in  October,  1879,  by 
William  Gause  and  Ed  E,  Russell,  editors  and  proprietors.  Mr.  Russell 
in  a  short  time  went  out  of  the  concern,  and  Gause  continued  it  alone  for 
several  months.  He  then  associated  with  him  F.  M.  Gideon ;  they  to- 
gether ran  the  paper  until  some  time  in  1880,  when  Gause  withdrew  from 
it,  and  Gideon  continued  it  alone  for  a  short  period,  when  Omar  Maris 
was  taken  in  as  a  partner.  They  continued  it  together  for  some  time  and 
Gideon  retired,  leaving  Maris  to  run  it  alone  for  another  short  period. 
Subsequently  Ed  Prichard  took  au  interest  in  this  paper,  and  in  a  few 
weeks  bought  out  Maris,  and  he  continued  it  alone,  until  some  time  in 
1881.  In  July,  1881,  Mr.  L.  C.  Hoss  became  a  partner,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Prichard  &  Hoss,  and  so  continued  until  September,  1881,  when 
Prichard  sold  his  interest  to  J.  M.  Runk,  and  Hoss  &  Runk  continued  it 
until  November,  1882,  when  Hoss  purchased  Runk's  interest,  since 
which  time  Hoss  has  continued  it  alone. 

The  G-azette  has  ample  facilities  for  doing  job  work,  having  recently 
added  a  new  Gordon  jobber.  They  have  a  cylinder  press  which  is  run  by 
steam,  upon  which  the  paper  is  printed.  Before  Maris  &  Prichard  took 
charge  of  the  paper,  its  criculation  was  small ;  they  succeeded  in  increasing 
it  to  about  1,500.  Up  to  about  the  time  they  got  the  paper,  the  press-work 
was  done  at  the  Dispatch  office.  They  procured  a  cylinder  press,  and  the 
paper  started  on  a  new  era  of  prosperity,  Mr.  Prichard  being  the  lead- 
ing spirit  in  its  progress.  Since  the  Gazette  has  been  under  its  present 
management,  the  circulation  has  been  increased  to  over  2,000, 

The  Gazette  is  a  newsy,  readable  paper,  thoroughly  Republican  in  poli- 
tics ;  the  ambition  of  its  editor  is  to  make  it  a  permanent,  creditable  and 
reliable  paper.  During  its  history,  it  has  twice  for  a  short  time  been  run 
as  a  daily — first  by  Gause  &  Gideon,  and  afterward  by  Prichard.  The 
paper  is  now  a  six-column  quarto,  and  well  printed. 

The  Russiaville  Observer — Is  published  in  Russiaville,  Howard  Coun- 
ty. This  paper  was  founded  in  December,  1881,  by  Abram  Cosand.  After 
several  other  journalistic  efi"orts  had  been  abandoned,  Mr.  Cosand  has 
succeeded  in  establishing  his  paper  upon  a  good,  sound,  financial  basis,  and 
has  also  secured  a  good  paying  subscription  and  good  job  business.  By 
pluck  and  industry,  he  will  doubtless  succeed. 

Following  is  a  list  of  some  of  the  defunct  papers  published  for  a  short 


90  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

time  in  Kokomo  :  Hoivard  County  Citizen,  Home  Journal,  Tndependenty 
Daily  and  Weekly  Herald,  Western  Independent,  Kokomo  Journal,  the 
Republican,  the  Kokomo  Granger. 

AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 

Agi-icultural  fairs  were  held  at  an  early  day  in  the  county,  but  the 
history  of  the  efforts  in  this  direction  are  extinct,  and  nothing  remains 
but  the  indistinct  remembrance  of  them.  The  success  attending  their 
early  life  was  varied  by  alternate  tailure,  but  nevertheless  some  good  fol- 
owed  each  effort,  as  was  evident  from  the  increase  of  quantities  and  qual- 
ity of  products,  and  the  manifest  spirit  of  improvement  aroused  among 
the  producing  communities.  The  apparent  want  of  success  that  still  at- 
tends them  is  by  many  attributed  to  the  kind  of  management  introduced. 
There  is  no  doubt  but  some  things,  intended  to  render  the  exhibitions 
more  attractive,  have  been  of  very  questionable  propriety  and  many  have 
ceased  to  patronize  them  on  that  account. 

In  1869,  there  was  a  society  organized,  with  Col.  W.  Blanche  at  the 
head.  This  organization  obtained  the  use  by  lease  of  the  present  site  of  the 
fair  grounds,  from  David  Foster,  for  ten  years,  with  the  privilege  of  buying 
it  at  any  time  for  flOO  per  acre.  This  organization  was  upon  a  life 
membership  plan,  and  was  not  a  success.  Since  then  a  joint-stock 
company  has  been  formed,  and  named  "  Howard  County  Agricultural 
Association ;  "  it  purchased  the  fair  grounds  of  Mr.  Foster,  in  all  about 
thirty-three  acres.  The  object  in  view  was  to  render  the  association  per- 
manent in  its  character,  so  as  to  bring  to  its  aid  an  increased  and  general 
interest  in  its  prosperity  and  usefulness.  Its  success  up  to  the  present 
time  has  been  variable. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  of  the  good  effects  that  have  resulted  from  its 
influence,  although  it  has  had  to  contend  against  many  discouragements, 
some  of  which  have  grown  out  of  the  management  of  the  concern.  There 
can  be  no  question  of  the  propriety  of  continuing  this  association,  and  in 
order  to  correct  any  mistakes  or  improper  proceedings,  more  of  the  men 
and  women  of  the  county  should  take  a  more  active  part  in  it. 

That  the  efforts  put  forth,  first  and  last,  by  the  association  have 
been  productive  of  benefit  can  scarcely  be  doubted.  We  have  only  to 
look  over  the  county  to  get  the  evidence  of  it,  in  the  character  and  ex- 
tent of  the  improvement  that  has  been  made  and  is  now  making  in  farms, 
stock,  grain  and  everything  raised  in  the  county.  But  a  few  years  since 
a  good  horse  was  hard  to  find;  now  one  man  ships  a  car  load  of  fine 
horses  from  here  every  month ;  and  has  been  doing  it  for  two  years  or 
more,  and  still  there  are  plenty  of  good  horses  in  the  county.     The  same 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  91 

is  true  of  cattle  and  hogs.     Finer  stock  of  all  kinds  than  is  here  raised  in 
abundance  is  hard  to  find. 

But  now,  in  the  wind-up  of  this  matter,  we  are  under  the  necessity  of 
recording  the  fact  that  the  association  failed  to  keep  their  grounds,  hav- 
ing mortgaged  them  for  the  purchase  money,  and,  failing  to  pay,  the  mort- 
gage was  foreclosed,  the  land  sold  at  Sheriff's  sale  and  was  purchased 
by  Walter  Hooper,  who  leases  it  to  the  association  when  they  use  it. 

PATRONS    OF   HUSBANDRY. 

The  Patrons  of  Husbandry  was  first  instituted  in  this  county  at  Ver- 
mont Schoolhouse,  Howard  Township,  July  25,  1873.  Since  then, 
some  thirty-six  granges  have  been  established,  and  for  a  time  they  ap- 
peared to  be  prosperous  and  doing  a  good  work  among  the  farmers. 
Some  seven  or  eight  of  the  granges  built  themselves  good  houses  in 
which  to  hold  their  meetings,  and  were  for  a  time  prompt  in  their  atten- 
tioFn  to  the  interests  of  the  institution,  but  the  newness  wore  off  and  the 
interest  flagged,  and  now  most  of  the  granges  are  about  dead,  or  at  least 
not  doing  anything  and  only  have  a  nominal  existence. 

With  an  intelligent  understanding  of  the  objects  and  aims  of  such  an 
organization,  and  a  desire  for  improvement  in  the  various  directions  that 
it  afforded,  and  especially  the  material  and  social  features  of  it,  a  vast 
amount  of  enduring  good  might  be  the  result.  The  young  men  of  the 
country  might  be  developed  into  an  intellectual  and  moral  standing,  that 
many  of  them  will  never  attain  without  something  of  the  kind  to  lead 
them  on.  This  consideration  alone  is  sufficient,  if  properly  viewed,  to 
induce  the  older  men  with  boys  growing  up  to  exert  themselves  to  sustain 
an  institution  of  the  kind  in  every  neighborhood.  The  farmers  of  this 
county  should  have  an  ambition  for  their  sons  that  looks  farther  than  the 
daily  routine  of  labor  on  the  farm.  The  acquisition  of  wealth  is  not  the 
only  or  greatest  object  of  an  intelligent  mind  in  the  pursuit  of  what  will 
make  for  his  greatest  happiness,  or  secure  a  recognition  in  society  or  ren- 
der him  a  useful  member  of  a  community.  Money  is  but  a  poor  substitute 
for  merit,  which  alone  gives  character  that  is  desirable.  Granges,  when 
conducted  properly  within  their  legitimate  sphere,  would  redound  greatly 
to  the  benefit  of  all  who  participated  in  them. 

There  are  still  one  or  two  granges  in  operation  in  the  county,  and 
these  might  be  made  a  rallying  point  from  which  to  revive  the  benefits  of 
the  organization  generally. 

ANTI-HORSE-THIEF   SOCIETY. 

A  company  for  the  detection  of  horse-thieves  presented  their  articles 
of  organization  to  the  board  and  were  recognized  as  a  legally  constituted 


92  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

body.  This  occurred  in  September,  1858.  In  September,  1871,  L. 
Kern  and  others  organized  the  "  Wild  Cat  Horse-Thief  Detective  Com- 
pany," and  on  presenting  their  articles  of  association  were  recognized  as  a 
legally  constituted  body.  Since  that  time,  nothing  further  has  been  re- 
corded of  them. 

CRIMES    AND    CASUALTIES. 

The  history  of  crime  in  Howard  has  nothing  in  it  that  is  especially 
diiferent  from  crime  in  other  localities ;  the  amount  of  it  is  not  any 
greater  here  than  in  the  average  communities  around,  and  in  presenting 
it  we  shall  not  attempt  anything  more  than  a  simple  statement  of  the 
graver  cases : 

The  first  killing,  and  perhaps  the  least  objectionable  one,  was  that  of 
Jesse  Lane  by-  John  Brohard,  in  an  affray.  Lane  was  struck  in  the 
region  of  the  stomach  by  Brohard,  and  died  in  a  few  minutes.  Brohard  was 
acquitted  on  a  charge  of  manslaughter,  but  fined  on  a  charge  of  an 
affray. 

The  next  case  was  the  killing  of  Elisha  McCool  by  Henry  Shank, 
about  the  8th  day  of  January,  1853.  The  trial  of  the  cause  was  protracted 
from  time  to  time.  The  accused  was  once  convicted  of  murder  in  the 
second  degree,  but,  obtaining  a  new  trial,  was  finally  acquitted  for  want 
of  prosecution.  [This  case  is  related  more  in  detail  in  the  Circuit  Court 
record.]  In  the  fall  of  1866,  N.  C.  Allen  was  killed  by  H.  C.  Cole,  who 
met  Allen  at  the  door  of  the  post  office  and  shot  him  four  times,  killing 
him  instantly.  Cole  was  arrested,  had  a  preliminary  trial,  and  was  com- 
mitted without  bail,  but  after  some  weeks  he  was  admitted  to  bail.  When 
court  came  on,  he  took  a  change  of  venue  to  Tipton  County,  where  he 
was  tried  and  acquitted  on  a  plea  of  insanity,  when  that  plea  was  so  pop- 
ular that  few  murderers  failed  to  make  it. 

On  November  18,1869,  for  an  alleged  provocation,  Daugherty  shot  and 
killed  Joseph  Vanhorn,  for  which  he  was  arrested.  He  also  took  a  change 
of  venue  to  Tipton  County,  whete  he  was  tried  and  acquitted  ;  upon  what 
grounds  was  never  certainly  known  ;  some  say  one  thing  and  some 
another ;  by  many,  the  trial  was  regarded  as  a  farce. 

March  31,  1876,  Jesse  Kelly  and  Charles  Hawkins  had  a  diflBculty  at 
the  "  Junction"  and  fought.  During  the  fight,  Hawkins  stabbed  Kelly  with 
a  dirk  knife  in  the  right  side,  the  knife  entering  to  some  distance  into  the 
liver,  from  the  effects  of  which  Kelly  died  some  time  afterward  ;  Hawkins 
was  tried  and  convicted  of  manslaughter  and  sentenced  to  prison  for  four 
years. 

May  21,  1875,  a  Mr.  Slyter  killed  a  man  named  A.  P.  Jones,  in  the 
east  end  of  the  county  ;  Slyter  was  tried  and  acquitted  on  a  plea  of  self- 
defense. 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  93 

October  4,  1879,  Alexander  Combs  shot  and  killed  George  W.  Olinger 
for  alleged  intercourse  with  Combs'  wife.  Combs  was  tried,  found  guilty 
and  was  sentenced  to  ten  years   in  the  penitentiary. 

August  22,  1877,  Michael  Gillooley  shot  and  killed  Thomas  W.  Lan- 
non  at  the  "Junction  "  for  the  alleged  interference  in  his  relations  with 
some  youhig  woman  of  the  neighborhood.  Giving  way  to  strong  drink 
and  yielding  to  the  taunting  and  jeers  of  a  vile  gang  called  the  MoUihan 
gang,  who  mostly  congregated  about  the  "  Junction,  "  he  became  desper- 
ate and  shot  Lannon  dead,  for  which  he  was  arrested  and  tried  for  murder 
in  the  first  degree,  found  guilty  and  sentenced  to  hang,  but  upon  the 
representation  made  to  Gov.  Williams,  his  sentence  was  commuted  to 
imprisonment  for  life. 

On  the  night  of  September  19,  1881,  Dr.  Henry  C.  Cole,  Mayor  of 
the  city  of  Kokomo  at  that  time,  was  shot  and  killed  at  the  Spring  Mills 
in  Kokomo,  by  a  Sheriif's  posse. 

In  1860  or  1861,  an  old  man  by  the  name  of  Davis  resided  in  Fair- 
field ;  he  and  his  son,  J.  W.  Davis,  had  some  trouble,  when  the  son 
struck  his  father  with  a  stick  of  wood,  and  fractured  his  skull,  of  which 
injury  the  old  man  died.  What  was  done  with  young  Davis  I  am  unable 
to  find  out. 

LYNCHING. 

On  June  7,  1863,  two  men  came  riding  into  Kokomo  on  stolen 
horses,  and  rode  up  to  the  livery  stable  of  John  and  Nelson  Cooper,  on 
the  north  side  of  the  public  square.  N.  Cooper,  and  H.  H.  Stewart, 
Deputy  Sheriff,  were  on  the  lookout  for  these  men  and  horses,  and  as  soon 
as  they  rode  up,  Nelson  Cooper  took  hold  of  the  bridle  of  the  horse  of 
the  forward  man,  who  drew  his  revolver  and  shot  Cooper  dead,  and  then 
attempted  to  shoot  Stewart,  but  missed  him,  the  ball  taking  effect  in  the 
body  of  Rev.  John  Low,  Sr.,  an  old  citizen  and  a  worthy,  highly  respected 
man,  who  happened  on  the  ground  just  as  the  men  came  up.  Stewart 
had  attempted  to  secure  the  other  man  and  horse  but  failed,  and  they 
both  turned  there  horses  and  fled.  Henry  Stewart,  who  happened  to  be 
home  from  the  army,  and  was  on  the  street  at  the  time,  drew  his  revolver 
and  fired  on  the  murderer  as  he  rode  off,  the  ball  taking  effect  in  the 
man's  hip,  when  he  fell  from  his  horse  and  was  captured ;  the  other  man 
made  his  escape,  though  hotly  pursued,  but  was  afterward  captured, 
taken  to  Indianapolis  and  sent  to  the  penitentiary. 

This  horrible  tragedy  stunned  the  community  for  a  time ;  the  men 
killed  were  highly  respected  and  valuable  citizens,  and  the  feeling  ran 
deep.  Mr.  Low  lingered  for  some  hours  before  he  died,  and  every 
hour  increased  the  excitement ;  men  from  the  surrounding  country  came 
into   town,   consultations  were  numerous,  and   it  soon   became  manifest 


94  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

that  some  decisive  action  was  contemplated.  Mr.  Cooper  was  buried ; 
a  large  crowd  was  assembled ;  among  them  arrangements  were  made, 
and  when  night  came  on  they  assembled  at  the  jail,  and  by  force  secured 
the  keys,  opened  the  jail  door  and  took  out  the  prisoner  and  conducted 
him  to  the  public  square,  where  arrangements  were  speedily  completed  for 
the  purpose  of  hanging,  and  the  prisoner  was  told  to  say  his  prayers,  but 
instead  of  doing  this  he  put  the  rope  about  his  own  neck  and  defied  the 
crowd  to  do  their  worst  and  expressed  regret  that  he  had  not  killed  others 
while  he  was  about  it. 

While  he  was  taunting  the  crowd,  some  one  kicked  the  boxes  from 
under  him  upon  which  he  stood  and  he  swung  by  the  neck,  and  was  left 
there  until  the  next  morning,  when  he  was  cut  down  and  buried.  He 
never  divulged  his  name,  and  it  is  not  known  yet.  He  alleged  that 
liquor  was  the  cause  of  his  being  in  that  situation. 

In  1849,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Brewer  was  supposed  to  be,  and  most 
likely  was,  killed  by  lynching.  One  Elijah  Tyre  had  married  a  woman 
to  whom  this  Brewer  had  paid  some  attentions,  but  had  left  the  country 
for  a  time.  He  some  time  after  returned  and  made  efforts  to  re-establish 
his  former  relations  with  the  woman.  To  this  Mr.  Tyre  objected. 
Brewer  and  the  woman  met  one  night  at  David  Garinger's,  when  it  was 
imagined  they  were  arranging  to  elope.  Tyre  got  some  friends  to  help 
him,  and  after  masking  themselves  they  repaired  to  the  house  of  Garinger, 
where  they  found  Brewer,  seized  him  and  conveyed  him  to  some  distance 
from  the  house  and  tied  him  to  a  tree,  and,  as  is  supposed,  literally 
whipped  the  man  to  death,  as  quite  a  number  of  switches  were  found  near 
the  tree  badly  worn  from  use,  and  bloody.  The  man  Brewer  has  never 
been  heard  of  since. 

The  next  case  of  lynching  was  perpetrated  on  the  night  of  April  o, 
1881,  by  the  hanging  of  Richard  Long.  On  Saturday  night  previous,  Mr. 
Ed  Prichard's  little  three-year-old  daughter  was  taken  from  its  cradle 
and  carried  into  the  back  yard,  where  an  outrage  was  attempted  upon  her 
person ;  she  returned  into  the  house  and  awoke  her  mother,  who  cared  for 
the  child,  but  made  no  discoveries  until  morning,  when,  from  the  com- 
plaining of  the  child,  it  was  discovered  she  had  in  some  way  been  injured. 
This  man  Long  had  been  around  and  acting  strangely,  and  by  his  con- 
duct excited  some  suspicion.  He  was  finally  arrested  and  put  in  jail  on 
Sunday.  All  sorts  of  rumors  were  in  circulation,  and  diligent  search  and 
inquiry  were  instituted  to  get  evidence  to  convict  him  of  the  outrage  upon 
the  child.  The  news  of  the  occurrence  spread  rapidly,  and  a  large  crowd 
was  assembled  near  the  jail  most  of  the  day  on  Sunday,  and  it  was  thought 
the  attempt  to  lynch  him  that  night  would  be  made.  But  the  crowd 
assembled,  or  that  portion  of  it  that  contemplated  the  lynching,  had  not 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  95 

succeeded  in  imbibing  a  sufficient  amount  of  artificial  courage,  and  con- 
cluded to-  await  until  the  next  night.  During  Monday,  other  criminal 
acts  of  Long  were  developed,  and  added  to  the  excitement.  Men  from 
Rochester  came  down  and  identified  a  horse,  a  watch  and  a  pair  of  boots, 
as  stolen  property.  This  fact  settled  the  character  of  Long  in  the  minds 
of  the  crowd,  and  added  to  what  was  alleged  as  connecting  him  with  the 
outrage  on  this  child,  settled  the  question. 

On  Monday  afternoon  the  excitement  seemed  to  subside,  but  it  was 
noticeable  that  those  who  favored  lynching  were  frequently  seen  together, 
holding  whispered  consultations.  It  was  more  and  more  evident  that 
extreme  measures  were  contemplated.  Soon  after  midnight,  a  masked  mob 
assembled  at  the  jail  and  proceeded  to  cut  the  lock  oft"  of  the  door  with  a 
cold  chisel,  and  thus  effected  an  entrance.  The  prisoner  was  secured  and 
marched  to  the  iron  bridge  at  the  foot  of  Main  street.  The  mob  took 
possession  of  the  bridge  and  would  not  allow  any  to  pass  but  their  own 
crowd,  except  Mr.  McCune,  the  minister  of  the  Congregational  Church, 
who  talked  to  and  prayed  with  the  prisoner.  J.  F.  Vaile  made  a  stirring 
appeal  to  the  mob  to  desist,  but  to  no  purpose ;  they  had  come  to  hang 
the  man  and  were  not  to  be  diverted  from  their  purpose.  Before  Long 
was  swung  oft",  he  asked  to  be  allowed  to  sing  a  song,  which  was  granted 
him,  when  he  sung,  in  a  clear  and  distinct  manner  and  voice,  two  or  three 
verses  of  the  song,  "Keep  my  grave  green,"  after  which  the  supports 
upon  which  he  stood  were  removed,  and  he  hung  there  by  the  neck  until 
dead.  After  he  was  dead,  he  was  cut  down  and  carried  to  the  court 
house,  and  next  day  buried. 

Other  Tragedies. — On  the  night  of  February  27, 1868,  a  Mrs,  Binns, 
living  in  Russiaville,  while  sitting  in  her  room  at  work,  was  shot  and 
fatally  wounded,  but  lived  ninety  days  before  death.  Her  husband,  from 
whom  she  had  been  separated  sometime,  was  suspected  of  committing  the 
crime,  and  was  finally  arrested,  tried  and  convicted,  but  got  a  new  trial ; 
was  brought  back  from  prison  and  again  tried  and  convicted,  and  again 
got  a  new  trial,  and  was  again  convicted,  and  is  now  in  the   penitentiary. 

November  3,  1875,  David  Robinson,  living  in  the  east  end  of  the 
county,  presumably  when  in  a  state  of  mental  derangement,  attempted  to 
kill  his  family.  He  succeeded  in  killing  tw^o  of  his  children,  and  badly 
wounding  the  third  child  and  also  his  wife.  He  then  came  to  Kokomo, 
and  boarded  a  train  going  south,  and  somewhere  beyond  Fairfield  jumped 
from  the  train  and  was  killed. 

February  10,  1875,  John  Sprunce,  living  in  Kokomo,  was  killed  by 
his  son  William,  who  beat  him  on  the  head  with  a  wagon  felloe ;  William 
made  his  escape  and  was  never  tried  for  his  crime. 

A  man    named    John    W.  Moore  was  attacked  upon  the  street  of 


96  HISTORY  OF  HOAVARD  COUNTY. 

Kokomo,  and  struck  with  a  sand  bag,  from  the  eifects  of  which  he  died 
soon  after.  Strong  suspicions  were  entertained  against  several  persons, 
but  on  trial  nothing  conclusive  was  proven.  This  occurred  on  the  14th 
day  of  August,  1878. 

October  14,  1875,  near  Tampico,  Jacob  Warwick  got  in  trouble  about 
a  saw  mill,  with  James  D.  Pratt  and  Abraham  Garr,  which  culminated  in 
the  shooting  of  Warwick  by  Pratt  and  Garr.  They  were  both  tried  for 
the  murder,  but  through  some  quirk  and  ledgerdemain  practiced  upon 
the  jury,  both  were  acquitted  ;  but  Warwick  was  dead  notwithstanding. 

June  18,  1880,  Jacob  Vogus,  an  old  man  who  resided  in  the  south- 
west part  of  the  county,  came  to  town  ;  his  son  James  was  also  in  town. 
They  met  at  Jake  Maas'  saloon,  when  James  asked  his  father  for  mone}^ 
but  the  father  refused;  some  words  passed,  when  James  drew  his  revolver 
and  shot  his  father  two  or  three  times,  of  which  injuries  he  died  the  next 
day.  James  Vogus  was  arrested,  tried,  convicted  and  sentenced  to  the 
penitentiary  for  life. 

May  20,  1882,  two  miles  south  of  Kokomo,  Leander  Carter 
(colored)  was  attacked  by  Elijah  Martindale  (colored),  who  beat  him  over 
the  head  with  a  board,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  died  soon  after. 
Martindale  made  his  escape. 

Suicide. — Many  years  ago  one  Scott  Mitchel  resided  here,  and 
was  a  hard-working  man  when  not  drinking;  he  got  tired  and  discouraged 
with  the  conflicts  and  turmoils  of  life  and  concluded  to  try  the  realities 
of  the  unknown,  which  he  did  by  blowing  his  brains  out  with  a  shot-gun. 

In  connection  with  the  foregoing,  it  is  proper  to  mention  that  several 
persons  have  been  found  dead  upon  the  railroad  track,  northwest  of  the 
junction.  The  theory  of  their  death  given  out  was  that  they  had 
laid  down  and  went  to  sleep,  and  a  passing  train  had  killed  them  ;  but 
there  were  such  appearances  about  some  of  them  that  precluded  that  idea; 
although  an  investigation  failed  to  develop  any  other  cause,  there  evi- 
dently was  some  other  cause,  although  it  could  not  be  brought  to  light. 
A  desperate  gang  of  fellows  that  were  in  the  habit  of  lounging  around 
the  Junction,  called  the  Mollihan  gang,  were  supposed  to  be  concerned  in 
these  cases,  and  since  Mollihan  has  been  run  off,  no  more  cases  of  this 
kind  occur.  The  gang,  after  losing  their  leader,  have  mostly  dispersed, 
and  have  ceased  their  depredations. 

CONCLUSION. 

In  conclusion,  we  look  back  over  the  history  of  the  county  and  feel 
that  we,  as  a  people,  have  a  right  to  have  some  pride  in  view  of  our  prog- 
ress during  the  thirty-eiglvt  years  we  have  been  here.  Coming  in  when 
it  was  all   a  howling  wilderness,  cutting  away  the  brush  to  get  room  to 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  97 

camp  on  for  the  night,  cooking  our  meals  at  a  log-heap,  and  eating  off  the 
ground  for  a  table  and  the  cold  earth  for  a  bed.  getting  a  drink  from  the 
branch  or  slough,  and  no  neighbor  anywhere  near  that  we  knew  of,  with 
the  weird  and  mournful  hooting  of  the  owl  and  the  croaking  of  the  mill- 
ion of  frogs,  the  annoying  hum  of  the  musquito  to  put  us  to  sleep,  we 
feel  that  we  have  the  right  not  only  to  feel  proud,  but  to  be  glad  that  we 
are  out  of  the  woods. 

The  first  settling  of  new  countries  is  in  most  instances  very  much  the 
same  everywhere  since  t|ie  days  of  Indian  fighting,  and  our  experi- 
ences were  not  remarkable  in  most  that  transpired.  Cabins  of  various 
dimensions  and  forms  were  built  up  all  through  the  woods,  and  finally 
formed  into  neighborhoods  or  settlements,  and  intercourse  with  each 
other  was  gradually  established  and  extended  until  the  pleasures  of  social 
life  were  appearing  among  the  people.  Social  intercourse  in  those  days 
meant  something  ;  it  was  heartily  enjoyed  and  highly  appreciated.  Each 
one  was  ready  to  go  to  the  aid  of  his  neighbor  in  sickness  or  to  give  him 
a  lift  at  his  log-rolling  or  house-raising  without  grudging  the  time  or  the 
labor. 

Occasionally  families  would  get  together  and  enjoy  a  day  of  vis- 
iting, recounting  the  trials  and  privations  of  life  in  a  new  country,  but  at 
the  same  time  taking  encouragement  from  the  prospect  ahead  of  a  good 
fiirm,  comfortable  houses  and  plenty  around  to  live  on  and  make  the  bal- 
ance of  life  pleasant  and  happy — and  many  are  now  in  the  enjoyment  of 
these  anticipated  blessings  ;  others  have  succumbed  to  the  burden  of 
labor,  exposure  and  disease,  and  have  passeil  away  to  a  life  where  priva- 
tions, disease  and  death  are  no  more. 

The  first  settlement  of  a  new  country  is  generally  attended  with  quite 
an  amount  of  sickness;  especially  is  this  the  case  in  the  Western  country  ; 
that  this  is  true,  many  living  in  Howard  County  can  testify,  so  far  as  this 
locality  is  concerned,  at  least. 

A  person  may  go  into  the  dense  forests  of  this  region,  clear  out 
the  underbrush,  build  a  cabin  "just  big  enough  to  hold  Queen  Mab  in," 
and  live  there  for  years  and  not  get  sick;  but  let  him  commence  and  clear 
off  the  heavy  timber  and  open  up  the  ground  to  the  unrestrained  action  of 
the  summer  sun,  and  before  the  summer  is  ended  he  will  shake  with  the 
ague,  and  year  after  year,  as  the  process  of  clearing  progresses,  the  ague 
in  some  form  will  hang  on  ;  he  will  work  and  shake,  then  shake  and 
work,  get  discouraged  and  conclude  that  as  soon  as  he  and  his  family  are 
well  enough  he  will  leave  for  more  genial  climes.  But  as  winter  comes 
on  and  the  ague  mostly  quits,  he  thinks  better  of  it  and  concludes  it 
would  be  too  much  of  a  sacrifice  to  lose  all  he  has  done,  so  he  determines 
to  try  it  another  season.      Next  summer  and  fall  he  is  likely  to  have 


98  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUiNTY. 

more  ague,  but  it  is  not  quite  so  persistent  in  its  attacks,  and  he  has 
more  time  in  which  he  can  hibor  and  raise  the  necessaries  of  life.  He 
also  finds  his  land  very  productive  and  easily  tended,  and  thinks  the 
ague  will  quit,  which  it  will,  and  he  gives  up  the  idea  of  leaving,  goes  on 
with  his  work,  succeeds  in  making  a  farm  that  produces  all  he  wants  and 
a  nice  surplus  for  sale  ;  and  now  you  find  him  a  well-to-do-farmer,  with 
all  the  comforts  of  life  around  him,  and  in  his  old  age  taking  his  ease. 
But  the  clearing  and  cultivation  of  the  ground  is  not  all  that  he  has 
brought  about  in  the  improvement  in  the  healthfulness  of  the  country. 
At  an  early  day,  the  farmers  became  aware  of  the  benefits  to  be  se- 
cured by  draining  the  wet  lands.  To  this  end  the  creeks  and  branches 
were  cleared  of  obstructions  to  the  rapid  flow  of  water,  securing  by 
this  means  an  outlet  to  other  drains  that  were  to  be  made  artificially. 
Of  this  kind  of  work,  an  immense  amount  has  been  done.  So  extensive 
is  the  drainage  of  the  county  that  you  can  scarcely  find  a  twenty-acre 
lot  that  is  not  more  or  less  thoroughly  drained  by   tile  drains. 

At  an  early  day,  much  of  the  land  was  regarded  as  swamp  land,  so  much 
so  that,  when  all  the  land  was  entered  up  at  $2  per  acre  that  men  were 
willing  to  take,  the  balance  was  all  returned  as  swamp  land  and  sold  as 
such.  But  to-day  you  will  have  to  hunt  a  good  while  to  find  any  swamp 
land  in  Howard  County.  It  is  regarded  as  a  low  estimate  that  of  tile- 
drains  there  are  600,000  rods,  and  of  public  or  company  ditches  there 
are  150,  that  cost  from  $300  to  $15,000,  and  more  going  on.  This  is 
what  has  improved  the  health  of  the  county  so  much,  as  well  as  the  pro- 
ductiveness of  the  soil. 

From  being  an  indifferent  wheat-growing  region,  it  is  now  one  of  the  sur- 
est and  best  crops  raised.  It  is  also  a  good  fruit-growing  county ;  some  or- 
chards have  been  damaged  by  severe  winters,  but  as  a  general  thing  we  have 
abundance  of  fruit  and  of  a  good  quality.  Farmers  have  selected  the  very 
best  kinds  of  fruit  found  to  be  suitable  to  this  climate. 

We  found  the  early  settler  living  in  a  diminutive  cabin,  chinked 
and  daubed  with  mud,  with  a  stick  chimney,  puncheon  floor  and  an 
old  quilt  for  a  door,  paper  windows  that  admitted  but  little  light, 
with  other  conveniences  to  match,  all  inclosed  in  a  small  opening  in 
the  big  woods.  To-day  you  find  many  of  them  living  in  fine  brick 
residences,  furnished  with  all  the  modern  improvements,  large  barns,  a 
good-sized  farm  clear  of  stumps  and  well  fenced,  and  abundance  of  stock 
of  all  kinds,  with  everything  about  them  to  make  life  comfortable.  Some 
live  in  tasty  frame  cottages  or  commodious  frame  dwellings,  while  others 
have  yet  to  live  in  their  comfortably  fixed  hewed-log  houses,  until  a  few 
more  crops  are  raised  and  sold,  and  then  the  new  house  is  sure  to  go  up. 

We  found  Howard  County  in  1811  a  howling  wilderness,  with  less  than 


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HISTORY  OF  FIOWARD  COUNTY.  101 

300  inhabitants  ;  now,  in  1883,  there  are  over  20,000.  Then  there  was 
not  a  farm  in  the  county  that  could  properly  be  called  a  farm;  now  there 
IS  a  farm  to  every  quarter-section ;  then  there  were  no  schools,  now  there 
are  100 ;  then  there  were  no  churches,  now  they  are  found  in  every 
neighborhood  ;  and  we  might  name  many  other  things  in  the  same  man- 
ner. But  we  have  extended  this  article  to  a  greater  length  than  at  first 
intended,  and  will  close  by  announcing  a  conclusion  long  since  arrived  at 
to  wit,  that  Howard  County  is  destined  to  be  one  of  the  best  counties  in 
the  State,  considering  its  size. 

MILITARY  HISTORY. 

BY  .JOHN  W.   BARNES. 

This  county  is  one  of  the  youngest  in  the  State,  and  having  been 
organized  as  late  as  1844  has  no  war  history  prior  to  the  war  with  Mexico. 
Whether  any  soldier  of  the  war  of  independence  ever  made  his  home  in 
this  county  or  not  is  unknown  to  the  writer.  An  old  man  by  the  name 
Barngrover,  who  lies  buried  in  a  field  two  miles  southwest  of  Kokomo, 
on  the  Alto  Gravel  road,  is  said  to  have  been  a  hero  of  that  war,  but  of 
this  there  is  nothing  definite.  Certain  it  is  that  he  was  very  old  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  many  years  ago.  The  heroes  of  the  war 
of  1812,  who  in  after  years  came  to  this  county  to  find  a  last  resting 
place,  have  all  yielded  to  the  frosts  of  time,  with  but  one  exception,  and 
the  story  oftheir  eventful  lives  can  never  be  fully  placed  upon  historic 
pages.  So  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  there  were  eight  who  were  residents 
of  this  county  at  the  time  of  their  death,  besides  the  one  who  still  survives. 
The  story  of  their  lives  as  gathered  from  friends  and  family  records  is  as 
follows  : 

THE  MEN  OF    1812. 

Alexander  G.  Forgey  settled  in  Howard  County  in  1842,  and  died  in 
1855,  aged  seventy-five.  Israel  Ferree  wag  born  in  Virginia  about  the  year 
1775.  He  was  stationed  for  a  considerable  portion  of  his  enlistment  at  Nor- 
folk, Ya.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1850  and  died  in  1863.  Daniel  Hea- 
ton,  or  Eaton,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  August  27,  1780.  While  quite 
young,  he  formed  a  strong  liking  for  frontier  life,  and  leaving  his  home 
came  westward  and  purchased  land  in  what  is  now  Preble  County,  Ohio. 
The  town  of  Eaton,  the  county  seat  of  this  county,  was  afterward  'named 
in  his  honor.  Here  he  married  xMary  Furgeson,  who  bore  him  eleven 
children.  It  is  probable  that  he  resided  at  the  place  at  the  time  of  his 
enlistment.  Whether  he  was  Captain  of  the  company  to  which  he  be- 
longed at  its  first  organization  is  not  known,  but  that 'he  held  this  office 
afterward,  and  by  successive  promotions  was  finally  made  Colonel,  is  well 
known.      He  was  stationed  part  of  the  time  at  Fort   Wayne,   and  partici- 


102  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

pated  in  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe  with  Gen.  Harrison,  to  whom  he  was 
ever  afterward  greatly  attached.  After  the  war,  his  desire  for  Western 
life  brought  him  to  Indiana,  where  he  engaged  in  hunting,  trapping 
beaver  and  trading  with  the  Indians.  In  this  pursuit  he  made  several 
trips  as  far  westward  as  Iowa,  on  horseback.  In  1841,  he  came  to 
Howard  County  and  settled  on  Little  Wild  Cat  Creek,  in  Harrison 
Township,  six  miles  southwest  of  Kokomo.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  the  oldest  member  in  the 
county,  having  belonged  to  the  order  nearly  fifty  years.  The  sword  that 
he  carried,  during  the  war  of  1812,  he  presented  to  the  Masonic  lodge 
in  New  London.  He  was  an  ardent  and  enthusiastic  Union  man  during 
the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and  a  great  admirer  of  Lincoln.  He  firmly 
believed  that  the  administration  would  finally  be  triumphant,  although  he 
did  not  live  to  see  it.  The  Tribune  of  April  23,  1861,  has  this  to  say 
of  him :  "  Col.  Heaton,  the  veteran  soldier,  eighty-one  years  old,  was  in 
town  on  Sunday.  He  wants  to  volunteer.  He  says  a  man  had  better  say 
his  prayers,  make  his  will  and  prepare  to  go  to  hell  than  to  speak  against 
our  country  in  his  presence."  Col.  Heaton  was  small  of  statute,  ener- 
getic and  active,  positive  in  his  nature  and  a  great  reader,  especially  of  the 
current  literature  of  the  day.  He  was  married  three  ;imes  and  had  six- 
teen children,  eight  boys  and  eight  girls.  On  the  11th  day  of  January, 
1863,  when  the  rebellion  had  grown  to  gigantic  proportions,  when  the 
fierce  winds  of  midwinter  were  howling  without,  and  all  nature  seemed 
agitated,  his  life  went  out  with  the  storm.  His  funeral  rites  were  said 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Keeler,  a  Baptist  minister,  and  his  remains  were  laid 
forever  at  rest  in  the  little  burial  ground  at  Alto. 

Samuel  -Giles  was  born  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  in  1792.  He  enlisted 
in  his  native  State  and  served  under  Col.  Richard  M.  Johnson.  He 
was  in  the  battles  of  Tippecanoe  and  the  Thames.  He  came  to  this 
county  in  1861,  and  died  in  1866. 

Robert  Morrison,  also  a  soldier  of  1812,  died  in  1868. 

John  Miller  was  born  in  Westmoreland,  County  Penn.,  Octo- 
ber 13,  1794.  His  father  died  when  he  was  seventeen  years  old. 
He,  in  company  with  his  brother,  George  Miller,  moved  to  Warren  County, 
Ohio,  near  Lebanon,  about  the  year  1811,  which  was  then  almost  a 
wilderness.  In  1814,  he  helped  to  organize  a  company,  which  was  being 
recruited  at  the  military  post  at  Dayton,  Ohio.  This  company  was  sent 
to  Fort  Meigs,  on  the  Maumee.  He  was  sent  from  this  place  to  Hamilton, 
Ohio,  as  a  recruiting  officer.  His  regiment  was  transferred  to  the  com- 
mand of  Gen.  Brown,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Lundy's  Lane.  He 
also  helped  to  defend  Fort  Erie  against  the  repeated  attempts  of  the  British 
to  take  it.     The  siege  lasted  more  than  six  weeks,  when  the  British  were 


I 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  103 

repulsed.  After  the  war,  Miller  resided  for  a  time  in  Darke  County,  near 
Fort  Jefferson,  famous  in  history  as  the  place  to  which  St.  Clair  retreated 
after  his  defeat  by  the  Indians  at  Fort  Recovery.  In  1826,  he  married 
Sarah  Broderick.  In  1850,  he  moved  to  Howard  County,  three-quarters 
of  a  mile  north  of  Jerome,  where  he  resided  -until  his  death,  which 
occurred  February  22,  1873.  His  wife  survived  him  five  years.  The 
ashes  of  both  repose  in  the  Jerome  Cemetery  on  the  banks  of  Wild  Cat, 
where  rest  many  of  the  pioneers  of  Howard  County.  John  Miller  Avas  an 
industrious  citizen,  identified  with  all  the  early  improvements  of  the 
county,  and  a  firm  friend  of  education  and  free  schools. 

William  Apperson  was  born  in  Culpeper  County,  Va.,  April 
12,  1786,  When  the  war  was  declared,  he  was  living  in  Washing- 
ton County,  Va.  He  enlisted  in  Capt.  Byers'  Company  and  served  his 
full  term.  He  came  to  Clinton  County,  Ind.,  in  1843,  moved  to 
Howard  County  in  September,  1844,  and  settled  on  and  pre-empted  the 
farm  now  owned  by  his  son,  E.  S.  Apperson.    He  died  December  20,  1874. 

Henry  Jackson,  born  in  Fleming  County,  Ky.,  in  1795,  enlisted 
in  his  native  State  in  1813,  serving  nine  months  and  participating  in 
the  battle  of  the  Thames.  In  1843,  he  emigrated  to  this  county  and 
settled  in  Clay  Township.  He  died  in  1853,  and  was  buried  in  the  Bar- 
nett  Graveyard,  about  eight  miles  west  of  Kokomo. 

Peter  Gray  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1780  or  1781.  He  enlisted 
in  his  native  State,  and  served  five  years  in  the  regular  army.  He  was 
under  Gen.  Jacob  Brown,  and  helped  to  gain  the  brilliant  victory  at 
Lundy's  Lane.  In  this  fierce  contest,  he  received  three  wounds,  one  in 
the  forehead,  and  one  in  the  breast  by  saber  strokes,  and  one,  a  musket 
ball,  in  the  leg,  which  he  bore  with  him  to  the  grave.  He  died  and  was 
buried  at  Russiaville  in  1879. 

John  Rivers  is  the  only  survivor  of  this  war  of  more  than  half  a  cen- 
tury ago,  who  now  lives  in  Howard  County.  He  was  born  in  North 
Carolina  September  5,  1795.  He  enlisted  when  only  seventeen  years  of 
age  as  a  soldier  from  that  State.  He  came  to  this  county  about  the  vear 
1841,  and  settled  two  miles  southwest  of  Russiaville.  He  has  ever  been  a 
quiet  citizen,  a  peaceful  neighbor  and  an  industrious  farmer,  who  has 
many  friends  and  few  enemies.  He  became  blind  about  twenty  years  ago, 
and  has  since  resided  with  his  children.  The  time  is  not  far  distant  when 
this  aged  veteran,  our  only  living  representative  of  our  second  and  last 
war  with  England,   will  be  gone  from  among  us. 

THE  AVAR  WITH  MEXICO, 

In  1846,  when  the  war  with  Mexico  was  declared,  this  county  had 
only  a  few  settlers,  and  consequently  no  thought  of  raising  a  company 


104  HISTORY  OF  HOV/ARD  COUNTY. 

was  entertained  by  any  of  its  citizens.  However,  there  was  not  wanting, 
even  then,  that  patriotic  spirit,  that  devotion  to  duty  which  has  ever  char- 
acterized the  people  of  Howard,  and  that  only  a  few  years  after  sent 
hundreds  to  do  battle  for  a  principle  in  human  government. 

Company  A,  of  the  First  Indiana  Regiment,  was  formed  at  Delphi,  by 
Capt.  Milroy,  and  the  following  are  the  names  of  those  who  joined  it  from 
this  county  :  Barnabas  Busby,  Boston  Orb,  Andrew  J.  Forgey,  Thomas 
Kennedy,  William  Gearhart,  George  Ervin,  John  Gearhart,  Edward 
Ervin,  Andrew  Gearhart,  James  A.  Forgey,  Samuel  Gearheart,  Isaac 
Landrum,  Daniel  Isley,  Thomas  Landrum,  William  Harrison,  Samuel  Ya-- 
ger,  John  Barngrover,  Samuel  Gay,  James  Barngrover, William  Judkins  and 
Anthony  Emley  ;  Andrew  Park  also  went  from  this  county,  but  probably 
not  in  the  same  company.  Among  those  who  volunteered  in  other  coun- 
ties and  have  since  become  residents  here,  were  the  following  :  B.  F. 
Voiles,  Pollard  J.  Brown,  John  Myers,  James  A.  Haggard,  John  Twinum, 
Charles  M.  Fifer,  Irvin  Tennell,  Job  Tennell,  Michael  Craner,  William  S. 
Reeves,  Norvell  Fleming,  Paul  Miller,  Daniel  Barnhart,  Calvin  Carter, 
James  L.  Bailey  (dead),  William  Vandenbark  and  David  Randall.  Of  those 
who  went  from  this  county  only  six  or  seven  served  their  full  term  of  enlist- 
ment, and  these  were  Barnabas  Busby,  Andrew  J.  Forgey,  John  and  James 
Barngrover,  William  Judkins  and  Anthony  Emley.  The  others  either 
died  or  were  discharged.  John  Gearhart  was  the  first  man  from  this 
couty  to  die,  as  he  was  also  the  first  in  his  regiment. 

CAUSES  OF  THE  REBELLION. 

To  give  a  complete  summary  of  the  causes  which  led  to  this  "  war  of 
the  States"  would  occupy  more  space  than  is  allowable  in  a  work  of  this 
kind,  besides  it  is  unnecessai-y,  since  they  have  been  so  ably  set  forth  in  all 
the  numerous  histories  of  our  country  by  illustrious  writers. 

The  story  of  this,  one  of  the  greatest  wars  the  world  has  known  since 
the  dawn  of  the  Christian  era,  is  yet  green  in  the  memories  of  the  noble 
boys  who  were  engaged  in  it  and  who  survived  the  conflict.  It  will  never 
be  forgotten  by  those  who  bade  fathers,  husbands,  brothers  and  sons 
good  bye,  and  watched  and  waited  in  vain  for  their  return. 

Between  the  North  and  the  South,  for  many  years  had  been  raging  a 
controversy  of  principle.  The  North  was  for  freedom,  the  South  was  for 
slavery.  The  North  favored  freedom  of  discussion  ;  the  South  repressed 
it  with  the  tar-brush  and  the  pine  fagot.  Discussion  strengthened  the 
North  and  weakened  the  South.  While  the  North  was  growing  conscious 
of  the  popularity  of  its  principles,  the  South  was  growing  desperate 
over  what  must  be  the  final  result.  It  had  become  enamored  of  slavery, 
and   feared   that    the   North  would  prevent  its  extension  and  cause  its 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  105 

death.  The  South  violently  denounced  free  labor  as  degrading  and  dis- 
graceful, and  treated  with  scorn  and  contempt  the  honest  triumphs  of 
the  poor  man  who  boldly  worked,  his  way  to  independence.  The 
North  and  the  South  represented  two  classes  that  early  peopled  this 
country ;  the  one  came  to  the  bleak  shores  of  Massachusetts  in  the 
Mayflower — a  band  of  bold,  conscientious,  industrious  laborers ;  the 
other  landed  at  Jamestown  in  1G07 — a  band  of  idle,  improvident  fellows, 
who  knew  nothing  of  honest  labor,  but  styled  themselves  gentlemen  ; 
and  even  at  this  time  had  English  or  German  slaves,  known  as  ''  ap- 
prenticed servants,"  to  do  their  bidding.  They  were  well  prepared  to 
welcome  the  Dutch  slaver  that  steamed  up  the  river  in  1619,  and  en- 
tailed a  curse  upon  them  that  was  to  blight  their  growth  for  more  than 
two  hundred  and  fifty  years.  When,  in  18G0,  the  people  chose  Abraham 
Lincoln  President,  the  work  of  secession  began  at  once  in  South  Caro- 
lina. So  threatening  became  the  attitude  of  the  South,  that  near  the 
4th  of  March,  1861,  Mr.  Lincoln  had  to  steal  in  disguise  through 
Baltimore  on  a  midnight  train  to  avoid  assassination.  And  why  ? 
Because,  in  the  language  of  Gov.  Vance,  of  North  Carolina :  "  It  is 
totally  unbearable  that  the  chivalry  should  be  ruled  over  by  a  com- 
mon, low  bred,  Illinois  lawyer."  Had  it  not  been  for  the  precautions 
of  the  veteran  Scott,  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  President's  inauofuration 
could  have  been  accomplished.  So  great  was  the  danger,  that  men 
held  their  breaths,  and  felt,  when  the  ceremony  was  over,  that  they 
had  escaped  a  great  danger.  No  man  knew  whom  lo  trust,  and  four- 
fifths  of  the  ofiicers  of  the  Government  were  rampant  rebels.  Let  any 
one  glance  back  at  the  state  of  things  on  the  4th  of  March,  1861, 
and  if  he  has  the  pride  of  a  true  American,  he  will  thank  God  that 
his  country  has  escaped  such  great  dangers. 

About  this  time,  three  representative  men  of  this  county,  who  had 
been  viewing  with  alarm  the  gathering  storm-cloud  that  was  already 
hanging  like  a  pall  over  the  country  that  they  loved,  met  in  Kokomo, 
and  after  a  short  and  hurried  discussion  of  the  threatening  aspect  of 
the  Southern  States,  they  shook  hands  and  pledged  their  manhood  and 
their  sacred  honors,  each  to  the  other,  that  sliould  the  alarm  become 
a  reality  and  the  country  be  plunged  into  civil  war,  they  would  go  to- 
gether to  the  defense  of  the  Union.  These  men  were  Thomas  J. 
Harrison,  Thomas  M.  Kirkpatrick  and  Barnabas  Busby.  How  well  they 
kept  their  words  is  recorded  elsewhere  in  these  pages. 

BEGINNING    OF    HOSTILITIES. 

The  conciliatory  measures  of  President  Lincoln,  and  his  declaration 
in  his  inaugural  address  that  he  had  no  purpose  or  inclination  to  interfere 


106  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

with  slavery  where  it  already  existed,  and  his  further  statement  that  he 
had  "no  lawful  right  to  do  so,"  had  no  effect  on  the  hot-headed  Southern 
leaders,  who  claimed  that  loyalty  to  their  particular  States  was  more  bind- 
ing than  their  obligations  to  the  General  Government.  So  affiiirs  went 
rapidly  from  bad  to  worse,  until  finally,  on  Thursday,  April  12,  at 
1:30  P.  M.,  the  roar  of  a  mortar,  quickly  followed  by  the 
rushing  shriek  of  a  shell,  gave  notice  to  the  world  that  the  final  step  was 
taken,  and  war,  with  its  grim  visage,  was  upon  us.  It  was  the  signal- 
rocket,  fired  away  into  night  and  lost,  but  its  blaze  illuminated  tlie  whole 
North,  and  aroused  every  freeman  to  arms.  When  the  news  of  the  fall 
of  Fort  Sumter  swept  over  the  country,  the  most  intense  excitement 
prevailed  everywhere ;  a  few  weeks  before,  the  South  had  many 
sympathizers  in  this  county,  and  many  angry  words  had  been  spoken. 
Now  the  plain  first  intention  of  the  Southern  traitors  was  seen.  The  Tribune 
at  this  time  said  :  "  Let  all  old  party  lines  be  obliterated  and  all  angry 
words  of  other  days  be  forgotten.  These  are  not  the  times  in  which  to 
remember  former  difficulties.  A  dark  cloud  hangs  over  the  country. 
All  the  world  looks  on  amazed  and  anxious.  Already  has  our  Govern- 
ment been  disgraced,  and  wherever  civilization  is  known  the  people  are 
awaiting  in  astonishment  to  see  whether  or  not  the  American  Union  is 
what  it  has  been  represented,  or  no  Government  at  all." 

The  people  in  the  country  left  their  farms  and  flocked  to  Kokomo  in 
great  crowds  to  hear  the  news.  If  a  man  dared  to  raise  his  voice  in 
sympathy  with  the  South,  he  was  pounced  upon  and  beaten  and  driven 
from  the  city.  Men  forgot  their  daily  employment  and  thought  and 
talked  only  of  war.  Over  the  wires  came  the  President's  call  for  75,000 
men  to  serve  for  three  months. 

THE    CALL    TO    ARMS. 

Following  close  upon   this   came  the   following  proclamation  by   the 

Governor  of  Indiana : 

Whereas,  An  armed  rebellion  has  been  organized  in  certain  States  of  this  Union, 
having  for  its  purpose  the  overthrow  of  the  United  States ;  and 

Whereas,  The  authors  and  movers  in  this  rebellion  have  seized  by  violence  var- 
ious forts  and  arsenals  belonging  io  the  United  States  and  otherwise  plundered  the 
Government  of  large  amounts  of  money  and  valuable  property ;  and 

Whereas,  Fort  Sumter,  a  fortress  belonging  to  the  United  States,  the  exclusive 
possession  and  jurisdiction  over  which  were  vested  in  the  General  Government,  by  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  has  been  besieged  by  a  large  army,  and  assaulted  by  a 
destructive  cannonade,  and  reduced  to  submission,  and  the  national  flag  hauled  down  and 
dishonored  ;  and 

Whereas,  The  President  of  the  United  States,  in  the  exercise  of  the  power  vested 
in  him  by  the  Federal  Constitution,  has  called  upon  the  several  States  remaining  true  to 
their  allegiance  to  aid  him  in  the  enforcement  of  the  laws,  the  recovery  of  the  national 
property  and  the  maintenance  of  the  rightful  authority  of  the  United  States; 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  107 

Now,  therefore,  I,  Oliver  P.  Morton,  Governor  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  call  upon 
loyal  and  patriotic  men  of  this  State,  to  the  number  of  six  regiments,  to  organize  them- 
selves into  military  companies,  and  forthwith  report  the  same  to  the  Adjutant  General,  in 
order  that  they  may  be  speedily  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States.  The 
details  of  the  organization  are  set  forth  in  the  instructions  of  the  Adjutant  General,  here- 
with published.  Oliver  P.  Morton,   Governor, 

These  earnest  appeals  from  the  President  and  Governor  met  with  a 
hearty  wave  of  response  from  the  loyal  citizens  of  this  county.  They 
felt  that  the  final  test  had  come,  and  that  the  ancient  devil — slavery — 
already  banished  from  every  country  in  Europe,  had  taken  its  last  stand 
among  our  foes.  The  Tribune  of  April  16  contained  the  first  call : 
"  Dr.  C.  Richmond  and  other  citizens  request  us  to  call  a  meeting  at 
Richmond  &  Leeds'  Hall  to-night  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the 
duties  of  citizens  in  the  present  crisis.  Turn  out,  patriots.  Volun- 
teers are  being  offered  all  over  the  country.  All  parties  agree  now." 
Although  only  a  few  hours  elapsed  between  the  appearance  of  the  notice 
and  the  meeting,  it  was  well  attended.  Fiery  speeches  were  made  and 
ringing  resolutions  were  passed,  and  preparations  immediately  begun  for 
the  organization  of  a  company. 

THE    FIRST    COMPANY. 

William  R.  Philips,  who  was  one  of  the  first  to  fall  in  defense  of  his 
country  from  this  county,  headed  the  list  of  volunteers.  In  less  than  one 
week  nearly  two  hundred  names  were  enrolled.  On  Friday  evening, 
April  19,  the  company  met  in  Richmond  &  Leed's  hall  and  elected  the 
following  officers  :  Thomas  J.  Harrison,  Captain;  Thomas  Herring,  First 
Lieutenant,  and  William  R.  Philips,  Second  Lieutenant. 

On  the  Saturday  afternoon  following,  posters  were  put  out  calling  a 
meeting  at  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  evening,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  securing  a  fund  for  the  support  of  the  families  of  volunteers  who 
were  about  to  start  in  the  service  of  their  country.  Accordingly,  at  an 
early  hour  the  house  was  filled  to  overflowing.  Mr.  Charles  Murray  was 
made  chairman,  and  on  motion  of  Mr.  James  W.  Robinson,  the  following 
persons  were  appointed  as  an  executive  committee :  J.  W.  Robinson, 
Thomas  Auter,  Herman  Keeler,  Benjamin  R.  Norman  and  Samuel 
Rosenthal.  Thomas  Jay  was  elected  Treasurer.  The  books  were  opened 
for  subscriptions,  and  never  did  citizens  of  any  place  respond  more 
nobly.  It  was  headed  by  Jay  &  Dolman,  with  a  subscription  of  $200. 
Nearly  every  citizen  present  gave  something.  The  amounts  varied 
from  $200  down  to  $5.  One  man  gave  a  lot  in  the  city  of  Ko- 
komo  and  several  farmers  subscribed  100  bushels  of  corn  each.  The  total 
subscription  amounted  to  over  $2,000.  Some  one  suggested  that  the  cit- 
izens should  furnish   the  volunteers   with  blankets.      Here    again  was  a 


108  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

great  rush  to  see  who  shouhl  have  the  privilege.  Gentlemen  offered  "  all 
they  had,"  together  with  comforts,  to  answer  until  the  volunteers  could 
get  where  they  could  buy  blankets,  and  $25  to  buy  them  with.  This  was 
the  spirit  of  the  people,  and  in  five  minutes  over  100  blankets  were 
provided.  Flannel  shirts  and  drawers  were  also  named  ;  as  the  boys  were 
to  leave  on  Monday  morning,  it  was  suggested  that,  as  the  company  would 
remain  a  week  or  two  at  Indianapolis,  these  could  be  made  and  shipped 
down  to  the  care  of  Capt.  Harrison.  This  was  agreed  upon,  when 
immediately  ladies  offered  a  dozen  each,  gentlemen  offered  bolts  of  flannel, 
others  came  up  and  handed  in  money,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  whole 
company  was  well  provided  for. 

The  following  persons  were  appointed  a  committee  to  solicit  further 
aid  in  Centre  Township:  Worley  Leas,  R.  F.  Kennedy  and  George  W. 
Hocker.  By  a  motion,  the  people  in  each  township  were  requested  to 
act  immediately  and  secure  a  large  fund  for  the  support  of  the  families  of 
volunteers.  Messrs.  Thomas  Jay,  Samuel  Rosenthal  and —  Chapin  were 
appointed  to  receive  and  distribute  blankets  on  Sunday.  After  several 
short  speeches  were  made,  the  meeting  adjourned,  the  most  patriotic  feel- 
ings pervading  the  entire  assembly; 

Sunday,  April  21,  was  a  memorable  day.  In  the  issue  of  the  Trib- 
une of  April  23,  1861,  appeared  the  following  in  regard  to  it:  "  The 
streets  were  crowded  early  in  the  morning.  The  people  from  all  parts 
of  the  country  came  in  by  scores  and  fifties.  Both  churches  were  filled 
at  the  usual  hour  of  holding  meeting.  At  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  a  first-rate  sermon  and  devout  prayers  for  the  safety  of  the 
country  were  listened  to  with  close  attention.  At  the  Christian  Church, 
Francis  O'Dowd  addressed  a  large  audience  in  the  most  patriotic  style, 
pledging  his  all  at  the  close  for  the  Government.  Meanwhile,  volunteers 
were  constantly  enrolling  their  names.  About  noon,  the  fife  and  drum 
were  heard  and  most  of  the  afternoon  the  companies  were  under  drill. 
At  3  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  volunteers  marched  out  the  East  Road  and  met 
a  tremendous  procession  coming  in  that  direction.  There  was  a  large 
number  of  four-horse  wagons  and  a  large  procession  of  horsemen.  In 
the  crowd  were  many  volunteers  coming  down  to  leave  for  service.  When 
the  two  multitudes  met,  thundering  cheers  for  the  stripes  and  stars  were 
heard  for  miles  around.  The  procession,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in 
length,  returned  to  the  public  square,  where  Prof.  Baldwin  addressed  the 
assembly  most  eloquently.  So  great  was  the  enthusiasm  that  Prof.  Bald- 
win himself  and  all  the  teachers  and  pupils  who  were  old  enough  enlisted, 
so  that  the  school  was  discontinued  for  some  time.  The  dry  goods  stores 
were  kept  open  and  such  things  as  were  needed  by  soldiers  were  freely 
given  without  a  cent  of  pay.     Money  was  distributed  for   use   while  in 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  109 

camp,  and  every  want  that  could  be  thought  of  was  provided  for.  Such 
a  Sabbath  never  was  or  perhaps  never  will  be  Avitnessed  in  Kokomo  as  this 
one  was."  As  the  evening  shadows  thickened  into  night,  the  bells  pealed 
forth  a  strange,  sweet  music  to  those  who  were  to  leave  on  the  morrow. 
The  churches  were  crowded  again  and  many  fervent  prayers  were  oiiered 
for  the  flag  of  our  country  and  for  those  who  had  pledged  themselves  to 
stand  by  it  against  every  foe. 

DEPARTURE    OF    THE    BOYS. 

At  sunrise  on  the  morrow,  the  town  was  full  of  wagons  and  horses, 
and  from  6  o'clock  until  train  time  an  immense  multitude  thronged  all 
the  streets  about  the  depot.  The  time  had  now  come  when  the  first  com- 
pany of  soldiers  ever  organized  m  Howard  County  were  waiting  to  de- 
part for  a  service  of  which  no  one  at  that  time  had  the  least  conception. 
There  were  hundreds  of  tearful  eyes  as  the  last  farewells  were  said.  It 
was  the  parting  of  parents  with  their  children,  husbands  with  their  wive-j, 
brothers  with  sisters,  and  lovers  with  each  other  with  pledges  to  be 
true  till  war's  desolation  was  over.  The  thought  of  it  being  the  last 
good-bye  paled  many  a  cheek  and  moistened  many  an  eye  unused  to  tears. 
As  the  train  steamed  up,  not  a  word  of  complaint  was  made ;  it  was  a 
firm  pressure  of  the  hand,  a  warm  look  of  encouragement,  a  "God  bless 
you,"  and  they  were  gone.  The  Tribune  of  the  next  day  contained  this 
patriotic  sentiment  from  the  able  pen  of  Mr.  T.  G.  Philips  : 

The  times  that  will  try  men's  souls  are  upon  us.  Every  man,  every  woman,  every 
person  able  to  work  has  important  duties  to  perform.  Let  us  begin  now.  There  must 
not  be  an  idle  person.  A  large  crop  must  be  raised,  and  fewer  men  than  usual  must 
raise  it.  Every  acre  of  ground  must  be  tilled.  Patriots  are  in  demand,  and,  thank 
Heaven,  they  are  ready.  Thousands  of  strong  men  will  be  needed  in  defense  of  our 
country,  and  they  are  presenting  themselves  asking  to  serve  in  that  defense.  Every  one 
left  at  home  can  do  the  work  of  two.  In  the  days  of  the  Revolution,  women  performed 
the  labor  of  men,  and  men  did  double  labor.  The  days  of  '76  are  present  with  us  in  '61. 
The  battles  must  be  fought  over  again.  An  army  of  rebels  ten  times  worse  than  the  tyrants 
who  denied  us  liberty  in  '76  would  now  wrench  that  liberty  from  us  and  drag  the  flag 
of  our  country  and  our  fathers  in  the  dust.  Arouse,  freemen !  If  patriotism  ever  was 
needed,  that  time  is  now.  Let  there  be  no  influence  against  the  enlisting  of  your  son  in 
the  cause.  Ask  God's  blessing  on  him  and  let  him  go.  We  heard,  a  day  or  two  since,  a 
man  offer  to  furnish  the  family  of  a  volunteer  all  the  flour  needed  until  he  should  return. 
"But,"  said  another,  "if  he  never  returns  ?"  "  While  I  live  the  contract  shall  be  kept 
inviolate,"  was  the  answer.  That  is  the  true  spirit.  May  the  people  be  imbued  with  a 
spirit  of  true  patriotism,  and  may  those  who  remain  at  home  do  their  whole  duty.  Those 
who  go  away  we  know  will  do  theirs. 

When  the  company  arrived  at  Indianapolis,  it  took  quarters  at  Camp 
Morton,  and  was  immediately  organized.  It  was  found  that  there  were 
nearly  enough  men  for  two  companies,  so  the  boys  organized  a  new  com- 
pany and  Dr.  C.  Richmond,  who,  it  seems,  was  a  most  zealous  worker  in 


110  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

the  cause,  hurried  home  and  procured  a  sufficient  number  of  men  to 
complete  the  second  company.  So  energetic  were  our  boys  that  in  one 
week  from  the  day  the  first  meeting  was  called  in  Kokomo,  the  first 
company  was  mustered  into  the  service  and  succeeded  in  obtaining  a 
place  in  the  Sixth  (three  months')  Regiment.  They  were  the  first  mus- 
tered in  in  this  State  for  the  war  of  the  rebellion.  (Five  regiments 
had  been  raised  for  the  war  with  Mexico.) 

The  following  is  the  oath  which  each  man  was  required  to  take, 
and  which  all  volunteers  and  regulars  mustered  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States  are  required  to  take  before  their  final  enrollment.  "  I 
do  solemnly  swear  that  I  will  bear  true  allegiance  to  the  United  States 
of  America,  that  I  will  serve  them  honestly  and  faithfully  against  all 
enemies  or  opposers  whatsoever ;  that  I  will  obey  the  orders  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States  and  of  the  other  officers  appointed  over 
me,  according  to  the  rules  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  so  help 
me  God."  This  company  designated  themselves  the  "  Howard  Rifles," 
and  was  known  as  Company  "  D  "  in  the  regiment. 

The  Indianapolis  Journal  paid  them  the  following  tribute  on  the  day 
they  were  mustered  in  :  "  Capt.  Harrison,  who  was  a  member  of  the 
Legislature  in  1858,  arrived  yesterday  with  his  company,  the  Howard 
Rifles,  and  took  quarters  at  Camp  Morton.  His  men  are  of  those  who 
can  pick  squirrels  out  of  the  tops  of  the  tallest  trees  and  rebels  from  the 
secession  ranks  as  far  as  a  Sharp's  rifle  will  carry."  Thomas  M.  Kirk- 
patrick  and  Barnabas  Busby,  both  being  farmers,  did  not  get  their  affairs 
arranged  in  time  to  join  the  first  company,  but,  true  to  their  vows, 
hastened  to  Indianapolis  and  joined  the  second  company.  In  the  election 
of  officers,  Mr.  Kirkpatrick  was  chosen  Captain,  Mr.  Busby,  First  Lieu- 
tenant, and  N.  P.  Richmond,  Second  Lieutenant.  Kirkpatrick's  company 
was  made  Company  C,  in  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  and,  after  failing  to  get 
in  for  three  months,  was  transferred  to  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  as  Com- 
pany "  E,"  and  was  stationed  at  Camp  Sullivan. 

While  Capt.  Harrison's  company  had  the  honor  of  being  in  the  first 
three  months'  regiment  organized  in  the  State,  Capt.  Kirkpatrick's  com- 
pany had  the  distinguished  honor  of  being  in  the  first  three  years'  regi- 
ment. During  the  stay  in  camp  at  Indianapolis  the  men  were  in  active 
preparation  for  war,  drilling  almost  constantly.  Many  little  incidents, 
however,  occurred  to  break  the  monotony  of  camp  life,  and  when,  on  the 
30th  of  May,  the  Sixth  was  ordered  to  the  front,  they  were  in  high  spirits. 
They  loft  for  Western  Virginia  via  Cincinnati  and  Parkersburg.  They 
had  been  fully  equipped,  armed  and  clothed,  and  presented  a  gay  appear- 
ance. Their  passage  through  Indiana  and  Ohio  was  a  grand  ovation. 
The  Cincinnati  Enquirer  of  May  31,  has  this  to  say  of  them  : 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  Ill 

The  attendance  at  the  depot  yesterday  when  Col.  Crittenden's  command  arrived  was 
very  large,  and  all  along  the  entire  length  of  the  march  through  the  city  the  throngs  on 
the  sidewalks  and  street  corners  were  immense,  and,  as  the  bi-ave  Indianians  marched 
along,  the  cheers  that  greeted  them  were  vociferous.  The  gallant  troops  made  a  fine 
appearance,  and  were  applauded  by  everybody  for  their  soldierly  demeanor.  The  regi- 
ment was  brought  to  a  halt  and  a  front-fi.ce  when  opposite  the  residence  of  Larz  Ander- 
son, Esq.  Col.  Anderson  advanced  to  the  curbstone,  and  was  greeted  by  a  present  arms 
and  a  salute  from  the  officers,  with  a  remark  from  Col.  Crittenden  that  the  salute  was  a 
compliment  from  the  Sixth  Regiment  of  Indiana  Volunteers.  Col.  Anderson  replied, 
"I  thank  you,  gentlemen:  God  bless  and  protect  you."  The  column  then  wheeled 
inio  line  and  as  the  troops  marched  by  the  hero  of  Sumter,  they  rent  the  air  with  enthu- 
siastic cheering. 

On  the  2d  of  June,  the  regiment  arrived  at  Webster,  Va..  and  was 
marched,  with  other  troops,  the  same  night  through  a  drenching  rain  a 
distance  of  fourteen  miles,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  June  took 
part  in  the  first  battle  of  the  war,  at  Philippi.  It  participated  in  the 
march  to  Laurel  Hill,  and  the  engagement  with  Garnett's  rebel  command 
at  Carrick's  Ford  on  the  12th  of  July.  It  returned  to  Indianapolis  on 
the  25th  of  July  and  was  finally  discharged  x\ugust  2,  1861. 

RECORD    OF  THE  THIRTEENTH  REGIMENT. 

The  Thirteenth  Regiment,  in  which  was  Capt.  Kirkpatrick's  company, 
left  Indianapolis  on  the  4th  of  July,  1861,  and  on  the  morning  of  the 
10th  joined  McClellan's  forces  at  the  foot  of  Rich  Mountain  in  Western 
Virginia,  where,  on  the  following  da}',  it  participated  in  battle.  In  this 
battle  William  Rifile  was  killed.  On  this  day,  for  the  first  and  the  last 
time,  he  heard  the  shrill  blast  of  the  bugle  calling  to  battle.  Obeying  the 
hurried  call  to  arms,  he  heard  the  thunder  of  the  cannon,  the  roar  of  the 
musketry  and  the  clash  of  resounding  arms ;  but  as  the  banner  of  his 
regiment  went  forward  to  victory  William  Riffle  went  down  to  death — 
Howard  County's  first  martyr  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union.  From 
this  time  onward,  the  Thirteenth  was  in  active  campaign  work  for  the  en- 
tire three  years.  It  took  part  in  the  numerous  skirmishes  at  Cheat 
Mountain  Pass;  and,  on  the  12th  and  13th  of  September,1861,  in  the  engage- 
ments on  Cheat  Mountain  Summit  and  Elkwater,  supported  Howe's  Bat- 
tery, Fourth  United  States  Artillery.  At  Greenbrier,  on  the  3d  of  Oc- 
tober, and  during  the  remainder  of  October,  it  was  engaged  in  scouting 
expeditions  along  the  Holly  and  Kanawha  Rivers.  After  this,  it  marched 
to  Alleghany  under  Gen.  Milroy,  and  participated  in  the  battle  there  on 
the  13th  of  December.  It  wintered  at  Green  Spring  Run.  Gen.  Shields 
took  command  of  the  division  in  the  spring,  and  under  him  the  regiment 
moved  to  Winchester,  and  then  scouted  up  the  valley  to  Strasburgh,  re- 
turning to  Winchester.  It  participated  in  the  battle  of  Winchester 
Heights  March  22,  1862.     Two  or  three  months  were  now  employed  in 


112  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

marching  up  and  down  the  valley  giving  chase  to  the  rebels,  and  in  the 
latter  part  of  June  the  regiment  embarked  at  Alexandria  for  Harrison's 
Landing,  on  the  James  River,  where  it  arrived  July  2.  In  August,  it 
marched  to  Fortress  Monroe,  and  thence  to  the  valley  of  the  Nansemond 
River,  where  it  remained  nine  months,  engaging  in  numerous  operations 
in  that  region  of  country,  making  three  reconnoissances  to  Black  River, 
fighting  the  battle  of  the  Deserted  Farm  on  the  30th  of  January,  1863, 
defeating  Longstreet  in  his  attempt  to  seize  Suffolk,  from  April  10  to 
May  3,  1864;  and  in  tearing  up  and  bringing  off  about  forty  miles  of 
track  from  two  railroads  from  the  13th  to  the  19th  of  May.  In  these  op- 
erations tlie  regiment  marched  over  400  miles.  On  the  2Tth  of  June,  the 
regiment  left  Suffolk.  It  participated  in  the  operations  on  Morris  Island 
during  the  siege  of  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg,  and  was  the  first  regiment  to 
enter  Fort  Wagner  in  the  assault  on  the  7th  of  September.  The  Thirteenth 
participated  in  nearly  all  the  operations  of  Gen.  Butler's  army  south  of 
Richmond,  and  was  conspicuous  in  the  engagement  at  Wathal  Junction, 
Chester  Station,  and  the  charge  on  the  rebel  rifle  pits  near  Foster's  farm  ; 
in  all  of  which  the  loss  was  about  200.  It  joined  the  Army  of  the  Po- 
tomac in  June,  1864,  marching  with  this  army  to  Cold  Harbor,  where, 
there  being  no  field  oflicers  present  for  duty,  Capt.  Kirkpatrick  assumed 
command.  The  regiment  was  actively  engaged  in  the  battle  at  that  place, 
and  in  all  the  operations  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Chickahominy  until  June 
12,  when  it  returned  to  Bermuda  Hundred.  On  the  15th,  it  crossed 
the  Appomattox  River,  and  was  engaged  in  the  assaults  on  the  rebel 
works  in  front  of  Petersburg.  On  the  18th,  Capt.  Kirkpatrick's  com- 
pany, having  served  the  full  term  of  its  enlistment,  was  ordered  from  the 
skirmish  line,  and  on  the  19th  left  for  Indianapolis,  arriving  on  the  24th 
of  June.  They  were  mustered  out  of  the  service  July  1,  1864.  About 
one-half  of  the  company  afterward  veteranized. 

MILITIA  COMPANIES. 

In  May,  1861,  the  boys  of  Kokomo,  from  twelve  to  eighteen  years  of 
age,  catching  the  military  spirit  that  pervaded  the  county,  organized  a 
company  under  the  name  of  the  "  Wild  Cat  Rangers."  Said  the  Trib- 
une: "  We  learn  that  the  officers  have  reported  their  company  to  the  Gov- 
ernor, have  purchased  a  part  of  their  musical  instruments,  made  arrange- 
ments for  caps,  etc.,  and  will  begin  to  drill  regularly  at  an  early  day." 
The  names  of  many  of  these  boys  appear  on  the  regular  muster  rolls  of 
regiments  that  were  formed  in  later  years. 

In  the  latter  part  of  June,  1861,  the  first  company  of  the  Howard 
County  Regiment  of  the  Indiana  Legion  was  formed  at  Kokomo. 


\ 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  113 

The  following  letter  from  the  Adjutant  General  shows  how  the  com- 
pany was  organized : 

Indianapolis,  Ind.,  June  13,  1861. 

The  Union  Tigers,  a  volunteer  militia  company,  organized  at  Kokomo,  in  Howard 
County,  Ind.,  under  the  military  laws  of  said  State,  having  complied  with  the  require- 
ments of  said  laws,  are  hereby  authorized  and  ordered  to  elect  officers  at  their  armory 
in  Kokomo,  on  Tuesday  evening,  the  18th  day  of  June,  1861  :  and  John  Bohan,  Thomas 
Jay  an<l  J.  F.  Hendej'son  are  hereby  appointed  to  receive  and  count  ballots  cast  at  said 
election  (in  the  presence  of  m  honisoever  may  be  deputized  to  preside  at  such  election), 
and  to  make  return  of  such  election  to  this  office  without  delay. 

Lvz's  Noble,  Adjt.Oen.   Vol.  Militia. 

Mr.  T.  C.  Philips  was  delegated  authority  by  the  Adjutant  General 
to  preside  at  the  meeting  of  the  Union  Tigers,  and  the  election  resulted 
as  follows :  James  Bailey,  Captain ;  James  A.  Wildman,  First  Lieuten- 
ant ;   William  S.  Snow,  Second  Lieutenant. 

At  various  times  after  this,  other  companies  were  formed  in  all  or 
nearly  all  the  townships,  and  were  known  as  :  Union  Wild  Cat  Rifles, 
The  Union  Legion,  Harrison  Guards,  Howard  Guards,  Fairfield  Guards, 
Wild  Cat  Rangers,  Cassville  Guards,  Honey  Creek  Legion,  Liberty 
Guards,  Noble  Guards,  Ervin  Guards  and  Wild  Cat  Rifles.  The  field 
ofiicers  and  staff"  of  this  legion  were  :  John  M.  Garrett,  Colonel  (after- 
ward entered  United  States  service);  N.  P.  Richmond,  Colonel;  James 
A.  Wildman,  Lieutenant  Colonel  ;  Charles  E.  Disbrow,  Major  ;  Samuel 
W.  Thornton,  Adjutant ;  Morgan  A.  Chestnut,  Quartermaster ;  Ruben 
King,  Surgeon  ;  John  W.  Cooper,  Judge  A.dvocate  :  Thomas  Lytle,  Pay- 
master. 

THE    THIRTY-FOURTH    REGIMENT. 

In  the  latter  part  of  August,  1861,  Dr.  Jacob  S.  White,  who  had 
succeeded  in  raising  a  company  in  this  county,  left  for  Anderson,  where 
a  regimeat  for  this  Congressional  district  was  forming  under  Col. 
Asbury  Steele.  The  Tribune  had  this  to  say  of  the  departure  of  this 
company  :  "A  very  large  multitude  assembled  at  the  C.  &  C.  depot 
last  Wednesday  to  see  the  boys  of  Dr.  White's  company  off"  to  camp  at 
Anderson.  Some  of  the  partings  brought  tears  to  the  eyes  of  many. 
The  grief  of  some  was  manifested  in  loud  cries,  but  the  deepest  feeling 
was  quieter.  Husbands  left  their  wives  and  babes  with  emotions  that 
cannot  be  described.  One  gentleman,  Mr. Clarke,  of  Ervin,  got  married 
on  Sunday  evening,  on  Monday  volunteered,  and  left  on  Wednesday. 
One  wagon  with  six  horses  came  in  from  Western  Howard  loaded  with 
young  ladies  and  other  decorations.  Banners  floated,  and  music  was 
furnished  of  the  best  kind.  The  little  cannon  was  out,  and  after  fifty  or 
sixty  thundering  discharges,  it  bursted.  Squire  Norman  was  touched  on 
the  leg,  but  was  not  hurt.  No  injury  was  receiv  ed  by  any  one,  but  how 
the  people  escaped  we  cannot  tell."     In  the  organization  of  the  regiment, 


114  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Dr.  AVhite  was  appointed  Surgeon,  and  Thomas  S.  Terrell  was  elected 
Captain.  This,  the  Thirty -fourth  Regiment,  participated  in  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg,  the  battle  of  Port  Gibson,  Champion  Hills,  the  siege  of  Jack- 
son and  many  encounters.  As  in  the  Sixth  (three  months')  Regiment, 
Howard  County  boys  had  the  honor  of  participating  in  the  first  battle  of 
the  war,  so  Howard  County  boys  in  the  Thirty-fourth,  more  than  two 
thousand  miles  from  Philippi,  engaged  in  the  last  battle  at  Palmetto 
Ranche,  on  the  13th  of  May,  1865.  This  battle  was  fought  partly  on 
the  old  Palo  Alto  battle-ground,  where  Gen.  Taylor  first  encountered  the 
Mexicans  on  the  8th  of  May,  1846.  It  is  quite  a  coincidence  that  the 
first  battle  of  the  Mexican  war  and  the  last  battle  of  the  great  rebell- 
ion were  fought  on  the  same  ground,  and  that  the  respective  dates  of  the 
month  only  differed  five  days. 

THIRTY-NINTH  REGIMENT. 
The  work  of  organizing  a  company  of  101  men  for  an  independent 
regiment  of  sharpshooters,  authorized  by  the  War  Department,  began 
here  about  the  time  of  the  departure  of  Dr.  White's  company.  This 
company  filled  up  rapidly,  and  in  a  few  days  seventy  names  were  down 
for  still  another  company.  Prior  to  leaving,  the  company  organized  by 
electing  the  same  officers  that  had  served  in  the  first  company  organized 
here,  viz.:  T.  J.  Harrison,  Captain;  Thomas  Herring,  First  Lieutenant, 
and  W.  R.  Philips,  Second  Lieutenant.  The  company  left  on  Wednes- 
day, August  28,  1861,  for  Indianapolis.  In  the  regimental  organization, 
Capt.  Harrison  was  made  Colonel,  John  Bohan,  Quartermaster,  and  Dr. 
L.  D.  Waterman  (now  of  Indianapolis),  Surgeon.  After  Capt.  Harri- 
son's promotion,  Herring  and  Philips  were  promoted  by  the  unanimous 
approval  of  the  company  ;  Stephen  D.  Butler  was  elected  Second  Lieuten- 
ant. This  regiment  left  for  Kentucky  early  in  September.  It  marched 
with  Buell  to  Nashville,  then  to  the  Tennessee  River,  and  was  in  the  battle 
of  ShilohontheTth  of  April,  1862,  where  Lieut.  W.  R.  Philips,  who  had 
formerly  been  associated  with  his  brother,  T.  C.  Philips,  in  editing  the 
Tribune^  was  killed.  The  regiment  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Stone 
River  December  31,  1862,  and  January  1  and  2,  1863.  Through  the  re- 
mainder of  the  campaign  of  1863,  it  served  as  mounted  infantry.  On 
June  6,  1863,  it  had  a  sharp  fight  with  Wheeler's  cavalry  near  Mur- 
freesboro,  took  part  in  the  skirmishes  at  Middleton  and  Liberty  Gap,  and 
during  the  movement  upon  Chattanooga  engaged  the  enemy  at  Win- 
chester. On  the  19th  and  20th  of  September,  it  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga,  and  on  the  15th  of  October,  1863,  was  re-organ- 
ized as  the  Eighth  Cavalry.  The  regiment  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  organ- 
ization on  the   22d  of  February,  1864.      It  participated  in  the  McCook 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  115 

raid  around  Atlanta,  and  the  Kilpatrick  raid  in  Georgia,  and  at  the  battle 
of  Lovejoy  Station  led  the  charge  of  the  left  wing,  riding  over  Ross' 
division  of  rebel  cavalry,  capturing  his  artillery  and  four  battle  flags.  It 
was  in  the  battle  of  Jonesboro  and  Flint  River,  and  in  the  campaign 
through  Georgia  was  in  the  following  battles  and  skirmishes  :  Waynes- 
boro, Buckhead  Church,  Browne's  Cross  Roads,  Reynold's  Farm,  Aiken, 
Bentonville,  Averysboro  and  Raleigh.  It  whipped  Hampton's  entire 
force  at  Morrisville,  and  thus  had  the  honor  of  fighting  the  last  battle 
in  North  Carolina.  The  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service  on 
the  20th  of  July,  1865,  reached  Indianapolis  the  last  week  of  July,  and 
was  finally  discharged  early  in  August.  This  regiment  had  in  all  2,500 
men  on  its  rolls,  and  had  nine  officers  killed  in  battle.  It  lost  about 
three  hundred  in  prisoners,  and  captured  from  the  enemy  over  fifteen 
hundred  men,  one  thousand  stand  of  arms,  three  railroad  trains,  fourteen 
hundred  horses  and  mules,  many  wagons,  fourteen  pieces  of  artillery,  four 
battle  flags,  besides  destroying  many  miles  of  railroad.  It  was  also  en- 
gaged in  many  raids  and  skirmishes  of  which  no  mention  is  here  made. 
In  September,  1861,  the  County  Commissioners  appropriated  ^750  out 
of  the  county  funds  for  the  relief  of  the  families  of  those  who  had  vol- 
unteered. On  the  evening  of  October  31,  the  Ladies'  Union  Aid  As- 
sociation was  organized  for  the  purpose  of  making  underclothing  for  the 
boys  who  were  far  away  in  open  tents,  and  who  would  soon  be  exposed 
to  the  rude  blasts  of  winter.  Many  a  "  God  bless  the  noble  women  of 
Howard"  went  up  to  Heaven  that  winter,  and  each  succeeding  winter, 
till  the  war  was  over,  from  Howard  County  boys  in  every  Southern  State. 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

The  company  that  was  forming  at  the  time  Capt.  Harrison's  com- 
pany departed,  organized  by  electing  Willis  Blanche,  Captain,  Timothy 
H.  Leeds,  First  Lieutenant,  and  John  L.  Hall,  Second  Lieutenant.  Another 
company  was  also  partly  organized  in  this  county  with  William  K.  Hoback, 
Captain,  Joel  H.  Hoback,  First  Lieutenant,  and  Lewis  S.  Horn,  Second 
Lieutenant.  These  companies  proceeded  to  Richmond  in  November,  1861, 
where  they  were  organized  as  companies  G  and  H,  respectively,  of  the 
Fifty-seventh  Regiment.  On  the  10th  of  December,  the  regiment  moved 
to  Indianapolis,  where  it  remained  until  December  23,  when  it  took  its 
departure  for  Kentucky,  where  it  spent  the  winter  without  engaging 
in  battle.  The  regiment  marched  to  Nasliville,  Tenn.,  arriving  there 
early  in  March.  It  started  for  Pittsburg  Landing  on  the  21st  of  March, 
and  was  in  hearing  of  the  battle  of  Shiloh  on  the  6th  of  April,  but  did 
not  arrive  till  the  afternoon  of  the  7th,    when  it  immediately   engaged  in 


116  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

battle.  During  the  siege  of  Corinth  the  regiment  was  actively  employed. 
After  this,  it  marched  into  Northern  Alabama,  and  in  July,  1862  to  Middle 
Tennessee  where  it  remained  till  September,  making  many  arduous  marches 
and  undergoing  great  hardships.  It  took  an  active  part  in  the  campaign 
against  Bragg,  engaging  in  the  battle  of  Perryville,  Ky.,  with  only  slight 
loss.  After  this,  it  went  to  Nashville,  December  1,  1862.  At  the  battle 
of  Stone  River,  the  Fifty -seventh  suffered  severely,  losing  seventy-five 
men  out  of  about  350  engaged.  Here  the  regiment  greatly  distinguished 
itself.  During  the  remainder  of  the  winter  and  the  spring  of  1863,  it  re- 
mained in  camp  near  Murfreesboro,  drilling  constantly  and  doing  severe 
picket  work.  It  took  part  in  the  "eleven  days'  scout"  of  Maj.  Gen. 
Reynolds,  and  in  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge  it  bore  a  conspicuous  part. 
The  campaign  in  East  Tennessee  during  the  winter  of  1863  and  1864, 
was  probably  unequaled  during  the  whole  war  for  hardships  and  privations  ; 
of  these  the  Fifty-seventh  suffered  a  full  share.  On  the  1st  of  January, 
1864,  the  regiment  almost  unanimously  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  organ- 
ization. It  took  part  in  the  initial  operations  of  the  campaign  against 
Atlanta,  and  during  the  summer  was  almost  constantly  engaged  in  battle 
or  in  skirmishing.  It  was  in  the  assault  on  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  near  Dal- 
ton,  Georgia,  May  9th,  at  Resaca,  and  in  the  action  near  Adairsville 
it  took  an  active  part.  On  May  27,  it  lost  severely  in  the  battle  near 
New  Hope  Church  on  the  Altoona  Mountains.  It  was  under  fire  every 
day  from  this  time  until  June  8,  losing  many  men.  In  the  terrible 
struggles  and  skirmishes  around  Kenesaw  it  bore  a  full  part.  On  the  27th 
of  June,  the  regiment,  then  commanded  by  Col.  Willis  Blanche,  formed 
the  skirmish  line  in  front  of  the  assaulting  column  of  the  Fourth  Corps  ; 
its  loss  was  heavy.  It  participated  in  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek 
July  20,  and  from  this  time  until  the  25th  of  August  lay  in  the  trenches 
in  front  of  Atlanta.  The  regiment  was  slightly  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Jonesboro,  August  31.  After  the  occupation  of  Atlanta  the  Fifty- 
seventh  was  sent  to  Chattanooga.  It  helped  to  drive  Hood  into  Alabama, 
and  afterward  formed  a  part  of  the  army  of  Gen.  Thomas  which  re- 
sisted the  invasion  of  Tennessee.  It  was  engaged  at  Franklin  November 
30,  1864,  where  it  sustained  severe  loss.  On  the  15th  and  16th  of  De- 
cember it  participated  in  the  battle  at  Nashville,  where  Col.  Blanche  was 
wounded.  After  the  pursuit  of  Hood's  army,  the  regiment  lay  in  camp 
at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  some  months,  moving  into  East  Tennessee  as  far 
as  Bull's  Gap  in  April,  1865.  It  then  went  to  Nashville  and  was  trans- 
ferred to  Texas,  where  it  remained  until  mustered  out  of  the  service.  The 
Fifty-seventh  saw  much  arduous  service,  its  losses  in  battle  were  heavy, 
and  its  marches  severe,  but  it  behaved  with  great  gallantry  on  every  oc- 
casion, and  achieved  an  enviable  record   and  an  honorable  fame.     In  its 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  117 

commanding   officers  it  was   particularly  fortunate,   one   o    whom,   Col. 
Blanche,  of  this  county,  being  a  soldier  of  distinguished  merit. 

RELIEF    SENT    TO    SHILOH. 

When  the  news  reached  our  citizens  of  the  great  battle  of  Shiloh,  a 
meeting  was  hastily  called  and  a  surgeon  was  immediately  dispatched  to 
the  sufferers,  together  with  money,  lint  and  bandages  and  whatever  was 
thought  would  aid  in  their  relief  This  movement  was  connected  with 
an  authorized  organization  at  Indianapolis  and  it  was  a  noble  work  at  the 
right  time. 

SEVENTY-FIFTH    REGIMENT. 

In  July,  1862,  another  company  was  organized  here,  which  elected  Fran- 
cis M.  Bryant,  Captain,  James  C.  Metsker,  First  Lieutenant,  and  Irvin  Pol- 
son,  Second  Lieutenant.  It  was  mustered  into  service  as  Company  C,  of  the 
Seventy-fifth  Regiment,  at  Wabash,  on  the  19th  of  August,  1862.  This 
regiment  proceeded  to  Kentucky,  where  it  took  an  active  part  in  the  cam- 
paign, marching  to  Scottsville  and  Gallatin  and  then  back  to  Cave  City 
in  pursuit  of  Morgan's  forces.  The  v/inter  was  passed  mostly  in  camp  at 
Gallatin,  and  in  January  the  regiment  moved  to  Murfreesboro,  where  it 
remained  till  June  24,  1863,  when  it  started  toward  TuUahoma,  and  on 
the  march  engaged  in  the  battle  at  Hoover's  Gap.  It  was  the  first  reg- 
iment to  enter  the  rebel  works  at  Tullahoma  about  the  1st  of  July.  It 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  on  the  19th  and  20th  of  Sep- 
tember. It  then  returned  to  Chattanooga,  engaging  in  the  battle  of 
Mission  Ridge  on  the  25th  of  November.  The  Seventy-fifth  passed  the 
winter  of  1863-64  in  the  vicinity  ©f  Chattanooga,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1864  moved  to  Ringgold,  Ga.  During  the  Atlanta  Campaign  it  was  ac- 
tively engaged,  participating  in  the  battles  of  Dalton,  Resaca,  Adairs- 
ville,  Dallas,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  Jonesboro.  In 
October,  it  marched  in  the  campaign  against  Hood,  and  returned  to  Atlanta 
in  time  to  start  with  Sherman's  army  on  the  16th  of  November,  in  its 
famous  march  to  the  sea,  reaching  Savannah  in  December.  In  January, 
1865,  it  marched  through  the  Carolinas  to  Goldsboro,  in  North  Carolina,  and 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Bentonville  and  Fayetteville.  After  the 
surrender  of  Johnston's  army,  it  marched  to  Richmond,  Va.,  and  thence 
to  Washington,  D.  C,  where  on  the  8th  of  June,  1865,  it  was  mustered 
out  of  service. 

EIGHTY-NINTH    REGIMENT. 

In  the  month  of  August,  1862,  three  more  companies  were  raised 
in  this  county.  The  first  was  officered  as  follows :  William  Burns, 
Captain  ;  B.  F.  Haven,  First  Lieutenant,  and  John  T.  Stewart,  Second 
Lieutenant ;    the   second,    John    E.   Williams,    Captain ;  G.    Markland, 

G 


118  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

First  Lieutenant ;  William  Styer,  Second  Lieutenant;  the  third,  B,  W. 
Gifford,  Captain ;  William  A.  Hunt,  First  Lieutenant ;  William  T. 
Hutchinson,  Second  Lieutenant.  These  companies  were  rendezvoused  at 
Wabash,  and  were  organized  with  other  companies  into  the  Eighty- 
ninth  Regiment,  at  Indianapolis,  August  28,  1862.  The  companies 
were  lettered  F,  D  and  G,  respectively.  In  the  organization  of  this  reg- 
iment, Charles  D.  Murray  was  made  Colonel  and  J.  F.  Henderson,  Sur- 
geon, both  of  Kokomo.  In  the  October  following,  Harles  Ashley,  also 
of  Kokomo,  was  appointed  Quartermaster.  Proceeding  to  Kentucky,  the 
regiment  re-enforced  the  garrison  at  Munfordsville.  After  a  long  and 
stubborn  resistance,  it  was  compelled  to  surrender  to  superior  numbers  on 
the  16th  of  September.  The  officers  and  men  were  paroled  and  after  a 
furlough  to  their  homes,  the  regiment  re  assembled  at  Indianapolis  on  the 
27th  of  October.  The  order  for  their  exchange  being  received,  the  regi- 
ment, on  the  5th  of  December,  proceeded  to  Memphis,  and  on  the  21st  of 
December  was  placed  on  duty  at  Fort  Pickering,  where  it  remained  until 
the  18th  October,  1863.  It  was  then  transferred  to  the  city  of  Memphis, 
where  it  was  engaged  on  picket  duty  until  the  26th  January,  1864,  when 
it  left  on  transports  for  Vicksburg,  reaching  there  on  the  31st  of  January. 
From  this  point  it  moved  on  the  Meridian  raid,  skirmishing  with  the 
enemy  at  Queen's  Hill  and  at  Meridian,  where  it  arrived  on  the  14th  of 
^February.  After  tearing  up  the  Mobile  &  Ohio  Railroad  track,  it  pro- 
ceeded to  Marion,  camped  a  few  days  and  then  returned  by  way  of  Can- 
ton to  Vicksburg,  reaching  there  on  the  4th  of  March.  The  Eighty-ninth 
left  Vicksburg  on  the  10th  of  March,  for  the  mouth  of  Red  River,  reach- 
ing Semmesport  on  the  12th,  and  on  the  next  day  assisted  in  assaulting 
the  fort,  which  was  captured  on  the  14th.  It  moved  from  here  to  Alex- 
andria, thence  to  Henderson's  Hill,  and  there  captured  270  rebels  and 
four  pieces  of  artillery.  The  Eighty-ninth  bore  a  conspicuous  part  in 
the  battle  of  Pleasant  Hill,  on  the  9th  of  April,  1864.  On  the  7th  of 
May,  the  regiment  met  the  enemy  at  llayou  La  Mourie,  and  after  a  sharp 
engagement  charged  and  repulsed  him.  Resuming  march  toward  the 
Mississippi,  the  regiment  repulsed  the  enemy  near  Marksville,  in  a  slight 
engagement,  and  on  the  18th,  at  Smith  &  Norwood's  plantation,  had  a 
severe  contest  and  repulsed  the  enemy  with  great  slaughter.  On  the 
19th,  the  regiment  embarked  for  Vicksburg,  arriving  on  the  24th  of 
May.  It  remained  here  till  June  4,  when  it  embarked  for  Memphis, 
leaving  this  point  for  Collierville.  It  now  escorted  a  wagon  train  to  Mos- 
cow, and  then  moved  to  LaGrange,  Tenn.  Here  it  remained  till  the  5th 
of  July,  and  marched  to  Pontock,  Miss.,  arriving  there  on  the  11th. 
Moving  from  here  it  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Tupelo  on  the  14th  of  July. 
The  regiment  then  returned  to  Memphis,  where  it  remained  till  Septem- 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  119 

ber,  excepting  a  short  expedition  into  Northern  Mississippi  in  pursuit  of 
Forrest,  made  in  August.  On  the  19th  of  September,  the  regiment 
landed  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo.,  and  on  the  2d  day  of  October,  started 
in  pursuit  of  the  rebel  Gen.  Price.  In  this  expedition,  the  regiment 
marched  seven  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  and  was  in  no  engagement,  but  had 
the  misfortune  to  lose  Quartermaster  Ashley,  who,  with  two  other  officers, 
stopped  to  take  dinner  at  a  country  house.  Falling  behind  the  column  a 
short  distance,  they  were  captured  by  guerrillas  and  murdered  almost  im- 
mediately after,  near  the  village  of  Greenton,  Mo.  This  long  march  ended 
at  St.  Louis,  where  the  regiment  remained  till  the  latter  part  of  Novem- 
ber, and  then  took  steamer  for  Nashville,  where  it  arrived  on  the  30th, 
and  on  the  15th  and  16th  of  the  following  month  participated  in  battle 
near  that  place.  On  the  17th,  starting  in  pursuit  of  Hood's  army,  it 
marched  to  the  Tennessee  River,  and  on  January  1,  1865,  was  transported 
to  Eastport,  Miss.  Here  it  remained  till  February  9,  when  it  pro- 
ceeded by  steamer  to  Vicksburg,  and  thence  to  New  Orleans,  arriving 
there  on  the  21st  of  February.  From  there  it  moved  on  transports  to 
Dauphin  Island,  near  Mobile,  on  the  8th  of  March,  and  on  the  19th  up 
Mobile  Bay  by  steamer  to  the  mouth  of  Fish  River,  and  thence  to  Doris 
Mills,  where  it  remained  till  March  25.  It  then  marched  to  a  point 
between  Spanish  Fort  and  Blakely,  and  participated  in  the  siege  until 
the  rebel  fortifications  were  taken.  The  regiment  now  went  to  Montgom- 
ery. Ala.,  thence  to  Providence,  and  there  took  transports  to  Mobile, 
where  it  was  mustered  out  of  service  on  the  19th  of  July,  1865.  During 
its  term  of  service,  the  Eighty-ninth  marched  2,363  miles  on  foot,  trav"- 
eled  by  steamer  7,112  miles,  and  by  rail  1,232  miles  ;  making  the  total 
distance  traveled  10,707  miles. 


COMPANY   A,    FIFTH    CAVALRY. 

Early  in  August,  1862,  J.  C.  P.  Negly  received  authority  from  Col. 
Pettit  to  recruit  ten  men  at  Tipton  for  cavalry.  This  number  enlisted 
in  a  few  hours,  and  finally  thirty-five  were  raised  without  any  difficulty. 
The  company  departed  for  Wabash,  and  from  there  to  Indianapolis,  and 
was  organized  as  Company  A,  of  the  Fifth  Cavalry.  This  regiment  was 
in  twenty-two  battles  and  skirmishes,  and  during  the  month  of  June,  1864, 
in  Georgia,  was  engaged  in  skirmishing  nearly  every  day.  It  marched', 
during  its  term  of  service,  2,400  miles,  and  was  transferred  1,000  miles 
by  water.  It  captured  640  prisoners  during  its  term  of  service.  It  was 
mustered  out  of  service  June  16,  1865,  and  was  publicly  welcomed  home 
at  Indianapolis,  June  21. 


120 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 


THE    FIRST    BOUNTIES — MILITIA    ENROLLMENT. 

At  a  special  session  in  July,  1862,  the  County  Commissioners  had  ap- 
propriated $5,000  as  a  bounty  to  volunteers,  and  at  their  regular  meeting 
in  September  following,  |^5,000  more  was  appropriated.  To  raise  this 
fund,  a  tax  of  iJO  cents  on  each  $100  of  taxable  property  was  levied. 
This  action  was  strongly  criticized  by  soldiers  in  the  field  who  had 
gone  at  the  first  call,  without  bounty,  and  were  now  taxed  for  a  fund 
that  was  to  increase  the  pay  of  those  who  enlisted  more  than  a  year 
afterward,  and  which,  to  the  amount  of  their  taxes,  at  least,  diminished  the 
pay  of  those  first  enlisting.  The  first  week  in  September,  the  enrollment 
of  the  militia  was  completed.  The  Enrolling  Commissioner,  R.  Vaile, 
Esq.,  with  C.  Richmond,  Examining  Surgeon,  J.  W.  Cooper,  Provost 
Marshal,  and  the  eleven  Deputy  Commissioners  in  each  township  in  the 
county,  met  at  the  County  Clerk's  office  to  decide  on  applications  for 
exemption  from  the  draft.  The  attendance  was  large,  and  the  examina- 
tion lasted  several  days. 

The  following  table  shows  the  number  enrolled  in  each  township,  the 
number  exempt,  the  number  now  in  service,  and  also  those  conscientiously 
opposed  to  bearing  arms  : 


Townships. 

Enrolled 
MiLiriA. 

No. 
Exempt. 

No.  Volun- 
teers. 

No.  Consci- 
entiously 

OPPOSED. 

Centre 

323 
74 
158 
108 
181 
331 
171 
200 
123 
182 
200 

70 
10 
15 
19 
31 
71 
48 
31 
59 
28 
46 

205 
42 
76 
44 

150 
73 
57 
81 
50 
70 
54 

0 

Jack.son 

I 

Harrison 

9 

Clay 

0 

Taylor 

6 

Er  vin 

0 

jMonroe 

56 

Union 

0 

Honey  Creek 

0 

Howard 

18 

Liberty 

35 

Totals 

2,051 

428 

902 

125 

The  above  shows  that  at  least  one  third  of  the  population  liable  to  bear 
arms  were  already  in  the  field. 

In  the  month  of  September,  Capt.  Herring,  of  the  Thirty-ninth  Regi- 
ment, and  Hoback,  of  the  Fifty-seventh  Regiment,  returned  to  Kokomo, 
and  opened  a  recruiting  ofiice,  and  enlisted  quite  a  number  of  men  for 
their  respective  regiments. 

PARTY  DISSENSIONS. 

From  this  time  on  to  the  close  of  the  war,  many  enthusiastic  Union 

meetings  were  held  in  the  county,  at  which  the  most  stirring   speeches 

were  made,  and  patriotic  resclutions  adopted,   commending  the   boys  in 

blue,   the  Governor  of  the   State   and  the   Administration,  but  severely 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  121 

denouncing  the  enemies  of  our  country,  whether  traitors  in  arms,  or 
tories,  or  sympathizers  at  home.  As  a  natural  consequence,  much  bitter 
feeling  began  to  exist  between  those  in  favor  of  a  vigorous  prosecution  of 
the  war  and  those  who  were  directly  or  indirectly  opposed  to  it.  The 
terms,  "Abolitionists,"  "Nigger-lovers,"  "  Butternuts  "  and  "Copper- 
heads" now  became  very  common,  and  many  a  pugilistic  combat  settled 
arguments  between  disputants  on  our  streets  and  at  public  gatherings. 
These  fierce  encounters  were  not  always  confined  to  the  males,  but  fre- 
quently were  participated  in  by  the  females,  who  even  got  so  far  ad- 
vanced in  the  art  as  not  to  confine  it  solely  to  a  hair-pulling. 

■     FRUITLESS  CHASE  AFTER  MORGAN. 

On  the  morning  of  July  10,  1863,    the  following    telegram,  was    re- 
ceived here  from  the  Governor  : 
T.  C.  Phillips,  Kokomo,  Ind.: 

I  want  all  the  available  force  from  your  coiiniy  brought  to  this  city  at  the  earliest 
possible  momeut.  Come  organized,  if  possible.  Organization,  however,  can  be  completed 
here  and  arms  furnished.  PleHse  send  runners  over  the  county  and  inform  all  the 
people.     Answer  what  you  can  do.     BriDg  blankets.  Oliver  P.  Morton. 

This  telegram  was  received  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  Friday  morning, 
and  at  1  o'clock  over  100  men  got  aboard  the  train  for  Indianapolis,  and 
about  300  followed  on  Saturday.  After  organization  was  completed  at 
Indianapolis,  it  was  learned  that  Morgan  had  crossed  into  Ohio.  When 
the  Indiana  troops  were  asked  if  they  were  willing  to  follow  the  rebels 
into  another  State,  every  man  from  Howard  responded  in  the  affirmative. 
Had  the  troops  been  hastened  forward  immediately,  the  Howard  County 
boys  might  have  had  the  honor  of  helping  to  capture  the  guerrilla  chieftain 
at  Hamilton,  Ohio,  but  when  they  arrived  at  that  place,  they  learned  that 
Morgan  had  crossed  the  railroad  at  Glendale  only  an  hour  before.  They 
proceeded  to  Cincinnati  and  arrived  at  home  Friday  evening,  having  ac- 
complished nothing. 

THE  FIRST  DRAFT. 

On  Monday,  October  6,  1862,  the  first  draft  took  place  in  this  county, 
under  the  supervision  of  Commissioner  R.  Vaile,  as  follows :  Ervin 
Township,  18  men ;  Liberty  Township,  o  men  ;  Clay,  1  man  ;  total,  24 
men. 

Those  who  were  conscientiously  opposed  to  bearing  arms,  having  been 
excused,  though  able-bodied,  from  actual  military  service,  were  regarded, 
so  far  as  the  draft  was  concerned,  as  separate  communities,  and  were  re- 
quired to  furnish  the  same  per  cent  of  the  whole  number  of  able-bodied 
men  as  had  been  furnished  by  other  citizens  of  the  Government.  The 
average  number  of  volunteers  and  men  drafted  for  actual  service  was 
about  forty  per  cent   of  the  whole  number  of  those  not  exempt  from  actual 


122  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

military  service.  Consequently,  the  Government  saw  fit  to  draft  forty  per 
cent  of  the  conscientious  ones,  and  assessed  the  commutation  fee  at 
$200  each.  Their  names  were  placed  in  a  separate  hox  and  drawn 
as  follows :  Ervin  Township,  17  ;  Monroe  Township,  23  ;  Harrison 
Township,  4 ;  Taylor  Township,  3 ;  Howai'd  Township,  8 ;  Liberty 
Township,  14 ;  Union  Township,  6 ;  Jackson  Township,  1 ;  Honey 
Creek  Township,  9.     Total.  75. 

Under  the  call  of  October  17,  1863,  for  300,000  men,  the  total  quota 
of  the  State  was  18,507.  Of  this  number,  Howard  County  was  required 
to  furnish  158  men,  which  was  accomplished  without  resorting  to  draft. 

COMPANY    E,    ELEVENTH    CAVALRY. 

Late  in  the  fall  of  1863,  a  company  was  recruited  in  this  county, 
under  the  call  of  September  14  of  that  year — John  M.  Grarrett,  Captain; 
William  PL  Sumption,  First  Lieutenant,  and  Jesse  A.  Cate,  Second 
Lieutenant.  This  company  became  Company  E,  of  the  Eleventh 
Cavalry,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  Regiment,  which  perfected  its 
organization  at  Indianapolis,  March  1,  1864,  the  command  being  given 
to  Robert  T.  Stewart.  On  the  1st  of  May,  the  regiment  left  Indianapolis, 
and  moved  by  rail  to  Nashville,  Tenn.  It  arrived  there  on  the  7th  of 
May,  aiid  remained  until  the  1st  of  June,  when  it  marched  to  Larkins- 
ville,  Ala.,  and  was  placed  on  duty  along  the  line  of  the  Memphis  & 
Charleston  Railroad.  The  regiment  was  kept  on  this  duty  until  the  16th 
of  October,  when  it  marched  back  to  Nashville,  where  it  was  mounted 
and  sent  to  the  front.  It  was  actively  engaged  in  the  campaign  in  front 
of  Nashville  in  November  and  December,  and  after  the  defeat  of  Hood's 
forces  pursued  him  as  far  as  Gravelly  Springs,  Ala.  It  was  then  dis- 
mounted and  placed  on  duty  until  February  7,  1865,  when  it  crossed 
the  Tennessee  River  to  Eastport,  Miss.,  and  i-emained  there  until  the 
12th  of  May.  In  obedience  to  orders,  the  regiment  embarked  on  a 
steamer  for  St.  Louis,  arriving  May  17.  After  being  re-mounted,  it 
marched  to  Rolla,  Mo.,  and  from  there  to  Fort  Riley,  Kan.,  arriving  on 
the  8th  of  July;  from  there  it  moved  to  Council  Grove,  Kan.,  where  it 
was  engaged  in  guarding  the  Santa  Fe  route  across  the  plains,  with 
headquarters  at  Cottonwood  Crossing.  From  this  place  it  marched  to  Fort 
Leavenworth,  arriving  September  11.  On  the  19th  of  September,  the 
regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service  in  compliance  with  telegraphic 
orders  received  from  the  General  commanding  the  Department  of  Missouri. 
It  arrived  at  Indianapolis  on  the  26th  of  September,  partook  of  a  sump- 
tuous dinner,  and  was  publicly  welcomed  at  the  State  House.  The  regi- 
ment was  then  marched  to  Camp  Carrington,  paid  oft"  and  discharged. 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  12  3 

ONE  HUNDRED    AND    THIRTIETH    REGIMENT. 

During  the  winter  of  1863  and  1864,  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth 
Regiment  was  recruited  from  the  Eleventh  District,  with  headquarters  at 
Camp  Stilwell,  Kokomo.  This  camp  was  located  on  the  beautiful  grounds 
just  east  of  the  C  &  C.  Railroad,  and  south  of  the  residence  of  M.  Gar- 
rigus.  T.  N.  StUwell,  of  Anderson,  was  appointed  Commander  of  the 
Post.  Company  A,  of  this  regiment,  was  composed  wholly  of  Howard 
County  volunteers,  who  elected  Elijah  W.  Penny,  Captain  ;  John  B. 
Littler,  First  Lieutenant,  and  William  S.  Birt,  Second  Lieutenant.  This 
regiment  left  its  camp  in  Kokomo,  on  the  16th  of  March,  for  Nashville, 
Tenn.  On  the  5th  of  April,  it  marched  from  this  place  to  Charleston, 
Tenn.,  where  it  arrived  on  the  24th.  On  the  3d  of  May,  it  broke  camp, 
and  on  the  9th  first  came  into  the  presence  of  the  enemy  at  Rocky  Face 
Ridge.  From  this  time  until  the  15th  of  May,  the  regiment  was  engaged 
in  a  continual  series  of  skirmishes,  terminating  in  the  decisive  battle  of 
Resaca,  during  which  the  regiment  repelled  a  charge  of  the  enemy. 
After  the  battle,  it  joined  in  the  pursuit;  skirmishing  was  constant,  as  day 
followed  day.  The  rain  fell  in  torrents,  and  the  men  were  destitute  of 
shelter,  and  for  a  lonoj  time  short  of  rations.  On  the  I7th  of  June,  the 
regiment  was  engaged  with  the  enemy  at  Lost  Mountain,  and  on  the  22d 
at  Pine  Mountain,  On  the  27th, -it  drove  the  rebels  into  their  works  at 
Kenesaw  Mountain.  It  next  encountered  the  enemy  near  Decatur, 
drove  him  beyond  its  limits,  and  destroyed  the  railroad.  It  took  a  full 
share  in  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  and  on  the  29th  of  August  was  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Jonesboro.  From  the  4th  of  October,  the  regiment  was  in 
pursuit  of  Hood  until  the  15th  of  December,  when  the  battle  took  place 
in  front  of  Nashville,  lasting  two  days  and  resulting  in  the  extinction  of 
Hood's  army.  Joining  in  the  pursuit,  the  regiment  pushed  on  rapidly 
until  the  27th,  when  it  went  into  camp  at  Columbia.  On  the  5th  of 
January,  1865,  the  regiment  marched  to  Clifton  and  embarked  for  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio,  and  thence  to  Washington  City  by  rail  Embarking  on 
steamer  at  Alexandria,  the  regiment  sailed  to  Fort  Fisher,  N.  C,  and  dis- 
embarked. From  Fort  Fisher,  the  regiment  embarked  for  Morehead  City,  and 
thence  went  by  rail  to  Newbern,  N.  C.  On  the  8th  of  March,  the  enemy  was 
encountered  at  Wise's  Forks,  and  abandoned  the  field  in  great  confusion. 
The  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  took  a  prominent  part  in  this  engage- 
ment, and  moved  immediately  after  its  close  to  Kingston,  and  on  the  20th 
of  March  moved  to  Goldsboro.  Leaving  this  place,  it  went  to  Smithfield, 
and  thence  to  Raleigh,  where  it  arrived  April  14.  From  Raleigh,  the  regi- 
ment moved  to  Greensboro,  thence  to  Charlotte,  where  it  went  into  camp. 
During  the  summer  and  fall  of  1865,  the  regiment  was  employed  in 
guard  duty    at  Charlotte.     On  the  2d  of  December.  1865,  the  regiment 


124  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

was  mustered  out  of  service  at  this  place,  and  arrived  at  home  on  the  13th. 
Upon  its  arrival,  it  was  greeted  with  a  public  reception.  Its  members,  on 
receiving  final  payment  and  discharge,  left  for  home. 

On  the  28th  of  April,  1864,  Mr.  T.  C.  Philips  received  the  following 

teleffram : 

Twenty  thousand  vohinteers  to  serve  one  liundreJ  days  in  the  army  of  the  United 
States  are  called  for  from  Indiana.  Will  you  please  consult  with  the  patriotic  citizens 
of  your  county,  and  take  such  steps  as  will  insure  the  raising  of  the  men  as  speedily  as 
{lossible.     Plan  of  organization  by  mail  to-day.     By  order  of  the  Govenor. 

William.  H.  Schlatkr,   Col.  and  Military  S^'.c. 

ONE    HUNDRED     AND     THIRTY-FIFTH     AND     ONE     HUNDRED    AND    THIRTY- 
SEVENTH    REGIiMENTS. 

Harrison  Stewart,  who  had  been  one  of  the  first  to  volunteer  in  the 
three  months'  service,  immediately  began  to  recruit  a  company  under  this 
call.  Failing  to  raise  a  full  company,  the  men  from  this  county  were 
consolidated  with  a  part  of  a  company  from  Montgomery  County,  and  be- 
came Company  I,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fifth  Regiment.  Mr. 
Stewart  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  This  regiment  departed  for 
Tennessee  in  the  latter  part  of  May,  1864. 

In  a  few  days  after  the  organization  of  the  above  company,  anothei* 
full  company  reported  ready  for  service,  Avith  B.  Busby,  Captain  ;  Milton 
Garrigus,  First  Lieutenant,  and  Daniel  G.  Wilkins,  Second  Lieutenant. 
This  company  proceeded  at  once  to  Indianapolis,  and  became  Company  C, 
of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-seventh  Regiment.  In  the  organization 
of  the  regiment,  Mr.  Garrigus  was  promoted  Adjutant.'  This  regiment 
also  proceeded  to  Tennessee.  Both  regiments,-  on  arriving  at  Nashville, 
were  assigned  to  duty  along  the  lines  of  the  railroad  used  by  Gen.  Sherman 
for  the  transportation  of  supplies  to  his  army,  then  advancing  on  Atlanta. 
Both  these  regiments  served  beyond  the  period  of  one  hundred  days, 
and  returned  to  Indianapolis,  where  they  were  finally  discharged  from 
service. 

THE    SECOND    DRAFT. 

On  the  26th  and  27th  of  October,  1864,  a  second  draft  took  place  at 
Kokomo,  for  six  townships.  The  following  was  the  result  by  town- 
ships, being  double  the  number  of  men  necessary  to  fill  the  quota  of  each: 
Clay,  18  men ;  Honey  Creek,  28  men  ;  Jackson,  22  men ;  Liberty,  QQ 
men ;  Monroe,  68  menj  Union,  78  men ;  Howard  and  Taylor  Town- 
ships were  exempt  from  this  draft,  having  more  than  their  quota  of  men 
in  the  field.  Centre,  Harrison  and  Ervin,  though  in  arrears,  were  not 
drawn  at  this  time.,  and  in  a  few  days  they  raised  a  sufficient  sum  of 
money  (about  $10,000  each)  by  voluntary  subscription  to  procure  substi- 
tutes, and  thus  filled  their  quotas  and  were  freed  from  the  draft. 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  125 

COMPANY  I,  ONE   HUNDRED  AND   FORTY-SECOND  REGIMENT. 

At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-seventh  Regiment,  M.  Garrigus  at  once  set  about  organizing  an- 
other company,  with  headquarters  at  Indianapolis.  A  few  men  from  this 
county  joined  this  company,  which,  when  organized,  became  Company  I, 
of  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-second  Regiment,which  enlisted  for  one  year 
under  the  call  of  July,  1864.  Mr.  Garrigus  was  commissioned  Captain 
and  Timothy  Scott  Second  Lieutenant. 

THE  MATTER  OF  BOUNTIES. 

A  meeting  was  held  at  James'  Hall,  in  Kokomo,  on  Saturday  after- 
noon, January  7,  1865,  and  organized  by  calling  Michael  Thompson,  of 
Jackson  Township,  to  the  chair,  and  appointing  A.  B.  Walker,  of  Center, 
Secretary. 

At  this  meeting,  the  following  resolutions  were  adopted,  with  slight  op- 
position: 

Whereas,  The  President  of  the  United  States  has  called  for  300,000  more  men  and 
has  limited  the  time  of  raising  them  by  volunteering  to  the  15th  of  February   next,   and 

Whereas,  The  Governor  of  Indiana  has  permission  to  raise  eleven  new  regiments  in 
this  State,  and  the  time  for  raising  same  has  been  limited  to  the  7th  of  February  next,  and 

Whereas,  The  citizens  of  other  counties  are  moving  actively  in  the  matter  by  paying 
liberal  bounties,  by  appropriation  from  their  County  Commissioners,  thus  securing  for 
themselves  the  available  men  who  are  in  their  own  midst  as  well  as  in  other  localities  , 
thereby  rendering  it  entirely  out  of  the  question  and  impossible  for  those  counties  not 
paying  a  local  bounty  to  secure  any  credits  whatever,  thus  leaving  all  such  counties  one 
way  only  to  fill  their  quotas,  and  that  by  draft,  and 

Whereas,  It,  is  the  opinion  and  sense  of  this  meeting  th'it,  it  is  the  surest,  most  reli- 
able, equitable  and  expeditious  way  of  raising  a  fund  to  pay  a  local  bounty,  to  have  our 
County  Commissioners  make  an  appropriation.  Thus  making  the  burden  of  this  work  in 
which  all  should  be  interested,  Ml  equally  upon  all  in  proportion  to  the  ability  of  each 
individual  to  pay.     Therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  By  this  meeting,  that  we  hereby  request  our  County  Commissioners  to  make 
an  appropriation  of  a  sufficient  amount  of  money  to  pay  a  local  bounty  of  .$800  to  each 
and  every  volunteer  necessary  to  fill  the  quota  of  this  county. 

In  a  few  days  after  this  meeting,  the  County  Commissioners  were 
called  together  by  the  Auditor,  but  after  a  consultation  adjourned  with- 
out taking  any  action  whatever,  excepting  to  adjourn  till  February  6. 
In  the  meantime,  the  Governor  had  extended  the  time  for  raising  the  re- 
quired number  of  troops,  a  few  days.  Large  bounties  were  being  paid  in 
adjoining  counties,  and  our  boys  were  leaving  and  volunteering  elsewhere. 
The  people  were  becoming  thoroughly  aroused  and  alarmed,  and  on  Mon- 
day morning,  February  6,  the  day  appointed  by  the  Commissioners  to 
meet  again  in  special  session,  at  a  very  early  hour  the  people  began  to 
flock  into  Kokomo  in  great  numbers,  highly  excited  over  the  prospect  oi 
the  draft.     They  saw  that  Howard  County  would    be   depopulated,  and 


126  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

preferred  taxation  rather  than  that  their  farms  should  lie  uncultivated  for 
want  of  help.  A  meeting  of  the  people  convened  at  an  early  hour  in 
James'  Hall,  the  largest  in  the  city,  and  it  was  crowded  to  its  utmost 
capacity.  Upon  a  vote  being  taken,  only  four  persons  voted  against  pay- 
ing a  county  bounty.  The  Commissioners  were  present  at  this  meeting 
and  seeing  that  the  people  were  almost  of  one  mind,  at  once  held  a  meet- 
ing and  placed  upon  record  the  following  order: 

It  is  this  day  ordereil  by  the  Commissioners  of  Howard  County,  Ind.,  that  an  appro- 
priation of  $08,000  be  and  the  same  Is  hereby  made  and  ordered  for  the  purpose  of 
mining  a  local  bounty  of  $400  to  each  and  every  volunteer  who  may  enlist  in  the  military 
service  of  the  United  States  under  the  call  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  for  300,- 
000  men,  bearing  date  December  19,  18G4. 

This  appropriation  shall  be  made  in  county  orders,  signed  and  issued  by  the  Aud- 
itor of  said  county,  and  in  sums  ranging  from  $10  to  flOO  each.  Said  orders  to  be 
paid  within  one  year,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  the  money  to  pay  the  same  can  be  col- 
lected for  that  purpose  by  taxation.  This  appropriation  to  be  paid  to  the  several 
towuirhips  in  proportion  to  llie  number  of  men  required  from  each  township  to  fill 
said  call.  And  if  the  entire  quota  of  said  county  shall  not  be  filled  by  volunteers, 
then  the  number  that  have  volunteered  to  be  apportioned  to  the  several  townships 
in  proportion  to  the  number  of  men  required  from  each. 

It  is  further  ordered  that  the  County  Auditor  aforesaid  shall  issue  said  county  or- 
ders to  regular  appointed  agents  of  each  and  every  township  of  the  county,  when 
they  shall  deposit  with  the  Auditor  a  certificate  or  receipt  that  money  enough  has 
been  collected  to  cover  the  amount  of  the  order  or  orders,  called  for  by  said  town- 
ship, provided,  however,  that  if  volunteers  wish  to  take  orders  in  lieu  of  money  they 
have  that  privilege. 

It  is  further  ordered  that  all  volunteers  obtained  from  other  than  Howard  County 
are  to  be  credited  to  the  several  townships  in  proportion  to  the  quotas  required.  It 
is  further  ordered  that  Ithamer  Russel  be  appointed  to  receive  said  funds  and  dis- 
burse the  same  whenever  certificates  are  presented,  showing  that  volunteers  have  been 
received  and  mustered  into  service  and  credited  to  Howard    County,  under   this  call. 

Signed,  David  Greason, 

Jerome  Brown, 
John  Moulder, 

County  Comviissioners. 

THE    FINAL  ENLISTMENT. 

After  the  adoption  of  the  above,  the  last  company  raised  in  the  coun- 
ty was  recruited  by  Harrison  Stewart.  This  was  Company  H,  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  Fifty-third  Regiment.  The  officers  were  Harrison 
Stewart,  Captain;  Aquilla  Myers,  First  Lieutenant,  and  Henry  B.  Stew- 
art, Second  Lieutenant,  This  regiment  was  organized  at  Indianapolis  on 
the  1st  of  March,  1865,  and  left  on  the  5th  for  Nashville,  but  was  stopped 
at  Louisville  by  order  of  Gen.  Palmer,  and  sent  to  Russellville,  where  it 
was  sent  out  in  detachment  to  Hopkinsville,  Bowling  Green  and  other 
points  in  that  section  of  country.  Company  H  was  at  different  times 
engaged  in  fighting  guerrillas,  but  sustained  no  losses.     On  the  16th  of 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  127 

June,  the  regiment  returned  to  Louisville  and  was  assigned  to  duty  at 
Taylor  Barracks,  where  it  remained  until  September  4,  1865,  when  it 
was  mustered  out  of  service.  It  was  publicly  welcomed  home  at  Indian- 
apolis on  the  6th,  in  the  capitol  grounds.  Speeches  were  made  bv  Gen. 
Mansfield,  Hon.  John  H.  Farquar  and  Col.  Nelson  Trusler. 

CLOSE    OF    THE    STRUGGLE. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1861,  when  Mr.  Lincoln  was  inaugurated  Pres- 
ident of  the  United  States,  he  stood  in  the  midst  of  frowning  traitors,  with 
open  rebellion  staring  him  full  in  the  face.  Hands  were  already  clutching 
the  banner  of  our  country,  ready  to  drag  it  to  dishonor,  and  the  people 
stood  aghast  with  fear.  Now  four  years,  the  most  eventful  years  the  na- 
tion had  ever  known,  had  rolled  away,  and  in  1865  the  4th  of  March  had 
come  again,  and  the  plain,  care-worn  Illinois  lawyer  was  once  more  inau- 
gurated in  that  office,  which,  in  spite  of  all  rebellion,  is  still  the  proudest 
and  noblest  office  on  earth.  This  time  he  had  stolen  through  on  no  mid- 
night train  to  avoid  assassins.  He  was  surrounded  by  no  small  guard 
trembling  with  fear,  but  a  magnificent  army  Avas  at  his  bidding,  warm 
friends  stand  where  traitors  stood  before.  The  hand  of  treason  had  been 
stricken  from  our  banner  and  the  "flag  of  the  seas"  flaunted  its  colors  on 
every  ocean.  Grant,  with  a  powerful  army,  was  battering  down  the  last 
walls  of  rebellion  in  front  of  Richmond  ;  a  black  smoke  rising  to  the  skies 
marked  the  track  of  the  army,  famous  for  its  great  "march  to  the  sea;" 
while  Sheridan,  the  fearless  hero  of  Murfreesboro,  Chickamauga  and 
Missionary  Ridge,  was  thundering  down  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  spread- 
ing ruin  and  desolation.  On  the  morning  of  the  2d  of  April,  the  stars 
and  stripes  waved  over  Richmond  and  Petersburg.  On  the  9th,  over- 
taken and  seeing  no  hope  of,  escape,  Lee  agreed  to  surrender.  On  the 
morning  of  the  10th,  the  story  of  Appomattox  reached  Howard  County 
and  fairly  set  the  people  wild  with  joy.  The  Tribune  of  April  13,  1865, 
said: 

Last  Monday  was  that  "happy  clay"  that  the  people  have  been  siu^ing  about  for 
several  years.  It  was  the  happiest  day  that  the  people  of  this  generation  ever  experi- 
enced. The  enthusiasm  extended  over  the  entire  country,  and  the  people  everywhere 
rejoiced.  Our  town  was  all  ablaze  on  Monday  night.  Bonfires  lighted  up  the  streets; 
thou.sands  of  burning  candles  were  in  the  windows.  Old  and  young  were  on  the  streets; 
gentlemen  congratulated  each  other.  Old  enemies  met  and  buried  the  past.  Ladies 
sang  patriotic  songs,  and  Rev.  Mr.  .Jenkins,  Elder  Hobbs  and  others  made  brief  speeches. 
Everi  body  felt  good,  glorious  and  festive.  At  a  late  hour,  the  greater  number  of  those  on 
the  streets  began  to  move  homeward,  feeling  just  as  happy  as  they  well  could  feel,  while, 
many  went  in  out  of  the  cold  and  kept  up  their  rejoicing  until  the  early  hours  of  morn- 
ing. It  was  indeed  a  glorious  day  and  evening,  made  glorious  by  the  brilliant  achievements 
of  our  gallant  army  on  Sunday,  April  9.  Hurrah  for  the  Fourth  of  July,  the  9th  of 
April,  Yankee  Doodle  and  Yankee  army  ! 


128  I-IISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

THE  president's  ASSASSINATION. 

"  The  brightest  joy  brings  sometimes  deepest  sorrow."  While  the 
nation  was  still  rejoicing,  he  who  had  stood  proudly  at  the  helm  through 
all  the  perils  of  the  long,  dark  night  of  war,  and  was  just  now  beginning 
to  see  the  sunlight  of  peace  dawn  once  more  on  a  distracted  land,  was 
vilely  shot  by  a  half-mad  actor  named  John  Wilkes  Booth.  He  was 
dead,  but  his  words,  "  With  malice  toward  none,  with  charity  for  all, 
with  firmness  in  the  right,  as  God  gives  us  to  see  the  right,  let  us  strive 
on  to  finish  the  work  we  are  in,  to  bind  up  the  nation's  wounds,  *  *  * 
to  do  all  which  may  achieve  and  cherish  a  just  and  lasting  peace  among 
ourselves  and  all  nations,"  will  live  forever,  and  stamp  him  the  most  gea- 
erous  conqueror  the  world  ever  knew. 

On  the  19th  of  April,  1865,  the  day  set  apart  by  the  Governmeut 
for  the  funeral  ceremonies  of  this  great  and  good  man,  the  Rev.  C.  Mar- 
tindale  was  selected  by  the  people  of  this  community  to  preach  a  befitting 
and  appropriate  sermon,  which  he  did  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  Kokomo,  choosing  the  following  text:  "Clouds  and  darkness  are 
"round  about  him,  righteousness  and  judgments  are  the  habitation  of  his 
throne — "  (Psalms  xcvii,  2).     In  his  closing  remarks,  he  said: 

On  this  memoi'iible  occasion,  we  should  resolve  to  live  for  God  and  humanity.  Let  the 
memory  of  Lincoln  aud  Washington  arouse  us  to  action;  let  the  blood  of  the  heroes  of 
'76  and  '61-64  cry  in  our  ears  ;  let  the  dangers  and  struggles  of  the  past  teach  us  lessons 
of  wisdom.  Especially  let  the  munier  of  our  b.doved  Chief  Magistrate,  Abraham  Lincoln, 
arouse  us  to  crush  treason  and  slavery,  and  to  teach  us  to  trust  the  living  God,  as  the 
Ruler  of  our  great  nation.  Four  years  ago  Mr.  Lincoln  left  his  quiet  home  in  the  West  to 
assume  the  great  duties  required  at  his  hands,  appealing  to  heaven  for  help  and  asking 
the  prayers  of  the  pious.  Assassins  sought  his  life  then,  but  God  protected  him  till  his 
work  was  done.  Now  he  returns  to  his  boyhood  home  again  ;  though  fallen,  he  goes  a 
conqueror.  He  has  freed  4,000,000  bondmen  and  saved  a  nation,  and  now,  amid  sor- 
rows such  as  were  not  felt  at  the  death  of  Washington,  he  goes  to  his  long,  last  repose 
where  the  boom  of  the  cannon,  the  tramp  of  the  armed  host,  the  groan  of  the  bondman 
or  the  hand  of  the  assassin  shall  not  disturb  his  repose.  Peaceful  be  his  rest,  quiet 
his  repose.  Softly  whisper  the  winds  of  the  West  around  the  grave  of  Abraham  Lin- 
coln, the  second  Washington  of  America  and  the  worlds  great  liberator. 

THE  WELCOME  HOME. 

Tuesday,  July  4,  1865,  was  the  day  set  apart  for  extending  a 
formal  welcome  home  to  our  brave  boys  after  a  service  of  four  years  in 
the  army  of  the  Union.  Great  preparations  had  been  made  to  make 
this  a  happy  day  to  citizen  and  soldier.  At  5  o'clock  in  the  morning,  a 
loud  report  from  the  cannon  on  the  public  square  reminded  the  people 
that  the  glorious  day  had  dawned.  Soon  the  city  was  astir  ;  some  vil- 
lain had  spiked  the  gun  in  the  night  or  the  exercises  would  have  begun 
an  hour  sooner.     By  9  o'clock,  the  streets  were  crowded  with  people ;  at 


\ 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  129 

10  o'clock,  a  large  procession  of  soldiers,  under  command  of  Col.  Blanche, 
marched  to  the  grove  on  the  east  of  the  city,  followed  by  the  artillery 
squad  and  a  large  concourse  of  citizens.  Col.  Richmond,  the  Chief  Mar- 
shal, called  the  assemblage  to  order  and  introduced  Rev.  Mr.  Martindale, 
who  announced  the  old  familiar  hymn,  "  Am  I  a  Soldier  of  the  Cross," 
which  was  sung  with  much  spirit;  Mr.  Martindale  then  led  in  prayer, 
and  was  followed  by  a  national  air  by  the  band ;  then  the  gallant  Mets- 
ker,  of  the  old  Seventy-fifth,  stepped  forward  and,  in  a  loud  voice,  read 
the  Declaration  of  Independence.  Elder  Hobbs  was  then  introduced  to 
the  audience,  and  delivered  an  eloquent  oration.  The  Tribune,  of  July 
6,  complimented  the  oration  as  being  one  of  the  finest  ever  delivered  in 
this  city.  Elder  Hobbs  paid  a  glowing  tribute  to  the  memory  of  those 
who  had  fallen  in  defense  of  our  liberties  ;  and  to  those  who  had  been 
spared  to  return  he  gave  cheery  welcome,  and  said  :  "  For  all  the  grand 
results  of  the  past  four  years,  under  God,  we  are  indebted  to  the  armies 
and  navies  under  the  stars  and  stripes.  The  soldiers  have  suffered  much 
in  battle,  in  loathsome  prisons  and  dreadful  marches,  but  God  gave  them 
victory  at  last."  The  speaker  then  concluded  his  address  by  repeating 
the  following  lines  of-  welcome,  which  he  had  hastily  composed  for  the 

occasion  :  ,„,   .         ,  *i,    u         v       •    ui 

inrice  welcome  the  brave  bovs  in  blue. 

With  your  banners  all  torn,  yet  true, 

Welcome  ye  sons  of  patriot  sires — 

Now  rekindle  the  sacred  fires. 

From  year  to  year  renew  the  flame 

Until  fair  Columbia's  name 

Shall  be  in  every  land  revered, 

And  shall  on  ev'ry  sea  be  feared. 

Welcome,  thrice  welcome  all  ye  braves. 

This  the  land  of  our  fathers'   graves. 

A  goodly  land,  by  them  blood-bought, 

Came  to  us  unearned,  unsought. 

But  now,  bravely  thro'   freedom's  war 

You've  borne  their  flag,  nor  lost  a  star. 

After  this  eloquent  address,  dinner  was  announced.  Baskets  of  luxuries 
had  been  prepared  in  nearly  every  loyal  home  in  Howard  County,  and 
the  committee  had  tastefully  arranged  the  tables  in  the  public  square,  so 
that  all  could  be  accommodated.  The  soldiers  and  their  families  were 
first  given  places,  and  afterward  the  citizens.  This  was  a  sumptuous  repast, 
and  all  partook  freely,  and  though  hundreds  were  served,  there  was  enough 
left  for  as  many  more.  After  dinner,  the  crowd  re-assembled  at  the 
grounds,  and  speeches  were  made  by  Judge  Linsday  and  Capt.  M.  Garri- 
gus.  In  the  evening,  there  was  quite  a  display  of  fire-works,  and  the 
cannon  sent  its  echoes  far  into  the  night.  Everybody  felt  happy  when 
the  day  was  done. 


130  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

RESULTS    OF    THE    WAR. 

The  great  civil  war  was  now  at  an  end — ''  a  war,"  says  Alexander  11. 
Stephens,  in  his  History  of  the  United  States,  "  waged  by  the  Federals, 
with  the  sole  object,  as  they  declared,  of  maintaining  the  Union  under  the 
Constitution ;  while  by  the  Confederates  it  was  waged  with  the  great  object 
of  maintaining  the  inestimable  sovereign  right  of  local  self-government 
on  the  part  of  the  peoples  of  the  several  States,  ft  was  the  most  lament- 
able, as  well  as  the  greatest  of  modern  wars,  if  not  the  greatest,  in  some 
respects,  'known  in  the  history  of  the  human  race.'  It  lasted  four  years 
and  a  little  over,  as  we  have  seen,  with  numerous  sanguinary  conflicts 
and  heroic  exploits  on  both  sides,  many  of  which  will  live  in  memory  and 
be  perpetuated  as  legends,  and  thus  be  treasured  up  as  the  themes  for 
story  and  song  for  ages." 

This  opinion  we  freely  grant  Mr.  Stephens,  and  further  state  that  the 
war,  which  was  the  nation's  blessing  in  disguise,  has  forever 
swept  away  the  great  first  cause.  The  United  States  has  taken  a  great 
stride  forward.  Our  flag  has  been  avenged,  and,  though  it  cost  much  blood, 
we  have  freely  welcomed  back  under  its  folds  those  who  madly  fought  to 
destroy  the  proud  monument  of  their  fathers.  Though  they  got  ruin — 
desolation — the  death  of  countless  thousands  and  the  destruction  of  mill- 
ions of  property,  they  got  a  blessing,  for  "  upward  through  the  blood 
and  ashes  spring  afresh  the  Eden  flowers."  They  have  been  baptized,  as 
by  fire,  into  a  new  life,  and  though  they  may  never  build  up  their  old 
homes  and  their  old  civilization,  they  can  and  they  will  build  better  of 
both. 

Four  years  of  war  demonstrated  that  intelligent,  peaceful  citizens  of 
a  free  republic  make  the  bravest  of  soldiers  ;  and  now  eighteen  years  of 
peace  have  demonstrated  that  the  same  brave  soldiers  make  the  best  of 
citizens.  In  this  county,  the  oflfices  of  trust  and  honor  have  been  placed 
largely  in  the  hands  of  our  citizen-soldiery  since  the  war,  and  they  have 
never  been  dishonored.  In  all  public  enterprises,  the  former  soldiers  freely 
bear  their  part.  They  are  charitable  and  benevolent,  nor  do  they  forget 
their  fallen  comrades  and  brothers  who  now  slumber  in  our  cemeteries, 
but  annually,  on  Decoration  Day,  do  they  go, 

"  Lovingly  laden  with  flowers," 
no  matter  whether  in  storm  or  in  sunshine,  and  strew  those  silent  tokens 
of  love  and  affection  upon  the  graves,  and  over  and  over  again  recount  the 
strange,  sad  story  that  makes  those  lives  glorious,  even  in  death.  A 
beautiful  circular  mound  in  Crown  Point  Cemetery  has  been  dedicated 
to  our  fallen  heroes,  and  some  day,  in  the  near  future,  we  hope  to  see 
erected  upon  it  a  monument  that  shall  have  inscribed  upon  it  the  name  of 
every  soldier  that  fell  in   defense  of  his  country,  with  room  enough  left 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 


131 


for  the  names  of  those  who.  still  surviving  their  comrades,  will,  one  by 
one,  as  the  years  go  on,  be  borne  to  the  tomb. 

In  conclusion  we  cry  all  hail  to  our  heroes,  to  our  nation,  and  our 
banner,  the  stars  and  stripes  !  Under  that  flag,  Washington  conquered 
at  Yorktown  and  Jackson  at  New  Orleans;  under  that  flag,  McDonough 
and  Perry  humbled  the  haughty  pride  of  Britain  on  Erie  and  Champlain  ; 
under  that  flag,  Jones  and  Decatur  swept  the  sea.  And  never  shall  that 
bright  flag  that  was  flaunted  by  Taylor  on  the  heights  of  Monterey,  and 
by  Scott  over  the  Halls  of  the  Montezumas — that  flag  that  was  borne  to 
victory,  backed  by  more  than  a  million  loyal  hearts  and  bristling  bayonets 
from  1861  to  1865 — be  surrendered,  but  shall  live  to  the  end  of  time  to 
wave  in  triumph  over  a  prosperous  and  united  people. 

Howard's  regimental  representation. 

The  following  are  the  regiments  in  which  Howard  County  soldiers 
were  represented:  6th,  8th,  12th,  13th,  15th,  20th,  21st  (1st  Heavy 
Artillery),  26th,  34th,  36th,  39th  (8th  Cavalry),  46th,  47th,  51st,  57th, 
60th,  63d,  73d,  75th,  77th  (4th  Cavalry),  79th,  86th,  87th,  89th,  90th 
(5th  Cavalry),  99th,  126th  (11th  Cavalry),  130th,  131st  (13th  Cavalry), 
135th,  137th,  140th,  142d,  153d,  155th,  28th  (Colored),  8th  (U.  S. 
Colored)  and  17th  Battery. 

The  following  table  is  a  statement  of  quotas  and  credits  in  Howard 
County  under  calls  of  February  1,  March  14,  and  July  18,  1864,  as 
shown  by  the  Adjutant-General's  reports: 


•*' 

1 

*s 

J, 

1 

£ 

T~t 

<£> 

^' 

•*" 

a 

fa 

S 

a 

^ 

>» 

<a 

W--5 

w« 

h 

S 

1-^ 

P 

>»  h 

>%a 

TOWNSHIPS. 

o 

"3 

o 

o 

a 
2 

s 

as 

c3  aj 

d 

a 

a 

b. 

fe 

u 

2 

>'A 

> 

o 

2 

■a 

■a 

•a 

2 

C 

>> 

(>» 

r>> 

■ 

9' 

>. 

p 

s 

3 

1^ 

C.H 

X! 

J 

u 

a 

d 

>H 

0 

m 

ce 

cS 

ce 

■»-» 

♦^ 

^S 

H 

(H 

.2 

3 

o 

§ 

o 

3 

S 

5 
o 

■a 

•a 

"O 

a 

a 

0 

«3 

& 

C 

C 

<y 

fa 

H 

CJ 

O 

o 

H 

0 

H 

EH 

Q 

OQ 

Centre 

74 
18 
38 
25 
30 
19 

30 

15 

10 
12 

7 

75 
17 
41 

27 
31 
20 

456 
104 
250 
160 
184 
123 

179 
42 
94 
62 
73 
4fi 

133 

38 
78 
61 
65 
38 

46 
6 
8 
1 
9 
9. 

"4 

179 
44 
86 
62 
74 
43 

10 

"27 
27 

14 
10 

155 
34 
59 
35 
74 
32 

Clay 

...„ 

V 

Ervin  

H  arrison 

Howard 

3 

1 

Honey  Creek 

Jackson  

10 

30 

4 

9 
31 

55 
185 

23 

12 
5--' 

6 
11 

18 
63 

4 

1 

13 
40 

5 
10 

Liberty 

Monroe 

24 

32 
34 

10 
13 
14 

2« 
36 
37 

157 

213 
219 

60 
81 

85 

35 
78 
54 

2 
16 
11 

1 
"18 

38 
94 
83 

10 

1 

27 
94 
84 

22 
""2 

Taylor 

13 

Union 

29 

Total 

334 

134 

350 

2,105 

818 

644 

117 

23 

784 

141 

26 

617 

50 

18 

132 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 


The  following  is  a  statement  of  quotas  and  credits  in  Howard  County, 
under  call  of  December  19',  1864,  for  300,000  men,  as  shown  by  the  Ad- 
jutant General's  reports : 


^ 

i? 

,., 

. 

^ 

^ 

a 

i 

C 

a 

■a 

3 

S 

^ 

a 

i 

1 

l 

"c 

p 

TOWNSHIPS. 

a 
1 

1 

a 

a; 

a 

a 

a 

J 

o 

s 

3 
o 

£ 

a 

3 

5> 

1 

"a 
i2 

w 

-a 
c 
9 

P 

a 

^■1 

X!      . 

.S» 

1 

fe 

S3 

e 

H 

3 

a 

s 

o 

3 

P. 

o 

3 

i^  a 
'■5  S 

'S 

"3 

3 

o 

.3 

ta 

3 

K 

<y 

OJ 

E-1 

o 

u 

o 

B 

o 

H 

H 

l-l 

03 

Center 

353 

63 

181 

106 

123 

94 

25 

107 

47 
5 

46 

25 
8 

19 
8 

80 



47 
15 

46 
25 

8 
19 

9 
30 

45 
5 

40 

26 
8 

14 
2 

'>1 

43 

1 
2 



...„ 

3 

7 

88 
6 

42 

27 
9 

17 
7 

V9 

45 

5 
40 
26 

8 
16 

5 
V8 

43 

1 
2 

4 

"■'2 

1 
1 

41 

Clav 

?, 

Harrison 

9. 

Howard 

1 

Honey  Creek 

Jackson 

Liberty 

89 
17? 

33 
4 

33 
4 

11 
4 

18 

30 
5 

29 
4 

3 

Taylor 

1 

Union 

96 

20 

20 

13 

14 

13 

6 



Total 

1409 

94h 

'?4fi 

189 

55 

30 

'^^74 

'^19 

55 

17 

48 

BOUNTY     EXPENDITURES. 

Amount  expended  for  local  bounties,  for  relief  of  soldiers'  families, 
and  for  miscellaneous  military  purposes  by  the  county  of  Howard  and 
townships. 


DISTRICT. 


Howard  County 

Center  Township 

Clay  Township 

Ervin  Township 

Harrison  Township 

Howard  Township 

Honey  Creek  Township. 

Jackson  Township 

Liberty  Township 

Monroe  Township 

Taylor  Township 

Union  Township 


Total. 


Grand  Total. 


1108,000 

11,000 

2,870 

24,550 

12,500 


7,000 

3,000 

17,030 

10,500 


4,915 


201 ,365 


!pl5,000 

10,000 

1,500 

2,065 

1,550 

550 

830 

450 

700 

1,2.50 

850 

1,375 


36,120 
237,485 


HOWARD    COUNTY    OFFICERS'    RECORD. 

The  following  list  contains  the  name,  rank  and  promotion  of  each 
officer  that  went  to  the  army  from  this  county.     Also  the  number  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  133 

regiment,  the  letter  of  the  company,  the  date  of  commission  and  the  time 
when  mustered  out  of  the  service  : 

Sixth  Infantry  (three  months) — Thomas  J.  Harrison,  commissioned 
Captain  April  20,  1861  ;  mustered  out  at  expiration  of  term  ;  re-entered 
service  as  Colonel  of  the  Thirty-ninth  Regiment  (Eighth  Cavalry) ;  date 
of  commission,  August  28,  1861  ;  mustered  out  January  15,  1865  ;  bre- 
vetted  Brigadier  General  January  31,  1865.  Thomas  Herring,  com- 
missioned First  Lieutenant  of  Company  D  April  22,  1861,  and 
mustered  out  at  the  expiration  of  term  ;  re-entered  service  as  Cap- 
tain of  Company  D,  Thirty-ninth  Regiment;  date  of  commission, 
September  2,  1861  ;  promoted  Major  March  5,  1864: ;  promoted  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  January  20,  1865,  and  mustered  out  with  regiment. 
William  R.  Philips,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  April  22,  1861, 
of  Company  D,  and  mustered  out  at  expiration  of  term  ;  re-entered  service 
as  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  D,  Thirty-ninth  Regiment ;  date  of  com- 
mission, September  2,  1861 ;  killed,  April  7,  1862,  at    Shiloh. 

Tivelfth  Infantry  (three  years) — Alfred  B,  Taylor,  commissioned 
Assistant  Surgeon  August  7,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865;  term 
expired. 

Tkirteenth  Infantry  (three  years) — Thomas  M.  Kirkpatrick,  com- 
missioned Captain  Company  E  April  25,  1861 ;  mustered  out  August  22, 
1864 ;  term  expired.  Barnabas  Busby,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant 
Company  E  April  25,  1861 ;  resigned  December  4,  1862.  Nathaniel 
P.  Richmond,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  E  April  25, 
1861 ;  promoted  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  First  West  Virginia  Cavalry. 

Twentieth  Regiynent  (three  years) — Charles  D.  Murray,  commis- 
sioned First  Lieutenant  Company  A  July  23,  1861 ;  resigned,  and  re- 
entered service  as  Colonel  of  the  Eighty-ninth  Regiment ;  date  of  com- 
mission, August  28,  1862;  dismissed  April  18,  1865;  restored  by  War 
Department  April  28,  1865 ;  mustered  out  with  regiment.  John  W. 
Yanderbank,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  I  June  6, 
1863 ;  promoted  Captain  of  Company  K  of  the  Twentieth  (re-organized) 
Regiment ;  date  of  commission,  December  2,  1864 ;  mustered  out  with 
regiment. 

Twenty-firBt  Regiment  (First  Heavy  Artillery) — Tipton  D.  Clary, 
commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  L  December  23,  1863 ; 
promoted  First  Lieutenant  and  commissioned  September  9,  1864. 

Thirtyfourth  Regiment — Jacob  S.  White,  commissioned  Surgeon, 
September  13,  1861 ;  resigned  December  23,  1862.  Daniel  W.  Taylor, 
commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon  September  25,  1861 ;  promoted  Sur- 
geon December  24,  1862 ;  .  resigned  July  5,  1865.  William  W. 
Stephenson,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company   H  April  5, 

H 


134  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

1862;  promoted  First  Lieutenant;  date  of  commission,  September  1, 
1862 ;  then  promoted  Captain  of  Company  G  ;  date  of  commission,  Sep- 
tember 20,  1868;  transferred  as  Captain  of  Company  H;  date  of  com- 
mission, September  20,  1863 ;  resigned  April  12,  1865.  John  0.  Har- 
desty  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  H  February  3, 
1863  ;  promoted  First  Lieutenant  September  20,  1863  ;  promoted  Cap- 
tain ;  date  of  commission,  April  13,  1865;  resigned  as  First  Lieutenant 
June  28,  1865.  Thomas  S.  Terrell,  commissioned  Captain  of  Company 
H  September  16,  1861 ;  died  July  26,  1863,  at  Memphis,  Tenn.  Har- 
rison Shannon,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  H  August  1, 
1865.  Joseph  E.  Libby,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company 
H  September  1,  1862 ;  resigned  February  2,  1863.  Aaron  Welty  com- 
missioned Second  Lieutenant  Company  H  August  1,  1865. 

Thirty-ninth  Regiment  (Eighth  Cavalry) — Thomas  J.  Harrison, 
commissioned  Colonel  August  28,  1861 ;  mustered  out  January  15, 
1865  ;  brevetted  Brigadier  General  January  31, 1865.  Thomas  Herring, 
commissioned  Captain  of  Company  D  September  2,  1861 ;  promoted 
Major  March  5, 1864  ;  promoted  Lieutenant  Colonel ;  date  of  commission, 
January  20,  1865  ;  mustered  out  with  regiment.  Matthew  C.  Mill,  com- 
missioned Adjutant  March  5,  1864;  mustered  out  January  1,  1865. 
John  Bohan,  commissioned  Quartermaster  August  30,  1861 ;  mustered 
out  October  4,  1864  ;  term  expired.  Josiah  Stanley,  commissioned  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant,  Company  D  April  20,  1862 ;  promoted  Captain  May  1, 
1864;  mustered  out  January  1,  1865;  term  expired.  Stephen  D. 
Butler,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  D  September  2, 
1861 ;  promoted  First  Lieutenant;  date  of  commission,  April  20,  1862; 
killed  at  Chickamauga  September  20,  1863.  Edward  W.  Scott,  com- 
missioned First  Lieutenant  of  Company  D  March  1,  1865 ;  mustered 
out  as  Sergeant  with  regiment.  George  T.  Ogden,  commissioned  Second 
Lieutenant  of  Company  D  March  1,  1865 ;  promoted  Captain  of  same 
company ;  date  of  commission,  August  1,  1865 ;  mustered  out  with  regi- 
ment. William  D.  Ward,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company 
B  August  1,  1865 ;  mustered  out  with  regiment.  John  Pearson,  com- 
missioned as  Captain  of  Company  D  March  1,  1865 ;  mustered  out  with 
regiment.  Noah  Downs,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company 
I  March  1,   1865 ;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 

Fifty-first  Regiment  —  Marion  Anderson,  commissioned  Second 
Lieutenant  Company  D  April  30,  1862;  promoted  Captain  ;  date  of  com- 
mission, December  11,  1862;  resigned,  June  16,  1865.  Evan  E.  Sharp, 
commissioned  First  Lieutenant  Company  D  April  30,  1862 ;  honorably 
discharged  March  24,  1865,  under  Circular  75,  War  Department. 

Fifty-seventh    Regiment  —  Willis  Blanche,   commissioned    Captain 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  I35 

Co.,pa„y  G  October  80,  1861 ;  promoted  Major;    date  of  commission, 

Jut"7l86S  '  'Tn'^f  I--'--' Colonel ;  date  of  commission 

July  _»,  1863;  promoted  Colonel;  date  of  commission,  June  24  1864- 
resigned  May  1,  1865;  cause,  disability.  Tnnothy  Leeds,  commissioned 
F,rst  L.eutenant  of  Company  G  October  80,  1861;  promoted  Captain  of 
same  company;  date  of  commission,  February  21,  1863;  promoted 
Major;  date  of  comm.ss.on,  May  3,  1865;  promoted  Lieutenant  Colonel  • 
date  o  commission,  June  1,  1865.  John  H.  Terrell,  commissioned  Adiu- 
tant  May  3,  1865.  Joim  S.  Summers,  con,missioned  First  Lieutenant 
of  Company  I  January  24.   1863;  promoted  Captain;   date  of  comrais- 

1865      W-ll'    '*^'',  P™r"^-^    M^J";    '1*   of  commission,  June  1, 
1865.     Wilham  K.  Iloback,  commissioned  Captain  of  Company  H  Oc 
ober  .0,  1861;    resigned    March  20,    186.3,  to  accept  a  Cha'^laincv ; 
date  of   commission,  February  20,  1868  ;    resigned  October  26,   1868  ^ 
cause,    disability.     James    Leonard,  commissioned    Chaplain    April    5,' 

H  n:      I      i7\ of'  <"'"'">'«^'°'"^'l  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company 
H  November  14,1  62;  promoted  Captain ;  date  of  commission,  March 
^1,  1863;  resigned  June  17,  1864;  cause,  disability.     William  T   Sew- 
ar,l    commissioned    First    Lieutenant    of   Company    A    September    1, 
1864;    promoted   Captain;   date  of  commission,  March  19    1865-    re 
signed  June  11,  1865;  cause,  personal  business.     Joel  H.  Iloback,  'c„m- 
ZTof  1^6?  ^"'"'^»;"'  Company   II  October  80,    1861;    resigned 
Marlil    78.1  '*"'°' ''"'f '"'y^  ^«^i«  commissioned  First  Lieutenant 
luarch  Zl,  1863;  promoted  Captain  June  18,  1864.     Robert  T   Becket 
commissioned    Second   Lieutenant    Corap.,ny  I  January  21    1862-    re' 
signed  March  27.  1862 ;  cause,  disability.     Enoch  R.  Adams'on,  commis- 
sioned Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  G  December  13,  1862;  promoted 
iirst  Lieutenant;    date  of   commission,  February  12.   1863-  resigned 
November  22   1864;  cause,  disability.     Benjamin'  F.  Rhoad;  cZis 
sioned  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  G  December  17,  1864;  promoted 
Captain;    date  of  commission.  June  18.  1864,     John  W.  Garner  com 
missioned  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  G  May  3,  1865.     John  L  '  Hall 
commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  G  October  30   1861  •  re- 
signed December  12,  1862;    cause,  disability.     William  E.  Todhumer 
commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  February  12,  1863;  resigned  Septem! 
ber   25,    1864;    cause,   disability.     Samuel  G.  Woodfill,   commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  G  June  1,  1865 

SMeth  Eeifiment-ChavhsM.  Murray,'  commissioned  Second 
Lieutenant  Company  K  January  20,  1862  ;  promoted  First  Lieutenant 
of  same  company  April  3,  1863;  promoted  Captain  of  same  company; 
date  of  commission,  December  6,  1863;  mustered  out  December  31, 
1864,  on  consolidation  of  regiment.     Michael  B.  Cramer,  commissioned 


136  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

First  Lieutenant  of  Company  K  January  20,  1862;  resignedJuly  3,1862. 
Sixti/-tJnrd  Regiment — William  Curlee,  commissioned  Second  Lieu- 
tenant of  Company  K  May  1,  1865  ;    mustered  out  with  regiment  June 
21,  1865. 

Seventy-third  Regiment — Wilson  Daily,  commissioned  Second  Lieu- 
tenant Company  K  July  24,  1864  ;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 

Seventy-fifth  Regiment — James  C  Medsker,  commissioned  First 
Lieutenant  of  Company  C  July  28,  1862;  promoted  Adjutant;  date  of 
commission,  August  20,  1862  ;  mustered  out  with  regiment.  J.  C.  P. 
Negley,  commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon  August  20,  1862,  but  de- 
clined. Robert  H.  Buck,  commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon  Sep- 
tember 16,  1862;  resigned  April  23,  1863;  re-entered  service  as 
Surgeon  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Eighteenth  Regiment ;  date 
of  commission,  September  19,  1863;  mustered  out  when  term  ex- 
pired. Francis  M.  Bryant,  commissioned  Captain  of  Company  C 
July  28,  1862  ;  died  December  2,  1863,  of  wounds  received  at  Missionary 
Ridge.  Irvin  Poison,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  C 
August  21,  1862  ;  promoted  First  Lieutenant;  date  of  commission,  Au- 
gust 2,  1863 ;  promoted  Captain  ;  date  of  commission,  November  26, 
1863 ;  mustered  out  with  regiment.  Daniel  D.  Downs,  commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  C  July  28,  1862  ;  promoted  First  Lieu- 
tenant; date  of  commission,  August  21,1862;  resigned  August  1,  1863. 
George  W.  Holton,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  May  1,  1865 ; 
mustered  out  with  regiment. 

Seventy-ninth  Regiment — William  C  Shortridge,  commissioned 
Quartermaster  August  11,  1862 ;  resigned  April  23,  1863. 

Eighty-ninth  Regiment — Charles  D.  Murray,  commissioned  Colonel 
August  28,  1862 ;  dismissed,  April  18,  1865 ;  restored  by  War  De- 
partment April  28,  1865;  mustered  out  with  regiment.  Jesse  T.  Cox, 
commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon  February  15,  1865 ;  mustered  out  with 
regiment.  Harles  Ashley,  commissioned  Quartermaster  November  3, 
1862 ;  killed  November  1, 1864,  by  guerrillas.  John  E.  Williams,  commis- 
sioned Captain  of  Company  D  August  9, 1862;  resigned  November  5, 1864. 
Garah  Markland,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  D  August 
9,  1862  ;  promoted  to  Captain;  date  of  commission,  November  6,  1864; 
mustered  out  with  regiment.  Oliver  P.  Moulder,  commissioned  First 
Lieutenant  of  Company  D  December  14,  1864  ;  mustered  out  with  regi- 
ment. William  H.  Styer,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company 
D  August  9,  1862  ;  resigned  October  20,  1863 ;  William  Burnes,  com- 
missioned Captain  of  Company  F  August  13,  1862  ;  resigned  January  15, 
1863.  John  T.  Stewart,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company 
F  August   13,  1862;    promoted  First  Lieutenant  December  26,  1862; 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  137 

promoted  Captain  ;  date  of  commission,  January  16,  1863 ;  mustered 
out  with  regiment.  Benjamin  F.  Havens,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant 
of  Company  F  August  13,  1862  ;  resigned  December  25,  1862.  James  M. 
Armantrout,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  December  26,  1862 ; 
promoted  First  Lieutenant ;  date  of  commission,  January  16,  1863  ; 
died  February  17,  1863,  of  disease.  Hugh  Willits,  commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  F  January  16,  1863 ;  promoted  First 
Lieutenant;  date  of  commission,  February  24,  1863;  died  in  hospi- 
tal at  Nashville  February  17,  1865,  of  disease.  Hezekiah  H.  Winslow, 
commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  Company  F  February  24,  1863 ; 
promoted  First  Lieutenant  February  15,  1865  ;  mustered  out  with  reg- 
iment. Bedford  W.  Gifford,  commissioned  Captain  of  Company  G  Aug- 
ust 16,  1862  ;  killed  in  battle  of  Yellow  Bayou,  La.,  May  18, 1864. 
William  A.  Hunt,  commissioned  Captain  Company  G,  May  19,  1864 ; 
killed  by  guerrillas,  June  23,  1864.  Jeremiah  P.  Brown,  commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant  Company  G  August  16,  1862;  promoted  First  Lieu- 
tenant ;  date  of  commission,  December  26,  1863  ;  died  of  wounds  re- 
ceived in  action  June  3,  1864.  William  M.  Gifford,  commissioned  First 
Lieutenant  Company  G  December  26,  1864 ;  discharged  as  Sergeant 
March  17,  1865,  on  account  of  wounds. 

Ninetieth  Regiment  (Fifth  Cavalry) — Jacob  P.  C.  Negley,  commis- 
sioned First  Lieutenant  Company  A  August  13,  1862 ;  commissioned 
Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  Seventy-fifth  Regiment  August  20,  1862,  but 
declined,  and  was  honorably  discharged  November  25,  1863.  Ferdi- 
nand Dorsch,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  August  13,  1862 ;  super- 
numerary ;  mustered  out  by  order  of  the  War  Department,  May  16, 1863. 

One  Hundred  and  Eighteenth  (Six  Months'  Regiment) — Joseph  Bald- 
win, commissioned  Captain  of  Company  B  July  28,  1863 ;  mustered  out 
when  term  expired.  Benjamin  Norman,  commissioned  Captain  of  Com- 
pany D  July  4,  1863 ;  mustered  out,  term  expired  ;  re-entered  service  as 
Captain  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-fifth  Regiment ;  date  of 
commission,  April  11,  1865  ;  mustered  out  with  regiment.  Harrison 
Stewart,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  D  July  4,  1863  ; 
mustered  out,  term  expired  ;  re-entered  service  as  Captain  Company  H, 
One  Hundred  and  Fifty-third  Regiment ;  date  of  commission,  February 
23,  1865 ;  mustered  out  with  regiment.  William  J.  Fallsner,  commis- 
sioned Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  D  July  4,  1863 ;  mustered  out 
when  term  expired.  Samuel  Richey,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant 
of  Company  I  September  3,  1863;  mustered  out  when  term  expired. 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  Regiment  (Eleventh  Cavalry) — Abram 
C.  Barnhart,  commissioned  Chaplain  April  8,  1864  ;  mustered  out  with 
regiment.     John    M.    Garrett,   commissioned    Captain    of    Company    E 


138  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

December  23,  1863 ;  resigned  February  20,  1865.  William  H.  Sump- 
tion, commissioned  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  E  December  23,  1863  ; 
promoted  Captain  ;  date  of  commission,  March  1,  1865;  resigned  August 
14,  1865.  Jesse  A.  Cate,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  Company  E, 
December  23,  1863;  promoted  First  Lieutenant;  date  of  commission 
March  1,  1865 ;  promoted  Captiiin  ;  date  of  commission,  August  15, 
1865;  mustered  out  with  regiment.  William  L.  White,  commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  E  March  1,  1865;  mustered  out  with 
regiment. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirtietli  Regiment — Elijah  W.  Penny,  commis- 
sioned Captain  of  Company  A  January  20,  1864;  promoted  Major;  date 
of  commission,  September  1,  1861;  promoted  Lieutenant  Colonel;  date  of 
commission,  April  1,  1865;  mustered  out  with  regiment.  George  W. 
Pattison.  commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon  March  1,  1861 ;  promoted 
Surgeon;  date  of  commission,  July  20,  1861 ;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 
John  B,  Littler,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  January  20,  1861 ;  pro- 
moted Captain ;  date  of  commission,  September  1,  1861 ;  mustered  out 
with  regiment.  William  S.  Birt,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  Janu- 
ary 20,  1861;  promoted  First  Lieutenant;  date  of  commission,  September 
1,  1864;  resigned  September  18,  1864.  Edwin  R.  W.  Truax,  commis- 
sioned Second  Lieutenant  September  1,  1864 ;  promoted  First  Lieuten- 
ant ;  date  of  commission,  March  1,  1865  ;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Regiment  (Thirteenth  Cavalry) — Rob- 
ert H.  Buck,  commissioned  Surgeon  June  30,  1864  ;  resigned  February 
4,  1865.  Levi  Hillis,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  G 
February  27,  1864;  promoted  Captain  ;  date  of  commission,  October  1, 
1865  ;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 

One  Hundred  and  Tliirty-fifth  Regiment — Harrison  Stewart,  com- 
missioned First  Lieutenant  May  21,  1864;  mustered  out  witii  regiment. 

One  Hu7idred  and  TJiirty-seventh  Regiment — Barnabas  Busby,  com- 
missioned Captain  of  Company  C  May  12,  1864  ;  mustered  out  with  regi- 
ment. Milton  Garrigus,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  May  12,  1864 ; 
promoted  Adjutant;  date  of  commission,  May  25,  1864;  mustered  out 
with  regiment.  Daniel  Wilkins,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  May 
12,  1864  ;  promoted  First  Lieutenant ;  date  of  commission.  May  26,  1864; 
mustered  out  with  regiment.  Samuel  W.  Thornton,  commissioned  Second 
Lieutenant  May  26,  1864  ;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-second  Regiment — Milton  Garrigus,  com- 
missioned Captain  Company  I  November  3,  1861 ;  mustered  out  with 
regiment.  Timothy  Scott,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  Company  I 
November  3,  1864;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty-third  Regiment — Isaac  C.  Johnson,    com- 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  139 

missioned  Assistant  Surgeon  March  7, 1865;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 
Harrison  Stewart,  commissioned  Captain  of  Company  H  February  23, 
1865  ;  mustered  out  with  regiment.  Henry  B.  Stewart,  commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant  February  22,  1865 ;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 
Aquilla  Myers,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  February  22,  1865 ; 
mustered  out  with  regiment. 

ROLL    OF    HONOR 
"How  sleep  the  brave,  who  sink  to  rest 
By  all  their  country's  wishes  blest! 
When  spring,  with  dewy  fingers  cold, 
Returns  to  deck  their  hallowed  mold. 
She  there  shall  dress  a  sweeter  sod 
Than  Fancy's  feet  have  ever  trod. 

By  fairy  hands  their  knell  is  rung; 
By  forms  unseen  their  dirge  is  sung; 
There  Honor  comes,  a  pilgrim  gray, 
To  bless  the  turf  that  wraps  their  clay; 
And  Freedom  shall  awhile  repair, 
To  dwell  a  weeping  hermit  there." 

Thirteenth  Infantry — William  H.  Bates,  died  at  Indianapolis  July  14, 
1861 ;  Thomas  Bogue,  killed  at  Allegheny  December  13,  1861 ;  John 
Burns,  died  June  6,  1862,  of  wounds  received  at  Allegheny;  Francis 
M.  Hardesty,  died  at  Cheat  Mountain  Pass  September  3,  1861 ;  Daniel 
Helms,  died  at  Suffolk,  Va.,  November  3,  1862 ;  Mark  Helms,  killed  at 
Winchester  March  23,  1862;  Jonathan  Hockstedler,  killed  at  Win- 
chester March  23,  1862;  William  Honner,  died  at  Folly  Island  Janu- 
ary 26,  1864;  Eleazer  Jones,  died  at  Cheat  Mountain  Pass  September 
19,  1861;  William  Rader,  killed  at  Winchester  March  23,  1862;  Will- 
iam Riffle,  killed  at  Rich  Mountain  July  11,  1861 ;  George  L.  J.  Ring, 
died  at  Beaufort,  S.  C,  October  4,  1863;  Benjamin  Seward,  killed  at 
Foster's  farm  May  20,  1864 ;  William  Shirley,  died  February  19,  1862, 
of  wounds  received  at  Allegheny  ;  John  M.  Simpson,  died  June  7,  1864, 
of  wounds  received  at  Cold  Harbor. 

Thirty-fourth  Infantry — John  Brown,  died  at  Nelson  Barracks,  Ky., 
February  22,  1862.  Henry  Brown,  died  at  Buffalo,  Ky.,  February 
11,  1866.  Adam  Ferrell,  died  at  Vicksburg  July  26,  1863;  Will- 
iam Albertson,  died  at  St.  Louis  July  22,  1863;  George  Burns,  died 
at  Louisville,  Ky.,  March  20,  1862;  Theodore  P.  Butcher,  died 
while  on  furlough.  May  16,  1862;  John  Hale,  died  at  Buffalo,  Ky., 
February  11,  1862 ;  Silas  A.  Hoover,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  February 
26,  1862;  William  J.  Johnson,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  February  12, 
1863;  Willianj  Linvill,  killed  at  Champion  Hill  May  16,  1863;  Tobias 
M.   Overholser,  killed  at  Champion   Hill  May  16,  1863;  David  Proud, 


140  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

died  at  Nelson  Barracks,  Ky.,  February  15,  1862  ;  Thomas  S.  Terrell, 
died  July  26,  1863,  at  Memphis,  Tenn.;  Hiram  Van  Horn,  died  at  St. 
Louis,  Mo., October  13,  1862  ;  Thomas  P.  Winterode,  died  at  New  Or- 
leans September  30,  1864. 

Thirty-ninth  Regiment  (Eighth  Cavalry) — William  R.  Philips,  killed 
at  Shiloh  April  7,  1862  ;  Stephen  D.  Butler,  killed  at  Chickamauga 
September,  20,  1863.  Jacob  Brown,  died  in  prison  at  Florence, 
S.  C,  January  20,  1865;  Elijah  F.  Colter,  killed  at  Fairburn,  Ga., 
August  19,  1862  ;  Henry  B.  Colter,  killed  at  Cannelton,  Ga.,  Sep- 
tember 10,  1864 ;  Benjamin  C.  Davis,  died  September  5,  1864,  of 
wounds;  James  P.  Davis,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  December  31, 
1861;  Herrick  Hoback,  died  of  wounds  April  14,  1862  ;  Milton  Jones, 
died  of  wounds  September  9,  1863,  at  Stone  River;  Fauzy  Julien,  died 
January  23,  1863,  of  wounds  received  at  Stone  River;  Thomas  F. 
Julien,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  September  14,  1862 ;  William  H.  Bin- 
der, died  April  27,  1862,  of  wounds  received  at  Shiloh ;  George  Mc- 
Kinsey,  died  at  Nashville  July  11,  1864 ;  Nicholas  Mulvany,  died  at 
Savannah,  Ga.,  March  16,  1865 ;  Erwin  W.  Richardson,  killed  at 
Pulaski  September  27,  1864;  Richard  J.  Ricks,  died  at  Louisville 
December  4,  1864;  Charles  Robertson,  died  at  Nashville  September  5, 
1863 ;  John  W.  Shilling,  died  of  wounds  received  at  Stone  River ;  AVill- 
iam  Stanley,  died  January  9,  1863,  of  wounds  received  at  Stone  River; 
Uriah  Snyder  died  at  home  May  5,  1864  ;  Ausborn  E.  Thompson,  died 
at  Louisville  February  28,  1862  ;  Henry  H.  Thornburg,  died  at  Hub- 
bard's Cove  August  31,  1862  ;  William  F.  Tyler,  died  at  Nashville  Sep- 
tember 22,  1864;  Jeremiah  Washburne,  killed  by  bushwhackers  Septem- 
ber 14,  1863;  Nathaniel  F.  Whitaker,  died  at  Murfreesboro  June  16, 
1863;  Samuel  P.  Witherow,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  January  19,  1862. 

Fortieth  Infantry — John  M.  Baly,  died  at  JefFersonville,  Ind.,  Jan- 
uary 7,  1865 ;  William  Burt,  died  at  Camp  Irving,  Tex.,  August  14, 
1865;  Levi  Ellis,  died  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  February  21,  1865;  Louis 
W.  Jones,  died  at  Nashville  December  16,  1864 ;  Joel  Law,  died  Janu- 
ary 23,  1865 ;  Henry  A.  Pickering,  died  at  Nashville  March  24,  1865  ; 
Samuel  Scales,  died  at  Louisville  February  18,  1865;  William  Smith, 
died  of  wounds  at  Nashville  December  1,  1864. 

Fifty-seventh  Infantry — John  Adamson,  killed  in  battle  at  Stone 
River  December  31,  1862 ;  John  W.  Adamson,  veteran,  killed  in  battle 
at  Kenesaw  June  23,  1864;  Joseph  Arnold,  died  at  Kokomo,  Ind.,  May 
18,  1862;  Isaac  Browning,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  May  26,  1862; 
George  Campbell,  veteran,  died  at  Big  Shanty,  Ga.,  July  29,  1864; 
John  L.  Colvin,  died  at  Camp  Irwin,  Tex.,  October  14,  1865 ;  William 
Dimitt,  veteran,  died  at  Chattanooga  July  24,  1864.     David  H.  Doug- 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  141 

lass,  veteran,  died  at  Memphis,  April  28,  1865  ;  Melvin  C.  Endecott, 
died  at  Corinth,  Miss.;  Robert  A.  Gordon,  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga., 
May  15,  1864;  Andrew  J.  Harding,  died  November  16,  1862;  John 
Hawkins,  died  at  Quincy,  111.,  March  12,  1863  ;  Joseph  Higgins,  killed 
at  Pine  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  15,  1864;  Willis  Hilton,  died  at  Nash- 
ville March  29,  1862  ;  Andrew  J.  Langly,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn., 
March  10,  1864;  Samuel  Mathers,  veteran,  killed  in  battle  at  Kenesaw 
June  18,  1864 ;  Peter  W.  McReynolds,  veteran,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky., 
August  24,  186  i;  Stephen  A.  Miller,  veteran,  died  at  Chattanooga  July 
5,  1864,  of  wounds ;  Lewis  Pike,  veteran,  lost  on  Steamer  Sultana,  April 

27,  1865;  George  T.  Pike,  veteran,  killed  near  Nashville  December 
16,  1864;  Henry  Ravel,  died  at  Bardstown,  Ky.,  March  30,  18^2; 
Andrew  Rhoads,  killed  in  battle  at  Stone  River  December  31,  1862; 
Lewis  Snoddery,  died  of  wounds  in  1864 ;  James  Weaver,  died  at  Mur- 
freesboro,  Tenn.,  April  13,  1863;  George  D,  Winders,  died  at  Nash- 
ville January  13,  1863 ;  James  Yount,  died  June  4,  1863. 

Seventy-third  Infantry — Henry  H.  Thornton,  killed  at  Stone  Riv- 
er December  31,  1862. 

Seventy -ffth  Infantry — Emsly  Bright,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
October  15,  1863  ;  Francis  M.  Bryant,  died  December  2,  1863,  of 
wounds  received  at  Missionary  Ridge ;  Eli  Burris,  died  at  Gallatin, 
Tenn.,  February  20,  1863  ;  John  G.  Coate,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn., 
February  27,  1865  ;  David  M.  Cox,  died  at  Richmond,  Va.,  February 
16,  1864;  James  Ellet,  died  at  home  February  20,  1863;  John  Fay, 
died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  December  7,  1863;  George  W.  Hender- 
son, died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  March  26,  1863;  Jacob  Hin- 
kle,  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  January  20,  1863;  John  M.  Hodson,  died 
at  Nashville,  Tenn.;  Benjamin  Huff,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Novem- 
ber 21,  1863;  Henry  Jones,  died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  January  5,  1863; 
Samuel  McClure,  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  December  11,  1862; 
Henry  Myers,  died  at  Lebanon,  Ky.,  September  5,  1862;  Allen  M. 
Paff,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  October  11,  1862 ;  John  Smiley,  died  at 
New  Albany,  Ind.,  October  30,  1862;  Hiram  Stephens,  died  at  Galla- 
tin, Tenn.,  February  23,1863;  Thomas  J.  Stringer,  died  at  Murfrees- 
boro, Tenn.,  March  6,  1863;  Richard  Templin,  died   at  home  February 

28,  1864;  James  Thorington,  died  at  Richmond,  Va.,  February  21, 
1864;  Reuben  Waldron,  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  February  17,  1863; 
James  B.  Whisler,  died  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  November  1,  1863. 

Eighty- ninth  Infantry — James  L.  Armantrout,  died  February  17, 
1863 ;  Francis  M.  Beard,  died  in  Howard  County,  October  27,  1862  ; 
William  H.  Bishop,  killed  at  Yellow  Bayou,  May  7,  1864;  Will- 
iam R.  Brener,  died  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo.,  October  20,  1863 ;  Jer- 


142  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

emiah  P.  Brown,  died  June  3,  1864,  wounds ;  John  Carpenter,  died 
March  1,  1863;  William  J.  Carter,  died  near  Canton,  Miss.,  March  1, 
1864  ;  Wesley  Defenbaugh,  died  at  Fort   Pickering,    Tenn.,    June    22, 

1863  ;  Nathan  M.  Elmore,  died  of  wounds  received  at  Yellow  Bajou, 
La.,  May  18,  1864  ;  Harvey  Earley,  died  April  10,  1863  ;  Tilghman  A. 
Farlow,  died  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  June  20,  1864;  Alexander  Fleming, 
died  June  25,  1863  ;  William  II.  Fritz,  died  July  29,  1863 ;  Bedford  W. 
Gilford,  killed  May  18,  1864,  at  Yellow  Bayou,  La.;  Thomas  Gordon, 
died  at  Fort  Pickering,  Tenn.,  February  23,  1863;  Hugh  Heathcoat, 
killed  at  Munfordsville,  Ky.,  September  14,  1862 ;  Nicholas  Hughes, 
died  at  Fort  Pickering,  Tenn.,  July  8,  1863;  Richard  M.  Hughes,  died 
at  home  January  10,  1863;  William  Hughes,  died  at  Jefferson  Barracks, 
Mo.,  December  17,  1864  ;  William  R.  Hulse,  died  at  Memphis,  July  10, 

1864  ;  William  A.  Hunt,  killed  June  23,  1864,  by  guerrillas;  Henry  T. 
Jennings,  killed  at  Yellow  Bayou,  La.,  May  18,  1864  ;  Reuben  E.  John- 
son, died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December  8,  1864;  John  M.  Kane,  died  at 
New  Albany,  Ind,,  September  28,  1862 ;  Ulysses  P.  King,  died  at  Fort 
Pickering,  Tenn.,  August  10,  1862  ;  George  E.  Knoble,  died  January  19, 
1863;  Lewis  Long,  died  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  December  16,  1862;  Allen 
McDannel,  died  August  15, 1864  ;  Robert  McReynolds,  died  at  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  January  18,  1864  ;  John  F.  Martin,  died  at  Memphis,  Tenn., 
March  16,  1864 ;  David  Morris,  died  at  Fort  Pickering,  Tenn.,  August 
30,1863;  La  Fayette  Morris,  died  at  Woodsonville,  Ky.,  October  24, 
1862  ;  Francis  M.  O'Dowd,  died  in  Andersonville  Prison  August  9,  1864  ; 
Benjamin  F.  Oiler,  died  at  Fort  Pickering,  Tenn.,  May  26,  1863 ;  Simon 
Peters,  died  at  home  December  28,  1862 ;  James  W.  Plougbe,  died  at 
Andersonville,  Ga.,  September  2,  1864 ;  William  H.  Poif,  died  near 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  December  12,  1862  ;  Allen  Ramsey,  died  at  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  August  3,  1863 ;  Erastus  Ross,  died  at  New  Orleans  June  22, 
1864,  of  wounds;  Jesse  Sanders,  died  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  September 
23,  1864 ;  Daniel  Sheets,  died  July  — ,  1864  ;  Adam  Shepard,  died 
November  15,  1862 ;  John  S.  Springer,  died  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  June 
5, 1864  ;  Daniel  W.  Straugn,  died  September  18, 1863  ;  William  R.  Tow, 
died  August  9,  1864  ;  Elijah  E.  Thrailkill,  killed  at  Fort  Pickering,  Tenn., 
April  27,  1863 ;  Charles  N.  Tyler,  died  at  New  Orleans  March  11, 
1865 ;  Nathan  Wickersham,  died  at  home,  August  7,  1863 ;  Hugh 
Willits,  died  February  17,  1865,  of  wounds  in  hospital  at  Nashville, 
Tenn.;  William  T.  Wilson,  died  at  home,  October  18,  1862 ;  William 
Yates,  died  May  18,  1863. 

Ninetieth  Regiment  (Fifth  Cavalry) — John  V.  Champion,  killed  in 
East  Tennessee,  by  bushwackers'in  1864  ;  John  S.  Holler,  died  in  An- 
dersonville Prison  in   1864  ;  Augustus  Q.  Myers,  killed  at  Rheatown, 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  143 

Tenn.,  October,  1863;    Jeremiah  A.  Starr,  killed  at  Rheatown,  Tenn., 
October,  1863. 

Ninety-ninth  Infantry — Noah  Gate,  died  of  wounds  received  August 
15, 1864. 

One  Hundred  and  First  Regiment — Wiley  Bagwell,  died  at  Bacon 
Creek,  Ky.,  November  20,  1862  ;  Tidell  Rush,  died  at  Danville,  Ky., 
October  25,  1862  ;  Barrett  Spray,  died  at  Munfordsville,  Ky.,  December 
16,  1862;  George  Sumption,  died  at  Marietta,  Ga.,  October  6,  1864.  ' 

One  Hundred  and  Eighteenth  Infantry — Richard  Bodle,  died  at  Camp 
Nelson,  Ky.,  January  5,  1861  ;  Jefferson  W.  Carr,  died  at  Camp  Nel 
son,  Ky.,  December  7, 1863 ;  James  L.  Golding,  died  at  Tazewell,  Tenn. 
December  14,  1863  ;  Ezeriah  Hutson,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  De 
cember  10, 1863  ;  William  J.  Purois,  died  at  Tazewell.  Tenn.,  January  12 
1864,  of  starvation  ;  Emory  Russell,  died  at  Cumberland  Gap,  Tenn 
December  14,  1863  ;  Milton  E.  Reiley,died  at  Powell  River,  Tenn.,  Jan 
uary  26,  1864 ;  Ovid  Youngs,  died  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  September  6, 
1863. 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  Regiment  (Eleventh  Cavalry) — Daw- 
son M.  Brown,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  November  6,  1864  ;  George 
W.  Crewtherd,  died  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  March  31,  1864  ;  Isaac  Car- 
penter, died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  February  12,  1865  ;  John  W.  Cochran, 
died  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  March  5,  1864  ;  Enoch  Dale,  died  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  December  26,  1864  ;  James  Hutlo,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky., 
May  2,  1865  ;  Moses  Hinkle,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December  26, 
1864;  James  Hodson,  died  May  14,  1865;  William  King,  died  at 
Bellefonte  Station,  Ala.,  July  7,  1864;  William  Lindley,  died  at 
Kokomo,  Ind.,  May  3,  1864;  Henry  M.  Long,  lost  on  Sultana,  April 
27,  1865;  Albert  N.  McCoy,  died  at  Larkinsville,  Ala.,  June  20, 
1864  ;  Lloyd  Pennington,  died  at  Jeffersonville,  Ind.,  January  12,  1865  ; 
George  B.  Pennington,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  March  13,  1865 ; 
Andrew  J.  Pierce,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  November  6, 1864  ;  Israel  P. 
Pool,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  October  22,  1864;  Jacob  Pool,  died  at 
New  Albany,  Ind.,  March  4,  1865  ;  Charles  L.  Summers,  died  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  December  22,  1864,  of  wounds;  Robert  Steward,  died  at 
Louisville,  Ky.,  February  6,  1865. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  Infantry — Thomas  N.  Armstrong,  died 
November  28,  1864,  of  wounds;  Thomas  H.  Endicott,  killed  near 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  August  5,  1864  ;  William  Elliot,  died  at  Atlanta,  Ga., 
October  18,  1864  ;  George  Boffman,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  April  17, 
1865 ;  John  H.  Denman,  died  at  Nash^lle,  Tenn.,  December  15,  1864  ; 
Joseph  Godfrey,  died  at  Kingston,  Ga.,  August  15,  1864  ;  William  F. 
Havens,  died  at  home  February  29,  1864 ;   Albert  W.  Hoke,  killed  by 


144  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

accident  April  3,  1864  ;  Nathan  Maudlin,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn., 
June  4,  1864  ;  Thomas  O'Neil,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  September  16, 
1864;  William  T.  Rolston,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  November  8, 
1864 ;  John  T.  Shepherd,  died  at  Kingston,  Ga.,  June  5,  1864 ;  Ruben 
J.  Smith,  killed  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December  15, 1864  ;  Jesse  Swinger, 
died  at  Marietta,  Ga.,  September  1,  1864  ;  William  White,  Jr.,  died  at 
Marietta,  Ga.,  August  20,  1864. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Megiineni  (Thirteenth  Cavalry) — 
George  M.  Burns,  died  at  Cahaba  Prison,  Ala.,  January  5,  1865;  Nich- 
olas Tow,  died  at  Mobile,  Ala.,  October  5,  1865. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fifth  Infantry — Baker  BofFman,  died  at 
Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  June  20,  1864. 

One  Hundred  and  Fortieth  Infantry — Jonathan  Berry,  died  at  New 
Albany,  Lid.,  December  3,  1864, 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-second  Infantry — John  H.  Golding,  died 
at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April  17,  1865. 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty- Third  Infantry — William  M.  Floyd,  died  at 
Russellville,  Ky.,  August  1,  1865  ;  Levi  Seward,  died  in  Tipton  County, 
August  18,  1865. 

Note. — Since  the  foregoing  was  written  and  placed  in  type,  action  has  been  taken  by 
the  Common  Council  of  Kokomo  in  relation  to  the  Cenotaph,  which  action  will  be  found 
described  in  the  following  extract: 

Ata  special  meeting  of  the  Common  Council  on  Tuesday  evening,  June  12,  188:i,  G. 
D.  Tate  introduced  a  resolution  ceding  to  the  county  the  round  plat  in  Crown  Point  Cem- 
etery, known  as  the  Cenotaph  ground,  on  condition  that  a  suitable  memorial  monument 
be  erected  thereon,  which  shall  record  the  names  of  all  soldiers  who  died  in  the  Union 
service  in  the  late  war.  The  County  Commissioners  voted  on  yesterday  $5,000  in  equal 
installments  to  apply  to  the  purchase  of  the  proposed  Cenotaph.  The  proposed  Cenotaph 
is  to  be  erected  at  a  cost  of  not  less  than  |10,000.  It  is  proposed  to  raise  the  additional 
$5,000  by  private  contributions.  The  monument  will  be  an  honor  to  the  county,  as  well 
as  a  grateful  tribute  to  the  dead  who  died  for  the  old  flag.  Let  the  good  work  go  bravely 
on. — The  Kokomo  Dixpatch. 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO. 

BY    DANIEL    A.    WOODS. 


The  present  site  of  the  beautiful  city  of  Kokomo  was  first  visited  by 
a  white  man  in  the  early  part  of  the  year  1842.  In  the  spring  of  1842, 
David  Foster  came  here  from  Burlington,  Carroll  County,  and  in  the 
center  of  Main  street,  near  the  Wild  Cat,  he  erected  a  log  cabin.  This 
was  a  double  cabin,  in  one  end  of  which  he  and  his  family  lived,  and  in 
the  other  of  which  he  kept  his  supply  of  goods.  He  was  then  a  full- 
fledged  Indian  trader.      He  thus  became  our  first  merchant,   and  uncon- 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  145 

sciously  the  founder  of  the  city  of  Kokomo.  A  more  unpromising  place 
to  build  a  town  cannot  well  be  imagined.  A  dense  underbrush  covered 
the  earth  so  thick  that  the  sunlight  could  not  penetrate.  To  add  to  the 
unfavorable  circumstances  under  which  those  old  pioneers  labored  when 
commencing  to  clear  away  the  dense  forest,  was  the  fact  that  the  ground 
during  all  the  wet  season  of  the  year  was  covered  with  water.  Where  the 
Essex  House  and  Price's  livery  stable  now  stand,  the  water  was  three  and  four 
feet  deep  in  the  spring  of  the  year.  When  the  timber  had  been  cut  into 
logs,  the  passengers  on  foot  would  jump  from  one  log  to  another  to  keep 
out  of  the  mud  and  water. 

Mr.  Foster  lived  in  the  log  cabin  first  built  by  him  until  1852,  when  he 
built  the  large  frame  house  where  he  died,  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Walsh. 
The  next  man  who  came  here  was  Benjamin  Newhouse,  who  became  the 
first  Auditor  of  Howard  County,  being  elected  in  the  fall  of  1844. 

Benjamin  Newhouse  built  his  house  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Main 
and  High  streets,  being  the  second  house  built  in  the  town.  A  part  of 
this  house  still  stands  as  a  reminder  of  "  Auld  Lang  Syne."  On  Novem- 
ber 20,  1844,  Corydon  Richmond,  Judge  N.  R.  Linsday,  Lewis  Snell 
and  James  L.  Barrett  arrived  in  town.  They  had  come  by  the  "  over- 
land ox  team  route  "  from  Alexandria,  Madison  County.  They  came  to 
provide  homes  for  their  families.  As  their  experience  was  that  of  the 
ordinary  pioneer,  it  will  be  given  in  part,  that  we  may  know  how  they 
fared.  The  first  thing  they  did  was  to  provide  a  place  of  shelter  while  they 
might  remain.  Their  house  was  made  of  four  posts  in  the  ground,  "  clap- 
boards "  on  end  for  weather-boarding,  and  "clapboards"  to  cover  the 
cabin.  The  door  also  served  them  for  a  table.  They  had  no  stove  and 
no  candles.  A  large  log  heap  was  kept  burning  in  front  of  the  shanty, 
day  and  night.  This  served  them  for  both  light  and  fuel.  Dr.  Rich- 
mond was  unanimously  elected  cook,  Judge  Linsday  "boss,"  and  Snell 
and  Barrett  general  work  hands.  The  house  of  Lewis  Snell  was  built  at 
the  corner  of  Union  and  Sycamore  streets,  where  the  Wills'  property  now 
stands ;  Barrett's  house  was  built  where  E.  C.  Scoven's  property  now 
stands ;  Judge  Linsday's  property  was  on  the  west  side  of  Union  street, 
half-way  between  Sycamore  and  High  streets  ;  Dr.  Richmond's  house, 
which  was  a  little  more  aristocratic,  was  a  story  and  a  half  log  building. 
To  show  the  amount  of  labor  expended  on  one  of  the  houses,  it  is  but 
necessary  to  say  that  the  house  of  Lewis  Snell  was  16x16  feet.  The  roof- 
ing material  was  ready,  and  on  Monday  morning  the  foundation  was 
laid,  and  on  Tuesday  evening  the  house  was  ready  for  occupancy  by 
his  family.  The  house-building  of  this  quartette  closed  by  the  building 
of  the  house  of  Dr.  Richmond.  It  was  here  that  they  had  a  grand  feast. 
Dr.  Richmond  himself  tells  the  story,  so  it  must  be  true.     To   the  feast 


146  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

were  invited  David  Foster  and  their  Indian  friends.  A  large  kettle  had 
been  borrowed  of  Mr.  Foster,  and  into  this  kettle  were  put  a  half  bushel 
of  potatoes,  a  fore-quarter  of  pork  and  a  fore-quarter  of  venison, 
and  ten  or  fifteen  pounds  of  beef.  All  were  thoroughly  boiled, 
and  then  the  door  of  their  tent  was  taken  down  to  serve  as  a 
table.  The  potatoes  were  piled  upon  the  table  and  dinner  was 
ready.  The  kettle  held  the  post  of  honor,  and  we  have  been 
assured  it  was  a  royal  feast.  On  December  31,  the  four  gentlemen  started 
for  Madison  County  on  foot.  The  next  day,  January  1,  1845,  Capt. 
John  Bohan  arrived  in  town  and  cast  his  fortunes  with  our  infant  city. 
He  is  now  the  only  man  living  of  all  those  whom  he  found  here.  He  is 
one  of  our  responsible  and  honored  citizens. 

In  the  spring  of  1845,  Linsday,  Richmond  and  Barrett  moved  here 
with  their  families ;  Mr.  Snell  soon  sold  his  property,  as  he  did  not  care 
to  brave  the  hardships  of  a  pioneer's  life. 

In  the  fall  of  1844,  Charles  Ellison  built  a  double  log  store-room 
where  Darby's  dry  goods  store  now  stands.  He  lived  in  one  end  of  the 
building  and  sold  intoxicating  liquors  in  the  other.  This  was  Kokomo's 
first  saloon.  During  the  winter  of  1844  and  1845,  Austin  North  had 
erected  a  store-house  where  the  "mammoth  corner"  now  is,  and  stocked 
it  with  boots  and  shoes,  dry  goods,  groceries,  etc.  The  contractor  was 
John  T.  Penny,  father  of  Col.  E.  VV.  Penny,  of  our  city.  This  was  the 
first  frame  building  erected  in  our  town.  The  first  brick  building  erected 
in  our  town  was  by  Harles  Ashley  for  Thomas  Kimball,  in  1848,  and 
this  is  now  used  by  0.  V.  Darby  as  a  dry  goods  store.  Kimball  after- 
ward sold  his  building  and  goods  to  Thomas  Shepherd  and  went  to 
Indianapolis. 

The  early  merchants  of  our  town  were  Austin  North,  John  Bohan, 
Samuel  Rosenthal,  J.  D.  Sharp;  N.  R.  Linsday  was  the  first  lawyer; 
Corydon  Richmond  was  the  first  doctor;  Austin  North  was  the  first 
Postmaster,  receiving  his  commission  from  President  James  K.  Polk  ;  J. 
M.  Harlan  and  John  T.  Penny  were  the  first  carpenters;  Harlese 
Ashley,  John  Albright  and  S.  T.  Mills,  the  first  brick-masons ;  George 
W.  Poisal,  the  first  tailor ;  H.  C.  Stewart,  the  first  plasterer,  and  Riley 
Altum,  the  first  blacksmith. 

NAMING    THE    TOWN. 

Kokomo  is  an  Indian  word  meaning  "she  bear."  The  name 
was  given  to  it  in  honor  of  Kocoman,  a  celebrated  chief  of  the  Miamis, 
for  his  many  acts  of  kindness  and  humanity  to  the  early  settlers.  At  the 
time  of  naming  the  town,  there  was  a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  or- 
thography and  pronunciation.  Some  argued  in  favor  of  spelling  the  word 
Cocomo,  and  accenting  the  second  syllable ;  but  the  majority  favored  the 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  147 

present  style  of  orthography  and  pronunciation.  On  the  15th  day  of 
January,  1844,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  Indiana, 
organizing  the  county  of  Richardville.  The  name  was  soon  after  changed 
to  Howard  in  honor  of  Gen.  T.  A.  Howard.  When  a  county  had  been 
organized,  a  seat  of  justice  was  necessary  in  which  to  transact  the  official 
business  of  the  new  county.  The  following-named  gentlemen  were  se- 
lected by  the  General  Assembly  to  perform  this  arduous  and  responsible 
task  :  Samuel  Caleb,  of  Hamilton  County  ;  John  Armstrong,  of  Carroll ; 
Oliver  Raymond,  of  Wabash  ;  Hiram  Mendenhali,  of  Miami ;  and  John 
Moulder,  of  Parke,  the  latter  now  an  honored  citizen  of  Russiaville,  this 
county.  These  gentlemen  were  served  with  notice  of  their  appointment 
and  the  time  and  place  of  meeting  by  the  Sheriff  of  Carroll  County. 
The  time  of  meeting  had  been  arranged  for  the  second  Monday  in  May, 
1844.  Each  man  had  to  come  on  foot  or  horseback  through  interminable 
woods  and  over  almost  impassable  swamps,  and  yet,  on  the  second  Mon- 
day in  May,  1844,  all  were  present  at  the  house  of  John  Harrison,  in 
Ervin  Township.     The  farm  is  now  owned  by  T.  A.  Harrell,  Esq. 

The  most  of  the  cleared  land  in  the  county  was  then  in  the  western 
part  of  the  county.  Some  of  the  Commissioners  favored  the  Harrison 
farm  as  the  place  for  the  county  seat;  others  argued  that  this  was  too 
near  the  western  boundary  of  the  county.  The  next  place  where  there 
was  any  cleared  land  east  of  the  Harrison  farm  was  about  five  miles  east 
of  there,  at  the  boundary  line  on  the  Wild  Cat  pike.  Near  here  was  the 
old  Cromwell  Mill,  around  which  there  had  been  made  a  little  clearing. 
This  was  next  visited  by  the  Commissioners.  The  place  found  favor  in 
the  sight  of  some,  but  still  the  majority  argued  in  favor  of  a  point  nearer 
the  center  of  the  county,  from  east  to  west.  The  Commissioners  had  been 
invited  by  David  Foster  to  visit  him,  and  inspect  the  country  round 
about  here.  Therefore,  from  the  Cromwell  Mill,  they  took  the  path 
through  the  woods  for  this  place.  There  was  no  road  except  the  path, 
which  was  just  wide  enough  for  persons  to  pass  on  horseback  in  single 
file.  There  was  a  small  patch  of  ground  cleared  around  the  cabin  of 
Mr.  Foster,  and  also  a  small  clearing,  amounting  to  two  or  three  acres, 
south  of  Wild  Cat,  which  had  been  cleared  by  the  Indians.  The  land 
south  of  the  creek  was  a  much  more  eligible  site  for  the  building  of  a 
town  than  the  present  one ;  but  Mr.  Foster — as  this  land  was  fit  for 
nothing  else — could  well  afford  to  donate  a  part  of  it  for  a  town.  The 
land  south  of  the  river  was  better  drained,  and,  therefore,  was  of  some 
value  for  agriculture.  The  Commissioners  remained  at  Foster's  two  days, 
trying  to  induce  him  to  donate  land  south  of  the  river,  but  he  remained 
firm,  and  an  agreement  was  finally  reached  by  which  the  present  site  was 
chosen.  On  his  part,  Mr.  Foster  agreed  to  donate  forty  acres  of  land 
for  a  town  site,  to  put  up  a  court  house,  in  size 24x24  feet,  put  in  a  punch- 


3  48  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

eon  floor,  and  arrange  proper    receptacles  for  the  public  records.     This 
building  was  completed  in  a  short  time,  according  to  contract. 

LOCATION  OF  THE  CITY. 

The  city  is  situated  on  the  Lafontaine  reservation,  being  a  section  of 
land  granted  to  one  Lafontaine,  a  celebrated  chief  of  the  Miami  Indians. 
His  father  was  a  Frenchman,  and  his  mother  the  daughter  of  a  chief. 
This  land  had  been  given  to  Lafontaine  by  the  Government  because  of 
his  many  acts  of  kindness  and  generosity  to  the  early  settlers  of  our 
State.  David  Foster  had  purchased  this  land  from  Lafontaine.  Austin 
C.  Sheets,  who  had  been  appointed  Surveyor,  surveyed  and  made  the 
original  plat  of  the  town,  now  city  of  Kokoino,  Ind.  There  were 
100  lots  in  the  original  plat,  numbered  from  1  to  100.  Peter  Gay  had 
been  appointed  County  Agent  for  this  county  in  August,  1844.  The 
first  public  sale  of  lots  was  held  on  the  18th  day  of  October,  1844,  at 
which  he  disposed  of  twenty-nine  lots,  the  price  averaging  about  $30 
apiece.  One-third  of  this  amount  was  paid  cash,  and,  upon  the  other, 
time  was  given.  The  infant  city  grew  very  slowly  for  several  years. 
The  heavy  timber  and  underbrush,  and  the  swampy  condition  of  the  sod, 
combined  to  retard  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  town.  When  the 
timber  was  cut  down,  so  that  the  sunlight  could  penetrate  to  the  earth, 
vegetation  became  very  profuse  and  luxuriant.  This  decaying  vegetable 
matter  created  chills  and  fevei',  ague  and  incidental  diseases.  For  many 
years,  quinine  was  an  article  as  staple  as  flour. 

It  was  no  uncommon  thing  for  all  the  members  of  a  family  to  be  con- 
fined to  the  bed  at  the  same  time.  Many  moved  away,  because  of  sick- 
ness, and  others  feared  to  come,  from  the  same  cause.  In  1852,  the 
number  of  inhabitants  of  the  town  was  only  152,  after  eight  years  of 
existence.  All  this  has  been  happily  changed.  Now,  no  city  in  Indiana 
can  boast  of  better  streets,  better  merchants,  better  health.  The  report 
of  Dr.  John  B.  Moore,  a  careful,  painstaking  physician.  Secretary  of  the 
Board  of  Health,  for  the  city,  for  1882,  shows  this  to  be  true.  Dr. 
Moore's  report  is  as  follows : 

To  the  Mayor  and  the  Common  Council  of  the  City  of  Kokomo,  Ind,: 

Gentlemen  :  I  come  to  you,  after  some  delay,  with  a  report  despite  my  best  efforts 
slightly  defective  in  one  or  two  particulars,  yet  I  am  persuaded  that  the  report,  as  it  is, 
will  not  prove  wholly  valueless  nor  entirely  devoid  of  interest.  In  view  of  the  fact  that 
a  winter  season,  accompanied  with  much  snow  and  ice,  is  peculiarly  favorable  to  the 
deposit  of  large  amounts  of  filth  and  garbage  in  our  streets  and  alleys,  it  is  obvious  to  any 
one  that  in  the  near  future  there  will  be  plenty  of  work  for  your  Board  of  Health,  and  we 
deem  it  not  out  of  place  here  to  hint  to  your  Honorable  body  that  without  your  aid  we 
are  next  to  powerless  in  our  efforts  to  put  the  city  in  a  good  sanitary  condition.  This,  we 
believe,  will  be  forthcoming,  as  it  has  never,  so  far,  deserted  us.  But  allow  us  to  suggest 
that  you  take  measures  to  supply  to  the  Street  Commissioner  ample  means  to  insure  the 
thorough  cleaning  of  the  streets  and  alleys  in  the  shortest  possible  time  consistent  with 


?«^-i<^ 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO. 


151 


your  power  in  that  direction.  We  consider  the  Street  Commissioner,  with  his  labor 
force,  a  very  substantial  auxiliary  in  our  work.  I  am  glad  to  be  able  to  report  to  you 
that  during  almost  the  entire  year  our  city  has  been  free  from  contagious  diseases  of 
serious  import,  and  at  the  present  time  we  are  almost  entirely  clear  of  all  diseases  known 
as  contagious.  The  following  is  my  statistical  report  of  the  year  that  has  just  closed,  as 
compiled  from  the  monthly  statements  of  the  physicians  of  the  city. 

BIRTHS. 

NUMBER    OF    BIRTHS    OCCURRING    IN    THE    CITY    DURING    THE  YEAR  1882. 


January.... 
February... 

Marcii 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September. 

October 

November  . 
December.. 


Total . 


White 

Males. 


63 


White 
Females 

Total. 

8 

10 

6 

13 

9 

11 

4 

8 

6 

10 

2 

9 

2 

9 

5 

11 

5 

13 

1 

6 

6 

10 

2 

8 

55 

118 

Colored 
Males. 


Colored 
Females 


Total.    '^°^\^y 
Month. 


10 
13 
11 

9 
11 
11 

9 
11 
14 

7 
10 

9 


125 


Percentage  of  births  to  population,  25. 


DEATHS — CAUSES  OF  DEATHS. 
Apoplexy,  1  ;  cancer,  3 ;  congestion  of  brain,  2  ;  congestive  chills,  1  ;  cystitis,  1 ; 
croup,  1  ;  congestion  of  stomach,  2 ;  dysentery,  4  ;  hernia,  1 ;  jaundice,  1  :  leucocythemia, 
1  ;  meningitis,  2  ;  inanition,  1  ;  inflammation  of  bowels,  2  ;  puerperal  fever,  2  ;  pulmonary 
consumption,  6;  pneumonia,  4  ;  premature  delivery,  2  ;  rheumatism,!;  still-born,  8; 
small-pox,  1 ;  scarlet  rash,  1  ;  typhoid  fever,  2  ;  whooping-cough,  1 ;  not  classified,  1  ; 
total,  56  ;  exclusive  of  still-births,  50.  Average  age  of  males,  20|  years ;  average  age 
of  females,  19  years.  Still-births — males,  3;  females,  5.  Died  under  one  year  of  age, 
18 ;  died  under  five  years  of  age,  25.  On  a  basis  of  5,0C0  as  the  population  of  the  city, 
the  death  rate  from  all  causes  is  11.2  per  thousand.  According  to  sex,  the  deaths  were 
males  25,  females  35. 

DEATHS    BY    MONTHS. 


MONTHS. 


January... 
February.. 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November, 
December. 

Total. 


5 
3 
11 
6 
2 


4 
2 
3 

56 


1 
4 

2 
3 
6 
5 
1 
4 
2 
2 
2 
3 

35 


152  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Leaving  out  the  January  report,  of  the  correctness  of  which  I  have  some  doubt,  the 
lowest  rate  of  mortality  is  found  to  be  in  July  and  November,  with  two  deaths  each, 
while  May  shows  the  highest  rate,  with  eleven  deaths.  It  is  very  unpleasant  to  note  the 
deaths  that  occur  from  what  are  termed  preventable  causes.  Fortunately,  but  few  deaths 
occurred  in  the  city  during  the  past  year  from  what  are  called  preventable  diseases. 
Among  these  diseases  are  classed  pneumonia,  bronchitis  and  the  contagious  diseases.  By 
the  exercise  of  even  ordinary  care,  very  few  people  will  contract  pneumonia,  bronchitis  or 
croup.  The  latter  is  about  always  in  some  way  the  fault  of  those  having  the  care  ot  the 
young.  A  large  proportion  of  cases  of  acute  inflammation  of  the  throat,  lungs,  kidneys 
and  brain  are  due  to  needless  exposure  to  cold  and  damp  and  to  insufficient  clothing  of 
the  person.  Allow  me  to  call  attention,  briefly,  to  a  few  points  in  the  statistical  report  : 
By  reference  to  Dr.  Moulder's  report  to  the  County  Commissioners,  we  find  that  seventeen 
still-births  have  occurred  in  the  county.  It  will  be  noticed  that  my  report  credits  eight 
of  these  to  the  city.  Is  it  any  wonder  that  we  have  so  much  concern  for  our  little  ones, 
when  we  have  staring  us  in  the  face  the  appalling  fact  that  of  the  fifty-six  persons  re- 
ported as  dying  in  this  city  in  the  last  year,  thirty-three  were  under  five  years  of  age, 
and  even  excluding  the  still-born,  nearly  one-half  failed  to  reach  the  fifty  years  of  life. 
Eighteen  of  the  twenty-five  born  alive  did  not  live  one  year.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say 
that  correct  habits  of  life  on  the  part  of  parents  would  cause  a  favorable  modification  of 
this  rule.  But  correct  habits,  to  be  efi'ective,  should  begin  early  in  life  ;  it  will  not  do  to 
live  recklessly  up  to  the  time  of  setting  about  the  business  of  rearing  a  family,  and  then 
begin  to  live  exemplary  lives.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  percentage  of  births  in  the  city 
is  small  as  compared  with  the  county  at  large.  Some  other  points  deserve  discussion^ 
but  I  must  not  ask  any  more  of  your  time.  John  B.  Moore, 

Secretary  Board  of  Health. 

The  city,  as  we  have  said,  progressed  but  indifferently  until  about 
the  period  of  the  commencement  of  the  late  war,  when  it  grew  very 
rapidly. 

INCORPORATION  OF  THE  TOWN. 

At  the  June  term,  1855,  of  the  Commissioners'  Court  of  Howard 
County,  Judge  Henry  A.  Brouse,  on  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Kokomo, 
petitioned  for  its  incorporation.  He  recited  the  facts  in  his  petition  that 
there  had  been  a  survey  made  of  the  town,  and  an  accurate  map  made 
thereof;  that  the  census  had  been  taken,  and  the  same  had  been  deposited 
in  the  office  of  the  Treasurer  of  Howard  County,  on  the  7th  day  of  May, 
1855.  He  further  stated,  that  the  number  of  inhabitants  was  found  to  be 
620  ;  that  his  petition  was  signed  by  sixty-nine  of  the  legal  voters  of  the 
town,  which  he  said  were  a  majority ;  that  the  following  were  the  true 
boundaries  :  Commencing  at  the  southeast  corner  of  the  town,  on  the 
north  bank  of  Wild  Cat  Creek,  thence  along  the  line  between  the  lands 
of  Faulk  and  the  land  of  Ward,  thence  northeast  on  said  line  tV  the 
Cincinnati  &  Chicago  Railroad  at  a  point  opposite  Walnut  street,  on 
a  line  dividing  the  land  of  Foster  and  Brown,  thence  on  the  south  line  of 
said  railroad  to  the  south  line  of  Andrew  Kennedy's  land,  thence  west 
with  said  line  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Clarke's  land,  thence  north 
on  the  line  between  the  land  of  Clarke  and  Kennedy  to  the  Cincinnati 
&   Chicago    Railroad,    thence-  northwest  along    the  south  side  of  said 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  153 

railroad  to  a  line  described  on  said  map  dividing  the  land  of  Mills,  thence 
due  east  and  west  on  the  south  side  of  town,  thence  west  with  said 
line  to  a  line  described  on  the  map  on  the  west  side  ot  town,  thence  south 
with  said  line  to  the  south  side  of  the  Burlington  &  State  road,  thence 
east  along  the  south  side  of  said  road  to  the  northwest  corner  of  the  land 
belonging  to  Young,  on  a  line  dividing  the  lands  of  Dale  and  Young  to 
the  southwest  corner  of  Young's  land,  thence  east  along  the  line  dividing 
the  land  of  Young  and  Dale  to  Washington  Street,  at  the  southeast  corner 
of  Lot  101,  thence  south  to  the  State  road,  running  from  Kokomo  to 
Michigantown,  thence  southwest  to  the  north  bank  of 'Wild  Cat  Creek, 
thence  east  with  the  meanderjngs  of  said  stream  to  the  place  of  beginnino-, 
containing  166  acres. 

This  petition  having  been  duly  made  in  compliance  with  the  require- 
ments of  the  statute  for  the  incorporation  of  towns,  an  order  was  issued, 
requiring  proper  notice  to  be  given,  and  that  an  election  be  held  on  the 
22d  day  of  June,  1855,  at  the  oifice  of  the  County  Clerk.  The  election 
was  not  held  at  the  time  specified,  so  that  on  the  first  day  of  the  Septem- 
ber term  of  the  Commissioners'  Court,  J.  W.  Robinson,  on  behalf  of  the 
citizens,  asked  for  an  order  extending  the  time  for  the  election  and  fixing 
the  time  for  holding  the  same,  the  1st  day  of  October,  1855. 

Accordingly,  the  election  was  held  on  the  1st  day  of  October,  for  on 
the  first  day  of  the  December  term  of  the  Commissioners,  we  find  the 
following:  Now  comes  Henry  C.  Johnson  and  makes  the  following  report 
of  the  corporation  election  in  the  town  of  Kokomo  :  "  We,  the  under- 
signed inspectors  of  the  corporation  election  of  the  town  of  Kokomo, 
Howard  Co.,  Ind.,  held  on  the  1st  day  of  October,  1855,  at  the  Clerk's 
office  of  said  county,  report  that  the  following  is  a  true  and  correct  state- 
ment of  votes  cast  for  and  against  the  corporation : 

The  whole  number 'of  yeas  cast  for  said   corporation  is 62 

The  whole  number  of  nays  cast  against  said  corporation  is 3 

Total (35 

The  report  is  signed  Elihu  Hunt,  Daniel  Harris  and  Henry  C. 
Johnson,  Inspectors. 

ORGANIZATION    OF    CITY    GOVERNMENT. 

At  the  February  meeting,  1865,  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
town  of  Kokomo,  Ind.,  Matthew  Murden,  on  behalf  of  the  citizens  of 
Kokomo,  presented  a  petition  signed  by  155  legal  voters  of  said  town 
praying  for  the  incorporation  of  said  town  as  a  city.  It  was  further 
shown  that  the  petitioners  constituted  more  than  one-third  of  the  le^al 
voters  of  said  town,  and  therefore  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was 
granted,  and  it  was  ordered :     That  the  Marshal  proceed  to  take  the  cen- 


154  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

8U8  of  all  voters  within  the  town  corporation  who  had  been  residents  for 
forty  days  before  the  order,  and  that  said  Marshal  appoint  necessary 
assistants,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  At  the 
March  term  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  A.  J.  Norton,  who  had  been  ap- 
pointed an  assistant,  reported  that  he  had  made  a  full  and  true  census  of 
the  town  of  Kokomo,  and  that  there  were  2,044  inhabitants  in  said  town. 
The  Board  of  Trustees,  therefore,  ordered  an  election  to  be  held  on  the 
31st  day  of  March,  1865,  "  to  determine  whether  or  not  said  town  should 
be  incorporated."  In  the  First  Ward,  William  Markland  was  Inspector; 
B.  Johnson  and  John  C.  Lindley,  Judges ;  Jacob  Sims,  Clerk.  The 
votes  for  incorporation  were  eighty  in  number ;  the  votes  against  incor- 
poration eleven  ;  majority  for  incorporation,  sixty-nine. 

In  the  Second  Ward,  the  Inspector  was  William  H.  Traut ;  Judges, 
William  Tolley  and  J.  W.  Lovin ;  Clerk,  H.  S.  Cloud  ;  votes  for  incor- 
poration, thirty-five;  votes  against  incorporation,  one;  majority  in  favor, 
thirty-four. 

Third  Ward — Inspector,  S.  Longfellow ;  Judges,  William  Wilson 
and  Philip  Thompson ;  Clerk,  J.  H.  Welsh ;  votes  for  incorporation, 
thirty;  votes  against  incorporation,  four ;  majority  in  favor,  twenty-six. 

Fourth  Ward — Inspector,  N.  B.  Brown ;  Judges,  John  W.  Slider 
and  James  A.  Haggard;  Clerk,  S.  P.  McClure  ;  votes  for  incorporation, 
thirty  ;  votes  against  incorporation,  one ;  majority  in  favor,  twenty-nine. 

Fifth  Ward — Inspector,  Samuel  McNutt ;  Judges,  J.  A.  Coffin  and 
J.  M.  Scotton ;  Clerk,  I.  N.  Pattison ;  votes  for  incorporation,  thirty- 
six ;  votes  against  incorporation,    none;  majority    in    favor,   thirty-six. 

The  whole  number  of  votes  cast  was  228 ;  in  favor  of  incorporation, 
211;  against  incorporation,  seventeen. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  met  on  the  1st  day  of  April,  1865,  and  de- 
clared the  town  of  Kokomo  a  duly  "incorporated  dity."  David  Brown, 
Orsemus  Richmond  and  Richard  Nixon  were  the  first  School  Trustees 
of  the  city  of  Kokomo.  The  Board  of  Trustees  met  on  the  28th  day 
of  April  and  appointed  Tuesday,  May  2,  as  the  day  for  the  election  of 
city  officers.  On  the  3d  day  of  May,  the  Inspectors  of  the  election, 
James  A.  Haggard,  William  C.  Markland  and  Isaiah  M.  Floyd,  re- 
ported the  vote  to  have  been  as  follows:  Mayor,  1865  and  1866,  Nel- 
son Purdum,  123;  A.  J.Norton,  122.  City  Attorney— C.  N.  Pollard,  135; 
J.  H.  Kroh,  112.  Marshal— John  E.  Williams,  166 ;  R.  N.  Collings- 
worth, 81.  City  Clerk— Alpheus  Coffin,  142  ;  A.  Auten,  1 ;  M.  E. 
Pleas,  103.  Treasurer— P.  B.  Kennedy,  153 ;  D.  D.  Downs,  90.  As- 
sessor— William  Styer,  122  ;  Tence  Lindley,  119.  Engineer — Corydon 
Richmond,  132.  Councilmen,  First  Ward — N.  R.  Linsday,  46  ;  J.  A. 
James,  45  ;  Second  Ward— I.  N.  Pattison,  41 ;  Matthew    Murden,    26 ; 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  155 

Caswell  Sharp,  65;  Third  Ward— H.  Davis,  54;  A.  F.  Armstrong,  73; 
Samuel  T.  Mills,  58. 

CITY  OFFICERS. 

Following  are  the  names  of  the  officers  of  the  city  government  of 
the  city  of  Kokomo  from  1865  to  1884  : 

1865  and  1866— Mayor,  Nelson  Purdum;  Clerk,  J.  A.  Coffin; 
Treasurer,  P.  B.  Kennedy ;  Marshal,  John  E.  Williams ;  Attorney, 
Clark  N.  Pollard ;  Councilmen,  First  Ward,  N.  R.  Linsday  and  J.  A. 
James;  Second  Ward,  I.  N.  Pattison  and  Caswell  Sharp;  Third  Ward, 
A.  F.  Armstrong  and  Samuel  T.  Mills. 

1867 — Mayor,  Corydon  Richmond;  Clerk,  R.  M.  Click;  Treasurer, 
S.  C.  Moore  ;  Marshal,  John  E.  Williams  ;  Attorney,  Milton  Bell ;  Civil 
Engineer,  Benjamin  F.  Fields ;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  J.  M.  Leeds  ; 
Street  Commissioner,  John  W.  Slider ;  Assessor,  William  Styer  ;  Coun- 
cilmen, First  Ward,  J.  A.  James  and  J.  A.  Haggard ;  Second  Ward,  I. 
N.  Pattison  and  Elijah  White ;  Third  Ward,  S.  T.  Mills  and  A.  F.  Arm- 
strong; Fourth  Ward,  W.  R.  Michener  and  G.  W.  Pearson. 

1868 — Mayor,  Corydon  Richmond;  Clerk,  R.  M,  Click;  Treasurer, 
S.  C.  Moore ;  Marshal,  John  E.  Williams ;  Attorney,  Milton  Bell ;  Civil 
Engineer,  Benjamin  F.  Fields  ;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  J.  M.  Leeds;  Street 
Commissioner,  J.  W.  Slider;  Councilmen,  First  Ward,  J.  A.  James  and 
John  A.  Haggard  ;  Second  Ward,  Elijah  F.  White  and  C.  Sharp  ;  Third 
Ward,  S.  T.  Mills  and  A.  F.  Armstrong  ;  Fourth  Ward,  G.  W.  Pearson 
and  T.  Rayl. 

1869— Mayor,  J.  W.  Cooper;  Clerk,  R.  M.  Click;  Treasurer,  W. 
A.  Beeks  ;  Attorney,  C.  N.  Pollard ;  Marshal,  A.  H.  Duke  ;  Civil  En- 
gineer, Benjamin  F.  Fields ;  Assessor,  Ed  A.  Moore  ;  Street  Commis- 
sioner, J.  W.  Slider ;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  J.  M.  Leeds  ;  Councilmen, 
First  Ward,  J.  A.  James  and  N.  P.  Richmond  ;  Second  Ward,  W.  R. 
Kistler  and  E.  C.  Leach  ;  Third  Ward,  A.  F.  Armstrong  and  L.  W. 
Leach ;  Fourth  Ward,  T.  Rayl  and  George  W.  Pearson. 

1870— Mayor,  John  W.  Cooper;  Clerk,  J.  F.  Elliott;  Treasurer, 
W.  A.  Beeks  ;  Attorney,  C.  N.  Pollard  ;  Marshal,  A.  H.  Dukes ;  Civil 
Engineer,  Benjamin  F.  Fields  ;  Assessor,  E.  A.  Moore  ;  Street  Commis- 
sioner, J.  D.  Pitzer;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  H.  C.  Cole;  Councilmen,  First 
Ward,  J.  A.  James  and  John  A.  Haggard;  Second  Ward,  E.  C.  Leech 
and  A.  J.  Norton  ;  Third  Ward,  A.  F.  Armstrong  and  T.  Jay;  Fourth 
Ward,  G.  W.  Pearson  and  W.  E.  Robinson. 

1871 — Mayor,  John  W.  Cooper  ;  Clerk,  D.  Shewmon ;  Treasurer, 
W.  A.  Beeks  ;  Attorney,  John  W.  Kern ;  Marshal,  C.  J.  Becktel ;  Civil 
Engineer,  C.  Richmond ;  Assessor,  E.  A.  Moore  ;  Street  Commissioner, 
I.  M.  Floyd  ;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  H.  C.  Cole;  Councilmen,  First  Ward, 


156  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

John  A.  Haggard  and  G.  W.  McCool ;  Second  Ward,  A.  J.  Norton  and 
N.  P.  Richmond ;  Third  Ward,  T.  Jay  and  George  D.  Tate ;  Fourth 
Ward,  W.  E.  Robinson  and  G.  W.  Pearson. 

1872 — Mayor,  John  W.  Cooper;  Clerk,  Joseph  D.  Johnson  ; 
Marshal,  George  R.  Hutto  ;  Attorney,  J.  W.  Kern  ;  Treasurer,  W.  A. 
Beeks  ;  Civil  Engineer,  A.  C.  Hopkins  ;  Assessor,  E.  A.  Moore ;  Street 
Commissioner,  H.  H.  Stewart;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  H.  C.  Cole;  Coun- 
cilmen,  First  Ward,  John  A.  Haggard,  A.  B.  Walker;  Second  Ward,  N. 
P.  Richmond,  J.  F.  Reagan  ;  Third  Ward,  George  D.  Tate,  T.  A.  Davis  ; 
Fourth  Ward,  G.  W.  Pearson,  W.  E.  Robinson. 

1873— Mayor,  N.  P.  Richmond;  Clerk,  W.  D.  Kistler:  Attorney, 
J.  W.  Kern  ;  Marshal,  George  R.  Hutto  ;  Treasurer,  W.  A.  Beeks  ; 
Street  Commissioner,  H.  H.  Stewart ;  Assessor,  W.  W.  Hughes  ;  Civil 
Engineer,  I.  C.  Ware  ;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  H.  C.  Cole ;  Councilmen, 
First  Ward,  John  A.  Haggard,  John  M.  Leach  ;  Second  Ward,  E.  S. 
Ludlow,  J.  M.  Darnall;  Third  Ward,  George  D.  Tate,  T.A.Davis; 
Fourth  Ward,  W.  E.   Robinson,  James  H.  Watson. 

1874— Mayor,  N.  P.  Richmond  ;  Clerk,  W.  D.  Kistler  ;  Attorney, 
J.  W.  Kern ;  Marshal,  George  R.  Hutto ;  Treasurer,  W.  A.  Beeks ; 
Street  Commissioner,  H.  H.  Stewart;  Assessor,  W.  W.  Hughes;  Civil 
Engineer,  A.  T.  Wright ;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  D.  P.  Davis ;  Council- 
men,  First  Ward,  J.  M.  Leach,  E.  C.  Scoven  :  Second  Ward,  E.  S.  Lud- 
low, J.  M.  Darnall ;  Third  Ward,  G.  D.  Tate,  T.  A.  Davis  ;  Fourth 
Ward,  W.  E.  Robinson,  J.  H.  Watson. 

1875— Mayor,  N.  P.  Richmond:  Clerk,  W.  D.  Kistler;  Attorney,  J. 
D.  Johnson;  Marshal,  Joseph  Kelly;  Treasurer,  W.  A.  Beeks;  Street 
Commissioner,  A.  W.  Lehman;  Assessor,  W.  W.  Hughes;  Civil  En- 
gineer, C.  Richmond  ;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  D.  P.  Davis  ;  Councilmen, 
First  Ward,  E.  C.  Scoven,  J.  F.  Henderson  ;  Second  Ward,  R.  Q.  Wil- 
son, J.  Johnson  ;  Third  Ward,  T.  A.  Davis,  C.  A.  Jay ;  Fourth  Ward, 
W.  E.  Robinson,  W.  H.  Sellers. 

1876— Mayor,  N.  P.  Richmond :  Clerk,  W.  D.  Kistler ;  Attorney, 
J.  W.  Kern ;  Marshal,  Joseph*  Kelly  ;  Treasurer,  W.  A.  Beeks  ;  Street 
Commissioner,  A.  W.  Lehman ;  Assessor,  W.  W.  Hughes  ;  Civil  En- 
gineer, M.  Murden ;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  D.  P.  Davis ;  Councilmen, 
First  Ward,  E.  C.  Scoven,  J.  F.  Henderson ;  Second  Ward,  R.  Q.  Wil- 
son, J.  Johnson  ;  Third  Ward,  T.  A.  Davis,  C.  A.  Jay  ;  Fourth  Ward, 
W.  H.  Sellers,  G.  W.  Price. 

1877— Mayor,  N.  P.  Richmond :  Clerk,  G.  W.  Duke  ;  Attorney, 
John  E.  Moore ;  Marshal,  Joseph  Kelly ;  Treasurer,  E.  F.  White ;  Street 
Commissioner,  J.  W.  Slider  ;  Assessor,  Alvin  Coffin ;  Civil  Engineer,  M. 
Murden  ;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  D.  P.  Davis ;  Councilmen,  First  Ward, 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  15T 

E.  C.  Scoven,  H.  A.  Brouse ;  Second  Ward,  M.  Garrigus,  J.  M.  Darnall ; 
Third  Ward,  H.  C.  Cole,  G.  D.  Tate;  Fourth  Ward,  G.  W.  Price,  C.  E. 
Hendry. 

1878— Mayor,  N.  P.  Richmond;  Clerk,  G.  W.  Duke;  Attorney, 
John  E.  Moore;  Marshal,  Joseph  Kelly ;  Treasurer,  E.  F.  White;  Street 
Commissioner,  J.  W.  Slider;  Assessor,  Alvin  Coffin;  Civil  Engineer,  M. 
Murden ;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  D.  P.  Davis ;  Councilmen,  First  Ward, 
E.  C.  Scoven,  H.  A,  Brouse ;  Second  Ward,  M.  Garrigus,  Joseph  Dol- 
man;  Third  Ward,  H.  C.  Cole,  George  D.  Tate;  Fourth  Ward,  C.  E. 
Hendry,  G.  I.  Gordon. 

1879— Mayor,  J.  M.  Darnall;  Clerk,  G.  W.  Duke;  Attorney,  F. 
M.  Gideon  ;  Marshal,  William  Kennedy ;  Treasurer,  E.  F.  White ;  Street 
Commissioner,  J.  W.  Slider ;  Civil  Engineer,  M.  Murden  ;  Chief  Fire 
Engineer,  D.  P.  Davis;  Councilmen,  First  Ward,  E.  C.  Scoven,  W.  S. 
Armstrong;  Second  Ward,  J.  C.  Dolman,  E.  S.  Hunt;  Third  Ward,  H. 
C.  Cole,  E.  G.  Jackson  ;  Fourth  Ward,  G.  I.  Gordon,  M.  M.  Reeves. 

1880— Mayor,  J.  M.  Darnall ;  Clerk,  G.  W.  Duke  ;  Attorney,  F. 
M.  Gideon ;  Marshal,  William  Kennedy  ;  Treasurer,  E.  F.  White ;  Street 
Commissioner,  J.  W.  Slider;  Civil  Engineer,  M.  Murden;  Chief  Fire 
Engineer,  D.  P.  Davis ;  Councilmen,  First  Ward,  W.  S.  Armstrong,  L. 
Kern  ;  Second  Ward,  E.  S.  Hunt,  John  B.  Ellis  ;  Third  Ward,  H.  C. 
Cole,  E.  G.  Jackson ;  Fourth  Ward,  B.  F.  Voiles,  M.  M.  Reeves. 

1881 — Mayor,  Henry  C.  Cole,  W.  S.  Armstrong ;  Clerk,  Charles  F. 
Springer ;  Attorney,  I.  E.  Kirk  ;  Marshal,  William  Kennedy  ;  Treasurer, 
Henry  B.  Lowe;  Street  Commissioner,  John  W.  Slider;  Civil  Engineer,  M. 
Murden;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  D.  P.  Davis;  Councilmen,  First  Ward,  W. 
S.  Armstrong,  L.  Kern,  H.  A.  Brouse ;  Second  Ward,  E.  S.  Hunt,  John 
B.  Ellis ;  Third  Ward,  George  D.  Tate,  Charles  A.  Jay ;  Fourth  Ward, 
John  S.  Butler,  H.  G.  McGlone. 

1882 — Mayor,  W.  S.  Armstrong ;  Clerk,  Charles  F.  Springer ;  At- 
torney, I.  E.  Kirk  ;  Marshal,  William  Kennedy  ;  Treasurer,  H.  B.  Lowe; 
Street  Commissioner,  John  W.  Slider ;  Civil  Engineer,  M.  Murden ; 
Chief  Fire  Engineer,  D.  P.  Davis;  Councilmen,  First  Ward,  Samuel 
Waggaman,  H.  A.  Brouse;  Second  Ward,  E.  S.  Hunt,  John  B.  Ellis; 
Third  Ward,  Charles  A.  Jay,  George  D.  Tate;  Fourth  Ward,  H.  G. 
McGlone,  John  S.  Butler. 

1883 — Mayor,  W.  S.  Armstrong  ;  Clerk,  Charles  F.  Springer  ;  Treas- 
urer, Henry  B.  Lowe ;  Attorney,  John  W.  Kern ;  Marshal,  Albert 
Burns;  Street' Commissioner,  George  R.  Stewart;  Civil  Engineer,  W.  B. 
Ray ;  Chief  Fire  Engineer,  D.  P.  Davis  ;  Councilmen,  First  Ward, 
Samuel  Waggaman,  H.  A.  Brouse ;  Second  Ward,  John  B.  Ellis,  E.  S. 


168  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Hunt ;  Third  Ward,  George  D.   Tate,  William  Cooper ;  Fourth  Ward, 
H.  G.  McGlone,  John  S.  Butler. 

1883-84— At  the  election  held  May  1,  1883,  the  following  officers 
were  elected  to  serve  for  two  years  :  Mayor,  W.  S.  Armstrong  ;  Marshal, 
Albert  Burns;  Clerk,  Charley  Springer;  Treasurer,  H.  B.  Lowe;  City 
Attorney,  John  W.  Kern.  Councilmen  (1883),  First  Ward,  Samuel 
Waggaman ;  Second  Ward,  John  B.  Ellis  ;  Third  AVard,  George  B. 
Tate ;  Fourth  Ward,  H.  G.  McGlone.  (1884),  H.  A.  Brouse,  E.  S. 
Hunt;  Will  Cooper,  M.  D.,  W.  H.  Butler. 

CHURCHES. 

The  early  settlers  of  Kokomo,  fortunately  for  its  future  success, 
were  men  who  believed  in  religion  and  education.  It  seems  neces- 
sary to  full  success  in  the  affairs  of  earth  that  religion  and  education 
should  go  hand  in  hand.  Soon  after  the  first  settlement  of  the  town,  the 
religious  and  intellectual  parts  of  man's  nature  were  looked  after.  The 
first  church  organization  was  that  of  the  Methodists. 

The  Methodist  Church.^ — The  doctrines  of  the  Methodist  Church  do 
not  belong  to  any  new  system  of  philosophy,  ethics  or  theology,  but  are 
as  old  as  the  Christian  era.  It  was  not  John  Wesley  who  founded  Meth- 
odism, so  much  as  it  was  Methodism  which  founded  John  Wesley.  John 
Wesley  first  gave  utterance  to  the  doctrines  of  the  religious  organization, 
and  is  one  whom  all  Methodists  love  to  honor  as  their  first  preacher. 
About  forty  years  after  John  Wesley  began  his  evangelical  work  in  Eng- 
land, the  first  society  of  Methodists  was  formed  in  New  York,  in  a  car- 
penter shop  of  one  Philip  Embury,  an  humble,  pious  man,  whose  only 
ambition  was  to  do  good  in  the  world.  This  society  was  composed  of  only 
four  or  five  persons,  who  formed  the  nucleus  of  one  of  the  greatest  organ- 
izations for  doing  good  the  world  has  ever  seen.  Only  little  more  than  a 
century  has  elapsed  since  Philip  Embury's  carpenter  shop  held  all  the 
Methodists  in  the  United  States,  and  to-day  the  Methodist  Church  claims 
over  three  million  souls  within  its  folds,  with  twice  that  number  who  re- 
ceive instruction  from  its  pulpits.  The  tide  which  has  borne  the  church 
in  this  wonderful  career  has  been  a  most  remarkable  one.  True  to  the 
natural  impulses  that  guided  the  primitive  leaders  of  this  sect,  it  was  left 
for  them  to  establish  the  first  religious  society  that  was  organized  in  this 
section  of  the  country.  This  was  done  in  1841.  What  is  known  now  as 
Howard  County  was  then  one  vast  wilderness,  unorganized,  and  uninhab- 
ited except  by  Indians,  with  now  and  then  a  few  white  families,  who  had 
pushed  their  way  into  this  new  territory  to  make  for  themselves  a  home. 
This  church  was  organized  at  what  was  known  as  Spice  Run,  in  a  little 
log  hut,  two  and  one-half  miles  west  of  the  court  house.     The  only  sur- 

*Prepared  by  J.  McLean  Moulder. 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  159 

viving  members  of  this  church  are  Hon.  Thomas  M.  Kirkpatrick  and 
wife.  They  afterward  moved  their  membership  to  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  of  Kokomo,  where  they  still  affiliate.  About  three  years 
afterward,  in  1844,  the  old  pioneer  Methodist  preacher  of  this  section  of 
Indiana,  Rev.  Jacob  Colclazer,  organized  the  first  Methodist  Church 
proper,  and  in  fact  the  first  religious  organization  ever  effected  in  Koko- 
mo. The  house  of  the  late  David  Foster  was  used  as  a  place  of  worship 
until  a  log  church  could  be  built.  The  members  of  this  embryo  church 
were  Adam  Clarke  and  wife,  Elizabeth  Foster,  Hon.  N.  R.  Linsday  and 
wife,  Thomas  Lamburn  and  wife,  Dennis  McCormick  and  wife,  and  Mrs. 
Joseph  Skeen.  From  the  most  reliable  information  that  can  be  gathered, 
the  trustees  of  the  church  were  N.  R.  Linsday,  Thomas  Lamburn  and 
Adam  Clarke.  Hon.  N.  R.  Linsday  is  the  only  survivor  of  this  humble 
band  of  worshipers,  and  it  is  but  justice  to  Judge  Linsday  to  say  in  this 
history  of  the  Methodist  Church  of  Kokomo  that  his  services  to  the 
church  have  been  valuable,  and  always  highly  appreciated,  and  there  has 
been  no  man  ever  connected  with  the  church  who  has  responded  more  lib- 
erally to  the  demands  of  the  church  than  has  he ;  and  even  now,  though 
failing  in  that  physical  strength  that  was  once  his  pride,  he  is  one  of  the 
pillars  of  the  church.  During  the  year  1844,  a  log  church  was  built  just 
east  of  where  the  old  jail  now  stands,  and  the  following  year  a  Sabbath 
school  was  organized  with  Adam  Clarke  as  Superintendent.  This  Sab- 
bath school  had  an  average  attendance  of  about  fifteen,  and  was  continued 
for  about  six  months  of  each  year.  The  old  church  house  was  used  as  a 
place  of  worship  and  for  Sabbath  school  services  until  the  year  1851, 
when  a  frame  church  house  was  built  upon  the  site  of  the  present  com- 
modious brick.  Hay  den  Rayburn,  Joseph  Sharp  and  N,  R.  Linsday 
were  leading  spirits  in  this  enterprise,  and  stood  nobly  to  the  work  until 
it  was  completed  in  1852.  Rev.  M.  S.  Robinson  was  pastor  during  the 
erection  of  this  building.  The  old  log  church  and  grounds  were  sold  for 
$75,  and  the  money  applied  toward  the  erection  of  the  new  building. 
The  church  being  prosperous,  the  frame  building  was  soon  too  small  to 
accommodate  the  growing  congregation,  and  in  the  year  1864  it  was 
deemed  necessary  to  build  the  present  large  brick  edifice.  Rev.  Charles 
Martindale  was  pastor  at  the  time,  and  rendered  the  church  valuable  as- 
sistance during  the  erection  of  the  building.  N.  R.  Linsday,  J.  W.  Cow- 
ley, C.  Sharp,  Worley  Leas,  Eli  Weaver,  H.  Rayburn,  John  Jamison, 
David  Hazzard  and  Dr.  Buck  were  among  the  most  liberal  members,  and 
paid  largely  toward  the  erection  of  this  house.  It  was  not  long  after  the 
brick  church  was  completed,  before  it  was  thought  desirable  by  some  of 
the  more  progressive  members  to  introduce  an  organ  into  the  church  serv- 
ices.    This,  to  some,  seemed  to  be  quite  an  innovation  upon  the  time-hon- 


160  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

ored  usages  of  the  Methodist  Church,  yet  it  gradually  grew  in  favor  until  a 
regular  church  choir  was  organized  in  the  year  1868,  with  S.  C.  Moore  as 
leader,  and  Miss  Emma  Mason  as  organist,  and  the  Misses  Hazzard, 
Moore  and  Linsday,  and  Messrs.  Elliott,  Lowe,  Kistler  and  Moulder, 
singers.  This  was  the  first  church  choir  organized  in  Kokomo,  and  for 
awhile  was  quite  a  novelty  in  the  church  services.  In  1873,  the  building 
was  remodeled  at  a  cost  of  |4,500,  while  Thomas  Stabler  was  acting  as 
pastor.  Bishop  Bowman  re-opened  the  church  in  June  of  the  same  year. 
The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  ministers  and  the  years  during 
which  they  served  the  Methodist  Church  of  Kokomo  : 

Jacob  Colclazer,  1844  ;  James  Burnes,  1845  ;  Allen  Skillman,1846  ; 
J.  F.  Fennemore,  1847  and   1848  ;  William   Forbes,   1849  and    1850  ; 
Rev3.  Rodgers  and  Turman,  1851 ;  M.  S.  Morrison,  1852  ;  J.   C.  Meds- 
ker,  1853  T  H.   H.   Bailey,  1854 ;  W.    E.    Edmundson,    1855 ;   H.  J. 
Lacey,  William    Anderson    and  William  Vigus,   1856  and  1857  ;  A.   S. 
Kinman,  1858  ;  S.    T.   Stout,  1859  ;  W.  S.  Birch,   1860 ;  A.    Eddy, 
1861;  Rev.  Mr.  Birch   was   pastor  during  the  erection  of  the  present 
parsonage.     Rev.  Mr.  Eddy  was  promoted  to  a   position    as  Presiding 
Elder,    before   the  close    of   this  year,    and    C.     W.  Miller  filled   the 
unexpired  term ;  S.  Lane,    1862 ;    Charles   Armstrong,  1863  ;  Charles 
Martindale,  1864   and  1865 ;  W.  R.  Kestler,    1866  and  1867  ;  V.  M. 
Beamer,  1868    and  1869;  William    Wilson,    1870;  S.    N.    Campbell, 
1871;    Thomas  Stabler,  1872,   1873  and  1874;  H.    J.  Meek,    1875, 
1876   and  1877;  E.  Holdstock,   1878    and    1879;  L.  A.  Retts,  1880, 
1881  and  1882 ;  C.  G.   Hudson,  1883.     The  Methodist  Church  of  Ko- 
komo has  gradually  grown  from  the  small  band  of  worshipers  of  1844, 
until  to-day  its  spiritual  as  well  as  financial  interests  are  in  a  most  pros- 
perous condition.     The  church  owns  property  of  the  value  of  $20,000, 
with  no  indebtedness.     The  present  Trustees  of  the  church  are  James 
O'Brien,  President ;    J.  McL.  Moulder,  Secretary ;   C.  C.   Sollenberger, 
Treasurer;  and  N.  R.  Linsday,  William  Styer,  J.  F.  Elliott,  I.  C.  Johnson, 
A.  N.  Grant  and  Sheridan  Cox.     The  Sabbath  school,  under  the  superin- 
tendency  of  George  0.  Roach,  is  pre-eminently  the  largest  school  in  How- 
ard County,  having  at  present  an  attendance  of  about  four  hundred  pupils. 
Edgar  Meek,  as  chorister  of  the  school,    has  secured  an  orchestra,  com- 
posed of  the  following  well-known  musicians  :  Mrs.  Lucy  Moulder,  organ- 
ist ;  Miss  June  Reed,  violin  ;  Thomas  A.  Ogden,  cornet ;  Prof.  Manning, 
viola,  and  A.  H,  Lehman,  trombone  and  flute.      With  these  to  lead  three 
or  four  hundred  voices,  the  music  is  an   attractive  feature.     The  present 
membership  of  the  church  is  about  four  hundred.     This  is  a  fine  showing 
for  the  zeal  and  energy  of  the  ministers  of  this  denomination  during  the 
past  forty  years.     Fathers  Rayburn,  Linsday,  Beeks.,  Saylors,  Sharp,  and 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  161 

their  families  have  stood  by  the  Kokomo  Church  from  its  infancy  to  the 
present  time,  and  the  fruits  of  their  labor  must  be  peculiarly  gratifying  to 
them.  All  the  members  of  the  church  are  devoted  to  its  success  and 
welfare  and  the  future  of  the  church  is  bright  with  hope. 

Baptist  Church. — In  the  year  1847,  a  Baptist  Church  was  organized 
in  Kokomo,  with  seven  members.  The  last  recorded  meeting  was  held 
August  26,  1858.  At  that  time  the  church  had  about  100  members.  Of 
these,  Corydon  Richmond,  Matthew  Murden,  Rev.  Denton  Simpson  and 
families  survive.  Many  futile  eifortswere  made  at  revivino;  this  orcraniza- 
tion  until  1874,  when  the  effort  was  successful.  A  mission  Sunday  school 
had  been  previously  formed  with  a  view  to  facilitate  the  reorganization. 
The  school  met  in  the  old  Third  Ward  school  building,  with  W.  A.  Stuart, 
Superintendent,  andR.  L.  Upton,  Secretary,  and  prospered  greatly.  Soon 
a  weekly  prayer  meeting  was  organized.  A  teachers'  meeting  began  also 
with  the  organization  of  the  Sunday  school,  and  has  met  weekly  ever 
since.  The  Rev.  Joseph  Brown,  Secretary  of  the. Baptist  State  Conven- 
tion, visited  Kokomo  in  the  middle  of  January,  1875,  and  with  him  pres- 
ent on  the  7th  of  February,  1875,  it  was  decided  to  organize  "  The  First 
Baptist  Church  of  Kokomo."  At  this  meeting.  Dr.  Richmond,  James  W. 
Fisher  and  wife,  John  Bateman,  James  W.  Griffith,  W.  A.  Stuart  and 
wife,  Mrs.  Naomi  A.  Upton,  Mrs.  Sarah  C.  Gray,  Miss  Winnie  B.  Fish- 
er and  Dillie  Rickard  voted.  Eig^ht  of  these  organized  as  the  First 
Baptist  Church  of  Kokomo,  on  the  18th  day  of  February,  and  on  the  18th 
day  of  March  following,  they  were  recognized  by  a  council  of  delegates 
from  sister  churches  as  regular  in  doctrine  and  government.  This  coun- 
cil convened  in  the  worst  snow-storm  that  ever  occurred  in  this  latitude  in 
March.  Part  of  the  council  was  against  the  recognition,  and  but  for 
Grandpa  Thomas,  of  Galveston,  the  decision  might  have  been  against  the 
organization.  Of  the  eight  who  organized  the  church,  six  were  confined 
at  home  by  sickness.  Daily  preaching  was  continued  for  ten  days  by 
Revs.  P.  O'Dell  and  J.  C.  Burkholder,  and  eight  were  received  into  the 
church  by  baptism,  including  one  entire  household.  Weekly  services  were 
held  until  November  of  that  year,  when  Rev.  S.  S.  Cornelius,  D.  D., 
accepted  the  pastorate  and  remained  until  October  31,  1877.  The  mem- 
bership under  him  increased  from  twenty-four  to  eighty-eight.  April  26, 
1878,  Rev.  Norman  Carr  became  pastor,  and  remained  until  September 
25,  1882,  when  he  became  Financial  Agent  of  Franklin  College.  Never 
has  any  pastor  done  grander  work  than  did  Rev.  Mr.  Carr.  In  four  years 
and  five  months,  the  society  increased  from  88  to  212  members. 
The  church  had  meanwhile  lost  100  members  by  death  and  removal.  A 
debt  on  the  church  of  $1,200  had  been  paid  and  a  parsonage  costing 
$1,000  had  been  purchased.     On  the  10th  day  of  January,   1833,  Rev. 


162  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

N.  C.  Smith  became  pastor  of  the  church,  with  every  prospect  of  useful- 
ness and  success  in  his  efforts  to  build  up  the  spiritual  structure.     He  has 
caused  the  full  payment  of  the   mortgage   on  the  parsonage  to  be  made, 
and  has  matured  other  plans  for  keeping  the  membership  in  daily  work, 
as  well  as  in  daily  bread.     The  first  trustees  of  the    church  were  R.   L. 
Upton,  James  W.  Griffith,  and  James  W.  Fisher,  James  W.  Fisher  Clerk  ; 
Deacons,  James  W.  Fisher  and  W.  A.  Stuart ;  Treasurer,  Annie  B.  Lew- 
ellen ;  Sexton,  W.  G.  Leeds ;  Superintendent  of  Sunday  School,  W.  A. 
Stuart.    The  church  has  continuously  maintained  Sabbath  services,  weekly 
prayer  and  teachers'  meetings,  Sabbath  school,  and  monthly  covenant  meet- 
ings, notwithstanding  it  has  been  without  a  pastor,  at  intervals,  for  one  and 
one-half  years.     This  church  is  the  outgrowth  of  faith  ;  it  has  had  to  work 
with  a  band  of  untrained  workers  ;  its  members  have  not  been  among  the 
rich  or  among  those  highest  in  social  circles  ;  its  success  can  only  be 
attributed  to  Him  who  uses  the  weak  things  of  earth  to  manifest  His  power 
and  glory.     The  Baptists  hold  many  views  in  common  with  other  evan- 
gelical denominations  of  Christians.     They  believe  in  a  personal  God;  of 
infinite    perfection  ;  the  fall    of  man  ;     the    atonement  through  Christ's 
death  ;  the  resurrection  from  the  dead  ;  the  final  judgment;  the  everlast- 
ing blessedness  of  the  righteous  and  the  everlasting  punishment  of  the 
wicked.     The  central  supremely  characteristic  doctrine  of  the  Baptists  is 
their  belief  in  regenerated  church  membership.     As    baptism  symbolizes 
regeneration,  that  is,  spiritual  death  and  resurrection  through  faith  in  the 
death  and  resurrection  of  Christ,    so  nothing  but  the  immersion  of  the 
believer  represents  the  truth   symbolized  by    Scriptural  baptism.      They 
believe  in  the  Lord's  Supper,  as  it  is  a  credible  evidence  of  the  continu- 
ation of  spiritual  life,  as  baptism  is  of  regeneration. 

Friends  Church. — While  many  of  the  early  settlers  of  Howard  County 
were  members  of  the  Friends'  Church,  there  was  no  effort  made  to  estab- 
lish a  church  in  Kokomo  until  the  spring  of  1865.  At  that  time  there 
were  only  eleven  members  living  in  Kokomo,  viz.,  Robert  Coate,  Richard 
Nixon  and  their  families,  W.  S.  Wooten  and  William  Moore.  The  first 
meeting  was  held  in  a  private  house,  James  Owen,  a  minister  of  New  Lon- 
don, being  present.  The  numbers  increasing,  James'  Hall  was  rented 
and  the  meetings  held  there  for  years.  By  the  close  of  the  year, 
the  membership  had  doubled,  by  the  addition  of  W.  H.  Butler,  Jesse  T. 
-Turner,  and  their  families  with  a  few  others.  The  membership  continued 
to  increase  until  the  year  1870,  when  an  effort  was  made  to  build  a  church 
house,  which  resulted  in  the  erection  of  the  present  church  building,  a 
good,  substantial  brick,  40x66  feet,  with  a  stone  foundation  and  costing 
about  $6,000.  From  the  time  of  the  completion  of  this  building  in  1872, 
until  the  present  time,  the  meetings  have  been   held  in    it.     Frequently, 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  163 

ministers  from  abroad  have  conducted  services,  but  much  of  the  time,  until 
1874,  the  church  was  without  a  minister.  In  that  year,  Robert  Coate 
and  W.  H.  Butler  were  recorded  ministers.  Robert  Coate  soon  went  away, 
leaving  W.  H.  Butler  minister  of  the  church  ;  he  still  remains.  There 
have  been  some  other  ministers  for  short  periods  of  time.  R.  W.  Doug- 
las, now  of  Wilmington,  Ohio,  was  with  the  church  about  nine  months. 
C.  W.  Kirk  was  a  minister  here  for  about  two  years.  He  is  still  a  member 
of  the  church,  but  has  been  working  as  a  missionary  among  the  Indians 
for  the  past  five  years.  The  church  is  in  a  healthful  condition,  both  spirit- 
ually and  financially,  having  about  200  members.  Many  of  the  most 
solid  and  substantial  business  men  are  members  of  ohe  Friends'  Church. 

Congregational  Church. — The  Congregational  Church  in  the  city  of 
Kokomo  was  founded  in  the  early  part  of  the  year  1863.  Rev.  Joseph 
E.  Roy  had  been  sent  out  by  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society  to 
organize  societies  of  the  Congregational  Church.  The  Congregational 
Church  is  one  branch  of  the  Presbyterian,  consequently  he  found  many 
ready  and  anxious  to  aid  him  in  establishing  the  society.  Mr.  Roy  found 
here  Mr.  Moses  R.  Andrews  and  family,  who  had  been  Congregationalists 
before  leaving  New  England,  and  after  the  church  organization  had  been 
decided  upon,  the  services  of  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Jenkins  were  secured,  who 
formally  organized  the  church,  and  meetings  were  held.  There  were  four- 
teen charter  members,  of  whom  only  Moses  Andrews  and  wife  are  living. 
Rev.  Mr.  Jenkins  remained  with  the  church  for  two  years,  and  under  his 
ministrations  it  prospered.  While  he  remained,  the  present  beautiful 
church  edifice  was  begun,  but  had  not  been  completed  when  his  services 
terminated  in  September,  1865.  After  the  departure  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jen- 
kins, there  were  no  services  held  here  for  about  six  months.  At  the  end  of 
that  time,  the  church  had  secured  the  Rev.  C.  H.  Richards,  a  graduate  of 
Andover  Theological  Seminary.  His  labors  were  successful,  and  during 
his  stay  the  church  building  was  completed.  He  remained  here  for  two 
years,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  George  Hicks,  who  stayed  but  a  year. 
The  Rev,  A.  S.  Walsh  succeeded  Mr.  Hicks,  and  did  much  to  revive  the 
lagging  energies  of  the  church.  At  the  close  of  his  labors,  the  church 
was  in  better  condition  than  it  had  ever  been.  Rev.  D.  J.  Baldwin  re- 
mained but  a  year,  and  was  followed  by  Rev.  A.  S.  Wood.  He  added 
new  life  to  the  church.  The  house  was  renovated,  refitted,  a  fine  new 
pipe  organ  added,  and,  best  of  all,  the  memb^ship  of  the  church  was  in- 
creased. Eventually,  the  Rev.  Wood,  much  to  the  regret  of  his  parish- 
ioners, severed  his  connection  with  the  church  and  removed  to  Michigan. 

The  Christian  Church. — The  religious  movement  which  resulted  in 
the  organization  of  what  is  known  as  the  Church  of  Christ,  Christian 
Church  or  Disciples  of  Christ,  may  be  said  to  have  its  origin  early  in  the 


164  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

present  century  with   Thomas    Campbell,  who    removed  to  America,  in 
1807,  and  his  son  Alexander,  who  came  over  in  1809.     It  is  not  claimed, 
however,  that  their  work  resulted  in  the  organization  of  a   new  church, 
but  simply  in  a  restoration   of  Christianity  to  its  primitive  simplicity  as 
established  by  Christ  and  Apostles.     The  Campbells,  after  a  careful  study 
of  the  Scriptures,  were  convinced  that  the  faith  required  by  the  Gospel  of 
Christ  is  not  mental  assent  to  metaphysical   subtleties,  nor  the  reception 
of  opinions  elaborated  by  associations,  conventions,  conferences  or  synods 
into  precise  formula,  but  is  the  sincere  reliance  of  the  soul  upon  Jesus  as 
the  life,  the  truth,  and  the  way.     In  short,  that  the  object  of  the  Chris- 
tian faith  is  a  divine  Person,  not  a  system  of  dogmas  and  tenets  ;  that  so 
long  as  a  person  is  right  about  Jesus,  believing  he  is  the  Son  of  God,  the 
Savior  of  sinners,  One  having  '"all  authority  in  heaven  and  on  earth,"  in 
the  matter   of  human  redemption,  it  is  comparatively  indifferent   as  to 
whether  he  should  agree  with  all  others  in  minute  inferential  particulars. 
Christianity,  therefore,  as  taught  by  the  Church  of  Christ,  and  first  enun- 
ciated in  this  century  by  the  Campbells,  may  be  considered,  in  brief,  as  a 
system  of  facts,  principles,  precepts  and  promises,  looking  to  the  production, 
development  and  guidance  ofa  new  life.   This  movement  to  restore  primitive 
Christianity  may  be  said  to  rest  on  the  following  principles  :    1st.   Chris- 
tianity as  conceived  by  its  Author  and  delivered  to  us,  by  those  divinely 
qualified  for  the   work,  is  a  complete  system  of  salvation,  suited  to  the 
wants  of  the  human   family.     2d.  Whatever  evils   aff'ect  the   religious 
world,  have  resulted  from  a  departure  from  that  perfect  system  of  truth. 
3d.  The  true  remedy,  therefore,  for  all  the  ecclesiastical  ills  of  Christen- 
dom, is  a  complete  return  to   primitive  Christianity.     In   view  of  the 
foregoing,  they  take  the  Bible  as  their  only  guide,  believing,  1st,  "That 
the  only  authoritative  creed  of  the  Church  of  Christ  is,  that  Jesus  is   the 
Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God;  "  that  the  Bible  is  divine  in  origin 
and  formulation,  is  fundamental  to  the  church,  before  the  church  in  time 
and  unchangeable.     2d.  Whoever  will  subscribe  to  this  creed,  heartily 
accepting  the  Holy  Scriptures    as  the  rule  of  faith  and  conduct,  by  a 
public  profession  of  faith  in  Christ,  and  a  true  repentance  is   entitled 
to  baptism,  that  by  faith  he  may  rest  in  the  promise  of  the  pardon  of  his 
past  sins  and  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit.     3d.  All  immersed  believers  are 
entitled  to  instant  membership  in  the  church,  without  subscribing  to  any 
formula  of  opinion  or  any  human  theory  or  philosophy  of  religion ;  they 
assemble  every  Lord's  Day  for  services,  and  to  celebrate  the  death  of 
Christ  by  partaking  of  the  Lord's  Supper.     They  are  not  "  close  com- 
municants," but  all  who  believe  themselves  fit  to  partake. of  the  Lord's 
Supper  are  invited,  each  being  his  own  judge  as  to  his  fitness.     They  or- 
ganize churches  according  to  the  New  Testament,  with  Elders  or  Bishops 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  165 

and  Deacons.  Each  church  selects  its  own  minister  and  retains  him  as 
suits  each  party.  Any  minister  is  free  to  engage  in  any  field  where  he 
may  be  called. 

The  Christian  Church  of  Kokomo  was  organized  February  21,  1851, 
by  Elder  Thomas  Shepherd  and  Lewis  Anderson  with  seven  members, 
viz.:  Lewis  Anderson  and  wife,  Thomas  Shepherd  and  wife,  John  C. 
Linsday  and  wife  and  Edward  Shepherd.  All  of  these  are  now  dead  or 
have  removed  from  here.  Shortly  after  this,  Hon.  Thomas  A.  Armstrong 
and  family,  Martin  M.  Preble  and  family  and  Alfred  H.  Ploughe  and 
family  moved  here  and  united  with  this  congregation.  From  this  time 
the  church  rapidly  increased  ;  meetings  were  held  in  the  houses  of  mem- 
bers. In  1854,  the  lot  where  the  old  Christian  Church  now  stands  was 
purchased  for  $30.  In  1857,  the  old  house  was  erected  and  in 
this  the  congregation  worshiped  for  twenty-two  years,  from  1858  to  1880. 
In  1875,  the  lots  on  Main  street  were  purchased  for  $3,000.  On  the  26th 
day  of  February,  1876,  plans  were  submitted  for  the  new  church  build- 
ing. The  plans  being  approved,  the  foundations  of  the  building  were  laid 
the  same  year.  In  1877,  the  walls  were  erected  and  the  roof  put  on.  Noth- 
ing was  done  in  1878.  In  1879,  the  plastering  was  done,  temporary 
doors  and  windows  put  in,  and  the  audience  room  seated,  and  on  the  first 
Sunday  of  February,  1880,  the  congregation  held  the  first  services  in  the 
new  church.  The  cost  of  the  building  completed  will  be  $30,000.  It  is 
120  feet  in  length,  69  feet  in  width,  height  of  tower  85  feet,  seating  ca- 
pacity 900.  The  style  of  architecture  is  Gothic.  Since  the  organization 
of  the  church  here,  more  than  1,000  persons  have  held  membership, 
many  of  whom  have  gone  to  claim  their  reward.  The  present  member- 
ship of  the  church  is  372.  Since  the  organization  in  1851,  the  eldership 
of  the  congregation  has  been  as  follows  :  Lewis  Anderson,  deceased  ; 
Thomas  Shepherd,  removed;  Thomas  A.  Armstrong,  still  serving;  Mar- 
tin M.  Preble,  still  serving ;  Thomas  Auter,  deceased ;  Henderson 
Johnson,  removed  ;  J.  M.  Darnall,  still  serving ;  Aaron  Walker,  still 
serving;  John  Nicholson,   removed;  Lewis  W.  Marts,  removed. 

The  following  ministers  have  served  the  church  as  regular  pastors  : 
Thomas  Shepherd,  Lewis  Anderson,  Elder  Garrett,  George  Campbell, 
William  Grigsby,  W.  S.  Winfield,  0.  E.  Brown,  Thomas  Bernard,  Rich- 
ard Roberts,  A.  I.  Hobbs,  R.  E.  Pearre,  B.  M.  Blount,  Joseph  Franklin, 
E.  L.  Frazier,  Aaron  Walker,  J.  M.  McCullough,  J.  W.  Conner,  H.  C. 
Lyle,  Milton  B.  Hopkins,  C.  M.  Robertson,  J.  L.  Parsons  and  George 
Edward  Walk,  the  present  pastor. 

The  present  board  of  oflicers  is  as  follows :  Elders,  Thomas  A.  Arm- 
strong, Aaron  Walker,  Martin  M.  Preble  and  J.  M.  Darnall ;  Deacons, 
A.  F.   Armstrong,  A.  B.  Walker,   E.   A.   Moore,   J.  M.  Scotton,  T.  J. 


166  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Hanna  and  J.  B.  Moore  ;  Trustees,  A.  B.  Walker,  A.  F.  Armstrong 
and  J.  M.  Darnall  ;  Clerk,  A.  B.  Walker  ;  Treasurer,  D.  W.  Moore  ; 
minister  and  ex  oflScio  member  of  the  board,  George  Edward  "Walk. 
Under  the  ministrations  of  Rev.  George  E.  Walk,  the  church  is 
prospering  greatly.  Fifty-one  persons  have  united  with  the  church  since 
January  1,  1882.  The  pastorship  of  Mr.  Walk  fully  answers  the 
question,  "  Can  a  young  man  be  successful  in  charge  of  a  large  city  congre- 
gation ?  "  The  Sunday  school,  under  the  superintendency  of  N.  B. 
Smith,  is  also  prosperous.  The  movement  to  restore  primitive  Christian- 
ity commenced  by  the  Campbells  seventy-one  years  ago,  now  known  as 
the  Christian  Church,  has  a  membership  of  1,500,000,  about  1,000,000 
of  whom  are  in  the  United  States. 

The  Catholic  Church. — The  doctrine  of  the  Catholic  Church  is,  in 
brief:  They  believe  in  the  Apostles'  creed,  in  one  God  and  three  divine 
persons,  the  Father,  the  Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost ;  in  seven  sacraments 
as  instituted  by  Christ  the  Lord  for  the  salvation  of  men ;  in  the  ten 
commandments  given  by  the  Almighty  Father ;  and  in  the  tradition 
and  the  Bible  as  the  word  of  God,  as  explained  by  an  infallible  teacher, 
the  Church  of  Christ  on  earth. 

The  first  Catholic  settlers  who  came  to  this  county  or  town  were 
seven  families,  among  whom  were  Cornelius  McCarthy  and  wife  (Thomas 
Mooren  was  the  first  one  who  came,  and  he  still  lives  here,  though  a  very 
old  man;  he  never  married) ;  John  Coughlin  and  wife,  and  Mike  Quinn 
and  wife.  In  1859,  the  church  came  under  the  pastorate  of  Father 
Hamilton,  a  missionary  from  Logansport.  He  visited  this  place  once  each 
month.  In  1859,  a  small  frame  building  was  erected  on  the  northwest 
corner  of  Washington  and  Broadway  as  a  place  of  worship.  It  was  20x40 
feet.  There  were  at  that  time  about  fifty  members  here  of  the  Catholic 
faith.  In  1869,  a  twenty-foot  addition  was  built  to  the  old  house,  it  becom- 
ing necessary  to  meet  the  growing  demand  of  the  church.  The  church 
in  1869  secured  the  services  of  Father  Frauly,  who  remained  in  charge 
about  eighteen  months.  He  was  the  first  regular  pastor.  Prior  to 
Father  Frauly,  the  church  had  been  taught  by  missionaries,  who  came 
monthly.  These  were  Fathers  Force,  B.  Kroeger,  L.  Lamour,  M.  Haley, 
F.  Wichman  and  T.  Borg.  After  Father  Frauly,  Father  O'Brien 
came  for  six  months,  and  was  succeeded  by  Father  Grogan,  who  remained 
until  1873,  when  Father  Lordemann  assumed  control  of  the  church.  It 
is  believed  that  no  man  connected  with  a  church  in  Kokomo  ever  accom- 
plished so  much  good  in  so  short  a  time  as  Father  Lordemann.  In  1859, 
there  were  sixty  members  of  the  church  ;  in  1869,  there  were  ninety 
members ;  in  1883,  there  are  200  members.  Father  Lordemann  found 
here  an  old,  tumble-down  house,  with  no  parsonage.     In  1874,  the  pres- 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  167 

ent  beautiful  parsonage  was  built,  costing  $1,800.  In  1875,  he  purchased 
a  lot  just  south  of  his  residence  on  Washington  street  and  moved  the  old 
church  upon  it.  In  1876,  the  present  grand  temple  of  worship  was 
commenced.  Bishop  Dwenger,  of  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  kid  the  corner 
stone  on  the  29th  day  of  October,  1876,  the  ceremony  being  witnessed 
by  b,000  people.  Bishop  Dwenger  was  assisted  by  the  clergy  of  several 
of  the  neighboring  cities.  The  house  was  so  nearly  completed  on  the  25th 
day  of  December,  1877,  that  divine  services  were  held  therein  on  that 
day.  On  the  8th  day  of  September,  1878,  the  church  buildin-.  was  ded- 
icated by  Bishop  Dwenger  and  others.  The  edifice  is  115°feet  lon<. 
54  feet  wide,  and  40  feet  to  the  ceiling;  its  cost  was  about  $17,OOo! 
Ihere  is  no  more  beautiful  church  property  in  the  city,  and  its  congrega- 
tion IS  out  of  debt.  lu  1875,  Father  Lordemann  opened  the  Catholic 
school  with  thirty-five  pupils.  He  secured  the  services  of  Miss  Lizzie 
bheridan  in  1877,  who  for  six  years  has  labored  earnestly  and  zealously 
for  the  success  of  her  undertaking.  Her  labors  have  been  crowned 
with  the  best  results.  She  is  recognized  by  all  who  know  her  as  a 
teacher  of  jBuch  tact  and  ability.  In  the  same  year  that  he  organ- 
ized the  school,  1875,  Father  Lordemann  started  the  Father  Matthew 
Temperance  and  Total  Abstinence  Society.  This  organization  has  done 
much  good  and  is  in  a  flourishing  condition.  Father  Lordemann  is  but 
thirty-three  years  of  age,  and  he  has  the  right  to  feel  that  he  has  been  suc- 
cessful m  his  pastorate.  He  is  beloved  by  his  church,  and  in  its  future 
one  can  see  nothing  but  prosperity. 

SCHOOLS    AND    EDUCATION. 

As  has  been  said,  religion  and  education  were  correlative  forces  in 
the  upward  movement  of  Kokorao.  In  1844,  the  Methodists  had  built  a 
little  log  building,  on  the  east  side  of  Washington  street,  just  east  of 
the  old  jail,  for  the  purposes  of  worship.  Soon  it  was  appropriated  jointly 
for  school  purposes.  Here,  in  November,  1845,  Adam  Clark  onened  the 
first  school  ever  taught  in  what  is  now  the  city  of  Kokomo.  There  were 
enrolled  sixteen  pupils,  among  whom  were  the  present  Mrs.  Harrison 
Mrs.  Leeds  and  Mrs.  Markland,  of  this  city.  Mr.  Clark  taught,  also,  the 
winter  terms  of  1846  and  1847.  He  was  an  impressive  teacher,  and  did 
not  believe  in  that  old  maxim  of  barbarism,  "  Spare  the  rod  and  spoil  the 
child,"  and  consequently  there  was  but  little  whipping  done.  He  pos- 
sessed the  love  of  all  his  pupils,  and  now,  after  thirty-seven  years,  his 
many  virtues  are  still  fresh  in  their  minds.  Adam  Clark  was  succeeded 
in  1847  and  1848  by  John  0.  Heaton,  now  living  in  this  city.  The 
third  teacher  was  the  Rev.  Denton  Simpson,  who  resides  near  Tampico, 
this  county,  and  is  one  of  our  most  worthy  citizens.     He  tauc^ht  in  the 


168  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

winters  of  1848  and  1849.  There  were  about  thirty-eight  enrolled  pupils 
from  the  town,  and  these,  with  those  from  the  surrounding  country,  made 
a  total  attendance  of  about  fifty  pupils.  Mr.  Simpson  received  $2  per 
pupil,  making  $100  for  his  winter's  labor.  Denton  Simpson  was  followed 
in  1849-50  and  1851  by  T.  J.  Harrison,  who  came  here  in  the  spring  of 
1849,  and  afterward  served  his  country  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  rising 
to  be  a  Brigadier  General.  The  winter  term  of  1851  and  1852  was 
taught  by  Mrs.  Julia  Barrett.  In  the  winter  of  1852  and  1853,  George 
A.  Gordon  taught  the  last  term  of  school  in  the  old  log  church  house 
which  was  ever  taught  there.  The  house  had  been  too  small  for  some 
time,  so  in  the  summer  of  1853  a  school  building  was  erected,  on  the 
west  side  of  Washington  street,  midway  between  Sycamore  and  Walnut 
streets.  This  house  has  since  been  remodeled,  and  is  now  the  residence 
of  Newton  Graves,  Esq.,  and  stands  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Washing- 
ton and  Walnut  streets.  In  this  building.  Judge  Truman  H.  Palmer, 
now  a  leading  citizen  and  lawyer  of  Frankfort,  taught  the  winter  terms 
of  1853-54  and  1854-55. 

In  1855,  the  town  of  Kokomo  having  been  duly  incorporated,  the  first 
enumeration  of  children  was  taken,  and  those  of  school  age  found  to  be 
163.  James  A.  Wildman  taught  the  winter  of  1855-56,  having  an  en- 
rollment of  149  pupils.  James  A.  Wildman  was  elected  Auditor  of 
Howard  County  in  the  fall  of  1856. 

Prof.  Joseph  Baldwin  opened  a  school  in  the  fall  of  1859,  in  the  pld 
Christian  Church,  on  Mulberry  street.  Advanced  methods  of  instruc- 
tion were  employed  by  him,  and  his  pupils  were  filled  with  his  own  en- 
thusiasm and  fervor.  He  soon  had  a  prosperous  school,  and  many  pupils 
flocked  to  him  for  instruction.  He  introduced  normal  methods  of  instruc- 
tion, and  thus  furnished  Howard  County  with  many  good  teachers.  His 
school  flourished  until  1861,  when  the  tocsin  of  war  sounded  in  the  far- 
away South. 

To  Prof.  Baldwin,  more  than  to  any  one  person,  do  we  owe  the  erection 
of  our  present  high  school  building.  He  urged  that  the  project  was 
feasible,  and  easily  accomplished,  if  a  united  eff"ort  were  made.  A  joint- 
stock  company  was  organized,  called  the  Normal  School  Association,  and 
N.  R.  Linsday  made  President,  and  Rawson  Vaile,  Secretary.  The 
stock  was  divided  into  shares  of  |20  each,  and  these  were  bought  by  citi- 
zens of  Howard  and  adjoining  counties.  Centre  Township  subscribed 
$3,000,  on  condition  that  the  four  lower  rooms  should  be  sacred  to  free 
schools.  Prof.  Baldwin,  though  largely  instrumental  in  the  building  of 
the  new  schoolhouse,  did  not  remain  until  it  was  finished,  but  removed  to 
Logansport,  where  he  resided  a  few  years,  when  he  took  charge  of  the 
Kirksville  (Mo.)  Normal  College,  having  been  made  its   President  by 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  169 

the  State  Board  of  Education,  at  a  salary  of  |2,600.  The  first  school 
taught  in  the  new  building  was  in  the  winter  of  1863-64,  by  Prof  H. 
K.  Curtis.  Prof.  Curtis  remained  but  one  year,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Prof.  E.  N.  Fay,  who  controlled  the  school  until  1867.  In  1865,  Koko- 
mo  was  made  a  city,  and  the  first  Board  of  School  Trustees  was  elected  by 
the  City  Council.  Richard  Nixon,  Gabriel  McCool  and  John  Bohan 
were  elected,  but  McCool  and  Bohan  declined  to  serve,  and  David  Brown 
and  Orseraus  Richmond  were  chosen  to  fill  the  vacancies.  There  had 
never  been  any  system  of  grading  in  the  schools,  and  they  had  been  under 
the  control  of  a  Board  of  Town  Trustees  and  the  Township  Trustee. 
The  trustees  and  teachers  had  done  their  whole  duty,  but  had  only  met 
with  partial  success.  From  1867  to  1869,  B.  M.  Blount,  George  C. 
Hicks,  Edward  Taylor  and  J.  Fred.  Vaile  had  been  the  Principals  of  the 
Kokomo  Schools. 

Howard  College  was  organized  in  1869,  with  Milton  B.  Hopkins, 
President.  There  were  six  teachers,  and  in  1870  there  were  sixty-nine 
students.  The  city  having  no  high  school,  the  advanced  pupils  were  sent 
to  the  college,  and  their  tuition  paid  out  of  the  common  school  revenues. 
Elijah  F.  White,  Alfred  B.  Ploughe  and  Samuel  C.  Moore  were  elected 
a  Board  of  School  Trustees  in  1871.  The  board  organized  with  E.  F. 
White,  President;  Samuel  C.  Moore,  Treasurer,  and  Alfred  B.  Ploughe, 
Secretary.  These  men  went  to  work,  and  soon  a  new  order  of  things  was 
manifest.  They  organized  the  high  school,  built  the  Fourth  Ward  and 
Third  Ward  Schoolhouses,  and  elected  a  Superintendent  of  City  Schools. 
The  Fourth  Ward  is  a  fine  brick  building,  two  stories  high,  and  seats  300 
pupils. 

Milton  B.  Hopkins  was  elected  in  the  fall  of  1872  State  Superin- 
tendent of  Schools.  With  him  the  propelling  power  ceased  in  Howard 
College  and  it  soon  closed  its  doors.  Then  the  Board  of  Trustees  erected 
a  high  school  building  at  the  corner  of  Taylor  and  Clay  streets,  and  J. 
F.  Vaile  was  selected  as  Principal  of  the  High  School.  The  Board  of 
Trustees  purchased  the  present  high  school  building,  in  the  spring  of  1873, 
of  the  Trustees  of  the  Indiana  State  Normal  School.  The  building  was 
refurnished  throughout  and  was  placed  in  readiness  for  the  opening  of  the 
high  school  in  the  fall  of  1873.  Before  this,  Sheridan  Cox,  of  Logans- 
port,  had  been  elected  Superintendent  of  our  city  schools.  He  was  a  man 
of  good  executive  ability  and  much  experience  in  city  school  work.  At 
once  the  wheels  of  the  high  school  machinery  began  to  move  without  a 
jar  or  discord.  Mr.  Cox  has  remained  with  us  until  he  is  apparently  a 
part  of  our  city  school  machinery. 

There  is  a  school  building,  a  neat  frame,  in  the  northeastern  part  of 
the  city  for  the  accommodation  of  colored  pupils.     This  school  has   been 


170 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 


taught  mostly  by  colored  teachers  and  is  in  a  prosperous  condition.  J. 
F.  Vaile,  A.  J.  Youngblood,  Mrs.  B.  G.  Cox,  C.  M.  Harrison,  W.  H. 
McClain,  Mr.  Hitt,  J.  W.  Barnes,  A.  C.  Hopkins  and  H.  G.  Woody 
have  been  Principals  of  the  High  School. 

There  are  at  present  seventeen  teachers  in  the  different  schools  of  the 
city,  not  including  the  Superintendent.  The  teachers  now  engaged  are  : 
Prof.  H.  G.  Woody,  Principal ;  Mrs.  B.  G.  Cox,  Assistant  Principal ; 
Miss  Sara  L.  Ellis,  A  Grammar  ;  Mr.  J.  C.  Leach,  B  Grammar ;  Miss 
Sarah  Kirkpatrick,  C  Grammar;  Miss  Irene  Reeves,  D  Grammar.  Primary 
Departeraent:  Miss  May  S.  Davis,  A  Primary;  Mrs.  Lizzie  Trusdell,  B 
Primary;  Miss  Jessie  Day  huff,  1st  C  Primary ;  Miss  Josie  George,  2d 
C  Primary  ;  Miss  Sadie  Clendening,  D  Primary.  Fourth  Ward  School : 
Mr.  Allen  Shewmon,  Principal ;  Mrs.  Mollie  McKorkle,  A ;  Miss  Sallie 
Jeter,  B  ;  Miss  Nellie  Holton,  C.  Colored  School,  Charles  Hick  ;  Miss 
Anna  Cooper,  Teacher  of  Music. 


TABULATED  STATEMENT  SHOWING 

GROWTH  OF 

rHE  KOKOMO  SCHOOLS  : 

•a 

2 

y  „ 

» 

>. 

ja 

5?^ 

s- 

6 

1 

£ 

a 

§• 

Eh 

■a 

c 

1 

J3 

R 

.fl 

S 

fh 

'5 

V-  g  s 

o 

r>i 

TEAR. 

JS 

» 

a. 

s 

8 

A 

a 

OJ 

Ph 

.:a 

a 

an 

m 

3 

o 

o 

2 

u 

o 

i^ 

ji 

>» 

a 

3 

a 

a 

a 

3 

3 

s, 

o 

s 

H 

IZi 

iz; 

»5 

> 

H 

H 

h) 

^ 

1845     

1 

I 

1 
1 

2 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
8 
3 

1 

1 

3 

5 

10 

14 

15 

15 

15 

15 

15 

15 

15 

16 

16 

38 

149 

447 

625 

1,057 

1,049 

1,022 

1,039 

941 

963 

918 

997 

$   50  00 

200  00 

200  00 

3,200  00 

3,200  00 

20,700  00 

20,700  00 

20,700  00 

20,700  00 

39,275  00 

20,200  00 

20,200  00 

20,500  00 

20.500  00 

50 

65 

65 

65 

120 

180 

180 

180 

180 

180 

180 

180 

180 

180 

8 

1855  

163 

298 

558 

823 

1,271 

1,191 

1,202 

1,261 

1,266 

1,822 

1,304 

1,359 

1,411 

i  359 
515 
859 
3,196 
6,654 
6,549 
5,948 
5,545 
5,537 
5,780 
5,860 
5,530 

27 
00 
44 
00 
25 
00 
05 
00 
50 
56 
00 
56 

1  155  25 
197  60 
1,143  70 
1,186  16 
3,858  90 
4,537  19 
4,357  95 
4,000  00 
3,412  30 
3,516  00 
3,628  00 
3,818  48 

8 

I860 

8 

1865  

8 

1870 

12 

1875 

12 

1876 

1877 

12 

1878 

12 

1879 

12 

1880 

12 

1881 

12 

1882 

12 

1888 

12 

THE    BAR    AND   THE    COURTS. 

The  bar  of  Howard  County  has  always  been  distinguished  for  its 
ability,  honesty  and  courtesy.  There  is  no  bar  in  the  State  where  there 
is  less  wrangling  and  jealousy.  Space  will  not  permit  entering  very  ex- 
tensively into  details  in  regard  to  it,  however.  The  first  term  of  court 
convened  on  the  7th  day  of  November,  1844,  at  the  house  of  Capt.  John 
Harrison,  in  the  western  part  of  what  is  now  Howard  County.  The  farm 
now  owned  by  T.  A.  Harrell.     The  county  was  then  called  Richard- 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  171 

ville,  and  Kokomowas  in  an  embryo  state.  Franklin  S.  Price,  was  Clerk  ; 
John  Harrison,  Sheriff,  and  John  Chitwood,  Deputy  Sheriff.  The  first 
grand  jury  were  John  P.  Wright,  Foreman,  William  P.  Judkins,  Robert 
Walker,  David  Iseley,  Peter  Gay,  Jonas  Deselon,  Joseph  Clarke,  Thomas 
Kirkpatrick,  Christopher  Cramer,  David  Lamber,  Thomas  Kennedy, 
David  Bailey,  John  Ryan,  John  W.  Wright  and  John  B.  Miller.  They 
returned  into  open  court  true  bills  as  follows,  to  wit :  State  of  Indiana 
vs.  Charles  J.  Allison,  retailing ;  State  of  Indiana  vs.  John  Harri- 
son, retailing;  State  of  Indiana  vs.  John  Harrison,  retailing; 
State  of  Indiana  vs.  George  Snodgrass,  refusing  to  list  prop- 
erty ;  State  of  Indiana  vs.  Jesse  Barnett,  unlawfully  acting  Sheriff; 
State  of  Indiana  vs.  Daniel  Heaton,  assault  and  battery  ;  State  of  In- 
diana vs.  Benjamin  Newhouse,  trespass  ;  State  of  Indiana  vs.  William 
Trader,  failing  to  list  property  ;  State  of  Indiana  vs.  Wright  Maudlin, 
adultery  ;  State  of  Indiana  vs.  Martha  Maudlin,  adultery  ;  State  of  In- 
diana vs.  Watson  G.   Fitzpatrick,   affray ;  State  of  Indiana  vs. 

Parks,  losing ;  State  of  Indiana  vs.  William  Smith,  losing  ;  State  of  In- 
diana vs.  William  Smith,  betting ;  State  of  Indiana  vs.  Jesse  Barnett, 
oflScial  negligence  ;  State  of  Indiana  vs.  William  Smith,  betting  ;  State 
of  Indiana  vs.  William  Smith,  betting ;  State  of  Indiana  vs.  Horatio 
Cagwood,  winning ;  State  of  Indiana  vs.  Horatio  Cagwood,  winning ; 
State  of  Indiana  vs.  William  Wolf,  assault  and  battery  ;  State  of  Indiana 
vs.  William  Smith,  losing.  The  jury  having  completed  its  work,  was 
discharged,  having  been  in  session  three  days  and  returning  twenty-one 
indictments. 

The  first  case  that  was  tried  was  that  of  Indiana  vs.  Charles  J.  Allison, 
on  an  indictment  for  selling  one  quart  of  whisky  to  one  Joseph  Heaton, 
to  be  drunk  about  his  house.  At  the  same  time  was  tried  a  similar  case 
against  John  Harrison.  These  cases  were  both  determined  by  the  court, 
the  petit  jury  having  been  discharged.  T.  A.  Long  and  Robert  Ervin, 
Associate  Judges,  held  court  in  the  absence  of  Judge  Kilgore,  of  Delaware 
County  ;  John  Davis  was  the  Prosecutor,  but  he  was  absent,  and  Silas 
Colgrove  was  appointed  for  the  term  and  allowed  $30  for  his  services. 
On  November  9,  1844,  court  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  court  house  at  Ko- 
komo,  the  county  seat  of  Richardville  County. 

The  first  term  of  the  court  held  in  Kokomo  was  the  6th  day  of  May, 
1845 ;  John  W.  Wright,  T.  A.  Long  and  Robert  Ervin  were  the  Judges. 
The  Prosecuting  Attorney  was  W.  Z.  Stuart,  afterward  Judge  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  Indiana.  W.  Z.  Stuart,  Samuel  D.  Maxwell,  James  F. 
Suit,  Horace  P.  Biddle,  James  Forser  and  George  W.  Blakemore  were 
admitted  as  attorneys.  At  this  term  the  indictments  against  Benjamin 
Newhouse,  trespass ;  John  Harrison,  unlawful  sales  of  whisky ;  George 


172  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

W.  Snodgrass,  refusing  to  list  his  taxable  property  ;  Jesse  Barnett,  offi- 
cial negligence  ;  David  Heaton,  assault  and  battery,  were  all  dismissed 
or  the  indictments  quashed.  In  all  the  other  cases  where  indictments  had 
been  found,  except  in  the  case  of  Wright  Maudlin  and  Martha  Rowlet, 
charged  with  adultery,  the  cases  were  nolled.  The  Maudlin  and  Rowlet 
cases  were  sent  on  a  change  of  venue  to  Grant  County. 

There  have  been  many  cases  upon  our  criminal  docket  of  much  im- 
portance and  where  public  feeling  was  aroused.  The  case  of  the  State  of 
Indiana  vs.  Jonathan  Binns,  for  the  murder  of  his  wife,  was  one  of  the 
most  exciting.  Binns  was  three  times  granted  a  new  trial,  and  on  the 
fourth  and  last,  as  well  as  upon  each  of  the  preceding  ones,  he  was  sen- 
tenced to  the  penitentiary  for  life,  Avhere  he  now  is.  The  Nestor  of  the 
Kokomo  bar.  Judge  N.  R.  Linsday,  has  about  retired  from  the  practice. 
He  is  weak  in  body,  but  as  strong  mentally  as  he  has  ever  been.  In  many 
a  well-fought  contest  he  has  proved  a  victor,  and  th^  lawyer  who  vanquished 
the  Judge  in  the  professional  arena  did  so  because  the  law  and  evidence 
were  with  him.  His  special  excellence  consisted  of  his  defense  of  men 
accused  of  crime.  The  members  of  the  Kokomo  bar  ai'e  N.  R.  Linds- 
day,  Rawson  Vaile,  H.  A.  Brouse,  Milton  Garrigus,  Milton  Bell,  James 
O'Brien,  James  F.  Elliott,  Jacob  H.  Kroh,  John  W.  Kern,  Charles  E. 
Hendry,  John  E.  Moore,  L.  J.  Kirkpatrick,  J.  C.  Blacklidge,  John  In- 
gels,  Freeman  Cooper,  W.  E.  Blacklidge,  B.  F.  Harness,  A.  N.  Grant, 
Will  C.  Purdum,  N.  B.  Smitb,  A.  C.  Bennett,  C.  C.  Shirley,  A.  B. 
Kirkpatrick,  James  F.  Morrison  and  D.  A.  Woods.  N.  R.  Overman,  of 
Tipton,  Ind.,  is  Judge,  Luther  McReynolds,  Sheriff,  and  John  W.  Cooper, 
Clerk,  C.  C.  Shirley,  Prosecuting  Attorney. 

THE    MEDICAL    PROFESSION. 

The  physicians  of  Kokomo  are  a  jolly  set  of  practitioners.  No  city  of 
its  size  can  boast  of  a  more  intelligent  class  of  physicians  than  can 
Kokomo.  All  are  sober,  educated  gentlemen.  For  some  years  Kokomo 
had  to  depend  upon  doctors  outside  of  Howard  County.  The  oldest 
physician  here  is  Dr.  Corydon  Richmond,  who  located  here  in  1845. 
In  the  fall  of  1845,  Dr.  Orsemus  Richmond  came  here,  following  his 
brother  Corydon,  who  had  come  in  the  spring  of  1845.  Orsemus  Rich- 
mond continued  to  live  here  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profession  until 
his  death  in  1868.  In  the  fall  of  1845,  Dr.  Barrett  also  located  here. 
In  1846,  W.  C.  Jones  arrived,  and  in  1848  J.  A.  James  came.  In  1849, 
Dr.  Busbee  came,  and  remained  about  four  years,  when  he  left.  Others 
had  left,  and  thus  there  remained  only  C.  and  0.  Richmond  and  J.  A. 
James.  Dr.  A.  F.  Dayhuff  came  in  1853,  and  he  is  still  among  us,  en- 
joying a  large  practice.      Dr.  E.  A.  Armstrong,  now  one  of  the  leading 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  173 

physicians  of  Kokomo,  settled  first  in  Russiaville,  but  subsequently  re- 
moved to  Kokomo. 

The  first  medical  society  was  organized  here  in  July,  1854,  with  J.  M. 
Erlougher,  Corydon  Richmond,  William  J.  Morgan,  Amos  Pettyjohn, 
J.  A.  James  and  James  Cochran  as  members.  The  next  year  L.  D. 
Waterman,  Orsemus  Richmond,  J.  D.  Linsday,  I.  C.  Johnson,  A  B. 
Taylor,  Nathan  Mendenhall,  L.  D.  McCann  and  J.  W.  Clark  became 
members.  The  society  soon  ceased  to  hold  meetings,  and  nothing  was 
done  for  nearly  ten  years.  The  society  was  then  re-organized,  and  H.  C. 
Cole  and  0.  H.  Martin,  of  Kokomo,  were  elected  members.  The  or- 
ganization of  the  Howard  County  Medical  Society  has  ever  since  been 
maintained.  The  Howard  County  Medical  Society  holds  its  meetings 
quarterly,  and  they  are  largely  attended. 

The  Kokomo  City  Medical  Society  was  organized  in  1865.  The 
physicians  who  organized  this  society  were  L.  McAllister,  Corydon  Rich- 
mond, Orsemus  Richmond,  I.  C.  Johnson,  0.  H.  Martin,  W.  K.  Mavity, 
A.  F.  Armstrong,  E.  A.  Armstrong,  H.  C.  Cole,  R.  H.  Buck,  J.  M.  Dar- 
nall,  John  Anderson  and  William  Scott.  There  were  regular  meetings 
held  for  some  time,  and  in  June,  1866,  the  name  of  the  society  was 
changed  to  the  Kokomo  Academy  of  Medicine.  The  society  meets 
weekly,  commencing  its  meetings  the  first  Saturday  night  in  October,  and 
closing  the  last  Saturday  night  in  March.  Each  physician  is  assigned  to 
some  chair,  as  Dr.  R.  Q.  Wilson,  Theory  and  Practice ;  Dr.  E.  A.  Arm- 
strong, Surgery,  etc.  Each  physician  is  expected  to  deliver  two  lectures 
upon  his  subject  during  the  winter  term.  These  meetings  have  proved 
of  great  benefit  to  the  profession.  The  physicians  of  the  "regular"  or 
"  old  school  "  of  practice  all  belong  to  the  Academy  of  Medicine.  They 
arc  Corydon  Richmond,  A.  F.  Dayhuff,  E.  A.  Armstrong,  W.  K.  Ma- 
vity, I.  C.  Johnson,  R.  Q.  Wilson,  John  B.  Moore,  Lewis  Kern,  J.  M. 
Moulder,  Theodore  Kern,  William  Scott,  J.  H.  Berst  and  Dr.  Lovett. 
Dr.  William  Cooper,  a  graduate  of  the  Cincinnati  Eclectic  Medical  College, 
is  a  physician  of  learning  and  experience,  and  commands  a  large  practice. 
Dr.  E.  W.  Sawyer,  homoeopathist,  has  also  a  large  and  growing 
practice. 

MASONRY. 

Kokomo  Lodge,  No.  93,  F.  &  A.  M.,  was  organized  on  the  20th  day 
of  October,  1849,  and  was  given  its  charter  by  the  Grand  Lodge  May 
29,  1850.  The  first  ofiicers  were  as  follows:  Corydon  Richmond, 
W.  M.;  G.  W.  Bissell,  S.  W.;  Orsemus  Richmond,  J.  W.;  S.  Wagner, 
Treasurer ;  C.  D.  Murray,  Secretary  ;  Arthur  Williams,  S.  D.;  H.  B. 
Havens,  J.  D.;  H.  C.  Stewart,  Tiler.  In  March,  1867,  the  building  in 
which  the  lodge  had  met  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  many  valuables 


174  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

consumed.  At  the  organization  of  Howard  Lodge,  No.  370,  in  1867, 
twenty-six  members  of  Kokomo  Lodge  withdrew  to  become  members  of 
the  new  lodge.  The  officers  were  N.  P.  Richmond,  W.  M.;  John 
Bohan,  S.  W.;  George  W.  Pattison,  J.  W.;  James  A.  Wildman,  Treas- 
urer; D.  C.  Metsker,  Secretary;  Simon  Stern,  S.  D.;  T.  L.  Coblentz, 
J.  D.;  James  F.  Davis  and  R.  H.  Buck,  Stewards.  This  weakened 
the  old  lodge.  In  June,  1879,  the  Kokomo  and  Howard  lodges  were 
consolidated  under  the  name  of  Howard  Lodge,  No.  93.  There 
are  now  forty-nine  members  of  Howard  Lodge,  many  having  been 
suspended  for  non-payment  of  dues.  The  Treasurer  has  in  his  hands 
^175  belonging  to  the  lodge.  The  following  are  the  present  offi- 
cers of  the  lodge :  A.  S.  Ellis,  W.  M.;  Robert  Orchett,  S.  W. ; 
A.  E.  Hoon,  J.  W.;  Tence  Lindley,  Treasurer ;  C.  C.  Sollenberger, 
Secretary  ;  Henry  Grantham,  S.  D.;  William  H.  Hendrickson,  J.  D.; 
D.  L.  Robins,  Tyler ;  Josiah  Beeson  and  J.  H.  Benke,  Stewards. 

ODD    FELLOWS. 

Kokomo  Lodge,  No.  133,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  was  chartered  on  the  20th  day 
of  July,  1853.  This  is  the  oldest  and  wealthiest  lodge  in  the  city.  Its 
membership  is  now  sixty-five.  It  owns  the  hall  where  it  meets,  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Main  and  Walnut  streets,  and  has  funds  in  the  Treasurer's  hands  to 
the  amount  of  $3,000  or  $4,000.  The  organization  has  expended  in 
round  numbers  $2,000  for  relief  of  its  members,  widows  and  orphans, 
who  have  claims  upon  it  for  charity.  One  of  its  members,  Col.  N.  P. 
Richmond,  has  enjoyed  the  distinction  of  being  Grand  Master  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Indiana ;  also  of  being  Representative  to  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  The  present  ofiicers  are 
William  H.  Murphy,  N.  G.;  J.  C.  Leach,  V.  G.;  M.  A.  Chestnut, 
Recording  Secretary ;  B.  F.  Redmond,  Permanent  Secretary  ;  Alf 
Mote,  Treasurer. 

The  second  organization  of  I.  0.  0.  F.'s  in  the  city  was  Kokomo 
Encampment,  No.  61,  the  same  being  composed  of  Royal  Purple  degree 
members,  or  patriachs  of  the  highest  branch  of  the  order.  The  Encamp- 
ment numbers  about  forty  in  its  ranks,  and  has  $1,500  in  its  treas- 
ury. The  present  officers  are  :  Alf  Mote,  Chief  Patriarch  ;  M.  A. 
Chestnut,  Senior  Warden;  L.  Foreland,  Junior  Warden;  L.  H.  Hillis, 
High  Priest ;  B.  F.  Redmond,  Scribe ;  Walter  Hooper,  Treasurer. 

On  November  20,  1867,  a  new  lodge,  known  as  Wildman  Lodge,  No. 
295,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  was  chartered,  and  has  always  been  known  as  the 
"  Young  Men's  Lodge."  Its  membership  is  now  about  sixty-five.  It  has 
paid  as  benefits  to  sick  members,  widows  and  orphans  and  other  charities, 
more  than  $2,000,  and  has  on  hand  now  from  $1,000  to  $1,200. 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  175 

The  present  officers  are  as  follows  :  W.  B.  Ray,  N.  G.;  J.  E. 
Vaile,  V.  G.;  L.  L.  Fellows,  Per.  Sec;  A.  N.  Grant,  Rec.  Sec.;' Walter 
Hooper,  Treas.  Each  of  the  Lodges  and  Encampments  pays  $50  funeral 
benefits  on  the  death  of  a  brother,  and  $25  on  the  death  of  a  brother's 
wife;  also  each  of  these  Lodges  pays  $4  per  week  sick  benefits  and  the 
Encampment  pays  $3  per  week. 

The  fourth  and  last  I.  0.  0.  F.  organization  in  the  city  of  Kokomo 
is  a  company  of  Uniformed  Patriarchs,  recently  organized  by  the  selec- 
tion of  the  following  officers  :  A.  M.  Grant,  Chief  Captain  ;  John  W. 
Cooper,  Subordinate  Captain  ;  L.  H.  Hillis,  Junior  Captain;  Barnabas 
Busby,  Standard  Bearer ;  Webb  B.  Ray,  Secretary ;  D.  T.  Reiff,  Treas- 
urer. This  company  is  drilling  from  one  to  two  evenings  each  week,  and 
is  making  commendable  progress.  The  company  will  soon  be  a  credit  to 
the  city  and  to  the  order  to  which  it  belontrs. 

KNIGHTS  OF  PYTHIAS. 

The  first  organization  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  took  place  on  the  31st 
day  of  May,  1873,  when  Washington  Lodge,  No.  29,  was  organized. 
There  were  twenty  charter  members. 

H.  H.  Winslow,  A.  F.  Philips,  A.  J.  Wimmer,  John  Nicholson,  E, 
S.  Ludlow,  W.  Legg,  J.  H.  Anderson,  F.  L.  Porter,  A.  Cline,  E.  F. 
Murden,  Jim  Henry,  A.  F.  Brown,  George  Frazee,  Joseph  D.  Johnson, 
Nick  Vanhorn,  L.  Deffenbaugh,  J.  J.  Pearson,  J.  Chambers,  Sam 
Richey  and  W.  D.  Kisller. 

The  lodge  soon  after  had  completed  for  its  accomodation  a  handsome 
hall  in  Armstrong,  Pickett  &  Co.'s  new  building,  but  the  lodge  never 
prospered  as  it  should  have  done,  and  its  charter  was  surrendered. 

On  the  15th  of  August,  1879,  the  present  lodge  was  organized,  and 
took  for  its  name.  Good  Intent  Lodge,  No.  29.  There  were  twenty-seven 
charter  members— C.  A.  Jay,  0.  N.  Davis,  D.  F.  Bell,  George  W.  Duke, 
C.  B.  Hauser,  N.  L.  Hollowell,  W.  R.  Ploughe,  W.  H.  Gearhard,  James 
Henry,  C.  H.  Philips,  A.  M.  Moore,  H.  J.  West,  D.  W.  Ulrick,  R.  M. 
Cain,  A.  Y.  Comstock,  D.  C.  Spraker,  Byron  Haskett,  Will  Kennedy, 
Will  Ganse,  Ed  R.  Wilson  and  W.  A.  Irvin.  The  officers  were  John  m! 
Ray,  C.  C. ;  Will  Ganse,  V.  C.  ;  A.  N.  Grant,  Prelate ;  C.  A.  Jay,  P.' 
C;  D.  F.  Bell,  K.  of  R.  &  S.  ;  H.  J.  West,  M.  of  F.;  D.  C. 
Spraker,  M.  of  E. 

There  are  now  eighty-five  active  working  members,  and  the  lodge  is 
in  a  very  prosperous  and  healthful  condition.  They  are  comfortably 
quartered  and  the  treasury  is  well  supplied  with  funds.  There  has  been 
but  one  death  in  the  order,  C.  H.  Philips.  The  present  officers  are  as 
follows  : 

G.  F.  Andrews,  P.  C. ;  Will  P.  Vaile,  C.  C  ;  Charles  A.  Scott,  V. 


176  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

C. ;  Rev.  Robert  McCune,  Prelate;  Ed  Russell,  K.  of  S.  &  K. ;  0.  E. 
Shepherd,  M.  of  F.  ;  Luther  MoReynolds,  M.  of  E.  On  the  20th  of 
August,  1881,  there  was  organized  the  Uniform  Rank,  Knights  of 
Pythias.  This  rank  has  become  one  of  the  most  noted  in  the  country. 
They  received  the  second  medal  at  Detroit,  in  August,  1882,  when  com- 
peting against  old  companies,  and  but  a  few  weeks  since  were  recognized 
as  third-best  at  Cincinnati.  Our  citizens  are  justly  proud  of  this  cele- 
brated company. 

When  the  Uniform  Rank  was  organized,  J.  E.  Kirk  was  chosen  Sir 
Kt.  Com.;  C.  A.  Jay,  Sir  Kt.  Lieut.  Com.;  E.  W.  Klunn,  Sir  Kt. 
Herald  ;  J.  M.  Ray,  Sir  Kt.  Rec.  ;  H.  C.  Davis,  Sir  Kt.  Treas.  ;  Ed 
R.  Wilson,  Sir  Kt.  Guard ;  N.  L.  Hollowell,  Sir  Kt.  Sentinel.  The 
boys  are  hard  at  work  under  the  efficient  training  of  their  Commander, 
C.  A.  Jay,  and  intend  to  bear  oflf  first  prize  at  the  great  World's  Tourna- 
ment at  New  Orleans  in  188-4. 

GENERAL    PROSPERITY, 

The  city  of  Kokomo  has  a  population  of  6,000  at  this  time.  May  15, 
1883,  and  no  city  in  the  State  can  boast  of  more  advantages.  We  are 
surrounded  by  a  good  class  of  farm  lands,  and  intelligent,  thrifty  farmers. 
Our  trade  is  drawn  from  miles  around.  No  city  in  Indiana  is  blessed 
with  a  more  liberal,  wide-awake,  enterprising  class  of  merchants,  hence 
trade  comes  from  Carroll,  Cass,  Miami,  Grant,  Madison,  Tipton  and  Clin- 
ton Counties.  The  place  has  never  been  cursed  by  a  few  men  of  wealth, 
owning  and  controlling  the  commercial  interests  of  the  town.  Kokomo 
has  always  been  fortunate  in  her  business  men.  Three  railroads,  the 
Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific,  the  Pittsburgh,  Cincinnati  &  St.  Louis  and 
the  Toledo,  Cincinnati  &  St.  Louis  Railroads,  give  Kokomo  the  neces- 
sary facilities  for  cheap  and  speedy  markets.  Three  newspapers,  the 
Dispatch,  the  Tribune  and  the  Qazette  furnish  the  people  with  the  local 
events  and  general  news.  No  city  in  Indiana  can  boast  of  three  better 
newspapers.  They  show  the  dash  and  energy  of  "  the  Kokomo  man." 
In  fact,  if  there  is  one  thing  the  city  possesses,  it  is  the  spirit  of  push  ; 
wherever  one  goes,  Kokomo  has  a  reputation  already  established,  and  her 
citizens  are  always  known  to  be  able  to  take  care  of  themselves.  The 
professional  men  of  Kokomo  are  acknowledged  to  be  intelligent  and  honor- 
able. Kokomo  has  five  large  dry  goods  stores  with  plate  glass  fronts," 
and  all  carry  large  and  well  selected  stocks  of  goods.  The  firms  are 
Ruddell  Bros.  &  Co.,  0.  V.  Darby,  S.  Davis  &  Sons,  Parry,  Haines  & 
Co.  and  Block  &  Thalman.  There  are  seventeen  groceries,  seven  drug 
stores,  three  hardware  stores  and  four  millinery  stores.  There  are  several 
machine  shops  where  many  hands  are  employed ;  also  three  stores  where 
sewing  machines  are  sold.     There  are  many  good  business   blocks  in  the 


CENTRE  TOWNSHIP.  177 

city,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  Armstrong,  Pickett  &  Co.'s  hard- 
ware store,  and  the  Comstock  Block. 

There  is  a  bright  prospect  in  the  future  for  the  city  of  Kokorao.  It 
is  hoped  that  in  the  year  1900,  she  will  have  25,000  inhabitants.  Many 
of  the  citizens  of  Kokomo  have  given  the  writer  information  and  practi- 
cal aid  in  the  writing  of  this  short  sketch  of  the  city.  Only  those  who 
have  had  experience  in  such  work  can  have  any  idea  of  the  amount  of 
labor  necessary  to  even  approximately  reach  one's  ideal  in  such  a  task. 
The  early  history  of  the  town  is  now  mostly  tradition,  and  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  arrive  at  the  truth. 


CENTRE  TOWNSHIP. 

BY    W.    R.    PHILIPS. 

This  township  is  now,  as  it  has  always  been,  the  most  important  in 
the  county,  containing  in  its  center  one  of  the  most  flourishing  towns  of 
its  size  in  the  State  of  Indiana.  This  is  the  county  seat  of  Howard 
County.  The  township  was  originally  included  in  the  limits  of  Kokomo 
Township,  but  at  the  December  term  of  the  Board  of  County  Commis- 
sioners in  1846,  was  made  into  the  township  which  it  now  is.  It  took  its 
name.  Centre  Township,  from  the  fact  that  it  is  almost  exactly  in  the 
center  of  the  county,  and  also  very  near  the  central  point  of  the  State. 
When  first  organized  as  a  township,  it  was  in  Richardville  County,  the 
county  name  being  changed  to  Howard  County  later  on  in  honor  of  Til- 
man  A.  Howard,  one  of  the  oldest  pioneers  of  the  county.  The  town- 
ship as  it  now  is  lies  on  either  side  of  Wild  Cat  Creek.  The  soil  is  very 
fertile  and  the  ground  slightly  undulating,  containing  everything  to  make 
the  farms  situated  thereon  most  profitable.  Centre  Township  is  bounded 
by  Clay,  Howard,  Harrison  and  Taylor  Townships— Clay  and  Howard 
on  the  north,  east  and  Avest  sides,  and  Harrison  and  Taylor  on  the  south, 
east  and  west  sides.  After  its  organization  as  a  township,  and  when  in 
Richardville  County,  farms  were  admitted  by  petition,  as  in  the  case  of 
the  farm  of  Thomas  M.  Kirkpatrick,  which  was  admitted  from  what  was 
then  known  as  Clay  Township. 

EARLY    SETTLERS. 

Among  the  early  settlers  a  hard  time  was  had  to  provide  the  necessa- 
ries of  life  for  their  families.  Rude  log  cabins  served  as  the  primitive 
dwelling  houses  on  the  same  land  where  now  stand  massive  structures. 
Joseph  Skeen  was  about  the  first  to  take  up  his  abode  in  this  township, 
he  moving  here  in  1840.  Ethan  Burch  came  a  short  time  afterward 
and  settled  on  a  tract  of  land  just  south  of  what  is    now  -Judi^e    N.    R. 


178  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Linsday's  farm,  and  just  north  of  the  present  fair  ground  site.  The 
south  part  of  the  township  soon  became  sparsely  settled,  and  among  the 
early  settlers  there  were  John  Ford,  John  Morrow  and  his  father,  Will- 
iam Rodman  and  Willis  Blanche.  The  latter  became  one  of  the  most  in- 
fluential and  able  men  of  the  county,  and  also  one  of  Indiana's  most 
brave  soldiers,  serving  as  a  Colonel  in  the  late  unpleasantness,  and  at  the 
present  time  taking  a  most  active  part  in  all  leading  questions  of  the  day. 
In  the  northern  portion  of  the  township,  Eli,  John  and  Michael  Lock 
early  battled  with  the  fates  for  subsistence,  and  came  up  inch  by  inch 
until  they  stood  with  the  foremost  of  our  citizens.  Kember  McLann, 
also  settled  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township,  and  though  beset  by 
difficulties,  soon  made  his  way  to  the  top.  In  the  west,  William  Graves, 
Elwood  Modlin,  William  Grant  and  Gabriel  McCool  took  a  formidable 
lead  among  the  early  settlers,  while  Thomas  Faulkner  and  William  Dor- 
man  took  up  their  abode  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township.  It  is  also 
necessary  to  speak  of  David  Foster  who  is  properly  the  father  of  Centre 
Township  and  of  the  city  of  Kokomo,  he  moving  here  in  1842.  Mr. 
Foster's  land  embraced  what  is  now  known  as  the  original  plat  of  the 
city  of  Kokomo,  although  it  was  for  many  years  before  he  had  any  of 
the  luxuries  of  life.  Many  stories  of  the  hardships  and  the  Indian  trad- 
ing of  former  times  in  this  locality  have  amused  our  people  when  Mr. 
Foster  told  them  in  his  quaint  and  droll  way.  John  Bohan  moved  here 
in  1844,  and  is  now  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  city.  Among  others 
of  the  early  settlers  now  living  are,  Judge  N.  R.  Linsday,  Peter  B.  Ken- 
nedy, Dr.  Corydon  Richmond,  H.  C.  Stewart  and  Peter  B.  Hersleb, 
while  C.  D.  Murray,  David  Foster,  Harles  Ashley  and  others  have  long 
since  passed  away. 

WILD  ANIMALS  AND  REMINISCENCES. 

Polecats,  a  class  of  animals  to  be  sincerely  avoided,  are  said  to  have 
been  very  thick  during  the  early  history  of  the  township.  George  II. 
Holding,  an  early  settler,  went  out  one  night  to  see  what  was  the  cause  of 
the  disturbance  among  his  chickens ;  he  found  out,  but  had  to  bury  his 
clothes.  Polecats  are  now  very  scarce,  but  the  early  settlers  tell 
many  a  humorous  anecdote  like  the  above  about  them.  Deer  were 
seen  in  the  early  days,  but  not  frequently  ;  they  are  entirely  exter- 
minated at  present.  Rattlesnakes  were  also  plentiful,  but  now  one  is  sel- 
dom seen.  Mr.  Lerner,  an  early  settler,  reports  that  he  saw  a  panther 
one  night,  and  his  story  is  confirmed  by  many  neighbors. 

SOIL,  TIMBER,  ETC. 

Along  the  course  of  the  Wild  Cat,  the  land  is  slightly  hilly,  while 
away  the  ground  is  almost  perfectly  level,  especially  so  on  the  divides  or 


CENTRE  TOWNSHIP.  179 

table-lands.  At  first  the  "reserve"  was  all  swamps,  sloughs  and  mud,  with 
which  the  early  settlers  had  much  trouble,  as  they  were  a  terrible  impedi- 
ment to  cultivation,  travel  and  clearing;  but  these  have  been  overcome  by 
being  drained  and  graded,  until  Centre  Township  is  now  one  of  the  best 
in  the  county,  with  an  abundance  of  fine  farm  lands,  ditches  and  gravel 
roads;  in  fact,  there  is  now  no  portion  too  wet  to  be  cultivated.  The  soil 
is  very  fertile,  and  peculiarly  adapted  to  raising  corn,  oats,  rye,  hay, 
fruit,  vegetables,  wheat — in  fact,  all  the  cereals  and  other  productions  of 
Northern  Indiana.  Gravel  beds  of  considerable  extent  are  found  along 
Wild  Cat  and  other  streams,  in  many  localities,  sufficient  for  building 
gravel  roads,  and  for  all  other  practical  purposes.  Good  limestone 
quarries  of  substantial  rock  exist  near  Kokomo,  containing  a  plentiful 
supply  of  building  stone,  and  all  very  near  the  surface.  Petroleum  is 
found  in  the  limestone  formation  and  at  one  time  was  worked  up,  but  it 
existed  in  such  minute  quantities  that  it  proved  of  no  economic  value. 

The  township,  when  settled,  was  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  de- 
ciduous timber,  among  which  was  a  very  large  proportion  of  walnut, 
poplar,  oak,  hickory,  ash,  maple  and  many  other  valuable  varieties  ;  the 
settlers,  not  then  knowing  its  value,  destroyed  much  of  it.  Some  families 
even  used  black  walnut  timber  for  fuel  in  the  early  days,  little  dreaming 
that  it  was  the  most  valuable  of  any  of  the  timber  growing  here.  Some 
years  since,  6,000,000  feet  of  black  walnut  were  exported  annually  out 
of  the  county,  and  a  goodly  portion  came  from  this  township.  At  pres- 
ent, there  is  not  much  black  walnut  timber  left ;  a  considerable  extent  of 
ground  has  lately  been  set  out  in  walnut  trees,  however,  so  that  some 
forty  years  hence  they  may  be  more  dense  than  ever.  Vast  sugar  or- 
chards, or  groves  of  sugar  trees,  once  grew  in  all  parts  of  the  township, 
and  at  the  present  time  many  sugar  camps  are  profitably  worked.  Indeed, 
the  soil  and  timber  of  Centre  Township  cannot  be  excelled. 

CEMETERIES,     CHURCHES,    MILLS,    NEWSPAPERS,     ETC. 

The  first  burial  place  was  on  the  north  bank  of  Wild  Cat  Creek,  about 
one  half  mile  from  the  present  site  of  Kokomo,  immediately  west  of  the 
present  location  of  the  Pan  Handle  Railroad.  It  contained  one  acre,  and 
was  donated  for  this  purpose  by  Thomas  Faulkner,  heretofore  mentioned 
as  one  of  the  early  settlers.  This  graveyard  is  now  an  old-time  landmark, 
and  is  but  seldom  used.  Heavy  rainfalls  have  washed  away  the  ground 
bordering  on  the  creek,  the  fence  having  been  moved  back  twice,  and  it  is 
only  a  question  of  time  when  all  traces  of  this  cemetery  will  have  disap- 
peared. Many  quaint  epitaphs  can  be  seen  on  the  moldy  tombstones, 
some  fallen  and  others  now  rotted  away,  while  nearly  all  the  graves  are 
sunken  many  feet. 


180  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

The  first  death  in  the  township  is  not  definitely  known,  John  Crow- 
saur's  child  and  one  of  Avery  Chase's  children  dying  about  the  same  time, 
both  being  the  first  two  interred  in  this  graveyard.  The  first  marriage 
was  that  of  James  Comer,  of  this  township,  to  a  Miss  Wright,  of  New 
London.  James  M.  Foster,  son  of  David  Foster,  was  the  first  white  child 
ever  born  in  Centre  Township,  his  birth  occurring  in  November,  1842. 

The  first  schoolhouse  was  built  in  1845,  the  site  being  opposite  what 
is  now  known  as  the  old  jail  in  the  city  of  Kokomo.  It  cannot  be  ascer- 
tained who  was  the  first  teacher,  although  some  years  afterward  James  H. 
Wildman,  formerly  Auditor  of  State,  now  Postmaster  at  Indianapolis, 
wielded  the  birch  rod  there,  as  well  as  Gen.  Thomas  J.  Harrison,  now  de- 
ceased. Some  of  the  old  settlers  say  that  Adam  Clark,  who  later  on  was 
Clerk  and  Auditor  of  the  county,  was  the  first  school  teacher,  but  of  this 
they  are  not  certain.  When  the  school  was  first  opened,  there  were  but 
three  pupils.  This  number  gradually  increased,  and  when  Wildman  was 
teacher  there  were  fourteen  scholars,  which  comprised  all  the  children  who 
lived  near  enough  to  possibly  attend. 

The  first  practicing  physician  was  Dr.  C.  Richmond,  who  lived  in 
Kokomo,  but  who  practiced  in  the  township. 

The  first  post  office  was  located  in  Kokomo,  and  this  has  been  the  only 
post  office  in  the  township  since.     Austin  North  was  the  first  Postmaster. 

The  first  grist  mill  was  built  by  William  Grant,  the  site  being  near  the 
present  fair  grounds  site,  south  of  the  city.  He  later  on  built  a  saw-mill 
adjacent,  and  for  the  first  time  the  settlers  used  boards  for  the  floors  and 
doors  in  their  log  cabins,  which  was  quite  a  good  substitute  for  the  old-time 
puncheons. 

The  first  religious  society  formed  in  this  settlement  was  organized  by 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  two  miles  and  a  half  west  of  where  the 
city  of  Kokomo  now  stands.  This  was  about  the  year  1841,  and  prior  to 
the  settlement  of  Kokomo.  Rev.  Frank  Taylor  was  preacher  in  charge  of 
the  circuit  in  the  year  1843.  T.  M.  Kirkpatrick  and  wife  were  members 
of  that  society,  and  after  the  war  they  removed  their  membership  to  the 
M.  E.  Church,  of  Kokomo.  David  Foster's  house  was  the  first  place  in 
the  township  where  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  was  ever  heard.  The 
members  of  this  society  were  Adam  Clark  and  wife,  Elizabeth  Foster,  N. 
R.  Linsday  and  wife,  Mrs.  Joseph  Skeen,  and  Dennis  McCormick  and 
wife.  N.  R.  Linsday  is  the  only  surviving  member  of  this  the  first 
church  society  ever  organized  in  the  township.  A  log  church  was  built 
in  1844,  on  a  lot  just  east  of  where  the  old  jail  now  stands. 

The  first  newspaper  issued  in  the  township  was  published  on  the  30th 
day  of  October,  1850,  with  James  Beard  and  Charles  D.  Murray  as  editors. 
It  was  published  for  one  year,  and  was  then  discontinued. 


CENTRE  TOWNSHIP.  181 

POPULATION,  PROPERTY,  AND  PUBLIC  INSTITUTIONS. 

The  first  census  of  the  township,  as  well  as  the  county,  was  taken  in 
June,  1850,  and  gave  the  township  a  population  of  954  whites,  no  colored 
people  being  here  then. 

The  Assessors  made  an  appraisement  in  1853,  which  showed  the  value 
of  real  estate  to  be  $121,751;  personal  property,  $109,140;  poll, 
191. 

At  the  election  held  in  1860,  Centre  Township  cast  541  votes,  includ- 
ing the  city  of  Kokomo. 

The  first  deed  ever  recorded  for  land  sold  was  given  by  David  Foster 
to  Peter  Gay,  agent  for  the  County  Commissioners.  It  was  for  forty 
acres,  and  took  in  the  land  between  Washington  and  Union  streets,  east 
and  west,  and  between  High  and  Taylor  streets,  north  and  south,  in  the 
now  city  of  Kokomo,  the  consideration  being  $140.  Howard  County  has 
one  lot  out  of  this  forty  acres  left,  and  it  is  worth  to-day,  $1,200. 

The  first  mortgage  against  a  piece  of  property  was  filed  October  4, 
1845  ;  drawn  by  Samuel  Scott  and  John  Vaughn,  in  favor  of  Peter  Gay, 
agent. 

The  County  Poor-Farm,  or  Infirmary,  is  situated  in  Centre  Township, 
about  two  miles  west  of  the  city.  It  is  a  massive  structure,  and  was  built 
in  1881.  The  old  poor-farm,  adjacent  to  the  new  one,  was  purchased  by 
the  county  in  1857. 

The  Orphans'  Home  is  situated  one  mile  south  of  the  city,  and  is  a 
fine  brick  building.  All  the  homeless  waifs  are  taken  there,  and  at  the 
present  writing,  fourteen  orphans  are  instructed  and  fed  in  the  insti- 
tution. 

In  the  matter  of  schoolhouses.  Centre  Township  compares  favorably 
with  any  other  in  the  county.  Outside  the  city  are  eight  schoolhouses, 
all  brick,  and  at  the  June,  1882,  enumeration,  there  were  in  attendance 
153  male  whites ;  135  female  whites  ;  8  colored  males  ;  4  colored  females  ; 
making  a  total  of  300  pupils. 

There  is  but  one  church  in  the  township  outside  of  the  city,  its  de- 
nomination being  the  New  Light.  It  is  a  frame  structure,  and  is  located 
about  two  miles  south  of  the  city. 

FREE  AND  TOLL  GRAVEL  ROADS. 

It  will  be  seen  that  this  township  is  a  formidable  competitor  with  any 
other  township  in  the  State  in  the  matter  of  free  and  toll  gravel  roads  or 
pikes,  and  the  good  business  of  the  city  that  it  supports,  is  mainly  due  to 
the  pikes  running  in  all  directions  through  the  township.  Ten  gravel 
roads  run  from  end  to  end,  six  free  pikes,  and  four  toll,  as  follows  :  Deer- 
creek,  Touby,  Harlan,  Wild  Cat,  Albright  and  Rieketts,  free  pikes  ;  Ko- 


182  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

komo  &  Greentown  ;  Kokorao,  Greentown  &  Jerome  ;  Pete's  Run, 
and  the  Kokonao  &  New  London,  toll  pikes.  These  pikes  are  all  in 
first-class  condition,  the  Harlan  and  Touby  being  completed  last  year. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Centre  Township  does  not  contain  many  manufactories  outside  of  the 
city,  for  the  township  is  not  very  large,  and  the  business  facilities  of  Ko- 
komo  are  such  that  nearly  all  are  located  there.  There  are  three  brick- 
kilns, and  two  tile-drain  manufactories,  however,  employing  an  average  of 
sixty-three  hands  during  the  year,  and  paying  out  to  the  employes  $11,000 
wages.  The  brick-kilns  furnish  all  the  brick  for  the  building  material  of 
Kokorao,  while  the  tile  drains  send  a  great  deal  of  their  product  outside 
of  the  county. 

THE    PAST    AND    PRESENT. 

To  look  back  on  this  spot  forty,  or  even  thirty  years  ago,  one  would 
have  seen  a  vast  forest,  growing  out  of  a  swampy  soil,  with  a  sluggish 
stream  dividing  it  into  halves,  and  here  and  there  a  rude  hut,  erected  and 
occupied  by  some  settler  who  had  wandered  here  in  search  of 
fortune,  with  nothing  to  carve  out  a  name  for  himself  but  his  trusty 
ax.  Every  other  day  he  and  his  family  would  shiver  with  that  dread 
scourge,  Indiana  ague,  and  he  had  no  one  to  administer  to  his  wants  but 
the  few  Indians  remaining  here  of  what  was  once  a  large  tribe.  Soon 
more  settlers  came,  and  day  by  day  the  forests  were  cleared  away  and 
some  new  improvement  made.  Notwithstanding  every  obstacle  with 
which  they  had  to  battle,  they  steadily  climbed  the  road  to  prosperity, 
until  to-day  the  township  is  the  picture  of  public  health.  Fine  farms 
perfectly  drained,  handsome  residences  and  flattering  prospects  now  stand 
on  the  debris  of  less  than  half  a  century  ago.  One  of  the  most  thriving 
towns  in  the  State  graces  its  center.  Looking  into  the  past,  we  can  only 
see  a  swampy  desolation ;  but  scanning  the  present,  the  scene  has  changed 
to  a  most  thriving  township. 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP. 

BY    DR.    J.    C.    WRIGHT. 

The  section  now  known  as  Honey  Creek  Township,  Howard  County, 
was,  when  first  settled  and  organized,  a  part  of  Clinton  County.  Its  or- 
ganization dates  back  to  the  year  1842,  during  which  year  the  first  election 
ever  held  in  the  township  occurred.  The  election  was  held  for  the  pur- 
pose of  choosing  one  Representative,  one  County  Commissioner,  one  School 
Commissioner  and  one   County   Coroner.     The  following  is  a  list  of  the 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  185 

voters  and  officers  conducting  the  election.  Samuel  Scott  was  the  In- 
spector, and  Josiah  Lamb,  William  Morrison,  Edom  Garner  and  J.  F. 
Simms,  were  the  Judges;  only  twenty-three  names  were  on  the  poll- 
book  (which  consisted  of  one  sheet  of  foolscap  paper).  John  Rivers,  who 
still  resides  in  this  township,  headed  the  list  of  voters,  which  was  as  fol- 
lows :  J.  Waggaman,  Alexander  Thatcher,  J.  S.  Morrison,  Jonas  Rivers, 
David  Frazier,  J.  Morrison,  George  W.  Swither,  Levi  Haworth,  James 
McCowen,  William  Beard,  Charles  Hatch,  Watson  Fitzpatrick,  Aaron 
Casto,  Julian  Frazier,  Josiah  Lamb,  Edom  Garner,  John  F.  Simms, 
William  Morrison,  Samuel  Scott,  James  Purdum,  Jonathan  Merideth 
and  William  Hughes.  The  returns  of  this  election  were  made  out  on 
common  foolscap  paper  and  carried  to  the  county  seat,  on  horseback. 
Another  election  was  held  some  time  near  this  date  at  the  residence  of 
Julian  Frazier,  at  which  the  following  officers  were  elected  :  Martin 
Burton,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  Nelson  Purdum,  Constable. 

THE    FIRST  SETTLERS. 

It  is  said  that  Joseph  C.  Taylor  and  family  were  the  first  white  inhab- 
itants of  Honey  Creek  Township.  They  came  here  during  the  year  1839. 
Mr.  Taylor  had  left  his  home  near  Peru  in  the  fall  of  1838,  and  came 
here  to  build  his  little  log  cabin,  into  which  he  moved  in  March,  1839. 
It  is  also  claimed  for  Mr.  Taylor  that  he,  in  company  with  George  Taylor, 
Isaac  Price  and  Robert  Walker,  were  the  first  white  men  who  inhabited 
Howard  County.  The  first  year  of  Mr.  Taylor's  stay  in  this  township,  was 
very  lonesome,  as  his  was  the  only  family  in  the  present  limits  of  the 
township.  The  first  to  come  to  share  in  the  hardships  of  the  dreary 
pioneer  life  was  a  man  by  the  name  of  McCrery,  who  settled  on  a  tract 
of  land  just  w'est  of  the  present  site  of  Russiaville,  which  tract  is  at 
present  owned  by  Jonathan  Hodson. 

About  the  first  part  of  the  year  1843,  the  settlement  began  to  increase 
in  numbers,  and  among  the  pioneers  of  that  early  date,  very  few  of  whom 
are  living  here  yet,  were  the  families  of  John  and  Julian  Frazier,  John 
Rivers,  John  Blanche,  William  Hughes,  Vincent  Garner,  Edom  Garner, 
Daniel  R.  Jones,  Alexander  Suit,  Henry  Stuart,  John  P.  Wright,  Dr. 
L.  H.  Oilar,  D.  D.  Lightner,  Martin  Burton,  Benoni  Fortner,  John  Wag- 
gaman and  Jesse  Ratcliff ;  also  the  Woodys,  Runks,  Moulders,  James 
Vaughan,  John  Wilson,  Dr.  D.  J.  Shirley,  George  Thompson,  Ira  Bishop, 
Jacob  Vogus,  Stephen  lies,  John  Lybrook,  Smith  Chambers  and  Allen 
Middleton,  and  a  great  many  others  of  more  recent  settlement,  who  have 
done  a  great  deal  toward  making  the  township  what  it  is,  and  whose 
names  must  be  remembered  as  well  as  the  older  pioneers.  Among  them 
may    be   mentioned    Luke    Fry,   T.    E.    Trueblood,   David    Middleton, 


186  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

William  Aaron,  Benjamin  P.  Cosand,   Madison  and  Miles   Hart,    the 
Hodsons,  Ratcliifs,  Johnsons  and  Talberts. 

LANDS    ENTERED. 

On  October  4,  1842,  a  great  deal  of  the  public  land  was  sold  ac  the 
great  land  sales  held  at  Peru  and  Crawfordsville.  In  looking  over  the 
old  records  of  these  land  entries,  which  records  were  taken  from  the 
original  books  at  the  different  land  offices,  it  is  known  that  the  follow- 
ing-named persons  purchased  or  entered  lands  in  this  township,  as 
follows :  October  4,  1842 — Nicholas  Trobaugh,  160  acres,  in  Section  21 ; 
Edward  Hemphill,  160  acres,  in  Section  21;  John  P.  Wright,  240 
acres,  in  Sections  22  and  23 ;  Edom  Garner,  160  acres,  in  Sections  23 
and  26 ;  Julian  Frazier,  160  acres,  in  Sections  22  and  23 ;  Joseph  C. 
Taylor,  160  acres,  in  Section  26.  Also,  on  April  22,  1843— Martin 
Burton,  80  acres,  in  Section  26.  October  28, 1843 — James  Vaughan,  80 
acres,  in  Section  27.  December  15,  1843 — Allen  Middleton.  160  acres, 
in  Section  25.  November  29,  1843 — John  Moulder,  160  acres,  in  Sec- 
tion 36.  October  25,  1842 — D.  D.  Lightner,  80  acres,  in  Section  24. 
October  5,  1842 — John  Rivers,  80  acres,  in  Section  28.  December  12, 
1844 — Sarah  Carson,  80  acres,  in  Section  27.  Among  the  above-named 
persons  who  entered  the  lands  described,  only  a  very  few  are  the  owners 
of  the  same  land  at  the  present  time.  John  Moulder  and  Sarah  Carson 
still  hold  the  same  tracts  entered  by  them  in  1843  and  1844. 

FIRST    TAXES. 

The  whole  of  Honey  Creek  Township,  as  it  was  in  1845,  then  more 
than  double  its  present  size,  was  only  assessed  so  as  to  pay  $141.81  taxes 
on  the  real  estate  and  personal  property  then  in  the  township.  Below 
are  given  the  taxes  paid  by  a  number  of  the  old  settlers  in  1845,  the  first 
taxes  that  are  on  record  as  having  been  paid  in  the  township :  Dr.  L.  H. 
Oilar,  on  80  acres  and  $100  personal  property,  paid  |1.50 ;  Nicholas 
Trobaugh,  on  80  acres  and  $102  personal  property,  paid  $2.12 ;  John  P. 
Wright,  on  240  acres,  paid  $2.92 ;  Edom  Garner,  on  80  acres  and  $140 
personal  property,  paid  $2.21 ;  Julian  Frazier,  on  160  acres  and  $138 
personal  property,  paid  $3.01 ;  Joseph  C.  Taylor,  on  160  acres  and  $252 
personal  property,  paid  $3.29 ;  Martin  Burton,  on  80  acres  and  $85 
personal  property,  paid  $1.90  ;  James  Vaughan.  on  80  acres,  paid  $1.84; 
John  Rivers,  on  80  acres  and  $57  personal  property,  paid  $1.09  ;  D.  D. 
Lightner,  on  80  acres,  paid  55  cents ;  John  Moulder,  on  160  acres 
and  $220  personal  property,  paid  $3.03;  Solomon  B.  Fortner,  on  80 
acres  and  $161  personal  property,  paid  $3.25.  The  Fraziers  and  several 
others  paid  taxes  the  same  year,  ranging  in   amounts   from   80  cents  to 


HONEY  CRKEK  TOWNSHIP.  187 

$3.01.  It  is  a  notable  fact  that  we  now  have  men  in  the  township  who 
pay  more  taxes  in  one  year,  at  the  present  time,  than  all  the  men  who 
paid  taxes  in  1845,  and  the  township  was  then  much  larger.  But  the 
taxes  then  were  perhaps  even  harder  to  pay  than  they  are  to-day,  owing  to 
the  extreme  scarcity  of  money  of  those  days,  and  the  lack  of  ways  to  get 
hold  of  it.  The  early  pioneers  had  very  little  to  sell,  and  what  they  had 
could  not  be  sold  for  money.  Wild  game  and  wild  honey  seem  to  have 
been  the  principal  articles  offered  in  exchange  for  the  necessary  com- 
modities of  life.  Up  to  the  year  1842,  there  was  no  trading  point  nearer 
this  section  than  Burlington,  Carroll  County,  which  was  ten  miles  distant, 
and  to  this  point  all  the  primitive  Honey  Creekers  had  to  wend  their 
way  through  almost  an  unbroken  expanse  of  thickly-wooded  country,  tak- 
ing the  paths  made  by  the  Indians,  sometimes  on  horseback,  but  more 
frequently  on  foot.  This  very  inconvenient  state  of  affairs  only  lasted 
about  three  years,  when  Burlington,  as  the  principal  trading  point,  was 
abandoned  for  one  nearer  home.  Old  Uncle  Henry  Stuart,  as  he  is  now- 
known,  and  who  at  the  present  time  is  a  resident  of  Kokomo,  some  time 
during  the  year  1842,  purchased  a  stock  of  goods  and  opened  a  store  near 
the  present  site  of  Russiaville.  His  stock  was,  of  course,  of  a  very  limited 
character,  but  almost  endless  in  variety,  for  it  consisted  of  all  kinds  of 
goods  needed  by  the  early  settlers — dry  goods,  groceries,  hardware, 
crockery,  glassware — in  fact  it  was  what  is  now  denominated  a  general 
store,  a  headquarters  for  all  kinds  of  goods.  His  usual  places  of  laying 
in  a  supply  of  goods  were  La  Fayette,  Cincinnati  and  Chicago  ;  the  goods 
had  to  be  transported  from  these  points  in  wagons,  and  new  supplies  were 
consequently  not  very  frequent  in  their  appearance.  Mr.  Stuart,  in 
order  to  accommodate  his  customers,  made  arrangements  for  the  exchange 
of  venison,  wild  honey,  roots  and  herbs,  and  the  skins  of  the  fur-bearing 
animals,  for  the  commodities  he  kept  for  sale.  This  gave  employment 
for  the  women  and  children  in  digging  ginseng,  yellow  root,  and  several 
other  indigenous  roots  and  herbs,  thereby  furnishing  them  with  a  great 
many  articles  of  apparel  that  they  could  not  have  otherwise  obtained. 
The  hams  of  deer  seem  to  have  been  the  principal  circulating  medium 
between  the  men  and  the  store-keepers.  Mr.  H.  G.  Woody,  in  his  history 
of  this  township,  as  written  for  the  County  Atlas,  states  that  "at  one 
time  Mr.  Stuart  had  100  '  saddles '  (pairs  of  deer  hams)  piled 
up  in  his  cabin  store."  Mr.  Woody  also  states  that  the  first  wagon 
ever  at  Kokomo  was  loaded  with  goods  belonging  to  Henry  Stuart.  The 
young  Indians  never  having  before  seen  a  wagon,  thought  it  some  stranore 
animal,  and  would  take  to  their  heels  immediately  when  the  horses  hap- 
pened to  move  it.  It  took  two  days  to  make  the  trip,  only  halting  a 
short  time  at  an  Indian  town.      A  further  history  of  the  commercial  and 


188  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

mercantile  interests  of  the  township  will  be  given,  as  fully  as  space  will 
permit,  in  that  part  of  this  sketch  which  relates  to  the  town  of  Russia- 
ville. 

FIRST    MARRIAGES. 

Could  we,  who  are  on  the  stage  of  action  at  the  present,  accustomed 
to  seeing  marriages  in  high  life,  accustomed  to  the  brilliant  weddings  of 
to-day,  look  back  and  be  a  witness  of  the  marriage  ceremonies  as  con- 
ducted by  the  pioneers  of  Honey  Creek  Township  over  forty  years  ago,  we 
would  think  it  a  terrible  hardship  to  have  to  undergo  that  happiest  ordeal 
in  man's  existence  under  such  circumstances ;  but  in  contrasting  the  sur- 
roundings of  the  pioneer  wedding — the  bride,  in  a  cheap  calico  or  home- 
spun dress,  and  groom  in  buckskin  breeches,  flax-linen  shirt  and  jeans 
coat — with  the  modern  brilliant  wedding,  the  high  contracting  parties 
decked  out  in  the  height  of  prevailing  fashion,  and  surrounded  by  costly 
wedding  presents  from  loving  friends,  we  must  not  forget  that  a  marriage 
under  the  former  circumstances  was  generally  the  happy  consummation 
of  a  genuine  affection,  and,  as  a  rule,  fewer  ill-assorted  matches  occurred 
in  those  days. 

Some  time  in  the  early  part  of  the  spring  of  1842,  Joseph  Skeen,  who 
now  resides  in  this  township,  paid  his  attentions  to  Miss  Nancy  Rivers,  a 
daughter  of  John  Rivers,  with  the  intention  of  making  her  his  wife. 
Joseph  happened  along  one  day  when  Samuel  Scott,  the  acting  Justice  of 
the  Peace  at  that  time,  was  at  work  at  the  sugar  camp.  Mr.  Scott  know- 
ing of  the  expected  marriage,  jokingly  spoke  to  Mr.  Skeen,  telling  him 
that  he  (Mr.  Scott),  was  practicing  the  ceremony  in  the  woods  every  day, 
that  whenever  he  came  across  two  nice,  thrifty  trees  standing  close  together, 
he  united  them  in  marriage.  He  also  told  "  Uncle  Joe  "  that  he  wanted 
some  rails  made  and  would  take  his  fee  in  that  way.  So  in  a  few  days, 
Samuel  Maxwell,  Clerk  of  the  Court,  was  sought,  a  license  obtained,  and 
on  the  13th  day  of  March,  1842,  Joseph  Skeen  and  Nancy  Rivers  were 
before  Esquire  Samuel  Scott,  to  have  the  hymeneal  knot  tied ;  "  Uncle 
Joe  "  made  the  remark  to  the  Squire  that  he  was  ready  to  split  the  rails. 
and  this  was  the  first  marriage  ceremony  performed  in  Honey  Creek 
Township.  (Some  claim,  however,  that  one  or  two  marriages  occurred 
before  this,  but  there  is  no  record  of  them.) 

In  looking  over  the  record,  we  found  the  names  of  several  persons  who 
are  still  living  who  started  in  wedded  life  from  this  place.  Joe  Tay- 
lor and  Eliza  Rawson  obtained  license  on  the  14th  day  of  March,  1845; 
the  ceremony  was  performed  by  Martin  Burton,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 
The  next  were  William  Wright  and  Arminda  Taylor,  on  the  31st  day  of 
July,  1^45;  John  Frazier  and  Hannah  Ratcliff,  on  the  4th  day  of 
August,  1845 ;  Coleman  Moss  and  Sarah  Wright,   February    15,  1847 ; 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  189 

Edom  Ratcliff  and  Nancy  Bishop,  May  15, 1847  ;  Thomas  Chandler  and 
Phoebe  Enable,  May  23,  1848  ;  Zimri  Nixon  and  Elizabeth  Moulder, 
September  15,  1848 ;  Daniel  R.  Jones  and  Catharine  Taylor,  October  2, 
1848.  Several  other  marriages  occuiTed  during  these  early  years,  but 
space  will  not  permit  further  mention. 

IMPROVEMENT    OF    LANDS. 

No  further  back  than  forty-five  years  ago,  the  lands  now  known  as 
Honey  Creek  Township,  were  densely  covered  with  forest,  and  not  a  few 
buttonwood  ponds.  The  Indians  and  the  wild  beasts  were  the  monarchs 
of  all  they  surveyed.  The  country  in  its  physical  features  was  not  un- 
like many  other  tracts  of  flat  wooded  lands,  the  flatness  being  almost  uni- 
versal throughout  the  township,  with  the  slight  exception  of  the  few  and 
small  hills  along  the  course  of  the  two  branches  of  Honey  Creek,  known 
as  the  East  and  West  Forks  of  Honey  Creek, which  streams  run  diagonally 
through  the  east  and  west  center  of  the  township.  The  township  derived 
its  name  from  this  creek.  The  first  road,  or,  rather,  path,  that  was 
traveled  was  what  is  now  known  as  the  Honey  Creek  road,  running  di- 
rectly east  and  west  through  the  township.  The  road  had  been  surveyed 
some  time  before,  but  had  not  been  cut  out. 

The  first  important  dwelling  house  was  erected  on  the  north  bank  of 
Squirrel  Creek,  a  little  stream  that  crosses  the  present  site  of  the  town 
of  Russiaville,  as  has  been  before  mentioned.  Joseph  C.  Taylor  arrived 
here  in  the  year  1838.  His  cabin  home  was  the  first  white  habitation  in 
the  township,  but  it  was  not  long  until  several  log  cabins  dotted  the  banks 
of  Honey  Creek.  The  structures  were  of  a  very  primitive  character, 
having  only  one  room,  the  floors  consisting  of  hewed  puncheons,  the 
door  of  a  very  rude  pattern,  with  wooden  hinge  and  latch.  If  a 
window  graced  one  side  of  the  building,  it  was  usually  very  small.  The 
roofs  were  of  clapboards  held  on  by  long  poles.  The  first  improvement 
in  the  lands  commenced  around  the  cabins.  The  sturdy  pioneers  began 
to  clear  the  soil  of  the  timber  in  order  to  prepare  it  for  cultivation,  a  few 
acres  at  a  time,  until  they  cleared  enough  to  raise  their  vegetables,  wheat 
and  corn.  Shortly  there  began  to  appear  small  patches  of  cleared  land, 
and  these  gradually  increased  in  size  and  shape  until  large  and  beautiful 
fields,  covered  with  their  wealth  of  grain,  greeted  the  toil-worn  farmer  as 
a  recompense  for  his  early  labors.  That  the  soil  of  Honey  Creek  Town- 
ship is  rich  and  fertile  is  clearly  evinced  by  the  great  increase  in  the 
agricultural  interests,  and  what  was  once  a  howling  wilderness  is  now 
one  of  the  best  and  most  beautiful  farming  communities  in  the  State. 
Farms  that  once  raised  a  few  bushels  of  corn  and  wheat,  now  produce 
equal  to  the  best  farms.     Farms  that  were  once  worthless  on   account  of 


190  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

the  superabundance  of  water,  held  in  nature's  reservoirs  without  an  out- 
let, now  have  beautiful  buildings  on  them,  and  where  the  ponds  existed, 
fertile  fields  yield  their  abundant  harvests.  Not  much  attention  was  paid 
to  improvement  in  the  way  of  drainage  until  the  rapidly  increasing  value 
of  the  land  induced  the  owners  of  wet  lands  to  fit  them  for  cultivation. 

TRANSFER    OF    HONEY  CREEK    TOWNSHIP. 

For  several  years  the  people  of  Honey  Creek  Township  felt  it  their 
right,  and  sought  the  privilege  of  being  changed  into  Howard  County. 
All  of  the  township,  except  about  two  sections,  belonged  tp  Clinton  County 
until  the  year  1859.  The  citizens  readily  recognizing  the  fact  that,  being 
80  much  nearer  the  county  seat  of  Howard,  they  would  possess  much 
greater  advantages  if  they  were  attached,  manifested  their  desires  to  Col. 
C.  D.  Murray,  who  was  then  representing  the  county  of  Howard.  He 
secured  the  passage  of  a  bill  which  provided  for  the  detaching  of  border 
townships.  One  of  the  requirements  of  this  law  was,  that  a  petition  must 
be  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  voters  living  in  the  territory  to  be  detached, 
with  a  proviso  in  the  law  that  said  detachment  should  not  reduce  the  area 
of  the  county  to  less  than  four  hundred  square  miles.  Several  of  these 
petitions  were  prepared.  One,  the  first,  divided  the  school  districts  too 
unevenly,  and  the  people  objected  to  it ;  the  second  conformed  to  the  de- 
sires of  the  citizens  in  this  particular,  but  called  for  too  much  territory, 
and  consequently  failed.  But  the  third  fulfilled  all  the  requirements  of 
the  law,  secured  a  majority  of  the  voters  as  petitioners,  and  at  the  March 
term  of  the  Commissioners'  Court  of  Clinton  County,  in  1859,  the  grant 
for  the  change  was  made.  John  Moulder,  Daniel  R.  Jones  and  Hon. 
Samuel  Woody,  deserve  great  praise  and  the  hearty  thanks  of  the 
people  for  their  untiring  eff'orts  in  bringing  about  this  change.  It  is  claimed 
by  some  that  the  political  aspirations  of  two  men,  one  to  the  judgeship  in 
Howard  County,  and  the  other  to  the  same  office  in  Clinton  County,  had 
somewhat  to  do  with  the  makino;  of  this  change.  It  was  in  this  wise  : 
Honey  Creek  Township  was  largely  Republican  in  its  politics,  and  by 
taking  it  off"  of  Clinton  County  it  made  that  county  solidly  Democratic, 
and  by  adding  it  to  Howard  it  fixed  Howard  up  for  the  Republicans. 
These  two  aspirants  conferred  together,  compared  notes,  and  concluded  to 
aid  the  matter,  thereby  insuring  their  own  election. 

MANUFACTURING    AND    MILLING. 

The  first  saw  mill  was  erected  on  West  Honey  Creek  by  John  P.  Wright, 
and  was  afterward  owned  and  managed  by  Mose  Spray.  The  lumber 
in  those  days  was  not  much  of  an  item  in  the  way  of  price.  Men  look 
back  now,  and  almost  invariably  exclaim,  '•  Why  didn't  we  know  the  value 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  191 

of  our  timber  ?" — men  who  have  since  sold  enough  timber  from  their 
lands  to  more  than  pay  for  it,  and  who  burned  up  enough,  if  they  had  it 
now,  to  make  them  rich.  They  finally  learned  its  value,  and  almost  every 
section  in  the  township  has  on  it  the  marks  of  a  saw  mill,  where  millions 
of  feet  of  lumber  have  been  manufactured.  The  only  saw  mill  now,  out- 
side of  the  town  of  Russiaville,  is  in  the  extreme  east  end  of  the  township, 
and  is  owned  and  managed  by  Isaac  Hollingsworth.  He  has  in  connection 
with  it  a  first-class  planing  mill,  and  does  a  pretty  extensive  business  in 
both  branches  of  his  establishment. 

The  manufacturing  of  draining  tile  was  not  commenced  in  this  town- 
ship until  the  year  1873,  when  James  Thompson  &  Sons  (Robert  and 
John)  opened  up  that  branch  of  industry  about  two  miles  southwest  of 
Russiaville,  by  building  a  pretty  extensive  kiln,  and  putting  in  the  neces- 
sary machinery.  Their  first  building  was  burned,  but  they  rebuilt  a  more 
extensive  establishment,  which  is  now  owned  and  managed  by  William  R. 
Hodson,  a  son-in-law  of  Mr.  Thompson.  One  other  tile  factory  was 
opened  on  Clark  Gilford's  farm,  three  miles  south  of  Russiaville,  by  John 
and  Arthur  Gifibrd,  in  1879,  and  is  still  in  operation.  The  other  manu- 
facturing interests  of  the  township  will  be  given  in  the  history  of  Rus- 
siaville. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  schools  were  taught  in  log  houses.  The  first  schoolhouse 
was  a  cabin  which  stood  near  the  present  residence  of  Nathan  Ratclifi", 
one  quarter  of  a  mile  southwest  of  Russiaville.  The  first  school  was 
taught  by  D.  D.  Lightner,  in  the  year  1842  ;  this  was  one  of  the  first, 
if  not  the  first  school  taught  in  Howard  County.  At  the  west  end  of 
Main  street,  in  Russiaville,  stood  an  old  two-story  building  which  was  af- 
terward known  as  the  "  Old  Bowl  Machine."  It  was  in  the  second  story 
of  this  building  that  Mr.  Lightner  taught  his  second  school.  The  first 
house  erected  for  school  purposes  in  the  township  was  a  log  structure,  in 
the  extreme  southwest  corner.  The  location  has  been  changed  several 
times  since  to  different  farms,  which  fact  gave  it  the  name  of  the."  Run- 
away Schoolhouse  ;  "  the  second  building  was  one  mile  southeast  of  Rus- 
siaville. After  the  change  in  the  law  governing  school  districts,  the 
township  was  re-districted  and  then  consisted  of  six  districts  (afterward 
five).  New  houses  were  then  erected  in  all  the  districts ;  the  one  at  Rus- 
siaville was  a  two-stoi'y  brick  of  four  rooms,  which,  at  the  time  it  was 
built  was  considered  a  big  thing,  and  the  best  in  the  county  outside  of 
Kokomo.  It  has  since  been  condemned  by  architects  as  unsafe  for  school 
purposes.  The  following  in  regard  to  schools  is  from  H.  G.  Woody 's  his- 
toi'v  of  the  township  written  in  1876 :  "  The  result  of  the  teaching  done 
in  the  six  original  school  districts  of  this  township  has  been  immense  and 


192  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

is  the  pride  of  the  people.  It  is  thought  that  no  other  township  in  the 
State  has,  in  proportion  to  its  size  and  population,  produced  so  many 
teachers  ;  such  is  theboMSt  of  the  township  ;  I  can  only  append  the  facts  : 
District  No.  1  has  produced  eighteen  teachers;  No.  2  (Russiaville)  six, 
No.  3,  five;  No.  4,  one  ;  No.  5,  six,  and  No.  6,  twenty-eight;  total,  six- 
ty-four. Of  these,  twenty-eight  are  ladies  (this  was  written  seven  years 
ago,  and  the  number  of  teachers  from  the  above  districts  has  been  largely 
increased,  especially  the  Russiaville  School,  which  has  furnished  at  least 
forty  teachers  since  that  time).  The  above  speaks  volumes  for  the  public 
schools.  Not  a  few  of  these  teachers,  however,  have  added  to  the  educa- 
tional foundation  received  at  home,  and  the  instruction  of  the  better  col- 
leges and  normal  schools  of  the  State  and  United  States.  The  above 
given  results  are  not  mere  'happen  so's,'  nor  can  they  be  attributed  to 
a  predominance  of  brain-power  in  Honey  Creek  over  her  sister  townships. 
Certainly  much  is  due  to  the  training  received  from  the  early  teachers, 
the  principal  of  whom  were  D.  D.  Lightner,  T.  E.  Trueblood  and  Dr.  T. 
M.  Moulder ;  the  name  of  D.  D.  Lightner  is  mentioned  because  he  taught 
the  first  school  and  many  schools  in  the  township,  and  because  he  was  a 
man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability.  The  name  of  T.  E.  Trueblood  is  se- 
lected because  he  has  taught  more  schools  in  Honey  Creek  Township 
than  any  other  person,  and  because  he  is  one  of  the  ablest  teachers  she 
ever  had.  He  did  most  of  his  work  in  Districts  No.  1,  5  and  6,  which, 
it  will  be  noticed,  placed  the  most  teachers  in  the  field.  D.  D.  Lightner 
is  now  up  near  Lake  Michigan  in  the  fancy  gardening  business.  T.  E. 
Trueblood  is  a  wholesale  and  retail  grocer  of  Kokomo  and  Dr.  T.  M. 
Moulder  is  a  reputable  and  successful  practitioner  of  medicine  in  the  town 
of  Russiaville." 

CHURCHES. 

For  several  years,  the  pioneers,  who  were  religiously  inclined,  held 
divine  services  in  the  log  schoplhouses  situated  in  different  parts  of  the 
township.  The  first  church  building  erected  in  the  township  was  by  the 
Society  .of  Friends,  and  was  built  in  the  year  1853,  two  miles  east  of  Rus- 
siaville, and  was  called  Lynn  Meeting  House.  A  new  frame  building 
now  occupies  the  old  site,  and  still  retains  the  original  name.  A  school- 
house  bearing  the  same  name  stands  close  to  it.  This  church  organiza- 
tion and  the  building  of  the  church  edifice  was  the  result  of  the  energy 
and  enterprise  of  the  Cosands,  the  Butlers  and  the  Pickerings.  Some  of 
the  prominent  members  now  belonging  to  that  monthly  meeting  are  the 
Cosands  (Benjamin,  William  and  John),  also,  John  T.  Lindley,  Jesse 
RatcliiF,  Hannah  Moulder,  Benjamin  King,  David  Middleton,  Lemuel 
Middleton  and  their  families.  They  hold  regular  monthly  meetings,  also 
regular  services  on  Sabbath,  and  one  day  during  the  week.     The  Lynn 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  19':J 

neighborhood  is  noted  for  the  wealth  and  education  of  its  people,  and  as 
being  one  of  the  civilest,  quietest  neighborhoods  in  the  county. 

A  large  congregation  of  the  "  Separate  Baptists  "  have  a  church  or- 
ganization in  the  southwest  corner  of  the^  township,  where  they  meet  in  a 
house  formerly  used  as  a  schoolhouse,  but  now  owned  and  used  by  them. 
The  organization  was  established  in  1874,  by  Jackson  Graham,  who  was 
pastor  of  the  church  for  two  years.  He  succeeded  in  arousing  a  great  and 
lasting  interest  in  his  church,  and  secured  the  co-operation  of  quite  a 
number  of  influential  citizens,  death  closing  his  labors  at  the  end  of  his 
two  years  work  in  the  church.  Robert  Sharp  was  then  secured  as  pastor, 
holding  the  position  two  years,  after  which  the  present  pastor,  George  W. 
Turner,  took  charge  of  the  church.  The  present  membership  is  about 
seventy,  and  the  church  is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

Regular  Baptists. — This  church  has  had  an  organization  in  this  town- 
ship over  a  quarter  of  a  century.  In  the  year  1855,  John  A.  Thompson, 
a  son  of  Wilson  Thompson,  who  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  greatest  and 
brightest  lights  known  in  that  church,  in  the  State,  or  perhaps,  in  the 
United  States,  organized  a  church,  known  as  the  Honey  Creek  Baptist 
Church,  with  the  following  membership :  James  L.  Thompson  and  wife, 
John  A.  Thompson  and  wife.  Smith  Chambers  and  wife,  Mrs.  Luke 
Fry,  and  a  few  others.  They  held  their  first  meeting  in  the  Fortner 
Schoolhouse,  one  and  a  quarter  miles  west  of  Russiaville,  which  place 
they  occupied  for  a  number  of  years,  and  in  the  year  1878  they 
bought  the  house  they  now  occupy,  which  is  a  schoolhouse,  two  miles 
south  of  Russiaville.  The  pastors  of  the  church  have  been  (in  the 
order  named)  John  N.  Thompson,  David  Kirkpatrick,  John  M.  Thomp- 
son, and  John  Daily,  the  last  one  named  being  the  present  pastor. 
The  principal  members  at  this  date  are  Luke  Fry  and  wife, 
Thomas  Giff"ord  and  wjfe.  Miss  Hester  Giffbrd  and  Mrs.  Alex  Bishop. 
In  1870,  it  was  understood  by  several  of  the  members  of  this  church  that 
the  organization  was  to  be  disbanded,  and  they  united  with  the  Providence 
Church,  in  Tipton  County,  but  the  other  members  of  Honey  Creek  Church 
continued  the  organization,  which  caused  a  hardness  of  feeling,  and  a  con- 
sequent split  in  the  church.  The  result  of  this  misunderstanding  was  the 
forming  of  an  arm,  or  branch,  of  the  Providence  Church,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1871,  a  nice  frame  church  was  erected,  two  and  three-quarter  miles  south- 
east of  Russiaville,  at  a  cost  of  over  $1,000.  The  house  was  built  by  the 
contributions  of  only  six  individuals,  namely  :  E.  J.  Chambers,  R.  W. 
Thompson,  P.  H.  McCann,  Ira  Bishop,  Clark  Giftbrd  and  Margaret 
Chambers.  The  present  pastors  are  Elder  Jackson  and  Robert  W.. 
Thompson.  The  membership  is  not  large,  consisting  principally  of  R. 
W.  Thompson  and  wife,  E.  J.  Chambers  and  wife,  Ira  Bishop  and  wife»  ^ 


194  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY^ 

Olark  Gifford  and  wife,  J.  Hendrix  and  wife,  Benton  Frier  and  P.  H. 
McCann.  The  Regular  Baptists  have  held  their  conference  meetings  in 
this  township,  with  a  very  large  attendance. 

POLITICS. 

The  political  history  of  Honey  Creek  Township  is  pretty  nearly  a  one- 
sided matter.  Of  late  years,  she  has  been  particularly  noted  for  her 
rousing  and  steadily  increasing  Republican  majorities,  the  present  vote 
st.inding  about  220  Republican  and  only  55  Democratic.  Ever  since 
the  organization  of  the  party,  she  has  been  enthusiastically  Repub- 
lican. Before  the  advent  of  Republicanism,  she  was  noted  far  and  near  as 
being  a  stronghold  of  abolitionism.  During  the  dark  days  before  the  war, 
Russiaville  was  known  as  one  of  the  stations  of  the  famous  "underground 
railroad,"  and  the  Friend  Quakers  were  the  most  zealous  workers  in  the 
carrying  on  of  the  enterprise,  but  it  is  well  known  that  they  had  strong 
advocates  and  hard  workers  outside  of  that  denomination.  D.  D. 
Lightner  was  loud  in  his  denunciation  of  slavery  and  helped  to  conduct 
the  ''railroad."  Daniel  R.  Jones,  who  is  still  a  citizen  of  Russiaville, 
vfks  considered  as  one  of  the  craftiest  and  ablest  conductors  on  the  road, 
and  it  is  a  fact  that  a  great  many  of  the  Southern  slaves  and  their  fami- 
lies were  the  happy  recipients  of  assistance  in  the  way  of  provisions  and 
transportation  on  their  flight  from  their  accursed  bondage  from  these 
advocates  of  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  Honey  Creek  Township. 

Honey  Creek  Township  has  been  successful  in  two  elections,  in  hav- 
ing the  honor  of  representing  the  county  in  the  State  Legislature.  In 
1860,  Daniel  D.  Lightner,  who  has  figured  pretty  extensively  in  this  history, 
was  elected,  and  served  one  term  to  the  honor  of  himself  and  the  credit  of 
his  constituents.  In  1874,  Samuel  Woody,  one  of  the  most  thorough  and 
zealous  workers  in  the  Republican  ranks,  was  elected  as  Joint  Representa- 
tive and  filled  the  office  in  a  very  creditable  and  satisfactory  manner. 
The  following-named  gentlemen  hatre  served  the  township  as  Trustees 
since  the  change  in  the  law  requiring  only  one  Trustee  instead  of  three. 
Thomas  E.  Trueblood,  Thomas  Shilling,  Dr.  Hornaday,  Dr.  T.  M.  Moul- 
der, John  T.  Lindley,  Benjamin  King  and  William  H.  Bishop.  The 
present  officers  in  the  township  are  John  T.  Ratcliff  and  B.  B.  Richards, 
Justices  of  the  Peace;  Benjamin  King,  Trustee;  Philip  Lybrook,  As- 
sessor ;  John  Denton,  Roadmaster,  and  S.  P.  Hodson  and  A.  D.  Nolan, 
Constables. 

RAILROADS. 

One  railroad  crosses  the  township  from  east  to  west — the   Toledo, 
Cincinnati  &    St.  Louis  Narrow  Gauge,  which  has   been  a  great   benefit 
to  the  farmers  in  the  way  of  furnishing  a  convenient  and  good  market  for 
^their  produce,  of  which  more  will  be  said  in  the  history  of  Russiaville. 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  195 

RUSSIAVILLE. 

Prior  to  1844,  the  most  thickly  settled  portion  of  Honey  Creek  Town- 
ship was  on  the  west  side  of  the  West  Branch  of  Honey  Creek.  Durini? 
this  year,  it  was  decided  to  start  a  town  and  a  survey  was  made,  on  the 
east  bank  of  West  Honey  Creek,  and  thus  the  town  of  Russiaville  had  its 
birth.  The  town's  first  houses  were  rude  log  cabins  of  the  most  primitive 
fashion,  a  very  few  of  which  remain  in  situ  to  the  present  day.  The 
growth  of  the  village  was  slow  and  its  importance  very  limited  until  the 
advent  of  the  railroad  (F.  &  K.),  which  was  built  in  1873-74.  But  the 
town  took  a  start  for  the  better  about  1856,  when  there  was  a  railroad 
surveyed  and  a  part  of  the  grade  made  through  this  place ;  and  when 
the  road  was  abandoned  the  growth  of  the  place  was  again  stopped,  New 
London,  two  miles  north,  being  the  principal  town  in  this  section.  Up  to 
the  year  1874,  the  population  did  not  exceed  two  hundred,  since  which 
time  the  town  has  rapidly  increased  in  dimensions  and  population  until 
it  has  become  one  of  the  most  thriving  business  points  in  the  State  for  its 
size.  New  streets  are  being  opened  every  year  and  new  buildings  by  the 
score  have  been  and  are  being  erected.  Three  new  additions  have  been 
laid  out  this  spring  (1883),  viz.;  Hodson's  on  the  northwest,  Bowles'  on 
the  southwest  and  Chandler's  on  the  southwest. 

The  town  recieved  almost  a  death-blow  on  the  morninf^  of  the  20th 
day  of  January,  1881,  when  four  of  the  best  business  houses  of  the  place 
were  totally  destroyed  by  the  relentless  fire  fiend.  About  3  or  4 
o'clock  on  that  awful  and  eventful  morning,  the  fire  was  discovered  at  the 
rear  of  Bishop  &  Orr's  Block.  James  W.  Cooper,  Jr.,  gave  the  alarm 
of  fire,  soon  arousing  the  whole  town  to  action.  By  almost  superhuman 
efforts,  a  great  many  of  the  goods  were  saved,  and  the  fire  confined  to  the 
four  two-story  business  houses,  thus  saving  the  adjacent  buildifigs.  The 
principal  losers  in  this  conflagration  were  Bishop  &  McCann,  John 
Orr,  John  Gennebeck,  B.  B.  Richards,  H.  Fritz,  H.  C.  Fellows,  Charles 
Baldwin  and  Grifiith  &  Evans.  John  Gennebeck  and  B.  B.  Richards 
lost  everything  they  had,  having  no  insurance.  As  was  stated,  this 
was  almost  a  death-blow  to  the  business  and  growth  of  the  place,  and  bid 
fair  to  be  a  permanent  disaster,  for  right  at  the  same  time  a  chant^e  was 
contemplated  in  the  railroad  matters  and  men  were  on  a  stand,  and 
would  not  rebuild  until  it  was  settled.  The  railroad  change  becoming 
finally  adjusted,  the  burned  district  was  cleared  of  the  debris  and  two 
large  two-story  brick  blocks  were  erected  on  the  old  site.  The  west 
block  was  finished  below  for  store  rooms,  with  full  plate  glass  fronts  and 
the  best  inside  finish  in  the  county.  The  Odd  Fellows  and  Jared  Marshall 
were  the  proprietors.  Bishop  k  McCann,  John  Orr  and  John  Genne- 
beck erected   the  east  block,  the  lower  story  consisting  of  three  business 


196  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

rooms,  and  the  upper  of  offices  and  an  opera  house,  furnished  with  a 
good  stage  and  appropriate  scenery,  having  a  seating  capacity  of 
400.  Since  the  fire,  no  less  than  fifty  buildings  have  been  erected, 
and  at  present  the  population  will  probably  reach  700,  The  census 
of  1880  gives  a  population  of  450,  since  which  time  the  town  has 
rapidly  increased  in  population,  and  the  prospect  for  future  growth  is 
very  flattering. 

LEADING    MERCHANTS. 

It  has  been  mentioned  that  Henry  Stuart  was  the  first  man  to  offer 
merchandise  for  sale  in  this  township,  but  his  store  was  not  a  part  of  the 
village  of  Russiaville.  Martin  Burton,  who  is  now  a  resident  of  Indi- 
anapolis, started  the  first  store  in  the  town.  He  erected  his  store  room 
on  the  corner  of  Liberty  and  Main  streets.  This  was  also  the  first  build- 
ing ever  erected  on  the  original  plat  of  Russiaville.  (Mr.  Burton  and 
Edom  Garner  owned  the  land  composing  the  plat,  and  are  considered  as 
the  originators  of  the  town.)  This  store  building  was  very  small,  and  of 
course  the  amount  of  goods  for  sale  could  not  have  been  large.  A  man 
by  the  name  of  Bishop  was  the  second  man  who  sold  goods  in  the  place, 
but  from  this  very  meager  beginning  the  business  of  Russiaville  has 
grown  to  be  something  worth  more  than  a  passing  mention.  The  prin- 
cipal merchants  who  followed  these  were  George  W.  Thompson,  Hiat  & 
Johnson,  W.  M.  Waters,  Thomas  Shilling,  Richard  Shilling,  Robert 
Shilling,  Thomas  E.  Ratcliff,  Thomas  Wadman  &  Son,  T.  T.  Whitiker, 
R.  T.  Chandler,  William  H.  Bishop,  and  several  others.  At  present  the 
following  is  a  list  of  the  merchants  and  their  business.  There  are  three 
firms  selling  dry  goods,  clothing,  notions  etc.,  namely,  0.  G.  Coffin, 
G.  E.  Allison  and  P.  H.  McCann  (sucessor  to  Bishop  &  McCann),  all 
doing  an  extensive  business.  Several  firms  are  engaged  in  the  grocery 
trade,  as  follows :  L.  W.  Coffin  and  Tyner  &  Chamber.^,  are  the  largest 
dealers  in  this  line,  and  Frank  Fortner  and  F.  E.  Fanchier,  sell  groce- 
ries in  connection  with  their  restaurants.  There  is  one  furniture  store, 
kept  by  A.  Cline.  Three  houses  are  in  the  drug  trade — R.  T.  Chand- 
ler, G.  W.  Topping  &  Co.  and  John  Gifford.  Mr.  Chandler  has  been  in 
this  trade  in  this  place  for  nearly  twenty-five  years.  There  are  also 
two  millinery  establishments  owned  by  Mrs.  K.  E.  Chamberlain  and  Miss 
Lida  Vandenbark  ;  also  two  shoe  shops  ;  the  finest  and  best  suite  of 
dental  parlors  in  this  part  of  the  State  ;  one  barber  shop,  one  meat- 
market,  a  livery  stable,  one  of  the  best  hotels  in  the  county,  a  jewelry 
store,  a  tailor  shop,  and  a  large  harness  establishment.  But  the  most 
extensive  business  carried  on  in  the  place,  is  the  hardware  and  agricult- 
ural implement  house  of  Griffith  &  Evans.  This  is  one  of  the  largest 
houses  of  the  kind  in  the  county,  and  occupies  a  block  of  three  buildings, 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  197 

one  of  which  is  132  feet  in  length  ;  the  firm  also  deals  very  extensively 
in  live  stock,  Mr.  Evans  managing  that  part  of  the  business. 

POST  OFFICE. 
Among  the  many  privations  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  place  was 
the  lack  of  convenient  mail  advantages.  During  the  first  few  years  of 
the  history  of  Russiaville,  the  pioneers  had  to  go  from  six  to  eight  miles 
to  get  the  little  mail  they  received  from  their  friends.  In  the  year  1847, 
the  citizens  of  this  place  succeeded,  through  a  private  mail  route  enter- 
prise, in  getting  their  mail  sent  to  New  London,  which  reduced  the  distance 
to  only  two  miles,  but  in  a  few  years  Russiaville  secured  a  post  office. 
Martin  Burton  was  instrumental  in  establishing  the  first  mail  route  to  this 
place.  In  1848  or  1849,  the  first  Postmaster,  D.  D.  Lightner,  was  ap- 
pointed, and  Russiaville  was  blessed  with  a  post  office.  In  those  days  the 
citizens  thought  themselves  quite  fortunate  to  get  their  mail  one  day  in  each 
week,  and  now  they  are  not  entirely  satisfied  with  the  twenty-one 
mails  that  come  to  Russiaville  Post  Office  each  week.  The  business 
of  the  post  office  has  increased  from  a  mere  pittance  as  a  compen- 
sation, to  a  comfortable  salary,  and  takes  all  of  one  man's  time  to 
run  it.  Mr.  John  Gennebeck  is  the  present  Postmaster,  from 
whom  it  is  learned  that  during  the  last  quarter,  ending  March  31, 
1883,  there  were  over  6,000  letters  mailed  at  his  office,  besides  nearly 
2,500  postal  cards  and  about  2,000  circulars.  The  further  history  of  the 
post  office,  in  regard  to  mail  matter  distributed,  speaks  volumes  for  the 
intellect  of  the  community,  as  there  are  over  1,000  newspapers  and  peri- 
odicals coming  regularly  through  this  office  every  week  to  citizens  of  this 
town  and  vicinity.  Among  the  Postmasters  who  have  served  since  the  office 
was  established  are  George  W.  Thompson  (second  Postmaster,  1849),  R. 
L.  Shilling,  Thomas  Shilling  and  William  H.  Bishop  (who  served  eleven 
years). 

MILLS. 

The  first  grist  mill  was  built  out  of  logs,  by  Edom  Ratcliff,  on  Squir- 
rel Creek,  near  the  present  site  of  the  cemetery,  and  was  a  mere  corn- 
cracker  ;  but  it  seemed  to  answer  the  purpose  then,  as  there  was  nothing 
but  corn  to  grind.  In  1852,  Martin  Burton  built  the  first  flouring  mill 
in  Russiaville.  It  was  run  by  water-power  and  only  run  a  few  years 
until  a  spring  freshet  so  injured  the  water  privileges  that  the  mill  was 
changed  to  a  steam  mill.  In  1870,  the  mill  was  totally  destroyed  by  fire, 
and  was  then  the  property  of  G.  W.  and  M.  G.  Haun.  These  men  were 
not  able  to  rebuild,  and  the  citizens  assisted  them  in  building  the  flouring 
mill  which  now  stands  on  Union  street.  The  mill  has  passed  through 
several  hands,  but  is  at  present  owned  and  managed  by  the  original  own- 


198  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

ers,  George  W.  and  M.  G.  Haun.  We  also  have  a  large  planing  mill, 
saw  mill  and  furniture  factory  combined,  owned  by  Augustus  Cline,  and 
an  extensive  saw  mill  and  felloe  factory,  run  by  George  Durrer.  For 
several  years,  James  W.  Cooper  &  Sons  were  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  wooden  bowls,  in  a  two-story  building,  now  torn  down,  and  which  is 
remembered  and  spoken  of  as  the  "  Old  Bowl  Machine."  This  was  the 
only  factory  of  the  kind  ever  in  the  State,  and  the  ware  was  sold  over 
several  States. 

SCHOOLS. 
The  first  school  taught  in  Russiaville  was  taught  in  1842.  in  a  cabin 
on  the  place  now  owned  by  Nathan  Ratcliff,  which  was  one  of  the  first 
schools  organized  in  the  county.  This  school  and  several  subsequent 
terms  were  taught  by  Daniel  D.  Lightner.  In  1843,  the  school  was 
moved  into  the  upper  story  of  the  "  Bowl  Machine,"  which  building  was 
used  for  school,  and  as  a  public  hall  for  several  years.  In  1872,  Dr.  W. 
H.  Hornaday,  the  Trustee  at  that  time,  built  a  two-story  brick  house 
with  four  rooms  for  a  graded  school  building.  The  house  was  very  poorly 
constructed  and  has  recently  been  condemned  as  unsafe  to  hold  school  in. 
Before  the  new  house  was  erected,  it  had  been  talked  of  for  some  time 
and  strongly  opposed  by  one  element  in  the  township  and  advocated  as 
strongly  by  another,  which  resulted  in  the  springing-up  of  an  independ- 
ent candidate  for  Trustee,  known  as  an  Anti-Schoolbouse  Candidate. 
The  election  settled  the  difficulty  by  the  choosing  of  Dr.  Hornaday,  who 
built  the  house.  Charles  C.  Duncan  was  selected  as  the  Principal  of  the 
first  school  taught  in  the  new  house,  and  under  his  management  the 
educational  interest  in  Russiaville  took  a  decided  start  in  the  right  direc- 
tion. In  1874,  the  school  was  given  into  the  hands  of  Freeman  Cooper, 
and  during  the  next  summer  it  was  extensively  advertised  as  a  Normal 
School  and  bid  fair  to  become  the  best  school  in  the  county,  having  quite 
a  number  of  non-resident  pupils.  Mr.  Cooper  then  went  into  the  study 
of  law,  and  the  school  passed  to  the  hands  of  H.  C.  Fellow,  and  subse- 
quently to  J.  C.  Comstock,  the  present  Principal.  It  is  thought  by  many 
that  Mr.  Comstock  has  been  more  successful  as  an  instructor  than  any 
teacher  for  several  years  past.  The  future  of  the  school  cannot  be  pre- 
dicted on  account  of  the  terrible  condition  of  the  school  building.  An 
effort  was  made  to  issue  bonds  and  build  a  new  house,  but  the  County 
Commissioners  failed  to  grant  the  privilege,  on  account  of  the  indebted- 
ness of  the  township. 

THE    ODD  FELLOWS. 

Russiaville  Lodge,  No.  105,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  was  instituted  on  the  26th 
day  of  March,  1852.  The  following  were  the  charter  members  :  Daniel 
Smith,  Henry  Weaver,  George  W.  Thompson,  Jacob   Gray  and  Barney 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  199 

Busby.  The  first  oflScers  were :  Daniel  Smith,  N.  G.;  Henry  Weaver, 
V.  G.;  George  W.  Thompson,  See.;  Jacob  Gray,  Treas.  On  the  26th 
day  of  November,  1852,  just  eight  months  from  the  date  of  the  charter, 
the  hall,  the  charter  and  all  the  lodge  furniture  and  fixtures  were  de- 
stroyed by  fire.  A  new  charter  was  granted  January  19,  1853.  In 
1860,  the  order  in  connection  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  built 
a  large  hall,  the  Methodists  using  the  lower  story  and  the  Odd  Fellows 
the  upper.  In  1882,  the  following  men  were  appointed  to  erect  a  new 
hall :  Martin  Allison,  John  T.  Ratcliff,  Dr.  I.  N.  Cook,  John  R.  Grif- 
fith and  W.  W.  Fry.  The  committee  purchased  ground  on  the  corner  of 
Main  and  Union  streets,  and  in  connection  with  -Tared  Marshall  erected 
the  largest  and  finest  brick  block  in  the  town.  It  is  two  stories  high  and 
is  forty  feet  wide  in  front,  and  eighty  feet  long.  The  order  owns  the 
west  half  of  the  building;  their  business  room  is  finished  with  French 
plate  glass  front,  and  is  elegantly  furnished  inside.  The  hall  is  finished 
and  furnished  to  compare  with  the  rest  of  the  building.  The  cost  of  the 
new  building  was  $4,000.  There  have  been  admitted  to  membership  since 
the  organization  of  the  lodge  over  300  persons,  and  at  present  the  active 
membership  numbers  about  sixty.  The  present  oflicers  are :  Adam 
Ridnour,  N.  G.;  George  A.  Borders,  V.  G.;  F.  M.  C.  Hart,  Treas.;  J. 
C.  Comstock,  Recording  Sec;  Dr.  I.  N.  Cook,  Permanent  Sec;  G.  W. 
Thompson,  Lodge  Deputy. 

Hope  Encampment,  No.  112,  meets  in  the  same  hall  and  consists  of 
about  twenty  members.  There  is  also  a  Rebecca  Lodge  in  connection 
with  the  order. 

THE    MASONIC    ORDER. 

Russiaville  Lodge,  No.  82,  A.  F.  A.  M.,  was  established  in  1853, 
the  charter  being  granted  May  26  of  that  year.  The  Russiaville  Masons 
formerly  belonged  to  New  London  Lodge,  but  the  hall  at  that  place 
was  burned  in  1852  and  Russiaville  Lodge,  No.  82,  was  then  organized. 
Martin  Burton,  William  Morrison,  D.  D.  Lightner,  George  Hart,  Alexander 
Black  and  William  Frost  were  the  charter  members,  the  following  named 
filling  the  three  principal  oflSces :  William  Morrison,  W.  M.  ;  Martin 
Burton,  S.  W. ;  Daniel  D.  Lightner,  J.  W,  Russiaville  Lodge  has  been 
the  mother  of 'several  neighboring  lodges.  The  last  set  of  members  that 
withdrew  established  Prairieville  Lodge,  about  six  miles  southeast  of 
Russiaville.  The  order  held  their  meetings  for  some  time  in  the  upper 
story  of  the  old  "Bowl  Machine,  "  but  finally  purchased  the  present  hall 
on  Union  street.  The  lodge  is  now  owner  of  a  hall,  the  lot  on  which  it 
stands,  nice  furniture  and  a  good  set  of  solid  silver  emblems,  or  jewels. 
The  present  membership  numbers  about  fifty.  The  present  oflScers  are  : 
George  Francis,  W.  M. ;  Dr.  J.  C.  Wright,  S.  W.  ;  John  M.  Denton,  J. 
W.  ;  R.  T.  Chandler,  Secretary,  and  John  R   Griffith,  Treasurer. 


200  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

GRAND    ARMY    OF    THE    REPUBLIC. 

A  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  has  been  established  re- 
cently in  this  place  with  a  membership  of  about  forty.     The  name  of  the 

post  is  Henry  C.  Coulter  Post,  No. ,  named  in  honor  of  a  deceased 

soldier  by  that  name.     They  hold  their  meetings   in  old  Odd  Fellows 
Hall  over  the  Methodist  Church. 

CHURCHES. 

Methodist  Church. — The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  established 
in  the  very  early  settlement  of  the  township,  at  the  Fortner  Schoolhouse, 
three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  Russiaville.  The  first  class  meeting  was 
held  there,  and  also  the  first  quarterly  meeting.  Solomon  and  Benoni 
Fortner  and  their  mother  and  some  of  the  Rivers  family  formed  the  first 
class.  Rev.  Colclazier  and  Elder  R.  D.  Robinson  were  the  first  Meth- 
odist preachers  that  visited  the  neighborhood.  The  first  quarterly  meet- 
ing was  presided  over  by  Elder  Richard  Hargrave,  a  prominent  pioneer 
Methodist  preacher.  The  church  building  was  erected  in  1860  by  the 
following-named  building  committee  :  John  Frazier,  William  RatclifF, 
Jonathan  Lamb,  Robert  Wilson  and  William  Graham.  It  was  finished 
and  dedicated  in  1861,  Rev.  J.  J.  Cooper  preaching  the  dedicatory  ser- 
mon. Recently  the  church  has  been  refitted  and  refurnished  in  modern 
style,  the  inside  work  being  donated  principally  by  the  ladies  of  the  church. 
The  church  is  at  present  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

Christian  Church. — The  following,  from  the  first  record  of  this  church, 
speaks  for  itself :  "  State  of  Indiana,  Lord's  Day,  Jane  25,  1848.  This  day, 
the  following-named  persons  who  have  formerly  belonged  to  the  Church 
of  Christ  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  came  together  and  gave  each 
other  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  pledging  themselves  to  the  Lord  and 
to  each  other,  to  keep  the  Commandments  of  God  and  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  to  take  the  New  Testament  as  their  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice, 
and  to  renounce  all  the  traditions  of  men.  To  be  known  as  the  Church  of 
Christ,  at  Russiaville,  Howard  County,  Indiana.  (Signed)  Elder  Benjamin 
Jones,  Elder  Adam  Conrad,  William  Draper  (Deacon),  Jonathan  Spealman, 
Eli  Avery,  Enoch  Avery  Jonathan  Styles,  James  McKown,  Andrew 
Pennington,  Nicholas  Trobaugh,  Mary  Jones,  Catharine  Conard,  Nancy 
Draper,  Margaret  Spealman,  Dorcas  Avery,  Louisa  Fox,  Cela  Draper,  A. 
E.  Beard.  "  These  persons  constituted  the  first  organization  of  the  Church 
of  Christ  in  Russiaville.  The  church  house  was  erected  in  1858,  by 
Thomas  E.  Ratcliff.  Nicholas  Trobaugh  and  Adam  Conard,  building 
committee.  The  church  is  the  largest  in  the  place,  having  a  seating 
capacity  of  about  five  hundred.  Preaching  services  are  held  once  a  month, 
and  social  meetings  every  Lord's  Day  morning.  A  prosperous  Sunday- 
school  meets  every  Sunday  afternoon.     The  school  has  a  fine  organ. 


-A.p|.^ 


M 


HONEY  CREKK  TOWNSHIP.  203 

Society  of  Friends  was  organized  here  in  1878.  In  1877,  a  nice  church 
building  was  erected  by  Jared  Marshall,  Zimri  Newlin  and  Eli  Carter, 
the  building  having  been  put  up  one  year  before  the  organization.  The  or- 
ganization is  known  as  the  Russiaville  Preparative  Meeting.  The  present 
oflScers  are  0.  G.  Coffin,  Clerk,  and  Cyrus  Lee,  Treasurer;  this  church 
has  rapidly  increased  in  membership  until  there  are  about  seventy-five 
members  at  present ;  this  meeting  belongs  to  the  New  London  Quarterly 
Meeting  and  the  Western  Yearly  Meeting. 

THE  MEDICAL    PROFESSION. 

The  first  resident  doctor  that  ever  gave  a  dose  of  calomel  or  bled  a 
patient  in  the  township  was  Dr.  L.  H.  Oilar,  who  is  still  living  two  miles 
west  of  Russiaville,  having  retired  from  the  practice  to  enjoy  a  comfortable 
old  age  in  peace  and  plenty ;  the  first  Russiaville  pill  vender  was  a  man 
by  the  name  of  Armstrong,  who  was  only  here  a  few  months.  Dr.  D.  J. 
Shirley  was  the  first  established  physician  in  the  town  ;  after  him  came 
Dr.  E.  A.  Armstrong,  Dr.  Hornaday,  Dr.  T.  M.  Moulder,  Dr.  lies,  Dr. 
J.  C.  Wright,  Dr.  G.  W.  Kemp,  Dr.  L.  A.  Beeks,  Dr.  M.  C.  Menden- 
hall  and  Dr.  James  Cook.  Four  of  the  above  form  the  present  corps  of 
physicians — Moulder,  Mendenhall,  lies  and  Kemp. 

THE  BAR. 
Russiaville  has  not  been  overstocked  with  lawyers  since  her  organiza- 
tion. W.  M.  Waters,  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1858,  was  the  first  and  only 
lawyer  here  for  several  years ;  he  had  a  large  and  lucrative  practice  in 
Howard  and  surrounding  courts,  and  at  one  time  in  1878  came  within 
a  few  votes  of  being  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  Howard  and  Tip- 
ton Counties,  the  Republican  candidate  being  elected  by  only  eight  ma- 
jority. Mr.  Waters  stood  high  in  his  profession,  and  dealt  honorably 
with  all  his  clients.  He  died  March  12,  1879.  Freeman  Cooper  took 
Mr.  Waters'  practice  after  his  death,  and  remained  here  two  years.  W. 
R.  Payne  came  here  in  1882,  and  is  in  practice  here  at  present. 

DENTISTRY. 

Dr.  I.  N.  Cook  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  dentistry  for 
about  twenty  years.  In  1879,  Dr.  J.  C.  Wright  entered  into  a  partner- 
ship with  Dr.  Cook.  The  firm  dissolved  at  the  end  of  one  year,  each 
member  starting  an  office.  In  May,  1882,  Dr.  Wright  bought  Dr.  Cook 
out,  and  now  has  the  finest  suite  of  dental  rooms  in  the  county. 

THE     NEWSPAPERS. 

Freeman  Cooper  started  the  first  newspaper  in  Russiaville.  It  was 
published  chiefly  in  the  interest  of  his  normal  school,  then  in  full  blast. 


204  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

He  called  it  the  Examiner.  H.  J.  Cooper,  James  Pinkerton,  Alva 
Smith,  H.  C.  Fellow  and  William  Herrington,  followed  as  editors  and 
publishers  of  Russiaville  papers  of  different  names.  The  Standard 
office  was  destroyed  by  the  big  fire  in  January,  1881,  being  then  the  prop- 
erty of  H.  C.  Fellow,  and  consisting  of  a  good  Washington  press,  a  fine 
job  press,  and  a  good  office  outfit  generally.  This  left  the  town  without 
a  paper  until  the  Observer  made  its  appearance,  edited  and  published  by 
A.  T.  and  Mary  Cosand.  Mr.  Cosand  purchased  a  full  office  outfit  at 
a  large  expense,  and  has  furnished  us  the  best  paper  ever  published  in  the 
town.     He  also  has  a  job  office  connected  with  the  Observer. 

THE    BINNS    MURDER, 

The  history  of  Russiaville  would  be  very  incomplete  without  a  men- 
tion of  that  terrible  tragedy  commonly  known  as  the  "  Binns  Murder." 
On  the  night  of  the  last  day  of  January,  1870,  about  half  past  9 
o'clock,  a  sharp  report  of  a  gun  broke  the  stillness  of  the  night.  The 
shrill,  piercing  screams  of  a  woman  in  distress  were  next  heard.  In  a 
few  moments  the  cause  of  the  trouble  was  painfully  apparent  to  the 
citizens  who  turned  out  in  the  cold  night  to  ascertain  the  locality  of  the 
terrible  sounds.  On  the  corner  lot  where  now  stands  the  Bishop  &  Orr 
brick  block  stood  a  very  small  building,  occupied  by  a  poor  woman  and 
three  little  children.  The  children  were  in  bed,  and  the  woman,  Mrs. 
Binns,  was  fixing  the  fire  in  the  stove  before  retiring  for  the  night.  She 
was  stooping  over  with  her  face  to  the  window,  dressed  in  her  night 
clothes,  and  while  in  that  stooping  posture  a  dastardly,  sneaking  coward 
approached  the  window,  aimed  at  the  stooping  form  of  Mrs.  Binns,  and 
fired  the  shot  which  ended  her  life  on  the  last  day  of  March,  or  just  two 
months  from  the  time  of  the  shooting.  Jonathan  Binns,  the  husband  of 
the  woman,  with  whom  she  had  not  lived  for  some  time,  had  threatened 
her  life  on  account  of  an  estate  that  was  coming  to  Mrs.  Binns.  He  had 
tried  to  get  it  into  his  hands,  and  she,  refusing  to  let  him  have  it,  incurred 
his  displeasure.  The  neighbors  learned  from  Mrs.  Binns  that  she  sus- 
pected her  husband  of  committing  the  deed.  Immediate  search  was  made 
for  him,  and  he  was  captured.  A  preliminary  trial  was  held,  and  the 
circumstances  were  so  strong  against  him  that  he  was  bound  over  to  court. 
Mrs.  Binns  and  her  children  were  taken  to  the  hotel  then  kept  by  W.  A. 
Ratcliff,  where  she  received  the  best  of  care  until  her  death.  The  people 
were  so  indignant  over  the  matter  that,  if  it  had  been  possible,  Jonathan 
Binns  would  have  suffered  death  at  the  hands  of  a  mob ;  but  he  was 
closely  guarded.  The  following  are  a  few  of  the  principal  points  in 
the  circumstantial  evidence  which  convicted  him  of  murder,  and  sent  him 
to   the  penitentiary   for   life.       He  was  seen  by  Jonathan  Dixon  on  the 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP.  205 

Honey  Creek  road,  within  a  mile  of  Russiaville,  and  walking  in  that 
direction,  on  the  same  evening  of  the  murder.  He  rode  with  William 
Seward  in  a  wagon  on  the  Honey  Creek  road  toward  Russiaville,  and 
was  identified  at  the  trial  by  these  men  as  the  same  person.  There  was 
snow  on  the  ground  the  night  of  the  shooting,  and  the  next  morning 
he  was  tracked  in  a  southeast  direction  to  where  he  climbed  over  a  rail 
fence  into  Thomas  Wadman's  orchard.  In  jumping  down  off  the  fence, 
he  jumped  into  a  wagon  wheel,  his  leg  running  through  or  between  the 
spokes.  At  the  trial,  his  leg  was  examined,  and  a  "  tell-tale  "  bruise  and 
sore  was  found  where  his  leg  struck  the  wheel.  He  was  further  identi- 
fied by  the  track  a  crooked  foot  made  in  the  snow.  These  points,  in  con- 
nection with  the  threats  he  had  made,  and  several  other  convincing 
features,  convicted  him  of  murder.  On  account  of  technicalities,  he  was 
granted  two  new  trials,  but  was  remanded  to  prison  for  life  each  time. 
The  cost  to  the  county  of  these  three  trials  was  thousands  of  dollars. 
The  last  trial  was  held  in  Clinton  County  on  a  change  of  venue.  W.  M. 
Waters,  Russiaville's  attorney,  was  one  of  the  State's  attorneys  in  the 
case,  and  made  one  of  the  best  efforts  in  his  life  in  his  speech  before  the 
jury. 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP. 

BY    D.    A.    WOODS. 

Monroe  Township  is  the  smallest  township  in  the  county,  as  Ervin 
is  the  largest.  It  contains  only  about  eighteen  sections  of  land.  It  lies 
in  the  western  part  of  the  county,  about  midway  north  and  south.  The 
township  was  named  in  honor  of  James  Monroe,  the  fifth  President  of  the 
United  States,  and  one  of  the  Revolutionary  heroes.  The  township  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Wild  Cat  River  and  Ervin  Township,  on  the  east  by 
Harrison  Township,  on  the  south  by  Honey  Creek  Township  and  Clinton 
County,  and  on  the  west  by  Carroll  County. 

The  township  possesses  a  variety  of  soil,  much  of  which  is  well  adapted 
to  purposes  of  stock-raising.  There  are  hills,  level  lands,  and  a  few  small 
prairies  within  the  limits.  There  are  several  streams  of  water  running 
through  the  township,  the  most  important  of  which  is  the  Wild  Cat. 
These  streams  afford  sufficient  water-power  for  all  purposes,  and  there 
are  several  mills  upon  them.  Stonebraker's  Mill,  as  it  has  long  been 
called,  in  the  western  part  of  the  township,  is  one  of  the  most  widely 
known  in  this  county.  This  township  is  part  of  what  has  always  been 
known  as  "The  Seven-Mile  Strip  "—land  ceded  by  the  United  States  to 
the  State  of  Indiana,  to  be  used  for  canals.  This  was  in  the  day  of 
great  excitement  concerning  internal  improvements. 


206  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

The  first  settlers  of  the  townsliip  came  in  about  1837,  the  first  being 
Mr.  Landrum,  who  settled  on  the  old  Manasseh  Woods  farm,  just  west  of 
Stonebraker's  Mill.  This  farm  is  now  owned  by  Jonas  Brubaker  and 
the  widow  of  Manasseh  Woods.  The  work  done  by  Mr.  Landrum  was 
insignificant,  but  yet  it  was  a  beginning,  and  as  such  is  now  regarded  as 
the  beginning  of  the  settlement  of  Howard  County.  Mr.  Landrum 
erected  a  log  cabin,  of  the  most  primitive  character,  and  moved  his  family 
into  it  as  soon  as  finished.  For  some  time  previous,  he  had  resided  in 
Burlington,  Carroll  County.  While  living  in  Burlington,  he  had  as  a 
neighbor  David  Foster,  who  afterward  had  much  to  do  with  the  settle- 
ment of  Howard  County. 

In  February,  1839,  Robert  Walker,  .Joseph  Taylor,  George  Taylor, 
his  son,  and  Isaac  Price  settled  in  Monroe  Township,  on  the  north  side  of 
Wild  Cat.  When  these  old  pioneers  located  here  and  commenced  the 
work  of  clearing  away  the  timber  whereon  to  erect  for  themselves  a 
home,  they  found  miles  of  unbroken  forest  in  every  direction.  It  was 
simply  a  dot  upon  the  surface.  It  is  not  necessary  to  give  a  further  descrip- 
tion of  the  work  of  these  early  settlers  upon  the  north  side  of  the  river, 
as  the  same  has  been  described  under  the  head  of  Ervin  Township,  to 
which  all  this  land,  lying  north  of  the  Wild  Cat,  now  belongs. 

In  the  fall  of  1839,  John  B.  Miller  came  from  East  Tennessee  and 
settled  a  little  south  of  the  Stonebraker  Mill.  Here  he  lived  for  many 
years.  His  son,  Matthew  W.  Miller,  died  there  in  1878.  Matthew  W. 
was  largely  engaged  in  the  raising  of  stock,  having  a  farm  well  adapted 
to  this  business.  About  the  time  that  the  elder  Miller  settled  here,  John 
Morrison  Errlox,  Gideon  Vernon  and  William  Coate  settled  in  various 
parts  of  the  township.  In  1840,  came  John  P.  Wright,  Joel  Hollings- 
worth,  Jacob  Wright,  Job  Garner,  Thomas  Stubbs,  Jesse  George, 
Reuben  Edgerton,  and  John  and  Jonathan  Lamb.  It  is  said  that  John 
P.  Wright  came  from  his  home  in  Illinois  on  horseback,  guided  only  by 
the  blazed  trees  on  the  way.  Those  were  the  dark  days  in  the  history  of 
the  early  settlement  of  this  county  ;  but  it  was  a  history  incident  to  the 
early  settlement  of  all  counties.  Job  Garner  was  one  of  the  first  petit 
jurors  of  the  County  Court,  then  held  at  Capt.  John  Harrison's  place. 
We  are  told  that  there  was  a  warm  time  among  the  early  settlers  of  the 
county  upon  the  framing  of  a  new  county.  The  western  part  of  Howard 
belonged  originally  to  Carroll  County,  Monroe  and  Ervin  Townships  thus 
belonging  to  Carroll,  and  Honey  Creek  to  Clinton.  Many  favored 
remaining  with  Carroll  County,  as  it  was  so  far  in  advance  of  Howard, 
that  taxes  would  be  lighter  for  improvements  of  all  kinds.  Those  who 
favored  joining  Howard,  finally  gained  the  day,  and  it  was  accomplished. 

Barny  Busby  came  to  the  township  in  the  spring  of  1842,  and  purchased 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP.  207 

the  farm,  on  a  part  of  which  stand  Shanghai  and  the  Quaker  Church. 
He  is  now  a  resident  of  Kokomo,  and  among  its  best  citizens.  He  also 
once  owned  the  land  where  the  Dunkard  Church  building  now  stands. 
Capt.  Busby  has  served  his  country  faithfully,  having  been  in  the  Mexi- 
can war,  and  also  in  the  rebellion,  in  the  latter  part  of  which  he  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  Captain. 

From  1841  to  1846,  many  of  the  old  settlers  moved  into  the  township, 
some  of  whom  are  still  left,  but  the  majority  have  passed  away.  Among 
them  are  mentioned  the  names  of  Henry  Oiler,  Manasseh  Woods,  Austin 
North — who  was  the  first  Recorder  of  the  county — Snead  Thomas,  H. 
Loomis,  Joe  McCoy,  James  Fortner,  Absalom  Hollingsworth,  William 
Giiford  and  Christian  Fritz.  Mr.  Fritz  died  a  short  time  since  one  of  the 
most  prosperous  farmers  in  the  county. 

THE    FIRST  ELECTION. 

The  first  township  election  in  Monroe  (now  Ervin)  was  in  1840,  for  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace.  There  were  two  candidates — Theophilus  Bryan  and 
Isaac  Price.  There  were  twenty-eight  votes  cast,  of  which  each  candi- 
date had  fourteen.  We  are  told  that  several  more  of  the  "  sovereign 
lords"  were  present,  but  as  they  had  imbibed  too  freely  of  "  Harrison's 
best,"  they  did  not  take  sufficient  interest  in  the  election  to  deposit  their 
ballots.  The  next  spring  Bryan  was  elected  over  Price  by  a  vote  of 
fifteen  to  fourteen. 

For  many  years  after  the  early  settlement  of  all  western  Howard,  the 
chief  commercial  point  was  Burlington,  just  across  the  Carroll  County 
line.  Here  our  early  settlers  went  to  do  all  their  trading,  and  they  were 
compelled  for  some  time  to  go  to  Adams'  mill,  about  seven  miles  below 
Burlington,  for  their  milling.  This  mill  was  situated  on  Wild  Cat,  and 
was  run  by  water-power.  When  the  water  gave  out,  the  pioneer  fathers 
would  then  go  to  Delphi  or  Logansport.  The  first  mill  built  in  what  is 
now  Howard  County  was  built  in  the  year  1840.  This  was  east  of  New 
London,  on  Honey  Creek.  In  the  year  1848,  what  is  now  known  as 
the  Stonebraker  Mill  was  erected.  By  subsequent  changes,  additions  and 
improvements,  it  has  long  been  a  valuable  property.  The  mill  is  now 
owned  by  Carey  &  Harrell.  In  these  primitive  days  there  was  not  such 
a  scrambling  as  now  to  get  work  to  do,  but  the  trouble  was  to  find 
persons  to  do  the  work. 

NEW  LONDON. 

New  London  is  the  only  town  within  the  township.  The  town  is  well 
located  on  a  high  piece  of  ground,  and  would  be  a  splendid  location  for 
a  town  of  any  size.  John  Lamb  and  Reuben  Edgerton  were  the  founders 
of  the  town,  which  was  laid  out  in  the  year   1845.     At  this   time  there 


208  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

were  three  houses  or  cabins  in  the  town.  Among  the  inhabitants  Jona- 
than Haworth  had  engaged  in  the  sale  of  dry  goods  and  groceries.  He 
was  succeeded  by  Isaac  Ramsey.  Soon  after  the  organization  of  the 
town,  Richard  Nixon  (now  of  Kokorao)  came  to  the  town  and  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business.  He  remained  there  many  years.  Nathan 
Hunt  carried  the  first  mail  to  New  London,  he  having  the  first  contract. 
The  post  office  was  established  in  1846,  with  a  weekly  mail.  The  first 
paper  published  in  the  county  commenced  its  existence  here  in  1848.  It 
must  have  been  a  curious  looking  sheet.  The  three  parties  of  that  day 
were  all  represented,  each  side  of  the  paper  conducted  by  its  own  editor — 
the  Free-Soil,  Wickersham  and  Albertson,  editors ;  Democrat,  Dr.  Barrett ; 
Whig,  C.  D.  iMurray. 

This  paper,  the  Pioneer,  soon  died  of  financial  exhaustion,  and 
the  press  and  types  were  sold  and  moved  to  Kokomo,  where  they  aided 
in  the  establishment  of  the  present  Tribune.  New  London  prospered  for 
some  years,  but  it  has  long  since  attained  its  growth. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  majority  of  the  church  members  of  Monroe  are  Quakers,  and 
wherever  they  have  congregated  in  large  numbers,  good  schools  will 
nearly  always  be  found.  They  have  many  members  in  and  around  New 
London.  New  London  has  long  been  noted  for  its  excellent  schools.  In 
1844,  the  Friends  had  erected  a  house  for  worship  and  for  school  purposes, 
etc.  This  house  was  burned  in  1851,  and  in  1852  the  old  schoolhouse  was 
erected,  which  was  used  from  that  time  until  1876.  During  that  year  the 
Trustee  erected  the  present  school  building.  This  building  is  an  honor  to 
any  town  of  its  size.  The  citizens  are  interested  in  securing  nothing  but 
good  teachers,  and  for  many  years  they  have  been  successful.  H.  G. 
Woody,  the  present  Principal  of  the  Kokomo  High  School,  had  charge  of 
the  school  as  Principal  for  many  years,  and  to  him  is  largely  due  the 
present  efficient  condition  of  this  school.  His  years  of  work  here  show 
what  can  be  done  by  one  man  remaining  for  a  period  of  years  at  one 
place.  It  is  a  sufficient  answer  to  the  question,  "  Should  we  have  a  fre- 
quent change  of  teachers?" 

The  schools  in  the  township  outside  of  town  have  always  been  good. 
There  are  schools  in  the  township  outside  of  t\\e  New  London  school 
where  there  are  four  teachers. 

The  first  school  in  the  township  was  taught  by  Thomas  Stubbs,  a 
New  Yorker,  who  taught  in  a  little  house  just  north  of  the  Friends' 
Church,  on  the  land  now  owned  by  Benjamin  Thompson.  He  taught  but 
one  term  here,  but  afterward  taught  another  elsewhere.  Some  time  in 
1842,  there  was  a   schoolhouse  built  near  the  northern  part  of  the  town- 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP.  209 

ship.     Here  William  Miller  taught  the  first  school.     There  were  but  two 
log  schoolhouses  in  the  township  in  1853. 

The  first  School  Board  was  composed  as  follows :  James  Fortner,  Isaac 
Bates  and  Thomas  Easterling. 

THE  SOCIETY  OF  FRIENDS. 

The  first  minister  of  the  Gospel  was  Job  Garner,  a  New  Light 
preacher.  He  was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  the  church.  He  com- 
menced his  ministry  in  1840.  Next  in  order  of  time  was  William  Wil- 
son, a  Methodist  minister.  The  house  of  Jacob  Price  was  selected  as  the 
one  at  which  to  hold  his  first  meeting  in  the  township.  He  had  a  large 
audience  for  so  meager  a  settlement.  As  has  already  been  remarked, 
the  Friends  far  exceed  all  other  denominations  in  numbers.  There  are 
now  five  hundred  members  of  this  church  in  this  township.  The  first 
meeting  held  in  this  township  by  them  was  in  a  grove  west  of  New  Lon- 
don ;  but  six  members  of  the  church  were  present.  The  first  minister 
was  James  Owen.  The  Friends  have  a  large,  commodious  house  for  wor- 
ship in  the  town  of  New  London.  They  are  generally  free  from  debt  as 
a  body  of  people. 

THE  DUNKARDS. 

The  Dunkards  or  German  Baptists  also  have  a  very  large  church 
house,  situated  on  a  hill  just  about  one  mile  west  of  the  old  Stonebraker 
Mill.  Many  of  the  communicants  live  across  Wild  Cat  in  Ervin  Town- 
ship, but  a  large  number  of  them  live  in  Monroe.  This  church  was  once 
very  strong  here,  having  an  organization  of  400  people  who  worshiped  at 
this  church ;  but  a  few  years  since  there  was  a  schism  in  the  church 
generally,  which  affected  this  organization.  They  teach  that  all  must 
have  clothes  of  the  same  pattern  and  not  made  like  those  of  the  "  world." 
They  do  not  believe  in  Sabbath  schools,  organs  in  churches,  an  educated 
ministry  or  any  new-fangled  ideas,  as  they  term  them.  One  branch  of 
the  order  came  to  the  conclusion  that  too  many  of  these  innovations  upon 
the  ancient  order  of  the  church  were  being  pushed  into  the  order,  hence 
their  withdrawal.  Those  seceding  have  taken  upon  themselves  the  name 
"The  Old  Order  of  the  German  Baptist  Church,"  the  others  call  them- 
selves "Conservatives." 

OTHER  CHURCHES. 

The  "New  Lights"  have  a  large  and  flourishing  congregation,  who 
worship  in  the  house  at  "  Sugar  Grove." 

The  Quakers  also  have  a  house  of  worship  about  two  miles  northwest 
of  New  London,  at  a  place  called  "Pleasant  Hill." 

The  Methodists  also  have  a  church  building  erected  in  the  town  of 
New  London,  as  have  the  Adventists.     These  congregations  are  all  in  a 


210  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

flourishing  and  healthy  condition.     In  fact,  there  has  always  existed  a 
high  standard  of  morality  in  the  township. 

THE    MEDICAL    PROFESSION. 

The  first  disciples  of  Esculapius  were  Drs.  Stoneman,  Barrett  and 
Wickersham,  who  located  in  the  town  of  New  London  in  the  year  1864. 
They  remained  a  few  years  and  then  all  left  to  seek  other  spheres  of 
action.  Dr.  John  F.  Henderson  came  to  New  London  at  an  early  day, 
and  commenced  practicing  his  profession.  He  soon  commanded  a  very 
large  and  lucrative  practice,  and  remained  in  New  London  actively  en- 
gaged in  his  profession  until  his  removal  to  Kokomo  in  the  year  1861. 

The  physicians  who  are  now  engaged  in  practice  in  the  township  are 
Drs.  Shirley,  and  Newlin  &  Newlin.  They  all  reside  in  New  London. 
Dr.  Beeks,  a  physician  of  much  more  than  average  ability  and  pros- 
pects in  his  profession,  has  lately  abandoned  the  profession  and  has  be- 
come a  regularly  ordained  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

THE    MASONIC    ORDER. 

The  first  lodge  of  Freemasons  organized  in  this  country  was  estab- 
lished in  the  town  of  New  London  in  the  year  1846.  This  organization 
was  so  unfortunate  as  to  lose  all  its  papers  and  lodge  room  by  fire  a  few 
year  afterward.  This  was  not  remedied  until  1862,  when  the  lodge  was 
re-established,  since  which  time,  it  has  been  prosperous. 

On  December  28,  1870,  an  I.  0.  0.  F.  Lodge  was  organized  in  the 
town. 

PRESENT    TEACHERS    AND    BUSINESS    HOUSES. 

The  teachers  for  the  past  winter  were  the  following : 
The  Trustee  of  the  township  is  Clarke   Haworth,   an  excellent  man 
for  the  place.     John  Stiffler   and  Ellis  Grubbs  are  the  Justices  of  the 
township. 

Hiram  Fritz  is  the  only  dealer  in  dry  goods  in  the  town.  His  business 
is  extensive.  Newlin  &  Tucker  are  conducting  a  drug  store  and  grocery. 
The  flouring  business  is  conducted  by  Manly  Thompson,  at  the  old  Thomp- 
son Mill  west  of  New  London. 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP. 

BY   H.    0.    FELLOW. 

With  what  fond  recollections  do  we  look  back  to  the  past  history  of 
our  lives  and  read  the  great  tale  of  the  by-gones  in  the  wilderness.  But 
few  of  the  aged  veterans  remain  to  weave  the  historical  fabric  of  facts 
with  the  thread  of  personal  incidents.     The  silent  dust  of  the  sleeping 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP.  211 

pioneer  whispers  on  the  winds  his  hardships  and  his  trials,  and  we  list 
and  we  hear  the  echo  come  back  from  the  forests  of  the  long  ago.  Those 
who  are  spared  paint  on  the  canvas  of  a  treacherous  memory,  as  best 
they  can,  the  picture  of  their  lives.  The  aged  hand  trembles  like  the 
aspen  of  the  wood  as  it  tries  to  depict  the  hills  and  valleys,  the  ups  and 
downs  of  pioneer  life.  With  what  pride  can  he  point  to  the  broad  acres 
of  cleared  land  that  extend  far  and  wide,  and  say,  "  I  was  the  first  to 
make  it  thus."  How  we  love  to  hear  the  pioneers'  stories  of  how  they 
raised  their  cabins,  rolled  their  logs,  husked  their  corn,  killed  the  deer 
and  trapped  the  otter  and  the  wild  cat.  It  falls  like  the  tale  of  another 
world  upon  the  ears  of  Young  America.  The  days  when  they  rocked 
their  babes  in  a  sugar  trough  and  reared  them  on  hog  and  hominy  are  past. 
How  the  old  veterans  love  to  look  back  through  the  gray  mists  of  years 
and  read  the  picture  we  pen  in  the  following  lines : 

THE    CABIN    IN    THE    CLEARING. 

'  Tis  the  cabin  in  the  clearing 

By  the  little  patch  of  corn, 

With  its  silken  tassels  waving 

In  the  breezes  of  the  morn. 

How  I  love  that  ancient  cabin,     ■ 

With  its  rafters  bending  low 
With  the  seed-corn  and  the  pumpkin, 
From  the  little  field  below. 

See,  above  the  smoky  mantel. 

Hangs  the  winter's  store  of  meat 
Of  the  venison  and  turkey — 

Fitting  food  for  kings  to  eat. 

See  the  crane,  Within  the  chimney, 

Swinging  in  the  roaring  blaze, 
Bearing  to  and  fro  the  kettle 

Filled  with  simmering  snowy  maize. 

In  the  forks,  above  the  doorway. 

Lies  the  flintlock,  loaded  well 
For  the  prowling  wolf  and  wild  cat, 

Of  the  deep  sequestered  dell. 

Here  I  hear  the  merry  music 

Of  the  spindle  and  the  wheel. 
With  the  clatter  of  the  shuttle 

And  the  creaking  loom  and  reel. 

But  that  cabin's  gone  forever, 

Ajel  its  tale  has  long  been  told. 
And  its  dust  adown  the  river, 

Mingles  with  the  island  mold. 


212  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

DESCRIPTIVE. 

Harrison  Township  is  situated  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Howard 
•County,  and  contains  nearly  twenty -one  and  a  half  sections  of  land.  The 
surface  is  somewhat  undulating,  especially  through  the  central  and  north- 
ern part.  Of  the  Little  Wild  Cat  Creek,  the  West  Fork  begins  near 
the  Tipton  County  line  in  Section  26,  flows  through  Sections  23  and  15 
in  a  northwesterly  direction  to  a  point  near  Greeson's  saw  mill,  south  of 
Alto,  where  it  meets  with  the  East  Fork  that  flows  north  of  west  through 
Sections  24,  13  and  14  to  the  conjunction.  Thence  the  creek  flows  north 
of  west  through  Sections  15,  16,  17,  8  and  7.  Along  on  each  side  are 
frequent  affluents  of  small  spring  branches.  The  Big  Wild  Cat  forms  a 
part  of  the  northern  boundary,  flowing  in  a  westward  direction  in  a  very 
irregular  manner  through  Sections  4,  5  and  6.  This  portion  of  the 
"  Reserve"  was  once  covered  with  a  very  fine  growth  of  maple,  white 
oak,  poplar  and  black  walnut,  but  the  woodman's  ax  has  made  great  in- 
roads in  the  rich  forests.  Along  the  streams  there  are  large  deposits  of 
gravel  and  sand  ;  and  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township  a  clay  forms 
a  subsoil  for  a  rich  black  loam,  thus  making  it  one  of  the  best  tracts  in 
Howard  County  for  agricultural  purposes.  The  history  of  this  section 
extends  back  over  a  period  of  forty-four  years,  while  the  organization  6f 
the  township  will  date  back  to  1846.  It  is  probable  that  no  histories  of 
this  section  extend  farther  back  and  are  any  more  interesting  than  those 
of  Judge  T.  A.  Long  and  James  Brooks. 

ORIGIN    OF    NAME    AND    FIRST    SETTLERS. 

From  Mr.  Long  it  is  learned  that  when  the  township  was  laid  out  it 
was  named  in  honor  of  John  Harrison,  at  whose  house  the  first  election 
in  the  county  was  held.  Although  James  Brooks,  one  of  the  pioneer 
hunters  and  trappers,  came  to  the  reserve  in  1838,  the  first  man  that  we 
have  any  knowledge  of  who  settled  in  this  township  is  Martin  Crist,  who, 
in  company  with  Judge  Long  in  the  fall  of  1840,  came  to  search  for 
homes  in  the  wilderness.  As  it  was  long  before  the  land  was  for  sale, 
Crist  took  a  claim  on  the  north  half  of  Section  7,  of  which  the  present 
farm  of  Walker  Thorn  forms  a  part.  This  claim  he  marked  by  notching 
four  logs  and  making  a  pen  out  of  them.  Mr.  Long  went  across  the 
•creek  into  Clay  Township  and  bought  a  claim  of  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Heart.  Mr.  Heart  had  cleared  out  some  four  acj-es  and  built  a  brush 
fence  around  the  same  and  erected  a  small  cabin  on  the  quarter  for  an 
Indian,  but  as  the  Indian  would  not  pay  Heart  the  $100  required  for 
making  such  improvements,  Long  took  the  claim  and  paid  the  money. 
Later  in  the  season  of  1840,  Joseph  W.  Heaton,  Thaddeus  Baxter  and 
Thomas    McClure   came   from  Kirklin,   Clinton    County,  and   took    up 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP.  213 

claims.  The  next  spring,  they  erected  cabins  on  their  claims  and  moved 
■with  their  families  to  them.  Now  began  the  great  rush  for  homes  in  the 
rich  region  along  the  Wild  Cat.  During  the  season  of  1841,  David 
Bates,  James  Hamilton  and  Charles  Harmon  arrived,  and  following  them 
in  rapid  succession  came  Bernhart  Lerner,  Ephraim  Bates,  William  Coats, 
Philip  Ramseyer,  James  Scott,  Nathan  Comer,  Clinton  Gray  and  Bland 
Jones.  But  a  few  more  years  had  passed  till  the  Thorns,  the  Hollings- 
worths,  Pitzers,  Greesons,  Middletons,  Stringers,  Wilsons,  Waggamans 
and  many  others  had  commenced  to  hew  out  their  fortunes  in  the  wilds. 
In  1845,  Mr.  Long  sold  his  claim  and  purchased  the  tract  where  his  sons, 
Bobert  and  James,  live,  and  some  years  afterward  moved  to  Harrison 
Township  and  bought  where  he  now  lives. 

EARLY    REMINISCENCES. 

Of  the  histories  of  the  old  pioneers  who  plied  their  vocation  as  trappers 
along  the  Wild  Cat,  that  of  "'  Uncle  Jim  "  Brooks  is  the  most  important. 
James,  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven,  and  his  father  left  Hamilton  County 
in  the  fall  of  1838  and  followed  an  Indian  trail  through  to  the  reserve  and 
camped  with  a  party  of  land-hunters  soutii  of  the  present  site  of  New  Lon- 
don. In  a  few  days,  they  built  some  bark  wigwams  on  Little  Honey 
Creek  and  trapped  during  the  winter.  The  products  of  their  toils  were 
the  skins  of  seventy  otter.  During  the  summer  of  1839,  they  caught  140 
coons  on  Shaw's  Prairie.  In  the  fall  of  1840,  they  built  some  bark  huts 
on  the  land  afterward  owned  by  Foster,  near  Kokomo,  and  trapped  above 
the  town  extensively.  They  caught  a  great  many  coons  and  wild  cats. 
It  being  very  cold,  they  frequently  found  coons  frozen  in  the  snow.  One 
evening  the  father,  returning  from  up  the  creek,  found  a  frozen  turkey,  but 
before  he  got  home  dropped  it  near  a  buttonbush  pond  where  the  court 
house  now  stands.  James,  going  out  to  look  for  it,  found  it  in  the  clutches 
of  a  wild  cat,  so  he  set  two  otter  traps  and  the  next  morning  went  out 
and  found  that  he  had  caught  the  wild  cat.  The  next  spring  they  found 
five  bee-trees  in  an  Indian  sugar-camp ;  these  they  cut  down  and  by  the 
use  of  moss  strained  out  seventeen  gallons  of  fine  honey,  and  this  with  a 
lot  of  sugar- ^vater  they  boiled  down  to  a  sugar.  Undoubtedly  this  is  the 
sweetest  part  of  "  Uncle  Jim's  "  recollections.  In  that  day,  wolf  hides 
sold  for  75  cents  and  scalps  for  $1.50.  Wild  cat  hides  sold  for  $8,  otter 
hides  from  $6  to  |9,  and  deer  hides  from  50  cents  to  $1  apiece. 

From  the  history  of  Judge  T.  A.  Long,  we  take  a  few  of  his  early 
reminiscences,  and  place  under  this  head.  Mr.  Long,  in  that  day,  was 
called  "  Old  Specks  "  by  the  Indians,  on  account  of  his  wearing  glasses. 
Sometimes  a  "  big  Injun,  me,  whoop  !  "  would  get  mad  at  him  and  "  cuss  " 
him  in  this  way:    "Old  Specks,  he  heap  good  man,  maybe  d — n  rascal." 


214  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Mr.  Long  erected  a  little  shop  near  his  cabin,  and  for  several  years  re- 
paired guns  for  the  Indians.  Across  the  creek  from  his  shop  stood  Fos- 
ter's trading  house,  where  the  Indians  would  take  their  skins,  and  buy 
blankets,  and  "  lots  heap  good  whisky,"  and  then  would  go  and  get  Long 
to  fix  their  guns.  Foster  would  frequently  interpret  and  vouch  for  them, 
and  Long  would  charge  the  bill  to  Foster,  and  Foster  would  charge  three 
or  four  times  as  much  up  to  the  Indians.  Long  had  a  nice  little  horse, 
worth  some  $50,  which  Foster  wanted;  but,  being  afraid  of  making 
the  price  too  high,  asked  him  what  he  would  give.  Foster  replying  he 
would  give  $65,  agreeably  surprised  Long  at  his  generosity,  and  conse- 
quently got  the  horse.  Foster  kept  the  same  for  ten  days,  and  sold  it  for 
$250  to  an  Indian.  Uncle  Tommy  being  rather  surprised,  a  second  time 
concluded  he  could  sell  a  horse,  which  his  father-in-law  owned,  for  a  good 
price.  As  the  horse  would  lay  down  and  let  its  rider  mount,  the  feat 
greatly  pleased  the  Indians,  and  Foster  sold  it  to  one  for  $400.  The 
next  autumn  the  Indian  brought  the  horse  back  to  be  put  in  order,  and 
for  doing  so  was  charged  the  sum  of  $200  by  the  trader,  Foster.  Mr. 
Long  having  several  cattle,  and  needing  some  brass  to  make  bells  for  them, 
was  informed  that  he  could  get  it  of  the  old  chief,  Kokomo.  He  went  to 
chief's  wigwam,  and  was  introduced  by  a  Mr.  Barnett  to  his  dusky  high- 
ness, as  a  Kentuckian.  The  chief  began  to  act  strangely,  went  out  and 
painted  himself,  returned  and  told  Barnett  that  he  had  scalped  several 
Kentuckians,  and  would  scalp  the  new-comer;  but  Long  told  Barnet  that 
Kokomo  had  better  not  try  that  game,  or  he  would  shoot  him  on  the  spot. 
The  Indian  being  told  of  Long's  intent,  permitted  them  to  go  to  the  squaw 
camp,  get  their  brass,  and  depart  unmolested.  An  Indian,  Shapendocia, 
once  tried  to  get  away  with  Mr.  Long,  for  some  work  done,  but  as  he 
was  informed  Long  would  sell  the  gun  he  had  repaired,  the  Indian  get- 
ting afraid,  sent  his  mother,  the  old  squaw,  Manson  Zequa,  with  the  money, 
who  paid  the  bill  and  took  the  gun. 

The  first  birth  in  the  township  was  that  of  Benjamin  F.  Lerner,  born 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bernhart  Lerner,  May  29,  1842.  How  many  times  had 
Thadeus  Baxter  and  Samuel  Waggaman,  dressed  in  their  homespun, 
trudged  along  an  Indian  trail,  through  the  deep,  unbroken  forest,  to  the 
cabin  where  the  Heaton  girls  lived,  and  there,  before  the  great  fire, 
essayed  to  woo  and  win,  with  lays  of  love,  the  pioneer  maids  of  the  forest. 
Not  long  did  the  boys  thus  court  under  difficulties,  for  Baxter  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Lavina  Heaton  in  February,  1843,  and  Mr.  Waggaman  and 
Malinda  Heaton  were  joined  in  the  bonds  of  wedlock  March  5,  1843. 
They  procured  a  magistrate  from  Kirklin,  twenty  miles  away,  who,  after 
he  had  ridden  on  horseback  through  the  swamps  and  performed  the  cere- 
mony, was  compensated  with  $1  for  services  rendered.     The  hardy  yeo- 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP.  215 

men  needed  shoes  and  leather  aprons,  so  they  took  the  hides  of  various 
animals  to  a  man  by  the  name  of  Judkins,  who  ran  a  small  tannery  near 
where  the  Mount  Zion  Church  stands,  and  when  tanned,  to  Bernhart 
Lerner,  the  first  shoe-maker,  to  be  made  into  the  articles  desired. 

SAW  AND  GRIST  MILLS. 

The  first  saw  mill  in  this  township  was  built  in  1846  by  John  Test 
on  the  banks  of  the  Little  Wild  Cat,  on  the  place  formerly  owned  by 
A.  C.  RatcliflF.  The  mill  was  afterward  owned  by  the  Rels  Bros.  & 
Bates,  and  in  1848  was  purchased  by  Jonathan  and  Samuel  Stratton  and 
Richard  Bates,  and  was  traded  in  1852  to  Isaac  Hollingsworth.  The 
Strattons  then  purchased  a  small  mill  down  the  creek,  which  had-  been 
recently  erected,  and  this  they  ran  some  four  years.  In  1856,  Mr. 
Samuel  Stratton  purchased  the  former  site  and  erected  a  grist  mill  in 
connection  with  the  saw  mill.  In  1848,  Stephen  Brooks  built  a  small 
corn-cracker  and  wheat  mill  south  of  Alto.  A  part  of  the  frame  is  yet  to 
be  seen  ;  the  bolting  box  is  now  being  used  by  Mr.  George  Greeson  as  a 
grain  bin.  In  1853,  the  Fred  Bros,  built  a  mill  on  the  creek,  near  where 
George  Greeson's  house  stands. 

THE  CHURCH  AND  SCHOOL  HISTORY. 

Most  all  the  families  who  settled  in  the  Reserve  were  those  who  tena- 
ciously held  to  the  religious  dogmas  of  some  sect,  and  they  early  felt  the 
need  of  a  place  of  worship.  The  pioneers  living  in  the  vicinity  of  Twin 
Springs  started  to  work  at  building  a  large  log  church  house,  each  member 
agreeing  to  furnish  so  many  logs  on  the  ground.  When  the  walls  were  up 
ready  for  the  roof,  the  project  was  abandoned  and  a  large  log  church 
house  was  erected  in  Alto,  and  here  the  people  met  for  some  time 
and  sang  their  psalms  in  common  meter,  unmolested  by  the  savage  war- 
whoop  of  the  dusky  denizen  of  the  forest.  But  a  short  time  after  the 
church  at  Alto  was  built,  one  was  erected  by  the  Baptists  and  Methodists 
in  the  west  end  of  the  township  on  Martin  Crist's  place. 

In  this  building  was  taught  the  first  school  in  the  township.  The 
first  structure,  however,  especially  for  school  purposes,  was  erected  in  the 
year  1844  or  1845,  not  far  from  the  present  site  of  the  Mount  Zion 
Church.  The  school  in  those  days,  when  they  sat  on  the  flat  site  of  a 
backless  pole  bench,  and  conned  their  Bible  and  worked  their  sums  by  the 
light  of  the  sun  shining  leaden-like  through  the  windows  of  greased 
paper,  was  one  taught  only  by  subscription,  and  lasted  but  a  month  or  so 
in  the  winter.  The  first  improved  school  furniture  was  some  rough  desks 
made  by  ex-Judge  Palmer,  of  Clinton  County,  who  was  teaching  school 
at  Alto  in  1856.     The  money  to  buy  the  lumber  was  made  up  by   sub- 


216  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY.  • 

scription,  Shadrach  Stringer  doing  the  soliciting,  and  Palmer  making 
the  desks  at  night  and  teaching  in  the  day-time.  Palmer  then  lived  in  a 
little  hut  across  the  road  from  Stringer's  tile  mill.  Among  the  early 
preachers  we  find  the  names  of  Frank  Taylor  and  John  D.  Hopkins, 
while  Charles  Price  and  Thomas  Stubbs  were  about  the  earliest  teachers 
in  the  township. 

MEDICINE,  LAW  AND  POLITICS. 

The  list  of  professionals,  though  not  lengthy,  was  yet  all  sufficient. 
L.  McGrary  served  in  the  capacity  of  the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and 
Vaughan  and  Stoneman  as  the  first  dispensers  of  physic.  Charles  Allison, 
as  early  as  the  spring  of  1844,  built  the  first  trading  house  in  the  town- 
ship, on  the  tract  afterward  owned  by  L.  Bates.  And  near  this  building 
in  1844  the  first  county  convention  met.  The  first  election  held  in  the 
township  was  in  1848,  the  polls  for  voting  being  in  an  old  hut  on  the 
place  now  owned  by  Widow  Thorn,  east  of  G.  P.  Pitzer's.  At  this 
occurred  a  disgraceful  fight  and  one  of  the  two  murders  ever  perpetrated 
in  the  township.  In  the  township  election  held  August,  1849,  two  men 
by  the  name  of  Brahard  and  Lane,  having  an  old  grudge,  agreed  to  go  to 
the  election  and  fight  it  out.  They  formed  a  ring,  appointed  seconds, 
and  commenced  in  dead  earnest.  After  a  few  rounds,  Brahard  struck 
Lane  in  the  side,  thus  bursting  a  blood-vessel  and  causing  almost  instant 
death.  A  trial  was  held,  and  Brahard  acquitted  on  the  ground  of  self- 
defense,  as  Lane  had  urged  the  fight  upon  him. 

THE    TOWN    OF    ALTO. 

The  first  plat  of  any  town  in  the  township  was  that  of  Beuna  Vista, 
laid  off  at  the  rapids  of  the  Little  Wild  Cat,  one-half  a  mile  west  of  the 
present  site  of  Alto.  The  survey  was  made  on  the  last  day  of  April,  by 
a  Mr.  Snodgrass,  but  the  next  day  Stephen  Brooks  quietly  had  Alto  sur- 
veyed and,  as  soon  as  possible,  before  Snodgrass  had  completed  the  plat 
of  Beuna  Vista,  Brooks  hurried  to  Indianapolis,  the  shortest  way  pos- 
sible, and  had  the  plat  of  Alto  recorded  in  the  Land  Office  Records. 
Snodgrass,  somewhat  chagrined,  then  abandoned  his  scheme.  The  first 
addition  to  the  town  was  laid  out  in  that  year.  The  young  village  being 
in  the  midst  of  a  rich  agricultural  region  soon  sprang  into  considerable 
commercial  importance.  Before  the  year  had  closed,  there  were  three 
stores,  three  cabinet  shops,  a  blacksmith  shop  and  a  boot  and  shoe  shop. 
During  the  first  two  years  of  its  existence,  as  much  trade  was  done  there 
as  in  Kokomo  during  the  same  time.  The  first  physician  was  Dr.  J.  H. 
Kern  ;  the  first  merchant  and  Postmaster  was  R.  Cobb  ;  the  first  cabinet- 
maker was  W.  B.  Judkins,  while  Miles  Judkins  stood  at  his  post  keeping 
soles  in  a  state  of  redemption.     The  town  has  never  been  cursed  by  a 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP.  217 

saloon,  the  attempt  to  start  one  having  been  frustrated  by  the  means  of  a 
long  shank  auger  in  boring  into  and  emptying  the  whisky  barrels.  The 
short  terms  of  subscription  school  were  held  in  the  log  church  until  1856, 
when  a  hewed-log  school  was  erected.  Concerning  the  later  improve- 
ments of  the  place,  we  will  speak  of  them  further  along.  We  now  produce 
a  few  facts  gleaned  from  the  old  township  records  which  will  be  of  interest 
to  readers. 

The  nice  little  village  of  Alto  contains,  at  present,  sixty-five  inhabit- 
ants. They  have  one  of  the  finest  country  stores  in  this  part  of  the  State, 
owned  by  Allen  Quick.  Mr.  Quick  is  also  the  very  accommodating  Post- 
master at  this  place.  There  is  also  one  blacksmith  shop,  one  shoe  shop, 
one  carpenter  shop,  one  saw  mill,  and  one  of  the  finest  tile  factories  in 
Howard  County,  belonging  to  John  T.  Stringer,  Esq.  He  has  some 
$2,500  invested  in  machinery  and  apparatus,  and  turns  out  12,000  rods 
of  excellent  tile  per  year.  The  village  has  excellent  school  and  church 
edifices,  both  built  of  brick.  The  church  is  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
denomination,  and  is  presided  over  by  Rev.  Mr.  Powell.  They  have  also 
excellent  physicians  in  the  persons  of  Drs.  Kern  and  Miller. 

EARLY   TOWN    LEGISLATION. 

The  first  meeting  that  the  records  make  mention  of  is  of  the  three 
Township  Trustees  held  at  Alto  April  11,  1853.  The  Trustees  were 
John  Knight,  David  Greeson  and  R.  D.  Bates.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  Harrison  Township,  held  at  Alto,  April  30,  1853, 
it  was  ordered  :  That  4  cents  on  each  $100  worth  of  taxable  property, 
real  and  personal,  should  be  levied  to  defray  township  expenses ;  also, 
that  there  be  a  tax  of  8  cents  on  each  $100  worth  of  real  and  per- 
sonal estate  subject  to  tax  for  road  purposes ;  also,  that  the  Clerk  ad- 
vertise a  meeting  of  the  voters  of  the  township  to  meet  at  Alto,  on  the 
first  Saturday  in  June,  to  take  a  vote  for  or  against  the  Trustees  levying 
a  tax  for  the  support  of  the  common  schools. 

At  a  meeting  held  July  23,  1853,  it  was  ordered,  that  on  the  20th 
day  of  August,  1853,  there  be  a  special  meeting  of  the  voters  of  Harri- 
son Township,  Howard  County,  Ind.,  for  the  purpose  of  voting  for  or 
against  a  school  tax  of  20  cents  on  each  $100  worth  of  taxable  prop- 
erty in  said  township. 

The  vote  for  the  school  tax,  as  ordered,  was  as  follows :  For  tax,  33 ; 
against  tax,  29.  Thus  was  ushered  into  existence  under  difficulties 
the  system  of  free  schools  in  Harrison  Township. 

September  10,  1853,  Silas  Scott,  James  L.  McCrary  and  0.  H.  P. 
Hanna  reported  a  change  in  the  Michigantown  &  Kokomo  State  road, 
as  follows :    "  We,  the  undersigned,   have  viewed  the  within  proposed 


218  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

change  and  find  the  same  to  be  a  practicable  route  for  said  proposed 
change,  and  that  it  will  not  be  any  material  disadvantage  to  the  traveling 
community."  As  reported  to  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  at  Alto,  Feb- 
ruary 4,  1854,  we  find  an  opinion  on  the  same  subject  expressed  in  the 
following  pointed  language.  Going  west,  however,  in  a  "  gradual  curve 
round  "  is  a  "sum"'  thai  beats  the  modern  "problem."  The  report 
says  :  "  We,  the  Viewers  met,  and  after  being  sworn,  went  upon  the  pro- 
posed route  and  place  of  beginning.  After  viewing  the  route  and  taking 
into  consideration  the  convenience  and  inconvenience  of  the  road,  we  be- 
lieve it  to  be  of  public  utility.  We  viewed  west  in  Reese's  and  Kyger's 
lane  of  a  gradual  curve  round,  giving  room  sufficient  for  a  road  until  we 
struck  line  and  the  south  end  of  the  lane." 

The  allowances  for  the  year  ending  April  8,  1854,  were  as  follows: 
James  Creson  was  allowed  $12  for  services  as  Township  Clerk  ;  John 
Knight,  $7,  Trustee;  Joseph  Burk,  $4,  Trustee  ;  David  Greeson,  $5.50, 
Trustee.  On  September  8,  1854,  Zimri  Simpson  was  allowed  $12.50 
to  be  expended  on  a  bridge  immediately  west  of  Clinton  Gray's  old  shop. 

On  June  2,  1855,  it  was  ordered  "  That  Samson  Lett  be  paid  $2  for 
money  drawn  by  him  and  depreciated  on  his  hands."  At  this  meeting 
the  Trustees  made  the  following  order  of  a  division  of  the  school  funds : 
*'  Ordered,  that  the  different  sites  in  the  township  receive  the  following 
sums  annexed  to  the  different  numbers:  No.  1,  $3.78;  No.  2,  $93.45  ; 
No.3,  —  ;  No.  4,  $80.95  ;  No.  5,  $82.45  ;  No.  6,  $98.15  ;  No.  7,  $22.45  ; 
No.  8,  $42.53."  At  the  same  meeting  Samson  Lett  was  elected  Deputy 
Superintendent  of  School  No.  4. 

At  a  meeting  held  March  8,  1856,  it  was  was  ordered:  "  That  the 
Treasurer  of  the  township  receive  an  order  from  this  board  authorizing 
him  to  present  the  same  to  the  County  Treasurer  and  draw  $37.50,  if  he 
can  do  it,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  tuition." 

At  the  term  held  at  Alto,  June  12,  1857,  the  following  teachers  were 
allowed  wages:  David  Hodson,  District  6,  $73;  D.  J.  Bowman,  District 
1,  $40  ;  Flemming  Johnson,  District  2,  $60."77  ;  Frederick  Ramseyer, 
District  8,  $61.64;  Alfred  Riley,  District  3,  $66.11;  William  Creason, 
District  5,  $43.96.  There  not  being  enough  money  in  the  treasury,  D. 
J.  Bowman  was  allowed  his  balance  of  $7.89,  at  the  July  special  term. 
On  May  29,  1858,  it  was  ordered  "  That  Charles  Thorn  be  paid  $2.50 
for  his  service  as  Supervisor  to  fill  the  vacancy  of  John  Lortts."  The 
first  choice  of  a  regular  Trustee,  was  at  the  April  election  of  1859,  when 
Davis  Riley  was  elected  Trustee  of  Harrison  Township. 

A  GAS  WELL. 

The  mineral  deposits  of  the  township  consist  alone  of  bog  iron,  which 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP.  219 

is  found  in  considerable  quantity  along  the  creek.  The  greatest  natural 
curiosity  is  that  of  a  gas  well,  situated  on  the  farm  of  George  Greeson. 
In  1871,  while  some  hands  were  digging  and  boring  a  well,  at  the  depth 
of  fifty-five  feet  they  struck  a  gas  vein,  when  a  report  like  the  whistling  of 
an  engine,  came  from  the  well.  Quite  a  commotion  was  cau^d  amonor 
the  diggers,  doubtless  some  thinking  they  had  struck  the  regions  of  Pluto. 
Mr.  Greeson  repaired  to  the  scene,  and  told  the  men  there  was  no  danger, 
and  they  went  to  walling  up  the  well.  Mr.  Greeson,  going  down  into 
the  well,  thought  he  would  try  the  gas  by  lighting  a  match  and  putting  it 
at  the  top  of  the  bottom  stock.  .  There  was  a  tremendous  flash,  making 
Greeson  feel  that  he  was  blowing  his  well  out  by  the  roots.  He  sank  an 
iron  tube,  and  on  the  top  placed  a  gas  burner,  and  this  was  used,  to  some 
degree,  for  lighting  purposes,  for  some  five  years.  If  a  receiver  for  the 
gas  could  be  put  in,  it  could  probably  be  used  to  better  advantage. 

WEST  MIDDLETON. 

The  enterprising  little  town  of  West  Middleton  is  situated  on  the  T., 
C.  &  St.  L.  R.  R.,  six  miles  southwest  of  Kokomo.  It  was  laid  out  by 
Mr.  William  Middleton,  in  the  year  that  the  F.  &  K.  Railroad  was  com- 
pleted, and  since  then  has  grown  to  considerable  commercial  importance. 
Mr.  Middleton's  foresight  and  business  tact  has  brought  about,  to  a  great 
extent,  the  present  flourishing  condition  of  the  place.  It  has  an  excellent 
brick  high  school  building,  one  store,  one  grain  dealer,  one  doctor,  and 
one  Justice  of  the  Peace.  The  town  is  in  the  midst  of  a  rich  agricultural 
region,  and  furnishes  a  good  market  for  grain.  The  principal  business 
enterprise  of  the  place  is  a  large  merchant  flouring  mill,  a  description  of 
which  is  given  below.  There  is  an  active  lodge  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  both 
here  and  at  Alto.  The  order  of  the  Grange  at  one  time  had  a  prosperous 
lodge  in  West  Middleton. 

MIDDLETON  FLOURING  MILLS. 

Right  at  the  door  of  every  family  in  Harrison  Township  stands  one  of 
the  finest  merchant  steam  flouring  mills  in  the  State.  About  the  1st  of 
June,  1882,  Messrs.  Samuel  and  Joseph  Stratton  and  Amos  C.  and 
John  Ratcliff"  formed  a  company  and  commenced  the  erection  of  a  mill  at 
West  Middleton.  The  body  ot  the  building  is  36x48  feet  and  is  four 
stories  high,  including  the  basement,  making  it  fifty  feet,  from  the  lowest 
floor  to  the  top  of  the  texas.  The  basement  walls  are  of  stone  and  are 
twenty  inches  in  thickness,  while  above  the  walls  are  of  brick  and 
eighteen  inches  thick.  The  pillars  for  the  support  of  the  floors  stand 
directly  above  one  another,  thereby  greatly  relieving  the  strain  on  the 
walls.     The  floors  are   made  of  the   best  oiled   hardwood   lumber  laid 


220  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

diagonally  across  the  building,  thus  strengthening  the  structure.  The 
engine-house,  which  is  of  brick  and  is  14x28  feet  in  dimensions,  joins  the 
south  wall  of  the  mill  and  contains  the  boiler  and  pumps,  while  within 
the  basement  room  is  situated  the  engine  proper,  of  forty-horse-power 
capacity,  and  the  main  line  of  shaft  for  running  the  machinery. 

A  large  bin,  holding  120  bushels,  receives  the  wheat  for  the  elevators, 
and  there  is  also  a  smut  mill  for  cleaning  the  wheat.  On  the  next  floor 
are  found  four  sets  of  large  double  rollers  for  making  the  new-process 
flour,  and  these  work  in  connection  with  four  of  the  very  best  buhrs  from 
the  Richmond  Machine  Works.  Two  of  the  buhrs  grind  wheat,  one 
middlings  and  one  corn.  Here  also  is  a  flour  chest,  with  a  capacity  for 
holding  four  thousand  pounds  ;  also  a  grain  sink  mounted  on  a  fine  pair  of 
Fairbanks  scales.  The  sink  has  a  capacity  of  sixty-two  bushels,  and  the 
scales  register  the  weight  in  pounds  and  bushels  at  the  same  time.  Both 
the  sink  and  flour  chest  are  made  of  hackberry  wood  and  nicely  varnished. 
On  the  next  floor  are  two  large  flour  purifiers  of  Nos.  0  and  00.  From 
the  rollers  the  flour  is  transferred  to  these,  where  the  dust  is  separated 
and  thrown  into  the  dust  room  above.  Also  here  are  two  large  bins  for 
holding  wheat  and  bran.  Ample  storage  room  is  furnished  on  this  and 
the  floor  above  for  13,000  bushels  of  grain.  On  the  next  floor  there  is  a 
large  bolting  machine,  consisting  of  six  large  reel  bolts  fourteen  feet  long, 
arranged  in  pairs  one  above  the  other,  and  all  are  run  by  a  pulley  at  the 
top  connected  with  a  pulley  below  with  a  long  chain  belt.  The  cost  of 
the  silk  covering  the  reels  alone  was  $300.  The  apparatus  was  all  built 
at  home.  On  the  top  is  the  texas,  into  which  extend  the  tops  of  five 
elevators.  The  elevator  tubes  and  the  spouting  are  all  put  together  with 
screws.  There  is  more  than  a  half  mile  of  tubing  in  the  mill.  The 
entire  mill  cost  some  $10,000,  and  has  a  capacity  of  75  barrels  of  flour 
per  day.  It  was  planned  by  Mr.  Samuel  Stratton.  The  proprietors  are 
all  men  of  tact  and  means  and  carry  on  the  business  successfully. 

TAXES,  POPULATION,  ETC. 

The  tax  duplicates  of  1882  show  the  value  of  the  lands  in  Harrison 
Township  to  be  $226,995,  while  the  value  of  the  improvements  amounts 
to  $44,545,  making  a  total  of  $271,540,  The  records  show  the  value  of 
personal  property  to  be  $95,730.  Tax  in  toto  for  the  year  1882  was 
$6,426.13.  In  the  township  there  are  247  voters.  There  are  five  church 
edifices  and  eight  school  buildings  in  the  township.  There  are  347  schol- 
ars reported.  The  special  school  tax  for  1882  amounted  to  $931.48;  while 
that  of  1868  was  $858.93.  The  special  tuition  for  1882  was  $1,803.09, 
while  that  of  1869  was  $996.85.  The  township  funds  for  1882  amounted 
to  $369.41.  Mr.  Walker  Thorn  is  Trustee  of  the  township  at  the  present 
time. 


TAYLOR  TOWNSHIP.  221 


TAYLOR  TOWNSHIP. 

Taylor  Township  is  No.  23  north,  Range  4  east,  of  the  Congres- 
sional Survey,  and  dates  its  formation  from  the  year  1844,  when  Howard 
was  known  as  RichardvMlle  County.  Its  original  outline  is  described 
upon  the  records  as  follows:  "Beginning  at  the  northwest  quarter  of 
Section  18,  Town  23  north,  Range  4  east ;  hence,  south  to  the  county 
line ;  thence  east  with  the  said  line  to  range  line,  dividing  Ranges  4  and  5 
east;  thence  north  with  said  range  line  to  the  township  line  dividing 
Towns  23  and  24  north;  thence  west  to  the  northwest  quarter  of  Sec- 
tion 4,  Town  23  north.  Range  4  east;  thence  south  to  the  northwest 
corner  of  Section  16,  same  town  and  range;  thence  west  to  place  of  be- 
ginning." Various  changes  have  been  made  in  the  outline  during  the 
last  thirty  years,  and  at  the  present  time  the  township  comprises  twenty- 
four  and  a  half  sections  with  the  following  boundaries :  Centre  and 
Howard  Townships  on  the  north,  Liberty  and  Union  on  the  east,  Harri- 
son on  the  west  and  Tipton  County  on  the  south. 

The  country  is  well  watered  and  drained  by  a  number  of  streams  which 
traverse  it  in  various  directions,  the  principal  of  which  is  Kokomo  Creek. 
This  water-course  flows  through  the  central  part  of  the  township  in  an 
easterly  direction,  crossing  the  eastern  boundary  in  Section  13,  and  leav- 
ing from  Section  18,  about  one  mile  from  the  western  border.  It  is,  next 
to  Wild  Cat,  the  largest  stream  in  the  county,  and  receives  in  its  course 
several  small  affluents,  all  of  Avhich  play  an  important  part  in  the  drain- 
age of  the  country.  Little  Wild  Cat  flows  through  the  southwest  corner 
of  the  township  and  is  a  stream  of  some  importance  to  that  locality. 
Pete's  Branch  has  its  source  in  Section  10,  flows  a  northwesterly  course 
through  Section  9,  and  leaves  the  township  from  Section  4  of  Town  24. 
There  are  several  other  creeks  in  the  township  in  addition  to  those  men- 
tioned, the  majority  of  which  are  small  and  designated  by  no  particular 
name. 

THE    SOIL,  DRAINAGE,  ETC. 

The  face  of  the  country  is  comparatively  even,  except  along  Kokomo 
Creek,  where  the  surface  in  some  places  is  somewhat  irregular,  though 
there  are  no  undulations  sufiiciently  large  to  be  termed  hills.  The  soil  is 
of  excellent  quality,  a  dark,  rich  loam  and  well  adapted  to  all  the  crops 
indigenous  to  this  latitude.  The  township  is  almost  exclusively  agricult- 
ural, and  on  all  sides  can  be  seen  farms  which  will  compare  with  the 
best  in  any  section  of  the  county — the  beautiful  residences  and  commo- 
dious buildings  with  which  they  are  furnished  bearing  testimony  to  the 


222  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

general  prosperity  of  the  owners.  The  whole  surface  of  the  township 
was  originally  covered  with  an  almost  unbroken  forest  of  the  varieties  of 
timber  indigenous  to  Northern  Indiana,  and  a  dense  undergrowth  in  many 
localities  that  completely  obscured  the  soil  from  the  sun's  rays,  making  all 
other  vegetation  impossible.  As  a  consequence,  the  ground  remained 
"wet  and  slushy  during  the  greater  part  of  the  year,  and  proved  a  fruitful 
source  of  much  of  the  ague  and  other  malarial  diseases  with  which  the 
early  settlers  were  afflicted.  On  account  of  its  wet  nature,  much  of  the 
land  was  looked  upon  by  the  pioneer  as  comparatively  worthless,  and  it 
was  not  until  recent  ye:irs  that  large  tracts  of  this  low  ground  were  re- 
claimed by  a  successful  system  of  drainage. 

The  early  history  of  Taylor  is  similar  to  that  of  many  other  town- 
ships in  the  county,  and  its  experience  the  experience  of  all  early  settle- 
ments. With  all  the  exciting  scenes  and  deprivation  of  frontier  life, 
and  the  gradual  unfolding  and  development  of  a  community,  complete 
in  its  organization,  distinctive  in  its  character,  and  rich  in  the  higher  ele- 
ments of  civilized  life,  the  pioneer  moves  into  the  forests,  with  his  few 
household  goods  around  him,  and  rises  a  king  and  conqueror.  Here  he 
erects  his  altar,  builds  his  cabin,  levels  the  forests,  calls  down  the  sunlight 
to  thrill  with  life  the  sleeping  soil,  and  adorns  its  surface  with  the  bloom 
of  vegetable  life,  while  nature,  in  her  supreme  loveliness,  matures  and 
yields  to  him  the  ripening  fruit,  the  richest  treasures  of  her  bosom.  Here 
is  laid  the  keystone  in  the  arch  of  a  new  social  structure  above  which  are  to 
cluster  and  unfold  all  the  arts  and  elements  of  the  highest  civilization. 
Hence  we  see  the  importance  of  collecting,  in  successful  order,  all  the 
scenes  and  events  of  a  community's  growth,  from  the  earliest  settlement, 
its  first  germ,  to  its  full  organization  and  most  recent  form,  together  with 
the  influences,  local  characteristics,  and  other  combinations  that  may  have 
modified  or  directed  its  development. 

THE    EARLY  SETTLERS. 

The  first  settlement  within  the  present  limits  of  Taylor  was  made  in  the 
winter  of  1842,  by  William  Rodman,  who  located  in  Section  20,  about 
one  mile  northeast  of  Fairfield  Village.  Rodman  was  a  native  of  New 
York,  but  immigrated  to  this  State  in  an  early  day,  settling  in  Marion 
County,  near  Indianapolis,  when  that  city  was  but  a  mere  niche  in  the 
surrounding  forest.  In  the  fall  of  1840,  he  made  a  tour  of  observation 
through  the  newly  formed  county  of  Richardville,  for  the  purpose  of  se- 
lecting a  home,  and  being  pleased  with  this  part  of  the  country  he  obtained 
permission  of  the  Indians  to  make  a  settlement.  A  claim  was  accordingly 
marked  out  and  a  rude  pole  shanty  constructed,  to  which  the  family  of 
our  pioneer  was  moved  a  few  months  later.    The  journey  of  the  family  to 


TAYLOR  TOWNSHIP.  223 

their  new  home  was  made  in  the  face  of  many  serious  difficulties,  chief  of 
which  was  the  intense  coldness  of  the  weather,  and  the  entire  absence  of 
anything  like  a  well-defined  roadway.  Much  of  the  way  led  through  an 
unbroken  forest  where  roads  had  to  be  cut  out,  and  great  difficulty  was 
experienced  in  finding  the  little  cabin  on  account  of  the  deep  snow,  which 
rendered  traveling  well-nigh  impossible.  The  little  mansion  was  finally 
reached  and  the  family  safely  domiciled,  when  an  inventory  of  their  stock 
of  provisions  revealed  the  unwelcome  fact  that  there  was  barely  sufficient 
to  last  a  week.  This  made  a  return  trip  necessary,  and  Rodman  started 
back  for  a  fresh  supply  and  was  absent  about  eight  days.  During  that 
time  the  family  remained  alone  in  their  forest  home,  with  no  neighbors  nearer 
than  ten  miles,  except  the  Indians,  who  treated  the  new-comers  with  the 
most  profound  respect.  By  the  most  frugal  economy,  the  good  wife  managed 
to  make  her  scanty  store  hold  out  until  the  husband's  return,  after  which 
there  was  plenty  in  the  little  household.  Rodman  remained  on  his  original 
claim  about  five  years,  when  he  sold  his  improvements  and  moved  a  short 
distance  north,  in  the  present  township  of  Centre,  where  he  entered  a  tract 
of  land  where  Col.  Blanche  lives.  He  afterward  disposed  of  this  place 
and  moved  to  Missouri,  where  he  remained  a  few  years,  when  he  again 
itecame  a  resident  of  this  county,  settling  the  second  time  in  Harrison 
Township,  on  the  Chase  farm.  He  sold  this  farm  and  moved  to  Kansas 
a  number  of  years  ago. 

In  the  year  1842,  Alexander  Thatcher  settled  in  Taylor,  on  what  is' 
now  the  Elson  farm,  where  he  took  a  claim  and  made  a  few  temporary 
improvements.  He  remained  at  this  place  but  a  short  time,  afterward 
moving  a  little  further  west  on  the  Albright  farm,  where  he  erected  a  com- 
fortable log  house  and  cleared  a  small  farm.  He  afterward  sold  his  claim 
to  Reuben  Thomas  and  moved  to  Porter  County. 

Allen  Sharpe  came  to  the  county  in  the  latter  part  of  1842  and  took 
a  claim  in  Section  17,  on  land  at  present  owned  by  Capt.  Pierce.  lie 
occupied  this  place  until  the  year  1851,  at  which  time  he  sold  to 
Edom  Garner  and  moved  to  Porter  County,  and  later  to  Iowa,  where  his 
death  occurred  several  years  since. 

Among  other  early  settlers  in  the  same  locality  were  Laomi  Ashley, 
and  his  son,  Harles  Ashley,  both  of  whom  located  on  the  Dyar  farm. 
The  former  was  one  of  the  pioneer  preacliers  of  the  county,  and  assisted 
in  the  organization  of  the  first  religious  society  in  the  township.  He  ap- 
pears to  have  been  a  man  of  considerable  prominence,  and  was  untiring 
in  his  efforts  to  spread  the  cause  of  his  Master  in  the  sparsely  settled 
neighborhoods  of  Howard  County.  Harles  Ashley  became  a  prominent 
citizen  of  the  county,  and  was  called  to  fill  several  official  positions,  the 
duties  of  which  he  discharged  with  marked  ability.  He  was  killed  in 
Missouri  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 


224  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

David  Thatcher,  a  brother  of  Alexander  Thatcher,  was  an  earlv  set- 
tler, and  made  his  appearance  in  the  spring  of  1843,  settling  on  the  Hutte 
farm,  near  the  northern  boundary  of  the  township.  Job  and  Henry  Gar- 
ner came  about  the  same  time,  the  former  locating  on  Section  18,  where 
Benjamin  Field  lives,  and  the  latter  settling  a  short  distance  east  of 
Tampico,  on  land  at  present  owned  by  Rev.  Denton  Simpson.  They  both 
earned  the  reputation  of  being  good  men  and  were  residents  of  the  toAvn- 
ship  for  a  period  of  about  twenty  years.  Other  settlers,  whose  dates  of 
arrivals  cannot  be  ascertained,  were  Elias  Wilson,  who  settled  where 
James  Mugg  lives,  Thomas  Miller,  Isaac  Miller,  Matthew  and  William 
Poff,  N.  C.  Beals  and  Samuel  PoflF. 

Thomas  Miller  settled  on  the  Garr  farm,  where  he  took  a  claim  and 
made  a  few  improvements.  Being  a  man  of  roving  tendencies,  he  remained 
but  a  short  time  in  one  place,  taking  claims  in  various  parts  of  the  county, 
which  he  sold  to  settlers,  as  the  population  increased.  He  sold  his  first 
claim  shortly  after  his  arrival,  and  made  a  second  settlement  on  J.  E. 
Duncan's  farm,  which  he  disposed  of  a  few  months  later.  He  afterward 
pre-empted  land  a  short  distance  east  of  Fairfield,  on  the  Henry  Thomas 
farm,  which  he  left  about  the  time  the  land  came  into  market.  Isaac  Miller 
located  on  Section  21,  on  the  Henry  Neal  farm,  where  he  lived  for  a 
short  time.  He  was  a  man  of  no  particular  note,  and  proved  no  advan- 
tage to  the  community  in  which  he  resided. 

The  Poffs  settled  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township,  and  were  men  of 
character  and  influence  in  the  community.  Bailes  settled  near  Fairfield, 
and  took  claim  where  Enos  Neal  lives.  He  came  from  Hamilton  County, 
and  appears  to  have  been  a  man  of  some  prominence,  being  one  of  the 
first  Associate  Judges  of  the  county.  He  built  the  first  mill  in  the  town- 
ship, of  which  a  more  extended  notice  will  be  given  in  a  following  page. 
Prominent  among  those  who  came  prior  to  1845  was  William  Apperson, 
father  of  Albert  Apperson.  He  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  served  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  participated  in  many  of  the  battles  of  that  struggle.  In 
an  early  day,  he  moved  to  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  where  he  resided  until 
his  immigration  to  Indiana  in  the  summer  of  1844.  He  purchased  the 
claim  of  Isaac  Miller,  on  which  he  erected  a  comfortable  hewed-log  house, 
and  raised  one  crop  before  the  arrival  of  his  family.  He  entered  this  land 
in  1847,  and  retained  it  in  his  possession  until  1874,  at  which  time  his 
death  occurred.  A  son  lives  on  the  old  place,  and  is  one  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  Taylor. 

Another  settler  deserving  of  special  mention  was  Lemuel  Shoemaker, 
whose  arrival  dates  from  the  year  1845.  He  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  but 
had  lived  for  a  number  of  years  in  Illinois  prior  to  his  immigration  to 
this  State.      He  was  a  preacher  of  the  "New-Light  "  Church, and  had  a 


TAYLOR  TOWNSHIP.  225 

number  of  appointments  in  Howard  and  adjoining  counties  during  the  early 
years  of  the  country.  He  took  a  claim  near  the  Dyar  farm,  which  he 
traded  two  years  later  to  Alexander  Thatcher  for  an  improvement  about 
one  mile  and  a  half  east  of  Fairfield,  on  the  Enos  Scott  place.  In  the 
year  1855,  he  sold  this  place  to  Vanham,  and  moved  to  Clinton  County. 
One  daughter,  Mrs.  Hatton,  is  living  at  the  present  time  in  Tampico. 

Mordecai  Overman  came  in  1844,  and  settled  near  the  western  part 
of  the  township,  where  he  lived  until  1856,  when  he  sold  his  farm  to 
John  Layman,  and  moved  to  Missouri.  He  erected  the  first  brick  house 
in  the  township,  in  the  year  1854,  which  is  still  standing.  Peter  Kirk- 
man  came  in  1844,  also,  and  was  joined  the  latter  part  of  the  same  year 
by  Robert  Bracken.  Kirkman  settled  in  the  western  part  of  the  town- 
ship, where  his  widow  still  lives.  He  was  a  prominent  citizen,  and  died 
in  the  year  1879.  Bracken  settled  on  Section  30,  on  the  farm  where 
Cann  Spurlin  lives.  He  remained  about  eight  years,  when  he  sold  to 
Thomas  Miller,  and  left  the  county. 

Robert  Morrison  came  to  the  township  in  1844,  and  took  claim  in 
Section  19,  where  he  lived  until  1847,  when  his  improvements  were  pur- 
chased by  Jacob  Applegate,  who  entered  the  land  one  year  later.  Mor- 
rison afterward  pre-empted  a  piece  of  land  in  Section  30,  which  was  his 
home  for  a  period  of  twenty-four  years.  The  farm  is  owned  at  the  pres- 
ent time  by  Asbury  Kelly.  Another  early  settler  in  the  western  part  of 
the  township  was  Reason  Lackey,  who  located  near  the  Union  Baptist 
Church,  in  the  year  1845.  He  remained  at  this  place  but  a  short  time, 
when  he  sold  to  Francis  Jones,  and  moved  to  Hamilton  County.  A 
daughter  died  while  the  family  lived  in  this  locality,  which  was  one  of  the 
earliest  deaths  in  the  township. 

Washington  Baumgardner  moved  to  the  county  in  1845,  and  selected 
a  claim  in  Section  30,  where  he  purchased  a  claim  of  James  Lane.  He 
has  been  identified  with  the  township  ever  since,  and  is  justly  considered 
one  of  its  best  citizens.  Among  other  early  citizens  who  came  in  an  early 
day  can  be  named  Peter  Daniels,  who  settled  on  the  Morrison  place  ; 
Jacob  Baumgardner,  a  brother  of  Washington  Baumgardner ;  James 
Smith,  who  located  the  Kelly  place ;  John  Albright  and  his  father,  Ed- 
mund Albright,  both  of  whom  selected  homes  near  Kokomo  Creek,  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  township  ;  John  Dillman,  who  settled  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  township,  where  he  still  resides  ;  Joseph  Skeen,  who 
located  near  the  Rodman  place. 

During  the  year  1847,  entries  were  made  in  different  parts  of  the  town- 
ship by  William  Mugg,  Edward  C.  Albright,  John  Moulder,  Thomas  Beard, 
Ezekiel  Parker,  Asa  Parker,  Myron  Beard,  William  Hughes,  Jesse 
Thatcher  and  Ephraim  Trabue.     The  following  year's  entries  were  made 


2'26  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

by  Thomas  Kimball,  Arch  Gilson,  David  Foster,  William  Coons,  John 
Goyer,  J.  G.  Templin,  William  Helms,  John  G.  King,  Henry  Ryan, 
Silas  Andrews,  David  Sawyer,  John  Ingles,  William  Morton,  John  Street, 
John  Lindley,  Theophilus  Manuel,  Simeon  Mugg,  John  Spencer,  W.  G. 
Elliott,  R.  C.  Cobb,  Jacob  Applegate,  Gideon  Stevens,  Ezra  Pierce, 
Luther  Hall,  John  Hastie,  John  Wetty,  James  Surry,  Robert  Kingsley, 
John  Seawright,  Jos.  Seidner,  Jeremiah  Bassett,  William  Currens,  George 
Duinette,  George  Plankenstaver,  Thomas  Plankenstaver  and  others. 

GENERAL    IMPROVEMENTS. 

We,  of  the  present  day,  who  are  surrounded  by  the  latest  modern 
improvements,  can  have  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  slow  and  tedious  process  of 
settlement  in  this  country  forty  years  ago,  nor  appreciate  the  difficulties 
and  discouragements  by  which  it  was  attended.  Especially  is  this  the 
case  with  the  early  settlement  of  Taylor — an  interminable  wilderness, 
without  roads,  and  with  but  indifferent  facilities  for  communication,  to- 
gether with  the  scarcity  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  the  general  poverty 
of  the  inhabitants,  a  condition  which  they  accepted  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  homes  for  themselves  and  their  posterity.  They  did  their  work 
cheerfully  and  well,  and  the  present  condition  of  the  country  is  a  monu- 
ment to  their  devotion  and  industry. 

One  lady  who  is  still  living  relates  that  when  her  family  moved  to  the 
country,  they  were  obliged  to  cut  roads  through  a  dense  forest  to  their 
claim,  on  which  not  the  slightest  improvement  had  been  made.  The 
wagon,  containing  the  few  household  goods,  was  driven  beneath  the 
boughs  of  a  large  tree,  which  served  the  purpose  of  shelter,  until  a  cabin 
could  be  erected.  The  husband  immediately  went  to  work,  felling  the 
trees  for  logs,  which  the  good  wife  dragged  to  the  place  of  building  with  a 
yoke  of  oxen.  The  few  scattering  neighbors  were  apprised  of  the  fact 
that  a  house  would  be  erected,  and  two  days  later  the  work  was  completed, 
but  none  too  soon,  as  a  heavy  rain  began  falling  before  the  roof  was 
finished.  Into  this  unfinished  structure,  without  floor,  fire-place,  or  win- 
dows, the  family  were  moved,  and  felt  as  proud  of  their  new  home  as 
a  prince  in  his  palace. 

Mr.  Baumgardner  states  that  he  spent  an  entire  day  in  searching  for 
his  cabin,  which  had  been  built  in  the  depths  of  a  thick  forest  a  couple  of 
months  prior  to  his  moving  to  the  country.  It  was  in  midwinter,  when 
the  search  was  made,  and  the  snow  lay  thick  and  heavy  on  the  trees  and 
ground,  rendering  going  about  almost  impossible.  The  little  cabin  was 
at  last  found,  but  so  cheerless  did  it  appear,  with  its  warped  puncheon 
floor,  unfinished  roof,  and  cracks  through  which  a  "  cat  could  be  thrown," 
that  Baumgardner  was  three  days  deciding  whether  to  move  into  it  or  not. 


TAYLOR  TOWNSHIP.  227 

As  time  was  precious  and  no  other  house  available,  the  decision  was  re- 
luctantly made  in  favor  of  moving,  and  the  few  household  articles  were 
transferred  to  the  little  domicile.  This  was  in  the  winter  of  1845,  a 
time  of  great  scarcity  in  the  new  settlements,  as  the  provisions  had  al- 
most given  out,  and  it  was  very  difficult  to  obtain  new  supplies.  It  is  said 
that  a  man  drove  through  the  settlements  with  a  seed  load  of  corn  which 
he  disposed  of  to  the  citizens  for  the  modest  little  sum  of  $10  per  bushel; 
when  asked  where  he  obtained  the  corn,  the  shrewd  trader  refused  to 
answer,  and  with  a  knowing  wink  that  there  was  plenty  more  where  his 
load  came  from,  moved  on  to  drive  a  sharp  bargain  at  the  next  cabin. 
One  of  the  settlers,  bent  on  discovering  the  source  of  supplies,  followed 
the  sled  tracks  back  about  twenty  miles  to  an  old  settlement  in  Hamilton 
County,  where  corn  was  afterward  obtained  at  more  reasonable  figures. 

For  a  number  of  years,  many  serious  obstacles  were  experienced  by 
the  pioneers,  and  it  required  hard  work  and  close  economy  to  keep  the 
hungry  wolf  from  the  door.  The  soil,  though  rich  and  fertile,  was  very 
difficult  to  till,  owing  to  its  wet  nature,  and  the  stumps  stood  so  thick 
on  the  ground  that  a  person  could  almost  cross  the  little  fields  by 
stepping  from  one  to  the  other.  Long  distances  had  to  be  traveled  to 
obtain  breadstuffs,  groceries  and  dry  goods,  all  of  which  were  paid  for  by 
produce  at  exceeding  low  prices.  As  time  passed,  these  and  many  other 
difficulties  were  gradually  overcome.  Larger  farms  were  cleared,  ditches 
were  run  and  better  houses  took  the  places  of  the  rude  log  structures 
which  everywhere  dotted  the  country.  Roads  were  laid  out,  improved 
farming  implements  introduced,  schools  and  churches  established,  and  a 
general  spirit  of  thrift  took  possession  of  the  settlers ;  as  a  consequence, 
the  general  development  of  the  country  has  been  almost  phenomenal.  As 
early  as  the  year  1847,  brick  was  burned  on  the  Neal  farm,  and  about 
one  year  later  a  second  kiln  was  made  by  Hiram  Beard  on  the  place 
where  Mr.  Jackman  lives,  two  miles  east  of  Fairfield. 

GRIST  AND  SAW  MILLS. 
The  first  mill  in  the  township  was  a  small  affair  operated  by  hand.  It 
was  constructed  by  N.  C.  Beals,  and  stood  on  the  Neal  place,  a  short  dis- 
tance northeast  of  Fairfield.  The  buhrs  were  made  of  "  nigger-heads  " 
found  near  by,  and  the  hoop  in  which  they  worked  was  manufactured  out 
of  hickory  bark  fastened  at  the  ends  by  leather  and  rawhide  thongs. 
The  building  was  a  rough  shed,  about  15x20  feet  in  size,  resting  upon 
forks  driven  in  the  ground.  The  mill  ground  corn  only,  and  was  erected 
merely  for  family  purposes,  although  it  Avas  used  by  the  general  neigh- 
borhood for  a  number  of  years.  In  1850,  a  saw  mill  was  erected  at  the 
village  of  Fairfield  by  Lee  &  Macy  and  by   them   operated  four  or  five 


228  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

years.     It  did  a  very  good  business  and  was  afterward  purchased  by  other 
parties  and  moved  from  the  place. 

Jacob  Cable  and  William  Osborne  began  the  erection  of  a  saw  mill  at 
Terre  Hall  in  the  year  1855;  but,  being  unable  to  complete  it,  took  in  a 
third  partner  by  name  of  Thomas  McCune.  Thomas  Beard  afterward 
purchased  Cable's  interest,  and  the  people  donated  liberally  to  the  new 
enterprise;  corn-buhrs  were  attached,  and  the  mill  supplied  a  long-felt 
want  in  the  neighborhood.  It  passed  through  the  hands  of  several  par- 
tics  and  was  finally  purchased  by  the  Hercules  Brothers,  who  moved  it  to 
Michigantown,  where  it  is  still  in  operation. 

The  Fairfield  Steam  Flouring  Mill  was  built  in  the  year  1858,  by  Jo- 
seph Haskett.  The  enterprise  proved  very  remunerative  to  the  proprie- 
tor and  early  achieved  a  reputation  of  being  the  best  mill  in  the  county, 
a  reputation  which  it  still  sustains.  An  addition  was  built  to  the  original 
structure  a  few  years  after  its  erection,  and  new  improved  machinery  has 
been  added  from  time  to  time.  The  building  is  frame,  two  stories  and  a 
half  high,  and,  with  new  machinery  lately  added,  is  valued  at  about 
$15,000.  There  are  three  runs  of  buhrs,  two  sets  of  rolls,  by  means  of 
which  about  100  barrels  of  flour  are  made  every  twenty-four  hours.  It  is 
operated  at  the  present  time  by  Harry  Allen. 

The  first  tile  factory  in  the  township  was  started  by  Braden  &  Byers, 
a  short  distance  southeast  of  Fairfield,  in  the  year  1866.  It  was  operat- 
ed by  Frederick  Youngman,  the  pioneer  tile-maker  of  Indiana. 
Youngraan  purchased  the  factory  some  time  later,  and  has  operated  it 
very  successfully  ever  since.  He  has  built  up  a  large,  lucrative  busi- 
ness, and  acquired  considerable  wealth  from  the  sale  of  tile,  of  which 
he  manufactures  more  than  any  other  factory  in  Northern  Indiana. 

A  saw  mill  was  built  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township, 
about  the  year  1855,  by  John  Griswold,  who  operated  it  until  the 
time  of  his  death  one  year  later.  William  Hazel  afterward  became  the 
owner,  and  moved  it  across  the  line  into  Tipton  County.  A  shingle 
machine  was  started  at  the  same  place  in  1861,  by  James  Hoss, 
who  moved  here  from  Marion  County.  He  operated  it  for  about  two 
years,  when  it  was  moved  to  Fairfield  by  John  Camerer,  who  disposed 
of  the  machinery  two  years  later  to  Peter  Hoss.  It  was  afterward  pur- 
chased by  Gloss  Rubush  and  by  him  moved  to  Morgan  County.  One 
of  the  largest  saw  mills  in  the  township  was  brought  to  the  village  of 
Tampico  in  the  year  1876,  by  the  Hercules  brothers,  who  did  a  large 
lumber  business  until  1882,  when  it  was  moved  to  Frankfort.  At  the 
present  time,  Adam  Ide  is  operating  a  saw  mill  in  that  village. 

TURNPIKES    AND    RAILROADS. 

The  first  legally  established  highway  in  Taylor  was  the  Peru  State 


TAYLOR  TOWNSHIP.  229 

road,  which  ran  south  from  Kokomo  to  Shieldville.  It  was  surveyed  by 
N.  C.  Beals  in  the  year  1845,  and  passed  through  the  western  part  of 
the  township  in  an  irregular  course  to  the  county  line.  The  orig- 
inal route  was  long  since  abandoned  for  a  more  eligible  roadway  a 
little  further  east.  The  State  road  runninjj;  east  and  west  through  the 
southern  part  of  the  township  was  established  in  an  early  day,  and  is 
still  one  of  the  principal  highways  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county. 
The  Albright  gravel  road  was  constructed  in  a  northerly  course 
through  Sections  17  and  20,  and  was  made  as  a  free  pike  by  taxation. 
(See  County  History).  The  Rickett's  gravel  road  forms  the  western 
boundary  of  the  township.     It  was  constructed  as  a  free  pike  also. 

In  the  year  1883,  a  free  gravel  road  was  made  from  the  Albright 
pike  east  through  Tampico,  near  the  central  part  of  the  township.  It  was 
constructed  by  voluntary  contribution  of  the  real  estate  owners  through 
whose  lands  it  passes,  and  is  known  as  the  Tampico  free  pike.  These 
pikes  are  all  kept  in  good  condition  and  have  proved  of  great  advantage 
in  the  general  development  of  the  country. 

Passing  through  the  western  part  of  the  township  from  northwest  to 
southeast  is  the  Indianapolis  Division  of  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific 
Railway,  or  the  old  I.,  P.  &  C.  road.  The  first  survey  for  this  road  was 
made  some  time  prior  to  1849,  but  it  was  not  completed  until  a  few  years 
later.  Of  its  general  efi"ect  upon  the  country,  we  refer  the  reader  to  the 
railroad  chapter  in  the  county  history.  The  P.,  C.  &  St.  Louis  railroad 
passes  through  the  central  part  of  the  township  in  a  southwesterly  direc- 
tion, and  has  been  the  means  of  developing  the  country  in  a  very  marked 
degree.  It  passes  through  a  rich  agricultural  district  and  furnishes  two 
market  places  in  the  township,  i.  e.,  Tampico  and  Terre  Hall. 

EARLY    ELECTIONS    AND    OFFICERS. 

The  first  township  election  tooK  place  August  26,  1848,  when  the 
following  Board  of  Trustees  was  elected:  Alexander  Thatcher,  Adam 
Kellison  and  Ezra  Pierce.  Of  these  x\dam  Kellison  was  chosen  Treas- 
urer, and  Ezra  Pierce  Clerk.  At  this  election  about  seventy  votes  were  cast. 
Other  early  township  officers  were  E.  G.  Apperson,  William  Helms. 
Eli  Spencer,  T.  M.  Ham,  Nathan  Beals,  E.  Comer  and  James  H.  Hatton. 
Since  the  year  1859,  the  following  persons  have  served  as  Trustees  :  W. 
W.  Garr,  N.  C.  Beals,  W.  H.  Thompson,  R.  C.  Foor,  William  C.  Kemp, 
Stephen  Kirkpatrick,  J.  H.  Braden,  Lemuel  C.  Boyd,  James  T.  Dyar, 
J.  A.  Petro,  J.  E.  Duncan,  S.  B.  Purvis  and  Samuel  Crumley,  the  last 
named  being  the  Trustee  at  the  present  time. 

THE    VILLAGE    OF    FAIRFIELD. 

This  modern  Jerusalem,  the  wonder  of  the  nineteenth  century,  was 


230  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

laid  out  by  one  John  J.  Stephens  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  forty-nine.  The  circumstances  which  led  to  its  growth 
were  the  I.,  P.  &  C.  Railroad,  which  had  been  surveyed  through  the 
county  some  time  previous,  and  the  desire  on  the  part  of  the  energetic 
proprietor  of  making  a  fortune  out  of  the  sale  of  lots.  The  promising 
location,  together  with  the  rich  agricultural  region  surrounding,  gave 
every  indication  of  future  greatness,  and  the  metropolis  was  soon  on  the 
high  road  to  prosperity.  As  soon  as  the  railroad  was  completed,  the 
place  became  a  prominent  shipping  point  and  sustained  its  reputation  as 
one  of  the  best  market  places  on  the  road  between  Peru  and  Indianapo- 
lis for  a  number  of  years.  It  became  the  market  for  a  large  scope  of 
country  east  and  west,  but  on  the  completion  of  the  P.,  C.  k  St. 
Louis  Railroad  on  the  east,  and  the  building  of  pikes  leading  to  Kokomo 
on  the  west,  the  fortunes  of  the  town  began  to  wane,  and  it  has  never  been 
able  to  regain  its  original  prosperity.  Among  the  first  persons  to  locate 
in  the  village  were  Reuben  Thomas,  William  Osborne,  Lee  and  —  Macy. 
The  first  store  was  kept  by  Bundy  &  Robinson  in  a  little  house  which 
stood  a  short  distance  west  of  the  railroad,  on  lot  at  present  owned  by 
William  Weaver.  They  did  a  fair  business  on  a  stock  of  general  merchan- 
dise valued  at  about  $500,  and  were  in  the  village  two  years,  when  they 
sold  to  other  parties.  The  next  store  was  started  by  Overman  &  Stout, 
in  the  east  end  of  the  Thomas  building,  the  house  at  present  owned  and 
occupied  by  Joseph  Haskett.  They  afterward  erected  a  small  storeroom 
north  of  the  railroad,  where  Shelton  &  Parsons'  store  now  stands,  to 
which  their  goods  were  moved  soon  afterward.  They  Avere  in  business 
about  two  years,  when  they  closed  out  their  stock  and  moved  from  the 
place. 

The  third  store  building  was  erected  by  Foor  &  Hatton,  in  the  year 
1854,  and  is  still  standing,  south  of  the  Martin  building  on  Main  street. 
They  did  business  about  two  years,  when  the  partnership  was  dissolved  and 
the  goods  taken  from  the  village.  William  Kirkman  erected  the  large  two- 
story  frame  building  just  south  of  the  railroad,  in  the  year  185-4,  and 
used  a  part  of  it  for  a  store,  while  the  other  part  was  used  for  a  hotel. 
Isaac  Price  purchased  Kirkman's  business  and  operated  a  store  and 
boarding  house  for  a  couple  of  years,  doing  a  good  business  in  the 
meantime.  It  was  afterward  occupied  by  Thomas  Brookbank  who  con- 
ducted a  fair  business  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1860.  He  was 
succeeded  by  a  Mr.  Davis,  who  was  afterward  killed  by  his  son  in  a 
drunken  dispute. 

Other  early  merchants  were  Nate  Prime,  who  kept  in  a  little 
building  which  stood  where  Mrs.  Needham's  house  now  stands ;  Thomp- 
son &  Evans,  who  ran  a  large  store  soutl)  of  the  railroad  opposite  the 


TAYLOR  TOWNSHIP.  231 

Martin  building.  This  firm  kept  the  largest  stock  of  goods  that  was 
ever  brought  to  the  place,  and  for  a  nuoaber  of  years  did  as  large  a 
business  as  any  other  store  in  the  county.  Williams  &  Boyd  did  busi- 
ness in  the  village  several  years,  but  becoming  financially  embarrassed, 
they  closed  out  their  stock  and  retired  from  the  place. 

The  large  brick  building  occupied  by  J.  H.  Martin  &  Son  was  erected 
in  the  year  1870,  by  Frank  Hancock,  one  of  the  most  enterprising  mer- 
chants of  the  town.  It  was  afterward  purchased  by  L.  L.  Bennett,  who 
formed  a  copartnership  with  Steele  Catherwood.  They  carried  on  a  suc- 
cessful business  for  some  time,  when  the  entire  stock  was  purchased  by 
Bennett.  J.  H.  Martin  bought  an  interest  in  the  store  in  the  year  1879, 
and  succeeded  to  the  entire  business  at  Bennett's  death  some  time  later. 

An  early  drug  store  was  kept  by  Joseph  Shelton  in  the  Martin  build- 
ing. He  did  a  good  business  for  several  years,  when  he  left  the  village 
and  went  to  Russiaville.  The  same  building  was  occupied  by  McCoy  & 
Berry  with  a  miscellaneous  assortment  of  merchandise  from  the  year 
1880  to  1882,  when,  on  account  of  a  business  failure.  Berry  stepped 
down  and  out.  McCoy  remained  some  time  longer  and  left  the  village  in 
the  spring  of  1883. 

The  first  warehouse  was  built  by  Bundy  &  Robinson,  and  stood  west 
of  the  railroad,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town.  A  second  grain  house 
was  built  by  Jacob  Cable  some  time  afterward,  and  stood  near  the  same 
place.  The  present  warehouse  was  erected  by  Evans  &  Fortner.  It  was 
afterward  operated  by  Evans  &  Thompson,  who  ran  it  in  connection  with 
their  large  mercantile  business.  It  is  owned  at  the  present  time  by  Joseph 
Haskett. 

Reuben  Thomas  kept  the  first  hotel  in  what  is  now  the  Haskett  build- 
ing. An  early  hotel  and  boarding-house  was  kept  by  William  Hughes  in 
a  large  building  which  stood  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street  from  the  one 
mentioned.  The  business  of  the  town  at  the  present  time  is  represented 
by  one  large  general  store  kept  by  J.  H.  Martin  &  Son  ;  one  drug  and 
grocery  store,  by  Shelton  &  Parson  ;  one  flouring  mill,  by  Joseph  Has- 
kett. There  is  one  church,  schoolhouse,  cooper  shop,  wagon  shop,  barber 
shop,  meat  shop,  blacksmith  shop.  Frank  Yager  keeps  the  village  hotel, 
and  to  his  credit  be  it  said  that  a  better  stopping  place  it  is  difficult  to 
find. 

Of  the  character  of  the  town  and  its  inhabitants,  we  can  speak  only 
in  a  general  way.  There  are  no  saloons.  The  people  are  all  moral,  up- 
right and  religious.  The  Sabbath  is  well  remembered,  street  loafing 
being  entirely  unknown,while  the  church  is  overcrowded  each  Lord's  Day 
by  earnest  and  sincere  Christians.  In  such  an  atmosphere,  profanity,  vul- 
garity and  gossip  can  find  no  possible  encouragement,  consequently  every- 


232  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

thing  is  conducted  on  a  high  moral  plane.  The  population  of  the  town 
at  the  present  time  is  about  one  hundred  and  fifty. 

Napthalia  Lodge,  No.  389,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  was  organized  in  Fairfield 
May  25,  1869.  The  first  officers:  Peter  E.  Hoss,  Master;  Samuel  B. 
Boyd,  S.  W.;  J.  H.  Braden,  J.  W.  The  elective  officers  at  the 
present  time  are  George  Applegate,  W.  M.;  B.  W.  Applegate,  S.  W.,  and 
J.  H.  Martin,  J.  W.    Meetings  are  held  in  hall  belonging  to  J.  H.  Martin. 

Garfield  Lodge,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  No.  597,  was  instituted  January  24,  1883, 
with  the  following  charter  members,  to  wit :  E.  C.  Rice,  F.  A.  Kelly,  T.  J. 
Kemp,  Robert  J.  Chase,  Henry  R.  Weaver,  John  Chasteen,  J.  S.  Carpenter 
and  George  Scherer.  The  officers  are  E.  C.  Rice,  N.  G.;  J.  S.  Carpenter, 
V.  G.;  T.  J.  Kemp,  Secretary ;  F.  A.  Kelly,  Treasurer ;  John  Chasteen, 
Warden ;  George  Applegate,  Conductor  ;  R.  J.  Chase,  Guard  ;  Thomas 
Carr,  R.  S.  N.  G.  George  Scherer,  L.  S.  N.  G.;  Clark  Shelton,  Host, 
Henry  Weaver,  P.  G.  The  hall  in  which  the  lodge  meets  belongs  to 
to  Clark  Shelton,  and  was  furnished  at  a  cost  of  $300.  The  organization 
is  young,  numbering  but  eleven  members,  but  its  future  is  very  promising. 

VILLAGE    OF   TAMPICO. 

This  little  town  is  situated  on  the  P.,  C.  &  St.  L.  R.  R.,  in  Sections 
15  and  22,  and  was  laid  out  in  the  year  1852  by  Ephraim  Trabue.  The  first 
store  was  kept  by  Spencer  Lattly,  who  commenced  business  soon  after  the 
village  was  surveyed.  He  was  succeeded  by  Thomas  Ingalls,  who  remained 
two  or  three  years,  and  was  in  turn  followed  by  Robert  Dungan.  Other 
merchants  came  in,  from  time  to  time,  among  whom  can  be  named  Phil- 
potts,  John  Howell,  Joseph  Dunfee,  John  Lamaster, Thompson,  Thom- 
as Manuel,  S.  M.  McCoy,  J.  B.  Skinner  and  Taylor  Jackman.  The  pres- 
ent merchants  are  S.  B.  Purvis,  who  keeps  a  large  general  store,  and  Mad- 
ison Warwick,  who  makes  groceries  a  specialty.  There  are,  in  addition  to 
the  stores,  two  warehouses,  operated  by  Mr.  Purvis,  a  blacksmith  and 
wagon  shop,  by  Mr.  Jackman,  and  a  saw  mill  run  by  Adam  Ide.  There  is 
a  fine  brick  schoolhouse  and  a  church,  the  history  of  which  will  be  given 
on  another  page. 

The  following  medical  gentlemen  have  practiced  their  profession  from 
Tampico  at  different  times  :  Drs.  Armstrong,  Mote,  Scott,  Byers  and  John- 
son. The  present  physician  is  Dr.  J.  B.  Kirkpatrick,  who  has  a  large 
practice. 

TERRE     HALL. 

This  little  hamlet  was  surveyed  in  the  year  1852,  by  John  Newlin,  for 
Asa  Parker,  proprietor.  It  is  situated  in  Section  26,  near  the  southern 
boundary  of  the  township,  and  was  an  outgrowth  of  the  P.,  C.  &  St.  L. 
R.  R.     The  first  store  was  owned  and  operated  by  Cable  &  Osborne,  who 


TAYLOK  TOWNSHIP.  233 

kept  a  miscellaneous  assortment  of  merchandise,  including  a  generous 
supply  of  Johnson  County  Bourbon,  "  rot  gut,"  "  tangle  leg  and  lay  'em 
straight,"  which  was  dealt  out  in  quantities  according  to  demand.  In 
connection  with  their  mercantile  business,  the  firm  operated  a  steam  saw 
mill,  which  they  afterward  disposed  of  to  Thomas  Beard.  Cable  &  Os- 
borne were  succeeded  by  James  Foresythe,  who  was  in  turn  followed  by 
Thomas  Miller,  by  whom  the  stock  of  goods  was  moved  from  the  place. 
An  early  merchant  was  William  Carpiner,  of  whom  but  little  is  known. 
There  is  one  store  in  the  village,  at  the  present  time  kept  by  Mr.  Cole  ;  a 
blacksmith  shop,  a  shingle  machine,  post  office  and  church. 

SCHOOLS  AND  SCHOOL  TEACHERS. 

The  first  school  in  Taylor  Township  was  taught  by  one  Thomas  Stubbs, 
at  the  old  Lower  Kokomo  Church  building,  near  the  residence  of  James 
T.  Dyer.  The  second  term  at  the  same  place  was  taught  by  Levi  Mills. 
The  citizens  of  the  township  early  took  an  active  interest  in  educational 
matters,  and  at  the  election  to  decide  whether  the  school  section  should  be 
sold  or  not,  fifty-eight  voted  in  favor  and  three  against  the  project.  This 
election  took  place  in  1849,  and  the  total  amount  received  by  the  township 
at  that  time  for  educational  purposes  was  $160. 18f.  Among  early  teach- 
ers were  the  following:  Thomas  Beals,  David  E.  Stephens,  S.  J.  John- 
son, Anna  L.  Gordon,  John  W.  Carter,  Harrison  Horine,  Robert  W. 
Morritt,  J.  C.  Anderson,  J.  M.  Chew,  William  Mott,  Seth  Beals,  A.  M. 
Livey,  John  Stewart,  Harriet  Brown  and  H.  W.  Thompson.  There  are 
eight  good  brick  schoolhouses,  one  of  which,  the  Fairfield  building,  is 
arranged  for  a  graded  school.  There  was  paid  for  tuition  during  the 
school  year  (1882-83)  the  sum  of  $2,444.  The  teachers  for  the  last  school 
year  (1882-88)  were  J.  W.  Troyer,  Anna  Smith,  0.  C.  Smith,  Fleetwood 
Ault,  T.  N.  Jenkins,  J.  M.  Jessup,  C.  Wolfe,  B.  W.  Cox  and  Arvilla  Dyer, 

CHURCHES. 

The  first  religious  services  in  the  township  were  held  at  private  resi- 
dences by  the  Christian  denomination  known  as  New  Lights.  They  organ- 
ized a  society  as  early  as  the  year  1843,  at  the  residence  of  Laomi  Ashley, 
one  of  their  ministers,  who  lived  on  what  is  now  the  Dyar  farm.  A  log  build- 
ing was  erected  about  two  years  later,  and  the  organization  took  upon  it- 
self the  name  of  the  Lower  Kokomo  Church.  The  society  continued 
with  a  good  membership  for  a  number  of  years,  but  was  finally  aban- 
doned, part  of  the  members  joining  the  Upper  Kokomo  Church,  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  township.  The  early  preachers  were  Laomi  Ashley, 
Lemuel  Shoemaker  and  Samuel  Poff. 

The  Upper  Kokomo  Church  was  organized  July  10, 1847,  by  Samuel 


2  34  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Poff  and  Lemuel  Shoemaker,  with  a  flourishing  membership.  Among 
the  early  members  were  Samuel  McCune,  H.  Garner,  Eunice  Garner,  John 
R.  Colvin,  J.  J.  Poft',  John  Garner,  Elvira  Garner,  Elias  Wilson,  Nancy 
Wilson,  M.  Ryan,  Nancy  Garner,  Rebecca  Garner,  Mary  L.  McCune, 
Joseph  Garner,  Miles  Gibson,  Jane  Gibson,  Barbara  Pendegrass,  M. 
Spencer,  Catherine  Poff,  Sarah  Poff,  Elizabeth  Cole,  Francis  Poff,  Asa 
Parker,  Eliza  Parker,  John  Beamer,  Peter  Beamer,  W.  H.  Poff,  W.  J. 
Poff,  Marietta  Rodman  and  Eli  Spencer.  Meetings  were  held  at  Samuel 
Poff's  residence  for  several  years.  A  house  of  worship  was  afterward  erected 
about  one  mile  northeast  of  Tampico.  It  was  a  log  structnre,  and  was 
used  by  the  congregation  until  the  year  1879,  at  which  time  the  church 
purchased  the  Methodist  building  in  Tampico,  which  has  been  the  meet- 
ing place  since.  The  following  parties  have  had  charge  of  the  society  at 
different  times  :  Thomas  Whitman,  H.  Johnson,  Isaac  Johnson,  Laorai 
Ashley,  Ammon  Cook,  E.  Ashley,  J.  J.  Poff,  Daniel  Lewellen,  Vinson 
Roberts,  J.  0.  Kirby,  R.  Hultz,  J.  Comer,  J.  Dunfee,  L.  L.  Gibson,  G. 
Hurlbert,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Williams,  L.  W.  Hercules,  John  R.  Kob  and  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Jaynes.  At  the  present  time,  the  church  is  without  a  regular 
pastor.  On  the  records  are  the  names  of  about  forty-five  members  in 
good  standing. 

The  Union  Separate  Baptist  Church  was  organized  in  the  spring  of 
1846,  by  Elders  Jacob  Baumgardner  and  Uriah  McQueen.  The  first 
meeting  was  held  at  a  little  log  schoolhouse,  which  stood  on  the  farm  of 
Charles  Harmon  in  Harrison  Township.  The  original  membership  con- 
sisted of  the  following  persons  :  Peter  Kirkman  and  wife,  G.  W.  Baum- 
gardner and  wife,  Jacob  Baumgardner  and  wife  and  Charles  Harmon 
and  wife.  The  schoolhouse  was  used  for  a  meeting  place  about  three 
years,  when  a  house  of  worship  was  erected  in  this  township  near  where 
the  present  building  stands.  It  was  a  small  structure,  18x20  feet,  built 
of  rough  logs,  and  stood  on  ground  donated  for  the  purpose  by  Reason 
Lackey.  It  served  the  congregation  until  the  year  1862,  at  which  time 
it  was  decided  to  build  a  more  commodious  structure,  and  work  on  the 
new  house  besran  at  once.  The  old  house  was  removed,  and  a  frame 
building,  30x36  feet,  erected  in  its  stead,  at  a  cost  of  $400.  The  first 
pastor  was  Jacob  Baumgardner,  who  remained  with  the  church  a  part  of 
one  year.  He  was  succeeded  by  Elder  Josiah  Randolph,  who  exercised 
pastoral  control  at  intervals  until  1871.  Other  pastors  and  stated  sup- 
plies were  John  Layman,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sharpe,  James  Hamilton,  Andrew 
White,  William  Randolph,  G.  W.  Baumgardner,  George  W.  Turner 
and  Wilfred  Spurlin.  The  church  is  in  good  condition  at  the  present 
time,  and  has  about  eighty  members.  A  Sunday  school  is  sustained  dur- 
ing the  spring  and  summer  seasons,  with  an  average  attendance  of  fifty 
scholars.     John  Morrows  is  the  efiicient  Superintendent. 


TAYLOR  TOWNSHIP.  235 

Albright  Chapel  Methodist  Church  dates  its  history  from  the  year 
1847,  and  was  organized  at  the  residence  of  John  Albright,  with  the  fol- 
lowing seven  members  :  John  Albright  and  wife,  E.  C.  Albright  and  wife, 
Elizabeth  Ford,  Emily  Rodman  and  Nancy  Skeen.  Among  those  who 
joined  the  church  shortly  after  its  organization  were  William  Albright, 
Elizabeth  Albright,  E.  S.  Apperson  and  wife  and  William  xlpperson  and 
wife.  For  eleven  years,  public  worship  was  held  at  private  dwellings, 
schoolhouses  and  barns.  The  present  neat  house  of  worship  was 
erected  in  the  year  1858,  on  land  donated  by  William  Albright.  The 
building  is  of  brick,  35x45,  was  erected  by  John  Albright  at  a  cost  of 
^1,500.     Present  membership  of  the  church  is  about  275  persons. 

In  October,  1849.  an  ecclesiastical  council  convened  at  the  house  of 
Simeon  Mugg,  ea^t  of  Tampico,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  church. 
The  council  was  composed  of  William  Lewis,  Jesse  Thatcher,  Henry 
Cobb,  Thomas  R.  Cobb,  I.  Hip,  F.  Kizer,  J.  Wright,  A.  Leach, 
William  Golding,  and  M.  B.  Golding.  Elder  Leach  was  chosen 
Moderator,  and  M.  B.  Golding,  Clerk ;  Simeon  and  Lucinda  Mugg, 
James  K.  Mugg,  Nancy  J.  Mugg,  William  A.  Curran,  Rebecca  Curran, 
Hannah  Hall,  William  Mugg  and  Jemima  Mugg  presented  their  letters 
and  were  organized  into  a  society,  under  the  name  of  Bethany  Missionary 
Baptist  Church,  and  attached  to  the  Judson  Association.  Elder  H.  Cobb 
was  chosen  pastor,  a  position  he  filled  very  acceptably  for  two  years, 
when  he  resigned.  The  church  licensed  Simeon  Mugg  to  peach  in  1851. 
Elder  A.  Leach  served  the  church  from  1851  to  1853,  at  which  time 
Simeon  Mugg  was  called  as  pastor.  For  six  years  meetings  were  held 
at  the  residence  of  Simeon  Mugg,  who  opened  his  door  and  took  the  little 
flock  in  and  fed  them  both  spiritually  and  temporally.  In  July,  1854, 
the  church  changed  its  place  of  worship  to  the  Christian  Meeting-House, 
which  was  used  until  the  year  1858,  when  a  frame  edifice  was  erected  in 
the  village  of  Tampico,  at  a  cost  of  ^300.  In  the  year  1855,  Rev.  Denton 
Simpson  was  called  as  assistant  pastor,  and  later  as  pastor,  .in  which  ca- 
pacity he  served  until  the  year  1866,  when  he  resigned  his  charge,  and  was 
succeeded  by  Elder  Cobb.  The  latter  remained  with  the  church  until 
1868,  when  Simpson  again  took  charge  and  served  until  1870,  being 
succeeded  at  that  time  by  Rev.  J.  E.  Ellison,  who  preached  one  year. 
Simpson  was  called  for  the  third  time  in  1871,  and  has  been  with  the 
church  ever  since.  A  new  house  of  worship  was  erected,  in  the  year  1882, 
a  short  distance  northeast  of  Tampico,  near  where  the  old  Kokomo  church 
formerly  stood.  It  is  a  neat  brick  structure,  and  an  ornament  to  the 
community. 

The  Fairfield  Christian   (New-Light)    Church  was  organized  in    the 
year  1853,  at  a  little  cabin  which  stood  on  the   northwest  corner  of  the 


236  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Youngman  farm.  The  organization  was  brought  about  mainly  through  the 
labors  of  Elder  Hiram  Westbrook  and  Thomas  Cole.  Among  early  mem- 
bers were  J.  B.  Fletcher,  Thomas  Cole  and  wife,  Thomas  Beard  and 
wife,  Nathan  Comer  and  wife.  The  organization  was  moved  to  a  little 
abandoned  cabin  on  the  farm  of  Benjamin  Neal,  where  services  were  held 
one  summer,  after  which  the  schoolhouse  was  used  as  a  meeting  place. 
A  regular  house  of  worship  was  erected  some  years  ago.  It  is  a  frame 
building,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  about  250  persons.  The  society  was 
kept  up  for  a  number  of  years,  but  was  finally  abandoned,  and  at  the 
present  time  no  organization  is  maintained. 

The  Methodist  Church  of  Tampico  was  organized  November  5,  1857, 
with  the  following  members :  John  T.  Armstrong  and  wife,  Samuel 
Whistler  and  wife,  Moses  Adamson  and  vrife,  James  S.  Currens  and  wife 
James  Bennett  and  wife,  E.  S.  Apperson  and  wife,  Sarah  Eaton,  Mrs. 
C.  S.  Wilson,  R.  S.  Lattey,  A.  S.  Kinnear  and  wife,  T.  W.  Banks  and 
wife  and  Richard  Landon.  H.  J.  Lacy  was  the  first  pastor,  and  served 
two  years.  A.  S.  Kinnear  served  during  the  year  1858 ;  S.  T.  Stout, 
1859 ;  W.  S.  Birch,  1860 ;  Augustus  Eddy,  1861 ;  C.  W.  Miller  and 
George  Havens,  1862,  and  James  Black,  1863.  The  last  pastor 
was  Rev.  C.  E.  Disbro.  Public  worship  was  held  in  the  village  ware- 
house and  private  dwellings  until  the  year  1862,  at  which  time  a  temple 
of  worship  was  erected,  which  is  still  standing.  The  building  is  frame, 
26x44  feet,  cost  the  sum  of  $850,  and  stands  on  ground  purchased  of 
Elizabeth  Trabue.  In  the  year  1871,  the  organization,  by  mutual  con- 
sent, was  abandoned,  and  in  1880  the  building  was  sold  to  the  New- 
Lights,  who  use  it  at  the  present  time. 

The  Fairfield  Christian  Church  was  organized  at  the  village  school- 
house  in  the  year  1860,  by  Elder  Aaron  Walker.  The  first  members  were 
Miletus  Shirley  and  wife,  Aaron  Walker  and  wife,  Stephen  Kirkpatrick 
and  wife,  William  Kirkpatrick,  Henry  Weaver  and  wife,  W.  T.  Johnson 
and  wife,  James  Duncan,  John  Newton  and  wife,  Mrs.  Newton,  T.  G. 
Anderson  and  wife,  Louie  Anderson,  Alice  Anderson  and  Parmela 
Anderson.  The  first  Elders  were  William  Kirkpatrick  and  T.  G. 
Anderson.  Miletus  Shirley  and  Stephen  Kirkpatrick  were  the  first 
'Deacons.  The  congregation  held  services  in  the  schoolhouse  for  about 
one  year,  when  a  more  commodious  audience-room  was  fitted  up  in  the  ware- 
house belonging  to  T.  G.  Anderson.  The  present  house  of  worship  was 
commenced  in  the  year  1863,  and  completed  one  year  later.  It  stands 
in  the  north  part  of  the  village,  on  ground  purchased  of  Joseph  Lowry,  and 
represents  a  capital  of  about  $1,500.  Aaron  Walker  preached  for  the 
church  about  ten  years,  and  was  instrumental  in  building  up  quite  a 
flourishing  congregation.     The  next  regular  pastor  was  Elder  George  E. 


UNION  TOWNS  (IIP.  237 

Flower,  who  remained  with  the  church  one  year.  During  his  pastorate,  a 
large  revival  was  held,  which  resulted  in  a  number  of  accessions  to 
the  congregation.  Flower  was  followed  by  Elder  A.  J.  Kerr,  who 
preached  acceptably  for  two  years.  Then  came  Elder  William  Welsh,  who 
supplied  the  pulpit  regularly  for  the  same  length  of  time.  Daniel  Patter- 
son preached  one  year,  and  was  in  turn  followed  by  Elder  Charles 
Blaekman,  whose  pastorate  closed  in  1882,  since  which  time  the  church 
has  been  without  a  regular  preacher.  The  organization  at  the  present 
time  is  in  a  very  dormant  state,  numbering  among  its  members  many 
nominal  Christians  with  but  few  active  workers.  A  good  Sunday  school  is 
maintained  during  the  greater  part  of  the  year,  with  a  large  attendance. 
The  present  Superintendent  is  G.  N.  Berry. 

Friendship  Baptist  Church  is  an  offshoot  of  the  Bethany  Baptist 
Church  of  Tampico,  and  was  organized  January  17,  1877,  with  seven 
members,  to  wit :  James  Mugg,  B,  F.  Mugg,  William  Mugg,  Joseph 
Mugg,  Catherine  Mugg,  Elizabeth  Thatcher  and  Rachel  E.  Mugg.  The 
society  met  for  worship  at  the  residence  of  James  Mugg  for  several  months, 
when  the  organization  was  moved  to  the  Terre  Hall  Schoolhouse,  which 
served  as  a  meeting  place  until  1878,  at  Avhich  time  a  log  church  was 
erected.  This  building  was  used  until  1881,  when  the  present  neat 
temple  of  worship  was  built.  The  house  is  about  32x40  feet,  and  was 
erected  at  a  cost  of  |1,500.  The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  I.  J.  Langdon,  of 
Muncie,  Ind.,  who  preached  one  year.  J.  L,  Matthews  was  the  next 
pastor  and  remained  with  the  church  for  three  years,  being  followed  by 
Rev.  J.  W.  Saunders,  who  ministered  to  the  congregation  about  one  year. 
The  pastor  at  the  present  time  is  Rev.  J.  F.  Crews.  The  membership  is 
about  twenty-five. 


UNION    TOWNSHIP. 

Union  Township  occupies  the  southeast  corner  of  Howard  County 
and  comprises  thirty-one  and  a  half  square  miles  of  territory  bordering 
on  Grant  County  on  the  east,  and  Tipton  County  on  the  south.  Liberty 
and  Jackson  Townships  on  the  north,  and  Taylor  Township  on  the  west. 
It  was  originally  included  in  the  territory  of  Green  Township,  and  was 
set  off  as  a  distinct  division  at  the  March  term ,  1853,  of  the  Board  of  County 
Commissioners.  Topographically,  the  surface  may  be  described  as  prin- 
cipally of  even  face  in  the  northeastern,  southeastern  and  southwestern 
portions,  with  occasional  undulations  of  somewhat  irregular  character  in 
the  central  part,  while  adjacent  to  the  streams  the  land  is  more  uneven, 
though  in  no  place  is  it  too  broken  for  farming  purposes.  The  town- 
ship is  well  watered  and  drained  by  several  streams,  which  flow  throuu^h  the 


238  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

country  in  various  directions,  the  chief  of  which  is  Big  Wild  Cat.  This 
water  course  passes  through  the  central  part  of  the  township  in  a  north- 
westerly direction,  and  aiibrds  tlie  principal  drainage  of  the  eastern  part 
of  the  county.  It  has  three  divisions,  known  as  the  Grassy,  Middle  and 
South  Forks,  which  unite,  as  a  single  stream,  near  the  central  part  of  the 
township  in  Section  18.  Lily  Creek  rises  near  the  northwestern  part  of 
the  township,  flows  through  an  irregular  channel  in  an  easterly  direction, 
and  empties  into  Wild  Cat  in  Section  10,  near  the  village  of  Jerome,  Ko- 
komo  Creek,  the  second  stream  of  importance  in  the  county,  flows  through 
the  western  part  of  Union.  It  enters  the  township  from  the  west,  about 
one-half  mile  from  the  southern  boundary,  takes  a  northeasterly  course 
through  Sections  80,  20  and  19,  and  leaves  from  Section  18.  A  small  stream 
known  as  Prairie  Creek  rises  near  the  south-central  part  of  the  township 
in  Section  27,  from  whence  it  flows  a  northwesterly  course  through  Sec- 
tions 22  and  15,  crossing  the  northern  boundary  in  Section  16. 

SOIL,     TIMBER,    ETC. 

The  soil  in  all  parts  of  Union  is  the  fine  black  loam  common  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  county,  and  which  has  given  to  this  township  its  pe- 
culiar advantages  as  an  agricultural  region.  It  is  very  deep,  and  rests 
upon  a  stratum  of  clay,  thus  rendering  artificial  drainage  comparatively 
easy  where  sufiicient  outlets  can  be  obtained.  When  first  seen  by  white 
men,  this  part  of  the  county  was  covered  with  dense  forests  of  the  finest 
timber,  the  principal  varieties  being  black  and  white  walnut,  maple,  beech, 
hickory,  ash,  oak,  hackberry,  linn,  elm  and  sycamore  in  the  low  grounds 
along  the  water-courses.  So  thickly  interwoven  were  the  branches  that 
the  sun's  rays  were  completely  excluded  from  the  soil  beneath,  which  con- 
sequently remained  wet  during  the  greater  part  of  the  year.  .This  damp 
condition  of  the  ground,  with  the  abundance  of  decaying  vegetable  matter, 
proved  the  fruitful  source  of  much  of  the  fever  and  ague  with  which  the 
first  pioneers  were  afflicted  during  the  first  few  years  of  the  country's 
settlement.  By  a  successful  system  of  underdraining,  however,  all  the 
surface  water  is  now  easily  gotten  rid  of  and  in  no  part  of  the  county  is 
there  a  more  healthy  locality  than  Union  Township.  Union  has  the  rep- 
utation of  being  a  fine  farming  section,  a  claim  which  is  well  founded. 
While  some  portions  of  the  county  may  show  as  rich  a  soil,  and  others 
may  be  better  adapted  to  some  specialty,  yet  we  believe  that  no  other 
township  can  lay  claim  to  all  the  advantages  of  soil,  water,  timber  and 
health  fulness  than  are  justly  claimed  for  this.  For  a  number  of  years, 
the  natural  advantages  of  this  region  were  scarcely  appreciated,  as  the 
farming  was  carried  on  in  such  a  manner  as  to  obtain  results  far  below 
what  are  now   realized.      Better  farm   machinery,   improved  methods  of 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  239 

planting  and  cultivating,  and  the  adoption  of  crops  better  suited  to  the 
soil,  have  brought  great  and  favorable  changes.  In  an  especial  manner  is 
this  true  in  regard  to  harvesting  and  taking  care  of  products. 

PRIMITIVE    FARMING. 

The  way  our  fathers  performed  their  farming  operations  is  so  little  known 
to  this  generation,  who  depend  almost  entirely  on  machinery,  and  require 
horses  to  do  all  the  work  which  men,  women  and  children  formerly  did, 
that  a  description  of  the  old  way,  gathered  from  conversations  with  those 
who  know  whereof  they  speak,  may  be  of  interest  to  the  young  farmers  of 
the  present  day.  Banish  all  such  modern  improvements  as  self-binders, 
mowers,  corn  planters,  sulky  plows,  horse  rakes,  threshing  machines, 
riding  cultivators,  and  some  conception  may  be  formed  of  the  primitive 
way  of  farming.  The  following  was  the  mode  of  planting  corn  :  A.fter 
the  ground  had  been  broken  with  a  "bar  shear,  "  plowed  and  scratched 
over  with  a  harrow  in  which  short  wooden  pins  were  used  for  teeth,  the 
little  shovel  plow  and  single  horse  were  used  for  marking  ruts  both  ways. 
After  marking  was  done  children,  big  and  little,  the  men  and  women, 
went  into  the  field,  and  while  the  children, with  tin  basins,  or  small  baskets, 
dropped  the  grain  in  the  crossings,  the  others,  with  heavy  iron  hoes,  fol- 
lowed and  covered  it  with  dirt.  After  the  planting  came  the  hoeing,  now 
superseded  by  the  improved  cultivator.  The  tending  by  single  shovel 
plows  was  the  common  method  until  a  few  years  ago,  and  many  of  them 
are  still  in  use.  Harvesting  wheat,  oats,  rye  and  grass  was  formerly  a 
laborious  process.  Even  within  the  recollection  of  comparatively  young  men, 
the  scythe  and  cradle  were  looked  upon  as  improved  implements  of  husbandry. 
The  hand  sickle  and  reap  hook  were  the  implements  used  in  our  grandfathers' 
time,  and  several  days  were  required  to  harvest  a  field  of  grain  which 
could  be  done  with  one  of  our  modern  self-binders  in  as  many  hours. 
The  manner  of  cleaning  wheat  from  the  chaff,  after  it  had  been  trampled 
out  by  horses  or  oxen,  was  by  pouring  it  slowly  out  of  a  bucket  or  half 
bushel  measure,  for  the  win<l  to  blow  the  chaff  away  ;  next  came  the  "  con- 
cave thresher"  and  the  old  fan  mill  turned  by  hand.  But  now  the  per- 
fected thresher  not  only  cleans  and  separates  the  wheat  from  the  chaff 
and  straw,  but  sacks  and  counts  the  number  of  bushels.  Other  improved 
methods  of  farm  labor  have  kept  pace  with  the  modern  machinery 
mentioned,  and  the  advance  which  this  township  has  made  in  an  agricult- 
ural point  of  view  since  its  first  settlement  has  been  almost  phenomenal. 

PIONEER    SETTLEMENT. 

The  political  condition  of  a  people  depends  largely  upon  the  tenure  of 
land.     If  a  settler  could  call  land  his  own,  in  the  same  sense  that  a  iiorse 


240  PISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

or  a  gun  is  his,  the  region  couhl  not  be  retarded  in  its  development,  or 
such  embarrassments  arise  as  have  been  experienced  in  older  countries. 
The  land  tenures  in  this  county  were  perfect,  hence  its  prosperity  was 
placed  upon  a  solid  basis.  There  were  no  "grants  "  in  those  early  days 
when  the  price  of  land  was  put  up  to  enrich  the  seller.  The  land  in  this 
region  was  put  in  mai'ket  for  the  benefit  of  the  State  by  attracting  per- 
manent settlements. 

The  first  settler  who  located  in  Union  Township  as  it  is  at  present 
designated,  was  David  Bailey,  the  exact  date  of  whose  arrival  was  not  as- 
certained, though  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  prior  to  the  year  1842. 
He  located  near  the  forks  of  Wild  Cat,  about  two  miles  southeast  of 
Jerome,  where  he  erected  a  small  cabin  and  cleared  a  patch  of  ground, 
though  he  did  not  remain  there  very  long.  There  was  a  large  family  of 
the  Baileys,  several  of  whom  settled  near  Greentown,  in  Liberty  Town- 
ships where  they  took  and  disposed  of  a  great  many  claims,  accumulating 
thereby  considerable  money,  which  enabled  them  to  enter  land  when  it 
came  into  market.  In  the  year  1843,  Jesse  Lancaster  came  to  the  town- 
ship and  settled  a  short  distance  north  of  the  present  site  of  Jerome,  on 
land  at  present  owned  and  occupied  by  Isaac  Reed.  At  that  time,  the 
land  was  still  in  possession  of  the  Indians,  from  whom  Lancaster  obtained 
permission  to  settle  and  make  improvements.  When  the  land  came  into 
market,  he  laid  claim  to  160  acres,  but  not  having  sufficient  means  to  pay 
the  Government  price,  he  sold  the  claim,  which  was  an  eligible  site,  to 
Clem  Murphy,  for  money  enough  to  enter  the  adjoining  quarter.  Lan- 
caster came  here  from  Wells  County,  and  seems  to  have  been  a  man  of 
some  prominence  in  the  little  pioneer  community.  He  was  quite  a  me- 
chanical genius,  being  a  millwright  by  occupation,  and  found  abundant 
opportunities  for  exercising  his  skill  in  making  chairs,  tables,  plows  and 
other  articles  for  the  early  settlers.  He  improved  a  good  farm  and  set 
out  the  first  orchard  in  the  township,  many  trees  of  which  are  still  stand- 
ing. In  1858,  he  sold  this  farm  to  John  Shaughan  and  moved  to  Wayne 
County. 

A  son-in-law  of  Lancaster,  Charles  Baldwin,  came  about  the  same 
time  and  selected  a  site  for  his  home  a  short  distance  west  of  Jerome, 
near  a  large  spring,  where  he  erected  a  rude  pole  shanty.  This  structure, 
which  cannot  be  dignified  by  the  term  house,  was  constructed  in  a  few 
hours,  while  the  wind  was  blowing  a  still'  breeze  and  the  snow  Avas  flying 
thick  in  tlie  air.  The  large  cracks  were  stuff'ed  with  moss,  which,  with 
sheets  hung  around  the  interior,  served  to  keep  out  the  cold  winter  winds. 
A  fire  on  the  ground  near  the  central 'part  of  the  domicile,  there  being  no 
floor,  answered  for  heating  and  cooking  purposes,  while  smoke  was  allowed 
to  make  its  escape  as  best  it  could  through  a  small  opening  in  the   brush 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  241 

and  hay  roof.  The  following  spring,  a  more  comfortable  and  convenient 
cabin  was  built,  but  the  members  of  the  family  never  forgot  their  expe- 
rience in  the  rail-pen  during  the  cold  winter  of  1843-44.  Baldwin  was 
a  native  of  England,  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  intellectual  culture, 
and,  as  a  teacher,  was  for  several  years  identified  with  the  early  schools  of 
Union.  He  afterward  became  the  possessor  of  a  good  farm,  lying  about 
one  mile  east  of  Jerome,  where  Albert  Farrington  now  lives.  He  sold 
this  place  and  moved  into  Jackson  Township  a  number  of  years  ago. 

During  the  year  1844,  the  following  settlers  located  within  the 
present  limits  of  the  township :  Charles  0.  Fry,  William  Jones,  Joseph 
Brown,  Thomas  Moorman,  John  Farrington  and  John  Husted.  The  first 
named  settled  a  short  distance  southwest  of  Jerome,  near  Big  Wild  Cat, 
on  land  which  he  "pre-empted"  when  it  came  into  market.  He  erected 
his  first  cabin  near  an  Indian  sugar  camp,  which  so  exasperated  the  red 
men  who  were  in  no  wise  friendly  toward  the  settler,  that  serious  results 
very  nearly  followed.  The  savages  looked  upon  Fry's  action  as  an  en- 
croachment, and  gathering  a  number  of  their  braves  together  they  rode 
through  the  country,  tore  down  a  number  of  newly  erected  but  unoccu- 
pied cabins,  burned  fences  and  seized  the  stock  belonging  to  several  set- 
tlers. Fry  and  Joseph  Brown  visited  the  Indian  camp  to  make  repara- 
tion for  the  offense  committed,  which  was  rather  more  easily  accomplished 
than  they  expected.  The  chief  said  that  all  would  be  well  and  no  fur- 
ther depredations  be  committed,  providing  the  white  man  (meaning  Fry), 
would  procure  them  a  load  of  hay  for  their  ponies.  Brown  and  Fry 
•were  compelled  to  go  to  Marion  for  the  hay,  an  undertaking  attended 
with  many  difiiculties,  as  they  were  compelled  to  cut  their  road  through 
the  woods  for  almost  half  the  distance.  The  hay  was  unloaded  at  the 
Indian  village  in  due  time,  and  thereafter  all  was  peace  and  harmony  be- 
tween the  redskins  and  settlers.  Fry  was  a  native  of  Wayne  County, 
but  moved  to  this  part  of  the  country  from  Grant,  where  many  years  be- 
fore he  figured  as  a  prominent  pioneer.  He  was  a  zealous  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church,  and  it  was  at  his  cabin  the  first  religious  services  in 
the  eastern  part  of  the  county  were  held.  He  remained  in  this  township 
about  three  years,  when  he  traded  his  claim  to  Henry  Bailey  for  a  claim  on 
the  present  site  of  Greentown,  to  which  he  moved  his  family  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1845. 

William  Jones  came  from  Grant  County,  and  "  squatted  "  about  one- 
half  mile  north  of  Jerome,  on  Lily  Creek.  Here  he  erected  a  diminutive 
cabin,  around  which  was  cleared  a  small  patch  of  ground,  and  for  several 
years  did  teaming  for  the  neighborhood.  He  was  the  owner  of  a  large 
yoke  of  oxen,  with  which  he  made  regular  trips  to  Jonesboro  for  the  pur- 
pose of  hauling  the  settlers'  grain  to  mill,  and  doing  their  marketing.     He 


242  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUxNTY. 

generally  took  half  the  grain  for  his  trouble,  which  was  not  looked  upon 
as  exorbitant  pay,  considering  the  almost  impassable  roads  over  Avhich  he 
was  obliged  to  travel.  Jones  sold  his  possessions  to  Henry  Hoover  in 
1848,  and  moved  from  the  township. 

Joseph  Brown,  the  oldest  inhabitant  of  the  township  living  at  the  present 
time,  was  a  resident  of  Grant  County  previous  to  his  settlement  here.  He 
first  saw  this  part  of  the  country  in  1843,  while  on  a  hunt  for  cattle  be- 
longing to  his  employer,  Mr.  Tyler,  and,  liking  the  appearance  of  the  land, 
determined  to  locate  here.  He  selected  a  spot  for  his  cabin  about 
one-half  mile  northeast  of  Jerome  on  Lily  Creek,  and  soon  had  a  habita- 
tion ready  for  occupancy.  His  family  was  soon  transferred  to  their 
new  home,  and  since  that  period  Mr.  Brown  has  been  prominently 
identified  with  the  growth  and  development  of  the  township.  At  the 
present  time,  he  is  operating  a  mill  very  successfully  at  the  village  of 
Jerome.  Moorman  located  near  West  Liberty,  and  was  soon  afterward 
joined  by  Elliott  Mason,  who  settled  in  the  same  vicinity.  They  both 
came  here  from  Grant  County^  and  for  many  years  were  residents  of 
Union.  John  Farrington  settled  on  the  south  bank  of  Wild  Cat,  one 
mile  southeast  of  Jerome,  where  he  took  a  claim.  He  traded  this 
claim  two  years  later  to  Ephraim  Bates,  who  lived  north  of  the  creek, 
on  the  old  Bailey  place.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable  energy 
and  rare  business  qualifications,  and  became  the  possessor  of  a  fine  tract 
of  real  estate,  which,  at  the  present  time,  is  in  possession  of  his  de- 
scendants. 

James  Husted  was  an  odd  character,  who  achieved  quite  a  reputation 
among  the  early  settlers  as  a  successful  bee-hunter  and  trapper.  He  was 
an  unmarried  man,  and  lived  entirely  alone,  in  a  little  rail  pen,  which  he 
built  about  two  and  a  half  miles  east  of  Jerome.  He  made  no  improve- 
ments, but  spent  all  his  time  in  the  woods,  trapping  during  the  fall  and 
winter  season,  and  hunting  wild  honey  in  the  summer  time.  From  the 
sale  of  his  furs  and  honey,  he  realized  considerable  money,  which  he  hoard- 
ed away  with  miserly  care.  He  remained  in  this  part  of  the  country  until 
the  game  became  scarce,  when  he  packed  his  few  household  goods,  and 
with  them  upon  his  back,  departed  for  more  congenial  quarters  further 
west. 

Among  other  early  settlers  who  came  in  about  the  same  time,  or  per- 
haps a  little  later,  were  Elias  Brown,  brother  of  Joseph  Brown,  who  lo- 
cated on  Lily  Creek,  one  mile  north  of  Jerome,  where  he  entered  land  in 
1847,  and  Jefferson  Horine,  who  settled  about  midway  between  West 
Liberty  and  Jerome,  on  the  East  Fork  of  Wild  Cat,  where  his  son,  Samuel 
Horine,  lives.  Horine  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  proved  a  valuable 
acquisition  to  the  community  where  he  settled.     He  was  the  first  physi- 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  24  3 

cian  in  the  township,  and  early  achieved  quite  a  reputation  for  the  suc- 
cessful manner  in  which  he  treated  the  chills  and  ague,  so  common  in 
pioneer  times. 

Reuben  Hawkins  was  another  early  settler  deserving  special  notice. 
He  came  the  latter  part  of  1844,  and  settled  east  of  Joseph  Brown's 
place,  on  Lily  Creek,  where  he  built  the  first  mill  in  the  eastern  part  of 
the  county.  He  manufactured  the  buhrs  for  this  mill  out  of  two  large 
"  nigger  heads  "  found  near  by.  The  machinery  was  operated  by  water- 
power,  ground  very  slow,  but  made  a  very  fair  article  of  meal.  Hawkins 
afterward  attached  a  turning-lathe,  and,  being  an  expert  workman  in 
wood,  soon  had  all  the  work  he  could  do  making  tables,  stands,  chairs, 
and  various  other  articles  of  furniture,  which  he  sold  to  the  settlers  of  this 
and  adjoining  townships.  He  was  a  resident  of  Union  about  twenty-five 
years,  dying  in  1869. 

Another  early  settler  of  note  was  Hampton  Brown,  father  of  Joseph 
and  Elias  Brown,  whose  arrival  in  the  township  dates  from  the  year  1846. 
He  was  a  native  of  Indiana,  but  passed  his  youth  in  Warren  County, 
Ohio,  where  his  father  moved  in  an  early  day  to  escape  the  ravages  of  the 
Indians,  who  at  that  time  were  very  troublesome  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  State.  After  attaining  his  majority,  he  moved  back  to  Indiana  and 
settled  near  Richmond,  when  that  city  was  a  mere  hamlet  of  a  half  dozen 
cabins,  and  remained  there  until  he  immigrated  to  this  county  in  the  year 
mentioned.  He  made  an  entry  of  land  in  Section  11,  and  built  his  cabin 
on  the  present  site  of  Jerome,  of  which  village  he  was  the  proprietor.  He 
was  a  resident  of  Union  until  the  year  1871,  and  did  as  much  toward  the 
general  development  of  the  township  as  any  other  man  within  its  bounda- 
ries. He  died  in  the  above  year  at  a  ripe  old  age,  and  left  a  large  estate, 
which  is  in  possession  of  his  descendants.  Harvey,  Eugene,  Jerome,  Joel 
and  Napoleon  B.  Brown,  sons  of  Hampton  Brown,  came  about  the  same 
time  and  located  in  the  vicinity  of  Jerome.  The  first  named  resides  in 
the  township  at  the  present  time,  and  is  justly  considered  one  of  its  lead- 
ing citizens.  William  Trader  came  in  1846  and  located  near  the  forks  of 
Wild  Cat,  where  he  entered  a  quarter-section  of  land  one  year  later.  He 
was  a  person  in  whom  were  combined  many  of  the  elements  of  the  suc- 
cessful business  man  and  shrewd  farmer,  although  his  name  cannot  be 
placed  in  the  calendar  of  saints  by  any  means.  It  is  said  that  he  always 
had  an  abundance  of  pork  for  sale,  although  he  never  raised  any  hogs  of 
his  own.  How  this  meat  came  into  his  possession  is  accounted  for  by 
the  fact  that  all  the  early  settlers'  swine  were  allowed  to  run  at  large. 

Additions  were  made  to  the  township's  population  from  time  to  time. 
Among  the  arrivals  were  Dr.  Fisher,  Philip  Barkdull  and  his  sons 
Albert   and    Joseph,  George  Jones,  Dennis  and  Francis  Cash,  Nathan 


244  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Freeman  and  Jesse  Dennis.  In  the  years  1847  and  1848,  after  the  lands 
came  into  market  subject  to  entry,  the  following  persons  secured  homes 
in  Union  :  John  Hogsdon,  Daniel  Eikenberry,  Bernhard  Hook,  John 
Fellow,  James  Elmore,  John  Crousore,  Thomas  Ireland,  Sanford  Hestor, 
Theodore  Hestor,  Richard  Parker,  George  M.  Riffe,  John  M.  Tennell, 
Reuben  McKay,  Pleasant  Parker,  Caleb  Steeth,  David  Cox,  Joseph 
Graves,  Simon  Davis,  William  Dickey,  Benjamin  Lewellen,  Isaac  Macy, 
John  Barr,  Benjamin  Pickering,  Dempsey  Bailey,  John  Reese,  A. 
Wright,  David  Seward,  Archibald  Leach,  Jackson  Pumphrey,  Calvin 
Newton,  William  Reeves,  William  Rosier,  John  Henshaw,  Silas  Mitchell, 
S.  A.  Fletcher,  Robert  Wiley,  Warner  Brewer,  Ezra  Davis,  Milton  Bar- 
rett, Alexander  Williamson,  Robert  L,  Ward,  Joseph  Dillon,  Levi  Husten, 
Thomas  E.  Osborne,  Riley  Flora,  Jonah  Pierce,  John  Conner,  Jesse 
Ware,  William  and  David  Boywell,  Anson  Courtright,  Isaac  Burns,  Isaac 
Templin,  John  Shirley,  James  Cuthrell  and  John  Allen. 

Like  the  early  settlers  in  all  new  countries,  the  pioneers  of  this  town- 
ship were  compelled  to  endure  many  hardships  and  dangers.  While  it  is 
true  there  were  no  hostile  Indians  to  encounter,  with  the  single  exception 
alluded  to,  and  no  very  ferocious  beasts  to  guard  against,  yet  the  new 
condition  of  the  country  made  it  difficult  to  obtain  wearing  apparel,  gro- 
ceries, breadstuffs  and  other  articles  necessary  to  convenience  and  com- 
fort. The  pioneers  practiced  self-denial,  for  they  left  behind  them  the 
comforts  and  abundance  of  their  old  homes.  They  were  few  at  first  in 
numbers,  but  strong  in  their  faith  and  courage.  They  developed  a  char- 
acter of  which  their  descendants  and  successors  need  not  feel  ashamed. 
Their  necessities  made  them  ingenious,  their  perils  made  them  brave  and 
their  fewness  made  them  sociable.  Their  community  of  wants  and  dan- 
gers made  them  sympathetic  and  helpful  of  each  other.  However  scanty 
their  fare,  it  was  shared  with  the  neighbor  or  stranger  with  a  free-hearted- 
ness  that  gave  a  relish  to  the  plain  repast.  However  small  and  unsightly 
their  cabin,  its  room  and  bed  and  genial  warmth  were  divided  with  a 
cordiality  that  sweetened  the  welcome.  Their  social  life  was  adorned 
with  the  graces  of  liberality  and  true  friendship.  They  did  wisely  and 
well  their  peculiar  work  of  laying  the  foundations  that  we  might  build 
upon  them. 

The  greater  amount  of  trading  during  the  early  days  was  done  at 
Marion,  Jonesboro,  Peru,  Logansport  and  Noblesville,  some  of  the  first 
settlers  going  as  far  as  Indianapolis  for  their  merchandise.  Flour  and  meal 
were  obtained  from  those  places  in  the  summer  time,  but  during  win- 
ter seasons  when  the  condition  of  the  early  roads  precluded  the  pos- 
sibility of  travel,  many  families  manufactured  their  own  breadstuff  by 
hand,  crushing  the  grain  in  a  rude  mortar  made  by  hollowing  out  the  top 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  245 

of  a  round  stump.  As  the  community  increased  in  wealth  and  impor- 
tance, the  people  enlarged  their  facilities  for  living  more  comfortably  and 
with  less  toil  and  privation. 

SAW    AND    GRIST    MILLS. 

The  first  mills  in  the  township  were  those  of  James  Lancaster  and 
Reuben  Hawkins,  erected  prior  to  1846.  Lancaster's  stood  a  short  dis- 
tance northwest  of  Jerome,  on  Lily  Creek.  It  was  a  very  rude  affair, 
operated  by  hand  with  a  little  help  from  the  water  of  the  creek.  The 
grain  was  crushed  with  a  pestle  and  mortar,  and  the  proprietor  took  half 
of  the  grist  for  toll.  A  notice  of  Hawkins'  mill  will  be  found  on  a  previ- 
ous page. 

In  the  year  1847,  the  Brown  Brothers  erected  a  water  mill  on  Big 
Wild  Cat,  just  south  of  the  village  of  Jerome.  It  was  a  combination  mill, 
did  sawing  and  grinding,  and  was  in  operation  until  the  year  1860,  at 
which  time  it  was  torn  down  and  the  machinery  used  in  the  construction 
of  the  present  mill  which  occupies  the  same  spot.  The  original  building 
was  about  30x40  feet,  two  stories  high  and  had  two  run  of  buhrs. 
The  present  mill  is  a  large  three-story  frame  building,  40x56  feet,  with 
three  run  of  buhrs,  and  a  grinding  capacity  of  about  100  bushels  of  grain 
per  day.     It  is  operated  by  Joseph  Brown,  present  proprietor. 

In  the  year  1875,  William  Jessup  moved  a  steam  flouring  mill  from 
Kokomo  to  the  village  of  West  Liberty,  which  proved  a  valuable  acquisi- 
tion to  that  part  of  the  country,  Jessup  sold  it  before  its  completion  to 
—  Carr,  who  operated  it  a  short  time,  when  it  was  purchased  by  William 
McConnell.  It  passed  through  several  hands  and  was  finally  bought  by 
Mr.  Covalt,  the  present  owner,  who  has  remodeled  it  and  added  new  and 
improved  machinery.  A  saw  has  been  attached  and  certain  days  of 
each   week  are  devoted  to  the  lumber  business. 

A  number  of  saw  mills  have  been  operated  in  various  parts  of  the 
country  from  time  to  time,  the  majority  of  them  being  portable  mills,  and 
remaining  but  a  few  seasons  in  the  same  locality.  The  most  important 
saw  mill  was  erected  near  the  western  part  of  the  township  a  number  of 
years  ago  by  Mr.  Chandler,  and  is  still  in  operation.  It  is  one  of  the 
largest  mills  of  the  kind  in  the  county. 

ROADS. 

It  has  been  asserted,  and  wisely  so,  that  the  avenues  of  communica- 
tion are  an  undoubted  evidence  of  the  state  of  society.  The  history  of 
the  world,  from  its  earliest  days,  furnishes  indisputable  proofs  of  this  now 
universally  admitted  truth ;  as  civilization  progresses,  inter-communica- 
tion increases  and  the  channels  of  trade  are  improved,  while  the  convey- 
ance of  products   and   the   movement  of  armies  requii'e  an  unobstructed 


246  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

highway.  Of  the  Eastern  nations  who  comprehended  the  truth  of  this 
statement,  the  chief  were  the  Romans,  whose  broad  highways  and  ruined 
arches  still  remain  to  remind  us  of  those  masters  of  the  Avorld.  While 
in  the  Western  Hemisphere,  Mexican  causeways  and  Peruvian  stone-roads 
attest  the  vigor  of  a  national  life  centuries  departed.  The  first  trails 
through  the  forests  of  this  part  of  the  country,  ample  for  the  aborigines  of 
Indiana,  and  withal,  equal  to  their  capacity,  have  given  place  to  a  net-work 
of  highways,  which,  though  not  comparable  to  the  military  roads  of  the 
Romans  or  ancient  Mexicans,  and  perhaps  inferior  to  the  turnpikes  to  be 
seen  in  the  older  States,  are  yet,  at  least,  equal  to  the  requirements  of  a 
civilized  people. 

The  first  road  in  Union  extended  from  near  Jonesboro,  in  Grant 
County,  to  the  forks  of  Wild  Cat,  near  the  central  part  of  the  township. 
It  was  cut  out  in  1843,  by  C.  P.  Baldwin,  James  Lancaster,  C.  0.  Fry, 
Thomas  Moorman  and  Elliott  Mason,  who  cleared  away  the  brush  and 
blazed  the  trees,  thus  marking  the  way  so  that  travelers  could  find  the 
route.  The  first  legally  established  highway  was  known  as  the  "  Wabash 
trail,"  or  Wabash  and  Strawtown  State  road.  It  led  from  Strawtown  to 
Wabash,  and  crossed  the  township  a  short  distance  north  of  Jerome,  and 
ran  via  Xenia  and  Somerset.  It  was  never  very  extensively  traveled 
and  has  of  late  years  been  entirely  abandoned. 

Anothei:  early  road  led  from  Jonesboro  to  Kokomo  via  Jerome  and 
Greentown.  It  was  surveyed  in  1847,  by  Dr.  Richmond,  and  viewed  by 
Joseph  Brown,  Tence  Lindley  and  John  Sharpe.  Joseph  Brown  was 
elected  the  first  Supervisor  about  this  time.  His  force  of  hands  consisted 
of  twelve  men,  who  were  compelled  to  work  over  a  district  six  miles  in 
length,  two  miles  being  in  Grant  County.  The  Tipton  &  Xenia  road 
was  laid  out  north  and  south  through  the  central  part  of  the  township  in 
the  year  1849.  Like  many  other  roads,  it  has  undergone  various  changes 
during  the  last  thirty  years,  and  is  still  one  of  the  leading  highways  in 
the  eastern  part  of  the  county. 

The  Kokomo,  Greentown  &  Jerome  pike,  which  was  completed  in  the 
year  1870.  is  the  only  gravel  road  in  the  township.  It  extends  from 
Jerome  in  a  northwesterly  direction,  and  has  proved  a  great  benefit  to 
the  citizens  of  this  part  of  the  country.  Its  history  will  be  more  fully 
given  in  another  chapter.  A  railroad  line  from  Marion  to  La  Fayette 
was  run  through  this  township  in  1863,  but  no  work  was  ever  done.  The 
original  survey  of  the  C,  C.  &  I.  C.  Railroad  passed  through  Union  from 
east  to  west,  but  was  abandoned  for  the  more  eligible  route  further  west. 

FIRST    BIRTH,    MARRIAGE    AND    DEATH. 

The  first  child  born  within  the  present  limits  of  the  township  was  a 


UNION  TOWxNSHIP.  247 

child  of  Philip  Barkdull.  This  event  occurred  in  the  year  1846,  a  short 
time  after  the  family  located  in  the  community.  Another  child  was  born 
about  eighteen  months  later  to  the  same  family,  and  was  the  second  birth, 
as  far  as  known.  The  earliest  marriage  traceable  was  solemnized  in  the 
year  1846,  the  contracting  parties  being  Albert  Barkdull  and  Miss 
Hawkins,  daughter  of  Reuben  Hawkins.  The  ceremony  was  performed 
by  Levi  Bailey,  the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace,  who  became  so  confused 
that  considerable  difficulty  was  experienced  before  the  knot  was   tied. 

The  first  burying  i):round  was  laid  out  near  the  mouth  of  Lily  Creek, 
west  of  Jerome.  The  ground  was  selected  by  Joseph  and  Elias  Brown, 
in  the  year  1846,  and  the  first  interment  took  place  shortly  afterward. 
The  first  burial  was  a  child  of  Philip  ,  Barkdull,  whose  death  occurred 
in  the  year  mentioned.  The  second  person  buried  in  this  cemetery  was 
a  stranger,  whose  name  cannot  be  learned.  He  appears  to  have  been  a 
Mormon  missionary,  and  died  here  while  on  a  preaching  tour.  The 
Jerome  Cemetery  was  laid  out  in  an  early  day,  on  ground  deeded  for  the 
purpose  by  William  M.  Laden.  Among  its  somber  shades  on  crumbling 
marble  can  be  seen  many  names  mentioned  in  these  pages,  while  others, 
as  prominently  identified  with  the  county's  development,  lie  in  the 
graves  unmarked  by  the  simplest  epitaph. 

VILLAGE    OF    JEROME. 

The  chief  cause  which  led  to  the  founding  of  the  village  was  a  general 
desire  on  the  part  of  the  community  for  a  trading  point,  there  being  no 
town  nearer  than  Jonesboro  on  the  east,  and  New  London  and  Russia- 
ville  on  the  west.  The  immediate  outgrowth  of  the  demand  was  the 
establishment  of  a  small  store  and  blacksmith  shop,  as  early  as  the  year 
1847,  which  formed  the  nucleus  around  which  several  families  located. 
Hampton  Brown,  actuated  by  motives  in  harmony  with  the  general  desire 
and  with  hope  of  bettering  his  financial  condition,  laid  out  the  village  in 
December,  1847,  and  called  it  Jerome,  in  compliment  to  his  son  of  that 
name.  It  is  situated  in  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  11,  on  Big 
Wild  Cat,  and  occupies  one  of  the  finest  locations  in  the  entire  county. 
The  site  is  high  and  undulating,  and  surrounded  by  one  of  the  most 
fertile  farming  districts  in  the  township — a  fact  which  made  the  village  an 
important  trading  place  during  the  early  years  oi  its  history. 

The  first  sale  of  lots  was  made  to  Smith  Todd  and  Thomas  Banks  a 
short  time  after  the  town  was  platted.  Todd  erected  a  blacksmith  shop 
near  the  central  part  of  the  village,  and  worked  at  his  trade  until  1848, 
when  he  sold  out  to  James  Gardner.  The  latter  continued  in  the  village 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1873.  Banks  built  a  storehouse  and  resi- 
dence in  the  western  part  of  the  town,  and  was  the  first  merchant  in  the 


248  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

place.  He  stocked  his  room  with  a  miscellaneous  assortment  of  merchan- 
dise, to  the  amount  of  about  $500,  and  sold  goods  for  three  years,  when 
the  stock  was  purchased  by  Joel  and  C.  Murphy.  The  latter  parties  con- 
tinued business  about  two  years,  when,  meeting  with  some  financial  re- 
verses, they  closed  out  and  left  the  village. 

Goflf  &  Allen  erected  a  hewed-log  building  near  the  central  part  of  the 
town,  in  1853,  and  engaged  in  merchandising  soon  thereafter.  They  did 
a  large  business,  with  a  stock  valued  at  $3,500,  and  were  identified  with  the 
town  about  four  years,  when  they  sold  out  to  Harvey  Brown.  The  latter 
erected  a  more  commodious  store  room  immediately  after  his  purchase,  to 
which  his  stock  of  goods  were  at  once  removed.  This  building  is  still 
standing,  and  at  the  present  time  is  occupied  by  the  store  of  James 
Stanley. 

Brown  continued  in  business  very  successfully  for  some  years,  when 
he  sold  to  John  Griffin,  who  in  turn  disposed  of  the  stock  to  John  Stone, 
a  short  time  afterward.  Biglow  Jordan  erected  a  large  two-story  business 
house  about  the  year  1858,  which  he  stocked  as  a  general  store.  The 
upper  story  of  the  building  was  finished  and  furnished  by  the  Good 
Templars,  who  fitted  it  up  for  a  hall  and  used  it  for  a  number  of  years. 
Their  organization  was  at  one  time  the  most  flourishing  of  any  in  the 
county. 

Among  other  old  business  houses  of  the  place  may  be  named  the  drug 
stores  of  B.  Jordan,  Daniel  Moorman,  Samuel  Hawkins,  Richard  Free- 
man, J.  J.  Grifiin  and  Milton  Davis,  who  appeared  in  the  order 
named. 

The  first  physician  who  located  in  the  town  was  Dr.  John  Summers, 
who  came  to  the  place  soon  after  the  survey  was  made,  and  re- 
mained about  nine  years.  He  was  followed  by  Dr.  Jenkins,  who  came 
soon  afterward.  The  other  physicians  who  have  practiced  here  from  time 
to  time  were  Drs.  John  Airlocker,  Blaze,  Smith,  Goodrich,  Eaton,  Ellis 
and  Kepley.     The  present  physician  is  Dr.  S.  T.  Murray. 

In  the  year  1847,  Francis  Galway,  a  son-in-law  of  Hampton  Brown, 
settled  in  the  village  and  started  a  tan-yard.  The  enterprise  proved  very 
remunerative  to  the  proprietor,  who  operated  it  successfully  for  a  period 
of  twelve  years.  It  was  purchased,  in  1859,  by  John  Willitts,  who 
ran  it  about  four  years,  when  it  was  allowed  to  go  down. 

A  stave  and  heading  factory  was  built  in  the  village  in  1868,  by 
Messrs.  Allen  &  Patterson,  who  operated  it  but  one  year.  It  was  after- 
ward purchased  by  other  parties  and  moved  from  the  place.  In  the  year 
1880,  the  Worley  Brothers  moved  a  large  steam  saw  mill  to  the  village. 
It  is  in  operation  at  the  present  time,  and  doing  a  fair  business. 

At  one  time  there  was  a  flourishing  Masonic  Lodge  in  the  village,. 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  249 

■which   owned   a  good  hall.     It  was  disbanded  several   years  ago,   and, 
at  the  present  time,  there  are  no  secret  societies  in  the  town. 

During  the  early  days  of  the  county,  Jerome  was  a  prominent  bus- 
iness place,  and  sustained  its  reputation  well  until  within  a  few  years.  It 
wa3  incorporated  in  the  year  1877,  and  maintained  a  town  organization 
for  about  three  years,  when  the  project  was  abandoned.  Efforts  were 
made  by  the  citizens  of  the  village  and  surrounding  country  to  induce  the 
Toledo,  Delphos  &  Western  Railroad  to  run  through  the  town,  but  with- 
out avail.  The  road  was  constructed  a  couple  of  miles  north,  and,  to- 
gether with  the  growing  village  of  Greentown,  proved  a  serious  blow  to 
the  business  interests  of  Jerome,  as  it  began  to  wane  from  that  time. 
Merchants  moved  their  stores  to  more  eligible  places,  shops  were  closed, 
mechanics  sought  more  remunerative  fields  of  labor,  and  a  general  decay 
has  fastened  itself  upon  the  once  prosperous  village.  The  business  of  the 
place  at  the  present  is  represented  by  two  stores,  kept  respectively  by 
James  Stanley  and  Branson  Turner,  one  harness  shop,  one  blacksmith 
shop,  one  grist  mill,  one  aaw  mill,  and  one  good  hotel. 

WEST  LIBERTY. 

This  little  thriving  town  is  situated  in  Section  19,  near  the  south- 
west corner  of  the  township,  and  dates  its  history  from  the  year  1849. 
The  land  on  which  the  village  stands  was  entered  in  1847  by  Israel 
Zentmyer,  who  erected  a  residence  and  blacksmith  shop  one  year  later. 
Moses  Jones  purchased  the  land  of  Zentmyer  in  the  spring  of  1849,  and 
erected  a  large  water  mill  northeast  of  the  present  village  plat,  which,  with 
the  blacksmith  shop  mentioned,  gave  the  place  quite  a  local  reputation. 
Jones  had  the  village  surveyed  the  latter  part  of  1849,  and  immediately 
placed  the  lots  in  the  market.  One  of  the  first  residences  was  erected  by 
John  Barr,  a  son-in-law  of  Jones,  and  stood  in  the  northwest  part  of  the 
village. 

The  first  business  house  was  a  little  log  building,  about  16x20  feet, 
erected  by  Moses  Rich  as  early  as  1850,  Rich  did  a  good  business  with 
a  stock  valued  at  about  $1,000,  and  was  connected  with  the  village  as  a 
merchant  for  twelve  years,  when  he  sold  out  to  Mr.  McQuillis,  who 
moved  the  goods  away.  The  second  store  building  was  erected  by  David 
Macy,  and  is  still  standing  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town.  Macy  was 
a  prominent  merchant,  and  operated  an  extensive  store  for  about  five  years, 
when  he  closed  out  and  left  the  place.  Among  other  early  merchants 
were  Lewis  Sharpe,  who  occupied  the  Macy  building  for  two  years  ;  Allen 
&  Goff,  and  Jacob  Harvey,  all  of  whom  did  business  between  the  years 
1856  and  1866. 

Hood  &  Beckett  built  a  large   frame  storehouse   some   time  prior   to 


250  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

the  year  1860,  and  stocked  it  with  a  miscellar:eous  assortment  of  merchan- 
dise, to  the  amount  of  several  thousand  dollars.  They  afterward  sold  to 
Mr.  Conway,  who  in  turn  disposed  of  the  store  to  Irvin  Tennell  about 
the  year  1863.  The  building  stands  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  town, 
and  at  the  present  time  is  used  for  a  blacksmith  shop.  One  of  the  largest 
stores  in  the  place  was  kept  by  Beckett  &  Weaver,  who  handled  a  stock 
of  goods  estimated  at  about  $10,000.  They  did  a  very  extensive  business 
for  some  time,  and  finally  closed  out  on  account  of  financial  embarrass- 
ments.    Lester,  Covalt  k  Curtes  succeeded  them. 

D.  S.  Swan  erected  the  Simpson  building  in  the  year  1868,  and  was 
for  several  years  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  the  village. 
Simpson  and  Lee  formed  a  copartnership  in  1878.  The  entire  interest 
was  afterward  purchased  by  Simpson,  who  at  the  present  time  is  the  leading 
merchant  of  the  place.  He  keeps  a  general  assortment  of  merchandise, 
including  ready-made  clothing,  boots,  shoes  and  drugs.  Mr.  Curtes 
keeps  a  general  store  also,  and  is  doing  a  fair  business. 

Jones'  mill,  to  which  reference  has  been  made,  was  a  large  three-story 
frame  building,  with  two  runs  of  buhrs  and  saw  attached.  It  was  in  oper- 
ation until  the  year  1862,  at  which  time  it  was  completely  destroyed  by 
fire.  A  furniture  shop  was  started  in  1859  by  William  Barr,  who 
continued  the  business  with  moderate  success  for  several  years. 

The  earliest  physician  was  Dr.  Augustus  Weaver,  who  located  at  the 
village  in  the  year  1855.  Since  that  time  the  following  medical  gentle- 
men have  practiced  their  profession  in  the  town  and  surrounding  country  : 
Drs.  Ransom,  William  Wilson,  C  M.  Ware,  James  Simpson  and  Dr. 
Price. 

The  village  is  situated  in  one  of  the  wealthest  farming  communities  in 
the  eastern  part  of  the  county,  and  at  the  present  time  boasts  of  a  population 
of  two  hundred  persons.  It  commands  a  large  country  trade,  and  its 
future  outlook  is  bright  and  prosperous. 

CHURCHES. 
The  history  of  Christianity  in  Union  Township  may  be  ternled  coeval 
with  its  settlement,  the  majority  of  the  pioneers  being  active  members  of 
different  religious  organizations.  The  earliest  preachers  of  whom  there 
is  any  authentic  account  made  their  appearance  as  early  as  the  year  1844, 
and  were  of  the  Methodist  denomination.  The  first  public  services  were 
held  at  C.  0.  Fry's  residence,  which  served  as  a  meeting  place  during 
the  time  he  remained  in  the  township.  Meetings  were  held  at  different 
settlers'  houses  from  time  to  time,  and  in  groves  when  the  weather  would 
admit  of  out-door  services.  Among  the  pioneer  soldiers  of  the  cross  can 
be  named  Revs.  Evans,  Colclazer,  Lowe,  Garrigus,  Doyle,  Cobb  and 
Morrison,  all  of  whom  were  men  of  ability  and  marked  piety. 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  251 

The  first  church  edifice  in  the  township  was  a  little  log  structure  built 
by  the  Quakers  near  the  forks  of  Wild  Cat  in  the  year  1848,  It  was  the 
meeting  place  for  a  large  Society  of  Friends  which  flourished  for  a 
number  of  years  during  the  early  history  of  the  county  ;  the  organization 
was  well  maintained  for  some  time,  but  owing  to  deaths  and  removals  it 
was  finally  abandoned,  the  remaining  members  identifying  themselves  with 
societies  of  other  places.  The  earliest  preachers  were  Jesse  Dennis  and 
Hannah  Mason.  The  old  building  stood  until  the  year  1871,  at  which 
time  it  was  torn  away,  and  nothing  remains  to  mark  its  location  but  a 
pile  of  rubbish  and  decayed  logs. 

Jerome  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  in  the  year  1847, 
with  a  small  but   energetic  membership.     The   services   were  held   for   a 
couple  of  years  at  residences  of  the  different  members,   and  afterward  at 
the  village    schoolhouse,   which  was  the   regular   place   of  meeting   until 
the  re-organization  in  1853.     The  class  was  brought  about  chiefly  by  the 
labors  of  Rev.  M.  S.  Morrison  and  Jacob  Colclazer,  both  of  whom  worked 
diligently  to  place  the  society  upon  a  firm  basis.     At  a   meeting  held   at 
the    schoolhouse  in  1853,  a  re-organization  was  effected  under  the  labors 
of  Rev.    S.   V.   Rhodes   and  M.    Mahin,   v/ith   the  following    members : 
William  L.  Reed  and  wife,  Isaac  Reed  and    wife,    Philip    Hawkins,   Sr., 
and  wife,  .Reuben  Hawkins  and  wife,  Dr.  J.  M.   Everlougher  and   wife, 
M.  M.  Addington   and   wife    and   Miss   Lydia   Reed.     The  schoolhouse 
served  as  a  place  of  worship  until  the  year   1857,  at   which   time   a   sub- 
stantial building,  30x40  feet,  was  erected  in  the  east  part  of  the   village, 
on  ground  purchased  of  Hampton  Brown.     This  house  stood  until   1874, 
when  it  caught  fire  and  was  completely  destroyed.     A   second  house   of 
worship  was  built  on  the  same  spot  immediately  afterward,  at  a   cost   of 
about  $1,200.     This  building  is  a  neat  frame  structure,  30x45  in  size,  and 
will   comfortably  accomodate  three  hundred  persons.     The   pastors  who 
have  ministered  to  the  society  at  different    times  are  given  as   follows  : 
Revs.  Morrison,   Colclazer,  Forbes,   Rhodes,   Marks,    Gorrell,    Hoback, 
Templin,  McElwee,  Shackleford,    Miller,    Peck,    Curry,  J.  W.   Miller, 
Lewellen,  Watkins,  Harrison,  Bearaer,  Fish,  John  McElwee,  Baker,  and 
Wilcox,  the  present  incumbent.     The   present  oflBcers  of  the  church  are  : 
O.  T.  Florea  and  H.  D.   Kepler,  Trustees;   0.    T.    Florea,  class   leader. 
A  flourshing  Sabbath  school,  numbering  from  forty  to  eighty  scholars,  is 
among  the  most  interesting  and  progressive  features   of  the  church.     E. 
S.  Lancaster  is  the  Superintendent  and  also  one  of  the  earnest  workers  of 
the  congregation. 

New  Hope  Friends'  Church  was  orgalnized  in  the  3^ear  1858,  at  the  resi- 
dence of  Jesse  II.  Ellis,  with  a  membership  consisting  of  Edmund  Peelle  and 
wife,  Jesse  H.  Ellis  and  wife,  Joel  iVdams  and  wife,  together  with  the  chil- 


262  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

dren  of  their  respective  families.  Public  worship  was  conducted  at  Ellis* 
residence  for  a  period  of  one  year,  and  afterward  for  about  the  same  length 
of  time  in  an  old  unoccupied  frame  dwelling  which  stood  in  the  vicinity. 
A  few  years  later,  a  log  meeting-house  was  built  near  the  site  of  the  pres- 
ent church  edifice,  and  used  by  the  congregation  until  the  year  1871,  at 
which  time  it  was  abandoned  and  a  structure  more  in  keeping  with  the 
growing  church  erected.  This  house  is  a  neat  frame  building,  and  stands 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  township  on  ground  donated  for  the  purpose 
by  Edmund  Peelle.  During  a  period  of  eight  years  following  its  organiza- 
tion, the  society  had  no  regular  preaching,  although  services  were  held 
each  Lord's  Day,  conducted  by  different  members,  while  many  of  their 
meetings  were  held  in  silence,  a  custom  peculiar  to  the  denomination.  At 
the  close  of  the  period  referred  to,  Mary  J.  Peelle  began  speaking  in 
public,  and  was  soon  acknowledged  as  a  minister  of  more  than  ordinary 
abilities.  She  supplied  the  pulpit  at  intervals  for  several  years,  and  by 
her  untiring  efforts  did  much  toward  establishing  the  church  upon  its 
present  substantial  basis.  Endowed  with  superior  intellectual  powers  and 
a  spirit  of  rare  Christian  fervor,  her  whole  life  was  a  grand  poem  of  con- 
secration to  the  cause  of  her  Master,  and  the  influence  of  her  eloquent 
words  and  blameless  example  will  always  live  in  the  community  where 
she  was  instrumental  in  directing  many  souls  to  the  higher  life.  It  is 
under  the  influence  of  such  persons  that  stern  men  of  the  world,  who  have 
squandered  life  and  innocence  without  a  sigh,  are  compelled  to  admit 
the  truthfulness  of  the  Christian  religion  and  conform  their  conduct  to 
its  pure  teachings. 

Following  the  example  of  Mrs.  Peelle  came  other  ministers,  among 
whom  were  Edmund  Peelle,  James  Ellis,  Hammer  Ellis  and  Jefferson 
Jackson,  all  of  whom  are  men  of  prominence  in  the  country.  To  the  work 
of  Hammer  Ellis  is  the  church  especially  indebted  for  much  of  its  present 
prosperity,  as  he  has  watched  over  its  growth  with  a  fatherly  interest  ever 
since  the  original  organization. 

In  this  connection  it  will  not  be  out  of  place  to  speak  of  the  temper- 
ance cause  which  has  made  substantial  progress  in  this  part  of  the  county 
under  the  leadership  of  Mr.  Ellis,  whose  best  energies  are  devoted  to  its 
success.  Notwithstanding  the  unfavorable  auspices  under  which  the  society 
was  founded,  it  has  done  a  good  work  and  increased  its  membership  until 
at  the  present  time  it  numbers  250  communicants.  A  good  Sabbath 
school  is  sustained  during  the  entire  year. 

Centre  Grove  Baptist  Church  was  organized  March  21,  1869,  by 
Elder  Jari  Randolph,  assisted  by  Elders  Hamilton  and  Baumgardner.  A 
revival  was  held  immediately  after  the  organization,  at  the  close  of  which 
sixty-five  persons  assumed  the  responsibility  of  membership,   a  number 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  253 

which  has  decreased  somewhat  during  the  last  ten  years.  Elder  Ran- 
dolph preached  for  the  society  one  year  and  was  succeeded  by  Elder  Gra- 
ham, who  continued  in  charge  about  four  years.  After  Graham  came  Elders 
Baumgardner,  Hamilton,  Spurlin,  White  and  Turner,  in  the  order  named, 
the  last  being  the  pastor  at  the  present  time.  The  house  of  worship,  which 
is  a  neat  frame  structure,  was  built  in  1869,  and  stands  about  three  miles 
south  of  the  village  of  Jerome.  There  are  at  present  about  forty -five 
belonging  to  the  society. 

The  Christians,  or  Disciples,  as  they  are  more  familiarly  known,  have 
a  flourishing  church  at  the  village  of  Jerome.  The  house  of  worship  is  a 
beautiful  frame  structure  situated  in  the  southern  part  of  the  village,  and 
was  erected  in  the  year  1860,  at  a  cost  of  about  $1,500.  Elder  Blount  is 
the  present  pastor. 

SCHOOLS. 

Mr.  Brown  reports  that  the  first  school  ever  taught  in  Union  was  in 
the  year  1845,  by  Mrs.  C.  P.  Baldwin,  at  her  residence,  about  one  and  a 
half  miles  east  of  Jerome  Village.  The  few  neighbors  living  in  the  vicin- 
ity sent  their  children  and  made  a  school  of  about  eight  pupils.  The  second 
school  was  taught  about  three  years  later,  in  a  vacant  dwelling  which 
stood  on  the  North  Fork  of  Lily  Creek,  a  short  distance  north  of  Jerome, 
and  numbered  twenty  scholars.  The  next  in  order  was  at  the  village  of 
Jerome,  taught  by  L.  F.  Springer,  who  used  for  the  purpose  a  small  log 
store  building  which  had  been  vacated  some  time  previous.  The  date  of 
the  term  was  the  winter  of  1849-50.  These  were  pioneer  schools,  and, 
considering  the  circumstances,  were  very  good  indeed.  The  only  Latin 
they  ever  taught  was  to  make  their  pupils  pronounce  the  letter  Z,  "  izzard." 

The  people  of  those  days,  compared  with  the  present,  had  some  very 
healthy  ideas  about  education.  They  believed  a  school  was  a  place  of 
training  in  the  three  "  R's,"  and  that  its  usefulness  stopped  with  the  "  rule 
of  three."  It  was  some  time  before  the  rudest  log  schoolhouses  were 
erected.  The  people  were  sparsely  scattered  through  the  neighborhoods. 
They  were  poor  in  this  world's  goods,  as  a  rule.  Teachers  were  scarce 
and  so  were  books.  There  were  a  goodly  proportion  of  the  grown  people 
who  failed  to  appreciate  the  benefits  of  education,  hence  did  not  realize 
the  importance  of  teaching  their  children  to  read  and  write,  in  onier  to 
prepare  them  for  what  was  soon  to  follow,  namely,  mail  facilities,  cheap 
postage  and  abundant  and  cheap  literature. 

The  first  house  built  especially  for  school  purposes  stood  a  short  dis- 
ance  north  of  Jerome.  It  was  a  comfortable  hewed-log  structure,  with 
slab  seats,  and  was  erected  in  the  year  1850.  It  was  first  used  by  Charles 
Baldwin,  who  taught  in  the  winter  of  1850-51,  and  the  following  year 
Jonathan  Grifiin  wielded  the  birch  in  the  same  place.     The  building  stood 


254  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

about  five  years,  when  it  was  replaced  by  a  two-story  frame  house,  the 
upper  story  of  which  served  as  ;r  Masonic  hall.  The  latter  building  was 
the  first  frame  schoolhouse  in  the  township,  and  served  its  purpose  until 
about  the  year  1862,  at  which  time  it  was  completely  destroyed  by  tire. 
Among  the  early  teachers  in  the  village  are  remembered  Patterson,  Plants 
and  Van  Winkle. 

The  township  is  well  supplied  now  with  twelve  good  buildings  in  which 
schools  are  taught  about  seven  months  in  the  year. 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP. 

Jackson  Township  originally  embraced  the  greater  part  of  the  present 
township  of  Liberty,  and  extended  east  from  range  line  4  to  Grant  County, 
and  south  from  Miami  County  to  the  line  dividing  Congressional  Town- 
ships 23  and  24,  including  in  all  forty-eight  square  miles  of  territory.  In 
the  original  organization  of  Richardville  County,  it  formed  a  part  of 
Green  Township,  and  was  reduced  to  the  limits  described  in  the  year 
1846.  Seven  years  later  it  was  reduced  to  its  present  dimensions,  four 
by  six  miles,  by  the  formation  of  the  townships  of  Union  and  Liberty. 
The  surface  of  the  country  is  very  level,  and  was  originally  wet  and 
slushy,  consequently  was  not  settled  as  early  as  other  portions  of  the 
county  further  west.  The  soil  is  a  deep,  black  loam,  very  fertile,  and  well 
adapted  for  general  farming  purposes,  producing  in  abundance  all  the 
grain  and  fruit  indigenous  to  Northern  Indiana. 

SOIL  AND  DRAINAGE. 
For  a  number  of  years  after  the  first  settlement  of  the  township,  great 
difficulty  was  experienceil  in  farming  the  soil,  on  account  of  its  wet  nature  ; 
but  as  time  passed,  large  ditches  were  dug  through  the  country,  by  means 
of  which  the  surface  water  was  carried  off,  and  much  valuable  land  re- 
claimed. By  a  successful  system  of  tile  drainage  portions  of  the  county, 
formerly  looked  upon  as  worthless,  have  been  brought  under  cultivation, 
and  at  the  present  time  there  is  as  little  waste  land  in  Jackson  as  any 
other  township  in  the  county,  a  fact  which  gives  it  precedence  over  many 
others  as  an  agricultural  region.  The  entire  face  of  the  country,  at  the 
time  of  the  first  settlement,  was  covered  with  a  dense  forest  growth,  which 
from  time  immemorial  had  been  the  home  and  hiding  place  of  numerous 
wild  animals,  such  as  bears,  wolves,  deer,  etc.  Here  the  red  man  erected 
his  rude  bark  wigwam,  and  amid  the  thick  forest  shades  hunted  the  game 
and  found  fish  in  the  streams  by  which  the  country  is  traversed.  With 
the  advent  of  the  whites,  the  Indians  removed  from  their  ancestral  hunting 


JACKSON   TOWNSHIP.  255 

grounds  and  went  further  west,  and  their  existence  now  is  but  a  remem- 
brance. The  tribes  that  then  roamed  over  the  lands  now  covered  with 
well-tilled  fields  of  waving  grain  and  comfortable  homes  have  forever  dis- 
appeared, and  another  race  are  the  undisputed  possessors  of  the  soil. 

The  principal  water-course  is  Little  Pipe  Creek,  which  flows  a  north- 
erly course  through  the  eastern  part  of  the  township.  It  affords  ample 
drainage  for  that  part  of  the  country  through  which  it  passes,  and  furnishes 
an  exhaustless  supply  of  stock  water,  an  important  factor  to  the  farmers 
of  northern  Jackson.  There  are  several  other  streams  of  minor  impor- 
tance in  the  township,  which,  with  the  large  public  ditches  traversing  the 
country  in  different  directions,  furnish  ample  outlets,  thus  rendering  arti- 
ficial drainage  comparatively  easy. 

PIONEER  SETTLEMENT. 

The  early  history  of  Jackson  is  similar  to  that  of  the  adjoining  town- 
ships, especially  in  these  facts,  which  are  matters  of  record.  The  pio- 
neers who  first  sought  homes  in  the  thick  forests  of  this  part  of  the 
county  were  not  adventurers,  but  plain,  matter-of-fact  men,  who  were  al- 
lured to  the  new  country  by  the  advantages  it  offered  in  the  way  of  cheap 
lands,  which  could  be  secured  at  that  time  for  the  Government  price  of  $2 
per  acre.  To  make  a  home  in  the  woods  was  an  undertaking  attended 
with  difficulties  of  which  we  of  the  present  day  can  form  but  a  faint  concep- 
tion. Settlers  two  and  three  miles  apart  were  not  regarded  very  dis- 
tant neighbors,  and  met  together  at  the  same  log-rollings,  house-raisings, 
and  at  the  same  meeting  for  local  organization  and  to  elect  township  of- 
ficers, and  to  co-operate  in  all  matters  of  public  improvement,  such  as  lay- 
ing out  new  roads,  building  bridges,  and  establishing  schools. 

The  earliest  recorded  settlements  Avithin  the  present  limits  of  Jackson 
appear  to  have  been  made  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township  as  early 
as  the  years  1845-46,  and  in  the  southern  part  a  few  years  later.  Among 
the  very  first  pioneers  may  be  mentioned  Joseph  Hockett,  who  moved  here 
from  Grant  County  in  the  latter  part  of  1845  ;  Turner  Sullivan,  who 
came  in  one  year  later ;  and  Samuel  Darby,  a  native  of  Butler  County, 
Ohio,  whose  arrival  dates  from  the  fall  of  1846.  These  were  all  men  of 
considerable  prominence.  By  their  industry  they  soon  had  comfortable 
cabins  erected  on  their  respective  claims.  They  located  in  the  northeast- 
ern part  of  the  township,  and  were  prominently  connected  with  the  coun- 
try for  a  number  of  years.  A  little  later  came  William  Braden,  Garner 
Bryant  and  W.  W.  Braden,  all  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  Buckeye 
State,  and  located  claims  near  where  the  first-named  settlers  located. 

In  the  years  1847-48-49,  a  number  of  settlers  secured  homes  in  the 
northeastern  part  of  the  township,  among    whom    are  remembered    Will- 


256  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

iam  Ebright,  William  Taylor,  David  Stanfield,  R.  Shinn,  Stephen  Peters, 
Frank  Shinn,  Hugh  Means,  Abram  Wrightsman,  Solomon  Burris,  Asa 
Marine,  Samuel  II.  Riggs,  Thomas  Addington,  Meredith  Maple,  H.  Mil- 
ler, C.  Miller,  James  Holingshead,  John  Cook  and  George  Linsieum,  all 
of  whom  became  permanent  residents,  securing  the  patents  for  their  lands 
from  the  Government. 

Prominently  connected  with  the  northeast  settlement,  was  Zila  Ma- 
rine, who  built  one  of  the  first  cabins  in  the  township  as  early  as  the  fall 
of  1845.  He  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  energy,  and  did  as  much, 
if  not  more,  toward  the  general  welfare  of  the  township  than  any  other 
citizen  living  within  its  limits.  A  man  of  public  spirit,  he  took  an  active 
part  in  establishing  highways,  building  schoolhouses  and  running  ditches, 
and  to  him  is  the  county  indebted  for  much  of  its  present  prosperity.  He 
was  a  resident  of  Jackson  until  about  the  year  1871,  at  which  time  he 
sold  his  possessions  in  the  township  and  moved  to  Xenia,  Miami  County, 
where  he  still  lives,  an  honored  representative  of  the  pioneers  of  forty 
years  ago. 

Jonathan  Reeder,  another  settler  of  some  note,  settled  in  Section  25 
in  the  spring  of  1846,  locating  on  the  James  Allison  farm.  He  came 
here  from  Madison  County  and  was  identified  with  the  township  about 
two  years,  when  he  sold  his  claim  tj  Henry  Burris  and  moved  to  Centre 
Township,  and  later  to  the  city  of  Kokomo.  He  was  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  early  took  an  active  part  in  introduc- 
ing Christianity  into  the  pioneer  communities  of  Howard  County.  In 
the  year  1847,  William  Hatfield  came  to  the  township  and  took  a  claim 
where  Clark  Gate  lives,  near  the  eastern  boundary.  He  afterward  sold  to 
Michael  Thompson  and  moved  to  another  part  of  the  county. 

John  McClellan  came  about  the  same  time  and  selected  a  claim  in 
the  northwest  corner  of  the  township,  being  the  first  to  settle  in  that  lo- 
cality. He  came  from  Henry  County  and  is  still  a  resident  of  Jackson. 
Another  early  settler  deserving  special  mention  was  Ezra  Reynolds,  who 
located  in  the  northeast  settlement  about  the  year  1846.  He  pre-empted 
a  very  desirable  claim  which  he  entered  two  years  later,  and  was  an  hon- 
ored citizen  of  Jackson  until  the  time  of  his  death  about  six  years  ago. 
A  number  of  des3endents  of  this  old  pioneer  are  living  in  the  township 
and  are  considered  among  its  most  worthy  citizens. 

Lemuel  Powell  settled  near  Sycamore  Corners  in  the  year  1847,  and 
made  his  first  improvement  on  what  is  known  as  the  Warnock  farm,  where 
his  son  still  lives.  Like  many  of  the  first  settlers,  he  came  to  the  country 
with  but  little  of  this  world's  goods ;  but,  being  a  man  of  great  industry 
and  business  tact,  soon  acquired  a  competency  and  became  the  owner  of  a 
valuable  tract  of  real  estate.      His  death  occurred  many  years  ago.     Will- 


JACKSON   TOWNSHIP.  257 

iam  Golden  and  Jonathan  Wright  settled' in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town- 
ship near  the  county  line  about  the  year  1847  and  entered  land  the  year 
following.  They  were  both  men  of  some  note  as  hunters,  and  subsisted 
principally  on  game,  from  the  sale  of  which  sufficient  money  was  realized 
to  keep  their  respective  families  in  such  articles  of  clothing  and  groceries 
as  were  needed. 

In  the  year  1847,  P.  S.  Maxwell  came  to  the  county  on  a  tour  of  ob- 
servation and  passed  through  the  southern  part  of  Jackson.  Being  fa- 
vorably impressed  with  the  country,  he  marked  out  a  claim  a  short  dis- 
tance north  of  Sycamore*  Corners,  on  what  is  known  as  the  Samuel  P. 
Thompson  farm.  He  afterward  sold  this  claim  and  entered  the  land 
where  he  still  resides  in  the  year  1848.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  citizens 
of  the  township  living  at  the  present  time. 

Other  early  settlers  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township  were  John 
S.  Garrigus  and  William  Hatfield,  who  came  in  1848,  R.  Turner,  John 
McCormick,  Daniel  Gate,  William  B.  Morris,  Janathan  Reeder,  Smith 
Todd,  Isaac  and  Thomas  Jessiop,  all  of  whom  came  the  latter  part  of  the 
same  year  or  in  the  spring  of  the  year  following.  Among  others  whose 
arrival  dates  from  about  the  same  time  were  Joseph  Fleek,  James  Hog- 
land,  Andrew  Hart,  William  C.  Miller,  C.  Brunk,  Valentine  Somers,  J. 
H.  Reeder,  John  Gate,  Joseph  Bates,  Eugene  Brown  and  Jacob  Brunk. 
Later  came  Alexander  Rhea,  Asa  Gossett,  H.  Somers,  P.  W.  Gossett, 
George  Grutherd  and  Clevenger.  Among  those  who  entered  land  in  an 
early  day  were  Alexander  McCullouch,  James  R.  Thompson,  Restori 
Shinn,  Garner  Bryant,  Ghristopher  Armacost,  Samuel  Riggs,  William 
Brandon,  Samuel  Hamilton,  Jesse  Elliott,  George  Wetherow,  Gharles 
Waddell,  Emanuel  Huler,  William  Turner,  Spencer  Moon,  Jesse  Moon 
and  several  of  the  pioneer  settlers  already  alluded  to.  It  is  impossible  to 
fully  realize  the  hardships,  privations  and  struggles  of  the  early  settlers 
in  the  forests  and  sloughs  of  Jackson.  They  were  in  the  midst  of  an 
immense  woods  without  society,  far  removed  from  villages  where  anything 
could  be  purchased,  and  oftentimes  destitute  of  the  means  to  purchase, 
with  a  number  of  miles  of  almost  impassable  roads  to  travel  before  a  grist 
mill  or  store  could  be  reached.  They  were  in  a  sickly  country,  where 
fever  and  ague  was  the  common  lot  of  nearly  every  one,  and  no  physician 
near,  the  wolf  without  and  sometimes  the  wolf  of  hunger  within.  All 
these  things  conspired  to  make  the  pioneer's  lot  one  of  trial.  The  little 
produce  raised  could  find  no  market,  as  there  were  no  transportation  facil- 
ities, and  each  settler  supplied  his  own  wants.  As  a  result,  little  money 
was  in  circulation,  and  all  groceries  were  paid  for  in  produce  at  extreme- 
ly low  rates,  as  the  storekeeper  must  find  a  mai'ket  over  nearly  impassa- 
ble roads.     But  happily   these  difficulties   have    all    passed    away.     The 


258  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

country  is  now  nearly  all  improved,  is  reasonably  healthy  and  as  produc- 
tive and  well  cultivated  as  the  surrounding  townships  and  considerably 
ahead  of  some.  Societies  have  been  organized,  church  edifices  erected 
and  schools  established.  Stores  are  now  convenient,  mills  abundant  and 
every  convenience  at  hand  to  make  the  citizens  of  Jackson  a  happy 
rural  people. 

THE    EARLIEST    ELECTIONS. 

At  the  organization  of  the  township  in  1853,  the  voting  place  was 
fixed  at  the  residence  of  Henry  Burris,  which  was  used  for  that  purpose 
several  years.  Elections  were  afterward  held  at  Jacob  Brunk's  residence, 
and  later  at  the  Mattock  Schoolhouse,  which  was  used  until  the  Honey 
Creek  Schoolhouse  was  permanently  fixed  upon.  The  first  election  in  the 
township  was  held  in  the  year  1847,  at  the  residence  of  George  H.  Golden. 
The  first  election  after  the  division  of  1853  was  held  at  Burris'  residence, 
and  the  following  Township  Board  elected  :  Eugene  Brown,  Jacob  Brunk 
and  Abraham  Wrightsman,  Trustees ;  J.  S.  Garrigus,  Treasurer ;  and 
William  B.  Morris,  Clerk.  The  present  Trustee  is  Mr.  Gossett,  who  is 
serving  his  first  term. 

THE    CAUSE    OF    EDUCATION. 

It  is  not  positively  known  who  taught  the  first  school  in  Jackson  Town- 
ship, though  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  man  by  the  name  of  Stanfield. 
From  the  most  reliable  information  at  hand,  it  is  safe  to  say  that  Stanfield 
taught  a  term  as  early  as  the  year  1849,  in  a  little  abandoned  cabin  which 
stood  in  Section  5,  near  the  northeast  corner  of  the  township.  This  build- 
ing was  a  very  diminutive  affair,  about  12x16  feet  in  size,  and  had  been 
fitted  up  by  the  neighbors  for  school  purposes  with  the  least  possible  out- 
lay of  money  and  labor.  There  were  a  few  rough  puncheon  benches 
which  rested  on  a  floor  of  the  same  material,  and  a  large  stick  fire-place 
in  one  end  of  the  room  which  could  accommodate  logs  of  almost  any 
dimensions.  There  were  no  desks  for  the  pupils'  accommodation,  little 
and  big  being  compelled  to  sit  on  the  narrow  pole  benches  from  8  A.  M. 
until  5  P.  M.,  with  nothing  to  rest  their  aching  backs  against.  School 
books  were  in  keeping  with  the  house  and  its  furniture,  and  the  curriculum 
of  study  embraced  reading  in  the  old  English  reader  and  Testament,  arith-, 
metic,  and  writing  about  twice  a  week.  The  first  schoolhouse  appears  to 
have  been  used  but  once.  It  was  torn  down  and  replaced  by  a  more  com- 
modious structure  the  following  year.  The  fate  of  Schoolmaster  Stan- 
field was  to  be  drowned  in  the  Iowa  River  about  the  year  1860.  The 
first  house  built  eigpecially  for  school  purposes  stood  near  Sycamore  Cor- 
ners, and  was  first  used  by  Charles  Somers,  the  date  of  whose  term  can- 
not now  be  ascertained.  Other  early  teachers  were  Z.  Rider,  Asa  Gossett, 
William  B.  Morris,  B.  Ladd,  W.  C.  Miller,  William  R.  Parker,  Edward 


JACKSON   TOWNSHIP.  259 

Morris,    Davis,  Joseph   Fleeks,  Jonathan  Wrightsman,   Lewis  and  J.  F. 
Elliott. 

There  are  at  the  present  time  six  good  schoolhouses,  all  frame  but  one, 
which  is  brick,  and  all  in  fair  condition.  The  present  corps  of  teachers 
consists  of  J.  M.  Davis,  George  M.  Horine,  Henrietta  Powell,  G.  Lind- 
ley,  George  M.  Allison,  C.  L.  Gate  and  0.  W.  Outland.  For  the  school 
year  1882—83,  there  was  expended  for  tuition  the  sum  of  $1,493. 

ROADS    AND    RAILROADS. 

The  first  road  through  Jackson  was  the  old  Wabash  trail,  which 
crossed  the  township  in  an  irregular  direction  from  northeast  to  south- 
west. It  was  laid  out  in  the  year  1845,  but  was  never  traveled,  the  orig- 
inal route  being  afterward  changed  on  petition  of  the  people.  The  Je- 
rome &  Xenia  road  was  cut  out  through  the  township  in  1848,  by  P.  S. 
Maxwell,  at  that  time  Supervisor.  It  passes  through  the  western  part  of 
the  township,  from  north  to  south,  and  is  a  well  traveled  highway.  An- 
other early  road  runs  east  and  west  through  the  southern  part  of  the  town- 
ship, leading  from  Sycamore  to  Kokomo.  It  was  surveyed  in  the  year 
1850  by  Dr.  Richmond. 

In  the  year  1853,  the  township  was  divided  into  four  road  districts 
under  the  following  Supervisors  :  William  Detamore,  Jacob  Brunk,  Will- 
iam Hatfield  and  Eugene  Brown.  The  number  of  hands  employed 
at  that  time  was  fifty.  The  township  at  the  present  time  is  well  sup- 
plied with  roads,  which  intersect  each  other  at  proper  intervals,  the  ma- 
jority of  them  being  regularly  established  on  section  lines.  The  absence 
of  gravel  precludes  the  possibility  of  making  pikes  ;  consequently,  the 
most  of  the  roads  are  almost  impassable  during  certain  seasons  of  the 
year,  on  account  of  the  mud.  This  difficulty  is  being  overcome  some- 
what by  large  ditches  along  the  various  highways,  by  means  of  which  the 
road-beds  are  efi'ectually  drained,  thus  rendering  them  reasonably  com- 
pact. 

There  is  one  railroad  in  the  township — the  Toledo,  Delphos  &  St. 
Louis — which  was  completed  in  the  year  1881.'  It  passes  along  the 
southern  border,  and  has  been  the  means  of  improving  the  township  by 
increasing  the  value  of  land  and  affording  shipping  facilities  for  the  prod- 
uce of  the  country. 

EARLY    DEATHS,    BIRTHS    AND    MARRIAGES. 

Among  the  first  deaths  in  the  township  was  Emily,  wife  of  Stokes  Max- 
well, who  died  about  the  year  1850.  Another  early  death  was  J.  Gillen, 
father  of  John  Gillen,  who  died  some  time  prior  to  the  above  year.  Riley 
Maxwell,  son  of  P.  S.  and  Emily  Maxwell,  was  one  of  the  early  birtlis, 


260  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

being  born  in  the  year  1848,  a  few  months  after  the  family  moved  to  the 
township.  Among  the  early  marriages  were  those  of  James  Marshall  and 
Rachel  Turner  and  Hubert  Somers  and  Amanda  Turner.  The  ceremo- 
nies which  united  the  above-named  parties  were  performed  by  Mr.  Max- 
well, an  early  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

SAW  MILLS. 
A  question  which  perplexed  many  of  the  pioneer  farmers  of  Jackson 
was,  "  What  shall  we  do  to  get  rid  of  so  much  superfluous  timber  ?"  For 
several  years,  every  means  that  could  be  devised  was  resorted  to,  in  order 
to  destroy  the  forest  growth,  which  proved  such  a  hindrance  to  the  success 
of  the  husbandman.  In  this  ruthless  destruction,  much  fine  walnut  and 
poplar  timber  was  destroyed,  which,  if  standing  at  the  present  time, 
would  represent  a  value  equal  to  the  farm  lands  of  the  township.  As 
time  passed,  however,  the  growth  and  development  of  the  country  created 
a  demand  for  lumber,  and  saw  mills  were  located  at  various  places  in  the 
fine  forests  of  the  country. 

The  first  saw  mill  was  built  near  Sycamore  Corners,  in  the  year  1851, 
by  Daniel  Gate  and  Joseph  Fleeks,  who  operated  it  very  successfully  for 
a  number  of  years.  Much  lumber  was  manufactured  and  shipped  from 
this  point,  especially  walnut,  from  the  sale  of  which  the  proprietors  of  the 
mill  realized  considerable  wealth.  The  mill  passed  through  several  hands, 
the  last  owners  being  David  and  James  McClellan,  who  ran  it  until  its 
destruction  by  fire  several  years  ago. 

The  second  mill  of  which  we  have  any  knowledge  was  erected  in  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  township,  in  an  early  day,  by  Alman  McClellan 
and  John  Needham.  It  was  a  steam  mill,  and  was  operated  but  a  few 
years  at  the  original  location,  being  afterward  removed  to  the  southern 
part  of  the  township,  to  a  place  called  Lynn  Corners,  about  one-half 
mile  north  of  Sycamore,  where  it  is  still  standing.  It  is  owned  at  the 
present  time  by  Armstrong,  Pickett  &  Co.,  of  Kokomo.  Another  saw 
mill  was  built  a  short  distance  east  of  Sycamore,  several  years  ago,  by 
Messrs.  Lee  &  Peters,  who  ran  it  but  a  short  time.  A.  number  of  mills 
have  been  in  operation  in  the  township  at  difierent  times,  and  the  lumber 
business  was  an  important  industry.  The  greater  portion  of  the  timber 
has  now  been  cut  and  shipped  away,  however,  and  consequently  the  mills 
have  removed  to  more  eligible  localities. 

CHURCH    HISTORY. 

It  is  difiicult  at  this  distant  day  to  accurately  determine  where  and  by 
whom  the  first  religious  services  in  the  township  were  held,  and  the 
circumstances  which  led  to  the  same.       Many  of  the  pioneers  were  mem- 


JACKSON   TOWNSHIP.  261 

bers  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  min- 
isters of  that  denomination  were  the  first  to  preach  the  Gospel  in  the 
sparsely  settled  communities  of  Jackson.  One  of  these  early  pioneers  of 
the  cross  was  Rev.  Alfred  Thorpe,  who  preached  at  the  residence  of  Jo- 
seph Hockett,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township,  at  an  early  day,  the 
date  of  which  cannot  be  ascertained.  A  society  of  the  Wesleyan  Method- 
ist, the  church  to  which  Thorpe  belonged,  was  organized  at  Mr.  Hockett's 
house,  with  a  good  membership,  and  was  well  sustained  for  a  number  of 
years.  Thorpe  preached  for  this  and  neighboring  societies,  and  appears 
to  have  been  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  abilities.  Other  early  preach- 
ers who  ministered  to  this  society  were  T.  L.  Garrigus,  father  of  Milton 
Garrigus,  Daniel  Worth,  Elliott  E.  Brookshire,  Joseph  Shackelford  and 
William  Gladden,  all  of  whom  were  men  of  fervent  piety  and  untiring 
industry. 

The  Missionary  Baptists  conducted  public  worship  at  the  residences  of 
diiferent  settlers  in  an  early  day,  but  do  not  appear  to  have  had  an  organiza- 
tion. Among  the  early  preachers  of  this  denomination  is  remembered  Rev. 
Jean  Baptiste  Brouilette,  a  French  Indian,  of  the  Miami  tribe.  He  was 
one  of  the  first  of  his  tribe  to  embrace  Christianity,  and  commenced 
preaching  soon  after  his  conversion,  and  was  instrumental  in  establishing 
several  cTmrches  among  his  fellows.  He  was  a  noble  specimen  of  his 
race,  being  over  six  feet  in  height,  endowed  with  the  strength  of  a  Her- 
cules, and  possessing  a  fervid  eloquence,  by  means  of  which  he  exercised 
great  influence  among  the  Indians  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 

It  is  related  of  him  that  while  preaching  on  one  occasion  in  the  early 
days  of  his  ministry,  he  was  greatly  annoyed  by  several  Indians  who 
came  to  church  for  the  avowed  purpose  of  creating  a  disturbance.  One 
of  them  taunted  him  with  being  a  pale  face,  while  another  called  him  a 
squaw — a  great  insult — to  which  he  paid  no  attention  further  than  to  re- 
quest them  to  keep  quiet.  Seeing  their  attempts  to  throw  him  off  his 
guard  by  words  had  no  effect,  one  of  the  Indians  stepped  in  front  of  him, 
and  deliberately  spit  at  his  face.  Instantly  all  the  fury  of  his  wild  nat- 
ure was  aroused,  and  with  one  hand  he  seized  the  luckless  persecutor  by 
the  throat  and  a  large  stick  of  wood,  lying  near  by,  with  the  other.  He 
raised  the  club  and  was  about  to  brain  his  tormentor,  when  he  checked  him- 
self, saying  aloud,  "  My  Master  suffered  death  at  the  hands  of  his  enemies 
without  a  murmur,  and  shall  I  not  bear  this  slight  persecution  for  His 
sake?  "  Loosening  his  hold,  he  returned  to  the  desk,  and  finished  his 
sermon  with  no  further  annoyance.  The  crest-fallen  savages,  seeing  the 
mettle  the  preacher  was  made  of,  retired  abashed,  and  from  that  time  he 
received  no  more  trouble.  He  died  about  sixteen  years  ago,  greatly  re- 
spected by  both  whites  and  Indians. 


262  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

There  are  at  this  present  time  two  church  organizations  in  the  town- 
ship, Curry's  Chapel  in  Section  1,  near  the  northern  boundary,  and  Pop- 
lar Grove,  in  the  southwest  corner.  The  first-named  is  a  Methodist  Epis- 
copal society,  with  a  large  membership  and  a  good  house  of  worship.  The 
church  is  well  sustained,  and  numbers  among  its  members  many  of  the 
leading  citizens  of  the  community.  Poplar  Grove  Church  is  sustained 
by  the  Protestant  Methodists,  and  for  a  number  of  years  has  been  a 
flourishing  society.  This  house  of  worship  is  a  neat  frame  structure, 
representing  a  value  of  about  $1,200.  It  was  erected  in  the  year  1873, 
on  the  farm  of  Isaac  Jessiop. 

VILLAGE    OF    SYCAMORE. 

This  live  little  town  was  founded,  in  the  year  1881,  by  0.  P.  Hollings- 
worth.  During  the  intervening  years  between  that  time  and  the  present, 
it  has  attained  quite  a  position  of  mercantile  importance,  and  is  recog- 
nized as  a  permanent  trading  point.  It  was  the  immediate  outgrowth  of 
the  narrow-guage  railroad,  and  is  one  of  the  best  shipping  points  on  that 
line.  The  first  stock  of  merchandise  was  opened  for  sale  by  Allen  Quick 
and  Frank  Hoon,  who  fitted  up  the  old  frame  schoolhouse  for  a  store  room 
shortly  after  the  railroad  was  completed.  Hoon  afterward  purchased  the 
entire  interest,  and  conducted  business  very  successfully  for  about  one 
year,  when  he  sold  out  and  left  the  place.  He  returned  later,  erected  a 
new  building  on  the  west  side  of  Main  street,  and  is  in  business  at  the 
present  time.  The  promising  opening  soon  attracted  other  merchants, 
and  several  other  stores  were  in  successful  operation  within  a  few  months 
after  the  village  was  platted.  At  the  present  time  there  are  four  general 
stores,  one  drug  store,  one  blacksmith  shop,  a  saw  mill,  stave  factory  and 
warehouse,  and  a  population  of  about  100.  There  is  a  good  brick  school- 
house,  where  a  church  organization  and  a  temperance  society  also  hold 
their  meetings.  The  growth  of  the  village  has  been  quite  rapid,  and  its 
outlook  is  flattering. 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP. 

Among  all  grades  of  history,  none  is  more  instructive,  or  sought  after 
with  greater  eagerness,  than  that  which  truthfully  delineates  the  rise  and 
progress  of  the  State,  county,  or  even  township  in  which  one  lives. 
There  is  pleasure  as  well  as  profit  to  every  well  educated  and  inquiring 
mind,  in  contemplating  the  struggles  of  the  early  settlers  in  all  portions  of 
the  great  West ;  how  they  encountered  and  successfully  overcame  every 
species  of  trial,  hardship  and  danger  incident  to  a  life  in  the  wilderness. 
But  these  things  strike  us  more  forcibly,  and  fill  our  minds   with  more 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP.  263 

immediate  interest,  when  confined  to  our  own  little  county,  where,  per- 
chance, we  can  yet  meet  with  some  of  the  gray-haired  actors  in  those  early 
scenes — actors  with  whom  life's  rugged  day  is  almost  over,  whose  bravery 
in  encountering  troubles  and  misfortunes  in  the  backwoods  has  borne  an 
important  part  toward  making  our  country  what  it  now  is,  and  whose  acts, 
in  connection  with  hundreds  of  others  in  the  first  settling  of  our  vast  do- 
main, have  compelled  the  civilized  world  to  acknowledge  that  the  Amer- 
icans are  an  invincible  people. 

It  may  appear  to  some  a  rather  small  and  insignificant  work  to  record 
the  history  of  so  small  a  portion  of  the  earth's  surface  as  is  embraced  within 
the  limits  of  a  township,  but  it  will  be  remembered  that  our  vast  republic 
is  composed  of  States  that  are  made  up  of  counties,  which,  in  turn,  are 
subdivided  into  smaller  divisions,  each  of  which  contributes  its  share  to  the 
general  history  of  the  country.  Though  occupying  but  a  small  part  of 
Howard  County,  Ind.,  the  township,  to  which  the  following  pages  are  de- 
voted, has  a  history  peculiarly  its  own,  and  fraught  with  interest  to  all 
her  citizens  at  least,  besides  many  others  whose  early  homes  were  located 
within  its  territory. 

TOPOGRAPHY    AND    PRODUCTIONS. 

Liberty  Township  originally  formed  a  part  of  Jackson  and  Green 
Townships,  and  dates  its  history  as  a  separate  division  from  the  year  1853, 
at  which  time  it  was  set  oif  with  its  present  boundaries.  It  occupies  ter- 
ritory in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  county,  having  a  geographical  area 
of  thirty-one  and  a  half  square  miles,  being  eight  miles  long  from  north 
to  south,  and  four  miles  from  the  eastern  to  the  western  limits.  It  is 
bounded  on  the  east  by  Jackson  Township  and  a  part  of  Union,  on  the 
south  by  Union,  on  the  west  by  Taylor  and  Howard  Townships,  on  the 
north  by  Miami  County,  and  is  composed  of  portions  of  Congressional 
Towns  23  and  24  north,  Range  5  east. 

The  distinguishing  characteristics  of  Liberty  are  its  fine  undulating 
farm  lands,  which  in  point  of  fertility  and  productiveness  are  unsurpassed 
b^  any  similar  amount  of  territory  in  the  county.  The  northern  and 
central  portions  are  very  level,  and  in  -certain  places  contain  some  low, 
marshy  land,  but  the  great  majority  of  its  acres  are  susceptible  of  a  high 
degree  of  cultivation,  as  is  attested  by  the  rank  which  the  township  takes 
as  an  agricultural  district.  In  the  southern  part,  adjacent  to  Wild  Cat, 
the  surface  is  more  irregular,  but  in  no  place  is  it  too  broken  or  uneven 
for  tillage.  The  soil  is  a  deep,  black  loam,  mixed  with  clay  in  certain 
localities,  and  very  fertile.  It  rests  upon  a  clay  subsoil,  which  renders 
artificial  drainage  easy.  The  township  is  well  watered  and  drained  by 
several  streams  which  traverse  the  country  in  various  directions,  the  chief 


'J6-t  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

of  which  is  Big  Wild  Cat.  This  water-course  enters  the  township  near 
the  southeast  corner,  flows  a  northwesterly  direction  through  Sections  10, 
9,  5,  4  and  32,  and  crosses  the  western  boundary  from  Section  31.  It 
passes  through  a  very  fertile  region  of  country,  and  receives  several  small 
tributaries,  which  are  not  designated  by  any  particular  names. 

The  surface  of  the  township  was  originally  covered  with  dense  forests, 
which  afforded  a  natural  home  for  many  kinds  of  wild  animals,  and  their 
scarcely  less  wild  companions,  the  red  men.  The  productions  of  these 
forests  were  at  one  time  the  source  of  considerable  wealth  to  those  who 
settled  in  the  timber  and  made  the  lumber  busines  sa  specialty.  At  the 
head  of  these  forest  products,  stands  the  black  walnut,  a  tree  unequaled 
in  the  United  States  for  its  many  uses  in  cabinet-making.  Vast  quanti- 
ties of  this  timber  were  found  in  the  woods  of  this  township,  mucli  of  it 
being  ruthlessly  destroyed  by  the  pioneer  settlers,  who  had  no  adequate 
idea  of  its  value.  Next  in  value  is  the  poplar,  which  affords  the  princi- 
pal amount  of  lumber  for  all  practical  purposes  to  the  farmers  of  this  part 
of  the  country.  Another  of  the  forest  raonarchs  is  the  elm,  which  grows 
to  gigantic  size  in  the  low  lands,  along  the  water-courses.  Beech,  linden, 
ash,  hard  and  soft  maple,  hackberry,  buckeye  and  several  species  of  oak 
are  found  growing  in  abundance.  There  is  also  a  luxuriant  undergrowth, 
consisting  principally  of  spicebush,  papaw  and  dogwood. 

Agricultural  productions  of  every  kind  indigenous  to  this  latitude  are 
certain  of  a  rapid  growth  and  large  returns,  as  is  shown  by  the  wealth 
that  has  been  drawn  from  the  bosom  of  the  soil  during  the  past  forty 
years — a  wealth  Avhich  has  covered  the  township  with  beautiful  homes, 
and  contributed  toward  feeding  the  hungry  millions  of  other  lands.  Wheat 
and  corn  are  the  staple  products,  to  which  the  soil  seems  peculiarly  adapted. 
Of  the  former,  as  high  as  forty  bushels  per  acre  have  been  produced  in  favor- 
able seasons, although  the  average  will  fall  considerably  short  of  that  amount. 
Other  cereals  are  raised,  particularly  oats,  which  return  abundant  and 
well  paying  harvests  almost  every  year.  Apple  orchards  are  beginning  to 
be  extensively  cultivated,  and  fruits  of  the  finest  and  hardiest  varieties 
yield  abundantly  and  are  being  produced  in  large  quantities,  while  tjie 
already   large  area  of  orchards  receives  yearly  additions. 

PIONEER    SETTLEMENT. 

The  first  settlement  within  the  present  limits  of  Liberty  Township 
was  made  by  Henry  Bailly,  on  the  site  of  Green  town,  about  the  year 
1843.  He  was  accompanied  by  several  sons  and  sons-in-law,  all  of  whom 
moved  into  a  small  tent  with  the  Indians,  with  whom  they  resided  until 
their  cabin  was  erected.  The  Baillys  moved  to  this  locality  from  what 
is  now  Union  Township,  where  they  made  their  first  improvements,  nt 


LIBERTY    TOWNSHIP.  265 

the  village  of  Jerome,  as  early  as  the  year  1842.  They  appear  to  have 
been  men  of  roving  tendencies,  remaining  but  a  short  time  at  one  place, 
but  they  always  managed  to  better  their  condition  with  each  move  they 
made.  Like  many  early  settlers  in  a  new  country,  they  were  men  of 
moderate  means,  but  by  taking  eligible  claims  and  afterward  selling 
their  improvements  as  the  settlements  increased,  became  in  time  the  pos- 
sessors of  some  wealth.  It  is  said  that  twenty-seven  pre-emptions  were 
taken  by  the  family  at  different  times  during  the  period  of  their  residence 
in  this  and  adjoining  townships.  They  were  residents  of  the  county  until 
about  the  year  1850,  when  they  sold  out  and  moved  to  Iowa,  in  which 
State  the  old  gentleman's  death  occurred  several  years  ago.  A  son-in- 
law  of  Bailly,  by  the  name  of  Anderson,  came  to  the  township  about  the 
same  time  and  settled  in  the  same  locality.  He  was  a  man  of  no  particular 
note,  and  made  but  few  improvements,  spending  the  greater  portion  of 
his  time  hunting,  from  which  he  derived  his  principal  means  of  subsistence. 
Robert  Felton,  another  son-in-law,  joined  the  family  shortly  after  their 
arrival,  and  was  identified  with  the  township  in  the  capacity  of  a  citizen 
until  the  year  1847. 

In  the  year  1844,  Joshua  Freeman  settled  about  one  mile  south  of 
Greentown,  in  Section  5,  where  he  took  a  claim  and  cleared  a  small 
patch  of  ground.  He  was  a  noted  hunter  and  trapper,  and  passed  over 
almost  every  acre  of  ground  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county  in  his  quest 
of  game,  which,  in  that  early  day,  Avas  abundant  and  easily  procured.  He 
afterward  disposed  of  his  improvements  to  a  Mr.  I  >imb  and  left  the  town- 
ship. 

An  eccentric  character,  by  the  name  of  Hopkins,  squatted  near 
the  Freeman  claim  in  the  latter  part  of  1844.  He  erected  a  rude 
pole  shanty  in  the  woods,  lived  entirely  alone,  and  subsisted  on  game, 
roots,  bark  and  such  articles  of  food  as  the  settlers  saw  fit  to  give  him 
during  his  ramblings  over  the  country.  He  appears  to  have  been  at  one 
period  of  his  life  a  man  of  strong  intellect  and  considerable  culture,  but 
at  the  time  of  which  we  write  he  was  sadly  demented  and  passed  the 
greater  part  of  his  time  roving  about  the  country,  preaching,  singing  and 
reciting  original  poetry  whenever  he  could  find  an  idle  crowd  to  give  him 
audience.  Among  his  eccentricities  are  remembered  the  habit  of  carry- 
ing a  bed,  an  ax  and  a  rooster  with  him  in  all  his  ramblings,  also  a  long 
string  of  red  peppers,  which  he  wore  around  his  neck  as  a  charm  for 
warding  off  the  influence  of  the  evil  one. 

Prominent  among  early  residents  of  Liberty  was  Charles  0.  Fry,  who 
moved  to  Howard  County,  about  the  year  1842,  and  settled  in  Union 
Township,  near  the  present  site  of  Jerome  Village,  where  he  took  a  claim 
and  made  considerable  improvements.     In  1845,  he  traded  this  claim  to 


266  HISTORY   OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Henry  Bailly,  and  moved  where  the  latter  lived  in  this  township,  on  Sec- 
tion 4 — land  which  he  entered  in  1847.  Fry  was  a  man  of  considerable 
note  in  the  community  where  he  resided,  and  took  a  lively  interest  in  all 
movements  calculated  to  develop  the  country's  resources.  He  was  the 
chief  mover  in  the  laying-out  of  Greentown,  and  it  is  to  him  as  much 
as  to  any  other  man  that  the  village  is  indebted  for  its  success  and 
prosperity.  In  addition  to  farming.  Fry  gave  some  attention  to  stock- 
raising,  and  was  one  of  the  first  citizens  of  the  township  to  make  that 
industry  a  success.  He  was  identified  with  the  township  for  a  period  of 
sixteen  years,  when  he  sold  his  real  estate  to  Stephen  Kirkpatrick  and 
moved  to  Marion  County,  near  Indianapolis,  where  he  died  in  1876. 

The  same  year  that  saw  Fry  locate  in  Liberty  witnessed  the  arrival  of 
James  Morton,  William  Cox,  John  Sharpe  and  Matthew  Golden.  The 
first  named  settled  about  one-half  mile  east  of  Greentown,  on  land  where 
a  few  improvements  had  formerly  been  made  by  Stephen  Comer,  of 
whom  the  claim  was  purchased.  Morton  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  a  man 
of  considerable  energy,  and  soon  had  a  goodly  number  of  acres  under  suc- 
cessful cultivation.  He  became  a  prominent  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  and 
earned  the  reputation  of  being  a  public-spirited  citizen  during  the  period 
of  his  residence  in  the  township.  He  died  in  the  year  1849.  The 
place  on  which  he  first  settled  is  owned  and  occupied  at  the  present 
time  by  Henry  Brunk.  Cox  located  about  one  and  a  half  miles  south- 
east of  Greentown,  in  Section  10,  where  he  entered  land  a  few  years 
later.  He  came  here  from  Wayne  County,  and  resided  in  Liberty  until 
1858,  at  which  time  he  sold  to  Stephen  Kirkpatrick  and  moved  to 
another  part  of  the  county.  Sharpe  located  in  Section  3,  near  the  eastern 
boundary  of  the  township,  where  he  lived  until  1850,  when  he  sold  his 
farm  to  Benjamin  Wood  and  moved  to  Clay  County.  He  was  a  man 
of  more  than  ordinary  education  and  culture,  and  served  several  terms 
as  a  teacher  in  the  early  schools  of  the  township.  Golden  took  a  claim 
a  short  distance  east  of  Sharpe's  place  on  land  at  present  owned  by 
Jesse  Ware.  He  came  to  this  locality  from  Shelby  County  and  be- 
came a  man  of  some  note  in  the  community,  being  elected  one  of  the 
first  Justices  of  the  Peace  in  the  township.  He  resided  on  his  fiirm  until 
the  year  1856,  when  he  sold  to  W^illiam  Hatfield  and  moved  to  one  of 
the  Western  States. 

Another  early  settler  deserving  of  special  mention  was  James  Lind 
ley,  whose  arrival  in  the  township  dates  from  the  year  1845.  He  was 
a  native  of  Wayne  County,  N.  C.  Reared  upon  a  farm,  his  early 
life  was  passed  in  the  usual  routine  of  farm  labor,  and  he  grew  to 
rugged  manhood  amid  the  bracing  airs  of  his  Southern  home,  where  he 
was  taught  the  dignity  and  nobility  of  labor  and  those  lessons  of  economy 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP.  267 

and  frugality  which  so  well  fitted  him  for  the  difficulties  incident  to  the 
life  of  a  pioneer.  Having  determined  to  move  where  land  could  be  easily 
obtained,  he  left  his  native  State  in  the  year  1811,  and  emigrated  to  In- 
diana, settling  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  near  Richmond.  When 
the  land  in  this  county  came  into  market,  he  made  a  tour  of  inspection 
through  the  eastern  townships  for  the  purpose  of  selecting  a  home.  Be- 
ing pleased  with  the  appearance  of  a  piece  of  land  lying  about  two  miles 
north  of  Greentown,  he  determined  to  locate  there,  and  immediately  took  a 
claim.  He  entered  this  tract  of  land  in  October,  1847,  and  resided  upon 
it  about  four  years,  when  he  moved  to  Clinton  County,  Ohio.  Several 
sons  of  this  old  pioneer  accompanied  him  to  this  country,  of  whom  two, 
Tence  and  William,  are  still  living  in  the  county,  the  former  at  Kokomo 
and  latter  at  Greentown.  Jesse  Osborne,  a  son-in-law  of  Lindley,  came 
about  the  same  time  and  located  on  the  present  site  of  Greentown,  of 
which  he  was  one  of  the  proprietors.  He  became  a  prominent  citizen 
and  was  several  times  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  besides  serving  the 
township  as  Trustee  shortly  after  its  organization.  Two  other  sons-in- 
law,  John  Arraantrout  and  Jacob  Elliott,  came  a  short  time  afterward. 

In  1846,  the  population  of  the  township  was  increased  by  the  arrival 
of  Absalom  Lamb,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  who  located  south  of 
Greentown,  on  a  claim  purchased  of  Joshua  Freeman.  Ira  Thorpe,  Benja- 
min Young,  E.  Pickering,  Stanton  Bailey,  all  of  whom  settled  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  township.  Jacob  Davis  and  his  sons,  John  and  Jacob, 
Jr.,  came  about  the  same  time  as  the  foregoing,  and  selected  their  homes 
in  the  western  part  of  the  township  on  the  Kokomo  &  Jonesboro  road, 
where  Uncle  "Jack,"  as  he  was  familiarly  called,  opened  a  public  house 
for  the  accommodation  of  such  travelers  as  saw  fit  to  accept  his  hospital- 
ities. In  this  primitive  tavern  the  bill  of  fare  consisted  of  choice  venison 
steaks,  corn  dodgers,  stewed  pumpkin,  flapjacks,  etc.,  with  a  generous 
supply  of  the  liquid  which  maketh  the  heart  merry  and  the  head  light, 
consequently  there  were  always  plenty  of  paying  guests.  The  foregoing 
list  comprises  the  majority  of  settlers  who  located  within  the  present 
limits  of  the  township  prior  to  1847. 

Prior  to  1847,  the  settlers  obtained  their  claims  by  "  pre-emption,  "  but 
in  that  year  the  land  was  put  upon  the  market,  subject  to  entry  at  the 
Government  price  of  $2  per  acre.  This  served  to  attract  a  number  of 
persons  to  the  new  country,  and  during  the  year  mentioned  we  find  the 
population  of  the  township  increased  by  the  following  settlers,  who  ob- 
tained patents  for  their  land  from  the  Government :  Thomas  L.  Smith, 
Section  3  ;  Luther  Segraves  and  Josiah  Beeson,  Section  9  ;  Jacob  Elliott, 
Aaron  Elliott,  Tence  Lindley  and  Benjamin  Carr,  in  Section  31  ;  Charles 
Lindley   and  James  Lindley,    in  Section    32 ;   Robert   Fair,   Section  4  ; 


268  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

William  Fulwider,  Section  5  ;  Daniel  Nordyke,  in  the  same  section,  and 
Tarver  Segraves  in  Section  33.  During  the  year  1848,  the  following  per- 
sons entered  land  in  the  township,  several  of  whom  had  purchased  claims 
some  time  previous  :  Thomas  Thatcher,  Timothy  L.  Garrigus,  Nathan 
Simmons,  A.  L.  Hestor,  R.  W.  Smith,  Arch  Moorman,  Jacob  Schrock, 
Joseph  Kendall,  James  A.  Wright,  Henry  Schrock,  Joseph  Troyer^ 
Emanuel  Hochsteadler,  John  Webb,  Martin  Chamness,  Henry  Cook, 
Thompson  Simmons,  Peter  Kingseed,  M.  D.  Miller,  Daniel  Gerber,  M. 
Shultz,  A.  J.  Simmons,  Boze  Manner,  John  Shute,  R.  M.  C.  Martin,  Henry 
Thomas,  Benjamin  Abertson,  Peter  Davis,  A.  W.  Lewis,  Daniel  Stone, 
John  Tira,  Joseph  Shaffer,  George  Wade,  Benjamin  Seese,  James  Cook, 
Lewis  Summers,  Jacob  Brememan,  John  Hart,  C.  Willitts,  Horace  Sum- 
mers, Baltzer  Lybrook,  Robert  Simpkin,  James  M.  Loop,  Jonathan 
Fisher,  D.  W.  Johnson,  Epperson  Painter,  Hardy  Johnson,  John  Shock ey, 
Harvey  Martin,  Dempsey  Thornburgh,  James  Osborne,  Jacob  Ray,  Will- 
iam Jones,  Tence  Howell,  Elias  Fouts,  George  Golding,  John  Arnett, 
Davis  Pegg,  John  Linville,  Elam  Johnson,  Joseph  Bates,  George  Stevens, 
James  Swope,  David  Bagley,  Moses  Rich.  Other  early  settlers  were 
John  Winslow,  P.  S.  Maxwell,  George  Tru third.  Resetter  Gray,  Eli 
Hockett,  P.  Costlow,  John  Healton,  R.  H.  Stanley,  William  Woods, 
Thomas  Gallian,  A.  N.  Goff,  Joel  Stephenson,  William  Y.  Stephenson, 
Noah  Westerfield,  L.  F.  Springer,  E.  P.  Gallian,  William  Morgan,  Isaac 
Vankirk,  Andrew  Zeek.  Many  others  entitled  to  a  mention  could  be  added 
to  the  names  enumerated  did  not  the  limits  of  the  article  forbid. 

During  the  years  1849  and  1850,  the  influx  of  population  was  steady 
and  constant,  and  by  the  year  1851  all  the  available  land  was  taken  up 
and  improved. 

EARLY    CONDITION    OF    THE    COUNTRY. 

One  cannot  write  history  as  a  blind  man  goes  about  the  street  feel- 
ing his  way  with  a  stick.  The  facts  are  transparent,  and  through  them 
we  catch  gleams  of  other  facts,  as  the  rain-drop  catches  light  and  the  be- 
holder sees  the  splendor  of  a  rainbow.  We  are  to  speak  of  common  men, 
whose  lot  it  was  to  plant  civilization,  and  who  in  so  doing  displayed  the 
virtues  which  render  modern  civilization  a  boast  and  a  blessing.  Those 
early  times  cannot  be  reproduced  by  any  prose  of  the  historian.  The 
pioneers  had  a  thousand  years  behind  them,  and  in  their  little  space  of 
time  they  made  greater  progress  than  ten  centuries  had  witnessed.  Theirs 
was  a  full  life.  They  did  so  much,  it  is  hard  to  recognize  the  doers.  Of 
their  constancy  one  can  judge  by  the  fact  that  but  few  went  back  to  their 
ancestral  homes. 

The  first  settlers  in  Liberty  found  no  royal  highway  to  affluence,  and 
for  many  years  hard  work  and  manifold  inconveniences  were  the  common 


LIBERTY   TOWxNSHIP.  269 

lot  of  those  who  carved  for  themselves  homes  in  the  forests.  Their  early 
struggles  and  hardships  are  but  a  repetition  of  those  experienced  by  all 
other  settlers  in  a  new  and  uninhabited  country.  The  first  year  was 
generally  the  most  difficult,  as  houses  had  to  be  erected  and  ground  cleared 
for  a  crop — an  undertaking  attended  by  many  difficulties,  considering  the 
wet  condition  of  the  soil  and  the  dense  forest  growth  to  be  removed.  The 
little  stock  of  provisions  frequently  gave  out,  and  many  hardships  were 
endured  in  order  to  obtain  the  necessaries  of  life  from  the  older  settle- 
ments and  distant  market  places,  but  after  the  first  crop  was  harvested 
there  was  generally  a  plentiful  supply  for  home  consumption,  stored  away 
and  husbanded  with  scrupulous  care.  The  forest  supplied  the  meat  from 
the  bountiful  store  of  game,  in  quantity  and  quality,  according  to  demand. 
Deer  were  every  where  abundant  and  afforded  the  chief  means  of  subsistence 
to  many  families  during  the  first  two  and  three  years'  sojourn  in  the  woods. 

Jonathan  Fisher  states  that  in  one  year  he  killed  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  within  a  few  miles  of  his  home.  A  man  by  the  name  of  Ray 
was  a  hunter  of  considerable  note,  and  frequently  killed  four  and  five 
deer  a  day,  of  which  he  kept  nothing  but  the  hams  and  hides.  The  other 
parts  of  the  carcass  were  given  to  any  one  who  desired  them,  or  left  in 
the  woods  to  be  devoured  by  the  wolves.  Wild  turkeys  were  so  plentiful 
as  to  be  no  rarity,  and  were  considered  game  not  worth  the  ammunition  re- 
quired to  kill  them.  An  occasional  bear  was  seen,  but  the  majority  of 
these  animals  had  disappeared  several  years  prior  to  the  first  settlement 
by  the  whites.  A  large  one  was  killed  a  short  distance  east  of  Green- 
town  about  the  year  1846,  which  weighed  over  four  hundred  pounds. 
This  was  the  only  one  ever  killed  in  the  township,  as  far  as  can  now  be 
learned.  Wolves  infested  the  woods  in  great  numbers,  and  proved  very 
destructive  to  stock.  Farmers  were  obliged  to  build  tight  pens  for  their 
hogs  and  sheep,  yet  despite  all  their  precautions  an  occasional  lamb  and 
porker  would  fill  a  prey  to  the  gaunt  scourges  of  the  forests.  In  time, 
these  animals  disappeared,  many  of  them  being  killed  by  the  early  settlers 
for  the  reward  offered  by  the  State  for  their  scalps. 

As  settlers  increased  in  numbers,  a  common  cause  was  made  in  meet- 
ing the  wants  of  each  other,  helping  for  help  again.  The  idea  of  assist- 
ing another  for  a  pecuniary  consideration  never  intruded  itself  into  the 
mind  of  the  pioneer  in  those  early  days.  If  a  cabin  was  to  be  raised  or 
clearing  "  rolled,  "  all  the  occasion  demanded  of  the  neighbors  near  and 
remote  was  a  knowledge  of  the  time  and  place,  distance  being  a  second- 
ary consideration,  and  other  less  pressing  work  had  to  succumb  in  order 
to  render  the  needed  assistance.  Every  man's  cabin  was  his  castle.  The 
"latch  string  always  hung  out,  "  and  the  traveler  was  assured  of  a  kind 
welcome  and  a  place  at  the  frugal  board,  as  hospitality  was  a  virtue  culti- 


270  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

vated  to  a  rare  degree  by  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Howard  County.  Those 
old  times  are  gone,  buried  in  the  dead  past,  but  with  them  are  gone  a 
world  of  pleasant  memorijs.  Many  frosty  haired  veterans,  whose  youth 
was  passed  amid  the  stirring  scenes  of  those  early  days,  recall  them  as  the 
most  enjoyable  period  of  their  lives  and  regret  the  days  that  can  never  return. 


EARLY    IMPROVEMENTS,    ETC. 
t 

The  early  settlers  of  Liberty  were  obliged  to  travel  long  distances  over 
almost  impassable  roads  for  their  groceries  and  breadstuffs.  For  several 
years,  Peru,  Logansport,  Marion,  Jonesboro,  and,  later,  New  London  and 
Russiaville,  in  the  western  part  of  the  county,  were  the  nearest  places 
where  those  supplies  could  be  obtained.  Money,  in  those  early  days,  was  a 
scarce  article  and  many  families  were  compelled  to  deny  themselves  the 
luxuries  which  to-day  are  considered  necessities.  Deer  skins,  ginseng, 
and  maple  sugar,  of  which  large  quantities  were  made  every  spring,  were 
articles  of  commercial  importance  by  means  of  which  many  families  kept 
themselves  supplied  with  groceries,  dry  goods,  etc. 

The  first  mill  in  the  township  was  erected  in  the  year  1849  by  Luther 
Segraves,  and  stood  about  one  mile  south  of  Greentown  on  Big  Wild  Cat. 
This  was  a  combination  mill  which  sawed  lumber  and  ground  grain,  and 
supplied  a  long- felt  want  in  the  community.  During  the  erection  of  this 
mill,  a  very  distressing  accident  occurred,  in  which  the  proprietor,  Mr. 
Segraves,  lost  his  life  by  falling  through  the  building.  The  enterprise 
was  afterward  taken  up  by  Mr.  Jennings,  who  operated  the  mill  very  suc- 
cessfully for  a  number  of  years.  It  did  a  good  business,  being  well  pat- 
ronized by  the  citizeris  of  this  and  adjoining  townships,  and  was  in  oper- 
ation until  about  the  year  1863. 

William  Lindley  erected  a  saw  mill  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town- 
ship on  Wild  Cat,  about  the  year  1850,  which  he  sold  to  a  man  by  the 
name  of  Dorman  ;  five  years  later,  Dorman  built  an  addition  to  the  origi- 
nal building,  put  in  two  runs  of  buhrs  and  did  a  very  fair  business  for  sev- 
eral years.  It  is  still  in  operation,  and  at  the  present  time  is  owned  by 
Abraham  Curlee.  Ira  and  0.  P.  Hollingsworth  built  and  operated  a  steam 
saw  mill  at  the  village  of  Greentown  about  the  year  1852.  This  was 
what  is  known  as  a  "muley-saw."  It  gave  employment  to  a  number  of 
hands,  and  was  in  successful  operation  until  about  the  year  1859.  Val- 
entine Somers  operated  a  steam  saw  mill  at  the  village  also  during  the 
years  1853  and  1854.  It  was  purchased  by  other  parties  and  removed 
from  the  township  a  number  of  years  since.  A  number  of  other  mills 
have  been  built,  from  time  to  time,  the  majority  of  them  being  portable 
saw  mills  which  remained  but  a  short  time  in  one  place. 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP.  271 

ROADS. 

The  first  roads  through  Liberty  were  not  laid  out  with  any  reference 
to  section  lines.  Each  settler  took  the  shortest  route  across  the  country 
in  order  to  arrive  at  his  destination  as  quickly  as  possible,  and  as  a  result 
there  are  a  number  of  zigzag  roads  which  have  been  a  source  of  consid- 
erable annoyance  to  land-owners  through  whose  farms  they  pass.  Eflfbrts 
have  been  made,  however,  to  have  all  the  roads  properly  established,  and 
in  time  will  be  effected. 

The  first  legally  established  highway  was  the  Jonesboro  &  Kokomo 
road,  which  passes  through  the  southern  part  of  the  township  from  east 
to  west.  It  was  surveyed  and  laid  out  about  the  year  1848,  and  is  at  the 
present  time  one  of  the  most  extensively  traveled  highways  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  county.  It  was  graveled  in  the  year  1870,  and  is  now  known 
as  the  Kokomo,  Greentown  &  Jerome  pike.  [For  further  particulars 
concerning  this  road,  see  chapter  on  general  county  history.]  The  Marion 
&  Kokomo  State  road,  which  passes  through  the  central  part  of  the  town- 
ship from  east  to  west,  was  an  early  road  also,  having  been  established 
some  time  prior  to  1858.  The  original  line  was  surveyed  by  Dr.  Rich- 
mond, but,  during  the  past  twenty  years,  many  changes  have  been  made 
and  it  no  longer  runs  on  the  old  route. 

The  Kokomo  &  Greentown  gravel  road  extends  through  the  western 
part  of  the  township  from  Greentown  to  the  western  boundary.  It  was 
commenced  in  1869  and  completed  in  the  year  1874.  It  runs  parallel 
with  the  Kokomo,  Greentown  &  Jerome  pike,  one- half  mile  south,  and,  with 
the  last-named  road,  has  been  the  means  of  developing  the  resources  of 
the  township  to  a  remarkable  degree. 

The  Toledo,  Delphos  &  St.  Louis  Narrow-Gauge  Railroad  passes 
through  the  southern  part  of  the  township  in  an  easterly  direction.  It 
has  proved  a  great  benefit  to  the  citizens  of  the  township  by  affording 
ample  facilities  for  shipping  their  grain  and  live-stock,  and  bringing  a  good 
market  into  their  midst.     It  was  completed  in  the  year  1871. 

FIRST    DEATH    AND    MARRIAGE. 

It  is  difficult  to  determine  at  this  distant  day  which  of  the  early  settlers 
was  first  summoned  away  by  death,  though  it  is  supposed  to  have  been 
Mrs.  Benjamin  Lamb.  She  died  in  the  year  1846,  and  was  interred  in 
the  Lamb  Graveyard,  about  one  mile  southwest  of  Greentown,  on  the 
south  bank  of  Wild  Cat.  This  cemetery  was  laid  out  by  Absalom  Lamb 
on  his  farm,  and  is  one  of  the  principal  burying  grounds  in  the  east  part 
of  the  county.  Another  early  death  was  Curtis  Morton,  son  of  James 
Morton,  who  departed  this  life  in  the  early  part  of  1847.  He  was  buried 
about  one  mile  east  of  Greentown,  on  the  farm  now  in  possession  of  Jesse 


272  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

Ware.  Several  other  interments  were  made  in  this  graveyard,  but  it 
was  finally  abandoned  and  the  remains  removed  to  other  burying  places. 
The  Lindley  Graveyard  was  laid  out  in  the  year  1847  by  James  Lindley 
on  his  farm  in  Section  32.  The  first  person  laid  to  rest  in  this  cemetery 
was  the  wife  of  John  Lindley,  whose  death  occurred  in  the  latter  part  of 
the  year  mentioned. 

An  early  burying  ground  was  laid  out  a  short  distance  south  of  Green- 
town,  but  was  abandoned  after  being  used  a  few  years.  Among  the  first 
burials  at  the  place  was  Mrs.  P.  S.  Maxwell,  a  daughter  of  Matthias 
Golding,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  township. 

Cupid's  first  victims  in  this  township  were  Dr.  Harvey  and  Elizabeth 
Morton,  whose  marriage  was  solemnized  about  the  year  1847.  Other  early 
marriages  were  Samuel  Lindley  and  Lillis  Cook,  James  Howell  and  Rosetta 
Cook,  and  Ira  Tharpe  and  Widow  Harvey,  all  three  of  which  occurred  in 
the  year  1848. 

EARLY  ELECTIONS    AND    OFFICERS. 

The  first  election  in  the  township  of  which  Liberty  originally  formed 
a  part,  was  held  at  the  farm  of  W.  Cox,  a  short  distance  south  of  Green - 
town.  The  ballots  were  cast  on  a  large  stump,  and,  when  counted  in  the 
evening,  numbered  just  eighteen.  At  this  election,  Levi  Bailly  was  unani- 
mously chosen  Justice  of  the  Peace,  an  office  which  he  filled  with  all  the 
dignity  of  a  Supreme  Judge.  Many  laughable  incidents  are  related  of  the 
manner  in  which  he  discharged  the  duties  of  his  onerous  position,  and  of 
the  credit  he  took  to  himself  as  an  exponent  of  the  law.  It  is  related 
of  him  that,  upon  one  occasion,  he  was  in  a  town  in  an  adjoining  county, 
when  quite  a  riot  occurred  upon  the  street.  Rushing  into  the  midst  of 
the  crowd,  he  commanded  the  mob  to  disperse,  telling  them  at  the  same 
time  that  he  was  an  officer  of  the  law  and  speaking  with  authority. 
Being  questioned  as  to  his  authority,  he  replied,  "  Sir,  I  am  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace."  "Where  from?"  "  From  Howard  County,  sir."  '•  Well, 
sir,"  finally  retorted  his  interrogator,  "  does  your  jurisdiction  extend  over 
the  whole  d — d  State  ?"  Other  early  Justices  of  the  Peace  were  Fisher, 
Rosetter,  Gray,  John  Smith,  Charles  Pindley,  Eli  Hockett,  M.  B.  Golding 
and  John  Golding. 

The  first  Board  of  Trustees  were  L.  F.  Springer,  Tence  Lindley  and 
T.  W.  Sanders.  The  date  of  their  election  is  not  known.  The  second 
board  was  composed  of  Almon  Cook,  Charles  Willits  and  Thomas 
Sanders.  Since  1859,  when  the  law  providing  for  one  Trustee  instead  of 
three  went  into  effect,  the  following-named  gentlemen  have  had  charge  of 
the  office  :  R.  Gray,  Luther  Gray,  E.  P.  Gallion,  J.  T.  Scott,  William 
Nusser,  William  C.  Warnock,  William  Johnson,  an  I  C.  M.  Fifer,  the 
present    incumbent. 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP.  273 

Among  the  citizens  of  Liberty  who  were  called  to  fill  county  offices 
at  difi'erent  times  were  L.  F.  Springer,  who  served  as  Treasurer  ;  William 
Woods,  Tence  Lindley,  M.  B.  Golding  and  David  Smith,  County  Com- 
missioners ;  Samuel  Lamb,  Sheriff,  and  Luther  Gray,  Auditor. 

VILLAGE    OF    GREENTOWN. 
This  thriving  little  town  is  situated  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town- 
ship, and  dates  its  history  from  April,  1848,  at  which  time  the  plat  was 
placed  upon  record.     The  principal  causes  which  led  to  the  origin  of  the 
village  was  the  outgrowth  of  the  neighborhood's  demand  for  a  trading 
point.  Coupled  with  this  was  the  desire  on  the  part  of  the  proprietors  for 
a  big  profit,  which  they  thought  could  be  easily  realized  from  the  sale  of 
lots,  as  the  location  promised  much  for  the  welfare  of  the  future  city.     It 
was  laid  out  on  the  site  of  an  old  Indian  town,  known  as  Green's  Village, 
from  which  the  name  Greentown  is  derived.     From  the  county  record  we 
copy  the  following  description,   which  will  give  the  reader  a  good  idea  of 
the  city  : 

"  Greentown    is   laid  out   due  north  and    south  and   east  and  west; 
occupies   an    elegant  situation  in   Section  4,  Township  23  north,  Range 
5  east,  in  Howard  County,  Ind.     The  township  line,  dividing  23    and 
24,  forms  the  base  line  of  the  town,  and  passes   through  the   center  of 
Main  street,  the  open  line  in  Section  4  running  at  a  variation  of  fifty  de- 
grees and  ten   minutes   to  the  left  of  the  magnetic  variation  north,  and 
intersecting  the  township  line  at  right  angles,  forms  the   meridian  of  the 
town  and  passes  through  the  center   of  Meridian   street.     The    lots  are 
fifty  by  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  and  point  uniformly  north  and  south. 
Main  and  Meridian  streets  are  each  eighty  feet  wide.    Green  and  Howard 
are  each  sixty  feet  wide.     The  alleys  are  each  ten  feet  wide,  dividing  each 
whole  square  into  blocks  of  three  lots  each.     The  whole  town  is  of  a  uni- 
form bearing,  and  was  surveyed  February,  1848.     All  that  part  of  the 
town  which  lies  in  Section  4  was  laid  out  by  Charles  0.  Fry.     All  that 
part  which  lies  in    the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  33  was  laid  out  by 
Jesse  Osborne,  and  all  that  part  which  lies   in  the  southeast  quarter    of 
Section  33  was  laid  by  T.  Segraves." 

The  first  lot  purchased  in  the  new  town  was  by  Dr.  James  Barrett, 
who  immediately  improved  it  by  erecting  thereon  a  small  dwelling.  This 
was  a  small  log  structure,  and  stood  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Howard 
streets,  near  the  spot  occupied  by  the  store  building  of  Templin  k 
Powell.  The  second  building  was  a  log  storehouse  erected  by  L.  W. 
Bacon,  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Main  and  Meridian  streets.  Shortly 
after  the  village  was  laid  out.  Bacon  stocked  his  storeroom  with  a  miscella- 
neous assortment  of  merchandise  to  the  amount  of  about  ^1,000,  and  sold 


274  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

goods  for  two  years.  A  second  store  building  was  erected  some  time  later 
on  the  southwest  corner  of  Main  and  Meridian  streets,  where  the  Star 
Hotel  now  stands,  by  C.  0.  Fry,  who  was  one  of  the  early  merchants  of 
the  village.  Dr.  Barrett  purchased  an  interest  in  Fry's  store,  and  to- 
gether they  continued  in  business  for  several  years. 

In  the  year  1852,  Joel  Stephenson  built  a  storeroom  on  the  north- 
east corner  of  Main  and  Meridian  streets,  in  which  he  sold  goods  for 
about  three  years,  when  he  disposed  of  his  stock' to  Lytle  &  Winslow. 
This  firm  was  afterward  changed  to  Lowder  &  Winslow.  An  early  firm 
was  Vankirk  &  Winslow,  who  did  business  in  the  Fry  building  until  the 
year  1854,  with  a  large  stock  of  goods.  C.  0.  Fry  and  R.  Gray  formed  a 
partnership  in  the  year  1854,  and  continued  in  business  together  until 
the  year  1858,  at  which  time  Lindley  purchased  Fry's  interest.  Fry  & 
Lindley  sold  goods  about  one  year,  when  the  entire  stock  was  purchased 
by  William  Canady.  Among  other  merchants  who  have  transacted  bus- 
iness in  the  village  at  different  times  during  its  history  can  be  named  S. 
G.  Hall,  William  Walker,  Charles  Willits  and  Mr.  Goff. 

The  business  of  the  town  at  the  present  time  is  represented  by  the  fol- 
lowing exhibit :  Two  large  dry  goods  and  general  stores  kept  by  Corne- 
lius Powell  and  Walter  Templin ;  two  drug  stores  by  R.  Gray,  and  the 
firm  of  Manring  &  Manring,  and  one  grocery  store  kept  by  Lindley  & 
Brother.  The  first  blacksmith  who  worked  at  his  trade  in  the  village 
was  Crawford  Fair;  later  came  "Dick"  Dormer,  J.  S.  Woods,  B.  F. 
Beeson,  Turney  D.  Hendrickson  and  Nehemiah  Ellis,  the  last  named 
being  the  only  smith  in  the  town  at  the  present  time.  The  early  carpen- 
ters were  R.  H.  Stanley,  L.  F.  Springer,  0.  Free,  J.  and  W.  Stephen- 
son, R.  D.  Bowman,  Charles  and  Oliver  Osborne,  Timothy  L.  Garrigus. 

There  have  been  several  mills  in  the  village  at  different  times,  but  to 
these  reference  has  already  been  made  in  a  previous  page.  A  planing 
mill  was  erected  in  1880  by  William  Jennings,  which  is  in  operation  at 
the  present  time,  and  doing,  a  flourishing  business.  Jay  &  Dolman  erect- 
ed a  large  elevator  shortly  after  the  completion  of  the  T.,  D.  &  St.  L. 
Railway,  which  is  one  of  the  largest  grain  houses  on  the  line  of  that 
road.  Many  thousand  bushels  of  grain  are  shipped  from  this  point 
every  year,  and  this  is  one  of  the  best  market  places  in  the  county. 

The  first  physicians  who  located  in  Greentown  were  Drs.  L.  W.  Ba- 
con and  James  Barrett.  Since  their  departure,  the  following  medical 
gentlemen  have  practiced  the  healing  art  in  the  village  and  surrounding 
country  :  John  Spell,  William  J.  Morgan,  William  Scott,  R.  W.  Smith, 
Dr.  Collett,  H.  Beeson,  Dr.  Ross,  D.  S.  Caylor,  J.  H.  Stover,  James  T. 
Scott,  G.  B.  Scott,  William  White,  Dr.  Watson  and  J.  W.  C.  Eaton.  The 
present  physicians  are  J.  T.  Scott,  who  has  been  practicing  in  the  com- 


LIBERTV  TOWNSHIP.  275 

munity  constantly  during    the  past  twenty  years,  G.  B.    Scott,  A.  A. 
Covalt,  L.  A.  Bagwell  and  B.  Payton. 

In  the  year  1873,  after  a  spirited  contest,  the  village  took  upon  itself 
the  dignity  of  an  incorporated  town.  The  first  municipal  officers  were : 
R.  Gray,  Mayor;  William  Segraves,  Marshal;  G.  W.  Rice,  Clerk; 
James  T.  Scott,  Henry  Lamb  and  Hugh  Courtney,  Councilmen.  Ciiief 
among  the  several  reasons  urged  in  favor  of  incorporation  was  the  general 
desire  of  the  citizens  to  improve  the  streets,  sidewalks,  etc.,  which  could 
not  have  been  accomplished  without  such  a  measure.  A  laughable  cir- 
cumstance is  related  of  the  first  arrest  made  after  the  town  organization. 
The  chief  party  in  the  transaction  was  a  "drummer"  who  committed  the 
daring  crime  of  hitching  his  team  to  a  shade  tree.  The  Marshal,  proud 
of  the  authority  vested  in  him,  very  promptly  marched  the  guilty  of- 
fender before  His  Honor  the  Mayor,  who  soon  ascertained  that  no  ordi- 
nance had  as  j^et  been  passed  providing  punishment  for  such  misdemean- 
ors. Here  was  a  dilemma.  What  should  be  done?  Should  the  culprit 
be  liberated  to  make  a  lauo'hino'-stock  of  the  town  which  had  a  citv  or- 
ganization  with  no  ordinances  to  govern  it  ?  No !  such  an  idea  could  not 
be  entertained  for  a  moment.  At  this  critical  juncture,  a  happy  thought 
struck  the  Mayor  which  suggested  a  way  out  of  the  difficulty,  and  at  the 
same  time  enabled  him  to  preserve  the  dignity  of  his  court.  Excusing  him- 
self for  a  short  time,  he  went  out  on  the  street  and  got  a  bystander  to  go 
and  advise  the  prisoner  to  "  skip."  The  man  discharged  his  errand  and 
the  commercial  tourist  "skipped  "  accordingly.  The  town  officers  at  the 
present  time  are  G.  W.  Price,  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Mayor ;  Joel 
Lindley,  Marshal ;  Willard  Woods,  Clerk  ;  Henry  Thrasher,  Treasurer  ; 
Charles  Fifer,  President  of  the  Board  of  Councilmen;  John  Woolen, 
Henry  Lindley  and  Henry  Thrasher,  Councilmen. 

The  Masonic  fraternity  and  Odd  Fellows  both  have  good  lodges  in  the 
village.  Greentown  Lodjje,  No.  341,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  was  organized 
May,  1867,  with  a  considerable  membership.  The  first  officers  were  Ezra 
Gallion,  W.  M.;  Joseph  H.  Woolen,  S.  W.,  and  Theodore  F.  Hazzard,  J. 
W.  The  officers  in  charge  at  the  present  time  are  Amos  Powell,  W.  M.; 
H.  C.  Lamb,  S.  W.;  William  Elliott,  J.  W.;  A.  A.  Covalt,  Sec,  and 
William  Wooters,  Treas.  Meetings  are  held  in  the  hall,  which  be- 
longs to  the  organization.  Present  membership,  about  thirty-three.  A 
former  lodge  liad  been  in  existence  a  number  of  years  before  the  one  re- 
ferred to,  but  no  particulars  concerning  it  have  been  learned. 

Greentown  Lodge,  No.  328,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  was  instituted  May,  1869, 
with  eight  charter  members,  whose  names  appear  as  follows  :  Milton  Gar- 
rigus,  Jonathan  Covalt,  William  T.  Manring,  Austin  S.  Freeman,  J.  S. 
Summers,    W.  M.  Simms,    Amos  A.   Covalt  and  Henry  H.   Ray.     The 


276  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

first  officers  were  W.  T.  Manring,  N.  G.;  Milton  Garrigus,  V.  G.;  A.  A. 
Covalt,  Sec,  and  John  Summers,  Treas.  Meetings  were  held  in  the 
Stephenson  Hall  until  the  year  1881,  when  the  lodge  erected  a  hall  of  its 
own,  over  the  storeroom  of  Cornelius  Powell,  on  Meridian  street.  This 
hall  is  large,  well  finished,  and  represents  a  capital  of  $1,100,  The 
present  membership  is  about  twenty-seven,  and  the  lodge  is  reported  in 
good  working  order.  The  following  comprises  the  present  list  of  officers: 
William  Wooters,  N.  G.;  Charles  Wooters,  V.  G.;  J.  T.  Scott,  Sec,  J.  H. 
Hinkle,  Treas.;  N.  D.  Stanbraugh,  Warden;  A.  J.  Griffin,  Conductor; 
John  Pearce,  I.  G.;  A.  A.  Covalt,  R.  S.  N.  G.;  B.  Hall,  L.  S.  N.  G. 

The  present  population  of  the  town  is  550.  Its  growth  since  the 
completion  of  the  T.,  D.  k  St.  L.  Railway,  which  gave  the  business  inter- 
ests of  the  place  new  impetus,  has  been  steady  and  substantial,  and  its 
future  outlook  is  very  encouraging. 

VILLAGE    OF    PLEVNA. 

Plevna  is  a  small  village,  situated  about  four  miles  and  a  half  north- 
west of  Greentown,  in  Section  9.  It  is  but  a  mere  hamlet,  containing 
two  general  stores,  a  blacksmith  shop,  post  office,  and  about  nine  or  ten 
residences.     There  is  one   physician  in   the  village,  Dr.  Miller,  who   has 

a  lucrative  practice. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  in  Liberty  was  taught  by  Miss  Lillis  Cook  in  a  dimin- 
utive log  shanty  which  stood  about  one  and  one-half  miles  northwest  of 
Greentown,  on  the  claim  of  William  Cox,  who  erected  it.  It  was  used 
by  Cox  as  a  residence  for  several  years,  but  was  afterward  abandoned. 
The  neighbors  fitted  it  up  for  school  purposes,  and  it  was  in  use  only  dur- 
ing the  one  term.  The  date  of  the  school  was  the  winter  of  1848—49. 
The  first  schools  were  supported  by  subscription,  and  generally  lasted 
about  three  months.  Among  the  early  pedagogues  of  the  township  were 
L.  F.  Springer,  P.  F.  Peters,  Milton  Garrigus,  George  Hazzard,  R. 
Gray,  B.  Moon,  H.  Deyo,  Luther  Gray,  John  Power,  William  Styer,  0. 
Free  and  Alexander  Hopkins.  The  township  was  supplied  with  public 
schools  in  1853,  at  which  time  the  school  land  was  sold,  and  the  citizens 
taxed  for  educational  purposes.  The  first  public  schoolhouse  in  the 
township  was  a  hewed-log  structure,  which  stood  a  short  distance  east  of 
Greentown.  It  was  in  use  for  a  number  of  years,  and  answered  the  two- 
fold purpose  of  school  and  meetinghouse.  There  are  at  the  present  time 
nine  good,  substantial  buildings  in  the  township  in  which  schools  are 
taught  from  five  to  seven  months  in  the  year.  Five  of  these  houses  are 
frame  and  four  brick;  the  Greentown  Public  School  building  is  the  finest 
structure  in  the  county  outside  of  Kokomo,  and   cost  about  $3,000.     It 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP.  277 

has  four  rooms,  all  of  which  are  well  finished  and  furnished.  It  stands 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  village,  and  is  an  ornament  to  the  town  and 
township.  The  village  schools  at  the  present  time  are  under  the  efficient 
management  of  Prof.  L.  M.  Herrington,  Principal;  Charlton  Bull,  teach- 
er of  the  intermediate  ;  and  Miss  Amanda  Turner,  who  has  charge  of  the 
primary  department.  The  other  teachers  in  the  township  are  Belle 
Wooters,  Cora  Powell,  0.  P.  Kemp,  W.  0.  Nelson,  D.  C.  Peters,  D.  W. 
Garrison,  W.  B.  Woods  and  W.  D.  Hamer.  The  amount  of  money  ex- 
pended for  tuition  for  the  school  year  of  1882-83  was  $2,565.76. 

CHURCHES. 

Several  healthy  religious  organizations,  with  as  many  substantial  tem- 
ples, are  the  most  convincing  evidence  of  the  existence  of  high  moral  prin- 
ciples and  a  sense  of  religious  duty  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  of  Liberty. 
Many  of  the  early  settlers  were  members  of  different  denominations,  and 
public  services  were  held  from  house  to  house  for  several  years.     At  those 
early  meetings  all  met   on  a  common  level,  and  left  their  sectarian  pecul- 
iarities at  home.     Among   the  early    preachers    were   John  Evans   and 
Benjamin  Cobb,  ministers  of  the  Baptist  Church,  who  conducted  public 
worship  at  the  residences  of  Thomas  Golding,  Benjamin  Woods  and  Ben- 
jamin Young.     A  flourishing  society  of  this  church   was  organized  in  an 
early  day,  and  was  kept  up  with  good  success  until  about  the  year  1850. 
Another  early  preacher  was  Rev.  Jacob  H.  Stover,  of  the  U.  B.  Church, 
who  preached  at  different  places  throughout  the  township  as  early  as  the 
year   1848.     Thn  New  Salem,  or  Friends'  Church,  was  organized  in  the 
spring  of  1848,  at  the  cabin  of  George  Lamb.     In  the  following  summer, 
the  place  of  meeting  was  changed   to  John   Healton's   residence,  which 
served  as  a  meeting  place  until  the  fall  of  1848,  when  a  hewed-log  build- 
ing, 24x24  feet,  was  erected.     In  the  construction  of  this  house  of  wor- 
ship  but  little  money  was  used,  the  work  being  done  gratuitously  by  the 
members  and  neighbors.     In  a  few  years,  this  building  proved  much  too 
small  for  the  increasing  congregation,  and  another  building  of  the  same 
size  was   built,  adjoining  the  first,  by  means  of  which  a  large   audience 
room,  24x48  feet,  was  secured.     The  original  society  consisted  of  fifteen 
families,    whose   names   appear  as  follows :     Absalom  Lamb,  Isaac  Rat- 
cliffe,  Naaman  Colyer,  John  Rich,  William  Rich,  Richard  Hodson,  Zach- 
ariah  Hodson,  Nathan  Hodson,  Nathan  Freeman,  Sr.,  Nathan  Freeman, 
Jr.;  also  the  single  members,  Moses  L.  Rich,  Benjamin  F.  Lamb,  Mrs.  Abi- 
gail Flockett  and  Rachel  Carr.     The  total  membership,  young  and  old,  was 
seventy-five.     The  society  continued  to  worship  in  the  log  structure  until 
the  year  1874,  at  which  time  the  present  commodious  brick  house   was 
finished.     It  was   commenced  in  the  fall  of  1873,  and  completed  the  fol- 


278  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

lowing  year,  and  cost  |?1,827.  The  present  membership  is  112.  During 
the  greater  part  of  the  first  twenty  years  the  church  was  without  any 
regular  pastors,  the  pulpit  being  supplied  at  intervals  by  different  minis- 
ters. Of  late,  Amos  Kenworthy,  William  Healton  and  Milton  Cox  have 
preached  for  the  congregation. 

It  is  impossible  to  give  anything  like  a  complete  history  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church  of  Greentown,  because,  as  one  of  its  members  states,  Meth- 
odism sets  little  value  on  the  formalities  of  organization.  Its  methods  are 
simple ;  those  who  desire  a  home  in  her  communion  are  enrolled  as  a 
class,  and  some  one  of  the  number  appointed  leader.  No  official  minutes 
of  the  transactions  are  kept  or  recorded  except  incidentally  on  the  class 
books.  The  Greentown  class  was  organized  about  the  year  1848,  and 
held  its  meetings  at  private  residences  until  the  schoolhouse  in  the  village 
was  built,  which  was  used  as  a  place  of  worship  for  a  number  of  years. 
The  place  of  meeting  was  afterward  changed  to  the  Stephenson  building, 
which  served  the  congregation  until  the  present  house  of  worship  was 
erected  in  1854.  Among  the  first  members  of  this  class  were  Charles 
0.  Fry  and  wife,  Joel  Stephenson  and  wife,  Luther  Segraves  and  wife, 
Tarver  Segraves  and  wife,  Mrs.  Jones,  Lemuel  Gray  and  wife  and  Reason 
Summers  and  wife.  Luther  Segraves  was  the  first  class  reader.  Amons:  the 
pastors  and  stated  supplies  of  the  church  since  its  organization  were  Revs. 
M.  S.  Morrison,  Jacob  Colclazer,  Forbes,  Rhodes,  Marks,  Garrell,  llo- 
back,  Templin,  Shackleford,  Miller,  McElwee,  Peck,  Curry,  J.  W.  Miller, 
Lewellen,  Watkins,  Harrison,  Beamer,  Baker,  Fish,  John  McElwee,  and 
Mr.  Wilcox,  the  present  incumbent.  The  house  of  worship  was  erected  in 
the  year  1854,  on  ground  donated  by  C.  0.  Fry.  It  is  a  frame  structure, 
34x50  feet,  and  cost  the  sum  of  $1,200.  It  has  been  frequently  remod- 
eled and  at  the  present  time  has  a  very  commodious  audience  room,  capa- 
ble of  seating  about  300  persons.  The  present  officers  of  the  church  are 
Jesse  Ware,  Cornelius  Powell,  W.  A.  Powell,  A.  Willits  and  J.  T.  Scott, 
trustees,  and  N.  D.  Stanbrough  and  W.  0.  Nelson,  class  leaders.  There 
are  at  this  time  seventy-five  active  members.  A  large,  flourishing  Sun- 
day school  is  maintained  throughout  the  year,  Avith  an  average  attend- 
ance of  about  ninety  scholars.  It  is  at  the  present  time  under  the  effi- 
cient superintendency  of  Dr.  James  T.  Scott. 

*The  Greentown  class  of  the  church  of  the  United  Bretiiren  in  Christ 
was  organized  August,  1856,  by  Rev.  Cyrus  Smith,  preacher  in  charge- 
At  the  first  meeting,  the  following  named  persons  were  enrolled  as  orig- 
inal members  :  George  H.  Snow  and  wife,  L.  S.  Gray  and  wife,  Sophia 
Osborne,  Naomi  Stanley  and  Susannah  Woods.  Dufing  the  ensuing 
conference  year,  the  society  increased  to  about  forty  members,  which  has 

*Prepare(t  by  Luther  S.  Gray. 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP.  279 

been  about  the  average  number  from  year  to  year.  At  present  there  are 
about  fifty  names  enrolled  on  the  class  book,  including  seekers  under  the 
watch  care  of  the  church.  For  a  series  of  years,  the  Methodist  and 
United  Brethren  labored  together  in  sustaining  a  Sabbath  school  on  union 
principles,  each  church  reporting  its  interest  therein.  The  following  is  a 
list  of  the  ministers  who  have  at  different  times  served  as  pastors  of  this 
charge  :  Revs.  Cyrus  Smith,  B.  F.  Morgan,  J.  S.  Wall,  J.  Rutherford, 
J.  Stanley,  B.  R.  B.  Holcomb,  William  Hall,  Eli  Hoover,  R.  B.  Beaty, 
M.  Gronendyke,  A.  P.  Stout,  S.  Bias,  W.  E.  Mosier,  J.  Y.  Demunbrun, 
A.  Rector,  S.  Huff  and  Irvin  Cox.  The  pastor  in  charge  at  the  present 
time  is  Rev.  C.  Smith.     Meetings  are  held  in  the  Methodist  Church. 

The  Christian  Church  of  Greentown  was  organized  in  the  year  1868 
by  Elders  James  Comer  and  John  L.  Puckett,  with  an  organized  member- 
ship of  about  thirty.  The  village  schoolhouse  was  used  by  the  congrega- 
tion as  a  meeting  place  for  one  year,  when  the  organization  was  moved  to 
the  wagon  shop  belonging  to  Elder  Puckett.  This  building  was  used 
about  eighteen  months,  when  steps  were  taken  to  provide  a  more  commo- 
dious place  of  worship  for  the  constantly  increasing  audiences.  A  build- 
ing committee  was  appointed  to  purchase  ground  and  draw  up  specifica- 
tions for  a  house  of  worship.  T.  Segraves,  Daniel  Carr,  Hardy  Johnson, 
Henry  Pickett  and  Riley  Lindley  composed  the  committee.  An  eligible 
site  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  village,  on  Main  street,  was  purchased  of 
Jonathan  Covalt,  and  work  on  the  building  commenced  at  once.  The 
house  was  completed  in  1872,  and  represents  a  capital  of  about  ^1,800. 
Its  dimensions  are  40x55  feet,  the  audience  room  being  sufficiently  large 
to  accommodate  450  persons.  The  first  regular  pastor  of  the  church  was 
Elder  John  L.  Puckett,  who  preached  very  acceptably  for  three  years. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Abraham  Culbertson  who  exercised  pastoral  con- 
trol one  year,  and  was  in  turn  followed  by  Elder  John  R.  Kob,  who  re- 
mained the  same  length  of  time.  Elder  D.  W.  Fowler  was  the  next  pas- 
tor ;  he  ministered  to  the  society  one  year,  and  was  succeeded  by  Elder 
William  Winegardner,  who  supplied  the  pulpit  two  years.  The  present 
pastor  is  Elder  L.  Ryker,  who  is  in  his  first  year's  labor.  The  member- 
ship of  this  church  is  constantly  increasing,  and  the  congregations  and 
Sunday  school  rank  with  the  first  in  the  township.  There  are  at  the 
present  time  the  names  of  135  communicants  on  the  church  book.  Mary 
Johnson  is  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school,  which  is  maintained 
throughout  the  entire  year. 

The  Missionary  Baptists  organized  a  society  at  Greentown  in  the 
year  1851,  which  was  kept  up  about  five  years.  Among  the  preachers 
during  that  time  were  Revs.  Henry  Cobb,  Simeon  Mugg  and  William 
Golding.     They  used  the  schoolhouse  for  a  place  of  worship,  and   at  one 


280  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

time  had  a  considerable  membership.  The  organization  was  finally 
abandoned  on  account  of  the  majority  of  members  removing  from  the 
place. 

A  society  of  the  Christian  Church  was  organized  at  an  early  day  at 
the  Lindley  Schoolhouse,  a  short  distance  northwest  of  Greentown.  The 
organization  became  very  strong  during  the  first  five  years  of  its  history, 
but  from  various  causes  was  finally  abandoned. 

A  Wesleyan  Methodist  class  was  organized  at  the  same  place,  also 
with  a  good  membership.  It  was  kept  up  for  several  years  and  numbered 
among  its  members  many  of  the  best  citizens  of  the  community.  It 
ceased  to  exist  a  number  of  years  ago. 

The  United  Brethren  have  a  flourishing  class  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  township,  which  meet  for  worship  at  the  schoolhouse  in  District  No. 
4.  It  was  organized  in  1882,  and  at  the  present  time  numbers  about 
forty  members.      Rev.  Cyrus   Smith  is  pastor. 

The  Wesleyan  Methodists  have  a  society  in  the  northeast  corner  of 
the  township,  with  a  membership  of  about  twenty.  Murphy's  School- 
house  in  District  No.  1  serves  the  congregation  as  a  place  of  worship. 


HOWARD  TOWNSHIP. 

Howard  Township  comprises  thirty  square  miles  of  territory,  lying 
in  the  north-central  part  of  the  county,  and  is  designated  as  Town  24 
north,  Range  4  east.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Miami  County,  on 
the  east  by  Liberty  Township,  on  the  south  by  the  townships  of  Taylor 
and  Centre,  on  the  west  by  Centre  and  Clay.  It  was  named  in  honor  of 
Hon.  T.  A.  Howard,  a  man  well  and  favorably  known  among  the  early 
citizens  of  the  county.  Big  Wild  Cat  is  the  largest  Avater-course  by 
which  the  country  is  traversed,  and  affords  the  principal  drainage.  It 
flows  in  a  westerly  direction  through  the  southern  part,  entering  the 
township  in  Section  6,  near  the  southeast  corner,  and  crossing  the  western 
boundary  from  Section -33.  It  passes  through  one  of  the  oldest  and 
most  highly  cultivated  regions  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county,  and  was 
the  principal  attraction  to  the  early  settlers  of  Howard.  In  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  township  is  Deer  Creek,  which  affords  ample  drainage 
to  that  portion  of  the  country.  It  enters  the  township  from  the  west, 
flows  in  an  easterly  course  for  about  one  mile,  when  the  current  is  de- 
flected to  the  northwest.  It  receives  South  Deer  Creek  near  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  township,  and  crosses  the  northern  boundary  from  Sec- 
tion 6. 

The  surface  of  the  country  is,  in  the  main,  quite  level,  especially  in 


HOWARD    TOWNSHIP.  281 

the  northern  and  central  portions,  while  in  the  southern  part,  along  Big 
Wild  Cat,  the  land  is  more  undulating,  and  in  some  places  considerably 
broken.  When  the  pioneers  made  their  first  appearance,  the  township 
was  covered  with  an  almost  unbroken  forest  of  the  finest  timber,  the  prin- 
cipal varieties  being  black  walnut,  white  walnut,  several  species  of  oak, 
poplar,  maple,  ash,  elms  of  various  kinds,  sycamore  along  the  creeks,  and 
a  dense  undergrowth,  consisting  chiefly  of  spicebush.  The  most  difficult 
task,  which  the  settler  had  to  encounter,  was  getting  rid  of  so  much  su- 
perfluous forest  growth,  and  various  means  were  resorted  to  to  eff"ect  its 
destruction.  Much  valuable  timber  was  ruthlessly  destroyed,  which,  if 
standing  at  the  present  time,  would  represent  more  value  than  the  land 
would  bring  at  the  highest  market  price.  The  soil  of  the  township  is  of 
great  depth  and  consists  of  the  fine  black  mold  common  to  this  part  of 
the  country.  It  is  clay-mixed  in  certain  localities,  very  fertile  and  well 
adapted  to  all  the  cereals  and  fruits  indigenous  to  Northern  Indiana.  As 
an  agricultural  district,  Howard  Township  takes  no  second  rank  and  can 
probably  boast  of  as  many  well-improved  farms  as  any  other  division  of 
the  county.  Next  to  the  agricultural  interests,  stock-raising  is  the  most 
important  industry,  a  business  in  which  a  number  of  persons  have  en- 
gaged quite  extensively.  The  richness  of  the  pastures  and  the  presence 
of  water  in  abundance  have  won  for  the  township  an  enviable  reputation, 
and  her  stock-farms  are  among  the  largest  and  best  improved  in  the  county. 

FIRST    SETTLERS. 

The  settlement  of  Howard  Township  by  the  whites  dates  back  to  the 
year  1840,  at  which  time  the  first  pioneer,  a  man  by  name  of  Kimball, 
made  his  appearance  and  located  on  Wild  Cat,  a  short  distance  south  of 
David  Farley's  farm.  The  country  at  that  time  was  in  possession  of  the 
Indians,  with  whom  Kimball  lived  for  several  years.  He  adopted  their 
mode  of  dress,  passed  the  greater  part  of  his  time  at  their  camp,  partici- 
pated in  their  hunting  excursions,  and  was  to  all  intents  and  purposes  a 
savage  himself.  He  remained  here  until  about  the  year  1843,  when,  be- 
coming restive  under  the  increasing  civilization,  he  took  his  departure 
and  joined  his  red  companions  in  the  West.  Several  other  transient  set- 
tlers, whose  names  were  not  learned,  came  about  the  same  time  with  the 
foregoing,  and  located  temporarily  near  Cassville.  They  associated  with 
the  Indians  also,  and  took  their  departure  about  the  same  time  the  latter 
quitted  the  country. 

In  the  year  1842,  George  Spitzenberger,  a  native  of  Ohio,  came  to 
the  township  and  erected  a  temporary  habitation  on  Wild  Cat,  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  south  of  the  Lerner  farm.  He  was  attracted  to  the  lo- 
cality in  quest  of  game,  and  obtained  permission  of  the  Indians   to  hunt 


282  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

and  trap  along  the  stream.  He  was  a  true  type  of  the  backwoods  hunt- 
er, went  clad  in  a  peculiar  garb  of  deer  skin,  and  shunned  all  intercourse 
with  society,  for  the  usages  of  which  he  entertained  the  most  profound 
contempt.  He  remained  here  until  the  year  1844,  when  he  sold  his  few 
improvements  and  went  to  Illinois. 

In  the  year  1842,  Jacob  Good  settled  within  the  present  limits  of  the 
township,  and  obtained  permission  of  the  Indians  to  clear  and  cultivate 
a  small  patch  of  ground. near  Wild  Cat,  on  land  at  present  owned  by 
David  Smith.  The  agreement  between  Good  and  the  red  men  was  kept 
in  good  faith,  and  a  crop  of  corn  was  raised  the  following  year,  being  the 
first  attempt  at  agriculture  in  the  township.  Good  was  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, left  his  early  home  when  a  young  man  and  went  to  Sullivan  Coun- 
ty, Tenn.,  where  he  remained  until  his  immigration  to  this  State,  some 
time  prior  to  1840.  His  first  settlement  in  Indiana  was  made  in  Henry 
County,  where  he  lived  until  1841,  at  which  time  he  made  a  tour  of  ob- 
servation through  Howard  County  for  the  purpose  of  selecting  a  home. 
He  took  a  claim  in  what  is  known  as  the  "  Float "  Section,  which  he  en- 
tered when  the  land  came  into  market  five  years  later.  He  appears  to 
have  been  a  man  of  considerable  influence  in  the  community,  and  did 
much  in  a  quiet  way  toward  the  moral  improvement  of  his  neighborhood. 
His  death  occurred  in  the  year  1851.  One  daughter,  Mrs.  Templin, 
wife  of  Timothy  Templin,  resides  in  the  township  at  the  present  time. 
Salathiel  Good,  son  of  the  preceding,  came  to  the  township  in  company 
with  his  father  and  took  a  claim  in  Section  35,  on  land  at  present  owned 
and  occupied  by  Mr.  Sale.  He  made  a  good  farm  here  and  built  his  first 
cabin  on  the  spot  where  the  Hopewell  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  now 
stands.  When  the  first  school  was  organized  in  1845,  Good  was  elected 
teacher,  and  for  a  number  of  years  thereafter  was  identified  with  the  ed- 
ucational interests  of  the  township.  He  sold  his  farm  many  years  ago,  and 
moved  to  Wisconsin  and  later  to  Nebraska,  where  he  at  present  resides. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1842,  the  Garringers — Alexander,  David,  Abner 
and  Isaac — moved  to  the  township  and  selected  claims  in  the  southern  part 
along  Wild  Cat.  They  came  fi'om  Delaware  County,  and  unlike  many 
early  settlers  were  men  of  means.  The  father,  Alexander,  settled 
near  Hopewell  Church,  on  the  farm  at  present  owned  by  Jonah  Beeson, 
where  he  lived  until  the  year  1851,  at  which  time  his  death  occurred. 
Martin  Smith,  a  son-in-law  of  Jacob  Good,  came  the  same  year  also,  and 
settled  near  an  Indian  village  on  Wild  Cat.  For  several  years  the  red- 
skins were  his  nearest  neighbors,  between  whom  and  the  pioneers  the 
most  friendly  relations  were  maintained.  Smith  entered  land  in  1847, 
and  resided  in  the  township  until  the  year  1852,  when  he  disposed  of  his 
farm  and  moved  to  Wisconsin. 


HOWARD    TOWNSHIP.  283 

In  1843,  the  Tyler  brothers — David,  James,  Frank,  J^athaniel  and 
Joseph — selected  homes  in  the  township  near  the  Garringer  and  Good 
settlements.  They  were  natives  of  Ohio  and  proved  no  particular  ad- 
vantage to  the  community  in  which  they  resided,  being  of  that  thriftless 
class  generally  found  on  the  outskirts  of  civilization.  Ephraim  Bates 
came  in  the  year  1843  also,  and  took  a  claim  where  David  Farley  lives,  in 
Section  27.  He  afterward  entered  this  land  and  was  a  resident  of  the 
township  until  1850,  when  he  joined  a  company  of  gold-seekers  and  went 
to  California.  He  died  in  the  latter  State,  of  cholera,  soon  after  his  ar- 
rivfil. 

Among  the  early  settlers  who  came  in  prior  to  1844  may  be  named 
Christian  Loffer  and  his  sons  Daniel  and  Simon  L.,  all  of  whom  settled 
a  short  distance  west  of  the  Farley  farm,  where  they  made  small  improve- 
ments. They  moved  to  this  county  from  Ohio  and  were  identified  with 
the  township  for  a  few   years,  when  they  sold  out  and  moved  to  Iowa. 

During  the  year  1844,  the  population  of  the  township  was  increased 
by  the  following  additions  :  Bernhart  Lerner,  Henry  Loop,  John  W. 
Lewis,  Wilson  Brewer  and  a  man  by  the  name  of  Dix.  Lerner  came  to 
the  county  in  the  year  1841  and  settled  in  Harrison  Township,  where  he 
took  a  claim  and  worked  at  the  shoemaker's  trade.  Thinking  to  better 
his  condition,  he  moved  to  this  township  three  years  later,  and  purchased 
a  portion  of  his  present  farm,  where  he  has  since  resided.  In  company 
with  several  others,  among  whom  was  Ephraim  Bates,  he  went  to  Cal- 
ifornia during  the  gold  excitement  of  1850,  and  remained  in  that  State 
about  two  years.  While  absent,  a  distressing  accident  occurred  at  home, 
in  which  his  wife  was  killed  by  the  falling  of  a  burning  chimney.  He 
afterward  married  the  widow  of  Bates.  He  is  the  oldest  settler  living  in 
the  township  at  the  present  time. 

Henry  Loop  came  from  Ohio  and  located  near  the  western  boundary 
of  the  township.  He  took  a  claim  and  cleared  a  small  farm  but  did  little 
toward  tilling  the  soil,  depending  upon  his  rifle  for  his  chief  means  of  sub- 
sistence. He  achieved  quite  a  reputation  as  a  bee-hunter  also,  and  real- 
ized many  dollars  from  the  sale  of  wild  honey,  which  he  marketed  in 
large  quantities.  He  was  daring  almost  to  foolhardiness,  and  would  climb 
the  loftiest  trees  in  his  search  for  honey,  and  appeared  as  much  at  home 
among  the  branches  as  he  did  on  terra  firma.  On  one  occasion  he  fell 
from  a  tree  a  distance  of  forty -five  feet,  and  sustained  injuries  from  which 
he  never  entirely  recovered.  In  later  years,  he  manufactured  half  bushel 
measures,  a  business  which  proved  very  remunerative,  and  which  he  fol- 
lowed until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1875. 

John  Lewis  located  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township  on  Big  Wild 
Cat,  where  he  entered  land  in  1848,  and  Brewer  took  a  claim  in  Section 


284  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

16,  where  Peter  Touby  lives.  Dix  settled  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
township  on  the  John  Barnes  farm,  where  he  took  a  claim  and  made  a 
few  improvements.  He  is  remembered  as  a  noted  backwoodsman,  whose 
greatest  delight  was  hunting  and  trapping,  which  he  followed  very  suc- 
cessfully. By  the  sale  of  deer  skins,  venison  hams  and  wild  honey,  he 
managed  to  supply  his  family  with  what  groceries  and  few  articles  of 
wearing  apparel  they  needed,  while  hcAveut  clad  in  the  conventional  buck- 
skin garb  common  among  the  pioneer  hunters  forty  years  ago.  In  the 
year  1848,  he  sold  his  claim  to  John  Oakey  and  moved  to  one  of  the 
Western  States. 

Other  early  settlers  were  Henry  Hemker,  who  located  in  Section  27, 
where  his  son  still  lives  ;  the  Martin  family,  consisting  of  several  sons, 
all  of  whom  made  temporary  settlements  on  the  Jacob  Brunk  farm,  and 
a  man  by  name  of  Freeman  who  took  a  claim  in  the  same  vicinity.  In 
the  year  1845,  James  Bell,  William  Stanley,  Edmund  Wright  and  John 
Haas  selected  land  in  the  township,  and  moved  to  their  claims  soon  after. 
William  Hutson,  James  Stevens,  Thompson  Simmons,  Andrew  Caldwell, 
Thomas  Ralston  and  James  Caldwell  came  in  1846. 

Prominent  among  those  who  came  in  that  year  was  Rev.  Jacob  Stover, 
a  minister  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  and  one  of  the  pioneer  preach- 
ers of  Northern  Indiana.  He  was  a  native  of  Augusta  County,  Va., 
where  he  lived  until  his  marriage  in  1835,  at  which  time  he  came  West 
and  settled  in  this  State,  near  the  city  of  Richmond.  In  one  of  his  preach- 
ing tours,  he  passed  through  Howard  County,  and  being  favorably  impressed 
with  the  country  he  determined  to  make  it  his  future  home.  He  took  a 
claim  in  this  township  near  Wild  Cat,  on  the  Eli  Lock  farm,  to  which  he 
moved  his  family  a  few  weeks  later,  occupying  a  little  deserted  cabin 
near  by  until  a  more  comfortable  habitation  could  be  erected.  At  that 
time  he  had  charge  of  a  number  of  churches  in  Howard  and  adjoining 
counties,  and  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  time  traveling  to  and  from  his 
different  appointments.  His  wife  relates  that  during  one  of  his  preach- 
ing tours,  which  was  extended  longer  than  usual,  on  account  of  a  long, 
spell  of  stormy  weather,  the  family  stock  of  meal  gave  out,  and  they  were 
compelled  to  do  without  bread  for  a  period  of  ten  days.  Later  in  his 
life,  Stover  took  up  the  medical  profession  and  secured  an  extensive  practice 
among  the  pioneer  communities  of  eastern  Howard,  He  was  a  resident 
of  this  township  for  twenty- eight  years,  when  he  sold  his  real  estate  and 
moved  to  Kokomo.  His  death  occurred  in  Centre  Township  about  six 
years  ago. 

During  the  year  1847,  the  following  persons  entered  lands  in  the  town- 
ship :  Larkin  Meyers  and  Samuel  Lewis,  in  Section  11 ;  John  Evans, 
in  Section  8  ;  John   D.  Lockridge,  in   Section  12 ;   George  Stewart,   in 


HOWARD    TOWNSHIP.  285 

Section  13;  Carey  Brown,  in  Section  21;  Smith  Chambers,  in  Section 
24  ;  John  Wright,  in  Section  28  ;  Phineas  W.  Johnson,  in  Section  33. 
Among  those  who  came  in  1847  was  Timothy  Templin,  a  native  of  High- 
land County,  Ohio,  and  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  living  in  the  township 
at  the  present  time.  He  moved  to  Henry  County,  this  State,  in  an  early 
day,  where  he  married  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Good.  He  settled  in  the 
southeast  corner  of  this  township  in  the  year  mentioned  and  has  been  for 
thirty-six  years  prominently  identified  with  the  growth  and  development 
of  the  country. 

During  the  year  1848,  entries  were  made  by  Harrison  Archer,  Andrew 
Bray,  Patrick  Costlow,  Vespasian  Goyer,  VV.  B.  Wilt,  Noah  Carter, 
Brinton  Webster,  John  Terrell,  John  Kane,  Samuel  CofFman,  J.  W.  Jack- 
son, Charles  Thomas,  Clerwell  Pickett,  Charles  Elliott,  Peter  Shook, 
William  McCormick,  W.  J.  Brewer,  Dennis  Truax,  Jesse  Slider,  Jacob 
Albright,  John  F.  Russell,  W.  W.  Thompson,  George  Rarey,  William 
Webb,  Lewis  Odom,  C.  V.  Justice,  John  Swift,  James  Davidson,  G. 
Tirey,  Thomas  Watkins,  William  Bradbury,  John  F.  Tate,  Washington 
Garrell,  Alfred  Farlow;  John  Tribbett,  William  M.  Stark,  0.  Kizer, 
Thomas  Hill,  Michael  Brownson,  William  Huston,  Caleb  Lane,  Samuel 
King,  Robert  D.  Palmer,  Z.  W.  Baker,  John  W.  Clements,  Newton 
Mills,  James  Bell,  William  Brookbank,  S.  A.  J.  Brisey,  and  others 
of  whom  limited  space  forbids  mention, 

THE    FIRST    ELECTION. 

The  first  election  in  the  township  was  held  at  the  residence  of  Carev 
Brown,near  the  Prairie  Schoolhouse,  in  the  year  1848.  At  this  election  the 
following  township  officers  were  elected:  Daniel  Martin,  Salathiel  Good  and 
Timothy  Templin,  Trustees  ;  James  Pollock,  Clerk  ;  Whalen  Todhunter, 
Treasurer;  Andrew  Caldwell  and  Wesley  Jackson,  Justices  of  the  Peace. 

FIRST    BIRTHS    AND    MARRIAGES. 

The  first  white  child  born  within  the  present  limits  of  Howard  was  a 
daughter  of  John  Kane,  whose  birth  occurred  in  the  spring  of  1848. 
Another  early  birth  was  in  the  family  of  James  Tyler  a  few  months  later. 
A  son  of  Bernhart  Lerner  was  born  about  this  time  also. 

The  first  marriage  in  the  township  was  solemnized  in  the  year  1847 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Skillman,  the  contracting  parties  being  Larker  North  and 
Martha  Dix.  Their  laudable  example  was  soon  afterward  imitated  by 
Patrick  Dix  and  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  David  Tyler.  Other  early  mar- 
riages were  John  Haas  to  Jane  Stanley,  H.  Smith  to  Miss  Templin, 
•J.  Lee  to  Mary  A.  Strode  and  Jacob  Templin  to  Delilah  Fonts. 


286  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

THE    FIRST    CEMETERY. 

The  first  burying  ground  in  the  township  was  laid  out  by  Bernhart 
Lerner  in  the  year  1848,  and  is  known  as  the  Salem  Cemetery.  It  is 
situated  in  Section  27,  and  is  one  of  the  principal  burying  places  in  the 
township.  The  first  interment  in  this  cemetery  was  Catherine  Bates, 
whose  death  occurred  in  1848.  Among  others  laid  to  rest  here  in  an 
early  day  were  Alexander  Garringer,  Mrs.  Tyler,  Mrs.  Bernhart  Lerner 
and  Mrs.  Kane.  The  Hopewell  Cemetery  was  laid  out  about  the  same 
year,  and  the  first  interment  therein  was  Jacob  Good,  one  of  the 
township's  earliest  pioneers. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  citizens  of  Howard  Township  displayed  an  early  interest  in  ed- 
ucational matters  and  among  the  pioneer  institutions  of  the  country  may 
be  noted  the  old  log  schoolhouse.  The  first  settlers  coming  as  they  did 
from  older  States,  where  education  was  the  rule,  the  majority  of  them 
were  men  and  women  of  intelligence.  The  first  building  used  for  school 
purposes  was  a  small  cabin  which  had  been  previously  occupied  by  the 
family  of  a  squatter.  It  stood  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township  on 
Bernhart  Lerner's  land  and  was  first  used  in  1845.  The  room  was  furnished 
-with  a  few  rough  benches  made  of  logs  split  once  and  hewed  smooth  with 
a  common  chopping  ax.  These  rested  upon  an  uneven  floor  of  the  same 
material,  which  required  no  sweeping  ;  a  broad  board  extended  around  the 
apartment  next  to  the  Avail  and  served  the  purpose  of  a  writing  desk 
during  certain  hours  of  the  day  ;  a  large  fire-place  occupied  the  greater  part 
of  one  end  of  the  building,  in  the  construction  of  which  neither  brick 
nor  stones  were  used,  a  bank  of  earth  being  merely  thrown  against  the 
logs  to  keep  them  from  taking  fire.  A  small  rough  stand  for  the  teacher 
completed  the  interior  arrangement  of  the  room,  the  whole  lighted  by  a 
single  window  in  which  greased  paper  was  used  instead  of  glass.  The  first 
pedagogue  who  wielded  the  birch  in  this  primitive  structure  was  Salathiel 
Good,  who  is  remembered  as  an  able  instructor.  His  school  continued 
three  months,  numbered  about  fifteen  pupils  and  was  supported  by  sub- 
scription. 

The  second  schoolhouse  was  built  about  the  year  1848  and  stood  on 
Christian  Loffer's  place,  a  short  distance  west  of  David  Farley's  residence. 
It  was  a  log  house  also,  but  a  decided  improvement  on  the  one  described, 
and  was  in  use  about  seven  years.  Among  the  early  teachers  at  this  place 
were  Salathiel  Good,  Anna  Gordon  and  Harriet  Smith.  In  1850,  a  school- 
house  was  erected  on  Wild  Cat,  near  the  present  residence  of  David 
Smith,  and  used  the  same  year  by  Salathiel  Good.  Isaiah  Roberts  taught 
school  about  the  same  time  in  a  house  which  stood  a  short  distance  north 
in  Section  16. 


HOWARD    TOWNSHIP.  287 

The  first  public  schoolhouse  was  built  on  Timothy  Teraplin's  farm  in 
the  year  1854.  It  was  a  comfortable  hewed-log  structure,  and  served  its 
purpose  well  for  many  years.  Good  taught  the  first  term  in  this  building, 
and  was  followed  by  C.  Pettijohn,  Thomas  Armstrong  and  Richard 
Templin,  in  the  order  named.  Other  early  teachers  of  the  township  were 
David  Evans,  Daniel  Martin,  Warren  Truax,  Isaac  Whittaker,  Joseph 
Dixon  and  William  Styer.  As  time  passed  the  number  of  schoolhouses 
increased  ;  the  little  log  cabins  gradually  disappeared  and  were  replaced 
by  the  more  comfortable  and  commodious  brick  and  frame  buildings. 
There  are  at  the  present  time  ten  good  school  buildings  in  the  township, 
all  of  which  are  well  supplied  with  the  latest  improved  furniture  and 
fixtures.  The  following  list  comprises  the  teachers  in  charge  at  the 
present  time :  J.  N.  Loop,  John  E.  Lock,  Robert  L.  Myers,  Jacob  C. 
Sipe,  H.  W.  Fisher,  Melissa  Troyer,  Ada  Hemper,  RoUa  A.  Trees,  John 
A.  Miller  and  Mattie  Lovejoy. 

CHURCHES. 
The  early  church  history  of  Howard  is  involved  in  considerable  ob- 
scurity, and  many  dates  and  interesting  facts  relating  thereto  have  faded 
from  the  memory  of  the  oldest  inhabitants.  The  early  settlers  were  a 
church-going  people,  and  held  public  services  from  house  to  house  for  sev- 
eral years.  These  early  meetings  were  attended  by  all,  far  and  near,  and 
served  to  bring  remote  settlements  into  social  contact.  Many  of  the  pio- 
neer preachers  were  men  singularly  gifted  with  a  powerful  eloquence, 
which  fired  the  hearts  of  their  hearers,  and  many  converts  were  gathered 
into  the  different  churches.  It  is  not  positively  known  who  preached  the 
first  sermon  in  the  township,  but,  as  near  as  can  be  ascertained,  it  was  a 
Methodist  minister  by  the  name  of  Burns.  He  conducted  a  series  of 
meetings  at  the  residence  of  Bernhart  Lerner,  as  early  as  1845,  and 
preached  at  intervals  thereafter  for  two  or  three  years.  A  class  was  or- 
ganized at  Lerner's  house,  in  the  year  1848.  by  Revs.  Brooks  and  Fenni- 
more,  and  the  following  names  recorded  as  members :  Bernhart  Ler- 
ner and  wife,  Phebe  Bates,  Salathiel  Good  and  wife,  Martin  Smith  and 
wife,  Timothy  Templin  and  wife,  Polly  Thrailkill  and  Mrs.  Hays.  For 
one  year,  the  little  congregation  had  no  house  of  worship,  and  held  their 
public  services,  protracted  and  quarterly  meetings,  in  private  dwelling 
houses  and  groves. 

"No  silver  saints,  by  dying  miserj  given, 
Here  bribed  the  rage  of  ill-requited  Heaven, 
But  such  plain  roofs  as  piety  could  raise, 
And  only  vocal  with  the  Maker's  praise." 

At  a  meeting  held  at  Lerner's  residence,  in  the  latter  part  of  1849, 
steps  were  taken  to  erect  a  house  of  worship,  and  ground  was  selected  for 


288  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

the  purpose.  Salathiel  Good  donated  a  half-acre  of  his  farm,  south  of 
Wild  Cat,  in  Section  35.  A  comfortable  hewed-log  edifice,  25x30  feet, 
was  soon  built  thereon.  At  one  of  their  early  meetings,  the  society 
adopted  the  name  Hopewell  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  by  which  the 
class  should  be  designated — a  name  which  it  still  retains.  The  first  pas- 
tor was  Rev.  Henry  Badley,  at  that  time  in  charge  of  the  Kokomo  Cir- 
cuit, to  which  this  charge  was  attached  shortly  after  its  organization. 
Badley  served  the  church  very  acceptably  for  two  years,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Forbes,  who  remained  one  year.  After  Forbes  came 
Morrison,  under  whose  labors  the  society  was  made  amission  of  the  Koko- 
mo Circuit.  Since  its  organization,  the  church  has  been  ministered  to  by 
the  following  pastors:  Joseph  Doyle,  Samuel  Rhodes,  Moses  Marks, 
Abraham  Gorrell,  Mr.  Hoback,  Nathan  Shackleford,  Joseph  Shackleford, 
L.  Miller,  William  Peck,  Mr.  Curry,  Mr.  Wadkins,  John  W.  Miller, 
Casey,  Bearaer,  Lewellen,  Baker,  Samuel  McElwee,  John  Harrison,  Fish, 
John  McElwee  and  L.  J.  Templin.  The  pastor  in  charge  at  the  present 
time  is  Rev.  Mr.  Wilcox.  The  congregation,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the 
year  1874,  resolved  to  build  a  new  house  of  worship,  and  a  considerable 
sum  of  money  was  at  once  subscribed  ;  work  commenced  and  the  result 
was  the  present  building,  which  was  completed  and  dedicated  in  the  win- 
ter of  1874.  It  is  a  neat  brick  structure,  with  a  seating  capacity  of 
about  300,  and  represents  a  capital  of  $2,500.  It  stands  opposite  the 
old  building,  on  ground  donated  by  William  S.  Sale. 

On  the  6th  day  of  August,  1845,  Elder  Laomi  Ashley  held  a  meeting 
at  the  residence  of  Thomas  Martindale,  near  the  present  site  of  Cassville, 
and  organized  a  society  of  the  Christian,  or  "New  Light"  Church.  A 
sermon  was  preached  upon  the  occasion,  and  the  following  persons  re- 
ceived into  membership:  John  Hicks,  Rebecca  Hicks,  Thomas  Martin- 
dale,  Francis  Martindale,  Jonathan  Martindale,  Elizabeth  Martindale, 
William  Stanley,  Nancy  Stanley,  William  Pearson,  Mary  Pearson,  Ke- 
ziah  Garrett  and  Elizabeth  Dale.  For  several  years,  Martindale's  resi- 
dence was  used  as  a  meeting  place,  and  the  society  increased  in  numbers 
under  the  earnest  labors  of  Ashley,  and  his  successor.  Elder  Isaac  John- 
son. Amcng  the  early  pastors  was  Abraham  Sneethen,  who  deserves 
more  than  a  passing  notice.  He  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  a  man  of 
unblemished  character,  and  was  considered  quite  a  noted  preacher  in  his 
day.  At  an  early  age,  he  moved  to  Ohio,  when  that  State  was  on  the 
outskirts  of  civilization,  and  settled  with  his  parents  near  Cincinnati. 
He  entered  the  ministry  while  yet  a  young  man,  and  preached  at  Cincin- 
nati Avhen  that  city  was  a  mere  hamlet  of  a  dozen  houses.  From  Ohio 
he  came  to  this  State,  where  he  became  widely  and  favorably  known  as  a 
pioneer  evangelist.      He  was  a  sincere  Christian,  whose   life  was  spent  in 


HOWARD    TOWNSHIP.  289 

*' going  about  doing  good."  'Tis  true,  his  oratory  was  not  what  could  be 
termed  classic,  nor  were  his  scholastic  acquirements  of  that  profound  type 
considered  so  essential  to  the  success  of  the  modern  divine ;  yet  he  was 
endowed  with  a  strong,  practical  mind,  well  furnished  with  plain,  unvar- 
nished facts.  He  preached  the  Gospel  of  Christ  with  but  few  adorn- 
ments of  rhetoric,  and  was  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  establish  the  cause  of 
his  Master  among  the  sparsely  settled  localities  of  the  new  country. 
Several  churches  in  this  and  adjoining  counties  were  established  through 
his  instrumentality,  for  which  he  preached  a  number  of  years.  His  death 
occurred  several  years  ago,  in  one  of  the  Western  States.  Under  Snee- 
then's  labors,  the  church  was  re-organized  March  27,  1853,  with  eleven 
members,  whose  names  are  as  follows  :  David  Truax,  Sarah  Truax,  John 
M.  Pearson,  Dorothy  Pearson,  Benjamin  Balinger,  Nancy  Balinger, 
Phebe  Roberts,  Cordelia  Martindale,  Elizabeth  Kuowles,  Delilah  Martin- 
dale,  Thomas  Martindale  and  Francis  Martindale.  The  Martindale 
Schoolhouse  was  used  for  public  worship  until  tlieyear  1860,  when  ground 
was  purchased  in  the  village  of  Cassville,  and  a  frame  building  erected. 
This  house  was  a  comfortable  edifice,  about  40x55  feet,  and  cost  the  sum 
of  $1,500.  It  was  used  until  1866,  when  it  was  purchased  by  the  town- 
ship for  a  schoolhouse.  The  present  building  was  erected  in  the  year 
1870.  It  is  a  frame  structure  about  40x60  feet,  and  will  comfortably 
seat  300  persons.  Among  the  pastors  and  stated  supplies  of  the  church 
during  the  last  twelve  years  were  N.  Myers,  B.  D.  Hays,  Dr.  John  L. 
Puckett,  John  R.  Kob,  Lute  Hercules  and  Rev.  Mr.  Ryker,  present  in- 
cumbent. 

The  Salem  United  Brethren  Church  was  organized  at  the  residence 
of  Rev.  Jacob  Stover,  in  the  year  1848,  with  twelve  members,  to  wit : 
John  Goyer  and  wife,  John  Oakley  and  wife,  David  Rarey  and  wife,  Ja- 
cob Stover  and  wife,  Vespasian  Goyer  and  wife,  and  Erastus  Welsh  and 
wife.  Services  were  held  at  Stover's  residence  for  two  years,  when  the 
organization  was  moved  to  the  Loffer  Schoolhouse.  This  house  was  the 
regular  preaching  place  for  about  eight  years,  when  it  was  given  up  for 
the  Loop  Schoolhouse,  the  latter  being  larger,  and  more  suitable  for 
church  purposes.  In  the  year  1871,  the  present  neat  temple  of  worship 
was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $2,500.  It  is  a  beautiful  brick  structure,  and 
stands  near  the  Salem  Cemetery,  in  Section  27.  The  pastors  who  have 
ministered  to  the  church  at  different  times  during  its  history  are  the  fol- 
lowing: Revs.  Mr.  R.  King,  B.  Witt,  F.  Morgan,  George  Mooth,  William 
Ballon,  Jonah  Perkins,  C.  Smith,  Gronendyke  (under  whose  labors  the 
building  was  erected).  Bias,  DeMumber  and  Joseph  Mosier.  The  present 
pastor  is  Rev.  Thomas  Evans.  The  church  at  the  present  time  numbers 
about  twenty  communicants.     A  good  Sunday  school  is  maintained. 


290  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

The  Cassville  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  about  the 
year  1849,  with  a  strong  membership.  Their  first  house  of  worship  was 
built  in  1856,  but  was  not  completed  until  three  years  later.  It  was  used 
until  the  year  1874,  at  which  time  their  present  edifice  was  erected.  This 
is  a  large,  commodious  brick  building,  the  finest  in  the  county  outside  of 
Kokomo,  and  cost  the  sum  of  $4,000.  The  church  at  the  present  time 
has  a  large  membership,  and  is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

The  Vermont  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  is  an  oiFshoot  of  the  Hope- 
well Methodist  Church,  and  dates  its  history  from  the  year  1875.  The 
principal  cause  which  led  to  its  formation  was  the  difficulty  experienced 
by  the  members  living  north  of  the  creek  in  reaching  their  place  of  wor- 
ship during  inclement  seasons.  The  class  was  organized  with  a  member- 
ship of  twenty-five,  and  attached  to  Jerome  Circuit.  A  beautiful  temple 
of  worship  was  erected  shortly  after  the  organization,  on  land  donated  for 
the  purpose  by  James  Miller  and  Jacob  Brunk.  The  building  is  brick, 
cost  the  sum  of  $2,500,  and  is  the  best  church  edifice  in  the  circuit.  The 
present  membership  is  about  thirty.     Rev.  Mr.  Wilcox  is  pastor. 

VILLAGE    OF    CASSVILLE. 

Cassville  is  situated  in  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section  6,  near  the 
county  line,  on  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Railway.  It  was  laid 
out  September,  1848,  by  William  and  Nathan  Stanley,  and  at  one  time 
achieved  quite  a  reputation  as  a  trading  point.  The  circumstance  which 
led  to  its  origin  was  the  surveying  of  the  I.,  P.  &  C.  R.  R.  through  the 
country,  an  enterprise  which  promised  much  for  the  future  welfare  of  our 
city.  Among  the  first  to  purchase  and  improve  lots  in  the  village  were 
David  Evans,  John  Hicks,  B.  Martin  and  Patrick  Ilarten.  The  last  named 
started  a  saloon  soon  after  his  arrival,  which  gave  the  place  an  unsavory 
reputation  always.  This  dram  shop  was  of  the  vilest  type,  and  proved  a 
plague  spot  to  the  vilage  and  community  as  long  as  it  remained. 

The  first  stock  of  goods  was  brought  to  the  place  by  John  and  David 
Evans,  who  erected  a  good  frame  storehouse  near  the  railroad.  They  did 
business  very  successfully  about  four  years,  when  their  stock  was  pur- 
chased by  Samuel  Martindale,  who  continued  for  a  short  time.  The  fol- 
lowing merchants  sold  goods  in  the  village  at  different  times  :  Josiah  Hite, 
Daniel  Martin,  Martin  &  Lewellen,  Mr.  Goodson,  Hill  &  Fortner,  Miller 
&  Logan,  Mr.  Stutler,  William  Petty,  James  Smallwood,  N.  Rader  and 
Jonathan  Small.  The  only  business  house  in  the  place  was  burned  in 
1882,  and  at  the  present  time  there  is  no  store  of  any  kind  in  the  village. 

The  following  list  comprises  the  medical  gentlemen  who  have  practiced 
their  profession  fi-om  Cassville :     Drs.  A.  Walter,  Reuben  King,  McKen- 


HOWARD    TOWNSHIP.  291 

zie,   Davis,  Flower,    Ward,  Bryant,   Smith,   Morrell,  Langston,    Bitler, 
Maughan,  and  Puckett,  the  present  physician. 

The  close  proximity  of  the  village  to  Kokomo,  Miami  and  Bunker 
Hill  has  proved  a  serious  hindrance  to  its  growth,  and  at  the  present  time 
it  is  but  a  mere  hamlet  of  about  a  dozen  houses. 


VILLAGE     OF     VERMONT. 

In  the  year  1845,  Milton  Hadley,  a  native  of  Ohio,  came  to  the 
township,  and  settled  near  the  southeast  corner,  where  he  took  a  claim. 
He  made  a  treaty  with  the  Indians,  and  secured  from  them  a  valuable 
tract  of  land  in  Section  7,  in  which  he  laid  out  the  village  of  Vermont 
four  years  later.  Hadley  appears  to  have  been  a  man  of  some  energy 
and  forethought.  He  platted  his  town  for  the  ostensible  purpose  of  secur- 
ing the  county  seat,  but  the  selection  of  Kokomo  for  that  purpose  proved 
a  death-blow  to  the  village,  and  put  an  effectual  check  upon  its  develop- 
ment. One  of  the  first  houses  in  the  town  was  erected  by  Charley  Elli- 
son, and  used  by  him  for  a  grocery  store  and  dram  shop.  His  saloon 
was  the  general  resort  for  the  hard  characters  of  the  surrounding  country, 
a  fact  which  caused  the  place  to  be  looked  upon  as  a  rough  locality.  An 
early  merchant  was  Benjamin  Jackson,  who  sold  goods  for  about  three 
years,  when  he  disposed  of  his  stock  to  John  Colescott.  The  last  store 
was  kept  by  Charles  Lindley.  Joshua  Galway  started  a  tan-yard  in  the 
village  about  the  year  1850,  and  kept  it  up  five  or  six  years.  It  proved 
a  paying  venture,  and  was  conducted  very  successfully.  Galway  had  a 
blacksmith  shop  also,  which  he  operated  in  connection  with  his  other  busi- 
ness. 

The  city  of  Kokomo  on  the  west  and  Greentown  on  the  east  absorbed 
the  business  interests  of  Vermont  to  such  an  extent  that  the  town  plat  was 
finally  abandoned,  and  of  the  city  of  large  pretensions  nothing  now  remains 
but  a  plowed  field.  On  the  completion  of  the  Toledo,  Delphos  &  St.  Louis 
Narrow-Guage  Railroad  through  the  township  in  1880,  a  station  was  es- 
tablished near  the  original  village,  and  a  good  business  house  erected. 
There  is  a  good  store  at  the  present  time  kept  by  James  Miller,  a 
grain  house  belonging  to  Russell,  Dolman  &  Co.,  of  Kokomo,  and  a  post 
ofiice. 


292  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 


CLAY  TOWNSHIP. 

BY  H.  C.  FELLOW. 

Clay  Township  is  situated  in  the  northern  part  of  Howard  County, 
and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Cass  County,  on  the  east  by  Howard 
and  Centre  Townships,  on  the  south  by  Centre  and  the  Big  Wild  Cat,  and 
on  the  west  by  Ervin.  It  was  formerly  a  part  of  Kokomo  Township, 
but  was  set  oif  and  organized  under  the  acts  of  1851  and  1852,  and 
named  in  honor  of  the  great  champion  of  American  rights,  Henry  Clay. 
It  contains  about  twenty-seven  sections  of  excellent  land,  somewhat  low 
and  level  in  the  nothern  part,  and  considerably  of  a  rolling  or  broken 
nature  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township. 

The  Wild  Cat  and  its  many  small  tributaries  in  the  southern  part,  and 
several  large  open  ditches  through  the  central  and  northern  part,  form  the 
drainage  system  of  this  section.  The  soil  consists  mostly  of  a  rich  black 
loam,  and  is  capable  of  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  The  history  of  this  town- 
ship extends  back  over  a  period  of  forty-four  years,  when  the  waters  of  the 
Wild  Cat  only  eddied  to  the  splash  of  the  Indian  oarsman,  and  the  deer, 
bear  and  wild  cat  held  undisputed  sway  in  the  gloomy  solitudes  of  the  un- 
broken forest. 

THE    FIRST    SETTLERS. 

In  1838,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Taylor,  desiring  to  locate  himself  in 
the  "  Seven  Mile  Strip,"  took  a  claim  on  a  tract  now  known  as  the  Sim- 
mons farm.  Finding  himself  out  of  the  bounds  of  this  strip,  he  deserted 
this  claim,  and  moved  over  into  the  present  limits  of  Honey  Creek.  The 
Taylor  claim  T.  A.  Long  obtained  possession  of  two  years  later,  paying 
a  man  by  the  name  of  Heart  for  the  same  the  sum  of  $100.  The  cabin 
on  this  claim  stood  west  of  Simmons'  barn,  while  Long's  little  gun- 
smith shop  stood  in  the  front  yard,  not  more  than  thirty  feet  from  the  pike. 

In  the  summer  of  1841,  it  is  thought,  the  first  patch  of  corn  in  the 
county  was  raised  on  this  place ;  some  two  years  after  Long  put  out  on 
this  place  the  first  nursery  in  the  county.  In  1840,  a  man  by  the  name 
of  McHone  settled  near  a  prairie  in  the  northern  part,  which  tract  after- 
ward bore  the  name  of  "  McHone  Prairie."  The  next  year,  Peter  Gay 
and  Chris  Cromer  and  a  Mr.  Linden  settled  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
township. 

In  '  1842,  tliose  who  settled  in  this  part  were  Samuel  McClellan, 
Harvey  Johnson,  Jason  Clark,  James  McCalley,  David  Ilowser,  David 
Lambert,  S.  B.  Lambert  and  Warwick  Johnson.  The  next  year  wit- 
nessed   the   arrival    of    W.    H.    Conwell,    Capt.    T.     M.    Kirkpatrick, 


•  CLAY   TOWNSHIP.  293 

Thomas  Dimitt,  Adam  Smith,  W.  B.  Smith,  George  Dimitt,  Holeman 
Dimitt,  Jacob  Holeman,  M.  W.  Carr,  Daniel  Richards,  John  Gar- 
den, Thomas  M.  Carrothers,  Crawford  Griffith,  James  Thompson, 
George  W.  Smith,  Moses  Scott  and  Sampson  Allen.  This  was  during 
the  time  that  David  Foster  had  his  trading  house  on  the  Seven  Mile 
boundary,  some  twenty  rods  north  of  the  crossing  of  the  Wild  Cat  pike 
and  the  road  running  on  the  east  side  of  W.  W.  Smith's  farm.  The 
house  was  contructed  of  logs  and  stoutly  built,  with  port  holes  in  the 
walls.  The  store  room  was  on  the  Seven  Mile  territory,  while  the 
counter  over  which  he  sold  goods  was  in  the  Reserve.  It  is  thought  that 
this  peculiar  location  was  chosen  to  evade  the  law  in  selling  whisky  to 
the  Indians  on  Government  territory.  This  was  at  a  time  when  cucum- 
bers sold  for  $1  a  dozen,  needles  $1  a  piece,  and  no  woman  in  this  part 
of  the  State  other  than  the  good  wife  of  Foster  could  "  sit  down  on  a 
half  bushel  of  silver  dollars." 

EARLY    EVENTS. 

The  first  religious  meetings  were  held  in  private  families,  while  the 
first  preaching  we  have  any  account  of  was  done  by  Frank  Taylor,  in 
1842.  After  him,  the  Gospel  was  preached  to  the  pioneer  settlers  by 
David  Rush,  George  W.  Smith,  Jacob  Colclazer,  Lewis  Johnson,  and 
others.  In  1845,  the  Methodists  built  a  log  church  on  Spice  Run,  near 
Capt.  Kirkpatrick's  house,  and  in  the  same  year  a  log  schoolhouse  was 
built  on  the  Long  farm.  Among  the  pedagogues  of  birchen  fame  are  the 
names  of  Julia  Chaffin,  David  Rush,  Silas  Baldwin,  David  Lambert,  W. 
B.  Smith,  Robert  McClelland  and  Charles  Price. 

The  first  post  office  was  in  the  house  of  George  W.  Smith,  near  Bell's 
Prairie,  on  a  route  from  Kokorao  to  Logansport.  Before  the  township 
was  organized,  Capt.  Kirkpatrick  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

The  first  election  after  the  organization  of  the  township  was  held  at 
the  house  of  David  Ridgeley,  and  resulted  as  follows :  Thomas  M.  Carro- 
thers, A.  M.  Reeves  and  W.  Daley,  Trustees;  L.  Scott,  Treasurer;  J. 
W.  Campbell,  Clerk  ;  T.  A.  Long  and  S.  S.  Crail,  Justices  of  the  Peace  ; 
A.  Brown  and  B.  B.  Preble,  Constables. 

On  T.  A.  Long's  place  was  the  great  carnping-ground  of  the  Miami 
Indians,  who  came  from  along  Deer  Creek  and  Pipe  Creek  to  trade  with 
Foster.  There  yet  remains  in  a  ravine  on  the  south  side  of  this  place  an 
old  Indian  spring,  nicely  walled  with  stone,  while  a  great  many  stone 
implements  are  also  found  here.  On  this  place,  southeast  of  the  house, 
are  three  large  sinks,  all  in  a  line.  Two  of  these  are  perfectly  round,  and 
each  some  forty  feet  across,  while  the  third  and  larger  one  is  a  little  more 
oblong,  and  is  about  120    feet  across.     On  account  of  being  situated  on  a 


294  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

high  bluff,  these  sinks  could  not  have  been  the  work  of  beavers,  and  we 
are  therefore  inclined  to  believe  them  to  be  the  work  of  Mound-Builders. 
It  was  in  the  old  orchard  west  of  the  run,  on  this  same  place,  that  Pete 
Cornstalk,  the  peace  chief,  murdered  an  Indian  brother  for  a  slight  prov- 
ocation. In  different  parts  of  the  township  are  evidences  of  the  exist- 
ence of  iron  ore,  and  also  the  finest  deposits  of  gravel  in  Howard  County. 

EARLY  TRUSTEE  MEETINGS. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Township  Board  of  Trustees  took  place  on 
April  11,  1853.  The  report  says:  "The  Board  of  Trustees  of  Clay 
Township  met  April  11,  and  organized  by  choosing  A.  W.  Daily,  Presi- 
dent, and  not  being  in  possession  of  the  laws  defining  the  duties  of  Trust- 
ees, they  adjourned  to  meet  April  30,  1853."  The  first  order  of  the 
board  was  made  April  30,  1853,  when  it  was  ordered,  "  that  the  County 
Auditor  be  notified  that  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  township  have  levied 
a  tax  of  5  cents  on  each  f  100  for  road  purposes,  and  a  tax  of  10  cents  on 
each  $100  for  township  purposes."  On  August  6,  1853,  it  was  ordered 
"  that  school-house  No.  1  be  located  in  the  neighborhood  of  T.  A.  Long; 
No.  2  in  the  neighborhood  of  John  Miller ;  No.  3  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Josiah  Marcum  ;  No.  5  in  the  neighborhood  of  Jacob  Holeman.  The 
schoolhouses  are  to  be  built  of  hewed  logs,  twenty  feet  square,  with  shingle 
roof — that  is,  Nos.  1,  2  and  3.  Tax  payers  may  put  in  work  in  lieu  of 
paying  the  money  by  the  1st  of  November.  The  work  for  repairs  on 
schoolhouse  No.  5  will  be  taken  by  that  time.     Wages,  65  cents  per  day." 

On  March  25,  1854,  the  following  badly  spelled  order  was  made: 
"  Now  comes  Moholan  S.  Reaves,  School  Teacher  in  District  No.  4,  and 
files  his  Report  by  an  Afadaved  to  the  Township  Clerk,  for  the  Terra  of 
Forty-Foure  days,  at  the  rate  of  sixty  Dollars  per  quarter,  witch  Report 
was  alowed  By  the  Board  of  Trustees." 

MISCELLANEOUS  NOTES,  TAX  FIGURES,   ETC. 

The  first  brick  house  in  the  township  was  built  by  H.  W.  Smith  in 
1859.  The  township  is  traversed  by  four  excellent  gravel  roads,  and  a 
division  of  the  Pan-Handle  Railroad,  all  running  into  Kokomo.  On  the 
railroad  is  located  a  small  town  and  post  office,  which  bears  the  name  of 
Jewell,  although  no  plat  of  a  town  was  ever  made. 

The  principal  church  in  the  township  is  that  of  "  Shiloh,"  erected  in 
1874,  under  the  direction  of  the  Trustees,  Daniel  Spraker,  James  H. 
Kerlin  and  John  Hamilton;  and  Treasurer,  William  W.  Smith.  The 
church  was  dedicated  in  June  of  the  same  year.  The  estimated  cost  was 
$1,700.  The  society  is  in  a  flourishing  condition  under  C.  E.  White  as 
pastor.     There  is  also  a  small  church  at  Jewell. 


CLAY   TOWNSHIP.  295 

The  Shiloh  Cemetery  is  on  a  nice  lot  of  ground  just  west  of  the 
church.  The  first  interment  was  made  in  1864.  The  first  Trustees 
were  J.  W.  Lanham,  William  W.  Smith  and  Willard  Johnson. 

There  are  eleven  school  districts  in  the  township,  each  of  which  is 
supplied  with  a  good  frame  or  brick  schoolhouse. 

The  principal  occupation  of  the  laboring  class  outside  of  farming  is  that 
of  the  saw  milling  business,  there  being  several  saw  mills  located  in  different 
parts  of  the  township.  A  mercantile  and  blacksmithing  business  is  car- 
ried on  at  Jewell. 

The  township  is  somewhat  Democratic  on  the  State  election.  It  has, 
however,  elected  a  Republican  Trustee  (Mr.  B.  B.  Preble)  the  last  two 
elections.  The  vote  for  Secretary  of  State  for  1882  was  as  follows  :  134 
Republican,  147  Democrat,  and  25  National. 

The  value  of  the  land  in  the  township  amounts  to  $237,820,  while 
the  improvements  on  the  same  foot  up  |64,825.  Of  personal  property, 
the  records  show  a  grand  total  of  $79,200,  making  a  total  of  taxable 
property  of  $381,845.     The  total  tax  for  1882  amounted  to  $7,510.39. 

In  comparing  the  history  of  Clay  Township  of  1873  with  that  of 
1882,  we  find  that  there  have  been  many  marked  changes  in  the  popula- 
tion, taxation  and  drainage.  Although  there  were  a  less  number  of 
school  districts  in  1873  than  in  1882,  yet  the  enrollment  of  children  be- 
tween the  ages  of  six  and  twenty-one,  in  1873,  is  519,  while  the  list  for 
1882  only  foots  up  to  405.  The  common  school  revenue  for  1873  was 
$1,113.66,  against  $473.39  in  1882.  The  special  school  tax  for  1873 
lacked  $296.37  of  equaling  that  for  1882,  the  amount  for  the  first  date 
being  $494.96,  and  for  1882,  $791.33.  The  township  tuition  tax  shows 
a  falling  ofi"  of  $451.02,  the  showing  for  1873  being  $661.39,  and  for 
1882  only  $210.37.  Thus,  we  have  a  total  of  school  fund  moneys  of 
$2,270.01  for  1873,  against  $1,475.09  for  the  year  of  1882. 

The  road  tax  for  1873  was  $365.89,  while  in  1882  the  amount  was 
only  $67.57,  thus  showing  a  falling  off  of  nearly  $300.  The  township  tax 
for  1873  was  $21.35,  and  for  1882,  $96.92.  The  dog  tax  for  1873  was 
$72.80,  and  for  1882,  $59.11.  The  license  fund  of  the  township  for  the 
year  1882  was  $92.46. 

The  census  of  1880  showed  a  population   in  the  township  of  1,340. 

DRAINAGE. 

The  drainage  system  of  the  township  up  to  1873,  was  very  meager 
compared  with  what  it  is  at  present.  But  a  few  small  open  ditches  then 
helped  to  carry  the  water  away  from  the  marshy  districts  of  the  township, 
while  now  there  are  nearly  a  half  score  of  large  county  ditches  in  the 
township   and   several  more  under  comtemplation.      The   first    ditching 


296  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

companies  formed  in  Clay  for  the  purpose  of  making  better  the  drainage 
system  were  organized  under  the  law  of  1873,  as  the  Clay  Union  and 
also  the  Howser  Drainage  Association.  Under  the  acts  of  1875,  the 
county  began  its  work  of  constructing  public  ditches.  Now  we  have  the 
McReynolds  ditch  extending  from  Clay  into  Ervin,  constructed  at  a 
cost  of  $7,285 ;  the  Bulk  ditch  of  some  seven  miles  in  length,  cost- 
ing $5,294.25  ;  the  James  E.  Kidder  ditch,  costing  $2,708.84  ;  the 
Levi  Conwell  ditch,  costing  $1,920  ;  the  John  Locus  ditch,  costing  $1,- 
112.71  ;  the  William  Conwell  ditch,  constructed  at  a  cost  of  $3,346.73  ; 
and  the  Huston  ditch,  at  a  cost  of  $2,127.  The  estimated  cost  of  the 
John  Davis  ditch  is  $4,064.50.  Probably  the  longest  and  most  expens- 
ive ditch  in  this  part  of  the  State,  called  the  Tate  &  Harness  ditch,  will 
run  through  a  good  part  of  Clay.  The  length  of  this  ditch  will  be  about 
eleven  miles  and  will  cost  $15,038.94.  Besides  those  mentioned,  the 
John  M.  Fossett  and  Harlan  ditches  are  now  constructino-. 


ERVIN  TOWNSHIP. 

BY   D.    A.    WOODS. 

Ervin  Township  is  the  largest  township  in  Howard  County,  and  is 
situated  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  county.  It  is  seven  miles  north 
and  south  and  six  miles  east  and  west,  thus  containing  forty-two  square 
miles.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Cass  County,  on  the  east  by  Clay 
Township,  on  the  south  by  Monroe  Township  and  Wild  Cat  River  and 
on  the  west  by  Carroll  County.  This  township  is  part  of  the  land  ceded 
by  the  General  Government  to  Indiana,  and  from  her  to  the  Wabash  & 
Erie  Canal  for  its  construction.  The  eastern  and  northeastern  portions  of 
the  township  are  very  low  and  swampy  ;  the  northwestern  and  southern 
parts  of  the  township  are  sufficiently  undulating  to  make  fine  agricultural 
lands  with  but  little  underdraining.  No  better  soil  can  be  found  any- 
where than  is  possessed  by  Ervin  Township.  It  is  a  black  sandy  loam,  the 
soil  being  very  deep  and  almost  inexhaustible.  It  can  be  farmed  for  years 
without  rest  or  change  and  still  be  productive. 

The  great  drawback  to  much  of  the  land  in  Ervin  for  agricultural  use 
was  the  fact  of  its  being  so  low  and  swampy.  Crops  were  ruined  by  the 
rain  whenever  the  spring  season  proved  a  little  wet.  The  land  lying  in 
such  large  quantities  needing  drainage,  the  underground  drains  were 
impracticable.  Therefore  the  farmers  have  taken  to  the  construction  of 
open  ditches — great  canals  for  the  discharge  of  this  surplus  water. 
These  now  thread  the  township  in  every  direction  and  much  land 
which  a  few  years  ago  was  deemed  almost  valueless,  is  now  among  the 


ERVIN  TOWNSHIP.  297 

most  productive  to  be  found  in  the  township.  These  drains  have  also 
been  instrumental  in  carrying  away  the  water  formerly  stagnant  in  ponds 
all  over  the  township.  Soon  after  the  rainy  season  closed  in  early  sum- 
mer, this  water,  gathering  in  pools,  caused  much  malaria.  Chills  and 
fever  were  the  scourge  of  the  day,  commencing  the  latter  part  of 
August  and  lasting  until  cold  winter  froze  the  ague  out  of  the  people, 
as  it  were.  Many  times  all  the  members  of  a  family  would  be  stretched 
upon  beds  of  sickness  at  the  same  time,  no  one  being  able  to  wait 
upon  any  other.  Quinine  was  a  staple  article  of  commerce.  The  writer 
has  known  many  families  who  purchased  the  drug  at  wholesale,  as  it 
was  thus  obtained  much  cheaper.  Those  days  have  happily  passed,  and 
now  there  is  no  more  healthy  part  of  the  country. 

PIONEER    SETTLERS. 

The  early  settlers  of  Ervin  Township  were  from  Ohio,  Pennsylvania  and 
Virginia.  They  Avere  a  hardy,  economical  hard-working  people,  sober  and 
religious.    No  community  was  ever  blessed  by  a  better  class  of  immigrants. 

The  township  was  named  Ervin  in  honor  of  Robert  Ervin,  an  earlv 
settler,  and  one  of  the  first  Associate  Justices  of  the  early  county  of 
Richardville,  now  Howard.  He  settledon  the  old  John  Young  farm,  now 
owned  by  Tom  Ridgeway. 

Robert  Walker,  who  lived  in  Miami  County,  near  Peru,  came  into 
Ervin  Township  in  the  early  part  of  1838.  He  remained  here  some  six 
or  eight  weeks,  hunting  and  fishing.  He  was  much  pleased  with  what  he 
saw,  and  in  the  early  fall  of  1838  he  sold  his  little  possessions  near  Peru 
and  started  for  what  is  now  Ervin  Township.  He  induced  Isaac  Price, 
Joseph  Taylor  and  his  son,  George  Taylor,  to  accompany  him  to  the 
forests  of  Ervin.  When  they  arrived,  they  fell  to  preparing  homes  for 
themselves  and  families.  Soon  the  pioneer's  cabin  was  ready  for  the  re- 
ception of  its  humble  occupants.  Isaac  Price  and  his  family  settled  on 
the  farm  now  known  as  the  Col.  Richmond  farm.  Here  Mrs.  Price  gave 
birth  to  a  daughter,  Mary  C.  Price,  on  the  15th  day  of  August,  1839, 
being  the  first  white  child  born  in  Ervin  Township.  The  mother  never 
fully  regained  her  health,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  she  died  here, 
making  the  second  death  in  this  county. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1838,  the  father  of  George  W.  Brown  settled  in  the 
northwestern  part  of  Ervin  Township,  and  commenced  making  for  himself 
a  home  in  the  forest.  The  old  Brown  farm  is  now  one  of  the  best  in  the 
township.  George  W.  Brown  still  lives  in  the  township,  near  the  west 
end  of  the  Pete's  Run  gravel  road. 

In  1839,  Capt.  John  Harrison,  an  old  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  set- 
tled in  Ervin,  on  the  farm  now  owned    by  T.  A.  Harrell.     He   was    the 


298 


HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 


first  Sheriff  elected  by  the  people  of  the  new  county,  and  the  election  was 
held  at  his  house,  this,  also,  being  the  first  election  held  in  the  county. 
Soon  after  this,  Joshua  Barnett  erected  the  first  store  in  the  township, 
and  also  erected  a  saw  mill,  and  attached  a  corn-cracker  thereto.  This 
proved  a  great  convenience  to  the  pioneer  fathers,  as  it  enabled  them  to 
get  their  corn  meal  near  at  home.  Previous  to  this,  they  were  compelled 
to  go  fifteen  and  twenty  miles  for  this  prime  necessity.  The  old  mill  is 
now  known  as  Cromwell's  mill,  being  on  the  west  side  of  the  boundary 
line,  on  the  Wild  Cat  pike. 

David  Foster  established  a  trading  post  on  the  boundary  line,  in  1840, 
for  the  purpose  of  trading  with  the  Indians.  To  say  that  poor  Lo  never 
got  the  best  of  him  in  a  trade,  would  be  stale,  as  his  cunning  has  become 
proverbial  in  this  county.  The  old  settlers  never  weary  of  recounting  his 
wonderful  exploits. 

In  1841,  Jacob  Price  and  his  family  followed  their  son,  Isaac.  This 
year  also  came  David  Bates  and  William  Y.  Gearheard.  Uncle  Billy 
Oearheard  died  but  a  short  time  ago,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety- 
three. 


EARLY  IMPROVEMENTS. 


David  Bates  was  the  first  blacksmith  to  set  up  a  shop  in  the  county. 

The  first  post  office  in  the  township  was  at  Poplar  Grove,  in  the  north- 
western part  of  the  township.  This  is  a  small  village,  if  it  is  of  sufficient 
importance  to  be  denominated  such,  and  is  the  only  one  in  this  large  and 
flourishing  township.  There  is  nothing  there  now  but  the  post  office  and 
a  blacksmith  shop. 

The  other  two  post  offices  are  "  Ervin  "  and  "  Ridgeway."  Dr.  I. 
W.  Martin  is  Postmaster  at  Ervin,  and  has  been  since  its  establishment 
in  1862.  He  is  also  one  of  the  pioneer  physicians  and  old  settlers. 
When  the  sickly  seasons  would  begin,  in  the  "  auld  lang  syne,"  then  the 
jolly  Doctor  would  reap  a  harvest.  He  delighted  in  giving  a  fellow 
quinine,  and  then  laughing  at  him  for  swearing  it  was  bitter.  Daniel 
Booerholser  is  the  Postmaster  at  Ridgeway.  At  Ervin  and  Ridgeway, 
there  are  country  stores  kept  by  the  Postmasters. 

William  Butcher  erected  the  first  brick  house  in  the  township  in 
1854 ;  he  had  moved  here  from  Decatur  County,  Ind.  The  house  still 
stands  in  a  perfect  state  of  preservation,  and  is  now  inhabited  by  John 
Wilson,  Esq.,  his  son-in-law.  It  was  here  that  Uncle  Billy  died.  Uncle 
Bobby  Coate  built  the  first  flouring  mill  in  the  township,  in  the  year 
1846,  at  Poplar  Grove.  He  also  erected  a  saw  mill,  which  proved  to  be 
a  valuable  property,  as  the  township  was  now  being  very  rapidly  settled, 
and  sawed  lumber  was  in  great  demand. 


ERVIN  TOWNSHIP.  299 

STREAMS,    ETC. 

Pete's  Run  and  Deer  Creek  are  the  only  streams  of  water  in  the 
township.  Pete's  Run  was  named  in  honor  of  Peter  Cornstalk,  a  cele- 
brated Miami  chief.  He  was  buried  on  the  farm  of  Dan  Flora,  and  there 
his  bones  rested  in  peace  until  the  spring  of  1878,  when  Dr.  W.  L.  Price^ 
now  of  Windfall,  without  the  fear  of  disturbing  his  soul,  resurrected  his 
bones  and  found  a  hunting  knife,  powder  horn  and  flask.  The  Doctor 
now  has  the  skeleton  in  his  office.  Pete's  Run  rises  in  the  eastern  part 
of  the  township,  runs  in  a  southwesterly  direction,  and  empties  into  the 
Wild  Cat,  near  the  southwestern  part  of  the  township.  Deer  Creek  rises 
in  Clay  Township  on  the  east  of  Ervin,  and  flows  in  a  northwesterly  di- 
rection until  it  leaves  the  township  ;  it  finally  empties  into  the  Wabash. 

Those  who  came  at  an  early  date  found  plenty  of  work  in  making 
their  farms.  The  township  was  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  very 
heavy  timber.  All  the  different  varieties  of  timber  native  to  this  county 
were  there  in  great  profusion.  Timber  was  destroyed  in  order  to  get  rid 
of  it,  that  would  now  bring  ^100  per  tree.  Walnut,  poplar,  oak,  elm 
and  other  varieties  were  growing  in  great  quantities.  The  township  is 
now  in  the  vanguard  of  Howard's  progress.  There  are  magnificent 
farms,  schoolhouses,  churches,  gravel  roads,  and  everything  necessary  to 
comfort  and  happiness.  The  most  approved  agricultural  implements  are 
employed  in  the  cultivation  of  the  land,  the  stumps  have  been  mainly 
taken  out  of  the  fields,  so  that  farming  is  now  a  pleasure  as  well  as  a 
profit.  Nearly  all  of  the  land  within  its  borders  is  now  in  shape  to  be 
cultivated,  and  is  valuable,  appraising  from  $40  to  |100  per  acre. 

LATER    SETTLERS. 

The  early  settlers  of  the  township,  aside  from  those  already  named, 
were  Alexander  Forgy,  James  McCool,  James  Burnett,  Daniel  Smith 
and  Alif  Henly.  These  came  in  the  years  1842  and  1843.  After  this, 
people  commenced  coming  in  very  rapidly,  and  among  them  were  Blu- 
ford  Hawkins,  Abraham  Brubaker,  John  Flora,  Jacob  Early,  Sr.,  John 
B.  Early,  James  Forgy,  Daniel  Lambert,  Charles  Standiford,  Joel  Brower, 
Levi  Beckner,  Jackson  McDowell,  James  Ridgeway,  Sr.,  Ephraim  Woods, 
J.  L.  D.  Hanna,  Capt,  John  Harrison,  Amos  Bates,  Samuel  Bortsfield, 
Francis  M.  Power,  Jacob  Lawrence,  Ralph  French  (afterward  for  many 
years  Township  Trustee),  John  Rider,  Henry  H.  Gillam,  William  Ma- 
laby,  Burrell  Bell,  Silas  Baldwin,  Benjamin  Tucker  and  Abram  Flora. 
Of  the  above,  only  a  few  are  still  living,  the  others  having  gone  to  the 
better  world. 


300  HISTORY  OF  HOWARD  COUNTY. 

CHURCHES. 

There  are  six  church  houses  in  the  township  at  present.  The  Friends 
have  a  house  of  worship  a  little  way  east  of  Poplar  Grove,  with  quite  a 
number  of  communicants. 

In  the  northeastern  part  of  the  township  is  the  house  of  the  United 
Brethren,  near  the  old  Ralph  French  farm.  The  same  denomination 
have  a  beautiful  church  building  just  south  of  Poplar  Grove.  There  is 
a  Baptist  Church,  about  two  miles  east  of  Ervin  Post  Oflfice,  called  Judson. 
The  Christian  Church  has  a  good  building  on  the  Wild  Cat  gravel  road, 
near  the  west  end  of  the  pike,  as  has  also  the  old  order  of  German  Bap- 
tists, on  the  farm  of  Peter  Miller,  near  the  end  of  the  same  pike.  This 
is  a  beautiful  new  building  and  is  supported  by  a  wealthy  class  of  wor- 
shipers. In  fact,  all  these  different  denominations  are  in  a  flourishing 
state.  The  colored  folks  are  quite  numerous  in  this  township,  and  have 
a  school  of  their  own,  generally  taught  by  a  person  of  color,  and  there 
is  also  a  church  of  the  same  people  of  the  Baptist  faith.  Richard  Bas- 
sett  is  their  pastor. 

THE    FIRST    TRUSTEES,    PHYSICIANS   AND    MINISTERS. 

When  it  became  necessary  to  choose  county  officers,  the  first  election 
in  the  county  was  held  at  Capt.  John  Harrison's,  on  the  farm  now  owned 
by  T.  A.  Harrell.  The  building  in  which  this  election  was  held  was 
built  for  Capt.  Harrison  by  Mr.  Penny,  father  of  Col.  E.  W.  Penny,  of 
Kokomo.  The  same  building  still  stands,  and  the  original  roof  turns 
water  quite  well  yet.  There  was  not  then  as  much  interest  manifested 
as  now  in  politics,  and  the  election  was  a  very  quiet  one. 

In  1844,  there  was  an  assessment  made  upon  the  township.  Charles 
Price,  son  of  Isaac  Price,  one  of  the  very  first  settlers  of  the  township, 
was  the  Assessor. 

The  first  church  was  built  by  the  Quakers  at  Poplar  Grove,  in  the 
year  1848.  The  same  place  claims  the  honor  of  the  first  schoolhouse,  and 
Robert  Coate  was  the  first  teacher.     The  first  Justice  of  the  Peace  was 
Daniel   Cline,  Esq.,  and  Daniel  Flora,  David  Smith  and  William  King 
were  the  first  Trustees. 

Dr.  James  M.  Darnall  and  Mr.  Anderson,  of  Burlington,  were  among 
the  earliest  physicians  to  practice  in  this  township.  Doctor  A.nderson 
still  resides  in  Burlington  and  practices  his  profession.  Dr.  Darnall  has 
been  a  resident  of  Kokomo  for  some  time,  where  he  is  held  in  high  esteem 
by  all  its  citizens.  Dr.  Martin  has  been  for  many  years  the  principal 
physician  of  the  township.  He  is  still  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  large 
practice. 


ERVIN   TOWNSHIP.  301 

One  of  the  first,  if  not  the  first  marriage  in  the  county,  was  that  of 
William  Walker  to  a  step-daughter  of  Isaac  Price.  Certainly,  it  was 
the  first  marriage  in  the  township.  This  was  in  January,  IS-tl,  four 
years  before  Kokomo  was  selected  as  tbe  county  seat  of  the  new  county. 

H.  Hamilton,  one  of  the  early  preachers  of  the  township,  is  still  alive 
at  an  advanced  age.  He  was  a  man  of  remarkable  power,  and  was  one 
of  the  most  able  backwoods  preachers  in  the  State  of  Indiana.  Other 
preachers  were  Harper  Hanna,  Daniel  Flynn,  John  Low  and  Benjamin 
Underwood.  Rev.  Joel  Brower  has  been  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  for 
many  years.  He  is  still  in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health  at  the  age  of 
seventy-five.  Alif  Henly  and  George  W.  Harness  Sr.,  lived  to  a  great 
age.  Henly  died  at  the  age  of  one  hundred  and  ten  years,  while  Mr. 
Harness  was  considerably  past  one  hundred  years.  George  W.  Harness, 
Jr.,  is  now  living  in  the  township  at  an  advanced  age. 

Ervin  Township  did  her  full  duty  toward  supplying  Howard's  quota 
in  the  field  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and  no  soldiers  ever  did  bet- 
ter service.  Joseph  Bright,  an  old  pioneer,  sent  five  sons  to  the  front, 
who  remained  until  the  war  closed.  Of  the  five.  Peach  and  Isaac  were 
drowned  by  the  explosion  of  a  boat  on  the  Mississippi  River,  while  on 
their  way  home  after  the  war  had  closed.  Sault  T.  Butcher,  George 
Butcher,  Isaac  N.  Butcher,  John  B.  Butcher  and  A.  P.  Butcher,  five 
sons  of  William  Butcher,  Esq.,  served  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and  all 
were  so  fortunate  as  to  get  home  alive. 

The  following  are  the  present  officials  of  Ervin:  John  B.  Butcher, 
Trustee  ;  Cornelius  Rice  and  Judge  Markland,  Justices  of  the  Peace. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  schools  of  Ervin  have  ever  been  noted  for  their  efficiency  and  high 
standing.  Some  of  the  best  country  schools  to  be  found  anywhere  are 
in  Ervin.  Much  credit  is  due  to  the  old  teachers,  who  have  been  en- 
gaged in  the  work  for  years,  among  whom  may  be  mentioned  John  B. 
Miller,  Luther  McDowell,  Noah  Whisler  and  Alvin  McDowell.  The 
teachers  for  the  past  winter  were  as  follows  :  Henry  C.  Miller,  Elmer 
Bryan,  Jordan  Tucker,  George  Miller,  Luther  McDowell,  William 
H.  Thompson,  Alvin  McDowell. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


CITY    OF   KOKOMO. 


THOMAS  A.  ARMSTRONG,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Howard  County 
and  one  who  has  assisted  by  energy  and  means  in  advancing  the  city  of  Ko- 
komo  to  its  present  prosperity,  was  born  in  Bucks  County,  Penn.,  February 
14,  1795.  His  parents,  Abraham  and  Nancy  A.  (Geary)  Armstrong,  were 
also  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  moved  to  Pittsburgh  when  he  was  in  his 
infancy.  He  was  reared  and  attended  school  in  the  latter  city  until  he 
was  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  then  went  to  Philadelphia  and  entered  the 
law  office  of  an  uncle,  Thomas  Armstrong,  with  whom  he  remained  four 
years.  In  1814,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  practiced  his  profession 
in  Philadelphia  until  1820.  He  then  located  in  Pittsburgh,  where  he  wag 
admitted  to  practice  in  the  Supreme  Courts,  and  remained  engaged  in  the 
active  duties  of  his  profession  for  a  short  time  only.  He  then  emigrated 
to  Ohio  and  located  in  Clinton  County,  where,  for  a  number  of  years,  he 
resided,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  subsequently  re- 
turning to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  resided  for.  three  years.  Mr.  Arm- 
strong, in  1851,  came  to  Kokomo  and  purchased  forty  acres  of  land,  upon 
which  part  of  the  city  is  now  located.  At  this  period,  there  were  but  few 
inhabitants,  and  the  land  purchased  by  him  worth  only  about  $15  per  acre. 
Here  he  has  since  resided  ;  he  practiced  law  for  a  few  years  and  was  in- 
terested in  general  merchandising,  which  business  was  conducter'  by 
his  sons  for  several  years.  He  then  abandoned  active  business  life,  his 
son,  Thomas  S.  Armstrong,  taking  the  goods  to  Tipton,  where  he  is  still 
engaged  and  conducting  a  successful  business.  After  abandoning  mer- 
cantile pursuits,  Mr.  Armstrong  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  the  du- 
ties of  which  office  he  satisfactorily  administered  for  four  years.  Mr.  Arm- 
strong was  united  in  marriage  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  July  1,  1824,  to 
Miss  Sallie  E.  Grant,  a  native  of  Virginia.  They  have  reared  a  family  of 
eight  children,  seven  boys  and  one  girl — Thomas  S.,  a  resident  of  Tipton, 
Edward  A.,  Horace  A.  (deceased),  Charles  G.,  Addison  F.,  Alexander 
C,  Walter  S.  and  Lizzie  A.  Of  this  family  they  have  every  reason  to 
be  proud  ;  of  the  sons,  each  has  attained  high  standing  in  professional, 
mercantile,  political  and  social  spheres,  and  are  men  of  unblemished 
reputations.     Thomas  A.  Armstrong  is  now  living  with  his  faithful  wife  in 


304  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

retirement  at  his  pleasant  home  in  the  northwestern  portion  of  the  city, 
and  although  well  advanced  in  the  "  sere  and  yellow  leaf,"  his  eighty- 
eight  years  sit  lightly  upon  him.  His  wife,  now  eighty-three  years  of 
age,  is  also  bright  and  active.  Mr.  Armstrong  has  been  a  faithful  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church  for  over  forty  years,  and  has  been  an  Elder 
for  many  years.  All  the  members  of  his  family  are  also  connected  with 
this  church  ;  they  have  all  been  liberal  in  their  support  and  active  and 
faithful  workers  in  upholding  this  faith  in  Howard  County. 

E.  A.  ARMSTRONG,  M.  D.,  one  of  the  old  and  successful  practition- 
ers of  Howard  County,  is  a  native  of  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was 
born  December  25, 1827.  He  received  the  education  such  as  the  common 
schools  of  that  period  afforded  until  he  was  qualified  to  teach ;  this  he  fol- 
lowed at  intervals,  assisting  upon  the  farm  until  he  was  about  twenty-three 
years  of  age.  He  then  decided  upon  the  medical  profession  as  his  life  work, 
and  went  to  Pittsburgh,  where,  under  the  tutelage  of  an  uncle,  Dr.  Charles 
Armstrong,  he  remained  about  three  years.  In  1851,  he  came  with  his 
parents  to  Howard  County,  and  the  following  year  he  entered  the  Rush 
Medical  College  of  Chicago,  attending  lectures  one  term.  He  then  com- 
menced the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Russiaville,  where  he  remained 
ten  years,  engaged  in  active  and  successful  practice.  In  1857,  he  attended 
the  Ohio  Medical  College,  located  at  Cincinnati,  and  graduated  from  that 
institution  in  1858.  In  1865,  he  removed  to  Kokomo,  and  soon  after 
formed  a  partnership  with  Drs.  Johnson  &  Cooper.  In  1875,  he  formed 
his  present  professional  partnership  by  admitting  Dr.  J.  McLean 
Moulder,  who  had  been  a  student  with  him  for  a  number  of  years.  Dr. 
Armstrong  has  been-^in  continuous  practice  in  Howard  County  for  over 
thirty  years,  and  has  established  a  remunerative  business.  He  is  well  read 
and  keeps  up  with  the  advancement  of  the  times,  in  all  matters,  as  well  as 
in  his  profession.  In  the  field  of  surgery.  Dr.  Armstrong  ranks  high 
among  the  operative  surgeons  of  Indiana.  His  long  experience  and 
especial  study  of  this  most  important  branch  eminently  qualify  him,  and 
the  remarkable  success  attending  his  operations  has  given  him  the  lead 
over  all  his  professional  brethren  in  this  work.  Dr.  Armstrong  is  a 
member  of  the  State  and  County  Medical  Societies,  and  of  the  Kokomo 
Academy  of  Medicine.  Of  the  county  society  and  academy,  he  has 
served  as  President.  Dr.  Armstrong  is  also  a  member  of  the  hard- 
ware firm  of  Armstrong,  Pickett  &  Co.,  one  of  the  largest  mercantile 
houses  in  the  county,  and  is  interested  in  considerable  farming  land 
in  Howard  and  Tipton  Counties.  He  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1861, 
to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Ratcliff,  of  Russiaville.  She  died  in  1863.  Dr.  Arm- 
strong is  an  influential  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  has  taken 
a   leading    interest   and  aided    largely  in  the  construction  of  the  new 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  305 

church  edifice.     He  is  a  progressive  member  of  the  Democratic  party  and 
one  of  the  most  respected  citizens  of  Kokomo. 

DR.  HORACE  A.  ARMSTRONG  (deceased)  was  born  in  Clinton 
County,  Ohio,  December  25,  1829,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm,  receiving  a 
good  common  school  education  of  that  day.  In  1849,  he  removed  with 
his  father's  family  to  Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  where  he  commenced  the  study 
of  medicine  with  his  uncle,  Charles  L.  Armstrong,  M.  D.  In  1851,  he 
removed  to  Kokomo,  Ind.,  and  engaged  in  farming,  teaching  and  pre- 
paring for  his  chosen  profession.  In  1856,  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
Dr.  J.  A.  James,  both  in  the  practice  of  medicine  and  in  the  hardware 
trade,  and  continued  a  member  of  the  hardware  firm  of  James,  Armstrong 
&  Co.  (now  the  firm  of  Armstrong,  Pickett  &  Co.),  for  ten  years,  but 
gave  his  time  and  attention  to  the  practice  of  medicine,  having  graduated 
in  1858,  at  the  Medical  College  of  Ohio,  with  the  highest  honors  of  his 
class.  During  his  practice  in  Howard  County,  he  stood  at  the  head  of  his 
profession.  Dr.  Armstrong  died  in  1868,  having  led  a  consistent  life  in 
the  Christian  Church,  leaving  an  example  well  worthy  of  imitation.  In 
February,  1861,  Dr.  Armstrong  was  married  to  Ella  C.  Mathers,  of 
Meadville,  Penn.,  who,  previous  to  her  marriage,  was  a  teacher  of  elocu- 
tion in  the  Allegheny  City  College.  She  was  a  woman  of  rare  intellect- 
ual ability,  and  a  prominent  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr. 
Armstrong  left  two  children,  A.  Buell  and  E.  Armor,  both  young  at  the 
time  of  their  father's  death. 

A.  F,  ARMSTRONG,  one  of  the  representative  business  men  of  In- 
diana, is  a  native  of  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  born  April  1, 
1835,  and  where  he  received  a  common  school  education.  In  1849,  he 
came  to  Kokomo,  and  has  made  it  his  home  up  to  the  present  time.  In 
1856,  he,  with  Dr.  J.  A.  James  and  H.  A.  Armstrong,  founded  the  pres- 
ent business  house  of  which  he  is  still  the  head,  and  the  remarkable  suc- 
cess of  which  is  due,  in  a  great  measure,  to  his  skillful  management  and 
able  financiering.  For  about  thirty  years,  Mr.  Armstrong  has  been  act- 
ively engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  persistently  carrying  out  the 
fixed  purpose  of  his  life.  His  career  has  been  one  of  continuous  prosper- 
ity, the  result  of  industry,  integrity,  and  fair,  honorable  dealing.  Mr. 
Armstrong  helped  to  organize  the  city  of  Kokomo,  and  was  a  member  of 
the  first  Council,  in  which  capacity  he  served  eight  consecutive  years. 
He  has  assisted  all  progressive  measures  for  the  improvement  and  ad- 
vancement of  the  material  wealth  of  Howard  County,  and  in  all  works  of 
charity  and  benevolent  societies  he  is  a  liberal  supporter.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Armstrong  has  always  been  an  ardent  and  influential  Democrat. 
He  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  in  1870,  and  held  that  position  until 
1874,  serving  three  terms,  and  through  the  special  session  of  1872.     His 


306  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

genial  and  gentlemanly  deportment  has  always  made  him  popular  in  his 
district,  and  in  1876,  when  candidate  for  Congress  from  the  Eleventh 
District,  he  reduced  the  Republican  majority  from  3,100  to  1,400.  In 
1878,  when  a  candidate  for  the  nomination  as  State  Auditor,  he  received 
nearly  as  large  a  vote  as  the  numerous  candidates  combined,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Gen.  Manson,  who  received  the  nomination.  He  has  held 
various  minor  offices  in  the  county,  all  of  which  have  been  discharged 
with  fidelity  and  honor.  In  educational  matters,  Mr.  Armstrong  has 
always  taken  a  progressive  interest,  and  has  served  upon  the  School  Board 
of  Kokomo.  In  June,  1863,  Mr.  Armstrong  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Mary  S.  Brandon,  daughter  of  Montgomery  and  Martha 
Brandon,  of  Kentucky,  who  were  pioneer  settlers  of  Indiana,  settling  in 
this  State  in  1834.  Mr.  B,  died  in  Kokomo  in  1880,  surviving  his  be- 
loved  wife  only  a  few  months.  Mr.  Brandon  was  for  many  years  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  progress  of  the  State,  and  a  respected  citizen. 
Mrs.  Armstrong  is  foremost  in  all  good  deeds,  and  has  given  much  atten- 
tion to  public  and  charitable  works,  such  as  President  of  the  Orphans' 
Home,  of  the  Suifrage  Club,  and  the  Ladies'  Lecture  Association,  besides 
taking  an  active  interest  in  the  cause  of  temperance  and  all  good  works. 
They  have  been  blessed  with  two  children,  Jennie  and  Sherman,  who 
died  in  infancy.  In  religion,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Armstrong  are  influential 
and  leading  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  being  members  for  many 
years.  Mr.  Armstrong  has  aided  largely  and  been  instrumental  in  clear- 
ing off  the  church  debt,  and  in  giving  freely  his  time,  means  and  energy 
to  the  upbuilding  of  the  same.  He  helped  to  organize  the  first  church  of 
this  faith  in  Howard  County,  and  assisted  in  rearing  its  first  edifice.  In 
all  of  his  business,  social  and  political  relations,  Mr.  Armstrong  has  always 
pursued  an  honorable  and  conscientious  course,  and  is  universally  regarded 
as  one  of  the  citizens  of  whom  Howard  County  is  justly  proud. 

W.  S.  ARMSTRONG,  Mayor  of  Kokomo,  is  a  native  of  Clinton 
County,Ohio,  where  he  was  born  in  1838.  At  the  age  of  thirteen,  his  parents 
moved  to  Howard  County,  Ind,  Here  he  was  reared  and  educated,  re- 
ceiving good  educational  advantages.  In  1862,  he  removed  to  Tipton 
and  engaged  in  the  hardware  trade  with  his  brother,  remaining  in  that 
business  four  years.  In  1866,  he  was  appointed  Auditor  of  Tipton 
County,  and  later  in  the  same  year  was  elected  to  that  office.  At  the 
expiration  of  his  term,  he  was  re-elected  in  1870,  serving  two  terms, 
honorably  and  faithfully.  He  then  removed  to  his  fiirm  adjoining  Tip- 
ton, upon  which  he  resided  four  years,  engaged  in  stock-dealing  and 
farming.  In  1878,  he  returned  to  Kokomo,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
Upon  coming  to  Kokomo,  he  engaged  with  his  brothers  in  the  hardware 
business,  continuing  with  them  until  the  fall  of  1880,  when  he  was  elected 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  307 

Mayor  of  Kokomo,  to  succeed  Dr.  Cole,  deceased.  This  oflSce,  Mr. 
Armstrong  is  still  administering.  He  served  two  terms  as  member  of  the 
Common  Council,  resigning  while  serving  the  last  term,  to  accept  the 
office  of  Mayor.  In  politics,  Mr.  Armstrong  has  always  affiliated  with 
the  Democratic  party,  but  is  not  a  partisan  in  his  views,  being  conserva- 
tive and  liberal.  He  is  one  of  the  leaders  of  his  party  in  the  county.  Mr. 
Armstrong  is  progressive  in  his  ideas  and  advocates  all  measures  of  im- 
provement. He  is  a  liberal  supporter  of  all  works  of  charity  and  be- 
nevolent associations,  and  ranks  as  a  citizen  of  worth.  In  the  discharge 
of  the  duties  of  the  office  in  which  he  is  now  serving,  Mr.  Armstrong 
has  been  wise  and  judicious,  and  meets  the  approval  of  his  fellow-citizens. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  the  K.  of  P. 
Mr.  Armstrong  was  married  in  1869  to  Miss  Mattie  Winfield,  a  native 
of  Ohio.  They  have  four  children — Walter  Winfield,  Horace  Howard, 
Jessie  and  Merle.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Armstrong  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church  of  Kokomo.  He  was  re-elected  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Ko- 
komo  on  the  1st  day  of  May,  1883,  for  the  period  of  two  years. 

A.  B.  ARMSTRONG,  son  of  Dr.  Horace  A.  Armstrong,  is  a  native 
of  Howard  County  and  was  born  in  Kokomo  December  31,  1861.  He 
was  educated  in  Kokomo,  graduating  from  the  schools  of  that  city  in 
1881.  He  also  is  a  graduate  of  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Commercial  Col- 
lege of  Indianapolis.  After  finishing  his  education,  he  entered  the  hard- 
ware store  of  Armstrong,  Pickett  &  Co.,  of  Kokomo,  and  was  for  some 
time  an  active  and  efficient  assistant.  He  still  retains  an  interest  in  this 
firm.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe  trade,  his  location  being 
upon  the  east  side  of  the  public  square.  Mr.  Armstrong  carries  a  large 
and  elegant  stock  of  goods  and  has  established  a  good  trade.  As  a  busi- 
ness man,  he  possesses  superior  qualifications,  and  he  bids  fair  to  become 
one  of  the  leading  merchants  of  the  city.  He  was  married  in  Kokomo, 
February  7,  1883,  to  Miss  Dora  McBride,  of  Michigan  City,  Ind. 

ARMSTRONG,  PICKETT  &  CO.,  the  leading  mercantile  house 
of  Howard  County,  wholesale  and  retail  dealers  in  hardware,  implements, 
stoves,  etc.  In  the  spring  of  1856,  Messrs.  J.  A.  James,  H.  A.  Arm- 
strong and  A.  F.  Armstrong  commenced  business  in  the  village  of  Ko- 
komo, in  a  building  on  the  east  side  of  the  public  square.  They  occu- 
pied this  place  two  years,  when  they  found  their  business  assuming  such 
proportions  as  compelled  them  to  seek  more  commodious  quarters.  Ac- 
cordingly, they  removed  to  the  Bohan  &  Ashley  corner,  into  a  room 
16x80  feet,  at  that  time  the  second  largest  room  in  the  village.  In  1862, 
their  business  demanding  more  room,  they  purchased  a  lot  on  the  east 
side  of  the  square  and  commenced  the  erection  of  a  three-story  structure; 
but  before  it  was  completed,  it  was  destroyed'  by  a  tornado,  and  in  the 


308  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

downfall,  carried  with  it  the  store  occupied  by  the  firm.  The  firm,  how- 
ever, immediately  began  to  rebuild,  completing  the  new  building  the 
same  year.  In  1867,  their  block  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  the  same 
year  rebuilt,  with  only  a  two-story  structure.  In  1867,  Dr.  James  re- 
tired from  business  and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Josiah  Beeson,  the  firm 
name  being  Armstrong,  Beeson  &  Co.  The  following  year,  Dr.  H.  A. 
Armstrong  died,  and  his  interest  was  purchased  by  Dr.  E.  A.  Armstrong. 
Two  years  later,  Mr.  Beeson  sold  his  interest  to  Messrs.  Zimri  Nixon 
and  Isaac  Ellis,  when  the  firm  became  Armstrong,  Nixon  &  Co.  In 
1873,  Mr.  Nathan  Pickett  purchased  the  interest  of  Isaac  Ellis,  the  firm 
name  remaining  the  same.  In  1874,  another  change  was  produced  in  the 
firm  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Nixon.  The  members  composing  the  new  firm 
were  A.  F.  Armstrong,  E.  A.  Armstrong,  Nkthan  Pickett  and  George 
W.  Landon,  under  the  firm  title  of  Armstrong,  Pickett  &  Co.  In  1875, 
the  new  firm,  to  accommodate  their  increasing  business,  began  the  con- 
struction of  a  block  on  the  southeast  corner  of  the  public  square.  It  is 
four  stories  and  basement,  44x132  feet,  is  complete  in  all  its  appoint- 
ments, and  fire-proof.  The  basement  is  used  for  storing  bulky  goods, 
and  the  first  floor,which  is  sixteen  feet  between  joists,  is  the  general  sales- 
room. Upon  the  west  side  is  a  platform,  16x100  feet,  suspended  from  the 
ceiling,  used  for  storing  woodenware.  In  the  front  of  the  room  between 
the  doors  is  the  ofiice,  elevated  and  surrounded  by  plate-glass,  and  is  con- 
venient and  commodious.  The  second  floor  in  front  is  divided  into  oflices, 
and  is  now  occupied  by  I.  E.  Kirk,  attorney  at  law ;  S.  T.  Kirk,  dentist; 
Armstrong  &  Moulder,  physicians.  Back  of  these  are  the  stove  and  tin- 
ware rooms.  The  third  floor  contains  the  general  stock — stoves, 
plows,  cultivators,  grain  drills,  etc.  Over  the  west  side  is  another  sus- 
pended platform,  where  doors,  sash  and  blinds  are  kept,  and  in  the  rear 
of  the  room  is  the  stove-fitting  department  and  tinshop.  In  the  loft  are 
stored  spokes,  hubs,  hand-rakes,  shovels,  etc.  Fine  broad  stairways  give 
access  to  all  the  floors,  while  there  is  also  an  elevator  in  the  rear  of  the 
building.  Their  block  is  lighted  by  gas,  and  a  cistern,  containing  500 
barrels,  is  constructed  within  the  building,  to  be  used  in  case  of  fire.  The 
building  is  of  brick,  upon  stone  foundation  ;  the  walls  are  eighteen  inches 
thick,  and  altogether  it  is  one  of  the  finest  buildings  in  Northern  Indi- 
ana. The  members  of  the  firm  are  live,  energetic  business  men,  gentle- 
manly and  accommodating,  and  well  worthy  of  the  patronage  they  have 
80  meritoriously  received  from  Howard  and  adjoining  counties,  and  the 
business  house  which  they  have  established  is  one  of  the  most  reliable 
and  prosperous  in  the  State.  In  1876,  Nathan  Pickett  transferred  his 
interest  to  his  son,  J.  C.  Pickett,  who  has  since  taken  an  active  interest 
in  the  business,  the  firm  name  remaining  the  same. 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO. 


309 


PROF.  JOHN  W.  BARNES,  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  How- 
ard County,  is  a  native  of  Highland  County,  Ohio,   born   in    1847.     He 
is  the  son  of  William  W.  and  Eliza  J.  (Littler)  Barnes,  natives  respect- 
ively of  Connecticut  and  Ohio.     John  W.  received   a  good  education,  at- 
tending the  common  schools  until  1864;  when,  a  youth  of  sixteen,  he  en- 
listed In  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-ninth   Ohio  Volunteers, 
and  served  as  a  private  four  months,  when  he  received  an  honorable  dis- 
charge.    With  his  regiment  he   participated   in  the   battle   of  Monocacy 
Junction,  Md.     In  the  fall   of  1864,    his   parents   removed   to    Howard 
County,  settling  in  a  log   cabin   in    Howard   Township.      Here,   for    two 
years,  he  was  an  assistant  of  his  father  in  the  saw  mill  and  lumber  busi- 
ness.    He  commenced   teaching  in  Howard  County  in  a  log  schoolhouse 
in  Howard  Township,  and   followed  this  occupation  until  the   spring  of 
1869,  when  he  entered  Asbury  University,  located  at  Greencastle,  gradu- 
ating in  the  classical  department  in  1874.     Upon  his  return  to  his  home, 
his  health  being  impaired,  he  assumed    the   management  of  his  father's 
farm,  conducting  it  two  years.   He  then  resumed  teaching,  having  charge 
of  a  school  in  Ervin  Township  one  term,  subsequently  becoming    Princi- 
pal of  the  High  School  of  Greentown.     In   May,  1878,  he  was  elected 
Superintendent  of  Schools  of  the  county,  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by 
the  resignation  of  Milton  Garrigus,  who   had    been    elected  to  the  State 
Senate,  and  this  position  he  has  retained  since,  filling  the  office  with  abili- 
ty and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people.      During  his  term   of  service,  he 
has  elevated  the  schools  of  the  county  to  a  superior  grade  ;  has  adopted 
the  system  of  paying  teachers  according  to   the    general  average    of  the 
grade  of  license,  "and  has  established  a  system   of  according    diplomas   of 
merit  to  proficient  teachers.     Prof.  Barnes  is  one  of  the  leading  Repub- 
licans of  the  county,  and  has  served  as  Chairman  of  the   County  Central 
Committee.     He  was  one  of  the  Board   of  Examiners,   held  at  Marion, 
to  select  a  cadet,  for  the  cadetship  at  West  Point.     He  is  a  Mason,  and 
belongs  to  Uniform  Rank,  No.  6,  K.  of  P.     Prof.  Barnes  was  united  in 
marriage,  January  10,  1879,  with  Miss  Wyoma  A.  Brandon,  daughter  of 
C.  C.  and  Nancy  (Woods)  Brandon,  of  Kokomo.    Mrs.  Barnes  is  a  high- 
ly accomplished  lady,  and  prior  to  her  marriage  was  a  teacher  in   the 
public  schools  of  Kokomo. 

JOHN  BATEMAN,  a  native  of  Washington  County,  Penn.,  was  born 
February  26,  1811,  and  at  the  age  of  seven  moved  with  his  parents  to 
Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  where  two  years  later  his  father  died.  The 
following  year  he  worked  for  a  farmer,  after  which  he  served  an  apprentice- 
ship at  the  tanner's  trade  for  three  years  ;  then  he  began  boating,  first  on 
the  Ohio,  and  later  on  the  Mississippi  River.  He  then  served  as  Captain 
for  fifteen  years  on  the  Ohio  Canal,  and  the  most  of  the  time  was  owner 


310  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

of  his  boat.      For  the  next  five  years,  he  was  contractor  and  builder  on 
the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad,  between  Zanesville  and  Cambridge,  Ohio, 
In  1833,   he  began  to  manufacture   salt  on  the  Muskingum    River,  con- 
tinuing three  years,  after  which  he  engaged  again  in  boating  on  the  Ohio 
Canal.     During  the  same  time,  he  erected  a  water-power  saw  mill,  which 
he  ran  for  twelve  years.    In  1852,  he  bought  180  acres,  which  he  farmed 
for  twelve  years,  when  he  sold  it  at  $60  per  acre,  in  the  spring  of  1865, 
and  came  West,  locating  near  Indianapolis,  Ind.  The  following  September, 
he  bought  a  farm  in  Carroll  County,   Ind.,  on  which  he  lived  until  1874, 
when  he  sold  out  and  located  in  Kokomo,  where  he  is  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  a  well-spent  life.     He  started  in  life  penniless,  and  only   through  in- 
dustry and  economy  has  he  been  successful,  having  accumulated  property 
worth  about  $30,000.     During  his  youth,   his  education  was  neglected, 
but  through  his  own   efforts  he  has   acquired  a  good  practical   education. 
He  has  filled  the  office  of  Justice  of  Peace  for  six  years  in  Ohio,  and  six 
in  Carroll  County,  Ind.     In  1832,  he  cast  his  first  vote  for  Henry  Clay, 
and  voted  with  the  Whig  party   until  the  Republican  party  was  organized. 
He  was  married,  January  25,  1835,  to  Miss  Ann  Maria  Grosh,  who  was 
born  of  German  parents  in  Washington  County,  Md.,  in  1813.      She  be- 
came the  mother  of  nine  children,  four  of  whom  still  live — Samuel,  in  the 
employ  of  the  Baltimore  &    Ohio  Railroad,   at  Zanesville,  Ohio  ;   Sarah, 
the  wife  of  William  Bowers,  of  Kokomo;  Ann,  the  wife  of  Henry  White, 
of  Howard  County,  farmer  ;  and  John  G.,  an  engineer  and  sawyer  in  Ko- 
komo.    Samuel  was  a  soldier  two  years  in  the  late  war,  joining  the  Sev- 
enty-eighth Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  ;  John  G.  was  in  the  100-day  service. 
Mrs.  Bateman,  after  having  been  a  true,  faithful  wife  and  devoted  mother  for 
forty-seven  years,  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine,    a  devout  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church.     Mr.  Bateman,  since  1840,  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Baptist   Church,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  I.   0.  0.  F.      He  is  the  son 
of  John  and  Mary  Bateman.      His  mother  lived  with  him  the  last  thirty 
years  of  her  life,  dying  in  1872,  at  the  age  of  ninety  and  one-half  years. 
MILTON  BELL  was  born  in  Clinton  County,  Ind.,  February  13, 
1835.     His  mother,  Nancy  (Endicott)  Bell,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 
His  father,  Nathaniel  Bell,  a  former  citizen  of  Kokomo  (now  deceased), 
was  born  in  Ohio,  and  was  a  pioneer  of  Clinton  County,  Ind.     The  edu- 
cational facilities  afforded  Milton  Bell  in  early  life    were  at  first  meager, 
and  ill  health  afterward  thwarted  his  plans ;  yet  despite  all,    he    moved 
steadily  on   to  success.     Having  gained   a  knowledge  of  the   common 
English  branches  in   the  district  schools,   by  attendance  only  during  the 
winter  terms,  he  entered  Antioch  College  in  1854,  at  the  founding  of  that 
institution.     Remaining  but  one  year,  because  of  failing  health,  he  re- 
turned home,    and  became  a  salesman  in  his   father's  store  in  Clinton 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  311 

County,  and  also  engaged  in  teaching  a  district  school.  In  the  fall  of 
1856,  his  father  removed  to  Cincinnati,  and  became  a  member  of  the  silk 
and  millinery  firm  of  Doherty,  Franklin  &  Bell,  and  Milton  was  employed 
as  one  of  their  salesmen.  There  he  remained  some  two  years,  and  in  1860 
returned  to  Clinton  County,  Ind.,  and  entered  into  partnership  with  his 
father  in  the  mercantile  business.  In  this  he  was  successfully  engaged 
until  August,  1862,  when  he  raised  a  company  and  joined  the  Eighty- 
sixth  Indiana  Volunteers.  This  regiment  went  into  camp  at  La  Fayette, 
and  was  sent  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  After  taking  part  in  the 
pursuit  of  Bragg  and  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  Capt.  Bell  was  compelled 
to  resign,  because  exposure  had  brought  on  his  old  malady,  hemoptysis, 
thus  unfitting  him  for  service.  While  teaching  school,  he  had  purchased 
a  number  of  legal  works,  and  some  time  after  his  return  from  the  army 
he  entered  the  office  of  McDonald  &  Roach,  Indianapolis,  as  a  student  of 
law.  On  being  admitted  to  the  bar  (in  1865),  he  commenced  practicing 
in  Kokomo.  Events  soon  showed  that  he  had  found  his  true  calling. 
Recognized  as  a  promising  young  lawyer,  he  was,  in  1867,  elected  City 
Attorney,  and  served  in  that  capacity  two  years.  Hard  study  and  native 
talent  wrought  their  unfailing  results  in  an  increase  of  clients  and  impor- 
tant cases.  In  1873,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Arthur  S.  Bell 
(now  deceased),  H.  H.  Winslow  and  J.  F.  Henderson,  he  built  Opera 
Hall,  a  fine  structure  costing  ^40,000.  Mr.  Bell  cast  his  first  vote  for 
Stephen  A.  Douglas,  and  has  ever  since  been  connected  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party.  With  respect  to  his  religious  affiliations,  he  joined,  in  boy- 
hood, the  old  Christian  Church,  but  his  theological  views  are  somewhat 
liberal,  and  he  attends  the  various  churches  in  Kokomo,  without  distinc- 
tion of  creed.  He  was  married,  February  26,  1867,  to  Miss  Belle  Pur- 
dum,  daughter  of  the  late  Nelson  Purdum,  a  prominent  lawyer  of  Kokomo, 
and  the  first  Mayor  of  that  city.  Their  only  child,  May,  was  born  Janu- 
ary 5,  1868.  His  success  as  a  lawyer  is  due  in  great  measure  to  his  can- 
dor with  clients.  He  has  ever  made  it  an  invariable  rule  never  to  tell  a 
man  he  has  a  case,  and  lead  him  into  litigation,  unless  the  facts  warrant 
such  an  action.  He  excels  as  a  counselor,  and  in  general  is  deemed  one  of 
the  best  attorneys  in  Howard  County.  He  also  has  superior  business 
abilities,  as  shown  by  the  result  of  his  investments.  There  is  much  in  his 
character  worthy  of  commendation,  and  he  has  attained  a  high  place  in  the 
popular  regard. 

JOSIAH  BEESON  was  born  in  Guilford  County,  N.  C,  January 
28,  1818.  His  parents,  Hezekiah  and  Merab  (Reynolds)  Beeson,  also 
natives  of  North  Carolina,  moved  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  about  1823, 
and  there  Josiah  was  reared  and  there  learned  the  saddler's  trade.  He 
worked  as  a  journeyman  at  Economy   and  Hagerstosvn  a  few  years,  and 


312  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

then  bought  a  house  and  lot  at  Economy  and  there  worked  at  his  trade 
three  years,  and  then  moved  to  Williamstown  and  manufactured  on  his 
own  account  for  eight  or  nine  years.  In  1852,  he  came  to  Howard  County 
and  purchased  200  acres  of  wild  land  near  Greentown,  which  he  improved 
and  worked  thirteen  years,  and  then  came  to  Kokorao  and  engaged  in  the 
hardware  trade,  under  the  firm  name  of  Armstrong,  Beeson  &  Co.  In 
1866,  the  firm  were  burned  out,  when  Mr.  B.  sold  his  interest  and  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Monroe  Township,  which  he  worked  until  1876,  when 
he  returned  to  Kokomo,  purciiased  an  interest  in  the  planing  mill  and 
lumber  trade  of  Hunt  Bros.  &  Co.,  which  he  retained  two  years,  and 
then  started  his  present  business  as  dealer  in  furniture,  etc.,  of  which  he 
carries  a  mammoth  stock ;  he  is  also  prepared  to  do  custom  work  and  to 
fill  orders  for  anything  in  his  line.  He  was  married,  in  Henry  County, 
Ind.,  to  Elizabeth  Lamb,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  who  died  in  1854; 
subsequently  he  married  a  native  of  this  county.  Charity  Lamb,  his  present 
wife,  who  has  borne  him  three  children — Norvill,  Luella  and  May.  Mr. 
Beeson  is  a  Freemason  and  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 

JOHN  BOHAN  was  born  October  26,  1820,  in  Ireland,  and  was  the 
elder  of  two  children  born  to  Patrick  and  Elizabeth  (McGinnis)  Bohan. 
They  emigrated  to  America  in  1823,  locating  in  Westmoreland  County, 
Penn.,  where  they  forged  from  the  forest  a  good  home,  and  reared  their 
family.  John  Bohan  was  left  an  orphan  at  twelve,  and  consequently  re- 
ceived less  than  three  months'  schooling,  but  through  his  own  industry  he 
has  acquired  a  good  practical  education.  In  1836,  he  came  West  to  Mad- 
ison, Ind.,  where  he  began  as  a  common  laborer  on  a  railroad;  but  he  soon 
went  to  Indianapolis,  where  he  was  a  stage-driver  for  three  years.  He 
then  moved  to  Anderson,  and  in  1844  he  moved  to  Kokomo,  when  the 
town  consisted  of  three  or  four  log  cabins.  He  brought  with  him  $300  worth 
of  general  merchandise,  the  first  stock  brought  to  the  town,  and  continued 
in  business  with  success  until  1861,  when  he  sold  out  and  enlisted  in  the 
United  States  service.  He  was  Quartermaster  of  the  Thirty-ninth  Reg- 
iment Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  but  this  regiment  was  re-organized  into 
the  Eighth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Cavalry.  One  year  after,  he 
was  placed  on  detached  duty,  serving  as  Quartermaster  for  Gen.  R.  W. 
Johnson,  as  one  of  the  main  staff,  until  he  was  honorably  discharged  in 
October,  1864.  This  regiment  belonged  to  the  First  Division  of  the 
Fourteenth  Army  Corps.  At  the  battle  of  Perryville,  Ky.,  Mr.  Bohan 
was  taken  prisoner,  and  was  held  about  two  hours,  when  he  took  shelter 
under  an  old  mill,  and  when  the  army  moved  on,  he  came  from  his  hiding 
place  and  made  a  rapid  retreat.  He  had  charge  of  the  ammunition  train 
at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  where  he  was  ordered  to  bring  fifteen  wagons 
of  ammunition  to  the  front.   He  acted  promptly  and  here  he  was  wounded 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  313 

in  both  hands  in  less  than  five  minutes,  but  during  his  afiliction  he  was 
not  oflF  of  duty  a  single  day.  In  the  fall  of  1864,  he  returned  home  and 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business  until  1876,  when  he  sold  out  and  retired 
from  active  business.  Mr.  Bohan  served  as  County  Auditor  from  1845 
to  1856.  In  1880,  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  office  he 
is  now  filling.  He  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Gen.  Harrison  in 
1840,  and  has  been  a  stanch  supporter  of  Republican  principles  ever 
since.  Mr.  Bohan  was  married,  in  1845,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Myers,  of 
Madison  County,  Ind.  She  was  born  in  1828  in  Ohio.  Three  children 
have  blessed  their  union — Julia  E.,  the  wife  of  Stephen  E.  Ludlow  ;, 
Patrick  H.,  a  carriage  trimmer  and  painter;  and  Mary  E.,  the  wife  of 
E.  S  Long.  Mrs.  Bohan  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  Mr. 
Bohan  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  has  always 
been  in  the  advance  upon  all  public  matters  tending  to  the  improvement 
of  the  county,  and  has  aided  all  measures  of  charity  and  benevolence. 

JUDGE  H.  A.  BROUSE,  a  native  of  Stark  County,  Ohio,  was  born 
January  1,  1820.  He  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  sev- 
enteen years  old,  when  he  began  clerking  in  a  dry  goods  store  ih  Lewis- 
burg,  Preble  County,  where  he  attended  night  school.  At  twenty,  he  read 
law  under  Judge  Crane  for  two  years,  when  he  removed  to  Wayne  Coun- 
ty, Ind.,  where,  in  1845,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar ;  subsequently,  in 
1847,  he  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Supreme  Court.  He 
practiced  in  Centreville  until  September,  1818,  when  he  located  in 
Howard  County,  one  mile  south  of  Kokomo  where  he  lived  two 
years.  In  1849,  he  opened  a  law  office  in  Kokomo,  where  he  has 
been  practicing  ever  since.  He  is  a  member  of  and  assisted  to  organ- 
ize the  Republican  party  in  this  county.  In  1866,  he  was  appointed 
Circuit  Judge  of  this  district,  comprising  Madison,  Hamilton,  Howard 
and  Tipton  Counties.  He  served  three  years,  and  then  he  resumed 
his  practice  of  law.  When  Kokomo  became  a  city,  he  was  elected 
Town  Councilman,  and  has  served  a  number  of  terms  in  the  City 
Council  since.  Mr.  Brouse  is  a  public-spirited  man ;  he  took  a  large 
share  of  stock  in  the  Kokomo  Normal  School  building,  and  canvassed  the 
county  in  its  behalf,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  all  public  en- 
terprises. He  was  married,  in  1844,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Leopold,  of 
Montgomery  County,  Ohio.  She  is  of  French  descent,  and  was  born  in 
February,  1825.  This  marriage  has  been  blessed  with  nine  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  still  living — Rilla,  wife  of  C.  J.  Becktel,  of  Muncie, 
Ind.;  Laura  L.,  wife  of  A.  B.  Southard,  of  Chicago;  Emma;  Lucy,  wife 
of  W.  H.  Davis,  of  Kokomo;  Dora  D.,  William  0.  and  Macy  A. 
George  C.  and  Charles  P.  are  deceased.  Judge  Brouse  and  wife  are  now 
enjoying  the  fruits  of  a  well-spent  life. 


314  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

SAUL  T.  BUTCHER  was  born  March  28,  1835,  in  Decatur,  Ind., 
and  is  the  sixth  of  thirteen  children  born  to  William  Butcher,  a  native  of 
Virginia,  and  of  German  descent,  and  Sarah  (Love)  Butcher,  a  native  of 
Scotland.  He  and  his  father  came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1853, 
and  located  in  Ervin  Township,  in  the  forest.  Mr.  Butcher  assisted  his 
father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  and  received  a  good 
education.  His  father  rewarded  him  for  his  labors  with  eighty  acres  of 
land.  He  sold  this  some  time  since,  and  engaged  in  the  general  grocery 
business  in  Kokomo,  where  he  has  a  trade  of  $6,000  annually.  He  en- 
listed in  the  service  of  his  country  in  the  fall  of  1861,  under  Col.  Steele, 
and  was  in  the  following  hard-fought  battles  :  Siege  of  New  Madrid, 
siege  of  Island  No.  10,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  the  battles  of  Champion 
Hills,  and  Jackson,  Miss.,  and  was  mustered  out  in  the  fall  of  1864. 
Mr.  Butcher  was  married,  February  15,  1855,  to  Miss  Dorothy  Shoe- 
maker, a  native  of  Indiana,  and  the  eldest  of  three  children  born  to  Elias 
and  Elizabeth  (Pruitt)  Shoemaker,  of  German  and  Anglo-Saxon  descent. 
Four  children  crowned  this  union — Ellis  A.  (deceased),  born  February 
20,  1858;  Frank  D.,  born  March  16,  1860;  Nola  M.,  born  September 
9,  1871,  and  one  infant  (deceased).  Mr.  Butcher  has  always  voted  the 
Republican  ticket,  and  is  one  of  its  stanch  advocates.  He  is  an  energetic, 
wide-awake  business  man  ;  is  a  member  of  the  United  Order  of  Honor, 
and  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

JOHN  W.  COOPER,  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  was  born  in  Rush 
County,  Ind.,  July  18,  1837.  He  is  the  son  of  Stanley  and  Lucinda 
(Ward)  Cooper,  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  They  are  still  residents  of 
Rush  County,  living  on  the  same  farm.  John  W.  was  reared  on  the  farm, 
and  received  a  fair  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  also  studied 
three  terms  at  an  academy.  When  he  left  the  farm,  he  read  law  with  J. 
C.  Green,  of  Shelbyville,  Ind.,  for  one  year,  and  in  1859  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar.  The  following  year  he  remained  at  home  and  pursued  the 
study  of  law.  November  6,  1859,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Fannie  M. 
Simmons,  born  October  14,  1840,  daughter  of  Augustus  Simmons,  of 
Rush  County.  The  result  of  this  union  has  been  one  son — Horace  M.; 
and  two  daughters — Flora  H.  and  Linea  A.  Mr.  Cooper  began  the  prac- 
tice of  law  in  Howard  County,  in  October,  1860,  and  continued  in  active 
practice  until  1875,  when  he  took  the  office  of  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court, 
having  been  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket  in  1874.  He  was  re-elect- 
ed in  1878,  and  has  served  nearly  eight  years.  He  was  Mayor  of  the 
city  of  Kokomo  four  years — from  1869  to  1873.  He  has  been  an  active 
politician  all  his  life,  and  has  been  Deputy  Internal  Revenue  Collector. 
He  came  here  with  limited  means,  but,  through  strict  attention  to  his  pro- 
fession, he  has  accumulated  good   city   property,  and  is  in  good  circum- 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  315 

Stances.     He  is  a  leader  in  all  public  enterprises  and  improvements,  and 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  and  I.  0.  0.  F.  fraternities. 

WILLIAM  COOPER,  M.  D.,  is  a  son  of  James  and  Delilah  (Baker) 
Cooper,  who  were  both  natives  of  Virginia,  and  pioneer  settlers  of  Ohio. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  August  21, 
1839.  When  fifteen  years  of  age,  his  parents  removed  to  Cass  County, 
Ind.  Mr.  Cooper  received  a  good  education,  and  was  a  teacher  for  near- 
ly four  years  in  Cass  and  Miami  Counties.  Deciding  upon  the  medical 
profession  as  his  life  work,  he  entered  the  office  of  his  brother.  Dr.  John 
Cooper,  and  began  the  study  of  this  most  important  science ;  under  the 
tutelage  and  instruction  of  his  brother,  he  remained  nearly  four  years. 
He  then  entered  the  Eclectic  Medical  College  of  Cincinnati  in  1866,  and, 
in  1867,  graduated  from  that  institution.  At  Burlington,  Ind.,  he  com- 
menced business,  and  remained  in  active  and  successful  practice  ten 
years,  extending  his  labors  in  the  counties  of  Cass,  Howard,  Carroll  and 
Clinton.  In  1876,  Dr.  Cooper  removed  to  Kokomo,  intending  to  retire 
from  practice;  but  the  eminent  reputation  attained  by  him  has  forced 
him  to  continue,  and  he  is  now  attending  to  a  large  and  lucrative  patron- 
age. As  a  physician,  Dr.  Cooper  keeps  up  with  the  advancement  of  his 
profession;  as  a  citizen,  he  is  libei'al  minded  and  public  spirited;  and 
socially  is  a  cultivated  and  genial  gentleman.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
A.,  F.  &  A.  M.  and  I,  0.  0.  F.  fraternities,  and  a  member  of  the  Board 
of  Health.  Dr.  Cooper  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Eliza  A,  New- 
comb,  daughter  of  John  and  Emily  (Bradenj  Newcomb.  Mrs.  Cooper  is 
a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  Darke  County  in  1845.  By  this  union  there 
are  four  children — Sarah  F.,  wife  of  Dr.  Lovell,  Anna  L.,  Armintie  A. 
and  Ronoldes  M. 

E.  W.  CONWELL,  book-keeper  for  L.  Snider,  was  born  in  Wayne 
County,  Ind.,  April  20,  1857,  and  is  the  son  of  J.  B.  and  Mary  C. 
(Tharp)  Conwell,  both  natives  of  Indiana.  J.  B.  Conwell  moved  from 
Wayne  County,  Ind.,  just  after  the  war,  and  lived  in  Indianapolis  two 
years,  when  he  came  to  Kokomo,  where  he  still  lives,  and  where  Mrs.  Con- 
well died  in  1880.  He  has  been  making  his  home  with  his  son,  his  only 
child,  ever  since.  E.  W.  Conwell  attended  the  common  schools  until  he 
came  to  Kokomo  with  his  parents,  when  he  entered  the  hif^h  school, 
graduating  in  the  class  of  1877.  He  taught  school  the  following  winter, 
and  afterward  clerked  in  a  book  store.  July  1,  1880,  he  entered  the 
office  of  L.  Snider  as  book-keeper,  where  he  has  faithfully  discharged  his 
duty  ever  since.  He  was  married,  September  2,  1880,  to  Miss  Ella  H. 
Bowers,  of  Kokomo;  she  was  born  October  30,  1858,  and  is  the  daui'h- 
ter  of  William  and  Sarah  Bowers,  both  natives  of  Ohio.     Mr.  Conwell 

is  a   member  of  the  Congregational  Church. 

s 


316  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

SHERIDAN  COX,  A.  M.,  Superintendent  of  city  schools  at  Ko- 
komo,  was  born  in  Harrison  County,  Ohio,  December  20,  1833.  He  is 
the  son  of  Elijah  and  Christina  (Shepler)  Cox,  who  were  natives  respect- 
ively of  Maryland  and  Ohio.  Elijah  Cox  was  a  millwright,  but  spent 
the  latter  part  of  his  life  upon  a  farm.  Sheridan  Cox,  when  quite  young, 
was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Coshocton  County,  Ohio,  where  he  worked  on 
the  farm  during  the  summer  and  attended  the  district  schools  in  the  win- 
ter ;  he  commenced  teaching  in  1854  ;  taught  district  schools  four  winters, 
attending  preparatory  schools  during  the  summers,  two  of  which  were 
spent  ac  the  McNuley  Normal  School  of  Ohio.  He  entered  the  Ohio 
Wesleyan  University  in  1858,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1862.  He 
was  distinguished  while  in  college  for  proficiency  in  mathematics,  receiv- 
ing the  degree  of  A.  M.  in  1865.  He  removed  to  Illinois  in  1862, 
where  he  taught  Latin  and  Greek  one  year  in  Marshall  College  ;  in 
1863,  he  returned  to  Ohio  and  superintended  the  Roscoe  Graded  Schools; 
in  1864,  he  superintended  the  Canal  Dover  Union  Schools  ;  he  removed  to 
Indiana  in  1865,  and  taught  the  Winchester  Seminary  one  year ;  was  Prin- 
cipal of  the  Logansport  High  Schools  in  1866 ;  in  1867,  he  was  made 
Superintendent  of  all  the  Logansport  Public  Schools,  which  he  organized 
and  graded,  and  remained  there  seven  years,  during  which  period  the 
number  of  teachers  increased  from  eleven  to  twenty-three,  and  the  num- 
ber of  pupils  from  500  to  1,600 ;  in  1873,  he  took  charge  of  the  Kokomo 
Public  Schools,  where  he  is  still  meeting  with  eminent  success.  He  was 
married  at  New  Philadelphia,  Ohio,  October  11,  1866,  to  Mi3s  Bessie 
Goodbarn. 

0.  V.  DARBY,  merchant,  has  a  complete  line  of  dry  goods  and 
carpets,  doing  a  good  business  of  $45,000  to  $50,000  per  year,  and  is 
now  one  among  the  leading  merchants  of  Kokomo.  E.  V.  Darby  was 
born  in  Jackson  Township,  Howard  County,  January  3,  1853,  and 
assisted  his  father  upon  the  farm  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when 
his  father  died.  Soon  after,  he  entered  Wabash  College  at  Crawfordville, 
Ind.,  for  one  year.  He  then  returned  home  and  assisted  his  elder 
brother,  J.  K.,  on  the  farm  for  one  year.  Mr.  Darby  then  entered  a  dry 
goods  store  in  Logansport  as  a  clerk,  at  a  salary  of  $3  per  week.  This 
was  shortly  increased  to  $10.  In  eighteen  months,  he  changed  to  the 
Bee-hive  Store,  where  he  remained  four  years.  He  then  took  charge  of  a 
stock  of  goods  owned  by  William  Dolan,  of  Logansport,  for  three  years. 
Mr.  Dolan  then  began  business  in  Kokomo  with  a  branch  stock  with  Mr. 
Darby  in  charge.  Three  months  later,  Mr.  Darby  and  his  brother,  J.  K., 
purchased  this  stock  of  dry  goods  and  groceries,  occupying  two  rooms  on 
Main  street,  where  they  did  an  extensive  business  under  the  firm  name  of 
0.  V.  Darby  &  Brother,  until  August  1,  1882,  when  J.  K.  Darby  retired 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  317 

and  0.  V.  Darby  became  successor  to  the  firm,  and  is  now  conducting  a 
large  and  successful  dry  goods  and  carpet  trade.  Mr.  Dai'by  started  in 
life  a  poor  boy,  being  left  an  orphan  when  but  seventeen  years  of  aofe, 
but  by  being  industrious  and  economical,  starting  on  $3  per  week,  he  has 
accumulated  a  fair  competency  and  is  now  receiving  a  good  income.  He 
was  married,  in  1879,  to  Miss  Eveline  Vinnedge,  of  Kokomo.  One  daugh- 
ter, Anna  E.,  blesses  this  union.  Mrs.  Darby  is  member  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church.  Mr.  Darby  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  one  of 
the  enterprising  public-spirited  business  men  of  Kokomo. 

Dr.  JAMES  M.  DARNALL,  President  and  book-keeper  of  the 
Kokomo  Milling  Company,  was  born  in  Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  June  28, 
1817.  He  was  the  eldest  of  eight  children  born  to  Zenas  and  x^o-nes 
(Bridges)  Darnall,  both  of  English  descent.  His  perents  were  reared  in 
Kentucky,  and  were  married  in  1816.  In  1822,  they  moved  North  to 
Decatur  County,  Ind.,  where  his  father  bought  a  partially  improved  farm. 
Here  he  lived  a  few  years,  when  he  sold  his  land  and  bought  IGO  acres 
near  by.  He  afterward  sold  this  and  moved  into  Shelby  County, 
thence  into  Boone  County  in  1854,  where  he  purchased  a  farm,  on 
which  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1857,  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years. 
His  wife  died  in  Decatur  County,  aged  fifty-four  years.  Both  were 
prominent  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Dr.  Darnall  assisted  his 
father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  old,  when  he  entered 
Hanover  College,  Avhich  he  attended  at  intervals  for  three  years.  He 
also  taught  school  part  of  the  time,  after  which  he  studied  medicine 
for  two  years  at  Connersville,  Ind.,  with  Dr.  Brown,  teaching  in 
the  meantime.  In  the  spring  of  1812,  he  located  at  Burlington,  Carroll 
County,  where  he  began  to  practice  medicine  \^ith  Dr.  Anderson.  Dr. 
Darnall  remained  at  Burlington  twenty- two  years,  twenty  of  which  he 
had  been  practicing  for  himself.  He  met  with  good  success,  having  a  large 
practice.  His  health  failed  him  and  he  was  induced  to  come  to  Kokomo 
in  1864.  He  practiced  here  two  years,  when  he  entered  the  drug 
business  with  his  brother  and  J.  M.  Scotton.  The  firm  of  Darnall, 
Scotton  &  Co.  continued  in  business  until  1873,  when  Simpson  B. 
Darnall  died,  and  the  firm  of  Darnall  &  Scotton  became  successors,  con- 
tinuing five  years,  when  our  subject  retired  from  the  drug  trade,  and 
soon  after  became  owner  of  one-third  of  the  stock  in  the  Kokomo  Mill- 
ing Company,  and  has  been  superintending  since.  He  has  been  a 
lively,  energetic  business  man,  and  has  been  eminently  successful 
through  life.  Mr.  Darnall  was  married,  in  1845,  to  Miss  Mary  Gwinn, 
of  Carroll  County,  Ind.  She  was  tlie  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Magdalene 
Gwinn,  and  was  born  in  December,  1823.  They  have  one  adopted  daugh- 
ter, Mary  E.     Mr.  Darnall  was  in  early  life  a  Whig,  and  later  a  Repub- 


318  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

lican.  He  has  been  City  Councilman  and  Mayor.  In  1874,  he  was 
elected  as  Representative  of  Howard  County.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  0.  0.  F.  and  he  and  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

Dr.  henry  DAVIS  is  a  native  of  Miami  County,  Ohio,  and 
was  born  August  18,  1811.  His  father,  John  Davis,  was  a  native  of 
Georgia,  and  his  mother,  Lydia  (Coate),  was  born  in  South  Carolina. 
These  were  married  in  Ohio,  and  they  reared  a  family  of  four  sons  and 
one  daughter,  the  mother  dying  in  1826,  and  the  father  in  1852.  Dr. 
Davis  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  went  three  miles  to  the  common  school. 
He  taught  some  during  his  youth,  and  upon  reaching  manhood  began 
the  study  of  medicine,  after  which  he  practiced  for  about  eighteen  years, 
when  he  became  disgusted  with  his  profession,  and  leaving  a  good  prac- 
tice, he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  West  Milton,  untilJanuary, 
1863,  when  he  removed  his  stock  of  goods  to  Kokomo,  where  he,  togeth- 
er with  his  sons,  was  among  the  leading  merchants,  doing  a  business  of 
from  ^75,000  to  $150,000  per  year.  In  1875,  he  sold  out  to  his  sons 
and  has  since  lived  a  retired  life,  except  superintending  a  well-stocked 
farm  near  town.  He  is  a  strong  temperance  man  and  a  member  of  the 
Republican  party.  In  1876,  he  was  elected  Township  Trustee  of  Centre 
Towmhip.  He  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Henry  Clay,  in  1832. 
He  was  married,  December  11,  1838,  to  Miss  Eve  H.  Newman,  of  Mun- 
cie,  Ind.  She  was  born  August  10,  1816.  They  had  four  sons — Or- 
lando M.,  Theodore  A.,  Edwin  L.  and  Omar  N.  Mrs.  Davis  was  a  true 
mother  and  loving  companion.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  from  childhood,  and  was  one  of  the  prominent  workers 
in  the  Orphans'  Home  Association,  of  which  she  was  President  for  a 
number  of  years.     She  died  January  3,  1883,  aged  sixty-six  years. 

SAMUEL  DAVIS,  of  the  firm  of  S.  Davis  &  Sons,  was  born 
August  2,  1813,  in  Miami  County,  Ohio.  At  the  age  of  thirteen,  being 
left  an  orphan,  he  began  the  battle  of  life  for  himself.  He  worked  at 
whatever  his  hands  found  to  do  until  1829,  when  he  secured  a  clerkship 
in  a  general  store,  working  six  months  at  $6  per  month,  after  which  he 
worked  on  the  farm  for  a  year,  when  he  learned  the  blacksmith  trade. 
He  worked  at  this  eighteen  months  at  $6.50  per  month,  saving  from  his 
labors  $102.50.  With  this  money,  he  walked  eighty  miles,  and  made  an 
entry  of  eighty  acres  of  wild  land  in  Miami  County,  Ohio,  having  but 
18  cents  left  on  his  return.  Soon  after,  he  commenced  clerking  in  a  dry 
goods  store.  Shortly  after  he  traded  his  land,  which  was  valued  at  $200, 
and  gave  bond  for  a  deed  when  he  became  of  age.  He  then  clerked  in 
Richmond  one  year,  and  in  the  spring  of  1834  became  a  partner  in  a 
dry  goods   house,  owning    a   one- third   interest.     He   made   numerous 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  319 

changes  until  1839,  when  he  began  the  study  of  law.  In  January,  1840, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  McConnell,  of  Hamilton,  Ohio,  daughter 
of  Jesse  McConnell.  Six  children  have  blessed  this  union,  the  four  old- 
est dying  young  (one  daughter  and  three  sons).  Two  sons — Henry 
C.  and  Walter  H. — are  still  living.  Mr.  Davis  taught  school  six  months 
at  $16  per  month,  and  kept  hotel  in  Milton,  Ohio,  for  eighteen  months. 
In  1844,  he  began  the  mercantile  business  again,  continuing  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  In  1857-58,  he  built  and  took  a  one-third  interest  in  a 
distillery,  which  he  sold  the  same  year,  clearing  $5,000  during  this  year's 
business.  He  was  always  enterprising  and  bought  anything  that  came 
into  market  that  he  could  handle,  and  in  1860  he  was  worth  about 
$20,000.  He  removed  to  Tippecanoe  City,  Ohio,  where  he  was  elected 
Probate  Judge  of  Miami  County  in  1860.  The  same  year  he  located  at 
Troy,  where  he  took  his  seat  in  1861.  He  was  re-elected  in  1863,  and 
served  six  years.  During  his  oflRcial  life,  he  had  a  half-interest  in  the 
largest  dry  goods  house  of  Troy,  a  half-interest  in  a  boot  and  shoe  store 
and  a  two-thirds  interest  in  a  warehouse.  He  was  worth  $75,000  when 
he  came  to  Kokomo  in  1872,  and  started  a  dry  goods  store.  He  has  been 
an  active  merchant  ever  since,  but  the  last  few  years  he  has  depended 
upon  his  sons,  Henry  M.  and  Walter  C,  to  conduct  the  business.  Mr. 
Davis  is  one  of  the  largest  real  estate  owners  in  Kokomo,  and  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Howard  National  Bank,  of  which  he  is  one  of  the  Direct- 
ors. He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1843,  in  Adams  County,  Ind.,  but 
he  never  practiced  law.  He  is  a  Master  Mason,  and  has  occupied  all  the 
chairs  in  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  Mrs.  Davis  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Mr.  Davis  is  a  liberal  supporter  of  all  benevolent  and  business 
enterprises,  and  the  firm  of  S.  Davis  k  Sons  is  one  of  the  leading  busi- 
ness firms  of  Kokomo,  and  is  represented  by  a  capital  of  about  $100,000, 
A.  F.  DAYHUFF,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Orange  County,  Ind.,  in 
1827.  He  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Rachel  (Smith)  Dayhuff,  natives 
of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  His  father  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Indiana,  and  settled  in  an  early  day  in  Paoli,  Orange  County,  where  he 
remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred  January  27, 1863.  His  motlier 
died  in  1839,  and  subsequently  his  father  married  the  second  time. 
Daniel  Dayhuff  served  as  Sheriff  of  that  county  for  twenty-one  years, 
after  which  he  kept  a  hotel.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity. The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second  of  a  family  of  six 
children,  and  received  a  good  common  school  education,  after  which  he 
attended  the  State  University  at  Bloomington,  Ind.  He  then  clerked 
in  a  mercantile  store  in  New  Albany  nearly  a  year,  but  on  account  of 
his  health,  returned  home.  He  began  reading  medicine  with  Dr.  Will- 
iam   Sherrod,  of  Paoli,  remaining    with  him   four  years.     Sebsequently 


820  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

he  went  to  Chicago  and  took  a  full  course  of  medicine  and  surgery  in  the 
Rush  Medical  College.  In  May,  1853,  he  came  to  Kokomo  to  obtain 
rest,  was  induced  to  begin  practice  here,  and  formed  a  partnership  with 
Dr.  James,  with  whom  he  remained  about  three  years.  He  has  been  in 
active  practice  ever  since,  and  has  been  in  partnership  with  Drs.  Savill, 
Richmond  and  Martin.  He  has  always  had  a  very  extensive  practice  in 
the  city  and  county;  has  also  been  one  of  the  most  extensive  real  estate 
dealers  in  the  city,  and  was  the  originator  of  the  Dayhuif,  Sharp  &  Arm- 
strong Block.  He  has  owned  valuable  farming  lands,  but  through  the 
panic  he  lost  a  large  fortune  which  had  been  accumulated  by  years  of 
labor.  Dr.  Dayhuff  is  a  member  of  the  State  and  County  Medical  So- 
cieties, and  of  the  Kokomo  Academy  of  Medicine.  He  was  married, 
November  1,  1855,  to  Miss  Addie  Frazier,  of  New  Albany,  Ind.,  born 
in  Lawrence  County,  Ind.,  January  26,  1834,  This  union  has  been 
blessed  with  six  children — Sallie,  wife  of  Byron  Haskett;  Daniel  F.,  now 
in  the  Pension  Office  at  Washington,  D.  C;  Jessie  F.,  Mollie  P.,  Mattie 
(deceased),  and  Julia  (deceased).  Dr.  Dayhuff  is  an  active  politician  in 
the  Republican  ranks,  and  Avas  appointed  by  the  Government  as  Pension 
Examiner  in  March,  1881,  in  which  position  he  is  still  serving.  He 
ranks  high  among  the  enterprising  and  public-spirited  citizens  of  Howard 
County,  and  is  an  esteemed  and  honored  gentleman. 

JAMES  W.  DeHAVEN  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Ohio,  March 
17,  1833,  and  is  the  second  of  the  nine  children  born  to  John  and  Athal- 
iah  DeHaven,  natives  of  Virginia,  who,  about  1820,  settled  in  Greene 
County,  where  the  father  followed  milling  for  about  twenty-five  years. 
James  W.  learned  the  business  of  his  father  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years  found  ready  employment  at  various  points  in  Ohio,  Indiana  and 
Illinois.  October  19,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Seventy-fourth 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  soon  appointed  Sergeant;  in  the  fall 
of  1862,  he  was  discharged,  and  the  following  spring  was  commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant  in  the  State  militia,  which  commission  he  resigned  in 
July,  1863,  and  settled  in  Howard  Township,  this  county,  farming  for 
two  years  ;  for  the  ten  years  following,  he  was  engaged  at  milling  in  various 
parts  of  the  county.  He  next  held  the  position  of  Tollmaster  on  the 
Kokomo,  Greentown  &  Jerome  pike,  and  in  1880  was  elected  Sherifl" 
of  the  county,  which  office  he  held  one  term.  In  Greene  County,  Ohio, 
April  17,  1863,  he  married  Miss  Mary  V.  Crouse,  a  native  of 
Berkeley  County,  Va.,  who  died  July  8,  1880,  the  mother  of  four  chil- 
dren— Charles  A.,  Nora,  John  F.  and  Addie  (the  last  deceased).  During 
his  shrievalty  he  was  very  unfortunate,  losing  his  wife  and  child  and  con- 
siderable property.  He  is  a  Freemason,  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A. 
R.,  and  a  Republican,  and  for  twenty-five  years  has  been  a  member  of  the 
^Icthodist  Church. 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  321 

ALEXANDER  H.  DUKE  is  of  the  firm  of  Duke  Bros.'  bakery  and 
confectionery,  which  was  established  in  1860.  He  is  a  native  of  Ross 
County,  Ohio  ;  was  born  September  15,  1840,  and  when  but  an  infant 
his  parents  located  at  Delphi,  Ind.  His  father,  David  D.,  was  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania  and  of  German  descent.  His  mother,  Jane  Duke,  was 
born  in  Kentucky,  of  Irish  parents.  They  reared  a  family  of  nine  chil- 
dren, Alexander  H.  being  the  eldest.  D.  D.  Duke  was  a  miller  by  trade, 
and  has  for  the  past  twenty  years  been  proprietor  of  a  bakery  and  con- 
fectionery store,  now  located  at  Silver  Lake,  Ind.  A.  H.  Duke  acquired 
a  good  common  school  education.  He  assisted  his  father  in  the  mill 
until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  enlisted  in 
Company  C,  Forty-sixth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
in  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  and  Fourth  Division,  Avhich  formed 
a  part  of  the  Army  of  the  Gulf  He  participated  in  the  following 
hard-fought  battles:  St.  Charles,  Ark.,  Grand  Gulf,  Magnolia  Hill, 
Raymond,  Miss.,  Champion  Hill,  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  and  then  with 
Gen.  Bank's  division,  and  during  this  raid  his  regiment  was  defeated  for 
the  first  time.  He  served  for  three  years  and  four  months,  and  was  hon- 
orably discharged  December  10,  1864.  During  the  second  year  of  his 
service,  he  was  promoted  as  First  Duty  Sergeant.  After  he  was  discharged, 
he  returned  to  his  home  in  Kokomo  and  engaged  in  the  business  which 
he  has  since  followed.  He  was  elected  City  Marshal  in  1868  and  in  1878 
he  was  elected  Sheriif  of  Howard  County,  serving  one  term.  He  is  a 
Republican,  and  has  been  an  active  politician  and  a  liberal  supporter  of 
of  public  enterprises.  Mr.  Duke  was  married,  in  1869,  to  Miss  Louisa 
Clattabuck,  of  Eaton,  Ohio.  They  have  two  children.  May  and 
Georgia.     Mr.  Duke  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic   fraternity. 

ROBERT  DUNGAN  is  the  fifth  of  six  children  born  to  William 
and  Elizabeth  (Dawson)  Dungan,  both  natives  of  West  Virginia  and  of 
English  descent.  His  parents  came  to  Indiana  in  an  early  day,  locating 
in  Fayette  County,  where  Robert  was  born  December  15,  1834.  He  re- 
mained with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  working 
on  the  farm  and  attending  the  district  schools.  He  began  working  at  the 
plasterer's  trade  when  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  his  first  work  was 
to  plaster  the  Fayette  County  Court  House.  He  came  to  Howard  County 
in  1860  and  located  in  the  village  of  Tampico.  Here  he  opened  a  gen- 
eral store,  and  in  connection  with  this  bought  grain  and  wood.  In  the 
spring  of  1871,  he  came  to  Kokomo  and  is  at  present  working  at  his  trade. 
Mr.  Dungan  was  married  in  the  spring  of  1851,  to  Maria  J.  Halsey  (de- 
ceased), a  native  of  Ohio.  Two  children  crowned  this  union,  Laura  and  Alice, 
both  deceased.  He  was  married,  April  13,  1857,  to  Sarah  A.  Halsey, 
a  sister  of  his  fii'st  wife.      They  have  had  four  children — Martha  C.  (de- 


322  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

ceased),  born  July  12,  1858 ;  Sornitia  B.  (deceased),  born  October  28, 
1860;  Robert  E.,  born  December  31,  1861,  and  one  infant  (deceased).  He 
and  his  son  Robert  E.  are  both  engaged  working  at  the  plasterer's  trade, 
and  are  contracting  very  extensively.  His  son  is  also  an*  expert  at  his 
profession.  Mr.  Dungan  cast  his  first  vote  for  the  Democratic  party,  but 
is  now  one  of  the  most  active  workers  in  the  Republican  ranks. 

JAMES  F.  ELLIOTT  is  a  native  of  Preble  County,  Ohio,  was  born 
May  6,  1840,  and  is  the  son  of  S.  and  Mary  (Hornaday)  Elliott, 
both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  Irish  descent.  His  parents  moved 
to  Grant  County  in  1848.  Here  the  son  worked  on  the  farm  until  1860, 
when  he  left  home,  and  employed  his  time  teaching  and  attending  school 
at  Logansport,  Ind.,  until  the  fall  of  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company 
I,  Eighth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a  private.  This  reg- 
iment formed  a  part  of  the  Army  of  the  Southwest,  and  later  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee.  The  first  battle  he  engaged  in  was  at  Pea 
Ridge,  Ark.,  and  afterward  he  participated  at  Magnolia  Hill,  Jackson, 
Miss.,  Champion  Hill  and  lUack  River  Bridge.  Finally,  during  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  Mr.  Elliott  was  shot  through  his  right  arm  by  a  mus- 
ket ball,  causing  the  amputation  of  his  arm  on  the  fifth  day  after  he  was 
wounded.  He  remained  in  the  hospital  at  Evansville  for  two  months, 
when  he  came  home  on  a  furlough.  Late  in  the  fall  of  1863,  he  made  an 
application  for  a  discharge,  which  was  granted  him.  He  then  began 
teaching — going  to  school  at  intervals — until  the  fall  of  1865,  when  he 
entered  the  sophomore  class  in  Asbury  University,  where  he  graduated 
in  the  classical  course  in  1868.  He  then  began  the  study  of  law,  and, 
during  the  winter  of  1868-69,  he  attended  the  law  school  at  Ann  Arbor, 
Mich.,  and  in  the  following  April  he  came  to  Kokomo,  and  entered  the 
law  office  of  C.  N.  Pollard  as  a  student,  remaining  the  rest  of  the  year, 
during  which  time  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  January,  1870.  he 
began  the  practice  of  law  in  Howard  County,  and,  being  an  active  Re- 
publican, the  next  fall  he  was  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney,  and  was  re- 
elected in  1872.  He  has  been  actively  engaged  in  his  practice  ever  since 
in  civil  courts.  He  was  married,  in  1870,  to  Miss  Sarah  Conarroe,  of 
West  Elkton,  Ohio,  and  daughter  of  Caleb  and  Anna  (Carter)  Conarroe. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elliott  have  two  children — Mary  D.  and  Earl  C.  Mr.  El- 
liott is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  both 
active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

ANDREW  ELLIS  was  born  in  the  village  of  Economy,  Wayne  Co., 
Ind.,  September  17,  1841.  His  father,  Samuel  Ellis,  was  of  English, 
and  his  mother,  Abigail  Key,  of  English  and  German  descent.  Both 
were  natives  of  East  Tennessee.  Soon  after  their  marriage,  they  immi- 
grated to  Indiana,  and  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Wayne   County, 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  323 

locating  at  Economy,  where  the  father  followed  his  trade — blacksmith! ng 
— until  the  year  1850,  when,  with  his  family,  he  removed  to  Union 
Township,  Howard  County,  where  he  remained  till  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred Septeifiber  1,  1866.  During  the  ten  years  following  their  arrival 
in  Howard  County,  A.  Ellis,  who  was  one  of  the  younger  members  of 
the  family,  attended  the  common  schools  of  the  county,  and  assisted  his 
older  brothers  in  clearing  up  a  farm,  from  what  was  then  an  almost  un- 
broken wilderness.  In  1861,  he  attended  high  school  at  New  London, 
under  Prof.  Lewis  Estes,  and  in  1862  the  State  Normal  School  at  Koko- 
mo,  under  Prof.  J.  Baldwin.  These  completed  his  school  studies.  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1863,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Armina  Jones,  youngest  daughter 
of  Moses  and  Eunice  Jones,  who  were  pioneers  of  eastern  Howard  Coun- 
ty. During  the  same  year,  he  built  a  house  on  his  father's  farm,  and 
commenced  housekeeping.  Here,  on  May  11, 1864,  was  born  Miss  Belle 
Ellis,  their  only  child.  In  the  fall  of  1865,  he  removed  with  his  family 
to  Livingston  County,  Mo.,  where  he  taught  school  during  the  winter  of 
1865-66,  and  in  May,  1866,  returned  to  Indiana,  stopping  at  Windfiill. 
During  the  three  years  following,  he  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  How- 
ard and  Tipton  Counties.  In  the  summer  of  1869,  he  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  the  study  of  telegraphy,  and,  upon  the  resignation  of  W.  H.  H. 
Lancaster,  he  was  appointed  agent  for  the  P.,  C.  &  St.  L.  R.  R.,  at  Wind- 
fall, and  took  charge  of  the  office  November  1,  1869.  December  15, 
1881,  he  was  transferred  to  the  agency  of  the  same  road  at  Kokomo,  suc- 
ceeding Mr.  John  M.  Ray.  Mr.  Ellis  is  thoroughly  qualified  for  the  po- 
sition, and  is  a  favorite  with  the  community. 

WILLIAM  B.  ELSON,  proprietor  of  the  Farmers'  Hotel  in  Koko- 
mo, and  a  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Marion  County,  Ind.,  and  was  born 
March  2,  1838.  He  is  the  son  of  Nicholas  and  Lucy  (Orme)  Elson,  na- 
tives of  Kentucky.  His  parents  were  married  in  Kentucky,  and  settled 
in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  in  an  early  day,  and  were  among  the  pioneers 
of  Indiana.  They  resided  in  Marion  County  until  their  deaths,  that  of 
the  father  occurring  October  21,  1851,  and  the  mother  October  22, 1855. 
Mr.  Elson,  Sr.,  held  the  office  of  Sheriff  of  Lewis  County,  Ky.,  and  was 
a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  held  the  rank  of  Fourth  Sergeant  un- 
der Capt.  Logan,  of  the  Kentucky  militia.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  the  ninth  son  and  youngest  child.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  his 
native  county,  where  he  remained  until  1860,  with  the  exception  of  two 
years,  when  he  traveled  as  collection  agent  for  an  Indianapolis  firm.  In 
December,  1860,  he  came  to  Howard  County,  and  located  in  Taylor 
Township,  upon  111  acres  of  land,  which  he  purchased.  Here  he  re- 
mained until  1865,  when  he  removed  to  Centre  Township,  upon  a  farm  of 
100  acres.     He,  in  1880,  returned  to  Taylor  Township,  and  farmed  until 


324  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

December,  1882,  when  he  purchased  the  hotel  of  which  he  is  the  present 
proprietor.  He  also  owns  100  acres  of  fine  farming  land  in  Taylor 
Township.  Mr.  Elson  was  married  in  December,  1862,  to  Miss  Flor- 
ence Garr,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  who  lived  in  Howard  County  at  the 
time  of  their  marriage.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  four  children 
— Charles  0.,  Belle,  Otto  and  Pearl.  Mr.  Elson  is  a  worthy  citizen,  and 
a  prominent  member  of  the.  Masonic  fraternity. 

LEWIS  L.  FELLOWS  was  born  in  Wells  County,  Ind.,  September 
29,  1853,  and  is  the  son  of  George  C.  and  Mary  J.  (Hutchinson)  Fel- 
lows, natives  respectively  of  Vermont  and  Pennsylvania,  and  early  settlers 
of  Wells  County,  this  State.  About  1863,  the  family  removed  to  Ver- 
million County,  111.,  where  Lewis  was  educated  and  reared  to  ma- 
turity, when  he  removed  to  Fithian,  III.,  learned  telegraphy  and  was 
appointed  ticket  agent  and  operator  for  the  Indianapolis,  Bloomington  & 
Western  Railroad  Company ;  four  years  later,  he  was  stationed  at  James- 
town, Ind.,  where  for  four  years  longer  he  filled  the  same  position  ; 
he  next  located  at  Kokomo,  where  he  is  now  officiating  as  agent  for  the 
Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Railroad  Company.  He  was  married  in 
Jamestown,  Ind.,  October  15,  1879,  to  Miss  Anna  M.  Piersol,  who 
was  born  in  Reading,  Penn.,  October  19,  1858,  and  who  is  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Sarah  (Hull)  Piersol.  Mr.  Fellows  is  a  member  of  the  F. 
&  A.  M.,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

DAVID  FOSTER  (deceased),  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  How- 
ard County,  was  born  in  Albemarle  County,  Va.,  July  30,  1808.  At  the 
age  of  nineteen,  he  settled  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  and  learned  the 
cabinet-making  trade.  After  acquiring  his  trade,  he  went  to  Moores- 
ville,  Morgan  County,  and  was  there  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Grant, 
January  17,  1832.  This  union  was  blessed  with  eleven  children.  In 
1835,  Mr.  Foster  moved  to  Burlington,  Carroll  County,  and  began  to 
trade  with  the  Indians.  In  March,  1840,  he  located  in  Ervin  Township, 
this  county,  where  he  opened  up  a  trading  post,  but  in  the  fall  of  1842, 
he  removed  to  Center  Township  and  took  possession  of  the  cabin 
erected  by  the  Indiana  chief,  Kokomo.  Here  he  opened  a  trading 
post,  and  for  many  years  dealt  largely  with  the  Indians.  Mr.  Foster  was 
an  active  factor  in  the  organization  of  the  county,  and  gave  largely  to 
public  improvement  and  the  advancement  of  religion  and  education. 
Before  the  location  of  the  county  seat,  the  Commissioners  told  Mr. 
Foster  that  they  would  locate  the  county  seat  here  if  he  would  donate 
forty  acres  and  build  a  log  court  house  24x24  feet,  put  in  puncheon 
floors  and  seat  it  with  benches.  This  he  agreed  to  do,  and  Kokomo, 
the  county  seat,  was  laid  out.  At  this  time,  Mr.  Foster  was  the  only 
white    resident  in    this  locality.     He   also  donated  the  ground   for  the 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  325 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  parsonage,  and  Normal  School  build- 
ing. Mr.  Foster  died  November  27,  1877,  aged  sixty-nine  years,  having 
survived  his  wife  only  a  few  years.  Thus  passed  from  earth  another 
landmark,  another  pioneer,  a  man  largely  identified  with  the  material 
progress  of  the  county  whose  birth  he  had  witnessed,  and  whose  growth 
he  had  assisted  and  watched  for  thirty-three  years. 

HON.  MILTON  GARRIGUS  was  bo'rn  September  27,  1831,  in 
Centre  Township,  Wayne  County,  Ind.  His  paternal  ancestors  were 
natives  of  France.  His  grandfather  Garrigus  was  a  soldier  in  the 
American  Revolution,  and  his  father,  Timothy  Lindley  Garrigus,  a  native 
of  New  Jersey,  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  under  Gen.  Harrison.  He 
became  one  of  the  leading  pioneer  ministers  of  Indiana,  and  was  widely 
known  for  his  power  and  earnestness.  He  was  a  prominent  Abolitionist 
and  Free-Soiler,  nominated  as  such  for  Representative  from  Wayne 
County  in  1844,  and  for  Senator,  from  Howard  County,  in  1852,  but  as 
the  third  party  was  not  then  in  the  majority,  he  was  not  elected.  He  was 
in  full  sympathy  and  accord  with  the  people,  and  when  the  memorable 
struggle  between  freedom  and  slavery  occurred,  in  1856,  on  the  plains  of 
Kansas,  he  promptly  shouldered  his  Sharpe's  rifle  and  hastened  toward 
the  scene  of  strife.  On  his  way,  he  was  fatally  stricken  with  pneumonia 
at  Omaha,  and  there  he  sleeps  on  the  banks  of  the  Missouri  River.  His 
son  Milton  inherited  many  of  his  traits.  After  alluding  to  his  father's 
calling  (the  ministry)  in  that  early  day,  from  1820  to  1849,  it  is  super- 
fluous to  add  that  Milton  "enjoyed  no  royal  road  to  learning,"  but  by 
a  natural  aptitude  and  a  great  deal  of  painstaking  industry  he  has  de- 
veloped into  a  fair  English  scholar  of  a  large  and  liberal  reading.  It 
is  a  treat  and  pleasure  to  gain  access  to  his  large  and  valuable  law  and 
private  library,  the  law  library  being  much  the  largest  in  Kokorao.  Thus 
he  has  indulged  his  tastes  and  become  very  familiar  with  ancient, 
modern  and  current  history,  and  evened  up  by  teaching  school  for  seven- 
teen terms,  which  was  a  mutual  educational  aflair  for  teacher  and  pupils. 
Since  his  twenty-first  year,  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Howard  County, 
where  he  varied  life  by  staking  out  a  claim  in  the  "  Indian  Reserve  " 
February  23,  1847,  and  staying  there,  keeping  "  bachelor's  hall  "  for  nine 
months  in  a  primitive  log  cabin  until  his  father's  family  came  from  Wayne 
County.  By  virtue  of  his  long  experience  as  school  teacher,  he  came  to 
be  regarded  as  a  practical  educator,  and  was  School  Examiner  of  his 
county  in  1859,  1860  and  1861,  and  County  Superintendent  of  Schools 
in  1875,  1876,  1877  and  1878,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  the  position 
of  State  Senator  for  Howard  and  Miami  Counties,  to  which  position  he 
was  elected  in  October,  1878,  by  433  majority  over  Mr.  Bell,  the  most 
popular  Democrat  in  the  district ;  and  he  received  194  majority  over  Mr. 


326  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Bell  in  Centre  Township,  in  which  Kokomo  is  situated,  where  they  each 
then  resided,  and  where  they  still  are  citizens  in  the  legal  profession. 
During  his  term  as  School  Superintendent,  teachers  from  far  and  near 
flocked  to  Howard  County  for  examination.  The  examinations  were  more 
practical  than  technical,  and  a  certificate  or  license  signed  by  Milton 
Garrigus  was  everywhere  received  as  the  best  pi-oof  of  the  bearer's  fitness 
for  teaching.  He  was  many  years  a  member  of  the  State  Teachers' 
Association.  He  was  a  farmer  until  1858,  when  he  was  appointed  Post- 
master at  Greentown  and  removed  to  that  village  and  engaged  in  the 
study  and -practice  of  law.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1859.  In 
1870,  he  entered  into  partnership  with  the  late  Col.  C.  D,  Murray,  of 
the  Eighty-ninth  Indiana  Volunteers.  He  was  afterward  senior  of  the 
law  firm  of  Garrigus  &  Ingels,  and  for  a  term  of  about  five  years  he 
•was  associated  with  Judge  James  O'Brien  until  the  fall  of  1880,  since 
which  time  he  has  had  no  law  partner.  He  resided  on  his  farm  from 
1865  to  1870,  when  he  removed  to  Kokomo,  and  devoted  his  time  to  his  law 
practice.  In  August,  1861,  he  resigned  the  post  office  to  enlist  as  a  private 
in  Company  D,  Thirty-ninth  Indiana  Infantry,  afterward  the  Eighth 
Indiana  Cavalry.  At  the  special  request  of  his  Captain,  he  served  as 
company  clerk  while  in  that  company.  With  400  others  he  was  made 
prisoner  at  Perryville,  Ky.,  in  October,  1862,  but  was  paroled  by  Gen. 
Kirby  Smith,  at  Nicholasville,  a  few  days  later.  In  May,  1864,  while 
at  home  with  his  regiment  on  veteran  furlough,  he,  with  Capt.  B.  Busby, 
recruited  Company  A,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-seventh  Regiment  In- 
diana Volunteers,  for  the  100  days'  service,  was  at  once  commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant,  then  First  Lieutenant,  and  on  May  25,  1864,  at  the 
organization  of  the  regiment,  he  was  chosen  and  commissioned  Adjutant, 
serving  as  such  until  September  20, 1864,  when  the  regiment  was  mustered 
out  by  reason  of  expiration  of  term  of  service,  also  serving  much  of  said 
term  as  Post  Adjutant,  at  Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  and  also  for  a  time  as  A. 
A.  A.  G.  of  the  brigade.  He  then  enlisted  a  number  of  men  for  the 
One  Hundred  and  Fortieth  Indiana  Regiment,  and  also  Company  I,  One 
Hundred  and  Forty-second  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  continued  on  the  up- 
grade by  becoming  its  Captain;  mustered  as  such  November  3,  1864;  they 
hurried  forward  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  to  oppose  the  northward  march  of 
Gen.  Hood.  After  the  battle  of  Nashville,  from  December,  1864,  to  July 
26,  1865,  he  served  as  Inspector  of  the  Second  Brigade,  Fourth  Division, 
Twentieth  Army  Corps,  having  been  selected  to  the  position  through  com- 
petitive examination  by  an  officer  of  the  regular  army.  This  promotion 
assigned  him  to  the  staff  of  Gen.  E.  C.  Mason,  a  graduate  of  West  Point, 
and  formerly  Inspector  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  At  the  close  of 
his  army  service  near  the  1st  of  August,  1865,  he  received  many  flatter- 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  327 

ing  testimonials   from  the  officers  of  his   brigade,    including  the  General 

commanding,  a  portion  of  which  we  are  permitted  to  copy  : 

Nashville,  Tena.,  August  '2,  1865. 
Catt.   Milton  Garrigus  (late)  Assistant  Inspector  General  : 

Sir  :  '"  *  ■•'  *  *  i  can  now  say  what  it  would  not  have  been  proper  for 
me  to  say  while  we  were  together — that  is — that  I  always  considered  you  an  officer  of 
rare  ability.  I  have  known  many  officers  in  the  Inspector's  Department.  You  were  the 
most  active,  correct  and  faithful,  in  short — the  best  inspector  I  have  ever  known  There 
was  not  an  officer  on  my  staff  I  held  in  higher  esteem,  and  whose  services  I  will  feel  the 
need  of  more  in  my  new  field  of  duty.  *****  it  will  give  me  much  pleasure 
to  hear  from  you  often.  If  at  any  (ime  you  think  I  can  promote  your  interest  in  any 
way,  command  me.  lam,  Captain,  very  truly  and  respectfully  your  friend, 

E.  C.   Mason,  Brigadier    General. 

While  on  parole  in  the  winter  of  1862-63,  he  organized  the  Union 
League  in  the  eastern  part  of  Howard  County,  made  war  speeches  and 
exposed  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle,  which  made  him  bitter  enemies, 
some  of  whom  have  never  forgiven  him.  While  in  the  army,  he  was  war 
correspondent  for  several  newspapers.  Soon  after  the  war,  he  became 
Commander  of  a  Post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  December, 
1881,  he  was  elected  Commander  of  Thomas  J.  Harrison  Post,  No.  30, 
G.  A.  R.,  Department  of  Indiana,  for  the  year  1882,  and  has  now,  April 
1883,  been  re  chosen  for  the  year  1883.  Jones  Military  Lodge,  U.  D., 
of  Freemasons,  was  organized  in  and  accompanied  the  Thirty-ninth  In- 
diana Regiment  during  most  of  its  service,  and  he  was  its  Secretary  for 
more  than  two  years.  In  1859,  he  was  commissioned  D.  D.  G.  W.  C.  T. 
of  the  order  of  Good  Templars,  and  employed  to  canvass  the  northern 
half  of  Indiana  in  the  interests  of  that  order  and  the  temperance  cause. 
He  entered  on  his  work  zealously  and  successfully,  but  the  breaking-out 
of  the  civil  war  prevented  its  entire  execution.  In  1877,  he  was  elected 
as  Councilman  in  the  Second  Ward  of  the  city  of  Kokomo,  and  served 
two  years.  In  the  Legislature  of  1879,  he  was  a  member  of  the  follow- 
ing Senate  committees  :  Public  Buildings,  Congressional  Apportion- 
ment, Ditches  and  Swamp  Lands.  In  the  Legislature  of  1881,  he  was 
chairman  of  the  Senate  Committee  on  Corporations,  and  a  member  of  the 
Committee  on  Railroads.  He  has  long  been  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  for  the 
last  twelve  years  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  as  are  also  his  wife 
and  two  daughters.  He  contributed  over  $1,100  toward  the  erection  of 
their  new  church  building  in  Kokomo.  His  mother,  Elizabeth  Alison 
Garrigus,  was  a  Virginian,  and  expert  with  the  rifle.  For  sixty  years 
she  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  She  died  at  the 
house  of  her  son  Milton,  with  whom  she  lived,  November,  1878,  aged 
near  seventy-nine  years.  Milton  Garrigus  was  married  to  Susan  M. 
Whiteneck,  in  Greentown,  on  the  24th  day  of  February,  1853.  Nine 
children  have  been  born  to  them,  six  of  whom — Louisa  A.,  Ada  A.,  Ed- 


328  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

win  J.,  Allen  C,  Victor  L.  and  Myrtle  M. — are  now  living.  Capt. 
Garrigus  was  early  a  director  and  life  member  of  the  Howard  County 
Agricultural  Society.  At  the  Centennial  Celebration,  July  4,  1876,  he 
was  chosen  Orator  of  the  Day,  and  addressed  a  gathering  of  near  15,000 
people  at  the  fair  grounds  near  Kokomo,  numerous  organizations  attend- 
ing. His  eifort  was  highly  spoken  of,  and  the  occasion  will  long  be  re- 
membered with  pleasure  by  all  who  participated.  Mr.  Garrigus  is  a 
stalwart  Republican  of  long  experience.  He  is  an  affirmative  man  on  all 
subjects  and  occasions.  He  has  opinions  and  expresses  them.  His  first 
Presidential  vote  was  cast  for  Gen.  Scott  in  1852,  then  he  voted  for 
Fremont  in  1856,  and  for  every  Republican  President  chosen  since.  He 
has  been  a  central  committeraan  ever  since  the  Republican  party  was  or- 
ganized, except  only  while  he  was  in  the  army.  He  was  chairman  of 
the  County  Central  Committee  in  the  campaigns  of  1874,  1876,  1880 
and  1882,  and  having  given  probably  more  time  and  money  in  that  direction 
than  any  man  in  the  county,  he  by  his  enthusiasm  and  power  of  organ- 
ization has  done  much  to  make  and  maintain  the  large  and  increasing 
Republican  majorities  in  his  county.  He  has  burned  the  midnight  oil — 
helped  to  clear  three  heavily  timbered  farms  for  his  father  and  one  for 
himself — is  public  spirited  in  all  things  and  has  contributed  hundreds  of 
dollars,  by  subscription,  to  help  build  railroads  through  Howard  County. 
He  helped  organize  and  build  the  Kokomo,  Greentown  &  Jerome  Gravel 
road  and  was  for  years  its  Secretary.  In  1883,  he  was  nominated  by 
President  Arthur  as  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue  for  the  Eleventh 
District  of  Indiana,  and  although  recommended  by  the  Governor,  the 
State  and  his  County  Central  Committee,  the  city  officers  of  Kokomo 
and  many  of  its  business  men,  most  of  the  county  officers,  the  Judges 
of  the  Circuit  and  also  of  the  United  States  Courts,  the  leading:  men  of 
nearly  every  county  in  the  district,  and  numerous  representative  men  from 
different  portions  of  the  State,  by  every  Republican  member  of  the 
Legislature,  many  Democrats  uniting,  yet  by  one  of  the  uncertainties 
and  mutations  of  political  life,  no  action  was  taken  on  his  nomination  by 
the  sub-committee,  to  whom  it  was  referred,  and  finding  that  no  report 
would  be  made  in  the  closing  days  of  the  session  of  1883,  he  withdrew 
his  name,  presenting  and  supporting  the  name  of  T.  M.  Kirkpatrick,  of 
Howard  County,  who  was  appointed  and  confirmed.  In  the  campaign  of 
1882,  the  State  Central  Committee  sent  him  forth  through  the  State  to 
make  Republican  speeches,  although  he  was  and  is  chairman  of  the 
committee  in  his  own  county.  There  have  been  numerous  bolters  and 
some  difficult  campaigns  while  he  has  been  at  the  head  of  his  party  in 
Howard  County,  but  he  has  invariably  organized  victory  instead  of  de- 
feat,  and  has  thus  received  the  plaudits  again  and  again   of  the  Repub- 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  329 

licans  of  Indiana,  and  especially  of  Howard  and  surrounding  counties. 
He  is  still  hale  and  in  the  prime  of  his  powers,  undaunted  in  the  battle 
of  life,  and  bids  fair  to  add  many  years  of  future  usefulness  to  those  al- 
ready past. 

A.  N.  GRANT  was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  August  27, 
1848,  and  was  one  of  nine  children.  His  father,  John  M,,  was  a  native 
of  Ohio  and  of  Scotch  descent ;  his  mother,  Catharine  Grant,  came  from 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  of  German  parentage.  John  M.  Grant  moved  to 
Carroll  County,  Ind.,  in  1851,  locating  in  the  dense  forest,  where  not  a 
tree  had  been  cut,  and  there  erected  his  cabin  home.  He  experienced 
many  of  the  privations  of  the  early  settler.  His  farm  is  located  near 
Burlington,  on  which  he  has  resided  ever  since,  having  cleared  400  acres 
of  heavy  timber ;  he  now  owns  over  700  acres  of  well-improved  land, 
and  is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  in  his  county,  A.  N.  Grant  assisted 
his  father  in  clearing  the  land,  going  to  school  during  the  winters  until  he 
was  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  joined  the  patriotic  boys  and  enlisted 
in  the  spring  of  1864,  in  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-fourth 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a  private.  He  was  honorably 
discharged  in  August,  1865.  When  he  returned  home,  he  worked  on 
the  farm  and  attended  school  during  1865-66,  and  each  successive  winter 
taught  and  attended  school  for  nine  years.  In  1874-75,  he  was  Super- 
intendent of  the  Camden  High  School.  In  the  winter  of  1875-76,  he 
attended  the  law  school  at  Ann  Arbor,  where  he  graduated  in  the  follow- 
ing spring.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Carroll  County  and  com- 
menced the  practice  of  law  in  Howard  County,  in  the  fall  of  1876, 
when  he  became  a  resident  of  Kokomo.  During  1880-81,  he  was 
in  partnership  with  B.  F.  Harness,  in  law  practice,  and  in  an  abstract 
office.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Grant  is  an  enterprising  citi- 
zen, and  has  been  identified  with  all  public  enterprises  of  the  city  since 
he  became  a  resident  of  it.  He  was  married  September  28,  1876,  to  Miss 
Mary  L.  Darnell,  of  Greencastle,  Ind.  One  daughter — Fern  Etta — blesses 
this  union.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  of 
the  Masonic  Order  in  the  Blue  Lodge,  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  of 
the  United  Order  of  Honor  and  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

R.  T.  GROVES  is  the  son  cf  James  A.  Groves,  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  Mary  (McCarty)  Groves,  born  in  Maryland.  His  parents 
came  to  Indiana  in  an  early  day  and  settled  at  Indianapolis.  Mr.  Groves 
was  a  brick  and  stone  mason  by  trade,  and  built  the  old  State  House  at 
Indianapolis,  and  the  Madison  Depot,  the  first  in  that  city.  He  was  a 
pioneer  at  La  Fayette,  and  helped  clear  the  ground  that  the  public  square 
now  occupies.     He  made  and  laid  the  first  brick  in  the  city  of  Craw- 


330  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

fordsville,  Ind.,  and  contracted  and  made  the  Government  improvements 
for  the  Godfrey  tribe  of  Indians  in  Miami  County.  He  took  an  active 
part  in  developing  the  early  railroads  centering  into  Indianapolis,  and 
took  large  contracts  in  many  of  the  internal  improvements  of  this  State. 
After  a  long  and  useful  life,  he  quietly  passed  away  on  April  12,  1876, 
aged  seventy-seven  years.  Robert  T.  Groves,  was  born  in  La  Fayette, 
Ind.,  January  24,  1833,  and  six  years  later  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Rushville,  Ind.,  and  in  a  short  time  was  taken  to  Noblesville,  where  he 
received  the  benefits  of  the  schools  until  seventeen  years  of  age.  He 
then  removed  with  his  parents  to  Lebanon,  Ind.,  where  he  finished  his 
education,  after  which  he  was  employed  by  his  father  on  the  Indianapolis 
&  Cincinnati  Railroad.  Later,  he  engaged  in  the  live-stock  trade,  after 
which  he  followed  pork-packing  five  years  at  Cincinnati,  and  one  year  at 
La  Fayette.  In  1874,  he  came  to  Kokomo,  where  he  has  since  been  en- 
gaged in  the  livery  and  sale  stable  business.  He  was  married  in  Kokomo 
in  July,  1878,  to  Miss  Rebecca  Luillin,  of  Kentucky.  By  this  union 
they  have  two  children — Franklin  E.  and  William  D.  Mr.  Groves  is 
one  of  Kokomo's  leading  citizens  ;  he  has  served  as  City  Councilman,  and 
is  an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party. 

DR.  J.  F.  HENDERSON,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  near 
Lancaster  November  23,  1820.  of  English-Irish  parents.  He  was  the 
second  of  a  family  of  seven  children,  and  passed  his  early  life  on  a  farm. 
In  1833,  the  family  moved  to  Indiana,  coming  through  in  wagons,  and 
camping  one  night  near  the  site  of  the  old  State  house.  They  located  in 
Tippecanoe  County,  and  for  many  years  his  father  kept  a  wayside  inn;  he 
paid  some  attention  to  farming,  and  successfully  conducted  a  cooper  shop, 
in  which  all  his  sons  worked.  Dr.  Henderson  worked  in  the  shop, 
and  attended  the  common  schools.  As  soon  as  he  was  able,  he  began 
teaching,  and,  through  economy,  he  was  soon  enabled  to  pursue  the  high- 
er branches  in  the  academ}'^  at  Jeffersonville.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two, 
he  was  married  to  Cynthia  Ann  Whitson.  They  had  seven  children,  five 
of  whom  are  living  He  began  the  study  of  medicine  at  the  age  of  nine- 
teen, and  in  1847  he  began  to  practice  in  New  London,  where  he  also 
conducted  a  dry  goods  and  drug  store.  In  1855,  he  graduated  from  the 
Ohio  Medical  College  with  the  honors  of  his  class.  His  thesis  on  that 
occasion  was  subsequently  largely  quoted  in  "King's  Work  on  Obstet- 
rics." He  helped  to  found  the  Pioneer,  the  first  newspaper  established 
in  the  county.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  in  slavery  days  a  Free-Soiler. 
His  influence  and  labors  are  thought  to  have  elected  Hon.  J.  E.  McDon- 
ald to  the  Lower  House  over  Hon.  H.  S.  Lane,  the  Whig  candidate.  In 
1860,  Dr.  .Henderson  was  sent  by  the  Democracy  to  the  National  Con- 
vention at  Baltimore,  when   Stephen  A.  Douglas  was  nominated  for  the 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  331 

Presidency.  In  1861,  he  removed  his  family  to  Kokomo,  and  when  the 
war  broke  out,  he  volunteered  his  services.  He  was  elected  Surgeon  of 
the  Eighty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  lor  several 
years  was  Acting  Brigade  Surgeon  of  Fort  Pickering,  Memphis,  Tenn. 
On  his  return  from  the  war,  he  founded  the  City  Book  and  Drug  Store, 
which  he  conducted  until  18t58,  when  he  sold  out  to  besin  the  erection  of 
the  Clinton  Hotel,  in  which  Jay,  Russell  &  Dolman  took  a  half-interest. 
Dr.  Henderson  was  the  founder  and  for  a  few  years  the  editor  of  the  Ko- 
komo Dispatch,  and,  in  1872,  ambitious  to  build  a  permanent  home  for 
the  newspaper,  conceived  the  idea  of  erecting  the  Opera  House.  In  con- 
junction with  M.  Bell  and  H.  H.  Winslow,  the  building  was  completed 
and  opened  to  the  public  in  September,  1873.  •  Dr.  Henderson  now  lives 
on  his  farm  in  Monroe  Township,  having  retired  from  politics  and  active 
business.  He  has  made  many  improvements  in  the  city  of  Kokomo. 
He  was  Postmaster  at  New  London  under  President  Polk,  and  for  two 
terms  served  as  a  member  of  the  Common  Council  of  the  city  of  Koko- 
mo from  the  First  Ward.  Dr.  Henderson  is  truly  a  self-made  man,  and  his 
monument  is  the  improvements  he  has  made  to  the  community  in  which 
he  was  for  nearly  half  a  century  so  active  a  factor. 

JOHN  0.  HENDERSON,  the  senior  editor  of  the  Kokomo  Dispatch, 
was  born  on  the  1st  day  of  September,  1847,  in  the  town  of  New  Lon- 
don, this  county.  His  father  and  mother  are  both  living,  to  rejoice  in 
the  success  of  their  son.  His  father,  John  F.  Henderson,  is  one  of  the 
old  settlers  of  this  county  and  a  pioneer  physician  of  much  more  than 
ordinary  ability.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Cynthia  A.  Whitson. 
New  London  is  noted  for  its  good  schools.  Here  the  youthful  editor 
of  the  Dispatch  received  much  more  than  ordinary  advantages  in 
education.  In  1861,  he  removed  to  Kokomo  with  his  parents,  where 
he  has  ever  since  resided.  He  attended  the  city  schools  from  1861 
until  1865,  when  he  commenced  clerking  in  his  father's  drug  store, 
where  he  remained  until  1868.  He  taught  two  terms  of  district 
school,  between  1865  and  1868,  and  is  thus  a  member  of  that  grand 
army  of  men  who  began  a  successful  career  in  life  by  starting  as  "  a 
common  school  teacher."  In  the  fall  of  1868,  he  entered  Asbury 
University,  then  under  the  Presidency  of  Bishop  Bowman,  where  he  was 
graduated  in  1872.  In  the  summer  of  1873,  he  purchased  an  interest  in 
the  Kokomo  Democrat,  a  little  sheet  founded  by  his  father,  as  the  organ 
of  the  Democratic  party  of  Howard  County.  The  paper  was  struggling 
for  an  existence  on  the  journalistic  sea.  There  was  a  party  majority 
against  the  paper  of  1,200.  The  Tribune,  at  that  time,  was  at  the  zenith 
of  its  power,  edited  by  T.  C.  Philips,  one  of  the  brightest,  most  trenchant 
and  powerful  writers  ever  upon  the  Indiana  press.      Here,   our  youthful 


332  '  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

editor  had  to  contend  for  success  or  failure,  with  a  foeman  worthy  of  any 
man's  steel.  He  could  not  have  had  a  better  schooling.  It  was 
soon  seen  that  he  had  made  no  mistake  in  his  choice  of  a  pro- 
fession. The  paper  at  once  began  to  show  signs  of  improvement.  In 
August,  1875,  the  paper  was  greatly  enlarged  and  its  name  changed 
to  the  Kokomo  Dispatch.  From  the  time  that  J.  0.  Henderson's 
name  appeared  as  one  of  the  editors,  he  has  been  the  chief  writer 
for  the  paper.  The  office  and  job  rooms  are  all  well  supplied  with 
best  materials,  and  the  facilities  for  first-class  work  are  the  best.  To- 
day, no  list  of  leading  weekly  papers  would  be  made  without  plac- 
ino-  the  Kokomo  Dispatch  near  the  top  of  the  list.  Mr.  Henderson 
is  everywhere  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  polished  and  brilliant 
of  the  young  editors  of  the  State.  In  the  campaign  of  1876,  he 
made  his  paper  felt  as  a  power  upon  the  Democratic  side  of  that  fierce 
contest.  In  each  campaign  since  that,  the  Dispatch  has  been  regarded 
as  the  leading  political  paper  of  this  Congressional  district.  During  the 
last  campaign,  the  Dispatch  articles  written  against  L.  P.  Milligan,  in  the 
Huntington-Wells  Senatorial  district,  were  widely  copied.  Oscar  Hen- 
derson is  a  thorough  newspaper  man,  popular  with  the  craft.  As  a 
writer,  he  is  vigorous  and  powerful.  He  has  the  humorous  strongly 
developed  in  his  nature,  and  he  has  the  faculty  of  hitting  oflF  an  oppo- 
nent in  a  few  humorous  sentences,  which  prove  more  effective  than  a 
labored  article  would  be.  He  recognizes  the  duty  he  owes  to  jour- 
nalism, and  no  man  is  more  thoroughly  discriminative  in  his  duties 
as  an  editor,  and  his  relations  as  a  friend.  He  never  allows  his  social  or 
business  relations  to  interfere  with  his  duties  as  a  journalist.  One  thing 
can  be  said  of  him,  that  he  is  no  trimmer,  and  no  stickler  for  the  favor  of 
public  opinion.  Some  of  the  best  known  writers  of  Indiana  journalism 
commenced  their  careers  as  authors  in  the  columns  of  the  Dispatch.  In 
May,  1879,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  George,  daughter  of  William 
W.  George,  who  resides  a  few  miles  west  of  this  city,  and  is  a  prominent 
farmer  of  Clay  Township.  One  boy,  about  one  year  old,  has  come  to 
brighten  their  home. 

HOWARD  EUGENE  HENDERSON,  the  junior  editor  of  the  Ko- 
komo Dispatch,  has  long  been  recognized  as  the  financial  man  of  the  firm. 
To  Howard  E.  Henderson,  more  than  to  any  and  all  other  persons,  is  due 
the  credit  of  making  the  paper  what  it  is  in  a  financial  point  of  view.  He 
became  a  half-owner  of  the  paper,  then  the  Kokomo  Democrat,  in  1874. 
The  paper  has  since  been  owned  by  J.  0.  k  H.  E.  Henderson,  who  are 
its  editors  and  publishers.  Howard  found  a  small  paper,  poorly  equipped 
facilities,  few  subscribers,  and  loaded  down  with  debts.  As  soon  as  he 
became  an  owner  of  the  paper,  he  became  its  local  editor  and   financial 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  333 

manager.  Order  was  soon  evolved  out  of  chaos.  It  was  the  determina- 
tion of  its  financial  manager  that  the  paper  should  be  made  to  pay.  The 
subscription  list  was  low,  advertising  rates  low,  and  job  work  not  plenti- 
ful. At  once  subscriptions  were  solicited,  new  type  was  added  to  the  fa- 
cilities, and  all  was  changed.  As  early  as  1876,  the  Dispatch  became 
known  as  a  wide-awake,  sprightly  Democratic  paper.  Soon  the  debt  was 
paid  off,  the  paper  was  enlarged,  and  a  new  Baxter  engine  was  added,  so 
that  the  old  hand  presses  were  thrown  aside,  and  the  paper  has  since  been 
run  by  steam.  Since  the  campaign  of  1876,  the  Diapatch  has  taken  an 
active  part  each  year.  Howard  E.  Henderson  was  born  in  the  town  of  New 
London,  Howard  Co.,  Ind.,  on  the  22d  day  of  December,  1849.  Here  he 
spent  the  first  twelve  years  of  his  life,  moving  to  Kokomo  with  his  par- 
ents in  1861.  Here  he  attended  the  city  schools  until  1869,  when  he 
entered  Asbury  University,  remaining  two  years,  but  did  not  graduate. 
He  was  foreman  of  his  father's  lumber  yard  for  six  years.  In  1873,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Belle  Williams,  of  Alto,  Ind.,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Thomas  Williams.  He  is  the  father  of  two  children — the  elder,  Frank, 
and  the  younger,  Eva,  He  has  been  for  some  time  the  manager  of  the 
Kokomo  Opera  House,  and  has  shown  himself,  here  as  elsewhere,  a  com- 
petent business  man.  He  has  elevated  the  standard  of  our  amusements 
until  Kokomo  is  recognized  abroad  as  a  town  where  people  know  what 
good  acting  is.  During  the  last  year  we  have  had  some  of  the  best  com- 
panies ever  before  the  footlights. 

DAVID  HEXTER,  son  of  Levi  and  Barbara  Hexter,  was  born  in 
Germany  February  24,  1844,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  in  1849,  At  the  age  of  thirteen,  he  went  to  Pittsburgli,  Penn., 
where  he  learned  butchering,  and  then  went  into  business  for  himself.  In 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Second  West  Virginia  Infantry,  and 
was  three  years  in  active  service,  taking  part  in  the  engagements  at  Phil- 
ippi,  Garrett's  Ford,  Rich  Mountain,  Monterey^  Cross  Keys,  Cedar 
Mouiitain,  second  Bull  Run,  Antietam,  Flat  Rock,  Rocky  Gap,  Lynch- 
burg, etc;  he  was  discharged  in  August,  1864,  when  he  returned  to 
Pittsburgh,  In  1870,  he  came  to  Kokomo  and  engaged  in  the  grocery 
and  butcher  business;  he  now  carries  a  stock  valued  at  .^2,000,  and  his 
transactions  in  1882  amounted  to  $28,000,  May  23,  1867,  he  married 
Miss  Barbara  Mayer,  also  a  native  of  Germany,  and  to  their  union  four 
children  have  been  born — Isador,  Max  F,,  Hattie  and  Samuel  J,  Mr, 
and  Mrs.  H.  are  members  of  the  Hebrew  Church,  and  he  is  also  an  Odd 
Fellow.     Politically,  he  is  identified  with  the  Democratic  party. 

WALTER  HOOPER  was  born  in  England,  November  29,  1829, 
and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Mitcheld)  Hooper.  Thomas 
Hooper  came  to  America  in  1832.     He,  in  a  few  years,  went  back  to 


334  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Enirland,  but  crossed  over  to  America  and  settled  in  New  York.  Here 
Walter  grew  to  manhood,  receiving  a  common  school  education.  He 
worked  at  intervals  for  his  grandfather,  Thomas  Chappell,  an  engineer. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  came  west,  stopping  in  Porter  County,  Ind. 
Having  some  knowledge  of  the  blacksmith  trade,  he  soon  found  employ- 
ment in  Valparaiso,  but  in  a  few  months  he  went  to  Aurora,  111.,  where 
he  remained  until  1858.  He  then  went  to  Montgomery,  Ala.,  and 
worked  at  his  trade  until  the  fall  of  1860,  when  he  located  at  Troy,  N.  Y. 
On  the  day  that  saw  the  beginning  of  the  civil  war,  he  came  to  Indian- 
apolis, Ind.,  and  in  1865  located  at  Kokomo.  He  was  then  worth  $6,- 
000.  He  bought  property  here  and  erected  a  small  blacksmith  shop  and 
began  to  make  buggies.  During  his  first  year's  business,  he  sold  $1,665 
worth  of  new  work,  and,  eight  years  later,  $14,516.  He  manufactures 
a  full  line  of  buggies,  carriages  and  spring  wagons,  and  his  work  is  all 
first-class.  In  1869,  he  built  a  livery  stable,  cost  $3,000  ;  in  1870,  a 
business  room,  for  $3,000;  in  1872,  two  brick  business  rooms,  for  $6,- 
000;  in  1874,  a  brick  residence,  cost  $7,000,  and  in  1882,  one  brick  bus- 
iness room,  at  a  cost  of  $25,000.  Mr,  Hooper  owns  what  is  known  as 
Hooper's  Block.  He  employs  seven  workmen  and  is  doing  a  good  busi- 
ness. He  is  a  supporter  of  all  public  improvements,  and  has  done  as 
much  as  any  one  man  in  the  building  up  of  Kokomo.  He  has  been 
Treasurer  of  the  Agricultural  Society  for  six  years.  He  has  been  an 
Odd  Fellow  for  twenty  years,  and  Treasurer  of  the  Wildman  Lodge 
twelve  years  in  succession.  Mr.  Hooper  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1860 
to  Miss  Christiana  England,  a  native  of  Germany,  but  whose  parents 
brought  her  to  this  country  in  her  youth.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hooper  are 
members  of  the  Congregational  Church. 

HON,  MILTON  B.  HOPKINS  (deceased),  late  Superintendent  of 
Public  Instruction  of  Indiana,  was  born  in  Nicholas  County,  Ky.,  April 
4,  1821.  His  father,  Joseph  Hopkins,  was  a  talented  lawyer  of  that  day. 
After  his  father's  death,  his  mother  married  a  farmer  and  came  with  her 
husband  and  son  to  Indiana  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Rush  County.  At 
the  age  of  fifteen,  feeling  an  innate  and  strong  desire  for  knowledge,  he 
appealed  to  his  step-father  for  assistance.  This  being  refused,  he  left 
home,  determined  to  work  his  own  way  and  procure  an  education.  He 
worked  in  a  livery  stable  and  spent  all  his  earnings  going  to  school.  As 
soon  as  he  was  competent,  he  began  to  teach,  with  marked  success,  in  the 
country  schools.  He  studied  Greek  and  Latin  in  private.  At  the  age 
of  twenty,  he  began  to  preach  the  Gospel  and  advocate  Christianity,  lo- 
cating in  Milroy,  Rush  county;  thence  he  moved  to  Frankfort,  Ind.,  and 
six  years  later  to  Noblesville.  Here,  from  his  anxiety  to  understand  the 
legal  profession,  he  abandoned  the  ministry  and  studied  and  entered  upon 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  335 

the  practice  of  law.  He  was  fast  gaining  the  reputation  of  a  hiwyer  of 
more  than  ordinary  efficiency  when,  being  persuaded  to  return  to  the 
ministry,  he  established  a  superior  reputation  as  a  preacher.  After  living 
there  about  five  years,  he  was  induced  to  unite  with  Benjamin  Franklin, 
of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  editor  of  the  American  Christian  Mevieiv,  in  the 
publication  of  that  paper.  He  moved  to  Cincinnati  and  entered  upon  the 
work,  preaching  at  the  same  time  in  Cincinnati,  Louisville  and  Covington. 
But  his  health  failed  and  he  was  obliged  to  return  to  farming.  In  1858, 
he  located  in  Chilton  County,  Ind.,  and  founded  Farmers'  Academy, 
which  soon  wielded  a  powerful  influence  in  the  community  and  attracted 
a  patronage  from  adjoining  counties.  While  living  there,  he  was  nomi- 
nated by  the  Democratic  party  for  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction, 
but  he  declined  the  nomination.  After  remaining  there  about  four  years, 
he  moved  to  Boone  County  and  took  charge  of  the  Lebanon  High  School. 
Desiring  still  greater  opportunities  for  the  exercise  of  his  educational 
powers,  he  made  arrangements  to  take  charge  of  Ladoga  Academy,  in- 
tending ultimately  to  convert  it  into  a  college.  This  institution  soon 
gained  a  wide  reputation  and  commanded  a  patronage  from  other  States. 
After  teaching  there,  and  preaching  at  the  same  time  in  various  parts  of 
the  State,  for  about  six  years,  and  finding  better  encouragement  and  fa- 
cilities in  Kokomo,  Howard  County,  for  the  establishment  of  a  college,  he 
moved  to  this  place  and,  in  connection  witli  his  sons,  the  eldest  two  of 
whom  had  finished  their  course  of  study  in  the  Kentucky  University,  he 
founded  Howard  College,  under  his  own  Presidency.  This  institution 
soon  attracted  a  patronage  that  compared  fiivorably  with  other  colleges  in 
the  State,  when  his  nomination  by  the  Democratic  party  in  1870  for  the 
office  of  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  and  his  subsequent  elec- 
tion, prevented  him  from  being  more  than  a  nominal  president  of  the  col- 
lege and  thus  checked  its  progress.  He  now  devoted  all  his  energies  and 
abilities  to  the  duties  of  his  office,  and  with  such  success  that  in  1872  he 
was  re-elected  by  a  handsome  majority.  Upon  entering  his  second  term, 
he  abandoned  Howard  College.  But  a  few  months  before  the  expiration 
of  his  second  term,  the  whole  State  was  shocked  at  the  announcement  of 
his  sudden  death,  which  occurred  at  his  residence  in  Kokomo  August  16, 
1874,  at  the  age  of  fifty-three.  The  obsequies  were  attended  by  the  of- 
ficers of  State.  At  the  funeral  discourse,  Gov.  Hendricks  said:  "No 
man  ever  died  in  the  State  who  received  the  honors  this  man  will  receive." 
"  Happy  will  it  be  with  his  fellow-officers,"  said  Lieut.  Gov.  Sexton,  "if, 
when  they  are  called  upon  to  render  their  accounts,  it  shall  be  as  svell 
with  them  as  it  is  to-day  with  Milton  B.  Hopkins."  In  1842,  Mr.  Hop- 
kins was  married  to  Jaalah  Rebecca  Stallard,  daughter  of  James  Stallard, 
a  pious,  pioneer  Methodist  preacher.     They  had  five  children — Alexan- 


336  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

(ler  C,  Professor  in  the  Danville,  111.,  College ;  John  0.  (deceased),  late 
Professor  of  Greek  in  Butler  University  ;  James  I.,  Principal  of  the  Kirk- 
lin  Schools  ;  M.  Jennie,  wife  of  Prof.  A.  J.  Youngblood,  of  Eureka,  111.; 
and  Mary  Belle,  wife  of  P.  0.  Updegraff,  of  Kokomo.  Mr.  Hopkins  and 
family  were  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  As  a  preacher,  he  ranked 
among  the  ablest  of  his  church.  As  a  teacher,  he  gradually  rose  from 
the  district  schools  of  Rush  County  to  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruc- 
tion. "  He  gave  the  school  system  of  Indiana,"  says  Gov.  Hendricks, 
"a  national  reputation."  At  the  close  of  his  first  term,  Indiana  had  a 
larger  school  fund,  by  $2,000,000,  than  any  other'  State  in  the  Union. 
Mr.  Hopkins  was  a  close  student  all  his  life.  He  was  a  true  lover  of  his 
country,  and  was  greatly  devoted  to  the  great  State  in  which   he  lived. 

LOllA  C.  HOSS,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Kokomo  Gazette^  was 
born  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  January  16,  1859.  His  parents,  Peter  E. 
and  Sarah  (Ringer)  Hoss,  were  of  German  descent.  His  mother  died 
before  he  was  two  years  old,  and  he  was  reared  by  his  father's  parents. 
They  removed  to  Howard  County,  and  located  near  Fairfield  in  1865. 
Here  L.  C.  attended  the  country  school  during  the  winter,  and  assisted 
his  grandfather  on  the  farm  during  the  summer  months.  In  1874,  he 
entered  Butler  University  at  Irvington,  Ind.,  a  suburb  of  Indianapolis. 
He  attended  college  three  years,  after  which  he  spent  one  year  in  Kan- 
sas, where  in  the  summer  he  assisted  his  cousin  in  breaking  prairie  sod, 
and  during  the  winter  months  taught  a  common  school  in  the  country. 
In  1878,  he  returned  home,  and  again  entered  Butler  University,  gradu- 
ating with  honors  in  1881,  in  the  regular  classical  course.  He  then  came 
to  Kokomo,  and  July  25  took  a  half-interest  in  the  G-azette.  He  is  now 
sole  proprietor  of  this  paper.  He  has  enlarged  it  and  built  it  up,  until 
now  it  is  one  of  the  best  local  papers  in  the  State,  and  has  an  increasing 
circulation.  Mr.  Hoss  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  has  done  much  to 
build  up  the  party  in  this  county,  through  the  columns  of  his  worthy  pa- 
per. He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  and  the  Phi  Delta  Theta  fraternity. 

E.  S.  HUNT,  of  the  firm  of  E.  S.  Hunt  &  Co.,  was  born  December 
13,  1841,  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  and  was  one  of  nine  children  born  to 
Nathan  and  Caroline  (Hosier)  Hunt.  His  father  was  a  native  of  North 
Carolina,  and  his  mother  was  born  in  this  State.  The  parents  moved  to 
New  Lebanon,  Monroe  Township,  this  county,  when  their  son  was  but 
three  years  of  age.  His  father  was  a  carpenter.  Witli-  the  aid  of  his 
sons,  he  improved  forty  acres  of  timber  land.  E.  S.  Hunt  was  taught 
the  use  of  tools  while  young,  and,  when  he  was  thirteen  years  old,  he  ac- 
companied his  father  at  carpentering,  and  at  eighteen  was  a  competent 
mechanic,  and  at  this  age  he  built  the  largest  barn  then  in  Howard  Coun- 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  337 

ty.  This  barn  contained  111  sticks  of  square  timber,  which  was  scored 
and  hewed  from  the  tree.  He  continued  at  his  trade  until  August, 
1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Eighty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry.  He  served  as  a  private  in  this  regiment  one  year, 
when  he  was  transferred  and  promoted  as  Quartermaster  Sergeant  of 
the  Third  United  States  Colored  Heavy  Artillery.  A  few  months  later, 
he  was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  and  later  he  was  transferred  to  the 
First  Tennessee  Colored  Militia.  He  was  Captain  of  this  company  dur- 
ing the  remainder  of  the  war.  After  serving  faithfully  for  over  three 
years,  he  was  honorably  discharged.  On  reaching  home,  he  worked  at 
his  trade  for  a  short  time,  when  he  bought  an  engine  and  threshing  ma- 
chine, and  engaged  in  this  business  for  seven  successive  seasons.  In  the 
meantime,  he  and  his  brother  were  running  a  planing-mill  at  New  Lon- 
don. They  continued  this  business  until  1875,  when  they  moved  their 
machinery  to  Russiaville,  where  they  operated  with  marked  success  for 
one  year.  They  exchanged  this  for  the  furniture  factory  owned  by  A. 
Kline,  to  which  they  added  new  machinery,  making  a  planing  mill,  and 
sash  and  door  factory,  at  a  cost  of  about  $16,000.  The  company  of  H. 
&  E.  S.  Hunt  added  a  lumber  yard  to  their  mill,  and  continued  in  busi- 
ness until  February,  1882,  when  E.  S.  exchanged  his  interest  in  the  fac- 
tory for  H.  Hunt's  interest  in  the  lumber  yard.  Mr.  E.  S.  Hunt  has 
since  given  his  attention  to  the  wholesale  and  retail  trade  of  hard  and 
soft  wood  lumber.  Their  yard  is  well  filled,  they  having  $50,000  in- 
vested in  stock.  Mr.  Hunt  started  in  life  a  poor  boy,  and  by  hard  work 
and  economy  he  now  owns  201  acres  of  well-improved  land  in  Howard 
Township,  worth  $12,000,  besides  good  city  property,  and  a  fourth  inter- 
est in  the  lumber  yard  of  E.  S.  Hunt  &  Co.,  of  which  he  is  manager.  He 
has  never  been  an  aspirant  to  oifice,  but  he  has  served  two  terms  as  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  in  Monroe  Township,  and  has  been  one  of  the  City 
Councilmen  of  Kokomo  for  four  years.  He  is  a  live,  energetic  business 
man,  and  is  a  Republican  in  principle.  He  was  married  in  May,  1861, 
to  Miss  Mahala  Ratcliffe,  of  Howard  County.  She  was  born  September 
11,  1841,  and  was  the  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  A.  Ratcliffe.  The 
result  of  this  union  is  eight  children — Elzir,  Mary  C,  E.  Delia,  William 
M.,  Emma  F.,  Lillie,  Exie  Elmore  and  Glen  G. 

NORMAN  HURD  was  born  October  80,  1820,  in  New  Hampshire. 
He  is  the  son  of  Stephen  and  Naby  (Wilcox)  Hurd,  both  natives  of  New 
Hampshire,  and  of  English  descent.  In  1837,  this  family  moved  into 
Western  New  York,  where  they  lived  until  1813,  when  they  moved  west 
into  Peoria  County,  111.,  and  four  years  later  into  Marshall  County,  where 
the  parents  lived  during  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Nohman  lived  at 
home,  going  to  school  until  he  was  thirteen  years  old,  and  working  on  the 


338  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  : 

farm.  His  education  was  limited,  but  by  his  own  efforts  he  has  acquired  a 
good  practical  education.  In  the  fall  of  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  F, 
Forty-second  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  honorably 
discharged  June  15,  1865.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Spring  Hill, 
Franklin  and  Nashville.  He  was  fortunately  not  wounded,  but  when  he 
returned  to  his  ftither's  farm  in  Marshall  County,  Ohio,  he  was  broken 
down  in  health  from  exposure  and  over-exertion.  In  1867,  he  was  com- 
pelled to  leave  the  farm,  so  he  located  at  Walton,  Cass  Co.,  Ind.,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  He  engaged  in  this  business  seven 
years,  when  he  returned  to  Marshall  County,  111.,  where  he  improved  a 
farm  and  tilled  it  for  three  years.  In  the  spring  of  1877,  he  came  to 
Kokomo  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  hardwood  lumber,  car,  bridge 
and  wagon  timber.  He  is  doing  a  good  business  of  $40,000  per  annum, 
employing  thirty-five  hands.  He  located  his  mill  and  lumber  yard  near 
the  Junction.  Mr.  Hurd  started  in  life  a  poor  boy,  but  through  his  own 
effort,  with  economy,  he  has  accumulated  good  property.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics.  July  12,  1843,  Mr.  Hurd  was  married  to  Miss  L.  D. 
Hurd,  who  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  April  19,  1821.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Permenius  and  Sophia  (Dean)  Hurd,  both  natives  of  New 
Hampshire,  of  English  descent.  Three  children  have  been  born — 
Oliver  S.,  Dexter  N.,  of  the  firm  of  Hurd  &  Co.,  and  Mariam  A.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hurd  are  members  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  are  ac- 
tive workers  and  liberal  supporters  of  their  church. 

AUSTIN  JAY,  dealer  and  shipper  of  butter,  eggs  and  poultry,  came 
to  Kokomo  in  1870  and  was  employed  by  Jay  &  Jay,  in  the  grocery  and 
produce  business,  for  three  year^.  He  then  went  to  Grant  County,  Ind., 
and  embarked  in  the  grocery  and  bakery  business,  which  he  conducted 
two  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  produce  business  there,  buying,  and 
dealing  in  butter,  eggs  and  poultry  ;  this  he  followed  until  1878,  when  he 
returned  to  Kokomo  and  transferred  his  business  here.  He  has  established 
a  large  and  lucrative  trade  and  is  an  extensive  shipper  of  produce  to  New 
York  and  Chicago.  Our  subject  is  a  native  of  Grant  County,  Ind., 
where  he  was  born  in  1854.  His  parents  were  Samuel  and  Mari  s  (Ev- 
ans) Jay  ;  his  father  was  a  merchant,  and  died  in  1878  ;  his  mother  is  living 
with  her  son  in  Kokomo.  Mr.  Jay  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  and 
in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

DR.  I.  C.  JOHNSON  was  born  in  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  September  26, 
1829.  He  is  the  son  of  Isaac  Johnson,  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  Bar- 
shebah  (Helvey)  Johnson,  born  in  North  Carolina.  His  parents  were 
married  in  Indianapolis,  and  his  father  died  at  the  age  of  thirty.  In  1835, 
our  subject  was  sent  to  live  with  his  uncle,  Joel  Helvey,  in  Huntington 
County,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  at- 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  339 

tending  the  common  schools  of  that  district.  He  was  sent  to  learn  the 
millwright's  trade  in  Wabash  County,  and  in  1846  went  with  his  brother- 
in-law  to  Grant  County  and  engaged  in  the  milling  business.  In  the  fall  of 
1855,  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Drs.  W.  &  C. 
Lomax,  of  Marion,  Grant  County.  After  remaining  there  one  year,  he 
read  two  years  with  Dr.  D.  W.  Taylor,  in  Grant  County.  He  attended 
lectures  during  the  winter  of  1860-61  at  the  Rusli  Medical  College  at 
Chicago,  and  in  1863  again  entered  that  institution,  graduating  the  fol- 
lowing spring.  He  commenced  practice  in  Kokomo  in  May,  1863,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1864  he  entered  the  army  as  Contract  Surgeon  in  a  hospital 
in  Nashville,  and  the  following  February  received  the  commission  of  Acting 
Assistant  Surgeon  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-third  Regiment  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
when  he  returned  to  Kokomo  and  resumed  his  active  practice.  In  1874 
he  was  elected  County  Treasurer,  serving  two  terms.  His  administra- 
tion was  eminently  satisfactory,  and  was  characterized  by  dignity,  effi- 
ciency and  perfect  integrity.  Since  the  close  of  the  term  of  office,  he  has 
been  actively  engaged  in  his  extensive  practice,  and  ranks  as  one  of  the 
leading  physicians  in  the  county.  He  has  served  as  President  of  the  Ko- 
komo Academy  of  Medicine,  and  is  now  President  of  the  Howard  County 
Medical  Association.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F., 
and  has  passed  all  the  chairs  in  that  lodge.  Dr.  Johnson  was  married  in 
1857,  to  Miss  Adelaide  Swope,  a  native  of  Wayne  County,  Ind.  This 
union  has  been  blessed  with  four  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living — 
Minnie.  Dr.  Johnson  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  his  political  principles  are  those  of  the  Republican  party,  with 
which  he  has  been  connected  since  its  organization.  He  has  been 
active  in  promoting  the  prosperity  of  Kokomo,  and  takes  a  leading  part 
in  whatever  promises  to  benefit  the  city  and  county.  Dr.  Johnson  has 
been  a  student  all  of  his  life,  and  keeps  pace  with  the  advancement 
of  his  profession.  He  is  a  man  of  solid  worth,  courteous,  temperate, 
upright,  and  possesses  superior  business  and  social  attributes. 

BENJAMIN  B.  JOHNSON,  Treasurer  of  Howard  County,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Ohio,  and  was  born  in  Stark  County  September  2,  1852.  He  is 
the  fifth  of  nine  children  born  to  Jesse  and  Martha  (Butler)  Johnson, 
both  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  English  and  Welsh  descent.  His  parents 
removed  to  this  county  in  September,  1866,  and  located  in  the  city  of 
Kokomo.  Mr.  Jesse  Johnson  was  a  farmer  during  his  early  life,  but 
when  he  came  to  this  county  he  entered  into  mercantile  pursuits,  which 
he  followed  for  a  few  years.  He  then  retired  from  business,  and  was  an 
invalid  for  years  before  his  death,  in  March,  1879.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  spent  his  early  boyhood  days  on  a  farm,  having  access  to  the  com- 


340  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

mon  schools,  and  finished  his  education  in  the  Kokomo  High  School.  At 
the  age  of  sixteen  years,  he  began  clerking  in  the  news  stand,  and  in 
March,  1868,  became  Deputy  Postmaster.  He  held  this  office  until 
November,  1871,  when  he  became  book-keeper  in  the  First  National  Bank, 
where  he  remained  until  January,  1877.  He  then  accepted  a  position 
as  clerk  in  the  Legislature,  during  a  regular  and  special  session.  After 
this  Mr.  Johnson  opened  an  abstract  and  loan  office,  in  company  with  Mr. 
L.  0.  Moroland,  continuing  until  November,  1878,  at  which  time  he  en- 
tered the  Treasurer's  office  as  Deputy.  He  was  elected  County  Treasur- 
er on  the  Republican  ticket  in  November,  1882.  He  is  a  live,  energetic 
business  man,  and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  political  circle.  Mr. 
Johnson  was  married,  July  4,  1875,  to  Miss  Clara  C.  Albaugh,  of  Ko- 
komo. She  was  born  September  8,  1855,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Aaron 
and  Susanna  Albaugh,  of  Kokomo.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have  had 
three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — Edna  and  Fred. 

JAMES  D.  JOHNSON  is  a  son  of  Jesse  and  Martha  (Butler) 
Johnson,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of  Ohio.  He  was 
born  in  Stark  County,  Ohio,  January  18,  1860,  where  he  was  reared  un- 
til six  years  old.  His  parents  then  removed  to  Kokomo,  Ind.,  where 
James  D.  was  brought  up  and  educated.  He  clerked  at  intervals  during 
his  school-boy  days,  and  completed  his  studies  in  1877,  in  the  High 
School  of  Kokomo.  He  accepted  a  position  with  Moreland  &  Johnson, 
dealers  in  real  estate,  loans,  and  abstracts  of  titles,  which  he  filled  with 
competency  until  1878.  At  the  death  of  Mr.  Moreland,  he,  with  his 
brother,  purchased  an  interest  in  the  concern.  The  business  was  con- 
ducted under  the  firm  of  B.  B.  Johnson  &  Co.  It  was  successfully  car- 
ried on  till  1881,  when  he  purchased  his  brother's  interest.  He  is  now 
prosperously  conducting  a  general  loan,  abstracts  of  title  and  insurance 
business.  In  the  insurance  line,  he  represents  the  "Franklin"  of  Phil- 
adelphia, "Lancashire"  of  England,  "Connecticut"  of  Hartford,  and 
the  "Fireman's  Fund"  of  California.  In  1881,  he  was  appointed  agent 
for  the  "Adams"  and  "American"  Express  Companies,  which  position 
he  still  fills.  In  1882,  he  was  qualified  Fire  Warden  of  Ward  No.  3, 
where  he  is  faithfully  discharging  his  duty.  Mr.  Johnson  was  married 
in  Kokomo,  Ind.,  October  20,  1881,  to  Miss  Maud  A.  Anderson,  of  Ko- 
komo. She  was  born  January  15,  1863,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Sarah  J.  (Richmond)  Anderson.  By  this  union  they  have  one 
child — Edith.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a  polite  and  genial  gentleman,  and  bids 
fair  to  become  one  of  Kokorao's  prominent  business  men.  His  political 
sympathies  are  with  the  Republican  party. 

JOHN  W.  KERN,  one  of  the  first  lawyers  of  this  Eleventh  Congress- 
nal   District,   and  one  of  the  most  brilliant   lawyers   of  his   age  in  the 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  341 

State,  was  born  at  Alto,  Howard  County.  He  was  born  on  the 
20th  day  of  December,  1849.  When  he  was  still  very  young,  his 
parents  moved  to  Warren  County,  Iowa,  where  John  lived  the  life  of 
many  another  farmer's  lad,  who  afterward  achieved  success  and  fame 
in  his  chosen  calling  in  after  life.  Here  John  attended  his  first 
term  of  school,  in  a  schoolhouse  alike  in  all  things  to  the  average 
schoolhouse  of  the  pioneer  period.  He  attended  school  in  the  winter 
and  aided  upon  the  farm  in  the  summer.  When  he  was  fourteen  years  of 
age,  his  parents  returned  to  Alto,  and  since  that  time  Mr.  Kern  has  al- 
ways been  a  resident  of  this  county.  About  this  time,  John  became  fired 
with  an  ambition,  always  pleasant  to  see ;  he  determined  to  become  ed- 
ucated. For  two  years,  he  attended  the  school  in  this  city,  coming  from 
his  home  each  raornincj,  and  back  ao-ain  in  the  eveninoj,  on  horseback. 
When  but  fifteen  years  of  age,  he  taught  his  first  term  of  school,  at  the 
home  schoolhouse  in  Alto.  His  second  and  last  term  of  school  was 
taught  at  the  Dyar  Schoolhouse  in  the  winter  of  1866  and  1867.  It  has 
been  said  that  poets  are  born,  not  made  by  study ;  whether  true  or  not, 
it  is  true  that  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  lawyer  by  nature.  We  do 
not  mean  by  this  that  he  did  not  prepare  himself  thoroughly  for  the 
success  he  has  since  obtained,  but  we  mean  that  he  naturally  drifted  into 
the  legal  profession.  He  entered  the  University  of  Michigan  in  the  spring 
of  1867,  and  took  a  special  course  of  study  ;  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year, 
he  entered  the  law  department  of  the  same  university  as  a  junior,  and 
was  graduated  therefrom  in  the  spring  of  1869.  In  May  of  the  same  year, 
before  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  he  opened  an  office  in  this  city  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession.  While  young  in  years,  he 
offset  any  disadvantage  because  of  his  youth  by  superior  diligence  and 
energy  in  his  practice,  and  he  soon  commanded  a  large  business  and 
took  a  leading  place  in  his  profession,  which  he  has  ever  since  maintained. 
While  he  is  an  antagonist  to  be  feared  in  any  cause  in  which  he  embarks, 
it  is  as  a  "criminal  lawyer"  that  he  especially  excels  ;  kind  and  sympa- 
thetic by  nature,  his  heart  goes  out  to  those  in  trouble.  He  seems  to 
divine  by  intuition  the  strong  points  of  a  defense,  and  this,  together  with 
his  matchless  oratory,  makes  him  a  redoubtable  antagonist  in  the  defense  of 
persons  charged  with  crime.  Soon  after  he  commenced  practice,  he  was 
engaged  toassist  in  the, prosecution  of  Dougherty,  who  was  indicted  for  kill- 
ing Van  Horn.  The  case  was  tried  at  Tipton.  Col.  Charles  D.  Murray, 
Col.  N.  P.  Richmond  and  Charles  E.  Hendry  were  also  employed  in  the 
prosecution.  All  were  men  of  ability  and  experience.  The  defendant 
was  represented  by  one  of  the  most  able  corps  of  attorneys  ever  engaged 
in  the  defense  of  any  man,  Gov.  Thomas  A.  Hendricks,  Maj.  Jonathan 
W.    Gordon,  of  Indianapolis,  Judge  Linsday,  of  Kokomo,  and  Hon.  N, 


342  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

R.  Overman,  of  Tipton.  The  defendant  was  acquitted,  but  the  trial  of 
this  case  showed,  despite  his  youth,  that  Mr.  Kern  could  cope  successfully 
with  the  best  men  in  his  profession.  From  the  time  of  that  trial  to  the 
present.  Gov.  Hendricks  has  always  been  Mr.  Kern's  warm  friend  and 
admirer.  Soon  after  this,  Mr.  Kern  defended  one  Jones,  for  the  killing 
of  Miles  Slyter  ;  he  was  acquitted.  He  assisted  in  the  defense  of  Garr' 
and  Pratt  for  the  killing  of  Warnick  ;  both  were  acquitted.  In  the  winter 
of  1880,  he  was  employed  to  prosecute  Doles  for  the  killing  of  Perry 
White.  The  first  trial  came  off  in  March,  1881,  and  the  jury  stood  eleven 
for  conviction  and  one  for  acquittal ;  thus  they  were  discharged  ;  the 
second  trial  took  place  in  March,  1882,  and  Doles  was  sentenced  to  twenty- 
one  years  in  the  penitentiary.  Mr  Kern's  closing  argument  for  the 
State  was  one  of  the  most  powerful  arguments  ever  delivered  before  a 
Tipton  County  jury.  When  closing  his  argument,  he  summed  up  all  the 
evidence  against  the  defendant  and  closed  with  one  of  the  most  thundering 
perorations  ever  heard  in  a  court  of  justice.  Many  otlier  cases  of  im- 
portance in  which  Mr.  Kern  was  employed  might  be  given,  but  they  would 
be  superfluous.  In  1871,  Mr.  Kern  was  elected  City  Attorney,  by  a 
Republican  Council,  and  subsequently  re-elected  twice,  thus  serving  until 
1877,  when  he  refused  longer  to  fill  the  office  ;  he  was  elected  at  the  last 
election.  May,  1883i,  to  till  the  office  of  City  Attorney  of  Kokomo  two 
years.  Each  of  these  elections  was  by  a  Republican  Council.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Kern  is  a  Democrat  of  the  most  pronounced  character,  but  he  is  not 
an  ultra  partisan,  and  in  local  elections  remembers  his  friends.  In  the 
fall  of  1870,  the  Democrats  nominated  him  for  the  Legislature,  and  he 
was  beaten  by  less  than  250  votes,  when  the  county  went  Republican  by 
1,000 ;  his  opponent  was  Captain  Kirkpatrick,  then  as  now  a  strong  man 
in  his  party.  In  1874,  Mr.  Kern  was  defeated  for  Prosecutor  by  234 
votes,  and  in  1880  he  was  defeated  by  505,  when  Garfield  carried  the 
county  by  1,200  maj  ority.  It  is  very  safe  to  say  that  the  political  life  of  Jolin 
W.  Kern  has  just  commenced.  Mr.  Kern  married  Miss  Annie  Hazzard, 
m  1870.  They  have  but  one  child,  Fred.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church  and  is  a  Freemason  and  Odd  Fellow.  His  mother  died  in 
1859.  His  father,  Dr.  Jacob  H.  Kern,  resides  near  Botetourt  Springs, 
Va.  Mr.  Kern  is  the  only  son.  He  has  a  sister,  who  also  resides  in 
Virginia. 

LEWIS  KERN,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of  Botetourt  County,  Va.  ;  was  born 
in  1831,  and  is  the  son  of  Jacob  Kern,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
Delpha  A.  (Stanley)  Kern,  born  in  Virginia.  His  fiither  was  a  black- 
smith, and  removed  in  1839  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  with  his  family, 
and  resided  there  until  his  death  in  1842.  His  mother  died  in  1836, 
leaving  five  children,  our  subject  being  the  youngest.     Dr.   Lewis   Kern 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  343 

received  common  school  advantages,  working  on  a  farm  and  in  a  saw-mill 
until  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Warren  County,  Ohio, 
and  attended  school  six  months.  The  ensuing  winter,  he  taught  school  in 
Shelby  County,  Ind.,  and  in  1845  came  with  his  brother.  Dr.  J.  H. 
Kern,  to  Howard  County — then  Richardville  County — and  located  where 
Alto  now  is.  In  1846,  he  returned  to  Shelby  County,  where  he  taught 
school  one  term,  and  in  1849  ao-ain  located  in  this  countv  and  commenced 
the  study  of  medicine  with  his  brother,  Dr.  J.  H.  Kern.  After  having 
been  under  his  tutorage  three  years,  he  commenced  to  practice  with  his 
brother  at  Alto.  In  1853,  his  brother  went  to  Iowa,  and  our  subject  went 
to  New  London,  where  he  practiced  one  year.  He  then  returned  to 
Alto,  where  he  soon  attained  a  large  practice,  and  in  1879  he  came  to 
Kokomo  with  his  son  and  entered  the  drug  trade,  at  the  same  time  con- 
tinuing his  practice.  After  two  years,  he  sold  out,  and  with  his  son  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  medicine.  In  December,  1882,  this  partnership 
was  dissolved,  and  he  is  now  practicing  alone.  Dr.  Kern  has  a  large 
practice,  and  ranks  as  one  of  the  eminent  physicians  of  the  county.  Dr. 
Kern  is  a  graduate  of  the  Indiana  Medical  College,  is  a  member  of  the 
Howard  County  Medical  Association,  and  has  been  President  two  terms 
of  the  Academy  of  Medicine  of  Kokomo.  He  is  a  member  of  the  State 
Medical  Association,  and  is  an  honorary  member  of  the  Grant  County  and 
Tipton  County  Medical  Societies.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 
and  Masonic  fraternity,  and  has  served  as  City  Councilman  from  the 
First  Ward  of  Kokomo.  Dr.  Kern  was  married,  in  1853,  to  Vii-ginia  C 
Pitzer,  who  was  born  in  1833  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio.  By  this  union 
they  have  one  child,  Theodore.  Dr.  Kern  is  one  of  the  oldest  physi- 
cians in  active  practice  in  the  county.  He  is  an  old  settler  in  Harrison 
Township,  and  has  assisted  in  the  development  and  has  been  identified 
with  the  progressive  interests  of  his  township,  county  and  State.  He  is 
one  of  the  best-qualified  physicians  in  the  county,  and  has  had  a  wide 
experience.  He  is  ever  ready  to  assist  in  benevolent  enterprises,  and  he 
and  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  good 
standing. 

THEODORE  KERN,  M.  D.,  one  of  the  rising  young  physicians  of 
the  State,  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  was  born  in  Howard  County 
in  1855.  He  is  the  only  child  of  Lewis  and  Virginia  C.  (Pitzer) 
Kern.  He  received  good  educational  advantages,  and  in  1873 
commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with  his  father.  He  graduated 
in  1876  at  the  Indiana  Medical  College,  taking  ad  eundem  degree  in 
1877.  He  then  returned  to  his  home  and  entered  into  practice  with 
his  father  at  Alto,  Harrison  Township,  remaining  there  one  year. 
He  then  went  to  Fairfield  and  commenced  practice  alone,  remaining  there 


344  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

fifteen  months,  when  he  came  to  Kokomo  and  in  connection  with  his 
father  was  engaged  two  years  in  the  drug  trade.  He  then,  in  partnership 
with  his  father,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  until  December,  1882, 
when  he  resumed  practice  alone.  Dr.  Kern  is  a  member  of  the  Indiana 
State  Medical  Association,  of  the  Howard  County  Association,  and  Ko- 
komo Academy  of  Medicine.  He  was  married,  in  1876,  to  Miss  Viga 
Sharp,  of  Sharpsville,  Tipton  County.,  by  which  union  they  have  one 
child,  Nettie.  Dr.  Kern  is  a  hard  student  and  well  read  in  his  profession. 
He  has  established  a  good  practice  and  holds  a  high  rank  among  the 
successful  practitioners  of  Howard  County. 

DR.  S.  T.  KIRK,  dentist,  was  born  in  1838  in  Union  County,  Ind., 
and  is  the  son  of  Israel  Kirk,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Sarah  (Test) 
Kirk,  born  in  New  Jersey.  His  parents  were  married  in  Ohio,  and  had  three 
children,  our  subject  being  the  second.  His  father  was  a  miller,  and  died  in 
1842,  and  his  mother  was  subsequently  married  to  William  Beard,  who  soon 
after  died.  His  mother  is  still  living  in  Kokorao.  Dr.  Kirk  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade  in  Richmond,  Ind.,  and  worked  at  that  four  years. 
He  taught  writing  school  two  years,  and  then  began  the  study  of  his 
profession.  At  the  death  of  his  step- father  he  had  to  go  upon  the  farm 
in  Hendricks  County,  where  he  remained  until  1864.  He  studied  dentistry 
while  on  the  farm,  and  later,  while  on  a  trip  to  Minnesota,  continued 
his  studies.  He  then  came  to  Thorntown,  Ind.,  and  studied  under 
Dr.  Mendenhall  nearly  a  year,  and  in  the  spring  of  1867  came  to 
Kokomo,  where  he  commenced  his  practice.  Here  he  has  since  re- 
mained and  has  established  a  large  and  successful  practice.  He  has  all 
the  appliances  to  do  any  kind  of  dental  work,  and  is  a  genial  and  ex- 
cellent artist  in  his  profession.  He  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Indiana 
Dental  College,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Indiana  State  Dental  Associa- 
tion. Dr.  Kirk  was  married,  in  1869,  to  Miss  Loretta  Macy,  of  Kokomo. 
She  died  in  October,  1874,  and  in  1876  Dr.  Kirk  was  married  to 
Sarah  F.  Sullivan,  who  was  then  teaching  school  at  Kokomo.  This 
union  has  been  blessed  with  two  children — Wilfred  D.  and  Maud  A. 
Dr.  Kirk  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  he  and  wife  are 
both  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

CAPT.  THOMAS  M.  KIRKPATRICK,  Collector  of  Internal  Reve- 
nue for  the  Eleventh  District,  is  one  of  the  representative  pioneers  of  Indi- 
ana. He  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  where  he  was  born  in  Brown  County  May  2, 
1820.  His  father,  James  Kirkpatrick,  was  a  native  of  West  Virginia.  His 
grandfather,  Andrew  Kirkpatrick,  was  born  in  Scotland,  and,  emigrating 
to  America,  with  two  brothers,  before  the  Revolution,  participated  in  the 
struggle  for  independence,  one  of  the  brothers  (David)  being  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill.    Andrew  married,  in  Maryland,  Elizabeth  Bowen^ 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  345 

and  removed  to  West  Virginia,  subsequently  becoming  a  pioneer  of  Ohio. 
Here,  in  the  war  of  1812,  James,  with  several  brothers,  enlisted,  and 
served  in  the  campaign  on  the  Ohio  border.  James  subsequently  was 
married  to  Mary  Kincaid,  the  daughter  of  another  Ohio  pioneer,  and  re- 
mained a  resident  of  Brown  County  until  his  death  in  1828.  In  1834,  the 
mother  of  Thomas,  with  six  children,  emigrated  to  Indiana,  Montgomery 
County,  where  lived  Absalom  Kirkpatrick,  a  brother  of  James.  Thomas 
received  educational  advantages,  such  as  the  pioneer  times  afforded,  and  as- 
sisted his  uncle  in  farming.  After  spending  several  years  in  various 
occupations,  chiefly  farming,  he  was  married,  April  1,  1841,  to  Miss  Mar- 
garet J.  Baldwin,  who  was  born  January  27,  1824,  her  parents  being 
William  A.  and  Amy  (Crooks)  Baldwin.  In  August,  1843,  our  subject 
came  to  explore  the  "Reserve,"  and  after  a  thorough  examination  he 
decided  to  fix  his  claim  upon  the  land  upon  which  he  now  lives.  Here 
he  built  a  log  cabin,  and  on  the  13th  of  November  of  the  same  year, 
he  brought  his  young  wife.  Upon  this  land  he  has  resided  up  to  the 
present  time,  clearing  up  a  large  farm,  which  he  has  improved, 
until  to-day  it  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  in  Howard  County.  Capt. 
Kirkpatrick  has  assisted  in  the  development  and  improvement  of  the 
county,  as  much  as  any  man  living  within  its  borders.  He  took  a  lead- 
ing interest  in  the  organization  of  Pete's  Run  Gravel  road,  and  has  acted 
as  Secretary  of  this  association  since  its  organization,  and  is  at  the  pres- 
ent time  its  heaviest  stockholder.  He  subscribed  $500  for  the  first  rail- 
road enterprise,  when  heavily  involved  for  his  land,  and  was  a  contractor 
upon  this  road,  clearing  the  timber  for  the  track.  Having  been  for  the 
greater  portion  of  his  life  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  he  has 
taken  active  interest  in  the  County  Agricultural  Society,  and  advocates 
progressive  ideas  upon  this  most  important  of  all  industries.  Until  1874, 
his  farm  was  included  in  Clay  Township,  but  upon  petition,  he  was  set  ofi* 
into  Centre  Township.  While  a  resident  of  Clay  Township,  he  served  in 
various  offices  of  trust,  being  Trustee  several  terms.  Capt.  Kirkpatrick 
has  been  a  Republican  in  politics  since  the  organization  of  that  party, 
and  has  been  honored  by  many  offices  by  his  fellow-citizens.  In  1852, 
he  was  elected  Sherifi"  of  the  county,  and  in  1865  and  1866  he 
served  as  County  Commissioner,  and  for  three  terms  has  represented 
Howard  County  in  the  State  Legislature,  from  1870  to  1874,  during 
which  the  re-districting  of  the  State  was  defeated  by  the  Republicans,  and 
he  also  supported  the  resolution  in  regard  to  the  amendment  of  the  constitu- 
tion, prohibiting  future  legislation  concerning  the  bonds  of  the  "Wabash 
&  Erie  Canal;"  this  was  passed  by  the  House,  and  subsequently  by 
the  vote  of  the  people  was  carried.  In  1878,  he  was  again  elected,  and 
served  one  term.    In  1883,  Capt.  Kirkpatrick  was  appointed  by  President 


346  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Arthur  as  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue  for  the  Eleventh  District,  and 
was  promptly  confirmed  by  the  United  States  Senate.  He  entered  upon 
the  duties  of  this  office  the  31st  of  March,  1883.  In  all  of  the  instances 
when  his  name  has  been  mentioned  for  public  offices,  it  has  been  done  un- 
solicited by  him,  and  his 'success  is  due  to  the  fact  that  through  the  long 
years  of  his  residence  in  the  county,  he  has  been  true  to  the  highest 
principles  of  honest  integrity.  Capt.  Kirkpatrick  resides  upon  his  pleas- 
ant farm,  with  his  faithful  wife,  who  has  ably  assisted  him  in  all  the 
struggles  and  trials  of  his  life.  Nothing  can  be  more  appropriate  to 
close  this  sketch  than  a  brief  outline  of  the  gallant  service  of  Capt.  Kirk- 
patrick during  the  late  war.  Before  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion, 
Thomas  J.  Harrison,  Barnabas  Busby  and  himself  had  met  at  Kokomo 
and  mutually  pledged  each  other  that,  if  the  threatened  cloud  of  war 
should  break,  they  would  each  go  together,  regardless  of  pay  or  position. 
Upon  learning  of  the  fall  of  Fort  Sumter,  Capt.  Kirkpatrick  hastened 
to  Kokomo,  but  found  that  Harrison  had  already  surrounded  himself  with 
150  men.  Kirkpatrick  and  Busby  would  have  been  equally  prompt,  but 
being  busy  upon  their  farms,  did  not  receive  the  intelligence  as  soon  as 
Harrison.  Capt.  Kirkpatrick  and  Busby  went  with  Harrison  to  Indi- 
anapolis, and  there  being  too  many  men  in  the  latter's  company,  it  was 
divided,  and  Harrison  and  Kirkpatrick  elected  Captains.  Associated  with 
the  latter  was  Busby  as  First  Lieutenant,  and  N.  P.  Richmond  as  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant.  Capt.  Kirkpatrick  received  his  commission  to  date 
from  April  23,  1861,  and  May  12  his  company  (C)  was  assigned  to 
the  Twelfth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  In  order  to  enter  the  three 
years'  service,  he  was,  by  permission  of  Gov.  Morton,  transferred  to  the 
Thirteenth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  fifty-five  of  his  men  following 
him  ;  they  were  formed,  with  recruits,  as  Company  E,  June  18,  being  101 
strong,  and  were  mustered  in  for  three  years'  service.  Space  will  not 
permit  us  to  relate  of  the  many  battles  and  engagements  of  this  regi- 
ment, but  througli  this  long  period  Capt.  Kirkpatrick  led  his  company 
gallantly,  often  having  command.  He  participated  in  all  of  the  engage- 
ments of  his  regiment,  which  has  a  record  that  the  pages  of  history  will 
forever  perpetuate.  At  the  close  of  his  service,  he  returned  to  his  home, 
receiving  an  honorable  discharge.  Soon  after,  in  April,  1865,  he  was 
asked  by  Congressman  Stillwell  to  organize  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty- 
third  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry  from  this  district  (Eleventh),  as  Colonel; 
this  he  hastened  to  do,  but  upon  arriving  at  Indianapolis  the  sur- 
render of  Lee  prevented  the  fruition  of  this  plan,  and  Capt.  Kirkpatrick 
returned  to  his  home,  rejoicing,  as  did  every  true  American,  at  the  close 
of  this  gigantic  struggle.  Capt.  Kirkpatrick  had,  early  in  the  spring  of 
1865,  been  appointed  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty- 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  34  7 

seventh  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  which  he  declined.  To  the  im- 
portant office  which  he  has  now  been  appointed,  Capt  Kirkpatrick  takes 
the  entire  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens.  All  honor  to  the  brave  sol- 
dier and  the  man  who  has  been  true  to  all  public  and  private  trusts. 

LEX  J.  KIRKPATRICK  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  Sep- 
tember  6,  1853,  and  when  but  four  months  old,  his  parents,  Stephen  and 
Rebecca  (Jackson)  Kirkpatrick,  who  are  both  natives  of  Rush  County, 
Ind.,  removed  to  this  county,  locating  near  Greentown.  Five  years 
later,  they  removed  into  Taylor  Township,  where  the  son  assisted  his 
father  upon  the  farm  until  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  entered  Oska- 
loosa  (Iowa)  College  for  one  year.  The  family  then  moved  to  Kokomo, 
and  in  January,  1871,  L.  J.  entered  Howard  College,  remaining  until 
June,  1873,  Avhen  he  became  a  law  student  in  the  office  of  Hendry  & 
Elliott.  The  following  winter,  he  taught  school  six  months,  in  How- 
ard Township.  He  then  studied  law  in  the  same  office  until  October, 
1874,  when  he  entered  the  Central  Law  School  at  Indianapolis,  graduat- 
ing from  that  institution  in  June,  1875.  He  and  Mr.  Thomas,  of  Rush- 
ville,  represented  the  class  at  this  commencement.  He  then  returned 
home,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  soon  after  formed  a  partnership  with 
James  F.  Elliott,  of  Kokomo,  and  has  since  been  practicing  law  in  How- 
ard and  adjoining  counties.  In  the  fall  of  1881,  he  was  appointed  Master 
Commissioner,  by  Judge  N.  R.  Overman,  of  the  Thirty-sixth  Judicial 
Circuit,  which  position  he  is  filling  now.  He  is  Secretary  of  the  Demo- 
ocratic  Central  Committee,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  I. 
0.  0.  F.  September  22,  1881,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Emma  M. 
Palmer,  of  Adrian,  Mich.,  the  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Lucretia  (Sa- 
ville)  Palmer.  Stephen  Palmer  was  a  native  of  New  York  State,  and 
his  wife  of  Indiana.  Both  were  of  Scotch  descent.  Mr.  Kirkpatrick 
has  been  an  active  member  of  the  bar  each  term  of  the  Circuit  Court 
since  he  commenced  practice.  He  has  been  a  member  ot  the  Christian 
Church  since  January,  1868,  and  was  an  active  worker  in  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  for  a  number  of  years. 

A.  B.  KIRKPATRICK,  attorney,  is  the  second  in  a  family  of  five 
children  born  to  William  and  Sarah  (Walker)  Kirkpatrick,  the  former  a 
native  of  Union  County,  Ind.,  the  latter  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  Eng- 
lish and  Scotch  extraction.  Mr.  A.  B.  Kirkpatrick  was  born  in  Hen- 
dricks County,  Ind.,  March  17,  1855,  and  was  reared  upon  the  farm. 
He  graduated  at  Butler  University  in  the  summer  of  1878,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1880  received  his  diploma  in  the  Central  Law  School  of  Indi- 
ana. He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Kokomo,  Ind.,  where 
he  is  still  located.     He  is  also  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Kokomo  Qazette. 


348  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

JOHN  M.  LEACH  is  a  son  of  Elijah  C.  and  Annis  (Bird)  Leach, 
and  was  born  in  Litchfield  County,  Conn.,  June  19,  1844.  When  quite 
young,  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Highland  County,  Ohio,  where 
his  father  was  employed  by  the  Cincinnati  &  Marietta  Railroad  Company, 
for  about  two  years.  In  1854,  the  family  came  to  Indiana,  and  settled 
in  Kokomo,  where  John  M.  matured  to  manhood,  and  was  educated. 
Upon  the  breaking-out  of  the  war,  he  was  appointed  Veterinary  Sur- 
geon, by  E.  M.  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War.  He  served  in  that  capacity 
until  the  close  of  the  rebellion,  being  discharged  at  Fort  Leavenworth, 
Kan.,  in  18G5.  He  returned  to  Kokomo  and  engaged  in  the  livery  and 
brick  trades  with  H.  J.  Owings.  They  continued  business  about 
seven  years  and  then  dissolved  partnership.  Mr.  Leach  became  asso- 
ciated with  another  partner,  under  the  firm  of  Hinton  &  Leach,  in  the 
livery,  brick  and  ice  trades,  continuing  for  two  years,  when  the  firm  dis- 
solved. Since  that  time,  Mr.  Leach  has  been  carrying  on  the  brick  and 
ice  business  alone.  He  is  doing  a  prosperous  trade,  and  is  one  of  the 
progressive  business  men  of  Kokomo.  He  has  served  upon  the  City 
Council  for  two  years.  Mr.  Leach  was  married  in  Kokomo,  Ind.,  De- 
cember 9,  1867,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Pitner,  of  Pennsylvania.  She  died 
March  25,  1875,  leaving  two  children — Nettie  R.  and  Howard  H.  Mr. 
Leach  is  a  member    of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

TENCE  LINDLEY,  Ditch  Commissioner,  was  born  in  Clinton  Coun- 
ty, Ohio,  June  11,  1809.  His  parents,  James  and  Susanah  (Stout)  Lind- 
ley,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  were  of  German  descent.  A  few  years 
after  their  marriage  they  came  to  Ohio,  and  in  1811  located  in  Wayne 
County,  Ind.,  finally  locating  on  Green  Fork  Creek,  where  they  entered 
land.  This  Mr.  Lindley  sold,  and  entered  land  on  West  River,  where 
he  was  the  only  settler,  having  no  neighbors  for  miles  around.  In  the 
spring  of  1847,  he  removed  to  this  county  and  again  began  a  pioneer  life. 
He  died  in  1857,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  His  wife  survived 
only  a  short  time,  dying  within  two  or  three  years.  Tence  Lind- 
ley was  reared  on  the  frontier,  receiving  a  limited  education  from  the 
pioneer  schools.  He  assisted  his  father  on  the  fiirm  until  he  was  married 
in  1829,  to  Miss  Martha  Baltimore,  of  W^ayne  County,  Ind.,  but  a  native 
of  Ohio,  when  he  moved  into  a  log  cabin  on  a  farm  of  forty-six  acres. 
He  remained  there  twelve  years,  when  he  sold  and  located  in  Henry 
County,  where  he  tilled  the  soil  until  1845 ;  in  February,  he  moved  with 
his  family  six  miles  east  of  Kokomo,  purchased  a  claim  of  145  acres  for 
$120,  and  experienced  most  of  the  privations  of  a  new  country.  He  in- 
creased his  farm  to  200  acres,  having  100  improved.  Later,  he  sold  and 
located  six  miles  west  of  Kokomo,  on  what  is  known  as  the  Twin  Spring 
Farm,  and  four  years  later,  renting  his   farm,   he  removed   to   Kokomo, 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  Md 

where  he  has  since  lived.  For  years  after  this,  he  was  proprietor  of  a 
livery  and  sale  stable.  During  the  war,  he  did  an  extensive  business, 
after  which  he  retired  from  this  business  and  since  has  been  dealing  in 
real  estate.  In  1849,  he  was  elected  County  Commissioner,  serving  six 
years.  He  was  elected  the  third  time,  but  resigned.  He  has  been  Citv 
Commissioner  for  years.  In  May,  1882,  he  was  appointed  Ditch  Com- 
missioner by  the  court,  which  position  he  is  now  holding.  Mrs.  Martha 
Lindley  died  in  1851,  leaving  four  children — Ashbury,  a  farmer  of  St. 
Joseph  County,  Ind.,  Susanna,  the  wife  of  Snyder  White,  of  Kokomo, 
Mary  J.  and  Joseph,  both  deceased.  Mr.  Lindley  was  next  married  in 
1852,  to  Mrs.  Margaret  Honey,  of  Kentucky.  She  died  in  two  years, 
leaving  one  son,  John  F.,  who  was  killed  near  La  Porte  by  the  cars,  while 
employed  as  brakeman.  His  third  marriage  was  to  Mrs.  Electa  Living- 
ston, who  died  in  1874,  after  which  he  married  his  present  wife,  Mrs. 
Harriet  Comstock,  of  Kokomo. 

JUDGE  N.  R.  LINSDAY  was  born  March  4,  1815,  in  Ononda^ra 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  when  but  four  years  old,  his  parents  moved  to  Law- 
renceburg,  Ind.,  and  one  year  later  his  father  settled  on  Government 
land  in  Madison  County,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1823.  His 
mother  then  settled  in  Dearborn  County,  where  she  reared  her  family  of 
six  children.  Judge  Linsday,  when  but  twelve  years  old,  went  to  Madi- 
son County  and  lived  with  his  grandfather,  Nathaniel  Richmond,  an  old 
Revolutionary  soldier  and  pensioner.  Here  Mr.  Linsday  worked  on  the 
farm  in  the  summer  and  went  to  school  during  the  winter  until  he  was 
eighteen  years  of  age.  In  1833,  he  learned  the  plasterer's  trade,  and 
worked  at  this  and  farming  a  number  of  years.  March  10,  183G,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Rachel  Shaul,  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Anne  Shaul,  of 
Madison  County,  Ind.  In  1839,  Mr.  Linsday  was  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace  of  Fall  Creek  Township,  Madison  County,  which  office  he  held 
until  1843,  Avhen  he  resigned,  and  accepted  the  nomination  by  the  Whig 
party  for  Representative  of  Madison  County,  but  was  defeated  by  the 
Democratic  candidate  in  a  Democratic  county.  During  these  last  years, 
he  had  studied  law  and  taught  a  few  terras  of  school.  In  1842,  he  pur- 
chased his  first  law  books,  four  volumes  of  Blackstone.  In  the  fall  of 
1844,  he  came  to  this  county  on  horseback,  and  while  here  attended 
the  first  court  of  Howard  County,  held  six  miles  west  of  Kokomo,  at  the 
residence  of  Thomas  H.  Harrison.  Long  and  Ervin  were  the  Judt^es. 
He  returned  home,  but  soon  came  back  in  company  with  Dr.  Richmond 
and  Dr.  James  Barrett.  They  purchased  a  few  lots  in  Kokomo  and  built 
three  log  cabins,  finishing  them  on  the  last  day  of  December.  The  fol- 
lowing May,  Mr.  Linsday  moved  his  family  to  Kokomo.  He  wrote  the 
first  deed  ever  given  east  of  the   boundary  line.     In  1845.  he   opened  a 


350  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

law  office,  and  in  the  May  term  of  court,  he  acquitted  himself  well,  win- 
ning for  himself  a  wide  reputation.  He  gained  each  suit  in  his  first 
court,  and  soon  became  the  leading  lawyer  of  Howard  County.  After 
the  county  was  surveyed,  he  pre-empted  130  acres  of  land,  which  now 
forms  a  part  of  the  city  of  Kokomo.  In  1851,  he  was  elected  by  the 
Whig  party  as  Representative  of  Howard  and  Tipton  Counties,  and 
served  in  the  first  session  six  months,  under  the  present  constitution.  In 
1852,  he  was  nominated  for  Senator  from  Howard,  Cass  and  Pulaski 
Counties,  but  was  defeated.  In  1856,  he  was  elected  by  the  Republican 
party  as  Circuit  Judge  of  Howard,  Tipton  and  Hamilton  Counties,  and 
was  re-elected  in  1864,  but  soon  after  resigned.  His  wife,  Rachel,  died 
in  1856,  having  been  the  mother  of  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  still 
living — Lovisa  E.,  widow  of  Col.  Thomas  Harrison  ;  Martha  C,  wife  of 
Moses  Childs,  of  Kokomo;  Harry  A.,  now  a  soldier  in  the  regular  army 
at  Washington,  having  served  three  years  in  the  late  war;  and  Electa  E., 
wife  of  Thomas  A.  Deland.  In  December,  1856,  Mr.  Linsday  was  mar- 
ried to  Mrs.  Julia  A.  Foudray,  of  Indianapolis,  Ind.  She  died  in  1869, 
and  January  2,  1876,  Mr.  L.  was  married  to  his  present  wife,  Mrs.  Mal- 
vina  F.  Fowler,  of  Kokomo.  Mr.  L.  practiced  law  until  1880,  when  he 
was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  by  the  Republican  party.  He  intro- 
duced fourteen  bills  before  the  House,  eleven  of  which  became  laws.  Mr. 
L.  is  now  living  west  of  the  city,  on  forty  acres  of  land,  having  retired 
from  business. 

J.  N.  LOOP,  son  of  Joseph  M.  and  Margaret  Loop,  was  born  in 
Preble  County,  Ohio,  September  25,  1845.  He  lived  in  his  native  county 
on  a  farm  until  he  was  eight  years  old,  when  he  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Howard  County,  and  located  on  a  farm  near  Greentown,  where  his 
father  still  resides.  He  early  learned  the  hardships  of  a  life  in  the  wilder- 
ness, but  he  availed  himself  of  all  the  educational  advantages  of  his  time. 
He  was  a  student  in  the  common  schools,  in  the  Kokomo  High  School, 
and  in  the  Northwestern  College  at  Naperville,  111.  He  was  an  earnest 
seeker  for  knowledge,  and  having  acquired  a  good  education,  began  life  as  a 
teacher  in  the  common  schools  of  Howard  County  in  1866.  He  has  taught 
successfully  seventeen  terms  of  school,  and  ranks  among  the  oldest  and  best 
teachers  of  the  county.  He  early  learned  from  his  father  the  trade  of 
making  grain  measures.  This  business  he  has  folloAved  during  almost 
every  summer  season  for  twenty  years.  He  is  now  engaged  extensively 
in  this  business  at  Kokomo,  and  is  sole  proprietor  and  manufacturer  of 
the  Hoosier  Brand  of  Measures.  During  the  years  of  1873  and  1874, 
he  traveled  all  over  the  West  for  the  Western  Publishing  House  of  Chicago. 
Mr.  Loop  was  married,  May  30,  1878,  to  Miss  Emma  A.  Johnson,  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  H.  Johnson,  of  Howard  County.      He  has  always  been  a  strong 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  351 

Republican,  and  he  and  his   wife  are   active  members    of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

JACOB  MAAS  is  a  native  of  Bavaria,  Germany.  He  emigrated 
to  America  in  1853,  and  soon  after  located  at  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  where 
he  sold  goods.  He  then  went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  for  eleven  years 
he  was  engaged  in  merchandising.  In  1866,  he  located  in  Kokorao, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  Maas  first  engaged  in  butchering,  which 
business  he  continued  nine  years.  He  then  carried  on  farming,  together 
with  the  nursery  business,  in  Centre  Township,  at  which  he  was  engaged 
nearly  four  years.  He  then  returned  to  Kokomo  and  entered  in  the  liquor 
business,  wholesale  and  retail,  which  he  is  still  running,  Mr.  Maas  has 
in  connection  with  his  business  a  summer  garden,  in  which  he  has  a  fine 
collection  of  rare  birds  and  animals,  embracing  deer,  alligators,  and  the 
largest  bear  in  the  State.  Mr.  Maas  owns  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Union 
Township,  and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  citizens  of  Kokomo.  In  1866, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Jette  Stern  ;  they  have  one  child, 
Rosa. 

LUTHER  McREYNOLDS,  Sheriff  of  Howard  County,  was  born 
at  New  Castle,  Ind.,  September  12,  1855,  and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and 
Maria  (Deffenbaugh)  McReynolds,  natives  of  Ohio.  His  parents  returned 
to  Ohio  when  our  subject  was  but  a  small  boy,  and  in  1866  the  family 
came  to  Howard  County,  locating  in  Kokomo.  Here  Mr.  McReynolds 
entered  the  high  school,  where  i)e  studied  until  he  was  twenty  years  of 
age.  He  then  entered  the  Sheriff's  office  as  Deputy  under  John  E.  Terrill, 
and  later  served  as  Deputy  for  David  0.  Freeman.  The  third  term  he 
was  Duputy  under  Alexander  H.  Duke,  and  in  the  spring  of  1882  was 
nominated  as  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  Sheriff  by  the  Republican  par- 
ty, and  was  elected  after  a  hard  struggle.  Mr.  McReynolds  is  undoubt- 
edly the  youngest  Sheriff  in  the  State.  He  is  an  active  politician  in  the 
Republican  party,  and  is  an  energetic  young  man,  full  of  ambition,  and 
ever  ready  to  assist  in  all  public  enterprises.  He  is  a  worthy  citizen  in 
this  community,  and  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Good  Intent  Lodge, 
No.  29,  Knights  of  Pythias. 

WILLIAM  F.  MANN,  County  Surveyor,  is  the  younger  of  two 
children  born  to  John  Mann,  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  W.  Va.,  and 
Barbara  (Fattic)  Mann,  a  native  of  Shenandoah  County,  Va.  His  parents 
came  to  this  county  in  1849,  and  located  a  half  mile  north  of  Jerome, 
where  they  now  reside.  William  F,  Mann  was  born  in  this  county  July 
16,  1852,  and  spent  his  boyhood  days  working  on  the  farm  and  attending 
the  district  schools.  At  the  age  of  twenty,  he  entered  the  academy  at 
Spiceland,  where  he  attended  school  three  years,  graduating  in  the  class 
of  1877.     He    taught  five  terms  of  six  months    school,  teaching  in  the 


352  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

winter,  and  studying  law  in  the  summer  under  Judge  O'Brien  and  Milton 
Garrigus.  This  he  continued  for  about  fifteen  months,  after  which  he 
attended  the  Michigan  University  at  Ann  Arbor,  graduating  in  the  class 
of  1882,  after  which  he  came  home  and  was  nominated  for  County  Sur- 
veyor on  the  Republican  ticket ;  he  was  elected  in  the  following  fall  by  a 
good  mnjority.  Mr.  Mann  is  a  proficient  officer,  a  worthy  citizen,  and  an 
active  member  of  the  Republican  party. 

J.  M.  MATER  is  a  son  of  John  C.  and  Abalunie  (Winkler)  Mater, 
and  was  born  in  Germany  August  2,  1833.  He  was  educated  in  his  na- 
tive country.  He  learned  the  tailor's  trade,  which  he  followed  until  1853. 
Hoping  to  better  his  fortune,  he  came  to  America  and  first  located  in 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  one  year.  He  then  re- 
moved to  Winchester,  Ind.,  and  followed  his  trade  one  year.  He  returned 
to  Cincinnati  and  worked  at  his  trade  ten  years.  He  then  came  to  Koko- 
mo,  Ind.,  and  became  a  partner  with  D.  Friday,  conducting  merchant 
tailoring  and  gents'  furnishing  goods  for  four  years.  He  sold  his  interest 
and  was  employed  by  Friday  as  cutter  and  salesman  for  thirteen  years. 
In  February,  1883,  after  thirty  years'  experience,  he  opened  his  present 
establishment,  where  his  tables  are  filled  with  the  finest  fabrics,  con- 
sisting of  all  the  latest  styles  in  French,  English  and  American  goods. 
Mr.  Mater  is  skilled  in  the  art  and  his  work  is  guaranteed.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1857,  to  Miss  Eliza  Herman,  a  native  of 
Germany.  They  have  had  eight  children — Christia  H.,  George  H.,  Eliza, 
Annie,  Clara,  Ida,  Nora  and  Nellie.  Mr.  M,  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0. 
F.  Politically,  he  is  independent  in  his  views,  voting  for  the  man,  not  the 
party. 

J.  B.  MICHENER,  proprietor  of  the  Star  Machine  Works,  was  born 
July  20,  1838,  in  Columbiana  County,  Ohio,  and  was  the  seventh  of 
eight  children  born  to  James  and  Eliza  (Rakestraw)  Michener,  both  na- 
tives of  Pennsylvania.  J.  B.  Michener  went  to  the  common  schools  and 
worked  on  the  farm  until  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  when  he  began 
to  learn  the  machinist  trade,  working  as  an  apprentice  three  years.  In 
the  fall  of  1859,  he  came  to  Howard  County  and  started  a  saw  mill.  In 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Thirty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  as  a  private.  His  regiment  wintered  in  Kentucky,  and 
in  the  spring  he  was  honorably  discharged  on  account  of  disability,  when 
he  came  home  to  recruit.  In  the  spring  of  1865,  he  assisted  in  recruit- 
ing Company  G,  One  Hundred  and  Sixty-second  Regiment  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  went  out  as  Captain  with  Col.  E.  Ball  in  charge.  He 
was  one  who  received  a  meritorious  letter  from  President  Lincoln.  He 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  returned  to  Canton,  Ohio,  and 
the  following  fall  came  back  to   Kokomo,   and  engaged  in  the   machine 


OITV  OF  KOKOMO.  ^^° 


business,  until  1870,  when  he  went  to  Anderson    and  was  one  of  the 
p!  ties   that   established   the  Michener  Machine  Wovks.     In  1874   he 
returned  to  Kokomo  and  established  his  present  busmess    in  which  he 
now  employs  twelve  hands  and  does  a  business  of  |25  000  per  annun. 
Mr.  Mi!hener  was  married,  in  1851.,  to  Miss  Mary  Dunbar,  of  Stark 
County,  Ohio.     She  was  born  January  12,  1841.     Th,s  un.on  has  been 
blessed  with  nine  children,  three  of  whom  are  living-Mol  .e,  F  orence 
and  Aceneth.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Michener  are  members  oft'-^Un.ed  Order 
orHonor,  and  Mr.  Michener  is  a  memberof  the  I.  0.  0.  ^.  and  Kn.ghts 
of  Honor      He  had  always  been  a  Republican,  until  after  Hayes  elect.on 
when  he  joined  the  National  party.      In  1882,  he  was  cand.date  on  th.s 
Ticket  for  County  Clerk,  and  was  defeated  by  247  votes,  agamst  the  usual 
majority  of  1,000  or  1,300.       Mr.  Michener  is  one  of    the  enterpr.smg 
bu  iness  men  of  Central  Indiana,  and  is  building  up  an  extended  trade. 

dTotEL  W.  MOORE  was  born  March  7,  1836,  in  Bartholomew 
County   Ind.     He  is  the  son  of  8.  H.  Moore,  a  native  of  Kentucky 
and  Pemilia  H.  (Gaines)  Moore,  a  native  of  Virginia,  both  of  English 
descent      D     W.    Moore  moved  with  his  parents  to  this  county,  April, 
1846,  where  his  father  entered  land  in  Centre  Township.     Here  the  son 
worked  until  his  fathers  death,  in  1855,  when  he  took  charge  of  the  farm 
until  the  fall  of  1862.     He  had,  during  his  youth,  had  access  to  the  com- 
mon schools  held  in  the  pioneer  schoolhouse,  and  by  close  app  .cation  to 
his  books,  he  was  able  to  teach  school,  beginning  in  the  year  1857,  and 
continued  Bve  winters,  attending  to  the  farm  in  the  summer.     He  assisted 
in  clearing  160  acres  of  land.     The  family  suflered  many  of  the  priva- 
tions of  pLeer  life.     The  family  consisted  of  four  e^ldren    thre^  sons 
and  one  daughter,  Daniel  W.  being  the  eldest.     In  August  18t,2   George 
and  Edwin  A.  enlisted  in  the  Fifth  Indiana  Volunteer  Cavalry,  and  shortly 
after  D    W.,  with  his  mother  and  sister,  moved  to  Kokomo,  where  Mr. 
,  Moore  engaged  in  the  furniture  business  with  R.  H.  Porter,  and  later 
with  0   P   Downs  and  H.  Bowman,  continuing  in  this  busmess  fo.  three 
years   when  he  sold  out  and  went  into  the  boot  and  shoe  business.     In 
May  1867,  he  purchased  the  marble  works  of  John  Welch,  where  he  has 
been  doing  a  business  of  $5,000  to  $6,000  a  year  ever  since,  having  steady 
employment  for  five  men.     He  is  the  only  marble  man  in  the  county,  and 
his  work  is  seen  in  all  the  border  counties.     He  has  served  as  Township 
Assessor  two  years,  and  Township  Trustee  two  terms.  ■  He  has  been  one 
of  the  leading  men  in  public  enterprises,  and  an  active  member  of  the 
Republican  party.     Mr.  Moore  was  married.  September  8,  1863,  to  Miss 
Mary  E.  Terrell,  daughter  of  Richard  Terrell,  one  of  the  pioneer  farmers 
of  this  county,  and  now  seventy-three  years  of  age.     T^e  result  of    his 
union  was  five  children-Eva  B.,  Cora  A..  Maide  M..  <>-«-/,.   and 
Rollie  W.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 


354  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

HENRY  L.  MORELAND,  County  Auditor,  was  born  in  Franklin 
County,  Penn.,  August  8,  1824.  His  parents,  David  and  Isabella  (Lang) 
Moreland,  were  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Henry  L,  went  to  school, 
and  helped  his  father  on  the  farm,  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  old, 
when  he  moved  west  to  Xenia,  Ohio,  where  he  learned  the  cooper's  trade, 
and  worked  for  eighteen  months.  He  then  located  in  Middletown,  Henry 
County,  Ind.,  and  worked  seven  years  at  his  trade.  In  ]851,  he  moved 
to  Grant  County,  Ind.,  and  two  years  later  located  in  Howard  Township, 
this  county,  where  he  followed  farming  until  18ti4,  when  he  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Ervin  Township.  This  he  improved  and  farmed  until 
1872,  when  he  sold  it,  and  purchased  property  in  Kokomo.  He  bought 
A.  J.  Norton's  cooper  shop,  employed  a  number  of  workmen,  and  began 
to  work  again  at  his  trade.  He  has  been  interested  in  this  business  ever 
since.  In  the  spring  of  1866,  he  was  appointed  to  fill  a  vacancy  as  County 
Commissioner.  He  was  elected  in  the  fall  to  fill  the  unexpired  term. 
He  was  re-elected  in  1877,  and  served  four  and  a  half  years,  during 
which  time  the  present  court  house  was  built,  and  many  other  county  im- 
provements were  made.  He  was  elected  in  1874,  and  re-elected  in  1878, 
to  the  office  of  County  Auditor,  where  he  has  given  perfect  satisfaction , 
and  has  proved  an  able  and  efficient  officer.  He  is  a  liberal  supporter  of 
all  public  enterprises,  an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  a 
member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  Masonic  fraternity.  In  May,  1849, 
Mr.  Moreland  was  married  to  Miss  Almira  J.  Burr,  daughter  of  C.  H. 
Burr,  of  Middletown,  Ind.  Mrs.  Moreland  died  in  1870,  leaving  five 
children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living — Addie  E.  and  Henry  L.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1870,  Mr.  Moreland  married  his  second  wife,  Mrs.  Mary  M. 
Neil,  of  this  county.  Four  children  bless  this  union,  two  of  whom  are 
now  living — Olive  L.  and  Willie  M. 

DR.  J.  R.  MORGAN,  dentist,  was  born  in  1856,  in  Monroe  County, 
Ind.,  and  is  the  son  of  Lewis  R.  and  Lu  A.  (Boyd)  Morgan,  both  natives  of 
Indiana.  His  father  was  a  merchant  and  resident  of  Monroe  County 
until  his  death,  in  1857.  His  mother  is  living  in  Kokomo,  and  Dr.  Mor- 
gan is  the  only  child.  He  received  a  good  academic  education,  and  was 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he 
commenced  the  study  of  dentistry  at  Bedford,  Lawrence  Co.,  Ind.,  with 
Driscoll  &  Glover.  He  continued  two  years  as  a  student,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Bedford,  Ind., 
Bellefontaine,  Ohio,  and  in  1882  came  to  Kokomo.  He  purchased  the 
dental  office  of  Frank  Andrews,  where  he  has  since  been  doing  a  large 
and  increasing  business.  Dr.  Morgan  is  well  versed  in  his  profession,  and 
is  an  exemplary  young  man  and  a  worthy  member  of  the  Christian 
Church. 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  355 

RICHARD  NIXON  was  born  in  North  Carolina  September  1,  1820, 
and  was  the  seventh  of  a  family  of  eight  children  born  to  Jacob  and  Je- 
mima (Walker)  Nixon,  both  natives  of  South  Carolina.  They  were  reared 
in  North  Carolina,  and  there  were  married  in  1804.  They  lived  there 
until  1830,  when  they  moved  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  and  the  following 
fall  located  in  Henry  County.  Of  the  family  of  eight  children,  only  two 
are  living — Richard,  and  Jesse,  a  druggist  of  New  Castle.  Jacob  Nixon 
spent  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life  with  his  son  Richard.  He  died  April 
21,  1874,  at  the  age  of  ninety-two.  His  wife  died  July  25,  1844,  aged 
fifty-eighf.  They  lived  consistent  Christian  lives.  Richard  Nixon  worked 
on  his  father's  farm  and  attended  the  common  schools  until  he  was  nine- 
teen, when  he  taught  a  terra  of  three  months.  He  was  married,  Septem- 
ber 23,  1841,  to  Miss  Asenath  H.  Wickersham,  of  Henry  County.  She 
was  born  in  Wayne  County  January  2,  1821.  Two  children  blessed 
this  union — Louisa,  and  Mary  E.,  wife  of  John  A.  Ellis,  of  Kokomo.  Mr. 
Nixon  farmed  in  Henry  County  until  September,  1845,  when  he  located 
at  New  London,  Howard  County,  where  he  erected  a  business  room,  18x44, 
in  which  he  placed  a  general  stock  of  goods,  worth  §64.00.  He  contin- 
ued increasing  his  stock  and  remained  in  business  until  1861,  increasing 
his  business  to  over  $10,000  per  year.  Afterward  he  lived  in  Richmond 
one  year,  and  in  1865  located  in  Kokomo,  engaging  in  the  dry  goods 
business  in  company  with  his  brother,  under  the  firm  name  of  R.  Nixon 
&  Co.,  with  a  stock  of  $17,000.  In  1869,  Richard  Nixon  became  suc- 
cessor to  this  firm,  with  a  stock  of  $24,000,  where  he  continued  until 
1871,  when  he  sold  out  and  then  purchased  a  $12,800  farm,  one  mile 
east  of  Kokomo.  He  afterward  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business 
for  two  years,  with  his  son-in-law,  and  in  1873  retired  from  business,  and 
took  charcre  of  his  brother's  estate,  as  administrator.  He  is  now  a  stockholder 
in  the  Howard  National  Bank,  and  has  240  acres  of  good  farm  land,  together 
with  good  city  property.  He  is  worth  $30,000.  He  was  County  Commis- 
sioner of  Howard  County  one  term,  and  has  been  Trustee  of  the  Kokomo 
City  Schools  eleven  yeax's.  He  is  Vice  President  of  the  Howard  National 
Bank  and  a  Director  of  the  same.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  Gen.  Harrison, 
in  1840.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and  his  family  are  members  of  the 
Friends'  Church,  and  his  daughter  Emily  is  a  recorded  minister  in  this 
church.  Mrs.  Nixon  is  the  daughter  of  J.  and  Mary  Wickersham,  both 
natives  of  North  Carolina.  This  family  located  in  Wayne  County,  Ind., 
in  1816,  and  in  1823  moved  to  Henry  County,  where  Mr.  Wickersham 
died.  His  wife  spent  the  latter  part  of  her  life  in  Howard  County,  and 
died  in  1855.  They  reared  a  family  of  five  children,  four  of  whom  are 
yet  living. 

HON.  JAMES  O'BRIEN  was  born  in  Brown  County,  Ohio,  in  1828, 
and  assisted  upon  the  farm  until   he  became  a  man.     He  was  the  son 


^56  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

of  John  and  Eleanor  (McClugen)  O'Brien,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Penn- 
sylvania, and  of  Scoth  descent.  James  had  access  to  the  schools 
in  the  country,  and  received  a  good  common  school  education.  At 
the  age  of  eighteen,  he  began  teaching,  which  profession  he  followed 
at  intervals  for  six  years.  In  1849,  while  teaching,  he  began  the  study 
of  law,  and  three  years  later  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Madison 
County.  His  parents  moved  to  Hancock  County,  when  he  was  but  a 
child,  and  in  1830  they  removed  into  Marion  County,  near  Indianapolis. 
Jiimes  began  the  practice  of  law  in  Madison  County,  in  1852,  and  in 
the  same  year  removed  to  Hamilton  County,  where  he  remained  for  nine- 
teen years,  practicing  all  the  time,  except  during  the  four  years  from  1855 
to  1859,  when  he  filled  the  ofiice  of  Clerk  of  the  Court,  having  been 
elected  on  the  Republican  ticket.  In  1871,  he  located  in  Kokomo,  hav- 
ing been  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy  of  Judge  Davis,  of  Anderson,  in 
February,  1871,  and  served  as  Circuit  Judge  for  three  years,  after  which 
he  resumed  the  practice  of  law.  He  has  been  one  of  the  leading  attor- 
neys of  Howard  County  ever  since.  He  pleaded  for  the  defense  on  two 
of  the  prominent  murder  trials  of  this  county.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
State  Legislature  in  1863,  from  Hamilton  and  Tipton  Counties.  In  1880, 
he  was  one  of  the  State  Electors,  that  cast  a  vote  for  James  A.  Garfield. 
He  has  been  an  active  politician  all  his  life,  casting  his  first  Presidential 
vote  for  John  C.  Fremont.  He  was  married.  May  8,  1854,  to  Miss 
Charlotte  L.  Lindsey  of  Noblesville,  Ind.  Six  children  have  blessed 
this  union — Lucy,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Moulder;  John  L.,  book-keeper  and 
painter,  at  Santa  Fe,  Kan.;  Jessie,  deceased ;  William  Grant,  civil 
engineer  ;  Margaret  E.  and  James  A.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  O'Brien  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  Mr.  O'Brien  is  a  Royal 
Arch  Mason. 

THEOPHILUS  C.  PHILIPS  (deceased),  one  of  Indiana's  leading 
journalists,  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  February  5,  1827,  and 
was  the  fourth  of  eleven  children  born  to  farmer  parents.  He  received 
a  good  common  school  education,  which  was  supplemented  by  a  college 
course  at  Delaware,  Ohio,  where  he  graduated  when  scarcely  out  of 
his  teens.  In  1848,  he  settled  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  drug  business.  He  was  married  in  Hamilton  July 
81,  1849,  to  Miss  Frances  Julia  Freeman,  and  in  1852,  with  his 
family,  removed  to  Wayne  County,  where  for  one  year  he  was  engaged  at 
farming.  He  then  returned  to  Hamilton  and  traveled  for  a  Cincinnati 
house  for  about  one  year.  In  1854,  Mr.  Philips  removed  to  Howard 
County,  and  established  a  grocery  store  in  Kokomo,  which  he  conducted 
until  1856,  when  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace.  In  1857,  he  em- 
barked upon  his  journalistic  career,   which  he  never  relinquished  until  his 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  ^'-^' 

dying  hour,  and  in  which  he  attained  a  fame  which  extended  all  over  the 
adjacent  States.     January  14,  1857,  the  first  "-^er  of  the  ff.»..^ 
cLm  Tribune  was  issued,  with  Mr.  Phd.ps  as  sole  ed.tor      Th„  pape 
soon  became  a  power  in  directing  the  affairs  of  the  town  of  Kokomo  and 
Howard  County,  and  subsequently  was  admitted  to  be  one  of  the  lead  ng 
iournals  of  the   State.     It  was  from  time  to  time  enlarged,   and  all  the 
Lee  and  vigor  of  its  editor  were  expended  upon  its  columns  madvocat.ng 
all  public  enterprises  calculated  to  promote  the  growth  and  develop  the 
county  and  State  in  which  he  had  made  his  home.     The  he.ght  to  wh.ch 
Mr  Philips  attained  was  in  some  degree  remarkable,  and  was  only  ob- 
tained  by  unwearying  attention  and  devotion  to  his  chosen  profess.on    He 
Ira  stron.  partisan,  but   retained  and  commanded  the  respect  of  h>s 
political  adversaries.     In  1861,  Mr.  Philips  was  appointed  Postmaster  of 
Kokomo  by  President  Lincoln,  which  ofBee  he  held  untd  18bb,  when  he 
e tn™  to'accept  the  Special  Mail  Agency  of  the  State  o  Ind.ana,  wh.ch 
position  was  tendered  him  by  Postmaster  General  Randall.     Th,s  pos.t^n 
he  filled  until  1868,  when  he  resigned.     Daring  these  yea«,  he  was  st.ll 
interested  in  the    Tribune,  and  a  constant  writer  for  ,ts  columns.     A    a 
politician,   he  enjoyed  a  deservedly   high  reputat.on    and  «-  »-  »    f; 
eaders  of  the  Republican  party  in  the  county  and  State.     At  the  t,me  ot 
his  death  he  was  one  of  the  oldest  editors  in   continuous  serv.ee  m    U  e 
State    and  his  ability  was  everywhere  recognized  and  respected      Mi. 
Philips,  in  personal  address,  was  genial,  courteous  and  unvaryingly  con- 
siderate    He  was  a  member  of  both  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellow  fVa- 
ternities,  but  not  ,an  active  worker  during  his  later  years.     Atnong  the 
n     y  ar  icles  from  his  pen,  those  entitled  "  Town  Talk      "By  the  Way- 
"de"  and  "What  shall  we  do  with  the  Girls,"  gave  h„n  a  wme  reputa- 
tion, and  were  extensively  copied  by  the  press  of  Indiana  and  other  Staes. 
It  is  but  justice,  right  and  truth  to  say  that  every  ™F°™7"Y.f  ,  "' 
educatiomd  interest.  reUgious  and  charitable  undertakmg,  fo^d  "  ^'» 
a  constant  and  true  champion,  and  that  h,s  ah,  it.es  were  capable  of 
assuming  the  chief  editorial  chair  of  any   metropolitan   daily  ne»spape. 
in  the  c^untrv.     Jlay  25,  1875,  Mr.  Philips  was  stricken  w,th  paralysis 
but  his  vigor^s  constitution  baffled  death,  and  he  soon  recuperated      He 
re.«raedWs  editorial  work,  which  was  foithfuUy  continued  untd  July  4 
1878,  when  he  was  again  attacked  and  passed  quietly  »"''  P^:><=^f"  •' 
awav.     His  wife  died  December  4,  1876.     Mr.  and   ^I--   P'""?'  l-J 
four'  children-A.  F.,  Mary,  Cl.arles  H.  (deceased)  and  William  R. 

A  F  PHILIPS  of  the  Kokomo  Satwdaij  Tribune,  is  a  native  ot 
Ohio,'  where  he  was  born  in  1850.  He  received  his  early  education  in 
the  common  schools,  and  later  entered  his  fiither's  printing  office  in  Koko- 
mo wliere  he  learned  the  practical  duties  of  the  "  art  preservative,    soon  be- 


358  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

coming  an  assistant  editor.  In  1866,  he  was  appointed  in  the  railroad 
mail  service  as  route  agent  from  Indianapolis  to  Peru,  which  position  he 
held  for  two  years.  In  1870,  ho  was  admitted  and  became  assistant 
editor  of  the  Tribune.  In  1871,  he  received  the  appointment  of  Post- 
master of  the  city  of  Kokomo,  retaining  this  office  for  six  years,  when 
he  resigned  and  accepted  an  appointment  as  special  agent  of  the  Post 
Office  Department;  this  position  he  held  until  1878,  when  he  resigned, 
on  account  of  the  health  of  his  father,  and  with  his  brother,  C.  H.  Philips 
devoted  his  time  to  the  exclusive  management  of  the  Tribune.  His 
brother  dying  in  1881,  Mr.  Philips  became  sole  editor  and  proprietor, 
and  conducted  the  paper  alone  until  December,  1882,  when  he  admitted 
his  brother,  W.  R.  Philips,  and  the  business  has  since  been  conducted 
under  the  firm  name  of  A.  F.  &  VV.  R.  Philips.  Mr.  Philips  is  a  fluent 
and  ready  writer,  and  under  his  management  the  Tribune  has  flourished 
and  retained  the  prominence  attained  for  it  by  his  father.  He  is  a  lead- 
ing member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  and 
K.  of  P.  fraternities.  Mr.  Philips  was  married  in  1870  to  Miss  Irena 
Bailey,  daughter  of  James  L.  Bailey,  of  Kokomo  ;  they  have  four  children 
living — Grace,  Jessie,  Julia  and  Maggie — and  one  deceased — Freddie. 

CHARLES  PIOWARD  PHILIPS,  whose  brilliant  life  went  out  in 
its  morning,  was  born  in  Kokomo  June  6,  1856.  He  received  a  good 
education,  and  inheriting  a  taste  for  journalism  from  his  father,  he  entered 
the  printing  office  in  his  childhood.  When  but  thirteen  years  of  age,  he 
began  editing  and  publishing  The  Junior,  which  lie  continued  until  1871, 
when  he  became  a  partner  with  his  father,  and  junior  editor  of  the 
Tribune,  which  position  he  retained  until  his  death.  During  the  Con- 
gress of  1874-75,  he  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  Senate  Committee  on 
Pensions,  and  held  this  position  during  the  term.  He  was  a  journalist 
of  more  than  ordinary  force,  and  in  many  respects  a  reflex  of  his  father, 
his  individuality  being  strongly  marked,  and  in  his  love  for  his  profession 
giving  his  whole  soul  to  its  requirements.  His  views  were  broad  and  he 
gave  an  impetus  to  State  literature  that  will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  The 
"Home  Department"  of  the  Tribune  was  established  by  him,  and 
through  his  earnest  efforts  many  of  the  leading  writers  of  the  day  became 
contributors.  He  was  a  brilliant  Avriter,  and  that  he  would  have  attaine 
to  the  foremost  rank  in  journalism  and  literature,  the  high  position 
accorded  him  full  well  attests.  His  desire  to  retain  the  high  character, 
established  by  his  father,  of  the  Tribune,  led  him  to  confine  himself  too 
closely,  and  his  constitution  soon  became  weakened.  In  July,  1880,  he 
was  prostrated  by  fever,  from  the  eff'ects  of  which  he  never  recovered. 
October  17,  1878,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Kate  Kennedy, 
a  lovely  and  accomplished  young  lady,  daughter  of  Peter    B.    Kennedy, 


CITY  OF  KOKO.MO.  359 

one  of  the  pioneers  of  Howard  County.  This  union  was  a  most  happy 
one,  and  there  lives  were  passed  in  perfect  trust.  In  the  fill  of  1880, 
our  subject,  with  his  wife,  went  to  Florida,  thinking  the  climate  might 
prove  beneficial.  Here  a  child  was  born  to  them,  but  at  the  fearful  sacri- 
fice of  the  mother's  life,  who  died  March  9,  1881.  With  this  terrible 
shadow  upon  his  life,  he  returned  to  his  home  with  his  child,  and  on  May 
31,  1881,  the  child  rejoined  its  mother.  Under  his  bereavements  he 
bore  up  bravely,  but  consumption  had  fastened  upon  his  weakened  system 
and  November  5,  1881,  a  life  went  out  that  was  beautiful  with  all  the 
graces  that  adorn  manhood. 

CAPT.  W.  W.  PEARCE  is  a  son  of  John  P.  and  Maria  (Noon) 
Pearce,  the  former  of  Cornwall,  England,  the  latter  of  South  Wales. 
They  came  to  America,  in  1819,  and  settled  in  Vermont;  from  thence 
they  went  to  Ohio,  and  finally  to  Indiana  in  1852.  Capt.  Pearce  was 
born  in  Vermont  September  26,  1819,  where  he  was  reared  till  twelve 
years  old,  when  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Cuyahoga  County,  Ohio. 
He  completed  his  studies  at  Newburg,  in  1838,  after  which  he  was  a 
sailor  on  Lake  Erie  for  one  year.  He  was  then  employed  as  mate  on  the 
Ohio  River  for  two  years,  running  from  Louisville,  Ky.,  to  New  Orleans. 
He  then  purchased  and  ran  a  canal  boat  on  the  Wabash  &  Erie  Canal 
for  about  fifteen  years.  He  sold  out  and  located  at  Peru,  Ind.,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  liquor  trade  for  about  ten  years.  In  1875,  he  came  to 
Kokomo,  and  has  since  been  carrying  on  the  liquor  business.  He  is  also 
engaged  in  farming.  His  estate  lies  four  miles  south  of  Kokomo,  and 
contains  101  acres  of  fine  improved  land.  He  was  married  at  Attica, 
Ind.,  January  15,  1855,  to  Miss  Eliza  Holbrook,  of  New  York,  She 
died  October  17,  1878.  He  married  his  present  wife,  Miss  Maggie  E. 
Petley,  October  30,  1879.  Capt.  Pearce  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  is 
a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M. 

COL.  ELIJAH  W.  PENNY,  one  of  Indiana's  gallant  soldiers,  was 
born  April  21,  1840,  in  Carroll  County,  Ind.,  and  was  the  fourth  of 
seven  children  born  to  John  T.  Penny,  a  native  of  South  Carolina,  and 
Deborah  (Westfall)  Penny,  born  in  Ohio.  His  father  came  to  Ohio  in 
1816,  when  be  Avas  only  eight  years  old,  and  in  1838  located  in  Indiana. 
He  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  now  lives  in  Calhoun  County,  Iowa.  Col. 
Penny  came  to  Howard  County  in  the  fall  of  1840.  He  lived  on  the 
farm  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  learned  and  worked  at 
the  carpenter's  trade  in  this  county.  He  traveled  through  the  United  States 
during  1859  and  1860,  after  which  he  returned  to  Howard,  and 
enlisted  in  the  Sixth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry  as  a  private. 
He  served  three  months  in  West  Virginia,  when  he  re-enlisted  in  Company 
D,    Thirty-ninth    Regiment,  August  2,    1861,   serving   three  years    as 


360  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Sergeant.  He  raised  Company  A,  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  Regiment, 
in  the  fall  of  1863  ;  was  chosen  First  Lieutenant  October,  1863  ;  Captain 
January  20,  1864  ;  Major,  June  28,  1864  ;  and  Lieutenant  Colonel, 
September  14,  1864.  He  served  in  the  Department  of  the  Cumberland, 
Twenty-third  Army  Corps,  Army  of  the  Ohio.  He  was  wounded  six  times 
during  the  war  ;  four  flesh  wounds,  and  August  6,  1864,  while  on  the 
right  of  Atlanta,  Ga.,  in  a  charge,  lost  his  right  arm  near  the  shoulder, 
and  was  wounded  through  the  right  side,  the  ball  passing  through  the 
muscles  of  the  back,  fracturing  one  rib  and  the  spine.  Col.  Penny  was 
out  of  the  field  but  sixty  days  with  both  wounds,  when  he  returned  to  his 
regiment  and  served  in  front  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  present 
at  the  surrender  of  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  at  Greensboro,  N.  C,  and 
commanded  a  post  at  Charlotte,  N.  C,  after  the  surrender.  He  was  in 
every  battle  and  skirmish  his  regiment  engaged  in,  and  was  discharged 
with  his  regiment,  December  14,  1865.  He  was  the  only  soldier  from 
Indiana  that  kept  the  field  with  such  severe  wounds,  for  which  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  voted  him  thanks.  He  was  in  the  following  battles:  Philippi, 
Laurel  Hill,  Cheat  River,  Munfordsville,  Potato  Hill,  Buzzard  Roost, 
Tunnel  Hill,  Dalton,  Resaca,  Smoky  Creek  Gap,  Altoona  Mountain, 
Cassville,  Ga.,  Big  Shanty,  Burnt  Hickory,  Marietta,  Decatur,  siege 
of  Atlanta,  Stone  Mount,  Waverly,  Centerville,  Pine  Creek,  Nashville, 
and  Kingston,  N.  C.  Mr.  Penny  was  married  January  25,  1866,  to 
Sarah  J.  Williams,  daughter  of  John  W.  and  Elizabeth  Williams,  His 
wife  was  born  in  Fulton  County,  Ind.,  March  20,  1848.  He  engaged  in 
the  livery  business  at  Kentland,  Ind.,  and  in  February,  1866,  soldout  and 
moved  to  Galveston,  Cass  County,  where  he  carried  on  the  tobacco  trade. 
In  1872,  he  moved  on  a  farm  in  Howard  County,  and  in  1876  he  located 
in  Kokomo,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  selling  marble.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Penny  have  two  children — Edwin  A.,  born  January  17,  1867,  and 
Rosella  0.,  born  May  18,   1873. 

NATHAN  PICKETT,  President  of  the  Howard  National  Bank, 
was  born  in  Chatham  County,  N.  C,  October  26,  1818.  When  he  was 
ten  years  of  age,  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Parke  County,  Ind., 
where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  Later  he  was  employed  as  clerk  at 
Annapolis,  Parke  County,  about  five  years,  after  which  he  turned  his 
attention  to  farming.  This  he  followed  for  about  six  years,  when  he 
opened  a  general  merchandise  store  at  Annapolis,  and  continued  in  busi- 
ness there  for  fifteen  years.  Mr.  Pickett  was  a  successful  merchant,  and 
did  a  thriving  business.  He  again  returned  to  farming,  having  purchased 
his  father's  place,  and  in  1875  was  elected  President  of  the  First  National 
Bank  at  Rockford,  Ind.,  holding  the  position  one  year.  In  1878,  he 
located  in  Kokomo,  and  in  July,  1878,  the  Howard  National  Bank  was 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  361 

organized,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $100,000.  Mr.  Pickett  was  chosen  as 
President  of  this  bank,  which  position  he  has  held  since,  proving  himself 
an  efficient  officer.  He  was  married  in  Parke  County,  Ind.,  November 
18,  1841,  to  Miss  Harriet  E.  Carter,  of  North  Carolina.  By  this 
union  they  have  eight  children.  Mr.  Pickett  is  the  wealthiest  citizen  of 
Kokomo.  He  has  accumulated  a  fine  estate,  owning  a  fine  farm  near 
Annapolis,  also  a  farm  in  Morgan  County,  this  State,  besides  his 
property  in  Kokomo.  He  is  an  old  and  worthy  citizen,  is  a  liberal  con- 
tributor to  all  public  improvements  and  benevolent  enterprises,  and  is 
one  of  the  most  prominent  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

J.  C.  PICKETT,  of  the  firm  of  Armstrong,  Pickett  &  Co.,  was 
born  in  Parke  County,  Ind.,  January  24,  1852.  His  father,  Nathan 
Pickett,  a  banker  and  a  capitalist  of  Kokomo,  and  his  mother,  Harriet 
(Carter)  Pickett,  are  both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  Mr.  J.  C.  Pickett 
passed  his  early  years  in  his  native  county,  attending  the  schools  of  Parke 
County,  subsequently  completing  his  studies  at  Bloomingdale  Academy, 
in  1870.  After  two  years  passed  at  agricultural  pursuits,  he,  in  1872, 
came  to  Kokomo,  and  became  a  partner  of  the  firm  of  Armstrong,  Nixon 
&  Co.,  now  Armstrong,  Pickett  &  Co.,  one  of  the  leading  hardware  firms 
of  Indiana.  To  this  institution,  Mr.  Pickett  has  since  devoted  his  en- 
ergies and  business  qualifications.  He  possesses  superior  business  attri- 
butes, and  is  a  valued  member  of  the  firm.  Mr.  Pickett  was  united  in 
marriage,  October  18,  1878,  to  Miss  Louisa  Lindley,  daughter  of  Charles 
and  Rhoda  (Dyke)  Lindley.  They  have  one  child — Emma.  Mr.  Pickett 
is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  K.  of  P.,  and  in  politics  a  Repub- 
lican. 

M.  M.  PREBLE  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  was  born  February 
7,  1805.  He  was  the  second  of  eight  children  born  to  Benjamin  B.  and 
Lucretia  (Marshall)  Preble,  both  natives  of  Maryland,  and  of  English 
descent.  His  parents  were  married  in  Kentucky,  in  1800,  and  in  1807 
removed  north  into  Piqua  County,  Ohio,  and  ten  years  later  moved  to 
Preble  County,  Ohio,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days. 
Benjamin  B.  died  October,  1837,  and  his  wife  in  1826.  M.  M.  Preble 
spent  his  boyhood  days  working  on  his  father's  farm,  and  going  to  the 
common  schools.  May  8,  1823,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Hannah 
Marshall,  of  Preble  County,  Ohio.  She  was  born  December  23,  1807, 
in  Kentucky.  Five  children  have  blessed  this  union — Debora,  Philip  M., 
Benjamin  B.,  Jr.,  Elizabeth  and  Magaret  A.  Soon  after  Mr.  Preble 
was  man-ied,  he  began  farming  on  rented  land,  but  two  years  later  he 
purchased  fifty-three  acres  of  timber  land,  on  which  he  erected  a  log 
cabin.  Through  industry  this  farm  was  improved  and  enlarged  to  119 
acres,  on  which  was  erected  a  good  brick  house  and  barn.     In  1853,  he 


362  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

sold  this  land,  and  moved  westward,  again  locating  on  wild  land  in  Cen- 
tre Township,  Howard  County,  Ind.  This  farm  is  now  part  of  the  city 
of  Kokorao.  This  was  his  second  start  in  life  as  a  pioneer,  and  he  was 
successful.  He  soon  had  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  here,  and  120  else- 
where. He  has  since  sold  both  farms,  and  is  now  enjoying  a  quiet  life  at 
his  home  on  West  Washington  street  in  this  city.  Mrs.  Hannah  Preble 
died  in  1858,  at  the  age  of  fifty-one.  Mr.  Preble  was  again  married  in 
1861,  to  Mrs.  Hhoda  E.  (Collins)  Gordon,  who  was  born  August  19, 
1818,  in  Preble  County,  Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Preble  are  both  prominent 
members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Preble  was  first  a  Whig,  and 
afterward  joined  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  liberal  supporter  of  all 
public  enterprises  and  improvements.  His  first  purchase  of  land  cost  him 
^15,  and  twenty  years  after  he  sold  it  for  $186  per  acre. 

JOHN  L.  PUCKETT,  editor  of  the  Christian  Indicator,  was  born 
January  22,  1847,  in  Howard  County,  Ind.  He  was  the  third  son  of  six 
children  born  to  Henry  L.  and  Elizabeth  Puckett,  both  natives  of  Ohio, 
and  of  English  descent.  H.  L.  Puckett  was  married  in  Henry  County, 
Ind.,  and  in  1846  located  near  Russiaville,  this  county,  where  he  worked 
at  blacksmithing  and  farming.  In  1864,  he  went  West;  spent  two  years 
in  Iowa,  then  he  located  in  Richland  County,  Wis.,  where  he  still  lives 
and  works  at  his  trade.  John  L.  Puckett  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm 
and  in  the  blacksmith  shop,  going  to  school  in  the  winter  until  he  was 
thirteen  years  old,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Fortieth  Regi- 
ment Indiajia  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  La  Fayette,  Ind.,  as  a  drummer 
boy,  and  later  as  a  regular  soldier.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Shiloh  and  Perryville,  and  with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  ;  he  was  in 
the  battles  of  Stone  River,  Mission  Ridge,  Chattanooga,  and  at  Kenesaw 
Mountain  he  was  wounded  by  a  gunshot.  In  1865,  he  again  joined  his 
regiment  at  Iluntsville,  Ala.,  when  they  went  into  Texas,  where  they  re- 
mained until  December,  and  in  January,  1866,  he  was  honorably  dis- 
charged at  Indianapolis,  Ind.;  upon  his  return  home,  he  went  to  Tampico, 
Ind.,  and  worked  at  brick-making  in  the  summer  and  studied  medicine  in 
the  winter.  He,  in  1872,  entered  the  Indiana  Medical  College,  and  the 
following  spring  began  to  practice  in  Cassville,  this  county,  establishing 
a  good  practice.  In  1875,  he  went  back  to  his  medical  college  and  com- 
pleted the  course,  graduating  in  the  spring  of  1876,  when  he  again  re- 
turned to  his  practice.  Mr.  Puckett  has  for  the  last  ten  years  been  pas- 
tor of  the  Christian  Church  at  Cassville,  with  which  denomination  he 
has  been  connected  for  many  years.  Since  December  1,  1881,  he  has 
been  editing  the  Christian  Indicator.  This  paper  is  published  in  the 
interest  of  the  old  Christian  Church,  and  now  has  a  circulation  of  2,000 
copies.      Mr.  Puckett  was  married  in  1866  to  Miss  Mary   J.  Golding,  of 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  363 

Howard  County.  She  was  born  December  6,  1849.  Four  children  have 
been  born  to  them — William  0.,  Cora  May,  Charles  C,  and  Omer,  de- 
ceased. I\Ir.  Puckett  is  a  Master  Mason,  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  and  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  county. 

W,  B.  RAY  was  born  in  Wabash,  Ind.,  October  6,  1847,  and  is  the 
son  of  Joseph  H.  and  Mary  P.  (Myers)  Ray,  natives  of  Ohio,  and  early 
settlers  of  Wabash,  where  they  still  live.  After  a  preparatory  course  in 
his  native  town,  W.  B.  Ray  entered  college  at  Crawfordsville,  where  he 
completed  his  studies  in  1866.  He  then  for  a  year  engaged  in  the  book 
and  stationery  business  at  Wabash,  but  disposed  of  his  stock  and  was  soon 
after  appointed  Deputy  County  Auditor ;  eighteen  months  later,  he  was 
appointed  Deputy  Recorder,  and  two  years  thereafter  filled  the  position 
of  Deputy  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  one  term,  and  then,  because  of  ill 
health,  retired  from  active  business  for  some  time.  In  June,  1877,  he 
located  at  Kokomo,  where  he  has  compiled  a  full  set  of  abstract  books, 
and  now  possesses  the  only  complete  set  in  the  county.  In  February, 
1864,  he  enlisted  in  the  Fourteenth  Indiana  Light  Artillery  and  took 
part  in  engagements  at  Baldwin's  Cross  Roads  (where  he  was  wounded  in 
the  right  temple)  and  Ripley,  Miss.;  ait  Nashville,  Franklin  and  Colum- 
bia, Tenn.,  and  at  Fort  Blakeley  and  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.  He  was  mar- 
ried at  Wabash,  Ind.,  to  Louisa  Phillips,  of  Ohio,  daughter  of  Robert 
and  Elizabeth  (Medburg)  Phillips,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  latter  of  the  Buckeye  State.  He  has  had  born  to  him  four  chil- 
dren— Charles  M.,  Clara  M.,  JohnF.  and  Maud.  Mr.  Ray  has  taken  an 
active  part  in  developing  the  public  highways  of  Howard  County,  and 
has  made  preliminary  surveys  of  all  its  gravel  roads ;  he  is  a  Republican, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

LEVI  P.  RICH,  County  Recorder,  was  born  September  27,  1848, 
in  Hamilton  County,  Ind.  He  is  the  son  of  Thomas  H.  and  Betsey 
D.  (Peacock)  Rich,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  English  de- 
scent. Thomas  Rich  came  to  Hamilton  County  with  his  parents  in  1833, 
where  he  lived  until  1849,  when  he  located  in  Monroe  Township,  Howard 
County.  Here  he  cleared  120  acres  of  land,  and  reared  a  family  of  six 
children,  Levi  P.  being  the  only  son.  In  October,  1869,  he  moved  to 
Kokomo,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  April  18, 1873.  His  wife  (aged 
sixty-seven)  still  lives  in  this  city.  Levi  P.  Rich  worked  on  the  farm 
until  he  was  twenty-one,  when  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  left  arm 
while  working  in  Hunt  Brothers'  planing'mill,  in  New  London.  He  had 
in  his  youth  acquired  a  good  common  school  education,  and  after  he  was 
crippled,  he  went  to  Earlham  College  at  Richmond,  Ind.,  intending  to 
complete  the  course,  but  after  a  year's  study  he  was  called  home  by  the 
failing  health  of  his  father.     He  then  began   to  manufacture  brooms,  in 


364  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

which  business  he  continued  until  1878,  when  he  was  elected  County  Re- 
corder by  the  Republican  party,  with  a  majority  of  896.  Mr.  Rich  was 
married,  December  30,  1873,  to  Miss  S.  Josie  Heston,  of  Wabash,  Ind., 
and  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  (Jackson)  Heston,  natives  of  Wayne 
County,  Ind.  Mr.  Rich  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  Knights  of 
Pythias,  and  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  He  started  in  life  a 
poor  boy,  but  through  labor,  economy  and  temperate  habits  he  has  ac- 
quired a  good  home.  Mrs.  Rich  acquired  a  good  education  when  young, 
and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  began  to  support  herself  by  teaching  school, 
which  she  followed  for  several  years.  Mr.  Rich  has  discharged  the  du- 
ties of  the  important  office  which  he  is  now  filling  ably  and  acceptably 
and  without  any  assistance,  and  has  the  confidence  of  the  general  public. 
CORYDON  RICHMOND,  retired  physician  and  surgeon  of  Ko- 
komo,  was  born  in  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.,  November  22,  1808,  and  is 
the  son  of  John  L.  and  Lorana  (Patchin)  Richmond.  His  parents  emi- 
grated to  Ohio  in  1817,  locating  fifty  miles  from  Cincinnati,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  at  Newtown,  ten  miles  east  of  that  city.  Dr.  Richmond  re- 
ceived but  a  meager  education  in  the  common  schools,  but  this  was  in 
part  supplemented  by  home  instruction  and  influence,  for  his  father  was 
a  physician  and  clergyman,  and  his  mother  possessed  superior  traits  of 
character.  He  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  his  father's  office,  and  at- 
tended lectures  in  the  Ohio  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  during  the 
session  of  1831  to  1832,  and  at  their  close  began  practice  in  Pendleton, 
Madison  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  till  1838,  and  then  removed 
to  Indianapolis  and  entered  the  office  of  his  father  and  Dr.  G.  W.  Mears, 
who  were  in  partnership.  In  1844,  he  and  N.  R.  Lindsay  visited  the 
Indian  Reserve,  as  Howard  County  was  then  called,  and  after  examining 
the  country,  both  decided  to  settle  there.  Late  in  the  season,  they  re- 
turned and  built  their  cabins,  and  the  next  spring  removed  thither,  where 
Dr.  R.  has  since  resided.  In  1847,  he  was  chosen  to  represent  Howard 
and  Cass  Counties  in  the  Legislature.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity  since  1844,  and  was  the  first  AVorshipful  Master  of 
Kokomo  Lodge,  and  has  taken  the  order  of  High  Priesthood.  In  1863, 
he  became  Assistant  Surgeon  in  Military  Hospital  No  3,  Nashville,  Tenn., 
and  remained  until  failing  health  compelled  him  to  return  home.  In 
March,  1865,  he  again  repaired  to  Nashville  and  helped  to  care  for  the 
wounded,  and  to  fit  up  the  hospital  for  the  colored  troops.  In  1867,  he 
was  elected  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Kokomo  and  served  two  years.  In 
politics,  he  was  formerly  a  Whig,  and  is  now  a  Republican.  Dr.  Rich- 
mond was  married,  February  16, 1830,  to  Nancy  Page  Stockton,  who  died 
in  September,  1833.  He  was  next  married  October  6,  1836,  to  Fran- 
ces Hawkins,  with  whom  he  lived  thirty-five  years,  when  the    union  was 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  365 

broken  by  death  October  5,  1871.  He  was  united  to  his  present  wife, 
Mrs.  Lydia  E.  Saxton,  September  9,  1873.  He  has  had  four  daughters, 
the  result  of  the  second  marriage — Louisa  W.,  wife  of  J.  M.  Leeds  ; 
Sarah  Jane,  wife  of  Joseph  Anderson  (deceased);  and  Lucinda  and  Mar- 
garet, each  of  whom  died  at  the  age  of  six  years.  Dr.  Richmond  has 
shared  the  burdens,  and  in  some  degree,  the  success,  of  the  people  of 
Howard  County  from  an  early  day,  witnessing  the  gradual  transforma- 
tion of  the  country  from  a  forest  to  its  present  cultivated  state,  and  un- 
dergoing all  the  privations  of  a  pioneer  physician.  He  established  a  large 
and  extensive  practice  in  Kokomo  and  the  vicinity  while  in  active  busi- 
ness, and  has  always  been  a  diligent,  honest,  charitable  and  useful  citizen, 
respected  in  all  his  relations,  both  private  and  public.  Dr.  Richmond 
was  appointed  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1880,  and  in  1882  elected,  which 
office  he  is  still  holding.  He  is  now  retired  from  active  business  and  en- 
joying well-earned  leisure  after  a  busy  life.  The  chapter  pertaining  to  the 
early  history  and  organization  of  Howai-d  County  in  this  book  is  the 
work  of  his  hands,  and  will  descend  to  posterity,  keeping  for  many  gene- 
rations the  memory  green  of  the  noble  band  of  pioneers  who  were  as- 
sociated with  him  in  developing  the  material  wealth  of  the  now  prosper- 
ous county  of  Howard. 

E.  W.  SAWYER,  M.  D.  (Homoeopathic  school),  is  a  native  of 
Maine,  and  was  born  in  1836.  His  parents,  William  and  Fidelia  (Hill) 
Sawyer,  were  also  natives  of  the  same  State.  His  father  was  a  prominent 
farmer  and  merchant,  and  occupied  various  public  offices  of  trust,  and  is  still 
living  in  his  native  State.  His  mother  died  when  our  subject  was, an  in- 
fant. He  received  good  educational  advantages,  and  until  sixteen  years 
of  age  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  after  which  he  traveled  through  several 
States,  engaged  in  various  occupations.  Learning  dentistry  in  Lawrence, 
Mass.,  he  pursued  this  business  in  Boston,  New  York,  Chicago,  and  for 
seven  years  in  Memphis,  Tenn.  During  his  career  as  a  dentist,  he  had 
been  applying  himself  to  the  study  of  medicine,  and  in  the  winter  of  1868 
and  1869  he  entered  Hahnemann  Homoeopathic  College,  located  at  St. 
Louis,  and  attended  one  course.  After  leaving  Memphis,  he  went  to  Se- 
dalia.  Mo.,  and  was  in  practice  and  study  for  several  months,  under  the 
tutelage  of  a  brother-in-law.  He  then  went  to  Chicago  with  the  intention 
of  attending  college,  and  in  the  disastrous  fire  of  1871  he  lost  all  the  prop- 
erty he  had  accumulated  by  years  of  labor.  Daring  the  winter  of 
1871-72,  he  attended  college  in  Chicago,  and  in  March,  1872,  came  to 
Kokomo,  where  he  located  and  began  practice,  and  where  he  has  estab- 
lished a  very  successful  business.  In  the  spring  of  1882,  he  graduated  at 
the  College  of  Homoeopathy  of  Chicago,  after  taking  special  courses. 
Dr.  Sawyer  makes  a  specialty  in  his   practice  of  all  chronic  and  blood 


366  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

diseases,  and  has  successfully  treated  and  cured  many  cases  of  cancer  by 
his  constitutional  treatment,  not  calling  into  service  the  art  of  surgery. 
Dr.  Sawyer  is  a  member  of  the  State  Homoeopathic  Society,  and  is  a 
Knight  Templar  in  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  was  united  in  marriage 
in  1869  with  Miss  Antoinette  M.  Smith,  of  Batavia,  N.  Y.  She  was  a 
lady  of  much  culture  and  intelligence.  She  died  in  1878,  leaving 
two  children — Eugene  W.  and  Antoinette.  In  May,  1882,  Dr.  Sawyer 
was  united  with  his  present  wife,  Miss  Laura  A.  Bettes,  of  Kokomo,  and 
a  native  of  Howard  County. 

WILLIAM  SCOTT,  M.  D,,  is  a  native  of  Greene  County,  Ohio,  and 
was  born  in  1831.  He  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  nine  children  born  to 
Charles  and  Sarah  (Bloxsom)  Scott,  who  were  natives  respectively  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  Virginia  ;  they  were  married  in  Ohio,  where  they  were 
pioneer  settlers.  Charles  Scott  was  a  school  teacher,  and  remained  in 
Ohio  until  about  the  year  1840,  when  with  his  family  he  emigrated  to 
Indiana,  locating  in  Jay  County,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
dealincr.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Grant  County,  and  later  to  Stark 
County,  where  he  engaged  in  stock-dealing,  and  resided  until  his  death  in 
1859.  The  mother  is  still  living  and  residing  in  Howard  County.  Our 
subject  received  a  common  school  education  until,  when  about  eighteen,  he, 
attended  a  seminary  and  high  schools  for  four  years,  teaching  in  the  mean- 
time. He  then  studied  civil  engineering  and  followed  it  for  about  one  year, 
upon  the  Pan  Handle  Railroad.  In  1852,  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  Lo- 
max,  of  Marion,  and  commenced  the  study  of  medicine,  remaining  under  his 
instruction  two  years.  He  removed  to  Greentown,  Howard  County,  in  1856 
and  commenced  practice  with  Dr.  Morgan,  remaining  with  him  two  years; 
in  1857-58,  attended  the  Ohio  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  one  course. 
He  graduated  from  the  Rush  Medical  College  in  Chicago  in  1862.  In 
1863,  he  entered  the  service,  and  for  one  year  was  Contract  Surgeon  of 
Hospital  No.  14,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  Returning  home,  he  was  appointed 
Examining  Surgeon  of  drafted  men,  but  soon  entered  the  field  again, 
receiving  an  appointment  as  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  Eighty-Ninth 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  in  three  months  was  promoted  to  Sur- 
geon. He  remained  with  his  regiment  until  they  returned  home  in 
August,  1865.  They  were  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  and  Tennes- 
see. Upon  his  return.  Dr.  Scott  located  in  Kokomo,  and  has  been  in 
constant  and  successful  practice  there  up  to  the  present  writing.  In  1870, 
he  entered  the  Bellevue  Medical  College  of  New  York  and  graduated 
therefrom.  Dr.  Scott  is  one  of  the  progressive  physicians  of  the  day  ; 
he  has  had  years  of  valuable  experience  and  has  availed  himself  of  all 
means  to  add  to  his  store  of  knowledge.  He  is  a  member  of  the  How- 
ard  County  Society,  of  which  he  has  been   President,  and  also  of  the 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  367 

Kokomo  Academy  of  Medicine ;  he  is  a  member  of  the  State  Medical 
Society,  and  is  now  Vice  President  of  the  Eleventh  Congressional  Dis- 
trict Medical  Association.  He  is  one  of  the  Faculty  of  the  Ft.  Wayne 
Medical  College,  as  Professor  of  Diseases  of  the  Throat  and  Respiratory 
Organs.  Dr.  Scott  is  a  Chapter  Mason,  Medical  Director  of  the  G.  A. 
R.  of  Indiana,  and  Surgeon  of  the  Wabash  and  T.,  C.  &  St.  Louis  Rail- 
roads. Dr.  Scott  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1854,  to  Miss  Sarah  R. 
Tharp,  of  Grant  County,  Ind.  ;  she  died  in  1869.  Three  of  their  chil- 
dren are  now  living — James  A.,  a  graduate  of  the  Indiana  Medical  Col- 
lege, and  Charles  A.,  who  has  also  been  a  student  of  medicine,  both  now 
engaged  in  the  drug  trade  in  Kokomo  ;  Amanda  Etta,  a  student  of  Glen- 
dale,  Ohio.  Dr.  Scott  was  married  to  his  present  wife,  Miss  Jennie 
Snorf,  a  native  of  Ohio,  in  1871.  They  have  three  children — Georgie 
A.,  William  I.  and  Julia  A.  Dr.  Scott  and  wife  are  both  members  of 
the  Methodist  Church.  Dr.  Scott  has  been  considerably  interested  in 
real  estate  in  Kokomo,  having  laid  out  one  addition  to  the  city,  and  built 
the  Commercial  Block.  He  has  always  aided  the  advancement  of  public 
measures  of  improvement,  and  is  a  public  spirited  and  respected  citizen. 

C.  C.  SHIRLEY,  District  Attorney,  was  born  at  Russiaville,  this 
county,  November  28,  1859,  and  is  the  son  of  Dr.  D.  J.  and  Waitzell 
(Seaward)  Shirley,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Ohio  respectively.  The  fam- 
ily moved  to  New  London  when  our  subject  was  still  a  youth,  and  there 
he  was  reared.  He  was  educated  at  the  common  schools  of  that  town,  at 
the  high  school  of  Kokomo,  and  at  Asbury  University,  Greencastle,  Ind. 
In  1879,  he  entered  the  law  department  of  Ann  Arbor  (Mich.)  Uni- 
versity, from  which  he  graduated  in  1881,  when  he  settled  in  Kokomo, 
and  was  soon  after  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  is  now  associated  in  prac- 
tice with  Judge  James  O'Brien,  an  eminent  lawver  of  Kokomo.  Mr. 
Shirley  was  elected  to  his  present  office  of  District  Attorney  in  1882,  and 
is  the  youngest  man  ever  elected  in  the  county  to  fill  that  position.  He 
is  an  active  leader  in  the  Republican  party,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
K.  of  P. 

R.  H.  SMITH,  M.  D.,  a  native  of  Howard  County,  is  th'e  fifth  of 
eight  children  born  to  William  B.  Smith,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  Sarah 
E.  Smith,  of  Kentucky.  His  father  came  to  Howard  County  about 
the  year  1844,  being  one  of  its  pioneer  settlers.  He  first  located  in  Clay 
Township,  on  land  which  he  entered,  and  has  followed  farming  since.  He 
has  improved  over  600  acres  of  land,  and  is  now  living  a  retired  life  on 
a  farm  in  Centre  Township.  He  now  owns  over  600  acres  of  good  farm 
land.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  in  good 
standing.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  1846,  and  received  a 
common  school  education,  supplemented  with  an   academic  course.     He 


368  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

first  clerked  in  a  dry  goods  and  grocery  store,  and  then  went  into  the 
drug  trade  at  Galveston,  Cass  County,  where  he  remained  two  years.  He 
then  came  to  Kokomo  an<l  started  the  drug  store  now  owned  by  Wood  & 
Harbster.  He  continued  in  business  there  ten  years,  and  during  that 
time  was  in  partnership  with  Dr.  James,  Dr.  I.  C.  Johnson  and  Dr.  J. 
W.  Wherrett ;  he  had  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  about  1860, 
studying  with  Dr.  DayhufF  about  eighteen  months.  While  he  was  in  the 
drug  store,  he  studied  under  Dr.  James  and  Dr.  Johnson,  and  after  ending 
this  business,  he  went  to  Montgomery  County,  Ind.,  where  he  practiced 
one  year.  He  then  returned  to  Kokomo  and  entered  the  Medical  College 
of  Indiana,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  1880.  He  returned 
to  Kokomo  and  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  Ross,  which  continued  six 
months  ;  since  then  he  has  practiced  alone.  He  is  a  member  of  the  State 
Medical  Association,  the  Kokomo  Academy  of  Medicine,  and  is  Treas- 
urer of  the  Howard  County  Association.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Health,  and  is  the  Clay  Township  Physician.  He  was  elected 
Coroner  in  1882,  which  office  he  is  now  filling;  he  is  also  a  member  of 
the  I.  0.  0.  F.  Dr.  Smith  was  married,  in  1867,  to  Miss  Miranda  A. 
Freeman,  a  native  of  Indiana.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  six 
children — Lillie,  Byron  K.,  Mary  P.,  Freeman,  Fred  and  Gussie. 

L.  SNIDER,  manufacturer  of  heading  and  staves.  His  factory 
was  established  in  1878,  and  the  first  year  turned  out  $10,000  worth  of 
work,  and  in  1882  $75,000.  He  employs  about  seventy-five  men,  and 
ships  nearly  all  the  heading  and  staves  to  New  York  and  Philadelphia. 
He  now  ships  the  timber  that  he  works  from  the  adjoining  counties.  He 
uses  all  the  improved  machinery,  and  has  a  heading  saw  in  Hamilton 
County  which  does  a  good  business.  Mr.  Snider  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery County,  Ohio,  December  25,  1851.  He  was  the  fifth  of  twelve 
children  born  to  A.  B.  and  Martha  (Lowe)  Snider,  both  of  German 
descent.  They  still  reside  upon  their  farm  in  Montgomery  County, 
Ohio,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  a  well-spent  life.  Our  subject  had  a  limi4;ed 
education  in  the  common  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  began  to  work 
out  with  his  brother,  for  wages,  in  a  stave  factory.  In  1878,  he  came 
West,  with  limited  means,  and  engaged  in  his  present  business,  expending 
$3,500  in  building.  He  has  been  adding  nearly  every  year  since,  and  now 
has  buildings  and  machinery  to  the  amount  of  $8,000.  He  has  $18,000 
worth  of  stock  on  hand,  and  is  the  leading  manufacturer  of  Howard 
County.  Mr.  Snider  was  married,  April,  1875,  to  Miss  Clara  A.  Constan- 
tine,  of  Madison  County,  Ind.  She  was  born  in  Illinois  April  2,  1857. 
They  have  two  children — Maggie  E.  and  Martin  A.  Mr.  Snider  is  a 
Republican  in  principle,  but  quite  liberal  in  his  views.  His  wife  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church. 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  369 

DAVID 'C.  SPRAKER  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Martha  (Miller) 
Spraker,  and  was  born  February  15,  1848,  in  Decatur  County,  Ind., 
where  he  attended  school  until  1860,  when  he  came  to  Howard  County, 
lived  with  his  uncle,  John  Miller,  attended  school  five  years,  and  then 
entered  the  high  school  at  New  London.  ,His  first  business  experience 
was  had  in  that  town,  where  he  clerked  for  some  time,  and  then  engaged 
in  the  drug  business  on  his  own  account.  In  1877,  he  sold  out,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1878  was  nominated,  and  in  the  fall  elected,  County  Treas- 
urer, and  re-elected  in  1880,  on  the  Republican  ticket.  He  served  both 
terms  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  county.  He  has  taken  a  leading 
part  in  politics,  and  has  served  as  delegate  to  the  State  Conventions.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  I.  0.  0.  F,,  and  K.  of  P.  fraternities, 
and  is  a  Director  of  the  Howard  National  Bank.  He  is  the  owner  of 
two  farms,  comprising  183  acres  of  finely  improved  land,  and  also  owns 
a  half-interest  in  a  tile  factory,  but  leads  a  comparatively  retired  life. 

WILLIAM  STYER,  of  the  Spring  Mills,  was  born  in  Delaware 
County,  Ohio,  November  25,  1832,  and  is  the  son  of  Joseph  C.  and 
Rachel  Styer.  Joseph  C.  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  his 
wife  of  New  Jersey.  William  Styer  worked  on  the  farm,  and  went 
to  school  in  the  winter  until  he  was  sixteen,  when  he  began  to  teach 
school  at  $13|  per  month,  boarding  around.  He  taught  at  intervals  for 
ten  years,  until  1856,  when  he  and  his  brother  Henry  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  in  Kokomo,  continuing  for  two  years,  when  William 
took  charge  of  Russell  &  Dolman's  elevator  for  three  years.  In  1862, 
he  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  D,  Eighty-ninth 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Indianapo- 
lis, when  they  went  South,  and  engaged  in  battle  at  Munfordsville.  In 
December,  1863,  Mr.  Styer  resigned  his  commission  on  account  of  dis- 
ability. He  engaged  in  the  sale  of  maps  and  charts  throughout  Indiana 
for  a  year,  when  he  clerked  awhile  in  a  grocery,  and  then  quarried  stone, 
and  took  contracts  for  stone  work  two  years.  He  was  then  interested  in 
the  grain  and  hardware  business  for  three  years,  and  in  1872  he  and  his 
brother  Henry  established  the  City  Book  Store,  which  is  doing  a  business 
of  $15,000  per  annum.  Mr.  Styer  gave  his  entire  attention  to  the  book 
store  until  1881,  when  he  took  charge  of  the  Spring  Mills,  owning  one- 
half  interest,  and  leasing  the  other  half.  The  mill  property  is  worth 
$9,000,  has  five  sets  of  buhrs,  two  sets  of  rolls,  and  a  capacity  of  200 
bushels  of  wheat  and  100  bushels  of  corn  per  day.  This  business  he 
has  since  successfully  managed.  Mr.  Styer  was  School  Trustee  and  Town 
Clerk  for  a  number  of  terms.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican party.  He  was  married,  in  1857,  to  Miss  Susannah  Deffenbaugh, 
of  Howard   County.       She  was    born   November  25,  1836,  in  Madison 


370  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

County,  Ohio.  They  have  two  children — Charles  A.,  clerk  in  the  book 
store,  and  Carrie  M.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Styer  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  Mr.  Styer  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and 
G.  A.  R. 

W.  H.  SUMPTION  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Ward)  Sumption, 
and  was  born  in  Randolph  County,  Ind.,  October  12,  1840.  His  mother 
died  when  he  was  very  young,  and  when  he  was  but  ten  years  of  age  he 
lost  his  father,  when  he  was  placed  under  the  guardianship  of  his  uncle, 
Thomas  Ward.  After  receiving  a  few  months'  schooling,  he  was  appren- 
ticed to  a  harness-maker  ;  he  next  worked  a  year  at  carriage  trimming, 
and  then  engaged  in  various  pursuits  until  the  spring  of  1862,  when  he 
entered  Company  F,  Fifty-fifth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  Orderly 
Sergeant,  and  served  until  September  of  the  same  year.  He  then  en- 
gaged in  the  harness  trade  in  Kokomo  until  October,  1863,  when,  being 
commissioned  Recruiting  Ofiicer,  he  assisted  in  raising  Company  E,  Eleventh 
Indiana  Cavalry.  He  was  soon  after  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  of 
this  company,  and  in  May,  1864,  was  promoted  to  the  Captaincy,  which 
position  he  held  until  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis,  with  honors,  in 
September,  1865.  He  then  engaged  in  business  at  different  points  for 
two  or  three  years,  when  he  returned  to  Kokomo  and  resumed  harness- 
making,  continuing  until  1870,  when  he  engaged  in  his  present  business 
of  manufacturing  carriages,  buggies  and  spring  wagons.  Since  1881,  the 
firm  name  has  been  W.  H.  Sumption  &  Son.  The  firm  have  a  large 
trade  and  keep  constantly  at  work  ten  men.  Mr.  Sumption  was  married 
at  Kokomo,  June  30,  1863,  to  Elmira  Welch,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  to 
this  union  have  been  born  three  children — William,  J.  Ward  and  John 
F.  Mr.  Sumption  is  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.  and  the  G.  A. 
R.,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

GEORGE  D.  TATE,  wholesale  dealer  in  walnut,  ash,  poplar,  oak  and 
cherry  lumber,  was  born  at  Lawrenceburg,  Ind.,  January  11,  1838.  His 
father,  William  Tate,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  of  Scotch  de- 
scent. His  mother,  Anna  (Kincaid)  Tate,  was  a  native  of  New  York 
and  of  English  descent.  George  D.  Tate  had  access  to  the  common 
schools  of  Lawrenceburg,  attended  College  at  Cincinnati,  acted  as  book- 
keeper at  intervals  for  his  father,  who  was  a  lumber  dealer,  and  also 
clerked  in  a  dry  goods  store.  When  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  learned 
the  blacksmith's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  three  years.  He  then  enlisted 
in  Company  F,  Thirty-seventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
as  a  private,  in  the  fall  of  1861,  and  was  soon  marched  into  Kentucky, 
thence  into  Tennessee,  participating  in  a  number  of  skirmishes.  After 
being  in  the  service  one  year,  he  was  commissioned  Quartermaster  of  the 
Eighty-third  Regiment  of  the  Fifteenth  Army   Corps,  which  formed  a 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO.  371 

part  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  He  accompanied  Gen.  Sherman  on 
his  march  to  the  sea,  and  around  to  Washington,  where  Mr.  Tate  was 
discharged,  after  which  he  returned  to  Dillsboro,  Ind.,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  farming  for  one  year.  The  fall  of  1867,  he  removed  to  Koko- 
mo,  where  he  soon  after  engaged  in  the  lumber  trade,  having  but  two 
loads  of  lumber  in  his  yard  to  begin  with.  Now  he  handles  upward  of 
four  million  feet  per  year.  He  started  in  life  a  poor  boy,  but  by  living 
within  his  means,  and  being  attentive  to  his  business,  and  of  late  years 
dealing  in  real  estate,  has  acquired  a  large  amount  of  property,  having 
city  property  in  Indianapolis  worth  $50,000,  besides  city  property  in  Ko- 
mo  and  260  acres  of  good  farm  land  in  Howard  County.  In  the 
summer  of  1882,  he  raised  on  one  180-acre  farm,  1,300  bushels  of  wheat, 
2,000  bushels  of  corn  and  sixty  tons  of  hay.  He  has  this  farm  well- 
stocked  and  uses  all  the  improved  machinery.  He  has  been  one  of  the 
leading  and  active  politicians  in  the  Democratic  ranks,  serving  as  Ghaii'- 
man  of  the  Central  Committee  for  years.  Though  a  Democrat  he  has 
been  elected  in  a  Republican  ward  successively  for  the  last  ten  years  as 
a  member  of  the  City  Council.  He  is  now  worth  about  $100,000.  He 
was  married  in  May,  1863,  to  Miss  Helen  Kincaid,  of  Ripley  County, 
Ind.,  daughter  of  Warren  Kincaid,  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tate 
have  had  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living,  Henry  F.  and 
Anna. 

RAWSON  VAILE,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  May  28,  1812,  in 
Bennington  County,  Vt.  He  worked  on  the  farm  and  went  to  school 
until  he  was  grown,  when,  in  1834,  he  entered  Amherst  College,  and 
worked  his  own  way  through,  by  teaching  school,  until  he  graduated  with 
honors  in  1839.  The  following  spring  he  came  to  Wayne  County,  Ind., 
and  taught  two  years,  when  he  was  employed  in  the  County  Seminary  at 
Centerville,  Ind.,  until  1848.  In  the  meantime,  he  had  taken  up  the 
study  of  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1844.  In  1848,  he  was  in- 
duced to  enter  the  editor's  sanctum  in  Centerville,  and  published  the 
Free  Territory  Sentinel.  He  was  a  Free-Soiler  and  anti-slavery  man,  ad- 
vocating the  free  homestead  law.  In  1852,  he  edited  the  Free  Democrat 
in  Indianapolis ;  in  1854,  when  this  paper  united  with  the  Journal, 
Mr.  Vaile  continued  as  one  of  the  editors.  The  Free  Democrat  was 
the  only  Free-Soil  paper  that  survived,  although  many  were  established. 
This  paper  continued  until  1854,  when  the  Free-Soilers  joined  the  Repub- 
lican party.  In  1855,  through  failing  health,  he  abandoned  the  editorial 
profession,  and  the  next  year  began  to  practice  law.  In  1857,  he  removed 
his  family  to  Kokomo,  and  opened  a  law  office,  and  has  been  for  years  a 
leading  practitioner  of  this  county.  In  1867,  he  was  elected  School  Ex- 
aminer, and  served  until  1872.     He  served  as  Town  Trustee  one  term, 


372  BIOGRAPFIICAL    SKETCHES: 

and  was  one  of  the  primf  movers  in  establishing  the  free  school  system, 
and  much  was  done  by  him  in  behalf  of  the  Kokomo  Normal  School,  as  he 
was  a  stockholder,  as  well  as  one  of  the  leaders  in  prosecuting  the  work. 
Mr.  Vaile  was  married  April  16,  1840,  to  Miss  Anna  E.  Pope,  of  Spencer, 
Mass.,  who  bore  him  five  children — William  P.,  cashier  of  Howard  Na- 
tional Bank,  Kokomo;  Sarah  L.,  deceased  ;  Joel  Fred,  a  graduate  of  Ober- 
lin  College,  and  attorney  at  law,  Denver,  Colo.;  Joseph  E.,  book-keeper 
and  insurance  agent;  and  Charles  S.,  a  graduate  of  Oberlin  College,  and 
a  Con<zre£cational  minister  at  Santa  Barbara,  Cal.  Mrs.  Anna  Vaile 
died  January  11,  1852,  and  Mr.  Vaile  married  his  second  wife,  Mrs. 
Rebecca  G.  Robinson,  of  Indianapolis,  in  April,  1854.  She  gave  birth  to 
two  children,  Emma  and  George  R.  In  1876,  Mrs.  R.  G.  Vaile  died, 
and  December  12, 1882,  Mr.  Vaile  married  his  present  wife,  Mrs.  Minerva 
Montgomery,  of  Howard  County. 

WILLIAM  P.  VAILE,  cashier  of  the  Howard  National  Bank,  is  a 
son  of  Rawson  and  Anna  E.  (Pope)  Vaile.  He  was  born  December  27, 
1840,  in  Richmond,  Ind.  When  young,  his  parents  moved  to  Center- 
ville,  Wayne  County,  where  his  education  was  commenced.  In  1853,  he 
attended  school  at  Indianapolis,  and  upon  coming  to  Kokomo,  in  1859, 
finished  his  studies  in  the  schools  of  the  city.  In  1862,  he  was  appointed 
Deputy  Auditor,  which  position  he  held  about  four  years.  He  then  ac- 
cepted a  situation  as  book-keeper  in  the  First  National  Bank,  and  subse- 
quently became  cashier  of  that  institution.  The  latter  position  he  held 
until  1877,  when  he  engaged  in  the  loan  and  insurance  business,  contin- 
uing one  year.  In  1878,  he  accepted  the  position  of  cashier  of  the  How- 
ard National  Bank,  which  position  he  has  held  up  to  the  present  writing. 
Mr.  Vaile  possesses  splendid  business  qualifications,  and  is  one  of  the 
leading  citizens  of  Kokomo  in  all  matters  of  progress.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  K.  of  P.,  and  in  politics  a  Republican.  In  1864, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-seventh  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until  October,  1865.  Mr.  Vaile  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Julia  M.  Andrews,  July  3,  1872.  She  is  a 
native  of  New  York,  and  a  daughter  of  Moses  R.  Andrews,  Esq.,  of 
Kokomo. 

DANIEL  A.  WOODS  is  a  native  of  Preble  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
was  born  September  24,  1854.  His  parents,  Josiah  and  Sarah  (Miller) 
Woods,  removed  with  a  family  of  five  children  to  Howard  County,  in 
September,  1859.  Daniel  A.  received  a  good  education,  commencing  in 
the  country  schools  of  Howard  County,  and  subsequently  attending  the 
educational  institutions  of  Lebanon,  Ohio.  He  commenced  the  study  of 
law  with  O'Brien  &  Garrigus,  of  Kokomo,  and  subsequently  graduated 
from  the  law  school  of  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.     In  the  fall  of  1878,  he  began 


CITY  OF  KOKOMO. 


373 


to  practice  in  Kokomo,  and  has  succeeded  in  establishing  a  prominent 
position  among  the  attorneys  of  Howard  County.  He  is  now  in  practice 
in  association  with  Charles  E.  Hendry.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat, 
is  an  active  worker,  and  takes  a  leading  interest  in  all  the  political  ques- 
tions of  the  day.  Mr.  Woods  is  a  close  student  and  a  great  reader.  He 
has  accumulated  a  large  and  valuable  library  of  choice  books,  and  is  still 
adding  to  it  many  new  publications.  He  is  a  fluent  and  polished  writer, 
and  in  this  field  we  predict  for  him  a  brilliant  future.  July  9,  1877,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  R.  Fagley.  They  have  one  child, 
Roxy  June,  born  May  9,  1880. 

JAMES  H.  WATSON  is  a  native  of  Darke  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
was  born  January  1, 1841.     His  parents,  James  H.  and  Sarah  (Menden- 
hall)  Watson,  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  followed  farming  in  Ohio. 
His  father  died  in  1843  ;  his  mother  subsequently  re-married  and  came  to 
Indiana,  where  she  died  in  1854.     James  H.  was  reared  upon  a   farm, 
and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  he  learned  the  cooper's  trade  in  Grant  County, 
Ind.,  which  occupation  he  followed  for  three   years.     In  the  spring  of 
1862,  he  came  to  Kokomo,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  trade,  representing 
H.  Morgan,  of  Cincinnati,  buying  lumber  for  this  firm  for  five  years.    He 
then  ent°ered  the  lumber  yard  of  Dr.  Henderson,  conducting  his  business 
for  two  years,  and  also  with  Tate  &   Henderson  one  year  as  foreman.    He 
then  embarked   in   business    for    himself,    buying    a  saw-mill    in    Clay 
Township,  and  contracted  to  saw  3,000,000  feet  of  lumber.     This,  with 
other  business  in  the  line,  occupied  him  two  years,  achieving  remarkable 
financial  success.      He  then  accepted  a  situation  as  foreman  in  the  lumber 
yards  of  George  Tate,  with  whom  he  remained  until  August,   1882.     He 
then  was  engaged  for  a  few  months  as  bridge    contractor.     February   1, 
1883,  he  bought  the  Clinton   House  saloon,  which   he  has  enlarged  and 
refitted,  and  has  now  the  finest  rooms  in  the  city.     Mr.  Watson  keeps  a 
strictly  first-class  place,  and  deals  in  the  best  and  purest  articles  in    his 
line.     He  owns  eighty  acres  of  improved  land  in  Centre  Township,  and 
valuable  town  property.     He  is  a  Mason,    and    in    politics  a   Democrat ; 
has  served  upon  the  City  Council  two  years,    during   which  period  the 
streets  were  improved.     Mr.  Watson  was  married,  March   27,    1861,   to 
Miss  Melinda  C.  Nelson,  a  native  of  Clinton  County,  Ohio.     They    have 
three  children — Ida,  Thornton  and  Guy. 


374  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 


CENTRE  TOWNSHIP. 

JOHN  ALBRIGHT  is  the  third  of  twelve  children  born  to  William 
and  Elizabeth  (Snoderly)  Albright,  natives  respectively  of  North  Caro- 
lina and  Tennessee.  His  parents  came  to  Howard  County  in  1847  and 
located  in  Taylor  Township,  Our  subject  was  born  May  18,  1822,  in 
Anderson  County,  Tenn.,  and  removed  with  his  parents  to  Preble  County, 
Ohio,  when  but  twelve  years  of  age.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and 
worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one.  He  then  formed  a 
partnership  with  his  father  in  the  stone  and  brick  laying  business,  and  in 
1845  came  to  this  county  and  took  a  claim  in  Taylor  Township.  He 
remained  there  until  the  spring  of  1883,  when  he  sold  his  farm  for 
$16,600,  and  removed  to  Centre  Township,  where  he  at  present  resides. 
He  is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  county  and  for  several  years  has 
been  overseeing  his  farm  and  working  at  his  trade  with  his  brother, 
William  B.  Mr.  Albright  was  married,  June  30,  1847,  to  Jemima 
Thatcher,  a  native  of  Indiana.  They  had  eleven  children — William  A. 
(deceased),  Daniel  A.,  Nancy  J.,  Ephraim  T.  (deceased),  Henry  B., 
Charity  T.,  James  T.,  Elmer  E.,  Maggie  0.,  Dolly  A.  and  Perry  0. 
Mrs.  Albright  died  January  21,  1871,  and  December  15,  1873,  Mr. 
A.  married  Nancy  Elston  Huifman,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  One  child 
blessed  this  union — Foster  A.  Mr.  Albright  lost  his  second  wife  January 
6,  1877,  and  was  next  married  to  Anna  E.  Hammel,  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania, January  1,  1878.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  for  about  forty-nine  years,  and  is  at  present  an  active 
member  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
is  at  present  sole  proprietor  of  a  tile  factory  located  on  his  farm. 

COL.  WILLIS  BLANCHE  was  born  in  Ross  County,  Ohio, 
May  ,24,  1825,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Osborn)  Blanche. 
His  father  was  a  native  of  the  Isle  of  Guernsey,  near  the  coast  of  France. 
He  was  a  scholar,  and  in  early  life  acquired  the  knowledge  of  seven 
languages.  At  the  age  of  twenty-five,  he  came  to  America,  and  later 
served  in  the  border  wars  under  Gen.  Wayne.  Mr.  Blanche,  with  a  lim- 
ited education,  at  the  age  of  seventeen  left  home  and  came  into  Howard 
County,  where  he  worked  as  a  laboring  hand.  At  the  end  of  two  years, 
he  purchased  a  few  acres  of  land,  and  in  February,  1847,  was  married 
to  Miss  Mary  Morrow,  who  died  two  months  later.  In  October  of  the 
same  year,  he  married  Miss  Anna  Shaul,  his  present  wife.  In  1850,  he, 
with  his  brother-in-law,  J.  T.  McClintock,  set  out  for  California  over- 
land, with  a  company  of  forty-four  men,    Mr.   B.   acting  as  leader.     At 


CENTRE  TOWNSHIP.  375 

Sacramento,  he  and  Mr.  McClintock  bought  a  load  of  provisions  and  started 
for  the  Nevada  mines,  but  at  Grass  Yalley  their  team  was  stolen,  but  it 
was  soon  recovered  and  they  I'emained  in  the  village  and  opened  a  pro- 
vision store.  In  December,  1851,  Mr.  Blanche  returned  home 
and  purchased  the  homestead  near  Kokomo,  on  which  he  now 
resides.  This  is  naturally  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  county, 
and  is  also  one  of  the  best  improved.  In  1861,  he  raised  a  company  in 
Kokomo,  and  joined  the  Fifty-seventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  leaving  his  wife  to  assume  the  management  of  the  farm 
and  the  care  of  four  children — Marinda  C,  Mary  Frances,  Julia 
B.  and  Charles  Willis.  He  was  on  the  march  to  Nashville,  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  the  campaign  in  Tennessee,  the  retreat  to  Louisville, 
the  second  advance  through  Kentucky,  the  struggle  at  Perryville,  the 
Murfreesboro  campaign,  battles  of  Stone  River,  Wartrace,  Chattanooga, 
Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain  and  Mission  Ridge,  the  march  to 
Atlanta,  battles  of  Resaca,  Pine  Mountain,  Lost  Mountain,  Kenesaw, 
Atlanta,  Franklin  and  Nashville.  His  Captain's  commission  dates  Oc- 
tober 30,  1861,  and  he  was  commissioned  Major  February  12,  1863, 
upon  the  resignation  of  Maj.  Jordan.  His  promotion  to  the  rank  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  occurred  July  28,  1863,  and  to  Colonel,  June  24, 
1864,  upon  the  death  of  Col.  Leonard.  Col.  Blanche  was  wounded  at 
Mission  Ridge  and  also  at  Nashville,  where  he  fought  with  distinguished 
valor,  leading  his  shattered  regiment  in  a  successful  charge  upon  the 
enemy's  intrenchments  at  the  Franklin  Pike.  When  he  had  partially 
recovered  from  his  wound,  he  returned  home  on  a  furlough,  and  when  he 
recovered  his  health  he  rejoined  his  regiment,  but  there  being  no  more 
important  service,  resigned.  In  1866,  he  was  elected  on  the  Republican 
ticket  to  represent  Howard  County  in  the  Legislature,  and  in  1868  was 
elected  by  the  Legislature  a  Director  of  the  Northern  Prison  at  Michigan 
City.  He  remained  in  this  position  two  years.  In  1872,  he  was  chosen 
Sheriff  of  Howard  County  and  served  one  term.  Col.  Blanche  is  a  man 
of  great  courage,  executive  ability,  power  of  comprehension,  and  capacity 
for  untiring  eflFort,  and  these  are  the  characteristics  that  have  enabled 
him  to  perform  the  duties  of  both  military  and  civil  offices  in  the  most 
efficient  manner. 

EDMOND  CAIN,  son  of  Arnold  and  Nancy  (Allen)  Cain,  natives 
of  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  who  came  to  this  State  in  an  early  day,  was 
born  October  9,  1817,  in  Washington  County,  Ind.  He  remained  with 
his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-two,  and  during  this  time  they  removed 
to  Boone  County.  He  received  a  common  education  in  the  pioneer 
schools,  and  was  married,  June  27,  1839,  to  Rebecca  Reed,  born  March 
14,  1820,  and  a  native  of  Ross   County,   Ohio.     After  his   marriage,  he 


376  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

lived  on  the  farm  with  his  father  two  years,  when  he  purchased  forty 
acres,  cleared  it,  and  lived  on  it  about  six  years.  He  then  sold  out,  and 
in  the  fall  of  1847  came  to  this  county,  locating  in  Centre  Township. 
He  built  a  pre-emption  cabin  and  secured  his  claim.  He  returned  to 
Boone  County,  by  the  request  of  his  father,  and  remained  two  years.  He 
then,  on  account  of  his  wife's  ill  health,  returned  to  Howard  County, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  and  cleared  100  acres  on  his  farm.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Cain  have  reared  two  orphan  children,  taking  Harrison  Murphy 
when  but  seven  years  of  age,  who  is  now  living  in  Tipton  County,  and 
Amanda  C.  Poison,  when  but  five  years  old,  and  reared  her  to  woman- 
hood. She  was  married  to  John  F.  Stann  (now  deceased),  and  since  his 
death,  has  returned  home  with  two  small  children.  Ida  jM.  Donson, 
another  orphan,  is  now  living  with  them.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cain  are  both 
noted  for  their  kindness  to  the  poor  and  unfortunate.  Mrs.  Cain  has 
been  identified  with  the  Baptist  Church  since  1838.  Mr.  Cain  was 
Trustee  of  the  Grange  organization,  and  has  always  voted  the  Democratic 
ticket,  until  Peter  Cooper  was  nominated  for  President,  since  when  he 
has  voted  the  Independent  ticket. 

CALVIN  G.  CULBERTSON  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  in 
1838,  and  located  in  Howard  County  in  1861.  He  was  married  in 
Howard  County  to  Miss  Martha  E.  Woods,  in  1864.  The  fruits  of  this 
union  were  six  children — Clara  B.,  Martin  C,  Frank  S.,  Harriet  E., 
Oma  D.  and  Arthur  B.  Mr.  Culberston  has  always  led  a  farmer's  life, 
except  when  he  w^as  in  the  army.  He  enlisted  in  April,  1861,  iji  the  three 
months'  service,  and  re-enlisted  in  September,  1861.  He  was  taken  sick 
at  New  Madrid,  Mo.,  and  was  given  a  furlough,  after  which  he  went  back 
and  was  discharged  September  15,  1862.  He  went  back  again  in  Sep- 
tember, 1864,  and  was  discharged  in  September,  1865.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  a  Corporal  in  the  State  militia  at  the  present 
time.  He  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  at  the  age  of  eight- 
een. He  has  held  some  of  the  minor  ofiices  of  his  township,  such  aa 
Constable,  and  is  a  worthy  citizen  in  his  community.  His  father,  David- 
son Culbertson,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  where  he  followed  farming, 
and  has  since  held  the  office  of  County  Treasurer  in  Grant  County. 

JOSEPH  DeLON,  the  eldest  of  three  children  born  to  Mark  A. 
and  Mary  (Prichard)  DeLon,  was  born  in  Pasquotank  County,  N.  C, 
March  17,  1826.  His  parents  died  when  he  was  quite  young,  and  he 
was  taken  an  orphan  to  Newport,.  Wayne  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  re- 
mained two  years.  He  then  removed  to  Washington  County,  remained 
about  the  same  period,  and  thence  to  Orange,  where  he  was  bound  out 
until  he  became  of  age.  Having  served  his  time,  he  located  on  a  farm 
and  followed  agricultural  pursuits   in  Orange  County,  until  1850,  when 


CENTRE  TOWNSHIP. 

he  moved  to  Howard  County,  on  a  rented  farm.  Two  years  later,  he  lo- 
cated at  New  London,  where  he  engaged  in  the  harness,  saddlery  and 
grocery  business.  After  remaining  there  five  years,  he  sold  out  and  lo- 
cated on  a  partially  improved  farm.  In  1863,  he  moved  on  his  present 
place,  where  he  has  since  resided.  His  estate  is  conveniently  located  to 
New  London,  and  shows  that  Mr.  DeLon  has  spent  much  time  and  honest 
toil  in  making  the  present  improvements.  He  has  served  two  terms  as 
Supervisor,  and  has  given  general  satisfaction.  Mr.  DeLon  was  married 
in  Orange  County,  Ind.,  September  20,  1848,  to  Rebecca  King,  a  native 
of  Maryland,  born  April  22,  1829.  By  this  union  they  have  eight  chil- 
dren— Benjamin,  Mary  P.,  John  A.,  Aubrey,  Austin,  Richenda,  Francis 
and  Julia  Emugene.  Mr.  DeLon  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party, 
and  he  and  his  wife  are  active  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

RUSSELL  B.  ELLIS  was  born  in  West  Virginia  in  1810,  and  emi- 
grated with  his  father  to  Kentucky  in  1812,  locating  within  six  miles  of 
Cincinnati,  Ohio.  In  1860,  he  moved  to  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  where 
he  remained  four  years,  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Howard 
County.  He  left  Kentucky  on  account  of  his  anti-slavery  views,  and 
had  two  sons  in  the  Union  army.  Mr.  Ellis  has  always  been  a  strong 
temperance  man,  and  now  is  enjoying  the  best  of  health.  His  mother 
lived  to  be  ninety-nine  years  old,  and  was  then  quite  vigorous,  but  took 
the  small-pox  and  died.  Mr.  Ellis  was  married,  April  17,  1837,  to  Miss 
Phebe  Griffin,  of  Kentucky.  They  have  five  children— Mary  J., 
Andrew  R.,  Vandake,  Sarah  M.  and  Arthur  G.  (deceased).  Mr.  Ellis 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  the  Masonic  fraternity 
for  over  forty  years.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  eight  years  in 
Kentucky,  and  never  had  an  appeal  taken  from  his  court.  He  is  a 
worthy  citizen,  and  a  man  higly  respected  by  all  who  know  him.  He  is 
now  in  comfortable  circumstances,  owning  180  acres  of  good  farm  land, 
well  improved. 

THOMAS  R.  HITE  is  the  fifth  of  thirteen  children  born  to  Alex- 
ander Hite,a  native  of  Virginia,  and  Mary  A.  (Lowrey)  Hite,  a  native 
of  Kentucky.  He  was  born  March  30,  1837,  in  Rush  County,  Ind., 
and  was  reared  on  a  farm,  attending  school  during  the  winter.  He  came 
to  this  county  in  1856,  worked  on  a  farm  about  one  year  and  then  re- 
turned home  ;  then  shortly  came  again  to  this  county,  and  July  30, 
1858,  was  married  to  Lydia  A.  Willis,  a  native  of  Indiana.  She  was 
the  daughter  of  David  Willis,  a  native  of  Tennesee,  and  Lydia  (Cog- 
shell)  Willis,  a  native  of  North  Carolina.  Her  parents  came  to  this  coun- 
ty in  1851  and  made  for  themselves  a  good  home  in  Centre  Township. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hite  have  had  nine  children — David  A.,  born  June  19, 
1859  ;  Edgar  L.,  born  April  13,  1862;  James  E.,  bora  January  6,  1865  ; 


378  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

Elmer  E.,  born  March  7,  18G8  :  Liew  E.,  born  November  25,  1870  ; 
Elizabeth,  born  August  25,  1873;  Roily  and  his  twin  brother  (deceased), 
born  June  19,  1876 ;  and  Susan  B.,  born  October  8,  1880  (deceased). 
Mr.  Hite  resided  for  several  years  in  Union  Township,  but  is  at  pres- 
ent living  on  a  good  farm  of  forty  acres  in  Centre  Township.  He  has 
always  voted  the  Republican  ticket,  and  is  an  active  worker  in  his  party. 
He  is  a  friend  to  education  and  takes  a  pride  in  trying  to  educate  his 
children. 

WILLIAM  JACKSON  was  born  in  Chester  County,  Penn.,  in  1803, 
and  was  the  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Keech)  Jackson.  In  1834,  our 
subject  moved  to  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  and  in  1850  he  came  to  this 
county,  locating  on  the  place  where  he  now  resides.  In  1832,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Keziah  Green.  The  fruits  of  this  union  have  been  six 
children,  five  of  whom  are  living — Lydia  A.,  William,  Mary,  Emma, 
Eliza  and  Jessie.  Mr.  Jackson  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  has  always 
followed  agricultural  pursuits,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  when  he 
worked  at  the  shoe-maker's  trade.  When  he  came  to  Howard  County,  he 
found  the  land  in  its  native  state.  He  came  through  with  his  family 
from  Ohio  in  a  covered  wagon,  and  at  once  began  to  clear  and  improve 
his  farm,  until  now  he  has  120  acres  of  good  land  with  fine  improve- 
ments. He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  his  wife  and  family 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church  in  Kokomo.  Mr.  Jackson  is  now 
growing  quite  old  ;  is  a  worthy  citizen,  and  a  man  highly  respected  in 
his  community. 

ELIAS  LOCK  was  born  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  and  was  one  of  ten 
children  born  to  Abraham  and  Rebecca  Lock,  both  natives  of  Virginia. 
Elias  Lock  came  to  this  county  in  1850,  purchased  eighty  acres  in  the 
timber,  and  at  once  began  to  clear  his  land  and  improve  it.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Preble  County  to  Miss  Sarah  Ann  Brown,  about  four  years  pre- 
vious to  locating  there.  He  came  overland  with  his  wife  and  two  children, 
and  is  still  living  on  the  same  farm  where  he  first  settled.  He  now  has 
a  good  home,  with  good  improvements,  and  fine  large  brick  house.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lock  have  had  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living,  seven 
boys  and  two  girls.  Mr.  Lock  saw  the  first  locomotive  that  crossed  the 
Wild  Cat  Bridge,  every  one  in  the  neighborhood  turning  out  to  see  the 
sight.  He  now  owns  ninety-two  acres  in  Centre  Township  and  one  hundred 
acres  in  Howard  Township.  Mr.  Lock  has  been  a  hard-working  farmer, 
has  spent  his  entire  life  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  is  now  enjoying  the 
fruits  of  his  labor.  His  father,  Abraham  Lock,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war 
of  1812. 

JOHN  A.  LOCK  was  born  February  4,  1817,  in  Preble  County, 
Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  Abraham    and    Rebecca  Lock.     In  1844,  our 


CENTRE  TOWNSHIP.  379 

subject  was  married,  in  Preble  County,  to  Miss  Deborah  Dinwiddie.  This 
union  has  been  blessed  with  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  living — 
Amanda,  Rebecca,  Jacob  and  Andrew.  Mr.  Lock  located  in  Howard 
County  in  February,  1848,  and  entered  a  one-quarter  section  of  land, 
upon  which  he  is  still  living.  His  farm  was  in  its  native  state,  but  he  has 
improved  and  cultivated  it  until  now  he  has  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the 
county.  He  started  in  life  a  poor  boy,  and  only  through  labor  and  econ- 
omy has  he  been  able  to  obtain  for  himself  a  comfortable  home.  His 
grandfather,  John  Lock,  was  a  Captain  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and 
his  father  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  ever  since  he  was  twenty  years  of  age. 
His  wife  died  December  12,  1880.  She  had  been  a  member  of  the  U. 
B.  Church  ever  since  she  was  seventeen  years  old. 

T.  R.  McLaughlin  was  bom  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  in 
1839,  and  lived  there  until  the  spring  of  1859,  when  he  located  in  How- 
ard County.  May,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Thirteenth 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  in  battle  at  Win- 
chester. Alleghany  Mountains,  Greenbrier,  and  several  smaller  engage- 
ments. He  escaped  being  wounded,  but  at  one  time  had  his  belt 
shot  off  of  him.  He  had  a  narrow  escape  at  Dogtown,  W.  Va.,  where 
his  companions  crawled  under  a  schoolhouse  and  were  captured,  but 
he  lay  under  a  bank  and  finally  escaped  by  running  the  gantlet.  Mr. 
McLaughlin  was  discharged  from  service  February  12,  1863,  and  was 
married  the  same  year  to  Miss  Jennie  Field,  of  Miami  County,  Ohio. 
This  union  has  been  blessed  with  two  children,  Clara,  who  is  married, 
and  Laura,  who  is  living  at  home  with  her  parents.  Mr.  McLaughlin  is 
a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  He  has  always  lived  a  farmer's  life, 
and  he  is  a  well  respected  and  worthy  citizen. 

DAVID  MAPLE  is  the  fourth  son  born  to  David  and  Frances 
(Gore)  Maple,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  German  and  English  descent. 
His  father  came  to  Indiana  and  purchased  a  farm  in  Shelby  County,  and 
is  at  present  living  near  Shelbyville.  His  parents  had  eight  children,  all 
of  whom  are  yet  living — Martha,  Nerva,  John  W.,  Emily,  Melvin,  Will- 
iam, David  and  Missouri.  The  subject  of  the  sketch  was  born  Decem- 
ber 23,  1855 ;  was  reared  upon  a  farm  and  received  a  common  school 
education.  He  remained  at  home  untiJ  November  1.  1877,  when  he  was 
married  to  Mary  C.  Lee,  born  January  1,  1859,  daughter  of  James  F.  and 
Liza  A.  Lee,  of  Shelby  County.  Mr.  Maple  engaged  in  farming  in 
Shelby  County  until  August,  1882,  when  he  came  to  Howard  County 
and  purchased  forty  acres  in  Centre  Township,  two  miles  northwest  of 
Tampico,  and  it  is  here  he  now  resides  on  a  good  farm  with  all  necessary 

improvements.     Mr.  and   Mrs.  Maple  have   two    children — Nora,  born 

w 


380  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

September  11,  1878,  and  Celesta,  born  October  17,  1880.  Mr.  Maple  is 
an  active  supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  having  cast  his  first  ballot 
in  1876  for  R.  B.  Hayes. 

WILLIAMS  PETTY  is  one  of  ten  children  born  to  Josiah  Petty,  a 
native  of  North  Carolina,  and  Sarah  (Sheats)  Petty,  a  native  of  Germany. 
Our  subject  was  born,  May  18,  1820,  in  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  and 
remained  with  his  parents  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he 
came  to  the  Miami  Reserve  on  foot,  selling  pictures  to  the  Indians.  He 
helped  to  erect  the  first  saw  mill  in  the  Miami  Reserve,  and  subsequently 
took  a  claim.  Later,  he  sold  this  and  engaged  in  general  goods  business 
in  Waupcong,  where  he  remained  two  years.  He  then  spent  one  year  in 
Howard  County,  after  which  he  returned  to  Waupcong  and  re-engaged 
in  mercantile  pursuits.  In  a  short  time  he  located  in  Miami,  and  later 
purchased  a  saw  mill  in  Wayne  County,  after  which  he  bought  two  farms 
in  Southern  Illinois,  and  engaged  in  the  stock  trade.  Later,  he  wg^s  in 
general  business  at  Cassville,  and  subsequently  removed  his  stock  to 
Windfall.  He  sold  his  stock,  purchased  a  farm  in  Union  Township,  How- 
ard County,  and  seven  years  later  located  in  Centre  Township,  where  he 
now  resides.  Mr.  Petty  was  married,  February  6.  1852,  to  Catharine 
Busbey.  They  have  had  six  children — Harriet,  Jennie,  Mary,  William 
D.,  Ida  M.  and  John  M.  Mrs.  Petty  died  February  1,  1879,  and  Mr. 
Petty  was  next  married,  February  11,  1880,  to  Alcinda  Davis.  Mr. 
Petty  has  been  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  for  thirty  years  ;  cast  his 
first  vote  for  Gen.  Harrison,  in  1840,  and  has  been  a  Republican  ever 
since  the  formation  of  the  party.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  auctioneers  in 
the  county,  and  has  been  sent  for  over  a  hundred  miles  to  conduct  sales. 

FRANK  M.  PITZERis  the  first  of  six  children  born  to  George  C. 
Pitzer,  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  Clarinda  (Snodgrass)  Pitzer,  a  native  of 
Ohio.  His  parents  came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1847,  and  located 
in  Harrison  Township,  where  they  now  reside.  F.  M.  Pitzer  was  born 
March  31,  1849,  in  Howard  County,  Ind.,  and  has  always  made  his 
home  in  this  county.  He  assisted  his  father  in  clearing  and  cultivating 
the  old  homestead  in  Harrison  Township,  and  his  father  rewarded  him 
for  his  labor  with  a  good  farm  of  ninety-four  acres  in  Centre  Township. 
Upon  this  he  is  living,  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  dealing  very 
extensively  in  thoroughbred  Poland-China  hogs.  Mr.  Pitzer  was  mar- 
ried. May  14,  1871,  to  Miss  Lyda  A.  Hunt,  a  native  of  Indiana.  Three 
children  bless  this  union — Harry  P.,  born  January  28,  1872  ;  Pearl  D., 
born  December  9,  1874,  and  Myrtle  C,  born  February  4,  1879.  Mr. 
Pitzer  is  an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  joined  the  I.  0. 
O.  F.  at  Alto  in  1875.  He  is  a  prominent  farmer,  and  a  worthy  citi- 
zen in  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 


CENTRE  TOWNSHIP.  381 

ANDREW  J.  RECORD  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  eight  children 
born  to  John  F.  and  Melissa  (McMasters)  Record,  natives  of  North 
Carolina,  of  German  and  Eno;lish  descent.  His  father  came  from  North 
Carolina  to  Indiana,  in  1867,  and  settled  in  Clay  Township,  four  miles 
north  of  Kokomo,  and  here  continued  to  farm  until  his  death,  June  14, 
1880.  Andrew  J.  was  born  September  12,  1841,  and  was  reared  upon 
the  farm  in  North  Carolina,  where  he  received  a  common  school  educa- 
tion. At  the  age  of  twenty-four,  he  was  married  to  Elvira  Wincy,  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  and  Syntha  (Craven)  Lane,  natives  of  Randolph  County, 
N.  C,  and  of  English  and  German  descent.  Mr.  Record  has  since  his 
marriage  engaged  in  farming  and  gardening.  He  came  to  Indiana  in 
company  with  his  father  in  18'I7,  and  is  at  present  located  two  and  one- 
half  miles  southwest  of  Kokomo.  He  grows  many  varieties  of  fruits, 
and  makes  a  specialty  of  all  kinds  of  garden  vegetables.  He  is  iden- 
tified with  the  Republican  party,  and  is  a  stanch  advocate  of  its  prin- 
ciples. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Record  have  had  three  children — Mary  E.,  U.  S.  G. 
and  C.  C.  (deceased). 

JOHN  E.  SMITH  is  the  eldest  of  five  children  born  to  Peter  and 
Malinda  (Elmore)  Smith,  of  Irish  and  English  descent.  His  father  was 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  his  mother  was  born  in  Indiana.  Our  sub- 
ject was  born  November  25,  1829,  and  at  the  age  of  seven  years,  on  ac- 
count of  his  father's  death,  was  bound  out,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
received  a  horse,  bridle  and  saddle,  and  suit  of  clothes,  all  valued  at  $100. 
Mr.  Smith  then  began  farming  as  a  hand  at  $8  per  month,  and  at  the 
age  of  twenty-two  was  married  to  Minerva  E.  Canine,  daughter  of  Cor- 
nelius and  Docia  (Vannice)  Canine,  natives  of  Kentucky.  .  Mr.  Smith, 
in  1849,  purchased  a  farm  in  Harrison  Township,  Howard  County,  but 
lived  on  the  farm  of  his  father-in-law  in  Montgomery  County,  until  the 
latter's  death,  after  which  he  purchased  the  farm.  One  year  later,  he  sold 
this  and  in  January,  1868,  came  to  Kokomo.  The  following  March,  he 
purchased  240  acres  of  land  one  and  one-half  miles  north  of  Kokomo, 
upon  which  he  moved  in  May,  1871.  It  is  here  he  is  now  located,  with 
all  the  improvements  necessary  to  make  home  pleasant.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Smith  have  had  nine  children — Mary  M.  (deceased),  Anna  A.  Jessup, 
Charles  W.  (deceased),  Martha  A.,  Mary  J.,  Joseph  H.,  Franklin  M., 
Isaac  N.  and  one  infant.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  fraternity,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  active  members  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church. 


382  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP. 

J.  H.  CHAMBERLAIN,  son  of  Samuel  and  Maria  (Bojden)  Cham- 
berlain, was  born  in  Cohocton,  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  July  25,  1889. 
After  receiving  his  education  in  his  native  State,  he  was  employed  in 
railroading  for  two  years,  after  which  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade 
two  years.  In  1857,  he  located  in  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  where  he  engaged 
for  five  years  in  contracting  and  building,  during  which  time  he  built  some 
of  the  principal  public  buildings  in  that  city.  He  then  took  a  position 
with  the  Toledo  Oil  Company  as  city  salesman  ;  he  served  in  that  ca- 
pacity two  years,  when  he  was  called  upon  to  fill  the  position  of  traveling 
salesman  for  the  company,  which  position  he  now  holds.  He  has  served 
as  Deputy  Enumerator  of  Marion  County,  and  also  County  Assessor. 
He  was  married,  December  25,  1860,  to  Martha  Harden,  of  Madison 
County,  Ind.  Three  children  bless  this  union — Kett  F.,  Frank  C.  and 
J.  Harry.  Mrs.  Chamberlain  died  in  January,  1874,  and  Mr.  C.  was 
next  married  at  Russiaville,  Ind.,  September  13,  1882,  to  Mrs.  K.  E. 
Cohee.  She  is  a  milliner  in  that  place  and  does  a  good  business,  keeping 
a  full  stock  of  millinery  and  ladies'  furnishing  goods.  Mr.  Chamberlain 
is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor,  and  a  stanch  member  of  the  Re- 
publican party. 

R.  T.  CHANDLER,  merchant,  was  the  youngest  of  nine  children 
born  to  Robert  and  Margaret  (Hale)  Chandler;  he  was  born  in  Switzer- 
land County,  Ind.,  May  28,  1830,  and  was  there  reared  and  educated, 
after  which  he  was  employed  as  clerk  in  a  general  merchandise  house  in 
Florence,  Ind.  After  three  years  at  this  place,  he  purchased  a  trading- 
boat,  and  for  two  years  sold  goods  at  different  points  on  the  Ohio  River. 
In  1853,  he  located  at  Craven  Rock,  111.,  where  he  purchased  a  stock  of 
goods  and  engaged  in  business  two  years,  when  he  sold  out.  He  engaged 
in  various  pursuits  until  1860,  when  he  located  at  Russiaville,  engaging 
in  the  mercantile  business  a  short  time,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the 
drug  trade  until  1864,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Fortieth  Regi- 
ment Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  soon  appointed  Clerk  in  the 
Inspector  General's  office,  which  position  he  held  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  He  then  returned  to  Russiaville  and  engaged  in  his  former  business; 
he  has  since  added  groceries  and  drugs  to  his  stock.  Mr.  Chandler  is  also 
proprietor  of  the  well-known  Chandler  House,  a  thriving  hotel  in  Russia- 
ville ;  he  was  married  in  Russiaville,  November  4,  1860,  to  Malinda  Rat- 
cliff,  daughter  of  T.  E.  Ratcliff,  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Chandler  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity. 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  383 

BENJAMIN  P.  COSAND  was  born  January  18,  1822,  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Ind.  His  parents,  Benjamin  Cosand  and  Penninah 
(Pritchard)  Cosand,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  were  married  in  1819, 
and  in  two  years  settled  in  Indiana.  Benjamin  P.  was  one  of  fourteen 
children,  and  was  early  taught  to  labor  on  the  farm.  His  education  was 
limited,  for  he  was  kept  out  of  school  much  of  the  time  on  account  of  ill 
health.  When  he  was  twenty-one,  he  bought  auction  goods  in  Louisville, 
Ky.,  and  exchanged  them  for  country  produce,  which  he  sold  in  the  city. 
He  continued  in  this  business  two  years,  when  he  purchased  a  farm  in 
Washington  County,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  until  1851,  when  he  came 
to  Howard  County,  and  located  one  and  three-quarter  miles  east  of  Rus- 
siaville,  on  forty  acres  of  good  land.  He  still  resides  on  this  place,  and 
has  transformed  it,  by  improvements  and  additions,  into  a  fine  farm,  with 
a  good  house  and  barn,  a  splendid  orchard  and  all  modern  conveniences. 
His  farm  now  contains  173  acres  of  fine  land.  In  1869,  Mr.  Cosand 
was  recorded  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  in  the  Friends'  Society,  and  has 
spent  several  years  in  the  South,  engaged  in  this  work.  He  has  con- 
tributed largely  to  his  denomination  for  the  construction  of  meeting 
houses  and  school  buildings.  Mr.  Cosand  was  married,  February  12, 
1846,  to  Elizabeth  R.  Overman,  of  Washington  County,  Ind.  She  was 
born  August  12,  1825,  and  died  November  30, 1866.  To  this  union  there 
were  born  five  chidren— Malissa,  Rebecca,  Ann,  Martha  and  Benjamin 
B.,  all  deceased.  Mr.  Cosand  was  next  married  to  Sarah  Trueblue, 
September  17,  1868.  By  this  marriage  they  have  seven  children— 
Penninah  I.  (deceased),  Ludovic  E.,  William  T.,  Edman  N.,  Almeda 
(deceased),  Riley  Lee  and  Joseph  P. 

ABRAM  T.  COSAND,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  bears  in  his 
veins  a  commingling  of  German  and  English  blood,  his  paternal  ancestors 
coming  from  the  land  of  the  castled  Rhine,  and  his  maternal  ancestry  from 
the  English  coast  to  the  land  of  the  Sunny  South,  North  Carolina.  The 
grandparents  on  both  sides  emigrated  to  the  Hoosier  State  when  it  was 
in  its  infancy,  to  escape  the  evils  of  slavery.  His  parents,  William 
Cosand,  of  Washington  County,  and  Eliza  J.  White,  of  Orange  County, 
were  married  in  1850,  and  came  at  once  to  what  is  now  western  Howard 
County,  then  belonging  to  Clinton  County,  and  the  largest  portion  of 
it  an  unbroken  forest.  Here,  near  where  they  first  settled,  in  a  log  cabin 
surrounded  by  the  densest  forest  shade,  Abram  was  born  February  10, 
1854.  He  is  the  third  of  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  are  now  living, 
he  being  the  eldest.  Here  on  the  farm  he  worked  with  his  father  in  the 
summer,  and  attended  district  school  in  the  winter.  He  was  fortunate  in 
living  near  one  of  the  best  schools  of  the  county,  but  more  fortunate  in 
having  parents  who,  recognizing  the  needs    of  their  children's  receiving 


384  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

an  education,  often  made  sacrifices  themselves  that  their  children  might 
have  the  benefit  of  an  uninterrupted  attendance  at  school.  Abram  thus 
spent  his  time  until  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  began  teaching 
in  the  winter,  his  first  term  being  at  Alto.  He  continued  teaching  for 
nine  winters,  teaching  in  all  over  forty-two  months.  In  the  spring 
and  summer  of  1874,  he  attended  the  National  Normal  School  at  Leba- 
non, Ohio.  Though  he  attended  school  very  little,  except  in  the  district 
where  he  lived,  yet,  through  his  love  of  literature  and  science,  he  gained 
such  a  knowledge  of  it  as  made  him  stand  high  among  the  teachers  of  his 
county.  He  early  formed  the  habit  of  reading,  and  took  great  delight  in 
history  and  biography.  As  a  result,  he  imbibed  patriotic  ideas,  and  is 
now,  as  is  each  member  of  the  family,  politically  an  enthusiastic  Repub- 
lican. On  November  4,  1877,  he  was  joined  in  marriage  with  Lizzie  S. 
Davis,  of  Kokorao.  This  union  was  of  short  duration ;  Mrs.  Cosand 
having  contracted  consumption  a  few  months  previous,  on  the  morning  of 
November  9,  quietly  quit  her  hold  on  life,  dying  in  Christian  hope  and 
assurance.  The  remains  now  rest  in  the  beautiful  cemetery  at  Dayton, 
Ohio.  Mr.  Cosand  continued  teaching  in  the  winter,  and  in  the  summer 
making  his  home  with  his  father,  two  miles  east  of  Russiaville,  and  work- 
ing with  him  on  his  farms  until  the  autumn  of  1880,  when,  on  September 
9,  he  married  Mary  M.  Kenworthy,  of  New  London.  They  settled  near 
Eussiaville,  upon  a  farm  owned  by  his  father.  Here  they  remained  one 
year,  but  his  health  not  being  very  rugged,  and  thinking  some  indoor 
occupation  better  suited  thereto,  they  disposed  of  their  farm  effects,  and, 
settling  in  Russiaville,  founded  the  Russiaville  Observer,  December, 
1881.  There  having  been  several  journalistic  efforts  here,  and  some  of 
them  leaving  the  field  of  adventure,  while  another  succumbed  to  the  destruct- 
ive fire  of  January  22,  1881,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cosand  found  it  hard  work 
to  gain  the  confidence  of  the  people  in  a  newspaper  venture  at  this  place ; 
but  by  industry  and  fair  dealing  they  have,  with  the  aid  of  their  efficient 
foreman,  Mr.  R.  C.  O'Leary,  succeeded  in  establishing  it  upon  a  paying 
basis.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cosand  are  both  by  birth  and  education  members 
of  the  Society  of  Friends.  In  the  fall  of  1882  and  the  following  winter, 
they  were  called  upon  to  pass  through  severe  affliction  and  bereavement. 
Mr.  Cosand,  from  the  1st  of  October  till  February,  was  confined  to  the 
house  by  sickness,  which  almost  every  one,  at  one  time,  thought  he  would 
scarcely  survive.  On  the  12th  of  February,  that  winter,  there  was  born 
them  a  little  girl  baby,  whom  they  called  Lena.  But  they  were  not 
to  be  long  blessed  with  her  presence.  Her  fine,  strong  form  soon  gave 
way  to  convulsions,  which  followed  one  another  in  rapid  succession  for 
about  sixty  hours,  when  nature  yielded  and  she  closed  her  eyes,  and  was 
forever  at  rest.     Early  in  March,  they  again  assumed  their  duties  on  the 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  385 

Observer,  which  had  in  the  mean  time  been  successfully  conducted  by 
Mr.  O'Leary,  and  the  columns  of  this  journal  indicate  their  ability  in 
this  direction.  Having  passed  successfully  through  the  diflBculties  inci- 
dent to  the  early  days  of  a  country  newspaper,  they  have  apparently  a 
prosperous  future  before  them. 

JONATHAN  DIXON,  son  of  Silas  and  Mary  (Lindley)  Dixon,  was 
born  in  Lawrence  County,  Ind.,  November  19,  1822.  When  he  was  two 
years  old,  his  parents  came  to  Orange  County,  Ind.,  and  here  he  was 
reared  and  educated.  When  he  was  grown,  his  father  gave  him  160  acres 
of  land,  which  he  improved  and  cultivated  four  years,  when  he  sold,  and 
entered  160  acres  in  Tipton  County.  There  he  farmed  until  1858,  when 
he  purchased  110  acres  near  Russiaville,  Howard  County.  He  has  since 
added  sixty-five  acres,  and  now  has  his  farm  stocked  with  fine  stock.  In 
1882,  he  built  a  comfortable  dwelling  in  Russiaville,  where  he  is  living 
a  retired  life.  Mr.  Dixon  was  married  in  Lawrence  County,  Ind., 
March  6,  1845,  to  Miss  Lorniza  Maxwell,  who  was  born  in  Lawrence 
County  September  24,  1825.  They  have  one  child  living,  America  A. 
Mr.  Dixon  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends  and  of  the  Republican 
party. 

JOHN  W.  GRAHAM,  son  of  A.  J.  and  Lucinda  (Rogers)  Graham, 
was  born  in  Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  November  3,  1843.  When  he 
was  seven  years  of  age,  his  parents  moved  to  Delaware  County,  Ind.,  and 
three  years  later  to  Madison  County,  where  John  W.  received  the  benefit 
of  the  country  schools  five  years.  He  then  moved  to  Tipton  County, 
and  later  to  Hamilton  County,  where  he  remained  until  1871,  when  he 
removed  to  Leavenworth  County,  Kan.,  and  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising  for  four  years.  He  then  came  to  Howard  County,  and  is 
now  located  on  sixty-six  and  two-thirds  acres  of  fine  farm  land,  situated 
near  Russiaville.  He  was  married  in  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  April  13, 
1865,  to  Miss  Nannie  A.  Phillips,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  born  Decem- 
Tjer  9,  1844.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  seven  children — Luella 
A.,  Charley  A.,  Mary  L.,  Rosa  A.,  Fannie  B.,  Ora  and  Luke  F.  Mr. 
Graham  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Odd  Fellow  and  Masonic 
fraternities.  He  is  a  strong  Republican,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Old  School  Baptist  Church. 

J.  R.  GRIFFITH  was  born  in  Queensville,  Ind.,  where  he  was  reared 
and  educated.  In  1866,  he  located  in  Bloomington,  111.,  whefe  he  learned 
the  tinner's  trade.  He  then  went  to  Elizabethtown,  Bartholomew  County, 
Ind.,  where  he  pursued  his  occupation  until  1873,  when  he  located  in 
Russiaville  and  opened  a  small  hardware  store.  He  continued  in  this 
business  until  1877,  when  he  disposed  of  his  stock  and  worked  at  his 
trade  fifteen  months  in  Parsons,  Kan.     He  then  clerked  eighteen  months 


386  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

in  a  hardware  store  in  Nevada,  Mo.,  after  which  he  again  opened  a  hard- 
ware store,  under  the  firm  name  of  Griffith  k  Evans,  in  Russiaville,  Ind. 
When  they  had  been  in  business  sixty  days  they  were  burned  out,  after 
which  they  built  a  new  room,  60x100  feet,  and  now  carry  a  $25,000 
stock.  The  firm  also  deals  in  live  stock,  and  during  1882  shipped  $75,- 
000  worth  of  stock.  Mr.  Griffith  started  in  life  a  poor  boy,  but  by  close 
attention  to  business  he  is  to-day  one  of  the  largest  dealers  in  hardware 
in  Central  Indiana.  March  10,  1870,  Mr.  Griffith  was  married  to  Miss 
Martha  Springer,  of  Elizabethtown,  Ind.  She  gave  birth  to  three  chil- 
dren— Ida  M.,  George  E.  and  Gracie  L.  April  17,  1875,  Mrs.  Griffith 
died,  and  Mr.  Griffith  was  married  at  Kokomo,  Ind.,  September  21,  1880, 
to  Miss  Mary  E.  Nixon.  Mr.  Griffith  served  in  the  late  war,  in  Company 
B,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-second  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry. 
He  is  a  Master  Mason  and  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 

DAVID  HODSON,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  Octo- 
ber 9,  1824.  He  was  the  youngest  of  thirteen  children  born  to  George  and 
Sarah  (Powel)  Hodson.  In  1828,  his  father  located  in  Madison  County, 
Ind.,  when  but  few  white  settlers  were  there.  There  he  received  his  first 
schooling.  When  he  was  but  ten  years  old,  his  mother  died,  and  he  lived 
with  his  sister  two  years.  He  then  lived  with  his  brother  Eli,  a  pioneer 
of  Madison  County,  two  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Ohio  and  taught 
school  for  a  number  of  winters.  In  1848,  he  moved  to  Madison  County, 
Ind.,  and  the  following  year  came  to  Howard  County,  where  he  taught 
school  for  fifteen  years.  In  1856,  he  traded  in  grain  and  hogs  for  a 
Louisville  firm.  The  company  became  insolvent,  and  he,  being  respon- 
sible, sold  his  land  and  paid  all  his  indebtedness.  He  then  went  on  his 
father-in-law's  farm,  and  worked  as  a  common  laborer.  At  the  com- 
mencement of  the  war,  he  assisted  in  raising  troops,  preaching  and  teach- 
ing at  intervals.  September  18,  1863,  he  was  commissioned  Chaplain  of 
the  Eighty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  by  0.  P.  Morton, 
Governor  of  Indiana.  He  was  sent  to  Fort  Pickering,  where  he  remained 
until  January  26,  1864.  He  was  with  his  regiment  during  all 
its  engagements  and  encampments.  He  resigned  at  St.  Louis,  November 
24,  1864.  Od  his  return  home,  he  was  selected  to  represent  his  town- 
ship at  the  draft  commission,  the  duties  of  which  he  faithfully  discharged. 
During  the  Red  River  campaign,  his  favorite  friend,  Capt.  B.  Gifford,  of 
Company  G;  was  killed.  He  and  Capt.  John  E.  Williams  rescued  the 
body  and  sent  it  home.  During  this  campaign,  he  was  taken  sick,  and  lay 
in  the  hospital  at  Memphis  four  weeks.  Mr.  Hodson  was  married,  Sep- 
tember 24,  1845,  to  Miss  Delilah  Hart,  daughter  of  Miles  and  Amy 
Hart.  They  have  eleven  children — Miles  J.,  Drusilla  J.,  Amy  Ann., 
John   L.,  William  E.,  Isabel,  Mary,   Martha,    Sarah  Katherine,  David 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  387 

B.  and  Laura.  Mr.  Hodson  is  a  minister  in  the  Christain  Church  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Benjamin  Franklin.  He  preached  in  his  youth  in 
Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois,  and  has  immersed  hundreds.  He  still  travels 
and  preaches.  In  politics,  Mr.  Hodson  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Grand  Army  Post  of  Russiaville 

BENJAMIN  KING  was  born  in  Adams  County,  Penn.,  January  29, 
1827.  He  is  the  son  of  John  S.  and  Elizabeth  (Reinhart)  King.  When 
he  was  one  year  old,  his  parents  removed  to  Baltimore,  Md.,  where  they 
remained  two  years,  when  they  removed  to  Carroll  County,  Md.  There 
his  father  died,  and  in  1834  he  came  with  his  mother  to  Martin  County, 
Ind.,  where  they  remained  during  the  winter,  and  in  the  spring  removed 
to  Orange  County,  Ind.  Mr.  King  there  received  a  common  school  edu- 
cation. He  followed  farming  for  fourteen  years,  and  in  1850  came  to 
Howard  County,  engaging  in  farming  and  school  teaching  until  1861, 
when  he  purchased  his  present  place,  and  is  now  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising.  He  has  served  as  Assessor  of  Harrison  Township,  also  as 
collector  of  delinquent  taxes.  He  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as 
Township  Trustee.  He  was  married  in  Howard  County,  Ind.,  April  13, 
1853,  to  Miss  Margaret  J.  White.  She  was  born  in  North  Carolina  Sep- 
tember 8,  1830.  They  have  had  five  children — Alraira  E.,  Joseph 
(deceased),  Oliver  M.,  Mary  E.  and  John  R,  Mr.  King  is  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

P.  H.  McCANN  (deceased)  was  born  March  19,  1829,  in  Pendleton 
County,  Ky.  His  father,  Patrick,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  emigrated 
to  Kentucky  when  quite  young.  He  died  in  1836,  leaving  his  consort, 
Elizabeth  (lies)  McCann,  and  their  two  children — Margaret  and  P.  H. — 
to  struggle  for  themselves.  Elizabeth  died  June  17,  1852.  She  was  one 
of  ten  children,  the  result  of  the  union  of  Samuel  lies  with  Ellen  Bailey, 
namely,  William,  John,  Perry,  Samuel,  Peggy,  Hettie,  Sallie,  Elizabeth, 
Priscilla  (married  John,  the  father  of  Thomas  and  Clark  Gifford),  and 
Stephen.  The  latter  only  survives  and  has  reared  eight  children,  viz.: 
Perry,  John  W.,  S.  B.,  William,  Martha  J.,  Margaret,  Rebecca  and  Eliza- 
beth, all  of  whom  survive,  save  the  last.  The  lies  family  are  of  English 
descent,  and  emigrated  to  America  at  an  early  period.  Samuel  lies  died 
at  the  age  of  one  hundred  and  five  years,  and  served  through  the  entire 
Revolutionary  struggle  of  America.  P.  H.,  our  subject,  being  left  as 
he  was  without  a  fither  when  a  mere  boy,  had  but  little  chance  to  obtain 
an  education,  and  only  gathered,  now  and  then,  a  stray  thought  in  the 
country  schools.  By  strict  attention  to  such  books  as  his  mother  was 
able  to  secure  for  him,  he  became  qualified  to  teach  in  the  country  school, 
at  which  he  applied  himself  during  a  few  winters  in  Clinton  County,  and 
during  the  summers  he  worked  by  the  month  for  farmers.      He  came  with 


388  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

the  family  to  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  when  small,  and  subsequently  to  Rush 
County,  the  same  State,  In  1852,  he  came  to  Clinton  County  (now 
Howard),  and  for  a  time  made  his  home  with  his  sister,  Margaret,  the 
wife  of  Ira  Bishop,  the  parents  of  William  H.,  Nancy,  Mary,  Margaret, 
Patrick,  Jane,  Angie,  Alice,  John  and  Belle.  His  mother  was  able  to  give 
him  a  little  start,  and  this,  with  the  means  obtained  by  teaching  and  in 
rural  pursuits  as  a  servant,  he  purchased  land  which  he  owned  at  his  de 
cease,  April  13,  1883.  He  was  married,  February  2,  1859,  to  Sarah  E. 
Thompson,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  then  a  resident  of  Honey  Creek 
Township,  this  county.  By  her  he  was  blessed  with  one  child,  Margaret 
E.,  who  died  May  18,  1861.  His  consort  died  April  21,  1861.  He  was 
married  a  second  time,  to  Belle,  a  daughter  of  Smith  and  Margaret  S. 
(Brown)  Chambers,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  the  parents  of  three 
children  who  grew  up,  viz.:  James,  Belle  and  Angeline.  Her  parents 
came  to  this  county  in  1852,  whei-e  the  father  died  in  1855,  and  the 
mother  in  1876.  Her  union  with  our  subject  gave  her  three  children, 
viz.:  Willie  0.,  born  December  28,  1863,  and  died  May  24,  1880; 
Sarah  E.,  born  September  14,  1865 ;  and  Mollie  S.,  born  August  18, 
1867,  and  died  December  31,  1869.  Our  subject's  sorrows  were  again 
multiplied  by  the  death  of  his  second  consort,  October  10,  1872,  since 
which  time,  up  to  his  decease,  he  based  his  affections  upon  his  son  and 
daughter,  the  former  of  whom  was  taken  from  him  in  the  eden  of  his 
youth  by  the  death  angel.  P.  H.  McCann  was  known  by  every  ac- 
quaintance of  his  to  be  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  temperament,  and  of 
genuine  uprightness,  generous  to  a  fault,  and  kind  and  accommodating  to 
his  neighbors.  He  was  a  hard  worker,  and  has  been  known  to  have  la- 
bored during  the  busy  seasons  of  the  year,  on  his  farm,  twenty  hours  each 
day.  By  frugality  and  honest  dealings,  he  added  to  the  treasure  given  him 
by  his  mother,  which,  together  with  some  means,  the  property  of  his  last 
wife,  summed  up  quite  a  little  fortune,  which  he  left  to  his  loving  daugh- 
ter, and  other  relatives.  For  a  few  years  prior  to  his  death,  he  devoted 
his  time  to  the  interests  of  his  general  stock  of  dry  goods  at  Russiaville, 
in  the  firm  of  Bishop  &  McCann.  He  was  for  many  years,  and  at  his 
death,  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  the  financial  interests  of  which 
were  benefited  by  his  relationship,  as  well  as  otherwise.  He  adhered 
strictly  to  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  was  a  leader  in  that 
organization  in  the  community  where  he  resided. 

DAVID  MIDDLETON,  son  of  Levi  and  Mary  (Postgate)  Middle- 
ton,  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Ind.,  June  22,  1826.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  engaged  in 
various  occupations  until  1850,  when  he  removed  to  his  present  farm  in 
Howard   County.      He  purchased  162  acres  of  wild  land,  and  began 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  389 

clearing  and  improving  it.  By  labor  and  economy  he  has  made  it  one  of 
the  best  improved  farms  in  the  township,  with  a  large  two-story  residence, 
erected  at  a  cost  of  $3,000,  with  all  necessary  outbuildings,  and 
with  all  modern  improvements.  Mr.  Middleton  has  been  a  Howard 
County  farmer  for  thirty-two  years,  and  is  now  in  good  circumstances. 
He  has  served  as  Township  Supervisor  for  many  years,  and  has  declined 
becoming  a  candidate  for  several  important  offices.  He  was  UKirried  Au- 
gust 9,  1849,  to  Mary  Kashner,  a  native  of  Ohio.  She  died  in  1859, 
leaving  him  four  children — William  J.,  Abrara,  Levi  J.,  and  Martha  J. 
Mr.  Middleton  married  his  second  wife,  Sarah  Carter,  in  Tipton  County, 
Ind.,  May  14,  1862.  He  has  three  children  by  this  marriage— Han- 
nah I.,  Mary  E.,  and  Ruth  E.  Mr.  Middleton  is  a  Republican,  and 
for  a  number  of  years  he  has  been  a  leading  member  of  the  Friends'  So- 
ciety. 

DR.  THOMAS  McL.  MOULDER  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  was  born 
February  6,  1828,  in  Parke  County,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Eleanor 
(Maris)  Moulder.  His  parents  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  the  State, 
and  his  father  was  one  of  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Legisla- 
ture to  survey  and  locate  the  county  seat  of  Howard  County  in  the  year 
1844.  The  same  year  his  parents  settled  on  a  160-acre  tract  of  land  in  the 
southwestern  portion  of  Howard  County.  Thomas  McL.  Moulder  received 
a  good  common  school  education.  February  22,  1849,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Eliza,  daughter  of  James  and  Anna  Williams.  Her  par- 
ents also  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  this  portion  of  the  county, 
and  were  among  the  highly  esteemed,  intelligent  and  industrious  pioneers 
of  this  reservation.  This  union  was  blessed  with  five  children,  all  of  whom 
are  living — Dr.  J.  McLean,  of  Kokomo,  and  Louie,  Ella,  James  and 
Anna,  of  Russiaville.  For  a  number  of  years,  he  was  one  of  the  fore- 
most teachers  of  the  county.  He  taught  a  great  many  very  successful 
schools  in  the  western  portion  of  Howard  and  Tipton  Counties.  Up  to 
1864,  he  had  been  engaged  in  farming  and  teaching,  spending  all  his 
leisure  time  in  reading  medicine.  About  this  time,  after  a  careful  course 
of  study,  he  began  the  practice  of  medicine,  and  he  still  enjoys  the  con- 
fidence of  a  large  circle  of  patrons  in  Russiaville  and  vicinity.  In  March, 
1883,  he  had  the  honorary  degree  of  M.  D.  conferred  upon  him  at  the 
Fort  Wayne  Medical  College.  Dr.  Moulder  has  always  been  a  true  Re- 
publican, is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  has  held  almost 
every  office  within  the  gift  of  his  lodge.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  he  is  now  one  of  the  local  preachers  of  his 
Church.  Dr.  Moulder  is  in  every  sense  of  the  word  an  exemplary  Chris- 
tian gentleman. 

WILLIAM  R.  PAYNE  was  born  in  Tippecanoe  County,  Ind.,  Jan- 
■  ary  19,  1856.     He  was  the  eighth  of  ten  children  born  to  Samuel  and 


390  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Emily  (Greenha)  Payne.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  his 
mother  of  Ohio.  William  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county 
until  1876,  when  he  entered  the  Northern  Indiana  Normal  School,  at 
Valparaiso,  where  he  finished  his  studies  in  1877.  He  then  taught 
school  for  two  years,  after  which  he  read  law  under  Col.  R.  P.  DeHart, 
of  La  Fayette,  Ind.  He  was  admitted  to  the  La  Fayette  bar  March  24, 
1880,  and  practiced  in  that  city  for  one  year.  He  then  located  at  Rus- 
siaville,  where  he  is  now  actively  engaged  in  the  duties  of  his  profession, 
practicing  in  Howard  and  adjoining  counties.  In  1881,  he  was  commis- 
sioned Notary  Public,  and  he  is  doing  an  active  business  in  insurance, 
representing  the  yEtna  and  Springfield  Fire  and  Marine  Company  of 
Massachusetts.  He  was  married  March  25,  1880,  to  Miss  Alfa  War- 
wick. She  was  born  May  6,  1856,  and  died  in  Tippecanoe  County,  Octo- 
ber 1,  1882.  Mr.  Payne  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  He  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Republican  party. 

B.  B.  RICHARDS  is  the  son  of  Benjamin  and  Eliza  (Marquis) 
Richards,  and  was  born  in  Ripley  County,  Ind.,  September  13,  1847. 
When  he  was  quite  young,  his  parents  removed  to  Decatur  County, 
Ind.  He  attended  the  common  schools  until  1865,  when  he  entered 
Hartsville  University,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  four  years.  He  then 
came  to  Howard  County  and  taught  school  for  a  number  of  years, 
after  which  he  engaged  in  the  harness  and  saddler's  trade  in  Kokorao. 
He  afterward  removed  his  stock  to  New  London,^  and  after  two  and 
one-half  years  he  again  moved  to  Russiaville,  where  he  pursued  the 
same  business  until  1880.  He  then  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1882.  In  1881,  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which 
office  he  is  now  filling.  He  is  also  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and 
insurance  business,  representing  the  Phcenix,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.;  Niag- 
ara, Western,  Toronto  and  New  England  Life.  Mr.  Richards  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Rebecca  Gossett,  daughter  of  John  Gossett,  of  Howard 
County.  They  have  two  children — Ollie  E.  and  John  0.  Mr.  Rich- 
ards is  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

SAMUEL  RUNK,  an  enterprising  pioneer,  is  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  was  born  in  Berkeley  County  November  27,  1816.  His 
father,  John,  was  born  in  Hanover  County,  Penn.,  and  was  a  son  of 
Valentine,  a  native  of  the  same  State  and  the  son  of  Valentine  Runk, 
who  emigrated  from  Germany  when  quite  young  to  the  State  of  New 
York,  where  he  labored  seven  years  on  a  farm,  to  obtain  money  to 
pay  to  a  party  from  whom  he  borrowed  to  defray  the  expense  of  his  pas- 
sage across   the   ocean,  after  which    he    labored  seven  more  years,  re- 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  391 

ceiving  the  means  by  which  his  parents  were  transferred  to  the  Amer- 
ican continent.  He  finally  settled  with  them  in  Pennsylvania.  John, 
the  father  of  Samuel,  served  in  the  war  of  1812;  married  Elizabeth  Mil- 
ler, a  native  of  Pennsylvania ;  they  settled  for  awhile  in  Maryland,  where 
to  them  Avere  born  John  and  Daniel.  They  subsequently  located  in 
Virginia,  where  they  were  blessed  with  Betsey,  Samuel,  George,  William, 
Jacob  L.,  Mary  and  Joseph  T.,  all  of  whom  survive.  In  1836,  the  fam- 
ily moved  by  team  to  Clinton  County.  Ohio,  where  the  father  died  at 
the  age  of  eighty-four  and  the  mother  at  eighty-nine.  Samuel's  only 
advantage  of  school  was  sixteen  days  while  in  Virginia.  About  the 
time  of  reaching  his  majority,  he  was  married  to  Margaret  Ratcliff.  Her 
father,  Edom  Ratcliff,  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  with  his  wife, 
Hannah  Smith,  was  among  the  first  settlers  of  Highland  County,  Ohio, 
where  they  remained  until  1844,  when  they  came  by  wagon  to  what 
is  now  Honey  Creek  Township,  and  settled  near  the  present  site  of  Rus- 
sia ville,  where  they  died,  having  reared  nine  children,  viz.:  William, 
Mahala,  Margaret,  Rachel,  Edom,  Hannah,  Andrew,  Matilda  and  Sarah. 
Our  subject  settled  where  he  now  lives,  in  Honey  Creek  Township,  in 
1844.  The  country  was  then  an  unbroken  wilderness,  save  here  and 
there  a  small  patch  around  a  rude  log  cabin.  The  forests  were  inhabited 
by  wild  animals,  and  Mr.  Runk  sustained  his  family  partly  by  the  wild 
meats  he  could  easily  slaughter.  By  strict  economy  and  hard  labor,  he 
has  secured  and  improved  some  fine  farms.  In  April,  1877,  his  wife  died, 
having  blessed  him  with  nine  children,  viz.:  Matilda  (deceased),  married 
Joseph  Elliott,  the  result  being  two  children,  William  and  Jennie ;  Han- 
nah E.,  who  married  F.  M.  Duncan,  whom  she  blessed  with  Alice  (de- 
ceased), Samuel,  Orpha,  Maggie  (deceased),  and  Earnest;  William  A., 
enlisted  in  the  late  war,  where  he  died  ;  Jacob  ;  Miles,  who  married  Sal- 
lie  A.  Orr,  by  whom  he  has  Norman  and  Luella  ;  John  M.,  attended  the 
country,  Kokomo  and  Lebanon,  Ohio,  Schools ;  taught  nine  years,  includ- 
ing normal  terms  at  Kokomo  and  Russiaville  ;  began  compiling  biograph- 
ical matter  for  Chicago  publishing  house  in  1878,  for  which  he  has  since 
labored,  excepting  a  period  as  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Kokomo  G-azette  ; 
Louisa  A.,  married  Thomas  Carter,  the  result  being  two  children,  viz.: 
Elmer  and  Lillie ;  Maggie  E.  (deceased),  married  George  T.  Lindley, 
whom  she  blessed  with  Freddie.  The  last  child  was  Abraham  L. 
Although  our  subject  had  but  little  chance  of  education  himself,  he  has 
given  his  children  such  advantages  as  times  and  limited  means  would 
permit,  and  five  of  the  nine  have  taught  school.  Mr.  Runk  has  for  many 
years  been  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.  of  Russiaville,  and  is  a 
stanch  Republican,  as  are  also  his  entire  family.  He  is  now  enjoying 
good  health,  with  his  second  wife,  Mrs.  Caroline  Lake,  the  only  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Mary  E.  (Coleman)  Blackburn. 


392  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

MAJ.  MELL  SEWARD,  son  of  Charles  and  Ann  P.  (Taylor)  Sew- 
ard, was  born  in  Coshocton  County,  Ohio,  July  2,  1848.  When  young, 
he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Howard  County,  where  he  was  reared  and 
educated.  In  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  One  Hundred  and 
Thirtieth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a  private.  He  was 
soon  made  Duty  Sergeant,  then  Orderly  Sergeant,  after  which  he  was 
promoted  as  Second  Lieutenant,  and  later  he  was  made  First  Lieutenant, 
which  position  he  held  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  participated  in  the 
engagements  at  Resaca,  Dalton,  siege  of  Atlanta,  Nashville,  Fort  An- 
derson, Wilmington  and  West  Fork.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  he  re- 
turned to  Howard  County  and  went  on  a  farm.  In  1871,  he  located  in 
Russiaville,  and  engaged  two  years  in  milling,  when  he  sold  out  and  en- 
gaged in  merchandising  a  short  time.  He  then  purchased  a  half-interest 
in  the  Russiaville  Flouring  Mills,  where  he  is  doing  a  large  merchant  and 
custom  trade.  The  mill  is  a  two-story  frame  building,  40x48,  is  propelled 
by  steam,  and  has  a  capacity  for  making  fifty  barrels  per  day.  Mr  Seward 
was  married  at  Russiaville,  November  14, 1868,  to  Frances  C.  Jones,  a  na- 
tive of  Indiana.  By  this  union  they  have  three  children — William  A.,  Lulu 
H.  and  Fred  G.  Mr.  Seward  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  Masonic 
fraternity,  also  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  His  sympathies  are 
with  the  Republican  party.  It  was  said  by  Hon,  Oliver  P.  Morton,  that  Maj. 
Seward  was  the  youngest  commissioned  officer  of  this  State,  during  the 
late  war.  He  is,  at  present.  Aid-de-camp  upon  the  staff  of  Gov.  Porter. 
In  the  spring  of  1883,  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Revenue  Collector  of 
the  Eleventh  District,  under  Capt.  T.  M.  Kirkpatrick,  and  is  now  serving 
in  that  capacity. 

R.  W.  THOMPSON  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  October  11, 
1842,  and  was  the  eldest  of  seven  children  born  to  James  L.  and  Eliza- 
beth (McCarty)  Thompson.  When  he  was  eight  years  old,  his  parents 
removed  to  Howard  County.  After  he  had  received  the  benefit  of  the 
country  schools  for  some  time,  he  attended  the  High  School  at  Lebanon, 
Boone  County.  He  returned  home,  and  completed  his  course  in  Kokomo 
in  1867.  He  then  taught  school  three  terms,  and  soon  after  located  on 
a  farm,  and  has  since  followed  agricultural  pursuits.  His  farm  is  located 
west  of  Russiaville.  It  consists  of  the  best  soil,  is  well  drained,  and  has 
all  the  modern  improvements.  In  1875,  he  began  to  labor  as  minister, 
in  the  Old  School  Baptist  Church,  and  has  given  much  of  his  time  to  this 
work.  He  was  married,  August  22,  1867,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Hodson. 
She  was  born  January  3,  1849,  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  and  is  a 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Delilah  (Hart)  Hodson.  This  union  has  been 
blessed  with  three  children — George  W.,  Mary  L.  and  Millie  E.  Mr. 
Thompson's  sympathies  are  with  the  Democratic  party. 


HONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  393 

G.  W.  TOPPING  was  born  in  Columbiana  County,  Ohio,  October 
8,  1862,  and  was  the  youngest  of  two  children  born  to  James  L.  and 
Margaret  (Moore)  Topping.  When  he  was  but  sixteen  years  old,  his 
parents  moved  to  Centertown,  Ind.,  where,  after  completing  his  studies, 
he  accepted  a  position  as  clerk  in  a  drug  store.  After  a  short  time,  he  lo- 
cated in  Brazil,  Ind.,  and  was  employed  in  the  drug  trade  fifteen  months, 
after  which  he  went  to  Indianapolis,  and  filled  a  position  in  a  drug  store 
until  October,  1882,  when  he  purchased  a  stock  of  drugs  and  located  at 
Russiaville,  establishing  the  firm  of  G.  W.  Topping  &  Co.  Mr.  Topping 
is  an  energetic  business  man.  His  stock  is  full  and  complete,  and  he  is 
rapidly  building  up  a  large  and  excellent  trade. 

HON.  SAMUEL  WOODY  was  born  April  14,  1828,  in  Orange 
County,  N.  C.  His  parents,  John  and  Mary  Woody,  located  in  Parke 
County,  Ind.,  in  1829.  There  he  worked  on  the  farm,  attending  the 
common  schools  in  the  winter.  His  education  was  limited,  but  he  has 
obtained  a  goodly  stock  of  general  information  through  reading.  In 
1847,  he  came  West  with  his  aged  parents,  and  settled  on  eighty  acres  of 
land  in  the  Miami  Reserve,  where  be  still  lives.  He  worked  hard  to  pay 
for  this  farm,  but  he  now  owns  400  acres  of  fine  farm  land,  well  cultivated, 
having  all  the  modern  improvements.  In  an  early  day,  Mr.  Woody  was 
Township  Trustee  for  six  years.  In  1874,  he^was  elected  Joint  Repre- 
sentative from  Howard  and  Miami  Counties,  and  during  his  term  of  serv- 
ice introduced  several  important  bills,  which  afterward  became  laws. 
Formerly  Mr.  Woody  was  a  Whig,  but  has  been  a  Republican  ever 
since  the  organization  of  that  party.  He  has  long  been  an  earnest 
worker  in  the  temperance  cause,  and  has  ever  been  ready  to  aid  in  any 
charitable  enterprise.  He  has  given  liberally  to  many  churches,  and  has 
assisted  in  building  many  church  buildings  in  the  county,  as  well  as  in 
the  city  of  Kokomo.  Mr.  Woody  was  instrumental  in  organizing  Honey 
Creek  Township.  He  was  married,  February  11,  1849,  to  Miss  Mar- 
garet Lybrook,  daughter  of  John  C.  and  Elizabeth  Lybrook.  Her  parents 
were  natives  of  Virginia,  and  pioneers  of  Honey  Creek  Township.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Woody  have  had  seven  children — Horace  G.,  Professor  of  the 
Kokomo  High  School ;  John  L.,  of  Russiaville  ;  William  P.;  M.  Pearl, 
of  Arkansas  ;  Mrs.  M.  E.  Alma  Dimitt,  Sarah  L.  and  N.  E.  Ina.  Mrs. 
Woody  died  January  6,  1883. 

DR.  J.  C.  WRIGHT  was  the  sixth  of  ten  children  born  to  David 
and  Jane  A.  (Bower)  Wright.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  his 
mother  of  New  Jersey.  Dr.  Wright  is  a  native  of  Highland  County, 
Ohio,  and  was  born  September  17,  1852.  He  was  reared  and  educated 
at  New  London,  Ohio,  after  which  he  was  employed  as  clerk  in  a  dry 
goods  house  two  years.      He  then  took  a  practical   course   in  pharmacy 


394  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

in  a  drug  store  one  year,  when  he  chose  as  his  preceptor  Dr.  J.  F.  Bower, 
of  New  Lexington,  Ohio.  He  remained  with  him  three  years,  after 
which  he  entered  the  Miami  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  and  graduated 
from  that  institution.  He  then  located  at  Russiaville,  Ind.,  where  he 
engaged  actively  in  the  duties  of  his  profession,  making  a  specialty  of  the 
eye.  In  1879,  he  began  the  study  of  dentistry,  in  which  art  he  has 
gained  considerable  reputation.  Dr.  Wright  was  County  Coroner  for  two 
years,  during  which  time  he  acted  in  several  celebrated  cases,  among  them 
the  shooting  of  Mayor  Cole  and  the  hanging  of  Richard  Long.  Dr. 
Wright  was  married  at  Russiaville,  Ind.,  October  9,  1873,  to  Miss 
Emma  C.  Ratcliff,  of  Highland  County,  Ohio,  and  daughter  of  Thomas 
E.  and  Jane  (Smithson)  Ratcliff,  both  natives  of  Ohio.  By  this  marriage 
they  have  two  children,  Bertha  J.  and  James  C.  Dr.  Wright  is  now  in 
active  practice  of  dentistry,  having  established  a  successful  business  and 
a  reputation  as  a  skillful  and  efficient  workman  in  that  line.  He  also  con- 
tinues, to  some  extent,  his  medical  practice.  Dr.  Wright  has  established 
a  leading  reputation  as  a  writer  for  the  newspapers,  and  is  well  read  in 
history,  science,  art,  and  the  miscellany  of  the  day.  He  is  one  of  the 
promising  young  men  of  Howard  County,  an  intelligent  and  genial  gen- 
tleman. 


MONROE   TOWNSHIP. 

W.  F.  GORDON  was  born  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  April  30,  1835, 
and  is  the  eldest  of  eight  children  born  to  Adonijah  and  Synder  (Reeser) 
Gordon,  both  natives  of  West  Virginia.  While  quite  young,  our  subject 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Tippecanoe  County,  Ind.,  where  he  received 
the  benefit  of  the  country  schools  until  1848,  when  he  moved  with  his 
father  to  Howard  County,  and  here  completed  his  education.  His  father 
is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Indiana,  and  helped  build  one  of  the  first  school- 
houses  in  Monroe  Township.  W.  F.  Gordon  started  in  life  as  a  renter, 
but  by  economy  and  industry  he  soon  accumulated  means,  and  purchased 
160  acres  of  land  in  Clinton  County,  Ind.,  on  which  he  lived  for  some 
time.  In  1865,  he  located  on  his  present  place  of  374  acres.  His  farm 
is  in  every  respect  a  model  one.  He  has  a  large  two-story  brick  dwelling 
containing  ten  rooms,  erected  at  a  cost  of  $3,500,  and  mammoth  barn 
and  granary.  Mr.  Gordon  has  taken  an  active  part  in  improving  the 
stock  of  this  section,  having  invested  $4,000  in  thoroughbred  short-horn 
cattle.  His  herd  consists  of  the  best  families,  some  of  which  may  be 
mentioned :  The  Amelia  tribe,  Mary's  Princess,  Duke's  Breast  Plates, 
and  Philleses.     In  1878,  he  was  elected   County  Commissioner,  and  re- 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP.  395 

elected  in  1882.  He  has  taken  an  active  part  in  improving  the  public 
highways,  having  served  as  Supervisor  for  twelve  years.  He  was  married 
in  Honey  Creek  Township,  Clinton  County  (now  a  part  of  Howard 
County),  November  23,  1856,  to  Harriet  M.  Williams,  of  Logan  County, 
111.  She  was  born  February  21,  1840.  By  this  union  they  have 
nine  children — Ormanda,  Charles  H.,  Adonijah  W.,  Ortha  A.,  Sarah 
C,  John  S.,  Milvin  L.,  Nora  and  William  C.  Mr.  Gordon  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  a  strong  believer  in  Woman's  Rights  ; 
and  a  member  of  the  Republican  party. 

ELIHU  HOBSON,  a  pioneer  of  Howard  County,  was  the  first  of 
ten  children  born  to  Jesse  and  Lydia  (Newlin)  Hobson.  He  was  born  in 
North  Carolina  September  1,  1824,  and  when  but  four  years  of  age  re- 
moved with  his  parents  to  Parke  County,  Ind.,  where  he  was  reared  on 
his  father's  farm  and  received  a  common  school  education.  He  then 
rented  a  farm  in  Parke  County  where  he  lived  until  1847,  when  he  moved 
to  Howard  County  and  settled  on  his  present  place  of  120  acres,  then  in 
its  native  state.  Being  handy  with  tools,  he  has  made  many  improve- 
ments with  his  own  hands.  His  farm  is  in  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, with  fine  dwelling,  all  necessary  outbuildings  and  with  macadamized 
road  leading  from  his  house  to  the  main  pike.  He  has  taken  an  active 
part  in  improving  the  highways  in  this  township,  having  served  as  Super- 
visor about  fifteen  years.  Mr.  Hobson  has  been  twice  married,  first  in 
Parke  County,  Ind.,  February  8,  1846,  to  Margaret  Hadley,  of  North 
Carolina.  She  died  April  23,  1854.  By  this  marriage  they  had  four 
children — Levi,  Lydia,  Mary  (deceased)  and  Martha  (deceased).  The 
second  marriage  occurred  at  New^  London,  Ind.,  November  14,  1855, 
Sarah  King  of  Frederick  County,  Md.,  being  the  bride.  She  was  born 
April  19,  1831.  They  have  by  this  marriage  eight  children — Ossian, 
Cadmus,  Estella;  Luella,  Aaron,  i\.my  E.,  J.  J.  Gurney  and  Alford  S. 
Mr.  Hobson  is  a  stanch  Republican. 

JOSEPH  G.  McCOY,  Sr.,  son  of  Gilbert  and  Huldah  (Cram) 
McCoy,  was  born  in  Ohio  April  18,  1819,  and  was  reared  and  educated 
in  his  native  State.  He  followed  farming  in  Ohio  until  the  spring  of 
1844,  when  he  came  to  Indiana  and  settled  in  Howard  County,  on  his 
present  place.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  in  the  county  and  has  ex- 
perienced many  of  the  privations  of  pioneer  life.  He  settled  on  his 
farm  when  all  around  was  a  wilderness,  but  he  has  labored  upon  it  and 
improved  it  until  now  he  has  a  good  cultivated  farm.  He  was  married  in 
Miami  County,  Ohio,  October  24,  1839,  to  Lodicia  Hollingsworth,  of 
Ohio.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Joel  and  Annie  B.  (Conwell)  Hollings- 
worth, both  natives  of  South  Carolina.  By  this  union  they  had  six  chil- 
dren— Huldah  A.,  Anna  B.,  Harvey  H.,  Elmira  C,  Mary  J.  and  Chris- 


396  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

topher  C.  (deceased).     Mr.  McCoy  is  a  strong  worker  in  the  temperance 
cause,  and  he  and  wife  are  active  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

W.  F.  NBWBY  was  the  second  of  three  children  born  to  E.  J.  and 
Elizabeth  A.  (Trueblood)  Newby,  both  natives  of  Washington  County, 
Ind.  The  subjeet  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Monroe  Township.  Howard 
County,  Ind.,  May  24,  1858,  and  received  the  foundation  of  his  educa- 
tion in  his  native  county.  He  completed  his  course  of  study  at  Spice- 
land  Academy,  Henry  County,  Ind.,  in  1880.  He  then  turned  his 
attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  is  now  located  on  a  farm  about  one 
mile  east  of  New  London,  where  he  is  extensively  engaged  in  farming. 
Being  reared  on  a  farm,  he  is  well  acquainted  with  the  duties  of  an  agri- 
culturist, and  has  every  evidence  of  becoming  a  wealthy  farmer.  He 
was  married  at  New  London,  Ind.,  November  19,  1881,  to  Merab  J. 
Shirley.  She  was  born  in  New  London  February  17,  1864,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Dr.  J.  and  Waity  (Seaward)  Shirley.  They  have  by  this 
union  one  child,  Frank  C.  Mr.  Newby  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F., 
and  of  the  Republican  party. 

ZIMRI  NEVVLIN,  son  of  John  and  Ruth  (Wordey)  Newlin,  was 
born  in  North  Carolina  October  15,  1820.  When  he  was  six  years  old, 
he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Parke  County,  Ind.,  where  he  was 
reared  and  educated.  He  then  formed  for  about  six  years,  and  in  1846 
he  located  on  his  present  farm  in  Howard  County.  This  farm  is  situated 
a  half  mile  east  of  New  London,  and  is  now  finely  improved.  Mr.  New- 
lin is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Howard  County,  and  has  experienced  many 
of  the  privations  of  pioneer  life.  He  was  married  in  Parke  County, 
Ind.,  January  22,  1846,  to  Isabella  Chapman,  of  England.  She  died 
August  16,  1870,  in  Howard  County,  Ind.  By  this  marriage  he  had 
born  to  him  eight  children — Mary  A.,  Martha,  William,  Ruth,  Lucinda, 
Elvin,  Cora  A.,  and  Ella  I.  Mr.  Newlin  was  next  married  at  New 
London,  Ind.,  December  13,  1872,  to  Nancy  A.  Whitson.  She  was 
born  in  Darke  County,  Ohio,  May  1,  1832.  Mr.  Newlin  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  he  and  family  are  members  of  the  Friends'   Church. 

JOSEPH  PEACOCK  was  the  eighth  of  nine  children  born  to  Asa  and 
Dinah  (Rich)  Peacock,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  Asa  Peacock 
was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
Randolph  County,  N.  C,  August  5,  1826.  When  he  was  three  years  of 
age,  he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  coming 
through  by  wagon  and  team,  Avhich  made  it  a  long  and  tedious  journey. 
Joseph  lived  in  Wayne  County  until  he  was  thirteen  years  old,  when  he 
removed  with  his  father  to  Grant  County,  Ind.  It  was  there  that  our 
subject  Was  reared  to  manhood  and  educated.  He  then  purchased  a  farm 
and  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until  1865,  when  he  sold  and  came  to 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP.  397 

Howard  County  and  purchased  his  present  place  of  195  acres.  Mr. 
Peacock  has  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county.  His  dwelhng  is  a 
large  two-story  brick,  with  eleven  rooms,  built  at  a  cost  of  ^4,000.  His 
farm  is  well  improved,  has  all  necessary  outbuildings,  and  is  well  stocked. 
Mr.  Peacock  was  married  in  Grant  County,  Ind.,  February  21,  1849, 
to  Caroline  Jones,  of  North  Carolina.  By  this  union  they  have  nine 
children — Mary,  Ruth  E.,  Jason,  Miles,  Lydia  A.,  Levi,  William  J., 
Adaline  and  Clara.  Mr.  Peacock  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party, 
and  he  and  wife  are  active  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

JOHN  RODKEY  (deceased),  son  of  John  and  Esther  (Christian) 
Rodkey,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  born  January  15,  1826. 
When  but  six  years  of  age,  he  removed  with  his  mother  to  Miami  County, 
Ohio,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  In  1844,  he  came  to  Clinton 
County,  Ind.,  and  learned  the  tanner's  trade,  which  he  pursued  four  or 
five  years.  He  then  returned  to  Ohio  and  engaged  in  farming  a  short 
time,  after  which  he  returned  to  Indiana,  and  located  in  Howard  County, 
having  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land.  He  improved  this  place  until  it 
was  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county.  Mr.  Rodkey  was  a  man  of  fine 
business  qualities,  and  assisted  greatly  in  developing  Howard  County. 
The  large  brick  dwelling,  surrounded  by  broad  acres,  still  stands,  to 
show  that  he  was  not  idle,  but  improved  all  opportunities  offered,  to 
provide  for  his  widow  and  loved  ones,  leaving  an  ample  share  for  each  of 
his  children.  He  died  September  29,  1875,  since  which  time  Perry, 
the  eldest  of  his  sons,  has  managed  the  estate.  Mr.  Rodkey  was  elected 
County  Commissioner  in  1868,  and  re-elected  in  1871,  holdint^  the  office 
at  his  death.  He  was  married  in  Carroll  County,  Ind.,  June  4,  1853 
to  Eveline  Fennell.  She  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  was  born  September 
25,  1827.  They  had  five  children — Perry,  Laura  J.,  Mary  C,  Joseph 
M.  and  Jessie  Celle.  Mr.  Rodkey  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, and  the  Republican  party. 

SILAS  STOUT,  a  pioneer  of  Howard  County,  is  a  native  of 
Indiana,  and  was  born  in  Orange  County  July  17,  1816.  He  wag  the 
fifth  of  eleven  children  born  to  John  and  Elizabeth  (Moon)  Stout.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  attending  school  in  winter,  and  assisting  his  father 
during  the  spring  and  summer.  When  he  was  well  advanced  in  his 
studies,  he  entered  the  high  school  at  Salem,  Ind.,  and  completed  hig 
course.  He  then  returned  to  Orange  County,  where  his  time  was  mostly 
occupied  in  teaching,  as  well  as  in  Parke  County.  He  then  located  on 
a  farm  in  his  native  county,  where  he  remained  until  1849,  when  he 
removed  to  Howard  County,  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  and  erected  a 
cabin  in  the  forest.  He  still  lives  on  the  same  farm,  which  is  now  in  a  hi^^h 
state  of  cultivation,   with  good  dwelling  house  and  all  necessary  improve- 


398  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

ments.  In  1870,  he  was  elected  County  Surveyor,  which  position  he 
held  three  terms,  giving  general  satisfaction  to  the  entire  community. 
Mr.  Stout  is  a  trustworthy  citizen,  and  has  served  as  administrator  to 
important  estates,  and  as  a  guardian  for  some  of  the  best  families  in  the 
county.  He  was  married  December  22,  18-11,  in  Orange  County,  Ind., 
to  Martha  King,  born  in  Baltimore,  August  15,  1819.  By  this  union 
they  have  six  children — Edwin,  Mira,  Elma,  Albert,  Charles  and  Lewis  E. 
He  and  family  are  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  Mr.  Stout  is  in 
his  sixty-seventh  year,  has  never  used  glasses,  and  enjoys  splendid 
health.  He  is  a  stanch  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  a  worthy 
citizen. 

BENJAMIN  TUCKER  was  born  in  Miami  County,  Ohio,  January 
22,  1827,  and  was  the  fifth  of  thirteen  children  born  to  Jacob  and  Eliza- 
beth (Kessler)  Tucker.  He  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  State, 
and  in  1847  came  to  Howard  County,  and  settled  on  eighty  acres  of  un- 
improved land  in  Ervin  Township.  This  he  farmed  and  improved  until 
1867,  when  he  sold  it  and  purchased  his  present  farm  of  sixty-eight  and 
one-half  acres.  This  he  has  improved  and  made  a  model  farm.  Mr. 
Tucker  is  an  excellent  farmer,  a  highly  respected  and  good  citizen.  He 
Avas  among  the  first  teachers  of  Ervin  Township,  and  has  been  school 
director  for  quite  a  number  of  years.  He  was  married  in  Miami  County, 
Ohio,  April  30,  1848,  to  Mary  A.  Sence,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 
By  this  union  they  had  three  children — Newton,  Jasper,  and  Eras- 
mus C.  His  wife  died  in  Howard  County,  February  8,  1860,  and  Mr. 
Tucker's  second  marriage  was  March  13,  1861,  at  New  London,  to 
Miss  Mary  E.  Newlin.  She  was  born  October  18,  1832,  in  Orange 
County,  Ind.  They  had  three  children  by  this  union — Addison,  William 
and  Elwin.  Mr.  Tucker  has  been  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends 
from  infancy.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

E.  C.  TUCKER  is  the  youngest  of  three  children  born  to  Benjamin 
and  Mary  (Sence)  Tucker;  the  former  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  the  latter  of 
Pennsylvania.  Our  subject  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  was  born  in  Ervin 
Township,  Howard  County,  April  11,  1855;  here  he  lived  until  he  was 
fifteen,  when  his  father  moved  to  Monroe  Township,  near  New  London. 
Here  Mr.  Tucker  was  educated,  completing  his  studies  in  New  London  in 
1878.  For  the  next  three  years,  he  was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  New  Lon- 
don, at  the  end  of  which  time  he  bought  one-half  interest  in  the  store  of 
Newlin  &  Beeks,  and  the  business  is  now  conducted  under  the  firm  name 
of  Newlin  &  Tucker.  They  keep  a  stock  of  drugs  and  groceries  to  the 
amount  of  $2,000,  and  are  doing  a  thriving  business  of  $8,000  per  annum. 
Mr.  Tucker  is  a  man  of  fine  business  qualifications,  and  with  his  polite 
and   agreeable   manners    would   succeed   in  any  locality.     He    has  just 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP.  ^^^ 


completed  a  handsome  dwelling,  with  all  modern  improvements  and 
conveniences,  making  it  one  of  the  most  desirable  homes  in  the  town.  He 
was  married  at  New  London,  Ind.,  December  U.  1881,  to  Miss  Susan  J. 
Snider,  who  was  born  in  St.  Clair  County,  Mo.,  February  25,  1859.  She 
is  the  daughter  of  Pearson  and  Helena  (Barkalow)  Snider,  both  of  English 
descent.  Mr.  Snider  is  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  his  wife  of  ()hio. 
Mr  and  Mrs.  Tucker  have  one  child.  Fay  Ethel,  born  October  3,  1882. 
Mr.  Tucker  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Re- 

^^^  HORACE  W.  TUCKER,  son  of  George  W.  and  Sarah  M.  (Hunts- 
man) Tucker,  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  July  5,  1850.  His  father  was 
a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  his  mother  of  Ohio.     The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in  Cincinnati.   When  he  was  nineteen  years 
of  a.^e,  he  moved  to  Miami  County,  Ind.,  where  he  engaged  m  f^irraing   or 
eigh^teen  months.   He  then  spent  several  months  in  Sangamon  County,  ill., 
on  a  farm,  after  which  he  returned  to  Miami  County,  and  later  he  came  to 
Howard,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of  117  acres.     Here  he  farmed  for 
eight  Years,  and  then  purchased  the  place  on  which  he  now  l^ves,  thirty- 
two  and  a  half  acres,  in  the  suburbs  of  New  London,  making  in  all  14J^ 
acres  of  land,  all  well  improved.     He  was  married  in   Marion   County, 
Ind     April  2,  1873,  to   Miss  Sarah  M.   Carr.     She  was  born  in  Marion 
County  March  23,  1853.     By  this  union  they  have  two  children--Lena 
B.  and  Carry  A.     Mr.  Tucker  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  he  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


HARRISON    TOWNSHIP. 
CHARLES  L.  BALDWIN,  son  of  George  W.  and  Margaret  Bald- 
win, was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  July  14,  1843,   and   is  one  of  a 
family  of  four  children,  he   and  a  sister,  Dora,  being  the  only   survivors. 
In  1849,  the  parents  moved  to  Tipton  County,  this  State,  and  settled  on 
420  acres  of  land  in  Prairie  Township,  where  they   led  the  life   of   pio- 
neers.    Deer  were  abundant  and  wheat  had  to  be  taken  to  Logansport  to 
be  milled.     There  Mr.  Baldwin  received  a  common  school  education,  and 
there  he  worked  on  the  home  farm  until  his  enlistment,  August  19,  1861, 
in  the  Seventy-fifth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.       He  took  part  in   sev- 
eral battles,  and  was  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  but   after  a  furlough   ot 
twenty  days  returned  to  the  front  and  marched  with  Sherman  to  the  sea. 
He  was  mustered  out  at  Washington,   June  8,   1865,   and  then   engaged 
in  farming,  and  then  in  the  butchering  and  grocery  business  at  Russia- 


400 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 


ville,  this  county.  He  was  burned  out  in  1881,  and  he  then  purchased 
and  moved  upon  a  farm  northwest  of  Middleton.  In  1867,  he  married 
Miss  Lizzie  Hopkins,  of  Clinton  County,  and  to  this  union  have  been 
born  two  children— William  F.  and  Jennie  H.  Mr.  Baldwin  is  now  Sec- 
retary of  Neii  Lodge,  No.  358,  I.  0.  0.  F.;  in  politics  he  has  always 
been  a  Republican,  and  is  now  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Harrison  Town- 
ship. 

JOHN  M.  DENTON,  son  of  David  and  Emeline  Denton,  was  born 
in  North  Carolina  March  21,  1847.  He  is  of  English-German  descent, 
and  is  a  nephew  of  the  celebrated  geologist,  William  Denton,  of  Philadel- 
phia. When  he  was  three  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  to  Washing- 
ton County,  Ind.,  settled  on  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  and  there  died.  At 
the  age  of  ten,  he  removed  to  Orange  County,  and  there  he  attended  what 
school  he  could  during  winter  and  worked  at  farming  during  the  summer. 
In  1862,  he  came  to  Howard  County  and  worked  for  Oliver  Moulder  un- 
til his  enlistment,  in  1864,  in  the  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  serving 
under  Gen.  Thomas.  Twelve  months  he  served  faithfully,  and  was  mus°- 
tered  out  at  Louisville,  Ky.  Since  his  return,  he  has  been  chiefly 
engaged  in  the  saw  and  planing  mill  business.  In  1870,  he  married  Miss 
Martha  Stratton,  who  died  in  1879,  the  mother  of  two  boys  and  two  girls. 
Mr.  Denton  is  a  Mason,  an  Odd  Fellow,  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and 
of  the  Friends'  Society. 

JOHN   S.  EDWARDS  stands    among  the  younger   representative 
men  of  Harrison  Township.     He  was  one  of  a  family  often  children  born 
to  Sylvester  and  Mary  S.  Edwards.      Was  born  in   Harrison  Township, 
Howard  County,  on  the  farm  where    he    now   resides,    and  assisted    his 
father  in  clearing  a  large  farm,  and  obtained  a  fair  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.      His  father  was  a  hard-working,  energetic  farmer,  and  fre- 
quently walked  upon  his  knees  laying  fences,  when  his  back  had  become 
too  weak  to  stand.     The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  excelled  in  the  study 
of  music,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  public  improvements. 
He  now  owns  the  home  farm  of  135  acres,  two  and  a  half  miles  south  of 
Alto.     Mr.  Edwards  was  married  in  Illinois,  December  25,  1871,  to  Miss 
Alice  Thompson,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  W.  Thompson,  of  Russia- 
ville,  Ind.      By  this  marriage  they  have  four  children— Julia  A.,  Vessie, 
Elden  and  Vernie  G.     Mr.  Edwards  is  an  enterprising  young  man,  and 
he  and  wife  are  active  members  of  the  Seventh-Day  Adventist  Church. 

W.  T.  HOLLINGSWORTH  was  born  in  Union  County,  Ohio,  May 
31,  1842,  and  in  1846  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents,  William  N. 
and  Susannah  Hollingsworth,  who  were  strict  members  of  the  Society  of 
Friends.  He  was  reared  during  the  anti-slavery  agitation,  and  became 
imbued  with  the  prmciples  of  the  agitators,  and,  considering  the  limited 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP.  401 

advantages,  obtained  a  very  fair  education.  When  quite  young,  he 
learned  the  milling  business,  which  he  has  ever  since  successfully  followed. 
During  the  war,  he  operated  what  is  known  as  the  old  Stratton  Mill,  and 
afterward  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Russiaville  Mills,  which  were  run 
under  the  firm  name  of  Seward  &  HoUingsworth,  the  senior  partner  being 
Niel  Seward.  November  30,  1862,  he  married  Rebecca  Sparling,  of  In- 
dianapolis. For  the  past  twelve  years  he  has  been  a  usefel  member  of  the 
I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  at  present  resides  with  his  family  at  West  Middleton, 
and  is  operating  the  Merchant  Flouring  Mills  at  that  place. 

JUDGE  T.  A.  LONG,  one  of  the  oldest  pioneers  of  Howard  County, 
was  born  in  Lexington,  Ky,,  October  16,  1796,  and  is  the  son  of  Benja- 
min and  Margaret  A.  Long.  They  moved  to  Bourbon  County  in  1798, 
and  his  father  dying  soon  afterward,  he  lived  with  his  mother  on  the  farm 
about  nine  years.  He  was  then  apprenticed  to  Billy  Barlow,  an  old  gun- 
smith of  Nicholas  County,  Ky.,  and  worked  for  him  six  and  a  half  years 
for  nothing  and  clothed  himself;  he  then  returned  to  Bourbon  County, 
and  started  a  gun  and  blacksmith  shop,  continuing  in  business  there  until 
1826,  when  he  moved  to  the  small  town  of  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  where  he 
was  in  the  same  business  until  1840,  when  he  came  to  the  Reserve  and 
entered  a  claim  ;  he  continued  in  the  gunsmith  business,  in  connection 
with  farming  and  the  nursery  business,  for  a  number  of  years.  Subse- 
quently he  removed  to  the  place  where  he  now  lives,  with  his  son,  John, 
in  Harrison  Township.  Mr.  Long  was  married  January  14,  1819,  to 
Margaret  McClure,  of  Kentucky.  She  was  born  November  9,  1799. 
They  have  been  married  sixty-four  years.  Judge  Long  has  been  one  of 
Howard  County's  most  useful  pioneers ;  he  served  as  the  first  Associate 
Judge  seven  years,  and  since  has  filled  various  offices  of  honor  and  trust. 
In  an  early  day  he  was  a  strong  Whig,  but  of  late  has  voted  the  Republican 
ticket.  He  and  his  wife  have  been  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  for  forty  years. 

JOHN  T.  LONG,  son  of  Judge  T.  A.  and  Margaret  Long,  was 
born  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  August  10,  1838 ;  he  came  to  this  county 
with  his  family  and  settled  in  Clay  Township,  where  he  spent  his  youth- 
ful days  in  playing  with  the  old  peace  chief,  Pete  Cornstalk,  and  in 
helping  to  clear  up  the  farm  when  he  was  large  enough  for  the  work.  He 
attended  two  terms  of  school  taught  in  an  old  log  dwelling  house  on  the 
Henry  Smith  farm,  and  afterward  a  school  taught  by  a  Mr.  Caffee,  of 
Crawfordsville,  in  a  house  on  the  Stringer  farm,  and  at  twenty-two  had 
acquired  a  very  fair  education,  and  was  preparing  to  enter  the  Normal 
School  at  Kokomo  when  the  war  broke  out  ;  he  then  made  arrangements 
to  go  to  the  front  as  First  Lieutenant,  but  circumstances  at  home  pre- 
vented his  going.    In  1863,  he  married  Miss  Annie  Havens,  who  bore  him 


402  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

six  children — William  G.,  Emma,  Arthur,  Omer,  Ethel,  and  one  un- 
named ;  of  these  three  are  deceased.  Mr.  Long  now  resides  with  his 
parents  on  an  excellent  farm  of  167  acres  north  of  West  Middleton  ;  is 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  he  has  always  taken 
an  active  interest  in  public  affairs. 

WILLIAM  MIDDLETON  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Ind,, 
December  6,  1830,  and  is  the  son  of  Levi  and  Mary  Middleton,  who  are 
active  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  in  whose  faith  William  was 
reared.  The  father  was  a  carpenter  and  built  the  first  house  in  Craw- 
fordsville.  William  was  reared  a  frontiersman,  and  attended  school  in  the 
winter  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  walked  to  the  Re- 
serve and  began  clearing  on  the  farm  his  father  had  entered  for  him,  re- 
peating the  trip  the  two  succeeding  years  and  working  out  in  Montgomery 
during  the  intervals,  at  f  10  per  month.  November  12,  1854,  he  married 
Jane  Moulder,  daughter  of  John  and  Eleanor  Moulder,  pioneers  of  this 
county.  To  this  marriage  have  been  born  three  children — Charles,  Mary 
Florence  and  John.  Mr.  Middleton's  original  tract  of  land  in  this  county 
contained  ninety-three  acres,  which  he  increased  to  160  acres  ;  in  1865, 
he  sold  this  farm  and  settled  on  the  160  acres  where  he  now  lives.  This 
he  has  cleared  of  every  stump  and  rock  ;  his  fields  are  well-drained  and 
supplied  with  living  spring  water,  and  are  second  to  none  in  the 
county.  Mr.  Middleton  has  been  one  of  the  most  liberal  contributors  to 
works  of  public  advancement  and  local  improvement,  and  his  example  is 
well  deserving  of  emulation.  In  politics,  he  is  liberal,  but  inclines  to 
Republicanism. 

JACKSON  MORROW,  one  among  the  representative  men  of  Har- 
rison Township,  was  born  in  Howard  County,  near  Kokomo,  March  3, 
1849,  and  is  the  son  of  Charles  and  Sarah  Morrow.  At  the  age  of  eight 
years,  he  began  attending  the  common  schools,  and  received  a  good  com- 
mon education  from  his  limited  advantages  ;  he  spent  two  terms  in  the 
Kokomo  Normal,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  Avas  granted  license  to  teach 
in  the  schools  of  Howard  County ;  he  taught  his  first  term  in  Harrison 
Township  and  his  second  in  Taylor,  and  the  next  year  entered  the  classi- 
cal course  of  Ann  Arbor.  After  four  years,  he  graduated  with  high 
honors  in  the  class  of  1872,  after  which  he  taught  two  winter  terms  in 
the  graded  schools  of  the  county.  In  1873,  he  was  married  to  Mary  E. 
Henderson,  of  Howard  County.  They  have  had  three  children,  two  of 
whom  are  living — Albert  V.  and  Frederick  E.  In  1880,  he  was  elected 
Trustee  of  Harrison  Township,  which  oflEice  he  filled  one  term  with  much 
credit.  In  politics,  he  is  of  the  Andrew  Jackson  stripe,  but  when  in  office  his 
political  principles  are  for  the  best  interests  of  the  people  in  general ;  he 
has  taken  an  active  part  in  public  improvements,  and  it  was  during  his 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP.  403 

term  of  office  as  Trustee,  that  the  large  township  graded  school  building 
at  West  Middleton  was  erected.  Mr.  Morrow  has  for  some  years  been 
an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ;  he  now  resides  on 
his  excellent  farm  one  and  one-half  miles  east  of  Alto. 

JOSEPH  OREM  was  born  in  Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  December 
22,  1841,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  twelve  children  born  to  Josiah  and  Ann 
(Orr)  Orem,  natives  respectively  of  Maryland  and  Indiana ;  the  family 
came  to  Howard  County  when  Joseph  was  quite  young,  returned  to  Swit- 
zerland County,  and  then  moved  to  Tipton  County,  where  Joseph  enlisted, 
in  the  summer  of  1862,  under  Col.  Carver  and  Capt.  Alexander  McCrary; 
he  fought  at  Chickamauga,  Mission  Ridge,  Jonesboro  and  Milton,  Tenn.; 
was  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea,  and,  after  they  left  Louisville, 
they  had  transportation  by  rail  only  twelve  miles,  the  balance  of  the  dis- 
tance to  Washington  City  being  made  on  foot.  During  his  career,  he  re- 
ceived one  flesh  wound  and  had  two  guns  shot  to  pieces  while  in  his  hands  ; 
he  was  mustered  out  in  June,  1865,  and  on  his  return  engaged  in  farming. 
January  18,  1866,  he  married  Eliza  A.  Irby  (now  deceased).  There 
were  no  children  born  to  their  union,  but  they  adopted  and  reared  Melissa 
Brown.  October  20,  1881,  Mr.  Orem  married  Mrs.  Mary  E.  (Cobb) 
Caldwell,  and  to  this  union  one  child,  Josiah  L.,  was  born,  August  17, 
1882.  Mrs.  Orem  is  also  mother  of  four  children  by  her  former  husband. 
Mr.  Orem  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Democratic  ranks,  and  both  he  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

ROBERT  ORR,  son  of  Joseph  and  Agnes  Orr,  was  born  near  Ve- 
vay,  Ind.,  September  6,  1826,  and  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  until 
1843,  and  from  eight  until  sixteen  years  of  age  attended  the  subscription 
schools.  In  1843,  both  father  and  son  took  claims  of  160  acres  each, 
in  Prairie  Township,  Tipton  County,  and  when  Robert  attained  his  ma- 
jority, only  a  few  months  before  the  land  came  into  market,  he  entered 
his  tract  at  Indianapolis,  By  hard  work  he  has  succeeded  in  clearing  up 
his  farm  and  has  increased  his  possessions  to  348  acres,  in  Howard  and 
Tipton  Counties,  some  two  years  ago  purchasing  the  place  where  he  now 
lives,  west  of  West  Middleton.  February  25,  1848,  he  married  Miss  Je- 
mima E.  Fanchier,  Frank  Price,  the  first  Clerk  of  Howard  County,  fur- 
nishing the  license.  To  this  marriage  eleven  children  have  been  born — 
Louisa,  Joseph  F.,  Sarah  A.,  Nancy  C,  John  F.,  William  H.,  Jennie, 
Lawrence,  Laura  E.,  Julia  E.  and  Nora  E.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orr  are  mem- 
bers of  the  New-Light  Christian  Church,  and  Mr.  Orr  has  always  taken 
an  active  interest  in  public  improvements. 

GEORGE  P.  PITZER  was  born  in  Botetourt  County,  Va.,  Novem- 
ber 20,  1820,  and  is  the  son  of  Davison  and  Amanda  Pitzer  ;  he  attended 
two  terms  of  school  in  his  native  State,  but  at  the  age  of  ten  was    taken 


404  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

by  his  father  (who  had  for  many  years  been  County  Sheriff  in  Virginia), 
to  Fayette  County,   Ohio,  where  he  began  his   first   lessons  in  farming  ; 
however,   he  availed    himself  of    every  advantage  offered  by  the  frontier 
schools  and  succeeded  in  acquiring  a  very  fair  education.  When  the  great 
rush  was  made  for  the  Reserve,   George  joined  the  tide,  and  September 
20,  1847,  reached  Harrison  Township,  where  he  bought  the  tract  of  eighty 
acres,  on  which  he  is  still  living,  and  to  which  he  has  added  until  he  now 
owns  a  finely  improved  farm  of  265  acres,  lying  south   of  Alto.     In  the 
sp.ing  of  1848,  he   married   Clarinda  Snodgrass,  of  this  township,   and 
to    this  union    six    children   have    baen    born — Francis    M.,    Marcella, 
John,  Mary,    Ida   and    Mattie.     Mr.  Pitzer,  some  twenty   years    ago, 
served  as  one  of  the  first  Assessors  of  the  township,  and  since  then  has 
very  acceptably  served  two  terms  as  Assessor  and  two  terms  as  Township 
Trustee ;  he  has  also  filled  the  office  of  County   Commissioner  the  past 
seven  years.     From  an   early  day  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  of  Alto. 
JESSE  RATCLIFF,  the  son  of  Abner  and  Sarah  Ratcliff,  was  born 
in  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  October  4,  1816  ;   his  parents  were  members  of 
the  Society  of  Friends,  and  in  this  faith  he  was  reared ;  his  youth  was 
passed  on  the  home  farm  and  in  attending  the  subscription  schools,  where 
he  acquired  a  practical  education.    When  he  first  came  to  Howard  County 
he  settled  south  of  Russiaville  ;  he  next  bought  120  acres  north  of  New 
London,  for  $1,100,  paying  down  $475  ;  six  months  later,  he  sold  this  land 
for  $1,500  and  bought  the  place  on  which  he   now  lives  south    of  West 
Middleton  ;  he  added  to  his  original  purchase  until  he  owned   320  acres, 
most  of  which  he  has  since  divided  among   his  children.     Mr.   Ratcliff 
was  married  to  Elizabeth  Turrell,  of  Clinton  County,  Ohio,   and    of  the 
children  born  to  hira  there  are  five  living.     Mr.    R.  is  a  Republican  in 
politics  and  is  among  the  few  who  have  witnessed  the  growth  of  the  town- 
ship and  the  county  from  its  pioneer  days. 

AMOS  C.  RATCLIFFE,  son  of  Jesse  and  Elizabeth  Ratcliffe,  was 
born  in  Clintor^  County,  Ohio,  July  3,  1844.  At  the  age  of  nine,  he 
removed  westward  with  his  parents  and  located  south  of  Russiaville  in 
Howard  County,  and  in  the  fall  of  1853  the  family  located  near  West 
Middleton,  in  Harrison  Township,  where  his  father  still  resides.  Our 
subject  assisted  his  father  in  clearing  the  farm  and  burning  the  dead- 
enings.  He  availed  himself  of  all  the  educational  advantages  of  his  day, 
and  received  his  first  schooling  from  David  Hodson,  of  Russiaville,  At 
twenty,  he  commenced  teaching,  and  subsequently  entered  Earlham  Col- 
lege, where  he  pursued  his  studies  for  two  years  ;  he  then  taught  in 
the  high  schools  of  Vermillion,  111.,  Russiaville,  Ind.,  Bridgeport,  Ind., 
and  others  for  nine  vears,  after  which  he  followed  the  occupation  of  farm- 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP,  405 

ing.  Later,  he  was  in  the  milling  business  in  Eastern  Indiana,  and  is 
now  one  of  the  proprietors  and  operators  of  the  large  merchant  flouring 
mills  located  at  West  Middleton.  Mr.  Ratcliffe  was  married,  in  1871, 
to  Miss  Martha  Cox,  of  Sugar  Plain,  Ind.  He  is  a  strong  Republican, 
and  an  active  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

JOHN  RATCLIFFE,  son  of  Jesse  and  Elizabeth  Ratcliffe,  was  born 
in  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  and  when  quite  young  came  with  his  parents 
to  Howard  County,  and  settled  south  of  Russiaville,  and  a  few  months 
later  located  on  the  place  where  his  father  now  lives ;  he  worked  hard  in 
clearing  the  farm  from  the  forest,  and  gained  an  excellent  education  in 
the  common  schools  ;  he  taught  school  in  Howard  County  for  several 
winters,  but  has  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  the  most  of  his  life. 
Mr.  Ratcliffe  has  always  been  a  member  of  the  Friends'  Society  and  the 
Republican  party.  Rachel  (Lamb)  Ratcliffe,  his  wife,  is  a  daughter  of 
Anderson  and  Polly  Lamb,  of  Miami  County,  Ind.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ratcliffe  have  one  child.  They  live  on  a  fine  farm  south  of  West  Mid- 
dleton, Howard  County,  and  Mr.  Ratcliffe  has  a  fourth  interest  in  the 
West  Middleton  Flouring  Mills. 

CHARLES  SEAWARD  was  born  near  West  Carlisle,  Ohio,  in 
1820,  and  is  the  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Eleanor  Seaward.  Our  subject 
received  about  fourteen  months'  schooling,  and  for  some  time  worked  on  a 
farm  during  the  day  and  made  and  mended  shoes  at  night.  He  was 
married,  in  1840,  to  Miss  Ann  P.  Taylor,  a  native  of  Smithfield,  Ohio, 
and  by  her  became  the  father  of  seven  children — William,  Benjamin, 
Melvin.  Melissa,  Shirley,  Maria  and  Charles.  October  17,  1851,  he 
came  to  the  little  village  of  Russiaville  and  started  a  shoe  shop,  which  he 
successfully  conducted  about  eighteen  months.  In  the  meanwhile  he 
bought  eighty  acres  of  his  present  farm  southwest  of  Alto,  to  which  he 
moved  in  1853,  and  to  which  he  has  since  added  108  acres,  making  it 
one  of  the  best  gr^in  farms  in  the  township.  In  politics,  Mr.  Seaward 
was  first  a  Whig,  then  a  Free-Soiler,  and  is  now  a  Republican.  Mr. 
Seaward  sent  three  of  his  sons  to  the  front  during  the  late  war,  losing 
Benjamin,  who  was  killed  at  the  siege  of  Richmond ;  he  has  always 
taken  an  interest  in  public  improvements,  and  has  been  a  member  of 
both  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  Seventh-Day  Adventist  Churches. 

WILLIAM  T.  SEWARD  was  the  eldest  of  seven  children  born  to 
Charles  and  Ann  (Taylor)  Seward,  natives  of  Ohio.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  born  July  13,  1841,  in  Coshocton  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
lived  with  his  parents  until  1851,  when  they  moved  to  this  county  and 
located  in  Russiaville ;  here  he  worked  at  the  shoe-maker's  trade  until  the 
spring  of  1853,  when  he  moved  on  the  farm  where  his  father  now  resides. 
Mr.  Seward  received  a  good  common  school  education,  and  remained  with 


406  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

his  parents  until  the  fall  of  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his 
country,  in  Company  G,  Fifty-seventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, under  Capt,  Willis  Blanche,  and  was  in  the  most  hard-fought 
battles ;  he  w^as  twice  wounded  in  the  right  knee  and  in  the  right  shoul- 
der. Mr.  Seward  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  in  Company  A, 
and  later  was  promoted  as  Captain  of  the  same  company  ;  he  returned 
home  June  15,  1865,  and  began  work  on  the  farm.  While  home  on  a 
veteran  furlough,  he  was  married,  March  20,  1864,  to  Miss  Nancy  A. 
Finch,  a  native  of  Ohio.  They  had  four  children — Ida  M.  (deceased), 
Ulysses,  Merab  and  Blanche.  Mr.  Seward  is  an  active  member  of  the 
I.  0.  0.  F.,  being  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Alto  Lodge.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Seward  have  been  identified  with  the  Seventh-Day  Adventist 
Church  for  a  number  of  years,  and  Mr.  Seward  is  one  of  the  most  ardent 
workers  in  the  Republican  party. 

SAMUEL  STRATTON,  son  of  Jonathan  D.  and  Prudence  Stratton, 
was  born  in  Wayne  County,  near  Richmond,  in  1833  ;  he  removed  with 
his  parents  to  Rush  County,  where  he  lived  until  1848,  when  his  father 
purchased  a  farm  in  Harrison  Township,  Howard  County.  Our  subject 
received  a  limited  education,  and  early  evinced  a  love  for  mechanics.  At 
sixteen,  he  became  a  millwright,  and  erected  a  small  mill  on  the  creek, 
and  at  seventeen  he  repaired  the  corn  crackers  and  wheat  mills  at  New 
London  and  Alto  ;  he  subsequently  constructed  the  Stratton  Mill  on  the 
Wild  Cat,  near  W^est  Middleton,  and  successfully  operated  this  mill  for 
fifteen  years.  For  some  years,  he  was  senior  partner  of  the  Anderson 
Machine  Works.  In  1867,  he  was  elected  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of 
Mr.  Kirkpatrick  as  County  Commissioner,  and  was  re-elected  to  the 
same  office  in  1868.  During  his  term,  he  superintended  the  building  of 
the  court  house  in  Kokomo,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in 
public  improvements.  For  several  years,  he  has  been  a  director  on  the 
Kokomo  &  New  London  gravel  road,  and  is  now  one  of  the  owners  and 
operators  of  the  West  Middleton  Flouring  Mills.  Mr.  Stratton  was 
married,  April  10,  1852,  to  Sarah  J.  Hollingsworth  ;  he  was  reared  in 
the  Friends'  faith,  but  having  married  outside  of  the  denomination,  was 
disowned  by  them.  Mrs.  Stratton  died,  and  in  July,  1868,  he  married 
Esther  A.  Stratton.  This  marriage  was  blessed  with  two  children,  both 
deceased.  Mr.  Stratton  has  been  a  strong  believer  in  Spiritualism  for 
thirty  years.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  his  father  before  him  was  a 
strong  anti-slavery  Friend. 

JOHN  T.  STRINGER,  son  of  Shadrach  and  Isabella  Stringer,  was 
born  January  3,  1849,  in  Clinton  County,  Ind.,  and  is  of  Anglo-German 
descent.  Shadrach  Stringer,  son  of  Eli  and  Margaret  Stringer,  was  born 
July  26,  1815,   in  Franklin  County,  Ind.;  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  re- 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP.  407 

ceived  a  practical  education.  He  moved  to  Clinton  County,  and  in  1856 
came  to  Howard  County,  locating  in  Harrison  Township,  on  320  acres  of 
land  joining  Alto.  He  has  always  taken  great  interest  in  the  develop- 
ment of  his  community  and  county.  He  has  been  a  church  member  and 
a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  for  years,  and  has  served  as  Township  Trustee 
John  T.  Stringer  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm.  At  the  age  of 
seven,  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Howard  County  and  settled  on  the 
place  he  now  owns.  He  availed  himself  of  every  educational  advantage 
of  his  day,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  was  licensed  to  teach  in  the  common 
schools  of  the  county  ;  taught  his  first  school  in  Monroe  Township,  and 
at  sixteen  entered  Brookville  College,  where  he  remained  one  term.  He 
then  entered  the  classical  course  at  Asbury  University,  pursued  his  studies 
successfully  for  two  years,  and  in  1869  entered  both  the  literary  and  law 
courses  at  Ann  Arbor,  In  1871,  he  completed  the  junior  year  in  the 
literary  course  and  graduated  with  honors  in  the  law  in  a  class 
of  120  ;  then  came  to  Kokomo  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  until 
1873,  when  he  moved  on  his  farm.  He  has  made  this  one  of  the  finest 
grain  and  stock  farms  in  his  section.  He  also  manufactures  tile  quite  ex- 
tensively, and  for  four  years  with  much  credit  filled  the  office  of  President 
of  the  State  Tile  Association.  He  has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace 
and  Deputy  District  Prosecutor  for  some  years.  Mr.  Stringer  was  mar- 
ried, February  6,  1872,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Plum,  of  Washington,  Ohio. 
They  have  three  children — Alonzo  P.,  Shadrach  and  James  J.  T.  Mr. 
Stringer  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  at  Alto,  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
of  Kokomo,  and  he  and  wife  are  active  members  of  the  M.  E,  Church. 
HON.  MICHAEL  THOMPSON  was  born  near  Uniontown,  Va.. 
May  22,  1815,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and  Mary  Thompson,  re- 
spectively of  Irish  and  German  descent.  About  1820,  the  family  moved 
to  Butler  County,  Ohio,  and  six  years  later  to  Henry  County,  Ind. 
Michael  attended  district  school  for  about  twenty-six  months,  but  was  a 
hard  student  and  acquired  a  good  practical  education.  In  1833,  he  moved 
to  Delaware  County,  and  in  1835  married  Miss  Lucretia  Davis.  He  was 
a  diligent  student  of  the  law,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight  was  elected 
a  Commissioner  of  Delaware  County.  He  served  one  term,  and  then  was 
elected  County  Assessor  for  the  years  1847  and  1848.  In  1849,  he  was 
elected  to  the  Legislature,  and  re-elected  for  the  following  two  years. 
From  1852  until  1857,  he  served  as  Township  Assessor,  and  in  the  latter 
year  came  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Jackson  Township.  One  week 
after  he  had  "got  fixed  up  for  housekeeping,"  he  was  elected  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  in  which  capacity  he  served  thirteen  years,  and  durino'  his  res- 
idence in  that  township  he  cleared  and  brought  under  cultivation  one  of 
the  finest  farms  in  eastern  Howard.     In  1874,  he  engao^ed  in  the  millino- 


408  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

business,  and  also  practiced  law  one  year  in  Somerset,  Wabash  County, 
and  then  purchased  his  fine  farm  in  this  township.  In  1878,  he  was 
elected  to  the  Legislature  from  this  county,  and  again  in  1882.  During 
his  legislative  career,  he  was  chiefly  instrumental  in  giving  power  to  the 
Auditor  of  the  State  to  issue  patents  on  canal  lands,  and  also  granting 
Commissioners  the  right  to  refund  taxes  paid  on  lands  not  subject  to  tax- 
ation or  not  legally  assessed,  and  otherwise  proved  himself  the  friend  of 
the  people.  During  the  last  session,  he  never  missed  a  roll-call  or  a  vote. 
He  has  served  the  people  in  office  forty-one  years,  and  has  never  been 
beaten  when  a  candidate.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  since  the  war  has  af- 
filiated with  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  has  also  been  a  lifelong  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church. 

ROBERT  E.  TORRENCE,  son  of  Matthew  F.  and  Nellie  D.  Tor- 
rence,  was  born  in  Charlestown,  Mass.,  January  G,  1839  ;  he  attended  the 
puHic  schools  until  fifteen  years  old,  and  was  then  apprenticed  for  three 
years  in  the  blacksmith  department  of  the  City  Carriage  Manufactory  ; 
he  then  worked  in  Boston  and  other  New  England  towns  until  twenty-one, 
and  then  traveled  through  Connecticut,  New  York,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Ken- 
tucky, Tennessee,  Mississippi,  Arkansas  and  Louisiana,  and  finally  in 
February,  1861,  returned  to  this  State,  and  secured  work  at  Somerset, 
where,  at  the  call  for  three  months'  troops,  he  was  the  first  man  to  respond  ; 
he  was  mustered  into  service  April  20,  1861,  and  was  placed  in  Company 
H,  Eighth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  Before  his  time  expired,  he  en- 
listed for  three  years  ;  came  home  on  a  short  furlough,  and  August  14, 
1861,  married  S.  J.  Jones.  Returning  to  the  front,  he  was  mustered  in 
as  Orderly  Sergeant,  Company  I,  Eighth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry  ; 
he  took  part  in  all  the  battles  and  skirmishes  in  which  his  regiment  was 
engaged,  and  was  wounded  at  Pea  Ridge.  September  26,  1862,  he  was 
promoted  to  be  First  Lieutenant,  and  served  as  such  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  and  was  on  the  staff  of  several  Generals.  July  10, 1865,  he  was  pro- 
moted to  a  Captaincy,  and  August  28,  1865,  was  mustered  out  at  Darien, 
Ga.  On  his  return,  he  was  appointed  Clerk  to  the  State  Senate  Military 
Commander  for  the  session  of  1865-66.  In  the  spring  of  1867,  he  came 
to  Howard  County,  and  in  1868  started  a  blacksmith  shop  on  the  Fair- 
field and  Russiaville  road  in  connection  with  A.  Fortner,  wagon-maker. 
March  4,  1874,  he  moved  to  West  Middleton,  where  he  is  now  doing  a 
large  business.  Mr.  Torrence  is  a  Freemason,  a  member  of  the  Society  of 
Friends,  and  a  Republican. 

JOHN  E.  WILSON  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Va.,in  1843;  is 
the  son  of  Samuel  and  Eliza  Wilson,  and  is  of  English  descent ;  he  was 
two  years  of  age  when  his  parents  moved  to  Tennessee,  from  which  State 
they  came  to  Howard  County,  Ind.,  in- 1849,  and  took  a  lease  on  the  old 


TAYLOR  TOWNSHIP.  409 

Kyger  farm  in  Harrison  Township,  Mr.  Wilson  availed  himself  of  all 
the  advantages  afforded  by  the  schools  of  the  day,  attending  from  the  age 
of  six  until  twenty.  In  1853,  the  family  moved  to  the  Spring  farm,  where 
the  father  died  when  our  subject  was  eighteen.  For  a  time,  John  E. 
leased  the  home  place,  but  it  was  soon  after  divided,  John  E.  taking  the 
east  half,  and  his  brother  Charles  the  west  half.  Mr.  Wilson  was  mar- 
ried in  1864  to  Martha  Beeks,  of  Attica,  Ind.,  and  to  this  marriage  have 
been  born  six  children — William,  Charles,  Frank,  Lora,  Louie  and  John. 
Mr.  W.  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  also  an  active  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


TAYLOR  TOWNSHIP. 

BARTHOLOMEW  W.  APPLEGATE  is  the  eldest  of  nine  children 
born  to  Jacob  and  Margaret  Applegate,  natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Ohio. 
Bartholomew  was  born  August  1,  1840,  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  where 
he  lived  until  he  was  seven  years  old,  and  in  the  fall  of  1847  moved  with 
his  parents  to  Howard  County,  into  a  log  church,  until  their  claim  could 
be  vacated.  When  they  were  able  to  obtain  possession,  they  moved  into 
their  new  home  in  the  wilderness,  where  Jacob  Applegate,  with  the  aid  of 
his  sons,  cleared  one  of  the  best  fiirms  in  the  State.  Our  subject  made 
his  home  with  his  parents  until  he  was  thirty-four  years  of  age,  when  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Leora  Millikan,  of  this  State.  This  union  was 
blessed  with  two  children — Frederick,  born  June  25,  1875,  and  Nellie, 
born  June  21,  1880.  Mrs.  Leora  Applegate  died  July  30,  1880.  Mr. 
Applegate  was  elected  Justice  of  Peace  in  the  fall  of  1874  by  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  in  which  he  is  an  ardent  worker.  By  diligence  and  labor, 
he  has  obtained  for  himself  and  children  a  good  home.  He  is  a  promi- 
nent citizen  and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  I.  0.  0.  F. 

LANTY  ARMSTRONG,  dealer  in  fine  sheep  and  hogs,  is  the  fourth 
of  seven  children  born  to  Robert  A.  and  Jane  (Trowsel)  Armstrong,  na- 
tives of  Kentucky.  He  was  born,  August  16,  1836,  in  Jennings  County, 
Ind.  He  received  a  good  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  assisted 
his  father  on  the  farm.  The  fall  of  1855,  his  parents  moved  to  this 
county  and  located  in  Taylor  Township.  Here  Mr.  Armstrong  lived  four 
years,  and  then  went  to  Owen  County,  Ind.,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm 
for  one  year.  He  then  returned  home  and  began  farming  for  himself, 
and  has  since  continued  in  that  business.  He  received  a  little  help  from 
his  father  and  father-in-law  in  the  beginning,  and  now  owns  a  fine  farm  of 
160  acres  in   Taylor   Township,  and  forty  acres  in  White  County,  Ind. 


410  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Mr.  Armstrong  was  married  to  Miss  Hester  A.  Elliott,  a  native  of  In- 
diana, April  11,  1861,  who  died  of  consumption  November  7,  1871. 
This  union  was  a  happy  one,  and  was  blessed  with  one  son — Burbridge 
G.,  born  January  27,  1862,  He  is  still  living  at  home,  and  is  a  partner 
with  his  father,  in  the  fine  stock  business. 

GEORGE  W.  BAUMGARDEN,  is  the  son  of  George  Baumgarden, 
a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  Permilia  Baumgarden,  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky. George  W.  was  born  in  Jennings  County,  Ind.,  April  20.1824. 
"When  he  was  three  years  old,  his  parents  removed  to  Decatur  County, 
where  they  lived  seven  years,  after  which,  they  returned  to  Jennings 
County.  Mr.  Baumgarden  spent  his  early  life  tilling  the  soil,  and  on  ac- 
count of  his  father's  being  disabled,  and  his  mother's  early  death,  he  re- 
ceived but  a  limited  education.  In  1844,  he  came  to  Howard  County 
and  located  in  Taylor  Township.  Mr.  B.  subsequently  married  Catha- 
rine Brock,  and  this  union  was  blessed  with  seven  children — Rhoda,  Eliza- 
beth, Sarah  Jane,  Lidy  E.,  Andrew  J,  (deceased),  George  N.  and  Vic- 
toria (deceased).  His  wife  died  in  the  winter  of  1864,  and  he  was  after- 
ward married  to  the  widow  of  William  Hughes.  Mr.  Baumgarden  has 
accumulated  sufficient  means  to  live  comfortably.  He  and  his  wife  have 
been  members  of  the  Separate  Baptist  Church  for  over  forty  years,  and 
he  has  been  preaching  for  over  thirteen  years.  Mr.  B.  was  at  first  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  subsequently  voted  the  Democratic 
ticket,  but  is  now  independent,  or  votes  for  the  man  and  not  for  the 
party. 

JASPER  J.  BYERS,  physician,  was  the  sixth  of  eleven  children 
born  to  Philip  Byers,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  Mary  (Gwinnup)  Byers, 
a  native  of  New  Jersey.  His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
war.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  May  21,  1834,  at  Carthage, 
Ohio,  and  lived  in  Ohio  eleven  years.  He  moved  from  that  State  to 
Knox  County,  Ind.,  where  he  made  his  home  with  his  parents  until  he 
was  twenty- one  years  old.  He  attended  school  during  the  winter,  and 
worked  on  the  farm  in  the  summer,  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old, 
when  he  began  teaching.  After  following  this  profession  five  or  six  years 
he  bought  a  half-interest  in  a  woolen  factory,  which  he  operated  for  two 
years.  He  then  sold  out,  and  began  the  study  of  medicine.  He  attended 
school  two  years  at  Lebanon,  Ind.,  and  in  1857  began  the  study  of  medi- 
cine with  Young  &  Osgood,  of  Gosport,  Ind.  After  remaining  with  them 
two  years  he  attended  lectures  at  the  Eclectic  Medical  Institute  at  Cin- 
cinnati, from  which  institution  he  graduated,  and  subsequently  began  his 
practice  in  Calhoun,  111.  After  a  short  stay  in  this  place,  he  went  to 
Quincy,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  until  the  summer  of  1862,  when  he  en- 
tered the  army  as  First  Lieutenant.      He  was  in  the  battle  of  Corinth,  but 


TAYLOR  TOWNSHIP.  411 

owing  to  poor  health  was  compelled  to  resign  the  same  fall.  The  fol- 
lowing spring,  he  came  to  Howard  County  and  located  at  Tampico,  where 
he  remained  four  years.  He  went  to  Neoga,  111.,  and  remained  a  short 
time,  but  soon  returned,  and  has  since  resided  in  Taylor  Township.  Mr. 
Byers  was  married,  September  19,  1860,  to  Sarah  E.  Archer,  now  de- 
ceased. Two  sons — James  J.,  born  July  19,  1861,  and  Otto  P.,  born 
May  2,  1863 — crowned  this  union.  He  was  next  married,  October  1, 
1868,  to  Mrs.  Smantha  E.  Elevens  (Tracey).  They  have  had  five  children 
—Arthur  F.,  born  June  6,  1870  ;  John  L.,  born  November  24,  1872 ; 
Luly,  born  June  6,  1875;  Fred,  born  May  5,  1878  ;  Gracie,  born  June 
26,  1881  (deceased).  Mr.  Byers  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity since  1864,  and  has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Taylor 
Township. 

ANDREW  J.  COLE  was  the  only  child  born  to  Taylor  and  Eliza- 
beth (Wintrode)  Cole,  natives  of  Ohio.  Andrew  was  born,  December  5, 
1881,  in  Warren  County,  Ohio.  His  father  died  when  he  was  an  infant, 
and  he  remained  with  his  mother  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age.  He 
then  worked  out,  giving  half  his  wages  for  the  support  of  the  family  until 
he  was  twenty-one.  When  he  was  quite  young,  he  removed  with  his 
family  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  and  was  married,  October  11,  1855,  to 
Cassandra  Swinford,  born  September  8,  1838,  a  native  of  Kentucky. 
This  union  was  blessed  with  seven  children — Nancy  A.  (deceased),  born 
September  21,  1857  ;  John  (deceased),  born  May  9,  1859 ;  Anderson, 
born  June  7,  1862  ;  Daniel  W.  V.  (deceased),  born  October  4,  1863  ; 
Polly,  born  March  17,  1866 ;  Debbie  E.,  born  April  11,  1869 ;  and  Will- 
iam H.,  born  June  23,  1876.  Mr,  Cole  remained  several  years  farm- 
ing and  milling  in  Shelby  County,  and  in  the  spring  of  1876  came  to 
this  county  and  purchased  tlie  only  business  room  in  Terre  Hall.  He 
started  a  little  grocery,  on  less  than  $10,  and  now  has  about  $1,000 
worth  of  goods,  a  good  team  and  wagon,  all  made  in  less  than  five  years. 
With  the  aid  of  a  few  friends,  he  has  secured  for  the  village  a  post  ofiice, 
railroad  office  and  express  office.  His  wife  has  been  an  invalid  for  about 
twelve  years.  Mr.  Cole  was  at  one  time  in  fair  circumstances,  but  lost 
his  means  through  having  become  security.  Mr.  Cole  is  liberal  in  politics, 
but  generally  votes  the  Democratic  ticket. 

C.  J.  CUNNINGHAM,  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Johnsonj  Cunning- 
ham, was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  April  30,  1832 ;  he  was 
reared  and  educated  in  his  native  State,  after  which  he  followed  the  plaster- 
er's trade  for  three  years ;  he  then  farmed  a  short  time,  and  clerked 
in  a  store,  after  which  he  was  employed  as  traveling  salesman 
for  six  years;  he  was  then  employed  as  salesman  in  Butlerville, 
Ohio,  until    the    breaking-out    of  the   war,   when    he    enlisted    in   Com- 


412  '  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

pany  E,  Forty-seventh  Regiment  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served 
until  1862,  when  he  re-enlisted  in  Company  C,  One  Hundred  and  Seventy- 
fifth  Regiment  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Frank- 
lin, Tenn.,  and  Spring  Hill,  Tenn.  In  1865,  he  was  discharged  and 
the  next  six  years  engaged  in  farming  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio.  He 
then  removed  to  Weatboro,  Ohio,  and  engaged  in  the  drug  business  until 
1873,  when  he  emigrated  to  California,  where  he  was  a  successful  miner 
for  some  time,  after  which  he  returned  to  Ohio  and  was  in  the  milling 
business  three  years,  when  he  went  on  a  farm  one  year.  Then  disposing 
of  his  property,  he  came  to  Howard  County,  and  bought  a  fine  farm  near 
Tampico,  where  he  is  now  actively  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising. 
Mr.  Cunningham  was  married,  September  11,  1856,  to  Elizabeth  A.  Saw- 
yer, of  Ohio.  They  have  two  children — John  D.  and  Frank  D.  Mr. 
Cunningham  is  a  Republican. 

JOHN  E.  DUNCAN,  a  prominent  farmer  of  Taylor  Township,  is 
the  second  son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Sargeant)  Duncan,  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia and  Indiana.  John  E.  was  born  October  10,  1842,  in  Hancock 
County,  Ind.,  and  his  father  died  about  six  weeks  later.  His  mother 
subsequently  moved  to  Rush  County,  and  he  remained  with  her,  helping 
to  support  the  family  until  he  was  twenty-one.  After  this,  he  worked  out 
two  years  and  invested  the  proceeds  in  a  threshing  machine,  and  by  this 
means  made  his  start  in  life.  Selling  his  interest  in  this,  he  next  invested 
in  a  farm  with  his  brother,  and  later  sold  this  and  came  to  Taylor  Town- 
ship, Howard  County,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  now  lives  on  a 
fine  farm  of  200  acres,  well  cultivated,  with  all  modern  improvements. 
He  was  elected  Trustee  of  Taylor  Township  in  the  spring  of  1878,  and 
was  re-elected  two  years  later  by  the  Democratic  party,  of  which  he  is 
one  of  its  most  active  workers.  Mr.  Duncan  was  married  August  30, 
1866,  to  Miss  Delana  North,  a  native  of  Rush  County,  Ind.  This  union 
has  been  one  of  universal  happiness,  and  has  been  blessed  with  four  sons 
—OmerC, born  November  20,  1867  ;  Charley  E.,  born  February  8,  1873; 
John  C,  born  November  31,  1878 ;  and  Roscoe  K.,  born  April  19,  1882. 
Mr.  Duncan  is  one  of  the  representative  farmers  of  Howard  County  and 
also  an  extensive  stock-raiser  and  dealer,  shipping  to  various  points  ;  he 
is  one  of  the  liberal  and  progressive  men  of  Taylor  Township  and  one  of 
its  most  respected  citizens. 

JESSE  P.  FENN  is  the  fourth  of  five  children  born  to  Levi  and 
Mary  (Thompson)  Fenn,  natives  of  Connecticut  and  Ohio.  Jesse  P.  was 
born  January  2,  1831,  in  Fairfield  County,  and  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  in  1837  ;  he  remained  with  his  father  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  began  life  for  himself ;  he  made 
his  start  by  taking  contracts  for  clearing  ground  and  making  rails ;  he 


TAYLOR  TOWNSHIP.  413 

first  purchased  forty  acres  and  kept  adding  to  this  until  he  had  190  acres, 
worth  $14,250  ;  he  sold  this  and  carae  to  this  county  in  1874,  where  he 
purchased  270  acres  in  Taylor  Township,  with  all  modern  improvements. 
Mr.  Fenn  was  married,  December  9,  18o3,  to  Miss  Catherine  Stevens,  a 
native  of  Ohio;  twelve  children  crowned  this  union — Levi,  John,  Joseph 
T.,  David,  Mary  C  ,  William  F.  (deceased),  Charles  E.,  Jesse,  Thomas, 
Lewis,  Alonzo  and  Dora  A.  Mr.  Fenn  has  always  voted  the  Democratic 
ticket  and  is  one  of  its  most  ardent  workers  ;  he  has  been  successful  as 
a  business  manager,  and  is  a  liberal  supporter  of  all  benevolent  institu- 
tions. 

LEMUEL  M.  GITHENS,  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  Taylor 
Township,  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind,,  September  15,  1838,  and  is 
the  son  of  Samuel  A.  and  Jane  E.  Githens,  natives  of  New  York  and 
Pennsylvania,  and  of  English  descent.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  re- 
ceived a  common  school  education,  and  shortly  after  his  majority  was 
married  to  Permelia  Miller,  daughter  of  Archibald  and  Ann  (Barber) 
Miller,  natives  of  Virginia.  Four  years  after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Gitaens 
located  in  Grant  County,  Ind.,  and  there  cleared  a  farm  of  200  acres. 
This  he  subsequently  sold,  and  purchased  270  acres  in  Taylor  Township, 
Howard  County,  upon  which  he  still  lives,  and  which  has  all  necessary 
improvements.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Githens  have  had  eight  children — Rosalie 
A.,  John  M.,  Eliphalet,  Susan,  lona,  Luvina,  George  and  Labetta,  five 
of  whom  are  yet  living.  Mr.  Githens  was  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Grange  movement,  holding  the  position  of  Worthy  Master,  and  is  an  active 
politician,  voting  with  the  Republican  party. 

JOSEPH  HASKETT  is  the  sixth  of  eight  children  born  to  Isaac  and 
Rebecca  (Evans)  Haskett,  both  natives  of  South  Carolina;  his  parents 
were  early  settlers  in  Ohio,  havinglocated  in  that  State  in  1812.  Joseph 
was  born  in  Miami  County,  Ohio,  November  10,  1818,  and  there  remained 
until  1860,  working  on  the  farm,  helping  to  maintain  the  family  ;  he  at- 
tended school  during  the  winter  months  until  he  was  nineteen  years  old. 
Upon  leaving  Ohio,  he  settled  in  Taylor  Township,  Howard  County,  upon 
a  farm  which  he  cleared  and  cultivated  ;  he  sold  this  and  went  to  Fairfield 
to  engage  in  the  manufacturing  of  flour  ;  he  is  at  present  sole  proprietor 
of  the  Fairfield  Mills,  which  is  an  ornament  to  any  State.  It  has  the 
capacity  of  500  bushels  per  day,  and  is  one  of  the  best  mills  of  its  size  in 
the  State.  Mr.  Haskett  was  married,  December  3,  1863,  to  Miss  Abbie 
Rickle  (now  deceased).  Mr.  Haskett  has  always  been  connected  with  the 
Friends'  Church,  has  been  an  ardent  friend  to  the  poor,  and  a  liberal  giver 
to  all  branches  of  industry ;  he  is  a  prominent  citizen,  and  a  supporter 
of  all  religious  and  benevolent  societies  ;  he  also  deals  in  grain,  and  ships 
flour  extensively  to  the  East.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  President  Harrison, 
was  a  Whig  formerly,  and  now  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 


414  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

^  EDWARD  T.  HATTON,  of  Tampico,  is  the  seventh  of  fourteen 
children  born  to  James  H.  Hatton,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  Rachel  J. 
(Shoemaker)  Hatton,  a  native  of  Illinois  ;  his  parents  have  been  residents 
of  Howard  County  for  over  thirty-nine  years,  having  located  here  in  1844. 
Mr.  Edward  T.  Hatton  was  born  February  15,  1863,  and  has  always 
lived  in  Taylor  Township  with  the  exception  of  one  year.  Worked  on 
the  farm  and  at  the  cai'penter's  trade  during  the  summer  months,  attend- 
ing school  in  the  winter  ;  has  been  a  local  newspaper  correspondent  of  the 
Kokomo  Dispatch  for  six  years,  and  of  the  Cincinnati  Enquirer  a  part  of 
that  time  ;  he  attended  school  for  a  short  time  in  the  spring  of  1882,  at 
Valparaiso,  Ind.,  and  to-day  has  a  good  practical  education.  In  the  year 
1878,  he  joined  the  Christian  Church,  of  wliich  he  is  an  aotive  member; 
is  a  live,  energetic  young  man,  a  mechanical  genius,  and  has  great  promise 
of  success  in  life. 

ADAM  IDE  was  the  first  of  two  children  born  to  Albert  and  Mar- 
garet (Leeper)  Ide,  natives  of  Ohio.  Was  born  April  11,  1844,  in  Darke 
County,  Ohio;  his  father  died  when  he  was  an  infant,  and  his  mother 
removed  to  Randolph  County,  where  they  lived  eight  years.  Thence 
they  removed  to  Miami  County,  where  Mr.  Ide  remained  with  his  mother 
until  her  death,  which  occurred  about  one  year  after  their  arrival ;  he 
subsequently  worked  in  Wabash  County  until  the  fall  of  1861,  when  he 
enlisted  in  the  three-year  service,  in  the  Forty-seventh  Regiment  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry  ;  he  served  his  time,  and  re-enlisted  for  three  years, 
serving  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  he  was  in  many  battles,  the  principal 
ones  being  Grand  Gulf,  on  the  Mississippi  River,  Champion  Hills,  Black 
River  and  Vicksburg.  After  the  war,  he  traveled  through  the  Western 
States,  and  was  married  in  Illinois,  August  12,  1873,  to  Elizabeth 
Leeper,  a  native  of  Inr'iana,  and  the  following  fall  moved  to  Taylor  Town- 
ship, Howard  County,  where  he  at  present  resides.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ide 
have  had  five  children — Rosella  M.,  Arminda  M.,  Emma  (deceased), 
Daisy  B.  and  Luly  A.  Mr.  Ide  is  at  present  engaged  in  a  saw  mill  in 
Tampico,  where  he  is  doing  a  thriving  business.  He  and  wife  have  been 
identified  with  the  Baptist  Church  for  over  six  years,  and  are  among  its 
most  active  members. 

IRA  E.  McINTOSH  is  the  ninth  of  tAvelve  children  born  to  Jacob 
and  Nancy  (Minor)  Mcintosh,  natives  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina ; 
his  parents  came  to  this  State  in  1809,  locating  in  Union  County,  where 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  February  29,  1821 ;  he  worked  on 
the  farm  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  began  work  in  a 
buggy  factory  near  Newport,  Ky.,  in  company  with  his  brother.  This 
vocation  he  followed  for  over  twenty  years,  during  which  time  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Union  County ;  he  subsequently  sold  this,  and  located  on 


TAYLOR  TOWNSHIP.  415 

> 
a  farm  in  Henry  .County,  where  he  remained  for  twenty-two  years.      In 

the  spring  of  1873,  he  came  to  this  county,  and  located  in  Taylor  Town- 
ship, where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Mcintosh,  being  born  of  poor  parents, 
received  but  a  limited  education  ;  he  was  compelled  to  work  and  help 
maintain  the  family,  but  he  has  a  good  practical  education,  which  he  has 
obtained  through  his  own  efforts.  He  was  married,  October  30,  1845,  to 
Elizabeth  A.  Elder,  a  native  of  Indiana.  Nine  children  bless  this  union 
— William  M.,  Missouri  E.,  Alpheus  W.,  James  W.,  Elizabeth  A., 
Charles  E.,  Lilly  B.,  John  M.  and  Ira  E.  Mr.  Mcintosh  is  liberal  in 
politics,  and  votes  for  the  man  rather  than  for  the  party.  He  and  wife 
have  been  members  of  the  Christian  Church  for  over  thirty  years,  and 
during  twenty-eight  years  of  that  time  Mr.  Mcintosh  has  preached  the 
Gospel. 

BENJAMIN  L.  MUGGis  the  second  of  four  children  born  to  Will- 
iam and  Ellen  (Cummings)  Mugg,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Indiana  ;  his 
parents  came  to  this  county  in  1H45,  and  took  a  pre-emption  claim,  and 
subsequently  entered  the  same  and  made  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the 
county;  his  father  is  to-day  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Howard  County. 
Benjamin  L.  was  born  February  4,  1850,  in  Taylor  Township,  and  helped 
his  father  on  the  farm,  receiving  a  common  school  education  ;  his  father 
rewarded  him  for  his  labors  with  forty  acres  of  good  land,  upon  which  he 
is  now  living.  Mr.  Mugg  and  Mr.  A.  J.  Seagraves  are  at  present  engaged 
very  extensively  in  raising  fine  Poland-China  hogs  for  breeding  purposes, 
and  are  receiving  orders  from  many  of  the  Western  States  daily.  They 
showed  at  five  fairs  the  fall  of  1882,  and  received  thirty-three  premiums, 
eight  of  which  were  sweepstakes.  Mr.  Mugg  was  married  September  3- 
1872,  to  Miss  Sophia  Ware,  a  native  of  Indiana.  Four  children  crowned 
this  union,  two  of  whom  lived  to  receive  names — lona  and  Isa.  Mr.  Mugg 
was  an  active  member  of  the  Grange  movement,  and  has  always  voted 
the  Republican  ticket,  being  one  of  its  stanch  advocates. 

EMMETT  C.  SKINNER  is  the  fifth  in  a  family  of  seven  children 
born  to  John  and  Priscilla  (Toman)  Skinner,  the  former  a  native  of  Mary- 
land, the  latter  of  Indiana,  and  of  English  descent.  Emmett  was  born 
in  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  March  20,  1858,  and  was  reared  upon  a  farm  ; 
he  attended  school  at  Brookville,  and  obtained  sufficient  education  to  be- 
come a  teacher.  Mr.  Skinner  was  married  December  21,  1880,  to  Mary 
J.  Backhouse,  the  tenth  in  a  family  of  eleven  children,  born  to  Schillous 
and  Malinda  (Milliner)  Backhouse,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Indiana.  Mr. 
Skinner,  after  his  marriage,  engaged  in  farming  in  Franklin  County, 
Ind.,  and  remained  there  till  February,  1882,  when  he  came  to  Union 
Township,  Howard  County,  and  purchased  a  farm  near  West  Liberty. 
Upon  this  he  continued  until  December  18,  1882,  when  he  sold  out  ;inil 


416  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

purchased  forty  acres  near  Oakford  Post  Office,  Fairfield,  this  county,  upon 
which  he  now  lives.  His  marriage  has  been  a  happy  one,  and  has  been 
crowned  with  one  child — Ernest  E.,  born  July  16,  1882,  died  March  25> 
1883.  Mr.  Skinner  is  an  active  Republican,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for 
James  A.  Garfield,  in  1880.  Mrs.  Skinner  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

WILLIAM  M.  SPRINGER  (deceased)  was  the  son  of  Nathan  U. 
Springer,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Martha  (Moore)  Springer,  born 
in  Virginia.  William  M.  was  born  August  18,  1809,  in  Butler  County, 
Ohio,  and  at  the  age  of  two  years  moved  with  his  parents  to  Franklin 
County,  Ind. ;  he  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  fair  education,  and  at  the  age 
of  nineteen  began  the  tanner's  trade,  which  was  completed  with  John 
Hendricks,  father  of  the  Hon.  T.  A.  Hendricks.  Mr.  S.  was  married, 
August  11,  1831,  to  Elizabeth  Limpus,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  shortly 
moved  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  in  a  densely  wooded  wilderness,  where 
he  worked  at  his  trade,  and  cleared  the  farm  from  the  woods.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Springer  had  twelve  children — Nancy  A.,  Elvira,  John  S.  (who 
died  in  the  service  of  his  country),  Levi  L.,  Martha  M.,  Lyda  J.,  Lovisa 
(deceased),  Mary  E.,  Nathan  U.,  Almira  (deceased),  Sarah  E.  (deceased), 
and  Jennie  F.  Jennie  at  present  resides  with  her  mother  on  the  old 
homestead,  and  the  rest  of  the  children  are  married  and  comfortably 
settled  in  life,  Mr.  Springer  was  elected  Trustee  of  Shelby  County,  in 
an  early  day,  and  in  1873  came  to  this  county,  where  he  lived  an  honest, 
upright  life,  being  a  friend  to  the  poor,  and  a  liberal  giver  to  all  public 
enterprises.  In  early  life,  he  was  a  Whig,  but  in  later  years  was  a  strong 
advocate  of  Republican  principles;  he  and  wife  became  members  of  the 
Separate  Baptist  Church  over  forty  years  ago. 

PHILIP  STEPHENS  is  the  youngest  of  six  children  born  to  John 
and  Catharine  Stephens,  both  natives  of  Germany.  His  parents  settled 
in  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  in  an  early  day,  where  our  subject  was  born 
April  16,  1848;  his  father  died  when  he  was  but  four  years  of  age,  and 
he  remained  with  his  mother  until  he  was  sixteen.  Mr.  S.  then  began 
business  for  himself  with  $60  capital;  he  worked  by  the  month  until  he 
was  twenty-one,  and  during  this  time  had  attended  school  three  winters. 
When  he  became  of  age  he  had  saved  $700  which  he  invested  in  land. 
Mr.  Stephens  was  married,  March  9,  1871,  to  Miss  Cynthia  J.  Cherry, 
a  native  of  Indiana.  Five  sons  bless  this  union — Charles  E.,  Phillip  W., 
William  F.,  Samuel  0.  and  an  infant.  Mr.  Stephens,  after  his  marriage, 
lived  in  Shelby  County  about  eight  years,  and  in  the  fall  of  1878  came  to 
Howard  County  and  purchased  sixty  acres  of  good  farm  land.  Mr. 
Stephens  has  always  voted  the  Democratic  ticket,  was  an  active  member 
of  the  Grange  Society  in  Shelby  County,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  oi 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  417 

AMOS  SUTTON,  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  Taylor  Township, 
was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  July  15,  1840,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry 
and  Mary  M,  (Right)  Sutton,  natives  of  Indiana  and  Pennsylvania,  and 
of  English  descent ;  he  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  common 
school  education,  and  before  his  majority  was  married  to  Mary  E.  Morris, 
born  October  31,  1841,  daughter  of  Huston  and  Melchia  (Smith)  Morris, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with 
four  children — Ida  May,  born  June  15,  1861  ;  Elmer  E.,  born  October 
4,  1863;  Cara  E.,  born  June  16,  1877;  and  an  infant;  two  of  these 
are  yet  living.  In  1864,  Mr.  Sutton  came  to  Howard  County  and  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Taylor  Township  ;  he  has  added  to  this 
until  now  he  has  a  fine  farm  of  160  acres  under  good  cultivation,  and 
with  all  the  necessary  improvements.  Mr.  S.  is  an  active  politician,  vot- 
ing with  the  Republican  party,  and  both  himself  and  wife  are  identified 
with  the  Baptist  Church. 

HEZEKIAH  M.  SUTTON  is  the  eighth  of  nine  children  born  to 
Samuel  and  Rebecca  (Virt)  Sutton,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ken- 
tucky ;  his  parents  moved  to  Rush  County,  Ind.,  in  an  early  day, 
where  they  made  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  county.  Mr.  H.  M.  Sutton 
was  born  April  10,  1838,  in  Rush  County,  Ind. ;  his  father  died  when 
he  was  but  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  he  assisted  his  mother  on  the  farm  ; 
he  received  a  good  practical  education,  and  through  his  own  labor  and  a 
little  help  from  his  father's  estate  he  has  accumulated  a  good  farm  of 
sixty  acres.  Mr.  Sutton  was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  J.  Tarbet,  July 
2,  1868,  She  is  a  native  of  Rush  County,  Ind.  Four  sons  bless 
this  union — Thomas  G.,  born  March  30,  1869 ;  James  T.,  born  Feb- 
ruary 4,  1872 ;  John  D.,  born  October  7,  1874,  and  William  H.,  born 
February  16,  1880.  Mr.  Sutton  located  in  this  county  in  1878  ;  he  is 
an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  has  voted  that  ticket  all 
his  life  ;  he  is  a  prominent  farmer,  and  a  worthy  citizen  in  the  commu- 
nity in  which  he  lives. 


UNION  TOWNSHIP. 
JACOB  ARHEART  was  born  October  12,  1818,  in  York  County, 
Penn. ;  is  the  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Hoke)  Arheart,  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  of  German  descent;  his  parents  came  to  Ohio  about  the  year  1832, 
and  purchased  a  farm,  on  which  they  lived  until  their  death  in  1841  and 
1842,  respectively.  Jacob  Arheart  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  at  the 
age  of  sixteen  began  the  shoe-maker's  trade.  He  was  married,  April  25, 
1839,  to  Miss  Lucinda  Evers,  daughter  of  David  and  Rachel  (McDaniel) 


418  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Evers,  natives  of  Maryland,  and  of  German  and  Irish  descent.  Mr.  Ar- 
heart  continued  to  work  at  his  trade,  and  to  farm  in  Ohio,  until  1844, 
when  he  came  to  Burlington,  Rush  County,  Ind.,  where  he  purchased 
property,  and  worked  eleven  years  at  his  trade ;  he  then  sold  out,  and 
moved  to  Howard  County,  locating  in  Union  Township,  where  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  which  he  began  to  clear  and  improve.  By 
close  industry  and  diligence,  he  has  been  able  to  clear  out  a  beautiful 
home  for  his  family,  with  all  the  necessary  improvements.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Arheart  have  had  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  living — Maud, 
Mary  M.,  William  H.  and  Elizabeth  L.  J.,  all  of  whom  are  married.  Mi'. 
Arheart  is  an  active  politician  in  the  Democratic  ranks,  and  cast  his  first 
ballot  for  Martin  Van  Buren  in  1839,  and  Mrs.  Arheart  is  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church. 

J.  W.  ARMFIELD  is  the  third  of  a  family  of  six  children  born  to 
Calvin  C.  and  Peniah  E.  (Orsborn)  Armfield,  natives  of  Guilford  County, 
N.  C,  and  of  English  descent.  Calvin  C  Armfield  came  to  Henry 
County,  Ind.,  in  1849,  and  there  remained  about  eight  years,  when  he 
came  to  Howard  County  and  purchased  a  farm  of  forty  acres,  near 
Greentown,  in  Liberty  Township.  He  has  added  to  this,  and  now  has 
a  good  home  of  eighty  acres.  J.  W.  Armfield  was  born  October  3, 
1850,  and  spent  his  youth  upon  the  farm.  He  was  married,  August  9, 
1873,  to  Miss  Samantha  0.  Chandler,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Hiott)  Chandler,  natives  of  Ohio  and  North  Carolina.  They  have  six 
children — Lydia  B.,  Leonard  D.,  Lele  Pearl,  Lorena  C,  Lawrence  W.  and 
Leo.  Mr.  Armfield  is  at  present  located  on  a  farm  of  220  acres,  near 
Centre  Post  Office,  Howard  County;  he  has  all  necessary  improvements 
to  make  home  pleasant,  and  deals  extensively  in  hogs  and  cattle,  shipping 
to  Chicago,  Cincinnati  and  Indianapolis.  Mr.  Armfield  is  an  active  poli- 
tician, voting  with  the  Republican  party,  and  his  wife  is  identified  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,   and  is  one  of  its  most  active  members. 

WILLIAM  BAGWELL,  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  and  old  pio- 
neers of  LTnion  Township,  settled  in  Howard  County  in  March,  1847, 
when  the  land  was  in  its  native  state ;  he  is  the  third  son  of  six  children 
born  to  Levi  and  Elizabeth  (Garris)  Bagwell,  natives  of  North  Carolina, 
and  of  French  and  Irish  descent.  William  Bagwell  was  married,  Janu- 
ary 18, 1832,  to  Sarah  Privett,  daughter  of  Wiley  and  Nancy  (Crabb)  Priv- 
ett,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  and  of  Irish  and  French  descent. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bagwell  have  had  five  children — Jane  A.,  Nancy  M.,  Wiley 
M.,  James  E.  and  George  W.,  three  of  whom  are  yet  living.  Mr.  Bag- 
well is  a  prominent  citizen,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church.  George  W.,  the  youngest  of  the  children,  was  born  May  23, 
1853.     He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  and  received  a  good  common 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  419 

school  education.  He  is  an  industrious  young  man,  is  a  genial  gentle- 
man, and  a  worthy  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church.  Wiley  M,, 
the  third  child,  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  rebellion,  and  was  killed  at 
Baken  Creek,  Ky.,  by  the  enemy,  while  attempting  to  join  his  regiment. 

WILLIAM  CARR  was  the  fourth  of  seven  children  born  to  William 
and  Susan  Carr,  natives  of  Ohio,  and  of  English  descent ;  his  father  came 
to  Richmond,  Wayne  Co.,  Ind.,  about  the  year  1838,  and  later  located 
in  Rush  County,  where  he  engaged  in  the  milling  business,  owning  a  com- 
bined saw  and  flouring  mill  on  Ben  Davis  Creek  ;  he  subsequently  made 
sale  of  this  mill,  and  purchased  a  farm,  and  built  a  mill,  which  he  contin- 
ued to  operate  until  1854,  when  he  sold  out,  and  came  to  Howard  County. 
He  purchased  a  farm  of  100  acres  in  Union  Township,  and  also  bought 
a  mill.  He  worked  in  the  mill  a  short  time,  and  then  exchanged  it  for  a 
farm  north  of  Jerome,  upon  which  he  lived  until  his  death  in  September, 
1880.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  Au- 
gust 19,  1841  ;  he  spent  his  youth  on  the  farm,  and  was  married,  March 
12,  1868,  to  Miss  Alwilda  Kates,  daughter  of  John  and  Rachel  (Pierce) 
Kates,  natives  of  Tennessee,  and  of  English  descent.  Mr.  Carr  has  con- 
tinued farming  since  his  marriage,  and  is  at  present  located  on  a  well-im- 
proved farm  of  sixty  acres,  near  Jerome.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carr  have  had 
four  children — Dora  E.,  Charley,  Erley  and  John,  all  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing. Mr.  Carr  is  a  prominent  citizen,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  CHAPPELL  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  January 
14,  1832,  and  the  son  of  Joshua  and  Sarah  (Carter)  Chappell,  natives  of 
North  Carolina ;  his  parents  had  eleven  children,  two  of  whom,  Mary  and 
Malinda,  were  born  in  North  Carolina;  his  father  removed  to  Oxford,  Butler 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand;  he  was  a  brick  mason  by 
trade,  and  assisted  in  building  the  first  brick  house  erected  in  Oxford.  In 
1820,  he  removed  to  Henry  County,  Ind.,  locating  on  a  rented  farm,  but  in 
1823  he  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  on  which  he  lived  five  years  ;  he 
then  sold  his  form  and  removed  to  New  Castle,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  seven  years,  when  he  sold  his  stock  and  engaged  in  the 
hotel  business  for  ten  years.  During  this  time,  he  was  Deputy  Sheriff 
under  Tabor  McKee,  after  which  he  was  elected  Sheriff"  and  served  two 
successive  terms.  He  was  a  prominent  Republican.  After  his  second  term 
expired,  he  located  on  a  farm  in  the  same  county  and  remained  until  18t)3, 
when  he  sold  out  and  purchased  290  acres  of  land  in  Madison  County, 
and  there  lived  until  his  death  in  1872;  his  wife  died  the  following  year. 
While  they  lived  in  Henry  County  they  had  nine  children — William, 
John  E.,  Anna,  Joshua,  Matilda,  Clement,  Elizabeth,  Harriet  and 
Charles  D.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chappell  were  among  the  most  active  members 


420  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

of  the  New-Light  Church.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  received  a  common  school  education.  He  was  married,  in  1852, 
to  Helen  Carter,  daughter  of  John  and  Hannah  (Quick)  Carter.  Mr- 
Chappell,  after  his  marriage,  remained  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until 
1858,  when  he  removed  to  Howard  County,  locating  on  forty  acres  of  land 
on  the  banks  of  the  Wild  Cat,  in  Union  Township  ;  here  he  began  to  clear 
the  land  and  prepare  a  home  for  his  family ;  he  endured  many  of  the  priva- 
tions of  pioneer  life,  and  by  economy  and  industry  he  has  been  able  to 
odd  to  his  home  fifteen  acres  more,  and  now  has  a  fine  farm  of  fifty-five 
acres,  well  improved,  making  a  beautiful  home.  Mr.  Chappell  was  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Union  League  during  the  war.  He  is  an  ac- 
tive member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  was  Secretary  of  the  Grange  organ- 
ization. He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Republican  party  and  has  held 
offices  of  honor  and  trust ;  he  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  Justice  of 
of  Peace  of  Union  Township.  Mrs.  Ellen  Chappell  is  identified  with 
the  U.  B.  Church,  and  is  one  of  its  most  active  members.  While  not 
blessed  with  children  of  their  own,  they  have  reared  many  children,  giv- 
ing them  good  homes. 

LEMUEL  L.  COHEE  was  born  in  Kent  County,  Del.,  March 
17,  1845,  and  is  the  son  of  Hinson  G.  and  Anna  (Longfellow)  Cohee,  of 
Delaware  ;  his  parents  were  both  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Lemuel, 
on  account  of  the  early  death  of  his  parents,  lived  with  his  brother  Jacob 
until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age,  after  which  he  lived  six  years  with  his 
brotiier-in-law,  John  Cook.  In  1863,  he  came  to  Rush  County,  Ind., 
where  he  remained  two  years,  and  then  came  to  Howard  County  and 
engaged  as  a  farm  hand  in  Union  Township  at  $16  per  month  wages. 
In  January,  1869,  he  was  married  to  Mary  Ann  Flemming,  daughter  of 
Jesse  and  Margaret  (Carr)  Flemming,  of  Howard  County.  This  union 
was  blessed  with  three  children.  Mrs.  Cohee  died  May  26,- 1874,  a  prom- 
inent member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Cohee  was  next  married, 
August  21,  1875,  to  Serilda  J.  Melton,  born  November  14,  1856, 
daughter  of  Jacob  R.  Melton,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  Martha  (Downey) 
Melton,  born  in  Kentucky.  They  were  of  English  and  German  descent. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cohee  have  had  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — 
Emma  May,  born  July  6,  1866,  and  Alvin  M.,  born  October  18,  1881. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cohee  are  both  prominent  members  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

LEVI  CONNER,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  March 
25,  1850,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Louisa  A,  (Plummer)  Conner  ; 
his  father  was  a  native  of  Meigs  County,  Ohio,  and  of  Irish  descent  ;  his 
mother  was  born  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  of  German  parents.  William 
Conner  settled  in  Tipton  County  in  the  year  1847,  and  there  entered 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  421 

eighty  acres  in  Wild  Cat  Township,  where  he  cleared  a  home  from  the  for- 
est for  himself  and  family.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conner  had  four  children — 
Levi,  Elizabeth  (deceased),  Nathan  and  William  J.  (deceased).  Mr.  Con- 
ner died  June  9,  1855,  and  three  years  later  Mrs.  Conner  was  married 
to  M.  L.  Bolden.  Levi  Conner,  for  two  years  after  his  father's  death, 
resided  with  his  guardian,  Nathan  Smith,  after  which  he  spent  a  year  in 
Wisconsin  with  his  mother  and  step-father  ;  he  then  lived  a  year  with  his 
uncle,  Zimri  Plummer,  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  after  which,  his  mother 
having  returned  from  Wisconsin,  he  resided  with  her  in  Tipton  County, 
until  January,  1863.  He  then  made  his  home  with  Dr.  James  A,  Ellis, 
of  Union  Township,  Howard  County,  for  five  years,  after  which  he  at- 
tended school  at  Kokomo,  and  later  at  New  London.  He  then  attended 
the  National  Normal  School  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  where  he  graduated  in 
1872.  He  taught  school  at^ Fairfield  a  short  time,  and  at  the  close  of 
his  school  teaching  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  J. 
A.  Ellis.  He,  in  1873,  -attended  one  course  of  lectures  in  the  Eclectic 
Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  after  which  he  returned  and  began  his 
practice  in  partnership  with  Dr.  Ellis.  Shortly  afier  this,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Emma  Maris,  daughter  of  George  and  Martha  (Braxtan) 
Maris,  of  Kokomo.  This  union  was  blest  with  two  children — Josephine 
and  William  G.  (deceased).  Mrs.  Conner  died  November  20,  1878,  after 
which  Mr.  Conner,  on  account  of  failing  health,  discontinued  his  practice 
forayearand  in  the  fall  of  1879  entered  the  Medical  College  at  Cincin- 
nati, graduating  in  March,  1880  ;  returned  home  and  resumed  his  prac- 
tice, and  in  January,  1881,  he  was  again  married  to  Emma  Shrader, 
daughter  of  William  and  Rebecca  (Pyle)  Shrader.  of  Union  Township, 
this  county.  This  union  was  blessed  with  one  child,  Bertha.  Dr.  Con- 
ner is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  Masonic 
fraternity. 

JAMES  CURLES  was  born  January  13,  1839,  and  is  the  son  of 
Samuel  and  Hannah  A.  (Brown)  Curies  natives  of  New  Jersey,  and  of 
English  descent.  Mr.  Samuel  Curies  located  in  Brown  County,  Ohio, 
about  the  year  1818,  and  was  there  married  to  Hannah  A.  Brown, 
daughter  of  William  Brown,  of  New  Jersey,  and  of  English  descent.  By 
this  marriage,  he  obtained  a  small  farm,  which  he  shortly  increased  to  125 
acres,  and  in  1857  added  150  acres  more,  making  in  all  275  acres,  on 
which  he  still  lives.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Curies  had  thirteen  children — Will- 
iam, Nancy  J.,  Asher,  James,  Elizabeth,  Mahala,  Joseph,  Marion,  Sarah 
F.,  Randolph,  Hannah  A.,  Mary  and  John,  seven  of  Avhom  are  yet  liv- 
ing. Mrs.  Curies  died  in  the  fall  of  1862,  a  prominent  member  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church.  Mr.  Curies  having  the  care  of  a  large  family, 
married,  in  the  spring  of  1864,  Mary  Fedrick,  to  which  union  were  added 


422  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

eleven  children,  all  of  whom  are  now  living.  Mr.  Curies  has  been  an  ac- 
tive politician,  voting  in  an  early  day  with  the  Whig  party,  and  subse- 
quently with  the  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church,  and  his  wife  is  identified  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
James  Curies  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  eight- 
een, attended  the  National  Normal  School  of  Lebanon,  Ohio,  for  one 
term,  after  which  he  spent  two  years  on  the  farm.  He  subsequently  re- 
turned to  Lebanon,  and  later  taught  several  terms  of  school.  On  New 
Year's  Day,  1862,  he  enlisted,  in  Company  I,  Sixtieth  Regiment  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry,  or  the  one  year  regiment,  and  was  mustered  in  at 
Fayetteville.  He  was  placed  under  Gen.  J.  C.  Fremont,  and  was  ordered 
to  follow  closely  Gen.  Jackson,  and  after  about  seven  days'  forced  march, 
arrived  at  Franklin,  Va.  Here  he  was  taken  sick,  and  lay  in  his  tent 
about  four  weeks,  and  was  then  taken  to  New  Creek  Station,  where  he 
was  placed  in  a  hospital.  He  remained  there  until  July  4,  when  he  was 
taken  home  to  Ohio,  by  his  father.  The  1st  of  October,  he  went  to 
Columbus,  Ohio,  and  reported,  and  was  sent  to  re-join  his  regiment, 
which  was  stationed  at  Chicago,  on  account  of  the  Indian  trouble,  but 
this  subsiding  they  were  discharged.  Mr.  Curies,  in  December,  1862,  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  business  in  Fayetteville,  which  he  continued  one 
year,  and  April  16,  1863,  he  was  married  to  Clorinda  Covalt,  daughter 
of  Cheniah  and  Deborah  (Jones)  Covalt,  of  Ohio,  and  of  English  descent. 
The  following  winter,  he  disposed  of  his  stock,  and  taught  in  Fayetteville, 
and  the  fall  of  1864,  in  company  with  his  father-in-law,  came  to  Union 
Township,  Howard  County,  and  engaged  in  business  at  West  Liberty,  with 
a  stock  of  $3,000,  under  the  firm  name  of  Covalt  &  Curies.  After  re- 
maining there  ten  years,  they  traded  their  store  for  sixty  acres,  two 
miles  southeast  of  West  Liberty,  and  Mr.  Curies  lived  on  this  farm  until 
the  fall  of  1881,  when  he  purchased  a  lot  of  five  acres,  upon  whicli  he 
built  one  of  the  finest  residences  in  the  village.  Mr.  Curies,  upon  the 
death  of  his  fiither-in-law,  in  the  fiill  of  1882,  again  engaged  in  the 
goods  business,  in  which  he  ha^  now  a  large  and  increasing  trade.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Curies  have  had  five  children,  three  of  whom — Stella  D., 
Demma  M.  and  Eddison  D.  are  still  living.  Mr.  Curies  is  an  active 
politician  in  the  Republican  party,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  President 
Lincoln,  in  1860.  He  and  his  wife  are  identified  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  are  among  its  most  active  members. 

JOHN  A.  CUTHRELL  was  born  November  14,  1841,  and  is  the 
son  of  Joseph  B.  Cuthrell,  a  native  of  North  Carolina ;  his  father  lo- 
cated in  Rush  County,  and  was  there  married  in  1838  to  Anna  Binga- 
man,  daughter  of  Allen  and  Bethanal  Bingaman.  They  remained  upon 
a  farm  in  Rush  County  until  1848,  when  they  came  to  Howard  County, 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  423 


and  entered  120   acres  of  land  in  Union    Township.       Mr.  Cuthrell  then 
returned  with  his  family  to  Rush  County,  where  they  remained  two  years, 
after  which  they  returned  to  Union  Township,  located  on  the  land  he  had 
entered,  built  a  log  cabin,  and  began  foresting  out  a  home.     By  industry 
and  economy,  he  was  able  to  add  sixty-six  acres  to  this,  making  in  all  186 
acres  of  choice  land.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cuthrell   had  seven  children— John 
A.,  Mary   M.,   Samantha  A.,    Elizabeth    H.,   Sarah   J.,   Anna  M.   and 
Joseph  F.,  four  of  whom  are  living.      Mr.    Cuthrell   was  an  active  pol- 
itician, voting  with   the  Whig  party   and  afterward  with  the  Republican, 
until  his  death  in  1876.      He   and  wife  were   members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.     The  subject  ^?  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
received    a    common    school    education.      He    was    married    to    Anna 
Quick,     daughter    of    John     S.,    and     Sydney    (Conner)     Quick,     of 
Howard  County.     Shortly   after  his  marriage,  he  went  upon  his  father's 
farm  and  there  remained  until   the   winter  of  1863,   when   he  purchased 
thirty-five  acres  joining  his  father's  land.     By  industry  and  diligence,  he 
has  since  been  able  to  add  115  acres  more,  making  150  acres  of  fine  farm 
land.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cuthrell  have  had  five  children— Alwilda,  Joseph 
F.,  John  W.,  Jessey  D.  and  Anna,  four  of  whom  are  living.    Mrs.  Cuthrell 
died  February  20, 1878.     She  was  identified  with  the  Christian  Church. 
Mr.  Cuthrell  was  next  married,  June  24,  1878,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Knox, 
daughter  of  William  and  Clorinda  (Heward)  Knox,  of  Union  Township. 
Mr.°Cuthrell   has  been  a  prominent   member  of  the  Masonic   fraternity 
since  1864  ;  he  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Republican  ranks,  and  was   a 
member  of  the  Union  League  during  the  war.     He  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Christian  Church.     Mr.  Cuthrell  was  drafted  in  November,  1864, 
and  went  to  Kokorao,  where  he  remained  overnight  in  the  barracks,  but  on 
examination  the  next   morning  was   found  unable  for  duty,  and  was  ex- 
empted. 

ROBERT  FELLOW  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  N.  C,  February 
2,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Abigail  (Coleman)  Fellow,  natives 
of  North  Carolina  and  of  English  descent.  John  Fellow  came  to  Wayne 
County,  Ind.,  in  1832,  and  entered  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  which  he  be- 
gan to  clear  and  cultivate,  being  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  that  county. 
In  1852,  he  came  to  Howard  County  and  purchased  115  acres  of  land  in 
Union  Township,  to  which  he  subsequently  added  forty  acres.  Robert 
spent  his  boyhood  days  on  his  father's  firm,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-four 
was  married" to  Elizabeth  Hubbard,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Charity  (Fod- 
rey)  Hubbard,  of  Randolph  County,  Ind.  This  union  was  blessed  with 
three  children— Mary  Miller,  born  July  15,  1856  ;  James  Riley,  born 
February  10,  1858,  died  January  20,  1875 ;  and  William  Harvey,  born 
May    1,  1861.     Mrs.  Fellow  died  August  2,  1874,   and  Mr.    Fellow 


424  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

married  March  4, 1876,  Rlioda  George,  born  April  28,  1838,  and  daughter 
of  Jesse  and  Elizabeth  (Jessip)  George,  of  English  descent.  Mr.  Fellow 
is  at  present  the  owner  of  thirty-five  acres  of  good  farm  land  three  miles 
southeast  of  Jerome.  Mr.  Fellow  and  wife  are  identified  with  the  New 
Hope  Friends'  Church,  and  are  among  its  most  active  members. 

ORANGE  T.  FLOREA  was  born  May  13,  1847,  in  Rush  County, 
Ind.,  and  spent  his  early  life  on  the  farm  ;  he  obtained  a  good  common 
school  education,  and  was  married,  August  31,  1871,  to  Miss  Mattie 
Smith,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Smith,  a  native  of  South  Carolina,  born 
June  14.  1804,  and  Mary  A.  (Iladden)  Smith,  born  in  South  Carolina 
in  1809.  Mrs.  Florea's  parents  were  married  June  12,  1828,  and  lo- 
cated in  Rush  County  in  May,  1834.  This  union  was  blessed  with  thir- 
teen children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  In  1829,  Mr.  Smith  united 
with  the  church,  and  was  always  one  of  its  most  active  and  happy 
members  until  his  death.  In  1871,  Mrs.  Smith  came  with  her  children 
to  this  county,  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Union  Township.  Orange  T. 
first  obtained  land  in  Grant  County,  and  subsequently  purchased  ninety- 
six  acres  in  this  county,  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  since  1857,  and  his  wife  united  with 
the  same  church  in  1872.  Mr.  Florea's  great-grandfather's  name  was 
Albert  Florea ;  he  married  Miss  Charity  Baker,  and  they  had  ten 
children — Rebecca,  Elizabeth,  Charity,  Nancy,  Mary,  Ruth  and  Rachel 
(twins),  John,  Isaac  and  Joshua.  Joshua  Florea,  our  subject's  grand- 
father, was  born  October  14,  1787  ;  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  of 
German  and  French  descent.  He  was  married,  August  3,  1812,  to 
Mary  Spurgin,  born  in  Kentucky  December  20,  1794,  and  was  of  Eng- 
lish descent.  This  union  was  blessed  with  the  following  children — John, 
born  July  11,  1813;  Cyrus,  born  June  20,  1819,;  William  Riley,  born 
November  8,  1821;  Joseph  and  Josiah  (twins*),  born  October  30,  1823; 
Jordon,  born  November  26,  1825,  died  October  3,  1826;  and  Morris, 
born  September  4,  1830,  died  June  18,  1831.  Joshua  Florea  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1812;  he  died  February  28,  1867,  and  his  wife 
survived  him  over  two  years,  and  died  October  6,  1869.  Cyrus  Florea, 
the  father  of  our  subject,  was  married  January  13,  1841,  to  Miss  Almira 
Keever,  born  August  18,  1822.  They  had  six  children — Orange  T., 
born  May  13,  1847;  Mary  J.,  born  October  19,  1848;  Josh  E.,  born 
May  17,  1850 ;  Sarah  E.,  born  September  15,  1852,  died  July  1, 
1854  ;  Joseph  Dale,  born  July  5,  1854,  died  October  9,  1860  ;  Florella 
A.,  born  December  24,  1856.  Mr.  Florea  is  an  industrious  farmer,  an 
excellent  gentleman,  and  a  worthy  citizen  in  the  community  in  which  he 
resides. 

WILLIAM    GILSON    was  born    in    Rush   County,  Ind.,    January 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  425 

20,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and  Margaret  (Boon)  Gilson,  natives 
of  Virginia  and  Tennessee,  and  of  Irish  and  German  descent;  his  father 
was  born  in  1794,  and  came  to  Rush  County  about  the  year  1821.  He 
entered  forty  acres  of  land  two  miles  north  of  Rushville,  and  subsequently 
added  forty  acres  to  this ;  he  afterward  sold  this  tract,  and  pur- 
chased 160  acres  one  mile  further  north,  upon  which  he  is  now  living, 
enjoying  the  fruits  of  a  successful  life;  he  was  an  early  pioneer  of  Rush 
County,  and  he  and  wife  are  prominent  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
William  Gilson  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm,  and  received  the  ad- 
vantages of  a  common  school  education;  he  engaged  in  the  saw  mill 
business  for  five  years,  and  in  1861  he  sold  his  mill,  came  to  Howard 
County,  and  purchased  a  farm  of  sixty  acres,  two  miles  northeast  of 
Jerome  ;  he  returned  to  Rush  County,  and  was  married  to  Ivy  A.  David, 
born  July  27,  1837,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Catharine  (Kiplinger)  David, 
of  German  descent.  Shortly  after  his  marriage,  he  located  on  his  farm  in 
Howard  County,  where  he  lived  until  August,  1874,  when  he  exchanged 
this  farm  for  110  acres  two  miles  southeast  of  Jerome,  upori  which  he  is 
still  living.  Mr.  Gilson  is  an  active  politician  in  the  Democratic  ranks, 
but  cast  his  first  ballot  for  Zachariah  Taylor  in  1848.  He  was  Treasurer 
of  the  Grange  movement,  and  his  wife  is  identified  with  the  Christian 
Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gilson  have  had  the  following  children:  Mar- 
garet C,  born  May  28,  1863,  died  August  25,  1864  ;  David  E.,  born 
February  27,  1865;  Jacob  B.,  born  April  26,  1867  ;  and  John  F.,  born 
August  30,  1869,  and  died  August  21,  1871.    . 

WILLIAM  HANCOCK,  born  November  16,  1828,  in  Delaware,  is 
the  eldest  of  three  sons  born  to  John  and  Claracy  (Billings)  Hancook  ; 
his  father  died  in  1834,  and  in  1835  his  mother  moved  with  her  family  to 
Hamilton,  Butler  County,  Ohio.  There  his  mother  was  married  to  William 
Truitt,  after  which,  she  and  her  husband  located  in  Raysville,  Henry 
County,  Ind.  Mr.  Truitt  rented  a  farm,  and  our  subject  worked  until 
1839,  when  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Rush  County,  where  he  re- 
ceived a  limited  education  in  the  common  schools.  In  1849,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Sarah  J.  Gorman,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Hannah  (Corbin) 
Gorman.  Her  father  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  until  1822,  when 
he  was  married,  and  began  farming.  Mr.  Hancook,  soon  after  his  mar- 
riage, purchased  forty  acres  of  land,  where  he  remained  until  1852. 
when  he  removed  to  Howard  County,  and  purchased  120  acres  of  land  in 
Union  Township.  Here  he  erected  a  log  cabin,  and  began  to  clear  from 
the  forest  a  home.  He  still  resides  here,  and  now  owns  eighty  acres  of 
as  beautiful  land  as  can  be  found  in  Union  Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H., 
have  five  children — John  W.,  Hannah  A.,  William  D.,  Mary  E.  and  Jes- 
sie F.     Mr.   Hancook  has  been  an  active  member  of  the  Masonic  order 


426  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

since  1864,  and  his  wife  has  received  the  degree  bestowed  upon  her  sex. 
He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Republican  party,  and  has  hehi  offices  of 
honor  and  trust.  He  is  at  present  Trustee  of  Union  Township,  serving 
his  third  term.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hancook  are  identified  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  are  among  its  most  active  members. 

JOHN  J.  HANCOOK  is  the  second  son  of  the  three  children  of 
John  and  Claracy  (Billings)  Hancook.  He  was  born  February  1,  1831, 
and  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  receiving  a  common  school  education.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-two,  he  was  married  to  Marilda  J.  Simpson,  daughter 
of  Solomon  and  Lovicia  (Conaway)  Simpson,  natives  of  Indiana.  Seven 
years  after  his  marriage,  he  came  to  Howard  County,  and  purchased  forty 
acres  in  Union  Township ;  he  has  since  added  to  this  until  now  he  has  a 
good  farm  of  eighty  acres,  with  all  necessary  improvements  to  make 
home  pleasant.  Mrs.  Hancook  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  died  in  January,  1865,  leaving  three  children — Sarah  L.  Tolle,  born 
October  14, 1854  ;  J.  J.  and  J.  M.,  born  July  22,  1858.  Mr.  Hancook 
was  next  married,  April  29,  1867,  to  Samantha  A.  Ballenger,  widow  of 
Robert  Ballenger,  who  was  captured  at  the  battle  of  Franklin,  Tenn., 
and  died  in  the  Andersonville  Prison,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ballenger  had  one 
child — Anna  E.  Shockley.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hancook  was  born  one 
child— William  B.,  March  5,  1872.  Mrs.  Hancook  is  the  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Anna  (Bingaman)  Cuthrell,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and 
Indiana.  Mr.  Hancook  is  an  active  politician  in  the  Republican  ranks, 
and  has  held  the  office  of  Assessor  of  Union  Township  four  successive 
terms.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Christian   Church. 

WILLIAM  HATFIELD,  farmer,  was  born  in  Franklin  County, 
Ind.,  October  8,  1822,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Drusilla  (Blackburn) 
Hatfield.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  his  mother  of  Ken- 
tucky. John  Hatfield  came  to  Rush  County,  Ind.,  about  the  year,  1828, 
and  entered  160  acres  of  land  one  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Andersonville, 
where  he  made  for  himself  a  good  home.  Our  subject  was  reared  upon 
a  farm,  and  received  a  limited  education  from  the  common  schools.  At 
his  majority,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Jones,  born  April  14,  1826, 
daughter  of  George  and  Sarah  (Summers)  Jones,  of  Welsh  and  English 
descent.  Four  years  after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Hatfield  came  to  Howard 
County  and  entered  160  acres  of  land,  near  Sycamore  Corner,  in  Jack- 
son Township.  After  remaining  there  seven  years,  he  sold  his  claim  and 
moved  to  Liberty  Township,  where  he  purchased  eighty  acres  one  mile 
east  of  Greentown.  In  this  township,  he  lived  six  years,  and  then 
bought  120  acres,  one  mile  northeast  of  Jerome,  upon  which  he  ij  still 
living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hatfield,  have  had  six  children — Isabel  J.  (Brown), 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  427 

born  November  11,  1846 ;  Sarah  E.  (Benson),  born  May  16,  1851  ; 
Joseph  H.,  born  August  27,  1853;  L.  D.,  born  February  20,  1859 ; 
William  A.,  born  July  12,  1863,  and  Luella,  born  October  21, 1866.  Mr. 
HatfieM  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  his  wife 
is  identified  with  the  Christian  Church, 

JACOB  JESSUP  is  the  eighth  of  nine  children  born  to  John  and 
Mary  (Smith)  Jessup,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  born  June  7, 
1823,  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Parke 
County,  Ind.,  the  same  year,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood  on  the  farm  and 
attended  school  in  the  pioneer  schoolhouse.  He  was  married,  March  16, 
1848,  to  Nancy  J.  Sparks,  born  May  25,  1831,  in  Indiana.  He  fell 
heir  to  the  old  homestead,  upon  which  he  lived  four  years,  when  he  sold  it 
and  moved  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1852,  locating  in  Union  Town- 
ship, where  he  at  present  resides.  This  farm  he  has  cleared  and  culti- 
vated until  now  he  has  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  township,  with  all 
the  modern  improvements.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jessup,  had  ten  children 
— Elizabeth,  Mary  C,  Minerva,  Emily  (deceased),  Anna  E.,  Sarah  E., 
Lydia  I.,  John  W.,  Amanda  and  Florence  (deceased).  Mrs.  Jessup  was 
an  active  member  of  the  Christian  Church  until  her  death,  January  19, 
1866.  Mr.  Jessup  was  married  in  April,  1872,  to  Hester  A.  Sprunce. 
They  have  one  child — Gertrude.  Mr.  Jessup  has  been  identified  with 
the  Christian  Church  for  over  forty  years.  He  was  Chaplain  of  the  Grange 
organization,  and  is  an  active  politician  in  the  Democratic  party.  Mr. 
Jessup,  while  in  Parke  County,  came  in  conflict  with  a  catamount,  and 
after  a  struggle  came  off  conqueror. 

JAMES  J.  LORD  was  born  in  Kent  County,  Del.,  October  11, 1828, 
and  was  the  son  of  Andrew  and  Letitia  (Reed)  Lord,  Andrew  Lord,  of 
English  descent,  was  a  farmer  of  Delaware.  He  was  married  to  Letitia 
Reed,  of  Scotch- Irish  descent,  in  1814.  They  had  ten  children — Will- 
iam H.,  Sarah  A,  Catherine  A.,  Jeanetta,  Mary  A.,  John  A.,  Letta  J., 
James  J.,  Jonathan  L.  and  Richard  T.  C. ;  six  now  living.  Andrew 
Lord  died  in  1835,  and  two  years  later  his  wife  and  family  moved  to  Bel- 
mont County,  Ohio,  where  they  remained  two  years,  when  they  located 
in  Butler  County,  Ohio.  Two  years  later,  they  removed  to  Rush  County, 
Ind.,  where  she  remained  until  her  death,  September  20,  1875.  James 
J.  Lord  was  reared  on  a  farm,  having  the  advantage  of  the  common  school, 
but,  under  necessities  of  work,  having  with  older  brother  the  care  of  the 
family,  he  received  but  a  limited  education.  He  was  married  in  Rush 
County,  Ind.,  October  11,  1855,  to  Miss  Sarah  Billing,  daughter  of  An- 
drew and  Harriet  (VVyat)  Billing,  of  Delaware.  He  lived  in  Rush  County 
until  1 860,  when  he  removed  to  Howard  County,  Ind.,  and  purchased  an 
-eighty-acre  farm  on  the  banks  of  Wild  Cat,  near  the  village  of  West  Lib- 


428  '    BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

erty.  By  hard  work  he  succeeded  in  clearing  out  a  home,  and  by  dil- 
igence and  economy  has  added  100  acres  more,  making  him  a  farm  of 
180  acres  of  well-improved  land.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lord  have  had  seven 
children — William  A.,  Joseph  L.,  Francis  0.,  Lilly  J.,  Annie  E., 
Thomas  E.  and  Harriet  L.,  five  now  living.  Mr.  Lord  was  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Union  League  during  the  dark  hours  of  his  country ;  he 
holds  the  position  of  Worthy  Chief  in  the  Good  Templar  Lodge,  and  has 
occupied  a  prominent  membership  in  the  Grange  movement,  holding  the 
office  of  Worthy  Master.  Mr.  Lord  is  an  active  politician,  voting  with 
the  Republican  party  since  1849,  and  he  and  wife  are  among  the  most 
active  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  MANN  is  the  eldest  of  seven  children  born  to  Joseph 
and  Rebecca  (Gibson)  Mann,  natives  of  Virginia  ;  he  was  born  August  1, 
1822,  in  Monr,oe  County,  Va.,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  fourteen, 
and  in  1837  removed  with  his  parents  to  Henry  County,  Ind.  Here  he 
worked  out  by  the  month  until  he  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  and  in 
1850  came  to  this  county,  locating  on  eighty  acres  he  had  purchased  a 
few  years  before.  He  has  added  to  this  until  now  he  has  a  good  farm  of 
164  acres,  with  all  the  modern  improvements,  all  of  which  he  has  accu- 
mulated by  hard  labor  and  economy.  Mr.  Mann  was  married,  Decem- 
ber 7,  1848,  to  Barbara  Fatic,  a  native  of  Virginia.  She  was  the  fifth 
child  born  to  Andrew  and  Barbara  (Thumma)  Fatic,  both  natives  of 
Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mann  have  two  children — Christina  Brown, 
born  August  6,  1850,  and  William  F.,  born  July  16,  1852.  Mr.  M. 
is  at  present  County  Surveyor.  Mr.  Mann  attended  school  only  eighteen 
months  during  his  life,  and  has  taken  a  pride  in  giving  his  children  a 
good  education.  He  was  at  one  time  Township  Trustee,  and  he  and  wife 
have  been  active  members  of  the  Christian  Church  over  twenty  years  ; 
he  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party,  but  since  1856  has 
been  an  active  worker  in  the  Republican  ranks. 

JACOB  R.  MELTON,  farmer,  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind., 
March  6,  1882,  and  is  the  son  of  Hiram  F.and  Catharine  (Rosier)  Melton, 
of  German  and  English  descent.  Hiram  F.  came  to  Rush  County  in  an 
early  day  with  his  father,  who  was  one  of  the  old  pioneers  of  that  county. 
Jacob  R.  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm  and  attended  the  common 
schools,  but  owing  to  the  necessity  of  work  received  but  a  limited  ed- 
ucation ;  he  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  Downey,  born  August  28,  1830, 
daughter  of  James  and  Rebecca  (Hinton)  Downey,  natives  of  Kentucky, 
and  of  English  descent.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  three  children 
James  F.,  born  November  5,  1855;  Serelda  J.  Cohee,  born  Novem- 
ber 14, 1857;  and  John  W.,  born  August  18,  1863.  They  also  have  one 
adopted  daughter,  Mary  R.  Downey,  born  January  20,   1872.     Shortly 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  429 

after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Melton  purchased  a  farm  of  sixty  acres  in  Union 
Township, Howard  County,  one  and  one-fourth  miles  northeast  of  Jerome, 
and  in  January  1859,  located  on  this  farm,  where  he  has  since  lived,  and 
by  industry  and  economy  has  been  able  to  add  eighty  acres,  making  a  good 
farm  of  140  acres.  Mr.  Melton  was  mustered  into  service  in  November, 
1864,  was  sent  to  Louisville,  and  placed  under  Capt.  John  W.  Aughe,  of 
Company  E,  Fortieth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry ;  he  was 
transferred  to  Nashville,  thence  to  Columbia,  Tenn.,  ami  was  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Franklin,  Tenn.,  between  Hood  and  Thomas.  His  regiment 
then  retreated  to  Nashville  to  fortify  and  prepare  for  the  battle  of  Nash- 
ville. From  Nashville  the  troops  were  marched  to  Lexington,  Ala., 
thence  to  Huntsville,  Ala.,  where  they  remained  until  March,  1865, 
when  they  were  sent  to  Blue  Springs,  East  Tenn.;  here  they  remained 
until  the  1st  of  May,  when  they  were  sent  to  Johnsonville,  Tenn.,  and 
took  passage  on  a  steamer  for  New  Orleans.  Thence  they  went  to  Texas, 
and  while  at  San  Antonio,  Mr.  Melton  was  discharged  October  25,  1865. 
Mr.  Melton  is  an  industrious  farmer,  and  was  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Grange  movement,  having  held  the  position  of  Steward  of  that  organiza- 
tion. Mrs.  Melton  is  identified  with  the  Christian  Church,  and  is  one  of 
its  most  active  members. 

SOLOMON  B.  MILLER,  a  prominent  farmer  of  Union  Township, 
was  born  in  Darke  County,  Ohio,  February  14,  1841,  and  is  the  son  of 
John  and  Sarah  (Brodrick)  Miller,  of  German  and  English  descent.  Sol- 
omon B.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  the  benefit  of  a  common 
school  education  ;  he  came  to  Howard  County  in  the  spring  of  1861,  in 
company  with  his  father,  who  at  this  time  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land 
one  mile  northeast  of  Jerome,  in  Unioi^  Township.  Mr.  Miller  enlisted 
in  August,  1861,  in  Company  D,  Thirty-ninth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, and  was  mustered  in  at  Indianapolis.  He  was  sent  to  Munfordsville, 
Ky.,  where  he  remained  about  nine  months.  He  engaged  in  battle  at 
Munfordsville,  and  was  subsequently  discharged  on  account  of  ill  health  ; 
he  returned  home  and  again  enlisted  in  the  fall  of  1863,  in  the  Eleventh 
Regiment  Indiana  A^olunteer  Cavalry,  under  Col.  Steward  ;  he  was  sent 
to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  from  there  to  Bellfont,  Ala.,  and  enga^^ed  in 
battle  at  Huntsville.  After  this,  he  was  sent  with  a  re-enforcement  to  Gen. 
Thomas,  at  Columbia,  Tenn.,  and  was  engaged  with  Gen.  Thomas  all 
through  his  encounters  with  Hood,  until  the  disbanding  of  Hood's  army; 
he  was  then  taken  to  Eastport,  Miss.,  and  from  there  to  St.  Louis  ; 
thence  to  Western  Kansas,  and  from  there  he  was  transferred  to  Leaven- 
worth, Kan.,  where  he  was  mustered  out  September  11,  1865;  he  then 
returned  home  and  resumed  farming;  he  was  married,  March  17,  1876, 
to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Riege,  born  April  4,  1852,  daughter   of  William  and 


430  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Lydia  J.  (Jones)  Riege,  of  Grant  County,  Ind.  This  union  has  been 
blessed  with  two  chihlren,  John  W.,  born  May  22,  1877,  Henry,  born 
September  30,  1879.  Mr.  Miller  is  at  present  the  owner  of  fifty- two  acres 
of  land  one-half  mile  east  of  Jerome;  he  is  a  successful  farmer,  and  a 
prominent  and  worthy  citizen.  In  the  spring  of  1875,  he  became  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  ;  is  also  an  active  politician,  voting  the 
Republican  ticket,  and  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  in  1868  for  U.  S. 
Grant. 

BARCLAY  MOON  is  the  eldest  son  of  ten  children  born  to  Jesse 
and  Phebe  (Hocket)  Moon,  of  English  descent.  He  was  born  in  Clinton 
County,  Ohio,  April  10,  1832,  and  in  early  life  received  an  education 
which  enabled  him  to  become  a  prominent  teacher,  having  taught  twenty 
schools  in  Howard  and  Grant  Counties.  Mr.  Moon  was  married,  Octo- 
ber 20,  1858,  to  Miss  Ann  Peacock,  daughter  of  William  and  Phebe 
Peacock,  of  Grant  County,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  This  union  has  been 
blessed  with  four  children — Alpheus,  Barnabas,  Belinda  and  Esli,  three 
of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Moon  was  Secretary  of  the  Grange  organiza- 
tion, and  is  a  member  of  the  New  Hope  Friends'  Church  ;  his  wife  (now 
deceased)  was  also  a  member  of  the  same  denomination.  Mr.  Moon  is  at 
present  living  on  a  farm  near  Jerome,  and  deals  extensively  in  thorough- 
bred Poland-China  hogs  ;  he  takes  pride  in  educating  his  children,  and  his 
eldest  son,  Alpheus  W.,  is  one  of  the  most  able  teachers  of  the  county,  and 
is  at  present  taking  a  collegiate  course  in  the  State  University  at  Bloom- 
ington,  Ind.  Mr.  Moon  participates  in  handling  the  Plymouth  Rock 
poultry,  and  has  shipped  from  Kansas  to  Pennsylvania  and  has  received 
orders  for  119  in  sixteen  days. 

WILLIAM  NASH  was  born  in  Adams  County,  Ohio,  November  20, 
1818,  and  is  the  son  of  Jesse  and  Mary  (Pike)  Nash,  of  English  and  Ger- 
man descent;  his  parents  were  married  March  7,  1816.  in  Adams  County, 
Ohio,  where  they  remained  about  thirteen  years.  Jesse  Nash  then  removed 
with  his  family  to  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  where  he  worked  in  a  boatyard 
at  $1  per  day,  for  one  year;  he  then  moved  to  Brown  County  and  lived  three 
years  on  a  rented  farm,  when  he  purchased  sixty-five  acres,  near  Wood- 
ville,  Ohio,  on  which  he  lived  until  the  year  1817  ;  he  then  sold  his  land 
and  removed  to  Howard  County,  purchasing  150  acres  in  Union  Town- 
ship, near  West  Liberty.  Here  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred, November  20,  1856,  having  survived  his  wife  six  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Nash  were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  in  good  standing. 
Mr.  William  Nash  worked  at  home  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-six 
years  old,  receiving  a  limited  education  in  the  common  schools  ;  he  then 
engaged  as  a  farm  hand,  at  from  $9  to  $13  per  month  ;  he  was  married, 
September  20,  1847,  to  Lucinda  Brandenburg,  daughter  of  William  and 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  431 

Mary  Brandenburg,  of  Maryland,  and  of  German  descent.  Mr.  Nash, 
about  four  years  after  his  marriage,  purchased  seventy-five  acres  of  land 
in  Union  Township,  where  he  still  lives,  having  since  added  twenty-eight 
acres  of  good  land  to  his  farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nash  have  had  five  chil- 
dren— Evermont,  Wilford,  Ann,  Caroline  and  William  B.,  four  of  whom 
are  living.  Mrs.  Nash  died  January  21,  1861,  a  true  Christian,  and 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Nash  w^as  next  married  Septem- 
ber 5,  1861,  to  Rachel  A.  Harper,  daughter  of  John  and  Jemima 
(Williams)  Harper,  of  English  and  Irish  descent.  To  this  union  have 
been  born  six  children — Martha  A.,  Henry  T.,  EmmaJF.,  John  F.,  Lu- 
cretia  and  Stella,  four  of  whom  are  yet  living.  Mr.  Nash  was  a  prom- 
inent member  of  the  Grange  movement,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  identified 
with  the  Seventh-Day  Adventist  Church. 

JOSIAH  REED  was  born  October  27,  1822,  in  Preble  County, 
Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Curry)  Reed,  of  Penns}'lvania, 
and  of  Irish  descent;  his  father  located  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  in  1816, 
and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  upon  which  he  remained  until  his 
death,  in  1826  ;  his  wife  died  in  1855;  his  parents  had  ten  children,  two 
of  whom,  Josiah  and  Mary  A.,  are  yet  living.  Our  subject  was  reared 
upon  a  farm,  where  he  received  a  common  school  education,  and  at  the 
age  of  eighteen  began  teaming  in  Cincinnati  ;  this  he  continued  until 
September  15,  1844,  when  he  was  married  to  Lucinda  King,  born  in 
1826,  and  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Price)  King,  natives  of  Ten- 
nessee and  of  English  descent.  Shortly  after  his  marriage,  he  located  in 
Wayne  County,  near  Richmond,  where  he  farmed  five  years;  he  then  lo- 
cated in  Gettysburgh,  Ohio,  and  subsequently  made  sale  of  his  personal 
property,  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for  eighteen  months, 
after  which  he  began  the  cooper  trade.  In  1860,  he  came  to  Huntington 
County,  Ind.,  and  purchased  fifty-two  acres  of  land,  upon  which  he  re- 
mained until  1877,  when  he  moved  to  Kansas.  Two  months  later,  he 
returned  to  Indiana  and  purcliased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Howard  County, 
two  miles  northeast  of  West  Liberty,  where  he  still  lives.  Mr.  Reed  was 
a  member  of  the  Grange  movement;  is  also  an  active  politician  in  the 
Republican  ranks,  having  cast  his  first  ballot  for  Henry  Clay  in  1844, 
and  Mrs.  Reed  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reed  have  had  the  followino:  children  :  Sarah  E. 
Coolman,  born  December  1,  1845 ;  Cythia  J.,  born  April  5,  1817  ; 
William  J.,  born  March  27,  1851,  died  February  15,  1852  ;  Samuel  A., 
born  May  26,  1853,  died  March  27,  1855  ;  David  A.,  born  March  28, 
1855  ;  Emma  A.  ToUe,  born  March  5,  1862,  and  Leander,  born  July  15, 
1864. 

ISAAC  REED,  County   Commissioner,  was  born  in  Kent  County, 


432  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Del.,  July  22,  1826,  and  is  the  son  of  William  L.  and  Rachel  (Cohee) 
Reed,  natives  of  Delaware,  and  of  Irish  and  English  descent;  his  parents 
had  eight  children — Isaac,  Lydia  Brown,  William  C,  Hannah  Allen, 
Sarah,  Martha,  Mary  and  Elizabeth  Conway,  five  of  wliora  are  yet  living. 
Mr.  Reed  located  in  Rush  County,  Ind,,  in  1836  ;  he  and  his  wife  were 
identified  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Isaac  spent  his  early 
life  on  a  farm,  and  was  married,  December  27,  1849,  to  Miss  Hannah 
Osburn,  born  April  19,  1833,  daughter  of  Harmon  and  Elisa  J.  (Pack- 
ard) Osburn,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Delaware.  Mr.  Reed  came  to  Howard 
County  in  1853,  and  purchased  160  acres  of  land  in  Union  Township, 
which  he  began  to  clear  and  make  for  himself  and  family  a  home.  By 
industry  and  economy,  he  has  been  able  to  add  seventy-six  acres  more, 
and  now  has  a  comfortable  home.  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Reed  have  had  twelve 
children — Sarah  E.  Powell,  born  November  2,  1850;  William  W.,  born 
November  10, 1851  ;  Rachel  A.  Elmore,  born  June  1,  1854;  Harmon  0., 
born  May  17,  1856  ;  John  H.,  born  September  17,  1858  ;  Benjamin  E., 
born  August  5,  1860,  died  December  8,  1861 ;  Mary  J.  Frasier,  born 
June  25,  1862;  Oliver  L.,  born  April  23,  1864;  Laura  B.,  born  June 
19,  1866,  died  September  18,  1866  ;  Edith  L.,  born  September  7,  1869 ; 
Frank  A.,  born  January  24,  1874,  and  Etta  P.,  born  August  3,  1875. 
Mr.  Reed  is  an  active  working  politician,  voting  with  the  Republican 
party  ;  he  cast  his  first  ballot  for  Franklin  Pierce  in  1848  ;  he  held  the 
office  of  Township  Clerk  for  two  years,  and  has  served  four  terms  as 
Township  Trustee;  he  is  now  holding  tlie  office  of  County  Commissioner, 
this  being  his  second  term,  and  he  and  wife  are  active  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOHN  ROE  was  born  November  6,  1835,  and  is  the  son  of  Harrison 
and  Sarah  (Street)  Roe,  natives  of  Ohio,  and  of  German  and  English  de- 
sccTit.  Harrison  Roe  was  married  in  Indiana,  about  the  year  1832,  and 
soon  purchased  a  farm  of  160  acres  in  Wayne  County,  where  he  lived  two 
years,  and  then  sold  out  and  moved  to  Henry  County,  where  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  240  acres,  and  here  remained  about  fifteen  years,  when 
he  sold  his  farm  and  located  on  160  acres  in  Wayne  County,  near  Hagers- 
town.  After  living  there  about  four  years,  he  sold  out  and  moved  to 
Grant  County,  where  he  purchased  160  acres  of  land  near  Point  Isabel, 
on  which  he  lived  five  years,  when  he  sold  out  and  purchased  135  acres 
in  Delaware  County,  upon  which  he  remained  four  years,  when  he  again 
sold  and  came  to  Howard  County.  He  bought  160  acres  about  one  and 
a  half  miles  northeast  of  Tampico,  where  he  lived  two  years,  at  which  time 
he  returned  to  Delaware  County,  locating  on  the  farm  he  had  formerly 
owned.  He  again  returned  to  Howard  County,  and  is  now  living  on  160 
acres  of  land  two  and  a  half  miles  northeast  of  Tampico.     Mr.  and  Mrs. 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  433 

Roe  have  had  eleven  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Roe  is  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  he  and  wife  are  identified  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  John  Roe  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  re- 
ceived a  limited  education  in  the  common  schools.  When  he  was  twenty 
years  of  age,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Louisa  Howard,  daughter  of  John 
T.  and  Elizabeth  (Jarvis)  Howard,  of  Howard  County.  About  five  years 
after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Roe  purchased  forty  acres  of  land  near  Tampico, 
this  county,  where  he  lived  two  years,  at  which  time  he  leased  this  tract, 
and  located  on  a  rented  farm  of  120  acres  near  Greentown.  Later,  he 
sold  his  farm  near  Tampico,  and  purchased  seventy-eight  acres,  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile  east  of  West  Liberty,  where  he  farmed  two  years ;  he 
exchanged  this  for  a  farm  in  Grant  County,  which  he  again  exchanged 
for  a  farm  of  seventy-five  acres  one  mile  from  West  Libercy,  and  has  since 
added  sixty  acres  more.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roe  have  bad  nine  children — 
Henry  H.,  Lydia  A.,  Melissa  E.,  William,  Esther  J,,  Mary  E.,  Anderson, 
Frank  and  Aubrey  T.,  seven  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Roe  is  an  active 
member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  cast  his  first  ballot  for  Fremont 
in  1856.  Mr.  Roe  and  wife  are  among  the  most  active  members  of  the 
Seventh-Day  Adventist  Church. 
^  ANDREW  J.  SEAGRAVE  is  the  fourth  of  fourteen  children  born 
to  Luther  and  Matilda  (Keever)  Seagrave,  natives  of  New  Jersey  and 
Ohio,  and  of  English  and  German  descent ;  his  parents  moved  to  this 
county  in  the  fall  of  1847,  and  took  a  pre-emption  claim  in  Liberty  Town- 
ship ;  his  father  erected  the  first  saw  mill  in  that  section  of  the  country, 
and  was  shortly  afterward  drowned  in  the  forebay  of  the  mill,  and  his  in- 
quest was  the  first  held  in  the  county.  Andrew  was  born  December  31, 
1831,  in  Henry  County,  Ind.;  spent  his  youth  in  his  native  county,  and 
by  diligent  study  obtained  a  moderate  education  from  the  pioneer  schools. 
He  came  to  this  county  in  company  with  his  parents  in  the  fall  of  1847 ; 
remained  in  Liberty  Township  until  1859,  when  he  located  in  Union 
Township  and  engaged  in  the  saw  mill  business,  which  business  he  is  at 
present  managing  for  John  Chandler.  He  received  $375  from  his  father's 
estate,  but  lost  it  all  in  a  mill ;  he  then  began  life  anew,  and  by  being 
economical  in  his  expenses,  and  saving  in  his  earnings,  has  obtained  a 
good  farm  of  eighty  acres.  Mr.  Seagrave  was  married,  April  10,  1852, 
to  Elizabeth  J.  Stephenson.  One  child  crowned  this  union — Louisa  M., 
who  died  at  the  age  of  three  months.  Ilis  wife  died  in  the  fall  of  1853,  and 
he  married  Elizabeth  A.  Chandler  (now  deceased)  October  29, 1859.  They 
had  eleven  children — Artes  L.,  Franz  S.,  Nora  B.,  James  L.  (deceased), 
Edmond  0.,  Ora  0.,  Effie  M.,  Maggie  M.,  Willard,  Leo  and  an  infant.  Mr. 
Seagrave,  in  the  fall  of  1879,  formed  a  partnership  with  B.  L.  Mugg,  in 
raising  Poland-China  hogs  for  breeding  purposes.     Li  the  last  year  he  has 


434  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

shipped  to  parties  living  in  ten  different  States.  In  the  last  nine  months, 
he  has  shipped  204  fine  hogs.  They  received  a  .^20  castor  as  a  prize 
offered  by  parties  in  Chicago,  for  three  of  the  finest  hogs  in  the  State  of 
Indiana.  Mr.  Seagrave  is  an  active  worker  in  the  temperance  cause, 
and  was  identified  with  the  Grange  society.  He  cast  his  first  ballot  for 
a  Democrat,  but  has  since  voted  the  Republican  ticket. 

STEPHEN  L).  SHOCKNEY  was  born  in  Carle  County,  Md.,  Febru- 
ary 15, 1831,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  -Terusia  (Manning)  Shockney,  na- 
tives of  Maryland,  and  of  Irish  and  English  descent ;  his  flither  came  to 
Randolph  County,  Ind.,  in  1838,  and  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres 
near  Union  City,  which  he  began  to  clear  from  the  forest.  He  built  a 
log  cabin,  and  resided  on  this  place  until  his  death  in  1873,  his  wife  sur- 
viving him  but  a  year.  Stephen,  in  1853,  came  to  Howard  County, 
and  worked  as  a  farm  hand  in  Union  Township  until  March  8,  lf^57, 
when  he  was  married  to  Abigail  Fellow,  daughter  of  John  and  Abigail 
(Coleman)  Fellow,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  Scotch  and  Welsh 
descent.  Shortly  after  his  marriage,  he  purchased  eighty  acres  in  Tip- 
ton County,  upon  which  he  lived  until  the  fall  of  1876,  when  he  moved 
to  Howard  County,  and  purchased  ninety-five  acres  in  Union  Township, 
near  Jerome,  upon  which  he  now  resides.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shockney  have 
had  four  children — Elizur  J.  Thomas,  born  January  12,  1858  ;  O'Key 
K.,  born  July  9,  1860;  Josephine  C,  born  July  3,  1862,  and  Abigail 
S.,  born  August  9,  1867.  Mrs.  Shockney  died  May  15,  1869,  and  Mr. 
Shockney,  having  the  care  of  a  family,  married,  September  9,  1870, 
Caroline  Thomas,  born  October  10,  1847,  and  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Lydia  (Elliott)  Thomas,  natives  of  Indiana.  This  union  has  been  blessed 
with  eight  children — Ida,  born  September  9,  1871  ;  Henrietta,  born 
April  25,  1873  ;  Eva,  born  August  5,  1874  ;  David  J.,  born  February 
20,  1876;  Rachel,  born  August  27,  1877';  Rolo,  born  January  13, 
1879;  Roscoe,  born  February  13,  1880,  and  Earl,  born  January  3, 
1882.  Mr.  Shockney  is  a  worthy  citizen,  and  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  is  an  active  politician  in  the  Republican 
ranks.  He  cast  his  first  ballot  in  1856  for  Buchanan,  but  has  since 
voted  the  Republican  ticket.  He  and  wife  are  identified  with  the 
Friends  Church,  and  are  among  its  most  active  members. 

WILLIAM  HENRY  SLAUGHTER  was  born  October  9,  1845, 
and  is  the  son  of  William  Slaughter,  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent.  William  Slaughter  was  a  farmer  who  came  to  Indiana 
about  the  year  1835,  and  was  shortly  married  to  Miss  Pinia  Beck,  of 
Fayette  County,  Ind.  Soon  after  his  marriage,  he  moved  to  Hancock 
County,  and  there  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  where  he  has  since 
lived.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Slaughter  have  had  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  435 

are  still  living — James  C,  Samuel,  William  Henry,  Mary  E.,  Francis  M., 
Lavinia  and  Robert  A.  Mr.  Slaughter  was  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Good  Templars,  and  has  been  an  active  worker  in  the  Democratic  party 
since  the  year  1881,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  William  Henry  Avas  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  and 
lived  at  home  until  he  was  married  in  March,  1867,  to  Louisa  Johns, 
daughter  of  Mathew'and  Ellen  (Maggart)  Johns.  Her  father,  a  native  of 
Tennessee,  and  of  German  descent,  was  a  farmer  and  a  blacksmith  by 
trade.  Mr.  Slaughter,  after  his  marriage,  rented  a  farm  for  fourteen 
years,  during  which  time  he  purchased  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Union 
Township,  Howard  County,  which  he  rented  for  two  years,  and  in  1881 
removed  to  this  county,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  By  industry 
and  economy,  he  has  been  able  to  add  forty  acres,  and  now  owns  100 
acres  of  good  farm  land.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Slaughter  have  had  five  cliil- 
dren,  all  of  whom  are  living — Martha  E.,  Robert  A.,  Minnie  B.,  Charles 
E.and  Francis  M.  Mr.  Slaughter  has  been  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Good  Templars'  Lodge,  and  has  closely  adhered  to  its  principles.  He  is 
a  conjervative  politician  in  the  Democratic  ranks,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

DR.  SOLOMON  SIMPSON,  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  and 
merchants  of  West  Liberty,  is  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  eleven  chil- 
dren born  to  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Mabray)  Simpson,  natives  of  Georgia 
and  Virginia,  and  of  English  descent.  Thomas  Simpson  came  to  Indi- 
ana in  1809,  and  settled  upon  the  creek  now  bearing  his  name,  in  Fay- 
ette County.  His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war  under 
Gen.  Marion,  and  he  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  Mr.  Simpson 
remained  upon  his  farm,  near  Connersville,  until  his  death  in  1847.  Dr. 
Simpson  was  born  February  15,  1815,  and  was  reared  on  the  farm.  At 
the  age  of  twenty,  he  was  married  to  Lovicia  Conaway,  born  February 
27,  1817,  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  (Sparks)  Conaway,  natives  of 
South  Carolina,  and  of  English  descent.  Shortly  after  his  marriage, 
Mr.  Simpson  began  the  study  of  medicine,  and  soon  entered  into  a  prac- 
tice which  he  continued  for  about  forty  years,  twenty-five  years  of  which 
were  spent  in  Rush  County;  he  sold  his  farm  in  1865,  came  to  Howard 
County,  and  purchased  200  acres  of  land  north  of  West  Liberty,  where 
he  now  resides.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simpson  had  eleven  children — Marilda 
J.  (deceased),  born  September  4,  1836;  Mary  H.  (deceased),  born  Janu- 
ary 10,  1837  ;  Daniel  W.,  born  October  27,  1839 ;  Sarah  A.  (deceased), 
born  December  13, 1842  ;  R.  H.  L.,  born  July  4,  1845  ;  Marshal  T.  (de- 
ceased), born  August  28,  1847  ;  John  C.  (deceased),  born  February  2, 
1851 ;  James  T.,  M.  D.,  born  November  18,  1852  ;  S.  F.,  born  Novem- 
ber 28,  1854  ;  Lovicia  A.,  born  July  8,  1857,  and  Nancy  C.  (deceased), 


436  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

born  June  18,  1859.  Mrs.  Simpson  was  an  earnest  supporter  of  religious 
principles  until  her  death,  which  occurred  April  5,  1876.  Mr.  Simpson 
in  an  early  day  was  a  Whig,  having  cast  his  first  vote  for  President 
Harrison,  in  1836,  but  later  has  voted  with  the  Republican  party.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  a  Phenominal   Spirtualist. 

DANIEL  W.  SIMPSON  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  October 
19,  1839,  and  is  the  son  of  Solomon  and  LoviciaA.  (Conaway)  Simpson, 
natives  of  Indiana,  and  of  English  descent.  Daniel  spent  his  boyhood 
days  at  home  on  the  farm,  and  in  August,  1862,  enlisted  in  Company  D, 
Sixty-eighth  Regiment  [ndiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  mustered 
in  at  Greensburg,  Ind.  He  participated  with  his  regiment  in  battle  at 
Munfordsville,  where  they  were  taken  prisoners,  paroled  and  returned  to 
Indianapolis.  They  remained  here  until  the  spring  of  1862,  when  they 
were  exchanged  and  sent  to  Nashville,  thence  to  Resaca,  where  they  en- 
gaged in  battle.  Thence  they  marched  to  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  and  from 
there  to  Cowen  Station,  where  Mr.  Simpson  was  taken  sick  and  was  sent 
to  the  hospital  at  Nashville.  The  following  spring  he  joined  his  regiment 
and  was  detailed  to  drive  and  guard  cattle  for  the  army  ;  he  was  cut  oflF 
from  his  regiment,  and  was  transferred  to  Sherman's  army,  and  was  with 
him  on  the  march  to  the  sea.  They  went  to  Savannah,  Ga.,  thence  to 
Raleigh,  N.  C,  and  thence  to  Columbia,  S.  C,  and  while  they  were  here 
the  surrender  of  Richmond  took  place  ;  Sherman  then  went  to  Washing- 
ton, where  he  disbanded.  Mr.  Simpson  returned  to  Indianapolis,  and  re- 
ceived his  discharge  in  July,  1865,  having  served  in  the  army  three  years. 
He  returned  home  and  the  following  fall  was  married  to  Sarah  A. 
Walker,  born  April  26,  1847,  and  daughter  of  John  and  Clara  (Sales) 
Walker,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  of  English  descent.  Shortly  after 
this  marriage,  he  came  to  Howard  County,  and  began  farming  with  his 
father  in  Union  Township,  and  he  has  since  followed  agricultural  pursuits. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simpson  have  had  five  children — Emma  J.,  born  August 
17,  1867  ;  Clara  L.,  born  July  13,  1870;  Mary  C,  born  May  18,  1872; 
Guy  0.,  born  April  17,  1875;  and  Mamie  L.,  born  October  13,  1880.  Mr. 
Simpson  is  an  active  politician  in  the  Republican  ranks,  having  cast  his 
first  vote  for  President  Lincoln  in  1860  ;  and  Mrs.  Simpson  is  a  prom- 
inent member  of  the  Christian   Church. 

FRANCIS  MARION  SIMPSON  was  born  September  15,  1840,  and 
is  the  son  of  William  Simpson,  a  native  of  Carolina  and  of  English  descent. 
William  Simpson  was  a  farmer  who  came  to  Fayette  County,  about  the 
year  1809,  and  settled  on  Simpson  Creek,  which  stream  was  named  after 
his  father,  Thomas  Simpson.  Here  William  Simpson  has  since  lived,  and 
was  married  in  1822  to  Sarah  Turner,  daughter  of  Amos  and  Sarah 
Turner,  of  German  descent.     Shortly  after  his  marriage,  he  purchased 


UNION  TOWNSHIP.  437 

200  acres,  and  has  since  sold  eighty  acres,  leaving  him  yet  120.  William 
and  Sarah  Simpson  had  seven  children — John,  William  J.,  Benjamin  T., 
Thomas  M.  (died  from  disease  contracted  in  army),  Elizabeth,  George  W. 
(died  from  disease  contracted  in  army)  and  Francis  M.,  three  of  whom  are 
living.  In  1844,  Mrs.  Simpson  died,  and  Mr.  Simpson  was  next  married 
to  Adia  Gabia,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gabia,  of  German  descent. 
To  this  union  were  added  seven  children — Henry,  Joshua  T.,  Jane,  Sarah 
E.,  Daniel,  Nancy  and  Morton,  six  of  whom  are  now  living.  Mr,  Simp- 
son was  formerly  a  Whig,  and  in  later  years  a  Republican,  and  a  member 
of  the  Union  League  during  the  war,  being  now  eighty-three  years  old. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm,  but,  owing  to  necessity 
of  work,  received  but  a  limited  education.  When  he  arrived  at  his  ma- 
jority, he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  his  brother,  William  J.,  at  $18  per 
month.  After  three  months,  he  went  to  Rush  County  and  engaged  to 
John  McMillan  at  $26,  and  while  there  he  enlisted,  in  1863,  in  Company 
B,  Thirty-sixth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Capt. 
Johnson ;  he  was  discharged  the  same  year,  returned  home  and  engaged 
as  a  farm  hand  until  November  15,  1866,  when  he  was  married  to  Lydia 
E.  Walker,  daughter  of  John  and  Clarcy  (Sales)  Walker,  natives  of 
North  Carolina,  and  of  English  descent.  Shortly  after  his  marriage,  he 
rented  a  farm  in  Fayette  County  for  one  year,  when  he  removed  to  Rush 
County,  and  lived  four  years  on  a  rented  farm  ;  he  then  moved  to  Han- 
cock County,  where  he  remained  three  years,  after  which  he  lived  two 
years  in  Tipton  County.  In  1875,  he  came  to  Howard  County, 
locating  in  Union  Township,  where  he  purchased  sixty  acres  of 
land.  By  industry  and  economy,  he  has  since  added  thirty  acres 
more,  and  now  has  a  beiatifal  home.  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Simpson  have 
five  children— Sarah  A.,  Clara  E.,  Ollie  M.,  Katie  F.  and  Jesse  F.  Mr. 
Simpson  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Republican  party,  and  cast  his  first 
vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  in  1860.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Union  League  during  the  war,  and  was  an  active  member  of  the  Grange 
movement. 

JAMES  M.  SWOPE  is  the  youngest  of  eleven  children  born  to  Jo- 
seph and  Margaret  (Miller)  Swope,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  German 
and  Irish  descent,  Joseph  Swope  (whose  father  was  the  first  white  child 
born  in  Monroe  County,  Va.)  came  to  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  in  1818, 
but  soon  removed  to  Decatur,  where  he  remained  until  his  death  in  1828. 
He  and  wife  were  prominent  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  James  was 
born  April  15,  1827,  and  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  receiving  but  a  lim- 
ited education.  At  the  age  of  twenty,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  A,  Ful- 
wider,  born  August  1,  1823.  daughter  of  George  and  Hannah  (Fix)  Ful- 
wider,  of  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.,    and  natives  of   Augusta  County, 


438  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  : 

Va.     After  his  marringo,  lie  came  to  Howard  County,  and  in  December, 

1847,  pre-empted  160  acres  in  Liberty  Township,  and  April  17,  184S,  en- 
tered the  same  farm  and  remained  upon  this  until  1851,  when  he  sold, 
and  purchased  160  acres  in  Union  Township.  He  has  since  added  to 
this  until  now  he  has  373  acres  of  fine  farm  land,  near  Jerome.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Swope  have  had  seven   children — Serilda  C,  born  March  16, 

1848,  died  November  9,  1869  ;  Corinthia,  born  August  12,  1851  ;  Jo- 
seph, born  April  3,  1854  ;  George  R.,  born  December  14,  1857;  Arthur 
L.,  born  July  11,  1860,  died  February  27th,  1878;  John  M..  born 
March  27,  1863,  and  one  infant.  Mr.  Swope  is  an  earnest  supporter  of 
Republican  principles,  and  he  and  wife  are  identified  with  the  Separate 
Baptist  Church. 

C.  M.  WARE,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  in 
1844,  and  is  the  son  of  William  P.  Ware,  of  German  descent,  and  a  na- 
tive of  Darke  County,  Ohio.  W.  P.  Ware  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
in  early  life  came  to  Henry  County,  Ind.,  with  his  father.  In  1842,  he 
was  married  to  Lucinda  Main,  which  union  was  blessed  with  eight 
children — Christopher  M.,  Caroline,  Luther  S.,  John  W.,  Lewis  A., 
Ileni-y  J.,  Lucinda  S.  and  Mary  M.  Mr.  Ware  located  in  this  county 
in  1848,  settling  on  the  banks  of  the  Wild  Cat,  where  he  erected  a  log 
cabin  and  began  to  clear  his  land.  He  lived  on  several  diff'erent  farms  in 
Howard  County,  until  the  fall  of  1864,  when  he  purchased  160  acres 
joining  West  Liberty,  on  which  he  lived  until  his  death.  He  was  an  act- 
ive member  of  the  Union  League  during  the  war,  and  held  a  prominent 
position  with  the  Good  Templars  and  the  Grange  movement.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  C.  M.  Ware  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  good  common  school  education.  In  October, 
1865,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Smith  &  Scott 
Bros.,  at  Greentown;  the  following  year,  attended  the  Rush  Medical  Col- 
lege at  Chicago  ;  he  then  returned  to  West  Liberty,  where  he  practiced  un- 
til the  fall  of  1870,  when  he  entered  the  Indiana  Medical  College,  graduat- 
ing in  February,  1871  ;  he  then  renewed  his  practice  in  West  Liberty, 
where  he  has  since  remained.  Mr.  Ware  was  married  in  January,  1870, 
to  Angeline  Conway,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Cynthia  (Ray)  Conway, 
This  union  was  blessed  with  one  child,  Aletta  (deceased).  Mr.  Ware,  soon 
after  his  marriage,  purchased  property  in  West  Liberty,  and  has  since.,  by 
his  practice,  been  enabled  to  purchase  160  acres  of  land  near  the  village. 
Mr.  Ware  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  since  1871.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Democratic  party,  but  votes  for  the  man  rather  than 
for  the  party. 


JACKSON   TOWNSHIP.  439 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP. 

ROBERT  T.  ALYEA,  son  of  John  R.  and  Susan  (Thompson)  Alyea, 
was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  in  1833  ;  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Por- 
ter and  Decatur  Counties.  In  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Seventh 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry;  was  mustered  in  at  Indianapolis, 
and  went  from  there  to  Elk  Water,  Va.,  where  he  went  into  camp.  They 
were  in  the  battle  of  Cheat  Mountain,  Winchester,  Ft.  Republic,  Bull 
Run,  Gettysburg,  and  in  front  of  Petersburg,  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
Fredericksburg,  Weldon  R.  R.,  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Manassas 
Junction,  Harper's  Ferry,  Slaughter  Mountains,  Crab  Apple  Grove  and 
many  others.  His  regiment  had  1,040  men  when  they  started  out  under 
Col.  Dumont,  and  when  they  returned  there  were  only  250.  At  Ft.  Re- 
public they  lost  118  men  in  one  hour,  the  rebels  numbering  three  to  one 
of  them,  but  still  they  held  the  enemy  in  check.  Mr.  Alyea  was  shot 
through  the  sleeve,  bruising  his  arm,  but  not  cutting  it.  Mr.  Alyea  is  a 
prominent  farmer  in  Jackson  Township  and  has  spent  all  his  life  clearing 
and  improving  land.  He  was  married,  in  1864,  to  Miss  Ruth  Cheek, 
of  Decatur  County  ;  her  parents  were  natives  of  Indiana,  and  among  the 
early  settlers  of  Decatur  County.  Six  children  have  blessed  this  union — 
Ira  G.,  Ina  B.,  Edgar  L.,  Lily  May,  Albert  0.  and  Elmer  C 

JESSE  A.  CATE,  son  of  John  and  Rachel  (Pierce)  Cate,  was  born 
in  Tennessee  in  1841.  His  parents  came  to  Howard  County  in  1854. 
with  eleven  children,  in  a  covered  wagon,  and  located  on  a  farm  in  its  na- 
tive condition.  His  father  cleared  this  land  with  the  assistance  of  Jesse 
A.  and  his  other  sons.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  one  of  the  early 
teachers  in  Jackson  Township,  teaching  and  farming  until  he  went  into 
the  army  ;  he  enlisted  in  1863  ;  helped  raise  a  company  of  cavalry  and  was 
elected  Second  Lieutenant ;  he  was  mustered  in  at  Kokomo  by  H.  K. 
Thatcher,  U.  S.  A.;  he  was  in  the  battles  of  Nashville  and  Franklin, 
Tenn.,  and  all  the  battles  of  the  central  army  with  Gen.  Sherman  ;  he 
was  detailed  at  Mud  Creek,  Ala.,  and  was  taken  sick  and  lay  in  hospital 
six  weeks.  He  was  advanced  from  Second  Lieutenant  to  a  Captaincy,  and 
commanded  a  battalion  in  Kansas,  standing  a  good  chance  of  becoming 
Major  when  the  war  closed.  Mr.  Cate  was  married,  in  1867,  to  Miss 
Jennie  Lindley,  of  Howard  County.  He  has  had  three  children — Louie 
M.,  Harry  L.  and  Gracie  B.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
and  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  is  now  in  the  stock  and  produce  business  in  the  east- 
ern portion  of  the  county. 


440  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

CLARKSON  L.  GATE,  son  of  John  and  Rachel  (Pierce)  Gate,  was 
born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  December  31,  1853 ;  his  parents  were 
natives  of  Tennessee,  and  came  to  Howard  County  in  October,  1854; 
his  father  located  in  Jackson  Township,  purchased  a  farm  in  its  native 
state,  and  began,  with  the  assistance  of  his  sons,  to  clear  the  land. 
Glarkson  commenced  teaching  school  in  1872,  and  has  engaged  in  this 
occupation  ever  since.  He  made  his  start  by  farming,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1877  purchased  his  first  piece  of  land.  He  has  since  added  two  other 
tracts  and  now  owns  120  acres  of  good  farm  land,  on  which  he  has  built 
a  fine  house,  in  which  he  resides.  Mr.  Gates'  youthful  experience  at 
home  in  clearing  and  cultivating  the  farm  has  been  greatly  advantageous 
to  him  ;  he  has  taught  seven  terms  in  the  schoolhouse  where  he  received 
his  education,  and  has  been  elected  Township  Assessor  for  three  terms  in 
succession.  He  was  married,  in  1877,  to  Miss  Mary  Alice  Gentry. 
They  have  had  two  children,  Nora  and  Maud  (deceased  October  5,  1880). 
Mr.  Gate  had  three  brothers  in  the  late  war,  the  eldest  of  whom  was  shot 
in  the  head  and  killed  while  with  Gen.  Sherman. 

JOHN  GLELLAN,  an  early  settler  and  pioneer  of  Howard  County, 
was  born  in  West  Virginia  in  180^;  his  parents,  James  and  Massie 
(Wilson)  Clellan,  were  early  settlers  of  Virginia,  and  came  to  Union 
County,  Ind.,  in  1831.  John  lived  for  three  years  in  that  county,  and 
was  united  in  marriage,  in  1838,  to  Miss  Lucinda  Gardner,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  moved  to  Henry  County.  This  union  was  blessed  with  three 
children — Louisa,  Sarah  M.  and  James  W.,  all  of  whom  are  dead. 
James  W.  was  in  the  army,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Cain  Hill, 
Ark.  Mr.  Clellan  was  next  married,  in  1842,  to  Mrs.  Emily  Ridgway, 
of  Henry  County,  Ind.  They  have  had  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are 
living — Mary  A.,  Murphy,  Ira  M.,  Emily  J.,  Wilson  T.  and  Arminta 
J.  Disbro.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Howard  County  in 
August,  1849,  entered  120  acres  of  land,  built  a  log  cabin,  and  began 
to  clear  his  farm  ;  he  started  in  the  green  woods,  where  there  were  no 
roads,  only  the  Indian  trail  from  Marion  to  Kokomo.  Wolves,  deer  and 
wild  game  were  in  abundance,  and  it  was  so  lonely  they  were  glad  to  see 
the  cows  come  home  at  night  for  company.  Mr.  Clellan  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Old  School  Baptist  Church  in  good  standing. 

JOSEPH  GLEVENGER  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  in  1840, 
and  is  the  son  of  Squire  and  Clara  (Gossett)  Clevenger.  Our  subject  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  has  followed  agricultural  pursuits  mostly  through 
life;  he  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents  when  he  was  but  twelve 
years  of  age,  in  the  year  1853.  They  settled  in  the  forest  and  began 
clearing  the  farm.  Joseph  stayed  with  his  father  until  after  he  was 
twenty-one,  working  on  the  place.     When  he  became  of  age  he  went  to 


JACKSON   TOWNSHIP.  441 

work  for  himself,  and  on  the  28th  of  April,  1863,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Margaret  A.  Hinkle,  of  Liberty  Township,  this  county. 
They  have  eight  children — Sarah  E.,  Charles  H.,  Walter  A.,  Louisa 
M.,  Leoda  E.,  Isaac  A.,  John  William  and  Alice.  In  1861,  Mr.  Clev 
enger  enlisted  in  Thirty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry ;  he 
was  a  veteran,  staying  till  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  discharged  in 
1865  at  Indianapolis,  and  was  mustered  out  in  North  Carolina ;  he  was 
in  all  the  battles  of  the  Central  Army,  Mr.  C.  has  cleared  two  farms, 
and  now  has  a  fine  large  farm,  in  good  condition,  well  improved,  and 
with  a  convenient  house. 

PETER  V.  COLE  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  August  20, 
1834,  and  is  the  son  of  Ehram  M.  and  Elizabeth  (Vanmatre)  Cole,  of 
Irish  and  German  descent.  Peter  V.  Cole  lived  in  the  village  of  Middle- 
town,  Henry  County,  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  re- 
moved with  his  parents  on  a  farm  five  miles  north  of  Middletown.  After 
remaining  here  five  years,  he  lived  one  year  in  Madison  County,  and 
December  2,  1853,  started  for  Howard  County,  a  distance  of  fifty  miles, 
in  a  two-horse  covered  wagon,  arriving  at  Jerome  on  the  fifth  day.  Mr. 
Cole  was  married,  February  14,  1861,  to  Miss  Nancy  J.  Cate.  They 
have  had  twelve  children — Ela  (deceased),  Laura  J.  (deceased),  Cora 
(deceased),  Osca  A.,  Viola  L.,  Margaret  E.,  John  A.,  William  Henry, 
George  L.,  Julia  A.,  Mary  L.  and  Perry  V.  Mr.  Cole  obeyed  his 
country's  call,  enlisting  December  19,  1864,  in  the  Forty-eighth  Regi- 
ment Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Wabash,  Ind. 
He  went  with  his  regiment  to  Indianapolis,  thence  to  New  York,  and 
started  to  Georgia,  but  were  detained  at  Buford  Island  on  the  Savannah 
River,  on  account  of  high  waters.  After  drawing  rations,  they  started 
with  Sherman  on  his  raid  through  the  Carolinas.  He  was  with  his  reffi- 
ment  until  he  was  mustered  out  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  July  25,  1865,  and 
was  discharged  at  Indianapolis  July  21.  The  following  day  he  re- 
turned home,  and  has  ever  since  been  busily  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits. 

MOSES  CRANOR,  son  of  Joshua  and  Susana  (Johnson)  Cranor, 
was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  in  1832  ;  his  parents,  who  were  natives 
of  North  Carolina,  and  of  English  and  Irish  descent,  were  among  the  first 
settlers  of  Wayne  County.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  assisted 
his  father  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  In  1851,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Cate,  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.  She  is  a  native  of 
Tennessee.  They  had  eight  children — Leroy,  Charles  F.,  Martha  E., 
Susan  F.,  Ellsworth,  James,  Florinda  J.  (deceased),  and  Clara  Belle  (de- 
ceased). Mr.  Cranor,  immediately  after  he  was  married,  began  farming 
in  Wayne  County,  and  in  August,  1860,    came  to  Howard  County    and 


442  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

located  on  his  present  farm  in  Jackson  Township ;  he  has  400  acres  of 
fine  farm  land,  which  he  has  improved  and  cultivated  until  it  is  now  one 
of  the  best  farms  in  the  township,  with  a  comfortable  and  convenient  resi- 
dence. Mr.  Cranor's  father  was  granted  a  land  warrant  from  the  war  of 
1812;  he  was  what  they  called  at  that  time  a  ranger,  and  assisted  in 
building  block-houses  in  the  early  settlement  of  Wayne  County,  as  a 
defense  from  the  Indians.  Mr.  Cranorhas  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity  since  1864,  and  in  politics  is  a  stanch  Democrat;  he  has  held 
the  office  of  Township  Assessor  in  his  township,  giving  entire  satisfaction 
to  the  citizens. 

WILLIAM  DETAMORE  was  born  May  21,  1807,  in  Augusta 
County,  Va.,  and  is  the  son  of  Jacob  an<l  Sophia  (Loutz)  Detamore,  of 
German  descent ;  his  grandfather,  Christopher  Detamore,  was  in  the 
Revolutionary  war,  and  his  father  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  married  in  Virginia  to  Miss  Margaret  Shull.  They 
had  eleven  children,  one  dying  in  infancy.  Mr.  Detamore  came  to  How- 
ard County  in  the  fall  of  1850,  and*  entered  the  farm  on  which  he  now 
lives,  when  it  was  in  its  native  state ;  his  wife  died  in  1863,  and  the 
following  year  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Zelah  J.  Lilly,  who  came  to  this 
county  in  1847.  They  have  one  child.  Mr.  Detamore  was  a  wagon - 
maker  by  trade,  and  was  bound  out  for  three  years,  hence  he  had  little 
opportunity  for  an  early  education ;  he  has  been  a  church  member  for 
fifty-five  years,  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church ;  he 
was  a  Jackson  Democrat,  but  in  1856  voted  for  John  C.  Fremont ;  he 
has  since  voted  the  Republican  ticket,  and  has  held  some  of  the  minor 
ofiices  in  the  township  ;  he  is  a  liberal  citizen,  and  has  taken  an  active 
part  in  the  public  and  benevolent  enterprises  of  the  county. 

JOHN  M.  ERLOUGHER,  a  pioneer  of  Howard  County,  was  born 
July  6,  1817,  in  Greene  County,  Ohio;  his  parents,  Jacob  and  Elizabeth 
(Newton)  Erlougher,  were  of  English  and  German  descent.  His  father 
was  born  in  Maryland,  and  his  mother  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey  ;  his 
father  was  a  carder  and  spinner  in  that  early  day.  John  M.  taught 
school  for  ten  years,  and  thereby  earned  money  to  put  himself  through 
college  ;  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  about  1846,  with  Dr.  Curtis, 
of  Dublin,  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  and  afterward  graduated  at  the  Miami 
University,  at  Oxford,  Ohio.  He  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in 
Harrisburg,  Ohio,  and  came  to  Howard  County  in  May,  1851 ;  he  was  an 
early  practitioner  of  this  county,  and  helped  to  organize  the  first  medical 
society  in  it ;  he  was  always  considered  successful  in  his  profession,  trav- 
eling in  four  diff'erent  counties.  About  ten  years  ago,  he  retired  from 
practice,  and  now  has  eighty  acres  of  well-cultivated  land,  which  he  cleared 
and  improved  himself;  he  was  married,  in  1847,  to  Miss  Mary  D.  Leet- 


JACKSON   TOWNSHIP.  443 

rick,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  They  have  had  six  children — Emma  E. 
Harmon,  Charles  N.  (deceased),  Anna  M.  Powell,  John  0.  (deceased), 
William  M.  and  Frank  L.  Mr.  Erlougher  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  forty-four  years,  and  has  been  Assessor 
of  Jackson  Township.  He  at  one  time  bought  out  the  school  of  the 
Dublin  Academy,  where  he  taught  for  five  years,  his  wife  assisting  him  as 
one  of  the  teachers. 

MOORE  GALWAY  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  in  1826,  and 
is  the  son  of  Moore  and  Mary  (Edgely)  Galway.  His  parents  were  natives 
of  England,  and  moved  to  Washington,  D.  C,  where  his  father  was  re- 
porter for  two  sessions  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  at  the  time  of 
Jackson's  administration.  His  father  was  a  printer,  and  was  book-keeper 
for  Chapman  &  Bros.,  when  they  edited  the  Indianapolis  Sentinel.  He 
was  editor  of  a  paper  in  Liverpool,  Eng.,  called  the  Liverpool  Mercury. 
Failing  in  that  business,  he  started  a  book  and  stationery  store  in  the  same 
city.  Tiie  subject  of  this  sketch  worked  as  a  roller  boy  in  the  printing 
office,  and  later  in  a  bindery  in  Indianapolis.  He  was  apprenticed  to 
learn  the  tanner's  trade,  and  continued  in  this  business  for  ten  years.  In 
1854,  he  removed  to  Howard  County,  and  he  and  his  brother  started  a 
tannery  in  Jerome.  They  remained  there  two  years,  and  January  1,  1856, 
our  subject  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Hodson,  of  Grant  County,  Ind. 
This  union  has  been  blessed  with  eight  children.  After  his  marriage,  he 
moved  on  his  own  farm  in  Union  Township,  and  has  since  spent  his  life 
in  agricultural  pursuits.  March  5,  1872,  he  moved  to  Kansas,  but  was 
driven  home  in  four  weeks  by  the  sickness  of  his  children.  Mr.  Galway 
enlisted  in  March  1862,  in  the  Fifty-seventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  remained  two  years.  He  was  wounded  in  the  hand, 
and  again  in  the  breast,  at  the  battle  of  Stone  River.  He  was  in  the 
battle  at  Shiloh  and  Corinth,  Miss  ;  was  on  Buell's  retreat  to  Louisville  ; 
followed  Bragg  to  Perry  ville,  where  they  had  an  engagement ;  thence  they 
went  to  Cumberland  Gap,  where  they  drew  no  rations  for  several  days. 
He  was  discharged  June  21,  1863.  Mr.  Galway  has  a  farm  of  seventy 
acres  in  Jackson  Township,  well  improved.  He  has  held  some  of  the 
minor  offices  of  his  township  ;  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and 
formerly  belonged  to  the  Masonic  order. 

JOHN  GOSSETT  was  born  in  Union  County,  Ind.,  August  1, 1824, 
and  is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Rebecca  (Warnock)  Gossett,  of  German 
and  Irish  descent.  In  1830,  his  parents  moved  into  Henry  County  and 
were  among  the  first  settlers.  Joseph  Gossett  entered  land,  built  a  log 
cabin,  and  not  having  time  to  split  out  their  puncheon  flooring,  or  to 
build  a  chimney  before  winter  set  in,  they  built  their  fire  in  the  middle  of 
the  room.     Joseph   Gossett  is  said   to  have  been   the  first   Justice  of  the 

A  A 


444  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Peace  of  Henry  County,  holding  the  office  continually  for  thirty-two 
years,  with  the  exception  of  one  term,  and  was  holding  the  oflSce  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  He  was  considered  as  good  a  scholar  in  the  common 
branches  as  there  was  in  the  county.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  led 
a  farmer's  life,  and  lived  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age. 
He  was  married  in  Henry  County,  in  1848,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Fadely,  of 
Virginia.  They  have  had  eight  children,  three  of  whom  are  living — Re- 
becca C,  Elizabeth  A.  and  Nancy  J.  Mr.  Gossett  lived  on  the  home 
farm  until  the  death  of  his  father,  when  he  sold  out  and  came  to  Howard 
County  in  1861,  and  purchased  the  place  where  he  is  now  living.  He  is 
the  present  Township  Trustee,  now  serving  his  third  term.  He  has  been 
a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  since  his  sixteenth  year.  His 
wife  is  also  a  member  of  the  same  church.  His  father  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812.  After  serving  his  first  term,  he  enlisted  a  second  time 
and  received  a  land  warrant  of  160  acres.  John  Gossett  has  held  several 
of  the  minor  offices  in  the  township.  In  an  early  day  he  was  a  Whig, 
but  since  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  he  has  always  voted 
that  ticket. 

WILLIAM  C.  HARPER,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Loughery) 
Harper,  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1820.  His  parents  were  natives 
of  North  Carolina,  and  moved  to  Tennessee,  where  William  Harper  was 
married  to  Miss  Percila  Cate,  born  July  30,  1826.  Five  children  blessed 
this  union — Richard,  James  M.,  Mary  E.,  John  L.  and  William  Andrew. 
Mrs.  Harper  died  December  3,  1867,  and  Mr.  Harper,  February  19,  1870, 
was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Willis.  They  have  one  child — Leonia  H.  In 
1856,  Mr.  Harper  moved  from  Tennessee  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  where 
he  lived  about  eleven  years,  when  he  moved  to  Howard  County.  He  lo- 
cated on  his  farm  when  it  was  in  its  native  state,  building  a  log  cabin  and 
clearing  his  land.  He  now  has  a  finely  cultivated  farm  well  improved, 
with  fine  residence  and  good  barn.  He  has  held  some  of  the  minor  offices 
of  the  township.  He  was  formerly  a  Whig,  but  since  the  organization 
of  the  Republican  party  he  has  voted  that  ticket. 

WILLIAM  A.  HARPER  is  a  native  of  Tennessee,  was  born  in 
March,!  1844,  and  is  the  son  of  John  M.  and  Elizabeth  (Cate)  Harper. 
Our  subject  came  to  Howard  County  in  1865,  and  has  followed  agricult- 
ural pursuits  all  his  life.  He  was  married,  in  1865,  to  Miss  Rebecca 
Powell,  of  Jackson  Township.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  seven 
children — Sarah  E.  (deceased),  Adaline  (deceased),  John  (deceased),  Charles 
L.  (deceased),  Lovicy  A.,  Minnie  B.  and  Earl.  Mr.  Harper  has  held 
some  of  the  minor  offices  in  the  township.  He  has  cleared  about  forty 
acres  of  land  in  the  county,  and  when  he  bought  his  first  forty  acres  he 
paid  only  $75  down,  and  made  the  balance  himself.  He  is  one  of  the 
self-made  men  of  the  township ;  is  a  worthy  farmer  and  leading  citizen. 


JACKSON   TOWNSHIP.  445 

JOSEPH  HATFIELD  is  a  native  of  Howard  County,  and  was 
born  in  Jackson  Township  in  the  year  1853.  His  parents,  William  and 
Mary  E.  (Jones)  Hatfield,  were  very  early  settlers  in  the  county.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  lived  on  his  father's  place  until 
1878,  when  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Julow,  of  Union 
Township.  Two  children  have  blessed  this  union,  the  first  dying  in  in- 
fancy, the  second  being  Bertha  J.  Mr.  Hatfield  dealt  in  stock  and  fol- 
fowed  agricultural  pursuits  for  about  eight  years,  when,  in  the  winter  of 
1882,  he  went  into  the  drug  business  in  Sycamore.  He  is  now  conducting 
the  only  drug  store  in  the  village.  He  is  also  about  to  start  a  hotel,  the 
only  one  in  the  town.  Mr.  Hatfield  is  a  successful  business  man  and  a 
worthy  citizen  in  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 

SAMUEL  HAWKINS,  son  of  Philip  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Martin) 
Hawkins,  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Ohio,  December  9, 1838.  His  parents 
moved  to  this  county  in  1846,  and  entered  land  in  Union  Township,  near 
Jerome,  settling  in  the  green  woods.  Philip  Hawkins  died  when  his  son 
was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  and  May  16,  1864,  our  subject  enlisted  in 
the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-seventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volun  teer  In- 
fantry, and  was  mustered  in  at  Indianapolis ;  he  had  volunteered  twice 
before,  but  as  the  companies  were  never  made  up  he  did  not  go  out ;  was 
mustered  out  at  Indianapolis  in  November,  the  same  year.  Mr.  Haw- 
kins was  married,  March  1,  1865,  to  Miss  Terressa  Hatfield,  whose  par- 
ents were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Union  Township.  This  union  has 
been  blessed  with  eight  children — Rolland  A.  (deceased),  Ollie  E.  (de- 
ceased), Ora  A.  (deceased),  Clinton  A.,  Sarah  E.  (deceased),  Ella  B.. 
Estella  and  Reason  E.  In  1879,  he  bought  fifty-three  acres  of  land,  and 
moved  on  it  the  next  spring.  He  now  has  it  well  cultivaLed  and  improved, 
with  convenient  dwelling  and  good  outbuildings.  Mr.  Hawkins  is  a 
harness^maker  by  trade,  and  ran  a  shop  in  Jerome  for  about  twelve  vears. 

JOHN  W.  ilURLY,  son  of  D.  C.  and  Mary  A.  (Whitson)  Ilurly, 
was  born  in  1841  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio.  His  parents  moved  to  Ham- 
ilton County,  Ind.,  and  in  1849  located  in  Howard  County.  Our  sub- 
ject worked  on  a  farm  until  he  went  in  the  army,  enlistinn'  in  June, 
1861,  in  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantrv,  and  was 
mustered  in  at  Indianapolis.  He  was  in  battle  at  Suffolk,  Va.,  Black- 
water,  and  in  front  of  Richmond.  He  was  also  at  Port  Fisher,  the  siege 
of  Fort  Sumter,  and  in  the  twenty-one  days'  fight  at  Suffolk.  He  was 
sick  with  typhoid  fever  at  Wilmington,  N.  C.  December,  1863,  he  vet- 
eranized at  Folly  Island,  and  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr. 
Hurly  was  wounded  at  Bermuda  Hundred  in  his  righc  hip.  May,  1864. 
On  coming  out  of  the  army,  he  was  so  disabled  by  exposure,  fever  and 
wounds  that  he  has  been  able  to   work   very  little   since,    and    has    been 


446  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

using  crutches  and  is  still  disabled.  Mr.  Hurly  was  married,  June  30, 
1864,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Barkdull,  of  Howard  County.  They  have  had 
two  children,  Olive  A.  and  William  L.  (deceased).  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hurly 
are  active  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

JOSEPH  A.  KELLAR  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  in  1842, 
and  in  1859  came  to  Howard  County.  He  was  reared  to  farming,  and 
has  always  followed  that  occupation,  excepting  the  time  he  was  in  the  war. 
In  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Thirty-fourth  Regiment  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry ;  was  discharged  in  December,  1864,  and  re-enlisted 
for  three  years  more.  The  first  three  years  he  was  with  Grant,  and  was 
through  his  campaign  of  Vicksburg.  After  his  re-enlistment,  he  was  in 
the  Texas  campaign,  and  fought  in  the  battle  of  Palmetto  Ranch  on  May 
IS,  1865,  under  Col.  Barrett,  after  peace  was  declared  in  the  East.  His 
regiment  turned  out  more  veterans  than  any  other  regiment  in  the  war. 
Mr.  Kellar  was  married,  in  1864,  to  Miss  Laurinda  F.  Wethrow,  of  Grant 
County.  She  died  in  1868,  and  in  1870  Mr.  Kellar  married  Miss  Mar- 
garet 8.  Windsor,  who  died  in  1877,  and  the  following  year  he  married 
Miss  Maria  Allison.  Mr.  Kellar  cleared  up  his  farm  from  the  forest, 
and  now  has  a  home  of  fifty-five  acres,  well  improved.  He  has  held 
some  of  the  minor  offices  of  the  township,  and  has  always  been  an  active 
member  of  the  Republican  party. 

J.  F.  LAWSHE,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Somerset,  Wabash  Co.,  Ind., 
January  18,  1859,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  D.  and  Hester  Ann  (Rich- 
mond) Lawshe.  Our  subject  earned  his  first  money  on  a  farm,  and  tak- 
ing this,  together  with  what  he  saved  by  teaching  school,  he  worked  his 
way  through  college.  He  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1878,  and  afterward  attended  two  courses  of  lectures  at  Louisville, 
Ky.,  at  the  Kentucky  School  of  Medicine,  one  of  the  best  schools  of  the 
West.  Mr.  Lawshe  was  a  member  of  a  class  of  110  students,  and  stood 
the  fifth  best  in  his  class.  He  commenced  his  studies  with  Dr.  O'Neal, 
of  Somerset,  and  graduated  in  June,  1881.  He  came  to  Sycamore,  the 
1st  of  August,  1881,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine,  where  he 
has  since  been  in  active  practice,  with  fine  success.  He  was  married  in 
Wabash  County,  November  17,  1881,  to  Sarah  F.  McConn,  daughter  of 
T.  C.  McConn,  an  early  settler  and  prominent  citizen  in  that  county.  By 
this  union  they  have  one  child — Gertie  May.  Dr.  Lawshe  is  a  member 
of  the  German  Baptist  Church,  in  good  standing,  and  is  a  worthy  citizen 
in  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 

GURNEY  LINDLEY,  son  of  Osmond  L.  and  Achsa  (Wilson)  Lind- 
ley,  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  in  1860.  He  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  but  commenced  teaching  school  at  the  age  of  seventeen.  He  was 
then  called   a  boy-teacher,   but  wa^  so  successful  with  his    school  that  the 


JACKSON   TOWNSHIP.  447 

patrons  were  anxious  to  employ  him  the  following  term.  Mr.  Lindley 
has  been  a  teacher  and  farmer  all  his  life.  He  went  from  Henry  County 
to  Illinois,  thence  to  Kansas,  teaching  and  farming  all  the  time.  In  the 
year  1881,  he  came  from  Kansas  to  Howard  County,  Ind.,  and  August 
11,  1881,  was  married  to  Emily  J.  Johnson,  of  Hancock  County,  Ind. 
One  child — Florence  0.,  blessed  this  union.  Mr.  Lindley  is  a  member 
of  the  Society  of  Friends,  is  a  well  educated  young  man,  a  good  teacher, 
and  worthy  citizen. 

BENJAMIN  R.  MAPLE  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  in 
1830,  and  is  the  son  of  Benjamin  G.  and  Mary  (Freeman)  Maple.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  lived  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age.  In  an  early  day,  he  taught  school  in  Jackson  Township, 
at  75  cents  per  day.  He  enlisted  on  Christmas  Eve,  1861,  in  the 
Eleventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Cavalry,  and  was  mustered  in  at 
Louisville,  Ky.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn.  Mr.  Maple 
was  married,  in  1855,  to  Miss  Sophia  Jesiop,  of  Jackson  Township, 
whose  parents  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Howard  County.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Maple  have  had  eleven  children,  ten  of  whom  are  living — ■ 
Seneca  S.,  Frank  S.,  Ellen  B.,  Emma  J.,  Charles  H.,  William,  Anna 
H.,  Ida  J.,  Isaac  T.  and  Sallie.  Mr.  Maple  has  been  a  Trustee  of  the 
township,  and  also  Constable  for  two  years.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  he  and  his  wife  are  prominent  members  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church.  Mr.  Maple  is  a  pioneer  farmer,  having  come  to 
Howard  County  when  the  wolves  howled  around  the  cabins,  and  when 
all  was  a  wilderness. 

ELIJAH  G.  MAPLE  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  in  1834, 
and  is  the  son  of  Mentilla  H.  and  Elizabeth  Maple.  In  the  fall  of  1851, 
he  moved  with  his  father  to  Howard  County,  where  the  latter  entered 
part  of  the  land  on  which  he  now  lives.  The  land  was  in  its  native  state, 
and  they  at  once  went  to  work  to  clear  the  farm  ;  built  a  log  cabin  and 
split  out  their  boards  for  the  cabin  floor  and  doors.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch,  excepting  the  time  he  was  in  the  army,  and  a  few  years  he  was  in 
a  store  when  a  boy,  has  always  followed  the  occupation  of  farming.  In 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Ninety-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  was  in  the  army  about  three  years.  He  was  with 
Sherman  from  Atlanta  on  to  the  sea.  His  first  enorafjement  was  at 
Jackson,  Miss.  He  was  promoted  Corporal  in  1864,  on  account  of  his 
vigilance  while  on  post  duty.  He  was  married,  January  1,  1862,  to 
Miss  Sarah  E.  Friermood,  of  Grant  County,  Ind.  They  have  had  nine 
children  ;  eight  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Francis  M.,  Eva  C,  Mary  E., 
Letitia,  Jacob  W.,  Ira  T.,  Elizabeth  G.  and  Glenna  F.  Mr.  Maple  has 
held    some  of   the  minor  offices  of  the  township ;   is    a  member  of  the 


448  BIOGRAPPMCAL    SKETCHES: 

Republican  party  ;  he  and  wife  have  been  active  members  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  for  fifteen  years,  and  are  valuable  members  of  the 
society  in  which  they  move. 

HENRY  L.  MARSHALL  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  in 
1845.  His  parents,  James  and  Rachel  (Leeson)  Marshall,  were  of  Ger- 
man and  Irish  descent.  Henry  L.  moved  to  this  county  with  his  parents 
in  1849,  and  landed  where  the  town  of  Sycamore  now  stands.  His 
father  entered  160  acres  of  land  in  Liberty  Township,  abt)ut  three  miles 
north  of  where  Greentown  now  stands.  Our  subject  has  spent  his  whole 
life  in  clearing  and  improving  land.  He  lived  at  home  with  his  father 
until  he  was  about  twenty-four  years  of  age,  and  was  married  in  1869  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Powell,  of  Jackson  Township.  Her  parents  were  among 
the  pioneers  and  early  settlers  of  the  county,  coming  in  when  all  was  a 
wilderness.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marshall  have  had  seven  children — Lewis  E., 
Rosella  M.,  James  L.,  Arsetta  A.  (deceased),  Ora  E.,  Melven  E.  and 
Chancy  H.  Our  subject  purchased  eighty  acres  of  good  land  in  Jack- 
son Township,  in  1882,  and  now  has  a  good  farm,  well  cultivated  and  im- 
proved. Mr.  Marshall's  grandfather,  Samuel  Marshall,  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812. 

JAMES  R.  NATION  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  Ind.,  in  1837. 
His  father,  Enoch  Nation,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  in  1804,  and  his  mother, 
Sophia  (Thompson)  Nation,  was  a  native  of  Virginia;  both  were  of 
English  descent,  and  were  among  the  early  settlers  in  Delaware  County. 
Enoch  Nation  collected  the  first  taxes  in  that  county  and  carried  the 
money  on  horseback  to  Indianapolis ;  he  was  elected  County  Commis- 
sioner, and  later  Probate  Judge,  serving  in  the  latter  capacity  for  eight 
'years,  when  he  moved  out  of  the  county.  James  R.  Nation  was  married, 
in  1859,  to  Miss  Rebecca  J.  Paul.  They  have  one  child — Effie  Curry. 
He  remained  in  Delaware  County  until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  the 
Eighth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  appointed  Ser- 
geant ;  he  was  discharged  in  September,  1862.  after  which  he  went  on  a 
faim  for  one  year,  when  he  recruited  a  company  and  was  elected  Captain; 
he  went  into  camp  at  Camp  Wayne,  Richmond,  Ind.,  moved  to  Camp 
Carrington,  Indianapolis,  thence  to  Camp  Shanks,  and  on  the  21st  of 
January,  1864,  ninety-three  of  the  company  were  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  at  Indianapolis.  Mr.  Nation  was  in  battle  at 
Linnville,  Tenn.,  Laurenceburg  and  Florence,  Ala.  He  was  captured  at 
Sulphur  Branch  September  25,  1864;  was  held  prisoner  at  Meridian, 
Miss.,  paroled  and  passed  through  the  rebel  lines  November  14,  1864, 
He  went  to  Camp  Benton,  St.  Louis,  thence  to  Camp  Chase,  Ohio,  and 
was  exchanged  there  January  17,  1865;  he  joined  his  regiment  at 
Gravely    Springs,  Ala.,  and  went  to  Vicksburg,  thence  to  New  Oileans, 


JACKSON    TOWNSHIP.  449 

after  which  he  returned  to  Vicksburg  and  was  mustered  out  there.  He 
held  four  commissions  during  his  service,  the  last  being  that  of  Major. 
He  then  returned  home  and  in  January,  1866,  moved  to  Howard  County, 
where  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land.  Mrs.  Rebecca  Nation  died 
December  21,  1869,  and  Mr.  Nation  was  afterward  married  to  Miss 
Mary  A.  Clevenger,  of  English  and  German  descent.  They  have  had 
four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — Gertie  and  Lloyd.  Mr.  Nation 
is  now  living  a  comparatively  retired  life  on  forty  acres  of  his  land 
in  Jackson  Township,  doing  a  broker's  business  ;  he  also  owns  thirty- 
three  acres  in  the  same  township,  besides  property  in  Sycamore ;  he  is 
a  Republican,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  the  politics  of  his 
county,  having  served  on  the  Central  Committee  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  for  about  ten  years, 
and  is  a  man  highly  respected  in  his  community. 

JAMES  B.  POWELL  was  born  in  Herefordshire,  England,  Feb- 
ruary 7,  1816,  and  lived  there  until  he  was  nine  years  of  age  ;  his 
parents  having  preceded  him,  he  made  the  trip  alone  to  Calais,  France,  a 
distance  of  400  miles.  His  parents,  John  H.  and  Ann  (Bub)  Powell, 
were  manufacturers  of  lace,  and  James  B.  worked  at  the  same  business. 
They  lived  in  France  nine  years ;  were  there  during  the  Revolution  of 
1830,  and  during  the  time  of  the  cholera.  In  1834,  his  parents  shipped 
from  Calais  to  London,  thence  to  New  York.  They  were  eight  weeks 
and  four  days  in  crossing,  being  becalmed  nine  days  ;  running  short  of 
provision,  and  there  being  other  boats  in  sight,  and  being  short  of  hands, 
the  Captain  called  the  passengers  to  draw  lots  to  go  in  the  small  boats 
for  provisions.  Our  subject  refused  to  draw,  but  volunteered  and  made  a 
successful  trip.  They  arrived  in  New  York  July  24,  1834,  and  soon 
alter  located  in  Evansburg,  Ohio,  where  they  remained  until  1854,  and 
there  followed  farming.  Mr.  Powell  became  an  Abolitionist  during  his 
stay  in  Ohio.  He  was  a  member  of  the  underground  railway  and  took 
a  very  prominent  part  in  helping  the  slaves  to  get  away,  often  secreting 
them  about  the  house.  Mr.  Powell  was  married,  August  31,  1839,  to 
Miss  Jane  Boyd,  of  Coshocton  County.  They  had  nine  children,  six  of 
whom  are  living — Florinda,  John  Thomas,  Ann,  Henrietta,  William  (de- 
ceased), Caroline  (deceased),  Nancy  J.  (deceased),  William,  Henry  and 
Lyman  B.  Mr.  Powell  came  to  Howard  County  in  the  year  1854  and 
located  on  his  present  place  in  Jackson  Township.  He  is  an  industrious 
man  and  worthy  citizen,  and  he  and  wife  have  been  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  thirty-nine  years. 

L.  U.  POWELL  was  born  in  Boone  County,  Ind.,  in  1835,  and 
located  in  Howard  County  in  1844.  His  fsither,  Lemuel  Powell,  was  a 
native  of  Virginia,  born  1808,  and  his  mother,  Sarah  (Miller)  Powell,  was 


450  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES:   . 

born  in  Ohio,  1807.  L.  U.  Powell  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received 
very  little  education  in  his  j/outh.  In  September,  1857,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Sarah  A,  Larrison,  of  Howard  County.  They  had  one  child  — 
Hiram  A.  His  wife  died  and  Mr.  Powell  was  again  married  February 
25,  1862.  He  had  eight  children  by  his  second  marriage — Cintha  E., 
William  H.,  Vola,  Charles  (deceased),  Lemuel  W.,  Eddie  (deceased), 
Eva  and  Lowell.  Mr.  Powell  enlisted  August  12,  1862,  and  went  into 
camp  at  South  Bend.  He  was  enrolled  at  Indianapolis  in  the  Ninety- 
ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a  private.  He  came 
back  as  First  Lieutenant,  and  had  charge  of  his  company  on  the  march  to 
the  sea.  He  engaged  in  battle  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  Mission  Ridge,  Dallas, 
Kenesaw  Mountain  ;  was  at  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  where  he  received  a 
wound  in  the  hand;  on  the  march  to  the  sea;  at  the  surrender  of  Vicks- 
burg  and  the  burning  of  Columbia.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Washing- 
ton, and  received  his  discharge  at  Indianapolis,  after  which  he  came  home 
and  went  on  his  farm.  He  now  has  his  farm  under  good  cultivation,  with 
convenient  house,  and  is  now  building  a  fine  barn.  He  is  a  charter 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Xenia,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity  since  1861. 

JORDON  SHAW  is  a  native  of  Henry  County,  Ind.,  and  was  born  in 
1843.  His  father,  John  Shaw,  is  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  his 
mother,  Sally  (Miller)  Shaw,  was  born  in  Indiana.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  stayed  at  home  until  he  was  seventeen 
years  of  age.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  about  two  years  of  age. 
Mr.  Shaw  was  married,  July  23,  1864,  to  Miss  Sarah  C.  Shockly. 
This  union  has  been  blessed  by  nine  children — Laura,  Perry,  Lut,  Roily 
(deceased),  Albedy,  Marion,  Arabell,  Howard  E.  and  John  B.  Mr. 
Shaw  came  to  Howard  County  in  1873  and  bought  his  farm  in  the  native 
state,  and  now  has  it  well  improved  and  under  good  cultivation.  He  is 
a  worthy  citizen,  laborious  farmer  and  well  respected  man  in  his  com- 
munity. 

M.  C.  SPURGEON,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  A.  (Lark)  Spurgeon, 
was  born  in  Henry  County,  Va.,  in  1839.  His  parents  moved  from 
Virginia  to  Miami  in  1843,  and  lived  there  three  years,  when  they 
moved  to  the  Indian  reserve  soon  after  the  land  came  into  market. 
The  Government  did  not  survey  the  land  until  after  they  had  lived  there 
two  years.  Mr.  Spurgeon  lived  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty- 
one,  after  which  he  was  in  Illinois  at  intervals  until  he  went  into  the 
army.  He  enlisted  and  was  enrolled,  August  20,  1862,  in  the  Ninety- 
ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry  ;  served  until  the  expiration 
of  his  term,  and  was  discharged,  June  5,  1865,  near  Washington,  D. 
C.     He  was  with  the  central  army  in  all  their  battles,  and  with  Slierman 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP.  451 

on  his  march  to  the  sea.  Mr.  Spurgeon  was  married,  July  13,  1867,  to 
Miss  Behethlan  Prior.  This  union  was  blessed  with  seven  children,  five 
of  whom  are  living — William  N.,  Franklin  S..  Florence  0.,  Sarah  E., 
and  Minnie  M.  Mrs.  Spurgeon  died  in  April,  1879,  and  Mr.  Spurgeon 
was  afterward  married,  September  20,  1880,  at  Kokomo,  to  Miss 
Josephine  E.  Prior,  whose  parents  were  old  settlers  in  the  Indian  Reserve 
in  Miami  County.  In  February,  1866,  Mr.  Spurgeon  purchased  forty 
acres. of  land  in  Jackson  Township,  and  has  been  adding  to  it  until  now 
he  owns  127  acres  of  good  land,  well  ditched  and  under  good  cultivation. 
He  is  an  industrious,  hard  working  farmer,  has  cleared  a  great  number  of 
acres  of  land,  and  in  the  winter  of  1865  made  18,700  rai^s.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post  at  Xenia. 

M.  STONE  &  BRO.,  two  enterprising  young  business  men  of  Syca- 
more Corners,  are  natives  of  Rush  County,  Ind.  They  started  a  gro- 
cery, dry  goods  and  general  stock  store  in  the  town  of  Sycamore  in 
April,  1882.  They  have  been  uncommonly  successful,  and  have  done  a 
business  far  beyond  their  expectation.  Starting  with  a  $3,000  stock,  tiie 
first  year  they  did  a  business  of  $50,000.  They  are  now  preparing  to 
add  an  addition  to  their  store.  They  anticipate  putting  in  a  stock  of 
agricultural  implements  and  hardware  in  their  present  business  room, 
and  expect  to  put  up  a  two-story  building  opposite  their  present  site. 
This  will  be  100  feet  in  length,  and  will  be  used  for  their  present  busi- 
ness. They  anticipate  increasing  their  stock  with  an  addition  of  $2,000, 
and  will  expect  to  do  a  larger  and  more  extensive  business.  M.  Stone  & 
Bro.  are  accommodating  and  energetic  merchants,  and  in  every  way  wor- 
thy of  the  patronage  so  liberally  bestowed  upon  them.  Their  parents, 
Solomon  and  Mary  A.  (Hatfield)  Stone,  were  natives  of  Virginia  and  of 
German  descent. 

TURNER  SULLIVAN,  the  oldest  citizen  now  living  in  Jackson 
Township,  was  born  in  1800  in  North  Carolina ;  his  parents,  Jacob  and 
Nancy  (Harris)  Sullivan,  moved  to  Tennessee  when  our  subject  was  but 
a  small  child  ;  his  father  was  a  minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Turner  learned  the  tanner's  trade  ;  he  was  married  in  Tennes- 
see to  Miss  Maria  Chandler  ;  this  union  was  bkssed  with  four  children, 
one  of  whom  is  living.  Mr.  Sullivan  lost  his  wife  in  1845,  and  in  1849 
he  married  Miss  Angeline  Brant ;  they  have  had  nine  children,  seven  of 
whom  are  living.  Mr.  Sullivan  came  to  Howard  County  in  1847,  and 
the  following  year  entered  the  land  upon  which  he  now  lives  ;  he  started 
in  the  woods,  built  a  log  cabin  and  began  to  clear  up  his  farm  ;  he  was 
the  first  Trustee  in  the  township,  and  built  the  first  schoolhouse  in  the 
township  ;  he  attended  the  first  election,  and  has  always  voted  the  Re- 
publican  ticket  since   the   organization  of  that  party  ;  he   cast  his  first 


452  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

vote  for  Gen.  Jackson  ;  his  son,  Jefferson  S.,  was  in  the  Ninety-ninth 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry;  was  taken  with  brain  fever  and 
died  in  a  Southern  land.  Mr.  Sullivan  has  always  taken  an  active  part 
in  public  and  benevolent  enterprises,  and  lives  a  conscientious  Christian 
life  ;  he  and  wife  are  active  members  of  the  United  Brethren   Church. 

JOHN  E.  WASKEY  was  born  in  1837  in  the  State  of  Maryland; 
his  parents,  John  and  Margaret  (Thomas)  Waskey,  were  of  German  de- 
scent. Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  but  began  doing  business  for 
himself  at  the  age  of  sixteen.  He  is  a  carpenter,  and  worked  at  his 
trade,  together  with  farming,  until  he  came  to  Howard  County  in  March, 
1882  ;  he  was  married  to  Cordelia  A.  Shawen,  of  Maryland,  April  7, 
1864.  They  have  had  eight  children — Mary  L.,  Laura  J.,  Eli  (deceased), 
€harles  (deceased),  Margaret,  Rosella  C,  Frank  E.,  and  one  that  died  in 
infancy.  Mr.  Waskey  enlisted,  in  1865,  in  the  Fourth  Regiment  Ohio 
Volunteer  Cavalrj,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Edgeville,  near  Nashville, 
Tenn.;  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  discharged  at  Edgeville, 
Tenn. ;  he  had  been  a  member  of  the  Home  Guards  of  Ohio,  and  received 
an  honorable  discharge  when  he  enlisted ;  he  and  his  wife  are  active 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Waskey  is  now  living 
on  a  farm  in  Jackson  Township,  and  is  following  agricultural  pursuits. 

THOMAS  A.  WINDSOR  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  in 
1846  ;  his  parents,  David  E.  and  Elizabeth  (Spell)  Windsor,  were  early 
settlers  of  Henry  and  Delaware  Counties.  Our  subject  was  born  and 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  enlisted  in  the  Fortieth  Reg- 
iment Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Kokomo, 
November  11,  1864.  At  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  he  lost  his  right 
arm  ;  about  noon,  on  the  16tli  of  December,  it  was  struck,  as  hesupposesi 
by  a  piece  of  shell,  which  left  it  hanging  only  by  the  flesh  ;  he  was  taken 
to  the  field  hospital  at  night,  and  about  12  o'clock,  midnight,  had  it 
amputated;  he  was  immediately  removed  to  the  hospital  at  Nashville, 
where  he  lay  fourteen  days,  when  he  was  removed  to  Jeffersonville,  Ind.; 
he  remained  there  until  the  25th  of  July,  when  he  received  his  discharge. 
In  the  fall  of  1861,  he  had  located  in  Howard  County,  and  as  soon  as  he 
was  discharged  he  came  home  to  the  farm  ;  he  now  owns  eighty  acres  of 
rich  land,  well  cultivated,  and  having  good  improvements;  he  was  mar- 
ried October  7,  1869,  to  Miss  Clare  E.  Maxwell,  whose  parents  were  early 
settlers  in  this  county.  They  have  two  children,  Elnora  and  Thomas  E. 
Mr.    Windsor  is   a  well  respected  man  and  a  worthy  citizen. 

EPHRAIM  S.  ZAUN,  son  of  John  and  Mariah  M.  (Weitzell)  Zahn, 
was  born  in  Rockingham  County,  Va.,  in  1831,  and  lived  there  until  he 
was  nineteen  years  of  age ;  his  father  was  a  wagon-maker  by  trade,  and  a 
minister  in  the  Christian   Church.     E.  S.    Zahn  worked  for  his  father 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP.  453 

until  1854,  when  he  commenced  business  for  himself;  he  located  in  Mar- 
ion, Grant  County,  Ind.,  and  there  began  the  manufacture  of  wagons  and 
carriages.  November  4,  185'i,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ann 
M.  Barley.  This  union  was  blessed  with  four  children — Thomas  E.  (de- 
ceased), William  (deceased),  Mary  K.  Brunk,  and  Henrietta  I.  Mr. 
Zahn  carried  on  his  business  in  Marion  until  November,  1872,  when  he 
purchased  a  farm  of  120  acres  in  Howard  County,  two  miles  north  of 
Sycamore,  on  which  he  lived  until  October,  1881  ;  he  then  started  at  Syc- 
amore a  store  of  dry  goods,  groceries  and  general  stock,  at  the  same  time 
dealing  in  all  kinds  of  grain  ;  he  is  one  of  the  first  merchants  in  Syca- 
more, and  has  done  a  prosperous  business  ;  he  has  held  the  office  of  Town- 
ship Trustee,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  since  1855,  being 
a  Past  Representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge ;  he  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  since  he  was  nineteen  years  old,  and  his  wife 
is  also  a  member  of  the  same  church.  Mr.  Zahn  was  the  first  Postmaster 
in  Jackson  Township,  having  charge  of  the  office  at  Energy. 


LIBERTY    TOWNSHIP. 

CALVIN  C.  ARMFIELD,  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Liberty 
Township,  was  born  in  Guilford  County,  N.  C,  February  14, 
1821,  and  is  the  son  of  Solomon  and  Thankful  (Cimmons)  Armfield.  C. 
C.  Armfield  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  the  benefit  of  a  common 
school  education.  His  father  died  when  he  was  only  ten  years  of  age, 
and  he  worked  on  the  farm  until  he  was  nineteen,  when  he  bejjan  to  de- 
pend  on  himself.  la  1848,  he  moved  to  Henry  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
rented  land  until  the  fall  of  18"38,  at  which  time  he  removed  to  Howard 
County,  locating  in  Liberty  Township.  Here  he  purchased  forty  acres, 
which  he  cultivated  and  improved  until  1880,  when  he  located  on  his 
present  place.  Mr.  Armfield  was  married,  November  30,  181t),  to  Pen- 
ninah  Albirtireson,  of  North  Carolina.  They  had  six  children,  four  of 
whom  are  living — Joseph  W.,  Henry  H.,  Martha  E.  and  John  C.  Mrs. 
Armfield  died  in  1880,  and  the  same  year  Mr.  Armfield  was  married  to 
Mrs.  Cintha  E.  (Fulwider)  Gibson,  of  Howard  County.  She  was  born 
in  Decatur  July  20,  1844,  and  is  the  daughter  of  William  and  Judith 
(Miller)  Fulwider,  natives  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  and  of  German 
descent.  Mr.  Armfield  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 
Mrs.  Armfield  has  one  child  by  her  first  husband — Ira  E.  Gibson.  His 
father,  Samuel  M.  Gibson,  was  an  early  settler  in  this  county  and  a 
successful  farmer.     Mr.    Armfield  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party. 


454  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

He  is  a  strong  temperance  man  and  is  identified  with  all  public  improve- 
ments. 

DR.  L.  A.  BAGWELL,  a  native  of  Howard  County,  born  August 
26,  185G,  is  the  son  of  John  W.  and  Mary  (Ware) 'Bagwell,  both  natives 
of  this  State.  His  father  was  a  lawyer  and  teMcher,  and  died  in  the  prime 
of  life.  Dr.  Bagwell  was  left  an  orphan  when  but  a  small  boy,  and  lived 
with  his  grandfather  Bagwell  until  he  was  thirteen,  when  he  began  to 
work  out  on  farms  in  the  summer,  saving  his  earnings  that  he  might  at- 
tend school  in  the  winter.  He  studied  medicine  two  years  with  the  Scott 
Bros.,  and  after  this  bought  such  books  as  he  could  afford.  He  read  and 
studied  alone  until  the  fall  of  1881,  when  he  entered  the  Fort  Wayne 
Medical  College  and  graduated  with  honors  the  following  spring.  He 
then  located  at  Green  town,  and  began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  the 
vicinity  where  he  has  lived  for  thirteen  years.  He  has  been  quite  success- 
ful, working  up  a  good  practice  in  the  best  families  of  his  township.  Mr. 
Bagwell  was  married,  January  26,  1877,  to  Miss  Mary  Ooty  Thrasher, 
of  Howard  County ;  four  children  blessed  this  union — Zalla,  Myrtle,  Mary 
Pearl  and  Willie.  Mr.  Bagwell  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  an  active  worker  in  the  Republican  party.  He  is  one  of  the  School 
Trustees  of  the  township,  and  has  been  Councilman  two  terms.  He  is  a 
truly  self-made  man,  has  educated  himself,  and  by  industry  has  obtained 
a  good  home. 

DANIEL  BARRETT  is  the  son  of  Jesse  and  Margaret  (Curry) 
Barrett,  natives  of  West  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania,  both  of  English 
descent.  His  father  located  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  in  1805,  and 
was  surveyor  of  that  county  for  twenty-one  years.  He  came  to  this 
county  in  1851,  locating  in  Liberty  Township,  where  he  remained  until 
his  death.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  September  12,  1828,  in 
Highland  County,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  twenty-eight 
years  of  age.  He  spent  his  youth  working  on  the  farm,  and  received  a 
good  common  school  education.  He  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents 
in  1851,  and  received  a  farm  of  forty  acres.  He  has  since  added  to  this, 
until  now  he  has  290  acres  of  the  best  land  in  the  county,  with  all  the 
modern  improvements.  He  is  an  energetic,  wide-awake  farmer,  and  has 
accumulated  his  property  through  his  own  efforts.  He  was  married, 
September  22,  1847,  to  Miss  Hannah  Chandler,  daughter  of  Eli  and 
Mary  (Horner)  Chandler,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German  and 
English  descent.  Four  children  crowned  this  union — William  C,  John 
C.  (deceased),  Roseann  Williams  and  Mary  E.  Manring.  Mr.  Barrett 
cast  his  first  vote  with  the  Whig  parly,  but  has  since  voted  the  Repub- 
lican ticket.  In  the  fall  of  1878,  he  was  elected  County  Commissioner  and 
served  in  that  capacity  three  years.  He  is  one  of  the  party's  most  active 
workers  and  he  and  wife  are  identified  with  the  Society  of  Friends. 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP. 


455 


SAMUEL  F.  BRANNEN  was  born  in  Bartholomew  County,    Ind., 
October  26,  1842,  and  was  the  fourth  of  twelve  children  born  to  Thomas 
and  Elizabeth  (Fulwider)  Brannen,  natives  of  Virginia.      Thomas   Bran- 
nen  located  in  Wabash  County,  Ind.,  in  an  early  day,  there  married,  and 
reared  a  family  of  twelve  children,  after  which  his  wife  died.       In    1830, 
he  located  in  Bartholomew  County,  where  he  again  married.      The  result 
of  this  union  was  twelve  children.      Mr.  Brannen   died  in    Bartholomew 
County  in  1859,  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven.    He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war 
of  1812,  and  participated  in  the  battle  at  Waterloo,  and  Horse  Shoe  Bend. 
He  was  a  Jackson  Democrat,  and  of  the  Presbyterian  faith  ;  his  widow  is 
still  living,  aged  seventy-three,  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.     Samuel 
F.  Brannen,  being  born  of  poor  parents,  attended  but  one  winter  term  of 
school,   but  worked  at  home  and  helped  to  take  care  of  the   family.       He 
worked  out  for  a  time  and  gave  his  wages  for  the  family's  support.     April 
27,  1861,   he  enlisted  in   the  three  months'  service,   but  the  quota  was 
filled  ere  he  was  mustered,  consequently  he  returned  home.       The  follow- 
ing September  he  enlisted  in  the   three  years'   service,  in   Company  G, 
Sixth    Regiment     Indiana     Volunteer    Infantry.       This    company    was 
part    of  the    Third   Division    of    the    Fourteenth    Army    Corps    of  the 
Cumberland.     They  engaged  in  the  battle   at  Shiloh,  siege  of  Corinth, 
Decatur,  Ala.,  Stone  River  and  Chickamauga.     After  this,  he  was  com- 
missioned First  Corporal  in  reward  for  capturing  seven  rebels.       He  par- 
ticipated in  battle  at  Mission  Ridge,  after  which  he  joined    Burnside,    at 
Knoxville,  and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  march   to   the  sea.       May    15, 
1864,  in  the  battle  of  Resaca,  a  shot  entered  his  left  thigh  and  broke  the 
bone.       This  was  done  on  a  charge,  and  after  he  fell,  he  reloaded  his  gun 
and  shot  the  color  bearer,  after  which  he  retreated  on  one  foot.     The  fol- 
lowing September  he  joined  his  regiment  at  Indianapolis,  and  was  honorably 
discharged,  after  serving  three  yeai's   and  four  months.       He   returned 
home,  and  was  married,  March  12,  1865,  to  Louisiana  Fowler,  of  Barthol- 
omew County,  born  September  28,  1843.     They  have  had  eight  children, 
six  of  whom  are  living— Ulysses  S.,  Carrie  M.,  Erastus  S.,    John  Perry, 
Stella  F.,  and  Ellis.     Mr.  Brannen  located  in   Liberty  Township,   How- 
ard   County,   in   1865,   renting  land  a  few  years,   after  which   he  pur- 
chased a  small  tract  of  land,  and  four  years  later  he  located  in  Greentown. 
After  living  here  four  years,  he  purchased  his  present  home  of  sixty  acres, 
which  he  has  well  improved  with  good  fences.       He  has  followed   butch- 
ering for  years,  and  has  slaughtered  about  4,000  cattle.     He  has  through 
labor  and  economy  made  a  good  home,  and  at  present  owns  102  acres  of 
land.     He  served  for  two  years  as  Supervisor,  and  one  year  as  Constable. 
He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  New  Light  Church,  and  he  is  a   Repub- 
lican in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 


466  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

CHARLTON  BULL  is  a  native  of  Greene  County,  Ohio.  He  was 
born  in  1847,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm.  He  remained  at  home  until 
1861,  when  he  attended  school  for  three  years  at  the  Xenia  (Ohio) 
Academy.  After  leaving  school,  he  enlisted  in  the  Sixtieth  Regiment 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  discharged  at  Camp  Chase,  Ohio,  in 
1864.  After  he  came  home,  he  again  attended  school  at  Xenia,  Ohio, 
and  the  following  spring  commenced  work  in  a  photograph  gallery,  con- 
tinuing in  this  business  until  the  summer  of  1865,  when  he  came  to  How- 
ard County  and  worked  in  a  saw  mill,  and  in  1866  began  teaching 
school.  He  commenced  reading  law  in  1871,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1879.  He  is  at  present  engaged  in  school  teaching  in  the  Green- 
town  graded  schools.  Mr.  Bull  was  married  in  1869  to  Miss  Mary  E. 
Zerbe,  of  Howard  County.  They  have  had  four  children,  two  of  whom 
are  living — Nina  E.  and  William  S.  Mr.  Bull  also  attends  to  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession,  being  at  this  time  the  only  attorney  in  Greentown. 
He  is  one  of  the  rising  young  men  of  Howard  County. 

AMOS  A.  COVALT,  a  physician  of  Greentown,  was  a  son  of 
Jonathan  and  Rachel  (Fritts)  Covalt,  of  German  and  Irish  descent.  He 
was  born  in  Brown  County,  Ohio,  May  6,  1846,  and  was  reared  on  a 
farm.  In  1863,  he  enlisted  in  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Cavalry,  Company  G,  as  a  private.  He  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  and  was  mustered  out  in  1865,  by  special  order.  He  became  dis- 
abled in  November,  1864,  but  remained  at  his  post  of  duty  until  he  was 
discharged.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Nashville,  the  siege  of  Mobile,  and 
also  Decatur.  His  parents  moved  to  Grant  County,  Ind.,  in  1856,  and 
cleared  a  farm  of  120  acres.  Mr.  Covalt  commenced  the  study  of  medi- 
cine in  1866,  reading  with  J.  T.  Scott,  and  graduated  in  1869  at  Rush 
Medical  College  of  Chicago.  The  following  spring,  he  commenced 
practice  at  Greentown,  where  he  has  remained  ever  since.  He  now  has 
as  large  a  practice  as  any  physician  in  the  village.  Mr.  Covalt  is  a  mem- 
ber in  good  standing  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  Masonic  fraternity.  He 
was  married,  in  1^69,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Markland,  a  native  of  Ohio. 
They  have  had  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — Raleigh  W.  and 
Leila  B.  Mr.  Covalt  has  always  been  a  friend  to  education,  and  has 
been  a  member  of  the  School  Board  for  two  terms.  He  has  always  voted 
the  Republican  ticket,  and  takes  an  active  part  in  politics.  He  now 
owns  seventy  acres  of  good  farm  land  in  Liberty  Township. 

ABRAHAM  E.  CURLEE  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ky., 
October  21,  1841,  and  was  the  third  of  eight  children  born  to  Samuel 
M.  and  Susan  S.  (Little)  Curlee,  of  French  and  German  descent.  S.  M. 
Curlee  was  reared  in  South  Carolina,  and  when  grown  came  to  Kentucky, 
where  he  was  married  and  lived  until  1849,  when  he  removed  to  Indiana, 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP.  457 

locating  on  a  rented  farm  in  Johnson  County.  In  the  fall  of  1857,  thej 
removed  to  Jasper  County,  where  they  lived  two  years  and  a  half,  after 
which  they  located  in  this  county,  again  renting  land.  October  18, 
1863,  Mr.  Curlee  died,  a  member  of  the  Whig  party  and  of  the  Christian 
Church.  His  wife  is  now  living  with  her  son,  Abraham  Curlee,  and  is 
sixty-three  years  of  age.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  receiving  a  limited  education.  In  August,  18(32,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  K,  Sixty-third  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a 
private.  His  first  duty  was  guarding  a  railroad  in  Kentucky,  and  later 
he  was  under  Gen.  Sherman's  command.  His  first  engagement  was  at 
Resaca,  after  which  he  marched  on  with  Sherman  to  Atlanta,  participat- 
ing in  many  hard-fought  battles;  later  engaged  in  the  battle  at  Columbia 
and  the  siege  of  Nashville.  They  followed  Hood  to  the  Tennessee  River, 
at  which  place  they  took  boat  for  Cincinnati,  thence  by  rail  to  Alexandria, 
Ala.,  thence  by  sea  to  the  mouth  of  Cape  Fear  River.  Later  they  as- 
sisted in  taking  Anderson  and  Fort  Wilmington,  N.  C,  after  which  they 
were  marched  south,  and  at  Goldsboro,  N.  C,  Gen.  Thomas  and 
Gen.  Sherman  met,  and  moved  on  to  Raleigh,  where  Johnston  surren- 
dered. He  was  also  in  the  battles  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Jonesboro,  Cass- 
ville,  Lost  Mountain,  Town  Creek,  Chattahoochie,  Buzzard  Roost 
and  Wilmington.  Mr.  Curlee,  with  his  regiment,  was  sent  to  Indianapo- 
lis, and  honorably  discharged  July  3,  1865.  He  farmed  after  the  war, 
in  Howard  County,  on  rented  land,  until  1875,  when  he  purchased  his 
present  farm  of  fifty-six  acres,  which  includes  the  mill  property  known 
as  the  Dorman  Mill.  He  has  had  charge  of  the  mill  ever  since,  and 
his  property  is  valued  at  $6,000.  He  was  married,  October  1,  1873,  to 
Miss  Margaret  Rich,  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  April  5,  1850.  She  is 
the  daughter  of  Davis  and  Margaret  Rich.  Three  children  have  blessed 
this  union — Eliza  (deceased),  Edna  and  Emmor  R.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Curlee 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  Mr.  Curlee  is  a  member  of 
the  L  0.  0.  F. 

C.  M.  FIFER  is  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  W.  Va.,  and 
was  born  May  4,  1821.  His  parents,  John  and  Mary  (Tacket)  Fifer, 
were  natives  of  Monroe  County,  Va.  John  Fifer  came  West  to  Middle- 
town,  Henry  County,  Ind.,  in  1830.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  in  the 
year  1847,  became  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  was  discharged 
in  August,  1848.  He  was  Orderly  Sergeant  of  Company  H,  Fifth 
Indiana  Regiment,  the  Colonel  of  the  regiment  being  James  H.  Lane. 
Mr.  Fifer  was  married,  in  1850,  to  Matilda  Robey,  in  Henry  County, 
Ind.  She  died  November  20,  1880,  leaving  three  children — Mary  E.^ 
William  R.  and  Alice  M,,  all  of  whom  are  living  in  Greentown.  Mr. 
F.  came  to  Howard  County  in   October,  1850,  and  entered   eightv  acres 


458  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

of  land  in  Union  Township,  and  lived  there  seven  years,  when  he  moved 
into  Jackson  Township;  taught  school  seven  years  ;  he  was  one  among 
the  first  teachers  of  Howard  County.  Since  then,  he  has  been  a  resident 
of  Liberty  Township  most  of  the  time,  his  principal  occupations  being 
fiu-ming  and  mercantile  trade.  In  1870,  he  had  a  severe  attack  of  ty- 
phoid fever,  whicli  left  him  with  a  crippled  hand ;  he  has  been  an  indus- 
trious man,  and  has  done  much  in  building  up  the  county.  In  1882,  he 
was  elected  Township  Trustee  on  the  Democratic  ticket  in  a  strongly  Re- 
publican township  ;  he  had  a  majority  of  sixty-seven  and  ran  117  ahead 
of  his  ticket.  Mr.  Fifer  has,  for  twenty  years,  been  a  member  of  the 
old  denomination  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Fifer  has  one  brother 
in  Henry  County,  Rev.  E.  Fifer,  who  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  has  been  preaching  for  the  last  forty  years.  Mr.  Fifer  is 
now  living  a  retired  life  in  Greentown. 

JONATHAN  FISHER  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Penn.,  June 
7,  1815,  and  is  the  youngest  of  three  children  born  to  John  and  Hannah 
(Berriner)  Fisher.  John  Fisher  was  born  in  Hesse-Cassel,  Germany,  and 
was  one  of  the  Hessian  soldiers  under  the  British  Government;  he  was 
under  Gen.  Cornwallis,  and  was  taken  prisoner  by  Gen.  AVashington  in 
the  Revolutionary  war.  When  he  was  set  free,  he  located  in  Bedford 
County,  Penn.,  and  there  twice  married,  reared  a  family  of  fifteen  chil- 
dren and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Our  subject  was  reared  upon 
the  farm,  and  having  lost  his  father  when  he  was  quite  young,  he  removed 
with  his  mother  to  Henry  County,  Ind.,  in  1832,  remaining  about  two 
years  at  home  with  his  step-father,  Jacob  Houser;  he  then  worked  as  an 
apprentice  at  the  carpenter's  trade  for  two  years,  when  he  began  to  take 
contracts  for  himself.  A  few  years  later,  he  moved  into  Delaware  County, 
and  was  there  married,  August  11,  1836,  to  Miss  Rachel  Howell,  a  na- 
tive of  Wayne  County.  They  have  had  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  are 
living — Calvin,  Mary  A.,  William,  Louisa,  Marilla,  Eli  C.  and  Susan  I. 
Mr.  Fisher  located  in  Howard  County,  Ind.,  November  6,  1846,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1849  he  went  on  foot  to  Ft.  Wayne  to  enter  eighty  acres 
of  land  which  he  had  preempted.  He  was  among  the  large  hunters,  and' 
the  first  year  lived  on  the  profits  of  hunting;  he  killed  in  all  125  deer, 
and  as  soon  as  he  could  get  work  at  his  trade,  abandoned  hunting  and 
worked  until  his  health  failed.  Mr.  Fisher  enlisted.  May  24,  1861,  in 
Company  A,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-seventh  Indiana  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, and  was  mustered  in  at  Indianapolis.  He  marched  South  to  Duck 
River  Bridge,  in  Tennessee,  where  he  was  on  guard  duty  five  months, 
when  he  was  honorably  discharged.  Mrs.  Fisher  died  April  8,  1878, 
and  Mr.  Fisher  was  shortly  after  married  to  his  present  wife,  Mrs.  Mar- 
garet   (Weimer)    Jones.     Three    children    bless    this    union — Jonathan, 


LIBERIT  TOWNSHIP.  469 

Stella  and  Frederick  D.  Mr.  Fisher  and  wife  are  members  of  the  New 
Light  Church  ;  he  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Gen.  Harrison,  in 
1836,  and  has  voted  with  the  Republican  party  of  late  years;  he  has 
been  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Liberty  ToAvnship  on  term,  Constable  three 
terms,  and  Supervisor  one  year.  Mr.  Fisher  has  resided  in  Greentown 
for  a  number  of  years,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  Liberty  Town- 
ship. 

A.  B.  FOREMAN  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  August  28, 
1828,  and  was  the  son  of  Harrison  and  Mary  (Sanders)  Foreman,  na- 
tives of  Virginia,  and  of  German  and  English  descent.  They  were  pio- 
neers of  Fayette  County,  and  in  1838  located  in  Henry  County  on  a 
farm.  Mrs.  Foreman  here  died  in  1842,  and  Mr.  Foreman  was  married 
to  Ann  Woollen,  of  Henry  County.  In  1854,  he  moved  to  this  county, 
where  he  lived  a  farmer  until  his  death  in  1868.  His  wife  still  resides  on 
the  home  farm.  Our  subject  worked  on  the  farm  and  attended  school 
until  he  was  twenty-one,  when  he  rented  the  home  farm,  and  September 
20,  1849,  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Woollen,  who  was  born  in  Henry 
County,  Ind.,  March  9,  1832,  and  was  the  daughter  of  William  and 
Amelia  Woollen.  They  have  had  ten  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — 
William  H.,  a  farmer  in  Nuckolls  County,  Neb.,  and  Louisa  A.,  wife  of 
William  Powell,  a  Howard  County  farmer.  Mr.  Foreman  came  to  this 
county  in  1854,  and  soon  purchased  forty  acres  of  unimproved  land,  and 
two  years  later  bought  his  present  home  of  eighty  acres,  which  he  has 
cultivated  and  improved,  and  upon  which  he  has  erected  good  frame  build- 
ings. Mr.  Foreman  enlisted  in  1864,  in  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and 
Forty-second  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a  private  ;  his 
company  was  in  the  siege  of  Nashville,  and  later  did  a  great  amount  of 
skirmishing.  On  July,  1865,  he  was  honorably  discharged,  when  he 
returned  home  and  took  up  farming.  Mr.  Foreman  is  an  active  member 
of  the  Republican  party,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  ;  he  has  been  a  liberal  supporter  of  all  public  enter- 
prises, and  benevolent  purposes,  and  is  a  worthy  citizen  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  lives. 

NATHAN  FREEMAN  was  born  in  Randolph  County,  Ind.,  August 
17,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  Nathan  and  Mary  (Buckingham)  Freeman, 
both  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  of  English  descent.  Nathan  Free- 
man was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  the  benefits  of  a  common  school 
education.  When  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  he  moved  with  his  parents 
to  Howard  County  ;  he  bought  of  his  father  eighty  acres  in  Union  Town- 
ship, November,  1850,  for  the  sum  of  ^1,000.  They  lived  upon  that 
six  years,  and  in  the  fall  of  1858  they  purchased  their  present  home,  then 
containing  sixty-seven  and  one-half  acres.     On  this  was  situated  the  first 


460  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

frame  dwelling  built  in  this  section  of  the  county.  In  the  year  1882,  they 
moved  into  a  fine  large  frame  dwelling,  built  the  same  year.  Mr.  Free- 
man was  among  the  first  settlers  of  this  county,  coming  here  when  the 
deer,  bear,  turkey  and  wild  hog  were  among  the  wild  game.  Mr.  F.  is 
an  active  worker  in  the  Republican  ranks,  and  has  held  the  office  of  School 
Director  ;  he  is  a  prominent  society  man  and  a  leader  in  the  Society  of 
Friends.  He  was  married,  April  15,  1852,  to  Miss  Anna  Rich,  born  in 
Randolph  County,  N.  C,  May  8,  1831,  and  daughter  of  William  and 
Sarah  (Elliott)  Rich,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  Ten  children  have 
blessed  this  union,  eight  of  whom  are  living — Sarah,  Joshua  B.,  Obadiah, 
Daniel,  William  A.,  Elizabeth,  Nathan  T.  and  Anna  M.  Mr.  Free- 
man and  family  are  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  Mrs.  Freeman 
taught  the  first  school  south  of  Wild  Cat  in  this  part  of  the  county,  and 
three  of  her  children  have  made  a  success  of  the  teacher's  profession. 

J.  W.  GOLDING,  of  the  firm  of  Howell  &  Golding,  was  born  in 
Howard  County  December  31,  1851,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and  Su- 
sana  (Howell)  Golding,  both  natives  of  Indiana  ;  his  parents  came  to  this 
county  while  they  were  young,  and  were  here  married,  February  12, 
1850.  They  were  numbered  among  the  pioneers  of  this  county,  and  here 
lived  a  farmer's  life,  except  four  years,  v»hich  were  spent  in  Wisconsin. 
David  Golding  entered  forty  acres  of  land,  which  he  improved  ;  he  also 
had  an  interest  in  a  saw  mill  for  five  years,  and  later  in  life  gave  his 
entire  attention  to  farming;  he  was  a  Republican  in  principle,  and  was 
a  liberal  supporter  of  all  benevolent  purposes.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Wesleyan  Methodist  Church,  and  was  a  worthy  citizen  and  representative 
man.  He  died  December  19,  1877,  and  his  wife  yet  survives  and  now 
lives  with  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  J.  W.  Golding  received  a  good 
education,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  began  teaching ;  he  taught  five  terms, 
and  during  the  intervals  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade.  After  the  death 
of  his  father,  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  tile  in  company  with 
James  Groves.  This  partnership  existed  until  August,  1880,  when  M. 
G.  Howell  became  successor  to  J.  Groves,  and  the  business  has  been  in- 
creased so  that  it  stands  second  in  the  list  of  tile  manufacturers  of  How- 
ard County.  Mr.  Golding  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Republican  ranks, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Central  Committee  ;  he  is  also  a  member  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church. 

LUTHER  S.  GRAY,  ex-County  Auditor,  is  a  native  of  Warren 
County,  Ohio,  and  was  born  in  1824,  His  parents,  Lemuel  and  Mary 
(Roberts)  Gray,  natives  of  New  Jersey,  were  early  settlers  of  Ohio,  com- 
ing to  that  State  in  1809.  His  grandfather,  Daniel  Gray,  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  was  a  strong,  healthy  man,  never  having 
a  spell  of  sickness  in  his  life,  and  lived  to  the  good  old  age  of  ninety-five. 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP.  461 

He  always  lived  an  examplary  Christian  life,  and  although  not  united 
with  any  church,  he  always  held  family  worship.  His  last  words  were 
that  he  had  lived  a  good  many  years,  and  the  future  had  nothing  but 
peace  for  him.  Luther  S.  Gray  came  to  Howard  Count}'  in  1852,  lo- 
cating in  Greentown,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  until  1866,  when  he 
discontinued  that  business  on  account  of  his  health.  In  1849,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Rebecca  Oxley,  of  Wayne  County,  Ind.  The  result  of 
this  union  has  been  fifteen  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living — Jessie  L., 
Luther  0..  Julia  E.,  William  R.,  John  H.,  Marietta  R.,  Warren  E.  and 
Clara  B.  In  1867,  Mr.  Gray  was  elected  County  Auditor,  and  in  the 
fall  of  1870  was  re-elected.  He  served  seven  years,  having  resigned  be- 
fore his  terra  expired,  on  account  of  ill  health.  He  has  held  the  office  of 
Township  Trustee  for  six  years,  and  four  years  has  been  Clerk  of  the 
Township,  having  no  opposition.  These  offices  have  been  given  him  with- 
out any  solicitation  on  his  part.  When  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  he  joined 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  but  four  and  a  half  years  later  he  with- 
drew and  united  with  the  United  Brethren  Church.  His  reasons  for  the 
change  were  his  views  of  baptism  and  the  anti-slavery  question.  His 
wife  is  also  a  member  of  this  church.  Mr.  Gray  has  been  in  poor  health 
for  a  number  of  years,  and  has  retired  from  business.  He  is  a  highly  re- 
spected citizen,  and  a  man  of  Christian  principles  and  integrity. 

ANDREW  J.  GRIFFIN,  born  in  North  Carolina,  February  16,  1837, 
is  the  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Perry)  Griffin,  natives  of  North  Carolina 
There  his  mother  died,  and  in  1850  his  father  located  in  Henry  County, 
Ind.,  on  a  farm,  where  he  died  a  few  years  later.  Andrew  J.  Griffin 
worked  on  the  farm  and  went  to  school  until  his  father's  death,  and  at 
the  age  of  seventeen  began  to  work  for  wages.  August  11,  1862,  he  was 
mustered  into  service  at  Indianapolis,  in  the  Thirteenth  Armv  Corps, 
Company  I,  Sixty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a 
private.  His  regiment  participated  in  the  following  hard-fought  battles  : 
Richmond,  Chickasaw  Bluff,  Arkansas  Post,  Port  Gibson,  Champion  Hill, 
Black  River  R.  R.  Bridge  and  siege  of  Vicksburg,  where  his  regiment 
was  ordered  to  meet  Gen.  Johnston  at  Black  River.  After  the  siege,  his 
regiment  joined  the  main  army,  and  drove  Gen.  Johnston  into  Jackson, 
where  after  three  days'  fight  he  evacuated  Jackson  in  the  night,  and  the 
Thirteenth  Corps  returned  to  Vicksburg,  thence  to  Carrollton,  La.  Sub- 
sequently they  went  to  Indianola,  after  which  they  joined  Gen.  Banks, 
on  Red  River  ;  later,  they  were  on  detailed  duty  for  four  weeks  to  keep 
open  the  Mississippi  River.  They  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Mobile  Bay, 
after  which  they  captured  the  city  on  a  charge.  After  visiting  a  num 
ber  of  places,  they  returned  to  Mobile,  where  they  were  discharged  July 
5,  1865.     Mr.  Griffin    was  promoted    as  First  Corporal  in  March,  1863, 


462  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

and  the  following  April,  was  promoted  as  Fourth  Sergeant,  and  Second 
Sergeant  when  ho  was  raustereil  out.  lie  returned  home  to  Henry  County, 
where  he  worked  on  the  farm  until  August,  18G6,  when  he  took  a  con- 
tract to  build  a  turnpike  of  one  mile.  January  1,  1867,  he  purchased  a 
druof  and  grocery  store  in  Greentown,  and  soon  added  boots  and  shoes 
and  notions,  carrying  a  stock  of  $4,000.  He  was  quite  successful  in 
business,  and  May,  1882,  he  sold  out,  and  now  owns  a  good  farm  near 
Kokorao,  and  one  in  Clinton  County,  having  accumulated  about  $1,800 
worth  of  property.  Mr.  G.  was  married,  in  1868,  to  Miss  Sarah  Willits, 
daughter  of  James  and  Rebecca  (Lindley)  Willits.  They  have  four  chil- 
(iren — Florence  A.,  Oliver  Oren,  Albert  L.  and  William  Franklin.  Mr. 
Griffin  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
and  I.  0.  0.  F.  He  was  Post  Commander  of  the  G.  A.  R.  He  is 
a  worthy  citizen,  and  a  liberal  supporter  of  all  public  enterprises.  Mrs. 
Griffin  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

BRANSON  HALL  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  March  4,  1835, 
and  was  one  of  six  children  born  to  Stephen  and  Mariam  (Wells)  Hall, 
both  of  English  descent.  This  family  came  to  Henry  County  in  an  early 
dav«  and  secured  for  themselves  a  home  out  of  the  forest.  Mrs.  Mariam 
Hall  died  in  1842,  when  Mr.  Hall  married  Abigail  Bundy,  and  in  1852 
removed  with  his  family  to  this  county,  locating  at  Greentown  ;  he  is  now 
a  resident  of  Marshall  County.  Branson  Hall  worked  on  his  father's 
farm  until  he  arrived  at  his  majority;  he  then  worked  out  by  the  month 
on  a  farm  in  Henry  County,  laboring  three  years  for  one  man. 
He  was  married,  January  1,  1860,  to  Miss  Margaret  E.  Risk,  of  Henry 
County.  She  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  born  October  16,  1834,  and  was 
the  daughter  of  John  Risk,  of  English  descent.  Three  children  have 
blessed  this  union — Charles  M.  (deceased),  Laura  (deceased)  and  John  S. 
Soon  after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Hall  located  in  this  township,  where  he  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  unimproved  land,  and  afcerward  exchanged  this  for 
fifty-one  acres,  with  fair  improvements.  In  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
D,  Thirty-sixth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  soon 
marched  into  the  South,  where  he  was  taken  sick,  and  after  being  out 
nine  months  was  discharged ;  he  returned  home,  and  in  October,  1863, 
having  regained  his  health,  he  agian  enlisted,  in  Company  E  ;  he  then  went 
into  camp  at  Camp  Carrington,  where  they  were  assigned  to  the  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  Regiment  (Eleventh  Indiana  Volunteer  Cav- 
alry), and  participated  in  the  battle  at  Nashville,  after  which  he  joined  the 
Army  of  the  West;  he  was  on  guard  duty  during  the  remainder  of  serv- 
ice, and  was  mustered  out  at  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  August,  1865  ;  he  re- 
ceived one  promotion,  from  private  to  Third  Sergeant ;  he  was  quite  fortu- 
nate during  service,  with  the  exception  of  a  fall  at  Nashville,  fracturing 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP.  463 

his  arm  ;  he  returned  home  and  began  farming  on  the  place  where  he 
now  lives  ;  it  has  ninety-three  acres,  has  good  buildings,  is  well  ditched, 
and  is  one  of  the  best  wheat  farms  in  the  township.  Mr.  Hall  is  a  public- 
spirited  man,  and  has  served  as  Township  Assessor  three  terms.  In  the 
spring  of  1882,  he  was  elected  Road  Superintendent  by  the  Republican 
party  ;  he  stands  prominent  in  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  I.  0.  0.  F., 
and  he  and  wife  are  active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

L.  M.  HERRlNGTONwasbornatMapletown,  Greene  Co.,  Penn., 
July  22,  1857,  of  Scotch-Irish  and  Dutch  parents,  lie  resided  in  Maple- 
town  until  1864,  when  his  parents  moved  into  Fayette  County,  of  the 
same  State^  but  returned  to  Greene  County  in  1867,  locating  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Davistown  ;  his  parents  again  removed  to  Fayette  County  in 
1873,  and  the  father  and  sons  secured  labor  at  the  coke  works,  near  Broad 
Ford,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  labored  until  1877,  when,  through 
the  advice  of  John  C.  Barr,  of  the  Pittsburgh  Post,  he  determined  to  re- 
enter'school.  Accordingly,  he  attended  a  graded  school  in  Greene  County, 
Penn.,  for  a  period  of  two  years,  working  during  vacation  at  the  works  ; 
he  taught  school  at  Broad  Ford  the  winter  of  1879-80,  refused  to  teach 
the  succeeding  term,  and  again  repaired  to  the  works,  where  he  remained 
until  June,  1880.  He  was  appointed  Census  Enumerator,  and  completed 
the  work  of  his  home  township.  In  July.  1880,  he  went  to  Valparaiso, 
Ind.,  and  graduated  from  the  Northern  Indiana  Normal  School  in  1881, 
after  which  he  was  employed  in  Chicago,  in  the  clothing  trade  for  James 
Wilde,  Jr.,  &  Co.,  and  H.  Hart  &  Bro.  In  November,  1881,  he  came  to 
Greentown  to  accept  the  Principalship  of  the  schools.  Mr.  Herrington 
is  an  excellent  teacher  and  worthy  citizen ;  is  well  liked  by  his  patrons, 
and  is  a  credit  to  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 

TENSE  HOWELL  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  Ind.,  September 
24,  1828,  and  was  the  son  of  John  and  Jane  (Lindley)  Howell,  both  na- 
tives of  North  Carolina ;  his  mother  died  when  he  was  only  eight  years 
of  age,  and  he  went  to  live  with  his  grandfather  Lindley,  in  Wayne  County, 
Ind.;  he  worked  on  a  farm  and  attended  the  country  schools  until  he  was 
fifteen  years  old,  when  he  began  working  <js  an  apprentice  to  the  carpen- 
ter's trade.  This  he  continued  four  years,  and  in  the  spring  of  1818, 
came  to  this  county  and  engaged  in  farm  work.  The  following  fall,  he 
entered  forty  acres  of  land  on  which  he  built  a  log  house ;  he  improvetl 
this  farm  and  sold  it,  afterward  buying  eighty  acres,  during  the  mean- 
time engaging  in  the  saw  mill  business.  In  1869,  he  sold  his  eighty-acre 
farm  and  purchased  his  present  home  of  160  acres,  which  he  has  im- 
proved, and  from  which  he  has  cut  large  quantities  of  lumber  ;  he  has 
at  intervals  run  the  saw  mill,  and  had  the  misfortune  to  have  the  boiler 
burst   while   the   mill  was   in   operation.     One    son  was    scalded   badly? 


464  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

causing  his  death,  and  Mr.  Howell  was  badly  burned,  but  by  good  care 
recovered.  Mr.  Howell  started  in  life  a  poor  boy,  but  has  made  for  him- 
self and  family  a  good  home.  He  for  years  made  a  specialty  of  hunting 
coons  and  mink,  which  made  hira  good  wages,  and  he  has  killed  nearly 
one  hundred  deer  ;  he  has  been  an  active  politician  in  the  Republican 
ranks  ;  he  was  married,  October  19,  1848,  to  Miss  Eleanor  Golding,  of 
Howard  Township,  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  February  16,  1833  ; 
she  was  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  Golding,  both  natives  of  North 
Carolina  and  of  English  descent.  This  union  was  blessed  with  twelve 
children — Mary  E.,  Matthew  G.,  Sarah  C,  Calvin  M.  (deceased),  Viola 
L.,  Emma  J.  (deceased),  Ida  B.,  Elnora,  William  C,  Charles  R.  (de- 
ceased), Albertie  (deceased),  infant  (deceased).  Mrs.  Howell  died  in  1875, 
and  Mr.  Howell,  July  15,  1877,  was  married  to  Mrs.  Maria  (Cox)  Stan- 
ley, who  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Ind.,  in  1840.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Howell  are  members  of  the  German  Baptist  Church. 

MATTHEW  G.  HOWELL,  of  the  firm  of  Howell  &  Golding,' man- 
ufacturers of  tile  and  brick,  was  born  in  Howard  County,  April  14, 
1852,  and  is  the  son  of  Tense  Howell,  of  this  county  ;  he  lived  upon  the 
farm  until  he  was  thirteen,  when  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  saw  mill,  and 
being  a  natural  mechanic,  he  made  a  success  in  this  business  ;  he  received  a 
limited  education,  and  at  the  ao;e  of  nineteen  beijan  working;  for  himself. 
He  owned  a  saw  mill  for  five  years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming 
until  August,  1880.  when  he  began  to  manufacture  tile  in  company  with 
Mr.  Golding,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000.  The  following  year  they  manu- 
factured 115,200  tiles,  keeping  in  their  employ  two  hands  eight  months 
per  year.  Mr.  Howell  is  a  hard-working,  industrious  man,  is  a  stanch 
supporter  of  Republican  principles,  and  has  held  minor  offices  of  his  town- 
ship ;  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lucretia  Nation,  of  Howard  County,  Ind. 
She  is  the  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  J.  Nation,  natives  of  Wayne 
County,  Ind.,  and  of  English  and  German  descent ;  the  result  of  this 
marriage  was  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — William  L.  apd 
Goldie.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howell  are  active  members  of  the  U.  B.  Church. 

T.  C.  JACKSON  was  born  in  Randolph  County,  Ind.,  February  23, 
1842,  and  was  the  son  of  Jefferson  and  Rachel  (Bales)  Jackson,  both  of 
English  descent.  Jefferson  Jackson  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and 
came  with  his  parents  to  Randolph  County,  Ind.,  where  he  afterward 
married.  In  1843,  he  removed  to  Michigan  and  remained  three  years; 
here  his  wife  died,  and  he  then  married  Miss  Rebecca  Mann.  Eight 
years  after  their  marriage,  she  died,  leaving  one  daughter,  Rachel,  and  in 
1858  he  was  married  to  his  present  wife,  Mrs.  Mary  (Johns)  Toll.  Two 
children  bless  this  union — Martha  A.  and  Jennie.  Mr.  Jackson  removed 
to     Howard    County    in    1848,    locating    in    Union     Township  ;     here 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP.  465 

he  cleared  sixty  acres  of  land,  built  a  log  cabin  and  resided  un- 
til 1882,  when  he  located  in  Grrant  County ;  from  1861  to  1864,  he 
was  Captain  of  the  Home  Guards  ;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  a  member  and  liberal  supporter  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  but  a  small  boy  when  his  father  came  to 
Howard  County  ;  he  worked  on  the  farm  until  1859,  when  he  went  into 
Wisconsin  and  labored  on  a  farm  for  $10  per  month.  At  the  age  of  nine- 
teen, he  was  mustered  into  the  Sixth  Battery  Light  Artillery,  of  Wiscon- 
sin ;  he  was  in  the  battle  at  New  Madrid,  Island  No,  10,  Shiloh,  Vicks- 
burg,  Chattanooga,  and  was  with  Sherman  through  to  Atlanta;  he  then 
returned  to  Nashville,  and  participated  in  the  battles  at  Rome,  Franklin 
and  Atlanta;  he  received  one  slight  scalp  wound  by  a  piece  of  shell  at 
Missionary  Ridge  ;  he  re-enlisted,  January  1,  1863,  at  Larkinsville,  Ala., 
and  was  honorably  discharged  at  Chattanooga  July  19,  1865 ;  he  imme- 
diately returned  to  this  county,  rented  land  and  began  ftirming  ;  he  started 
in  life  a  poor  boy,  but  through  economy  and  labor  he  has  made  a  good 
home  of  160  acres,  well  improved  with  good  buildings ;  he  is  an  active 
member  of  the  Republican  party  ;  he  was  married  in  1865  to  Miss  Mary 
J.  Ware,  daughter  of  Jesse  Ware;  she  was  born  August  2,  1847,  and  is 
an  active  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  JOHNSON  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  May  25, 1844, 
and  is  the  eldest  of  ten  children  born  to  David  and  Belinda  (Davis) 
Johnson,  of  English  and  German  descent ;  his  parents  were  married 
in  Henry  County  in  1842,  and  lived  there  until  1848,  when  they  located 
in  Howard  County  ;  his  father  entered  forty  acres  of  unimproved  land  in 
Liberty  Township,  erected  a  cabin,  and  began  to  clear  away  the  forest. 
David  Johnson  was  a  poor  man,  but  through  hard  labor  and  economy 
soon  had  plenty  around  him.  He  experienced  many  of  the  privations  of 
pioneer  life,  but  acquired  a  home  of  120  acres,  with  good  buildings  and 
improvements  ;  he  was  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  a  sup- 
porter of  all  benevolent  purposes  ;  he  died  March  5,  1877  ;  his  wife  still 
survives  him,  and  lives  on  the  home  farm.  John  Johnson  remained  at 
home  on  the  farm,  acquiring  a  common  school  education,  until  October, 
1864,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-second 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry ;  he  Avas  soon  marched  to  Nash- 
ville, where  he  was  on  post  duty,  remaining  until  the  close  of  the  war ; 
he  was  discharged  July  14,  1865,  after  which  he  returned  home.  March 
1.  1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  H.  Covalt,  of  Brown  County, 
Oliio.  She  was  born  in  1844,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Jonathan  Covalt. 
They  have  had  nine  children,  five  of  whom  are  living — Mary  M.,  Will- 
iam A.,  John  F.,  Pearl  and  Benjamin.  Mr.  Johnson  is  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Republican  party.  He  has  owned  three  different  farms,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1883  located  on  his  present  place  of  forty  acres. 


466  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

WILLIAM  JOHNSON  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives, 
September  30.  1848.  He  lived  at  home,  and  received  a  common-school 
education,  and  worked  on  the  farm  until  he  was  married,  December  19, 
1874,  to  Miss  Eliza  E.  Young,  of  Howard  County.  She  was  born  in 
Franklin  County,  Ind.,  August  3,  1855,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Eleanor  (Walker)  Young,  both  natives  of  England,  They  emi- 
grated to  America  in  1841,  locating  at  Philadelphia,  where  Mr.  Young 
followed  brush-making.  Thence  they  moved  to  Cincinnati,  and  later  lo- 
cated in  Franklin  County,  where  Mr.  Young  still  lives,  engaged  in  farm- 
ing ;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  has  reared  a  family  of 
eleven  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have 
three  children — Joseph  N.,  Dalton  and  Delmer.  twins.  Mr.  Johnson 
is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party  ;  he  was  elected  Township  Trustee 
in  the  spring  of  1880,  serving  one  term,  during  which  time  he  built  one 
brick  schoolhouse. 

E.  H.  JULOW  was  born  in  Denmark  August  12,  1831,  and  was 
the  youngest  of  ten  children  born  to  Frederick  and  Catherine  (Lang- 
horst)  Julow,  both  natives  of  Denmark,  and  of  German  descent.  Mr. 
Julow  attended  the  common  schools  until  he  was  sixteen,  when  he  was 
bound  as  an  apprentice  at  shoe-making,  and  during  this  period  was 
drafted  ;  he  served  one  year,  and  participated  in  many  hard-fought 
battles.  After  the  war,  he  finished  his  trade,  and  May  15,  1853,  left 
Hamburg,  Germany,  for  America  ;  he  had  been  drafted  in  the  regular 
army  the  previous  March,  and  was  expected  to  report  May  30,  but  he 
sailed  for  America  before  that  time:  he  landed  in  New  York  July  14, 
1853,  and  remained  one  year  in  the  city,  working  at  his  trade  ;  he  then 
worked  sixteen  months  in  Indianapolis,  after  which  he  came  to  Howard 
County,  located  in  Greentown,  and  engaged  in  ditching  until  1861,  when 
he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Thirty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry.  This  formed  a  part  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland ;  he  was 
in  battle  at  Stone  River  and  Chickamauga,  on  the  Rusan  raid,  on  Gen. 
Kilpatrick's  raid,  and  participated  in  the  engagement  at  Lovejoy.  He 
was  ready  to  report  at  roll  call,  except  while  on  detailed  duty.  He 
served  ten  months  as  nurse  in  the  General  Hospital,  No.  2,  Nashville, 
after  which  he  joined  his  regiment ;  he  Avas  considered  a  brave  and  hon- 
est soldier,  and  while  on  Gen.  Buell's  retreat,  he  was  requested  to  carry 
the  physician  field  case,  which  was  trusted  to  none  but  the  best  of  sol- 
diers;  he  was  honorably  discharged,  and  reached  home  October  1,  1864, 
when  he  located  on  his  present  place.  Mr.  Julow  is  an  industrious  farmer, 
and  the  last  nineteen  years  has  given  his  attention  to  farming  and  stock- 
raising  ;  he  started  in  life  a  poor  boy,  but  now  owns  120  acres  of  good, 
improved  land  ;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  is  a  liberal 


LIBERTY    TOWNSHIP.  467 

supporter  of  public  and  benevolent  enterprises.  Mr.  Julow  was  married, 
October  5,  1857,  to  Miss  Anna  L.  Gordon,  a  native  of  Ohio ;  she  died 
November  1,  1864,  leaving  three  small  children.  August  12,  1866,  Mr, 
Julow  married  Miss  Mary  Adams,  a  native  of  Wayne  County,  Ind.  ;  she 
died  August  10,  1868,  and  Mr.  Julow  married  his  present  wife,  Amelia 
Snyder,  April  25,  1869.  She  is  a  native  of  Germany ;  came  to  America 
in  infancy,  and  was  reared  in  Columbus,  Ohio.  The  result  of  this  union 
was  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  Mrs.  Julow  is  an  active 
member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 

JOSEPH  KENNEDY  was  born  in  Holmes  County,  Ohio,  August 
22,  1826,  and  is  the  only  son  of  a  family  of  six  children  born  to  David 
and  Magdalena  (Troyer)  Kennedy,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of 
Irish  and  German  descent.  David  Kennedy  removed  to  Ohio  in  his 
youth  and  followed  farming  ;  he  took  fmm  the  forest  a  farm  of  160  acres 
of  heavily  timbered  land,  and  just  as  he  had  plenty  around  him  he  died  in 
1839.  His  wife  lived  with  her  little  children  on  the  farm  four  years,  and 
then  removed  with  her  family  to  Iowa,  where,  two  years  later,  she  died. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kennedy  had  always  been  prominent  members  of  the  Amish 
Church.  Our  subject  remained  at  home  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of 
age,  and  received  a  limited  education.  He  never  studied  arithmetic  in 
his  life,  but  has  a  good  practical  education  ;  he  worked  by  the  month  on 
the  farm  in  Holmes  County,  saving  from  his  wages  $400,  with  which  he 
came  to  this  county  and  entered  eighty  acres  of  forest  land  in  the  spring 
of  1849.  The  following  spring  he  removed  to  Miami  County,  where  he 
raised  a  corn  crop,  and  in  December  following  located  on  the  farm  where 
he  now  lives,  owning  160  acres  ;  he  built  a  log  cabin  and  began  to  clear 
the  land.  He  no.w  owns  308  acres  of  fine  land,  with  good  house  and 
barn,  and  his  farm  is  well  drained.  Mr.  Kennedy  was,  in  early  life,  a 
Whig,  but  later  has  been  a  stanch  supporter  of  Republican  principles. 
He  was  married,  January  15,  1850,  to  Miss  Nancy  Lantz,  of  Wayne 
County,  Ohio,  born  April  3,  1825.  They  have  had  seven  children — 
Elizabeth,  David,  Mary,  Jeremiah,  John,  Joseph  (deceased)  and  Christo- 
pher. Mr.  Kennedy  is  a  liberal  supporter  of  all  public  enterprises,  and 
he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Amish  Church. 

PETER  KINGSEED  was  born  in  Germany  January  18,  1822,  and 
was  the  third  of  ten  children  born  to  Anthony  and  Margaret  (Rought) 
Kingseed,  both  natives  of  Germany  ;  his  parents  came  to  America  in  1831, 
locating  in  Schuylkill  County,  Penn.  Thence  they  moved  into  Ohio,  lo- 
cating near  Tiffin.  Anthony  Kingseed  there  purchased  a  farm  of  115 
acres,  and  has  since  improved  this  with  good  frame  buildings,  and  has  a 
vineyard  of  three  acres,  from  which  he  makes  from  twelve  to  fifteen  bar- 
rels of  wine  yearly  ;  he  is  now  eighty-seven  years  old,  and  is  still  living 


468  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

on  the  same  farm,  but  his  wife  died  in  1868.  Mr.  Kingseed  is  a  repre- 
sentative man,  and  he  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Catholic  Church  ;  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  in  early  life  was  an  organ- 
maker,  working  at  his  trade  in  the  old  country.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  came  with  his  parents  to  America,  and  spent  his  boyhood  days  in 
Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  upon  the  farm  with  his  father,  receiving  a  common 
school  education.  He  learned  to  read  German  through  his  own  efforts. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-five,  he  rented  land,  on  which  he  lived  until  June  2, 
1854,  when  he  located  in  this  township,  on  a  farm  of  240  acres ;  he  found 
this  in  the  green,  and  at  once  built  a  log  cabin  and  began  to  clear  the 
land.  A  few  years  later,  he  built  his  present  house,  a  frame,  where  he 
has  since  lived.  Mr.  Kingseed  is  a  leading  farmer,  and  has  on  his  place 
fruits  of  all  kinds,  and  the  convenience  of  a  wind  engine  ;  he  also  owns 
160  acres  in  Whitley  County,  Ind.  Mr.  Kingseed  has  been  identified 
with  all  the  public  enterprises  of  his  county ;  he  is  not  what  is  called  a 
party  man,  but  votes  liberally  ;  he  takes  pleasure  in  assisting  all  home 
enterprises,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church. 

WILLIAM  LINDLEY  is  a  native  of  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  and 
was  born  in  the  year  1815.  His  parents,  James  and  Susanna  (Stout) 
Lindley,  of  English  and  German  descent,  came  to  this  county  in  1847. 
Our  subject  came  to  Howard  County  two  years  before  his  parents,  in  order 
to  get  a  home  for  himself;  he  pre-empted  160  acres  of  land,  and  in  1848, 
in  company  with  Tence  Lindley  (his  brother)  and  Jesse  Osborn,  went  to 
Fort  Wayne  and  secured  his  home.  In  1834,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  Writesman,  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.  Mr.  Lindley  is  a  pioneer  of 
this  county,  and  has  all  his  life  been  improving  the  community;  he  has 
always  been  a  friend  to  all  public  enterprises  and  improvements  ;  he  is 
now  a  retired  farmer,  and  is  living  at  his  home  in  Greentown,  and  has  one 
of  the  finest  locations  in  the  town.  Mr.  Lindley  is  highly  respected  in 
the  community,  and  his  honesty   and  integrity  are  unimpeachable. 

HENRY  C.  LINDLEY  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  July  29, 
1843,  and  is  the  son  of  Charles  and  Rhoda  (Dikes)  Lindley,  natives  of 
North  Carolina.  This  family  was  among  the  pioneers  of  Henry  County, 
and  in  1845  removed  tq  this  county.  Charles  Lindley  entered  160  acres 
one-half  mile  west  of  Greentown,  built  a  log  cabin  and  resided  there 
a  short  time,  when  he  sold  and  bought  a  claim  one  and  one-half  miles  west, 
and  began  life  the  second  time  as  a  pioneer.  He  afterward  followed 
milling  and  farming,  and  later  was  in  the  mercantile  business  seven  years. 
He  then  came  to  Greentown  and  was  in  the  mercantile  business  with 
Squire  Gray,  for  three  years,  when  he  exchanged  his  stock  of  goods  for  a 
farm,  and  four  years  later  he  sold  and  bought  the  Davis  farm  west  of 
Greentown,  where  he  lived  the  remainder  of  his  life.      He  was  among  the 


LIBERTY    TOWNSHIP.  469 

first  Justices  of  the  Peace  in  his  township.  He  died  of  a  cancer  in  1866, 
at  the  age  of  forty-eight ;  his  wife  survived  him  but  two  years.  Our  sub- 
ject lived  at  home  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  enlisted  in 
Company  D,  Thirty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a 
private.  His  regiment  engaged  in  battle  at  Green  River,  Ky.,  Bowling 
Green,  and  Pittsburg  Landing.  Just  after  this  battle,  Mr.  Lindley  took 
sick  and  soon  came  home  on  a  furlough.  He  was  afterward  ordered  back 
to  Indianapolis,  where  he  was  discharged  in  1861,  on  account  of  disability, 
having  served  one  year.  In  the  fall  of  1862,  having  regained  his  health, 
he  re-enlisted  in  Company  I,  Ninty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  in  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  under  Gen.  Sherman.  He  en- 
gaged in  battle  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  Miss.,  Black  River, 
Memphis,  Lookout  Mountain,  the  siege  of  Chattanooga,  and  then  with 
Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea.  He  was  detailed  to  forage  and  keep 
up  the  supply  train,  and  at  night  act  as  the  General's  guard.  The  first 
day  out  he  was  captured,  and  soon  taken  to  Cahobba,  Tenn.,  and  put  in 
prison,  where  there  were  2,600  or  2,800  Northern  men.  He  was  re- 
tained six  months,  when  he  was  sent  with  many  others  to  Camp  Chase, 
Ohio,  but  after  boarding  the  steamer  near  Memphis,  Tenn.,  the  boat 
exploded  with  a  loss  of  1,600  men.  Mr.  Lindley  saved  his  life  by  swim- 
tiQing  six  miles.  He  was  taken  to  the  hospital  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and 
soon  was  sent  home  and  was  honorably  discharged  in  June,  1865.  He 
was  married,  October,  1868,  to  Mariah  Scott,  born  in  Jay  County,  Ind., 
July  30,  1842,  and  a  daughter  of  Charles  Scott.  She  died  in  1877, 
leaving  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  living — Laura  P.,  Stella  and 
Ernest.  Mr.  Lindley  was  married  to  his  present  wife,  Mary  E.  Brink, 
of  Greentown,  in  1879.  They  have  one  child,  Freddie.  He  has  for 
years  taken  charge  of  a  farm,  and  dealt  in  stock.  He  does  a  large  busi- 
ness, at  one  time  shipping  5^13,000  worth  of  hogs  to  Cincinnati.  In  the 
spring  of  1881,  he  began  in  the  mercantile  line,  where  he  is  yet  doing 
business,  and  he  is  also  proprietor  of  a  livery  stable.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Republican  party,  and  Masonic  fraternity,  and  Mrs.  Lindley  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian   Church. 

HENRY  LOOP  was  born  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  February  28, 
1842,  and  was  the  eldest  son  of  J.  M.  Loop.  When  he  was  eleven  years 
of  age,  he  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county,  where  he  attended  the 
common  schools.  He  enlisted  in  April,  1861,  in  the  ninety-day  service, 
but  before  he  was  mustered  in  he  was  transferred  into  the  twelve-month 
service.  Uefore  leaving  Indianapolis,  the  call  for  three-years  men  was 
proclaimed,  and  again  Mr.  Loop  was  transferred  at  his  request  to  Com- 
pany E,  Thirteenth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  July  11, 
1861,  his  company  participated  in  the  battle  of  Rich  Mountain,  Va.,  and 


470  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

here  Mr.  Loop  was  shot  by  a  minieballin  his  right  arm,  passing  through 
the  arm-pit,  right  lung,  and  severing  three  ribs  from  the  vertebrae,  leaving 
an  entrance,  so  that  in  breathing,  air  would  enter  the  lungs  through  the 
wound.  He  was  taken  to  a  private  house,  and  in  a  few  days  taken  to  the 
Goff  Hospital,  where  they  received  soldiers  who  were  mortally  wounded. 
After  six  weeks,  he  was  given  a  furlough  of  thirty  days  and  came  home  ; 
his  furlough  was  extended  from  time  to  time  until  June,  1862,  when  he 
returned  to  his  company  at  Manassas  Junction,  Va.  He  was  at  the  siege 
of  Richmond,  and  assisted  McClellan  ;  a  few  weeks  later,  he  was  honor- 
ably discharged  on  account  of  disability  ;  he  returned  home  to  recuperate, 
and  on  December  29,  1863,  he  r.e- enlisted  in  Company  E,  Eleventh  Reg- 
iment Indiana  Volunteer  Cavalry;  he  was  at  Bellefonte,  Ala.,  at  Bellefonte 
Station,  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  the  battle  of  Franklin,  Tenn.,  the  siege  of 
Atlanta,  where  Mr.  Loop  was  on  his  horse  sixteen  days  in  succession, 
and  part  of  the  nights,  following  Gen  Hood,  until  he  crossed  the  Ten- 
nessee. Later,  his  regiment  was  sent  out  to  restore  order  in  Kansas, 
until  August,  when  thev  were  ordered  to  Leavenworth,  and  later  to  In- 
dianapolis,  where  Mr.  Loop  was  honorably  discharged  ;  he  ,'eturned  to 
this  county  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  unimproved  land,  which  he  has 
improved  with  good  buildings  and  has  since  added  forty  acres  to  it.  Mr. 
Loop  was  married  February  13,  1868,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Fisher,  of  How- 
ard County.  She  was  born  April  10,  1846,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Jona- 
than Fisher,  of  Greentown.  They  have  had  eight  children,  four  of  whom 
are  living — A.  Alonzo,  Charles  H.,  Erie  C.  and  Delia  M.  Mr.  Tioop 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church.  Mr.  Loop  is 
a  Republican,  and  has  served  as  Supervisor,  School  Director,  Constable, 
and  in  1881  was  appointed  as  Inspector  of  Elections  in  the  North  Pre- 
cinct of  Liberty  Township. 

W.  T.  MAIN' RING  IS  a  native  of  Delaware,  and  was  born  April  5, 
1829.  He  was  the  third  of  eight  children  born  to  Ambrose  and  Nancy 
(Scotton)  Manring,  both  natives  of  Delaware.  His  father  moved  with 
his  family  to  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  in  1837  or  1838,  rented  a  farm  and 
began  to  prepare  for  himself  a  home.  In  a  few  years,  he  went  to  Iowa, 
but  after  a  sojourn  of  nine  months  returned  to  Madison  County,  Ind., 
where  he  purchased  160  acres  of  good  land.  He  found  this  almost  in 
the  native  state,  but  with  the  aid  of  his  sons  he  cleared  and  improved  it 
until  he  had  a  good  home.  Here  he  died  December,  1868,  aged  sixty 
years,  and  his  wife  died  February,  1869,  aged  fifty-three.  Our  subject 
was  reared  a  Airmer's  boy ;  he  accompanied  his  fiither  to  Franklin 
County,  Ind.,  thence  to  Iowa,  and  finally,  at  the  age  of  thirteen,  to  Mad- 
ison County,  Ind.,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  boyhood  days, 
receiving   a  limited   education  from  the  subscription  schools.     He  was 


LIBERTY    TOWNSHIP.  471 

married,  November,  1851,  to  Amanda  Sherwood,  of  Bartholomew  County, 
Ind.,  born  June  17.  1838.  She  died  January  29,  1872,  leaving  eight 
children— Rosa,  wife  of  William  Riley ;  George  E.,  conductor  on  the 
P.,  C.  &  St  L.  Railway;  William,  druggist  at  Greentown  ;  Frances  H., 
railroader;  Emma  G.,  John  T.  (deceased),  Ida  May  and  Cora  B.  In 
1853,  Mr.  Manring  purchased  an  eighty-acre  farm,  with  twenty  acres 
cleared,  and  two  years  later  exchanged  it  for  eighty  acres,  with  forty 
acres  improved.  This  farm  he  cultivated  until  he  came  to  this  county, 
where  he  shortly  purchased  ninety  acres  in  Liberty  Township.  He 
lived  here  until  1873,  when  he  sold  and  purchased  his  present  home 
of  160  acres,  which  is  well  improved,  well  drained,  and  has  good  frame 
buildings.  Mr.  Manring  has  been  a  hard-working,  economical  farmer, 
and  has  given  much  attention  to  the  raising  of  short-horned  cattle 
and  Poland-China  hogs,  thoroughbred  in  both  branches.  He  is  an  ac- 
tive worker  in  the  Republican  party,  and  a  prominent  member  of  the 
I.  0.  0.  F.  In  the  fall  of  1872,  he  was  married  to  Martha  E. 
Smith,  born  in  Rush  County  February  19,  1848,  and  the  daughter 
of  David  Smith,  of  Howard  Township.  Four  children  have  blessed 
this  union — Fanny  (deceased),  Minnie  P.,  Charles  H.  and  Leota.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Manring  are  prominent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

ABRAHAM  C.  MURPHY,  a  pioneer  of  Liberty  Township,  was 
born  in  Greene  County,  Ohio,  August  30,  1819,  and  is  the  youngest 
of  eight  children  born  to  David  and  Martha  (Thatcher)  Murphy,  na- 
tives of  Virginia  and  of  Irish  and  German  descent.  Mr.  Murphy 
spent  his  boyhood  days  on  his  father's  farm,  receiving  a  limited  edu- 
cation. At  the  age  of  twenty  he  rented  a  farm  and  began  doing 
business  for  himself,  and  by  being  industrious  and  saving  his  earn- 
ings, he  came  to  this  county,  and  was  enabled  to  purchase  160  acres 
of  heavily  timbered  land.  He  moved  into  a  hewed-log  house,  which 
had  been  built  the  year  before,  landing  here  in  September,  1853. 
Here  the  family  experienced  many  of  the  privations  of  pioneer  life, 
the  wolves  howling  around  his  cabin  every  night,  and  there  was  game 
of  all  kinds  in  abundance.  He  spent  most  of  his  time  clearing  the  farm, 
sometimes  would  hunt,  and  has  killed  as  many  as  100  squirrels  in  one 
day.  In  1855,  the  roads  broke  up  and  the  people  were  mud  bound,  and 
Mr.  Murphy  and  family  had  to  live  eight  days  on  hominy  and  squirrel 
meat.  He  has  made  a  farm  of  320  acres,  but  has  given  of  that  eighty 
acres  apiece  to  his  two  sons.  Mr.  Murphy  is  a  leading  citizen  and  lib- 
eral supporter  of  all  benevolent  purposes,  and  in  political  views  he  votes 
for  the  man  and  not  for  the  party.  He  was  married.  May  23,  1839,  to 
Miss  Abigail  H.  Davis,    of  Greene    County,  Ohio,  born    May  2,   1822. 


472  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

They  have  had  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  living — Israel  D.,  Samuel 
C,  Rachael  A.,  wife  of  Jonathan  Dawson,  and  Sarah  E. 

HENRY  NEEIIOUSE,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  a  native  of  Prussia, 
was  born  June  18,  1839,  and  is  the  son  of  Ilendrick  and  Mariah  (Bush) 
Neehouse,  both  natives  of  Prussia.  Our  subject  had  the  advantages  of 
school  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  left  the  paternal  roof, 
in  company  with  some  of  his  friends,  and  came  to  America ;  he  landed  in 
New  York  November  2,  1854,  and  two  weeks  later  came  to  Cincinnati, 
where  he  worked  at  job  work,  and  the  following  summer  worked  in  a  brick 
yard.  In  the  spring  of  1855,  he  engaged  as  deck-hand  on  a  flat-boat, 
running  from  Aurora  to  New  Orleans,  and  after  his  first  trip  engaged  in 
selling  notions  and  jewelry  ;  he  began  learning  the  blacksmith  trade  in 
1858,  but  subsequently  learned  the  stone-mason  trade,  at  which  he  worked 
two  years.  In  1860,  he  began  farming  in  Decatur  County,  where  he  re- 
mained six  years,  and  in  1866  located  in  Windfall,  Ind.  Three  years 
later,  he  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  seven  miles  from  Windfall,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1882  sold  this  and  removed  to  Liberty  Township,  where 
he  now  lives  ;  he  owns  111  acres,  fairly  improved  ;  he  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  and  has  filled  the  office  of  Road  Supervisor  for  five  years.  Mr. 
Neehouse  was  married,  August  9,  1860,  to  Miss  Mary  Champ,  born  Jan- 
uary 4,  1837.  They  had  five  children — James  H.,  Lydia  E.,  Uriah,  Jo- 
sephine and  Mary  E.  ;  his  wife  died  September  17,  1880,  at  the  age  of 
forty-three  years,  and  Mr.  Neehouse  was  next  married,  in  January,  1881, 
to  Mrs.  Martha  (Champ)  Back,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife.  Mr.  Neehouse  is 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  his  wife  is  identified 
with  the  Baptists. 

WILNA  0.  NELSON  was  born  in  Grant  County,  Ind.,  October  26, 
1856,  and  is  the  only  son  of  Milton  Nelson,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  Amanda 
(Thrasher)  Nelson,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  both  of  English  descent. 
Milton  Nelson  was  a  farmer  in  early  life,  and  later  was  in  business  at 
Independence,  Grant  Co.,  Ind.,  which  he  followed  until  his  death,  Feb- 
ruary, 1870;  his  wife,  Amanda,  when  but  thirteen  years  of  age, 
taught  her  first  term  of  school,  and  after  teaching  her  second  term,  she 
retired  from  this  calling.  She  was  a  graduate  of  Fairview  College,  and 
is  now  a  resident  of  Independence.  Wilna  0.  Nelson,  during  his  boy- 
hood days,  had  access  to  the  common  schools,  and  when  fourteen  years  of 
age  began  as  an  apprentice  at  house-painting,  serving  three  years  ;  he 
then  left  the  parental  roof  and  has  since  worked  at  his  trade  during  the 
summer  seasons  ;  he,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  finding  his  education  quite 
limited,  concluded  to  attend  school  at  Greentown,  which  he  did  three  win- 
ters, and  in  the  fall  of  1878  he  began  teaching,  which  profession  he  has 
since  followed,  proving  himself  to  be  a  worthy  and  proficient  tutor.      Mr. 


LIBERTY    TOWNSHIP.  47g 

Nelson  was  marriQ,d,  March  27,  1878,  to  Miss  Josie  Gallion,  of  Howard 
County,  born  November  16,  1857,  and  the  daughter  of  Ezra  P.  and  Ma- 
tilda Gallion,  both  of  English  descent.  Mr.  Nelson  is  a  Republican,  and 
he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

DR.  W.  B.  PAYTON  was  born  in  Kokomo,  Ind.,  November  16, 
1856,  and  was  the  third  of  five  children  born  to  L.  B.  and  Isabel  (Bai- 
ley) Payton.  Mrs.  Payton  died  when  our  subject  was  but  six  years  old, 
but  he  remainedvwith  his  father  on  the  farm.  They  removed  to  Carroll 
County,  Ind.,  in  1857,  thence  to  Cass  County  in  1870,  and  after  four 
years  they  returned  to  Carroll  County,  where  Dr.  Payton  remained  the 
most  of  the  time  for  three  years ;  he  had  access  to  the  common  schools 
until  he  was  sixteen,  after  which  he  attended  the  Normal  School  at  Loc^ans- 
port  one  term,  at  Walton  two  terms,  and  Delphi  one  term.  In  1876,  he 
began  teaching,  and  was  considered  a  successful  tutor  in  Cass  and  Carroll 
Counties.  The  summer  of  1878,  he  began  to  read  medicine  at  his  leisure, 
and  in  1879  entered  Dr.  IJradfield's  office  at  Deer  Creek,  Carroll  County, 
as  a  student,  and  in  September  of  the  same  year  entered  the  Medical 
College  at  Ann  Arbor,  graduating  with  honors  in  the  spring  of  1881.  He 
then  began  practice  at  Wheeling,  Carroll  County,  succeeding  remarkably 
well  for  a  young  physician,  and  in  April,  1882,  he  located  at  Greentown 
and  entered  a  copartnership  with  G.  B.  &  J.  T.  Scott,  the  oldest  physi- 
cians in  the  town.  Mr.  Payton  was  married,  April  26,  1882,  to  Rachel 
A.  Reed,  of  Cass  County,  Ind.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Michael  and 
Sarah  Reed,  both  of  German  descent.  Mr.  Payton  is  a  Republican 
in  politics,  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  his  wife  of  the 
Lutheran    Church. 

JOHN  W.  PHARES  is  a  native  of  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  and  was 
born  January  6,  1837  ;  he  was  the  third  of  twelve  children  born  to  John 
and  Sarah  (Wicker)  Phares,  natives  of  Ohio  and  North  Carolina.  John 
Phares  removed  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  when  but  twelve  years  of  age, 
with  his  father,  who  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  county.  He  there 
spent  his  boyhood  days  and  was  married  in  1831.  For  the  last  thirty 
years,  he  has  been  actively  engaged  in  the  ministry  of  the  Missionary 
Baptist  Church,  and  is  yet  living  in  Shelby  County.  He  and  wife  are  now 
quite  old,  and  have  been  members  of  the  same  congregation  for  about 
forty  years.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  limited  education  in 
the  common  school,  and  later  attended  high  school  for  some  time,  and 
in  the  winter  of  1860  taught  his  first  school ;  he  worked  the  farm  in  the 
summer  and  taught  school  in  the  winter  for  ten  years,  and  in  1873  re- 
moved with  his  fiimily  to  Howard  County,  locating  on  his  present  farm  of 
sixty  acres ;  he  has  always  been  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and 
was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1874,  serving  one  term.     Mr.  Phares 


474  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

was  married,  November  21,  1861,  to  Miss  Samantha  Carinony,  born 
October  20,  1841,  and  the  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  A.  Carmony? 
born  October  20,  1841,  and  the  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  A.  Carmony, 
of  Shelby  County,  Ind.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phares  had  five  children — S. 
Emma,  J.  William,  M.  Elva,  Anna  F.  and  Espy  Otto.  Mrs.  Phares 
died,  April  23.  IS'iT,  an  earnest  Christian  woman,  a  member  of  the  Union 
Baptist  Church.  Mr.  P.  is  a  prominent  worker  in  the  same  church,  being 
a  Class-Leader  and  Secretary  of  the  Quarterly  Conference. 

C.  POWELL,  merchant,  handling  a  full  line  of  dry  goods,  notions, 
boots  and  shoes  and  groceries,  and  doing  a  good  cash  business  of  $10,000 
per  annum,  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  November  23,  1845,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Rebecca  (Mappin)  Powell,  both  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky. John  Powell  was  a  farmer  who  came  to  Fayette  County  near 
1826.  Here  he  lived  a  pioneer  life,  made  a  good  home,  and  reared  a 
family  of  seven  children.  He  located  in  Liberty  Township,  Howard 
County,  in  1857.  where  he  lived  for  several  years,  when  he  moved  to 
Howard  Township,  and  one  year  later  located  in  Greentown  and  superin- 
tended a  farm  of  116  acres,  having  accumulated  about  $20,000  worth  of 
property.  He  and  wife  were  prominent  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copjil  Church,  and  both  died  in  1866.  Mr  Powell  was  in  early  life  a 
Whig ;  later  he  voted  the  Democratic  ticket,  but  since  the  war  had  been  a 
stanch  Republican.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
received  a  fair  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  was  married,  No- 
vember, 1866,  to  Miss  Malissa  E.  Walker,  of  Howard  County.  She  was 
born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  July  29,  1849,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
William  and  Sarah  (Templeton)  Walker.  Two  children  bless  this  union 
— Frederick  G.  and  Mary  Ethel.  At  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  began 
teaching  school,  and  farmed  and  taught  seven  years.  lie  sold  his  farm  in 
1872,  and  came  to  Greentown,  purchased  property  and  built  a  new  frame 
house.  The  following  fall,  he  and  his  brother  started  a  general  store  with 
a  $3,000  stock.  This  partnership  was  dissolved  when  they  sold  out  in 
1882.  Mr.  Powell  began  business  again  in  November,  1882,  and  we  find 
him  to-day  in  the  best  business  room  in  the  town.  He  was  appointed 
Postmaster  in  January,  1873,  which  position  he  held  until  May,  1882. 
He  has  filled  the  offices  of  Town  Trustee  and  School  Trustee.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  he  and  wife  are  active  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

ALEXANDER  C.  ROGERS  is  a  native  of  Warren  County,  Ohio. 
He  was  born  October  8,  1831,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Hannah 
(Welch)  Rogers,  both  of  English  descent.  William  Rogers  removed  from 
Warren  County  to  Clinton  County,  when  our  subject  was  but  a  small  boy, 
and  here  remained  until  his  death.      A.  C.  Roiiers  was  the  only   son  of  a 


LIBERTY    TOWNSHIP.  475 

family  of  five  children,  and  his  mother  supported  them  with  her  needle 
and  by  housework.  When  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  Mr.  Rogers  went 
to  live  with  A.  T.  Croesdale,  a  merchant  of  Highland  County,  Ohio.  At 
the  age  of  twenty,  he  entered  a  copartnership  with  his  employer,  and  re- 
mained in  this  business  seven  years  in  the  town  of  Samantha.  He  then 
abandoned  this  business  and  engaged  in  farming  in  the  same  county,  and 
in  1871  removed  to  Howard  County,  locating  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
lives.  He  purchased  120  acres,  fairly  improved,  but  has  since  erected  a 
fine  brick  house,  the  best  country  residence  in  the  township.  He  has 
been  an  active  politician  in  the  Democratic  ranks,  having  filled  the  office 
of  Assessor  in  Ohio,  and  is  now  Justice  of  the  Peace,  having  been  elected 
in  1879.  In  the  spring  of  1862,  he  joined  Company  A,  Forty-eighth 
Regiment  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  commissioned  as  First  Lieu- 
tenant. This  formed  a  part  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  They  were 
in  battle  at  Shiloh,  Red  River,  Lookout  Mountain  and  Atlanta,  after 
which  they  returned  with  Gen.  Thomas  into  Mississippi.  Mr.  Rogers  was 
promoted  to  the  office  of  Captain  in  the  fall  of  1862,  which  office  he  held 
until  he  was  discharged  in  July,  1865  ;  he  was  married,  January  20,  1850, . 
to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Fleming,  of  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  of  English  parentage. 
She  died  July  28,  1876,  leaving  a  family  of  nine  children.  January  20, 
1879,  Mr.  Rogers  was  married  to  Miss  Martetia  Davidson,  of  Howard 
County.  They  have  two  children — a  son  and  a  daughter.  Mr.  Rogers 
is  an  enterprising  citizen,  is  a  liberal  supporter  of  all  public  improvements, 
and  he  and  wife  are  prominent  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

LEWIS  SCHAAF  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  November  7, 
1832,  and  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Phoebe  Schaaf.  His  father  was  a 
miller,  and  in  1850  emigrated  to  America  and  located  at  Shanesville, 
Ohio,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade.  A  few  years  later  he  removed  to 
Ragersville,  Ohio,  where  he  made  his  home  until  his  death,  spending  his 
last  days  working  a  small  vineyard  of  two  acres.  Our  subject  attended 
the  common  schools  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  later  learned 
the  cabinet-maker's  trade,  working  three  years  as  an  apprentice.  In  his 
youth  he  worked  at  the  miller's  trade  with  his  father,  and  at  the  age  of 
seventeen  came  to  America  in  company  with  a  younger  brother,  locating 
at  Shanesville,  Ohio.  In  1856,  he  removed  to  Miami  County,  Ind., 
and  ten  years  later  bought  a  farm  in  Liberty  Township,  this  county, 
where  he  lived  until  1875.  He  then  exchanged  his  farm  for  his  mill 
property,  where  he  has  since  been  doing  a  good  business  at  custom  work. 
He  started  in  life  empty  handed,  but  through  industry  and  economy  has 
acquired  a  good  home.  Mr.  Schaaf  was  married  in  1855  to  Miss  Eliza 
Roli,  of  Tuscarawas  County,  Ohio.  She  is  a  native  of  Switzerland  ; 
was  born  July  16,   1832,  and  emigrated  to  America  vNith  her  parents   in 


476  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

1850.     Three  children  bless  this  union — Augustus,  Caroline  and  Mary 
A.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schaaf  are  members  of  the  German  Reformed  Church. 

J.  T.  SCOTT,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of  Darke  County,  Ohio,  and  was 
born  in  1836.  His  parents,  Charles  and  Sarah  (Bloxsom)  Scott,  came 
to  Grant  County,  Ind.,  in  1845.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  began  the  study  of  medicine. 
He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chicago,  and  began  his 
practice  in  1860  at  Greentown,  where  he  has  continued  ever  since,  ex- 
cept six  months,  when  he  practiced  at  Xenia,  Ind.  He  has  established 
a  large  practice  in  Howard  County.  In  March,  1861,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Mary  A.  Davis,  of  Greentown.  She  was  a  native  of  Wayne 
County,  Ind.,  and  her  parents  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Howard 
County,  coming  as  early  as  1847.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scott  have  had  five 
children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living — Evert  G.  and  Kate  Adel.  In 
1876,  Mr.  Scott  was  Township  Trustee,  during  which  time  the  graded 
schoolhouse  of  Greentown  was  built  and  the  iron  bridge  on  the  Wild  Cat 
at  Greentown.  For  the  last  twenty  years,  he  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ;  has  been  Church  Trustee  for  several  years, 
and  he  is  an  Odd  Fellow.  His  residence  is  the  finest  in  Greentown. 
Dr.  Scott  is  one  of  the  enterprising  men  of  Howard  County,  assisting  in 
all  measures  of  advancement  and  progress. 

GIDEON  B.  SCOTT,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  1838.  His  parents, 
Charles  and  Sarah  (Bloxsom)  Scott,  in  1845  settled  in  Grant 
County,  this  State.  Our  subject  taught  school  during  his  ear- 
lier years;  in  1861,  came  to  Howard  County,  and  the  following  winter 
he  enlisted  in  the  Fifty-seventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry. 
After  seven  months  of  active,  arduous  service  and  weary  marches,  he  was 
discharged  in  1862  on  account  of  disability.  He  then  returned  home  and 
taught  school  two  winters  at  Sycamore  Corners.  In  the  spring  of  1864, 
having  regained  his  health,  he  again  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-seventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  did  post  duty 
at  Duck  River.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis  and  again  re-en- 
listed in  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-second  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  served  until  the  war  was  over.  He  was  Sergeant  in  the 
last  two  regiments.  He  commenced  studying  medicine  before  the  war, 
while  he  was  teaching.  He  attended  the  Rush  Medical  College  at  Chi- 
cago one  term,  and  graduated  at  the  Indiana  Medical  College  at  Indian- 
apolis in  1871.  He  commenced  practice  in  Tampico  in  1868,  and  for  the 
last  eleven  years  has  been  practicing  in  Greentown.  He  was  married, 
March  5,  1867,  to  Miss  Tillie  W.  Lindley.  They  have  had  three 
children,  one  of  whom  is  living.  His  wife  died  July,  1875,  and  in  1876 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  P.  Lindley.     Her  parents  came  into  this 


LIBERTY    TOWNSHIP.  477 

county  in  1848,  and  were  among  the  first  settlers.  Mr.  Scott  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends  all  his  life,  and  has  been  a  Mason 
since  1862.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  has  taken  an 
active  part  in  politics  in  his  own  community  and  the  country  at  large. 
He  has  now  one  of  the  finest  residences  in  Greentown,  and  is  one  of  its 
most  respected  citizens. 

WILLIAM  R.  SEAGRAVE  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  in 
August,  1834.  His  parents,  Tarver  and  Rachel  (Rooble)  Seagrave, 
were  of  English  and  German  descent.  Our  subject  came  with  his  parents 
to  Howard  County  in  1847.  His  father  entered  land  and  afterward  laid 
out  a  part  of  the  village  of  Greentown.  William  Seagrave  was  reared  on 
the  farm  and  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  for  two  years  before  the 
war.  April  18,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Sixth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry.  He  was  out  three  months,  and  was  in  a  regular  engagement 
at  Garrett's  Ford  on  Cheat  River,  and  in  some  heavy  skirmishes,  the 
most  notable  one  being  that  of  Laurel  Hill ;  he  was  discharged  at  In- 
dianapolis and  came  home  in  August,  and  the  following  November  he 
again  enlisted  for  three  years,  in  Fifty-seventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Infantry.  He  engaged  with  his  regiment  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh 
and  siege  of  Corinth.  He  was  discharged  in  1862  on  account  of  disabil- 
ty.  May  14,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  the  one  hundred  day  service  and 
served  his  time,  being  discharged  December  17.  Since  the  war,  he  has 
followed  the  carpenter's  trade  the  most  of  the  time.  In  1865,  Mr.  Sea- 
grave was  married  to  Miss  Lucinda  Adams.  They  have  had  six  children, 
three  of  whom  are  now  living — Lua  May,  Tarver  C.  and  an  infant. 
Mr.  Seagrave  has  been  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  for  a  number 
of  years. 

JOHN  W^  SEGRAVE  is  the  son  of  Tarver  and  Rachel  Segrave,  and 
was  born  in  Ohio,  in  1839.  His  father  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and 
his  mother  of  Ohio.  Our  subject  moved  with  his  parents  to  this  county 
in  1847,  being  then  eight  years  of  age.  His  father  entered  160  acres  of 
land  near  Greentown,  and  cleared  and  improved  it  until  now  it  is  one  of 
the  best  farms  in  the  township.  John  W.  stayed  with  his  father  and 
assisted  in  clearing  and  improving  the  farm,  until  he  was  thirty  years  of 
age.  They  built  a  log  cabin  on  the  Indian  trail  running  from  Peru  to 
the  Wild  Cat.  They  had  but  four  neighbors,  living  within  a  mile  of  each 
other.  The  Indians  passed  their  house  frequently,  but  were  very  peace- 
able. Mr.  Tarver  Segrave,  in  company  with  three  or  four  other  men, 
walked  to  Fort  Wayne  to  enter  his  land.  In  1848,  in  connection  with 
Mr.  Jesse  Osborn  and  C.  0.  Fry,  he  laid  out  the  town  of  Greentown.  Mr. 
Segrave  lived  on  the  land  he  entered  until  his  death,  in  April,  1881.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  followed  farming  until  August,  1862,  when  he  en- 


478  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

listed  in  the  Eigthj-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  He 
was  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Munfordsville,  Ky.,  September  17, 
1862,  and  was  paroled  the  same  day,  and  in  a  week  he  with  the  balance 
of  his  regiment  was  given  a  furlough  of  thirty  days.  Mr.  Segrave  was 
badly  injured  while  in  line  of  duty  at  Munfordsville,  by  over  driUing.  In 
the  winter  of  1862,  he  received  an  honorable  discharge,  and  returned  to 
Greentown,  where  he  has  remained  ever  since.  March  15, 1866,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Sybila  A.  Scott,  of  Highland  County,  Ohio.  They 
have  had  eleven  children,  four  of  whom  are  living — Rachel  E.,  Emma  J., 
Stella  and  James  A.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Segrave  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church.  Mr.  Segrave  is  now  holding  the  office  of  Town  Council- 
man the  second  term.  He  has  led  an  active  life,  working  hard  toward  the 
improvement  of  the  township,  always  lending  a  helping  hand  to  public 
enterprise.  He  is  now  running  the  only  hotel  in  Greentown,  and  is  a 
highly  respected  citizen.  Ho  had  three  brothers  in  the  array — M.  K., 
Luther  S.  and  William  R.  M.  K.  Segrave,  is  still  in  the  army,  holding 
a  Captain's  commission. 

HENRY  SHROCK  was  born  in  Holmes  County,  Ohio,  February 
18,  1845,  and  is  one  of  twelve  children  born  to  Benjamin  J.  and  Mary 
Shrock,  both  natives  of  Ohio,  and  of  German  descent.  Our  subject  was 
small  when  his  parents  moved  to  Miami  County,  Ind.,  where  he  assisted 
his  father  on  the  farm,  and  had  access  to  the  common  schools.  At  the 
age  of  eighteen,  he  began  teaching,  and  taught  his  second  term  in  Liberty 
Township,  in  1866-67,  having  removed  to  this  county  in  1865,  locating 
on  eighty  acres,  where  he  now  lives.  He  found  this  in  its  native  state, 
and  here  began  to  improve  his  farm  and  build  a  log  cabin.  In  1881,  he 
built  a  fine  brick  residence,  and  now  has  120  acres  of  well-improved  land, 
which  he  has  accumulated  through  industry  and  economy.  He  began 
buying  and  shipping  stock  in  1869,  and  has  been  actively  engaged  each 
season  since,  and  in  the  fall  of  1878,  he  bought  and  shipped  about  4,000 
hogs.  He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Democratic  party,  and  has  filled 
many  of  the  minor  offices  of  his  township.  Mr.  Shrock  was  married,  in 
May,  1866,  to  Miss  Lucinda  Gerhart  of  Miami  County,  Ind.,  daughter 
of  Michael  and  Margaret  Gerhart,  natives  of  Germany.  Mrs.  Shrock 
died  November  7,  1875,  leaving  three  small  children — William,  Philip 
and  Harvey.  He  then  married,  in  May,  1876,  Mary  Gerhart,  his  sister-in- 
law.  They  had  two  children — Arminda  and  Milton  (both  deceased). 
Mr.  Shrock  is  a  member  of  the  Dunkard  Church,  and  his  wife  belongs  to 
the  Lutheran  denomination. 

N.  D.  STANBROUGIL  born  July  6,  1844,  in  Hamilton  County, 
Ind.;  is  the  eldest  of  ten  children  born  to  John  and  Lydia  J.  (Mills) 
Stanbrough.      His  parents  were  among  the  pioneers  of  Hamilton  County, 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP.  479 

and  there  lived  on  a  farm.  John  Stanbrough,  after  his  fiither's  death, 
took  charge  of  the  homestead  farm,  which  he  improved,  and  where  he 
lived  until  his  death,  December  28,  1878,  his  wife  having  died  in  Febru- 
ary, 1875,  The  subject  of  this  sketch  spent  his  boyhood  days  upon  the 
farm  with  his  father,  receiving  a  common  school  education.  At  the  age 
of  eighteen,  in  August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  One  IIun<lred 
and  First  Regiinent  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  His  regiment  was  the 
Second  Brigade  of  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps.  He  was  in  the  battle  at 
Milton,  Tenn.,  Chickamauga  and  Mission  Ridge.  He  was  with  Sher- 
man on  his  march  to  the  sea,  and  for  sixty  days  his  regiment  was  within 
the  sound'  of  musketry.  He  was  always  present  at  roll-call  during  serv- 
ice, and  was  with  his  company  whenever  it  stacked  arms,  unless  while 
out  foraging,  or  on  detached  duty.  He  was  honorably  discharged  July  1, 
1865,  having  proved  himself  to  be  a  brave  and  loyal  soldier.  He  then 
returned  to  Hamilton  County,  engaged  in  the  carpenter's  trade  at  jour- 
neyman work  for  eight  years,  when  he  began  contracting  for  himself.  In 
February,  1875,  he  moved  with  family  to  this  county,  locating  at  Green- 
town,  where  he  has  since  lived,  actively  engaged  at  hia  trade.  He  was 
married,  February  24,  1869,  to  MissEltruda  Hollis,  of  Hamilton  County, 
Ind.  She  was  born  September  12,  1851,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Rich- 
ard C.  and  Susan  Hollis.  Six  children  blessed  this  union — only  one  now 
living — Leslie  Paul.  Mr.  Stanbrough  is  an  active  member  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  casting  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant  in  1868. 
He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  he  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

SOLOMON  STONE  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  March  11, 
1823,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Wilfing)  Stone,  natives  of  Cul- 
peper  County,  Va.,  and  of  German  and  Irish  descent.  His  parents  were 
married  in  Virginia,  and  soon  removed  to  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  where 
they  entered  land  on  White  Water,  and  built  a  log  cabin.  'I'hey  re- 
mained until  1843,  when  they  sohl  out  and  located  in  Rush  County, 
where  they  purchased  an  improved  fiirm.  In  1857,  they  came  to  How- 
ard County,  purchased  eighty  acres  of  forest  land,  just  north  of  Green- 
town,  and  here  lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Mr.  H.  Stone  was  a 
hard-working  man,  reaping  his  grain  with  a  sickle,  and  threshing  it  with 
the  flail,  while  his  wife  for  years  spun  from  flax  and  wool,  and  wove  clotli 
for  her  family.  Mr.  Stone  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  died  in  1862,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four.  His  wife  belonged  to 
the  United  Brethren  Church.  She  died  in  1877,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
two.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  a  farmer's  boy,  and  received 
a  limited  education  from  the  pioneer  school.  In  1842,  he  removed  with 
his  parents  to  Rush  County,  where  he  was  married,  October  17,  1844,  to 


480  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

Mary  Ann  Hatfield,  of  Rush  County.  She  is  the  daughter  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Cook)  Hatfield,  natives  of  Virginia.  This  family  was  among 
the  early  settlers  in  Rush  County,  where  Mr.  Hatfield  died  in  1853. 
His  wife  (now  aged  seventy-eight)  still  survives  him,  and  resides  with 
her  children  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stone  have  had  five 
children — John  H.,  Marion  T.,  Sanford  (deceased),  George  W.  and  Elmer 
E.  Mr.  Stone  farmed  on  rented  land,  and  with  the  profits,  $1,100,  came 
to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1857,  and  lived  one  year  on  a  rented  farm. 
In  the  meantime,  he  built  a  cabin  and  made  a  small  beginning  on  the  farm 
where  he  now  lives.  The  family  experienced  many  of  the  privations 
of  pioneer  life,  and  for  years  made  their  own  clothing  from  flax  and 
wool.  They  now  have  a  good  farm,  well  fenced  and  drained,  and  fur- 
nished with  good  buildings.  His  farm  is  well  stocked  with  horses,  cattle 
and  hogs.  Mr.  Stone  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  Republican  principles, 
and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  he  and  wife  are  prominent 
members  of  the  New-Light  Church. 

WOODSON  W.  THRASHER  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind. 
December  11,  1840,  and  is  the  son  of  William  ami  Elizabeth  (Parish) 
Thrasher,  of  English  descent.  William  Thrasher  was  a  mechanic  and  farmer, 
and  in  1862  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Twelfth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  after  being  out  about  three  weeks  was  killed  in  battle  at 
Richmond,  Ky.  His  second  son  was  in  the  same  battle,  and  was  taken 
prisoner,  but  was  soon  paroled,  after  which  he  joined  his  regiment  and 
served  for  two  years.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  enlisted  in  Company 
H,  One  Hundred  and  First  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  the  town  of 
Webes,  and  was  mustered  into  service  at  Indianapolis.  His  regiment 
was  in  the  Fourth  Division  of  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps.  Soon  after 
enlisting,  he  was  detailed  as  teamster  of  the  company,  and  two  months 
later  was  placed  in  charge  as  teamster  in  the  supply  train,  and  after  the 
Chickamauga  battle,  this  corps  was  re-organized,  and  the  One  Hundred 
and  First  Regiment  was  placed  in  the  Third  Division,  at  which  time  Mr. 
Thrasher  took  his  musket  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Missic^p 
Ridge.  He  was  then  detailed  again  as  teamster,  and  served  until  July, 
1865,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged.  When  Mr.  Thrasher  was  but 
ten  years  of  age,  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Grant  County,  where  he 
assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  and  received  a  common-school  education. 
He  was  married,  in  1859,  to  Miss  Harriet  Main,  of  Grant  County.  She 
Avas  born  June  1,  1837.  Three  children  bless  this  union — Ida,  Lizzie 
and  William  L.  After  the  war,  Mr.  Thrasher  located  near  Greentown, 
and  purchased  forty  acres  of  land.  In  1869.  he  moved  to  Kokomo,  and 
three  years  later  returned  to  the  vicinity  uf  Greentown,  where  he  has 
since  lived.  Mr.  Thrasher  is  a  worthy  citizen,  and  an  active  worker  in 
the  Republican  party. 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP.  481 

HENRY  R.  THRASHER  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  Novem- 
ber 3,  1847,  and  was  the  fifth  of  nine  children  born  to  William  P.  and 
Elizabeth  (Parish)  Thrasher.  Mrs.  Thrasher  is  now  living  in  the  village 
of  Greentown,  having  lost  her  husband  in  the  battle  at  Richmond,  Ky. 
Henry  R.  Thrasher,  when  he  was  three  years  of  age,  removed  with  his 
parents  to  Grant  County,  where  he  remained  until  the  fall  of  1864.  He 
received  a  common  school  education,  and  at  the  early  age  of  seventeen 
began  to  make  his  own  living.  For  six  years,  he  worked  at  whatever  his 
hands  found  to  do,  during  the  time  visiting  a  number  of  the  Western 
States.  He  was  married  in  1870  to  Miss  Sophia  Fry,  of  Howard  County. 
She  was  born  in  Rockingham  County,  Penn.,  November  2,  1845,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  Noah  and  Elizabeth  Fry,  of  German  descent.  Five  chil- 
dren bless  this  union — Noah,  Charles,  Frank,  Delia  and  Bertha.  Mr. 
Thrasher  soon  after  his  marriage  began  farming,  renting  land  for  three 
years,  when  he  bought  forty  acres  west  of  Greentown.  Three  years  later, 
he  located  on  the  Kokomo  &  Greentown  pike,  where  he  lived  until  the 
fall  of  1882,  when  he  removed  to  Greentown,  and  the  following  March 
engaged  in  the  livery  business,  which  he  is  still  following.  Mr.  Thrasher, 
by  labor  and  economy,  has  made  for  himself  a  home,  and  is  now  in  com- 
fortable circumstances.  He  is  a  Republican  in  principles,  and  is  a  worthy 
citizen  in  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 

JOHN  S.  TREES  is  a  native  of  Rush  County,  Ind.,  and  was  born 
June  5,  1838  ;  he  is  the  eldest  son  of  John  and  Rhoda  (Simmons)  Trees,  of 
German  and  English  descent.  His  parents  married  in  Rush  County,  Ind., 
and  lived  a  pioneer  life  in  that  and  Shelby  County.  In  1858,  they  removed 
to  Howard  County,  locating  on  the  farm  where  our  subject  now  lives; 
here  they  toiled  and  improved  their  farm  until  they  had  a  good  home.  Mr. 
John  Trees  died  in  May,  1874,  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years.  Mrs.  Trees 
(aged  sixty-nine)  is  still  living,  and  makes  her  home  with  her  children. 
Mr.  Trees  was  in  early  life  a  Whig,  and  later  a  Republican,  and  his  re- 
ligious views  were  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  common  school  education, 
and  February  10,  1858,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Fannie  E.  Floyed,  of 
Shelby  County,  and  the  same  year  moved  to  this  county,  stopping  with 
his  father  on  the  farm  ;  he  shortly  after  returned  to  Shelby  County,  where 
Mrs.  Trees  died.  Mr.  Trees  then  returned  to  this  county,  and  assisted  to 
farm  the  home  farm,  and  in  December,  1859,  he  married  Miss  Mariah 
Hazzard,  of  this  county.  She  died  September  20,  1870,  leaving  four 
children — Rolla  A.,  Denny  M.,  Lizzie  L.  and  Effie  L.  Mr.  Trees  was 
married  to  his  present  wife,  Miss  Alice  Curlee,  of  this  county,  March  1, 
1872.  She  was  born  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  September  21,  1852. 
This  union  has  been  blessed  with  four  children — Rhoda  S.,  Fred  L.,  Susie 


482  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

M.  and  John  G.  Mr.  Trees  purchased  a  farm  in  1859,  and  November  8^ 
1870,  he  removed  to  Kokomo,  having  been  elected  Sheriff  of  the  county 
by  the  Republican  party.  After  serving  one  term,  he  entered  the  gro- 
cery business,  continuing:  eighteen  months,  and  in  the  winter  of  1881  he 
purchased  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  In  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
E,  Eleventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Cavalry,  formi  ng  a  part  of  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  was  engaged  in  battle  at  Columbia,  Spring 
Hill,  Crasked  Creek,  and  December  15  went  out  to  meet  Gen.  Hood,  at 
Nashville,  and  Avas  here  struck  in  the  riglit  thigh  by  a  minie  ball.  He 
lay  all  night  on  the  battle-field,  and  the  next  morning  was  taken  to  Co- 
lumbia Hospital,  where  his  wound  was  dressed,  A  few  months  later,  he 
was  transferred  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  and  later  came  home  on  a  furlough. 
He  was  honorably  discharged  in  June,  1865 ;  he  was  compelled  to  go  on 
crutches  for  nine  months,  and  is  a  cripple  for  life.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trees 
are  active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  Mr.  Trees  is 
a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 

JESSE  WARE,  a  retired  farmer  and  old  settler  of  Howard  County, 
was  born  in  Warren  County,  Ohio,  in  1825,  and  was  the  son  of  John  and 
Margaret  (Roberts;  Ware,  natives  of  New  Jersey.  In  1833,  he  moved 
with  his  parents  to  Henry  County,  Ind.,  and  in  1847,  his  father  entered 
240  acres  of  land  in  Howard  County.  At  the  same  time  Jesse  entered 
160  acres  in  Union  Township,  on  which  he  lived  eleven  or  twelve  years  ; 
he  lived  on  several  different  farms  in  the  county  until  he  finally  purchased 
200  acres  east  of  Greentown  ;  he  also  has  twenty  acres  of  timber  land  in 
Jackson  Township.  Mr.  Ware  has  always  lived  a  farmer's  life  ;  he  has 
been  a  hard-working  man,  and  has  cleared  over  100  acres  of  land  in  this 
county.  Besides  his  farm  land,  he  has  a  comfortable  residence  in  Green- 
town,  in  which  he  is  now  living  a  retired  life.  Mr.  Ware  was  married  in 
1846  to  Miss  Phebe  Moon,  of  Henry  County,  Ind.  By  this  union  they 
had  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  living — Sarah  E..  Mary  J.  and  Sophia. 
Mrs.  Ware  died  in  1857,  and  Mr.  Ware  was  married  to  Lucinda  Main. 
They  had  five  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living — 0.  P.  Morton. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ware  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr. 
Ware  has  held  the  office  of  Supervisor  several  times. 

ANDERSON  WILLITS  is  a  native  of  Iowa,  born  May  24,  1838  ; 
he  was  the  son  of  Charles  and  Hannah  (Kirlin)  Willits,  natives  of  Ohio 
and  Virginia.  His  fither  was  of  Welsh  descent,  and  was  reared  on  a 
farm  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  and  there  married  about  1835 ;  he  moved 
to  Iowa,  where  he  farmed  until  1846,  when  he  returned  to  Henry  County, 
Ind.,  and  in  the  fall  of  1848  he  entered  120  acres  of  land  in  Howard 
County,  and  erected  a  log  cabin.  In  1860,  he  entered  the  mercantile 
business  in  Greentown,  handling  a  general  stock  of  goods.      Here  he  re- 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP.  483 

mained  the  rest  of  life,  except  one  year  he  was  selling  goods  at  Aledo, 
111.  He  died  in  April,  1872,  and  his  wife  followed  in  April,  1881.  Mr. 
Willits  was  an  enterprising  citizen,  and  served  as  Township  Trustee  and 
Assessor.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  limited  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  has  always  led  a  farmer's  life.  In  1872,  he  purchased 
his  present  place  of  135  acres,  moderately  improved  ;  besides  he  has  good 
village  property  in  Greentown.  He  has  been  a  hard-working,  industrious 
man,  and  has  made  a  good  home,  and  is  a  liberal  supporter  of  all  public 
enterprises.  Mr.  Willits  was  married  March  11,  1857,  to  Miss  Harriet  J. 
Hazzard,  of  Howard  County,  Ind.  The  result  of  this  marriage  has  been 
nine  children,  four  now  living — Dora  E.,  Eva  Leota,  Charles  0.  and  an 
infant.  Mrs.  Willits  died  March  30,  1883.  She  and  her  husband  were 
both  faithful  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  Mr.  Willits 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  an  active  politician  in  the 
Republican  ranks. 

WILLIAM  WOODS  was  born  March  20,  18:^0,  in  Wayne  County, 
Ind.,  and  is  the  second  of  ten  children  born  to  Benjamin  and  Mecca 
(Boon)  Woods,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  and  English  descent. 
Benjamin  Woods  was  reared  on  a  farm  near  Waynesville,  Ohio,  and  upon 
reaching  manhood,  removed  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  where  he  was 
married  in  April,  1819.  In  1848,  he  came  to  Howard  County,  locating 
on  the  "  Big  Spring  Farm,  "  one  and  a  half  miles  east  of  Greentown. 
He  purchased  160  acres,  on  which  there  was  a  log  cabin.  He  improved 
this  farm  and  made  a  good  home  for  his  family.  His  house  was  used  by 
the  Baptists  as  a  place  of  worship  for  twelve  years.  Mr.  Woods  was  first 
a  Whig,  and  later  a  Republican  ;  he  and  wife  were  prominent  members 
of  the  Baptist  Church.  June  29,  1877,  Mr.  Wood  died,  having  survived 
his  wife  only  four  months.  William  Woods  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
received  a  common  school  education.  At  the  age  of  nineteen,  he  began 
teaching  school.  Later  he  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1844,  but  soon  returned  to  farming  and  teaching.  In  1850,  he  came  to 
Howard  County,  locating  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  He  started 
in  a  log  cabin,  but  now  has  204  acres  of  fine  land,  with  good,  comfortable 
frame  buildings,  which  he  has  accumulated  through  labor  and  economy. 
Mr.  Woods  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens :  has  held  the  ofiice  of  Town- 
ship Trustee,  and  has  served  as  County  Commissioner  for  a  number  of 
years^  making  an  efficient  officer.  He  was  married,  August  7,  1845,  to 
Miss  Mahala  Burgoyne,  born  February,  1821,  and  the  daughter  of  James 
and  Mary  (Minor)  Burgoyne,  of  Dutch  descent.  Five  children  blessed 
this  union,  three  of  whom  are  living — Allie,  Willard  and  Arthur.  Mrs. 
Woods  died  March  3,  1859,  and  Mr.  Woods  was  again  married,  February 
24,  1860,  to  Miss  Matilda  Burgoyne,  a  sister  to  his  first  wife.     They  had 


484  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

five  children,  three  now  living — Ellsworth,  Willie  and  Oscar.  Mrs.  Woods 
died  March  1,  1872,  and  Mr.  Woods  married  his  present  wife  February 
27,  1873 — Mrs.  Nancy  A.  Morris,  of  Howard  County. 

JEREMIAH  YOUNG  was  born  in  England,  August  9,  1841,  and 
in  his  infancy  his  parents  came  to  America.  When  but  eight  years  of 
age,  his  parents  located  in  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  where  he  was  reared  a 
farmer's  boy.  In  July,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  first  call  for  three  years' 
men,  in  Company  F,  Eighteenth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  was  mustered  into  service  at  Indianapolis.  Their  first  engagement 
was  at  Pea  Ridge  and  lasted  three  days,  after  which  they  marched  through 
to  the  Mississippi  River,  and  on  into  Arkansas  after  Gen.  Price,  having 
skirmishes  almost  daily.  In  the  spring  of  1863,  he  was  transferred  to 
the  Array  of  the  Cumberland,  and  was  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  after 
which  he  was  transferred  to  the  Army  of  the  Gulf,  under  N.  P.  Banks, 
at  Baton  Rouge.  Thence  they  went  to  Matagorda  Island,  where  they 
stormed  the  fort,  and  captured  all  its  occupants.  In  January,  1864, 
Mr.  Young  re-enlisted  in  the  same  company,  and  returned  home  on  a 
veteran  furlough,  after  which  he  joined  his  regiment  at  Washington.  In 
August,  1864,  he  went  into  Shenandoah  Valley,  and  September  19  en- 
gaged in  battle  at  Winchester"  and  Cedar  Creek,  where  he  was  severely 
wounded  in  his  left  arm,  by  a  minie  ball.  He  was  taken  to  the  hospital 
at  York,  Penn.,  where  he  remained  until  November,  1864,  when  he  came 
home  on  a  thirty-day  furlough  to  vote  for  President  Lincoln.  His  furlough 
was  extended  thirty  days,  and  June  8,  1865,  he  was  discharged, 
after  serving  nearly  four  years.  He  returned  to  Franklin  County,  where 
he  lived  until  the  spring  of  1883,  when  he  removed  to  this  county.  He 
is  a  Master  Mason,  and  an  active  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  ZERBE  was  born  in  Schuylkill  County,  Penu.,  October 
25,  1818,  and  is  the  eldest  child  born  to  David  and  Elizabeth  Zerbe, 
both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German  descent.  David  Zerbe  was 
a  millwright  by  trade,  which  he  followed  until  1841,  when  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  Shelby  County,  Oliio,  where  he  engaged  in  farming. 
Our  subject,  when  seventeen  years  of  age,  began  to  learn  the  wagon- 
maker's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  two  years,  after  which  he  worked  in  a 
ship  yard,  and  later  on  the  canal  one  season.  The  next  two  years  he 
worked  on  a  farm  for  a  man  at  $75  per  year,  after  which  he  removed  to 
Shelby  County,  Ohio.  He  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  a  few  years,  un- 
til he  was  able  to  buy  a  team,  after  which  he  rented  land  and  began 
farming.  Later  he  purchased  thirty  acres  and  two  town  lots  in  Sidney, 
and  continued  working  on  a  farm,  except  one  summer,  which  was  spent 
working  with  an  engineer  in  locating  the  Bellefontaine  k  Indianapolis 
Railroad.   In  the  spring  of  1866,  he  moved  with  his  family  to  this  county, 


HOWARD    TOWNSHIP.  486 

locating  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  and  redeeming  a  good  home, 
and  erecting  good  buildings.  He  started  in  life  empty  handed,  and  now 
has  a  good  home  of  100  acres  fairly  improved.  He  took  care  of  his  aged 
father  and  mother  for  a  number  of  years.  His  father  died  in  1857  and 
his  mother  two  years  later.  He  was  married  in  October,  1841,  to  Miss 
Mary  A.  Butcher,  born  February  22,  1824,  in  Lancaster  County,  Penn. 
Eight  children  have  blessed  this  union — Sarah  A.,  George,  Mary  E., 
Charles  C,  Robert  D.,  John  L.,  Clara  T.  (deceased),  and  William  H. 

DANIEL  ZOOK  was  born  in  Holmes  County,  Ohio,  July  25,  1843, 
and  is  the  son  of  John   and  Mary  (Miller)   Zook,  both  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania,  and  of  German   descent.      His  parents   moved   to   Ohio  when 
single,  and  were  there  married  in  1841.     John   Zook  was  left  a  poor  boy 
and  was  truly  a  self-made  man.      He  came  to  Howard  County  in  the  fall 
of  1851,  and  purchased  thirty-five  acres  of  timber  land  in  Liberty  Town- 
ship, erected  a  log  cabin,  and   here  made  a  good   home.     Mr.   Zook  died 
in  1876  and  his  wife  in  1872.     He  and  wife  were  prominent  members  of 
the  Mennonite  Church.      Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a 
limited  education  in  the  subscription  schools.     At  the  age  of  twenty -one, 
he  began  working  for  himself  at  job  work,  and  after  his   marriage  moved 
upon   the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  finding  it  as  nature  had  left  it.    Here 
he  erected  a  log  eabin,  and  began  to  improve  his   land,  until  now  he  has 
one  of  the  model  farms  of  the  township.     Mr,  Zook  votes  the  Democratic 
ticket,  and  is  an  enterprising  citizen.     He   was  married   in  the  spring  of 
1869  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Schraucker,  born  in  Holmes  County,  Ohio,  in  1846, 
and  the   daughter  of  Christian  and   Susanna  (Miller)   Schmucker.     Mr, 
and  Mrs.  Zook  have  had  six  children — Henry,  John,  Lewis   and  Albert 
(twins),  Susanna  and  Catharine  (deceased).   Mr.  Zook  and  wife  are  active 
members  of  the  Mennonite  Church. 


HOWARD  TOWNSHIP. 
JOWN  W.  BLAKELY  is  the  fourth  son  of  twelve  children  born  to 
Thomas  and  Eliza  (Blair)  Blakely,  the  former  a  native  of  Ireland,  the 
latter  of  Ohio.  John  W.  was  born  April  10,  1847,  in  Franklin  County, 
Ohio,  where  he  remained  twenty-four  years.  His  boyhood  days  were 
spent  on  the  farm,  working  to  help  support  the  family,  and  he  received 
but  a  limited  education.  He  was  married,  January  24,  1871,  to  Miss 
Mary  F,  Teegardin,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Elizabeth  (Crum)  Teegar- 
din,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  She  was  born  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio, 
November  22,   1845.      Four   children    crowned   this    union — Irvin  W., 


486  BIOGRArHICAL   SKETCHES: 

born  September  8,  1872;  Laura  E.,  born  October  30,  1875;  Jennie  L. 
(deceased),  born  February  9,  1877,  and  Homer  A.,  born  January  21, 
1881.  When  he  was  married,  he  was  in  very  limited  circumstances  ; 
he  moved  to  Allen  County,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  ten  years  working 
on  a  farm;  he  then  came  to  this  county,  locating  in  Howard  Township,  on 
his  father-in-law's  place,  where  he  is  now  living  ;  he  is  an  energetic 
farmer  and  worthy  citizen  ;  he  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  is  one 
of  the  most  active  workers  in  the  Democratic  party. 

N.  U.  CARTER  is  the  son  of  Elijah  and  Maria  (Wilkinson)  Car- 
ter, of  English  and  Irish  descent.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Barthol- 
omew County,  Ind.,  August  17,  1829,  and  spent  his  youth  on  the  farm 
and  attended  the  common  schools.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three,  he  was 
married  to  Mary  F.  Browning,  daughter  of  Eiza  and  Frances  (Florence) 
Browning,  of  Bartholomew  County.  Mr.  Carter  came  to  Howard  County 
in  1869  and  purchased  a  farm  of  ninety-seven  acres  in  Howard  Town- 
ship, and  has  since  by  industry  and  economy  been  able  to  add  to  this 
until  now  he  has  147  acres  of  choice  land  with  all  necessary  improve- 
ments. Upon  this  pleasant  place  he  now  resides.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Car- 
ter have  two  children — William  T.  and  Elza  M.  Mr.  Carter  adheres 
closely  to  Republican  principles  and  has  held  the  office  of  Supervisor  of 
his  district  for  eight  successive  years.  Both  he  and  wife  are  identified 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  are  among  its  most  active 
workers. 

JOHN  H.  COOMLER,  a  prominent  farmer,  is  the  fifth  in  a  fam- 
ily of  thirteen  children  born  to  Jacob  and  Mary  (Hoifman)  Coomler. 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German  descent.  John  H.  Coomler  was 
born  in  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  December  12,  1837,  and  was  reared 
on  the  farm  and  received  a  common  school  education.  He  married  Susan 
Thomas,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Anna  (Good)  Thomas,  natives  of 
Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German  descent.  He  enlisted 
August  16.  1862,  in  Company  K.  One  Hundred  and  Firsc  Regiment  In- 
diaija  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Capt.  Makahan  ;  he  served  three  years 
and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga  and  Missionary  Ridge  ; 
he  was  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea,  and  was  discharged  June 
24,  1865.  Mr.  Coomler  came  to  Wabash  County,  Ind.,  in  1842,  and 
there  remained  until  the  fall  of  1880,  when  he  came  to  Howard  County 
and  purchased  220  acres  of  land  near  Cissville,  where  he  now  resides. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coomler  have  had  ten  children — Elmer  E.,  Lizzie  M., 
Cora  L.,  Benjamin  F.,  Mattie  0.,  John  Sherman,  Ovid  Cecil,  Nettie  A., 
Ettie  L.  and  Charley  C.  (deceased).  Mr.  Coomler  is  at  present  Super- 
visor of  his  district  in  Howard  Township  ;  he  held  the  position  of  Steward 
in  the  Grange  organization  during  its  existence,  and  his  wife  is  a  prom- 
inent member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


HOWARD    TOWNSHIP.  487 

HANS  EK  is  the  second  of  eleven  children  horn  to  Peter  and  Emma 
(Pierson)  Ek,  natives  of  Sweden,  and  of  Swedish  descent.  Hans  was 
born  November  2,  1831,  and  was  reared  in  Sweden,  and  there  received 
his  education.  He  landed  in  New  York  City  June  19,  1850,  and  thence 
went  to  Chicago,  where  he  remained  three  years.  Pie  subsequently  came 
to  Kokomo,  Ind.,  and  here  labored  in  a  saw  mill  as  head  sawyer  for 
about  two  years,  and  in  April,  1861,  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Thirteenth 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  in  June  19. 
He  was  in  the  service  three  years  and  three  months,  and  participated  in 
battles  at  Rich  Mountain,  Greenbrier,  Alleghany,  Winchester,  Cold 
Harbor,  Fort  Wagner,  Foster's  Plantation  and  Petersburg.  He  received 
no  wounds,  was  stout  and  well,  and  was  never  oft'  from  duty  while  in  the 
service.  He  was  discharged  June  19,  186-1,  at  Indianapolis.  Mr.  Ek 
was  married,  November  21,  1859,  to  Sarah  Custer,  daughter  of  Chris- 
topher and  Elizabeth  (Clark)  Custer,  natives  of  Indiana.  This  union 
has  been  blessed  with  seven  children — Emma  Henderson,  Elizabeth, 
Rhoda,  Lewis  (deceased),  Charles,  Lienvel  and  Blanche  (deceased).  Mr. 
Ek  owned  and  managed  the  saw  mill  at  Cassville  for  fifteen  years,  and  is 
now  the  owner  of  a  steam  threshing-machine.  He  is  at  present  located 
upon  a  farm  near  Cassville,  and  he  and  wife  are  prominent  members  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

VESPASIAN  GOYER  is  the  eldest  of  nine  children  born  to  John 
and  Margaret  (Spangler)  Goyer,  natives  of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania. 
He  was  born  November  5,  1820,  in  Franklin  County,  Penn.,  where  he 
passed  a  few  years  of  his  childhood,  when  he  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Muskingum  County,  Ohio.  In  1847,  he  came  to  this  county,  taking  a 
pre  emption  claim,  and  is  now  living  on  the  same  ground.  He  afterward 
entered  160  acres  before  the  land  sale.  He  now  has  a  good  farm,  with 
substantial  buildings.  He  has  added  to  the  original  until  his  farm  con- 
tains 240  acres,  which  he  has  accumulated  mostly  through  his  own  efforts, 
having  received  a  little  assistance  from  his  father's  estate.  He  received 
a  common  school  education  in  his  youth,  and  taught  two  terms  of  school 
of  three  months.  After  he  had  entered  land,  he  was  married,  August  2, 
1851,  to  Lucy  Remington,  a  native  of  New  York.  She  was  the  second 
of  seven  children  born  to  Russel  and  Lydia  (Barns)  Remington,  both 
natives  of  New  York.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goyer  have  had  eleven  children — 
Lydia  A.,  John  R.,  Martha,  Viola  (deceased),  Evaline,  Luther,  Ulyssus, 
Isabelle,  Cyrus  (deceased),  Minnie  and  Edgar  V.  Mr.  Goyer  was  in  an 
early  day  a  Whig,  but  of  late  years  is  a  strong  advocate  of  Republican 
principles.  He  is  a  liberal  giver  to  all  public  interests,  and  he  and  wife 
have  been  identified  with  the  Christian  Church  for  over  thirty  years. 

HENRY  G.  HEMPER  is  the  second  of  six  children  born  to  Henry 


488  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

F.  and  Caroline  (Retburg)  Heraper,  both  natives  of  Germany  and  of 
German  descent.  Henry  G.  was  born  September  6,  1825,  in  Germany. 
His  father  was  in  the  battle  of  Waterloo  under  Wellington,  and  emigrated 
to  this  country  in  1837.  He  landed  in  New  York  and  settled  in  Con- 
necticut, where  he  remained  about  eighteen  months.  In  the  fall  of  1839, 
he  moved  to  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  in  1847  removed  to  Madison  County. 
The  following  year,  he  came  to  this  county,  locating  in  Howard  Township, 
and  remained  in  this  county  until  his  death.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
made  his  home  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age. 
He  worked  on  the  farm,  and  through  his  own  efforts  received  a  common 
school  education.  He  came  on  a  prospecting  tour  to  this  county  in  1846, 
returned  home,  and  in  1848  came  again  with  his  father.  He  returned 
to  Ohio  the  same  year  and  began  business  for  himself,  where  he  remoined 
ten  years.  He  then  returned  to  Howard  County  and  located  in  the 
forest  in  Howard  Township  on  eighty  acres  which  he  had  entered  ten 
years  before.  He  has  added  to  this  and  now  owns  120  acres  of  well- 
improved  land.  He  was  married,  March  4,  1852,  to  Elizabeth  Kisner 
(deceased).  She  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  was  the  first  of  four  children 
born  to  Henry  and  Casander  Kisner,  both  natives  of  Maryland.  Six 
children  crowned  this  union — Mary  C.  Spraker,  Joanna  (deceased), 
Emma  C,  Casander,  Fannie  K.  and  Addie  M.  Mr.  Hemper  has  taken 
a  great  pride  in  educating  his  children,  and  Fannie  and  Addie  are  among 
the  best  teachers  of  the  county.  He  has  always  voted  the  Pemocratic 
ticket,  and  is  one  of  the  party's  most  active  workers. 

CHARLES  L.  HUTSON  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  eight  children 
born  to  William  and  Frankie  (Lewis)  Hutson,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and 
of  Irish  and  English  descent.  His  father  came  to  Indiana  in  an  early 
day  and  settled  in  Boone  County,  and  subsequently  located  in  Howard 
County.  He  entered  160  acres  of  land  in  Howard  Township,  erected  a 
log  cabin,  and  cleared  a  home  for  himself  and  family.  He  endured  al 
the  privations  of  a  pioneer  life  in  the  wilderness,  and  has  since,  by 
industry  and  economy,  been  able  to  add  to  his  farm  until  he  had  480 
acres  of  the  choice  land  of  Howard  Township.  Mr.  Hutson  has  since 
divided  this  land  with  his  children,  and  is  at  present  located  upon  a  farm 
of  280  acres  near  Kokomo.  In  an  early  day,  Mr.  Hutson  was  Trustee  of 
Howard  Township  for  several  terms.  Charles  L.  was  born  February  5, 
1843,  and  was  reared  upon  the  farm,  where  he  received  a  common  school 
education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Clarcy  Ring,  daughter  of  James  and  Melvinia  (Reeder)  Ring,  natives  of 
Indiana.  This  union  has  been  crowned  with  four  children — Effa  (de- 
ceased), Elcy  (deceased),  William  0.  and  James  D.  Mr.  Hutson,  since 
his  marriage,  has  followed  agricultural  pursuits,  and  is  at  present  located 


HOWARD   TOWNSHIP.  489 

upon  a  farm  of  129  acres  near  Kokomo,  with  all  necessary  improve- 
ments. Mr.  Hutson  is  an  active  politician  in  the  Democratic  ranks, 
casting  his  first  ballot  for  G.  B.  McClellen  in  1864. 

WILLIAM  LAMASTER,  a  prominent  farmer  and  resident  of  Cass- 
ville,  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  eight  children  born  to  Isaac  and  Susan 
(Nabours)  Lamasters,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  A'^irginia,  of  French  de- 
scent. William  was  born,  January  12,  1827,  and  received  a  limited 
education  in  tho  common  schools  ;  he  remained  upon  the  farm  with  his 
father  until  October  10,  1852,  when  he  was  married  to  Charlotte  Crone, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Clines)  Crone,  natives  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  of  German  descent.  Mr.  Lamaster,  shortly  after  his  marriage, 
moved  upon  a  farm  near  Waupecon,  and  here  remained  until  the  spring 
of  1865,  when  he  sold  out  and  purchased  160  acres  in  Howard  County, 
adjoining  Cassville  ;  to  this  he  has  added  more  land,  and  now  has  240 
acres  of  well-improved  land,  with  all  necessary  improvements.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Lamaster  have  had  six  children — Rosie  Henderson,  William  H., 
Martha  J.  Woody,  Sarah  Lovinia,  Charles  Wesley  and  Mary  Ettie,  four 
of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Lamaster  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Republican 
ranks,  having  cast  his  first  ballot  for  Zachary  Taylor  in  1848.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lamaster  are  prominent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

DAVID  MARKLAND,  an  enterprising  farmer  of  Howard  Town- 
ship, is  the  second  of  seven  children  born  to  William  C.  and  Sarah  (At- 
kinson) Markland,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of  New 
Jersey.  Daniel  was  born  April  10,  1836,  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  and 
came  with  his  parents  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1855  ;  he  made  his 
home  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  working  on 
the  farm  and  attending  the  pioneer  schools  of  that  day.  He  subsequently 
attended  a  select  school  in  Kokomo  for  three  months,  and  thereby  received 
a  good  common  school  education  ;  he  has  taught  six  terms  of  school,  of 
which  four  terms  were  taught  in  one  district ;  he  began  teaching  at  the 
age  of  twenty- two,  and  was  considered  a  success  in  his  profession,  but  ill- 
health  compelled  him  to  leave  the  school  room  and  lead  a  farmer's  life  ;  he 
received  a  little  money  at  his  father's  death,  and  now  owns  188  acres  of 
good  land,  with  all  modern  improvements  ;  he  is  an  enterprising,  energetic 
farmer;  through  economy  has  secured  sufficient  means  tc  live  comfortably 
the  rest  of  his  life  ;  he  was  married  to  Margaret  Goodwine  October  17, 
1860.  She  was  the  fifth  of  ten  children  born  to  Charles  P.  and  Cathe- 
rine (Miller)  Goodwine,  natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Markland 
have  six  children — Catherine,  William  C.,  Benjamin  F.,  Eliza,  Charles 
P.  and  Edward  C.  Mr.  Markland  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in 
1864,  and  held  this  position  for  sixteen  successive  years ;  he  is  a  Repub- 


490  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

lican  in  politics,  having  cast  his  first  vote  for  President  Lincoln,  and  he 
and  wife  have  been  members  of  the  U.  B.  Church  for  several  years. 

SAMUEL  IIICHEY  was  born  in  Wyandot  County,  Ohio,  June  17, 
1840,  and  is  the  son  of  John  C.  and  Sarah  A.  (Prebble)  Richey,  of  Irish, 
French  and  German-English  descent.  Samuel  Richey  was  reared  on  the 
farm,  and  being  of  a  patriotic  disposition,  enlisted  in  August,  1861,  in 
Company  D,  Thirty-ninth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry  as  a  private,  and 
was  mustered  in  at  Indianapolis  under  Gen.  Woods  ;  he  served  about 
eighteen  months'  and  engaged  in  battles  at  Shiloh  and  Stone  River  ;  he 
was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  losing  his  left  arm,  near  the  shoulder 
joint,  and  for  his  disability  was  discharged  March  25,  1863.  The  follow- 
inor  July,  he  began  organizing  Company  H,  One  Hundred  and  Eighteenth 
Regiment  of  six  months'  men,  and  in  September  the  company  was  mus- 
tered in.  Mr-  Richey  was  elected  Captain,  but  as  a  choice  accepted  the 
position  of  Second  Lieutenant.  They  were  sent  to  Cumberland  Gap, 
where  Mr.  Richey  was  placed  in  command  to  guard  the  gap. 
He  had  about  320  men  under  his  command,  and  in  less  than  three  days 
had  reduced  this  number  to  about  three  men,  having  given  them  passes 
with  which  to  return  home ;  he  then  joined  his  regiment  at  Walker's 
Ford,  and  was  made  Mail  Agent  to  Knoxville ;  he  was  there  during  the 
engagement  at  that  place,  after  which  he  returned  to  his  command,  and 
subsequently  returned  home.  He  was  married,  July  5,  1865,  to  Meldah 
Soughers,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth  (Miller)  Soughers,  natives 
of  North  Carolina.  This  union  has  been  crowned  with  seven  children — 
J.  C.  S.,  Rodney  A.,  Emily  C,  Lorenzo  F.,  Sarah  L.,  Samuel  A.  and 
Joshua  P.,  four  of  whom  are  yet  living.  Mr.  Richey  is  at  present  located 
in  Cassville,  Howard  Township.  He  became  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 
in  Kokomo,  in  1868,  and  is  an  active  working  politician  in  the 
Republican  ranks  ;  he  has  held  the  office  of  County  Recorder  eight  years, 
and  is  at  present  holding  the  office  of  Notary  Public,  which  he  has  held 
for  eight  years  ;  he  was  the  first  man  to  establish  an  abstract  office  in 
Howard  County.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richey  are  identified  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  are  among  its  most  prominent  members. 

WILLIAM  S.  SALE,  son  of  James  and  Aurelia  (Gray)  Sale,  na- 
tives of  North  Carolina,  and  of  English  descent,  was  born  December  6, 
1826,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty- one  years  of 
age ;  he  worked  on  the  farm  and  received  a  limited  education,  and  subse- 
quently left  North  Carolina  and  located  in  Huntington  County,  Ind., 
where  he  farmed  for  seventeen  years.  In  his  youth  he  followed  clearing 
for  a  livelihood,  and  in  the  fall  of  1864  came  to  this  county,  locating  in 
Howard  Township,  on  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  where  he  still  lives.  He 
has  accumulated  what  he  possesses  through   his  own  labors,  and  has  just 


HOWARD    TOWNSHIP.  491 

completed  a  handsome  brick  residence  at  a  cost  of  $2,500.  Mr.  Sale  was 
first  married  in  1857,  to  Aana  Crandal,  a  native  of  Ohio.  They  had  five 
children — Emma,  Laura,  Freeman  and  two  infants  deceased.  He  was 
married,  the  second  time,  to  Martha  A.  Rowlings  Tharp,  a  native  of 
Kentucky.  Four  children  crowned  this  union — Owen  A.,  Fay  (de- 
ceased), Clyde  and  Maud.  Mr.  Sale  has  been  an  Odd  Fellow  since  1870; 
is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Repub- 
lican party. 

JESSE  C.  STEWART,  son  of  Stephen  and  Elizabeth  (Corn)  Stew- 
art, natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  descent,  was  born  June  24,  1827. 
He  was  reared  upon  the  farm,  but  owing  to  necessities  of  labor  received 
but  a  limited  education.  By  the  early  death  of  his  father,  he  was  left  to  his 
mother's  care.  March  28,  1854,  he  was  married  to  Mary  A.  Luery, 
daughter  of  Solomon  Luery  and  wife,  natives  of  Virginia.  They  had  one 
child — William  L.  Mrs.  Stewart  (now  deceased),  was  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  United  Brethren  Church.  Mr.  Stewart  was  married,  the 
second  time,  June  6,  1856,  to  Emma  Start,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Palmer,  of  this  county.  Three  children  blessed  this  union — Elizabeth 
A.  Smith,  Caroline  and  Stephen  A.  Mr.  Stewart  enlisted  in  August, 
1862,  under  Capt.  Burns,  in  Company  F,  Eighty-ninth  Regiment  In- 
diana Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  three  years.  He  participated  in 
the  following  battles :  Munfordsville,  Ft.  De  Russey,  Pleasant  Hill, 
Bayou,  Lamore,  Marksville,  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort  Blakely.  While 
marching  from  Vicksburg  to  Meridian,  he  was  wounded  by  the  kick  of  a 
horse  to  such  an  extent  as  to  cripple  him  for  life.  He  was  discharged  July 
22,  1865,  and  in  May,  1869,  married  Susana  Brown,  daughter  of 
Abijah  and  Sarah  (Lewis)  Brown,  natives  of  Kentucky.  This  union  has 
been  blessed  with  two  children — John  W.  and  Elmer  B.  Mr.  Stewart 
is  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  Howard  Township,  and  his  wife  is  an 
active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JACKSON  TRIPPEER,  merchant  at  Cassville,  carrying  a  |2,000 
stock  of  goods,  and  doing  a  first-class  business,  is  the  youno-est  of  thir- 
teen children  born  to  John  and  Catharine  (English)  Trippeer,  of  French 
tind  Irish  descent.  His  father  came  to  Miam  i  County,  Ind.,  in  1844 
and  engaged  in  farming  near  Peru  until  his  death  in  1874.  His  mother 
was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Jackson 
Trippeer  was  born  August  4,  1844,  and  farmed  with  his  father  and 
brother  until  November  14,  1866,  when  he  was  married  to  Alice  Ann 
Conn,  born  February  14,  1849,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Alice  Ann 
(Pierce)  Conn,  natives  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Trippeer  continued  to  farm  after 
his  marriage  until  April,  1878,  when  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  bus- 
iness in  Peru,  Ind.     There  he  remained  thirteen   months,  when   he  sold 


492  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

his  Stock  and  removed  to  Rich  Valley,  Wabash  County,  where  he  con- 
tinued in  business  about  four  years.  He  then  removed  his  stock  to 
Cassville,  Howard  County,  where  he  is  now  located  and  doing  a  thriving 
business.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trippeer  have  had  three  children — William, 
born  March  14,  1868  ;  Ida  (deceased),  born  November  25,  1870,  and 
Lewis,  born  April  14,  1874.  Mrs.  Trippeer  is  a  member  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church,  and  is  one  of  its  most  prominent  workers. 

ERASTUS  WELSH  is  the  son  of  Benjamin  and  Catherine  (Beard) 
Welsh  (both  deceased),  of  Irish  descent.  His  parents  were  married  in 
Muskinc^um  County,  Ohio;  removed  to  Iowa  in  1856,  and  in  1868  located 
in  this  township,  where  his  father  died  soon  afterward.  Erastus  was 
born  November  29,  1834,  in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  and  remained  on 
the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  worked  during  the 
summer  months,  and  attended  school  in  the  winter.  In  1856,  he  came 
to  this  county,  locating  in  Howard  Township,  on  eighty  acres  of  land  in 
the  green  woods,  given  him  by  his  father-in-law.  He  is  still  living  upon 
this  farm,  which  he  has  cleared  and  improved.  Mr.  Welsh  was  married, 
June  19,  1856,  to  Miss  Susan  Goyer,  a  native  of  Muskingum  County, 
Ohio,  and  is  the  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  (Spangler)  Goyer.  Mr. 
Welsh  has  always  been  a  friend  to  orphan  children.  He  took  Alfred 
Pugh  at  the  age  of  eight  years  and  reared  him  to  manhood,  and  now  has 
Mildred  McClure,  a  little  girl,  living  with  him.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order,  and  is  an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party.  He  is 
a  liberal  giver  to  all  public  improvements,  and  his  wife  has  been  a  member 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church  for  over  ten  years. 


CLAY    TOWNSHIP. 

ROBERT  McClelland,  son  of  Samuel  and  Margaret  (Cooper)  Mc- 
Clelland, was  born  in  Lawrence  County,  Ind.,  February  16,  1834,  and  is 
of  Scotch-German  descent.  His  father  emigrated  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Kentucky,  and  in  1827  located  in  Lawrence  County,  Ind.  ;  his  mother 
emigrated  from  Virginia  to  Indiana  in  1819.  The  subject  of  this  sketch, 
when  but  two  years  old,  removed  with  his  parents  to  Hendricks  County 
and  there  remained  until  1842.  His  father,  desirous  of  finding  a  home, 
in  the  reserve,  took  a  claim  in  Harrison  Township,  Howard  County,  and 
commenced  the  erection  of  a  cabin.  But  cold  weather  set  in  before  it  was 
completed,  and  they  moved  into  a  cabin  on  the  south  part  of  the  tract  Robert 
now  owns.  This  claim  his  father  held  and  by  hard  work  he  and  his  sons 
cleared  up  the  heavy  forest.  Robert  McClelland  received  a  somewhat 
limited  education,   and  worked  for  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-four 


CLAY   TOWNSHIP.  493 

years  of  age.  He  taught  one  term  of  school  in  the  winter  of  1858.  He 
experienced  a  great  loss  in  the  death  of  his  father  in  1855,  and  in  1863 
located  on  his  portion,  eighty  acres,  of  the  homestead.  He  still  lives  up- 
on this,  and  has  made  it  an  excellent  grain  and  stock  farm.  He  was 
Assessor  of  Clay  Township  in  1867-68.  He  has  for  several  years  been 
an  active  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  casts  his  ballot  with  the 
Democratic  party.  He  was  married,  April  30,  1859,  to  Mary  E.  Smith, 
of  Clay  Township.  They  have  had  two  children— Margaret  A.  and  Ed- 
win A.  His  wife  died  February  6,  1880  ;  his  mother  still  lives  with  him, 
a  veritable  monument  of  the  pioneer  days. 

EDWIN  P.  MEYERS,  Postmaster  at  Jewell,  is  a  native  of  Hamilton 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  born  December  25,  1836.  His  parents, 
James  and  Mary  (Powell)  Meyers,  were  natives  of  Virginia ;  they  came 
to  Daviess  County,  Ind.,  in  1840,  where  our  subject  was  reared  until  he 
was  twelve  years  old.  He  then  went  to  Franklin,  Johnson  County, 
where  he  attended  college.  Upon  the  breaking-out  of  the  war,  he  enlisted 
and  was  in  service  over  three  years.  During  this  entire  period  he  served 
as  Orderly  upon  the  StaflFs  of  Alexander  McDowell,  McCook,  and  sub- 
sequently with  Gens.  Kirk  and  Rosecrans.  He  was  honorably  dis- 
charged in  1864,  and  returned  to  Franklin,  Ind.,  where,  November  3. 
1864,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Nancy  Wiley,  daughter  of 
Spencer  Wiley,  of  Franklin.  His  next  venture  was  in  the  mercantile 
trade  at  Galveston,  Cass  County,  which  proved  disastrous.  In  1875,  he 
came  to  Howard  County,  locating  at  Jewell,  Clay  Township,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  has  been  Postmaster  of  Jewell  since  his  residence 
there,  and  is  now  serving  as  Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  is  a  member  of 
Galveston  Lodge,  No.  244,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  a  member  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Meyer  was  formerly  a  Republican,  but  is 
now  a  Greenbacker  in  politics.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meyer  have  two  children 
— Louis  S.  and  Charles  E. 

M.  S.  REAVES  is  a  native  of  Greene  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was 
born  February  2,  1825.  His  father,  George  Reaves,  was  a  native  of 
Virginia.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  remained  in  his  native  State  until 
April,  1851,  when  he  removed  to  Illinois  ;  there  he  remained  only  a  few 
months,  and  in  November  of  the  same  year  he  came  to  Howard  County, 
where  he  has  resided  up  to  the  present  writing.  Mr.  Reaves  was  one  of 
the  early  school  teachers  of  this  county.  He  has  been  identified  with  all 
progressive  measures  and  served  as  Trustee  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  in 
Clay  Township  eight  years  each.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Old  School 
Baptist  Church,  and  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He  owns  fortj?  acres  of 
good  land  located  in  Clay  Township.  Mr.  Reaves  was  united  in  marriage 
February  5,  1846,  to  Harriet  Blystone,  They  have  one  child  living, 
Angeline,   wife  of  John  Jones,  of  Kokorao,  and  one.  Louise,   deceased. 


494  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

HENRY  W.  SMITH,  son  of  Fielding  and  Rhoda  (Carpenter) 
Smith,  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Va.,  in  1817,  and  is  of  Franco- 
German  descent.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Virginia  and  received  a 
fair  Engiish  education.  His  father  died  when  he  was  twelve  years  old, 
and  he  and  his  brother  continued  to  farm  the  old  homestead.  At  the 
age  of  twenty,  he  removed  to  Kentucky  and  settled  near  Brownsboro,  in 
Oldham  County,  and  three  years  later  located  on  a  farm  in  Jeflferson 
County,  Ky.,  where  he  remained  thirteen  years.  He  was  married 
October  1,  1840,  to  Permelia  M.  Gaw,  of  Jefferson  County.  They  had 
ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living.  In  1853,  he  purchased  land  in 
Clay  Township  and  added  to  this  till  he  had  over  600  acres,  but  has 
since  divided  with  his  children  and  now  has  about  300  acres.  On  this  he 
has  erected  a  barn  and  brick  residence,  and  has  one  of  the  best  arranged 
grain  and  stock  farms  in  the  county.  He  has  always  belonged  to  the 
Democratic  party,  and  has  taken  a  great  interest  in  the  public  improve- 
ments of  his  county  and  community. 

WILLIAM  W.  SMITH,  son  of  Henry  W.  and  Permelia  (Garr) 
Smith,  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ky.,  August  10,  1841.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  attended  school  during  the  winter  months,  de 
voting  himself  studiously  to  his  books.  He  attended  the  common  schools 
until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  attended  the  Kokomo  Normal 
one  term.  In  1853,  his  father  having  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land  in 
Clay  Township,  Howard  Co.,  Ind.,  he  came  with  him  to  the  newly 
opened  reserve.  Mr.  Smith  was  married  December  22,  1863,  to  Sarah 
E.  Spraker,  of  Rush  County.  They  have  five  children — Addison  E., 
aged  eighteen  ;  Amelia,  aged  fifteen  ;  Charles  M.,  aged  nine  years ; 
Omer  J.,  aged  seven,  and  an  infant.  In  1864,  he  purchased  a  tract  of 
land,  and  in  1872  bought  the  land  he  now  owns.  His  farm  now  consists 
of  240  acres  of  fine  land,  and  lies  a  quarter  of  a  mile  west  of  Shiloh 
Church,  in  Clay  Township.  He  is  preparing  to  erect  an  elegant  brick 
residence  and  commodious  out-buildings.  He  belongs  to  the  Missionary 
Baptist  Church,  and  is  identified  with  the  National  party. 


ERVIN  TOWNSHIP. 
JOHN  B.  BUTCHER  was  born  in  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  near 
Greensburg,  January  20,  1843,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Sadona 
(Hancock)  Butcher.  His  father  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  his  mother 
of  Kentucky.  They  came  to  this  county  in  1854,  and  settled  in  Ervin 
Township.  At  that  time  J.  B.  Butcher  was  eleven  years  old,  and  since 
has  lived  in  this  county,  where  he   received  a  common  school   education. 


ERVIN  TOWNSHIP.  495 

In  the  summer  of  1861,  he  attended  the  graded  school  seven  weeks  at 
Kokomo,  under  Prof.  Baldwin,  at  which  time,  when  only  eighteen  years 
of  age,  September  21,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Thirty-fourth 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  served  three  years,  and  was 
mustered  out  at  Indianapolis  September  24,  1864.  He  was  in  battle  at 
New  Madrid,  Mo. ;  Riddle's  Point,  Mo. ;  Fort  Pillow,  Tenn. ;  Grand 
Prairie,  Ark. ;  Grand  Gulf,  Miss. ;  Port  Gibson,  Miss. ;  Fourteen  Creek, 
Miss.  ;  Champion  Hills,  Miss. ;  siege  of  Vicksburg ;  Jackson,  Miss. ; 
and  Grand  Coteau,  La.  After  the  war,  Mr.  Butcher  returned  home  and 
worked  with  his  father  three  years.  He  was  married  October  27,  1867, 
to  Sarah  J.  Thomas,  a  native  of  Cass  County,  Ind.  They  have  three 
children — Orville  0.,  Mary  M.  and  Angie  Monette.  When  he  was 
married,  he  purchased  the  land  where  Hiram  Pickett  now  lives,  and  the 
next  fall  purchased  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  a  farm  of 
164  acres,  about  110  under  cultivation,  and  raises  grain  and  stock.  He 
is  at  present  Trustee  of  the  township,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  United  Brethren  Church. 

I.  W.  MARTIN,  M.  D.,  born  March  1,  1829,  in  Lebanon  County, 
Penn.,  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Wetterhold)  Martin.  His 
father  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Penn.,  July  1,  1805;  his 
mother  is  a  native  of  Lebanon  County,  Penn. ;  born  in  1809 ;  died  in 
1848.  His  parents  had  eleven  children — John  Henry  (deceased); 
Samuel  A.,  a  farmer  near  Arcadia,  Ind. ;  Sarah,  wife  of  A.  P.  Erbaugh, 
a  farmer  of  Montgomery  County,  Ohio ;  Mary  A.,  wife  of  Jerome 
Martin  (deceased) ;  William,  a  farmer  in  Kansas  ;  Lydia,  wife  of  Andrew 
Robinson,  a  farmer  of  Carroll  County,  Ind. ;  Charles,  a  plasterer;  Eliza, 
wife  of  Samuel  Couffer,  of  Steelton,  Penn.  ;  Ruth,  deceased  wife  of 
John  W.  Biesecker ;  Hiram  (deceased) ;  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
Mr.  Martin's  second  marriage  was  on  July  4,  1849,  to  Nancy  Grundon, 
which  union  was  blessed  with  three  children.  I.  W.  Martin  was  reareil 
in  Dauphin  County,  Penn.,  and  there  received  a  common  school  educa- 
tion. He  also  attended  the  academy  at  Danville.  At  the  age  of  twelve, 
he  drove  a  team  on  the  Ohio  Canal,  after  which  he  assisted  his  father  in 
plastering,  and  learned  hat  and  bonnet  pressing  in  Philadelphia.  In 
1852,  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  Gideon  Fahnstock, 
at  Danville,  Penn.,  and  read  with  him  three  or  four  years.  He  was 
married  May  24,  1849,  to  Sarah  C.  Light,  a  native  of  Lebanon  County, 
Penn.  They  have  had  thirteen  children — John  Henry,  Mary  Louisa, 
Thomas  W.,  Samuel  L.,  Albert  E,,  Amanda  I.,  Amos  A.,  Kate  E., 
Milton  M.,  Ella  Jane,  Israel  A.  (deceased),  Sarah  A.  (deceased),  and 
Howard  E.  (deceased).  In  the  fall  of  1849,  Mr.  Martin  came  to  this 
county,  and  in  1860  moved  his  family  here,  locating  in  Ervin  Township, 


496  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

where  he  now  resides.  In  six  months  after  moving  here,  he  purchased 
four  acres  of  ground,  and  built  a  log  cabin.  The  day  after  moving  into 
it  it  burned,  and  they  lost  everything  they  had.  He  now  has  forty-nine 
acres,  well  improved,  with  good  house  and  barn.  Mr.  Martin  cast  his 
first  Presidential  vote  for  Buchanan  and  his  second  for  Lincoln.  Feb- 
ruary 6,  1863,  he  was  commissioned  by  Montgomery  Blair  as  Postmaster 
at  Ervin,  which  office  he  has  held  ever  since.  In  1875,  he  was  com- 
missioned Notary  Public,  which  office  he  now  holds.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  has  had  a  continuous  practice  of  medicine  in 
his  township  since  his  location  there  in  1860.  Mr.  Martin  has  a  print- 
ing press,  and  the  editors  of  Kokomo  say  he  is  the  best  self-made  printer 
in  Northern  Indiana.  He  does  all  his  own  printing,  besides  job  work  of 
all  kinds.  He  keeps  a  general  store,  and  is  the  sole  proprietor  and  man- 
ufacturer of  Martin  &  Son's  Blood  Invigorater,  and   his   Cough    Elixir. 

WILLIAM  MITCHELL  was  born  in  Parke  County,  Ind.,  December 
9,  1840,  and  is  one  of  eight  children  born  to  Perley  and  Phoebe  (Lewis) 
Mitchell.  The  father  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  and  the  mother 
was  a  native  of  New  York,  and  is  living  in  Terre  Haute  on  the  home- 
stead. William  Mitchell  was  reared  in  Parke  County,  where  he  received 
the  benefit  of  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  attended  school  at  the 
Bloomingdale  Academy.  September  5,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I, 
Thirty-first  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  Terre  Haute,  Ind. 
He  was  in  battle  at  Fort  Donelson,  Pittsburg  Landing,  Stone  River,  and 
several  skirmishes.  He  served  three  years,  and  was  mustered  out  at 
Chicago  September  5,  1864,  when  he  returned  to  his  father's,  in  Parke 
County,  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  October,  1867,  he  came  to  this 
county  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Ervin  Township,  partly 
under  cultivation.  He  has  since  added  173  acres,  and  now  raises  grain 
and  stock.  Mr.  Mitchell  has  served  one  term  as  Trustee  of  the  township. 
He  was  married,  November  5,  1868,  to  Miss  Rhoda  Tucker,  a  native  of 
Ohio.  His  wife  died  in  1871,  leaving  one  child,  Nora.  May  23,  1872, 
he  married  Hulda  Morris,  a  native  of  Miami  County,  Ind.  They  have 
six    children — Belle,  Frank.  John,  Herman,  Sumner  and  Reyburn. 

WILLIAM  J.  SIMPSON  is  the  second  in  a  family  of  six  children 
born  to  William  and  Sarah  (Turner)  Simpson,  natives  of  North  Carolina 
and  Pennsylvania,  and  of  English  and  Irish  descent.  William  J.  was 
born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  March  8,  1827,  and  was  reared  upon  the 
farm,  receiving  a  limited  education.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  of 
three  years  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  and,  shortly  after  his  majority,  was 
married  to  Miss  Sarah  Fiant,  born  June  7,  1832,  the  daughter  of  Peter 
and  Elizabeth  (Bilman)  Fiant,  of  Fayette  County.  Shortly  after  his 
marriage,  Mr.  Simpson  engaged  in  farming  in  Fayette  County,  where  he 


ERVIN  TOWNSHIP.  497 

remained  three  years.  He  then  removed  to  Montgomery  County,  Ohio, 
thence  he  located  in  Darke  County,  and  later  removed  to  Preble  County. 
In  October,  1857,  he  came  to  this  county,  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land 
and  resided  in  the  first  log  cabin  built  in  Ervin  Township.  Here  he 
cleared  out  a  home  for  himself  and  family.  He  enlisted,  in  December, 
1863,  in  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  Regiment  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  organized  at  Camp  Still  well,  Kokomo,  Ind.,  under 
Capt.  Garrett.  He  participated  in  battle  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  Mr. 
Simpson,  while  in  Camp  Carrington,  Indianapolis,  was  thrown  from  the 
barracks  and  had  his  leg  broken  and  received  a  severe  wound  in  his  side. 
After  he  recovered  from  this,  he  was  placed  upon  detail  duty,  and  was 
discharged  June  22,  1865.  Upon  his  return  home,  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, and  is  now  located  upon  a  farm  near  Ridgeway.  He  is  an  active 
politician  in  the  Republican  party,  but  cast  his  first  vote  for  Zachary 
Taylor  in  1848.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simpson  have  been  blessed  with  six 
children— Elizabeth  H.  A.  (deceased),  born  April  18,  1851  ;  Francis  S., 
born  January  21,  1857;  Sarah  E.,  born  April  6,  1859;  William  H., 
born  August  19,  1862 ;  John  M.  (deceased),  born  October  1, 1866  ;  and 
Marion  T.,  born  February  10,  1869.  Mr.  Simpson  is  a  prominent  com- 
rade in  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  his  wife  is  identified  with  the  German  Baptist 
Church. 


PART  III. 

HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 


HISTORYOF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 


EVENTS  PRIOR  TO  THE  COUNTY  ORGANIZATION. 


BY  WESTON   A.    OOOIISPEEU. 


THE  county  of  Tipton  possesses  the  historic  peculiarity  of  having 
had  the  southern  portion  thrown  into  mai'ket  and  settled  quite  ex- 
tensively for  a  number  of  years  before  the  Indian  title  to  the  northern 
portion  was  extinguished.  It  appears  that  the  territory  now  comprising 
the  county  was  foi'merly  the  andisputed  domain  of  the  Miamis;  but  at 
some  period  during  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  the  Dela- 
wares  seem  to  have  acquired  a  claim  to  that  portion  watered  by  White 
River,  as  is  shown  by  the  second  article  of  the  treaty  of  Fort  Wayne, 
September  20,  1809,  between  the  United  States  and  the  Delawares,  Pot- 
tawatomies,  Miamis  and  Eel  River  Miamis,  the  article  reading  as  fol- 
lows: "  The  Miamis  explicitly  acknowledge  the  equal  right  of  the  Dela- 
wares with  themselves  to  the  country  watered  by  the  White  River.  But 
it  is  also  to  be  clearly  understood  that  neither  party  shall  have  the  right 
of  disposing  of  the  same  without  the  consent  of  the  others,  and  any  im- 
provements which  shall  be  made  on  the  said  land  by  the  Delawares,  or 
their  friends,  the  Mohecans,  shall  be  theirs  forever."  By  the  first  article 
of  the  treaty  of  St.  Mary's,  between  the  United  States  and  the  Dela- 
wares, on  the  3d  of  October,  1818,  such  tribe  relinquished  their  claim  to 
all  lands  in  the  State  of  Indiana.  Thus  it  seems  that  all  that  portion  of 
the  county  "watered  by  White  River  became  the  property  of  the  United 
States  in  18]  8.  Three  y^rs  later  (1821),  the  Government  survey  took 
place. 

If  any  white  persons  located  permanently  within  what  is  now  Tipton 
County,  prior  to  the  thirties,  such  fact  is  not  now  known.  White  people 
began  to  enter  what  is  now  Hamilton  County  as  early  as  1819,  or  within 
a  year  after  the  Delaware  title  to  the  soil  was  extinguished,  and  so  rapid 
was  the  settlement  that,  during  the  session  of  the  State  Legislature  in 
1822-23,  the  act  was  passed  creating  the  county  of  Hamilton.  The 
lands  of  Hamilton  County  were  subject  to  entry  at  Brookvtlle,  and  later 


2  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

at  iBdianapolis.  The  lands  of  Tipton  County  (those  south  of  the  old 
Miami  reservation)  were  subject  to  entry  at  Fort  Wayne,  and  remained 
thus  until  about  the  year  1848,  when  the  land  office  was  transferred  to 
Indianapolis.  But  the  settlement  of  southern  Tipton  County  was  post- 
poned until  about  twelve  years  after  the  county  of  Hamilton  was  created, 
and  was  thus  a  howling  wilderness  for  that  entire  period,  when  the 
county  on  the  south  was  undergoing  rapid  settlement  and  improvement. 
It  is,  of  course,  certain  that  the  county  of  Tipton  was  often  traversed 
by  white  hunters  and  speculators  from  the  south,  and  by  traders  who 
crossed  the  county  on  their  way  to  traffic  with  the  Miamis  in  Howard  and 
northern  Tipton  Counties.  Various  Indian  trails  were  the  highways 
over  which  the  traders  traveled.  Wild  animals  were  found  abundantly 
in  all  portions  of  the  county,  especially  along  the  streams,  where  im- 
penetrable swamps  abounded,  and  where  the  animals  sought  refuge  when 
pursued  by  hunters.  Old  settlers  of  Hamilton  County  state  that  bears 
were  numerously  found  in  all  the  region  bordering  Cicero  Creek,  and 
that  such  region  was  a  favorite  hunting-ground  of  the  Miamis  on  the 
north.  The  country  (vas  constantly  invaded  by  hunters  and  trappers 
from  the  south,  and,  erelong,  the  bears  had  nearly  all  been  killed  or 
driven  away,  and  even  the  deer  had  become  comparatively  scarce  and 
quite  shy.  Cicero  Creek  is  said  to  have  derived  its  name  from  the  fol- 
lowing circumstance:  The  survey  took  place  in  1821,  under  Judge  (Will- 
iam B.)  Laughlin,  of  Brookville.  One  of  his  assistants  was  his  son 
Cicero,  who  undertook  to  drink,  one  day,  from  the  stream,  but  while 
stooping  down  missed  his  hold,  and  plunged  into  the  water.  This  mis- 
hap so  amused  the  father  that  he  is  said  to  have  then  and  there  named 
the  creek  Cicero,  to  commemorate  the  event  of  the  ducking.  This  oc- 
curred in  Hamilton  County.  Much  more  regarding  wild  animals  and 
Indians  will  be  found  in  other  portions  of  this  volume. 

THE  FIEST  PURCHASE  OF  LAND. 

The  following,  taken  from  the  "Tract  Book,"  in  the  Kecorder's 
office,  exhibits  a  number  of  the  first  pieces  of  land  entered  in  the 
county: 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 


PURCHASER. 


Nicholas  McCarty. . . 
Nicholas  McCarty. . 
Absalom  Summers  . . 

P.  W.  Sharger 

P.  W.  Sharger 

James  Beeson 

James  Goodpasture . . 
Absalom  Summers  . . 

Eli  Wright 

Eli  Wright 

Eli  Wright 

Henry  Etchison 

Henry  Hill 

Samuel  King 

George  R.  Kelley. . . . 

John  Wade 

John  Wade 

Humphrey  Stevens. . 
Humphrey  Stevens. . 

G.  R.  Keiley 

.Samuel  King 

Henry  Ward 

D.  J.  Wood 

Charles  Trial,  Jr.... 

John  Frazier 

A.  J.  Redding 

William  Bishop 

John  Emehiser 

Elias  Overman 

Newton  J.  Jackson. . 
Zadoc  W.  Darrow. . . 
Samuel  Darrow 


29 
29 
31 
30 
31 
33 
25 
36 
29 
29 
29 
29 
25 
24 
25 
11 
12 
13 
13 
25 
19 
30 
36 
13 
17 
19 

25 

14  &  15 
33 
19 
32 
32 


TOWN- 
SHIP. 


DATE  OF  ENTRY. 


LOCATION. 


21 
31 
21 
21 

21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
31 
21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
31 
31 
31 

21 

21 
21 
21 
21 
21 


80 

80 
136.53 
145.84 
143.84 

80 

80 
330 
16« 

80 

80 

40 

40 
160 

40 

80 

80 
160 

80 

80 

65 
160 
330 

80 

80 
160 


400 
160 
330 

8!) 


4 
5 
6 
6 
6    i  160 


Sept.  19,  1839. 
Sept.  19,  1839. 
Sept.  1,  1834. 
Sept.  1,  1834. 
Sept.  1,  1834. 
Jan.  3,  1835.. 
March  9,  1835. 
'Mav  30,  1835. 
July  6,  1835.. 
July  6.  1835.. 
July  6,  1835 . . 
August  33,  1835. 
August  37,  1835. 
August  39,  1835. 
August  39,  1835. 
Sept.  36,  1835  . . . 
Sept.  36, 1835.... 
Sept.  36,  1835... 
Sept.  36,  1835... 
Sept.  26.  18 i5... 
Sept.  36,  1835... 
October  13, 1835. 
October  13,  1835. 
iOctoberSO,  1835. 
October  34,  1835. 
October  34,  1835. 


4    !  160       iNov.  3,  1835  . .  ■! 


iNov.  30.  1835  . 
Nov.  13,  1835  . 
Dec.  3,  1835. . . 
[Dec.  24,1835.. 
.Dec.  34, 1835. . 


W.  N.  W, 

w.  s.  w. 
s.  w. 
s.  w. 

N.  W- 
E.  S.  E. 
E.  N.  E. 
E.  half. 
S.  E. 
W.  N.  E. 
E.  N.  W. 
N.  WS.W. 
S.  W.  S.  E. 
N.  E. 

N.W.  S.  E. 
E.  S.  E. 
W.  S.  W. 
N.  E. 
E.  N.  W. 
E.  S.  W. 
N.  S.  W. 
N.  E. 
W.  half. 
E.  S.  E. 
E.  S.  E. 
S.  E. 

E.  N.  W.  & 
W.  N.  E. 
Parts. 
S.  W. 
E.  half. 
W.  S.  E. 
N.  E. 


SUBSEQUENT    SETTLEMEiTt. 

The  purchase  of  land  and  the  settlement  in  the  southern  portion  of 
the  county  continued  quite  extensively  during  the  years  1836,  1837  and 

1838,  so  that  in  1839  it  was  found  expedient  to  make  some  provision  for 
the  taxation  of  the  settlers,  and  for  the  administration  of  justice.  Ac- 
cordingly,  by  an  act  of    the  General    Assembly,  approved   February  16, 

1839,  the  boundary  of  the  county  of  Eichai'dville  was  formed,  the  Miami 
title  to  the  old  Miami  reservation  having  been  extinguished  in  1838, 
though  the  tribe  was  not  to  be  removed  therefrom  nor  molested  until 
1842  and  1843,  so  that  no  oi-ganization  of  such  county  could  take  place 
until  1844.  A  portion  of  the  coiinty  of  Richardville,  as  thus  defined, 
now  belongs  to  Tipton  County,  as  will  be  seen  by  considering  what  fol- 
lows. Section  2  of  that  enactment  attached  all  of  the  Miami  reservation 
south  of  Cass  County  and  north  of  the  line  dividing  Townships  22  and 
23  north,  to  Cass  County.  These  sections  were  6,  5.  4  and  possibly  3, 
in  Township  23  north.  Range  3  east,  now  in  the  extreme  northwestern 
part  of  Tipton  County.  Section  3  of  the  enactment  attached  all  of  the 
reservation  south  of  Miami  County  and  north  of  the  line  dividing  Town- 
ships 22  and  23  north,  to  Miami  County.     Thus,  Sections  1,  2  and  per- 


4  HISTORY    OF   TIITON   OOUNTV. 

haps  3,  in  Township  23  north,  Range  3  east,  Sections  1,  2,  3,  4,  5  and 
6  in  Township  23  north,  Range  4  east,  and  Sections  3,  4,  5  and  6  in 
Township  23  north.  Range  5  east,  now  forming  a  portion  of  the  northern 
tier  of  sections  of  Tipton  (bounty,  were  attached  to  Miami  County.  Sec- 
tion 4  of  the  enactment  attached  all  of  the  reservation  east  of  the  eastern 
boundary  of  Miami  County,  and  north  of  the  line  dividing  Townships 
22  and  23  north,  to  Grant  County.  The  territory  thus  attached  to  Grant 
was  Sections  -5  and  (3  in  Township  23  north,  Range  6  east,  and  Sections 
1  and  2  in  Township  23  north,  Range  5  east.  Section  5  of  the  enact 
ment  was  as  follows: 

Section  5.  .So  much  of  said  reservation  as  is  north  of  the  county  of  Hamilton 
and  south  of  the  line  dividino-  Townships  22  and  23  north,  is  hereby  attached  to  the 
said  county  of  Hamilton  for  judicial  purposes  ;  and  the  said  counties  to  which  the 
said  territor_y  is  hereby  temporarily  attached  shall  exercise  all  the  rights,  privileges 
and  jurisdictions  in  and  over  said  territory  that  to  said  counties  belon;;-  according  to 
law  in  other  cases,  and  when  the  population  in  such  attached  territory  will  warrant 
shall  form  the  same  into  townships,  and  order  the  election  of  Justices  of  the  Peace' 
and  other  township  officers;  and  the  inhabitants  of  such  attached  territory  shall  be 
entitled  to  and  exercise  all  the  rights  and  privileges  that  other  citizens  of  said  coun- 
ties are  entitled  to.  Tj-^icy 

It  should  be  noticed,  that  all  this  teiritory,  at  least  ^11  of  the  old 
Miami  reservation  referred  to  above,  was  created  as  Richardville  County, 
which  was  not  to  be  organized  until  the  Indians  were  removed  and  the 
white  population  warranted.  In  the  meantime,  tiie  lanii  was  attached  to 
the  surrounding  counties,  as  above  stated.  It  is  clear,  then,  that  all  of 
the  Miami  reservation  now  in  Tipton  County  was,  by  this  enactment, 
included  within  the  boundarias  of  the  old  Richardville  County.  There 
seems  to  have  been  no  direct  provision  made  for  that  portion  of  Tipton 
County  south  of  the  Miami  reservation.  An  indirect  reference  seems  to 
be  made  to  it  in  the  first  part  of  Section  5  of  the  enactment  of  1839, 
quoted  above,  as  the  reservation  south  of  the  line  dividing  Townships  22 
and  23  north  could  scarcely  have  been  attached  to  Hamilton  County,  un- 
less that  portion  of  Tipton  County  south  of  the  reservation  was  attached 
at  the  same  time,  or  had  been  before.  But  it  was  not  attached  before, 
and  subsequent  references  render  it  almost  absolutely  conclusive  that 
Section  5,  above  quoted,  provided  that  all  of  the  present  Tipton  County 
south  of  the  line  between  Townships  22  and  23  north  should  be  attached 
to  Hamilton  County.  Whether  the  southern  portion  of  the  county — that 
south  of  the  reservation — was  included  within  the  boundaries  of  the 
county  <^f  Richardville  fixed  by  the  enactment  of  1839,  cannot  be  cer- 
tainly stated  by  the  writer,  though  that  seems  to  have  been  the  inten- 
tion. 

The  Commissioners  of  Hamilton  County  no  sooner  became  aware  of 
the  passage  of  the  enactment  of  1839,  than  (in  January,  1839)  they  or- 
dered,  "  That    all  the   territory    north  of    White    River,    Jackson    and 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  5 

Adams  Townships  (the  northern  tier  of  townships  of  Hamilton  County), 
to  the  reservation,  be  attached  to  and  form  a  part  of  said  townships,  and 
Allen  Cole  is  ordered  to  obtain  all  the  held  notes  for  the  territory  north 
of  White  Kiver,  Jackson  and  Adams  Townships  to  the  reservation."     At 
the  March  (5th)   session  of   1839,  the   same   Commissioners   divided  the 
attached  territory  on  the  north  into  the  following  townships:     Cicero — 
Beginning  at  the    southeast  corner  of   Section    32,   Township    21  north, 
Kange  6  east,  thence  north   twelve  miles,  thence  west    ten  miles,  thence 
south  twelve  miles,  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  35,  Township  21 
north,  Range  4  east,  thence  east  to  the  place   of  beginning.     Jeffemon 
— Beginning  at  the  southeast  corner  of   Section  34,  Township  21   north. 
Range  4  east,  thence  north  twelve  miles,  thence  west   ten  miles,  thence 
south  twelve  miles,  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  31,  Township  21 
north,  Range  3  east,    thence   east  to  the  place  of  beginning.      The   two 
townships,  Cicero  and  Jefiferson,  were  made  to  include  all  of  the  present 
Tipton   County  except  the   tier  of    sections  on  ^the    northern    boundary, 
such  tier  having  been   attached  to  other  counties,  as    previously  stated. 
For  Cicero  Township,  an   election  of  two  Justices  of  the  Peace  was  or- 
dered held  at  the  house  of  James    Goodpasture,  on  the  first  Monday  in 
April,  1839,  and    Dempsey  St.   Clair  was  appointed  Inspector  of    such 
election.    An  election  of  two  Justices  of  the  Peace  in  Jefferson  Township 
was  ordered   held  the  first    Monday  in  Aj^ril,  and    John    Deal    was    ap- 
pointed Inspector.     Immediately  after  this,  and  possibly  before  the  elec- 
tions were  held,  the  Commissioners  of  Hamilton  re- adjusted  the  bounda- 
ries of  Cicero  and  Jefferson  Townships,  and  created  the  new  township  of 
Madison,  giving  each  the  following  boundaries :     Jefferson — Beginning 
at  the    southwest  corner  of  the  county,    thence    east  eight  , miles,  thence 
north  as  far  as  the  jurisdiction  of  Hamilton  County  extended,  which  was 
to  the  line  dividing  Townships  22  and  23  north,  thence  west  eight  miles, 
to  the  western  boundary  of  Tipton  County,  thence  south  to  the  place  of 
beginning.      Cicero — Beginning    at  the  southeast   corner   of    Jefifersoa 
Township,  thence  east   six  miles,  thence  north  as  far  as  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  county  extended,  thence  west  six  miles  to  the  northeast  corner  of 
Je£ferson  Township,  thence  south  to  the  place  of  beginning.      Madison — 
Beginning  at  the  southeast  corner  of    Cicero   Township,  thence   east  six 
miles  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Tipton  County,  thence  north   along  the 
eastern    boundary  as   far  as   the   jurisdiction    of  Hamilton    County    ex- 
tended, thence  west  six  miles  to  the   northeast  corner  of    Cicero    Town- 
ship, thence  south  to    the  place   of  beginning.     No  other  changes  were 
made  until  Tipton  County  was  created.      The  settlers  continued  to  pour 
into  the  southern  portion  of  the  county,  and  in  the  northern  part  many 
tracts  of  land  were  pre-empted  by  families  that  became  actual  residents, 
and  by  speculators  who  expected   to    hold  the    land    until  it    had    risen 
greatly  in  value,  after  which  it   would  be  sold  to    such    men  as    would 


6  HISTORY    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

contract  to  become  actual  residents.  Every  inducement  was  offered  to 
emigrants  seeking  homes,  and  the  sale  of  lands  aud  town  lots  in  the 
three  villages  that  were  laid  out  was  advertised  far  in  the  East,  to  lure 
actual  residents  to  the  county,  and  thus  hasten  the  improvement  of  the 
new  country,  increase  the  population  and  the  blessings  which  follow  set- 
tled communities,  and  multiply  the  value  of  the  land  and  the  farms. 

In  1842  and  1843,  the  Miamis  were  removed  west  of  the  Mississi  ppi 
River,  after  which  the  pre-emption  of  lands  in  the  reserve  (though  they 
were  not  yet  thrown  into  market)  was  rapid,  and  the  settlement  and 
improvement  as  extensive  as  if  the  land  had  been  placed  in  the  land 
offices  for  sale.  The  settlement  in  the  present  counties  of  Howard  and 
Tipton  was  so  rapid  that  the  Legislature  was  formally  petitioned  to 
create  two  new  counties,  which  was  done  during  the  sessoin  of  1843-44, 
the  enactment  in  full  being  as  follows:  —^-■■" 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Oeneral  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Indiana.  That  all  the 
country  included  within  the  followini^  boundaries  shall  form  and  constitute  the 
county  of  Tipton,  to  wit  :  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  36,  Town- 
ship 23  north,  Range  2  east,  thence  east  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  33, 
Township  23  north,  Range  6  east,  thence  south  to  the  line  dividing  Townships  20 
and  21  north,  thence  west  to  the  line  dividing  Ranges  2  and  3,  thence  north  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

Section  2.  That  all  the  country  included  within  the  following  boundary 
shall  form  and  constitute  the  county  of  Richardville,  to  wit  :  Beginning  ai  the 
northeast  corner  of  Section  36,  Township  23  north,  Range  2  east,  thence  north  to 
the  southeast  corner  of  Section  13,  Township  23  north,  Range  2  east,  thence  west  to 
the  line  dividing  Ranges  1  and  2,  thence  north  to  the  line  dividing  Townships  24 
and  25  north,  thence  east  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  4,  Township  24  north. 
Range  6  east,  thence  south  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  33,  Township  23  north. 
Range  6  east,  thence  west  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Sec  3.  Daniel  P.  Alder,  of  Grant  County  ;  Jesse  Carter,  of  Clinton 
County;  Samuel  Cunningham,  of  Hamilton  County;  Giles  W.  Thomas,  of  Cass 
Countyt  James  Nowland,  of  Madison  County;  and  Lewis  D.  Adkins,  of  Miami 
County,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  Commissioners  for  the  purpose  of  fixing 
the  permanent  seat  of  justice  in  the  said  county  of  Tipton,  agreeably  to  the  provis- 
ions of  an  act  to  establish  seats  of  justice  in  new  counties,  approved  January  14, 
1824.  The  said  Commissioners,  or  a  majority  of  them,  shall  meet  at  the  house  of 
Jesse  Brown,  in  said  county  of  Tipton,  on  the  second  Monday  in  May  next,  or  as 
soon  thereafter  as  a  majority  of  them  shall  agree  upon. 

Sec.  4.  John  Moulder,  of  Parke  County;  Himelias  Mendenhall,  of  Miami 
County;  John  Armstrong,  of  Carroll  County;  Oliver  Raymond,  of  Wabash  County; 
and  Samuel  Coiip.  of  Hamilton  County,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  Com- 
missioners for  the  purpose  of  fixing  the  permanent  seat  of  justice  in  the  said  county 
of  Richardville  agreeably  (etc.,  as  in  Section  3).  The  said  Commissioners,  or  a 
majority  of  them,  shall  meet  at  the  house  of  John  Harrison  in  said  county  of  Rich- 
ardville on  the  second  Monday  in  May  next,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  a  majority  of 
them  shall  agree  upon. 

Sec.  5.  The  said  Commissioners  shall  locate  the  permanent  seats  of  justice  of 
said  counties  as  near  the  center  thereof  as  a  convenient  site  can  be  obtained,  taking 
into  consideration  the  amount  proposed  to  be  donated  for  the  public  buildings  in 
said  counties.  Provided,  hotcever,  if  the  land  where  the  said  county  seats  are  to  be 
located  is  not  surveyed,  and  a  good  and  sufficient  title  cannot  be  obtained,  then  th 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  7 

said  Commissioaers  shall  convene  for  the  purposes  aforesaid  as  soon  as  such  survey 
is  made  and  a  title  can  be  obtained. 

Sec.  6.  From  and  after  the  first  day  of  May  next  the  said  counties  of  Tipton 
and  Richardville  shall  enjoy  all  the  rights  and  jurisdictions  which  to  separate 
counties  do  or  may  belong. 

Sec.  7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Sheriff  of  Hamilton  County  to  notify  the 
Commissioners  hereby  appointed  to  locate  the  seat  of  justice  in  the  county  of  Tip- 
ton by  writing  of  their  appointment  and  the  time  and  place  of  their  meeting,  and 
the  county  of  Tipton  shall  make  such  Sheriff  a  reasonable  compensation  for  his 
services. 

Sec.  8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Sheriff  of  the  county  of  Carroll  to  notify 
the  Commissioners  hereby  appointed  to  locate  the  seat  of  justice  in  the  county  of 
Richardville  by  writing  of  their  appointment,  and  the  time  and  place  of  their 
meeting,  and  the  county  of  Richardville  shall  make  such  Sheriff  a  reasonable  com- 
pensation for  his  services. 

Sec.  9.  The  Circuit  and  other  courts  of  the  county  of  Tipton  shall  be  held  at 
the  house  of  Jesse  Brown,  in  said  county,  or  at  any  other  place  where  said  courts 
may  adjourn  to  until  suitable  accommodations  can  be  had  at  the  seat  of  justice. 

Sec.  10.  The  Circuit  and  other  courts  of  the  county  of  Richardville  shall  be 
held  at  the  house  of  John  Harrison,  in  said  county,  or  at  any  other  place  where 
said  courts  may  adjourn  to  until  suitable  accommodations  can  be  had  at  the  seat  of 
justice. 

Sec.  U.  The  boards  doing  county  business  in  said  counties, ;When  elected  and 
qualified,  may  hold  special  sessions  not  exceeding  three  the  first  year  after  the 
organization  of  said  counties,  and  shall  make  all  necessary  appointments,  and  do 
and  perform  all  other  business  that  might  have  been  necessary  to  be  performed  at 
any  regular  session,  and  take  all  necessary  steps  to  assess  and  collect  the  State  and 
county  revenue. 

Sec.  12.  The  county  of  Tipton  'shall  be  attached  to  and  form  a  part  of  the 
Eleventh  Judicial  Circuit  for  judicial  purposes,  and  shall  be  attached  to  the  county 
of  Hamilton  for  Representative  purposes,  and  to  the  counties  of  Hamilton  and 
Boone  for  Senatorial  purposes,  and  to  the  Fifth  Congressional  District. 

Sec.  13.  The  county  of  Richardville  shall  be  attached  to  and  form  a  part  of 
the  Eleventh  Judicial  Circuit  for  judicial  purposes,  and  shall  be  attached  to  the 
county  of  Carroll  for  Representative  purposes,  and  to  the  counties  of  Carroll  and 
Clinton  for  Senatorial  purposes,  and  to  the  Eighth  Congressional  District. 

Sec.  14.  The  Circuit  Courts  in  the  county  of  Tipton  shall  be  held  on  Mon- 
days succeeding  the  courts  in  Jay  County,  and  shall  continue  three  days  if  the  busi- 
ness require  it. 

Sec.  15.  The  Circuit  Courts  in  the  county  of  Richardville  shall  be  held  on 
Thursdays  succeeding  the  courts  of  Tipton  County,  and  shail  continue  three  days  if 
the  business  require  it. 

Sec.  16.  The  sixth  section  of  an  act,  approved  February  16,  1839,  entitled 
"An  act  attaching  certain  territory  to  the  counties  therein  named,"  and  for  other 
purposes,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  repealed. 

Sec.  17.  The  act  entitled  "  An  act  to  compel  speculators  to  pay  a  road  tax 
equal  to  that  paid  by  actual  settlers,"  approved  January  31, 1843,  is  hereby  extended 
to  the  county  of  Tipton. 

Sec.  18.     This  act  to  be  in  force  from  and  after  its  passage. 

Approved  January  15,  1844. 

THE  FIRST  election. 

On  the  27th  day  of  March,  1844,   William  Harrington  was  commis- 


8 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 


sioned  Sheriff  by  Gov.  Whitcomb.  and  empowered  to  order  an  electi<)n 
.  f  the  necessary  officers  to  organize  the  new  coianty  of  Tipton.  The  27th 
of  May,  1844,  was  accordingly  selected  as  the  day  upon  which  the  first 
election  in  the  county  should  be  held.  Elections  wer«  advertised  for 
three  Commissioners,  two  Associate  Judges,  one  Clerk  of  the  Circuit 
Court  and  one  Recorder,  to  be  held  in  Cicero,  Madison,  Jefferson  and 
Prairie  Townships.     The  result  of  this  election  was  as  follows: 


CANDIDATES. 


CLERK. 

N.  J.  Jackson 

David  Kemp •■•11 

Alexander  M.  Young '     4 

.James  Foisee 7 

RECORDER. 

AmasaP.  Cassler 15 

Benjamin  McCaslaud 13 

Reuben  Farlow 1 

James  Cooper i     9 

Sylvester  Turpen j    3 

ASSOCIATE    JUDGES.  ' 

Daniel  Smith i  17 

Silas  Blount 29 

Thomas  Cooper 1 

Joseph  Goar 31 

John  Holmes 6 

Nicholas  Fox '    6 

COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS.  j 

Thomas  Jackson '. '40 

J.N.Wright 6 

Isaac  Parker 17 

Robert  Davison 27 

John  Smith 34 

William  Black 7 

Enos  Mills 

Eli  Teeter 


a  o 


46 
12 


21 
10 
19 


7 
40 

5 
46 

5 
15 

51 
12 
22 
32 
39 
7 
11 


o  s 

m  to 

BJ  Zi 

«  & 


11 

33 


12 
9 

29 

18 
18 

28 

10 

25 

5 

29 

13 

3 

1 


Total  voters i  47  i  63  i  43 


1  I  75 

5  38 

38  i  52 

10  \  40 


13 
36 


28 
20 
41 
73 

24 


4  19 

40  :  146 

37'  66 

1  1  40 

18  '  137 
11  39 

2  66 
20  i  84 
29  131 

19  '  46 
..  I  14 

7  ,  8 


56  I  208 


VOTERS  AT  THE  FIRST  ELECTION. 

The  names  of  the  voters  at  this  lirst  election  were  as  follows  in  Cicero 
Township:  David  Miller,  Jacob  Whisler,  T.  C.  Parker,  Samuel  Ledger- 
wood,  M.  L.  Thomas,  George  McNeil,  Daniel  Welshous,  Jesse  Brown, 
Edward  Good,  George  Van  Buskirk,  E.  D.  Thomas,  Samuel  S.  White, 
Andrew  Carpenter,  David  Webbert,  D.  G.  Wilkes,  John  Beck,  Lewis 
Beck,  Stephen  Weller,  Green  Lilly,  George  White,  Solomon  Miller, 
James  Lechner,  James  Johnson,  Sylvester  Tiu-pen,  J.  C.  Belzer,  James 
Mynerty,  William  Welshous,  William  Sharp,  Abi-aham  Goody koontz, 
S.  H.  Newlin,  John  Johnson,  Solomon  Smith,  Joseph  Van  Buskirk, 
March  Tucker,  Joseph  Sumner,  George  Tucker,  E.  R.  Conner,  Harvey 
Goodykoontz,  Allen  Goodpasture,  John  Emehiser,  George  Smith,  Joseph 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  9 

McMnrtry,  James  Cooper,  A.  M.  Young,  Jonatliaii  Keed,  Arthur  Davison 
and  E.  S.  White;  total,  47.  The  voters  in  Madison  Township  at  the 
same  election  were  as  follows:  Henry  Harbet,  D.  G.  Wright,  John  Mor- 
ris, Spencer  Etchison.  Isaac  Shaw,  C.  T.  Jackson,  Isaac  Harbet,  Gran- 
ville Gibson,  Josiah  Gilliland,  James  Merritt,  George  Leamar,  Henry 
Sloan.  H.  H.  Hobbs,  Bert  Wright,  T.  Starkey,  William  Harrington. 
Philip  Ledsinger,  Reuben  Farlow,  James  Cross,  Zimri  Brown,  Joseph 
Henderson,  Gabriel  Martin.  William  Townser,  William  Orr,  Silas 
Blount,  William  Birch,  Colbern  Birch,  Jr.,  Thomas  Cooper,  John  Bel- 
hamer,  Richard  Miner,.  R.  E.  Davison,  L.  T.  Hobbs,  Charles  Thurman, 
William  Stevenson,  James  Forsee,  John  B.  Cole,  Benjamin  McCashland, 
John  Little,  Amasa  P.  Cassler,  W.  H.  Stokesberry,  Harvey  Stokesberry, 
J.  L.  Jack,  George  Rhodes,  Samuel  Judy,  John  Etchison,  Adam  Elder, 
John  W.  Bolser,  George  Little,  Samuel  Townser,  Samael  Bottorff,  Ed- 
ward Sharp,  Absalom  Hobbs,  James  Shaw,  Sr.,  James  Shaw,  Jr.,  Ira 
Plummer,  Daniel  Etchison,  George  Myerly,  Thomas  Jackson,  Nicholas 
Fox,  John  Russell,  Joseph  Goor  and  Enos  Mills;  total,  62.  The  voters 
in  Pi-airie  Township  at  the  same  election  were  William  Bickerson,  Joseph 
McConnelly,  Elijah  Harder,  Joseph  Harness,  Jesse  Stepp,  George  Teeter. 
Hardin  Stepp,  S.  T.  Harlow,  John  Parker,  William  Parker,  Eli  Teeter, 
Edward  Jackson,  Wesley  Herron,  Jesse  Coleman,  Eben  Teeter,  Benja- 
min Stewart,  Daniel  Campbell,  Perry  Evans,  Robert  Armstrong,  Solomon 
Edmundson,  John  Herron,  J.  W.  T.  Duvall,  David  Humphreys,  John 
Fariow,  John  Cooper,  William  Pfoff,  John  Sharks,  Edward  Stivens,  G. 
A.  Search,  A.  Small,  Abraham  Plew,  John  Nutter,  George  Forsee,  J.  A. 
W^right,  G.  W.  B.  Parks,  George  Tucker,  Daniel  Kemp,  William  Black, 
Levi  Dunn,  William  Campbell,  D.  S.  Pritchett,  A.  Pitmore,  Daniel 
Stephens,  W.  H.  Richardson,  Amdrose  Conn,  James  Miller,  E.  M.  Sand- 
ridge,  William  Stewart,  William  Die,  George  Die,  'Archibald  Mont- 
gomery, G.  N.  Ferris,  W^illiam  Terpine,  Curtis  Pritchett  and  Robert 
Alexander;  total,  56.  The  list  of  voters  at  this  election  in  Jeflferscm 
Township  could  not  be  found.  ^ 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

On  Monday,  the  3d  of  June,  1844,  the  three  County  Commissioners 
who  had  been  elected  met  at  the  house  of  Jesse  Brown,  to  set  the  official 
machinery  of  the  county  in  motion.  William  Harrington  produced  his 
commission  as  Sheriff  from  Gov.  Whitcomb,  and  the  County  Commis- 
sioners, in  turn,  exhibited  their  certificates  of  election.  These  fir^ 
Commissioners  were  Robert  E.  Davison,  John  D.  Smith  and  TEoinas 
Jackson.  Their  first  act  was  to  cast  lots  for  the  long  and  short  terms, 
which  was  done  with  the  following  results:  Davison,  one  year;  Smith, 
two  years,  and  Jackson,  three  years.  N.  J.  Jackson  was  appointed  tem- 
porary County  Auditor,  and  Jesse  Bi'own,  County  Assessor.      Mr.  Brown 


10  HkSrOKY    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY'. 

had  served  as  Assessor  under  appointment  from  the  Commissioners  of 
Hamilton  County,  and  he  now  presented  his  assessment  list,  which  was 
formally  received,  and  he  was  paid  $18.75,  for  his  services  for  twelve  and 
a  half  days.  The  Board  then  proceeded  to  create  townships  as  follows: 
Madison,  to  be  six  miles  square,  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county; 
Cicero,  to  be  six  miles  square,  and  to  adjoin  Madison  on  the  west;  Jef- 
ferson, to  bo  six  miles  from  north  to  south,  and  eight  miles  from  east  to 
west,  and  to  bo  located  west  of  and  adjoining  Cicero;  Prairie,  to  be  all 
of  the  county  north  of  Jefferson  Township.  Elections  in  Madison  were 
ordered  held  at  the  house  of  John  B.  Cole;  in  Cicero,  at  the  house  of 
Jesse  Brown;  in  Jefferson,  at  the  house  of  Stephen  Eleven,  and  in  Prairie 
at  the  Montgomery  Schoolhouse.  John  Hogan  was  granted  a  license  to 
vend  merchandise  for  six  months  for  50  cents,  his  capital  amounting  to 
$60.  This  gentleman,  at  that  period,  was  not  an  Astor  or  a  Stewart. 
All  Koad  Supervisors,  who  had  previously  been  appointed  under  Hamil- 
ton County  jurisdiction,  were  ordered  to  open  all  roads  that  had  been 
properly  laid  out  and  granted.  Two  Justices  of  the  Peace  were  ordered 
elected  in  each  of  the  townships,  Madison,  Cicero  and  Jefferson,  and 
one  in  Prairie.  At  the  September  term,  1844,  N.  J.  Jackson  was  again 
appointed  temporary  Auditor,  as  he  had  not  yet  qualified  as  Clerk,  to 
which  office  he  had  been  elected.  Elias  S.  Conner  was  appointed  Con- 
stable of  Cicero  Township,  Madison  was  divided  into  four  road  dis- 
tricts, Cicero  into  three,  and  Jefferson  into  four.  Jesse  Frasier  was  ap- 
pointed Constable  of  Prairie  Township.  The  county  was  divided  into 
three  Commissioners'  Districts,  as  follows:  All  east  of  an  extended  line 
between  Sections  31  and  32,  Township  21  north,  flange  5  east,  to  be 
District  No.  1;  all  east  of  the  extended  eastern  boundary  of  Sec- 
tion 36,  Township  21  north,  Range  3  east,  to  be  District  No.  2; 
all  the  remainder  of  the  county  to  be  District  No.  3.  On  Mon- 
day, October  14,  1844,  David  P.  Alder,  Jesse  Carter,  Samuel  H.  Cun- 
ningham and  G.  W.  Thomas,  four  of  the  five  Commissioners  appointed 
by  the  Legislature  to  locate  the  county  seat,  appeared,  and  after  investi- 
gating the  merits  of  several  locations,  formally  drove  the  stake  and  per- 
manently fixed  the  seat  of  justice  of  Tipton  County  on  Section  11,  Town- 
ship 21  north,  Range  4  east,  on  a  tract  of  100  acres  that  was  donated  to 
the  county  by  Samuel  King,  in  consideration  of  having  the  county  seat 
located  thereon.  These  Commissioners  were  paid  $159  for  their  services 
and  discharged.  The  county  seat  was  named  Canton.  William  H.  Nel- 
son was  appointed  County  Agent,  and  directed  to  lay  out  the  new  county 
seat,  after  the  design  of  a  plat  furnished  by  the  Locating  Commission- 
ers, and  was  ordered  to  sell  not  exceeding  fifty  of  the  lots  so  laid  out. 
As  the  county  had  no  funds  to  carry  on  expenses,  the  Auditor  was  di- 
rected to  procure  a  quire  of  printed  county  orders,  which  were  to  be 
issued  to  raise  money. 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  11 

In  December,  1844,  Charles  Thurman  was  appointed  County  Sur- 
veyor. In  laying  out  Canton  (now  Tipton),  he  was  assisted  by  John 
Criswell,  Jesse  Brown,  M.  L.  Thomas  and  E.  "D.  Thomas.  Andi'ew 
Evans  was  Clerk  of  the  first  public  sale  of  town  lots,  and  James  Graves 
was  Auctioneer.  A.  M.  Young  became  Sheriff  in  the  fall  of  1844.  N. 
J.  Jackson  was  formally  cpialified  as  Clerk  and  e.v  officio  Auditor.  George 
Tucker  was  licensed  to  sell  liquor  in  January,  1845.  The  buyers  of  lots  in 
Canton  up  to  March  3,  1845,  were  Daniel  Smith,  Lewis  Jones,  Si  las  Blount, 
E.  S.  White,  Lewis  Beck,  Jesse  Frasier,  Daniel  Lister,  J.  M.  Chew, 
Samuel  Neese,  D.  G.  Wilkes,  N.  J.  Jackson,  George  Tucker.  L,  C. 
Fairie,  Daniel  Welshous,  William  Ballard,  M.  L.  Thomas,  Brown  & 
Whisler,  Samuel  Dale,  J.  N.  Starkey  and  Wilson  Thompson.  The  total 
receipts  of  the  sale,  thus  far,  wer^  $702.75,  one-foui-th  of  which  was 
cash.  Almost  all  the  early  funds  of  the  county  came  from  the  sale  of 
town  lots.  This  was  a  very  important  soui'ce  of  revenue,  but  the  county 
was  forced  to  issue  ordei's,  at  a  considerable  discount,  which  discount 
continued  to  increase  as  time  passed,  and  the  orders  were  not  re- 
deemed. 

In  June,  1845,  Joseph  Van  Buskirk  was  paid,  in  orders,  $27.75,  for 
assessing  the  county.  The  first  county  tax  levied  was  in  1845,  upon  the 
basis  of  this  assessment,  21J-cents  on  each  $100  valuation,  and  75  cents 
on  each  poll.  The  cash  receipts  on  the  county  levy  was  small  indeed, 
and  the  delinquent  list  began  to  run  up.  The  first  court  house  was  com- 
pleted early  in  1846,  and  a  jail  was  built  during  the  previous  winter. 
Roads  began  to  be  laid  out  in  the  more  needy  locations  of  the  county. 
Township  officers  and  county  officers  were  paid  in  county  orders,  at  a 
discount  of  about  10  per  centum.  The  rapid  settlement  of  the  county 
began  to  be  felt  in  the  presence  of  money  brought  in  by  the  new  settlers. 
Business  was  done,  however,  largely  by  a  system  of  exchanges,  balances 
often  being  disposed  of  by  the  transfer  of  some  article  of  value.  Butter, 
eggs,  pork,  etc.,  were  worth  so  much  sugar,  coffee,  calico,  tobacco,  etc. 
Deer  skins  were  marketable  at  about  $1  each.  The  county  only  gradual- 
ly grew  out  of  its  early  financial  difficiilties. 

THE    CIRCUIT    COURT. 

The  first  term  of  the  Tipton  County  Circuit  Court  was  held  at  the 
house  of  Jesse  Brown,  on  Monday,  the  12th  of  May,  1845,  before  Silas 
Blount  and  Joseph  Goar,  Associate  Judges.  Alexander  M.  Young, 
Sheriff,  returned  the  following  persons  as  grand  jurors:  Robart  Arm- 
strongs Benjamin  Leavell,  James  Shaw,  Allen  Pitman,  Alexander  Mills, 
David  G.  Wilkes,  George  Smith,  Andrew  Evans,  Jackson  Hill,  Joseph 
Henderson,  George  Leman,  Edward  Good,  Robert  Davison,  Harvey 
Goodykoontz  and  Jesse  Brown.  They  were  sworn,  charged  and  sent  into 
the  grand  jury  room.      On  motion,   William  Gaiwer,  Marcus  Lindsey, 


12  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

James  Forsee,  William  Stewart,  Earl  S.  Stone  and  Amasa  P.  Gassier 
were  sworn  and  admitted  to  practice  in  the  court  as  attorneys.  The  first 
case  called  was  an  appeal  from  the  Justice's  court — William  Welshous 
vs.  Daniel  Wcbbert— both  parties  being  represented  by  attorneys.  The 
case  was  continued  until  the  next  term  of  the  court,  when  Mr.  Welshous 
was  non-suited  and  required  to  pay  costs  of  suit.  The  second  case  seems 
to  have  been  an  appeal  from  Justice's  court — William  Garver  rs.  James 
Teachner.  The  defendant  made  default,  whereupon  judgment  was  ren- 
dered against  him  for  costs.  The  third  case — Joseph  A.  Wright  vs.  John 
B.  Cole,  trespass  on  the  base  for  slander — was  fixed  for  trial  at  1  o'clock 
of  the  same  day — Monday,  May  12,  1845.  At  the  time  set,  the  defend- 
ant filed  a  plea  of  general  issue  and  two  special  pleas  of  justification, 
and  was  given  more  time.  The  first  grand  jury,  mentioned  above,  after 
being  out  a  short  time,  came  into  court  and  reported  that  they  had 
found  no  bills  of  indictment,  whereupon  they  were  discharged.  The 
next,  or  fourth  case  was  for  trespass — John  Hogan  vs.  Whisler  &  Web- 
bert.  The  plaintiff,  not  being  a  resident  of  the  State,  was  required  to 
give  bond  for  costs,  which  he  did  in  the  sum  of  $50.  The  defendants 
demanded  a  jury,  which  was  called  and  selected  as  follows:  Levi  Hobbs, 
Joseph  Henderson.  Samuel  Deal,  Michael  Mitchell,  James  ^haw,  John 
Farley,  James  Goar,  William  Orr,  John  B.  Wright,  Joseph  Van  Bus- 
kirk.  Carter  Jackson  and  John  B.  Cole.  This  was  the  first  petit  jury  in 
the  county.  The  trial  proceeded;  the  jury  were  sent  out,  and  soon  re- 
turned with  the  following  verdict:  "We,  the  jury,  find  the  defendants 
guilty  of  the  trespass,  and  assess  the  plaintiff's  damages  at  the  sum  of 
$13.20."  Judgment  was  accordingly  rendered  against  the  defendants  to 
the  amount  of  the  verdict  and  costs  of  suit,  the  total  sum  being  $54. 56. 
The  case  of  Wright  vs.  Cole  then  came  up,  the  plaintiff  filing  his  siinil- 
iter  to  the  general  issue  of  the  defendant,  and  a  x'eplication  to  the 
second  and  third  special  pleas.  More  time  was  granted  to  prepare  for 
the  trial. 

The  first  business  performed  on  the  third  day  of  this  court  was  the 
assessment  of  a  fine  of  $1  each  against  Earl  E.  Stone  and  William 
Garver  for  contempt  of  court.  Peace  and  apparent  harmony  having  been 
restored  by  this  act  of  the  two  Associate  Judges,  other  business  was  con- 
sidered. As  yet,  the  Presiding  Judge  had  not  been  in  attendance  upon 
the  coiu-t.  The  case  of  Wright  vs.  Cole  came  up,  and  a  jury  was  called 
as  follows:  Joseph  Van  Buskirk,  Jacob  Whisler,  George  Smith,  Edward 
Good,  Daniel  Lister,  March  Tucker,  James  Goar,  John  Farley,  Joseph 
Sumner,  Robert  Davison,  William  Divon  and  Samuel  Deal.  The  trial 
was  begun,  but  before  concluded  court  was  adjourned  until  next  morning 
at  9  o'clock.  The  verdict  brought  in  by  this  jury  was  as  follows:  "We, 
the  jury,  find  the  defendant  guilty  as  charged,  and  assess  the  plaintiff's 
damages  at  $75.84."     Judgment  included  this  sum  and  costs,  amounting 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  IB 

to  $47.24.  On  this  day,  the  first  grand  jury,  above  mentioned,  were 
allowed  75  cents  each  for  one  day's  services.  At  the  same  time,  several 
of  the  petit  jurors  were  allowed  $4  for  three  days'  services.  John  Nutter 
was  Bailiff,  as  were  also  Jesse  Brown  and  John  K.  Smith.  Thus  ended 
the  first  term  of  the  Tipton  County  Circuit  Court.  *s 

In  November,  1845,  John  W.  Wrig-ht,  President  Judge,  and  Siias 
'Blount  and  Joseph  Goar,  Associate  Judges,  were  in  attendance.  The 
following  grand  jury  was  returned  by  the  Sheriff:  Richard  Farlow 
(foreman),  James  Leavell,  Michael  Mitchell,  James  S.  Jack,  Isaac  Shaw, 
Gilbert  Wright.  Malachi  Cooper,  James  Pickard,  John  McHolmes, 
John  Deal.  Samuel  Batorff,  Daniel  Smith,  Solomon  Smith,  James  Egler 
and  Absalom  Hobbs.  By  the  .second  day  of  this  term,  this  grand  jury 
had  returned  "  true  bills  "  of  indictment  in  the  following  cases:  "  State 
of  Indiana  r.s.  Daniel  Bales,  for  public  indecency,"  and  "  State  of  In- 
diana vs.  David  Bishop  and  Jonathan  Reed,  for  affray."  On  the  first  day 
of  this  term,  the  first  plea  for  divorce  was  filed  by  Catharine  Sharpe  vs. 
William  Sharpe.  The  complainant,  however,  appeared  by  counsel,  and 
dismissed  the  case  at  her  own  costs.  The  second  plea  for  divorce,  filed 
the  same  day.  was  by  Jacob  Whisler  vs.  Lavina  Whisler.  A  demurrer 
was  filed  to  the  complainant's  bill,  and  was  sustained  by  Judge  Wright, 
whereupon  the  case  was  dismissed.  Ten  cases  were  considered  by  the 
court  at  this  term,  and  eight  bills  of  indictment  were  returned  by  the 
Grand  Jury. 

At  the  April  term,  1846.  Jeremiah  Smith,  President  Judge,  and  Silas 
Blount  and  Joseph  Goar,  Associate  Judges,  were,  present.  Judge  Smith 
produced  his  commission  from  the  Governor,  for  the  term  of  seven  years, 
as  Judge  of  the  Eleventh  Judicial  Circuit.  The  rules  of  court  previously 
adopted  were  repealed,  and  a  long  series  of  new  and  better  ones  was 
adopted.  Among  the  attorneys  admitted  to  practice  in  the  early  Cir- 
cuit Courts  oE  the  county  were  Andi-ew  Batorff,  Nathaniel  R.  Lindsey 
and  Charles  D.  Murray  in  November,  1845;  John  Davis,  J.  S.  Buckles 
and  William  F.  Brady  in  March,  184G.  Joseph  S.  Buckles  was  the 
Prosecutor  of  the  Eleventh  Judicial  Circuit  from  September,  1846,  to 
September,  1848.  Gustavus  H.  Voss  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Octo- 
ber, 1846.  William  H.  Nelson  was  admitted  during  the  same  term,  and 
James  F.  Suit  and  John  M.  Conan  in  April,  1847.  A  metallic  seal  was 
adopted  at  the  October  term,  1847 ;  this  is  described  further  on.  Amasa 
P.  Cassler  became  District  Prosecuting  Attorney  in  September.  1848. 
John  Green  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  April,  1849,  and  David  Kilgore 
and  Joseph  A.  Lewis  at  the  same  term.  Carlton  E.  Shippey  and  Rich- 
ard D.  Markland  were  admitted  to  the  bar  in  April,  1852.  Among  the  early 
cases  before  the  Circuit  Court  were  the  following:  Trespass  on  the  case, 
trespass,  divorce,  assumpsit,  public  indecency,  affray,  assault  and  bat- 
tery, debt,  official   negligence,  cases  in    chancery,  illegal   voting,    trover 


14  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

and  conversion,  foreclosure  of  mortgage,  retailing,  perjury,  betting, 
ferfeited  recognizance,  rape,  winning,  losing,  adultery,  extortion,  riot, 
larceny,  selling  liquor  to  intoxicated  person,  scire  facias,  etc.,  etc.  The 
first  charge  of  murder  was  in  April,  1852,  against  Harvey  Moon,  who 
took  a  change  of  venue  to  the  Marion  Circuit  Court.  An  account  of  this 
case  will  be  found  fiu'ther  on.  The  first  person  admitted  to  citizenship 
was  Laurence  Beck,  a  German,  from  the  Dukedom  of  Hesse-Darmstadt. 
This  was  the  10th  of  November,  1845.  John  Green,  the  attorney  long-  ' 
est  a  practitioner  of  the  Tipton  County  bar,  is  yet  an  honored  resident  of 
the  county,  and  still  continues  a  disciple  of  Blackstone,  with  but  little 
diminution  in  his  former  intellectual  celerity  and  vigor. 

THE  PROBATE   COURT. 

The  first  probate  business  on  record  in  the  Clerk's  office,  was  the  ap- 
plication of  Thomas  Cooper  for  letters  of  administration  of  the  estate  of 
Alexander  S.  Wallace,  deceased,  which  application  was  granted  on  the 
6th  of  July,  1844,  by  Newton  J.  Jackson,  Clerk  of  the  Court.  Mr. 
Cooper  must  have  been  a  Quaker,  or  something  of  that  sort,  as,  instead 
of  making  oath  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties  as  adminis- 
trator, he  "  affirmed."  On  the  5th  of  September,  he  returned  an  inven- 
tory of  the  goods,  chattels  and  effects  of  Wallace,  deceased,  the  amount 
being  $199.49.  He  produced  a  bill  of  sale  of  the  property,  which 
amounted  to  $214.62.  All  this  was  done  before  the  first  session  of  the 
com't.  On  the  11th  day  of  November,  1844,  the  first  Probate  Court  was 
held  by  William  H.  Nelson,  Probate  Judge,  the  first  business  coming 
before  the  court  being  the  above.  The  bond  of  Mr.  Cooper  was  pro- 
nounced insufficient,  and  he  was  required  to  give  additional  security, 
which  he  did  by  securing  the  signature  of  Alexander  M.  Young  to  his 
bond,  which  amounted  to  $150.  The  lynx-eyed  Judge  also  pronounced 
the  bill  of  sale  insufficient,  and  ordered  it  "returned  to  Mr.  Cooper  for 
correction,  to  be  completed  and  returned  by  the  25th  of  November.  Be- 
fore the  court  was  held,  or  on  the  27th  of  September,  1844,  letters  of  ad- 
ministration had  been  granted  to  Edward  Sharp,  on  the  estate  of  James 
P.  Woods,  deceased.  His  bond  was  fixed  at  $500.  At  the  above- 
mentioned  first  term  of  the  court,  the  bond  was  approved,  but  the  inven- 
tory of  the  property  of  the  deceased,  amounting  to  $357.27,  was  rejected, 
owing  to  the  want  of  sufficient  affidavits  from  the  appraisers.  Time  was 
given  the  administrator  for  correction.  Upon  petition  of  Jeremiah 
Moty,  infant  son  of  George  Moty,  deceased,  Erasmus  D.  Thomas  was 
appointed  guardian,  to  take  care  of  the  person  and  property  of  the  said 
Jeremiah  Moty.  The  guardian's  bond  was  fixed  at  $200;  rather  an  in- 
significant amount,  judging  from  appearances.  Thus  ended  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  first  term  of  Probate  Court  of  Tipton  County. 

At  the  February   term,  1845,  Thomas  Cooper  was  charged  with  the 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  15 

bill  of  sale  of  the  estate  of  A.  S.  "Wallace,  the  same  amounting  to 
$214.62;  and  Edward  Sharp  was  charged  with  the  estate  of  J.  P.  Woods, 
which  amounted  to  $357.25,  a  portion  of  the  estate  ($114.61)  having  been 
paid  over  to  Anna  Woods,  widow  of  the  deceased.  And  here  the  Febru  - 
ary  term  of  the  court  ended. 

At  the  May  term,  1845,  Daniel  Higer  was  appointed  guardian  of  the 
estate  of  Henry  Higer,  John  Higer  and  Martha  Higer,  his  own  (David 
Higer's)  infant  children,  under  fourteen  years  of  age,  who  had  been  willed 
property  worth  about  $105  by  Charles  Baker,  deceased,  of  Hamilton 
County.     And  thus  ended  the  May  term  of  the  court. 

At  the  August  term,  1845,  H.  H.  Hobbs  was  appointed  guardian  of 
the  estate  of  his  infant  children — Amanda,  Elizabeth,  Nancy  and  John 
Hobbs.  At  the  November  term,  1845,  Andrew  J.  Sharp  was  appointed 
administrator  of  the  estate  of  Anna  Woods,  deceased,  and  Jesse  Brown 
was  appointed  administrator  of  the  estate  of  James  Goodpasture,  de- 
ceased. The  inventory  of  Mr.  Goodpasture's  property,  with  the  ap- 
praised value,  was  as  follows:  One  wagon,  $40;  one  yoke  of  oxen,  $30; 
one  milch  cow,  $9;  one  lot  of  bedding,  $9;  one  table,  $2.50;  one  small 
chest,  50  cents;  one  lot  of  sundry  articles,  31  cents;  one  tea-kettle,  37 
cents;  one  stew  pot,  37  cents;  one  lot  of  cupboard  ware,  $1.75;  one  meal 
sieve,  25  cents;  one  Dutch  oven,  87^  cents;  one  lot  of  potatoes,  $2;  one 
lot  of  cabbage,  25  cents;  one  lot  of  corn,  $1.75;  one  rifled  gun,  $2.75; 
total,  $101.67.  This  inventory  is  a  fit  representation  of  the  "goods,  chat- 
tels, rights,  credits,  moneys  and  effects"  of  each  of  the  early  settlers. 
There  was  the  wagon  and  yoke  of  oxen;  there  was  the  one  cow;  there 
were  the  meager  household  furniture,  domestic  utensils  and  vegetables, 
and  there  was  the  rifle,  which  played  an  important  part  in  the  desolate 
drama  of  pioneer  life.  A  volume  of  self-denial  is  told  in  that  inventory. 
Ruth  Armstrong,  widow  of  Robert  Armstrong,  deceased,  filed  a  petition 
in  November,  renouncing  all  claim  to  administer  the  estate  of  her  de- 
ceased husband,  and  asking  that  Alexander  M.  Young,  or  some  other 
suitable  person,  might  be  appointed.  Mr.  Young  was  accordingly  ap- 
pointed. Andrew  J.  Sharp,  administrator  of  the  estate  of  Anna  Woods, 
deceased,  was  cited  to  appear  at  the  next  term  of  the  court  to  show  cause 
why  he  should  not  be  removed  or  give  a  new  bond  and  give  an  inventory 
of  the  estate,  and  present  a  bill  of  sale  of  the  property. 

And  so  the  probate  matters  ran  on  until  1853,  when  the  Common 
Pleas  Court  assumed  jurisdiction  of  all  probate  business.  'Mr.  Nelson 
served  as  Probate  Judge  until  February,  1851,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  Joseph  A.  Lewis.  In  November,  1851,  Mr  Lewis  was  succeeded  by 
Richard  Minor,  who  served  until  probate  business  was  transferred  to  the 
Common  Pleas  Court. 

The  first  commission  of  lunacy  was  issued  in  May.  1849,  at  which  time 
Amos  Pharis  petitioned  the  issuance  of  such   commission  to   inquire  into 


IG  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

the  sanity  of  Barbara  Pilaris.  After  consideration,  the  court  directed 
the  Sheriff  to  summon  a  jury  of  twelve  men,  to  determine  as  to  the  com- 
pos m,mtis  or  non  compos  mentis  oi  thp  said  Barbara  Pharis.  The  jury 
found  that  for  the  space  of  about  four  years  next  preceding  the  in- 
(juiry,  the  lady  had  been  of  unsound  mind,  and  was  wholly  unfit  to  man- 
age her  property  or  person;  whereupon  Amos  Pharis  was  appointed  her 
guardian,  and  rerpiired  to  give  bond  in  the  sum  of  $150.  The  second 
seal  of  the  Probate  Court  was  of  the  usual  circular  form  and  size,  in- 
closing the  representation  of  a  coffin,  with  the  words  on  the  margin  of 
the  seal,  "Probate  Court  of  Tipton  County,  Indiana."  This  took  the 
place  of  the  seal  adopted  in  1847,  which  was  really  the  seal  of  the  "  Tip- 
ton Circuit  Court,  Indiana,"  those  words  inclosing  a  cluster  of  growing 
wheat,  a  harrow,  a  rake,  a  fork  and  a  plow.  The  second  probate  seal, 
above,  was  adopted  November  13,  1849. 

THE    COMMON    PLEAS    COURT. 

The  first  term  of  the  Common  Pleas  Court  of  Tipton  County  was 
begun  and  held  at  the  court  house  in  June,  1853,  by  Earl  S.  Stone,  sole 
Judge,  whose  district  was  composed  of  the  counties  of  Hamilton,  Howard 
and  Tipton.  The  first  business  of  a  probate  nature  was  the  confirmation 
of  the  letters  of  administration  granted  to  James  A.  Junis,  on  the  estate 
of  James  Junis,  deceased;  and  the  second  was  the  confirmation  of  the 
letters  of  administration  granted  to  Joseph  Shank,  on  the  estate  of 
Joseph  H.  Shepard,  deceased.  The  first  business  other  than  of  probate 
Uciture  was  the  case  of  the  State  vs.  Lewis  McEIhaney  charged  with  as- 
sault and  batteiy.  The  third  case  was  a  charge  of  the  same  nature, 
against  Jane  Shane.  Subsequent  ca«=ies  were  petition  for  a  deed,  assump- 
sit, suit  on  a  promissory  note,  trespass,  account,  divorce,  suit  on  bond, 
attachment,  injury  to  the  person,  assault  and  battery,  for  the  conveyance 
of  real  estate.,  complaint  on  note,  petition  for  partition,  surety  of  the 
peace,  etc.,  etc. 

MURDER  TRIALS. 

The  first  murder  trial  on  record  in  the  county  was  the  killing  of  Mr. 
Hornbeck  by  Henry  Moon,  in  about  1852.  The  men  were  cousins,  and 
became  involved  in  a  dispute  regarding  a  few  cattle.  It  seems  that 
Hornbeck  went  into  a  field  to  thrash  Moon,  but  the  latter  stabbed  the 
former  with  a  pocket-knife,  inflicting  a  mortal  wound.  Moon  was  ar- 
raigned, took  a  change  of  venue  to  Indianapolis,  where  he  was  sentenced 
to  the  penitentiary  for  three  years,  but  was  set  at  libetry  at  the  end  of 
eighteen  months. 

The  murder  of  a  man  named  Eshelman  caused  much  excitement  in 
the  county.  He  was  hunting,  and  disappeared,  and,  as  he  did  not  return 
within  a  I'easonable  time,  his  folks  became  uneasy  tmd  instituted  a 
strict    search,  which   resulted    in  finding   his    decomposed    body  in  the 


HISTOKY    OF   TIPTON    COUNTY.  17 

woods.  A  young  man  named  Ellison  was  arrested,  some  strong  evidence 
existing  as  to  his  guilt.  He  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary,  but  was  par- 
doned by  the  Governor  and  released,  and  a  man  named  David  Whel- 
chel  was  arrested,  charged  with  the  murder.  At  the  first  trial,  Whelchel 
was  sentenced  to  the  penitentiary  for  life;  but  he  gained  a  new  trial, 
where  the  jury  "  hung,"  which  resulted  in  his  acquittal.  Subsequently 
young  Ellison  was  hung  for  murder  in  Missouri 

Another  important  case  was  the  death,  by  poisoning,  of  a  Mrs.  Snyder 
and  her  little  girl.  The  two  died  with  spasms,  and  under  suspicious 
circumstances,  and  the  husband  and  step-father  was  arrested,  charged 
with  poisoning  them  with  strychnine.  On  the  tirst  trial,  Mr.  Snyder 
was  sentenced  for  life  to  the  penitentiary.  At  the  first  new  trial,  he 
was  sentenced  for  twenty- one  years,  but  at  the  second  new  trial  was  again 
sentenced  for  life.  Many  have  doubted  this  man's  guilt,  thinking  that 
the  mother  poisoned  her  child  and  herself. 

Joel  Harvey  and  Jane  Goflf  were  arraigned  for  the  murder  of  Mr. 
Gofi',  husband  of  Jane  Gofl'.  The  wife  was  sentenced  to  two  years  in  the 
penitentiary,  as  an  accessory,  while  Harvey  was  set  free,  owing  to  a 
feeble  prosecution. 

Two  boys  In  Tipton,  named  Groves  and  Paul,  became  involved  in  a 
quarrel,  when  the  former  struck  the  latter  on  the  head  with  a  brick-bat, 
causing  his  death.  An  indictment  was  returned,  but  Groves  has  been 
missing  since  the  tragedy. 

A  year  or  two  ago,  two  boys,  named  respectively  Doles  and  White, 
quarreled,  when  the  former  stabbed  the  latter,  causing  his  death.  The 
murderer  was  sentenced  to  the  penitentiary  for  twenty-one  years. 

At  Windfall,  a  man  named  Armstrong  shot  and  killed  a  Mr.  Thomas, 
but  on  the  trial  was  acquitted.  A  woman  was  at  the  bottom  of  the  case. 
Various  other  murders  have  occurred,  but  the  above  are  the  most  im- 
portant. 

EARLY  JUSTICES  OF  THE  PEACE. 

Among  the  early  Justices  of  the  Peace  were  Jesse  Brown,  1844; 
Solomon  Miller,  1844;  Joseph  McMurtry,  1844;  Levi  T.  Hobbs,  1845; 
David  Lilley,  1845;  Andrew  Evans,  1845;  Reuben  Farlow,  1845; 
Robert  Alexander,  1845;  Richard  Humphrey,  1845;  William  Black, 
1845;  D.  B.  Redmon,  1845;  David  Decker,  1847;  Alexander  Suit,  1848; 
Johnson  Farley,  1848;  Thomas  Jackson,  1849;  Philemon  Plummer,  1849; 
Harvey  A.  Wells,  1849;  H.  A.  Woodruff,  1849;  Jesse  Brown,  1849; 
Jesse  Smiley,  1849;  Richard  Miner,  1849;  Jonathan  Endicott,  1849; 
John  Murphey,  1850;  Reuben  Jackson,  1850;  Green  Lilley,  1850;  Da- 
vid Lilley,  Sr.,  1850;  John  Longfellow,  1850;  William  Ray,  1850; 
Robert  Alexander,  1850;  John  Smith,  1850;  George  Wlmbraugh,  1850, 
and  James  Barrow,  1850. 


18  HISTORY    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

SUBSEQUENT    TOWNSHIP    BOUNDARIES. 

In  June,  1847,  Wild  Cat  Township  was  created  as  follows:  Begin- 
ning at  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  32,  Township  23  north,  Range  6 
east,  thence  south  five  miles,  thence  west  twelve  miles,  thence  north  five 
miles,  thence  east  twelve  miles  to  the  place  of  beginning.  The  other 
townships  were  made  to  correspond.  At  the  March  term,  1849,  the 
townships  were  given  the  following  boundaries:  Madison,  located  in 
the  southeast  corner  of  the  county,  to  be  eight  miles  from  north  to  south 
and  five  and  a  half  miles  from  east  to  west,  just  its  present  size;  Cicero, 
located  next  west  of  Madison,  to  be  seven  and  a  half  miles  from  east  to  west, 
on  the  south,  thence  north  six  and  a  half  miles,  thence  east  one  mile, 
thence  north  one  and  a  half  miles,  thence  east  six  and  a  half  miles, 
thence  south  eight  miles  to  the  place  of  beginning;  Jefferson,  located 
next  west  of  Cicero,  to  be  seven  miles  from  east  to  west,  and  six  and  a 
half  miles  from  north  to  south;  Prairie,  to  commence  at  the  southeast 
corner  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section  32,  Township  22  north,  Range 
4  east,  thence  west  eight  miles,  thence  north  six  and  a  half  miles,  thence 
east  eight  miles,  thence  south  six  and  a  half  miles,  to  the  place  of  be- 
ginning; Wild  Cat,  to  commence  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Section  20, 
Township  22  north,  Range  6  east,  thence  west  twelve  miles,  thence  north 
five  miles  to  the  county  line,  thence  east  twelve  miles,  thence  south  five 
miles  to  the  place  of  beginning.  In  June,  1849,  Liberty  Township  was 
created  as  follows:  To  commence  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Secti^^n  31, 
Township  23  north,  Range  5  east,  thence  west  five  miles,  thence  south 
five  miles,  thence  east  five  miles,  thence  north  five  miles,  to  the  place  of 
beginning.  At  the  same  time,  W^ild  Cat  Township  was  bounded  as  fol- 
lows: Commence  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  32,  Township  23 
north.  Range  6  east,  thence  west  seven  miles,  thence  south  five  miles, 
thence  east  seven  miles,  thence  north  five  miles,  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning. In  September,  1851,  a  portion  of  eastern  Prairie  was  attached  to 
Liberty,  and  a  portion  of  southeastern  Prairie  to  Cicero. 

In  September,  1855,  the  boundaries  of  Cicero  and  Jefi"erson  were 
altered  to  what  they  are  at  present.  In  1857,  fifty-four  citizens  of 
Liberty  and  Wild  Cat  Towiiships  petitioned  the  Board  to  create  a  new 
township  out  of  certain  portions  of  those  two  townships,  but  action 
thereon  was  postponed  and  finally  dropped.  In  1860,  a  petition  to 
change  the|boundary  between  Madison  and  Cicero  Townships  to  a  half 
mile  east  of  where  it  now  is  was  not  granted.  No  other  alterations  have 
been  made  in  the  boundaries  of  the  townships. 

COURT    HOUSES    AND    JAILS. 

Early  in  1845,  Jesse  Brown  was  ordered  to  advertise  for  sealed  pro- 
posals for  the  erection  of  a  frame  court  house,  20x24  feet,  two  stories 
high,  to  be  covered  with  poplar  shingles,  to  be  erected  on  Lot  3,  Block 


HISTORY    OF   TIPTON    COUNTY.  19 

10,  Canton,  and  to  be  ready  by  the  Ist  of  June,  1845.  In  February,  the 
contract  was  awarded  to  George  Tucker,  who  was  paid  the  first  install- 
ment March  5,  1S45.  The  building  was  up  by  June,  according  to  con- 
tract, and  the  contract  of  completing,  partitioning  and  furnishing  the 
house  was  let  to  Jacob  W.  Whisler  and  Christian  Eshelman,  for  $238, 
the  work  to  be  completed  by  November,  3845.  This  was  accomplished 
according  to  contract,  the  contractoi's  receiving  their  pay,  $285.50,  in 
March,  1846.  Under  orders,  N.  J.  Jackson  purchased  two  stoves,  ft* 
$37.77,  in  December,  1845,  for  the  court  house,  using  the  "  town  lot 
fund  "  for  that  purpose.  The  cost  of  this  building  was  about  $1,200. 
It  had  a  hall  running  through  from  east  to  west,  and  on  each  side  of  the 
lower  story  were  two  rooms  for  the  county  officers.  The  upper  story  was 
the  court  room.  In  September,  1845,  the  County  Agent,  W.  H.  Nelson, 
was  ordered  to  have  built  a  log  jail,  14x20  feet,  eight  feet  high,  with 
walls  of  hewed-oak  timber,  one  foot  square,  the  rooms  to  be  lined  with 
heavy  oak  plank,  spiked  firmly  in  their  places.  Charles  A.  Thurman 
took  the  contract  at  $115,  and  completed  the  same  in  December,  1845. 
It  is  stated  that  no  criminal  broke  out  of  this  old  jail,  after  he  was  once 
locked  in.  It  answex-ed  all  purposes  until  the  present  jail  was  con- 
structed, and  possessed  a  merit,  it  is  stated,  that  the  present  building 
does  not — criminals  could  not  escape.  Daniel  Smith  was  the  first  jailer. 
In  June,  1846,  Solomon  Smith,  who  had  donated  to  the  county  2,000 
feet  of  good  lumber  for  the  public  buildings,  was  directed  to  deliver  the 
same  at  the  court  house.  In  September,  1846,  James  Cassler  contracted 
to  clear  the  court  house  square  for  $13.12.  At  the  same  time,  George 
Tucker,  under  orders,  secured  twelve  chairs  for  the  court  house.  In  the 
autumn,  quite  an  extensive  addition  was  built  to  the  court  house,  at  a 
cost  of  several  hundred  dollars.  This  was  rendered  necessary  by  the 
crowded  condition  of  things.  In  1855,  the  i:)ublic  square  was  fenced 
anew.  In  December,  1855,  Samuel  Deal  and  Harvey  Goodykoontz  were 
appointed  to  see  to  the  erection  of  much-needed  county  offices  on  the 
public  square,  the  building  to  be  frame,  14x28  feet,  nine  feet  high,  with 
a  partition  in  the  center,  the  rooms  to  be  ceiled  and  plastered.  The 
building  was  completed  in  June,  1857,  at  a  cost  of  $329.09.  About  this 
time,  the  county  courts  began  to  meet  in  the  Methodist  Church,  which 
had  been  erected  about  three  years  before,  as  the  court  house  had  been 
destroyed  by  fire. 

In  June,  1858,  Nelson  Dauben speck,  of  Hamilton  County,  contracted 
to  build  a  new  court  house  for  Tipton  County,  within  two  years,  for 
$10,000,  of  which  $1,000  was  to  be  paid  the  1st  of  November,  1858, 
$3,000  the  1st  of  January,  1859,  $3,000  the  1st  of  January,  1860,  and 
$3,000  when  the  building  was  completed  and  accepted.  The  foundation 
of  the  building  was  to  be  three  and  a  half  feet  high,  two  feet  thick  at 
the  bottom  nnd  twenty  inches  thick  at  the  top.      The  outer  wall  was  to  be 


20  HISTORY    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

of  hammer-dressed  limestone,  and  the  inner  walls  either  of  brick  or  lime- 
stone, eighteen  inches  thick.  The  walls  oi  the  building  proper  were  to 
bo  of  brick,  the  outside  wall  to  be  eighteen  inches  thick,  except  the 
gables,  which  were  to  be  thirteen  inches  thick,  and  the  inside  walls  were 
to  be  thirteen  inches  thick.  The  tirst  story  was  to  be  ten  feet  high,  and 
the  second  story  seventeen  feet  high.  A  hall  was  to  extend  north  and 
south  through  the  lower  story,  on  the  sides  of  which  were  to  be  the 
county  offices.  The  upper  story  was  to  be  the  court  room.  The  bond  of 
the  contractor  was  fixed  at  $20,000,  with  the  following  sureties:  D.  S. 
Hurlock,  S.  D.  Cottingham,  J.  W.  Eoss,  J.  W.  Cottingham  and  W.  Dau- 
benspeck.  In  September,  1858,  in  order  to  meet  the  expense  of  con- 
structing this  building,  the  Board  ordered  issued  and  sold  eight  county 
bonds  of  $500  each,  payable  at  the  banking  house  of  Winslow,  Lanier  & 
Co.,  New  York:  $2,000  to  be  paid  in  two  years,  and  $2,000  in  four 
years.  The  first  $2,000  of  these  bonds  sold  at  a  discount  of  $84.15. 
The  erection  of  the  house  was  rapidly  pushed,  and  in  December,  1859, 
Mr.  Daubenspeck  announced  that  it  was  finished.  He  was  soon  paid  the 
remainder  due  him  under  the  contract,  besides  $500  additional  for  extra 
work,  and  enough  more  to  run  the  cost  up  to  nearly  $15,000.  This  build- 
ing is  yet  in  use.  In  1862,  John  W.  Axtell  re-covered  the  court  house 
with  tin  roofing,  at  $9  per  square.  At  the  same  time,  a  fire  and  burglar 
proof  safe  for  the  Treasurer's  office  was  purchased  of  W.  B.  Dodd  & 
Co. ,  for  $550.  In  December,  1862,  John  Cox  repaired  the  court  house 
roof  to  the  extent  of  $60. 

In  April,  1866,  advertisements  were  ordered  for  the  erection  of  a 
combined  jail  and  jailer's  residence.  In  May,  bids  were  received  from 
J.  H.  McConnell,  Alpheus  Lay  and  J.  H.  Coifman,  but  neither  was  ac- 
cepted then.  N.  R.  Overman  was  appointed  agent,  to  take  th«  plans 
and  specifications  to  Indianapolis,  to  have  them  corrected  by  a  competent 
architect.  The  plans  had  been  submitted  by  B.  F.  Hough  &  Co.  The 
contract  was  finally  awarded  to  J.  H.  Coffman.  for  $6,000,  the  building 
to  be  completed  by  the  1st  of  November,  1866.  The  old  jail  was  soon 
sold  to  John  Cassiform  for  $13.  G.  W.  Boyer  was  appointed  Superin- 
tendent to  oversee  the  work  on  the  jail.  It  was  again  found  necessary 
to  issue  several  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  county  bonds,  to  meet  ex- 
penses, and  N.  R.  Overman  was  appointed  agent  to  negotiate  their  sale. 
The  building,  a  fine  brick  structure,  was  completed  in  June,  1867,  the 
time  allowed  the  contractor  having  been  extended.  This  is  the  present 
jail  In  the  autumn  of  1866,  the  right  to  use  Seider's  Improved  System 
of  Keeping  Accounts  was  bought  for  $350, 

MISCELLANEOUS  ITEMS. 

In  1848,  the  name  of  the  county  seat  was  changed  from  Canton  to 
Tipton.     Both  the  county  and  the   county  seat  were  named  in  honor  of 


1 


HISTORY   OF   TIl'TON   COUNTY.  21 

Gen.  John  Tipton,  who  played  such  a  prominent  part  in  the  early  his- 
tory of  Indiana.  Late  in  1847,  George  Tucker,  Zimri  Brown  and  O. 
H.  Perry  were  appointed  agents  to  see  that  proper  donations  of  land  for 
the  necessary  depot  buildings  were  given  the  Peru  6c  Indianapolis  Eail- 
road  Company.  On  the  first  Monday  in  April,  1847.  the  townships  were 
required  to  vote  on  the  question  of  licensing  the  sale  of  liquor  within 
their  borders.  Every  township  voted  for  the  license.  In  March, 
1848,  the  county  subscribed  fifty  shares  of  stock  in  the  Peru  &  Indianap- 
olis Kailroad.  In  1849,  lots  were  ordered  deeded  to  various  religious 
organizations,  provided  chtu'ches  were  erected  thereon  within  a  specified 
time,  which  was  not  done,  and  the  time  was  afterward  extended  until 
the  buildings  were  constructed.  In  April,  1849,  the  townships  again 
voted  on  the  liquor  question.  Madison  was  the  only  township  which 
voted  against  granting  a  license.  Saloons  were  called  in  those  days 
"  wet  groceries. " 

A  petition  to  incorporate  the  county  seat  was  favorably  considered 
by  the  board  in  March,  1851.  This  project  again  came  up  by  petition 
with  thirty-seven  signatures,  in  September,  1853,  at  which  time  101 
acres  were  incorporated.  A  new  public  graveyard  was  purchased  in  De- 
cember, 1853.  A  set  of  standard  weigths  and  measures  were  bought  of 
William  Huddart  in  1855.  In  June,  1858,  the  board  received  a  peti- 
tion, with  thii'ty-six  names  appended  thereto,  praying  that,  after  proper 
investigation,  so  much  of  Cicero  Creek  as  lay  within  the  limits  of  Tip-- 
ton  County  and  was  suitable,  might  be  declared  navigable.  Sylvester  Tur- 
pen,  who  had  presented  the  petition,  was  appointed  to  examine  the  creek 
and  report  its  length  in  the  county,  depth,  width,  etc,  etc. ,  and  upon  receipt 
of  his  report,  and  after  due  deliberation,  the  board  formally  declared  that 
fifteen  miles  of  the  twenty  miles  of  the  creek  in  the  county  were  to  be  con- 
sidered a  navigable  water-course,  and  the  various  Road  Supervisors  along 
the  stream  were  ordered  to  take  charge  of  such  highway.  This  very  novel 
and  useless  proceeding  occurred  only  twenty-five  years  ago.  In  June,  1861, 
the  board  began  paying  out  county  funds  for  the  support  of  soldiers'  fami- 
lies, and  continued  to  do  so  until  the  war  ended.  The  expense  of  hold- 
ing a  County  Teachers'  Institute  began  to  be  paid  in  1807.  Several 
county  officers  in  past  years  have  proved  defaulters  to  large  amounts. 

GRANGE  ASSOCIATION. 

In  1876,  the  Tipton  County  Grange  Association  was  organized  with 
a  capital  stock  not  to  exceed  $20,000,  the  organization  to  last  five  years. 
All  necessary  officers  were  appointed,  but  for  some  reason  the  organiza- 
tion did  not  come  up  to  the  hopes  of  its  founders  and  friends.  The 
following  was  the  grange  directory  within  three  or  four  years  after  the 
organization  of  the  association: 

Star  Grange,   No.  814,   W.  J.  Owen,    M. ;  K.  W.  Payne,  Sec.     Post 


22  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

office,  Sharpsvillo,  Ind.  West  Grange,  No.  1011,  W.  W.  West,  M. ; 
Sidney  Jenkins,  Sec.  Post  office.  Windfall,  Ind.  Washington  Grange, 
No.  1)49,  Thomas  Cole,  M. ;  C.  M.  Harman,  Sec.  Post  office,  Oakford, 
Ind.  Liberty  Grange,  No.  205.  Reuben  Parish,  M. ;  Newton  Graham, 
Sec.  Post  office,  Windfall.  Mount  Zion  Grange,  No.  1069,  John  Car- 
ter, M. ,  John  W.Wallace,  Sec.  Post  office,  Sharpsvi lie.  Hope  Grange, 
No.  356,  S.  H.  Dillman,  M. ;  F.  M.  Harbet,  Sec.  Post  office.  New  Lan- 
caster. Richland  Grange,  No.  1225,  Oliver  Dickey,  M. ;  Oscar  Hoover, 
Sec.  Post  office,  Tipton,  Ind.  Duck  Oeek  Grange,  No.  563,  John 
Busenbark,  M. ;  W.  P.  Gates,  Sec.  Post  office,  New  Lat3caster,  Ind. 
Jimtown  Grange,  No.  278.  E.  J.  Goar,  M. ;  William  H.  Goodnight,  Sec. 
Post  office,  Normanda.  Pleasant  View  Grange,  No.  252,  G.  W.  Ham, 
M. ;  I.  A.  Hulick,  Sec.  Post  office,  Tipton.  Irwin's  Creek  Grange, 
No.  440,  G.  W.  Cass,  M.;  John  Thrawl,  Sec.  Post  office,  Windfall 
Faith  Grange,  No.  026,  E.  B.  Decker,  M. ;  Freeman  Decker,  Sec.  Post 
office,  Curtisville.  Dixon  Grange,  No.  135,  J.  J.  Paiil,  M. ;  George 
Thompson,  Sec.  Post  office,  Tipton.  Plum  Grove  Grange,  No.  181, 
Erasmus  Tech enor,  M. ;  William  Achenbach,  Sec.  Pi>st  office,  Tipton. 
Greenwood  Grange,  No.  201,  John  Potts,  M. ;  H.  N.  Bishop,  Sec.  Post 
office,  Shielville.  Walnut  Grange,  No.  186,  F.  Van  Ness,  M. ;  Harris 
Eshelman,  Sec.  Post  office,  Shielville.  Hoback  Grange,  No.  133,  Har- 
rison Smith,  M.;  T.  J.  Grayson,  Sec.  Post  office,  Normanda.  Turkey 
Creek  Grange,  No.  1493,  W.  Garris,  M. ;  Perry  Wisman,  Sec. ;  Post 
office,  Tipton.  Mud  Creek  Grange,  No.  1,537,  George  S.  McKay,  M.;  A. 
D.  Riffe,  Sec.  Post  office.  Windfall.  Independence  Grange,  No.  192, 
J.  Woiverton,  M. ;  Jehu  Van  Buskirk,  Sec.  Post  office,  Tipton.  Teters- 
burg  Grange,  No.  227,  J.  A.  Campbell.  M. ;  H.  H.  Bunch,  Sec.  Post 
office,  Tetersburg.  Ind.  Bennett  Grange,  No.  ]75.Merril  Townsend.M. :  D. 
T.  Swing,  Sec.  Post  office,  Sharpsville,  Ind.  Madison  Grange,  No. 
355,  John  P.  Hobbs,  M. ;  Thomas  Cook,  Sec.  Post  office.  New  Lan- 
caster, Ind.  Clay  Grange,  No.  136,  R  H.  Keller,  M.;  G.  W.  Fippen, 
Sec.  Post  office,  Tipton,  Ind.  Addison  Grange,  No.  597,  I.  N.  Ploughe, 
M.  :  H.  W.  Osborn,  Sec.  Post  office,  Pickard's  Mills,  Ind.  Cicero 
Grange,  No.  74,  Henry  Goar,  M. ;  James  Clark,  Sec.  Post  office,  Jack- 
son Station,  Ind.  Union  Grange,  No.  258,  L  N.  Bouse,  M.;  W.  W. 
Clark,  Sec.  Post  office,  Jackson  Station.  Rock  Prairie  Grange,  No. 
259,  W.  J.  Ham,  M.;  J.  K.  P.  Carson,  Sec.  Post  office,  Tipton,  Ind. 
Taylor  Grange,  No.  — ,  Henry  Thomas,  M. ;  James  K.  Harmon  Sec.  Post 
office,  Oakford,  Ind.  Custisville  Grange,  No.  — ,  C.  S.  Snook,  M. ;  D. 
M.  Kirkwond,  See.  Post  office,  purtisville,  Ind.  Fairmount  Grange, 
No.  660,  Job  Hobbs,  M. ;  Jackson  Knox,  Sec.  Post  office,  Tipton,  Ind. 
Elm  Hill  Grange,  No.  824,  R.  A.  Stack,  M. ;  T.  J.  Couch,  Sec.  Post 
office,  Windfall,  Ind.     Nearly  all  of  these  organizations  are  now  non  est. 


HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY.  23 


EARLY    MARRIAGES. 


The  first  marriage  in  the  couaty  after  the  organization  was  August  8, 
1844,  between  Joseph  G.  Brown  and  Dorinda  Sharp,  solemnized  by  John 
B.  Cole,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  the  license  having  been  issued  July  31, 
1844.  The  second  marriage  was  on  the  8th  of  August,  1844  (same  day 
as  the  above — which  was  lirBt?)  between  Hickman  Smiley  and  Elizabeth 
Mills,  the  license  having  been  issued  August  3.  The  ceremony  was  per- 
formed by  Judge  Goar.  The  third  marriage  was  between  Harvey  Den- 
ney  and  Sophia  Shaw,  September  12,  1844,  by  J.  B.  Cole,  Justice. 


POPULATION  OF    THE    COUNTY. 


The  population  in  1840  was  (estimated)  200;  in  1850,  3,532;  in  1  60, 
8,170;  in  1870.  11,953;  in  1880,  14,402.  ft 


COUNTY  AND  STATE  ROADS. 


State  roads  were  extended  across  the  county  during  the  thirties — 
one  from  Indianapolis  north  to  the  Wabash  Eiver,  and  one  from 
"Muncietowu"  to  La  Fayette.  Several  others  were  also  built  late  in  the 
thirties.  So  far  as  can  be  learned,  the  first  county  road  had  the  follow- 
ing limits:  "  Beginning  on  the  line  of  Hamilton  County,  on  the  east 
side  of  Section  28,  Township  21  north,  Range  4  east,  thence  by  the  best 
route  to  King's  mill  on  Cicero  Creek."  More  than  twelve  residents  of 
Cicero  Township  petitioned  the  board  of  Hamilton  County,  to  which 
Tipton  was  then  attached,  for  this  road.  About  a  dozen  other  roads  were 
extended  across  the  county  prior  to  1844.  The  first  road  petitioned  for 
and  built  after  the  county  was  organized  was  to  extend  as  follows:  From 
near  Michael  Mitchell's  residence  to  Zimri  Brown's;  thence  to  Charles 
Griffith's,  thence  to  near  William  Going's  and  James  Jack's,  thence 
north  to  the  Miami  Reserve.  Charles  Thurman,  Carter  T.  Jackson  and 
Samuel  Townsend  were  Viewers.  The  "  Three  Per  Cent  Fund  "  fur- 
nished by  the  State  for  the  construction  of  roads  was  a  godsend  to  Tipton 
County.  A  special  road  tax,  however,  was  levied,  so  great  was  the  press- 
ure for  better  highways.  The  special  road  tax  in  1845  was  $74.90;  in 
1846,  was  $289.58;  in  1848,  was  $320.65;  in  1849,  was  $472.02.  '  In 
1849,  Joseph  Price,  and  in  1850,  Andrew  McMurtry  were  permitted  to 
hang  gates  across  the  State  road  from  Muncie  to  La  Fayette.  What 
did  that  mean  ?  By  September,  1852,  there  had  been  projected  a  total 
of  seventy-five  county  roads,  the  greater  number  of  which  had  been 
built.  By  September,  1854,  ninety-two  had  been  projected;  by  June, 
1858,  one  hundred;  by  March,  1860,  125;  by  June,  1806,  208;  by  Sep- 
tember,  1869,  285;  by  December,  1876,  413;  by  1882,  to  over  500.  These 
roads  have  cost  the  county  hundi-eds  of  thousands  of  dollars. 


24  HISTOUY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

GRAVEL  KOADS. 

A  total  of  eleven  gravol  roads  have  peen  petitioned  for  within  the  past 
three  years,  Nos.  1,  4,  6  and  7  having  been  granted  and  fully  completed, 
and  No.  5  having  been  granted  and  partiallj'^  completed.  No.  1  extends 
about  eight  miles  from  Tipton  to  the  north  line  of  the  county,  and  cost 
over  $16,000.  No.  4  extends  northeast  of  Windfall  about  five  miles, 
and  cost  $10,000.  No.  6  begins  about  three  miles  northwest  of  Windfall 
and  extends  to  Sharpsville,  being  in  length  about  six  and  one-half  miles, 
and  cost  about  $12,000.  No.  7  extends  north  of  Windfall  one  mile, 
thence  west  two  miles,  being  three  miles  long,  and  joining  No.  6,  and 
cost  $5,000.  No.  5,  now  in  course  of  constructon,  extends  a  little  east 
of  south  from  Tipton  to  the  Hamilton  County  line,  an  will  cost  about 
$17,000.  Nos.  1,  4,  6  and  7  have  cost  over  $48,000,  which  large 
amount  was  raised  by  the  sale  of  cou.nty  bonds.  If  to  this  amount  be 
added  the  estimated  cost  of  No.  5,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  county  has 
already  expended  over  $60,000  in  gravel  roads.  This  amount  of  indebted- 
ness has  already  been  incurred,  $10,000  of  which  has  been  paid,  leaving 
the  present  gravel  road  debt  over  $50,000.  If  to  this  is  added  the  debt 
of  $25,000  incurred  in  erecting  county  buildings,  the  total  county  debt 
foots  up  to  the  large  amount  of  aboiit  $78,000. 

COUNTY    DRAINAGE. 

The  length  of  county  ditches  and  the  amounts  used  in  their  con- 
struction are  told  in  large  figures.  As  early  as  the  latter  part  of  the 
fifties,  private  drainage  companies  began  to  be  organized  in  the  county, 
and  since  then  not  less  than  twenty  such  companies  have  been  organized 
with  a  membership  varying  from  a  few  to  fifty-two.  It  is  estimated 
that  private  companies  and  individuals  have  expended  in  drainage  not 
less  than  $200,000.  There  are  about  a  dozen  tile  factories  in  the  county 
also,  and  thousands  of  rods  are  laid  down  in  all  parts  of  the  county 
annually.  Within  the  last  eight  or  ten  years,  there  have  been  constructed 
at  county  expense  about  190  ditches,  the  aggregate  length  of  which  is 
estimated  at  more  than  100  miles,  and  the  aggi-egate  cost  at  more  than 
$200,000.  This  extraordinary  activity,  if  continued,  will  render  Tipton 
County  the  garden  spot  of  Indiana,  as  the  soil  is  of  the  richest  and  most 
enduring  alluvial  character.  The  futui'e  has  wonderful  results  in  store 
for  the  county. 

RAILROADS. 

The  Peru  &  Indianapolis  Railroad  was  built  in  1854.  The  county 
donated  certain  lands  for  depots  and  freight  houses,  and  the  citizens 
u-iually  gave  the  right  of  way.  Besides  this,  the  county  took  $10,000 
worth  of  stock  in  the  company.  In  1869,  the  county  voted  on  levying  a 
tax  of  $60,000  to  aid  the  La  Fayette,  Muncie  &  Bloomington  Railroad^ 
now  the  Lake  Erie  &  Western  Railroad.     There  were  cast   1,026   votes 


HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY.  25 

for  the  levy  and  515  against  it.  Half  of  that  large  appropriation  was 
to  be  levied  in  June,  1870,  and  half  in  June,  1871.  The  Great  Eastern 
Railway,  now  the  Cincinnati,  St.  Louis  &  Chicago  Railway,  was  con- 
structed about  twenty-five  years  ago,  but  what  help  was  given  f.annot  be 
learned.  In  1871,  Cicero,  Jefferson  and  Wild  Cat  Townships  voted  on  the 
question  of  aiding  the  Toledo,  Thorntown&  St.  Iiouis  Railway,  but  as  the 
election  was  illegal  for  some  reason,  another  election  was  held  in  1873  for 
the  same  purpose  in  all  the  townships  with  the  following  results,  the 
amount  of  aid  to  be  150,000:  For  the  tax — Cicero,  568;  Jefferson,  170; 
Wildcat,  832;  Prairie,  7;  Liberty,  16;  Madis(.n,  74.  Total,  1,173. 
Against  the  tax— Cicero,  52;  Jeffersou,  20;  Wild  Cat,  2;  Prairie,  248; 
Liberty,  218;  Madison,  19U.  Total,  739.  This  road  has  not  yet  been 
built,  and  the  Erie  road  was  not  until  about  six  years  ago. 

The  Indianapolis,  Peru  &  Chicago  Railroad  has  in  the  county  13.55 
miles  of  main  track,  valued  at  §7, 500  per  mile,  and  1.61  miles  of  side  track. 
The  Lake  Erie  &  Western  Railroad  has  20  milea  of  main  track,  worth 
$6,000  per  mile,  and  1,23  miles  of  side  track.  The  Pittsburgh,  Cincin- 
nati &  St.  Louis  has  11.56  miles  of  main  track,  valued  at  $8,250  per 
mile,  and  1.12  miles  of  side  track. 

THE  COUNTY    PAUPERS. 

As  near  as  can  be  learned,  the  first  poor  person  was  "  farmed  out  " 
in  September,  1846,  to  Josiah  Gilliland,  of  Madison  Township,  for  $40 
per  year.  About  the  same  time,  Rachel  Cummings,  a  helpless  old  woman, 
was  removed  at  county  expense  to  the  poor-house  of  Hamilton  County. 
The  poor  expense  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June,  1847,  was  $18.93;  for 
the  following  year,  $126.63;  for  the  year  ending  June,  1849,  it  amounted 
to  $131.28;  for  the  year  ending  June,  1850,  to  $97;  for  1851, to  $107.62; 
for  1852,  to  $332.19;  for  1853,  to  $238.99;  for  1855,  to  $236.59;  for 
1858,  to  $1,320.24;  for  1860,  to  $1,086.08;  for  1864,  to  $3,067.52;  for 
1867,  to  ^4,812.98;  for  1870,  to  $2,059.06;  fof  1875,  to  $3,937.42;  for 
1876,  to  $10,599.11;  for  1880,  to  $7, 730.. 77.  It  now  amounts  to  about 
$12,000  per  annum.  The  plan  continued  to  be  followed  of  farming  the 
paupers  out  to  the  lowest  bidders.  Considerable  township  aid  was  fur- 
nished independent  of  county  help.  Physicians  were  employed  by  the 
year  to  doctor  the  county  poor.  Drs.  R,  R.  Douglas  and  H.  M. 
Vickrey  were  employed  in  1853;  J.  M.  Gi'oves  served  as  such  in  1857  and 
J.  M.  Sanders,  Abraham  Reeves  and  Isaac  Parker  in  1858.  In  Decem- 
ber, 1863,  an  agent  was  appointed  to  view  several  locations  and  to  pur- 
chase the  most  favorable  for  a  poor  farm.  This  action  was  followed  by 
the  purchase  of  78. 72  acres  on  Sections  14  and  15,  Township  21  north, 
Range  4  east,  of  James  Recobs  for  $1,000  cash  and  $1,490  on  the  first 
Monday  in  March,  1865.  Tpon  this  farm  was  a  small  frame  dwelling, 
insufificient  in  size  and  comfort  to  accommodate  the  poor,  and  bids  were 


26  •        HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

called  for  to  repair  the  old  house  and  erect  a  new  one  of  modest  size 
and  pretensions.  As  many  poor  persons  as  could  be  accommodated  were 
ordered  removed  from  private  families  to  this  house  and  the  new  one  as 
soon  as  the  work  was  finished.  John  H.  McConnell  contracted  to  repair  the 
old  house  and  build  a  new  one,  10x30  feet,  frame,  for  $580.  This  was 
in  the  spring  of  1864.  William  Morris  became  the  first  Poor  Superin- 
tendent, taking  the  farm  for  all  he  could  make  with  it  and  boarding  the 
poor  for  so  much  per  week.  He  was  succeeded  by  D.  J.  Caldwell,  in 
1  S'08,  and  he  in  turn  by  R.  W.  Mullis  in  1869.  The  latter  continued 
for  several  years,  first  boarding  the  poor  for  $2. 50  per  week  and  later  re- 
du«!ing  that  figure  to  $2.40  and  then  to  $2.20,  and  in  1872,  i-aising  to 
$2.25.  In  1872,  the  contract  of  biiilding  a  new  poor-house  was  let  to 
William  Rubosh  and  J.  H.  McConnell,  but  for  some  reason  the  work  was 
abandoned  until  1876,  when  the  contract  was  given  to  William  Young 
for  $7,000.  The  building,  a  fine,  commodious,  two-storied  brick 
structure,  was  erected  immediately,  and  the  poor  were  soon  in  better 
quarters.  In  1873,  John  Emehiser  became  Superintendent.  He  agreed 
to  board  the  poor  for  $1.75  per  week  and  the  use  of  the  farm.  In  1875, 
Thomas  B.  Bates  succeeded  him,  bidding  in  the  care  of  the  poor  for 
$1.65  per  week  and  the  use  of  the  farm.  Mr.  Bates  continued  Superin- 
tendent until  1883,  reducing  the  costs  of  the  weekly  care  of  the  paupers 
somewhat  as  time  advanced.  In  1883,  John  Q.  Shaw  succeeded  Mr. 
Bates,  bidding  in  the  care  of  the  poor  at  $1.50  per  week  and  the  use  of 
the  farm.  There  are  at  present  about  forty  inmates  of  the  poor-house. 
Tliere  have  been  as  high  as  sixty-one  and  as  low  as  fourteen.  Fifty-five 
acres  of  the  poor  farm  are  under  cultivation.  The  county,  though  se- 
vere, takes  good  care  of  its  indigent  and  helpless. 

THE    AGRICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 

The  Tipton  County  Agricultural  Society  was  first  organized  on  the 
11th  of  August,  1855,  and  on  the  1st  of  September  a  constitution  and 
by-laws  was  adopted.  The  first  county  fair  was  held  on  the  4th  and  5th 
of  October  of  the  same  year.  Considerable  time  and  expense  were  em- 
ployed in  fitting  up  the  temporary  grounds  near  the  down- town  depot 
with  suitable  sheds,  etc.,  in  which  to  make  the  display,  but  when  the 
time  came,  so  heavy  were  the  rains  on  both  days,  that  the  display  of  stock 
and  farm  productions  was  very  small.  The  rain  on  the  5th  fell  so  con- 
tinuously that  not  a  lady  appeared  upon  the  grounds.  A  start  had  been 
made,  however,  and  it  remained  for  the  future  to  continue  the  enterprise. 
The  society  at  this  first  fair  numbered  about  seventy-five  members.  N. 
J.  Jackson  was  President  and  John  Green  Secretary.  A  few  very  large, 
tine  pumpkins  were  exhibited.  A  decided  disposition  for  the  improve- 
ment of  stock  was  manifested.  The  second  fair  was  almost  a  failure, 
but  little  interest  being  manifested.     The  third  fair,   held  near  Judge 


HTSTOllY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY.  27 

Green's  residence,  was  more  of  a  success,  both  the  I'eceipts  and  expendi- 
tures amounting  to  more  than  1100.  Considerable  stock  was  entered, 
and  the  ladies  appeared  with  a  creditable  display  of  domestic  and  fancy 
articles.  For  two  or  three  years  during  the  war,  no  fair  was  held.  At 
the  close  of  the  war,  however,  the  society  was  again  revived.  A  fair 
ground  was  secured  south  of  town,  and  the  County  Commissioners  were 
induced  to  donate  $200  to  fence  the  same.  After  several  year?,  the  soci- 
ety again  almost  died  out,  but  was  fully  re-organized  in  1874,  and  be- 
came known  as  the  "  Tipton  County  Joint-Stock  Agricultural  Society. " 
This  society  purchased  ten  acres  adjoining  the  poor-farm  of  Thomas 
Smith  and  rented  for  ten  years  a  strip  of  the  poor-farm,  eighty  rods 
long  by  twenty-three  and  one-half  rods  wide.  These  two  tracts  of  land 
constitute  the  present  fair  ground.  There  were  128  stockholders  at  the 
commencement  of  this  new  organization.  Stock  was  $10  per  share,  and 
the  total  amount  of  stock  Avas  $3,000,  all  of  which  was  not  subscribed. 
For  two  or  three  years  excellent  fairs  were  held,  the  interests  in  all  de- 
partments running  high,  especially  in  the  fast  stock  department.  In 
1879,  an  entirely  new  organization,  called  the  "  Tipton  County  Fair 
Company, "  was  effected.  This  has  endured  until  the  present.  In  1878, 
$1,247.25  was  paid  in  premiums,  and  in  1882  nearly  $1,700.  The  cash 
receipts  of  1882  were  $1,793.  In  1878,  there  were  690  entries;  in  1882, 
there  were  937.  The  present  officers  are  J.  T.  Hunter,  President;  D.  A. 
Fish,  Vice  President;  William  Barlow,  Secretary;  W.  M.  Grimshaw, 
Treasui-er;  W.  A.  Maze,  General  Superintendent;  T.  B.  Bates,  Samuel 
Loucks,  Jonathan  Wolverton,  J.  J.  Paul,  Newton  Campbell,  George  Weed, 
P.  F.  Legg,  D.  B.  Vice,  G.  W.  Myerly.  D.  Wilkins,  T.  G.  Pratt,  Joseph 
Turner  and  Lot  Thomas,  Directors.  The  fair  ground  and  the  interest 
shown  will  compare  favorably  with  other  counties  of  the  State. 

COUNTY    MEDICAL     SOCIETIES. 

As  early  as  1864,  a  society  of  this  nature  was  organized  at  the  county 
seat,  the  following  physicians  being  among  the  members:  M.  V.  B.  New- 
comer, C.  N.  Blount,  J.  J.  Mathers,  M.  M.  Bundy,  J.  M.  Gossett,  Reuben 
Harvey,  Isaac  Parker,  J.  C.  Driver,  T.  K.  Sanders,  J.  K.  Baxter,  James 
Lindsey  and  A.  M.  Vickrey.  This  society  did  well  for  about  one  year, 
reading  essays  on  important  medical  topics,  thoroughly  discussing  chosen 
subjects  and  examining  several  interesting  clinics.  At  the  end  of  that 
period  it  died  out.  In  1874,  the  "  Tipton  County  Medical  Society"  was 
organized  with  the  following  membership:  M.  V.  B.  Newcomer,  H.  B. 
Pitzer,  G.  W.  Collins,  S  M.  Conner,  J.  M.  Grove,  A.  J.  Barker,  W.  A. 
Heath,  J.  S.  Manity,  J.  C.  Driver,  W.  N  Glass,  J.  Parker,  J.  N.  Schell, 
N.  W.  Doan,  A.  F.  White  and  M.  V.  B.  Vickrey.  The  object  of  the  society 
was  "  the  advancement  of  medical  knowledge,  the  elevation  of  profes- 
sional character,  the  protection  of  the   interests  of  its  members,  the  ex- 


28  HISTORV  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

tension  of  the  bounds  of  medical  science  and  the  promotion  of  all  meas- 
ures adapted  to  the  relief  of  the  suffering  and  to  improve  the  health  and 
protect  the  lives  of  the  community. "  The  members  must  be  "  any  grad- 
uate in  medicine  of  a  respectable  medical  school  or  licentiate  of  any 
regularly  organized  medical  society  in  good  moral  and  professional 
standing."  This  society  became  auxiliary  to  the  State  Medical  Society. 
The  members  were  quite  active  for  a  number  of  years,  reading  essays, 
examining  clinics  and  discussing  the  leading  medical  topics,  including 
methods  of  treatment.  Late  in  the  seventies,  the  society  became  divided 
in  opinion  on  several  important  prof  essional  questions,  and  in  April,  1881, 
partially  broke  up,  and  a  oew  society  was  organized,  with  the  following 
first  membership:  Winser  Austin,  A.  J.  Barker,  J.  C.  Driver,  J.  W.  Cris- 
mond,  J.  A.  Bouse,  A.  E.  Rhodes,  D.  P.  Rubush,  M.  V.  B.  Newcomer, 
A.  S.  Dickey,  G.  Repp,  A.  P.  Parker,  D.  R.  Campbell,  J.  P.  Jessup,  J. 
D.  Armtield,  H.  G.  Evans  and  M.  S.  Johnson.  This  organization  be- 
came independent  of  the  State  Medical  Society.  The  old  society  did 
not  die,  thougrh  it  ran  down  very  low.  The  county  now  has  these  two 
medical  societies,  neither  of  which  is  at  present  very  active. 

LEGAL  PRACTITIONERS. 

James  Forsee  was  the  first  lawyer  in  town.  He  was  an  eccentric 
Virginian,  and  would  not  be  considered  a  good  lawyer  at  the  present 
time.  Amasa  P.  Gassier  came  after  him  and  was  quite  an  able  man,  a 
good  judge  of  law  and  a  successful  practitioner.  W.  H.  Nelson  came  about 
this  time  also.  The  ablest  lawyer  at  the  Tipton  County  bar  in  early 
years  was  William  Brady.  He  had  been  liberally  educated,  and,  pos- 
sessing as  he  naturally  did  intellectual  ability  of  a  high  order,  he  took 
the  lead  in  all  important  cases.  His  early  death  in  185'2  was  a  serious 
loss  to  the  county  and  to  the  local  legal  fraternity.  Memorial  services 
were  held  in  his  honor  and  ordered  spread  upon  the  county  court  rec- 
ords. John  Green  came  in  1848,  from  Jefferson  (bounty.  He  was  for- 
merly from  North  Carolina,  his  native  State.  He  immediately  took  the 
lead,  and  has  been  one  of  the  ablest  legal  practitioners  ever  in  the  coun- 
ty. He  served  the  county  in  the  State  Senate  and  as  Judge  of  the  Com- 
mon Pleas  Court,  and  is  yet  a  resident  of  the  county  seat  and  the  oldest 
lawyer  of  the  Tipton  County  bar.  Joseph  A.  Lewis  came  soon  after 
Green,  and  was  a  man  of  bright  intellect.  For  years  he  and  Green  were 
antagonists  in  nearly  all  the  important  court  cases.  Nathan  R.  Overman 
was  the  successor  of  the  mass  of  legal  business  that  had  been  left  by 
the  removal  of  Mr.  Lewis  to  the  capital  of  the  State.  Overman  and 
Green  were  then  the  rival  lawyers.  William  Jones  came  in  early,  and 
is  yet  in  successful  practice.  Daniel  Waugh  came  late  in  the  sixties, 
and  soon  had  all  the  work  he  could  do.  Many  others  deserve  special 
mention.     Among  the  lawyers  who  have  resided  and  practiced  in  the 


HISTOKV  Of  TIP  ION  CO.UNTV.  29 

county  have  been  James  Forsee,  William  Nelson,  A.  P.  Gassier,  William 
Brady,  John  Green,  Joseph  A.  Lewis,  N.  R.  Overman,  Daniel  Waugh, 
John  Q.  Green,  John  M.  Goar,  Aaron  P.  Thompson,  M.  Bristow,  Charles 
Swaim,  Frank  Trissel,  J.  T.  Cox,  John  W.  Kobinson,  Noah  Parker, 
Joshna  Jones,  Edward  Hatfield  and  the  present  practitioners,  John 
Green,  N.  E.  Overman,  Daniel  Waugh,  R.  B.  Beauchamp,  George  H. 
Gifford,  John  P.  Kemp,  M.  F.  Cox,  J.  M.  Tippen,  J.  I.  Parker,  J .  N. 
Waugh,  B.  Giltner,  J.  W.  Metlen.  W.  H.  Clark,  J.  A.  Swoveland,  Perry 
Behymer,  W.  O.  Dean,  William  Jones  and  G.  F.  Isgrig. 

EDUCATIONAL     STATISTICS. 

In  1848  and  1849,  the  county  was  called  upon  to  vote  on  %e  question 
of  free  public  schools.  The  vote  of  1848  was  as  follows:  For  free 
schools— Cicero,  86;  Jefferson,  95;  Prairie,  39;  Wild  Cat,  6;  Madison, 
47.  Total,  273.  Against  free  schools— Cicero,  11;  Jefferson,  8;  Prairie, 
35;  Wild  Cat,  6;  Madison  33.  Total,  93.  The  vote  on  the  same  ques- 
tion in  1849  was  as  follows:  For  free  schools— Cicero,  65;  Jefferson, 
60;  Prairie,  41;  Wild  Cat,  8;  Madison,  25;  Liberty,  2.*  Total,  201. 
Against  free  schools— Cicero,  65;  Jefferson,  26;  Prairie,  28;  Wild  Cat, 
12;  Madison,  48;  Liberty,  10.     Total,  189. 

Does  it  not  seem  strange  that  so  many  votes  should  have  been  cast 
against  the  common  school  system  of  today?  The  present  common  school 
system  was  founded  in  1853,  at  which  time,  for  1853  only,  the  condi- 
tion of  the  county  school  fund  from  the  sale  of  school  land  was  as  fol- 
lows: 

RECEIPTS.  EXPENDITURES. 

Sale  of  land 12,155  00  Fund  loaned $2  138  00 

Interest  on  residue 267  00  Advertising  fees '     9  50 

Interest  on  fund  loaned 149  66  Auditor's  services..  '          4  34 

Bank  tax  and  saline  funds; 27  68  Soecial  fund  re-loaned.  ...  "        19  50 

Interest  on  the  same 4  20  Treasurer's  fees 66  60 

Special  funds  refunded 47  18  Auditor's  fees 66  60 


Total $2,650  72 


Balance  in  Treasury 346  18 

Total $2,650  72 

The  total  school  fund  '(Congressional)  in  1854,  was  $11,991.40,  of 
which  $11,246.11  was  safely  invested  at  interest.  The  total  school  fund 
in  1855— school  fund  of  all  kinds— was  $30,317.08,  of  which  $29,899.11 
was  loaned  on  real  estate  security.  In  1863,  the  common  school  fund 
amounted  to  $7,639.56,  and  the  Congressional  fund  to  $25,988.89.  In 
1867,  the  common  school  fund  was  $8,457.45,  and  the  Congressional 
fund  $25,988.89.  In  1877,  the  common  school  fund  was  S14,132.0S, 
and  the  Congressional  fund  $26,008.42.  The  following  statistics  are  for 
the  year  1860: 

*  Created  bufure  tlie  August  election. 


30 


HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 


CHILDREN  BETWEEN 

FIVE  AND  TWENTY- 

ONK  YEARS. 

NUMBER   OF 
DISTRICTS. 

NUMBER    ATTEND- 
ING SCHOOL. 

NUMBER  OF 
TEACHERS. 

Madison 

443 
555 
463 
532 
417 
328 
239 

12 

10 

9 

9 

4 

2 
1 

47 

299 

527 
352 
310 
232 
180 
223 

9 

Cicero  

10 

Jefferson 

9 

Prairie 

8 

Liberty 

Wild  Cat 

8 
4 

Town  of  Tipton 

o 

Total 

2,977 

2,123 

50 

In  1853,  there  were  only  eight  schoolhouses  in  Tipton  County.  In 
1878,  there  were  76,  and  in  1883,  there  were  not  less  than  90 — a  gain  in 
thirty  years  of  nearly  1,200  per  centum.  In  1878,  there  were  5,180 
children  of  school  age  in  the  county,  six  of  them  being  colored.  The 
average  daily  attendance  was  then  2,529.  There  were  78  districts  where 
school  was  taught,  and  the  average  number  of  days  of  school  during  the 
year  was  120;  86  public  teachers  were  paid  for  their  services,  the  aver- 
age wages  paid  in  the  country  being,  males,  $2.06,  females,  $1.86;  and 
in  towns,  males,  $2.99,  females,  $1.98;  32  township  institutes  were 
held  in  1878.  The  apportionment  of  common  school  revenue  was  $14- 
132.32;  amount  of  Congressional  fund,  $26,008.42.  Township  and 
county  institutes  and  county  normal  schools  are  held  annually,  usually 
with  large  attendance.     The  county  schools  are  above  the  average. 


J 


.^  SEMINARY    AND    LIBRARY. 

An  early  law  of  the  State  provided  that  certain  fines  and  penalties  in 
each  county  should  be  applied,  when  the  amount  had  reached  $400, 
toward  the  erection  and  maintenance  of  a  county  seminary.  As  fast  as 
the  fund  accumulated  in  Tipton  County  it  was  loaned  at  interest.  In 
June,  1848,  the  fund  amounted  to  $108.70;  in  June,  1849,  to  $132.20; 
in  June,  1851,  to  $199.56;  and  in  June,  1852,  to  $233.61.  Soon  after 
this,  by  legislative  enactment,  the  fund  was  transferred  to  the  common 
schools. 

Another  early  law  of  the  State  provided  that  ten  per  centum  of  the 
proceeds  of  the  sale  of  county  lots  should  be  used  to  purchase  and  main- 
tain a  county  library.  A  special  law  of  1845  constituted  the  county 
board  the  Library  Trustees,  and  soon  after  this  J.  S.  Eessler  was  elected 
Librarian,  A.  P.  Cassler,  Clerk,  and  N.  J.  Jackson,  Treasui-er.  In  1846, 
fifty-five  volumes  of  miscellany  were  purchased.  Each  volume  was 
rented  out  for  10  cents  per  quarter.  The  library  was  added  to  from  time 
to  time  as  the  funds  admitted.  The  total  cash  receipts  from  August, 
1853,  to  March,  1857,  were  $109.51,  of  which  $55.62  had  been  expended 
for  books.  Probably'  twice  that  amount  of  receipts  had  been  received 
previously.     At  this  time  there   were   about  300  volumes  on  hand;  this 


HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY.  31 

number  was  afterward  increased  to  nearly  1,000  volumes.  The  town- 
ship libraries  were  first  distributed  in  about  1855,  and  finally  amounted 
in  the  aggregate  to  several  thousand  volumes.  These  old  libraries  have 
lost  their  usefulness  in  this  age  of  newspapers  and  cheap  books. 

THE  COUNTY  PBESS. 

In  1855,  Drs.  Rooker  and  A.  M.  Vickrey,    of  Tipton,   pm-chased  an 
old-fashioned  Franklin  press   and  a  small  quantity    of   type  and  other 
printing  materials  of  Mr.    Chapman,    of  Indianapolis,   and  commenced 
issuing  a  small  six-column  folio  newspaper  of   Democratic   proclivities, 
called  the  Tipton  County  Democrat.      The  material  was  bought  on  time, 
and  the  first  printer  was    James   Mahaffie,    who    a   year    later  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Archibald  Ramsey,  who  did  more,  perhaps,  to  render  the  county 
press  successful  than  any  other  man,    not  even  excepting  the  proprietors 
of  the  papers  themselves.    Dr.  Rooker,  qaite  an  able  gentleman,  assumed 
the  editorial  mantle  for  about  one  year,    when   he  permanently  retired, 
leaving  his  portion  of  the  indebtedness  to  be  settled  by  his  partner.      In 
1857,  the  name  was  changed  to  the    Western  Dominion,    and    about  this 
time  O.  P.  Baird  was  editor,  though  the  ownership  really  remained  with 
Dr.  Vickrey.     It  is  stated  that  Baird  bought  the  office,  but  being  unable 
to  pay  for  it,  permitted  it  to  go  back  to  Dr.  Vickrey.     In  1858,  the  office 
was  again  sold  to  G.  W.  Fisher,  under  whom  the  name  became  the  Tipton 
County  Argus.     Mr.  B.  Geltner  was  connected  with   the   office  in  some 
capacity.     In  1859,  the  office  having  run  down  to  low  water   tide,  and 
the  prominent  Democrats,  feeling  the  need  of  an  organ,  bought  the  whole 
outfit,  changed  the  name   to   Tipton  County   Times,    and  began  issuing 
the  sheet  with  John  Chambers  as  principal  eidtor  and  A.   Clark  as  local 
editor.       Ten   prominent   Democrats   owned    the    paper,   among   whom 
were  John  Chambers,  William  Stivers,  A.  J.  Redraon,  Hugh  Dickey,   J. 
V.  Cox,  A.  Clark,  Barcibus   Geltner  and  A.  Mc Vickrey.       The  office  at 
that  time  was  valued  at  $400.     In  1860,    interest  in  the  enterprise  so 
ran  down  that  the  issue  was  susjDended  for  about  six  months.      Early   in 
1861,  the  issue  was  resumed,  with  J.  V.  Cox  at  the  helm.      Mr.  Cox  wrote 
"  leaders  "  about  a  dozen  lines  in  length,  it  is  said,    while  the  remainder 
of  the  work  was  done  by  Archibald  Ramsey,  the  faithful  printer.     Late  in 
1861,  Judge  N.  R.  Overman  secured  an  interest  in  the  sheet,  and  became 
"  heavy  editor,"  as  he  humorously  remarks,   and  "  wrote  '  leaders '  about 
a  dozen  lines  in  length."     Ramsey  was  still  the  local  editor  and  printer, 
and  the  paper  was  still  owned  by  the  company  of  Democrats,  jMr.  Over- 
man owning  several  shares.     In  1862,  for  partisan  reasons,   the  name  of 
the  paper  was  changed  to  the    Democratic   Union,   which   circumstance 
created  the  impression  throughout  the  S^ate   that  the  politics  had  been 
changed  to  Republicanism.     But  such  was  far  from  the  case.      Early   in 
1864,  the  office  was  sold  to  William  J.  Turpen,  who,  at  the  time,  was  in 


82  HISTORY  OF  TIITON  COUNTY. 

the  urmy,  and  who  begau  writing  a  series  of  very  interesting  letters 
from  the  scenes  of  war.  He  was  mustered  out  before  the  war  ended, 
changed  the  name  to  Tipton  County  Times,  and  took  personal  control  of 
his  paper,  which  he  successfiilly  conducted  until  1S09,  when  he  sold 
out  to  C.  J.  Brady  and  removed  to  Nashville,  Tenn  ,  where  he  became 
connected  with  another  paper,  though  his  subsequent  efforts  were  far 
from  being  -successful.  It  is  stated  that  in  some  manner  he  so  incurred 
the  displeasure  of  the  citizens  down  there  that  he  was  given  so  long  to 
leave  town — and  he  left.  Mr.  Brady  was  fairly  successful  with  his  pa- 
per. He  put  in  the  first  job  press  ever  in  the  county.  In  1874,  he  sold 
out  to  Judge  N.  R.  Overman,  who  employed  J .  T.  Cox  to  edit  the  sheet.  In 
the  spring  of  1875,  Emsley  A.  Overman  bought  a  half  interest  in  thf>  office, 
and  about  this  time  the  first  cylinder  power  press  ever  in  the  county  was 
purchased  for  about  $400  and  placed  in  the  office.  E.  A.  Overman  became 
editor  and  financial  manager.  In  January,  1876,  William  Haw  bought 
the  office,  and  isstied  the  paper  imtil  January,  1877,  when,  being  unable 
to  pay  for  the  same,  he  relinquished  it,  and  the  office  went  back  to  Over- 
man &  Overman.  E.  A.  Overman  conducted  it  then  until  September, 
1878,  when  he  purchased  N.  R.  Overman's  interest  and  became  sole 
owner  and  proprietor.  Early  in  1880,  the  office  was  sold  to  P.  &  J.  O. 
Behymer,  bi'others,  but  a  year  later  it  went  back  to  E.  A.  Overman,  who 
continued  it  until  November,  1881,  when  it  passed  to  S.  Ray  Williams, 
who,  in  January,  1882,  tooJr  as  a  partner  D.  A.  Alexander.  In  Septem- 
ber, 1882,  Mr.  Williams  retired,  leaving  Mr.  Alexander  sole  owner,  but 
about  the  Ist  of  April,  1883,  the  latter  was  joined  by  Jeremiah  Fish, 
who  continued  with  the  paper  until  May,  1883,  when  he  retired,  leaving 
the  Tipton  Times  as  it  is  at  present.  The  paper  has  suffered  severely  by 
the  numerous  changes  of  owners,  but  it  has  always  been  an  earnest  if 
not  an  able  exponent  of  the  Democratic  party  of  the  county.  State  and 
nation.  Under  several  of  the  managements  it  was  extremely  able '  and 
bitter,  and  at  no  time  has  it  been  in  better  hands  than  at  present.  It 
enjoys  a  large  circulation,  and  a  liberal  job  and   advertising    patronage. 

Early  in  1860,  S.  T.  Montgomery  founded  at  Tipton  a  Republican 
sheet,  called  the  Tipton  Republican,  which  was  hailed  by  members  of 
that  party  throughout  the  cctunty  with  great  joy.  For  a  time  during 
that  year,  it  was  the  only  paper  issued  in  the  county.  Late  in  1860  the 
office  was  sold  to  G.  W.  Lowby,  who  issued  the  paper  until  September, 
1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  army,  and  soon  afterward  the  office  was 
sold  to  satisfy  the  indebtedness  hanging  over  it  on  account  of  the  pur- 
chase.    Thus    orever  died  that  short-lived  paper. 

In  August,  1872,  Joel  Reece  began  issuing  at  Tipton  a  Republican 
paper  called  the  Tiptou  Enterprise ,-vf\ih.  Frank  Ristine,  printer.  It  was 
not  long  ere  tliis  paper  left  the  Republican  party,  going  off  with  great 
earnestness  on  the  "  Grange  movement,"  but  after  the  October  election  in 
1874,  the   sheet  died  easily,  without  hope  of  resurrection. 


^ 


'><?^^ 


HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY.  35 

In  the  early  spring  of  1874,  W.  J.  Turpen  and  L.  H.  Emmons  issued 
the  first  number  of  the  Tipton  Advance,  an  independent  Democratic 
newspaper.  It  continued  with  a  fair  degree  of  success  until  the  sprino- 
of  1870.  when  it  was  bought  by  William  Haw  and  merged  in  with  the 
Times. 

The  Tipton  Republican  was  started  in  April,  1876,  by  John  Greeves, 
at  the  solicitation  of  numerous  Republicans,  and  was  at  the  outset  so 
poor  that  the  sheet  had  barely  enough  type  to  dress  itself  in  proper  cos- 
tume for  the  public  eye.  After  one  or  two  issues,  M.  W.  Pershing  went 
to  Chicago  and  bought  $150  worth  of  office  material,  which  he  loaned  to 
Mr.  Greeves;  but  about  this  time  a  number  of  prominent  Republicans 
of  the  town,  concluding  that  the  party  should  have  a  permanent  organ 
at  the  county  seat,  purchased  the  office  of  Mr.  Greeves  and  employed 
M.  W.  Pershing  to  edit  the  paper  temporarily  until  a  permanent  editor 
could  be  secured.  These  Republicans  were  Daniel  Waugh,  Park  Russell, 
J.  H.  Fear,  M  V.  B.  Newcomer.  R.  B.  Beauchamp,  S.  I.  Davis,  W.  P. 
Weed,  S.  Lowby,  M.  Rosenthal,  J.  C.  Gregg,  William  Barlow,  H.  Mehlig 
and  W.  M.  Grishaw.  This  company  owned  the  office  with  the  exception 
of  the  $150  worth  of  material  purchased  by  Mr.  Pershing.  In  August, 
1876,  Mr.  Solonsnook  took  the  office  on  the  same  terms  under  which  Mr. 
Pershing  had  issued  it,  i.  e.,  to  maintain  its  Republicanism  and  to  have 
all  he  could  make  from  the  office,  the  ownership,  of  course,  still  remain- 
ing with  the  company.  In  October,  1876,  J.  C.  Gregg  took  the  editorial 
chair  on  the  same  terms  and  successfullv  issued  the  paper  until  August, 
1878. 

In  September,  1878,  T.  M.  Smith  started  a  Greenback  and  Repub- 
lican campaign  sheet,  subscription  price  25  cents  for  the  campaign.  Mr. 
Smith  was  the  Greenback  editor  and  Mr.  Pershing  the  Republican  edi- 
tor of  this  sheet,  which  died  suddenly  and  permanently  after  the  cam- 
paign. It  was  called  the  Advocate.  In  October,  Mr.  Pershing  was  ao-ain 
placed  at  the  editorial  head  of  the  Republican  by  the  company,  the  issue 
continuing  the  number  and  volume  of  the  Greenback-Republican  sheet 
that  had  just  become  defunct.  During  the  first  three  months  after  this  the 
cash  receipts  were  $12.50,  but  after  that  the  paper  began  to  "  boom.  " 
In  six  months  the  paper  was  enlarged  to  a  seven-column  folio,  and  at  the 
end  of  the  first  year  to  an  eight-column  folio,  its  present  size.  Mr.  Per- 
shing early  bought  the  office  and  is  the  present  editor.  The  success  of 
the  sheet  is  unprecedented  in  the  histoiy  of  the  county,  and  but  few 
men  would  have  had  the  courage  to  continue  the  issue  in  the  face  of 
the  bitterest  obstacles  and  in  the  teeth  of  the  severest  threats.  The  suc- 
cess of  the  paper  is  also  largely  due  to  the  persistent  skill  with  which 
the  editor  unraveled  the  unlawful  depredations  of  certain  public  officials. 
A  large  circulation  and  large  office  patronage  ai'e  enjoyed. 

Late  in  the  decade  of  the  fifties,  a  small  folio  sheet,  called  the  Car  of 

3 


36  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

Progress,  was  started  at  Tipton  by  a  Mr.  Kelsaw.  The  paper  an- 
tagonized the  Democratic-  doctrines  of  that  period  and  became  involved 
with  the  Democratic  paper  on  the  leading  issues  of  the  day,  the  princi- 
pal questions  being  the  extension  of  slave  territory  and  the  probability 
of  war  with  the  South,  with  the  surrounding  influences.  The  paper 
lived  only  about  ninejjmonths. 

Early  in  1882,  J.  O.  Behymer  began  issuing  at  the  county  seat  a 
Democratic  paper,  called  the  Saturday  Express,  which  was  designed  to 
be  the  organ  of  the  county  Democracy.  The  paper  was  issued  with  fair 
success  until  the  early  part  of  1883,  when  it  became  defunct. 

Windfall  has  not  been  without  its  newspaper  enterprises.  In  about 
May,  1876,  Sweet  &  Fugit  established  there  an  independent  sheet  called 
the  Windfall  News,  which  was  conducted  by  them  for  a  period  of  about 
one  year,  when  the  office  was  sold  to  P.  &  J.  O.  Behymer,  who  issued 
the  paper  until  the  spring  of  1880,  when  it  was  discontinued.  In  the 
fall  of  1876,  Sweet  &  Fugit  also  issued  there  the  first  number  of 
a  monthly  paper  for  children,  called  Our  Home,  which  soon  at- 
tained a  circulation  all  over  the  United  States — the  actual  circulation 
eing  over  3,000.  At  the  time  of  the  sale  of  the  News  to  the  Behymer 
bBrothers,  the  office  of  Our  Home  went  with  it,  which  circumstance  ter- 
minated the  fvu'ther  issue  of  the  children's  paper. 

THE  TIPTON  COUNTY  PIONEER  SOCIETY. 

In  September,  1879,  a  preliminary  meeting  of  the  old  settlers  of  the 
county  was  held  at  the  Clerk's  office,  pursuant  to  call,  Jud  ge  John  Green  be- 
ing elected  President  and  John  Lang  Secretary.  The  following  old  set- 
tlers, with  their  respective  ages,  were  present:  Joseph  Puntney,  eighty; 
Peter  Hough,  eighty-nine;  John  Green,  seventy-two;  Thomas  Murphey, 
seventy-two;  D.  F.  Hutto,  seventy;  James  Egler,  seventy-six;  George 
Baldwin,  sixty-nine;  Squire  Hill,  seventy;  John  Long,  sixty-seven; 
John  Burkhart,  sixty-five;  Alexander  Pennock,  sixty-two;  John  McVay, 
sixty-five;  Thomas  Cole,  sixty-seven;  Boston  Day,  sixty-five;  Samuel 
Louck,  sixty- one;  D.  J.  Caldwell,  sixty;  D.  M.  Hill,  seventy- four;  John 
Evans,  sixty-five;  W.  S.  Bunch,  sixty-six;  Joseph  Oram,  seventy-two; 
Frederick  Snyder,  seventy-one;  S.  Patten,  seventy -eight;  Jesse  Stone, 
seventy  six;  Martin  Kleyla,  sixty-five;  Barbara  Kleyla,  sixty- four;  and 
Elizabeth  Carr,  seventy- three.  After  the  organization  the  society  ad- 
journed, to  meet  again  at  the  court  house  on  September  25,  1879,  at  10 
o'clock  A  .M.  On  the  4th  of  July,  1880,  the  society  again  met  at 
Green's  grove,  on  which  occasion  the  leading  address  was  delivered  by 
Hon.  John  Green,  and  a  constitution  and  by-laws  were  adopted.  A 
most  enjoyable  time  was  passed.  In  the  succeeding  September,  the  fol- 
lowing additional  members  were  secured:  Silas  Blount,  aged  seventy- 
nine;  Thomas    Lemon,    sixty-nine;    Barbara   Blount,    seventy;  B.    Gra- 


HISTORY    OF    TirrON    COUNTY.  37 

son,  sixty-five;  E.  M.  Sharp,  seventy-two;  C.  S.  Samuels,  sixty-one; 
Isaac  Shaw,  seventy-two;  Susan  Samxiels,  sixty;  N.  I.  Springer, 
sixty-nine;  Ralph  Shelton,  sixty-eight;  C.  Philip,  sixty-five;  Rebecca 
Coff,  seventy-one;  H,  S.  Clark,  sixty- four;  C.  Barlow,  sixty-nine;  James 
Bosey,  sixty-two;  M.  Baldwin,  sixty;  Naoma  Lakey,  seventy-one;  A. 
S.  Mott,  seventy;  Levi  Lakey,  — ;  Thomas  Rarey,  seventy;  Felix  Dray- 
estren,  eighty-two;  B.  Richardson,  seventy-six:  J.  T.  Hancock,  sixty -six, 
Elizabeth  Richardson,  sixty-three;  Milton  Mozingo,  seventy-four;  Eliz- 
abeth Whisler.  sixty-two;  Mary  Caldwell,  sixty-four;  Nancy  Long,  sixty- 
four;  Elizabeth  Clark,  sixty-eight;  R.  Tucker,  sixty-five;  Harrison  Dunn, 
sixty-three;  Squ.ire  Tucker, seventy-two;  J. M.Thompson, sixty-nine;  John 
Bunday,  sixty-seven;  H.  M.  Henderson,  seventy- three;  and  S.  P.  Mar- 
tinsdale,  fifty-nine.  The  old  officers  were  re  elected  for  the  following 
year,  and  the  meeting  adjourned  to  meet  again  July  4,  1881,  when  a 
large  "turnout"  assembled  to  enjoy  the  occasion.  Many  others  joined 
whose  names  cannot  be  given.  The  President  reported  the  names  of 
those  who  had  died  since  the  last  meeting.  Annual  meetings  are  held, 
eloquent  speakers  are  secured  to  entertain  the  <.>ld  people,  and  long  re- 
views of  the  past  are  socially  talked  over.  The  present  officers  are  John 
Green,  President;  R.  AV.  Wright,  Secretary;  John  Long,  Treasurer;  Vice 
Presidents,  Silas  Blount,  Green  Lilly,  J.  P.  Thomas,  Boston  Day, 
Riley  Suit,  Thomas  Cole  and  Elisha  Pickering.  Meetings  of  old  set- 
tlers were  held  as  long  ago  as  1856,  but  as  the  proceedings  were  not  pre- 
served, no  facts  can  be  given  here. 

TIPTON    COUNTY    POLITICS. 

The  first  Presidential  election  held  in  the  county  was  in  1844.  the 
same  year  the  county  was  organized.  Before  that,  it  is  true,  in  1840, 
when  the  county  was  yet  attached  to  Hamilton  County,  the  citizens  were 
called  upon  to  vote  either  for  the  Whig  candidate,  Harrison,  or  the  Dem- 
ocratic candidate.  Van  Biiren;  but  although  the  court  house  at  Nobles- 
ville  was  ransacked  by  the  writer,  the  result  of  this  election  in  the  town- 
ships of  Tipton  County  could  not  be  found.  In  1844,  the  question  be- 
fore the  people  was  the  probable  future  application  of  Texas  for  admis- 
sion into  the  Union.  The  Democratic  party  highly  favored  the  admis- 
sion, mainly  upon  the  ground  of  an  increase  of  slave  territory,  while  the 
Whig  opposed  the  measure  for  an  opposite  reason.  The  campaign  was 
conducted  with  great  spirit,  approaching  in  many  places  extreme  parti  - 
san  bitterness,  but  the  Democratic  party  proved  victorious,  and  after- 
ward, early  in  the  spring  of  1845,  beFore  John  Tyler  had  retired  from 
the  Presidential  chair,  Texas  was  formally  admitted  into  the  Union. 
The  full  vote  in  Tipton  County  in  November,  1844,  was  as  follows: 
Democrat,  for  Polk  and  Dallas — Madison,  32;  Jeffeison,  23;  Cicero.  35; 
Prairie,  29;  total.  119.     Whig,  for  Clay  and   Frelinghuysen — Madison, 


38 


HISTOKV    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 


20;  Jeiferson.  26;  Cicero,  29;  Prairie,  25;  total,  100.  The  county  took 
a  Democratic  stand  at  the  start,  though  there  was  little  or  no  excitement 
over  the  contest.  In  184(5,  David  Wilmot,  of  Pennsylvania,  introduced 
a  bill  into  Congress  prohibiting  slavery  in  the  newly  acquired  territoiy 
of  Texas.  This  was  followed  by  protracted  debates  of  the  most  fiery  in- 
tensity, and  the  partisan  spirit  of  the  whole  country  was  stirred  as  it 
had  never  been  before.  Many  of  the  hot  speeches  then  delivered  in 
Congress  are  the  most  perfect  specimens  of  American  eloquence  and 
oratory  in  existence.  A  Free- Soil  party  was  organized,  and  although 
the  bill  was  finally  defeated,  the  issues  which  it  incited  were  carried 
into  the  campaign  of  1848,  and  the  new  party  placed  a  ticket  in  the  field. 
The  election  in  Tipton  County  in  November,   1848,  resulted  as  follows: 


TOWNSHIPS. 

Dem. 
Cass  and  But- 
ler. 

Whig. 

Taylor  and 

Fillmore. 

Free  Soil. 
Van  Bureu 
and  Adams. 

Madison 

61 
53 

61 
52 

8 

35 

58 

51 

30 

9 

Jefferson 

Cicero 

1 

Prairie 

Wild  Cat 

2 

Total 

235 

183 

3 

No  attempt  to  organize  a  Free-Soil  party  in  Tipton  County  had  been 
made,  though  a  number  of  the  citizens,  notably  the  Quakers,  had  de- 
clared in  favor  of  that  party.  The  hot  partisan  spirit  in  Congress  and 
throughout  the  country  continued  with  unabated  intensity.  California 
adopted  a  constitution  prohibiting  slavery,  and  asked  for  admission  into 
the  Union;  but  the  measure  was  promptly  and  violently  opposed  by  the 
Southern  members  of  Congress,  who  insisted  that,  as  part  of  the  State, 
at  least,  was  south  of  Mason  and  Dixon's  line,  it  should  be  admitted  as 
a  Slave  State.  The  excitement  and  bitterness  continued  to  increase  un- 
til, in  1850,  Henrj"  Clay,  the  "  great  pacificator."  introduced  in  Con- 
gress his  celebrated  "Omnibus  Bill,"  which  provided,  among  other  things, 
that  California  should  be  admitted  as  a  Free  State,  that  Texas  should  be 
divided  into  not  more  than  four  States,  without  or  with  slavery,  as  the 
citizens  might  decide,  that  a  more  stringent  fugitive  slave  law  should  be 
adopted,  and  that  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia  should  be  abol- 
ished. The  bill  was  violently  assailed  by  both  parties  for  months,  but 
was  finally  adopted.  People  felt,  however,  that  the  issue  was  simply 
postponed,  and  in  the  election  of  1852,  the  questions  involved  in  the  bill 
came  again  before  the  country,  though  the  Democratic  and  Whig  parties 
agreed  as  to  the  wisdom  of  the  compromise.  The  Free- Soil  party  had 
grown  stronger,  maintaining  that  slavery  should  be  excluded  from  all 
the  territories.  The  vote  in  Tipton  County,  November,  1852,  was  as 
follows: 


HISTORY    OF   Tiri'ON   COUNTY, 


39 


TOWNSHIPS. 

Dem. 

Pierce  and 

King. 

Whig. 
Scott  and 
Graham. 

Free  Soil. 

Uale  and 

Julian. 

Madison 

108 
88 

128 
67 
34 
36 

62 
81 
95 
41 
55 
6 

Jefferson •. 

Cicero  . . . . , 

's 

Prairie 

1 

Liberty 

Wild  Cat 

Total 

461 

340 

6 

The  question  of  the  expansion  of  slave  territory  continued  to  stir  up 
partisan  hostility.  In  January,  1854,  Stephen  A.  Douglas  introduced 
into  Congress  his  famous  "  Kansas-Nebraska  Bill,"  which  provided  for 
the  formation  of  those  States,  and  for  the  adoption  or  rejection  of  slav- 
ery, as  the  citizens  should  determine  at  the  polls.  Great  excitement  pre- 
vailed throughout  the  North  when  the  measures  of  this  bill  became 
known,  as,  in  case  of  its  adoption,  the  Missouri  compromise  and  the 
compromise  of  1850  would  be  virtually  repealed,  as  both  new  States  lay 
north  of  the  Mason  and  Dixon  line.  The  debates  in  Congress  were  pas- 
sionate, vehement,  artful  and  eloquent,  and  despite  the  utmost  efforts  of 
the  Whigs,  the  bill  was  finally  adopted.  The  soil  of  Kansas  was  imme- 
diately invaded  by  pro-slavery  and  anti-slavery  partisans,  to  decide  the 
question  of  slavery,  and  soon  open  war  and  bloodshed  ran  riot.  The 
election  was  held,  and  the  pi'o-slavery  delegates,  who  claimed  to  have 
been  elected,  assembled  at  Lecompton  and  adopted  a  constitution  with 
slavery  as  its  corner-stone.  The  anti-slavery  delegates,  who  claimed  to 
have  been  rightly  elected,  met  at  Topeka  and  adopted  a  constitution 
prohibiting  slavery.  The  excitement  continued,  but  finally,  as  it  was  im- 
possible to  tell  which  party  was  truly  in  the  ascendency,  President 
Pierce  appointed  John  W.  Greary  Governor  of  Kansas,  and  comparative 
order  was  soon  restored.  The  new  party,  Republican,  came  into  li  £e  upon 
the  various  issues  agitating  the  country,  drawing  its  strength  from  that 
sentiment  in  all  parties  opposing  slavery.  The  election  of  November, 
1856,  came  on.  resulting  as  follows  in  Tipton  County: 


TOWNSHIPS. 

Dem. 
Buchanan  and 
Breckinridge. 

Rep. 

Fremont  and 

Dayton. 

American. 

Fillmore  and 

Donelsou. 

Madison 

163 

86 
217 
109 

83 
81 

56 
114 
155 

71 
119 

31 

1 

Jefferson 

1 

Cicero 

3 

Prairie 

Liberty 

4 

Wild  Cat 

5 

Total 

738 

546 

14 

The  bitterness  dividing  the  North  and  the  South  continued  to  increase. 
In  1857,  the    United  States   Supreme   Court  decided  in  the  Dred  Scott 


40 


HISTORY    OF   TIPTON    COUNTY. 


case  that  the  negro  could  not  become  a  citizen  under  the  Constitution. 
This  was  followed  by  [indignant  mass  meetings  in  the  North  and  the 
adoption  of  denunciatory  resolutions  and  "  Pex'sonal  Libei'ty  Bills."  In 
1859,  John  Brown  endeavored  to  incite  an  insurrection  of  the  slaves  in 
Virginia,  but  was  captured,  and  himself  and  a  [number  of  his  followers 
were  hung.  The  fugitive  slave  law  was  openly  violated  throughout  the 
North,  and  numerous  prosecutions  followed.  The  country  was  on  the 
brink  of  civil  war.  The  South  saw  that  the  enormous  influx  of  popula- 
tion in  the  Northern  States  would  result  in  the  election  of  a  Republican 
President,  and  the  leaders  of  slavery  knew  that  the  hour  for  secession 
had  come.  It  was  publicly  announced  that  the  election  of  a  Republican 
President  would  be  regarded  as  a  sufficient  menace  to  the  institution  of 
slavery  to  warrant  the  South  in  withdrawing  from  the  Union.  Four  par  - 
ties  placed  tickets  in  the  field  in  1860,  with  the  following  result  in  Tip- 
ton County  in  November,  1860: 


Tt)WNSHIPS. 


Madison . 
Jefferson . 
Cicero  . . . 
Prairie  . . 
Liberty. . . 
Wild  Cat 

TotaU . 


Dem. 

Douglas    and 

Johnson. 


Rep. 

Lincoln  and 

Hamlin. 


136 

90 

256 

126 
109 
107 


101 
153 
221 

94 
131 

70 


824 


770 


Dem. 

Breckinridge 

and  Lane. 


21 


Union. 
Bell  and  Ev- 
erett. 


This  election  was  succeeded  by  the  secession  of  the  leading  States  of 
the  South,  and  by  a  long,  bloody,  civil  war,  which  forever,  it  is  hoped, 
obliterated  slavery  from  the  United  States.  In  1864,  the  question  be- 
fore the  country  was  the  continuance  or  cessation  of  war.  The  result  in 
Tipton  County  in  November,  1864,  was  as  follows: 


TOWNSHIPS. 

Dem. 

McClellan  and 

Pendleton. 

Rep. 

Lincoln  and 

Johnson. 

Madison 

164 
119 
279 
158 
145 
154 

72 

Jellerson 

130 

Cicero 

234 

Prairie 

93 

Liberty  

138 

Wildcat 

64 

Total 

1,019 

731 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  re-elected,  which  was  a  ratification  of  his  adminis- 
tration and  a  declaration  in  favor  of  a  continuance  of  the  war,  and  ex- 
tensive preparations  to  conclude  the  unnatural  civil  strife  were  speedily 
carried  into  effect.  The  spring  of  1865  saw  the  war  end,  and  saw  the 
lamented  assassination  of  President  Lincoln  and  the  transfer  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive Department  of  the  Government  to  the  Vice  President,  Mr.  John- 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 


41 


son.  Considerable  trouble  arose  in  regard  to  the  reconstruction  of  the 
Southern  States,  which  resulted  in  an  effort  to  impeach  the  President, 
the  effort  failing  by  but  one  vote.  The  question  of  reconstruction  was 
before  the  country  in  1868,  the  following  being  the  result  of  the  election 
in  Tipton  County,  November,  1868: 


TOWNSHIPS. 


Madison  . 
Jefferson. 
Cicero  . . . 
Prairie  . . , 
Liberty  . . 
Wild  Cat. 


Total. 


The  Republican  candidates  were  elected,  and  so  satisfactory  to  his 
party  was  the  administration  of  Gen.  Grant  that  he  became  the  Repub- 
lican nominee  for  re-election  in  1872.  The  Democratic  party  formed  a 
coalition  with  dissatisfied  Republicans  and  with  all  who  were  opposed  to 
Gen.  Grant,  and  placed  in  nomination  Horace  Greeley,  editor  of  the 
New  York  Tribune,  a  "  Liberal  Republican,"  of  great  prominence.  The 
result  in  Tipton,  November,  1872,  was  as  follows: 


TOWNSHIPS. 

Liberal 
Republican. 

Greeley  and 
Brown. 

Rep. 

Grant  and 
Wilson. 

Bourbon 
democrat. 

O'Conor  and 
Adams. 

Madison 

248 
150 
397 
161 
178 
193 

1,327 

156 
173 
406 
156 
200 
166 

1,257 

Jefferson 

Cicero 

Prairie 

5 

liiberty 

Wildcat 

1 

Total 

Q 

The  Republican  candidates  were  again  elected,  the  result  when  known, 
being  followed  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Greeley,  one  of  the  most  eminent 
editors  and  philanthropists  of  the  century.  Soon  after  this  the  Independ- 
ent or  Greenback  party  came  into  existence,  its  formation  being  due  to 
the  hard  times  resulting  from  the  depreciation  of  values  at  the  close  of 
the  war.      The  election  of  November,  1876,  resulted  as  follows: 


TOWNSHIPS. 

Dem. 
Tilden  and 
Hendricks. 

Rep. 
Hayes  and 
Wheeler. 

Ind. 
Cooper  and 

Gary. 

Madison 

257 
201 
494 
224 
259 
269 

152 
209 
438 
163 
199 
181 

5 

Jefferson 

12 

Cicero  

45 

12 

Prairie 

Liberty  

8 
17 

Wild  Cat 

Total 

1,704 

1.342 

99 

42 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY 


Owino-  to  mimorous  alleged  frauds  in  the  election  in  the  South  (and 
even  in  the  North),  the  Lower  House  of  Congress  was  unable  to  determine 
which  candidates  were  entitled  to  the  electoral  vote  of  certain  Southern 
States.  The  Constitution  provided  no  remedy  for  the  dilemma,  and 
much  excitement  resulted  in  Congress  and  throughout  the  country.  At 
last  Mr.  Edmunds,  of  Vermont,  introduced  a  bill  in  Congress,  transfer- 
ring the  settlement  of  the  question  to  an  "  Electoral  Commission,"  con- 
sisting of  the  Judges  of  the  Surpeme  Court  of  the  United  States.  This 
bill  was  accepted  by  both  parties  as  a  compromise,  and  the  result  was 
that  the  "  Electoral  Commission  "  decided  by  a  vote  of  eight  to  seven  in 
favor  of  the  Eepublican  candidates,  and  accordingly  Hayes  and  Wheeler 
assumed  control  of  the  Executive  Department.  The  administration  of 
President  Hayes  was  so  satisfactory  in  its  financial  results  that  the  Re- 
publicans were  again  enabled  to  carry  the  election  in  1880.  Tipton 
County  voted  as  follows: 


TOWNSHIPS. 

Dem. 

Hancock  and 

English. 

Rep. 

Garfield  and 

Arthur. 

IND. 

Weaver  and 
Chambers. 

Madison 

276 
23! 

581 
244 
252 

272 

183 
268 

458 
178 
213 
218 

2 

Jefferson 

24 

Cicero 

13 

Prairie             

7 

Liberty 

4 

Wild  Cat      

13 

Total 

1,856 

1,518 

62 

CATALOGUE    OF    COUNTY     OFFICERS. 

County  Commissioners  —  Robert  E.  Davidson,  1844;  John  D. 
Smith,  1844;  Thomas  Jackson,  1844;  R.  E.  Davidson,  1845;  Oliver  H. 
Perry,  1846;  George  Tucker,  1846;  Harvey  Goodykoontz,  1848;  Zimri 
Brown,  1849;  Abraham  Ploughe,  1849;  H.  Goodykoontz,  1850;  Joseph 
McMurtiy,  1851;  Noble  S.  Riley,  1852;  H.  Goodykoontz,  1854;  J. 
McHolmes,  1855;  Green  Lilly,  1855;  Thomas  J.  Smith,  1856;  Elisha 
Pickering,  1857;  William  P.  Gard,  1858;  Alexander  McCreary,  1859; 
William  Woolly,  1859;  Joseph  Price,  1860;  Green  Lilly,  1861;  Thomas 
Cole,  1862;  David  Kemp,  1863;  John  Nutter,  1864;  G.  W.  Boyer,  1865; 
David  Kemp,  1866;  John  Nutter,  1867;  Thomas  J.  Wright,  1868;  David 
Kemp,  1869;  Iredell  Wright,  1870;  T.  J.  Wright,  1871;  Daniel  Kemp, 
1872;  Martin  Smith,  1873;  Charles  F.  Meyer,  1874;  Green  Lilly,  1875; 
John  Evans,  1876;  David  Kemp,  1876;  Morgan  Wright,  1877;  Jacob 
G.  Off,  1878;  George  W.  Myerly,  1879;  Jacob  G.  Off,  1880;  Alexander 
McCreary,  1881;  and  B.  F.  Leg,  1882. 

Auditors— N.  J.  Jackson,  1844;  A.  M.  Young,  1850;  William  Stiv- 
ers, 1854;  B.  R.  Groom,  1862;  W.  S.  Armstrong,  1866;  R.  W.  Wright. 
1874;  A.  E.  Small,  1878;  and  R.  L.  Porter,  1882. 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  43 

Recorders — Sylvester  Turpen,  1844;  John  S.  Ressler,  1854;  B.  R. 
Groom,  1862;  M.  E.  Clark,  1803;  A.  E.  Small,  1871;  and  John  Long, 
1878. 

Clerks— N.  J.  Jackson,  1844;  A.  M.  Young,  1850;  W.  N.  Brady, 
1850:  Sylvester  Tnrpen,  1854;  Ellison  C.  Hill,  1859;  J.  V.  Cox,  1861; 
E.  A.  Overman,  1870:  J.  A.  Moon,  1874;  A.  B.  Pitzer,  1878;  and  L.  T. 
Bunch,  1882. 

Treasm-ers— Jacob  Whisler,  1844;  John  S.  Ressler,  1847;.  J.  E.  Rum- 
sey,    1853;    John    VV.  Chambers,  1857;  J.  C.  Vandevender,  1859;  John. 
Pickens,  1861;  J.  P.  Foster,  1863;  Hugh  Dickey,  appointed  1867;  D.  A. 
Fish,  1870;  William  M.  Grishaw,   1872;  Jesse  Alexander,    1878:    John 
H.  Zehner,  1882. 

Sheriffs — William  Harrington,  1844;  P.  Evans,  J845;  A.  M.  Youag, 
1845;  A.  J.  Redmon,  1846;  Jesse  Brown,  1850;  William  H.  Richardson, 
1852;  A.  J.  Redmon,  1854;  Samuel  Deal,  1854;  A.  J.  Redmon,  1856; 
W^illiam  Hall,  1860;  Hugh  Dickey,  1862;  Richard  Nash,  1866;  Henry 
George,  1868;  Alexander  McCreary,  1870;  W.  R.  Albright,  1874;  Rob- 
ert M.  Robinson,  1876;  James  H.  Fear,  1880;  and  John  W.  Leavell, 
1882. 

Surveyors— Charles   Thurman,  1844;  W.  H.  Nelson,    1850;  William 
Dickey,  1852;  A.  J.  Franklin,  1855;    John  Van  Buskirk,    1858;    A.  M. 
Legg,   1860;    W.    S.    Dickey,   1861;    Arthur  M.  Legg,  1862;    Josiah  M 
Clark,  1868;  John  Van  Buskirk,  1870;    J.  M.  Clark,  1878;    and  Freder- 
ick Ramsayer,  1882. 

County  Agents— William  H.  Nelson,  1844;  William  F.  Brady,  1847; 
Daniel  G.  Young,  1850;  J.  A.  Lewis,  1851. 

Coroners — William  Harrington,  1844;  L.  J.  White,  1845;  John 
Russell,  1847;  John  Longfellow,  1848;  J.  P.  Workman,  1851;  A.  D. 
Doggett,  1854;  William  Goodrich,  1856;  Philip  Ballard,  1858;  Robert 
Alexander,  1860;  Andrew  Swope,  1862;  Robert  Alexander,  1864;  Andrew 
Swope,  1868;  *  *  *  A.  J.  Baker,  1878;  M.  V.  B.  Vickrey,  1880,  and 
Joseph  Summers,   1882. 

School  Examiners— Thomas  S.  Starkey,  1845;  John  B.  Cole,  1847; 
J.  C.  Williams,  1848;  Andrew  McElhany,  1853;  Nathan  Smith,  1854; 
J.  A.  Lewis,  1854;  John  E.  Rumsey,  1855;  Joseph  A.  Lewis,  1857; 
Nathan  Smith,  1858;  M.  M.  Jones,  1859;  John  W.  Chambers,  I860;  M. 
M.  Jones,  1861;  B.  M.  Blount,  1862;  John  J.  Mathers,  1864;  Cyras  N. 
Blount,  September,  1867;  Jacob  B.  Blount,  1870;  J.  M.  Clark,  first 
County  Superintendent,  1873;  B.  M.  Blount,  1876;  and  George  C. 
Wood,  1880. 

Probate  Judges — William  H.  Nelson,  1844;  Joseph  A.  Lewis,  Feb- 
ruay,  1851;  Richard  Miner,  November,  1851-53. 

Common  Pleas  Judges — E.  A.  Stone,  1852;  Nathaniel  R.  Lindsey, 
1857;  John  Green,  1860;  N.  R.  Lindsey,  1864;  William  Garver,  1864- 
1873. 


44  HISTORY    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

Circuit    Judges — John   W.  Wright,    1844;    Jeremiah ,   184G; 

William  Wick,  1852;  Stephen  Major,  1854;  Joseph  Buckles,  1858;  John 
Davis,  1865;  James  O'Brien,  1868;  Clark  N.  Pollard,  1873:  N.  R.  Over- 
man, 1879. 

Representatives — William  W.  Connor,  1844;  Robert  T.  Kimberlin 
and  Carter  T.  Jackson,  1845;  *  *  Nathan  R.  Lindsey,  1850,  about; 
M.  P.  Evans;  *  *  Addison  Boxley,  1858;  Joseph  Goar,  1861;  James 
O'Brien,  1863;  William  Stivers,  1865;  Joel  Stafford,  1867;  R.  Steven- 
son, 1869;  W.  W.  Connor,  1871;  John  E.  Rumsey,  1873;  Samuel  M. 
Taylor,  1875;  William  Gurrer,  1877;  W.  D.  Rooker,  1879;  George  Ham, 
1881. 

Senators — William  W.  Connor,  1845;  William  Garver,  1848;  Newton 
J.  Jackson,  1852;  John  Green,  1856;  George  B.  Grubb,  1860;  Daniel 
R.  Brown,  1864;  John  Green,  1868;  William  O'Brian,  1872;  Peter 
Cardwell,  1875;  S.  M.  Taylor,  1877;  Robert  Graham,  1880. 

COUNTY  FINANCES. 

The  first  money  received  by  the  county  was  on   the   5th   of  October, 

1844,  when  Daniel  Crull  was  taxed  $4.17  for  a  peddler's  license.  The 
second  money  was  received  November  4,  1844,  when  Silas  Blount  paid 
50  cents  for  a  license  io  vend  merchandise.  The  third  money  was  a  fine 
of  $1,  for  assault  and  battery  on  John  Welshous,  paid  by  Joseph  Mc- 
Murtry.     The  County  Auditor's   report  from   June  1,  1844,    to  May  31, 

1845,  inclusive,  was  as  follows: 

RECEIPTS.  I  EXPENDITURES. 

Clock  peddler's  license |    4  17      Locating  county  seat f  159  00 

Merchant's  license 1  50  |    Assessors 18  75 

Fines  assessed 21  10      Election  returns 10  87 

Liquor  license 3  87       Specific  allowance 114  67 

Revised  statutes  sold 2  00  ,    County  officers 186  02 

Sale  of  lots 38  00      Roads,  special 73  00 

Seminary  fund  interest 1  77  '    Laying  out  roads 49  67 

Bank  tax  and  saline  fund 14  25  ;    Jurors'  fees 53  25 

Interest  on  same.- 1  00  i    Bailiffs'  fees 4  00 

County  revenue 277  14  '    Public  buildings    10  00 


For  road  purposes 105  67 


Total 1470  47 


Seminary  fund  loaned 21  10 

Saline  fund,  etc. ,  loaned 14  25 


Total $714  58 

470  47 

Apparent  deficit |244  11 

Yet  due  for  locating  county  seat,    121  00 


Actual  county  deficit |123  11 

The  following  settlement  was  made  with  the  State  for  the  year  1844: 
State  of  Indiana,  |  ,, 
Tipton  County.    \  ^^' 

I.  Newton  J.  Jackson,  Auditor  of  Tipton  County,  do  hereby  certify  that  Jacob 
Whisler,  Treasurer  of  said  county  for  the  year  1844,  received  a  duplicate  of  taxes, 
amounting  in  the  whole  to  $1,574.93,  and  that  said  Treasurer  has  assessed  the  sum 
of  $107.73,  and  that  the  final  settlement  for  the  year  1844  with  the  State  is  as  fol- 
lows : 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 


45 


^^^-          Asylum. 

Lunatic 
Asylum. 

County 
Tax. 

Road 
Tax. 

Total 

Taxes  for 

1844. 

Amount  of  duplicate. . . . 
Assessed  by  Collector. . . 

$443.42  '     1    2.88 
23.27                 14 

$  16.71 
1.16 

$528.59 
29.59 

$584.27 
53.79 

$1,574.93 
107.72 

Total 

466.69             3.02 

1 

66.85                42 

17.87 
2  50 

558.18 

79.45 
59.70 
91.80 

638.06 

81.82 
43.64 
87.31 

1,682.65 
230  93 

TOTAL  FORMER    TOWN- 
SHIP   DELINQUENCIES. 

Madison 

Cicero  

49.84  i             32             1.80 

78.08  ■             27             2.36 

1                    ! 

155  41 

Jefferson 

259.82 

Total 

194.77             1.01              6.66 
271.92             2.01            11.21 

I 

243.77             1.85            1033 

230.95 
327.23 

301.06 

212.77 

425.29 

391.27 

646  16 

Amount  collected 

Due  State  Treasurer  after 
deducting    Co.    Treas- 
urer's fees 

1,037.66 
954  66 

For  the  fiscal  year  ending  June,  184G,  the  total  receipts  were 
$1,197.40,  and  the  total  expenses  $1,443.54,  leaving  a  deficit  for  that 
year  of  $246. 14,  which,  added  to  the  deficit  of  the  previous  year,  made 
the  total  deficit  $369.25.  County  officers  this  year  cost  $285.24,  and  $18 
was  paid  out  for  wolf  scalps.  The  deficit  of  the  county  existed  m  the 
shape  of  county  orders,  which  began  to  depreciate  considerably  in  value. 
At  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year  ending  June,  1847,  the  county  orders  in 
circulation  amounted  to  $462.51.  The  county  officers  cost  $346.44.  The 
cash  receipts  this  year  were  $1,478.57,  the  total  expenses  $1,311.28,  and 
the  county  orders  received  in  payment  of  dues  to  the  county  amounted  to 
$442.43.  For  the  year  ending  June,  1848,  the  county  officers  cost 
$423.05;  wolf  scalps  cost  $46.50.  For  the  year  ending  June,  1850,  the 
total  receipts  were  $2,155.62,  and  the  total  expenses  $2,221.02.  County 
officers  cost  $429.85,  and  wolf  scalps  $67.  For  the  year  ending  June, 
1853,  the  receipts  were  $2,734.71,  and  the  expenses  $2,206.36.  The 
county  revenue  amounted  to  $1,916.61.  County  officers  cost  $689.52, 
and  $200  interest  on  railroad  bonds  was  paid.  For  the  year  ending 
June,  1858,  the  total  receipts  were  $5,261.64,  and  the  total  expenses 
$5,775.03.  The  county  revenue  amounted  to  $4,432.93.  County  offi- 
cers cost  $1,833.43.  There  was  a  balance  remaining  in  the  treasury  of 
$1,456.04.  For  the  year  ending  June,  1859,  the  receipts  were  $13,447.04, 
of  which  $4,000  had  come  from  the  sale  of  county  bonds  used  to  build 
the  court  house.  The  total  expenses  were  about  $11,000.  The  State 
tax  was  $3,142.09;  school  tax,  $2,094.87;  school  fund  tax,  $378.92; 
county  tax,  $9,192.57;  road  tax,  $4,533.76;  township  tax,  $935. 11;  special 
school  tax,  $1,400.52;  total  tax,  $21,677.84.  For  the  year  ending  June, 
1863,  the  total  receipts  were  $10,254.78,  and  the  total  expenses  $11,596.23. 
County  officers  cost  $1,930.66.  The  county  revenue  was  $8,638.24.  For 
the  year  ending  June,  1867,  the  total  receipts  were  $25,794.05,  and  the  total 
expenses  $30,797.64,  the  deficit  being  $5,003.59.     The  county  revenue  was 


46  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

$12,526.96,  and  the  county  officers  cost  $5,742.52.  In  December,  1867, 
county  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $10,000  were  issued  to  refund  old  bonds 
that  been  issued  to  build  the  court  house  and  the  jail,  and  to  take  up 
what  outstanding  county  orders  there  were.  For  the  year  ending  June, 
1873,  the  receipts  were  $29,274.76,  and  the  expenses  $41,759.95,  the  ex- 
cess of  expenses  being  $12,485.19.  County  officers  cost  $4,942.97.  For 
the  year  June,  1876,  the  receipts  were  $21,698.06.  and  the  expenses 
$23,208.13.  The  total  deficit  at  this  time  was  $11,387.99.  This  deficit 
continued  to  increase  until  June,  1878,  when  the  County  Board  passed 
the  following: 

Whereas,  It  appearing  to  the  Board  of  Commissioners  that  the  debt  of  the 
county  of  Tipton  incurred  in  building  a  county  jail  and  a  county  asylum  cannot  be 
paid  off  from  the  revenues  afforded  by  reasonable  taxation  ;  therefore,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  funding  said  debt,  it  is  hereby  ordered,  that  bonds  of  tlie  county  of  Tipton 
and  State  of  Indiana  for  the  sum  of  $25,000  be  issued  of  the  denomination  of  $1,000 
each,  to  bear  date  June  10,  1878,  to  bear  seven  per  centum  interest,  and  to  be  paya- 
ble at  the  banking  house  of  Winslow,  Lanier  &  Co.,  of  New  York  City,  etc. 

These  bonds  were  issued  and  sold,  and  the  county  indebtedness  was 
placed  in  a  definite  shape.  For  the  year  ending  June,  1880,  the  total 
receipts  were  $34,655.14,  and  the  total  expenses  $27,412.46,  the  excess 
of  receipts  being  due  to  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  county  bonds.  The 
county  officers  cost  $4,375.41. 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 


47 


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48  HISTORY   OF   TiriON   COUNTY, 

MILITARY  RECORD  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

BY  CAl'T.   1.   H.    JIONTr.OMERY. 

In  undertaking  to  write  a  history  of  military  operations  in  the  county, 
the  writer  expected  to  be  aided  largely  by  newspapers  that  were  pub- 
lished in  the  county  during  war  times,  in  which  it  was  hoped  that  many 
interesting  war  reminiscences  would  be  found;  but.  unfortunately,  none 
of  these  papers  are  now  in  existence;  consequently,  the  task  of  writing 
such  a  history  is  much  more  difficult  than  was  at  first  supposed.  There 
having  been  no  record  kept  in  the  county  of  those  events  of  a  military 
character  which  occurred  during  the  war,  it  is  now  impossible  to  call  to 
mind  all  that  might  be  interesting  to  the  people.  All  that  appears  in  this 
chapter  is  written  from  memory,  or  compiled  from  the  Adjutant  General's 
reports. 

The  military  record  of  Tipton  County  began  with  the  war  of  the  re- 
bellion, in  April,  1861.  Previous  to  that  time,  there  had  been  nothing 
to  arouse  a  martial  spirit  among  the  people.  At  the  time  of  the  war  with 
Mexico,  this  portion  of  the  country  was  new  and  sparsely  settled,  and  no 
attempt  was  made  to  enlist  men  from  this  county  until  near  the  close  of 
that  war,  and  it  is  certain  that  no  one  who  was  a  citizen  of  the  county  at 
that  time  was  in  actual  service  during  the  war.  A  few  days  before  the 
war  ended,  three  young  men  of  the  county— 'William  S.  Hamilton,  Marion 
P.  Evans  and  Isaac  H.  Montgomery — enlisted  to  join  a  company  that  was 
attempted  to  be  organized  at  Frankfort,  Clinton  County,  this  State,  but 
they  were  not  mustered  into  the  servicB,  for  the  reason  that  the  war 
closed  immediately,  and  word  was  sent  to  those  who  had  enlisted  that 
they  need  not  report  for  muster.  W.  S.  Hamilton,  however,  reported, 
and  claimed  his  right  of  enlistment,  and  was  so  reported  upon  the  mus- 
ter-roll, in  consequence  of  which  he  obtained  a  land- warrant,  although 
he  was  never  in  actual  service.  The  other  two  did  not  report,  and  conse- 
quently tliey  were  not  mustered  into  the  service.  While  it  is  true  that 
no  citizens  of  the  county  at  that  time  were  in  actual  service  during  the 
Mexican  war,  yet  some  of  the  veterans  wLo  helped  to  tight  the  battles  in 
that  sunny  clime  have  since  moved  into  and  settled  in  the  county,  and 
several  such  are  now  citizens  of  the  county. 

The  war  with  Mexico  not  having  been  of  sufficient  importance  to 
cause  any  alarm,  or  create  a  mai'tial  spirit  among  the  people,  it  may  be 
said  that  for  nearly  half  a  century  there  had  been  little  or  no  attention 
given  to  military  tactics  in  the  State  of  Indiana.  Tipton  County  was 
organized  in  1844, but  the  country  was  new,  and  as  there  was  nothing  to 
cause  a  necessity  for  military  discipline,  there  had  never  been  a  military 
organization  of  any  kind  in  the  county  until  after  the  fall  of  Fort  Sum- 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  49 

ter,  when  the  President  called  for  75,000  men   for  three  months.     No 
cloud  of  war,  of  ^any  importance,  having  been  visible  for  so  many  years, 
the  bugle-call  of  the  warrior   and  the  clangor   of  arms  had    never  been 
heard  by  any  of  the  young  men  of  the  county.     The  long  period  of  peace 
had  produced  a  state  of   inactivity,  so    that  all    military   ambition  had, 
seemingly,  died  away.      But,  as  subsequent   events   proved,  the  martial 
spirit  was  only    slumbering,  and,  like  a    fiery    volcano,  it  was   ready  to 
burst  forth  with  the  first  commotion.     In  addition  to  the  fact  that  mili- 
tary tactics  had  been  so   long  neglected  and  forgotten,  there  was  a  feel- 
ing of  aversion  to  war,  and  a  strong  desire  to  avoid,  if  possible,  a  conflict 
in  which  brother  would  be  arrayed  against  brother.     Even  after  some  of 
the  States  had  seceded  and  established  a  Southern  Confederacy,  the  peo- 
ple here  still  entertained  a  hope  that  all  differences  might  be  adjusted  and 
a   compromise    effected  which  would   prevent  a  war  between  North  and 
South.     There  were  really  three    elements,  all  equally  opposed  to   war. 
Although  the  great  mass  of   men  were  agreed   that  the    Union  must  be 
preserved  at  all  hazard,  yet  a  considerable  number  doubted  the  propriety 
of   taking  the    initiative  step  by  inaugurating  a  war  of  coercion  against 
the  seceding  States.     There  were  also  a  considerable  number    who  were 
willing  to  open  the  door   and    let  the    seceders  depart  in   peace,  rather 
than  go  to  war,  believing  that  they  would  be  the  first  to  rue  it,  and  that, 
in  a  short  time,  they  would  be  praying  for  re-admission  into  the  Union. 
Then  there    were    many  others  who  entertained  a  feeling  bordering    on 
disloyalty;  although  innocent,  perhaps,  of  disloyal  intention,  yet  they  al- 
ways denounced  every  form  of  resistance  to  whatever  the  Southern  peo- 
ple chose  to  do,  and  every  attempt  or  proposition  looking  toward  coer- 
cion seemed  to    them    as  an  abolition   scheme.      Thus  matters  were  for 
many  years,  and  up  to  the  time  when  the  rebels  began  the  war  by  their 
attack  on  Fort  Sumter.     When  the  report  came  that  the  rebels  had  taken 
the  fort,  and  that  the  President  had  called   for  volunteers  to  defend  the 
national  honor,  then  it  was  that  the  fires  of  patriotism  were  kindled  in 
the  hearts  of    the  sturdy  pioneers  of  this  county,  and    the  old  men.  the 
middle  aged  and  the  young  all  rallied  to  the  rescue.      They  came  to  the 
county   seat  jby  hundreds;  they  came   in    wagons,  on   horseback  and  on 
foot— all,  with  one  accord,  saying,   "  The  Union  must  and   shall  be  pre- 
served."    Although  it  was  a  busy  time  of  year,  yet  many  were   willing 
to    leave  their   work  and  go  to   the    seat  of    war.     The   great   struggle 
seemed  to  be,  not  to  avoid  going  into  the   army,  but  to  avoid  staying  at 
home.     There   were    contentions    between   father  and  son,  and  between 
brothers,  as  to  which  should  stay  at  home. 

The  capture  of  Fort  Sumter  created  a  feeling  of  indignation  so  in- 
tense that  it  consumed  all  party  animosity,  and  seemed  to  unite  all  in 
one  common  patriotic  cause.  There  were  several  incidents,  on  the  day  fol- 
lowing the    fall  of  Sumter,  which  gave  an  opportunity  for  demonstrations 


60  HISTORY  OF  TirroN  county. 

of  loyalty  ou  the  pax't  of  the  people,  that  showed  their  contempt  for  all  who 
sympathized  with  rebellion.  One  of  these  incidents  was  connected  with 
a  young  man  by  the  name  of  Applegate,  who  was  sojourning  in  Tipton 
at  that  time.  Early  that  morning,  he  climbed  up  to  the  belfry  of  the 
coiTrt  house,  and  placed  thereon  a  flag  of  stars  and  bars,  indicative  of 
sympathy  for  the  Southern  Confederacy.  The  flag  was  soon  observed, 
taken  down  and  torn  into  fragments,  and  then  burned  by  an  indignant 
people,  and  when  it  was  learned  who  did  the  traitorous  act,  it  was  hard 
to  prevent  the  people  from  committing  violence  upon  him.  It  was  re- 
markable how  anxious  some  of  the  old  patriots  were  to  get  hold  of  him, 
but  ho,  being  fleet-footed,  escaped  from  them,  left  the  town,  and  has  not 
returned  since. 

There  were  also  some  instances  of  unguarded  and  senseless  expres- 
sions of  sympathy  for  the  South  let  fall,  which  led  to  some  very  positive 
demonstrations  in  different  parts  of  the  county,  but  all  soon  quieted 
down,  and  everything  of  a  disturbing  nature  disappeared.  The  great 
mass  of  the  people  became  united,  so  that  there  was  no  rivalry  of  par- 
ties. Almost  every  one  seemed  anxious  to  do  everything  possible  to  sup- 
port the  Government,  and  no  one  can  now  tell  the  proportion  of  the 
different  political  parties  that  went  into  the  service.  It  was  a  grand 
display  of  patriotism,  unsurpassed,  perhaps,  in  the  history  of  the  world. 

There  were  men  enough  enlisted  in  Tipton  in  one  day  to  form  a  com- 
pany. This  was  organized  on  the  second  day,  by  electing  Edward  T. 
Wallace,  Captain;  John  W.  Stevenson,  First  Lieutenant,  and  Isaac  M. 
Rumsey,  Second  Lieutenant.  The  company  could  not  go  immediately 
to  the  field,  for  the  reason  that  they  had  no  army  supplies,  and  it  re- 
quired time  to  make  preparations.  AH  remained  at  home  for  a  few  days. 
Meanwhile,  the  ladies  were  anxious  to  lend  a  helping  hand,  and, 
prompted  by  their  instinctive  tenderness,  they  set  to  work  to  prepare 
comfortable  uniforms  for  the  soldiers.  They  made  linen  caps,  or  bon- 
net-like coverings  for  the  head,  called  Havelocks,  red  flannel  shirts  and 
blue  pants — a  sufficient  number  of  each  for  all  the  men  of  the  company. 
On  the  day  of  their  departure,  the  company  met  at  Tipton,  and  put  on 
the  new  suits  which  the  ladies  had  made.  When  they  formed  in  line 
and  marched  along  the  streets,  the  great  contrast  of  bright  red  and  dark 
blue,  presented  an  appearance  which  seemed  to  the  native  Tiptonian  as 
a  wonderful  military  display.  A  short  time  before  starting  to  the  depot, 
the  company  marched  into  the  public  square,  where  several  hundred  peo 
pie  had  assembled  to  witness  the  presentation  of  a  beautiful  banner, 
which  the  ladies  of  Tipton  had  made.  It  was  presented  by  Mrs.  Ada 
Kane,  in  an  appropriate  address  to  the  departing  heroes.  Short,  but 
patriotic,  speeches  were  then  made  by  Judge  Green,  Dr.  Parker,  N.  J. 
Jackson,  Dr.  Vickrey,  J.  V.  Cox  and  others,  which  were  encouraging  to 
and  highly  appreciated  by  those    who  were   leaving  their  homes  to  go  to 


^  HISTORY    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  61 

the  seat  of  war  and  peril  their  lives  in  defense  of  their  country.  This 
was  a  great  day  in  Tipton.  The  people  had  come  from^  all  parts  of  the 
county  to  see  the  soldiers  oflf  to  the  war,  so  there  was'[a  large  crowd  in 
town.  Finally,  the  company  formed  in  line,  the  people  having  collected 
on  the  sidewalks  along  the  street  over  which  the  soldiex's  had  to  pass  on 
their  way  to  the  depot.  As  they  passed  along  the  street,  they  were 
loudly  cheered  by  the  assembled  multitude,  to  which  the  soldiers  re- 
sponded with  patriotic  zeal.  Among  that  cheering  throng  were  fathers 
and  mothers,  wives  and  sisters,  who,  with  tearful  eyes  and  throbbing 
hearts,  bade  farewell  to  their  hu.sbands,  sons  and  brothers.  There  were 
also  loving  maidens,  who  could  not  refrain  from  showing  their  loVe  and 
anxiety  for  certain  ones  as  they  passed  by.  The  company  soon  boarded 
the  cars,  and  as  the  train  moved  off,  the  soldiers,  so  many  as  could,  stood 
on  the  platforms  of  rhe  cars,  and,  with  hat  or  handkerchief  in  hand, 
waved  a  j&nal  farewell  to  friends  who  stood  on  the  platform  at  the  depot, 
watching  to  catch  the  last  glimpse  as  the  train  passed  out  of  sight! 
This,  the  first  company  of  soldiers  from  the  county,  went  into  quarters 
at  Indianapolis  on  the  23d  of  April,  1861,  and  on  the  '25th  were  mus- 
tered into  the  service  as  Company  F  of  the  Eleventh  Regiment  of  three 
months"  men. 

War  was  now  actually  begun.  With  friends  in  the  field,  there  was 
great  anxiety  among  the  people  at  home,  in  regard  to  army  movements. 
Arrangements  were  made  in  almost  every  neighborhood  in  the  county 
to  secure  a  daily  paper.  The  people  assembled  at  some  convenient  place 
each  evening  to  hear  the  news  read,  and  there  were  generally  enough  of 
them  out  each  evening  to  carry  the  news  to  almost  every  household  in 
the  county.  The  fact  that  so  many  laboring  men  had  gone  into  the 
army  seemed  to  energize  those  who  remained  at  home,  and  nerve  them 
to  the  performance  of  greater  work,  so  that,  in  many  instances,  the  work 
which  had  been  planned  for  two  was  performed  by  one.  Almost  every 
person  was  anxious  for  the  welfare  of  the  families  of  those  who  were  in 
thfa  service;  patriotic  zeal  seemed  to  lighten  burdens,  and  all  labored 
with  unfaltering  confidence  in  the  justice  of  the  cause  for  which  our 
armies  were  contending. 

The  one  company  under  Capt.  Wallace,  in  the  Eleventh  Regi- 
ment, did  not  contain  all  the  Tipton  men  who  enlisted  under  the 
call  for  75,000  for  three  months.  There  were  several  others  who  vol- 
unteered and  went  into  companies  that  were  organized  in  other  coun- 
ties, and  thus  found  an  opportunity  to  serve  their  country  for  which 
their  own  county  did  not  receive  any  credit.  Consequently,  it  is  impos- 
sible now  to  tell  how  many  men  from  this  county  were  in  the  three 
months'  service. 

The  second  company  raised  in  this  county  was  recruited  by  M.  C. 
Holman,  W.  P.  Gard,  R.  M.  Sharp  and  others,  and  organized  on  the  9th 


52  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

day  of  August,  by  electing  M.  C.  Holman,  Captain;  W.  P.  Gard,  First 
Lieutenant,  and  R.  M.  Sharp,  Second  Lieutenant.  On  the  day  this 
company  started  for  the  field,  they  collected  at  Sharpsville,  and  all  were 
provided  with  dinner  by  the  good  people  of  that  village.  They  went  to 
Indianapolis,  and  were  there  mustered  into  the  service  as  Company  C  of 
the  Twenty-sixth  Regiment,  on  the  31st  day  of  August,  1861. 

At  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  their  enlistment,  the  three  months' 
men  returned,  and  the  Eleventh  Regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the  serv- 
ice on  the  4th  day  of  August,  1861.  In  a  short  time,  the  company  re- 
organized, with  only  about  twenty-five  men  from  Tipton  County  in  Com- 
pany F  of  the  new  organization.  They  were  mustered  into  the  service 
this  time  for  three  years,  on  the  31st  of  August,  1861. 

During  the  same  month,  another  company  was  raised  and  organized, 
with  John  W.  Stevenson,  Captain,  Samuel  G.  Decker,  First  Lieutenant, 
and  Wesley  S.  King,  Second  Lieutenant.  This  company  met  at  Tipton 
on  the  28th  of  August;  quart.ered  in  the  com-t  house  that  night,  and  on 
the  next  day  went  to  Indianapolis,  where  they  were  mustered  into  the 
service  as  Company  G  of  the  Thirty-ninth  Regijuent  of  Infantry,  on  the 
29th  of  August,  1861.  This  regiment  was  afterward  changed  to  the 
Eighth  Cavalry,  which  did  as  much  good  service  as  any  in  the  army. 
Jasper  M.  Grove,  of  Tipton,  ;vas  appointed  Surgeon  pro  tern,  of  this 
regiment,  May  8,  1862. 

The  fourth  company  raised  in  the  county  was  recruited  by  M.  P. 
Evans,  E.  C.  Hill,  N.  R.  Overman  and  others,  and  organized  on  the  10th 
of  October,  by  electing  Ellison  C.  Hill,  Captain,  W.  H.  Hayford,  First 
Lieutenant,  and  Joseph  A.  McKinsey,  Second  Lieutenant.  This  com- 
pany went  into  camp  at  Anderson  for  a  short  time,  and  when  the  regi- 
ment was  organized  moved  to  Indianapolis,  and  were  there  mustered 
into  the  service  as  Company  K  of  the  Forty-seventh  Regiment  of  Infan- 
try, on  the  13th  day  of  December,  1861.  Marion  P.  Evans,  of  Tipton, 
was  appointed  by  Gov.  Morton  Adjutant  of  the  regiment. 

In  addition  to  the  four  companies  organized  in  the  county,  there  were 
a  few  men  in  each  of  the  Thirteenth,  Seventeenth,  Twenty-first, 
Twenty-second,  Twenty-third,  Forty -second,  Fifty-first  and  Fifty-seventh 
Regiments,  in  all  about  one  hundred,  which,  with  the  four  companies, 
made  500  men  enlisted  in  the  county  before  the  close  of  the  year  1861. 
In  a  short  time,  there  was  a  more  pressing  need  of  supplies  for  the  many 
soldiers  enlisted  than  there  was  of  more  men.  The  Govei-nment  sup- 
plies were  inadequate  for  the  immediate  equipment  of  so  vast  an  army. 
In  this  emergency.  Gov.  Morton,  who  was  always  equal  to  every  emer- 
gency, appealed  to  the  people  of  Indiana  for  donations  of  such  things  as 
were  needed  to  supply  the  soldiers  for  the  winter.  This  request  of  the 
Governor's  was  responded  to  by  the  people  most  liberally,  and  in  a 
spirit  which  proved  their  patriotism.      The  women,  anxious  to  do  all  they 


HISTORV  OF"  TlPrON  COUNTY.  03 

could,  went  to  work  with  willing  hearts  and  ready  hands,  and  almost 
every  household  in  the  county  contributed  some  article  of  clothing  or 
bedding.  Everything  which  could  add  to  the  soldiers'  comfort  was  given 
cheerfully.  Socks,  mittens,  gloves,  shirts,  drawers,  blankets  and  quilts 
were  collected  in  great  abundance,  and  forwarded  to  headquarters  to  be 
distributed  among  the  soldiers  as  they  were  needed.  Opportunity  was 
given  to  all  who  had  friends  in  the  army  to  furnish  supplier  with 
special  directions  that  they  be  forwarded  to  the  particular  soldier  for  whom 
they  were  prepared.  While  this  was  done  in  many  instances,  yet  the 
gi-eat  bulk  of  supplies  were  forwarded  to  the  State  Agent,  to  be  by  him 
distributed  among  the  soldiers  according  to  his  knowledge  of  their 
necessities.  Supplies  were  furnished  in  this  way  in  such  great  abun- 
dance, that  the  State  Agent  found  it  necesaaryj  in  a  short  time,  to  an- 
nounce to  the  people  that  there  was  enough  and  to  spare,  and  to  request 
that  nothing  more  be  forwarded. 

After  this,  followed  the  long,  dreary  winter  of  1861-62,  dur- 
ing which  the  people  watched  anxiously  every  movement  of  the  army, 
waiting  and  hoping  for  a  speedy  termination  of  the  war.  The  spring  of 
1862  opened  with  fearful  forebodings,  no  special  advantages  having 
been  gained  by  our  armies  daring  the  winter,  while  the  rebels,  mean- 
while, had  gathered  strength,  and  seemed  more  determined  and  detianfc. 
Although  everything  now  indicated  a  long  and  bloody  war,  the  people 
here  were  still  firm  in  their  determination  to  uphold  the  Government 
and  preserve  the  Union  of  all  the  States.  As  in  the  spring  before, 
farmers  and  mechanics  all  went  to  work  with  vigor  and  perseverance. 
Fathers  then  had  to  do  the  work  for  which,  in  former  years,  they  had 
the  help  of  one  or  two  sons;  and  in  many  instances  women  and  girls  did 
the  work  of  men.  Everybody  was  anxious  and  hopeful  that  our  armies 
would  soon  achieve  wonderful  triumphs,  and  that  the  rebels  would  soon 
be  subdued;  but  the  slow  plodding  of  McClellan  with  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  and  some  reverses  in  other  portions  of  the  field,  caused  the 
people  to  become  impatient;  and  harvest  was  scarcely  over  when  they 
began  to  clamor  for  an  increase  of  the  forces  in  the  field,  and  for  a  more 
vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war.  Even  before  the  President  issued  his 
third  call  for  troops,  there  were  many  who  were  anxious  to  volunteer,  and 
Gov.  Morton  made  arrangements  with  the  War  Department  by  which 
he  was  authorized  to  accept  all  who  were  willing  to  enlist  for  the  service. 
In  order  to  effect  the  organization  of  companies,  the  Governor  appointed 
and  commissioned  Second  Lieutenants  as  Recruiting  Officers,  who,  if 
they  succeeded  in  recruiting  a  company,  were  allowed  to  go  into  the  field 
and  retain  that  rank. 

On  the  15th  of  July,  1862,  Isaac  H.  Montgomery  was  commissioned 
a  Second  Lieiitenant,  and  on  the  17th  began  recruiting,  being  aided  by 
Dr.  Parker,  J.  V.  Cox  and  Sylvester  Turpen.      They  enlisted   135  men, 


54  HISTORY    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

and  organized  a  company  on  the  '26th  of  the  same  month,  Isaac  H.  Mont- 
gomery being  elected  Captain,  George  L.  Shaw,  First  Lieutenant,  and 
Noah  W.  Parker,  Second  Lieutenant.  The  Governor  directed  the  or- 
ganization of  regiments  by  Congressional  Districts,  and  for  convenience 
arranged  rendezvous  camiis  in  each  district.  Tipton  County  was  then  in 
the  Eleventh  District,  for  which  a  camp  was  established  at  Wabash. 
This  camp  was  not  ready  for  the  reception  of  troops  when  Capt.  Mont- 
gomery's company  was  organized,  so  that  the  men  of  this  company  had  to 
remain  at  home  for  a  few  days  after  the  organization  of  the  company. 

During  this  time,  the  citizens  of  Normanda  and  vicinity  arranged  a 
picnic  in  that  beautiful  grove  just  south  of  Normanda,  which  took  place 
on  the  6th  day  of  August,  1862.  There  were  more  than  three  thousand 
people  on  the  ground,  and  nearly  every  one  brought  baskets  well  tilled 
with  provisions.  A  large  fat  ox  was  killed  the  day  before,  and  was  nice- 
ly cooked  for  the  occasion;  so  that  there  was  a  bountiful  supply  of  eat- 
ables. Every  one  partook  heartily  and  was  satified,  not  only  for  dinner 
but  for  supper  also.  The  people  delighted  to  linger  in  the  pleasant 
grove,  and  many  remained  until  the  dusky  shades  of  evening  reminded 
them  of  the  approach  of  night.  The  day  was  passed  pleasantly,  all 
seeming  anxious  to  do  everything  possible  to  please  and  make  the 
soldiers  happy.  Speeches  were  made  by  several  persons  during  the  day. 
Judge  Green,  Dr.  I.  Parker,  J.  V.  Cox,  Dr.  A.  M.  Vickrey  and  others 
made  fine  patriotic  addresses.  Judge  Joshua  Jones  was  there  also,  and 
spoke  as  none  but  he  could,  holding  for  nearly  one  hour  the  vast  multi- 
tude perfectly  spell -bound  by  his  matchless  portrayal  of  the  sin  of  rebell- 
ion. His  closing  remarks,  although  severe,  are  worthy  a  place  in  this 
chapter.  After  commenting  at  some  length  on  the  glories  of  this  Gov- 
ernment, and  exhorting  the  people  to  stand  firm  in  their  support  of  it, 
he  said  that  he  had  not  words  to  express  his  contempt  for  a  people  who 
would  disturb  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  a  Government  like  this,  by 
defying  its  laws  in  any  manner,  or  seeking  to  divide  or  weaken  it  by 
the  damnable  heresy  of  secession.  He  said  that,  for  a  people  who  would 
do  such  a  thing  God  had  failed  to  provide  adequate  punishment,  and 
that  if  he  (Jones)  had  the  power,  he  would  uncap  the  lower  regions,  heat 
the  flames  of  the  devil's  resort  seven  times  hotter  than  the  hottest  flame 
old  Satan  had  ever  fanned,  and  then  cause  a  cyclone  to  rise  in  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico  large  enough  to  gather  and  encircle  in  its  winding  embrace 
evei-y  man  who  had  helped  to  bring  on  this  wicked  rebellion.  The  cy- 
clone should  carry  them  over  the  deepest  hole  in  the  hottest  place  of  that 
lake  of  tire,  and  with  all  its  force  shoot  them  forth,  as  a  ball  from  a  can- 
non, down  into  the  lowest  depths  of  the  deepest  hell,  so  far  out  of  sight 
that  old  Satan  himself  could  never  see  them.  "  For,"  said  he,  "  I  im- 
agine that  it  would  cause  a  blush  of  shame  to  mantle  the  cheek  of  his 
Satanic  majesty  to  even   look  upon  a   man  who  was  guilty   of    treason  to 


J 


HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY.  '^5 

such  a  Government  as  this.  The  day  is  not  far  distant,"  he  con- 
tinued, "  when  all  the  dough-faces  of  the  North,  who  are  now  clamoring 
for  peace  by  a  compromise,  will  be  praying  for  the  rocks  and  mountains 
to  fall  on  them,  to  hide  them  from  the  scorn  and  contempt  of  the  brave 
boys  who  are  now  fighting  the  battles  of  the  coantry,"  This  was  a  day 
long  to  be  remembered. 

A  few  days  after  the  picnic  at  Normanda.  the  citizens  of  Tipton  pre- 
pared a  grand  dinner  on  the  old  fair  ground,  south  of  town.  Here,  too, 
the  fatted  ox  was  killed,  and  the  whole  carcass  roasted  over  a  furnace  on 
the  ground.  The  people  turned  out,  en  masse,  bringing  with  them  bas- 
kets well  filled  with  everything  to  tempt  the  appetite.  There  were  a 
great  many  people  on  the  ground,  and  there  was  a  bountiful  supply  of 
provisions  for  all.  Capt.  Montgomery's  company  were  ail  present. 
Speeches  were  made  by  several  leading  citizens,  and  a  good  time  gener- 
ally was  had.  All  were  anxious  to  majie  the  occasion  a  pleasant  fare- 
well to  the  soldiers  who  were  soon  to  start  to  the  field  of  carnage.  Soon 
after  dinner,  the  company  formed  in  line,  and  marched  through  town  to 
the  depot,  where  they  took  the  train  for  Wabash,  arriving  at  that  city 
late  in  the  evening  of  the  11th  day  of  August,  1862.  They  went  into 
camp  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  near  the  city,  and  remained  there  a 
few  days,  until  the  regiment  was  organized.  They  then  moved  to  In- 
dianapolis, and  were  mustered  into  the  service  as  Company  B  of  the 
Seventy-fifth  Regiment  of  Infantry,  on  the  19th  day  of  August,  1862. 
Dr.  James  B.  "White,  of  Normanda,  was  appointed  Assistant  Surgeon  of 
this  regiment. 

A  few  of  the  men  enlisted  by  Capt.  Montgomery  remained  at  home, 
as  there  were  more  than  were  allowed  in  one  company.  They  began  im- 
mediately to  reci-nit  for  another  company,  and  Sylvester  Turpen  was 
commissioned  a  Second  Lieutenant  to  organize  it.  In  a  very  few  days, 
men  enough  were  enlisted  to  form  a  company,  which  was  organized  on 
the  15th  day  of  August,  by  electing  Alexander  McCrary,  Captain,  Syl- 
vester Turpen,  First  Lieutenant,  and  Ezekiel  L.  Cooper.  Second  Lieu- 
tenant. A  dinner  was  provided  for  tlie  men  of  this  company  at  citizens' 
houses,  and  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  as  the  organization,  they 
went  to  AV abash,  and  went  into  rendezvous  camp  at  that  place.  They 
remained  there  until  the  regiment  was  organized,  when  they  removed 
to  Indianapolis,  and  wM-e  mustered  into  the  service  as  Company  C  of 
the  One  Hundred  and  First  Infantry,  on  the  7th  day  of  September,  1862. 
James  Price,  of  Tipton,  was  appointed  Adjutant  of  the  regiment.  Rev. 
Thomas  Whalon,  of  Tipton,  was  appointed  Chaplain  for  this  regiment 
on  the  14th  of  May,  1863,  but  had  to  resign  on  account  of  disability 
September  3,  1863.  The  two  companies  last  spoken  of  contained  about 
all  of  the  volunteers  of  the  year  1862. 

At  the  time  of  the  draft    assignment,  on  the  20th    September,  1862, 


56  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

U2)OU  the  various  towDships  in  the  State,  which  had  been  deficient  in  fill- 
ing their  quotas,  it  was  ascertained  that  all  the  townships  in  the  county 
except  one  had  tilled  their  quotas,  and  ten  men  only  were  drafted  in 
Wild  Cat  Township.  The  officers  appointed  to  manage  the  enrollment 
and  draft  were  William  N.  Evans,  Commissioner;  D.  F.  Lindsay, 
Marshal;  and  Dr.  Jasper  M.  Grove,  Surgeon.  The  enrollment  at  that 
time  showed  the  total  militia  of  the  county  to  be  1,263,  with  272  ex- 
empts, leaving  only  1)91  men  liable  to  do  military  duty,  with,  as  the  re- 
ports then  showed,  662  in  the  service.  Subsequent  investigation  proved 
that  there  were  over  seven  hundred  men  in  actual  service.  \¥ith  this 
draft  ended   all  efforts  to  enlist  men  for  the  service  during  that  year. 

Then  followed  another  dreary  winter,  with  many  thousands  more  in 
the  field  needing  supplies  than  there  were  the  winter  before.  The 
people  again  busied  themselves  in  preparing  and  sending  to  the  army 
everything  possible  for  the  soldiers'  comfort.  Daring  that  fall  and  fore 
part  of  the  winter,  our  armies  made  considerable  advances,  and  gained 
some  important  victories.  Everything  seemed  favorable,  and  the  people 
were  hopeful  of  a  speedy  termination  of  the  war.  Every  demand  of  the 
General  Government,  and  every  request  of  the  noble  Governor  of  the 
State,  was  responded  to  with  a  zealous  energy  and  patriotism  that  was 
not  surpassed  by  any  county  in  the  State.  Almost  every  citizen  of  the 
county  gave  encouragement  to  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war. 
Loyalty  and  patriotism  were  depicted  on  every  countenance  up  to  the 
time  when  the  State  Legislature  of  1863  convened,  and  began  a  distur- 
bance by  declaring  the  war  a  failure,  demanding  a  cessation  of  hostili- 
ties, and  proposing  to  pray  for  peace,  through  compromise  with  the 
rebels,  being  led  thus  to  act  by  a  dangerous  sympathy  for,  and  misplaced 
confidence  in,  the  people  of  the  seceded  States.  The  Legislature  opposed 
the  war  measures  of  the  General  Government,  and  tried  to  tie  the  hands 
of  Gov.  Morton  by  refusing  to  appropriate  the  means  necessary  to  enable 
him  to  carry  out  his  plans  in  aid  of  the  General  Government.  They  not 
only  withheld  the  means,  but  they  tried  to  enact  laws  to  deprive  him  of 
the  power  to  control  the  State  militia.  These  things  cast  a  gloom  over 
the  country,  and  caused  the  stoutest  hearts  to  fear,  and  doubt  the  possi- 
bility of  maintaining  the  Union.  As  the  disgraceful  schemes  of  the 
notorious  majority  of  that  assembly  were  concocted  in  the  interests  of  a 
political  party,  rather  than  through  any  treasonable  design,  it  is  well, 
perhaps,  to  speak  of  it  here,  so  as  to  keep  it  before  the  people,  that  it 
may  serve  as  a  warning  to  future  politicians,  to  lead  them  to  avoid  the 
quicksands  of  partisan  folly  during  perilous  times;  for  it  was  apj^arent 
to  many  then,  and  plain  to  all  now,  that  the  action  of  the  majority  in  that 
Legislature,  and  the  [>artisan  schemes  of  other  politiciaiis.  had  the  effect 
of  prolonging  the  war  by  encouraging  the  rebels  to  continue  the  strug- 
gle with  renewed  energy,  in  the  hope  that  party  strife  among  the  people 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  57 

of  the  North  would  kindle  a  flame  that  would  consume  all  patriotism, 
and  cause  such  a  division  and  strife  among  the  people  of  the  Northern 
States  as  would  enable  the  seccessionists  to  maintain  a  Southern  Confed- 
eracy. This  party  madness  resulted,  also,  in  some  demoralization  among 
the  soldiers  in  the  field,  causing  many  desertions  Prom  the  army;  and  it 
led  to  serious  disturbances  in  many  parts  of  the  State,  and  also  to  the 
organization  of  a  secret  political  organization  known  as  the  Sons  of 
Liberty,  or  Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle,  which,  if  not  treasonable  in  de- 
sign, was  entirely  so  by  practice.  Lodges  or  bands  of  this  order  were 
organized  in  many  counties  of  the  State  by  designing  politicians,  who, 
through  foolish  party  zeal,  imposed  upon  the  members  of  the  order  by 
teaching  false  theories  in  regard  to  the  policy  of  the  Government  in  the 
prosecution  of  the  war.  This  course  had  the  effect  of  arousing  the  pas- 
sions of  men  to  such  a  pitch  that  violent  demonstrations,  of  a  treason- 
able character,  were  common  in  several  counties  in  the  State. 
In  some  places,  Enrolling  Officers  and  Marshals  were  shot  down  while 
in  the  discharge  of  their  official  duties.  Fortunately  for  the  credit  of 
Tipton  County,  there  was  not  a  single  lodge  of  that  shameful  order  or- 
ganized within  the  county,  and,  so  far  as  the  writer  is  informed,  there 
was  bu.t  one  citizen  of  the  county  who  ever  entered  one  of  those  lodges, 
and  he  but  once.  In  order  to  acquaint  himself  with  their  plans  and 
purposes,  he  visited  a  lodge  at  Indianapolis,  but  being  disgusted  there- 
with, he  refused  to  enter  into  their  treasonable  arrangements,  and  did 
not  enter  a  lodge  a  second  time.  The  notorious  H.  H.  Dodds,  Grand 
Commander  of  the  order  in  the  State  of  Indiana,  visited  Tipton  once, 
for  the  purpose  of  trying  to  organize  the  order  in  the  county,  and  held 
a  close  conference  with  some  of  the  leading  partisans,  but  did  not  succeed 
in  his  efforts,  failing  to  secure  the  co-operation  of  a  sufficient  number  to 
foim  a  lodge  in  the  county.  So  that  it  may  be  said  truly,  that  although 
the  State  was  disgraced  by  the  treasonable  efforts  of  that  shameful  or- 
ganization, yet  Tipton  County  is  free  from  that  foul  stain,  and  no 
serious  trouble  resulting  from  treasonable  designs  occurred  within  her 
border  during  the  war.  There  were,  however,  some  political  meetings, 
at  which  resolutions  in  opposition  to  the  war  policy  of  the  Government 
were  adopted.  Those  resolutions  were  of  unsavory  tone,  and  seemed  to 
most  of  the  soldiers  as  really  treasonable  utterances.  Speeches  similar  in 
character  were  made  by  leading  politicians  in  difierent  parts  of  the  county. 
While  these  things  were  done  solely  in  the  interest  of  party,  yet  they  had 
the  effect  to  discourage  the  people  and  check  enlistments,  so  that  the  quotas 
under  subsequent  calls  were  not  filled  by  volunteer  enlistments  so  readily 
as  under  former  calls.  Finally,  the  draft  had  to  be  resorted  to.  After 
the  calls  of  1862  were  filled,  no  other  call  was  made  which  required  any 
men  from  Tipton  County  until  the  17th  of  October,  1868,  when  the 
President  called  for  301), 000  men.      There  were  no  new  companies  raised 


58  IIISTOUY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

in  the  county  during  the  year  1863.  but  there  were  about  one  hundred 
men  who  volunteered  and  went  into  the  old  companies  already  in  the 
field.  These  were  sufficient  to  till  the  qiiota  of  this  county,  under  that 
call.  On  the  Ist  of  February,  1864,  the  President  called  for  200,000  men, 
and  on  the  14th -of  March  issued  another  call  for  200.000  men.  The 
quotas  under  these  calls  were  also  tilled  by  volunteer  enlistmeots.  There 
were  166  men  who  volunteered,  and  went  into  the  tield  and  entered  old 
organizations  to  till  up  their  depleted  ranks.  This  more  than  tilled  the 
quota  under  all  calls  up  to  this  time,  so  that  there  was  a  surplus  credit 
to  the  county. 

On  the  23d  of  April,  1864,  Gov.  Morton  made  arrangement  with  the 
War  Department  by  which  he  was  authorized  to  raise  20,000  men  tu 
serve  for  100  days.  The  object  of  his  arrangement  was  to  raise  a 
force  of  new  men  sufficient  to  guard  the  forts  and  Grovernmeut  stores  in 
exposed  places,  while  the  old  veterans  were  tighting  the  battles  and  fol- 
lowing lip  the  vanquished  and  retreating  host  of  the  rebel  armies.  But 
owing  to  the  busy  season,  and  the  fact  tha  there  were  so  many  men  al- 
ready in  the  service,  it  was  found  to  be  impossible  to  spare  so  many 
men  from  farm  pursuits  and  other  needful  industries.  The  full  number, 
therefore,  was  not  raised,  and  only  eight  regiments  were  organized  under 
that  arrangement.  There  were  about  twenty-tive  men  from  Tipton 
County  in  that  service,  who  were  in  Company  F,  of  the  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-second  Regiment,  with  James  A.  Franklin,  Second  Lieu- 
tenant. These  men  served  in  Tennessee  and  Alabama,  guarding  Gen. 
Sherman's  communications  and  supply  stores,  and  they  did  good  service 
by  relieving  the  old  soldiers  from  that  duty. 

On  the  18th  of  July,  1864,  the  President  issued  another  call,  500,000 
men.  Under  this  call,  M.  C.  Holman  recruited  sixty-eight  men  in  this 
county.  Joining  these  with  others  at  Indianapolis,  a  company  was  or- 
ganized, on  the  14th  of  October,  by  electing  Charles  M.  Guthridge,  of 
Indianapolis,  Captain,  M.  C.  Holman,  of  Sharpsville,  First  Lieutenant, 
and  William  W.  Burden,  of  Goshen,  Second  Lieutenant.  This  company 
was  mustered  into  the  service  as  Company  G.  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fortieth  Regiment,  on  the  1st  day  of  November,  1864.  The  Provost 
Marshal  General's  report  showed  that  there  .was  a  deficiency  in  the  quotas 
of  Wild  Cat,  Madison,  Liberty,  Prairie  and  Jefferson  Townships,  and 
sixty-four  men  were  drafted  from  these  five  townships.  Twenty  of  these 
went  into  Company  F,  of  the  Twenty-third  Regiment,  and  fifteen  into 
Company  B,  of  the  Fortieth  Regiment.  There  is  uo  record  of  the  as- 
signment of  the  others  that  were  drafted,  so  that  it  is  impossible  now  to 
tell  what  company  or  regiment  they  were  in. 

The  last  call  of  the  President  was  made  on  the  1 9th  of  December, 
1864.  Under  this  final  call,  there  were  sixty-eight  volunteer  enlistments. 
Sixty  of  these  were  recruited  by  William  B.  Young.     These  were  joined 


HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY.  59 

■witli  others  recruited  in  other  counties,  and  organized  into  a  company  at 
Indianapolis  by  electing  William  B.  Young,  Captain,  George  W.  Thorn, 
of  Summitsville,  First  Lieutenant,  and  William  P.  Crowell,  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, They  were  mustered  into  the  service  as  Ct)mpany  K,  One 
Hundred  and  Fifty-third  Kegiment,  on  the  28th  day  of  February,  1865. 
The  eight  others  who  volunteered  under  this  call  went  into  the  Fifty- 
ninth,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-fifth,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-seventh 
and  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-fii'st  Regiments.  There  was  still  a  de- 
ficiency in  filling  the  quotas  assigned  to  the  different  townships  under 
this  call,  and  the  draft  was  again  resorted  to.  About  forty  men  were 
drafted  in  the  county,  part  of  whom  were  assigned  to  duty.  The  num- 
ber is  not  definitely  known,  nor  the  regiments  to  which  they  were  as- 
signed, as  there  is  no  record  of  their  assignment. 

We  have  in  this  chapter  given  a  statement  of  the  number  of  volu  ti- 
teers  and  drafted  men  who  appear  credited  to  the  county.  On  final  ad- 
justment in  the  Provost  Marshal  Greneral's  department,  the  last  state- 
ment shows  that  Tipton  County  not  only  filled  her  quotas  under  all  calls, 
but  had  an  actual  surplus  of  fifty-four  men.  It  is  well  known  that  sev- 
eral Tipton  men  volunteered  who  were  crediied  to  other  covinties,  while 
some  failed  to  report  their  residence,  and  their  names  appear  on  the  roll 
without  residence.  By  this  means  there  are  some  lost  from  the  credit  of 
the  county.  Notwithstanding  such  losses,  however,  the  records  show 
1,073  enlistments,  includiug  those  drafted.  There  were  also  some  re-en- 
listments. It  is  clearly  shown  that  there  were  more  than  one  thousand 
men  from  this  county  in  actual  service  during  the  war.  This  number 
was  more  than  half  of  the  entire  militia  force  of  the  county.  It  is 
doubtful  if  any  county  in  the  State  can  show  a  better  record  in  regard 
to  the  number  of  men  in  the  army  in  proportion  to  population. 

We  have  alluded  to  the  partisan  warfare  in  the  county  against  the 
war  policy  of  the  General  Government  merely  to  show  that  that  trouble 
existed  in  this  as  well  as  other  counties  in  the  State;  but,  unlike  some 
other  counties,  it  did  not  crop  out  in  any  treasonable  designs.  It,  as 
already  intimated,  was  the  work  of  partisans  entirely.  The  people  were 
a  unit  in  regard  to  loyalty  to  the  Government,  and  may  well  be  proud  of 
their  record  made  during  the  war.  There  were  Tipton  County  men  in 
forty-four  difi'erent  companies,  in  thirty-two  regiments  and  in  every  de- 
partment of  the  service.  There  were  some  in  all  important  campaigns, 
and  in  every  general  engagement.  They  fought  in  more  than  two  hun- 
dred battles  and  skirmishes,  and  the  distance  traveled  by  them  individu- 
ally was  more  than  two  hundred  times  around  the  earth.  This  county  did 
well,  not  only  in  furnishing  men  to  fight  the  battles  of  the  country,  but 
in  contributions  in  support  of  the  Government,  and  in  aid  of  soldiers  and 
their  families.  Whenever  anything  was  needed,  it  was  given  in  a  spirit 
of  liberality  that  was  not  siirpassed   by  any  people.      From  information 


(JO  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

derived  from  the  records  of  the  Sanifcaiy  Commission,  and  other  statisti- 
cal reports,  it  is  learned  that  the  contributions  of  the  people  of  this 
county,  for  the  various  necessities  occasioned  by  the  war,  amounted  to  a 
wrand  total  of  $150,000.  This  is  certainly  a  large  sum,  considering  the 
limited  number  and  wealth  of  the  people.  The  soldiers'  famiiise  were 
kindly  treated,  and  well  provided  for  during  the  whole  time  of  the  war. 
The  following  is  a  report  of  the  action  had  by  the  Forty-seventh  Regi- 
ment on  the  death  of  Adjt.  Marion  P.  Evans,  and  is  taken  from  the 
Tipton  Times: 

At  a  called  meeting  of  the  officers  of  the  Forty-seventh  Regiment  of  Indiana 
Vohmteers  in  their  encampment  at  Helena,  Ark.,  on  the  23d  inst.  (186'2),  Col.  J.  R. 
Slack  presiding,  a  committee  of  five,  consisting  of  Lieut.  Col.  Milton  S.  Robinson, 
Maj.  J.  A.  McLaughlin,  Capt.  James  R.  Bruner.  Capt.  E.  C.  Hill  and  Samuel  Saw- 
yer, Chaplain,  was  app'ointed  to  report  a  minute  respecting  the  death  of  M.  P. 
Evans,  of  Tipton,  Ind.,  late  Adjutant  of  the  Forty-seventh  Regiment.  The  fol- 
lowing minute  was  presented  and  imanimously  approved:  "The  committee  ap- 
pointed to  prepare  a  minute  relative  to  the  death  of  M.  P.  Evans,  respectfully  sub- 
mit the  following: 

"  Whereas,  Information  has  reached  us  that  God,  in  His  Providence,  has  re- 
moved from  this  life  M.  P.  Evans,  late  Adjutant  of  the  Forty-seventh  Regiment  of 
Indiana  Volunteers  ;  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolced,  That  Adjutant  Evans  was  a  sincere  friend  and  faithful  officer,  and  we 
cheerfully  bear  testimony  to  the  excellence  of  his  character  and  the  value  of  his 
patriotic  service;  and  be  it  further 

"  Resolved,  That  in  his  death  the  regiment  has  lost  a  true-hearted  friend  and 
counselor,  and  the  country  a  noble  defender. 

"  Resolced,  That  it  is  a  matter  of  thankfulness  that  Adjutant  Evans,  having 
proved  his  courage  and  patriotism  in  various  trying  scenes,  was  permitted  to  spend 
his  last  moments  in  the  midst  of  his  loved  family,  and  to  breathe  his  life  out  gently, 
surrounded  by  the  cherished  friends  of  his  heart  and  the  hallowed  associations  of 
home. 

''Resolved,  That  we  bow  in  humble  submission  to  the  Providence  which  has  thus 
early  called  the  deceased  from  the  scene  of  his  labors  to  the  unseen  world,  and 
earnestly  pra^  that  the  bereavement  may  be  sanctified  to  ourselves,  the  regiment, 
and  to  all  his  friends  and  kindred. 

"  Resolved  further,  That  we  tender  our  sympathies  to  the  family  of  the  deceased 
in  their  sad  and  sore  bereavement. 

"  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  forwarded  to  the  widow  of  the 
deceased,  also  to  the  Tipton   'Times  and  the  Indianapolis  Journal  for  publication." 

INCarion  P.  Evans,  the  subject  of  the  foregoing  resolutions,  was  one 
of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  this  country,  coming  at  the  age  of  about 
fifteen  with  his  father,  who  settled  near  where  Normanda  is  situated,  in 
April,  1841.  He  remained  with  his  father  for  several  years,  and  helped 
to  make  a  large  farm.  He  taught  school  during  the  winter  for  several 
years.  About  the  year  1850,  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business  in  Tip- 
ton, and  was  successful  in  business,  and  was  one  of  the  leading  merchants 
of  the  place  when  the  war  began  in  18G1.  Then,  although  actively  en- 
gaged in  a  business  which  required  close  attention,  yet  from  the  begin- 
ning of    the  war   he   bent  all  his    energies  to  support  the    Government. 


HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY.  61 

Finally,  being  appointed  Adjutant  of  the  Forty-seventh  Regiment,  he 
accepted  the  position,  left  his  business  in  the  hands  of  others  and  en 
tered  the  service  on  the  29th  day  of  November,  1861.  His  energy  and 
patriotism  won  the  admiration  and  confidence  of  all  vsrho  knew  him.  It 
was  said  of  him  that  he  was  one  of  the  best  Adjutants  in  the  service. 
The  hard  service  and  arduous  duties  to  which  he  closely  applied  himself 
wore  on  his  constitution,  and,  being  stricken  down  with  a  severe  attack 
of  chronic  diarrhoea,  he  resigned  his  position  and  went  home,  arriving  at 
his  own  house  on  the  28th  of  August,  1868.  His  resignation  was  duly 
accepted,  and  he  was  discharged  on  the  4th  of  September.  He  died  on 
the  12th  of  September,  being  with  his  family  and  home  friends  only  two 
weeks.  His  remains  were  buried  in  Greenlaw  Cemetery,  near  the  city 
of  Tipton. 

Isaac  M.  Rumsey  came  to  this  county  during  the  year  1849,  and  lived 
on  a  farm  four  miles  of  Tipton,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  and 
,  trading  in  stock  for  a  few  years.  Being  energetic,  and  of  a  business 
turn  of  mind,  he  moved  to  Tipton,  and  engaged  in  mercantile  business. 
He  afterward  sold  out  his  store,  and  was  engaged  as  clerk  in  a  store, 
when  the  rebellion  began.  On  the  call  to  arms,  he  was  among  the  first 
to  enlist.  He  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  F,  Eleventh 
Regiment  of  three  months'  volunteers.  He  served  in  that  position  till 
the  expiration  of  the  term  of  service,  when  he  returned  home.  In  a 
short  time,  he  re-entered  the  service,  enlisting  as  a  private  in  Company 
K,  of  the  Forty-  seventh  Regiment.  He  was  appointed  Sergeant  Major 
of  the  regiment  in  December,  1861,  serving  in  that  position  until  the 
12th  of  March,  1863,  when  he  was  promoted  to  the  Captaincy  of  Com- 
pany K  of  the  same  regiment.  He  was  an  energetic  and  faithful  oflQcer. 
At  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills,  he  was  overcome  by  fatigue  and  stricken 
down  by  general  prostration,  so  that  he  was  unable  to  do  any  service. 
He  was  then  granted  leave  of  absence.  He  started  home,  in  the  hope  of 
being  able  to  recuperate.  He  was  taken  to  the  river  by  comrades,  and 
placed  on  board  a  steamer.  He  died,  however,  before  reaching  Cairo. 
The  only  reliable  account  of  his  last  hours  and  death  was  given  in  a 
letter  written  to  his  wife  by  the  doctor  who  attended  him  during  his  last 
moments.      The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  letter: 

Littleton,  Schuyler  County,  111.,  July  11,  1863. 
Mrs.  Rumset — Dear  Madam:  It  is  with  painful  feelings  and  great  diffidence 
that  I  attempt  to  write  a  few  lines  to  j'ou  in  this  your  time  of  great  bereavement. 
I  saw  Capt.  I.  M.  Rumsey  as  he  passed  aboard  the  Steamer  Sunshine  at  Chickasaw 
Landing,  Miss.,  June  20,  and  thought  he  looked  very  much  prostrated.  I  did  not 
see  him  again  for  two  days,  when  I  passed  by  his  state-room  door  and  saw  him,  and 
thought  by  his  looks  that  he  would  like  some  assistance.  I  spoke  to  him  and  found 
that  he  was  even  worse  than  outward  appearance  indicated.  From  that  time  I 
waited  upon  him,  and  rendered  him  all  the  assistance  the  circumstances  Avould  per- 
mit. He  thought  he  would  not  live  to  get  home,  and  said  the  ride  to  the  boat  (twelve 
miles)  had  hurt  him  very  much.     I  thought  he  might  live  to  get  home  up  to  the 


62  HISTORY  OK  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

Friday  morning  before  he  died.  He  had  failed  verj'  much  in  the  twenty-four  hours 
previous.  I  had  everything  done  for  him  that  could  possiblj^  be  had  on  the  boat, 
during  his  sickness,  after  I  learned  his  situation,  and  rendered  him  all  the  assistance 
in  my  power.  Vomiting  had  sel  in  before  I  saw  him,  in  addition  to  the  dianiicea, 
and  it  could  not  be  alla^'cd.  He  suffered  much  from  sick  stomach,  especially  the 
twenty-four  hours  previous  to  his  death.  I  had  him  laid  on  a  mattress  in  the  cabin, 
and  sat  by  his  side  all  the  night  before  he  died.  1  had  to  move  him  often  during 
the  night,  lirst  up  in  the  rocking-clfair,  and  then  on  the  bed,  from  one  side  to  the 
other,  till  about  daylight,  when  he  became  eas}\  He  passed  away  at  about  6 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  June  37,  1863,  just  before  we  reached  Columbus,  Ky.  I 
asked  him  several  times  if  he  wished  to  send  any  word  to  his  family.  He  replied, 
"  Yes,  I  will  tell  you  directly."  At  one  time  he  said,  "  Tell  her  where  and  when  I 
died  and  all  about  it."  Vomiting  come  on  then,  and  he  did  not  talk  much  more 
after  that.  After  some  conversation  with  the  passengers,  I  named  two  Indiana  offi- 
cers to  take  charge  of  his  effects  and  send  them  to  you,  and  I  parted'company  with 
them  at  Cairo.  They  made  a  statement  of  his  effects  to  send  to  you,  and  I  hope  all 
was  accomplished  that  was  intended.  I  would  have  written  sooner,  but  have  been 
Bick  since  I  arrived  home.  Tendering  to  you  my  heartfelt  sympathy  in  your  deep 
affliction,  I  am  your  obedient  servant, 

Hose  A  Davis. 

The  persons  in  whose  care  Capt.  Rtiinsey  was  left  pi'ocured  a  me- 
tallic case  at  Cairo,  placed  his  remains  in  it  and  brought  them  to  Mitoh- 
ell,  Ind.  There  they  placed  the  casket  in  the  care  of  the  express  agent 
to  keep  until  snch  time  as  friends  should  come  from  home  and  take 
charge  of  it.  Owing  to  the  failure  of  the  telegraph  agent  to  deliver  a 
message,  the  friends  at  home  did  not  receive  any  word  of  his  death  or 
where  his  remains  were  for  sr>  long  a  time  that  the  citizens  at  Mitchell 
buried  the  body  in  the  cemetery  at  that  place.  The  remains  were  left 
where  biu'ied.  Subsequently  his  widow  had  a  monument  placed  over 
his  grave.  James  Price,  another  man  who  lost  his  life  in  the  service  of 
his  country,  was  also  one  of  Tipton's  best  citizens.  He  was  engaged  in 
mercantile  business  and  was  much  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  On 
the  organization  of  the  One  Hundred  and  First  Kegiment,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Adjutant.  He  was  mustered  into  the  service  as  Adjutant  of  that 
regiment  on  the  Sth  day  of  September.  1862.  He  was  a  faithful  and 
efficient  officer,  always  at  his  post  and  ready  and  willing  in  the  perform- 
ance of  his  duties.  His  regiment  performed  a  great  deal  of  hard  serv- 
ice, being  nearly  all  the  time  on  the  go.  marching  and  scouting  through 
the  States  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  ditring  that  fall  and  winter.  The 
arduous  duties  of  his  office  and  the  exposure  incident  to  such  campaign- 
ing during  an  inclement  winter  proved  too  much  for  his  constitution. 
Although  seemingly  of  a  stout  and  robust  frame,  yet  when  attacked  by 
disease  he  soon  succumbed  and  became  so  much  reduced  that  he  was  un- 
fit for  the  service,  and  was  compelled  to  give  up  his  office.  He  resigned 
on  the  24th  of  May,  1863,  and  came  home  to  his  family  and  friends  in 
Tipton.  He  lingered  but  a  short  time,  suffering  meanwhile  the  agonies 
of  that  dreadful  disease,  diarrhoea.  Though  kindly  cared  for  by  friends 
and  treated  by  the  best  physicians,  he  died  in  a  few  days  after  reaching 


HISTORY   OF   TiPTON   COUNT V.  (J 3 

home.  Hi8  leiuaius  were  buried  iu  Green  Lawn  Cemetery  at  Tipton. 
He  was  greatly  missed  and  his  death  was  deeply  moarned  by  the  men  of 
his  regiment,  as  well  as  by  friends  at  home. 

Henry  T.  Waterman,  a  model  young  married  man  who  lived  at 
Sharpsville,  was  a  worthy  and  successful  school  teacher,  which  profes- 
sion he  left  to  enter  the  service  in  defense  of  the  Government  and  those 
institutions  which  he  so  highly  prized.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  in 
Company  C  of  the  One  Hundred  and  First  Regiment  and  was  appointed 
Sergeant  on  the  15th  of  August.  1862.  He  very  soon  gained  the  conli- 
dence  and  esteem  of  the  members  of  his  company.  He  was  earnest  and 
faithful  in  all  the  duties  incumbent  upon  him.  He  was  promoted  to  First 
Sergeant  on  the  24th  of  January,  18(33.  His  tall  and  commanding  figure 
always  rendered  him  conspicuous.  On  the  8th  M  June,  1863,  he°was 
promoted  to  be  Second  Lieutenant,  continuing  in  that  position,  a  noble 
soldier  and  faithful  officer  through  all  the  trying  scenes  of  the  campaio-n 
under  Gen.  Eosecrans,  from  Murfreesboro  to  Chattanooga.  He  was  In 
command  of  the  company  and  led  a  gallant  charge  amidst  the  terrible 
conflict  on  the  dizzy  heights  of  Mission  Ridge,  on  the  25th  of  November, 
1863.  In  this  charge  he  fell  pierced  by  a  ball  from  a  rebel  gun.  He 
died  on  the  field.  He  was  a  great  favorite  with  the  men  of  the  company, 
who  were  sorely  grieved  by  his  death,  for  they  felt  thai  they  had  lost 
not  only  a  friend,  but  a  noble  and  brave  commander. 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  Tipton  County  officers  and 
men  who  served  in  the  war: 

ELEVENTH  REGIMENT— COMPANY  F— THREE  MONTHS'  VOLUNTEERS. 

Officers. 
Capt.  Edward  T.  Wallace,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  expiration  of  term. 
First  Lieut.  John  Stevenson,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  expiration  of  term. 
Second  Lieut.  Isaac  M.  Rumsey,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  expiration  of  term. 
First  S«rgt.  Andrew  J.  McClanahan,  m.  April  25,1861,  m.  o.  Au^-.  4,  1861 ;  term  expired 
Sergt.  Samuel  G.  Decker,  m.  April  25,  1861.  m.  o.  August  4, 1861;  term'expired 
Serg.  Peter  M.  Gates,  m.  April  25,  1861.  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Sergt.  Albert  Presler,  m.  April  25.  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861  ;  term  expired. 
Corp.  Joseph  A.  McKinsey,  m.  April  25,  1861.  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired 
Corp.  John  Shepherd,  m.  April  25.  1861.  m.  o.  August  4.  1861;  term  expired 
Corp.  William  C.  Baker,  m.  April  25.  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired 
Corp.  Benjamin  F.  George,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4.  1861;  term  expired 
Musician  Manford  Chester,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861:  term  expired 
Musician  Sanford  Lytle,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 

Privates. 
Adams,  James,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4.  1861  ;  term  expired 
Anderson,  DeWitt  C,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4.  1861;  term  expired. 
Angstadt,  Henry,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Anstell,  Henry,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4.  1861;  term  expired. 
Badger,  Robert,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term'expired 
Bochman.  Edward,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired 


64  HISTORY  OF  TiriON  COUNTY. 

Badger,  George  W.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Bouse,  William  A.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Bowlin,  Tliomas  J.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  terra  expired. 
Bradley,  George  W.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Brown,  James,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Campbell,  James,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Carroll,  John,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861 ;  term  expired. 
Coffman,  Marcus,  m.  April  25,  1861.  m.  o.  August  4,  1861  ;  term  expired. 
Coons,  William  T.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Cosance,  Thomas,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Cox,  William  B.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Coy,  William,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Coy,  Francis,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Custer,  Simon,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Davis,  Thomas  S.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Evans,  Dwyan  C,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Fielding,  Asbury,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Gates,  Wesle3^,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Gains,  Thomas,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  e.xpired. 
Green,  John  E.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Hallcy,  John  C,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Hartley,  William,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Harvey,  Randolph,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Hughey,  James,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Jennings,  James  P.,  m.  April  25,.  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Jones,  William  E.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Kindley,  Samuel  I.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Klingman,  Samuel,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  April  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Kinsell,  Malachi,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Leavell,  John,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Lewis,  Andrew  J.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861  ;  term  expired. 
Lytle,  Luke,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861  ;  term  expired. 
Miller,  Benjamin  F.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861  ;  term  expired. 
Mitchell,  Silas,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Montgomery,  Jefferson  H.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
McCarty,  John  W.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
McCowan,  James,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
McWhite,  John,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Nelson,  Gabriel,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Paul,  Thomas,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Pierce,  William,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Plummer,  Isaac,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Redman,  William  C,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Reed,  Norris,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Richards,  James  I.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Rittenhouse,  John,  m.  April  25,  1881,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Shawver,  Martin,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Simmons,  Jesse,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Simmons,  William,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Smith,  John  W.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Stewart,  Barton  H.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Tucker,  George  M.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Umphres,  Geoi-ge  W.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Van  Buskirk,  Amos,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 


HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY.  65 

Wheeler,  Samuel  F.,  m.  April  25,  1861,  ra.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Wilson,  John,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Wagoman,  John,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 
Worford,  John,  m.  April  25,  1861,  m.  o.  August  4,  1861;  term  expired. 

ELEVENTH  (THREE  YEARS)  REGIMENT — COMPANY  F. 

Capt.  Edward  T.  Wallace,  m.  August  31,  1861;  resigned  September  10,  1863. 

First  Sergt.  William  C.  Baker,  m.  August  31,  1861;   promoted   Second  Lieutenant 

January  13.  1862 ;  resigned  October  2,  1862. 
Corp.  Jacob  B.  F.  Zimmerman,  m.  August  31.  1861;  dis.  January  27,   1862;  disab. 
Corp.  Robert  B.  Fielding,  m.  August  31, 1861;  appointed  Sergeant;  dis.  March  20, 

1864;  wounds. 
Corp.  George  W.  Lowley,  m.  August  31,  1861;  wounded  at  Fort  Donelson;  dis. 
Corp.  John  J.  Cooper,  m.  August  31,  1861;  not  reported. 

Corp.  Dewit  C.  Anderson,  m.  August  31,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  June  23,  1865. 
Corp.  William  Whaley,  m.  August  31.  1861;  m.  o.  August  30,  1864. 
Musician  David  F.  Jones,  m.  August  31,  1861;  not  reported. 

Privates. 
Black,  John  A.,  m.  August  31,  1861;  m.  o.  July  26,  1865. 

Durn,  Francis M.,  m.  August  31, 1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  July  26,  1865;  absent,  wounded. 
Fowler,  Joseph,  m.  August  31,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  July  26,  1865. 
Hancock,  Thomas  J.,  m.  August  31,  1861;  dis.  November  27,  1862. 
Healey,  James,  m.  August  31,  1861;  killed  at  Champion  Hills,  May  16,  1863. 
Henson,  Andrew,  m.  August  31,  1861;  no  report. 
Henson, -James,  m.  August  31,  1861;  no  report. 
Hiatt,  Lewis,  m.  August  31,  1861;  m.  o.  August  30,  1864. 
Hulick,  Isaac  A.,  m.  August  31,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  July  26,  1865. 
Huffer,  Josephus,  m.  August  31,  1861;  m.  o.  August  30,  1864. 
Jones,  George,  m.  August  31,  1861;  m.  o.  August  30,  1864. 
Nash,  Robert,  m.  August  31,  1861;  dis.  October  4,  1864,  wounds. 
Nelson,  William,  m.  August  31,  1861;  no  report. 
Osier,  David,  m.  August  31,  1861;  m.  o.  August  30,  1864. 
Osier,  Jackson,  m.  August  31,  1861;  m.  o.  August  30,  1864. 
Osier,  John  W.,  m.  August  31,  1861;  m.  o.  August  30,  1864. 
Phares,  Eber  W.,  m.  August  31,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  July  26,  1865. 
Prilliman,  Joseph,  m.  August  31,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  June  23,  1865  . 
Ridley,  Franklin,  m.  August  31,  1861;  dis.  March  25,  1862. 
Seward,  David  M.,  m.  August  31,  1861;  no  report. 
Turpin,  William  J.,  m.  August  31,  1861;  m.  o.  August  30,  1864. 
Vance,  Harvey  B.,  m.  August  31,  1861;  dis.,  date  not  given. 
West,  John,  m.  August  31,  1861;  m.  o.  August  30,  1864. 
Wimand,  John,  m.  August  31,  1861;  m.  o.  August  30,  1864. 
Whicker,  William,  m.  August  31,  1861;  m.  o.  August  30,  1864. 

Recruits. 
Brasier,  Gideon,  m.  March  9,  1865;  m.  o.  July  26,  1865. 

Fielding,  Asbery  H.,  m.  June  23,  1862;  appointed  Corporal;  m.  o.  June  23,  1865. 
Little,  James  H.,  m.  June  23,  1862;  died,  St.  Louis,  June  30,  1863. 
Long,  Silas,  m.  October  21,  1862;  ;ippointcd  Sergeant;  m.  o.  July  26,  1865. 
McClanihan,  Andrew,  m.  October  21,  1862;  dis.  December  29,  1862. 
Presler,  Albert,  veteran;  dis.  May  29,  1865;  wounds. 

THIRTEENTH   (THREE   YEARS)   REGIMENT — COMPANY   D. 

Kinnear,  William  W.,  m.  February  5,  1864;  trans.  Thirteenth  re-organized. 
Kinnear,  William  D.,  m.  Februarj^  5,  18!)4;  dis.  December  13,  1864;  disability. 


66  HLSTORV    OF   TIPTON    COUNTY. 

Pemhorton,  John,  m.  December  20,  1863;  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865. 

Well.s  John  M.,  m.  February  5,  1864;  trans,  to  Thirteenth  re-organized. 

SEVENTEENTH   REGIMENT. 

Commissary  Sergt.  W.  H.  ILiyford,  m.  June  13,  1861;  dis.  October  13,  1861. 

COMPANY   K. 

Sergt.  John  T.  Jone.'^.  m.  June  13,  1861;  dis.  July  13,  1863;  disability. 
Corp.  Andrew  J.  Bottorff,  m.  June  13,  1S61;  veteran;  m.  o.  August  8,  1865. 

TWENTY-FIRST   RE(.IMENT — COMPANY   L. 

Brewer,  Thomas  J.,  m.  August  13,  1863;  m.  o.  January  20,  1866. 
Arbucle,  James,  m.  October  3,  1864;  m.  o.  August  13,  1865. 
Brady,  Garth  J.,  m.  March  9,  1864;  m.  o.  January  10,  1866. 

COMPANY   M. 

Anstell,  William  H..  m.  November  1,  1863;  m.  o.  January  10,  1866. 
Dodds,  Thomas,  m.  November  1.  1863;  m.  o.  January  10,  1866. 
Richards,  Lewis,  m.  November  1,  1863;  m.  o.  January  10,  1866. 
Rhodes,  William  H.,  m.  November  1,  1863;  m.  o.  January  10,  1866. 
Runshe,  Abraham,  m.  November  1,  1863;  m.  o.  January  10,  1866. 
Stewart,  James,  m.  November  1,  1863;  m.  o.  January  10,  1866. 
Smith,  Daniel  M.,  m.  November  1,  1863;  m.  o.  January  10,  1866. 
Zimmerman,  J.  B.  F.,  m.  November  1,  1863;  ni.  o.  January  10,  1866. 
Cunningham,  John,  m.  September  13,  1864;  m.  o.  January  10,  1866. 
Martin,  John,  m.  September  3,  1864;  m.  o.  January  10,  1866. 
McFarland,  William,  m.  September  17,  1864;  m.  o.  January  10,  1866. 

TWENTY-SECOND   REGIMENT — COMPANY   K. 

Hyseman,  Henry,  m.  August  15,  1861,  veteran,  m.  o.  July  34,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
Thatcher,  Thomas,  m.  August  15,  1861,  veteran,  m.  o.  July  34,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 

TWENTY-THIRD   REGIMENT — COMPANY  P. 

Bennett,  William  F.,  m.  Novembers,  1864,  m.  o.  July  33,  1865;  drafted. 
Brookbank,  R6uben,  m.  November  3,  1864,  dis.  July  17,  1865;  drafted. 
Davis,  William  J.,  m.  November  2,  1864,  m.  o.  July  33,  1865;  drafted. 
Maze,  Wesley  A.,  m.  November  2,  1864,  m.  o.  July  33,  1865;  drafted. 
Pike,  Robert,  m.  November  3,  1864,  m.  o.  July  23,  1865;  drafted. 
Pike,  William,  m.  November  2,  1864,  m.  o.  April  3,  1865;  drafted. 
Rosier,  Jacob,  m.  November  2,  1864,  m.  o.  July  33,  1865;  drafted. 
Swing,  Benjamin  M.,  m.  Novembar  3,  1864.  m.  o.  July  33,  1865;  drafted. 
Smith,  Dudly  M.,  m.  November  3,  1864,  m.  o.  July  33,  1865;  drafted. 
Smith,  William  A.,  m.  November  3,  1864,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865;  drafted. 
Toll,  Jonathan,  m.  November  3,  1864,  m.  o.  July  33,  1865;  drafted. 

TWENTY-SIXTH   REGIMENT— COMPANY   C. 

Capt.  Mortimer  C.  Holman,  m.  August  31.  1861;  resigned  June  30,  1862. 

Capt.  Robert  M.  Sharp,  m.  July  1,  1863;  resigned  March  30,  1863. 

Capt.  Levi  S.  Gardner,  m.  March  31,  1863;  no  record. 

First  Lieut.  William  P.  Gard,  m.  August  31,  1861;  resigned  June  29,  1862. 

First  Lieut.  Robert  M.  Sharp,  m.  February  5,  1862;  promoted  Captain. 

First  Lieut.  Levi  S.  Gardner,  m.  August  1,  1862;  promoted  Captain. 

First  Lieut.  Samuel  N.  Banister,  m.  November  15,  1863;  resigned  May  17,  1865. 

First  Lieut.  Lewis  H.  Gest,  m.  July  15,  1865;  no  report. 

Second  Lieut.  Robert  M.  Sharp,  m.  August  31,  1861;  promoted  First  Lieutenant. 


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HISTORY    OF   TIPTON    COUNTY.  69 

Second  Lieut.  Levi  S.  Gardner,  m.  February  14.  1863;  promoted  First  Lieutenant. 

Second  Lieut.  Samuel  N.  Banister,  m.  August  1,  1862;  promoted  First  Lieutenant. 

Second  Lieut.  Charles  W.  Armstrong,  m.  March  31. 1863;  honorably  dis.  asSero-eant 
Major  March  13,  1864,  for  disab. 

Second  Lieut.  Lewis  H.  Gest,  m.  December  2,  1864;  promoted  First  Lieutenant. 

First  Sergt.  Levi  S.  Gardner,  m.  August  30,  1861;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant. 

Sergt.  Benjamin  F.  Smith,  m.  August  30,  1861;  died  at  Jefferson  City.  Mo  Novem- 
ber 23.  1861. 

Sergt.  Newton  R.  Tracy,  m.  August  30,  1861 ;  dis.  April  21,  1863,  disab. 

Sergt.  David  Trimble,  m.  August  30,  1861;  died  at  New  Orleans  November  25,  1863. 

Sergt.  Robert  Cowden,  m.  August  3i),  1861;  dis.  March  8,  1863. 

Corp.  George  V.  Haynes,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Corp.  Jacob  C.  John.son,  m.  August30.  1861;  died  at  Tipton,  Mo.,  November  22,  1861. 

Corp.  David  J.  Herron,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864;  private.' 

Corp.  John  F.  Griffith,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  31,  1864. 

Corp.  Pink  J.  East,  m.  August  30,  1861;  dis.  December  25,  1863,  disab. 

Corp.  Aaron  Vanhook,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  11,  1864. 

Coi»p.  David  V.  Burn.s.  m.  August  30,  1861;  vet.,  dis.  March  1,  1865;  disab. 

Corp.  Hugh  Smiley,  m.  August  30,  1861;  dis.  June  21,  1862;  disab. 

Musician  James  N.  Davenport,  m.  August  30,  1861;  dis.  March  3,  1862;  disab. 

Musician  William  E.  McFarlin,  m.  August  30,  1861;  vet.  m.  o. 

Wagoner  Dennis  W.  Wilson,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Privates. 
Adams,  Martin  L.,  m.  August  30,  1861.  dis.  October  10,  1863;  disab. 
Armstrong,  William  J.,  m.  August  30,  1861,  killed  at  Prairie  Grove  December  7,  1862. 
Armstrong,  Charles,  m.  August  30,  1861,  dis.  March  12,  1864;  disab. 
Barger,  Jacob,  m.  August  30,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  January  15,  1866. 
Barnhouse,  William,  m.  August  30,  1861,  dis.  January  25,  1862,  disab. 
Basa,  Antony,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 
Bates,  James  S.,  m.  August  30,  1861,  died  January  10,  1863,  wounds. 
Bennett,  Cerenus,  m.  August  30,  1861,  dis.  October  15,  1862,  disab. 
Bland,  John  E  .  m.  August  30,  1861,  died  at  Sedalia,  Mo.,  November  1,  1861. 
Bouse,  Adam,  m.  August  30,   1861.  dis.  June  35.  1864.  disab. 
Brown,  James,  m.  August  30,  1861.  died  at  Sharpsville,  Ind.,  April  2'2,  1862. 
Brown,  Enoch  T.,  m.  August  30,  1861,  vet.  m.  o. 
Bryant,  Leander,  m.  August  30,  1861,  dis.  June  10,  1863. 
Cady,  Deloss  L.,  m.  August  3 ),  1861,  died  at  Otterville,  Mo.,  January  35,  1862. 
Caldwell.  William  N..  m.  August  30,  1861,  dis.  October  5,  1863.  disab. 
Carr.  William,  m.  August  30.  1861,  m.  o.  September  31,  1864. 
Chrutherds,  George  W..  m.  August  30.  1861.  dis.  September  15.  1862,  disab. 
Clemens,  John,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  31,  1864. 
Coy,  James,  m.  August  30,  1861,  dis.  January  18,  1862,  disab. 
Dark,  Jonathan,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 
Davidson,  James,  m.  August  30,  1861,  dis.  March  25,  1863,  disab. 
Denny,  Samuel  M.,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  31,  1864. 
Dolens,  John,  m.  August  30,  1861,  died  at  Sharpsville.  Ind.,  March  16,  1862. 
East,  Albert,  m.  August  30,   1861,   died  at  Fayetteville,  Ark.,   December  9,  1863 

wounds  received  at  Prairie  Grove. 
Fletcher,  Mar.shall  W..  m.  August  3'»,  1861,  died  at  Tipton,  Mo.,  February  11,  1862. 
Freeman,  Joshua,  m.  August  30,  1861,  dis.  January  18,  1862,  disab. 
Freeman,  Nathan,  m.  August  30,  1861.  vet.,  m.  o.  January  15.  1866.  as  Sero-eant. 
Freeman,  Lindsaj',  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  31,  1864. 
Fred,  John  W..  m.  August  30,  1861.  died  at  Tipton.  Ind.,  October  35,  1861. 


70  HISTORY    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

Gintner,  George,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  31,  1864. 

Graham,  Eli,  m.  August  30,  1861,  died  at  Sharpsville,  Ind.,  February  8,  1862. 

Graham,  David  W.,  m.  August  30,  1861,  tr.  to  Battery  F,  First  Missouri  Artillery, 
January  31,  1864. 

Griffeth,  James  W.,  m.  August  30,  1861,  dis.  February  16.  1863,  disab. 

Gest,  Lewis  H.,  m.  August  30,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  January  15,  1866. 

Gest,  Isaiah,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Gunkle,  Justice,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Haas,  John,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Hackelman,  Jacob,  m.  August  30,  1861;  tr.  to  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade  February 
5,  1863. 

Hall,  Lafayette,  m.  August  30,  1861;  vet.,  m.  o.  January  15,  1866. 

Haskel,  James  F.,  m.  August  30,  1861;  died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  February  1,  1862. 

Hendrickson,  Daniel  S.,  m.  August  30,  1861;  dis.  September  13,  1862,  disab. 

Hyatt,  Silas  K,  m.  August  30,  1861;  died  in  prison  at  Tyler,  Texas,  Nov.  1,  1864. 

Hodson,  John  M.,  m.  August  30,  1861;  dis.  January  21,  1862,  disab. 

Hoffman,  Jacob,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Horton,  George,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Huflf,  Samuel,  m.  August  30,  1861 ;  tr.  to  Veteran  Corps,  August  3,  1863. 

Hutto,  Isaac  N.,  m.  August  30,  1861;  dis.  February  4,  1862,  disab. 

Hutto,  Eli,  m.  August  30,  1860;  died  at  New  Orleans,  October  14,  1863. 

Johnson,  James  P.,  m.  August  30,  1861;  vet.,  m.  o.  January  15,  1866,  as  Sergeant. 

Johnson,  Robert  M.,  m.  August  30,  1861;  vet.,  m.  o.  February  1,  1866,  as  Corporal. 

Jolly,  Thomas,  m.  August  30,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  January  15,  1866. 

Jones,  George  W.,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

League,  Thomas  J.,  m.  August  30,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  January  15,  1866,  as  First  Ser- 
geant. 

Lewis,  Joseph,  m.  August  30,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  January  15,  1866. 

Life,  Christian,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Longley,  Oscar,  m.  August  30,  1861;  vet.,  dis.  December  29,  1864,  disab. 

McFall,  Samuel,  m.  August  30,  1861,  vet.  m.  o. 

Mills,  Francis,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

McCowen,  David  C.  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Moon,  Joseph,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Moulder,  Jacob,  m.  August  30,  1861;  died  December  21,  1862,  wounds  received  at 
Prairie  Grove. 

Mozingo,  John  T.,  m.  August  30,  1861;  dis.  September  13,  1864,  disab. 

Newlin,  Daniel  H.,  m.  August  30,  1861;  died  at  Tipton,  Mo.,  November  26,  1861. 

Parker,  Adolphus,  m.  August  30,  1861;  dis.  January  21,  1862,  disab. 

Payne,  John  A.,  m.  August  30,  1861;  died  at  Otterville,  Mo..  February  2,  1862. 

Poflf,  Benjamin,  m.  August  30,  1861;  dis.  January  21,  1862,  disab. 

Potter,  Hiram  E.,  m.  August  30,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  January  15,  1866,  as  Corporal. 

Richardson,  Jonathan,  m.  August  30,  1861 ;  dis.  Januarj'^  6,  1864,  disab. 

Sanders,  Fred,  m.  August  30,  1861;  died  at  Jefferson  City,  Mo.,  December  14,  1861. 

Sholty,  Andrew,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Shook,  David  W.,  m.  August  30,  1861;  dis.  April  21,  1863,  disab. 

Smith,  Austin,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Smith,  Jeremiah,  m.  August  30,  1861;  died  at  New  Orleans,  July  25,  1864. 

Smiley,  Oliver  H.,  m.  August  30,  1861;  killed  at  Prairie  Grove  December  7,  1863. 

Spurlin,  James,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Stewart,  James,  m.  August  30,  1861;  died  December  23,  1862,  wounds  received  at 
Prairie  Grove. 

Stephenson,  Solomon,  ra.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Stout,  Jobe,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNT V.  71 

Umphres,  William  J.,  m.  August  30,  1861;  tr.  to  V.  R.  C.  January  15,  1864. 
Vaugh,  William  S.,  m.  August  30,  1861;  died  at  Port  Hudson  August  9,  1863. 
Welshous,  John  W..  m.  August  30,  1861;  killed  at  Prairie  Grove  December  7,  1862. 
Wilson,  Jordon  R.,  m.  August  30,  1861,  m.  o.  September  21,  1864. 

Recruits. 
Badger,  Robert,  m.  September  8,  1863;  died  at  Springfield,  Mo.,  March  18,  1863. 
Berry,  Richard  T.,  m.  September  8,  1863,  m.  o.  September  6,  1865. 
Burns,  James  T.,  m.  September  8,  1863;  died  at  New  York  Harbor,  April  17,  1865. 
Bradley,  George  W.,  m.  September  35,  1863;  died  at  Springfield,  Mo.,  March  3,  1864. 
Berreman,  A.  C,  m.  November  3,  1864,  m.  o.  October  31,  1865. 
Cooper,  Norman,  in.  August  39,  1863;  killed  at  Prairie  Grove  December  7,  1862. 
Corn,  John,  m.  October  34,  1864,  m.  o.  October  33,  1865. 
Carr,  Henry,  m.  November  4,  1864,  m.  o.  October  31,  1865. 

Davis,  Martin,  m.  September  8,  1863;  died  at  Brownsville,  Texas,  February  13,  1864. 
Decker,  Amos  C,  m.  September  8,  1862;  dis.  February  6,  1863,  disab. 
Downhour,  Levi,  m.  September  8,  1863,  m.  o.  September  6,  1865. 
Graham,  John  W.,  m.  November  4,  1864,  m.  o.  November  3,  1865. 
Hughes,  William,  m.  October  1,  1864,  m.  o.  September  6,  1865. 
Horton,  Jeremiah,  m.  August  30,  1861;  dis.  April  23,  1865,  disab. 
Hutto,  John  W.,  m.  September  8,  1833;  died  at  Port  Hudson  August  5,  1863. 
Hoffman,  William,  m.  October  1,  1864,  m.  o.  September  6,  1865. 
Hoffman,  Lewis,  m.  October  1,  1864,  m.  o.  September  6,  1865. 
John,  Daniels,  m.  September  8,  1882,  m.  o.  September  6,  1865. 
Lee,  William  P.,  m.  October  8,  1864,  m.  o.  October  17,  1865. 
Leonard,  Alfred  J.,  m.  September  8,  1863;  died  Februar}'  27,  1863,  wounds  received 

at  Prairie  Grove. 
Law,  John  M.,  m.  November  15,  1864,  m.  o.  September  2,  1865. 
McGinnis,  Jasper  N.,  m.  February  22,  1863,  vet.,  m.  o.  August  14,  1865. 
Marshall,  William,  m.  March  11,  ^863;  dis.  October  15,  1863,  disab. 
McCarty,  William  H.,  m.  September  8,  1863;  discharged. 
Purvis,  Luther,  m.  October  18,  1864,  m.  o.  October  17,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
Snyder,  William  F.,  m.  March  11,  1863;  died  at  Springfield,  Mo.,  October  7,  1863. 
Smiley,  Jesse,  m.  December  2,  1861;  died  at  Flat  Creek,  Mo.,  February  1,  1863. 
Spurlin,  Solomon,  m.  September  8,  1862,  m.  o.  September  6,  1865. 
Swartz,  Peter,  ni.  September  8,  1862.  m.  o.  September  6,  1865. 
Smith,  Allen  B.,  m.  April  13,  1863;  died  at  home  December  4,  1864. 
Tingle,  Robert  S.,  m.  November  3,  1864;  died  at  Macon,  Miss.,  October  33,  1865. 

THIRTY-NINTH   REGIMENT — COMPANY   G. 

Capt.  John  Stevenson,  m.  August  39,  1861;  resigned  January  31,  1863. 

Capt.  John  Leavell,  m.  February  1,  1863;  pro.  Major. 

First  Lieut.  Samuel  G.  Decker,  m.  August  39,  1861;  resigned  April  25,  1862. 

First  Lieut.  John  LeavelU  ni.  May  10,  1862;  pro.  Captain. 

Second  Lieut.  Wesley  S.  King.  m.  August  29,  1861 ;  resigned  January  9,  1863,  dis. 

February  16,  1863. 
Second  Lieut.  John  Leavell.  m.  February  5,  1863;  pro.  First  Lieutenant. 
Second  Lieut.  William  T.  Godard,  m.  May  4,  1865,  ra.  o.  with  regiment. 
Second  Lieut.  Lawson  H.  Albert,  m.  Maj^  34,  1863;  dismissed  Jauuarj^  33,  1863. 
First  Sergt.  Benjamin  F.  Legg,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  June  3,  1863,  disab. 
Sergt.  Lawson  H.  Albert,  m.  August  39,  1861;  pro.  Second  Lieutenant  and  dism  issed 
Sergt.  Frederic  C.  Stephenson,  m.  August  29,  1861,  m.  o.  September  22,  1864. 
Sergt.  William  T.  Godard,  m.  August  29,  1861;  vet.,  pro.  Second  Lieutenant. 
Sergt.  John  Leavell,  m.  August  29,  1861;  pro.  Second  Lieutenant. 


72  mSTOllY    OF    TIPTON    COUNTY. 

Corp.  Samuel  H.  Howard,  in.  August  29.  ISfil;  vet.,  pro.  Second  Lieutenant. 

Corp.  Amo.s  Van  Buskirk,  ni.  August  2i),  18()1;  dis.  April  6,  1863,  disab. 

Corp.  James  Mitchell,  m.  Augu.st  29,  1861;  dis.  May  6,  1863,  disab. 

Corp.  Levi  Prichard,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  April  4,  1861},  disab.    . 

Corp.  George  L  Hanshew,  m.  August2il,  1861;  vet.,  dis.  June  27,  1865,  as  Sergeant; 
wounds. 

Corp.  Aaron  Steelmau,  m.  August  29,  1861;  trans,  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  March 
10,  1864. 

Corp.  Marion  Pumphrey,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  ra.  o.  July  20,  1865,  as  First  Ser- 
geant. 

Musician  Titus  Hinson,  m.  August  29,  1851;  dis.,  wounds. 

Musician  Charles  H.  Collin,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  March  7,  1862. 

Wagoner  Archibald  Richards,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  December  7,  1861. 

Privates. 
Anstell,  Astory,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 
Ayers,  Harlis,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  September  6,  1862,  disab. 
Ayers,  William,  m.  August  29,  1861 ;  dis.  March  6,  1862,  disab. 
Brown,  Benjamin  W.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  July  7,  1862,  disab. 
Berkling,  Chris,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 
Barger,  George  W.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  January  14,  1863,  of  wounds. 
Bozell,  John  E.,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  20.  1865,  Sergeant. 
Braham,  James,  m.  August  29,  1861;  vet.,  dis.  June  15,  1864,  wounds. 
Bailey,  Joseph,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  March  29,  1862. 
Barker,  John  W.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  January  12,  1863,  wounds. 
Bolden,  McKinsey,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  February  14,  1862,  disab. 
Bailey,  Nathan,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  April  26,  1862,  disab. 
Boak,  Robert  M.,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  20.  1865,  as  Corporal.- 
Bolden,  Samuel,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 
Bailey,  William,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  July  18,  1863,  disab. 
Barker,  William,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  December  11,  1862,  disab. 
Bickle,  William,  m.  August  29,  1861 ;  dis.  February  27,  1863,  disab. 
Bruce,  John  W.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  vet.,  dis.  May  25,  1865,  as  Sergeant,  wounds. 
Clouser,  Daniel,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  Jidy  20,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
Coleman,  David  H.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  August  4,  1863,  disab. 
Chryst,  Gideon,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  January  11,  1862,  disab. 
Colvin,  Lewis,  m.  August  29.  1861;  deserted  October  1,  1862. 
Clouser,  Solomon,  m.  August  29,  1861,  m.  o.  September  22,  1864. 
Colvin,  William,  m.  August  29,  1861;  deserted  October  1,  1863. 
Cooper,  Nelson,  m.  August  29,  1861;  vet.,  died  April  6,  1865,  wounds. 
Dunebarger,  George,  m.  August  29,  1861;  vet.,  captured  September  7,  1864,  and  m. 

o.  August  10,  1865. 
Deen,  Newton,  m.  Augiist  29,  1861;  dis.  July  20,  1863,  disab. 
Etchison,  Dodridge,  m.  August  29,  1861,  yet.,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865". 
Farley,  John  H.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  deserted  October  1,  1862. 
Gentry,  John  B.,  m.  August  29.  1861;  died  February  22,  1863. 
Gillon,  Jasper  N.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  December  18,  1863,  disab. 
Hunt,  Arnestrus,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  December  18,  1863,  disab. 
Harloff,  George  W.,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 
Hutchison,  John  I.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  September  11,  1862. 
Hall,  Jo.seph  S.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  April  14,  1862. 
Hunt,  William,  m.  August  29,  1861 ;  died  January  27,  1862. 
Hower,  John  W.,  August  29.  1861;  died  November  15,  1862. 
Howard,  William  H.,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  73 

Junis,  William,  m.  August  29,  1861 ;  died  January  1,  18(>'2. 

Jackson,  Francis  M.,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865,  as  Corporal. 

Jack,  Rees,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  26,  1865. 

Kinder,  Benjamin,  m.  August  29,  1861,  ni.  o.  September  22,  1864. 

Kinsell,  George  B.,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

Kinsell,  Samuel  M.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  July  2,  1862,  disab. 

Linderman,  Barney,  Sr.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  March  28,  1862,  disab. 

Lmderman,  Barney,  Jr..  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

Laden,  Darius,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  June  18,  1862,  disab. 

Linderman,  John,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

Leavell,  Robert  H.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  May  21,  1862,  disab. 

Little,  William  H.,  m.  August  29,  1861,  m.  o.  September  22.  1864. 

McFall,  Andrew  B.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  March  13,  1862. 

McCan,  Elisha,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  December  23,  1861. 

McPherson,  John  W.,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet ,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

Mooney,  Robert,  m.  August  29,  1861,  m.  o.  September  22,  1864,  Sergeant. 

O'Brien,  Thomas,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

Pierce,  Henry,  m.  August  29,  1861;  killed  at  Stone  River  December  31,  1862. 

Parish,  James,  m.  August  29,  1861,  m.  o.  September  7,  1865. 

Pullum,  Robert  A.  S.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  January  5,  1862. 

Rupell,  Abram,  m.  August  29,  1861,  m.  o.  September  22,  1864. 

Ridge,  Ransom  D.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  October  17.  1861,  disab. 

Repler,  Samuel,  m.  August  29,  1861,  m.  o.  September  22,  1864. 

Sample,  Elan  A.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  November  29,  1862,  disability. 

Sowers,  Henry,  m.  August  29,  1861;  killed  at  Stone  River  December  31,  1862. 

Swearinger,  John  I.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  April  14,  1862. 

Symons,  John  Q.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  not  stated. 

Shewwalter,  Samuel  H.,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865,  Sergeant. 

Stewart,  Samuel  H.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  December  29,  1861. 

Saunders,  William,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  Jul}^  20,  1865. 

Steelman,  William  P.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died,  date  not  given. 

Stewart.  Barton  H.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  dis.  July  21,  1862,  disab. 

Turner,  Ephraim,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  January  2,  1882. 

Tucker,  Hugh,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  February  23,  1863,  wounds. 

Weaver,  Johri  E.,  m.  August  29,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  20.  1865,  Corporal. 

Webb,  Jesse,  m.  August  29,  1861;  vet.,  dis.  June  9,  1865,  wounds. 

Webb,  James  W.,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  December  12,  1861. 

Vincent,  David,  m.  August  29,  1861:  deserted  October  1.  1862. 

Weaver,  John,  m.  August  29,  1861;  died  November  3,  1861. 

Recniits. 
Casell,  Samuel,  m.  September  12,  1863,  m.  o.  June  15,  1865. 
demons,  George  W.,  m.  February  25,  1862;  vet.,  trans,  to  Engineer  Corps  August 

1,  1864. 
Gants,  William  T.,  m.  March  17,  1863;  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 
Grindstaff,  Nicholas,  m.  May  4,  1864;  m.  o.  June  25,  1865. 
Hanshew,  James  R.,  m.  March  17,  1863:  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 
Hoopsey,  Emanuel,  m.  September  10,  1863;  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 
Hunt,  Joshua,  m.  September  12,  1863;  m.  o.  Jul}'-  20,  1865. 
Hefflin,  Henry,  m.  September  22,  1862:  died  February  4,  1865. 
Ishmael,  Benjamin,  m.  September  18,   1863;  died  April  21,  1864. 
Jack,  George  W.,  m.  October  28,  1864;  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 
Leavell,  Robert  H.,  m.  October  19,  1864,  m.  o.  July  20,  -1865. 
McClese,  John,  m.  August  22,  1863;  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 


i 


74  HISTORY    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

McClese,  Joseph,    m.  January  29,  1864;  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

McVey,  Henry,  m.  October  5,  1864;  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

Nixon,  Charles  H.,  m.  October  8,  1864;    m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

O'Tool,  Clement  J.,  m.  October  28,  1864;  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

Resler,  William,  m.  August  18,  1863;  captured,  died  at  Florence,  S.  C,  February 

15,    1865. 
Ross,  Mathew  L.,  m.  April  21,  1864;  killed  at  Rockingham  March  7,  1865. 
Smalley,  Joseph  H.,  ni.  March  17,  1863,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
Sawyer,  Thomas,  m.  October  31,  1864;  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

Tucker,  Francis  M.,  m.  September  24,  1863;  died  April  24,  1864.  '  ^ 

Whitesell,  Jerome,  m.  September  6,  1863;  m.  o.  July  20,  1865.  ( 

Worden,  John  A.,  m.  August  30.  1862;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865,  from  Third  Cavalry.  { 

COMPANY  L. 

Bellinger,  Enoch  C,  m.  December  14,  1863;  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

Daggett,  George  R.,  m.  Dec.  11,  1863;  killed  at  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  September  27,  1864. 

Linderman,  Barney,  m.  December  H,  1863;  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

Miller,  William,  m.  December  14.  1863;  m.  o.  August  1,  1865. 

POURTIETH  REGIMENT — COMPANY  B— (Drafted). 

Denser,  Nicholas,  m.  October  4,  1864;  m.  o.  June  15,  1865. 

Glenn,  Isaac  R.,  m.  November  2,  1864;  m.  o.  November  2,  1865. 

Halley,  Henry,  m.  November  2,  1864;  m.  o.  November  2,  1865. 

Irby,  Simon,  m.  November  2,  1864;  ra.  o.  November  2,  1865. 

Law,  Joel,  m.  November  2,  1864;  died  Januarj^  23,  1865. 

Lockridge,  Henry,  m.  November  4,  1864;  m.  o.  November  2,  1865. 

Newman,  John,  m.  October  4,  1864;  m.  o.  June  15.  1865. 

Smith,  John,  m.  October  13,  1864;  m.  o.  June  15,  1865. 

Spiles,  John,  m.  October  13,  1864;  m.  o.  June  15,  1865. 

Scales,  Samuel,  m.  October  4,  1864;  died  at  Louisville  February  18,  1865. 

Stillwell,  Samuel,  m.  October  2,  1864;  m.  o.  May  26,  1865. 

Shackelford,  Jacob  F.,  m.  October  2,  1864;  m.  o.  June  8.  1865. 

Thomas,  Albert,  m.  October  2,  1864;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Therwinger,  Frederick,  m.  October  6,  1864;  m.  o.  June  15,  1865. 

FORTY-SECOND  REGIMENT — COMPANY  B.    (Transferred  from  Seventy-fifth  Regiment.) 

Bouse,  Isaac  N.,  m.  January  15,  1864;  m.  o.  July  21,  1865. 

Bowlin,  John  B.,  m.  December  14,  1863;  m.  o.  July  21,  1865. 

Burnham,  William,  m.  January  25,  1864;  m.  o.  July  21,  1865. 

Evans,  Samuel  J.,  m.  January  15,  1864;  m.  o.  July  21,  1865. 

Gardner,  Eli,  m.  March  25,  1864;  m.  o.  July  21,  1865. 

Hancock,  Harrison,  m.  January  1,  1864;  m.  o.  July  21,  1865. 

Jones,  William  E.,  m.  January  1,  1864;  captured  at  Louisville,   Ga.,  November  17, 

1864. 
Kinder,  Joseph,  m.  March  25,  1864;  m.  o.  July  21,  1865. 
Little,  Joseph,  m.  December  14,  1863;  m.  o.  July  21.  1865. 
Mills,  Calel),  m.  November  2,  1864;  m.  o.  July  14,  1865;  drafted. 
Porter,  James,  m.  November  2,  1864;  m.  o.  July  21,  1865. 
Stephens,  Isaac  W.,  m.  January  20,  1864;  m.  o.  July  21,  1865. 
Scott,  Ellis  H.,  ra.  January  1,  1864;  m.  o.  July  21,  1865. 
Wilson,  Woodro  W.,  m.  January  15,  1864;  m.  o.  July  21,  1865. 

FORTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT — COMPANY   A. 

Adjt.  Marion  P.  Evau.s,  m.  November  21),  1861;  resigned  September  4,  1862;  died  at 

home  September  12,  1862. 
Capt.  Nichola  Vanhorn,  m.  November  2,  1861;  resigned  April  12,  1862. 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  75 

COMPANY   I. 

Musician  Henry  L.  Bert,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865,  as 
principal  musician. 

COMPANY  K. 

Capt.  Ellison  C.  Hill,  m.  October  10,  1861;  resigned  February  27,  1863;  dismissed 
March  1,  1863. 

Capt.  Isaac  M.  Rumsey,  m.  March  12,  1863;  died  on  board  the  steamer  Sunshine, 
near  Columbus,  Ky.,  June  27,  1863. 

Capt.  Thomas  Paul,  m.  March  1,  1865;  m.  o.  as  First  Lieutenant  October  23,  1865. 

First  Lieut.  William  H.  Hay  ford,  m.  December  13,  1861 ;  honorably  discharged 
April  21,  1864. 

First  Lieut.  Thomas  Paul,  m.  February  1,  1865;  promoted  Captain. 

First  Lieut.  James  Evans,  m.  March  1,  1865;  m.  o.  as  First  Sergeant  October  23, 
1865. 

Second  Lieut.  Joseph  A.  McKinsey,  m.  October  10,  1861;  resigned  May  10,  1862. 

Second  Lieut.  Thomas  Paul,  m.  Ma}'  13,  1862;  promoted  First  Lieutenant. 

Second  Lieut.  Peter  Carey,  m.  July  1,  1865;  m.  o.  as  Sergeant  October  23,  1865. 

First  Sergt.  Paul  Thomas,  m.  December  13,  1861;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant. 

Sergt.  James  Hamilton,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  June  11, 1862,  disability. 

Sergt.  Adam  M.  Weed,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  September  2,  1862,  disability. 

Sergt.  William  Pearce,    m.  December  13,  1861;  trans,  to  I.  C.  January,  1862. 

Sergt.  Peter  M.  Gates,  m.  December   13,  1861;  trans,  to  I.  C.  November,  1863. 

Corp.  Andrew  Jackson,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Helena,  Ark.,  September 
20,  1862. 

Corp.  Samuel  J.  Kindley,  m.  December  13,  1861 ;  deserted  August  18,  1862. 

Corp.  James  W.  Evans,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865,  as 
First  Sergeant. 

Corp.  James  G.  Brown,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Benton,  Mo.,  March  12,  1862. 

€orp.  James  T.  Campbell,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  near  Columbus,  Ky.,  Octo- 
ber 1,  1862. 

Corp.  James  O.  Fuller,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865, 
Sergeant. 

Corp.  James  M.  Weed,  m.    December  13,   1861;  trans,  to  I.  C.  November  11,  1863. 

Corp.  Jeremiah  Overman,  m.  December  13.  1861;  died  of  wounds  received  at  Cham- 
pion Hills  May  16,  1863. 

Musician  Charles  B.  Paul,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865,  as 
principal  musician. 

Musician  John  S.  Parker,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Tiptonville  May  27,  1863. 

Wagoner  Henry  C.  Burton,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 

Privates. 
Angstadt,  Henry  C,  m.  December  13,  1861;  trans,  to  I.  C,  September  18,  1863. 
Angstadt,  John  A.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Ashpaugh,  Sanford,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Helena,  Ark.,  March  12,  1863. 
Barger,  Joseph,  m.  December  13,  1861;  deserted  October  16,  1862. 
Basey,  Solomon  T.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Basey,  William  J.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  August  15,  1862;  disability. 
Bishop,  Jacob,  m.  December  13,  1861 ;  m.  o.  December  12,  1864. 
Brady,  John  ^N.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  killed  at  Champion  Hills  May  13,  1863. 
Bunch,  Harden,  m.  December  13,  1861;  trans,  to  I.  C.  September  26,  1863. 
Bunch,  Nazareth  J.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  killed  at  Champion  Hills  May  16,  1863. 
Calvert,  John  W.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Campbell,  Thomas  M.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  killed  at  Port  Gibson,  May,  1,  1863. 
Carey,  Peter,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 


76  HISTORY   OF   TIPi'ON    COUNTY. 

Cloud,  Thomas  H.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Cairo,  October  8,  1862. 

Cogswell,  John  P.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  June  24,  1862;  disability. 

Conkling,  Joseph,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  Jan.  14,  1863;  disability. 

Daniels,  Jacob,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  October  14,  1863;  disability. 

Deal,  George,  m.  December  13,  1861;  m.  o.  December  12,  1864. 

Debard,  William  F.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  July  10,  1862;  disability. 

Downbour,  Samuel,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 

Dunn,  Levi,  Jr.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Grand  Gulf,  Miss.,  May  6,  1863. 

Emehiser,  Kenyou,  m.  December  13,  1861;  m.  o.  December  12,  1864. 

Eudaily,  Daniel,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 

Evans,  Cyrenus  D.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  March  19,  1833;  disability. 

Foster,  Andrew  F.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865;  died  a 

Pueblo,  Colo.,  of  wound  received  in  service. 
Foster,  Silas  F.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Louisville  February  21,  1862. 
Frazier,  James  A.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  May  18,  1862;  disability. 
Hail,  Ross,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  New  Orleans  January  25,  1864. 
Hall,  Hiram  B.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Tipton,  Ind.,  December  19,  1863. 
Hackelman,  Pleasant  A.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865,  as 

Corporal. 
Harbst,  Frederick,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  dis.  December  6, 1864;  disability. 
Hasket,  Newby  M.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  August  15,  1862. 
Hopkins,  James,  m.  December  13,  1861;  m.  o.  July  18,  1865. 
Henderson,  Samuel,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  St.  Louis  January  5,  1863. 
Hillegoss,  Robert  O.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  deserted  August  18.  1862. 
Innis,  Joseph  A.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  St.  Louis,  October  14,  1862. 
Innis,  Jarvis  A.,  m.  December  13,  1861,  died  at  Tipton,  Ind.,  May  24,  1863. 
Jackson,  Presley,  E.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  m.  o.  December  12,  1864,  as  Corporal. 
Jennings,  William  H.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865,  as 

Sergeant. 
Judd,  William,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
Kennear,  William  W.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  June  5,  1862;  disability. 
Knight,  Reuben,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Lane,  Doctrine  C,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Bardstown,  Ky.,  January  20,  1862. 
Law,  James  H.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  August  14,  1862;  disability. 
Law,  Francis  M.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Lemon,  Joseph  B.,  m.  December  13,  1861,  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Lister,  Harrison,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  February  11,  1863;  disability. 
Lewis,  Eli,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Nelson's  Furnace,  Ky.,  February  8,  1862. 
Martin,  Joseph,  m.  December  13,  1861;  m.  o.  December  12,  1864. 
McMurtrie,  Harvey  L.,  m.  December  12,  1861;  died  at  Tipton,  Ind.,  October  18,  1862. 
McNeal,  George,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Tipton,  Ind.,  September  15,  1862. 
Mitchell,  James  T.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  m.  o.  December  15,  1864. 
Minick,  William,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Grand  Gulf,  Miss.,  May  20,  1863. 
Montgomery,  John  P.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  June  28,  1862;  disability. 
Moatz,  John  H.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Benton,  Mo.,  March  16,  1868. 
Osburu,  Calvin,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Parker,  John  S.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Tiptonville,  Tenn. 
Parker,  Christopher  C,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865,  a.s 

Corporal. 
Pea,  Martin,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Tipton,  Ind.,  November  18,  1863. 
Philips,  Christopher,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  March  1,  1863. 
Phares,  Solomon  D.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Reed,  Norris,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  deserted  March  22,  1864. 
Redman,  Hiram,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  August  25,  1862;  disability. 


HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY.  77 

Riley,  Joseph,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Bardstown,  Ky.,  January  3,  1863. 

Robinson,  David  P.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Memphis  July  18,  1863. 

Smith.  Larken,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  December  2,  1863;  disability. 

Stewart,  John  T.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  May  17,  1863,  of  wounds. 

Stone,  Solomon,  m.  December  13,  1861;  killed  at  Champion  Hills  May  16,  1863. 

Summers,  Lewis  J.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Tipton,  Ind.,  August  13,  1863. 

Turner,  George  W.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  vet.;  m.  o.  October  23,  I860. 

Tucker,  March,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  November  6,  1863;  wounds. 

Tucker,  Charles  O.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  June  24,  1863. 

Van  Buskirk,  Joseph,  Jr.,  m.  December  13,  1861;  died  at  Tipton,  Ind.,  April  36,  1863. 

Warford,  John,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  m.  0.  October  33,  1865. 

Wolford,  Solomon,  m.  December  13,  1861;  veteran;  dis.  March  18,  1863. 

Wolford,  Valentine,  m.  December  13,  1861;  killed  at  Champion  Hills  May  16,  1863. 

Wannell,  William,  m.  December  13,  1861;  promoted  Capt.  United  States  Colored 

Infantry. 
Wolf,  George,  m.  December  13,  1861;  dis.  August  1,  1863. 
Warley,  George,  m.  December  13,  18(31;  died  at  Tiptoaville,  Tenn.,  April  33,  1863. 

Recruits. 
Bookman,  Eward  F.,  m.  February  37,  1863;  dis.  April  87;  disability. 
Jackson,  Adam,  m.  February  17,  1862;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  September  16,  1863. 
Smith,  John  W.,  m.  January  24,  1862;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Scott,  John  A.,  m.  February  26,  1862;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Scott,  Uriah  S.,  m.  March  7,  1863;  m.  o.  October  33,  1865. 
Thomas,  Jesse  B.,  m.  February  17,  1863;  dis.  June  10,  1862;  disability. 
Thomas,  James  P.,  m.  February  17,  1863;  dis.  August  14,  1863;  disability. 
Wilson,  John  A.,  m.  February  17,  1863;  veteran;  m.  0.  October  33,  1865. 
Basey,  Jones  L.,  m.  February  26,  1864;  m.  0.  October  23,  1865. 
Basey,  Martin  V.  B.,  m.  February  25,  1864;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Campbell,  Nathaniel  A.,  m.  February  26.  1864;  m.  o.  October  33.  1865. 
Carrol,  Robert,  m.  February  36,  1864;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Carrol,  James,  m.  February  26,  1834;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Cope,  Edmond,  vu.  February  26,  1864;  m.  o.  October  33,  1865. 
Filer,  John  W.,  m.  March  31,  1864;  m.  o.  June  5,  1865. 
Goodykoontz,  John,  m.  March  1,  1864;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Horton,  William,  m.  March  2,  1864;  m.  o.  October  33,  1885. 
Keen,  Charles,  m.  March  2,  1864;  m.  o.  June  38.  1865. 
Lane,  Joseph,  m.  February  26,  1864,  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Lester,  Philip,  m.  February  36,  1864;  died  at  Tipton,  Ind.,  October  6,  1864. 
Mayer,  William  B.,  m.  March  35,  1864;  m.  o.  October  33,  1865. 
McNeal,  David,  m.  March  17,  1864;  died  at  Shreveport,  La.,  July  13,  1864. 
Paul,  Samuel,  m.  March  17,  1864;  died  at  home,  April  19,  1864. 
Sumner,  Absalom,  m.  March  1,  1863;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Sanders,  Richard  M.,  m.  March  2,  1865;  m.  0.  October  33,  1865. 
Tharp,  William  H.  H.,  m.  March  1,  1864;  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  April  25,  1864. 
Van  Buskirk,  Daniel  F.,  m.  February  31,  1863;  veteran;  m.  o.  October  23,  1865. 
Tucker,  Elias  W.,  m.  March  17,  1864;  m  o.  August  5,  1865. 

FIFTY-FIRST  REGIMENT — COMPAKY   C. 

Snow,  Alfred,  m.  October  31,  1864;  m.  o.  October  19,  1865. 

COMPANY  D. 

Wagoner  Wilson  Rittenhouse,  m.  December  14,  1861;  died  at  Murfreesboro  March 
26,  1863. 


78  HISTORY    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

Privates. 
Rittenhouse,  John,  Sr.,  m.  December  14,  1861;  dis. 

Rittenhouse,  John,  Jr.,  ni.  December  14,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  December  13,  1865. 
Rittenhouse,  Nathaniel,  m.  December  14,  1861;  dis.  June  28,  1862. 
Rittenhouse,  Daniel,  m.  December  14,  1861 ;  dis.  July  24,  1863. 
Vanvalcanburg.  John  H.,  m.  December  14,  1861;  dis.  June  25,  1862. 

COMPANY  I. 

Corp.  William  R.  Barlow,  m.  December  8,  1861,  dis.  October  25,  1862. 

Privates. 
Barrow,  Samuel,  m.  December  8,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  December  13,  1865. 
Boring,  George  W.,  m.  December  8,  1861;  died  March  12,  1862. 
Carpenter,  Richard,  m.  Decembers,  1861;  veteran;  m.  o.  December  13,  1865. 
Fair,  "William  H.,  m.  December  8,  1861;  dis.  December  10,  1862,  by  order. 
McCurdy,  Ezekiel,  m.  December  8,  1861;  died  at  Indianapolis  December  18,  1861. 
Mount,  Charles  F.,  m.  December  8,  1861;  dis.  March  — ,  1863. 
Philips,  John  W.,  m.  December  8,  1861;  m.  o.  December  14,  1865. 
Philpot,  Martin,  m.  December  8,  1861;  died  January  18,  1862. 
Riley,  Nathan;  December  8,  1861;  trans,  to  I.  C. ;  wounds;  November  1,  1863. 
Rumrill,  John  W.,  m.  December  8,  1861;  deserted  April  1,  1863. 
Roach,  Andrew,  m.  December  8,  1861;  died  February  22,  1863;  wounded  at  Stone 

River. 
Roach,  Ira,  m.  December  8,  1861;  veteran;  deserted  April  3,  1864. 
Boring,  Isaac,  m.  April  9,  1864;  m.  o.  December  13,  1865. 

FIFTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT — COMPANY  G. 

Barr,  Liberty,  m.  November  18,  1861;  dis.  January  12,  1862;  disability. 
Coats,  James,  m.  November  18,  1861 ;  m.  o.  February  4,  1865. 

Hedgecock,  Shubal  H.,  m.  November  18,  1861;  trans,  to  Company  H  March  7,  1862. 
Lee,  Stephen,  m.  November  18,  1861;  dis.  February  25,  1863;  disability. 
Phipher,  Joseph,  m.  November  18,  1861;  dis.  January  2,  1863;  disability. 
Pullara,  William,  m.  November  18,  1861;  dis.  July  10,  1862. 

Smith,  William,  m.  November  18,  1861;  died  at  Bardstown,  Ky.,  February  3,  1862. 
Smith,  John  N.,  m.  November  18,  1861;  dis.  January  2,  1863;  disability. 
Stewart,  David,  m.  November  18,  1861;  trans,  to  Company  H. 

Small,  George  W.,  m.  November  8,  1861;  veteran;  died  at  JefEersonville  January 
26,  1865. 

COMPANY   H. 

First  Surgeon  Charles  Disbrow,  m.  December  18,  1861;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant; 

resigned  February  21,  1863;  is  now  Presiding  Elder  for  this  district,  Methodist 

Episcopal  Church. 
Wagoner  Robert  Trimble,  m.  December  18,  1861;  dis.  May  9,  1862;  disability. 

Privates. 
Henderson,  Joseph,  m.  December  18,  1861;  veteran;   dis.  December  6,  1864,  lost  an 

arm. 
Heshman,  John,  m.  December  18,  1861;  dis.  May  12,  1863;  disability. 
Nelson,  John,  m.  December  18,  1861;  dis.  disability. 
Perry,  John  M.,  m.  December  18,  1861;  dis.  disability. 
Rector,  John  B.,  m.  December  18,  1861;  dis.  April  9,  1863;  disability. 
Stepp,  Jesse,  m.  December  18,  1861;  died  January  17,  1862. 
Bishop,  James  F.,  m.  August  12,  1862;  dis.  June  16,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
Hoback,  Joel  H.,  m.  September  10,  1862;  promoted  First  Lieutenant  and  Captain. 
Goodykoontz,  Daniel,  m.  July  29,  1864;  not  reported. 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  79 

FIFTY-EIGHTH   REGIMENT— COMPANY  C. 

Ashpaugh,  Amos,  m.  January  7,  1864;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865,  as  Corporal. 

Brickie,  John,  m.  March  28,  1864;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Baylerys,  Tilman  H.,  m.  January  26,  1864;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

easier,  James  H.,  m.  December  3,  1863;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Fouch,  William  B.,  m.  January  26,  1864;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Gordon,  William,  m.  December  22,  1863;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Hunter,  William,  m.  December  22,  1863;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Ishmael,  Thomas,  m.  December  14,  1863;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Lane,  Aaron,  m.  February  27,  1864;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Miners,  James  G.,  m.  March  28,  1864;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Redmond,  Marion,  m.  December  14,  1863;  m  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Redmond,  George,  m.  January  6,  1864;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Ross,  Joshua,  m.  November  3,  1864;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Sparks,  James  A.,  m.  December  14,  1863;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865.  ♦ 

Smith,  William  W.,  m.  January  6,  1864;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Stoun,  William  F.,  m.  January  6,  1864;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Shuppert,  Michael,  m.  January  6,  1864;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Sutton,  William  C,  m.  February  24,  1864;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Stroup,  Jacob,  m.  February  15,  1865;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Turner,  Francis  M.,  m.   September  22,  1864;   died  at  Savannah,  Ga.,  February  6, 

1865. 
Tyner,  David,  m.  August  26,  1862;  m.  o.  June  5,  1865. 
Wright,  William,  m.  September  9,  1862;  dis.  March  5,  1863;  disability. 
Whicker,  James  F.,  m   January  20,  1864;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 
Wilson,  Robert,  m.  September  22,  1862;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 
Woods,  James  M.,  m.  February  24,  1864;  m.  n.  July  25.  1865. 

FIFTY-NINTH   REGIMENT. 

Haas,  John,  m.  January  31,  1865;  m.  o.  July  17,  1865. 

SEVENTY-FIFTH  REGIMENT. 

Assistant  Surgeon  James  B.  White,  m.  August  4,  1862;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

COMPANY  B. 

Capt.  Isaac  H.  Montgomery,  m.  July  26,  1862;  resigned  May  12,  1864;  disability. 

Capt.  Thomas  A.  Ellis,  m.  April  8,  1864;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

First  Lieut.  George  L.  Shaw,  m.  July  26,  1862;  resigned  December  1,  1862;  disabil- 
ity- 
First  Lieut.  NoahW.  Parker,  m.  December  2,  1862;  resigned  February  12,  1863;  dis- 
ability. 

First  Lieut.  Thomas  A.  Ellis,  m.  February  3,  1863;  promoted  Captain. 

First  Lieut.  Wesley  Gates,  m.  May  13,  1864;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Second  Lieut.  Noah  W.  Parker,  m.  July  26,  1862;  promoted  First  Lieutenant. 

Second  Lieut.  Thomas  A.  Ellis,  m.  December  2,  1862;  promoted  First  Lieutenant. 

Second  Lieut.  Jefferson  H.  Montgomery,  m.  February  13,  1863;  resigned  May  30, 
1863;  disability. 

Second  Lieut.  Wesley  Gates,  m.  May  31,  1863;  promoted  First  Lieutenant. 

Second  Lieut.  John  N.  Cooper,  m.  May  1.  1865;  m.  o.  as  First  Sergeant  June  8, 1865. 

First  Sergt.  Wesley  Gates,  m.  July  17,  1862;  promoted  First  Lieutenant. 

Sergt.  Jefferson  H.  Montgomery,  m.  July  17,  1862;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant. 

Sergt.  Wesley  King,  m.  July  17,  1862;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Sergt.  Francis  Coy,  m.  July  17,  1862;  died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  December  17,  1862. 

Corp.  William  A.  Bouse,  m.  July  17,  1862;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 


80  HISTORY    OF    TITTON    COUNTY. 

Corp.  D.  C.  Evans,  m.  July  17,  1862;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
Corp.  William  Simmons,  m.  July  17,  1862;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 
Corp.  John  Wagoman.  m.  July  17,  1863;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 
Corp.  James  A.  Frazier,  m.  July  17,  1862;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Corp.  Justice  Nelson,  m.  July  17, 1862;  pro.  First  Lieutenant,  Company  E,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Fifty-fifth  Regiment;  killed  on  the  way  home  August  7,  1865. 
Corp.  Alpheus  N.  Rood,  m.  July  17,  1862,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
Corp.  Benjamin  J.  Allen,  m.  July  17,  1862;  dis.  February  18,  1863,  disab. 
Wagoner  Edmond  Cope,  m.  July  17,  1862;  never  joined  the  company. 

Privates. 

Axtell,  William  G.,  m.  July  28,  1862;  died,  never  mustered  in. 

Barnet,  James,  m.  July  28.  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Barnet,  William  J.,  m.  July  28,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865,  Corporal. 

Ballenger,  George  J.,  m.  July  28,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Batterton,  James  W.,  m.  July  28,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865,  Corporal. 

Baldwin,  Charles  L.,  m.  July  23,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Ballard,  James  P.,  m.  July  17,  1862;  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tcnn.,  May  1,  1863. 

Bowlin,  Christopher  C,  m.  July  17,  1862;  dis.  January  15,  1864;  wounded  at  Chick- 

amauga. 
Boyer,  John,  m.  July  28,  1862;  died  at  Nashville  February  23,  1864. 
Bright,  William  B.,  m.  July  29,  1862;  trans.  V.  R.  C.  January  4,  1864. 
Burris,  Thomas  F.,  m.  July  17,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 
Burris,  James  E.,  m.  July  28,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 
Burnham,  William,  m.  July  17,  1862;  dis.  May  3,  1863. 
Campbell,  James  M.,  m.  July  23,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 
Coy,  James,  m.  July  17,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Cook,  William  I.,  m.  July  17,  1862;  trans,  to  Engineer  Corps  August,  1864. 
Coons,  William  T.,  m.  July  17,  1862;  dis.  January  5,  1863. 
Corn,  John,  m.  July  17,  1863;  dis.  February  18,  1863. 
Cooper,  John  N.,  m.  July  28,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865,  as  First  Sergeant. 
Cooper,   Stanley,  m.  July  28,  1862;  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  and  died  September 

24,  1863,  at  Crawfish. 
Davidson,  Richard,  m.  July  17,  1862;  died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  December  12,  1862. 
Deal,  Henry,  m.  July  28,  1862;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  July  1,  1863. 
Dutcher,  James,  m.  July  28,  1862;  dis.  February  37,  1863,  disab. 
Eazy,  John  S.,  m.  July  28,  1863;  dis.  March  25,  1863,  disab. 
Endicott,  George  W.,  m.  July  38,  1863;  died  at  Murfreesboro  April  37,  1863. 
Finney,  James  W.,  m.  July  17,  1862;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  March  4,  1863. 
Finney,  James,  m.  July  17,  1862;  dis.  August  4,  1863,  disab. 

Fleetwood,  William,  m.  July  28,  1862;  died  at  Bledsoe,  Tcnn.,  December  21,  1862. 
Fleetwood,  Levi  J.,  m.  July  38,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 
Folson,  William,  m.  July  23,  1862;  dis.  January  6,  1863,  disab. 
Furry,  Louis  B.,  m.  July  17,  1862.  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 
Furry,  William,  m.  July  28,  1862;  died  at  Nashville,  July  1,  1864. 
Gallagher,  Francis,  m.  July  17,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 
Gallimore,  Elisha,  m.  July  28,  1862;  dis.  February  13,  1864. 
Gallimore,  Asa,  m.  July  17,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1863. 

Goar,  James  M.,  ra.  July  17,  1862;  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  February  6,  1863. 
Goar,  Levi  V..  m.  July  28,  1862;  left  the  regiment  December  18,  1862,  sick. 
Gordon,  Jacob  N.,  m.  July  17.  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 
Gooding,  Avery,  m.  July  33,  1862;  trans.  V.  R.  C.  December  20,  1863. 
Hawkin,  Daniel  R.,  m.  July  17,  1862;  dis.  February  25.  1863. 
Hampton,  Henry,  m.  July  17,  1862;  dis.  January  5.  1863. 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON' COUNTY.  81 

Havens,  Isaac  A.,  m.  Jul}-  17,  1863;  dis.  February  18,  1863. 

Havens,  David  F..  m.  July  17,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Hedges,  Francis  M.,  m.  July  17,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8.  1865. 

Herron,  Silas,  m.  July  38,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Herron,  Daniel,  m.  July  17,  1863;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Hefflin,  Reuben  T.,  m.  July  17,  1868,  ni.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

High,  Anthony,  m.  July  38,  1863.  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

High,  John,  m.  July  38,  1863;  dis.  February  18,  1863,  disab. 

Horton,  John,  m.  July  17,  1863;  dis.  March  35,  1868.  disab. 

Holloway.  James,  m.  July  17,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Hosier,  Allen  W.,  m.  July  38,  1863;  died  at  Chattanooga  August  15,  1864. 

Hutson,  Solomon,  m.  July  38,  1863;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  February  13,  1863. 

Lamb,  Louis  T.,  m.  July  33,  1863;  rejected,  not  mustered. 

Lavp,  John  M.,  m.  July  38,  1863;  rejected,  not  mustered. 

Level,  Robert,  m.  Julj^  17,  1863;  trans,  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  August  1,  1863. 

Lett,  Thomas  H.,  m.  July  38, 1833;  trans,  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  January  18,  1865. 

Little,  Isaac  H.,  m.  July  38,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Long,  Thomas,  m.  July  17,  1863;  trans,  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  July  1,  1863. 

McNeal,  William,  m.  July  38,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

McSharp,  James,  m.  July  38,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Morris,  David,  July  17,  1863;  deserted  December,  1863. 

Morris,  William  P.,  m.  July  33;  deserted  December,  1863. 

Musgrove,  Samuel  K.,  m.  July  17,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Myers,  Gideon,  m.  July  28,  1863;  dis.  January  17,  1863;  disab. 

Norman,  James,  m.  July  17,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Patton,  Calvin,  m.  July  28,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Perry,  Jasper  N.,  m.  July  23,  1863;  trans,  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  August  1,  1863. 

Peacock,  Eli,  m.  July  33,  1863;  deserted  November,  1863. 

Pitzer,  Isaac,  m.  July  17,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Potter,  Merrit  E.,  m.  July  28,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8.  1865. 

Ploughe.  Jacob,  m.  July  38,  1862;  dis.  February  25,  1863;  disab. 

Ploughe,  Abraham,  m.  July  28,  1863;  trans,  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  July  1,  1863. 

Ross,  Francis  M.,  m.  July  17,  1863;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  December  5,  1862. 

Snyder,  Henry  B.,  m.  July  17,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Stanley,  Calvin,  m.  July  17,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Stanly,  Jacob,  m.  July  17,  1862;  dis.  March  11,  1863,  disab. 

Summers,  William  H.,  m.  July  28,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Tucker,  John,  m.  July  17,  1863;  trans,  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  July  1,  1863. 

Wagoman,  William  F.,  m.  July  17,  1863;  dis.  February  8,  1863,  disab. 

Ward,  Erastus  B.,  m.  July  38,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Weed,  William  P.,  m.  July  17,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 

Wheeldon,  Pleasant,  m.  July  17,  1863.  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Williams,  Jefferson,  m.  July  28,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Williams,  John,  m.  July  17,  1862;  rejected,  not  mustered. 

Wiley,  William  Y.,  m.  July  17,  1863,  m.  o.  January  8,  1865. 

Wright,  Jasper  N.,  m.  July  17,  1863,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Yohe,  Michael,  m.  July  17.  1863;  deserted  March,  1863. 

Recruits. 
Bouse,  Isaac  N.,  m.  January  15,  1864;  trans,  to  Forty-second  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
Bolen,  John  B.,  m.  Decemberl4,  1863;  trans,  to  Forty-second  Regiment  June  8, 1865. 
Burnham,  William,  m.  January  35, 1864;  trans,  to  Forty -second  Regiment  June  8, 1865 
Dellinger,  John  C,  m.  January  15,  1864;  died  at  Chattanooga,  February  19,  1864. 
Evans,  Samuel  J.,  ra.  January  15,  1864;  trans,  to  Forty-second  Regiment  June 8,  1865. 


82  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY, 

Furry,  David  G.,  m.  January  21,  1864;  died  at  Ringgold,  Ga.,  April  10,  1864,  small 

pox. 
Fiireg,  William,  m.  January  31,  1864;  died  at  Ringgold,  Ga.,  April  10,  1864. 
Gardner,  Eli,  m.  March  28,  1864;  trans,  to  Forty-second  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
Hancock,  Harrison,  m.  January  1, 1864;  trans,  to  Forty-second  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
Hooton,  Albert  R..  m.  January  1,  1864;  died  at  Chattanooga  March  2,  1864. 
Jones,  William  E.,  m.  January  1,  1864;  trans,  to  Forty-second  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
Krider,  Joseph,  m.  March  23,  1864;  trans,  to  Forty-second  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
Little,  Joseph  F.,  m.  December  14,  1864;  trans,  to  Forty-second  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
Moulden,  James  R.,  m.  January  1,  1864;  died  at  Chattanooga  July  15,  1864. 
Merrill,  Henry  C,  m.  January  4   1864;  died  at  Chattanooga,  February  22,  1864. 
Merrill,  Martin  S.,  m.  January  4,  1864;  died  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  September  22,  1864. 
Pare,  Redin  D.,  m.  January  15,  1864;    died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  September  5,  1864. 
Rood,  Adison  I.,  m.  March  4,  1864;  died  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  August  17,  1864. 
Stevens,  Isaac  W.,  m.  January  20,  1864;  traas.  to  Forty-second  Regiment  June  8,  1864. 
Scott,  Ellis  H.,  m.  January  1,  1864;  trans,  to  Forty-second  Regiment  June  8,  1864. 
Wilson,  Woodroe  W.,m.  January  15, 1864;  trans,  to  Forty-secondRegiment  June  8, 

1864. 
Scripture,  John  W.,  m.  January  4,  1864;  died  at  Chattanooga  February  24,  1865. 

COMPANY   C. 

Bird,  James,  m.  July  15,  1862;  killed  at  Mission  Ridge  November  35,  1863. 
Boyd,  Jacob,  m.  July  15,  1862;  trans,  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  October  29,  1863. 

COMPANY   G. 

Decker,  Elias  B.,  m.  August  23,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8.  1865. 

EIGHTY-NINTH   REGIMENT — COMPANY   D. 

Whitehead,  Thomas,  m.  August  28,  1862,  m.  o.  July  19,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
Riley,  Joshua,  m.  August  28.  1862,  died  at  Fort  Pickens,  Tenn.,  June  12,  1863. 
Rosier,  Joseph  D.,  m.  August  28,  1862,  died  at  Memphis,  Tenn..  March  15.  1863. 
Springer,  Levi  L.,  m.  August  28,  1862,  dis.  March  13,  1865. 
Sims,  Linville,  m.  August  28,  1862,  m.  o.  July  19,  1865. 
Suits,  Jobe  S.,  m.  August  38,  1862,  dis.  September  18,  1863. 

ONE   HUNDRED   AND   FIRST   REGIMENT. 

Adjutant  James  Price,  m.  September  8,  1862,  resigned  May  24,  1863,  disab. ;  died  at 

Tipton,  Ind.,  soon  after. 
Chaplain  Thomas  Whalen,  m.  May  14,  1868,  resigned  September  3,  1863,  disab. 

COMPANY  c. 
Capt.  Alexander  McCrary,  m.  September  6,  1862,  m.  o.  September  6,  1862. 
Capt.  Sylvester  Turpen,  m.  March  13,  1863,  m.  o.  with  regiment. 
First  Lieut.  Sylvester  Turpen,  m.  September  6,  1862,  pro.  Captain. 
First  Lieut.  William  Beeson,  m.  April  31,  1868,  dismissed  June  7,  1868. 
First  Lieut.  Elmore  T.  Montgomery,  m.  July  4,  1863,  m.  o.  w^ith  regiment. 
Second  Lieut.  Ezekiel  L.  Cooper,  m.  September  6,  1862,  resigned  January  23,  1863. 
Second  Lieut.  William  Beeson,  m.  February  16,  1863,  pro.  First  Lieutenant. 
Second  Lieut.  Elmore  T.  Montgomery,  m.  April  21,  1868,  pro.  First  Lieutenant. 
Second  Lieut.  Henry  T.  Waterman,  m.  July  4,   1863,  killed  at  Mission  Ridge  No- 
vember 25,  1863. 
Second  Lieut.  Elisha  Henry,  m.  May  1,  1865,  m.  o.  veith  regiment  as  First  Sergeant. 
First  Sergt.  William  Beeson,  m.  August  15,  1862,  pro.  Second  Lieutenant. 
Sergt.  Henry  T.  Waterman,  m.  August  15,  1862,  pro.  Second  Lieutenant. 
Sergt.  David  Werking,  m.  August  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 
Sergt.  Elisha  Henry,  m.  August  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865,  First  Sergeant. 


HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  88 

Sergt.  William  H.  Webster,  m.  August  15,  1862,  dis.  January  37,  1863. 

Corp.  John  C.  Halley,  m.  August  15.  1863,  dis.  February  3,  1863. 

Corp.  Irwin  C.  Mallery,  m.  August  15,  1863,  died  at  Murfreesboro,  May  19,  1863. 

Corp.  Lebert  Bess,  m.  August  15,  1863,  killed  at  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1863. 

Corp.  Warder  C.  Hobbs,  m.  August  15,  1863,  tr.  to  V.  R.  C.  February  15,  1864. 

Corp.  Newton  Campbell,  m.  August  15,  1863,  dis.  May  23,  1863,  wounded. 

Corp.  James  Warner,  m.  Aiigust  15,  1863,  died  at  Munfordsville,  Ky.,  February  24, 

1863. 
Corp.  Joseph  M.  Parsons,  m.  August  15,  1863,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  March  31, 

1863. 
Corp.  Nathaniel  Bivens,  m.  August  15,  1863,  tr.  to  Engineer  Corps  July  29,  1864. 
Musician  John  B.  Bowlen,  m.  August  15,  1862,  dis.  April  18,  1863. 
Musician  William  Pitman,  m.  August  15,  1863,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 
Wagoner  Joseph  Stutes,  m.  August  15,  1863,  m.  o.  June  34,  1865. 

Privates. 
Axtell,  William  G.,  m.  August  15,  1863,  died  at  Munfordsville,  Ky. 
Ault,  Jesse,  m.  August  15,  1863,  dis.  August  4,  1864,  wounded. 
Bess,  James,  m.  August  15,  1863,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 
Bess,  John  M.,  m.  August  15,  1863,  tr.  to  Marine  March  11,  1863. 
Bess,  William,  m.  August  15,  1863,  m.  o.  June  34,  1865. 
Balser,  Benjamin,  m.  August]15,  1863,  tr.  to  V.  R.  C,  m.  o.  July  5,  1865. 
Brown,  Leroy  L.,  m.  August  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 
Balser,  Levi,  m.  August  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865,  Sergeant. 
Brown,  John  F.,  m.  August  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  34,  1865,  Corporal. 
Bright,  John,  m.  August  15,  1863,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  September  29,  1863. 
Chapman,  William  W.,  m.  August  15,  1863,  killed  at  Chickamauga,  September  19^ 

1863. 
Chapman,  John,  m.  August  15,  1863,  deserted  May  11,  1863. 
Casler,  Robert  P.,  m.  August  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24.  1865,  Corporal. 
Bellinger,  William  P.,  m.  August  15,  1862,  dis.  February  14,  1863. 
Davis,  John,  m.  August  15,  1862,  died  at  home. 

Eler,  George  W.,  m.  August  15,  1862,  died  at  Munfordsville, Ky.,  December  22, 1863. 
Evans,   Samuel  W.,  m.   August  15,   1862,  died  at  Chattanooga  October  29,  1863, 

wounds. 
Earl,  James  H.,  m.  August  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24.  1865. 
Fesler,  John,  m.  August  15,  1862,  m.  o.  May  26,  1865. 

Fry,  Jesse  R.,  m.  August  15,  1863,  died  at  Munfordsville,  Ky.,  December  15,  1862. 
Fee,  William  F.,  m.  August  15,  1862,  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  May  5,  1863. 
Franklin,  Edmon  E.,  m.  August  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 
Gray,  Abraham,  m.  August  15,  1863,  dis.  January  6,  1863. 
Gray,  Robert,  m.  August  15,  1862;  tr.  to  V.  R.  C.  February  15,  1864. 
Giles,  James,  m.  August  15,  1862;  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 

Gilbert,  Joseph  W.,  m.  August  15,  1862;  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  July  15,  1864;  Corporal. 
Gray,  Andrew  H.  F.,  m.  August  15,  1862;  deserted  October  3,  1862. 
George,  William  W.,  m.  August  15,  1862;  died  at  Annapolis,  Md.,   February  28, 

1865. 
Harvey,  Randolph,  m.  August  15,  1862:  tr.  to  V.  R.  C.  November  1,  1863. 
Hulic,  David  S.,  m.  August  15,  1862;  died  at  Chattanooga  January  7,  1864. 
Henry,  Elijah,  m.  August  15,  1863;  died  at  Murfreesboro  June  19,  1863. 
Henry,  Israel,  m.  August  15,  1862;  dis.  October  13,  1862. 
Henry,  Noah,  m.  August  15,  1863;  m.  o.  June  34,  1865. 
Halley,  Elisha,  m.  August  15,  1863;  died  at  Nashville  June  18,  1863. 
Halley,  James  H.,  m.  August  15,  1863;  dis.  October  27,  1862. 


84  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

Headlcy,  Absalom,  m.  August  15,  1863;  killed  at  Cliickamauga  September  19,  1803. 

Haskett,  Tliomas,  m.  August  15,  1863;  died  at  Nashville  September  30,  1863. 

Hamilton,  James,  m.  August  15,  1863;  died  at  Murfreesboro  February  25,  1863. 

Ilobbs,  Clinton  H.,  m.  August  15,  1863;  dis.  April  11,  1863. 

Ilanshoe,  William  II.,  m.  Augu.st  15,  1863;  dis.  January  2ri,  1863. 

Jackson,  Francis  M.,  m.  August  15,  1863;  m.  o.  June  34,  1865. 

Lineback,  Stephen,  m.  August  15,  1863;  dis.  October  37,  1862. 

Land,  Thomas,  m.  August  15,  1863;  m.  o.  June  16,  1865. 

Lay  ton,  Joseph  W.,  m.  August  15,  1863;  dis.  March  17,  1863. 

Lynch,  Daniel  J.,  m.  August  15,  1863,  tr.  to  V.  R.  C.  August  18,  1863.  ' 

Mott,  John  B.,  m.  August  15,  1863;  tr.  to  V.  R.  C.  April  10,  1864. 

Munden,  Benjamin,  m.  August  15,  1863;  m.  o.  June  34,  1865. 

Newkirk,  John  W.,  m.  August  15,  1863;  died  at  Munfordsville,  Ky.,  December   19. 

1863. 
Newkirk,  Christopher,  m.  August  15,  1863;  dis.  September  14,  1863. 
Oscar,  Joseph,  m.  August  15,  1863;  m.  o.  June  34,  1865. 
Pitzer,  John,  m.  August  15,  1863;  dis.  April  11,  1863. 
Potter,  John  H..  m.  August  15,  1863;  tr.  to  Fifty-eighth  Regiment  to  make  up  time 

lost. 
Rittenhouse,  George,  m.  August  15,  1863;  m.  o.  June  34,  1865. 
Rogers,  James  A.,  m.  August  15,  1862;  m.  o.  May  35,  1865. 
Royal,  Anthony,  m.  August  15,  1863;  died  at  Munfordsville  November  25,  1863. 
Ratcliff,  Edom  A.,  m.  August  15,  1863;  tr.  to  V.  R.  C;  m.  o.  June  30,  1865. 
Ratcliff,  Thomas  A.,  m.  August  15,  1863;  m.  o.  June  34,  1865. 
Ross,  Shadrdch,  m.  August  15,  1863;  dis.  March  13,  1863. 
Rogers,  Henry,  m.  August  15,  1863;  died  at  Chattanooga  October  15,  1863. 
Richards,  James  A.,  m   August  15,  1863;  died  at  home. 
Star,  Charles,  m.  August  15,  1863;  tr.  to  V.  R.  C;  dis.  April  35,  1865. 
Stutes,  James,  m.  August  15,  1863;  m.  o.  June  34.  1865. 
Smith,  John,  m.  August  15,  1863;  m.  o.  June  34,  1865. 
Smith,  Jonathan,  m.  August  15,  1862;  died  at  Murfreesboro  April  30,  1863. 
Stroup,  Reuben,  m.  August  15,  1863;  m.  o.  June  34,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
Smith,  Absalom,  m.  August  15,  1863;  died  at  Cowan,  Tenn.,  August  2,  1863. 
Scales,  John,  m.  August  15,  1862;  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 
Thatcher,  Alexander,  m.  o.  August  15,  1863;  dis.  March  17,  1863. 
Thomas,  John,  m.  August  15,  1862;  m.  o.  June  24,  1865;  Corporal. 
Vergason,  Jesse,  m.  August  15,  1862;  dis.  September  18,  1863. 
Werdou,  Joseph,  m.  August  15,  1863;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  January  20,  1863. 
Whistler,  Joseph,  m.  August  15,  1863;  dis.  December  4,  1862. 

Whistler,  Jesse,  m.  August  15,  1862;  died  at  Munfordsville,  Ky..  December  10.  1862. 
Warner,  Jobe,  m.  August  15,  1863;  dis.  May  3,  1863. 
Whitlock,  Jacob  S.,  m.  August  15,  1863;  died  at  home  April,  1863. 
Wheatly,  Edward  L.,  m.  August  15,  1863;  m.  o.  June  24,  1865,  Sergeant. 

Recruits. 
Bower,  John,  m.  December  14,  1863;  trans,  to  Fifty-eighth  Regiment  June  22,1865. 
Brickie,  John,  m.  March  23,  1864;  trans,  to  Fifty-eighth  Regiment  June  23,  1865. 
Bailey,  Tilghman  H..  m.  January  26.  1864;  m.  o.  June  9,  1865. 
Casler,  James  H.,  m.  December  3,  1863;  trans,  to  Fifty-eighth  Regiment  June  22, 

1865. 
Fouch,  William  B.,  m.  January  26,  1864;  m.  o.  July  3,  1865. 
Fern,  Casper,  m.  January  16,  1864;  m.  o.  May  36,  1865. 
Goar,  Joseph  N.,  m.  December  37.  1863;  dis.  October  24,  1864. 
Gordon,  John,  m.  December  14,  1863;  died  at  Ringgold,  Ga.,  April  30,  1864.. 


HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY.  85 

Gordon,  William,   m.  December  22,  1863;  trans,    to  Fifty-eighth   Regiment  June 

22,  1865. 
Hunter,  William,  m.  December  22,  1863;  trans,  to  Fifty-eighth  Regiment  June  28, 

1865. 
Ishmael,  Joseph  N.,  m.  January  15,  1864;  died  at  Chattanooga  March  7,  1861. 
Ishmael,  Thomas,  m.  December  14,  1863;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  July  25,  1864. 
Ishmael,  James  R.,  m.  January  15,  1864;  died  at  Chattanooga  March  1,  1864. 
Ishmael,  Thomas,  m.  December  14,  1863;  tr.  to  Fifty-eighth  Regiment  June  22, 1865. 
Lane,  Aaron,  m.  February  26,  1884;  trans,  to  Fifty-eight  Regiment  June  22,  1865. 
Minor,  James  S.,  m.  March  29,  1864;  tran.s.  to  Fifty-eight  Regiment  June  22,  1865. 
Murry,  Samuel  T.,  m.  January  20,  1864;  dis.  may  18,  1865. 
Redmon,  Marion,  m.  December  14,  1863;  trans,  to  Fifty-eighth  Regiment  June  22, 

1865. 
Redmon,  George,  m.  January  6,  1864;  trans,  to  Fifty-eighth  Regiment  June  22, 1865. 
Ross,  Joshua,  m.  November  3,  1864;  trans,  to  Fifty-eighth  Regiment  June  22,  1865. 
Sparks,  James  A.,  m.  December  14,  1863;  trans,  to  Fifty-eighth  Regiment  June  22, 

1865. 
Smith,  William  W.,  m.  January  6,  1864;  trans,  to  Fifty-eighth  Regiment  June  22, 

1865; 
Shuppart,  Michael,  m.  January  6,  1864;  trans,  to  Fifth-eighth   Regiment  June  22, 

1865. 
Sutton,  William  C,  m.  February  24,  1864;  trans,  to  Fifty-eighth  Regiment  June  22, 

1865. 

COMPANY  D. 

Corp.  Andrew  J.  Sharp,  m.  August  18,  1862;  trans,  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  Janu- 
ary 24,  1864. 

Privates. 

Burk,  James,  August  18,  1862;  dis.  February  28,  1863. 

Billhamer,  Harrison,  m.  August  18,  1862;  dis.  February  20,  1863. 

Byrum,  Jackson  A.,  m.  August  18,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 

Byrum,  George  T.,  m.  August  18,1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 

Corp.  John  C.  Edwards,  m.  August  18,  1862;  m.  o.  July  1,  1865. 

Corp.  Thomas  Guilkey,  m.  August  18,  1862;  died  at  Murfreesboro  March  4,  1863. 

Corp.  Swan  Munson,  m.  August  18,  1862;  died  at  Munfordsville,  Ky.,  November  12, 
1862. 

Corp.  William  Phips,  m.  August  18,  1862;  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 

Corp.  William  Smith,  m.  August  18,  1862;  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 

Corp.  Samuel  B.  Sharp,  m.  August  18,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 

Corp.  Henry  Springer,  m.  August  18,  1862;  dis.  February  10,  1863. 

Corp.  David  M.  Webert,  m.  August  18,  1862;  killed  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  August  11.  1864. 

ONE   HUNDRED   AND   TWENTY-FOURTH  REGIMENT— COMPANY   D. 

Kindley,  Samuel  I.,  m.  January  21,  1864;  m.  o.  August  31,  1865. 

Kindley,  Joseph  T.,  m.  March  10,  1864;  m.  o.   August  14,  1865. 

Perkins,  Wilson,  m.  March  10,  1864;  died  at  Waskington,  D.  C,  February  23,  1865. 

Russell,  Henderson,  m.  March  21,  1864;  m.  o.  August  31,  1865. 

Tichenor,  James  R.,  m.  March  10,  1864;  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  March  25,  1864. 

COMPANY   H. 

Shearer,  James,  March  7,  1864;  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  July  11,  1864. 

COMPANY   I. 

Caldwell,  Andrew  M.,  m.  March  17,  1864;  m.  o.  August  31,  1865. 
Pumphrey,  Andrew  J.,  m.  March  17,  1864;  dis.  July  10,  1865. 


86  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-SIXTH  REGIMENT— COMPANY  E. 

Brown,  "William  L.,  m.  December  29,  1863;  m.  o.  June  3,  1865. 

Downhour,  George,  m.  February  29,  1864;  m.  o.  September  10,  1865. 

Farren,  John  B.,  m.  February  29,  1864;  deserted  May  1,  1864. 

Miller,  Franklin  F.,  m.  February  29,  1864;  m.  o.  September  19,  1865. 

Stewart,  Robert,  m.  February  29,  1864;  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  February  6,  1865. 

ONE   HUNDRED  AND  THIRTIETH  REGIMENT— COMPANY  A. 

Davis,  Edward  W.,  m.  December  30,  1863;  m.  o.  December  2,  1865,  as  CorporaL 

Fisher,  Calvin,  m.  December  30,  1863;  m.  o.  December  2,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 

Haller,  Henry  S.,  m.  December  30,  1863;  m.  o.  December  2,  1865. 

Miles,  William,  m.  December  17,  1863,  killed  at  Kingston,  N.  C,  March  9,  1864 

Shields,  James  W.,  m.  December  29,  1863;  m.  o.  December  2,  1865. 

Teter,  Mahlon  L.,  m.  December  29,  1863;  m.  o.  "December  2,  1865. 

Vawtes,  James  M.,  m.  December  30,  1863;  m.  o.  December  2,  1865. 

COMPANY  B. 

Hall,  Stephen  S.,  m.  March  11,  1864;  dis.  May  13,  1865. 

Parrish,  William  II.,  m.  March  11,  1864;  m.  o.  December  2,  1865. 

Pickering,  Ezra,  m.  March  11,  1864;  dis.  May  4,  1865. 

Raines,  Henry,  m.  March  11,  1864;  m.  o.  December  2,  1865. 

Sanders,  Levi,  m.  December  29,  1863;  died  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  October  27,  1864. 

Yokley,  m.  March  11,  1864;  m.  o.  December  2,  1865. 

COMPANY  K. 

Barton,  John  S.,  m.  March  1,  1864;    m.  o.  December  2,  1865. 
Barton,  Joshua,  m.  March  1,  1864;  m.  o.  June  9,  1865. 
Payne,  Bailey  S.,  m.  March  1,  1864;  m.  o.  July  20,  1865. 

ONE   HUNDRED   AND   THIRTY-FIRST   REGIMENT — COMPANY  G. 

Burns,  Andrew  J.,  m.  March  9,  1864;  m.  o.  November  18,  1865. 
Burns,  James,  m.  March  9,  1864;  m.  o.  June  10,  1865. 
Fletcher,  Squire,  m.  March  9,  1864;  m.  o.  June  22,  1865. 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND   THIRTY-SECOND  REGIMENT — COMPANY  D — (100  DAYS). 

Goar,  John  M.,  m.  May  13,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 

COMPANY  F. 

Second  Lieut.  James  A.  Franklin,  m.  May  1,  1864;  m.  o.  with  regiment,^ 

Privates. 
Adams,  Martin  L.,  m.  May  1,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Barton,  Charles,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Blak,  Thomas,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
BottorfE,  Marion  M.,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Cooper,  David,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Fish,  Robert  S.,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Grishaw,  Jesse  L.,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Grishaw,  John  W.,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Hughes,  Thomas,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Hendricks,  Daniel,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Hamlin,  John,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  ex-pired. 
Lambert,  Thomas  W.,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.o.  term  expired. 
Mix,  George  W.,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 


i 


IIISTORV   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY.  87 

Mcars,  Thomas,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
McCoy,  William,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Martin,  William,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Montgomery,  Wells,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Sharp,  Clark  T.,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Thompson,  George  H.,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
TowDsend,  Major  S.,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Waggoner.  Moses  M.,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 
Woodard,  James  D.,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expijed. 
Yocum,  Thomas,  m.  May  18,  1864;  m.  o.  term  expired. 

ONE   HUNDRED   AND   FORTIETH  REGIMENT — COMPANY   G. — (ONE   YEAR). 

First  Lieut.  Holman  C.  INIortimore,  m.  October  24,  1864;  m.  o.  with  regiment. 

First  Sergt.  John  C.  Halley,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Sergt.  John  W.  Grishaw,  m.  October  7,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Sergt.  Williamson  Covert,  m.  October  12,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Sergt.  Edward  W.  Ulrick,  m.  October  13,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Corp.  Andrew  Campbell,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Corp.  Jeflferson  P.  Nay  lor,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Corp.  Moses  M.  Waggoner,  m.  October  7,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Corp.  Dudley  Spaulding,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Corp.  Noah  W.  Halley,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Corp.  Samuel  B.  Barlow,  m.  October  8,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Privates. 
Alley,  Lorenzo  D.,  m.  October  12,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Barlow,  William  R.,  m.  October  6,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Baxter,  Josiah  K.,  m.  October  8,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Baldwin,  Eli,  m.  October  12,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Berry,  James  H.,  m.  October  7,  1864;  m.  o.  August  2,  1865. 
Brittenham,  Levi,  m.  October  12,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Burns,  Franklin,  m.  October  8,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Campbell,  Joseph,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Clark,  Robert  S.,  m.  October  12,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Corn.  William,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  October  11,  1865. 
Cox,  Charles,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  October  11,  1865. 
Cooper,  David,  m.  October  15   1864;  m.  o.  October  11,  1865. 
Cooper,  Joseph,  m.  October  15,  1864;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 
Cooper,  Thomas,  m.  October  15,  1864;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 
Coy,  William,  m.  October  12,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Deen,  Jefferson,  m.  October  12,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Doley,  Robert  H.,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Eskew;  Preston,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Gager.  Richard  H.,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Grishaw,  William  M.,  m.  Octol)erlO,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Griffith,  Tatman,  m.  October  7,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Hendricks,  James  M.,  m.  October  12,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Hendricks,  Daniel  S.,  m.  October  12,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Halley,  David  M.,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Jones,  Silas  C,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Jones,  William  T.,  m.  October  12,  1864:  died  at  Wilmington,  N.  C,  April  15,  1865. 
Lehue,  Miles,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Lance,  David,  m.  October  6,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Lynch,  James,  m.  October  15,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 


88  HISTORY   OF   TII'TOX   COUNTY. 

Maze,  John  A.,  m.  October  10,  1804;  ni.  o.  July  11.  186.J. 

Mason,  Frederic,  m.  October  18,  1SG4;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Miller,  Jacob  F.,  m.  October  14,  1864;  dis.  May  3,  1865. 

Mix,  George  W.,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  May  13,  1865. 

Mitchell,  Willis  A.,  m.  October  7,  1864;  died  at  New  Berne,  N.  C.  March  21,  1865. 

Mills.  James  R.,  m.  October  13,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Mitchell,  John  T.,  m.  October  7,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Nay,  Lemuel,  m.  October  19,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Needham,  Jacob  L.,  m.  October  10,  1864,  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Paine,  Thomas  J.,  m.  October  15,  1864;  ra.  o.  June  12,  1865. 

Petty,  Joel,  m.  October  6,  1864:  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  January  22,  1865. 

Perry,  Lewis,  m.  October  12,  1864;  died  at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  April  21,  1865. 

Phillips,  Joseph,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Pumphrey,  Armstead  M.,  m.  October  11,  1864;  died  at  New  York  Harbor  April  19, 

1865. 
Phillips,  Francis  M.,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Pierce,  William,  m.  October  7.  1864;  m.  o.  July  3,  1865. 
Riley,  John  C,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Richardson,  John,  m.  October  10,  1864;  dis.  June  5,  1865. 
Shaflfer,  Smith,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Simes,  Parvis,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  January  7,  1865. 
Siles,  Singleton,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Smith,  John  L.,  m.  October  8,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Smith,  Amos,  m.  October  10,  1864;  died  at  Washington,  D.  C,  January  27,  1865. 
Smith,  Perry,  m.  October  10,  1864;  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  January  20,  1865. 
Snow,  Isaac  H.,  m.  October  12,  1864;  died  at  Washington,  D.  C,  March  21,  1865. 
Stockdale,  John  M.,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 
Waggoner,  James,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  July  11.  1865. 
Wilson,  Franklin,  m.  October  15,  1864;  m.  o.  June  10,  1865. 
Wisner,  Van  Rensselaer,  m.  October  10,  1864;  m.  o.  June  10,  1865. 
Whalen,  James,  m.  October  12,  1864;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  February  9,  1865. 

COMPANY  K. 

Finney,  Andrew  J.,  m.  October  24,  1864;  deserted  December  18,  1864. 
McMannis,  George,  m.  October  24,  1864;  m.  o.  Julj'  11,  1865. 

ONE  HUNDRED   AND   FORTY-FIFTH  REGIMENT — ONE   YEAR  SERVICE — COMPANY  O. 

Collins,  Isaac,  m.  February  5,  1865;  m.  o.  January  21,  1866. 

Bishop,  Adolphus  A.,  m.  February  5,  1865;  died  at  Chattanooga  March  1,  1865. 

ONE   HUNDRED   FORTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT — COMPANY   E. 

Private. 
Orr,  Asbury  P.,  m.  March  10,  1865;  m.  o.  August  4,  1865. 

ONE   HUNDRED   AND   FORTY-EIGHTH   REGI.MENT — COMPANY   F. 

Private. 
Coughland,  Daniel,  m.  February  6,  1865;  deserted  February  6.  1865. 

ONE   HUNDRED   AND   FIFTY-FIRST   REGIMENT— COMPANY  0. 

Privates. 
Hickman,  John,  m.  February  20,  1865;  died  at  Indianapolis  March  5,  1865. 
Ilickinan,  Jesse,  m.  February  20,  1865;  left  the  regiment  August  1,  1865. 


HISTORY   OF   TlPTOxN   COUxN'TY.  89 

ONE   HUNDRED   AND   FIFTY-THIRD   REGIMENT — COMPANY   K. 

Capt.  William  B.  Yoimg,  m.  February  30,  1865;  m.  o.  with  regiment. 
Second  Lieut.  William  P.  Growell,  m.  Februar}^28, 1805;  promoted  First  Lieutenant; 
m.  with  regiment. 

Privates. 
Avis,  James  F.,  m.  February  4,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865,  Corporal. 
Boring,  Michael,  m.  February  11,  1865;  m.  o.  Oetober  16,  1865. 
Crowell,  William  P.,  m.  January  26,  1865;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant. 
Coffman,  Morris,  m.  February  13,  1865;  died  at  Russellville,  Ky.,  May  37,  1865. 
Crabtree,  George  W.,  m.  February  31,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Eytcheson,  Alfred,  m.  February  13,  1865;  discharged  July  16,  1865. 
Freeman,  Daniel  C,  m.  February  6,  1865;  discharged  August  13,  1865. 
Foster,  John,  m.  February  4,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Furry,  Noah  F.,  m.  February  17,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Goin,  Mordecai,  m.  February  13,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Goin,  Wesley,  m.  February  13,  1865;  dis.  August  14,  1865. 
Goin,  George  W.,  m.  February  13,  1865;  dis.  July  7,  1865. 
Gilland,  Perry,  m.  February  6,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Hartman,  James  R..  m.  January  29,  1865;  m.  o.  June  13,  1865. 
Heaton,  Ebenezer,  m.  February  6,  1865;  died  at  Russellville  Ky.,  May  5,  1865. 
Hoover,  George,  m.  February  1,  1865;  m.  o.  June  13,  1865. 
Hobbs,  Alfred,  m.  February  11,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Houser,  Lewis,  m.  February  11,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Hilly,  James  C,  m  February  13,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Headley,  Adison,  m.  Februar}-  13,  1865;  m.  o.  June  13,  1865. 
Henderson,  Elias,  m.  February  13,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Hobbs,  John  M.,  m.  February  11,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865,  Corporal. 
Hendrickson,  Joseph  W.,  m.  February  17,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
King,  David,  m.  January  29,  1865;  died  at  Russellville,  Ky.,  March  28,  1865. 
Keen,  Pleasant,  m.  Februarj^  4,  1865 ;  dis.  June  13,  1865. 
Lineback,  Isaac  E.,  m.  February  4.  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Lilley,  Nelson,  m.  February  6,  1865;  died  at  Louisville,  Ky. ,  July  13,  1865. 
Louder,  Madison  L.,  m.  February  13,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Louder,  James  R.,  m.  February  13,  1865;  dis.  June  19,  1865. 
Mozingo,  William  R.,  m.  Fel)ruary  6,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Moore,  Peter  L.,  m.  February  6,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Maines,  William  M.,  m.  February  13,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Morris,  Samuel,  m.  February  11,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
McClarej^  John,  m.  February  13,  1865;  died  at  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  July  29,  1865. 
Murphy,  Michael  A.,  m.  February  13,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Mount,  Silas  O.,  m.  February  18.  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Plake,  Mathias,  m.  January  31,  1865;  m.  o.  June  13,  1865. 
Plake,  John  T.,  m.  February  11,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Parker,  Stephen  W.,'m.  February  17,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Rood,  Edgar  W.,  m.  February  10,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Rees,  John,  m.  February  13,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865;  Corporal. 
Robinson,  John  M.,  m.  February  8,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Stam,  Samuel  C,  m.  January  24,  1865;  dis.  June  27,  1865. 
Shaw,  Isaac  O.,  m.  February  21,  1865;  died  at  Indianapolis  March  20,  1865. 
Salters,  John  R.,  m.  January  28,  1865;  dis.  August  17,  1865. 
Stam,  Philip,  m.  January  28,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 
Salters,  Joseph,  m.  January  28,  1865;  died  at  Russellville,  Ky.,  May  6,  1865. 
Smock,  Moses  A.,  m.  February  13,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 


90  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

Thompson,  Alexander  E.,  m.  February  1,  1865;  dis.  March  4,  1865. 

Taylor,  Chester  C,  m.  February  10,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865,  Sergeant. 

Thomas,  James  A.,  m.  February  17,  1S65;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 

Willcox,  Uriah,  m.  FebruarjM?,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865,  Corporal. 

Wolfe,  George,  m.  February  6,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865. 

Warner,  Jacob,  m.  February  6,  1865;  m.  o.  July  25,  1865. 

Waller,  William  H.,  m.  February  22,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865,  Sergeant. 

Young,  Seneca  G.,  m.  February  18,  1865;  m.  o.  September  4,  1865.  ^ 

In  preparing  the  above  list  of  namesof  Tipton  County  men  who  were  in  the 
service  during  tlie  war  of  the  rebellion,  the  writer  copied  almost  exclusively  from 
the  Adjutant  General's  reports.  He  has  made  some  corrections  wliere  the  errors 
were  palpable.  Doubtless  other  errors  still  exist,  which  will  be  apparent  to  those" 
acquainted  with  the  exact  facts.  It  is  believed,  however,  that  the  list  is  substantial!}" 
correct. 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON. 

BY  M.    F.   COX. 


^  If  an  Athenian  wi'ites  a  history  of  his  native  city,  he  begins  with 
a  solitary  Egyptian  on  the  Acropolis,  so  long  ago  that  the  date  was  forgot- 
ten four  hundred  years  before  the  Christian  era.  But  a  citizen  of  Tip- 
ton, who  attempts  to  write  a  history  of  his  town,  must  necessarily  begin 
with  Samuel  King,  who,  in  1835  and  1836,  purchased  from  the  United 
States  Government  several  tracts  of  land  in  the  wilderness  which  covered 
the  ground  now  occupied  by  the  seat  of  ,  justice  of  a  rich  and  populous 
county.  His  home  was  in  Rush  County,  but  he  made  frequent  pilgrim- 
ages to  this  region,  then  the  extreme  northern  limit  of  Hamilton  County. 
Stiawtown,  on  White  River,  was  the  nearest  trading-post,  and  to  that 
place  the  early  settlers  were  compelled  fco  go.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed 
that  there  were  many  people  then  inhabiting  this  territory,  and  those 
who  had  braved  its  dangers  were  widely  scattered.  But  King  conceived 
that  a  town  would  soon  become  necessary,  and  that,  once  established,  it 
would  add  very  materially  to  the  value  of  adjacent  lands.  So,  on  the 
16th  day  of  April,  1839,  he  laid  out  a  town,  which  he  named  Kingston, 
on  the  northeast  fractional  quarter  of  Section  11,  Township  21  north, 
Range  4  east.  A  plat  was  recorded  on  the  5th  day  of  November,  1839, 
which  shows  forty-eight  lots,  each  66  feet  wide  and  132  feet  deep.  The 
streets  were  to  be  sixty  feet  wide  and  the  alleys  sixteen  and  one-half  feet 
wide.  Judging  from  its  appearance  on  the  record,  Kingston  was  a  handsome 
place,  with  even,  symmetrical  streets;  but  off  of  paper  it  actually  had  no 
existence,  except  in  the  mind  of  its  founder.  None  of  the  lots  were  sold, 
and  the  deer  and  wolves  wandered  over  them,  and  the  wild  cats  screamed 
above  them,  as  they  had  been  accustomed  to  do  for  hundreds  of 
years   before   the    trespassing    white     man    thought    of    building   this 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  91 

frontier  metropolis.  Time  passed,  until  the  creation  of  Tipton  County, 
in  January,  1844,  and  the  appointment,  by  the  Legislature,  of  David  P. 
Alder,  of  Grant  County,  Jesse  Carter,  of  Clinton  County,  Giles  W. 
Thomas,  of  Cass  County,  Lewis  D.  Adkins,  of  Miami  County,  and 
Samuel  H.  Cunningham,  as  Commissioners,  to  locate  the  permanent  seat 
of  justice  of  the  new  county.  It  was  considered  very  desirable,  by  them 
and  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners,  that  it  should  be  located,  as 
nearly  as  possible,  in  the  center  of  the  county,  which  was  ascertained  to 
be  in  what  was  known  as  McMurtry's  Prairie,  about  two  and  one-half 
miles  north  of  the  site  afterward  selected.  But  the  title  of  the  Miami 
Indians  to  the  land  north  of  the  reserve  line  had  not  been  entirely  ex- 
tinguished, and  it  was  not  deemed  prudent  to  build  a  town  in  their  ter- 
ritory. Having  reached  this  conclusion,  the  Locating  Commissioners 
made  it  known  that  they  would  receive  propositions  to  donate  ground  for 
the  County  seat  south  of  the  reserve.  Samuel  King  offered  to  give  100 
acres  in  Fractional- Section  11,  being  the  same  section  upon  which  he 
had,  five  years  before,  laid  out  the  town  of  Kingston.  After  the  land 
had  been  viewed,  the  Commissioners,  in  the  exercise  of  their  best  judg- 
ment under  all  the  circumstances,  accepted  Mr.  King's  proposition. 
The  Board  of  County  Commissioners  were  convened  in  special  session 
on  the  16th  day  of  October,  1844,  at  the  house  of  Jesse  Brown,  to  re- 
ceive the  report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Locating  Commissioners, 
which  was  submitted  in  the  following  words: 

We,  the  undersigned  Commissioners,  appointed  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State 
of  Indiana,  for  the  purpose  of  locating  the  permanent  seat  of  justice  for  the  county 
of  Tipton,  in  said  State,  having  met  on  Monday,  the  14th  day  of  October,  1844, 
agreeable  to  an  adjournment  from  May  last,  after  having  received  all  the  sites  pro- 
posed for  the  location  of  said  seat  of  justice,  and  taking  into  consideration  the  sev- 
eral donations  proposed,  have  this  day  located  the  said  seat  of  justice  on  a  certain 
tract  of  land  known  and  designated  as  follows:  The  same  being  a  part  of  fractional 
Section  11  in  Township  21  north,  Range  4  east  of  the  Second  Principal  Meridian, 
the  said  land  being  donated  by  Samuel  King,  of  Rush  County,  in  said  State,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  said  county  of  Tipton. 

David  P.  Alder,  "1 

Jesse  Carter,  I       Locating 

Samuel  H.  Cunningham,   (  Commissioners. 
G.  W.  Thomas,  J 

October  16,  1844. 

The  foregoing  report  was  received,  and  the  Commissioners  were  al- 
lowed a  total  of  1159  for  their  services.  On  the  same  day,  William  H. 
Nelson  was  appointed  County  Agent,  to  lay  off  the  town,  and  he  im- 
mediately gave  bond  in  the  siun  of  $5,000  for  the  faithful  discharge  of 
his  duties,  with  Jesse  Brown,  Joseph  Shank,  Erasmus  D.  Thomas  and 
Minor  L.  Thomas  as  sureties.  All  of  these  necessary  preliminaries  hav 
ing  been  completed,  the  County  Commissioners  were  confronted  with 
another  duty.  The  child  was  born,  and  it  must  be  named.  John  D. 
Smith,  a  member  of  the  Board,  and  formerly  a  resident  of  Ohio,  sug- 


92  HISTORY    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

gested  the  name  of  Canton,  after  that  thriving  town  of  his  native  State. 
The  other  two  Commissioners,  Thomas  Jackson  and  Robert  E.  Davidson, 
not  being  displeased  with  the  name,  it  was  at  once  adopted,  and  there- 
upon the  following  order  was  made:  "  That  the  town  of  Canton,  the 
coanty  seat  of  Tipton  County,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  laid  off  accord- 
ing to  a  plat  furnished  by  the  State  Commissioners. "  Also,  ordered, 
"  That  William  H.  Nelson,  Agent  for  the  county  of  Tipton,  proceed  to  lay 
off  the  said  town  of  Canton,  according  to  the  above- stated  plat.  Said 
Nelson  shall  proceed  to  sell  not  to  exceed  fifty  lots,  on  the  following 
terms:  One-foui'th  the  amount  that  said  lots  shall  bring  shall  be  paid 
by  the  purchaser  in  six  months,  and  the  remaining  three -foui'ths  to  be 
paid  within  eighteen  months  of  the  day  of  sale." 

In  order  that  the  reader  may  possess  a  more  accurate  knowledge  of 
the  territory  now  under  consideration,  the  technical  description  found  in 
the  deed  from  Samuel  King,  and  his  wife,  Delila  King,  to  William  B. 
Nelson,  as  County  Agent,  made  on  the  18th  day  of  December,  1844,  is  here- 
with given.  This  description  was  furnished  by  the  Locating  Commission- 
ers, from  the  notes  of  the  survey  made  by  David  P.  Alder,  one  of  their  num- 
ber: "  Beginning  at  a  stone  on  the  north  side  of  Cicero  Creek,  bearing 
tree,  a  walnut,  south  forty-nine  degrees  east,  distance  thirteen  feet, 
diameter  seven  inches,  west  twenty-five  chains  and  sixty-eight  links  to  a 
stone  bearing  tree,  a  beech,  north  thirty-six  degrees  west,  distant  five 
feet,  diameter  seventeen  inches,  thence  north  thirty-seven  chains  to  an 
oak  in  the  Indian  boundary  line,  thence  north  seventy-nine  degrees  and 
twenty  five  minutes  east  with  the  Indian  boundary  line  twenty-six  chains 
and  eleven  links  to  a  past  bearing  tree,  a  hickory,  north  twenty-one  de- 
grees east,  distance  nine  feet,  diameter  twenty-four  inches,  thence  south 
forty-one  chains  and  seventy-five  links  to  the  place  of  beginning,  in- 
cluding one  hundred  acres,  be  the  same  more  or  less,  and  being  a  part 
of  Fractional  Section  No.  Eleven,  in  Township  No.  Twenty-one  north, 
of  Range  No.  Four  east  of  Second  Principal  Meridian." 

LAYING    OUT    THE    TOWN. 

Immediately  following  the  adjournment  of  the  special  session  of  the 
County  Board  in  October,  active  arrangements  were  made  to  lay  out  the 
town.  Both  public  necessity  and  private  convenience  required  the  work 
to  be  done  with  all  possible  dispatch.  The  ground  was  so  densely 
covered  with  trees  and  underbrush  that  it  was  impossible  for  the  Survey- 
or, John  Criswell,  to  locate  the  lots,  streets  and  alleys,  until  the  latter 
were  partially  cut  away.  John  D.  Smith,  Minor  L.  and  Erasmus  D. 
Thomas,  Jesse  Brown  and  a  half-dozen  other  men  met  for  this  purpose, 
and  aEter  a  gi'eat  deal  of  hard  work  succeeded  in  clearing  away  the  brush 
sufficiently  to  admit  of  the  use  of  the  Surveyor's  instrument.  For  this 
labor  in  cutting  brush,  those  who  put  in  a  claim  were  allowed  62^  cents 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  93 

a  day.  The  survey  was  made  at  once  by  John  Criswell,  who  was  paid  $2 
per  day  by  the  county  for  his  services.  This  having  been  completed,  a 
plat  was  prepared,  which  was  acknowledged  by  William  H.  Nelson,  be- 
fore Sylvester  Turpen,  Recorder  of  the  county,  who  spread  it  on  page  55 
of  Record  "A."  This  plat,  which  is  known  as  the  "original  plat,"  is 
composed  of  twenty  blocks  or  squares,  divided  into  162  lots,  each  66  feet 
wide  and  198  feet  deep,  with  streets  66  feet  wide  and  alleys  16i  feet 
wide.  The  total  width  of  the  plat  east  and  west  was  1,624  feet;  the 
total  length  north  and  s  )ath,  1,898  feet.  The  eastern  boundary  is  East 
street;  the  western,  the  first  alley  west  of  West  street;  the  northern,  198 
feet  north  of  Washington  street;  the  southern,  198  feet  south  of  Adams 
street.  In  the  center  of  this  plat  was  located  the  public  square,  which 
is  198  feet  wide,  east  and  west,  and  412  feet  long,  north  and  south. 
Eveiything  was  now  in  readiness  for  the  sale  of  lots,,  which  must  have 
begun  in  November,  1844,  as  the  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Com- 
missioners at  their  regular  December  session  in  that  year  shows  that 
James  Graves  was  allowed  "  $10  for  one  day's  service  as  auctioneer,  in 
selling  lots  in  the  town  of  Canton,"  and  Andrew  Evans  $1  for  clerking 
at  the  sale.  By  the  1st  day  of  March,  1845,  the  County  Agent  had  sold 
at  public  and  private  sale,  thirty-six  lots,  a  description  of  which,  together 
with  the  names  of  the  purchasers  and  the  prices  paid,  will  be  found  in 
the  following  exhibit: 

SALE    OF    LOTS. 

Daniel  Smith,  Lot  12,  Block  6,  $29;  Lewis  Jones,  Lot  9,  Block  6, 
$11;  Silas  Blount,  Lot  5,  Block  6,  $10.50;  E.  S.  White,  Lot  4,  Block 
6,  $10;  Lewis  Beck,  Lot  2,  Block  6;  $13.25;  Jesse  Frazier,  Lot  7,  Block 
6,  $10.50;  Jesse  Frazier,  Lot  3,  Block  7,  $11.75;  Daniel  Lister,  Lot 
10,  Block  6,  $10;  James  M.  Chew,  Lot  10,  Block  11,  $10;  James  M. 
Chew,  Lot  10,  Block  7,  $11;  Samuel  Neese,  Lot  12,  Block  11,  $44; 
Samuel  Neese,  Lot  8,  Block  11,  $52.25;  Samuel  Neese,  Lot  9,  Block  11, 
$46.75;  D.  G.  Wilks,  Lot  4.  Block  11,  $31.25;  Newton  J.  Jackson, 
Lots  2,  3,  6  and  1,  Block  11,  $60;  George  T acker,  Lot  5,  Block  11, 
$35.25;  L.  C.  Fairre,  Lot  11,  Block  7,  $34;  Daniel  Welchous,  Lot  2, 
Block  7,  $6.25;  William  Ballard,  Lot  2,  Block  15,  $37;  Minor  L. 
Thomas,  Lots  8,  9,  12,  Block  7,  $52;  J.  Brown  &  Whistler,  Lots  1,  2, 
Block  10,  $55;  Samuel  Dale,  Lot  1,  Block  14,  $10;  Samuel  Dale,  Lot  1, 
Block  15,  $10;  L  N.  Starkey,  Lot  3,  Block  15,  $10;  Wilson  Thompson, 
Lots  4,  5  and  6,  Block  10,  $45;  Wilson  Thompson,  Lots  2,  3  and  6, 
Block  9,  $47;  Total,  36  lots,  at  $702.75. 

From  the  time  of  making  the  foregoing  report  until  the  following 
September,  nineteen  additional  lots  were  sold,  the  purchasers  being 
Charles  A.  Thurman,  Jonathan  Reed,  Lewis  Jones,  James  McMurtiy, 
D.  G.  Wilks,  I.  Tucker,  A.  Brandon,  John  D.  Smith,  James  Cassler  and 


94  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

Milton  W.  Gassier.     Henry    Eshelman,    Jeremiah    Eshelman  and   Allan 
Goings  became  owners  of  lots  shortly  after. 

FIRST    COURT     HOUSE. 

A  two-story  hewed-log  court  house  was  built  in  the  latter  part  of 
1845,  at  a  cost  of  $285.50.  It  stood  on  the  lot  now  known  as  the  Wolf  prop- 
erty, immediately  east  of  the  eastern  court  yard  gate,  and  remained  there 
until  it  was  burned  in  the  year  1857.  The  loss  was  immaterial,  as  no 
record  of  any  importance  was  destroyed.  In  the  year  1860,  the  present 
building  was  completed  at  a  cost  of  about  $12,000,  but  in  the  course  of 
a  few  years  it  will  have  to  give  way  to  a  larger  and  more  modern  struct- 
ure, for  even  now  the  rapidly  multiplying  records  and  the  constantly 
increasing  county  business  are  demanding  more  room. 

THE  EARLY  TAVERNS. 

The  work  of  building  a  town  proceeded  but  slowly.  The  ground  was 
wet  and  swampy,  and  the  thick  forest  trees  so  concealed  it  from  the  sun, 
that  it  was  compelled  to  retain  its  moisture.  But,  despite  all  annoy- 
ances, and  the  sufferings  caused  by  visitations  of  chills  and  fever,  the 
work  went  on,  and  in  1845  several  cabins  were  built.  In  this  year, 
Daniel  Smith  erected  a  double  log  cabin — that  is,  two  cabins  with  a  shed 
between — where  the  new  frame  Martindale  Block  stands,  and  there  he 
kept  the  first  tavern.  It  was  called  the  "  Canton  House."  In  addition 
to  his  duties  as  landlord,  he  was  the  first  kaepar  oE  the  jail,  but  served  in 
that  capacity  only  a  short  time.  In  1849,  he  began  the  erection  of  the 
building  which  now  stands  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Jefferson  and 
Mam  streets,  but  it  was  not  completed  when,  in  September,  1850,  he 
traded  it  to  Newton  J.  Jackson  for  the  two-story  frame  house  across  the 
street,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Jefferson]'and  Main  streets,  which  had 
been  built  by  Mr.  Jackson  in  1845  for  the  double  purpose  of  a  store  and 
residence.  Mr.  Smith  here  continued  the  hotel  business  for  many  years 
and,  as  he  was  generally  liked,  his  house  was  very  popular  with  persons 
seeking  entertainment.  Andrew  J.  Redmond,  who  afterward  became 
Sheriff,  started  another  tavex'n,  in  1846,  in  the  two-story  log  house  (since 
weather-boarded  and  now  known  as  the  Morgan  property,  situated  at  the 
northwest  corner  of  Main  and  Madison  streets.  About  1850  or  1851, 
William  H.  Nelson  became  the  proprietor  of  this  house,  and  did  a  very 
thriving  business.  In  1850,  Thomas  Jackson,  one  of  the  first  County 
Commissioners,  erected  a  neat  frame  house  on  the  ground  occupied  by 
the  eastern  room  in  the  Armstrong  &  Gleason  Block.  Here  he  lived,  and 
for  a  time  did  a  hotel  business.  He  was  succeeded  by  Chris  Brower. 
This  old  house  now  stands  in  the  rear  of  the  imposing  three-story  struct- 
ure which  replaced  it.  It  1852,  Harrison  A.  Woodruff  opened  a  hotel 
on  the  ground  where  now  stands  Newcomer  &  Moore's  Opera  House. 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  95 

PIONEER    MERCHANTS,     ETC. 

The  first  merchants  to  otfer  their  wares  in  this  community  were 
James  Gassier,  Newton  J.  Jackson,  John  S.  Ressler  and  a  man  named 
"White.  Gassier  probably  entered  the  field  ahead  of  the  others  named. 
He  did  business  on  the  east  side  of  the  public  square,  in  a  double  log 
cabin  which  stood  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  the  residence  and 
office  of  Dr.  M.  V.  B.  Newcomer.  In  September,  1845,  "  on  petition  of 
divers  freeholders,  citizens  of  GantoQ  and  vicinity,"  he  was  granted  by 
the  Board  of  Gounty  Gommissioners  a  license  to  sell  groceries  and  retail 
spirituous  liquors  in  the  town  of  Ganton,  for  the  term  of  one  year,  for 
which  he  was  required  to  pay  the  sum  of  $10.  Goon  skins  and  whisky, 
at  that  time,  were  staple  articles  of  commerce.  IVlr.  Gassier,  with  whom 
his  brother,  Amasa  P.  Gassier  shortly  became  associated,  continued  to 
do  a  general  merchandising  business  for  many  years. 

Prior  to  1850,  Newton  J.  Jackson  had  a  general  stock  of  goods  in  the 
building  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Jefterson  streets,  now  owned  by  Azro 
F.  Moore.  Mr.  Jackson  was  the  first  Auditor  and  Glerk  of  the  county, 
and  prominent  in  all  public  aftairs.  Mr.  White  kept  a  store  in  a  log 
house,  situated  next  to  the  alley  and  fronting  on  Jeflferson  street,  where 
the  Armstrong  &  Gleason  Block  stands. 

The  first  carpenters  to  offer  their  skill  to  the  people  were  Gharles  and 
Gonde  Bishop,  who  built  a  shop  on  East  Jefferson  street,  immediately 
east  of  the  alley,  between  Independence  and  East  streets.  In  1847  or 
1848,  William  and  Elijah  Hall  added  another  industry,  a  tanyard,  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Jefferson  and  Independence  streets,  on  the  ground 
now  occupied  by  the  Farmers'  Hotel. 

MAIL    SERVICE. 

John  S.  Ressler,  early  in  1845,  built  a  very  handsome  frame  house, 
for  that  day,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Gourt  and  Jefferson  streets,  and 
on  the  22d  day  of  June  of  that  year  moved  into  it,  with  his  family.  He 
was  a  Pennsylvanian  by  bii'th,  and  spoke  the  language  of  that  section. 
Soon  after  his  advent  into  Ganton,  the  Government  was  asked  to  estab- 
lish a  post  office  in  that  place.  Then  the  discovery  was  made  that  there 
was  already  a  post  office  bearing  that  name,  in  Washington  Gounty.  It 
would  not  do  to  have  two  offices  of  the  same  name  in  the  State,  and  the 
good  people  were  compelled  to  re-christen  the  town,  and  this  they  did, 
calling  it  Tipton,  in  honor  of  Gen.  John  Tipton,  for  whom  the  county 
had  previously  been  named.  The  post  office  was  now  established,  and 
Mr.  Ressler  became  its  first  master.  While  upon  this  topic,  it  will  be 
appropriate  to  quote  from  the  Tipton  Advance,  of  March,  1876,  pub- 
lished by  W.  J.  Turpen,  a  journalist  of  more  than  a  State  reputation, 
and  a  son  of  Sylvester  Turpen.  the  first  Recorder  of  Tipton  Gounty:  "He 
(Ressler)  had,  what  was  esteemed  by  his  rustic  neighbors,  a  good  educa- 


96  HISTORY   OF  TIPTON   COUNTY. 

tion,  and  the  record  he  left,  both  as  Treasurer  and  Recorder,  shows  him 
to  have  been  a  good  scribe,  and  not  above  a  prejudice  for  correct  orthog- 
raphy. Being  of  a  very  genial  disposition,  something  of  a  student  and 
a  man  of  rigid  honesty,  he  was  very  popular  with  the  people,  and  his  ad- 
vice was  much  sought.  With  the  current  history  of  his  time,  he  was 
very  familiar.  He  was  in  a  Sunday  school  procession  that  welcomed  La 
Fayette  to  this  country  upon  his  second  visit.  Perhaps  a  man  of  mare 
personal  popularity  than  Uncle  -John  Ressler  never  lived  in  Tipton.  At 
the  earliest  time  of  which  we  write,  the  room  used  for  the  post  office  was 
of  logs  roughly  cut  from  the  woods,  the  cracks  tilled  with  mud  and 
chunks.  In  addition  to  the  post  office,  he  kept  for  sale  dry  goods,  patent 
medicines  and  Yankee  notions.  Haviag  learned  the  tailor's  trade,  he 
also  worked  at  that  during  his  leisure  hours,  of  which  he  had  a  great 
many.  After  several  years,  being  chosen  to  a  county  office,  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Dr.  I.  Parker,  as  Postmaster,  but  continued  to  do  the  work 
and  receive  the  '  honors  and  emoluments '  of  the  position.  So  Uncle 
John  Ressler  was  Postmaster,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  from  the  or- 
ganization of  the  county  until  after  Lincoln  was  inaugurated  President. 
He  was  succeeded  by  a  man  named  David  Kinsell,  a  new  comer,  whoso 
citizenship  was  of  short  duration.  Kinsell  came  to  Tipton  a  few  days  or 
weeks  before  Fort  Sumter  was  tired  upon  by  the  rebels.  During  the 
night  after  the  news  had  been  received,  a  fool,  visiting  at  the  house  of 
Jack  Applegate,  swung  a  flag  from  the  tower  of  the  court  house,  bearing 
the  inscription,  '  Down  with  Sumter.'  This,  naturally,  occasioned  some 
hot  blood,  and  Kinsell,  who  was  a  man  upward  of  tifty  years,  knocked 
the  fellow  down.  The  fellow  and  Jack  Applegate  left  on  the  first  train. 
What  became  of  the  fonner  is  not  known,  but  Applegate  afterward  got  to 
be  a  carpet-bag  Lieutenant  Governor  of  the  State  of  Alabama.  He  was 
a  scrub  lawyer,  and  kept  a  hashery.  Mr.  Kinsell,  growing  dissatisfied 
with  Tipton,  resigned  the  post  office,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  present 
incumbent,  Mr,  Stephen  Lowley.  During  the  last  years  of  Uncle  John 
Ressler' 8  control  of  the  office,  it  was  kept  in  the  Recorder's  office  in  the 
coui't  house.  While  under  the  control  of  David  Kinsell,  it  was  kept  in 
the  room  now  occupied  by  Dr.  A.  M.  Vickrey  for  a  bank.  Mr.  Lowley 
is  now  the  oldest  Postmaster  in  this  district." 

But  little  is  needed  to  complete  the  foregoing  summary  of  the  mail 
8ei*vice  in  Tipton.  Ressler  was  succeeded  by  Samuel  L.  Kinsell,  and 
David  Kinsell,  his  father,  came  in  afterward,  he  being  in  turn  suc- 
ceeded by  William  Stivers,  who  had  charge  of  the  office  until  he  was 
elected  to  the  Legislature,  a  period  of  about  one  year,  when  he  resigned, 
and  Stephen  Lowley  was  commissioned  in  November,  1864.  Mr.  Lowley 
still  has  charge  of  the  office,  and,  notwithstanding  the  establishment  of 
various  other  offices  in  this  locality,  on  the  lines  of  the  railroads,  he  has 
seen  it  grow  so  steadily   that  he  now  handles  fully  eight  times  as  much 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  97 

mail  matter  as  he  did  when  he  first  became  Postmaster.  Like  the  first 
incumbent,  he  also  has  conducted  a  tailoring  establishment  in  conjunction 
with  his  official  duties,  and  between  the  two  he  has  prospered. 

THE    SITUATION  IN    184:8-49. 

When  Judge  John  Green  came  to  Tipton  in  October,  1848,  his  family 
made  the  twelfth  then  living  in  the  town.  The  heads  of  these  families  were 
Newton  J,  Jackson,  Daniel  Smith,  James  Cassler,  James  Palmer,  Andrew 
J.  Redmon,  John  S.  Ressler,  William  F.  Brady,  Sylvetser  Turpen,  Dan 
iel  B.  Redmon,  Asa  B.  Reed,  William  Buffington  and  another,  whose 
name  has  been  forgotten.  Dr.  Isaac  Parker  had  lived  here  prior  to  that 
time,  but  had  removed  to  the  western  part  of  the  county.  He  subse- 
quently returned,  however.  Of  the  persons  mentioned  above  and  not 
previously  spoken  of,  William  F.  Brady  was  Deputy  Clerk  of  the  coun- 
ty under  N.  J.  Jackson,  and  upon  the  expiration  of  the  latter's  term, 
Brady  was  elected  Clerk  without  opposition,  but  died  on  the  day  of  the 
election.  Daniel  R.  Redmon  was  a  Ju.stice  of  the  Peace,  but  he  and  his 
brother,  Andrew  J.,  had,  upon  a  petition  signed  by  very  many  of  the 
prominent  people  of  the  town  and  cou.nty,  in  1846  been  licensed  to  "  re- 
tail groceries  and  spirituous  liquors"  for  one  year,  upon  the  payment  of  $15 
into  the  county  treasury,  and  Aza  B.  Reed  was  a  blacksmith.  In  addition 
to  the  persons  named,  there  were  at  the  time  of  Judge  Green's  coming, 
several  unmarried  men  who  had  made  their  way  to  this  city  of  remote 
promise  to  carve  out  for  themselves  among  a  new  people  homes,  and,  if 
possible,  fortunes,  and  among  them  was  Amasa  P.  Cassler.  He  afterward 
married  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Smith,  became  prosecuting  Attorney,  was 
also  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits,  and  in  1853  laid  out  what  is 
known  as  "  Cassler's  Addition  "  to  the  town  of  Tipton,  comprising  sixty- 
eight  lots.  At  the  beginning  of  the  year  1849,  the  population  all  told 
could  not  have  exceeded  100.  The  town  was  becoming  a  fact,  but  the 
fact  was  almost  lost  in  the  limitless  expanse  of  woods.  Its  site  was 
crowded  with  log  heaps,  stumps  and  brush,  and  covered  in  many  places 
with  hazel  and  wild  vines.  Southeast  of  the  court  house  square  was  a 
buttonwood  swamp;  on  the  north  side  was  a  slough  which  had  appar- 
ently set  itself  up  as  a  rival  of  the  bottomless  pit,  and  some  little  dis- 
tance west  the  ground  was  hidden  under  a  sheet  of  perennial  water.  The 
few  cabins  and  more  aristocratic  frame  houses  were  scattered  about  with 
such  irregularity  that  they  could  scai'cely  be  considered  as  marking  the 
locality  of  the  streets  upon  which  they  were  supposed  to  front.  The 
roads  that  led  into  town  were  little  better  than  cow  paths.  The  musical 
ear  was  regaled  with  the  notes  of  the  bass-voiced  bull-frog  and  the  im- 
maculate tenor  of  the  mosquito.  A  deer  was  slain  in  the  public  square 
and  children  were  frightened  at  night  by  the  howling  of  wolves  in  the 
adjacent  timber.      Communication  with  neighboring  towns  was  difficult, 


98  HISTORY    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

as  roads  were  only  blazed  tracks  through  the  woods,  and  Cicero  Creek 
was  useless  for  purposes  of  navigation.  Knowledge  of  what  the  uutside 
world  was  doing  was  weeks  and  months  old  when  it  reached  this  then 
lonely  and  isolated  spoi,  as  news  traveled  by  horse  instead  of  electricity 
and  steam.  Game  of  all  kinds  was  plentiful,  but  wheat  and  corn  had 
barely  begun  the  process  of  growing.  Keal  estate  was  abundant,  but 
it  promised  badly  for  speculation,  and  was  facetiously  referred  to  else- 
where as  being  sold  by  fluid  measure.  Merchandise  was  transported  in 
wagons  and  on  horseback  from  La  Fayette,  Peru  and  Indianapolis,  and 
the  produce  of  the  farms  was  hauled  to  these  places  to  market.  The 
poisonous  miasma  of  the  slashes  was  antidot«d  by  quinine  and  whisky, 
only  in  a  degree.  But  notwithstanding  these  unfavorable  conditions, 
Tipton  was  the  seat  of  justice  of  a  county  firmly  established  by  the  laws 
as  one  of  the  political  divisions  of  the  State,  and  it  was  only  a  question 
of  time  when  it  would  emerge  from  the  humble  concealment  and  take  a 
position  of  recognized  importance. 

During  this  year,  work  was  begun  on  the  Peru  &  Indianapolis  Rail- 
road and  a  promise  made  of  its  early  completion  between  the  points 
named.  Newton  J.  Jackson,  Dr.  Isaac  Parker,  Judge  John  Green  and 
others  gave  every  encouragement  in  their  power  to  the  managers  of  the 
road,  for  all  could  easily  see  that  connection  by  rail  with  the  canal  at 
Peru  and  with  the  Madison  Railroad  at  the  capital  of  the  State  would 
be  of  inestimable  service  in  developing  the  town  and  in  putting  new  life 
into  it. 

FROM  1850  TO  1855. 

In  1850,  some  noticeable  advancement  had  been  made.  The  popula- 
tion was  now  197.  Judge  Green  had  now  competition  for  him  in  the 
person  of  Joseph  A.  Lewis,  but  Dr.  Isaac  Parker  was  the  only  physician. 
James  Recobs  and  Isaac  Houser  were  added  to  the  blacksmiths.  John 
Anderson  was  the  sole  cabinet-maker.  His  shop  stood  on  the  north  side 
of  Jefferson  street,  near  the  alley  running  north  and  south  between  Inde- 
pendence'and  ;  East  streets.  William  B.  Young  came  in  this  year  and 
worked  with  Anderson  several  years  before  setting  up  for  himself.  A 
bakery  was  kept  by  Louis  Diehl  in  the  house  adjoining  the  Tipton  Coun- 
ty Bank  building,  now  owned  by  Judge  Green  and  used  by  the  firm  of 
Green  &  Waugh  for  a  law  office.  Fred  Bennett,  a  native  of  Germany, 
biat  later  of  Pennsylvania,  in  this  year  established  a  sadler  shop,  and 
this  was  the  first  in  the  town.  Martin  Prilliman  had  moved  up  from 
Schielville,  and  became  the  pioneer  gunsmith  of  the  town. 

In  1851,  the  population  cotild  not  have  been  much  in  excess  of  200, 
but  the  railroad  was  coming  and  was  completed  to  Noblesville  during 
the  year.  George  W.  Boyer  was  at  this  period  added  to  the  list  of  black- 
smiths. 

In  the  next  year,  the  railroad  was  built  to  Tipton,  and  in  1854,  com- 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  99 

pleted  to  Peru,  its  northern  terminus.     Up  to  this  time,  notwithstanding 
mud  and  isolation,  the  inhabitants  of  this  unassuming  county  metropolif 
had  been  happy  and  contented,    and  in  a  measure  prosperous,  at  times 
shaking  with  the  ague  and  occasionally  battling  with  a  fever;  but  now 
came  a  real  calamity,  the  cholera,  which  scourged  the  town,   drove  the 
people  from  their  homes   and  hurried  many  of  them  to  their  graves 
The  epidemic  began   about  the   1st  of  August,  1854,   and  as  soon  as  its 
dread  presence  became  known,  almost  every  person  in   a  population  of 
over  300  who  could  get  away,  fled  in  dismay  and  terror  to  the  surround- 
mg  country,  but  several  of  these  carried  with  them  the  seeds  of  the  ter 
rible  disease  and  died  away  from  their  homes.     Stock  of  all  kinds   was 
left  in  pens,  without  food  or  water,  and  would  certainly  have  perished 
and  thus  added  to  the  horrors  of  the  situation,  had  it  not  been  for  the 
thoughtfulness  and  heroism  of  Mason  Lyons,  who  went  to  each  pen  and 
inclosure  and  turned  horses,  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep  out  to  roam  at  will  in 
the  unfenced  woods.     Business  of   every  kind  was  utterly  suspended 
Stores  were  closed,  and  hammers  were  silent.       The  places  which  it  had 
been  the  custom  of  the  people  to  frequent  were  deserted.     Men  talked  in 
subdued  tones  and  looked  each  other  in  the  face  with  anxious  eyes      A 
solemn  stillness,  a  hush  of  death,   pervaded  the  verv  air,    and  was  only 
broken  by  the  cackling  of  chickens  on  the  commons  or  the  flutterincr  of 
the  wings  of  birds  in  the  trees.     The  doctors  who  lived  here  at  that  t'ime 
were  Isaac  Parker,   John  H.  Barker  and  Absalom  M.  Vickrey,  and  thev 
did  their  duty  like  men.     Among  the  persons  who  attended  on  the  sick 
were  Peter  Bert  and  Dudley  Newman,   both  of  whom  are  now  living  in 
the  county,   Mr.  Bert  in  Tipton   and  Mr.  Newman  in  Windfall       The 
number  of  patients  afflicted  with  the  disease  cannot  be  given  accurately 
but  there  were  about  twenty  deaths.     Had  not  the  larger  part  of  the 
population  of  the  town  forsaken  their  homes,  and  left  only  empty  houses 
to  receive  the  plague,  the  ravages  would  have  been  still  more  fearful 
But  in  a  month  it  had  completely  spent  its  force  and  the  scattered   fami- 
lies returned.     No  other  epidemic  has  ever  occurred  in  the  town    but 
diirmg  the  early  years  of  the  rebellion,   there   were  a  few  sporadic  cases 
of  small-pox. 

FEOM  1856  TO  1870. 
The  completion  of  the  railroad  gave  an  impetus  to  the  growth  of  the 
town,  and  m  3856  it  was  incoi-jDorated  for  the  first  time  and  William 
B  Young  became  Marshal.  New  and  better  houses  began  to  be  built, 
and  business  became  more  and  more  important  as  the  country  settle- 
ments began  to  thicken  and  the  acreage  of  cultivated  soil  increased  4 
newspaper,  The  Tipton  County  Democrat,  owned  by  Vickrey  &  Booker 
was  started.  Coon  skins,  as  a  medium  of  exchange,  gave  way  to  gold  and 
81  ver.  Wheat  was  hauled  here  to  market  from  all  the  western  portion  of 
Clinton  Coimty.     The  leading  business  men  of  this  decade  were  N  J 


100  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

Jackson,  W.  N.  &  N.  P.  Evans,  A.  B.  Goodrich,  J.  E.  &  Isaac  Rumsey, 
Isaac  Parker,  A.  M.  Vickrey,  William  Stivers,  Dickson  &  Price.  Thomas 
Mnrphy,  John  S.  Ressler  and  James  Gassier,  and  still,  in  1860,  the  pop- 
ulation was  only  about  500.  In  this  year,  however,  much  was  done  to 
add  to  the  good  appearacce  of  the  town.  Another  newspaper,  the  Tipton 
County  Republican,  was  started  about  this  time  by  S.  T.  Montgomery. 
Dr.  A.  M.  Vickrey  bailt  his  brick  residence  on  the  west  side  of  the  pub- 
lic square.  Joseph  A.  Lewis  and  William  B.  Young  also  built  .brick 
residences.  John  E.  Rumsey  and  Isaac  Rumsey  put  up  the  brick  busi- 
ness building  now  owned  by  David  Kemp,  and  Dr.  Vickrey's  building, 
in  which  his  banking  business  is  conducted,  was  also  put  up  in  that  year. 
Two  years  later,  Vickrey  and  Stivers  erected  the  brick  business  house  on 
the  south  side  of  Jefferson  street,  between  Court  and  Independence. 

On  the  breaking-out  of  the  war,  many  citizens  went  to  the  fi'ont  as 
detailed  elsewhere,  and  during  the  anxious  period  of  that  terrible  strug- 
gle and  the  stirring  years  after  it  closed,  new  residents  came  in  but 
slowly,  street  improvements  were  only  thought  of,  no  gravel  roads  were 
constructed,  and  so,  in  1870,  we  find  Tipton  with  a  population  of  but 
892,  and  in  no  sense  overburdened  with  ornament.  But  its  men  were 
orderly,  industrious  and  thoroughly  intelligent,  its  women  handsome  and 
cultured,  and  its  children  were  well  dressed  and  attended  the  public  and 
Sunday  schools  with  as  much  regularity  as  childi'en  will  in  any  commu- 
nity. 

TOWN    INCORPORATION. 

The  town  charter,  which  had  been  forfeited  many  years  previously, 
was  in  1872  renewed,  and  an  incoporation  effected,  with  the  following 
named  officers,  who  were  elected  on  the  26th  day  of  June  in  that  year:  Trust- 
ees, George  W.  Boyer,  Absalom  M.  Vickrey  B.  M.  Blount,  Thomas  S.  Arm- 
strong and  C.  A.  Negley;  Clerk,  William  H.  Clark;  Assessor,  Jesse  M. 
Morgan;  Treasurer,  Robert  W.  Wright;  Marshal,  Thomas  Paul.  From 
that  time  to  the  present,  the  town  has  progressed  with  great  and  grow- 
ing rapidity,  notwithstanding  the  years  of  financial  distress  which  began 
in  1873,  and  did  not  end  until  toward  the  close  of  the  decade. 

A    NEW    JOURNAL. 

In  1872,  another  newsj)aper,  called  the  Enterprise,  and  Republican  in 
politics,  was  started  by  Joel  Reece,  who  came  from  Grant  County  for 
that  purpose.  It  suspended  in  about  two  years,  and  in  1877  the  pres- 
ent Republican  paper,  The  Advocate,  owned  and  edited  by  M.  W.  Per- 
shing, was  first  published. 

LATE  IMPROVEMENTS  AND  PRESENT  CONDITION. 

In  1873,  the  commodious  brick  hotel  building  at  the  southwest  cor- 
ner of  the  public  square  was  built  by  John  Long.     Two  years  later,   the 


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TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  103 

three-story  Armstrong  &  Gleason  Block  came  into  e.istencB,  the  ton  part 
be,ng  dmded  .nto  two  halls, which  are  occupied  ^y  the  I.  O  .0.  f'  and 
the  A.,  F.  &  A  M.  Lodges.  Daring  the  centennial  year,  N.  R.  and  E 
A  Overman  erected  the  business  house  which  is  occupied  below  by  m' 
Bosenthal  and  above  by  the  Times,  and  now  owned  by  Joseph  Puntenney 
Atth,sper,od  theLa  Fayette,  Muncie  &  Bloomington  Railroad,  ITe 
named  the  Lake  Ene  &  .Vestern,  was  completed  through  Tipto;,  ery 
™ch  to  he  grafhcafonof  all  the  citizens.  Here  came,  "also,  the  Barker 
&  Shirt  building,  m  which  is  situated  the  Tipton  County  Bank  and  the 
MiUer  &  McJunken  Block  farther  east  on  .Jeffein  street.  New  and  hand 
some  residences  were  erected  in  diiJferent  parts  of  town,  and  street  improve- 
ments  began  to  take  active  and  visible  shape. 

In  1880,  with  returning  prosperity,  came  the  Newcomer  &  Moore  Onera 
House,  the  Main  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  the  Pickens  build- 

isheHld  rh?™™  r  ,'""^'f  ••,  ^'■■'^  '°  ''^''  Kl«yl»'=  Theatre  was  tin- 
isJaed  and  the  new  Gleason  building  erected 

richest  agricultural  region  in  the  State  of  Indiana,  and  in  thrift  and  in- 
dustry and  general  progress  it  rivals  the  capital  of  any  neic^hborin^ 
county.  Its  well-improved  streets,  its  tree-lined  walks,  have  reached  a 
degx^e  of  perfection  never  dreamed  of  by  the  early  residents,  and  the 
court  house  square,  with  its  magnificent  shade,  is  a  joy  forevei-  It  has 
a  population  at  this  time  of  considerably  more  than  2,000  energetic  and 
well^employed  people.  Gravel  roads  projecting  in  all  directions  are  be 
ing  built,  and  thus  the  town  will  be  brought  into  close  communication 
at  all  seasons  of  the  year  with  every  part  of  the  county.  Handsome 
residences,  surrounded  by  neatly-kept  grounds,  line  every  street  aTd 
others  ai.  m  process  of  construction.  The  special  features  of  the  town 
follow  under  appropriate  heads. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  first  eduational  work  in  the  new  town  began  shortly  after  the 
completion  of  the  old  log  court  house.  In  it  was  Lid  mosf  pibably 
m  the  winter  of  18«-«.  the  first  school,  and  from  the  best  info  mat  I 
the  writer  has  been  able  to  obtain,  William  F.  Brady  was  the  first 
teacher.  The  next  was  probably  Joseph  M.  Askin.  School  was  n^^ 
held  in  the  c.bm  of  Jack  Eeed,  which  stood  on  Main  street,  about  two 
squares  north  of  Jefferson.  Until  1832.  schools  were  thus  held  at  Zsl 
ent  houses  for  two  or  three  months  in  each  twelve.  Teachers  were  oaid 
by  subscription,  and  very  poorly  paid,  too,  for  they  were  endeavoring  to 
lead  up  the  steeps  the  children  of  a  very  poor  people,  whose  supply  o1 
ready  cash  was  at  a  minimum.  In  the  year  mentioned,  however  a  new 
frame  school  building,  twenty-four  feet  wide  by  si.ty  in  depth  Z 
erected  where  the  Christian  Chapel   now  stands,  with  "semi-mode^;  7m 


104  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

provements.     The  seats  were  made  to  accommodate  squads  of  five  instead 
of  a  dozen. 

Prominent  among  the  educational  men  in  that  day  were  George 
Kane,  Asher  B.  Goodrich,  Newton  J.  Jackson,  Dr.  Isaac  Parker,  Rev. 
John  Dale,  Charles  Rumsey,  Marion  P.  Evans  and  Joseph  W.  Wilson. 
The  new  building  was  frequently  used  on  Sunday  for  religious  purposes. 
Joseph  M.  Askin  was  among  the  first  teachers  to  occupy  the  house.  Then 
followed  John  E.  Rumsey  during  the  greater  part  of  the  period  from 
1853  to  1869,  assisted  by  Miss  Martha  Dale,  Miss  Hattie  Marsh,  Miss 
Marion  Lindsay,  Miss  Maggie  Kane,  Miss  Becea  Bickel,  Miss  Aurelia 
Kane,  Miss  Izora  Wilson  and  others.  The  terms  not  taught  in  this  peri  • 
od  by  Mr.  Rumsey  were  under  the  charge  of  Albert  Barnett,  M.  V.  B. 
Newcomer  and  a  Mr.  Lockwood.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  there  were  but 
two  methods  of  securing  study,  one  by  the  lash  or  its  equivalent,  and 
the  other  by  creating  a  love  for  study  per  se.  Mr.  Rumsey's  method  was  the 
latter,  and  that  probably  accounts  for  his  long  and  continuous  service. 
Some  teachers  would  raise  a  puncheon  from  the  floor  and  incarcerate  an 
idle  and  refractoiy  boy  awhile  in  that  improvised  dungeon.  If  that  had 
not  the  desired  effect,  the  punishment  wound  up  with  a  flogging.  But 
as  a  rule  these  early  teachers  were  conscientious,  intelligent  and  ener- 
getic an  fully  the  equal  of  their  fellow  teachers  in  the  State.  They 
were  missionaries,  working  for  the  good  of  humanity  at  from  $8  to  $30 
per  month,  one  third  public  money,  the  other  two-thirds  to  be  made  up 
by  the  patrons  and  about  fifty  per  cent  of  which  was  lost.  Barnett  was 
a  queer  genius,  not  particularly  choice  in  his  words,  nor  caring  much 
whether  he  or  his  pupils  wore  their  hats  and  bonnets  in  school  hours. 
Yet  he  was  a  succcessful  teacher  and  the  most  original  arithmetician  in 
the  county.  Rumsey,  upon  taking  hold  of  the  school  in  the  summer  of 
1853,  told  the  patrons  that  he  would  take  the  Bible  with  him  into  the 
school  room  as  a  daily  text  book.  But  the  best  men  were  afraid  it  would 
hinder  the  progress  of  the  school.  They  told  him,  however,  to  go  ahead, 
but  that  he  must  do  so  on  his  own  responsibility.  The  school  laws  from 
1850  to  1860  were  the  merest  apologies  for  laws  in  some  particulars. 
For  instance,  the  statutes  made  it  obligatory  to  have  a  County  Examiner, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  grant  license  to  teachers  if  their  grade  compre- 
hended a  practical  knowledge  of  the  six  branches,  and  yet  under  the  same 
statutes  the  patrons  of  any  school  district  could  elect  a  rejected  appli- 
cant for  license  to  teach  in  the  district.  As  Tipton  increased  in  popula- 
tion, the  necessity  for  more  school  room  increased  correspondingly.  So 
in  1867,  the  erection  of  the  present  building  on  West  Jefferson  street 
was  begun.  It  was  finished  sufficiently  in  1869  to  allow  school  to  begin 
in  it  that  year,  and  it  was  subsequently  fully  completed,  the  total  cost 
being  about ; $15,000.  John  E.  Rumsey  and  Jacob  B.  Blount  headed 
the  school  in  1869  with  competent  assistants,  and  from  that  time  to  the 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  105 

present  it  has  been  sustained  from  seven  to  nine  months  in  each  year. 
Among  the  prominent  instructors  who  have  had  charge  of  the  schools 
are  Professors  Jennings,  B.  M.  Blount,  J.  C.  Gregg,  Thrasher,  Stout, 
A.  F.  Armstrong  and  W.  H.  Clemens.  Several  classes  have  graduated 
from  the  High  School  Department,  the  last  one  being  the  class  of  1883. 
The  school  building  itself  is  a  large  two-story  brick  with  slate  roof.  It 
consists  of  six  rooms  besides  the  library  room,  which  is  well  supplied 
with  a  large  number  of  well  selected  books.  As  the  town  is  growing 
with  so  much  rapidity,  another  building  will  soon  become  necessary. 

RELIGIOUS. 

Tipton  has  five  church  buildings,  occupied  by  as  many  denomina- 
tions, namely,  Presbyterian,  Catholic,  Methodist,  Episcopal,  Christian 
and  New  Light. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  at  Normanda,  by  Rev.  John 
Dale,  on  the  14th  day  of  July,  1850,  with  the  following  em-oUment:  An- 
drew Evans,  Susan  Evans,  Elizabeth  J.  Montgomery,  Charles  Rumsey, 
Sarah  Rumsey,  Elizabeth  Paul  and  Martha  E.  Goar.  Andrew  Evtins 
was  ordained  Elder.  The  Normanda  Church,  by  order  of  the  Logans- 
port  Presbytery,  was  dissolved,  and  out  of  it  and  the  Amity  Church,  in 
or  near  Boxley,  Ind.,  a  new  church  was  ordered  to  be  organized  at  Tip- 
ton, to  be  named  the  Tipton  Presbyterian  Church.  Rev.  John  Dale  and 
J.  E.  Rumsey  were  appointed  a  committee  to  carry  out  this  order,  which 
they  did  September  24,  1854.  The  leaders  of  this  church  had  two  ob- 
jects; first,  to  educate  the  children,  and  second,  to  build  up  the  church 
and  advance  religious  work.  Thei'e  have  been  a  number  of  revivals  in 
this  church,  the  most  remarkable  being  that  of  the  winter  of  1874,  when 
about  seventy  new  converts  were  addet^,  many  of  them  from  the  Sabbath 
school  of  which  'Mr.  J.  E.  Rumsey  has  been  continuously  Superintend- 
ent for  twenty-six  years.  This  church  has  three  foreign  missionaries 
at  work,  viz.,  John  Brady,  who  is  in  Alaska,  and  Robert  Lemington  and 
Martha  Dale  Lemington,  who  are  now,  and  have  been  for  many  years,  in 
Brazil,  South  America.  The  ministers  of  this  church  have  been  Revs. 
John  Dale,  B.  Laffler,  Thomas  Whallen,  J.  W.  Monfort,  C.  M.  Howard, 
J.  R.  Walker,  G.  Huyser,  John  S.  Craig,  S.  P.  Dillon,  William  Omel- 
yena,  and  Thomas  A.  Steele,  the  present  pastor.  The  Elders  have  been 
Andrew  Evans,  John  l^'erguson,  J.  E.  Rumsey,  William  N.  Evans,  John 
N.  Summerville  and  I.  H.  Montgomery.  This  church  is  in  a  very 
flourishing  condition. 

For  twoscore  \  ears   there  have  been  Catholics  in  or  around  Tipton, 
but  until  about  1875   there  was  no  movement  toward  organization.  Some 
years  before  that,  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop.  Luers  visited  this  part  of  his  scat- 
tered diocese,  and  made  an  effort  to  secure  property  for  church  purposes. 
Afterward,  in  the  year  mentioned,  the  few  lamilies  living  here  put  up 


IQQ  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

St    John's    Church,    a  small    frame   building.     It    looked    amply    large 
to    do   for   many   years.     During   the   great   railroad   strike   of    1877, 
the  first  resident  pastor,  Rev  F.  G.  Lentz,  arrived,  and  at  once  infused 
new  life  into  the  apparently  listless  body.     Before  the  following  winter, 
a  fine  brick  pastoral  residence  had  been  built,  and  in  the  spring  of   1878 
an  addition  was  made  to  the  church  for  the    accommodation  of  the  rapid- 
ly increasing  congregation.     A  very  short  time  sufficed  to  render  even 
that  too  crowded,  and  in  1881  the  church  was  still  further  enlarged,  and 
the  seating  capacity  doubled.     Now,  in  1883,  the  congregation  has  out- 
gi-own  even  that   accommodation,  so  that  but   few    years  must  elapse  be- 
fore  some  greater  and  more  permanent  building  will  be  needed.     When 
Father  Lentz  was  first  stationed  in  Tipton,  there  were  fifteen  families, 
all  told,  belonging  to  the  congregation.   By  1883,  nearly  ninety  families, 
mostly    farmers  working  their   own   property,   have  settled   around  the 
county  seat.     The  success  and  prosperity  of   St.  John's  congregation    at 
Tipton  has  been  almost  iinprecedented  in  the  annals  of  church  history 
in  Indiana,  and  this  is    materially  due  to  the  indefatigable   exertions  of 
Father  Lentz.     A  few  more  years  of  like  success  will  establish  it  on  a 
basis  to  compare  favorably  with  older  congregations  now  founded  a  quar- 
ter of  a  centmy,  if  in  some  respects  it  does  not  surpass  them. 

The  New  Light  Church  is  located  on  South  Independence  street,  the 
buildin-  being  the  one  formerly  occupied  by  the  Methodists.  It  has  a 
good  congrecration  and  a  Sunday  school  rapidly  growing  in  importance. 
The  Rev.  George  Bozell  is  the  pastor.  He  is  very  popular  with  his 
people    and  is  doing  much  good  service  for  the  church  militant. 

The  Christian  Church  was  organized  July  29,  1855,  by  H.  St.  John 
VanDake,    evangelist,  with  the   following  as   charter   members:     John 
Whisler   Caleb  Parish,  John  W.  Chambers,    Temple  Fleet,  A.  B,  Good- 
rich  Mary  T.  Goodrich,  Samuel  Deal,  Ann  Deal,  Phoebe  Nelson,  Nancy 
Thomas  Betsv  Whisler  and  Lanzel  Parish.    Of  this  number,  John  Whis- 
ler  and  Samuel  Deal    were  elected   Elders;  Caleb   Parish  and  John  W. 
Chambers,  Deacons,  the    latter    also  being  elected    Clerk.     No   regular 
preacher  was  employed  until    October,    1859,  when  Elder  B.   M.    Blount 
was  employed  for  one  year,  to   preach   every   alternate  Sunday.     Up  to 
this  time   the  meetings  had  been  held  in  the  schoolhouse,  which  stood  on 
the  very  ground  now  occupied  by  the  new  brick  church  of   this  congre- 
eation      But   the  schoolhouse  not   being   suitably  arranged    for   church 
purposes,  a  committee  was  appointed   to  confer  with  the  Trustees  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  who  generously  tendered  them  their  house 
every  alternate  Sunday.     On  the  24th  day  of  March,  1860,  Joseph  Van 
Buskirk  was  chosen  Elder,  and    John  W.  Chambers  and  John   Young, 
Deacons.     From  this  time  until  1864,  the   pastors  of   the   church   were 
Elders  B   M.  Blount  and  Thomas  Bernow,  Dr.   C.  N.  Blount  and  A.  J. 
Gaffin  were  Elders,  and  John  Stanley  and  Wesley  Ayers  were  Deacons. 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  107 

About  March,  1864,  Elder  Knowles  Shaw  secured  here  and  there 
nearly  one  hundred  additions  to  the  church.  The  building  in  which  this 
congregation  now  worships  was  built  and  dedicated  in  1870,  at  a  cost  of 
about  $6,000.  Elder  B.  M.  Blount,  who  was  instrumental  in  raising 
the  subscription,  and  who  gave  his  time  in  overseeing  the  work,  deserves 
great  credit.  He,  W.  S.  Armstrong,  T.  J .  Smith,  G.  W.  Boyer,  R.  W. 
Wright  and  C.  N.  Blount,  made  the  largest  subscription.  In  addition 
to  the  Elders  mentioned,  Charles  Brown  and  George  W.  Boyer,  have  held 
that  place.  Following,  the  names  of  the  preachers  who  have  occupied  the 
pulpit  since  1869,  are  given:  Elders  Collins,  W.  S.  Winfield,  J.  E. 
Tayor,.  J.  B.  Blount,  L.  H.  Jamison,  H.  R.  Pritchard,  D.  R,  Van  Buskirk, 
B.  M.  Blount,  A.  H.  Morris,  A.  F.  Armstrong,  R.  S.  Blount  and  R.  A. 
Gilcrist,  the  present  pastor.  At  this  time,  J.  M.  Clark,  Dr.  G.  M.  Collins 
and  John  Harding  are  Elders;  L,  T.  Bunch,  William  Daum,  Samnel  Vaw- 
ter  and  William  B.  Young  are  Deacons,  and  E.  B.  Martindale,  Clerk. 
The  present  membership  is  150. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  of  Tipton  was  organized  about  1847. 
Preaching,  at  this  early  date,  occurred  in  the  private  residences  of  the 
members.  In  1851,  the  society  undertook  to  build  a  house  for  worship, 
but  this  woi'k  was  not  completed  until  1856.  The  court  house  burning 
down  in  1857,  this  church  building  was  used  for  a  court  room  for  three 
years.  The  congregation  prospered  and  thrived  and  increased  in  num- 
bers, until  this  building  became  too  small;  and  accordingly,  in  1879, 
the  society  erected  a  new  and  commodious  brick  chui'ch  building  on  North 
Main  street.  The  old  house  was  sold  to  the  New  Lights.  The  society 
has  been  quite  prosperous,  and  now  owns  substantial  as  well  as  elegant 
buildings  for  church  services  and  for  a  residence  for  the  pastor.  Their 
property  is  worth,  at  the  present  time,  about  $8,000,  and  the  church  has 
a  very  large  membership.  The  records  of  the  early  history  of  the  church 
are  gone.  It  is  impossible  to  acquire  much  knowledge  of  the  early  time, 
except  by  conversing  with  the  older  members.  Only  a  partial  list,  there- 
fore, of  the  pastors  who  have  served  this  congregation  can  be  given,  and 
no  pretense  is  made  to  do  this  in  chronological  order.  The  founder  and 
first  pastor  of  the  church  was  Dr.  R.  D.  Robinson.  After  him  came  the 
following:  Revs.  J.  Colclazer,  Hoback,  Morrison,  Richey,  Munson, 
Stout,  Havens,  Bradford,  Shackleford,  Strite,  Martindale,  Ervin,  Staf- 
ford, Brock,  Block,  Collins,  Pike,  Earp,  Harrison,  McKaig,  Sells,  Metts, 
and  A.  S.  Wooton,  the  present  pastor,  who  is  now  serving  his  third  year 
in  this  charge,  such  excellent  satisfaction  has  he  given. 

SECRET    SOCIETIES. 

Austin  Lodge,  No.  128,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M. ,  was  organized  in  the  year 
1850.  The  lodge  has  a  large  membership,  has  been  harmonious,  and 
has  exercised  a  good  influence  upon  society.     It  has  a  pleasant  hall  in 


108  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

the  third  story  of  the  Armstrong  &  Gleason  Block.  The  following  is  a 
list  of  present  officers:  Dr.  A.  M.  Vicki-ey,  Worshipful  Master;  Charles 
Gibbony,  Senior  Warden;  Dan  Wangh,  Junior  Warden;  J.  P.  Thomas, 
Senior  Deacon;  M.  Rosenthal,  Junior  Deacon;  D.  M.  Kirkwood,  Secre- 
tary; H.  A.  Woodrufl",  Treasurer;  R.  Charles  and  J.  M.  Robinson, 
Stewards. 

Tipton  Lodge,  No.  220,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  organized  in  1857,  since 
which  time  it  has  prospered  and  grown,  until  now  it  has  a  large  mem- 
bership and  has  a  hall  of  its  own  in  the  Armstrong  &  Gleason  Block. 
Its  influence  has  been  beneficial.  Following  are  given  the  names  of  the 
present  officers:  H.  C.  Finney,  Noble  Grand;  T.  E.  Tichenor,  Vice 
Grand;  S.  P.  Martindale,  Permanent  Secretary;  James  Johns,  Record- 
ing Secretary;  Levi  Motes,  Treasurer. 

LEADING    INDUSTRIES. 

Banks. — Tipton  has  two  banks,  both  private.  Vickrey's  is  the  oldest, 
having  been  started  prior  to  1870.  It  is  owned  by  Dr.  A.  M.  Vickrey, 
and  does  a  sfeneral  banking  business.  It  is  one  of  the  solid  institutions 
of  the  town.  The  other  bank,  known  as  the  Tipton  County  Bank,  was 
opened  in  1876.  E.  H.  Shirk  is  President,  and  E.  H.  Shirk,  Jr. ,  Cash- 
ier. It  has  large  capital,  does  a  large  and  paying  business,  and  is,  in 
every  sense,  a  credit  to  the  town  and  the  county. 

Hotels. — Four  hotels  furnish  entertainment  for  the  traveling  public. 
The  Commercial  House,  E.  C.  Waits,  proprietor,  is  situated  at  the  south- 
west corner  of  the  public  square.  It  is  a  large,  roomy,  brick  structure, 
elegantly  furnished.  Mr.  Waits  has  been  in  the  hotel  business  nearly 
all  his  life,  and  understands  it  thoroughly.  The  City  Hotel,  on  East 
Jefferson  street,  is  under  the  management  of  Selsman  Meeker.  It  is  a 
three- story  frame,  and  it  has  been  a  featui'e  of  the  town  for  a  score  of 
years.  The  Farmers'  Hotel,  also  on  East  Jefferson  street,  is  owned  and 
managed  by  Harrison  A.  Woodruff,  who  first  began  the  business  over 
thirty  years  ago,  but  who  has  given  most  of  his  time  since  then  to  the 
management  of  a  splendid  farm  west  of  town.  The  Indiana  House,  also 
on  East  Jefferson  street,  is  managed  by  S.  F.  Legg.  It  was  started  by 
A.  Lay  several  years  ago,  who  was  recently  succeeded  by  the  present 
owner. 

Dry  Goods. — Pickens  &  Bros,  began  business  in  Tipton  in  18G2,  and 
have  been  engaged  ever  since  in  the  exclusive  dry  goods  business.  They 
carry  a  large  stock.  M.  Rosenthal  has  been  in  successful  business  since 
January,  1874  W^  R.  Oglebay  &  Bro.  came  to  Tipton  from  Thorntown 
in  February,  1881.  They  carry  an  extensive  stock,  as  do  Haynes,  Gri- 
shaw  &  Shook,  who  succeeded  the  Granger  Co-operative  Store  in 
1878. 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  109 

Dry  Goods  and  Groceries. — A.  Jackson  began  business  in  1870,  and 
subsequently  admitted  H.  C.  Finney  into  partnership. 

Groceries  and  Provisions. — William  Barlow  succeeded  Tui'pen  & 
Taylor  in  1871.  Deal  &  Means  is  composed  of  A.  Deal  and  Charles 
Means.  J.  A.  Gleason  will  soon  move  into  a  new  building.  The  firm  of 
Wilson  &  Harvey  is  composed  of  Woodrow  W.  Wilson  and  Henry  Har- 
vey. A.  Reddelberger  came  to  Tipton  about  two  years  ago  from  Brook- 
ville.  A.  Bennett  came  to  Tipton  from  Monticello,  about  the  beginning 
of  1883.     J.  H.  Zinn  succeeded  to  the  business  of  W.  H.  Wallace. 

Drugs. — Henry  Mehlig  began  the  business  in  1869,  and  has  con- 
ducted it  continuously  since  that  time.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  mer- 
chants in  the  place,  there  being  only  two  or  three  who  have  been  longer 
in  business  in  Tipton.  Dr.  Van  Nuys  succeeded  Grleason,  Wilson  &  Co. 
He  has  practiced  medicine  for  many  years,  and  is  an  experienced  drug- 
gist J.  C.  F.  Evans  has  been  a  resident  of  Tipton  and  Tipton  County 
all  his  life.  He  bought  out  the  di'ug  stock  of  Moore  &  Co.  in  January, 
1883. 

Hardware  and  Agricultural  Implements. — M.  L.  Bowlin  has  been  in 
the  business  for  years,  having  succeeded  his  father,  C.  C.  Bowlin,  who 
began  it  in  1864.  E.  A.  Overman  is  an  es.perienced  business  man.  He 
has  ^been  a  resident  of  Tipton  for  many  years.  He  succeeded  J.  P. 
Hutchings.  T.  S.  Armstrong  began  the  hardware  business  in  1860,  and 
is  now  the  oldest  merchant  in  Tipton  in  one  continuous  pursuit. 

Boots  and  Shoes. — Finley  M.  Hill  has  been  in  this  business  since 
1868,  as  manufacturer  and  dealer.  L.  B.  Bradbury  became  a  citizen  of 
Tipton  in  1879,  and  opened  his  present  business  shoi'tly  thereafter. 

Saddlery  and  Harness. — The  principal  dealers  in  these  articles  are 
S.  B.  Bradbury  and  Tichenor  &  Bros.,  the  [latter  firm  being  composed  of 
J.  A.  and  T.  E.  Tichenor. 

Bakeries  and  Restaurants. — The  most  prominent  of  the  persons  en- 
gaged in  these  industries  are  Martin  Kleyla  and  Henry  Saar. 

Merchant  Tailoring. — Stephen  Lowley  began  in  this  business  in 
1856,  in  Tipton.  Frank  J.  Lebo  is  the  only  other  prominent  merchant 
tailor. 

Jewelry. — Granville  Grove  is  the  most  prominent  jeweler. 

Millinery.  — The  dealers  in  millinery  goods  are  Mrs.  F.  Avis,  the 
Misses  Rothgery,  Miss  Fisher  and  IVIrs.  P.  P.  Clark. 

Furniture. — The  most  prominent  dealers  in  furniture  are  Young  & 
Nance  and  Collins  &  McNeal.  The  former  do,  also,  a  general  under- 
taking business. 

Music  Dealers.— Prominent  among  the  music  dealers  are  J.  E.  Rum- 
sey  and  J.  A.   Wertz. 

Seiving  Machines. — A.  M.  Weed  and  E.  A.  Overman  are  the  dealers 
in  these  necessary  domestic  articles. 


110  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

Photographers. — Henry  Hysman  and  George  M.  Lebo  are  the  only 
photographers. 

Livery  Siables. — There  are  fonr  livery  stables  and  they  are  operated 
by  the  following  named  persons:  Bates  Bros.,  J.  A.  Tichenor,  IVIr.  Tin- 
dall  and  E.  B.  Fippen. 

Blacksmithing. — George  Boyer  began  blacksmithing  in  Tipton  in 
1851,  and  has  continued  it  to  the  present.  Among  the  others  in  this 
business  are  John  Bower,  D.  C.  Jones  and  Charles  &  Warner. 

Gtmsmiths. — Martin  Prilliman  is  the  only  gunsmith.  He  is  a  pioneer, 
having  lived  in  the  town  almost  from  its  organization. 

MILLS  AND  MANUFACTURES. 

Tipton  Flouring  Mills. — After  the  completion  of  the  Peru  &  Indian-^ 
apolis  Railroad  through  Tipton,  William  Dickson,  James  Price  and 
others,  under  the  firm  name  of  Dickson,  Price  &  Co. ,  built  and  operated 
a  flour  mill  at  the  intersection  of  Jefiferson  street  with  the  railroad. 
Prior  to  this  time,  King  &  Buffington's  mill  on  Cicero  Creek  was  the  only 
one  near  town.  They  continued  the  business  until  1862,  when  they 
were  succeeded  by  Staley,  Barlow  &  Co.,  who  conducted  it  for  several 
years.  Isaac  Parker  &  Sons  succeeded  Staley,  Barlow  &  Co.  Subse- 
quently, the  mill  was  in  various  hands,  and  among  the  men  who  have 
been  interested  in  it  may  be  mentioned  Hugh  Dickey,  John  M.  Patter- 
son, S.  M.  Taylor  and  E.  Propst.  It  is  now  owned  and  operated  by 
Messrs.  Friend  &  McFall,  composed  of  K.  M.  Friend  and  A.  C.  McFalL 
This  mill  is  of  large  capacity,  and  here  is  handled  most  of  the  grain 
marketed  in  Tipton. 

Planing  Mills. — There  are  two  planing  mills  in  Tipton.  That  of 
William  B.  Young  was  established  by  him  prior  to  1870,  and  is  still 
owned  by  him.  It  is  in  active  operation  and  requires  several  hands. 
The  other  mill  is  owned  by  John  H.  Tyner.  It  was  erected  in  1873,  since 
which  time  Mr.  Tyner  has  been  connected  with  it,  fiist  as  part  owner  and 
now  as  sole  proprietor.  These  mills,  in  addition  to  planing  lumber,  are 
engaged  in  manufacturing  sash,  doors  and  blinds,  and  the  proprietors 
also  deal  in  dressed  lumber. 

Saio  Mills. — Among  the  principal  saw  mills  are  those  owned  by  Will- 
iam L.  Berryman  and  M.  L.  Bowlin.  These  gentlemen  are  also  extensive 
dealers  in  lumber. 

Staves. — M.  Rosenthal  operates  probably  the  largest  stave  factory  in 
the  State.  It  is  located  near  the  intersection  of  the  Lake  Erie  &  West- 
em  and  Wabash  Railroads.  In  it  are  employed  a  small  army  of  hands. 
Since  its  establishment  three  years  ago,  8,000,000  staves  have  been 
handled. 

Heading  and  Hubs.- — This  industry  is  owned  and  conducted  by  Ty- 
ner, Hasket  &  Co. ,  employs  a  large  number  of  men,  and  is  one  of  the 
important  enterprises  of  the  town. 


■==^' 


,'B^f^^^ 


^^^^^^Z^^^^n^    /^-l^L^^ 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  113 

Carriages  and  Wagons. — The  manufacturers  -of  these  vehicles  are 
Boyer  &  Wafflar,  Raphael  Charles,   John  Bower  and  Fred  Avis. 

Tile  and  Pressed  Brick. — Very  extensive  works  for  the  manufacture 
of  these  commodities  have  been  erected  by  the  firm  of  Berryman  & 
Qualter,  composed  of  William  L.  Berryman  and  Thomas  Qualter. 

Monuments. — The  only  marble  Avorks  in  the  town  are  owned  by 
Samuel  P.  Martindale. 

Brick. — Caleb  B.  Shank  and  W.  B.  Graham  supply  the  town  with 
brick. 

Amusements. — Two  excellent  halls  with  everything  necessary  to  the 
presentation  of  the  drama  grace  the  town,  namely.  Newcomer  &  Moore's 
Opera  House,  seating  capacity,  500,  erected  in  1880 ;  and  Kleyla's  Theater 
seating  capacity,  900,  erected  in  1882.  These  halls  have  large,  roomy 
stages,  which  are  provided  with  magnificent  scenery.  All  their  arrange- 
ments are  first  class  in  every  particular. 

THE  PROFESSIONS — SUMMARY,     ETC. 

The  foregoing  exhibit  will  show  to  some  extent  the  character  of  the 
business  enterprises  of  the  town,  but  to  it  must  be  added  the  names  of 
A.  M.  Vickrey,  M.  V.  B.  Newcomer,  G.  M.  Collins,  M.  V.  B.  Vickrey, 
W.  Van  Nuys,  A,  B.  Pitzer,  A.  S.  Dickey  and  F.  M.  Batman,  physicians; 
N.  H.  Allen  and  J.  M.  Grove,  dentists;  Wright  &  Long,  Martindale  & 
Hancock  and  I.  H.  Montgomery,  real  estate  dealers;  and  also  the  law- 
yers, the  insurance  agents,  the  abstracters,  loan  agents,  railroad  agents 
and  employers,  carpenters,  contractors,  and  all  other  classes  of  persons 
who  go  to  make  up  a  business  community.  Two  competing  railroads 
furnish  shippers  low  rates  for  transportation,  and  connect  Tipton  with 
the  neighboring  towns  and  cities,  with  which  it  also  has  connection  by 
telephone. 

Within  two  years,  a  beautiful  new  cemetery,  Fairview,  has  been  pro- 
vided at  a  convenient  distance. 

'Since  the  original  plat  of  the  town  was  filed,  besides  the  outlots 
which  number  about  seventy- five,  a  total  of  over  500  lots  have  been 
platted  and  placed  on  the  market  for  sale.  These  are  embraced  in 
twelve  additions,  namely,  North  Addition,  South  Addition,  Cassler's, 
Barlow  &  Wilson's,  Jackson  &  Rumsey's,  Blount's,  J.  I.  Young's,  Cox's, 
Kimberlin  &  Webb's  East  Addition,  Van  Buskirk's,  Kimberlin  &  Webb's 
Oak  Hill,  Condo  Bishop's,  Mary  T.  Evans'  and  Armstrong's.  Large  num- 
bers of  these  lots  have  been  sold  and  built  upon. 

Samuel  King,  who  may  be  considered  the  founder  of  the  town,  is 
now  a  resident  of  Sumner  County,  Kan.  He  was  for  many  years  a 
resident  of  Iowa.  Twice  has  he  made  the  pilgrimage  to  Tipton,  once  in 
1865,  and  the  last  time  in  1877,  when  he  traveled  the  entire  distance 
from  Iowa  on  hoi-seback,  although  nearly  an  octogenarian.     The  present 


114  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

officers  of  the  town  are  as  follows:  Newton  W.  Cooper,  Clerk  and 
Treasiirer;  Elias  G. 'Smitson,  Marshal;  and  Frederick  Wafflar,  M.  L. 
Bowlin,  Henry  C.  Finney,  Robert  M.  Robberson  and  John  M.  Langan, 
Trustees.  The  assessed  value  of  town  property  for  taxation  is  $300,000, 
but  this  cannot  be  taken  as  a  correct  estimate  of  its  actual  value,  which 
must  exceed  these  fisrures. 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP. 

BY    M      F.    COX. 


One  who  attempts  to  collate  into  anything  like  a  history  the  important 
events  and  conditions  of  development  of  any  portion  of  Tipton  County, 
at  once  finds  himself  confronted  on  the  threshold  of  his  investigations 
with  a  newness  which  is  inimical  to  speculation,  and  utterly  destructive 
to  that  tendency  to  high-wrought  imagery  and  to  glowing  passages  of 
mystery  and  romance,  in  which  so  many  writers  have  in  all  ages  delighted. 
It  is  doubtless  pleasing  to  the  excursive  mind  to  push  back  into  the  mil- 
dew and  the  mold  of  the  semi-unknown  and  revel  in  conjecture  and 
fancy;  and  it  is  no  less  gratifying  to  the  reader  whether  he  reads  for 
instruction  or  amusement.  Mankind  delights  in  the  skill  which  por- 
trays in  harmonious  colors  th^  possibles  and  the  might-have-beens,  and 
re-incarnates  the  crumbling  skeleton  of  antiquity  and  clothes  it  in  the 
apparel  which  toilsome  research  has  conceived  to  be  most  fitting  and 
appropriate.  But  the  task  of  the  present  writer  is  allied  to  none  of 
these.  Its  merit  will  depend  upon  an  accurate  statement  of  facts, 
stripped  of  any  attempt  at  poetic  veneering  or  the  charm  of  sound. 
Many,  if  not  all,  of  the  matters  with  which  he  is  called  upon  to  deal, 
and  which  it  is  his  duty  to  rescue  from  the  shadows  which  will  soon 
deepen  into  darkness,  are  within  the  memory  of  men  still  living  among 
us,  now  gray  and  venerable,  but  who  came  in  the  strength  and  vigor  of 
their  youth  to  subdue  forests  and  to  endure  the  trials  and  privations  in- 
cident to  pioneer  life. 

Cicero  Township,  although  it  contains  within  its  borders  the  seat  of 
the  county  Government,  can  boast  of  nothing  erected  by  civilized  man 
which  the  world  would  call  old.  Until  1845,  all  that  portion  of  it  north 
of  the  Indian  reserve  line  was  occupied  by  the  Miami  Indians,  and  was 
their  especial  territory.  But  here  and  there  a  trespassing  white  man 
had  located  a  claim,  expecting  to  perfect  his  title  when  the  red  man 
should  be  removed.  This  reserve  line  enters  the  western  boundary  of 
the  township  about  four  miles  north  of  its  southern  limits,  and,  running 
north  of  east,  strikes  the  eastern  boundary  about  five  and  one-fourth 
miles  north  of  the  southern  limit.     All  that  part  of  the  township  south 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  115 

of  the  reserve  line  was  then  within  Hamilton  County,  from  which  it  whs 
severed  by  the  act  of  the  Legislature,  approved  January  15,  1844, 
creating  the  county  of  Tipton.  All  muniments  of  title,  therefore,  to 
lands  situated  in  this  part  were,  prior  to  said  date,  recorded  in  Hamilton 
County,  but  they  were  afterward  transferred  to  the  Recorder's  office  in 
Tipton.  The  title  of  the  Miamis  was  finally  extinguished  in  1845,  and 
they  were  removed  in  that  year  to  a  reservation  provided  for  them  in 
Kansas. 

At  the  first  session  of ,  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners  held  at 
the  house  of  Jesse  Brown,  located  about  one  mile  south  of  where  is  now 
the  town  of  Tipton,  on  the  3d  and  4th  days  of  June,  1844,  one  of  the 
first  items  of  business  was  to  divide  the  texTitory  of  the  county  into 
townships.  It  was  accordingly  ordered  that  the  township  of  Cicero 
should  be  constituted  as  follows:  Beginning  at  the  southeast  corner  of 
Section  32,  Township  21  north,  Range  5  east,  thence  north  sis  i  miles, 
thence  west  six  miles,  thence  south  six  miles,  thence  east  to  the  place  of 
beginning.  Subsequently,  the  township  was  enlarged  to  its  present  di- 
mensions, namely,  eight  miles  north  and  south  and  eight  and  one-half 
miles  east  and  west.  Ifc  contains,  therefore,  43, 520  acres.  The  laud  south 
of  the  reserve  line  was  surveyed  chiefly  in  the  spring  of  1820,  by  Will- 
iam B.  Laughlin,  Deputy  United  States  Surveyor,  assisted  by  Charles 
H.  Test.  Mr.  Test  afterward  held  several  judicial  positions.  He  is 
still  living,  at  a  very  advanced  age,  making  his  home  most  of  the  time 
in  Indianapolis.  The  writer  has  heard  Judge  Test  speak  of  this  survey 
and  of  the  incidents  connected  with  it.  The  land  north  of  the  reserve 
line  was  not  surveyed  until  the  winter  of  1842-43. 

It  would  seem  that  in  the  economy  of  nature  this  spot  which  for 
governmental  convenience  has  been  made  and  named  a  township,  was  de- 
signed almost  solely  for  agricultural  purposes.  But,  like  the  precious 
metals  which  are  concealed  in  the  bosom  of  the  earth,  or  the  pearls  of 
the  sea,  which  are  hidden  in  the  deep,  it  had  to  be  reclaimed  by  a  hard 
and  persistent  battle  with  obstacles  not  only  irritating  but  stupendous. 
No  soil  is  deeper,  nor  could  it  well  be  richer,  not  even  by  the  application 
of  the  best  known  methods  of  artificial  stimulation  than  is  this  just  as, it 
came  from  the  crucible  of  the  divine  and  eternal  alchemist.  That  it 
might  be  prized  more  truly,  heaven  had  decreed  that,  like  the  Tartar  maid, 
it  should  yield  only  to  the  most  daring  and  persevering  of  those  who 
desired  to  possess  it.  It  was  necessary  to  separate  it  from  the  dross  of 
superfluous  water  and  timber.  The  water  was  valueless  for  commercial 
purposes,  but  the  timber,  tangled,  luxurious  and  gigantic,  was  not  by 
any  means  devoid  of  usefulness.  For  uncounted  centuries  its  leaves  had 
fallen  each  autumn  with 'a  pi'ofuseness  and  prodigality  rivaling  Vallam- 
brosa,  unconsciously  enriching  the  ground  beneath  for  the  future  sons  of 
Jacob,  who  having  gr^wn  aweary  in  the  discouraging  eftbrt  to  raise  corn 


116  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

among  the  stones,  and  hard  clay  of  Canaan,  were  to  find  this  their  more 
than  Egypt.  Magnificent  oak  and  walnut  trees,  with  beech  and  ash  scat- 
tered among  them,  thickly  covered  the  soil.  Of  this  timber,  the  most 
valuable  has  long  since  disappeared,  some  of  it  into  fencing,  some  of  it 
into  honses  and  barns,  some  of  it  into  firewood,  and  very  much  of  it  in 
the  early  days  'before  its  value  was  fully  realized  and  before  a  market 
was  easy  of  access,  vanished  in  the  flame  and  smoke  of  the  clearings. 
That  which  escaped  primal  destruction  at  the  hands  of  the  settlers,  has 
been  since  greatly  reduced  in  quantity,  owners  in  some  cases  paying  for 
their  lands  from  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  timber,  and  still  finding 
in  their  possession  a  handsome  surplus  "with  which  to  meet  needed  im- 
provements. But  it  is  proper  to  state  that  a  great  deal  of  valuable  tim- 
ber remains,  as  each  farmer  has  always  been  careful  to  leave  sufficient 
standing  upon  his  land  for  farm  purposes. 

DRAINAGE. 

The  topography  of  this  township  in  common  with  the  whole  county 
for  many  years  was  not  properly  understood.  It  was  believed  by  no  in- 
considerable number  of  people  who  prospected  through  here  that  the  sur. 
face  of  the  land  was  low  and  excessively  flat,  and  that  it  was  not 
susceptible  of  successful  drainage.  So  sincere  was  this  belief  and  so 
common  was  the  error  that  it  in  a  great  measure  accounts  for  the  tardy 
and  hesitating  settlement.  But  the  mistake  was  remedied  as  soon  as  it  was 
known  that  there  was  a  clear,  well-defined  elevation  in  the  township  which 
afiorded  an  excellent  water-shed  and  sufficient  fall  for  all  necessary  drain- 
age. The  altitude  at  Tipton  above  tho  sea  is  over  900  feet.  Three  miles 
north  it  is  several  feet  higher.  Large  open  drains  have  been  contsructed 
in  every  part  of  the  township,  almost  sufficient  to  afford  every  farmer  an 
outlet  for  tile  draining. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  jgive  anything  like  an  accurate  statement, 
in  miles,  of  the  open  ditches,  as  many  have  been  cut  by  the  mutual  con- 
sent of  neighboring  owners,  of  which  there  is  no  record,  while  those 
which  have  been  petitioned  for,  and  ordered  constructed  by  the  proper 
authority,  are  scattered  throughout  the  official  records  of  many  years.  If 
definite  statistics  could  be  given,  it  would,  probably,  serve  no  material 
purpose,  except  (if  we  can  regard  this  as  material)  to  create  amazement 
in  the  minds  of  persons  unacquainted  with  the  necessity.  An  approzi- 
raate  statement  can  be  made,  however,  of  the  amount  of  tile  draining 
which  has  been  done.  Ninety  thousand  rods  is  probably  not  too  large 
an  estimate.  Not  only  has  this  increased  the  quantity  of  tillable  soil, 
but  has  likewise  improved  the  public  health.  Since  this  vast  drainage, 
this  monument  to  the  thrift  and  enterprise  of  man,  the  books  of  physi- 
cians will  show  a  decrease  of  from  one-half  to  two-thirds  in  the  number 
of  cases  of  miasmatic  disease.     The  ague,  that  torment  of  the  early  set- 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  117 

tiers,  has  almost  disappeared;  it  is  shorn  of    its  terrors.     So  with  other 
disorders  which  are  traceable  to  miasmatic  influence. 

The  laws  of  the  State  for  the  reclaiming  of  wet  lands  have  been  of 
various  degrees  of  m«rit.  Formerly,  all  petitions  for  drainage  had  to 
be  directed  to  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners,  who  ordered  the 
work.  Individiials  could  also  form  themselves  into  an  association  or  cor- 
poration for  ditching  purposes,  and  at  least  one  such,  "  The  Union  Drain- 
ing Association,"  operated  in  Cicero  Township.  Such  associations 
were,  however,  not  subject  to  all  the  immunities  of  corporations  gener 
ally,  for  it  was  provided  that  the  members  should  be  personally  liable  for 
all  claims  for  manual  labor  performed.  The  Legislature  of  1881 
enacted  a  law  giving  the  Circuit  Courts  jurisdiction  of  drainage  matters, 
and  providing  for  the  appointment  of  two  Commissioners,  who,  with  the 
County  Surveyor,  should  view  all  lands  affected  by  the  proposed  work 
and  make  their  report,  of  benefits  and  damages,  to  the  court.  If  the 
report  were  favorable,  and  no  successful  remonstrance  intervened,  one 
of  the  Commissioners  was  ordered  to  take  charge  of  the  work  and  super- 
intend its  construction.  Under  this  law,  which  has  been  in  operation 
only  two  years,  many  miles  of  excellent  ditch  have  been  cut  in  the  town- 
ship. Remonstrances  have  not  been  frequent,  only  being  interposed 
where  the  objectors  believed  their  grievances  were  manifest  and  unmis- 
takable. This  right  could  not  be  denied  them,  nor  could  it  well  give 
offense  to  the  most  ardent  friends  of  public  improvement. 

FIRST    SETTLEMENT. 

The  first  permanent  white  settlements  were  made  south  of  the  reserve 
line  before  spoken  of.  All  that  portion,  being  a  'part  of  Hamilton 
County,  was  open  to  entry  at  the  land  ofiices  at  the  Government  prices, 
but  the  books  show  no  entry  prior  to  1834,  and,  indeed,  there  were  but 
two  in  that  year,  one  by  Absalom  Sumner  and  the  other  by  Philip  W. 
Sparger.  All  of  the  remainder  of  this  portion  of  the  township  was  en- 
tered during  the  years  1835,  1836,  1837  and  1838.  Some  of  it  was  taken 
by  speculators,  the  late  Stoughton  A.  Fletcher  and  Nicholas  McCarty,  of 
Indianapolis,  being  of  the  number.  Actual  settlements  began  to  be 
made  during  the  years  mentioned  upon  these  lands,  which  constitute  the 
"  Old  Purchase."  It  cannot  be  said,  with  accuracy,  who  the  fii-st  bona 
fide  settler  was.  Whoever  he  was,  when  he  planted  his  cabin  in  the  un- 
thinned  wilderness  he  was  still  within  Hamilton  County,  and  was  re- 
garded by  his  fellow-pioneers  as  only  a  little  more  venturesome  than 
they.  If  the  county  line  had  then  been  established,  as  it  is  now,  the 
circumstance  might  have  been  noted  with  some  particularity,  but  as  it 
was,  it  was  suffered  to  drop  from  the  memories  of  those  who  knew,  if, 
indeed,  they  ever  charged  their  minds  with  it.  Charles  Freel,  a  hunter 
and  Irapper,  came  at  a  very  early  day,  and  made  his  headquarters  in 


118  HISTOllV  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

the  eastern  part  of  the  township.     Not  veiy  much  is  known  of  him,  as 
he  left  when  the  settlement  began  to  thicken. 

Isaac  J.  Parker  came  from  Wayne  County,  Ind. ,  in  1837,  and  settled 
Qn  the  land  one  mile  east  of  the  present  town  of  Tipton,  where  he  lived 
until  he  died  in  1866.  Mr.  Parker  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey.  For 
some  time  after  his  settlement  here,  his  nearest  trading  place  was  at 
Strawtown,  in  Hamilton  County,  a  distance  ot  more  than  twelve  miles. 
Joab  E.  Parker,  a  brother  of  Isaac  J.,  came  about  the  same  time,  and  en- 
tered land  further  south,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1859. 
Thomas  Corbin  settled  in  the  east  part  of  the  township,  probably  as  early 
as  1836,  and  at  this  time  had  no  neighbor  nearer  than  four  or  five  miles. 
James  Goodpasture  and  Allan  Goodpasture  came  about  the  year  1836, 
and  continued  to  reside  here  until  their  deaths. 

Joseph  Shank  entered  land  in  1836,  and  came  here  about  that  time. 
His  widow,  Marinda  Shank,  and  his  son,  Caleb  B.  Shank,  still  live  and 
reside  in  Tipton,  where  they  own  excellent  property.  James  Egler  came 
later,  and  settled  in  the  western  part  of  the  township.  He  died  in  1882. 
His  widow  is  still  living,  making  her  home  in  Tipton,  where  she  has  a 
handsome  cottage. 

William  Bishop  purchased  land  of  the  United  States  in  1835,  on  which 
he  settled  on  a  year  or  two  afterward.  This  was  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  township,  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  where  now  stands  the 
"Bishop  Schoolhouse. "  He  is  now  dead,  bTit,  his  widow  is  living. 
Daniel  Smith  also  settled  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township,  as  early 
as  1835  or  1836.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Tipton,  and  further  men- 
tion will  be  made  of  him  and  his  wife  in  the  history  of  that  town. 

John  Whisler  and  his  brother,  Jacob  Whisler,  located  about  two 
lailes  and  one-half  east  of  Tipton  some  time  prior  to  1840.  Jacob  was 
first  Treasurer  of  the  county,  and  also  the  first  of  the  brothers  to  leave 
the  county,  going  into  Hamilton,  where  he  still  lives.  John  Whisler 
continued  to  reside  in  the  county  until  the  spring  of  1883,  at  which  time 
he  removed,  with  a  portion  of  his  family,  to  Kansas.  William  Deal  was 
also  one  of  the  early  pioneers,  coming,  probably,  as  early  as  1837  or 
1838.  He  is  dead.  John  Emehiser  came  in  1838  or  1839,  and  settled 
south  of  Tipton.  He  was  a  thrifty  German,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
but  came  here  from  Wayne  County,  Ind.  He  has  had  two  sons,  still  liv- 
ing in  this  township,  Kenyon  and  John. 

William  Dickson  located  in  this  township  in  1837  or  1838.  He 
afterward  became  a  citizen  of  Tipton,  and  more  will  be  said  of  him  in 
that  connection.  Anson  King  settled  on  land  west  of  Tipton  prior  to 
1840.  Samuel  King  entered  land  in  this  township  as  early  as  1835,  and 
at  one  time  owned  over  one  thousand  acres,  including  the  site  of  the 
county  seat,  but  he  was  never  a  resident  of  the  county.  John  Forkner 
settled  south  of  Tipton,  on  land  now  owned  by  his  son,  Matthew  Fork- 
ner, about  1839. 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  119" 

Dr.  Silas  Blount  moved  from  Ohio,  and  located  where  he  now  lives, 
just  north  of  the  Hamilton  County  line,  in  1841.  The  village  of  West 
Kinderhook  was  subsequently  established  there  by  him,  and  the  post 
office  of  that  name  is  still  continued.  Dr.  Blount  was  one  of  the  first 
physicians  to  practice  in  Tipton  County  and  the  territory  now  compos- 
ing it.  He  was  also  one  of  the  first  Associate  Judges.  For  foi'ty  years 
he  gave  his  services  to  this  people  for  nominal  compensation,  riding  over 
almost  impassable  roads.  He  and  his  good  wife  are  still  hale  and  hearty, 
and  will,  likely,  live  many  years  to  recount  the  trials  and  experiences 
of  the  early  days. 

Jackson  Reed  came,  also,  at  an  early  day,  and  settled  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  township.  It  is  probable  the  first  religious  services  held  by 
the  Methodist  denomination  were  conducted  at  his  house.  Harvey 
Goodykoontz  was  one  of  the  first  pioneers.  He  located  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  township,  close  to  where  the  Peru  &  Indianapolis  Railroad 
was  afterward  built.  He  held  the  positions  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  and 
Assessor,  having  been  the  second  Assessor  of  the  township.  He  died  in 
1882.  John  S.  Ressler,  Newton  J.  Jackson,  Martin  Prilliman,  William 
Buffington,  Jesse  Brown,  William  F.  Brady,  William  H.  Nelson  and 
others,  who  lived  in  or  near  the  town  of  Tipton  and  took  an  active  inter  - 
est  in  its  organization  and  growth,  are  spoken  of  in  the  chapter  on  that 
town. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  the  following  may  be  given  as  the 
names  of  early  settlers  of  Cicero  Township,  some  of  whom,  also,  were 
citizens  of  Tipton.  The  list  may  not  be  entirely  correct,  there  may  be 
omissions,  but  the  writer  has  done  the  best  he  could  in  the  time  at  his 
disposal  to  make  it  as  complete  as  possible.  Time  works  many  changes; 
it  not  only  fills  the  hair  with  the  frost  which  no  sunshine  can  melt,  but 
it  clouds  and  impairs  memory  as  well.  On  account  of  this  fact,  proper 
allowance  must  be  made  for  any  errors  which  may  creep  into  a  compila- 
tion of  this  character.  The  names  follow:  John  Beck,  George  Smith, 
Joshua  Eliason,  Thompson  Innis,  Andrew  Tucker,  Peter  Hyde,  Joseph 
W.  Jackson,  William  Donaldson,  Benjamin  Clifford,  Daniel  Haskett, 
John  Ciiflford,  William  Buffington,  Isaac  Clififord,  John  Moone} ,  John 
Kidwell,  Joseph  Pfeiffer,  John  T.  Basey,  Minor  L.  Thomas,  James 
Basey,  Joseph  VanBuskirk,  John  C.  Williams,  David  Webbard,  Alexan- 
der Smith,  Lewis  Jones,  William  Johnston,  James  Copley,  George 
Bowser,  Brighton  Bailey,  Thomas  G.  Carson,  Samuel  Downhour,  John 
B.  Carson,  William  Williams,  Louis  Beck,  Richai'd  Hall,  John  Landig, 
Thomas  Jackson,  John  Craighead,  George  Osier,  Sr.,  George  Rhodes, 
David  King,  Joseph  Morgan,  Michael  Short,  James  Maiden,  Minor 
Malory,  Piatt  Maiden,  John  Failey,  James  Fielding,  Caleb  Parish, 
Martin  Kleyla,  James  Ragsdale  (colored),  David  Lilly,  Joseph  Sumner, 
George  Johnson,  William  Conoway,   March  Tucker,  Sr.,   Samuel   Paul, 


120  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

George  Tucker,  Squire  Tucker,  James  Tichenor,  Martin  Smith,  Timc^thy 
Tichenor,  Simeon  Yelton,  Robert  Barton,  John  McNeal,  John  Murphy, 
Frederick  Smelser,  Dr.  Aaron  H.  Hensley,  Alexander  Pennock,  William 
Bracken,  Harrison  A.  Woodruff,  George  Kane,  John  Alexander,  Conde 
Bishop,  Milton  W.  Shafer,  Jam«s  King,  Andrew  J.  McClanahan,  Henry 
Kinder,  William  Ferguson,  Jonathan  Reed,  Justice  Meyers,  Henry  Shoe- 
maker, Charles  Meyers,  John  McCarty,  Wilson  Crow,  James  Walker, 
Gurey  Smith,  Robert  E.  Davidson,  James  Daly,  Andrew  J.  Kedmon, 
David  Robinson,  Arthui'  Davis,  Seth  Buffington,  William  Buffington, 
Robert  Davis,  Joseph  Goar,  George  Cloud,  John  Lynam,  William  B. 
Young,  Fleming  Eliston,  James  McElhaney,  William  Gregory,  John  W. 
Chambers,  William  Welshous,  William  Stivers,  Daniel  Welshous,  An- 
drew Evans,  Reuben  Childers,  Daniel  B.  Redmon,  Henry  Goar,  David  J. 
Caldwell,  Matt  F.  Goar,  James  Palmer,  John  Simmons,  George  Kelly, 
James  McMurtry,  George  Motes,  Jacob  Miller,  Henry  Shirey,  Samuel 
Miller,  Solomon  Hedrick,  William  McNeal,  Milton  Mozingo.  George 
McNeal,  James  Sparks,  Joseph  Nelson,  Jefferson  Cook,  Henry  Shafer, 
Robert  Stewart,  Allan  Hopkins,  Aaron  Steelman,  William  Innis,  Elias  R, 
Conner,  David  G.  Wilks. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  many  of  the  names  given  above  are  of 
persons  who  settled  north  of  the  Miami  reserve  line,  and  that  these  lands 
were  not  open  to  purchasers  prior  to  1848,  although  there  were  "  squat- 
ter "  settlers  prior  to  that  time  several  years;  hence,  the  period  of  their 
occupancy  dates  from  that  time,  or  about  thirty-five  to  forty-five  years  ago. 
While  this  is  not  a  long  time,  it  is,  nevertheless,  sufficient,  in  a  new 
countiy,  to  make  old  settlers  of  comparatively  young  men,  paradoxical 
as  it  may  seem.  Taking  the  township  as  a  whole,  its  first  settlements 
were  made  by  a  strong  and  vigorous  class  of  men,  most  of  whom  came 
from  older  settled  parts  of  Indiana,  many  from  Ohio  and  Kentucky,  and 
a  few  from  other  States.  By  far  the  larger  portion  of  the  land  was  pur- 
chased from  the  United  States.  A  few  tracts  in  the  northeast  corner  of 
the  township,  which  had  been  patented  to  the  State  of  Indiana  as 
swamp  land,  were  bought  of  the  State.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that 
the  persons  who  came  here  expected  an  easy  task  in  subjugating  swamp 
and  wilderness,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  they  had  in  their  minds  even  a 
shadow  of  a  shade  of  the  colossal  undertaking  before  them.  The  fact 
that  they  remained,  and  persevered  in  their  labor  to  redeem  the  soil  from 
the  chaos  of  thicket  and  morass,  should  be  an  everlasting  honor  to  their 
names,  and  should  link  them  inseparably  with  great  deeds  well  wrought. 
It  is  a  greater  thing  to  make  a  home  than  to  win  a  battle  or  conquer  a 
province. 

EARLY    HABITATIONS. 

The  houses  in  which  the  first  pioneers  made  their  homes  were  of  a 
similar  kind  to  all  first  habitations  erected  in  a  wooded   country.      Most 


'fOX^ 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  123 

of  them  were  rude  structures  of  unhewn  logs,  covered  with  clapboards 
rived  from  some  convenient  oak,  and  containing  but  one  room.  They 
were  daubed  with  a  kind  of  mortar  made  of  clay  mud,  which  might,  for 
aught  that  was  known  or  cared,  have  contained,  among  its  other  ingredients, 
the  ashes  of  some  forest  chieftain  or  pre-historic  king.     For  even 

"  Imperial  Ciesar,  dead  aud  turned  to  clay. 
Might  stop  a  hole,  to  keep  the  wind  away." 

At  one  side  of  the  room,  a  very  large  fireplace  was  erected,  from 
which  rose  a  stick  and  mortar  chimney.  The  unthinned  wilderness 
supplied  an  abundance  of  fuel,  and  in  that  day,  with  such  splendid 
facilities  for  destruction,  quantity  was  an  object  of  little  importance.  The 
family  food  was  cooked  at  the  open  fire.  The  furniture  for  the  interior 
was  simple  and  inexpensive,  and  provided  without  much  difficulty. 
There  was  no  neighborhood  rivalry  in  the  matter  of  ornamentation  or  ex- 
travagant display.  In  the  absence  of  a  more  convenient  and  sightly 
bedstead,  one  was  frequently  arranged  by  inserting  the  ends  of  two 
small  poles  between  the  logs,  at  a  proper  distance  apart,  while  the  ends 
within  the  room  were  laid  upon  forked  sticks  driven  into  the  ground 
through  holes  made  in  the  puncheon  floor.  Upon  these  was  laid  the 
foundation  for  the  bed  proper.  In  many  instances,  the  furniture  for 
the  entire  house  was  of  this  cheap  and  primitive  character.  If  a  light 
were  needed  at  night,  it  was  supplied  by  a  "tallow  dip,"  or  by  burning 
shell-bark  hickory.  Notwithstanding  the  crudeness  and  unalloyed  sim- 
plicity of  all  these  arrangements,  notwithstanding  the  extreme  toil  and 
hardship  of  every-day  life,  here  was  to  be  found  home  and  happiness  and 
personal  liberty.  No  prince  could  have  greater  aflfection  for  his  palace, 
nor  lord  for  his  castle,  than  these  dauntless  people  cherished  for  their 
cabins. 

EOADS. 

Of  the  roads  existing  at  that  early  period,  very  little  can  be  said, 
because  there  were  few,  if,  perchance,  there  were  any,  which  truth  will 
permit  to  be  dignified  by  the  application  of  so  respectable  a  title.  It  is 
true  that  at  the  September  term,  1844,  of  the  Board  of  County  Commis- 
sioners (which  was  the  second  session  after  the  organization  of  the 
county),  the  township  was  divided  north  and  south  into  three  road  dis- 
tricts, each  two  miles  wide,  yet  it  was  impossible  that  much  could  then 
be  done  in  the  way  of  this  class  of  improvement.  Highways  were  peti- 
tioned for,  granted  by  the  County  Board  aud  laid  out  and  worked  at 
periods,  but  the  labor  put  upon  them  was,  in  the  nature  of  things,  pro- 
ductive of  only  temporary  benefit.  During  the  wet  seasons  of  the  year, 
they  were  impassable  for  any  kind  of  conveyance  or  vehicle  except  the 
homely  and  useful  class  called,  in  the  matter-of-fact  language  of  the 
time,  mudboats.     No  plank   roads  were  ever    laid  within  this  township. 


124  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

Corduroys  were  built  in  very  bad  places,  and  traces  of  them  may  yet  be 
seen.  The  first  Supervisors  of  Eoads  in  this  township  were  David  G. 
Wilks,  Jesse  Brown  and  Allan  Goodpasture, 


Such  conveniences  as  modern  bridges  were,  of  course,  wholly  un- 
known. Within  Cicero  Township  there  was  no  stream  of  water  of  any 
importance  except  the  one  bearing  the  same  name;  and  it,  save  during 
flood  periods,  was  in  most  places  easily  fordable.  If  a  bridge  over  any 
stream  were  found  necessary,  one  was  quickly  constructed  by  throwing 
from  bank  to  bank  the  trunks  of  two  trees,  parallel  with  each  other, 
upon  which  were  laid  slabs,  flat  side  down,  split  from  other  trees,  thus 
providing  a  safe  and  substantial  passage  until  carried  away,  which  was 
frequently  the  case,  by  some  extraordinary  freshet. 

THE    HUNTING  OF  GAME, 

Game  abounded  in  quantity,  and  in  quality  it  probably  could  not 
be  excelled.  Deer,  wild  turkeys  and  squirrels  were  almost  as  common  to 
the  first  settlers  as  the  water  they  waded  or  the  leaves  which  murmured 
above  them.  Black  bears  were  plentiful  in  the  country  skirting  Cicero 
Creek,  while  gray  wolves,  catamounts  and  wild  hogs  numerously  roamed 
the  forests.  Settlers  never  thought  of  putting  up  meat  in  the  fall  for 
use,  as  the  farmers  do  now;  for  if  they  wanted  it,  they  went  to  the  woods 
and  easily  procured  any  quantity  desired.  The  contumacious  and  nim- 
ble-footed raccoon  existed  in  sucli  numbers  that  its  pelt  almost  acquired 
sufficient  dignity  to  be  used  and  circulated  as  a  medium  of  exchange. 
This  may  seem  to  the  grave  and  sedate  reader  an  attempt  at  facetious- 
ness,  but  such  it  is  not.  It  was  several  years  from  the  time  of  the  first 
settlement  before  any  market  for  hogs  or  grain  was  accessible,  and  dur- 
ing this  period  the  necessities  of  the  home,  which  the  woods  and  fields 
did  not  yield,  were  obtained  in  exchange  for  the  skins  of  coons,  deer  and 
wolves.  The  methods  of  capturing  these  animals  were  proportioned  ac- 
cording to  their  cunning.  Coons  were  hunted  with  dogs  trained  for  the 
purpose,  which  frequently  caught  them  on  the  ground.  If  they  took  re- 
fuge in  trees,  they*  were  either  shot  from  the  limbs  or  the  trees  were 
felled  and  the  dogs  did  the  rest  of  the  work.  Wolves  were  captured  in 
pens  or  in  steel  wolf-traps.  It  was  a  difficult  thing  to  shoot  them. 
Indeed,  an  old  resident  asserts  that  an  inexperienced  huntsman  would 
find  it  almost  impossible  to  kill  one  of  them  in  this  manner. 

Deer  hunting  was  a  favorite  occupation,  combining  as  it  did  both  in- 
dustry and  amusement.  Along  the  creeks,  fire-hunting  was  the  most 
usual  and  successful  method.  After  nightfall,  the  hunters  would  get 
into  their  boat  and  proceed  to  the  most  frequented  resorts  of  the  deer. 
In  the  prow  of  the  boat  was    arranged  the  light,  in  the   following  man- 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  125 

ner:  Two  boards,  of  proper  length,  were  nailed  together,  so  as  to  form 
a  right  angle,  the  inner  surface  of  each  having  been  previously  burned 
and  charred  until  perfectly  black.  These  were  then  fastened  to  the  boat, 
and  the  light  secured  to  the  horizontal  board.  This,  shining  both  upon 
it  and  the  charred  surface  of  the  upright  piece,  would  cast  the  entire 
boat  and  its  occupants  into  profound  shadow.  The  deer,  coming  to  the 
water  to  drink,  would  see  the  light  and  nothing  else.  Their  curiosity 
being  aroused,  they  would  walk  close  up  to  the  object  of  their  wonder, 
and  thus  fall  an  easy  prey  to  the  bullets  of  their  concealed  slayers.  A 
single  boat  would,  in  this  way,  frequently  be  loaded  with  six  or  eight 
deer  as  the  result  of  one  night's  sport.  Bears  were  tracked  down  with 
dogs  and  shot.  It  was  a  cunning  trap  indeed  into  which  bruin  would 
obtrude  any  portion  of  his  shaggy  anatomy. 

AMUSEMENTS. 

Every  person  has  need  of  amusement  and  recreation;  the  desire  for 
such  is  inherent  in  man.  In  this  day,  in  the  cities  and  populous  tjwns, 
there  are  theaters  and  plays,  concerts,  dancing  and  masquerades;  and, 
in  the  way  of  field  sports,  horse-racing  and  base- ball.  Of  these  amuse- 
ments, the  early  pioneers  of  whom  we  write  knew  little  or  nothing. 
Dancing  was  indulged  in  at  intervals,  to  the  music  of  a  single  violin. 
Foot  races  were  the  substitute  for  the  running,  trotting  and  pacing  races 
which  their  children  and  grandchildren  now  witness  with  delight  and 
enthusiasm  at  the  county  fairs.  If  any  settler  had  more  turkeys  or 
chickens  than  he  needed  for  domestic  purposes,  he  would  give  out  a 
"shooting  match,"  which  all  his  neighbors  would  attend.  Each  partici- 
pant would  pay  so  much  for  one  or  more  shots,  and  the  best  marksman 
would  carry  home  the  spoils.  At  these  matches  much  friendly  rivalry 
was  shown,  for  in  those  days  a  man's  gun  was  his  pride,  and  his  skill 
in  using  it  in  tournaments  of  this  kind  had  not  a  little  to  do  in  deter- 
mining his  standing  among  his  neighbors. 

In  addition  to  these  sports,  there  was  a  species  of  pastime  (if  such  it 
may  be  called)  which  was  practical  in  its  results.  Log  rollino-  and 
house  and  barn  raising  would,  no  doubt,  how  be  considered  very  severe 
and  arduous  labor,  and  such  it  in  reality  was,  even  to  our  strono-  and 
hardy  fathers;  but  under  the  stimulating  effect  of  good  cider  and  j)!!!'^' 
whisky,  with  the  assurance  of  an  excellent  dinner,  the  labor  was  trans- 
formed into  a  pleasure,  the  hardship  into  an  accommodation.  This  ref- 
erence to  what  is  termed  ardent  spirits,  in  this  day,  is  meant  in  no  sense 
as  anything  discreditable  to  those  who  used  alcoholic  stimulants.  It  was 
one  of  the  unbroken  customs  of  the  times.  Liquors  were  regarded  as  any 
other  cheer,  and  wore  partaken  of  with  equal  temperance.  Seldom,  in- 
deed, were  they  taken  in  sufiicient  quantities  to  cause  inebriation  and 
drunkenness.     During  the  harvest  season,  a  jug  of  whisky  was  in  every 


126  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

field,  and  it  was  considered  as  almost  as  indispensable  as  the  cradle, 
sickle  and  scythe.  And  who  will  say  they  were  wrong,  and,  in  a  spasm 
of  assumed  virtue,  write  of  them  in  rebuke  ?  In  judging  men  by  the 
lives  they  have  lived,  an  intelligent  and  just  opinion  can  only  be  formed 
by  taking  into  account  the  surrounding  circumstances  and  conditions 
from  which  those  lives  would,  almost  necessarily,  take  their  direction. 
Measuring  the  pioneers  of  Cicero  Township  by  this  standard,  they  are 
found  abreast  of  the  best  classes  of  men,  who  have  turned  the  somber 
silence  of  dense  woods  into  fair  and  fruitful  fields,  rife  with  industry, 
and  made  prairie  wastes  smile  and  blossom  as  a  garden  of  the  Lord. 
Their  only  intemperance  consisted  inexcesssivetoil,  their  only  dissipation 
in  sleepless  nights  spent  in  watching  the  fires  in  the  clearings  or  in  hunt- 
ing the  deer  and  raccoon. 

A    FIGHT    WITH    WOLVES. 

The  Cicero  boys  and  girls  of  to-day  have,  doubtless,  read  many  nar- 
ratives, some  of  them  fact  and  some  of  them  fiction,  in  which  desperate 
encounters  with  wolves  were  graphically  depicted,  without  knowing  that 
within  an  easy  walk  of  their  own  quiet  and  cultured  homes  an  actual  bat- 
tle with  these  scourges  of  the  forest  once  took  place,  and  that  the  son  of 
the  principal  actor  therein  now  resides  among  them;  yet  such  is  the 
fact.  Minor  L.  Thomas  came  to  Tipton  County  in  1838,  and  in  that 
year  located  in  this  township,  about  one  mile  west  of  the  spot  upon  which 
the  town  of  Tipton  was  subsequently  built.  He  erected  a  log  house, 
after  the  custom  of  the  times,  and  cleared  a  patch  of  ground  around  it 
for  planting.  Game  was  so  plentiful  that  it  was  no  trouble  for  him  to 
supply  the  family  larder  with  the  choicest  of  vonsion  and  the  most  palat- 
able of  turkey  and  pheasant,  for  his  fame  as  an  expert  hunter  and  an 
unerring  shot  filled  all  the  surrounding  settlements.  At  all  the  shooting 
matches  his  chances  were  considered  best,  for  when  he  glanced  along  the 
barrel  of  "  Dirty  Camp"- -for  such  his  rifle  was  named — the  bullet  sped 
straight  and  true  to  the  mark,  whether  it  was  the  "  bull's  eye  "  or  the 
breast  of  a  deer.  Near  where  Mr.  Thomas  lived  there  was  a  pond,  to 
which  the  deer  were  in  the  habit  of  coming  at  early  dawn  to  slake  their 
matin  thirst,  and  to  that  place  he  went  one  morning,  just  as  the  day  was 
breaking,  thinking  to  replenish  his  stock  of  meat.  Concealing  himself 
in  the  bushes,  he  awaited  their  appearance.  Minute  after  minute  passed, 
but  no  deer  came  A  noise  some  distance  away  attracted  the  hunter's 
attention,  and  he  looked  in  that  direction,  only  to  see  a  gray  wolf  skulk- 
ing through  the  thicket  which  fringed  the  water's  edge.  At  the  time  he 
gave  it  no  thought,  as  he  had  brought  no  ammunition  with  him  except 
the  load  in  the  rifle,  and  did  not  care  to  waste  that  upon  so  worthless 
an  object.  He  continued  waiting,  but  the  passing  time  brought  no  deer, 
while  the  wolf  was  still  prowling  within  tempting   reach  of  his    bullet. 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  127 

Finally,  growing  impatient,  as  the  first  beams  of  light  began  to  chase  the 
lazy  shadows  away,  and  thinking  to  leave,  he  lifted  his  gun  and  tired  so 
carelessly  that  he  only  wounded  the  wolf,  which  raised  a  howl  of  pain 
and  distress.  The  cry  was  almost  on  the  instant  answered  by  its  com- 
panions, who  came  fiercely  dashing  to  the  scene  to  ascertain  the  cause  of 
the  trouble.  Mr.  Thomas  had  no  doubt  they  would  attack  him,  and  his 
situation  was  desperate.  His  gun  was  empty,  and  he  had  no  time  to  re- 
load, if  even  he  had  had  powder  and  ball,  and  these  things  he  did  not 
have.  But  he  was  not  given  time  to  think  of  expedients,  for  he  could 
barely  do  more  than  take  the  barrel  of  the  rifle  in  his  hands  until  the  as- 
sault was  made.  The  entire  pack  of  wolves,  numbering,  probably,  a 
dozen,  rushed  toward  him,  showing  their  vicious  teeth  and  snarling  and 
snapping  ferociously.  When  the  foremost  one  came  within  reach,  he 
crushed  its  pkull  with  the  stock  of  the  gun,  and  then  springing  back- 
ward, fighting  as  he  went,  he  succeeded  in  reaching  the  trunk  of  a  tree 
that  he  had  previously'  noticed,  which,  in  its  fall,  had  broken  off  four  or 
five  feet  from  the  ground,  the  upper  end  still  resting  upon  the  stump. 
All  the  wolves  were  now  upon  him.  He  beat  them  back,  and  again  they 
came,  filling  the  morning  silence  with  frightfu.1  growls  and  yelps  of 
agony  and  rage  as  the  heavy  gun  fell  with  terrible  and  relentless  force 
upon  their  heads  and  bodies.  Again  and  again  they  renewed  the  attack. 
and  were  as  often  beaten  ofl',  Thomas,  in  the  meantime,  calling  loudly 
for  his  dogs,  which  he  had  left  at  the  house,  hoping  they  would  hear 
and  come  to  his  assistance.  The  minutes  passed  like  hours,  and  the  ex- 
ertion was  tremendous,  but  the  dauntless  courage  of  the  pioneer  never 
failed  him.  His  gun  was  reduced  to  the  barrel,  with  only  a  few  splin- 
tered fragments  of  the  stock  still  clinging  to  it.  The  wolves  showed  no 
inclination  to  retreat,  but,  maddened  and  furious,  they  kept  up  the  battle 
with  the  malicious  persistence  of  devils.  He  had  disabled  some  and 
wounded  and  battered  others,  until  their  teeth  were  covered  with  bloody 
froth,  but  he  could  n(jt  continue  the  unequal  contest  forever.  The  brave 
man's  peril  was  momentarily  becoming  greater,  when,  to  his  great  joy 
and  relief,  his  dogs  bounded  upon  the  scene,  and  at  once  engaged  the 
savage  brutes  in  conflict.  Their  attention  being  thus  diverted  from  him- 
self, Thomas  ran  to  his  house,  exhausted,  torn  and  bleeding,  carrying 
with  him  the  remnant  of  his  lifle,  "  Dirty  Camp,"  which  was  preserved 
for  many  years  after  this  memorable  struggle.  For  a  long  time  it  was 
in  the  possession  of  Martin  Prilliman,  of  Tipton,  where  it  was  looked 
upon  as  a  rare  curiosity  and  handled  with  reverence.  Mr.  Thomas  con- 
tinued to  be  a  resident  of  the  county,  and  afterward  owned  its  first 
threshing  machine.  It  was  an  old-fashioned  "  traveler."  At  the  break- 
ing-out of  the  war,  he  became  a  soldier;  was  with  Grant  before  Yicks- 
burg,  and  in  that  siege  he  contracted  a  disease  from  which  he  died 
shortly  after,  while  at  home,  in  Windfall,  on  furlough.  His  son,  Henry 
H.  Thomas,  the  well-known  stock-dealer,  is  now  a  resident  of  Tipton. 


128  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 


FIRST    INDUSTRIES. 


The  first  mill  put  in  operation  in  what  is  now  Cicero  Township  was 
due  to  the  enterprise  and  thrift  of  Samuel  King.  Water  was  the  motive- 
power,  and  sawing  lumber  the  principal  occupation,  although  the  mill 
was  supplied  with  a,  small  corn  bnhr,  capable  of  grinding  ten  or  twelve 
bushels  of  corn  in  a  day.  This  mill  was,  as  may  well  be  supposed,  an 
unpretentious  structu'-e.  It  stood  on  Cicero  Creek,  about  two  and  one- 
half  miles  southeast  of  the  site  of  the  county  seat,  on  land  then  owned 
by  Mr.  King,  but  which,  in  this  day,  is  known  as  the  Mallory  farm. 
There  was  not,  at  that  time,  a  single  completed  line  of  railroad  in  the 
State  of  Indiana,  as  the  "  Old  Madison  road,"  which  was  chartered 
in  1831,  and  taken  in  charge  by  the  State  in  1836,  under  the  "  Internal 
Improvement  System,"  was  not  completed  to  Indianapolis  imtil  the  1st 
of  October.  1847. 

The  next  mill  was  built  in  the  year  1848,  by  Samuel  King  and  Will- 
iam Buffington.  Yt  was  a  much  more  important  concern  than  the  one 
above  spoken  of.  It  was  located  on  the  north  side  of  Cicero  Creek,  just 
immediately  west  of  the  point  where  the  Peru  &  Indianapolis  Railroad 
crossed  the  stream  foui'  years  later.  This  mill  was  constructed  both  to 
saw  timber  and  to  grind  wheat  and  corn.  It  was  oj^erated  by  steam,  the 
boiler  and  machinery  having  been  hauled  by  wagon  from  Indianapolis, 
a  distance,  as  the  roads  then  ran,  of  fifty  miles.  Some  of  the  timbers  of 
this  mill  may  yet  be  seen.  About  1851,  George  Kane  and  Newton  J. 
Jackson  erected  a  steam  saw  mill  in  the  reserve,  at  the  place  now  known 
as  Jackson  Station.  Upon  the  completion  of  the  railroad  to  Peru,  in 
1854,  thus  forming  a  connection  with  the  Wabash  &  Erie  Canal,  some- 
thing more  than  the  hesitating  and  uncertain  local  trade  was  opened  up 
to  this  mill  and  the  other  mills  on  the  line  of  the  road.  In  the  year 
1854,  or  near  that  time,  Thompson  Innis  built  a  steam  sawmill  four 
miles  west  of  Tipton,  at  the  place  since  known,  interchangeably,  as 
Parker's  Corner  or  Parker's  Mill,  which  was  operated  by  different  per- 
sons until  very  recently. 

As  early,  probably,  as  1850,  Brighton  Bailey,  who  lived  two  and  one- 
half  miles  north  of  Tipton,  on  a  portion  of  the  land  now  owned  by 
Geoi'ge  F.  Maxwell,  had  a  horse-mill  for  grinding  corn.  Every  neighbor 
who  wanted  to  use  this  mill,  put  his  own  horse  to  the  lever  and  ground 
out  his  grist.  This  was  the  custom,  and  it  was  invariably  followed,  ex- 
cept in  cases  where  the  customer  had  no  horse.  We  of  this  generation 
may  think  this  method  of  supplying  meal  for  corn-pone  inconvenient  and 
unsatisfactory,  but  it  was  one  of  the  necessities  of  the  time,  and  as  such 
it  was  recognized  by  the  settlers  as  a  blessing.  At  any  rate,  it  was  far 
superior  to  the  mortar  and  pestle  with  which  the  dark-eyed  Mexican 
housewife  to  this  day  crushes  the  corn  for  breakfast  tortillas. 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  129 

EARLY    ELECTIONS    AND    OFFICERS. 

As  there  was,  at  the  time  of  the  oi'ganization  of  the  township,  no 
public  biiildino^  of  any  kind,  elections  were  first  ordered  by  the  Board  of 
County  Commissioners,  at  its  first  session,  to  be  temporarily  held  at  the 
house  of  Jesse  Brown,  which  seems  to  have  been  the  most  convenient, 
and  probably  it  was  the  most  commodious,  then  existing  in  anything  like 
a  central  location.  At  the  same  session,  the  township  was  allowed  two 
Justices  of  the  Peace,  certainly  a  sufficient  number  at  that  time,  to  ad- 
minister the  law  and  perform  the  marriage  ceremonies  for  the  widely- 
scattered  inhabitants.  In  August,  1844,  Jesse  Brown  was  elected  the 
first  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  commissioned  for  five  years  from  the  20th 
day  of  that  month.  In  September  of  the  same  year,  Elias  R.  Conner  re- 
ceived the  appointment  as  Constable,  and  he  was  the  first  for  the  town- 
ship. He  made  a  return  of  '^the  Presidential  election  in  that  year,  and 
was  allowed  37 J  cents  for  the  work.  The  first  assessment  list  ever  pre- 
sented to  the  Board  of  Commissioners  was  rerjeived  by  them  at  their  June 
session,  1844.  It  had  been  prepared  by  Jesse  Brown,  acting  under  ap- 
pointment by  Nathan  C.  Bales,  Assessor  of  Hamilton  County,  He  was 
allowed  $18,75  for  twelve  and  one- half  days  employed  in  assessing  all 
the  taxable  land  and  personal  property  in  the  county. 

At  the  June  term,  1845,  of  the  County  Board,  the  Congressional  town- 
ships were  authorized  to  elect  Trustees.  The  electors  of  Congressional 
Township  21  north,  Range  4  east,  were  directed  to  meet  at  the  town  of 
Canton  (now  Tipton),  which  had  been  established  the  previous  year,  on 
the  last  Saturday  in  August,  1845,  for  the  purpose  of  electing  three 
Trustees  for  the  township,  for  school  purposes.  Daniel  Smith  was  ap- 
pointed Inspector  of  this  election,  but  any  further  report  of  it  is  not 
found.  In  September  of  this  year,  all  elections  in  Cicero  Township  were 
ordered  to  be  held  at  the  town  of  Canton. 

Jesse  Brown  appears  to  have  been  in  general  demand  in  the  public 
service,  for,  notwithstanding  his  election  to  the  judicial  office  of  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  in  1844,  we  find  him  acting  as  Township  Assessor  from 
March,  1846,  to  March,  1847,  being  then  succeeded  in  this  duty  by 
Harvey  Goodykoontz,  who  performed  it  for  several  years  and  then  gave 
way  to  George  Cloud.  Daniel  B.  Redmon  was  the  second  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  having  been  commissioned  from  1845  to  1850. 

STATEMENT  OF  TAXATION,  VALUES  OF  LANDS,  ETC. 

For  the  year  1844,  the  tax  levy  was  25  cents  on  each  $100  in  value  of 
property,  and  50  cents  on  each  poll.  The  delinquent  tax  for  that  year 
was  returned  as  being  $210.15;  of  this  amount  $58.25  was  State  tax, 
$70.12  county  tax,  $78.80  road  tax,  $2.19  lunatic  asylum  tax,  and 
40  cents  deaf  and  dumb  asylum  tax.  The  following  year,  the 
total    amount   of   unpaid   tax   was    $139.76.       For   the   year    1846,    it 


130  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

had  advanced  immaterially.  These  figures  refer,  of  course,  to  the 
township  of  Cicoro,  as  do  also  those  which  follow,  showing,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  first  exhibit,  the  amount  of  taxes  and  the  assessed  value 
for  taxation  of  all  property: 

For  the  year  1846 — Number  of  acres  for  taxation,  17,151;  value 
of  land,  $55,080;  value  of  improvements,  $8,590;  value  of  lots  and 
improvements,  $1,330;  value  of  personal  property,  $12,927;  total  value 
of  taxables,  $77,927;  number  of  polls,  68;  total  amount  of  taxes,  $709.95; 
delinquent  for  former  yfiars,  $141.29. 

For  the  year  1850 — Number  of  acres  for  taxation,  20, 5 14;  value  of  lands, 
$65,003;  value  of  improvements,  $14,749;  value  of  lots  and  improve- 
ments, $8,934;  value  of  personal  property,  $32,261;  total  value  of  tax- 
ables,  $121,847;  Number  of  polls,  158;  total  amount  of  taxes,  $1,487.86; 
delinquent  for  former  years,  $337.36. 

For  the  year  1860 — Number  of  acres  for  taxation,  42,752;  value  of 
lands, j$448,673;  value  of  improvements,  $104,733;  value  of  lots  and  im- 
provements (outside  of  Tipton),  $650;  value  of  personal  property,  $135,- 
074;  total  value  of  taxables,  $753,490;  number  of  polls,  310;  total  amount 
of  taxes,  $7,813.22;  delinquent  for  former  years,  $3,780.38, 

For  the  year  1870 — Number  of  acres  for  taxation,  43,035;  value  of 
lands,  $443,300;  value  of  improvements,  $105,385;  value  of  lots  and  im- 
provements (outside  of  Tipton),  $1,480;  value  of  personal  property,  $189,- 
215;  total  valueof  taxables, $739,380;  number  of  polls,  410;  total  amount 
of  taxes,  $21,867;  delinquent  for  former  years,  $7,526. 

For  the  year  1880 — Number  of  acres  for  taxation,  43,163;  value  of 
lands,  $619,672;  value  of  improvements,  $90,168;  value  of  personal 
property,  $148,880;  total  value  of  taxables,  $858,720;  number  of  polls, 
464;  total  amount  of  taxes,  $17,971;  delinquent  for  former  years,  $3,639. 

The  foregoing  exhibits  do  not  show  the  actual  value  of  the  property 
within  the  township,  but  only  the  value  placed  upon  it  for  purposes  of 
taxation.  To  make  the  exhibit  complete,  from  i860  to  1880,  both  in- 
clusive, it  will  be  necessary  to  add  the  valuation  of  Tipton  town  prop- 
erty, which  is  given  elsewhere. 

SCHOOLS. 

Education  in  the  mysteries  of  books  is  acquired  with  a  difficulty,  in 
all  pioneer  settlements,  which  may  differ  in  degree  but  not  in  kind.  It  is 
not  a  matter  of  wonder  that  the  means  of  learning  should  be  limited 
to  the  smallest  and  rudest  proportions;  the  wonder  is  that,  under  such 
circumstances,  they  should  exist  at  all.  With  any  other  people  they 
probably  would  not.  But  American  settlers,  wherever  they  went,  car- 
ried with  them  the  ruling  idea  that  their  first  duty  was  to  build  themselves 
homes,  and  the  next  to  build  schoolhouses  for  the  education  of  their  chil- 
dren.    The  first  school  in  what  is  now  Cicero  Township  was   started  in 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  131 

West  Kinderhook,  and  was  due,  in  a  great  measure,  to  the  public  spirit 
of  Dr.  Silas  Blount.  The  following  quotation  is  from  a  paper  prepared 
by  Prof.  B.  M.  Blount,  son  of  the  former:  "  In  the  autumn  of  1S42, 
having  donated  a  lot  for  the  purpose,  Dr.  Blount,  with  a  few  of  his  en- 
terprising neighbors,  erected  upon  it  a  hewed-log  schoolhouse.  This,  so 
far  as  known  to  the  writer,  was  the  beginning  of  educational  efforts  in 
what  now  composes  Tipton  County.  In  this  house  schools  were  taught  at 
intervals,  as  teachers  could  be  found  who  would  teach  for  such  compen- 
sation as  the  poor  pioneers  were  able  to  give  them  from  their  scant  earn- 
ings. As  a  specimen  of  the  meager  compensation  of  those  times,  I  may 
state  that  David  Lilly,  a  brother  of  one  of  our  County  CommissiouerH, 
taught  a  school  for  $8  per  month;  this  amount  increased,  of  course,  to 
some  extent  by  boarding  around." 

The  first  teacher  employed  at  the  Kinderhook  School  was  George 
Howard,  a  man  about  forty  years  of  age,  who  came  from  Ohio.  He  gave 
satisfaction,  being  well  esteemed  by  the  patrons,  and  was  continued 
in  charge  several  terms.  Prof.  Blount  was  also  one  of  the  earliest 
teachers,  beginning  about  forty  years  ago,  when  he  was  a  mere  boy  of  six- 
teen or  seventeen  years  of  age.  John  Van  Buskirk  was  another  early 
teacher,  doing  very  much  of  his  educational  work  in  the  western  part  of 
the  township.  All  of  the  first  schoolhouses  were  log  structures,  built  by 
private  means  and  labor,  and  the  teachers  were  paid  by  subscription. 
Light  was  admitted  through  a  window  cut  in  the  side,  eight  and  ten  feet 
in  horizontal  length  and  two  in  width.  Heat  was  furnished  by  a  fire- 
place of  such  ample  dimensions  as  to  consume  logs  from  five  to  eight 
feet  long  and  large  in  proportion.  Getting  the  "  back-log  "  into  place 
was  no  muan  undertaking,  requiring  the  united  exertions  of  the  teacher 
and  the  big  boys.  The  seats  were  made  of  slabs,  capable  of  accomodat- 
ing a  dozen  urchins,  and  freqiiently  put  on  such  high  legs  that  the  feet 
of  their  occupants  would  dangle  several  inches  above  the  floor.  If  the 
teacher  possessed  no  bell — and  this  was  a  very  common  thing — the  chil- 
dren, at  the  expiration  of  the  recess,  or  noon  intermission,  were  called 
in  by  the  rapping  of  his  rule  upon  the  door  or  window,  or  by  the  ex- 
clamation, "  Come  to  books!"  and  when  they  had  assembled  they  had 
"  taken  up  books. "  The  general  rules  of  the  school  were  usually  writ- 
ten out  by  the  teacher,  and  hung  up  in  a  conspicuous  place  on  the  first 
day  for  the  information  of  the  pupils.  It  was  the  understanding  all 
around  that  they  were  to  be  obeyed,  and  any  infraction  was  punished 
according  to  the  aggravation  and  willfulness  of  the  offense.  Beech 
switches  were  the  common  instruments  used  in  enforcing  discipline,  and 
if  one  were  not  at  hand  Avhen  an  emergency  ai'ose,  one  of  the  boys 
would  be  sent  out  to  procure  it.  It  is  but  just  to  say,  however,  that  few 
indeed  were  the  instances  where  punishment  was  administered  to  great 
excess.  It  might  not  always  have  been  nicely  proportioned,  but  seldom 
was  it  inflicted  in  cruelty. 


132  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

Reading,  writing  and  arithmetic;,  with  Webster's  spelling  book,  con- 
Btituted  the  curriculum  of  that  day,  while  here  and  there  a  more  am- 
bitious pupil  would  take  a  timid  excursion  into  grammar  and  the  won- 
ders of  geography.  The  latter  study,  when  it  was  taught  generally,  was 
learned,  to  a  great  extent,  by  the  singing  method,  in  which  the  whole 
school  would  join  in  thundering  chorus.  What  child's  memory  that  ever 
sang  "  Maine — Augusta — on  the  Kennebec  River,"  will  prove  false  to 
its  triTst?  He  may  forget  the  ,  names  of  the  continents,  and  the  width 
of  the  seas,  but  the  fact  that  Augusta  is  the  capital  of  Maine,  and  that 
it  is  situated  on  the  Kennebec  River,  is,a  part  of  himself.  Spelling  was 
a  favorite  study,  and  there  were  classes,  graded  along  from  the  "b-a, 
ba,"  of  the  sturdy  five-year-olds,  to  the  mighty  words  of  seven  syllables 
reserved  for  the  champions  of  the  spelling-matches. 

The  backwoods  spelling  school  was  revered  in  its  day,  next  to  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  and  the  Constitution,  and  when  a  night  was 
appointed  for  one,  every  person  in  the  neighborhood  for  miles  around, 
who  prided  himself  on  his  correct  orthography,  would  be  present,  to 
compete  for  the  honors  of  the  occasion.  When  the  momentous  hour  ar- 
rived, two  of  the  best  spellers  would  "  choose  up,"  having  previously  de- 
termined by  chance  who  should  have  first  choice.  The  members  of  the 
opposing  force  were  selected  alternately,  according  to  the  chief's 
knowledge  of  their  ability  to  "  stand  up,"  and  never  did  Generals  select 
soldiers  for  a  service  of  special  importance  with  greater  caution.  Hav- 
ing completed  this  work,  they  were  arranged  on  different  sides  of  the 
room,  in  the  order  in  which  they  were  named,  and  the  words  given  out, 
beginning  at  the  head  and  spelling  toward  the  foot  of  the  row.  If  a 
word  were  missed  by  a  speller  on  one  side,  the  unlucky  person  would  sit 
down  disconsolately,  and  it  would  be  passed  to  the  opposite  side,  and  so 
on.  Those  least  accomplished  in  the  art  would  soon  be  in  their  seats; 
bijt  the  better  equipped,  who  had  performed  prodigies  of  valor  in  other 
closely  contested  fields,  would,  not  infrequently,  remain  on  their  feet  un- 
til compelled  by  sheer  weariness  to  succumb.  Such  were  spelling  schools 
ill  the  old  days,  but  their  glory  has  departed,  like  the  scepter  from 
Judah,  and  in  its  place  are  found  the  refinements  of  rhetoric  and  the 
mysteries  of  algebra  and  philosophy. 

Another  feature  of  the  early  school,  and  one  not  yet  obsolete,  was  the 
manner  in  which  Friday  afternoon  of  each  week  was  employed.  The  time 
not  taken  up  with  spelling  and  singing  the  capitals  of  the  States  was  devot- 
ed to  declamations,  covering  a  wide  range,  from  the  first  effort  of  the  bashful 
child  to  the  confident  orator  of  sixteen,  who  repeated,  with  animation 
and  eloquence,  Rienzi's  Address  to  the  Romans  or  Dr.  Knott's  Sermon 
on  Duelling.  It  was  the  custom,  also,  in  the  country  schools,  for  the 
teacher  to  treat  his  pupils,  on  Christmas  or  New  Year's  Day,  usually 
with  candy,  and  this  custom  he  violated  at  the  peril  of   personal   incon- 


CICERO   TOWNSHIP.  133 

veuience  and  discomfort.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  important  day, 
the  large  boys  would  take  possession  of  the  schoolhonse  and  "  bar  the 
teacher  out."  If,  when  he  arrived,  he  brought  the  expected  sweets,  the 
barricading  was  removed  and  he  was  admitted.  But  if  he  had  unluckily 
forgotten  to  procure  them,  or  m  his  own  mind  concluded  not  to  do  so,  he 
was  kept  out  in  the  cold  until  a  compromise  of  some  sort  was  effected. 
If  he  should  prove  obstinate,  and  refuse  to  yield  to  the  propositions  of 
his  fortified  scholars,  the  chances  were  that  they  would  emerge  from 
their  stronghold,  capture  him,  and  either  roll  him  in  the  snow  or  dip  him 
in  some  neighboring  pon<i  It  was  a  rare  thing,  however,  for  the  matter 
to  be  pushed  to  such  extremities,  as  overtures  of  peace  were  apt  to  be 
made  by  one  or  the  other  of  the  belligerents,  and  the  affair  amicably  set- 
tled. The  modern  rule  of  adjourning  over  these  holidays  saves  the 
weary  pedagogue,  no  doubt,  much  trouble  and  sore  tribulation. 

For  the  decade  prior  to  1852,  the  schools  were  mainly  supported  by 
private  subscriptions,  and  in  no  instance  were  they  kept  open  for  a 
longer  period  than  three  months  in  a  year.  The  teachers  were  paid  from 
$8  to  $12  a  month,  and  boarded  around  among  the  patrons  in  rotation, 
staying,  usually,  one  week  at  a  place.  Beginning  with  1852,  public 
schools,  for  which  teachers  were  employed  at  ^30  and  $35  per  month, 
commenced  to  make  their  appearance  for  three  months  in  the  year,  but 
they  were  far  between  for  several  years,  as  may  well  be  supposed.  They 
have  gradually  increased,  with  the  constantly  multiplying  population, 
until  the  preseot  day.  Terms  have  been  lengthened,  the  wages  of 
teachers  have  been  increased,  the  log  schoolhouses  have  disappeared,  and 
in  their  places  have  come  substantial  brick  and  frame  structures,  with  all 
the  appliances  for  comfort  and  instruction  which  the  ingenuity  of  the 
age  has  suggested.  The  number  of  schoolhouses  in  this  township,  out- 
side of  the  town  of  Tipton,  is  now  twenty.  Of  this  number,  eleven  are 
of  brick  and  nine  frame.  Four  of  the  frame  buildings  will  soon  give 
way  to  brick.  During  the  school  term  of  1882-83,  each  of  the  twenty 
districts  was  open  the  full  term  of  five  and  one-half  months.  Of  the 
twenty  teachers,  sixteen  were  men  and  four  were  women.  The  average 
pay  was  $2  per  day.  The  number  of  children  in  the  township  (not  in- 
cluding Tipton),  between  the  ages  of  six  and  twenty-one  years,  is 
1,143,  and  of  this  number  only  six  are  colored.  Out  of  this  total  num- 
ber, 1,023  attended  the  district  schools  during  the  last  term.  There  are 
only  fifteen  persons  in  the  township  between  the  ages  of  ten  and  twenty 
one  years  who  cannot  read  or  vTi'ite.  In  District  No.  4,  in  a  total  enroll 
ment  of  seventy-five,  there  was  an  attendance,  duringthe  last  term,  of  that 
number.     For  1882-83,  the  revenue  for  tuition  was  $4,359.72. 

An  education  is  prized  in  proportion  to  the  difi&culties  which  have  to  be 
overcome  in  securing  it,  and  the  fathers  and  grandfathers  of  the  present 
generation,  who   trudged  through  woods  and  swamps  to  the  rude  cabins 


134  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

of  learning,  fully  understand  this  truth.  The  youths  of  the  year  of  grace 
1883,  with  the  modern  schoolhouse  at  their  doors,  with  its  comfortable  seats, 
its  maps,  charts,  black-boards  and  libraries,  can  only  appreciate  the  ad- 
vantages they  enjoy  by  contrast  with  the  past.  The  hardships,  and  the 
toil,  and  the  self-denial  of  that  early  time  made  the  ease  and  the  comfort 
of  to-day  possible,  and  a  knowledge  of  these  things  ought  to  be  suffi- 
cient in  itself  to  awaken  and  stimulate  the  energies  of  the  boys  and  girls 
who  are  reaping  a  harvest  grown  from  seeds  planted  in  the  midst  of 
gigantic  obstacles,  and  in  the  face  of  ever-present  dangers. 

PRODUCTS    AND    MARKETS. 

Prior  to  the  completion  of  the  old  Peru  &  Indianapolis  Railroad  to 
Peru,  in  1854,  there  was  no  convenient  market  for  the  products  of  the 
farm.  The  Wabash  &  Erie  Canal  was  finished  through  Peru  and  other 
towns  north  in  1837,  and  trade  naturally  flowed  in  that  direction.  But 
the  railroad  opened  up  a  local  and  home  market  at  Tipton,  from  which 
point  grain  was  shipped  either  south,  through  Indianapolis  and  over  the 
Madison  Eailroad  to  the  Ohio  River,  or  north  to  th<!i  canal,  and  thence 
to  the  lakes.  With  the  increase  in  cleared  and  drained  land,  the  pro- 
ducing capacities  of  this  township  have  grown  to  very  large  proportions 
— so  large,  indeed,  that  they  are  probably  not  excelled  anywhere  in  the 
State.  From  the  latest  official  statistics,  an  estimate  has  been  made, 
for  an  average  year,  of  the  principal  products,  and  the  result  given 
below.  If  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  acreage  in  cultivation  is  not 
given  as  accurate,' and  it  is,  likely,  too  small: 

Wheat,  5,000  acres,  15  bushels  per  acre,  total  bushels,  75,000;  corn, 
6,000  acres,  35  bushels  per  acre,  total  bushels,  210,000;  oats,  500  acres, 
25  bushels  per  acre,  total  bushels,  12,500:  potatoes,  200  acres,  20  bush- 
els per  acre,  total  bushels,  4,000;  hay,  1,500  acres,  2  tons  per  acre,  total 
tons,  3,000;  tobacco,  15  acres,  656  pounds  per  acre,  total  pounds, 
9,750. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  there  is  a  small  acreage  of  barley  and  rye. 
To  all  this  must  be  added  the  cattle,  hogs,  horses  and  sheep,  which 
are  marketed  in  large  numbers,  and  constitute  a  very  considerable  part 
of  the  farmer's  income.  Tipton  dealers  buy  of  the  farmers  nearly  all  of 
their  various  commodities,  and  pay  the  ruling  prices.  These  dealers 
ship  to  Indianapolis,  Chicago  and  the  East. 

JACKSON    STATION. 

There  are  no  villages  in  the  township  of  any  importance  iu  size,  and 
none,  with  the  exception  of  Jackson  Station,  possessing  any  commercial 
importance.  This  place,  which  is  situated  three  and  one-half  miles 
north  of  Tipion,  owes  the  name,  and  probably  its  existence,  to  the  fact 
that  about  1851,  three  years  prior  to  the  time  of  the    completion  of  the 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  135 

Peru  &  Indianapolis  Railroad,  in  1854,  Newton  J.  Jackson  and  George 
Kane  built  and  operated  a  steam  saw  mill  in  that  immediate  neighbor- 
hood, and  began  the  sawing,  and  subsequently  the  shipment  of  lumber. 
Trains  began  to  stop  there,  a  side-track  was  laid,  and  from  that  time 
Jackson  Station  has  been  known  on  the  time  cards  and  conductors' 
checks.  As  the  country  surrounding  it  has  improved,  the  amount  of 
shipping  from  that  point  has  grown.  Shortly  after  the  war,  Elijah  C. 
Elliott  located  there,  and  established  a  general  store,  and  still  conducts 
it.  By  his  energy  and  enterprise,  he  has  built  up  a  thriving  trade.  He 
has  also,  for  several  years,  operated  a  stave  and  heading  factory,  giving 
employment  to  several  hands.  In  1882,  he  erected  an  elevator  of  large 
capacity,  thus  enabling  him  to  buy  and  ship  large  quantities  of  the  grain 
of  the  farmers  in  that  vicinity.  Mr.  Elliott  is  also  Postmaster  and 
station  agent.  He  has  the  entire  confidence  of  all  his  neighbors,  as  he 
has  always  been  found  a  man  of  integrity,  upright  in  business,  and  pay- 
ing the  best  prices  in  the  market.  His  business  building  is  a  two-story 
brick,  and  his  handsome  frame  residence  is  adjoining.  There  is  an  ex- 
cellent brick  schoolhouse  at  this  point,  and  in  it  religious  services  are 
sometimes  held.  Several  private  dwelling  houses  have  been  erected  here, 
but  the  population  of  the  place  is  small. 

WEST    KINDEEHOOK. 

In  1841,  Dr.  Silas  Blount  had  the  village  of  West  Kinderhook,  situ- 
ated on  the  east  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  32,  Township 
21  north,  of  Range  5  east,  laid  o£f  and  surveyed.  The  plat  was  recorded 
in  Hamilton  County,  of  which  that  territory  was  then  a  part,  on  the  4th 
day  of  September,  1841.  There  were  thirty-one  lots  in  the  plat,  sixty- 
six  feet  wide  and  132  feet  long.  Upon  one  of  these  lots,  a  hewed  log 
schoolhouse  was  built  in  1842,  as  spoken  of  elsewhere.  A  few  other 
lots  were  sold  at  various  times,  but  when  the  railroad  was  built,  a  decade 
of  years  later,  two  and  one-half  miles  west,  the  town  of  Buena  Vista 
sprang  up,  just  south  of  the  Tipton  County  line,  and  what  promised  to  be 
the  flourishing  village  of  West  Kinderhook  became  so  in  fact  only  on 
the  pages  of  the  records  and  on  the  maps.  Dr.  Blount  remained  true  to 
this  child  of  his  earlier  years,  and  is  again  the  proprietor  of  it  all,  liv- 
ing where  he  located  nearly  a  half  century  ago. 

PAREOTSVILLE. 

Parrotsville  was  surveyed  on  the  29th  day  of  September,  1853,  by  Ed- 
ward M.  Sharp,  and  the  plat  filed  for  record  on  the  5th  day  of  October, 
of  the  same  year.  It  was  located  on  the  railroad,  on  the  west  half  of  the 
southeast  quarter  of  Section  27,  Township  22,  Range  4,  about  one-half 
mile  south  of  Jackson  Station.  Benjamin  F.  Goar  was  the  proprietor. 
The  recorded  plat  shows  thirty-six  lots,    and  of  this  number  several  were 


136  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

subsequently  sold  by  Mr.  Goai-,  but  all  have  since  been  resolved  into 
corn  and  wheat  fields.  Andrew  J.  McClannahan,  for  many  years  a  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  of  Cicero  Township,  was  one  of  the  early  dwellers  in 
this  neighborhood. 

INDEPENDENCE. 

Independence,  or  Parker's  Mill,  four  miles  west  of  Tipton,  was  never 
platted,  but  is  composed  of  a  straggling  cluster  of  a  half  dozen  houses 
and  a  two-story  schoolhouse,  which  shows  the  wear  of  time.  This  school- 
house  was  built  on  a  plan  furnished  by  Jehu  Van  Buskirk,  a  man  who 
has  been  prominent  in  the  educational  matters  of  the  township  almost 
since  its  organization.  The  name  "  Independence  "  was  given  to  this 
school  to  signify  that  it  was  independent  of  any  other  organization,  as 
it  was  built  by  private  subscription.  Noah  Parker  is  one  of  the  old  res- 
idents, and  he  was  the  early  proprietor  of  the  saw  mill  from  which  ori- 
ginated the  term  "  Parker's  Mill,"  by  which  the  place  is  frequently 
called. 

CHUKCHES. 

The  Christian  Church  at  Independence,  four  miles  west  of  Tipton, 
is  in  a  very  flourishing  condition.  About  ten  years  ago,  the  congrega- 
tion erected  a  large  and  substantial  frame  church  building,  pleasantly 
located,  in  which  they  hold  worship. 

The  Centre  Grove  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  western  part  of  the 
township,  has  a  large  membership  and  an  excellent  building,  located  on 
high  ground.  The  members  are  prosperous,  meet  regularly  and  are 
doing  good  work. 

Albright  Chapel,  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  township,  belongs 
to  the  denomination  indicated  by  its  name.  The  only  other  church  is 
"  Newhope,"  belonging  to  the  New-Light  denomination.  It  is  south  of 
Tipton. 

EETKOSPECTIVE. 

Until  within  the  last  decade,  the  subject  of  gravel  roads  was  not  serious- 
ly broached.  Such  roads  were  thought  of,  it  is  true,  many  years  before, 
but  only  in  that  vague,  indefinite  way  in  which  matters  are  considered 
that  barely  fall  within  the  limits  of  the  possible.  It  was  long  supposed 
that  there  was  little,  if  any,  accessible  gravel,  but  sufficient  quantities  of 
it  have  recently  been  discovered,  and  substantial  roads  have  been  con- 
structed, and  others  are  now  in  process  of  construction.  And  so  the 
citizen  of  to-day  sees  the  handsome  carriage  where  the  early  settlers  saw 
principally  mudboats.  He  not  only  sees  this,  but  he  sees  large  and 
elegant  brick  and  frame  farmhouses  where  formerly  stood  rude  log  cabins, 
with  stick  and  mortar  chimneys.  He  sees  commodious  barns  where  stood 
the  straw  covered  sheds;  he  sees  well-tilled  and  well-drained  fields  where 
stood  wildernesses  of  water  and  wood;  he  sees  a  machine  binding  the 
wheat  as  it  cuts  it,  where  the  pioneer  saw  only  the  sickle  and  the  cradle; 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  137 

he  sees  the  steam  thresher  doing  the  work  which  the  flail  once  did;  be 
sees  the  children  going  to  school  five  and  one-half  months  in  the  year 
where  in  the  past  they  went  a  precarious  two  and  th]'ee;  he  sees  horses, 
and  sheep,  and  cows,  and  hogs  where  the  original  settlers  saw  deer  and 
wolves  and  wild  cats;  he  sees  the  ralroad  train  where  once  was  only  the 
packhorse  and  wagon.  But  why  repeat  ?  It  is  merely  the  story  of  a  de- 
velopment of  twoscore  years,  with  which  almost  evei-y  child  of  to-day  is 
familiar.  The  present  population  of  the  township,  not  including  the 
town  of  Tipton,  is  considerably  in  excess  of  three  thousand. 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP. 

BY    G.    N.    BERRY. 


"The  ax  rang  sharply  'mid  these  forest  shades, 
Which,  from  creation's  dawn  till  now,  had  towered  in  unshorn  beauty." 

In  folk  lore  is  the  story  told  of  a  man  who  became  tired  of  patient 
cultivation  of  the  soil,  and  who  desired  to  become  rich  without  the 
drudgery  of  labor.  The  lack  of  wealth  had  made  life  become  stale  and 
unprofitable.  He  dreamed  three  nights  in  succession  that  there  was  a 
rich  treasure  hidden  somewhere  beneath  the  soil  in  his  orchard.  Three 
is  the  lucky  number  that  makes  a  dream  true,  so,  in  an  ecstacy  of  excite- 
ment, he  imparted  the  good  news  to  his  wife,  and  together  they  at  once 
began  to  dig  for  the  buried  treasure.  Around  one  tree  they  dug  a  mound 
of  earth,  and  around  another,  until  there  was  not  a  gnarled  trunk  about 
whose  roots  he  had  not  let  in  the  vitalizing  air,  biit  the  hidden  gold  could 
not  be  found.  Of  course,  he  became  angry  over  his  wasted  labors,  and  a 
sorry  time  he  had  of  it  when  his  neighbors  passed  by  and  smiled  at  his 
folly.  Springtime,  however,  came,  and  the  trees  were  full  of  blossoms. 
Autumn  followed,  and  they  were  loaded  with  luscious  fruit.  Years  rolled 
by,  and  the  orchard  became  the  source  of  a  rich  revenue  to  the  old  man, 
who  realized  that  there  was,  indeed,  a  golden  treasure  in  the  soil,  which 
only  needed  proper  exertion  to  bring  it  to  the  light.  In  the  fertile  region 
of  Northern  Indiana,  we  can  see  the  moral  of  the  foregoing  story  practi- 
cally demonstrated  in  the  richly  cultivated  farms,  fine  residences,  and 
other  evidences  of  wealth  Avhich  have  been  wrung  from  the  bosom  of 
Mother  Earth,  by  the  patient  toilers,  who  first  sought  homes  among  the 
forests  and  sloughs  forty  years  ago.  Especially  is  this  true  of  that  por- 
tion of  Tipton  County  to  which  the  following  pages  are  devoted,  and 
where  nought  but  dense  woods,  thick  underbrush  and  extensive  quag- 
mires greeted  the  pioneer's  first  arrival.  To  remove  these  foi'midable 
obstacles  and  develop  a  region  rich  in  all  tlie  resources  of  agricultural 
wealth  required  patient,  arduous  toil,  hard  digging,  and  manifold  pri- 


138  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

vations  ;  but,  as  years  passed  by,  the  labors  of  the  hardy  home-seeker 
returned  a  golden  reward,  as  is  shown  by  the  present  advanced  civiliza- 
tion of  the  township.  Wild  Cat  occupies  the  northeast  corner  of  Tipton 
County,  and  was  formed  in  the  year  1847,  with  the  following  outline: 
Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  32,  Town  23  north.  Range 
6  east,  thence  south  five  miles,  thence  west  twelve  miles,  thence  north 
five  miles,  thence  east  twelve  miles  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Two 
years  later,  this  boundary  was  modified  by  taking  twenty- five  sections 
from  the  western  part  of  the  division,  and  using  them  in  the  formation 
of  Liberty  Township,  leaving  the  area  thirty-five  square  miles,  its  present 
territory.  The  surface  is  uniformly  level,  very  flat  in  certain  local- 
ities, and  was  originally  heavily  timbered,  the  leading  varieties  being 
walnut,  poplar,  elm,  beech,  sugar- tree,  ash,  linn,  etc.,  with  a  dense  under- 
gi'owth  of  spicebrush,  dogwood  and  willows.  The  soil  is  a  deep  black 
vegetable  mold,  resting  upon  an  impei'vious  clay  sub-soil,  and  is  well 
adapted  for  general  farming.  Where  its  productiveness  has  been  devel- 
oped by  tile  drainage,  it  yields  abundant  crops  of  all  the  fruits  and 
cereals  indigenous  to  this  part  of  the  State,  although  but  a  portion  of 
the  land  has  been  properly  reclaimed.  Much  attention  has  been  given 
to  ditching,  and  the  farmei's  realize  that  successful  drainage  is  their  key 
to  wealth.  Large  public  ditches  traverse  the  country  in  various  direc- 
tions, by  means  of  which  extensive  tracts  of  swamp  land,  once  looked 
upon  as  comparatively  valueless,  have  been  brought  under  a  good  state 
of  cultivation,  and  are  now  among  the  best  farming  districts  of  the 
township. 

The  water-courses  are  Mud  Creek  and  its  several  tributaries,  all  of 
which  play  an  important  part  in  the  drainage  of  the  country.  Mud  Creek 
drains  the  northwest  corner  of  the  township,  and  passes,  in  its  course, 
through  Sections  32,  33  and  34,  flowing  in  a  northwesterly  direction. 
Adjacent  to  the  stream,  the  land  is  low  and  marshy,  and,  during  rainy 
seasons,  is  overflowed  for  considerable  distances  on  either  side.  At  the 
present  time,  active  measures  are  being  inaugurated  for  the  purpose  of 
ditching  this  creek,  and  when  once  that  project  has  been  successfully 
carried  out,  a  large  amount  of  low,  wet  land  will  be  reclaimed,  and  the 
contiguous  farms  increased  in  value  many  per  cent.  The  largest  tribu- 
tary of  Mud  Creek  is  Turkey  Branch,  which  enters  the  township  near  the 
southwest  corner.  It  flows  in  an  irregiilar  channel  through  Sections  20, 
17,  16,  9,  4  and  3,  and  empties  into  the  main  sti-eam  in  Section  34.  A 
creek  not  designated  by  any  name  on  the  county  map  flows  an  easterly 
and  southeasterly  course  through  the  central  part  of  the  township,  and 
affords  the  chief  means  of  drainage  for  that  portion  of  country.  All 
these  water- courses  are  running  streams  throughout  the  year,  and  some- 
times, during  wet  seasons  and  spring  freshets,  become  raging  torrents, 
overflowing  their  banks,  and  doing  considerable  damage  to  the  farms 
through  which  they  pass. 


^•' 


^# 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  141 

THE  PIONEERS. 

Wild  Cat  originally  formed  part  of  the  Miami  Reservation,  and  was 
not  opened  for  actual  settlement  until  the  year  1847,  at  which  time  the 
Ian  came  into  market,  subject  to  entry.  Prior  to  that  date,  however,  a 
number  of  adventurous  pioneers  located  in  various  parts  of  the  township, 
and  selected  claims  on  which  they  lived  in  expectation  of  procuring  the 
land  as  soon  as  the  privilege  of  entry  was  granted  them.  A  number  of 
these  settlers  carried  out  their  original  designs,  by  holding  their  respect- 
ive claims  until  patents  were  obtained  from  the  Government,  while  others 
remained  only  temporarily,  and  spent  most  of  their  time  hunting  and 
trapping,  by  means  of  which  a  livelihood  was  procured  their  families 
during  their  sojourn. 

So  far  as  can  be  learned,  the  tirst  actual  settlers  came  about  the  year 
1845,  and  located  near  the  North  Fork  of  Wild  Cat,  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  township.  These  were  David  Decker,  Philemon  Plummer,  Robert 
Stephens,  Ira  Plummer  and  their  respective  families.  The  first  named 
came  from  the  adjoining  county  of  Madison,  and  took  his  claim  where 
Mr.  Plummer  lives,  which  land  he  entered  four  yeai's  later.  On  his  claim 
our  pioneer  erected  a  rude  pole  cabin,  around  which  afew  rods  of  ground 
were  cleared  for  a  "'truck"  patch,  and  began  life  in  his  new  home  under 
no  very  flattering  circumstances.  The  countiy  at  that  time  was  in  a  very 
wild  state,  and  the  wet  condition  of  the  soil  precluded  the  possibility  of 
gaining  a  livelihood  from  its  cultivation,  consequently  Mr.  Decker  was 
obliged  to  rely  upon  his  rifle  as  the  chief  means  of  pi'ocuring  a  subsist- 
ence for  himself  and  family.  Game  of  all  kinds  was  plentiful  and  supplied 
the  table  with  choice  meat,  while  from  the  sale  of  skins  and  wild  honey 
the  groceries  and  few  articles  of  wearing  apparel  necessary,  were  ob- 
tained from  the  older  settlements,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county. 
Decker  lived  upon  his  original  claim  about  five  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  disposed  of  it  and  moved  a  little  further  south,  near  the  present 
site  of  Windfall.  Here  he  became  the  possessor  of  a  valual^e  tract  of  real 
estate,  which  he  owned  until  1871,  when  he  sold  his  property  and  moved 
from  the  township.  He  appears  to  have  been  a  man  of  considerable 
prominence  in  the  commiinity  and  at  the  first  election  after  the  township 
organization,  was  chosen  Justice  of  the  Peace,  on  account  of  his  peculiar 
fitness  for  the  office.  Philemon  Plummer  moved  from  Rvish  County  and 
located  temporarily  near  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  county,  where  he 
lived  for  a  short  time,  when  he  changed  his  location,  and  took  a  claim  on 
Turkey  Creek,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township.  Like  the  majority 
of  early  pioneers  in  a  new  country  he  came  with  but  a  meager  outfit  of 
this  world's  goods,  and  for  several  years  hunted  extensively  over  the 
greater  part  of  the  Indian  Res^^rve,  doing  but  little  in  the  meantime 
toward  improving  his  claim.  In  later'years,  he  became  a  minister  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  assisted  in  the  organization  of  many  of  the  early 


142  HISTORV  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

congregations  of  bis  sect.  Stephens  located  on  Turkey  Creek,  near  the 
northern  boundary  of  the  township,  and  was  a  true  representative  of  the 
original  baf;kswoods  pioneer,  whose  greatest  pleasure  was  rambling  over 
the  country  in  search  of  game  and  wild  honey,  from  the  sale  of  which 
he  managed  to  eke  out  an  existence  for  his  family  during  the  period  of 
thoir  sojourn  in  this  part  of  the  coiintry.  He  appears  to  have  been  a  man 
of  roving  tendencies.  He  sold  his  claim,  after  occupying  it  a  short  time, 
to  David  Gray,  who  entered  the  land  in  the  year  1 848. 

Ira  Plummer,  a  brother  of  Philemon  Plummer.  settled  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  township,  near  Irvin  Creel:,  on  land  at  present  owned  and 
occupied  by  Philip  Armstrong.  He  sold  the  claim  a  short  time  after- 
ward to  Joshua  Bailey,  and  moved  near  the  site  of  Windfall,  where  he 
entered  land  and  resided  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1881. 

John  Nutter  came  also  in  1845,  and  is  the  oldest  resident  of  the 
township  living  at  present.  He  made  his  first  settlement  in  the  western 
part  of  the  county,  where  he  lived  seven  years  before  taking  a  claim  in 
Wild  Cat  TownsAiip.  He  came  to  the  new  country  penniless  and  in  debt, 
but,  nothing  daunted,  went  to  work  with  stout  heart  and  willing  hands 
and  soon  had  a  cabin  erected  on  his  claim,  where  he  lived  for  several 
years  in  blissful  bachelorhood,  monarch  of  all  he  surveyed.  He  describes 
his  household  outfit  as  consisting  of  one  case  knife,  which  he  found  while 
out  hunting,  a  gallon  pot,  with  one  leg  broken  oif,  and  an  old  cracked 
skillet  for  which  he  traded  a  pound  of  coffee,  a  three-legged  stool  which 
answered  the  twofold  purpose  of  table  and  chair,  and  a  large  rough 
trough  in  which  his  stock  of  provisions  was  kept.  A  sad  calamity  befell 
him  one  day,  when  the  cherished  pot  slipped  from  his  grasp  and  fell  up- 
on a  rock,  breaking  a  large  hole  in  the  bottom.  Being  unable  to  pro- 
cure a  new  one,  and  finding  it  impossible  to  get  along  without  his  favor- 
ite vessel,  he  set  his  wits  to  work,  contriving  means  to  i-emedy  the  dire 
disaster.  This  he  accomplished  by  running  lead  into  the  opening,  a  suc- 
cessful operati-on,  which  made  the  utensil  as  good  as  new.  The  few 
articles  of  wearing  apparel  he  brought  with  him  to  his  new  home  soon 
succumbed  to  the  ravages  of  time  and  the  wear  and  tear  of  rough  usage, 
and  needed  to  be  replaced  with  others.  How  to  obtain  the  necessary 
raiment  was  a  problem  which  sorely  taxed  the  ingenuity  of  oui-  pioneer. 
To  purchase  was  out  of  the  question,  as  the  sura  total  of  his  available 
cash  aggregated  about  3  cents,  and  to  borrow  of  his  distant  neighbors 
could  not  be  thought  of,  as  they  had  no  more  clothing  than  was  necessary 
for  their  own  convenience.  Necessity,  however,  is  the  mother  of  inven- 
tion. A  large  piece  of  buckskin  was  procured,  out  of  which  our  Crusoe 
cut  a  pair  of  pants  with  his  hunting  knife,  sewed  them  up  with  thongs 
and  shoe  thread.  We  are  safe  in  saying  that  Solomon  in  all  his  glory 
was  not  arrayed  like  unto  Nutter  in  his  leather  breeches.  These  pants 
served  well  their  purpose  for  two  years,  when  they  were  traded  for  a  more 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  143 

showy  pair  made  of  home  spun  jeaus.  The  latter  were  first  used  by  our 
frontier  farmer  upon  an  important  occasion,  which  terminated  his  bachelor- 
hood. By  hard  work  and  many  privations,  Nutter  cleared  a  tract  of  ten  acres 
of  ground,  and  fitted  it  for  ciiltivation  the  second  year  after  his  arrival. 
Seven  acres  of  this  patch  were  planted  in  corn,  the  ground  being  dug  over 
with  a  mattock  and  the  crop  tended  wi  th  the  same  implement.  From  the  sale 
of  this  corn,  he  realized  a  sufficient  amount  of  money  to  buy  a  two-year -old 
colt,  which  can  be  termed  the  beginning  of  his  good  fortune.  The  first 
land  he  owned  in  this  township  was  a  160-acre  tract  situated  in  Section 
9.  By  persevering  industry  he  has  accumulated  a  handsome  property, 
and  is  now  passing  down  the  shady  side  of  life,  enjoying  the  well-earned 
fruits  of  his  labors. 

Other  early  settlers  who  came  in  a  short  time  after  those  mentioned 
were  John  Morris,  James  Hitt,  and  a  man  by  name  of  Forbes.  Morris 
took  a  claim  on  what  is  known  as  the  John  Pumphrey  land.  He  was  a 
"squatter"  merely,  and  did  nothing  in  the  way  of  improving  his  claim 
beyond  erecting  a  rude  habitation,  and  clearing  a  few  acres  of  ground. 
His  death,  in  the  year  1846,  was  the  first  event  of  the  kind  that  occurred 
in  the  township.  Hitt's  arrival  dates  from  the  spring  of  1847.  He  set- 
tled two  miles  east  of  Windfall  on  land  at  present  in  possession  of  the 
Widow  Miller,  where  he  lived  two  years,  when  he  disposed  of  his  claim 
to  the  Gharris  brothers,  and  entered  land  in  the  vicinity.  Forbes  located 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  township  near  Mud  Creek;  and  pi'oved  a  val- 
uable acquisition  to  the  community.  His  tastes,  however,  did  not  run 
in  the  direction  of  farming,  and  thinking  there  were  more  easy  ways  of 
gaining  a  livelihood  besides  digging  and  grubbing,  he  procured  a  small 
stock  of  groceries  and  notions,  which  he  kept  at  his  house  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  sparse  settlement.  In  after  years,  he  traveled  about  the 
country  as  a  clock  peddler,  and  when  that  occupation  no  longer  returned 
a  fair  profit,  he  turned  his  attention  to  tinkering. 

Another  early  settler  was  Samuel  Baldwin,  who  located  about  two  and 
a  half  miles  east  of  Windfall,  where  he  acquired  some  prominence  as  a  hun- 
ter. He  was  in  every  respect  a  backwoodsman.  He  dressed  in  the  conven- 
tional buckskin  garb,  wore  moccasins  and  treated  the  usages  of  society 
with  the  most  profound  indifference.  He  had  been  a  soldier  during  the 
war  of  1812.  and  never  tired  of  describing  the  glorious  engagement  at 
New  Orleans. 

From  1845  until  1848,  the  development  of  the  county  progressed 
rather  slowly,  and  in  the  latter  year  there  were  but  forty  acres  of  culti- 
vated land  in  the  township.  The  settlements  were  confined  principally 
to  the  northern  and  eastern  parts,  and  it  was  not  until  the  beginning  of 
1849  that  any  attempts  were  made  to  bring  under  cultivation  the  interior 
and  southern  portion  of  the  township. 

The   actual  settlers  who  came  in   1848  were   .Ivery  Chase,  who  pre- 


144  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNT V. 

empted  a  claim  in  Section  4,  which  he  sold  to  James  B.  Fouch  six  years 
later;  John  Smith,  who  located  on  North  Fork,  where  he  lived  live  or  six 
years,  when  he  sold  to  Cyrus  Halloway  and  emigrated  to  Missouri; 
Theop'  ilus  Calmut,  who  secured  land  a  short  distance  west  of  Wind- 
fall; Elisha  Pickering  who  settled  near  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
township;  Henry  Yeakley,  who  secured  land  in  the  same  locality;  Will- 
iam Myers,  who  entered  land  in  Section  5,  a  short  distance  north  of 
Windfall,  and  Thomas  Legg,  who  made  his  lirst  entry  near  Windfall. 
The  last  named  was  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Wild  Cat,  and  a 
man  of  more  than  ordinary  energy  and  intelligence.  He  remained  in 
the  vicinity  of  Windfall  a  few  years,  when,  becoming  dissatisfied  with 
this  part  of  the  country,  he  moved  further  north  and  entered  land,  where 
a  son  had  previouslj'  settled,  and  died.  Arthur,  Benjamin  and  William, 
sons  of  Thomas  Legg,  came  a  few  years  later,  and  are  still  residents  of 
the  township.  They  are  men  of  character  and  influence,  and  have  been 
prominently  connected  with  all  movements  calculated  to  advance  the 
material  resources  of  the  country. 

Other  settlers  who  arrived  at  an  early  day  and  participated  in  the 
struggles  of  pioneer  life,  were  Silas  Mitchell,  John  Pumphrey,  Richard 
and  David  Beeson  and  T.  J.  Wheeler.  The  first  named  was  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  but  came  to  Wild  Cat  from  Decatur  County,  to  which  place  he 
emigrated  in  his  early  manhood.  He  became  a  prominent  farmer,  and 
for  several  years  served  as  Township  Trustee.  Pumphrey  entered  land 
near  the  northern  boundary  of  the  county,  and  earned  the  reputation  of 
being  a  good  citizen  during  the  period  of  his  residence  in  the  township. 
The  Beeson  brothers  rented  not  far  from  \\'indfall,  and  Wheeler  located 
on  Irvin's  Creek. 

During  the  year  1848,  entries  of  land  were  made  in  Wild  Cat  by  the 
following, persons :  Irwin  Tennell,  John  Pierce,  John  Cliflbrd,  James 
Legg,  Joseph  Qninn.  William  Comer,  Salathiel  Vickery.  A.  Chase,  L.  B. 
Johnson,  Preston  Smith,  John  Wright,  Richard  Parker,  F.  J.  Deer, 
James  Fouch,  D.  B.  Martin,  Samuel  McCrary,  W.  A.  Boldon,  C.  B.  Nay, 
R.  C.  Forsythe,  William  Alley,  John  Cochran,  Andrew  Pumphrey,  Nathan 
Smith,  Hiram  Plummer,  David  Decker  and  Abel  Gibson.  In  1849, 
entries  were  made  by  A.  Fletcher,  J.  W^.  Beeson,  Lewis  Mitchell,  D.  Y. 
Smith,  Thomas  Wheeler,  Isaac  Eaton,  Thomas  Cochran,  Silas  Mitchell. 
Theodore  Parker,  Benjamin  Mugg,  James  H.  Sherman,  Peter  Lambrised, 
J.  H.  Pumphrey,  William  A.  Davidson,  James  Recctbs,  William  Tousley, 
John  W.  Wykoff,  Robert  T.  (ioon,  John  W.  Hall,  and  others. 

LIFE    IN    THE    WOODS, 

Life  in  this  country  forty  years  ago  was  eutii'ely  different  from  what 
it  is  do-day.  In  nothing  are  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  people 
similar  to  those  who  first  introduced  civilization  into  the  Western  wilds. 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  145 

The  dwellings,  clothing,  diet,  and  social  customs  have  \indergone  a  total 
revolution,  and  it  is  ditficnlt  to  give  anything  like  an  adequate  picture  of 
the  manner  in  which  the  pioneer  lived  and  prospered  when  the  country 
was  a  wilderness.  Like  the  settlers  in  all  new  countries,  the  pioneers  of 
this  section  depended  veiy  largely  upon  game  for  their  chief  subsistence 
during  the  first  two  or  three  years,  after  which  their  crops  yielded  a  tol- 
erable support.  Wild  animals  of  all  kinds  infested  the  woods,  and 
every  settler's  table  was  supplied  with  choice  meat,  in  quality  and  quan- 
tity according  to  demand.  Venison  was  no  rarity,  but  served  as  a  sta- 
jile  article  of  food,  deer  being  so  numerous  as  to  cause  great  injury  to 
the  crops.  Hence  many  were  killed  even  when  not  needed  for  food. 
Some  bear  were  found  by  the  early  hunters.  To  kill  one  of  these  ani- 
mals was  considered  a  mark  of  superior  skill,  and  the  man  who  was  fort- 
unate enough  to  bring  down  a  bruin  enjoyed  an  enviable  reputation  in 
the  community.  Three  of  these  animals  were  killed  by  Samuel  Bttld- 
win  a  short  distance  east  of  Windfall,  in  the  year  1847.  Wolves  were 
especially  numerous,  and  for  several  years  all  domestic  stock  had  to  be 
tightly  penned  at  night  in  order  to  protect  them  from  the  fangs  of  these 
gaunt  scourges.  During  very  cold  winters,  they  became  voracious,  and 
old  settlers  tell  of  having  to  take  their  dogs  into  the  house  to  keep  them 
from  being  torn  to  pieces.  An  old  pioneer  relates  that  upon  one  occa- 
sion the  wolves  surrounded  his  house  in  such  numbers  as  to  cause  great 
uneasiness  by  their  continued  loud  barking  and  howling.  Thinking  to 
frighten  the  animals  away  by  shooting  among  them,  he  cautiously  opened 
the  door,  but  before  he  had  time  to  bring  the  gun  to  bear,  his  favorite 
dog  leaped  from  the  room  into  the  midst  of  the  pack,  and  was  literally 
torn  to  shreds  in  a  few  minutes.  The  report  of  the  gun  failed  to  scare 
the  infuriated  animals,  and  the  door  was  closed  just  in  time  to  prevent 
them  getting  into  the  house.  All  that  night  the  family  remained  awake 
listening  to  the  snarling  and  howling  of  the  brutes  as  they  ran  around 
the  house  and  scratched  i^pon  the  door,  and  it  was  not  until  sunrise  the 
next  morning  that  the  animals  left  the  premises.  A  man  by  the  name  of 
Thomas,*  while  in  the  woods  one  day,  was  attacked  by  wolves,  and  com- 
pelled to  tight  for  his  life.  He  kept  up  the  struggle  against  great  odds 
for  some  time,  and  only  saved  himself  by  climbing  a  tree,  in  the  branches 
of  which  he  remained  until  assistance  arrived.  As  the  country  improved, 
these  animals  gradually  disappeared,  and  none  have  been  seen  in  the 
township  for  a  number  of  years. 

During  the  early  days  of  the  county,  but  little  money  was  in  circula- 
tion among  the  pioneers,  and  in  many  localities  deer  skins  were  used  as 
a  circulating  medium.  These  represested  a  value  of  from  25  cents  tu 
$1,  according  to  size  and  quality,  and  for  several  years  was  the  settler.s' 
chief  source  of  revenue.  Other  articles  of  commercial  importance  were 
ginseng  and  wild  honey,  for  which  cash  could  be  obtained  at  the 
different  market  places. 


146  IIISTOKV   OF   TIPTON   COUxNTY. 

The  lirst  hogs  fattened  for  market  in  the  township  were  driven  to  the 
city  of  La  Fayette  and  sold  for  $1.25  a  hundred  in  "  6/ite  ^jhjo"  money, 
worth  at  that  time  about  85  cents  on  the  dollar.  The  year  following 
this  transaction,  a  man  by  name  of  Peck  bought  up  all  the  hogs  in  the 
county  for  a  nominal  sum  of  "canal  scri}),''  and  drove  them  to  Cincin- 
nati, where  he  received  $1.40  in  good  money.  The  tirst  wheat  was  mar- 
keted at  Peru,  thirty  miles  distant,  and  brought  the  exorbitant  price  of 
GO  cents  per  busliel,  part  in  cash  and  part  in  trade.  Twenty  bushels  was 
a  large  load,  and  to  make  the  trip  with  that  amount  required  four  or  five 
days,  as  roads  had  to  be  cut  the  greater  part  of  the  way  through  a  dense 
woods,  which,  with  the  muddy  condition  of  the  gi'ound,  made  traveling 
an  exceedingly  difficult  matter.  Flour  and  meal  were  first  obtained  at 
the  Perkinsville  Mill,  twenty-five  miles  distant,  and  at  Somerset  in  Miami 
County,  to  reach  which  the  pioneer  was  obliged  to  travel  about  thirty 
miles. 

Many  of  the  first  settlers  manufactured  their  own  meal  by  crushing 
the  corn  when  dry  in  a  kind  of  rude  mortar,  made  by  chiseling  out  a  hoi 
low  in  the  top  of  a  sound  stump.  The  pestle  was  an  iron  block  or  more 
often  an  iron  wedge  made  fast  to  a  sweep,  and  with  this  simple  contriv- 
ence  a  coarse  article  of  meal  coiild  be  made.  A  still  simpler  means  was 
often  resorted  to  before  the  corn  became  hard  enough  to  shell,  namely, 
the  common  tin  grater  utensil  found  in  every  household.  The  first  mill 
in  Wild  Cat  was  built  by  James  B.  Fouch,  at  the  village  of  Windfall, 
about  the  time  the  town  was  platted.  It  was  erected  as  a  saw  mill,  but 
buhrs  were  afterward  attached  for  grinding  both  corn  and  wheat,  which 
met  a  long- felt  want  in  the  community.  This  mill  was  in  successful  op- 
eration several  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  it  was  destroyed  by  fire, 
and  another  erected  in  its  place.  Of  the  latter  a  more  extended  mention 
will  be  given  in  the  history  of  the  village. 

The  first  frame  house  in  the  township  was  the  residence  of  James  B. 
Fouch,  at  Windfall,  and  the  first  brick  dwelling  was  erected  by  John 
Nutter,  on  his  farm  near  the  village. 

ROADS,     ETC. 

The  first  road  through  Wild  Cat  was  surveyed  in  the  year  1849,  and 
traversed  the  township  in  a  southwesterly  direction  toward  Tipton.  The 
petition  for  the  highway  was  gotten  up  by  John  Nutter,  and  the  follow- 
ing viewers  appointed:  John  Smith,  John  Nutter  and  A.  Forbes.  They 
reported  favorably  to  the  route,  and  a  scientific  surveyor,  whose  knowl- 
edge of  engineering  was  not  very  profound,  was  selected  to  run  the  line. 
Everything  progressed  favorably  until  the  stu'veying  party  reached  a 
thick  woods,  where  the  knight  of  the  theodolite  became  completely  fud- 
dled, and  acknowledged  himself  iinable  to  proceed  further.  At  this 
juncture,  Nutter's  master  mind  took  in  the  situation,  and  procuring  a  cow 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  147 

bell  he  went  in  advance  of  the  trio,  and  rang  wherever  he  wanted  a  stake 
set.  By  means  of  this  ringing,  which  the  engineer  followed  up  with  his 
instrument,  the  route  was  successfully  laid  out,  the  letter  of  the  law  ful- 
filled, and  the  term  "Bell  road"  attached  to  the  highway.  Another 
early  road  crossed  the  northern  part  of  the  township  from  east  to  west, 
about  one-half  mile  from  the  county  line.  It  was  established  in  the  year 
1851,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  an  extensively  traveled  highway. 
A  road  leading  from  the  old  "  Bell  Mill  "  to  the  county  line,  between 
Sections  4  and  10,  was  laid  out  in  an  early  day,  and  is  one  of  the  lead- 
ing thoroughfares  of  the  township  at  the  present  time.  The  Windfall 
&  Howard  County  pike  was  constructed  in  the  year  1881.  It  extends 
from  the  village  to  the  county  line,  and  was  made  by  taxation  for  free 
travel.  In  the  year  1882,  the  highway  leading  from  Sharpsville  to  Wind- 
fall was  gravel,  and  is  also  a  free  pike.  These  roads  extend  through 
rich  agricultural  regions,  and  have  been  the  means  of  developing  the 
country  in  a  very  marked  degree.  The  Richmond  Division  of  the  Pan 
Handle  Railroad  was  surveyed  through  the  township  in  1852,  and  com- 
pleted in  1855.  It  crosses  the  southwest  corner,  about  five  miles  of  the 
road  being  in  the  township,  and  has  been  the  direct  means  of  developing 
the  country's  re&oui'ces  by  increasing  the  value  of  land,  and  bringing 
good  market  places  almost  to  the  doors  of  the  farmers. 

EARLY    DEATHS CEMETEKIES. 

The  first  death  in  the  township,  to  which  allusion  has  already  been 
made,  occurred  in  the  year  1846.  The  interment  took  place  at  the  Old 
Baptist  Graveyard,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township,  near  the  forks 
of  Wild  Cat.  This  cemetery  was  laid  out  about  the  year  1850,  on  land 
belonging  to  Silas  Mitchell,  although  a  few  interments  had  been  made 
some  time  prior  to  that  date.  Among  the  early  bm'ials  at  this  place  were 
Mrs.  Cash,  Elizabeth  Rosier  and  Mrs.  John  Nutter.  The  second  place 
used  for  burying  the  dead  is  the  old  cemetery  on  Irvin  Creek,  in  the 
northei-n  part  of  the  township.  It  was  laid  ofi"  for  the  purpose  in  a  very 
early  day.  and  the  first  interment  therein  were  two  small  children  of  James 
Pulley. 

A  small  graveyai'd  was  also  started  on  Turkey  Creek  intheyeai'  1850, 
but  only  three  burials  ever  took  place  there.  These  were  a  son  of  John 
Morris,  William  Myer's  child  and  a  child  of  John  Deer. 

The  largest  cemetery  in  the  township  is  the  Windfall  Graveyard, 
which  was  consecrated  to  the  burial  of  the  dead  a  short  time  after  the 
origin  of  the  village.  Among  the  first  laid  to  rest  in  this  place  were 
Joseph  Keith,  James  Knight  and  Samuel  Gill. 

FIRST    BIRTH. 

The  first  birth  within  the  present  limits  of  Wild  Cat  occurred  in  the 
family  of  David  Decker,  a  short  time  after  their  arrival   in  the  township. 


148  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

Other  early  births  were  in   the  families    of  Wesley  Chase    and    Robert 
Stephens. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  subject  of  education  has  from  an  early  date  received  a  good  deal 
of  attention  in  this  township.  Before  the  law  authoriz  ng  a  system  of 
piiblic  schools  was  in  force,  the  pioneers  of  Wild  Cat  took  steps  toward 
the  education  of  the  youth  in  the  primary  branches  of  learning.  Com- 
])aratively  few  of  the  first  settlers  were  men  of  letters,  most  of  them  hav- 
ing been  children  when  ''book  learning"  in  the  States  where  they  were 
brought  up  was  considered  a  matter  of  minor  importance.  And  yet  these 
people  seemed  to  fully  realize  the  losses  they  had  sustained  in  the  neglect 
of  their  own  schooling,  and  were  therefore  anxious  to  do  the  next  best 
thing,  by  making  amends  in  the  case  of  their  children.  The  first  school 
was  taught  in  a  rude  little  cabin  which  stood  near  Mud  Creek,  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  township,  about  the  year  1848.  This  building  was 
hastily  constructed  by  the  few  neighbors  living  in  the  vicinity,  and  served 
its  purpose  about  three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  it  was  abandoned 
and  allowed  to  fall  into  decay.  The  first  pedagogue  who  wielded  the  rod 
of  aiithority  at  this  place  was  David  Decker,  who  is  remembered  as  a  very 
competent  instructor  for  that  day.  As  no  certificates  of  qualification 
were  requisite  at  that  time,  we  are  unable  to  enlighten  our  readers  as  to 
Prof.  Decker's  scholastic  attainments.  The  second  house  erected  for 
school  purposes  stood  at  the  village  of  Windfall,  and  was  built  by  volun- 
tary contribution,  the  majority  of  the  neighbors  working  out  their  sub- 
scriptions, BO  that  but  few  dollars  in  money  were  expended  upon  the 
structure.  Among  the  early  teachers  at  the  village  were  Mr.  Jackson, 
Benjamin  Legg  and  Arthur  Legg.  The  first  frame  schoolhouse  was  built 
near  the  northeast  corner  of  the  township,  in  what  was  known  as  the 
Pierce  settlement,  but  the  date  of  its  erection  could  not  be  ascertained. 
An  early  schoolhouse,  known  as  the  Couch  Schoolhouse,  was  built  some 
time  prior  to  1855,  and  stood  about  two  and  a  half  miles  east  of  Windfall. 
It  was  a  comfortable  log  structure,  and  was  in  use  a  number  of  years. 

In  the  year  1855.  an  election  was  called  to  decide  whether  the  town- 
ship school  land  should  be  sold,  but  no  one  coming  out  to  vote  for  or 
against  the  measure,  a  petition  was  gotten  up  in  favor  of  the  project,  by 
John  Nutter,  to  which  the  names  of  all  the  citizens,  except  one,  were 
subscribed.  As  soon  as  the  section  was  disposed  of,  measures  were  inau- 
gurated to  erect  public  schoolhouses  at  proper  intervals,  and  an  enumera- 
tion of  children  taken.  This  enumeration  shows  that  fort}^  children  be- 
tween the  ages  of  six  and  twenty-one  years  were  at  that  time  residing  in 
the  township.  The  enumeration  for  the  school  year  1882-83  shows  an 
increase  of  477  pupils  over  the  above  number,  there  being  at  the  present 
time  517  children  of  proper  age  attending  the  difierent  schools.  To  ac- 
commodate this  large  number  requires  eleven  schoolhoiises,  one  of  which. 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  149 

the  Windfall  building,  is  supplied  with  three  departments.     The  teachers 
for  the  year  ending   March,  1883,  were   W.  H.  Eandolph,  J.  D.  Reeve, 
C.  C.  Duncan,  W.  P.  Mulligan,    W.  O.  Legg.    J.  M.  Couch,   Mollie  V. 
White,  W.  C.  Legg,  A.  D.  Legg,W.  M.   Couch,  J.  '6.  Hall,  L.  S.  Barrow, 
A.  F.  Swoveland,  W.  C.  John    and  J.  A.  Butler.     The   sum  required  to 
compensate  these  teachers  was  $1,698.48. 

RELIGIOUS    HISTORY. 

Society,  as  it  circles  outward  from  a  common  center,  has  a  tendency 
to  degenerate  from  its  original  and  higher  type  to  one  of  a  lower  tone 
and  standard.  History  reveals  the  fact  that  every  receding  circle  of  civ- 
ilization has  lessened  the  forces  forming  and  completing  a  perfect  state 
of  society. 

On  nearly  every  wave  of  immigration,  some  good  seed  is  borne  to 
grow  up  in  the  opening  soil  of  the  new  country.  The  good  seed  is 
usually  sufficient  to  begin  the  work  of  raising  society  to  a  higher  level  of 
civilization,  and  its  transforming  power  counteracts  those  demoralizing 
influences  which  tend  to  social  degeneration  and  disruption,  as  the  law- 
less and  vicious  seek  +he  frontiers,  where  there  is  less  restraint  from 
civil  power.  This  good  seed  becomes  the  nucleus  around  which  gather 
those  loftier  feelings  necessary  to  carry  society  onward  to  a  state  of  com- 
parative perfection  and  happiness.  Christian  truth  is  the  great  super- 
structure on  vv^hich  every  society  approximating  perfection  must  rest. 
Said  an  old  minister  of  the  Gospel  once:  "It  used  to  make  my  heart  sick 
in  the  early  days  of  my  ministry  to  dismiss  members  of  my  charge  to 
churches  in  distant  regions,  and  have  brothers  and  sisters  and  neighbors 
leave  us  for  settlements  in  the  opening  territories.  But,  as  I  have 
grown  older,  and  followed  these  emigrants  to  their  new  homes,  and  have 
found  them  far  more  useful  in  church  and  State  than  they  ever  could  have 
been  in  the  regions  they  left  behind,  where  others  held  their  places  and 
influence,  as  I  have  seen  them  giving  a  healthy  and  vigorous  tone  to 
society,  while  the  separation  caused  a  pang  of  sorrow,  the  good  accom- 
plished more  than  compensated  for  the  pleasure  lost."  It  was  to  such 
immigrants  as  those  mentioned  in  the  above  extract  that  Indiana  is  in- 
debted for  her  civilization  to-day.  The  good  seed  brought  hither  by 
these  humble  pioneers  has  brought  forth  good  fruit,  and  produced 
blessings  more  than  a  hundred-fold. 

The  first  preachers  in  the  Wild  Cat  were  of  the  Baptist  denomina- 
tion. The  earliest  religious  services  held  within  the  present  limits  of  the 
township  were  conducted  by  Rev.  Archibald  Leach  at  the  residences  of 
Silas  Mitchell  and  John  Pumphrey  shortly  after  their  arrival  in  the 
country.  These  meetings  were  held  from  time  to  time,  and  so  increased 
in  numbers  that '  private  dwellings  were  not  sufficient  to  accommodate 
the  congregations.      A  log  house  was  built  by  the  neighbors  of  the  com- 


150  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

munity,  ou  the  farm  of  Mr.  Mitchell,  and  immediately  after  its  comple- 
tion a  society  was  orj^anized  under  the  title  of  Salem  Church,  consisting 
of  the  following  members:  John  Pumphrey  and  wife,  Silas  Mitchell 
and  wife,  Jackson  Pumphrey  and  wife,  William  Rosier  and  wife,  and 
John  Nutter  and  wife.  This  number  was  soon  afterward  increased  by 
several  additions,  among  whom  were  Henry  Martin  and  wife,  and  Moses 
Martin  and  wife.  The  organization  was  brought  about  chiefly  by  the 
labors  of  Revs,  Cobb  and  Leach,  the  latter  of  whom  was  the  first  pas- 
tor. He  served  for  a  period  of  about  fifteen  years.  He  was  a  man  of 
eminent  piety,  and  worked  hai'd  for  the  success  of  the  church  which  owes 
much  of  its  prosperity  to  his  faithful  watch  and  care.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Cobb,  who  exercised  pastoral  control  at  intervals  for  several 
years,  and  was  in  turn  followed  by  Rev.  Denton  Simpson,  who  preached 
acceptably  for  about  the  same  length  of  time.  The  pastor  in  charge  at 
the  })reseat  time  is  Rev.  Mr.  Carver,  a  man  well  beloved  by  the  congre- 
gation, who  give  him  their  hearty  support.  There  are  forty-eight  mem- 
bers at  the  present  time,  and  the  church  is  reported  in  good  condition. 
Jacob  Barrow  is  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school,  which  is  in  good 
working  order,  and  well  attended.  The  present  temple  of  worship  is  a 
neat  frame  building,  capable  of  seating  250  persons.  It  was  erected  in 
the  year  1869,  and  cost  the  sum  of  $1,500. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Windfall  was  organized  by  Rev. 
George  Havens,  at  the  village  schoolhouse,  in  the  year  1857,  with  an 
original  membership  of  four  or  five  families.  The  schoolhouse  was  used  as 
a  meeting  place  until  the  year  1873,  at  which  time  the  present  church 
edifice  was  erected.  It  is  a  frame  building,  with  a  seating  capacity  of 
300,  and  represents  a  value  of  $1,800.  Rev.  Greorge  Havens  was  the 
first  pastor.  After  him  came  in  regular  succession  the  following  preachers : 
Fv.  A.  Newton,  F.  A.  Fish.  E.  M.  Baker,  D.  D.  Powell,  R.  B.  Powell 
John  Kame,  P.  J.  Albright,  F.  A.  Fish,  E.  W.  Osborne,  the  present  in- 
cumbent. From  a  small  and  inauspicious  beginning,  the  church  has  con- 
stantly increased  in  numbers  and  influence  until  at  the  present  time  it  is 
the  strongest  religious  organization  in  the  township.  Its  present  mem- 
bership is  125.  Thomas  Durbin  and  C.  B.  Nay  are  class -leaders.  The 
Board  of  Trustees  consists  of  W.  Austin,  J.  K.  Allen,  B.  Gilford  and 
A.  Riffe.  Thomas  Durbin  is  Superintendent  of  the  large,  flourishing 
Sunday-school. 

The  Windfall  Christian  Church  was  re-organized  from  an  old 
church  which  formerly  existed  near  Irvin  Creek,  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  townshij).  The  original  organization  was  brought  about 
through  the  labors  of  Elders  Richard  Cobb  and  Philemon  Plummer. 
A  house  of  worship  was  erected  on  Jefferson  Wheeler's  farm  about 
the  year  1854,  and  a  good  society  maintained  for  a  period  of  twelve 
or    thirteen    years,  at  the  end   of    which    time    it    was    abandoned,  the 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  151 

DQHJority  of  the  members  uniting  with  the  Windfall  congregation.  The 
first  meeting  in  the  village  was  held  at  the  schoolhouse  about  the  year 
1866,  and  an  organization  effected  \yith  fifty  members.  Meetings  were 
held  at  the  schoolhouse  about  eighteen  months,  when  steps  were  taken  to 
erect  a  house  of  worship  more  in  keeping  with  the  constantly  increasing 
congregation.  A  lot  was  purchased  in  the  northern  part  of  the  village, 
and  work  on  the  new  edifice  began  at  once.  The  building  is  a  frame. 
40x50  feet  in  size,  and  cost  the  sum  of  $2,200.  It  contains  the  most 
commodious  audience  room  in  the  village,  and  will  conafortably  seat  350 
persons.  The  first  pastor  was  Elder  Jacob  Blount,  who  preached  one  year. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Elder  Wright,  who  remained  the  same  length  of 
time.  The  next  pastor  was  Elder  James  Blackman,  after  whom  came  in 
regular  order  C.  Quick,  Mr.  Taylor,  M.  W.  Jamison,  P.  Blount,  Mr. 
McGruffin,  Hiram  Ford  and  Mr.  Franklin.  The  pastor  in  charge  at  the 
present  time  is  Elder  C.  Quick.  The  present  membership  is  about 
seventy-five.  The  church  officers  are  L.  McAlister,  J.  Sasser  and  Rich- 
ard Freeman,  Elders;  Benjamin  Osborne  and  D.  B.  Vice,  Deacons  ;  D.  B. 
Vice  and  Nathan  Bailey,  Trustees  ;  George  Cook,  Sunday  School  Super- 
intendent. 

The  Windfall  Baptist  Church  was  organized  in  the  year  1871,  by  mem- 
bers of  the  Salem  Church  living  in  the  village  and  vicinity.  The  con- 
stitutional members  were  John  Nutter  and  wife,  James  Edwards  and 
wife,  Elizabeth  Alexander  and  Vinnie  Mulligan,  a  number  which  was 
afterward  increased  to  sixteen.  Rev.  Mr.  Cobb  preached  two  years  and 
was  followed  by  Rev.  Denton  Simpson,  who  served  as  pastor  for  several 
years,  preaching  at  irregular  intervals.  The  other  pastors  were  Revs. 
Odell  and  McDade.  The  society  at  the  present  time  is  in  a  veiy  weak 
condition,  and  no  services  have  been  held  for  about  six  months.  The 
village  schoolhouse  was  used  for  a  meeting  place  several  months,  after 
which  the  Methodist  and  Christian  Churches  were  thrown  open  to  the 
congregation. 

The  Hazel  Dell  Quaker  Church  was  organized  in  the  year  1881.  at 
theHazle  Dell  Schoolhouse,  a  short  distance  southeast  of  Windfall.  This 
society  has  a  small  bat  active  membership,  and  promises  to  become  a 
healthy  organization  at  no  distant  day.  The  preachers  who  have  minis- 
tered to  the  congi'egation  are  James  Ellis,  Edmund  Peelle  and  Mr.  Cox. 

VILLAGE    OF    WINDFALL. 

The  town  of  Windfall  Avas  laid  nut  by  James  B.  Fouch,  the  original  plat 
embracing  part  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  the  northeast  quarter  Section 
16,  Town  22  north.  Range  5  east.  Fouch  located  at  this  point  for  the  purpose 
of  engaging  in  the  lumber  business,  and  platted  the  village  in  order  to 
secure  a  station  on  the  C,  C.  &  I.  C.  R.  R.,  which  had  been  surveyed 
through  the  county  in  the  year  1852.     He  erected  a  large  saw   mill    in 


152  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

1853,  and  had  the  lots  surveyed  the  same  year,  the  lines  being  run  by 
"William  H.  Nelson,  County  Siu'veyor.  The  first  house  in  the  new  vil- 
lat^o  was  erected  by  Josiah  Ross  and  used  by  him  for  a  store.  It  is  a 
frame  building  and  still  stands  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town,  being 
used  at  the  present  time  as  a  residence.  Ross  sold  goods  for  about  four 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  disposed  of  his  stock  and  moved  to 
the  village  of  Mier.  The  second  stock  of  goods  was  brought  to  the 
place  by  James  Knight,  who  erected  for  the  jjurpose  a  frame  building  in 
the  southwest  part  of  the  town  near  the  railroad.  This  storeroom  now  was 
a  small  affair,  about  16x18  feet  in  size,  and  was  occupied  by  Knight  with 
a  meager  assortment  of  merchandise  for  about  ten  years.  William 
Dixon  erected  a  warehouse  and  storeroom  near  the  rail  I'oad,  in  the  year 
1858,  ard  opened  up  a  good  business  both  in  buying  gx*ain  and  sell- 
ing goods.  He  kept  a  large  general  stock  and  was  identified  with  the 
business  interest  of  the  village  for  several  years.  In  1859,  Messrs. 
Taylor  &  Smith  built  a  large  storehouse  near  the  railroad,  which  they 
stocked  with  merchandise  to  the  amount  of  several  thousand  dollars. 
They  did  a  flourishing  business  for  several  years,  when  they  closed  out 
to  other  parties  and  left  the  village.  Another  early  merchant  was  "Will- 
iam Hammond,  who  erected  a  building  at  the  "Five  Points"  where  he 
sold  goods  about  four  years,  when  he  disposed  of  the  stock  and  house  to 
J.  H.  Zehner,  who  occupies  it  at  the  present  time. 

Among  the  early  business  men  and  firms  were,  Richard  Freeman, 
Banta  &  Wines.  AVilliam  Cummack,  Mr.  Attenheimer,  John  Zehner  and 
John  Bailey.  The  oldest  merchant  at  the  present  time  is  D.  B.  Vice, 
who  commenced  business  in  the  village  in  1865,  and  has  been  here  ever 
since. 

The  manufacturing  interests  of  Windfall  have  been  considerable.  The 
first  enterprise  was  the  saw  and  grist  mill  erected  by  James  B.  Fouoh, 
prior  to  the  laying  out  of  the  village.  It  was  in  successful  operation 
several  years,  and  did  a  large  business,  having  been  extensively  patronized 
by  the  citizens  of  Wild  Cat  and  surrounding  townships.  It  was  burned 
about  the  year  1858,  and  another  combination  mill  took  its  place  the  year 
following.  The  second  mill  was  erected  by  Fouch  also,  and  stands  in  the 
southwest  p.  rt  of  the  village.  It  was  operated  as  a  saw  and  grist  mill  for 
several  years,  when  the  machinery  was  taken  out  and  replaced  by  a  hoop 
and  felloe  factory,  and. as  such  it  is  still  run.  The  present  proprietors 
are  Messrs.  Conklin  and  Scott.  Michael  Null  commenced  the  manufacture 
of  staves  in  the  year  1865,  and  erected  a  factory  near  the  western  limit  of 
the  village  on  the  railroad.  The  enterprise  proved  remunerative,  and 
was  operated  until  the  proprietor's  death,  after  which  it  passed  into 
the  hands  of  his  descendants,  who  conduct  a  successful  business  at  the 
present.  A  large  saw  mill  and  felloB  factory  was  established  in  the  year 
1877,  by  Thornburgh  &  Hirous,  Avho  ran  it  in  partnership  until  about  the 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  153 

year  1881,  at  which  time  the  former  sold  his  interest  to  B.  F.  Gifford. 
They  do  an  extensive  business,  and  ship  as  much  material  as  any  other 
factory  on  the  railroad  between  Richmond  and  Kokoino.  The  Windfall 
Steam  Flouring  Mill  was  built  in  the  year  1873,  by  a  joint-stock  company 
consisting  of  ten  members.  The  building  is  a  substantial  frame  struct- 
ure, three  and  a  half  stories  high.  36x46  feet  in  size,  and  has  three  runs  of 
buhrs,  with  a  grinding  capacity  of  168  bushels  of  wheat  per  day.  It. 
stands  near  the  railroad  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  village,  and  was 
erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $10,000.  The  company  operated  it  until  1875, 
when  the  shares  were  purchased  by  Messrs.  Null  &  McAlister,  who  ran  it 
as  partners  one  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  the  (entire  interest  was 
purchased  by  McAlister.  The  mill  was  operated  under  McAlister's  super- 
vision until  1879.  when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Marshall,  who 
ran  it  until  the  time  of  his  death,  a  short  time  afterward.  It  is  operated 
at  the  present  time  by  the  Farrer  Bros. ,  who  have  a  large  custom  and 
merchant  trade. 

SECRET     SOCIETIES. 

Windfall  Lodge,  No.  834,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M. ,  was  organized  in   the  year 

1876,  with  a  good  membership.  The  organization  increased  in  member- 
ship quite  rapidly,  and  in  1878  was  able  to  build  and  furnish  a  neat  hall. 
It  stands  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  village  and  represents  a  capital  of 
about  $900.  The  present  officers  are  B.  F.  Gifford.  W.  M.;  R.  Parish, 
S.  W. ;  Hall  Graham,  J.  W.;  William  Newton,  Treasurer;  Nathan  Bailey, 
S.  D. ;  A.  D.  Riffe.  J.  D. ;  D.  B.  Vice,  Tiler  ;  and  S.  S.  Newton,  Secre- 
tary. The  lodge  numbers  twenty-two  members  at  the  present  time,  and 
18  reported  in  good  working  order. 

Windfall  Lodge,  No.  438,  I.  O.  O.-  F.,  was  instituted  November  20, 
1873,  with  the  following  charter  members:  F.  S.  Zeek,  George  Dunn, 
William  Brooks,  G.  W.  Boyer,  W.  S.  Armstrong,  Joel  Reece,  S.  G.  Young 
and  H.  H  Lindley.  The  first  officers  were  J.  H.  Zehner,  N.  G. ;  John 
B.  Thorn,  V.  G.;  F.  S.  Zeek,  Secretary,  and  T.  J.  Lindley,  Treasurer. 
The  officers  at  the  present  time  are  J.  D.  Baker,  N.  G. ;  R.  P.  Rice,  V. 
G. ;  Thomas  Hiroiis,  Recording  Secretary;  E.  Perry,  Permanent  Secretary ; 
W.  J.  Miner,  Treasurer,  and  Jacob  Barrow,  District  Deputy  G.  M.  The 
Trustees  are  Jacob  Barrow,  G.  H.  Cook  and  H.  N.  Steele.  The  present 
membership  is  about  thirty-four.  Meetings  are  held  in  a  hall  belonging 
to  the  lodge. 

THE    PRESS. 

The  Windfall  Neirs,  a  five-column  weekly  quarto,  was  established  in 
the  year  1876  by  Messrs.  Sweet  &  Fugit,   who   issued  it  regularly  until 

1877,  at  which  time  a  half  interest  was  purchased  by  P.  and  J.  O.  Be- 
hymer.  They  afterward  bought  the  entire  interest,  and  changed  it  into 
a  seven-column  folio.  It  was  started  as  a  neutral  sheet,  but  nnder  the 
management   of    Messrs.    Behymer    was    conducted  as  an    independent 


154  HISTORY    OF   TIPTON    COUNTY. 

Democratic  paper,  and  reached  a  circulation  of  about  400.  It  was 
issued  at  Windfall  until  the  year  1880,  at  which  time 
it  was  moved  to  Tipton  and  merged  into  the  Times  of  that 
place.  In  1877  appeared  the  first  number  of  Oicr  Home,  a  juvenile  sheet, 
started  by  Sweet  &  Fugit.  It  reached  a  good  circulation,  but  was 
short-lived,  only  about  five  or  six  numbers  having  been  issued,  when  the 
material  was  purchased  by  the  projn-ietor  of  the  Windfall  Neirs  and  the 
two  papers  consolidated. 

PHYSICIANS. 

The  first  practicing  physician  in  Windfall  was  Dr.  Zimmerman,  a 
man  of  good  abilities,  who  commenced  practice  soon  after  the  town  was 
laid  out,  and  continued  several  years.  Dr.  S.  Murray  was  also  an  early 
physician,  and  perhaps  the  nest  to  Zimmerman.  Afterward,  came  Perry 
Shockney  and  Austin  Zeek,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  the  village  sev- 
eral years  ago.  The  medical  profession  is  well  represented  at  the  present 
time  by  the  following:  L.  McAlister,  T.  S.  Zeek,  W.  L.  Price,  W.  Austin, 
J.  L.  Spitzmesser,  J.  A.  Horine,  Dr.  Hermann  and  George  Woods. 

INCOEPORATION    OF    WINDFALL. 

On  the  24th  of  March,  1871,  the  village,  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the 
citizens,  took  upon  itself  the  dignity  of  an  incorporated  town,  and  elected 
the  following  Board  of  Couucilmen:  J.  H.  Zehner,  T.  J.  Alexander,  W. 
A.  Dennis  and  L.  B.  Carver.  This  board  organized  for  work,  by  elect- 
ing J.  H.  Zehner,  President,  and  T.  J.  Alexander,  Clerk.  Other  officers, 
whose  names  could  not  be  ascertained,  were  appointed  at  the  same  time. 
The  present  Boai'd  of  Councilmen  is  composed  of  the  following  gentle- 
men :  Dr.  Zeek,  Thomas  Hirous,  J.  I.  Seward  and  B.  F.  Vice,  J.  I.  Sew- 
ard being  President.  The  other  town  officers  are  Madison  Wright, 
Marshal;  D.  D.  John,  Clerk  and  Treasurer;  aud  Perry  Behymer,  Attorney. 

THE    CRIME    RECORD. 

While  Windfall  claims  to  be  a  law-abiding  village,  and  can  probably 
boast  as  many  upright  citizens  as  any  other  place  of  its  population,  it 
has  in  years  past  been  the  scene  of  several  bloody  tragedies,  of  which  the 
following  is  very  brief  mention.  In  the  year  1865,  a  man  by  name  of 
Noble  Gofi"  was  murdered  in  his  bed,  the  assassin  using  for  the  purpose 
a  large  old-fashioned  hatchet.  Goff  had  been  at  one  time  a  reputable 
citizen,  but  in  later  years  became  very  dissipated,  a  fact  which  led  to 
many  family  quarrels.  His  wife,  a  woman  of  very  fiery  temper,  had  been 
heard  to  make  frequent  threats  of  violence.  She  was  arrested  on  sus- 
picion, and  tried  for  the  murder.  The  case  was  stubbornly  contested  by 
the  attorneys  on  both  sides,  but  the  evidence  of  guilt  was  so  clearly 
established  that  she  was  convicted  aud  sentenced  to  a  long  term  in  the 
penitentiary. 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  155 

In  the  year  1864  or  1865,  Dr.  Ai-mstrong  shot  and  killed  Henry 
Thomas.  The  motive  which  prompted  the  bloody  deed  was  jealousy 
on  the  part  of  the  former.  Armstrong  was  arrested  for  the  crime,  and 
had  his  trial  at  Muncie,  to  which  place  a  change  of  venue  had  been 
taken.  He  pleaded  "not  guilty"  to  the  charge  of  murder,  and  was 
successful. 

During  a  drunken  altercation  which  took  place  in  one  of  the  village 
saloons  a  number  of  years  ago,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Perry  was  killed 
by  A.  Balser.  The  deed  was  the  culmination  of  a  quarrel  which  grew 
out  of  a  game  of  cards. 

A  fatal  shooting  affray  occurred  near  the  village  about  the  year  1867, 
in  which  a  man  by  the  name  of  Gififord  was  killed  by  James  Stewart.  It 
seems  that  the  former  went  to  Stewart's  place  for  the  purpose  of  attach- 
ing some  cattle,  and  not  being  very  warm  friends,  soon  got  into  a  bitter 
quarrel,  during  the  progress  of  which  the  shooting  was  done.  Stewart 
was  arrested  and  tried,  but  got  cleared  on  the  plea  of  self-defense. 

A    BIG    FIRE. 

On  the  13th  of  March,  1883,  occurred  a  very  de.structive  tire,  which 
laid  in  ruins  several  tine  business  houses,  and  entailed  heavy  losses  on 
the  owners.  The  tire  originated  in  the  large  brick  drug  store  belonging 
to  Dr.  McAlister,  from  which  it  leaped  to  his  I'esidence,  near  by,  which 
was  soon  enveloped  in  flames.  Every  possible  effort  was  made  to  check 
the  devouring  element,  but  without  avail,  and  it  soon  spread  to  the  store 
buildings  of  Vice  &  Nutter  and  Legg  &  Patterson,  both  of  which  were, 
in  a  few  moments,  reduced  to  a  moldering  mass  of  ruins.  The  fire  is 
supposed  to  have  been  the  work  of  an  incendiary. 

WHAT    THIRTY-ONE    YEARS    HAVE    DONE. 

This  brings  us  to  the  end  of  our  sketch  of  Windfall.  Thirty-one  years 
laden  with  sorrows  and  joys,  bright  anticipations  and  vanished  hopes, 
have  added  both  age  and  dignity  to  the  little  city.  Many  of  the  old 
citizens  who  were  wont  to  indulge  in  pleasant  dreams  of  what  the  town 
would  some  day  be  are  quietly  sleeping  in  their  last  resting-places. 
The  boys  and  girls  of  those  early  years  are  children  no  longer,  but  have 
taken  their  places  in  the  ranks  of  men  and  women,  and  are  doino-  the 
work  assigned  them.  During  these  years,  almost  a  third  of  a  century, 
the  village  has  steadily  gained  in  business  importance  and  financial 
strength,  until,  at  the  present  time,  it  is  the  second  town  in  the  county, 
and  boasts  a  population  of  800  souls.  Its  business  houses  are  as  follows: 
J.  H.  Zehner,  dry  goods  and  general  store;  W.  H.  Crafton,  general 
merchandise;  Vice  &  NuHer,  general  merchandise;  "W.  J.  Miner,  hard- 
ware; A.  H.  Zehner,  groceries  and  notions;  "VV.  R.  Bailey,  groceries;  E. 
McAlister.  E.  L.  Pickering  and  J.  A.  Schell,  ch'Ug  stores;  H.  N.  Steele, 


156  HISTORY    OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

undertaker  and  furniture  dealer;  I.  P.  Emery,  harness  shop;  Samuel 
King,  E.  H.  Farrington  and  P.  Hofifman,  shoe  shops;  Thomas  Flatt, 
Peter  Applegate,  John  Carr  and  C.  C.  Gray,  blacksmiths;  William  Claw- 
son,  hotel;  E.  Osborne,  wagon-maker;  Mrs.  Gray,  boarding-house;  Claw- 
son  &  Bailey  and  Jones  &  Son,  livery  stables;  Perry  Behymer  and  W. 
A.  Dean,  attorneys. 


LIBERTY    TOWNSHIl' 

BY    GEOKGE     C.     WOOD. 


Liberty  Township  is  in  the  north-central  part  of  the  county.  It  is 
seven  miles  long  east  and  west,  and  five  miles  wide  north  and  south,  con 
taining  thirty-five  square  miles.  The  greater  portion  of  the  township  is 
in  Congressional  Township  22  north,  Kange  4  east.  There  are  six  sec- 
titms  on  the  north  in  Township  23  north.  Range  4  east,  and  one  section 
in  Township  23  north,  Range  5  east.  On  the  east  end  of  the  township 
there  are  four  sections  in  Township  22  north,  Range  5  east.  The  town- 
ship is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Howard  County,  on  the  east  by  Wild 
Cat  Township,  on  the  south  by  Cicero  Township,  and  on  the  west  by 
Prairie  Township.  Its  surface  is  level.  It  has  a  deep,  rich  soil,  and 
was  in  its  primeval  state  covered  with  a  dense  forest,  consisting  chiefly 
of  walnut,  poplar,  oak,  sycamore,  elm,  beech,  maple,  hickory  and  ash. 

Mud  Creek  enters  the  township  a  little  south  of  its  center  on  the 
west,  flows  northeast  and  leaves  the  township  ju.st  south  of  the  corner 
section.  North  Creek  rises  in  the  extreme  southwest  corner  of  the  town- 
ship, flows  northeast,  and  empties  into  Mud  Creek,  one  mile  and  a  half 
east  of  Sharpsville.  Turkey  Creek  crosses  the  extreme  southeast  cor- 
ner of  the  township,  being  confined  almost  within  the  southeast  quarter 
of  the  corner  section. 

INDIAN  HISTORY. 

All  the  northern  portion  of  the  county  once  belonged  to  the  Miami 
Reservation.  Hunting  parties  from  this  tribe  of  Indians  visited  the 
township  every  fall  and  spring  until  about  1J^52  or  1853.  At  this  time, 
raccoon,  turkey  and  deer,  were  found  in  abundance,  and  occasionally 
"old  bruin  "  was  to  be  (encountered,  though  the  number  of  black  bears  in 
this  region  was  never  very  numerous. 

The  Miauiis  had  a  camping  ground  just  south  of  Sharpsville  on  the 
Grishaw  farm,  also  one  east  of  Nevada,  where  John  B.  Reeder's  house 
now  stands;  one  west  of  Nevada  where  Mr.  Coate  now  lives,  and  another 
southwest  of  Nevada,  where  Mrs.  Schaefer  now  lives.  Just  south  of  Reed- 
er's house  is  the  grave  of  an  Indian  chief  by  the  name  of  Shockamore. 
Tradition  has  it  that  several  of  the  chiefs,  who  were  jealous  of  his  pro- 
motion and  influence  in  the  tribe,  while  in  a  drunken  carousal    killed 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP.  157 

him.  The  mound  beneath  which  he  is  said  to  have  been  buried  has  been 
pointed  out  to  numbers  of  the  settlers,  but  no  one  has  ever  dug  into  the 
grave  to  verify  the  story.  There  is  another  Indian  grave  on  the  Sippy 
farm.  On  the  Bowlby  farm  there  are  two  Indians  buried,  a  man  by 
the  name  of  Pete  Cornstalk  and  a  squaw,  by  name  "  Over-the-garden-wall." 
The  latter  name  is  probably  fictitious,  but  these  graves,  as  well  as  that  of 
the  one  buried  on  the  Sippy  farm,  remained  for  many  years  inclosed  by 
pens  bviilt  of  rovmd  logs. 

EARLY  SETTLERS. 

It  IS  probable  that  the  first  settler  in  Liberty  Township  was  a  man 
by  the  name  of  Kaywood,  who  built  a  cabin  north  of  the  creek  on  what 
is  now  the  Needham  farm.  Kaywood  was  a  frontier  man  and  soon 
moved  away.  Whence  he  came  and  whither  he  went  are  not  now  known. 
Perhaps  the  next  settler  was  William  Riggs,  who  came  from  Madison 
County  and  pre-empted  land  where  Fish  now  lives.  He  afterward  sold  his 
claim,  and  pre-empted  land  where  William  Jarrett  now  lives,  two  years 
before  the  land  came  into  market.  Riggs  returned  to  Madison  County 
in  1853,  where  he  still  lives.  Frederick  Parsons  pre-empted  what  is  now 
known  as  the  McGee  farm.  He  sold  his  claim  to  Frank  McGuire  in 
1846  and  moved  to  Howard  County,  where  he  died  in  about  1870.  Mc- 
Guire went  to  Iowa  in  1858,  thence  to  Missouri. 

Caleb  Richardson  and  his  wife  Celia  came  from  Boone  County  and 
pre-empted  what  is  still  known  as  the  old  Richardson  homestead  in  1845. 
Unto  them  were  born  sixteen  children,  fifteen  of  whom  lived  to  have  fam- 
ilies of  their  own.  Their  names,  though  not  in  the  order  of  their  ages, 
were  William,  Charlotte,  Jane.  George,  James,  Stephen,  Jackson,  Strange, 
Caleb,  Emeline,  Cynthia,  John.  Joel,  Mary  Ann,  Jonathan  and  Francis 
Marion,  the  last  dying  when  he  was  an  infant.  Mr.  Richardson  died 
several  years  ago,  but  Aunt  Celia  is  still  living.  She  is  now  about  sev- 
enty-seven years  old,  and  has  seen  all  her  children  buried  but  five.  Rich- 
ardson was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  his  neighborhood.  His  house  was 
a  home  for  the  traveler  and  the  land  seeker.  He  was  the  founder  of 
Methodism  in  this  part  of  the  county.  For  several  years  his  house  was 
the  place  of  meeting.  He  helped  establish  the  Pleasant  Grove  Associa- 
tion, and  with  David  and  P.  Hutto  built  the  Pleasant  Grove  Meeting 
House.  His  infant  child,  Francis  Marion,  was  the  first  to  be  buried  in 
ihe  Richardson  Graveyard.  A  remarkable  fact  connected  with  the  his- 
tory of  this  graveyard  is  that  there  were  sixteen  children  buried  in  'it 
before  any  grown  person. 

Thomas  Cole,  born  and  reared  in  Kentucky,  came  to  Shelby  County 
in  183-5.  From  there  he  moved  to  Liberty  Township  in  1847,  and  pre- 
empted a  quarter-section  of  land  where  he  now  lives.  James  Cole, 
brother  of  Thomas,  came  from  Henry  County,  Ind.,  in  the  spring  of  1848 

10 


158  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

and  bougiit  the  claim  where  he  lived  the  remainder  of  his  years,  dying^ 
in  1870. 

Granville  Wilson  came  from  Shelby  County  in  the  fall  of  1848  and 
bought  the  land  where  James  H.  Chase  now  lives.  James  Maze  came 
from  Butler  County,  Ohio,  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  in  1827;  theuce  he 
moved  to  Liberty  Township  in  1848,  where  he  entered  the  tract  of  land  on 
which  he  has  lived  ever  since,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  he  lived  in 
Terre  Hall,  Howard  County. 

William  Jarrett  came  from  Greenbrier  County,  Va.,  to  Decatur  Coun- 
ty, Ind.,  in  1847;  thence  he  moved  to  JNIadison  County  and  thence  to 
Liberty  Township  in  1851.  He  entered  the  farm  that  Mr.  Needham 
now  owns,  and  bought  the  place  on  which  he  is  now  living  in  1853. 
Benjamin  Denny,  William  Sims  and  William  Marshall  were  the  first  set- 
tlers in  the  northeast  part  of  the  township.  They  came  from  Madison 
County  in  1850.  Benjamin  Denny  died  there  in  1855,  and  William  Sims 
in  1863.  William  Marshall  went  to  the  army  and  died  in  service  in 
1864.  Lindsay  Ballew  came  from  Howard  County  and  settled  in  Ne- 
vada in  1854.  He  is  still  living  in  the  township.  Other  early  settlers 
in  that  part  of  the  township  were  John  Smith,  William  Smith  and 
James  Barrow.  Among  the  early  settlers  in  the  southeast  part  of  the 
township  were  Alexander  Mills,  Esq.,  Jesse  Smiley,  Messick  Turner, 
Jonathan  Hay  worth  and  Lilburn  Cox.  Among  a  great  number  who  en- 
tered land  in  1848,  the  following  were  first:  Lewis  Small,  George  Stew- 
art, James  Bennett,  Larkin  Ward,  John  W.  Pike,  George  B.  W.  Parks, 
W.  M.  Hutto.  W.  Caldwell,  Wesley  Umfreys,  E.  M.  Sharp,  P.  H. 
Smiley,  Jesse  Wells,  William  Bess,  Francis  McGuire  and  Henry  Goar. 
These  early  settlers  underwent  all  the  hardships  and  privations  which 
were  common  to  pioneer  life.  Their  houses  were  log  cabins  with  clap- 
board doors  and  puncheon  floors. 

The  corn  huskings,  raisings  and  log  rollings  were  occasions  never  to 
be  forgotten  by  "  ye  old  settlers."  For  supplies  in  the  way  of  milling 
and  what  few  groceries  they  could  afiford  the  early  settlers  in  the  west 
part  of  the  township  journeyed  to  New  London,  Howard  County,  and  La 
Fayette;  those  on  the  east  went  usually  to  Perkinsville  on  White  River. 
The  following  incident,  illustrative  of  the  hardihood  of  the  women  of 
those  days,  is  told  and  its  accuracy  vouched  for  by  a  living  witness:  The 
Widow  Van  Horn  moved  from  Wayne  County  and  settled  south  of 
Sharpsville  in  the  fall  of  1851  or  1852,  bringing  with  her  a  roan  mare. 
One  day  the  following  winter,  when  the  snow  was  five  inches  deep,  and 
the  mercmy  below  zero,  the  mare  got  out  of  the  rail  inclosure  near  the 
house  and  started  to  return  to  their  oM  home.  Toward  night  her  es- 
cape was  discovered.  Mrs.  Van  Horn  set  out  in  pursuit  on  foot.  She 
trailed  the  mare  in  a  southwest  course,  the  trail  leading  through  Teters- 
burg  and  Boxleytown  and  thence  southeast,  crossing  the  Peru  road  be- 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP.  159 

tween  Cicero  and  Noblesville.  She  came  up  Vv'itli  the  mare  in  the  nei(i-h- 
borhood  of  Perkiiisville.  Mounting  her,  she  made  her  way  back,  reach- 
ing home  before  daylight  the  next  morning. 

THE  FIRST  DEATH. 

The  first  death  in  the  township  was  probably  that  of  an  old  man  by 
the  name  of  Praul,who  lived  on  the  farm  Dr.  Baxter  now  owns.  Praul. 
it  is  supposed,  started  to  go  to  the  settlements  in  Grant  County,  and  on 
his  way  fi'o^e  to  death.  If  Praul's  death  was  not  the  first,  then  tlie 
first  must  have  been  that  of  Messic  Turner's  son.  This  boy  was  about 
fifteen  years  old,  and  was  killed  by  a  tree  falltng  on  him.  He  was  bur- 
ied on  the  Turner  farm,  Avhich  Calvin  Holman  now  owns.  The  first  to 
be  buried  in  the  Sharpsville  Graveyard  was  a  child  of  William  Riggs. 
that  died  of  scarlet  fever  in  1850.  The  second  was  William  Bowlby's 
child,  and  the  third  a  young  man  by  the  name  of  Joseph  Van  Horn. 
The  first  to  be  buried  in  the  Nevada  Graveyard  was  John  Smith,  who 
died  in  1848.  The  first  in  the  Richardson  Graveyard  was  the  infant 
son  of  Calf>b  Richardson.  It  is  not  now  known  who  was  first  buried  in 
the  old  Mud  Creek  Graveyard.  The  first  in  the  new  graveyard  south  of 
the  road  was  John  McGee. 

MARRIAGES. 

The  first  marriage  license  issued  in  the  county  was  that  of  John  G. 
Brown  and  Lorinda  Sharp,  July  31,  1844.  The  marriage  was  solem- 
nized by  John  B.  Cole,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  August  8,  1844.  The  fol- 
lowing is  a  copy  of  the  second  marriage  license  issued  in  the  county, 
the  contracting  parties  living  in  this  township: 

State  of  Indiana,  /,>,„.• 
Tipton  County,     f  <-reetmg: 

To  any  person  empowered  by  law  to  solemnize  marriage.  You  are  hereby  au- 
thorized to  join  together  as  husband  and  wife  Hickman  Smiley  and  Elizabeth  Mills, 
and  make  return  of  said  marriage  to  this  office  as  required  bj'  law. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I,  Newton  J.  Jackson,  Clerk  of  the  Tipton  Cir- 
[SEAL.]  cuit  Court,  hav^  hereunto  set  mj   hand  and  seal  this  3d  day  of 

August,  1844. 
State  op  Indiana,  } 
Tipton  County,     f 

This  is  to  certify  that  on  the  8th  day  of  August,  1844,  I  joined  Hickman 
Smiley  and  Elizabeth  3Iills  as  husband  and  wife,  according  to  law.  Given  under 
my  hand  and  seal,  this  30th  day  of  Augaist,  1844. 

Joseph  Goar,  Associate  Judge,  [seal.] 
It  will  be  noticed  that  these  two  couples  were  married  on  the  same 
day,  viz.,  August  8.  It  is  claimed  that  Smiley's  wedding  was  the  first  in 
the  county,  the  marriage  having  occurred  earlier  in  the  day  than  that  of 
Brown.  The  next  parties  to  wed  in  this  township  were  John  Brown 
and  Philena  Kay  wood,  who  were  married  February  "2,  1845.  The  third 
marriage  was  that  of  George  B.  W.  Parks  and  Cynthia  Richardson, 
which  took  place  July  '26,  1845,  Judge  W.  H.  Nelson  officiating. 


160  mSTOUV    OF    TIPTON    COUNTY. 

EARLY  SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  in  Sharpsville  was  tau<i;ht  in  a  little  log  house  where 
Edward  Roswog  now  lives,  by  Martha  Ann  Grishaw,  in  1852.  She  re- 
turned to  Ripley  County  and  married  G.  W.  Holman  in  1858;  she  is 
still  livino-.  The  next  school  was  taught  by  Lizzie  Smith  in  a  little 
frame  house  south  of  the  sc^uare.  Miss  Smith  taught  two  or  three  terms, 
the  last  in  1855.  She  died  at  Zionsville  in  Boone  County,  of  erysipelas. 
John  Vaughn  taught  a  school  in  the  winter  of  1853,  and  John  W.  Gris- 
haw  one  in  the  summer  of  1854.  These  wore  all  subscription  schools,  and 
nothino-  definite  can  be  learned  as  to  the  number  of  scholars  or  the  price 
of  tuition. 

In  the  Richardson  neighborhood,  the  first  schoolhouse  was  a  little 
round-loo-  house  just  in  the  edge  of  what  is  now  Prairie  Township.  It 
had  one  window  and  a  fire-place.  It  is  not  known  who  taught  the  first 
school  in  this  house.  The  second  school  was  taught  by  L.  Adams,  who 
is  now  in  Benson  County,  Iowa.  He  received  $2  per  scholar  for  a  three- 
months'  winter  term.  The  second  schoolhouse  in  the  neighborhood  was 
built  near  where  Granville  Wilson  now  lives  in  1849  or  1850.  Matthew 
Hawthorn,  who  now  lives  in  Kokomo,  was  among  the  early  teachers, 
also  L.  Adams.  At  this  time  each  school  district  had  three  trustees. 
Thomas  Cole  and  G.  M.  Wilson  were  two  of  the  first  Board  of  Trustees 
in  this  district. 

The  law  for  the  establishment  of  public  schools  was  passed  in  1852. 
A  new  house  was  soon  after  built  on  the  present  site.  It  has  always 
been  known  as  the  Cole  Schoolhouse.  The  first  public  school  taught  in 
it  was  by  L.  Adams.  John  Ballinger  taught  the  second  term.  Other 
early  teachers  were  Dr.  Chew  and  John  King. 

The  first  school  in  Nevada  was  taught  by  James  H.  Martin,  who  is 
now  in  the  dry  goods  business  at  Fairfield,  Ind.  He  had  fifteen  or  six- 
teen scholars  and  taught  in  a  little  old,  deserted  log  house.  Other 
teachers  were  John  C.  Riley,  J.  Hyatt  and  George  Wise,  the  latter  teach- 
ing in  a  portion  of  his  own  house.  The  first  free  school  was  taught  by 
Jesse  Morgan  and  the  second  by  Lizzie  Morgan. 

CHURCH    HISTORY. 

Poplar  Grove  Separate  Baptist  Church  was  fii-st  organized  in  the  old 
log  schoolhouse  where  the  Jackson  Cemetery  now  is.  The  society  af- 
terward held  meetings  in  Sharpsville  for  a  year  or  two,  and  finally  built 
the  church  on  James  Maze's  farm.  This  building  was  torn  down  only  a 
few  years  ago,  the  chur^jh  organization  having  been  broken  up  in  1862. 
The  early  members  were:  Reuben  Jackson  and  wife,  George  Wiseman, 
James  Bess,  James  Maze  and  wife,  J.  A.  Maze  and  wife,  Maj. 
Bennett,  Oliver  Brown  and  Andy  Mills  and  wife.  Elder  Joy  Ran- 
dolph was   its   founder  and  attending   pastor  for  many  years.     No  one 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP.  161 

who  ever  heard  the  old  man  preach  will  ever  forget  the  fervor  and 
earnestness  which  characterized  the  delivery  of  his  sermons.  Other 
pastors  who  attended  the  church  were  Renben  Jackson,  A.  J.  Graham 
and  Robert  Sharp. 

The  Old  School  Baptist  Church  was  organized  on  the  third  Saturday 
in  September,  1864,  by  a  council  composed  of  Wilson  Thojnpson,  John 
A.  Thompson,  A.  B.  Nay  and  George  S.AVeaver.  The  original  members 
were  Jesse  G.  Jackson  and  wife,  W.  J.  Tyner  and  wife,  Elizabeth  Tharp, 
Charity  Jack-^on,  Joseph  Heudrickson,  James  Powers  and  Elizabeth 
Lyon.  The  church  was  organized  at  the  Lutheran  Meeting  House.  The 
present  church  edifice  was  built  in  1866.  Elder  Jesse  G.  Jackson  has 
been  the  pastor  in  charge  ever  since  the  organization.  The  total  mem- 
bership at  present  is  fifty- four. 

The  Richland  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Sharpsville  was  or- 
ganized by  Rev.  A.  H.  Scherer  in  Mud  Creek  Schoolhouse  on  the  23d 
day  of  June,  A.  D.  1857.  At  this  time  John  Long  was  elected  Elder 
and  Jonathan  Ulrick,  Deacon,  for  two  years.  The  number  of  members 
of  the  organization  was  nine,  viz. :  John  Long,  Jonathan  Ulrick,  Hemy 
Swing,  Oliver  Saunders,  Jane  Long,  Barbara  Swing,  Martha  Ann  Saun- 
ders, Sallie  Swing  and  Ladoskey  Swing.  The  chiu'ch  edifice,  two  and  a 
half  miles  southwest  of  Sharpsville,  was  built  in  1863,  at  a  cost  of  $900. 
Since  the  8th  day  of  January,  1879,  their  meetings  for  the  most  part 
have  been  held  at  the  Cole  Schoolhouse,  on  account  of  greater  conven- 
ience. The  present  membership  is  twenty-four.  Rev.  A.  H.  Scherer 
has  been  the  pastor  in  charge  most  of  the  time  since  its  organization. 
Other  pastors  who  have  preached  for  the  church  are  Alonzo  Scherer,  S. 
P.  Snyder  and  Samuel  McReynolds.  The  present  board  of  trustees  con- 
sists of  Jonathan  Ulrick.  Jacob  Piatt,  Daniel  Coon,E.  G.  Becker  and  E. 
W.  Ulrick. 

Hopewell  Presbyterian  Church,  two  and  one  half  miles  east  of 
Sharpsville,  was  organized  February  22,  1873,  by  Rev.  J.  S.  Craig,  by 
consent  of  the  Presbytery  of  Muncie,  Synod  of  Northern  Indiana.  The 
organization  consisted  of  eight  members,  viz.,  William  Bowlby,  John 
C.  Henderson  and  wife,  Abraham  V.  Voris  and  wife,  Martha  E.  Voris, 
Ann  Caldwell,  Lydia  Kirkpatrick  and  Olivia  M.  Davis.  William  Bowlby 
and  John  C,  Henderson  were  elected  and  ordained  Ruling  Elders,  and 
Abraham  V.  Voris  Deacon;  William  Bowlby,  John  C.  Henderson 
and  John  Kirkpatrick  were  elected  Trustees,  and  steps  were  immediately 
taken  toward  erecting  a  church  edifice.  The  building  was  completed  the 
following  summer  at  a  cost  of  $1,600,  and  dedicated  in  October  by  Rev. 
J.  S.  Craig.  Rev.  Craig  has  been  pastor  of  the  church  ever  since  its  or- 
ganization, preaching  every  four  weeks.  The  meml^ership  at  present 
numbers  fifty-six.  A  Sabbath  school  is  held  every  Sabbath,  with  forty- 
one  scholars  and  three  teachers. 


162  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

The  Rock  Pi*airie  Church,  four  miles  southeast  of  Sharpsville,  was 
organized  by  Elder  Joy  Randolph  in  1852,  with  nine  members.  The  sue 
cessive  pastors  have  been  Elders  Langman,  G.  ^V.  Turner  and  W.  H. 
Spurlin,  the  last  having  been  the  pastor  in  charge  since  1878.  A  very 
good  frame  church  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $1,200,  and  dedicated 
in  1876  by  Elder  G.  W.  Baumgardner.  This  church  has  had  a  slow  but 
steady  growth,  its  couimunicants  now  numbering  eighty. 

Rev.  Richard  A.  Newton  was  the  pioneer  preacher  in  Liberty  Town- 
ship. In  the  fall  of  1851,  he  preached  at  ihree  different  points  in  this 
township,  viz..  Sharpsville,  MeGee  Schoolhouse  and  at  Uncle  Gale  Rich- 
ardson's. A  portion  of  what  afterward  became  the  Hopewell  class  was 
organized  by  him  at  the  McGee  Schoolhouse  in  1851.  The  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  at  Sharpsville  was  organized  in  the  fall  of  1852,  by 
Rev.  Hopkins,  who  was  preacher  in  charge  of  the  Normanda  Circuit.  The 
first  class  was  composed  of  the  following  members:  Madison  Grishaw, 
America  Grishaw,  James  Comer  and  wife,  Washington  Grishaw,  Caleb 
Richardson  and  wife,  George  Richardson  and  wife,  Callaway  Pierce  and 
wife,  V.  C.  AVisner,  and  a  few  others  whose  names  cannot  now  be  ascer- 
tained. In  1854,  Milton  Mahan,  of  Logansport,  was  Presiding  Elder, 
and  Nathan  Shackleford  preacher  in  charge,  assisted  by  W.  K,  Hoback. 
Martin  Morrison  was  appointed  in  the  fall  of  1854,  re-appointed  in  the 
spring  of  1855,  and  failed  to  fill  the  charge.  Rev.  Richey  was  appointed 
in  1856  by  Elder  Lamb  to  fill  the  place.  The  district  was  then  known 
ns  the  Peru  District.  In  the  spring  of  1857,  J.  J.  Cooper,  Presiding 
Elder,  appointed  William  Bradford,  who  remained  two  years.  Under 
his  supervision,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  building  was  com- 
menced. Thfin  followed  Rev.  George  Havens,  from  1859  to  1861,  who 
finished  the  church  edifice,  which  was  dedicated  by  his  father,  Rev. 
James  Havens.  J.  W.  T.  McMullen  was  the  preacher  in  charge  in  1861. 
The  following  year,  Rev.  William  Edmonson  was  in  charge.  [The  dates 
attached  to  some  of  the  foregoing  are,  perhaps,  incorrect,  and  there  is 
perhaps  one  preacher  omitted  between  Richey  and  Bradford.  With  that 
exception,  they  are  probably  given  in  the  exact  order  of  their  ministra- 
tions. ]  The  following  spring  (1863),  Joseph  Shackleford  was  appointed 
and  remained  two  years.  In  the  succeeding  spring  came  D.  F.  Streight, 
who  remained  one  year.  After  that  came  Silas  Stout,  one  year;  James 
Black,  one  year;  and  W.  J.  Martindale,  six  months.  The  Presiding 
Elder  employed  C.  W.  Stafford  to  fill  out  Martindale's  time.  Then  was 
sent  Charles  Martindale,  one  year,  who  was  followed  by  J.  E.  Erwin, 
the  Rev.  Keeler,  Rev.  C.  Brock  and  H.  C.  ClingJe. 

In  the  spring  of  1869,  Sharpsville  was  set  off  from  Tipton  and  made 
a  separate  circuit.  In  1870,  Rev.  L.  R.  Streeter  was  sent  here  and  re- 
mained three  years.  During  his  pastorate,  Nash's  Chapel  was  built. 
Then  followed  T.  J.  Elkin,    who  remained  three  years;    A.  H.  Currie, 


LIBERTY    TOWNSHIP.  168 

three  years;  D.  D.  Powel,  two  years;  T.  H.  C.  Beall,  one  year;  and  F. 
A.  Fish,  one  year.  The  Rev.  Mr.  White  is  the  preacher  in  charge  at 
this  writing.  The  Methodists  held  their  meetings  at  Uncle  Cale  Rich- 
ardson's house  for  some  years  before  they  moved  to  town.  In  town  they 
iirst  met  in  an  old  vacant  dwelling  house  south  of  the  square,  and  then 
in  the  schoolhouse  until  the  church  was  built. 

VILLAGE  OF  SHARPSVILLE. 

E.  M.  Sharp,  the  founder  of  Sharpsville,  came  from  Washington 
County,  Penn.,  to  Morgan  County,  111.,  in  1831,  thence  going  to  Jen- 
nings County,  Ind.,  in  ]838,  and  to  Liberty  Township  in  the  spring  of 
1849.  At  the  latter  date,  there  was  no  road  between  Tipton  and  Kokomo, 
except  in  the  vicinity  of  Fairfield.  The  first  settler  in  the  present  lim- 
its of  Sharpsville  was  a  man  by  the  name  of  Wiseman.  The  second  was 
Reuben  Jackson,  who  kept  a  small  store  in  the  south  part  of  town.  This 
was  the  first  business  enterprise  ever  started  in  the  town.  A  plat  of  the 
town  was  made  May  24,  1850,  and  recorded  May  27,  by  Sylvester  Tur- 
pen,  Recorder.  The  town  was  laid  off  with  the  expectation  that  it  would 
be  the  county  seat,  and  accordingly  a  public  square  was  left.  This  ex- 
pectation having  failed,  the  square  was  indeed  a  public  one  until  the 
township  trustee  built  the  brick  schoolhouse  on  it.  This  house  is  a  two- 
story  brick  with  three  rooms,  one  above  and  two  below.  The  town  was 
subsequently  incorporated,  and  the  School  Trustees  fenced  in  the  square 
and  set  out  quite  a  number  of  beautiful  shade  trees.  It  is  now  the  most 
.  beautiful  school  property  in  the  county.  When  the  house  was  built,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Sharp  signed  a  quit-claim  deed  to  the  grounds. 

The  first  mill  for  grinding  corn  was  a  horse  mill  in  the  Balser  neigh- 
borhood. The  second  was  a  corn-cracker  attached  to  the  saw  mill  then 
owned  by  a  man  by  the  name  of  Siunner.  The  mill  was  built  in  1851  or 
1852.  It  subsequently  burned  down  and  was  never  rebuilt.  Mr.  Sharp 
commenced  building  a  flour  mill  in  the  summer  of  1852,  completed  it  in 
the  summer  of  3853  and  commenced  grinding  in  September  of  1853. 
This  mill  was  60x70  feet  on  the  ground  floor,  and  three  and  one-half 
?tories  high,  with  four  runs  of  buhrs,  three  for  wheat  and  one  for  corn. 
It  contained  storage  room  for  20,000  bushels  of  grain,  and  at  that  time 
was  the  largest  and  best  equipped  mill  in  this  region  of  country.  Mr. 
Sharp  ran  the  mill  till  about  1862  or  1863,  and  then  sold  to  Cornelius 
Barlow.  Barlow  sold  the  mill  in  about  1865  to  Franklin  &  Thompkins, 
who  continued  to  run  it  till  March  28,  1868,  when  it  burned  down,  re- 
sulting in  a  total  loss,  as  there  was  no  insurance.  Franklin  associated 
with  him  John  C.  Halley,  and  immediately  rebuilt.  The  new  mill  was 
running  in  jiTst  one  hundred  days  from  the  time  of  the  fire.  The  firm 
continued  to  operate  the  mill  till  1871. 

The  first  saw  mill  was  built  in  what  is  now  Needham's  meadow,  in 


164  HISTORY   OF   TIPTON   COUNTY. 

1851,  by  a  man  of  the  name  of  Strickland,  from  Ripley  County.  Strick- 
land sold  the  mill  to  Eli  Sumner,  who  put  in  a  corn-cracker,  as  mentioned 
elsewhere.  The  mill  was  afterward  burnt  and  never  rebuilt.  Thompson 
subsequently  built  a  mill  south  of  the  creek,  sold  it  to  Robinson  &  Bland, 
and  they  to  Squire  Armstrong,  who  afterward  moved  it  to  Prairie  Town- 
ship. List  &  Blunk  built  a  mill  just  north  of  town,  Webb  &  Co.  suc- 
ceeding them.  Miner  «fe  Howard  next  built  a  mill  in  town.  Miner  event- 
ually selling  his  interest  to  Howard.  While  Howard  owned  the 
mill,  it  was  burned  and  rebuilt  on  the  same  site.  Howard  sold  out  to 
J.  H.  Hoback  in  186U.  The  mill  burned  again  in  1873  and  was  rebuilt. 
L.  D.  Thomaf^  took  a  half  interest  in  1878,  and  the  same  year  the  mill 
was  a  third  time  burned  and  rebuilt.  Berryman  &  Bates  bought  the 
mill  in  1881,  A.  L.  Bates  succeeding  to  the  business. 

Murzy  Adams  built  a  saw  mill  on  Mud  Creek  in  an  early  day,  and 
several  years  afterward  added  a  grist  mill.  This  mill  was  eventually 
moved  to  Normanda  by  Milton  Mozingo. 

The  first  mercantile  business  started  in  Sharpsville  was  by  Reuben 
Jackson,  who  kept  a  store  in  the  south  part  of  town.  Jackson  afterward 
went  to  Missouri,  but  the  date  of  his  coming  and  the  time  he  left  can 
not  now  be  determined.  It  is  believed  that  Forbes  &  Fugit  succeeded 
Jackson,  and  in  about  1853  moved  their  stock  to  some  other  town. 

The  second  mercantile  business  started  in  Sharpsville  was  by  Madison 
and  Washington  Grishaw  in  1853,  in  a  store  room  fronting  the  railroad, 
where  the  old  building  now  owned  by  Haynes,  Grishaw  &  Shook  stands. 
Washington  Grishaw  succeeded  to  the  business  and  the  house  was 
burned  in  1856. 

J.  A.  Franklin  came  to  Liberty  Township  in  the  fall  of  1850,  from 
Hancock  County,  and  settled  on  what  is  now  the  Merrill  Townsend  farm. 
He  came  to  Sharpsville  in  the  fall  of  1851  and  started  a  dry  goods  and 
grocery  store  in  the  south  end  of  his  residence  (the  building  now  be 
longs  to  J.  W.  Grishaw  and  is  rented  as  a  residence),  having  associated 
with  him  N.  Spaulding.  They  sold  goods  there  till  the  fall  of  1851, 
and  then  sold  out  to  Fish  &  Hill.  Franklin,  after  going  to  Kansas  on 
a  prospecting  tour,  returned  and  built  what  is  now  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  build- 
ing in  the  spring  of  1855,  and  went  into  business  again,  the  firm  being 
Franklin  &  Haynes.  In  1857,  the  name  of  the  firm  was  changed  to 
Franklin,  Haynes  &  Co,  Silas  Needham  being  a  partner.  In  the  fall  of 
1858,  William  Haynes  died,  the  firm  thus  becoming  Franklin  &  Need- 
ham.  It  remained  so  till  1859,  when  Needham  sold  out  to  W.  P.  Gard. 
The  firm  of  Franklin  &  Gard  continued  in  business  till  the  fall  of  1865, 
when  Franklin  took  the  whole  st:)ck.  In  1866  or  1867,  Franklin  asso- 
ciated with  him  J.  W.  vStratford  &  Bro. .  and  finally  sold  the  entire 
stock  to  them.  Stratford  &  Bro.  continued  till  October,  1869,  when  they 
sold  a  third  interest  to  N.    W     Halley  and  an  equal   amoimt  to  Moses 


LIBERTY    TOWNSHIP.  165 

Samples.  The  remaining  one-third  was  sold  to  I.  J.  Henry  in  January, 
1870.  The  firm  of  Samples,  Halley  &  Co.  continued  till  June,  1870, 
when  Samples  &  Halley  succeeded  to  the  business.  Samples  finally 
bought  out  the  whole  business  and  continued  till  March,  1873,  when  he 
sold  a  one-half  interest  to  John  W.  Grishaw,  Sr.  Grishaw  &  Samples 
continued  in  business  till  1875,  in  the  meantime  buying  the  remnant  of 
goods  belonging  to  Randolph,  and  moving  aci-oss  the  street  to  the  Fish 
&  Hill  building.  In  1875,  J.  VV.  Grishaw  succeeded  to  the  business  and 
continued  till  1876.  In  that  year  Calvin  Holman  came  in  as  a  partner. 
The  firm  of  Grishaw  &  Holman  continued  till  1877,  when  H.  E.  Wool- 
ey  came  in  as  a  partner,  the  firm  then  being  known  as  Grishaw,  Hol- 
man &  Co.  Holman  retired  in  the  fall  of  1877,  and  Grishaw  &  Wooley 
continued  till  the  fall  of  1878,  when  Wooley  died,  and  Grishaw  contin- 
ued the  business  till  March,  1879,  when  he  sold  to  N.  Spaulding.  Spauld- 
ing  continued  in  business  till  March,  1882,  when  he  sold  to  George  W. 
McGee  &  Co.  W.  E.  Richards  of  this  firm  retired  in  the  fall  of  1882, 
the  firm  name  remaining  the  same.  In  March,  1883,  the  stock  was  sold 
to  John  W.  Grishaw,  Jr. 

The  history  of  the  business  done  in  the  Fish  &  Hill  building  pre- 
vious to  the  time  it  was  occupied  by  Samples  &  Grishaw  is  about  as  fol- 
lows: D.  A.  Fish  and  Ellison  Hill  bought  the  stock  of  goods  in  Frank- 
lin's residence  from  Franklin  &  Spaulding  in  the  fall  of  1854.  The 
next  year  they  built  the  business  house  on  the  corner.  They  continued 
in  business  until  1857.  Hill  succeeded  to  the  business,  and  in  1858 
sold  out  to  William  B.  Hill.  William  B.  Hill  sold  the  stock  to  Wishard 
&  McGuire  in  1862.  They  continued  in  business  till  1864,  when  Mc- 
Guire  succeeded  to  the  business  and  moved  the  stock  of  goods  to  Wind- 
fall. D.  A..  Fish  put  in  another  stock  of  goods  in  the  building  in  the 
spring  of  1865.  In  1866,  McGuire  became  a  partner.  Fish  &  McGuire 
sold  to  Harlin  &  Bolin  in  1868.  They  continued  the  business  two  years, 
when  Harlin  sold  his  interest  to  Bolin  &  Son.  They  sold  to  Andy  Wal- 
lace, and  Wallace  to  Randolph. 

George  W.  Mix  commenced  business  in  the  dry  goods  line  in  the 
building  by  the  railroad  in  September,  1865.  In  November,  1865, 
George  V.  Haynes  became  a  partner.  They  continued  until  July,  1867, 
when  the  firm  name  changed  to  Haynes,  Mix  &  Grishaw.  In  April,  1870, 
the  firm  assumed  its  present  name,  Haynes,  Grishaw  &  Shook.  In  the 
latter  part  of  1875,  they  built  the  magnificent  brick  structure  which  they 
have  since  occupied  with  a  large  stock  of  goods.  The  fii'ui  took  a  one- 
half  interest  in  the  Tipton  store  in  December.  1877,  and  assumed  full 
control  in  Febniary,  1882. 

The  store  room  north  of  the  road  running  by  the  church  was  built  in 
1855,  and  Thomas  T.  Walker  commenced  business  in  the  dry  goods  and 
grocery  line.    He  continued  till  1858,  and  then  moved  his  stock  of  goods 


166  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

to  Tennessee.  Mix  &  Brown  next  started  business  in  the  same  building. 
They  sold  out  to  Nathan  Spanlding,  who  continued  in  business  for  a 
number  of  years.  The  remainder  of  the  history  of  this  building  is  nar- 
rated elsewhere,  commencing  with  its  occupation  by  W.  N.  Heath  &  Co. 
Stratford  &  Bro.  put  in  a  stock  of  drugs  in  their  back  room  while 
they  were  in  business,  and  sold  that  part  of  their  business  to  Dr.  W.  N. 
Heath  &  Co.,  in  September,  1868.  Heath  succeeded  to  the  business. 
In  Februai'y,  1870,  a  stock  of  groceries  was  added  and  the  whole  stock 
moved  north  of  the  road  under  the  firm  name  of  Heath  &  Co.     In  April, 

1870,  this  slock  was  sold  to  J,  N.  Davenport  &  Co,  and  the  business  con- 
tinued  till    August,    when   Davenport   succeeded   to    it.     In   February, 

1871,  the  stock  was  closed  out  by  Sheriff's  sale  to  Joseph  Cooper. 
Cooper  sold  the  stock  to  Ja"mes  F.  Merrick.  Then  followed  S.  C.  Seiler 
and  Drs.  Franklin  and  Alma'n.  The  stock  ran  down, in  quantity  as  well 
as  reputation,  till  finally  the  whole  business  "  turned  up  its  toes  to  the 
daisies." 

In  1875,  after  J.  W.  Grishaw  had  vacated  the  Odd  Fellows'  building, 
Louis  Mehlig  started  a  drug  store  in  it.  In  1881  a  stock  oi  groceries 
was  added.  In  1882  Mr.  Mehlig  moved  to  his  present  commodious 
quarters  in  the  building  erected  by  Thomas  &  Hoback. 

For  several  years  previous  to  1872,  J.  E.  Ballenger  was  proprietor  of 
a  grocery  in  a  small  building  next  to  the  old  Haynes  storehous'e.  In 
that  year,  L.  D.  Thomas  became  a  partner.  They  continued  till  1878, 
when  Thomas  succeeded  to  the  business  and  built  the  storehouse  now 
occvipied  by  Mehlig.  When  the  stock  was  removed  to  the  new  building, 
J.  H.  Hoback  became  a  partner.  Thomas  &  Hoback  continued  in  busi- 
ness till  July,  1881,  when  they  made  an  assignment. 

The  lodge  of  the  Free  and  Act3epted  Masons  received  its  dispensation 
December  26,  1854,  H.  C.  Lawrence,  G.  M.  The  officers  and  charter 
members  were  Silas  Needham,  W.  M. ;  George  W.  Rose,  S.  W. ;  Levi 
Moorly,  J.  W, ;  James  A.  Dunnigan,  S.  D. ;  Robert  McLain,  J,  D, ;  J. 
A.  Franklin,  Secretary,  and  N.  Spaulding,  Treasurer.  The  charter  was 
granted  May  31,  1855,  with  A.  C.  Downey,  G,  M.,  and  Silas  Needham, 
W.  M.  In  1863,  on  account  of  so  many  of  its  members  having  gone  to 
the  war,  the  lodge  was  compelled  to  surrender  its  charter.  John  N. 
Daly  was  then  W.  M.  The  charter  was  restored  in  1868,  with  Silas 
Needham  as  W.  M.  The  preliminary  meetings  for  the  organization  of 
the  lodge  were  held  up-stairs  in  Silas  Needham' s  house.  During  the 
dispensation  and  until  1855,  under  the  charter,  the  lodge  met  in  a  build- 
ing now  known  as  the  old  barracks,  then  owned  by  S.  F.  Randolph. 
In  1855,  and  for  several  years  subsequent,  its  meetings  were  held  in 
what  is  now  the  Odd  Fellows'  building.  The  lodge  next  met  in  a  room 
over  what  is  now  Seller's  blacksmith  shop,  and  continued  to  meet  there 
until  the  Masonic  building  was  bought  and  fitted  up.      Silas  Needham 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP.  167 

was  W.  M.  from  the  organization  of  the  lodge  in  1S54  to  1861.  N.  R. 
Griffith  was  the  second  W.  M.,  and  John  N.  Daly  the  third.  When  the 
charter  was  restored  in  1868,  Silas  Needhatn  was  again  W.  M.  until 
1871.  G.  M.  Hawthorn  was  probably  his  successor.  Then  followed 
Hiram  Heath,  1872  to  1876;  William  N.  Heath.  1876;  J.  K.  Baxter. 
1877  to  1879;  J.  K.  Shook,  1879  to  1881;  and  J.  K.  Baxter,  1881,  to  the 
present  time.  This  lodge  has  been  one  of  the  most  prosperous  in  the 
county,  having,  perhaps,  made  more  Masons  than  any  other.  Owing  to 
death  and  the  removal  of  many  of  its  members,  the  membership  now 
only  numbers  twenty- three. 

The  I.  O.  O,  F.  Lodge  was  organized  May  18,  1870,  with  J.  A.  Wild- 
man,  G.  M.  The  charter  members  were  Simeon  Massena,  N.  G. ;  M.  E. 
Clark,  J.  E.  Rumsey,  William  J.  Franklin,  William  Dickson,  G  W 
Buyer,  George  V.  Haynes,  D.  E.  Gilbert  and  W.  S.  Armstrong.  The 
lodge  was  instituted  June  2,  1870,  and  the  following  persons  initiated: 
John  Baker,  Pe^er  P.  Illyes,  I.  W.  Gardner,  J.  L.  Grishaw  and  George 
Wooldridge.  The  first  Trustees  were  George  V.  Haynes,  W.  J.  Frank- 
lin and  I.  W.  Gardner.  This  has  always  been  a  prosperous  lodge.  Its 
membership  numbers  forty- three.      B.  F.  Hall  is  the  pi'esent  N.  G. 

The  first  doctor  of  Sharpsville  was  Reuben  Jackson,  who  came 
from  some  point  in  Boone  County  in  1849  and  left  in  1853,  going  to 
Missouri.  Dr.  James  P.  Lindsay,  the  father  of  medicine  in  Sharpsville, 
came  from  Decatur  County  in  1850,  and  has  lived  here  ever  since  and 
been  engaged  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profession.  Dr.  Chew  came 
from  Clinton  County  in  1852  and  remained  till  1854,  when  he  moved  to 
the  west  part  of  Howai'd  County.  Dr.  Cross  came  from  Madison,  Ind., 
in  1855,  left  in  1857  and  i-eturned  to  Madison.  Dr.  Cummings  came 
from  New  Marion,  Ripley  County,  in  1856,  and  went  to  -Jennings  County  in 
1857.  Dr.  New  came  from  Vernon  in  1856,  and  left  the  next  year  and 
went  to  Kentucky.  Dr.  J.  K  Baxter  came  from  Jefferson  County  in 
1855,  continued  in  practice  till  1871,  when  he  moved  to  his  farm  in  ihe 
country.  Dr.  Basey  came  from  New  London,  Howard  County,  in  1854,  and 
went  to  Spiceland,  Henry  County,  in  1856.  Dr.  Grooms  arrived  about  the 
year  1857,  was  elected  County  Treasurer  in  1862,  and  died  in  Tipton. 
Dr.  L  W.  Stratford  came  in  1865,  and  left  about  1869,  going  to  Indian- 
apolis. Dr.  W.  N.  Heath  came  from  Jefferson  County  in  1868,  and  is 
still  in  the  practice.  Dr.  A.  B.  Pitzer  came  from  Prairie  Township  in 
1868,  was  elected  County  Clerk  in  1879,  and  is  now  practicing  medicine 
in  Tipton.  Dr.  Houser  came  in  1875,  and  left  the  next  year.  Dr.  W. 
L.  Price  came  from  Cari-oU  County  in  1878,  left  in  1879,  going  to  Wind- 
fall, where  he  is  now  engaged  in  the  practice.  Dr.  A.  I.  Wilson  came 
from  Prairie  Township  in  1879,  and  went  to  Colorado  in  1881.  Dr.  D. 
P.  Rubush  came  from  Jefferson  Township  in  1879,  and  remained  hero  in 
the  practice.     The  summer  and  fall  of  1855  are  memorable  as  the  sickly 


168  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

season.  Intermittent  fever,  complicated  by  fatal  congestive  chills,  was 
t«>rrible  in  its  devastation.  On  one  day  Dr.  Lindsay  visited  every  family 
in  Sharpsville  except  that  of  William  Heaton.  The  groans  of  the  suffer- 
ers could  be  easily  heard  from  house  to  house.  The  malady  was  equally 
severe  in  the  country.  The  next  year  was  much  the  same,  though  the 
disease  did  not  assume  so  severe  a  form. 

The  iirst  hotel  in  Sharpsville  was  built  in  1853  b}' Cornelius  St.  Clair, 
on  the  corner  where  T.  L.  Aa'mstrong  now  lives.  A  gentleman  by  the 
name  of  McClellan  was  the  second  to  occupy  the  building.  The  third 
was  Daniel  Campbell,  who  was  host  for  a  number  of  years.  At  present 
there  are  two  hotels,  R.  S.  Fish  being  proprietor  of  one  and  Edvvard 
Roswog  of  the  other. 

The  first  blacksmith  shop  was  started  by  James  Comer  in  about 
1852.  The  second,  by  S.  C.  Johnson,  in  March,  1854,  who  has  worked 
at  his  trade  here  ever  since,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  in  the  army 
and  three  years  that  he  was  at  Indianapolis. 

Sharpsville  was  incorporated  in  1873.  Monroe  Grishaw  and  Gr.  M. 
Hawthorn  were  two  of  the  first  Trustees.  William  Harrold  was  elected 
Marshal,  and  T.  Adkins,  Treasurer.  The  corporation  was  voted  down 
in  1881. 

The  first  Postmaster  in  the  township  was  John  Ballenger,  who  kept 
the  office  on  the  old  Henry  Swing  farm.  The  next  was  Thomas  Cole,  in 
about  1849,  who  had  the  office  one  year  and  kept  it  at  his  house.  At 
that  time  letter  postage  was  25  cents  and  paper  postage  50  cents.  There 
were  only  two  papers  that  came  to  the  office,  one  taken  by  Thomas  Cole, 
the  other  by  Caleb  Richardson.  Before  the  Peru  Railroad  was  com- 
pleted, the  mail  was  carried  from  Indianapolis  to  Peru  once  a  week. 
When  the  office  was  moved  to  town,  Reuben  Jackson  was  the  first  Post- 
master: then  in  order  of  their  appointments  came  Arthur  St.  Clair,  Al- 
len Franklin,  Dr.  Grooms,  William  Griffith,  Thomas  Lambert,  D.  A. 
Fish  and  W.  A.  Robinson,  who  has  held  the  office  continuously  now  for 
eighteen  years. 

The  present  business  enterprises  of  Sharpsville  are  as  follows: 
Haynes,  Grishaw  &  Shook,  general  store;  Louis  Mehlig,  drugs,  grocer- 
ies and  hardware;  John  W.  Grishaw,  Jr.,  dry  goods  and  groceries;  Rob- 
inson &  Wells,  harness;  J.  A.  Ballenger,  groceries;  George  I.  Daugherty, 
restaurant;  Edward  S  Green,  restaurant;  George  W.  McGee,  dealer  in 
grain  a  ad  live  stock:  S.  C.  Johnson,  blacksmith;  John  Seller,  blacksmith; 
M.  Hoffman,  wagon  shop;  Edward  Roswog,  saloon;  Logan  Renner,  sa- 
loon; V.  C.  Wisner,  shoe  shop;  Daniel  Lance,  shoe  shop;  A.  L.  Bates, 
saw  mill;  Ed  Wesei.  saw  mill;  William  Smith,  grist  mill. 

VILLAGE    OF    NEVADA. 

Benjamin  Denny  was  the  first  settler  in  what   is  now  Nevada.     He 


LIBERTY    TOWNSHIP  lt)9 

came  from  Madison  County  in  about  1850.  At  the  same  time  came 
William  Sims  and  WiJIiam  Marshall.  Lindsay  Ballew  came  from  How- 
ard County  and  settled  in  Nevada  in  1854.  He  has  been  a  resident  of 
the  town  almost  ever  since,  and  the  following  sketch  is  for  the  most 
part  given  by  him:  Nevada  was  laid  off  by  Samuel  Denny  and  William 
Marshall  in  October,  1852,  and  recorded  October  28,  1852.  Sylvester 
Turpen  was  then  Recorder  and  proposed  to  charge  nothing  for  making 
the  recorrl  if  the  people  would  let  him  name  the  town.  He  named  it 
after,  a  town  in  Mexico. 

A  post  office  wag  established  in  Nevada  in  about  1850.  William 
Wooley  was  the  first  Postmaster.  The  mail  route  was  the  C.  &  C. Rail- 
road. James  Morrison  was  the  next  Postmaster  from  1854  to  1857. 
Preston  Ballew  served  from  1857  to  1872,  Lindsay  Ballew  acting  as  his 
deputy  from  1858  to  1872.  GaiTett  Rickets  served  from  1872  to  about 
1874;  John  B.  Reeder  from  1874  to  1876;  John  C.  Riley  from  1876  to 
1881,  and  Mr.  Coate  from  1881  to  the  present. 

The  lirst  business  enterprise  was  a  general  store  started  by  William 
Wooley  and  George  W .  Wise,  in  about  1850.  Lindsay  Ballew  succeeded 
them  in  1854  and  continued  till  1862.  John  W.  Wright  succeeded  him 
and  continued  until  1865.  Dr.  John  Siimmers  bought  Wright's  stock  in 
1865  and  continued  the  business  till  1867.  He  then  sold  to  H.  Allan 
and  W.  Ballew,  who  continued  till  1870.  The  propi-ietors  then  were 
Lindsay  Ballew,  from  1870  to  1873;  Garrett  Ricketts,  from  1873  to 
1875;  Swoveland  &  Kessler,  from  1875  to  1877;  Walter  P.  Ferguson, 
from  1877  to  1879;  John  B.  Reeder,  from  1879  to  1881;  John  C.  Riley, 
from  1881  to  the  present  time.  D.  L.  Coate  &  Co.  started  the  second 
general  store  in  1881,  and  still  continue. 

The  first  grist  and  saw  mill  combined  was  built  by  Lindsay  Ballew 
in  1854.  The  first  settlers  had  their  milling  done  either  at  Jonesboro  or 
Perkinsville,  in  Madison  County,  until  the  Sharpsvilln  Mill  was  built  in 
1853. 

The  United  Brethren  have  preached  in  Nevada  from  an  early  day, 
but  have  never  organized  a  church. 

A  Methodist  class  was  organized  in  the  fall  of  1858,  by  John  B.  Fish, 
of  Sharpsville,  who  was  a  local  preacher  and  traveled  extensively  in 
that  capacity.  He  also  filled  vacancies  in  circuits  sometimes,  and  was 
one  of  the  pioneer  Methodists.  He  died  at  his  home  in  Sharpsville  in 
1879.  Some  of  the  original  members  were  William  Stockdale  and  wife, 
AVesley  K.    Bailey  and  wife,  and  A.  D.  Doggett  and  wife. 

The  first  wedding  that  occurred  in  Nevada  was  that  of  George  "Wise 
and  Jeannette  La  Flesh. 

EARLY     ELKCTIOJJS. 

Previous  to  1849,  Prairie  Township  extended  to  Sharpsville,  and 
then  Wild  Cat  began.      The  first  elections   were  held  at  Circle's,    about 


170  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

■whei'e  Mr.  Baldwin  now  lives,  and  the  next  where  old  man  Kirtley  lived. 
Afterward  they  were  moved  back  to  the  Evanb  neighborhood,  where  they 
remained  till  Liberty  Township  was  organized.  The  oldest  record  that 
can  be  found  at  the  court  house  shows  that  Richard  Humphries  was 
elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  August  27,  1845,  and  qualified  December 
12,  1845.  with  the  following  sureties:  Jesse  Harding,  David  Humphrey, 
Willis  Ball  and  Caleb  Richardson. 

ORGANIZ.\TION  OF  LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP.  % 

At  the  June  term,  1849,  of  the  County  Board  of  Trustees,  it  was  or- 
dered "  that  there  be  a  new  township  organized  out  of  the  west  part  of 
Wild  Cat  Township,  to  be  called  Liberty  Township,  to  be  bounded  and 
described  as  follows:  *  *  *  (Making  the  township  five  miles  square, 
the  west  line  running  north  and  south  on  the  road  by  the  church  in  Sharps- 
ville.)  Also  that  the  foregoing  boundaries  form  and  constitute  one  road 
disrict  to  be  called  Road  District  No.  1,  Liberty  Township,  and  that  the 
place  of  holding  elections  should  be  on  the  place  now  owned  by  Aaron 
H.  Hensley,  in  Section  4,  where  Hugh  Smiley  now  resides."  Hugh  Smiley 
Avas  at  that  time  appointed  Supervisor,  and  Jesse  Horton  Inspector  of 
Elections  till  the  spring  election  following.  The  board  also  ordered  an 
election  be  held  the  first  Monday  of  August,  1849,  to  elect  one  Justice 
of  the  Peace.  At  the  September  term  of  1851,  the  board  ordered  <-.hat  a 
two-mile  strip  from  Prairie  Township  be  added  to  Liberty  Township  on 
a  petition  headed  by  "William  Brookbank  and  thirty-five  other  citizens 
of  both  townships.  The  board  ordei'ed  that  thereafter  the  elections 
should  be  held  at  the  village  of  Sharpsville. 

COUNTY  RO.\DS. 

The  first  one  laid  out  was  a  road  beginning  at  the  county  line  on  the 
north  on  Range  line  No.  3,  thence  one  and  a  half  miles  south,  then  in  a 
southeast  direction  to  Tipton.  Harvey  Wells  and  Thomas  Cole  got  up 
the  petition  for  this  road  in  the  spring  of  1848,  and  Cole  took  it  before 
the  County  Board.  The  nest  road  was  between  Sections  22  and  23,  be- 
ginning at  the  range  line  and  running  to  Nevada.  This  was  in  the  fall 
of  1848. 

WAR    RECORD. 

During  the  civil  war.  Liberty  Township  furnished  her  full  quota  of 
the  men  for  the  service.  Capt.  M.  C.  Holman  raised  two  companies, 
officered  as  follows  :  Company  C,  Twenty-sixth  Indiana,  1861 — M.  C. 
Holman,  Captain;  W.  P.  Gard,  First  Lieutenant;  Robert  Sharp,  Second 
Lieutenant;  Tj.  Gardner,  Orderly  Sergeant.      Company  G,  One  Hundred 

and  Fortieth  Indiana,  1864 Guthridge,  Captain;  M. C.  Holman,    First 

Lieutenant;    William    Biu'ton,    Second    Lieutenant;    George   W.    Mix, 
Orderly  Sergeant.     John  C.  Halley  succeeded  Mix  as  Orderly.     Besid^^s 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  171 

these  two  companies,  many  men  enlisted  in  other  companies  not    accred- 
ited to  the  township. 

RETROSPECT  AND  PROSPECT. 

The  inadequacy  of  a  description  of  the  township  in  early  times,  ex- 
cept it  be  written  by  an  eye  witness,  is  apparent.  When  white  men  tii'st 
began  to  erect  their  cabins  in  different  parts  of  the  township,  it  was  one 
continuous  dense  forest,  with  its  gigantic  trees  of  oak,  walnut,  poplar 
and  sycamore,  many  of  which  served  as  land  marks  to  guide  the  pioneer 
wheii  out  hunting  to  his  cabin.  Winding  paths  led  from  one  settlement 
to  another.  Swamps,  the  draining  of  which  at  that  time  was  never 
thought  of,  spread  their  weary  lengths  in  all  directions.  Mud  Creek  was 
a  river  so  far  as  breadth  was  concerned,  lacking  only  the  two  elements 
of  depth  and  a  current.  In  the  summer,  as  the  waters  would  begin  to  dry  up 
and  a  thick  green  scum  form  over  its  surface,  the  chills  and  bilious  fe- 
ver would  set  in  and  follow  it  from  its  source  to  its  mouth.  This  phe- 
nomenon occurred  with  the  regularity  of  the  seasons,  and  the  doctors 
were  never  disappointed.  At  one  time,  in  the  streets  of  Sharpsville, 
logs  were  used  on  the  side-walks  to  keep  pedestrians  out  of  the  mud  and 
water. 

But  a  great  change  has  been  wrought.  Roads  have  been  opened  out 
on  almost  every  section  line:  the  fine  timber  which  was  not  destroyed  by 
the  early  settlers  in  order  to  get  rid  of,  has  all  been  worked  into  lumber 
and  staves.  Swamps  have  been  drained  and  the  forests  cleared  away. 
With  her  two  gravel  roads  already  built  and  the  two  others  soon  to  be 
built:  with  her  numerous  large  open  ditches;  with  her  enterprising  and 
energetic  farmers,  who  are  draining  their  farms  and  clearing  them  of 
stumps,  building  fine  houses  and  beautifying  their  homes;  with  her  twa 
railroads;  with  her  school  privileges  and  churches,  Liberty  Township  is 
destined  to  bud  and  blossom  as  if  touched  by  the  magic  wand  of  some 
magician,  and  become  one  of  the  most  wealthy  and  beautiful  in  the 
countv. 


PRAIKIE   TOWNSHIP. 

BY   G.    N.    BERRY. 

Nature,  in  her  green  mantle,  is  nowhere  more  lovely  than  in  that 
portion  of  Tipton  County  set  aside  by  survey  as  Prairie  Township.  Cozy- 
farmhouses  nestle  in  somber  quietude  amid  green  orchards  which  dot 
the  landscape  in  every  direction.  Though  it  has  the  appearance  of  new- 
ness, this  division  has  been  settled  fur  many  years,  and  scenes  once 
familiar  to  the  older  residents  are  'ast  fading  from  view.  Only  too 
frequently  is  it  the  case  that  people  do  not  see  beyond  the  narrow  limits 
of  their  own  lives,  and  items  of  private  and  public  interest  are  alloAved 


172  HISTOllV  OF  TIPTON  COUNTV. 

to  drift  into  the  channel  of  the  forgotten  past.  Many  important  facts 
connected  with  the  early  history  of  Prairie  Township  are  irrevocably 
lost,  while  a  few  have  been  found  by  careful  research  and  will  be  ap- 
propriately mentioned  in  the  following  pages. 

Prairie  Township  embraces  territory  lying  in  the  northwest  corner  of 
Tipton  County,  west  of  Liberty  and  north  of  Jefferson  Township. 
It  borders  on  Howard  County  on  the  north  and  Clinton  County  on  the 
west,  and  was  formed  at  the  general  division  in  1844.  It  originally  in- 
cluded the  western  half  of  Liberty  Township,  and  was  reduced  t^  its 
present  area  of  thirty- nine  square  miles  in  the  year  1849;  viewed  from 
a  topographical,  geological  or  agricultural  standpoint,  it  is  so  similar  to 
other  townships  already  described  as  to  render  it  unnecessary  to  enter 
into  minute  details.  The  surface  in  the  main  is  level,  yet  sufficiently 
undulating  to  present  a  very  pleasing  prospect  to  the  observer.  The  soil 
is  of  the  black  loamy  nature  common  to  this  part  of  the  State,  and  noted 
for  its  depth  and  fertility.  When  first  seen  by  the  white  man,  the  sur- 
face of  country  was  covered  with  dense  forests,  the  leading  varieties  of 
timber  being  black  and  white  walnut,  beech,  several  species  of  oak,  hard 
and  soft  maple,  elm  and  ash,  with  a  thick  undergrowth  of  willows,  spice- 
brush,  etc. 

In  the  western  part  of  the  township  is  a  long,  wet  slough,  or  prairie, 
embracing  many  acres  of  rich  soil  too  marshy  for  cultivation.  Much  of 
this  prairie  has  been  reclaimed  of  late  years  by  a  successful  system  of 
tile  drainage,  and  at  the  present  time  presents  some  of  the  best  farm 
laud  in  this  portion  of  the  county.  Indian  Prairie,  from  which  the  town- 
ship was  named,  extends  into  the  southwest  corner.  It  was  originally 
nothiug  but  a  quagmire,  but  artificial  drainage  has  developed  its  pro- 
ductiveness to  such  a  degree  that  the  land  is  second  to  no  other  portion 
of  the  township  for  agricultural  purposes.  The  principal  streams  by 
which  the  country  is  watered  and  drained,  are  Mud  Creek  and  its 
tributaries,  Little  Wild  Cat  and  Shanty  Creek.  The  first  named  flows 
through  the  eastern  and  southern  parts  and  leaves  the  township  from 
Section  12.  It  is  a  stream  of  considerable  size  and  importance,  and 
affords  the  chief  outlet  for  the  drainage  of  this  part  of  the  county.  The 
country  though  which  it  passes  is  low,  and  in  some  places  stretches  away 
into  large  sloughs  and  quagmires,  on  both  sides  of  the  stream.  Little 
Wild  Cat  rises  in  Section  19,  flows  in  a  northeasterly  course,  and  leaves 
from  Section  35.  Shanty  Creek  flows  in  a  northerly  course  and  has  its 
source  in  Section  19.  Two  small  streams  not  designated  by  any  names 
on  the   county  map  flow  through  the  southeast  corner   of  the  township. 

The  leading  occupation  of  the  citizens  of  this  township  is  agricult- 
ure, although  considerable  attention  is  given  to  stock-raising,  an  indus- 
try which  promises  to  assume  some  importance  in  the  near  future.  At 
present,   however,  it  is  to  the  difi'erent  crops  that  the  majority  of  the 


PTxAIRIE  TOWNSHIP.  173 

people  look  for  their  chief  support.  The  soil  appears  peculiarly  adapted 
to  corn,  although  wheat  and  the  other  cereals  are  produced  in  abundance. 
Friiit  of  many  varieties  is  found  in  almost  every  orchard.  The  pioneers' 
attention  was  early  called  to  fruit-culture  and  many  old  orchards  that 
have  been  bearing  for  years,  are  to  be  seen  in  various  parts  of  the  town- 
ship. 

SETTLEMENT. 

Forty  years  ago,  the  area  embraced  in  Prairie  Township  was  compara- 
tively an  unbroken  wild.  The  settlements  were  few  and  far  between, 
and  it  was  only  after  a  ride  of  several  miles  through  the  dense  woods 
that  the  traveler  might  find  evidence  of  advancing  civilization  in  the 
presence  of  a  diminutive,  rough  pole  cabin,  planted  near  a  spring,  or 
some  small  stream,  or  an  insignificant  round-log  shanty,  in  the  midst  of 
a  small  opening  in  the  forest. 

Broad  expanses  of  woodland  lay  around  without  the  sight  of  a  human 
habitation,  while  the  country  furnished  but  few  signs  that  it  had  been  pene 
trated  by  white  men,  and  these  signs  were  principally  the  blazed  paths 
made  by  cutting  through  the  bark  of  the  trees,  a  sign  scarcely  distin- 
guishable after  twilight  set  in.     Here  and  there  claims  had  been  marked 
out  by  home-seekers,  and  they  were  always  welcome  sights  to  the  luck- 
less one  who  found  himself   lost  in  the  deep,  trackless  woods.     But  the 
scene  has  changed  marvelously  since  then,  and  the  wilds  of  prairie  now 
blossom  and  bloom  like  the  rose.     Her  broad,  fertile  acres  are  divided  ofif 
into  well- tilled  farms,  in  which   are  many  tine  and  elegant  residences, 
evidences  of   the  prosperity  with  which  the  farmer  is  surrounded  and 
blessed. 

This  portion  of  the  county  was  not  opened  for  settlement  as  early  as 
some  of  the  neighboring  townships  in  the  southern  part,  as  it  formed  a 
part  of  the  Indian  Reserve,  which  did  not  come  into  market  subject  to 
entry  until  the  year  1847.  Prior  to  that  time,  however,  quite  an  exten- 
sive settlement  had  been  made  along  the  western  border,  where  the 
pioneers  pre-empted  claims  and  held  the  land  until  patents  were  ob- 
tained from  the  Government.  A  number  of  hunters  and  transient  set- 
tlers entered  the  township  several  years  in  advance  of  the  permanent 
residents,  but  just  when  they  made  their  appearance  cannot  be  deter- 
mined with  any  degree  of  accuracy.  It  is  known,  however,  that  when  the 
first  permanent  settlers,  who  became  owners  of  land,  appeared,  there 
were  living  along  the  creeks  several  of  these  squatters,  none  of  whom  ap- 
pears to  have  made  much  improvement  in  the  way  of  clearing  the  land 
or  tilling  the  soil.  They  were  sojourners  rather  than  settlers,  and  a  por- 
tion of  them  were  but  the  scum  which  crested  the  tide  of  advancing 
civilization,  and  having  a  large  region  from  which  to  choose,  soon  di'ifted 
to  other  localities.  Their  names  and  history  have  alike  been  forgotten. 
Among  the  first,  if    not  the  first  actual  settler,  was  one  Alexander 


174  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

Suite,  father  of  Riley  Suite,  who  pre-empted  a  claim  in  the  northwestern 
corner  of  the  township  as  early  as  the  year  1842.  He  was  a  native  of 
Tennessee,  but  came  to  Indiana  at  an  early  day,  and  located  a  few  miles 
from  the  present  village  of  Russiaville,  in  Howard  County,  where  he  lived 
until  the  survey  of  the  Indian  Reserve  was  made,  when  he  moved  to  the 
locality  mentioned.  His  son,  then  a  mere  urchin,  describes  their  advent 
to  the  new  home  in  a  very  graphic  manner.  A  small  cabin,  16x16 
feet,  had  been  erected  on  the  claim  a  few  months  previous,  the  work 
being  done  by  a  young  man  whom  Mr.  Suite  hired  for  the  purpose,  giv- 
ing him  a  gun  for  a  compensation.  The  understanding  between  Mr 
Suite  and  the  architect  was  that  a  house  should  be  erected.  This  con- 
tract the  builder  carried  out  to  the  letter  of  the  law,  and  then  presented 
himself  to  his  employer  for  his  pay.  The  gun  was  handed  over,  and  the 
family  prepared  to  move.  They  loaded  up  their  few  household  effects 
and  agricultural  implements  in  a  single  wagon,  and  set  out  for  the  little 
mansion,  the  wife  and  mother  driving,  and  the  father  and  son  going 
ahead,  and  cutting  a  way  through  the  thick  woods  and  underbrush 
After  a  toilsome  journey,  the  destination  was  finally  reached  ;  but  what 
was  the  surprise  of  our  pioneer  when  he  found  the  little  cabin  with  no 
floor,  no  "  chinking"  in  the  cracks,  and  neither  door  nor  window.  A  tem- 
porary shelter  was  hastily  improvised  for  the  family  outside  the  build- 
ing, after  which  Mr.  Suite  took  his  ax  and  chopped  a  door  into  the 
house,  which  was  ready  for  occupancy  in  a  short  time.  The  few  house- 
hold goods  were  arranged  in  one  end  of  the  domicile,  while  the  other  end 
was  reserved  for  a  fire  place.  Before  this  could  be  constructed,  however, 
the  good  wife  did  her  cooking  over  a  fire  built  on  the  ground  floor,  the 
smoke  making  its  escape  through  the  large  openings  between  the  logs  as 
best  it  could.  In  a  few  weeks,  Mr.  Suite  had  improved  his  residence  by 
the  addition  of  a  rough  puncheon  floor,  a  fire-place,  and  a  window  made 
of  greased  paper.  The  apartment,  if  not  large,  was  at  least  very  airy 
and  served  to  shelter  a  family,  many  of  whose  happiest  days  were  spent 
within  its  humble  walls.  Suite  lived  on  his  original  claim  two  years,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  he  sold  his  improvements  to  David  Brown,  and 
took  a  second  claim  a  few  miles  further  south.  The  second  house  was  a 
decided  improvement  on  the  first,  being  larger  and  much  better  con- 
structed. It  required  all  the  settlers  within  a  radius  of  five  miles  and 
two  gallons  of  whisky  two  days  to  raise  it.  Suite  occupied  this  place 
about  four  years,  when  he  disposed  of  the  claim  to  Enos  Scott,  and 
moved  near  the  central  part  of  the  township,  where  he  lived  until  the 
time  of  his  death,  in  the  year  1866.  His  son,  Riley  Suite,  came  with  his 
father  to  the  new  country,  shared  all  the  hardships  and  privations  of 
pioneer  life,  and  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  township  ever 
since."  He  is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  country,  and  the  oldest 
settler  of  Prairie  living  at  the  present  time. 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  I75 

In  1843,  SolomoD  Bringle  came  to  the  township  and  was  joined  the 
latter  part  of  the  same  year  by  John  Brown,  Joseph  Orr  and  Isaac  Golds- 
berry.  Bringle  took  a  claim  in  the  western  part,  where  Henry  Garner 
lives.  He  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina  and  a  man  of  industrious 
habits,  though  possessed  of  but  little  of  this  world's  goods  He  cleared 
a  small  patch  of  ground  and  occupied  his  claim  iibout  six  years,  when  he 
sold  to  a  man  by  name  of  Bryant  and  moved  to  the  present  township  of 
Liberty,  near  Sharpsville.  Brown  pre-empted  land  a  short  distance  west 
of  Suite's  claims,  where  he  cleared  and  made  a  very  good  farm.  He  came 
to  Indiana  from  Oliio,  and  was  identified  with  this  part  of  the  country 
five  or  six  years,  when  he  sold  his  land  to  John  Moulder  and  emigrated 
to  the  State  of  Missom-i.  Goldsberry  located  in  the  northwest  corner  of 
the  township  on  land  at  present  owned  and  occupied  by  William  Evans. 
For  several  years  after  coming  to  the  country,  he  did  but  little  in  the  way 
of  improving  his  claim,  spending  the  greater  part  of  his  time  hunting, 
by  means  of  which  he  obtained  his  chief  support.  He  entered  his  land 
in  the  year  1849,  and  sold  it  a  few  years  later  and  moved  near  the  village 
of  Galveston,  in  Cass  County,  where  he  still  resides.  Orr  pre-empted  a 
claim  in  the  western  part  of  the  township  where  Jefferson  Chasteen  lives, 
and  became  a  prominent  land-owner  in  after  years.  He  was  a  resident 
of  the  township  until  the  year  1869,  at  which  time  his  death  occurred. 

Another  early  settler,  who  came  about  the  same  time  as  the  foregoing, 
was  Clinton  Gray,  a  son-in-law  of  Joseph  Orr.  He  made  his  first  inv 
provements  on  land  where  J.  Orem  lives,  which  he  occupied  about  five 
years,  when  he  sold  to  Orem,  who  has  resided  upon  it  ever  since.  John 
Brock  came  in  1843,  also,  and  took  a  claim  where  Kobert  Nash  lives, 
near  the  central  part  of  the  township.  He  was  a  splendid  specimen  of 
the  backwoodsman,  whose  greatest  pleasure  was  hunting,  at  which  he 
appears  to  have  been  a  great  expert.  His  family  lived  in  the  most  prim- 
itive-manner,, in  a  little  pole  hut  near  Mud  Creek,  and  seemed  supremely 
contented  with  a  mere  animal  existence.  Brock  entered  the  land  on 
which  he  settled  for  Mr.  Nash,  who  had  previously  purchased  his  right 
and  improvements  for  $150. 

An  early  pioneer  deserving  of  special  mention  was  Richard  Foster, 
who  settled  near  the  southern  boundary  of  the  township,  in  the  summer 
of  1843.  He  appears  to  have  been  a  man  of  much  more  than  ordinary 
energy,  and  soon  had  a  good  farm  cleared  on  his  claim.  He  entered  the 
land  early  in  1848,  and  was  a  prominent  and  upright  citizen  of  the  town- 
ship until  the  time  of  his  death,  a  number  of  years  ago.  Several  of  his 
descendants  live  in  the  county  at  the  present  time. 

^  Additional  settlers  who  came  in  before  the  land  sale  were  Jackson 
Watts,  William  Chapman,  Isaac  Eads,  Thomas  Scott,  Samuel  Carter, 
Vincent  Garner,  Robert  Alexander,  Heiuy  Garner  and  Enoch  Garner,  all 
of  whom  secured  claims  in  the  western  part,  and  Amos  and  W.  D.  Pritch- 


176  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

ard,  who  located  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township.  When  the  land 
was  put  upon  the  market  subject  to  entry,  a  number  of  home  seekers  came 
to  the  township,  among  whom  were  Isaac  Glenn,  who  entered  land  in 
the  western  part,  where  Joseph  Worden  lives  ;  Andrew  Sample,  a  native 
of  Switzerland  County,  who  settled  near  the  northwest  corner  ;  Peter 
Keel,  who  located  near  the  western  border  ;  Jacob  Smith,  who  settled  in 
the  same  locality,  where  he  still  lives,  and  W.  R.  Irby,  who  entered  land 
in  the  northwestern  part,  where  he  still  resides.  Other  settlers,  who  came 
in  an  early  day  and  shared  the  hardships  of  frontier  life,  were  Thomas 
Quackenbush,  James  Carter,  Owen  Lindley,  Maj,  Bennett,  James  Vaw- 
ter,  Henry  Bowlen,  Ambrose  Corn,  Daniel  Umphreys,  John  Lee,  James 
Baldwin,  Riley  McKay,  Joseph  Orem,  Samuel  Carter  and  James  A. 
Franklin,  all  of  whom  became  permanent  residents. 

In  addition  to  the  above  list,  the  following  persons  secured  lands  in 
the  township  during  the  years  1847  and  1848  :  Stephen  Kenworthy, 
Molten  Moody,  Hiram  Adams,  Lewallen  Adams,  William  Hutto,  Harvey 
Lake,  Daniel  Lane,  Stephen  Lane,  Cyrus  Ally,  E.  Grage,  John  Lucken- 
bauch,  Benjamin  Fee,  Thomas  Armstrong,  Jacob  Smith,  Andrew  Sample, 
E.  Gilbert,  F.  M.  Jones,  William  Osborne,  A.  N.  D.  Thompson,  W. 
Chapman,  W.  B.  Hyatt,  William  Landers,  Jesse  Coleman,  Smith  Turner, 
Lorenzo  Owen,  Harvey  Barnes,  H.  Bowlen,  George  Tucker,  D.  F.  Ritten- 
house,  Jacob  Dunham,  Nicholas  Tomlinson,  George  Pitzer,  John  W. 
Pyke,  William  Morris,  John  Harrow,  Jacob  Ackerman,  Adam  Copp^er, 
Samuel  Bader,  William  Hendixon,  Daniel  Green,  Z.  Piper,  G.  W.  Ho- 
gan,  Abrara  Kilby,  Samuel  Kilby,  John  Stevens,  Alex  S.  Jones,  Henry 
Cobbins  and  James  Miller,  many  of  whom  were  not  identified  with  the 
township  in  the  capacity  of  citizens. 

LIFE    IN    THE    BACKWOODS. 

The  pioneers  of  forty  years  ago  managed  to  get  along  with  but  few 
of  the  modern  conveniences  of  comfort.  They  accustomed  themselves 
to  do  without  such  articles  as  nails,  glass,  sawed  lumber,  or  brick,  for 
the  reason  that  they  could  not  procure  them.  Their  dwelling  houses,  if 
pole  cabins  could  be  called  such,  were  small,  consisting  of  one  story, 
built  of  rough,  unhewed  logs,  with  the  ends  projecting  from  six  inches  to 
two  feet  at  the  corners,  the  crevices  between  them  being  daubed  with 
mud  or  clay,  and  the  whole  structure  covered  with  clapboards  held  to 
their  places  by  heavy  weight-poles.  The  same  kind  of  boards,  fastened 
to  cross-pieces  by  wooden  pins  driven  into  holes  made  with  a  gimlet,  con- 
stituted the  door- shutters,  generally  constructed  to  open  outward.  The 
floor,  when  they  had  any,  was  made  of  puncheons  pinned  down  or  laid 
loose.  These,  when  carefully  dressed  and  closely  put  together,  con- 
stituted a  very  good  floo^^,  but  some  of  them  conveyed  the  idea  that  the 
settlers  believed  in  ventilation,  for  they  left  cracks  so  wide  that  the  ehil- 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  177 

dren  in  pursuit  of  their  favorite  amusements  would  often  slip  their  little 
feet  through  the  dangerous  trap-doors,  causing  many  squalls  and  bruises. 
A  wooden  latch,  raised  by  a  string,  served  as  a  fastening  for  the  door.  This 
string  had  one  end  tied  to  the  latch  and  the  other  passed  through  a  small 
opening  above,  and  when  the  door  was  shut,  the  person  wishing  to  enter 
had  only  to  pull  it  in  order  to  raise  the  latch,  hence  to  leave  the  "  latch- 
string  hanging  out,"  was  considered  synonymous  with  sociability  and 
hospitality.  The  apartment  was  warmed  by  a  large  open-mouthed  fire- 
place, where  rocks  or  billets  of  wood  were  used  for  andirons.  Though 
very  wide  and  capable  of  receiving  logs  of  almost  any  dimensions,  these 
tire-places  were  very  convenient,  furnishing  a  receptacle  for  most,  if  not 
all,  the  cooking  utensils  of  the  family,  and  when  crowded,  the  children, 
and  in  some  families  the  dogs,  found  accommodations  in  each  side  in 
company  with  the  skillets,  ovens,  frying-pans,  etc.  Articles  of  house- 
hold furniture  were  very  few  and  of  the  rudest  description,  with  the, ex- 
ception of  those  brought  from  the  older  settlements.  Chairs  could  not 
for  several  years  be  procured,  their  place  being  supplied  with  wooden 
stools,  which,  though  answering  well  their  purpose,  were  easily  upset,  a 
circumstance  often  causing  much  merriment.  The  tables  and  bedsteads 
were  of  the  simplest  kind,  the  former  being  constructed  out  of  the  same 
material  as  the  doors.  IVlany  of  the  latter  were  made  by  boring  two 
holes  in  the  wall  with  a  large  auger,  six  or  seven  feet  apart,  into  which 
pieces  of  wood  were  driven,  having  the  opposite  end  of  each  inserted 
into  an  upright  post,  the  whole  constituting  a  kind  of  frame  work,  which, 
when  covered  with  clapboards,  served  as  a  receptacle  for  the  beds.  Sofas, 
rocking  chairs,  center-tables,  bureaus,  and  all  such  articles  of  luxury, 
were  not  used,  except  where  some  old  lady,  or  whimsical  old  maid,  had 
refused  to  part  with  these  "  household  gods,"  and  had  brought  them  to 
this  wild  coimtry  from  their  old  homes.  On  the  outside  of  the  house  it 
was  no  uncommon  thing  to  see  a  goodly  number  of  coon  and  deer  skins 
stretched  and  hanging  up  against  the  wall  to  dry,  and  occasionally  the 
skin  of  a  wolf,  wild  cat  or  bear.  The  projecting  ends  of  the  logs  at 
each  corner  of  the  cabin  served  as  places  to  hang  the  various  utensils 
used  on  the  farm,  such  as  hoes,  rakes,  bridles,  harness,  etc.  The  manner 
of  living  was  in  keeping  with  the  dwellings  and  utensils  described,  and 
for  many  years  the  pioneer's  lot  was  by  no  means  an  enviable  oae.  Like 
all  new  settlers,  they  labored  under  the  disadvantage  of  being  poor  in 
all  the  comforts  of  life — the  plainest  necessities  even,  as  well  ag  a  com- 
plete absence  of  tools,  such  as  blacksmiths',  carpentei's',  etc.  There  was 
little  or  nothing  to  be  bought,  and  they  had  even  less  to  purchase  with, 
had  it  been  there.  In  1847,  there  were  only  four  or  five  farms  where 
land  enough  was  tilled  to  use  an  old-fashioned  breaking-plow,  and  one 
of  the  pioneers  relates  how  he  footed  it  from^is  farm  to  the  nearest 
blacksmith,  several  miles  distant,  carrying  his  plow  to  have  it  sharpened. 


178  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

Many  started  their  "deadenings"  in  the  timber  and  dug  holes  here  and 
there,  and  planted  corn  and  potatoes,  and  perhaps  a  few  beans,  and  thus 
their  little  truck-patches  gave  them  food,  or  bread  at  least. 
Their  meat  they  could  procure  in  great  abundance  with  their  rities. 
Deer  were  plentiful,  and  furnished  the  pioneer  meat  sufficient  for  his 
own  use.  while  the  skins  were  sold  at  the  different  market  places  for  from 
twenty-five  to  fifty  cents  apiece.  These,  with  wild  honey  and  ginseng, 
of  which  large  quantities  of  each  were  obtained,  afforded  the  principal 
articles  of  commerce,  and  were  exchanged  for  groceries,  wearing  apparel 
and  meal.  The  nearest  market  place  to  the  northern  settlement,  was 
the  village  of  Burlington  in  Carroll  County,  a  distance  of  twelve  miles, 
while  those  living  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township  obtained  their 
groceries,  etc.,  at  Boxleytown,  in  Hamilton  County,  and  later,  at  the 
little  stores  at  Tetersbui-g  and  Noi'manda  in  ^the  adjoining  Township  of 
Jefferson.  An  old  pioneer,  whose  boyhood  was  passed  in  the  northern 
settlement,  says  that  it  was  his  duty  to  procure  meal  for  the  family,  and 
regular  trips  were  made  on  horseback  to  Burlington  for  that  purpose. 
When  no  corn  was  at  hand  to  take  to  the  mill,  our  pioneer  youth  carried 
a  large  jug  of  honey  to  exchange  for  meal,  the  jug  being  placed  in  one 
end  of  a  bag,  and  a  stone  of  equal  weight  for  a  counter-balance  in  the 
other  end,  the  whole  thrown  across  the  back  of  the  horse.  This  jug 
hold  several  gallons  of  the  precious  sweets,  and  when  filled  was  equiva- 
lent to  a  bushel  of  meal.  Upon  one  occasion,  while  the  boy  was  unload- 
ing the  sack,  the  rock  fell  against  the  jug,  breaking  it  into  a  hundred 
atoms  and  wasting  the  greater  part  of  the  honey. 

The  first  wheat  raised  in  the  township  was  grown  by  Alexander  Suite. 
It  was  threshed  with  a  flail,  cleaned  by  being  thrown  up  into  the  air 
from  a  sheet,  and  marketed  at  La  Fayette  for  60  cents  per  bushel,  a 
large  price  at  that  time.  The  early  farmers  drove  their  hogs  to  the  same 
market  place,  and  realized  from  the  sale  about  $1.50  per  hundred,  in  cash 
and  trade. 

The  first  frame  house  in  Prairie  was  built  by  Joseph  Orr.  about  the 
year  1850.  It  was  a  small  structure  of  one  room,  and  is  still  standing 
near  the  western  boundary  of  the  township.  William  Chapman  and 
William  Osborne  were  the  next  to  build  frame  houses  on  their  farms. 
Robert  Nash  and  Gilbert  Van  Sickle  erected  the  first  brick  houses  in  the 
township. 

BURIALS    AND    MARRIAGES. 

The  first  burial  place  was  the  Prairieville  Graveyard,  in  the  western 
part  of  the  township.  There  were  laid  away  the  children  of  Jackson 
Watts  and  Thomas  Scott  as  early  as  the  year  1844.  Other  early  inter- 
ments, at  the  same  place,  were  a  son  of  Clinton  Gray,  who  was  killed  by 
a  well-pole  falling  on  him,  a  man  by  name  of  Hoffman,  and  the  children 
of  Solomon  Bringle.    The  Normanda  Grfiveyard  was  probably  the  second 


PRAIRIE    TOWNSHIP.  179 

one,  and  then  the  cemetery  at  Liberty  Church,  near  Groomsville.  The 
fact  that  a  cemetery  is  found  near  each  church,  or  regular  preaching 
place,  points  with  great  clearness  to  the  fact  that  no  funeral  was  thought 
to  be  properly  conducted  without  a  sermon.  The  coffin  was  generally 
the  handiwork  of  a  home  wox'kman,  and  the  body  was  arrayed  in  the  chill 
simplicity  of  a  shroud.  It  was  an  unknown  thing  for  a  dead  person  to 
be  buried  in  the  dress  worn  in  life,  or  in  such  garments  as  living  persons 
wear. 

The  first  marriage  ceremony  in  the  township  was  solemnized  at  the 
residence  of  Joseph  Orr,  in  the  year  1845,  the  contracting  parties  being 
Eliza  Orr  and  William  Peters.  The  occasion  seems  to  have  been  one  of 
general  merriment,  and  an  eye  witness,  still  living,  says  that  the  fluid 
which  makes  the  head  light  flowed  as  freely  as  water.  Quite  a  number 
of  festive  youths  of  the  neighborhood  gathered  at  the  bride's  residence, 
a  short  time  before  the  hour  appointed  for  the  ceremony,  and  proceeded 
in  a  procession  to  meet  the  groom  and  preacher,  who  came  together. 
The  couple  were  halted  by  the  tipsy  revelers  who  presented  them  a  decor- 
ated decanter  well-filled  with  the  "O  be  joyful."  To  make  the  occasion 
pass  off  pleasantly,  the  prospective  young  Benedict  cheerfully  gulped 
down  the  "  red  eye." 

CHURCHES.  * 

The  cause  of  religion  received  the  early  attention  of  the  pioneers  of 
Prairie.  It  is  a  fact  highly  commendable  to  them  that  churches  were  es- 
tablished while  yet  there  was  but  a  handful  of  residents  in  the  new  com- 
munity. People  in  those  days  seem  to  have  been  more  religious  and 
more  zealousy  devoted  to  their  churches  than  their  descendants  of  the 
present  day.  Whether  this  resvilted  from  their  lonely  life  in  the  wil- 
derness, beset  with  toil  and  danger  as  it  was,  or  whether  they  were  more 
zealous  Christians,  we  will  not  attempt  to  say.  Their  religion  was  simple, 
earnest  and  sincere,  and  possessed  fewer  forms  and  ceremonies  than  are 
now  in  vogue.  Keligion  like  everything  else  has  kept  pace  with  the 
marvelous  march  of  civilization,  and  the  ancient  doctrine  of  "  Him  who 
spake  as  never  man  spake"  has  been  wonderfully  improved  upon  to  adapt 
it  to  the  lively  wants  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

The  introduction  of  the  Gospel  into  this  township  dates  back  to  the  set- 
tlers' firnt  appearance,  although  no  organizations  were  effected  for  several 
years  later.  As  early  as  1844,  Elder  Laomi  Ashley,  a  minister  of  the 
"Christian  Connection,"  or  New-Light  Ghm-ch,  held  public  services  at 
the  residences  of  Alexander  Suite  and  Vincent  Garner,  in  the  north- 
western part  of  the  township.  These  meetings  were  kept  up  at  regular 
intervals  for  one  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  an  organization  under 
the  title  of  Prairieville  Church  was  effected  at  Garner's  residence.  Elders 
Ashley  and  Samuel  Poff  officiating.  Among  the  early  members  of  this 
society  were  Alexander  Suite,  Peggy  Garner,  Thomas  Scott,  Silas  Scott, 


180  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

Rachel  Garner,  EHsha  Comer  and  wife,  and  Nancy  Orr.  Elder  Ashley 
was  the  first  pastor,  in  which  capacity  he  served  acceptably  for  several 
years,  and  labored  diligently  for  the  success  of  the  little  society.  The 
second  pastor  was  Lemuel  Shoemaker,  after  whom  came  Samuel  Poflf, 
Abraham  Cole,  Almon  Cook,  Adam  Kelliaon,  John  Poff  and  Henry  Puck- 
ett,  all  of  whom  were  men  eminent  in  piety  and  good  works.  Later, 
came  Elders  George  Hubbard,  Thomas  Hubbard,  George  Boswell,  Isaac 
Goldsberry,  Mr.  Vanness,  Johnson  Dipvoy,  John  Puckett,  John  R.  Kob, 
James  Comer,  James  Winegardner,  and  B.  F.  Jayne,  the  present  incum- 
bent. The  society  met  at  the  residences  of  the  different  members  for 
abovit  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  a  log  meetiag  house,  24x24  feet, 
was  erected  on  land  bought  of  Isaac  Eads  and  William  Chapman.  This 
house  was  a  tolerably  fair  structure,  and  served  its  purpose  until  the  year 
1853,  when  a  frame  building  was  erected  near  the  same  place.  The  lat- 
ter house  was  erected  at  a  cash  outlay  of  $250,  the  majority  of  the  mem- 
bers contributing  work  and  material  to  the  amount  of  about  $400,  making 
the  aggregate  value  of  the  edifice  $650.  The  congregation  used  the 
frame  house  until  1877,  at  which  time  steps  were  taken  to  erect  a  struct- 
ru'e  more  in  harmony  with  the  growing  prosperity  of  the  society.  A 
building  committee,  composed  of  Robert  Orr,  Gilbert  Van  Sickle,  R. 
McReynolds,  John  Carter  and  Riley  Suite,  was  appointed  to  draw  up 
plans  and  specifications  for  the  new  building,  and  to  solicit  subscriptions 
for  its  erection.  It  was  decided  to  build  a  brick  house,  and  work  was 
commenced  in  the  year  1877,  but,  owing  to  a  lack  of  funds,  it  was  not 
completed  until  1879.  It  is  a  large,  commodious  edifice,  two  stories 
high,  37x50  feet  in  size,  and  represents  a  value  of  $3,500.  The  upper 
story  is  used  for  lodge  purposes.  The  present  membership  of  the  church 
is  eighty.  Robert  Orr  and  Raven  McReynolds  are  the  present  Elders. 
R.  McReynolds,  Josiah  Orem  and  Gilbert  Van  Sickle,  compose  the  Board 
of  Trustees.  The  large,  floiu-ishing  Sunday  school  is  under  the  efficient 
management  of  Riley  Suite. 

Liberty  Baptist  Church  dates  its  history  from  the  year  1853.  It  was 
organized  at  the  residence  of  Peter  Duncan,  about  one  and  a  half  miles 
north  of  the  village  of  Groomsville.  The  organization  was  brought  about 
by  the  labors  of  Rev.  Henry  Cobb,  and  numbered  ten  original  members, 
whose  names  were  as  follows:  Roley  Smith,  Elizabeth  Smith,  John 
Smith,  Eliza  Smith,  Edward  Coombs,  Frances  Coombs,  Elijah  Heniy 
and  Judy  Henry.  Duncan's  residence  served  the  congregation  as  a  meet- 
ing place  about  four  years,  when  a  log  building  was  erected  a  short  dis- 
tance north  of  Groomsville,  on  land  belonging  to  Abraham  Kirtley.  This 
house  was  used  until  it  could  no  longer  accommodate  the  constantly 
increasing  congregation,  when  it  was  abandoned,  and  a  frame  structiure 
erected  in  its  place  in  the  fall  of  1882.  The  latter  building  is  2Gx30 
feet  in  size,  and  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $900.     The  first  pastor  of  the 


PRAIRIE  TOWNSHIP.  181 

church  was  Elder  C(ibb,  who  preached  for  a  period  of  four  years.  He 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Simeon  Mugg,  whose  pastorate  extended  over  a 
period  of  one  year.  After  Mugg's  time  expired,  Elder  Cobb  was  again 
called  by  the  church,  and  remained  about  two  years.  Then  came  Uriah 
Thomas,  who  preached  one  year,  after  which  Rev.  Denton  Simpson 
preached  at  intervals  for  two  or  three  years.  Rev.  John  Storm  succeeded 
Simpson,  and  ministered  to  the  society  a  little  over  a  year,  when  Madison 
Carver  was  called  to  the  pastorate.  After  Carver  came  Storm  again  for 
a  short  time,  who  was  succeeded  in  the  year  1882  by  the  present  pastor, 
J.  K.  P.  Carson.  The  present  officers  of  the  church  are:  Jonah  Hand 
and  William  Scudder,  Deacons;  Michael  Orr,  Charles  Evans,  Josiah 
Hand  and  William  Hand,  Trustees.  The  society  is  in  a  flourishing  con- 
dition at  the  present  time,  and  has  about  one  humdred  members. 

Mount  Zion  Baptist  Church  was  organized  by  the  Rev.  Denton  Simp- 
son, in  the  year  1860.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  Zion  School - 
house,  in  Section  3,  and  a  society  formed,  consisting  of  twelve  members. 
Public  services  were  held  at  the  schoolhouse  until  the  year  1880.  at 
which  time  the  present  neat  temple  of  worship  was  erected.  This  stands 
in  Section  3,  on  land  donated  by  James  Terrell,  and  is  a  commodious 
frame  structure  valued  at  $1,000.  The  first  regular  pastor  of  the  church 
was  Rev.  Valentine  Knight,  who  ministered  to  the  congregation  about 
foar  years.  After  him  came  Rev.  Denton  Simpson,  who  preached  ac- 
ceptably for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  Rev.  Joseph  Van  Brig- 
gle  accepted  the  pastorate  and  served  at  intervals  for  seven  years.  John 
Storm  was  the  next  preacher  and  remained  four  years.  The  pastor  in 
charge  at  the  present  time  is  Rev.  Madison  Carver,  who  is  in  his  second 
year's  work.  There  are  about  thirty  members  at  the  present  time,  among 
whom  are  many  of  the  best  citizens  <jf  the  community.  James  Terrell 
and  Thomas  Miller  are  deacons.  Wilson  McGrraw  is  Superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  school,  which  is  well  attended  and  ably  conducted. 

In  the  year  1844,  the  citizens  living  in  the  vicinity  of  Mr.  Nash's 
residence,  inaugurated  measures  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  house  of 
worship  to  be  used  for  general  church  purposes,  and  a  building  commit- 
tee was  appointed  to  select  ground  and  otherwise  further  the  project. 
This  committee  was  composed  of  the  following  gentlemen  :  Robert  Nash, 
Robert  Pyke,  Joseph  Townsend,  Thomas  Pratt  and  William  Pyke.  Mr. 
Nash  donated  one  acre  of  ground  and  the  building  was  erected  in  due 
season.  It  is  a  neat  frame  edifice  32x46  feet  in  size,  and  cost  the  sum  of 
$1,600.  Immediately  after  the  erection  of  Nash  Chapel,  as  it  is  called, 
the  few  members  belonging  to  the  Methodist  Church,  living  in  the  vicin- 
ity, called  a  meeting  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  class  Rev.  T.  J. 
Elkin  officiated  on  the  occasion  and  a  society  numbering  twenty  members 
was  duly  organized  and  attached  to  Sharpsville  Circuit.  Under  IMr. 
Elkin's  pastorate,  which  extended  over  a  period  of  two  yeai's,  the  church 


182  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

grew  very  rapidly  and  was  soon  increased  to  fifty  members.  The  second 
pastor  was  Rev.  Adam  Curry,  who  preached  three  years.  Then  came 
Rev.  Mr.  Powell,  who  remained  two  years,  he  was  followed  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Beall,  who  ministered  to  the  congregation  one  year.  The  next  supply,  was 
Rev.  Asbary  Fish,  who  remained  the  same  length  of  time.  The 
present  pastor  is  Rev.  Charles  White.  The  officers  of  the  church 
are  Frank  McGraw,  Class  Leader  ;  Robert  Pyke,  Steward  ;  Robert  Pyke, 
Maj.  Bennett  and  William  Pyke,  Trustees.  Thomas  Hutto,  Sunday 
School  Superintendent.  The  present  condition  of  the  church  is  not 
what  its  friends  desire,  the  membership  having  decreased  very  sensibly 
during  the  last  two  or  three  years.  At  the  present  time  there  are  only 
about  thirty  names  on  the  church  record. 

Nash's  Chapel,  Friends'  Church,  was  organized  in  the  year  1876, 
with  a  membership  of  twenty -live.  The  first  meeting  was  conducted  by 
Rachel  Middleton,  who,  with  the  assistance  of  George  Wilsie,  effected 
the  organization.  Meetings  have  been  held  at  the  chapel  until  within  a 
recent  period,  when,  on  account  of  some  misunderstanding  with  the  Meth- 
odists, the  place  of  meeting  has  been  changed  to  private  residences.  The 
ministers  who  have  preached  to  the  church  at  different  times  were  Rachel 
Middleton,  Lemuel  Middleton,  S.  Tollert,  James  Newland  and  Aaron 
Cosand.  The  society  has  diminished  in  numbers  somewhat^  there  being 
but  fifteen  members  belonging  at  the  present  time. 

MASONIC    LODGE. 

Praireville  Lodge,  No.  554,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  was  organized  in  the  year 
1879,  with  the  following  charter  members  :  Charles  Duncan,  Gilbert 
Yan  Sickle,  Robert  Orr,  Riley  Suite,  Abijah  Pence,  John  Carter  and  R. 
Wilds.  The  first  elective  officers  were  :  Charles  Duncan,  W.  M.;  R. 
Wilds,  S.  W.,  and  Gilbert  Van  Sickle,  J.  W.  The  present  officers  are: 
Charles  Duncan,  W.  M. :  Thomas  Stratford,  S.  W.;  J.  Savage,  J.  W.; 
Samuel  Carter,  Treasurer;  Abijah  Pence,  Secretary;  Pleasant  Cardwell, 
S.  D,,  and  William  Stratford,  J.  D,  The  hall  in  which  the  meetings 
are  held  belong  to  the  lodge,  and  is  the  upper  room  of  the  Prairieville 
Church.  It  is  neatly  finished  and  furnished,  and  is  one  of  the  most  com- 
modious lodge  rooms  in  the  county. 

SCHOOLS    AND    EDUCATION. 

The  cause  of  education  received  the  early  attention  of  the  pioneers  of 
Prairie,  and  to-day  its  fruits  may  be  seen  in  the  intelligence  and  culture 
of  the  descendants  of  the  early  and  honest  settlers.  Though  in  the  fii*st 
settlement  there  were  a  great  many  influences  that  worked  against  the 
development  of  a  general  system  of  education;  though  neighborhoods 
were  thinly  settled,  money  scarce,  and  the  people  generally  poor;  though 
there  were  no  schoolhouses,  no  public  funds,  no  trained  and  qualified 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  183 

teachers,  no  books,  yet  the  pioneers  organized  schools,  and  their  children 
were  taught,  and  grew  to  manhood  wiser  and  more  learned  than  their 
parents.  The  exact  date  of  the  first  school  in  the  township  was  not 
learned,  though  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  as  early  as  the  year  1845.  It 
was  taught  by  one  Oren  Williams,  in  a  little  cabin  which  stood  in  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  township,  and,  like  all  pioneer  schools,  was  sup- 
ported by  subscription,  the  teacher  receiving  $1.25  per  scholar,  for  a 
term  of  three  months.  The  cabin  was  built  by  the  few  neighbors  living 
in  the  vicinity,  and  was  a  very  rude  affair,  16x16  feet,  and  furnished  af- 
ter the  pioneer  plan,  with  puncheon  benches,  a  large  fire-place,  and  a 
single  insignificant  window,  through  which  a  few  rays  of  light  could  en- 
ter to  lighten  the  dark  interior.  The  school  was  attended  by  about  twelve 
pupils,  and,  under  the  circumstances,  was  considered  very  good  indeed. 
The  usefulness  of  the  school  stopped  with  the  "rule  of  three."  The 
second  school,  at  the  same  place,  was  taught  by  Henry  Williams  in  the 
year  1846.  He  wielded  the  birch  the  next  year  also,  after  which  time 
the  building  was  abandoned  as  a  schoolhouse,  and  used  as  a  shop.  The 
second  house  erected  for  school  purposes  stood  about  two  miles  west  of 
Mount  Zion  Church.  It  was  a  hewed  log  structure,  and  served  its  pur- 
pose for  many  years.  A  hewed- log  house  was  also  built  near  the  present 
site  of  Zion  Church  about  the  same  time  as  the  foregoing,  and  stood  un- 
til a  few  years  ago,  when  it  was  torn  down,  and  replaced  by  a  more  com- 
modious structure.  An  early  school  was  taught  by  Cyrus  Maxwell,  at 
the  residence  of  Alfred  Lee,  in  the  western  part  of  the  township,  but  the 
exact  date  of  the  term  could  not  be  ascertained. 

When  the  law  providing  free  schools  went  into  effect,  good  houses 
weipe  erected  at  proper  intervals  throughout  the  township,  the  majority  of 
which  have  long  since  outlived  their  usefulness,  and  been  replaced  by 
brick  and  frame  buildings.  There  are  at  the  present  time  eleven  school 
edifices,  all  of  which  are  in  good  condition,  and  well  furnished  with  all 
the  modern  appliances  of  education.  The  teachers  for  the  school  year 
1882-83  were  Thomas  Miller,  A.  Pence,  John  Parker,  John  W.  Covert^ 
Isaac  Smith.  Benjamin  Holmaa,  Jesse  Mott,  Albert  Pritchard,  James 
Cardwell,  James  Romack  and  Viola  Evans. 

GROOMSVILLE. 

The  village  of  Groomsville,  if  a  little  hamlet  of  half  a  dozen  houses 
can  be  dignified  by  the  term  village,  is  situated  in  Section  16,  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  township,  and  dates  its  history  from  the  year  1860. 
At  that  time  Mr.  Enoch  Smith  got  up  a  petition  for  a  post  ofiice,  which 
was  granted  soon  afterward,  and  the  name  Groomsville  given  to  the  ofiSce, 
in  compliment  to  Dr.  Groom,  a  resident  of  Tipton.  The  office  gave  the 
place  some  local  prominence,  and  a  store  building  was  erected  in  the 
course  of    a  few  years,  and  stocked  with  a  general  assortment  of  mer- 


184  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

chandise,  by  Thomas  Lamb,  who  sold  goods  until  the  spring  of  1883,  at 
which  time  he  disposed  of  the  store  to  Messrs.  McCray  &  Stoops,  the 
present  proprietors.  A  saw  mill  was  in  operation  here  for  several  years, 
and  did  a  good  business,  but  at  the  present  time  no  manufacturing  estab- 
lishment of  any  kind  is  at  the  village. 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  > 

BY.    G.    N.    BERRY. 

To  rescue  from  fast  fading  traditions  the  simple  annals  of  the  pioneer 
people  of  our  own  county  is  a  pleasing  but  perplexing  task,  the  annoy- 
ances arising  chiefly  from  there  being  no  connected  record  of  the  acts  of 
these  people.  To  meet  and  converse  with  the  few  now  living  of  these 
early  settlers,  those  who  came  here  as  young  men  and  women,  and  who 
are  fast  approaching,  or  have  passed  the  allotted  threescore  and  ten 
years,  has  been  a  task  attended  with  many  pleasures.  To  gather  up  the 
raveled  threads  of  the  strange  but  simple  stories  of  their  lives — now  mostly 
broken  threads — to  catch  the  fleeting  traditions  and  fireside  histories  and 
hand  them  down  to  posterity,  has  been  the  peculiar  labor  of  the  writer. 
The  importance  that  attaches  to  the  lives,  character,  and  work  of  these 
hiimble  laborers  in  the  cause  of  humanity  and  civilization,  will  some  day 
be  better  understood  and  appreciated  than  it  is  now.  They  will  some  time, 
through  the  pen  of  the  wise  historian,  take  their  proper  place  in  the 
lists  of  those  who  have  helped  to  make  the  world  wholesome  with  their 
toil,  their  sweat  and  their  blood.  They  laid  the  foundations  on  which 
rests  the  civilization  of  the  Western  Hemisphere.  If  the  work  was  done 
well,  then  the  edifice  stands  upon  an  enduring  rock;  if  ill,  then  upon  the 
sands.  If  great  and  beneficent  results — results  that  endure  and  bless 
mankind — are  the  proper  measures  of  the  good,  then  who  is  there  in  the 
world's  history  that  may  take  his  place  above  the  hardy  Indiana  pioneer 
of  fifty  years  ago  ? 

Historically,  Jefferson  holds  a  front  place  among  the  townships  of 
Tipton  County.  Fifty  years  have  dissolved  in  the  mists  of  the  past, 
since  the  woodman's  ax  fii'st  rang  among  the  dense  forests,  as  he  felled 
the  trees  for  his  humble  cabin  home  in  the  wilderness.  The  southern 
part  of  the  county  was  originally  inchided  in  Hamilton  County,  while 
the  northern  portion  formed  part  of  the  Miami  Reservation,  and  was  not 
opened  for  settlement  until  after  the  purchase  in  1844,  although  a 
number  of  families  obtained  permission  of  the  Indians  to  locate  there 
several  years  prior  to  that  date.  The  township  was  created  at  the  general 
division  in  1844,  and  occupies  the  southwest  corner  of  the  county,  with 
the  following  boundaries,  to  wit:    Prairie  Township  on  the  north;  Cicero 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  185 

on  the  east;  Hamilton  County  on  the  sonth,  and  Clinton  County  on  the 
west.  It  embraces  an  area  of  thirty-nine  square  miles,  the  greater 
portion  of  which  is  quite  level,  except  the  southei*n  part,  where  the  land 
is  undulating  and  somewhat  rolling,  especially  along  the  water-courses. 
In  the  central  part  are  considerable  tracts  of  low  marshy  land,  while  near 
the  western  border  are  several  hundred  acres  of  wet  prairie,  almost  en- 
tirely devoid  of  timber  except  a  dense  growth  of  willows  and  other  small 
shrubs.  The  soil  in  the  southern  part  is  of  a  light  color,  is  sand-mixed 
in  many  places  and  very  fertile,  while  the  level  land  is  a  black  mucky 
soil,  very  deep,  and  noted  for  its  productiveness. 

A  number  of  streams  traverse  the  township,  affording  ample  drain- 
age and  abundant  stock  water.  Dixon  Creek  rises  in  Section  7  and  flows 
in  a  westerly  direction.  Jericho  Creek,  an  imporant  water-course,  flows 
through  Sections  21,  22,  23,  and  unites  with  Cicero  Creek,  in  Section  24. 
Cicero  Creek  passes  through  the  southern  part  of  the  township  and 
affords  the  principal  outlet  for  all  streams  in  this  section  of  the  country. 
The  southeast  corner  of  the  township  is  di'ained  by  Prairie  Creek,  which 
receives  a  number  of  small  affluents,  none  of  which  is  known  by  any 
particular  name. 

Jefferson  Township  is  and  probably  always  will  be  an  agricultural 
region.  The  black  loam  is  as  deep  as  in  any  other  part  of  the  county, 
and  the  peculiar  formation  of  the  surface  soil  is  such  that  there  will  be 
no  exhaustion  of  the  stored  plant-food  here  for  ages.  For  grass  and  ce- 
reals, it  may  be  prepared  to  equal,  if  not  excel,  any  similar  amount  of  ter- 
ritory in  the  county.  Already,  in  corn,  it  stands  first,  both  in  quantity 
to  the  acre  and  in  quality.  Deep  plowing  is  the  farmer's  key  to  wealth 
here,  and  when  the  deep  plowing  is  followed  up  with  tile  drainage,  it 
brings  wealth  and  abundance  to  the  husbandman. 

PIONEER    SETTLEMENTS. 

The  early  settlers  who  first  located  among  the  forests  and  sloughs  of 
Jefferson,  the  men  who  came  here  while  yet  the  footprints  of  the  savage 
still  pressed  the  sands,  are  those  around  whom  lingers  the  most  thrilling 
interests.  Some  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  county  located  in  this  township, 
and  here,  too,  figured  some  of  the  most  distinguished  characters  the 
county  has  known.  It  is  difficult  to  determine  with  any  degree  of  accu- 
racy who  the  first  settlers  within  the  present  limits  of  the  township  were, 
as  quite  a  number  of  transient  hunters  squatted  along  Cicero  Creek  early  in 
1830.  They  remained  but  a  few. seasons  at  most,  and  beyond  erecting  a 
few  temporary  habitations,  and  clearing  small  patches  of  ground  around 
their  cabins,  made  no  fm'ther  improvement,  spending  almost  all  their 
time  hunting  the  game  which  at  that  day  was  very  plentiful. 

Among  the  very  first  actual  settlers  was  Barnett  Stepp,  who  moved 
his  family  to  the  southern  part  of  the  township  in  the  latter  part  of  1835, 


186  HISTORY  OF  TIPTOxV  COUNTY. 

and  took  a  claim  where  John  Puckett  lives,  which  land  he  entered  one 
year  later.  Stepp  came  originally  from  Kentucky,  but  had  lived  a  num- 
ber of  years  in  the  southern  part  of  this  State  before  immigrating  to 
this  locality.  He  was  in  every  respect  a  pioneer  of  the  original  type, 
whose  wants  were  few  and  very  easily  satisfied.  His  ambition  rose  no 
higher  than  a  mere  animal  existence,  and  the  improvements  he  made  on 
his  land  were  an  index  of  his  thriftless  life  and  want  of  energy.  United 
to  a  "  better  half,"  whose  aims  were  in  sympathy  with  those  of  her  liege 
lord's,  he  passed  a  contented  life  in  the  wilderness,  dividing  his  time 
aboiit  equally  between  hunting  and  work.  An  early  settler,  who  came  in 
a  few  years  later,  states  that  he  stopped  at  Stepp's  cabin  and  took  dinner 
with  the  pioneer  family,  and  thus  describes  their  surroundings:  "The 
small  cabin  was  about  10x15  feet  in  size,  with  no  floor,  and  but  an  in- 
different stick  chimney.  There  was  no  window,  save  an  opening  in  the 
wall,  which  was  covered  with  oiled  paper.  The  furniture  was  in  keep- 
ing with  the  mansion,  and  consisted  of  a  few  rude  stools  and  benches,  and 
an  apology  for  a  bedstead,  made  by  driving  a  post  into  the  ground  floor, 
to  which  were  fitted  rough  poles  reaching  to  the  wall  of  the  cabin.  A 
fire-place  in  one  end  of  the  building  answered  the  two-fold  purpose  of 
heating  and  cooking."  Our  sojourner  speaks  of  the  dinner  as  consisting 
of  a  pot  of  bear  meat,  with  greens  and  "hoe-cake,"  while  one  dollar 
would  have  bought  double  the  amount  of  clothing  worn  by  the  entire 
family.  As  the  country  settled  up  and  game  became  scarce,  it  seems  that 
Stepp  was  obliged  to  put  forth  extra  exertions  in  order  to  gain  a  liveli- 
hood for  his  family,  so  he  went  to  work  with  a  right  good- will,  and 
cleared  out  a  tolerably  fdir  farm.  He  remained  in  the  township  until  the 
time  of  his  death  in  1852.  He  is  remembered  by  many  now  living  as  a 
good-natured,  illiterate  and_harmless  old  pioneer,  who  passed  through  life 
without  an  enemy. 

A  son-in-law  of  Stepp,  by  name  of  Horton,  came  to  the  township  in 
the  summer  of  1836,  and  located  a  short  distance  east  of  his  father-in- 
law's  place,  where  he  entered  160  acres  of  land.  He  was  an  old  "river 
man,"  and  had  followed  steamboating  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  for  a 
number  of  years,  accumulating  thereby  quite  a  handsome  competency, 
which  enabled  him  to  make  good  improvements  on  his  land.  He  was  a 
man  of  industrious  habits,  but  very  eccentric.  One  of  his  peculiarities 
was  making  large  fences,  which  he  built  twenty  rails  high,  and  locked 
the  corners  of  each  panel  so  firmlj*  that  the  most  severe  storm  could  have 
no  possible  effect  on  them.  He  set  out  one  of  the  first  orchards  in  the 
township,  many  trees  of  which  are  still  standing.  The  old  place  is  at 
present  in  possession  of  his  son-in-law,    John  Samuels. 

In  1837,  Hugh  Alexander  and  Archibald  Small  settled  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  township,  near  the  county  line,  where  the  latter  entered  land 
in  Section  35.     Alexander  purchased  forty  acres  of  Small,  but  remained 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  187 

in  the  township  only  a  short  time,  when  he  disposed  of  his  property  and 
left  the  country,  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  community,  as  he  proved 
no  desirable  neighbor.  The  next  year  added  a  few  more  families  to  the 
little  settlement.  Among  these  were  John  Deal  and  his  brother-in-law, 
Benjamin  Allen,  and  James  W.  Bodkin.  The  first  named  entered  land 
in  the  western  part  one  year  after  his  arrival,  but  made  no  very  extensive 
improvements,  being  what  might  be  termed  the  drone  of  the  settlement. 
Allen  entered  land  in  the  same  vicinity  and  resided  on  his  possession 
until  1848,  at  which  time  he  sold  out  and  left  for  other  parts.  Bodkin 
entered  land,  but  did  not  move  upon  it  for  a  few  years  later,  though  he 
erected  a  cabin  and  fitted  it  up  for  occupancy.  He  was  a  bachelor,  and 
for  a  number  of  years  lived  on  his  place  in  company  with,  a  brother, 
doing  their  own  cooking,  washing,  mending,  etc.  It  is  said  they  became 
as  great  adepts  in  the  art  of  housekeeping  as  any  woman  in  the  commu- 
nity. 

The  following  additional  settlers  arrived  prior  to  1839  :  Jason  Over- 
man, John  McKinsey,  Jonathan  Endicott,  Sherwood  Allen,  John  M. 
Holmes,  Thomas  Cooper,  Alexander  Mills,  Eobert  Smith,  Jacob  Johns, 
William  Turpin,  a  man  by  name  of  Loke,  William  Wallace  and  William 
Black.  Overman  entered  land  in  1838,  but  did  not  move  to  the  township 
until  some  time  later.  He  settled  in  the  southern  part  and  was  identified 
with  the  country's  development  in  a  marked  degree,  being  a  man  of  good 
abilities  and  considerable  energy.  He  died  about  the  year  1871.  His 
son,  Nate  Overman,  is  the  present  Circuit  Judge,  and  one  of  the  promi- 
nent lawyers  of  Tipton.  McKinsey  settled  where  Enoch  Etchinson  lives 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  tovpnship,  and  was  joined  a  few  months  later 
by  his  son  John,  Jr. ,  who  made  the  first  improvements  on  the  farm,  at 
present  in  possession  of  John  Straley.  Allen  squatted  a  short  distance 
south  of  Tetersburg,  and  was  the  first  cobbler  in  the  township,  a  trade 
at  which  he  worked  for  a  number  of  years,  making  and  repairing  many 
of  the  brogans  worn  by  the  early  settlers.  Holmes  secured  land  near  the 
western  border  of  the  county,  and  figured  as  an  early  pedagogue,  having 
been  identified  with  the  schools  of  the  townships  for  several  years. 
Cooper  settled  on  the  sotithern  county  line  where  the  village  of  Ekin 
stands,  and  seems  to  have  been  a  man  of  considerable  prominence  during 
the  early  history  of  the  county,  serving  as  the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace 
in  Jefferson,  before  its  annexation  to  Tipton  County.  He  was  a  good 
farmer  and  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  intelligence,  but  his  neighbors 
used  to  say  that  his  dealings  were  not  always  conducted  on  square  prin- 
cipals, but  savored  very  much  of  crookedness,  a  fact  which  made  him 
very  unpopular  in  the  community.  A  son  came  to  the  county  in  company 
with  his  father,  and  settled  in  the  same  locality,  where  he  lived  for  fif- 
teen or  twenty  years.  Mills  settled  where  Thomas  Shannon  lives,  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  township,  and  earned  the  reputation  of  a  good  ciit- 


188  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

zen,  being  a  Quaker  of  the  orthodox  wing,  and  living  out  the  pure  doc- 
trines of  his  faith  in  hie  every-day  life.  He  sold  his  lands  to  Oliver 
Perry  and  moved  to  Liberty  Tovt^nship  a  number  of  years  ago.  Robert 
Smith  settled  near  the  village  of  Goldsmith,  on  land  at  present  in  pos- 
session of  Frank  Price,  while  Johns  and  Turpin  located  temporarily  near 
Tetersburg,  where  they  made  small  improvements  and  gained  some  no- 
toriety as  hunters  and  trappers.  Loke  located  near  Tetersburg  also, 
where  he  built  the  first  blacksmith  shop  in  the  township,  and  worked  at 
his  trade  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  sold  his  claim  and 
moved  to  one  of  the  Western  States. 

In  the  year  1836,  John  D.  Smith,  a  native  of  Ohio,  came  to  Indiana 
in  company  with  several  land  seekers,  and  passed  through  the  western 
part  of  Tipton,  then  Hamilton  County,  on  a  tour  of  observation  for  the 
purpose  of  making  a  settlement.  He  selected  land  in  Section  24,  near 
the  southeast  corner  of  the  township,  and  made  an  entry,  after  which  he 
went  back  to  his  native  State,  where  he  got  married  and  remained  until 
1839,  when  he  again  came  West  for  the  purpose  of  improving  his  real 
estate  here.  He  was  the  exact  opposite  of  the  majority  of  the  settlers 
who  had  preceded  him,  being  a  man  of  good  business  qualifications  and 
unusual  energy.  By  means  of  these  qualities,  he  accumulated  one  of 
the  handsomest  and  most  valuable  estates  in  the  county,  which  he  still 
lives  to  enjoy.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  county  organization,  and 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  first  Board  of  Commissioners  in  1844,  his 
majority  being  next  to  the  largest  on  the  entire  ticket.  In  all  movements 
calculated  to  benefit  the  country  he  has  been  in  hearty  sympathy,  and 
to  his  energy  and  business  tact  is  the  township  indebted  for  much  of  its 
present  prosperity.  Mr.  Smith  is  the  oracle  of  the  township,  a  regular 
encyclopoedia  on  legs,  and  can  reel  ofl'  the  history  of  the  county  as  one 
reads  a  hymn  book. 

The  majority  of  the  pioneers  who  settled  in  Jefferson  prior  to  1840 
were  men  of  very  moderate  means;  indeed,  were  quite  poor,  and  were 
compelled  to  locate  on  inferior  lands,  the  more  eligible  claims  having 
been  entered  by  speculators  who  held  them  to  the  detriment  of  the 
county.  This  fact  served  as  a  check  to  immigration,  and  for  a  number 
of  years  the  development  of  the  country  progressed  rather  slowly,  and  it 
*  was  not  until  about  the  year  1842  that  any  real  progress  was  made. 

Among  those  who  entered  lands  in  an  early  day,  but  did  not  improve 
them,  were  Daniel  Howe,  Sylvester  Heaton,  Greenup  Holman,  Levi  Clark, 
William  Amber,  Richard  Spalding,  Edison  Bennett,  Nathan  Kirk,  Allen 
Bonds,  Ross  McNeil,  Isaac  Miller,  John  McMullen,  Jacob  Gregg,  James 
Bromthall,  Perry  Alexander,  Hiram  Price,  John  B.  Callicote,  John 
Thompson,  Isaac  Scott,  Thomas  W.  Carter,  R.  G.  Wood,  Fred  Scott, 
William  McClure,  Samuel  Walker,  William  Couts,  Stephen  Spraker, 
James  McMary,  Dickson  Hunt  and  Thomas  Gilfallin,  all  of  whom  ob- 


fewd.-^^ 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  191 

tained  their  patents  prior  to  the  year  1839.  Several  of  these  parties 
made  entries  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  fortune  with  the  advance  in 
real  estate,  an  expectation  v/hich  was  never  realized,  as  they  were  after- 
ward compelled  to  dispose  of  their  lands  at  ruinously  low  figures.  A 
number  of  persons  were  broken  entirely  up  by  the  venture. 

Among  the  arrivals  of  1838  and  1839,  were  Levi  Dunn,  who  settled 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  township,  where  he  lived  about  four  years, 
when  he  sold  and  moved  to  Clinton  County;  Abram  Ploughe,  who  located 
a  short  distance  south  of  Tetersburg;  John  Williams,  a  Virginian,  who 
made  his  first  improvements  on  land  at  present  owned  by  John  Kagen; 
Charles  Winders,  who  secured  a  home  in  the  southern  part,  where  he 
afterward  became  quite  wealthy;  James  and  Joseph  Goar,  prominent 
settlers,  who  entered  land  near  the  southern  boundary,  where  they  became 
possessors  of  a  valuable  tract  of  real  estate.  Joseph  Goar  was  one  of 
the  first  Associate  Judges,  of  Tipton,  and  afterward  represented  the 
county  in  the  Legislature. 

About  the  year  1840,  scattering  settlements  were  made  north  of  the 
Indian  boundary,  in  the  Miami  Reservation,  the  settlers  obtaining  per- 
mission of  the  Indians  to  make  temporary  improvements.  The  first  of 
these  pioneers  was  George  Teter,  who  squatted  near  the  present  site  of 
Tetersburg,  where  he  remained  for  seven  years,  waiting  for  the  land  to 
come  into  market.  He  moved  here  from  Virginia,  and  brought  with  him 
the  value  of  his  paternal  estate  in  gold,  which  amounted  to  just  S900. 
This  sum  he  buried  near  his  cabin,  where  it  was  allowed  to  remain  until 
the  land  was  subject  to  entry,  when  his  treasure  was  unearthed,  and  in- 
vested in  real  estate.  Teter  became  a  large  land-owner,  and  one  of  the 
wealthy  citizens  of  the  township.  Eli  and  Asa  Teter,  sons  of  the  pre- 
ceding, came  about  the  same  time,  and  were  afterward  joined  by  George 
Phares,  whose  arrival  dates  from  the  latter  part  of  1840.  Phares  was  a 
Virginian  also,  and  located  one  mile  southwest  of  Goldsmith,  where  he 
acquired  a  handsome  competency.  Several  descendants  of  these  two  fam- 
ilies live  in  the  township  at  the  present  time,  and  are  among  the  prom- 
inent and  well-to-do  citizens  of  the  country. 

In  the  year  1839,  Archibald  Montgomery,  a  Kentuckian,  in  company 
with  a  party  of  hunters,  passed  through  the  northern  part  of  the  town- 
ship, and  camped  near  the  j)resent  site  of  Normanda  Village.  Being 
well  pleased  with  the  appearance  of  the  country,  he  marked  out  a  claim, 
with  the  full  intention  of  entering  the  land  as  soon  as  it  came  into 
market,  a  resolution  he  put  into  effect  seven  years  later.  In  the  mean- 
time, howevei-,  he  built  a  cabin  on  his  claim,  to  which  his  family  were 
moved  in  the  year  1841,  meeting  with  no  opposition  from  the  Indians, 
who  treated  his  encroachment  with  the  utmost  good  will.  Montgomery 
became  a  prominent  fai'mer,  and  was  identified  with  the  township  until 
1867,  at  which  time  he  moved  to  the  county  seat,  where  his  death  oc- 


192  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

curred  several  years  ago.  He  has  one  son  living  in  Tipton  at  the  present 
time,  Capt.  Montgomery,  of  whom  a  more  extended  notice  will  be  found 
in  another  chapter  of  this  work. 

David  Kemp  came  to  the  township  in  the  year  1840,  and  located  a 
claim  in  the  western  part,  near  the  village  of  Kempton.  where  he  built  a 
cabin  and  moved  his  family  one  year  later.  He  is  still  living  on  his 
original  farm,  to  which  he  has  added  much  of  the  surrounding  land,  until, 
at  the  present  time,  he  is  considered  one  of  the  largest  land-owners  in 
the  county. 

Prominent  in  the  list  of  pioneers  who  settled  in  the  "  Reserve  "  was 
Andrew  Evans,  a  native  of  Virginia,  who  made  a  claim  in  Section  84. 
where  the  village  of  Normanda  stands.  Evans  came  to  Indiana  from 
Kentucky  in  the  spring  of  1841,  and  for  twenty-two  years  was  considered 
one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Jefferson,  serving  the  people  several  terms 
as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  always  taking  a  lively  interest  in  religious 
matters,  being  a  devoted  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  reared 
a  large  family,  several  of  whom  are  still  living  in  the  county.  Other 
settlers,  who  located  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township,  were  Edward 
Jackson,  who  entered  land  a  short  distance  south  of  Normanda  in  1841; 
Daniel  Stephens,  who  settled  about  one  and  a  half  miles  east  of  the  same 
place,  on  land  where  the  Widow  Hall  lives;  William  Richardson,  who 
took  a  claim  east  of  Normanda,  on  the  Thomas  Foster  land,  near  the 
place  where  he  still  resides;  Elijah  Stanridge,  who  made  improvements 
east  of  Normanda  one  mile;  and  James  Fosel,  who  settled  near  Gold- 
smith Village  on  the  Enos  Hamill  farm.  The  foregoing  comprised  the 
principal  settlers  in  Jefferson  up  to  the  year  1842.  There  may  have 
been,  and  probably  were,  others,  whose  names  could  be  appropriately 
added  to  the  list  enumerated,  but  they  were  not  learned. 

HOW    THE    SETTLERS    LIVED. 

As  already  intimated,  the  majority  of  the  early  settlers  were  men  of 
moderate  circumstances  and  came  here  desirous  of  secui-ing  cheap  homes, 
and  bettering  their  fortunes.  They  came  with  but  a  meager  outfit  of 
this  world's  goods,  but  strong  in  faith  and  hope  expected  to  increase  their 
worldly  store  and  to  provide  a  home  where  to  pass  their  declining  years. 
The  immigrant,  upon  his  arrival,  at  once  began  preparations  for  a  shelter. 
During  this  period,  the  family  lived  in  a  wagon,  or  occupied  a  temporary 
habitation  made  of  poles  covered  with  brush,  imtil  a  more  comfortable 
structure  could  be  erected.  The  first  crops  were  principally  corn  and  a 
few  potatoes.  Wheat  and  other  cereals  were  not  raised  for  a  number  of 
years  after  the  lirst  settlement,  on  account  of  the  poor  condition  of  the 
soil,  which  at  that  time  was  very  wet  and  marshy. 

The  first  wheat  sowed  in  the  township  was  by  Arch  Small,  a  few  years 
after  his  arrival  in  the  country.   It  made  a  moderate  yield,  and  furnished 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  193 

the  seed  that  in  after  years  made  much  of  the  wheat  bread  of  the  neigh - 
borhood.  John  D.  Smith  was  the  second  man  in  Jefferson  who  made  the 
attempt  to  raise  wheat,  and  realized  from  his  crop  about  eight  bushels 
per  acre.  After  it  was  cut  and  in  the  shock,  Mrs.  Smith  conceived  the 
idea^of  having  some  blackberry  pie,  and  set  her  wits  to  work  to  that  end. 
She  made  known  her  wish  to  her  husband,  who  dismissed  the  matter  by 
saying  there  was  no  wheat  threshed.  The  good  wife  would  not  be  put 
off  so  easily,  and  made  the  proposition  to  shell  enough  for  a  grist,  pro- 
viding he  woitld  take  it  to  mill.  To  this  he  willingly  agreed,  not  sus- 
pecting that  she  was  in  earnest,  but  what  was  his  surprise  upon  return- 
ing home  at  night  to  find  about  four  pecks  of  wheat  which  she  had 
rubbed  out  on  the  washboard,  and  cleaned  ready  for  grinding,  bypourino- 
it  from  a  vessel  and  letting  the  wind  blow  away  the  chaff.  The  little 
grist  was  taken  to  the  nearest  mill,  at  Boxleytown,  fifteen  miles  distant, 
and  in  due  time  the  blackberry  pies  made  their  appearance. 

One  of  the  first  really  profitable  industries  pursued  here  was  the 
gathering  of  wild  honey  and  manufacturing  maple  sugar.  The  honev 
was  gathered  and  the  wax  strained,  and  both  became  money  producing 
products  of  the  country.  Beeswax,  honey,  ginseng,  venison  hams, 
sugar,  pelts  and  furs  were  the  only  things  possible  to  send  to  market  to 
exchange  for  such  articles  as  the  people  needed.  These  early  comers  had 
to  have  wearing  apparel,  powder,  tobacco,  and  some  of  them  whisky. 
For  everything  else  they  could  kill  game.  The  first  season  they  usually 
had  to  buy  corn  for  bread,  but  the  emergeucies  were  frequent  when  this 
could  not  be  had.  Then  they  used  lean  meat  for  bread,  and  the  fat  part 
for  meat.  A.11  families,  however,  did  not  live  in  this  way.  There  was 
then,  as  now,  great  difference  in  the  forethought  and  thrift  of  the  peo- 
ple. Manv,  even  when  here  before  the  county  organization,  lived  gener- 
ously upon  such  as  the  land  then  afforded.  Meat  of  a  superior  quality, 
and  in  variety  that  we  cannot  now  obtain,  was  within  the  easy  reach  of 
all.  Deer  were  everywhere  abundant,  and  during  the  early  years  of  the 
township  were  killed  in  large  numbei-s,  furnishing  the  chief  means  of 
subsistence  for  many  families. 

One  pioneer  states  that  he  killed  three  of  these  animals  from  his  own 
door,  as  they  frequently  came  close  to  the  premises,  and  during  cold  win- 
ter weather  would  feed  with  the  cattle  in  the  stable  yards.  Another  old 
settler  relates  that,  upon  one  occasion,  g,  large  buck  came  close  to  his 
cabin,  and  browsed  very  leisurely  for  some  time  among  the  shrubbery. 
Going  into  the  house  for  his  gun,  the  pioneer  found  the  hammer  gone, 
but  being  bent  upon  securing  his  buckship,  he  loaded  the  \veapon,  took 
deliberate  aim,  and,  at  a  given  signal,  his  daughter  touched  off  the  gun 
with  a  coal  of  fire.  The  deer  was  feasted  upon  that  evening.  Some  bears 
were  found  hero  at  the  time  of  the  first  settlement,  and  were  eaoferly 
sought  for  by  the  pioneer  hunters.      Two  large   ones  were  killed  by  Bar- 


/ 

194  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY 

nett  Stepp,  near  his  residence,  one  day,  and  several  others  were  taken  by 
different  parties  in  various  parts  of  the  township.  The  wolves,  which 
were  nnraerous  in  this  portion  of  the  country  at  an  early  day,  proved  so 
destructive  to  stock,  that  systematic  hunts  were  planned  and  carried  out 
in  order  to  exterminate  them. 

PIONEER    AMUSEMENTS. 

In  pioneer  days  the  people  had  their  sports,  which  were,  perhaps, 
HH  enjoyable  to  them  as  our  more  refined  amusements  are  to  us  in  this 
fast  age.  Log-rollings,  house-raisings,  corn-huskings,  usually  accompa- 
nied with  the  old-fashioned  quilting  bees,  were  common  occurrences. 
These  gatherings  were  heartily  enjoyed  by  all,  and  seemed  to  vary  the 
monotony  of  a  life  in  the  backwoods.  They  had  weddings  in  those  days, 
and  these  occur  to  some  extent  yet;  but  those  good  old- fashions  and 
"  infairs,"  where  are  they?  The  knot  was  tied  at  the  bride's  residence, 
while  the  "  infair,"  a  kind  of  wedding  No.  2,  was  held  at  the  house  of 
the  groom's  parents.  These  happy  events  were  generally  followed  by 
the  dance,  a  common  amusement  in  our  grandmothers'  days.  Terpsichore! 
What  dancing!  Not  your  dreamy  waltz  of  this  day  and  age;  not  the 
bounding  polka,  the  bewildering  schottische,  or  any  of  the  other  fash 
ionable  dream  walks:  but  the  enthusiastic  fiddler,  keeping  time  with  his 
cowhide  shoe,  and  jerking  out  the  lively  tunes  of  the  "  Arkansas  Trav- 
eler," "Lightning  Jig,"  "Money  Musk,"  "  Possum  Up  a  Gum  Stump," 
while  the  merry  frolickers  raced  over  the  puncheon  floor  in  that  good 
old  fashioned  "  walk-talk  ginger-blue-style"  of  the  "hoe  down"  that  filled 
their  innocent  hearts  with  joy,  and  their  legs  with  soreness  and  pain. 
They  had  the  old-fashioned  singing  school  also,  where  the  singing  master, 
a  mio-hty  man  in  his  day,  armed  with  tuning  fork'  and  Missouri  Harmony, 
instructed  the  rustic  swains  and  backwood  belles  in  the  mysteries  of  the 
gamut.  Do  fond  recollections  falter  in  recalling  that  weird  magician  of 
the  pen,  the  writing-master,  the  knight  of  the  goose  quill,  the  master  of 
the  ink  and  pot  hooks,  the  gifted  architect  of  those  inspiring  flourishes 
and  spread  eagles?  He  married  the  belle  of  the  neighborhood  at  the 
close  of  his  term;  and,  "  Othello's  occupation  gone,"  quit  the  trade,  and 
instead  of  eagles,  has  been  content  to  raise  barn-yard  bipeds,  and  play 
Jumb)  for  the  grandchildren.  Then  there  was  the  traveling  phrenolog- 
ical lecturer,  who  felt  craniums  and  located  flattering  bumps  at  so  much 
ahead;  and  the  geography  teflcher,  who  taught  the  neighboring  youth, 
to  sing  the  States,  capitals,  lakes,  rivers,  etc.,  to  music,  which  still  lin- 
o-ers  in  the  ears  of  many  like  funeral  dirges  of  days  that  can  return  no 
more. 

EARLY    MARKET    PLACES. 

The  pioneers  of    Jefferson  experienced  great  diflSculty  Iq  pi*ocuring 
<>Tocei*ies,  wearing  apparel,  and  other  articles  necessary  to  comfort  and 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  195 

convenience,  on  account  of  the  absence  of  market  facilities.  Money  was 
almost  unknown,  the  farmers  relying  upoii  what  little  produce  the  coun- 
ty afforded,  and  their  small  wheat  crops,  for  the  few  articles  their  fami- 
lies needed.  Twice  a  year  the  neighborhood  would  h?  visited  by  the 
produce  collector,  who  gathered  up  the  ginseng,  beeswax.,  deer  skins, 
honey,  etc.,  for  which  he  exchanged  calico,  groceries  and  other  com- 
modities at  ruinously  high  prices.  The  nearest  market  place  was  the 
little  village  of  Cicero,  in  Hamilton  County,  about  sixteen  miles  from 
the  southern  settlement — no  great  distance,  but,  when  we  consider  the 
wet  condition  of  the  soil  and  the  absence  of  roads,  a  trip  that  was  at- 
tended with  difficulties  of  no  small  magnitude.  Many  of  the  early  set- 
tlers came  to  the  country  with  but  few  dollars  in  money,  which  they  in- 
vested in  their  lands,  leaving  them  without  the  means  of  procuring  teams, 
wagons  or  agricultural  implements.  John  D.  Smith  states  that  at  one 
time  there  was  but  one  two-horse  wagon  in  the  community,  which  was 
loaned  among  the  neighbors,  each  one  taking  his  tui'n  with  the  borrowed 
vehicle. 

The  first  wheat  raised  in  the  township  was  cut  with  the  old-fashioned 
hand  sickle,  tramped  out  by  horses,  and  hauled  to  La  Fayette  for  37i 
cents  per  bushel.  The  second  crop  found  no  nearer  market,  but  brought 
a  better  price,  selling  at  50  cents  per  bushel,  part  of  the  pay  being  taken 
in  trade.  The  fii-st  barrel  of  salt  was  brought  to  the  township  by  Mr. 
Smith,  who  obtained  it  at  Cicero,  paying  for  it  |12.12^.  He  dealt  out 
the  precious  article  to  his  neighbors  by  the  pound,  but  we  are  safe  in 
saying  that  no  great  fortune  was  realized  in  the  operation.  He  pur- 
chased a  grind- stone  at  the  same  time,  for  which  he  was  obliged  to  pay 
the  modest  sum  of  15  cents  per  pound. 

EARLY    IMPROVEMENTS. 

The  first  orchard  in  the  township  was  planted  by  John  Florton  on  his 
place  about  the  year  1837.  He  brought  the  young  trees  from  one  oi  the 
Southern  counties.  It  is  said  that  as  early  as  the  year  1845  this  orchard 
boz'e  excellent  fruit.  Until  this  orchard  came  on,  the  people  tasted  no 
other  fruit  except  that  which  grew  wild  iu  the  woods.  These  were  crab 
apples,  plums,  grapes,  wild  cherries,  and  the  varieties  of  nuts  found 
here.  The  second  orchard  was  set  out  by  John  D.  Smith  the  same  year 
he  located  permanently  in  the  township.  The  first  frame  house  in  Jeffer- 
son was  built  at  the  village  of  Normanda,  about  the  year  1818,  by  M.  P. 
Evans.  John  D.  Smith  erected  the  first  hewed  log  dwelling  in  the  town- 
ship, in  the  year  1838,  and  twenty  years  later  built  the  first  brick  res- 
idence, the  third  of  the  kind  in  the  county  at  that  time.  Squire  Tucker 
and  Frank  Wheatley  were  the  next  parties  to  impi'ove  their  respective 
farms  by  erecting  brick  houses  thereon. 

The   early  settlers  were  compelled  to  go  long  distances  over  almost 


19G  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

impassable  roads  for  their  breadstuffs,  the  nearest  source  of  supplies 
being  a  little  horse  mill  at  Boxley  Village,  which  ground  so  slowly  that 
it  could  not  accommodate  all  who  desired  to  patronize  it,  hence  many 
went  to  Noblesville,  Cicero  and  some  to  Indianapolis,  for  their  flour  and 
meal.  The  fii'st  mill  in  Jefferson  was  built  by  Elijah  Standridge,  in  the 
year  1845,  and  stood  about  one  mile  east  of  Normanda.  It  was  a  simple 
structure  built  of  unhewn  logs,  which  rested  on  four  large  posts,  driven 
into  the  ground.  The  machinery  was  of  the  simplest  pattern,  consisting 
of  two  "nigger-head  "  buhrs  and  a  coarse  muslin  bolting  apparatus,  all 
of  which  was  operated  by  horse-power,  each  person  furnishing  the  team 
to  grind  his  own  grist.  It  made  a  coarse  article  of  meal,  and  was  quite 
well  patronized  by  the  citizens  of  this  and  adjoining  townships  for  a 
period  of  live  or  six  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  it  was  allowed  to 
fall  into  disuse.  A  mill  of  similar  character  was  erected  in  the  northei'n 
part  of  the  township,  some  time  prior  to  1848,  by  Daniel  Stephens,  who 
operated  it  about  nine  years.  It  was  a  very  rude  affair,  operated  by  horse- 
power, and  ground  nothing  but  corn,  yet  it  proved  a  very  valuable  ac- 
quisition to  the  community,  saving  many  trips  toother  places.  Another 
early  mill,  patronized  by  the  pioneers  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town- 
ship, stood  a  few  miles  south  of  the  southern  boundary  in  Hamilton 
County.  It  was  constructed  by  a  man  by  the  name  of  Couts,  who  pro- 
cured a  couple  of  bowlders,  from  which  he  shaped  two  mill -stones,  the 
lower  bowlder  being  fixed  in  a  large  gum.  These  gums  were  common 
articles  of  utility  in  an  early  day.  They  were  made  by  sawing  off  a 
hollow  tree  any  rerpiired  length,  and  when  set  upright  were  fair  substi 
tutes  for  barrels.  This  gum  was  firmly  fixed  in  the  ground,  the  buhrs 
adjusted  and  the  mill  was  complete.  The  motive  power  to  this  was  sup- 
plied by  the  brawny  arms  of  two  men.  It  was  erected  by  Couts  for  family 
purposes  only,  but  at  the  suggestion  of  many  of  his  neighbors,  it  was 
afterward  placed  at  the  disposal  of  any  who  wished  to  use  it. 

The  Normanda  Steam  Flouring  Mill  was  erected  in  the  year  1854,  and 
purchased  a  short  time  afterward  by  Richardson  &  Vandevender.  It  was 
a  two-story  frame  building,  contained  two  run  of  buhrs  with  saw  attached, 
and  for  a  number  of  years  did  a  flourishing  business,  both  in  grinding 
grain  and  manufacturing  lumber,  Messrs.  Richardson  &  Vandevender 
operated  it  about  nine  years,  when  it  was  purchased  by  a  man  by  the  name 
of  Norman,  who  ran  it  for  several  years,  when  it  was  purchased  by  other 
parties  and  moved  to  the  village  of  Goldsmith.  An  early  saw  mill  was 
built  and  operated  by  Mr.  Phares,  at  the  village  of  Tetersburg,  and  did 
a  very  extensive  business  for  a  number  of  years,  supplying  lumber  for 
the  majority  of  the  fu*st  frame  houses  in  this  part  of  the  county.  A  corn- 
cracker  was  an  important  feature  of  the  mill,  and  was  operated  certain 
days  of  each  week.  A  large  steam  saw  mill  was  built  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  township,  near  John  D    Smith's  residence,  in  an  early  day, 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  197 

the  old  frame  of  which  is  still  standing.  It  was  operated  until  it  outlived 
its  usefulness,  when  the  machinery  was  removed  and  the  building  allowed 
to  fall  into  ruins.  There  have  been  a  number  of  saw  mills  operated  at 
various  places  in  the  township  at  different  times;  the  lumber  business  in 
an  early  day  having  been  an  important  industry.  Some  of  these  mills 
were  operated  very  successfully,  and  vast  quantities  of  poplar  and  wal- 
nut lumber  were  manufactured  and  shipped,  but  the  majority  of  them 
entailed  heavy  losses  upon  the  owners.  It  is  said  that  we  have  had  more 
men  "  broken  up  "  at  the  mill  business  in  Jefferson  than  in  any  other 
township  of  the  county. 

In  the  year  1874.  F.  M.  Mozingo  purchased  a  lot  in  the  newly  platted 
village  of  Kempton,  and  erected  thereon  a  large  steam  saw  mill.  Eight- 
een months  later,  he  entered  into  a  partnership  with  Messrs.  Grubb  & 
Kemp,  and  together  they  erected  a  good  flouring  mill,  to  be  run  in  con- 
nection with  their  lumber  interest.  The  building  is  a  frame,  36x40  feet 
in  size,  two  stories  and  a  half  high,  and  was  erected  and  furnished  with 
the  necessary  machinery  at  a  cost  of  $4,000.  The  mill  has  three  runs  of 
buhrs,  aod  a  grinding  capacity  of  about  twenty  barrels  of  flour  per  day. 
The  saw  was  taken  out  in  1882,  and  a  heading  factory  substituted,  which 
is  being  operated  with  good  success  at  the  present  time. 

The  Goldsmith  Mill  was  brought  to  the  village  in  1878,  from  Nor- 
manda,  by  Ebal  Teter,  one  of  the  present  proprietors.  It  is  a  frame 
building,  two  stories  high,  and  has  two  runs  of  stone  ;  a  saw  was  attached 
in  1880,  since  which  time  a  great  deal  of  timber  has  been  manufactured 
and  shipped. 

An  early  industr}^  of  the  township  was  the  Tetersburg  Tannery,  oper- 
ated by  William  Burch  from  the  year  1849  to  1856.  Burch  made  a  good 
article  of  leather  and  realized  considerable  money  from  his  business  as 
long  as  he  followed  it,  having  been  well  patronized  by  a  large  number  of 
paying  customers. 

CEMETERIES,    EARLY    MARRIAGES,     ETC. 

The  first  death  in  Jefferson  occurred  about  the  year  1839,  at  which 
time  the  wife  of  Archibald  Small  departed  this  life.  Her  remains  were 
interred  on  her  husband's  land  near  the  present  site  of  Ekin  Village, 
Avhere  a  cemetery  was  laid  out  a  couple  of  years  later.  The  second 
person  buried  in  this  graveyard  was  a  Mrs.  Higer,  who  died  the  latter 
part  of  1840.  Another  early  interment  was  the  wife  of  John  D.  Smith, 
whose  death  occurred  a  few  years  after  the  one  last  mentioned.  The 
Tetersbiirg  Cemetery  was  set  apart  for  the  burial  of  the  dead  about  the 
year  1847,  and  the  first  interment  there,  was  Selinda,  daughter  of  W. 
and  S.  Welshous,  who  died  the  same  year.  Other  early  burials  at  the 
same  place  were  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Teter,  Sarah  Teter,  Ellen  Tansy,  infant 
daughter  of  W.  S.  and  E.  Hamilton,  Priscilla  Shepherd,  Prunelly  Teter, 
Mahlon  Dunn,  Jeremiah  Townsend,  Mary  Phares,  Elizabeth  Welshhous, 


198  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Teter  nnd  William  S.  Teter,  all  of  whom  died  prior 
to  1854.  The  northern  settlement  used  the  Normanda  Cemetery  as  a 
burying  place,  which  is  situated  across  the  line  iu  the  adjoining  town- 
ship of  Prairie. 

It  is  difficult  at  this  remote  day  to  trace  the  first  marriage  which  took 
place  in  the  township,  though  it  is  supposed  to  have  occurred  about  i\ut 
year  1841,  the  contracting  parties  being  Archibald  Small  and  Mary  Ann 
Gouts.  Hugh  Miley  and  Rebecca  Mills  were  joined  in  the  holy  bonds  of 
wedlock  in  the  latter  part  of  the  same  year.  Among  the  first  births  was 
Melissa  Smith,  daughter  of  J.  D.  Smith,  who  is  still  living. 

VOTING    PLACES. 

The  first  election  in  Jefferson  after  the  county  organization  was  held 
at  the  residence  of  Jerry  Dunn,  near  the  southern  boundary  of  the  town- 
ship. This  was  in  the  latter  part  of  1844.  The  second  place  of  hold- 
ing elections  was  at  the  house  of  Stephen  Blevins,  near  the  village  of 
Jericho,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township.  J.  D.  Smith's  dwelliug^ 
was  used  as  a  voting  place,  and  also  the  residence  of  John  Longfellow, 
where  elections  were  held  until  the  suhoolhouse  at  Tetersburg  was  finally 
fixed  upon.  The  township  was  afterward  divided  into  two  precincts, 
with  voting  places  at  Goldsmith  and  Kempton,  where  elections  are  held 
at  the  present  time. 

The  number  of  voters  living  in  the  township  in  1846  was  seventy- 
four.  At  the  present  time,  there  are  550  residents  capable  of  wielding 
the  elective  franchise.  The  first  Trustee  of  the  township,  after  the  law 
providing  for  one  Trustee  went  into  effect,  was  John  D.  Smith,  who 
served  several  terms.  Since  his  administration,  the  office  has  been  filled 
by  the  following  gentlemen,  to  wit:  Joseph  Goar,  Hiram  Fulkerson,  Webb 
Crane,  Isaac  Dick,  D.  M.  Foster,  James  V.  King,  H.  H.  Bunch,  G.  W. 
Epperson,  Charles  Fostrom,  and  J.  J.  Campbell,  the  present  incumbent. 
The  election  of  Joseph  Goar  was  brought  about  under  rather  peculiar 
circumstances,  and  is  remembered  with  much  interest.  His  competitor 
for  the  office  was  Sylvanus  Boice,  a  man  who  could  muster  as  many 
friends  as  any  other  person  in  the  township.  The  race  was  made  upon 
strict  party  principles,  the  friends  of  both  men  rallying  their  respective 
forces,  and  working  with  might  and  main  for  their  favorite  candi- 
dates. The  township  was  so  evenly  divided  between  ihe  two  aspirants 
that  the  election  resulted  in  a  tie,  an  ugly  dilemma,  out  of  which  no  one 
saw  any  friendly  means  of  escape.  Ths  difficulty  was  adjusted,  however, 
in  a  very  good-natured  way  by  the  two  competitors,  who  decided  to  test 
the  matter  by  a  little  chance  game  of  "heads  and  tails,"  heads  to  win. 
An  old-fashioned  copper  cent  was  procured,  and  the  would-be  Trustbes 
in  the  best  of  spirits  proceeded  to  throw  for  the  place.  Goar  was  declared 
elected,  and  Democracy  retired,  with  three  cheers  from  the  spectators. 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  199 

VILLAGE    OF    JERICHO. 

It  is  difficult  to  determine  the  exact  location  of  this  lost  city,  but 
antiquarians  argue  that  it  was  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township,  in 
Section  23.  From  the  most  reliable  information,  its  founders  appear  to 
have  been  two  men  by  the  names  of  Jerry  Dunn  and  Caswell  Boxley, 
who  laid  out  the  town  at  a  point  where  the  old  Eagletown  State  road 
intersected  the  road  surveyed  from  Anderson  to  Michigantown.  A.  plat 
was  made,  and  the  lots  placed  on  the  market,  but  no  one  seems  to  have 
been  allured  by  the  prospective  metropolis,  and  consequently  its  growth 
was  very  cruelly  "  nipped  in  the  bud  "  through  sheer  indifference.  Jer- 
icho reached  the  climax  of  its  improvement  when  Jerry  Dunn  cut  a  set 
of  logs  for  a  house,  which  was  never  erected.  The  plat  was  afterward 
abandoned,  and  the  city  of  great  expectations  died  suddenly  on  the  hands 
of  its  proprietors. 

TETEESBURG. 

This  little  hamlet  dates  its  history  from  about  the  year  1848,  and  was 
laid  out  on  the  farms  of  Mahlon  and  Asa  Teter,  near  the  central  part  of 
the  township.  No  plat  of  the  village  was  ever  placed  upon  record,  it 
being  a  mere  neighboi-hood  town,  the  outgrowth  of  the  country's  demand 
for  a  place  of  traffic.  The  first  business  house  was  a  small  log  structure 
erected  by  Messrs.  Cumbaugh  &  Tansy,  who  sold  goods  for  a  period  of 
two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  their  stock  was  purchased  by  William 
Bunch.  A  man  by  the  name  of  Crane  succeeded  Bunch,  and  later  came 
Phares  &  Vandevender,  who  brought  a  large  stock  of  merchandise  and 
conducted  a  very  successful  business  for  several  years.  Phares  purchi'sed 
the  entire  interest  some  time  later,  and  erected  a  fine  brick  store  room 
in  which  he  sold  goods  until  the  completion  of  the  L.  E.  &  W.  Railroad, 
when  he  changed  his  place  of  bvisiness  to  Goldsmith.  The  store  build- 
ing was  purchased  by  the  township,  remodeled  and  fitted  up  for  school 
purposes.  In  connection  with  his  mercantile  business,  Phares  operated 
a  saw  mill  and  heading  factory,  by  means  of  which  the  village  became 
quite  a  prominent  point.  The  railroad  which  passes  about  one  mile 
north  of  the  town,  proved  its  death-blow,  and  its  business  interests  have 
been  absorbed  by  the  growing  village  of  Goldsmith. 

Tetersburg  Lodge,  No.  324,  I.  O.  O.  F.,was  organized  May  7,  1809, 
with  tlie  following  charter  members,  to  wit :  S.  M.  Patton,  Samuel  Deal, 
James  B.  Woods,  George  W.  Lowley  and  Dr.  A.  M.  Vickrey,  The  first 
officers  were  :  Samuel  Deal,  N.  G. ;  J.  V.  Hoss,  V.  G. ;  Aaron  Ward, 
Sec;  James  B.  Wood,  Treasurer,  S.  M.  Patton,  Warden  and  Conductor. 
Meetings  were  held  in  a  hall  over  Phares'  store  until  1879,  at  which 
time  it  was  mutually  agreed  to  move  the  organization  to  Goldsmith,  which 
was  accordingly  done.  The  present  hall  belongs  to  E.  W.  Phares,  and  is 
a  model  of  neatness,  being  well  finished  and  furnished.  The  officers  in 
charge  at  the  present  time  are  :  T.  C.  Welchell,  N.  G. ;  Asa  E.  Teter,  V. 


i200  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

G. ;  G.  W.  Swarms,  Permanent  Secretary;  John  P.  Frazier,  Recording 
Secretary,  and  Ebal  Teter,  Treasurer.  The  present  membership  is  about 
twenty- three. 

NORMANDA. 

This  village  is  situated  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township,  in  part 
of  the  southeast  quarter  of  Section  34,  and  on  part  of  the  southwest  quar- 
ter of  Section  35,  Town  21  north,  Range  2  east  ;  also  on  part  of  the  north- 
west quarter  of  Section  2,  and  northeast  quarter  of  Section  3,  Town  21 
north.  Range  3  east.  It  was  surveyed  and  platted  in  the  year  1849  for 
M.  P.  Evans,  Edward  Jackson  and  Matthew  Jones,  proprietors  of  the 
land.  All  of  these  at  once  began  putting  up  improvements.  Evans  built 
the  first  frame  house  in  the  township  on  his  lot,  and  J.  C.  Vandevender 
erected  the  fii^st  store  room,  which  he  stocked  with  a  miscellaneous  assort- 
ment of  merchandise.  This  building  was  a  hewed  log  structui-e,  erected 
in  the  year  1850,  and  stood  near  the  central  part  of  the  village.  James 
Campbell  bought  an  interest  in  the  store  in  1852,  but  withdrew  a  short 
time  afterward  and  erected  a  building  of  his  own  in  the  western  part  of 
the  town,  where  he  has  been  in  business  ever  since.  Vandevender  con 
tinued  selling  goods  for  about  nine  years,  when  he  disposed  of  his  stock 
to  Messrs.  Cooper  &  Law.  McDade  &  Buchanan  erected  a  business 
house  on  the  lot  at  present  occupied  by  Dr.  Campbell,  where  they  sold 
goods  for  a  short  time,  when  the  store  was  bought  by  Capt.  Mont- 
gomery, who  closed  one  year  later.  The  business  interests  of  the  place 
at  the  present  time  are  represented  by  two  good  general  stores  and  a  black- 
smith shop.  Lik^  the  village  of  Tetersburg,  Normanda's  death-knell 
was  sounded  when  the  raih'oad  was  completed,  and  a  general  decay  has 
fastened  itself  on  the  once  flourishing  village. 

KEMPTON. 

Is  an  outgrowth  of  the  Lake  Erie  &  Western  Railroad,  and  dates 
its  origin  from  the  completion  of  that  enterprise  in  1874.  It  is  situated 
in  Sections  6  and  7,  near  the  western  boundary  of  the  township,  on 
land  originally  belonging  to  David  Kemp,  the  proprietor,  and  is  one  of 
the  best  business  points  on  the  line  of  the  road.  Henry  Hays  built  the 
first  house  in  the  village,  south  of  the  i-ailroad,  where  Stillwell's  store 
stands,  and  occupied  it  as  dwelling  and  grocery.  He  kept  a  small  stock 
of  goods  during  the  winter  of  1874-75,  and  disposed  of  his  business  to 
E.  L.  Burkhart  in  the  spring  following.  Burkhart  sold  out  to  Messrs. 
Childers  &  Demoss,  who  in  turn  disposed  of  the  stock  to  D.  J.  Booth, 
after  continuing  the  business  about  six  months.  Fostrom  &  Gillenstein 
started  the  second  store  in  a  building  which  had  been  erected  by  George 
Bolden,  and  continued  as  partners  for  one  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
the  latter  disposed  of  his  interest  to  Henry  Nelson.  The  firm  of  Fostrom 
&  Nelson  sold  goods  two  years,  when  the  entire  business  was  purchased 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  201 

by  Nelson,  who  afterward  traded  the  stock  to  D.  T.  Booth  for  a  farm 
A  large  store  building  was  erected  in  the  western  part  of  the  village  by 
Holmes  &  Son,  who  conducted  a  good  business  for  some  time,  when  they 
closed  out  on  account  of  financial  embarrassments.  The  house  is  used  at 
the  present  time  for  school  and  lodge  purposes.  Another  merchant 
during  tbe  early  days  of  the  village  was  a  man  by  name  of  Bishop,  who 
built  a  small  store  room  in  the  western  part  of  the  town.  He  was  in 
business  but  a  short  time,  however,  when  he  followed  in  the  wake  of 
hundreds  of  others  who  found  merchandising  an  uncertain  road  to  fort- 
une. Noah  Matthews  built  the  first  blacksmith  shop.  At  the  present 
time,  there  are  two  shops,  operated  by  A.  O.  Canfield  and  John  Kenton. 

A  planing  mill  was  built  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  village  in  1874, 
by  James  Lane,  who  operated  it  two  years,  when  it  was  purchased  by 
Van  Briggle  &  Son.  They  remodeled  the  machinery,  attached  a  saw,  and 
ran  it  about  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  it  was  purchased  by 
Jasper  Powers,  the  present  proprietor.  G.  N.  Phares  engaged  m  the  tile 
business  soon  after  the  town  was  started.  The  factory  he  built  stands 
near  the  northeastern  limit  of  the  village,  and  is  operated  at  the  present 
time  by  Samuel  Stilwell.  Tlie  other  manufacturing  interests  of  the  place 
have  been  alluded  to  under  the  head  of  mills.  A  post  office  was  estab- 
lished in  the  year  1875,  and  A  Holmes  appointed  Postmaster.  The 
office  at  the  present  time  is  kept  by  Joseph  Stephens  at  his  place  of 
business. 

The  physicians  who  have  made  Kempton  their  headquarters  are 
Drs.  L.  B.  Ward,  Summers,  Green,  Williams,  Sturdevant  and  Ballinger. 
The  present  business  of  the  town  is  represented  by  the  following  firms 
and  business  houses:  D.  J.  Booth  keeps  a  large  dry  goods  and  general 
store,  with  a  stock  representing  a  capital  of  about  |20,000.  They  have 
one  of  the  finest  stores  in  the  county,  and  are  second  to  none  in  the 
amount  of  goods  sold  annually.  Stilwell  handles  dry  goods,  drugs  and 
gi'oceries;  Joseph  Stephens  and  W.  A.  Green  make  drugs  a  specialty; 
C.  Fostrom  keeps  a  large  hardware  store,  and  handles  agricultural  im- 
plements; John  Adkins  has  a  furniture  wareroom;  Reese  keeps  a  general 
stock.  There  are  two  hotels,  a  barber  shop,  meat  shop,  shoe  shop  and 
several  places  where  "tangle-leg,"  "forty-rod,"  "  lay-'em-straight,"  and 
other  similar  brands  can  be  obtained  in  quantity  and  quality  according 
to  demand. 

The  population  of  the  village  at  the  present  time  is  estimated  at  400, 
and  its  future  outlook  is  as  encouraging  as  its  most  ardent  friends  could 
wish. 

Kempton  Lodge,  No.  482,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  organized  March  31,  1874, 
and  worked  under  dispensation  until  the  20th  of  IMay,  at  which  time  a 
charter  was  granted,  signed  by  D.  B.  Shideler,  Grand  Master.  On  the 
charter  appear  the  names  of  the  following  members,  viz. :  William  H. 
Goodknight,  A.  B.  Seward,  J.  J.  Campbell,  G.  W.  Bobbins,  Jacob  Ream, 


202  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

W .  R.  Watson,  David  Goodknight  and  F.  M.  Mozingo.  The  fii'st  officers 
were  William  H.  Goodknight,  N.  G. ;  Jacob  Ream,  V.  G. ;  John  Kemp, 
Rec.  Sec. ;  N.  B.  Matthews,  Perm.  Sec. ;  and  F.  M.  Mozingo,  Treasurer. 
The  officers  at  the  present  time  are:  John  W.  Reese,  N.  G. ;  L.  B.  "Ward, 
V.  G. ;  William  H.  Goodknight,  Rec.  Sec;  D.  H.  Kemp,  Perm.  Sec; 
and  F.  M.  Mozingo,  Treasurer.  The  lodge  is  in  good  working  order,  and 
numbers  thirty  members.  The  hall  was  completed  in  1875,  and  repre- 
sents a  value  of  $1,000. 

GOLDSMITH. 

This  most  beautiful  little  village  in  Tipton  County  is  situated  about 
five  miles  east  of  Kempton,  on  the  L.  E.  &  W.  Railroad,  of  which  it  is 
an  outgrowth,  and  was  surveyed  in  the  year  1876,  for  the  proprietors, 
John  Wolford,  J.  A.  Teter,  McDonald  Teter,  and  Hiram  Fulkerson. 
Solomon  Wolford  built  the  first  residence  in  the  western  part  of  the  vil- 
lage, and  J.  J.  Campbell  erected  the  first  business  house,  just  south  of 
the  railroad,  on  the  west  side  of  the  principal  street.  J.  C.  Vandevender, 
the  veteran  merchant  of  the  township,  brought  the  first  stock  of  goods  to 
the  place,  which  he  sold  from  Campbell's  building.  He  was  in  business 
about  three  years,  when  he  disposed  of  the  stock  to  J.  J.  Campbell,  the 
present  energetic  proprietor.  Several  firms  have  done  business  in  the 
village  at  dififerent  times,  among  whom  can  be  named  Vandevender  & 
Phares,  Phares  &  Shortell,  and  Shortell  &  Campbell. 

The  large  brick  storehouse  north  of  the  railroad  was  erected  in  the 
year  1879,  by  E.  W.  Phares,  and  is  one  of  the  handsomest  and  most  con 
veniently  arranged  buildings  in  the  county.  It  is  occupied  at  the  present 
time  by  the  firm  of  Shortell  &  Smith,  with  a  large  stock  of  general  mer- 
chandise, valued  at  $18,000.  The  first  blacksmith  who  located  in  the  vil- 
lage was  William  Keen.  The  only  shop  at  present  is  owned  and  oper- 
ated by  Augustus  Brandt.  The  following  exhibit  shows  the  present  status 
of  the  village  from  a  business  point  of  view  :  Shortell  &  Smith,  general 
store,  including  lumber  yard  and  grain  buying  ;  J.  J.  Campbell,  general 
stock  of  merchandise  ;  Hinkle  &  McFarland  have  one  of  the  neatest  drug 
stores  in  the  co^^nty  ;  J.  R.  Russell  keeps  a  restaurant  ;  Joseph  Copick. 
harness  shop  ;  J.  B.  Porter  is  boot  and  shoemaker;  John  Welchel,  a  bar- 
ber ;  G.  Beck,  a  cooper  ;  A.  N.  Bull,  a  carpenter.  The  millinery  estab- 
lishment of  the  village  is  kept  by  Mrs,  McFarland,  who  is  also  landlady 
of  one  of  the  best  little  hotels  in  the  country.  There  is  one  combination 
saw  and  grist  mill  in  the  town,  the  history  of  which  has  already  been 
given.  The  medical  profession  has  been  represented  in  Goldsmith  by 
the  following  disciples  of  the  healing  art :  M.  M.  Bunday,  Dr.  White,  J . 
A.  Bouse,  T.  C.  Welchel  and  Dr.  Reep. 

EKIN. 

EkJn  is  a  little  hamlet  of  a  few  dozen  houses,  situated  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  township  near  the  county  line,  and  serves  as  a  trading   point 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  203 

for  that  region  of  country.  Of  the  early  history  of  the  place  and  circum 
stances  which  led  to  its  origin  we  were  not  informed.  The  first  store  was 
opened  by  James  McKee,  who  erected  for  the  purpose  a  substantial  frame 
building  in  which  he  sold  goods  for  about  five  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  closed  out  his  sto^k  and  left  the  place.  At  the  present  time 
there  are  two  good  general  stores  kept  respectively  by  Foster  and  Kassa- 
boom  ;  one  saw  mill,   a  blacksmith's  shop  and  two  millinery  stores. 

SCHOOLS. 

Several  years  had  elapsed  since  the  date  of  the  first  settlement  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  township  before  any  attempt  was  made  to  organize 
schools.  This  failure  to  provide  educational  facilities  was  owing  partly 
to  the  remote  distances  pioneers  lived  from  each  other,  their  general  pov- 
erty, and  the  large  body  of  land  held  by  speculators  to  the  detriment  of 
the  country's  development.  It  is  not  positively  known  when  and  by  whom 
the  first  school  in  the  township  was  taught,  though  it  is  supposed  to  have 
been  by  James  Fosee,  as  early  as  1 842,  Fosee  was  a  man  of  some  intel- 
lectual attainments,  had  practiced  law,  was  a  shrewd  trader,  but  never 
entertained  a  very  profound  respect  for  honesty  or  veracity.  He  was 
ariested  upon  one  occasion  for  theft  by  the  Sheriff  of  Hamilton  County, 
and  taken  to  Noblesville  for  trial.  He  and  the  officer  of  the  law  rode  the 
same  horse,  and  on  their  way  the  prisoner  broke  the  silence  by  saying, 
"  Four  years  ago,  I  was  a  little  nabob  in  Ohio  ;  I  rode  in  my  carriage  ; 
I  had  persons  to  do  my  bidding  ;  I  was  looked  up  to  and  respected  by 
the  community  ;  my  pockets  were  lined  with  geld.  Now,  here  I  am, 
James  Fosee,  a-straddle  of  a  hoi-se,  behind  the  Sheriff,  going  to  jail  for 
larceny.  How  are  the  mighty  fallen. "  He  taught  his  first  term  in  a 
little  cabin  a  short  distance  south  of  Goldsmith,  and  is  remembered  as  a 
very  good  instructor.  His  son,  Peter  Fosee,  taught  in  the  same  locality 
two  years  later.  In  1843,  Perry,  afterward  Dr.  Evans,  taught  a  three 
months'  term  in  the  building  which  James  Fosee  occupied.  An  early 
schoolhouse  was  built  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township,  near  Jericho, 
and  about  the  same  time  a  good  log  building  was  erected  on  the  Mont- 
gomery land,  not  far  from  the  present  site  of  Normanda.  This  latter 
house  was  first  used  by  Harvey  Epperson,  who  taught  about  the  year  1843. 
The  next  teacher  at  the  same  place  was  J.  H  Montgomery,  who  wielded 
the  birch  the  year  following.  Other  early  teachers  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  township  were  Putnam  Evans,  Edgar  Rumsey,  Joseph  McKenzie, 
J.  S.  Abies,  J.  H.  King,  Ann  Jackson,  J.  C.  Driver,  Mr.  McCarty,  M.  Fra- 
zier,  Moses  Harmon,  Samuel  Epperson  and  Mrs.  Campbell.  A  school 
was  organized  at  Tetersburg  in  an  early  day,  with  Jason  Ovei-man  as 
teacher. 

These  early  schools  wei-e  all  supported  by  voluntary  subscriptions,  and 
it  was  not  until  about  the  year  1854  that  the  public   system  of  education 


204  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

was  adopted.  As  the  settlements  increased  in  population  and  the  town- 
ship in  wealth  and  prosperity,  educational  facilities  expanded  to  suit  the 
wants  of  the  times,  until  at  the  present  day  we  find  a  number  of  good 
schoolhouses  dotting  the  township  at  intervals,  and  of  capacity  to  accom; 
modate  the  youth  of  their  respective  neighborhoods. 

The  following  list  comprises  the  teachers  £or  the  year  1882-88  :  John 
A.  Wallace,  T.  C.  Ferguson,  G.  C.  Magnet,  J.  A.  Mitchell,  Lucy  Gossett, 
Clar  Munday,  F.  B.  Crockett,  Belle  Gossard,  W.  W.  Clark,  J.  H.  Rood, 
AV.  W.  Mount,  Retta  Carbaugh,  J.  Bowlin.  D.  H.  Lutz  and  A.  B.  Baugh. 

(•HUBCHES. 

The  first  religious  services  in  Jefferson  were  held  by  traveling  preach- 
ers of  the  MethodisT.  and  New-Light  denominations  several  years  before 
any  permanent  organization  was  effected.  The  citizens  of  the  western 
part  of  the  township  met  for  worship  with  an  old  Methodist  society  in 
Clinton  County,  while  the  Presbyterians  had  an  organization  many  years 
ago  a  short  distance  east,  in  Cicero  Township. 

Tetersburg  Christian  Church  is  the  oldest  religious  organization  in 
the  township  at  the  present  time,  and  dates  its  history  back  as  far  as 
1849.  It  was  organized  by  Elder  Lemuel  Shoemaker,  with  an  original 
membership  of  about  twenty,  among  whom  were  George  Teter  and  wife, 
Asa  Teter  and  wife,  Ebal-  Teter  and  wife,  Eli  Teter  and  wife,  Mahlon 
Tetei',  George  Phares  and  wife,  William  Wimer  and  wife,  Sarah  Wol- 
ford,  Levi  Dunn  and  wife,  and  Enos  Miles  and  wife.  The  organization 
was  effected  at  the  village  schoolhouse,  which  was  used  as  a  place  of 
worship  for  about  twelve  years,  when  the  present  church  edifice  was 
erected.  This  house  is  a  frame  building,  cost  |400  and  stands  on  ground 
donated  by  Asa  Teter.  The  first  pastor  was  Elder  Shoemaker,  who 
preached  very  acceptably  for  two  years.  After  Shoemaker  came  the  fol- 
lowing pastors,  to  wit:  Abraham  Cole,  Samtiel  Poff,  John  Poff,  George 
Boswell,  Henry  Puckett,  James  Humphrey,  William  Dunfee,  Mr.  Peck, 
John  Puckett,  John  R.  Kob,  Mr.  Williams,  John  Layman,  D.  W. 
Fowler,  and  B.  F.  Jaynes,  the  present  pastor.  There  are  forty 
members  belonging  to  the  church  at  the  present  time.  A  good  Sunday 
school  is  supported  under  the  superintendency  of  Salathial  Rains. 

Normanda  Presbyterian  Chui'ch  was  organized  in  the  year  1852,  by 
Rev.  John  Dale.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  residence  of  Andrew 
Evans,  a  short  distance  north  of  Normanda,  and  the  following  names  re- 
corded as  members,  viz.,  Andrew  Evans  and  wife,  J.  H.  Montgomery  and 
wife,  Charles  Rumsey  and  wife,  and  John  McCorkill  and  wife.  The  or- 
ganization was  maintained  at  Evans'  residence  for  some  time,  and  after- 
ward at  the  village  schoolhouse,  where  it  was  kept  up  until  the  year  1864, 
when  it  was  changed  to  Tipton.  Rev.  John  Dale  was  the  stated  supply 
about  six  years.     He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.   Thomas  Whalen,  who  min- 


1 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP. 

istered  to  the  congregation  four  years.  Aside  from  these  two.  the  church 
had  no  other  pastor  while  the  society  remained  at  Normanda. 

In  the  year  1863,  Rev. Huntsinger,  of  the  Protestant  Methodist 

Church,  held  a  meeting  at  the  Goodknight  Schoolhouse,  and  organized  a 
society  composed  as  follows:  Archibald  Dick  and  wife.  Owen  Reese  and 
wife,    Jane  Stroup,   Howard  Moon  and  wife,    George  Moon  and   wife, 

Garrett  White   and  wife,    Samuel  Dunham  and  wife,   William   , 

Jane  Draper,  Ann  M.  Reese  and  Ellen  Dunham.  Rev.  Douglas  was  the 
first  pastor  and  preached  two  years.  After  him  came  Revs.  Miller,  Swazey, 
Boxwell,  Smith,  Evans  and  Heim.  The  pastor  in  charge  at  the  present 
time  is  Rev. Boswell.  Their  house  of  worship,  a  neat  frame  ed- 
ifice, 34x38  feet  in  size,  was  erected  in  the  year  1873.  It  stands  a  short 
distance  north  of  Kempton,  on  land  donated  by  David  Goodknight,  and 
cost  the  sum  of  $1,600.  The  present  membership  of  the  church  is  about 
fifty.     I.  N.  Goodknight  is  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 

Goldsmith  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  organization  was  brought 
about  principally  by  the  efforts  of  Dr.  J.  A.  Bouse,  who  inaugurated  a 
movement  for  the  erection  of  a  churcn  building  at  the  village  in  the  year 
1881.  John  Magnet  donated  ground  for  the  purpose,  and  work  began  on 
the  edifice  at  once,  which  was  soon  completed,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000.  It  is 
a  beautiful  frame  structure,  stands  north  of  the  village,  and  does  great 
credit  to  the  originators  of  the  movement.  A  short  time  after  its  com- 
pletion, a  meeting  was  called  for  the  pui'pose  of  organizing  a  class,  which 
was  effected  through  the  labors  of  Rev.  M.  S.  Metts  and  Miss  Kate  Lu- 
brick,  an  evangelist,  assisted  by  Dr.  J.  A.  Bouse.  The  class  was  organ- 
ized with  but  three  members,  viz.,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sylvanus  Bouse  and  Dr. 
Bouse,  but  in  a  short  time  this  number  was  increased  by  large  additions 
and  the  society  soon  acquired  a  permanent  footing.  It  was  attached  to 
Shielville  Circuit,  of  the  Northern  Indiana  Conference,  and  in  1882  be- 
came the  principal  head  of  Goldsmith  Circuit.  The  pastors  of  the  church 
have  been  Rev.  E.  W.  Osborne  and  F.  G.  Brown.  From  a  small  be- 
ginning, the  society  has  increased  in  numbers  until  at  the  present  time 
there  are  seventy-five  good  active  members  enrolled.  Sylvanus  Bouse, 
J.  C.  Vandevender,  Richard  Foster  and  I.  N.  Bouse  are  Trustees.  J. 
D.  Smith,  I.  N.  Bouse  and  W.  P.  Bouse  compose  the  Board  of  Stewards. 
Robert  Dunn  is  Glass  Leader.  In  1883,  a  neat  parsonage  was  purchased 
at  a  cost  of  $600. 


206  IIISTOKV  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 


MADISON  TOWNSHIP. 

BY  G.     X.     BERRY. 

At  the  first  session  of  the  Commissioners'  Court  of  Tipton  County, 
held  in  the  month  of  June,  1844,  it  was  ordered  that  the  following 
territory  be  set  apart  and  known  as  Madison  Township,  to  wit:  "  Begin- 
ing  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Section  32,  Town  21  north,  Range  6  east, 
thence  north  six  miles,  thence  west  six  mil^s,  thence  south  six  miles, 
thence  east  to  the  place  of  beginning."  As  originally  formed,  the  town- 
ship comprised  thirty-six  square  miles,  but  at  the  September  term  of 
1846,  a  strip  one  half  mile  wide  was  taken  from  the  western  part  and 
added  to  Cicero  Township,  and  at  a  subsequent  session  tlie  northern 
boiindary  was  fixed  so  as  to  include  eleven  sections  of  the  township  of 
Wild  Cat,  making  the  geographical  area  at  the  present  time  forty- four 
square  miles,  or  28,160  acres.  It  occupies  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
county  bordering  on  Madison  County  on  the  east,  and  Hamilton  County 
on  the  south,  while  the  townships  of  Cicero  and  Wild  Cat  respectively 
form  its  western  and  northern  boundaries.  Duck  Creek,  the  principal 
water- course,  flows  through  the  eastern  part  and  receives  in  its  course  a 
number  of  tributaries, chief  of  which  are  Polliwog  Creek  and  Prairie  Out- 
let. The  former  enters  the  main  'stream  in  Section  7,  while  the  latter 
forms  a  junction  in  Section  29  near  the  eastern  border  of  the  township. 
The  east  prong  of  Bear  Creek  flows  through  the  southern  part  of  the 
township  and  furnishes  ample  drainage  for  that  portion  of  the  country. 

The  surface  of  the  township  is  almost  uniformly  flat,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  southeast  corner  in  the  vicinity  of  Duck  Creek,  where  the  land 
is  of  an  undulating  nature,  and  in  some  places  considerably  broken. 
There  are  several  low  tracts  in  the  township  which  in  early  days  were 
looked  upon  by  the  pioneer  home-seekers  as  of  little  value  on  account  of 
the  sloughs  and  quagmires.  These  lands  were  purchased  in  later  years 
and  a  thorous:h  system  of  drainage  instituted,  by  means  of  which  the 
rich  soil  has  been  reclaimed  and  its  productiveness  developed.  The  soil 
of  the  broken  part  of  the  township  consists  of  clays,  sand  mixed  in  cer- 
tain localities,  and  is  not  so  well  adapted  for  farmings  purposes  as  the 
black  soil  of  the  flat  lands.  This  black  loam  which  comprises  the  greater 
part  of  the  township  is  deep,  very  fertile  and  produces  abundantly  all  the 
cereals  and  fruits  indigenous  to  this  climate.  It  rests  upon  a  substratum 
of  clay,  is  easily  drained  and  gives  to  this  part  of  the  county  peculiar  ad- 
vantages as  an  agricultural  region. 

The  original  territory  of  Madison  was  a  wilderness  consisting  of 
dense  forests,  with  small,  wet  prairies  at  intervals,  the  whole  covered  with 


^  0   y. 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  209 

an  undergrowth  of  such  density  as  to  effectually  shield  the  soil  from  the 
sun-s  rays.  The  timber  comprised  the  varieties  common  to  this  part  of 
the  State,  viz. ,  walnut,  poplar,  oak,  ash,  elm  of  several  kinds,  sugar  maple, 
soft  maple,  beech,  linn,  sycamore,  with  a  smaller  growth  of  buckeye, 
spicebrush  and  willow.  The  prairies,  which  are  nothing  more  than 
large  swamps,  were  named  from  their  peculiar  shapes  or  from  the  part  of  the 
township  where  they  are  situated,  as  Round  Priarie  and  West  Prairie. 
The  first  named  comprises  several  hundred  acres  in  the  northeast  corner 
of  the  township,  with  a  corresponding  number  of  acres  in  the  township 
adjoining  on  the  north.  West  Prairie  occupies  the  greater  portion  of 
Section  15  in  the  western  part  of  the  township.  There  is  a  small  tract 
of  wet  land  in  the  southeast  part,  known  as  Wesall  Prairie. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The  pioneers  who  first  sought  homes  amid  the   forests  and  sloughs  of 
Madison  found    fields   of    labor  beset  with  difiiculties  and  diseom-age- 
ments.   trials   and  hardships,    before  which  we  of  the  present  day  would 
shrink  appalled.      An  unbroken  wilderness  met  the   anticipations  of  the 
hardy  men  and  brave-hearted  women  who  left  the  comforts  of  civilization 
behind  them  for  the  purpose  .of  securing  homes  for  themselves  and  her- 
itages for  their  posterity.     Theirs  was  no   easy   task,   and  the  years    of 
constant  struggle   and   the   motives  which  animated    them   and   nerved 
their  arms  are  no    less  deserving  of  praise  or  honorable  mention  m    the 
pages  of  history  than  the  patriotism  that  fires  the  heart  of  the  hero  of 
the  gory   fray.      Their  mission   was  to  reclaim    a    large  scope  of  wild 
country  from  a  wilderness  state  and  transform  it   into  fertile  farms  and 
happy  homes;  and  nobly  did  they  perform   their    labors   in  the   face  of 
hardships  which  they  were  compelled  to  encounter  day  by  day,   never 
giving   lodgment  to  feelings   of   discouragement    or  discontent.      Their 
whole  lives  were  the  grand,  simple  poems  of  rugged,  toilsome   duty  well 
and  uncomplainingly  wrought  out,  and  their  examples  and  achievements 
are  among  the  richest  legacies  to  a  grateful  posterity.   The  southern  division 
of  Madison  was  opened  up  for  settlement  as  early  as  the  year  1 830,  being 
at  that  time  included  in  the  territory  of  Hamilton   County,  while  the 
northern  sections  formed  a  part  of  the  Indian  reserve,  and   were  not  put 
on  the  market  for  a  number  of  years  later;   consequently  the  drst  settle- 
ments were  made  along  the  southern  boundary  and    as   early  as  1836  we 
find  the  following  persons  living  in  that  part  of  the  township:     James 
Shaw.     Henry  Etchison,    Pleasant  Ailman   and  Henry   Hobbs.       Shaw 
moved  here  from  Rush  County  and  settled  about  two  miles  south  of  New 
Lancaster  Village,   on  a  farm  where  his  widow  still  resides.     He   was  a 
man  of  some  local  prominence  and  took  an    active  part  in  directino-  im- 
migration  to  this  portion  of  the   county.       Etchison  came    to  Indiana 


210  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

fi'om  North  Carolina  and  pre-empted  a  claim  in  Section  17,  where  be 
made  some  good  improvements.  He  lived  in  the  township  for  a  period 
of  five  years,  when  he  sold  his  possessions  to  Zadok  Darrow  and  moved 
to  Madison  County.  Allman  located  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  town- 
ship, being  the  first  pioneer  to  settle  in  that  locality.  He  came  here  from 
Marion  County,  and  does  not  appear  to  have  been  of  any  great  l:)enefit  to 
the  community,  belonging  to  that  thriftless  class  which  usually  precedes 
civilization  in  a  new  country.  He  erected  a  diminutive  cabin  on  his 
claim,  but  being  unable  to  enter  the  land,  he  sold  his  improvements  one 
year  after  his  arrival  to  James  Merritt  and  moved  to  Iowa,  where  he  is 
living  at  the  present  time.  Hobbs  came  from  Virginia  and  was  a  man  of 
considerable  note  in  the  early  days  of  the  township,  being  prominently 
identified  with  the  country's  development  and  taking  an  active  part  in 
politics.  He  was  his  party's  candidate  for  the  ofiice  of  Probate  Judge 
in  an  early  day,  but  was  defeated  by  a  small  majority.  The  land  which 
he  entered  lies  in  Section  15,  near  the  southwest  corner  of  the  township, 
and  is  still  in  possession  of  the  family.  A  large  number  of  descendants 
reside  in  the  county  at  the  present  time.  Absalom  Hobbs,  a  brother  of  the 
preceding,  came  one  year  later  and  entered  a  tract  of  land  in  Section  27, 
where  one  of  his  daughters  still  lives.  He  was  a  public -spirited  citizen, 
and  soon  had  a  good  farm  cleared  and  under  successful  cultivation.  Like  his 
brother,  he  took  an  active  part  in  political  affairs,  and  ran  for  the  office 
of  Sheriff  in  the  year  1846,  but,  belonging  to  a  party  hopelessly  in  the 
minority,  he  was  unsuccessful  in  the  race.  He  was  identified  with  the 
township  until  the  year  1879,  and  earned  the  reputation  of  being  one  of 
its  leading  citizens,  acquiring  a  large  amount  of  real  estate,  which  at 
the  present  time  is  in  possession  of  his  numerous  descendants. 

Early  in  the  year  1837,  Joseph  Henderson  came  to  the  township  and 
secured  a  home  in  the  southeastern  part,  on  land  at  present  owned  by 
Mr.  Hobbs.  Henderson  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  but  left  his  native  State 
in  an  early  day  and  joined  his  fortunes  with  the  Mormons  under  the 
leadership  of  their  prophet,  Joseph  Smith,  with  whom  he  seems  to  have 
been  a  favorite.  He  was  with  the  Latter-Day  Saints  at  the  time  of  their 
expulsion  from  Illinois,  and  was  one  of  a  small  settlement  in  Jackson 
County,  Mo.,  where  he  lived  until  his  immigration  to  this  State  in  the" 
vear  mentioned.  He  renounced  the  Mormon  heresy  before  leaving  Mis- 
souri, a  step  which  made  him  very  unpopular  among  his  former  religious 
associates,  and  which  caused  him  to  seek  a  more  congenial  home  away 
froW  their  influence.  He  entered  land  in  this  township  in  the  year  1838, 
and  was  a  resident  until  about  the  year  1875,  at  which  time  his  death 
occurred.  In  1837,  Henry  Hildebrand,  a  Virginian,  came  to  the  town- 
ship and  purchased  land  in  the  southern  part.  He  proved  a  valuable  ac- 
cession to  the  community,  being  a  man  of  rare  mechanical  ingenuity,  and 
finding  plenty  of  work  making  chairs,    bedsteads  and  other  articles  of 


MADISON   TOWNS  [IIP.  211 

furniture  for  the  early  settlers.  He  afterward  added  tko  medical  profes- 
sion to  his  other  accomplishments,  and  became  a  noted  piactitioner 
among  the  ague-plagued  neighborhoods  of  Madison  and  adjoining  town- 
ships. 

About  the  same  time,  settlements  were  made  by  Reuben  Farlow  near 
the  eastern  boundary  of  the  township,  and  William  Orr.  a  nephew,  and 
by  Absalom  and  Henry  Hobbs  in  the  southwest  corner,  a  short  distance 
from  the  Lilly  farm.  Philip  Letziuger  came  in  IS3S,  aud  was  joined 
the  same  year  by  Mitchell  and  William  Goen  and  Joseph  A.  Wright. 
The  Goens  located  near  the  Hamilton  County  line,  where  they  became 
the  possessors  of  several  tracts  of  real  estate.  Wright  was  one  of  the 
permanent  pioneers  of  this  part  of  the  county  and  worked  diligently  for 
its  prosperity.  He  came  from  North  Carolina,  where  he  left  his  family 
wliile  he  made  a  tour  of  obsetvation  through  the  newly  organized  coun- 
ty of  Tipton.  He  selected  a  claim  on  bectiou  22,  on  which  he  con- 
structed a  small  cabin.  This  being  completed,  he  returned  for  his  fam- 
ily, who  were  soon  settled  with  as  much  comfort  as  the  circumstances 
would  permit.  The  struggle  with  the  wilderness  was  inaugurated  by  the 
father,  who,  during  the  following  year,  was  kept  busy  felling  trees  and 
preparing  the  ground  for  cultivation.  Be  soon  had  a  number  of  acres 
ready  for  the  plow,  and  was  among  the  tirst  settlers  in  this  part  of  the 
country  to  make  farming  self-supporting.  He  burned  the  first  brick  in 
the  township  and  erected  the  first  brick  house  in  the  county  on  his  farm 
about  the  year  1848.  This  residence  is  still  standing  and  is  occupied  at 
the  present  time  by  the  ^V^idow  Horton.  Other  early  settlers,  whose  dates 
of  arrival  were  not  learned,  were  Henry  Hai'bit,  a  Kentuckian,  who  located 
a  short  distance  soiith  of  New  Lancaster  on  land  where  his  son  still 
lives,  and  Reuben  Harvey,  who  entered  the  land  now  owned  and  occupied 
by  William  Carr  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township.  Harvey  did  but  lit- 
tle in  the  way  of  improving  a  farm,  not  being  very  favorably  disposed 
toward  that  kind  of  employment,  thinking  there  were  other  means  of 
gaining  a  livelihood  aside  from  felling  trees,  grubbing  out  roots  and 
burning  logs.  He  took  up  the  medical  profession  and  became  a  physi- 
cian of  some  repute  in  later  years.  In  connection  with  the  healing  art, 
he  carried  on  the  mercantile  business  at  New  Lancaster  ia  au  early  day, 
being  one  of  the  hrst  merchants  at  that  place. 

In  the  year  1838,  two  brothers,  Newton  and  Carter  Jackson,  came  to 
the  township  Avith  their  families  and  settled  near  Lancaster  Village,  the 
former  in  Section  19  and  the  latter  in  Section  20,  where  both  had  en- 
tered lands  a  couple  of  years  previous.  They  were  natives  of  Kentucky, 
but  left  that  State  in  an  early  day  and  settled  m  Wayne  County  hear  the 
city  of  Richmond,  where  they  continued  to  reside  imtil  they  secured 
lands  in  Tipton,  then  Hamiltoa  County.  At  the  organization  of  Tipton 
County   in  1844,   Newton   Jackson  took  an   active  part  and  was  elected 


212  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

first  Clerk.  He  moved  to  the  eoiinty  seat  shortly  after  his  election  and 
died  there  a  few  years  later.  Carter  Jackson  took  a  lively  interest  in 
politics  during  the  early  days  of  the  county,  and  was  honored  by  being 
elected  its  first  liepresfutative  to  the  Legislature  in  the  year  1845.  He 
has  been  a  prominent  citizen  of  Madison  for  over  forty-five  years,  and  is 
the  oldest  settler  living  in  the  township  at  the  present  time. 

Among  those  who  came  to  the  township  in  an  early  day  and  secured 
their  lands  from  the  Government  by  entry  were  Ansalen  Ballard,  John 
Bader,  John  Grooss,  Samuel  Potoflf,  Ebenezer  Douglass,  Eli  Wright, 
Enoch  Worman,  Sanford  Daniel,  Alfred  Daniel,  Silas  Mills,  Lemuel 
Darrow,  Obadiah  Kinney,  Henry  Oldacre,  Samuel  Heck.  Solomon  Dill, 
Jarrett  Nugen,  Martin  Rogers,  Daniel  Miller,  William  Orr,  Jesse  Mc- 
Anally,  Benjamin  Baird  and  James  Beeson,  all  of  whom  received  their 
patents  prior  to  1837,  though  but  few  of  them  became  residents  of  the 
township.  The  following  two  years"  entries  were  made  by  William 
Sheets,  N.  Stanbraugh,  James  Tate,  S.  N.  John,  Joel  Stephenson,  Fred- 
erick Waltz,  Jesse  Hankins.  James  Armstrong,  George  L.  Smith,  Robert 
Stuteman.  Jacob  Smith,  John  Sharpe,  Ransom  Mills,  H.  Mills,  William 
Riddler,  Jonathan  Coffin,  John  Sleath,  Zadok  Darrow,  John  Weylie, 
William  Birch,   Thomas  Cooper,  Samuel  Neece,  Nathan  Baird  and  others. 

Among  those  who  came  in  183V)  was  James  Merritt.  a  native  of  Ohio, 
who  located  where  Green  Lilly  lives,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town- 
ship. He  bought  the  place  of  Pleasant  Allman,  the  original  owner,  and 
at  once  began  making  improvements,  among  which  was  the  planting  of 
an  orchard,  one  of  the  first  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county.  Several  of 
the  old  trees  of  this  orchard  still  remain  and  present  a  venerable  appear- 
ance. Merritt  was  in  every  sense  of  the  word  a  pioneer  of  the  true  back- 
woods type,  being  as  much  at  home  with  his  dogs  and  gun  in  the  fores  t 
as  with  his  family  around  the  cabin  hearthstone.  He  was  a  resident  of 
Madison  until  the  time  of  his  wife's  death  in  1846,  when  he  moved  to 
Hamilton  County,  selling  his  farm  two  years  later  to  Green  Lilly,  the 
present  proprietor. 

Edward  Sharpe  settled  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  township  in  the 
latter  part  of  1839,  and  remained  there  until  the  year  1844,  when,  becom- 
ing tired  of  the  sloughs,  pollywogs  and  ague,  packed  up  his  few  house- 
hold goods,  left  his  cabin  and  went  back  to  Marion  County,  his  former 
home.  He  was  absent  about  two  years,  when  he  returned  to  the  town- 
ship, cleared  a  good  farm  and  has  been  one  of  the  well-to-do  citizens 
ever  since.  The  Darrow  family,  consisting  of  Lemuel,  Zadok,  John  and 
Simeon,  came  about  the  year  1839  and  settled  on  Duck  Creek,  near  the 
eastern  boundary  of  the  county.  They  were  natives  of  Massachusetts 
and  men  of  considerable  business  tact,  being  the  first  stock  dealers  in  the 
township.  Lemuel's  death,  which  occurred  in  1843,  was  one  of  the  first 
events  of  the  kind  that  transpired    in  Madison.      John    became   involved 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  213 

in  some  business  transaction  and  left  the  county  rather  suddenly  to  escape 
litigation,  while  Zadok  terminated  a  miserable  existence  in  the  year  1858 
by  committing  suicide. 

Another  early  settler  worthy  of  special  mention  was  John  B.  Cole,  a 
native  of  New  Jersey,  whose  arrival  dates  from  about  the  year  1840.  He 
purchased  land  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township,  made  a  good  farm 
and  became  well  known  throughout  the  county  as  a  local  })olitician.  He 
was  also  a  zealous  Christian,  yet  in  spite  of  his  Methodist  piety,  the 
pugilistic  qualities  of  the  man  would  occasionally  develop  themselves,  as 
the  following  incident  will  go  to  show.  It  appears  that  a  bitter  feud  had 
existed  for  a  number  of  years  between  his  and  the  Hobbs  family,  result- 
ing in  many  quarrels,  and  no  occasion  to  add  fuel  to  the  Hames  was  al- 
lowed to  pass  by  unimproved.  Cole  met  two  of  tbe  Hobbs  boys  one  day 
peddling  beef,  and  as  usual  an  altercation  ensued,  during  the  progress 
of  which  the  young  men  drew  their  butcher  knives  and  swore  they  would 
make  mince  meat  of  the  old  gentleman.  Now  cowardice  was  an  ingre- 
dient unknown  in  Cole's  make-up,  and  he  refused  pointedly  to  be  intimi- 
dated by  their  bloody  threat,  but  on  the  contrary,  with  genuine  old-fash- 
ioned Methodist  grit,  he  rolled  up  his  sleeves  and  soon  convinced  the 
young  gentlemen  that  they  were  dealing  with  the  wroug  Tartar.  Feeling 
a  little  uneasy  in  the  presenee  of  the  old  man's  hard  knuckles,  the  boys 
thought  it  wise  policy  to  ground  their  arms  and  beat  a  retreat,  which  they 
executed  in  line  style.  The  following  day,  while  Cole  aad  his  daughter 
were  on  their  way  to  camp -meeting,  they  met  another  of  the  Hobbs  boys 
who  refused  to  show  the  Avhite  feather,  and  a  rough  and  tumble  kaock 
down  took  place.  The  battle  was  waged  hotly  for  several  minutes  with 
doubfful  success,  but  after  awhile  Cole  went  down  before  |the  well  di- 
rected blows  of  his  enemy,  who  followed  up  his  supposed  advantage  with 
great  cruelty,  kicking  and  mutilating  the  head  and  face  of  his  prostrate 
foe  in  a  horrible  manner.  The  daughter,  supposing  her  father  would  be 
killed, ''entreated  Hobbs  to  spare  his  life,  which  entreaties  had  the  desired 
eflfect  and  Cole  was  allowed  to  rise.  But  he  was  not  so  nearly  dead  as 
one  would  suppose,  for  no  sooner  had  he  picked  the  clods  from  his  eyes 
and  taken  in  the  situation  than  he  made  a  second  rush  for  his  enemy, 
who  was  soon  compelled  to  beg  for  mercy,  which  was  dealt  out  to  him  in 
very  spare  quantities  by  the  indignant  class  leader.  Hobbs  retaliated  by 
having  Cole  arrested  and  brought  to  trial  at  a  time  when  all  the  lawyers 
of  Tipton  but  one  had  been  feed  to  leave  the  town.  Not  being  able  to 
procure  counsel,  Cole  was   defeated  at  the  trial  and   lined  $40  and  costs. 

A  list  of  the  pioneers  of  Madison  wonld  be  incomplete  without  the 
name  of  Benjamin  Leavell,  who  came  from  Wayne  County  in  tlie  year 
1841  and  piu'(;hased  land  of  Newton  Jackson,  near  the  village  of  Lancas- 
ter. He  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  energy,  a  prominent  farmer 
and  an  enterprising  citizen.     His  son  is  the  present   efficient  Sherift'  of 


214  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTi'. 

the  county.  Green  Lilly,  while  not  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in 
Madison,  can  bo  named  with  the  pioneers  of  the  county,  as  he  came  to 
the  county  in  a  very  early  day,  settling  first  in  Cicero  Township,  where 
he  lived  until  1849,  when  he  purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  at  present 
resides.  He  has  been  an  active  business  ir.an,  participating  in  political 
aflaii's  to  some  extent,  having  served  the  county  as  Commissioner  two 
terms  and  the  township  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Trustee.  His  place 
is  a  model  of  neatness,  and  is  said  to  be  by  competent  judges  the  best 
improved  farm  in  Tipton  County. 

GENERAL  IMPROVEMENTS. 

The  development  of  Madison  during  the  early  years  of  its  history  was 
very  slow  on  account  of  the  absence  of  facilities  for  communication, 
mills,  market  places,  etc.  The  first  wheat  raised  in  the  township  had  to 
be  hauled  to  Perkinsville  and  Strawtown,  where  but  indifferent  markets 
were  afforded,  the  farmers  realizing  but  45  and  50  cents  per  bushel  for 
their  grain.  Some  of  the  settlers  took  the  first  crops  to  Lawrenceburg  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  State,  where  better  prices  could  be  obtained, 
the  grain  merchants  there  paying  as  high  as  62|  cents  per  bushel  in  trade, 
or  00  cents  in  cash.  The  nearest  mills  where  meal  could  be  obtained 
were  situated  on  Cicero  Creek  in  Hamilton  County.  They  were  rude 
affairs,  being  merely  corn -crackers,  and  ground  very  slow,  but  appear  to 
have  been  well  patronized  by  the  citizens  of  this  and  adjoining  town- 
ships. An  inferior  grade  of  flour  could  be  procured  at  the  Perkinsville 
Mill,  which  for  several  years  was  the  only  source  of  supply  for  that  com- 
modity. A  fair  market  for  grain  and  produce  was  offered  by  the  Wa- 
bash Canal,  but  the  almost  impassable  condition  of  the  roads  leading  to  it 
prevented  many  of  the  farmers  patronizing  the  shippers.  The  manner 
of  living  was  about  the  same  as  in  all  pioneer  communities,  while  the  state 
of  society  was  a  great  deal  better  than  in  many  new  countries.  Indians 
were  numerous  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township,  but  gave  the  settlers 
no  trouble  further  than  an  occasional  fright  when  they  took  their  gen- 
eral drunks  at  Strawtown.  They  traded  with  the  pioneers  such  articles 
as  moccasins,  dressed  deer  skins,  venison,  bead  work,  etc.,  for  bacon, 
gun-powder  and  wearing  apparel,  oftentimes  driving  shrewd  bargains 
with  the  air  of  a  modern  speculator.  It  is  related  of  one  Indian  that  he 
went  through  the  early  settlements  and  purchased  all  the  dogs  he  could 
find,  paying  for  them  a  good  round  sum,  but  always  taking  care  to  have  the 
owner  recommend  the  good  qualities  of  the  canine.  He  afterward 
came  back,  accompanied  by  two  or  three  stalwart  bucks,  and  visited  each 
house  from  which  he  had  obtaimxl  a  dog,  declaring  that  the  brute  did 
not  come  up  to  tlio  recommendation,  and  demanding  a  return  of  his  pay. 
He  took  care,  however,  to  make  these  calls  in  the  absence  of  the  hus- 
band,  and   by  threats   of  violence  generally  succeeded   in    getting    the 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  215 

money  back  or  its  equivalent  in  other  articles.  What  he  did  with  the 
■dogs  was  not  learned. 

The  first  mill  in  the  township  was  a  saw  mill  erected  some  time  during 
the  year  1848.  It  was  the  property  of  Gilbert  Wright,  and  was  located 
on  the  West  Fork  of  Duck  Ci-eek,  from  which  it  received  its  motive 
power.  It  was  operated  by  a  large  old-fashioned  water-wheel,  and  fur- 
nished the  lumber  for  many  of  the  first  frame  houses  in  this  and  neigh- 
boring settlements.  Wright  ran  the  mill  until  the  time  of  his  death  in 
1854,  when  it  passed  into  other  hands,  William  Stanley  being  the  last 
owner.  It  was  in  operation  until  about  fifteen  years  ago,  when  the 
building  took  fire  and  was  completely  destroyed.  In  the  year  1858,  a 
steam  saw  mill  was  erected  at  the  village  of  New  Lancaster  by  Messrs. 
Pickering  &  Hess,  who  operated  it  very  successfully  until  1861,  at  which 
time  it  was  purchased  by  Riley  Swope.  The  building  of  frame  houses 
about  this  time  created  a  demand  for  lumber  and  the  mill  was  kept  run- 
uing  alrqost  constantly  in  order  to  meet  the  general  want.  Swope  re- 
modeled the  mill,  erected  a  good  frame  building  and  supplied  it  with 
machinery  for  grinding  flour  and  meal.  This  mill  supplied  a  long- felt 
want  in  the  community,  and  obviated  the  necessity  of  traveling  so  far  to 
Perkinsville  Mill,  hitherto  the  nearest  one  accessible  from  this  settle- 
ment.    It  is  still  in  operation;  the  present  proprietor  is  Andrew  Jackson. 

B.  F.  Marshall  erected  a  good  steam  saw  mill  in  1868  at  the  village 
of  Curtisville,  and  did  quite  an  extensive  lumber  business  at  that  place 
for  several  years.  He  subsequently  sold  it  to  Goodwin  &  Colvin,  the 
present  proprietors,  who  remodeled  the  machinery  and  added  a  heading 
factory.  They  employ  nine  hands  and  do  a  good  local  business,  besides 
shipping  a  number  of  car  loads  of  lumber  and  heading  every  month. 

One  of  the  early  industries  of  the  township  was  the  J^ew  Lancaster 
Tannery,  started  in  the  year  1849  by  a  man  by  the  name  of  Hillegas. 
Hiliegas  did  no  work  further  than  inaugurating  the  enterprise,  selling 
out  a  few  months  later  to  Martin  Stevens,  who  conducted  a  very  suc- 
cessful business  until  the  year  1855,  at  which  time  he  sold  it  to  a  man 
by  the  name  of  Hubbard.  The  latter  followed  the  business  for  five  years, 
■when  he  retired  and  rentod  the  yard  to  W.  P.  Gates,  who  operated  it 
until  1864,  when  an  interest  was  purchased  by  J.  W.  Leavell.  They 
continued  together  one  year,  when  Hubbard  returned  from  the  army  and 
formed  a  copartnership  with  Leavell,  which  was  maintained  until  the 
year  1867,  at  which  time  the  entire  interest  was  purchased  by  S.  N.  Dill- 
man.  Mr.  Dillman  operated  it  until  it  outlived  its  usefulness,  when  it 
was  abandoned. 

The  first  orchard  in  the  township  was  set  out  by  Carter  Jackson  on 
bis  place  a  few  weeks  after  his  arrival  in  the  new  country.  He  brought 
with  him  about  300  small  trees,  which  he  raised  from  the  seed  in  Wayne 
■County,  and  started  a  small  nursery,  from  which  all   the   early   orchards 


216  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

in  this  and  adjoining  townships  were  started.  The  second  orchard  -was 
planted  by  James  Merritt,  in  th«  western  part  of  the  township  in  the  year 
1840. 

The  manufactiire  of  tiling  in  Madison  is  of  recent  date,  the  first  fac- 
tory having  been  established  about  live  years  ago  by  George  Myerly  find 
Frank  Haines.  It  stands  about  one  mile  east  of  New  Lancaster,  and  is 
doing  a  good  business  at  the  present  time.  Barney  Georgner  and  Michael 
Welsh  built  the  second  tile  kiln  near  the  western  boundary  of  the  town- 
ship in  the  year  1881.  It  is  operated  at  the  present  time  by  Georgner 
&  Hobbs,  who  have  a  large  and  lucrative  trade. 

EARLY     ELECTIONS. 

The  first  election  within  the  present  bounds  of  Tipton  Countj  was 
held  in  the  year  1841,  at  the  residence  of  Joseph  A.  Wright  in  the  west- 
ern part  of  this  township.  This  was  while  Madison  was  a  part  of  Ham- 
ilton County,  and  the  election  took  place  for  county  purjooses  only,  no 
oflficers  being  chosen.  Carter  Jackson  was  appointed  Inspector,  and  the 
entire  number  of  votes  cast  was  eighteen.  The  first  election  after  the 
county  organization  was  held  at  John  B.  Cole's  residence  in  the  year 
1844.  Newton  Jackson  was  chosen  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  this  election, 
but  resigned  that  position  a  few  months  later  to  take  charge  of  the 
Clerk's  office.  The  first  Board  of  Township  Trustees  was  elected  in  the 
year  1854  and  comprised  the  following-named  gentlemen,  to  wit:  Levi 
Colvin,  Gilbert  Wright  and  Green  Lilly.  James  Beeson  was  chosen 
Treasurer  and  Thomas  S.  Starkey  Clerk  at  the  same  time.  Since  the 
year  1859,  the  following  persons  have  served  as  Trustees  of  the  town- 
ship: Iredell  Wright,  John  Essex,  L.  Jackson,  James  Decker  and  Leau- 
der  Goodwin.  The  present  Trustee  is  James  Decker,  who  has  filled 
the  office  several  terms. 

NEW  LANCASTER. 

This  little  hamlet  is  situated  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  township 
and  seems  to  have  been  the  outgrowth  of  the  general  demand  of  that 
locality  for  a  trading  point.  The  original  site  was  owned  by  Carter 
Jackson,  who  sold  small  portions  of  his  farm  from  time  to  time  to  those 
who  desired  to  locate  in  the  village.  No  Y>\at  was  ever  made,  as  it  was 
not  the  intention  of  Mr.  Jackson  to  found  a  town.  The  first  residence 
in  the  village  was  erected  by  Abraham  Ressler,  about  the  year  1845, 
and  soon  afterward  two  more  dwellings  were  built  by  Granville  Newly 
and  R.  R.  Douglass.  Charles  Thurman  brought  the  first  stock  of  goods 
to  the  place,  which  he  kept  in  a  little  hewed-log  house,  which  is  still 
standing.  He  did  a  good  business  for  four  years,  with  a  general  stock 
of  merchandise  representing  a  capital  of  about  !$1,0()0.  In  1849.  he 
effected  a  copartnership  with  Asa  Dollahide,  and  together  they  ran  the 
business  until  1851,  at  which  time  the  stock  was  purchased  by  James 


^Utn^Ay^       Z/. 


^<:;r^^^xJz^^  ^^^:^tn^-i^i^^^^ 


MADISON  TOWNSHIP.  219 

Beeson,  who  sold  goods  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  186],  when  the 
stock  was  closed  out.  In  the  year  1850,  Isaac  Harbit  and  Frank  Balser 
erected  a  hewed-log  store  building,  in  which  they  sold  goods  as  partners 
until  1854,  when  they  sold  out  to  Reuben  Harvey.  Harvey  closed  out 
four  years  later  in  order  to  give  all  his  time  to  the  medical  profession. 
Among  the  different  merchants  of  the  place  were  F.  M.  Harbit,  James 
Con-ell,  John  Darrow,  S.  H.  Dillman,  Hefflin  &  Ballinger,  George  L. 
Shaw  and  several  others.  There  are  two  stores  at  the  present  time,  kept 
by  James  W.  Harbit  and  James  Wilson.  The  first  blacksmith  was 
Abraham  Ressler,  who  opened  a  t^hop  as  early  as  1845.  The  present 
blacksmiths  are  Wesley  Coates  and  George  Streunell.  The  following 
medical  gentlemen  have  practiced  their  profession  at  the  village  at  dif- 
ferent times,  viz.,  R.  R.  Douglass,  Grandville  Newly,  Reuben  Harvey. 
W.  M.  Sharpe,  I.  D.  Armtield,  T.  O.  Armtield,  William  Judd,  Davis  and 
T.  F.  Cook.      The  present  physician  is  Dr.  N   W.  Doane. 

CURTISVILLE. 

The  town  of  Curtisville  was  founded  about  the  year  1859,  by  L.  B. 
Colvin,  who  built  a  saw  mill  on  the  railroad  in  Section  31,  and  sold  lots 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  a  switch  and  station.  Among  the  tii'st  to 
purcliase  lots  were  R.  T.  Moon,  John  Balser,  O.  D.  Colvin  and  A.  B. 
Newman.  The  first  stock  of  goods  was  opened  for  sale  by  Newman,  Avho 
erected  a  building  for  the  purpose  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  village. 
About  four  years  later,  he  disposed  of  his  goods  to  Bratton  &  Co. ,  who 
continued  business  in  the  same  building  for  several  years,  when  they 
sold  to  Jacob  Stamm.  Stamm  occupied  the  room  a  little  more  than  one 
year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  succeeded  by  John  Tuttle,  who 
afterward  sold  out  to  John  Starkey.  R.  T.  Moon  erected  a  business  house 
north  of  the  railroad  in  the  year  1862,  which  he  occupied  with  a  good 
stock  of  general  merchandise  until  1875.  Leander  Goodwin  built  a  store- 
house near  the  railroad  in  the  year  1875.  and  was  in  the  dry  goods 
business  until  the  fall  of  1882,  when  he  sold  out  to  Charles  Hall,  who 
runs  the  store  at  the  present  time.  W.  W.  Boyden  engaged  in  merchan- 
dising in  1875  and  has  been  in  the  village  ever  since.  The  early  black- 
smiths of  the  place  were  William  Little,  Joseph  Leach  and  James  Ham- 
ilton. The  present  blacksmith  is  William  Dix.  The  manufacturing  in- 
terests of  the  place  have  been  represented  by  several  steam  saw  mills,  all 
of  which  were  operated  rather  extensively,  and  at  one  time  the  village 
became  quite  a  shipping  point  for  lumber.  Colvin's  mill  was  burned 
in  1862,  and  one  year  later  a  second  saw  mill  was  brought  to  the  town 
by  Samuel  Bracken,  who  ran  it  a  .short  time,  afterward  selling  our  to 
Ogle  &  Otoole.  It  afterward  passed  into  the  hands  of  Joel  Redabaugh. 
who  moved  it  from  the  place  in  the  year  1866.  In  the  meantime.  David 
Baumgardner  brought  a  mill  to  the  village  and  operated  it  with  good 
success  for  about  foui*  years,  when  it  was  also  removed. 


220  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

A  post  office  was  established  at  the  village  in  1859,  andJJacob  Oldacre 
appointed  Postmaster.  The  office  is  kept  at  the  present  time  by  Leander 
Ooodwin  at  the  store  of  Charles  Hall.  J.  W.  Manden  and  S,  M.  Con- 
ner Avere  the  earliest  medical  men  of  the  village;  at  the  present  time  the 
healing  art  is  represented  by  Drs.  S.  S.  Hazzai'd  and  J.  T.  Jessup.  The 
village  was  surveyed  and  regularly  platted  in  the  year  1873  for  the  fol- 
lowing long  list  of  proprietors:  R.  T.  Moon,  Philip  Staum,  Boswell 
Colviu,  William  Spray,  John  Fcuch,  Samuel  Harbit,  W.  W.  Colviu 
^nd  J.  W.  Murden. 

VILLAGE    OF    HOBBS. 

This  is  a  small  station  on  the  Lake  Erie  &  Western  Railroad,  with  a 
population  of  about  fifteen  or  twenty  families.  It  was  located  by  Hen- 
derson Hobba,  after  whom  it  was  named,  on  his  farm  in  Section  10  about 
five  years  ago.  M.  M.  Hobbs  keeps  a  good  general  store  and  is  doing  a 
thriving  business.  There  is  one  large  grain  house  operated  by  Jerry 
Ressler,  a  steam  saw  mill  by  Neidhamer  &  Correll  and  one  blacksmith 
shop  carried  on  by  James  Comer;  M.  M.  Hobbs  keeps  the  post  office 
and  Dr.  T.  O.  Armfield  looks  after  the  physical  ailments  of  the  village 
and  surrounding  community. 

CEMETERIES. 

The  first  ground  consecrated  to-  the  burial  of  the  dead  is  the  old 
Pleasant  Hill  Graveyard  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  township.  It  was 
laid  out  about  1838,  and  for  many  years  served  as  a  place  of  interment  for 
the  earl}  settlements  of  Tipton  and  Hamilton  Counties.  Among  the  first 
laid  to  rest  in  this  place  was  Lemuel  Darrow,  whose  death  has  been  alluded 
to  in  a  previous  page.  The  New  Lancaster  Graveyard  was  laid  out  in 
the  year  1845  by  Samuel  Townsend  and  Michael  Mitchell.  The  first 
interment  was  a  son  of  Michael  Mitchell,  whose  death  occurred  some 
time  during  the  year  mentioned.  The  Hobbs  Graveyard  was  laid  out  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  township  at  an  early  day,  and  the  first  inter- 
ment therein  was  the  wife  of  Henry  Hobbs.  The  second  person  buried 
in  this  cemetei'y  was  a  young  man  by  name  of  Preston  Edwards.  There 
are  two  other  graveyards  in  the  township  in  addition  to  those  enumer- 
ated, one  at  the  village  of  Curtisville  and  one  a  short  distance  east  of  that 
place. 

RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 

The  first  religious  services  in  Madison  were  conducted  under  the  au- 
spices of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  about  the  year  1839,  at  what 
was  known  as  the  Centre  Schoolhouse.  The  first  preacher  was  Rev. 
Sanford  AVilliams,  iinder  whose  labors  an  organization  was  effected  at 
the  same  place  a  few  months  later,  consisting  of  the  following  members, 
to  wit:  Joseph  A.  Wright  and  wife,  John  B.  Cole  and  wife.  Miss  Re- 
becca Cole,  Sarah  E.  Wright  (nee  Lilly),  Miss  Mary  Oit,  Absalom 
Hobbs  and  wife,  Martha  Goen,  Malinda   Goen,  Allen  Goen.     Within   a 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  221 

year,  although  without  a  regular  pastor,  and  having  preaching  only  oc-. 
casionally,  the  number  of  members  increased  very  rapidly  and  the  class 
became  a  flourishing  organization.  It  continued  with  varied  success 
until  about  the  year  1880.  when  the  numerical  strength  had  so  decreased 
that  it  was  thought  expedient  to  dissolve  the  church  relationship,  which 
was  done  accordingly.  The  first  regular  supply  was  Rev.  John  Kelly, 
who  preached  at  the  residence  of  Joseph  A.  Wright  for  one  year.  He  was 
followed  by  Bev.  Huffaker,  under  whose  ministrations  the  meeting  place 
was  changed  to  the  Antioch  Schoolhouse,  which  served  as  a  place  of 
worship  as  long  as  the  organization  was  maintained.  The  next  in  regu- 
lar order  was  Rev.  Tansy,  who  was  succeeded  ;by  Revs.  Pentsen,  New- 
ton, Hollingsworth,  Cothron  and  others,  the  last  pastor  being  the  Rev. 
T.  J.  Elkin. 

The  Regular  Baptists  organized  a  small  society  at  the  New  Lancas- 
ter Schoolhouse  in  an  early  day,  and  sustained  it  for  a  number  of  years, 
having  preaching  only  at  rare  intervals.  Their  membership  was  few  in 
numbers,  and  no  steps  were  ever  taken  to  erect  a  house  of  worship,  the 
schoolhouse  and  private  residences  being  used  for  meeting  purposes. 
The  minister  under  whose  exertions  the  society  was  organized  was  Elder 
James  Ralston,  a  man  well  known  among  the  pioneer  churches  of  Tipton 
County.  The  organization  was  abandoned  many  years  ago,  and  no  relig- 
ious society  has  been  in  existence  at  the  village  since. 

In  the  year  1854,  a  Union  Church  building  was  erected  in  the  south- 
east corner  of  the  township,  and  named  Pleasant  Hill,  after  the  old  cem- 
etery in  the  same  locality.  It  was  built  by  members  of  different  relig- 
ious societies  and  the  citizens  of  the  community  for  general  church  and 
Sunday  school  purposes,  being  thrown  open  to  all  denominations  alike. 
The  house  is  frame,  and  was  built  at  an  outlay  of  about  $600,  although 
its  real  cash  value  would  represent  more  than  that  amount,  as  much  of 
the  material  and  considerable  labor  was  donated  by  friends  of  the  enter- 
prise. It  has  been  used  principally  by  the  Methodists  and  New  Lights, 
both  of  which  denominations  have  sustained  organizations  here  at  differ- 
ent times. 

An  organization  known  as  the  New  School  or  Anti-Methodists  sprang 
into  existence  under  the  preaching  of  a  certain  James  De  Hority  about 
the  year  1855.  For  some  time  the  new  departure  was  favorably  looked 
upon,  and  the  zealous  preaching  of  De  Hority  attracted  many  hearers,  a 
number  of  whom  united  themselves  into  a  society  at  the  residence  of  Philip 
Litzinger.  This  organization  was  kept  up  about  foui'  years,  and  was 
ministered  to  at  intervals  by  Revs.  Ransom  Smith,  Jonathan  Carey, 
Golf,  and  the  founder,  De  Hority.  Many  of  the  members,  including  the 
projector,  afterward  went  back  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Chui'ch,  and 
the  remnant  making  no  effort  to  maintain  the  society,  it  was  dually  aban- 
doned. 


222  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

The  Missionary  Baptist  Church  of  Curtisville  was  organized  by  Rev. 
Henry  Cobb  at  his  residence  some  time  prior  to  1860,  the  exact  date  not 
being  learned.  A  house  of  worship  was  erected  in  the  village  in  1861, 
and  afterward  moved  to  Cobb's  farm,  where  it  is  still  standing.  This 
building  is  a  hewed-log  structm'e  in  very  poor  condition  and  poorly 
meets  the  wants  of  a  congregation  of  worshipers.  Rev.  Cobb,  the 
founder  of  the  society,  preached  for  the  church  during  the  greater  part 
of  twelve  years.  Other  pastors  were  William  Hughes,  Denton  Simpsou, 
J.  A.  Havens  and  Mr.  Ellison.  The  society  at  the  present  time  numbers  but 
few  members  and  is  in  rather  a  dormant  state. 

The  United  Brethren  organized  a  society  at  the  Oakland  Schoolhouse 
about  the  year  1873,  and  sustained  it  with  a  fair  membership  nearly 
four  years.  The  preachers  during  that  period  were  Revs.  Evans,  McNew, 
John  McNew  and  William  Bia.s.  The  organization  was  abandoned  iu 
the  year  1877.  In  the  year  1873,  the  Christian  or  New  Lights  organ- 
ized a  church  at  the  Oakland  Schoolhouse  under  the  labors  of  Elder  Van- 
uess,  who  succeeded  in  securing  a  very  fair  membership.  Public  services 
were  held  at  the  schoolhouse  until  the  year  1875,  at  which  time  the 
place  of  meeting  was  changed  to  the  new  Union  Chapel  Church  biiildirig 
near  the  southwest  corner  of  the  township,  where  the  organization  is  still 
maintained.  The  different  pastors  of  this  society  were  Elders  William 
Hefflin,  George  Boswell.  De  Bois  and  John  Layman,  the  last  named  being 
preacher  in  charge  at  the  present  time.  The  Union  Chapel  was  erected 
in  the  year  1875  by  the  general  public  for  the  exclusive  use  of  no  par- 
ticular denomination,  all  sects  having  the  same  liberty  to  use  it  for 
church  purposes.  It  stands  on  ground  donated  by  Joseph  Henderson. 
Is  a  substantia]  frame  edifice  and  cost  the  sum  of  |500. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  in  Madison,  so  far  as  can  be  learned,  was  taught 
about  the  year  1840  in  a  little  cabin  which  stood  in  Section  32,  near  the 
southeast  corner  of  the  township.  This  house  was  built  by  the  neigh- 
bors for  school  purposes  on  ground  donated  by  James  Beeson.  Among 
the  early  teachers  is  remembered  one  Frank  Shortridge,  who  taught  the 
winter  of  1840-41.  The  building  was  a  model  of  simplicity,  being  about 
16x16  feet  in  size,  seated  with  rude  puncheon  benches  and  lighted  by  a 
single  window  made  by  removing  a  log  from  the  wall  and  inserting  into 
the  aperture  greased  paper  instead  of  glass.  It  was  in  use  but  a  short 
time,  being  soon  replaced  bv  a  moi-e  commodious  log  structure,  known  as 
the  Darrow  Schoolhouse,  built  in  the  same  section  on  land  belonging  to 
Mr.  Darrow.  This  latter  house  was  a  decided  improvement  on  the  little 
cabin  described,  being  lighted  with  glass  windows  and  supplied  with  various 
other  conveniences,  among  which  was  a  large  heating  stove,  added  in 
after  years.      The  first  pedagogue  who  wielded   the   scepter  of  authority 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  223 

in  this  primitive  backswoods  college  was  a  Mr.  Cole  Birch,  an  eccentric 
character  well  known  by  many  of  the  old  residents  of  the  township  now 
liviLg.  Birch  appearH  to  have  been  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  intellectual 
attainments,  and  is  remembered  as  a  very  successful  instructor,  having  been 
prominently  connected  with  the  early  schools  of  this  and  adjoining  town- 
ships for  many  years.  He  was  the  handy  man  of  the  neighborhood,  and 
no  log-rolling,  corn-husking,  house-raising  or  gathering  of  any  kind  was 
complete  without  his  presence.  A  universal  favorite,  his  company  was 
always  in  demand  and  his  many  abilities  could  be  usefully  employed  in 
every  direction.  Were  any  of  the  settlers  sick,  he  was  the  first  to  visit 
them  in  their  affliction,  and  would  administer  to  their  wants  with  his 
last  penny  if  necessity  required  it.  If  a  musician  was  demanded  for  a 
backwoods  "hoe-down,"  Birch  was  invariably  the  one  sought,  and  all 
the  festive  youth  for  miles  around  learned  to  trip  the  light  fantastic  toe 
to  the  lively  strains  of  his  violin.  A.t  the  shooting  matches  his  rifle  gen- 
erally won  the  prize,  and  in  all  athletic  sports  he  ackowledged  no  su- 
perior. It  was  his  boast  that  he  could  kill  more  deer,  market  more  coon- 
skins,  tell  more  yarns,  sing  louder  at  a  camp  meeting  and  stand  up 
under  more  vile  whisky  than  any  other  man  in  the  entire  country.  In 
all  the  above  accomplishments,  to  which  may  be  added  his  skill  as  a 
scientific  shuffler  of  the  eucher  deck,  or  an  engineer  of  a  prayer  meeting,  he 
was  the  rare  and  only  original  Cole  Birch.  The  Darrow  Schoolhouse  was 
in  use  several  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  it  disappeared  and  was 
replaced  by  another  log  building  in  the  Shaw  neighborhood. 

The  first  building  at  New  Lancaster  stood  a  short  distance  north  of 
the  village  in  the  corner  of  Section  19,  and  like  all  the  houses  described 
was  constructed  of  logs  on  the  pioneer  plan  then  in  vogue.  The  early 
teachers  at  this  place  were  Mr.  Birch,  Philip  Ballard,  Beuben  Haney, 
Samuel  Payne,  Samuel  Harbit,  Martha  Starkey,  David  Tranberger  and 
others.  The  little  cabin  stood  for  a  number  of  years,  but  was  finally 
abandoned  and  a  frame  building  erected  in  the  village.  This  was  the 
first  frame  schoolhouse  in  the  township,  and  is  still  standing,  though 
not  in  use  for  school  purposes.  Another  early  building  stood  in  Section 
23,  a  short  distance  west  of  Lancaster  Village.  It  stood  on  the  farm  of 
Asbalom  Hobbs,  and  was  first  used  in  the  year  1844  by  Levi  T.  Hobbs. 
Other  early  teachers  at  the  same  place  were  Philip  Ballard,  Cole  Bii'ch, 
Samuel  Payne.  Samuel  Hobbs,  Charles  Miller,  Dr.  Clark,  John  Barnelt, 
David  Lilly  and  R.  W.  Wright.  The  building  burned  some  time  prior  to 
1860,  and  was  replaced  by  what  was  known  as  the  Oakland  Schoolhouse, 
which  stood  near  the  spot  occnipied  by  the  present  brick  structure. 

A  log  schoolhouse  was  built  on  t'le  land  of  Edward  Sharpe  in  an 
early  day  and  was  first  used  by  Washington  Newlin.  Moses  Smock  and 
Stephen  Brownson  taught  at  the  same  place  a  few  years  later.  The  Rhodes 
Schoolhouse  was  erected  in  the  northern  part  of  the  townshiji  in  the  year 


224  HISTORY  OF  TIPTON  COUNTY. 

1854.  on  the  farm  of  George  Rhodes.  It  was  a  good  building,  con- 
structed of  hewed  logs,  and  served  its  purpose  well  for  a  number  of  years. 
Mr.  Rice,  Peter  Lock  and  John  Van  Buskirk  w'ere  among  the  first  peda- 
gogues in  that  part  of  the  country.  Anoiher  house  was  bailt  the  same 
year  near  the  northern  boundary  of  the  township,  on  land  belong- 
ing to  James  Ressler.  The  early  schools  were  all  supported  by  sub- 
scription, and  generally  lasted  about  three  months  in  the  year.  In 
the  year  1854,  the  question  of  taxing  the  citizens  of  the  township 
for  school  purposes  was  submitted  and  defeated  by  a  small  major- 
ity. Public  schools  were  supplied  that  year,  howevei*,  and  the  long-felt 
prejudice  against  them  was  gradually  overcome  by  the  success  of  the 
venture.  There  are  at  the  present  time  thirteen  school  districts  in  the 
township,  and  as  many  good  buildings  in  which  schools,  ranging  from 
four  to  six  months,  are  taught  every  year.  The  teachers  for  the  school 
year  of  1882-83  were  W.  R.  Hazzard,  L.  A.  Hanshew,  D.  C.  Hobbs,  W. 
A.  Lowder.  E.  E.  Larimore,  J.  W.  Hobbs,  C.  C.  Decker,  J.  J.  Zion,  R. 
H.  Cottingham,  Amos  White,  Mary  Gates,  W.  A.  Strong  and  S  S.  Haz- 
zard. 

MISCELLANEOUS  MATTERS. 

The  progress  of  Madison  Township  from  its  first  settlement  to  the 
present  time  has  been  all  that  its  friends  coiild  ask  or  desire.  From  a 
wilderness  of  deep  forests,  marshy  quagmires  and  malaria-breeding 
sloughs,  among  which  the  brave  })ioneer  carved  his  rude  home,  has  been 
developed  a  country  exhaustless  in  its  resources  and  rich  in  all  the  ele- 
ments of  a  high  civilization.  Her  farms  will  compare  favorably  with 
the  best  cultivated  portions  of  this  and  adjoining  counties,  and  when 
the  waste  lands  have  been  reclaimed  by  the  thorough  system  of  drainage 
now  in  progress,  this  division  of  Tipton  will  present  an  agricultural  re- 
gion unsurpassed  in  point  of  fertility  and  productiveness.  Among  the 
best  cultivated  farms  of  the  township  at  the  present  time  are  those  be- 
longing to  Green  B.  Lilly,  James  H.  Decker,  John  M.  Hobbs,  Jacob 
Yarling,  Joseph  Moore,  W.  C.  Hobbs,  Lemuel  Darrow,  Edward  DaiTow, 
Jackson  Hobbs,  Elias  Henderson.  Caij'ter  Jackson,  D.  C.  Hobbs,  W.  P. 
Harmon,  W.  P.  Gates  and  John  S.  Leavell. 

The  tax  duplicate  of  the  year  1846,  the  earliest  one  accessible,  shows 
the  total  value  of  taxable  property  in  the  township  at  that  time  to  have 
been  $67,624,  and  the  amount  of  tax  paid,  $703.51.  The  number  of  polls 
returned  by  the  Assessor  was  seventy-one.  In  the  year  1882,  the  citizens 
of  Madison  paid  taxes  to  the  amount  of  $11,339.48,  while  the  total  value 
of  taxable  property  was  represented  by  the  sum  of  $508,815.  There 
were  330  polls  in  1882,  and  the  last  census  gives  the  township  a  popu- 
lation of  1,736  souls. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON. 

JESSE  ALEXANDER,  ex-County  Treasurer,  was  born  in  Butler 
County,  Ohio,  May  24,  1827.  His  parents,  Robert  and  Lucy  (Wilson) 
Alexander,  in  1831  removed  to  Tippecanoe  County,  Ind.  Here  they 
resided  until  1842,  when  they  located  in  Tipton  County,  Ind,,  where 
Jesse  has  ever  since  resided.  After  the  last  mentioned  date,  his  father 
removed  to  Illinois,  in  Adams  County,  in  which  State  he  still  resides  at 
the  advanced  age  of  seventy-eight.  Our  subject  attended  the  common 
schools.  He  engaged  in  farming,  in  which  occupation  he  had  been 
brought  up,  in  Prairie  Township  of  Tipton  County.  He  commenced 
with  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  half  prairie  and  half  timber.  He  is  now^ 
the  possessor  of  240  acres  of  land,  200  acres  of  which  are  under  cultiva- 
tion, the  balance  consisting  of  timber,  and  all  of  it  well  drained  by  tile 
and  open  ditches,  and  well  set  in  blue  grass.  During  eleven  years,  in 
connection  with  his  other  business,  he  ran  a  threshing  machine  during 
the  summer  and  fall  seasons,  having  purchased  the  first  thresher  that 
was  brought  to  the  west  part  of  the  county.  Politically,  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat. During  a  period  of  twenty  years,  ten  terms,  he  acted  in  the 
capacity  of  Assessor  of  Prairie  Township.  He  has  been  many  times  a* 
delegate  to  the  Democratic  County  Conventions,  and  twice  a  delegate  to 
the  State  Convention.  In  1879,  Mr.  Alexander  was  elected  to  the  office 
of  County  Treasurer,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  that  position  for  one 
term  of  two  years.  One  other  public  service  of  our  subject  that  deserves 
special  mention,  is  the  laying-out  of  Fair  View  Cemetery,  which  was 
performed  by  him  and  Mr.  Fred  Wilcox.  It  is  well  arranged  and  beauti- 
fully situated.  Mr.  Alexander  was  married  September  27,  1849,  in 
Tipton  County,  to  Miss  Maria  Kemp.  The  issue  of  their  marriage  con- 
sists of  eight  children,  viz. :  Clara,  Mary  J.,  Margaret,  David  H.  and 
George  F. ;  also  three  deceased,  viz. :  Abraham  D.,  Florence  H.  and 
Lucy.  He  resides  on  North  Main  street,  in  Tipton,  in  a  nice  residence, 
of  which  he  is  the  owner.  Mr.  Alexander  is  practically  an  abstainer 
from  intoxicants,  although  he  has  never  signed  the  pledge. 

DAVID  H.  ALEXANDER  was  born  in  the  western  part  of  Tipton 
County    on   September  30,  ISG^,      His  father,  Jesse   Alexander,  located 


226  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

in  the  county  at  an  early  day,  and  has  been  County  Treasurer.  His 
mother  is  a  sister  of  David  Kemp,  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  promi- 
nent farmers  in  the  county.  David  received  an  excellent  common  school 
education,  and  afterward  took  a  thorough  commercial  course  at  the  Bryant 
k  Stratton  Business  College,  Indianapolis.  In  the  spring  of  1881,  he 
began  the  study  of  law  at  Tipton,  in  the  office  of  Judge  John  Green  and 
James  N.  Waugh.  composing  the  firm  of  Green  &  Waugh.  At  the 
September  term  of  the  same  year,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  had 
closely  pursued  his  legal  studies,  and  shown  abilities  which  would  doubt- 
less have  given  him  a  high  rank  in  this  learned  profession  had  he  not 
chosen  to  enter  the  field  of  journalism.  In  February,  1882,  he  pur- 
chased from  Mr.  S.  R.  Williams,  the  then  proprietor,  a  half-interest  in 
the  Tipton  Times,  a  Democratic  weekly,  published  at  the  county  seat, 
which  had  a  State  reputation  for  the  ability  displayed  in  its  management. 
Mr.  Alexander  afterward  became,  and  is  now,  the  sole  owner  of  this 
newspaper.  Although  young  in  years,  he  has  been  a  careful  observer, 
and  this,  added  to  natural  tact,  an  active  brain  and  an  energetic  disposi- 
tion, has  enabled  him  to  achieve  success  beyond  his  years.  In  politics, 
he  is,  of  course,  a  thorough  Democrat,  and  earnestly  believes  that  the 
principles  of  that  party  should  prevail  in  the  conduct  of  the  Government. 
His  life  gives  bright  promise  of  a  career  of  great  usefulness,  and  if  his 
future  shall  be  judged  from  his  past,  it  can  safely  be  predicted  that  he 
will  surmount  every  obstacle  which  may  arise,  and,  as  the  years  come 
and  go,  rise  step  by  step  into  broader  fields  and  higher  duties. 

N.  H.  ALLEN  was  born  at  Dover,  Wayne  Co.,  Ind.,  July  21.  1838. 
While  he  was  yet  a  small  boy,  his  father  removed  to  Rush  County. 
•Here  he  grew  up,  enjoying  such  opportunities  for  education  as  the  country 
at  that  time  afforded.  After  having  acquired  a  fiiir  education,  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  dental  surgery  at  New  Castle,  Henry  Co.,  Ind.,  under 
a  gentleman  by  the  name  of  Hamilton,  and  his  brother.  After  having 
mastered  his  profession,  he  located  in  Anderson,  Ind.,  and  opened  a  dental 
office  in  1862.  After  residing  in  Anderson  for  five  years,  he,  in  1867,  re- 
moved to  Tipton,  Ind..  where  he  has  continued  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession ever  since,  with  the  exception  of  six  years  spent  at  Crawfordsville, 
Ind.  Dr.  Allen  was  married  at  Tipton,  February  19,  1869,  to  Miss  Me- 
linda  Lyons,  whose  death  occurred  during  his  residence  at  Crawfordsville. 
His  family  consists  of  two  children,  Willie  E.  and  Grace  May.  The 
Doctor  has  an  elegant  office  in  the  Overman  Block,  and  is  the  possessor 
of  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  His  professional  reputation  is  not  con- 
fined to  Tipton  County,  as  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  dentists  in 
the  State. 

DR.  A.  J.  BARKER    (deceased),   one  of   the  leading   physicians, 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  227 

not  only  of  Tipton  County,  but  of  this  part  of  the  State,  was  born  in 
Baxter  County,  W.  Va.,  March  the  1st,  1840.  At  an  early  age,  he 
removed  to  Washington  Court  House,  Ohio,  and  thence  to  Tipton,  in 
1860,  where  he  resided  until  his  death.  His  education  was  such  as  the 
meager  coui'se  of  study  presented  by  the  frontier  school  afforded.  In  his 
youth,  he  learned  the  trade  of  a  harness-maker,  and  pursued  that  calling 
until  after  he  had  attained  to  manhood.  While  working  at  this  trade, 
during  intervals  of  leisure,  he  applied  himself  to  the  study  of  medicine. 
In  the  winter  of  1866-67,  he  attended  a  course  of  lectures  at  the  Cin- 
cinnati Medical  Colle2;e,  ami,  returning  to  Tipton,  entered  at  once  upon 
the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  was  very  successful,  and  in  the  winter 
of  1875-76,  after  several  years'  practice,  he  completed  his  professional 
education  at  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  at  Indianapolis. 
At  the  time  of  his  death,  he  was  the  possessor  of  a  large  and  lucrative 
practice  and  a  handsome  property,  principally  in  real  estate.  The  library 
left  at  his  death  is  regarded  by  his  brother  physicians  as  one  of  the  finest 
collections  of  medical  and  scientific  works  in  the  county.  In  the  spring 
of  1863,  he  was  married  to  Josephine  Parker,  eldest  daughter  of  Dr. 
Isaac  Parker,  and  by  whom  he  was  the  father  of  five  children,  viz. : 
Nellie,  Nettie  and  Blanche,  who  are  living,  and  Lorena,  who  died  in 
infancy,  and  an  infant  son,  who  died  at  birch.  In  the  winter  of  1881- 
82,  he  was  seized  with  an  attack  of  typhoid  fever ;  from  this  he 
partially  recovered,  only  to  be  seized  by  that  dread  *enemy  of  his  family, 
consumption.  Under  this  he  rapidly  failed,  and  with  a  mind  clear  to  the 
last,  and  a  courage  that  defied  the  destroyer,  he  sank  peacefully  to  rest 
February  4,  1883,  at  the  age  of  forty-three  His  remains  were  interred 
with  Masonic  honors,  of  which  fraternity  he  was  a  prominent  member,  in 
Fairview  Cemetery.  His  life  was  an  exemplification  of  what  may  be 
accomplished  by  self-denial,  industry  and  a  determined  will. 

RANSON  P.  BARR,  a  farmer  of  Tipton  County,  was  born  in  Jen- 
nings County,  Ind.,  May  16,  1820,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  Barr.  His 
father  was  born  February  18,  1792,  in  Tennessee,  and  was  married  De- 
cember 27,  1814,  to  Martha  Lemaster,  in  Henry  County,  Ky.  He  set- 
tled in  Jennings  County,  Ind.,  and  afterward  in  Decatur  County,  where 
he  died  April  6,  1876.  He  was  a  successful  farmer,  and  at  his  death 
was  worth  ^15,000.  His  wife,  Mrs.  Martha  Barr,  died  February  6. 
1877,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in 
Decatur  County,  Ind.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  1858.  He 
then  removed  to  Tipton  County,  and  located  in  Prairie  Township,  where 
he  cleared  out  a  farm  on  land  he  had  entered  in  1849  ;  here  he  remained 
until  January,  1882,  when  he  removed  to  Tipton  County,  where  he  has 
since  resided.     He  owns  a  farm  of  240  acres,  on  which   his  sons  reside, 


228  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

and  also  a  residence  in  Tipton.  Mr.  Barr  was  married,  November  30,  1843, 
in  Decatur  County,  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Mcllvain,  who  died  November  10, 
1873.  They  had  nine  chihlren— Martha  E.,  Sarah  E.,  John  S.,  Mary 
F.,  Henry  N.,  Lucy  A.,  Ranson  B.,  William  A.  and  Elmer  E.  He  was 
next  married,  February  18,  1875,  in  Miami  County,  Ind.,  to  Augusta 
Williams.  Mr.  Barr  is  an  excellent  citizen,  and  he  and  wife  are  identi- 
fied with  the  M.  E.  Church. 

HON.  R.  B.  BEAUCHAMP,  one  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  the  Tip- 
ton bar,  is  a  native  of  Grant  County,  Ind.,  where  he  was  born  October 
3,  1845.  His  father,  Curtis  Beauchamp,  was  born  in  Wayne  County, 
Ind.,  July  20,  1818,  and  remained  in  his  native  county  until  his  twenty- 
first  year,  when  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Grant  County,  Ind. 
There,  on  the  7th  of  January,  1842,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Rachel  Schooley,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Wayne  County,  having  been 
born  there  October  14,  1824,  but  removed  with  her  parents,  when  she 
was  quite  young,  to  Henry  County,  Ind.,  whence,  after  a  short  residence, 
she  again  removed  with  them  to  Grant  County.  In  1844,  Isaac  Beau- 
champ,  then  the  only  child  of  Curtis  Beauchamp  and  wife,  died,  being  at 
the  time  only  a  few  weeks  old.  This  infant  and  our  subject  were  the 
only  issue  of  Curtis  and  Rachel  Beauchamp.  When  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  about  one  year  old,  his  father  removed  with  him  to  Miami 
County,  Ind.,  where  he  had  entered  160  acres  of  land  from  the  Govern- 
ment, on  the  present  site  of  Amboy.  That  section  of  countrj'-  was  then 
an  almost  uninhabited  wilderness,  but  he  soon  had  a  large  portion  of  his 
wild  tract  of  land  converted  into  a  productive  farm.  His  death  occurred 
in  Grant  County,  Ind.,  on  July  2,  1866.  He  was  an  earnest  believer  in 
the  Christian  religion.  He  lived  a  strictly  honest  and  honorable  life. 
The  mother  of  our  subject  resides  in  Tipton,  on  the  same  lot  that  con- 
tains the  residence  of  her  son.  R.  B.  Beauchamp  received  his  education 
from  the  common  schools  of  the  State  and  the  high  school  of  Marion,  the 
county  seat  of  Grant  County.  Several  years  were  spent  in  teaching,  when, 
in  1869,  he  took  up  the  study  of  the  law  at  Marion,  Ind.  After  two 
years'  study,  he  removed  to  Tipton,  and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  In  1872,  after  a  residence  of  one  year,  he  was  elected  Dis- 
trict Attorney  of  the  district,  including  the  counties  of  Tipton,  Hamilton, 
Howard,  Clinton  and  Grant.  But  the  General  Assembly  of  1872-73 
abolished  Common  Pleas  Courts  and  the  ofiice  of  District  Attorney,  so 
that  Mr.  Beauchamp  only  discharged  the  duties  of  that  office  about  three 
months.  In  1874,  he  was  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  the  Thirty- 
sixth  Judicial  District,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Howard  and  Tipton, 
and  filled  that  office  for  one  term  of  two  years.  Up  to  the  year  1878, 
Mr.  Beauchamp  had  always  been  an  energetic  Republican,  but  becoming 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  229 

dissatisfied  with  the  position  taken  by  that  party  on  some  of  tlie  leading 
questions  of  the  day,  he  transferred  his  allegiance  to  the  Democratic 
party.  As  an  indication  of  the  feeling  existing  between  him  and  his 
new  political  associates,  it  is  only  necessary  to  say  that  at  a  mass  con- 
vention of  the  Democracy  of  Tipton  County,  held  in  the  Opera  House, 
in  the  spring  of  1882,  he  was  unanimously  chosen  as  the  candidate  of 
that  county  for  Congress.  He  was  married  in  Lawrence  County,  111., 
October  25,  1871,  to  Miss  Carrie  Frazer.  They  have  a  family  of  two 
children,  consisting  of  Carrie  E.  (known  as  Bonnie),  and  Ora  E.  Beau- 
champ.  Mr.  Beauchamp  was  at  one  time  the  partner  of  Judge  N.  II. 
Overman,  and,  on  the  election  of  that  gentleman  to  the  bench,  succeeded 
to  his  extensive  and  lucrative  practice. 

JOHN  0.  BEHYMER  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  April  9, 
1855,  and  in  1861  removed  with  his  parents  to  Grant  County,  where  he 
resided  until  1874.  During  the  first  few  years  of  his  life,  he  did  not  have 
the  advantage  of  schooling,  and  at  the  age  often  summers  could  not  read. 
He  entered  the  public  schools  at  the  age  of  eleven,  and  before  he  was  of 
age  had  a  good  common  school  education.  He  passed  his  first  exam- 
ination in  1875,  and  obtained  a  first-class  license  as  a  teacher  in  the 
common  schools.  He  came  to  Tipton  County  in  the  fall  of  1876,  and 
secured  the  school  at  the  Burket  Schoolhouse  in  Madison  Township, 
which  he  taught  with  much  success.  He  purchased  an  interest  in  the 
News  office  at  Windfall  in  1877,  and  while  he  was  one  of  the  pro- 
prietors he  continued  teaching  until  February,  1880.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Anna  E.  O'Banion,  of  Tipton,  March  11,  1880,  and  purchased 
one-half  interest  in  the  Tipton  Weekly  Times  during  the  same  month. 
He  remained  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Times  until  February,  1881, 
when  he  disposed  of  his  interest.  He  established  the  Tipton  Saturday 
Express  March  19,  1881,  which  paper  he  conducted  successfully  until 
he  sold  it  March  24,  1883.  During  his  career  as  editor  of  the  Express^ 
he  spoke  his  sentiments  fearlessly  on  any  and  all  subjects,  advocating 
that  which,  he  thought  was  right,  and  denouncing  that  which  he  believed 
to  be  wrong.  During  the  political  contest  of  1882.  the  Express,  under 
Mr.  Behymer's  management,  was  renowned  for  its  true  Democracy,  and 
was  ever  found  battling  for  the  success  of  the  Democratic  ticket.  The 
Express  had  a  large  circulation  in  the  county,  and  was  doing  its  share  of 
the  legal  printing  when  it  was  sold.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  Mr. 
Behymer  was  an  uncompromising  Democrat.  He  has  recently  purchased 
the  Winamac  Democrat,  the  party  organ  of  Pulaski  County,  and  will 
shortly  remove  thither. 

W.   L.    BERRY  MAN,   proprietor  of   the  saw  and  tiling    mill,  also 
dealer  in  hard  and  soft  lumber,  is  a  native  of  Marion  County,  Ind.,  where 


230  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

was  born  March  28,  1840.  His  father,  Sampson  Berryman,  was  born 
in  Fauquier  County,  Va.,  March  22,  1812,  while  his  father,  James  Ber- 
ryman, subject's  grandfather,  was  fighting  the  battles  of  his  country  in  the 
war  of  1812.  Sampson  Berryman's  parents  moved  to  Fayette  County, 
Ky.,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  Afterward  he  removed  to  Marion 
County,  Ind.,  and  was  there  married  in  1887  to  Miss  Virginia  Royster. 
He,  in  1844,  removed  to  Cass  County,  where  he  followed  farming 
until  his  death  February  3,  1870,  leaving  a  wife  and  nine  chil- 
dren living.  His  widow,  born  in  1817,  is  still  living,  and  makes  her 
home  with  her  son,  and  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  Mr.  Berryman,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  reared 
on  his  father's  farm  in  Cass  County.  On  attaining  his  majority,  he 
began  life  as  a  chopper  of  cord  wood  and  making  ties,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  four  years.  In  1865,  he  was  employed  as  sawyer  in  a  mill 
at  $3  a  day.  He  spent  eighteen  months  at  this,  when  he  bought  the 
mill  and  has  continued  in  that  business  with  satisftictory  success  for 
seventeen  years,  excepting  the  years  1873  and  1874.  The  first  of 
these  years  he  had  a  contract  to  grade  twenty-three  miles  of  road-bed 
for  the  St.  Louis  &  Toledo  Railroad;  he  graded  about  seven  miles  of 
said  bed,  when  the  company  broke  up,  and  left  Mr.  Berryman  the  loser 
of  about  $5,000.  The  second  of  the  above-mentioned  years  he  engaged 
in  grading  and  graveling  Jefferson  street,  in  the  town  of  Tipton,  and  in 
that  venture  he  lost  $2,000.  He  then  resumed  the  saw  mill,  and  in  1875 
located  a  mill  at  Tipton,  and  has  been  doing  a  good  business  ever  since. 
He  is  one  of  the  managers  of  the  Kleyla  Theater,  having  it  leased  with 
another  party  for  one  year.  The  Tipton  Fire  Company,  recently  organ- 
ized, chose  him  as  their  Captain.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F., 
in  which  order  he  has  filled  all  the  ofiices,  both  in  the  subordinate  lodge 
and  in  the  encampment.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Red  Men.  He  is 
a  Democrat,  and  has  filled  the  offices  of  Town  Trustee  and  Town  Marshal. 
He  was  married  in  Cass  County,  November  21,  1867,  to  Miss  Catherine 
Diller,  who  departed  this  life  August  23,  1882.  They  had  two 
children,  viz.:      Winnie  M.  and  Sampson,  deceased. 

LUTHER  T.  BUNCH,  Clerk  of  Tipton  County,  is  a  native  of 
Wayne  County,  Ind.,  where  he  was  born  November  16,  1840.  When 
he  was  eleven  years  of  age,  his  father  removed  to  Tipton  County,  and 
settled  in  Jeff"erson  Township.  Here  Mr.  Bunch  grew  to  manhood  on 
his  father's  farm,  enjoying  the  limited  advantages  aff"orded  by  the  public 
schools  of  that  day.  He  engaged  in  farming  for  awhile,  and  also  followed 
carpentering.  In  1871,  he  removed  to  Tipton,  and  accepted  the  position 
of  Deputy  Clerk,  which  he  held  for  over  seven  years.  In  1878,  he  en- 
tored  the  Auditor's  office  as    Deputy,  and   discharged  the  duties  of  that 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  231 

position  for  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  elected  by  the 
Democracy  of  the  county  to  the  office  of  Circuit  Clerk,  which  position 
he  now  holds.  Mr.  Bunch  was  married  in  Tipton  County,  February  3, 
1859,  to  Miss  Margaret  A.  Overman.  They  have  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren— Olive  B.,  wife  of  J.  M.  Fippen  ;  Jerry  0.;  Saretta  J.,  wife  of  J. 
W.  Metlin  ;  Silvester  L.,  Mollie,  Nathan  and  Hubert.  Mr-  Bunch  is  a 
Democrat;  also  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  himself  and  wife  be- 
long to  the  Christian  Church. 

DR.  W.  H.  CASTER,  a  retired  physician  of  Tipton,  Ind.,  was  born 
in  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  September  15,  1811.  While  the  Doctor  was 
yet  young,  his  father,  in  1819,  removed  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  where 
he  purchased  a  farm  ;  here  our  subject  was  reared,  gleaning  from  the 
common  schools  all  the  instruction  that  could  be  extracted  therefrom.  In 
1833,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  New  Castle,  Henry  Co.,  Ind.; 
he  attended  lectures  and  graduated  at  the  Ohio  Medical  College  at  Cin- 
cinnati in  1851,  having  previous  to  that  event,  however,  practiced  his 
profession  for  several  years.  After  his  graduation,  he  resumed  practice 
at  New  Lisbon,  Henry  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  afterward  formed  a  part- 
nership with  Dr.  W,  Van  Nuys.  In  1861,  he  removed  to  Lewisville,  of 
the  county  last  named,  where  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business  for  ten 
years,  and  then  retired  from  active  business  life.  In  February,  1883,  he 
removed  to  Tipton,  where  he  now  makes  his  home.  He  is  the  owner  of 
a  handsome  residence  property  on  North  Independence  street,  and  is  also 
the  possessor  of  several  residences  and  business  rooms  in  Lewisville.  Dr. 
Caster  was  married  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  October  8,  1840,  to  Miss 
Agnes  Heaston.  There  is  no  issue  of  their  marriage  living.  Politically, 
he  is  a  Democrat,  and  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

RAPHAEL  CHARLES,  blacksmith,  and  manufacturer  of  wagons, 
carriages  and  buggies,  is  a  native  of  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  where  he 
remained  until  his  seventeenth  year,  when  he  emigrated  to  America, 
landing  in  New  York  City  in  May,  1854.  He  at  once  came  West,  and 
located  at  Clarksburg,  Decatur  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  began  learning  his 
trade;  he  remained  in  that  place  until  1870,  when  he  came  to  Tipton. 
After  his  arrival  here,  he  engaged  for  one  year  in  farming,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  purchased  a  blacksmith  and  carriage  shop  and  residence,  and 
again  pursued  his  trade,  which  he  has  continued  to  follow  ever  since  with 
success.  Besides  the  property  above  mentioned,  he  is  the  owner  of  a 
farm  of  eighty  acres,  situated  four  miles  west  of  Tipton,  in  a  good  state 
of  cultivation  ;  he  is  an  industrious,  energetic  citizen,  and  holds  in  high 
esteem  the  Masonic  fraternity,  of  which  he  is  an  honored  member.  His 
shops  are  situated  on  the  corner  of  East  and  Jefferson  streets,  near  the 
Wabash   Railroad,   and   are  always  well   stocked  with   specimens  of  his 


232  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

hiindiwork,  in  the  shape  of  wagons  and  buggies,  which  customers  can 
purchase  at  a  bargain.  Mr.  Cliarles  was  married  in  Decatur  County, 
Ind.,  February  11,  1861,  to  Miss  Sarah  Werner.  They  have  a  family 
of  three  children,  viz.:   Antony,  Sue  Ellen  and  William. 

JABEZ  T.  COX,  attorney,  was  born  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  on 
the  27th  day  of  January,  1845  ;  he  is  a  son  of  Aaron  and  Mary  A.  Cox  ; 
his  parents  moved  to  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  in  1850,  and  took  up 
their  residence  on  a  iiirm  between  Noblesville  and  Westfield.  Jabez  went 
first  to  the  country  schools,  but  finished  his  education  at  the  Westfield 
Academy,  where,  in  that  day,  a  very  thorough  course  was  taught.  He 
began  teaching  when  only  sixteen  years  of  age,  having  when  that  old  ob- 
tained a  two  years'  license  to  teach.  In  1863,  he  began  the  study  of  law 
in  the  office  of  Judge  James  O'Brien,  of  Noblesville,  but  shortly  after 
entered  the  array  as  a  volunteer.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  he  renewed 
his  legal  studies  in  the  office  of  Judge  N.  R.  Overman,  at  Tipton,  and 
was  soon  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  1867,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Jane 
Price.  He  practiced  his  profession  in  Tipton  until  1869,  in  which  year 
he  purchased  the  Frankfort,  Ind.,  Crescent.,  newspaper,  which  he  edited 
until  the  spring  of  1872,  when  he  returned  to  Tipton,  and  formed  a  p:»rt- 
nershipin  the  practice  of  law  with  Judge  Overman  and  Noah  W.  Parker. 
Upon  the  withdrawal  of  Mr.  Parker,  the  firm  became  Overman  &  Cox, 
and  so  continued  until  1875,  when,  his  wife's  health  failing,  Mr.  Cox  re- 
moved to  Hutchinson,  Kan.  In  1878,  he  was  nominated  by  the  Demo- 
crats for  Attorney  General  of  that  State,  and,  although  he  ran  28,000 
votes  ahead  of  his  ticket,  he  was  defeated  by  a  small  majority.  In  search 
of  health  for  his  invalid  wife,  he  became  a  resident  of  Carton  City,  Colo., 
in  1879,  and  in  1882  was  the  candidate  of  his  party  for  District  Judge, 
the  district  being  composed  of  six  counties,  and  notwithstanding  the  dis- 
trict was  largely  Republican,  he  was  defeated  by  a  little  more  than  one 
hundred  votes.  His  wife  dying  in  October,  1882,  Mr.  Cox  returned  to 
Indiana,  and  is  now  in  the  successful  practice  of  his  profession  at  Peru  ; 
he  is  a  thorough  lawyer,  and  one  of  the  most  successful  advocates  in  the 
State. 

MILLARD  F,  COX,  attorney,  is  a  son  of  Aaron  and  Mary  A,  Cox, 
who  came  to  Indiana  from  Ohio  in  1850,  and  located  in  Hamilton  County 
on  a  farm  between  Noblesville  and  Westfield.  His  father  was  born  in 
Clinton  County,  Ohio,  on  the  25th  day  of  September,  1820,  and  his 
mother  was  born  in  Greenup  County,  Ky.,  on  the  1st  day  of  Oc- 
tober, 1827,  her  maiden  name  being  Skaggs.  Greenup  County  was 
named  in  honor  of  her  ancestor.  Gov.  Greenup.  Her  father  dying  when 
she  was  nine  years  old,  her  mother  removed  to  Ohio,  where  Mary  was 
married  to  Aaron    Cox  on  the  29th  day  of  October,  1843.     Millard  was 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  233 

the  fifth  child  born  to  them,  and  this  event  occurred  on  the  farm  in 
Hamilton  County  on  the  25th  day  of  February,  1856 ;  he  began  going 
to  the  country  schools  when  five  years  old.  Subsequently,  upon  the  re- 
moval of  his  parents  to  Noblesville  in  1866,  of  which  town  his  father  was 
appointed  Postmaster  by  President  Johnson,  he  attended  the  town  schools 
there  until  1871,  at  which  time  he  went  to  Frankfort,  and  entered  the 
Crescent  newspaper  office,  then  owned  by  his  brother,  Jabez  T.  Cox  ;  he 
worked  in  that  offict^  until  the  following  spring,  when,  his  parents  having 
become  residents  of  Tipton,  he  went  to  that  town,  where  he  attended  school 
in  the  winters  of  1872-73  and  1873-74.  During  the  summer  of  these 
years,  he  worked  in  the  Times  printing  office,  and  a  part  of  the  time  in 
a  brick  yard,  and  on  a  farm.  In  the  winter  of  1874-75,  he  taught  school 
until  February,  and  from  that  time  until  the  following  July  worked  at 
the  printing  trade.  In  August,  1875,  he  went  to  Indianapolis  and  im- 
mediately began  the  study  of  law  in  December  ;  in  March,  1877,  he  was 
admitted  to  the  Superior  Court  bar,  and  he  successfully  passed  the  ex- 
amination required  for  admission  to  the  bar  of  the  United  States  District 
and  Circuit  Courts.  Some  time  in  February,  1878,  he  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  of  the  Supreme  Court ;  he  became  Assistant  Reporter  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  in  November  of  that  year,  and  from  that  time  until  the 
fall  of  1880  he  wrote  hundreds  of  syllabi  which  appear  in  the  published 
reports  covering  that  period.  In  December,  1880,  he  returned  to  Tipton 
and  began  the  practice  of  law  ;  he  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  in  1882 
was  the  candidate  of  his  party  for  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  the  counties 
of  Tipton  and  Howard ;  he  was  appointed  Master  Commissioner  of  the 
Circuit  Court  in  September,  18 SI,  but  resigned  the  office  in  February, 
1883  ;  he  is  now  practicing  law  in  Tipton. 

JAMES  EGLER,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  born  February 
9,  1803,  and  when  young  moved  to  Kentucky  with  parents,  remaining 
there  until  he  attained  his  majority.  His  parents  dying,  he  was  reared  by 
an  uncle,  and  subsequently  learned  the  fancy  chair-maker  trade.  About 
1831,  he  migrated  to  Centerville,  Wayne  Co.,  Ind.,  and  located,  working 
at' his  trade;  here  he  remained  until  1837.  In  1836,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Catherine  Deal,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  August  8,  1817,  daughter  of 
John  Deal  and  Mary  M.  Lantz  Deal,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Germany 
respectively.  They  became  settlers  of  Indiana  in  1830,  and  in  1838  or 
1839  came  to  Tipton  County,  locating  in  Jefferson  Township;  here  they 
remained  until  their  deaths.  The  mother  died  in  1850,  and  the  father  in 
1^^75.  In  1837,  James  Egler  and  wife  removed  to  Hamilton,  now  Tipton 
County,  locating  in  Cicero  Township  upon  160  acres  of  land  ;  subsequent- 
ly added  forty  acres.  This  they  cleared  up  and  improved,  remaining  upon 
this  land  until  1864,  when  they  sold  and  purchased  another  piece  of  187 


234  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

acres.  Upon  this  land  they  remained  until  they  came  to  Tipton  in  1875, 
retiring  from  active  labors.  Mr.  Egler  died  July  1,  1882  ;  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church,  as  is  also  his  wife.  They  were  subject  to  all 
the  privations  of  pioneer  life.  Mr.  Egler  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  now 
living  in  Cicero  Township.  There  were  no  roads  at  that  period,  and  it 
was  five  miles  to  nearest  neighbor.  Tipton  at  this  time  was  not  occupied 
by  a  white  person.  Wild  game  were  in  abundance,  and  Indians  plentiful, 
during  the  fall  and  winter,  upon  hunting  expeditions.  Mr.  Egler  has  twa 
children  living — Mary  E.  Manlove  and  Emily  Burkhart ;  three  de- 
ceased. 

J.  C.  F.  EVANS,  known  to  every  one  as  "  Mont,"  is  a  native  of  Tip- 
ton County  ;  he  is  the  son  of  M.  P.  Evans,  as  excellent  a  citizen  as  Tip- 
ton ever  had,  who  rendered  up  his  life  in  the  service  of  his  country  dur- 
ing the  late  rebellion.  Mont  was  born  on  the  25th  of  September,  1854:  ; 
he  was  raised  in  Tipton,  and  educated  in  her  common  schools,  and  after- 
ward at  Wabash  College,  Crawfordsville.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  years, 
he  commenced  clerking,  and  continued  in  that  business  for  seven  years, 
when,  on  account  of  failing  health,  he  took  up  the  vocation  of  a  farmer  and 
pursued  it  until  January,  1888,  when  he  purchased  the  drug  store  of  A. 
F.  Moore  &  Co.,  one  door  east  of  the  post  office.  He  is  doing  a  fine  bus- 
iness, and  carries  a  stock  of  $4,000,  consisting  of  drugs,  books,  stationery, 
paints,  oils,  carpets  and  wall-paper.  The  up-stairs  of  his  place  of  busi- 
ness is  beautifully  and  conveniently  arranged  for  displaying  carpets  and 
wall  paper.  He  was  married  at  Tipton,  November  5,  1874,  to  Miss  Eva 
Shank,  and  has  a  family  of  three  children,  namely,  Caleb,  Jessie  and 
Mary.  Politically,  Mr.  Evans  is  a  Republican,  and  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Odd  Fellows. 

JAMES  M.  FIPPEN  is  a  native  of  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  where 
he  was  born  on  the  19th  of  March,  1852 ;  he  grew  to  manhood  in  his 
native  county,  and  acquired  such  an  education  as  the  common  schools  af- 
forded. In  the  month  of  March,  1878,  he  commenced  the  study  of 
law  in  the  office  of  the  Hon.  Dan  Waugh  ;  he  was  admitted 
to  practice  his  profession  at  the  bar  of  the  Tipton  Circuit  Court 
in  May,  1879  ;  he  at  once  opened  a  law  office  in  the  Overman 
Block,  where  he  is  still  to  be  found.  Since  his  admission  to  the 
bar,  he  was  for  a  short  time  in  partnership  with  Mr.  John  P. 
Kemp,  but  the  partnership  was  dissolved  in  about  one  year.  Mr. 
Fippen  was  married,  April  11,  1882,  to  Miss  Olive  E.  Bunch,  eldest 
daughter  of  Hon.  L.  T.  Bunch,  Clerk  of  the  Tipton  Circuit  Court ;  he  is 
a  young  man  of  fine  social  qualities  and  popular  proclivities  ;  he  is  polit- 
ically a  Democrat,  and  has  been  once  elected  City  Clerk  of  Tipton ;  he 
has  recently  completed  an  abstract  of  the  titles  of  all  the  lands  in  Tipton 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  235 

County,  and  intends  to  unite  the  abstract  business  with  his  legal  prac- 
tice. 

JOHN  FORRER,  a  miller,  was  born  in  Lancaster  County,  Penn., 
March  17,  1826  ;  he  was  reared  near  Dayton,  Ohio.  On  the  breaking-out 
of  the  Mexican  war,  being  then  twenty  years  of  age,.he  was  commissioned  in 
the  United  States  Array  as  First  Lieutenant,  and  was  with  Gen.  Scott  in 
his  campaign  to  the  City  of  Mexico.  He  was  married,  April  1,  1850,  to 
Miss  Mary  Cooper,  daughter  of  James  Cooper  ;  he  entered  into  the  mill- 
ing business,  which  he  continued  to  follow  until  his  death.  After  pursu- 
ing his  business  in  the  town  of  Brookville  and  Connorsville,  he,  in  1875, 
came  to  Tipton,  where  he  remained  until  his  decease,  August  30,  1879. 
Politically,  he  was  a  Republican,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church;  he  was  temperate  in  all  respects;  he  left  a  widow,  Mrs.  Mary 
Forrer,  born  in  1825,  and  two  children,  one  son  and  one  daughter,  viz., 
De  Orville  and  Louisa. 

ORVILLE  FORRER,  druggist,  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  w;is 
born  in  Franklin  County  July  8,  1855 ;  he  grew  to  manhood  in 
his  native  county,  enjoying  good  opportunities  for  obtaining  an  educa- 
tion. At  the  age  of  nineteen,  he  went  to  the  oil  regions  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  located  at  Parker's  City  as  telegraph  operator.  In  1878,  he 
came  to  Tipton  and  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  and  continued  therein 
for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  he  disposed  of  his  business  and  made 
a  trip  for  his  health  through  New  York  and  Canada,  when  he  returned  to 
Tipton  and  resumed  his  former  occupation.  He  was  married  at  Clean, 
N.  Y.,  January  9, 1881,  to  Miss  Genevieve  Porter ;  they  have  one  child,  a 
daughter,  named  Blanchard.  Mr.  Forrer  is  an  energetic  young  business 
man,  with  a 'host  of  friends  and  a  bright  future  before  him.  Politically, 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  recently  become  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  which  he  holds  in  great  esteem. 

JUDGE  JOHN  GREEN,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Tipton  County,  is 
a  native  of  North  Carolina,  having  been  born  in  Yancey  County  of  that 
State,  May  20,  1807.  Three  years  after  his  birth  his  parents  removed 
to  Jefferson  County,  Ind.,  from  whence,  after  a  residence  of  nine  years, 
they  removed  to  Jennings  County,  where  the  Judge  grew  to  man- 
hood. In  1828,  he  entered  Hanover  College,  and  remained  in  that  insti- 
tution until  1833.  He  then  entered  upon  the  career  of  a  farmer,  which 
vocation  he  followed  for  five  years.  In  1838,  he  began  the  study  of  the 
law,  under  Wilberforce  Lyle,  of  Madison,  Ind.  In  1842,  after  four 
years'  preparation,  he  was  admitted  to  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and 
soon  after  to  the  Supreme  and  United  States  Courts.  In  1848,  actuated 
by  a  desire  to  provide  a  patrimony  for  his  children,  the  Judge  removed  to 
the  then  new  county  of  Tipton  ;  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  also 


236  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

two  lots  in  the  town  of  Tipton,  for  $600.  The  winter  succeeding,  he  en- 
tered eighty  acres  and  bought  forty  acres  for  $200,  which  he  saved  as  his 
home  farm,  and  on  which  he  has  since  lived.  Since  coming  to  Tipton 
County  he  has  given  each  of  his  children  a  farm  of  eighty  acres.  The 
Judge  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  politics  and  has  had  his  share 
of  political  honors.  He  was  raised  a  Whig,  and  advocated  the  principles 
of  that  party  until  its  dissolution,  when  he  joined  the  ranks  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  has  ever  since  been  a  prominent  and  consistent  member 
thereof.  During  his  earlier  days,  he  was  almost  continuously  in  the  vari- 
ous offices  of  the  township  and  county,  such  as  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
Trustee,  etc.  ;  he  has  filled  two  terms  as  State  Senator,  being  first  elected 
In  1856,  and  again  in  1868.  During  his  second  term  as  Senator,  occurred 
the  exciting  contest  for  the  United  States  Senate,  in  which  D.  D.  Pratt 
was  sprung  upon  the  Assembly  as  a  "  dark  horse,"  and  secured  the  nomi- 
nation. Judge  Green  was  a  prominent  factor  in  securing  that  result, 
having  labored  zealously  on  tiiat  occasion.  In  1860,  he  was  elected  Com- 
mon Pleas  Judge  for  the  counties  of  Hamilton,  Tipton,  Howard,  Grant 
and  Clinton,  which  office  he  held  for  four  years.  Since  his  last  Senato- 
rial term  expired,  he  has  devoted  himself  entirely  to  the  practice  of  the 
law,  with  eminent  success.  The  Judge  has  been  three  times  married  ;  first, 
to  Miss  Mary  Marshall,  of  Jefferson  County,  Ind.,  on  April  14,  1829. 
With  her  he  lived  until  her  death,  at  Tipton,  October  7,  1865  ;  on  Oc- 
tober 29,  1866,  he  married  Catherine  A.  Humerickhouse,  who  died  Oc- 
tober 28,  1875  ;  his  third  marriage  occurred  September  7,  1876,  to  Car- 
oline Passwater,  his  present  wife;  by  his  first  wife  he  had  five  children, 
of  whom  three  are  living — Milton  F.,  Alice  B.  Brandt  and  Mrs.  Cathe- 
rine G.  Trout.  The  Judge  is  still  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  pi'ofes- 
sion  in  Tipton,  and  is  the  most  venerable  attorney  at  the  bar  ;  he  pos- 
sesses the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  entire  community,  which  he  bids 
fair  to  enjoy  for  many  years  to  come ;  he  owns  one  of  the  finest  resi- 
dences in  the  county,  situated  at  the  western  extremity  of  Tipton,  and  i8 
enjoying  the  evening  of  his  well-spent  life  in  the  midst  of  prosperity, 
surrounded  by  all  that  adorns  and  embellishes  civilized  life.  John  Q. 
Green,  the  youngest  son  of  Judge  Green,  was -a  volunteer  during  the 
war  of  the  rebellion,  serving  three  months,  volunteering  twice  after, 
but  was  rejected  ;  he  was  then  Deputy  U.  S.  Marshal,  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  He  then  entered  the  law  office  of  his  father  ;  was  admitted  to  the 
bar,  and  practiced  until  his  death  ;  he  also  served  as  Deputy  Internal 
Revenue  Collector  about  three  years  ;  his  death  occurred, in  1866. 

WILLIAM  M.  GRISHAW,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Haynes,  Grishaw 
&  Shook,  dealers  in  general  merchandise,  was  born  in  Ripley  County, 
Ind.,  June  22,  1839.     When  he  was  twelve  years  of  age-,  his  parents  re- 


TOWN   OF  TIPTON.  237 

moved  to  Tipton  County.  Here  he  grew  to  manhood,  having  had  such 
advantages  for  gaining  an  education  as  the  primitive  log  cabin  school- 
house,  with  greased  paper  for  windows,  afforded.  In  1861,  he  engaged 
in  clerking ;  soon  afterward,  however,  he  embarked  individually  in  mer- 
chandising. In  1867,  he  entered  into  partnership  with  Mr.  Haynes  at 
Sharpsville,  and  in  1870  they  took  in  the  third  member  of  the  present 
firm,  Mr.  Shook.  In  1872,  he  was  elected  by  his  party  to  the  office  of 
County  Treasurer,  and  in  1873  removed  to  Tipton  and  entered  upon  the 
discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  office,  which  he  filled  for  one  term  of  two 
years.  In  1879,  the  firm  of  which  he  is  a  member  established  a  branch 
store  at  Tipton,  in  No.  2,  Opera  Building,  north  side  public  square,  where 
thev  are  doing  a  fine  business.  Mr.  Grishaw  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  and  is  politically  a  Republican.  Besides  his  interest  in  the 
firm  above  mentioned,  he  is  the  owner  of  300  acres  of  fine  land,  within 
one  mile  of  Tipton,  and  a  good  residence  in  the  town.  He  was  married 
in  Ripley  County.  Ind..  in  1864,  to  Miss  America  Shook,  by  whom  he  is 
the  father  of  five  children,  viz.:  Ora  B.,  Ira  G.,  James  B.,  Charlie  R.  and 
Harry  E. 

MOSES  HAAS,  dealer  in  hats,  caps,  boots  and  shoes,  was  born  in 
the  Rhine  Province  of  Germany,  March  18,  1838.  He  remained  in  his 
native  country  until  1860,  when  he  emigrated  to  America,  and  the  next 
year  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army,  Company  B,  Sixty-third  Ohio 
Volunteers,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps,  First  Di- 
vision. He  was  with  Sherman  on  his  "march  to  the  sea,"  and  partici- 
pated in  the  battle  of  Corinth,'and  all  the  other  engagements  of  that  memor- 
able campaign.  He  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  discharged 
at  Camp  Denison,  July  17,  1865.  After  leaving  the  army,  he  went  to 
Illinois  and  engaged  in  driving  a  peddling  wagon,  which,  proving  unre- 
numerative,  he  then  went  to  Greene  County,  Ind.,  and  clerked  in  a  store. 
In  1871,  he  located  in  Tipton  and  embarked  in  the  clothing  business,  his 
present  vocation.  Since  coming  to  Tipton  his  business  has  so  increased 
that  he  now  occupies  one  of  the  most  commodious  business  rooms  in  the 
town  (Kemp  Block),  carries  a  stock  of  from  |12,000to  $15,000,  and  does 
a  business  annually  that  approximates  $25,000.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity  and  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  the  owner  of  a  hand- 
some residence,  corner  of  Jefferson  and  West  streets,  which  he  makes  his 
home.  Mr.  Haas  was  married  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  April  11,  1869, 
to  Miss  Caroline  Rosenthal.  They  have  an  interesting  family  of  six  chil- 
dren, viz.,   Dina,  Frankie,  Morris,  Louis,  Hattie  and  Albert. 

THOMAS  J.  HANCOCK,  real  estate  and  railroad  agent,  was  born 
in  Clark  County,  Ind.,  July  28,  1843.  His  parents  were  James  T.  and 
Catherine   (Jackson)  Hancock,  both  natives  of    Kentucky.     They  emi- 


238  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

grated  to  Indiana  about  1831,  and  were  married  in  Washington  County, 
Ind.,  in  1836.  His  fiither,  a  farmer,  came  to  Tipton  County  in  1860, 
and  died  here  in  1879,  his  wife  following  him  one  year  later  ;  they  were 
highly  esteemed  citizens,  and  spent  their  declining  years  in  easy  circum- 
stances. Thomas  is  the  fifth  of  a  family  of  eight  children,  seven  of 
whom  are  living — tliree  in  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  and  the  remainder  in 
Missouri  and  Kansas.  He  never  had  school  privileges,  but  his  applica- 
tion and  experience  have  given  him  good  business  education.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  in  1861  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Eleventh 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until  November,  1862. 
During  that  time,  he  participated  in  the  sieges  of  Forts  Henry, 
Hyndman  and  Donelson,  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing  and  the 
siege  of  Corinth  ;  thence  he  went  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  from  there  to 
Clarington,  Ark.  At  Helena,  Ark.,  he  was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  the 
hospital,  where  he  remained  for  two  months  ;  he  was  then  transferred  to 
Keokuk,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  under  the  care  of  Sisters  of  Mercy 
until  November,  1862,  when  he  was  discharged  on  account  of  general 
disability.  The  disease  acquired  during  his  service  rendered  him  an  in- 
valid for  two  years  after  his  return  home.  When  sufficiently  recovered, 
he  engaged  in  farming  and  general  trading,  but  his  health  would  not  ad- 
mit of  the  labor  of  farming.  He,  in  1879,  removed  to  Tipton,  where  he 
embarked  in  the  real  estate  and  railroad  ticket  business,  which  he  has 
since  continued  with  success.  During  his  career  as  a  real  estate  agent, 
he  has  handled  more  real  estate  than  any  man  in  the  county  in  the  same 
length  of  time,  and  has  worked  up  the  excursion  ticket  business  to  a  de- 
gree of  success  never  known  before  in  the  history  of  the  county.  Com- 
mencing life  in  limited  circumstances,  he  has,  by  his  energy  and  business 
ability,  won  for  himself  a  handsome  competence.  No  man  has  done  more 
to  advertise  the  advantages  of  the  county  and  invite  the  investment  of 
capital.  October  8,  1863,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Law,  born 
in  Tipton  County,  June  13,  1846,  and  daughter  of  William  Law,  one  of 
the  pioneers  of  the  county.  This  union  has  brought  him  eight  children, 
all  of  whom  are  living — Francis  M.,  Zachariah  T.,  Thomas  F.,  Cora  M., 
Captoley,  William  H.,  Mary  C.  and  Charles  Roscoe.  Mr.  Hancock  is 
liberal  to  all  deserving  enterprises,  having  at  one  time  donated  ground 
worth  $800  on  which  to  erect  a  church,  and  he  is  in  every  sense  a  worthy 
citizen. 

HENRY  H.  HARVEY,  of  the  firm  of  Wilson  &  Harvey,  grocers,  in 
Tipton,  was  born  February  25,  1843,  in  Hamilton  County,  Ind.  His 
father,  Thomas  Harvey,  was  born  August  19,  1810,  in  Wayne  County, 
Ind.,  and  was  married  in  September  1835,  to  Miss  Anna  Hoover,  a  na- 
tive of  Wayne  County.      He  then  removed  to  Hamilton  County,   Ind., 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  239 

located  in  the  woods,  and  cleared  out  a  good  farm.  He  was  a  successful 
farmer,  and  accumulated  a  good  share  of  property.  He  took  an  active 
interest  in  politics  and  filled  the  office  of  County  Commissioner  two  terms. 
He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  many  terras,  and  in  1848  was  elected  by  the 
Democratic  party  as  Representative  of  Hamilton  County  to  the  State 
Legislature.  In  1867,  he  removed  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
died  July  17, 1879,  leaving  a  family  of  nine  children.  Henry  H.  Harvey 
was  reared  in  his  native  county,  and  August  8,  1862,  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany A,  Fifth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Cavalry.  He  was  on  Sher- 
man's march  to  the  sea,  as  far  as  Atlanta,  where  he  was  made  prisoner 
"July  31,  1864,  and  was  confined  seven  months  in  the  Andersonville 
Prison  on  half  rations.  He  was  discharged  from  service  June  16,  1865, 
when  he  returned  to  Hamilton  County.  He  attended  school  one  year, 
and  then  engaged  in  teaching  in  Hamilton  County  ;  he  worked  in  a 
printing  office  about  two  years,  and  learned  the  printer's  trade.  He 
then  engaged  in  farming  in  Wayne  County  until  1879,  and  upon  the 
death  of  his  father  he  embarked  in  the  grocery  business  at  Richmond, 
Ind.  Here  he  continued  in  business  until  the  fall  of  1882,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Tipton,  Ind.,  where  he  has  since  carried  on  the  grocery  busi- 
ness. Mr.  Harvey  was  married,  November  12,  1868,  to  Miss  Annie  Long. 
They  have  three  children — Lulu,  Clinton  and  Frank.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  of  the  Greenback  party. 

ADISON  HASKETT,  of  the  firm  of  Tyner,  Haskett  &  Wallace, 
manufacturers  of  hubs  and  heading,  is  the  son  of  Elisha  Haskett,  and  was 
born  in  North  Carolina,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Indiana  while  quite 
young.  On  his  father's  farm  he  grew  to  manhood,  after  which  he  con- 
tinued the  vocation  of  a  farmer,  until  the  spring  of  1882,  with  success.  He 
then  sold  his  farm  and  entered  upon  the  business  above  alluded  to.  Mr. 
Haskett  is  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party  and  the  organization  of  Odd 
Fellows,  and  with  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Christian  Church.  He  was  mar- 
ried, in  this  county,  October  26,  1869,  to  Miss  Melinda  A.  McLucas,  and 
has  had  one  son — Frank  Otis  Haskett. 

GEORGE  F.  ISGRIG,  attorney,  was  born  in  Crawford  County, 
Mo.,  on  the  26th  day  of  November,  1859.  There,  upon  the  banks  of  the 
Cotowa,  young  Isgrig  was  reared  on  a  farm,  plowing  corn  in  summer, 
fishing  and  hunting  through  the  long  autumn,  and  attending  school  at  the 
primitive  log  schoolhouse  during  the  short,  rigorous  Missouri  winter.  He 
was  a  studious  reader  of  the  St.  Louis  Crlobe,  the  only  Republican  news- 
paper taken  in  the  neighborhood.  In  1877,  he  came  to  Tipton  and  attend- 
ed the  high  school,  and  by  close  application  to  his  studies  completed  the 
full  four  years'  course  of  that  institution  in  eight  or  ten  months,  and  grad- 
uated in  June,  1879.      In  the  same  month,  he  removed  to  Kokomo,  and 


240  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

entered  upon  the  study  of  the  law,  pursuing  his  studies  for  three  years, 
under  the  excellent  tutelage  of  J.  Fred  Vaile.        While  in  Kokomo,  dur- 
ing the  campaign  of  1880,  he  organized  and  became  the  President  of  the 
First  Voters'  Republican  Club,  containing  184  members,  and  during  this 
campaign    made  his  maiden   efforts  from  the   stump.        In  the  spring  of 
1882,  he  came  back  to  Tipton  and  was  an  aggressive  candidate  for  Prose- 
cuting Attorney  of  the  Thirty-sixth  Judicial    District  until  the  Central 
Committees  declared  that  Howard  County,  not  Tipton,  was  entitled  to  the 
candidate.       Then  he  withdrew   from   the  race,    and  gave  his  support  to 
the  successful  candidacy  of  Cassius  C.  Shirley.        In  February,  1882,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Ella  Small.      Mr,  Isgrig  is  at  present  practicing  his 
profession   in  Tipton,   and  is  Deputy  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  Tipton 
County. 

ADAM  JACKSON  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  A.  Jackson  &  Co., 
dealers  in  dry  goods,  groceries,  boots  and  shoes,  carrying  a  stock  of  $8,000, 
and  doing  a  business  of  $12,000  annually.  He  was  born  in  Wayne 
County,  Ind.,  February  21,  1824.  His  father,  Thomas  B.  Jackson,  came 
to  Tipton  County  in  1841,  and  located  on  320  acres  of  timber  land,  where 
he  cleared  out  a  good  farm.  Adam  Jackson  engaged  in  farming  until 
February,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Forty-second  Regiment 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  in  battle  at  Port  Gibson,  Miss., 
and  Champion  Hills,  Miss.  He  was  wounded  and  sent  to  the  United 
States  hospital  at  St.  Louis ;  subsequently  was  transferred  to  the  Invalid 
Corps,  and  sent  to  Indianapolis,  and  Camp  Burnside,  where  he  remained 
until  his  term  of  three  years  expired.  He  then  returned  to  Tipton  County 
and  worked  on  a  farm  most  of  the  time  till  1870.  He  then  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits  in  Tipton,  where  he  has  met  with  good  success.  Mr. 
Jackson  was  married,  November  26,  1870,  to  Miss  Mary  S.  George,  of 
this  county.  They  have  had  four  children — Ida  Belle,  Tessie,  Arthur 
and  Minnie  May  (deceased). 

JOHN  P.  KEMP,  of  the  firm  of  Waugh  &  Kemp,  attorneys,  is  a 
native  of  Tipton  County,  where  he  was  born  December  17,  1854  ;  he  is 
the  son  of  David  Kemp,  and  was  raised  in  the  western  part  of  the  county, 
on  what  is  known  as  the  Indian  Prairie;  his  education  was  obtained  in 
the  common  schools  of  the  county,  and  afterward  at  Asbury  University, 
Greencastle,  and  the  Northern  Indiana  Normal  School  at  Valparaiso, 
Ind.,  at  which  last-named  school  he  was  graduated  in  the  scientific 
course  in  1878.  Prior  to  his  graduation,  Mr.  Kemp  taught  several 
terms  in  the  common  schools  of  the  county  ;  after  it,  however,  he  located 
in  Tipton  ;ind  commenced  his  legal  studies  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Dan 
Waugh.  After  his  admission  to  the  bar,  he  practiced  his  profession  for 
awhile  in  partnership  with  J.  M.  Fippen.      This  partnership  was  dissolved 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  241 

in  November,  1882,  and  Mr.  Kemp  then  formed  a  partnership  with  his 
preceptor,  Mr.  Waugh  ;  he  was  married,  on  the  llth  of  April.  1882,  to 
Miss  Bell  Cox,  at  Tipton,  and  resides  in  a  very  desirable  property  on 
North  Main  street.  Politically,  Mr.  Kemp  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  member 
of  the  Odd  Fellow  and  Masonic  fraternities.  The  firm  of  which  he  is 
a  member  stands  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  Tipton  bar,  and  does  a 
thriving  business. 

MARTIN  KLEYLA,  proprietor  of  Kleyla"s  Theater,  and  one  of 
our  oldest  citizens,  was  born  in  Germany  September  17,  1814,  at  Wal- 
leitime  City ;  he  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  country,  enjoying  those 
splendid  opportunities  for  education  which  the  admirable  system  of 
public  schools  in  Germany  aiFord  ;  he  was  married  in  the  Fatherland 
on  the  22d  of  March,  1837,  to  Miss  Barbara  Dexheimer.  In  1840,  he 
emigrated  to  America  and  located  in  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  and  bought 
a  farm  of  twenty-one  acres.  In  1842,  he  sold  his  farm  and  removed  to 
Union  County  and  once  more  began  the  tilling  of  the  soil,  at  which  he 
continued  until  1848,  when  he  once  more  resumed  his  travels,  and  this 
time  located  in  Cicero  Township,  Tipton  County,  where  he  purchased 
120  acres  of  land  and  again  devoted  himself  to  husbandry ;  he  afterward 
purchased  forty-five  acres  south  of  his  first  investment,  all  of  which  he 
still  owns.  In  1879,  he  removed  to  Tipton  and  engaged  in  the  restaurant 
and  bakery  business,  in  a  two-story  frame  building  which  stood  on  the 
south  side  of  JeiFerson,  and  on  the  corner  of  it  and  Independence  street. 
He  had  not  occupied  it  long,  however,  before  it  was  entirely  consumed 
by  fire,  with  no  insurance,  a  loss  to  Mr.  Kleyla  of  some  $4,000  ;  he 
immediately  resumed  his  business  in  a  little  frame  building  which  he 
erected  on  the  south  side  of  his  lot  for  that  purpose,  where  he  met  with 
success.  In  June,  of  1882,  he  began  the  erection  of  the  large  and 
elegant  theater  that  adorns  the  site  of  his  frame  building  which  was 
destroyed  by  fire.  It  has  two  large  store  rooms  below,  22x100  feet, 
and  a  large  apartment  above,  theatrically  arranged,  with  a  raised  audi- 
torium, folding  chairs,  a  large  and  i-ooray  stage  and  splendid  scenery 
adapted  to  the  presentation  of  any  drama  that  can  be  put  on  the  boards. 
It  is  44x100  feet,  with  a  gallery  that  will  hold  200  persons;  its  seating 
capacity,  above  and  below,  approximates  1,000  ;  it  is  the  neatest,  most 
convenient  and  most  artistic  in  all  its  appointments  of  any  opera  house  in 
the  State,  outside  of  the  capital.  The  cost  of  its  construction  was 
$11,000,  and  it  is  an  ornament  of  which  every  citizen  is  justly  proud. 
Mr.  Kleyla  has  a  family  of  four  children,  two  boys  and  two  girls,  namely, 
Peter  Martin,  Henry,  Mrs.  Mary  Tichenor,  Mrs.  Amelia  Achenbach. 
His  farm  is  also  well  provided  with  all  modern  conveniences.  There  is  a 
fine  brick  residence  standing   on  it,  built  in  1859  at  a  cost  of  $3,000, 


242  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

good  outbuildings  and  all  necessary  machinery  of  improved  pattern.  Po- 
litically, he  is  a  Democrat,  also  a  member  of  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  W.  LEAVELL,  Sheriff  of  Tipton  County,  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 11,  1812,  in  this  county.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm.  His  facili- 
ties for  obtaining  an  education  were  limited.  He  attended  the  log  school- 
house  of  primitive  days.  He  learned,  and  for  nine  years  followed,  the 
trade  of  a  tanner.  He  then  returned  to  agricultural  pursuits,  in  which 
he  was  engaged  until  his  election  to  the  office  of  Sheriff,  in  November, 
1882.  He  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  140  acres  in  Madison  Township, 
which  he  made  his  home  for  many  years  prior  to  his  recent  removal  to 
Tipton  to  take  charge  of  the  duties  of  his  office.  Mr.  Leavell  is  a  Re- 
publican, and  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  Tipton  County  is  essentially 
Democratic,  he  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  about  one  hundred  votes. 
He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  March  23,  1862, 
he  was  married  to  Molcy  Beeson.  They  have  had  four  children — Madora 
B.,   William  T.,  Benjamin  F.  and  Leonidas. 

FRANK  J.  LEBO,  merchant  tailor,  doing  a  good  business,  is  the 
son  of  William  Lebo,  and  was  born  in  Berks  County,  Penn.,  September 
16,  1859.  His  father  removed  to  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  in  1869,  and 
located  at  Noblesville,  where  he  enfii;ao;ed  in  the  merchant  tailor  business. 
There  our  subject  spent  his  youth,  attended  the  high  school  of  Noblesville, 
and  gained  a  fair  education.  He  at  the  age  of  twelve  began  to  learn  his 
trade  under  his  father's  instructions.  He  worked  with  his  father  until 
August,  1878,  when  he  went  to  Arcadia,  Hamilton  County,  and  opened 
a  shop  for  himself.  He  remained  there  until  1880,  when  he  went  to 
Alexandria,  where  he  remained  one  year.  He  located  in  Tipton,  Feb- 
ruary 20,  1882,  and  engaged  in  his  present  business.  Mr.  Lebo  is  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ;  he  belongs  to  the 
choir  and  also  plays  the  bass-violin  in  the  string  band.  He  is  at  present 
Secretary  of  the  Fourteenth  Sunday  School  District,  composed  of  Hamil- 
ton,  Howard,   Madison  and  Tipton  Counties. 

GEORGE  M.  LEBO,  artist,  who  is  always  to  be  found  in  his  attrac- 
tive gallery  over  Vickrey's  Bank,  is  a  native  of  Berks  County,  Penn., 
■where  he  was  born  November  25,  1861.  His  father,  William  Lebo,  re- 
moved from  Pennsylvania  to  Noblesville  in  Hamilton  County,  April  1. 
1869.  After  a  residence  often  years,  he  left  Noblesville  and  removed  to 
Alexandria,  in  Madison  County.  George  was  reared  in  the  two  counties, 
enjoying  very  good  facilities  for  acquiring  an  education,  attending  for 
some  time  the  high  school  at  Noblesville.  In  1876,  he  began  studying 
his  profession  at  Noblesville,  where  he  remained  for  two  years,  and  then 
gpent  one  year  as  a  student  at  the   Indianapolis    Art  School.     In  1879, 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  243 

he  located  at  Alexandria  and  opened  a  gallery.  He  remained  there, 
meeting  with  fair  success,  for  three  years,  when,  in  1882,  he  removed  to 
Tipton  and  opened  his  present  gallery.  Mr.  Lebo  is  a  genial  gentleman, 
and  is  rapidly  winning  his  way  to  the  good  graces  and  generous  patron- 
age of  the  denizens  of  Tipton  and  vicinity.  As  an  artist,  he  cannot  be 
surpassed,  and  any  one  desiring  work  in  his  line  cannot  do  better  in  the 
State  than  at  his  gallery. 

JOHN  LONG,  Recorder  of  Tipton  County,  is  a  native  of  Clermont 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  born  December  20,  1811.  He  was  raised 
]n  his  native  county,  enjoying  the  limited  advantages  for  an  education 
afforded  by  the  cummon  schools,  at  that  time,  of  the  Buckeye  State.  In 
1837,  he  removed  to  Rush  County,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  for  twenty 
years,  working  for  the  greater  part  of  the  time  at  the  wagon-maker  trade 
in  Milroy  ;  the  rest  of  the  time  he  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Post- 
master in  the  same  place.  In  1857,  he  removed  to  Greensburg,  where  he 
remained  until  1865,  when  he  removed  to  Tipton  and  engaged  in  the 
hotel  business.  In  1878,  he  was  elected  by  the  Democratic  party  to  the 
office  of  County  Recorder,  which  position  he  now  occupies.  Mr.  Long 
was  married  in  Clermont,  Ohio,  November  19,  1834,  to  Miss  Nancy 
Williams.  The  issue  of  their  marriage  consists  of  eleven  children  liv- 
ing— Mrs.  Mary  McShane  ;  Mrs.  Barbara  Wilson  ;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Steph- 
ens, a  resident  of  Greensburg  ;  James  K.  P.  ;  Mrs.  Margaret  Lowley  ; 
Mrs.  Melvina  Robinson,  a  resident  of  Arizona  Ty. ;  Samuel  W.,  of  Lin- 
coln, Neb. ;  Mrs.  Patience  Harvey ;  Mrs.  Orpha  W.  Wilson ;  Mrs. 
Luella  B.  Gerhold ;  John  W.  Long  and  Sarah  H.  (deceased).  Politically, 
Mr.  Long  is  a  Democrat,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 

J.  W.  LONG,  real  estate,  loan  and  insurance  agent,  member  of  the 
firm  of  Wright  &  Long,  is  a  native  of  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
was  born  September  30,  1858.  He  came  to  Tipton  County  with  his 
parents  when  he  was  in  his  eighth  year,  and  has  resided  here  ever  since. 
His  education  was  acquired  from  the  graded  schools  of  the  town  of  Tipton, 
and  consequently  is  such  as  to  render  him  fit  for  any  of  the  business  rela- 
tions of  life.  He  served  as  Deputy  Recorder  of  the  county  for  four  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time,  November,  1882,  he  entered  upon  his  present 
occupation  with  his  partner.  They  are  doing  a  fine  business,  and  are 
Always  to  be  found  in  the  office  in  the  Opera  Building,  northwest  corner  of 
the  public  square. 

STEPHEN  LOWLEY,  Postmaster  of  Tipton,  was  born  in  England, 
January  18,  1819.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  country,  learning,  in 
the  meantime,  the  tailor's  trade.  He  emigrated  to  America  in  1845,  and 
worked  at  his  trade  in  Boston,  Hartford,  Concord,  New  York,  Philadel- 


244  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

phia,  Nashville  and  Memphis,  Tenn.  In  1853,  he  located  at  Indianapo- 
lis, and  in  1856  came  to  Tipton,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  is  a 
Republican,  and  has  always  been  prominent  in  the  politics  of  his  party. 
He  was  appointed  Postmaster  toward  the  close  of  Lincoln's  first  adminis- 
tration, and  has  held  that  position  continuously  ever  since,  and  in  connec- 
tion therewith  he  has  carried  on  the  tailor's  trade.  He  has  been  twice 
married,  first  in  England,  in  1840,  to  Miss  Martha  Jackson,  who  died  in 
Pittsburgh  while  he  was  there  working  at  his  trade ;  the  second  mar- 
riage occurred  in  Indianapolis,  in  1854,  to  Miss  Sarah  C.  Haugh.  By 
his  first  wife,  he  has  one  child — George  W. ;  by  his  second,  one  child — 
Ardella.  Mr.  Lowley,  although  in  his  sixty-fifth  year,  is  still  to  be  found 
at  his  post.  He  is  a  genial,  sociable  old  gentleman,  and  is  so  closely 
identified  with  the  best  part  of  Tipton's  career,  that  any  history  of  the 
county,  with  his  biography  omitted,  would  be  incomplete.  He  owns  a 
very  nice  residence  in  Tipton,  opposite  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

PATRICK  J.  McCUE  was  born  in  Donegal  County,  Ireland,  in 
1854,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  (Dorian)  McCue.  Patrick 
J.  was  reared  on  a  farm.  He  came  to  America  in  1868,  and  secured  a 
position  as  traveling  salesman.  He  started  in  life  with  no  money,  but 
with  plenty  of  nerve  and  energy.  He  traveled  until  1875,  when  he  came 
to  Tipton  County,  and  went  into  business  for  himself.  In  1881,  he 
started  business  in  Zanesville,  Ohio,  with  $1,500  stock.  His  brother  is 
now  managing  the  business  at  Zanesville  for  Mr.  McCue,  who  is  doing  a 
first-class  business  at  Tipton.  He  was  married,  October  14,  1882,  to 
Miss  Sarah  Welsh,  of  Tipton  County,  and  of  Irish  descent.  Mr.  McCue 
is  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
Church. 

SAMUEL  P.  MARTINDALE,  a  free-thinker  in  religion  and 
politics,  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  May  6,  1820.  His  father, 
Elder  Elijah  Martindale,  was  born  in  South  Carolina  in  1798,  and  died 
at  New  Castle,  Ind.,  July  21,  1875 ;  he  was  the  son  of  John  Martindale, 
who  married  Eliza  Burns,  a  close  relation  of  the  "Scottish  Bard,"  Robert 
Burns.  John  was  the  son  of  William  Martindale,  born  in  Philadelphia, 
and  died  in  Miami  County,  Ind.,  in  1851,  when  over  one  hundred  years 
old.  William's  father  was  born  in  England,  and  was  one  of  the  three 
brothers  who,  coming  to  New  York,  separated,  and  never  saw  each  other 
afterward.  Elder  Elijah,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  preacher  of  the 
Gospel.  He  had  no  superior  as  an  exhorter,  and  he  built  up  and  preached 
for  many  religious  societies  in  Eastern  Indiana  ;  he  kept  up  family  wor- 
ship to  the  day  of  his  death.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  Elizabeth 
Boyd,  daughter  of  Samuel  Boyd,  a  Revolutionary  soldier.  She  was  born 
November  25,  1792,  and  is  still  living  at  New   Castle,  Ind.,  at  the  ad- 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  '  245 

vanced  age  of  ninety-one  ;  she  enjoys  all  the  faculties  of  mind,  but  is 
impeded  in  her  locomotion  by  rheumatism  and  the  stiffness  of  her  arms 
and  one  of  her  losver  limbs,  caused  by  having  them  broken.  She  is  tiie 
mother  of  fifteen  children,  nine  sons  and  six  daughters,  fourteen  of  whom 
are  heads  of  families.  Our  subject  was  educated  by  going  to  subscrip- 
tion schools  three  months  in  winter  until  he  was  about  nineteen  years 
old ;  he  then  commenced  teaching  in  the  winter  and  going  to  school  in 
the  summer.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ar- 
milda  Oldaker,  of  Wayne  County,  Ind.  They  have  four  children,  viz.: 
Josephine  L.,  wife  of  Rev.  J.  B.  Blount,  of  Rush  County;  James  M.; 
Elijah  B.  and  Samuel  P.,  Jr.  In  1844,  our  subject  settled  on  160  acres 
of  land  in  Blue  River  Township,  Henry  Co.,  Ind.,  for  which  he  pai  d 
^500,  by  teaching  school  at  $15  per  month.  He  lived  on  it  for  fifteen 
years,  cleared  seventy-five  acres,  built  a  frame  house  and  sold  the  entirety 
for  ^4,000.  He  then  moved  to  Delaware  County  and  bought  240  acres 
of  land  for  $5,500.  In  1860,  he  sold  out  for  $6,000,  and  moved  to  In- 
dianapolis to  educate  his  children  at  the  then  N.  W.  C.  University.  In 
1865,  he  removed  to  Cloverdale  Township,  Putnam  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he 
bought  550  acres  of  land,  and  engaged  in  the  sheep  business,  which,  how- 
ever, was  not  very  successful,  and  in  1870  he  disposed  of  his  land  and  re- 
moved to  Tipton  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  with  his  two 
sons,  under  the  firm  name  of  Martindale  &  Sons.  The  business  proved 
successful  for  three  years,  when  his  sons  took  a  contract  to  put  out  all  the 
ties  necessary  for  the  construction  of  the  L.  M.  &B.  R.  R.,  through  Tip- 
ton County,  amounting  in  all  to  $17,000.  They  put  out  the  ties,  but  the 
railroad,  after  taking  up  and  paying  for  $10,000  worth,  became  insolvent, 
which  produced  a  financial  crisis  in  the  affairs  of  our  subject,  for  the  first 
time  in  a  business  career  of  one-third  of  a  century.  This  cloud  hung 
over  his  financial  horizon  for  eight  or  ten  years ;  but  finally  it  was  dis- 
pelled, Mr.  Martindale  is  now  engaged  in  the  marble  business.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 

E.  B.  MARTINDALE,  abstractor,  insurance  and  loan  agent,  was 
born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  October  27,  L850 ;  when  he  was  quite 
young  his  parents  left  his  native  county,  and  after  a  residence  in  Dela- 
ware and  Marion  Counties,  finally  settled  in  Tipton,  where  our  subject 
came  in  1870.  After  his  arrival  in  Tipton,  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  with  his  father  and  elder  brother,  under  the  firm  name  and  style 
of  Martindale  &  Sons;  he  continued  at  merchandising  until  1875,  when 
he  began  teaching,  and  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  the  county  for 
several  years,  engaging  at  intervals  in  the  insurance  business.  In  1876, 
he  opened  up  an  insurance  office  and  has  succeeded  in  baiMiii;^  up  a  re- 
munerative business;  he  represents  the  ^Etua,  Hartford,  Continental,  the 


246  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Franklin  of  Indianapolis,  and  several  other  leading  companies.  Polit- 
ically, he  is  Republican  ;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church ;  he  is 
the  owner  of  a  neat  little  property  (cottage  style)  on  North  West  street, 
where  he  resides.  Mr.  Martindale  was  married  at  Tipton,  Ind.,  October 
4,  1871,  to  Miss  Jennie  Parker.  They  have  one  child  living — Effie  E., 
and  Oscar,  deceased. 

SLEASMAN  MEEKER,  landlord  of  the  City  Hotel,  is  a  native  of 
Warren  County,  Ohio;  he  was  born  June  7,  1833,  and  is  the  son  of 
Obadiah  Meeker;  he  was  reared  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  and  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  learned  the  harness-maker's  trade,  in  which  he  continued 
about  fifteen  years.  July  5,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Nineteenth 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  one  year.  He 
was  in  battle  at  Lewinsville,  Va.,  and  later  was  discharged  on  account 
of  physical  disability.  When  he  returned  from  the  war,  he  engaged 
in  carriage  trimming  in  Cadiz,  Henry  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  remained 
until  1875.  He  then  moved  to  Middletown,  Henry  County,  and 
in  1882  came  to  Tipton  County  and  continued  working  at  his  trade. 
In  the  spring  of  1883,  he  took  possession  of  the  City  Hotel,  where 
he  is  doing  a  good  business;  he  was  married  September  19,  1863,  in 
Henry  County,  Ind.,  to  Miss  Nancy  E.  Huston.  This  union  has  been 
crowned  with  five  children — Hattie,  Willie  E.,  Russel  S.,  Zelma,  and  Ar- 
thur W.,  deceased.  Mr.  Meeker  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party, 
and  he  and  wife  are  identified  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

HENRY  MEHLIG,  druggist,  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  May 
14,  1847.  When  he  was  only  six  years  of  age,  his  parents  removed 
to  Johnson  County,  Ind.;  he  attended  the  high  schools  of  Edinburg 
and  Franklin,  and  in  1862  engaged  in  railroading ;  he  was  brakeman  on 
a  passenger  train  two  years,  and  in  1864  came  to  Tipton  County ;  he 
clerked  in  a  drug  store  until  November,  1868,  when  he  engaged  in  the 
drug  business  for  himself;  he  carries  a  stock  of  $2,500,  and  does  a  busi- 
ness of  |4,000  annually;  he  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and 
has  filled  all  the  offices  in  both  branches  of  the  order.  Mr.  Mehlig 
was  married,  June  13,  1870,  in  Tipton,  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Morgan.  They 
have  had  three  children — Jessie  E.,  Henry  M.,  and  Paul  A.,  deceased. 

CAPT.  ISAAC  H.  MONTGOMERY  was  born  in  Crawfordsville. 
Montgomery  Co.,  Ind.,  on  the  5th  of  February,  1828 ;  his  parents, 
Archibald  and  Cynthia  Montgomery,  formerly  lived  in  Jefferson  and 
Scott  Counties,  Ind.,  but  at  an  early  day  moved  to  Montgomery  County. 
After  living  in  Crawfordsville  and  vicinity  several  years,  they  moved  into 
Clinton  County,  where  they  lived  on  a  farm  a  few  miles  south  of  Frank- 
fort until  the  year  1841,  when  they  again  removed  to  what  was  then 
known  as  the  Indian  Reserve,  settling  near  the  present  site  of  the  village 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  247 

of  Normanda,  in  this  (Tipton)  county.  At  this  time,  the  Captain  was 
only  thirteen  years  of  age,  subject  to  all  the  hardships  incident  to  a  front- 
ier life.  Being  compelled  to  labor  incessantly,  and  being  deprived  of  all 
the  advantages  of  our  present  splendid  system  of  schools,  it  might  be 
presumed  that  his  early  education  was  neglected,  but  not  so  ;  he  made 
good  use  of  every  opportunity  to  enrich  his  mind  and  store  up  valuable 
information,  until  he  acquired  a  good  education  ;  for  a  number  of  years 
he  taught  school,  and  was  considered  one  of  the  best  teachers  in  the 
county.  In  July,  1862,  he  recruited  a  company  for  the  Seventy-fifth 
Regiment,  was  elected  Captain,  and  went  into  the  field  with  the  regiment ; 
he  continued  in  command  of  the  company,  at  his  post  on  all  occasions,  on 
every  march,  in  every  battle  or  skirmish  in  which  the  regiment  was  en- 
gaged until  after  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  on  the  25th  day  of 
November,  1863,  in  which  engagement  he  was  injured  in  the  spine  by  a 
fall,  received  while  climbing  said  ridge  during  the  engagement.  This 
injury  was  of  such  a  nature  that  he  was  totally  unfitted  for  marching  or 
fatigue  duty,  but  he  continued  with  his  company  until  May,  1864,  when 
he  was  discharged  for  disability.  He  then  returned  home,  and  in  the 
following  September  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Provost  Marshal  for  Tip- 
ton County,  which  position  he  filled  until  the  close  of  the  war,  discharging 
the  onerous  duties  of  that  office  with  much  credit  to  himself  It  is  a 
fact  worthy  of  remark,  that,  while  he  was  an  active  and  efficient  officer, 
living  up  closely  to  the  code,  he  was  highly  honored,  respected  and  es- 
teemed by  his  subordinates,  not  one  of  them  having  an  occasion  to  cherish 
any  ill-feeling  toward  him.  At  the  close  of  the  rebellion,  1865,  he  went 
into  the  mercantile  business  in  Tipton,  and  here,  as  on  the  farm  and  field 
of  battle,  he  was  successful.  The  Captain  has  been  twice  married,  his 
first  marriage  occurring  in  1848,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  J.  Evans,  a  native  of 
Owen  County,  Ind.,  and  who  died  in  1866,  leaving  to  his  care  a  family 
of  five  children,  viz.:  W.  B.  (now  in  Kansas),  Dora,  Belle,  Andrew  D. 
(also  in  Kansas),  and  Lizzie ;  his  second  marriage  occurred  in  1866,  to 
Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Evans,  widow  of  M.  P.  Evans.  By  this  marriage  they 
have  one  son,  Isaac  Marion,  living,  and  one  daughter  deceased,  Dell  B., 
who  died  May  8,  1883.  Besides  the  distinguished  part  played  by  him 
in  the  late  war,  the  Captain  has  filled  various  civil  offices,  namely  :  Trus- 
tee of  Jefferson  Township  ten  terms  ;  also  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  which  he  resigned  to  enter  the  war.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JOSEPH  A.  MOORE,  one  of  Tipton's  enterprising  men,  was  born 
in  Wayne  County,  Ind.  His  father,  Thomas  Moore,  removed  his  family, 
while  Joseph  was  quite  young,  to  Madison  County,  and  settled  near  the 
Tipton  County  line.     Here  Mr.  Moore  grew  to  manhood.     On  attaining 


248  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

his  majority  he  commenced  the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  which  he  followed 
until  1874.  At  first  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  which  he  has  so 
increased  by  judicious  purchases  from  time  to  time,  that  he  now  owns 
380  acres  in  Tipton  and  Madison  Counties.  In  1874,  Mr.  Moore  was 
elected  Clerk  of  the  Tipton  Circuit  Court,  which  office  he  held  for  one 
terra  of  four  years.  After  his  election,  he  removed  to  Tipton  and  has 
resided  there  ever  since.  After  his  term  of  office  expired,  he  occupied  his 
time  by  looking  after  his  farm,  and  in  partnership  with  Dr.  Newcomer 
built  the  Opera  House.  After  the  completion  of  the  Opera  House  (1879), 
he  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  on  the  south  side  of  Jefferson  street, 
near  the  post  office,  and  continued  in  that  business  until  February,  1883, 
when  he  sold  out  to  J.  C.  F.  Evans.  Mr.  Moore  was  married  on  the 
26th  of  March,  1857,  in  Madison  County,  Ind.,  to  Miss  Angeline  Arm- 
field.  The  fruits  of  that  marriage  were  two  sons — Azroe  F.  and  As- 
bury  M.  Moore.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  polit- 
ically a  Democrat,  by  which  party  he  has  been  honored  with  the  high- 
est office  in  the  county.  At  present  he  is  not  engaged  in  any  business 
except  a  general  superintendence  of  his  property. 

THEODORE  M.  NANCE,  furniture  dealer,  of  the  firm  of  Young  & 
Nance,  was  born  in  Franklin,  Johnson  Co.,  Ind.  His  father,  James 
H.  Nance,  now  a  resident  of  Indianapolis,  was  born  in  South  Carolina 
January  23,  1819.  When  James  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  his  father 
removed  to  Johnson  County,  Ind.;  there,  in  1843,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Lay,  of  that  place,  the  mother  of  our  subject.  The  issue  of 
their  marriage  consists  of  three  children,  namely  :  Theodore  M.,  Mrs. 
Jennie  Young,  and  Mrs.  Katie  Bowlin,  all  residents  of  Tipton.  Theodore  M. 
was  reared  in  Johnson  County.  In  1860,  he  was  sent  to  school 
at  Greencastle,  Ind.  In  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I, 
Twenty-seventh  Indiana  Volunteers.  His  company  was  organized 
under  Banks,  First  Division,  First  Brigade,  Twelfth  Army  Corps,  and  was 
afterward  under  Slocum.  He  participated  in  the  following  battles: 
Ball's  Bluff,  Winchester," Cedar  Mountain,  Antietam,  Chancellorsville, 
Fredricksburg,  second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  Lookout  Mountain,  Mission 
Ridge,  Goldsboro,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  and  all  the  battles  fought  during 
Sherman's  campaign  to  the  sea.  He  acted  as  scout  from  Atlanta  through 
to  Savannah,  and  went  to  attend  the  grand  review  of  all  the  troops  at 
Washington,  and  was  mustered  out  of  service  July  5,  1865.  He  was 
also  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  where  he  was  wounded  in  the  throat, 
which  has  ever  since  obstructed  his  speech.  After  his  discharge,  he  re- 
turned to  Edinburg,  whence,  after  remaining  a  few  days,  he  came  to  Tip- 
ton. In  September  of  1865,  he  engaged  in  the  saloon  business,  and  has 
continued  it  ever  since,  with  the  exception  of  one  or  two  years.     In  July 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  249 

of  1882,  he  connected  himself  with  Mr.  S.  G.  Young  in  the  furniture 
and  undertaking  business.  They  carry  a  stock  of  ^4,500,  and  are  doing 
a  good  business.  Mr.  Nance  was  married  at  Tipton,  January  1,  1868, 
to  Miss  Lavica  E.  Parker,  daughter  of  Dr.  Isaac  Parker  (deceased). 
They  have  two  daughters,  namely,  Capitola  and  Maud.  Politically,  he 
is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  both  of  the  subordi- 
nate lodge  and  the  Grand  Lodge  at  Indianapolis.  He  is  the  owner  of  a 
brick  business  building,  two  fine  dwellings,  and  two  good  farms,  approxi- 
mating $12,000  in  value.     He  is  also  a  member  of  Knights  of  Honor. 

DR.  M.  V.  B.  NEWCOMER  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind., 
October  30,  1836.  When  he  was  quite  young,  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Hamilton  County,  where  he  attended  the  common  schools, 
and  grew  to  manhood.  He  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  Ham- 
ilton and  Tipton  Counties  for  eight  years.  In  1857,  he  came  to  Tipton, 
and  while  teaching  in  the  schools  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under 
Dr.  A.  M.  Vickrey.  He  graduated  at  the  Ohio  Medical  College  at  Cin- 
cinnati in  1867,  having  practiced  for  two  years  previously.  Dr.  New- 
comer has  confined  himself  strictly  to  legitimate  practice,  and  has  gained 
an  enviable  reputation  in  his  profession  ;  he  is  half-owner  of  the  opera 
building  on  the  northwest  corner  of  the  public  square,  and  has  a  fine  resi- 
dence and  office.  He  was  married  at  Tipton  the  14th  of  December,  1865, 
to  Miss  I.  J.  Wilson.  They  have  had  three  children — Ora  B.  and  Clelia 
C,  now  living,  and  Ethel  May,  deceased. 

JUDGE  NATHAN  R.  OVERMAN,  one  of  Indiana's  most  distin- 
guished jurists,  was  born  April  11,  1827,  in  Randolph  County,  Ind.;  he 
was  the  second  son  of  a  family  of  eight  children.  Living  on  the  frontier, 
there  were  but  few  opportunities  for  education  within  his  reach — only  an 
occasional  school  term  of  two  or  three  months  during  the  winter  seasons. 
The  advantages  of  an  education  were,  however,  early  impressed  upon  his 
mind  by  home  influence.  On  winter  evenings,  the  pole  cabin  was  provid- 
ed with  a  huge  fire  of  logs  and  hickory  bark,  around  which  parents  and 
children  would  gather,  studying  and  reading.  The  mother,  who  was  an 
orphan  from  infancy,  had  not  learned  the  alphabet  at  the  time  of  her  mar- 
riage, but  afterward  became  a  good  writer,  and  was  a  diligent  and  careful 
reader  during  the  remainder  of  her  life.  The  father,  who  at  that  time 
could  only  read  and  write,  soon  became  proficient  in  the  primary  branches, 
and  afterward  taught  school  in  the  neighborhood.  Well  does  the  Judge 
remember  when  he  and  his  father  having  reached  the  rule  of  three,  the 
latter  doubted  their  ability  to  proceed.  The  effort  was  made,  however, 
the  son  being  the  first  to  solve  the  difficulty.  Six  of  the  eight  children 
became  teachers  in  the  schools  of  Randolph  and  Tipton  Counties.  Judge 
Overman  is  enthusiastically  fond  of  the  natural  sciences,  and  for  the  last 


250  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

few  years  has  devoted  much  of  his  leisure  to  geology  and  kindred  pursuits  ; 
his  excellent  collection  of  fossils  and  objects  of  antiquity,  including  some 
of  the  finest  specimens  yet  found,  is  equal,  perhaps,  to  any  private  collec- 
tion in  the  State.  The  services  rendered  by  him  to  the  State  Geologist 
are  honorably  acknowledged  by  Prof  E.  T.  Cox  in  his  reports.  At  the 
age  of  eighteen,  he  commenced  teaching  in  the  winter  schools,  working 
the  remainder  of  the  year  with  his  parents.  At  that  time,  the  stick  and 
clay  fire-places  were  being  replaced  by  more  commodious  brick  chimneys, 
and  brick-making  became  a  branch  of  industry.  The  father  and  son  each 
year  after  harvesting  the  crops  manufactured  a  small  quantity  for  the 
market,  the  latter  becoming  an  efficient  molder  and  burner  of  bricks.  While 
thus  engaged,  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the  summer  of  1849  with 
Gen.  Brown,  who  was  at  that  time  studying  with  Judge  Peelle,  of  Winches- 
ter. Texts  from  Blackstone  were  copied  on  bits  of  paper  tacked  to  the  brick 
gum  and  committed  to  memory  by  him  while  at  work.  Late  in  the  fall  of 
the  same  year,  Judge  Overman  removed  with  his  father's  family  to  Tipton 
County.  In  the  spring  of  1850,  he  received  $5  as  the  proceeds  of  thir- 
teen days'  labor,  and  of  it  expended  ^4.50  in  the  purchase  of  Black- 
stone's  Commentaries,  which  now  occupies  a  prominent  position  in  his 
well-filled  library.  For  eleven  years,  he  continued  alternately  teaching, 
farming  and  brick-making.  In  June,  1861,  he  commenced  the  profession 
of  law  in  Tipton,  and  in  1863  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Supreme 
Court,  and  in  the  federal  courts  a  few  years  later.  As  a  speaker,  Judge 
Overman  is  earnest,  logical  and  convincing.  As  a  practitioner,  he  is  un- 
tiring, faithful  and  formidable.  In  the  fall  of  1878,  he  was  elected  Judge 
of  the  Thirty-sixth  Judicial  Circuit,  carrying  by  a  majority  of  1,232  his 
own  county,  which  has  generally  given  less  than  400  majority  for  his  par- 
ty. Judge  Overman  was  married.  May  27,  1854,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Cox, 
of  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  by  whom  he  has  five  children — Alice,  the  eldest, 
married  to  John  P.  Hutchings,  of  Tipton  ;  Eva,  married  to  James  N. 
Waugh,  attorney,  of  Tipton;  Charles,  Lizzie  and  Fred,  together  with  the 
parents,  constitute  the  present  household. 

DR.  ISAAC  PARKER  (deceased),  one  of  Tipton  County's  repre- 
sentative men,  and  one  who  was  for  many  years  closely  identified  with 
her  interests,  was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  December  4,  1822  ; 
his  parents  being  poor,  his  education  was  limited ;  but  this  defect  in  his 
early  training  was  so  far  removed  by  his  energy  and  application  in  after 
years  that  he  came  to  be  regarded  by  all  his  neighbors  and  fellow-citizens 
as  a  man  thoroughly  posted  in  all  those  matters  pertaining  to  the  business 
affairs  of  life.  During  his  thirteenth  year,  he  was  mail  carrier  between 
Hillsboro  and  Columbus,  Ohio.  After  this  he  was,  of  his  own  choice, 
apprenticed  to  the  tailor's  trade.     On  the  board  he  not  only  became  a 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  251 

skillful  workman,  but  readily  picked  up  various  kinds  of  useful 
knowledge.  Before  he  attained  his  majority,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Jane  Rittenhouse,  who  urged  him  to  study  the  profession  of 
medicine,  and  by  whom  he  was  the  father  of  eight  children — D.  H.  Par- 
ker, of  Indianapolis ;  N.  W.  Parker,  of  Lynchburg,  Ohio ;  Mrs.  Dr. 
Barker,  Mrs.  Thadeus  Nance,  Mrs.  E.  B.  Martindale  and  James  I.  Parker, 
of  Tipton  ;  two  are  dead,  dying  in  infancy  ;  he  emigrated  to  Tipton  in 
the  fall  of  1847,  and  entered  into  the  practice  of  medicine,  having  had 
some  years'  experience  in  that  profession  in  Ohio.  By  the  year  1852,  he 
had  accumulated  considerable  property,  and  being  a  fluent  speaker,  he 
was  chosen  by  the  Democratic  party  to  contest  with  Judge  Green  for 
the  Legislature,  from  the  district  composed  of  the  counties  of  Tipton 
and  Howard.  The  Doctor  was  elected  by  something  over  one  hundred 
majority,  it  being,  if  our  memory  serves  us  right,  the  only  time  Judge 
Green  was  ever  beaten  before  the  people.  After  this  he  continued  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  but  traded  considerably  in  real  estate,  after  en- 
gaging in  the  dry  goods  business.  Some  twenty-five  years  ago,  he  moved 
to  and  resided  in  Noblesville  some  six  or  eight  months.  Returning  he 
brought  on  a  stock  of  goods ;  he  was  in  partnership  with  the  Hon.  N.  J. 
Jackson  at  the  time  of  that  gentleman's  death,  in  the  fall  of  1863.  In 
1865,  he  owned  a  dry  goods  establishment,  a  warehouse,  the  Tipton  Flour- 
ing Mills,  and  paid  taxes  on  $20,000  in  real  estate.  In  the  year  1867,  his 
wife  died.  This  was  followed  by  an  illness  that  continued  some  three 
months,  during  which  he  was  the  greater  part  of  the  time  delirious. 
While  prostrated  under  this  attack,  important  notes  maturing,  he  awoke 
to  find  himself  a  bankrupt.  From  these  losses — domestic,  financial  and 
physical — he  never  entirely  recovered.  Often  has  he  remarked  to  the 
writer,  "I  am  liable  to  drop  ofi"  at  any  moment."  In  1868,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  a  Mrs.  Taylor,  a  German  lady,  by  whom  he  has  one  son,  Victor. 
In  February  of  1874,  while  transacting  business  in  his  office,  he  was 
stricken  with  apoplexy.  He  never  recovered  consciousness,  and  expired 
peacefully.  Dr.  I.  Parker  was  a  devoted  friend,  husband  and  father. 
He  had  his  faults  as  have  all  men,  but  so  kind-hearted  and  benevolent 
was  he,  that  a  forgiving  public  gladly  covers  them  with  the  mantle  of 
charity.  He  was  widely  known,  both  as  a  physician  and  merchant,  and 
some  years  ago  was  a  politician. 

JAMES  I.  PARKER,  attorney  at  law,  Tipton,  is  the  youngest  son 
of  Dr.  Isaac  and  Jane  (Rittenhouse)  Parker,  and  was  born  in  Tipton, 
Ind.,  April  22,  1857  ;  his  education  was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  county,  and  at  the  Northwestern  Christian  University  of  In- 
dianapolis. In  his  seventeenth  year,  he  entered  upon  the  career  of  a  peda- 
gogue,  and  engaged  in  teaching  in  Tipton  and  other  counties  of  the 


252  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

State,  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  with  the  exception  of  one  year ;  four 
years  of  that  time  were  spent  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native  county, 
three  years  in  the  public  schools  of  Tipton,  and  two  years  as  Superintend- 
ent of  the  Public  Schools  of  Lewisville,  Henry  Co.,  Ind.  Having  al- 
ways cherished  a  desire  to  enter  the  legal  profession,  he  in  1874  took  up 
■the  study  of  law,  in  the  office  of  his  brother,  N.  W.  Parker ;  in  Septem- 
ber of  1875,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  at  the  same  time  entered  in- 
to a  partnership  with  his  brother  ;  in  December  of  the  same  year,  he  dis- 
solved that  partnership,  and  went  to  Lincoln,  111.,  where  he  spent  seven 
months  in  the  office  of  Messrs.  Hoblit  &  Foley,  two  of  the  ablest  attor- 
neys in  Central  Illinois  ;  returning  to  Tipton  in  July  of  1876,  he  was 
nominated  by  his  party,  the  Democratic,  for  the  office  of  Prosecutor  of 
of  the  Thirty-sixth  Judicial  Circuit,  being  but  nineteen  years  of  age,  and 
therefore  ineligible  ;  he  nevertheless  carried  his  own  county  by  a  majority 
of  417  votes,  but  was  defeated  in  the  district  by  359  votes.  In  the  fall 
of  1876,  his  brother,  N.  W.,  removed  to  Indianapolis,  and  being  left 
without  the  use  of  a  library,  and  no  means  to  purchase  one,  he  returned 
to  teaching  ;  in  1878,  he  accepted  a  position  offered  him  in  the  public 
schools  of  Tipton  ;  he  remained  in  those  schools  three  years,  and  in  1881 
removed  to  Lewisville,  Ind.,  and  took  charge  of  the  public  schools  at  that 
place,  and  conducted  them  with  flattering  success  for  two  years.  In  April 
of  1883,  he  returned  to  his  native  place  and  entered  into  the  practice  of 
law,  in  partnership  with  John  A.  Swoveland.  On  the  28th  day  of  Octo- 
ber, 1880,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Frances  U.  Guffin,  of  Tipton. 
They  have  one  son,  namely,  Herbert  C.  Mr.  Parker  is  now  attending 
strictly  to  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  the  business  of  the  firm  to 
which  he  belongs  is  rapidly  increasing.  Politically,  he  is  an  uncompro- 
mising Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  which  order 
he  holds  in  high  esteem. 

C.  F.  PATTERSON,  a  teacher  by  profession,  is  a  native  of  Tipton 
County,  Ind.,  where  he  was  born  June  6,  1862.  He  is  the  son  of  Ben- 
jamin F.  and  Lydia  (Plummer)  Patterson.  His  father,  one  of  the  promi- 
nent men  of  Tipton  County,  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind. ,  Septem- 
ber 6,  1838,  and  grew  to  manhood  in  Fayette  and  Shelby  Counties.  He 
removed  to  Tipton  County  and  engaged  in  farming  and  dealing  in 
stock  in  Wild  Cat  Township.  Here  he  was  married,  September  5,  1861, 
to  Miss  Lydia  Plummer,  of  which  marriage  our  subject  was  the  only  issue. 
In  1861,  he  removed  to  Carthage,  Mo.,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  and 
remained  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  he  returned  to  his  former 
farm  in  Tipton  County  and  remained  there  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
October  23,  1880.  Politically,  he  was  an  active  member  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  also  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  253 

The  youth  of  our  subject,  Charles  F.,  has  been  chiefly  passed  in  his  native 
county,  on  his  father's  farm,  and  various  schools  of  the  county,  in  which 
he  has  labored  as  an  instructor  of  the  young.  At  the  age  of  twelve,  he 
entered  Spiceland  Academy,  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  at  which  institution 
he  completed  the  academic  course  of  study.  He  afterward  entered  the 
Central  Normal  College,  at  Ladoga,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  for  three 
years,  completing  the  teachers'  and  the  scientific  course.  After  receiving 
his  diploma  at  Ladoga,  he  returned  to  Tipton,  where  he  entered  upon  the 
profession  of  teaching,  in  which  he  has  been  very  successful.  Among  the 
schools  in  which  he  has  taught  are  the  district  schools  of  Wild  Cat  Town- 
ship, the  Sharpsville  Graded  Schools,  of  which  he  was  Principal,  and  the 
Grammar  Department  of  the  Tipton  Public  Schools.  He  resides  on  North 
West  street,  Tipton,  with  his  mother,  in  a  very  nice  residence,  of  which  he 
is  the  owner. 

M.  W.  PERSHING,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Tipton  Advocate, 
was  born  January  15,  1849,  in  Warsaw,  Kosciusko  Co.,  Ind.  He  is  the 
eldest  of  five  children,  all  now  living,  born  to  David  R.  and  Sarah  M. 
(Sellers)  Pershing,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  respectively.  They 
were  married  in  Wabash  County,  Ind.,  in  1848,  and  are  of  German  de- 
scent. Mr.  David  R.,  during  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  has  been  a 
journalist.  He  conducted  papers  at  Warsaw  and  Rochester.  He  was  editor 
of  the  Fort  Wayne  Daily  Gazette,  also  of  the  Muncie  Times,  besides  be- 
ing connected  with  other  papei^s  throughout  the  State.  He  and  his  wife 
are  now  living  at  Muncie,  Ind.  He  is  now  in  the  mercantile  business. 
Prior  to  the  war,  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  is  now  a  Republican.  He 
has  been  prominent  in  public  life,  both  as  a  journalist  and  as  a  public 
oflicer  ;  he  is  a  member  of  I.  0.  0.  F.  M.  W.  Pershing  received  a  good 
education,  and  at  nineteen  years  of  age  became  a  school  teacher  in  his 
native  county.  A  year  after,  in  association  with  S.  T.  Montgomery,  he 
established  the  Kokomo  Journal,  a  Republican  paper.  Twelve  months 
afterward,  it  was  sold  to  the  Kokomo  Dispatch.  In  1876,  for  a  period  of 
three  months,  he  edited  the  Tipton  Republican.  In  September,  1878,  he 
established  the  Tipton  Advocate,  which  has  achieved  eminent  success. 
This  paper  has  a  sound  financial  basis,  the  subscription  list  is  large,  and 
in  addition  there  is  a  good  job-work  trade.  Soon  after  starting  this  pa- 
per, he  received  the  nickname  of  "  Marvelous  Persimmons,"  which  has 
since  become  his  well-known  title.  Mr.  Pershing  is  a  zealous  Republican, 
and  a  most  valuable  and  efiicient  worker  for  his  party  in  Tipton  County. 
He  is  an  able  and  forcible  writer,  and,  through  his  editorials  in  the  col- 
umns of  the  Advocate,  has  done  much  to  reduce  the  heavy  Democratic 
majority  in  the  county  ;  he  is  always  to  the  front  in  all  measures  of 
public  improvement,  and  is  well  posted  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the 


254  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

day  ;  he  is  a  member  of  I.  0.  0.  F.  December  5,  1872,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Mrs.  Melissa  A.  Cox,  of  Tipton,  a  native  of  Union  County.  They 
have  one  child,  Cora  E.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pershing  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

A.  B.  PITZER,  physician  and  surgeon,  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  having 
been  born  in  that  State  October  13,  1845.  He  is  the  son  of  Davidson 
Pitzer,  who  was  born  in  the  State  of  Virginia  in  1800,  and  raised 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Richmond  in  the  same  State.  The  Doctor's 
father  served  as  SheriiF  one  term  in  his  native  county,  but  afterward 
moved  to  Botetourt  County,  Va.,  and  again  to  Fayette  County,  Ohio. 
He  made  his  last  remove  to  Marion  County,  Ind.,  in  1849,  where  he 
resided  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1851.  The  family 
then  removed  to  Howard  County,  where  the  Doctor  grew  to  manhood  ; 
he  served  in  the  United  States  Army  during  the  late  rebellion.  Afterward 
he  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Kern  at  Kokomo.  During  his  studies,  he 
taught  in  the  public  schools  of  Howard  County  ;  he  graduated  at  Ann 
Arbor,  Mich.,  in  1868,  also  at  the  Indiana  Medical  College  at  Indianapo- 
lis ;  he  practiced  his  profession  in  Sharpsville,  Tipton  County,  until  1878, 
when,  after  one  of  the  hottest  campaigns  on  record,  he  was  elected  Clerk 
of  the  Tipton  Circuit  Court;  he  removed  to  Tipton  to  assume  the  duties 
of  his  office,  which  he  discharged  for  one  term  of  four  years.  During 
that  time,  he  established  a  book  and  general  stationery  store,  which  bus- 
iness he  disposed  of  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office  in  order  to  enter 
into  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  the  campaign  of  1882,  Dr.  Pitzer 
barely  lost  the  nomination  as  Democratic  candidate  for  the  office  of  State 
Auditor.  The  Doctor  was  married  at  Sharpsville,  Ind.,  May  24,  1870, 
to  Miss  Bell  Sharpe.  They  have  a  family  of  three  children — Wat- 
son B.,  Mabel  and  Lewis.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  also  an 
Odd  Fellow.  At  present  he  is  preparing  to  resume  the  practice  of  med- 
icine, and  will  soon  be  found  in  his  office  in  the  new  Gleason  Block,  now 
in  process  of  erection. 

ROBERT  L.  PORTER,  Auditor  of  Tipton  County,  was  born  in 
Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  July  18,  1848.  While  he  was  yet  young,  his 
parents  removed  to  Darke  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  reared.  During 
his  youth,  he  learned  the  silversmith  trade,  and  has  followed  that  occupa- 
tion with  but  a  few  intermissions  ever  since.  On  the  breakincr-out  of  the 
late  rebellion,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Fifth  Ohio  Volunteer  Cavalry. 
In  1867,  Mr.  Porter  located  in  Tipton  in  the  silversmith  and  jeweler's 
business,  in  which  he  engaged  until  his  election  as  County  Auditor  in 
November,  1882.  He  has  been  four  times  elected  Clerk  of  the  Town  of 
Tipton,  which  office  he  held  for  a  period  of  four  years  ;  he  was  married 
in  Howard  County,  June  8,  1872,  to  Miss  Ella   Raines.     The  issue  of 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  255 

their  marriage  consists  of  one  son,   Clyde.     Mr.  Porter  is  a  Democrat, 
and  both  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a  Mason. 

ROBERT  M.  ROBERSON  was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  Sep- 
tember 25,  1838  ;  he  grew  to  manhood  in  the  Buckeye  State,  and  on  the 
breaking-out  of  the  late  rebellion  enlisted  in  the  United  States  service 
in  September,  1861,  in  Company  B,  Sixty-ninth  Ohio  Volunteers,  and 
was  assigned  to  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  Second  Division.  He  par- 
ticipated in  the  battles  of  Stone  River,  Chattanooga,  Chickamauga  and 
Missionary  Ridge,  and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  famous  march  to  the  sea, 
going  through  to  Bentonville,  N.  C.  He  was  mustered  out  in  August, 
1865.  In  1866,  he  came  to  Tipton  County  and  located  at  Windfall, 
where  he  commenced  to  work  at  carpentering,  and  continued  until  1874, 
when  he  entered  into  the  dry  goods  and  grocery  business,  in  which  he 
continued  for  two  years.  In  1876,  he  was  elected  Sheriff  by  the  Democ- 
racy of  the  county,  and  immediately  removed  to  Tipton.  He  was  re- 
elected in  1878,  serving  altogether  two  terms,  or  four  years.  After  his 
term  of  office  expired,  he  engaged  in  the  furniture  business  until  the  fall 
of  1882,  when  he  sold  out  and  resumed  his  trade  of  carpentering.  He  is 
at  present  engaged  in  the  erection  of  a  fine  brick  residence  on  North  In- 
dependence street,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000.  Mr.  Roberson  was  married  in 
January,  1871,  in  Tipton  County,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Nay.  They  have 
two  children,  namely,  George  and  Olive.  His  father,  Daniel  S.  Rober- 
son, came  to  Tipton  in  his  old  age,  and  remained  here  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  March,  1877,  aged  seventy-three  years.  Mr,  Rober- 
son is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

MOSES  ROSENTHAL  was  born  in  Kokomo,  Howard  Co.,  Ind., 
November  20,  1850;  he  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Esther  Rosenthal,  and 
the  eldest  of  a  family  of  six  children.  When  quite  young,  he  removed 
from  Kokomo  to  Indianapolis,  whence,  after  a  brief,  residence,  he  went  to 
Louisville,  Ky.,  and  thence,  at  about  the  age  of  fifteen,  to  Peru,  Ind., 
where,  for  several  years,  he  worked  in  the  woolen  manufactory  of  Sterne 
&  Co.  During  his  boyhood,  his  opportunities  for  acquiring  an  education 
were  very  limited,  but  he  manifested  his  disposition  to  take  care  of  him- 
self by  selling  papers  on  the  streets  of  the  diflferent  cities  in  which  he 
lived,  and  in  the  performance  of  various  odd  jobs  by  which  he  could  turn 
an  honest  penny.  He,  in  1873,  located  at  Tipton,  and  engaged  in  the 
dry  goods  business  in  partnership  with  E.  Rothschild.  In  1878,  he  pur- 
chased his  partner's  interest,  and  has  since  conducted  the  business  alone. 
He  carries  a  stock  of  goods  of  general  merchandise  valued  at  from  $12.- 
000  to  $15,000,  and  does  an  annual  business  of  from  $30,000  to  $35,000. 
His  business  room,  known  as  the  Indiana  Store,  is  one  of  the  most  con- 
venient and  commodious  in  the   town   of  Tipton.      A  few  years  ago,  he 


256  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

purchased  and  has  ever  since  conducted  the  stave  factory  situated  along 
the  south  side  of  the  tracks  of  the  L.,  E.  &  W.  R.  R.,  near  the  northern 
limits  of  Tipton ;  here  he  employs  twenty-three  hands  at  a  weekly  ex- 
pense of  $150,  and  does  a  business  of  $40,000  annually.  Mr.  Rosen- 
thal has  been  twice  elected  to  the  office  of  Treasurer  of  the  town  of  Tip- 
ton. Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  one  of  the  best  workers  in  his 
party ;  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  has  occupied 
prominent  positions  in  that  order.  He  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  and 
energetic  business  men  in  the  county. 

JOHN  E.  RUMSEY,  dealer  in  musical  instruments  and  sewing  ma- 
chines, representing  the  Estey  and  Cymbella  organs  and  the  Singer  sew- 
ing machine,  was  born  in  Mason  County,  Ky.,  April  2,  1820.  His  father, 
Charles  Rumsey,  removed  to  Rush  County,  Ind,,  in  1833,  and  came  to 
Tipton  County  in  1849.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  but  after  he  came 
to  this  county,  engaged  in  farming.  He  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land, 
and  resided  on  that  until  his  death  in  July,  1872.  John  E.  Rumsey  had 
very  limited  opportunities  to  receive  an  education,  but  after  he  was  grown 
up  he  attended  the  academy  at  Waveland  three  years.  In  1852,  he 
came  to  Tipton  County  and  located  on  a  farm  during  one  year.  He  en- 
gaged in  teaching"  and  taught  his  first  term  in  the  Tipton  High  School. 
He  followed  teaching  fifteen  years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  mercan- 
tile pursuits  a  short  time.  He  then  followed  the  life  insurance  business 
until  1872,  when  he  was  elected  by  the  Republican  party  as  a  Represent- 
ative of  Hamilton  and  Tipton  Counties.  He  served  in  the  General  As- 
sembly in  the  special  session  of  1872,  and  the  regular  session  of  1873, 
and  soon  after  engaged  in  his  present  occupation,  where  he  is  doing  a  good 
business.  He  owns  a  good  residence  in  Tipton.  Mr.  Rumsey  was  mar- 
ried, October  5,  1843,  in   Putman  County,  Ind.,  to  Miss  Zerelda  Osborn. 

JOHN  Q.  SERIGHT,  Deputy  Sheriff  of  Tipton  County,  was  born 
in  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  October  19,  1851,  where  he  remained  until  his 
fourteenth  year.  His  father,  John  Seright,  was  born  in  1828;  was  mar- 
ried in  1848,  in  Decatur  County,  to  Miss  Charlotte  Stirgus,  and  in  1864 
removed  to  Tipton  County,  locating  at  Windfall,  where  for  several  years 
he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  which  he  finally  sold  out  and  in- 
vested his  means  in  a  farm,  on  which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  1873,  April  13.  He  left  behind  him  a  family  of  two  sons, 
namely,  our  subject,  and  Lewis  G.,  a  resident  of  Windfall.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  died  September  23,  1860.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  John  Q.  Seright  grew  to  manhood  in 
Windfall,  acc^uiring  a  good  business  education  from  the  graded  school  of 
the  town.  His  first  business  experience  was  as  a  clerk,  after  which  he 
learned  telegraphy,  and  after  following  that  for  some  four  years,  he  re- 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  257 

turned  to  his  first  calling,  which  he  pursued  until  1876,  when  he  en- 
gaged in  merchandising  for  three  years,  after  which  he  again  clerked 
until  1880,  when  he  received  the  appointment  of  Deputy  Sheriff  of  the 
county  and  removed  to  Tipton.  He  was  again  appointed  Deputy  by 
Sheriff  Leavell  in  1882,  and  is  now  discharging  the  duties  of  that  posi- 
tion. He  was  married  in  Tipton  County,  December  12,  1875,  to  Miss 
Julia  R.  Wright.  They  have  two  sons  and  two  daughters,  namely,  Lot- 
tie, Andrew  D.,  Creola,  Gamalia  Earl.  Mr.  Seright  is  politically  a 
Republican.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  ex- 
pects when  his  term  as  Deputy  expires  to  retire  to  his  farm  of  eighty 
acres,  lying  three  miles  east  of  Windfall. 

CALEB  B.  SHANK  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  December 
13,  1831,  and  passed  his  youth  in  the  counties  of  Wayne  and  Tipton. 
His  parents,  Joseph  and  Marinda  Shank,  came  to  Tipton  County  in 
1842,  and  entered  720  acres  of  land,  in  Sections  28  and  29,  Cicero 
Township,  in  which  last-named  section  they  resided ;  on  this  land  his 
father  remained  until  1859,  clearing  out  about  200  acres,  erecting  a  good 
residence,  substantial  barn  and  outbuildings,  and  setting  out  an  orchard. 
At  the  time  last  mentioned,  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Tipton,  where  he 
continued  to  reside  until  his  death,  which  occurred  October  17,  1864. 
Joseph  Shank  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  county,  being  born  in 
Pennsylvania  December  17,  1802.  He  was  united  in  marriage  in 
Wayne  County,  Ind.,  January  9,  1831,  to  Miss  Marinda  Jackson,  who 
was  born  June  19,  1812,  in  Virginia.  His  widow  still  survives  him, 
and  had  left  at  her  husband's  death  a  family  of  three  children,  only  one 
of  whom  is  now  living,  viz.,  Caleb  B.  The  names  of  those  deceased  are 
Nancy  E,  and  John  A.  Caleb  B.  acquired  a  fair  education  from  the 
common  schools  of  the  counties  of  Wayne  and  Tipton.  He  engaged  in 
farming  on  the  home  farm  until  1861,  when  he  removed  to  Tipton  and 
embarked  in  the  mercantile  business ;  after  pursuing  this  about  two  years, 
he  disposed  of  it  and  began  manufacturing  brick  for  building  pur- 
poses; this  business  he  carries  on  in  connection  with  farming,  and  it  has 
thus  far  proved  very  remunerative,  as  he  has  been  able  to  manufacture 
and  dispose  of  about  700,000  brick  annually.  He  owns  a  farm  of  150 
acres,  and  his  mother  owns  the  same  amount,  in  all  300  acres,  in  Section 
12,  Cicero  Township,  which  joins  the  corporation  limits.  He  also  owns  a 
residence  and  seven  lots  in  the  town  of  Tipton.  The  fertility  of  the  soil 
of  his  farm  is  unsurpassed  by  any  other  in  the  county.  It  averages  an 
annual  production  of  sixty  bushels  of  corn  and  twenty  bushels  of  wheat 
to  the  acre.  His  corn  ho  uses  principally  as  feed  for  his  stock,  of  which 
he  raises  a  fair  amount.  He  is  a  zealous  Republican,  and  takes  a  great 
interest  in  political  affairs.     In  1880,  he  was  appointed  to  take  the  cen- 


258  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  : 

sus  of  Tipton  County.  He  was  married  in  Tipton  County,  October  2, 
1851,  to  Misa  Mary  W,  Askren.  They  have  had  three  children,  viz.: 
Marinda  J.,  Arleva  A.  and  John  W.,  deceased.  Mr.  Shank  is  one  of 
Tipton's  most  enterprising  men,  and  to  him  she  owes  much  of  her  pros- 
perity. 

JOHN  A.  SWOVELAND,  attorney  at  law,  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  and 
was  born  at  Mansfield,  Richland  County,  July  22,  1813.  When  he 
was  quite  young,  his  father  removed  to  Van  Wert  County,  Northwestern 
Ohio,  on  what  was  known  as  the  Indian  Reserve.  There  John  A.  remained 
until  1861,  acquiring  such  an  education  as  the  common  schools 
aiforded.  September  14,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Fourth 
Ohio  Volunteer  Cavalry.  His  command  was  assigned  to  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland,  and  with  it  he  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Chattanooga,  Nashville,  and  the  siege  of  Atlanta.  He  was  with  Sherman 
on  his  famous  march  to  the  sea  until  his  arrival  at  Atlanta.  He  returned 
from  that  city  with  Thomas  to  Nashville.  On  the  28th  October,  1862, 
he  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  enemy  at  Lexington,  Ky.  He  was  paroled 
the  same  day,  and  sent  to  Columbus,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  until 
January,  1863,  when  he  was  exchanged,  and  sent  back  to  his  company. 
In  the  same  year  he  was  made  Corporal  and  served  in  that  capacity  until 
he  was  discharged  in  1864.  He  re-enlisted,  and  continued  in  the  serv- 
ice until  the  close  of  the  war.  During  his  second  term  of  service,  he 
took  part  in  the  engagements  at  Tullahoma,  Franklin,  Tenn.,  and  Selma, 
Ala.  During  the  battle  of  Tullahoma,  he  received  a  painful  wound  in  the 
right  foot,  which  has  slightly  crippled  him  for  life.  His  brigade  capt- 
ured Jefferson  Davis,  and  Mr.  Swoveland  had  command  of  the  guard 
that  held  him  in  custody  at  the  Lanier  House,  Macon,  Ga.  After  the 
war,  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Ohio,  and  attended  school  for  one  year. 
In  1867,  he  removed  to  Tipton  County,  and  engaged  in  business.  He 
traded  largely  in  railroad  ties  and  cord  wood.  Unfortunately  in  1871  hie 
entire  stock  was  destroyed  by  fire,  which  financially  stranded  Mr. 
Swoveland.  In  1872,  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  law,  at  Windfall. 
In  1878,  he  was  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  the  Thirty-sixth  Ju- 
dicial District  of  Indiana.  After  his  election,  he  removed  to  Tipton, 
where  he  has  since  continued  to  practice  his  profession  ;  his  office  is  in  the 
Picken  Block,  Room  1.  Mr.  Swoveland  was  married  in  Tipton  County, 
December  26,  1867,  to  Miss  Isabella  Van  Winkle.  They  have  three 
children — Jessie  A.,  Gracie  M.  and  Sarah  G.  Politically,  he  is  a  Re- 
publican, and  a  member  of  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

SAMUEL  M.  TAYLOR,  proprietor  of  the  Tipton  Mills,  and  for  a 
long  time  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  Tipton,  was  born  in 
Wayne  County,    Ind.,  April  19,  1831.      His  father,  Samuel  Taylor,  Sr., 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  259 

a  resident  of  Wayne  County,  a  very  successful  farmer  and  a  prominent 
minister  of  the  Baptist  Church,  died  August  3,  1833,  in  his  fifty-third 
year.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Wayne  and  Henry  Counties,  obtaining 
his  education  from  the  common  schools  and  County  Seminary.  At  the 
age  of  sixteen  years,  he  entered  upon  the  profession  of  teaching,  and 
followed  it  for  several  years,  teaching  in  the  counties  of  Delaware,  Parke, 
Kosciusko  and  Randolph,  in  this  State,  and  for  a  time  in  the  State  of 
Michigan.  In  1852.  he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  Deputy  Clerk  of 
Henry  County,  and  while  in  that  position  he  took  up  the  study  of  the 
law  ;  was  finally  admitted  to  the  bar,  but  never  engaged  in  actual  practice. 
He  afterward  clerked  for  a  time  at  Economy.  In  1856,  he  removed  to 
Kokomo,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  Deputy  Clerk  of  Howard  County. 
After  one  year,  he  came  to  Tipton,  and  was  installed  as  Deputy  Clerk  of 
Tipton  County.  In  1857,  he  removed  to  Windfall  and  engaged  in  the 
merchandise  business  until  1864.  In  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company  C, 
One  Hundred  and  First  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  was  assigned 
to  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  under  Thomas  ;  he  was  in  all  the  battles 
fought  on  Sherman's  march  to  the  sea,  and  through  to  Raleigh,  N.  C. 
He  was  discharged  from  the  service  in  August,  1865,  and  returned  home. 
In  1866,  he  removed  to  Tipton  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  until 
1870,  when  he  purchased  the  Tipton  Mills,  and  has  ever  since  been  in 
the  milling  business,  at  which  he  has  been  very  successful ;  he  also  buys 
grain,  and  is  engaged  in  shipping  it  to  the  various  grain  markets  of  the 
country.  In  1874,  he  was  elected  by  the  Republicans  of  Hamilton  and 
Tipton  Counties  as  their  Representative  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
State,  and  served  one  term  of  two  years.  He  was  again,  in  1876,  elected, 
by  the  same  party  of  the  same  counties,  as  Senator  to  the  General 
Assembly  for  one  term  of  four  years.  He  was  married  in  Tipton,  in 
1866,  to  Miss  Rebecca  Wiggins,  who  departed  this  life  June  6,  1882.  By 
her  he  has  a  family  of  four  children,  namely,  Florence  M.,  Lora,  Hat- 
tie  and  Augusta.  Politically,  Mr.  Taylor  is  a  Republican,  and  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JAMES  P.  THOMAS,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  is  a  native  of  Wayne 
County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  son  of  Jesse  and  Nancy  Thomas.  When  James 
P.  was  ten  years  of  age,  his  father  died,  and  he  lived  on  a  farm  with  his 
uncle.  In  1850,  he  came  with  his  mother  to  Tipton  County,  and  the 
following  year  taught  one  term  of  school  in  this  county.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Wayne  County,  and  worked  on  a  farm  until  August,  1855,  when 
he  returned  to  Tipton  County  and  engaged  in  teaching  and  farming 
twelve  successive  years.  He  purchased  forty  acres  of  land,  and  met  with 
good  success  in  collecting  property.  Mr.  Thomas  enlisted  February  28, 
1862,  in  Company  K,  Forty-seventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infan- 


260  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

try,  and  participated  in  the  battle  at  Riddle's  Point  and  the  siege  of  Fort 
Thompson.  He  served  about  nine  months,  when  he  was  discharged  and 
returned  home.  He  then  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  two  years, 
when  he  sold  his  farm,  came  to  Tipton  County,  and  embarked  in  the  gro- 
cery business,  where  he  remained  fifteen  years,  when  he  sold  out.  He  is 
in  comfortable  circumstances,  and  owns  a  good  residence  in  town.  Mr. 
Thomas  was  married,  August  15,  1855,  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  J.  Lewis.  They  have  a  family  of  five  children — Martha  A., 
Lewis  J.,  Sheridan,  Mary  and  David  V.  Mr.  Thomas  was  elected  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  in  November,  1878,  and  was  re-elected  in  1882.  He  i& 
identified  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  one  of  its  most  active  work- 
ers. 

J.  A.  TICHENOR  was  born  in  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  March  20, 
1840.  He  is  a  son  of  James  Tichenor,  and  passed  his  earlier  years  on 
his  father's  farm,  with  very  poor  opportunities  for  acquiring  an  education. 
On  attaining  his  twenty-third  year,  he  engaged  in  farming  for  himself, 
which  he  followed  until  1876,  when  he  removed  to  Tipton  and  engaged 
in  the  hotel  and  livery  business.  Not  being  satisfied  with  it,  he  soon 
abandoned  the  hotel,  but  still  continues  the  livery  business.  In  conjunc- 
tion with  it,  he  also  sells  buggies,  representing  the  firms  of  Sechler  &  Co., 
and  D.  W.  Miller  &  Co.,  both  of  Cincinnati.  Besides  the  business  last 
named,  he  also  farms  and  carries  on  a  flourishing  harness  trade,  in  which 
he  carries  a  $2,000  stock  of  goods.  He  was  married  in  Delaware  County, 
Ind.,  September  29,  1862,  to  Miss  Mary  Dale.  The  fruits  of  their  mar- 
riage consist  of  six  children,  three  boys  and  three  girls,  namely:  Marion, 
Symetha  J.,  Leroy,  Luella  Bell,  Cora  and  Arvy  Orial.  Mr.  Tichenor  is 
politically  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  and  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

JOHN  H.  TYNER,  proprietor  of  saw  and  planing  mills,  contractor 
and  builder,  and  general  lumber  dealer,  and  who  does  a  business  of  $50,000 
annually,  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  May  27,  1841.  His  father, 
Stephen  Tyner,  removed  to  Marion,  Ind.,  when  John  was  about  five 
years  old,  and  remained  there  until  1873.  Our  subject  engaged  in 
farming  for  about  three  years.  He  then  bought  a  steam  saw-mill,  and 
embarked  in  that  business  in  Marion.  Shortly  after  this  venture,  he  lost 
his  entire  mill  property  by  fire.  Nevertheless,  he,  in  two  years,  rebuilt 
the  mill  on  the  same  spot,  and  resumed  the  business.  In  1873,  he  dis- 
posed of  his  mill  property,  and  removed  to  Tipton,  where  he  entered  into 
the  planing-mill  business.  Shortly  afterward,  he  added  a  saw-mill,  and 
now  runs  the  two  together  on  one  site.  He  was  married,  May  20,  1863, 
to  Miss  Louisa  J.  Perry.  By  that  marriage  he  has  three  children,  viz., 
Mary  J.,  Martha  E.  and  Georgia  G.  Tyner.     Mr.  Tyner  is  at  present 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  261 

engaged  in  the  erection  of  a  number  of  fine  buildings  in  Tipton.  He  is, 
politically,  a  Democrat,  and  is  at  this  time  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
School  Trustees. 

WILLIAM  VAN  NUYS,  physician  and  surgeon,  and  proprietor  of 
the  Central  Drug  Store,  is  a  native  Hoosier,  and  was  born  in  Switzerland 
County,  Ind.,  February  19,  1832.  His  education  was  the  best  that 
could  be  obtained  at  that  time,  being  started  in  the  commoa  schools 
of  the  State,  and  finished  at  Hanover  College,  near  Madison, 
Ind.  In  1850,  he  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  in  Pleasant,  Ind.  He 
attended  lectures  at  the  University  of  Michigan,  and  graduated  at  the 
Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  February  21,  1855.  He  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Allensville,  in  Switzerland  County,  in  1853, 
prior  to  his  graduation.  After  his  graduation,  he  removed  to  New  Lis- 
bon, Henry  Co.,  Ind.,  and  remained  there,  with  the  exception  of  one 
year  spent  at  Seymour,  Ind.,  until  1861.  In  that  year,  he  removed  to 
Lewisville,  Henry  County,  and  continued  in  practice  until  February, 
1883,  the  last  five  yetxrs  of  which  time  he  conducted  a  drug  store  in  con- 
nection with  his  profession.  At  the  time  last  mentioned,  he  removed  to 
Tipton.  The  Central  Drug  Store,  of  which  the  Doctor  is  proprietor,  car- 
ries a  large  stock  and  does  a  good  business.  The  Doctor  was  married  in 
Henry  County,  Ind.,  November  23,  1859,  to  Miss  Agnes  S.  Heaston. 
They  have  a  family  of  four  daughters,  viz.:  Minnie  A.,  Jennie  B.,  Katie 
and  Ophelia  G.  Politically,  the  Doctor  is  a  Democrat;  he  is  also  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

E.  C.  WAITS,  proprietor  of  the  Commercial  Hotel,  Tipton,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Brown  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  born  Febi'uary  22,  1838;  his 
father,  William  Waits,  resided  in  Brown  County  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  January  9,  1877.  His  mother,  born  March  20,  1808,  died 
when  our  subject  was  about  nine  years  of  age,  after  which  he  started  out 
to  do  work  for  himself.  For  two  years  he  did  work  on  a  farm,  then  went 
to  Buford,  Highland  Co..  Ohio,  to  reside  with  a  physician,  until  he  at- 
tained his  majority ;  but  shortly  after  he  went  there,  the  physician  died, 
and  our  subject  was  again  without  a  home.  After- this,  he  went  to  Green - 
bush.  Brown  Co.,  Ohio,  and  for  about  one  year  worked  in  a  hotel  for 
a  monthly  stipend.  At  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  apprenticed  himself  to  the 
chair-making  trade,  and  after  serving  his  apprenticeship,  he.  in  1853,  re- 
moved to  Madison  County,  Ind.,  where  he  followed  farming  for  one  sum- 
mer, after  which  he  went  into  the  saw  mill  business  and  followed  that  for 
about  one  year.  In  1858,  he  again  engaged  in  farming,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  about  five  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  began  teaming, 
which  he  followed  for  three  years.  About  this  time  he  connected  him- 
self with   Stowe's  variety  show,  as  proprietor  of  a  candy  stand,  in  which 


262  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

business  he  was  very  successful ;  he  afterward  ran  a  huckster  wagon  for 
one  summer,  when  he  removed  to  Independence  and  went  into  the  grocery 
business;  he  soon  sold  out,  however,  and,  removing  to  Windfall,  again 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  but  owing  to  the  insolvency  of  his  part- 
ner, Mr.  Waits  catne  out  about  $1,300  short  in  one  year.  After  this 
he  dealt  in  staves,  and  in  1868  went  to  Logansport,  and  for  two  years 
followed  railroadincy.  In  1870,  he  went  into  the  hotel  business  at  Jones- 
boro,  whence,  after  a  residence  of  three  years,  he  removed  to  Dunkirk, 
Jay  Co.,  Ind.,  and  again  acted  in  the  capacity  of  a  landlord;  his  last 
move  was  to  Tipton  in  1875,  where  he  has  ever  since  remained,  continuing 
in  the  hotel  business;  he  is  now  the  genial  landlord  of  the  Commercial 
Hotel,  and  is  doing  a  flourishing  business.  Mr.  Waits  has  been  twice 
married;  the  first  time  to  Miss  Martha  J.  Fluner,  in  Grant  County,  Ind., 
March  22,  1857.  By  her  he  has  three  children — William  F.,  Sarah  A. 
and  Daniel  R.  His  first  wife  died  March  28,  1868.  His  second  mar- 
riage occurred  March   28,  1869,  to  Miss  Frances  E.  Smith,  his  present 

wife. 

HON.  DAN  WAUGH  was  born  in  Wells  County,  Ind.,  on  the  7th 
dav  of  March,  1842.  While  a  boy,  he  attended  the  crude  country  schools 
of  that  period,  and  succeeded  in  acquiring  a  good  common  school  educa- 
tion. When  quite  a  young  man,  he  taught  several  schools,  as  so  many 
men  have  done  who  have  subsequently  risen  to  distinction.  On  the  9th 
dav  of  September,  ISdI,  the  war  of  the  rebellion  becoming  colossal  in 
proportions,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Thirty-fourth  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  which  was  immediately  sent  to  the  front  and  assigned  to  the 
Thirteenth  Corps.  He  took  part  in  the  closely  contested  battles  in  which 
that  corps  was  engaged.  He  was  in  the  trenches  before  Vicksburg  ;  he 
endured  the  trials  and  hardships  of  the  Red  River  campaign  ;  he  was  in 
the  battles  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  and  at  Island  No.  10,  and  in  that 
fierce  and  bitter  struggle  at  Champion  Hills  he  received  a  severe  bayonet 
wound  in  the  thigh.  Upon  being  mustered  out  of  the  army,  Mr.  Waugh 
returned  to  Wells  County,  and  shortly  afterward  entered  upon  the  study 
of  law  at  Bluffton,  having  determined  to  enter  that  profession.  In  1866, 
he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Wells  County,  but  in  the  following  year, 
conceiving  Tipton  to  be  a  better  field  for  a  young  lawyer,  he  located  in 
that  town.  Soon  afterward,  he  entered  into  a  partnership  with  Judge 
John  Green,  the  oldest  and  one  of  the  ablest  practitioners  at  the  Tipton 
bar.  This  partnership  continued  for  several  years,  and  so  closely  did  Mr. 
Waugh  apply  himself,  and  such  aptitude  did  he  display  for  forensic  en- 
counters, that  he  early  took  a  front  rank  in  his  profession.  After  the 
dissolution  of  this  firm,  he  continued  the  practice  alone,  his  success  in- 
cieasing  with  each  year,  and  his  business  growing   to  large  proportions. 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  263 

In  November,  1882,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  John  P.  Kemp,  an 
able  and  rising  young  lawyer,  and  the  firm  of  Waugh  &  Kemp  is  one  of 
the  strongest  in  this  part  of  the  State.  Mr.  Waugh  Avas  married  in  1870 
to  Miss  Alice  Grove,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  J.  M.  Grove,  of  Tipton,  and  they 
have  three  children,  named  Pearl,  Bell  and  Nina.  A  lawyer  in  large  and 
active  practice  is  very  much  before  the  people,  who  readily  place  an  esti- 
mate upon  his  attainments  and  abilities.  Thus  it  has  been  with  Dan 
Waugh,  and  the  opinion  so  formed  of  him  by  the  public  has  been  highly 
complimentary,  but  free  from  exaggeration.  He  is  an  excellent  lawyer,  in 
the  strict  sense  of  that  term,  and  as  an  advocate  he  is  earnest,  eloquent 
and  impressive.  Few  men  in  Northern  Indiana  can  make  a  stronger  or 
more  feeling  appeal  to  a  jury,  and  few  have  done  so  more  successfully, 
judging  by  the  verdicts  secured.  In  addition  to  this,  few  have  gained  and 
kept  a  larger  practice  and  given  better  satisfaction  to  clients.  His  suc- 
cess at  the  bar  is  but  the  deserved  reward  of  an  undeviating  attention  to 
duty  and  of  fidelity  to  every  engagement  and  undertaking.  When  his 
services  have  been  secured,  he  regards  no  work  in  the  interest  of  his  client 
as  too  severe,  and  when  the  case  is  a  difiicult  one,  his  toil  is  frequently 
extreme.  In  politics,  Mr.  Waugh  is  a  Republican,  and  by  his  discussions 
of  public  questions  upon  the  stump,  he  has  achieved  distinction  in  his 
party,  and  in  his  own  county  particularly  he  is  looked  up  to  by  his  friends 
as  a  leader  of  party  opinion.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity. Financially,  he  is  in  very  comfortable  circumstances,  being  the 
owner  of  valuable  town  and  farm  property  and  a  fine  law  library.  He  is 
yet  a  young  man,  very  popular  with  the  people,  and  his  prospects  for  the 
future  are  continually  brightening. 

W.  W.  WILSON,  dealer  in  groceries  at  the  Banta  corner,  member  of 
the  firm  of  Wilson  &  Harvey,  is  a  native  of  Montgomery  County,  where  he 
was  born  September  16, 1845.  His  father,  John  W.  Wilson,  removed  to 
Tipton  County  in  1859,  and  located  at  Normanda,  where  he  resided  until 
1868,  and  engaged  in  wagon-making.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  he  removed 
to  Tipton,  where  he  lived  until  1877,  when  he  again  removed  to  Clinton 
County,  where  he  died  April  7  of  that  year,  leaving  a  widow  and  nine 
children,  namely,  Mrs.  Lydia  A.  Evans,  Woodroe  W.,  C.  M.,  Milton 
W.,  John  P.,  Mrs.  Martha  E  Ward,  James  M.,  Mrs.  Philena  Lamb, 
Joseph  S..  all  of  whom  reside  in  Kansas,  except  our  subject  and  Mrs. 
Martha  E.  Ward.  His  mother,  Mrs.  Margaret  Wilson,  died  in  La- 
bette County,  Kan.,  September  13,  1881.  In  January,  1864,  Woodroe 
W.  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army,  in  Company  B,  Seventy-fifth 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Second 
Brigade,  Third  Division  and  Fourteenth  Army  Corps.  He  was  with 
Sherman  during  the   whole  of  his  memorable  campaign  to  the  sea,  and 


264  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

was  in  all  the  principal  battles  of  tliat  time.  He  was  discharged  in  July, 
1865.  After  his  discharge,  he  returned  home,  and  in  1S67  engaged  in 
the  saw  mill  and  lumber  business  until  1872,  in  Tipton.  He  then  dis- 
posed of  his  interest  in  that  business  and  engaged  in  wagon-making, 
a  trade  that  he  had  learned  under  his  father.  This  he  continued  until 
September,  1882,  when  he  again  sold  out  and  commenced  his  present 
vocation.  The  firm  of  which  he  is  a  member  carry  about  $2,000  stock, 
and  are  doing  a  good  business.  Mr,  Wilson  was  married.  May  20,  1872, 
to  Miss  Orpha  Long,^of  Tipton,  daughter  of  John  Long,  County  Record- 
er. They  have  four  children — John  M.,  Luella,  Woodroe  and  Nancy 
M.  Mr.  Wilson  is  the  owner  of  a  very  nice  residence  in  Tipton,  and  is 
politically  a  Republican. 

H.  A.  WOODRUFF,  proprietor  of  the  Farmers'  Hotel  of  Tipton, 
was  born  in  Brown  County  November  20,  1819  ;  his  father,  Joab  Wood- 
ruff, removed  to  Johnson  County  in  1821,  and  located  on  a  farm  near 
Williamsburg,  where  he  remained  until  his  death,  June  14,  1850.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch'engaged  in  farming  in  Johnson  County,  and  in  1845 
located  in  Tipton  County,  where  he  took  a  claim  of  160  acres  in  Prairie 
Township.  In  1850,  he  removed  to  Tipton  and  purchased  162  acres  of 
wild  land  near  the  town  ;  he  went  to  w'ork  to  clear  his  farm  ;  he  still  owns 
this  tract,  and  has  enlarged  it  to  380  acres.  He  also  owns  eighty  acr(3S 
about  two  miles  from  town,  and  has  given  each  of  his  children  an  eighty- 
acre  farm.  In  connection  with  farming,  he  in  1878  engaged  in  the  hotel 
business,  and  has  owned  the. hotel  for  some  time;  he  was  married  in  John- 
son County,  Ind.,  in  December,  1840,  to  Miss  Mary  S.  Hutto,  who  died 
March  11,  1855,  in  Tipton  County,  leaving  a  family  of  eight  children — 
James  M.,  John  R.,  Mrs.  Sophia  Paul,  Amelia  M.,  Absalom  and  Joab, 
living ;  also  Elizabeth,  Absalom  and  Rebecca  A.,  all  deceased.  Mr. 
Woodruff  was  next  married  in  August,  1856,  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  to 
Miss  Eliza  J.   Morgan. 

R.  W.  WRIGHT  is  a  native  of  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  where  he  was 
born  March  13,  1829;  his  father,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  removed, 
in  1837,  to  Avhat  is  now  Madison  Township,  Tipton  County,  but  then  a 
part  of  the  county  of  Hamilton,  and  settled  on  a  tract  of  land  in  the  tim- 
ber, consisting  of  a  half-section,  which  he  entered  of  Congress.  Here  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  assisted  his  father  in  clearing  up  a  farm.  Over  a  hun- 
dred acres  were  prepared  and  put  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation  ;  then  a  sub- 
stantial brick  residence  was  erected  on  the  cleared  tract,  where  the  father 
resided  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  September,  1859,  aft- 
er having  reared  a  family  of  seven  children,  four  sons  and  three  daughters, 
namely  :  Robert  W.;  John  W.,  a  resident  of  Iowa  ;  Asberry  P.,  a  resident 
of  Marion  County,  Ind.,  and  James  T.  (deceased)  ;  also,  Mrs.  Mary  J. 


TOWN  OF  TIPTON.  265 

Orr,  of  Arcadia,  Hamilton  Co.,  Ind.;  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Lily,  of  Tipton  County, 
and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  J.  Meritt.  Mr.  Wright,  in  1849,  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade,  which  he  followed  for  three  years,  at  the  expiration  of 
which  time  he  engaged  in  farming  in  Cicero  Township,  Tipton  County, 
continuing  in  that  business  until  the  year  1856,  when  he  sold  his  farm 
and  removed  to  Appanoose  County,  Iowa,  where  he  purchased  land  and 
made  a  farm.  In  1860,  he  sold  his  Iowa  land  and  returned  to  Tipton 
County,  where  he  again  followed  farming  until  the  year  1866,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Tipton,  and  engaged  in  the  livery  business.  At  the  time  of  his  re- 
moval to  Tipton,  he  was  elected  to  the  oflBce  of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  about 
one  year  after  he  sold  out  his  livery  business  and  turned  his  attention  to  the 
boot  and  shoe  trade,  which  he  continued  until  1869,  when  he  sold  out  and 
entered  the  office  of  the  County  Auditor,  as  Deputy,  where  he  remained 
in  that  capacity  for  a  little  over  four  years.  In  1874,  he  was  elected  by 
the  Democratic  party  to  the  office  of  Auditor,  and  served  one  term  of  four 
years.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office,  he  resumed  farming  for 
two  years ;  he  then,  in  1880,  entered  the  real  estate,  loan  and  insurance 
business,  and  has  continued  it  ever  since.  The  style  of  the  firm  is  Wright 
&  Long,  and  they  are  doing  a  good  business.  Mr.  Wright  owns  a  good 
residence  on  North  Main  street,  in  Tipton,  as  well  as  several  vacant  town 
lots;  he  was  married  in  Tipton  County,  December  15,  1850,  to  Miss 
Eliza  J.  Blount.  The  issue  of  that  marriage  consists  of  seven  children, 
five  of  whom  are  living.  Their  names  are  as  follows  :  Mrs.  Frances  P. 
Winfield,  Mrs.  Alice  B.  Martz,  Sarah  L.,  Mary  B.  and  Silas  Blount; 
also,  Jasper  M.  and  Newton  N.,  deceased. 

WILLIAM  B.  YOUNG,  proprietor  of  the  Champion  Planing  Mill, 
and  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Tipton  County,  was  born  in  Brown  County, 
Ohio,  June  4,  1829.  When  Mr.  Young  was  two  years  old,  his  father 
died.  He  continued,  to  reside  in  Brown  County  until  his  seventeenth 
year,  when  the  family,  consisting  of  his  mother,  his  sister  and  himself, 
removed  to  Jennings  County,  Ind.  There,  he  followed  farming  for  two 
years,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  went  to  Kent,  Jefferson  Co.,  Ind., 
and  commenced  to  learn  the  cabinet  trade,  during  which  time,  1849,  his 
mother  died.  After  he  had  mastered  his  trade,  about  1850  he  removed 
to  Tipton  County,  and  started  in  the  cabinet  business  for  himself,  and  in 
connection  therewith  conducted  a  furniture  store.  In  1874,  he  erected 
the  Champion  Planing  Mill,  which  he  managed  in  connection  with  his 
other  business  until  1881,  when  he  sold  out  his  cabinet  and  furniture 
business.  Since  that  time,  he  has  devoted  himself  entirely  to  the  man- 
agement of  the  planing  mill.  Since  its  erection  in  1874,  the  mill  was 
once  entirely  destroyed  by  fire.  But,  notwithstanding  the  crushing  loss 
he  sustained,  Mr.  Young  at  once  rebuilt  it,  on  an  improved  plan,  with 


266  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

improved  machinery,  and  the  business  of  the  mill  has  so  increased  that 
the  annual  amount  of  lumber  turned  out  approximates  125,000  feet.  Mr. 
Young  has  been  twice  married,  first,  on  the  8th  of  June,  1848,  to  Miss 
Catharine  Green,  who  died  January,  1853 ;  secondly,  on  the  4th  of 
August,  1853.  in  Jennings  County,  Ind.,  to.  Miss  Mary  A.  Green.  By 
his  first  wife,  he  has  two  children — Seneca  G.  Young  and  Mrs.  Mary  I. 
Long.  By  his  second  wife,  he  has  three  children,  viz.,  Ella,  Lulu  A. 
and  Anna  E.  He  has  a  nice  brick  residence  on  West  Jefferson  street. 
Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  also  of  the  Christian  Church. 

LEVI  YOUNG,  dealer  in  poultry,  hides,  furs,  iron,  etc.,  also  en- 
gaged in  the  sale  of  buggies,  in  partnership  with  D.  C.  Jones,  does 
a  business  of  $15,000  annually.  He  was  born  on  the  19th  day  of  Janu- 
ary, 1849,  in  Howard  County,  Ind.,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  school,  and  taught  one  term  of  a  district 
school.  He  afterward  dealt  in  stock  a  short  time,  followed  clerking  about 
five  years,  and  spent  two  years  in  the  grain  trade.  In  1878,  he  entered 
upon  his  present  calling,  and  in  1881  located  in  Tipton.  He  was  mar- 
ried, in  Montgomery  County,  September  24,  1874,  to  Miss  Fannie 
Wheeler,  the  issue  of  which  marriage  consists  of  three  children,  of  whom 
two  are  living — Jessie  and  Fred — and  one  is  dead — Mabel.  His 
mother  is  still  living  at  the  old  home  in  Howard  County  ;  his  father. 
Eleven  T.  Young,  died  February  5,  1854.  His  remains  were  interred  in 
the  cemetery  at  Alto,  in  Howard  County.  Mr.  Young  is  a  member  of 
Fritz's  Cornet  Band,  in  which  he  plays  the  first  alto  horn.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 

JOHN  H.  ZEHNER,  Treasurer  of  Tipton  County,  was  born  in 
Richland  County,  Ohio,  May  28,  1839,  and  remained  in  his  native  county 
until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  He  then  went  to  Van  Wert 
County,  Ohio.  In  September,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H, 
Fourth  Ohio  Cavalry,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland. He  was  with  Sherman  on  his  campaign  as  far  as  Atlanta,  and 
then  returned  with  Thomas  to  Nashville,  and  was  in  the  battle  at  that 
place.  He  then  joined  Wilson  on  his  cavalry  expedition.  He  saw  Jeff 
Davis  when  he  was  brought  into  headquarters.  In  July,  1865,  he  was  dis- 
charged, and  immediately  returned  to  his  home  in  A^an  Wert  County,  Ohio. 
Soon  after  this,  he  made  a  trip  through  the  West,  traveling  through  the 
States  of  Kansas,  Iowa,  Missouri  and  Illinois,  and  finally  settled  at  Wind- 
fall, Ind.,  November,  1866,  where  he  entered  into  the  grocery  business. 
He  continued  in  business  at  that  place  until  1880,  when  he  was  elected 
by  the  Democracy  of  Tipton  County  to  the  office  of  County  Treasurer, 
which  position  he  now  occupies.     Mr.  Zehner  was  married,  November  6^ 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  267 

1866,  to  Miss  Rosanna  Davis.  They  have  a  family  of  four  children, 
namely,  Walter,  Bertha  May,  Nancy  L.  and  John  Otto.  Politically,  Mr. 
Zehner  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  also  a  prominent  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 


CICERO   TOWNSHIP. 

PETER  ACHENBACH  was  born  in  Lebanon  County,  Penn.,  April 
5,  1822.  His  father,  Peter  Achenbach,  Sr..  removed  to  Montgomery 
County,  Ohio,  when  our  subject  was  quite  young,  whence  he  removed  to 
Wayne  County,  Ind.,  and  after  a  short  residence  there  removed  to  Ham- 
ilton County,  of  this  State.  Our  subject  engaged  in  farming  in  Hamilton 
County,  and  continued  until  1851,  when  he  removed  to  this  county,  pur- 
chased a  farm  'near  Tipton,  sold  it  soon  after  and  bought  the  farm  of 
eighty  acres  which  he  now  owns,  situated  in  Section  32,  Cicero  Township. 
He  has  sixty  acres  under  cultivation,  and  well  drained.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  Plum  Grove  Lodge,  No.  181.  He  was 
married  in  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  October  29,  1848,  to  Miss  Matilda 
*Knapp.  His  estimable  wife  departed  this  life  August  4,  1882,  leaving  to 
his  care  a  family  of  six  children,  viz.:  William  H.,  Daniel  W.,  John  M., 
Benjamin  F.,  Barbara  E.  and  James  L.  He  also  had  one  son,  now  de- 
ceased, viz.,  Simon.  Politically,  Mr.  Achenbach  is  a  member  of  the 
Democratic  party.  He  is  an  industrious  citizen,  and  enjoys  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  his  neighbors. 

JOHN  H.  AKERS,  a  farmer  owning  120  acres  in  Cicero  Township, 
Section  25,  half  of  which  is  under  cultivation,  isanative  of  Owen  County, 
Ky.,  and  was  born  May  24,  1825.  He  was  reared  in  his  native  county, 
and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  went  to  Louisville,  where  he  Avorked  about 
five  years.  In  1850,  he  removed  to  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  and  engaged 
in  farming  until  1864,  when  he  came  to  Tipton  County  and  located  on 
his  present  tract  of  land.  His  land  is  fertile  and  productive,  and  he  keeps 
a  number  of  cattle  and  hogs.  He  raises  sixty  bushels  of  corn  to  the  acre, 
and  about  twenty  bushels  of  wheat.  Mr.  Akers  was  married  in  Johnson 
County,  Ind.,  in  the  fall  of  1850,  to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Graham,  a  daughter 
of  James  Graham.  Mr.  Akers  is  a  worthy  citizen  in  his  community,  and 
he  and  his  wife  are  consistent  members  of  the  church. 

THOMAS  B.  BATES  is  a  native  of  Butler  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
was  born  January  17,  1846.  In  his  early  childhood  his  parents  removed 
to  Henry  County,  Ind.,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  In  August,  186-"^, 
he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-third  Indiana  Battery.  He  served  in  Burn- 
side's    campaign,  Sherman's  campaign   to   Atlanta,    and  Thomas'    cam- 


268  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

paign  to  Columbus,  Franklin  and  Nashville  against  Hood.  He  was  hon- 
orably discharged  July  3,  1865,  and  returned  to  Henry  County,  where 
for  a  time  he  engaged  in  farming.  On  November  8.  1872,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Leavell,  in  Tipton  County,  and  immediately  there- 
after removed  to  Tipton,  this  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  In 
1875,  he  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  the  County  Farm,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  for  eight  years.  He  owns  140  acres  of  fine  land  in  Section 
15,  of  which  seventy  acres  are  under  cultivation,  and  the  remainder  is 
timbered  land,  well  set  in  blue  grass.  His  cultivated  land  is  drained  by 
1,050  rods  of  tile  ditching,  which  has  a  fine  outlet  in  a  large  open  ditch. 
His  farm  is  well  stocked  with  cattle,  hogs,  etc.,  and  particularly  worthy 
of  mention  are  twenty-five  fine  cows.  In  the  spring  of  1883,  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  citizens  of  Tipton,  he  started  a  dairy,  and  every  morning  and 
evening  supplies  said  citizens  with  the  best  milk  obtainable  from  thor- 
oughbred cows.  Mr.  Bates  is  a  Democrat,  and  takes  an  active  part 
in  political  affairs.  In  the  campaign  of  1880,  he  was  Chairman  of 
the  Democratic  County  Central  Committee.  He  was  again  chosen  in 
1882,  but  owing  to  the  urgency  of  his  business  matters  he  could  not 
serve.      He  is  a  member  of  both  the  Masons  and  Odd  Fellows. 

FRANCIS  BECK,  a  native  of  Germany,  was  born  November  4,  1829. 
His  fiither,  John  Beck,  emigrated  to  America  in  1833,  resided  one  year 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  then  removed  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.  About 
three  years  later,  he  removed  to  Tipton  County,  and  entered  eighty  acres 
of  timber  land  in  Cicero  Township.  He  resided  in  this  county  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1875,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  in  1864,  purchased  the  home  farm  of  eighty  acres,  and 
has  since  resided  on  this.  He  has  added  sixty  acres  to  this,  and  has 
his  land  well  drained,  with  sixty-one  acres  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Beck 
was  married,  in  1864,  in  this  county,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Curnutt,  who 
died  in  1865.  He  afterward  married,  in  1867,  Mrs.  Sarah  Doversberger. 
They  have  six  children  living — John,  Edward,  William,  Charles,  Lorunze 
and  Annie.  Mr.  Beck  is  a  successful  farmer,  and  is  an  active  member  of 
tlie  Democratic  party. 

JAMES  BENNETT,  a  native  of  Rush  County,  Ind.,  was  born  Janu- 
ary 12,  1828,  and  spent  his  youth  in  his  native  county.  He  came  to 
Tipton  County  in  October,  1844,  and  entered  land  near  Sharpsville. 
After  residing  here  four  years,  he  returned  to  Rush  County,  purchased  a 
farm,  and  lived  there  eight  years.  He  then  sold  his  farm  in  Rush  County 
and  returned  to  Tipton  County,  purchased  160  acres  near  Sharpsville, 
and  remained  here  about  twelve  years.  He  then  sold  this  farm  and 
located  in  Indianapolis,  where  he  managed  a  boarding-house  for  some 
time.     After  this,  he  lived  two  years  in'  Hamilton  County,  two  years  in 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  269 

Rush  County,  and,  in  1880,  returned  to  Sharpsville,  and  shortly  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  140  acres,  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  sixty-five 
acres  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Bennett  was  married,  in  1844,  to  Miss 
Mary  Brookbank.  She  died  August  23,  18G4,  leaving  two  children — 
Hester  A.  and  Mary  E.  He  next  married,  December  26,  1865,  Levinia 
A.  Smith.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  two  children — Harriet  J. 
and  Margaret  E. 

DR.  SILAS  BLOUNT,  medical  practitioner,  farmer,  minister  of  the 
Gospel  and  ex-County  Judge,  is  a  native  of  Ross  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was 
born  October  10,  1800,  two  years  before  Ohio  was  admitted  into  the  L^nion. 
He  is  the  son  of  Cyrus  and  Elizabeth  Blount,  the  former  of  whom  went 
to  Highland  County,  Ohio,  purchased  land,  and  erected  a  house,  but  was 
prevented  from  removing  to  his  new  home  by  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1802.  His  widow  and  family  of  seven  children  removed  to  their  High- 
land County  home,  and  there  our  subject  grew  to  manhood.  He  has 
been  twice  married,  first,  in  1822.  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Miller,  who  died  December  24,  1822  ;  his  second  marriage 
occurred  September  17,  1827,  to  Miss  Barbara  Miller,  his  present  wife, 
who  was  born  September  6,  1809.  He  remained  in  his  native  State 
until  1841,  practicing  medicine  and  engaging  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
In  1841,  he  located  in  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  on  160  acres  of  land,  which 
he  had  previously  purchased.  Since  then  he  has  added  eighty  acres,  and 
is  now  the  possessor  of  240  acres  in  Section  22,  Cicero  Township,  120 
acres  of  which  are  under  cultivation,  and  the  remainder  in  woods  pasture. 
He  is  also  the  owner  of  two  dwelling  houses  and  lots  in  Tipton,  and  three 
houses  and  lots  in  the  city  of  Indianapolis,  situated  in  Butler's  Division, 
on  Broadway.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  are  the  parents  of  eight  children  living,  and  two  deceased,  viz.,  Bra- 
zilla  M.,  Louisa  J.,  Cyrus  N.,  Mary  M.,  Elizabeth  M.,  Jacob  B.,  Barbara 
P.,  and  Alcinda  T. ;  also  Eli  V.,  died  October  29,  1859,  aged  twenty-two 
years,  after  having  graduated  at  the  Northwestern  Christian  LTniversity, 
completed  his  legal  studies,  and  been  admitted  to  the  bar ;  and  the  other 
child  dead  is  Mytelena,  an  infant.  Dr.  Blount  has  always  been  an  enthu- 
siastic supporter  of  higher  education,  and  no  pioneer  of  Tipton  County 
ever  made  ampler  provision  for  his  children  in  that  respect  than  he  has. 
He  has  spent  at  least  $10,000  in  educating  them,  and  every  one  of  them, 
with  perhaps  one  or  two  exceptions,  are  graduates  of  classical  colleges. 
His  occupations  have  been  various.  As  above  mentioned,  he  has  practiced 
medicine  for  many  years.  He  sold  goods  at  West  Kinderhook,  and  was 
for  some  time  Postmaster  at  that  place.  He  was  one  of  the  first  Associate 
Judges  of  Tipton  County,  and  served  eleven  years.  He  has  never  lost 
an  opportunity  to  administer  the  Gospel.     Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 


270  BIOGRArHICAL   SKETCHES: 

He  is  now  in  his  eighty-fourth  year,  but,  notwithstanding  his  advanced 
age,  is  in  excellent  health. 

JOHN  BOULTON  is  a  native  of  Tennessee;  his  father,  Peter 
Boulton,  came  to  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  where  our  subject  spent  his 
boyhood  days.  He  engaged  in  the  shingle  business  for  some  time,  and, 
since  then,  he  has  followed  agricultural  pursuits.  In  1865,  he  removed 
to  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  purchased  a  farm  and  remained  there  about  five 
years ;  he  then  sold  out  and  bought  a  farm  in  Jennings  County,  where 
he  remained  until  1872,  when  he  came  to  Tipton  County,  purchased  a 
farm  two  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Tipton,  and  lived  there  till  1883, 
when  he  sold  out  and  purchased  eighty  acres  in  Section  84,  Cicero 
Township.  He  built  a  neat  residence  and  moved  into  it;  he  has  forty 
acres  under  cultivation,  Mr.  Boulton  was  married,  February  25,  1850, 
in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Byrum.  They  have  ten 
children  living — Annie  J.,  Jemima,  Thomas,  Mary  E.,  John  F.,  Lewis, 
Doc,  Lincoln,  Flora  and  Eva. 

JOHN  BURKHART,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Germany,  where  he 
was  born  September  1,  1814  ;  he  remained  in  the  Fatherland  until  he 
attained  his  twentieth  year,  when  he  emigrated  to  America.  After  his 
arrival  in  this  country,  he  resided  in  Lancaster  County,  Penn.,  one 
summer,  and  then  in  the  State  of  Ohio  until  1844,  when  he  moved  to 
L^nion  County,  Ind.  Here  he  lived  four  years;  he  then  removed  to 
Tipton  County  and  located  in  Cicero  Township ;  he  is  the  owner  of  a 
farm  containing  sixty-eight  acres,  four  miles  west  of  Tipton,  under  good 
cultivation ;  he  also  owns  a  fine  residence  on  North  West  street,  Tipton, 
which  he  occupies  as  his  home;  he  has  always  followed  the  occupation  of 
a  farmer  since  his  residence  in  this  county,  and  has  been  very  successful  ; 
he  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  or 
Disciples'  Church.  Mr.  Burkhart  was  married,  February  22,  1838.  in 
Butler  County,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Sarah  Bridges.  The  issue  of  their  mar- 
riage consists  of  eight  children,  viz.  :  Enos  L.,  Thomas  W.,  Jane,  Mary, 
Daniel  B.,  Alonzo  G.,  Maria  and  Sarah. 

THOMAS  W.  BURKHART,  a  farmer,  was  born  in  Butler  County, 
Ohio,  May  16,  1841 ;  his  parents  are  John  and  Sarah  (Bridges)  Burk- 
hart. Thomas  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and,  when  he  attained  his  majority, 
engaged  in  farming  on  a  tract  of  timbered  land  containing  200  acres, 
situated  in  Section  83,  Cicero  Township,  Tipton  County;  his  present 
farm  of  120  acres  he  has  since  acquired,  and  moved  on  it  in  1863, 
where  he  has  resided  for  twenty  years  ;  he  has  100  acres  under  cultiva- 
tion, splendidly  ditched  and  unsurpassed  for  fertility ;  he  averages  annu- 
ally on  this  land  fifty  bushels  of  corn  and  from  fifteen  to  eighteen  bushels 
of  wheat ;  he  raises  a  fair  amount  of  stock,  consisting  principally  of  hogs 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  271 

and  cattle;  he  was  married  in  Tipton  County  March  22,  1863,  to  Miss 
Emily  Egler.  They  have  five  children,  namely,  Mrs.  Ada  A.  Beckett, 
Eddie  E.,  James  cf,  Francis  H.  and  Mary  C.  Politically,  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Democratic  party. 

A.  G.  BURKHART,  a  Tipton  County  farmer,  was  born  in  this 
county  February  10,  l8ol,  and  has  always  made  this  his  home.  Heat- 
tended  the  common  schools  of  the  county,  and  subsequently  attended 
Butler  University  two  years.  He  was  married,  November  9,  1875,  in 
this  county,  to  Miss  Serena  A.  Mount.  Four  sons  bless  this  union— 
Arthur  E.,  Claude  M.,  Halley  C.  and  John  W.  After  his  marriage,  Mr. 
Burkhart  engaged  in  farming  on  rented  land,  and  in  1878  purchased 
eighty  acres  in  Cicero  Township,  and  has  since  been  able  to  add  forty 
acres  to  this;  he  has  about  sixty  acres  under  cultivation,  has  a  good 
dwelling,  and  a  first-class  barn  which  he  built  in  1882  at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 
Mr.  Burkhart  is  a  prosperous  farmer  and  prominent  citizen  ;  he  is  identi- 
fied with  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  an  active  worker. 

ALEXANDER  G.  CARSON,  a  Tipton  County  farmer,  was  born 
November  19,  1838,  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  until  he 
was  about  twelve  years  old  ;  he  then  removed  with  his  father,  Alexander 
Carson,  to  Tipton  County,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Prairie  Township.  In 
1870,  his  father  sold  this  farm,  removed  to  Clinton  County,  and  settled 
near  Michigantown,  where  he  died  April  17,  1880,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
six.  For  more  than  half  a  century  he  was  a  devoted  Christian,  and  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church  ;  ten  children  survived  him.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  came  to  Tipton  County  and  settled  in  Cicero  Township, 
and  purchased  a  small  farm  of  forty  acres  ;  he  subsequently  sold  this  and 
purchased  another  farm  of  eighty  acres,  upon  which  he  moved  in  1876. 
He  has  continued  farming  since  with  good  success  ;  he  has  about  fifty 
acres  under  cultivation,  and  his  land  is  of  very  fertile  soil,  producing 
seventy-five  bushels  of  corn  to  the  acre  ;  he  built  a  good  residence  upon 
it  in  the  fall  of  1882.  Mr.  Carson  was  married  in  Marion  County,  Ind., 
January  1,  1862,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Rabourn.  They  have  two  children — 
William  Sherman  and  Ida  Belle.  Mr.  Carson  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

H.  L.  CLARK,  firmer,  is  a  native  of  Fairfax  County,  Va.,  and  was 
born  August  22,  1815.  When  he  was  seventeen  years  old,  his  father, 
Josius  M.  Clark,  removed  to  Harrison  County,  Ky.,  where  he  remained 
until  his  death,  April  21,  1845,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five.  H.  L.  Clark, 
engaged  in  farming  a  short  time  in  Kentucky,  and  was  married,  Febru- 
ary 13,  1838,  in  Harrison  County,  Ky.,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Peld. 
He  removed  to  Randolph  County,  Ind.,  in  1840,  and  later  located  in 
Rush    County ;  he    came  to   Tipton    County  in  1856,  and  located  upon 


272  V  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Section  30,  on  eighty  acres  of  land,  forty  acres  of  which  he  entered  ;  he 
came  to  the  county  by  wagon,  and  cut  his  way  through  the  forest  to 
reach  his  h>t ;  he  built  a  house  and  succeeded  in  clearing  sixty-five  acres 
of  land.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  had  five  children — Josius  M.,  ex-County 
Surveyor,  Caroline  M,  Winans,  Williaui  W.,  Marion  E.  (deceased),  ex- 
County  Recorder,  and  Hannah  J.  Glass  (deceased),  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Clark  died  January  10,  1880.  Mr.  Clark  is  an  old  pioneer  and  early- 
settler.  He  is  a  worthy  citizen  in  his  community,  and  an  active  member 
of  the  Democratic  party. 

JAMES  COE,  farmer,  was  born  in  Frederick  County,  Va.,  January 
8,  1842,  and  spent  his  youth  in  his  native  State.  He  enlisted  in  1861  in 
the  confederate  army  in  Company  D,  Thirty-third  Regiment  of  Virginia. 
He  was  in  Stonewall  Jackson's  command,  and  engaged  in  battle  at  Port 
Republic,  seven  days'  fight  near  Richmond,  Slaughter  Mountain  and  Bui 
Run.  In  1863,  he  came  to  Ohio,  and  two  years  later  located  in  Tipton 
County,  Ind.  In  1867,  he  purchased  fifty  acres  of  land  in  Tipton  County, 
of  which  he  has  forty-two  acres  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Coe  was  married, 
August  11,  1866,  in  this  county,  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  McMurtry.  -They  have 
four  children  living — Melda  V.,  Richard  L.,  Eva  Sophia  and  Mary  Lucy. 
Mr.  Coe  is  a  well-to-do  farmer  and  a  popular  citizen  in  his  community. 

L.  H.  COX,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Tennessee,  and  was  born  May  23, 
1822.  When  he  was  quite  small,  his  parents  removed  to  Wayne  County, 
Ky.,  and  subsequently  located  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  where  his  parents 
died  when  he  was  only  ten  years  old,  leaving  him  to  do  for  himself.  He 
engaged  in  farming,  and  remained  there  until  1849,  when  he  removed 
to  Tipton  County  and  entered  eighty  acres  near  Sharpsville.  He 
cleared  sixty-five  acres  of  this  land,  and  in  1881  sold  it  and  bought  a  farm 
of  forty  acres,  which  has  about  twenty-five  acres  under  cultivation.  Mr. 
Cox  was  married  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  August  27,  1848,  to  Miss 
Martha  Ann  Hendricks,  a  daughter  of  Squire  Hendricks.  They  have  had 
fifteen  children — Almeda,  Andrew,  Squire  T.,  Mary  E.,  John  M.,  Elisha, 
Robert  E.,  Enlitious  A.,  Emma  L.,  Laura  F.,  Margaret  J.  (deceased), 
Albian  (deceased),  James  F.  (deceased)  Marcus  E.  (deceased)  and  Isaac 
J.  (deceased).  Mr.  Cox  was  in  an  early  day  a  Whig,  and  of  late  years  has 
cast  his  vote  with  the  Republican  party. 

WILLIAM  A.  CURREY,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  owning  169  acres 
in  Section  27,  Cicero  Township,  is  a  native  of  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  and 
was  born  November  19,  1824.  He  engaged  in  farming  in  his  native 
county  until  1877,  when  he  removed  to  Madison  County,  Ind.,  and  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  154  acres.  Shortly  after,  he  traded  this  land  for  his 
present  farm  in  Tipton  County  and  has  since  resided  here.  His  land  is 
mostly  under  cultivation,  is  of  fertile  soil  and  well  drained,  and  lies  be- 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  ,  278 

tween  the  Pike  and  the  Wabash  Railroad  ;  his  farm  produces  600  bushels  of 
wheat  and  2,000  bushels  of  corn  annually.  Mr.  Currey  was  married  in 
Franklin  County,  Ind.,  March  16,  1862,  to  Lucinda  Stant.  They  have 
a  family  of  seven  children — Lucy,  John  and  Jonathan  (twins),  Nora  and 
Cora  (twins),  William  and  Charles.  Mr.  Currey  is  alive,  energetic  farm- 
er ;  he  raises  and  trades  in  stock,  both  horses  and  cattle  quite  exten- 
sively. 

SYLVESTER  J.  DE  POY,  farmer  and  teacher,  is  a  native  of  Howard 
County,  Ind.,  and  was  born  September  9,  1852.  He  is  the  son  of  Will- 
iam and  Catherine  J.  (King)  DePoy.  His  father  was  born  in  Virginia 
September  2,  1823,  and  removed  to  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  when  he  was 
quite  young.  He  spent  his  youth  on  a  farm  in  that  county  and  was  there 
married,  August  29,  1849,  to  Miss  Catherine  J.  King,  born  in  Ohio, 
March  1, 1830.  In  1850,  he  removed  to  Howard  County,  Ind.;  and 
purchased  a  farm  one  mile  north  of  Kokomo.  In  1860,  he  sold  this 
and  purchased  a  farm  of  sixty  acres  in  Pulaski  Councy,  near  Star 
City,  where  they  have  since  resided.  He  has  a  family  of  seven  children, 
four  of  whom  are  residents  of  Tipton  County — Sylvester  J.,  Fletcher 
J.,  Laura  E.,  a  teacher,  and  Ella  J.,  a  teacher.  The  rest  of  the  family 
reside  at  their  home  in  Pulaski  County,  viz.:  Susan  E.,  Alice  B.  and 
Willie  H.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  remained  in  Howard  County  until 
he  was  eight  years  of  age,  when  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Pulaski 
County.  In  1873,  he  came  to  Tipton,  where  he  attended  the  high 
school  three  years,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming  and  teach- 
ing in  Tipton  County,  and  has  given  good  satisfaction  in  the  teachers' 
profession.  He  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party  and  takes  an 
active  interest  in  the  political  issues  of  the  day. 

HUGH  DICKEY,  ex-Treasurer  and  ex-Sheriff  of  Tipton  County,  was 
born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  March  7,  1820,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm 
in  his  native  county.  In  1852,  he  came  to  Tipton  County  and  settled 
on  160  acres  of  timbered  land  in  Cicero  Township.  He  now  owns  280 
acres,  200  of  which  are  under  cultivation  and  the  remainder  in  past- 
ure, well  set  with  blue  grass,  and  his  farm  is  well  drained  with  tile. 
Mr.  Dickey  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  was  elected  by  his  party  to  the 
office  of  Sheriff,  in  1862,  and  was  re-elected  in  1864.  He  was  elected 
Treasurer  of  Tipton  County  in  1866,  and  served  one  term  of  two  years. 
He  was  married  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  February  15,  1844,  to  Miss 
Hannah  Manlove.  They  have  two  sons — George  A.,  a  farmer,  residing 
on  the  home  farm,  and  Andrew  S.,  a  physician,  residing  in  Tipton. 

POWHATTAN  H.  DODD,  a  prominent  farmer  in  Cicero  Township, 
was  born  on  September  10,  1825,  in  Virginia,  where  he  remained 
until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age.     His  fither,  Joseph  Dodd,  then  re- 


274  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

moved  to  Hamilton  County,  InJ.,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life 
in  Hamilton  and  Tipton  Counties.  He  died  in  Hamilton  County  in 
1843,  leaving  a  family  of  twelve  children,  of  whom  our  subject  was 
the  eldest,  hence  the  care  of  the  family  fell  upon  him.  P.  H.  Dodd 
engaged  in  farming  in  Hamilton  County  till  1859,  when  he  was  en- 
abled to  buy  with  his  hard-earned  money  eighty-five  acres  of  land 
near  Westfield.  This  he  traded  for  160  acres  in  Section  27,  Madison 
Township,  and  in  1859  moved  upon  this  tract  of  timber  and  prairie 
land,  about  ten  acres  being  cleared.  Here  he  opened  a  farm  of  100  acres, 
and  has  met  with  good  success.  Mr.  Dodd  was  married,  September  28, 
1847,  in  Hamilton  County,  to  Miss  Lurinda  Wilson.  They  had  four 
children — Lurinda  J.,  wife  of  William  Ressler ;  James  Preston  (de- 
ceased) ;  William  Melvin  (deceased) ;  and  Milburn  Jasper,  who  lived  to 
manhood,  and  died  October  21,  1878,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five.  Mrs. 
Dodd  died  September  18,  1S74,  aiid  Mr.  Dodd  was  next  married  in 
Tipton  County,  Ind.,  September  10,  1875,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Tingle. 
He  owns  four  vacant  lots  in  Tipton,  and  two  good  farms  in  the  county. 
He  gave  his  child  a  farm  of  forty  acres  and  he  purchased  a  home  of 
twenty-five  acres  north  of  Tipton,  upon  which  he  moved  in  February, 
1876,  and  let  his  farms  out  to  a  tenant.  He  is  a  highly  respected  farmer, 
and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  New  Light  Church.  Mr.  Dodd  is  a 
Democrat. 

LEWIS  H.  DOTY,  a  native  of  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  was  born 
May  20,  1847.  He  was  reared  in  Johnson  County,  and  March  11, 
1865,  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Thirty-third  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  was  in  the  service  about  six  months.  He  was  married  in 
Shelby  County,  Ind.,  September  10,  1866,  to  Miss  Maria  Barimore. 
After  his  marriage,  he  located  in  Jay  County,  Ind.,  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. Here  his  wife  died  November  24,  1868,  leaving  one  child — 
Samuel  H.  Mr.  Doty  then  returned  to  Johnson  County  and  engaged 
in  farming.  He  was  next  married,  April  3,  1870,  in  Johnson  County, 
Ind.,  to  Miss  Emma  Hoyt.  They  have  four  children — Flora  A.,  Addie 
B.,  Robert  E.  and  Carrie  B.  In  1874,  he  sold  his  farm  in  Johnson 
County,  came  to  Tipton  County,  and  purchased  thirty-eight  acres  in 
Cicero  Township,  Section  27.  His  farm  is  composed  of  fertile  soil,  is 
well  drained,  and  has  twenty-five  acres  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Doty  is 
a  prominent  farmer,  and  an  active  member  of  the  Democratic  party. 

JOHN  EILER  is  a  native  of  Germany,  where  he  was  born  April 
24,  1807.  He  resided  in  his  native  country  until  1832,  when  he  emi- 
grated to  America.  He  for  some  time  worked  by  the  month  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  then  removed  to  Indiana,  and  resided  for  awhile  in  what  is 
now  Hagerstown,  Wayne  Co.,  Ind.     He  built  the  first  house  ever  erected 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  275 

in  that  place.  His  next  removal  was  to  Henry  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
remained  for  eleven  years.  After  that  he  spent  one  year  in  Hamilton 
County,  and  then,  in  1851,  moved  to  Tipton  County,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  He  purchased  twenty  acres  of  land  near  the  Wabash  Railroad, 
which  he  soon  disposed  of  for  $500.  He  then  bought  eighty  acres  in 
Section  32,  Cicero  Township,  which  he  still  owns.  Of  his  present  farm, 
sixty  acres  are  under  cultivation ;  it  is  well  drained.  Mr.  Eiler  has  been 
twice  married.  First  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  January  7,  1835,  to 
Catherine  Kiser,  who  died  in  1860.  He  was  married  the  second  time  in 
Tipton  County,  on  the  19th  of  July,  1860,  to  Rebecca  Sarver.  By  his 
first  wife,  he  is  the  father  of  ten  children,  viz.:  George  W..  Simon, 
Samuel,  Abraham,  William,  Catherine,  Martha,  Susan,  Mary  and  Matil- 
da. Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  and  his.  wife  are  members  of 
the  Christian  or  Disciples'  Church. 

E.  C.  ELLIOTT,  merchant,  grain  dealer,  farmer,  etc.,  is  a  native  of 
Ke'.itucky,  where  he  was  born  October  31,  1839,  in  Bracken   County. 
In  his  native  county  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  worked  at  the  carpenter's 
trade,  which  he  learned  under  his  father.     On  the  breaking-out  of  the 
late  rebellion,  he  enlisted,  September  23,  1863,  in  Company  G,  Seventh 
Kentucky  Cavalry.      He   saw  service  at    Green   River,    Elizabethtown, 
Monticello   and  various  other   places.      But  his  most   important  military 
experience  was  when  he  accompanied  Gen.  John  Morgan  on  his  famous 
raid   through   Indiana  and   Ohio,  in  which  he  was  captured  at   Corydon, 
Ind.;  he  was  sent   first   to  the   LTnited   States  Prison  at    Lousiville,   Ky., 
then  to  "Camp  Chase,"  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  finally  to  Johnson's  Island, 
Ohio,  where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war.      He  was  discharged 
from  prison  in  June  of  1865,  and  shortly  after  went  to  Indiana,  and  lo- 
cated at  Jackson  Station,  Tipton  County.      At  that  time  our  subject  was 
the  possessor  of  $65  in  money.     For  about  two  years  he  worked  in  a  saw 
mill  and  then  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Jackson   Station 
with  a  capital  of  f  1,000,  all  he  had  in  the  world.     He  is  now  the  owner 
of  a  fine  brick  business  room,  which  was  erected  in  1874,  a  large  grain 
elevator,  erected  in  1881,  and  a  farm  of  175  acres  located  in  Section  26, 
Cicero  Township,  and  Section  16,  Liberty  Township,  all  under  cultivation 
excepting  five  acres,  all  of  which  property  approximates  in  value  $15,000. 
He  carries  a  $5,000  stock  of  goods  and  does  a  business  of  $12,000  per 
annum,   while   his  grain   business   amounts  to  $20,000   annually.      Mr. 
Elliott  was  married,  April   22,  1861,  in  Bracken  County,    Ky.,  to   Miss 
Mary  E.  Smitson,  by  which  marriage  he  has  two  children,  Ida  and  Lucy. 
Politically,  Mi".  Elliott  is  a  Democrat.     He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity. 

VALENTINE  FINDLING  was    born    in  Germany  September  15. 

17 


276  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

1832,  and,  at  the  age  of  seven,  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  America. 
He  was  reared  in  Ohio,  and  in  1861  came  to  Indiana  and  engaged  in 
plastering  at  Indianapolis  till  1865,  when  he  removed  to  Tipton  Countv, 
and  purchased  eighty-two  acres  of  land.  He  has  since  added  forty  acres  to 
this,  and  has  eighty-five  acres  of  his  farm  under  cultivation  and  well 
drained  with  tile.  Mr.  Findling  was  married,  in  1861,  to  Miss  Louisa 
Geyer,  who  died  in  1868.  By  this  union  there  are  three  children  living — 
William,  Emma  and  John.  He  was  next  married,  in  March,  1868,  to 
Miss  Margaret  Kiser.  They  have  five  children — Edward,  Herbert,  Frank, 
Arthur  and  Lela  May.  Mr.  Findling  is  a  prominent  citizen  ;  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church,  and,  politically,  is  identified  with  the  Re- 
publican party. 

GEORGE  W.  FIPPIN,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  is  a  native  of  Hamilton 
County,  where  he  was  born  June  1,  1848.  After  attaining  his  majority, 
he,  in  1869,  left  his  native  county  and  removed  to  Tipton  County,  where 
he  engaged  in  farming  and  the  manufacture  of  tiles.  He  has  been  very 
successful,  especially  in  the  last-named  business,  in  which  he  has  succeeded 
in  turning  out  annually  about  $2,000  worth  of  tiling.  He  has  recently 
disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  tile  factory,  and  has  turned  his  attention  to 
the  cultivation  of  a  farm  of  forty  acres,  which  he  owns,  located  in  Sec- 
tion 28,  Township  21,  Range  4  east.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
and  Odd  Fellows'  fraternities,  and  adheres  to  the  political  tenets  of  the 
Democratic  party.  He  also  fills  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  ta 
which  he  was  but  recently  elected.  Mr.  Fippin  was  married,  June  3, 
1869,  in  Hamilton  County,  to  Miss  Rachel  E.  Rushton.  After  a  com- 
panionship of  nearly  thirteen  years,  his  wife  departed  this  life  January  31, 
1882.  By  her  Mr.  Fippin  is  the  father  of  three  children,  viz.:  Ardilla 
J.,  Ethlola  and  Alice  M. 

JAMES  M.  FRENCH,  a  native  of  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  was  born 
March  21,  1841.  His  father,  John  French,  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1812, 
and  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  came  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  and  resided  in 
the  town  of  Black  Hawk.  He  was  married,  in  1836,  to  Miss  Lydia 
Spurling,  and,  after  her.  death,  was  married,  in  1844,  to  Jane  M.  Will- 
iams. Mr.  French  died  in  December,  1864.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  in  his  native  county,  and  July  8,  1861,  enlisted  in  the  United 
States  Army,  in  Company  H,  Nineteenth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry.  He  was  assigned  to  the  First  Division  and  First  Brigade  of 
the  Eastern  War  Department.  He  engaged  in  the  battle  at  Catlet  Sta- 
tion, Va.,  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  Chantilly  and  South  Mountain. 
In  the  latter  battle  he  was  so  severely  wounded  in  the  right  thigh,  that 
eight  pieces  of  bone  had  to  be  removed.  He  was  unable  to  walk  without 
crutches  for  fourteen  months.  He  remained  in  the  hospital  at  Frederick  City 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  277 

during  this  time,  and  was  discharged  October  13, 1863.  He  then  returned  to 
Shelby  County,  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  and,  in  1865,  removed  to 
Johnson  County.  In  1875,  he  came  to  Tipton  County  and  purchased  forty 
acres  of  land  in  Cicero  Township,  Section  28,  where  he  has  since  resided.  His 
farm  is  all,  excepting  six  acres,  under  cultivation,  and  well  drained.  Mr. 
French  was  married,  December  1,  1866,  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  to 
Miss  Caroline  Doty.  They  have  five  children  living — Louis  A.,  born 
January  20,  1868;  Sarah  A.,  born  April  17,  1870;  Charlie  H.,  born 
March  5,  1872;  Laura  E.,  born  December  31,  1873,  and  Idu,  born  June 
8,  1876.  Mr.  French  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  politically  is 
identified  with  the  Republican  party. 

HENRY  GOAR,  one  of  the  men  prominently  identified  with  Tipton 
County  history,  was  born  in  Virginia  November  16,  1821,  where  he  re- 
sided until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  when,  in  company  with  his 
father,  James  Goar,  he  removed  to  Henry  County,  Ind.,  where  they  re- 
sided until  1840,  when  they  removed  to  Jefferson  Township,  Tipton 
County.  At  the  time  of  his  removal  to  Jefferson  Township,  there  were 
but  few  families  in  it,  John  D.  Smith,  who  had  come  the  year  previous, 
and  a  few  others,  being  all  that  were  settled  there.  His  father  purchased 
160  acres  of  timbered  land,  and  with  the  assistance  of  our  subject  and  his 
brother  Matt,  he  soon  had  fifty  acres  under  cultivation.  In  1847,  he  sold 
this  farm  and  purchased  a  small  farm  in  Section  27,  Cicero  Township, 
where  he  resided  until  his  death,  whicli  occurred  on  April  13,  1855.  In 
1846,  Henry  Goar  pre-empted  160  acres  of  land.  In  1848,  he  located 
on  it  and  commenced  clearing  up  a  farm.  The  first  year  he  cleared  six 
acres  and  planted  it  in  corn  ;  he  afterward  cleared  about  seven  acres  an- 
nually for  several  years ;  he  now  has  122  acres  of  very  productive  land 
under  cultivation.  He  devotes  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil 
rather  than  the  raising  of  stock  He  has,  for  the  past  eighteen  years, 
averaged  about  sixteen  bushels  of  wheat  and  at  least  fifty  bushels  of  corn 
to  the  acre,  and  at  times  has  raised  as  high  as  100  bushels  of  corn  and 
thirty-seven  and  a  half  bushels  of  wheat  to  the  acre.  His  farm  is  well 
supplied  with  buildings  and  improved  machinery.  Mr.  Goar  was  married  in 
Henry  County,  Ind.,  May  27, 1844,  to  Miss  Martha  E.  Smith;  they  have 
had  nine  children,  namely,  James  J.,  Isaac  N.,  Mary  B.,  Mattie  A., 
Sarah  E.,  Nancy  C,  Emma,  Charles,  Joseph  M.  Politically,  Mr.  Goar 
is  a  Greenbacker,  and  has  always  been  prominent  in  the  counsels  of  that 
party. 

CYRUS  L.  GOOD,  a  prominent  farmer  of  Tipton  County,  is  a  native 
of  this  county,  and  was  born  November  12,  1844.  At  the  age  often,  he 
removed  with  his  father,  Edward  Good,  to  Hamilton  County,  where  he 
was  reared  and  educated.     September  1,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Battery  D, 


278  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

First  Indiana  Heavy  Artillery,  and  served  one  year.  When  he  returned 
from  the  war,  he  engaged  in  teaching  several  years,  and  subsequently  be- 
gan farming.  In  1871,  he  removed  to  Tipton  County,  locating  on  a  farm 
in  Section  29,  Cicero  Township,  where  he  has  since  lived.  Mr.  Good 
was  married,  November  5,  1868,  in  this  county,  to  Miss  Phebe  E.  Mo- 
zingo.  They  have  had  four  children — Roscoe  L.,  Edward  Milton,  Jessie 
Oris  (deceased)  and  Cyrus  R.  (deceased).  Mr.  Good  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity  and  the  G.  A.  R.  He  is  an  energetic  farmer,  and 
is  an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party. 

JOSEPH  GOODYKOONTZ,  farmer,  was  born  in  Wayne  County. 
Ind.,  April  18,  1836.  His  father,  Harvey  Goodykoontz,  was  born  in 
Virginia  on  January  26,  1813,  and  located  in  Tipton  County  in  1839. 
He  was  married  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  to 
Miss  Eliza  Wood.  He  died  in  Tipton  County  May  23,  1882,  leaving 
a  family  of  nine  children.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Tipton  County, 
and  was  married  June  20,  1858,  in  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  to  Miss 
Martha  J.  Murray.  They  have  six  children  living — Izora,  Ellen,  Asher, 
Catherine,  Lucina  and  Josie.  Mr.  Goodykoontz  engaged  in  farming  on 
his  ftither's  farm,  and  now  owns  120  acres  in  Cicero  Township.  Of  this 
he  has  ninety  acres  under  cultivation.      He  raises  a  fair  amount  of  stock. 

JASPER  GOODYKOONTZ,  farmer  and  teacher,  was  born  in  Tipton 
County  January  10,  1855,  and  has  always  made  it  his  home.  He 
attended  the  common  schools  of  the  county,  Butler  University  at  Irving- 
ton.  Ind.,  the  Northern  Normal  at  Valparaiso,  Ind.,  and  the  Terre 
Haute  State  Normal.  He  graduated  from  the  latter  institution  June  23, 
1880.  He  has  been  teaching  during  the  winter,  and  farming  and  car- 
pentering during  the  summer,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  fifty-three  and 
one-fourth  acres  in  Cicero  Township.  He  also  owns  a  library  of  500 
volumes,  worth  about  $700.  His  father,  Harvey  Goodykoontz, 
son  of  Daniel  Goodykoontz,  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  the 
county,  was  born  in  January,  1813,  in  Virginia.  Harvey  came 
to  Tipton  County  in  1839,  and  entered  160  acres  in  Cicero  Township, 
and  added  to  this  until  he  owned  560  acres  of  land  in  Tipton  County, 
about  three-fifths  of  which  he  put  under  cultivation.  He  married  Miss 
Eliza  E.  Wood,  daughter  of  David  J.  and  Rebecca  Wood.  Mr.  Goody- 
koontz died  May  23,  1882,  leaving  nine  children — Joseph,  Daniel. 
Lucina,  Harvey,  Marion,  Newton,  Jasper,  Franklin  and  Warren.  Mrs. 
Goodykoontz  and  the  four  last-named  children  are  at  present  living  on 
he  home  farm. 

ELIAS  HALL  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  August  12,  1830, 
and  is  the  son  of  Hudson  and  Nancy  Hall.  Hudson  Hall  was  born  in 
A^'ir'^inia  about  July,  1784,  and  was    married  in   Ohio  to   Miss  Nancy 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  279 

Alley  ;  he  removed  to  Henry  County,  Ind.,  and  in  1849  came  to  Tip- 
ton County,  purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land,  built  a  house,  but  did  not 
live  to  remove  his  family  to  this  county,  his  death  occurring  July  12, 
1849.  After  his  death,  his  widow  removed  with  her  family  upon  the  farm, 
where  she  resided  until  her  death,  August  12,  1852.  Of  a  family  of  twelve 
children,  only  six  are  living — Mrs.  Rebecca  Richards,  Elijah,  William, 
Nathan,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Singleton  and  Elias.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
came  to  Tipton  County,  with  his  mother,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  and  lo- 
cated in  Cicero  Township.  He  was  married,  April  27,  1856,  in  this 
county,  to  Miss  Nancy  Swope,  daughter  of  Andrew  Swope.  He  lo- 
cated on  a  farm  of  sixty  acres  in  Section  4,  Cicero  Township,  and  has 
cleared  forty  acres  of  land.  His  farm  is  very  fertile  and  is  well  drained 
with  tile  ditching. 

JOHN  M.  HARMON,  farmer,  owning  120  acres  of  land  in  Cicero 
Township,  with  seventy  acres  under  cultivation,  is  a  native  of  Ripley 
County,  Ind.,  and  was  born  November  11,  1831.  His  father,  Jacob 
Harmon,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  resided  most  of  his  life  in  Bath 
County,  Ky.,  and  was  a  successful  farmer  of  that  county.  He  died  in 
1860,  at  the  age  of  ninety-eight.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  spent  his 
youth  in  Bath  County,  Ky.,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  came  to  Switzer- 
land County,  Ind.,  and  was  there  married  March  5,  1856,  to  Miss  Mary 
C.  Thatcher.  He  removed  to  Indianapolis,  and  later,  located  in  Hamil- 
ton County,  where  he  remained  three  years.  He  came  to  Tipton  County 
in  February,  1865,  and  located  on  his  present  tract  of  land,  three"  acres 
of  which  had  been  cleared.  He  has  opened  a  good  farm  of  seventy 
acres,  and  turns  his  attention  principally  to  raising  wheat  and  corn.  lie 
has  a  fair  amount  of  cattle  and  hogs.  Mr.  Harmon  aided  in  cutting  the 
timber  on  gravel  road  No.  1.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harmon  have  had  one  child 
— Viola  S.,  deceased. 

EMANUEL  HARTMAN  is  a  native  of  York  County,  Penn.,  where 
he  was  born  December  16,  1815.  His  parents,  Henry  and  Catherine 
Hartman,  in  1827  located  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  where  Emanuel  was 
reared.  He  engaged  in  farming,  and  continued  until  1850,  when  he 
came  to  Tipton  County.  He  rented  a  farm  for  three  years ;  at  the  end 
of  that  time,  he  bought  and  moved  upon  his  present  farm  of  eighty  acres 
in  Section  29,  Cicero  Township.  He  has  forty-five  acres  under  cultiva- 
tion, and  the  remainder  in  wood  pasture.  He  has  been  twice  married — 
the  first  time  in  Wayne  County,  in  1840,  to  Miss  Lucy  Russell,  and  in 
1871  he  married  Libby  White,  of  Tipton  County.  He  has  one  child- 
Catherine.     Politically,  Mr.  Hartman  is  a  Democrat. 

ELISHA  HASKETT,  a  farmer  and  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Tipton 
Countv,  is  a  native  of  North  Carolina.      He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  na- 


280  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

tive  State,  when  he  emigrated  to  Tipton  County  in  1848,  where  he  en- 
tered upon  the  career  of  a  farmer.  When  our  subject  located  in  this 
county,  the  present  thriving  town  of  Tipton  contained  but  about  one 
dozen  houses,  only  one  of  which  was  a  frame,  the  rest  being  the  typical 
cabin  of  the  frontier,  Mr.  Haskett  at  the  present  time  owns  nine  valua- 
ble lots  and  eiglit  houses  m  the  town  of  Tipton.  His  public  services 
have  been  many  and  various.  He  has  assisted  in  laying  out  many  roads 
and  ditches  in  the  county.  He  votes  the  Democratic  ticket.  He  has 
been  married  four  times,  the  first  marriage  occurring  in  North  Carolina, 
in  1839,  to  Miss  Martha  Ann  Wallace,  who  died  in  1852.  His  second 
marriage  took  place  in  1854,  to  Delphina  C.  Davis,  who  departed  this 
life  in  1862.  He  was  married  the  third  time,  in  1865,  to  Charlotte  Cor- 
dell,  and  after  her  demise  he  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1880  to  Marga- 
ret Haskett,  his  present  wife.  He  is  the  father  of  twelve  children,  as 
follows :  By  his  first  wife  five,  by  his  second  wife  two,  by  his  third  wife 
three,  and  by  his  fourth  wife  two.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Grange  society. 

FREDERICK  HOOVER  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  January 
27, 1828.  In  his  native  county  he  attained  his  majority,  and  followed  farm- 
ing until  1862,  when  he  came  to  this  county,  settling  in  Madi- 
son Township.  There  he  remained  about  eight  years,  when  he  purchased 
a  tract  of  land,  in  Sections  4  and  5,  Cicero  Township,  containing  125 
acres.  Of  this  farm  he  has  about  seventy-five  acres  under  cultivation  and 
well  drained.  It  averages  fifty  bushels  of  corn  and  about  eighteen  bush- 
els of  wheat  to  the  acre.  His  corn  he  feeds  to  his  stock  ;  he  raises  prin- 
cipally cattle  and  hogs.  During  the  war  and  after,  Mr.  Hoover  was  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  business,  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Ad  Jackson,  in 
Tipton.  At  this  he  continued  for  about  seven  years,  when  he  sold  out  his 
interest  and  returned  to  agricultural  pursuits;  he  has  been  twice  mar- 
ried, first  in  1851  to  Miss  Eveline  T.  Miller,  of  Wayne  County,  Ind., 
whose  death  occurred  in  1861.  His  second  marriage  occurred  January 
10,  1866,  to  Martha  J.  Manifold,  also  of  Wayne  County.  By  his  first 
wife  he  has  two  children  now  living — Jacob  M.  and  William  M.  By  his 
second  wife,  he  has  one  child,  a  daughter,  also  living,  named  Mary  E. 
Mr.  Hoover  takes  quite  an  interest  in  the  culture  of  bees,  of  which  he 
has  at  present  twenty-eight  hives  in  splendid  condition.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  church.  He  is  politically  a  member  of  the 
Democratic  party. 

ISAAC  HOOVER  is  a  native  of  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
was  born  March  23,  1831  ;  he  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  county, 
and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  1859,  when  he  removed  to 
Tipton  County  and  purchased  a  tract  of  land  containing  forty  acres  in 
Madison  Township.     Upon  this  he  resided  until  1873,  when  he  purchased 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  281 

sixty  acres  in  Section  5,  Cicero  Township,  which  he  now  makes  his  home. 
Of  the  100  acres  which  he  now  owns,  about  seventy-two  acres  are  under 
cultivation  and  well  drained.  He  was  married,  November  £0,  1853,  to 
Miss  Sarah  Miller,  of  Wayne  County.  The  issue  of  their  marriage 
consists  of  five  children,  namely,  Alice,  William  H.,  Jacob,  Walter  and 
Eva.     Politically,  he  is  of  the  Democratic  persuasion. 

JOHN  T.  HUNTER,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Muskingum  County, 
Ohio,  and  was  born  May  26,  1827 ;  his  father,  John  Hunter,  removed  to 
Marion  County,  Ind.,  in  1835,  and  here  John  T.  spent  his  youth,  and 
attended  the  common  schools.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  engaged,  in 
farming  in  Marion  County  until  1860,  when  he  purchased  160  acres  of 
timbered  land  in  Cicero  Township,  Tipton  County.  He  now  owns  a  good 
farm  of  240  acres  of  fertile  soil,  well  drained,  and  with  170  acres  under 
cultivation.  Mr.  Hunter  was  married,  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  Novem- 
ber 3,  1850,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  J.  Higdon.  This  union  has  been  blessed 
with  a  family  of  six  children — Mary  E.,  Margaret,  Charles  W.,  Robert 
0.,  Cora  and  Eva.  Mr.  Hunter,  in  1866,  built  a  commodious  dwelling 
upon  his  farm,  and  he  also  has  other  good  buildings.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  politically  is  identified  with  the  Democratic 
party ;  he  is  a  prominent  farmer,  and  is  President  of  the  Tipton  County 
Fair  Company. 

CHARLES  M.  INNIS  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  December 
10,  1834,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  that  county  and  remained  there 
until  1852 ;  he  then  removed  to  Tipton  County  and  located  in  Cicero 
Township,  where  he  purchased  100  acres  of  timber  land,  and  began 
clearing  out  a  home ;  he  has  a  good  farm,  well  drained,  with  sixty  acres 
under  cultivation  ;  he  raises  from  fifty  to  sixty  bushels  of  corn  to  the 
acre,  and  from  fifteen  to  twenty  of  wheat ;  he  has  fair  buildings  and  an 
excellent  orchard.  Mr.  Innis  was  marriefd  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  Sep- 
tember 11,  1855,  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Wright,  who  died  October  13,  1882. 
They  had  two  sons,  James  F.  and  William,  a  teacher  by  profession.  Mr. 
Innis  is  a  prominent  farmer,  a  worthy  citizen,  and,  politically,  is  an 
active  member  of  the  Democratic  party. 

J.  P.  KATON  was  born  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  June  26,  1817, 
and  was  reared  in  his  native  county.  He  left  there  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
six,  and  spent  a  short  time  in  Iowa,  after  which  he  engaged  in  making 
linseed  oil  in  Pittsburgh,  Penn.  He  continued  in  this  business  about 
three  years,  and  then  erected  a  white  lead  factory  in  Zanesville,  Ohio, 
where  he  continued  in  business  three  years.  In  1853,  he  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits,  and  operated  a  saw  and  grist  mill  and  carding 
machine.  In  1855,  he  sold  out  this  business  and  engaged  in  farming 
a    short    time.     He    then    operated    a  saw   mill  at   Cedarville,    Ohio, 


282  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

for  three  years,  and  in  1863  removed  to  Tipton  County  and  settled  near 
Petersburg,  In  1867,  he  purchased  a  farm  of  sixty-seven  acres  in  Cicero 
Township,  and  has  cleared  forty  acres,  and  it  is  here  that  he  now  resides. 
Mr.  Katon  was  married  in  Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  September  14,  1848,  to 
Miss  Mary  E.  McKee.  They  have  three  children  living — Granville  B., 
Mellville  G.  and  Mrs.  Marianne  G.  Reed.  Mr.  Katon  is  a  well-to-do 
farmer,  and  politically  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party. 

JAMES  McCOLLEY,  a  native  of  Pendleton  County,  Ky.,  was  born 
May  2,  1819.  His  father,  George  McColley,  in  a  very  early  day  came 
to  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  and  three  years  later  located  in  Madison  County, 
where  he  remained  five  years.  He  then  removed  to  Marion  County,  and 
resided  in  Perry  Township  about  forty  years.  He  was  a  shoe-maker  by 
trade,  but  resided  on  his  farm  and  there  worked  at  his  trade.  He  died 
about  1873,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  served 
an  apprenticeship  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  followed  this  business 
about  ten  years  in  Rush  and  Shelby  Counties.  In  1843,  he  began  farm- 
ing in  Shelby  County,  where  he  remained  until  1870,  when  he  removed 
to  Marion  County,  Ind.  There  he  remained  until  1875,  when  he  came 
to  Tipton  County,  locating  in  Cicero  Township.  Mr.  McColley  was 
married,  February  19,  1844,  in  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  to  Miss  Caroline 
McMahon.  They  have  three  children  living — Jesse,  Cynthia  Ann  Casey 
and  Nicholas  M.  Mr.  McColley  is  a  prominent  farmer,  and  politically 
is  identified  with  the  Republican  party. 

JESSE  McCOLLEY,  son  of  James  and  Caroline  (McMahon)  McColley, 
was  born  November  10,  1845,  in  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  and  spent  his 
boyhood  days  in  his  native  county.  He  engaged  in  farming  in  Shelby 
County  until  1876,  when  he  removed  to  Tipton  County  and  purchased  a 
farm  of  forty  acres  in  Cicero  Township,  where  he  has  since  resided  and 
followed  agricultural  pursuits.  Mr.  McColley  was  married  in  1875  to 
Miss  Delia  McColley,  who  died  June  4,  1877.  He  is  a  wide-awake,  en- 
ergetic farmer,  and  a  worthy  citizen. 

JOHN  S.  McCOLLEY,  son  of  George  W.  McColley,  is  a  native  of 
Rush  County,  Ind.,  and  was  born  March  3,  1838.  He  was  reared  on  a 
farm  in  his  native  county,  and  received  a  fair  education  in  the  common 
schools.  He  engaged  in  farming  in  Rush  County  until  1872,  when  he 
removed  to  Marshall  County  and  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres.  In 
1880,  he  came  to  Tipton  County  and  purchased  a  farm  of  156  acres  in 
Section  27,  Cicero  Township,  and  has  since  added  twenty-five  acres.  His 
farm  is  of  fertile  soil,  well  drained,  with  125  acres  under  cultivation. 
He  was  married,  March  18,  1870,  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  to  Miss  Sarah 
J.  Green,  who  died  August  2,  1879.  They  had  two  children — Sarah  E. 
and  Arvilla.  Mr,  McColley  is  a  prosperous  farmer  and  excellent  citizen, 
and  is  identified  with  the  Democratic  party. 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  283 

WILLIAM  F.  McCORKILL,  a  native  of  Lexington,  Ky.,  was  born 
August  19,  1832.  His  father,  Bryson  McCorkill,  removed  to  Johnson 
County  in  1837,  and  in  1865  located  in  Hancock  County,  Ind.,  where 
his  death  occurred  April  7,  1865.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  removed  to 
Boone  County,  and  subsequently  engaged  in  farming  in  Marion  County. 
In  October,  1872,  he  removed  to  Tipton  County  and  purchased  a  farm 
of  forty  acres  in  Cicero  Township,  and  cleared  thirty-five  acres.  Irf  1881, 
he  traded  this  for  eighty  acres  in  Section  35  of  the  same  township.  He 
now  has  seventy-five  acres  under  cultivation,  well  drained  with  tiling, 
and  deals  in  both  stock  and  grain.  Mr.  McCorkill  was  married  in  John- 
son County,  Ind.,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Rominger.  They  have  five  children 
— Thomas  S.,  Cornelius  B.,  James  L.,  Rozaly  and  Charles  F.  Mr.  Mc- 
Corkill enlisted  in  April,  1864,  in  Company  E,  Ninth  Regiment  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  nearly  two  years  ;  he  was  assigned  to  the 
Fourth  Army  Corps,  Second  and  Third  Brigades.  He  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

JONATHAN  B.  McLUCAS,  son  of  John  and  Melinda  McLucas, 
was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  December  2,  1821.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood in  his  native  county,  and  obtained  his  education  from  its  common 
schools.  In  1851,  he  removed  to  Tipton  County  and  located  on  a  tract 
of  land  containing  ninety-six  acres  in  Section  5,  Cicero  Township,  all  of 
which  was  timber.  He  now  owns  161  acres  in  the  same  section,  100 
acres  of  which  are  well  drained,  both  by  tile  and  open  ditches,  and  are  in  a 
fine  state  of  cultivation.  Mr.  McLucas  was  married  in  1847  to  Miss 
Amanda  Miller,  of  Wayne  County,  Ind.  They  have  three  children  liv- 
ing, viz.:  Melinda,  William  M.  and  Martha.  Politically,  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of 
the  Christian  or  Disciples'  Church. 

JOSIAH  M.  MALLERY  is  a  native  of  Jeff"erson  County,  N.  Y., 
and  was  born  May  24,  1806.  When  he  was  twelve  years  old,  his  father, 
Curtis  Mallery,  removed  to  Ohio,  and  two  years  later  located  in  Hamil- 
ton County,  Ind.  Mr.  Mallery  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he 
pursued  until  about  1862  ;  he  then  removed  to  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  and 
purchased  282  acres  of  land  in  Cicero  Township.  He  subsequently  sold 
105  acres  and  gave  144  acres  to  his  sons,  and  now  has  forty  acres,  twenty- 
five  of  which  are  under  cultivation.  He  was  married  in  Hamilton  Coun- 
ty, Ind.,  June  17,  1830,  to  Miss  Calista  Plumer,  who  died  August  1, 
1831 ;  he  then  married  April  26,  1833,  Catherine  Dorrah,  who  died  Sep- 
tember 28,  1834 ;  his  third  marriage,  September  6,  1835,  was  to 
Miss  Maria  L.  Emmons,  whose  death  occurred  January  21,  1872.  He 
has  two  children  living  by  his  last  wife — Milton  J.  and  Mrs.  Jessie  Bol- 
ton. Mr.  Mallery  is  an  old  settler,  and  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  Repub- 
lican principles. 


284  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

P.  L.  MOLDEN,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  and 
was  born  May  1,  1819.  He  remained  in  his  native  State  until  1838, 
when  he  removed  to  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  and  in  1847  located  in  Tipton 
County ;  he  has  resided  here  since,  and  has  a  farm  of  forty  acres  in  Cicero 
Township,  with  thirty  acres  under  cultivation  and  well  drained.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1881,  he  lost  his  house  and  contents  by  fire,  but  rebuilt  on  the 
same  spot.  Mr.  Molden  was  married  January  10,  1844,  in  Fayette 
County,  Ind.,  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Fielding.  They  have  three  children  liv- 
ing— John  Thomas,  Layton  T.  and  Sherman  P.  L.,  and  seven  deceased, 
four  of  whom  were  grown — James  R.  A.,  Alcesta,  Eva  C.  and  William 
S.  Mr.  Molden  was  troubled  from  the  age  of  seventeen  with  white  swell- 
ing, and  in  1850  he  was  compelled  to  have  his  right  lower  limb  amputat- 
ed. He  has  been  compelled  for  many  years  to  walk  with  crutches.  James 
Molden,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  was  born 
December  30,  1793  ;  he  was  reared  in  Kentucky  and  Ohio,  and  was  mar- 
ried, July  30,  1818,  to  Miss  Mary  Ludlow;  he  removed  to  Fayette 
County,  Ind.,  in  1838,  and  nine  years  later  located  in  Tipton  County, 
and  here  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  September  5,  1874. 

JOHN  T.  MOZINGO.  a  native  uf  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  was  born 
November  22,  1842  ;  his  father,  Milton  Mozingo,  was  born  July  30, 1805, 
in  Washington  County,  Va.,  and  was  married  in  Shelby  County,  Ind., 
December  23,  1831,  to  Miss  Margaret  Cooper.  She  was  born  July  31, 
1804,  is  still  living,  and  resides  on  the  old  home  farm.  Milton  Mozingo 
came  to  Tipton  County  in  1850,  purchased  200  acres  of  timber  land,  and 
put  about  seventy  acres  under  cultivation ;  he  was  an  old  settler  of  this 
county  and  resided  here  until  his  death,  February  29,  1880.  Of  a  fam- 
ily of  six  children,  four  are  now  living — Frances  M.,  Josephine  Cooper, 
John  T.  and  Phebe  Ann  Good.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  enlisted,  in 
July,  1861,  in  Company  C,  Twenty-sixth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  was  assigned,  first  to  the  Western  Army,  and  later  to  the 
Southern  Army  ;  he  was  in  battle  at  Prairie  Grove,  Ark.,  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg  and  Morganzi  Bend,  Miss.,  and  was  discharged  September  21, 1864; 
he  was  married,  September  25,  1867,  in  this  county,  to  Miss  Ellen 
Dounner.  They  have  four  children — Flora  Etta,  Sarah  M.,  Elpina  and 
Marion  Edgar ;  he  has  since  his  marriage  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits ;  he  has  cleared  about  sixty  acres  of  land,  and  his  farm  is  fertile  and 
well-drained.  Mr.  Mozingo  is  an  active  politician  in  the  Republican  par- 
ty, and  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

GOTTLOB  OFF,  a  native  of  Germany,  was  born  December  15, 
1837  ;  he  was  educated  in  his  native  country,  and  in  1845  emigrated  to 
America  and  located  at  Indianapolis,  where  he  served  an  apprenticeship 
of  two   years    at  the  cabinet-maker's  trade  ;  he  drove  a  mineral   water 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  285 

■wagon  two  years,  and  in  1861  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army  in 
Company  E,  Eleventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served 
three  months  ;  he  then  joined  his  brothers  in  the  saw  mill  business  at 
Jackson  Station,  and  did  a  good  business  there  for  ten  years.  Durin^ 
this  time  he  also  engaged  in  farming  to  a  considerable  extent.  In  1871, 
he  sold  his  interest  in  the  mill ;  began  clearing  a  farm  in  Cicero  Township  ; 
he  owns  160  acres,  100  acres  of  which  are  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Off  was 
married  in  Indianapolis,  November  26  1865,  to  Miss  Minnie  Grosse. 
They  have  five  children — Anna  Louisa,  Ida  N.,  John  A.  G.,  Elenoraand 
L.mra.  Mr.  Off  is  a  member  of  the  order  of  Druids,  at  Indianapolis, 
and  of  the  G.   A.  R. 

JOHN  W.  PAPE  was  born  in  Richmond,  Wayne  Co.,  Ind.,  August  5, 
1848;  his  parents,  William  C.  and  Mary  C.  Pape,  removed  to  Tipton 
County  in  1860,  and  settled  on  a  farm  about  four  miles  southwest  of 
Tipton  where  they  still  reside.  John  grew  to  manhood  in  the  counties 
of  Tipton  and  Hamilton,  enjoying  good  opportunities  for  acquiring  both 
a  German  and  English  education  :  he  engaged  in  carpentering  for  some 
years,  and  also  spent  a  short  time  in  the  harness  trade,  after  which  he 
drove  a  dray  for  two  years ;  he  then  commenced  his  present  business  of 
saw  milling  and  lumbering,  and  he  also  owns  and  runs  a  steam  thresh- 
ing machine  during  the  summer ;  he  is  doing  a  good  business;  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  politics  ;  he  was  married  in 
Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  May  9,  1871,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Urban,  by  whom 
he  has  had  four  children,  viz.  :  Christina  M.,,  Albert,  Ferdinand  A.,  and 
one  deceased,  Harmon  W. 

JOHN  J.  PAUL,  a  native  of  Germantown,  Ohio,  was  born  October 
25,  1835,  and  spent  his  youthful  days  in  Centerville,  Wayne  County  ; 
his  father,  Isaac  Paul,  removed  to  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  and  purchased 
320  acres  of  timber  land,  and  resided  on  this  farm  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  August  9,  1851,  when  he  was  fifty-two  years  of  age.  He  left 
a  widow  and  eight  children,  John  J.  being  the  third  child.  His  widow 
is  still  living,  and  is  in  her  seventy-third  year  ;  she  resides  on  the  home 
farm.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  purchased  160  acres  of  the  home  farm 
in  1865,  for  which  he  paid  $25  per  acre,  and  has  this  well  improved, 
with  135  acres  under  cultivation.  He  raises  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs,  and 
deals  in  short-horn  cattle,  and  Cotswold,  Southdown  and  Leicester  sheep. 
Mr.  Paul  was  first  married  in  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  September  15, 
1861,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Leonard,  who  died  June  7,  1864.  He  married 
a  second  time  in  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  May  18,  1865,  Miss  Caroline 
Dienst,  whose  death  occurred  January  3,  1878.  He  was  married  the 
third  time,  in  April,  1879,  to  Mrs.  Sophia  Pressler,  who  had  three  chil- 
dren by  her  first  husband — Harrison,  Joseph  and  Julia.     Mr.  Paul  has 


286  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

five  children — Elizabeth,  Isaac  H.,  Thomas  J.,  Linny  and  Frederick. 
Mr.  Paul  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  takes  an  active  in- 
terest in  politics  in  the  Democratic  ranks. 

ALEXANDER  PENNOCK  is  a  native  of  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y., 
and  was  born  September  27,  1817.  He  was  reared  in  Jennings  County, 
Ind.,  where  he  remained  until  1850;  he  then  came  to  Tipton  County 
and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  to  which  he  has  added  forty  acres  ; 
his  farm  is  well  drained  and  has  eighty  acres  under  cultivation.  Mr. 
Pennock  has  been  four  times  married  ;  first,  to  Sarah  Badgiey,  by  which 
union  there  are  four  children  living — Sarah  F.,  Anthony  E.,  John  T. 
and  America.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Rhoda  Richards,  who  left 
one  child — Samuel  A.  He  was  married  the  third  time  to  Barbara  Be  i- 
nett,  who  left  three  children — Julia  A.,  Catherine  J.  and  Mary  C.  He 
was  last  married  to  Miss  Catherine  Hinkle  November  15,  1873.  Mr. 
Pennock,  in  1847,  enlisted  in  the  Mexican  war,  in  Company  D,  Third 
Indiana  Regiment,  and  served  one  year.  He  participated  in  several  bat- 
tles, among  them  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista.  Mr.  Pennock  is  a  promi- 
nent citizen,  and  politically  is  identified  with  the  Democratic  party. 

GEORGE  W.  RAINS  is  a  native  of  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  where  his 
birth  occurred  November  8,  1817.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Marion 
County,  Ind.,  near  Indianapolis.  He  engaged  in  the  saw-mill  and  lum- 
ber business  in  Liberty  Township,  Tipton  County,  and  continued  therein 
until  1860,  when  he  disposed  of  his  business  and  emigrated  to  the  West. 
He  spent  about  four  years  in  Southwest  Missouri,  and  one  year  in  Kan- 
sas, and  then  returned  to  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  where  he  has  resided  ever 
since.  He  was  married  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  in  1842,  to  Miss  Mary 
Griswold.  They  have  eight  children,  all  of  whom  are  living — Henry  C. 
Malinda  C,  Charles  I.,  Martha  T.,  James  A.,  Ira  H.,  George  W.  and 
William  D. 

HENRY  C.  RAINS,  carpenter,  contractor  and  lumber  dealer,  was 
born  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  October  22,  1842  ;  he  is  the  son  of  George 
W.  Rains  ;  was  reared  in  the  counties  of  Marion  and  Tipton.  While  at- 
tending school  at  Cambridge  City,  the  war  of  the  rebellion  broke  out, 
and  he  enlisted  in  the  Nineteenth  Battery,  and  was  mustered  into  service 
August  11,  1862 ;  he  took  part  in  some  of  the  hardest  fought  battles  of 
the  war,  being  with  Sherman  on  his  campaign  to  the  sea,  and  participat- 
ing in  the  battles  of  Perry  ville,  Ky.,  Milton,  Tenn.,  Hoover's  Gap,  Chicka- 
mauga.  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Ga.,  Chattahoochee  River,  sieges  of  Atlanta 
and  Savannah,  also  at  Bentonvillie,  Jonesboro  and  Peach  Tree  Creek  ;  he 
was  discharged  May  13,  1865,  with  the  same  company  in  which  he  entered, 
being  one  of  the  thirteen  who  returned  out  of  145  who  went  away.  Af- 
ter his  return  from  the  service,   he  entered  into  the  saw  mill  and  lumber 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  287 

business,  in  which  he  has  been  engaged  for  fourteen  years  ;  he  owns  a 
saw  mill  with  a  capacity  for  cutting  5.000  feet  per  day  ;  he  is  also  a  con 
tractor,  and  is  meeting  with  success;  he  owns  120  acres  of  land, 
in  Sections  31  and  32,  Cicero  Township,  of  which  forty  acres  are  under 
cultivation  and  well  drained  by  tile  and  open  ditches.  He  was  married 
in  Clinton  County,  January,  1876,  to  Miss  Mary  Moore.  They  have  a 
family  of  five  children,  viz  :  Henry,  Charles,  Willie.  Mary  and  Albert. 

JAMES  RECOBS  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  January  12, 
1829,  and  is  the  son  of  Frederick  Recobs ;  he  was  reared  upon  a  farm, 
and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  Ohio  until  1849,  when  here- 
moved  to  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  and  followed  blacksmithing  for  about  twelve 
years  ;  he  then  farmed  in  different  parts  of  Cicero  Township,  and  in 
1864  purchased  160  acres  of  land  in  Section  24,  of  this  township,  thirty 
acres  of  which  were  under  cultivation  ;  his  farm  is  now  well  drained  with 
tile,  and  has  150  acres  under  cultivation  ;  in  1877,  he  built  a  commodious 
brick  residence,  and  has  a  good  barn  and  other  outbuildings ;  he  raises 
an  average  of  fifty  bushels  of  corn  to  the  acre,  and  from  fifteen  to  twenty- 
five  bushels  of  wheat.  In  August,  1847,  Mr.  Recobs  enlisted  in  the 
Mexican  war,  in  Company  D,  Second  Ohio,  and  served  in  Scott's  army 
as  far  west  as  the  city  of  Puebla,  where  he  was  stationed ;  he  was  dis- 
charged in  July,  1848.  He  was  married,  October  30,  1848,  in  Fayette 
County,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Lydia  C.  Burnett.  They  had  thirteen  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  living — Jane  Ann,  Mary  E.,  Verell  F.,  Robert  M., 
John  H.,  Gay,  Freddie  and  Samuel  J.  Mr.  Recobs  is  a  prominent  citizen, 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 'and  politically  is  identified  with 
the  Democratic  party. 

JOHN  Q.  SHAW,  carpenter,  and  former  Superintendent  of  the 
County  Farm,  was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  September  7,  1839. 
When  he  was  about  five  years  old,  his  parents  removed  to  Rush  County, 
where  Mr.  Shaw  spent  his  boyhood  days.  At  the  age  of  nineteen,  he 
removed  to  Tipton  County,  and  has  since  resided  here.  He  served  an 
apprenticeship  at  the  carpenter's  trade  in  Rush  County,  and  has  since 
followed  this  trade  in  connection  with  farming.  He  was  married,  July 
13,  1859,  in  Tipton  County,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Warner.  They  have  a 
family  of  eight  children — Sarah  J.,  Polly  D.,  James  T.,  Teniillis,  Asher, 
Clarence,  Maud  Capitola  and  Osa.  Mr.  Shaw  owns  fifty-four  acres  of 
land  in  Cicero  Township,  thirty-four  acres  of  which  are  under  cultivation. 
He  is  a  prominent  citizen,  and  an  active  member  of  the  Democratic 
party. 

JOHN  SIESS,  farmer,  was  born  in  Wurt^mberg,  Germany,  May  9, 
1843.  He  came  to  America  in  1860,  and  located  in  Decatur  County, 
Ind.     There  he  remained  until  1872,  when  he  came  to  Tipton  County 


288  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

and  engaged  in  farming.  lie  now  owns  a  good  farm  of  ninety  acres  in 
Section  38  of  Cicero  Township.  Mr.  Siess  was  married,  in  1873,  to  Miss 
Catherine  Stewart,  a  daughter  of  Stephen  Stewart.  They  have  two 
children — Oscar  and  Lewis  Stephen.  Mr.  Siess  is  a  successful  farmer, 
has  his  farm  in  good  order,  and  in  the  year  1883  built  a  barn  45x50 
feet, 

ROBERT  SINGLETON,  a  prominent  farmer  of  Cicero  Township, 
was  born  in  the  North  of  Ireland  February  15,  1826,  and  remained  in 
his  native  country  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  then  emigrated 
to  America  and  located  in  Boston,  where  he  worked  in  a  factory  about 
seven  years.  In  1852,  he  went  to  California  and  engaged  in  mining. 
He  had  but  $23  when  he  arrived  in  California,  and  when  he  came  away, 
in  1855,  he  had  saved  $2,000.  He  then  came  to  Tipton  County,  Ind., 
spent  a  short  time  in  buying  cattle,  and  subsequently  purchased  a  farm 
of  160  acres,  on  which  he  has  since  resided.  His  farm  is  well  drained, 
with  130  acres  under  cultivation.  He  raises  grain  and  stock,  and  is  a 
successful  farmer.  Mr.  Singleton  was  married,  March  30,  1856,  in  Tip- 
ton County,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Hall,  daughter  of  Hudson  Hall.  They 
have  four  children  living — John  H.,  James  M.,  Ida  and  Nannie  C. 

ISAAC  N.  SPRINGER,  son  of  Newton  I.  Springer,  was  born  in 
Washington  County,  Penn.,  June  22»  1837.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  he 
came  with  his  parents  to  Tipton  County,  where  he  remained  with  his 
father  on  a  farm  until  he  arrived  at  manhood.  He  then  engaged  in 
farming  for  himself,  and  now  owns  a  small  farm  of  thirty  acres  in  Cicero 
Township ;  his  farm  is  in  good  condition,  is  well  drained,  and  all  except 
three  acres  is  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Springer  was  married  in  Hamilton 
County,  Ind.,  November  27,  1859,  to  Miss  Lovina  M.  Roadrick.  They 
have  five  children  living — Albert  N.,  Sarah  M.,  Etta  M.,  Cora  M.  and 
Susan  I.  Mr.  Springer  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party,  and  he 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

STEPHEN  STEWART,  farmer,  was  born  in  Montgomery  County, 
Ky.,  June  7,  1822.  At  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  went  to  McDonough 
County,  III.,  and  remained  about  eight  years,  after  which  he  removed  to 
Bartholomew  County,  Ind.  In  September,  1854,  he  came  to  Tipton 
County  and  purchased  297  acres  of  timber  land  in  Cicero  Township;  he 
has  sold  140  acres  of  this,  and  bought  other  lands,  and  now  owns  376 
acres  in  Cicero  Township,  of  which  265  acres  are  under  a  high  state  of 
cultivation  and  well  drained.  He  raises  grain  extensively,  and  usually 
puts  out  100  acres  in  corn,  and  GO  in  wheat.  Mr.  Stewart  was  married, 
April  11,  1848,  in  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.,  to  Miss  Emma  M.  Rud- 
dick.  This  union  has  been  ble<sed  with  ten  children — Robert  0.,  Will- 
iam  P.,  Catharine,  Amy,  Jane,  Laura,  John,  Antony,  Ida  E.,  deceased, 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  289 

and  one  infant  deceased.     Mr.  Stewart  is  a  well-to-do  farmer,  ownin». 
besides  his  farm  land,  a  good  dwellinor  in  Tipton. 

WILLIAM  H.  SUMMERS,  farmer  and  tile-maker,  is  a  native  of 
Missouri,  and  was  born  January  30,  1843;  his  father,  William  Summers, 
removed  to  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  when  our  subject  was  but  nine  years 
of  age.  Mr.  W.  H.Summers  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Hamilton  County, 
and  enlisted  in  the  United  States  service  August  11,  1862,  and  served 
until  June  16,  1865;  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Seventy-fifth  Regiment 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  participated  in  battle  at  Chickamauga, 
Mission  Ridge,  was  in  Sherman's  campaign  to  Savannah,  through 
to  Raleigh,  thence  to  Richmond,  Va.  Mr.  Summers  was  married  Sep- 
tember 6,  1866,  in  this  county,  to  Miss  Maria  Smith,  This  union  has 
been  blessed  with  two  children — Bertha  M.  and  Asher  B.  Mr.  Sum- 
mers owns  a  small  farm  of  twenty-five  acres,  and  in  187ii  purchased  a 
half-interest  in  a  tile  factory,  and  subsequently  purchased  the  entire  bus- 
iness. He  manufactures  about  $1,700  worth  of  tile  annually;  he  is 
identified  with  the  Republican  party,  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  poli- 
tics. 

CHARLES  TEAL,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Sweden,  where  he  was 
born  December  5,  1840.  He  is  the  son  of  Charles  G.  Teal,  who  was 
born  in  Sweden  in  1803  and  remained  in  his  native  country  until  1852, 
when  he  emigrated  to  America,  settled  in  Tipton  County,  Ind..  bought 
a  small  farm,  and  resided  there  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Duringr  his 
residence  in  Sweden,  he  served  for  many  years  in  her  standing  army,  and 
saw  a  great  deal  of  military  service.  He  was  married  in  his  native  land, 
at  the  age  of  twenty-three,  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Thorman,  and  by  her  was 
the  father  of  three  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  eldest.  His  death, 
caused  by  an  accident  while  engaged  in  raising  a  barn,  occurred  May  19, 
1866.  His  widow  died  September,  1879.  Charles,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  grew  to  manhood  on  a  farm,  and  then  engaged  in  tilling  the  soil 
of  rented  land.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  178  acres  of  land  in  Cigero 
Township.  Tipton  County,  and  eighty  acres  in  Jackson  Township,  Ham- 
ilton County.  He  has  216  acres  under  cultivation,  well  drained  by  tile 
drains  at  a  cost  of  $1,200.  He  has  a  good  residence,  a  commodious  barn, 
36x74  feet,  and  a  straw  barn  31x88  feet,  a  windmill  for  watering  his 
stock,  and  $5,000  worth  of  the  most  improved  agricultural  implements. 
The  fertility  of  the  soil  of  his  land  is  suSicient  to  enable  it  to  produce 
from  forty  to  sixty  bushels  of  corn  and  twenty  bushels  of  wheat  to  the 
acre.  Altogether  Mr.  Teal's  farm  is  the  best  equipped,  and  one  of  the 
most  desirable  in  the  borders  of  Tipton  County.  During  the  winter,  he 
manufactures  a  great  amount  of  barrel  heading,  using  two  ten-horse-power 
portable  threshing  engines  to  run  the  machinerv.     Besides  this,  he  owns 


290  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

two  sets  of  French  buhrs,  with  which  he  grinds  the  feed  fur  his  stock,  and 
also  for  the  stock  of  many  of  his  neighbors.  He  was  married,  August  31, 
1862,  in  this  county,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Sumner.  They  have  three  sons — 
Franklin,  William  and  Jesse.  Mr.  Teal  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 
Politically,  he  is  of  the  Republican  persuasion.  He  is  one  of  the  most  en- 
terprising and  most  esteemed  men  in  the  county. 

SAMUEL  L.  THOMPSON  was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  Ind. 
September  18,  1841,  and  was  reared  in  his  native  county.  He  at- 
tended the  common  schools,  and  later  the  Union  Hio;h  School  at  West- 
field  two  years.  He  then  engaged  in  teaching  several  winters,  farming 
through  the  summer  months.  In  1870,  he  removed  to  Tipton  County, 
Ind.,  purchased  a  farm  of  160  acres  in  Cicero  Township,  and  resided 
there  till  the  fall  of  1882,  when  he  sold  his  farm.  In  the  spring  of  1883, 
he  purchased  120  acres  in  Section  19,  in  Cicero  Township,  and  moved 
upon  it.  His  farm  is  well  drained,  with  ninety  acres  under  cultivation. 
Mr.  Thompson  was  married,  September  21,  1865,  in  Tipton  County,  to 
Miss  Lucy  H.  Houser.  They  have  had  six  children — Indiana  P.,  Edith 
B.,  Lillian  A.,  Lena  V.,  Isaac  M.  (deceased)  and  Samuel  W.  (deceased). 
Mr.  Thompson  enlisted  March  16,  1865,  in  Company  G,  One  Hundred 
and  Forty-seventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  dis- 
charged the  17th  of  the  following  August. 

ROBERT  W.  TODD  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  July  29, 
1841.  He  is  the  son  of  George  Todd,  Sr.,  who  was  born  in  New  Jersey 
in  1812,  and  who  located  when  quite  young  in  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
and  after,  in  Franklin  County,  Ind.  In  the  last-named  county,  he  was 
married,  in  1840,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Sizelove,  and  remained  there  until 
1864,  when  he  removed  to  Tipton  County  and  settled  on  a  tract  of  160 
acres  of  land,  situated  in  Sections  29  and  30,  Cicero  Township.  In  the 
last-named  section,  he  built  a  residence,  which  he  made  his  home  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  February  20,  1875,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three.  Of 
his  160  acres  of  land,  about  eighty  were  under  cultivation.  His  widow 
still  survives  him  and  resides  at  the  old  home.  She  has  the  following 
children,  namely,  Robert  W.,  Josephs.,  George  L.,  Ezra  N.,  Francis  M., 
Clement  V.  and  Lemuel  S.  Robert  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
reared  in  Franklin  County.  In  1865,  he  came  to  Tipton  County,  and 
has  since  made  this  his  home.  On  coming  to  this  county,  he  farmed  a 
tract  of  eighty  acres  located  in  Wild  Cat  Township.  About  1868,  he  re- 
moved to  Cicero  Township,  Section  30,  on  a  farm  of  eighty  acres.  He 
is  also  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  in  Section  29,  of  the  same  township.  Of 
all  this  land,  he  has  about  eighty  acres  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Todd 
has  been  three  times  married.  First,  in  Grant  County,  Ind.,  March  25, 
1866,  to  Miss   Isabelle   D.  Smith,  who    died  in   February,    1867.     His 


CICERO  TOWNSHIP.  291 

second  marriage  occurred  in  Tipton  County,  November  29,  1868,  to 
Louisa  E.  Friend,  who  departed  this  life  June  9,  1875.  His  last  mar- 
riage occurred  August  21,  1876,  to  Amanda  J.  Russell,  his  present  wife. 
He  is  the  father  of  two  children  by  his  second  and  third  wives,  respect- 
ively named  VVorthington  R.  and  Everet  Alton.  Politically,  Mr.  Todd 
is  a  vigorous  Democrat. 

DILLARD  VAN  BUSKIRK,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Wayne 
County,  Ind.,  and  was  born  May  1,  1818.  He  was  reared  in  Henry 
County,  Ind.,  where  he  attended  the  common  schools.  He  worked  by 
the  month  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  subsequently  took  up  contract- 
ing and  building.  In  the  spring  of  1850,  he  removed  to  Tipton  County 
and  has  since  made  this  his  home,  except  two  years  spent  in  Fulton 
County.  He  owns  a  farm  of  seventy-nine  acres  in  Cicero  Township,  on 
which  he  moved  in  1857.  He  has  since  resided  on  this  and  has  about 
sixty  acres  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Van  Buskirk  was  married,  December 
16,  1841,  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  to  Miss  Rebecca  Paul.  They  have 
had  nine  children — Mary  E.,  Sarah  A.,  Amanda,  Samuel,  Emeretta, 
Helen  D.,  Robert  M.,  Thomas  Benton  (deceased)  and  George  W.  (de- 
ceased). Joseph  Van  Buskirk,  the  fiither  of  our  subject,  was  born  in 
Kentucky  in  1794:,  and  came  to  Indiana  about  1815  ;  he  was  a  black- 
smith and  pursued  his  trade  for  some  time,  and  subsequently  engaged  in 
farming ;  he  was  married  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  in  1816,  to  Miss 
Mollie  Huff;  he  located  in  Tipton  County  about  1844,  and  here  resided 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  June,  1866. 

JEHU  VAN  BUSKIRK,  Deputy  Surveyor  and  ex-Surveyor,  is  a 
I'ative  of  Henry  County,  Ind.,  and  was  born  September  22,  1826.  He 
is  the  son  of  Joseph  Van  Buskirk.  Our  subject  engaged  in  teaching  the 
early  part  of  his  life,  and  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Surveyor  of  Tipton 
County  by  the  Democratic  party  in  1872,  and  was  twice  re-elected,  serv- 
ing six  successive  years.  He  was  previously  elected  in  1856,  and  served 
one  term,  and  has  also  been  Deputy  Surveyor  much  of  the  time  since. 
During  the  falls  of  the  last  four  years,  Mr.  V.  has  operated  a  sorghum 
factory,  and  does  the  grinding  by  steam.  He  owns  a  good  home  of 
twenty-six  acres  of  fertile  land,  with  eighteen  acres  under  cultivation. 
He  heats  his  sitting  room  by  register  from  the  cellar  below.  His  barn 
has  a  brick  basement,  and  is  arranged  so  that  he  can  drive  into  the  second 
story.  The  roof  is  self-supporting,  and  the  barn  has  no  timbers  in  the 
way  of  storage.  Mr.  Van  Buskirk  was  married,  in  June,  1861,  to  Miss 
Martha  Small,  who  died  about  ayear  after  their  marriage.  In  July,  1868, 
he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Carr,  of  this  county.  Mr.  Van  Buskirk  has 
a  family  of  three  children — Sallie,  Mamie  and  Cora.  About  the  year 
1852,  he  became  a  Christian,  and  about  the  same  time  signed  a  temper- 


292  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES : 

ance  pledge  and  a  tobacco  pledge.  He  has  since  faithfully  kept  all  his 
pledges.  In  the  winter  of  1855-56,  he  attended  a  course  of  medical  lect- 
ures in    Cincinnati,  since  which  time  he  has  acted  as  his  own  physician. 

GRANVILLE  VERNON,  a  native  of  Rockingham  County,  N.  C, 
was  born  May  9,  1824,  and  is  a  son  of  Green  and  Telistia  Vernon.  His 
parents  removed  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  in  1831,  where  our  subject  was 
reared  and  educated.  He  engaged  in  farming  in  Shelby  County,  and  was 
there  married,  February  24,  1846,  to  Miss  Sarah  Hennes,  born  Decem- 
ber 12, 1828,  In  1857,  he  removed  to  Hancock  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
remained  two  years,  and  in  1859  sold  his  farm  and  removed  to  Tipton 
County,  He  purchased  eighty  acres  in  Section  19,  in  Cicero  Township, 
which  he  subsequently  sold,  and  purchased  eighty  acres  in  Section  20, 
which  he  now  owns.  He  has  about  forty- five  acres  under  cultivation,  and 
well  drained.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  the  Plum 
Grove  Grange,  No.  181.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church,  They  have  a  family  of  eight  children — Mary  J.,  Sarah  E.. 
Richard  B.,  Matilda  F.,  Nancy  E.,  Barbara  A.,  Daisy  D.  and  Alice  M. 
His  father's  death  occurred  in  Sullivan  County,  Ind.,  in  March,  1871. 
His  mother,  aged  seventy-eight,  is  still  living,  and  resides  in  Sullivan 
County. 

GEORGE  V.  WAMSLEY  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Ind., 
December  28,  1850,  and  is  the  son  of  Lawrence  N,  Wamsley.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm  in  his  native  county,  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits when  he  began  life  for  himself  He  owned  a  farm  of  sixty-three 
acres  in  Franklin  County,  and  continued  farming  there  until  August, 
1880,  when  he  sold  his  farm  and  removed  to  Tipton  County.  Here  he 
purchased  100  acres  of  land  in  Section  33,  Cicero  Township,  and  has 
since  added  sixty  acres.  He  has  120  acres  under  cultivation  and  well 
drained.  He  was  married,  December  28,  1876,  in  Franklin  County,  Ind., 
to  Miss  Lydia  Gephart.  They  have  a  family  of  three  children — Irena 
May,  Alton  L.  and  Wilber.  Mr.  Wamsley  is  a  highly  respected  citizen, 
and  an  energetic  farmer. 

DAVID  WIGGINS,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Penn,,  June  1, 
1835.  He  was  reared  in  his  native  county  and  there  engaged  in  black - 
smithing.  In  1865,  he  removed  to  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
followed  farming  and  blacksmithing.  He  purchased  thirty  acres  of  land 
in  that  county,  and  remained  there  until  1877,  when  he  traded  this 
farm  for  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Cicero  Township,  Tipton  County  ;  he 
located  on  this,  and  has  added  to  it  until  now  he  has  a  farm  of  120 
acres,  well  drained,  of  fertile  soil,  and  with  seventy-five  acres  under  cul- 
tivation. Mr.  Wiggins  was  married  in  Lancaster  County,  Penn.,  Janu- 
ary 23,  1862,  to  Miss  Mary  Nagle.     They  have  eight  children  living — 


WILD  CAT  TOWxNSHlP.  293 

John  E.,  George  S.,  William  M.,  Sarah  E.,  Ida   M.,  Angeline,  Bertha, 
and  David. 

JOHN  WINANS,  farmer,  owns  sixty  acres  of  good  land  in  Section 
30,  Cicero  Township,  Tipton  County.  He  is  a  native  of  Harrison  County, 
Ky.,  and  was  born  October  18,  1836,  and  is  the  son  of  John  Winans.  He 
spent  his  boyhood  days  in  Scott  County,  Ky.,  and  engaged  in  the  dis 
tillery  business.  In  1859,  he  came  to  Indianapolis  and  began  butcher- 
ing for  some  time,  and  in  1865  enlisted  in  the  United  States  service  in 
Company  1,  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-fourth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  served  about  six  months.  He  then  returned  to  Indianapolis 
and  worked  in  a  saw  mill,  and  in  the  fiill  of  1865  came  to  Tipton  County, 
where  he  worked  in  a  saw  mill  for  some  time.  He  then  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, which  occupation  he  has  since  continued.  In  November,  1882,  he 
purchased  sixty  acres  in  Section  30,  where  he  still  lives.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  this  county,  April  4,  1867.  to  Miss  Caroline  M.  Clark.  They  have 
two  children,  Oscar  C.  and  Laura  J.  Mr.  Winans  is  a  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics, is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

JONATHAN  WOLVERTON,  a  native  of  Northumberland  County, 
Penn,,  was  born  November  13,  1828.  He  was  reared  in  Butler  County, 
Ohio,  and  engaged  by  the  month  working  on  a  farm.  In  1853,  he  came 
to  Decatur  County,  where  he  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until  October, 
1862,  when  he  removed  to  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  and  located  on  eighty 
acres  of  timbered  land.  He  now  owns  176  acres  of  good  land,  with  120 
acres  under  cultivation ;  he  raises  about  fifty  bushels  of  corn  and  fifteen 
bushels  of  wheat  per  acre  ;  his  land  is  well  drained,  has  good  outbuildings, 
and  a  first-class  residence;  he  raises  a  fair  amount  of  both  hogs  and 
cattle.  Mr.  Wolverton  was  married,  November  22,  1855,  in  Decatur 
County,  Ind.,  to  Miss  Corlinda  A.  Barr,  who  died  November  26,  1856, 
leaving  one  child  living,  Joseph  W.  Mr.  Wolverton  was  next  married, 
June  24,  1857,  to  Miss  Martha  Barr.  They  have  four  children  living — 
Axie  A.,  Wilbur  W.,  Mattie  L.  and  Annie  :  he  has  three  children  de- 
ceased— Henry  F.,  Levi  S.  and  John  N.  The  latter  died  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  years. 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP. 
W.  K.  ARMSTRONG  was  born  in  Cumberland  County,  Penn., 
December  12,  1812,  and  is  the  fourth  often  children  born  to  James  and 
Georgianna  (Greenwood)  Armstrong,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
of  English  descent.  W.  K.  Armstrong  at  the  age  of  seventeen  engaged 
as  an  apprentice  at  the  tanner's  trade.     After  serving  his  apprenticeship, 


294  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  : 

he  went  to  Plymouth,  Richland  County,  Ohio,  where  he  conducted  a 
tannery  and  harness  shop,  made  boots  and  shoes,  and  superintended  a 
farm.  After  continuing  in  business  liere  many  years,  he  sold  out  and  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business,  operating  a  saw  mill  and  grist  mill  ;  he 
subsequently  located  in  Wyandot  County,  Ohio,  where  he  farmed  for 
three  years.  He  then  sold  out  and  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  in 
Crestline,  Ohio,  for  two  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Wyandot 
County,  and  bought  and  sold  five  farms  in  six  years;  he  then  came  to 
Tipton  County,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  and  purchased  200 
ocres  of  land  in  the  edge  of  Grant  County  ;  he  conducted  the  lumber 
business  alone  for  a  few  years,  and  in  company  with  his  son  for  seven 
years,  after  which  he  retired  from  business,  and  removed  to  his  farm  in 
Grant  County.  After  selling  this,  he  purchased  in  November,  1880,  128 
acres  of  well-improved  land  in  Wild  Cat  Township,  and  is  now  enjoying 
the  fruits  of  a  well-spent  life.  He  started  in  life  a  poor  boy,  and  through 
his  own  efforts  has  become  an  independent  man.  Mr.  Armstrong  was 
married  at  Wellsburg,  Va.,  February  28,  1836,  to  Miss  Martha  C. 
Connell.  She  was  born  March  27,  1817,  and  is  the  daughter  of  John 
Connell,  who  was  a  soldier  under  Gen.  Harrison  at  the  siege  of  Fort 
Meigs.  They  have  had  eleven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living — Harri- 
son, lumberer  and  farmer ;  Philip,  farmer;  William,  M.  D.,  of  Mexico, 
Ind.  ;  Mary  Elma  and  Benjamin  Franklin.  Mr.  Armstrong  was  reared 
a  Democrat,  but  is  now  a  Republican.  He  is  a  liberal  supporter  of  all 
home  enterprises,  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

WINSER  AUSTIN,  physician,  is  a  native  of  West  Virginia,  and  is 
the  eldest  of  four  children  born  to  John  and  Margaret  Austin  ;  his  father 
was  a  native  of  West  Virginia,  and  of  French  and  English  descent ;  his 
mother  was  born  in  Maryland,  of  English  and  Welsh  parentage.  Our 
subject  lived  at  home  on  the  farm  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  after 
which  he  worked  out  as  a  farm  hand  three  years;  he  obtained  a  good 
common  school  education,  and  read  medicine  for  several  years  at  intervals. 
At  the  age  of  nineteen,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Third  Regiment  Indi- 
ana Volunteer  Infantry,  as  Hospital  Steward,  serving  four  years  on  de- 
tached duty  ;  he  then  veteranized  in  Company  E,  Sixth  Regiment  West 
Virginia  Cavalry,  apart  of  the  Eighth  Army  Corps.  They  were  in  battle 
at  McDowell,  Va.,  at  Cross  Keys,  Slaughter  Mountain,  and  the  second 
battle  at  Bull  Run.  They  were  on  a  raid  through  Virginia  under  Gen. 
Averill,  after  which  they  were  mounted  on  fresh  horses,  and  Mr.  Austin 
was  taken  prisoner  in  West  Virginia;  he  was  taken  to  Libby  Prison  and 
tliere  held  sixty  days,  and  then  paroled  by  being  a  member  of  the  Medical 
Department.      He  was  sent  to  Washington,  and  participated  in  the  capture 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  295 

of  Booth,  the  assassin  ;  he  was  then  sent  to  the  Army  of  the  We.-?t, 
remaining  on  the  frontier  until  he  was  discharged,  November  13,  1860 ; 
he  then  returned  home,  and  subsequently  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
medicine  at  Grandville,  Ind.,  for  three  years.  In  the  fall  of  186!>,  he 
located  at  Windfall,  where  he  has  now  a  large,  lucrative  practice ;  he  has 
attended  different  medical  colleges,  and  has  contributed  to  Indiana  medi- 
cal literature  in  the  way  of  reports  and  essays ;  he  has  always  been  an 
active  Republican,  and  is  now  Health  Officer.  Mr.  Austin  was  married, 
December  14,  1865,  to  Miss  Naoma  Jacobs,  who  was  born  in  West 
Virginia  March  6,  1841.  This  union  was  blessed  with  five  children — 
Hattie,  Harry,  Ray,  Winser  and  Clarke.  Mr,  Austin  and  family  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

ASHLEY  AYERS  was  born  in  Darke  County,  Ohio,  March  18, 
1827,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Alfred  and  Sardes  (Ashley)  Ayers,  natives 
respectively  of  Connecticut  and  New»Y''ork,  and  both  of  English  descent. 
At  the  age  of  ten,  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Randolph  County,  Ind.. 
while  it  was  yet  a  forest ;  he  assisted  his  fiither  in  redeeming  from  the 
forest  a  good  home  from  land  entered  in  1887;  his  education  was  ob- 
tained  from  the  log  cabin  schoolhouse  ;  he  began  farming  in  1848,  on 
rented  land,  and  in  the  fall  of  1852  came  to  this  county,  locating  on  the 
farm  where  he  now  lives  ;  he  has  been  industrious  and  economical,  and  a 
good  home  is  the  result.  Mr.  Ayers  was  married  in  November,  1847,  to 
Miss  Desira  Gist,  of  Randolph  County,  Ind.  She  died  in  1854,  leaving 
two  sons,  William  and  Silas.  March  17,  1855,  he  married  Miss  Mary 
A.  Adams,  of  Marion  County,  Ind.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with 
nine  children,  five  of  whom  are  living — Catharine,  Edith  Thena,  Thomas 
E.,  Letitia  and  Maryetta.  Mr.  Ayers  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church;  he  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  held  some  of 
the  minor  offices  of  the  township ;  he  is  one  of  our  pioneer  citizens,  and 
is  ever  ready  to  encourage  public  improvements. 

NATHAN  BAILEY,  merchant,  handling  a  general  stock  of  dry 
goods  and  groceries,  is  a  native  of  Randolph  County,  Ind.,  and  was  born 
May  11,  1842  :  he  was  the  son  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Freeman)  Bailey, 
of  English  descent.  David  Bailey  was  an  early  settler  of  Randolph 
County  ;  he  died  March  19,  1860,  in  Tipton  County,  at  the  age  of  forty- 
two  ;  his  wife  died  previously  in  Randolph  County.  Nathan  Bailey  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  spent  his  youth  in  Howard  and  Tipton  Counties  ; 
he  attended  the  pioneer  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  thirteen  began  working 
on  the  farm  ;  in  1859,  he  made  atrip  to  Iowa,  and  in  the  spring  of  1860 
was  called  home  by  his  father's  death  ;  he  then  ewlisted  in  Company  G, 
Thirty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  but  soon  after  going 
out  was  taken   sick  and   was   subsequently  discharged  on  account  of  dis- 


296  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

ability;  he  returned  home  and  recruited,  and  in  the  spring  of  1864  en- 
listed in  Company  A,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-seventh  Regiment  In- 
diana Volunteer  Infantry,  joining  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  Their 
time  was  mostly  spent  doing  guard  duty,  and  upon  their  return  home, 
while  riding  on  the  top  of  the  train,  he  was  thrown  oft",  fracturing  both 
ankles  and  his  right  wrist ;  he  was  left  at  the  hospital  at  Indianapolis, 
where  he  was  honorably  discharged ;  he  was  compelled  to  use  crutches 
for  fifteen  months,  after  Avhich  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade;  in 
J  867,  he  came  to  Windfall,  where  he  operated  a  saw  mill  eighteen  months; 
he  then  bought  a  third  interest  in  Richard  Freeman's  general  store,  and 
for  a  number  of  years  made  numerous  changes.  In  March,  1878,  he 
and  E.  L.  Pickering  lost  their  goods,  valued  at  $3,000.  by  fire,  and  sub- 
sequently he  lost  about  $500  by  burglars.  After  this,  he  purchased  a 
small  grocery  stock,  and  has  since  added  dry  goods  and  boots  and  shoes. 
Mr.  Bailey  was  married,  June  G,  1869,  to  Miss  Mary  Olive  Armstrong, 
of  Windfall,  Ind.  She  was  born  February  7,  1853,  and  is  the  daughter 
of  Jeiferson  and  Margaret  A.  (Taylor)  Bailey,  both  natives  of  Indiana, 
and  of  English  and  Irish  descent.  They  have  two  children,  Attala  J. 
and  Bertie  V.  Mr,  Bailey  has  been  a  life-long  Republican  ;  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  C.  BANNON,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in 
Hancock  County,  Ind..  February  4,  1844,  and  is  the  second  of  three 
sons  born  to  John  D.  and  Anna  R.  (Richard)  Bannon,  both  natives  of 
PenUvSylvania.  He  was  left  fatherless  at  the  age  of  four,  and  in  1854 
went  to  Iowa  with  William  P.  Chapman,  with  whom  he  lived  for  eight 
years,  working  on  the  farm.  In  the  spring  of  1862,  he  moved  to  Madi- 
son County,  Ind.,  and  subsequently  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Twelfth 
Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Gen.  Logan.  He  engaged 
in  battle  at  Jackson.  Miss.,  Missionary  Ridge,  Dallas,  Tenn.,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  New  Hope  Church,  and  the  siege  of  Atlanta.  He  was  hon- 
orably discharged  after  serving  about  three  years.  Returning  to  Hamil- 
ton County,  he  engaged  in  farming  on  rented  land  for  two  years,  when  he 
purchased  forty  acres.  In  the  fall  of  1872,  he  removed  with  his  family 
to  this  township,  and  purchased  his  present  home  of  eighty  acres,  on 
which  he  found  twelve  acres  cleared  and  a  small  log  cabin.  He  was 
married,  August  27,  1865,  to  Miss  Nancy  E.  Kirinaman,  born  February 
26,  1849.  This  marriage  has  been  blessed  with  nine  children,  six  of 
whom  are  living — Henry,  Jerry,  Mazy,  Jesse,  William  and  Andrew. 
Mr.  Bannon  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  he  is  a 
Union  Democrat,  and  has  held  some  of  the  minor  offices  of  the  township. 

JACOB  BARROW   is  a  native  of  Madison  Countv,  and  was   born 


WILD   CAT   TOWNSHIP.  297 

March  6,  1842.  He  is  the  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Denny)  Barrow, 
natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  English  descent.  His  father  was  an  early 
settler  in  Madison  County,  and  in  1849  removed  with  his  family  to  Tip- 
ton County.  He  obtained  a  good  home  for  his  family  before  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1853.  He  had  lived  a  consistent  Christian  life,  as  a 
member  of  the  U.  B.  Church.  His  wife  (aged  seventy-two)  still  sur- 
vives him,  and  resides  with  her  son  Jacob.  Our  subject  was  reared  on 
the  farm,  but  was  deprived  of  any  education,  as  he  and  his  elder  brother 
yfere  the  main  supports  of  the  family.  He  remained  at  home  until  his 
mother  married  again,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  he  began  working 
for  himself.  Without  any  instructions,  he  built  a  wagon,  doing  all  the 
wood-work,  blacksmithing  and  painting,  and  when  completed  sold  it  for 
$120.  He  worked  at  wagon-making  and  farming  until  1877,  when  he 
removed  to  Windfall  and  engaged  in  blacksmithing.  He  and  brothers 
invented  and  patented  "The  Little  Giant  Stump  Puller,"  which 
has  since  been  twice  improved.  They  have  also  invented  and  patented 
an  elliptic  engine,  applicable  for  all  purposes,  also  a  wind  engine,  and  a 
beltless  governor  for  an  engine,  steam  boiler  and  filtering  heater.  Mr. 
Barrow  enlisted  in  the  United  States  service  in  September,  1864,  in  the 
Fourth  Indiana  Light  Artillery.  He  engaged  in  battle  at  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  and  was  honorably  discharged  in  the  fall  of  1865.  He  is  a 
Democrat,  and  has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  VVild  Cat  Township. 
He  was  married,  October  3,  1861,  to  Miss  Rebecca  A.  Pumphrey,  of 
Howard  County  ;  she  was  the  daughter  of  Jackson  Pumphrey.  Mrs. 
Barrow  died  August  6,  1880,  leaving  four  children — Dora,  Zana  A., 
Amanda  J.  and  Lora  Lee.  About  1874,  he  was  ordained  as  minister  of 
the  Gospel,  and  for  years  was  a  Baptist  pastor.  Ill  health  caused  him 
to  discontinue  the  ministry. 

SAMUEL  BARROW,  a  leading  inventor  of  Northern  Indiana,  is  a 
native  of  Madison  County,  born  March  23,  1844,  and  is  a  son  of  James 
Barrow  ;  he  worked  on  the  farm  until  seventeen  years  old,  and  April  17, 
186].,  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Sixth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, three  months'  service.  After  this  service,  he  re-enlisted  in  Com- 
pany I,  Fifty -first  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  participated 
in  the  battles  of  Perryville,  Ky.,  Stone  River,  and  in  tlie  famous  raid  of 
Col.  Streight.  Near  Rome,  Ga.,  Mr.  Barrow  was  taken  prisoner  and  held 
thirty  days  on  Belle  Island,  when  he  was  paroled.  After  being  ex- 
changed, he  rejoined  his  regiment,  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Franklin 
and  Nashville,  and  accompanied  Gen.  Willick  through  Texas.  He  was 
honorably  discharged  as  a  veteran.  He  then  returned  to  Tipton  County 
and  engaged  in  farming  for  four  years.  In  1869,  with  his  brother  David, 
he  established  a  wagon  shop  in  Windfall,  where  his   brother  Jacob  joined 


298  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

the  firm  now  known  as  Barrow  Bros.  They  were  inventors  of  "  The 
Little  Grant  Stump  Puller,"  a  wind  engine,  steam  engine,  governor  and 
boiler,  etc.  Mr.  Barrow  was  married,  July  19,  1867,  to  Miss  Alice 
Woolley,  of  Tipton  County,  daughter  of  William  Woolley.  Mrs.  Bar- 
row was  killed  by  lightning  in  1876,  and  left  one  daughter — Rosalie 
Magnolia.  Mr.  Barrow  is  an  active  temperance  man.  In  1874,  he  was 
licensed  to  preach  as  a  local  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

DAVID  BARROW  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ind.,  February 
23,  1849,  and  is  also  a  son  of  James  Barrow.  At  the  age  of  fifteen,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  A,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-seventh  Regiment  In- 
diana Volunteer  Infimtry,  and  was  honorably  discharged  in  1864.  When 
seventeen,  he  began  an  apprenticeship  to  carpentering,  attending  school 
during  the  winter  for  four  seasons,  thus  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  the 
common  branches.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  became  a  partner  with 
his  brother  Samuel  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons.  In  1872,  he  opened 
a  wagon  shop  in  Howard  County,  which  he  conducted  eight  months,  after 
which  he  took  up  farming.  In  1877,  he  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the 
wagon  manufactory  of  Samuel  Barrow,  the  firm  being  known  as  S. 
Barrow  &  Bro.  Later,  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Barrow  Bros. 
He  is  well  versed  in  music,  which  he  has  taught,  both  vocal  and  instru- 
mental. Mr.  Barrow  is  a  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,, 
and  an  active  worker  in  the  Sabbath  school ;  also  a  member  of  the  I.  0> 
0.  F.;  he  is  a  Republican  and  a  temperance  man. 

PERRY  BEHYMER  is  a  native  of  Clermont  County.  Ohio,  and 
was  born  December  4,  1850.  He  is  the  eldest  son  of  nine  children  born 
to  William  and  Martha  (Littleton)  Behymer,  natives  of  Kentucky  and 
Ohio,  and  of  German  and  English  descent.  His  father  was  a  cooper  by 
trade,  but  for  the  last  thirty  years  has  given  his  attention  to  farming. 
William  Behymer  removed  to  Rush  County,  Ind.,  in  1853,  and  in  1861 
located  in  Grant  County.  He  now  resides  in  Rigdon,  Grant  County.  He 
has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  now  holds  the  position  of  Notary 
Public.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  prominent 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Perry  Behymer  spent  his 
boyhood  on  the  farm,  having  access  to  the  common  schools.  At  the  age 
of  eighteen  he  attended  one  summer  term  of  seventy  days,  after  which  he 
received  a  twelve  months'  license  to  teach  in  Tipton  County.  He  taught 
twelve  terms  in  succession  in  Tipton,  Grant  and  Madison  Counties,  and 
was  Principal  of  the  Windfall  High  School  in  1876-77,  continuing  two 
terms  of  nine  months  each.  He  attended  one  term  of  seventeen  weeks  in 
the  Normal  School  of  Lebanon,  Ohio.  Soon  after  he  began  teaching  at 
Windfall,  he  commenced  reading  law,  and  assisting  as  junior  editor  upon 
the  Windfall  News.     In  the  summer  of  1877,  he  and  his  brother  became 


WILD   CAT  TOWNSHIP.  299 

editors  of  this  paper,  which  they  published  until  May,  1880.  Having 
purchased  the  Tipton  Time?:.,  they  removed  to  Tipton  and  united  the 
strength  of  the  News  with  the  Times.  This  they  conducted  one  year 
with  a  circulation  of  900.  After  this,  Mr.  Behymer  retired  from  the 
editorial  work  and  returned  to  Windfall,  where  he  soon  after  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  law,  having  been  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Tipton  County 
in  1879.  He  has  met  with  success  in  his  practice.  Mr.  Behymer  was 
married,  March  14,  1872,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Legg,  who  died  May  16,  1872. 
He  was  next  married,  March  11,  1880,  to  Miss  Julia  A,  Graham,  of  this 
county,  and  daughter  of  Hollingsworth  Graham.  Mr.  Behymer  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  served  as  School  Trustee,  and  as  President 
of  the  School  Board.  In  1878,  he  was  a  candidate  for  County  Superin- 
tendent, and  was  defeated  by  one  vote.  He  is  a  highly  respected  citizen, 
and  his  wife  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

W.  H.  BUTLER,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Wayne 
County,  Ind.,  June  14,  1819,  and  is  a  son  of  Eli  and  Jane  (Buzan)  Butler, 
natives  of  Georgia  and  Kentucky  respectively.  These  parties  came  to 
Indiana  with  their  parents  while  it  was  a  Territory,  where  they  married 
and  reared  a  family  of  nine  children.  Eli  Butler  was  a  farmer,  and  in 
1827  located  in  Rush  County,  where  he  entered  land  and  continued 
twenty-five  years,  when  he  removed  to  Marion  County  and  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  days,  dying  at  the  age  of  eighty;  his  wife  followed  a 
few  years  later  at  the  age  of  eighty-five.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  at 
the  age  of  twenty-one,  began  in  life  empty  handed.  He  worked  at  job 
work  and  as  a  farm  hand  for  five  years,  when  he  settled  upon  forty  acres 
he  had  purchased  in  Marion  County,  and  remained  there  five  years. 
This  he  sold,  and  in  the  spring  of  1860  came  to  Tipton  County  and 
located  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  Here  he  found  a  log  cabin,  and 
began  to  clear  a  home  from  the  forest,  experiencing  all  the  privations  of 
pioneer  life.  He  now  has  a  good  and  well  improved  farm.  Mr.  Butler 
was  married,  January  1,  1845,  to  Miss  Sarah  R.  Dilliner,  born  in 
Pennsylvania  September  25,  1824,  a  daughter  of  Augustine  Dilliner. 
They  have  nine  children — Elizabeth  J.,  Phoebe  A.,  George  L.,  Smith  D., 
Jesse  W.,  Susan  A.,  Marion  F.,  John  A.  and  Sylvanus  S.  Mr.  Butler 
is  identified  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

WILLIAM  T.  CLAWSON,  landlord  and  liveryman,  was  born  in 
Wayne  County,  Ind.,  October  13,  1834,  and  is  one  of  nine  children  born 
to  Abnor  and  Elizabeth  (White)  Clawson.  Abnor  Clawson  came  with 
his  brother  to  Wayne  County  in  1812.  Their  parents  followed  in  the 
fall.  This  family  redeemed  from  the  forest  a  good  home,  and  here  Abnor 
was  married,  and   reared  a  family  of  nine  children.      He  accumulated  a 


300  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

good  farm  of  260  acres,  besides  property  in  Richmond.  His  wife  died  in 
1865,  aged  sixty-three ;  he  died  in  1870,  aged  seventy-six.  William  T. 
Clawson,  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  engaged  as  an  apprentice,  for  one  year, 
at  plow-making.  He  then  worked  as  journeyman  eight  or  nine  years. 
Then  he  farmed  on  the  homestead  for  four  years.  Subsequently  he  in- 
vented and  manufactured  the  "Empire  Plow,"  a  successful  double  corn 
plow.  Still  later,  after  renting  and  farming  three  years,  he  and  Mathew 
Charles  operated  the  Fairview  Dairy  for  three  years.  They  invented  and 
patented  a  "milk  carrier  and  refrigerator,"  which  proved  a  success. 
From  this  time  Mr.  Clawson  engaged  in  farming  in  different  localities, 
and  in  dairying,  until  1882,  when  he  went  into  the  hotel  and  livery  busi- 
ness in  Windfall.  He  entertains  the  traveling  public  in  the  best  of  style, 
and  has  as  a  partner  in  the  livery  business  W.  R.  Bailey.  Mr.  Clawson 
has  long  been  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  is  an  Odd  Fellow.  He  was 
married  June  6,  1861,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Warman,  of  Wayne  County. 
Five  children  have  blessed  this  union,  four  of  whom  are  living — Frank 
W.,  Emma  E.,  Edward  E.  and  Nellie  B. 

SIMEON  CLEM,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Shenandoah  County,  Va., 
and  was  born  December  17,  1820.  He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Juliana 
(Moyers)  Clem,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  German  descent.  John  Clem 
was  a  farmer,  who  spent  his  life  in  Shenandoah  County.  A  few  months 
before  his  death,  he  removed  to  Page  County,  Va.,  and  there  died  in  1828. 
He  was  a  highly  esteemed  citizen,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 
Our  subject  remained  upon  the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one,  when 
he  began  farming  and  operating  a  flouring  mill.  After  this  he  worked 
at  job  work  three  years ;  then  went  to  Ohio,  and  afterward  farmed  in 
Rockingham  County,  Va.,  on  rented  land.  In  1856,  he  located  in 
Madison  County,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  until  1864.  He  then  located 
in  Henry  County,  and,  in  the  spring  of  1866,  removed  to  this  county 
and  located  on  forty  acres  purchased  the  previous  year.  Mr.  Clem  was 
married,  February  9,  1847,  to  Miss  Margaret  Wetzel,  of  Shenandoah 
County,  Va.  She  was  born  March  2,  1821.  This  union  has  been 
blessed  with  six  cliildren,  three  of  whom  are  living — John,  born  Decem- 
ber 14,  1847  ;  George,  born  June  8,  1849 ;  Lydia  F.,  born  August  29, 
1860,  wife  of  W.  L.  Moore.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  cast 
his  first  vote  for  President  Lincoln,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

I.  C.  CONKLING,  a  prominent  business  man  of  Windfall,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  and  was  born  November  21,  1823  ;  he  is 
the  fifth  of  nine  children  born  to  Isaac  and  Rebecca  (Marsh)  Conkling, 
natives  of  New  Jersey,  and  of  Welsh  descent.  Isaac  Conkling  was  a 
blacksmith  by  trade,  and  in  1829  he  abandoned  his  trade  and  removed  to 
his  father's  farm  and  followed  agricultui-al  pursuits  until  his  death,  which 


WILD   CAT   TOWNSHIP.  301 

occurred  June  29,  1849.  Mrs.  Conkling  lived  to  the  age  of  eighty-five 
and  died  in  1880.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
hiid  access  to  the  common  schools.  Upon  leaving  school,  he  resumed 
farming.  In  the  spring  of  1850,  he  started  for  the  gold  regions  of  Cali- 
fornia. January  1,  1852,  Mr.  Conkling  returned  home  and  engaged  in 
the  lumber  business  at  Lockland,  Ohio,  for  three  years.  After  this  he 
lived  on  a  farm  until  the  spring  of  1864,  when  he  returned  to  Lockland. 
In  the  spring  of  1870,  he  purchased  the  saw  mill  he  now  owns  in  Wind- 
fall, and  soon  after  this  located  in  Kokomo.  In  September,  1871,  he 
removed  to  Windfall,  and  the  following  year  built  his  present  residence; 
he  now  owns  260  acres  of  land,  good  property  in  Windfall,  and  village 
property  in  Lockland,  Ohio,  worth  $8,000.  He  and  son  are  now  operat- 
ing a  saw  mill  and  hoop  factory  ;  Mr.  Conkling  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  School  Boards  at  both  Lockland, 
Ohio,  and  Windfall,  Ind.  ;  he  was  married,  February  17,  1853,  to  Miss 
Miitilda  L.  Patton,  born  September  10,  1828  ;  six  of  the  seven  children 
are  yet  living — Percy  F.;  Ada  V.,  wife  of  William  F.  Scott;  H.  Herbert  ; 
Katie  L.,  wife  of  John  Thornburgh ;  Edgar  C.  and  Clifford  W.  Mr. 
Conkling  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  his  wife  of  the  Christian. 

B.  F.  CONWAY,  a  leading  farmer,  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind., 
August  19,  1835,  and  is  the  eldest  living  son  of  Richard  and  Cynthia 
(Ray)  Conway,  natives  respectively  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia.  Richard 
Conway  located  in  Wild  Cat  Township,  Tipton  County,  in  1860;  he  made 
a  comfortable  home  before  his  death,  April  27,  1868,  aged  sixty - 
two;  his  wife  is  still  living,  aged  seventy- three  years,  and  resides  with 
her  daughter,  in  Marion  County.  Mr.  Conway  was  a  Republi- 
can, and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Our 
subject  worked  on  his  father's  fj,rin  ami  received  a  com;noa  school 
education.  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  began  farm  job  work,  and  subse- 
quently worked  at  house  carpentering  six  years.  In  1863,  he  came  to 
Tipton  County  and  located  on  land  which  he  had  purchased  in  1861 ;  this 
land  was  marshy,  but  he  his  opened  a  good  farm  of  200  acres,  well- 
drained,  with  160  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Conway  was  married,  February 
22, 1863,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Lawson,  a  native  of  Rush  County,  daughter 
of  Ransom  Lawson.  They  have  had  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing— Elmer  E.,  Lienella,  Laura  B.,  Minnie  and  Daisey.  Mr.  Conway  is 
an  enterprising  citizen  and  earnest  supporter  of  all  public  improvements. 
He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Republican  ranks,  and  a  Master  Mason. 

JOEL  COPHER  is  a  native  of  Gallatin  County,  Ky.;  he  was  born 
April  26,  1824,  and  is  the  third  of  eight  children  born  to  Joel  and  Sarah 
(Foley)  Copher,  natives  respectively  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia;  he  was 
reared  upon  a  farm  and  received  a  fair  education  from  the  common  schools. 


302  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

At  the  age  of  twenty,  he  began  farming  in  Switzerland  County,  Imi., 
;ind  made  a  good  home  of  ninety-five  acres,  on  which  he  lived  until  the 
fall  of  1868;  he  then  removed  to  this  township  and  purchased  forty  acres 
of  land,  but  the  August  previous  he  had  purchased  160  acres  (where  he 
now  lives),  which  at  that  time  was  in  its  native  state.  He  began  to  clear 
the  forest  and  built  a  log  cabin,  into  which  he  moved  in  1869;  he  has 
here  redeemed  a  good  home,  and  has  seventy  acres  under  good  cultivation. 
In  early  life,  he  was  a  Whig,  having  cast  his  first  President  ballot  for 
Gen.  Taylor,  but  he  is  now  a  stanch  supporter  of  Republican  principles. 
He  is  an  industrious  farmer  and  leading  citizen,  at  all  times  ready  to  en- 
courage home  enterprises.  He  was  married,  January  19,  1844,  to  Miss 
Martha  A.  Brinson,  a  native  of  Switzerland  County,  Ind. ;  she  was  born 
December  26,  1827,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Anthony  and  Nancy  Brin- 
son, natives  of  Kentucky.  Mr.  Copher  became  the  father  of  ten  chil- 
dren— Nancy,  Sarah,  Mary  E.,  Catharine,  George  F.,  Jonathan  L., 
Joel  0.,  Emma,  and  Anthony,  deceased,  and  Margaret  J.,  deceased.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Copher  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JAMES  D.  CORNELIUS,  a  native  of  Ireland,  was  born  August 
18,  1829,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Mooring)  Cornelius.  ''>ur 
subject  spent  his  youth  in  his  native  country,  and  in  1847  came  alone  to 
America,  landing  in  New  Orleans  December  3,  1847.  He  first  located 
at  Somerville,  Ohio,  where  he  worked  upon  a  farm  and  on  the  railroad. 
In  1849,  he  removed  to  Liberty,  Union  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  engaged  in 
working  in  a  saw  mill  and  grist  mill.  In  1851,  he  removed  to  Wayne 
County  and  worked  seven  years  in  a  distillery  in  Cambridge  City.  He 
located  in  Hancock  County  in  1861,  and  the  following  autumn  removed 
to  Madison  County;  one  year  later,  he  came  to  Tipton  County,  and  leased 
the  Knott's  farm  for  seven  years,  and  remained  upon  it  the  full  time.  In 
the  meantime,  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  forest  land,  upon  which  he 
moved  in  1860.  He  has  since  cleared  sixty  acres;  has  erected  good 
buildings,  and  has  put  in  about  400  rods  of  underground  ditching.  Mr. 
Cornelius  was  married,  October  5,  1856,  to  Miss  Mary  Conner,  of  Wayne 
County.  She  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1828,  and  emigrated  to  America  in 
1853.  By  this  marriage  they  have  three  children — Mary,  Thomas  and 
Catherine.  Mr.  Cornelius  and  family  are  active  members  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church. 

J.  F.  COUCH,  a  farmer  and  pioneer  of  Wild  Cat  Township,  is  a 
native  of  Guilford  County,  N.  C;  was  born  November  16,  1821,  and  is 
the  second  son  of  Meshach  and  Elizabeth  (Mills)  Couch,  whose  ancestors 
located  in  Guilford  County,  N.  C,  before  the  Revolutionary  war.  Our 
subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  upon  reaching  his  majority  he  worked  at 
farming  in   the  summer,  and  at  coopering  during  the  winter  months.    In 


WILD  CAT   TOWNSHIP.  803 

1847,  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Henry  County,  Ind.,  and  the 
following  year  located  at  Dalton,  Wayne  County ;  in  1860,  he  came  to 
this  township,  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  having  entered  forty 
acres  of  this  land  in  1852 ;  when  he  arrived  here  he  purchased  forty 
acres  more.  Mr.  Couch  in  an  early  day  assisted  in  raising  all  the  log  cabins 
in  a  radius  of  two  miles;  he  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  Republican  principles, 
and  is  a  liberal  contributor  to  all  public  improvements.  Mr.  Couch  was 
married,  November  26,  1842,  to  Harriet  Trolter,  who  died  in  December, 
1843.  leaving  one  daughter — Elizabeth.  In  1847,  he  married  Mrs.  Julia 
A.  (Lamb)  Stack,  of  Guilford  County,  N.  C  ;  she  was  born  November  8, 
1821.  This  union  was  blessed  with  six  children — Thomas  J.,  Rufus  D.. 
William  M.,  Ella,  Marcus  F.  and  Alice  Jane  (deceased).  Mrs.  Julia 
Couch  is  the  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Parrott)  Lamb,  both  natives  of 
North  Carolina,  and  of  Scotch  and  English  descent.  She  has  one  son  by 
her  first  marriage — Robert  L.  Stack.  Mr.  and  Mrs  Couch  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

WILLIAM  0.  DEAN  was  born  in  Gibson  County,  Ind.,  October 
14,  1843,  and  was  the  eldest  child  born  to  James  and  Miranda  (Tennell) 
Dean,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  descent.  W.  0.  Dean,  at  the 
age  of  four  years,  removed  with  his  parents  to  Howard  County,  Ind.  In 
February,  1864,  our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Thirteenth  Regi- 
ment Indiana  Volunteer  Cavalry.  They  engaged  in  battle  at  Huntsville, 
I)ecatur,  Ala.,  and  the  second  engagement  at  Huntsville;  here  Mr.  Dean 
was  dismounted,  and  received  a  gunshot  wound  in  his  left  hand.  He  was 
in  hospital  until  March,  1865,  where  he  was  honorably  discharged  on  ac- 
count of  his  wound.  He  returned  home  and  soon  began  farming,  which 
he  continued  until  1871,  though  in  the  meantime  he  had  carried  the  mail 
between  West  Liberty  and  Kokomo  about  four  years.  He  then  engaged 
in  the  stave  business  until  1874,  and  during  his  leisure  hours  studied  law, 
acting  as  its  own  preceptor.  In  1874,  he  removed  to  Windfall  and  devoted 
his  time  for  one  year  to  the  study  of  law.  when  he  was  admitted  to  prac- 
tice in  the  civil  courts  of  Tipton  County.  Soon  after  this,  he  opened  a 
law  office  in  Windfall,  where  he  has  practiced  very  nearly  continuously 
ever  since.  He  is  a  leading  Republican,  and  has  served  as  City  Attorney 
two  terms.  Mr.  Dean  was  married,  August  27,  1865,  to  Miss  Mahala 
Curies,  daughter  of  Samuel  B.  Curies.  They  have  had  three  children — 
Wilber  H.,  Omer  J.  and  Samuel  Leslie  (deceased).  Mr.  Dean  is  a  lead- 
ing citjzen,  and  his  wife  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church. 

WILLIAM  A.  DENNIS  was  born  in  North  Carolina  April  0, 183:!. 
and  is  the  son  of  Jesse  and  Unity  (Stanley)  Dennis,  natives  of  North 
Carolina,  and    of  Scatch    and    English    descent.      Jesse   Dennis  was    a 


304  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

farmer  and  pioneer  of  Henry  and  Howard  Counties,  also  of  Wisconsin, 
where  he  died  in  1868,  aged  eighty  years.  W.  A.  Dennis,  at  the  age  of 
seventeen,  began  life  for  himself.  He  at  first  worked  as  a  farm  hand,  and 
three  years  later  bought  a  set  of  tinner's  tools  and  opened  a  shop.  One 
year  later,  he  removed  to  Greentown,  where  he  conducted  a  tin  shop  one 
year,  after  which  he  located  in  West  Liberty  and  embarked  as  the  village 
blacksmith  ;  he  followed  this  trade  two  years,  and  then  worked  as  section 
hand  on  the  P.,  C.  &  St.  L.  R.  R.  until  1861 ;  he  then  worked  at  stave- 
making  until  October,  1864,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  First  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Light  Artillery.  He  was  in  battle  at  Mobile,  Ala.,  and  Montgomery, 
Ala.  He  was  honorably  discharged  in  August,  1865,  at  Indianapolis. 
He  then  returned  to  Howard  County,  and  soon  after  engaged  in  the  stave 
business,  which  he  followed  for  ten  years.  In  1875,  he  sold  out  and  pur- 
chased his  present  home.  He  has  230  acres  well  drained  and  improved, 
having  good  buildings  and  plenty  of  fruit.  Mr.  Dennis  was  married,  in 
1851,  to  Miss  Caroline  Hendrickson,  daughter  of  David  and  Ruth  Hen- 
drickson,  natives  of  Ohio.  This  union  was  blessed  with  seven  children. 
Mrs.  Dennis  died  in  the  spring  of  1870,  and  Mr.  Dennis  married  his  pre- 
sent wife  the  following  November — Miss  Abbie  Stewart,  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Sarah  Stewart,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  pioneers  of  Tipton 
County.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dennis  have  five  chil4ren. 

ARTHUR  D.  DOGGETT  was 'born  in  Bath  County,  Ky.,  August  10, 
1819,  and  is  the  second  son  of  Henry  and  Nancy  (Smith)  Doggett,  natives 
of  Virginia,  and  of  English  and  Germm  descent.  Henry  Doggett  was  a 
school  teacher  by  profession,  and  died  in  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  in  1836, 
aged  fifty  years ;  his  wife  lived  to  be  eighty-seven  years  of  age. 
Arthur  D.  Doggett  received  a  good  education  ;  at  the  age  of  twenty-four, 
he  began  life  for  himself  on  rented  land,  and  in  the  fall  of  1849  located 
three  and  one-half  miles  northeast  of  Kokomo  ;  three  years  later,  he  sold 
this  farm  and  made  a  purchase  of  school  land,  where  the  town  of  Wind- 
fall now  stands;  he  remained  here  until  1859  ;  experienced  all  the  pri- 
vations of  a  new  country.  In  the  meantime,  he  was  a  large  contractor 
on  building  railroads,  having  taken  his  first  contract  on  the  I.,  P.  &  C  R. 
R.,  from  Kokomo  to  Cassville  ;  he  then  took  a  contract  for  grubbing, 
clearing  and  grading  fifty  miles  on  the  C,  C.  &  I.  C,  amounting  to  about 
$100,000;  the  company  consisted  of  Foster,  Doggett,  Ashley  and  Bohan. 
In  1859,  Mr.  Doggett  exchanged  his  property  in  Windfall  for  land  in 
Decatur  County,  where  he  pursued  the  occupation  of  farming  until  1876. 
He  then  removed  to  Howard  County,  and  purchased  100  acres  five  miles 
south  of  Kokomo  ;  here  he  farmed  until  1882  when  he  sold,  and  located 
on  the  farm  where  he  noAv  resides  ;  he  has  101  acres  of  the  best  land  in 
the  county  ;  he  was  at  one  time  worth  about    f  20,000,    but    has    assisted 


WILD   CAT   TOWNSHIP.  805 

his  children  with  this.  Mr.  Doggett  was  married  in  1843  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Frakes,  of  Rush  County;  she  died  in  1847,  leaving  three  sons — 
Henry,  David  and  Arthur  ;  he  next  married  Sarah  Martin,  who  died  in 
1876,  leaving  two  sons — Philip  M.  and  Ralph  ;  he  married  his  third  wife 
in  1877,  Miss  Sarah  A.  Hazel,  who  died  in  1878,  leaving  two  children — 
Byron  E.  and  Blanch  Edith  ;  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Doggett  was  a  fine  artist ; 
Mr.  Doggett  was  last  married  in  1881,  to  Hester  A.  Tolbot,  of  Kokomo  ; 
she  was  a  teacher  for  a  number  of  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Doggett  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  early  life  he  was  a 
Whig,  later  belonged  to  the  Republican  party,  and  in  1880  joined  the 
National  party  ;  he  is  a  strong  temperance  man. 

C.  F.  FORRER,  proprietor  of  the  Windfall  City  Flouring  Mill, 
which  was  built  by  a  stock  company,  and  which  has  the  capacity  for 
grinding  200  bushels  of  wheat  and  200  bushels  of  corn  per  day,  is  one  of 
the  leading  business  men  of  the  village.  He  was  born  in  Brookville, 
Ind.,  January  14,  1856,  and  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  (Cooper) 
Forrer,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  respectively,  of  German 
and  Irish  descent.  Daniel  Forrer  removed  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day,  and 
subsequently  located  in  Franklin  County.  He  in  early  life  learned  the 
millwright  trade,  and  met  with  success,  and  through  industry  and  econo- 
my became  quite  wealthy.  In  July,  1882,  he  located  at  Cambridge  City, 
where  he  is  living  a  retired  life.  C.  F.  Forrer  in  his  youth  had  access  to 
the  common  schools,  and  during  the  vacations  assisted  his  father  in  the 
mill.  He  attended  Brookville  College  a  few  terms,  and  thus  acquired  a 
good  education.  He  learned  the  miller's  trade  from  his  father,  and  in 
1876  took  charge  of  his  father's  mill.  After  conducting  this  five  years, 
he  began  operating  the  Windfall  City  Flouring  Mill  on  his  own  responsi- 
bility, where  he  is  doing  a  large  custom  and  retail  business.  Mr.  Forrer 
was  married,  April  12,  1883,  to  Miss  Emma  Miller,  of  Hartford  City, 
Ind.  She  was  born  May  16,  1860,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Samuel 
Miller,  a  pioneer  of  Indiana.  Mr.  Forrer  is  identified  with  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  is  a  Free  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow. 

BENJAMIN  F.  GIFFORD,  of  the  firm  of  Hirous  &  Gilford,  manu- 
facturers of  hard  and  soft  wood  lumber  and  staves,  was  born  in  Sciota 
County,  Ohio,  March  25,  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Sarah 
(Montgomery)  Gifford,  natives  of  Ohio,  and  of  England  respectively. 
Isaac  Gifford  was  a  pioneer  farmer  of  Scioto  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
spent  the  latter  part  of  his  life.  He  was  identified  with  the  Democratic 
party,  and  was  a  zealous  worker  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Chui'ch. 
He  died  in  1842  ;  his  wife  survived  him  until  1849.  At  the  age  of 
fifteen,  Benjamin  was  left  an  orphan  ;  he  received  no  education  in  his 
boyhood,  but  has  now  obtained  a  fair  business  education.      He    was   en- 


306  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

gaged  in  job  work  until  he  wa.s  twenty-three  years  of  age.  In  1857,  he 
took  up  farming,  and  during  winter  worked  in  a  blacksmith  shop.  In 
1859,  he  removed  to  Greene  County,  Ohio,  where  he  engaged  in  farming 
until  November,  1864,  when  he  removed  to  Windfall,  a':d  purchased 
forest  land  in  the  township,  in  which  he  employed  from  fifteen  to  thirty 
men  cutting  cord  wood  and  making  railroad  ties.  In  April,  1868,  he  lo- 
cated where  he  now  lives  and  farms  sixty-four  acres  of  well-improved  land. 
In  1880,  he  purchased  a  half-interest  in  the  mill  he  is  now  successfully 
operating.  Mr.  Gifford  was  married,  December  29,  1859,  to  Miss 
Melissa  H.  Thornburg,  of  Greene  County,  Ohio,  who  died  in  1865,  leaving 
one  son — Perry  D.  Mr.  Gifford  was  next  married,  in  March,  1866,  to 
Miss  Susan  McClish,  of  Shelby  County,  Ohio.  Mr.  Gifford  is  an  ener- 
getic citizen,  and  active  in  all  public  enterprises.  He  is  one  of  ten  who 
closed  the  saloons  of  Windiall,  by  buying  their  right.  He  is  an  active 
Democratic  politician,  and  has  served  as  Township  Trustee.  He  is  a 
Mason,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

HOLDINGS  WORTH  GRAHAM,  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of 
Wild  Cat  Township,  was  born  in  Lancaster  County,  Penn.,  March  11, 
1832, and  is  the  third  of  nine  children  born  to  James  and  Maria  (Marsh) 
Graham,  natives  of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Irish  and  Dutch 
descent.  Our  subject,  at  the  age  of  five  years,  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Fairfield,  Franklin  Co.,  Ind.,  where  his  father  abandoned  his  trade  as 
wagon-maker  and  began  farming.  In  1849,  he  removed  to  Decatur 
County,  Ind.,  where  he  had  access  to  the  common  schools.  Upon  reach- 
ing his  majority,  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  five  years,  saving  $100  per 
year,  and  with  this  money  bought  a  team  and  some  farming  implements, 
and  began  farming  on  rented  land.  In  February,  1864,  he  came  to  Tip- 
ton County  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  his  present  home,  on  which  he 
moved  in  October,  1865,  and  has  since  been  a  resident  here  ;  he  now 
owns  120  acres,  all  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Graham,  near  the  close  of  the 
war,  was  drafted  and  paid  $1,000  for  a  substitute,  causing  him  to  go  in 
debt,  but  through  labor  and  economy  he" paid  this  debt  and  added  forty 
acres  more  to  his  farm.  He  was  married,  September  9,  1859,  to  Miss 
Sarah  Marsh,  of  Shelby  County,  Ind.;  she  was  born  June  28,  1844,  and 
is  the  daughter  of  John  Marsh,  a  pioneer  of  Shelby  County,  Ind.  By 
this  marriage  they  have  six  children — Julia  A.,  wife  of  Perry  Behymer  ; 
Laura  B.,  James  L.,  Harry  H,,  Isaac  M.  and  John  II.  (deceased).  Mr. 
Graham  is  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  has  served  as  Town- 
ship Trustee  one  term.  He  is  a  Master  Mason  and  is  a  liberal  supporter 
of  all  public  enterprises  ;  he  is  a  strong  temperance  man,  and  his  wife 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

DR.  JEFFERSON  R.   HILLDRUP,   a  native   of  Union  County, 


WILD   CAT   TOWNSHIP.  307 

Ind.,  was  born  October  1,  1844,  and  is  the  only  son  of  James  and  Laura 
(Lee)  Hilldrup,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Ohio,  and  of  English  descent. 
His  father  was  married  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  about  1842.  He  subse- 
quently removed  to  Philomath,  Ind.,  where  he  taught  in  the  academy  two 
years,  when  he  located  in  Madison  County  and  engaged  in  goods  business 
at  Monticello  ;  he  remained  here  until  his  death,  October  9,  1853.  Dr. 
Hilldrup  attended  the  common  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  en- 
tered Wiiite  Water  College;  at  Centerville,  Wayne  Co.,  Ind.;  he  taugHt 
from  1862  to  1868,  at  which  time  he  started  West,  and  spent  two  years 
in  Kansas  and  Missouri  ;  he  then  returned  to  Madison  County,  Ind.. 
where  he  taught  school  the  following  winter,  and  in  the  spring  of  1871 
began  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  Zimri  Hockett,  of  Ander- 
son. Ind.;  he  remained  in  Anderson  in  all  three  years,  and  in  the  mean- 
time attended  two  courses  of  lectures  at  the  Medical  College  at  Indian- 
apolis ;  he  graduated  there  with  honors  in  the  spring  of  1876,  and  soon 
after  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Anderson.  In  the  spring  of 
1879,  he  located  at  Windfall,  where  he  has  since  practiced,  except  the 
summer  of  1882,  which  was  spent  at  Fishersburg,  Madison  Co.,  Ind. 
Dr.  Hilldrup  is  an  active,  energetic  man,  and  is  fast  becoming  one  of  the 
leading  physicians  of  T.pton  County. 

THOMAS  M.  HIROUS,  of  the  firm  of  Hirous  &  Gilford,  manufact- 
urers of  hard  and  soft  wood  lumber  and  staves,  is  a  native  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, born  May  18,  1850,  and  is  a  son  of  Parker  C.  and  Rebecca  (Mil- 
ler) Hirous,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  West  Virginia  respectively. 
Parker  C.  Hirous  removed  to  Delaware  County,  Ind.,  with  his  family  in 
1857,  where  he  is  still  living  on  the  same  farm,  and  is  a  prominent  citi- 
zen, and  a  zealous  worker  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Thomas 
M.  Hirous  came  from  his  native  State  at  the  age  of  seven,  and  spent  his 
youth  on  his  father's  farm.  He  received  a  limited  education,  and  assisted 
his  father  in  clearing  the  forest.  Upon  arriving  at  his  majority,  he  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business  with  Samuel  Holt,  near  Muncie.  In  1876. 
he  sold  out  and  came  to  Windfall,  where  he  erected  the  saw  mill  he  has 
since  operated.  He  sold  a  one-lialf  interest  to  Eli  Thornburg,  which 
partnership  existed  until  1880,  when  Mr.  T.  sold  out  to  B.  F.  Gilford. 
This  firm  is  doing  a  fine  business.  Mr.  Hirous  began  life  with  limited 
means,  but  has  accumulated  100  acres  of  land,  now  fairly  improved,  be- 
sides village  and  mill  property.  He  was  married,  December  24,  1874,  at 
Fairmont,  W.  Va.,  to  Miss  Maggie  Groves,  of  that  place,  born  March  9, 
1849,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Priscilla  (Fleming)  Groves.  Mr.  Hirous  is 
a  Republican,  and  at  present  Town  Councilman.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

19 


308  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

JAMES  HOLLOW  AY,  leading  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in 
Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  December  25,  1831,  the  third  of  eight  chil- 
dren born  to  Ebenezer  and  Ann  (Justice)  Holloway,  both  natives  of  Indi- 
ana. His  father  removed  early  to  Ohio,  and  in  1830  located  in  Hamil- 
ton County,  where  he  made  a  good  home  and  died  in  1866,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-eight.  Mrs.  Holloway  still  resides  on  the  home  farm,  where  she 
has  lived  fifty  years.  Our  subject  received  a  limited  education  in  the 
pioneer  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  began  work  as  a  farm  hand, 
and  in  four  years  saved  $500,  with  which  he  purchased  forty  acres  in 
Liberty  Township,  moving  upon  it  in  the  spring  of  1856.  Two  years 
later  he  sold  this  land  and  purchased  110  acres  of  his  present  home ;  to 
this  he  has  added  and  also  improved  ;  he  now  has  230  acres  of  good  land, 
with  commodious  buildings.  Mr.  Holloway  was  married  in  1865  to  Miss 
Jane  Pennington,  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.  Two  children  bless  this  union 
Ada  and  Josie.  Mr.  Holloway  enlisted  in  1862  in  Company  B,  Sev- 
enty-fifth Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  which  formed  a  part  of 
the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps  of  the  Cumberland,  which  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Hartsville,  Ky.,  Stone  River,  Murfreesboro,  Hoover's  Gap, 
Chattanooga,  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  Ringgold,  Ga.,  and  with 
Sherman  on  his  historic  "  march  to  the  sea."  At  the  battle  of  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  he  received  a  flesh  wound  from  a  minie  ball,  which  sent  him  to- 
the  hospital  at  Ringgold  for  three  months.  Mr.  Holloway  was  a  brave 
soldier ;  he  is  identified  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

D.  D.  JOHN,  merchant,  is  a  native  of  Butler  County,  Ohio,  and 
was  born  May  24,  1840 ;  he  is  the  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Conn)  John, 
of  English  and  Irish  descent ;  his  father  died  July  4,  1863,  at  the  age  of 
fifty-eight.  Our  subject  worked  on  a  farm  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of 
age,  acquiring  a  good  education  ;  he  began  teaching  in  1858,  and  after 
teaching  three  terms  engaged  in  farming  in  Liberty  Township.  In  the 
fall  of  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Twenty-sixth  Regiment  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  one  year  later  joined  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
Thirteenth  Army  Corps,  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  They  went  to  New 
Orleans,  and  at  an  outpost  known  as'  Madam  Sterling's  Plantation,  La., 
he  and  450  of  his  comrades  were  captured.  They  were  taken  to  Camp 
Ford,  Texas,  where  they  were  held  as  prisoners  ten  months,  being  ex- 
changed July  22,  1864.  Mr.  John  rejoined  his  regiment  at  New  Orleans. 
They  Avere  in  the  siege  of  Mobile,  and  thence  proceeded  to  Montgomery, 
Ala.  The  company  was  disbanded  September  6,  1865,  Mr.  John  being 
then  Fifth  Sergeant;  he  returned  to  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  and  farmed 
until  May,  1869,  when  he  began  working  as  a  clerk  for  J.  H.  Zehner,  of 
Windfall  ;  he  has  remained  here    the  most  of    the    time  since ;  he  is 


I 


AVILD   CAT   TOWNSHIP.  309 

a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  of  the  Democratic  party  ;  he  is 
now  acting  as  Town  Cletk,  Assessor,  Treasurer  and  member  of  the 
School  Board.  Mr.  John  was  married,  May  2,  1858,  to  Miss  Sarah  A. 
Leonard,  daughter  of  Caleb  Leonard,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Tipton 
County.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  six  children,  five  of  whom 
are  living — William  C,  school  teacher,  Oliver  E.,  David  F.,  Levi  C.  and 
Delia  May. 

OLIVER  KNOTTS,  one  of  the  enterprising  fjirmers  of  Wihi  Cat 
Township,  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  July  10,  1848,  and  is  the 
eldest  of  two  sons  born  to  Nathaniel  and  Malinda  (Hatfield)  Knotts,  both 
natives  of  Ohio,  and  of  Irish  and  English  descent ;  his  father,  Nathaniel 
Knotts,  upon  arriving  at  manhood,  began  life  for  himself  at  farming  in 
Rush  County  ;  he  was  there  married  to  Miss  Malinda  Hatfield  ;  he  re- 
mained in  Rush  County  until  1854,  on  land  he  had  entered  some  years 
previous.  Mr.  Knotts  was  a  hard-working  man  and  redeemed  from  the 
forest  a  good  home.  He  was  a  highly  esteemed  citizen,  and  was  identi- 
fied with  the  Democratic  party  ;  he  died  in  1859  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
three  ;  his  wife  then  returned  to  Rush  County,  and  in  1861  was  married 
to  her  present  husband,  William  S.  Hall,  a  prominent  firmer  of  Rush 
County.  Oliver  Knotts,  being  left  fatherless  at  the  age  of  eleven  re- 
turned with  his  mother  to  Rush  County  ;  he  was  there  reared  upon  a 
farm  by  his  step-father,  and,  upon  reaching  manhood,  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  at  Raleigh,  and  shortly  after  was  appointed  Postmaster, 
in  which  office  he  served  about  five  years ;  he  also  continued  in  the 
grocery  business  during  this  time,  and  in  1876  engaged  in  farmint'  ;  in 
1877,  he  removed  to  his  present  farm  in  Wild  Cat  Township  ;  his  father 
entered  this  farm  and  began  clearing  it  in  the  early  history  of  the  county. 
Mr.  Knotts  now  owns  eighty  acres  of  good  land  and  raises  grain  of  all 
kinds;  he  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  Republican  principles;  he  was  mar- 
ried, September  7,  1873,  to  Miss  Rachel  E.  Rider,  a  native  of  Ross 
County,  Ohio.  She  was  born  June  22,  1852.  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Sarah  (Gotschall)  Rider. 

WILSON  KIRTLEY,  a  pioneer  of  this  township,  was  born  in  Fay- 
ette County,  Ind.,  April  29,  1826,  and  is  a  son  of  Elijah  and  Catharine 
Kirtley,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  North  Carolina  respectively.  Elijah 
Kirtley  was  a  pioneer  of  Fayette  County,  and  there  cleared  from  the  for- 
est a  home.  A  few  years  later,  he  located  in  Ripley  County,  Ind.,  and 
subsequently  removed  to  Rush  County;  the  latter  part  of  his  life  was 
spent  in  Grant  County.  In  early  life,  he  was  a  VVhig,  but  later  a  Demo- 
crat, and  was  a  faithful  worker  in  the  Baptist  Church.  His  wife  survived 
him  until  1883,  and  died  while  living  with  her  daughter  in  Missouri. 
Our  subject   passed  his   youth  on    a  farm,  and  at   the  age  of   twentv- 


310  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

one  rented  land,  and  farmed  until  1852,  when  he  moved  to  this  county 
and  located  on  the  land  which  is  now  his  home.  Here  he  experi- 
enced all  the  privations  of  a  new  country,  but  has  made  a  good  home  for 
his  family.  Mr.  Kirtley  was  married,  December  15, 1849,  to  Miss  Mary 
Osburn,  of  Rush  County,  Ind.,  born  December  29,  1834,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Osburn.  This  union  was  blessed  with  nine  children,  six  of  whom 
are  living — Joseph,  Daniel  V.,  Sarah  C,  Martha  M.,  Dora  A.  and  Arzro. 
Mr.  Kirtley  is  a  politician  in  the  Democratic  ranks,  and  has  served  a 
number  of  terms  as  Supervisor.  He  and  wife  are  the  oldest  settlers  in 
this  part  of  the  township,  and  both  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Bap- 
tist Church. 

INGERSOLL  LADEN,  one  of  the  pioneers  and  representative 
men  of  Wild  Cat  Township,  was  born  in  Cape  May  County,  N.  J.,  Sep- 
tember 7,  1808,  and  is  the  eldest  of  eleven  children  born  to  Perry  and 
Hannah  (Vangilder)  Laden,  natives  of  New  Jersey,  and  of  English  de- 
scent. His  father  died  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  April  12,  1845.  His 
mother's  death  occurred  in  1856.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  spent  his 
youth  on  the  farm,  and  received  a  common  school  education.  He  rented 
land  near  home;  he  subsequently  entered  eighty  acres  in  Rush  County, 
upon  which  he  lived  fifteen  years ;  he  then  sold  and  removed  to  Iowa, 
but  ten  months  later  returned  to  Rush  County  and  rented  land  for  three 
years.  In  the  fall  of  1853,  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  his  present 
home,  where  he  found  a  small  log  cabin  and  ten  acres  of  ground  cleared. 
Struggling  on  from  year  to  year,  he  has  made  one  of  the  best  homes  in 
the  township,  and  at  one  time  owned  400  acres,  but  has  since  divided  320 
acres  between  his  children.  Mr.  Laden  was  married  December  19,  1830, 
to  Miss  Isabel  Allender,  of  Fleming  County,  Ky.  She  was  born  March 
16,  1812,  and  is  the  daughter  of  George  Allender.  This  marriage  has 
been  crowned  with  twelve  children — David,  James  W.,  Hannah  E.,  Eliz- 
abeth J.,  Stephen  D.,  Cordelia  A.,  Mary  C,  George  W.,  Samantha  A., 
William,  deceased,  Joseph  P.,  deceased,  and  Darius  D.,  deceased,  a  sol- 
dier, who  died  from  a  wound  received  at  the  battle  of  Vicksburg.  Mr. 
Laden  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  home  enterprise.  He  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Andrew  Jackson. 

JAMES  W.  LADEN,  farmer,  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  Au- 
gust 12,  1835,  and  is  the  son  of  Ingersoll  Laden  ;  he  spent  his  youth  on 
the  farm,  and  in  1853,  removed  with  his  parents  to  Tipton  County,  Ind. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  engaged  as  a  teamster  for  James  Foust,  driving 
four  or  five  yokes  of  cattle  ;  he  subsequently  worked  in  a  mill,  and  for 
two  years  acted  as  fireman.  In  February,  1864,  he  engaged  in  farming  on 
the  land  where  he  now  lives  ;  he  started  in  the  green,  and  through  unceas- 
ing toil  has  made  a  good  home.     In  1876,  he  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 


WILD   CAT   TOWNSHIP.  811 

suits  with  a  general  stock  in  Windfall,  and  during  the  winter  of  1879  he 
took  charge  of  the  City  Hotel  at  Tipton.  The  rest  of  his  time  has  been 
spent  upon  the  farm  where  he  now  lives  ;  he  has  been  a  hard-working, 
industrious  farmer,  and  is  politically  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party. 
Mr.  Laden  was  married,  June  27,  1860,  to  Miss  Ella  Pulliam,  of  Tipton 
County.  She  died  a  few  years  later,  leaving  one  daughter — Ida.  Mr. 
Laden  was  next  married  in  November,  1864.  to  his  present  wife,  Miss 
Elizabeth  Deer,  of  this  county  ;  she  is  the  daughter  of  John  Deer,  one 
of  the  pioneer  farmers  of  Wild  Cat  Township.  This  marriage  has  been 
crowned  with  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living — Estella,  Lula, 
Delia,  Lillie,  Bessie,  Rollie  and  Ingersoll. 

ARTHUR  M.  LEGGr,  a  pioneer  of  this  township,  was  born  in  Fay- 
ette County,  Ind.,  October  1,  1837  ;  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth 
fShrader)  Legg,  natives  of  Indiana  and  Pennsylvania  resoectively. 
Thomas  Legg  was  born  in  Lawrenceburg,  Ind.,  October  18,  1800,  and  is 
probably  the  oldest  native  born  citizen.  In  1821,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Shrader.  Mr.  Legg  remained  in  Ohio  untill825,  when  he 
returned  to  Fayette  County  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1871.  Years 
ago,  he  entered  160  acres,  on  a  part  of  which  Windfall  now  stands.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Legg  have  had  eleven  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living.  Mr. 
Legg  is  the  oldest  citizen  in  the  township,  and  resides  with  his  youngest 
son  ;  he  has  been  a  life-long  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church.  Arthur  M.  Legg  obtained  a  common  school  education,  but  after- 
ward qualified  himself  for  teaching,  and  taught  two  terms  in  Fayette 
County,  one  in  Howard  and  seven  in  Tipton  County.  In  the  meantime, 
he  took  up  the  study  of  surveying,  and  in  1860  was  elected  County  Sur- 
veyor of  Tipton  County ;  he  came  to  this  county  in  1859,  and  in  Febru- 
ary, 1880,  located  on  his  present  home  of  150  acres.  Mr.  Legg  was  mar- 
ried, December  27,  1860,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Owen,  by  whom  he  had  five 
children — William  F.  (deceased),  Walter  0.,  Janie  F.,  M.  J.  Omer  and 
Nannie  Lea.  Mr.  Legg  is  an  enterprising  citizen  ;  has  served  seven  years 
as  County  Surveyor,  two  terms  as  Assessor,  three  terms  as  Township 
Trustee  and  one  term  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  ;  he  is  an  active  worker  in 
the  Democratic  ranks,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Church  of 
God  (Soul-Sleepers).  Mr.  Legg  was  ordained  minister  in  1865,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  an  independent  local  worker. 

B.  F.  LEGG,  a  pioneer  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Fayette  County, 
Ind.,  and  was  born  January  2,  1830.  He  is  the  fifth  of  eleven  children 
born  to  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Shrader)  Legg,  natives  of  Indiana  and 
Pennsylvania,  and  of  Scotch  and  German  descent.  Our  subject  received 
a  limited  education  in  the  pioneer  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  be- 
gan teaching,  and  taught   ten  winter  terms  in  succession.     He  removed 


312  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

to  this  county  in  1853,  and  entered  forty  acres  of  land.  He  has  been  a 
hard-working,  industrious  man,  and  has  made  a  good  home  of  974  acres, 
which  is  well-improved.  During  his  first  four  years  spent  in  this  county, 
he  taught  school  in  the  winter,  and  tended  his  land  in  the  summer.  He 
has  served  two  years  as  Assessor,  and  was  Deputy  Land  Appraiser  of 
Wild  Cat  Township  two  terms.  He  has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace 
nearly  fifteen  years,  and  in  the  fall  of  1882  was  elected  County  Commis- 
sioner of  District  No.  1.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  a  liberal 
supporter  of  public  enterprises  and  benevolent  purposes.  Mr.  Legg  en- 
listed in  Company  G.  Thirty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
which  formed  a  part  of  the  Cumberland  Army.  He  was  taken  sick,  and 
lay  in  the  camp  hospital  at  Camp  Neven,  Ky.,  and  was  sent  home  on  a 
furlough.  After  remaining  at  home  about  two  months,  he  returned,  but 
was  yet  unable  for  duty,  and  a  few  months  later  was  honorably  dis- 
charged. He  went  out  as  Orderly  Sergeant,  doing  the  work  of  his  Clerk 
besides  his  own.  From  over-exertion  and  exposure,  Mr.  Legg  was  so 
disabled  that  he  has  not  enjoyed  good  health  since.  After  being  dis- 
charged, he  returned  home,  and  now  resides  on  the  farm  which  has  been 
his  home  since  1853.  Mr.  Legg  was  married  in  the  spring  of  1854  to 
Miss  Sarah  J.  Sprong,  of  Fayette  County,  Ind.  She  was  born  October 
29, 1884,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Stephen  Sprong.  Mrs.  Legg  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Church  of  God.  This  marriage  has  been  crowned  with  five 
children — Charles  E.,  Elbert  F.,  Cliffton,  Dora  M.  and  Aubra  W. 

WILLIAM  LEGG,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  Butler 
County,  Ohio,  born  October  7,  1822,  and  is  the  eldest  of  eleven  children 
of  Thomas  Legg.  Our  subject  removed  with  his  parents  to  Fayette 
County,  Ind.,  in  an  early  day.  He  had  access  only  to  a  subscription 
school,  and  to  this  but  a  few  months.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  he  began 
life  for  himself,  and  made  his  home  with  his  uncle,  Phillip  Shrader,  until 
the  age  of  twenty-one,  when  he  rented  land  and  worked  at  job  work  un- 
til 1851,  when  he  located  on  land  of  his  own  in  Madison  County,  on 
which  he  built  a  cabin,  and  some  of  which  he  cleared.  After  about  four 
years  he  sold  this  and  removed  to  Illinois.  He  made  different  changes 
in  land  during  the  six  years  that  he  spent  in  the  West,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1861  removetl  to  Tipton  County,  and  subsequently  located  on  the.  farm 
on  which  he  now  lives.  Here,  by  industry,  he  in  time  secured  a 
good  home.  In  1873,  his  health  failed,  yet  he  has  still  superintended  the 
farm.  Mr.  Legg  was  married,  January  20,  1848,  to  Miss  Clarissa 
Knotts,  of  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  born  August  23,  1827,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Knotts.  From  this  marriage  succeeded  seven 
children,  five  of  whom  are  living — Thomas  J.,  Samuel  F.,  Charles  A., 
Arthur  D.  and  Laura  A.     Mr.  Legg  has  been  an  active  worker  in  the 


WILD   CAT   TOWNSHIP.  313 

Democratic  ranks,  and  he    and  wife  are   prominent    members    of    the 
Christian  Church. 

S.  P.  B.  LETHERBERY,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in 
Marion  County,  Ohio,  June  28,  1852,  and  is  a  son  of  Santford  and  Eliza- 
beth (May)  Letherbery,  both  natives  of  Ohio.  His  father  belonged  to  one 
of  the  pioneer  families  of  Marion  County.  Our  subject  was  reared  by 
his  grandmother,  and  received  a  common  school  education.  At  the  age 
of  twenty,  he  began  farming  on  rented  land,  and  in  the  spring  of  1880 
came  West  and  purchased  100  acres  of  his  present  home.  He  began  life 
with  limited  means,  but  by  1880  had  ^2,500,  besides  a  good  farming  out- 
fit. He  now  owns  120  acres  well  improved,  together  with  105  acres  of 
tillable  soil.  Mr.  Letherbery  was  married,  May  16,  1865,  to  Miss  Matilda 
A.  Harris,  of  Marion  County,  Ohio,  born  July  15, 1858,  daughter  of  Jacob 
and  Sarah  A.  (Kerr)  Harris.  Mr.  Letherbery  is  one  of  the  leading  sheep- 
raisers  of  Wild  Cat  Township,  and  an  active  worker  in  the  Republican 
party.  He  has  filled  some  of  the  minor  offices  of  the  township.  He  is 
a  worthy  citizen,  and  with  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Free- Will  Baptist 
Church. 

LEWIS  McALISTER,  M.  D.  and  druggist,  was  born  in  St.  Law- 
rence County,  N.  Y.,  May  15,  1817,  and  is  the  youngest  of  fifteen  chil- 
dren born  to  John  and  Isabel  (Lockwood)  McAlister,  natives  of  New 
Hampshire  and  Rhode  Island,  and  of  Scotch  and  Irish  descent.  His 
parents  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Lawrence  County.  Dr.  Mc- 
Alister was  left  fatherless  at  the  age  of  thirteen,  and  when  he  was  seven- 
teen he  bound  himself  out  for  three  years  to  Salmon  Currier,  a  horticult- 
urist of  Potsdam,  N.  Y.,  receiving  as  pay  six  months'  schooling,  two  suits 
of  clothes  and  $200.  With  this  money,  he  attended  the  Potsdam 
Academy  one  year,  and,  in  1839.  taught  school  at  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  for  six 
months.  In  the  spring  of  1840,  he  entered  a  drug  store  as  clerk,  and  at 
the  same  time  began  the  study  of  medicine.  The  following  winter,  he 
attended  a  course  of  lectures  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and,  in  June,  1841, 
entered  the  office  of  his  brother  at  Oxford,  Ohio,  where  he  continued 
studying  for  two  years.  He  then  attended  a  course  of  lectures  at  the 
Cincinnati  Medical  College,  after  which  he  practiced  medicine  one  year 
at  Somerville,  Ohio.  In  the  fall  of  1844,  he  came  to  Milford,  Decatur 
Co.,  Ind.,  and  practiced  twenty-two  years.  He  then  located  in 
Kokomo  one  year,  but  by  failing  health  was  compelled  to  return  to  Mil- 
ford,  and  in  the  fall  of  1867  located  at  Windfall.  He  built  a  brick 
building,  and  in  it  placed  a  general  stock  of  merchandise,  but  subse- 
quently put  in  drugs  alone.  He  was  one  of  a  stock  company  that  built  the 
Windfall  City  Mills.  In  1876,  he  purchased  the  entire  "mill,  which  he 
operated  until  1879.     He  retired  from  active  practice  in  1875,  but  has 


314  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

since  given  his  attention  to  a  few  special  cases.  He  is  a  liberal  supporter 
of  public  enterprise,  and  has  contributed  to  the  building  of  churches.  He 
has  been  visited  by  fire  at  three  different  times,  the  last  occurring  in 
March,  1883.  Dr.  McAlister  was  married,  January  1,  1846.  to  Miss 
Rachel  Fugit,  of  Decatur  County,  Ind.  She  was  born  August  15,  1818, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  John  Fugit,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Decatur 
County.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  is  a  strong  tem- 
perance man.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  his  wife 
belongs  to  the  M.  E.  Church. 

CAPT.  AUGUSTUS  McGILL  came  to  Tipton  County  in  July,  1882, 
and  purchased  a  place  adjoining  the  corporate  limits  of  Windfall.  He  is 
of  Celtic  descent,  his  ancestors  having  come  to  the  colony  of  Pennsylvania 
anterior  to  the  Revolution,  in  which  both  his  grandfathers  were  continent- 
al soldiers  and  comrades;  together  they  wintered  at  Valley  Forge,  crossed 
the  Delaware  on  the  ice  under  the  eye  of  Washington,  and  together  took 
part  in  the  battles  of  Trenton  and  Princeton.  They  subsequently  settled 
in  Crawford  County,  Penn,,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
1828.  Augustus  became  a  surveyor  and  school  teacher,  and  taught  at  various 
points  until  1855,  when  he  married.  In  1856,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster 
of  his  native  town,  and  subsequently  served  one  term  as  County  Auditor. 
In  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Eighty-third  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  served,  with  the  exception  of  one  short  interval,  through  the 
war.  He  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Yorktown  and  the  battles  of  Hanover 
Court  House,  Mechanicsville,  Gaines'  Mills,  Malvern  Hill,  second  Bull 
Run,  Antietam  and  Fredericksburg,  at  the  last  place  receiving  injuries 
which  necessitated  his  retiring  for  a  short  time  from  active  service.  In 
June,  1868,  Lee  invaded  Pennsylvania  while  Capt.  McGill  was  at  home 
an  invalid.  Gov.  Curtin  issued  a  call  for  three  months'  men,  and  in  less 
than  twenty-four  hours  the  Captain  was  on  his  way  to  Pittsburgh  with  a 
full  company.  After  the  repulsion  of  the  enemy,  the  Captain  returned 
to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  went  through  Grant's  campaign  in  the  Wil- 
derness, was  in  the  assault  on  Cold  Harbor,  the  advance  on  Petersburg, 
the  capture  of  the  Norfolk  and  Weldon  Railroad,  etc.  In  the  spring  of 
1865,  he  was  in  the  last  campaign  against  Lee,  and  was  at  Lewis'  Farm, 
Boydton  Road  and  Five  Forks  and  many  other  fights,  and  was  present  at 
Lee's  surrender.  Since  the  war,  the  Captain  has  served  ten  years  as  mag- 
istrate in  his  native  town,  and  successfully  pursued  other  vocations  suited 
to  his  crippled  condition.  His  son,  William  R.  McGill,  is  a  young  man 
of  estimable  qualities,  is  also  a  resident  of  this  township,  and  is  engaged  in 
farming. 

W.  J.  MINER,  one  of  the  representative  and  leading  men  of  Wind- 
fall, was  born  in'Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  August  4,  1837,  and  is  the  old- 


WILD   CAT   TOWNSHIP.  315 

est  son  of  Richard  and  Lynda  Mira  (Jackson)  Miner,  both  natives  of 
Indiana.  Richard  Miner  was  a  farmer,  but  ultimately  practiced  law.  He 
served  as  Probate  Judge,  also  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  several  vears. 
He  was  a  local  minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  died 
February  9,  1875,  aged  sixty-two  years.  W.  J.  Miner  spent  his  youth 
on  a  farm,  and  received  a  common  school  education.  At  the  age  of  six- 
teen, he  began  an  apprenticeship  at  the  wagon-maker's  trade  and  worked 
one  and  a  half  years.  He  then  worked  one  year  as  a  journeyman,  after 
which  he  conducted  a  shop  of  hiso  wn  in  Elwood  until  1861.  He  enlisted, 
November,  1861,  in  Company  E,  Thirty-fourth  Regiment  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  as  a  private.  He  was  soon  promoted  to  Orderly  Sergeant, 
later  to  Second  Lieutenant,  and  in  1863,  at  Vicksburg,  to  First  Lieutenant. 
He  was  in  battle  at  Port  Gibson,  Island  No.  10,  Chaplin  Hills,  New 
Madrid,  Point  Pleasant,  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  siege  of  Jackson.  At  the 
close  of  the  war,  he  returned  to  Madison  County,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
hardware  business,  and  subsequently  handled  dry  goods  for  a  few  years. 
After  this,  he  again  entered  the  hardware  business,  and  in  February,  1875, 
located  in  Windfall  and  purchased  a  half-interest  of  A.  W.  Gould's  stock. 
In  Octobei',  1877,  Mr.  Miner  became  successor  to  the  firm  of  Gould  (fc 
Miner,  and  has  since  conducted  the  business,  handling  a  full  stock  of  hard- 
ware, building  material  and  agricultural  implements.  He  is  an  active 
politician  in  the  Democratic  ranks,  and  was  elected  Township  Trustee 
April  15,  1882.  Mr.  Miner  was  married,  April  24,  1866,  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Guisinger,  of  Anderson,  Ind.,  and  daughter  of  Dr.  J.  S.  Guisinger. 
They  have  three  children — Orpha,  Gertrude  and  Paul.  Mr.  Miner  is  a 
member  of  the  Masoilic  fraternitiy  and  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
successful  business  men  of  the  village.  His  maternal  grandparents  were 
of  Irish  extraction. 

H.  MITCHELL,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Decatur  County,  Ind..  and 
was  born  November  2,  1835.  He  is  the  son  of  Silas  and  Sarah  (John- 
son) Mitchell,  both  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  English  and  Irish  de- 
scent. H.  Mitchell  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county  at  the  age  of 
twelve  years,  before  the  organization  of  Wild  Cat  Township,  and  here 
spent  his  boyhood  days.  At  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  began  to  battle  in 
life  for  himself.  He  located  near  Windfall,  where  he  found  a  farm  with  a 
log  cabin  and  one  acre  of  cleared  ground.  Two  years  later,  he  visited  Iowa. 
and  late  in  the  fall  of  1857  returned  to  this  township  and  re-located  on 
the  farm  he  had  left.  In  1861,  he  sold  this  and  bought  his  present  farm 
of  eighty  acres,  which  he  found  low  and  wet.  He  built  a  log  cabin  and 
started  for  the  second  time  in  the  forest.  He  is  an  active  politician  in  the 
Democratic  ranks,  and  has  held  some  of  the  minor  offices  of  the  township. 
Mr.  Mitchell  was  married  in  May,  1853,  to  Miss  Dorcas  Ann  Denny,  of 


816  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

Tipton  County  ;  she  was  born  in  1833,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Jehu 
Denny.  She  died  March  7,  1876,  leaving  ten  children — Sarah  J,,  Eliza 
E.,  Marshal,  Marion,  Emily,  Alice,  Charles,  Siles,  Myrta  and  Pearl. 
Mr.  Mitchell  was  next  married  in  February,  1877,  to  Mrs.  Amanda 
High.  This  lady  died  in  1879,  and  Mr.  Mitchell  was  married,  April  12, 
1883,  to  Mrs.  Nancy  Bragg,  of  Howard  County.  Mr.  Mitchell  is  a 
Master  Mason,  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

JOSEPH  S.  MITCHELL,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  De- 
oatur  County,  Ind.,  September  30,  1847,  He  is  a  brother  of  H. 
Mitchell.  His  parents  were  one  of  five  families  that  located  in  this 
county  prior  to  1848.  His  father  pre-empted  land,  made  a  good  home, 
and  April  25,  1873,  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two.  He  assisted  in  es- 
tablishing the  first  Baptist  Church  of  his  township,  and  was  an  active 
worker,  and  a  man  of  prominence.  His  wife  is  still  living.  In  1870, 
Joseph  S.  located  on  forty  acres  of  land  which  he  purchased  for  $1,000, 
and  in  1873  removed  to  the  home  farm.  In  February,  1874,  he  located 
on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  finding  about  thirty  acres  cleared.  He 
is  a  model  farmer,  and  now  owns  140  acres  well  improved,  and  with  good 
buildings.  Mr.  Mitchell  married,  September  7,  1871,  Miss  Sarah  E. 
Nutter,  of  Tipton  County.  She  died  in  1878,  leaving  two  small  children 
— Mary  E.  and  John  S.  Mr.  Mitchell  was  next  married,  in  1879,  to 
Mrs.  Mary  E.  (Harper)  Mitchell,  of  Howard  County.  He  is  a  stanch 
supporter  of  Democratic  principles,  and  has  held  some  of  the  minor 
offices  of  the  township. 

WILLI  A.M  P.  MULLIKIN,  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  farmer,  was 
born  February  1,  1842,  In  1853,  his  father  located  west  of  Windfall, 
and  here  the  boy  William  assisted  to  carve  a  home  out  of  the  forest.  He 
received  considerable  schooling  and  began  teaching  in  1860.  In  August, 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Eighty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Vol- 
unteer Infantry  ;  his  first  engagement  was  at  Munfordsville,  Ky.,  where 
his  regiment  was  captured.  Mr.  Mullikin,  after  being  exchanged,  was 
wounded  in  the  head  at  Fort  DeRussy,  La.,  and  left  on  the  field  for  dead  ; 
he  did  not  become  wholly  conscious  for  three  months,  and  was  away  from 
his  regiment  six  months.  Subsequently  he  saw  varied  and  severe  service 
in  Tennessee  and  Missouri  until  his  discharge  in  July,  1865.  Returning 
home,  he  taught  school  in  various  places,  and  also  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business.  In  1873,  he  was  Principal  of  the  Windfall  Schools.  In  1877, 
he  removed  to  the  fifty-five-acre  farm  where  he  now  lives.  He  has  been 
Town  Clerk,  Assessor,  Treasurer  and  Justice  of  the  Peace.  Mr.  Mul- 
likin has  been  three  times  married,  the  last  time  to  Miss  Henrietta  S. 
Ludwig,  of  Franklin  County.  By  this  marriage  there  are  two  children — 
Sarah  M.  and  Ida  Leora.     By  the  earlier  marriages  there  were  Emmet 


WILD   CAT  TOWNSHIP.  317 

G.,  Alva  M.,  Metta  Inez  and  Ivy  Edna.  Mr.  Mullikin  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  and  his  wife  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
His  first  wife,  Mrs.  Casandra  Mullikin,  presented  him  with  twins,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  nine  months,  and  later  presented  him  with  triplets, 
Avho  also  died  in  infancy. 

WILLIAM  H.  NEWTON,  was  born  in  Hamilton  City,  Ohio,  July 
28,  1840,  and  is  one  of  four  children  born  to  John  and  Philinda  (Clark) 
Newton,  natives  of  Ohio  and  of  Eaglish  descent.  Mr.  Newton  came  to 
Indiana  when  he  was  but  twelve  years  old,  and  assisted  his  father  on  a 
farm  in  Shelby  County.  In  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D, 
Seventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  participated  in  the 
battle  at  Greenbrier,  Port  Republic,  Winchester,  second  battle  at  Bull 
Run,  South  Mountain  and  Gettysburg,  being  wounded  in  the  last  in  his  left 
hip  by  a  gunshot.  He  was  taken  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  remained  in 
the  hospital  three  months  ;  he  then  rejoined  his  regiment  and  participated 
the  battle  at  Chancellorsville,  the  campaign  through  the  Wilderness  and  at 
the  siege  of  Petersburg,  where  he  received  a  second  gunshot  wound  in 
the  neck.  He  was  confined  to  hospitals  until  July,  1864,  when  he  was 
honorably  discharged  ;  he  returned  home  and  engaged  in  farming  until 
March,  1875,  when  he  located  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  He 
owns  ninety-eight  acres  of  land,  well  drained,  well  improved  and  with 
good  buildings.  Mr.  Newton  was  married,  August  16,  1860,  to  Miss 
Amilla  Bullard,  of  Shelby  County,  Ind.  She  was  born  November  15, 
1842.  They  have  had  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  living — Emma 
A.,  Mary  P.,  George  E.  and  Leora.  Mr.  Newton  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOHN  NLTTTER,  one  of  the  pioneers  and  prominent  men  of  Wind- 
fall, is  the  oldest  resident  of  Wild  Cat  Township.  He  is  a  native  of  Wood 
County,  W.  Va.,  and  was  born  August  15,  1817.  He  is  the  eldest  son  of 
Isaac  and  Elizabeth  (Webb)  Nutter,  both  natives  of  Harrison  County,  Va., 
and  of  Irish  descent.  John  Nutter  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  in  the  fall 
of  1840  located  in  Boone  County,  Ind.;  September  24,  1841,  he  came  to 
Tipton  County  and  took  a  claim  of  160  acres,  erected  a  log  cabin,  and 
lived  a  bachelor's  life  for  three  years.  He  was  a  successful  hunter,  and 
by  killing  deer  and  coons  he  saved  $130,  with  which  he  purchased  his 
first  piece  of  land,  entering  eighty  acres  in  April,  1848.  He  was  the 
fifth  settler  in  Wild  Cat  Township,  and  was  present  at  the  organization  of 
the  township,  serving  as  one  of  the  Judges  at  the  election.  He  erected 
the  first  hewed-log  house,  furnished  with  puncheon  floor  and  clapboard 
door.  He  hai  since  made  a  good  hdme,  and  at  one  time  owned  470  acres 
of  land.     He  has  since  given  to  each  of  his  children  a  good  home,  and 


318  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Still  owns  250  acres  joining  Windfall ;  he  has  a  fine  large  brick  residence. 
He  has  been  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Tipton  County,  where  he  has 
been  a  resident  forty-two  years.  He  served  as  the  first  Bailiff  of  the  first 
grandjury  of  Tipton  County.  He  served  as  County  Commissioner  six  years, 
and  it  was  during  his  official  career  that  the  county  jail  was  erected.  He 
wrote  the  first  petition  for  a  road  in  Wild  Cat  Township,  and  was  appointed 
Supervisor  to  cut  out  the  road.  Mr.  Nutter  took  out  the  second  mar- 
riage license  issued  in  Tipton  County,  and  was  married  in  July,  1845,  to 
Miss  Martha  Pritchard,  a  native  of  Johnson  County.  She  died  February 
5,  1855,  leaving  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — James  W.,  mer- 
chant in  Windfall,  and  Elizabeth  J.,  milliner  and  dress-maker  in  Windfall. 
Mr.  Nutter's  second  marriage  occurred  in  1855,  to  Miss  Amanda  McKay, 
of  Howard  County.  Three  children  crowned  this  union,  one  of  whom  is 
living — Martha  A.  Mrs.  Nutter  died  in  1863,  and  he  was  last  married, 
January  1,  1866,  to  Mrs.  Nancy  (Mitchell)  Freeman,  of  Howard  County. 
Mr.  Nutter  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the 
temperance  movement,  and  of  all  public  enterprises  and  benevolent  pur- 
poses. 

JAMES  W.  NUTTER,  of  the  firm  of  Vice  &  Nutter,  is  a  native  of 
Tipton  County  and  was  born  February  1,  1849,  and  is  the  only  son  born 
to  John  and  Martha  (Pritchard)  Nutter.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  received  a  common  school  education.  Upon  arriving  at  his 
majority,  he  worked  on  the  farm  for  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-six 
years  of  age,  after  which  he  conducted  a  farm  for  himself  until  February, 
1879,  when  he  exchanged  his  farm  for  a  half  interest  in  a  business  room 
and  stock  of  goods,  in  company  with  D.  B.  Vice.  They  are  conducting 
an  extensive  business,  and  are  also  dealing  in  all  kinds  of  grain,  and  buy- 
ing and  shipping  stock.  Their  business  room  and  stock  of  goods  were 
burned,  causing  a  loss  of  $2,500,  but  they  immediately  erected  a  fine, 
large  brick  building,  21x80  feet,  two  stories,  which  is  well  filled  with 
a  general  stock  of  goods.  Mr.  Nutter  was  married,  August  19,  1875,  to 
Miss  Amanda  E.  Hardy,  of  Franklin  County,  Ky.  She  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 4,  1858,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Hardy.  This  union  has 
been  blessed  with  four  children — Ora  B..  John  S.,  James  and  Edward. 
Mr.  Nutter  has  been  a  politician  in  the  Democratic  ranks,  and  his  wife  is 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

THOMAS  B.  OSBURN,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Rush 
County,  Ind.,  September  28, 1839,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Burton) 
Osburn ;  Joseph  Osburn  located  in  Rush  County  at  an  early  day,  and 
there  entered  land  ;  he  cleared  from  the  forest  a  home,  upon  which  he  re- 
sided until  1881,  when  he  sold  the  same  and  located  ne.ar  New  Brunswick, 


WILD   CAT  TOWNSHIP.  319 

Boone  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  is  now  living;  he  commenced  life  a  poor  boy 
but  by  economy  and  industry,  he  accumulated  300  acres  in  Rush  County, 
300  in  Tipton  County,  and  eighty  acres  in  Madison  County ;  he  gave  a 
farm  to  each  of  his  children,  and  still  has  a  good  home  ;  he  is  now  seventy- 
four  years  of  age,  and  enjoys  good  health  ;  he  is  a  Democrat  in  politics, 
and  a  faithful  worker  in  the  Baptist  Church.  Our  subject  received  a 
limited  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  assisted  his  father  on  the 
farm  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Tipton 
County  and  engaged  in  improving  his  forest  land.  On  August  28,  1862, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Edith  Plumraer,  born  in  this  township,  March  12. 
1846,  daughter  of  Ira  Plummer,  one  of  the  first  settlers.  To  this  union 
were  born  five  children — Zimri,  Joseph,  Elizabeth,  Jerard  Guy  and  John  H. 
By  hard  labor  and  much  good  management,  Mr.  Osburn  has  now  a  good 
farm  of  200  acres,  110  of  which  are  improved  ;  he  is  a  liberal  supporter 
of  every  public  improvement,  and  a  very  earnest  Democrat.  Both  him- 
self and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

OBADIAH  OVERMAN,  a  pioneer  farmer  of  Wild  Cat  Township. 
was  born  in  Randolph  County,  Ind.,  November  8,  1821,  and  is  the  eldest 
son  born  to  Cornelius  and  Rebecca  (Ford)  Overman,  natives  of  North_ 
Carolina;  his  father  died  February  17,  1851,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five;  his 
mother's  death  occurred  in  1866.  Obadiah  of  this  sketch  removed  to 
Wayne  County.  Ind.,  with  his  parents,  when  he  was  but  thirteen  years  of 
age,  and  there  received  a  limited  education  ;  his  father  was  an  invalid, 
hence,  his  eldest  son  was  early  called  to  take  charge  of  the  home  farm  ; 
he  remained  at  home  until  he  was  about  twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he 
began  life  for  himself  on  rented  land  in  Rush  County,  Ind.  The  follow- 
ing year  he  returned  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  and  in  the  spring  of  1851 
purchased  eighty  acres  of  his  present  home  ;  in  the  fall  of  1853,  he  moved 
here  with  his  family,  and,  struggling  from  year  to  year,  soon  had  a  good 
home  cleared  out  of  the  forest;  he  now  owns  240  acres  of  land,  100 
of  which  are  under  good  cultivation,  with  good  buildings.  Mr.  Overman 
was  married,  in  1843,  to  Miss  Sarah  D.  Hall,  of  Wayne  County,  Ind.; 
she  was  born  in  North  Carolina  August  9,  1824,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Joshua  Hall,  of  North  Carolina.  By  this  marriage  they  have  five  chil- 
dren— Levi  (who  sleeps  in  a  soldier's  grave  near  Indianapolis),  Elwood, 
Robert,  Elkanah  and  Price.  Mr.  Overman  is  a  Republican,  and  his  wife 
is  a  member  of  the  Friends'  Church.  In  the  early  history  of  Tipton 
County,  Mr.  Overman  was  known  as  the  poor  man's  friend,  as  he  would 
give  his  corn  to  the  poor  man  who  had  no  money  to  buy,  rather  than  sell 
it  to  the  man  who  was  able  to  pay. 

ROBERT  F.   OVERMAN   was  born  in  Wayne   County,  Ind.,  No-  ' 
vember  2,  1850,  and  is  the  son  of  Obadiah  Overman.      When  he  was  but 


320  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

a  child,  his  parents  removed  to  this  county  and  located  on  land  in  Wild 
Cat  Township  ;  here  Mr.  Overman  spent  his  youth  and  received  a  lim- 
ited education.  He  began  life  for  himself  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  has 
always  followed  agricultural  pui'suits  and  stock-raising.  He  located  on 
his  present  farm  of  eighty-nine  acres  in  1870,  finding  but  two  acres 
cleared,  and  now  has  about  fifty  acres  of  tillable  land.  He  was  married, 
August  14,  1867,  to  Miss  Barbara  A.  Miller,  of  Howard  County  ;  she 
was  born  February  25,  1847.  By  this  marriage  they  have  four  children 
— William  E.,  Charity  L.,  Rhodema  A.  and  Eva  E.  Mr.  Overman  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  Mr.  Overman  casts  his  ballot 
with  the  Republican  party,  and  has  held  some  of  the  minor  offices  of  the 
township ;  he  is  a  public-spirited  man,  and  encourages  all  home  enter- 
prises. 

WILLIAM  L.  OWEN  was  born  in  Carroll  County,  Ky.,  November 
18,  1837,  and  is  the  third  of  six  children  born  to  William  and  Frances 
(Driskel)  Owen,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  descent.  William 
Owen,  Sr.,  removed  from  Kentucky  to  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  in  1855,  and 
purchased  160  acres  of  forest  land  near  Windfall ;  he  made  a  good  home, 
and  here  remained  until  his  death,  June  3,  1870,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
seven  ;  his  wife  died  June  8,  1875,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
began  farming  his  father's  farm  on  shares.  In  1865,  he  moved  upon  a 
rented  farm,  and  one  year  later  returned  to  the  homestead  farm  ;  he  now 
owns  forty  acres  of  this,  besides  eighty  acres  which  join  it.  His  farm 
is  well-improved,  having  good  frame  buildings.  Mr.  Owen  was  married, 
September  12,  1862,  to  Miss  Sarah  White,  of  Tipton  County  ;  she  was 
born  in  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  December  17,  1842,  and  is  the  daughter 
of  John  F.  White,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  township.  Five  chil- 
dren bless  this  union — Flora  F.,  Jane  B.,  Levina  0.,  Ice  Lee  and  Thomas 
F.  Mr.  Owen  has  made  his  home  through  his  own  labor  and  economy, 
as  he  started  in  life  empty  handed.  He  is  a  well-to-do  farmer,  a  worthy 
citizen,  and  is  identified  with  the  Democratic  party. 

W.  C.  PARKER,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  Preble 
County,  Ohio,  born  March  28,  1848,  and  is  the  only  child  of  Dr.  Will- 
iam and  Judith  A.  (Wilkinson)  Parker,  both  natives  of  Ohio.  Dr.  Will- 
iam Parker  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Preble  County,  but  studied  medicine 
and  graduated  at  the  Cincinnati  Medical  College  in  1846;  he  practiced 
at  New  Hope,  Preble  Co.,  Ohio,  in  Fayette  County,  and  in  Madison 
Township,  in  this  county.  He  died  November  8,  1852,  in  Preble  Coun- 
ty, at  the  age  of  thirty-two.  W.  C.  Parker  was  likewise  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  in  1858  came  to  this  county  with  his  mother  and  located  where 
he  now  lives.       At  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  began  life  for  himself  on  tl'.e 


WILD   CAT   TOWNSHIP.  321 

farm,  working  on  shares,  where  he  has  since  continued,  having  full  con- 
trol of  the  homestead,  which  he  has  improved  by  good  buildings  and 
in  other  ways.  In  1873,  he  purchased  forty  acres  of  unimproved  land, 
but  which  are  now  tillable.  Mr.  Parker  was  married,  June  19,  1870.  to 
Miss  Amanda  Goar,  daughter  of  Joseph  Goar,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Tip- 
ton County.  To  this  union  were  born  four  children — Joseph  W.,  Clar- 
issa A.,  James  W.  and  Charles  C.  Mr.  Parker  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity  ;  he  was  previously  a  Democrat,  but  is  now  a  member 
of  the  National  party. 

E.  PERRY,  railroad  agent  and  operator,  is  a  native  of  Owen  County, 
Ky.,  and  was  born  March  27,  1852  ;  he  is  the  oldest  of  four  children 
(three  now  living)  born  to  Lewis  and  Orphy  E.  (Said)  Perry,  natives  of 
Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  and  English  descent.  Lewis  Perry  came  to  Tip- 
ton County,  Ind.,  as  early  as  1852,  locating  near  Windfall,  and  made  a 
good  home  of  100  acres.  In  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  One 
Hundred  and  Fortieth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  partici- 
pated in  Sherman's  march  to  the  sea  ;  near  Wilmington,  he  was  taken 
sick  and  died.  His  wife  died  in  January,  1875.  In  October,  1870, 
E.  Perry  began  the  study  of  telegraphy,  and  January  1,  1871,  was 
given  a  position  as  night  operator,  which  he  held  for  ten  months  ;  he 
was  afterward  stationed  at  different  railroad  points,  but  returned  home  in 
the  spring  of  1875,  upon  the  death  of  his  mother  ;  in  1876,  he  engaged  as 
railroad  agent,  clerk  and  operator  at  Highland,  111.,  but  in  1878,  he  re- 
turned to  the  farm.  In  December,  1881,  he  secured  the  position  of  agent 
and  operator  at  Windfall,  which  he  still  holds  ;  he  is  one  of  the  most  accom- 
modating agents  on  the  line ;  he  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  He  was  married,  March  21,  1877, 
to  Miss  Ida  Steele,  of  Windfall.  She  was  born  March  30,  1862  and  is 
the  daughter  of  J.  H.  N.  Steele.  They  have  had  three  children,  two  of 
whom  are  living — Ora  Dessie  and  Bertie.  Mr.  Perry  is  owner  of  a  farm 
of  110  acres  with  fair  improvements,  besides  as  good  village  property  as 
Windfall  contains. 

ELISHA  PICKERING  was  born  in  Green  County,  Tenn.,  Novem- 
ber 21,  1813,  and  is  one  of  twelve  children  born  to  Enos  and  Betta 
(Harle)  Pickering,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina, 
and  of  English  descent.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  but  a 
limited  education.  About  the  year  1833,  he  went  to  a  brother's,  near 
New  Castle,  Ind.  In  the  spring  of  1834,  he  located  near  Economy, 
Wayne  County  ;  the  following  fall  he  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  Lee, 
of  Wayne  County,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  on  his  father-in- 
law's  place  for  three  years.  He  then  rented  a  farm  near  Economy,  and 
two  years  later  purchased  eighty  acres  in   Randolph   County,   Ind.,  and 


322  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

there  his  wife  died,  February  15,  1842,  leaving  two  small  children — Sarah 
K.  and  Henry  H.  (both  deceased).  The  last  named  enlisted  in  the  spring 
of  1864,  in  Company  C,  Fortieth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  died  from  exposure  in  April,  1865,  In  1849,  Mr.  Pickering  came  to 
this  county  and  entered  160  acres,  built  a  log  cabin,  and  began  to  cut 
away  the  forest.  Mr.  Pickering  attended  the  first  election  in  Wild  Cat 
Township,  and  in  its  early  history  served  five  years  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  and  three  years  as  County  Commissioner,  during  which  time  the 
present  court  house  was  erected.  September  15,  1843,  he  married  Miss 
Rhoda  Moore,  of  Miami  County,  Ohio.  She  was  born  June  21,  1814, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Alice  Moore,  natives  of  Tennessee, 
and  of  English  descent.  They  have  had  four  children — Ezra  L.,  Mary 
J.  (deceased),  Miles  D.  and  Margaret  A.  Mr.  Pickering  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Society  of  Friends. 
E.  L.  PICKERING,  of  the  firm  of  E.  L.  Pickering  &  Co.,  is  a 
native  of  Randolph  County,  Ind.,  and  was  born  July  5,  1847.  He  is 
the  eldest  of  four  children  born  to  Elisha  and  Rhoda  (Moore)  Pickering, 
natives  of  Tennessee  and  Ohio,  and  of  English  descent.  Our  subject 
enlisted  in  the  State  service  under  Gen.  Carrington,  served  one  year,  and 
in  the  fall  of  1863  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  One  Hundred  and 
Thirtieth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  engaged  in  battle 
at  Buzzard  Roost,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Resaca,  Dalton,  Kenesaw  Mount- 
ain, Marietta,  and  the  siege  of  Atlanta.  Thence  he  went  with  Gen. 
Thomas  to  Nashville,  and  at  Jonesboro,  S.  C,  he  was  taken  sick ;  he 
was  honorably  discharged  May  25,  1865,  and  returned  home  and  en- 
gaged in  farming  with  his  father ;  one  year  later  he  engaged  with 
John  Bailey  in  driving  a  notion  wagon  ;  he  purchased  a  half-interest 
in  Mr.  Bailey's  grocery  and  provision  store,  and  in  1873  retired 
from  this  firm.  In  March,  1874,  he  purchased  a  one-third  interest  in  a 
general  stock  of  goods,  and  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Freeman, 
Pickering  &  Co.,  and  two  years  later  the  name  of  the  firm  was  changed 
to  Pickering,  Bailey  &  Co.  On  March  3,  1878,  a  fire  destroyed  their 
building  and  a  stock  of  goods  worth  |9,000.  Mr.  Pickering  then  entered 
the  grocery  business  in  company  with  D.  D.  John,  and  one  year  later  be- 
came successor  to  Pickering  &  John  ;  he  subsecjuently  purchased  an  interest 
in  company  with  A.  D.  Riff'e,  and  six  months  later  took  a  third  partner, 
making  the  firm  of  Pickering,  Riffe  &  Craften.  One  year  later,  he  re- 
tired from  this  firm,  and  subsequently  engaged  in  the  drug  business  one 
year,  when  he  sold  a  half  interest  to  E.  Pickering,  and  is  now  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  E.  L.  Pickering  &  Co.  In  1881,  they  began  handling  a 
full  line  of  implements,  making  a  specialty  of  Gear,  Scott  &  Co.'s 
thresher  and    engine,    doing  a  business  of  ^15,000  annually.      In    1874, 


AVILD   CAT   TOWNSHIP.  323 

he  was  commissioned  Postmaster  at  Windfall,  which  office  he  held  nine 
years.  He  has  served  on  the  Central  Committee  of  the  Republican  party 
eight  years,  and  has  been  School  Trustee  for  eight  years.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  order.  Mr.  Pickering  was  married  in  1868  to  Miss  Catha- 
rine Shawhan,  of  Tipton  County.  They  had  four  children,  three  of  whom 
are  living— Ida,  Udora  and  Girty.  He  was  again  married,  November, 
25.  1880,  to  Miss  Rosa  Kirkpatrick,  of  Howard  County.  She  was  born 
November  9,  1860,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Rankin  Kirkpatrick,  of  Irish 
descent.  This  marriage  has  been  blessed  with  two  children— Mervil 
May  and  Blanche. 

SALATHIEL  V.  PLUMMER,  a  representative  farmer,  was  born 
m  Rush  County.  Ind.,  December  9,  1832,  and  is  the  son  of  Hiram  and 
Lydia  (Vickery)  Plummer.  Hiram  Plummer  located  in  Washington, 
Rush  County,  Ind.,  in  his  youth,  and  was  there  married.  In  1849,  he 
removed  to  Tipton  County  and  purchased  160  acres  ;  he  dealt  in  land 
until  he  owned  about  600  acres  ;  he  died  August  29,  1868  ;  his  wife 
(aged  seventy-four)  is  still  living,  and  resides  upon  the  old  homestead.  S. 
V.  Plummer  received  a  limited  education.  Upon  reaching  his  majority, 
he  began  farming  for  himself.  In  1855,  he  and  family  moved  to  Iowa' 
and  located  first  in  Harden  County  and  then  in  Marion  County.  In 
1857,  he  returned  to  Tipton  County,  and  purchased  120  acres  for  $1,500. 
By  hard  work  and  industry,  he  succeeded  in  making  a  good  home.'  In 
1865,  he  removed  to  Northern  Missouri,  but  soon  returned  to  this  town- 
ship ;  he  then  purchased  120  acres  of  forest  land,  upon  which  he  lived 
until  1872  ;  he  then  visited  Kansas  and  Missouri,  and  located  again  in 
Missouri ;  returning  home  for  his  family,  he  soon  purchased  his  present 
home  of  sixty  acres,  which  is  now  well  improved  and  under  cultivation. 
Mr.  Plummer  was  married,  February  18,  1853,  to  Miss  Martha  J.  Gray^ 
a  native  of  Owen  County,  ind.  By  this  marriage  they  have  four  chil- 
dren—Sarah A.,  George  M.,  Alice  and  Hiram  D.  Mr.  Plummer  is  a 
supporter  of  Democratic  principles  ;  his  wife  is  a  worthy  member  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  L.  PRICE,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of  Preble  County,  Ohio, 
and  was  born  September  17,  1853;  he  is  the  second  of  seven  children 
born  to  Michael  and  Elizabeth  (Wysing)  Price,  both  natives  of  Ohio,  and 
of  German  descent ;  his  parents  settled  in  Howard  County  in  1859, 
locating  on  Peach  Run  ;  he  now  owns  160  acres  of  good  land  ;  his  faith- 
ful wife  died  February  22,  1876 ;  he  is  a  highly  respected  citizen,  and  a 
worthy  member  of  the  Dunkard  Church.  W.  L.  Price  assisted  his  father 
on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty -one  years  of  age,  when  he  began  teach- 
ing in  the  public  schools ;  he  read  medicine  first  in  the  office  of  Dr. 
Charles  Chittick,  and  in  the  winter  of  1877-78  attended  medical  college 


324  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

at  Ann  Arbor.  Previous  to  this  he  had  taken  a  literary  course  of  four 
months  at  Lebanon,  Ohio.  In  September,  1878,  he  began  the  practice 
of  medicine  at  ShaqDSville,  Ind.,  and  a  few  weeks  later  he  located  at 
Windfall  and  entered  a  partnership  with  Dr.  Austin ;  this  partnership 
continued  until  the  fall  of  1879,  when  Dr.  Price  began  teaching  in  the 
high  school ;  in  1880,  he  located  at  East  Branch,  Hamilton  Co.,  Ind., 
where  he  practiced  medicine  a  few  months,  when  he  removed  to  West 
Liberty,  Howard  County;  in  September,  1881,  he  returned  to  Windfall 
and  assumed  charge  of  the  intermediate  department  of  the  high  school, 
and  the  following  spring  again  embarked  in  the  practice  of  medicine ;  in 
January,  1883,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  Zeek,  and  he  and  Dr. 
Zeek  are  now  the  leading  physicians  of  the  town,  enjoying  an  extensive 
practice.  Dr.  Price  was  married  in  August,  1879,  to  Miss  Fannie  M. 
Swaim,  of  Windfall,  and  daughter  of  John  M.^nd  Eveline  Swaim.  This 
union  is  blessed  with  one  child,  Glena  L.  Mrs.  Price  is  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

GEORGE  M.  RIFFE,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  West 
Virginia  January  15,  1825,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Miller) 
Riffe,  also  natives  of  Virginia,  of  German  descent.  Our  subject  at  the 
age  often  removed  to  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  where  he  assisted  his  father 
on  the  farm,  and  received  his  education  from  the  subscription  school ; 
upon  arriving  at  his  majority,  he  began  farming  on  rented  ground,  and 
by  hard  work  and  economy  made  a  good  home  of  240  acres  in  Decatur 
County.  In  the  fall  of  1861,  he  exchanged  this  for  wild  land  in  Tipton 
County,  upon  which  he  soon  located ;  he  made  several  changes,  and  in 
1871  located  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives ;  he  was  married,  in  1847, 
to  Sarah  J.  Seright,  of  Rush  County,  Ind.  She  was  born  January  14, 
1830,  and  is  of  German  descent.  By  this  union  they  had  nine  children 
— A.  D.,  Mary  S.,  J.  W.,  Anna  C,  Sarah  M.,  George  A.,  Charles  K. 
(deceased),  Levina  (deceased),  and  Rachael  (deceased).  Mr.  Riffe  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  old  Christian  Church ;  he  is  a  Master  Mason, 
and  was  reared  a  Democrat,  but  of  late  years  has  voted  the  Republican 
ticket. 

A.  D.  RIFFE,  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Windfall,  was 
born  in  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  September  1,  1848,  and  is  the  eldest  son 
of  George  M.  and  Sarah  J.  (Seright)  Riffe,  natives  of  Virginia  and 
Kentucky  respectively,  and  of  German  descent.  A.  D.  Riffe  assisted 
his  father  on  the  farm  in  Decatur  and  Tipton  Counties,  and  received  a 
common  school  education.  At  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  entered  the  store  of 
Petty,  Seright  &  Co.,  as  clerk,  and  remained  there  about  two  years. 
After  this  he  spent  one  year  on  the  farm,  and  subsequently  engaged  a8 
clerk  for  R.  Freeman  in  Windfall,  and  remained  with  him  six  years ;  he 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  325 

then  added  ready-made  clothing,  arid  became  a  third  partner  iu  the  firm 
of  R.  Freeman  k  Co.  This  partnership  was  shortly  dissolved,  and  Mr. 
Riffe  then  clerked  in  Dr.  McAlister's  drug  store  one  year.  For  the  next 
two  years,  he  was  manager  and  book-keeper  of  the  Windfall  City  Mills, 
after  which  he  returned  to  the  farm.  One  year  later,  he  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits,  and  March  1,  1880,  assumed  charge  of  W.  H. 
Crafton's  store,  where  they  are  doing  a  business  from  $8,000  to  $12,000 
per  year.  Mr.  Riffe  is  an  active  home  politician,  is  well  known  and 
highly  respected.  Mr.  Riife  has  been  thrice  married — first,  November  6, 
1870,  to  Miss  Sarah  F.  Linke,  of  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.  ;  this  lady 
died  in  January,  1874,  leaving  one  daughter,  Minnie  J. ;  his  second  mar- 
riage occurred  January  15,  1876,  to  Miss  Olive  Wright,  of  Tipton 
County.  Her  death  occurred  April  29,  1877.  There  was  one  daughter 
by  this  marriage,  Ida  M.  He  was  married  to  his  present  wife.  Miss 
Sarah  A.  Crafton,  of  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  February  7,  1878.  Two 
sons  have  blessed  this  union,  William  E.  and  Carl  B.  Mr.  Rifi"e  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOHN  W.  RIFFE,  clerk  for  W.  H.  Crafton,  merchant  of  Windfall, 
is  a  native  of  Decatur  County,  Ind.  ;  he  was  born  November  17,  1855, 
and  is  the  son  of  George  M.  Riffe  ;  he  worked  on  his  father's  farm  during 
his  youth,  and  received  a  limited  education  in  the  common  schools.  In 
the  summer  of  1875,  he  engaged  as  clerk  for  John  Bailey,  a  merchant  at 
Windfall,  and  in  1877  entered  the  employ  of  J.  H.  Zehner.  He  contin- 
ued as  his  clerk  until  1882,  when  by  failing  health  he  was  compelled  to 
resign  his  position.  A  few  months  later,  he  entered  the  employ  of  W. 
H.  Crafton,  where  he  is  now  to  be  found.  Mr.  Riffe  was  married  March 
16,  1879,  to  Miss  Allie  Van  Winkle,  of  Windfall,  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
Van  Winkle.  They  have  one  child — Cora  May.  Mr.  Riife  is  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  has  served  as  Town  Clerk, 
Treasurer  and  Assessor  one  term.  He  was  re-elected,  but,  as  he  was 
about  moving  out  of  the  village,  resigned. 

WILLIAM  H.  RUSSEL  was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio, 
July  18,  1829,  and  is  the  second  son  of  Joseph  and  Rhoda  (Walker) 
Russel,  natives  of  Maryland,  and  of  German  descent.  Joseph  Russel 
removed  to  Cincinnati  in  an  early  day,  and  was  there  married  ;  he  spent 
his  last  days  near  Edinburgh,  Ind.,  and  after  his  death  his  wife  removed 
to  Grant  County,  where  she  subsequently  died.  William  H.  Russel 
spent  his  youth  on  the  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  eight  years,  began  to  make 
his  own  living ;  he  learned  the  cooper's  trade  in  Cincinnati,  and  worked 
at  his  trade  for  three  years,  after  which  he  located  near  Indianapolis, 
Ind.  In  1853,  he  removed  to  Coles  County,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  on  rented  land,  and  in  1858  he  located  at  Bridgeport,  Marion 


326  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

County,  where  he  conducted  a  cooper  shop  until  1864 ;  he  then  came  to 
Tipton  County,  and  located  on  a  fjirra  in  Madison  Township ;  he  im- 
proved eighty  acres,  and  built  good  buildings ;  sold  out,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1870  purchased  his  preseiit  farm  of  280  acres  of  forest  land.  He  has 
redeemed  125  acres  of  land  from  the  forest,  and  now  has  this  under  a 
good  state  of  cultivation;  ho  also  is  a  large  raiser  of  livestock.  Mr. 
Russel  was  married,  September  24,  1852,  to  Eliza  R.  Griswold,  of  Mar- 
ion County,  Ind.  She  was  born  March  2,  1836.  They  have  had  ten 
children,  six  of  whom  are  living — Alice,  Joseph  C,  Robert,  Laura  H., 
Sibbilla  H.  and  Joba. 

WILLIAM  SANDERS,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  Hen- 
dricks County,  Ind.;  was  born  November  15,  1842,  and  is  the  son  of 
Samson  and  Sarah  (Russel)  Sanders,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina. 
William  Sanders,  at  the  age  of  ten,  came  to  Tipton  County,  and  was 
reared  in  the  forest  by  one  of  the  pioneer  farmers.  At  the  age  of  nine- 
teen, he  enlisted,  in  July,  1861,  in  Company  G,  Thirty-ninth  Regiment 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  participated  in  battle  at  Shiloh,  at  Cor- 
inth, Crab  Orchard  and  Stone  River,  after  which  his  regiment  was 
mounted  and  known  as  the  Thirty-ninth  Maryland  Infantry.  Mr.  San- 
ders re-enlisted  in  1864,  near  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  after  which  he  was 
detailed  as  company  blacksmith.  In  June,  1865,  he  was  honorably  dis- 
charged. He  returned  home  and  invested  his  money  in  eighty  acres  of 
wild  land,  and  made  several  changes  until  1877,  when  he,  in  February, 
1877,  returned  to  Windfall,  and  conducted  a  blacksmith  shop  for  two 
years,  and  in  December,  1880,  purchased  his  present  home  of  sixty 
acres,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  Sanders  was  married  in  March, 
1861,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Jones,  of  Madison  County.  They  had  one  child 
— William.  He  was  next  married  in  March,  1866,  to  Miss  Sarah  Level; 
they  have  had  five  children — Rosetta,  Clinton  (deceased),  Mary  E., 
Francis  M.  and  James.  Mr.  Sanders  was  reared  a  Democrat,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

JERRY  SANDERS  was  born  in  Boone  County,  Ind.,  February  15, 
1846,  and  is  the  son  of  Samson  and  Sarah  (Russel)  Sanders,  both  na- 
tives of  North  Carolina.  Samson  Sanders  was  among  the  pioneers  of 
Boone  County,  where  he  lived  a  farmer's  life.  About  1852,  he  came  to 
Tipton  County,  and  located  in  Wild  Cat  Township,  on  ninety-three  acres 
of  unimproved  land,  and  subsequently  upon  eighty  acres  of  wild  land, 
where  our  subject  now  lives.  He  resided  upon  this  until  after  the  death 
of  his  wife  in  1870,  after  which  he  sold  the  farm  and  lived  with  his  chil- 
dren; he  spent  his  last  days  in  Windfall,  and  died  in  the  fall  of  1876  at 
the  age  of  sixty-seven.  At  the  age  of  eighteen,  Jerry  Sanders  began 
life  for  himself,  and  in  1879  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  near  Tipton. 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  327 

He  continued  there  two  years,  and  then  returned  to  the  farm  where  he 
now  lives,  comprising  forty  acres  under  good  cultivation.  Mr.  Sanders 
enlisted  in  1864  in  the  twelve  months'  service  in  Company  D,  Fifty-fourth 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  but  after  he  got  south  of  Indian- 
apolis was  taken  sick  and  sent  back  to  that  city.  He  remained  there  six 
weeks,  at  which  time  he  was  honorably  discharged.  He  had  four  broth- 
ers in  the  rebellion,  one  of  whom  sleeps  down  South  in  a  soldier's  grave. 
Mr.  Sanders  was  married,  October  26,  1870,  to  Miss  Lois  A.  Griswold,  of 
Madison  County,  Ind.  Five  children  have  blessed  this  union — Laura, 
Henry,  William,  Flora  (deceased)  and  one  infant  (deceased).  Mr.  San- 
ders is  a  Democrat ;  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

DR.  J.  A.  SCHELL,  druggist,  is  a  native  of  Madison  County, 
Ind.,  and  was  born  October  15,  1839 ;  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Sig- 
ler)  Schell,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  German  descent.  His  father 
removed  to  Ohio  with  his  family  in  an  early  day,  and,  in  1823,  located  in 
Madison  County,  Ind.,  with  a  little  colony  of  twenty-one  families.  Mr. 
Schell  remained  thereuntil  his  death,  March  4,  1878,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
four.  Our  subject  had  limited  advantages  for  an  education  during  his 
boyhood,  and  in  later  life  was  his  own  preceptor.  He  began  the  study  of 
medicine  in  the  spring  of  1865,  and  continued  reading  medicine  and 
teaching  school  for  eight  years.  He  read  under  Dr.  William  Suman,  of 
Frankton,  and  in  the  winter  of  1867-68  attended  a  course  of  lectures  at 
the  Ohio  Medical  College.  The  following  spring  he  commenced  his 
practice  at  Frankton,  and  August  11,  1869,  he  removed  to  Windfall, 
bringing  with  him  a  small  stock  of  drugs.  He  has  since  resided  here, 
and  is  doing  a  good  business.  Mr.  Schell  was  married,  September  28, 
1871,  to  Miss  Caroline  Mclntire,  of  Windfall.  She  is  a  native  of  Iowa, 
and  was  born  August  16,  1854.  This  marriage  has  been  crowned  with 
one  son — Elmer  P.,  born  August  18,  1872.  Mr.  Schell  is  an  active 
home  politician  in  the  Democratic  ranks.  He  served  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace  three  months,  and  was  commissioned  Notary  Public  two  terms 
while  in  Frankton.  He  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

CHARLES  FRANKLIN  SMITH,  merchant,  is  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  was  born  September  16,  1828.  He  is  the  oldest  of  three 
children  born  to  Henry  and  Susan  (Wilson)  Smith,  natives  respectively 
of  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  and  of  German  and  Scotch-Irish  descent. 
His  maternal  grandfather  participated  in  the  battle  of  Yorktown,  where 
Gen.  Cornwallis  surrendered.  His  father,  Henry  Smith,  was  a  farmer 
and  mechanic.  His  death  occurred  March  18,  1883,  at  the  age  of 
eighty  years.  Our  subject  assisted  his  father  in  the  workshop  at  carriage- 
making,  wheel-wrighting,  gate-making,  etc.,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two 


328  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

was  appointed  first  station  agent  at  Pewee  Valley,  on  the  Louisville  & 
Nashville  Short  Line.  He  removed  North  with  his  family  in  the  fall  of 
1857,  locating  at  Windfall,  and  here  engaged  in  merchandising  and  act- 
ing as  station  and  express  agent.  He  subsequently  dealt  in  grain,  and 
built  the  first  warehouse.  He  continued  there  in  business  until  1865, 
when  he  removed  to  Tipton  and  entered  the  Auditor's  office  as  Deputy, 
serving  four  years  under  Scott  Armstrong,  now  of  Kokomo.  He  after- 
ward engaged  in  the  drug  business,  and  later  sold  out  and  returned  to 
Windfall.  He  was  employed  by  J.  H.  Zehner  in  his  store,  where  he  still 
continues,  and  is  highly  esteemed  as  a  citizen  and  business  man.  Mr. 
Smith  was  married,  April  5,  1855,  to  Susan  L.  Hudson,  of  New  York. 
She  is  the  daughter  of  Robert  and  Mary  J.  (Hamilton)  Hudson.  Mr. 
Smith  has  taken  an  active  part  in  all  public  and  benevolent  enterprises, 
and  is  an  active  politician  in  the  Democratic  ranks.  He  and  wife  are 
worthy  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  are  now  enjoying  a  most 
pleasant  home,  made  by  their  own  industry  and  economy. 

H.  N.  STEELE  is  a  native  of  Jefferson  County,  Ind.,  and  was  born 
June  27,  1832.  He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Porter)  Steele, 
natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  descent.  Mr.  H.  N.  Steele,  at  the  age 
of  eighteen,  left  the  parental  roof,  and  apprenticed  himself  four  and  a 
half  years  to  a  carpenter  in  Indianapolis,  receiving  $5  per  month,  and 
eighteen  months'  schooling.  He  then  worked  at  journeyman  work  one 
year,  after  which  he  worked  at  his  trade  as  foreman  in  Indianapolis  four 
^ears.  He  then  removed  to  Hamilton  County,  and  a  few  years  later  lo- 
cated in  Howard  County,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  working  at 
his  trade  until  1876,  when  he  removed  to  Windfall  and  operated  a  plan- 
ing mill  two  years.  He  then  sold  out  and  engaged  in  the  furniture 
and  undertaking  business,  where  he  is  doing  a  good  business  of  $2,000 
per  year.  Mr.  Steele  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  held  a  number 
of  minor  offices  of  the  township.  He  was  married,  January  8,  1857,  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Duke,  of  Indianapolis.  She  is  the  daughter  of  James 
Duke,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Marion  County.  This  union  has  been 
blessed  with  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  living — Edgar,  Ida,  H.  E. 
and  Nettie.  Mr.  Steele  is  a  prominent  business  man,  and  a  member  of 
the  I.  0.  0.  F. 

JESSE  THATCHER,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Bracken  County,  Ky., 
born  May  26,  1819,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Keithler)  Thatcher, 
natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Kentucky  respectively.  At  the  age  of  two 
years,  our  subject  removed  with  his  parents  to  Switzerland  County,  Ind., 
and  at  the  age  of  seven  was  left  an  orphan,  whereupon  he  went  to  live 
with  Moses  Branson,  of  Vevay,  Switzerland  County,  where  he  remained  ten 
years  and  learned  the  wagon-maker's  trade,  but   his  early  education  was 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  329 

much  neglected.  In  1840,  he  worked  on  a  farm,  and  in  1841  located  at 
Quercus  Grove,  where  he  opened  a  wagon  shop.  There  he  continued 
business  nineteen  years,  and  in  1860  removed  to  this  county,  and  pur- 
chased 120  acres  of  forest  land,  on  which  was  a  log  cabin,  where  he  made 
for  himself  and  family  a  good  home.  In  1880,  he  sold  eighty  acres  of 
his  farm,  and  is  at  present  residing  on  the  other  forty  acres  he  retained. 
Mr.  Thatcher  was  married,  February  23,  1842,  to  Miss  Celia  Coy,  of 
Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  who  died  January  5,  1857,  leaving  five  small 
children,  three  of  whom  are  living — John,  Cynthia  A.  and  Joseph.  Mr. 
Thatcher  was  next  married  in  February,  1858,  to  Mrs.  Eliza  (Mott) 
Mounts,  by  which  union  they  have  had  two  children — Pallas  (deceased), 
and  Jessie  Eveline.  Mr.  Thatcher  is  a  representative  man  of  the 
National  party,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

DRURY  B.  VICE,  Clerk  of  the  Court  and  merchant,  of  the  firm  of 
Vice  &  Nutter,  was  born  in  Bath  County,  Ky.,  July  19,  1841.  and  is  the 
son  of  Martin  and  Jahazy  (Barber)  Vice,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Vir- 
ginia. Our  subject  worked  on  the  farm  and  received  a  limited  education. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  left  his  native  State  and  came  North,  locat- 
ing at  Windfall  in  April,  1862.  He  worked  for  three  years  as  head  sawyer 
for  James  B.  Fouch,  and  in  the  winter  of  1862-63  attended  school.  For 
four  or  five  years  following,  he  was  his  own  preceptor.  He  enlisted  in 
November,  1863,  in  the  Twelfth  Battery  of  200  men.  He  was  stationed 
at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  participated  in  battle  against  Gen.  Hood.  He 
was  honorably  discharged  in  the  spring  of  1865.  He  returned  to  Wind- 
fall and  engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  together  with  mercantile  pursuits. 
He  subsequently  engaged  with  A.  Dennis,  under  the  firm  name  of  Vice 
&  Dennis,  and  later  the  firm  became  Vice,  Seright  &  Co.  Mr.  Vice 
afterward  became  successor  to  this  firm,  and  continued  in  business  at  in- 
tervals alone  until  February,  1879,  when  James  W.  Nutter  became  owner 
of  one-half  the  stock,  and  they  have  conducted  a  large  business  since. 
They  met  with  a  large  loss  by  fire,  but  rebuilt  a  large  brick  business  room. 
Mr.  Vice  is  an  active  Republican,  and  was  nominated  for  County  Treas- 
urer in  1880,  but  was  defeated  by  a  small  majority.  He  was  renominat- 
ed in  1882,  and  was  successful,  and  will  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  office 
August  17,  1883.  Mr.  Vice  was  married,  July  24,  1862,  to  Miss  Anna 
E.  Wall,  of  Wilmington,  Ohio.  She  was  a  teacher  in  Tipton  County.  She 
died  in  1866,  leaving  two  children — Eugenia  M.  and  E.  Estella.  Mr. 
Vice  was  a  second  time  married,  in  May,  1867,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  J.  Nut-' 
ter,  of  Windfall,  Ind.  They  have  one  child — Nellie  M.  Mrs.  Vice  is 
conducting  the  leading  millinery  store  of  Windfall.  Mr.  Vice  has  secured 
a  good  farm  of  140  acres,  and  he  also  owns  fifty  acres  in  Franklin  County, 
Ky.  He  is  a  Master  Mason,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church. 


330  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

EDMUND  p.  WHISMAN,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  o 
Wayne  County,  Ind.,  and  was  born  February  1,  1845;  he  is  the  eldest 
son  of  Peter  and  Mary  J.  (Miller)  Whisman,  natives  respectively  of  Vir- 
ginia and  Indiana,  and  of  German  and  English  descent.  In  the  fall  of 
1851,  his  parents  located  in  Cicero  Township,  this  county,  and  there  Peter 
Whisman  died,  June  30,  1861,  at  the  age  of  forty-nine.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  being  the  eldest  son,  was  taught  the  use  of  the  ax,  maul  an  d 
wedge  in  his  youth.  When  his  father  died,  he  took  cha.rge  of  the  home 
farm  ;  he  supported  the  family  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age,  and 
in  1870  went  West  to  prospect  for  a  home ;  he  traveled  three  years  in 
Missouri,  Kansas,  Arkansas  and  Indian  Territory,  after  which  he  returned 
to  this  county  and  engaged  in  farming  the  home  place.  In  1877,  he  lo- 
cated on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives ;  he  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1873 
to  Miss  Cynthia  Thatcher,  of  Tipton  County.  She  was  born  in  Switzer- 
land County,  Ind.,  in  1847,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Jesse  Thatcher.  Four 
children  blessed  this  union — Martha  V.,  Peter,  Eva  and  Jesse.  Mr.  Whis- 
man is  identified  with  tl^e  Democratic  party,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  New-Light  Church. 

GARRET  WHITE,  farmer  and  minister,  was  born  in  Switzerland 
County,  Ind.,  December  1,  1838,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Kelso) 
White,  both  natives  of  Switzerland  County,  and  parents  of  seventeen 
children.  Grandfather  White  settled  in  Switzerland  County  in 
1801,  and  there  erected  the  first  saw  mill.  John  and  his  faithful 
wife  are  yet  living  on  the  farm,  where  they  have  resided  more  than  sixty 
years.  Mr.  White  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  Democratic  principles.  Gar- 
ret White  received  a  limited  education  from  the  common  schools,  and  at 
the  age  of  eighteen  began  working  for  himself  on  the  home  farm.  In 
1860,  he,  with  his  family,  located  on  Indian  Prairie,  where  he  farmed  for 
eleven  years,  and  in  1871  located  near  Windfall,  and  the  following  spring 
moved  to  the  sixty-acre  farm  on  which  he  now  lives ;  this  land  is  well 
improved,  with  good  frame  buildings.  Mr.  White  laid  the  first  tile  ditch 
in  the  township,  and  has  always  been  willing  to  assist  in  every  public  im- 
provement. He  was  married,  August  15,  1860,  to  Miss  Mahala  Mott,  of 
Switzerland  County,  Ind.;  born  January  27,  1842.  This  union  has  been 
blessed  with  one  son — Omer,  born  December  81,  1861.  Mr.  White  is  a 
Republican  in  principle,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church.  Mr.  White  was  licensed  to  preach  in  1861,  and  or- 
dained in  1863.  From  1873  to  1880,  he  was  an  active  minister,  traveling 
on  a  circuit,  but  for  the  last  three  years  has  been  doing  local  service. 

AARON  WHITE,  was  born  in  Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  April  15, 
1845,  and  is  the  eighth  son  of  a  family  of  seventeen  children  born  to  John 
White.     Aaron  White  received  a  limited  education  in  his  youth  and  at 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  331 

the  age  of  nineteen  enlisted  in  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and  Seven- 
teenth Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  the  six  months'  service, 
and  after  being  out  seven  months  was  honorably  discharged,  having  par- 
ticipated in  a  number  of  hard  skirmishes.  After  returning  home  he  en- 
listed in  the  United  States  Navy,  and  served  aboard  the  "•  Gen.  Sher- 
man" on  the  Tennessee  River.  When  the  war  closed,  he  assisted  his 
father  upon  the  farm  until  the  fall  of  1866,  when  he  came  to  this  county, 
stopping  on  the  Indian  Prairie  the  first  year.  Since  that  time  he  has 
been  a  resident  of  this  township.  He  subsequently  purchased  the  farm 
where  he  now  lives,  which  contains  eighty-six  acres  of  good  land,  well 
improved.  Mr.  White  was  married,  December  25,  1868,  to  Miss  Emily 
M.  Goar,  of  Jefferson  Township.  She  was  born  September  22,  1847, 
and  is  one  of  a  family  of  fifteen  children  born  to  Joseph  and  Clarissa 
Goar,  both  natives  of  Virginia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  White  have  had  four 
children,  two  of  whom  are  living — Mary  Clarissa  and  Daniel  V.  Mr. 
White  is  a  Republican,  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Friends'  Church. 

WILLIAM  H.  H.  WOLF  was  born  in  Clark  County,  Ohio,  June 
21,  1840,  and  is  the  son  of  Conrad  and  Hannah  (Williams)  Wolf,  both 
natives  of  Ohio,  and  of  German  and  Irish  descent.  His  paternal  great- 
grandfather was  a  Hessian  soldier,  who  was  bought  by  the  English,  and 
at  the  battle  at  Trenton,  N.  J.,  was  taken  prisoner.  After  this  he  joined 
the  colonial  forces.  In  1848,  Conrad  Wolf  located  on  a  farm  in  Cham- 
paign County,  Ohio,  where  our  subject  worked  until  he  was  fourteen 
years  old.  They  then  came  to  Grant  County,  Ind.,  and  located  near 
Marion  in  the  forest.  Our  subject  enlisted,  August  10,  1868,  in  Com- 
pany K,  One  Hundred  and  Eighteenth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, in  the  six  months'  service,  participating  in  the  battle  at  Ray- 
burn  and  Blue  Springs.  He  subsequently  enlisted  in  Company  G, 
Twenty-fifth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  in  the 
Georgia  campaign,  in  the  siege  of  Savannah,  and  in  the  battle  of  Ben- 
tonville.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  he  engaged  in  farming  and  the  saddlery 
business  at  various  points,  and  subsequently,  about  1870,  he  purchased 
his  present  home  of  seventy  acres,  erected  a  hewed-log  house,  and  has 
since  redeemed  fifty  acres  of  heavy  timber  land  and  has  it  well  improved. 
Mr.  Wolf  was  married,  December  12,  1861,  to  Miss  Kezia  Cain,  of 
Randolph  County,  Ind.  She  was  born  June  15,  1840,  and  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Ambrose  and  Esther  (Smith)  Cain.  Five  children  have  blessed 
this  union — Conrad,  a  teacher;  Ebenezer,  a  farmer;  John  William, 
Elva  Esther  and  Hannah  J.  Mr.  Wolf  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.  He  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  Republican  principles, 
and  has  held  some  of  the  minor  offices  of  the  township. 

GEORGE  C.  WOOD,  M.  D.,  Windfall.  The  grandparents  of  our  sub- 


332  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

ject  were  John  and  Susan  Wood,  natives  of  Virginia,  where  they  were 
married,  subsequently  removing  to  Nicholas  County,  Ky.,  where  the 
father  of  our  subject,  Caleb  Wood,  was  born  in  1809.  The  ancestors  of 
his  mother  came  from  Ireland,  locating  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  at  a 
very  early  day.  Here  his  grandparents,  George  and  Sophia  (Marsh) 
Carr,  were  born  in  1790  and  1797,  respectively,  and  his  mother,  Letitia 
McDole  Carr,  was  born  in  the  same  county  in  1819.  His  parents  were 
married  there  in  1839,  and  in  1841  migrated  to  Decatur  County,  Ind., 
subsequently,  in  1856,  locating  in  Tipton  County.  Of  a  family  of  eight 
children  born  to  them,  five  are  now  living,  three  girls  and  two  boys — 
George  C.  was  born  January  3,  1852,  in  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  and  was 
only  four  years  of  age  when  his  parents  came  to  Tipton  County.  He 
began  his  earlier  education  in  the  schools  of  that  pioneer  period, 
working  upon  the  farm  during  the  summer  months.  In  the  fall  of  1871, 
he  attended,  for  ten  weeks,  Howard  College,  located  at  Kokomo,  applying 
himself  with  such  industry  to  his  studies  that  he  was  enabled  to  secure  a 
twelve-month  teacher's  certificate,  and  the  ensuing  winter  taught  his  first 
term  in  District  No.  8,  Prairie  Township,  being  at  that  time  only 
nineteen  years  of  age.  The  ensuing  spring  he  again  attended  Howard 
College,  remaining  ten  weeks,  and  then  attended  for  ten  weeks  a  select 
school,  and  upon  account  of  proficiency  was  awarded  a  first-grade  certifi- 
cate, and  again  taught  the  school  at  No.  8.  In  February,  1873,  he 
went  to  Lebanon,  Ohio,  and  remained  attending  school  until  August,  re- 
turning and  teaching  a  select  school  in  his  home  district.  He  continued 
teaching  district  and  select  school  in  Tipton  County  until  the  spring  of 
1875,  when  he  again  returned  to  Lebanon,  Ohio,  and  remained  until 
August,  1876,  when  he  was  awarded  the  degree  of  B.  S.  Returning  to 
Tipton  County,  he  was  Principal  of  the  Graded  School  at  Sharpsville. 
January,  1877,  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  the  tutelege 
of  Dr.  A.  B.  Pitzer,  and  this  study  he  has  maintained  since.  He  con- 
tinued teaching  select  and  graded  schools  until  the  fall  of  1878,  when  he 
went  to  Indianapolis  and  attended  the  Medical  College  of  Indiana,  taking 
one  course.  Returning  to  Sharpsville,  he  taught  a  select  school,  and  in 
June,  1879,  he  was  elected  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  Tipton  County; 
he  was  re-elected  in  June,  1881,  and  has  served  the  two  terms  in  a  highly 
satisfactory  manner  to  the  citizens  of  the  county.  He  continued  to  teach 
normal  and  select  schools  during  his  terms  of  office,  and  as  an  educator 
held  superior  rank.  Dr.  Wood  also  gave  much  time  to  his  professional 
studies,  attending  courses  at  Indianapolis  during  the  winter  terms  of  1879 
and  1880,  and  March  3,  1881,  was  awarded  his  diploma.  In  April,  1883, 
Dr.  Wood  removed  to  Windfall,  where  he  has  already  inaugurated  what 
promises  to  be  a  most  successful  career.       He  was  united  in  marriage. 


WILD  CAT  TOWNSHIP.  333 

November,  1879,  to  Miss  Elnora  Linsday.     To  them  was  born,  January, 
1881,  a  son — Gordon,  who  died  November  9,  1882. 

FARLOW  S.  ZEEK,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind., 
April  3,  1838,  and  is  the  fifth  of  seven  children  bo^n  to  Daniel  and  Han- 
nah (Moor)  Zeek,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee  respectively,  and  of 
German  and  Scotch-Irish  descent.  F,  S.  Zeek  attended  school  in  all 
about  six  months,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  began  working  at  the  car- 
penter's trade  with  his  brother.  He  worked  at  this  trade  four  years,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Eighth  Regiment  In- 
diana Volunteer  Infantry  ;  he  participated  in  battle  at  Rich  Mountain 
and  Laurel  Hill,  after  which  he  returned  home.  In  the  spring  of  1862, 
he  recruited  a  company  known  as  Company  C,  Eighty-ninth  Regiment 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  went  out  as  First  Lieutenant.  They 
engaged  in  battle  at  Munfordsville,  Ky.,  where  the  members  of  this 
company  were  all  taken  prisoners,  but  the  following  day  were  paroled. 
After  being  exchanged,  they  went  to  Memphis,  where  Mr.  Zeek  was  pro- 
moted as  Captain.  His  company  was  on  the  Red  River  expedition,  meet- 
ing their  first  hard-fought  battle  at  Pleasant  Hill ;  here  Mr.  Zeek  was 
wounded  ;  he  was  shot  through  the  left  foot  and  right  ankle,  making  him 
a  cripple  for  life ;  he  was  taken  to  the  officers'  hospital  at  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  where  he  was  detained  six  months,  and  later  was  honorably 
discharged.  As  soon  as  he  was  able  he  began  reading  medicine  with  Dr. 
E.  P.  Jones,  of  Jonesboro,  Grant  County.  He  attended  the  Eclectic 
College  at  Cincinnati,  and  later  located  in  Nevada,  where  he  practiced 
medicine  one  year.  He  then  removed  to  Windfall,  where  he  has  since 
continued  in  practice.  Dr.  Zeek  has  been  since  troubled  much  with  his 
wounds,  but  notwithstanding  this  he  has  been  active  in  business,  and  has 
taken  prominent  part  as  a  home  politician  in  the  Republican  ranks  ;  he 
has  been  sent  as  a  delegate  to  many  prominent  conventions,  and  has 
served  as  Town  Councilman.  In  1882,  he  was  commissioned  as  Post- 
master of  Windfall.  Mr.  Zeek  was  married,  in  1865,  to  Miss  Susan 
Brushwiller,  of  Spanish  descent.  They  have  two  children — Lulie  B. 
and  Farlow  S.  Mr.  Zeek  is  a  Master  Mason  and  his  wife  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


334 


BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 


LIBERTY   TOWNSHIP. 

LINZY  BALLU,  retired,  son  of  Linzy  and  Agnes  (Repley)  Ballu, 
was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ky.,  July  7,  1805  ;  his  parents  located  in 
Kentucky  in  an  early  day.  Thence  they  removed  to  Tennessee,  where 
his  father  died  ;  his  mother  died  in  Tipton  County.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  State,  and  in  1827  came  to 
Indiana,  and  first  settled  on  forty  acres  of  land  in  Monroe  County  ;  he 
cultivated  this  farm  about  ten  years,  when  he  sold  and  settled  on  forty 
acres  in  Madison  County.  When  he  had  improved  this,  he  disposed  of 
it  and  purchased  160  acres  in  Taylor  Township,  Howard  County  ;  he 
subsequently  located  at  Nevada,  Tipton  County,  where  he  purchased 
town  property  ;  here  he  remained  until  1878,  when  he  came  to  Sharps- 
ville,  Avhere  he  is  living  a  retired  life  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Mary  G. 
Wisner.  Mr.  Ballu  was  married  in  Wayne  County,  Ky.,  August  26, 
1824,  to  Miss  Nancy  Sims,  of  North  Carolina,  daughter  of  William  and 
Rachel  (Hose)  Sims.  Mrs.  Ballu  died  in  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  August 
5,  1876,  leaving  three  children — Mary  G.,  Allen  P.  and  Rachel.  Mr. 
Ballu  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1863,  and  served  twenty  years  ; 
he  has  held  the  position  of  Deputy  Postmaster  and  railroad  agent  at 
Nevada;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  a  Republican  in 
politics. 

C.  BARLOW,  son  of  John  and  Priscilla  (Burris)  Barlow,  natives  of 
Kentucky,  was  born  in  Washington  County,  Ky.,  February  17,  1813, 
where  he  lived  until  he  was  sixteen  years  old ;  he  then  came  to  Indiana 
and  located  in  Johnson  County,  and  shortly  removed  to  Shelby  County, 
where  he  remained  two  years ;  he  lived  in  Bartholomew  County  one 
year,  when  he  returned  to  Shelby  County,  and  nine  months  later  pur- 
chased 160  acres  of  land  in  Bartholomew  County,  where  he  remained 
three  years,  and  engaged  in  farming ;  he  then  sold  this,  and  purchased 
103  acres,  and  soon  added  sixty-five  acres  to  this  ;  he  remained  on  this 
place  until  1851,  when  he  came  to  Tipton  County,  and  followed  farming 
and  milling  until  1864,  when  he  located  on  a  farm  of  512  acres  adjoin- 
ing the  city  of  Tipton ;  there  he  engaged  in  farming  and  milling  until 
1871,  when  he  located  on  his  present  place  of  120  acres.  Mr.  Barlow 
was  first  married,  December  26,  1833,  to  Sarah  F.  Simmons,  of  Ken- 
tucky. She  died  June  14,  1839,  leaving  two  children — -William  and 
Sarah  F.;  his  second  marriage  was,  October  3,  1839,  to  Susan  Young- 
man,  who  died  August  23,  1860,  leaving  seven  children — Priscilla,  Mary 
A.,   Susan,   John  F.,   George  S.,  Ellison   M.  and  Thomas  J.;  his  third 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP.  335 

wife  was  Hester  Ann  Youngman,  who  died  October  IG,  1869,  leaving 
one  child,  Albert  L.;  his  present  wife,  Nancy  J.  Brookbank,  was  born  in 
Washington  County,  Ind..  September  5,  1831.  Mr.  Barlow  has 
accumulated  sufficient  means  to  live  comfortably  ;  he  is  a  member  of  the 
A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

J.  0.  BATOHELOR,  railroid  arrant  at  Sharpsville,  is  the  son  of 
Robert  and  Esther  (Foster)  Batchelor,  natives  of  New  York  and  Ohio. 
His  father  was  a  civil  engineer,  and  was  employed  by  the  Government  at 
thetime  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Virginia  October  10,  1861.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Clifton,  Greene  Co.,  Ohio,  February  2, 
1852,  and  was  there  reared,  completing  his  studies  at  Yellow  Springs,  Ohio, 
in  1869;  he  then  located  at  Oberlin,  Ohio,  where  he  learned  telegraphy  ; 
he  contracted  and  built  the  land  lines  for  the  Put-in-Bay  Submarine  Tel- 
egraph Company.  This  occupied  his  time  for  two  years,  and  he  then  ac- 
cepted a  position  with  the  Chicago  &  North- Western  Railroad  Company, 
where  he  remained  about  fifteen  months.  During  this  time,  he  was  sta- 
tioned at  the  Chicago,  Fon  du  Lac,  Wis.,  Omaha,  Neb.,  and  Austin,  111. 
He  then  was  employed  on  the  I.,  P.  &  C.  R.  R.,  and  was  stationed  at 
Arcadia,  Hamilton  County,  one  year,  when  he  was  transferred  to  his  pres- 
ent position.  Mr.  Batchelor  was  married  in  Sharpsville,  October  6, 
1880,  to  Miss  Lottie  Siler,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Susan  (Blakley)  Siler, 
natives  of  Kentucky.  She  was  born  in  Whitley  County,  Ky.,  Feb- 
ruary 10,  1860.  Mr.  Batchelor  is  a  highly-respected  citizen,  and  is  polit- 
ically a  Republican. 

A.  L.  BATES,  lumber  dealer  and  proprietor  of  a  saw  mill,  was  born 
near  Oxford,  Ohio,  June  12,  1852;  his  father,  Peter  C,  is  a  native  of 
New  Jersey,  and  his  mother,  Sarah  A.  (Brown),  was  born  in  Ohio  ;  his 
parents  now  reside  in  Henry  County,  Ind.  Our  subject  was  reared  and 
educated  in  his  native  State,  after  which  he  located  at  Anderson,  Madison 
Co.,  Ind.,  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  heading.  This  he  success- 
fully conducted  three  years,  and  then  accepted  a  sewing  machine  agency, 
which  position  he  filled  two  years  ;  he  then  located  at  Middleton,  Henry 
Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  engaged  in  saw  milling,  and  subsequently  removed 
his  stock  to  Tipton,  Ind.,  where  he  conducted  this  business  for  about  two 
years;  he  then  came  to  Sharpsville,  where  he  purchased  his  present  prop- 
erty ;  his  mill  is  complete  in  every  respect,  and  has  a  capacity  to  cut 
10,000  feet  of  lumber  per  day ;  he  is  running  a  full  force  and  is  doing  a 
good  business.  Mr.  Bates  was  married  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  in  xlu- 
gust,  1880,  to  Miss  Maggie  Groves  of  Indiana.  They  have  one  child — 
Clidy.  Mr.  Bates  is  a  prominent  citizen,  and  politically  stands  firm  for 
the  Democracy. 


336  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

J.  K.  BAXTER,  M.  D.,  is  the  son  of  William  and  Jane  (Kerr)  Baxter 
natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  Scotch-Irish  descent  ;  his  parents  came  to  Indi-' 
ana  in  1814,  and  settled  in  JeiFerson  County.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ind.,  September  19,  1831,  and  received  the 
benefit  of  the  common  schools  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  ;  he  then 
entered  Asbury  University  at  Greencastle,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  three 
years  ;  he  taught  school  three  or  four  years,  when  he  located  at  Madison, 
Ind.,  and  studied  medicine  for  three  years  under  Dr.  J.  H.  D.  Rodgers, 
a  noted  physician  of  that  city.  In  1854,  he  entered  the  Louisville,  Ky., 
Medical  College,  where  he  remained  one  term.  In  1855,  he  located  at 
Sharpsville,  Ind.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  about 
twenty  years ;  he  served  three  terms  as  Township  Trustee,  and  in 
1864  enlisted  in  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and  Fortieth  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  in  the  Medical  Department  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  In  1871,  he  located  on  his  present  place  of  240  acres,  when 
he  retired  from  practice  and  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits. 
Dr.  Baxter  was  married  in  Sharpsville,  Ind.,  November  25, 1868,  to  Miss 
Eleanor  Walker,  daughter  of  William  and  Penelope  (McGannon)  Walker. 
She  was  born  in  Jennings  County,  Ind.,  February  23,  1842.  This  mar- 
riage has  been  crowned  with  nine  children — Ida  B.,  Marble  L.,  William 
W.,  Elva  W.,  Fannie  E.,  Jennie  C,  Josiah  K.,  Carrie  (deceased)  and 
Conrad  (deceased).  Dr.  Baxter  is  in  every  respect  a  self-made  man,  having 
educated  himself,  and  accumulated  a  handsome  fortune.  He  has  one  of 
the  finest  farms  in  the  township  ;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
and  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

ED.  G.  BECKER,  son  of  John  G.  and  Mary  (Schegel)  Becker, 
natives  of  Germany,  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  September  30, 1834, 
where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  In  1854,  he  came  with  his  parents 
to  America,  locating  in  Ripley  County,  Ind.,  where  he  worked  some  time 
for  his  father.  He  then  purchased  a  piece  of  land  and  improved  a  farm, 
and,  in  1871,  sold  this  place  and  located  on  his  present  farm.  Mr. 
Becker  has  met  with  success  through  life,  and  is  to-day  one  of  the 
wealthiest  farmers  in  Tipton  County.  He  is  also  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  tile,  having  a  large  factory  erected  upon  his  farm.  He  was 
married  in  Ripley  County,  Ind.,  November  22,  1862,  to  Elizabeth  Leips. 
She  was  born  in  Germany  January  27, 1841.  They  have  seven  children — 
Frederick  E.,  Louisa  F.,  Louis  A.,  Mary  G.,  George  A.,  Caroline  S.  and 
Ida.  Politically,  Mr.  Becker  is  conservative  in  his  views,  and  he  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

WILLIAM  BOWLBY  is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Bonnell) 
Bowlby,  natives  of  New  Jersey.  His  parents  came  to  Indiana  in  1844, 
and  settled  in  Rush  County.     He  was  born  in  Hunterdon  County,  N.  J., 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP.  337 

October  3,  1829,  and  lived  there  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  and 
received  a  part  of  his  education.  In  1844,  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
Rush  County,  where  he  finished  his  studies.  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  he 
lost  his  father,  who  left  a  portion  of  his  estate  to  him.  On  this  he  located 
and  engaged  in  farming  until  1853,  when  he  came  to  Tipton  County  and 
settled  on  his  present  place  of  200  acres.  Here  he  made  a  fine  farm,  and 
has  since  added  twenty  acres  to  it.  He  also  owns  forty  acres  in  Wild  Cat 
Township.  In  1854,  he  was  elected  Clerk  of  Liberty  Township,  and 
served  three  terms.  He  was  married,  in  Decatur  County,  September  3, 
1851,  to  Rebecca  J.  Lindsay.  She  was  born  in  Decatur  County,  Ind., 
May  17,  1830,  and  died  in  Tipton  County  March  3,  1863.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Eleanor  (Montgomery)  Lindsay,  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky. This  union  was  blessed  with  three  children — Rachel  A.,  James 
F.  and  Elizabeth  J.  He  married  his  present  wife  in  Tipton  County  May 
4,  1865 — Phoebe  Sippy,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mercy  (Ball)  Sippy.  She 
was  born  in  Mercer  County,  Penn.,  April  4j  1829.  To  this  marriage 
have  been  born  two  children — William  M.  and  Mary  M.  Mr.  Bowlby 
has  been  an  Elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  since  February  22,  1873. 
He  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  building  up  his  church,  and  has  served 
as  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 

THOMAS  COLE,  son  of  Robert  and  Martha  (Ward)  Cole,  natives 
of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  was  bom  in  Montgomery  County,  Ky., 
June  8,  1812.  In  1827,  his  parents  emigrated  to  Decatur  County,  Ind., 
where  our  subject  received  a  linfited  education.  He  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  has  always  followed  agricultural  pursuits.  In  1835,  he  settled 
on  forty  acres  of  land  in  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  and  one  year  later  re- 
moved to  Grundy  County,  Mo.,  where  he  entered  and  improved  eighty 
acres  ;  he  remained  there  two  years,  when  he  sold  out  and  returned  to 
Shelby  County,  where  he  purchased  eighty  acres.  This  he  cultivated 
until  1847,  when  he  located  in  Tipton  County,  on  160  acres,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  In  1861,  he  was  appointed  County  Commissioner 
and  served  eight  months,  when  he  was  elected  to  that  position,  filling 
the  office  three  years.  In  1848,  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
which  position  he  declined.  He  was  called  by  the  people  to  become  a 
candidate  for  Representative,  and  this  he  also  declined.  Mr.  Cole  was 
married  in  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  September  7,  1834,  to  Cinderella 
Shirley,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Catherine  (Hendrickson)  Shirley,  natives  of 
Kentucky.  Miss  Shirley  was  born  in  Nelson  County,  Ky.,  May  28, 1815, 
and  died  in  Tipton  County.  Ind.,  June  28,  1882.  They  had  seven 
children — Isaac  J.,  Robert  W.,  Lucinda  R.  J.,  Melisa  M.,  Nancy  A., 
Thomas  M.  (deceased)  and  Elizabeth  C.  (deceased).  Mr.  Cole  traveled 
extensively  during  his  younger  days.     He  has  been  identified  with   the 


338  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES. 

Separate  Baptist  Church  for  forty  years,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party. 

FRANK  B.  CROCKETT  was  born  in  Clinton  County,  Ind.,  Au- 
gust 28,  1852.  His  parents  were  Benjamin  F.  and  Lucinda  M.  Crock- 
ett ;  the  former  of  English  and  the  latter  of  Scotch  extraction.  Frank 
was  the  fourth  of  a  family  of  eight  children,  all  of  whom  are  still  living. 
His  parents  being  in  limited  circumstances,  his  education  was  obtained 
principally  by  his  own  exertions.  Leaving  school  at  the  age  of  twenty, 
he  engaged  in  teaching  and  the  study  of  the  law.  He  has  since  made  a 
marked  success,  both  as  a  teacher  and  in  the  practice  of  his  profession. 
In  the  spring  of  1878,  he  came  to  Tipton  County,  and  taught  near 
Sharpsville,  at  which  place  he  now  resides.  On  June  4,  1883,  he  was 
unanimously  chosen  Superintendent  of  the  Public  Schools  of  Tipton 
County.  Mr.  Crockett  is  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  held 
in   high  esteem  in  the  community. 

JOHN  DAVIS,  son  of  Peter  P.  and  Nancy  (Welling)  Davis,  natives 
of  New  Jersey  and  New  York,  was  born  in  Somerset  County,  N.  J.,  August 
11,  1814  ;  he  remained  there  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  in 
1828  located  in  New  York  City.  He  was  in  the  employ  of  L.  V.  De- 
Forest,  grocer,  for  seven  years,  after  which  he  embarked  in  the  grocery 
trade,  and  pursued  that  three  years,  when  the  fire  of  1835  swept  away 
his  stock.  Left  without  anything,  he  engaged  in  transferring  goods  from 
Jersey  City  to  New  York  City  for  nine  years.  In  1853,  he  came  to 
Indiana  and  located  in  Rush  County,  where  he  followed  farming  six 
years.  He  then  removed  to  Laurel,  Franklin  County,  where  he  followed 
teaming  seven  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Rush  County  and  en- 
gaged in  farming.  In  1869,  he  located  on  a  farm  in  Tipton  County,  and 
in  1882  purchased  his  present  place  of  eighty  acres.  Mr.  Davis  was  mar- 
ried in  New  York  City,  June  6,  1836,  to  Miss  Jane  J.  Clark.  She  was 
born  in  New  Brunswick,  Middlesex  Co.,  N.  J.,  May  2,  1818,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Dill)  Clark,  natives  of  New  Jersey. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  have  five  children — Caroline  M.,  Anna  F.,  Elizabeth 
E.,  Theodore  R.  and  Jane  H.  Mr.  Davis  is  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  is  a  worthy  citizen  and  energetic  farmer. 

D.  A.  FISH  is  the  son  of  John  B.  and  Elizabeth  (Wilson)  Fish, 
both  natives  of  Kentucky  ;  his  father  was  a  local  minister  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  over  fifty  years  ;  he  came  to  Jennings  County,  Ind., 
in  an  early  day,  and  settled  on  a  farm,  and  died  in  1879.  Our  subject 
was  born  in  Carroll  County,  Ky.,  January  24,  1824,  and  was  shortly 
taken  by  his  parents  to  Jennings  County,  Ind.,  where  he  was  reared  and 
educated ;  in  1845,  he  located  at  Du  Pont,  Ind.,  and  embarked  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits,  which  he  followed  ten  years  ;  in  the  fall  of  1854,  he  lo- 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP.        '  339 

cated  at  Sharpsville,  where  he  followed  mercantile  pursuits  for 
the  most  part,  until  1868.  In  1862-64,  he  served  as  Township  Trustee. 
He  was  elected  by  the  Democratic  party  in  1868  to  fill  the  office  of  Coun- 
ty Treasurer,  and  was  re-elected  in  1870,  serving  two  terms.  In  1873, 
he  located  on  his  present  place  of  357  acres ;  his  farm  is  one  of  the  best 
in  the  county.  Mr.  Fish  was  married  in  Paris,  Jennings  Co.,  Ind., 
July  20,  1845,  to  Allie  J.  Hill,  daughter  of  D.  M.  and  Jane  (Dixon) 
Hill,  both  natives  of  Kentucky  ;  Miss  Hill  was  born  in  Jennings  County, 
Ind.,  November  1,  1827.  By  this  union  they  have  seven  children — 
Culver  W.,  Eudora,  Jennie,  Sarah  B.,  Ellison,  Luella  C.  and  James  L. 
Mr.  Fish  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

GEORGE  y.  HAYNES,  merchant,  whose  business  was  established 
in  1865,  is  the  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Schellhorse)  Haynes.  both 
natives  of  Virginia,  his  father  was  a  farmer,  and  came  to  Indiana,  about 
the  year  1838;  he  located  in  Jennings  County,  but  subsequently  died  in 
Tipton  County.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Jennings  County,  Ind.,  Au- 
gust 12,  1842,  and  was  reared  in  Jennings,  Ripley  and  Tipton  Counties. 
He  attended  school  in  Sharpsville,  and  in  1858  he  entered  the  dry  o-oods 
firm  of  Franklin,  Haynes  &  Needham,  where  he  was  employed  as  clerk 
until  1861 ;  he  then  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Twenty-sixth  Indiana  Vol. 
unteer  Infantry,  was  appointed  Corporal,  and  soon  after  Sergeant; 
he  participated  in  the  engagement  at  Perry  Grove,  Ark.,  where  he  was 
wounded,  and  was  confined  six  months  in  the  hospital  at  Fayetteville, 
Ark.;  he  then  joined  his  company  in  Missouri,  and  participated  in  the 
siege  at  Vicksburg ;  September  29,  1863,  he  was  captured  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi River,  and  was  imprisoned  at  Tyler,  Texas  and  Shreveport 
La.,  about  ten  months  ;  he  then  joined  his  regiment  at  Donaldsonville, 
La.,  and  was  shortly  afterward  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.;  he  then 
returned  to  Sharpsville,  and  completed  his  education  ;  in  1865,  he  en- 
gaged in  general  merchandise  at  Sharpsville,  where  he  has  built  up  a 
large  business,  carrying  a  $22,000  stock,  and  doing  a  business  of  about 
$45,000  per  year.  Mr.  Haynes  has  taken  an  active  part  in  building  up 
home  industries.  He  was  married,  November  28,  1867,  to  Miss  Sarah 
E.  Franklin,  of  Indiana.  They  have  two  children — Bertha,  and  one  un- 
named. Mr.  Haynes  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  politically 
is  identified  with  the  Republican  party. 

DR.  W.  N.  HEATH  is  the  son  of  William  and  Martha  (Rodgers) 
Heath,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Kentucky.  His  parents  came  to 
Indiana  in  1814,  and  located  in  Franklin  County  on  a  farm.  Our  sub- 
ject was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ind.,  August  19,  1844,  where  he  was 


340  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

reared  and  educated.  He  studied  medicine  under  Dr.  Mordicai  Brooks 
of  Brooksburg,  Jefferson  County,  and  in  1867  graduated  at  the  Ohio  Medi- 
cal College  at  Cincinnati.  He  began  his  practice  at  Mount  Comfort, 
Hancock  Co.,  Ind.,  and  in  March,  1868,  located  in  Sharpsville,  where  he 
is  still  actively  engaged  in  the  duties  of  his  profession.  He  enlisted  in 
1862,  in  Company  G,  Eighty-second  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, as  a  private.  He  participated  in  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  Tenn., 
and  after  serving  eleven  months  was  discharged  on  account  of  disability. 
Dr.  Heath  was  married  in  Sharpsville,  Ind.,  April  29,  1869,  to  Miss 
Jennie  Fish,  daughter  of  David  A.  and  Allie  J.  (Hill)  Fish.  She  was 
born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ind.,  in  October,  1850.  They  have  three 
children,  Harry  W.,  Gertrude  L.  and  Clara  Blanche.  Dr.  Heath  is  a 
highly  respected  citizen  and  has  a  good  practice.  He  is  identified  with 
the  Republican  party,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

CAPT.  J.  H.  HOBACK  is  the  son  of  John  and  Kilen  (Darcas) 
Hoback,  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  His  parents  came  to  Johnson 
County,  Ind.,  in  1834,  and  settled  on  a  farm,  and  there  Capt.  Hoback 
was  born  July  24,  1835,  and  was  there  reared  and  educated.  He  served 
an  apprenticeship  at  Liberty,  Ind.,  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  fol- 
lowed four  years.  In  April,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Sixth 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  three  months,  during 
which  time  he  engaged  in  battle  at  Philippi,  Laurel  Hill  and  Carrick's  Ford, 
W.  Va.  He  then  re-enlisted  in  Company  H,  Fifty -seventh  Regi- 
ment Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  soon  after  was  commissioned  First 
Lieutenant;  this  position  he  filled  until  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  wheuj 
on  account  of  disability,  he  returned  to  Tipton  County,  and  remained  a 
short  time.  Then,  with  about  sixteen  recruits,  he  went  to  Indianapolis, 
where  he  took  charge  of  108  men,  and  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Silver 
Springs,  Ky.  After  the  battle  at  Stone  River,  Tenn.,  he  was  made 
Captain.  He  participated  in  battles  at  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain 
and  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  where  the  company  veteranized  and  returned  home 
on  twenty  days'  furlough.  They  re-organized  at  Katusa  Spring,  Ga., 
and  served  in  the  principal  engagements  on  the  Atlantic  coast  campaign. 
Then  engaged  in  battle  at  Franklin  and  Nashville,  Tenn.,  after  which 
the  company  moved  into  Texas,  and  was  discharged  in  December,  1865. 
Mr.  Hoback  then  returned  to  Tipton,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  trade 
until  April,  1883,  when  he  disposed  of  his  interest,  and  purchased  an  in- 
terest in  2,700  acres  of  pine  lands  in  Hot  Springs  County,  Ark.,  with  a 
fine  saw  mill.  His  future  residence  will  be  Malvern,  Ark.  Capt. 
Hoback  was  married  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  in  December,  1855,  to 
Miss  Minerva  J.  Tarhum,  of  Indiana.  They  have  three  children — Claude 
D.,  Melissa  A.  and  Mattie  L.  Capt.  Hoback  is  a  member  of  the  Mason- 
jc  fraternity,  and  casts  his  vote  with  the  Republican  party. 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP.  341 

JESSE  G.  JACKSON,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  (Jeffera) 
Jackson,  natives  af  North  Carolina,  was  born  in  Wilkes  County,  N.  C, 
September  30,  1818.  In  1830,  his  parents  came  to  Rush  Count}'^,  Ind., 
where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days.  Our  subject  was  reared  a 
farmer's  boy  and  received  a  good  education,  which  was  completed  at  Fal- 
mouth, Rush  Co.,  Ind.  He  then  taught  school  in  Rush,  Fayette  and 
Hancock  Counties  about  five  years,  and  later  lived  on  a  rented  farm  until 
1847,  when  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  unimproVed  land  in  Hancock 
County.  He  cultivated  this  farm  until  1852,  when  he  purchased  a  farm 
in  Shelby  County,  but  soon  sold  this  and  bought  200  acres,  upon  which 
he  lived  eleven  years.  In  1854,  he  began  his  labors  as  a  minister  in  the 
Old  School  Baptist  Church,  and  was  ordained  in  1855.  In  1865,  he 
came  to  Tipton  County  and  located  on  his  present  place.  He  was  instru- 
mental in  organizing  Providence  Church  in  Liberty  Township,  and  has 
taken  charge  of  this  church  since  1865  ;  he  has  also  charge  of  the 
churches  at  West  Providence,  Howard  County,  Taylor  Creek,  Grant 
County,  and  Lebanon,  Henry  County.  During  his  ministerial  career,  he 
has  traveled  and  preached  in  Kentucky,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Iowa,  Missouri 
and  Kansas.  Among  his  many  converts  are  four  ministers — John  G. 
Sawin,  Robert  W.  Thompson,  William  N.  Thorp  and  Peter  W.  Sawin,  all 
of  Central  Indiana.  Mr.  Jackson  was  married  in  Howard  County,  Ind., 
May  6,  1841,  to  Hannah  C.  McQueary,  daughter  of  Elder  Morgan  and 
Mary  (Case)  McQueary.  This  union  is  blessed  with  three  children — 
Sarah  E.  Pratt,  Hannah  E.  Davenport  and  Morgan  M.  Mr.  Jackson  is 
an  earnest  Christian  man,  is  a  highly-respected  citizen,  and  politically  is 
a  member  of  the  Democratic  party. 

S.  C.  JOHNSON  is  the  son  of  Lankston  and  Elizabeth  (Cauthan) 
Johnson,  both  natives  of  Virginia.  His  parents  came  to  Indiana  about 
the  year  1824,  and  located  in  Jennings  County,  and  came  to  Tipton 
County  in  1854.  Mr.  L.  Johnson  died  in  October,  1869,  and  his  wife  is 
still  living,  and  is  the  oldest  person  in  Liberty  Township.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Jennings  County,  Ind.,  March  29,  1826,  where 
he  was  reared  and  educated.  He  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  at  North 
Vernon,  Ind.,  and  February  27,  1854,  located  in  Sharpsville,  where  he 
pursued  his  trade  until  1864.  He  then  enlisted  in  Company  G,  One 
Hundred  and  Fortieth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infimtry,  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war ;  he  was  discharged  at  Greensboro,  N.  C,  and 
was  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis  ;  he  then  returned  to  Sharpsville  and 
worked  at  his  trade  until  the  fall  of  1869,  when  he  sold  out  and  removed 
to  Indianapolis.  He  continued  in  the  same  occupation  until  March,  1871, 
when  he  located  at  Walesboro,  Bartholomew  Co.,  Ind.,  and  one  year  later 
returned  to  Sharpsville,where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  manufact- 


342  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

ure  of  wagons  and  buggies,  in  general  blacksmithing  and  custom  work. 
Mr.  Johnson  was  married  in  Jennings  County,  Ind.,  November  7,  1854, 
to  Miss  Ruth  E.  Johnson,  a  native  of  Jennings  County,  and  daughter  of 
Barnett  P.  and  Lucy  (Merrell)  Johnson.  This  union  is  blessed  with  one 
child — Elmer  E.  Mr.  Johnson  is  an  active  politician  in  the  Republican 
party,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

MARTIN  KENDAL,  son  of  Adam  and  Araminta  (McKenney) 
Kendal,  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  February  19,  1833.  Here 
he  lived  until  he  was  ten  years  of  age,  when  he  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Henry  County,  Ind.,  and  was  there  reared  and  educated;  he  has  al- 
ways followed  agricultural  pursuits,  and  was  a  renter  until  1850,  when  he 
came  to  Tipton  County  and  purchased  160  acres  of  wild  land,  upon 
which  he  still  lives ;  he  has  improved  and  added  to  this,  and  now  has  a 
fine  farm  of  200  acres,  with  an  eight-room  brick  dwelling,  and  all  neces- 
sary outbuildings.  Mr.  Kendal  began  life  a  poor  man,  but  has  been 
successful,  and  has  accumulated  sufficient  means  to  enable  him  to  live 
comfortably.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  has  served 
as  Supervisor  for  some  time.  Mr.  Kendal  was  married  in  Tipton  County, 
Ind.,  to  Miss  Louisa  J.  Walker,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth 
(Goar)  Walker.  She  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Va.,  February  24, 
1829.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  eight  children — Mary  E.,  Mel- 
vina,  Nancy  E.,  Sarah  C,  Henry  A.,  Martha  A.  (deceased),  Willis  A. 
and  Nora  J. 

OREMEL  LEE,  son  of  David  and  Harriet  (Murdock)  Lee,  natives 
of  Kentucky  and  Virginia,  was  born  in  Oxford,  Ohio,  March  8,  1819 : 
he  lived  there  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  removed  with 
his  parents  to  Wayne  County,  Ind. ;  he  worked  on  a  farm  and  subse- 
quently learned  the  wagon-maker's  trade;  he  then  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade,  and  worked  at  this  until  1854,  when  he  came  to  Tipton  County, 
locating  at  Nevada.  He  remained  there  four  years  working  at  his  trade, 
and  in  1858  purchased  his  present  place  of  120  acres  in  Liberty  Town- 
ship ;  he  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  township,  and  has  improved  his 
place  and  made  it  a  fine  farm;  he  was  married  in  Madison  County,  Ind., 
January  10,  1851,  to  Rachel  Ballew,  daughter  of  Lindsay  and  Nancy 
(Sims)  Ballew.  This  union  has  been  crowned  with  seven  children — Flor- 
ence E.,  Hattie  M.,  Roxy  M.,  Orlany  R.,  Frank  0.,  Billey  J.  and  Orange 
H.  (deceased).  Mrs.  Lee  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  Mr.  Lee  is  an  active  politician  in  the  Democratic  ranks. 

D.  F.  LINDSAY,  M.  D.,  son  of  Joseph  and  Elenor  (Montgomery) 
Lindsay,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  Scott 
County,  Ky.,   October  30,  1818,  and  seven  years  later  removed  with  his 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP.  343 

parents  to  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  where  he  received  his  education.  He 
then  located  at  Middletown,  Shelby  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  read  medicine  a 
year  under  Dr.  Robbins,  of  that  place.  He  then  returned  to  Decatur 
County,  and  taught  school  for  some  time,  after  which  he  engaged  in 
farming  one  season.  He  then  located  at  Greensburg,  Decatur  County, 
and  resumed  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Armington,  and  in  1844  lo- 
cated at  St.  Louis,  Bartholomew  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
duties  of  his  profession  six  years.  He  attended  a  course  of  lectures  at 
Jefferson  College,  Louisville,  Ky.,  after  which  he  returned  to  St.  Louis 
and  remained  in  active  practice  about  nine  years,  when  he  retired  from 
his  profession.  In  1858,  he  came  to  Tipton  County,  and  settled  on  his 
present  place  of  180  acres,  half  a  mile  south  of  Sharpsville.  As  an  ac- 
complishment, the  Doctor  has  read  and  studied  law,  has  been  admitted 
to  the  Tipton  County  bar,  and  has  practiced  about  fifteen  years.  He 
has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  both  Bartholomew  and  Tipton  Counties, 
and  in  1860  was  elected  Treasurer  of  Liberty  Township,  and  was  re- 
elected in  1861.  He  was  married  in  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  October  30, 
1844,  to  Maria  Sidwell.  They  have  three  children — Annie  B.,  George 
B.  and  John  F.  Dr.  Lindsay  is  an  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.  and  a  Republican, 
and  his  wife  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

GEORGE  W.  McGEE  was  born  November  15,  1848,  in  Decatur 
County,  Ind.,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Youngraan)  McGee,  both 
of  German  extraction.  George  was  reared  on  a  farm,  his  father  remov- 
ing to  Tipton  County  in  1850,  and  settling  on  the  bank  of  Mud  Creek, 
above  Sharpsville.  By  industry,  the  family  made  one  of  the  finest 
farms  of  this  county.  George  received  a  fair  education,  considering  the 
pioneer  condition  of  the  country.  He  lived  with  his  parents  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  was  married,  April  30,  1870,  to 
Hattie  Turner,  daughter  of  Nathan  Turner,  of  Rush  County.  He  has, 
by  diligence  and  economy,  accumulated  a  fair  fortune,  being  at  present 
the  largest  stock  and  grain  dealer  in  the  county.  In  politics,  he  has  al- 
ways been  a  Democrat.  In  1882,  he  was  elected  Trustee  of  Liberty, 
which  office  he  still  fills  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  the 
public. 

JACOB  G.  OFF,  Commissioner  of  Tipton  County,  is  a  native  of 
Wurtemberg,  Germany,  and  was  born  December  25,  1839.  In  1854,  he 
came  to  America  and  at  once  proceeded  to  Indianapolis,  where  he  for 
seven  years  attended  night  school,  working  during  the  day  in  order  to 
pay  the  expense  of  instruction.  During  his  residence  in  that  city,  he 
also  served  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  and 
followed  that  vocation  until  1863,  when  he  entered  into  partnership  with 
his  two  brothers  in  the  saw   mill  and  lumber  business.     They  operated 


344  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  : 

two  mills,  one  at  Indianapolis  and  the  other  at  Jackson  Station  in  Tipton 
County.  In  1872,  Mr.  Off  removed  with  his  family  to  Tipton  County ; 
in  1873,  the  Off  Brothers  sold  their  saw  mill  and  our  subject  then  turned 
his  attention  to  farming  on  a  tract  of  land  which  had  been  purchased 
while  in  the  milling  business,  because  of  its  valuable  timber.  It  con- 
tained 400  acres  situated  in  Liberty  and  Cicero  Townships.  The  farm 
has  now  180  acres  cleared,  which  laborious  feat  was  performed  by  Mr. 
Off  himself.  On  this  farm  he  produces  a  large  amount  of  corn  and 
wheat  ;  he  keeps  a  fair  amount  of  cattle  and  other  stock,  and  sells  from 
fifty  to  eighty  head  of  hogs    every  season.     Mr.    Off  was    married  at  , 

Indianapolis  on  the  11th  day  of  April,  186(3,  to  Miss  Mary  Karthauser.  * 

They  have  four  children,  namely,  Emma  R.,  Edward  C,  Carrie  W.  and 
Oscar  C.  Religiously,  he  inclines  to  the  Lutheran  Church,  in  which 
faith  he  was  reared.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat,  by  which  party 
he  has  been  three  times  elected   to  the  ofiice  of  County  Commissioner. 

JOHN  E.  PRATT,  son  of  Bennett  and  Araminta  Pratt,  natives  of 
Maryland,  was  born  in  Queen  Anne  County,  Md.,  May  25,  1830. 
He  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  State,  and  in  1849  came  with 
his  mother  to  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  where  they  resided  a  short  time. 
They  removed  to  Burlington,  Rush  County,  where  our  subject  learned  the 
wagon-maker's  trade.  He  followed  this  for  about  five  years,  after  which  he 
turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  until  1858.  During  this  time, 
he  read  and  studied  medicine  as  an  accomplishment,  and  has  never  prac- 
ticed. He  next  located  in  Tipton  County,  where  he  worked  eleven  years 
at  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  in  1870  located  on  his  present  place  of  160 
acres.  This  he  has  improved  until  now  it  is  one  of  the  finest  farms  in 
the  township.  He  also  owns  a  small  farm  of  thirty  acres  in  Prairie  Town- 
ship. Mr.  Pratt  was  married  in  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  May  5,  1870,  to 
Rosa  E.  Burns,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Maria  (Hendricks)  Burns.  She 
was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  December  16,  1840.  They  have 
three  children — Mary  C,  Thomas  B.  and  Sarah  A.  Mr.  Pratt,  politi- 
cally, is  not  a  party  man,  but  is  rather  conservative  in  his  views. 

THOMAS  G.  PRATT,  son  of  Bennett  and  Arminta  M.  Pratt,  na- 
tives of  Maryland,  was  born  in  Queen  Anne  County,  Md.,  December  24, 
1882.  Here  he  remained  until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age,  when  he  was 
taken  by  his  sister  to  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  where  he  acquired  a  common 
school  education.  Leaving  his  adopted  home,  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand 
five  years,  after  which  he  farmed,  in  partnership  with  J.  B,  Cood,  for 
three  years.  Hoping  to  better  his  fortune,  he  came  to  the  rural  district 
of  Tipton  County  in  1857,  and  located  on  his  present  place.  He  at  first 
had  120  acres,  but  now  has  a  farm  of  520  acres,  in  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion and  stocked  with    choice  short-horn    cattle.     Mr.  Pratt  has  on  his 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP.  345 

place  a  large  tile  factory,  with  capacity  to  manufacture  100,000  tiles  per 
year.  He  was  married  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  May  18, 1854,  to  Sarah 
M.  Nash.  She  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  July  22,  1837,  and 
is  the  daughter  of  Richard  and  Margaret  (Moflett)  Nash,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pratt  have  two  children — Bennett  R.  and  Will- 
iam. They  have  taken  great  pains  in  educating  their  children.  Both 
sons  have  had  considerable  experience  as  school  teachers.  Mr.  Pratt  is  a 
prominent  citizen  and  an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party. 

JOHN  B.  REEDER  is  the  eldest  of  eleven  children  born  to  Joseph 
H.  and  Susanna  (Lindley)  Reeder.  His  father  was  born  in  Wayne 
County,  Ind.,  May  30,  1830,  and  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native 
State.  For  many  years  he  followed  agricultural  pursuits  in  Howard 
County,  Ind.,  but  his  latter  days  were  spent  at  Nevada,  where  he  engaged 
in  merchandising;  he  was  married  in  Howard  County,  June  5,  1850,  to 
Susanna  Lindley,  who  was  born  in  Howard  County  January  27,  1836. 
After  many  years  of  usefulness,  Joseph  H.  Reeder  departed  this  life  on 
January  29,  1875.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Howard 
County,  Ind.,  January  5,  1853 ;  he  received  a  liberal  education,  and  in 
1874  became  a  partner  with  his  father  in  merchandising  at  Nevada, 
where  they  continued  business  about  four  months ;  then  he  became  suc- 
cessor to  the  firm,  and  conducted  the  business  until  1877,  when  he  sold 
his  stock  and  turned  his  attention  to  farming;  he  still  follows  this  occu- 
pation, and  has  a  comfortable  home  located  at  Nevada.  Mr.  Reeder  was 
married  in  Richmond,  Ind.,  October  25,  1875,  to  Martha  Ricketts,  daugh- 
ter of  Garrett  and  Alice  (Manford)  Ricketts,  natives  of  Indiana.  She 
was  born  in  Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  September  6,  1856.  By  this 
union  they  have  three  children — Flora  N.,  Effie  May  and  Thomas  M. 
Mr.  Reeder  is  an  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  politically,  stands  firm  for  the  Democ- 
racy. His  wife  is  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

JAMES  N.  RICHARDS  is  the  son  of  Elias  and  Sarah  (Jones) 
Richards,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  His  parents  emigrated  to  Indiana 
in  an  early  day,  and  settled  in  Hamilton  County,  where  our  subject  was 
born  January  22,  1838.  When  twelve  years  of  age,  he  removed  with  his 
father  to  Washington  County,  where  he  served,  an  apprenticeship  at  the 
cabinet-maker's  trade ;  he  then  worked  on  a  farm  until  1856,  when  he 
came  to  Howard  County  and  attended  school  one  winter  ;  he  subsequently 
farmed  on  rented  land  until  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  F 
Eighty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  Corporal.  The 
first  fifteen  months  he  did  garrison  duty  at  Fort  Pickering,  Tenn.,  during 
which  time  he  sufi"ered  severely  from  sickness.  When  he  regained  his 
health,  he  was  transferred  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  near  St.  Louis,  and  was 


346  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHfeS: 

subsequently  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  and  remained 
until  July  17,  1865,  when  he  was  discharged.  He  then  followed  agri- 
cultural pursuits  until  1879,  when  he  located  on  his  present  place  of  240 
acres.  He  has  also  on  his  farm  a  heading  factory  and  saw  mill.  Mr. 
Richards  has  filled  the  positions  of  School  Director  and  Supervisor;  he 
was  married  in  Howard  County,  in  April,  1857,  to  Almeda  Poff,  a  native 
of  Indiana.  She  died  in  1864,  leaving  three  children — John  M.,  William 
and  Elias  M.  Mr.  Richards  married  his  present  wife,  Mrs.  Louisa  R. 
Jordon,  in  Tipton  County,  August  10,  1865.  They  have  three  children — 
Walter  M.,  Elisha  0.  and  James  M.  Mrs.  Richards  has,  by  her  former 
marriage,  one  child — John  C.  Jordon,  Mr.  Richards  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  the  Republican  party,  and  he  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

W.  A.  ROBINSON,  harness-maker  and  saddler,  and  Postmaster  at 
Sharpsville,  was  born  in  Paris,  Ind.,  September  17,  1832,  where  he  was 
reared  and  educated.  He  is  the  son  of  S.  M.  and  Sarah  (Bull)  Robin- 
son, natives  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky  respectively.  His  parents  came 
to  Indiana  about  1828,  and  settled  in  Paris,  his  father  being  a  pioneer 
merchant  of  that  place.  After  our  subject  had  completed  his  studies,  he 
served  as  an  apprentice  at  the  harness  and  saddler's  trade  at  Paris,  and 
in  1854  came  to  Sharpsville,  where  he  engaged  in  this  business  until  1858. 
He  then  located  at  Madison,  Ind.,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  until 
1861,  when  he  entered  the  Government  service  and  remained  in  the 
Quartermaster  Department  until  1864.  He  was  captured  at  Mt.  Ster- 
ling, Ky.,  and  held  under  guard  eight  days,  when  he  was  paroled.  In 
1865,  he  returned  to  Sharpsville,  where  he  has  since  engaged  in  the 
harness  and  saddler's  trade.  He  has  served  as  Postmaster  since  1865,. 
having  received  his  appointment  through  President  Lincoln.  Mr.  Robin- 
son was  married  in  Madison,  Ind.,  May  30,  1855,  to  Miss  Diana  V. 
Coffman,  daughter  of  John  and  Virginia  (Kile)  Coffman,  both  natives  of 
Virginia,  who  settled  in  Madison,  Ind.,  in  1818.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robin- 
son have  had  two  children — Mrs.  Mattie  A.  Franklin,  of  Elkhart,  Ind., 
and  Mrs.  Dora  M.  Wells,  of  Sharpsville.  Mr.  Robinson  has  served  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.,  and  has  taken  thirty- 
two  degrees  in  the  F.  &  A.  M.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

D.  P.  RLTBUSH,  physician,  is  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  C.  (Paul) 
Rubush,  of  Virginia.  His  father  was  a  minister  in  the  United  Brethren 
Church  until  his  death,  which  occurred  December  16, 1882.  Dr.  Rubush 
was  born  in  Rockingham  County,  Va.,  November  25,  1847.  At  the  age- 
of  seven,  he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Washington  County,  Tenn., 
where  he  attended  school  until  1863 ;  he  then  came  to  Indiana  and  at- 


« 


LIBERTY  TOWNSHIP. 


347 


tended  one  term  of  school  at  Hartsville  University,  Hartsford,  Ind.  He 
then  engaged  in  farming  a  short  time,  and  subsequently  enlisted  in  the 
Twenty-fifth  Indiana  Light  Battery  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  participated  in  a  battle  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  others  less  impor- 
tant. After  he  was  discharged,  he  attended  school  in  Tennessee  at  Laurel 
Hill  Academy,  graduating  from  that  institution  in  1867  ;  he  then  entered 
the  ministry  in  the  United  Brethren  Church  and  was  ordained  in  1871. 
He  did  circuit  duty  one  year  in  Tennessee,  two  years  in  Ohio  and  one 
year  in  Indiana.  During  this  time,  he  studied  medicine  in  his  leisure. 
He  retired  from  the  ministry  in  1873,  and  in  the  fall  of  1874  entered  the 
Indiana  Medical  College  at  Indianapolis,  where  he  studied  two  terms ; 
he  then  located  at  Jackson  Station,  Tipton  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  practiced 
medicine  two  years;  he  located  at  Sharpsville  in  February,  1879,  where 
he  is  now  engaged  in  the  duties  of  his  profession.  He  was  married  in 
Marion  County,  Ind.,  March  17,  1869,  to  Miss  Rachel  Ponder,  of  In- 
diana. They  have  five  children— Jacob  C,  Allie  I.,  Carl,  Ethel  M.  and 
Lela.  Dr.  Rubush  is  a  worthy  citizen,  and  politically  is  identified  with 
the  Republican  party. 

WILLIAM  SMITH,  son  of  Samuel  Smith,  a  native  of  Virginia, 
was  born  in  Greenbrier  County,  Va.,  December  5,  1826,  and  at  the  age 
of  eight  years  moved  with  his  parents  to  Madison  County,  Ind.  Subse- 
quently they  removed  to  Hendricks  County,  where  our  subject  grew  to 
manhood ;  he  then  purchased  a  small  farm  where  he  remained  until  18o-2, 
when  he  came  to  Tipton  County  and  purchased  160  acres  which  he  culti- 
vated. He  is  a  practical  farmer  and  has  accumulated  a  handsome  estate 
of  575  acres,  part  of  which  lies  in  the  suburbs  of  Sharpsville ;  he  also 
owns  town  property  ;  he  at  one  time  owned  and  operated  the  flouring 
mills  at  Sharpsville,  but  is  now  leading  a  retired  life  on  one  of  his  farms. 
He  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  improving  the  public  roads  of  the  county, 
having  served  as  Supervisor  for  ten  years.  Mr.  Smith  was  married  in 
Rush  County  March  12,  1851,  to  Mary  Stephenson,  of  Indiana.  She 
died  in  1877,  leaving  three  children— Sarah  A.,  Samuel  J.  and  William. 
He  married  his  present  wife,  Mrs.  Cynthia  Smith,  in  Tipton  County,  June 
27,  1878.  She  was  born  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  March  18,  1846. 
They  have  two  children— Mary  B.  and  Leona  E.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Republican  party,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Smith  came  to  Tipton  County  in  1852  with 
limited  means,  but  to-day  is  one  of  the  wealthiest  citizens  in  the  county. 
W.  H.  SPURLIN  is  the  son  of  Joshua  and  Hester  (Layman)  Spur- 
lin,  both  natives  of  Ohio.  His  parents  came  to  Indiana  in  1833,  and 
located  on  a  farm  in  Shelby  County.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  June  16,  1833,  and  shortly  removed  with 


348  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

his  parents  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated. 
In  1853,  he  located  on  a  farm  in  Shelby  County,  where  he  followed  agri- 
cultural pursuits  eighteen  years.  In  1860,  he  was  ordained  as  a  minister 
of  the  Separate  Baptist  Church,  and  has  since  engaged  in  that  labor.  He 
had  charge  of  Pleasant  Grove  Church  in  Shelby  County  three  years  ;  of 
Mt.  Zion  Church,  Shelby  County,  six  years;  and,  in  1872,  came  to  Tip- 
ton County  and  located  on  his  present  place.  He  now  has  charge  of 
Rock  Prairie  Church,  of  this  county,  and  Union  Church,  of  Howard 
County.  Mr.  Spurlin  has  been  actively  engaged  in  ministerial  work  for 
twenty  years,  has  baptized  many  converts  and  preached  many  funeral  dis- 
courses. He  was  married,  in  Shelby  County,  Ind.^  November  17,  1853, 
to  Serena  Lemar,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Rosanna  (Lee)  Lemar,  natives 
of  Indiana  and  Virginia.  Miss  Lemar  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ind., 
January  20,  1886.  By  this  union  they  have  six  children — Exlina, 
James  F.,  Rosanna,  Hester,  Charley  and  Mary  A.  Mr.  Spurlin  is  a 
prominent  citizen,  is  identified  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  one  of 
its  most  active  members. 

HENRY  TOLLE  is  the  son  of  Benjamin  and  Nancy  (Applegate) 
Tolle,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  His  parents 
came  to  Indiana  in  an  early  day  and  settled  in  Rush  County  on  a  farm. 
Henry  Tolle  was  born  in  Rush  County  April  10,  1839,  and  was  there 
reared  and  educated.  In  1861,  he  came  to  Tipton  County  and  settled  on 
his  present  place.  He  started  with  thirty  acres,  which  he  began  to  clear 
and  improve,  and  now  has  a  fine  farm  of  170  acres,  with  large,  brick 
dwelling,  erected  at  a  cost  of  $4,000.  He  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in 
improving  the  public  highways,  having  served  three  terms  as  Supervisor. 
He  was  married,  in  Howard  County,  Ind.,  January  10,  1864,  to  Sarah  L. 
Witson,  a  native  of  Missouri,  born  March  15,  1844.  She  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Elias  A.  and  Nancy  (Garner)  Witson.  Mrs.  Tolle  died  in  Tipton 
County  May  14,  1872,  leaving  one  child — Clara.  Mr.  Tolle  was  next 
married  to  Minerva  A.  Witson,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife.  She  was  born 
in  Howard  County  September  5,  1851,  and  died  in  Tipton  County  May 
3,  1877.  By  this  union  they  had  one  child — Fred.  Mr.  Tolle  came  to 
Tipton  County  in  1861  with  about  $50,  and  now  has  a  good  farm  well 
stocked  with  fine  horses.  He  is  a  prominent  farmer,  and  a  stanch  mem- 
ber of  the  Democratic  party. 

JOSEPH  TURNER,  son  of  Nathan  and  Sarah  (Murphey)  Turner, 
natives  of  Ohio,  was  born  in  Ohio  July  15,  1836,  and  during  his  infancy 
was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Fountain  County,  Ind.,  and  eight  years  later 
his  father  removed  to  Rush  County,  where  our  subject  was  reared  and 
received  the  benefits  of  the  common  schools.  He  rented  land  in  Rush 
County  five  years,  and  in  1864  came  to  Tipton  County  and  settled  on  160 


PRAIRIE  TOWNSHIP.  349 

acres  of  unimproved  land.  This  he  cultivated  until  1876,  when  he  locat- 
ed on  his  present  place  of  120  acres.  Mr.  Turner  was  married,  in  Fayette 
County,  Ind.,  November  8,  1857,  toElenor  J.  Nash,  daughter  of  Richard 
and  Margaret  (Moffet)  Nash,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  She  was  born  in 
Fayette  County,  Ind.,  June  20,  1833.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with 
three  children — Marion  T.,born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  October  15, 1858, 
and  died  March  4,  1864  ;  Sarah  M.,  born  in  Rush  County  July  27, 1860, 
and  died  March  7,  1864,  and  Laura  A.,  born  in  Tipton  County  February 
10,  1865,  and  died  September  18,  1867.  Mr.  Turner  came  to  Tipton 
County  in  1864  with  limited  means,  but  by  his  industry  and  good  judg- 
ment he  has  accumulated  a  comfortable  estate,  despite  his  heavy  loss  by 
security.  Mr.  Turner  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  in  pol- 
itics votes  the  Republican  ticket. 

J.  S.  ULRICK,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Magdalene  (Kline)  Ulrick, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  Union  County,  Penn.,  September 
17,  1826,  and  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  State.  In  1850,  he 
came  to  Indiana  and  located  in  Sharpsville,  with  only  $5  in  Spanish  and 
Mexican  coin,  bearing  dates  of  the  seventeenth  and  beginning  of  the 
eighteenth  centuries.  He  still  has  these  coins  in  his  possession.  He  found 
ready  employment  at  the  plasterer's  trade,  which  he  learned,  together 
with  brick-laying.  This  he  followed  successfully  about  twenty-six  years. 
In  1868,  he  purchased  forty  acres  of  his  present  place,  to  which  he  has 
been  adding  until  now  he  has  200  acres  of  well-improved  land,  besides 
town  property.  He  served  as  Constable  in  1857  and  1858.  He  was  mar- 
ried, in  Madison,  Ind.,  December  28,  1854,  to  Mary  J.  Naylor,  born  in 
Ripley  County,  Ind.,  December  10,  1829,  and  daughter  of  William  D. 
and  Eliza  (Brown)  Naylor,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  This  union 
has  been  blessed  with  five  children — Tommie  D.,  Lot  S.,  Silas  A., 
Rinaldo  K.  (deceased),  and  Perry  E.  (deceased).  Mr.  Ulrick  is  conserva- 
tive in  his  political  views.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  he  and  wife  are  identified  with  the  Lutheran  Church. 


PRAIRIE  TOWNSHIP. 
MATTHEW  ANDERSON  was  born  in  Warren  County,  Ohio,  Janu- 
ary 22.  1821.  His  parents  were  Isaiah,  born  May  25,  1779,  and  Eliza- 
beth (Collings)  Anderson.  They  were  married  July  11,  1802,  in  New 
Jersey,  their  native  State.  The  previous  year  both  of  them  voted  for 
Thomas  Jefferson  for  President,  the  l;iws  of  New  Jersey  permitting  women 
to  vote.  Isaiah  died  in  1855,  and  his  wife  in  1850.  Matthew,  the  only 
survivor  of  a  family  of  five  children,  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  lived  with 


350  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

his  parents  until  his  father  died.  In  1850,  he  entered  forty  acres  of  land 
in  Tipton  County,  which  he  still  owns.  In  1857,  he  commenced  working 
on  this  land;  being  then  single,  he  for  a  long  time  lived  alone  in  his 
cabin.  He  added  to  his  farm  from  year  to  year,  and  now  owns  over  200 
acres  of  fine  land.  June  7,  1881,  he  was  married  to  Hulda  J.  Rollings, 
of  Clinton  County,  Ind.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  one  child, 
Charlie,  who  is  still  living.  Matthew  in  his  youth  received  a  fair  common 
school  education.  He  has  had  his  share  in  the  development  of  the  county. 
The  money  with  which  he  purchased  his  first  fifty-eight  acres  was  ob- 
tained by  working  at  50  cents  a  day.     Mr.  Anderson  is  a  Democrat. 

GEORGE  W.  BALDWIN,  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Prairie 
Township,  was  born  in  New  Castle  County,  Del.,  April  19,  1811  ;  he  is 
the  fourth  of  six  children  of  the  family  of  Samuel  and  Rebecca  Baldwin, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Scotch  and  English  descent  respectively  ; 
Samuel's  grandfather  was  one  of  the  companions  of  William  Penn,  on 
his  voyage  to  the  New  World,  and  was  present  when  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia was  laid  out.  Our  subject  remained  with  his  parents  untiHie 
was  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  his  education  consisted  of  the  limited  cur- 
riculum of  the  public  schools  of  that  day  ;  the  most  beneficial  course  of  study 
pursued  by  him  was  during  an  attendance  of  six  months  at  the  Knights- 
town,  Ind.,  public  schools,  after  he  had  passed  his  twenty-fifth  year  ;  when 
seventeen  years  old,  he  commenced  working  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  and 
continued  until  he  was  forty  years  of  age,  a  part  of  which  time  uniting 
the  business  of  a  millwright.  He  located  in  Prairie  Township,  of  this 
(Tipton)  county,  in  the  fall  of  1851,  on  a  tract  of  land  containing  400 
acres,  which  is  his  present  farm  and  place  of  residence.  When  he  re- 
moved to  Tipton  County,  he  was  the  owner  of  320  acres  of  land  in  Dela- 
ware County,  Ind.,  which  he  has  since  disposed  of,  and  invested  the  pro- 
ceeds in  Howard  County  soil ;  he  never  received  any  assistance  in  a  fi- 
nancial way,  and  has  become  the  possessor  of  his  present  property  by 
good  management  and  hard  toil ;  he  has  been  twice  married,  the  first 
time  to  Miss  Sarah  Hopper,  February  5,  1833  ;  this  lady  died  October 
10,  1833 ;  hia  second  marriage  occurred  December  26,  1839,  to  Miss 
Margaret  Myers,  by  whom  he  is  the  father  of  four  children,  viz.:  Will- 
iam F.  (deceased),  born  February  4,1842;  Charles  L.,  born  July  14, 
1843  ;  Hannah  J.  (deceased),  born  April  9,  1845  ;  and  Isadora  M.  (now 
Thompson),  born  March  22,  1849.  He  is  again  a  widow  er,  his  wife 
Margaret  having  departed  this  life  December  16,  1882  ;  he  has  given 
each  of  his  children  a  start  in  life,  and  has  sufficient  remaining  to  supply- 
him  comfortably  in  his  old  age  ;  he  is,  and  his  wife  was,  aconsistent  mem 
ber  of  the  Friends'  Church  ;  politically,  he  was  a  Whig  until  the  dissolu- 
tion of  that  party,  when  he  became,  and  has  ever  since  been,  a  Repub- 
lican ;  he  is  in  every  sense  a  commendable  citizen. 


PRAIRIE  TOWNSHIP.  351 

SAMUEL  BIDDINGER,  manufacturer  of  tile,  of  Prairie  Town- 
ship, was  born  in  Dearborn  County,  Ind.,  November  12,  1852,  and 
is  the  first  of  a  family  of  three  children  born  to  Aaron  J.,  and  Malinda 
(Hamilton)  Biddinger ;  the  former  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  the  latter  of 
Indiana,  and  respectively  of  German  and  Irish  extraction ;  his  father 
dying  when  he  was  about  eleven  years  of  age,  himself  and  mother  made 
their  home  with  his  maternal  grandfather,  James  Hamilton  ;  here  he  re- 
mained until  his  twenty-second  year.  The  routine  of  life  in  his  youth 
was  labor  on  the  farm  in  the  summer,  and  attendance  at  the  district  school 
in  the  winter,  from  which  he  gleaned  a  good  practical  education ;  starting 
in  life  with  no  capital  to  advance  him  but  his  energy  and  pluck,  he  has 
become  the  owner  of  a  half  interest  in  a  tile  factory,  in  which  he  at 
first  labored  for  daily  wages  ;  the  factory  is  now  doing  a  business  of  about 
$1,400  annually,  and  having  rented  the  interest  of  his  partner,  Mr. 
Thompson,  who  has  the  management  of  a  large  farm  to  occupy  his  time, 
he  is  now  making  preparations  to  increase  the  capacity  of  the  factory. 
He  was  married  in  Prairie  Township,  March  2,  1876,  to  Miss  Isabella 
Lee,  daughter  of  William  and  Neoma  (Chambers)  Lee,  both  of  Irish  ex- 
traction, and  of  whose  family  of  seven  children,  she  was  the  third.  They 
had  two  children,  viz.:  William  A.,  born  January  21,  1877,  and  Florence, 
born  February  19,  1879,  and  departed  this  life  August  19,  1880.  Mrs. 
Biddinger  died  July  18,  1880.  He  now  is,  and  his  wife  was,  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Friends'  Church.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is 
one  of  its  most  active  workers  ;  he  is  an  enterprising  young  man,  and 
has  fine  prospects  for  the  future. 

THOMAS  J.  BROOKS,  Trustee  of  Prairie  Township,  and  one  of 
the  most  enterprising  farmers,  was  born  in  Hart  County,  Ky.,  January 
8,  1844.  He  is  the  son  of  James  L.  and  Lucinda  (Woodward)  Brooks, 
natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  descent,  and  is  the  fifth  child  in  a 
family  of  nine  children.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  had  few  educa- 
tional advantages.  He  came  to  Tipton  County  in  1865,  with  his  parents, 
who  located  on  a  farm  of  forty  acres  in  Prairie  Township.  This  the 
father,  with  the  assistance  of  his  sons,  made  one  of  the  neatest  little 
farms  in  the  township.  Since  his  father's  death,  Thomas  has  become 
the  possessor  of  the  home  place,  and  has  made  it  his  residence.  On 
starting  in  life,  he  had  no  assistance  from  any  source,  and  has  become 
the  owner  of  what  little  property  he  now  has  by  hard  work  and  shrewd, 
economical  management.  He  has  succeeded,  by  close  application,  in 
acquiring  considerable  knowledge,  and  is  regarded  by  his  friends  and  ac- 
quaintances as  a  well-informed  man.  During  the  late  rebellion,  he  en- 
listed in  the  Ninth  Kentucky  Cavalry,  Company  B,  under  Jacobs,  and, 
during  a  service  of  twelve  months,  participated  in  several   engagements. 


352  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

the  principal  being  the  battle  of  Perryville.  Politically,  he  has  always 
been  a  Democrat,  and  at.  the  spring  election  of  1882  he  was  elected 
Trustee  of  his  township  by  a  large  majority,  and  is  now  discharging  the 
duties  of  that  office.     He  is  an  honest,  capable  and  energetic  young  man. 

JOSEPH  A.  CAMPBELL,  farmer  and  plasterer,  of  Prairie  Town- 
ship, was  born  in  Brown  County,  Ind.,  July  18,  1838.  He  is  the  son  of 
William  and  Nancy  (Spears)  Campbell,  and  is  the  third  of  a  family  of 
twelve  children,  nine  of  whom  are  still  living  in  the  immediate  neighbor- 
hood of  our  subject.  Joseph  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  had  no  oppor- 
tunities for  obtaining  an  education.  He  remained  with  his  parents  until 
twenty-three  years  old.  On  the  24th  of  August,  1861,  he  was  married 
to  Mary  J.  Burns,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Maria  Burns.  This  marriage  has  brought  him  seven  children,  five  of 
whom  are  yet  living.  After  his  marriage,  he  learned  the  plastering  and 
carpentering  trades,  which  he  has  since  followed  in  connection  with  farm- 
ing. His  only  capital  on  starting  in  life  was  a  determination  to  succeed, 
and  moving  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  as  a  renter,  and  which  was  then  in 
an  undeveloped  state,  he  improved  it,  and  in  1870  purchased  it.  Now  it 
is  under  excellent  cultivation,  well  supplied  with  all  necessary  buildings, 
and  ornamented  by  a  neat  residence,  which  stands  in  the  place  of  one  con- 
sumed by  fire  August  11,  1881.  His  wife  died  February  12,  1881,  and, 
being  left  with  five  small  children,  and  unable  to  attend  properly 
to  their  interest,  he  married,  December  24,  1882,  Miss  Abigail  Jones, 
born  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  September  4,  1836.  He  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church  for  twelve  years,  his  wife  and  elder  children 
also  being  identified  therewith.  He  has  accumulated  a  sufficiency  for  his 
declining  years.  He  is  a  man  of  industrious  habits,  formed  through  the 
experience  of  a  pioneer.  Mr.  Campbell  is  of  temperate  habits,  and  is 
charitable  and  public  spirited. 

JAMES  M.  CAMPBELL  was  born  in  Brown  County,  Ind.,  May 
27,  1843  ;  his  parents  were  William  and  Nancy  (Spears)  Campbell ;  they 
located  in  Prairie  Township  in  1843.  William  was  born  April  20,  1804, 
and  married  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  August  23, 1832  ;  he  died  January 
25,  1882;  his  wife  was  born  November  20,  1817,  and  died  March  4, 
1883.  They  were  both  natives  of  Kentucky  ;  they  were  highly  respected 
citizens,  and  consistent  members  of  the  Christian  Church  for  many  years. 
Our  subject,  James  M.,  is  the  fifth  child  of  a  family  of  twelve  children, 
nine  of  whom  are  yet  living  ;  he  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  had  very 
limited  educational  opportunities ;  in  his  early  days,  he  was  noted  for 
extreme  inquisitiveness ;  he  was  an  excellent  marksman.  In  1862,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  B,  Seventy-fifth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war ;  he  participated  in  the  engagements  at 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  35S 

Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge  and  Marietta ;  he  was  also  with  Sher- 
man during  his  victorious  march  to  the  sea.  He  was  off  duty  only  a 
few  days,  on  account  of  measles.  On  his  return  home,  he  farmed  for 
one  year.  He  was  married,  November  6,  1867,  to  Miss  Mary  B.  Cole, 
the  second  of  six  children  born  to  Perry  and  Melvina  (Butler)  Cole, 
natives  of  Indiana,  who  located  in  Prairie  Township  in  1858,  where 
they  followed  farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred  October  16,  1862. 
Mollie  was  born  at  the  birthplace  of  her  father  February  28,  1848,  and 
their  union  has  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  four  children,  viz.,  Alfred 
C,  born  September  15,  1868;  Stella  M.,  born  November  6,  1869; 
Conie,  born  March  30,  1879,  and  Guy,  born  November  10,  1881.  James 
M.  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Normanda  Flouring  Mills,  and  success- 
fully followed  milling  for  teh  years;  he  then  sold  out,  and  bought  134 
acres  of  fine  land  joining  the  north  of  Normanda,  and  since  that  time 
has  continued  farming.  Mr.  Campbell  has  energetic  and  industrious 
habits,  is  benevolent  and  active  in  all  public  enterprises ;  he  is  a  firm 
Republican ;  his  wife  has  been  a  Methodist  since  her  girlhood. 

JOSEPH  CARDWELL,  one  of  the  pioneer  farmers  of  Prairie 
Township,  was  born  in  Rockingham  County,  N.  C,  December  14,  1813, 
and  is  of  Irish  and  French  descent ;  his  entire  educational  advantages 
consisted  of  an  attendance  of  ten  weeks  at  school  during  his  boyhood  ; 
in  1836,  he  removed  to  Jefferson  County,  Ind.,  and,  remaining  there  five 
years,  removed  thence  to  Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  whence,  in  1851,  he 
came  to  Tipton  County  and  located  in  Prairie  Township  on  the  farm  hfr 
at  present  owns;  in  1842,  July  10,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Matilda 
Edwards,  and  by  her  has  become  the  father  of  twelve  children,  of  whom 
ten  are  yet  living,  viz. :  Pleasant  P.,  Ann  M.,  Elizabeth,  John  W.,  Clar- 
inda  and  Lorinda  (twins),  James  B.,  Noah,  Mary  Eliza,  Alva.  Lucy  A. 
(died  aged  sixteen),  and  George  B.  M.  (died  aged  two  months).  When 
our  subject  arrived  at  his  new  home,  he  was  accompanied  by  an  invalid 
mother,  his  wife  and  sister,  and  with  scarcely  means  enough  to  provide 
for  the  necessities  of  life ;  his  mother  died  the  year  after  his  arrival,  his 
sister  within  four  years,  and  his  wife  also  departed  this  life  in  1879  ;  he 
has  had  an  experience  requiring  an  unbroken  confidence  and  strong  nerve 
to  withstand ;  he  has  been  a  consistent  member  of  the  Separate  Baptist 
Church  for  forty-three  years,  and  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge 
at  Russiaville,  Ind.  Politically,  he  is  a  stalwart  Democrat,  and  in  1878 
was  elected  by  that  party  to  the  office  of  Assessor  of  his  township,  which 
he  fills  in  a  very  creditable  manner  ;  he  has  several  times  been  appointed 
to  appraise  the  real  estate  of  Prairie  and  Liberty  Townships ;  he  was 
one  of  the  first  Trustees  of  Prairie  , Township ;  his  second  marriage 
was  to  Mrs.  Fidelia   Fiskin,    widow  of    John  Fiskin,  and  a  native    of 


354  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Ohio.  Our  subject  has  a  fine  farm  of  140  acres  under  cultivation  ;  he 
has  recently  erected  a  large  barn.  Surrounded  by  his  family,  consisting 
of  his  wife  and  three  children  yet  at  home,  he  is  prepared  to  enjoy  the 
evening  of  life  in  peace  and  plenty. 

PLEASANT  PERRIN  CARD  WELL,  farmer,  was  born  March  8, 
1845,  in  Jefferson  County,  Ind.;  he  is  the  second  of  a  family  of  twelve 
children,  ten  of  whom  are  yet  living,  born  to  Joseph  and  Caroline  M.  (Ed- 
wards) Cardwell,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  the  former  of  whom  is  of 
English  descent,  and  is  a  farmer  in  Prairie  Township  at  the  present 
time.  Pleasant  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  never  had  the  privilege  of  at- 
tending school  until  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  then  the  terms 
were  very  short;  he  remained  on  the  farm  until  he  was  nirieteen  years  of 
age ;  at  that  time  he  was  married  to  Miss  Julia  A.  Ragan  January  21, 
1864,  the  ceremony  being  performed  by  W.  J.  Tyner;  his  wife  was  the 
second  child  born  to  Thomas  and  Phoebe  Ragan.  This  union  has  been 
crowded  by  the  birth  of  nine  children.  Pleasant  was  included  in  the 
draft  of  1864,  but  was  rejected  as  not  being  an  able-bodied  man.  On 
the  8th  of  October  of  the  same  year,  himself  and  family  being  absent 
from  home,  his  house  and  its  entire  contents  were  consumed  by  fire,  the 
cause  of  which  was  never  known.  Mr.  Cardwell  has  always  been  an  in- 
dustrious, economical  man,  and  has  always  enjoyed  the  confidence  and  es- 
teem of  his  neighbors;  is  a  member  of  Prairieville  Lodge,  No.  554,  of  A., 
F.  &  A.  M.,  having  joined  the  order  in  1880 ;  is  politically  a  Democrat. 

SAMUEL  CARTER,  a  prominent  Prairie  Township  farmer,  was 
born  March  22,  1827.  Mr.  Carter  is  the  third  child  in  a  family  of  six 
born  to  James  and  Martha  (Holaday)  Carter,  natives  of  North  Carolina, 
and  of  Scotch-Irish  descent;  he  was  reared  on  a  farm.  All  the  education 
he  ever  obtained,  was  acquired  from  the  district  school  of  early  days. 
Soon  after  attaining  his  majority,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ruth  Quaken- 
bush,  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Lee)  Quakenbush,  of  Orange 
County,  Ind.,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  English  and  German  de- 
scent respectively.  Their  marriage  has  resulted  in  a  family  of  ten 
children,  of  whom  five  are  living  :  Hannah  E.,  Martha  A.,  Thomas, 
James  I.,  Sarah  E.,  George,  Cyrus,  John  E.,  Oliver  P.  and  Samuel  L. 
Shortly  after  the  birth  of  the  last  child,  his  excellent  wife  departed  this 
life,  December  26,  1866.  Being  left  alone,  with  the  care  of  a  large 
family,  Mr.  Carter  married,  in  September,  1869,  Nancy  C.  Glenns, 
widow  of  Joseph  Glenns,  and  daughter  of  Richard  and  Sarah  (Atwood) 
Wiles,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  This  union  has  been  crowned  by  the 
birth  of  three  children,  viz.;  William  G.,  Mary  E.  and  Laura  B.,  all  of 
whom  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  Carter  came  to  Tipton  County  in  1857, 
locating  on  a  farm  in  Prairie  Township ;  this  he  entered  from  the  Govern- 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  355 

ment.  It  contained  forty  acres  situated  near  Sharpsville;  he  con- 
tinued to  gather  land,  until  he  owned  160  acres ;  he  then  sold  that  piece, 
and  purchased  a  farm  of  130  acres,  located  near  Russiaville,  Ind.,  and 
upon  this  last  purchase  he  now  makes  his  home.  Politically,  he  is  an 
active  worker  of  the  Republican  party,  having  cast  his  first  vote  for 
Zachariah  Taylor  for  President,  in  1848,  and  he  has  been  elected  by  his 
party  to  the  office  of  Trustee  of  his  township.  Mr.  Carter  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  both  himself  and  wife  are  consistent  mem- 
of  the  Baptist  Church. 

THOMAS  CARTER,  a  farmer  of  Prairie  Township,  and  the  son  of 
Samuel  Carter,  was  born  in  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  November  18,  1852. 
Mr.  Carter  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  and  obtained  a  practi- 
cal education  from  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county.  From  the 
age  of  fifteen,  he  labored  as  a  farm  hand  at  the  rate  of  from  $17  to  $20 
per  month.  On  the  2d  day  of  December,  1875,  he  was  married  to  Louisa 
A.  Runk,  born  March  5,  1855,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Margaret  (Rat- 
cliff)  Runk,  of  Howard  County,  descended  from  German  and  English 
ancestors,  and  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Ohio.  His  marriage 
has  been  crowned  by  the  birth  of  two  children — Milton  E.  and  Lillie  E. 
For  about  five  years  after  his  marriage,  he  resided  on  a  farm  in  Howard 
County.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  removed  to  Prairie  Township,  Tip- 
ton County,  and  located  upon  a  farm  of  100  acres,  near  Russiaville, 
where  he  now  resides.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  adheres  strictly 
to  the  precepts  of  his  party;  his  wife  is  a  consistent  and  active  member 
of  the  New-Light  Church. 

AMBROSE  CORN,  a  Prairie  Township  farmer,  was  born  in  Scott 
County,  Ind.,  July  6,  1818;  his  parents  were  John  and  Hannah 
(Spencer)  Corn,  natives  respectively  of  Kentucky  and  Pennsylvania,  and 
of  Irish  descent;  his  father  died  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  in  1837,  and 
his  mother  then  resided  with  him  until  1860,  when  she  also  died.  Am- 
brose was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  is  the  fifth  of  a  family  of  nine  children 
all  of  whom  are  now  dead  save  himself  and  one  sister.  Mr.  Corn  was 
married,  July,  1841,  to  Miss  Catherine  Miller,  of  Johnson  County, 
daughter  of  John  Miller.  In  1843,  he  located  in  Prairie  Township,  Tip- 
ton Co.,  Ind.,  without  a  dollar,  and  with  only  an  ox  team  ;  he  built  a 
cabin  in  the  month  of  March,  and  got  to  housekeeping  by  the  1st  of 
April.  During  the  first  year  of  his  residence,  he  made  baskets  and  traded 
them  in  Hamilton  County  for  corn,  taking  one  load  to  Indianapolis, 
where  he  exchanged  them  for  flour  and  bacon.  When  the  "  reserve  "  land 
came  into  market,  he  disposed  of  all  his  stock  and  personal  property,  and 
secured  enough  money  to  purchase  forty  acres  of  land,  which  now  forms 
a  part  of  his  home,  and  is  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation.     They  have  had 


356  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

the  following  children  :  John,  Mrs.  Rebecca  E.  Gorden,  James,  Asa,  Cal- 
vin, Mrs.  Hannah  J.  Kindal,  Isaac,  Mary  E.,  Ida  C,  Alfred,  William 
(died  in  the  army  1864),  and  David  W.  (died,  aged  two  years).  He  has 
been  a  consistent  member  of  the  Separate  Baptist  Church  for  thirty  years, 
and  is  in  every  respect  a  desirable  citizen.  He  has  always  been  kind  to 
his  afflicted  relatives,  keeping  his  mother  and  mother-in-law  until  their 
death,  in  all  a  period  of  nearly  forty  years,  and  providing  liberally  for 
the  maintenance  of  two  widowed  diaughters.  He  is  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  the  county ;  he  is  a  man  of  broad  sympathies  and  charity,  and  one 
who  has  succeeded  by  industry  in  providing  for  his  declining  years. 
Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  before  the  birth  of  that  party  was  a 
Whig. 

SAMUEL  S.  CRAIL  was  born  in  Allegheny  County,  Penn.,  Au- 
gust 2,  1816  ;  his  parents,  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Boyd)  Crail,  were  of  Eng- 
lish and  Irish  descent  respectively ;  his  great-grandfather  immigrated  to 
this  country  with  Lord  Baltimore  and  settled  in  Maryland.  Our  subject 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  is  the  second  in  a  family  of  five  children,  all  of 
whom  are  living;  his  parents  in  1822,  leaving  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
descended  the  Ohio  River  in  a  flat-boat,  and  landing  at  Madison,  penetrated 
to  the  interior  and  located  near  what  is  now  the  city  of  Greensburg,  Decatur 
Co.,  Ind.  On  December  20, 1888,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Catherine  Weaver. 
By  her  he  is  the  father  of  four  children.  In  1849,  he  removed  to  How- 
ard County,  Ind,,  where  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  excellent  wife. 
On  December  3,  1858,  he  was  again  married.  This  time  to  Elizabeth 
Conwell,  of  Howard  County.  On  the  22d  of  March,  1864,  he  removed 
to  Tipton  County,  and  settled  on  the  farm  which  he  now  owns,  of  120 
acres.  It  was  then  a  swamp,  but  by  industry  he  has  succeeded  in  mak- 
ing it  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county.  He  managed,  during  his 
youth,  to  acquire  as  fair  an  education  as  the  public  schools  of  that  day 
could  furnish.  He  has  filled  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  twenty 
years.  He  has  succeeded  in  accumulating  a  respectable  competence  and 
in  building  up  an  unimpeachable  reputation  ;  he  has  always  been  noted 
for  his  commendable  spirit  of  public  enterprise.  He  has  recently  lost  his 
second  wife,  who  died  October  25,  1882. 

ZALMON  DISBROW  was  born. in  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  December 
18, 1812 ;  he  is  the  son  of  Isaac  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Buritt)  Disbrow,  na- 
tives respectively  of  New  York  and  Connecticut,  and  of  English  descent ; 
his  father  was  a  farmer  and  cooper,  and  moved  to  Johnson  County,  Ind., 
in  1831,  having  married  his  companion  in  1805.  They  remained  in 
Johnson  County  until  their  death,  at  the  ages  respectively  of  eighty- 
seven  and  seventy-seven  years.  Zalmon  was  the  second  of  a  family  of 
eleven  children,  only  three  of  whom  are  now  living,  two  sisters,  besides 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  357 

our  subject,  living  in  Johnson  County.  He  was  reared  on  a  fiirtn  ;  his 
educational  advantages  consisted  of  three  weeks'  schooling,  and  this  after 
he  had  attained  his  majority.  During  his  youth,  he  worked  at  the  cooper 
trade.  In  1835,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  Bowles,  who  died  July 
7,  1837  ;  his  second  marriage  occurred  February  14,  1838,  to  Miss 
Rachael  Massey,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  He  located  in  Prairie  Town- 
ship on  200  acres  of  land,  in  the  woods,  in  1851.  On  this  he  now  resides, 
having  made  it  a  fine  farm  by  his  ceaseless  toil.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Disbrow 
have  had  eleven  children,  ten  of  whom  are  living.  Zalmon  is  an  indus- 
trious citizen,  and  has  succeeded  in  accumulating  a  sufficiency  for  his  old 
age.  He  is  a  fine  Biblical  scholar,  and  is  inclined  to  the  doctrine  of 
Universalism.     Politically,  he  is  a  stalwart  Democrat. 

ENOS  M.  FITZ  SIMMONS,  a  farmer  of  Prairie  Township,  and  a 
native  of  Shelby  County,  Ky.,  was  born  April  12,  1816.  He  is  the 
second  of  a  family  of  ten  children  born  to  Richard  and  Martha  (Miles) 
Fitz  Simmons,  both  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  respectively  of  Irish  and 
English  extraction.  In  company  with  his  parents,  he,  in  1850,  emigrated 
to  Marion  County,  Ind.,  and  thence,  after  a  short  residence,  to  Tipton 
County,  where  he  has  since  resided ;  he  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  ob- 
tained an  ordinary  education  from  the  district  schools.  On  starting  in  life 
he  received  $500,  and  to  this  he  has  added,  and  he  is  now  the  owner  of  a 
nice  little  farm  of  thirty  acres,  upon  which  he  at  present  resides.  July 
25,  1869,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Louisa  Orr,  a  native  of  this 
State,  who  departed  this  life  December  28,  1876.  The  issue  of  this  union 
consists  of  two  children,  viz.:  Robert  S.,  born  May  20,  1870,  and  Lora 
L.,  born  October  30,  1873.  Mr.  Fitz  Simmons  was  married  the  second 
time  on  September  4,  1878,  to  Miss  Nettie  C.  Phillips,  of  this  State, 
daughter  of  Lewis  and  Lavina  (Bell)  Phillips.  She  is  the  second  of  ten 
children  born  to  them.  This  union  was  also  crowned  by  the  birth  of  two 
children,  viz.:  Lawrence  C,  born  June  13,  1880,  and  Murray  L.,  born 
March  30,  1883.  Besides  farming,  our  subject  makes  a  specialty  of 
raising  tine  horses  for  breeding  purposes,  and  keeps  both  the  Norman  and 
American  stock.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  "Grange."  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  one  of 
its  most  active  supporters. 

JACOB  FOSTER  was  born  in  Burlington  County,  N.  J.,  March  25, 
1811.  He  is  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  four  children  born  to  Edmund 
and  Mary  (Gaskill)  Foster,  natives  of  New  Jersey,  and  of  English  and 
Scotch-Irish  extraction,  respectively.  His  mother  dying  when  he  was  five 
years  of  age,  his  father  placed  him  in  care  of  other  parties,  and  watched 
over  him  and  appropriated  his  wages  until  he  reached  the  age  of  eighteen. 
At  that  time  he  purchased   his  liberty  by  paying   for  his  time  until    he 


358  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

should  reach  the  a^e  of  twenty-one.  He  worked  in  an  iron  manufactory 
in  his  native  State,  and  finally  became  its  foreman.  It  was  while  laboring 
in  this  capacity  that  he  married  (1833)  iMiss  Sarah  Lemon,  daughter  of 
Lewis  and  Polly  (Johnson)  Lemon,  natives  of  New  Jersey.  Four  years 
after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Foster,  with  his  family,  removed  to  Decatur 
County,  Ind.,  near  Kingston,  and  locating  in  the  green  woods;  took  a 
lease  which  he  surrendered  in  one  year.  Removing  a  short  distance,  he 
rented  a  farm  until  1854,  when  he  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  upon 
which  he  resided  for  five  years.  'During  his  residence  on  this  farm,  his 
wife  died,  September  11,  1847.  She  was  an  excellent  woman,  and  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  They  had  ten 
children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living,  viz.:  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Wainright, 
Mrs.  Hannah  A.  Psalters,  Mrs.  Margaret  J.  Crail,  Mrs.  Lovenia  A. 
Chaptman  and  Bdmon  L.  Having  the  care  of  a  large  family,  Mr.  Foster 
married,  July  5,  1859,  his  second  wife.  Miss  Sarah  Martin,  daughter  of 
John  and  Jane  (Campbell)  Martin,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  English 
descent.  Of  this  marriage  there  is  no  issue.  He  removed  to  Prairie 
Township,  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  in  1861,  and  located  on  160  acres  of 
land  near  Russiaville,  and  it  is  upon  this  farm,  beautifully  situated  and 
highly  cultivated,  that  he  now  resides.  Politically,  he  is  an  active  Re- 
publican, and  one  of  that  party's  best  workers,  although  his  first  vote  was 
cast  for  Gen.  Jackson  in  1832.  Both  himself  and  wife  are  identified  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  are  among  its  active  workers.  He  is 
also  noted  in  the  community  where  he  lives  for  a  broad  and  liberal  charity. 
JAMES  R.  GIBBENS  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind-,  February 
17,  1829;  his  parents  were  David  and  Hannah  (Botman)  Gibbons, 
natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Maryland,  the  former  of  Irish 
descent  and  the  latter  of  German-Welsh  extraction.  The  former  died  in 
Morgan  County,  Ind.,  in  1835;  the  latter  died  in  1879,  aged  ninety-four. 
They  came  to  this  State  (Indiana)  in  1826.  James,  our  subject,  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  had  very  meager  opportunities  for  acquiring  an 
education  ;  he  is  the  eighth  child  and  the  seventh  son  of  a  family  of  nine 
children,  five  of  Avhom  are  yet  living  in  Indiana,  Iowa  and  Missouri. 
James  remained  at  home  maintaining  his  parents  until  the  25th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1851,  when  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Jones,  born  in 
Owen  County,  Ind.,  May  13,  1828.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Frances  Jones,  the  former,  who  died  in  Tipton  County  in  1859,  being 
of  Welsh  and  English  extraction,  and  the  latter,  who  died  in  Howard 
County  in  1879,  being  of  English  and  Irish  descent.  James'  marriage 
has  been  crowned  by  the  birth  of  six  children — Lydia  A.,  Mrs.  Mary 
Isabelle  Hoback,  Hannah  Frances,  Hester  E.,  Powell  Morton  and  Riley 
Grant.     In  1853,  he  located  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  and  remained 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  359 

there  for  three  years  as  a  renter.  On  account  of  sickness,  he  returned  to 
Owen  County,  and  remained  about  seven  years,  five  of  which  were  passed 
in  Gosport.  In  1862,  he  came  back  to  his  farm,  and  has  been  there  ever 
since.  He  has  had  considerable  misfortune  in  his  career.  At  one  time 
he  lost  a  fine  team  of  horses,  supposed  to  have  been  caused  by  poison. 
He  has  made  a  specialty  of  breeding  fine  stock,  always  having  on  hand  a 
superior  variety  of  hogs.  He  owns  a  good  farm  in  Section  26  of  Prairie 
Township,  which  he  last  year  ornamented  with  a  handsome  residence. 
He  has  been  for  twenty-five  years  a  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist 
Church,  and  his  wife  has  been  a  member  since  childhood.  His  older 
children  also  belong  to  the  same  organization.  He  has  succeeded  by 
industry  in  accumulating  a  competency,  and  is  regarded  as  an  honest,  up- 
right and  worthy  citizen.     Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 

JOHN  THOMAS  GRAYSON,  farmer  and  carpenter,  was  born  in 
Decatur  County,  Ind.,  November  6,  1836.  He  is  the  third  in  a  family 
of  thirteen  children,  ten  of  whom  are  living,  born  to  Wren  and  Lucinda 
(Williamson)  Grayson,  natives  of  Tennessee.  John  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
and  during  his  youth  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed 
until  President  Lincoln's  call  for  300,000  volunteers,  when  he  enlisted  in 
Company  D,  Seventh  Indiana  Infantry,  in  August,  1861.  He  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Greenbrier  and  Winchester,  and  in  the  defense  of 
Washington.  Here  he  was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  the  hospital,  where  he 
remained  only  a  few  days,  although  he  was  kept  in  the  convalescent  camp 
all  winter.  In  the  spring,  he  again  joined  his  regiment  and  was  in  the 
battle  of  Gettysburgh.  From  there,  he  went  to  the  Wilderness,  where,  on 
the  first  day's  engagement,  May  5,  1864,  he  was  taken  prisoner,  sent  to 
Lynchburg  and  thence  to  Andersonville  Prison.  For  seven  long  months 
he  endured  the  torments  and  agonies  of  a  living  death.  Released  from 
prison  December  6,  1864,  he  returned  home,  and  as  soon  as  he  regained 
his  strength  resumed  his  trade,  and  removed  to  Tipton  County,  Ind.  He 
was  married,  November  1,  1866,  to  Miss  Lucinda  Smith,  born  in  Johnson 
County,  Ind.,  July  21,  1848,  and  the  daughter  of  Harrison  and  Mar- 
garet A.  (Foster)  Smith.  This  union  has  been  crowned  by  the  birth  of 
five  children,  three  of  whom  are  living — Maggie  Alice,  Eva  May  and 
Delia  Maud,  the  others  dying  in  infancy.  John  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity,  and  attends  Westport  Lodge,  No.  52.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  six  years — his  wife 
from  childhood.  He  is  the  owner  of  a  nice  little  farm  in  a  fair  state  of 
cultivation,  ornamented  by  a  neat  residence,  built  in  1881.  He  is  public- 
spirited,  and  stands  well  in  the  community. 

ORLANDO  HARLOW,  a  farmer  and  wagon-maker  of  Prairie 
Township,   was   born  in   Montgomery    County,    Ohio,   October  1,   1822. 


360  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Ilis  parents,  John  and  Elizabeth  (Evans)  Harlow,  were  natives  of  Man- 
chester, England,  and,  emigrating  to  this  country,  located  in  Maryland 
in  1819.  From  there  they  in  1820  removed  to  Ohio,  where  John,  being 
a  cotton-spinner  by  trade,  erected  the  first  cotton  mill  at  Smithville. 
Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  was  the  last  of  a  family  of  nine 
children.  He  had  no  educational  advantages  whatever  during  his  youth. 
In  1844,  he  was  married,  in  Hamilton  Oounty,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Nancy  G. 
Coleman,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Mahala  Coleman,  natives  of  Kentucky. 
In  1824,  his  parents  removed  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  where  they  re- 
mained until  he  was  grown  up,  excepting  a  period  of  three  years  spent 
near  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  During  that  period  occurred  the  cholera  epi- 
demic of  1832,  of  which  they  were  witnesses.  In  1864,  he  located  on 
the  farm  he  now  owns  in  Tipton  County.  By  his  marriage  he  is  the 
father  of  five  children,  all  sons,  viz.:  John  R.,  George  A.,  David  T., 
William  0.  and  James  E.,  the  youngest  of  whom,  aged  twenty-three,  re- 
mains at  home,  the  remainder  being  married  and  having  families.  In  his 
younger  days,  our  subject  learned  the  carpenter  and  wagon-maker  trades, 
which  he  has  followed  in  connection  with  his  farm.  In  1855,  he  removed 
to  Iowa,  and  remained  there  nearly  ten  years,  farming  and  working  at 
his  trade,  and  it  was  at  the  end  of  that  time  that  he  located  in  this  (Tip- 
ton) county.  His  present  farm  is  composed  of  fine  land,  in  a  high  state 
of  cultivation  and  well  supplied  with  a  superior  grade  of  stock.  Political- 
ly, since  the  death  of  the  old  Whig  party,  he  has  been  a  zealous  Demo- 
crat. He  is  a  man  of  industrious,  temperate  habits,  and  is  in  every  sense 
a  commendable  citizen. 

JOHN  RICHARD  HARLOW  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ind., 
March  31,  1847 ;  he  is  the  first  of  a  family  of  five  sons,  all  of  whom  are 
living,  born  to  Orlando  and  Nancy  (Coleman)  Harlow,  the  former  a 
native  of  Ohio  and  of  English  descent,  and  the  latter  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky, John  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  obtained  the  best  education  the 
common  schools  of  that  day  could  give  him.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three, 
having  remained  until  then  with  his  parents,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mar- 
garet R.  Alexander  March  17,  1370.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Jesse  and 
Moriah  Alexander,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio  and  of  Irish  extraction. 
His  marriage  has  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  five  children,  three  of  whom 
are  yet  living,  viz.,  Thomas  Henry,  Clara  Etta  and  Nancy  Moriah,  the 
others  dying  in  infancy.  Beginning  life  as  a  farmer,  and  on  a  rented 
farm,  he  has  by  industry  become  the  owner  of  200  acres  of  as  fine  land 
as  there  is  in  the  county,  the  annual  income  from  which  is  $2,000.  It  is 
well  provided  with  all  necessary  improvements,  is  supplied  with  fine 
stock  (in  the  breeding  of  which  he  takes  a  special  interest),  and  it  is  re- 
garded by  every  one  as  among  the  finest  farms  in  the  township.      He  has 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  361 

for  six  years  been  a  member  of  the  Regular  Predestinarian  Baptist 
church;  he  is  a  man  of  public  spirit  and  enterprise,  is  a  liberal  donator  to 
the  church,  and  is  in  every  sense  a  commendable  citizen. 

MICHAEL  HOBACK,  a  farmer  and  a  prominent  citizen  of  Prairie 
Township,  was  born  January  25,  1827  ;  his  parents  were  John  and  Dorcas 
(Killen)  Hoback,  the  former  of  German  and  the  latter  of  English  de- 
scent. Michael  received  a  limited  education,  his  father  dying  when  our 
subject  was  ten  years  old.  "When  four  years  old,  he,  with  his  parents,  re- 
moved to  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  where  they  went  through  many  of  the 
hardships  of  pioneer  life.  He  was  married,  June  1,  1848,  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth J.  Hall,  daughter  of  John  Hall,  of  Kentucky.  They  have  had 
twelve  children,  eight  of  whom  are  still  living.  In  1850,  he  went  with 
his  fiimily  to  Pulaski  County,  Ind.,  remaining  there  two  years,  and  then 
moved  to  Howard  County.  He  farmed  there  till  1860,  when  he  finally 
located  on  the  farm  he  now  owns.  It  was  then  a  wild,  swampy  district, 
but  he  now  has  115  acres  under  cultivation.  He  has  had  his  experience 
of  settling  in  a  new  county,  having  had  to  work  for  50  cents  a  day,  and 
pay  80  cents  per  bushel  for  meal.  When  he  married,  he  was  obliged  to 
get  into  debt  for  a  few  articles  to  start  housekeeping  with.  He  and  his 
wife  have  been  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  over  thirty 
years.  Mr.  Hoback  is  a  Republican,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Fremont 
in  1856. 

THOMAS  LAND,  farmer  and  merchant  of  Prairie  Township,  was 
born  in  Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  April  26,  1832  ;  his  parents  were 
George  and  Elizabeth  (Rayl)  Land,  the  former  being  a  native  of  Virginia, 
of  English  descent,  and  by  occupation  a  miller.  Thomas  was  the  third 
of  a  family  of  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living,  six  in  Indiana, 
and  one  in  Kansas  ;  he  was  reared  a  miller,  and  followed  that  occupation 
until  1860,  when  he  located  in  Prairie  Township,  where  he  now  resides. 
On  August  12,  1852,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Caroline  Rayl,  the  fourth 
child  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Rayl,  pioueer§  of  Switzerland  County, 
For  one  year  after  his  arrival  at  his  new  home,  he  farmed.  Then  came 
the  civil  war,  and  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  One  Hundred  and  First 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry  ;  he  remained  in  the  service  about  three 
years ;  he  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  Milton  and  Mis- 
sionary Ridge,  the  sieges  of  Chattanooga,  and  Atlanta,  Ga.,  and  all 
the  engagemeats  fought  during  Sherman's  campaign.  Near  Louisville, 
Ga.,  he  was  captured  by  Wheeler's  cavalry;  he  was  sent  to  Florence,  S. 
C,  where  he  remained  three  months,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was 
paroled;  afterward,  he  was  wounded  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  and  was  sent 
to  the  hospital  at  Wilmington,  N.  C. ;  at  the  end  of  one  month,  he  was 
sent  home  on  a  furlough,  and  finally  discharged  June  16,  1865.     After 


362  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

his  return  from  the  service,  he  farmed  for  two  years,  but  not  being 
suflficiently  strong  to  follow  that  calling,  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Groomsville,  at  which  he  continued  with  success  until  May, 
1883,  when  he  retired  therefrom  to  look  after  his  farm  ;  his  marriage  has 
been  crowned  by  the  birth  of  eight  children,  viz.:  William  H.,  George 
T.,  Julie  A.,  Lewis  and  Frank,  the  others  dying,  aged  five  years,  two 
years,  and  nine  months.  He  has  been  attentive  and  economical  in  his 
business,  and  owns  a  fine  little  farm,  ornamented  with  a  beautiful  resi- 
dence. He  also  possesses  several  thousand  dollars  obtained  from  the  sale 
of  his  store.     He  is  a  man  of  fine  qualities,  and  is  an  excellent  citizen. 

SAMUEL  N.  LEE  was  born  in  Orange  County,  Ind.,  January  6, 
1840  ;  he  is  the  sixth  of  seven  children  born  to  John  D.  and  Rebecca 
(Henley)  Lee,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  Irish  and  English  ex- 
traction respectively.  His  father  located  on  160  acres  of  land  in  the 
northwestern  part  of  Prairie  Township  in  1857,  and  by  the  help  of  his 
sons  succeeded  in  developing  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county. 
Samuel  grew  to  manhood  on  a  farm,  and  obtained  his  education  from  the 
winter  district  schools.  He  was  seventeen  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
located  in  this  (Tipton)  County,  and  here  he  has  ever  since  remained. 
During  the  late  civil  war,  he  was  drafted  into  the  United  States  Army, 
but,  furnishing  a  substitute,  he  remained  with  his  family  and  farm.  At 
the  death  of  his  parents,  himself  and  brother  Henry  succeeded  to  the 
home  estate,  and  have  since  managed  it  in  partnership,  and  have  added 
twenty  acres  to  it,  making  in  all  180  acres.  Our  subject  has  been  twice 
married,  the  first  time  to  Mary  E.  Clark,  native  of  Orange  County,  Ind., 
September  28,  1870;  one  child,  Lewis,  born  July  11,  1871,  was  the  issue 
of  this  union,  and  seventeen  days  after  its  birth  his  wife  departed  this 
life.  His  second  marriage  occurred  December  25,  1873,  to  Lottie  Gar- 
ner, of  Howard  County,  Ind.,  the  first  of  a  family  of  three  children,  born 
to  Henry  and  Margaret  Garner,  natives  of  Ohio,  and  of  Irish  descent 
One  child,  Charley,  born  October  25,  1874,  crowned  this  union.  He 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Republican,  and  in  a  business  way  he  is  an  energetic,  wide-awake  farmer. 

ALEXANDER  McCREARY,  Commissioner  of  Tipton  County,  was 
born  in  Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  February  6,  1826.  His  parents,  John 
and  Martha  (Cox)  McCreary,  are  of  Irish  and  English  descent.  He  re- 
sided with  his  parents  on  their  farm  until  his  twentieth  year,  when  he  en- 
listed in  the  Mexican  war,  in  the  Third  Indiana  Regiment,  under  Capt. 
Carter.  He  participated  in  several  engagements,  principal  of  which  was 
the  battle  of  Buena  Vista.  He  returned  from  his  military  service  in 
July,  1847,  and  on  November  12  of  the  same  year,  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Nancy  J.  Stewart,  of  Harrison  County,  Ky.    They  have  had 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  363 

six  children,  of  whom  five  are  yet  living,  viz.  :  Louis  C,  born  August 
26,  1848  ;  Alford  R.,  born  November  23,  1849  ;  John  F.,  born  October 
21,  1852  ;  William  W.,  born  October  1,  1857,  and  died  May  19,  1862  ; 
Oliver  P.,  born  April  15,  1859,  and  Mary  E.,  born  February  12,  1864. 
In  1850,  September  1,  together  with  his  family,  he  removed  to  Tipton 
County,  and  located  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  eighty  acres  of  which  were 
obtained  by  a  soldier's  warrant  for  services  rendered  in  the  Mexican 
war.  By  diligence  and  hard  labor,  he  has  succeeded  in  making  it  one 
of  the  finest  farms  in  Prairie  Township.  On  the  breaking-out  of  the  late 
rebellion,  he  was  comissioned  as  Captain  of  Company  C,-  One  Hundred 
and  First  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served  nine  months.  He  has  always 
been  in  the  front  ranks  of  those  favoring  public  improvements.  In  the 
early  history  of  the  county,  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Township 
Trustee.  He  was  afterward  elected  to  appraise  the  real  estate  of  the 
county.  He  then,  by  appointment,  filled  the  office  of  County  Commis- 
sioner, and  in  1870  was  elected  to  the  office  of  County  Sheriff,  which  he 
occupied  for  two  terms.  He  is  now  discharging  the  duties  of  County 
Commissioner.  Politically,  he  has  always  been  a  Democrat,  and  is  one 
of  the  leading  men  of  his  party.  He  is  a  liberal  giver  to  charities.  In 
1882,  he  lost,  by  fire,  his  residence,  but  has  since  built  a  finer  one. 

ELHANAN  MILES  is  a  native  of  Shelby  County,  Ky.,  and  is  the 
oldest  of  a  family  of  nine  children  born  to  James  and  Susan  (Simmons) 
Miles,  natives  respectively  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky.  Elhanan  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  obtained  his  education  from  the  common  schools. 
Soon  after  attaining  his  majority,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Berdilia  L. 
Sample,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  a  daughter  of  George  W.  and  Adaline 
(McKay)  Sample,  of  this  (Tipton)  county.  After  his  marriage,  he  con- 
tinued farming  during  summer,  and  worked  at  his  trade  through  the 
winter.  His  father,  James  Miles,  was  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Tipton 
County,  locating  within  its  borders  in  1856  on  a  farm  of  forty-four  acres, 
near  Sharpsville,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  until  his  death,  May  30,  1873. 
Elhanan  is  at  present  residing  on  a  farm  west  of  Sharpsville,  containing 
fifty-eight  acres,  well  improved,  nicely  situated,  and  supplied  with  every- 
thing necessary  to  make  home  pleasant.  He  has  four  children,  viz.  : 
Ollie,  born  May  18,  1864 ;  Emma,  born  October  1,  1865  ;  Myrtle  May, 
born  January  1,  1878,  and  an  infant.  He  is  an  energetic,  wide-awake, 
deserving  young  man.  He  is  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  principles  of 
Democracy,  and  his  wife  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
LUTHER  H.  MOTT  was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  January 
9,  1825  ;  his  parents,  Say  res  B.  and  Sarah  (Bassett)  Mott,  were  natives 
of  New  York,  and  descended,  respectively,  from  German  and  American 
ancestors.     Luther  is  the  second  of  eleven  children  born  to  them,  nine  of 


364  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

whom  are  still  living  ;  his  father  was  a  farmer,  although  he  was  reared  a 
weaver.  He  was  married  in  1822,  and  removing  to  Switzerland  County 
in  1839,  he  remained  there  until  his  death  in  1848.  Luther  was  reared 
to  agricultural  pursuits.  Coming  to  Tipton  County  in  1850,  he  entered 
386  acres  of  land,  and  returned  to  Switzerland  County  ;  was  married 
December  30,  of  the  same  year,  to  Miss  Margaret  Smith,  eldest  child  of 
Benjamin  and  Sarah  (Chandler)  Smith,  old  settlers  of  Clinton  County, 
Ind.  In  1853,  he  returned  to  Tipton  County  for  the  purpose  of  clear- 
ing his  land,  and  he  has  admirably  succeeded ;  he  now  owns  450  acres  of 
fine  land,  highly  cultivated,  supplied  with  convenient  buildings,  the 
latest  farm  machinery,  and  well  provided  with  improved  stock ;  he  is 
certainly  in  a  condition  to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  peace  and 
plenty.  His  union  brought  him  eight  children,  six  of  whom  are  yet  liv- 
ing— Benjamin  S.,  John  W.,  Alice,  Jesse  F.,  Asa  E.,  Norman  F. ; 
Isora  S.  died,  aged  twenty-five  years,  and  Cora  K.  died  in  infancy  ;  his 
sons  are  all  yet  at  home,  so  that  his  old  age  is  comforted  by  the  presence 
of  his  children.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  82,  at 
Russiaville,  Ind.  Politically,  he  is  one  of  the  prominent  men  in  the 
Democratic  party  of  Tipton  County.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  all 
his  business  enterprises.  He  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  fellow-citizens. 
I.  T.  NASH  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  September  18, 1839; 
he  is  the  fifth  of  a  family  of  seven  children  born  to  Richard  and  Margaret 
(Mofiitt)  Nash,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Scotch-Irish  descent; 
he  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  obtained  a  common  school  education.  On  the 
breaking-out  of  the  rebellion,  Mr.  Nash  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army 
in  August,  1862,  and  was  assigned  to  Company  C,  Fifth  Cavalry,  Ninetieth 
Regiment,  under  Capt.  Farley ;  his  term  of  service  lasted  only  about 
nine  months,  on  account  of  various  misfortunes  ;  he  was  first  prostrated 
by  the  exposure,  and  an  accident  which  occurred,  he  being  run  over  by  a 
horse.  When  he  was  recovering,  he  was  taken  with  lung  fever,  which, 
rendering  him  unfit  for  service,  he  was  discharged  in  April,  1863.  After 
his  return  home,  and  when  he  had  sufficiently  recovered,  he  engaged  in 
the  carpenter  trade,  which  he  pursued  until  the  date  of  his  marriage. 
That  event  took  place  October  5,  1867,  the  bride  being  Miss  Elizabeth 
Keeler  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  the  daughter  of  Cortz  and  Maria  L. 
(Looker)  Keeler,  natives  respectively  of  Maine  and  Ohio,  and  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent.  Shortly  after  his  marriage,  our  subject  removed  to  Prairie 
Township,  Tipton  Co.,  Ind.,  and  located  on  an  eighty-acre  farm,  which 
he  had  previously'  purchased ;  he  has  since  added  forty  acres ;  his  farm 
is  well  improved  and  supplied  with  all  necessary  implements.  It  is 
ornamented  with  one  of  the  finest  residences  in  Prairie  Township  ;  his 
marriage    has  been  crowned  by  the  birth  of  one  child,  namely,  Richard 


PRAIRIE  TOWNSHIP.  365 

C,  born  April  20,  1869;  he  is  an  active  Republican,  having  cast  his  first 
vote  for  Lincoln  in  1860  ;  he  is  also  a  prominent  member  of  the  I.  0.  0. 
F.,  and  his  Avife  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Friends'  Church. 

ROBERT  NASH  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  June  19,  1824. 
He  is  the  elder  of  two  children  born  to  Richard  and  Mary  (Hasting) 
Nash,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Ohio,  and  of  Scotch-Irish 
extraction.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  worked  in  summer,  attending 
the  common  school  during  the  winter.  His  life  until  his  twenty-seventh 
year  was  spent  on  the  farm  of  his  parents.  At  about  that  time,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ruharna  E.  Styers,  a  native  Hoosier  and  a 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Barbara  (Jones)  Styers,  who  were  natives  of 
Ohio.  After  his  marriage,  Robert  continued  his  agricultural  pursuits 
until  September  5,  1855,  when  he  removed  to  Tipton  County,  where  he 
purchased  160  acres  situated  in  the  primeval  forest,  and,  erecting  the 
typical  pioneer's  cabin,  he  began  clearing  a  farm.  By  good  management 
he  has  increased  his  farm  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  305  acres  of  the 
choice  land  of  Prairie  Township.  He  has  built  a  handsome  brick  resi- 
dence. His  marriage  has  been  crowned  by  the  birth  of  eight  children, 
viz.:  D.  A.,  born  July  17,  1855;  B.  F.,  born  November  22,  1858  ;  W. 
F.,  born  August  28,  1861 ;  Ida  J.  (now  Parks),  February  24,  1863  ; 
Charles  L.,  March  19,  1865;  Oliver  P.,  September  18,  1867;  Arta  A., 
November  2,  1872,  and  Delia,  January  10,  1877.  Mr.  Nash  is  an  active 
Republican,  and  in  his  earlier  days  was  a  Whig.  Both  himself  and  wife 
are  consistent  members  of  the  Friends'  Church,  and  are  liberal  donators 
to  all  charitable  institutions. 

JOSIAH  OREM,  a  veteran  farmer  of  Prairie  Township,  was  born 
July  2,  1806,  in  Dorchester  County,  Md.;  his  father,  Samuel  Orem,  was 
a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  his  mother,  Sarah  (Jones)  Orem,  had 
two  brothers  who  participated  in  the  struggle  of  the  Revolution ;  both  his 
parents  were  of  English  extraction,  and  natives  of  Maryland,  and  our 
subject  was  the  eldest  of  three  children  born  to  them  ;  they  migrated  to 
this  State  (Indiana)  in  1817,  and  located  in  Switzerland  County;  there 
they  remained  until  his  wife  died,  when  Samuel  came  to  this  (Tipton) 
county,  and  resided  with  his  son  (our  subject),  who  had  previously  lo- 
cated here,  until  his  death.  Josiah  remained  with  his  parents  until  he 
was  about  twenty-seven  years  of  age,  enjoying  very  meager  opportunities 
for  obtaining  instruction,  because  of  the  scarcity  and  remoteness  of 
schools,  but  his  quick  intellect  enabled  him  to  pick  up  a  great  deal  of  in- 
formation ;  when  he  began  life  for  himself,  the  routine  of  his  existence 
consisted  of  farming  during  the  summer,  and  in  boating  his  produce  to 
the  best  market.  In  1843,  he  located  on  that  part  of  the  Indian  Reserve 
now    known    as   Howard    County  ;    after  a  residence  there  of  about  four 


366  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

years,  he  located  in  the  northwestern  part  of  Prairie  Township,  on  160 
acres,  which  constitutes  his  present  residence.  He  never  received  any- 
thing in  the  way  of  financial  assistance,  and  all  his  possessions  came  to 
him  through  hard  labor.  He  was  married,  September  2,  1832,  to  Ann  Orr 
(now  deceased),  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  third  child  born  to  Joseph 
and  Nancy  (McDonald)  Orr,  both  of  whom  were  of  Irish  descent.  This 
union  was  crowned  by  the  birth  of  twelve  children,  viz.:  Sarah  J.  (de- 
ceased), Nancy,  John  (deceased),  Martha  M.,  Joseph,  Samuel  P.,  Alex- 
ander N.,  Levi,  Eliza  L.  (deceased),  William  (deceased),  Lorenzo  D.  and 
Mary  M.  All  of  his  children  have  received  a  liberal  start  from  him,  and 
he  still  has  sufficient  to  supply  his  old  age ;  he  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church  for  thirty  years,  and  his  wife  was  also  an  active  mem- 
ber of  that  denomination  up  to  the  time  of  her  death.  They  were  both, 
during  its  palmy  days,  members  of  the  Grange.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Democrat,  having  cast  his  first  vote  for  Gen.  Jackson. 

A.  H.  PENCE  was  born  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  August  10, 1852, 
and  is  the  first  of  a  family  of  eight  children  born  to  Enoch  and  Elizabeth 
J.  (Sinks)  Pence,  natives  of  Indiana,  and  of  German  and  English  extrac- 
tion. His  parents  came  to  this  (Tipton)  county  in  the  fall  of  1870,  and 
located  on  a  farm  of  sixty-seven  acres,  and  were  followed  by  our  subject 
in  the  spring  of  1871.  A.  H.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  working  through  the 
summer  and  attending  the  district  school  in  the  winter.  His  education  is 
a  fine  one,  acquired  in  the  common  and  graded  schools  of  the  State,  and 
at  the  National  Normal  School  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  and  with  money  earned 
by  his  own  unaided  labor.  He  has  taught  twelve  terms  in  the  public 
schools  of  this  and  other  counties,  averaging  six  months  to  the  term,  and 
has  succeeded  by  his  energy  in  winning  a  position  in  the  front  ranks  of 
his  profession.  He  was  married,  March  12,  1882,  to  Miss  Mattie  Martin, 
a  native  of  Missouri,  and  a  daughter  of  Colin  C.  and  Jemima  (Ferguson) 
Martin,  natives  respectively  of  Indiana  and  Kentucky.  He  is  an  active 
and  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  also  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  Lodge  located  at  Prairieville.  Politically,  be  has  always  adhered 
to  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  one  of  its  most  energetic  workers;  he  is 
a  wide-awake  young  man,  and  has  a  promising  future. 

ROBERT  H.  PYKE  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  January  9, 
1831,  and  is  the  fourth  of  a  family  of  eight  children  born  to  John  W.  and 
Nancy  (Hastin)  Pyke,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio,  of  German  and 
Irish  descent.  His  parents  located  in  the  western  part  of  Taylor  Town- 
ship, Howard  Co.,  Ind.,  in  1856,  and  his  father,  with  the  assistance  of  his 
sons,  developed  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  that  county.  Our  subject  re- 
mained with  his  parents  during  his  minority,  receiving  from  the  common 
schools  his  education.     His  father  having  entered  120  acres  of  land  near 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  367 

Windfall,  in  Tipton  County,  at  a  cost  of  $225,  Robert  purchased  the 
same,  paying  $125  down,  and  the  remainder  in  easy  payments,  and 
shortly  after  traded  it  for  eighty  acres  lying  west  of  Sharpsville  in  the 
woods.  He  now  has  sixty  acres  cleared  and  in  cultivation,  and  supplied 
with  all  the  modern  improvements  ;  he  has  also  succeeded  in  adding  an 
additional  eighty  acres,  and  now  has  a  fine  farm  of  160  acres.  He  was 
included  in  the  draft  in  the  fall  of  1863;  was  in  the  battle  of  Kingston  ; 
he  was  mustered  out  of  service  in  June  of  186i.  Robert  was  married, 
May  16,  1852,  to  Miss  Lucinda  Styers,  a  native  Hoosier,  and  the 
sixth  of  a  large  family  of  children  born  to  Benjamin  and  Barbara 
(Jones)  Styers,  both  natives  of  Ohio  and  of  German  extraction.  They  have 
had  nine  children,  viz.,  Orestes,  Barbara  E.,  John  F.,  Robert  E.,  Laura, 
William  M.,  Howell,  Sherman  and  Charles  (deceased).  Both  himself 
and  wife  are  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Politically,  he  is  an  active  Republican.  He  is  an  industrious  citizen,  and 
enjoys  the  esteem  of  the  community. 

FREDERIC  RAMSEYER,  the  present  Surveyor  of  Tipton 
County,  was  born  in  Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  November  5,  1826. 
His  parents  were  Daniel  and  Martha  (Hawkins)  Ramseyer.  The  former, 
who  came  to  this  county  in  1813  and  died  in  Switzerland  County,  Ind., 
at  the  age  of  seventy-eight,  was  a  native  of  the  Republic  of  Switzerland,  in 
Europe,  and  was  a  nephew  of  the  celebrated  Marshal  Murat  of  France.  The 
latter,  of  English  descent,  is  still  living,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
one  years.  Our  subject  is  the  oldest  of  a  family  of  eleven  children,  eight 
of  A\hom  are  still  living.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  when  he  had 
reached  his  twentieth  year  he  enlisted  in  the  Third  Regiment  Indiana 
Volunteers,  for  the  Mexican  war.  He  served  one  year,  and  during  that 
time  participated  in  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista  and  several  minor  engage- 
ments, and  returned  home  in  July  of  1847.  After  this,  he  spent  his  time 
in  teaching  and  traveling  until  the  year  1856,  when  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Adelia  Heaton,  daughter  of  Joseph  W.  Heaton,  of  How- 
ard County,  Ind.  Their  marriage  has  been  crowned  by  the  birth  of  eight 
children — Oscar  V.,  Flora,  Philip  E.,  Abigail,  Daniel,  Ada  B.  (died 
May  2,  1876,  aged  eight  years),  John  and  Simon  P.  Frederic  removed 
to  the  township  of  Prairie,  county  of  Tipton,  in  the  year  1859,  and  lo- 
cated on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  which  then  was  a  comparative  wilderness. 
By  persistent  effort  and  close  economy,  he  has  succeeded  in  accumulating 
a  competency.  As  a  citizen,  he  is  universally  esteemed,  and  possesses 
a  large  circle  of  friends.  He  has  always  been  a  Democrat,  and  was  elect- 
ed in  1882  to  the  office  of  Surveyor,  the  duties  of  which  he  is  now  dis- 
charging with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  constituents. 

PHILIP    RAMSEYER,  farmer  and  blacksmith  of  Prairie   Town- 


368  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

ship,  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  was  born  in  Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  Decem- 
ber 19, 1827,  and  is  the  second  in  a  family  of  eleven  children  born  to  Daniel 
and  Martha  (Hawkins)  Ramseyer.  In  the  year  1848,  Philip  came  to  this 
county — then  known  as  the  Indian  Reserve — on  a  prospecting  tour,  but 
made  no  purchases.  In  1853,  he  returned  and  settled  in  Howard  County; 
he  remained  there  about  fourteen  years,  working  at  his  trade,  that  of  a 
blacksmith,  and  manufactured  the  first  breaking  plow  ever  made  in  the 
county.  In  order  to  learn  his  trade,  he,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  appren- 
ticed himself  to  William  Malcombson,  of  his  native  county,  with  whom  he 
worked  for  four  years  before  setting  up  for  himself.  After  residing  for 
the  time  above  mentioned  in  Howard  County,  he  sold  his  interest  there, 
and  removing  to  Prairie  Township,  Tipton  County,  purchased  forty  acres 
of  land  situated  in  the  woods,  which  he  has  since  cleared  and  put  in  a 
fine  state  of  cultivation,  and  supplied  with  all  the  necessary  buildings, 
implements,  etc.  He  still  works  at  his  trade,  at  which  he  makes  about 
$600  per  annum,  while  his  sons  manage  the  affairs  of  the  farm.  He  was 
married,  December  31, 1855,  to  Miss  Eunice  A.  Roby,  a  native  of  Indiana, 
the  third  of  a  family  of  seven  children  born  to  John  and  Hannah  (Ches- 
terson)  Roby,  natives  of  Ohio,  and  supposed  to  be  of  English  descent. 
Their  marriage  has  been  blessed  with  seven  children,  of  whom  five  are 
living,  viz.:  Arpecia,  John  C,  James  M.,  Cebern,  Laura;  also  Arthur 
and  Eurelean,  deceased.  His  education  was  received  at  the  common 
schools  ;  he  never  had  any  assistance  in  a  financial  way,  but  has  accumu- 
lated his  present  property  by  hard  work.  Politically,  he  is  an  uncom- 
promising apostle  of  the  Democratic  creed,  and  one  of  the  most  active 
workers  in  his  party. 

OBADIAH  RAMSEYER,  farmer  and  blacksmith  of  Prairie  Town- 
ship, Tipton  County,  Ind.,  is  a  native  of  Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  where 
he  was  born  June  29,  1832.  He  is  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Martha 
Ramseyer.  Obadiah  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  resided  with  his 
parents  until  he  attained  his  majority.  At  that  time  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Susanna  Posten,  daughter  of  Levi  Posten,  of  Jefferson 
County,  Ind.  They  have  a  family  of  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  are 
living,  viz.:  Emma  J.,  married;  Martha,  also  married;  Daniel,  died  at 
the  age  of  nine ;  William  and  Preston  (twins),  Nancy  A.,  George  B. 
McClellan,  Elizabeth  and  James  A.  After  his  marriage,  he  removed  to 
Howard  County,  Ind.,  and  worked  at  his  trade  (blacksmith),  which  he 
had  learned  in  his  youth.  In  the  year  1859,  he  removed  to  Prairie  Town- 
ship, Tipton  County,  Ind.,  where  he  now  resides,  engaged  in  farming 
and  working  at  his  trade.  He  served  one  year  in  the  United  States 
Army  during  the  late  civil  war,  and  participated  in  several  engagements, 
principal  of  which  was  the  siege  of  Mobile.     Politically,  Mr.  Ramseyer  is 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  369 

a  Democrat,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  James  Buchanan  for  President. 
At  present  he  is  filling  the  position  of  Postmaster  at  Groomsville,  Tipton 
County,  which  he  has  occupied  for  eight  years.  As  a  citizen,  he  stands 
high  in  the  estimation  of  his  fellows. 

CORNELIUS  T.  SAMUELS  was  horn  in  Washington  County, 
Penn.,  July  12,  1818 ;  his  parents  were  James  and  Ann  Samuels  ;  his 
paternal  grandfather  was  a  native  of  Dublin,  Ireland,  a  hatter  by  trade, 
who,  emigrating  to  America  in  1779,  entered  the  American  Army  under 
Gen.  Washington.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  but,  owing  to  the 
scarcity  and  remoteness  of  the  schools,  and  the  incapacity  of  the  teachers 
of  that  day,  his  educational  training  was  very  limited.  However,  having 
a  natural  taste  for  literature  and  a  quick  intellect,  he  has  acquired  a  fair 
business  education.  In  1819,  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Franklin 
County,  Ind.,  where  they  resided  until  their  death.  He  remained  at 
home  until  his  twenty-first  year,  when  he  commenced  life  for  himself  as  a 
farm  hand,  at  $8  per  month.  On  the  24th  of  November,  1842,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Susanna  Howell,  daughter  of  John  Howell,  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  Franklin  County.  By  her  he  is  the  father  of  seven  children, 
six  of  whom  are  still  living.  Two  years  after  his  marriage  (1844),  he 
removed  to  Iowa  Territory,  and  thenCe  in  1845  to  Decatur  County,  Ind., 
whence,  in  1865,  he  removed  to  Tipton  County  and  located  on  the  farm 
which  he  now  owns.  Then  it  was  in  an  undeveloped  condition,  but  it  ia 
now  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  county.  Cornelius  has  always  been  a 
Democrat ;  his  reputation  in  the  community  is  that  of  a  courteous,  in- 
dustrious and  honest  citizen.  • 

WILLIAM  SCUDDER,  an  energetic  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Switzer- 
land County,  Ind.,  where  he  was  born  May  21, 1840  ;  his  parents,  Henry 
and  Maria  (Boyd)  Scudder,  were  each  of  English  descent ;  he  is  the 
fourth  of  a  family  of  five  children,  of  whom  four  are  now  living  ;  he  grew 
to  maturity  on  a  farm,  although  he  became  an  orphan  at  the  early  age  of 
eight  years.  When  he  reached  his  twenty-eighth  year,  he  removed  to 
Tipton  County  and  located  on  his  present  desirable  farm.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-four,  he  started  in  business  for  himself,  and  at  the  same  time  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eunice  Rodgers,  of  his  native  county.  They 
have  had  born  to  them  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living,  viz.  : 
Evaline,  born  October  13,  1864;  George,  born  April  18,  1866;  Alford, 
born  August  12,  1868  ;  Lucilla,  born  December  23, 1870  ;  Denton,  born 
April  16,  1873 ;  Emma,  born  November  27, 1875  ;  Ora  and  Cora,  twins, 
born  December  12, 1880,  (Ora  died  in  infancy) ;  and  Elias,  born  March  6, 
1883.  Starting  with  no  capital,  save  pluck  and  industry,  and  a  fair  ed- 
ucation, he  has  succeeded  in  accumulating  a  comfortable  living.  Both 
himself  and  wife  have  been  consistent  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist 
Church  for  twelve  years. 


370  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

WILLIAM  A.  SHUCK  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ky.,  May  28, 
1834 ;  he  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Frazier)  Shuck,  natives  of 
Kentucky ;  his  mother  was  his  father's  third  wife,  and  he  was  the  second 
of  a  family  of  seven  children.  During  his  youth,  his  school  privileges 
were  limited,  and  he  acquired  what  education  he  possesses  after  his  ma- 
jority. He  was  married,  August  12,  1855,  to  Miss  Levina  Black,  of  his 
native  county,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (List)  Black.  This  union 
has  been  crowned  by  the  birth  of  five  children,  viz. :  William  P.,  Amanda 
Cardwell,  Mary  J.  Smith,  Hallia  Shuck,  and  Wyat,  aged  thirteen.  After 
his  marriage,  he  farmed  in  Shelby  County,  Ky.,  until  1872  (excepting 
two  years),  at  which  time  he  removed  to  Prairie  Township,  purchasing 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  the  green  woods ;  he  has  since,  by  persistent  in- 
dustry, made  a  fine  farm,  and  has  added  twenty  acres ;  he  is  quite  popu- 
lar, and  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1878,  the 
duties  of  which  he  discharged  very  creditably  for  four  years ;  he  is  re- 
garded by  many  of  his  friends  as  a  coming  county  officer ;  he  has  been  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Christian  Church  since  his  sixteenth  year ;  he 
was  once  an  Odd  Fellow  ;  he  was  the  first  successful  cultivator  of  tobacco 
in  the  county,  and  has  given  it  his  attention  for  several  years ;  he  is  a 
man  of  broad  and  liberal  charity.  Mr.  Shuck's  father  and  mother  died 
in  1883  and  1872  respectively,  the  former  aged  eighty-three  years. 

HENRY  A.  SINKS  was  born  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  August  31, 
1857  ;  he  is  the  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Hoover)  Sinks,  native  "  Ho- 
siers," of  German  extraction,  and  is  the  first  child  in  a  family  of  three 
born  to  them  ;  he  lived  with  his  parents  until  the  death  of  his  father, 
which  occurred  in  the  year  1866.  After  that  event,  he  resided  with  his 
uncle,  Gilbert  Vansickle,  until  he  attained  his  eighteenth  year,  when  he 
began  working  for  himself.  The  savings,  accumulated  by  days'  labor  for 
various  persons,  together  with  some  little  assistance  from  his  father's  es- 
tate, constituted  the  capital  with  which  he  started  in  life  ;  his  education, 
acquired  from  the  district  school,  is  very  practical  in  its  nature,  and 
embraces  a  knowledge  of  the  common  school  branches ;  his  migration  to 
this  (Tipton)  county  took  place  in  1867.  January  7,  1879,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Nancy  C.  Orr,  of  this  (Tipton)  county,  and  the  fifth  of  ten 
children  born  to  Robert  and  Jemima  (Fanchier)  Orr,  natives  respect- 
ively of  Indiana  and  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Irish  and  German  descent,  the 
former  of  whom  came  to  the  then  "  Reserve  "  in  a  very  early  day. 
One  child  was  the  issue  of  their  marriage,  viz.:  Bertie,  born  October  10, 
1879,  and  departed  this  life  November  24,  1881.  He  and  his  wife  are 
both  consistent  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Politically,  he  is  an 
active  aggressive  Democrat.  He  is  an  energetic,  wide-awake  young  man, 
and  is  at  present  overseeing  his  father-in-law's  farm. 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  371 

JOSEPH  A.  SOMERS,  physician  and  surgeon,  Groomsville,  Ind., 
was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  December  80,  1843  ;  his  parents,  Dr. 
John  and  Lydia  (Mealyza)  Somers,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  German 
descent,  were  married  at  Middletown,  Ind.,  in  1838.  His  mother  dying 
when  Joseph  was  quite  young,  his  father  removed  to  Tipton  County  in 
1856,  and  located  on  the  farm  which  he  still  makes  his  home.  Joseph 
was  reared  at  Jerome,  in  Howard  County,  receiving  quite  a  liberal  edu- 
cation, and,  forming  a  taste  for  books  and  study,  he  began  the  study  of 
medicine  under  his  father  and  applied  himself  thereto  very  closely,  save 
a  short  time  spent  in  traveling.  The  last  years  of  his  study  he  spent 
with  Dr.  Zeek,  of  Windfall,  after  which  he  practiced  his  profession  there 
for  one  year.  From  there  he  went  to  Nevada,  where  he  practiced  for  two 
years,  thence  to  Groomsville  in  1874,  where  he  now  has  a  very  extensive 
<;ountry  practice.  In  1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Louisa  Wise,  by 
whom  he  is  the  father  of  one  child,  a  boy  aged  fourteen  ;  his  wife  died 
June  17,  1870.  His  second  marriage  occurred  November  27,  1873,  to 
Miss  Sarah  J.  Ray,  of  Nevada.  At  one  period  of  his  life  (1864),  he  em- 
barked in  the  mercantile  business  at  Windfall,  but  the  dishonesty  of  his 
partner  brought  disaster,  and  he  has  since  confined  himself  strictly  to  the 
practice  of  his  profession  ;  he  and  his  wife  are  consistent  members  of  the 
Missionary  Baptist  Church,  he  having  been  identified  therewith  for  a 
period  of  thirteen  years.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  was  elected  by 
that  party  to  the  office  of  County  Coroner  in  the  fall  of  1882.  He  is  a 
man  noted  for  his  public  spirit  and  his  temperate  habits. 

HARRISON  SMITH  was  born  in  Sullivan  County,  Tenn.,  June  22, 
1824.  His  parents,  Jeremiah  D.  and  Elizabeth  (Arrants)  Smith,  were 
of  English  descent,  and  were  both  natives  of  East  Tennessee.  In  1829 
they  moved  to  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  and  remained  there  until  their 
death,  Jeremiah  dying  in  1846,  and  Elizabeth  in  1862.  Our  subject  is 
the  fifth  in  a  family  of  eight  children.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
about  all  the  education  he  ever  received  was  obtained  by  home  study.  He 
remained  with  his  father  until  February  22,  1844,  when  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Margaret  A.  Foster,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Lucinda  (Coons) 
Foster.  In  1849,  he  removed  to  Prairie  Township,  Tipton  County,  Ind., 
and  entered  of  the  Government  120  acres  of  land  near  where  he  now 
lives.  His  experience  has  been  that  of  all  pioneers,  who,  by  hardships 
and  self-denial,  have  wrought  a  home  from  the  stubborn  wilderness.  By 
his  first  wife  he  is  the  father  of  fourteen  children,  eight  of  whom  are  now 
living — Francina,  Lucinda,  Richard  H.,  Isaac  V.,  Jeremiah  D.,  Marion' 
S.,  Sarah,  Adella,  Ida  F.  (died  at  birth),  Nathan  T.  (drowned  in  Wild 
Cat  Creek  at  the  age  of  seventeen),  Mahala  E.  (died  at  the  age  of  five). 
John  A.  G.  (died  aged  ten  months),  Williatu  S.  (died  at  the  age  of  two), 


872  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

and  Clara  B.  (died  at  birth).  His  estimable  wife,  Margaret  A.,  died 
December  5,  1881.  His  second  marriage  occurred  January  20,  1883, 
to  Mrs.  Sophia  Richardson  (nee)  Jacobs,  of  Johnson  County,  Ind.  Har- 
rison has  served  two  terms  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Prairie  Township, 
and  won  golden  opinions  for  his  impartial  dealings.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Grange  during  its  existence.  He  is  a  liberal-minded,  public-spir- 
ited citizen,  and  has  been  for  forty-four  years  a  consistent  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church,  to  which  his  contributions  have  never  been  wanting.  He 
has  provided  very  handsomely  for  his  children,  having  given  them  240 
acres  of  fine  land,  but  is  still  the  possessor  of  an  estate  containing  320  acres. 

ISAAC  V.  SMITH,  son  of  Harrison  and  Margaret  A.  (Foster) 
Smith,  was  born  in  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  August  24,  1851.  Being 
unmarried,  he  has  always  resided  with  his  father,  excepting  when  attend- 
ing school  or  teaching.  He  received  a  good  common  school  education, 
but  being  desirous  of  further  knowledge  he  subsequently  attended  the 
Normal  Schools  at  Lebanon,  Ohio.  In  1875,  he  began  teaching,  and  con- 
tinued until  1881,  meeting  with  success.  Having  a  natural  taste  for 
agricultural  pursuits,  he  has  turned  his  attention  entirely  to  his  farm  and 
the  care  of  his  stock.  Mr.  Smith  is  politically  a  Republican.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  Lodge,  No.  324.  He  possesses  good  conver- 
sational powers,  and  by  his  genial  disposition  has  secured  a  large  circle  of 
friends.  In  1881,  he  sustained  a  severe  loss  by  the  death  of  his  mother, 
to  whom  he  was  deeply  devoted. 

JOHN  W.  SMITH  farmer  and  lumber  dealer,  is  the  son  of  William 
M.  and  Mary  A.  (Cochran)  Smith.  He  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Ohio,  September  23,  1840.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and 
his  mother  of  New  Jersey  ;  he  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  com- 
mon school  education.  In  1851,  his  parents  removed  to  Tipton  County, 
Ind.,  where  his  mother  died ;  his  father  is  still  living.  John  W.  re- 
mained at  home  until  1860.  On  February  16,  of  that  year,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Stafford,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Charles  W.  Stafford, 
of  Clinton  County,  Ind.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  eight  children, 
all  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Smith  is  one  of  our  enterprising  citizens, 
and  has  good  business  abilities.  He  is  liberal  to  the  poor.  In  politics, 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  adheres  strictly  to  the  principles  of  his  party. 

JOSEPH  L.  STOOPS,  farmer  of  Prairie  Township,  was  born  in 
Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  February  11,  1841 ;  he  is  the  fourth  of  a 
family  of  five  children,  four  of  Avhom  are  yet  living  in  Texas,  Indiana 
and  Missouri,  born  to  Eliakim  and  Elizabeth  (Pierce)  Stoops ;  his  father 
was  a  farmer  and  blacksmith,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German 
extraction ;  his  mother  died  in  1842,  when  he  was  only  a  little  over  a 
year  old.     He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  his  educational  advantages  con- 


PRAIRIE  TOWNSHIP.  373 

sisted  of  an  attendance  of  three  months  at  the  district  school  after  he  had 
attained  the  age  of  twenty.  On  account  of  injury  received  in  youth, 
which  incapacitated  him  for  manual  labor,  he  has  devoted  himself  to 
study,  and  by  so  doing  has  acquired  a  fund  of  valuable  information. 
Remaining  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  reached  his  twenty-third  year, 
he  was,  October  4,  1863,  married  to  Miss  Ellen  Huston.  She  was  the 
seventh  in  a  family  of  thirteen  children  born  to  William  W.  and  Eliza 
(Kirkland)  Huston,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  Irish 
descent,  the  latter  a  native  of  Louisiana  and  of  German  descent ;  was 
married  to  the  former  in  her  native  State,  and  located  in  Indiana  in  1837, 
where,  February  11,  1839,  Ellen  was  born.  Joseph's  marriage  has  been 
crowned  by  the  birth  of  two  children — Lulu,  born  July  26,  1864,  and 
Irvin,  born  November  25,  1866.     Remaining  in  his  native  county  until 

1872,  he  removed  to  Patriot  and  engaged  in  the  business  of  a  butcher 
and  stock  dealer,  and  in  one  year  suffered  a  loss  of  $200.  Prior  to  that 
time,  he  had  by  industry  accumulated  suflficient  to  purchase  the  farm  he 
now  owns.  His  farm  is  a  good  one,  in  a  fair  state  of  cultivation,  and  is 
in  the  oldest  settled  part  of  the  community,  having  still  standing  the  first 
house  ever  built  upon  it.  In  May,  1883,  he,  in  partnership  with  Mr. 
0.  McCreary,  purchased  the  mercantile  business  of  Thomas  Land,  at 
Groorosville,  and  it  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  the  energy  and  business 
tact  of  the  new  firm  insures  its  success.     He   has  been  a  Mason    since 

1873,  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  Prairieville  Lodge  ;  himself  and  family 
are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  In  1882,  he  received 
the  Republican  nomination  for  the  office  of  Township  Trustee,  and  al- 
though defeated,  greatly  reduced  the  opposing  majority;  he  is  a  popular, 
public-spirited  and  worthy  citizen. 

WILLIAM  EVAN  STRATFORD,  of  Prairie  Township,  was  born 
in  Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  May  25,  1847.  His  parents  were  Joshua 
and  Eliza  (Hollcroft)  Stratford,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  William 
is  the  second  in  a  family  of  six  children,  John  the  eldest,  dying  at  the 
age  of  thirty-one  years.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  marrying  iri 
Switzerland  County,  he,  in  1852,  with  his  wife,  located  in  Prairie  Town- 
ship, Tipton  Co.,  Ind.,  on  the  farm  where  they  both  died,  Joshua,  July 
14,  1868,  and  Eliza,  June  19,  1882.  William  grew  to  manhood  on  a 
farm,  and  obtained  a  good  practical  education  from  the  common  schools. 
He  was  married,  August  25,  1869,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  C.  Henry,  daughter 
of  Elisha  and  Judah  (Halley)  Henry.  They  went  to  housekeeping  on 
the  old  homestead,  where  they  still  reside.  Himself  and  wife  have  been 
consistent  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church  for  a  number  of 
years ;  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  554,  located  at 
Prairieville.     He  is  the  owner  of  seventy  acres  of  fine  land  partially  cul- 


374  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

tivated,  and  ornamented  by  a  fine  little  residence.  In  the  spring  of  1882, 
he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Assessor  for  his  township,  and  is  filling 
that  office  creditably. 

WILLIAM  R.  SUITE,  one  of  the  well-to-do  farmers  of  Prairie 
Township,  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  Ind.,  April  1,  1827.  He  is  the 
third  of  a  family  of  six  children  born  to  Alexander  and  Sarah  (Stout) 
Suite,  natives  respectfully  of  Tennessee  and  North  Carolina,  and  of 
English  descent.  His  grandfather  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and  two 
of  his  uncles  (Suite)  participated  in  the  war  of  1812.  His  father  located 
in  the  western  part  of  Howard  County,  on  a  pre-emption  claim,  in  the 
fall  of  1840.  He  soon  sold  his  claim,  and,  investing  in  several  more  in 
Tipton  County,  he  disposed  of  them  in  like  manner.  When  our  subject 
was  eight  years  of  age,  his  mother  died,  and  he  was  bound  out  by  his 
father  to  a  man  named  John  Schooley,  with  whom  he  remained  about 
three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  his  father  again  married,  and  Will- 
iam was  taken  home.  About  this  time  his  father  settled  in  what  was 
then  Hamilton,  but  now  Tipton  County.  He  remained  with  his  father 
until  he  attained  his  majority,  when  he  started  in  life  for  himself,  with  no 
capital,  save  his  disposition  to  labor.  He  has  since  then  become  the  pos- 
sessor of  208  acres  of  fine  land,  eighty  acres  of  which  he  sold  to  his  son, 
leaving  a  farm  of  128  acres,  beautifully  located,  well  improved,  and  sup- 
plied with  all  necessary  implements.  His  father  becoming  feeble  in  his 
old  age,  William  took  him  to  his  home,  and  made  his  pathway  to  the  tomb 
as  smooth  and  pleasant  as  loving  hands  could  do.  Our  subject  was  mar- 
ried, March  29,  1849,  to  Miss  Lucy  A.  Fanchier,  of  Kentucky,  born 
November  29,  1824 ;  she  was  the  first  of  a  family  of  fifteen  children 
born  to  John  B.  and  Sarah  (Broills)  Fanchier,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of 
French  and  English  descent.  Eight  children  have  crowned  this  marriage, 
of  whom  three  are  now  living,  viz.:  George  W.,  born  January  10,  1850 ; 
Issac,  born  July  31, 1857  ;  Abigail  (now  Mye;'s),  born  December  4,  1860. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  with  which  they 
have  been  associated  from  youth.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  and  holds  that  order  in  high  esteem.  Politically,  he  has  always 
voted  the  Democratic  ticket,  save  one  vote  cast  for  Lincoln  for  President. 
In  1882,  his  party  elected  him  to  the  office  of  Road  Superintendent. 
He  is  an  energetic,  commendable  citizen. 

JAMES  TERRELL,  an  influential  farmer  of  Prairie  Township,  was 
born  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  February  14,  1821.  He  was  the  fifth  of 
a  family  of  nine  children  born  to  John  and  Jane  (Wert)  Terrell,  native 
Virginians,  and  descended  respectively  from  Scotch  and  Welsh  ancestors. 
Our  subject  remained  until  his  thirtieth  year  at  the  home  of  his  parents. 
His  education  was  obtained  from  the  common  schools  of  the  countrv,  at  a 


PRAIRIE   TOWNSHIP.  375 

time  when  a  house  built  for  school  purposes  was  unknown,  and  when 
any  vacant  house  was  used  for  educational  purposes.  He  located  in  Tip- 
ton County  in  the  fall  of  1862,  and  purchased  forty  acres  of  land  in  Prai- 
rie Township.  This  he  soon  disposed  of,  and,  purchasing  another  forty, 
he  soon  increased  it  by  the  addition  of  eighty  acres,  and  still  further  until 
he  is  now  the  possessor  of  160  acres,  beautifully  situated  and  supplied 
with  all  necessary  improvements  in  the  way  of  buildings,  implements,  etc. 
He  was  started  in  life  with  a  cash  capital  of  about  $400.  His  present  pos- 
sessions are  amply  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  live  at  his  ease  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  He  was  married  to  Catharine  Schaefer  January  13,  1858. 
She  was  of  German  nativity,  and  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  six  children  be- 
longing to  John  G.  and  Catharine  (Miller)  Schaefer,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Germany.  This  marriage  was  blessed  with  five  children — 
Charles,  John,  Margaret  J.,  Catharine  and  Mary.  Both  are  consistent 
members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Alto  Lodge,  I.  0.  0.  F.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been 
twice  elected  to  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  each  time  for  a  term  of 
four  years. 

WILLIAM  J.  TYNER,  one  of  the  representative  men  of  Tipton 
County,  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  January  12,  1822.  He  is 
the  youngest  and  only  survivor  of  a  family  of  fourteen  children  born  to 
William  and  Martha  (Hamilton)  Tyner.  His  father,  of  German  and 
Welsh  descent,  was  born  in  Abbeville  District,  S.  C,  in  April,  1771.  In 
4-pril,  1803,  he  left  his  native  State  and  removed  to  Kentucky.  Thence, 
in  1805,  in  the  month  of  April,  he  removed  to  the  Territory  of  Indiana, 
and  located  in  what  is  now  Franklin  County,  where  for  two  years  his 
only  neighbors  were  Indians.  From  there,  in  April,  1807,  he  removed  to 
Decatur  County,  Ind.,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  September  18, 
1854.  Every  change  of  his  life  was  made  in  the  month  of  April.  Our 
subject  lived  with  his  parents  until  he  attained  his  majority,  and  on  the 
6th  of  October,  1842,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Margarette  Hamilton.  His 
school  privileges  in  his  youth  having  been  limited,  he  remedied  that  defect 
by  close  application  at  home,  by  which  he  obtained  a  fair  business  educa- 
tion. Starting  in  life  with  no  cash  capital,  he  was,  shortly  after  his  mar- 
riage, prostrated  by  an  attack  of  rheumatism,  which  lasted  about  two 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  he  found  himself  about  $300  in  debt,  and 
with  nothing  that  he  could  call  his  own.  Removing  to  Prairie  Township 
in  an  early  day,  he  settled  on  a  farm  of  120  acres,  the  one  he  now  owns, 
which  was  then  a  wilderness,  but  by  industry  he  has  increased  his 
original  tract  until  now  he  is  the  owner  of  a  half-section  (320  acres)  of  as 
fine  land  as  there  is  in  the  county.  Himself  and  wife  joined  the  Regular 
Predestinarian  Baptist  Church  in  June  of  1862,  and  have  since  been  con- 


376  BIOGRAPHICAL   SlfETClIES  : 

sistent  members.  He  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  a  period  of  twenty 
years.  He  is  a  typical  pioneer,  liberal  to  all  deserving  charities,  and  one 
who  has  proven  by  his  life  the  success  of  a  determined  will.  Politically, 
he  is  a  Democrat. 

EDWARD  L.  WHEATLEY  was  born  in  Dorchester  County,  Md., 
September  30,  1835.  His  parents  were  Jesse  and  Magor  (Owens) 
Wheatley,  and  were  of  Scotch  descent.  Edward  L.  grew  to  manhood  on 
a  farm,  and  during  his  youth  had  very  meager  opportunities  for  acquiring 
an  education.  ^  He  resided  with  his  parents  until  he  was  fourteen  years 
of  age,  when  the  death  of  his  father  compelled  him  to  go  forth  and 
seek  his  own  livelihood.  When  he  reached  his  majority,  he  removed  to 
the  State  of  Ohio.  In  the  year  1858,  he  came  to  Tipton  County,  and 
located  near  the  farm  he  now  owns.  When  the  late  rebellion  broke  out, 
he  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army,  Company  C,  One  Hundred  and 
First  Indiana  Volunteers.  During  his  term  of  service,  he  participated  in 
the  memorable  engagements  of  Milton,  Tenn.,  Chickamauga,  Missionary 
Ridge,  Chattanooga  and  all  those  that  occurred  from  Ringgold,  Ga.,  to 
Atlanta,  and  at  Jonesboro,  thence  with  Sherman  to  the  sea.  After 
the  war,  he  returned  to  his  family  and  farm.  He  has  been  twice  married, 
the  first  time  to  a  daughter  of  David  Campbell,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Tipton  County.  His  second  marriage  occurred  March  9,  1862,  to  Miss 
Mary  A.  Campbell,  daughter  of  William  Campbell.  By  her  he  is  the 
father  of  neven  children,  six  of  whom  are  living.  Starting  in  life  with 
limited  circumstances  financially,  and  having  had  in  full  measure  his  share 
of  misfortune,  he  has  nevertheless  succeeded  in  accumulating  a  fair  com- 
petency and  a  good  farm.  Politically,  he  is  a  stanch  Republican.  He 
enjoys  the  respect  of  his  fellow- citizens. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  a  Prairie  Township  farmer,  was  born  in  Swit- 
zerland County,  Ind.,  March  8,  1832.  He  is  the  eldest  of  seventeen 
children  born  to  John  and  Polly  (Kelso)  White,  the  former  of  Irish  and 
the  latter  of  German  descent.  William  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  had  very 
meager  opportunities  for  obtaining  an  education.  He  remained  with  his 
parents  until  he  attained  his  majority,  when  he  started  in  life  for  himself 
with  no  capital  other  than  a  determination  to  succeed.  On  the  13th 
of  February,  1853,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Smith,  of  his  native  county,  who  has  borne  him  six  children 
viz.:,  John,  died  in  infancy;  Sarah  A.,  now  married;  Mary  J.; 
Malinda,  married;  Emily,  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  and  William  P. 
He  removed  to  Prairie  Township,  Tipton  Co.,  Ind.,  in  October  of  1855, 
and  settled  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  then  in  the  wilderness.  He  has 
always  been  a  skillful  trader,  and  by  industry  and  diligence  has  suc- 
ceeded in  accumulating  a  competency  for  his  declining  years.  He  still 
rct:iins  the  shoes  worn  by  him  in  infancy. 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  377 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP. 

SYLVANUS  BOUSE,  a  native  of  Virginia,  was  born  in  Pendleton 
County,  Va.,  June  22,  1821.  His  parents  were  Adam  and  Annis 
(Dolley)  Bouse,  the  latter  of  wl\om,  whose  father  was  a  British  soldier  in 
the  Revolution,  is  still  alive  and  in  active  health,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-three.  Sylvanus  was  reared  on  a  farm  with  meager  opportunities 
for  obtaining  an  education,  having  at  times  to  walk  two  miles  over  mount- 
ain roads  to  school.  He  was  married  on  June  8,  1848,  in  Virginia,  to 
Elizabeth  J.  Vandevender,  and  in  the  same  year  entered  land  from  the 
Government  in  Jefferson  Township,  Tipton  Co.,  Ind.  He  earned  the 
money  with  which  he  paid  for  his  land,  by  laboring  for  $8  per  month, 
and  had  $25  left  with  which  to  begin  life  in  the  new  country.  On  his 
trip  from  Virginia,  which  was  made  in  a  wagon,  he  saw  but  one  railroad. 
The  issue  of  his  marriage  consisted  of  six  children,  two  of  whom  died  in 
infancy,  and  four  attained  their  majorities,  viz.:  Isaac,  who  died  in  his 
twenty-second  year,  William  P.,  Alexis  A.  and  Adam  H.      During  in- 

I  tervals  in  his  farm  labors,  he  has  at  times  followed  the  vocation  of  a  brick 
and  stone  mason,  which  was  of  great  assistance  to  him  in  his  early 
career.  He  bears  the  reputation  of  a  sober,  industrious  and  honorable 
citizen,  and  has  been  for  ten  years  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  a  liberal  patron  of  all  charitable  enterprises.  He 
resides  on  a  neat  farm  in  good  cultivation,  of  which  he  is  the  owner. 

WILLIAM  ASBURY  BOUSE  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  was 
born  in  Pendleton  County,  January  25,  1841 ;  his  parents,  Adam  and 
Annis  (Dolley)  Bouse,  were  natives  of  Virginia  and  of  German  descent. 
John  Dolley,  Sr.,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  British  soldier,  and 
was  captured  by  Gen.  Washington  at  Trenton,  N.  J.  Adam  Bouse,  sub- 
ject's father,  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  at  Norfolk,  Va.;  he  moved  to  Jef- 
ferson Township,  Tipton  Co.,  Ind.,  about  the  year  1850,  locating  in  Sec- 
tion 4,  where  he  remained  about  twenty  years,  and  died  at  the  residence 
of  S.  V.  Phares,  January  1,  1877,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four.  William  A. 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  in  his  youth  enjoyed  but  poor  opportunities  for 
obtaining  an  education.  He  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army  in  April 
of  1861,  Company  F,  Eleventh  Indiana  Volunteer  Zouaves,  under  Col. 
Lew  Wallace.  He  participated  in  the  fight  at  Romney,  Va.,  which  was 
among  the  first  engagements  of  the  war,  and  at  the  end  of  his  short  term 
of  service  returned  home  and  was  at  once  taken  sick  with  the  small-pox. 

,  On  his  recovery  from  that  dread  scourge,  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's 
trade  until  July  17,  1862,  when  he  again  enlisted,  this  time  in  Company 


378  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

B,  Seventy-fifth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  With  this  company,  he 
was  engaged  in  the  fight  at  Hoover's  Gap,  and  Chickamauga,  where  he  re- 
ceived a  lasting  injury  from  a  fall  while  distributing  ammunition.  In  the 
engagements  that  followed  at  Chattanooga,  Missionary  Ridge,  etc.,  he 
was  in  continuous  fighting  for  two  months,  and  in  the  battle  at  Kenesaw 
Mountain  he  received  a  painful  wound  in  the  thigh  from  an  ounce  ball. 
But  nevertheless  he  remained  with  the  regiment  and  went  to  Atlanta;  was 
under  fire  with  Sherman  at  Jonesboro  for  three  weeks,  and  accom- 
panied him  on  his  victorious  march  to  the  sea,  fighting  his  last  battle  at 
Smithfield,  N.  C;  he  was  discharged  in  January,  1865,  and  at  once  re- 
turned home.  On  September  23,  1868,  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Mar- 
garet A.  Newton,  widow  of  Daniel  H.  Newton,  who  died  at  Tipton,  Mo., 
and  who  had  been  a  member  of  the  Twenty-sixth  Regiment  Indiana  Vol- 
unteer Infantry.  Her  parents,  Eli  Hall  and  Margaret  (Hutto)  Hall,  were 
married  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  and  came  to  Tipton  County  about  1856  ; 
her  father  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred  December 
18,  1875,  aged  sixty-seven.  Margaret,  by  her  marriage  with  Newton, 
has  one  child,  viz.,  John  W.,  married,  and  a  farmer.  She  and  our  subject 
have  one  child,  Luella,  born  October  4,  1867.  He  farmed  and  traded 
until  1881.  At  that  time,  he  removed  to  and  purchased  property  in  Gold- 
smith, where  he  has  since  resided.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  with  which  they  have  been  identified  for 
eleven  years.  He  is  a  man  of  temperate  habits,  generous  impulses,  and 
respected  by  his  fellow-citizens. 

JOHN  A.  BOUSE,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Maryland  June  14,  1852, 
and  is  the  son  of  Rev.  George  and  Virginia  (Miles)  Bouse.  Being  the 
son  of  a  Methodist  minister,  he  was  required  to  make  his  home  in  various 
places.  He  attended  the  Pennsylvania  College  at  Gettysburg,  and  began 
reading  medicine  in  1871,  at  Three  Springs,  Penn.,  under  J.  F.  Thompson. 
He  graduated  in  1875,  at  the  Medical  Univei'sity  of  Philadelphia,  and  also 
attended  one  course  of  lectures  at  Bellevue  Hospital,  New  York.  He  com- 
menced the  practice  of  medicine  in  Clearfield  County,  Penn.,  in  1875, 
where  he  remained  in  practice  for  three  years.  He  located  at  Goldsmith, 
Ind.,  in  1878,  where  he  has  won  a  wide  reputation  in  his  profession.  Mr. 
Bouse  was  married,  January  18,  1883,  in  Chambersburg,  Penn.,  to  Miss 
Minerva  J.  Sherk.  He  is  a  liberal  donator  for  public  improvements.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  has  been  identified  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  seven  years.  He  is  a  strong  advocate  of 
temperance,  and  is  an  instructor  in  the  Sunday  school. 

SYLVANUS  BILBY  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  November 
8,  1830.  His  parents,  Stephen  and  Rebecca  (Ludlow)  Bilby,  both  died 
in  Fayette  County,  the  former  having  been  a  farmer  and  blacksmith. 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  379 

Sylvanus  being  bound  out  at  the  age  of  nine  when  he  was  brought  to 
Tipton  County,  was  not  permitted  by  his  master  the  privilege  of  attend- 
ing school,  consequently  his  education  was  limited.  At  the  age  of  nine- 
teen, he  rebelled  against  the  tyranny  of  his  master,  and  left  his  service. 
By  economy  and  hard  labor,  he  managed  to  secure  forty  acres  of  wild 
land,  and  February  16,  1851,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Susannah  Basey, 
daughter  of  William  and  Susan  Basey,  pioneers  of  Tipton  County.  He 
and  his  wife  immediately  located  on  their  land,  determined  to  hew  out  a 
home.  Their  industry  was  crowned  with  success.  In  a  few  years  he 
traded  these  forty  acres  for  a  piece  nearer  Tetersburg,  and  in  1865  he 
again  traded,  this  time  for  the  farm  he  now  occupies,  consisting  of  about 
100  acres  of  fine  land  in  Jefferson  Township.  It  is  beautifully  located, 
in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and  ornamented  by  a  fine  residence.  Their 
union  has  brought  them  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  living,  viz.: 
Sarah  Frances,  Marinda  Thompson,  Erasmus  Alexander  and  James 
Andrew.  Emila  died,  aged  twenty-one,  and  one  died  during  infan- 
cy. By  his  industry  he  has  saved  an  independent  competency.  They 
have  both  been  consistent  members  of  church  from  their  youth.  They 
enjoy  the  esteem  of  all  who  knew  them.     Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

HARDEN  H.  BUNCH  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  Octo- 
ber 27,  1845;  his  parents,  William  S.  and  Matilda  (Woolf)  Bunch,  were 
natives  of  North  Carolina.  Harden  passed  his  boyhood  days  in  a  country 
town  until  his  twelfth  year,  when  the  death  of  his  mother  occurred.  For 
five  years  he  worked  on  a  farm,  and  when  in  his  seventeenth  year  enlisted 
in  Company  K,  Forty-seventh  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry  ;  he  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Fort  Pillow  and  Island  No.  10,  and  from  there  his 
command  went  to  Yazoo  Pass,  where  he  was  transferred  to  the  St.  Louis 
Hospital ;  he  remained  there  but  two  months,  when  he  was  taken  as  a 
clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Provost  Marshal,  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  where  he 
remained  till  the  close  of  the  war  ;  he  returned  home  and  resumed  work 
on  a  farm  ;  was  married,  July  2,  1865,  to  Miss  Mary  Phares.  Their 
union  has  been  crowned  by  the  birth  of  four  children,  of  whom  three 
are  yet  living,  viz.:  Sarah  A.,  Everett  L.,  Lizzie  J.;  and  Carrie  C, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  Harden  is  noted  for  his  retiring  dis- 
position and  cool  and  accurate  judgment.  In  1872,  he  was  elected  to  the 
position  of  Township  Trustee  by  a  majority  of  eight  votes,  the  township 
being  very  close,  politically.  xA-t  the  close  of  his  first  term,  he  was  re-elected 
without  any  opposition  ;  he  is  a  very  successful  farmer  and  raiser  of  stock, 
having  about  200  acres  of  fine  land  situated  in  what  is  known  as  the 
"  Indian  Reserve,"  nearly  all  in  cultivation  and  stocked  with  an  improved 
quality  of  stock.  He  has  always  been  a  man  possessed  of  a  spirit  favor- 
able to  public  improvements  and  all  needed  reforms  ;  he  is  a  liberal  patron 


380  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

of  the  church,  having  been  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  for  seven 
years. 

DAVID  CAMPBELL,  an  early  pioneer  of  this  county,  was  born  in 
Henry  County,  Ky.,  February  1,  1816,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Sa- 
rah (Carter)  Campbell.  David  Campbell  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  in 
1846  the  family  located  in  Tipton  County  on  the  north  side  of  the  Indian 
Prairie,  now  Jefferson  Township,  and  entered  158  acres  of  the  most  de- 
sirable land  in  the  township.  He  has  been  one  of  the  most  successful  men 
of  the  county  ;  he  was  married,  March  5,  1840,  in  Johnson  County,  to  Miss 
Sarah  Jenkins  ;  he  has  deeded  to  his  children  540  acres  of  good  land,  and 
still  owns  790  acres  of  the  best  land  in  the  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Campbell  have  had  ten  children — Maria,  born  February  1, 1841,  and  died 
after  her  marriage  ;  Newton,  born  December  26,  1842  ;  Thomas  R.,  born 
February  2,  1845,  died  in  March,  1883  ;  John,  born  July  16,  1847  ; 
James  J.,  born  November  3,  1850  ;  Elizabeth,  born  February  22,  1853 ; 
William,  born  September  25,  1855,  died  July  15,  1879  ;  Oliver,  born 
August  24,  1858;  Sarah  F.,  born  July  6,  1861,  and  Tipton  D.,  born 
July  15,  1865.  Mr.  Campbell  has  assisted  much  in  the  general  improve- 
ment of  the  county  ;  he  is  liberal  to  the  needy  and  distressed,  and  has  ac- 
cumulated a  good  fortune  by  industry  and  economy. 

NEWTON  CAMPBELL  was  born  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  Decem- 
ber 26,  1842.  His  parents,  David  and  Mary  (Jenkins)  Campbell,  re- 
moved with  him  to  the  Indian  Reserve  in  1846.  Our  subject  was  reared 
on  a  farm.  His  opportunities  for  acquiring  an  education,  in  those  early 
days,  were  exceedingly  limited,  but  by  a  close  application  to  the  few  text- 
books which  he  possessed,  he  managed  to  master  the  rudiments  of  knowl- 
edge. In  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  One  Hundred  and  First  In- 
diana Volunteer  Infantry.  On  March  20,  1863.  he  was  wounded  in  the 
shoulder,  at  Milton,  Tenn.,  by  a  minie  ball,  which  relic  of  the  rebellion 
he  still  carries,  securely  imbedded  in  his  shoulder.  On  account  of  his 
wound,  he  was  discharged  in  May,  1863.  Returning  home,  he  did  such 
light  work  on  his  father's  farm  as  his  disabillity  would  permit  of  until 
1865,  when  he  began  working  for  himself.  On  the  12th  of  April,  1869, 
he  was  united  in  the  bonds  of  wedlock  to  Miss  Sarah  Smith,  daughter  of 
John  D.  Smith.  The  issue  of  their  marriage  consists  of  three  daughters, 
viz.  :  Mary  E.,  born  March  19,  1870  ;  Laura  D.,  born  May  22,  1874, 
and  Adaha,  born  September  17,  1878,  He  is  one  of  the  most  industri- 
ous farmers  and  stock-raisers  in  the  county.  He  is  the  owner  of  240 
acres  of  land,  well  improved  and  drained,  and  well  stocked  with  finely 
blooded  stock.  His  residence  on  his  farm  is  a  large,  elegant  and  conven- 
ient frame  house.     He  is  a  quiet,  honest  and  industrious  citizen. 

JAMES  J.  CAMPBELL,  merchant,  was  born  in  Prairie  Township, 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  381 

Tipton  County,  Ind.,  November  3,  1850,  and  is  one  of  ten  children  born 
to  David  and  Mary  Campbell.  James  J.  attended  the  public  schools 
from  the  age  of  six  to  twenty-one,  and  remained  on  the  farm  with  his 
father  until  1873.  He  then  located  on  another  of  his  father's  farms,  and 
lived  there  alone  until  December,  1874,  when  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  E.  Vandevender.  They  have  two  children — Roxey,  aged  five, 
and  Carl,  aged  three.  Mr.  Campbell  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business 
in  1879,  and  is  now  ranked  as  one  of  the  prominent  business  men  of 
Goldsmith.  He  held  the  office  of  Postmaster  for  five  years,  and  in 
March,  1882,  was  nominated  by  the  Republican  party  for  Township 
Trustee.  He  was  elected  by  a  large  majority,  and  is  now  filling  the 
office  with  great  credit.  Mr.  Campbell  is  a  young  man  of  unusual  intel- 
ligence, and  is  ever  ready  to  assist  charitable  institutions.  He  was  for 
several  years  a  prominent  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  fraternity,  of 
Tetersburg,  No.  324,  and  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Masonic 
Lodge,  No.  128,  at  Tipton. 

JOHN  A.  CAMPBELL,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Adams  County, 
Ohio,  where  he  was  born  in  1833  ;  his  parents  were  James  M.  and  Re- 
becca (Wasson)  Campbell,  both  natives  of  the  same  county  and  State  above 
named.  The  former  was  a  blacksmith,  stone-mason,  carpenter  and  farmer. 
He  remained  in  his  native  county  until  the  year  1853,  when  he  removed 
with  his  family  of  nine  children  to  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  and  settled  in 
Jefferson  Township ;  he  purchased  a  farm  and  erected  the  first  saw  mill, 
with  facilities  for  grinding  corn,  ever  built  in  the  towijship,  and  con- 
ducted it  until  his  death,  which  occurred  September  16,  1855 ;  his  wife 
died  in  the  spring  of  1881 ;  of  their  family,  of  whom  John  A.  is  the  third, 
six  are  now  living,  all  in  Tipton  County,  except  one,  who  resides  in 
Douglas  County,  Kan.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  ;  when  his 
father  died,  in  connection  with  his  brother,  he  managed  the  mill  for  one 
year  ;  he  then  sold  out  his  interest  in  the  milling  business  and  farmed 
for  awhile  on  land  situated  in  Cicero  Township  ;  he  soon  left  that  and, 
returning  to  the  old  home  farm  in  Jefferson  Township,  he  for  eight 
years  conducted  it  and  maintained  his  mother  and  sisters.  In  1865,  he 
purchased  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  situated  one  and  three-fourths 
miles  south  of  Goldsmith  ;  he  has  eighty  acres  under  cultivation  and  well 
improved.  On  the  8th  of  April,  1858,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Jane  Weed,  a  native  of  Rush  County,  Ind.,  whose  parents  were  natives 
of  South  Carolina.  They  have  five  children  living — Mrs.  Emma  A. 
Cloud,  Franklin  U.,  Mary  E.,  George  A.  and  James  C,  and  two  de- 
ceased. He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
with  which  they  have  been  identified  for  twenty-five  years.  Politically, 
he  adheres  to  the  Republican   party,    in  which  he   is   an  acknowledged 


382  BIOGRArHICAL   SKETCHES: 

leader.     He  is  a  liberal  donor  of  the  church,  and  possessed  of  a  commend- 
able spirit  for  public  improvements. 

DAVID  R.  CAMPBELL,  physician,  was  born  in  Indiana  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1848  ;  his  parents,  George  and  Martha  J.  (Van  Kirk)  Camp- 
bell, were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  David  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
trained  to  agricultural  pursuits  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age, 
when  he  began  teaching  in  the  public  schools  of  the  country,  which  pro- 
fession he  followed  for  eight  years.  During  his  career  as  a  teacher,  he 
learned  and  pursued,  during  the  vacation  of  his  school  terms,  the  trade  of 
a  plasterer,  working  at  that  trade  at  intervals  for  about  seven  years. 
In  1874,  he  entered  upon  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Moore,  of 
Galveston,  Ind.  During  the  winter  of  1875-76,  he  attended  his  first 
term  of  lectures  at  the  Indiana  Medical  College  of  Indianapolis,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1876,  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Normanda, 
Tipton  Co.,  Ind.  He  graduated  in  his  profession  in  March  1880,  at  the 
same  college  where  he  attended  his  first  term,  his  being  the  first  name  of 
the  first  class  ever  graduated  by  that  institution.  Dr.  Campbell  was  mar- 
ried, December  31,  1868,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Griffith,  who  died  May  1, 
1881,  leaving  four  small  children — Jesse  B.,  George  G.,  Mary  M.  and 
Ira  M.  Since  his  wife's  death,  he  has  kept  his  little  family  together,  by 
giving  them  his  closest  attention  in  the  intervals  of  his  professional 
duties.  He  is  a  close  and  careful  student,  and  is  winning  for  himself  a 
lucrative  practice  and  an  enviable  reputation  in  his  profession. 

JAMES  CLOUD  is  the  son  of  William  and  Lucy  (Cornelius)  Cloud, 
and  was  born  December  30,  1818.  The  parents  were  of  English  descent, 
and  were  pioneers  of  Dearborn  County,  Ind.,  where  James  was  reared  on 
a  farm.  The  family  settled  in  this  county  in  1847,  and  while  on  a  visit 
to  Wabash  County  December  24,  1865,  the  mother  died  in  her  sixty- 
third  year.  The  father  died  in  Tipton  County  January  7,  1880,  in  his 
eighty-fourth  year.  November  4,  1841,  James  Cloud  married  Ruth  Ann 
Basey,  daughter  of  William  Basey,  of  Kentucky,  and  this  union  was 
blessed  with  nine  children — Thomas  II.  (who  died  at  Cairo,  111.,  October 
7,  1862),  Sarah  E.,  John  W.,  Harriet  (who  died  in  infancy),  James  S., 
Martha  J.,  Willis  A.,  Sylvanus  and  Albert  (the  last  two  dying  in  infancy). 
James  Cloud  began  life  a  poor  man,  and  came  to  this  township  without  a 
dollar  left  in  his  pocket  to  take  possession  of  a  forty-acre  lot  he  had  pur- 
chased the  previous  year,  without  having  seen  it.  He  found  his  property 
to  be  a  swamp  in  the  green  wood,  but  he  set  energetically  to  work  to 
redeem  it,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  finely  cultivated  farm  of  120  acres. 
In  1881,  he  lost  the  partner  of  his  earlier  and  later  manhood.  She  had 
been  a  member  of  the  Predestinarian  Baptist  Church  for  thirty-five  years, 
and  Mr.  Cloud  is  a  member  of  the  same  denomination. 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  383 

BOSTON  DAY,  a  pioneer  of  Tipton  County,  was  born  in  Pendleton 
County,  Va.,  in  1819,  and  is  the  son  of  Basil  and  Susan  (Cookholts)  Day. 
He  was  reared  as  a  farmer,  being  bound  out  at  the  age  of  five  years  until 
he  was  twenty-one.  He  had  no  educational  advantages  until  he  obtained 
his  freedom.  He  came  west  to  Ohio  in  1840,  remained  there  on  a  farm 
two  years,  and  then  came  to  Whitley  County,  Ind.,  where  he  was  mar- 
ried in  1842.  From  this  union  were  five  children,  one  of  whom  is  living 
— William  F.  Mr.  Day  removed  to  Tipton  County  in  1865,  and  settled 
in  Jefferson  Township,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  elected 
Township  Assessor  in  1880,  and  filled  the  position  with  such  credit  and 
satisfaction  that  he  was  re-elected  for  four  years  in  1882,  and  is  now  filling 
that  ofiice.  Mr.  Day  was  a  strong  anti-slavery  man,  and  a  strong  advo- 
cate of  temperance  and  moral  education.  He  is  a  liberal  patron  oT  all 
public  enterprises,  and  has  wielded  great  influence  in  the  development  of 
the  county.  He  has  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county,  and  is  noted, 
at  his  advanced  age,  for  his  iron  will  and  determination.  He  is  sixty-five 
years  of  age,  but  assesses  the  township  on  foot. 

W.  R.  DUNHAM,  school  teacher  and  clerk,  was  born  in  Tipton 
County,  Ind.,  February  1,  1856,  and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  Gr.  and  Ma- 
tilda (Reese)  Dunham,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Ohio  respectively.  His 
parents  settled  in  Tipton  County  in  an  early  day,  and  our  subject  was 
reared  on  a  farm  in  Jefferson  Township.  He  assisted  his  father  in  clear- 
ing his  land,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  obtained  a  license  to  teach.  He 
taught  his  first  school  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  and  has  taught  thirteen 
terms.  He  took  charge  of  the  first  graded  school  in  Kempton,  and  has 
of  late  years  taught  in  the  winter,  and  in  the  summer  clerked  in  the  dry 
goods  and  grocery  store  of  Booth  Bros.,  the  largest  store  in  Kempton. 
Mr.  Dunham  was  married,  April  6,  1881,  to  Miss  Laura  Belle  Allen,  of 
Sabina,  Clinton  Co.,  Ohio.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  one 
child — Wibber  F.  Dunham.  Mr.  Dunham  was  nominated  for  Township 
Trustee  on  the  Democratic  ticket  when  he  was  only  twenty-three  years  of 
age,  and  was  defeated  by  a  small  majority  in  a  strong  Republican  town- 
ship. He  is  a  Notary  Public ;  also  is  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  New- 
Light  Church,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  since  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age. 

WILLIAM  H.  EATON  was  born  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  January 
6,  1843,  and  is  the  son  of  James  W.  and  Martha  A.  (Ragsdale)  Eaton. 
William  H.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  located  in 
Tipton  County.  He  was  married,  August  15,  1868,  to  Eliza  A.  Daven- 
port. They  had  one  child,  and  Mrs.  Eaton  died  July  15,  1865.  He  was 
next  married,  June  6,  1867,  to  Mary  J.  Layton.  They  had  one  child, 
and  his    wife    died    July    17,    1876.    He    was    then  married  January 


384  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

12,  1878,  to  Christina  Hanshew.  Mr.  Eaton,  by  industry  and  hard 
study,  after  his  first  marriage,  obtaineda  six  months'  teacher's  certificate. 
He  had  but  a  limited  education,  but  proved  himself  to  be  an  exceptional 
educator,  as  was  shown  by  his  teaching  in  the  public  schools  of  Tipton 
and  Howard  Counties  ten  consecutive  years ;  he  taught  his  last  school  in 
Howard  County  under  an  eighteen  months'  license.  In  1878,  he  removed 
to  Reno  County,  Kan.,  where  he  remained  on  a  farm  for  three  years,  but 
on  account  of  grasshoppers  and  drought,  was  not  successful.  He  filled  the 
office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  Avhile  there,  one  term,  and  in  1881  returned 
to  Tipton  County.  He  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  the  spring  of 
1882,  which  office  he  now  holds  with  credit  to  himself  and  general  satis- 
faction to  the  citizens. 

SAMUEL  P.  EPPERSON  is  a  native  of  Mercer  County,  Ky.,  and 
was  born  March  14,  1815.  He  is  the  son  of  David  and  Anna  (Cox) 
Epperson  ;  he  spent  his  youth  on  a  farm  among  slaves,  his  parents  being 
limited  slave  owners ;  he  received  a  moderate  education,  and  was  mar- 
ried December  31,  1840,  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  Beegle,  daughter  of  Elijah  and 
Elizabeth  (Bernaugh)  Beegle.  Mr.  Epperson  located  in  Jefferson  Town- 
ship, Tipton  County,  in  October,  1850.  He  entered  land  as  he  came 
through  Indianapolis,  before  seeing  the  country,  but  fortunately  the  se- 
lection was  good  ;  he  taught  one  or  two  terms  of  subscription  school,  and 
for  several  years  bought  horses  and  shipped  to  the  southern  market.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Epperson  have  had  nine  children — Lydia  B.,  George  W.,  Mar- 
tha J.  and  Emmasetta,  living;  and  Mary  A.,  Ben  P.  and  three  infants, 
deceased.  Their  four  living  children  are  married,  and  they  are  left  alone 
in  their  old  age.  They  have  worked  and  economized  against  many  disad- 
vantages, and  have  a  good  little  farm,  well  improved  and  well  stocked. 
Mr.  Epperson  enlisted  in  the  United  States  service,  January,  1864,  in 
the  Thirty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Mounted  Infantry;  he 
participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  Gen.  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the 
sea,  and  was  mustered  out  in  North  Carolina,  in  July,  1865.  The  hard- 
ships of  camp  and  field  were  too  great  for  his  advanaed  age,  and  he  has 
been  an  invalid  since  the  close  of  the  war. 

GEORGE  W.  EPPERSON,  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Jefferson 
Township,  was  born  in  Mercer  County,  Ky.,  May  28,  1846 ;  his  parents 
were  Samuel  P.  and  Eliza  Jane  (Beegle)  Epperson,  natives  of  Kentucky, 
and  of  English  and  German  extraction  respectively.  George,  the  third 
of  a  family  of  nine  children,  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  the  education  he 
received  in  his  youth  was  the  best  the  common  schools  of  that  day  afford- 
ed. His  parents  emigrated  to  Tipton  County  in  1850,  and  settled  on 
the  farm  Avhere  they  at  present  reside.  He  remained  at  home  until  1863, 
when    he    enlisted    in    Company    M,    Thirty-ninth    Indiana   Volunteer 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  385 

Mounted  Infantry,  and  continued  therein  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
participated  in  all  the  engagements  prior  to  and  during  the  siege  of  At- 
lanta ;  he  was  with  Sherman  on  his  victorious  campaign  to  the  sea,  and 
in  every  battle  fought  on  that  memorable  march.  During  his  term  of 
service  he  carried  the  colors  of  his  regiment  for  one  year ;  had  three 
horses  shot  under  him  in  different  battles,  and  was  several  times  wounded. 
He  was  mustered  out  of  service  in  July  of  1865,  and,  returning  home,  he 
engaged  in  farming,  at  which  he  continued  for  three  years.  He  then 
took  up  and  for  some  time  followed  the  carpenter's  trade.  In  1876,  he 
was  elected  to  the  office  of  Trustee  of  Jefferson  Township,  and  at  the  end 
of  his  term  of  office  he  was  re-elected  by  an  increased  majority.  During 
his  career  as  a  Trustee,  and  up  to  the  year  1881,  he  was  a  part  of  the 
time  engaged  as  salesman  in  a  mercantile  establishment  in  Tetersburg. 
In  January  of  1881,  he  accepted  a  position  as  route  agent  from  Indian- 
apolis to  Decatur,  111.,  but  soon  resigned  it  on  account  of  ill  health.  He 
then  became  purchasing  agent  for  a  lumber  company  in  Kentucky,  where 
he  remained  until  August  of  1882,  when  he  was  nominated  by  the  Re- 
publicans of  this  county  for  the  office  of  County  Clerk,  and  he  came  home 
to  enter  the  campaign.  The  result  of  that  contest  would  have  been  a 
triumphant  victory  for  Mr.  Epperson  had  not  his  own  party  friends 
proved  treacherous.  He  was  married,  September  6,  1866,  to  Miss  Sarah 
Ryker,  of  Clinton  County.  They  have  four  children  living,  viz.:  Willie 
A.,  Emma  J.,  Charles  S.  and  Ora  R.;  and  one  deceased,  viz.,  Lena. 
George,  as  he  is  familiarly  known  all  over  the  county,  is  one  of  those 
hail  fellows  well  met,  with  whom  it  is  a  pleasure  to  come  in  contact. 
Although  a  Republican,  he  is  deservedly  popular  with  all  parties.  He  is 
a  prominent  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 

HENRY  JACKSON  FLOYD  is  a  native  of  Iowa,  in  Linn  County, 
in  which  State  he  was  born  March  17,  1853  ;  his  parents,  William  and 
Isabella  (Ruse)  Floyd,  both  natives  of  Ohio,  and  of  French  and  English 
descent  respectively,  located  in  Jefferson  Township,  Tipton  County,  Ind., 
in  1853,  where  Henry,  our  subject,  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's 
farm ;  his  opportunities  for  education  in  his  earlier  years  were  very  limit- 
ed, on  account  of  the  straitened  condition  of  his  parents'  finances  ;  he 
continued  to  assist  in  supporting  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-three 
years  of  age,  at  which  time,  with  his  own  accumulated  means,  he  began 
educating  himself  at  the  Northern  Indiana  Normal  School ;  here  he 
attended  for  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  he  was  regarded  as  a  very 
good  scholar.  During  his  college  career,  he  began  teaching  during  vaca- 
tions in  the  public  schools,  carrying  that  on  in  connection  with  the  busi- 
ness of  farming,  and  soon  built  up  a  reputation  second  to  none  in  his 
township.     Henry  is  the  fourth  child  of  a  family  of  eleven  children,  five- 


386  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

of  whom  attained  their  majorities,  but  only  three  of  them  are  now  living. 
Henry  was  married,  April  26,  1881,  in  Tipton  County,  to  Miss  Jennie 
C.  Melson.  They  have  one  child,  Bayard  F.,  born  March  18,  1882.  Our 
subject  owns  a  good  residence  where  he  lives,  in  the  town  of  Kempton, 
and  a  piece  of  land  lying  north  of  the  town  ;  he  is  yet  a  young  man, 
temperate  and  industrious  in  his  habits,  and  a  prominent  and  consistent 
member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  the  M.  E.  Church.        i 

JOHN  FOSTER,  farmer,  was  born  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  No- 
vember 30,  1832  ;  his  parents,  Richard  and  Lucinda  (Coons)  Foster, 
were  of  German  descent  and  natives  of  Virginia  ;  he  grew  to  manhood 
on  a  farm,  and  enjoyed  the  limited  advantages  of  about  three  months' 
schooling  each  year,  but  being  the  possessor  of  a  strong,  active  mind, 
his  business  relations  and  career  have  made  him  a  well-informed  man.  In 
1849,  he  located  in  Tipton  County,  in  the  east  corner  of  Prairie  Town- 
ship, then  an  unbroken  wilderness.  The  manner  in  which  their  grain 
was  ground  in  that  day  was  by  means  of  the  old  horse-mill,  now  an  obso- 
lete piece  of  machinery.  Our  subject  has  been  twice  married — first  to 
Miss  Mary  Stevens,  of  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  August  5,  1854,  who  died 
November  3,  1865,  and  by  whom  he  has  had  five  children,  three  of  whom 
are  living,  viz.:  George  D.,  Arminta  and  Emeline ;  his  second  marriage 
occurred  August  10,  1866,  to  Miss  Martha  E.  Barr ;  by  her  he  has  had 
nine  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Edward  E.,  Mary  E., 
Frederick  F.,  Dora  B.,  Richard  B.,  Perry,  and  an  unnamed  infant 
girl.  He  enlisted,  February  6,  1865,  in  Company  K,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Fifty-third  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  dis- 
charged September  13,  1865.  Until  his  return  from  the  army,  he  had 
not  been  very  successful  in  business,  but  since  that  time,  by  close  applica- 
tion and  untiring  industry,  he  has  succeeded  in  increasing  his  capital, 
then  about  $2,000,  to  nearly  $10,000,  invested  mainly  in  good  farms.  Mr. 
Foster  is  known  in  the  community  in  which  he  lives  as  a  pious  and  moral 
citizen,  unswerving  in  his  allegiance  to  his  church  and  first  to  contribute 
to  deserving  charitable  enterprises. 

RICHARD  H.  FOSTER  was  born  January  15,  1844,  in  Johnson 
County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  son  of  Richard  and  Lucinda  E.  (Coons)  Foster; 
his  father  located  in  Tipton  County  in  1850,  and  entered  800  acres  of 
Government  land,  the  patents  being  signed  by  President  Taylor.  Richard 
H.  Foster  spent  his  youth  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  very  limited  educa- 
tion, having  access  to  no  public  schools  in  his  early  childhood ;  he  was 
married,  November  22,  1866,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Barr,  and  lived  on  the 
old  homestead  until  1880 ;  he  then  moved  into  his  new  home,  one-half 
mile  east  of  Goldsmith,  having  purchased  a  farm  and  erected  a  beautiful 
residence  ;    he   has   seven    children — Flora   D.,  Albert  N.,  Laura  A., 


% 


kL'- 


^^^a-^^eJ^o-t^^ 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  389 

Clarence  E.,  Mary  L.,  Etta  L.  and  Mabel.  Mr.  Foster  has  been  indus- 
trious and  economical,  and  has  been  a  successful  farmer;  he  owns  260 
acres  of  good  farm  land,  well  improved  ;  he  is  a  liberal  donor  to  churches 
and  public  institutions,  and  he  and  his  wife  have  been  consistent  members 
of  th«  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Hopewell  for  eight  years. 

CHARLES  FOSTROM,  a  son  of  Mathias  and  Annis  A.  (Johnson) 
Fostrom,  was  born  in  Sweden  January  13,  1846  ;  he  lived  on  a  farm 
and  attended  the  common  school  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  when 
he  began  an  apprenticeship  at  the  blacksmith  trade  ;  he  worked  three 
years  for  nothing,  and  then  took  charge  of  the  shop  as  foreman  for  six 
months ;  he  went  on  board  a  vessel  at  Stromstad  as  *a  sailor,  and  was  on 
the  sea  constantly  for  three  years  ;  he  landed  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  Sep- 
tember 4,  1868,  poorly  clad  and  penniless;  here  he  worked  in  a  brick 
yard,  and  later  in  a  blacksmith  shop  at  Haverstraw,  N.  Y.  After  spend- 
ing one  year  in  Haverstraw.  he  engaged  as  a  day  laborer  in  the  con- 
struction of  railroads,  and  filled  the  positions  of  hand  foreman,  road 
master  and  train  conductor;  he  followed  this  business  for  ten  years,  in 
the  States  of  New  York,  Pennsylvania  and  Indiana,  and  during  this  time 
was  married  to  Miss  Anna  C.  Gustafson,  of  La  Fayette,  a  native  of 
Sweden,  who  had  been  in  the  United  States  about  two  years;  he  located 
in  Kempton,  Ind.,  September  15,  1877,  and  engaged  in  the  business  of 
general  merchandise ;  he  sold  out  the  first  year,  and  engaged  in  the  grain 
business,  which  he  has  successfully  pursued  to  the  present  time ;  in  1879, 
he  added  hardware  and  agricultural  implements  to  his  business ;  he  was 
elected  Township  Trustee  by  the  Republican  party  in  April,  1880,  and 
has  made  a  creditable  record,  Mr.  Fostrom  is  carrying  a  stock  of  $6,000, 
and  has  made  his  business  successful ;  he  is  a  liberal  donator  to  all  public 
enterprises,  and  has  been  a  consistent  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 
for  five  years. 

HENRY  J.  GOFF,  farmer,  was  born  in  Stokes  County,  N.  C,  in 
1848,  and  is  the  son  of  Washington  J.  G.  and  Rebecca  W.  (Sturdivant) 
Goff,  who  came  to  Indiana  about  the  year  1853  and  located  in  Hamilton 
County,  near  Noblesville.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  spent  his  boyhood 
days  on  the  farm,  and  has  always  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits ; 
he  located  in  Tipton  County  in  the  year  1870,  and  was  married,  October 
4,  of  the  same  year,  to  Miss  Martha  E.  Ploughe.  This  union  has  been 
blessed  with  five  children — Laura  L.  (deceased,  aged  three  years),  Ben- 
jamin W.,  Henry  C,  James  T.  and  Hettie  M.  Mr.  Goff  started  in  life 
entirely  dependent  on  his  energy  and  good  judgment ;  he  has  been 
afflicted  with  ill-health  since  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  has 
had  much  sickness  in  his  family,  but  he  has  been  energetic  and  indus- 
trious and  has  made  a  successful  farmer;  he  is  rather   venturesome  and 

i;4 


390  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

speculative,  yet  cautious  and  discreet  in  all  his  undertakings,  and  has 
been  fortunate  in  real  estate  trades.  He  takes  great  interest  in  improved 
stock,  and  assists  all  public  enterprises.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Grange 
organization  during  its  existence,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  stalwart  Repub. 
lican. 

DAVID  GOODKNIGHT,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia in  1818,  and  is  the  son  of  Leonard  and  Martha  E.  (Fernower) 
Goodknight.  His  grandfather,  Samuel  Goodknight,  was  a  soldier  under 
Washington  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  his  wife's  father,  Owen  T. 
Rees,  was  taken  prisoner  at  Hull's  surrender  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  August 
11,  1812.  Our  subject,  at  the  age  of  two  years,  removed  with  his  par- 
ents to  Ohio,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood  days.  He  came  to  this  county 
October  15,  1851,  and  entered  land  in  Jefferson  Township.  He  came 
from  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  in  a  covered  wagon,  with  his  wife  and  family, 
when  Tipton  County  was  wet  and  marshy.  He  now  owns  about  600 
acres  in  this  county,  and  is  a  dealer  in  stock,  buying  while  they  are 
young,  and  feeding  them  until  ready  for  market.  Mr.  Goodknight  was 
married,  October  5, 1839,  to  Christie  A.  Rees,  of  Fayette  County,  Ohio. 
Nine  children  have  blessed  this  union — William  H.,  Samuel,  Isaac  N., 
Margaret  A.  Stephenson,  Martha  J.  Wilson,  John  G.,  Christie  A.  (de- 
ceased), and  two  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Goodknight  was,  in  an  early 
day,  a  Whig,  but  later  voted  the  Republican  ticket,  and  is  now  a  member 
of  the  Greenback  party.  He  has  been  an  Odd  Fellow  for  twelve  years, 
and  is  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Kerapton  Lodge. 

SAMUEL  GOODKNIGHT,  one  of  Jefferson  Township's  energetic 
farmers,  is  an  Ohio  man,  being  born  in  Fayette  County,  of  that  State, 
April  17,  1842.  His  parents,  David  and  Christie  A.  (Rees)  Good- 
knight, were  natives  of  Virginia.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  was 
brought  to  Jefferson  Township  in  the  autumn  of  1851.  His  school  priv- 
ileges were  limited  to  the  log  schoolhouse  of  this  (Tipton)  county  twenty- 
five  years  ago.  On  the  19th  of  November,  1863,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Matilda  Moon.  They  have  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living,  viz.  : 
John  H.,  Jane  B.,  Margarette  J.,  William  H.,  Ora  E.,  Flora  E.,  Cora 
D.,  James  A.,  and  Christiana,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three,  and  one 
other  that  died  in  infancy.  After  his  marriage,  he  resided,  until  1870, 
on  his  father's  farm.  At  that  time,  he  and  his  brother,  Isaac,  purchased 
the  old  Goar  farm,  which  joins  Kempton  on  the  east,  and  on  the  east  half 
of  which  our  subject  now  resides.  The  spring  following  this  purchase, 
his  house  and  contents  were  entirely  consumed  by  fire,  and  himself  and 
family  left  homeless  and  with  a  debt  of  $6,000.  The  ensuing  au- 
tumn, a  fine  car-load  of  hogs,  with  which  he  expected  to  make  a  payment  on 
the  above  mentioned  debt,   was  lost    by    the    cholera.     Although  things 


i 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHir.  391 

were  getting  desperate,  he  did  not  lose  his  determination  to  pull  through 
the  storm,  and  he  succeeded  in  doing  so,  paying  the  last  cent  in  1876. 
He  has  always  been  noted  for  his  energy  and  determination,  his  motto, 
which  is  a  good  one,  being  that  'i  to  attempt  is  to  succeed."  He  is  a 
very  successful  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  making  a  specialty  of  breeding 
fine  cattle,  of  which  he  has  a  superior  collection.  Last  year  (1882),  he 
erected  one  of  the  finest  frame  residences  on  one  of  the  most  desirable 
locations  in  the  west  side  of  the  township.  He  has  never  had  a  law  suit, 
and  never  had  occasion  to  pay  a  lawyer's  fee.  He  is  an  honest,  industri- 
ous citizen.  He  owns  140  acres  of  land,  free  of  all  incumbrances,  and  is, 
politically,  a  stalwart  Republican. 

WILLIAM  A.  GREEN,  physician  and  druggist,  son  of  Samuel  and 
Alice  (McGannon)  Green,  was  born  in  Jennings  County.  Ind.,  Novem- 
ber 25,  1858,  and  at  the  age  of  six  years  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Tipton  County.  He  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  1878  under  Dr. 
Pitzer  in  Sharpsville,  Tipton  County,  and  the  following  winter  attended 
college  in  Cincinnati.  He  came  to  Kempton  March  10,  1879,  and  began 
the  practice  of  medicine,  and  in  January,  1882,  opened  a  drug  store,  and 
is  at  present  practicing  in  connection  with  the  drug  business.  Mr. 
Green  was  married,  January  29,  1880,  to  Miss  Ella  M.  Wells,  whose 
parents  were  among  the  early  pioneers  of  Tipton  County.  This  union 
has  been  blessed  with  one  child,  Howard  Clifton,  born  December  26,  1882, 
Dr.  Green  started  in  life  empty-handed,  but  with  energy,  brains  and 
nerve  he  has  been  successful  in  establishing  a  good  practice.  He  is  a 
prominent  citizen,  and  has  always  voted  the  Republican  ticket.  His 
father,  Samuel  Green,  was  in  the  army  in  the  Eighty-second  Regiment 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  died  near  Gettysburgh,  Penn.,  February 
5,  1863. 

ENOS  HENKLE,  an  early  settler  of  Tipton  County,  'was  born  in 
1822  in  Pendleton  County,  Va.  Is  the  son  of  Joab  and  Marv 
(Lawrence)  Henkle,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  wHo  settled  in  Tipton  Coun- 
ty in  1851.  Enos  Henkle  came  to  this  county  in  1849,  and  located  in 
Jefferson  Township.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Susan  Phares,  of  Virginia, 
in  September,  1846.  This  union  has  been  crowned  with  twelve  children 
— J.  W.,  born  June  16,  1847  ;  Joab,  born  April  16,  1849;  Ambros,  born 
October  3,  1851;  George  N.,  born  November  12,  1858;  Sylvanus,  born 
October  15,  1855 ;  Jacob,  born  March  4,  18o8,  and  died  October  20, 
1866;  Mary  C,  born  March  4,  1860;  Martha  F.,  born  June  13,  1862; 
Susan  E.,  born  August  12,  1865;  Virginia  B.,  born  July  6,  1869;  Sa- 
rah J.,  born  January  2,  1871 ;  and  Enos  C,  born  October  4,  1876.  Mr. 
Henkle  resides  on  the  farm  he  entered  in  1849.  He  has  been  an  indus- 
trious, successful  farmer,  but  for  many  years  has   been  unable  to  work, 


392  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

owing  to  chronic  neuralgia.  He  still  superintends  the  farm.  He  is  es- 
teemed for  his  kind  and  benevolent  character,  and  is  a  consistent  member 
of  the  Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  HINKLE,  farmer,  was  born  in  Pendleton  County,  Va., 
July  27,  1824.  His  parents,  Joab  and  Mary  (Lawrence)  Hinkle, 
were  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  English  descent.  They  moved  to  this 
(Tipton)  county  in  1851,  in  company  with  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and 
both  died  here  in  Jefferson  Township,  the  former  in  1859,  aged  sixty- 
two  years,  the  latter  in  1861,  aged  sixty-six  years.  William  was  the 
fourth  in  a  family  of  nine  children,  of  whom  seven  are  now  living.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  has  never  departed  from  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  was  married  in  his  native  county,  on  the  30th  of  September,  1845,  to 
Miss  Sydney  Vandevender,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Cuberty) 
Vandevender,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Virginia.  By  this  marriage 
he  is  the  father  of  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living — Sarah  E. 
Lutz,  born  April  20,  1849 ;  Adam  H.,  January  28,  1851  ;  Hester  J., 
February  7,  1854  ;  Elvina  C.  Bozell,  March  30,  1857  ;  Isaac  B.,  Sep- 
tember 17,  1859  (who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years);  Mary  B.,  November 
27,  1861;  Laura  E.,  March  24,  1864;  and  Sylvanus  L.,  January  24, 
1^69.  On  coming  to  this  county,  he  located  in  Jefferson  Township,  east 
of  Normanda,  and  purchased  forty  acres  of  land,  which  he  farmed  for  two 
years,  when  he  traded  for  eighty  acres  on  the  present  site  of  Goldsmith. 
Here  he  cultivated  the  soil  for  ten  years,  when  he  sold  his  farm,  with  the 
view  of  emigrating  to  the  West.  But  when  the  time  for  separation  drew 
near,  the  strength  of  those  ties  of  friendship  and  the  force  of  old  associa- 
tions held  him  back  and  refused  to  be  broken.  He  then  purchased  what 
is  known  as  the  old  Eli  Teter  farm,  situated  just  south  of  Qoldsmith. 
There  he  now  lives  on  what  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  prettiest  locations 
in  the  county.  It  is  well  improved  and  ornamented  with  a  beautiful  resi- 
dence, cottage  style,  erected  in  1882.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church  for  nearly  twenty-two  years,  his  wife  and  children  being 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Financially,  he  is  in  easy, 
independent  circumstances.  He  has  always  been  noted  for  his  liberal 
patronage  of  all  charitable  and  religious  enterprises  and  public  improve- 
ments. 

LORENZO  D.  HINKLE,  a  farmer  of  Jefferson  Township,  was  born 
in  Pendleton  County,  Va.,  May  14,  1838 ;  his  parents  were  Joab  and 
Mary  (Lawrence)  Hinkle,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  Joab  being  born  No- 
vember 27,  1796,  of  German  descent ;  married,  November  19,  1816,  and 
died  April  14,  1859.  Mary  was  born  May  1,  1794,  and  died  April  23, 
1861.  They  located  in  Jefferson  Township,  Tipton  County,  Ind., 
in  1851,  and  both  died  in  tlieir  new  home;   our  subject   is    the   last  of  a 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  393 

family  of  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  are  yet  living,  six  in  Indiana  and 
one  in  Virginia.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and,  in  his  limited  school 
course,  never  knew  any  reader  except  Robinson  Crusoe,  until  he  reached 
his  fifteenth  year.  Coming  to  a  new  country  did  not  improve  his  educa- 
tional advantages.  July  25,  1861,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Te- 
ter.  She  was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  January  12,  1842,  and  is 
the  third  of  a  family  of  seven  children  born  to  Jacob  and  Melvina  (Har- 
per) Teter,  who  located  in  Hamilton  County  in  1839.  The  former  died 
in  1853,  aged  thirty-five  years,  and  the  latter  in  1880,  aged  sixty-five. 
After  his  marriage  our  subject  remained  at  the  old  homestead,  taking  care 
of  his  parents  until  their  death.  His  marriage  has  been  crowned  by  the 
birth  of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  yet  living,  viz. :  Mrs.  Laura  E. 
Vandevender,  born  October  1, 1863  ;  Rosa  Lee,  born  July  13, 1867  ;  Vir- 
ginia Malvina,  born  June  5,  1869  ;  Jerome  Wesley,  born  November  22, 
1871  ;  Oscar  Harper,  born  December  28,  1873;  the  others  died  during 
infancy.  In  1863,  he  sold  his  farm  in  Tipton  County  and  bought  one  in 
Hamilton  County,  remaining  thereuntil  1877,  when  he  purchased  the  old 
George  Teter  farm,  which  had  been  entered  prior  to  any  other  north  of 
the  Reserve  line.  On  this  farm  he  now  resides.  It  is  in  a  high  state  of 
cultivation,  and  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  township  ;  himself  and  wife  are 
both  members  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  she  having 
been  identified  therewith  since  her  sixteenth  year,  and  he  for  about  eight 
years.  He  is  a  man  of  enterprise  and  public  spirit,  and  has  succeeded  by 
his  industry  in  accumulating  a  competency  for  his  old  age  and  the  benefit 
of  his  family.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  although  his  political  views 
are  governed  by  a  wise  discrimination  as  to  men  who  claim  his  suffrage. 

SILAS  SYLVESTER  JACKSON  was  born  in  Hancock  County, 
Ind.,  April  20, 1853,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Louisa  (Davis)  Jack- 
son, natives  respectively  of  North  Carolina  and  Ohio,  and  married  in 
Rush  County,  Ind.,  about  1836.  The  family  first  settled  in  Tipton  County 
in  1864,  but  in  1870  returned  to  Hancock  County,  and  thence  moved  to 
Madison  County,  where  Mrs.  Louisa  Jackson  died  in  1875.  At  the  age 
of  sixteen,  Silas  S.  Jackson  began  life  on  his  own  account,  and  for  two 
years  supported  a  widowed  sister  and  her  children.  In  1878,  he  located 
in  Ketnpton  and  started  a  wagon-making  shop,  which  he  successfully  con- 
ducted until  1881,  when  he  took  the  general  agency  for  Charles  Fostrom's 
extensive  agricultural  implement  trade,  which  position  he  still  holds. 
Mr.  Jackson  is  a  member  of  I.  0.  0.  F.  Lodge,  No.  482,  and  is  an  active 
Republican  politician.  He  possesses  considerable  business  talent,  and  is 
noted  for  his  liberality,  both  ot  mind  and  heart. 

DAVID  KEMP,  whose  portrait  appears  in  this  work,  is  one  of  the 
old  pioneers  and  eminent  business  men  of  Tipton  County  ;  he  is  a  native 


394  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKilTCHES: 

of  Frederick  County,  Md.,  and  was  born  October  29,  1818,  and  is 
the  son  of  Gilbert  and  Rebecca  (Kefner)  Kemp,  natives  of  Maryland ; 
his  father  was  a  miller,  who  emigrated  to  Ohio  about  1823,  and  located 
in  Greene  County,  near  Xenia,  where  he  engaged  in  milling.  In  1833, 
he  continued  milling  in  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  and  in  1841  came  to 
Tipton  County  and  settled  in  Jefferson  Township,  where  his  son  now 
resides.  Here  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1850;  his 
wife  died  in  1848.  David  Kemp  was  the  third  of  six  children,  and  at 
the  age  of  ten  began  clerking  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  clerk- 
ing and  attending  school  until  1836  ;  he  then  returned  to  his  parents  in 
Hamilton  County,  and  there  was  engaged  as  a  clerk  until  1810,  when  he 
came  tO  Tipton  County  and  built  a  house.  The  following  year  he  began 
farming  and  stock-raising.  At  this  time  he  was  without  means,  and 
what  he  has  accomplished  has  been  done  by  honest  endeavor  and  hard 
work.  He  has  since  resided  in  Jeff'erson  Township  upon  this  same  sec- 
tion of  land,  and  has  now  about  1,200  acres;  he  is  also  interested  in  the 
milling  business  at  Kempton,  owning  two-thirds  of  the  Mozingo  &  Kemp 
flouring  and  saw  mill ;  he  was  influential  to  a  great  extent  in  securing 
the  Lake  Erie  k  Western  Railroad  built  through  his  section,  and  at  one 
time  involved  himself  for  more  than  he  was  worth  with  John  Green,  of 
Kempton,  to  secure  it,  and  after  it  was  secured  he  laid  out  the  village  of 
Kempton,  which  has  since  grown  to  be  a  thriving  town.  He  has  served 
as  Township  Assessor,  and  for  eighteen  years  was  County  Commissioner. 
He  was  in  an  early  day  a  Whig,  but  is  now  one  of  the  leading  Democrats 
of  the  county,  and  has  been  since  before  the  war ;  he  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Kempton  Lodge,  No.  482,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  since  its  organization  in 
1875.  Mr.  Kemp  was  marriefl  in  1848  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Price.  This 
union  was  blessed  with  six  children — Joseph,  Rebecca,  David  H.,  John 
P.,  Jessie  A.  and  Jeff'erson  P.,  five  of  whom  are  living.  His  wife  died 
in  1862,  and  he  was  next  married  in  1869  to  Lorinda  E.  Jackson,  of 
Tipton. 

JOSEPH  G.  KEMP  was  born  in  1848  in  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  and 
is  the  son  of  David  and  Mary  A.  (Price)  Kemp.  He  was  married  in 
1870  to  Miss  Victoria  J.  Parker,  whose  parents  were  old  settlers  of  Tip- 
ton County.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  four  children — David  N., 
Allen,  Lizzie  and  James  B.  Mr.  Kemp  has  made  his  own  living  since 
he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  has  taught  school  for  five  terms.  He  is 
liberal  in  politics,  and  has  held  the  office  of  Township  Assessor.  He  is 
a  strong  advocate  of  temperance,  and  became  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 
in  1875.  He  is  a  citizen  highly  respected  by  all  who  have  the 
pleasure  of  his  ac(|uaintance.  lie  has  spent  his  life  in  Tipton  County,  and 
has  watched  its  growth  from  a  low,  marshy  wilderness,  to  a  good  county, 
with  pro?pcritv  on  nil  sides,   and  good  farms  on  every  hand. 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  395 

JOHN  W.  KING  is  the  son  of  James  V.  and  Levina  (Wright) 
King,  and  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  January  22,  1847.  The 
family  came  to  Tipton  County  in  1853,  and  settled  on  a  farm,  on  which 
John  W.  was  reared  to  manhood.  He  was  very  studious  in  his  youth, 
and  at  the  age  of  twenty  began  teaching  school,  which  he  followed,  in  con- 
nection with  farming,  for  five  years.  His  mother  died  February  18,  1877, 
aged  nearly  sixty-five,  and  his  father  March  10,  1881.  aged  nearly 
seventy-five  years,  and  both  had  been  supported  for  some  years  previously 
through  the  industry  and  filial  affection  of  our  subject,  who  also  erected 
suitable  monuments  over  their  last  resting  place.  November  14,  1880, 
he  married  Miss  Mary  Jane  Deal,  who  was  born  in  Tipton  County  May 
3,  1858,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Henry  and  Anna  Deal.  To  this  union 
was  born  one  child— Loren— September  27,  1881.  In  1876,  he  was 
elected  Assessor  of  Jefferson  Township,  and  re-elected  in  1878,  on  the 
Democratic  ticket.  He  was  for  several  years  engaged  as  a  canvasser  for 
literary  works,  and  was  quite  successful.  His  possessions  now  consist  of 
only  a  few  acres  of  land,  well  cultivated,  however  ;  but  this  will  not  be 
wondered  at,  when  it  is  stated  that  he  sacrificed  a  farm  of  forty  acres  in 
the  performance  of  his  filial  duties. 

W.  L.  KING,  farmer,  was  born  November  26,  1849,  and  is  the  son 
of  James  V.  and  Levina  E.  (Wright)  King.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  common  school  education,  and  at  the 
age  of  twenty  began  teaching  school.  He  has  followed  agricultural  pur- 
suits the  most  part  of  his  life.  He  came  to  Tipton  County  in  1850  with 
his  parents,  and  has  since  made  his  home  here.  He  was  married  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1870,  to  Miss  Phebe  F.  Johnson,  of  Tipton  County.  This  union 
has  been  blessed  with  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  King  is 
a  worthy  farmer,  an  excellent  citizen,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  in  good  standing. 

THOMAS  LEMON,  farmer,  and  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Jefferson 
Township,  was  born  in  Loudoun  County,  Va.,  September  18,  1810.  His 
parents,  George  and  Nancy  (Farisj  Lemon,  were  of  Welsh  descent. 
Thomas  grew  up  on  a  farm,  having  been  left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of 
sixteen.  He  was  then  bound  out  until  the  age  of  twenty-one. 
After  reaching  that  age,  he  entered  service  as  a  farm  hand  at  $7  per 
month,  at  which  rate  he  worked  for  seven  years,  four  of  them  in  one 
place.  January  3,  1837,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Moriah 
Bodine,  who  has  borne  him  three  children— Ann  J.,  married  to  E.  W. 
Crane,  and  died  1873,  at  the  age  of  thirty-six  ;  Joseph  B.,  born  June  29, 
1839 ;  and  Moriah  E.,  born  August  15,  1841.  Our  subject  emigrated 
from  his  native  State  to  Ohio  in  1838,  where  he  remained  for  four  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  to  and  settled  upon  Section  26,  Jeffer- 


396  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

son  Township,  Tipton  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  resided  for  five  years,  and  then 
located  on  Section  22,  his  present  residence,  the  title  of  which  he  received 
from  President  Van  Buren.  In  coming  from  Ohio  to  this  (Tipton)  coun- 
ty, he  started  with  $50  in  money  and  one  horse,  and  was  compelled  to 
join  teams  with  another  man  to  get  through  to  his  destination.  The  scarci- 
ty of  roads  and  the  distance  and  remoteness  of  some  of  the  settlements 
often  compelled  him  to  travel  twenty-five  miles  to  mill,  and  to  find  a 
store  where  he  might  do  some  trading.  He  enlisted  in  the  United  States 
Army  in  November,  1861,  in  Company  K,  Forty-seventh  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Infantry  ;  he  participated  in  the  siege  of  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort 
Blakely,  and  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  Mobile ;  he  was  also  for  a 
time  in  the  hospital  at  Nilson's  Barracks,  and  at  Louisville,  Ky.  He  was 
among  the  first  boat's  crew  that  went  from  St.  Louis  to  Vicksburg,  and 
from  there  to  Natchez  and  New  Orleans,  at  which  last-named  place  he  re- 
mained until  his  term  expired,  when  he  re-enlisted  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.     He  is  respected  by  all  his  fellow-citizens. 

JOSEPH  CALDWELL  MANLOVE,  farmer,  was  born  in  Fayette 
County,  Ind.,  February  24,  1818.  His  parents,  George  and  Mary 
(Caldwell)  Manlove,  were  natives  of  North  Carolina.  Joseph  was  reared 
on  a  farm.  September  1,  1843,  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Dickey, 
daughter  of  William  and  Margaret  (Spence)  Dickey.  They  have  had 
born  to  them  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  now  living,  viz.:  Rhoda 
I.,  Mary  J.,  Elbert,  William,  Martha  E.,  George  E.,  and  Margaret,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years.  After  marriage  he  farmed  in  his  native 
county  for  ten  years  on  a  rented  farm.  He.  in  1853,  located  in  Section 
25,  Jeiferson  Township,  Tipton  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  purchased  160  acres 
of  his  present  farm  for  $400.  He  has  never  had  any  political  aspirations, 
but  has  served  one  term  as  Township  Trustee.  He  has  always  been  one 
of  the  county's  most  enterprising  citizens.  He  owns  180  acres  of  fine 
land,  well-improved,  and  well-stocked  with  a  fine  quality  of  stock.  He  is 
regarded  as  an  industrious,  energetic,  temperate  and  high-minded  citizen. 
He  is  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  church,  having  been  for  twenty-five 
years  a  consistent  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

SAMUEL  MAYN,  one  of  the  successful  farmers  of  Tipton  County, 
was  born  in  County  Down,  Ireland,  January  9,  1821.  He  is  the  son  of 
John  and  Jane  (Shaw)  Mayn,  and  lived  on  a  farm  and  attended  school  in 
his  native  country  until  he  was  ten  years  of  age,  when,  with  his  parents, 
he  embarked  at  Belfast,  Ireland,  August  5,  1831,  for  America,  and  landed 
at  Baltimore,  Md.,  September  25  of  the  same  year.  From  there  they 
proceeded  to  Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  and  thence  to  Maysville,  Fleming  Co., 
Ky.,  where  our  subject  remained  until  1842.  At  that  time  he  started 
out  to  try  his  fortune,  having  nothing  except  his  clothing.     He  landed  in 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  397 

Rush  County,  Ind.,  in  October  of  1842,  and  secured  labor  as  a  farm  hand 
at  $9  per  month.  He  served  in  this  capacity  about  seven  months,  and 
on  the  15th  day  of  September,  1843,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Sarah  A.  Straney.  The  young  couple  commenced  housekeeping  in  very 
modest  circumstances,  and  remained  in  Rush  County  until  1846.  In  that 
year  he  removed  to  Grant  County,  Ind.,  and  settled  on  the  "  Indian  Re- 
serve." In  1847,  the  land  of  that  reserve  being  put  upon  the  market  by 
the  Government,  he  entered  eighty  acres,  and  succeeded,  by  hard,  manual 
labor,  in  making  a  farm  out  of  the  green  forest.  This  he  retained  until 
1860,  when  he  sold  it,  and  in  1861,  located  in  Jefferson  Township,  Tipton 
County,  Ind.,  where  he  purchased  160  acres  of  land  situated  in  the  south- 
east quarter  of  Section  26,  upon  which  he  has  ever  since  resided.  His 
marriage  has  been  crowned  by  the  birth  of  thirteen  children,  viz.:  William 
B.,  George  S.,  Samuel  H.,  Margaret  H.,  Mary  T.,  Sarah  M.,  John, 
Orval  jN.,  James  and  Nancy  J.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  the  others 
dying  in  infancy.  In  1872,  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  beautiful 
residence  by  fire,  but  by  insurance  his  loss  was  not  as  severe  as  it  would 
otherwise  have  been.  He  is  a  very  successful  farmer  and  stock-raiser  ;  he 
owns  160  acres  of  fine  land,  well  improved  ;  his  hogs  are  regarded  as  the 
best  breed  raised  in  the  county.  His  character  is  that  of  an  energetic, 
industrious  and  public-spirited  citizen.  He  has  been  a  consistent  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  forty  years. 

F.  M.  MOZINGO,  a  prosperous  miller,  is  a  son  of  Milton  and  Marga- 
ret (Cooper)  Mozingo,  and  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1836.  His  father 
settled  on  the  south  line  of  this  county  in  1840,  and  commenced  to  im- 
prove the  farm.  Four  years  later  he  traded  for  another  place  two  miles 
north,  where  he  remained  three  years.  He  then  sold  this  and  entered 
land  in  the  Indian  Reserve,  in  Jefferson  Township.  Our  subject  lived 
with  his  father  until  he  was  nineteen  or  twenty  years  of  age,  assisting  him 
on  the  farm.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade, 
and  worked  at  this  until  he  was  twenty-six.  He  then  began  the  mill 
business,  which  he  has  since  continued.  Mr.  Mozingo  was  married  in 
1861  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Campbell.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with  ten 
children — William  T.,  James  E.  (deceased),  Mary  Belle,  Nancy  M.,  The- 
odore, Josephine,  David,  Alfred,  Matilda  and  Arvine.  Mr.  Mozingo  has 
been  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  since  1871,  and  was  one  of  the 
charter  members  of  the  Kempton  Lodge. 

SOLOMON  V.  PHARES,  farmer,  was  born  in  Pendleton  County, 
Va.,  August  2,  1823.'  His  parents  Solon  and  Elizabeth  (Vandevender) 
Phares,  are  both  natives  of  Virginia,  and  are  of  English  and  German  de- 
scent. Solomon  V.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  was  deprived  of  those  ad- 
vantages  for  obtaining  an  education  enjoyed  by  the  youth  of  to-day ;  he 


398  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

was  the  seventh  of  a  family  of  ten  children,  five  of  whom  are  yet  living. 
He  was  united  in  the  bonds  of  wedlock  May  9,  1844,  to  Miss  Mary  A. 
Bouse,  whose  parents  were  Adam  and  Annis  (Dolley)  Bouse.  He  re- 
mained in  his  native  State  until  the  year  1851,  when  he  removed  to  and 
located  in  Jefferson  Township,  Tipton  County,  Ind.;  here  he  bought  120 
acres  of  land.  He  has  had  born  unto  him  five  children,  who  are  all  liv- 
ing, viz.:  Sarah  E.  Nelson,  Annie  E.  McFarland,  George  W.,  Sylvanus 
A.  and  Joseph  H.  He  is  the  owner  of  a  beautiful,  well-improved  and 
well-stocked  farm  of  great  fertility,  containing  160  acres  of  land,  well 
supplied  with  good  residence,  barn,  orchard,  etc.  He  has  given  his  chil- 
dren sixty  acres  of  land.  He  served  in  the  capacity  of  Supervisor  of 
Roads  for  fourteen  years,  and  has  always  been  an  earnest  advocate  of  all 
public  improvements.  Both  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  the  latter  having  been  identified  therewith  for  over  forty  years ; 
he  also  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  a  member  of  Austin 
Lodge,  No.  128,  at  Tipton.  Nothwithstanding  the  delicate  state  of  his 
health  for  the  past  eight  years,  he  is  still  full  of  energy  and  controls  his 
business  with  a  clear  head  and  steady  hand.  Having  cast  his  first  vote 
for  Polk,  he  has  ever  since  adhered  to  the  principles  of  the  Democratic 
party. 

GEORGE  W.  PHARES,  one  of  Tipton  County's  most  successful 
farmers,  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  was  born  August  8,  1850,  in  Pendle- 
ton County.  His  parents,  Solomon  V.  and  Mary  A.  (Bouse)  Phares, 
were  also  natives  of  Virginia.  George  W.  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  this 
(Tipton)  county,  whither  he  was  brought  by  his  parents  in  1850  ;  his 
school  advantages  were  limited  to  the  public  school  of  twenty  years  ago, 
but  by  his  diligence  and  application  he  acquired  a  fair  education.  He 
was  married  on  the  3d  day  of  December,  1871,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Camp- 
bell, of  Tipton  County,  whose  parents  were  David  and  Mary  (Jenkins) 
Campbell.  By  this  marriage  they  have  three  children — David  S.,  born 
March  29,  1874;  William  A.,  born  August  11,  1876,  and  Arthur  F., 
born  September  16,  1878.  After  his  marriage,  he  settled  on  a  farm  of 
sixty  acres  of  his  own,  situated  near  Normanda,  of  this  (Tipton)  county ; 
here  he  remained  for  three  years,  and  then  removed  to  what  is  known  as 
the  "Old  Ennis  farm,"  located  three  miles  south  of  Goldsmith,  where 
he  still  resides.  He  has  been  a  very  successful  farmer  and  stock-raiser, 
being  now  the  owner  of  240  acres  of  land,  the  most  of  which  is  under 
cultivation,  well  improved  and  supplied  with  stock.  Last  year  he  pro- 
duced 1,000  bushels  of  corn,  300  bushels  of  wheat  and  near  fifty  tons  of 
hay.  He  is  a  man  of  excessive  energy  and  industry,  of  commendable 
public  spirit  and  possessed  of  broad  political  and  religious  views. 

EBER  W.  PHARES,  one  of  the  most  prominent  businessmen  in  the 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  •  399 

county,  was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  July  4,  1842.  His  parents 
were  George  N.  and  Mary  (Teter)  Pha»es,  natives  of  Virginia.  Eber  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  obtained  a  fair  education  from  the  common  schools,  and 
in  1861  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Company  F,  Eleventh  Indiana  In- 
fantry. In  1863,  he  re-enlisted  in  the  same  regiment,  where  he  remained 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  participated  in  every  battle  where  his 
regiment  was  engaged,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war,  in  1865,  returned  to 
his  home.  After  his  return,  he  attended  school  for  one  year,  and  then 
engaged  in  teaching.  But  this  field  not  being  wide  enough  for  his  am- 
bition, he  entered  the  mercantile  business.  This  he  carried  on  success- 
fully in  Tetersburg  from  1868  to  1879.  During  the  most  of  this  time, 
he  was  the  leading  saw-mill  man  and  lumber  dealer  in  the  countv.  Feb- 
ruary  27,  1868,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Manlove,  born  June  21, 
1845,  and  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Manlove.  This  union  has 
brought  them  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  yet  living,  viz.:  Mary 
Elizabeth,  born  September  14,  1869 ;  Cora,  born  February  19,  1871 ; 
Mnggie  L.,  born  November  9,  1873,  died  March  13,  1882  ;  Lula,  born 
May  2,  1878,  died  September  24,  1879,  and  Eber  Harrison,  born  Au- 
gust 15,  1880.  Mr.  Phares  has  always  been  noted  for  his  business  en- 
terprise and  determined  will.  In  1880,  he  sold  his  mercantile  business, 
after  having  removed  to  Goldsmith,  and  tearing  up  his  mill  located  it  in 
the  mountains  of  Kentucky,  on  the  Cincinnati  Southern  Railroad,  where 
he  remained  one  year.  Selling  out,  he  located  at  Williamsburg,  Ky., 
where  his  company  has  erected  the  finest  mill  in  that  State.  He  is  now 
the  business  manager  of  the  Cumberland  River  Joint  Stock  Lumber 
Company,  an  organization  destined  to  become  very  wealthy.  His  family 
is  still  residing  in  their  beautiful  little  home  at  Goldsmith. 

FRANCIS  M.  PRICE  was  born  in  JeflFerson  Township,  Tipton 
County,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Margaret  F.  (Alexander)  Price,  who  were 
pioneer  settlers  in  the  county.  His  grandfather  came  to  Indiana  in  a 
very  early  day.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  at  the  age  of 
fifteen  began  business  for  himself.  He  taught  school  for  some  time  and 
made  a  success  of  this  profession  ;  he  subsequently  began  farming,  which 
occupation  he  still  pursues.  He  was  married,  October  18,  1874,  to  Miss 
Margaret  C.  Morrett,  of  Clinton  County,  Ind.  This  union  was  blessed 
with  two  children — Elfie  and  John  M.  Mr.  Price  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  0.  0.  F.  and  is  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Kemp- 
ton  Lodge.  He  is  a  well  educated  farmer,  and  a  worthy  citizen.  He 
has  held  some  of  the  minor  offices  of  the  township. 

D.  S.  PRICHARD,  a  pioneer  of  Tipton  County,  was  born  in  June, 
1811,  and  is  the  son  of  C.  G.  and  Isabelle  (Spears)  Prichard,  of  Welsh 
and  Irish  descent.       He  was  born  in  Kentuckv,  and  lived  on  a  farm  in 


400  ■  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

his  native  State  until  he  was  nine  years  of  age,  and  in  1820  came  with 
his  parents  to  Johnson  County,  Ind.  His  father  was  an  old,  successful 
hunter,  and  D.  S.,  at  the  age  of  thirteen,  became  an  expert  with  the  rifle, 
killing  three  and  four  deer  in  a  day.  He  came  to  Tipton  County  in  the 
year  1840,  and  pre-empted  160  acres  of  land.  He  settled  in  the  green 
woods,  and  is  one  of  the  old  pioneers  of  the  county.  Mr.  Prichard  was 
married,  February  14,  1844,  to  Miss  Mary  Campbell,  who  died  in  1857. 
He  was  afterward  married  to  Miss  Neoma  Strop.  They  have  had 
six  children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church  for  forty-one  years,  and  has  held  some  of  the  minor 
oflBces  of  the  township.  He  has  a  limited  education,  and  is  a  fair  Bible 
scholar.  He  cultivates  one  of  the  finest  vineyards  and  orchards  to  be 
found  in  Tipton  County.  His  grandfather,  James  Prichard,  at  the  age 
of  eighty  years,  was  an  expert  at  boxing  and  was  very  athletic. 

ASA  PRITCHARD  was  born  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  April  20, 
1854.  He  is  the  second  of  a  family  of  three  children,  of  whom  himself 
and  brother  Albert  are  the  survivors,  born  to  Walker  and  Sophia  (Spears) 
Pritchard,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  German  and  Irish  descent  respect- 
ively. His  parents  were  married  in  Johnson  County,  Ind,,  about  1850. 
His  father,  a  farmer,  died  about  1859.  He  and  his  brother  acquired  what 
education  they  have  by  their  own  efforts  and  industry.  Asa  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  and  has  never  abandoned  agricultural  pursuits.  February  12, 
1876,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Drusilla  McEntire,  eldest  daughter  of 
Tirentus  and  Levina  (Stroup)  McEntire,  natives  of  Ohio,  of  Irish  and 
German  descent  respectively,  and  residents  at  the  present  time  of  Tipton 
County.  His  marriage  has  been  crowned  by  the  birth  of  three  children, 
all  of  whom  are  living,  viz.,  Elsie  W,,  Laura  and  Clara,  He  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  Mrs,  Pritchard  having  been 
identified  therewith  since  its  organization.  He  adheres  to  the  principles 
of  the  Republican  party,  but  casts  his  vote  with  a  discriminating  judg- 
ment. He  is  a  temperate,  industrious,  public-spirited  citizen,  and  a  lib- 
eral donator  to  all  benevolent  and  religious  purposes. 

JOHN  PUCKETT  was  born  in  Martinsville,  Ohio,  January  7,  1836. 
His  parents,  Joseph  and  Mary  (Holloway)  Puckett,  were  both  born  in  our 
subject's  native  county,  and  the  bones  of  their  ancestors  lie  buried  there. 
They  were  of  English  descent,  and  were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of 
Howard  County,  Ind,,  locating  near  the  Cass  County  line  in  1847,  They 
were  married  in  Martinsville,  Ohio,  in  1828,  and  after  residing  for  awhile 
in  Howard  County,  Ind,,  removed  to  the  State  of  Iowa,  where  they 
resided  until  their  death,  that  of  Joseph  occurring  in  1880  at  the  age  of 
sixty-seven,  and  that  of  Mary  in  1881  at  the  age  of  seventy,  the  former 
having  followed  during  his  life  the  vocations  of  a  physician  and  carpenter. 


JEFFERSON  TOAVNSHIP.  401 

John,  our  subject,  is  the  fourth  of  a  family  of  fifteen  children,  eight  of 
whom  are  now  living.     During  his  youth,  he  learned  the  blacksmith  and 
wagon-maker's   trade,   which   he  followed   until   his    twenty-third    year. 
Between  the  years  1847  and  1854,  he  was  frequently  over  Tipton  County, 
and  about  the  time  last  named  he  located  at  Tetersburg,  in  that  county, 
and  conducted  the  business  of  a  blacksmith  and  wagon  shop  for  three 
years.     In  1857,  he  was  married  to  Martha  Black,   the  issue  of  which 
union  consisted  of   six  children,  of  whom  four  are  yet  living — Scott  An- 
derson Ellsworth,  Frances  Ann,  Olive  Alice,  Sarah  Elizabeth.     William 
A.  died  at  the  age  of  seven,  and  Grant  T.   Sherman  died  at  the  age  of 
four.     In   1857,  he  moved  upon  a  tract  of  wild  land  containing  forty 
acres,  upon  which  he  had  not  paid  a  dollar,  and  which  was  utterly  desti- 
tute of  stock.     He  worked  on  this  place  to  support  himself  and  family 
for  four  years.     In  1861,  he  sold  his  forty  acres  and  purchased  eighty 
acres,  which  he  cultivated  for  one  year.     He  then  sold  out  and  began 
merchandising  at  Normanda,  Ind.,  for  the  brief  period  of  one  year.     He 
then  moved  his  stock  of  goods  to  Pickard's  Mill,  Clinton  County,  Ind., 
where  he  formed  a  partnership  with  his  uncle,  Moses  Puckett.    The  same 
year,  he  purchased  a  farm  in  that  neighborhood,  which  he  tilled  in  con- 
nection with  his  other  business  for  two  years,  when  ne  purchased  the  farm 
upon  which  he  now  resides.     In  1866,  he  again  purchased  a  store  at 
Tetersburg,  where  he  successfully  carried  on  business  for  several  years. 
He  then  sold  out  and  again  embarked  in   merchandising    at  Pickard's, 
losing  $4,000.     Since   that   time,  he  has  confined  himself  exclusively  to 
agricultural  pursuits  and  the  raising  of  stock.     In  1869,  having  been 
previously  deserted  by  her,  he  obtained  a  divorce  from  his  wife  Martha. 
and  married,  in  1874,  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Woodruff.     By  his  second  wife  he  is 
the  father  of  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  still  living — Effie  Margaret, 
Allie  Delphie  and  James  A.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years.     Not- 
withstanding his  misfortunes,  Mr.  Puckett  is  one  of  our  most  successful 
farmers  and  business  men.     He  is  the  owner  of  500  acres  of  land  in  Jef- 
ferson Township,  of  unsurpassed  fertility,  and  he  is  also  the  owner  of  one 
of  the  finest  collection  of  fruit  trees,  1,500  in  number,  in  Tipton  County. 
He  also  owns  two  farms,  well  stocked  and  improved,  in  Iowa.     He  is 
always  in  the  front  ranks  of  those  favoring  public  improvements.     He  is 
a  stanch  Republican  politically,   and  has  always  taken  a  leading  part  in 
managing  the  affairs  of  his  party  in  Tipton  County.     He  is  now  spoken 
of  as  a  formidable  candidate  for  the  nomination  of  joint  Senator  for  the 
counties  of  Tipton  and  Hamilton.      He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 
which    he    esteems    very  highly.       He    is    industrious    and  economical, 
but  his  purse  is  never  closed  to  the  appeal  of  indigence  and  want. 

SALATHIEL  RAINES  was  born  in  Pendleton  County,  Va.,  March 


402  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

2,  1825.  His  parents,  Presley  and  Margaret  (Lough)  Raines,  of  Ger- 
man descent,  came  to  Ohio  in  1835,  remaining  there  until  1850,  when 
they  located  in  Warren  County,  Ind.  From  tliere  they  emigrated  to 
Illinois,  where  they  remained  until  their  death,  that  of  the  former  oc- 
curring in  1875,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years,  and  of  the  latter,  in 
1874,  aged  seventy-one  years.  Salathiel  was  reared  on  a  farm,  but 
learned  the  trades  of  a  carpenter  and  cooper  during  his  youth.  He  had 
very  limited  advantages  for  obtaining  an  education,  having  been  in 
school  only  a  few  months  during  his  life.  He  is  the  third  of  a  family  of  thir- 
teen children,  of  whom  five  are  yet  living.  He  was  married  in  Madison, 
Ohio,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Allen,  who  died  in  1855;  after  the  death  of  his 
wife,  and  until  1858,  he  followed  carpentering,  spending  most  of  the  time 
in  Jefi"erson  Township.  At  the  end  of  the  time  last  mentioned,  he  went 
to  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  1864.  He  then  returned 
to  JeflFerson  Township,  where,  on  the  13th  of  January,  1864,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Mary  Phares,  born  October  4,  1820,  widow  of 
George  U.  Phares,  who  located  in  1843  in  Jefferson  Township,  and 
died  November  27,  1861,  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years,  after  having 
accumulated  considerable  property,  and  built  up  a  character  of  moral  and 
Christian  rectitude.  Mrs.  Raines  is  a  native  of  Pendleton  County,  Va. 
Mr.  Raines  has  been  a  consistent  member  of  church  for  forty-five  years, 
twenty-one  years  of  which  was  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  the 
remainder  of  the  time  as  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  at  Tetersburg. 
Mrs.  Raines  herself  has  been  a  member  of  church  from  childhood.  Mr. 
Raines  has  a  character  distinguished  for  Christian  excellence,  strict  hon- 
esty and  rectitude  in  all  the  multitudinous  duties  of  life.  For  twelve  years 
the  Superintendent  of  a  Sabbath  school,  he  has  always  been  a  liberal 
contributor  to  the  churches,  and  has  manifested  a  spirit  favoring  public 
improvements  and  the  development  of  the  county. 

HEZEKIAH  RECTOR,  a  farmer  of  Jefferson  Township,  was  born 
in  Decatur,  Ind.,  in  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Edington) 
Rector.  He  spent  his  youth  on  a  farm,  and  has  always  followed  agricult- 
ural pursuits.  In  1849,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Searcy,  who 
was  then  in  her  sixteenth  year.  They  have  nine  children — Walter,  aged 
twenty-five;  William  H.,  aged  twenty-two;  Arminda,  aged  eighteen ; 
Susan,  aged  sixteen ;  Hannah,  deceased  wife  of  Charles  A.  Clark ; 
Anderson  S.  (deceased) ;  Putnam  (deceased) ;  Mary  J.  (deceased),  and 
Alonzo  J.  (deceased).  In  1860,  Mr.  Rector  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his 
house  with  all  its  contents  by  fiie,  leaving  his  family  in  destitute  circum- 
stances. He  was  crippled  by  the  falling  of  a  tree  in  1848,  aad  has  been 
comparatively  a  cripple  ever  since.  He  took  a  determined  stand  for  the 
Union   during  the  rebellion,   but  could  not  become  a  soldier.     He  was  a 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  403 

member  of  the  Grange  organization  during  its  existence,  and  has  been  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church  at  Sugar  Creek  for 
twelve  years.  He  owns  a  farm  of  forty  acres,  in  a  good  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, and  is  making  an  independent  living. 

ROBERT  K.  RECTOR  was  born  in  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  in  1832, 
and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (King)  Rector,  natives  of  Kentucky.  He 
spent  his  youth  on  the  farm,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1851.  He  en- 
listed, in  1863,  in  the  Thirtieth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  was  in  the  service  twelve  months.  He  was  in  the  battle  at  Nashville 
and  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  and  was  in  several  skirmishes.  Mr.  Rector  was 
married  in  1851  to  Miss.  Mary  J.  Searcy,  of  Kentucky.  This  union 
was  blessed  with  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  Mrs.  Rector 
died,  and  in  1876  Mr.  Rector  married  Miss  Hannah  Goings,  of  Ohio. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  New  School  Baptists  of  Hillsboro,  and  is 
identified  with  the  Republican  party.  He  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the 
county,  having  settled  here  in  an  early  day,  when  Jefferson  Township  was 
a  low,  marshy  wilderness. 

JOHN  W.  REESE,  a  prominent  merchant  in  Kempton,  was  born  in 
Ohio  in  1843,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  Jefferson  and  Priscilla  (Gustin) 
Reese,  natives  of  Ohio.  Our  subject  came  with  his  parents  to  Tipton 
County  in  1850,  and  settled  in  Jefferson  Township.  He  was  reared  on 
the  farm,  and  in  1865  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-third  Reg- 
iment Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  in  the  service  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  After  he  was  discharged,  he  returned  home  and  followed 
farming  until  he  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  mercantile  house  in  Kempton. 
This  he  continued  until  the  spring  of  1880,  when  he  began  business  for 
himself,  and  he  has  since  had  a  large,  increasing  trade.  Mr.  Reese  was 
married  in  1861  to  Miss  Martha  J.  Fesler,  of  Tipton  County.  This 
union  has  been  blessed  with  three  children — Mary  A.,  Ida  Sherman  and 
Bethie  P.  (deceased).  Mr.  Reese  is  a  prominent  citizen,  and  has  held 
some  of  the  minor  ofiices  of  Jefferson  Township,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Kempton  Lodge  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 

ALBERT  REYNOLDS,  a  highly  respected  citizen,  was  born  in 
Livingston  County,  111.,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Catherine  Reynolds; 
his  parents  died  when  he  was  but  four  years  of  age,  when  he  was  taken 
by  one  of  his  uncles  to  Brown  County,  Ohio  ;  he  remained  there  with 
his  relatives  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  was  bound  out 
to  a  farmer.  Subsequently  he  enlisted  in  the  Seventieth  Regiment  Indi- 
ana Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  in  the  battle  at  Shiloh  and  Corinth  ; 
he  veteranized,  and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea,  and  was 
wounded  in  his  right  wrist,  but  did  not  lose  a  day's  duty.  Mr.  Reynolds 
was  married  in  1871,  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Ploughe,  of  Jefferson  Township 


404  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Tipton  County.  The  fruit  of  this  union  is  one  child,  Preston  A.,  aged 
eleven  years,  Mr.  Reynolds  has  always  voted  the  Republican  ticket, 
and  has  been  a  member  of  the  New  School  Baptist  Church  for  the  last 
ten  years. 

WILLIAM  A.  RICHARDSON,  a  pioneer  of  Tipton  County,  was 
born  August  17,  1820,  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  son  of  Joel  and 
Mary  (Evans)  Richardson,  natives  of  Virginia.  William  A.  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  and  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Rusk,  in  Boone  County, 
June  16,  1842  ;  he  located  in  the  Indian  Reserve  on  a  claim,  cleared 
about  forty  acres,  and  sold  it  for  |150.  With  this  money  he  entered 
land,  and  the  title  was  signed  by  President  Z.  Taylor.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rich- 
ardson have  had  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  living — Nancy  J., 
James  P.,  Martha  I.,  Hester  A.;  and  four  deceased — Mary  E.,  Sarah  E., 
Lucinda  C.  and  an  infant.  Mr.  Richardson  owned  the  first  steam  saw 
and  grist  mill  ever  operated  in  this  township.  It  was  established  in 
1858,  and  was  a  novelty  in  the  pioneer  day.  He  ran  the  mill  in  connec- 
tion with  farming  until  1865.  when  he  sold  his  mill  and  turned  his 
attention  exclusively  to  farming  and  stock-raising;  he  always  has  the 
best  horses  in  the  county,  and  has  been  successful  in  his  enterprises. 
He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  first  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
organized  in  the  township,  and  assisted  in  organizing  the  first  Sun- 
day school  of  the  township  ;  he  is  a  liberal  giver  to  all  public  enterprises, 
and  is  an  industrious  farmer  and  peaceful  neighbor  ;  he  is  noted  for  his 
discreet  judgment  in  local  politics,  and  has  been  a  stalwart  Republican 
since  the  organization  of  that  party. 

ALPHEUS  NOAH  ROOD,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Tipton  County, 
was  born  in  Knox  County,  Ohio,  March  11,  1836.  His  parents, 
Thomas  M.  and  Rebecca  (McVay)  Rood,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  were 
of  Irish  and  Scotch  extraction  respectively.  The  former  was  a  tiller  of 
the  soil  and  a  school  teacher,  and  died  in  1840,  in  Highland  County,  Ohio, 
at  the  age  of  thirty-seven.  The  latter  is  still  living  in  Tipton  County, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-two.  Alpheus  is  the  eighth  of  a  family  of 
nine  children,  of  whom  five  are  yet  living  in  the  States  of  Indiana  and 
Michigan.  He  has  lived  in  a  small  town  since  his  fourteenth  year,  en- 
joying fair  advantages  for  acquiring  knowledge.  The  family  located  in 
Normanda,  Tipton  Co.,  Ind.,  in  1852.  At  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  ap- 
prenticed himself  to  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  has  made  that  vocation  the 
business  of  his  life,  and  has  succeeded  in  winning  a  reputation  second  to 
none  as  a  mechanic.  On  the  18th  day  of  October,  1859,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  Montgomery,  of  Tipton  County,  who  is  the 
last  of  a  family  of  eleven  children,  of  whom  six  are  living.  Her  parents 
Archibald  and   Cynthia  A.  (Herod)  Montgomery,  were  natives  of  Ken- 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  407 

tucky,  and  of  Irish  descent.  Our  subject  remained  in  Norijianda,  of  thia 
(Tipton)  county,  until  1880,.  when  they  removed  to  the  town  of  Gold- 
smith. Their  marriage  has  brought  them  five  children,  four  of  whom 
are  still  living,  and  at  the  home  of  their  parents.  Their  names  are  Flora 
D.,  Minnie  B.,  Allie  M.,  Fonda  M.  and  Willard  G.  The  first  born  de- 
parted this  life  while  but  an  infant  of  one  year.  At  the  breaking-out  of 
the  rebellion,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Seventy-fifth  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Infantry.  He  was  with  Sherman  on  his  campaign  to  Atlanta 
and  his  march  to  the  sea,  and  participated  in  all  the  engagements  fought 
during  that  memorable  movement,  principal  among  which  were  Hoover's 
Gap,  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  Buzzard  Roost,  Resaca  and  the 
sieges  of  Atlanta  and  Savannah,  Ga.  He  was  discharged  at  the  close  of 
the  war,  and  returned  home  June  17,  1865.  Before  the  war,  he  was  a 
Democrat,  but  since  that  time  he  has  been  one  of  the  leading  Repub- 
licans of  this  township  and  county.  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that,  since 
his  return,  he  has  been  an  invalid,  his  tireless  energy  and  determined 
will,  together  with  the  assistance  of  his  excellent  wife,  he  has  succeeded 
in  securing  a  comfortable  and  attractive  home  for  himself  and  familV. 
He  is  a  man  of  temperate,  industrious  habits,  and  eminent  public  spirit 
and  enjoys  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  fellow- citizens. 

THOMAS  B.  SHANNON  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ky.,  Sep- 
tember 7,  1827  ;  his  parents,  Alexander  and  Agnes  (Brown)  Shannon 
were  natives  of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania  respectively.  Thomas  was 
brought  to  Rush  County,  Ind.,  by  his  parents  in  1828,  and  there  he 
grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  acquiring  during  his  youth  such 
an  education  as  the  common  schools  of  thirty  years  ago  afibrded.  He 
resided  in  Rush  County  until  1850,  when  he  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy 
Dickey  in  Jefferson  Township,  Tipton  Co.,  Ind.  This  union  has  brought 
them  nine  children,  of  whom  seven  are  now  living — William  D.  Alex- 
ander, Mary  A.,  Thomas  C,  Sarah  J.,  Samuel  H.,  James  S.;  An- 
drew, who  died  at  the  age  of  one  year,  and  Margaret,  who  was  burned  to 
death.  He  in  1851  located  on  the  farm  which  he  now  occupies  in  Jef- 
ferson Township.  In  1861,  while  riding  one  day,  his  horse  threw  him, 
destroying  one  eye,  breaking  his  jaw-bone  in  two  places,  and  all  the  ribs 
on  one  side.  Notwithstanding  his  injuries,  he  was  included  in  the  draft 
of  1864,  and  in  company  with  many  of  his  neighbors  paid  out.  In  1865 
he  lost  his  estimable  wife,  and  in  1866  he  married  Miss  Jennie  G.  Mc- 
Kee.  He  is  the  owner  of  about  200  acres  of  fine  land,  well-improved 
and  stocked,  situated  on  the  Buena  Vista  &  Ekin  t^ravel  road.  He  is 
a  man  well  known  in  public  life,  and  has  often  been  solicited  to  be  a  can- 
didate for  various  offices,  among  them  the  office  of  Representative,  but 
having  no  political  aspirations  he  declined  ;  he  is   a  strong  advocate   of 


408  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

temperance,  and  has  been  a  consistent  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church  for  thirty-five  years. 

JOHN  D.  SMITH  was  born  in  Belmont  County,  Ohio,  February 
20,  1810;  his  parents,  William  and  Nancy  (Fairhurst)  Smith,  were 
natives  of  Virginia,  of  Scotch  and  English  descent,  and  at  the  time  of 
our  subject's  birth  resided  near  the  National  road.  Our  subject  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  enjoyed  the  very  meager  advantages  for  education 
that  emanated  from  the  log  schoolhouse  of  sixty  years  ago.  When  John 
D.  was  thirteen  years  of  age,  his  father  died,  after  which  event  he  lived 
with  and  maintained  his  mother  until  his  tv«enty-seventh  year,  when 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Ada  Adams  June  13,  1836,  who  was  a  native  of 
Virginia.  After  this  event,  he  remained  with  his  mother  on  the  farm  for 
two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  he  engaged  for  one  year  in  working  by 
the  day  at  37|  cents  per  day,  and  in  1839  he  located  in  the  east  part  of 
what  is  now  Jefferson  Township,  where  he  entered  160  acres  of  land,  the 
farm  upon  which  he  now  resides.  His  marriage  brought  him  nine  chil- 
dren, viz.:  David,  Benjamin  F.,  Malissa  A.,  Sarah,  Ellen  B,,  Nancy  E., 
William  A.,  John  Q.  A.  and  one  child  died  in  infancy.  During  the 
organization  of  Tipton  County,  which  occurred  in  1844,  he  was  elected 
as  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  a  term  of  two  years,  and  in  that  capacity 
he  assisted  in  locating  the  present  county  seat,  and  in  clearing  away  the 
forest  of  trees  and  undergrowth  that  occupied  its  present  site.  In  1850, 
his  wife  Ada  departed  this  life  June  5,  leaving  him  with  a  family  of 
small  children.  In  the  fall  of  1850,  his  friends  from  Ohio  took  charge 
of  them,  and  kept  them  in  that  State  until  1854;  during  the  interval,  he 
took  the  census  of  Tipton  County,  which  labor  he  performed  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1850,  in  four  weeks ;  he  also  peddled  clocks  and  stoves  for  various 
firms,  with  success.  In  March  of  1854,  he  was  married  to  Mrs. 
Phoebe  H.  McFarlin,  who  had  three  children  by  her  former  husband. 
By  her  he  has  become  the  father  of  six  children,  viz.:  Mary  E.,  John  D., 
Jessie  F.,  Cassius  M.,  Oscar  and  one  dead — died  at  its  birth — in  all 
making  a  family  of  eighteen  children.  John  D.  has  been  three  times 
elected  to  the  office  of  Township  Trustee,  each  term  being  of  one  year's 
duration,  his  election  each  time  coming  from  the  Republican  party,  of 
which  he  is  an  earnest  worker.  He  sent  three  of  his  sons  to  the  service 
of  his  country  during  the  rebellion,  and  two  of  them  died  in  that  service. 
He  has  always  been  an  industrious,  energetic  and  successful  farmer. 
He  has  always  had  a  spirit  favorable  to  public  improvements.  He  is 
now  the  owner  of  650  acres  of  the  finest  firming  land  in  the  county,  and 
he  was  the  first  man  in  the  township  of  Jefferson  to  erect  a  brick  residence, 
which  he  did  in  1858,  and  which  now  surpasses  many  of  more  modern 
build.     He  has  ever  been  noted  for  his  open-handed  hospitality  and   gen- 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  409 

erous  kindness  to  the  poor.  He  has  ever  been  a  total  disbeliever  in 
orthodox  religion.  His  farm  produced  in  grain  and  stock  4,400 
bushels  of  corn,  1,400  bushels  of  wheat.  100  tons  of  hay,  and  $3,500 
stock  sales,  in  one  year. 

JEREMIAH  D.  SMITH  was  born  in  Prairie  Township,  Tipton 
Co.,  Ind.,  January  24,  1855.  His  parents,  Harrison  and  Margaret  A. 
(Foster)  Smith,  were  natives  of  Tennessee  and  Indiana  respectively,  the 
one  of  English  descent,  the  other' of  German.  David,  as  he  is  familiarly 
known,  was  reared  on  a  farm,  with  such  advantages  for  acquiring  an 
education  as  the  public  school  afforded ;  he  also  attended  the  Northern 
Indiana  Normal  School  long  enough  to  qualify  himself  as  a  teacher, 
and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  he  entered  upon  the  career  of  a  pedagogue, 
which  he  pursued  for  seven  years  in  the  counties  of  Clinton  and  Tipton, 
and  devoting  his  time  during  the  intervals  between  terms  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  soil.  In  1880,  he  was  appointed  by  the  Government  to  take 
the  census  of  the  district  of  Prairie  Township.  Since  that  time,  he  has 
figured  considerably  in  the  politics  of  the  county  as  a  Republican.  In 
1882,  he  retired  from  the  profession  of  teaching,  and  engaged  in  mer- 
chandising at  Goldsmith,  Ind.,  as  the  junior  partner  in  the  firm  of  Shortle 
&  Smith.  They  are  doing  an  extensive  and  lucrative  business.  Our  sub- 
ject is  an  industrious,  energetic  and  economical  young  man.  Having  re- 
ceived from  his  father  a  sum  approximating  $1,000,  he  has,  by  judicious 
management,  become  half-owner  of  a  $10,000  stock  of  goods.  He  has 
been  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  three 
years,  and  an  active  leader  in  all  public  enterprises,  never  forgetting  to 
donate  liberally  to  the  church  and  all  charitable  purposes. 

J,  A.  STEPHENSON,  druggist  and  Postmaster,  was  born  in  Madi- 
son County,  Ind.,  in  1845,  and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Rebecca  (Johns) 
Stephenson,  of  Irish  and  Welsh  descent.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  common  school  education.  At  the  age 
of  eighteen,  he  commenced  teaching  school,  and  three  years  later  engaged 
as  commercial  traveler  for  a  firm  in  Anderson.  This  he  continued  two 
years,  and  subsequently  went  into  the  grocery  business  in  Elwood,  Madi- 
son County.  In  1877,  he  located  in  Kempton,  Tipton  County,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  drug  business,  which  he  still  continues.  He  has  also  had 
charge  of  the  post  office  since  October  19,  1877.  Mr.  Stephenson  was 
married,  in  1869,  to  Miss  Mattie  E.  Harmon,  of  Tipton  County.  She 
died  in  1875,  leaving  two  children,  both  of  whom  are  still  living.  Mr. 
Stephenson  was  married,  in  1879,  to  his  present  wife,  Florence  C.  Bur- 
ress,  of  Madison  County.  They  have  had  two  chihlren,  one  of  whom  is 
"•iving.  Mr.  Stephenson  has  been  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  for  the 
last  fourteen  years,  and  has   always  voted  the  Republican  ticket. 


410  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

F.  C.  STILLWELL,  dealer  in  dry  goods,  groceries,  etc.,  was  born 
in  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.,  in  1843,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Eliza 
J.  (McCammon)  Stillwell,  natives  of  Kentucky.  F.  C.  Stillwell  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  enlisted  in  the  Twelfth  Regi- 
ment Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  the  three-year  service.  He  was 
wounded  in  battle  at  Richmond,  Ky.,  being  shot  in  both  legs,  whicli  dis- 
abled him  for  about  a  year.  When  he  returned,  he  was  with  Sherman 
on  his  march  to  the  sea.  He  was  in  battle  at  Missionary  Ridge,  Buzzard 
Roost,  Peach  Tree  Grove,  Big  Shanty,  Resaca,  Atlanta,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  and  all  the  battles  of  the  central  army.  He  assisted  in  the 
capture  of  both  the  capitals  of  North  Carolina  and  South  Carolina,  and 
was  one  of  the  front  men  when  Gen,  Johnston  made  his  surrender.  He 
possesses  a  piece  of  the  table  on  which  the  terms  of  surrender  were  writ- 
ten. When  he  returned  from  the  war,  he  went  into  the  blacksmith  trade, 
which  he  followed  until  1874.  He  then  went  into  the  dry  goods  and 
and  grocery  business  at  Louisville,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  remained 
eighteen  months.  He  then  engaged  in  the  same  business  in  Buena  Vista, 
and  subsequently  opened  a  grocery  and  confectionery  in  Elwood.  Octo- 
ber 25,  1878,  he  located  in  Kempton,  and  engaged  in  business  with  a 
general  stock  of  goods,  and  was  among  the  first  merchants  of  the  village. 
Mr.  Stillwell  was  married,  in  1865,  to  Miss  Quintilla  J.  Wilson.  They 
had  two  children — Melissa  J.  and  Emma  N.,  both  of  whom  are  living. 
Mrs.  Stillwell  died  in  1872,  and  Mr.  Stillwell  was  next  married,  Janu- 
ary 13,  1873,  to  Elizabeth  Merrett,  of  Hamilton  County,  Ind.  They 
have  two  children,  both  of  whom  are  living — Luther  M.  and  Clara.  Mr. 
Stillwell  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  has  always  voted  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket. 

ASA  TETER,  farmer,  and  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  what  is  now 
Jefferson  Township,  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  is  a  native  of  Pendleton  County, 
Va.,  where  he  was  born  April  25,  1825  ;  his  parents,  George  and  Sarah 
(Harper)  Teter,  were  also  natives  of  Virginia,  and  with  our  subject  located 
in  what  was  then  the  eastern  part  of  the  Indian  Reserve,  now  Jefferson  Town- 
ship, in  1841,  being  the  first  settlers  of  that  section,  and,  being  on  the  land 
seven  years  before  it  was  thrown  on  the  market  by  the  Government.  Asa 
was  reared  on  a  farm.  While  squatting  on  their  land  in  the  Indian 
Reserve,  his  parents  had  buried  ^900  in  silver  and  gold,  which,  as  soon 
as  the  Government  would  allow,  they  invested  in  800  acres  of  that  desira- 
ble soil.  Asa  was  married  in  June,  1846,  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Phares, 
who  died  in  1849,  and  was  interred  in  the  Tetersburg  Graveyard,  being  the 
first  burial  that  occurred  in  that  cemetery.  In  1854,  April  3,  his  mother, 
Siirah  Teter,  died,  and  on  September  9  of  the  following  year,  his  father 
followed  her,  nged  seventy-ono    years.      On  tlie  7th  of  September,  1850, 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  411 

Asa  married  his  second  wife,  Miss  Angeline  Coal,  who  was  born  Septem- 
ber 28,  1828,  in  Howard  County,  Ind.  By  her  he  has  become  the  father 
of  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living,  viz.  :  MarLha,  born  1851 ;  Sa- 
rah, born  1853  ;  Malinda,  born  1855  ;  Matilda,  1857  ;  Mary,  1860  ; 
Malancy,  1862;  Helena,  1864;  Arthur,  1867;  Hattie  A.,  1872; 
Newton,  born  1868,  died  1874.  In  the  year  1854,  he  began  keeping 
a  wayside  inn,  one-quarter  mile  east  of  Tetersburg.  It  soon  became  the 
stopping-place  of  all  travelers  on  that  line,  it  being  the  only  tavern  in  the 
county  west  of  Tipton.  He  has  always  looked  particularly  after  the 
interests  of  his  farm,  which  is  under  splendid  cultivation  and  provided 
with  all  the  necessary  improvements  ;  he  is  known  as  a  man  of  eccentric 
habits  and  generous  impulses;  he  has  been  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Christian  Church  for  forty  years,  and  he  votes  the  Democratic  ticket. 

EBAL  TETER,  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  Tipton  County,  was 
born  April  23,  1823,  in  Pendleton  County,  Va.,  and  is  the  son  of  George 
and  Sarah  (Harper)  Teter ;  he  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  his  native  county, 
and  received  a  very  limited  education  ;  he,  in  1841,  located  on  the  eastern 
side  of  the  Indian  Reserve  with  his  parents,  where  they  remained  until 
their  deaths  in  1855.  Ebal  Teter  is  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  this 
county,  and  assisted  in  raising  all  the  log  cabins  in  a  radius  of  six  miles 
during  the  first  years  of  the  settlement.  He  built  the  second  frame 
dwelling,  in  1854,  in  Jefferson  Township,  his  brother  Eli  having  built  the 
first.  Mr.  Teter  was  married,  December  28,  1843,  to  Miss  Hannah 
Baldwin.  They  commenced  housekeeping  in  a  cabin  10x12  feet,  and 
with  a  borrowed  bed,  Mr.  Teter  has  frequently  killed  deer  and  wild 
turkey  while  standing  in  his  own  yard.  He  was  noted  for  his  Herculean 
strength  and  accurate  aim.  For  several  years  after  marriage,  they  lived 
principally  on  game.  His  cash  expenses  for  two  years  were  $4.50.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Teter  have  had  ten  children — Mahlon  L.,  Josiah  A.,  Elizabeth 
A.,  Asa  E.,  Eber  W.  and  Ebal  H.  (twins),  Abraham  A.,  Melvina  J.  (de- 
ceased wife  of  T.  M.  Cass),  and  two  infants  (deceased).  Mr.  Teter  was 
a  charter  member  of  the  second  Christian  Church  organized  in  the  county, 
and  is  still  a  consistent  member  of  that  society.  He  is  noted  for  his 
benevolence  and  kindness  to  the  poor.  In  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
F,  Eleventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  remained  until 
the  close  of  the  war ;  he  is  a  strong  advocate  of  temperance,  and  always 
gives  liberally  for  public  improvements.  Aside  from  his  many  liberal 
donations,  he  has  accumulated  a  reasonable  independence,  having  nearly 
800  acres  of  the  best  farm  land  in  the  county. 

REV.  MAHLON  L.  TETER  was  born  in  Jefferson  Township,  Tip- 
ton Co.,  Ind,,  February  10,  1845;  he  is  the  son  of  Ebal  and  Hannah 
(Baldwin)  Teter,  who  settled  in  this  county  (Tipton)  in  a  very  early  day. 


412  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Mahlon  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  enjoyed  such  facilities  for  acquiring  an 
education  as  the  primitive  schools  of  that  day  afforded.  At  a  very  early 
age,  he  manifested  a  pious  disposition,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  he  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  On  the  28th  day  of  December, 
1862,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  Welshous  of  this  county, 
and  by  this  marriage  had  three  children  born  to  him,  namely,  Jesse  A., 
Charles  M.,  Luvisa  H.  In  January,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  One 
Hundred  and  Thirtieth  Volunteer  Infantry  and  served  until  the  war  closed. 
He  participated  in  all  of  the  battles  fought  during  Sherman's  campaign,  un- 
til they  left  Atlanta  for  the  sea,  when  he  was  taken  sick,  but  was  cared  for 
by  his  comrades.  Although  an  invalid,  he  assisted  in  repulsing  Hood's  com- 
mand at  Alatoona  and  Resaca,  at  one  time  marching  sixty-four  miles  in 
twenty-four  hours  barefoot,  and  with  scarcely  anything  to  eat,  his  brigade 
being  cut  off  from  the  main  command.  On  account  of  his  physical  con- 
dition being  so  impaired  by  field  and  camp  exposure,  he  has  not  been 
able  since  his  return  from  the  service  to  perform  manual  labor  without 
great  distress.  His  record  as  a  brave  and  daring  soldier  is  brilliant. 
After  returning  from  the  war,  he  attended  two  terms  of  graded  school, 
and  then  devoted  himself  to  teaching  one  term  in  the  public  schools  of 
the  county.  In  July  of  1871,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Susanna 
Robinson ;  by  her  he  is  the  father  of  four  children — Edward  F.,  Hannah 
A.,  Linville  0.  and  James  E.  Several  years  ago,  Mr.  Teter  entered  the 
ministry  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  has  sustained  the  excellent  char 
acter  of  piety  always  attributed  to  him.  He  is  a  liberal  patron  of  public 
enterprises,  and  a  consistent  advocate  of  the  temperance  cause.  He  is 
also  an  honored  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 

JOSIAH  AKIN  TETER,  one  of  the  enterprising  grain  and  mill 
men  of  Goldsmith  was  born  in  Jefferson  Township,  Tipton  County, 
Ind.,  July  25,  1847.  His  parents,  Ebal  and  Hannah  (Baldwin)  Teter, 
are  natives  of  Virginia.  Josiah  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  and 
enjoyed  superior  advantages  for  obtaining  an  education,  attending  several 
terms  of  graded  school.  At  the  age  of  nineteen,  he  commenced  teaching 
in  the  public  schools  of  the  county,  and  in  the  intervals  between  the 
terms  he  cultivated  the  soil.  He  followed  this  life  until  1874,  when  he 
retired  from  teaching  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married,  Decem- 
ber 29,  1870,  to  Miss  Martha  J.  Epperson,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  P. 
and  Eliza  (Beegle)  Epperson.  They  have  one  child  deceased  and  five 
living — Emery  C,  Flora  D.,  Samuel  E.,  Pearl  W.,  an  unnamed  infant, 
and  Orlie  May,  who  died  at  the  age  of  five  months.  Josiah  continued 
farming  until  1877,  when  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Normanda  Saw 
and  Grist  Mills,  which  he  conducted  for  one  year,  when  it  was  torn  down 
:ind  rebuilt  at  Goldsmith,   with    the  addition  of  elevators  and  all  other 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  413 

improvements  necessary  to  the  handling  of  grain.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Odd  Fellows'  organization,  for  which  he  entertains  a  very  high  regard, 
and  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

ASA  E.  TETER,  one  of  the  prominent  young  citizens  of  Jefferson 
Township,  is  a  native  thereof,  and  was  born  October  21,  1859.  His 
parents,  Ebal  and  Hannah  (Baldwin)  Teter,  were  among  the  first  settlers 
in  that  part  of  the  county.  Asa  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a 
fair  education  from  the  common  schools  of  the  county.  In  the  fall  of 
IbSl,  he  left  his  father's  farm  and  rented  a  one- third  interest  in  the  grist 
and  saw  mill  with  grain  elevator  combined,  at  Goldsmith,  Ind.,  where  he 
is  doing  a  fine  business.  January  31,  1882,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Mollie  E.  Graham,  born  in  Tipton  County,  December  29,  1860,  her 
parents  being  John  and  Elizabeth  (Howlet)  Graham,  both  of  whom  died, 
before  her  marriage,  in  Tipton  County.  Asa's  marriage  has  been  crowned 
by  the  birth  of  one  child — Bertha  Amanda,  born  October  26,  1882.  He 
has  always  possessed  industrious  and  moral  habits.  Last  year  he  built  a 
very  pretty  little  residence  near  his  mills,  and  has  in  various  ways  mani- 
fested his  public  spirit.  He  is  a  genial,  popular  young  man,  a  member  of 
the  I.  0.  0.  F.  lodge,  No.  324,  of  which  he  is  a  prominent  oiEcer. 

ISAAC  C.  VANDEVENDER,  a  wealthy  farmer,  was  born  in  Pen- 
dleton County,  Va.,  January  23, 1821,  ahdisthe  son  of  William  and  Mary 
(Coberly)  Vandevender.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received 
a  limited  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a 
store,  where  he  remained  for  five  years,  and  in  1848  located  in  Tipton 
County,  in  Jefferson  Township.  The  following  year  he  started  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits  in  Normanda,  in  a  room  8x16  feet,  with  hewed-slab 
counter,  and  a  capital  of  $300.  He  continued  in  business  until  1858, 
when  he  was  elected  Treasurer  of  the  county,  and  sold  out  his  store  for 
$7,000.  He  took  charge  of  the  Treasurer's  office  in  August,  1858,  and 
in  1859,  formed  a  partnership  with  Pickens  Brothers,  of  Tipton  ;  beheld 
the  office  of  Treasurer  until  I860,  having  filled  the  position  with  credit  to 
himself  and  the  county.  In  1866,  he  dissolved  partnership  with  the 
Pickens  Brothers,  and  moved  to  the  Stringer  farm,  which  he  had  pre- 
viously purchased.  In  1867,  he  removed  to  Normanda,  and  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits  at  Tetersburg,  until  1869,  when  he  again  turned  his 
attention  to  farming  and  stock-raising.  In  1876,  he  entered  the  mer- 
chandise business  in  Goldsmith,  and  remained  there  until  1881,  when  he 
sold  his  store  to  J.  J.  Campbell,  and  has  since  given  his  entire  attention 
to  his  farms  and  the  improvement  of  his  stock,  being  a  great  admirer  of 
good  horses.  Mr.  Vandevender  was  married.  May  29,  1851,  to  Miss 
Sarah  A.  Foster,  daughter  of  Richard  Foster.  They  have  had  thirteen 
children,  eight  of  whom  are  living — Mary  E.,  wife   of  J.    J.    Campbell : 


414  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

America  E.,  wife  of  John  Q.  Garrott;  Margaret  E.,  wife  of  Sylvanus  D. 
Hinkle  ;  Joseph  A.  L.;  Nathan  S.,  who  married  Miss  Laura  Hinkle  ; 
Isaac  S.,  Lora  and  Claudius  F.  Mr.  Vandevender  has  acquired  a  com- 
fortable fortune,  owning  over  400  acres  of  well-improved  land  in  this 
county.  He  has  been  a  working  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  for 
twenty-five  years,  and  is  a  liberal  giver  to  all  public  enterprises. 

JOHN  A.  WALLACE  was  born  in  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  March  27, 
18o2.  His  father  is  a  native  of  Tennessee,  and  is  still  living.  His 
mother  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  They  were  married  in  Ohio,  and  removed 
to  Tipton  County,  where  the  mother  died.  John  is  the  seventh  of  a 
family  of  eight  children,  only  three  of  whom  are  now  living.  He  lived 
with  his  parents  until  twenty-one  years  old,  laboring  on  the  fjirm  in  sum- 
mer and  attending  school  in  winter.  Hereceived  a  good  common  school 
education.  After  attaining  his  majority,  he  attended  school  at  Valpa- 
raiso, Ind.  Since  that  time,  he  has  engaged  in  teaching,  with  success. 
He  is  an  active,  energetic  young  man,  with  more  than  ordinary  ability. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  favorably  spoken  of  as  a 
candidate  for  county  office.  He  is  a  member  of  Sugar  Creek  Lodge, 
L  0.  0.  F. 

LEWIS  B.  WARD,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Rock  Island  County,  111., 
February  8,  1845,  and  is  the  son  of  Stephen  and  Adaline  (Baxter) 
Ward,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Ohio.  His  parents  were  early  set- 
tlers in  Illinois,  where  they  endured  the  hardships  of  pioneer  life,  and 
his  grandfather,  Thomas  Baxter,  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  Lewis 
B.  Ward  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  common  school  education. 
In  March,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  First  Indiana  Heavy  Artillery. 
He  served  until  1866,  and  participated  in  the  engagement  of  Mobile,  and 
the  bombardment  of  Fort  Morgan.  He  was  a  soldier  noted  for  his  cool, 
considerate  bravery.  After  he  returned  home,  he  engaged  in  farming 
one  season,  after  which  he  read  medicine  with  J.  F.  Sanders  at  St.  Marie, 
111.  One  year  later,  he  went  into  the  drug  business,  continuing  his 
studies  during  this  time.  Soon  he  sold  his  interest  in  the  store,  and  ap- 
plied himself  closely  to  his  studies,  and  attended  the  Indiana  Medical 
College  for  three  years.  In  1873,  he  began  the  practice  of  medicine  at 
Berlin,  Ind.,  and  remained  there  until  the  town  of  Kempton  was  laid  out. 
He  was  the  first  physician  to  locate  in  this  place,  and  now  controls  a  fine 
practice.  Mr.  Ward  was  married,  April  4,  1875,  to  Miss  Martha  E.  Wil- 
son, this  being  the  first  wedding  in  Kempton.  They  have  had  three  chil- 
dren, only  one  of  whom  is  living — Harry  H.,  a  bright  little  boy  of  three. 
Mr.  Ward  has  always  been  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  has 
been  identified  with  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  for  about  ten  years.  He  is  a  useful 
citizen ;  is  temperate  and  industrious,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP.  415 

SAMUEL  D.  WATSON  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  Janu- 
ary 11,  1843.  His  parents,  "William  R.  and  Catherine  (Goodknight) 
Watson,  were  natives  of  West  Virginia  and  were  of  Irish  descent.  Sam- 
uel was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  removed  to  this  (Tipton)  county,  with  his 
parents,  in  April  of  1853.  His  education  was  necessarily  limited,  on 
account  of  the  scarcity  and  inferiority  of  the  public  schools  of  his  youth. 
He  resided  with  his  parents  until  his  eighteenth  year,  when  he  enlisted 
in  Company  C,  Tenth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served  three  years ;  he 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Murfreesboro,  Chickamauga,  Missionary 
Ridge  and  Perry  ville,  and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  famous  march  to  the 
*sea  ;  he  received  his  discharge  in  April  of  1864,  and  at  once  re-enlisted 
in  the  Eighth  Regiment  of  United  States  Veterans,  and  served  one 
year.  After  his  return,  he  farmed  until  1869,  when  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  F.  Barr,  daughter  of  R.  P.  Barr,  of  Tipton,  Ind.  By  this 
marriage  he  is  the  father  of  five  children,  of  whom  four  are  now  living — 
Frank  E.,  born  January  10,  1870;  Yora  A.,  born  December  14,  1871  ; 
William  P.,  born  November  10,  1873,  and  died,  aged  eighteen  months  ; 
Alva  0.,  born  May  6,  1877  ;  and  Eddie  C,  born  March  28,  1882.  Al- 
though he  started  in  life  in  limited  circumstances,  he  has,  by  diligence 
and  economy,  accumulated  a  good  living  and  a  nice  home.  He  is  known 
as  an  honorable,  deserving  and  public-spirited  citizen. 

FRANCIS  H.  WHEATLEY  was  born  in  Dorchester  County,  Md., 
in  1829,  and  is  the  son  of  Charles  and  Keturah  Wheatley,  both  of  En- 
glish descent.  Mr.  Wheatley  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  in  1835  removed 
with  his  parents  to  Greene  County,  Ohio.  He  was  married  in  that  coun- 
ty October  2,  1855,  to  Miss  Margaret  McDorman.  This  union  has  been 
blessed  with  four  children — Wilson,  born  July  27,  1856 ;  Susan,  born 
March  17,  1860  ;  Francis  J.,  born  January  29,  1865 ;  and  Serilda  J., 
born  January  2,  1870.  Mr.  Wheatley  is  an  early  settler  in  this  county, 
locating  in  Jefierson  Township  as  early  as  1"^58.  He  started  in  the  woods 
with  only  wild  land,  and  has  accumulated  a  reasonable  fortune.  In  1877, 
he  erected  the  finest  brick  residence  in  the  township.  He  owns  824  acres 
of  fine  land,  mostly  in  a  state  of  good  cultivation. 

THOMAS  C.  WHELCHEL,  M.D.,  was  born  in  Hamilton  Countv, 
Ind.,  July  26,  1827,  and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Jane  (Bland)  Whel- 
chel.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Tennessee,  and  his  mother  was  born  in 
the  Indian  Territory  in  1785.  Thomas  C.  was  reared  on  a  farm  in 
Hamilton  County,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  began  the  study  of  medi- 
cine under  his  father,  who  was  a  practitioner  of  the  old  school.  He  then 
read  two  years  with  Jacob  Beatley,  a  French  physician,  after  which  he 
remained  three  years  with  P.  P.  Whitsell.  He  then  began  the  practice 
of  medicine,  and  has  followed  this  profession  since.     Dr.  Whelchel    was 


416  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

married  to  Miss  Isabel  J.  Alexander  November  8,  1855.  This  union  has 
been  blessed  with  eight  children — Rachel  L.,  born  March  11,  1857,  mar- 
ried December  29,  1875,  to  G.  Warbuck ;  Gora  A.,  born  October  18, 
1859,  and  married,  December  29, 1876,  to  W.  Y.  Farrar;  John  F.,  born 
September  10,  1862 ;  Alta  A.,  born  June  21,  1866  ;  Mahlon  J.,  born 
April  14,  1870 ;  Arrilla  M.,  born  June  1,  1873,  died  March  13,  1874  ; 
Estella  A.,  born  April  21,  1876 ;  Owen  E.,  born  August  5,  1880.  Dr. 
\Vhelchel  has  been  an  Odd  Fellow  since  1872,  and  is  now  filling  the  prin- 
cipal chair  of  No.  324.  He  has  met  with  success  in  his  profession,  is 
liberal  and  benevolent,  and  is  a  public-spirited  man. 

PHILIP  M.  WIMER  was  born  in  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  December 
7,  1851,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Julia  (Wolford)  Wimer.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  common  school  education.  He  was  mar- 
ried, November  3,  1874,  to  Miss  Cynthia  A.  Price.  This  union  has  been 
blessed  with  one  child — Effie  May,  aged  seven  years.  Mr.  Wimer 
is  a  consistent  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F.  Lodge  No.  324,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  His  standing  is  high  in  his  com- 
munity for  integrity  and  morality.  He  is  an  industrious,  successful 
farmer,  gifted  with  a  spirit  of  enterprise,  and  ever  ready  with  a  liberal 
hand  to  relieve  the  afflicted.  He  is  a  prominent  citizen,  and  is  a  leading 
member  of  the  Greenback  Labor  party  of  Tipton  County. 

JOHN  WOODS  was  born  in  Ross  County,  Ohio,  in  1832,  and  is  the  son  of 
Jacob  and  Sarah  (Gillmore)  Woods.  He  came  to  Tipton  County  in  1872. 
He  has  always  led  a  farmer's  life  excepting  the  time  he  was  in  the  army. 
He  enlisted  August  7,  1862,  in  the  Seventy-ninth  Regiment  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry;  was  in  the  service  about  three  years,  and  was  twice 
wounded ;  he  was  in  all  the  battles  of  the  central  army,  and  was  with 
Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea ;  he  received  an  honorable  discharge 
from  service  en  account  of  disabilities.  Mr.  Woods  was  married,  March 
1,  1855,  to  Miss  Ann  E.  Glassgo,  of  Clinton  County,  Ohio.  She  was  of 
Scotch-German  descent.  This  union  was  blessed  with  five  children — 
Albert  E.,  Sarah  N.  Turner,  Louisa  A.  (deceased),  Rosella  B.  (deceased), 
and  Andrew  E.  Rosella  Bell  was  born  after  Mr.  Woods  went  to  the 
army,  and  died  before  his  return,  so  he  never  saw  her.  Albert  E.  was 
married,  in  1877,  to  Miss  Mary  F.  Floyd,  whose  parents  were  old  settlers 
of  Jefferson  Township.  She  died  in  March,  1881.  They  had  two  chil- 
dren— Walter  0.  (deceased)  and  John  William.  John  Woods  has  been 
Supervisor  eight  terms,  and  is  one  of  the  best  Supervisors  ever  in  the 
county.  He  is  a  worthy  citizen,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0. 
F.  since  1875. 


"0^     ■:>  ,^ 


ch..^^^^^ 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  419 


MADISON    TOWNSHIP. 


T.  0.  ARMFIELD,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of  Madison  County,  Ind;. 
w!is  born  July  6, 1854,  and  is  the  son  of  Tilmon  and  Mary  A.  (Pickering) 
Armfield,  natives  respectively  of  North  Carolina  and  Ohio,  and  born 
February  19,  1812,  and  June  4,  1820,  and  married  January  2,  1839. 
Tilman  Armfield  was  a  schoolmaster  and  taught  in  Greensboro,  Ind., 
from  1834  till  1842,  and  then  in  Madison  County,  where  he  also  engaged 
in  farming  and  surveying,  holding  the  office  of  Deputy  County  Surveyor 
for  nine  years,  and  then  being  elected  County  Surveyor,  which  office  he 
held  until  his  death,  September  22.  1861 ;  his  widow  still  resides  on  the 
home  farm,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  although 
reared  by  Quaker  parents.  At  the  age  of  twelve,  T.  0.  Armfield  went  to 
live  with  his  uncle,  Jesse  Pickering,  remaining  until  1872,  when  he  en- 
tered the  school  at  Elwood,  Ohio,  and  then  the  National  Normal  School 
of  Lebanon,  and  then  engaged  in  teaching  several  terms,  during  the 
intervals  attending  school  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  and  Ladoga,  Ind.  In  1877, 
he  began  the  study  of  medicine  at  Elwood  under  Dr.  Sigler,  until  1879, 
when  he  entered  the  Detroit  Medical  College,  from  which  he  graduated 
with  honors  March  10,  1881.  After  returning  home,  on  April  14  he 
married  Miss  Ella  Cook  of  this  county,  born  January  1,  1857,  daughter 
of  John  W.  and  Louisa  (Hobbs)  Cook.  After  marriage,  Dr.  Armfield 
located  at  New  Lancaster,  in  company  with  Dr.  N.  W.  Doan,  which  con- 
tinued one  year,  when  Dr.  Armfield  removed  to  Hobbs  and  succeeded  in 
securing  a  fine  practice.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Armfield  have  one  daughter — 
In  a  Vatura. 

PHILIP  H.  BALLARD  was  born  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  May  8, 
1839,  and  is  the  eldest  and  only  living  son  of  Philip  and  Ruth  (Smock) 
Ballard,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  Philip 
Ballard  emigrated  to  Marion  County,  about  1830.  He  was  a  man  of 
good  education,  and  had  been  a  teacher  and  merchant  in  Virginia.  He 
married  while  residing  in  Indianapolis;  February  1,  1846,  he  removed  to 
this  county,  where  he  entered  and  located  on  seventy  acres  of  land  in 
this  township  ;  the  land  contained  a  cabin  and  a  smithery,  which  he  con- 
verted into  a  schoolhouse,  the  first  in  the  township.  He  alternated  be- 
tween teaching  and  farming  for  many  years,  and  died  October  7,  1864, 
aged  seventy-two.  He  was  a  soldier  of  1812,  and  of  Quaker  parentage; 
his  wife  survives,  aged  eighty-two.  Philip  II.  Ballard  was  but  seven 
years  old  when  he  was  brought  to  this  county,  where  he  received  a  fair 
education  and  labored  on  the  farm.     L^pon   becoming  of  age,  and  at  the 


420  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

trump  of  war,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Thirty-ninth  Indiana  Volun- 
teers. The  regiment  participated  in  many  battles,  including  Stone  River 
and  Chattanooga ;  it  was  afterward  equipped  as  mounted  infantry  and 
known  as  the  Eighth  Indiana  Cavalry.  During  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  the 
regiment  joined  Gen.  Cook  in  his  raid  around  the  city  ;  he  was  dis- 
charged September  24,  1864,  and  returned  home  and  resumed  farming. 
He  now  owns  120  acres  of  the  home  farm,  forty-five  of  which  are  under 
cultivation.  On  November  8,  1875,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
C.  Rhoades,  of  this  county,  born  January  11,  1849,  daughter  of  William 
and  Drusilla  Rhoades.  Mrs.  Ballard  died  July  8,  1870,  leaving  one  son — 
Roscoe.  Mr.  Ballard  is  an  active  Republican,  and  a  member  of  Walnut 
Grange,  No.  184. 

JOHN  W.  BALSER  was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  September 
17,  1814,  and  is  the  eldest  of  sixteen  children  of  Jacob  and  Polly  Balser, 
the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the  latter  of  Tennessee.  John  W. 
labored  as  a  farmer  until  1830,  when  he  removed  with  his  father  to  Rush 
County,  Ind.,  where  they  entered  160  acres,  and  erected  a  rude  cabin. 
The  family  made  all  their  clothing,  even  shoes,  from  the  raw  flax  and 
hides.  Jacob  Balser  was  an  influential  Democrat,  and  died  in  August, 
1844.  Both  he  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Joj\n 
W.  Balser,  when  twenty-one  years  old,  began  life  for  himself,  and  was 
married,  January  16,  1837,  to  Miss  Sidney  McDonnel,  of  Rush  County, 
born  in  Kentucky,  October  20,  1820,  daughter  of  Enos  McDonnel,  by 
which  union  they  had  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  survive — Phebe  A., 
George  T.,  Benjamin  S.,  Polly  A.,  Emily  J.,  Frances  M.  and  William 
J.  Mr.  Balser  began  housekeeping  in  the  crudest  form,  and  cleared  some 
land,  which  he  sold  in  1843,  when  he  came  to  this  county,  and  pur- 
chased forty  acres  north  of  New  Lancaster ;  this  took  all  of  his  money, 
and  he  began  a  second  time  without  means ;  this  land  he  also  sold,  and 
returned  to  Rush  County ;  he  came  again  to  this  county  after  twelve 
months,  where  he  commenced  anew,  erecting  a  weaving  loom,  which  his 
wife  operated  in  making  clothing  for  their  little  family,  while  her  hus- 
band labored  on  his  land.  In  1861,  he  located  on  his  present  farm  of 
100  acres,  which  he  has  improved  generally,  and  to  which  he  has  added 
seventy-five  acres  of  new  land.  Mr.  Balser  is  a  Democrat,  having  first 
voted  for  Gen.  Jackson  in  1836  ;  he  has  been  Road  Supervisor  a  number 
of  terms. 

BENJAMIN  F.  BROWN,  farmer,  is  the  son  of  Cannan  and  Hetty 
(Tribbet)  Brown,  and  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  February  28, 
1841.  Cannan  Brown  was  born  in  Sussex  County,  Del.,  1798.  He  had 
six  children — Hester  Ann,  Rebecca,  John  C,  Charles,  Benjamin  and  Ca- 
leb W.     He  early  became  a  millwright,  which  he  followed  in  Delaware 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  421 

many  years ;  also,  adding  the  business  of  running  a  foundry.  He  emi- 
grated to  the  West  and  lived  in  Rush  and  Henry  Counties,  Ind.,  and 
finally,  in  1848,  moved  to  Madison  County,  and  in  1859  purchased  the 
quarter  section  in  this  county  on  which  Benjamin  now  lives.  He  was  a 
Mason,  a  Democrat  and  a  Methodist,  and  died  March  25  and  his  wife 
November  4,  1874.  Benjamin  F.  Brown  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  man- 
aged to  obtain  a  fair  education.  After  coming  to  Tipton  with  his  father, 
he  traveled  two  years;  he  at  one  time  owned  366  acres,  but  now  limits 
his  land  to  the  homestead  ;  he  was  married  to  Sarah  Sharp,  daughter  of 
S.  B.  and  Rebecca  E.  Sharp,  August  28,  1879.  They  have  one  child, 
Arizona  S.  Mr.  Brown  is  a  Democrat.  Caleb  W.  Brown,  brother  of 
Benjamin  F.,  was  born  in  1842  ;  he  is  a  hard- worker,  and  fairly  educated, 
like  his  brother.  He  was  married  to  Julia  A.  Neal,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
and  Susan  Neal,  of  Howard  County,  September  26,  1867.  Caleb  has 
three  children — Cannan,  Albert  and  Loretia.  His  wife  died  February  27, 
1874.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  served  four  and  one-half  years  as  Con- 
stable ;  he  is  an  active  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 

JOHN  F.  BROWN  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  November 
27,  1842,  and  is  one  of  the  seven  children  of  Francis  and  Elizabeth 
(Hoover)  Brown,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  the  latter  of  Ohio, 
"whose  parents  were  slain  by  Indians  during  the  Revolutionary  war. 
Francis  Brown  came  to  Wayne  County  with  his  parents  about  1812, 
where  he  married  and  followed  lumbering  and  farming  until  1852,  when 
he  came  to  this  county,  located  upon  an4  cleared  land,  on  which  he  re- 
sided until  his  death,  April  18,  1869,  aged  sixty-nine;  followed  by  his 
wife  April  22,  1873.  Mr.  Brown  was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the 
New-Light  Church.  John  F.  Brown  came  to  this  county  when  nine 
years  of  age,  where  he  has  since  resided,  and  received  his  education  in 
a  log  schoolhouse.  In  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  One  Hundred 
and  First  Indiana  Volunteers,  which  was  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  and  which  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  the 
siege  of  Chattanooga,  Missionary  Ridge  and  the  Atlanta  campaign.  He 
was  a  brave,  faithful  soldier,  and  honorably  discharged  June,  1865.  On 
returning  home,  he  resumed  farming,  and  shortly  after  purchased  100 
acres  of  the  home  farm,  eighty  of  which  ax'e  being  cultivated  and  are 
underdrained.  Mr.  Brown  was  married.  May  17,  1873,  to  Miss  Frances 
Adair,  of  Madison  County,  born  December  29,  1851,  daughter  of  John 
T.  and  Frances  (Brown)  Adair.  To  this  union  were  born  two  sons — 
Alva  Lora  and  Erneste  Eugene.  Mr.  Brown  is  a  public-spirited  and  es- 
teemed citizen. 

WILLIAM  T.  CARR  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  April  11, 
1848,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  eight  children  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth 


422  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES  : 

{Jounlan)  Carr,  both  natives  of  Virginia.  In  1847,  the  family  located 
in  Wayne  County,  where  they  remained  until  1850,  when  they  came  to 
this  county,  where  they  owned  160  acres.  Jacob  Carr  was  a  shoe-maker, 
and  for  years  made  the  family  shoes;  he  was  also  an  expert  hunter,  and 
provided  much  provision  in  that  way.  Mr.  Carr  was  a  Democrat  and 
was  long  Supervisor  of  Roads;  he  died  in  1871,  aged  sixty-five,  his  wife 
following,  December,  1880,  aged  seventy-five  years:  both  were  members 
of  the  Christian  Church.  William  T.  Carr  being  the  only  son,  assisted 
his  father  until  he  was  twenty  years  old,  when  he  rented  the  farm,  his 
father  having  died,  and  assisted  to  maintain  his  mother.  He  was  mar- 
ried, April  23, 1871,  to  Miss  Catharine  Yarling,  born  in  Shelby  County, 
April  4,  1849,  daughter  of  Jacob  Yarling.  Three  children  were  born 
to  this  union,  two  of  whom  are  living — Iredell  and  Alice  B.  Mr.  Carr, 
by  continued  diligence,  has  increased  his  farm  to  160  acres,  and  also 
made  many  improvements,  making  it  a  first-class  wheat  farm.  Mr.  Carr 
is  an  active  home  politician  of  the  Democratic  school. 

AARON  A.  COFFMAN  was  born  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  Febru- 
ary 3,  1826,  and  is  the  elder  of  the  two  sons  of  William  and  Mary  (Ro- 
zier)  Coffman,  the  former  a  native  of  Switzerland,  the  latter  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. William  Coffman  served  under  Bonaparte  for  five  years,  and  as  a 
British  soldier  in  the  West  Indies  and  in  the  war  of  1812,  when  he  was 
sent  to  America,  having  been  captured  by  the  British  from  Bonaparte, 
and  forced  to  embrace  their  standard.  He  deserted  the  British  near 
Montreal,  intending  to  return  to  Switzerland,  but,  instead,  emigrated  to 
Cincinnati,  and  thence,  in  1820,  to  Indianapolis,  where  he  married.  In 
1836,  he  removed  to  Hamilton  County,  locating  at  Strawtown,  and 
entered  land  on  Bear  Creek.  In  1839,  he  located  near  Omega,  where  he 
made  a  home,  and  remained  until  his  death  in  July,  1854,  aged  seventy- 
five,  followed  by  his  wite  in  July,  1867,  aged  seventy-seven  years. 
Their  second  son  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war,  and  died  at  Russellville, 
Ky.,  May  2,  1865.  Aaron  A.  Cofi'man  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  received 
the  school  education  of  the  day.  He  was  married,  August  6,  1848,  to 
Miss  Emeline  M.  Gregory,  of  this  county,  born  in  North  Carolina  Octo- 
ber 24,  1831,  daughter  of  William  Gregory.  To  this  union  were  born 
two  children,  William  H.  and  Mary  C.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Coff- 
man resided  on  his  father's  farm  until  1857.  In  1859,  he  came  to  his 
present  home,  where  he  has  made  improvements  and  erected  good  build- 
ings, despite  certain  drawbacks,  having  lost  $2,000  by  the  burning  of  his 
barn  and  contents  in  1882.  Mr.  Coffman  is  a  Republican  and  a  valued 
citizen  ;   Mrs.  Coffman  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  C.  COLE  was  born  in  New  Jersey  February  26,  1827,  and 
is  a  son  of  John  B.  and  Sarah  (Maines)  Cole,  both  natives  of  New  Jersey. 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  428 

When  Mr.  Cole  was  nine  years  old,  his  parents  emigrated  to  Monroeville, 
Ind.,  and  thence  to  this  county,  where  he  attended  school  and  passed  his 
boyhood.  The  family  lived  in  a  round-log  cabin,  on  320  acres  entered 
by  his  father,  whom  he  assisted  until  his  twenty-first  year,  when  he  began 
farming  on  forty  acres  given  to  him  by  his  father,  which  embraces  a  por- 
tion of  his  present  home.  On  June  21,  1849,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  R.  Mount,  of  this  county,  born  in  Muskingham  County,  Ohio, 
December  8,  1824,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Martha  R.  Mount,  both  de- 
ceased. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cole  have  had  eight  children,  of  whom  seven  are 
living — Newton  J.,  John  W.,  Charles  F.,  Lemuel  C,  Peter  J.,  George 
R.  and  Mattie  R.  Mr.  Cole  began  housekeeping  in  a  walnut  and  poplar 
cabin,  with  the  scantiest  furniture.  Coon,  and  other  game  were  abund- 
ant, and  with  the  skins  of  the  former  he  paid  his  grocery  and  tax  bills. 
In  1859,  he  added  eighty  acres  to  his  farm,  and  to  this  he  has  further 
added,  so  that  he  now  owns  700  acres,  400  of  which  are  cultivated  and 
occupied  by  himself  and  sons.  He  has  been  an  extensive  stock-raiser, 
having  had  as  many  as  200  hogs  to  feed.  He  was  one  of  the  first  ta 
commence  underdraining  with  timber  in  this  county  ;  he  has  also  built  a 
fine  frame  house.  Mr.  Cole  is  an  active  Democrat,  and  has  served  as 
Supervisor.  Mrs.  Cole  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
LEVI  B.  COLVIN,  farmer,  the  third  son  of  Boswell  and  Lydia 
(Hatfield)  Colvin,  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  January  30, 
1824.  Boswell  Colvin  was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ky.,  April  18, 
1793.  His  education  was  limited,  and  he  lived  a  farmer.  Leaving  Ken- 
tucky,  he  went  to.Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  and  thence  to  Rush  County, 
Ind.,  in  1832.  In  1856,  he  moved  to  Tipton  and  settled  south  of  Cur- 
tisville.  He  was  married  to  Lydia  Hatfield  October  15,  1817,  by  whom 
he  had  thirteen  children — Lena  A.,  John  R.,  Charles  H.,  Levi  B,,  Will- 
iam W.,  Hannah  M.,  Owen  D.,  Nancy  P.,  Sarah  E.,  Francis  M.,  Lewis, 
B.,  Lydia  M.  and  Rebecca  J.  Boswell  was  a  pensioner  of  the  war  of 
1812,  and  a  life-long  Democrat.  He  died  in  1878,  and  his  wife  in  1865. 
Levi  B.  Colvin  was  farm  reared,  and  yet  received  a  good  English  educa- 
tion. In  1850,  he  removed  to  Tipton  County  and  purchased  the  tract 
now  owned  by  the  Shipley  heirs.  Eight  years  later,  he  laid  out  the  town 
of  Curtisville.  He  then  bought  the  120-acre  tract  upon  which  he  now 
resides.  From  1860  to  1864,  he  owned  and  ran  the  Curtisville  Saw 
Mills.  Mr.  Colvin  has  been  Trustee  four  terms,  also  Justice  of  the  Peace 
and  Assessor.  He  is  a  Democrat,  has  general  liberal  views  and  has  done 
much  for  the  development  of  the  town.  He  was  married  to  Delia  Pun- 
tenny,  daughter  of  John  and  Ann  (Veazy)  Puntenny,  of  Delaware,  Jan- 
uary 22,  1846.  They  had  five  children— Ruth  A.,  John  B.,  Lydia  A.^ 
Eli  V.  and  James  N.     Mrs.    Colvin   died   February  4,  1856,  and  Mr. 


424  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Colvin  was  next  married,  August  1  ,1858,  to  Mrs.  Harriet  Legg.  From 
this  union  there  are  three  children — Emma  F.,  Jonathan  B.  and  Mary  E. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Colvin  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  Mr. 
Colvin  has  been  an  active  Mason  for  nearly  forty  years. 

LEMUEL  DARROW  was  born  December  3,  1852,  and  is  the 
eldest  of  a  flimily  of  six  children  born  to  Zadock  and  Cynthia  (Brown) 
Darrow,  the  former  a  native  of  Connecticut  and  the  latter  of  North  Car- 
olina. Zadock  Darrow  came,  in  his  youth,  with  his  parents  to  the  West, 
and  located  on  Duck  Creek,  in  this  township,  in  1834  or  1835.  By  in- 
dustry and  economy,  he  accumulated  a  property,  owning  at  his  death  some 
500  acres,  a  portion  of  the  same  farm  being  occupied  by  his  children. 
He  died  March  13,  1859,  followed  by  his  wife  April  3,  1871.  Lemuel 
Darrow  was  reared  on  a  farm,  assisting  his  father  and  attending  the  com- 
mon schools  of  the  day.  When  fourteen  years  of  age,  he  began  life  for 
himself,  and  on  March  4,  1873,  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Leavell, 
of  this  township,  born  May  5,  1856,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Fannie 
Leavell,  early  settlers  of  this  township.  Five  children  have  blessed  this 
union,  three  of  whom  are  living — Fannie  L.,  Annie  0.  and  Omer  E. 
Shortly  after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Darrow  located  where  he  now  resides,  on 
112  acres,  eighty-five  of  which  are  well  cultivated,  with  good  buildings 
and  other  improvements,  the  equal  of  any  of  this  township.  Mr.  Dar- 
row is  a  Democrat  and  worthy  citizen,  and  has  held  some  minor  ofiices  in 
his  township. 

DR.  N.  W.  DOAN  was  born  in  Knox  County,  Ohio,  May  4,  1829, 
and  is  the  youngest  of  the  four  children  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Van 
Trump)  Doan,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  of  Virginia. 
When  three  years  of  age.  Dr.  Doan  went  to  reside  with  his  uncle,  Daniel 
Van  Trump,  of  Harding  County,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  four  years, 
and  returned  to  his  father.  Three  years  later,  he  began  doing  for  him- 
self in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  thence  returning  to  Harding  County,  where 
he  worked  for  his  uncle,  and  where  he  met  an  accident  which  nearly 
severed  his  arm  and  which  disabled  him  for  nearly  three  years.  Being 
thus  crippled,  and  having  acquired  a  rudimentary  education,  he  com- 
menced, by  the  advice  of  his  sister,  the  study  of  medicine,  at  the  same 
time  working  in  a  cabinet  shop.  This  he  was  compelled  to  abandon,  and 
in  the  fall  of  1855  he  moved  to  Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  and  engaged  in 
drafting  for  the  Indiana  Central  and  I.  B.  &  W.  Railroads,  making  his  home 
at  Brownsburg.  Here  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1862,  when,  after 
three  years  with  Dr.  Cloud,  he  began  practice  and  dealing  in  drugs,  at 
which  he  continued  until  the  spring  of  1869,  when  he  removed  to  Buena 
Vista,  where  he  established  the  first  drug  store  and  engaged  in  practice, 
and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  removed  to  New  Lancaster,  where  he  has  attained 


Hm' 


^- 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  427 

a  large  and  lucrative  practice  and  endured  all  the  hardships  of  his  profes- 
sion in  a  new  country.  In  1871  and  1872,  he  attended  lectures  at  the 
Ohio  Medical  College,  and  has  been  twice  a  delegate  to  the  State  Med- 
ical Society,  having  been  a  member  of  the  Tipton  County  Society  since 
1874,  Dr.  Doan  was  married,  November  16,  1851,  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
W.  Shinn,  of  Waynesville,  Ohio,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  seven 
of  whom  are  living — T.  F.,  Frances  L.,  Ida  N.,  Leslie  E.,  Arthur, 
Schuyler  F.  and  Jesse  W.  Dr.  Doan  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  body ; 
he  is  also  an  uncompromising  Republican. 

EDWIN  E.  AND  WILLIAM  F.  EDWARDS,  farmers,  are  the  eld- 
est sons  of  James  H,  and  Sarah  (Collins)  Edwards.  Both  were  born  in 
Rush  County,  the  former  August  16,  1862,  and  the  latter  January  10, 
1864.  Their  father,  James,  is  a  leading  farmer  of  this  township.  He 
was  born  in  Guilford  County,  N.  C,  May  19,  1835.  He  received  a  fair 
education.  In  1857,  he  removed  with  his  father  to  Rush  County,  this 
State,  The  father  died  in  1864,  but  the  mother  still  lives.  James  early 
engaged  in  saw-milling.  He  has  also  farmed  in  various  places,  and  trav- 
eled considerably.  In  1876,  he  came  to  Tipton  and  bought'  the  excellent 
eighty-acre  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  near  Curtisville.  He  is  a 
Democrat.  He  was  married  to  Sarah  Collins,  of  Boone  County,  Ky.,  in 
November,  1861.  By  this  marriage  they  have  seven  children,  besides 
the  two  named  at  the  head  of  this  sketch — Emery  A.,  Ora  E.,  Elmer, 
James  H.,  Nora  E.,  Martha  A.  and  Winfield  S,  Edwin  E,  has  always 
worked  on  the  farm  in  summer  and  attended  school  in  the  winter.  For 
the  last  four  years,  he  has  been  helping  to  clear  out  the  farm.  He  has 
traveled  considerably  over  the  State.  William  Edwards  followed  farming 
till  two  years  ago.  In  1880,  he  traveled  successfully  over  Indiana  for 
an  Ohio  fruit-tree  company.  At  present  writing,  he  is  engaged  in  car- 
pentering. He  is  a  hard  student,  and  is  preparing  himself  for  school 
teaching,  Emery  was  born  August  17,  1865,  and  Ora  September  14, 
1868,  They  are  hard-working  and  promising  boys,  attending  school 
each  winter  and  working  on  the  farm  in  summer, 

FRANCIS  M,  ETCHISON  was  born  in  this  township  May  1,  1852, 
and  is  one  of  the  four  sons  of  Benton  Etchison,  a  native  of  England,  who 
removed  to  Madison  County,  Ind,,  in  1831,  and  located  near  Elwood, 
where  he  married  one  Minerva  Ray,  daughter  of  Hugh  Rav,  who  also 
came  to  Madison  County  in  1831.  Shortly  after  his  marriage,  in  1846, 
he  located  near  New  Lancaster.  Here  he  was  successful  as  a  farmer,  and 
died  June  9,  1868,  aged  forty-nine.  He  was  a  Democrat,  a  Universalist 
and  an  honored  citizen.  Mrs.  Etchison  is  now  living  on  the  home  farm, 
aged  fifty-eight.  Francis  M.  was  reared  to  farm  industry,  and  labored 
during  summer  and  attended  district  school  during  winter,  thus  acquirin<y 


428  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

some  education.  Upon  reaching  his  majority,  he  was  married,  June  18, 
1872,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Darrow,  of  this  township,  born  1866,  daughter  of 
Zadock  Darrow,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  county.  To  this  union  were 
born  five  children — Florence  Estella,  Mattie  L.,  Otto  E.,  Charles  and 
Pleasant.  After  marriage,  Mr.  Etchison  began  for  himself,  and  has  now, 
through  diligence  and  economy,  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  this  county, 
with  good  buildings  and  under-draining  and  other  improvements,  and 
embracing  110  acres,  eighty  of  which  are  under  good  cultivation.  Mr. 
Etchison  is  a  Democrat  and  a  valued  citizen. 

BENJAMIN  GAGE  was  born  in  Union  County,  Ind.,  August  24, 
1832,  and  is  a  son  of  Simeon  and  Ann  T.  (Davis)  Gage,  both  natives  of 
Indiana.  Benjamin  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  received  but  meager  educa- 
tion, and  when  aged  seventeen  began  life  for  himself  as  a  job  farm  hand. 
On  October  27,  1858,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Updike,  of 
Franklin  County,  born  June  24,  1832,  daughter  of  Morris  B.  Updike,  a 
pioneer  of  Franklin,  by  which  union  they  had  seven  children,  three  of 
whom  are  living — Margaret  A.,  John  F.  and  Mary  F.  After  his  mar- 
riage, Mr.  Gage  removed  to  Franklin  County  and  began  farming  for  him- 
self, on  rented  land.  On  October  27,  1862,  he  enlisted  for  three  years 
in  Company  H,  Sixty-eighth  Indiana  Volunteers.  In  the  first  engage- 
ment, at  Munfordsville,  the  regiment  was  captured ;  but  they  were  soon 
paroled,  and  thereafter  joined  Gen.  Thomas'  command,  being  engaged  at 
Stone  River,  Decatur,  Chickamauga,  Nashville  and  Missionary  Ridge. 
While  at  Nashville,  he  was  made  Corporal,  and  at  Strawberry  Plains, 
Duty  Sergeant.  During  his  service,  he  never  missed  a  roll-call,  and  was 
finally  and  honorably  discharged,  when  he  returned  to  Franklin  County 
and  resumed  farming,  and  January,  1862,  came  to  this  county  and 
rented  land  of  Mr.  J.  B.  Hibbs,  on  which  he  is  farming  extensively. 
He  is  an  energetic  man  and  a  stanch  Republican.  Mrs.  Gage  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church. 

W.  P.  GATES  was  born  in  Indianapolis  November  17,  1833,  and  is 
a  son  Uriah  and  Martha  (Chinn)  Gates,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio,  and 
the  latter  of  Kentucky.  Uriah  Gates  removed  to  Indianapolis  while  it 
was  a  village,  and  was  the  first  man  married  after  the  town  was  incorpo- 
rated. He  was  a  carpenter,  and  removed  to  this  county  in  1854,  locating 
in  Tipton,  where  he  followed  his  trade  as  an  expert  until  his  death;  he 
was  an  earnest  Republican,  and  Scotch  Presbyterian.  W.  P.  Gates  at- 
tended school  and  worked  with  his  father  at  his  trade  and  in  the  tannery. 
When  twenty-one  years  old,  he  began  for  himself,  and  went  to  New  York 
with  a  view  of  embarking  to  California,  which  he,  however,  abandoned 
and  found  work  at  Elizubethtown.  He  then  returned  home,  and  in  1855 
located  at  Noblesville,  in  the  tannery  business;  here  he  remained  for  two 


MADISON  TOAVNSHIP.  429 

years,  when  he  sold  out  and  located  at  New  Lancaster.     Afterward  he 
worked  as  a  journeyman  until,  in  1865,  he  purchased   his  present  home 
of  163  acres,  which  he  cleared  and  improved.     In  1859,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  L.  Jackson,  of  this   township,  daughter  of  Carter  T.  Jackson, 
who   died   February   13,   1865,   leaving   four  children— lola   M.,    Mary 
Leola,  Carter  T.  and  Louisa  J.     Mr.  Gates  was  next  married,   June   6, 
1867,  to  Miss  Aurelia  J.  Kane,  of  this  county,  daughter  of  George  Kane' 
a  pioneer  of  this  county ;  this  union  was  productive  of  five  children,  four 
of  whom  survive— Ottoman  Penn,  Joseph  R.,  John  C.  and  Henrietta  M. 
Since  1873,    Mr.   Gates   has   followed  farming,  and   has  worked  eighty 
acres  of  good  land  ;  he  and  wife*are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
ENOCH  GOODWIN,  father  of  Leander  Goodwin,  was  born  in  North 
Bend,  Ohio,  May  30,  1807.     He  is  of  pure  German  descent.    His  grand- 
father on  his  mother's  side,  Judge    Sims,  bought  of  the  General  Govern- 
ment 10,000  acres,  at  12i  cents  per  acre,  of  the  tract  ceded  by  the  Indi- 
ans to  the  United  States  after  their  defeat  by   Anthony  Wayne  in  1795. 
This  tract  he  leased  for  ninety-nine   years.      As   Cincinnati  now  stands 
upon    it,  the   descendants,    including    Gen.    W.  H.  Harrison  and    Hon. 
Thomas  A.  Hendricks,  are  looking  forward  longingly  to   the   time  when 
it  will   fall  into   their  hands.     Mr.    Goodwin's  paternal  grandfather  and 
grandmother   were    Abraham    and    Elizabeth    Hendricks.      Enoch    was 
reared  on  a  farm  in  Lewis   County,    Ky.,  and    had    little    opportunity  to 
secure  an  education.     In  1831,  he  settled  in   Rush  County,  Ind.;  moved 
to  Kansas  in  1854,  and  returned  in  1858.     In  1862,  he  came  to  Madison 
Township.     He  was  married  to  Melissa  Staggs,   daughter  of  James  and 
Sarah  (Beard)  Staggs,  of  Fleming  County,  Ky.,   March   28,    1826.     By 
her  he  had  eight  children,   every   other   one  of  whom   were   deaf  mutes. 
One  of  the  mutes  received  a  fine  education,  and   was   for  a  time  a  teacher 
in  Baton   Rouge,  La.     Mrs.   Goodwin  died  September  15,  1846.     Mr. 
Goodwin  was  next  married,  in  1848,  to  Lavina  Sills,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Rebecca  (Rairdon)  Sills,  of  Rush  County.     Mr.  Goodwin  has  been  a 
Republican  ever  since  the  birth    of  that    party.     For  several    years     he 
served  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace    in   Rush    County.     He   belongs   to   the 
Universalist  Church,  and  his  wife  to  the  Christian  Church 

LEANDER  GOODWIN,  son  of  Enoch  and  Melissa  (Staggs)  Good- 
win, was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  October  8,  1842.  He  I'ls  reared 
on  a  farm,  and  attended  school  each  winter.  Upon  hearing  the  call  for 
three  years'  troops,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Sixty-eighth  Regiment 
Indiana  Volunteers  and  participated  in  the  battles  at  Munfordsville, 
Hoover's  Gap,  Chickaraauga,  Dandridge,  Dalton,  Nashville  and  several 
minor  battles.  Mr.  Goodwin  had  seven  bullet  holes  in  his  clothing, 
three  of  which  were  made  in  the  battle  of  Chickimauga.     He   served   as 


480  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Corporal  eighteen  months,  and  was  honorably  discharged  in  1865.  Re- 
turning home,  he  removed  to  Curtisville,  Tipton  County,  and  clerked 
for  R.  T.  Moon  until  1875,  when  he  started  for  himself,  continuing  until 
1882.  In  August,  1881,  he  and  J.  B.  Colvin  purchased  the  Curtisville 
saw  mill,  and  since  have  done  a  business  of  from  $8,000  to  $10,000  per 
annum.  Leander  owns  a  fine  farm  of  200  acres  near  Curtisville,  160  of 
which  are  well  drained.  He  is  a  stanch  Republican.  He  has  served  as 
Trustee  of  Madison  Township,  as  express  agent,  as  Deputy  Postmaster, 
as  Postmaster,  and  as  Notary  Public,  and  has  done  much  to  build  up  the 
financial  interests  of  his  community.  Mr.  Goodwin  was  married,  August 
12,  1868,  to  Miss  Phoebe  Adaline  Marshall,  daughter  of  Hazzard  P.  and 
Phoebe  (Fisher)  Marshall,  of  Tipton  County.  They  have  had  five  chil- 
dren— Celestia  Daisy,  Nora  Selena,  Sarah  Rosalee,  Nerval  U.  G.  and 
Cleva  Idella. 

ESOM  GROOVER,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Madison  Township,  is  a 
native  of  Rush  County,  Ind. ;  was  born  March  10,  1833,  and  is  the  son 
of  William  E.  and  Louvisa  (Heflin)  Groover,  natives  of  Virginia  and 
Kentucky  respectively.  The  family  came  to  this  county  in  1843,  and 
settled  on  eighty  acres  of  land,  and  underwent  all  the  hardships  of  pioneer 
life.  The  elder  Groover  was  a  wagon-maker,  and  pursued  his  trade  in 
connection  with  his  farming  ;  he  was  a  prominent  Democrat,  and,  with 
his  wife,  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church ;  he  died  in  1870,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-four,  having  survived  his  wife,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
sixty-nine,  about  a  year.  Esom  Groover  assisted  on  the  farm  until 
twenty-four  years  of  age,  when  he  was  married,  November  22,  1857,  to 
Nancy  A.  Harbit.  daughter  of  James  Harbit,  and  born  in  this  township 
March  2,  1842.  To  this  union  have  been  born  eight  children — Elizabeth 
L.,  James  W.,  Francis  M.,  Lewis  J.,  Christopher  C,  Effie  M.,  Elmer 
and  Evard.  Mr.  Groover  resided  on  his  parents'  farm  for  seven  years 
after  his  marriage,  and  then,  in  the  fall  of  1864,  purchased  a  portion  of 
his  present  farm,  which  he  has  increased  to  172  acres,  of  which  100  are 
under  cultivation,  all  cut  out  of  the  forest.  Mr.  Groover  is  a  Democrat, 
and  has  always  been  a  public-spirited  man. 

J.  M.  GUSTIN  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ind.,  June  4,  1841, 
and  is  one  of  the  ten  children  of  Jonathan  and  Christina  (Eyer)  Gustin, 
both  natives  of  Ohio.  Jonathan  Gustin  was  a  farmer,  and,  in  1832, 
emigrated  to  Madison  County  and  located  at  Chesterfield,  where  he  kept 
a  hotel  and  grocery,  but  shortly  afterward  removed  to  a  farm  near  Ander- 
son, where  he  established  a  good  home,  and  died  in  1860  ;  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church,  as  was  also  his  wife,  who  died  in  1856.  J. 
M.  Gustin  received  u  common  school  education,  and  was  reared  a  farmer. 
Tn  April.  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Seventeenth   Tndi;ina  Volun- 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  431 

teers,  which  regiment  joined  Gen.  McClellan's  command  in  West  Vir- 
ginia, and  in  the  autumn  was  sent  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  In 
February,  1863,  the  regiment  was  mounted  and  armed  with  the  Spencer 
rifle.  Shortly  after  the  battle  at  Hoover's  Gap,  Mr.  Gustin  was  detailed 
to  the  Eighteenth  Battery,  and  after  the  engagements  of  Chattanooga 
and  Chickamauga  was  returned  to  his  regiment.  On  being  discharged, 
June  20,  1864,  he  returned  home  and  resumed  farming.  In  March, 
1865,  he  came  to  this  township  and  worked  for  Iredell  Wright,  and  on 
January  26,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lucretia  J.  Darrow,  of  this 
county,  born  August  18,  1849,  daughter  of  Zadock  Darrow.  Three 
children  resulted  from  this  union — Frank  E.,  x\lbert  L.  and  Jonathan  R. 
In  the  spring  of  1866,  Mr.  Gustin  began  working  his  home  farm  of  100 
acres,  of  which  he  has  cleared  and  improved  eighty-five,  having  also  built 
a  brick  dwelling  at  a  cost  of  $2,900.  In  1876,  he  visited  Texas,  where 
he  purchased  a  farm,  on  which  he  raised  a  cotton  and  corn  crop  worth 
1600.  This  land,  which  cost  him  $960,  he  sold  for  $2,500,  and,  in  1877, 
returned  to  his  old  home. 

CHARLES  E.  HALL,  merchant,  son  of  William  L.  and  Mary  E. 
(Ruflf)  Hall,  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  March  15,  1859,  near  Glen- 
wood.  His  mother  is  a  native  born  German,  and  his  father  a  son  of 
Kentucky.  William  L.  lived  on  a  farm  in  Kentucky  until  1854,  when 
he  removed  to  Rush  County.  After  twelve  years'  farming  there,  he  re- 
moved to  Hamilton  County,  remaining  three  years  before  a  final  removal 
to  Madison  Township,  Tipton  County.  By  hard  work,  he  has  made  one 
of  the  best  100-acre  grain  farms  in  the.  township,  upon  which  are  com- 
modious buildings.  He  was  married  to  Mary  L.  Ruif,  daughter  of  Cath- 
erine Ruff,  of  Pendleton  County,  Ky.,  October  6. 1854.  From  this  union 
there  have  been  seven  children — Samuel  J.  A.,  Charles  E.,  Mary  C, 
Francis  L.,  Mary  E.,  James  S.  and  Mary  L.  Charles  E.  Hall,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  was  reared  a  farmer.  He  had  little  opportunity  for 
education,  and  early  shifted  for  himself.  At  the  age  of  nineteen,  he 
bought  a  forty-acre  farm  from  the  savings  of  two  years,  or  $1,045.  This 
he  sold  in  1881,  and  began  clerking  for  Lee  Goodwin.  Very  soon  he 
bought  out  Goodwin,  and  is  now  doing  a  successful  merchandise  business. 
He  carries  a  nice  general  stock,  which  is  insured  at  $1,500,  and  has  a 
trade  of  $8,000.  His  store  is  a  very  popular  one.  Mr.  Hall  has  been 
Deputy  Postmaster,  and  also  railroad  and  express  agent.  His  politics 
are  Democratic. 

HENRY  Z.  HARBIT  was  born  in  Tipton  County  February  21, 
1842,  and  is  the  eldest  of  eleven  children  of  Isaac  and  Wincy  (Brown) 
Harbit,  ten  of  whom  are  living.  The  parents  of  Henry  came  to  this 
county  about  1837,  and  were  married  in  1841.     Henry's  maternal  great- 


432  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

grandfather  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier  for  more  than  six  years,  his  par- 
ents having  been  killed  by  Indians  before  he  enlisted.  Henry  Z.  Ilarbit 
was  reared  upon  a  frontier  farm  by  one  of  the  first  families  of  this  town- 
ship, and  received  a  primitive  pioneer  school  education.  When  but  a 
small  boy,  he  assisted  in  clearing  the  forest,  and  continued  at  like  duties 
until  his  majority,  when  he  began  life  for  himself,  first  as  a  farm  hand 
and  afterward  upon  rented  land  until  1865,  in  the  fall  of  which  year  he 
removed  with  his  family  to  Marion  County,  locating  eight  miles  from 
Indianapolis.  He  afterward  moved  westward  with  his  father  to  Monroe 
County,  Mo.,  where  he  farmed  for  four  years,  when  he  returned  to  this 
county,  in  the  year  1872,  and  located  two  miles  south  of  New  Lancaster, 
since  which  time  he  has  made  numerous  changes,  having  purchased,  in 
1879,  his  present  home.  Mr.  Harbit  was  married,  June  6,  1864,  to  Miss 
Millie  Townsend,  of  Madison  County,  born  February  4,  1841,  daughter 
of  Isaac  Townsend,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Hamilton  County.  To  this 
union  was  born  one  son — James  Willard.  Mr.  Harbit  has  been  a  hard 
worker  and  liberal  citizen.  He  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  has  served  as 
Township  Assessor  and  Constable. 

FRANCIS  M.  HARBIT  was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  August 
24,  1843,  and  is  the  second  son  of  Isaac  and  Wincy  (Brown)  Harbit,  the 
former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  the  latter  of  North  Carolina.  The  grand- 
parents of  Francis  settled  in  this  couhty  about  1837.  Isaac  Harbit  re- 
moved with  his  parents  from  Rush  County  to  Tipton  County,  Ind.,  in  the 
fall  of  1837,  and  located  near  New  Lancaster  ;  he  was  obliged  to  have  a 
guide  to  find  his  father's  land,  which  had  been  purchased  unseen.  Here 
he  began  life  in  a  cabin  with  puncheon  floor  ;  he  endured  many  privations 
in  his  forest  home  among  Indians,  and  killed  seven  deer  in  one  half 
day.  The  family  lived  upon  game  and  potatoes,  made  their  own  clothing? 
and  in  1862  owned  160  acres  of  good  land,  which  Mr.  Harbit  sold,  and 
rf^moved  to  Monroe  County,  Mo.,  where  he  purchased  350  acres,  on  which 
he  lived,  and  died  June  10,  1879  ;  his  widow  still  resides  on  said  farm, 
aged  sixty-four  years.  Francis  M.  Harbit  was  reared  on  the  paternal 
farm,  acquiring  but  a  limited  education.  When  twenty-one  years  old,  he 
commenced  for  himself  by  working  on  an  elevator  ;  afterward  he  farmed 
on  rented  land  for  two  years ;  then  sold  goods  at  Jackson  Station 
for  one  year,  when  he  resumed  farming  for  three  years,  and  purchased  100 
acres  near  New  Lancaster ;  this  farm  he  exchanged  for  one  entered  by 
one  Benjamin  Leavell,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  Mr.  Harbit 
has  now  198  acres  in  this  township,  well  improved  and  cultivated;  during 
his  life  he  has  owned  eight  different  fiirms.  On  March  16,  1866,  he 
married  Miss  Elizabeth  Juday,  born  October  10,  1844,  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Nancy  (Ross)  Juday,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  five  of  whom 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  433 

survive — Effie  M.,  Marquis  S.,  John  V.,  Charlie  and  Henry  A.  Mr. 
Harbit  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  a  member  of  the  County  Agricultural  Society, 
of  the  Board  of  Directors,  and  a  good  citizen. 

WILLIAM  P.  HARMAN  was  born  in  Chatham  County,  N.  C, 
February  27,  1807,  and  is  the  second  son  of  George  and  Amelia  (Polk) 
Harman,  both  natives  of  Virginia.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  William 
was  a  Captain  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  his  father  a  soldier  of  1812. 
George  Harman  removed  to  North  Carolina  in  1805,  and  followed  car- 
riage-making; he  lived  to  be  seventy  years  old,  and  was,  as  also  his  wife, 
a  leading  worker  in  the  Baptist  Church.  William  P.  Harman  received 
but  spare  education,  and  worked  upon  the  farm  until  his  majority.  In 
1829,  he  removed  to  New  Castle,  Ind.,  and  obtained  employment  at  cutting 
wood  and  splitting  rails  ;  he  also  worked  at  carpentering  for  50  cents  per 
day,  and  was  boarded  for  50  cents  per  week.  He  afterward  opened  a 
cabinet  shop,  which  he  continued  until  1834,  and  on  April  24  of  that 
year  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  B.  Leeson,  daughter  of  Richard  L.  and 
Jane  (Dewly)  Leeson.  To  this  union  were  born  sixteen  children,  only 
four  of  whom  are  living — Moses  D.,  William  H.,  Edmund  F.  and  T.  Lin- 
coln. Soon  after  his  marriage,  he  engaged  in  farming  in  Wayne  County, 
at  which  he  continued  fourteen  years.  In  the  spring  of  1848,  he  came  to 
this  county  and  purchased  160  acres  of  his  present  home,  on  which  he 
located  in  August.  Game  was  abundant,  but  Mr.  Harman  preferred 
clearing  his  land  to  hunting.  For  many  years  they  made  their  own  cloth- 
ing, and  endured  the  common  privations  of  the  time.  He  has  now  194 
acres  as  a  home,  the  result  of  labor  and  economy.  His  son,  John  A. 
Harman,  was  a  soldier  of  Company  E,  Thirty-fourth  Indiana  Volunteers, 
and  served  until  the  war  closed,  and  after  passing  through  many  battles 
unscathed,  was  drowned  from  a  small  boat  during  a  storm. 

BENJAMIN  F.  HINDS  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  February 
14,  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  Abraham  and  Margaret  (Hetrick)  Hinds,  the 
former  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  The  parents 
of  Benjamin  came  West  in  early  life,  where  they  married  and  reared 
nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Hinds  was  a  cooper,  and 
later  a  farmer.  Mrs.  Hinds  still  lives  on  the  farm  located  by  her 
father  fifty-six  years  ago,  aged  sixty  years.  Benjamin  passed  his  boy- 
hood on  the  farm  with  his  father,  and  on  September  18,  1861,  enlisted 
in  Company  G,  Thirty-seventh  Indiana  Volunteers,  which  was  assigned 
to  the  Fourteenth  corps,  under  Gen.  Thomas.  This  regiment  was  en- 
gaged at  Stone  River,  and  in  all  the  battles  of  the  Atlanta  campaign. 
After  serving  his  term,  during  which  he  never  asked  for  or  received  a 
furlough.  Mr,  Hinds  was  honorably  discharged  at  Indianapolis,  October 
27,   1864,  since  which   time  he  has  suffered  greatly  from  rheumatism. 


434  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

After  his  return,  he  attended  Peoria  Academy  two  years,  working  at 
farming  by  times,  and  in  1866  entered  Brookville  College,  whence, 
after  nine  months,  he  graduated  with  honors  in  the  scientific  course. 
The  following  winter  he  taught  school,  and  in  February,  1868,  came 
to  New  Lancaster  and  engaged  with  his  brother  James  (now  deceased) 
in  the  mercantile  line ;  this  he  continued  three  years,  after  which  he 
commenced  farming,  and  in  1875  purchased  his  present  home  of  eighty 
acres.  In  1 876,  he  engaged  with  George  Myerly,  in  the  manufacture  of 
drain  tile.  After  Mr.  Myerly's  death,  in  January,  1882,  he  continued  the 
business  extensively,  substituting  steam  for  horse-power.  On  July  30, 
1870,  Mr.  Hinds  was  married,  to  Miss  Charlotte  Myerly,  of  this  town- 
ship, born  May  1,  1854,  and  daughter  of  George  and  Susanna  (Clau- 
baugh)  Myerly.  Six  children  have  blessed  this  union — George  H., 
Alonzo  F.,  Mary  C,  Mellie  0.,  Nettie  B.  and  Anna  B.  C.  Mr.  Hinds 
is  a  Republican,  an  upright  man,  and  a  good  citizen. 

JACOB  B.  HOBBS  was  born  in  Lee  County,  Va.,  October  18, 
1829,  and  is  a  son  of  Absalom  and  Mary  (dinger)  Hobbs,  the  former  a 
native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of  Germany.  J.  B.  Hobbs  obtained  but 
little  education,  having  to  assist  his  father  on  the  farm,  that  parent  dying 
when  .Jacob  was  eleven  years  old.  When  he  was  fifteen,  he  emigrated  to 
Ohio  and  worked  as  a  farm  hand  in  Scioto  County.  In  April,  1851,  he 
and  a  brother  removed  to  Missouri,  having  February  29  of  the  previous 
year  married  Miss  Lucinda  Seward,  of  Lee  County,  Va.,  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, June  6,  1832,  daughter  of  Nathan  Seward.  Mrs.  Hobbs  died 
May  20,  1883,  leaving  seven  children — Andrew  J.,  Nancy  C,  Robert  D., 
Absalom,  Catherine,  Cassius  M.  and  Henry  S.  Mr.  Hobbs  and  brother 
were  not  charmed  with  Missouri,  and  they  embarked  for  this  county, 
where  they  arrived  June  3,  1851,  cleared  ground,  erected  a  cabin  and  be- 
gan work.  Mr.  Hobbs  now  began  to  deal  in  cattle,  was  successful  and 
soon  purchased  fifty  acres  of  land  for  $500,  on  which  he  paid  $200.  He 
has  been  one  of  the  largest  stock  dealers  in  the  county  ;  he  now  has  634 
acres  in  this  township,  besides  property  in  Tipton,  all  due  to  his  great 
industry,  having  at  one  time  labored  for  37^  cents  per  day.  In  April, 
1882,  he  removed  to  his  present  residence.  He  is  an  active  Republican  ; 
has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  two  terms,  without  one  reverse  of  judgment 
by  the  Superior  Courts ;  was  enrollment  officer  during  the  war ;  was 
Ditch  Commissioner,  and  is  Notary  Public  and  Deputy  Assessor ;  he  is 
also  a  Freemason.  Mr.  Hobbs  drove  the  first  cattle  marketed  from  this 
county,  and  is  now  the  heaviest  tax-payer  in  his  township. 

JOHN  HOBBS  was  born  in  this  township  October  24,  1843,  and  is 
the  seventh  of  the  ten  children  of  Absalom  and  Mary  (Jones)  Hobbs, 
both    natives  of  Virginia.     Absalom  Hobbs  emigrated  to  this  State    in 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  435 

1837,  and  located  near  Indianapolis,  and  in  the  winter  of  that  year 
came  to  this  county  and  entered  eighty  acres,  on  which  he  erected  a 
cabin  and  in  which  he  moved  in  the  spring  of  1838.  He  made  tlie  shoes 
for  the  family,  his  wife  spinning  and  weaving  the  flax  and  wool  for  their 
clothing.  He  was  a  successful  farmer  and  an  expert  coon-hunter,  by 
which  he  obtained  sufficient  to  pay  for  his  groceries  and  taxes.  He  gave 
to  each  of  his  children  eighty  acres  or  its  equivalent,  and  died,  Septem- 
ber 27,  1880,  aged  seventy-one  years  ;  his  wife  preceded  him  in  1878  ; 
they  were  prominent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  John 
Hobbs  assisted  on  the  farm  until  his  eighteenth  year,  when,  in  August, 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Thirty-ninth  Indiana  Volunteers.  The 
regiment  was  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  at  the  battle 
of  Stone  River  Mr.  Hobbs  was  taken  prisoner  and  was  sent  to  Libby 
Prison,  at  Richmond,  being  afterward  paroled  and  later  exchanged,  June 
1,  1863,  when  he  returned  to  his  regiment  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  and 
afterward,  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  was  wounded  in  the  leg  by  a 
shell,  which  necessitated  amputation  of  that  member.  He  was  captured 
after  being  wounded,  but  soon  afterward  exchanged  and  removed  to 
Nashville;  he  was  discharged,  June  22,  1864,  after  which  he  attended 
school  two  years.  On  December  11,  1867,  he  married  Miss  Nancy  E. 
Leavell,  of  this  township,  born  October  15,  1848,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Leavell.  To  this  union  were  born  six  children — Orlen  0.,  Nettie  V., 
Mary  M.,  Benjamin  A.,  Perry  M.  and  Frederick.  In  1868,  he  engaged 
in  farming  in  this  township,  where  he  continued  until  1879,  when  he 
located  on  his  present  site,  the  land  having  been  entered  by  his  wife's 
father.  Mr.  Hobbs  now  has  107  acres,  well  improved ;  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics. 

JOHN  M.  HOBBS  was  born  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  May  26, 
1831,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Henry  H.  and  Rebecca  (Ballard)  Hobbs, 
both  natives  of  Virginia.  The  paternal  great-grandfather  of  John  M. 
fought  under  King  George  III.  Henry  H.  Hobbs,  when  young,  emi- 
grated to  Highland  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  married,  and  afterward 
removed  to  Marion  County,  Ind.,  which  county  he  assisted  to  organize, 
and  built  the  first  house  in  Indianapolis.  In  1836,  he  came  to  this 
county,  where  he  entered  480  acres,  200  of  which  he  cleared.  He  erect- 
ed and  occupied  a  cabin,  from  between  the  logs  of  which,  on  the  first 
morning  of  occupancy,  he  shot  a  deer.  He  was  a  man  of  endurance,  an 
expert  hunter  and  respected  citizen.  He  was  a  member  of  the  U.  B. 
Church,  as  is  his  wife,  who  lives  on  the  home  farm.  Mr. 
Hobbs  died  March  6,  1852;  he  was  twice  married.  John  M.  Hobbs  as- 
sisted his  father  until  his  twenty-first  year,  when  he  began  to  work  for 
himself,  and  saved  enough  from  his  wages  of  50  and  70  cents  a  day  to  pur- 


436  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

chase  his  first  eighty  acres,  a  portion  of  his  present  home.  On  August 
18,  1854,  he  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Green,  of  this  county,  born  in  Mary- 
land in  1835.  Five  children  have  blessed  their  union,  four  of  whom 
are  living — Columbus  G.,  Celina  C,  Sarah  J.  and  Samuel  T.  Soon 
after  his  marriage,  he  occupied  a  log  cabin  in  the  forest,  fourteen  miles 
from  a  road  and  surrounded  by  savages,  since  which  time  he  has  cleared 
from  the  forest  130  acres,  having  in  all  160,  with  large  frame  house  and 
barn.  In  February,  1865,  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  One  Hundred 
and  Fifty -third  Regiment,  for  the  term  of  war,  serving  seven  months ;  he 
was  discharged  August,  1865.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hobbs  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

WARDEN  C.  HOBBS  was  born  May  16,  1839,  on  the  farm  on 
which  he  now  resides,  and  which  was  settled  by  his  father  in  1836.  He 
is  the  eldest  of  the  six  children  of  Henry  H.  and  Maria  (Peerson)  Hobbs, 
the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Hobbs  was 
reared  on  the  farm  of  his  father,  who  died  when  the  former  was  thirteen. 
In  1861,  he  built  the  house  in  which  he  now  lives,  and  on  March  10  of 
that  year  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Beeson,  of  this  township,  born  No- 
vember 7,  1839,  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  (Little)  Beeson.  Eight 
children  blessed  this  union — Vincent  B.,  William  S.,  Malury,  Liblian, 
Julia,  Molsey,  Othamile  and  Edwood.  In  July,  1862,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  C,  One  Hundred  and  First  Indiana  Volunteers,  assigned  to  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Perryville  and  Mil- 
ton, Tenn  ,  after  which  he  was  taken  sick,  sent  to  the  hospital,  and 
finally  transferred  to  the  Invalid  Corps,  in  which  he  had  large  experience 
as  nurse  and  "dresser."  He  was  discharged  August  26,  1865,  when  he 
returned  to  his  home  and  resumed  farming.  He  has  now  176  acres,  130 
of  which  are  under  cultivation,  well  improved  and  with  good  under-drain- 
age.     Mr.  Hobbs  is  a  Republican  and  a  progressive  citizen. 

GRANVILLE  H.  HOBBS  was  born  in  Lee  County,  Va.,  May  16, 
1831,  and  is  a  son  of  Job  and  Susan  (Flanery)  Hobbs,  both  natives  of 
Virginia.  Job  Hobbs  was  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  a  prominent  horseman, 
a  Democrat  and  a  leading  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  G.  H.  Hobbs  was  reared  as  a  farmer, 
and  remained  at  home  until  he  attained  his  majority,  receiving  his  educa- 
tion from  the  subscription  schools.  He  began  life  with  his  brother  in  the 
mercantile  line  at  Owsley  County,  Ky.  After  two  years,  Mr.  Hobbs 
purchased  400  acres  and  commenced  as  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  In 
1863,  owing  to  the  strength  and  growth  of  Southern  sentiment,  he  deemed 
it  expedient  to  move  North,  and  arrived  in  this  county  March  1  of  the 
following  year,  when  he  rented  a  farm  in  Madison  Township,  and  after- 
ward purchased  forty  acres  in  Hamilton  County,  where  he  resided  for  a 


I 


MADISON  TOWNSHIP.  437 

time.  In  March,  1865,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and 
Fifty-fifth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  was  discharged  in  August  following. 
On  returning  home,  he  resumed  farming  and  added  forty  acres  to  his  land. 
In  1867,  he  purchased  his  present  home,  which  he  has  largely  improved 
by  good  buildings  and  the  like,  constituting  as  good  a  farm  as  the  township 
contains,  of  235  acres,  of  which  150  acres  are  cultivated.  He  was  married, 
February  4,  1857,  to  Jane  Myers,  of  Lee  County,  Va.,  born  March  3, 
1839,  daughter  of  John  and  Rachel  Myers.  His  union  was  fruitful  in 
eleven  children,  nine  of  whom  survive — Lucetta  J.,  Rachel  A.,  Varthu- 
la,   William  S.,  John  S.,   Sarah  E.,  Ida,  Janetta  and  Maud  E. 

M.  M.  HOBBS  was  born  in  this  county  December  14,  1845,  and  is 
one  of  the  ten  children  of  Levi  and  Cynthia  (Boles)  Hobbs,  natives  of 
Virginia  and  Ohio  respectively.  Levi  Hobbs  emigrated  to  Mar- 
ion County,  Ind.,  in  early  manhood,  where  he  married.  In 
1^^41,  he  removed  to  this  county,  and  located  in  Madison  Town- 
ship on  twenty- eight  acres  of  forest  land,  which  he  increased  to 
seventy,  and  of  which  he  made  a  home.  During  the  winter  seasons  he 
taught  school  successfully.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  served  as  Justice  of 
the  Peace ;  he  died  April,  1863,  aged  fifty-four  years.  Mrs.  Hobbs  is 
still  living,  aged  sixty-seven  years.  M.  M.  Hobbs  acquired  the  usual 
education  of  farmers'  boys,  and  grew  to  manhood  at  home.  In  1868,  he 
went  West  on  a  tour  of  prospecting,  but  soon  returned  and  attended 
school,  after  which  he  taught  for  some  time.  In  1878,  he  commenced 
mercantile  business  at  Hobbs,  in  which  he  has  been  successful.  In  1879, 
he  was  appointed  railroad  agent,  and  Assistant  Postmaster,  and  in  April, 
1881,  was  commissioned  Postmaster,  which  he  still  holds.  In  addition 
to  his  grain  farm,  he  is  interested  in  a  tile  factory.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  also  a  Republican.  In  1874,  Mr.  Hobbs  was 
married  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Lilly,  born  March  7,  1856,  daughter  of  Green 
Lilly,  of  this  township. 

JOHN  R.  HOUSE  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  November  9. 
1841,  and  is  the  eldest  of  eleven  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living,  of 
George  and  Lucy  (King)  House,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  the 
latter  of  Ohio.  George  House  was  an  early  settler  of  Morgan  County. 
In  1842,  he  removed  to  Hamilton  County,  and  located  on  land  entered 
by  Mrs.  House's  parents,  where  he  made  many  improvements  ; 
he  owned  at  his  death  640  acres,  besides  having  given  520  to  his 
children.  He  was  a  man  of  great  industry  and  endurance,  a  Freemason, 
a  stanch  Republican,  a  Patron  of  Husbandry  and  a  prominent  church- 
man ;  he  died  September  22,  1877,  aged  fifty-seven,  followed  by  his 
wife  in  February,  1879,  aged  fifty-four  years.  John  R.  was  reared  a 
farmer  and  received  but  a  limited  education.     When  twenty-one  years  of 


438  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

age  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  First  Indiana  Volun- 
teers, which  was  incorporated  into  Gen.  Buell's  command,  later  into  the 
Armj  of  the  Cumberland,  and  finally  transferred  to  the  Ninteenth  In- 
diana Battery.  The  regiment  participated  in  the  struggles  of  Hoover's 
Gap,  Chickamauga  and  Chattanooga.  At  the  last-named  point  he  was 
wounded  in  the  left  arm,  but  remained  on  duty.  At  Mission  Ridge  he 
was  made  a  gunner  of  the  Eighteenth  Battery  ;  he  was  in  the  Army  of 
Gen.  Sherman  at  Atlanta  and  in  the  historic  march  to  the  sea,  durino^ 
which  he  was  "  under  fire  "  ninety  successive  days,  and  was  much  disabled 
by  sickness ;  he  was  discharged  July  1,  1865,  after  three  years'  faithful 
and  honorable  service.  He  returned  to  Hamilton  County,  on  November 
16  of  which  year  he  was  married  to  Sarah  Leman,  by  whom  he  has  six 
children,  four  living — William  V.,  Almeda  G.,  Albert  M.  and  Lucy  C. 
After  marriage  he  moved  to  his  present  farm  of  240  acres.  Mr.  H.  ig 
a  stanch  Republican, 

CARTER  T.JACKSON,  was  born  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  March  7, 
1807,  and  is  the  second  son  of  James  and  Martha  (Chambers)  Jackson,  both 
natives  of  North  Carolina.  Carter  came  with  his  parents  to  Wayne  County, 
Ind.,  when  five  years  of  age,  where  his  father  entered  land  and  began  farm- 
ing ;  he  also  tanned  his  own  leather,  and  made  shoes  for  the  family,  his  wife 
spinning  the  flax  and  wool,  from  which  his  clothes  were  made.  He  was 
an  active  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  were  prominent  Baptists.  Carter 
grew  up  a  pioneer  farmer,  and  received  a  fair  education  at  the  peculiar 
schools  of  that  day.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  began  teaching 
for  his  neighbors  ;  he  also  worked  on  the  farm  until  1838,  when  he  located 
in  this  county,  and  entered  240  acres  at  $1.25  per  acre,  \\^iere  he  erected 
a  cabin  and  resided  therein  while  unfinished.  His  trading  was  done  and 
grain  ground  at  Milton  and  Perkinsville ;  his  wheat  was  hauled  to  Law- 
renceburg — 120  miles — for  62^  cents  per  bushel.  Mr.  Jackson  resided 
in  the  county  five  years  previous  to  its  organization,  and  was  inspector  of 
the  first  election,  there  being  but  nineteen  votes  cast ;  these  he  carried  to 
Noblesville  on  horseback.  He  gave  his  first  vote  for  Gen.  Jackson  in  1832, 
and  has  since  voted  with  the  Democrats.  In  1845,  he  was  elected  to  the 
Legislature  from  Tipton  and  Hamilton  Counties,  and  has  since  been  very 
popular.  Mr.  Jackson  was  married,  June  7,  1836,  to  Miss  Malinda  Lea- 
veil,  of  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  born  November  13,  1815.  By  this  union 
they  had  nine  children — Monroe,  Louisa  (deceased),  Lafayette,  F.  Mar- 
ion, Thomas  J.,  Sarah  M.,  Andrew,  Terence  M.  and  Serepta  L.  Mrs. 
Jackson  died  March  2,  1873,  aged  fifty-eight  years.  Mr,  Jackson  has 
a  very  extensive  orchard,  which  he  himself  planted  from  seed  gathered  in 
AVayne  County. 

MARGARET  (BAKER)  JAHRLING  is  the  widow  of  Jacob  Jahrling 


MADISON  TOWNSHIP.  439 

(once  a  leading  farmer  of  this  township),  who  came  hither  from  Shel- 
by County,  Ind.,  September,  1858,  and  located  upon  land  having  small 
improvements,  and  purchased  150  acres.  Mr.  Jahrling  was  a  native  of 
Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  born  April  4,  1820.  In  1830,  his  parents 
emigrated  to  America,  and  located  for  two  years  in  Fredericktown,  Penn., 
thence  removing  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  where  he  assisted  his  father  to 
make  a  home.  On  February  17,  1842,  he  married  Miss  Margaret  Baker, 
a  native  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  born  June  13,  1819,  daughter  of  Michael 
and  Margaret  (Chattle)  Baker,  who  emigrated  to  America  and  entered 
160  acres  in  Shelby-  County,  Ind.  Mrs.  Jahrling  and  her  hus- 
band began  life  poor,  living  the  first  year  mainly  on  corn  bread.  They 
soon,  however,  improved  their  circumstances,  while  farming  on  rented  land 
for  ten  years,  and  afterward  purchased  120  acres.  In  all  of  this  period 
Mrs.  Jahrling  assisted  her  husband  in  the  field.  On  removing  to  this 
county,  after  selling  their  farm,  they  labored  industriously,  having  100 
acres  under  cultivation  here,  with  good  buildings  and  a  large  variety  of 
fruit,  it  being  now  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  township.  Mr.  Jahrling 
died  September  21,  1880,  aged  sixty  years,  and  is  buried  on  Little  Duck 
Creek,  on  land  cleared  by  himself.  He  was  the  father  of  eleven  children, 
eight  of  whom  survive — Margaret,  Mary,  Henry,  Catherine,  Jacob,  John, 
Peter  and  Elizabeth.  The  three  youngest  are  at  home  with  their  mother. 
Mr.  Jahrling  was  an  active  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church.  Mrs.  Jahrling  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
J.  T.  JESSUP,  M.  D.,  Curtisville,  whose  portrait  appears  in  this 
work,  is  the  eldest  son  of  a  family  of  thirteen  children  born  to  Ellis  W. 
and  Melicent  (Hinshaw)  Jessup.  He  is  of  English  descent,  and  was  born 
in  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  January  27, 1849.  His  father  is  also  a  native 
of  Indiana,  born  in  Wayne  County  November  15,  1824.  He  was  a  son 
of  Abraham  and  Hannah  Jessup,  and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm, 
near  Richmond,  until  he  was  eight  years  old,  when  his  parents  moved  to 
Hamilton  County.  Here  he  remained  working  on  the  farm  and  obtaining 
such  education  as  the  schools  of  that  time  afforded,  continuing  farming  in 
Hamilton  County  until  1868,  when  he  removed  to  Marion,  and 
thence  to  Hendricks  County,  where  he  now  lives,  near  Plainfield.  He 
was  reared  to  heed  the  doctriijes  of  the  Friends'  Church,  but  since  his 
marriage  with  Miss  Melicent  Hinshaw,  which  occured  June  11,  1846,  he 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  an  active  Republican 
and  an  enterprising  citizen  of  Hendricks  County.  J.  T.  Jessup,  the  sub-, 
ject  of  this  sketch,  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  attending  the  public 
schools  until  the  age  of  thirteen,  when  he  was  sent  to  the  Poplar 
Rido-e  Seminarv,  where  he  continued  attending  until  he  was  seventeen  : 
then  he  attended  the  Zionsville  Academy  one  year.     With  this  excellent 


440  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

academic  education,  he  began  teaching.  After  having  taught  one  year, 
his  health  failed,  and  he  spent  the  summer  in  Northern  Minne- 
sota, whence  he  returned  in  good  health,  and  for  a  number  of  years  con- 
tinued teaching  in  Hamilton  and  Marion  Counties,  and  while  thus  engaged 
began  the  study  of  medicine.  Subsequently  entering  the  Indiana  Medi- 
cal College,  located  at  Indianapolis,  he  graduated  in  1873.  He  then 
traveled  extensively  through  the  Western  States,  visiting  the  various  mines 
and  other  objects  of  interest  in  Utah,  Nevada  and  California.  After  re- 
turning, he  spentone  winter  in  the  South  and  Southwest,  remaining  a  por- 
tion of  the  time  in  New  Orleans,  then  visiting  the  Western  States,  and 
remaining  at  Philadelphia  during  the  Centennial,  when  he  returned  and 
located  at  Curtisville  in  the  autumn  of  1876,  where  he  has  since  been  in 
practice,  and  has  established  a  successful  and  lucrative  business.  Dr. 
Jessup  has  been  a  life-long  Republican,  and  is  foremost  in  all  progressive 
measures  of  education  and  enterprise.  He  was  married,  July  1,  1877,  to 
Miss  Bessie  Lee,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Kate  Lee,  of  Curtisville.  They 
have  two  children — Gerna  and  Glenna. 

DAVID  JUDAY  was  born  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  March  11. 
1832,  and  is  the  only  living  son  of  Samuel  and  Catherine  (Michael) 
Juday,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  Samuel 
Juday  came  early  to  Ohio,  where  he  married  Catherine  Michael,  who 
died,  when  he  married  Nancy  Ross.  By  diligence,  he  acquired  a  com- 
fortable home  out  of  the  wooded  land,  and  was  an  active  participator  in 
organizing  his  county  and  township.  David  Juday  came  to  this  town- 
ship when  nine  years  old,  where  he  assisted  his  father,  and  acquired  some 
education  from  the  schools  of  that  time,  to  which  he  added  by  applica- 
tion after  his  periods  of  work.  On  reaching  manhood,  he  received 
eighty  acres  from  his  father,  now  a  part  of  his  present  home.  On  No- 
vember 23,  1856,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Houser,  of  this  county, 
born  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  May  6,  1838,  and  came  hither  with  her 
parents,  Isaac  and  Susanna  (Catherman)  Houser ;  this  union  was  blessed 
with  thirteen  children,  of  whom  eight  are  living — John  H.,  Lewis  F., 
Irvin  E.,  Ora  A.,  Lucinda  C,  Amos  0.,  C.  Alice  and  Sarah  B;  After 
his  marriage  he  returned  to  his  forest  home,  where  he  has  since  resided ; 
to  this  land  he  has  added,  by  clearing,  sixty  acres,  making  now  280 
acres.  Mr.  Juday  came  here  when  the  county  was  an  unbroken  forest. 
He  is  an  industrious  man  and  useful  citizen,  a  liberal  Democrat,  and  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  a  charter  member  of  the  Grange. 

HENRY  A.  JUDAY  was  born  in  this  township  April  30,  1850,  and 
is  the  youngest  of  the  ten  children  of  Samuel  and  Nancy  (Ross)  Juday, 
the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  In  January, 
1841,  the  family  removed  from   Preble  County,  Ohio,  to   this   township. 


MADISON  TOWNSHIP.  441 

and  located  on  land  exchanged  for  property'  in  Ohio.  Samuel  Juday 
had  at  this  time  284  acres  of  forest  land;  this  he  partly  cleared,  and 
erected  a  log  cabin,  afterward  substituting  better  buildings ;  he  was  a 
Democrat,  and  died  September  13,  1880,  his  wife  preceding  him  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1878.  Henry  A.  received  but  a  limited  education,  having  to  as- 
sist his  father  at  home.  On  October  16,  1870,  he  married  Miss  Mary 
E.  Vanness,  of  this  county,  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  September  25, 
1852,  daughter  of  Daniel  Vanness  ;  to  this  union  were  born  six  children — 
Anna,  Nellie,  Samuel  D.,  Frances  A.,  Ollie  M.  and  Vessie  Viola.  After 
marriage,  Mr.  Juday  located  on  the  home  farm,  in  the  second  house  built 
by  his  father,  and  four  years  later  removed  to  his  present  home  adjoin- 
ing, which  embraces  140  acres,  well  drained  and  improved.  Mr.  Juday 
is  a  Democrat,  an  upright  man  and  enterprising  citizen. 

GREEN  LILLY  was  born  in  West  Virginia  April  11,  1814,  and  is 
a  son  of  David  and  Sarah  (Wilson)  Lilly,  both  natives  of  Virginia. 
Green  spent  his  boyhood  with  his  parents,  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  where 
his  father  won  from  the  forest  a  home,  and  where  Green  obtained  his  educa- 
tion, and  taught  one  term  of  school  before  his  majority,  in  the  most 
primitive  of  cabins.  Afterward  he  worked  at  farming  and  purchased  an 
interest  in  a  saw  mill.  In  1844,  having  purchased  three  forty-acre  lots, 
and  afterward  obtained  forty  acres  more,  he  sold  the  same  and  purchased 
120  in  Cicero  Township.  On  December  14,  1848,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Sarah  E.  Wright,  of  this  township,  born  March  4,  1825,  daughter 
of  Joseph  and  Sarah  J.  (Salter)  Wright.  Eight  children  blessed  this 
union — Joseph  A.,  David,  Sylvan  E.,  Sarah  J.,  Mary  H.,  James  G. 
(deceased),  Edwin  W.  and  Oliver  G.  Mr.  Lilly  sold  his  land  in  1849, 
and  in  April,  1850,  purchased  eighty  acres  of  his  present  home,  to  which 
he  added  eighty  more  and  greatly  improved,  120  of  which  are  under  culti- 
vation. He  is  a  large  stock-raiser,  and  devotes  the  greater  part  of  his 
land  to  pasture.  Although  not  a  politician,  he  has  been  Justice  of  the 
Peace  and  Township  Trustee,  as  well  as  County  Commissioner  one  term. 
He  prepared  some  of  the  first  square  timber  and  built  some  of  the  first 
cabins  erected  in  Tipton.  Mr.  Lilly  is  a  progressive  and  valued  citizen, 
and  Mrs.  Lilly  is  a  useful  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

SAMUEL  MORRIS  was  born  in  Ross  County,  Ohio,  May  16,  1832, 
and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Wykoff )  Morris,  the  former  a  native  of 
Indiana,  the  latter  of  Ohio.  John  Morris  was  a  farmer,  who  removed 
from  Ohio  to  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  in  1835,  and  located  near  Straw- 
town,  where  he  entered  land  and  built  a  cabin.  After  some  years,  he  re- 
moved to  Arcadia,  where  he  died  May  3,  1879,  aged  eighty-three;  his 
widow  is  still  living,  aged  seventy-eight  years ;  he  was  and  she  is  a  mem- 
ber  of  the   Dunkard  Church.     Samuel  Morris  was  reared  in  Hamilton 


442  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES  : 

County,  where  he  attended  the  schools  of  the  day.  When  nineteen  years 
old,  he  began  working  for  himself  as  a  farm  hand.  He  was  married, 
March  11,  1854,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Welshous,  of  Hamilton  County,  who 
died  March,  1856,  leaving  one  daughter,  Adaline.  Mr.  Morris  was 
next  married,  May  10,  1857,  to  Miss  Martha  Likens,  of  Madison 
County,  born  September  15,  1831.  Eight  children  blessed  this  union, 
of  whom  six  nre  living — Sarepta  J.,  Malinda  A.,  John  F.,  Celia  A.,  Sarah 
M.  and  Susnnna  R.  In  1858,  Mr.  Morris  located  where  he  yet  resides, 
and  lived  in  a  poor  cabin,  which  has  now  given  way  to  a  handsome  frame 
dwelling,  at  a  cost  of  |2,000  ;  he  now  owns  160  acres,  ninety  of  which 
are  well  cultivated  and  underdrained.  February  13,  1865,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  K,  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-third  Indiana  Volunteers  ;  he 
was  mostly  on  guard  duty  until  discharged,  September  7,  1865,  when 
he  resumed  farming.      He  is  a  stanch  Ptepublican. 

GEORGE  W.  MYERLY  was  born  in  Maryland  June  2,  1835,  and 
is  the  eldest  son  of  George  and  Susan  (Clabaugh)  Myerly,  both  natives 
of  Maryland.  George  MyeHy  was  a  farmer,  and  in  1837  moved  to 
Wayne  County,  Ind.,  whence  he  removed,  in  the  fall  of  1842,  to  this 
county  and  entered  eighty  acres  one-half  mile  east  of  New  Lancaster,  on 
which  he  erected  a  rude  cabin.  Here  he  experienced  many  hardships, 
but  being  a  man  of  strong  endurance  and  will,  he  overcame  them  by  de- 
grees and  became  independent.  He  took  part  in  organizing  his  county 
and  township ;  was  a  Democrat  and  held  several  oflBces.  He  died  Jan- 
uary 15,  1882,  aged  seventy  years  ;  his  wife  is  living  on  the  home  farm, 
aged  sixty-nine  years.  George  W.  Myerly  assisted  his  father  on  the 
farm  and  attended  school  until  his  twenty-second  year.  On  April  9, 1857, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Lucinda  Ray,  of  Madison  County,  born  August 
18,  1837,  daughter  of  Hugh  Ray.  To  this  union  followed  four  children, 
three  of  whom  are  living — Frances  M.,  Mary  E.  and  J.  Elmer.  Shortly 
after  marriage,  Mr.  Myerly  removed  to  the  farm,  which  he  now  occu- 
pies. Here,  by  industry,  economy  and  the  struggle  with  privation,  he 
was  enabled,  in  December,  1867,  to  make  a  payment  on  said  farm  of  160 
acres,  which  was  paid  for  five  years  thereafter,  and  which  he  has  since 
greatly  improved,  including  the  building  of  a  bank-barn  costing  $1,000, 
the  best  in  the  county.  Mr.  Myerly  is  a  Democrat  and  has  been  elected 
County  Commissioner  and  to  other  minor  offices. 

JAMES  NELSON  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  January  14, 
1814,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  eight  children  of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth 
(Jones)  Nelson,  both  natives  of  South  Carolina.  Andrew  Nelson  em- 
igrated to  what  was  afterward  Fayette  County  in  1813,  where  he  expe- 
rienced much  pi'ivation,  and  in  1821,  after  the  death  of  his  wife,  removed 
to  Union  County  and  engaged  in  farm  labor.    About  1850,  he  located  in 


I  MADISON  TOWNSHIP.  445 

this  township,  where  he  cleared  a  farm,  and  closed  his  life  December  14, 
1855.  He  was  a  Jacksonian  Democrat  and  an  upright  citizen.  Jamea 
Nelson  was  reared  on  the  paternal  farm  and  acquired  a  fair  education. 
When  eight  years  old,  he  was  bound  to  a  farmer,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained ten  years,  then  beginning  farm  labor  in  Union  County.  He 
soon  returned  to  Fayette  County  and  engaged  in  farming.  There,  May 
13,  1834,  he  was  married  to  Aurilla  J.  Palmer,  of  New  York,  who  died 
August  13,  1851,  leaving  four  children — Aurilla  J.,  Martha  E.,  John  W. 
and  Miranda.  On  November  19,  1857,  Mr.  Nelson  was  married  to  Mrs. 
Mary  E.  (Watkins)  Trenberger,  of  Tipton  County,  by  whom  he  had  five 
children — Laura  S.,  Louisa  A.,  Emma  Y.,  Mary  E.  (deceased)  and 
Loretta  J.  In  1847,  Mr.  Nelson  removed,  by  ox-team,  to  Wisconsin, 
where  his  first  wife  died.  On  January  10,  1853,  he  returned  to  this 
township  and  engaged  in  farming  until  the  fall  of  1865,  and  in  the 
following  spring  removed  to  New  Lancaster  and  engaged  in  the  gro- 
cery trade,  to  which  he  added,  later,  dry  goods,  notions,  boots  and 
shoes.  He  now  has  a  good  stock  of  goods  and  owns  some  village  prop- 
erty. Mr.  Nelson  gave  his  first  vote  for  Gen.  Harrison,  in  1836  ;  he  is 
now  a  Republican,  and  was  commissioned  Postmaster  of  New  Lancaster 
in  1870. 

JAMES  NELSON  is  the  seventh  in  a  family  of  eight  children  born 
to  John  and  Mary  (Mabbet)  Nelson ;  he  was  born  in  Wayne  County, 
Ind.,  October  7,  1834,  and  was  reared  by  Larken  Garr,  his  father^hav- 
ing  died  in  1836 ;  his  mother,  a  daughter  of  Anthony  Mabbet,  died  in 
1871.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  moved  to  Madison  County,  and  for  nine 
years  worked  in  a  saw-mill,  earning  enough  in  the  meantime  to  buy  a 
half  interest.  He  next  bought  a  tract  of  land  on  Duck  Creek,  Madison 
County,  which  land,  five  years  later,  he  traded  for  the  sixty  acres  he  now 
owns  in  this  township — then  all  in  a  wild  state,  but  now  highly  improved 
and  increased  to  120  acres.  January  4,  1857,  he  married  Louisa,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Catherine  (Farren)  Brown,  and  to  this  union  have  been 
born  seven  children,  named  as  follows :  John  W.,  James  V.,  Franklin 
Jesse,  Ora  Josephine,  Delia  and  Charles.  Of  these,  three  are  dead. 
Mr.  Nelson  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  for  about  twelve 
years,  and  in  politics  votes  with  the  Democratic  party. 

DR.  GRANVILLE  NEWBY  was  born  in  Somerset,  Ky.,  April  6, 
1821,  and  is  the  third  of  the  eight  children  of  Edmund  and  Mary 
(Tumbleson)  Newby,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of  Ken- 
tucky. When  Dr.  Newby  was  seven  years  old,  his  parents  removed  to 
Indianapolis,  where  he  assisted  his  father  upon  the  farm  until  his  major- 
ity, having  obtained  a  limited  education  from  the  common  schools,  when 
he  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  oflice  of  Drs.    Ruddle  &:  Maranda 


446  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

of  Allisonville,  he  studied  five  years,  and  afterward  located  at  Cicero- 
town,  Hamilton  County,  where  he  commenced  practice  in  the  spring  of 
1847,  and  in  October  following  removed  to  New  Lancaster,  being  the 
first  physician  in  this  township ;  he  began  practice  here  in  a  primitive 
cabin  purchased  from  Abraham  Russel,  and  successfully  endured  the 
hardships  of  a  general  practice  in  a  frontier  country.  On  February  14, 
1847,  he  married  Miss  Abigail  Barnhill,  of  Indianapolis,  born  April  5, 
1830,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Jane  Barnhill ;  to  this  union  were  born 
ten  children,  three  of  whom  are  living — Mary  E.,  Presley  and  Frank. 
Dr.  Newby  can  recall  many  circumstances  of  early  life,  and  has  a  pioneer 
table  of  hewed  white  ash,  five  feet  long  and  thirty-eight  inches  wide ;  he 
recalls  the  first  mill  to  which  he  was  sent,  in  which  the  grain  was  cracked 
— the  finer  being  used  as  meal,  the  other  as  hominy — in  a  dugout  tree, 
the  beater  being  an  iron  wedge.  Dr.  Newby  is  an  enterprising  man  and 
leading  citizen.     Mrs.  Newby  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

HUGH  RAY  (deceased)  was  born  in  North  Carolina  ;  he  removed 
when  young  to  Tennessee,  where  he  married  Sarah  C.  Reder,  a  native  of 
that  State.  A  few  years  afterward  he  emigrated  on  foot,  to  Rush  Coun- 
ty, Ind.,  first  stopping  at  White  Water,  and  thence  going  westward  to 
Madison  County,  where  he  commenced  pioneer  life  with  limited  means, 
struggling  from  year  to  year  for  a  livelihood,  corn  bread  being  his  main 
food ;  later,  however,  by  industry  and  saving,  he  succeeded  in  obtaining 
eighty  acres  of  land.  During  this  time  the  family  clothing  was  made 
from  the  flax  raised  by  them,  they  experiencing  many  of  the  hardships 
common  to  early  settlers,  but  game  was  abundant,  as  were  also  the  Indi- 
ans. Mr.  Ray  was  a  man  of  much  endurance,  and  always  secured  his 
share  of  game.  Once,  while  attending  a  log  rolling,  he  received  an  in- 
jury which  rendered  him  a  life-time  cripple ;  he  died  in  December,  1845, 
and  his  wife  about  1860  ;  they  had  eleven  children  born  to  them,  of  whoto 
seven  are  living ;  both  were  members  of  church. 

EDWARD  J.  SHARP  was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  Sep- 
tember 27,  1811,  and  is  one  of  the  ten  children  of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth 
(Watts)  Sharp,  both  natives  of  South  Carolina.  Andrew  Sharp  emigrat- 
ed to  Highland  County  about  1808,  where  he  farmed  until  1827,  when 
he  removed  to  Marion  County,  Ind.,  locating  nine  miles  west  of  Indianap- 
olis ;  he  then  removed  to  Hamilton  County,  and  thence  to  this  county  in 
1838,  where  he  entered  160  acres  and  made  improvements.  He  had 
various  struggles,  the  family  making  their  own  clothing  for  many  years, 
and  as  he  was  about  establishing  a  good  home  he  died  in  1858,  his 
wife  having  gone  before,  in  1856,  he  being  eighty-one  and  she  seventy- 
one  years  of  age.  Mr.  Sharp  was  a  soldier  of  1812,  and  participated  in 
the  organization    of  the   county  and  township ;  both  he  and  wife  were 


MADISON  TOWNSHIP.  447 

Presbyterians.  Edward  J.  Sharp  was  sixteen  years  old  when  his  parents 
removed  to  Marion  County,  where  he  received  a  rudimentary  education 
and  assisted  his  father.  In  1833,  he  made  a  trip  to  La  Porte  and  Michi- 
gan City  in  search  of  a  location,  but  soon  returned  to  Marion  County. 
In  1840,  he  came  to  this  county  on  foot,  and  had  walked  from  Marion 
County  to  Highland  County,  Ohio,  in  four  days — 200  miles.  On  Janu- 
ary 1,  1840,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Leaman,  born  July  3, 
1811,  near  Bardstown,  Ky.,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Richy) 
Leaman.  To  this  union  were  born  six  children,  four  of  whom  are 
living — Amanda,  Lydia,  Mahala  and  Sophia.  In  1859,  he  purchased 
the  homestead,  on  which  he  has  since  resided.  He  acquired,  in  all, 
280  acres,  but  has  given  to  his  children  180.  Mr.  Sharp  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  had  two  sons  in  the  late  war,  one  of 
whom  perished  from  wounds  received  in  the  service,  the  other  from 
exposure  therein. 

JAMES  SHAW  (deceased)  was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  Sep- 
tember 16,  1797,  and  was  the  son  of  Knowles  and  Sophia  (Ogg)  Shaw,  of 
Maryland.  James  was  taught  farming  in  connection  with  the  trade  of  a 
tanner,  and  in  1822  moved  to  this  State,  and  located  on  Flat  Rock,  in 
Rush  County,  where  he  entered  eighty  acres,  and  built  and  occupied  a 
cabin  without  window,  fire-place  or  floor.  After  residing  here  a  few  years, 
he  removed  to  Vermillion  County,  and  after  two  years  returned  to  Rush 
County  and  entered  120  acres.  This  he  sold  in  1836  for  $1,100,  when 
he  came  to  this  county  and  entered  the  land  on  which  his  widow  now 
lives.  Previous  to  coming  West,  on  March  22,  1821,  he  married  Miss 
Sarah  Little,  born  in  Susquehanna  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1804,  daughter  of 
John  and  Lydia  (Hendrickson)  Little,  the  former  a  native  of  New  York, 
the  latter  of  England.  Ten  children  succeeded  this  union,  of  whom  six 
survive — John,  Albin,  George  L.,  Lydia,  Malinda  and  Martha  J.  Mr. 
Shaw  and  family  endured  many  privations,  and  for  years  they  made  their 
clothing  from  homegrown  flax.  Mr.  Shaw"  at  one  time  owned  670 
acres,  which  he  lived  to  see  partially  improved.  He  was  a  prominent 
man  among  his  neighbors ;  he  was  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  and  a  useful  citizen  ;  he  died  May  21,  1829.  Mrs. 
Shaw  is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  is  now  seventy- 
nine  years  old. 

ALBIN  SHAW  was  born  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  December  6, 
1828,  and  is  the  fourth  son  of  James  Shaw,  a  pioneer  of  this  township. 
Albin  was  reared  a  farmer,  with  fair  education,  coming  to  this  county 
when  but  nine  years  of  age,  and  assisted  his  father  until  of  age.  In 
1851,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  Shaw,  of  this  county,  daughter  of 
Isaac  Shaw,  who  died  in    1856,  leaving  three   children,  two  of  whom 


448  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

survive — Marion  and  Catharine.  After  his  marriage,  Albin  located 
upon  eighty  acres  of  forest  land,  given  him  by  his  father,  on  which  he 
built  a  cabin,  and  where  he  established  a  fine  home ;  he  was  a  fond 
hunter  of  the  game  of  that  day ;  he  has  assisted  in  cutting  most  of  the 
roads  of  the  southeast  part  of  this  township,  and  has  been  Road  Super- 
visor for  ten  years. 

JOHN  SHAW,  Sr.,  was  born  April  15,  1824  ;  came  to  Tipton 
County  in  1837,  and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  which  his  mother, 
Sarah  Shaw,  now  occupies,  and  where  he  passed  his  boyhood  and  received 
^  fair  education.  When  twenty-one  years  old,  he  began  working  at  jobs, 
thus  earning  his  first  horse.  In  the  spring  of  1846,  he  set  about  clearing 
the  land  on  which  he  now  resides,  and  on  July  9  of  that  year  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Sarah  Willborn,  of  Madison  County,  born  in  North  Carolina 
March  8,  1825,  daughter  of  William  and  Ruth  (Hay worth)  Willborn. 
Seven  children  followed  this  union,  six  of  whom  are  living — Mary,  Will- 
iam B.,  James  0.,  Sylvester  T.,  Thomas  J.  and  George  B.  Mr.  Shaw 
now  erected  and  moved  into  a  log  cabin  with  plank  floor,  where  he  re- 
sided for  many  years,  which  has  since  given  way  to  fine  buildings  and 
improvements.  He  is  a  large  and  enthusiastic  stock-raiser,  especially  of 
horses ;  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  brotherhood,  an  active  Democrat, 
having  been  Real  Estate  Appraiser,  Township  Assessor  and  Constable. 
He  was  a  lover  of  hunting,  killing  his  last  deer  in  1868,  and  for  years  a 
trapper  and  dealer  in  furs.  Mrs.  Shaw  is  a  member  of  the  New- 
Light  Church. 

JACOB  T.  WHISLER  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  October 
16,  1835,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Rev.  John  and  Elizabeth  (Thomas) 
Whisler,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  of  Kentucky. 
Rev.  John  Whisler  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  emigrated  to  Wayne  County, 
where  he  married,  and  farmed  on  rented  land  until  1846,  when  he  re- 
moved to  this  county,  where  he  located  on  land  entered  by  him  in  1836  ; 
here  he  succeeded  in  making  a  good  home.  In  1883,  he  removed  to 
Kansas,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  is  an  or- 
dained minister  of  the  Christian  Church.  Jacob  T.  Whisler  passed  his 
boyhood  in  Cicero  Township,  where  he  received  what  education  he  has. 
He  was  married,  April  28,  1858,  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Carr,  of  this  town- 
ship, born  June  5,  1842,  daughter  of  Jacob  Carr,  deceased.  To  this 
union  were  born  eight  children,  of  whom  six  survive — Mary  E.,  Theodore  N. 
John  W.,  Edward  W.,  Harvey  W.  and  Arty  Carl.  In  the  spring  of  1860, 
he  removed  to  where  he  has  since  resided,  and  cleared  fifty  acres.  Mr. 
Whisler  is  a  Republican  ;  has  held  some  minor  township  oflSces,  and  is  an 
esteemed  citizen. 

DELAY  AN   WILKINS  was  born  in  Hamilton,  Ohio,  May  11, 1817, 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  449 

being  one  of  the  six  children  of  Philip  and  Mary  (Van  Clief)  Wilkins, 
the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  of  Maryland.  Delavan 
was  early  left  fatherless,  and  necessitated  to  labor  for  the  family  for  12^ 
cents  per  day;  he  therefore  obtained  but  meager  education.  On  reach- 
ing his  majority,  he  began  life  for  himself,  and  devoted  his  wages  to  his 
mother.  On  May  31,  1839,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  Crisman, 
of  Hamilton  County,  born  1825,  daughter  of  Adam  Crisman,  by  which 
union  ten  children  were  born,  six  of  whom  are  living — Christian,  Will- 
iam, Malinda,  Delavan,  George  and  Mary  R.  After  marriage,  Mr. 
Wilkins  began  farming  on  rented  land,  soon  after  which  he  sustained  a 
serious  injury  to  his  right  leg  from  a  scythe ;  this  rendered  him  unable 
to  labor  for  one  year,  rendering  himself  and  family  nearly  destitute  ;  they 
now  moved  to  Marion  County,  and  rented  land  within  nine  miles  of  In- 
dianapolis, traveling  by  wagon,  losing  a  horse  on  the  way,  arriving  in 
their  locality  in  March,  1847;  here  he  labored  very  hard,  getting  50 
cents  a  bushel  for  corn,  and  paying  |80  a  year  for  his  farm.  After  this, 
he  located  upon  other  land,  for  which  he  paid  |230  a  year ;  here  he 
farmed  and  raised  stock.  In  Jihe  spring  of  1864,  he  returned  to  this 
county  and  purchased  eighty  acres,  which  he  sold,  buying  that  on 
which  he  now  resides,  having  cleared  eighty  acres,  and  erected  good  build- 
ings and  improvements  ;  he  has  now  120  acres.  Mr.  Wilkins  has  been 
a  leading  hog  and  cattle  raiser,  and  has  taken  many  prizes  therefor ;  he  is 
now  a  Republican,  but  was  formerly  a  Democrat. 

ELI  WRIGHT  was  born  April  6,  1850 ;  he  is  a  son  of  Iredell  and 
Julia  A.  (Moore)  Wright,  the  former  a  native  of  Wayne  County,  Ind., 
the  latter  of  Virginia.  Iredell  Wright,  when  a  young  man,  came  West 
to  occupy  land  which  his  father  had  entered  on  Big  Duck  Creek.  While 
boarding  with  a  Mr.  Thomas  Moore,  he  married  his  daughter — Julia  A., 
whose  parents  were  pioneers.  Soon  after  marriage,  Mr.  Wright  erected 
a  log  cabin  on  what  has  been  for  forty  years  the  "  Wright  farm."  He 
ransomed  from  the  forest  a  home  of  160  acres,  to  which  he  afterward 
added  various  improvements  ;  he  was  a  good  trader,  a  large  stock-dealer, 
a  Democrat,  and,  for  eleven  years,  Township  Trustee,  and  County  Com- 
missioner at  his  death,  January  19,  1875.  He  was  the  second  wealthiest 
man  in  Madison  Township ;  his  venerable  wife  resides  at  Elwood.  Eli 
Wright  obtained  a  fair  common  school  education,  and  whAi  he  became 
of  age  began  life  for  himself.  In  1872,  he  located  three  miles  north  of 
Elwood,  residing  with  a  sister,  and  working  on  his  farm  for  two  years ; 
he  then  returned  to  the  homestead,  and  remained  until  after  his  father's 
decease,  when  he  removed  to  his  present  residence.  On  November  7, 
1879,  he  married  Miss  Ida  Starkey,  of  this  county,  born  April  4,  1868, 
and  daugther  of  Steward  Starkey,  a  pioneer  of  this  township ;  three  chil- 


450  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

dren  followed  this  union — Herman,  Bessie  and  Claudie.  Mr.  Wright  is 
an  active  Democratic  politician,  and  in  1883  was  a  candidate  for  SheriflF  of 
the  county.- 

MORGAN  WRIGHT  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  September, 
14,  1835,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  five  children  of  William  and  Margaret 
(McCoy)  Wright,  both  natives  of  Wayne  County,  whose  grandparents 
were  early  settlers  of  that  county,  and  located  on  Nolan's  Fork.  When 
Morgan  was  one  year  old,  his  parents  removed  to  Hancock  County  and 
settled  in  the  forest,  where  he  was  reared  to  manhood  and  obtained  some 
education.  At  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  began  life  for  himself,  and  came 
to  this  county  in  1852.  On  September  17,  1856,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Celia  Philpott,  of  this  township,  born  in  Fayette  County,  Septem- 
ber 16,  1838,  daughter  of  Martin  Philpott,  who  located  here  in  1832. 
Seven  children  blessed  this  union,  six  of  whom  survive — William  E., 
John  M.,  George  B.  McClellan,  Josephus,  Celia  E.  and  Julia  A.  Mr. 
Wright  was  without  means  after  his  marriage,  but  by  providence  and  in- 
dustry improved  his  fortunes.  In  1857,  he  received  a  legacy  of  $1,000, 
with  which  he  purchased  eighty  acres  in  this  township,  where  he  lived 
some  years,  afterward  purchasing  the  old  Philpott  farm,  on  which  he  re- 
sides ;  he  now  owns  about  400  acres,  380  of  which  are  in  this  township. 
Mr.  Wright  is  an  active  Democrat.  He  was  elected  County  Commis- 
sioner in  1875,  and  served  with  general  favor.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  body  and  a  Patron  of  Husbandry. 

DANIEL  YOHE  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  February 
11,  1844;  his  father,  David  Yohe,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  at 
his  majority  moved  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  followed  his  trade  of  tail- 
oring, and  was  married.  He  changed  to  Greencastle  and  then  to  Pyr- 
mont,  where  his  wife  died  ;  he  married  again,  and  in  1859  came  with  his 
family  to  Tipton  County,  bought  eighty  acres  of  forest  land,  which  his 
sons  improved  while  he  worked  at  his  trade,  and  died  in  September, 
1870,  aged  fifty-nine  years.  He  had  been  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
had  served  through  the  war  with  Mexico.  Daniel  Yohe,  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  months,  was  left  motherless,  and  was  reared  by  Lewis  Mund- 
henk,  a  pioneer  of  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  until  fourteen  years  old, 
when  he  came  to  this  county  with  his  father,  whom  he  assisted  three 
years,  and  then  enlisted  in  July,  1862,  in  Company  G,  Seventy-fifth  In- 
diana Volunteer  Infantry.  Among  the  engagements  in  which  he  took 
part  were  those  of  Hoover's  Gap,  Chickamauga  and  Mission  Ridge  ;  he 
was  also  with  Sherman  at  Atlanta,  and  was  in  the  grand  review  at 
Washington ;  he  received  his  discharge  in  June,  1865,  returned  home, 
and  worked  as  a  farm  hand  five  years,  and  September  8,  1870,  married 
Mrs.  Mary  R.  (Myerly)  Stevens,  daughter  of  George  Myerly,  and  bora 


MADISON  TOWNSHIP.  451 

February  9,  1833.  To  this  marriage  was  born  one  child — Mary  M., 
who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  months.  Mrs.  Yohe  was  the  mother  of 
seven  children  by  her  first  husband,  two  of  whom  are  still  living — Jose- 
phus  F.  and  Mary  E.  Mr.  Yohe  has  now  a  fine  farm  of  183  acres,  with 
a  large  brick  dwellinsj  and  other  improvements.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and 
has  held  several  township  offices. 


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