Allen County, Indiana - The whole text, 1889 (part 13 of 17)

George R. Snyder, a prominent farmer of Springfield township, was born in XVashihgton county, Penn., August 15, 1S36. His parents, Jacob and Margaret (Riggle) Snyder, moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1S3S, and settled in Ashland county, buying eighty acres of land which they parti}- cleared. Eight years later, they came to Allen count}-, Ind., and settled on the farm where George now lives, at that time in the woods. George remained with his parents and took care of them until their deaths. In 1862 he married Sarah Coles, and they have had six children, five living: Rosalie, Jennie, Hattie, William fl. H. and Samuel. The mother was born May 12, 1S44. She is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Snyder has a handsome farm embracing eighty acres of the old homestead. He and family are respected by all who know them.

Horace Herrick, a progressive farmer, is a native of New York, born in Lewis county, July 15, 1824, son of Daniel and Susan (Robbins) Herrick. Mr. Herrick received a good common school education, and remained in his native state until 1S47, when he came Avest and settled on a farm near Fort Wayne, but onl)' remained about one year when he removed to Milan t(jwnship. Three years later he returned to his birth-place for a short stay, but again located in Milan township, this time near Cuba. He remained here until 1S54, when he sold his farm and in the following year removed to Wisconsin. A year later he returned to Hoosierdom and settled on the farm where he now lives. On October 12, 185 1, he was united in marriage with Marj-, daughter of Jedediah C. and Jane (Fors3the) Mills; she was born June 26, 1826. He and wife are both charter members of the Protestant Methodist church at Maysville, and devoted and consistent members since its organization. Fie is also a member of the Masonic order at Maysville. Mr. Herrick came to Indiana with onl}- enough money to enter fort}' acres of wild land, but by close economy, hard work and good management, he has prospered. He has a comfortable two-story brick dwelling with good barn, which is supplied with water from a natural fountain. He takes a great interest in fine stock, and since 1S82 has been making a specialt}- of the Jersev cattle.

Adam Driver, an old settler of Allen county, was born in Maryland, May 2, 1S19, son of Wesley and Rutti (Barns) Driver. At sixteen 3'ears of age he came to Ohio and settled in Erie count_y, where his father bought seventy-four acres of timber land. Here he got a foretaste of a pioneer's life. After twenty-one years of age he worked out until 1847, when he had accumulated enough with which he came to Allen county and bought eightv acres of wild lands. In a short time he sold this and returned to Ohio, but t\\o 3-ears later, he came in company with his brother, and bought 240 acres of wood-land in partnership. Here he began a real pioneer life. April 9, 1854, he was united in marriage with Almenia S. Bartholomew, who was born in 1834. This union was blessed with three children: Harriet, Adelia and John S. He has been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church for thirty-five years. He now owns 160 acres of well improved land and is one of the substantial citizens of his township.

Alexander Boston, a substantial farmer of Springfield township, was born in Ohio, Decem.ber 25, 1827, son of George and Mar}^ (Lytle) Boston, both natives of Pennsylvania. He was raised in Wajme county, Ohio, until fifteen years of age, when his father removed to Seneca county. After helping his father clear up a farm in Ohio, he came to Indiana in 1848, on a prospecting tour and in 1849, came again and bought eighty acres in the woods, and by clearing and selling he obtained the 160 where he now lives. This he has improved with a two-story brick dwelling and good barn. After his father's death he bought sixty acres of the homestead farm. In 1851 he married Phoebe J. Price, who was born in 1S35. Of their sevd'n children there are living:

Sarah, Alice, Clara, Charles H. and Willis A. He and wife are mem- Protestanl Methodist church. He is the present parsonage trustee, and has served as class leader, steward, etc. He was a member of the Regulators during their operations. He is one of the leading citizens of his township and well respected.

James A. Henderson, of Springfield township, is a native of Ohio. His father, John Henderson, was raised to manhood in Pennsj'lvania, and his father dj'ing when he was quite young he was bound out, and never had the advantage of much education. He was married in Pennsylvania to his wife Elizabeth, and several j'ears later they emigrated to Ohio and settled in Mahoning county. In 1850 he sold his little farm of twelve acres and came to Indiana and bought eighty acres in Milan township, all wooded except twenty acres. Five y-ears later he sold and bought forty acres in Springfield township, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1870. He and wife were members of the Lutheran church, and he was one of the leading citizens. James A. Henderson was born while the famil\- resided in Mahoning county, Ohio, July 8, 1840, and came to Indiana with his parents when ten years of age. In 1871 he married Mary Ricliards, born in 1839, ^Y whom he has two children : Earl and Willard B. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church, of which he has served as deacon, elder and trustee. In 1 861 he enlisted in Company E, Thirtieth Indiana regiment, under Capt. Silvers, and served three \-ears and eleven days, being honorablydischarged at Indianapolis, October 11, 1864- He began the battle of life as a daj- laborer, and so accumulated $700, with which he bought a half interest in a saw-mill which he ran about eleven years. He then traded his interest in the mill with other property for eight}- acres of land in Springfield township, where he now has a pleasant home.

George W. Nusbaum, a prosperous farmer of Springfield township, was born in Frederick Cit}', Md., September 11, 1822, son of William and Susannah (Devilbiss) Nusbaum. At twelve j-ears of age he went with his parents to Ohio, and settled in Seneca county. Here he rented a farm for three years and accumulated enough to buy a farm in Springfield township, where he now lives, in 1850. He served an' apprenticeship at the pump-maker's and carpenter's trades, which he followed in this county in connection with farming. March 25, 1847, he married Mar}- Fry, born in 1825. Of their five children, four are living: James W., Alice V., Emma C. and Alva A. Mrs. Nusbaum was a member of the United Brethren church, and died in 1864. In 1865 he was married to Sarah C. Sanders, b\- whom he had three children, of whom one is living, Nettie. He and wife are members of the United Brethren church. When Mr. Nusbaum first came to Allen count}-, he bought 160 acres of wood-land, which he cleared and converted into a farm, and he has now 280 acres. He is one of the leading citizens of his township, and has served as trustee one year.

(Wilkerson) Cummins. He came with his parents to New York when seven years of age. Thirteen j^ears later they removed to the western reserve of Ohio, and remained about fifteen years, when he came to Indiana and first bought ninety-one and 54-100 acres of wild land and afterward sixty-four more, which was all covered with a dense growth of timber, which he cleared away. In 1S3S he was married to Matilda Kilborn, and first settled at Circleville, Ohio, where he worked at the carpenter's trade until he came to Indiana and settled in his little log cabin. Here he spent his golden days, as he was fond of hunting and manj^ a deer fell before his unerring rifle. He has often followed the track of deer nine miles from home when it was almost sundown and no roads led him through a trackless forest. On his last hunt he killed ten or eleven deer in little less than two weeks and sold them at Fort Wayne for about $60. His marriage was blessed with eight children : Mary A., born Jul}- 16, 1S39; Joseph D., May 12, 1S41; Isabel, March -29, 1843; William F., November 29, 1844; Richard A., April 27, 1847, died 1875; Robert M., August 13, 1849; Estella, July 6, 1852; Charles E., December 6, 1854. Mrs. Cummins was born November 17, 1S14, and departed this Hfe February 10, 1881. He served as supervisor of the road in an early day when the}- had to cut the roads through the woods. He now owns 119 acres of good land besides his home property in Harlan, and is one of the respected old citizens of Allen county.

Joseph D. Cummins, son of the above, is a native of Brown county, Ohio, born May 12, 1841. Being the oldest boy of the family, he had experience in pioneer life. In 1862 he enlisted in the late war in Company D, Eighty-eighth Indiana volunteers, under Capt. Scott Swan, and participated in the following battles: Perryville. Stone River, Chickamauga. Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge (being with the Fourteenth army corps that made the charge that broke the rebel line and gained the victory), Ringgold, Altoona, Peach Tree Creek, Burnt Hickory Atlanta, Jonesboro, and was with Sherman in his march to the sea. At Perryville he received a wound in his right ankle which disabled him about eight weeks, and with the above and the exception of thirty days at home while sick, he was always at his post of duty. In 1S65 he received an honorable discharge at Indianapolis. He served in the campaign from Savannah, December i, 1864, through Georgia and Carolinas, and served in the battles of Averysborough and Bentonville, N. C, then to Galesboro and into camp until April 10. From there they chased Johnston and captured him near Raleigh, N. C, and then marched via Richmond to Washington on foot. When he went to return to his company after his furlough he started via Nashville, but could not get through and went \-ia New York city, taking the steamer Ajax, which was chased by the rebel gunboats and narrowly escaped sinking. When he returned home he was engaged in the blacksmith business at Harlan about three years, and then started for the Black Hills, but was stopped at Fort Kearney, Neb., by the Indian outbreak. On April 20, 1873, he married Orsia Daniels, born June 28, 1852, by whom he has four chil- dren: Bernice, born Januar_v 25, 1S74; Otis, March 9, 1S75: Ethel, October 18, iSSi, and Mildred, August 11, 18SS. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is district steward and trustee. She was a teacher in the schools about ten years. He has been engaged in the saw-mill business about twenty years and now owns the saw-mill and planing-mill and band saw and does all kinds of wood work. He has a handsome two-story house in Harlan with all the modern improvements.

W. O. Oberholtzer, the leading blacksmith of Harlan, was born in Ohio, February 15, 1S51. His parents, Jacob and Mar\- (Bickhart) Oberholtzer, are both natives of Penns3-lvania. The father was born May 20, 1821, the mother June 14, 1825. The father came to Ohio with his parents when a small bo}^ and there grew to manhood, and became b}- occupation a farmer. In 1851 he removed with his wife and two children and settled in Springfield township. He bought eighty acres of uncultivated school lands, and soon added another eight}- acres. This he began to clear, but sickened and died, November 2, 1S55, leaving his wife and three small children. His wife, a true mother, car^id for ihe familv, and improved their new home with a house and barn. Here Mr. Oberholtzer grew to manhood, and being the oldest boy the bulk of the work fell to him. His mother died Januar\' 29, 1873, and he began to work at the blacksmith trade, never serving anj- apprenticeship, but he has mastered the trade. On November 20, 1873, he was married to Sarah M., daughter of Solomon and Harriet (Garman) Mvers, both of Pennsylvania, of German descent. This union was blessed with six children: Moses, Birdie, William E., Rolla E., Elnora and Zula Edith. The mother was born September 27, 1853. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church. He is a member of the Masonic order. In connection with his trade he manages his farm of sixty-nine acres, two miles north of Harlan.

Gilbert Starr, an old settler of Springfield township, was born July 20, 181 1, son of Comfort and Abigail (Barnum) Starr; the latter was a cousin of the great showman P. T. Barnum. The parents were natives of Connecticut; the father born June 3, 1776, and was married October 27, 1796. They moved to Patterson, Dutchess Co., N. Y., where Gilbert was born. Here the father became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Thence they moved to Canfield, Ohio, in June, 1817, and the father was one of five who organized the first Methodist class at that place, July 6, 1848. Gilbert came with his parents to Ohio, when about five 3-ears of age. At the age of eighteen years his father gave him his time and he bound himself out to Edmund J. Benton, until twenty-one years of age, and he made this his home about nine years. On December 22, 1836, he married Sarah, daughter of George and Susan Flick, by whom he had seven children : Emory L., born December 17, 1838; Susan E., June 23, 1841; Charles A., February 12, 1843; Comfort W., October 13, 1848; Mary M., February 16, 1851 ; Sarah A., March 31, 1854; Willis C., November 8, 1858. The mother was born

November 21, 1817; she was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. On October 15, 1865, he was married to Nancy A., daug-liter of Jedediah and Jane Mills. This union was blessed with three children, twins, who died in infanc}', and Gilbert A., born June 2, 1869. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. About eight 3'ears after his first marriage he left Ohio and went to Michigan, but after about eighteen months he returned to Ohio and remained until September, 1S51, when he came to Indiana and settled on the farm where he now lives, which was at that time all in the v^'oods, but three families between him and Spencerville. He never served an apprenticeship at any trade, but was a fair carpenter and got out the timbers and made all the shingles for his house and barn. Mr. Starr was one of the leading farmers of his township until 1876, when he had the misfortune to lose his e3'esight. Of the children born to Mr. Starr's first wife all are living but two: WilHs C, who died in childhood, and Comfort W., who died March 22, 1889. Comfort removed from Ohio September 19, 1850, and married Martha Cope, February, 1872, who died a }-ear later. November 21, 1873, he married Hannah Reichelderfer, who survives. In 1876 he united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Maysville, and was chorister and a teacher in the Sunda}- school about ten 3'ears. At si.xteen years of age he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Fortysecond Indiana infantry, under Capt. Robert Swann, and became corporal. He served until the close of the war and received an honorable discharge at Indianapolis. He was a member of D. K. Stopher post, G. A. R., at Maysville. He was a lover of music and for many years a singing teacher and a leader of the cornet band at Maysville, and was a teacher of the bands at Payne, Ohio, Leo, Ind., Harlan and Chamber- Iain. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. C. A. Starr, the genial proprietor of the Starr house in Harlan, is one of the leading citizens. He came to Indiana with his parents when nine years of age. He was married to Eliza J. Lillie, daughter of Thomas and JuHa A. (Wakeland) Lillie; she was born February 29, 1844. After marriage he farmed and teamed until April 6, 1S74, when he embarked in the hotel business. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the K. of P. lodge at Fort Wayne. He is a prominent republican, and has been chairman of its committee since 1S80. He was appointed postmaster at Harlan, Ind., in July, 1889.

John Peters, an early settler of Springfield township, is a native of Pennsylvania, born near the famous battlefield of Gettysburg, July 24, 1816. His parents, Abram and Christina (Teters) Peters, emigrated to Ohio when he was seven years of age, and setdedin Columbiana county, where he grew to manhood. His father being a poor man and a blacksmith, he was put in the shop when quite young. In 1843 he was married to Sidney A. Mason, who was born July 7, 1S43, and they have had four children, three hving: Anna, Joseph A. and John A. He remained in Ohio until 1852, when he came to Indiana, and bought and settled on eighty acres of wild land in Springfield township. This he cleared and

Anthony Snyder, of Springfield township, was born in France, March 15, 1839, son of George and Mary (Stick) Snj'der. The parents emigrated with their family to America in 1848, first settling in Pennsylvania, but after a short time, removing to New York state. Four years later, they removed to Fort Wayne where they remained until 1857, when they came to Springfield township and settled on the farm, where they remained the rest of their lives. Anthony remained with his parents until their deaths. In 1868, he married Elizabeth Reichelderfer, daughter of John D. and Hester (Markle) Reichelderfer. This union gave them four children: John, George, Charles and William. The mother, who was born in 1848, died November 16, 1884. She was a member of the Lutheran church. In 1885, he married Margaret Johnson, by whom he has one child: Sophia. He is a member of the Catholic church. He began the struggle of life without'money, and when he and his brother bought the eighty acres where he now lives, they went into debt $1,200, and the land at that time was covered with a dense growth of forest. He now owns 125 acres of good farming land in Springfield township and substantial buildings, and is one of the representative farmers.

George Haifle}', a prosperous and industrious farmer of Springfield township, was born in Mahoning count}^ Ohio, December 29, 1S37, son of Israel and Sarah (Baker) Haifley, both of German descent. The father was born in Maryland, April 10, 181 1, and the mother was born in Kentucky. Israel Haifley, when about twenty-four years of age, emigrated west and settled in Mahoning, Ohio. In 1852 he removed to Indiana and settled in Springfield township, where he remained until his death, July 25, 1871. About a year before coming to Indiana he bought eighty acres of wood-land in Springfield. Having a family of four children, and being a poor man, and settling in the woods, he and family suffered all the hardships known to a pioneer life. He and wife were both members of the EngHsh Lutheran church, of which he served as one of the elders about fifteen years. He was a leading citizen. His wife was born May 24, 1808, and died September 24, 1882. Their son, George, was raised in Ohio until about fourteen years of age. He received a common school education, and served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, which he followed in connection with farming several years. June 25, 1863, he married Martha E., daughter of Jonas, sr., and Sarah A. Astry. Of their (;ight children, six are now living: Joseph B., born May 3, 1864; Clarissa J., born October 13, 1865; Flora B., born Jul}' 30, 1869; Nettie May and Perry W. (twins), born February 10, 1877, and George S., born March 25, 1883. The mother was born August 6, 1843. He and wife are both members of the Lutheran church. He was formerly a member of the Masonic order at Maysville. He began for himself by working at his trade, and soon accumulated enough to buy a threshing machine, which in connection with farming and his trade, he ran for twenty-one years. He first bought forty acres, and added to that until he now owns 125 acres, and has. become a prominent citizen.

John B. Haifiey, of Springfield township, is a native of Ohio, born February 28, 1846, son of Israel and Sarah (Baker) Haifiey, above mentioned. He came to Indiana with his parents when about seven years of age, and received a common school education such as could be obtained in the log school-houses of his day. On May 7, 1S68, he was married to Martha E. Walter, born May 5, 1846, daughter of Jefferson and Margaret (Whan) Walter, both natives of Columbiana county, Ohio. This union was blessed with two children: Harry J., born October 18, 1S68; Myrtle, May 21, 1882. Mr. Haifley and wife are members of the Lutheran church. Hehas prospered in life, and has a valuable farm of 130 acres, with good and substantial buildings. He is a leading citizen and highly respected.

Absalom Sapp, one of the prosperous farmers of Springfield township, was born in Bedford county, Penn., December 14, 1822, son of Adam and Mary M. (Larbarger) Sapp. When he was seven months old, his parents removed to Ohio, and settled in Knox count)', where he grew to manhood. When twenty-three years of age he went to his native state and remained one year, and returning to Ohio, settled in Wayne county. On January 13, 1848, he married Elisabeth, daughter of John and Catharine (Fightner) Flickinger. This union was blessed with nine children, five of whom are living: Rachel A., born April 17, 1852; Daniel M., born January 9, 1S56; Samuel W., born November 10, 1857; Elizabeth A., born October iS, 1862; Luther F., born October 18, 1865. The mother was born December 26, 1822. After marriage they began on a rented farm, but one year later he embarked in the hotel business at Smithville, Ohio, at which he continued until he came to Indiana in October 1852, when he settled on the eight}' acres where he now lives and which he bought the April previous. He built his log cabin, and began to clear the land. In his young days in Ohio, when his father settled, there were not families enough in one neighborhood to start a subscription school, but in time there were eight or ten families got together, who built a log school-house with stick chimney and puncheon seats, in which he went to school when there was no work for him to do on the farm, as in those days they had to tramp out their wheat and clover seed with horses, an occupation where he was always counted in. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church. He has 113 acres of good farming land in Springfield township, with substantial buildings. He is in politics a democrat. He is one of the leading farmers of this progressive day, but still preserves his old log cabin and stable to commemorate the golden days of the past.

Christopher Zeis, a venerable citizen of Allen county, is a native of Germany, born May 3, 1818. His parents, Martin add Christina (Stross) Zeis, natives of German}^, came to America with their family in 1819, and settled in Maryland, where they remained ten j-ears, then to Seneca county, Ohio, where they remained until death. Christopher remained with his parents until the father's death, in 1S52, when he came to Indiana and bought eif^hty acres with seventeen acres cleared. On October 23, 1845, he married Henrietta E. Nusbaum, and this union was blessed with eleven children, seven of whom are living : Barbara E., Melissa J., Rufus H., Laura V., George W., Joseph F. and Charles F. The mother was born August 21, 1S27. She was a member of the German Reformed church, formerly, but before her death, united with her husband in the Lutheran church, of which he was elder and deacon. November 8, 1887, he married Mrs. Ellinor Miller, widow of George Miller. She is a member of the Protestant Methodist church. He accumulated an estate of 220 acres, which he has divided among his children, except that he has a hfe lease on the homestead farm.

John W. Fr}', a prominent farmer of Springfield township, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, June 30, 1839. His parents, James and Martha (Gilham) Fr}-, natives of Virginia, came to Ohio about 1837, and located in Seneca count}', Ohio, where the}- remained until the father's death in 1847. He started out just after the treaty with the Indians, with the intention of settling in Indiana, but on arriving in Ohio, was persuaded by his brother to remain. The famil}' remained in Ohio after the death of the father about five years, when John came to Indiana, his brother being his guardian having previousl}' purchased eighty acres of uncultivated land in Springfield township. At the age of fifteen years, he began working at the carpenter trade, which he continued until 1883, and there is manj- a good and substantial building in Allen county to-day to witness to his industry and workmanship. On January- 16, 1862, he united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of John D. and Esther (Markle) Reichelderfer. This union was blessed with six children, only five now living: Charles E., John W. D., Emma E., Dolpha, and James R. The mother was born June 17, 1838. He is a member of the United Brethren church, his wife of the old Lutheran church. Just after marriage he located on a farm in the northern part of Springfield township. Two years later he removed to the farm where he now lives, and built his house in the dense forest. On April 30, 1883, he had the mis-' fortune to be crippled by the explosion of dynamite, while blowing out stumps, so as to be disabled for work of any kind. In 1875 ^""^ 1876 Hie built a nice frame dwelling. His valuable farm embraces 130 acres, with good and substantial buildings of his own work.

Jacob Friedt, a leading German citizen of Springfield township, was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., April 11, 1824. His parents, John and Lydia (Zimmerman) Friedt, both natives of Penns3'lvania, of German descent, emigrated with their famiU^ in 1827 or 1828 and settled in Wayne county, Ohio, where they bought eighty acres of uncultivated land", which the}" converted into a farm with the assistance of their son Jacob. There the latter was raised to manhood. He was never apprenticed, but was what might be called a natural carpenter, learning by himself to make many things which he had never seen made, such as panel doors, etc. In 1S44 he married Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Mary Snyder, born April i, 1S23. This union was blessed with eight children, five now living: Samantha, Mira, Lizzie, John and Agnes. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church, of which he has been elder about twelve years. He served as one of the trustees of his township in an early day and was treasurer of the board two years. In 1874 he was elected justice of the peace and served twelve years in succession. After his marriage in Ohio, he worked at his trade until 1852, when he came to Indiana and bought eight}' acres of land in Springfield, so overgrown that he had to cut out underbrush to find a site for his log cabin. He began clearing in connection with his trade. But having studied diligently, in 1854 ^^ ^"^^^ ^'^ teach one winter, and about five years later taught another term. There stand now in the township several houses and barns, the mark of his industr}- in early daj'S. He has a handsome farm of eighty acres.

Samuel Betz, a venerable citizen of Allen county, was born in Columbiana count}', Ohio, February i, 1816, son of George and Susannah (Sommer) Betz. The father and mother were pioneer settlers of Columbiana county, Ohio. There Samuel grew to manhood, and received a common school education. In 1S51 he married Rebecca Best, born October 4, 1S34, '^"d they had thirteen children, of whom ten are living: Alice, Samantha A., Joel, Jeremiah F., Samuel, George, John, Elizabeth, Sarah and Nettie. After marriage he rented land and worked on the railroad for about two years. In 1S52 he came to Indiana, and bought 160 acres of wood-land, built his cabin, and in 1S53 moved with his family to his new home. He and wife worked hard and soon the forest yielded to their perseverance. He never learned a trade, but being raised on the farm adopted agriculture as his vocation. His beautiful farm of 163 acres is one of the best in Allen county, and he and family are highly respected by all who know them.

Hiram Houk was born in Starr county, Ohio, November 25, 1S41, the second of seven children, born to George and Mary (Shilling) Houk. The father was born in Pennsylvania, the mother in Ohio. George Houk came to Ohio while a youth, and after driving team about a year, learned the miller's trade. He followed milling more or less until 1852, when he settled in DeKalb county, where he now resides. When he began work for himself he had only 50 cents capital, but he saved nearly all he made and when he came to Indiana, was able to pay $3,500 for 160 acres of land where he first settled. To this he added from year to year, until he had over 600 acres. He has been a consistent member of the Lutheran church about fifty years. His wife was formerly a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but after marriage, she also joined the Lutheran church. He has always donated liberally for the erection of new churches. Hiram Houk received his education mainly in Ohio while a child. In 1863, he was married to Caroline Clemmer, born September 4, 1843, and they have had six children, of whom are living: Clara, Alice, Delia and Mary A, Mr. Houk

Smith Richards, one of the substantial farmers of Springfield township, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, June 13, 1840, sixth of a family of nine children born to Soloman and Matilda (Mclntire) Richards. The father was born in Steubenville, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married. He was a blacksmith b}' trade. Beginning life a poor man he bought forty acres of new land which he soon sold and bought eighty near Wooster, which he converted into a beautiful farm, and at one time owned 160 acres in Ohio. In 1853 he came to Indiana and settled in Milan township, where he bought eighty acres. After two and one-half years he returned to Ohio and remained until 1857, when he went to California with the view of making money enough to buy homes for his children. He remained two or three months and started home, but was lost at sea in a storm which lasted three days and nights. The captain of the vessel was the father of the wife of President Arthur. At thirteen years of age Smith came with his father to Indiana and after the death of his father he moved to Indiana, in 1862. He traveled a great deal, going to Iowa twice, also to Missouri and other states, until 1864, when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Sixt3--sixth Ohio regiment, and served until the close of the war. He received an honorable discharge at Cleveland in 1865. After the war he traveled several years and finally, fourteen or fifteen years ago, he settled on the farm where he now lives. His fine farm of eighty acres is within one mile of Harlan. He is one of the leading citizens of Allen county. His brother John, who was a captain in the war, is now countv judge of Atchison county. Mo., and is worth about $100,000.

Samuel Mills, a worthy farmer of Springfield township, was born in NewYork state, October 2 1, 1837, son of JedediahC.and Jane (Forsythe) Mills. The father was a native of New York and the mother a native of Ireland. She came to America when a child, settled in Pennsylvania where she grew to womanhood, and removed to Jefferson count}', N. Y., where afterward she was united in marriage with Mr. Mills. In 1853 they came west and settled in Allen county, Ind., where he bought 100 acres of land where Samuel now lives. There were about thirty acres cleared without buildings. He erected buildings and there they remained until death, the father dying in 1857, and the mother in 1881. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a school teacher while quite young and took a great interest in schools all his life. Samuel remained with his parents until their death, and cleared and improved most of the farm. In 1861 he was married to Martha Brown, and this union was blessed w-ith seven children: Charles, Samuel C, Abbie, Carrie, Alice, William and Jesse. The mother was born in August, 183S. He and wife are members of the United Brethren church. He possesses 270 acres of as good farming land as there is in Allen county, with .good and substantial buildings. Atone time he owned 310 acres of fine land. When his father died he with three

Others inherited the farm of lOO acres, but he bought out the othei-s, and with this and $ioo from his grandfather, he has made all he has. His brother and sisters Hving are : Mar}^ Nancy and William.

John Swaidner, an old settler of Allen county, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, January 13, 1S27, the oldest son of Jacob and Barbara (Goodbrake) Swaidner. His father moved to Richland county when John was about twelve years of age. In 1S48 he married Elizabeth Raby, by whom he had live children, of whom four are now living: Mar}- E., Jacob N., John S. and Simon L. The mother was born in 1831, and she died in 1863. She was a member of the Protestant Methodist church. After paying the justice of the peace at his marriage, he only had 75 cents left with which to begin housekeeping. He first farmed rented land with a yoke of oxen, and in five years accumulated about $500 with which he came to Indiana, in 1853, and bought eighty acres of land in the woods. They lived for six months on corn-bread and coffee, then his means ran out and he was indebted to a kind old grocery man for the necessaries of life. In 1864 he was married to Anna Files, born in 1839, by whom he had four children, three now living: Nettie V., Edith A. and" Arthur Garfield. He and wife are both menibers of the Protestant Methodist church. Mr. Swaidner has prospered by honest hard work until he owns 310 acres in Springfield township, one of the best impro\ed farms of Allen county. His second son attended college at Adrian, Michigan, about three years.

Dr. C. F. Swift, a prominent physician of Allen county, was born in Bryan, Ohio, October 11, 1850. His father, Philetus H. Swift, a native of Ohio, born 1820, grew to manhood in his native state, amid all the difficulties of the then pioneer country. In 184S he was united in marriage to Caroline Cutts, and to this union six children were born. In 1854 he removed to Indiana with his family and bought 115 acres of new land, which he cleared. He remained in Springfield township ten years and then removed to DeKalb count}-, but two years later settled in Milan township where he remained until his death. He bought ninety-three acres of good land in one body and twenty acres of wood-lands near his home place, and cleared about thirt}- acres, built a two-story frame dwelling and good barn, and after he had lived in his new house but six weeks he was taken sick and died. He was one of the leading and representative farmers, was trustee of Springfield township two terms, and held the same oflice in Milan when he died. Dr. Swift attended the country schools of this county, and attended Fort Wayne college three j^ears and Carleton college, Minnesota, one year. Going to Huntington, Ind., he entered the office of Dr. W. C. Chaffee and read medicine one year. He then entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and graduated three years later. He began the practice of his profession at Harlan amid old friends, and has now a large and lucrative practice. In 1878 he married Nanna A., daughter of Wilham and Mary (Scott) Alderman, and they have had three children : Clarence, who died in 1SS7 ;

Lyle and Eugenie. Mrs. Swift was born October 9, 1852. He is a member of I. O. O. F. at Harlan. In 1SS8 he was elected bv the republican party as trustee of Springfield township, succeeding a democrat. He is independent and progressive, and as trustee he does what he thinks best for his township. Although there is considerable opposition to the erection of a new school-house at Harlan, he is about to build a twostory brick building with four rooms. The doctor taught school three years in Springfield.

William H. Harter, of Springfield township, is a native of Ohio, born February 2, 1833, the seventh child born to George and Sarah Harter. He was raised on the farm until five years old, when the famil}^ moved to Navarre, Ohio, where his father embarked in the hotel business. William H. received a common school education and attended commercial college at Fort Waj'ne three-months and graduated. At the age of twenty-one he removed to Indiana and settled at Fort Wa3-ne where he accepted a clerkship in the store of J. W. Townley & Co. Six weeks later he was the first person to begin the machinist's trade in the shops of Cooper, Bass & Co. He remained in the shops until 1857, when he went on the road with John H. Bass, and traveled mostly in Iowa, setting up the saw-mills that Mr. Bass sold. He then went to Monroeville, Ohio, and after working at his trade four or five months, returned to Fort Wayne and was sent to Springfield township to repair and take charge of a saw-mill near where he now lives. In 1859 he bought twenty acres of land which he farmed about ten years, and then bought forty acres; to this he has added until now he owns 220 acres of as fine land as there is in the township. He has the largest and best bank barn in the count}-. August 11, 1859, ^^ married Lorinda Hall, born in 1835. Of their five children, four are now living : Olive Esther, Arthur, Milly and Isaac. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Hicksville. In 1866 he was elected trustee of Springfield and served nine years in succession, and in 1880 was again^ elected for four years without an}- solicitation from him. He has been president of the Hicksville fair association for ten 3'ears. On two occasions he was nominated as a candidate of the republican party for county commissioner, and in his own township and Scipio, where he is well known, he ran ahead of his ticket, and in his own township ran about three to one ahead of his opponent. Mr. Harter is a leading stock-raiser and makes a specialty of short-horn cattle and thoroughbred Poland China and Chester white hogs.

Jesse Greenawalt, of Springfield township, was born in Montgomery county, Penn., January 16, 1822, son of John and Elizabeth (Connor) Greenawalt. The father was born in Montgomery count}-, Penn., about 178S, and died about 1872. The mother was born in 1795, and is still living, but has been an invalid several years. The father emigrated with his family in 1835, '^'^^ settled in Columbiana county, where he remained. He died at a good old age, having gained a comfortable home and 131 acres of good land in Ohio. He and wife were mem- bers of the Lutheran church. ' He served in the war of 1S12, and drew $8.00 per month pension a short time before his death. Jesse came with his parents to Ohio, when in his fourteenth year, and learned the trade of a cabinet-maker and joiner, which he followed fourteen or fifteen years, and built all his own buildings. In 1S46 he married in Ohio, Susannah Shimp, who was born in Franklin county, Penn., February 6, 1S26; of their five children, four are hving: John E., George L., Oliver J., and Samuel E. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church, of which he is the present elder. He served as assessor of his township twelve years, and has been solicited to accept other otTices, but always declined. In 1854, he bought eighty acres of wood-land in Springfield, and in 1855, moved on the same with his family of three children. Prosperity has come to him through toil and he now has 131 acres of well improved lands, and is esteemed as one of the leading citizens, well respected. His youngest son is a Lutheran preacher, and all his children are well educated.

Lewis Zeis, one of the prominent farmers of Springfield township, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, January 10, 1840, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Lower) Zeiz. He was raised in Seneca count}', on the farm, and received a limited education. At the age of twenty-one years he began working out by the month. In 1855 he came to Indiana with the intention of learning the blacksmith trade, but being sick all the time he returned to Ohio, and remained until i860, when he came again with his family and settled on the farm of forty acres, where he now lives. To this he has added 120 acres. He started in a poor man but has done well, and has one of the best improved farms in the township. January I, i860, he married Barbara Baltz, who was born January i, 1S43, and they have had seven children, of whom four survive: Jacob H., Barbara E., Oliver M. and Perry F. Mrs. Zeis is a member of the Protestant Methodist church. He is a member of the Masonic order at Harlan.

Henry Horn, of Springfield township, is a native of Pennsylvania, born Februar}^ 22, 181 1, son of George and Louisa (Cramer) Horn. He was raised on his father's farm in Pennsylvania, and at seventeen years of age was apprenticed at the wagon-maker's trade which he followed thirt3'-three years. In- 1836, he settled in Ashland county, Ohio, where he followed his trade until 1855, when he removed to Indiana, and on the i6th day of May settled on the farm where he now lives. He continued working at his trade in connection with farming. When he first came to Indiana he bought eighty acres of uncultivated land in Springfield township; he had previously bought eighty acres in La Grange county, which he afterward sold and bought seventy-one and 40-100 acres joining his home farm. May 7, 1S40, he married Mary A. Kohler, who was born July 8, 1818, and of their ten children six are living: Uriah K., Walter S., Ezra H., John L., George A. and Frank A. He and wife are members of the English Lutheran church, in which he has been elder over forty years. He has prospered through unremitting toil, and has a fine farm with good improvements in Allen county, and forty-six and 34-100 acres in DeKalb county, upon which he has a good dwelling.

James William Hood (deceased), a prominent and enterprising man in his da}', was born in Mercer coimt}', Penn., October 9, 183S. He remained at his birth-place with his parents, James William and Susan Hood, until 1856, when he came to Fort Wayne and began work as a carpenter, which was his occupation until the outbreak of the rebellion. In August, 1S62, he enlisted in the Eighty-eighth Indiana volunteer infantry, and remained in active and faithful service until the close of the war. Then, returning home, he engaged in agriculture on the " old Jackson farm " near the cit}'. In 1871 he removed to Maysville, and there lived until his death November 11, 1882. Though cut off in early manhood, he left a valuable estate, comprising 217 acres of fertile land. He was a member of the Masonic order, having joined Harlan lodge, No. 296, in 1863. He was a brave soldier and a worthy citizen. August 15, 1865, he was married to Julia E. Johnson, who was born in Springfield township, daughter of Ira and Melinda May Johnson, natives of New York. To this union four children were born : Frank, Februarj- 20, 1867; Lilh-, December 25, 1869, who married Elwood George, November, 1888; Florence, October 3, 1873; James William, April 20, 1876. Mrs. Hood is now a resident of Fort Wayne. She is a member of the Methodist church and is highly esteemed. In the settlement of her husband's estate as administratrix, she displayed business abilities of a high order.

Peter Repp, one of the leading citizens of Springfield township' was born in Pennsylvania, December 28, 1837, son of John and Hannah J. (Omwake) Repp. When sixteen 3'ears old he emigrated to Seneca count}-, Ohio, and in 1S60 came to Indiana. He bought forty acres of wild land which he cleared and kept twelve years, and then he bought where he now hves. He served an apprenticeship as a painter, a trade he has since followed in connection with farming. He received a common school education. In 1857 he married Elizabeth Baltz, daughter of Jacob and Barbara Baltz, and they have seven children : Jacob F., Alonzo E., Viola V., Charles E., Lilhe, Lulu and Barbara. The mother was born June 27, 1837. She and husband are members of the Lutheran church. His valuable farm includes 163}^ acres of good land, well improved.

George Hoffman, sr., a native of Germany, was born November 23, 1815. He is the oldest child of Adam and Elizabeth (Sprau) Hoffman. In 1848 he left his native country and settled in Ohio where he bought sixty acres of land, thirty of which he cleared, and remained there until 1864. He then sold this farm and removed to Indiana and settled on the farm where he now lives. In 1839 ^''^ '^^''*^ married to Elizabeth Weber, and this union was blessed with eight children, four of whom are living: George, Elizabeth, Sarah and Henry. Mrs. Hoffman was born in 1820 and died November 3, 1885. She was a member of the'

German Reform church, of which Mr. Hoffman has been deacon about twenU' years and elder about ten j^ears. He has prospered in his affairs and now owns 156 acres of well-improved land. He is one of the substantial farmers of his township and well respected.

Milton Crall of Springfield township, was born in Seneca county, Ind., March 8, 1S40, son of Henry and Melinda (Butler) Crall. In 1844 the famih' moved to Franklin county, Ohio. There Milton received a good common school education. At the age of twenty 3'ears he hired out by the month. In 1864, he married Matilda, daughter of Alexander and Hannah McCaule}', born December 25, 1842. To this union were born twelve children, ten living: Samuel, Henry, Gear}', Hannah, Arthur, Amos, Clinton, Rosa, Olive and Grover C. He and wife are members of the United Brethren church, of which he was class leader one year. After marriage he first settled on thirt}' acres of land he had previously bought near the center of Springfield township. Here he remained until 1875, when he sold this and bought fifty acres where he now hves. He is one of the leading citizens and well respected.

Emanuel Hettinger, one of thriving farmers of Springfield township, is a native of Pennsylvania, born January 13, 1832, son of Jacob K. and Elizabeth (Schreffler) Hettinger, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father lived to the good old age of ninety-one, and the mother is now alive in her eighty-eighth year. Emanuel was taken to Ohio by his parents at the age of two 3'ears, and his father bought eighty acres of wild land in what is now Ashland county. Here Emanuel grew to manhood and received a common school education. At the age of twenty-three years he removed to Medina count}', Ohio, and in 1855 he married Salome Merrifield, by whom he has one child, Carrie, born in 1857. He and wife are members of the Congregational church. In 1 86 1 he enlisted in Company G, Forty-second Ohio infantry, under Capt. Jewett, and was with his company in all its engagements until 1863, at Thompson Hill, where he was wounded in the left ankle. He remained in the hospital four or five months, was home on furlough four or live months and thfcn returned to Camp Dennison, where he was discharged in 1864, and now draws but $6 per month for his injury. His eighty acres in Springfield township is one of the best improved farms in the township. He cleared about thirty acres and has a good and substantial two-story dwelling house. He is si member of 1. O. O. F., at Harlan, and Stopher post, No. 72, G. A. R. His first wife departed this life in 1869, and in 1871 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Emily Monroe, daughter of Samuel and Catharine Walker, born in Summit count}-, Ohio, in 1827. This union was blessed with one child, Louie E., born October 17, 1872. All the family are members of the Lutheran church.

George W. Hoffman, of Springfield township, was born in Germany, on the Rhine, October 31, 1840, son of George and Elizabeth Hoffman. He came with his parents to America in 1848, and settled in Crawford countv, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In 1S61 he removed to Canada and remained four years. On his return to the United States he settled with his parents in Springfield township. In 1869 he married Catherine Eidt, who was born in 1847, and died in 1S71, leaving- one child, Gideon. In 1876 he married Mrs. Anna Weicker, born in 1S55, by whom he had two cliildren : Edward and John. He and wife are members of the United Brethren church, of which he served as steward one year, also trustee three years. When he first married he embarked in the saw-mill business, which he followed about five years, and then he bought eighty ax:res of uncultivated lands, which he cleared and now lives upon. In connection with farming he still runs his mill in the winter season. He also owns ninety-five acres in Maumee township. He is a leading and esteemed citizen.

William Bauman, of Springfield township, was born in Germany, September 5, 1829, son of Peter and Elizabeth Bauman, both of German descent. In 1839 his parents came to America and settled in Ohio, wherfe he grew to manhood on a farm. In 1854, he married Margaret Lauer. Of their five children, four are living: Melissa, William H., now in Colorado mining, Susanna and George, who is at home with his parents. The mother was born March 14, 1835. She was a member of the Presbyterian church in Ohio, and joined the Albrights in Indiana, while he is a member of the German Reform church. When he was first married, he worked his father's farm for two years, then rented two years, and at the end of this time his father gave him $200, which with his savings, partly paid for the forty acres which he bought in Allen county, and settled upon in 1869. He has increased his land to eight}-- eight acres, and has lately built a two-story frame dwelling. His work in esLvly life was so severe that four years ago he had a slight stroke of paralysis which has impaired his health. His wife aided him in every way, and she is also almost broken down by their efforts to make a home for themselves and family.

John S. Lemon, of Springfield township, was born in Dauphin county, Penn., August 19, 1819, son of Simon and Jane (Sweigart) Lemon. He was raised in his native state, and received a c'ommon school education. In 1848 he went to Union county, Penn., and worked at the blacksmith's trade about four years. In 1850 he was married to Mary A. Omro, who was born December 31, 1827. This union was blessed with eight children, seven of whom are now living: Anna M. D., Mary A., Margaret E., John W., Joseph L., Simon F. and Ella. He and wife were formerly members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1870 he moved with his family to Indiana, and settled on the farm where he now lives, June 22, 1870. His farm includes 120 acres of well improved land.

Latham Moore, a substantial citizen of Springfield, is a native of Ireland, born April 5, 1825, son of William and Margaret (Mahafa) Moore. At the age of twenty-one years, he emigrated to America, and first settled in South Hampton, Long Island. Here he was engaged in oyster fishing, until 1866, when he came to Ohio and bought forty acres for

$4,000. He paid down $i,ooo, and went in debt $3,000, which he paid in six j-ears. In iSSi, he sold out and removed to Indiana, buying eighty acres in Springfield township, where he now lives. In 1850 he married Ellen McGee, who was born in 1834. Of their eleven children, nine are living: William, Matthew, James, Moses, David, John, Robert, NannyJ., and Margaret E.

Amariah Johnson, an industrious farmer of Springfield township, is a native of Indiana, born March 19, 1S52, son of Amariah and Jane Johnson. The father came from Ohio to De'Kalb county in an earl}^ day and there the son was born and raised. He received a very limited education, his father being crippled and needing his work. March 18, 1876, he was married to Mary M. Morr, who was born January 8, 1852, and they have five children: Lillie G., Edna M., Charles C, Clyde H. and Maude A. Mr. Johnson began farming by renting land in DeKalb county, and remained there until March 15, 18S1, when he settled on the farm where he now lives. He has 100 acres of good land in Springfield township, and is well liked by all who know him.

Isaac Hilbert, of Springfield township, is a native of Harrison county, Ohio, born June 5, 1831, son of Daniel and Catherine (Young) Hilbei-t. At about fifteen years of age he moved with his parents to Defiance county, Ohio, and remained until twent3'-two )-ears of age. He then came to Indiana and settled in Springfield township; two years later he returned to Defiance, but in two years came again to Indiana and bought sixty acres of new land. The father of Mr. Hilbert was born in Maryland, April 27, 1785, and departed this life December 31, 1877, and the mother, who died on the same day of the month fifteen years before, was a native of Pennsylvania. They were both devoted and consistent members of the Lutheran church. On October 23, 1852, Mr. Hilbert was married to Mary J., daughter of Daniel and Sophia C. (Omo) Hassenpflug, born November 26, 1836; the father, a native of Pennsylvania, was Ijorn March 21, 1812, and died March 20, 1882; the mother, born in Pennsylvania, Ma}^ 19, 1815, died Januar}' i, 18S3. They were married Februar.y 19, 1835, and were members of the Lutheran church. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert were born six children : Maria E. A., born March 9, 1859; Rosabelle C, April 29, 1861; Elmer D., August 28, 1864; Edward G., Jul}^ 2, 1S66; Anna J., December 19, 1871 ; Elsie L., August 7, 1873. Edward G. and Anna J. died in infancy. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church in which he served two years as deacon and two years as elder. He began without a dollar oi capital when he first settled in Allen county, but made himself a nice Httle farm where he remained until 1883, when he removed to Hicksville, Ohio, intending to rest from work, but after five years he removed to his farm one mile east of Hicksville. He has forty acres of fine land, and house and one-half acre lot in Hicksville. He is the youngest of ten brothers and sisters among whom the first death occurred in September, 1888. His sister Rosabelle is one of the successful teachers in Allen county, and has taught in Indiana and Ohio about nineteen terms.

This, the smallest township of the count}-, and most remote from Fort Wa\-ne, received its first settlers in 1836, wlien Platte Squiers and Jehial Parks purchased their lands and reared their log cabins. The former was a leader in the communit}-, and at the first election after the formation of the township, in 1843, he was chosen justice, a position he held for twenty years. The first birth was in his family, of Lafayette D. Squiers, in 1839, ^"<i ^^^ ^^'^^ death was the tragic one of Laura Squiers, in April 1840. She was playing about the fire where her parents were boihng sugar, her clothing caught in the blaze and she was burned to death. Parks was a man of great strength of muscle and character, and was highly esteemed. The first religious meeting in the township was held in 1840 at his house by Benjamin Dorsej', and he donated the ground in 1842, for the pioneer burying ground. In 1837 Lucius and Nathan Palmer settled, and they subsequently removed after clearing farms. By Nanc}- Palmer the first school was taught in 1842. George and Robert Dorsey and Phihp Shell came in March, 1838, and became valuable assistants in the campaign of civilization. William Bice and Samuel Wentworth also came in this year, and about 1840 Wentworth's brothers, John and Henry, who had stopped at the Maumee, came on to this settlement. In the latter year Adam Burrier made his settlement. This township, owing to its remoteness from the center of activitj-, was quite backward in development and the settlers above named had all the hardships and privations of those who settled much earlier in the more central townships. The first road was the Hicksville road, and no postotfice was established within the township until 1862, when John Murph}' was appointed postmaster. Two years later the office was removed to Springfield township.

Platte Squiers, above referred to, was a native of Vermont. He was married to Aurilla Goodspeed of the same state, and they removed to Ohio and there remained about one year. Early in the thirties they removed to Allen county and became the first white settlers in Scipio township. He bought a quarter section and cleared over 200 acres of wild land. He settled in the woods with no neighbors nor roads, and when he first went to Fort Wayne to get corn ground, he took his ax and cut his road, taking just one. week for the trip. He served as justice of the peace of his township about twenty-four years, and several years as one of the board of trustees. He and wife were devoted and conscientious members of the Christian church; he for over twenty years. Mr. Squiers owned and cleared various tracts of land and must have owned as much as 1,200 or 1,500 acres of land during his lifetime. He was one of the leading citizens and won the respect of all who knew him. He was friendly to churches and schools and a leader in many laudable enterprises. He died at the age of seventy years, deeply mourned by the community. His son, Lafayette D. Squiers, now one of the leading citizens, was born in Scipio township, August 21, 1S39. He received a common school education. In 1S67 he was married to Rhoda A. Foot, born in 1846, and they have seven children : John, Lincoln, Catherine, Ora, Ada, Archie and Phcebe. He and wife are members of the German Baptist church, and politically he has always been a staunch democrat. He owns 116 acres of good land which he has cleared himself and provided with good buildings.

The Dorsey family, prominent in the history of Scipio township, is one of the most worthy in the county. The ancestry has been traced and brought down to recent date by Mrs. Robert Dorse}', and the genealog}- pubhshed in 1887. As far back as 1730, in England, whence the famity came to this countr}', William Dorsey married Sarah Wilson, and one of their children, Benjamin Dorsey, was born in England, in June, 1786. He grew up in his native land, and learned the trade of wagon-maker, and also being of a deeply religious nature, became a local preacher in the Methodist church. He was married to Jane, daughter of Robert and Polly Jefferson, born in 1791, and ten children were born to them during their residence at Elloughton, Yorkshire, as follows: William, born July 21, 18 14; George, October 11, 181 5; Sarah Ann, August 2, 1S17; Robert, March i, 1820; John, March 8, 1822; Thomas, September 5, 1824; Mary Ann, July 3, 1826; Christopher and a twin brother, in 1828; Jonathan, May 13, 1830. Sarah A. and the twins died in England; Mary Ann Boulton died in Scipio township, August 16, 1868; William, who became a resident of LaGrange countv, died there August 9, 1872; John died in Scipio, March 9, 1S81, and Thomas died in Scipio, April 11, 1885. Benjamin Dorsey and family came to America in 1830, and his wife and the seven surviving children followed him in June, 1831. They first settled in Milan, Erie county, Ohio. Thence the sons, George and Robert, came to Scipio township, March 16, 183S, and the father followed them in 1842. William Andrew Dorsey, a brother of Benjamin, came to this countr}' in 1842 with his famih', and settled in Scipio township in 1S45. Benjamin Dorsey passed awa}^ at his pioneer honae, September 7, 1865. Jane Dorsey died before the removal to this state, December 23, 1844. George Dorsey, the oldest surviving member of the family, was married Februarv 24, 1842, to Elizabeth Boulton, who was born February 12, 1819, in Minty, Gloucestershire, England. To them were born the following children : Jane E., August 14, 1843, married R. M. Simmons; Sarah A., July 29, 1847, married McL. McCurdy; Pluma, July 27, 1849, died May 26, 1874; Joseph J., November 30, 1851; Louisa H., October 24, 1S51, married H. L. Beach, died December 19, 1882. Robert Dorsey, the second of the surviving children of Benjamin, has always been a farmer by occupation, and shared in the pioneer work of opening the lands of this township. When he came here there were no roads and he helped in the construction of all of them. He first purchased forty acres of wild land, and cleared about eighty acres more, where he built his log cabin. He traded this for eighty acres, and soon sold out and bought the eighty upoa which he now lives, then co\'ered densely with forest. His capital at the outset was $45, but now he is one of the wealthy men of the county and owns 329 acres of productive land, thoroughl}- improved. He has always been friendly to church and school and helped build the first chm-ch, a hewn-log cabin, on his farm, and also assisted in building the first school-house, a log building, 14x16, and just high enough for a man to stand inside. To the first forty acres he owned he gave the name of Opossom Knobs, a title that still clings to it. June 3, 1846, he was married to Margaret R. Moore, daughter of Priam and Lois (Calkins) Moore. She was born March 21, 1827, in EUisburg, Jefferson countv, N. Y. Their children are: Rhoda R., born September 3, 184S, married David Nelson; Lois Lovica, October 24, 1S50, died June 20, 1S62; Martha Ann, September 30, 1S53, married to William W. Driver; Elizabeth M., April 8, i860; Benjamin P., November 19, 1S63, married to Hulda J. WilHams.

John B. Foote (deceased), one of the early settlers of Springfield township, was the first white child born in Sidney, Ohio. He was born December 5, 1818, to Harve\' B. and Eliza A. (Mantona) Foote. He received a good education and became one of the pioneer teachers in the country schools of Indiana. On March 5, 1839, ^^ ^'^'^^ married to Catherine Zeimmer, born January 20, 1S21, by whom he had eleven children, nine living: Harvey B., Abraham Z., Rhoda A., Maria E., John B., William McL., Joseph G., Mary A., and Oliver M. He and wife were members of the German Baptist church. In 1848, he removed to Indiana, and settled on 160 acres of wild land, where he remained until his death, April 29, 1877. His wife, who survives him, is now in her sixty-eighth vear. Her first experiences in Allen count}- were of the toil of pioneer life. There were no roads and it required three days to make the trip to Fort Waj-ne and return. Before coming to Allen county, they had lost all their property by fire and were compelled to begin anew. He became a leading citizen and owned 160 acres of land, of which he cleared 100 acres. Harvey B. Foote, son of the above, was born in Darke count}-, Ohio, May 25, 1840. He received a common school education, such as could be obtained in his day. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Sarah A., daughter of William and Elizabeth (Mulnick) Bailey, who were early settlers of Allen county, Ohio, by whom he had three children: Mathew F., born February 14, 1S70; Delma, November 25, 1877, and Harry B., March 27, 1888. The mother was born April 5, 1848. She and her husband are members of the German Baptist church. In 1864 he enhsted in Companv F, One Hundred and Fortieth Indiana volunteer regiment, under Capt. Swann, and served until the close of the war, being discharged at Indianapolis in 1865. He has a farm of ninety-five acres in Scipio township which he bought when it was in timber in i860. He is now one of the leading citizens of the township, and is respected by all.

Allen. He remained until ten years of age in his native count}-, and then came with his parents to Allen county, Ind., and settled in the woods in Scipio township, where he grew to manhood. He received his education in the pioneer log school-house, going two and one-half miles through a trackless forest. In 1858, he married Elmira Babb, born in 1840, and they have two children: Alfred and Arthur. He served as assessor of his township one term. In 1850, he bought and settled on the fift}' acres where he now lives, and to this he has added until he now owns 222 acres of valuable land. When he first bought his land it was covered with a dense growth of timber, which his indefatigable efforts have converted into fertile fields.

Martin Waters, a leading farmer of Scipio township, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, Januar\' 23, 1837, son of Samuel and Margaret (Burwell) Waters. He came to Indiana with his parents in 185 1 and settled in DeKalb county, where his father bought a farm of eighty acres of wild land and here Martin grew to manhood. Being the oldest of the famil}- his experience in this state at that time was clearing, chopping, making rails and other work known to a pioneer's life. He received a common school education such as could be obtained in the old log school-house, walking from a mile to two miles. In 1861 he married Mary Ann Shutt, born October 28, 1841, by whom he had four children: Isaac S., Harriet E., John V. and iVIertie R. He began life without a dollar but by hard work and good management he has done well. He now owns sixtj'-five acres of good land, which he bought in its natural state. He and wife are members of the United Brethren church.

William Beninghoff, an earlv settler, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Schuylkill county, April 8, 1825, son of George and Elizabeth (Daubespeck) Beninghoff. When twelve years of age he removed with his parents to Ashland county, Ohio. In 1846 he began an apprenticeship as carriage-maker and followed his trade until by close economy he saved $600, with which he bought eightj^ acres of land in Noble county. He sold this farm two years later and bought eighty acres of wood-land; clearing this, he amassed more property, and now owns 220 and 115 acres in DeKalb count}-, and a ten-acre residence place within one mile of Hicksville. In September, 1851, he married Ann, daughter of John and Catharine (Bowmaster) Martin, who was born April 10, 1835. They have had four children, of whom George and John are living. Mr. Beninghoff is a member of the Lutheran church. His companion through life has been a true wife, sharing his hardships and his joys, and often went with Jiim through the, work in the fields, doing the work of a pioneer's wife.

Francis A. Johnson, a prominent citizen of Scipio township, was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., April 3, 1833, son of Ebenezer and Betsy (Ryan) Johnson. At ten years of age he removed with his parents to Ohio, where he remained from 1844 ^° ^^56, when he came to Indiana and settled in DeKalb county. In 1865 he removed to Allen count)', and settled on the farm where he now Hves. In 1S55 he was married to Margaret J. Hammond, born in 1834, ^""^ '^hey have had nine children of whom seven are living: Nancy A., Emma J., John F., Myron A., Charles W., Tr3-phena M. and Sarah E. He is a member of the Masonic order, and of Stopher post, No. 75, G. A. R. In 1S61 he left his wife and two little babes at home, and enlisted in Company' F, Forty-fourth volunteer regiment, under Capt. Merrill. At the battle of Stone River he was struck on the hip by a piece of shell, which so disabled him that he had little use of his leg for about six^^ears; for this he now draws the Small pension of $10. His grandfather was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and his father a soldier in the war of 181 2. Mr. Johnson began the battle of life without a dollar but by hard work has done well. He first bought forty acres of new land in DeKalb county, and then came to Allen county, and bought 120 acres of land, "without a stick amiss," in Scipio township, eighty-eight acres of which he now has under a good state of caltivation.

George W. Warner, one of the thorough-going farmers of Scipio township, is a native of Lincoln county, Ohio, born January 14, 1839, son of Dennis and Rachel (Miller) Warner. The father was of Dutch, and the mother of Pennsylvania Dutch, descent. In 1864 George W. emigrated to the gold fields of Montana and Idaho, but finding gold as hard to accumulate there as here, after one year's sta}^ returned to his native state, landing February 15, 1865, and then came immediately to Indiana and settled in Scipio township and bought eighty acres for $3,000, on which he lived about two 3-ears before marriage. June, 1867, he married Mary Allen, and they have two children: Howard and Florence. The mother was born in 1849. When he first began in Indiana he just had $1,300 to make a partial pa^-ment on his land, since then he has paid out for his land $17,400, and now owns 330 acres as handsomety improved as any in Allen count}', and a two-story brick dwelling which cost him over $3,000. His farm is ditched and tiled, and altogether, his improvements show that he is one of the' leading farmers of the county.

John R. Knapp, a prominent farmer of Scipio township, was born in Luzerne county, Penn., May 9, 1839, son of Walter and Elizabeth (Reed) Knapp. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, the mother of New York. At eighteen years of age he left his home and settled in Ohio, arriving there with $1.50 in money. His parents being poor people he was compelled to make his own wa}' in the world when quite young. March 3, 1861, he was united in marriage with Olive Maxwell, by whom he had one child, Melinda, wife of Coe M. Smith. This wife was born April 21, 1844, and died January 7, 1865. In 1866 he was married to Thalia Boullon, born August 28, 1846, and the}' had nine children, of whom eight are now living: Joseph W., Walter R., Sarah E., Abbie S., John M., Frederick A., Ida M. and Thomas M. February 9, 1865, he enhsted in Company G, One Hundred and Ninety-first regiment Ohio volunteers, under Capt. Kinney, and served to the close of the war, receiving an honorable discliarge at Winchester, Ohio, in 1865. Mr. Knapp began to support himself at an early age, his parents being poor, and his success in life is greatly to his credit. In 1865 he bought and settled on the eight}' acres where he now lives, which was at that time densely timbered, which he has cleared and converted into a beautiful farm. He now owns 120 acres of good land in Scipio township, and is comfortably situated, having commodious and substantial buildings.

A convenient landing place on the river, known as Bull Rapids, because, tradition says, some hunter slew here a buffalo bull, was the site of the first settlement. Gregory Jackson came here in 1833 and built a large log house, which he used as a tavern for the accommodation of those who came up the Maumee, and landed here to look at land in the vicinity. A collection of houses grew up, and as the chief attraction was a groggery, the place became famous for rough life and lawlessness. In 1836, James Shirley, who owned a large tract of land here, laid out town lots and gave the plat the name of Indiana City, but that name did not become acclimated, his town was not settled, and Bull Rapids is still the name by which the locahty is known. In 1834 0"^ Barnefe settled near the state line, and in the same 3'ear WiUiam Johnson and Lloyd Lemart settled near the center of the township. Ulrich Saylor, sr., settled on Knagg's reserve in the fall of 1835, and later moved to the state line building, a house which occupied space in both states. Subsequently he made his home upon the canal, near a lock which became known as Saylor's lock. This pioneer planted the first orchard, the first marriage was of his son Matthias to Ann Manear}-, the first death was of his son John D., in 1836, and the old gentleman was the first postmaster, keeping it at his store, which he had established in 1853. Ulrich Saylor, jr., came with his parents in 1835, also Solomon Swisher, a son-in-law. In 1836, John Ashley and his son George, were here, and the father contemplated building a dam across the Maumee, and even began the erection of a mill, but abandoned the scheme. In April, of this year, the first election was held at th.e house of George Platter, and Lloyd Lemart was elected a justice, and Jabez Philips, constable. Among the other early settlers of this township were James Johnson, Charles Harding, Benjamin Johnson, Flint, Crapeau, Washington Corpse, J. N. Sweet and James Shirley.

In September, 1839, Andrew Dykes laid out in section 14, an ample town plat of forty blocks, which he named Geneva, but no trace of it now remains. Another "paper" town which the canal was expected to foster, was "Bengal," laid out by Joseph Sinclair and Thomas Tiger. Mention of these now serves only to illustrate the enterprise of b3'gone days. Woodburn, a station on the Wabash railway, was platted by J. K. Edgerton and Joseph Smith, proprietors, September, 1865. To the northwest of Woodburn, on the Maumee, in January, 1871, E. D. Ashley

Ambrose Ashton, who is of German origin, was born December 15, 1S22, in Brown count}-, Ohio. The father, Zachariah, a native of Pennsj-lvania, was born in 1799, and when a child, moved with his parents to Marietta, Ohio, where he remained about two years, after which they located in Brown county, Ohio, near Faj'etteville. In 1840, he married Rebecca Sly and removed to Allen county, settling on a farm at Maysville, where he lived until 1851, when he removed to Paulding county, Ohio, and remained until his death, February, 1863. His wife was born in 1800 in Clermont count\', Ohio, and died in Ma3'sville, in 1851. Ambrose, the second of their five children, was educated in the schools of Warren county, Ohio, coming to ]Ma\'Sville with his parents; he remained there until 1848, when he moved tothebanksof the Maumee river in Milan township, and one year later moved on a farm in Maumee township, now owned b}' M. B. Price. Mr. Ashton when he first went to school, was compelled to walk two miles through the woods to a log schoolhouse with puncheon floor, stick chimney and greased paper windows. In those days their clothes were all home-made. He earned his first pair of boots at fourteen years of age, by working out for the money. Before that, he had shoes made b}' his father. His father would go to the tannery and get a side of leather and make shoes for the famih^ Near Maysville, there remains on the old farm, an orchard which was set out by Mr. Ashton. In 1846, he removed to Fort Wayne and worked in the mill of Judge Hanna & Bird, nearly one j'ear. Returning to Springfield township, he bought forty acres of wild land of his father, which he traded in 1851, for 107 acres, where he now fives. He now owns in all, 300 acres of choice land in one of the finest locations in the township. He also deals quite extensively in stock. In 1844 he was wedded to Huldah, daughter of William Shields. December 29, 1863, he wedded Marj- A., daughter ol Henry and Matilda Cummins, and they have five children: George F., Nellie A., Joseph, Lillie D. and Mark. In i860 he was elected as trustee of his township and served one year. He is at present justice of the peace, and is a member of the Masonic order.

Moses B. Price, one of the prosperous farmers .of Maumee township, is a native of Pennsjdvania, born April 25, 1838, son of John and Susan (OHver) Price. They came to Indiana and settled in Allen where they soon after died, leaving their son an orphan at the of ten or twelve years. He worked his way on a canal boat to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from there to Kentuck)^ and after two }'ears went to Lebanon, Ohio, where he worked as a farm hand about four years. Then returning to Indiana he settled in Allen county, where he has since resided. On January 14, 1859, he was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of Elisha and Phebe D. (Davis) James. This union was blessed with two children: Charles, born 1861, died 1864; Gabriel, born 1863, died in infancy. The mother was born October 18, 1837. She is a member of the Christian church. He is a member of the

Masonic lodge at Harlan. He began in this country without a dollar but now owns loS acres well improved with good buildings and well watered with natural fountains. When he first purchased this land it was covered with a dense forest. He is now prepared to enjoy the fruits of a life of labor and spend his declining years amid the comforts of a pleasant home.

Henry Schepelmann, a worthy citizen of Maumee township, is a native of Hanover, Germany, born in 1853. He is one of a family of five children, of Henr}- and Johanna Schepelmann. The father was born in 1823 in Hanover, and was by occupation a miller and farmer; he is still living in his native country. The mother was born in 1833 in Hanover, Germany, and died in 1871. Henr}' was educated in the Lutheran schools of Hanover, German\-, and in 1SS3 emigrated to the United States and located in Maumee township. He is the owner of 244 acres of rich farming and grazing land, with good buildings. In 1S80 he was wedded to Miss Augusta, daughter of Henry and Sophia Deister. She is a native of Hanover, Germany, born in 1S57. B}' this union there are five children: Henrj-, Willie, Otto, Minnie and Christian. Mr. Schepelmann is a member of the Masonic order at Harlan, and his wife is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Schepelmann is a farmer, and brick and tile manufacturer, and is prominent in local affairs.

In the spring of 1822 Robert Shirley, sr., and family moved from near Chillicothe, Ohio, to Fort Defiance. The family included the mother, Mrs. Rachel Shirley, and the children, James, Elias, Robert, Ruth, Mary, Nancy and John G. From Fort Jennings to Fort Defiance they saw no white people, and followed the Indian trail along the river Auglaize. The fort at Defiance, built bj^ Gen. Winchester, was then standing, in a good state of preservation, in charge of William Preston, the only other inhabitant of Defiance. Four French families lived in cabins on the Maumee above the point, and three American families on the Auglaize near by. Six miles below lived the families of John Perkins, Montgomery Evans and Mr. Hively. Two trading houses were kept on either side of the Maumee. Here the Ottawa, commonly called Tawah Indians, brought their skins of the otter, beaver, raccoon, bear, muskrat, mink, fox, wild-cat and deer, and beeswax, ginseng, cranberries and gooseberries. No person then lived between Forts Wayne and Defiance, but all the travel from Detroit to Fort Wayne and Chicago passed along the Maumee. Mail was carried by Forts Wayne and Defiance from Piqua to Fort Meigs (Maumee City). When the Shirleys settled at Defiance, Cant. James Riley had not begun the surve}' of land. Shane, the famous pioneer, was then about fifty years old, and living at Shane's prairie, on the St. Maiy's river. Flour and salt were obtained from Swan Creek (Toledo), hauled to the Rapids and brought thence on pirogues. In 1827, through the influence of Nathan Shirley, Elias Pattee, of a famil}? familiar in church history in the Maumee valley, organized the first church at Defiance. James Shirle}', who was born in Virginia in 1797, was a man of remarkable shrewdness and natural abilitj-, and at the time of his death at his old home in Ohio, in 1850, he owned over 700 acres of land in Defiance and Allen counties. By his wife, Elizabeth Gilbert, born in 1822, in Kentucky, and still living in Defiance county, he had seven children : a daughter unnamed, William, Robert B., Eliza, Alexander, Levisa and Sylvester. Robert B. is the only one living besides the mother. Robert B. Shirley was born October 24, 1842, and at seventeen years of age became a clerk in a dry goods store at iVntwerp, Ohio, but three years later came to Maumee township and began to work on the farm which is now his home. In 1871 he was elected justice of Maumee township, and in 1874 re-elected b}- a largely increased majority. At the same time he served as deputy land appraiser, and subsequent!}- served as assessor by appointment. In 1880 he was elected trustee, and again in 1888. Though he is a democrat, and a recognized leader in that party, these honors have been bestowed upon him in a township that frequently gives republican majorities. In the 1885 and 1889 sessions of the Indiana legislature, he served as chief engrossing clerk in the house. Mr. Shirley was married May i, 1880, to Ladora, daughter of William and Catharine (Gray) Faulkner. She was born at Lima, Ohio, in 1856. Mr. Shirley's sister Eliza left at her death one son, Albert H. Little, and his brother William left four children: Delia, Alice, Verseneth and Frank.

Horatio A. Little, a young man of good standing in Maumee township, is an offspring of the Shirley famil3\ He inherited no acres of land in Maumee township, as fine as there is in Allen count}', from his grandfather through his mother, Eliza (Shirley) Little, and he is the only living representative of that noble pioneer lady. He also inherited from the Shirleys that industry and push which characterized the family, and promises to become one of Allen county's worthy and valuable citizens.

The early settlement here was mainly on the line of the ridge road which was surveyed in 1839. It passes over the best part of the township, the remainder at that early day being swampy and unattractive. In 1836 Charles Shriner, a native of New Jersey, made his home on a half of section 4, which he purchased. He erected the first frame house two years later. In the same year, Nathan Lake, of Vermont, and his family, having come in 1835, settled on section 3. John Heath settled in this vicinity, in 1836, also, and Wilkes Gillett came from Ohio in 1837. Stephen Heath made an early settlement on the ridge road, and upon the first organization of the township in 1838, he chose for it the name of Milan in remembrance of his native town in Huron county, Ohio. He opened subsequently the pioneer store at his house. In 1833, came John Nuttle, from Huron county, Ohio, whose descendants are still residents here. Alvin Hall, of Connecticut, settled on section 18 in Decern- ber, 1840, having previously visited the township. He became prominent in local affairs. His house was a favorite stopping place for travelers, and in 1856 he secured a po§toffice for his neighborhood, called Chamberlain; Lorenzo D. George became the postmaster. Subsequent!}' the office was removed to St. Joseph township, and has latel)' been kept at the store of Edson Brooks. In 1837 the settlement at Fairport was begun bj' George Foxtater. During canal times his house was in use as a tavern by the travelers. Fairport was laid out in section 24, by eastern capitalists during this period, and an attempt made to build up there a town, but with the decaj' of canal traffic the town reverted to agricultural land. The first election was held here at the house of George Foxtater, in 1842, and Andrew Wakefield was elected justice and John Nuttle, constable. In 1843 a postoffice was established at Fairport, and John Irvin, then appointed postmaster, held until the office was abolished. John Irvin also kept a hotel in canal times. Among the settlers between 1840 and 1850 were William Fitzgerald, sr., Edward Nugent, Daniel B. Strong, Joseph Donner, William Tilbury, the Lynes famity, William R. Herrick, Richard Beebe and Samuel Archer. In section 35 the town of Mosier was platted by Joseph Mosier, in 1854, ^u' i*^ ^^^ ^^^ develop.

-Ami D. Nuttle, a prominent citizen of Milan township, was born in that township July 2, 1844. His parents were one of the first three families settling in the township. His father was born in New York, November 8, 1S03, and removed first to Ohio, thence to Milan township about 1833, and died November 12, 1852. His mother was a first cousin of Hon. John Jay, one of the distinguished men of the early days of the republic. The mother, a native of Scotland, was born March 16, 1805, and came to America with her parents at the age of twelve and settled in Ohio. She died February 4, 1865. Mr. A. D. Nuttle was married August 27, 1865, to Harriet M. Platter, whose parents were also among the first settlers of the township. Her father, a native of Ohio, was born in 1810, and died August, 1852, in Milan township. The mother, a native of Ohio, was born in 1820. She is living and enjoying fair health. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nuttle: William D., born January 21, 1867; Katie C, born March 4, 1867, died August 17, 1885; John F., born November 30, 1869, died September 7, 1876; Minnie M., born October 22, 1871; Edgar A., March 6, 1875; Walter C, June 9, 1880; Wesley H.-, September 17, 1882; Toney A., February 21, 1887; Ima J., 'February 12, 1889. William was married to Miss Adehne Miller, July 16, 1887, and they have one child, Groyer. Mr. Nuttle enlisted in the Union army July 16, 1862, in the Fifth Indiana cavalry, and was discharged June 15, 1865. He assisted in the raid that led to the capture of John Morgan, and was in numerous skirmishes. In the east Tennessee campaign he lost almost the entire use of one eye. He served also in the Georgia campaign, and was at the engagements at Resaca, Allatoona Pass, Rome and before Atlanta. He is a member of the G. A. R., Sion S. Bass post.

No. 40, Fort Wayne. He has served his township as assessor for four years and as constable for two years. Mr. Nuttle took possession in 1865, of the farm of sixt3-three acres on \yhich he now has a handsome new house and barn and is prepared to enjoy the comforts of hfe.

Alvin Hall, the earl}- settler referred to above, is a native of New London, Conn., born May 11, iSto, son of George and Betsey Hall, who were natives of Connecticut, and residents of New London. In the defense of that citj' the father was killed during the war of 181 2. Alvin left home at the age of sixteen, and went to Canandaigua county, N. Y., where he remained two years, and then worked at his trade of carpenter in Erie countj^ Ohio, twelve years. Coming then to Milan township with his wife and famih^, he bought land of the government and devoted himself to pioneer work. He was married in 1833 to Betsey, daughter of John and Anna Miller. She was born in Connecticut in 1810, and died in 1847. The}- had seven children. January 7, 1848, Mr. Hall was married to Sylvia, daughter of Stephen and Hannah Heath, who was born in Ohio in 1828, and to them were born six children. Mr. Hall has served his township as a justice, assessor, treasurer, and was elected land appraiser of the county in 1876. Since he built the first frame school-house in 1857, he has been a leader in progress and good works. He made the trip to Allen count}- in December, 1840, reaching Fort Wayne about Christmas, and built his log cabin upon the land he now occupies.

Curtis C. Lake, of Milan township, was born in 1820, in Chittenden count}', Vt., one of a family of eight children, of Nathan and Jerusha Lake, natives of Connecticut. The father, who was a farmer and lumberman by occupation, when a young man moved to Vermont and located at Shelburn, where he remained until 1835, when he and family emigrated west, and took possession of the land which C. C. Lake now occupies. He was one of the earliest settlers, and cut a road through the forest for about six miles to reach the tract of land on which he settled. When he first arrived in Allen county he rented a farm near Fort Wayne, where he .could raise something to live on until he got a start in the woods. The family stored their grain at Rudisill's mill on the St. Joseph, and would get a grist as they needed it. Then they went to work to clear away the forest, and the parents lived until they and the children succeeded in creating a comfortable home. On the way here they had lost all the goods and clothing they possessed, which increased their hardships. The parents died on the homestead, the father in 1857, the mother in May, 1866. Mr. Lake helped to build, and was one of the students at the pioneer log school-house, and his children were educated in the same house. The ladv who taught the second term of school became his wife. He has a relic of old "Johnny Appleseed " in the shape of an apple tree that measures ninety-three inches in circumference, grown from the seed sown by that famous character, on the banks of the Maumee river. It was set out about 1S37, and is still a thrifty tree. His first residence was burned down but he has now a fine home which has since been built upon one of the finest locations in the township. In 1850 he was wedded to Mary E., daughter of John and Asenath Chelles. She was born in 1S33, in Rutland county, Vt. Her father was born in 17S9, at Kingston, N. H. He moved to Vermont in 1830, and thirty-five 3^ears later moved to DeKalb county, near Spencerville. He remained there until 1864, when he made his home with his daughter, until his death in 1865. The mother was born in 1798, in Chester, N. H., and is still living at the age of ninety-one years and is well and active with hearing and sight but little impaired. Mr. and Mrs. Lake have had five children: John N., Alma A., Chauncey H., Hattie A., and Benjamin who died August 6, 1887. In poHtics Mr. Lake cast his first presidential vote for W. H. Harrison, and the last for Benjamin Harrison. He is one of the venerable and venerated old settlers.