Carroll County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1882 (part 6 of 7)

Some time during the year 1880, Aaron Cooley and James Marks came to the township, and were the first to strike hands with the Gillams in the work of the pioneer. Mr. Cooley entered the land now owned by the heirs of Joseph Maxwell, in Section 28, and Jiunes Marks entered an adjoining tract in the same section. Both cleared and improved farms, and both were prominent and highly respected citizens. Mr. Cooley sold out and removed to Iowa in later years, and Mr. Marks also moved away, but liis destination is not known.

On the 4th of June, 1830, Thomas Hight entered land in Sec tion 13, upon which he located soon afterward - probably before the close of that year. Albert G. Hanna entered land in Section 23 in the same year, and located upon it .shortly afterward. His j father, Joseph, who came with him, jiurchased the laud entered by Mr. Hight, who then removed to Monroe Township. From there he removed to tlie State of M'isconsin, where he died.

Pollard Baldwin and Noah Sandifiu' came to the township soon after Hight and the Hannas, late in 1830 or early in 1831. Mr. Sandifxu- located upon the farm now owned and occupied by Oliver S. Bm-ns, but subsequently removed to Deer Creek Township, where he now resides. Mr. Baldwin settled in Section 21, and, after clearing and cultivating his farm for a number of years, finally removed to the town of Pittsburg, Carroll County, where he remained until death. These four men, Baldwin, Hight and the Hannas. were always regarded as the leading men in the settlement, since they always took an active part in all public matters. Albert Hanna was Colonel of the local militia, and was subseqnentl_y chosen as the Representative from this county in the State Legislatui'e, and the other gentlemen referred to, while they did not hold any official positions, were nevertheless prominent citizens.

Early in 1.S81, John Kite and his brother Michael came to the township and located in Section 20, where Michael, the younger of the two, entered land. They proved themselves to be industrious citizens, and the result of their labors in the forest was a fine farm, which they cultivated in common for many years. John still resides on the farm where he first settled. Michael died diu-ing the past year (1881).

Early in 1882. John Burgett, formerly from Tennessee, located upon a tract of land in Section 29, which he entered in 1835. llr. Burgett was an energetic man, and for ipany years was identitied with the gi'owth and improvement of his township. He cleared his farm, and cultivated it until his death, which took place a few years ago.

John Jenkins came in 1833, and entered land in Section 28. He was more a hunter than a farmer, and took great delight in jiursuing the game then so abundant around him. When not thus engaged, he would chop dovm a few trees, and, by degrees, made a little clearing on his land, large enough to raise the corn and other crops necessary for the maintenance of his family. He died about the year 1839, and his family subsequently removed to another locality.

The farm now owned by Abraham Shaffer, in Section 2], was entered by Jacob Tanner, who came here in 1833. He was a good citizen and an industrious and successful farmer. He cleared a portion of his land, and cultivated it for several years, but finally sold his estate to \^^illiam George, who came here in 183(1. After selling his farm, he removed to Jasper County, Ind.

Later in the year 1883, Daniel Baker settled in Section 19. He cleai-ed and improved a farm, upon which he resided until death. Benjamin Underwood came late in 1833 or early in 1834. He entered land in Section 20, in March, 1835, and here cleared and improved a farm. He was a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and conducted some of the first meetings held by that denomination in the township. In later years, he removed to one of the AVestern States, having sold his property here.

In the fall of 1835, James Thompson came to tbe township and iJiu-chased a jiortion of the Gillam land, in Section 22. He died three years later, leaving the work of clearing the farm to be done by his son, Francis, by whom the homestead is now owned and occupied. JIi'. Thompson was an energetic, industrious man, and, while he lived, was a prominent and highly respected citizen.

In 1835, William Stranathan came to the townshi[) and entered land in Section 24, and AVilliam Moore came in the same year and piu'chased the John M. Gillam land. Both were good citizens, and both were identified with the interests of the township for many yeai-s. Preston Calvert came in the same year (1830), and settled upon the land which he still occujues, in Section 17. He has lived to witne.ss many important cliinmi'^ i'l II"' town.ship, and has taken an active p.u-t in the publir irii|iniMiiii.iit inaugurated within its limits. Reuben St. John iiml .l,.s(|.li IImIVman were also among the settlers of 183(). St. John entered land in Section 3-1, upon which he resided until death. Hoflf'man purchased the land now owned by Ozro Bates, in Section 33, but removed to the State of Iowa after a few yrai's.

to a considerable number, paiiicularly in the vicinity of Sugar Creek, where the principal settlements were made, and where the best lands were to be found. Yet, for several years subsequently, other settlers continued to arrive, and were confronted with all the difficulties and hardships that beset those of an earlier date. Both to the north and south of Sugar Creek, the land is low and level, and these localities were left unsettled, to a great extent, as long as land could be obtained" along that stream. It was many years before these low lands were thoroughly settled, and many more before they were improved by the process referred to at the beginning of this chapter. Those who located upon them were indeed pioneers, and, were it possible, we would gladly make individual mention of each one. But om' sources of information in this township were limited, and, while we have given quite a complete list of those who were the advance pioneers, it will be necessary to omit the names of those who came in later years, and yet early enough to be identified with the township before the work of civilization was completed.

By the year 1837, the population within the original limits of the township of Clay was sufficient, in point of numbers, to war rant a division of the territory and the creation of two distinct civil jurisdictions from that townshiji as it then existed. And to this effect, a petition was presented to the Board of County Commissioners, at their session of March, 1837. In response, they ordered that a new township should be organized. com]M'isiug the north liiilf of \\v (iriLrinal t0A\mship of CLiy. iind ili-M'iil.iMl as U<\ lows: I ',i!iniii.|iciiiM' at the northeast coni.T of Scctioij 13, Township '_! 1 ni)i-Ui. of Range 2 west, thence smith tlir lud onehalf miles; thence west six miles, thence north three and one-half miles, thence east six miles to the place of beginning." Jose]ih Hanna was appointed Inspector of Elections, and the house of Peter Tanner de.-i-iKite,! ;,, the voting place. In 1831), Michael Kite was elected ;is -I ii-,l i ,! tli(^ Peace for the township of Clay, and, by virtue of his comiuissiou, acted as the first Justice in the new township of Madison. At the expiration of that term, he was re-elected, and served continuously until 1853. William George was elected to the same office in 1837, and served until 1841. In 1854, David Heistand was elected as the successor of Michael Kite, and held the office, by re-election, until 1807. Jonathan Gillam was elected in 1807, and has served continuously ever since. W. H Calvert was elected in 1807, and is still serving.

It does not appear that a Constable was elected at the time of selecting the first Justice of the Peace. The first bond on tile is that of Silas Jack, who was elected in 1842. His succassors in this office were: George Burgett, elected in 1840; Oliver H. P. Hanna, 1847; J. M. Virgin, 1848; Elias Harner, 1851; Samuel Dawson, 1854; Joseph Shigley, 1851); John Q. Miller, 1857; William D. Schuopp, 18(50; Joseph W. Swain, 1801; Moses Swain, 1802; John Morrison, 18(>4; D. H. Schnepp, 18()7 to 1878; Eli H. Moore, 1878; Lewis Clawson and Charles Sheets, 1880-82. Other township officers elected were the three Trustees, Clerk and Treasurer; but there are no records of their election, and no sources from which the succession of officer? could be obtained.

The organization of the township had a marked eflfeot for good uptm the public highways, since it became necessai'y then for the citizens to pay a stipulated amount of road tax, either in cash or labor. As (he former was not very plenteous in the days of which we write, this demand was generally satisfied by the labor of the men, who turned out in force, at certain seasons of the year, for the purpose of clearing and opening new roads through the woods, or leveling and repairing those already opened. The country is low and wet, and it was no easy task to make a road at all passable, without recourse to ditching and grading. The tii-st roads were merely wagon-tracks cut out thi-ough the woods by the settlers who tii-st located here. In a few cases, these routes sei-yed for the location of public highways, and were widened and improved under the direction of the Supervisors. Later, a grand improvement was made by a company, who constructed a ])lank-road from Delphi to a point in the adjoining county of Clinton. This road traversed the entire length of the township, from north to south, and proved a blessing to those who were compelled to travel much. A free turnpike is now in process of construction along the line of this road. County and neighborhood roads were located at various times, in response to petitions presented to the Board of Township Trustees, and by reference to the map it will be seen that these petitions resulted in a fine and convenient system of public highways.

Under the old organization, the Trustees, Clerk and Treasurer had control of the civil aftairs of the township, as well as the management of the schools. This continued to be the rule until 1859 or 18<)0, when the law was so amended as to retire the Clerk, Treasurer and two of the Trustees from service, placing their duties in the hands of one Trustee. The present incumbent of this office is John Maxwell.

In the southern extremity of Deer Creek Township, a cabin of round logs was erected at an early day, as a house of worship for a class of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, known as the " Gillam Class," and, as was customary in those days, it was made to serve the double purpose of church and schoolhouse. Probably the first time it was used for the latter purpose was in the year 1837, at which time a winter term of three months was taught; and fi-om that time until 1853 or 185-t, it was used as a school whenever the services of a teacher could be secm-ed. There were no school districts in those days, and this school received quite a liberal patronage from settlers in Madison, whose children were among its pupils. Nelson Gillam taught here in 1837, and several terms subsequently. About the year 1838, a hewedlog schoolhouse was erected on the land of Michael Kite, and school was taught there in the winter of that year. It served its purpose until after the introduction of the free school system, and was finally succeeded by a frame building. This was the only schoolhouse within the limits of the township until 1845. In that year, a frame building was erected for school purposes on the farm of William Straaathan. and to this school came several scholai-s from Delphi, and some from Tippecanoe County, who boarded in the neighborhood during the term. These schools were conducted on the old plan of a per capita tuition fee for each scholar, and this rale continued in force until 1852 or 1853, when a tax was levied, agreeably with the law then recently enacted, for the pm-pose of sustaining the schools at public expense, and making their benefits free to all classes alike. The two j houses we have mentioned were still occupied, under the new regime, until they became old, and it was necessary to replace them with new buildings. The building on the Michael Kite farm was succeeded, in 1857 or 1858, by a substantial frame house, and shortly afterward, a similar building, known as the " Hiestand Schoolhouse," was erected on the Stephenson farm, in the eastern part of the township. As years advanced, new schi)olh(jusi's were erected, one by one, iu the several disti'icts of the township, and their history is one of progress. At the present time, there iU'e in the township six sehoolhouses, three of which are brick, and tlu-ee frame, buildings. The total estimated value of .school property, including houses, grounds, school apparatus, etc., is $3,700. During the school year of 1880-81, the average attendance of scholars was 1 30, out of a total enrollment of 227, the average length of the school term being 120 days. The financuil exhibit of the schools is set forth by the Trustee in the following report:

The log building known as the " Gillam Meeting-House " was erected in the edge of Deer Creek Township, and within its walls were held the earliest religious meetings of this neighborhood. The class, of which the Gillams, Cooleys and others were members, was organized perhaps as early as 1830 or 1831. Still, as the chm-eh itself was beyond the line of this township, its history does not properly belong here. Not many yeai's subsequently, a class of the same denomination was organized near the center of the township, at the house of Benjamin Underwood. Mi\ Underwood was the leader, and it received the name of the "' Underwood Class." Rev. Hachaliah Vredenbiu-g, a circuit preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, olficiated in the capacity of pastor. Aaron Cooley and Thomas Gillam, Jr., withdrew from the Gillam class and united with the class at Underwood's, and, in a short time, other accessions to the membership were received. Some time during the year 183-1, they erected a log house of worship on the Underwood farm, having previously conducted their meetings in private houses. About the year 1855, tUey erected a frame church on the land of William Maxwell, to which they gave the name of " Palestine Chiu-ch." In the meantime, the congi-egation increased and the chm-ch prospered, and in 1870 or 1871 the present house of worship was erected on the farm of Thomas Gillam. The church is in the Bringhm-st Circuit, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Smith, of Bringhuret.

Among the early ministers who visited the township were some representing the Baptist denomination, and at intervals, the adherents of that church had the pleasm-e of listening to one of their own ministers. Preston Calvert and George Hai-tman, with their f amiies, were the prominent early Baptists of the township, and took an active part in organizing a society of that denomination about the year 1850. For several years after organization, the few members of this society met at temporary places for the purpose of conducting public worship, but. in 1854 or 1855, erected a frame church in the west part of the township, where they have ever since continued to hold services.

shiji at irregular intervals, the first services by this denomination being conducted aboiit the year 1845. About the close of the late war - probably in 1805 - a class was organized, and, for several years subsequently, held meetings in a log building, which was erected shortly after- the organization of this society, and used by them and the Protestant Methodists alternately. In 1873, they erected their present house of worship, which is known as "Forest Chapel." It is a plain, neat brick building, and is situated on the farm of Ozro Bates, in the southern part of the townshiji. The church is now under the pastoral care of the Rev. Sir. Martin.

The Protestsnt Methodists and other denominations held sei-vices in the township at various times, but did not maintain any permanent organization, and the only religious orders represented here by church edifices are those named in the foregoing paragi-aphs.

The chief industry, outside of agricultural pursuits, in this township, has always been the saw-mill enterprise. During the days of the early settlement, a large amount of really valuable timber was wasted, since there were no mills in operation to convert it into available shape, and no railroads for transportng it to market. With later years, however, eame a demand for timber of all kinds, and a steam saw-mill was set in operation on the land of Daniel Baker. This, however, was only a temporary affair, and, after a few yeai's, was removed to another locality. The first mill of a permanent character was established by John Shaffer, in 1802. This was a steam saw-mill, erected on the farm of Ml-. Shafifer, in the north part of the township. He continued to operate it dm-ing his life, sometimes associated with pai-tners, but principally alone: and after his death it was piu'chased by Frank Burgett, by whom it is now operated. This, and the steam saw-miil owned and operated by John A. Black, are the only mills now in the township.

The first tile factory, and perhaps the only one in the township, was erected by Francis Thompson in 18(i9. He built the shed and kiln on his own farm, and was engaged in the manufacture of tile for eleven years. He abandoned the enterprise in IN70. and has since had no successor in this undertaking.

Aside from the establishments above referred to, agricultural j)ursuits engage the attention and occupy the time of ihe citizens of this township, which is essentially rural in all its features. Its soil is rich and fertile, and its agricultural statistics make it compare favorably with other townships of the county. During the season of 1881. there were 1,0'25 acres of wheat in the township, from which were gathered 82,725 bushels, an average of .seventeen bushels per acre; 1,700 acres ]ilanted in corn yielded 43,132 bushels; 300 acres of oats yielded 7.500 bushels; 305 acres of meadow yielded 547 tons of hay; while 14 acres of Irish potatoes yielded 504 bushels.

Adam Blin

A<lam Blin is of German descent, and was born in Warren County, Ohio, on the 25th day of Msu-ch, 1832. His parents, George Blin and Susannah (Kisling) Blin, were also natives of Ohio. In 1853, on the 13th day of October, the subject of this sketch was joiuoil in marriage to Miss M. J. Mi Itonberger. Twc. years lalrr. in IS.-.ri. they c-ii. ignited to Cass County, Ind. In IS(12, aftiT a li;ii.|.v iinir.ii of ni,,,. years, blessed by the birth of one child (at present the wife of Nathaniel Wild) Mr. Blin had the misfortune to lose his wife by death. January 28, 1804. he was again married, this time to Miss H. J. High, a resident of Cass County - a union which has resulted in seven children. Soon after his second marriage. Mr. Blin removed to a point near the center of Madison Township. Carroll County, and took up bis residence on the farm which he still owns and resides upon. In 1800, he was elected Trustee of Madison Township, and. faithfully and capably serving the first term, he was reelected in 1808. occupying the position, in all. five years.

Mr. Blin and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. In polities, he is a Democrat, but, to use his own apt expression, in his political opinions he is not " hide-bound." He has always followed the laudable vocation of farming, owning today a body of the choicest land in the country, numbering 324 acres.

IMi'. Blin is a man of sobriety and industry. By the simple force of his upright conduct, he exerts in his neighborhood a wide moral influence. Toward his family he has always exhibited the utmost kindness and devotion. Without pretentiousness, he is at the same time a respected and worthy citizen.

John Q. Miller

John Q. Miller was born in Fail-field County. Ohio, December 21, 1820. His parents. Christian and Martha Miller, were both reared in that county, having emigrated thither with their parents. His father was a farmer, and followed that occupation at the old homestead until death. He died in September. 1872, his wife having died several years previously,

John, their sou. grew up under circumstances not the most encouraging. His educational advantages were limited, and he was compelled to depend, in great measure, upon his own resources for whatever knowledge he obtained. The farm was small, and each of the sons contributed his labor in the home economy. At the age of eighteen, each of the boys, in tura, became apprentices at some mechanical trade, and one of the elder brothers subsequently erected a blacksmith- shop on the home farm. With this brother Mi-. Miller began to learn the trade, at the age of eighteen. He remained with him three years, during which time he acquired proficiency as a blacksmith. At the end of his apprenticeshijj, he desired to go abroad and earn his living by the practice of his trade; and. lacking a little of his majority, he asked his father's consent to the project. The latter did not. refuse to let him go, but intimated that he was not competent to earn his way in the world, and said, among other discouraging things, " You will come home barebacked in a short time." With these words ringing in his ears, young Miller left home. They stimulated his ambition and tired his determination; and who can know how much they had to do with all his after life? In Hancock County, Ohio, he at once found employment with a blacksmith, for whom he worked at the rate of SIO per month. After a short time, work grew scarce, and Mr. Miller suggested to his employer that he would like to attend school, if the latter would board him for such work as he could do before and after school hours. This proposition was accepted, but he was only permitted to attend school for sixteen days, as the shop was then full of work, and his services were again in demand. At this juncture, he formed a partnership with his employer, which continued for nearly two years. In the meantime, he lived well, but not extrav agantly. and at the same time saved money. He procured a tine suit of clothos, ami with SI 71) as tho savings from his two yi>ars' work, retiu-neil homo, a living refutation of his father's prediction. The latter was pleased with the result, and was quick to acknowledge his misconception of his son's character. Shortly after retiu'ning to his home. Mr. Miller went to work at his trade in the shop formerly occupied by his brother, who had then removed to another county. Here he worked with a will, and, as a consetpience, earned and saved money. He was maiTied. on the 5th of June, \'^'i\. to Miss Elizabeth Hiestand. daughter of David Hiestand. Esq., a highly respected citizen of Fairfield County, -Ohio, and, at a later date, of Carroll County. Ind. In September, 1852, Mr. Miller came to Carroll County with his wife, and located upon a tract of twenty acres in Madison Township. His laud was not only covered with a wilderness - it was also low and wet. He first saw it after an unusually wet season, and, consequently, under the most unfavorable circumstances. But the prospect was not cheerful, at best. To add to his troubles, his best horse died on the second night after his awival here, and, owing to the expense incident to moving and getting ready for housekeeping, he found himself unable to buy another; so for two years, he was compelled to hire a horse of one of his neighboi-s, to take the place of the one dead. In spite of discom'agements, he toiled cheerfully on, and during that winter cleai'ed a portion of his land and set out an orchard. Little by little, in after years, he added to his farm by the purchase of adjacent lands, until it comprised 1*20 acres, the lai'ger portion of which is now cleared and under a fine state of cultivation. Among the important improvements which he has instituted are the ditches that underlie his fai-m, adding so lai-gely to its value and fertility. By a due observance of economy, coupled with the most tireless industry and energy, Mr. Miller has advanced from the rank of a poor boy to that of an opulent fai'mer. And, while he has been advaneng in worldly prosperity, he has not neglected his higher duties. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has always lived consistently with his profession- He is recognized among all who know him as an upright, honorable man, and all his dealings with his fellow-men are conducted upon the fairest principles.

His noble wife has been an important assistant in his progress, and still siu'vives to shai"o with him the comforts of his prosperity, as she shai'ed the hai'dships of the early years in the wilderness of Madison Township, Their wedded life has been blessed by eight childi'en - Franklin P., Ada M.. David R.. Cassie v., Amelia J., Walter A., Clnistiau O. and Viola G., all of whom now survive.

Francis Thomson

James Thomson, grandfather of the subject of this review, was born in Ediubm'gh, Scotland; emigi'ated to America, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The father of Francis Thomson, a farmer, whose- Chi-istiau name also was James, was born in Mifflin County, Penn.; moved, in 1811. to Georgetown, Brown Co., Ohio, here becoming intimately acquainted with Jesse R. Grant, father of Gen. Grant, and subsequently, in the fall of 1835, removed to Madison Township, Can-oil County, Ind.. where he died August 9, 1838. Anna (Scott) Thomson, mother of Francis Thomson, was a native of Pennsylvania.

Francis Thomson, a fanner also, and the owner and proprietor of 500 acres of fertile land in Cai'roll County. 100 acres of which is the best tile-drained land in the county, is of Scotch- Irish lineage, and was born in Brown County, Ohio, May '28, 1820. A boy in yeai's when his father settled in the township, from a dense wilderness of timber and swamj), by tile and ax, and the stm'dy might of the pioneer, the homestead has been redeemed, and converted into a rich and valualile fai-m property. For about twelve years, Mr. Thomson, supplementally to his fai'm labors, has extensively engaged in the manuf actm'e and sale of drain tiles. On the 5th day of March. 18-tO. he was married to Charlotte Moore, a native of the State of New York. Fom- childi-en ai-e the fi'uits of this union - Isabella (wife of Dr. Cochi'an), James, Josephine (married) and Charles M. Both Mr. and Mi-s. Thomson are Presbyterians. Politically, Francis Thomson is a Republican, and for years has taken an active interest in the success of his party. Socially, he is a man of irreproachable character and integrity, and possessing a goodly supply of broad common sense. The latch-string of his heart, as well as home, is on the outside, and the guest of " Frank " Thomson finds a ready and a cheerful welcome.

Location, Boundaey, Etc

Kock Creek is situated in the northern part of Carroll County, and is bounded on the north by Cass County, east by Washington Township, on the south by Jackson and Deer Creek Townships, while the Wabash River forms its boundary line on the west. Rock Creek, the principal stream, flows almost due west through the township, until it reaches a point in Section 36. Here it diverges to the north, and, maintaining this course for a little over two miles, discharges into the Wabash at the northern extremity of Section 19. Along the course of this stream, the scenery, while not grand or imposing, is strikingly picturesque and charming. The general character of the surface throughout the township is a gently imdulating upland, sloping gradually to the creek bottoms in some places, in others, terminating in bluff banks, which in many instances have an altitude of fifty or sixty feet above the bed of the stream, and are lined with a rocky fac ing, which, no doubt, gave the creek the name it bears. Overhanging these cliifs on either side are tall forest trees, in all (heir ancient glory, their wealth of foliage reflected in the stream below, frowning back the inquisitive beams of the sun, and forming delightfully cool and romantic nooks along the line of this otherwi.'ie intensely practical stream - for be it remembered that Rock Creek was not suffered to roam at will for a long period after its haunts had been vacated by the red denizens of other days, and a race of pioneers had succeeded them aa the occupants of the land. Its career was so checked and controlled by dams as to become the instrument, in the hands of its masters, for tiirning the machinery of the mills which appeared almost simultaneously with the settlement of the township; and, throughout the intervening years, the excellent water-power it affords has been similarly utilized. This blending of the romantic with the practical, the ancient beauty with the modern utility of the stream, forms a pretty pictiu-e. and a profitable study for the artist or poet, while the primeval forests near its rocky banks relieve the monotonyof the finely cultivated fields, which, throughout the township, bear their eloquent testimony to the skill, fortitude and endurance of our pioneers.

Besides Rock Creek, there are several small streams or branches, nearly all of which are tributaries of this stream, only two or three of the number discharging into the Wabash. The undulating character of the land affords an excellent natural drainage, rendering this pre-eminently an agricultural township. By an act of the first Board of County Commissioners of Carroll County, Rock Creek became a civil township, and, by the boundaries then established, it was made to include nearly all of what is now Clinton Township, in Cass County. Four years later (1832), at a session of the Board of Commissioners, its boundaries were so amended as to leave it in its present shape, except that a tier of sections in the southern extremity were subsequently assigned to Deer Creek Township by the same authority.

The act by which Rock Creek was erected into a civil township passed the Board of Commissioners on the 12th of May, 1828. From the fact of its recognition at that time, it is pre- ' sumable that there were then living within its limits a sufficient number of settlers to conduct a civil government. It will be remembered, however, that a gi-eat portion of this township, as then described, lay in what is now within the jurisdiction of Cass County, and consequently out of the province of our work. Certain it is that, while the territory now embraced under the name of Rock Creek Township had witnessed the advent of the white man as early as the year 1 825, there were not a sufficient niunber in 1828 to entitle it to an organization, unless those be included who were living in the subsequently organized county of Cass. In 1825, John Kuns, a former resident of Montgomery County, Ohio, came to the township with his family, and entered the southwest fraction of Section 26, in Town 26 north. Range 2 west. Surrounded here by a dense forest, he constnioted a little cabin, in which his family could find shelter, and began the work of hewing out a farm. He was almost alone in this undertaking, his only neighbor being Aaron Merriman, who came to the township about the same time. Mr. Kuns was a strong, resolute man, and persevered in the labor he had undertaken, until he had cleared the greater portion of his land. In later years, he sold out and removed to the State of Illinois, where he continued to reside until death.

Aaron Merriman was also accompanied by a family. He was an industrious man and a good neighbor, and cleared the farm now owned by the heirs of Absalom Parks. He was not identified long with the history of this locality, as he moved away, and nothing fai'ther was heard from him.

Jacob Kuns, a brother of John, came to the township in 1826, and entered a tract of land in Section 19. He was accompanied by his wife, throe sons and a niece. He cleai'ed the fai-m now owned by Charles Wilson, and subsequently purchased a tract of 230 acres, now owned by Charles Parks. For a period of twenty-seven years, he was a prominent citizen of the township, and bore a full share in its public and private improvements. In 1853, he removed to Cass County, where he still resides. Of the sons who accompanied him to this township, all are now living. The eldest resides in the State of Iowa, two in Cass County, and one at Camden, CaiToll County.

After the yem' 1826, we find no chronicle of further arrivals until 1829. Chiu-h's M. Silence came in tiiat yeai% and leased a tract of land that Emimuel Flora had previously entered. In 1834, he entered the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 29, and converted it into a good farm. He was known as an honest, hard-working man, and was highly respected. He finally removed to another locality, where he died.

Old Home

farmer, aud became a very popular man. He served with credit as one of the Associate Judges of CaiToll County. His brother David met a melancholy death, just before or just after a hunting exciu'sion. While blowing into the muzzle of a gun, his foot slipped fi-om the hammer, and the charge entered his mouth, penetrating the brain, killing him instantly. The brothers Mc Combs were industi-ious men. and cleared a tine farm. Their faUier was a physician in Ohio, but died prior to the removal to the family to the West; aud his wife, althoxigh not a regular practitioner, possessed a sufficient knowledge of medicine to render her services very useful in the settlement.

During the year 1830 there were several new and valuable accessions to the settlement. John Farneman came fi-om Ohio in that year, and entered a tract of land in Section 6. He was a member of the German Baptist Church, aud it was at his house that the early meetings of that denomination were held. He clemed a farm on the banks of Kock Creek, upon which he erected a saw-mill at an early day. and was identified with the growth and improvement of the township until his death. Two of the chikh-en who accompanied him thither ai-e still living in this coimty. viz. ; Isaac, and Esther, wife of Eli Youug.

John Corder came in 1S30 and settled in Section 21. He cleared a portion of the farm he entered, but was not long identified with the township, as he removed to another locality. George Kiuis, the father of Jacob, came in the same year (1830), accompanied by Emanuel Flora, his son-in-law. Both cleared and improved farms, upon which they resided for a number of years. Mr. Kuns died on his farm, while Mr. Flora removed to Cass County, where he spent the remainder of his life.

Aaron and John Hickman came late in 1829 or early in 1830. Both were local minister of the New-Light Christian Church, aud conducted religious services at their houses. They remained in the township long enough to clear small farms, which they cultivated for a few years, finally removing to another locality.

In the spring of 1830. Samuel Williamson came from Pennsylvania and entered the west fractional part of the northwest quarter of Section 31. The site was well chosen for milling operations, as Rock Creek flows across the tract he selected. He brought with him a practical millwright, by the name of Graybill, and at once began the erection of a saw-mill. In the following autiunn. Mr. Williamson came with his family to live on his land. He improved it. and cultivated his farm until his decease. In addition, he utilized the timber removed from his grounds in the process of clearing by sawing it into lumber, and conducting a profitable, though somewhat limited, lumber trade. A few years later, he abandoned the saw-mill, and erected a good flouring-mill in its stead. His sons. David. John S. and Joseph .1., all entered land in Section 31, and cleared farms. Joseph A. still cultivates the farm he then entered. David resides at Camden, while John S. is deceased.

Prior to the arrival of the Williamsons, Alex Siers came to the township and entered the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 34. He cleared his land and cultivated it until his death. It is said that he was very fond of the chase, and was the slayer of great numbers of deer and other game with which the forests abounded, and that he was particularly successful as a bee hunter.

Thomas Millard was one of the settlers of 1830. He came shortly after the family of Samuel Williamson, and entered land in several sections, his possessions reaching a total of several hundred acres. It was remarked of him that he was a very hard worker, and his wife was as industrious as himself, often taking a hand in the labor of cleai-ing and chopping. They were good citizens, and succeeded in making a fine farm, upon which they lived for a number of years. They subse<(uently removed to Iowa but finally retiuned to Indiana and In -ite 1 in Ciss County, where both died.

Moses Scott came to the township with his kinsman, Alex Siers. He was an industrious man. but did not purchase land until 1835. He worked for others, and proved himself a valuable hand in clearing and chopping. After a few yeai-s he removed to one of the Western States, where all trace of him is lost. Other settlers of the year 1830 were Lewis Neff and William Atkinson. Isham Atkinson came in the following year, and all were more or less prominently identified with the settlement and improvement of the township. Isham Atkinson was a preacher of the New Light Christian persuasion, and. while otherwise a very good kind of a man. it is said that he would sometimes yield to the temi>tation of drinking, and find himself much the worse for his indulgence. About that time, the old town of Tiptonsport, with its tavern and groggery, and its convivial society, offered allurements to a man resting from a day's hard work, and many good men of the settlement became victims.

Families continued to join the settlement each season, and the scanty population of the township continued to receive valuable additions to its numbers. Prominent among those who came in 1831 were James Ralston, who settled immediately east of the present town of Rockfield in Section 0; Jacob Klepinger, who settled in Section 5; James W. Williams, in Section 9; Newman West, in Section 21; Jacob Riegel, in Section 2-t; Simon Mover and James Welch, in the same section; Charles Berkshire, in Section 26; and Robert Duelap and John Bozarth, in Section 34.

In 1832, John W. Draper entered a tract of land in Section 21, where he brought his family to live. He was of a roving disposition, and sold out and moved West after clearing a few acres of ground. William Creaghead settled in Section 23 in the same year, where he cleared and improved a farm. Robert and Matthew Ralston entered land in Section 22 in 1833, aud cleared and improved farms. Noah Mullin entered a tract of land in Section 33 in 1831, and came to live on his farm in 1834. He was. a diligent worker in his younger days, and amassed a competence for his old age. He now resides at Rockfield. and is one of the oldest survivors of the pioneer coimniuiity.

James Woodward came in October. 1835. accompanied by his wife and two children. He purchased the land entered by Moses Scott, on Rock Creek, and subsetiuently entered eighty acres for bimself. He has cleared and imi^roved a fine farm, which he still cultivates. Henry Kendall and family came soon after Mr. Woodward, and settled on Rock Freek, where they remained for a few years, finally retui-niug to Virginia. William Vermillion, a bachelor, and John H. Marshall, were living in the township when Mr. Woodward came, but the date of settlement is not known. Vermillion entered land in Section 26, in 1825, but it is' believed this was long anterior to the date of his settlement here. Solomon Graves came to the township in the spring of 1836; Philip Brobeck came in 1837; and John AV. AVharton came in 1838.

In the foregoing enumeration of settlers, the writer has endeavored to present, as nearly as possible, a full account of those who were most prominently identified with the early settlement and subsequent improvement of the township. If any omissions have been made, it must be attributed to the difficulty experienced in obtaining information, rather than to any disposition on his part to slight the work. From the tract book of Carroll County we are enabled to present the name of every pui'chaser of Government lands lying in this township; and while here, as elsewhere, large tracts were purchased by speculators, who were never residents; the majoirty of the names are those of actual settlers. Following is the list of purchasers:

Section 23 -William Creaghead, October 24, 1832; William Kendall, January It, 1835; Jesse Bowen. December 24, 1835; Stockwoll, Reynolds and White (of La Fayette, Ind.), 321) acres, June 15, 1836.

,\s previously stated. Rock Creek became a civil township by an order of the County Commissioners in May. 1828. It v^fas one of the four townships which formed the original county of Carroll, Deer Creek Township comprising all that pai't of Carroll County lying south of the north line of Section 10, Town 25 north; Tipj^ecanoe Township comprising all that part of CaiToll County lying northwest of the Wabash River, and south of the line dividing Townships 20 and 27 north, while Rock Creek was included within the following bounds: "Commencing where the north line of Section 10 crosses the Wabash River, thence east with said section line to the eartern boundary of the Great Miami Reservation, thence north with said reservation line to the center of Town 20 north, thence west eight miles to the southeast corner of Section 10, Town 20 north. Range 1 west, thence north until said line sti'ikes the River Wabash, thence down said river to the place of beginning." The fourth township organized at that session of the board was Eel Township, which lay entirely in what is now Cass County.

By an order of the board. Aaron Merriman' s house became the place where the elections were held; and. although the date of the firsl township election is not now known, it must have followed soon after the official act of the Commissioners, as the bonds of officers elected under the new organization were filed in the early sumnier of 1828. Isham Atkinson was the first Justice of the Peace, and served four years. .His successors from then until now have been as follows: 1834-30, John Grantham; 1,S37-4I). Matt Bonesteel, Alexander M. Townsend and Reuben G. Mimdy; 1840-44. John Ashtield; 1841-45. Alex M. Townsend and John Ashfield; 1845-49, John Guthrie; 1847-51, James Lamb; 1840-00, George Siers ; 1854-59, John Gutlu-ie; 1855-59, Enoch Stansell: 1850-00. Nathaniel Leonard; 1800-04, Henry Seibert; 1861-05, Isaac Farneman; 1867-71, James C. Penn; 1869-73. Reuben Cuinn and Elias Hewitt; 1870-74, Thomas L. Clark; 1872-70, William H. Siuton and John Briggs; 1876-81, John Briggs; 1877-81, John J. McGreevy; 1878, M. J. Mc- Greevy; 1880-81, John Briggs.

Among the earliest evidences of a progressive spirit on the part of the settlers was the establishment of schools for the benefit of their children. The method of maintaining these schools was like that usually employed in pioneer communities. A teacher was engaged, and his compensation was made up by contributions from the often scanty purses of the ptu'ents whose children attended the school - usually. $1,25 for each scholar. Imperfect as were the " subseriplion schools " of that period, they were yet the institutions in which some of the most substantial citizens of this county received their early impressions and acquired the elements of their education. The fii-st was taught l)y a Mi\ Thompson, dui'ing the winter of 1830-31. in a little log cabin on the farm of Isham Atkinson. This building was probably the one in which Mr. Atkinson made his temporary abode when he first came to the township. At any rate, it was of the roughest order of pioneer architecture, and utterly devoid of anything to promote the comfort of Ihe scholars. High, stiff benches, made of pLmcheons, formed the seats, without even a desk in front of them upon which the little ones might rest their elbows. A strip of greased paper to admit the light, and a fireplace half the width of the house, completes the description of this, the first temple of learning in Rock Creek Township, The severe demeanor of the teacher, added to the general cheerlessuess of the place, made it anything but homelike for the little ones under his care; for at that time it was thought necessai'v that the " master " should do an absolute monarch, and a thorouo-h knowledge of the use of the rod was thought to be as indispensable as the knowledge of reading, writing and "ciphering." " No lickin", no lai'nin'," seemed to be as much the prevailing maxim in our pioneer eommimity as in the Hoop-Pole Township of the "Hoosier Schoolmaster," What is true of one of the early schools of this township is equally true of all its successors, until the law of 1851-52 established the present system of free schools, supported by a direct tax.

About a year after the school was taught in the old cabin previously referred to. the citizens of the township erected a hewedlog building on the farm of John Farneman, and devoted it to school purposes, for which it was used until it began t» decay. George Siers taught school, during the winter of 1832-33, in a cabin on the farm of his brother Alex, In 1837. a hewed-log house was erected near the present site of Woodville. and was used for school purposes until it went to decay and was abandoned.

In this building, too, the early religious meetings were held, whenever a minister visited that part of the township. On the land of Thomas Millard a hewed-log schoolhouse was erected in the winter of 1830-4(1, and a similar building was erected on the John Guthrie faiTQ at an early day. The building on the Millard farm was succeeded, in a year or two. by a plain frame house, which was probably the first frame building ever erected in the township for school purposes, A schoolhouse of round logs was erected on the farm of Henry Bingaman in 1839 or 1840. and a Mr. MoBride taught school there during that winter. Several years later, this cabin was succeeded by a hewed-log building, and subse<juently by the frame building now known as Schoolhouse No. 0. In the winter of 1843 - 44. school was taught in a cabin on the farm of David Williamson, and similai- build-

The introduction of the present system of free schools marked an important era iu the educational history of the township, and if the tax for their maintenance at first met some opposition at the polls, all objections were soon removed as the advantages of improved educational facilities and better teachers began to manifest themselves. The schools are very justly a matter of pride to the citizens of the township, and no tax is more cheerfully paid than that by which they are suppported. There are nine districts in the township, each supplied with a substantial school buildiug. At Rockiield. a two-story brick building was erected in 1873, at a cost of about $4,000, and, in the following year, school was taught in the lower story of the building, the grades being a primary and an advanced department. Diu-ing the next yeai-, the upper story was completed, since which time the school has been divided into thi-ee departments or grades. Bailey Martin was the Principal at the last term (closing in April, 1881), and Misses Bettie Kempfler and Addie Williamson were the assistant teachers. The following abstract from the annual report of the Trustee exhibits the condition of the schools in the township:

Number of pupils admitted within the year, 53(5; average daily attendance, 249: number of disU-icts in which school is taught, 9; average compensation of teachers per day, males, S'2.23; females, 11.80; estimated value of schoolhouses, gi'ounds, etc., 19,890; estimated value of school apparatus, $300.

Religious meetings were held at an early day in various portions of the township, but it was some years before the religious element assumed the form of organization, Isham Atkinson -wa? a preacher of the New-Light Chi'istian denomination, and held public service at his own house and at the houses of other members of that denomination, and thus, for a number of years, the private houses and schools were made to serve in lieu of churches. As early as 1836, a class was organized by the Methodists at the house of Alex Siers; but, though they maintained their organization for a number of years, they never erected a chm-ch, and finally united with other classes organized in localities more convenient to the homes of the respective members. In later years, as the population of the townshiji increased, the various denominations foimd members among the settlers who arrived, and were oi-ganized, one by one.

The Christian (7i»/r/i. - As eai-ly. jierhaps. as 1836, this denomination was organized, and were holding meetings at private houses. About 1837 or 1838, they began to hold meeting's in the sehoolhouse at the present site of "W'oodville, where they continued to worship for a number of years. They erected a little log church at the village of Burrows, in which they worshiped until 1851 or 1852. At that time, they completed the present neat brick church, at the site of the old building, where regular meetings have ever since been conducted. Rev. Webster was the pastor prior to the meeting of the conference, in August, 1881.

The lindejielrt Molhndi^t Episcopal Church. -In 1872, the Methodist Episcopal denomination erected a frame house of worship at Rockfield. Several years anterior to this date, a class was organized in the village by Rev. Mr. Rule, and until the society was strong enough to erect a house, they worshiped in the church building now owned by the Cumberland Presbyterian Society.

Absalom Parks, upon which the present house of worship was erected in the same year, during the pastorate of Rev. T. F. Baker. The building is 36x50 feet, and was completed at a cost ofS2,150. During the intervening 3'ears, the congregation has continued to gi-ow and the chui-ch to strengthen. Meetings are held every Sunday, with preaching once every two weeks by Rev. A. J. Clifton, the minister in charge of the circuit to which this church belongs.

Tlie Roclcjield Cumherland Presbyterian Church. - In 1858 or 1859, the Cumberland Presbyterian society was organized at Rockfield, under Rev. A, Jones. The village sehoolhouse was used as the place for holding religious services for a period of eight years after organization, when a lot was secured in the southeast part of the village, upon which their present house of woi-ship was erected in 1867 or 1868. They manifested a very proper spirit by throwing their doors open to other denominations who were unable to erect churches for themselves. In the meantime the church has prospered, and the membership has increased until it numbers 175 souls at the present time. The church is now under the pastoral care of Rev. Bronson.

The Rock Creelc Cumberlaml Presbyterian Church. - Some time in the year 1839, the first society of this denomination in the township was organized in the barn of Samuel Williamson, by his son, Rev. Alexander Williamson. James Montgomery and wife, John McNulty and wife, Joseph A. Williamson and wife. William Martin and wife, Mrs. Nancy Williamson and six children, and J. W^ Wharton and wife, were among the constituent members of the society. In 1840, they erected a log chiu'ch, in which they conducted services for a period of eighteen years. In 1858, they erected T.heir present house of worship, a plain, substantial frame building. Services have been held almost continuously since the organization of the church, and the congregation has steadily increased. This church has now a membership of about one hundred and fifty souls, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Bronson.

Rockland Cumberland Presbyterian Church. - About the year 1850, a subscription was started among the citizens of the eastern part of the township for the pm-pose of raising money. with which to erect a church for the use of all denominations. The plan was successful, and with the money thus collected, a house of worshiji was built at the village of Woodville. Two or three year's later, a society of the Cirmberland Presbyterian denomination was organized under the labors of Rev. W. O. Smith, and the house became the property of this congi-egatiou. Among the membei-s at the date of organization were John Scott and wife, William P Martin and wife, Thomas L. Wasson and two sons. Mary I". Yit kes, Thomas Kendall, James Woodward, Samuel Thonip>oii ;\u'\ wife, Elizabeth Thompson, John C. Aldridge and wife, .John L. Thomas and wife, Mrs. Mary Huntsinger, John Brawford and wife, and others whose names are not at hand. The chiu-ch a( one time had as many as sixty members, but, owing to a vai'iety of causes, the organization has been greatly weakened, and for nearly a year there has been no preaching in this house.

The Woodville Universalist 6'/i(tre/i.. -In 1857 or 1858, a so ciety of this denomination was organized at Woodville, and shortly afterward, purchased a house that had previously been occupied as a store. This building was remodeled and converted into a house of worship, and the society gi'ew and prospered. In later yeai's, however, t began to decline, and for two years past no services have been held.

Rockfield Lodge, No. 301, I. O. O. F.--This lodge was organized on the 20th of November, 1867, with eleven charter members, viz.: H. K. Stauffer, A. S. McConnick, John Gregg, W. I. Huntsinger. Absalom Parks, AVilliam H. Stansell, H A. Bailey, A. M. Koop, M. B. Thompson, A. J. Williamson and Frederick Kronun. The first officers of the lodge were: A.J.Williamson, N. G.; H. K. Stauffer. V. G.; John Gregg, E. S.; W. I. Huntsinger, P. S.; A. S. McCormick, Treasm-er, The lodge meetings were originally held in a little fi-ame cottage at Rockfield, and later, the second story of Huntsinger & McDonald's brick building was rented for tjiat pm'pose. In 1870, t' e lodge erected a substantial brick building opposite the depot, at an expense of $4,300, in the second story of which they have a beautiful lodge room. The lodge is in good working order, while its finances are in a satisfactory condition the resources aggregating $5,057.40. The present oiScers are: F. M. Logan, N. G. : James M, Hildebrand, V. G.; J. S. Steel, Secretaiy; J. N. Cline, Treasurer.

Leah Lodge, No. 48, D. of R., is in good working order, with forty-five active members. Its oflficers are: G. W. Beal. N. G. ; Miss Ida Penn, Secretary: Mrs. Amanda Gregg, Treasurer.

The lodge room is situated in the second story of the Kerlin building, on the principal street of the village. The lodge is in good working order, and comfortable financially. The present officers are: J. W. Been, N. G. ; S. H. Linton, V. G.; J. W. Stewart, R. S.; O. N. Glasscock, P. S.; John Hynes, Treasurer.

Rockfield Lodge. No. oil, A., F. & A. M., was organized in the Spring of 1878, with seven charter members, viz. : Lewis Van Gundy, Chm-les Stansell, Dr. Powell, William Stansell, S. T. Barnes, E. W. Lake and Dr. W. F. Sharrer. The first election for officers resulted in the choice of the following gentlemen: William Stansell, W. M.; S. T. Barnes, S. W.; Dr. Powell, J. W. ; Dr. W. F. Shan-er, Secretary; Charles Stansell, Treasurer. The lodge is now in prosperous circumstances and good working order. The lodge room is in the second story of the McDonald & Huntsinger building, at Rockfield.

Industriai, Puksuits

The saw-mill erected by Samuel Williamson, in the spring of 1830, was the firet industrial establishment in the township, and the grist-mill erected on the same site is believed to have been the first gi-ist-mill in the township. In 1831 or 1832. a saw-mill was erected by Emanuel Flora, at his farm on Rock Creek. Attached to this he had a carding machine, and operated a woolenmill on a small scale. In 1840, ]\Ir. Flora removed to Cass County, Ind , and the mill property was bought by John Mullendore, who operated the saw-mill until it was worn out. In 1848, IVL. Mullendore erected on this site a fine flom-ing-mill, 3(3x40 feet, thi-ee stories high, exclusive of the basement. After operating it successfully for a number of years, he sold it to Solthy K. Timmons, and it subsequently passed, at various times, to the hands of David Pai-ks, Sr., Absalom Parks, Spencer Biddle and

Jacob M. Anderson. After the decease of >Ir. Anderson, it was purchased from his heirs by Daugherty & Mertz. In 1871, Alfi-ed J. Anderson purchased the interest of 1\L-. Mertz, since which time the firm name has been Daugherty & And arson. This mill is supplied with water-power from Rock Creek, and also with boiler and engine, and steam-power is resorted to in case of a failure of the water supply.

Numerous saw-mills have from time to time been operated in the township, but many of this number were of the portable order, and could scarcely be counted among the institutions of the township, as they were subject to fi-equent removals. The saw-mill at Rockfield was erected in 1855 or 1850, by Genter Brothers, who sold it to Isaac Farneman in 18(50 or 18(U. In 18()0, McCormick & Stauffer bought the mill, and have continued to operate it ever since. In February, 1874, it was destroyed by fire, but was immediately rebuilt and furnished with imjiroved machinery, consisting of three circular saws, edging and cross-cut saws, etc. They employ twenty -two men, and saw an average of 7,000 feet of lumber daily. Other manufacturing enterprises have been represented in tile township, but only on a small scale. As early as -1833, there was a brick-kiln constructed on the farm of Emanuel Flora, but this never grew to be an enterprise of great importance. A tannery was erected by Joseph Rickard in 1842 or 1843, at the farm of Thomas Millard, on Rock Creek, and operated until it outlived its usefulness and was abandoned. Besides th? saw-mills previously mentioned, there were two others erected at an early day - one near the mouth of Rock Creek, erected by a Mr. Laish in 1834 or 1835, and the other was erected on Rock Creek by Valentine Brown, in 1837 or 1838. The last-named never attained its completion, as a winter freshet in the creek washed away the dam before the building was finished.

Agricultural jnirsuits form the chief industry of the township, and in the amount and quality of its products. Rock Creek compares favorably with other townships of the coimty. The official returns for 1880 give the following figm-es: There were 4,458 acres of wheat in that year, yielding 89,100 bushels; 2,094 acres in corn, yielding 05,430 bushels; 580 acres in oats, yielding 14,- 050 bushels; 024 acres of meadow, yielding 1,248 tons of hay; 30 acres of Irish potatoes, yielding 750 bushels.

Frjiit culture has never been a leading feature in the industrial piu-suits of the township, if we except the cultivation of a]iples, which are raised quite successfully.

Rockfield. - This is the largest and most entei-prising village in the township. It is situated on the line of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway, and was founded after that road was constructed. It contains three general merchandise stores, of which D. Harmon & Co. , A. M. Rankin and A. W. Powell are the I'espective proprietors ; two meat markets, conducted by Levi Turner and James Perm, resj)ectively ; one restaurant and bakeiy, of which E. A. McKennon is the proprietor; one drug store, conducted by Van Gundy & Gregg; one hotel, of which John Newell is the proprietor. Drs. J. Newell, W. F. Sharrer, and Powell & Newell, are the practicing physicians; F. Kromm is a blacksmith and dealer in agricultural implements; J. H. Cullen is the village wagon-maker; William H. Thompson, cabinet-maker and undertaker; James Newell, blacksmith; Mrs. W. Ray. milliner; and Mrs. A. Thompson deals in millinery, boots and shoes. N. W. Van Gundy deals in grain, and Van Gundy & Stansell in live stock, while McCormick & Stauffer operate the saw-mill.

Burroii-s. - This is a station on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific] Railroad. It has two general stores, kept by Scholl & Mc- Gireevy and Edwin Lowe, respectively; one drug store, by Mc- Cormiek & Orrahood; one photographic gallery, of which J. H. Smith is proprietor; one saw-mill, owned and operated by W. J. McGreevy. Dr. C. .L. Souder and Dr. J. W. Stewart are the practicing physicians; J. J. Stanley and W. H. Linton are the practicing attorneys; John Fielder, blacksmith: Daniel Johnsonbaugh, wagon-maker; and Joseph Albert, boot and shoe maker, are the representative mechanics of the village, and H. A. Grant is a contractor and builder.

On the north line of the township, a town was platted and laid out b}' Lawrence Genter, to which was given the name of Burrows. This was when the Wabash Railway was first constructed, and for awhile there was a fair prospect that Burrows would become a town of some importance. Mr. Genter erected a sawmill, and made good use of the timber on his land. Subsequently, he sold the entire tract to Dr. G. W. Jerolman, of Logansport. He transferred it to Steele & Co., who erected a stave factory and used up more of the timber. Later, Dr. Jeroloman instituted legal proceedings against Steele & Co., and finally regained possession of the land, in default of the payment of his claim. The town lots were subsequently vacated, and the post oflSce was removed to the present village of Burrows.

Tiptonsport was the name of a village established in the township in the days of the first settlement. It had a store, kept by Philip Pollard, who was afterward a prominent citizen of Logansport; and blacksmiths, wagon-makers and other mechanics settled there, and added their industry to the interest of the town. It was believed that the Wabash & Erie Canal (then recently projected) would pass through the town; but when it was known that the canal would be constructed on the opposite side of the river, the prosperity of Tiptonsport began to wane; its merchants and mechanics sought other localities, and within a few years the village ceased to be. Its public square is obscured by well-tilled fields, and but few landmarks remain to indicate its site.

Woodville is scarcely less a relic of the past than Tiptonsport, and was founded with the same high hopes. About the year 1852, a tract of land was purchased near the center of Section 35, by Mr. Earhart, one of the surveyors engaged in running the line of the old Logansport Railroad. A store was opened by Clem Wood, while blacksmiths and other mechanics came to pursue their vocations and share the prosperity of the town. But the railroad company failed, and the jjrospects of the town suffered a change for the worse. To-day it is a dreary. looking hamlet. There are two church buildings, a schoolhouse and a few cottages, but no stores.

HIKAM GREGG, Commissioner. The subject of this review has just completed his second term as Commissioner of Carroll County, having been chosen to act in that official capacity from District No. 1, and as a candidate of the Republican piu-ty. first, in the October election, 1S74, and again in the fall of 1877. The verdict of the people is that he has made a satisfactory Commissioner. In the discharge of his duties he has been firm but courteous, supjilying the needs of the county with imi)artinl hand, and having at heart always the best interests of the whole jioople. May the party in the future be us successful in its choice of men to fill this arduoiis and often disagreeable position as it has been in the selection of Mr. Gregg. Hiram Gregg was born in Warren County, Ohio, on the 20th day of December,' 1828, his father, William Gregg, being of Irish descent, and his mother, Susannah (Millard) Gregg, of Quaker lineage, and a native of Pennsylvania. In November, 1853, he emigrated from Ohio to the Hoosier State, taking up his residence originally in Deer Creek Township, whence, in 1863, he removed to his present home, in Rock Creek Township. In occupation he is a farmer, owning and managing with skill one of the best farms in his township. In 1852, on the 29tLi day of December, he was joined in man-iage, at Dayton. Ohio, to Amanda E. Crosley, a native of Montgomery County, in that State. Six children - Emma J. (wife of I. L. Groniger), William C, John H., Lewis F., Kelly S., Delia F. - have been born of this union. Mr. Gregg is a member of the Rockfield Lodge, I. O. O. F., and in the course of his membership has filled all the chairs of the subordinate lodge of that order, and in the Grand Lodge of Indiana, in 1872, he represented the Rockfield Chapter.

Ml'. Gregg had not the fortune of a school education, yet he possesses the intelligence of a self-made man - an intelligence acquired by reading and mixing with men of recognized ability.

In disposition he is somewhat retiring, shunning and disliking notoriety. In his own community, he is thoroughly respected as a citizen and companion. In his dealing with men he is straightforward and manly. No better or more desirable man resides in Rock Creek Township.

John C. Gregg

Among the sturdy, reputable citizens of Rock Creek Township, no one claims a greater share of neighborly confidence or commands greater respect for a life of industry and integrity than the subject of this biographical sketch. John C. Gregg is the son of Aaron Gregg and Elizabeth (Milard) Gregg, and was born in Deer Creek Township, Carroll County, Ind., on the 6th day of March, 1838. His mother, who was a sister of the mother of Hiram Gregg, was a native of Pennsylvania, of the Quaker persuasion, and his father, who was the brother of the father of Hiram Gregg (two brothers having married two sisters), was bom in Ohio.

Receiving in his boyhood days only the limited educational opportunities afibrded by the district schools, he has availed himself, in later years, of the education which comes fi-om the reading of choice books on general information; and, feeling his own deficiencies in that direction, he is more than ever solicitous that his children shall have no cause for like regrets in their future.

Moving in the footsteps of an honorable ancestry, he has been content to follow the even tenor of his way as a farmer, and, marked by the broad, green acres which he calls his own, he has made that calling a success. In the month of March, 1863, he was joined in wedlock to Miss C. M. Newell, a native of Fountain County, Ind., and the daughter of a farmer. They have three childi-en - Elmer, Anna and Grace. Mr. Gregg, as well as his estimable wife, are members of the Presbyterian Church.

In )iolitics, Mr. Gregg is, and has been since its fonnation, a member of the Rejniblican party, never, however, taking an activ(> part in political labors. He is a shrewd and earefvil business man, managing his own private affairs successfully and remuneratively, and at the same time dealing honorably and justly with his brother-man. Society would be bettered by more of the same stamp of men and citizens.

The subject of this biographical sketch is of Scotch descent, and was born August 23, iSld, in Loudoun County, Va. His grandfather, John Glasscock, who died in 1822, at the ripe old age of ninety-thi'ee yeare, was born and reared in the shadow of Glasgow. Scotland; emigrated to this country and served as an officer of a Ijght-horse company in the American Army during the entire period (seven years) of the Revolutionary war. His father, Gregory, and mother, Elizabeth (White), were natives of Loudoun County, Va., the former a soldier in the war of 1812, and participating in the battle of Baltimore. In 1818, when the subject of this review was thi'ee years old, his ])arents removed to Fleming County, Ky., and one year later to Brown County, Ohio, where, after a short residence, both died. In 1838, James W., making the trip by way of the Ohio and Wabash Elvers, came to Carroll County, Ind., locating first in the section of the county subsequently called Monroe Township, whence he removed, in 18()5, to Eock Creek Township, living in the latter place to the present time.

His educational advantages were exceedingly limited. At the age of twelve years, he had not received a month's schooling, and after this age, his entire attendance did not exceed twenty months, four of these being imder John B. White, in Georgetown, Brown Co., Ohio, ex-President II. S. Grant, then seven years old, being a pupil in attendance at the same school.

Mr. Glasscock has been married twice - in 1837, to Jane B. Salisbury, in Brown County, Ohio, who died in 18r)(5: and in 1857, to Eliza Landens, a former pupil of his, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1821. The fruits of his former marriage were six children, the two eldest sons being soldiers and martyrs in the late war. Thomas H, enlisted first, in the three-months' service, in the Twentieth Illinois (Zouave) Eegiment, and subsequently in the three-years' service. A(, the time of his enlistment, he was attending school at Joliet, 111. Harvey M. (second son) was a member of Capt. Gaddis' independent company, afterward attached to the Third Indiana Cavalry, Volunteer Regiment.

In religion, he, as well as Mrs. Glasscock, are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is an ardent Eepublican, having originally been a member of the Democratic party, but parting comjjany with that organization on the formation of the Eepublican party. As a member of the party, he has never sought position, but was elected to the office of Commissioner of Carroll County in 1866, and served a fraction over three years. While living in Monroe Township, he served as Trustee three years, about the time of the organization of the township,' and, at a still later date, five years, and yet still later, one year - in all, nine years in that one capacity. In 1839 and 184(1, Mr. Glasscock engaged in the avocation of teaching school, and in the early part of his life having privately studied the theory of mechanics, he worked, as the occasion gave him opportunity, in the business of building houses and barns, but his real occupation in life is and has been that of farming.

Nearing the allotted threescore years and ten, but still hale and vigorous, he is in the sti'ictest sense of the phrase a representative citizen. Temperate and industrious, a friend of education and an encourager of the young, he is declared by those who know him best to be a large-hearted neighbor and a faithful father and husband.

Mrs. Sarah Ann H.Ardy

She was born February 8, 1831, in Montgomery County, Ohio, and was the oldest of eight children. About (jue year subsequent to the arrival of her father in Eock Creek Township - on November 4, 1854 - she became the bride of Arthiu- McCain, son of Daniel McCain, of Deer Creek Township. During a brief time, their union was a happy one, but the fell destroyer forbade its long continuance. That fond husband died August 6, 1855. A little son, Arthur W., was the fruit of this marriage. He lives at this time in Deer Creek Township. Again, October 5, 1858, she formed a matrimonial alliance with Mi'. John Hardy, son of John Hardy, Sr., of Washington Township. Mr. Hardy was a native of Juniata County, Penu., and was born July 11, 1816. By this union, she became the mother of three childi-eu, viz. : Laiu'a E., Elmer and Frank L. The former is the wife of Dr. John ShaiTer, of Burnettsville, White Co., Ind. Frank L. still lives with his mother at Eockfield, Ind., the two younger, Elmer and Frank L., both being single. But this home was again to be shrouded in sorrow. Mi'. Hardy departed this life May 20, 1871. Thus a second time the subject of our sketch was left a widow, and her children fatherless. Both comj)anious had been kind and affectionate, and hence wedded life with each had been agreeable. They were both men of fine qualities, highly esteemed by the community in which they lived.

As to property, .she is comfortably situated. She has a pleasant home at Eockfield, a view of which is herein represented^ besides owning a farm of 240 acres in Deer Creek Township. Arthur W. McCain, her oldest son, is now the head of a family, and has charge of this fai-m. His wife was before marriage, Miss Laura Atkison, daughter of William Atkison, of Eock Creek Township.

Asbury McCormick was born on the Sterling farm, in Deer Creek Township, Carroll County, Ind., on the 2d of February. 1844. His mother, Matilda McCormick, was a daughter of the venerable Thomas Sterling. Her death occuiTed in 1864. Dennis McCormick, his father,, was a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and died in Kokomo, Ind., from an injury received by the fall of a lumber-kiln, when the boy Asbury was but two years old. Passing the years of his boyhood in the alternating duties of fai'iu work and district school attendance, with two terms at the public schools of Delphi, at the age of seventeen, his youthful heart, fired by the insult to the American flag in the attempted secession of twelve Southern States, on the 4th of August, 1861, he enlisted in Company A (Capt. John B. Milroy) of the Ninth Indiana Eegiment Volunteer Infantry, and went to the front, there to endure fatigue and suffering with a heroic fortitude worthy of matm'er years. His official discharge contains the following complimentary indorsement : " In battle, he displayed coolness, brav.ery and intelligence, and in evei'y duty was prompt and faithful, proving himself the true man and soldier. (Signed) Thomas Madden, Company A, Ninth Indiana." He was present and participated in the following list of more important battles: Greenbrier and Buffalo Mountain, West Virginia; Green Eiver, Kentucky; Pittsburg Landing and Stone Eiver, Tennessee, and Chickamauga, Georgia. At the battle of Stone Eiver. January 1, 1863, he received a wound fi'om a bullet striking him in the left side and glancing off and passing through his left thigh. On the 21st of

September, 1863, at the battle of Chiukamauga, together with twenty-foiir other members of the Ninth Regiment, he was made a prisoner of war. Two days after the battle, and at night, they were taken in a body to Belle Isle, thence to Smith's Prison (opposite Libby), and from there to Danville, Va.. where the winter of 18C3-{)4 was passed without the luxury of even so much as a spark of fire. At this point they were separated, young McCormick. with several others, being conveyed to the prison at Andersonville - a prison made famous by reason of atrocities to Union soldiers. At Andersonville he remained six months. From here, under tire of Gen. Gilmore's battery, he was taken to the Chai'lestown jail, thence to Florence, S. C, and back once more through Charlestown to Savannah, and in the latter city paroled, on the 30th of November, 1804. At Annapolis, Md., after leaving prison, his weight was ninety-eight pounds, a loss from his weight at the time of capture of about fifty pounds. Of the twenty-iive Union soldiers who were made prisoners together, only two (the subject of this sketch and Elias Minnickj came back to enjoy the land whose unity and liberty they fought so nobly to preserve. Indeed, but one lived to see the result of that terrible conflict, for Minnick died shortly after his retiu-n home. The others perished in Belle Isle. Libby and Andersonville. After his parole, Asbm-y McCormick came home, and in April, 1865, re-enlisted, entering Company D, One Himdred and Fifty-foiu:th Indiana Regiment as Orderly Sergeant, under Capt. Syl Berry. On the strength of his war record, recited on the back of his former discharge, aided by the recommendations of two officers, upon reaching Indianapolis, Gov. Morton commissioned him an Adjutant, in preference to eleven others, whose applications were supported by stronger recommendations. Two days before the regiment left -the city, President Lincoln was assassinated. After a few months' stay in the Shenandoah Valley, Harper's Ferry and Winchester; Va., he returned with the regiment and was mustered out at Indianapolis in August, 1S()5.

Since the close of the war, although he assisted in buildinothe steam flour-mil! at Rockfield; he has been mainly engaged in the hunber business, owning and managing now, in partnership with H. K. Stauffer, a steam sawmill.

He was United in marriage to Miss Mary E. Holmes, daughter of Samuel Holmes, February 21, 1866. Two children. Vine and Anna, have been bom to them.

In religion, Mr. McCormick, as well as his wife, are members of the Methodist Church - a faith handed down to them from their ancestors, the grandfather of Mr. McCormick having at one time been the Recording Steward in the district between Logansport and Crawfordsville.

In politics, he is a stanch Rejiublican, and one of the active members of that party. He is also a prominent Odd Fellow, one of th(> charter members of the Rockfleld Lodge, and has filled all the chairs of the suliordinate lodge of that order.

Ml-. McCormick, during the past few years, has been very active in -the interests of suiTivors of Southern pri.son-pens. If Congress ever passes a bill (and it should) pensioning ox-prisoners of the late witf, a share of the credit will be due Mr. McCormick, for he has spent time and means in an endeavor to bring about such a result.

In business, Asbury McCormick is industrious, careful, and not wanting in capacity. He believes in integrity, and has tlierefore the respect of his associates. Socially, he is gonial and agreeable, and makes and retains friends and friendships with a permanence we believe to be everlasting.

-WILLIAM C. MULLIN. Mr. Mullin was born on the 5th of December, 1833, in Warren County, Ohio. His father. Noah Mullin, is a native of the same State and county: is of English-Irish descent, and was born on the lOthof January, 1804. When thirty years old, he (Noah) emigrated to Carroll County, and. locating on the i<pw valuable farm of his son, Lewis Mullin (at that date numbering 320 acres, and uncleared of timber), remained there until 1844, whence he removed to the little town of Rockfield. where he yet resides, at the venerable age of seventy-eight years. By his mother, Margaret (Crosby) Mullin, William C. is of German-Irish extraction, his mother's relatives hailing from Pennsylvania.

William C. Mullin accompanied his father in. his various changes of location, and remained with him imtil the tenth year of the latter' s residence in Rockfield. leaving home at this date to return to his father's farm, after his marriage, on the 16th of March. 1854, with Miss Elizabeth Guiliford, a native of Juniata County, Penn. Two children - Lewis N. and Hannah M. (wife of Edward Kennedy), were the fruits of this marriage. The death of Hannah M. Kennedy occuiTed on the 1st of May, 1881. On the 15th day of January. 1872. after a union of less than a score of years, yet doubtless a union rich in domestic happiness, Mrs. Mullin passed to the eternal world.

September 17. 1877, Mr. Mullin re-married, his second wife, whose maiden name was Kendall, being, at the time of this union, the widow of Samuel W. Guiliford. Soon after this marriage, he left the Mullin homestead (having, previous to the death of his first wife, sold his one-half interest in that farm to his brother Lewis), and removed to the farm adjoining it on the east side, where he still resides. The mother, Lucinda (Buskirk) Kendall, of his second wife, came to Carroll Coimty from Jackson County, Ind., about forty-seven years ago, she having come to the latter county from Kentucky. Mrs. Miillin had two uncles who were martyrs to the Union cause in the war of the rebellion. In religion, she is a Universalist. while her husband is a member of the Methodist Church.

In politics, Mr. Mullin is a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, though he asserts himself to be no politician, believing in the good of the whole people.

Following in the wake of his worthy progenitors, he has never deserted the farm, feeling that it fui'nishes a livelihood conducive to health and profitable to the proprietor who mixes with his manual labor a plentiful supply of brains, as does the subject of this sketch, .^t present, Mr. Mullin and his son, whose home is near by. own and control together 276 acres of excellent land. Another year and Mr. Mullin will have compassed his half-century of life. Vigorous and healthy, with the cares of life resting lightly on his shoulders, his chances for living the allotted threescore yi'.-u's and feu are excellent indeed.

Lewis Mullin

The subject of this |)ersonal nairative is one of the many substantial fanners of Rock Creek Township, and one of the men who, though passing their lives c|uietly and undemonsti-atively in the yearly rounds of successhil farm labor, are yet the strcugtli of this government and the bone and sinew of her institutions, because, unlike the yeomanry of foreign lands, they live in a land of freedom and of democratic principles.

Coimty, Ind, on the very fai-m which ho now owns and lives uiion, on the 25th day of September, 1S3(). He is the son of Noah MuUinand Margaret (Crosby ) Mullin, for a. lengthier notice of whom we respectfully refer the readur to the biographical sketch of William C. Mullin.

Thirteen years (1S44 to 1857) of the life of Lewis Mullin were passed in Kockliold; the remainder of the time, he has lived on the Mullin homestead, now a magnificent body of land, thoroughly improved, and containing 227 J acres. In 1802, February 27, he was joined in marriage to Miss Nancy J. Young, a native of the coimty of Montgomery, Ohio. Mrs. Mullin was born on the Kith of January, 1845, and is the daughter of a farmer, whose native place was Frederick County, Md. This union has been blesseti with seven bright and promising children - Maggie L., William C, Sarah E., Lee Vance, Elmer L., Herbert Y. and Clifford R.

In 18(i3, as a candidate of the Democratic pai-ty, with whose principles he has always linnly allied himself, Mr. Mullin was elected Trustee of Rock Creek Township, serving one year. Again, in 1872, he was re-elected to the same office, aod a tie election resulting two years later, he held over - in all, four years. The people once more showed their confidence in his official integrity by re-electing him Trustee in 1880. Because of poor health, he resigned the office in the August following his election.

Mr. Mullin is a trustworthy neighbor, an excellent citizen, and a man whose industrious habits command the respect of his fellow-men. May his years be many and labors light.

Dr. Powell is a native of Illinois. He was born at Circleville, Tazewell County, of that State, August 7, 1838. His father. Dr. John E. Powell, was a native of London, England, and was bom August 27, 1800. Pursuing an elementary and general education in the schools of his native city up to thirteen years of age. he then entered upon a course of study in the London Hospital. There he served - as it was termed - an apprenticeship of seven years, and, after graduating, accepted a position as one of the surgeons of the institute. This relation he maintained up to the spring of 1833. when he emigi-ated to the United States. Landing upon American shores, he took up his residence atUtica, N. Y., and there renewed the practice of medicine.

Subsequent to fixing his residence at Utica, he formed the acquaintance of Mary Hai-ding, an estimable lady of English birth, and, on December 24, 1833, received her hand in marriage. Continuing here until 1830, he then removed to Tazewell County, 111., locating upon the site since occupied by the city of Pekin. Remaining here as a pioneer physician until 1801, he again removed with his family to Camden, of this county, where, until about 1809, he pursued the practice of his profession. At that period, he returned to the State of Illinois, situating himself at Henry, Mai'shall County, where he has since resided.

Dr. John W., the subject of our sketch, diu-ing the years of his boyhood, enjoyed common-school advantages, and, arriving at the age of eighteen, commenced to read medicine r.:.d to clerk in a drug store at Metamora, 111. Moving to Camden with his father in 1801, he still pursued the study of medicine, and at the same time commenced to practica Graduating at Rush Medical

College of Chicago in 1805, he returned to Camden, associated with his father until December, 1807, then withtb-awing, he ostablished himself, on the 2yth of the same month, at Rocldield, whore he has since enjoyed an extended and successful patronage.

In the meantime, he has availed himself of a com".se of lectm-es at the Louisville Medical College of Louisville, Ky., from which he gradiiated with the "Honorary Degree '" Feb. 25. 1881.

Besides feeling an interest, too, in his own success, he extends his interest to the general good of the profession. He is an active member of the Carroll County Medical Society, and has been a member of the State Medical Society since 1800. But to verify more ett'ectually the professional merit and characteristics of Dr. Powell, we extract from a communication by Dr. E. Huntsinger. of February 12, 1879 - after his removal to Chicago, and holding then the Chair of Axiral Sm-geiy in the Chicago College of Ophthalmology and Otology. It says: " I have been intimately acquainted with J. AV. Powell, M. D., of Rockfield. Ind., for the past nineteen years. He is a regular graduate uf one of the best medical colleges in the United States. By his studious and close application to his profession, together with fourteen years' experience in an extensive practice, he has acijuired a degi-ee of success and skill that places him in the front rank of his profession. He is particularly scrupulous and painstaking in the examination of his patients, and strictly conscientioiis and candid in his opinion. By means of new methods, remedies and appliances, he is especially successful in the treatment of the eye and ear afi'ections. I can commend Dr. Powell with much confidence to any community," etc.

By way of self-maintenance, also. Dr. Powell has had his own canoe to paddle, and has proven himself no less successful as a man of business than he has profe.ssionally. He now has a pleasant home at Rockfield and owns two farms near said village, to both of which he gives his special management. -

In his professional relations at Rockfield, he has had three successive associates, viz., E. Huntsinger, M. D., who joined him in the spring of 1878. This copartnership, however, was mutually dissolved in February, 1879, Dr. H. having been called to an important position at Chicago.

In February, 1880, he next formed a copartnership with Dr. C. D. Parkes, who had been his student since the fall of 1878. Dissolving their connection the following September, 188(1, in October, only a few weeks later, he accepted J. W. Newell, M. D. - his present partner. This professional union has indeed been an agreeable one. Dr. Newell being both an amiable and a promising young physician. He is a graduate of the Kentucky' School of Medicine, at Louisville; and, upon graduation, was awarded "third honors of his class for general proficiency."

Dr. Powell has been twice mai-ried. His first companion was Miss Libbie A. Mahune, of Battle Ground, Ind. , to whom he was wedded October 3, 1865. She being sadly called to depart this life. May 25, 1877, he chose as a second help-mate Miss Sarah E. Roop, of Can-oil County, and to her was wedded December 18, 1878. Two children have been the welcome fniits of each marriage, viz. , Vance M. and Guy C. , of the former, and Clm-ence D. and Libbie F. of the last or present; all of them are yet living.

For five years past, the Doctor has been an active member in the Masonic fi-aternity. He is zealous in politics, his sympathy and influence being always given to the side of Democracy. Faithful in his profession, prompt and reliable in his business relations, genial in social life and affectionate in the home circle. he has an extended acquaintance and is universally esteemed.

Henry K. Stauffer

One of the few men closely identified with the active business ! interests of the little town of Roektield, Carroll County, dui-ing I the past twelve or fourteen years, is the subject of this sketch, , Henry K. Stauffer. He is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, ' and was born July 2, 1841. In IS-tO, his parents, John S. Stauffer and Eliza (Kelly) Stauffer, moved to Carroll County, and, locating in Deer Creek Tovmship: remained there something over twelve years. In 1862, they moved to Rock Creek Township, where they have since resided. Henry K., since arriving at the age of maturity, living either immediately in, or in the vicinity of Rockfield. John Stauffer, in anti-slavery days, was an outspoken, fearless Abolitionist. Apprenticed to learn the trade of a carpenter, Heniy Stauffer followed that business from 1862 to 1870, excepting only six months, while engaged in the service of the United Sates in the war of the rebellion. Since 1870, at which time he formed a partnership with Asbury Mc- Cormick, he has given almost exclusive attention to the lumber business, the firm owning and managing at present a steam sawmill.

The firm is about to establish an additional saw-mill at the town of Waverly, Ind. Mi'. S. is the owner, individually, of a farm, and the tii-m of McCormick & Staivffer of two valuable farm properties.

In 1870, Ml-. Stauffer was married to Miss Martha E. Patton - l)orn in Juniata County, Penn. Two children are the result of this union -Ora and Bessie.

In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, for the six-months" service. The company was organized at La Fayette by Capt. McCm-dy. He was mustered out in the spring of 1864. The regiment passed most of ita time in East Tennessee, guarding Cumberland Gap. For about three months, their rations consisted chiefly of corn.

Mr. Stauffer is member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities; he is one of the charter members of the latter organization at Rockfield, and was the second chair officer in its existence.

Mr. Stauffer and his wife !tre members of the Presbyterian Chuich. For a number of years. Mi-. Stauffer has lent his influence (which is not inconsiderable) to the cause of temperance in his community. A temperance man himself, thoroughly reliable in business transactions, he holds a high place in the esteem of the people. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, voting as he fought. Socially, he has hosts of trusty friends, and his genial good nature is daily swelling the list.

Charles R. West

One of the substantial farmers and prominent pioneers of Carroll Coimty, over whose head the suns and snows of sixtythree returning years have passed, whitening his hair and furrowing his face, is the subject of our sketch - a resident for the past fifty-one years of Rock Creek Township, and a man, perhaps more than any other, intimately acquainted with the local history of that section of om- prosperous county.

His grandfather, William West, was of Scotch lineage, and participated in the Revolutionary war. Newman West, his father, was born near the Chesapeake Bay, in Virginia. Charles R. West is also a native Virginian, and was born in Wood County on the 10th of March, 1819. In the spring of 1830, when young West was in his twelfth year, his father emigrated to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and the succeeding March (1831), removed to Rock Creek Township, Carroll County, and, hewing for himself a home out of the sturdy old forest, lived to a ripe old age. Immediately after his marriage, Charles R. West leased a portion of his father's farm, where, by steady industry and economy, he accumulated sufficient to purchase, in 1851, a farm of his own, containing 160 acres. In the course of years, he has added to his original acquisition another tract of eighty acres, making his possessions to-day, of fertile laud, 240 acres.

Mr. West man-ied Miss Catherine A. AVillison (sister of Mr. George Armitage, of Delphi), on the 24th of April, 1842. They have six children living - John W., William F., Francis M., Rebecca (man-ied), Jane (wife of Henry Cronk) and Maiy. Mi-s. West belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. West was chosen as Township Assessor in Rock Creek Township foiu- successive years - fi-om 1801 to 1865. He is a member of the Democratic pai-ty, but believes in men and principles, not in pai-ty prejudice and spoils. His mother, a native of Virignia, died in 1852, while his father, as before intimated, died in 1866.