Clay County, Indiana - The whole text, 1909 (part 11 of 21)

township, Guernsey county, Ohio. He has witnessed the grand trans¬ formation of the country round about from a wilderness inhabited by wild game of all kinds to a populous and wealthy community. He began as a boy to assist his father in the shop and on the farm, remaining with his parents until after the breaking out of the Civil war. Then, on July 28, 1861, Mr. Foulke enlisted in Company C, Thirty-first Indiana Volun¬ teer Infantry, was mustered into service at Terre Haute September 5, and went to the front with his regiment. He took part in many of the more prominent engagements qf the war, including those at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and others. At Bridgeport he veteranized, and after a furlough of thirty days joined his command, and was with Sherman in his Atlanta campaign, taking part in the many battles along the route. After the siege and capture of Atlanta he continued with his regiment, going back to Tennessee, where he was in the battles at Franklin and Nashville. The following winter he was stationed at Huntsville, Alabama, in the spring going by way of East Tennessee to Asheville, North Carolina, where, with his command, he fought his last battle. Obtaining a furlough in June, 1865, Mr. Foulke returned home, and at the expiration of his furlough joined his regiment at Green Lake, Texas, and on December 12, 1865, received his honorable discharge at Victoria, Texas.

After his return to Clay county Mr. Foulke began his career as an independent farmer on a tract of forty acres lying in section twenty. Perry township. Twenty acres of the land were cleared, and a log house had been built at the time of his purchase. He subsequently bought an additional twenty acres and lived there for some time. He then pur¬ chased the portion of the parental homestead which ha now owns and occupies, and has since carried on general farming with most satisfactory results, being uniformly successful in his operations.

Mr. Foulke has been twice married. He married first, October 22, 1869, Jane Cade, who was born in Cumberland, Maryland, a daughter of Enoch Cade. She died February 22, 1871, leaving one child, Charles C. Mr. Foulke married second, February 23, 1872, Sarah Trimmer. She was born March 14, 1853, in Fairfield county, Ohio, near Winchester, of German ancestry. Her father, Barnard Trimmer, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, from there going to Ohio in pioneer days. He lived first in Franklin county, going from there to Fairfield county, where he remained until 1866. Coming then with his family to Vigo county, Indiana, he purchased land in Riley township, and was there employed as a tiller of the soil until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Wolfe, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and she is now living, a bright and active woman of four score and four years. Mr. and Mrs. Foulke have nine children, namely : Jesse M., Arpie E., John R., Barnard, Katie Marv, Silas, Dudley, Homer and Ruby. Jesse M. married Sadie Nees, and they have had two children, Marietta and Masel, the latter deceased. Arpie E. is the wife of Otis Lawson. Politically Mr. Foulke has always been identified with the Republican party, and for four years, from 1880 until 1884, served as county recorder. Religiously both Mr. and Mrs. Foulke are active members of the Metho¬ dist Episcopal church and he has served as president of the Clay County Sunday School Association and as its county organizer. He has also been superintendent of the Sunday school and steward of the church. For two years Mr. Foulke was secretary and for two years chairman of the Clay County Farmers' Institute, and for seventeen years he was a notary public. He was the candidate on the Republican ticket for repre¬ sentative of Clay county in 1908.

Wesley B. Shaw, who for twenty-seven years was engineer of the Vandalia Railroad Company and is now living retired in Brazil, was born near Georgetown, Brown county, Ohio, February 25, 1835. His parents were Merritt and Levina (Brockwav) Shaw, the former born in Ohio, March 10, 1810, while the latter was born near Albany, New York, in 1812. The Shaw family was established in the Buckeye state at an early period in its pioneer development. The grandfather, Russell Shaw, located in Brown county in 1802 and laid out the village of Russellville and established the family homestead upon which Wesley Shaw was reared. The father, Merritt Shaw, was also reared there and early became familiar with the arduous task of developing a new farm upon the frontier. Throughout his entire life he gave his time and energies to agricultural pursuits and for many years resided at the old home in Ohio. His last days, however, were spent in Brazil, where he passed away July 20, 1886. His wife, however, died in Ohio shortly before. They were consistent and faithful members of the Christian church and Mr. Shaw gave his political allegiance to the Whig party. Their family numbered eight children, but only two are now living, the daughter being Cindora, now the wife of William Johnson, a resident of Russellville, Ohio.

Wesley B. Shaw during his boyhood days worked upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He also ran a bus line for his father at Russellville, Ohio, and to some extent worked in a sawmill as an engineer. At the age of nineteen years he came to Indiana with Washington Miller, arriving in August, 1854. Here he assisted in building two or three mills in Clay county and became engineer of one of the mills. After a short time, however, he returned to Ohio but in the spring of 1855 again came to Indiana, establishing his home at Brazil, where he was employed as engineer of a mill and blast furnace. He was the second engineer that pumped water for the city and in the line of his chosen occupation he was regarded as an expert.

On the 5th of September, 1863, Mr. Shaw offered his services to his country, enlisting in defense of the Union as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, for six months' service. He was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, Indiana, in February, 1864, at which time he held the rank of first lieutenant of Company D. While at the front he participated in the siege of Knoxville, Tennessee, and the battle of Cumberland Gap. Following his return from the army Mr. Shaw engaged as engineer at Hills & Stunkard's flour mill, where he was employed until he determined to turn his attention to rail¬ road engineering and entered the service of the Vandalia Railroad Com¬ pany. He continued with them until the 1st of March, 1905, or for a period of nearly twenty-seven years, when he retired and has since enjoyed a well earned rest.

Mr. Shaw has been married twice. On the 24th of February, 1857, he wedded Elizabeth Hendrix, a daughter of John Hendrix, Sr., and unto them were born seven children, five of whom are now living: William M. ; Edward M. ; Mary Jane, the wife of William A. Biddle ;

Franklin F. ; Anna Bell, the wife of Charles Skaull, of Anderson, Indiana. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Shaw was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Nancy A. La Manche, nee Bullock, a native of Kentucky.

Mr. Shaw gives his political support to the Republican party, with which he has affiliated since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, belonging to Division No. 2 5, and he is also an interested and valued member of General Canby Post, No. 2, G. A. R. He thus maintains pleasant rela¬ tions with his old army comrades. Throughout his entire life he has been loyal in his citizenship and interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the community in which he makes his home. He has many friends whose esteem and respect he enjoys and who will receive with interest this record of his life.

William Arthur Biddle, conducting a plumbing and heating estab¬ lishment in Brazil, was born in Anderson, Indiana, October 4, 1865, his parents being Hudson Springer and Cynthia (Hoffiner) Biddle. The father was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, and in early life learned and fol¬ lowed the carpenter's trade. He was married in that state to Miss Cynthia Hoffiner, and subsequently removed to Anderson, Indiana, becoming one of the early representatives of business life there. He engaged in con¬ tracting and building for many years and many evidences of his handi¬ work are still seen in substantial structures of the city. Year by year many important contracts were awarded him and he always maintained a reputation for thorough reliability and excellent workmanship. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, associations which indicate the character of his prin¬ ciples and the rules that governed his conduct in his relations with his fellowmen. His political views were in accord with the platform of the Republican party and he was much interested in its success. He died in July, 1875, at the age of fifty-three years, and his widow, long surviving him, passed away in 1906, at the age of seventy-two. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, of whom four are now living: Clara, Charles W., William Arthur and Albert H.

In his boyhood days William Arthur Biddle worked at farm labor and also attended the common schools, but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial than those of the field, at the age of eighteen, in 1883, he became an apprentice in a machine shop. After serving his term of indenture he worked at his trade until September, 1906, when he began business on his own account, opening a plumbing, steam heating and hot water heating establishment in Brazil. He has since continued in business here and his patronage is constantly growing, so that he is now in control of a good business.

On the 17th of April, 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Biddle and Miss Mary Jane Shaw, a native of Brazil. She was a daughter of Wesley B. and Elizabeth (Hendrix) Shaw. Her father was born in Georgetown, Brown county, Ohio, February 25, 1835, a son of Merritt and Levina (Brockway) Shaw, and a representative of one of the old families of the Buckeye state. In his boyhood days Wesley B. Shaw worked on a farm and also ran a bus line for his father. He was always employed in sawmills as engineer, but at the age of nineteen years he came to Indiana with Washington Miller, whom he assisted in building two large mills in Clay county. This was in August, 1854, and upon the completion of the mills he was made engineer in one of them. Not long after he returned to Ohio, but in the spring of 1855 again came to Brazil and became engineer in a mill and blast furnace. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and enlisted for service as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Fifteenth Regi¬ ment of Indian Volunteers, September 5, 1863. His term covered six months and he was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, Indiana, in February, 1864, with the rank of First lieutenant of Company D. Fol¬ lowing his return home he became engineer in a flour mill and later entered the railroad service of the Vandalia Railroad as engineer, con¬ tinuing with that company until the 1st of March, 1905. He is now living retired in Brazil, where he is widely and favorably known. Further mention of Mr. Shaw is made on another page of this volume.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Biddle have been born two children, Clara Amelia and Ernest Hudson. The parents are widely known in Brazil and the hospitality of many of the best homes is freely accorded them. Mr. Biddle is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees and with the Home Defenders of America, No. 1, while his political allegiance is given to the Republican party. In his business life he has been prompted by laudable ambition and strong purpose and gradually has worked his way upward until he is now numbered among the enterprising business men of the city, who are winning a goodly measure of success through carefully directed effort.

Dr. Patrick H. Veach, one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Staunton, has attained prominence in the professional circles of Clay county. His professional career was begun as a school teacher, having previously passed from the district schools to the Central Normal, of which he is a graduate, and beginning in 1880 he taught in the district schools of Clay county for eight years. In 1886 he entered the drug business in Staunton, and after three years spent as a druggist he entered as a student the Medical College of Indiana and graduated with its class of 1891. Since that time he has practiced with ever increasing success in this city, enjoying a large and remunerative patronage. He was for a time a member of the U. S. pension examining board at Brazil, is a mem¬ ber of the State Medical Associations and in 1891 he was appointed the trustee of Posey township for a term of three years.

Dr. Veach was born in Jackson township, Clay county, Indiana, Jan¬ uary 2, 1862, a son of Adam C. Veach, who was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, May 22, 1824. He was reared and educated there, and was later married there to one of the county's native daughters, Helen Swinford, who was born November 22, 1822, and they were of Scotch and German descent. They became the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters. In about 1855 Adam C. Veach moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, and embarked in the saw milling business, while later, in i860, he came with his family to Clay county, and located on forty acres of land which he purchased near Staunton in Posey township, continuing as a farmer there until his death at the age of sixty-five years. From the Whigs of the early days he transferred his political allegiance to the Democratic party and became prominent in the public life of his com¬ munity. From 1862 to 1864 he served his district in the legislature, and during twelve years he was a trustee of Posey township.

tie N. Wardlaw, and they have three children, all born in Staunton, namely : Lester W., born February 8, 1893 I Albert C, June 15, 1894 ; and Katherine E., October 13, 1903. Dr. Yeach has membership relations with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Red Men and the Knights of Pythias, and his political views are in harmony with the principles of the Democratic party, lie owns considerable real estate in Staunton, and is numbered among the city's leading business as well as professional men.

Samuel Horn. - Occupying a place of prominence among the indus¬ trious and enterprising men who have contributed so largely towards the agricultural prosperity of Clay county is Samuel Horn, a veteran agri¬ culturist, who, having accomplished a satisfactory work in his chosen occupation, is now living retired in Harrison township, enjoying to the utmost the well-merited reward of his many years of unremitting toil. A son of Daniel Horn, Jr., he was born September 7, 1838, in Washington, Washington county, Pennsylvania, the same town in which his father's birth occurred on April 4, 1807. His grandfather, Daniel Horn, Sr., was of German parentage, and was born either in Germany or in Pennsylvania. He was a farmer by occupation, and spent his last years in Washington county, Pennsylvania.

Endowed by nature with much mechanical ingenuity, Daniel Horn, Jr., worked as stone mason and a carpenter during his early life. Sub¬ sequently turning his attention to agriculture, he moved with his family to Coshocton county, Ohio, settling near Chili. Purchasing forty acres of timbered land, he cleared a portion of it, and when well started in farming established a nursery. Selling out in 1857, he came to Clay county, Indiana, bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in section twentyone, Harrison township, and in the opening that he cleared erected a double house of sawed logs, riving boards to cover the roof, this being the first home of the Horn family in Clay county. The first year he hired help and cleared forty acres of his homestead, and afterwards continued the improvements, residing there until his death, April 2, i860, while yet scarce past manhood's prime, being but fifty-three years of age. His wife, whose maiden name was Priscilla Caton, was born November 30, 1810, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, of German ancestry, and died February 3, 1884. She reared eight children, namely: Polly, Charlotte, Samuel, George Jackson, Priscilla J., Angeline, Nancy Ann and Josephus.

After leaving the district school Samuel Horn assisted his father on the farm and in the nursery, while in Ohio becoming familiar with both agriculture and horiticulture. Coming with the family to Harrison town¬ ship, he cut the trees felled on the land his father had purchased, and thereafter the ringing strokes of his axe could be heard for many a day as he assisted in leveling the giants of the forest. The year after his father's death he began farming for himself on rented land, and had just got well started when the Civil war began. In 1865, on February 28, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infan¬ try, and with his regiment took part in several engagements, remaining in service until receiving his honorable discharge the following November. Returning home he found his wife very ill, and twenty-one days later she died. Previous to his enlistment Mr. Horn had bought twenty acres of land in section twenty, Harrison township, and that land he had traded for twenty acres that are now included in his present homestead, and had begun to build a log house, but enlisted before the roof was put on. After returning from the war, he farmed for a year on the old homestead, in the meantime completing the log house on his own land. As soon as it was finished, in 1867, he moved into it, and at once commenced improving a farm. At that time the land was heavily timbered, and deer, wild turkeys and wild hogs roamed through it at will. Since that time Mr. Horn has bought one hundred more acres of land, has cleared a fine farm and erected substantial frame buildings in place of the log structures, his homestead being one of the most valuable and attractive of any in the neighborhood, its improvements comparing favorably with any in the vicinity. Having by his well-directed toil acquired a competency, he has retired from active labor and is spending his leisure in comfort and ease, enjoying the pleasures of his well-appointed home.

Mr. Horn married first, November 7, i860, Adeline Duncan, who was born November 5, 1838, and died November 25, 1865. Her parents, Rev. George and Lovinia Duncan, were for many years esteemed residents of Harrison township, where her father was both a physician and a preacher. Mr. Horn subsequently married for his second wife Elizabeth Dickey, daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Roush) Dickey. She was born in Ohio, January 15, 1841, and died on the home farm January 24, 1905. Mr. Horn has three children now living, namely: George A., born March 18, 1868; William N., born June 1, 1870; and Sarah Ann, born July 30, 1872. George A. married Mary J. Price and has children, Lula Maud, Rozella, Ray Franklin, Renos Hobart, James Everett, Herschl Ray, Goldie May and Alice Marie. William N. married Lavina McCullough, and they have two children, Samuel Ernest and Paul. Sarah A., wife of Landry Miller, has six children, Emery Pearson, Myrtle Celestia, Vernila Ertis, Jacob S., Edith E. and Leonard C.

Henry Clay Deitrick. - A man of ability and sterling worth, Henry Clay Deitrick, now living retired from active business at his pleasant home in Harmony, was for many years prominently identified with the agricultural and manufacturing interests of Van Buren township, doing his full share in advancing the welfare of this section of the state. A son of Nicholas Deitrick, he was born in Stovertown, Muskingum county, Ohio, February 18, 1844.

The descendant of a German family of some prominence, Nicholas Deitrick was born in Pennsylvania and there grew up and was educated. Accompanied by his brother Jacob, he moved to Ohio, settling in Mus¬ kingum county. Purchasing a tract of unbroken land at Stovertown, he improved the homestead on which he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of seventy-two years, in 1850. He was twice married, and by his first wife reared seven children, as follows: David, Jacob, Balster, Margaret, Mary, Sarah and Jane. By his second wife, whose maiden name was Martha Duncan, he had two children, William, who enlisted in the Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Fort Wagner ; and Henry, the special subject of this brief sketch.

But six years old when his father died, Henry Clay Deitrick went to live with his half-brother, Balster Deitrick. At the age of eighteen years, according to a provision made in the will of his father that he should be taught a trade, Henry went to Zanesville to learn how to make shoes. Instead of learning the trade, however, he soon enlisted in Company B,

One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in the sum¬ mer of 1863 was sent with his regiment to Baltimore, where he did gar¬ rison duty for three months. Then, his term of enlistment having expired, he was honorably discharged from the service and returned to his home. After his return, his first enterprise was to go down the Muskingum and Ohio rivers with a boat load of stoneware. Disposing of his stock, he made his way to Center Point, Clay county, Indiana, where he found employment with Hardy Hicks, a farmer, for whom he worked one sea¬ son before returning to Ohio. Going to Taylorville, Illinois, in the spring of 1867, he was there employed in farming until fall, when he located permanently in Clay county, Indiana. Soon after coming here, Mr. Deitrick bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jackson township, about two miles south of Harmony. Eighty acres of this had been cleared, and with two small frame shanties comprised the improvements of the place. Settling on this land at the time of his marriage, he and his bride began housekeeping in a most primitive style. A year later he sold out at an advantage and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, forty of which were in Jackson township and eighty in Van Buren township, near Harmony, where, at the same time, he bought the resi¬ dence in which he has since lived. For a number of years thereafter he was very busily employed, not only superintending the management of his farm, but being quite extensively engaged in the manufacture of stone¬ ware at Harmony. Having acquired a competency through his own efforts, he is now spending his time free from business cares, enjoying a well-earned leisure.

On December 24, 1868, Mr. Dcitrick married Martha Adamson, who was born near Roseville, Muskingum county, Ohio, November 13, 1845, a daughter of Lloyd and Eliza (Bond) Adamson. A more extended parental and ancestral history may be found on another page of this book, in connection with the sketch of S. F. Adamson.

William McCullough, a farmer and stock raiser of Posey town¬ ship, was born in Jackson township of Clay county September 1, 1856. He is a member of a family which was established in this county in an early epoch in its history by William McCullough, whose genealogy is recorded on other pages of this history. Among his children was Alex¬ ander McCullough, who was born in Tennessee March 10, 1822, and was but a boy when he came with his father to Indiana, attaining to years of maturity in Putnam county. He was there married to Mary Payne, who was born in Kentucky but came to Clay county, Indiana, with her parents when young and received her education in the pioneer schools of Jackson township. Her father, Robert Payne, was a prominent early farmer of Clay county. After his marriage Alexander McCullough moved to Jackson township, Clay county, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he cleared and improved and resided thereon until his death at the age of eighty-four years, owning at that time an estate of two hun¬ dred and forty acres. Eight children, four sons and four daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. McCullough, but two died in infancy and those living are Robert, Charlotte Summers, William, Sarah Lucas, Louis and Marv Haney, all born in Jackson township. Mr. McCullough, the father, voted with the Democratic party.

his studies, he entered the drug business in partnership with his brother in Ashville, Indiana. But after two years there he in 1883 opened a store in Center Point, where he was one of the leading druggists for fifteen years. In 1897, however, he retired from the drug business, and in 1899 moved to his present homestead in Posey township, purchasing at that time one hundred and nineteen acres, and he also owns an interest in the old McCullough homestead of forty acres.

He married on the 24th of April, 1887, Jennie Ringo, who is a native of Posey township and a daughter of one of its pioneer farmers, William Ringo, now deceased. They have three sons, Frederick M., William Alexander and Francis Marion, all of whom were born in Center Point. Throughout the years of his maturity Mr. McCullough has up¬ held the principles of the Democratic party, but votes independent of party ties at local elections. *

Otis C. Drake. - Numbered among the industrious and enterprising citizens of Washington township, Clay county, is Otis C. Drake, who, as superintendent of a grist mill at Bowling Green, has built up an extensive and lucrative business, and has become an important factor in advancing both the manufacturing and the mercantile interests of the place. He was born May 10, 1871, in Washington township, a son of Steward and Delila (Tressel) Drake, and grandson of Thomas and Maria (Bybee) Drake, pioneer settlers of Clay county. Further parental and ancestral history may be found on another page of this volume, in connection with the sketch of his father, Steward Drake.

After leaving the public schools, Otis C. Drake entered the Garvin Commercial College at Terre Haute, where he took a full course in book¬ keeping. He subsequently taught school two years in Washington town¬ ship, but since that time has had charge of the grist mill belonging to his father. This mill was erected in Bowling Green in early days, but has been greatly improved since coming into the possession of Mr. Drake. It is now operated by steam power, and has a capacity of forty barrels per day. Mr. Drake thoroughly understands its management, and has built up a large and lucrative patronage, doing all kinds of work connected with the grinding of grains, and keeps three men busily employed in its operation.

On December 23, 1896, Mr. Drake married Olive Miles, who was born June 30, 1872, in Bowling Green, which was also the birthplace of her father, H. H. B. Miles. Her mother, who before marriage was Perintha Clemmens, was born in Butler county, Ohio. Mrs. Drake died September 22, 1899, and her body was laid to rest in the Bowling Green Cemetery. She left two children, namely: S. Miles, born March 4, 1898; and Olive V., born September 20, 1899, died January 18, 1900. Politically Mr. Drake is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to Clay Lodge No. 85, F. & A. M., and to Poland Lodge No. 364, K. of P. Religiously he is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

William Thomas Modesitt. - Among the native-born citizens of Clay county, conspicuous for their enterprise, energy and sterling worth, is William T. Modesitt, of Cory, one of the foremost agriculturists of Perry township. A son of Nathaniel Modesitt, he was born in this town¬ ship February 8, i860, of Virginian ancestry. His grandfather, Uriah Modesitt, was born, it is thought, on the eastern shore of Virginia, from there moving to the western part of the state, where he was employed in tilling the soil until his death. He married a Miss Cole, and they reared nine children, namely: Janies. Nathaniel, Charles, Joshua, Augus¬ tus, Uriah, Mahala, Sarah and Frances.

Born in West Virginia, Nathaniel was there bred, educated and mar¬ ried. Shortly after his marriage he came with his bride to Indiana, locating in .Clay county and becoming a pioneer of Ferry township. Set¬ tlers in this vicinity were at that time few and far between, and the forests were filled with an abundance of game of all kinds, forming the chief subsistence of the inhabitants. Entering land in section four, he soon built the log cabin in which his younger children were born. A hard working, persevering man, and one who thought for himself, he labored intelligently and met with much success. He subsequently bought land just across the line in Posey township, and in later years, after his sons grew old enough to assist him, he' cleared several large tracts of land and placed them in a good state of cultivation, at the time of his death, when he was sixtv-five years old, having title to three hundred and twenty-eight acres of land, the greater part of which was improved. He was twice married. His second wife, the mother of William T., was Mrs. Hiley (McCullough) Akre. She was born January 26, 1822, in Tennessee, being a sister of W. H. McCullough, in whose sketch, which appears else¬ where in this volume, a more extended history of her parents may be found. Of this union four children were born, namely : Martha, William Thomas, West M. and Alexander. His wife had two children by her marriage with Mr. Akre, Lemuel and Nancy E.

Acquiring an excellent business education when young, William T. Modesitt also obtained a substantial knowledge of the various branches of agriculture under the tuition of his father, who kept him busy on the home farm when he was not in school. Beginning life for himself on the parental homestead, he was there engaged in farming until 1894, when he removed to his present home in Cory. Here Mr. Modesitt has one hundred and twenty acres of land adjoining and partly surrounding the village, his land, which is gently undulating, being well watered and hav¬ ing two beautiful natural groves, which furnish shade for his stock in the hot days of summer. Energetic, ambitious and progressive, he is carry¬ ing on general fanning and stock-raising in a systematic and scientific manner, and is meeting with undoubted success in his operations. He deals largely in stock, and as the only dealer of hay and grain in Cory is carrying on an extensive and lucrative business in that line of industry.

On December 21, 1884, Mr. Modesitt married Mary Tribble, who was born October 11, 1864, in Sugar Ridge township, Clay county, a daughter of John Tribble. Her grandparents, Hiram and Hannah Trib¬ ble, were pioneers of Monroe county, Indiana, from there coming to Sugar Ridge township, where they spent the remainder of their lives, residing on the farm that they improved from government land. John Tribble was born in Monroe county, Indiana, and as a farmer settled on land near Ashboro, where his last years were spent. He married Minerva J. O'Brien, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Lucinda (Kennedy) O'Brien, and died on the home farm in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Modesitt have two children, Ada and Mary V. Ada married Ray Bennett, and has one child, Louise. Mr. Bennett is a son of B. J. Bennett, of whom a brief sketch may be found elsewhere in this work. An active and trusted member of the Democratic party, Mr. Modesitt was town-

George A. Knight. - In no- profession does success depend more largely upon individual merit than in the law and the attainment of prominence at the bar therefore is an indication of ability, strong men¬ tality, keen analytical force and a comprehensive knowledge of the prin¬ ciples of jurisprudence. Possessing all the requisites of an able lawyer, George A. Knight has made steady progress in the profession which stands as the conservator of the rights, liberties and privileges of the indi¬ vidual and of the city at large and has gained much more than local repu¬ tation as a criminal lawyer.

A native of Ohio, Mr. Knight was born in Mount Sterling, Muskin¬ gum county, May 7, 1840, his parents being Dr. Austin W. and Achsah (Crosdale) Knight. The father, who was born in Bucks county, Penn¬ sylvania, September 5, 1807, and spent his last days in Brazil, Indiana, where he passed away December 21, 1877, at the age of seventy years, was a member of the first graduating class of the old Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and after having thus made thor¬ ough preparation for the profession, he engaged in the practice of medi¬ cine and surgery in Bucks county, Pennsylvania for three or four years, subsequent to which time he removed to Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1833. F°r twenty years he resided there, after which he came to Indiana, establishing his home in Clay county. He laid out the town of Knightsville and was identified with the early development and substantial prog¬ ress of this locality. He continued in the village which he founded until 1857, when he removed to Brazil, where his remaining days were passed, while in his profession he received that recognition which is always ac¬ corded to merit and skill. During the period of the Mexican war he was appointed by the governor of Ohio as a sergeant in the American army. He belonged to Brazil Lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M. and at his death was laid to rest with Masonic honors. He was also a member of the oldest Odd Fellows lodge in Philadelphia and he gave his political allegiance to the Democracy. He held to high ideals in his profession, in citizenship and in his social relations, and all who knew him respected him. His wife, who was born October 10, 1803, passed away May 27, 1887. In their family were five children, of whom three are now living: Elizabeth, the wife of William H. Winegardner ; George A. ; and Charles H.

George A. Knight pursued a public school education in Ohio and Indiana and took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of the firm of Follett & Follett, attorneys of Ohio. He also read to some extent in the office of James M. Hanna of Sullivan county and success¬ fully passing the required examination was admitted to the bar in 1861. He is today the oldest practitioner in Brazil circuit, having for fortyseven years been a well known representative of the legal fraternity here. He was admitted to practice in the supreme court of Indiana in 1871 and to the United States circuit court in 1881, while in 1891 he was admitted to practice in the United States circuit court of appeals, and in 1895 to the supreme court of the United States at Washington, D. C. He has always been remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provi¬ dent care with which he prepares his cases and his practice has long been extensive and of an important character. He has won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods which he has followed. lie has excellent powers of concentration and application and as an orator stands high, especially in the discussion of legal matters before the courts, where his comprehensive knowledge of the law is mani¬ fest and his application of legal principles demonstrates the wide range of his professional acquirements. He has for almost a half century been connected with the most important criminal cases that have appeared in the courts of his district and has won many notable forensic victories.

E. Hussey, who was horn at Carlisle, Sullivan county, Indiana, April 8, 1843, and was a daughter of Edward S. and Eliza Hussey. Her father was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and removing westward at an early day cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Sullivan county, Indiana. For a number of years he was proprietor of the National Hotel in Terre Haute and in 1856 came to Brazil, being prominent in its business life and public interests for a long period. For twelve or fourteen years he served as postmaster of the city and gave a businesslike administration in the discharge of the duties of the office. He was a member of Brazil Lodge, No. 264, A. F. and A. M. ; Brazil Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M.; and Brazil Lodge, No. 30, K. P. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party and he served as justice of the peace, rendering decisions which were strictly fair and impartial. His family numbered seven chil¬ dren, of whom three are now living: Edward H., a resident of Wiscon¬ sin ; Joseph L., who makes his home in California ; and John B., also a resident of that state.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knight were born five children : Grace, the wife of Wilber E. Houpe; Austin W., a practicing attorney of Brazil; Helen, the wife of Dr. David L. Kahn, now living in Indianapolis, Indiana; Lucia, the wife of George G. Kerfoot, a resident of Brazil; and Edward H., an attorney of Indianapolis, Indiana. The wife and mother died December 21, 1892, and her demise was the occasion of deep and wide¬ spread regret, for her many good qualities of heart and mind had gained her the esteem and friendship of those with whom she had been brought in contact.

Mr. Knight has always given his political allegiance to the Democracy and is a stalwart supporter of the party, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has always preferred to concentrate his time and energies upon his professional duties. He pos¬ sesses strong oratorical powers, which, clothing sound logic of truth, car¬ ries conviction to the minds of judge and jury. He has always main¬ tained a high standard of professional ethics and has depended for his success upon thorough and exhaustive preparation and a careful presenta¬ tion of his cause.

Frederick C. Witt, well known in business circles of Brazil as pro¬ prietor of a merchant tailoring establishment and one who is well known in Clay county as a leader in local Democratic circles, was born in Stralsund, Germany, on the 6th of September, 1859, his parents being John and Christina Elizabeth (Prenick) Witt. His paternal grandfather, John

F. Witt, was born at Triebsees-Kries, Grimmen Regierungs, Bezirk, Stralsund, Germany, and was a carpenter by trade. He married Dorothea Luders and among their children was John Witt, who was born at Triebsees on the 226. of March, 1821. He, too, learned and followed the car¬ penter's trade and he served in the German army as a recruiting officer.

At the time of his death, which was caused by the kick of a horse on the 23d of June, 1881, he had served in the army for ten or twelve years. His wife was born at Grellenberg-Kreis, Grimmen, Stralsund, Germany, Sep¬ tember 29, 1826, and passed away near Rushville, Sheridan county, Nebraska, March 5, 1899. Her parents were Johan Christian Doss and Catharina Maria Prenick. Both Mr. and Mrs. John Witt were members of the German Lutheran church. Their family numbered eleven children, of whom two are now living: John, who resides near Rushville, Sheridan county, Nebraska, where he follows the occupation of farming; and Fred¬ erick C. of Brazil. The last named was educated in Germany and in May, 1874, engaged in the tailoring business, to which he has devoted his entire life. The favorable reports which he heard concerning America and its opportunities so strongly attracted him that he determined to come to the new world and in 1882, when a young man of twenty-three years, crossed the Atlantic, settling first at Philo, in Champaign county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade. In 1883 he engaged with John Ross at Urbana, Illinois, while he further pursued his education in the German College at Springfield, Illinois, for two terms, having earned the money by his pre¬ vious labor. After again putting aside his text-books he returned to Champaign and clerked in a dry-goods store for six or eight months. He then returned to Danville, Illinois, where he engaged in the dry-goods business in the capacity of clerk until August 1, 1887. On that date he arrived in Brazil, Indiana, and entered the employ of Samuel Siegel, with whom he continued until the 10th of January, 1898. He then gave up his position and engaged in the tailoring business on his own account, having since conducted his shop with creditable and gratifying success. He is an excellent workman himself and is therefore capable of directing the labors of those who serve under him. He has secured a liberal patronage and his business is now a profitable venture.

O11 the 9th of April, 1885, Mr. Witt was united in marriage to Miss Fredericka Fuchs, who was born in Danville, Illinois, July 9, 1864, a daughter of George and Christina (Pries) Fuchs, both of whom were natives of Germany. They were married, however, in Danville, Illinois, and unto them were born two children, the younger being Mrs. Witt, who by her marriage has become the mother of six children, of whom four are yet living, namely: George J., Louise D., Agnes W., and Clara A. Both Mr. and Mrs. Witt have a wide acquaintance in Brazil and this part of the county and their circle of friends is a very extensive one.

Mr. Witt is a valued member of Centennial Lodge, No. 541, A. F. and A. M., and both he and his wife are connected with W'illiam Black Chapter, No. 80, O. E. S. He also belongs to Brazil Lodge, No. 215, I. O. O. F., and Iron City Encampment, No. 118, and is likewise a member of the Canton No. 47 Uniformed Rank. He has served as state repre¬ sentative since 1889 and both he and his wife are members of Mayflower Lodge, No. 61, of the Order of Rebekah. He is likewise connected with the Fraternal Eagles, with the Improved Order of Red Men and with the Knights and Ladies of Security and the Haymakers. His political alle¬ giance is given to the Democracy and he is one of its stalwart advocates, unfaltering in his support of its principles. In 1908 he was the Democratic nominee for recorder, but on account of the sympathy felt for his oppo¬ nent, who was a cripple, was defeated. The recorder in office having resigned Mr. Witt was appointed to fill the unexpired term until the one elected qualified.

Both he and his wife are devout members of the German Evangelical Lutheran church and he has been one of its deacons .for twelve years. His life has ever been actuated by honorable principles and upright mo¬ tives and he is known as a thoroughly reliable business man and progres¬ sive citizen and a faithful friend. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for in this land he has found the opportunities he sought and utilizing them he has through his well directed industry and diligence gained a place among the substantial resi¬ dents of the community, while at the same time he has enjoyed the friend¬ ship and esteem of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

Nicholas Marshall Cromwell. - A representative agriculturist of Harrison township and a veteran of the Civil war, Nicholas Marshall Cromwell is distinguished not only for his own life work, but for the honored ancestry from which he traces his descent, being a lineal descend¬ ant of Oliver Cromwell, the Protector, and of pioneer ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides of the house. A native of Clay county, he was born in Washington township February 11, 1841, a son of Owen D. and Huldah (Rizley) Cromwell. Further ancestral and parental his¬ tory may be found elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of his brother, D. T. Cromwell.

Brought up in pioneer times, Nicholas M. Cromwell, as soon as physically able to work, assisted his father in the labor of clearing a homestead, in the meantime obtaining his early education in the short terms of the district schools. On July 9, 1862, imbued with the spirit of true patriotism, he enlisted in Company D, Seventy-first Indiana Volun¬ teer Infantry, which was subsequently known to the Sixth Indiana Cavalry, and was with his regiment in all of its marches, campaigns and battles throughout the remainder of the war, receiving his honorable dis¬ charge from the service on June 17, 1865. Mr. Cromwell enlisted as a private, but in 1864 was promoted to the rank of sergeant. After return¬ ing to his home he resumed the occupation to which he was bred, and carried on general farming on rented land for a number of years. In 1876 he bought the farm which he now owns and occupies, it being located in section thirteen, township nine, range seven. Under his management his land is well improved and judiciously cultivated, yielding abundantly of the crops common to this section of the country, the estate bearing substantial evidences of his agricultural skill and good judgment.

In August, 1865, Mr. Cromwell married Caroline Toelle, who was born in Hoofengeisen, a village of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, December 6. 1844. Her father, John Toelle, was born in the same locality, and lived there during his earlier years. In 1845, owing to accounts of life in this country as pictured by his brother Frederick, who had emigrated to Indiana and lived for a time in Washington township and later in Sugar Ridge township, he came to the United States to reside, being accompanied by his wife and four children, crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel, and being nine weeks on the water. After spending a short time in Ohio he came to Clay county, locating in Washington township, where he pur¬ chased the farm on which he lived several years. Removing from there to Harrison township, he resided there until his death in 1884, at the venerable age of four score and four years. He married Maria Louise Toelle, who, though bearing the same surname, was not a relative. She died at the age of seventy-seven years, leaving six children, namely :

Christina, Mary, Elizabeth, Caroline, Frederick William and John F. N. Frederick served in the Union army in the Civil war as a member of Company M, Sixth Indiana Cavalry, and was killed at the engagement in Pulaski, Tennessee, being then but seventeen years old.

Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell are the parents of nine children, namely: Frederick, Annie M., Henry, Harley, Huldah, Rutherford, Harvey, Ray and Audrey. Fred married Nettie Horton, and they have five children, Fredie, Sylvia, Herbert, Caroline and Dorothy. Annie M., wife of William Caton, has three children, Blanche, Marie and Gladys. Harley married Mettie Scott, by whom he has two children, Lewis and Alice. Rutherford married Rose Craft, and they have one child, John Marshall. Religiously Mr. Cromwell is a member of the Christian church, while Mrs. Cromwell belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

David Warren Weaver is now. enjoying well earned rest in hon¬ orable retirement from labor at his pleasant home which is situated about a half mile west of Brazil, on section 2, Posey township. He has at differ¬ ent times been connected with farming, with the pump business and with the manufacture of brick and tile, and his activity and enterprise brought him capital sufficient to enable him now to rest from further labor. He was born at Clermont county, Ohio, March 6, 1836, his parents being John O.. and Nancy (Cornwell) Weaver. His paternal grandfather, Mathew WTeaver, was a native of New Jersey and after living for a time in Virginia removed with his family from the old Dominion to Ohio in 1820. He was numbered among the pioneer residents of both Virginia and the Buckeye state.

His son, John O. Weaver, was born in Virginia, May 20, 1813, but spent his boyhood days in Ohio, and in 1845 came to Indiana, settling in Dick Johnson township, Clay county. Later he removed to Van Buren township, where he carried on farming until after the death of his wife, when he became a resident of Brazil. Mrs. Nancy Weaver was born in Ohio, October 15, 1815, gave her hand in marriage to John O. Weaver in that state, and passed away in this county in 1869. They were the parents of seven children, but only three are now living; David, Maria, who is the widow of Dr. J. M. Price and a resident of Brazil ; and George, who is living in Oklahoma. As stated, John O. Weaver removed to Brazil after losing his first wife, and here he married the widow of Dr. McGuire. Turning his attention to the real estate business, he continued in that line of activity up to the time of his demise, which occurred July n, 1893. He was a member of Brazil lodge No. 264, A. F. & A. M., and in early manhood gave his political allegiance to the Whig party. His last votes, however, were cast for the candidates of the Prohibition party, for 'he was a stanch temperance advocate and did all in his power to suppress the liquor traffic. His life was honorable, his actions manly and sincere and during a long residence in Indiana he commanded the unqualified confi¬ dence and regard of his fellowmen.

David W. Weaver spent his boyhood days upon the home farm and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When twenty-two years of age he began farming on his own account. There was a coal bank on the old homestead, and his father shipped the first carload of coal sent over the Vandalia Rail¬ road from this coal bank. David W. Weaver continued in the work of tilling the soil until 1873, when he turned his attention to the stone pump business, in which he was associated with his two brothers, Silvin and George, together with W. H. Cordrey. They were in business for about thirty years, and Mr. Weaver of this review also engaged in the manu¬ facture of brick and tile as a member of the Hollis Brick & Tile Company. His interests were thus varied and important and the capable direction of his business enterprises, his sound judgment and his unfaltering* diligence brought him a goodly measure of success, so that with a hand¬ some competence he retired in 1906 and erected a fine home on West Main street. It was built in 1906 and is one of the attractive dwellings of the locality.

Mr. Weaver has been married twice. He first wedded Martha Ann Triplett on the 29th of April, 1858. She was born in Ohio and died at the age of fifty years, while two of the four children of that marriage have also passed away. Those still living are: Clarence M., who wedded Mary Campbell, and Mary E., the wife of James Haywood. On the 19th of September, 1900, Mr. Weaver was again married, his second union being with Elvira Nickols, who was born in Dick Johnson town¬ ship, this county.

Mr. Weaver has served as township supervisor for two terms and has always been interested in the upbuilding and advancement of his com¬ munity. His political support is given to the Prohibition party. He belongs to Brazil lodge No. 264, A. F. & A. M., and has been a member of the lodge since 1865. He is thoroughly loyal to its teachings and is a worthy exemplar of the craft. It is fitting that after a life of intense and well directed activity such as he has lived, he should enter upon a season of rest in which to enjoy the fruits of his former toil.

Thomas Brothers. - An enterprising, practical and progressive agri¬ culturist, Thomas Brothers, proprietor of a finely improved farm in Har¬ rison township, is there successfully employed in tilling the soil, exercising much skill and excellent judgment in the management of his estate. A son of Abner Brothers, he was born January 1, 1837, in Orleans township. Orange county, Indiana. His grandfather, Joshua Brothers, was a native of England, and, as far as known, was the only member of his immediate family to come to the United States. He lived first in North Carolina, but subsequently removed with his family to Orange county, Indiana, and again moving he spent the remainder of his life in Clay county.

Abner Brothers was born and reared in Pasquotank county, North Carolina, from there coming with his parents to Orange county, this state. Buying one hundred and fifteen acres of land that was still in its original wildness, he built the log cabin in which he began house¬ keeping and in which his children were born. He cleared quite a tract, and was there employed in farming until 1840. Selling out in that year he started for Pike county, Illinois, intending to locate there, having in his outfit a wagon drawn by three pairs of steers, an odd steer and one horse. He had made about half of the journey when he met his brother who had been in that county, and was not at all pleased with that section of the country. Thus discouraged, he changed his mind about going there, and went, instead, to Edgar county, Illinois, where, near Paris, he was engaged in farming for five years. Returning then to Indiana, he located in Clay county, where he secured work for a part of the time on the canal, which was then in process of construction, and with the money which he thus earned and saved he entered eighty acres of what was known as canal land, for which he paid the government one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre. Erecting a set of buildings, he continued his agricultural labors, living there until his death, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, Mary Dalton, who died two days before her husband, was born on the Clinch river, near Knoxville, Tennessee. They reared nine children, namely: Mahala, William, Harney, Mary, Elizabeth, An¬ drew, Thomas, Elijah and Franklin.

A lad of eight years when his parents settled in Harrison township, Thomas Brothers has a distinct recollection of many of the hardships and privations incidental to pioneer life. Settlers were few in number, and the forests were filled with wild game of all kinds, forming, with the productions of the soil, the chief- subsistence of the inhabitants. Evans¬ ville and Terre Haute were the only market places, and the people used to haul their surplus farm products to those cities until after the com¬ pletion of the canal, when they loaded them on boats at a point near Brunswick. He assisted his father in clearing and improving a homestead when young, subsequently beginning the battle of life on his own account as a wage-earner, working by the day or month. Industrious and thrifty, he saved his money, and when he had enough to warrant it bought eighty acres of timber land in section seventeen, township nine, range six, west. In 1864 Mr. Brothers enlisted in the First Indiana Heavy Artillery, went to the front with his regiment, and subsequently took part in various engagements, remaining in his country's service until the close of the war, and in October, 1865, receiving his honorable discharge. Beginning to make preparations for his marriage, he built a log cabin on his land, and at once began the improvement of a farm. Active, energetic and an excellent manager, he has met with undoubted success in his operations, and by adding to his original has now a well-improved farm of one hun¬ dred and sixty acres, equipped with a good set of frame buildings and all the modern mechinery necessary for successfully carrying on his chosen vocation.

Mr. Brothers married, April 7, 1867, Dorothy Yost, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio. Her father, Anastasius Yost, was born in Germany, and when a young man emigrated to Ohio, locating in Coshoc¬ ton county, where he married Catherine Row, who was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. Further account of the Row family may be found in connection with the sketch of Simon Row. After marriage Mr. Yost bought land near New Bedford, Ohio, and on the farm which he improved he and his wife spent their remaining days. They reared nine children, as follows: Johanson, Mary, Elizabeth, Simon, Dorothy, Leah, Rachel, Louis and Susanna. Mr. and Mrs. Brothers are the parents of three children, namely : William Franklin, Charles Nelson and Helen. William F. married Phebe Grim, and they have three children, Frederick, Freed and Eva. Charles N. married Cora Brown, by whom he has two children, Gilbert and Dewey. Helen, who married William Brown, died at the age of twenty-two years, leaving one son, Harold.

Robert Morris Wilson. - As one of the trustees of Van Buren township Robert Morris Wilson is giving in a generous measure his time and attention to the performance of his public duties, never begrudging any painstaking or any encroachment upon his leisure which has for its object the good of the community in which he resides. A native of Scot¬ land, he was born May 20, 1874, at Crossgates, Fifeshire, which was like¬ wise the birthplace of his father, David Wilson, Jr., and of his grand¬ father, David Wilson, Sr. The grandfather, who was an inspector of mines, spent his entire life in Crossgates, as did his wife, whose maiden name was Bessie Sharpe.

David Wilson, Jr., followed the shoemaker's trade for many years in his native land, and was also an inspector of mines, living in Crossgates until 1883, when he emigrated with his family to Indiana. Locating at Knightsville, he was for a number of years thereafter employed in mining in that vicinity. He lived to a good old age, dying in July, 1907, in the eighty-first year of his age. He married Elizabeth Morris, who was born in Crossgates, Scotland, where her parents spent their lives. She is still living, a bright and active woman of seventy-two years. She bore her husband fourteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity, namely: Matthew, Mary, David, Maggie, Elizabeth, John, Jane, Kate, William, Robert M., Janet and Alexander.

Beginning his school life as a small boy in Crossgates, Robert M. Wilson completed his early education in the public schools of Knights¬ ville, coming here when nine years old. Commencing his career as a miner when but fourteen years of age, he continued thus employed until 1904, when he was elected trustee of Van Buren township. A man of energy and ability, he has since devoted himself to the performance of the duties devolving upon him in his official capacity, proving himself at all times trustworthy and capable.

Mr. Wilson married, in 1893, Annie Jones, who was born in 1875, at Sand Creek City, Indiana, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Reece) Jones, who were born and bred in Wales. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of three children, David Thomas, Frank Morris and Robert Earl.

Politically Mr. Wilson affiliates with the Democratic party. Fra¬ ternally he is a member of Knightsville Lodge No. 409, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; of Knightsville Lodge No. 186, Knights of Pythias; and of Colfax Lodge No. 612, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Wilson has considerable literary talent, and a poem that he wrote by request, entitled "What Is Life," we are permitted to print in connection with this brief sketch :

Amos Hedge Wright. - The family name of Amos Hedge Wright is one which is ineffaceably traced on the history of Clay county from an early epoch, and its members have performed their full share in the wonderful transformation which has been wrought in this section of the country. One of the first to enroll his name among the residents of Clay county was Amos W. Hedge, the step-grandfather of Amos H. Wright, who entered land in both Perry and Jackson townships, the latter being a part of the present Wright homestead. He cleared a part of his land, and was known far and wide as one of the pioneer ministers of the United Brethren church, his useful and beneficent life having been ended in death when he had reached the age of seventy-seven years and six months. During several terms he served as one of the commissioners of the county, a Democrat politically, and he was a soldier in the war of 1812.

Another of the early pioneers of Clay county was Elijah Wright, the father of Amos, and for many years one of the most prominent of its farmers. He was born in South Carolina on the 24th of October, 1801, and after having attained to years of maturity he came to Harrison county, Indiana, and was there married to Elizabeth Diel, by whom he. had six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom Amos was the youngest son and fifth child, and two were born in Harrison county and four in Clay county. In about 1819 he came with his family to Clay county and located in Washington township, north of Bowling Green on the Eel river, where he entered land, but later, after partially clearing it, he sold and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Perry town¬ ship. Building a little log cabin on the farm, he remained there for some years and then moved to Posey township and purchased a farm of forty acres. Two years later he moved to Missouri and bought a farm in Bates county, and there he spent the remainder of his life. He was a Democrat politically and a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Wright was married a second time after coming to Clay county, wedding Sabina Triplett, the widow of William Walker, a farmer of Washington town¬ ship and by whom she had five daughters. To the second union of Mr. Wright were born two sons.

Amos Hedge Wright, one of the sons by the first marriage, was born in Washington township, Clay county. Indiana, March 26, 1830, and was reared principally by his step-grandfather, Amos W. Hedge, on his present homestead. He spent two years in Missouri with his father, and returning to Clay county entered forty acres of the present Wright farm in Decem¬ ber of 1850, the deed having been signed by President Filmore. He also purchased from his step-grandfather one hundred and sixty acres, and his present homestead now contains one hundred and twenty acres, but during his lifetime he has cleared over two hundred acres in Jackson township, and has made many valuable improvements on his farm, the present residence being the fourth dwelling which has been built on the place.

On the 2d of February, 1852, Mr. Wright was married to Elsie Jane Fisher, who was born in Ohio June 6, 1831, a daughter of Daniel Fisher, for many years a farmer in Sugar Ridge township, Clay county, where he established his home in 1843. Mrs. Wright attended the pioneer log school houses of that township, and her father died in Brazil after having lived retired there for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have had nine children; Elijah, Daniel and William (twins), Louisa J., Amos Hedge, Theo Chaney, Robert E., Oto Ray and Molly, all of whom were born in Jackson township with the exception of one son, whose birth occurred in the township of Sugar Ridge, and two, Elijah and Louisa, are deceased. Mr. Wright has given a life-long support to the Demo¬ cratic party, and is an active worker in its local councils.

Steward Drake. - A substantial and prosperous farmer and an esteemed resident of Washington township, Steward Drake is actively associated with the agricultural progress of this part of Clay county, and is an excellent representative of the native-born citizens of this com¬ munity, his birth having occurred here November 10, 1845. His parents, Thomas and Maria (Bybee) Drake, were natives of Kentucky, his father having been born in Barren county, while his mother was a native of Clark county. His paternal grandparents, Greenberry and Nancy (Lane) Drake, and his maternal grandparents, Lee and Jerusha Atkison) Bybee, were also Kentuckians by birth and breeding.

Thomas Drake came with his parents from Kentucky to Indiana in 1831, locating in Washington township, where he grew to man's estate. After his marriage he bought one hundred and ninety acres of land, and on the farm that he improved lived for forty years, carrying on general farming with excellent pecuniary results. Selling out in 1882, he in com¬ pany with his son Steward, the special subject of this sketch, bought two hundred and twenty-one acres of land in section eighteen, Washington township, on the river bottom just north of Bowling Green, and there resided until his death, February 13, 1888. On January 14, 1842, he married Maria Bybee, who survived him, dying December 28, 1890. Two children were born of their union, namely: Margaret and Steward. Margaret married Jesse Allee, of Clay City, and died January 15, 1906, leaving no children.

Receiving his elementary education in the old log schoolhouse of pioneer days, Steward Drake subsequently taught school for a number of terms. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he found farming more con¬ genial to his tastes as well as more profitable, and since March, 1882, when he and his father bought the farm where he now resides, he has continued in this occupation. At the death of his father, Mr. Drake came into possession of one hundred and eightv-five acres of the home farm. He cultivates fifty acres of his land himself and leases the remainder, receiving a good income in each case. He has made valuable improve¬ ments on his farm, which is advantageously located, his fine two-story frame residence of nine rooms commanding an extended view of the sur¬ rounding country. Mr. Drake, in 1891, in partnership with Mr. Weid- eroder, bought a grist mill, and a few years later bought his partner's interest in the plant, of which he is now the sole owner, his son Otis superintending its management.

On August 18, 1869, Mr. Drake married Delila Tressel, who was born April 19, 1849, ln Tuscarawas county, Ohio, which was the birthplace of her father, George Tressel. Her father, who was of German descent, married Sarah Maughiman, a daughter of Henry and Margaret Maughiman, natives of Germany. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Drake, namely: Otis, of whom a brief sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Harley R., of Indianapolis; Zella, wife of Arthur Kendall, of Bowling Green; Ernest T., of Bowling Green; Chester, living with his parents; and Olga, who died March 25, 1894, aged five years. Politically Mr. Drake is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and fraternally he is a member of Clay Lodge No. 185, F. & A. M., of Bowling Green.

John P. Ell, of section fifteen, Perry township, enjoys the double satisfaction of having greatly contributed to the progress of his section of Clay county in the development of her agriculture and the erection of structures devoted both to business and the cause of education. He is a native of Posey township, bom on the 23rd of November, 1855, and is a son of John Adam and Margaret Ell. Both his parents were born in Berlin, Germany, his father coming to the United States in 1828 and locat¬ ing in Hamilton county, Ohio. There he worked at his trade as a black¬ smith until 1835, when he went to Staunton, and after continuing in that city for several years, similarly engaged, abandoned his trade for agricul¬ ture. He bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Posey town¬ ship, where the parents resided until their deaths - the father in 1896 and the mother in 1898.

John P. Ell, the eldest son of ten children, resided with his parents until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to Terre Haute and learned the bricklayer's trade, which he followed for some four years. He then returned to his parents' home, where he resided until his marriage, June 15, 1877, to Miss Catherine Hoffmann. Mrs. Ell was born in Posey town¬ ship and is a daughter of Conrad and Mary Eva Hoffmann, also natives of Berlin, Germany. Mr. Ell resided on a rented farm in Posey township for about two years prior to his marriage, and afterward resided for a similar length of time on his father-in-law's homestead in Perry township, then buying eighty acres of partly improved land. The improvements consisted of a modest house and fifty acres of cleared land. Renting his farm, Mr. Ell industriously and persistently worked at his trade, his operations extending to Staunton, Riley, Cory and the country surround¬ ing for a dozen miles, and including the building of twenty brick school houses and numerous stores and residences. He has also added to his landed estate until it now amounts to three hundred and twenty acres, all in Perry township and either under cultivation or pasture. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. John P. Ell are William, a resident of Perry town¬ ship, and Mary, now Mrs. Michael Rouchleine, also living in the township mentioned. Mr. Ell is very prominent in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, having served as a trustee since 1903. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never been ambitious for public advancement.

Professor Thomas N. James, by the consensus of public opinion accorded a position of marked precedence and prominence among the representatives of public instruction in Indiana, being now identified with the schools of Brazil, was born in Vigo county, this state, November 27, 1849. He descended in both the paternal and maternal lines from southern ancestry. His parents were George W. and Ruth (Nance) James, the former born in Mason county, Kentucky, December 5, 1822, the latter in North Carolina. The mother died during the early boyhood of her son Thomas, leaving three children, of whom Professor James is the only one now living. After losing his first wife the father married again, his second union being with Mary Sarchett, who was born in Ohio and died in this state in 1861. They were the parents of four children, of whom two survive: William H., and Nancy, the wife of John Summer¬ ville. During the pioneer epoch in the history of Indiana, when this state was a frontier region, Professor James was brought here by his parents. The grandparents were Berryman and Mary K. James, both natives of Virginia and the great grandparents were Thomas R. and Hannah W. James, who were also natives of the Old Dominion and were of English parentage. Berryman James first located in Monroe county, Indiana, in 1829, and in the year 1832 he and his father, Thomas R. James, came to Clay county, being among the first to penetrate into the wilderness of Dick Johnson township. It was the year in which the Black Hawk war occurred and Indians were yet numerous in this part of the country, resenting the encroachment of the white men upon what they claimed was their hunting grounds.

Amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life George W. James was reared to manhood. He spent his winters working in pork packing establishments in Terre Haute and during the summer months when river navigation was open he made trips to New Orleans with the products of the packing establishments on their boats. Later he devoted his attention to farming in Dick Johnson township, where he resided until 1858, when he removed westward to Kansas and again became a factor in pioneer life, entering government land. But he had to leave the state on account of the unsettled condition brought about by the question of slavery and again came to Indiana after living in Kansas for eight or nine months. He remained a resident of this state until 1880, when he went to Nebraska, but after spending two years there he once more became a resident of Dick Johnson township, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1883, when he retired from active life and took up his abode in Brazil, where he spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He was township assessor of Brazil for four years and also filled the office of township clerk in Dick Johnson township. He was likewise road superintendent and in all these positions he discharged his duties in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents. His loyalty, however, was not alone demonstrated in civic life, for at the time of the Civil war he gave proof of his patriotism and his devotion to the Union bv his enlistment as a member of Company I, Twenty-first Regi¬ ment of Indiana Volunteers on the 7th day of July, 1861, serving until January, 1866. This regiment was made the First Heavy Artillery of Indiana and Mr. James became lieutenant of Battery I. He did active service with the gulf division under Generals Butler, Banks and Canby and participated in many important battles, including the siege of Fort Hudson, the battle of Bayou Teche, the capture of Fort Morgan, siege of Mobile and the siege of New Orleans, being under command of General Butler at the prison city in 1862. Almost forty years before his father had been a soldier at New Orleans under General Jackson in 1815, participat¬ ing in what is known in history as the tearless battle, so small were the losses of the American troops. George W. James cast his first presiden¬ tial vote for James K. Polk, and voted for Abraham Lincoln for the sec¬ ond term and remained a stalwart champion of the Republican party until his demise. He maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in General Canby Post No. 2, G. A. R., and greatly enjoyed the camp fires where were recalled the scenes and inci¬ dents that took place on the tented fields of the south. He belonged to the New Light or Christian church. He died January 9, 1904, at the ven¬ erable age of eighty-two years and Brazil and Clay county mourned the loss of a citizen who was uniformly respected and honored.

Professor James, reared under the parental roof, supplemented his early education by study in Bloomingdale Academy and in Danville Nor¬ mal and State Normal. He afterward turned his attention to the pro¬ fession of teaching as a life work and in 1902 became principal of the Diamond school in Parke county, Indiana. He was principal of the schools at Cory and for eighteen years was principal of the Brazil high school, while at the present writing he is principal of the Jackson street school at Brazil. He has taken special work for three years in university extension work, devoting one year to literary economy, one year to literature and one year to history. His long connection with the schools of Brazil indicates in no uncertain manner his high standing in the profession and the regard in which his ability is held in this city. He has made steady progress, holding to high ideals in his work and keep¬ ing abreast with the best thinking men of the age, who are devoting their lives to education.

On the 4th of March, 1875, Professor James was married to Miss Orpha J. Hobson, who was born in Parke county, Indiana, January 31, 1850, a daughter of Milton and Charity (Davis) Hobson, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, the former born in 1826 and the latter in 1829. Mr. Hobson was brought to this state by his parents when only three years of age, the family home being established in Parke county near where the town of Marshall now stands. The Hobsons had come from Greensboro, North Carolina, and with the work of pioneer develop¬ ment in this section of the state they were closely, actively and helpfully associated. Milton Hobson devoted his entire life to farming in Parke county and his activity and enterprise made him a loyal resident of the community. At the age of seventy-five years he returned to his old home in North Carolina on a visit. In community affairs he was deeply inter¬ ested, served as a member of the township committee, gave his political allegiance to the Whig party and was a member of the Society of Friends, or Quakers. In this state he married Miss Charity Davis, who died in 1902, while he survived until 1906. Their family numbered thirteen chil¬ dren, of whom eight are living: Mrs. James; George W. ; Josiah D. ; John R. ; Martha, the wife of J. D. Fisher ; Rhoda, the wife of I. Fulenwider; Mary, the wife of Charles Blake; and Wallace M.

Professor and Mrs. James have a family of five children, as follows : Eva Estelle, the wife of W. S. Davis, a practicing physician of Marshall, Indiana; Milton T., who resides in Brazil; Jessie J., who is engaged in teaching in the schools of Toronto, Indiana ; Ruth C., who follows teach¬ ing in the Brazil schools ; and George H., who pursued a course of study in Chicago and is now attending the Indiana University. The parents are well known in Brazil, where they have an extensive circle of friends, occupying an enviable position in social circles, where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society. Professor Janies belongs to Brazil Lodge No. 215, I. O. O. F., and is one of its most prominent representatives, having served as its treasurer for twentythree years. He and his wife are members of Mayflower Lodge No. 61, of the Rebekah degree, and for thirteen years have been members of the Order of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. Mr. James is also connected with Iron City Encampment No. 118, of the Uniformed Rank of Odd Fellows, and is in hearty sympathy with the principles and precepts of this order, which has its basic element in mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. He is a member of the Southern Indiana Teachers' Associa¬ tion and the Indiana State Teachers' Association, of which he was vicepresident, and is ex-president of the Clay County Teachers' Association. At one time Mr. James was township assessor of Brazil. Keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day he has come to the con¬ clusion that the platform of the Republican party embodies the best ele¬ ments of good government and therefore gives to it his support at the polls. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and their many excellent qualities have gained them a most enviable position in public regard. "Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success," and judged by this, Professor James has been a most successful man. In his chosen life work he has embodied the spirit of Kant who said "the object of education is to train each individual to reach the highest per¬ fection possible for him." It is a widely acknowledged fact that the most important work to which a man can direct his energies is that of teaching-, whether it be from the pulpit, from the lecture platform, or from the school room. Its primary object is ever the same - the development of one's latent powers that the duties of life may be bravely met and well performed. Recognizing the responsibilities that devolve upon him, Pro¬ fessor James has met every duty in life with a sense of conscientious obligation and has always stood for high ideals in educational work.

James A. Winn is a retired farmer residing in Brazil but deriving a gratifying income from a valuable property of four hundred acres of rich and productive land in Clay county. He has lived in this county since the days of the log cabin and the unimproved wilderness and has watched its development as the pioneer settlers have converted their claims into productive farms, while those who have concentrated their energies upon industrial and commercial interests have doubled the towns and cities. Mr. Winn is a native of Muskingum county, Ohio. He was born September 29, 1845, of the marriage of Andrew and Abigal Jane (Rainer) Winn. The father was born in New Jersey, August 1, 1806, while the mother's birth occurred in Orange county, New York, September 10, 18.10. They were married in the latter county. Andrew Winn had spent his boyhood days in New Jersey upon the farm of his father, Abraham Winn, but after his marriage lived in Orange county, New York, for some time, removing thence to Muskingum county, Ohio, where he remained for seventeen years. In the fall of 1856 he became a resident of Clay county, Indiana, settling in Dick Johnson township, where he took up his abode in a log cabin, adding thereto a stone chimney through which the smoke from the huge fireplace found egress. The family shared in all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. They had made the journey to Indiana with two yoke of oxen and a two-horse wagon, thus covering the entire distance from their old home in Ohio. Having lived for some time in Clay county, Mr. Winn removed to Worth county, Mis¬ souri, where he remained for about three months and then returned to Clay county, where his remaining days were passed. His death occurred May 8, 1885. In his political views he was a Democrat. His widow long survived and passed away on the 10th of September, 1893. Their family numbered eleven children, seven of whom still survive : Henry R. ; Harriet, the wife of Jackson McGranham ; Lois Amanda, the wife of John McGranham; James A., of this review; John W. ; Andrew F. ; and Jesse S.

James A. Winn was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of the frontier. He was but eleven years of age when the family came to Clay county and he assisted in the arduous task of clearing the fields and developing the farm. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges but his opportunities in that direction were somewhat meager, for the schools at that time had not been brought to their present system of perfection in this county. However, he learned many valuable lessons concerning the worth of industry, enterprise and integrity. He learned also the caution and the prudence necessary to those who live on the frontier and he always utilized every chance to the best possible advantage. He completed his arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage on the 10th of May, 1868, to Miss Caroline Compton, who was born in Dick Johnson township, Clay county, Indiana, in her father's log house, March 1, 1850. Her parents were Jacob L. and Elizabeth (Haw¬ thorn) Compton. Her father's birth occurred in Warren county, Ohio, October 22, 1808, and he died April 3, 1877. His wife, who was born February 27, 1818, died December 28, 1897. They were married April 2, 1833, and their family number four sons and five daughters, but only two are now living, Richard M. Compton and Mrs. Winn. It was in September, 1843, that Mr. Compton arrived in Indiana, having journeyed with horse and wagon. He located in Dick Johnson township. His father, Richard J. Compton, had come to Clay county in the early '40s and entered government land for his children. He was born March 19, 1789, in New Jersey, and died January 29, 1858. His wife, Mary (Lyons) Compton, was born October 15, 1783, and died October 14, i860. Their family numbered four sons and three daughters, including Jacob LCompton, who on arriving in Clay county built a log cabin in Dick Johnson township in 1843. With characteristic energy he began the development and improvement of his place and as time passed added to his land until he had one hundred and sixty acres, which he cultivated and improved up to the time of his death. He served as township trustee and was interested and active in community affairs. His political support was given to the Democracy and he was a consistent and faithful sup¬ porter of the Universalist church, his friends and fellow townsmen respecting him for his many sterling traits of character.

eighteen feet. He split the clapboards for his house and furnished it in primitive style, but their little home was a happy one and the earnest endeavor that was there put forth enabled him to prosper in his farming operations, so that after a brief time he was able* to add forty acres to his original purchase. He has since bought land as opportunity has offered and his financial resources have permitted until he is now the owner of nearly four hundred acres of rich and arable land, from which he derives a gratifying annual income. He also owns a good home in Brazil, where he now resides and other city property, all of which he has accomplished through his own efforts and the assistance of his estimable wife, who has indeed been a helpmate to him. In 1879 he erected a good modern dwell¬ ing on his farm, doing all the carpenter work himself, his wife helping him put on the cornice boards. They have lived a life of industry, care¬ fully directed by intelligent judgment, and as a result, have attained a gratifying measure of prosperity.

Unto this worthy couple have been born seven children: Josephine Alice, the wife of George Morris; Lucy E., the wife of Herbert Wolf; Mary E., the wife of Melvin Houk ; Austin M. ; Oliver, who died in infancy; Myrtle C., and James C.

Mr. Winn is a member of the Brazil Lodge No. 264, A. F. & A. M. and is loyal to the teachings and tenets of the craft. He votes with the Democratic party, but has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his time and attention upon his business affairs, which creditably directed, have brought him a gratifying measure of success, so that he is now enabled to live in well earned ease, his home being supplied with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries which go to make life worth living.

William Henry Moyer. - The name of William H. Moyer is prominently associated with the milling interests of Clay county. It was in 1900 that he sold his farm and bought from F. C. Watts the flour¬ ing mill which he conducted about one year, and then in partnership with John Willen purchased a larger grist mill there and operated it for two years. Selling his interest in the mill at the close of that period he in August, 1903, became the owner of his present valuable mill at Cory, purchasing the property from A. R. Gruber.

Mr. Moyer was born in Owen county, Indiana, September 16, 1863, a son of John and Mary (Baumgartner) Moyer. The mother was born in Germany, but came with her parents to the United States and to Ohio in 1832, and there gave her hand in marriage to John Moyer, a native son of Pennsylvania and a farmer and weaver of blankets. They wrere married in the spring of 1862, and coming to Indiana resided in Owen county for a number of years, the husband and father dying there in 1868. The widow then moved to another part of the county, and five years afterward to the northern part of Clay county, where she remained for four years, and has since lived with her children, her home having been with her son William H. until 1900, since which time she has been with a daughter. William H. was the only child of John and Mary (Baumgartner) Moyer, but the parents had both been previously married, the mother first wedding a Mr. Halt, by whom she had six children, and the father had four sons and a daughter by his first marriage.

room at that early age he rented a farm and also operated a saw mill. In company with his brother-in-law, John Zurcher, he was also engaged in operating a threshing mill for four years, and then selling his interest in the machine he bought forty acres of land near Clay City and moved to that place. He again purchased a half interest in a threshing machine, and for eight years operated it in connection with his farming interests. He sold his interest in the thresher at the close of that period, and after adding forty acres to his original purchase he also sold his farm in 1900, and moving to Clay' City has since been extensively engaged in the mill¬ ing business.

Mr. Moyer was married on the 1st of March, 1883, to Rose Zurcher j who was born in Clay county, and their six children are Walter, William, Oliver, Elmer, Herbert and Maude. Walter makes his home in Terre Haute, and Maude died at the age of seven years. The wife and mother is also deceased, dying in October, 1900, and on the 9th of January, 1904, Mr. Moyer wedded Mrs. Mary J. (Conley) McConnell, a native of Decatur county, and the widow of Albert McConnell, by whom she had one child, Floyd, born in 1889. Mr. Moyer votes with the Democratic party, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Clay City and of the Reformed church. Mrs. Moyer is a member of the Baptist church.

John F. Meyer. - Washington township, Clay county, is a rich agri¬ cultural center, and among the enterprising and self-reliant men who are ably conducting its farming interests is John F. Meyer, an extensive land¬ holder, and one of the most highly respected and esteemed citizens of the community in which he has so long resided. A son of Adolph and Ebine (Coltmeyer) Meyer, he was born, March 13, 1833, in Prussia, Germany, and was there bred and educated.

Reared to habits of industry and thrift, Mr. Meyer was engaged in tilling the soil in the Fatherland until thirty-one years of age. Emigrat¬ ing then to the United States, the land of hope and promise, he spent two months in Philadelphia, from there coming in 1864 to Clay county, Indiana. He began his career as a farm laborer in Washington township, and in a comparatively short time bought seventy acres of land. Labor¬ ing with characteristic energy, he succeeded from the first, and as fast as he had money to spare made other wise investments in land, and has now a clear title to eight hundred acres or more of choice land in Sugar Ridge and Washington townships, his estate being one of the most desir¬ able and valuable pieces of property in this part of Clay county.

In April, 1864, Mr. Meyer married Margareta Sendmeyer, who was born in Prussia, and into their pleasant household four children have been born, namely : Henry, of Washington township ; August, of the same place ; Elizabeth, living with her parents; and Emma, wife of Flenry Kohlenburg, of Washington township. Politically Mr. Meyer is a stanch Democrat, and religiously he is a member of the Christian church.

Judge Silas Dem arcus Coffey. - On the long list of illustrious names of those who have gained fame for the bar of Indiana is found the name of Judge Silas Demarcus Coffey, one of the distinguished jur¬ ists of the state, who served on the bench of the circuit and also of the supreme court. His career was one which reflected credit and dignity upon the profession and throughout his entire life he was found faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation. He was one of Indiana's native sons, his birth having occurred upon a farm in Owen county February 23, 1839. He was a son of Hodge R. and Hannah Coffey, natives of Tennessee and of North Carolina respectively. Re¬ moving to Indiana, they became pioneer residents of Owen county, and in the public schools, while spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, Judge Coffey acquired his preliminary education, which was supple¬ mented by study in the state university at Bloomington, in which he matriculated in the year 1860. There he pursued his studies until the outbreak of the Civil war. He had watched with interest the progress of events in the south, had noted the threats of secession and had pondered upon the question of the right of any state to withdraw from the Union. When the attempt at secession was made he at once offered his aid to the government, the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns having scarcely cleared away when he enlisted in response to the first call for three months' troops. On the expiration of that term of enlistment he re-enlisted for a year, and when President Lincoln issued his call for seventy-five thousand men his regiment, the Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, responded and was mustered in for three years or during the war. Judge Coffey was actively engaged with the movements of the army in its contests with the southern forces until June, 1863, when he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, with which he continued until the expiration of his term of enlist¬ ment the succeeding year. He made a splendid record as a soldier, never faltering in the performance of any military duty assigned him and on the contrary giving valued aid to the cause which he espoused.