Clay County, Indiana - The whole text, 1909 (part 12 of 21)

Following his return home Judge Coffey determined to engage in the practice of law as a life work, and after thorough preliminary prepara¬ tion became a partner of Allen T. Rose, then one of the able members of the Indiana bar practicing at Bowling Green. This connection continued until 1868, when the firm was dissolved and Judge Coffey became a part¬ ner of Major W. W. Carter, an association that existed harmoniously until Mr. Coffey was appointed judge of the circuit court. The political honors which came to him were largely in the line of his profession. In 1866 he was the Republican candidate for prosecuting attorney for the district comprising Owen, Greene, Clay and Putnam counties, but could not overcome the strong Democratic majority of his district, which was an acknowledged Democratic stronghold. In 1873 he was nominated for the circuit judgeship of Clay and Putnam counties and was again defeated, although he ran far in advance of the party ticket, the large vote being a tribute to his personal worth and ability and an expression of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow-citizens. He was, however, called to the bench on the 25th of March, 1881, by appointment of Gov¬ ernor Porter to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Turman. In June, 1882, in the Republican judicial convention, he was nominated by accla¬ mation for the position of circuit judge. Clay and Putnam counties always gave a strong Democratic majority, and it was believed that no Republican candidate could be elected, but Judge Coffey had so demon¬ strated his ability on the bench that he was chosen for the office by a ma¬ jority of six hundred and fifty-five, carrying his own county by a major¬ ity of one hundred and twenty-eight votes, although the state ticket gave a Democratic majority of one hundred and ninety. The vote was the public endorsement of his previous service and his course on the bench won for him the highest encomiums. He served from 1882 until 1888, and in the latter year was nominated and elected as one of the judges of the supreme court of this state, which position he held and filled with great credit and ability for six years. The records of the court of appeals bear evidence of his wide learning. His decisions indicate strong mentality, careful analysis, a thorough knowledge of the law and an unbiased judg¬ ment. The judge who makes a success in the discharge of his multitudi¬ nous delicate duties is a man of well rounded character, finely balanced mind and of splendid intellectual attainments, and that Judge Coffey was regarded as such a jurist is a uniformly accepted fact. Following his retirement from the supreme bench, where he was regarded as the peer of many of the ablest men who have been connected with the court of last resort, he resumed the practice of law in Brazil as a partner of Judge S. M. McGregor.

On the 1st of November, 1864, following his return from the war, Judge Coffey was married to Miss Caroline L. Byles, who was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1836, and was educated in Philadelphia. Her parents were William and Sarah (Larue) Byles, also natives of the Keystone state. The father died at the age of seventyeight years and the mother passed away at the age of sixty-eight. Throughout his entire life he followed the occupation of farming in Pennsylvania in order to provide for his family. Both he and his wife were members of the Society of Friends or Quakers and were earnest Christian people. His political support was given to the Whig party. Unto him and his wife were born two sons and two daughters, but one has now passed away. Those still living are Thomas, Mrs. Coffey and Marie. William Byles, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Coffey, came to this country with William Penn and located in Bucks county, Pennsyl¬ vania, during the formative period in the history of that state.

Unto Judge and Mrs. Coffey were born six children, of whom four are living. Ida L. is the wife of William E. Sanders, a resident of Chi¬ cago. Emma J. is the wife of Dr. R. H. Richards, who is living in Owen county, Indiana. He was county treasurer there and is prominent in the public life of his community. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Richards has been born a daughter, Dorothy Carolina, and Mrs. Coffey is very proud of this little one - her only grandchild. Nettie E. Coffey is a teacher in Lascruces, New Mexico. Wallace married Miss Louise Wright and is engaged in business as an electrical engineer.

Judge Coffey was a prominent representative of the Masonic frater¬ nity and was a gentleman of fine social qualities, quiet and unobtrusive manner, but of undoubted integrity and of strong mentality.

Following his retirement from the bench Judge Coffey continued in the active practice of law with Judge McGregor in Brazil until the time of his death, which occurred in Manatee, Florida, on the 6th of March, 1904, when he was in the sixty-sixth year of his age. No death in this part of the state has occasioned deeper regret. In a series of resolutions passed by the Putnam county bar, in a brief review of his life, it was said : ''Coming home from the war he at once entered upon the study of the law, having chosen for his life's work the legal profession. He was dili¬ gent as a student, and from the very start gave evidence of possessing naturally and in an unusual degree those qualities of mind which are essential to constitute a thorough and well equipped lawyer. He was enthusiastic and devoted to the study of his profession. It is said of him that as a private soldier in the field he carried with him in his knapsack on his back a copy of Blackstone's Commentaries, which he studied while halting on a march, and read by the light of the campfires at night. With such energy and pertinacity of purpose his future success and eminence as a lawyer were already well nigh assured. As a lawyer he was plaus¬ ible, tactful, self-confident, quick and clear in his legal perceptions, and always faithful and devoted to his clients. He was no mean antagonist at the bar. lie had a wonderful evenness of temper. He was not easily swept off his feet and seldom lost his balance. As a trial lawyer he was selfpoised, and seemingly never disconcerted or surprised. However adverse the ruling of the court or however strong and unexpected the testimony against him, his countenance was the same and he betrayed no evidence of nervousness or fear. As a judge he was prompt and ready and his decisions were seldom overruled. He was generous, open-hearted, kind and companionable with his friends. He was a good citizen, a faith¬ ful soldier, a successful lawyer and an able and upright judge."

In the resolutions passed by the Clay county bar it was said: "In his death this community has lost a useful and valuable citizen; the bar has lost an able lawyer, and his family a kind, devoted and affectionate husband and father. Judge Coffey served a period of eight years on the circuit bench of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Indiana, and one full term of six years in the highest judicial tribunal in this state - judge of the supreme court of Indiana. He filled both of these high and responsible positions with credit to himself and to the honor of the profession of which he was a member. On the circuit bench he was absolutely fair and impartial in all his rulings and decisions, ever striving to see that justice was administered between litigants. On the supreme bench his opinions bore evidence of familiarity with the fundamental principles of the law and were carefully prepared and thoroughly digested. In his practice at the bar he was a most formidable adversary and a very successful practi¬ tioner. His pleadings were always framed upon a well defined theory. As an advocate he was much stronger before the court in discussing legal principles than before a jury in presenting the facts, and yet in all his arguments he was logical and impressive. For over a third of a century he practiced his profession in this and surrounding counties with a suc¬ cess rarely attained by any other member of the bar. In his private deal¬ ings he was the soul of honor, fulfilling all his engagements with prompt¬ ness and exactitude. In his social relations he was genial and most com¬ panionable. He was kindhearted and ever willing to lend a helping hand to those in distress. To the younger members of the bar he was tolerant, forbearing and uniformly kind, freely advising and counseling them when¬ ever his aid or assistance was sought. Long and intimate association with Judge Coffey, in those relations especially tending to develop the true disposition of the man, enables us to testify that the best conceptions of life dominated his nature. A believer in religion, devoted to the highest ideals of citizenship in both public and private relations, there can be lit¬ tle room for adverse criticism upon his life. Whether as citizen, acting in the ordinary affairs of life, attorney at the bar contending for the inter¬ ests of a client, or weighing the rights of litigants as a judge upon a bench, to do right and render exact justice was the purpose that always controlled his mind. His conceptions of public duty were high and he contemplated with horror any influence that might work a denial of jus¬ tice. He was never charged with or suspected of dishonesty. The cast of his mind was logical, the methods of his reasoning were argumentative.

He was devoted to the interests of his clients but his devotion carried him beyond the limits of legitimate duty. There was the genius of success in his methods which gave him a large place in the public confidence. If he was not eloquent he possessed qualities of intellect of a more valuable kind. His mind was disciplined, systematic and discriminating and he reached conclusions by a process of reasoning which left little room for mistake. As a judge of the highest court in the state his opinions are brief, compact, and proceed from well defined premises to clear conclu¬ sions and constitute models of judicial precision and brevity."

No man in public life perhaps in this community has had so few ene¬ mies. Even those opposed to him politically entertained for him the warmest personal regard and admiration. It is said that he never forgot a friend : The playmates of his boyhood, the associates of his early man¬ hood, his comrades in arms, those with whom he labored at the bar and his colleagues on the bench were alike remembered through all the years with their added responsibilities and honors. His life record finds em¬ bodiment in the words of Pope :

Jacob Luther. - Among the native-born citizens of Harrison town¬ ship who have spent their lives within its precincts, aiding in every pos¬ sible way its growth and development, is Jacob Luther, whose birth occurred September 20, 1858, on the farm which he now owns and occu¬ pies, and which his father, Jacob Luther, Sr., entered from the govern¬ ment.

Peter Luther,. Mr. Luther's grandfather, was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, and was there reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1828, impelled by the restive American spirit that led so many to seek new locations on the frontier wilds, he came with his wife and children to Indiana, performing the long, hard journey with teams. Settling in what is now Harrison township, he took up a tract of land that was in its pris¬ tine wilderness, and here, on the homestead which he improved, he spent his remaining days. He married Sally Randall, also a native of North Carolina, and she proved herself a wise helpmeet and companion.

Jacob Luther, Sr., was born in 1817 in Randolph county, North Caro¬ lina, and when a boy of eleven years made the memorable trip across the country to this state. In that early day the greater part of the land was owned by the government, and was covered with a heavy growth of tim¬ ber. Wild animals of all kinds were numerous and destructive, and many Indians were living in the forests. Much of the wood in this section was either black walnut, oak or poplar, and the huge logs made of the latter kind were rolled into piles and burned, that being the only way to dispose of them quickly. Arriving at man's estate, Jacob Luther, Sr., entered government land, a part of which is included in the farm on which his son Jacob was born, and which he now owns and occupies. For many years afterwards there were neither markets nor railroads in the state, and he used to take his hogs and other surplus products of the farm to Gosport, thirty miles away. The people lived on the productions of the soil or the fruits of the chase, and the busy housewife invariably dressed her family in homespun which she carded, spun and wove with her own hands. He succeeded well as a farmer, and on the homestead which he reclaimed from the wilderness resided until his death in April, 1861.

Jacob Luther, Sr., was three times married. By his first wife, Rachel Harris, he had three children, Silas, Sally Ann and Narcissa. He married for his second wife a Miss Church, who at her death left one son, Joel. The maiden name of his third wife was Annie Patton, and bv her he had two children, namely: Jacob, the special subject of this brief biographical sketch, and Eliza, who died in childhood. She survived him, and subse¬ quently married Miles Jessup, who was born on Fort Harrison prairie, Vigo county, Indiana, and died in 1877. She was born near Cataract, Owen county, Indiana, in 1834, a daughter of Christopher Patton, and died in 1884. Mr. Patton was born in Ireland, of Scotch ancestry, and after his emigration to this country lived for awhile in North Carolina. He subsequently spent a short time in Kentucky, from there coming on horseback, with his wife and two children, to Owen county, Indiana. He was there a resident for many years, but both he and his wife spent their last days in Harrison township.

Brought up on the home farm, Jacob Luther received his early educa¬ tion in the district school and commenced when quite young to assist on the farm, living with his mother and step-father until 1882. In that year, taking unto himself a companion to share his pleasures and his troubles, he moved into a little old log cabin standing on the site of his present com¬ fortable home, and has since been here profitably engaged in general farming and stock raising. In his undertakings Mr. Luther has met with very satisfactory results, his rich and fertile land yielding abundant har¬ vests. He has made improvements of an excellent character on his prop¬ erty, including among others the erection of a good set of frame build¬ ings, the house in which he lives being very pleasantly located on the bank of the Eel river.

On August 18, 1882, Mr. Luther married Henrietta Huffman, who was born in Sugar Ridge township, which was also the birthplace of her father, Albert Huffman. Her paternal grandfather, John Huffman, emi¬ grated from Randolph county, North Carolina, his native place, to In¬ diana, making the entire journey with teams, and bringing not only his household goods, but his farm implements, he and his family camping and cooking by the way. One of the original householders of Sugar Ridge township, Clay county, he took up wild land from the government, and on the farm which he cleared and improved spent the remainder of his life. Albert Huffman was a natural mechanic, and for a number of years worked at the carpenter's trade. He was afterwards employed at a foun¬ dry in Brazil, and subsequently settled in Harrison township, where he spent his last years. He married Olive Bolin, who was born in Owen county, where her parents were pioneer settlers, and died in Harrison township. She reared three children, Henrietta, now Mrs. Luther, Edna and Leota. Mr. and Mrs. Luther are the parents of four children, namely : Alexander, Grover Cleveland, John Jacob and Mamie. Grover C. mar¬ ried Margaret Dunham. Mr. Luther has been an active worker in the Democratic party for many years, and in 1901 was elected county commis¬ sioner, an office to which he was subsequently re-elected, serving in that capacity for six years. Fraternally he is a member of Saline City Lodge, No. 220, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Luther has two of the parchment deeds, the oldest executed by President Andrew Jackson, October 7, 1835, and the other by President Martin Van Buren November 7, 1837, the only two deeds of the kind found in Clay county so far. These are valuable heirlooms in the home.

Hon. Felix Grundy Thornton, M. D. - An able and skilful physi¬ cian and a man of much prominence in public affairs, Hon. Felix G. Thornton, M. D., is especially worthy of representation in a work of this kind. A native of Indiana, he was born June 24, 1850, at Bloomington, Monroe county, a son of the late Captain James A. Thornton. He comes of old Virginia stock, his paternal grandfather, Nathaniel Thornton, hav¬ ing been born in Virginia, being the descendant of an early English set¬ tler of that state.

Emigrating to Kentucky when young, Nathaniel Thornton was one of the early pioneers of Owen county and a stanch friend of Daniel Boone, the famous trapper and backwoodsman. A millwright by trade, he built many of the very first mills erected in that state, including among others mills at Shelbyville, Taylorsville, Lexington and Owensboro. The last years of his life he spent in Lexington, Kentucky, living retired from active work.

Born, bred and educated in Owen county, Kentucky, James A. Thornton began his active career as a boatman on the Ohio river, and while yet a young man was made commander of the steamer "Tennes¬ seean." later having command of the "Eagle." These steamers plied regu¬ larly between Cincinnati and New Orleans, conveying passengers as well as freight of every description. Upon resigning as captain of the steamer, he was made master mechanic of the Monon Railroad, a position that he ably filled for a number of years. Retiring from active labor, Captain Thornton resided in Bloomington, Indiana, until his death, at the vener¬ able age of eighty-seven years. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Mercer, was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Joseph and Jincy (Kincaid) Mercer and granddaughter of Senator Kincaid. She still lives, at the age of seventy-seven years, in Bloomington.

One of a family of thirteen children that grew to maturity, Felix G. Thornton acquired the rudiments of his education in the public schools of Bloomington, after which, in 1869, he was graduated from the Indiana State University. Subsequently turning his attention to the study of medi¬ cine, he was with Dr. Joseph G. McPheeters, of Bloomington, for three years. Immediately beginning the practice of his chosen profession, Dr. Thornton was located at Salisbury for a few years, in the meantime add¬ ing to his acquired scientific knowledge by both experience and observa¬ tion. In 1880, two years after settling in Knightsville, the Doctor was graduated from the Indiana Central College of Physicians and Surgeons, and since that time has here been in active practice, having built up a large and lucrative patronage in this vicinity.

On September 5, 1876, Dr. Thornton married Clementine Uland, who was born near Bloomfield, Greene county, Indiana, a daughter of John Uland. Two children have blessed their marriage, namely: Walter E., a graduate of the Indiana Medical College and a well known physician of Montpelier, and Nancy, wife of Ross Thimm.

Fraternally Dr. Thornton belongs to Knightsville Lodge No. 409, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; to Knightsville Lodge No. 186, Knights of Pythias; and to Indianola Tribe No. 61, Improved Order of Red Men. Politically he is an influential member of the Democratic party, and has served the public wisely and well.- He was elected to the state legislature in 1892, giving such general satisfaction to all concerned while filling the position that he was re-elected in 1896. During his first term in the legislature he was a member of the committee on Corporations, on Medicine and on Federal Relations, and was chairman of the Committee on Mines. At the second term he served as one of a committee appointed to escort the Governor to the joint session of the legislature, and was one of the committee on Trust Lands, Mileage and Accounts, Roads and the State Library. He is a member of the Clay County and the State Medical Associations, and served Clay county as secretary of the board of health in 1888.

John Martin Marks. - Numbered among the representative citi¬ zens of Harmony is John Martin Marks, one of the leading general mer¬ chants of the community in which he resides. Coming from English an¬ cestry on the paternal side, he was born March 1, 1855, in Albert county. New Brunswick, where his father, Samuel G. Marks, and his grandfather, Moses Marks, were also born. The grandfather, who followed the trade of a carpenter during his years of activity, spent his entire life in his native county, as did his wife, Mary (Daniels) Marks. They reared three children, Samuel, William and Abner.

Although never learning a trade, Samuel G. Marks was a natural mechanic, ingenious and capable, turning his hand to almost any kind of work. Coming with his family to the United States in 1871, he spent two years at Mineral Ridge, Ohio. Migrating to Clay county in 1873, he located near Brazil, making that his permanent home thereafter, and as long as able to work was employed at the mines in different capacities. He lived to a ripe old age, passing away at the venerable age of seventy-nine years. He was twice married. He married first Abigail Martin, who was born in Albert county, New Brunswick, as were her parents, John and Jane (Woodward) Martin, of English ancestry. She died in i860, leaving four children, namely : Gertrude ; John M., the special subject of this brief sketch ; Moses ; and Elisha. The father subsequently married a second time, and by that union nine children were born.

Brought up in his native county, John Martin Marks took advantage of every offered opportunity for increasing his knowledge of books, at¬ tending the local schools, where the teacher, who was paid by subscrip¬ tions, boarded around. Coming to Clay county in 1873, he was employed in mining pursuits until 1886. Industrious, enterprising and economical, he had in the meantime accumulated quite a sum of money, and with this capital he then embarked in the mercantile business on a modest scale, opening a small grocery in Harmony. Paying strict attention to the details of his trade, studying the wants of his customers, and striving as far as possible to meet their demands, Mr. Marks won a large patronage, having now a finely appointed stock of general merchandise, including nearly every article of daily use in the household.

Mr. Marks has been twice married. He married first, in 1881, Lizzie Savage, who was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, a daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth Savage. She died in early womanhood, leaving five children, namely : Samuel, Byron, Ray, Ralph and John. Mr. Marks married second Mrs. Clara (Wilson) Hardesty, a daughter of John and Sarah Wilson, and widow of the late William Hardesty. Of this union two children have been born, Calvin and Edna. Fraternally Mr. Marks is a member of KnigHtsville Lodge No. 409, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and of Brazil Chapter, No. 54, Royal Arch Masons. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, active in local affairs, and for eight years did good service as township trustee.

Dr. Gilbert R. Finch, one of the leading physicians of Center Point and Clay county, was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, August 11, 1866. His business career was begun as a clerk in a grocery store, and when he had reached the age of nineteen years he entered the same house with which his father was associated, and was thus employed during the fol¬ lowing four years. Before entering upon his business and professional career he had attended the University of Cincinnati, and after resigning his position as a traveling salesman he became a student in the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, which he attended for four years, and then coming to Center Point, has since been located here and enjoys one of the large medical practices in the county. Fie has erected a beautiful modern fourteen-room residence here, furnished with all the modern conveni¬ ences, and his office rooms are also located in the home.

Dr. Finch is a son of Silas S. and Mary E. (Random) Finch, born in Cattaraugus county, New York, in 1832, and in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1842, respectively, and a grandson of Hardy R. and Eleanor Finch, of English descent, and of James M. Random. The parents were married in Terre Haute, where the father traveled as a salesman during an early period in its history, in the days before the advent of the railroad, when he had to travel with a four-horse team over this entire vicinity. He followed this occupation as long as hg lived and died on the 13th of October, 1905, his wife still surviving and residing in Terre Haute.

Dr. Finch, the third born of their two sons and three daughters, was married on the 31st of July, 1895, to Clara E. Grimes, who was born in Sugar Ridge township, Clay county, October 20, 18 66, a daughter of George and Eliza (Anderson) Grimes, natives respectively of Virginia and of Park county, Indiana, the father a son of George and Elizabeth (Davis) Grimes, of Virginia, and the mother a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Balch) Anderson, from Kentucky. George Grimes, Jr., located near Ashboro, Indiana, among its first settlers, and his father built the first brick house in Clay county. The children of Dr. and Mrs. Finch are: Mary E., born February 14, 1897, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Helen L., born January 29, 1899, of Terre Haute, and Edith R., born April 12, 1901, of Center Point. Dr. Finch is a Democrat politically, and he has served as a deputy county health officer and as secretary of the board of health of Center Point since 1898. He is a member of the Masonic order, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of Pythias, of the Woodmen of the World, and of the Modern Woodmen of America.

William D. Schopmyer, who for many years has furnished a most commendable example of industry, intelligent management and useful citizenship, is the owner of considerable farming property in Washington township, which is managed by his thrifty sons, and is also a carpenter of skill and constant employment. He has served as assessor of the town¬ ship since 1904, and is popular and efficient. Mr. Schopmyer is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born on the 24th of November, 1852, a son of Harman and Mary (Fladderjohn) Schopmyer, both natives of Germany. The father was born in 1825 and the mother in 1823, and not only are they alive, but there has never been a death among their six Sons and two daughters, all of whom reside in Clay county. This is a record which is remarkable and the source of untold joy to every member of the family.

William D. Schopmver is the second born in the unbroken circle, received his education in the district schools of Clay county, and spent his boyhood days on the home farm. He learned the carpenter's trade of William Ahlcmeyer, and worked three years at his trade. From the age of ten years to twenty-one he was an independent worker, residing on the paternal homestead, but when he attained his majority he commenced to operate a one hundred and twenty-acre farm of his own in Cass town¬ ship. Later he purchased ninety-seven acres in Washington township. Altogether he has now one hundred and fifty-five acres of land under cultivation, the remainder being either broken or pasture. Until 1903 he raised the standard crops, as well as horses, cattle and hogs, but since that time he has devoted his activities to carpentry and has turned over the management of the farm to his sons.

On the 2nd of September, 1880, Mr. Schopmver wedded Miss Margaret E. Kattman, a native of Washington township, born July 2, 1854, daughter of Christopher and Clara Kattman, whose native land was Germany. The children born of this union were: Nora E., November 22, 1882; Oscar H., January 5, 1885, who is a school teacher; and Ida D., January 13, 1888.

The mother of this family died September 21, 1888, and on November 14, 1889, Mr. Schopmver married for his second wife, Miss Anna Kortepeter, of Cass township, daughter of Earnest and Mary (Huff) Kortepeter, of Cass township. The children of this marriage are: George E., born August 31, 1890; Orville F., born January 2, 1892; Letha M., October 16, 1893; Ervin E., March 11, 1895; Albert H., June 20, 1897; Lafayette R., May 29, 1900; Roy William; June 24, 1902, and Helen C. Schopmyer, November 24, 1904. Mr. Schopmyer is a member of the Poland Lodge No. 364, Knights of Pythias, and in his religious faith is a stanch adherent to the German Reformed church. He has always supported the Democracy by his vote and influence, and in the perform¬ ance of his duties as assessor has contributed both to his own good stand¬ ing and the local advancement of his party's interests.

John Namon Redifer. - Prominent among the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of Clay county is John N. Redifer, who is suc¬ cessfully engaged in his independent calling in Perry township, having a finely improved and well managed farm. A son of Charles L. Redifer, he was born June 22, 1842, in Augusta county, Virginia, where the first six years of his life were spent.

Charles L. Redifer was born in Virginia, where his parents settled on removing from Pennsylvania, their native state. When a young man he learned the trades of a tanner and a miller, and in the daytime used to operate a flour mill, while in the evenings he worked in a tannery. Removing to Ohio in 1848, he was for awhile employed as a butcher in Xenia, Greene county, from there going to Spring Valley, Ohio, where for three or four years he operated a flour mill and a distillery. On account of his wife's health, he then returned to Virginia, but after a brief stay in that state returned to Ohio, locating at Cedarville, where he operated a mill for two years. Coming then to Cloverland, Posey town¬ ship, Clay county, Indiana, he was here employed as a miller until his death in 1868. He married Eliza Gregory, who was born in Virginia, and died in 1852 in Ohio, leaving six children, namely: James R., Eliza¬ beth, William, John N., Margaret A. and Alexander.

But ten years old when he came with his father to Clay county, John N. Redifer began two years later to become self-supporting, for a number of years thereafter working as a farm laborer. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company M, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, went south with his regi¬ ment, and was at the front in many important battles, among them being those at Stone River, Big Shantie, Peach Tree Creek, Burnt Church, Strawberry Plains, and at the various engagements in and around Atlanta, and in the Macon campaign was in General Cook's command. On June 9, 1865, he was honorably discharged with his regiment at Kentucky. Returning home, Mr. Redifer rented land in Riley township, Vigo county, and began farming on his own account. Succeeding well in his opera¬ tions, he purchased eighty acres of the land included in his present home¬ stead. Fifteen acres of the land had then been cleared, and a log house and barn had been built. ' Since then Mr. Redifer has bought another tract of eighty acres, and by the exercise of skill and good judgment has made valued improvements on his place, having placed the larger part of his land under a high state of cultivation, set out fruit and shade trees, and erected a fine set of frame buildings. Here he is carrying on general farming and stock raising in a most satisfactory manner, reaping abundant harvests each* year.

Mr. Redifer married first, December n, 1865, Melissa D. Brill, who was born in Perry township, a daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Hartley) Brill. She was well educated, and when quite young began teaching school, a vocation in which she was very successful. She died November 20, 1889.

Mr. Redifer married second Mrs. Mary L. (McConnell) Lee, daugh¬ ter of John Ellis McConnell and widow of Algie Lee, who was born in Vigo county, Indiana, a son of David and Melinda (Hartley) Lee. John McConnell, Mrs. Redifer's grandfather, was born in Ireland, and on com¬ ing to this country lived for awhile in Ohio, but spent his last years in Shelby county, Indiana, as did his wife, Cynthia (Crossley) McConnell. John Ellis McConnell was born in Ohio, came with the family to Indiana, and in 1861 enlisted in Company F, Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he went south and remained in active service until his death, about a year later. The maiden name of the wife of John Ellis McCon¬ nell was Elizabeth Frances Moss. She was born in Kentucky, a daughter of James and Kate (Plank) Moss, and died in 1875 m Indiana. James Moss was born in Maryland, and was left an orphan when a child. Com¬ ing to Indiana, he lived first in Shelby county, then in Clay county, and after the death of his wife returned to Shelby county, where he spent the remainder of his life. Two children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Redifer, namely: Leila D., born November 18, 1892, and John Lloyd, born March 27, 1894. By her first marriage, Mrs. Redifer had one son and one daughter, namely : Katie G. and Horace J. Katie D. Lee married Stephen Alexander Riddle, and has four children, Melvin, Paul, Asa and Mae. Horace J. Lee married Lula Davis, and resides in Gresham, Nebraska. Politically Mr. Redifer is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and religiously both Mr. and Mrs. Redifer are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Elias Rk.ljy. - A tribute of honor and respect is freely paid to Elias Rigby because of his active, honorable life of eighty-one years. Born at Newcastle, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1827, he is a son of Thomas and Elmira (Squire) Rigby. The father was son of Seth and Hannah (Clark) Rigby, the former born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the latter in New Jersey, of Irish parentage. The great-grandfather, James Rigby, was a native of England and in relig¬ ious faith a member of the Society of Friends or Quakers, which garb he wore and language he spoke during his life.

Thomas Rigby, born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1792, was in early life a millwright and built a large number of the old style mills of Pennsylvania. He was superintendent of twelve miles of the Penn¬ sylvania canal for about twelve or fourteen years. For a long period, however, he devoted his time and attention to the business of watch re¬ pairing. He possessed much mechanical ability and was instructed in the field of watch repairing by H. H. Wence at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Most of his life was thus devoted to that department of activity, in which he became an expert workman. In 1872 he made an extended trip through the west, visiting his son Elias, after which he returned to Pennsylvania, where he passed away in March, 1873. He and his seven brothers were Democrats in their political views up to the time of An¬ drew Jackson's administration, when they changed their allegiance to the Whig party. In Beaver county, Pennsylvania, Thomas Rigby was married to Miss Elmira Squire, who died at the age of seventy-one years. Their family numbered nine children, four of whom passed away in early life, while five still survive as follows : Elias, of this review ; Silas F., who has resided in Greensburg, Indiana, for the past 40 years ; Mrs. Emma Hall, a widow, now living in Newcastle, Pennsylvania ; Sophronia, the wife of H. W. Squires, who served as captain of the One Hundredth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers and is now living in San Francisco, California; and Mrs. Hannah Young, who makes her home in Los Angeles, California.

Elias Rigby attended the public schools to the age of fourteen years, when he continued his studies as a student in the Newcastle Academy of Pennsylvania, remaining there for two years. At the age of sixteen he began working at the carpenter's trade, but when he had devoted a year to building operations of that character, he, turned his attention to the brick layer's trade, to which he also gave a year's time. He next took up the task of watch and clock repairing and finding that a conge¬ nial field of labor he continued therein for about eleven years. He made his home in Newcastle, Pennsylvania, from 1861 until 1866 and then leaving the east, removed westward to Brazil, Indiana, where he arrived in the month of February. It was his intention to engage in the coal business here and after looking over tjie district he purchased the prop¬ erty where his hotel now stands. Almost immediately he embarked in the hotel business, in which he has since continued with the exception of a period of about three years, when he rented the hotel property. He has been a most genial, popular host, attentive to his patrons, carefully considering their wishes and at the same time manifesting capability in business management, so that success has rewarded his labors. His interests have brought him a wide acquaintance and he is uniformly respected by all with whom he has been associated.

On the 9U1 of June, 1864, Mr. Rigby was married to Miss Frances Roose, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, February 14, 1845, a daughter of John and Sarah Ann ( Sams ) Roose. Her father was born in Pennsylvania of German parentage, while the mother was a native of Stark county, Ohio, and was of Quaker lineage. Mr. Roose engaged extensively in farming and milling, owning and operating a mill situated at New Waterford on Bull creek in Columbiana county, Ohio. Mrs. Rigby is exactly eighteen years her husband's junior. Their birth occurred on the same day of the year. On the 14th of February of the present year - 1908 - the anniversary of their births was made the occa¬ sion of a most pleasing and attractive celebration, held at the Rigbv Hotel, which they have conducted since becoming residents of Brazil in 1866. Eight children have been born unto them, but two died in in¬ fancy. The others who now survive are : Clark S. ; Edward S. ; Emma, the wife of Hamlet Brosius, a merchant of Brazil ; Cora, the wife of John T. Emerson, who is also engaged in merchandising in Brazil ; William R. ; and Howard.

Mr. Rigby is a member of Brazil Lodge, No. 264, A. F. and A. M., but was initiated into the mysteries of Masonry in Pennsylvania. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and has been some¬ what active locally in its ranks, serving for one term as a member of the city council and for one term as city clerk. It is seldom that a man of his years remains actively in business, but Mr. Rigby appears to be a man of much younger age, possesses a notable strength and fidelity and in spirit and interest seems yet in his prime. During the long period of his residence in Brazil his fellow townsrtien and the traveling public have come to thoroughly respect him not alone because of a genial, social nature, but also because of the upright business methods he has ever followed. Both he and his wife have an extensive circle of friends in Brazil and no history of the city would be complete without mention of this worthy couple.

Robert S. Stewart. - More than two-thirds of a century has passed since Robert S. Stewart became a resident of Clay county and few men therefore have more intimate knowledge of its history marked by prog¬ ress and development in material, social, intellectual, political* and moral lines. He is today the oldest business man in Clay county, who has been continuously a factor in the business life here and no record of this por¬ tion. of the state would be completed without extended personal mention of him. His birth occurred in Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, on the 5th of August, 1831. His parents were Robert S. and Sarah (Myers) Stewart. The father was born near Covington, Kentucky, and died of cholera in Hamilton, Ohio, at the comparatively early age of forty-four years. He was of Scotch lineage, while his wife was of German an¬ cestry. She was born in Virginia and died in Brazil, Indiana, in 1880, at the very advanced age of eighty-six years. Robert S. Stewart, Sr., devoted his time and energies to farming when in his native state and following his removal to Hamilton, Ohio, there engaged in teaming up to the time of his demise. He was a worthy Christian man who held mem¬ bership in the Methodist Episcopal church, while his political allegiance was given to the Whig party. In the family were nine children, of whom three are yet living: James, a resident of Nevins township, Vigo county,

Indiana ; John, who resides in this county and is mentioned elsewhere in this volume ; and Robert S. After losing her first husband the mother married again, becoming the wife of Caleb Oliver, of Hamilton, Ohio. In the winter of 1843 they removed westward to Clay county, Indiana, where Mr. Oliver followed the occupation of farming, spending his last days here. Mrs. Oliver was for many years numbered among the worthy pioneer women of Clay county, having become a resident of this part of the state when it was largely an undeveloped wilderness.

Robert S. Stewart arrived in Clay county with his mother and step¬ father when a youth of twelve years. In the spring of 1844 the family took up their abode in Jackson township and he attended school in that part of Van Buren township which is today Brazil township. The little "temple of learning" was a log schoolhouse and the usual yearly session covered two or three months. Although his educational privileges were somewhat limited Mr. Stewart received ample training in the work of the farm. He assisted in the arduous task of clearing away the timber and preparing the land for the plow and in his youth he also worked at the plasterer's trade, while later he was apprenticed to a wagon maker by the name of Joseph Hall, working the first two years for fifty dollars per year. Subsequently Mr. Stewart and his brother John engaged in the wagon making business and in 1856 they established a meat market. They have purchased stock all through this part of Indiana and gained a wide acquaintance in their business trips. Men of resourceful ability, they extended their efforts to other lines, building the first brick kiln in this locality. There is no citizen whose connection with business interests in Clay county covers so long a period as does that of Robert S. Stewart. He and his brother John were in business together from 1856 until 1897 and Mr. Stewart is still an active factor in commercial lines. In 1871 with his brother John he gave to Clay county the land whereon the county buildings have been erected. He has always stood for progress and im¬ provement and has not only helped through his influence but has given substantial assistance to many measures and movements for the public good. Whatever he has undertaken he has carried forward to success¬ ful completion, brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by per¬ sistent, determined and honorable effort.

On the 14th of March, 1861, Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Rebecca Brackney, who was born at the present station of the village of Brazil, April 10, 1842, although the town at that time had no existence. Her parents were David Brackney, born November 17, 1811, and Eliza¬ beth (Manker) Brackney, born October 17, 1817, and died February 19, 1881. Her father, a native of Ohio, died in Clay county, Indiana, October 17, 1875, at the age of sixty-four years. He came to this county at a very early epoch in its upbuilding and took up his abode upon the present site of Brazil, carrying on farming where is now seen the residence dis¬ trict. He aided in extending the frontier and in reclaiming this region for the uses of civilization, his labors proving an important element in the early development of the county. His political views were in accord with the principles of the Whig party and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, who was born in Putnam county, Indiana, died in 1881. They were married in Putnam county and their family numbered ten children, six of whom are yet living, namely: Mary, Mrs. Rebecca Stewart, Melroy, Phebe, Elizabeth and Ezra. The dead are: Rachel, Zimry, Jerome and Martha A.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart was blessed with four children, three sons and one daughter, but two died in infancy. Those still living are Delbert and Kate, now Mrs. Thomas Phillips.

Air. Stewart was made a Mason in 1865 and became a charter mem¬ ber of Centennial Lodge No. 541, A. F. and A. M. He is also a member of Brazil Chapter No. 59, R. A. AL; Brazil Council, R. and S. M. ; and Brazil Lodge No. 30, K. P. His wife holds membership in the Alethodist Episcopal church. In politics Air. Stewart is a Republican. He cast his first presidential vote for General Winfield Scott in 1852 and supported the Whig party until the organization of the new Republican party when he joined its ranks and has since followed its banners. He has never sought or desired office, how- ever, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which, capably directed, have brought him wrell merited success. He has intimate knowledge of the history of the county from pioneer times to the present. He located here when much of the surface of the country was covered with the native forest trees, when deer were yet occasionally seen and lesser wild game was to be had in abund¬ ance. It was the early days when the neighbors gathered for a log rolling to assist one of their number in putting up a cabin. There were many hardships and privations to be endured but these were cheerfully and courageously borne in the efforts of the pioneers to establish homes upon the frontier and aid in the reclamation of the wild district. Air. Stewart has been a witness of many of the events which mark the progress and improvement here and his memory forms a connecting link between the past with all of its hardships and trials and the present with its oppor¬ tunities and prosperity.

George W. Proctor. - While for many years George W. Proctor was an active factor in the business world, he is now living retired, his activity and well directed labors in former years making it possible for him to now enjoy well merited rest. He was born in Alontgomery county, Indiana, February 20, 1854, a son of Selvia S. and Alargaret Ann (Shannon) Proctor, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. They were married in Alontgomery county, Indiana, however. The father came to this state with his father, Catlin Proctor, at an early day, the family locating in Putnam county, where the grandfather of our subject entered govern¬ ment land, and upon the farm which he there developed Selvia S. Proctor was reared amid pioneer conditions and environments. He was early trained to the work of the fields and eventually began farming on his own account, following that pursuit in Putnam and Alontgomery counties. On starting out in life for himself he built a log cabin and established a pioneer home, in which there were no luxuries and oft times the comforts of life were lacking but perseverance and labor brought a change in the conditions which existed in the early days and as his financial resources increased he added to his place many of the comforts that go to make life worth the living. In due course of time the pioneer cabin was replaced by a frame residence and other substantial buildings were added. Air. Proc¬ tor was a faithful member of the Christian church and in his political views was a Democrat. He spent the last fifteen years of his life in honorable retirement in Brazil and died in 1901 at the venerable age of eighty- two years, having long survived his wife, who died in 1874 at the age of fifty-four years.

fields through the summer months and in the winter seasons attended school until about sixteen years of age. Thinking to find other pursuits more congenial than those of agricultural life, he then engaged in saw¬ mill work and spent the succeeding eleven years in that line, filling all positions from the saw pit to boss sawyer. He next turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, which he followed for one year in Hendricks county and on the 13th of January, 1881, he came to Brazil, where he engaged as manager of Weavers and Nance's livery business. Seven years were spent in that way and in 1888 he removed to Wichita, Kan¬ sas, where he was in charge of a livery stable for a year. He next re¬ turned to Brazil and afterward went to Kentucky, where he was placed in charge of the teams used in logging there. For a year he remained in the Blue Grass state, after which he came once more to Brazil and estab¬ lished a transfer business of his own, which he conducted with success, soon securing a liberal patronage. In 1893 he admitted J. Frank Smith to a partnership and the relation between them continued until the 1st of November, 1907, when Mr. Proctor sold out to his partner and re¬ tired from business with a handsome competency sufficient to supply him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He has always been a lover of fine driving horses and has one or two good ones always on hand. He to some extent buys and sells fine driving stock but other¬ wise is living retired, giving his attention only to his invested interests.

Mr. Proctor was married December 21, 1887, the lady of his choice being Miss Ida Bell Harbon, who was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana, in 1861. Her father was a steamboat captain on the Ohio river and was also engaged in the lumber business. For almost twenty years Mr. and Mrs. Proctor traveled life's journey together and were then separated by the death of the wife on the 1st of June, 1907. They had but one child, Gertrude, who is now the wife of George H. Smith. Mrs. Proctor was a devoted member of the Christian church and a lady of many excel¬ lent traits of heart and mind, who enjoyed the warm friendship and kindly regard of all who knew her.

Mr. Proctor belongs to Brazil Lodge, No. 264, A. F. and A. M., Brazil Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M., Brazil Council, No. 40, R. and S. M., and Brazil Commandery, No. 47, K. T. Both he and his wife held membership in William Black Chapter, No. 80, O. E. S., and were also members of Brazil Lodge, No. 169, Knights and Ladies of Security. Mr. Proctor is likewise connected with Indianola Tribe of Red Men. His business interests have brought him a wide acquaintance and as the years have passed a genial manner, deference for the opinions of others and many good qualities have gained him a very extensive circle of friends.

Christian Ehrlich has been identified with the mining interests of Clay county since 1871, and is now operating Posey Township Mine No. 2, and also mine No. 2 at Seeley ville, Indiana. He has been very successful in his coal mining operations, and has become the owner of a pleasant and attractive home at Turner as well as a valuable farm of about three hundred acres in Posey township.

Mr. Ehrlich is a native of the fatherland of Prussia, born May 5, 1843. His father, Jacob Ehrlich, was long numbered among the business men and miners of Posey township, as well as one of the community's early pioneers, but he too was a native of Prussia, Germany, born in

1812. He was well educated in his native land for the miner's vocation, and in that country he was married to one of its native daughters, Minnie Riese, born in 1818. In 1849, with their family of three children, of whom Christian was the oldest, they came to the United States and located in Pennsylvania, where the father was engaged in mining in Pottsville and Pittsburg until removing to Ohio about 1851. He mined in Wayne county of that state until he came with his family to Clay county, Indiana, in 1854, and from that time until his death he mined in Posey township and vicinity, dying in 1864. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ehrlich were nine children, - Christian, Julius, Burtus, Charles, Mary and Jacob, and three died in infancy and Charles and Mary are also deceased. Mr. Ehrlich gave his political allegiance to the Republican party, and he was a member of the German Catholic church.

Christian Ehrlich received his educational training in the district schools of Posey township, and he worked in the mines of his father until the latter's death. In 1861 he became a member of the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and served three months, after which he was made a member of the Sixth Indiana Cavalry and served to the close of the war, in the meantime participating in the battles of Rich Mountain, Virginia, with the infantry, and of Richmond, Kentucky, with the cavalry. At the latter engagement he was captured and held as a prisoner of war until paroled and sent to Indianapolis, where he was exchanged, and there re-entered the service and fought in the campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta. At Malvern Hill in Kentucky he was captured by John Morgan, but was exchanged after only one night of imprisonment. He was in the memorable battle of Nashville, where General Hood was defeated, and was mustered out of the service at Pulaski, Tennessee. Returning thence to his home in Clay county he located at Staunton and mined there until 1868, when he went west to near Helena, Montana, on a prospecting tour of several days, but was absent altogether about three years, engaged in placer mining during the most of the time. It was in 1870 that he returned once more to Clay county, and has since been extensively engaged in mining operations.

In March of 1871 Mr. Ehrlich was married to Mary Frances Schaffer, who was born in Hamilton, Ohio, but she was young when she came with her parents to Clay county, Indiana, and was reared and edu¬ cated in Posey township, a daughter of John and Mary Schaffer, promi¬ nent farmers of this community. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ehrlich, - Alice, Jake, Mary, Katherine, Charley, Emma, Rosie, Blanche, James and Minnie, but the latter was accidentally burned to death while playing in the school yard, her dress having become ignited. Mr. Ehrlich is quite an active political worker, and gives his allegiance to the Republican party.

John Philip Scherb. - The son of an early pioneer family of Clav county, John Philip Scherb is well known throughout this section of Indiana as an upright, honest man, who has been intimately associated with the development of many of its industrial resources. Having lived thus, far within its boundaries, he has witnessed wonderful changes come over the land. In his boyhood days school-houses, fine churches, and costly residences were conspicuous only by their absence. The dense forests roundabout have given way to flourishing cities and towns or to magnificent agricultural estates, producing abundantly of the crops com- mon to this locality. As a tiller of the soil, Mr. Scherb has actively assisted in this notable change, and at the same time has accumulated a goodly share of this world's goods, enabling him to live retired at his pleasant home in Clay City. A native of Clay county, he was born August 28, 1851, in Posey township, a son of George Scherb.

George Scherb was born in Germany, November 13, 1838. Left fatherless when thirteen years old, he worked at various employments for a number of seasons. Hearing of the wonderful opportunities for obtaining a living in America, he emigrated from his native land to this country when a young man, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel and being forty days on the water. After spending a brief time in Ohio, he came to Clay county, locating in Posey township, which was then a vast wilderness, owned principally by the government. Selecting eighty acres of canal land, he walked to Vincennes to enter it at the land office. He also purchased a piece of land upon which there was a log cabin, and in this, their first home in this county, he and his family lived for a number of years. Neither railways, telegraph or telephone poles then disfigured the landscape, and but few of the present visible evidences of civilization existed. Terre Haute was the nearest market-place, Brazil being but a hamlet, and Bowling Green the county-seat. Deer, turkeys and other wild game were plentiful, furnishing supplies for the table, and the mother dressed her whole family in homespun of her own weaving and manufacture, while the father, with but a rude cobbler's outfit, made the shoes. With an energetic spirit and a pioneer's axe he began clearing and improving a homestead, and was there successfully employed as a tiller of the soil until his death, January 1, 1892. His wife, whose maiden name was Anna Margaret Fleschman, was born in Germany in August, 1813, and died December 31, 1907. Her father, Conrad Fleschman, was born, reared and married in Germany. After the death of his wife he came with his three children, Anna Margaret, Barbara and George, to the United States. George settled first in Hendricks county, Indiana, and later moved to Illinois, locating near Decatur. His father lived with him in Hendricks county, afterwards making his home with Mr. and Mrs. Scherb, but dying while visiting his son in Illinois. Seven children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. George Scherb, namely : John P.. the special subject of this sketch; George C. ; Anna Margaret; Mary E. ; Magdalena; Henry; and John F.

In the rude log schoolhouse, with its slab benches, which had neither backs nor desks in front, John Philip Scherb obtained his elementary education. Reared to habits of industry, honesty and thrift, he began when a boy to assist in the work of the farm, remaining beneath the parental roof-tree until twenty-eight years old, in the meantime farming a part of the time on his own account. Purchasing a tract of land in 1879 in section nineteen, Harrison township, he began housekeeping all by himself in the frame house which stood upon the place, but, it is need¬ less to say, he did not remain a bachelor very long. He labored early and late, and each year added to the improvements already begun, placing the land in a fine state of cultivation, rebuilding and enlarging the house, and erecting a large frame barn, his farm becoming one of the best in its appointments of any in the neighborhood. In 1907, relegating the care of his farm to his son Henry, Mr. Scherb removed to Clay City, and is there living retired from business cares, enjoying a well-earned leisure.

On November 20, 1879, he married Caroline Barbara Steiner, who was born in Harrison township, a daughter of Christian and Mary Ann Steiner. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Scherb, namely : William Otto married Flora Ferguson, and they have one son, Alexander ; Henry E. married Martha E. Schlegel, and they have one son, Estel ; Samuel Irving married Effie Krauchi ; and Clara Naomi. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Scherb were reared in the Evangelical faith, but are now members of the Free Methodist church.

Captain Cullen Bradley. - Noteworthy among the venerable and respected citizens of Harmony is Captain Cullen Bradley, who faithfully served his country during his early manhood, and was subsequently for many seasons closely identified with the agricultural interests of Van Buren township. A son of Cullen Bradbury, he was born in Wayne county, North Carolina, May 15, 1828. His paternal grandfather, Cullen Bradbury, Sr., a life-long resident of North Carolina, was of English ancestry.

Born in 1792, in Wayne county, North Carolina, Cullen Bradbury there spent his earlier life, learning while young the trades of both a plasterer and a bricklayer, serving an apprenticeship of seven years at the former and of three years at the latter. Migrating to Tennessee in 1835, he there followed his trades most successfully, building the court house and jail at Smithville and at Woodbury, and working on large buildings in other places. Settling permanently in Wilson county, Tennessee, he resided there until his death in 1848. His wife, whose maiden name was Zilpha Atkinson, was born in North Carolina and died about 1836 in Woodbury, Tennessee. She reared five children, as follows : Cullen, the subject of this brief biographical sketch; Curtis, who lost his life at the battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican war; Martha; Sarah; and Lemuel, who died at Knoxville, Tennessee, at the age of sixteen years.

But seven years old when his parents migrated to Tennessee, Cullen Bradley, as we now know him, was soon afterwards left motherless, and at the age of twelve years was bound out to a farmer. Finding a good home, he lived with his employer until 1848, when he enlisted in Company B, Second United States Artillery. At the December muster of that year it was found that the former clerk had made a mistake in enrolling* the names of Company B, giving the name Bradley instead of Bradbury to the subject of this sketch, a name which he has since retained. At the expiration of his term of five years, Mr. Bradley re-enlisted for five years in Company D, same regiment, and when that term had expired again re-enlisted in the same company, serving until October 23, 1861, when he was discharged so that he might join the brigade that was being raised by Hon. John Sherman at Mansfield, Ohio. Subsequently, when the Sixth Ohio Independent Light Battery was organized, he was com¬ missioned captain of the battery, which he commanded until February, 1865, when he was mustered out of service. During the time that he was with his comrades Captain Bradley was acting chief of the artillery con¬ nected with Woods's division of the Army of the Cumberland, taking an active part in all of its marches, campaigns and battles, at all times proving himself a brave and gallant soldier. On his retirement from the army he came to Van Buren township, purchased a farm, and until 1907 devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. Disposing of his land, he

Captain Bradley married, February 4, 1864, Catherine Mattayaw, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, a daughter of Jacob and Rosanna (Hetler) Mattayaw, her father being a native of Alsace and her mother of Germany. The Captain and Mrs. Bradley have one child, Mary, who married William R. Crowder, of Rockyford, Colorado, and has three children, Rowena O., William Cullen and Josephine. Gertrude Olive Day, now Mrs. Ora Grimes, of Terre Haute, was a member of the Bradley family from the age of three years until she married.

William Thomas Jenkins was born in Owen county, Indiana, June 30, 1832, but the greater part of his life has been spent in Clay county, Indiana, and he is now living on the farm on which he spent his boyhood days and the remainder of his life. His father, Ezekiel Jenkins, was born in Virginia, January 24, 1795, a son of William and Henrietta (Lewis) Jenkins. In an early period in his life he went to Kentucky and lived there for several years, coming then to Owen county, Indiana, where he owned a farm. From Owen county in 1834 he came to Clay county and bought eighty acres of timber land in section 15, Sugar Ridge township, which he cleared and improved, but after living there for seven years he sold the farm and entered one hundred and twenty acres from the gov¬ ernment in section 10 of the same township. This land was also covered with timber, but he in time cut away the trees and placed it under an excellent state of cultivation, spending the remainder of his life there and dying on the 22d of September, 1869. He had married in Kentucky Henrietta Woodsmall, who was born in that state February 28, 1792, a

Mrs. Jenkins died on the 22d of September, 1868, just one year to the day before her husband. William Thomas was the ninth born of their ten children, two sons and eight daughters, and the only one now living. His brother died in St. Louis, Missouri, as a soldier during the Civil war.

The boyhood days of William T. Jenkins were spent on the home farm in Sugar Ridge township, and he did the most of the clearing of this place, as his father was then in advanced years and previously had spent much of his time as a raftsman on the Wabash and White rivers. The son remained at home with his parents until their deaths, and afterward continued to farip the place, and he has never lived elsewhere since the founding of the family here many years ago. He in time bought thirtytwo and a half acres in section 13, Sugar Ridge township, also thirty-two acres in section 9, which he owns in addition to eighty acres of the old homestead.

He married on the 17th of April, 1864, Naomi S. O'Brien, who was horn in Hancock county, Indiana, a daughter of George W. and Sarah (Brittan) O'Brien, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Jenkins was born on the 10th of September, 1842, and died on the 4th of February, 1883, leaving the following children: James P., whose home is in Washington township; Laura, the wife of Elsworth Brown, of Sugar Ridge township; Sarah Jane, who became the wife of Duffield Hicks and is now deceased; Samantha Gertrude, the wife of Charles F. Sprague, of Wisconsin ; Emery S., who is with his father; and Cordelia Belle, the wife of James Burns, the county auditor of Clay county, and their home is in Brazil. Mr.

Jenkins is a stanch advocate of temperance and has never used tobacco or liquor in any form. He is an earnest and worthy member of the Metho¬ dist Episcopal church, and is a Republican in his political affiliations.

Rev. John A. Hicks, a minister of the gospel in the United Brethren church, an honored veteran of the Civil war and a retired farmer now Jiving in Center Point, was born in Brown county, Ohio, May 25, 1842, a son of William and Susan (Alexander) Hicks, born respectively in Lewis county, Kentucky, and Brown county, Ohio, and a grandson of Peter Alexander, who was born in England. William and Susan (Alex¬ ander) Hicks were married in Ohio, and the former was a farmer there until his removal to Bracken county, Kentucky, in the fall of 1865. His death occurred soon after his return to the southland, in 1869. He was four times married, and his son John was the eldest of the three sons and one daughter born to his first wife, who died in 1849.

Rev. John A. Hicks remained at home with his father until his enlist¬ ment for the Civil war, joining on the 20th of August, 1862, the Fiftyninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company K, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He took part in the hard fought battle of Stone River, and in that engagement was wounded in the spine by the exploding of a shell, necessitating his confinement in the hospital for three months. He was also in the battle of Chickamauga and in many minor skirmishes, and was discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, June 28, 1865. After the close of the conflict he returned to his home in Ohio, and after his marriage, which occurred soon after his return, resided on a farm in that state until his removal to Johnson county, Illinois, in March, 1868. He farmed there one year, and in the following March came to Sugar Ridge township, Clay county, Indiana, residing for eighteen months two miles south of Center Point. During the following three years he farmed rented land in Washington township, when he came again to Sugar Ridge township, and after another three years moved to a different farm in the same township. The forty acres which he bought in Washington town¬ ship he has greatly improved, and has also added to the boundaries of the little farm, purchasing at different time eighty acres adjoining, and in the fall of 1907 he added thirty-six acres more, making an estate of one hundred and fifty-six acres, all of which is under an excellent state of im¬ provement. Rev. Hicks continued his residence on the farm until 1896, when he purchased a residence in Center Point, and there he and his wife now reside alone.

He married, January 7, 1866, Phebe Morford, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, a daughter of George W. and Margaret (Cahill) Morford. The father was horn in Bracken county, Kentucky, and was a son of John and Phebe (Sharp) Morford, natives respectively of Eng¬ land and Pennsylvania. Margaret (Cahill) Morford was born in Brown county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth (Parker) Cahill, natives of Ireland. Both her grandfathers served in the war of 1812, and Jefferson Davis was an own cousin of her mother. Rev. and Mrs. Hicks have three children, namely : Eugene O., on the home farm ; James D., a rural free delivery carrier and a resident of Center Point; and Nevada A., the wife of J. E. Jenkins, of Washington township. Throughout his active life Rev. Hicks has been an active worker for Christianity, and previous to 1878 was a local minister in the Christian church. Since then he has been associated with the United Brethren denomination as a local minister, a class leader and a Sunday-school teacher, having taught a class since 1896. He organized the Sundayschool in the spring of 1869 at Longnecker, and is an earnest and efficient laborer in the Master's cause. He is a Republican politically, and has served his community as a constable and as a justice of the peace from 1902 until 1906. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. James A. Mount Post No. 582, of Center Point, and of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 597, of Center Point.

Henry Reiser. - Among the energetic and able men who have chosen agriculture as their vocation in life and have succeeded well in their independent calling is Henry Reiser, a progressive and well-to-do farmer of Washington township, Clay county. Coming from substantial German ancestry, he was born January 18, 1849, near Cumberland Gap, Maryland, a son of Herman H. and Margaret (Poskey) Reiser, who were born, reared and married in Germany, Hanover being the place in which they were born.

Emigrating with his young wife to America in 1847, Herman H. Reiser lived for three years in Maryland, being overseer on a large planta¬ tion. He subsequently spent three years in Cincinnati, Ohio, there being employed as a drayman. Reared to habits of industry and thrift, he accumulated money, and wishing to invest it in land, came from Ohio to Indiana, locating in Jackson township, Owen county, where he pur¬ chased eighty acres of land that was in its virgin wildness. From the forest he redeemed a good homestead, and subsequently bought other land, becoming owner of three hundred and sixty acres, much of which he placed under cultivation, and was there an honored and respected resi¬ dent until his death, October 29, 1889. His widow survived him, and passed away at the home of her son, W. F. Reiser, in Poland August 4, 1906. They were the parents of twelve children, eight of them being sons, and of these five sons and one daughter are now living.

The third child in order of birth of the parental household, Henry Reiser, was brought up amid pioneer scenes, and obtained his early edu¬ cation in the typical log schoolhouse in Owen county, Indiana, with its puncheon floor, slab seats, and its one small window to light the room. He began when but a small lad to assist on the farm, and remained with his parents for a year after his marriage. Mr. Reiser then, in 1873, bought thirty acres of land in Jackson township, Owen county, paying seven hundred and fifty dollars for the tract. Selling out in 1880 for six hundred dollars, he in company with his brother-in-law, William Werremeyer, bought one hundred acres of land in Washington township, Clay county. Two years later Mr. Reiser bought out Mr. Werremeyer's inter¬ est, and he has since bought other land, owning now two hundred and sixty acres, on which he has made improvements of a substantial char¬ acter. In 1893 he replaced the old two-story frame house which was standing on the place when he bought it by a fine six-room cottage, and has also erected two large barns, which have all the latest equipments. There are two residences on his farm, his son, Albert E., residing in one of them. Here Mr. Reiser is following his chosen vocation with good results, carrying on general farming and raising much stock, making a specialty of Short-Horn cattle and Poland-China hogs, and horses of a good grade.

Mr. Reiser married, June 2, 18 72, Sophia Werremeyer, who was born October 3, 1848, in Prussia, Germany, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Hockman) Werremeyer. Seven children have been born of their union, namely: George, born April 23, 1873, died August 4, 1899; Oscar, a farmer in Washington township, owning thirty acres of land, is married ; Sarah, living at home ; August, of Poland, Indiana ; Albert E., residing on the home farm, and having the management of a portion of it; Frederick, who is married and lives in Washington township; and Eunice, at home. A zealous advocate of the principles of the Republican party, Mr. Reiser takes an active interest in local affairs, and served one term on the township advisory board. He is a valued member of the Ger¬ man Reformed church, in which he was deacon for two years.

Mr. Reiser is a self-made man, since he began his business career at the bottom round of the ladder of life, and is now a man who has large property interests and a competency which places him in a position of ease. His beautiful country residence lying near the Eel River is known as "The Eel Valley Cottage."

Morton E. Decker was born in Posey township, Clay county, Indiana, four miles southwest of Staunton, December 19, 1871, and is a son of William W. and Loretta (West) Decker. His parents moved to Brazil, Indiana, about 1875 or 1876, where he has since resided. He graduated from the high school of that city in 1889, and then as a lad of eighteen made a tour of the West, earning the money with which to pay his expenses en route, and while in Salt Lake City he was stricken with mountain fever for a month. Recovering sufficiently he went on to San Francisco. While convalescing at the latter place he played a guitar and French harp for a living. Afterward he found employment in the Davis Brothers Golden Rule Bazaar. Later and in company with his uncle, O. B. Decker, he engaged in the notion business outside of the city, selling their goods in the surrounding villages, and while thus employed the Messrs. Decker formed the acquaintance of Dr. Lepper, who engaged them to give open air concerts while selling his Rocky Mountain Tea.

In 1891 Mr. Decker returned to Brazil and began work for his uncle, Jesse A. Decker, in the furniture business, remaining with him for about three years. In all this time his love for music had kept him in touch with the profession and he with others organized the Concert Band. It was while at Carbon one evening with this band that Dr. Decker and his former friend and schoolmate, John C. Ridd, decided to engage in business for themselves, and they entered the field of fire insurance and real estate under the firm name of Ridd & Decker at Brazil. In 1894 Mr. Decker purchased his partner's interest and has since been in business alone. He now owns considerable real estate in this city, has held several public and private trusts and is one of the leading business men and citi¬ zens, and during his life has been a total abstainer from drink and tobacco.

Mr. Decker married Miss Anna Holla way on the 4th of January, 1892. She was born in Putnamville, Putnam county, Indiana, February 23, 1872, a daughter of William H. and Caroline (Lancett) Hollaway. The father was born in Pennsylvania and came to Indiana some time in the '50s, locating in Owen county. He enlisted in the army for the Civil war and was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Decker are Ada and Leone. In his life¬ time Mr. Decker has had the pleasure of traveling through twenty-seven states of the Union. He is a liberal giver to the churches, and is a member of Brazil Lodge No. 215, I. O. L. O. ; of the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 3418; and of the Improved Order of Red Men, No. 61. He is also a member of the Brazil Concert Band, with which he has been connected for twelve or fifteen years, and in that time they have won many state prizes and the reputation of being one of the best bands in Indiana. Mr. Decker gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, and at .this time is chairman of the county central committee.

Noah Thomas Keasey. - The name of Noah T. Keasey is a familiar one to the citizens of Brazil and Clay county through its connection with the N. T. Keasey Lumber Company, one of the largest corporations of its kind in the county, and the successor to N. T. Keasey. They handle lum¬ ber, lath, shingles, sash, doors, blinds, builders' hardware, Eagle brand patent plaster and elastic pulp plaster, dnd their office and yard are at 1124 West National avenue.

The president and treasurer of the company, Noah Thomas Keasey, was born in Middletown, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1836, a son of Samuel and Mary (Terry) Keasey, both of whom were also born in Pennsylvania, the father in 1806 and the mother in 1813. They were married in 1834, became the parents of five children and passed away

Keasey, who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was wounded at the historic battle of Brandywine. Samuel Keasey was a foundryman throughout his entire business life, and was the manager of a charcoal blast furnace. He was a Whig in his political affiliations, and was a member of the United Brethren church, his wife being a Baptist.

Noah Thomas Keasey was named for his grandfather, and he was the first born of his parents' five children and was a school teacher in his younger years, although a carpenter by trade. He came to Indiana in April, 1863, and in July of that year he enlisted at Kokomo, Indiana, in Company E, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment of Indiana Volun¬ teers, and received his discharge at Indianapolis, Indiana, March 15, 1864, serving in what was called the Persimmon Brigade. He returned to his home in Indiana after the close of the war and resumed his educational labors and work at his trade. In 1867 he assisted in the building of the first furnace erected near Brazil, also helped to build the Maston furnace in 1868, and bought his first lot in Brazil and built his first house in 1868, buying the lot of Mr. Shattuck. Mr. Keasey taught his last term of school in 1868-9 at Morgan's Crossing in Clay county, and going to Lafayette, Indiana, in 1874, he was in the coal business there with A. H. Woodruff and Captain Morris until the spring of 1876, after which he spent about four months in Indianapolis and then came to Brazil and began the manu¬ facture of brick with John and Robert Stewart. He thus continued until the spring of 1877, when he took a trip through Kansas, returning on the last passenger train which pulled into Brazil during the railroad strike of 1877. In the spring of 1879 Mr. Keasey purchased an interest with Mr. Stoneheart and Jefferson Baughman in a saw mill, and in 1881 Mr. Keasey and Mr. Baughman dissolved partnership, Mr. Keasey taking the one of their two mills located in Brazil, and later he added a lumber yard to his milling business. He continued the business alone with the excep¬ tion of the year 1885, when he had Mr. Stoneheart as a partner.

organized, the members consisting of N. T. Keasey and family, and the officers of the company are: N. T. Keasey, president and treasurer; J. T. Roberts, a son-in-law, vice president and general manager ; and Goldie G. Barr, a daughter, secretary. In addition to his offices in this company Mr. Keasey is the president of the Citizens' Building and Loan Association* and the president and the organizer of the Summit Lawn Cemetery Asso¬ ciation. He is a member of Brazil Lodge No. 264, A. F. and A. M. ; Brazil Council No. 40, R. and S. M. ; Brazil Chapter No. 59, R. A. M. ; the Independent Order of Red Men, Indianola Tribe No. 61 ; and General Canby Post No. 2, G. A. R. Mr. and Mrs. Keasey and their children, with the exception of one, are members of William Black Chapter No. 80, Order of Eastern Star

On the 27th of September, 1864, Mr. Keasey married Agnes C. Moore, who was born in Carondelet, Missouri, April 13, 1847, a daughter of Thomas T. and Agnes Eliza Moore. Thomas T. Moore was born in Scotland, and came to this country on a sailing vessel when nineteen years of age, landing in the harbor of New York city, and from there he made his way to Missouri in an early day and followed his trade, that of a "tight barrel" cooper. He was a Republican and a member of the Metho¬ dist church, and his death occurred in Brazil in 1895. His wife died dur¬ ing the childhood of Mrs. Keasey, and their other child, the second born, died at the age of twelve. Mr. Moore married secondly Marv Wilker, of Philadelphia, Ohio, and they had three sons. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Keasey, namely: Lillie M., the wife of John T. Rob¬ erts; Minnie E. Nahily ; Major O. P., who died May 24, 1881 ; Myrtle O. Black, the wife of Charles C. Black; Katie M., the wife of F. B. Bridges; Goldie G. ; and Albert T.

In September, 1876, the board of county commissioners made an order to relocate the county seat from Bowling Green to Brazil, the con¬ tract was let to Mr. Keasey, and he built the foundation. He then trans¬ ferred to John G. Ackermire and John Andrews, who completed same.

Joseph D. Pollom is one of the leading business men of Brazil, the proprietor of two of the city's leading barber shops, and also extensively engaged in the real estate business and the vice president of the Central Land and Investment Company of Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born in Lyon county, Kansas, near Emporia, March 9, 1869, a son of Luther and Emma (Boon) Pollom, the father born in Ohio, November 6, 1845, and the mother in Putnam county, Indiana, near Green Castle. Luther Pollom is now a farmer in Jackson township, Clay county, where he has resided and farmed since coming to Indiana in 1875. He is a member of the Christian church, and is a Republican politically.

Of the six children born to Luther and Emma (Boon) Pollom, four are now living and Joseph D. is the second oldest. He received his edu¬ cation in the public schools, and when but a youth of eighteen opened a barber shop in Harmony, Clay county, continuing in business there for about three years. From there he went to Knightsville, Indiana, and was in business in that city until coming to Brazil in 1894. He at once became prominently identified with the business interests of this community, and until recently was the proprietor of three barber shops here, having sold one, the Davis House, in 1907. He located in the Hill Block in 1899, in which is located his real estate office and one barber shop, and in his Walnut street shop he has three chairs. Mr. Pollom first entered the real estate field in June of 1907, and he handles both city property and farm lands in Clay county. At the present time he owns a number of lots in Brazil, and as above stated is the vice president of the Central Land and Investment Company, of Indianapolis, and as the representative of this and other companies .dealing in Texas lands he spends about half of his time in taking parties to that state. The Central Land and Investment Company deals extensively in Texas Panhandle lands, which is especially adapted to the raising of wheat, corn and alfalfa, and special trains leave for that point every first and third Tuesday of each month.

Mr. Pollom married Miss Margaret Houk April 17, 1893. She was the daughter of John P. Houk, and she died April 14, 1901, leaving one son, Roy Luther. For his second wife he married Miss Lena Tevis July 10, 1902. She was born in Illinois April 20, 1873, and *s the daughter of William Tevis. Mr. Pollom is a member of the Benevolent and Pro¬ tective Order of Elks, Brazil Lodge No. 762 ; of the Knights of Pythias, Knightsville Lodge, No. 186; and of the Home Defenders No. 1. His political allegiance is with the Republican party.

John G. H. Klingler. president and general manager of the Citi¬ zens' Telephone Company of Clay County since organization and a rep¬ resentative of that spirit of enterprise which has brought about the rapid business development of the middle west, is a native of Brazil, Indiana, born December 20, 1871. His parents were Ulrich and Anna M. (Nussel) Klingler. The father was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, and came to this country with his parents when six and a half years of age. The family crossed the Atlantic on a sailing vessel which landed them at New York city and John Klingler, the grandfather of our sub¬ ject, went with his family to Ohio, later coming to Indiana, locating in Owen county and soon after the Civil war removing to Clay county, where his death occurred when he was seventy-two years of age. His wife departed this life at the age of seventy-five.

After living in Owen county, Ohio, with his parents, Ulrich Klingler came to Indiana in 1854 and to Clay county in 1867. He had been reared to the occupation of farming and during the period of his man¬ hood gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits and other business interests, being for some time agent at Brazil for the Schmidt Brewing Company of Indianapolis. He was also a member of the volunteer fire department of this city at an early day and was prominent in community afifairs, giving tangible evidence of his loyalty and devotion to the public good. He served as a member of the city council and did all in his power to promote the interests of Brazil through municipal enactment. His political views were in accord with the principles of Democracy. After coming to this county he was married to Miss Anna M. Nussel, a native of Clay county. Her parents were born in Bavaria, Germany, but became pioneer residents of Indiana, where they located in 1844. Her father died at the age of seventy-tvro years and her mother when eighty-seven years of age. The death of Ulrich Klingler occurred in Clay county January 13, 1887, and his wife, surviving him for more than eight years, passed away December 8, 1895, at the age of forty-nine years.

John G. H. Klingler pursued his education in the public schools of Brazil, passing through consecutive grades until he attained the age of fifteen years, when the death of his father rendered it imperative, as he was the eldest child of the family, to assist his widowed mother in making a living for the younger children. He therefore engaged in farming and teaming in early life and subsequently he had the agency for the sale of pop and ginger ale but disposed of that business in 1893. He then became conductor for the street car company, five years being thus passed, when in 1898 he was elected to the office of sheriff of Clay county, receiving a majority of 732 votes, the largest majority that was ever given any sheriff in Clay county. Two years later he was re-elected by a majority of 622 votes. This fact stands in evidence of the capability and fidelity which he displayed during his first term, his second election being the public endorsement of his loyalty and efficiency between 1898 and 1900. He retired from office at the end of his second term as he had entered it - writh the confidence and good will of all concerned, and has a splendid record to his credit.

In 1903 Mr. Klingler organized the Citizens' Telephone Company of Clay County, of which he was chosen president and general manager, with T. W. Englehart vice president, and M. J. Murphy secretary and treasurer. This is an incorporated independent company and their course has ever been an exemplification of their motto: "Our aim is to please and satisfy the people." They have secured many patrons and are con¬ tinually extending their lines. Fraternally Mr. Klingler is connected with Centennial Lodge, No. 541, A. F. and A. M., Brazil Lodge, No. 30, K. P., Indianola Tribe, No. 61, I. O. R. M., and Brazil Lodge, No. 762, B. P. O. E., and Home Defenders. In politics he has ahvays been a stahvart Democrat and has recently been elected chairman of the Demo¬ cratic county central committee - a fact which indicates his leadership in the local ranks of the party. He is regarded as one of the prominent representatives of Democracy here, while in citizenship he stands for local advancement and national progress and in office has ever placed the public welfare before personal aggrandizement.

Thomas Scott Pell. - A young man of ability and scholarly attain¬ ments, Thomas Scott Pell is w'ell knowm in the educational ci-rcles of Clay county as principal of the Carbon schools, a position for which he is eminently fitted. He is a native-born citizen, his birth having occurred on the home farm in Van Buren township October 7, 1861. A brief history of the lives of his parents and his immediate ancestors may be found on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of his father, William F. Pell.

Fond of his books from an early age, Thomas S. Pell labored hard to secure an education, walking a mile and a half to the nearest public school, traveling over an almost impassable mud road much of the time. Subsequently completing his early studies at the Central Normal School in Danville he began to teach at the age of twenty years, making teach¬ ing, writh farming, his life w^ork. With the exception of teaching one term in Brazil, Mr. Pell has taught in Van Buren township, and is now serving his eighth year as principal of the schools in Carbon. Well qualified for this responsible position he has proved himself a most com¬ petent instructor and is discharging the duties devolving upon him in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactorily to all concerned.

On November 21, 1880, Mr. Pell married Nettie R. Cornwell, who was born in November, 1862, in Brazil township, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Mary E. (Griffee) Cornwell. A brief sketch of her father appears elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Pell eight children have been born, namely: Dora; Yellie; Benjamin F. ; Ernest and Elda, twins ; George Marshall ; Roy Worth ; and Cynthia. Dora married Martin Bell, and has one child, Louise. Fraternally Mr. Pell is a charter mem¬ ber of Pontiac Tribe, No. 137, Improved Order of Red Men; of Carbon Lodge, No. 145, Knights of Pythias; and of Carbon Lodge, No. 693, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

August Gauchat. - Many of the most enterprising and prosperous farmers of Clay county have come from the land beyond the sea, some of them, mayhap, seeking a refuge from military despotism, others fleeing from the penury and poverty that obtains in their native country, while others come with the hope of legitimately bettering their condition by willing toil. Prominent among this latter class stands August Gauchat, whose finely-improved farm, almost adjoining Clay City, bears visible evidence of his industry, thrift and good management. A native of Switzerland, he was born March 12, 1851, in the village of Prilly, Canton Berne, which was also the birthplace of his father, John F. Gauchat.