Clay County, Indiana - The whole text, 1909 (part 13 of 21)

John F. Gauchat made farming his principal occupation during life, being employed in tilling the soil in his native land the greater part of his active career. In 1857 he made a bold venture, going on a sailing vessel to South America. At the end of ninety-eight days on the ocean he arrived in Buenos Ayres, and from there went up the La Plata river to Santa Fe. Going then into the country, he bought a tract of land, and at the end of a year and a half, having made some improvements on it, sold it and returned to his native heath, having been away from home two years. After the death of his wife, whose maiden name was Sophia Geauque, he came here in 1881 and spent his last days with his son August, dying at the age of sixty-one years. Nine children were born to him and his wife, namely: Julia, August, Zaline, Louis, David, Fred¬ erick, Mary, Paul and Emile. David now lives in Clay county, Indiana. Frederick came to Indiana and died, while yet in manhood's prime, in Indianapolis. Paul is a resident of Linton, Greene county, Indiana. All of the other children still live in Switzerland.

Brought up in his native canton, August Gauchat was educated in its schools, in which French, the language of the people, was taught, attend¬ ing regularly until sixteen years old. In the subsequent six years he followed farming, but not satisfied with his future prospects he deter¬ mined to come to America. Leaving Switzerland September 2, 1872, he came directly to Indiana, arriving at Bowling Green, Clay county, on October 2 of that year, a stranger in a strange land, unable to speak any¬ thing but the French language. Mr. Gauchat worked at various kinds of labor for awhile, for two months being employed in a brewery at Bowling Green, and for a year working in the timber. He subsequently * worked on a farm three months, receiving sixty-five dollars wages for that time. With the money that he had accumulated he then, in com¬ pany with John Wellen, bought a tract of standing timber, and for twenty-one years was engaged in the manufacture of staves until forced to give up the business on account of the scarcity of timber. In 1877 Mr. Gauchat bought fifty-five acres of land lying three and one-half miles northeast of Clay City, and after living on it seven years sold it and pur¬ chased one hundred and sixty acres in sections twenty-nine and thirtythree, very near Clay City. Taking possession of the frame buildings that were standing on section thirty-three, he lived there until 1900, meet¬ ing with marked success in his agricultural labors. Building a com¬ modious and conveniently arranged house on section twenty-nine, and erecting substantial barns and outbuildings, he then moved with his family to his newer home, and has since resided here, his home being one of the most cheerful and attractive of any in the vicinity. In 1881 Mr. Gauchat visited his old home and friends in Switzerland, and on his return to Indiana brought with him his brother Paul and his father. In 1900 he made another trip to his native land, and at that time took in the Paris Exposition.

On June 20, 1876, Mr. Gauchat married Mary Betteron, who was born in Mackinic township, Holmes county, Ohio, April 17, 1839. Her father Abraham Betteron, was born in the village of Nods, Canton Berne, Switzerland, where he received a good education, and was well drilled in agriculture. In 1837, accompanied by his second wife and his three children, he came to America in a sailing vessel, being three months on the voyage. Locating in Holmes county, Ohio, Mr. Betteron bought forty acres of land near Berlin, and after living there a brief time removed to Mackinic township, where he remained several years. In 1850 he came across the country to Indiana, journeying for two weeks with teams. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of heavily timbered land in section twenty-two, Harrison township, and built for his first dwelling house a two-story cabin of round logs. Clearing a large part of the land, he engaged successfully in general farming, and later erected a substantial frame house, in which, with the exception of a few years spent in Bowling Green, he resided until his death, in 1879. Mr. Bet¬ teron was four times married. By his first wife, who was a life-long resident of Switzerland, he had one child, Julia Harriet. His second wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Forchelin, bore him four children, namely: Sophia; Amos; Mary, now Mrs. Gauchat; and Margaret. This wife was born in Canton Berne, and died in Indiana, on the home farm, in May, 1863. Air. and Mrs. Gauchat have three children, Caroline Louise and Charles Louis, twins; and Lydia Julia. Caroline L. married Silas A. Travis, and they have two children, Vera Etna and Vella Glenn. Charles L. married Addie Neal, and they have three children, Olive Cletis, Charles Vincent and Kermit Orville. Mr. and Mrs. Gauchat are members of the Reformed church.

John Henry Horton. - Holding a noteworthy position among the enterprising and prosperous agriculturists of Harrison township is John Henry Horton, who has been a tiller of the soil the greater part of his life, and still finds therein his greatest pleasure. The old idea that the farmer requires little beyond his muscle to battle successfully with the elements of the soil has passed away, the fact being everywhere recog¬ nized by intelligent people that education and experience go hand in hand in achieving the best results in agriculture as well as in other employ¬ ments of life. A son of the late Rensselaer Horton, he was born June 26, 1849, m Harrison township, Clay county, of New England ancestry.

A native of Connecticut, Rensselaer Horton was taken by his parents to Kentucky when a small child. His father and mother dying soon after their removal, he was brought up by strangers. In early manhood he came to Indiana, purchased a tract of timbered land in section eighteen, Harrison township, and in the midst of the woods built a cabin of round logs. The country was then in its primitive wildness, deer, turkeys and wild game of all kinds being abundant. There were no rail¬ ways in this part of the country for many years thereafter, and he used to take his produce on a fiat boat down the Eel, White, Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Natchez or New Orleans. He also made several trips with a team to Chicago, carrying in loads of earthenware made at the pottery which stood upon the present site of Clay City. Clearing the greater part of his land, he replaced the original small log cabin with a two-story hewed log house, in which his son John Henry was born, and there lived a number of years. He subsequently removed to Middlebury, and spent his last days at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Amanda Sutton, who resided near the old homestead. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah E. Dalton, was born in Orange county, Indiana, where her father, William Dalton, was a pioneer settler. She reared ten children, namely : Elizabeth, William, Sarah, Thompson, Amanda, James, Rachel, John H., Francis Perry and Lydia. William and Thompson served in the Union army during the Civil war, and both died in service. James died soon after the breaking out of that war.

After the death of his brothers, John Henry Horton became the mainstay of his parents, although he was but a young boy. He was edu¬ cated in the typical pioneer log schoolhouse, the benches being made of split logs which were fastened together with wooden pins, while as a substitute for desks a board was placed along the sides of the cabin for the pupils to write upon. Leaving home on attaining his majority, he went to Illinois in search of work, and found employment on a farm in Douglas county, where he remained a short time. Being then seized with a great desire to become a landholder, he went to Nebraska, and on tbe extreme frontier, one hundred and ten miles northwest of Grand Island, bought three hundred and twenty acres of land. Breaking fifteen acres, Mr. Horton planted corn, and in July, just as the corn had begun to tassel, and the prospects for a good crop were encouraging, the grass¬ hoppers came, and in the short space of two hours completely stripped the field, coming in such numbers that when in the air they obscured the sun. Returning to Clay county in the fall of that very year, Mr. Horton subsequently traded his Nebraska land for the farm where he now resides. Here he has one hundred and eighty acres of well improved land, and a substantial set of frame buildings, and in addition he owns a farm of one hundred and fifteen acres in Lewis township, in tbe Eel river valley, and that has valuable improvements, including excellent farm buildings. As a successful and progressive agriculturist he stands well in the community, and as a man and a citizen is highly esteemed.

Mr. Horton married, in 1877, Sarah E. Fulk, a daughter of Henry Fulk, a pioneer of Marion township, Owen county. She died leaving six children, namely: Harley E., who married Jessie Kress, has two chil¬ dren, Claude and Lucille ; Leroy ; Charles ; Cansada, wife of John Brothers, has two children, Arthur and Mary; Iva is the wife of Oscar Reagan; and John Wesley. Mr. Horton married for his second wife Mrs. Mary (Notter) Burns, daughter of David Notter and widow of John Burns, who left her with one son, Carl Burns. Mr. and Mrs. Horton are members of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Horton is an ardent supporter of the Populist party and is a man who stands firm on his own principles.

William T. Slack was born in Jackson township, Clay county, Indiana, and is now numbered among the general merchants of Ashboro. He is a son of Ira and Ruthanna Priscilla (Wheeler) Slack, also natives of Clay county, Indiana, and a grandson of William and Alary (Loudermilk) Slack, who were from North Carolina and were of English parentage. He is also a grandson of Thomas Wheeler, and both Thomas Wheeler and William Slack were among those who assisted in the early development of Clay county. They were farmers. Ira and Ruthanna Priscilla (Wheeler) Slack were married in Jackson township, this county, but a few years after left their farm and moved to Ashboro, where the husband enlisted in Company I, Eightv-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, early in 1861 for the Civil war, and was wounded in the battle of Resaca. He died on the following day, and was buried on the battle ground. His widow married, some nine years later, Samuel France, and after a two years' residence in Prairie City, this county, she died and was buried in Zenor cemetery. She was the mother of two sons and a daughter by her first marriage, namely : Margie F., who became the wife of William Diel and died near Ashboro April 14, 1906; William T. ; and James, who died about the year of 1862. By her second marriage she became the mother of Joseph A., of Staunton, Illinois, and Cynthia J., now Mrs. Francis, of Clark county, Illinois.

After his mother's death William T. Slack lived with his paternal grandfather in Jackson township for three years, was one year with Thompson Booth, and he then lived with the widow Anninias Loudermilk until his marriage. With his young bride he located on a rented farm in Sugar Ridge township, continuing as a renter for about four years, and from that time until 1904 he was engaged in mining coal. On the nth of August, 1905, he started his general store in Ashboro, and he has since bought a business building twenty-two by sixty feet, twelve feet high, and carries a complete line of groceries and general merchandise. He and his wife also own fifty-seven acres of land in sections 18 and 19, Sugar Ridge township, nine lots in Ashboro and their pleasant and com¬ modious residence with one acre of ground.

They were married on the 3d of August, 1880, and Mrs. Slack bore the maiden name of Ida M. Moss, and was a daughter of George M. and Martha E. (Adams) Moss. Their children are: Lola M., born December 22, 1883, the wife of James G. Hicks, of Ashboro; Olive M., born September 6, 1885, at home; and Carrie Frances, born October 6, 1887, is engaged in teaching school. Mr. Slack is both a Democrat and an Odd Fellow, affiliating with Ashboro Lodge, No. 251, in which he has served in all of the offices and has been a representative to the grand lodge at Indianapolis, Indiana.

Henry F. Meyer, a progressive farmer and stock raiser of Wash¬ ington township, Clay county, was born within the limits of that town¬ ship on the 6th of March, 1865. He is a son of John F. and Maria (Sendmeyer) Meyer, natives of Germany, and obtained his education in the district school of Knob Creek. He is the eldest in a family of two boys and two girls, and spent his years upon the home farm until his marriage, May 1, 1890. His wife was Louisa C. Schopmeyer, daughter of Harmon and Mary (Fledderjohn) Schopmeyer, who were also born in Germany.

Mr. Meyer assisted his father and resided in one of his houses for five years after his marriage, after which he removed to a farm of his own in Washington township, consisting of one hundred and seventy-five acres, to which he later added a tract of twenty-five acres and another of seventy-seven acres, making a total of two hundred and seventy-seven acres. He has since prospered in general farming and in the raising of cattle and hogs, being accounted one of the leading agriculturists of the township. He is a member of the German Reformed church, and in his political associations is a Democrat. His living children are Oscar F., Walter Harman, Mary Christina and Harry Franklin Meyer. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer suffered the misfortune and grief of having twins stillborn.

William White Barber. - Occupying a foremost position among the worthy and respected citizens of Perry township is William W. Bar¬ ber, who is conspicuously identified with the agricultural and horticultural interests of this part of Clay county, being extensively engaged in general farming and fruit growing. A son of Aaron Gleason Barber, he was born February 27, 1835, in Miami county, Ohio, of Dutch ancestry, his grand¬ father, Aaron Barber, having been born in Holland.

Coming to America in colonial times, Aaron Barber settled in New York state, and at the time of the Revolution remained neutral, taking sides with neither the crown nor the colonists. Subsequently removing to Rutland, Vermont, he spent the remainder of his short life in that state, meeting an accidental death from freezing while lost on the Green Mountains. He married a Miss Bout well, a member of the prominent New England family of Boutwells, and they became the parents of four children, Aaron Gleason, Roswell, Fanny and Electa. After his death his young widow with other Dutch colonists who had moved to Vermont when he did started westward in search of a home. For a time this little band lived where the city of Syracuse, New York, now stands, afterwards being located on Cayuga Lake. Going still farther towards the frontier line, the little band sailed down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers to the pres¬ ent site of Cincinnati, at that time a mere trading post, with no special attractions for the travelers. Continuing their wray to the interior as far as the present site of Dayton, Ohio, some of the colony concluded to remain there. Mrs. Barber, with her four children, located in what is now Miami county, and there took up one hundred and sixty acres of gov¬ ernment land, it being heavily covered with timber. She subsequently married for her second husband Colonel Dugan, an officer in one of the Indian wars, and there resided until her death, at the age of sixty years.

Aaron Gleason Barber was born May 9, 1802, in Rutland, Vermont, and was but a boy when he went with his widowed mother to Ohio, where he was brought up and educated. A natural mechanic, he learned the cooper's trade when young, and was equally as skilled as a plasterer or a blacksmith. Leaving Ohio in 1851, he came with teams to Clay county, Indiana, locating in Perry township, and here bought of David Christy eighty acres of land, about twenty of which had been cleared, the re¬ mainder being covered with its virgin timber. Devoting his time to the improvement of his place, he remained there until 1875, when, having acquired a competency, he removed to Saline City and there lived retired until his death, in July, 1883, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. The maiden name of his first wife, mother of William W. Barber, was Alary Murphy. She was born in New Jersey, a daughter of John and

Sarah Murphy, and died of cholera in 1849. She bore her husband seven children, namely: Maria Frances, Cordelia, Mary Ann, Catherine, Will¬ iam White, Aaron Conery and Henry. The latter served during the Civil war in the Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was killed in bat¬ tle at Marks Mills, Arkansas.

Beginning his education in the pioneer schools of Ohio, William W. Barber subsequently attended the subscription schools of Clay county, there being no free schools in Perry township when he came here with his father. The log schoolhouse which he attended was rudely constructed and furnished, having slab benches for seats, with neither backs nor desks, a board placed along one side of the cabin serving for a place upon which the pupils could write, while light was admitted through a piece of glass inserted in place of one log. Deer, wild turkeys, and other kinds of game were then abundant in the forests, and with the productions of the land formed the food of the people. When out of school William assisted his father in his pioneer labors, and at the age of twenty years, while working for wages on the reservoir, had the misfortune to break one of his legs. While awaiting recovery from the accident Mr. Barber studied medicine, but on deciding his life work he chose farming and horticulture rather than a professional career. For two years thereafter he rented land, after which he purchased land in Lewis township, where he remained five years. Selling out at the end of that time he bought forty acres of his father's farm in Perry township, and two years later sold that at an advantage. Mr. Barber then purchased the farm which he now owns and occupies, and has since been here profitably engaged in general farming, stock-rais¬ ing and horticulture. He has exercised good judgment and sound sense in the management of his interests, and has made many and valuable improvements on his estate. He has erected a substantial set of frame buildings, and has set out many shade, ornamental and fruit trees, having more than a thousand apple trees in his orchard, besides which he has peach, pear, plum, apricot, mulberry and other fruit trees, and a various collection of small fruits.

Mr. Barber married, November 19, 1857, Sarah Gilbert, who was born May 31, 1841, on section eight, Posey township, Indiana, a daughter of Jedediah Gilbert. Her grandfather, Ebenezer Gilbert, moved from New York, his native state, to Clermont county, Ohio, in the early period of its settlement, and from there came, about 1828, to Clay county, Indiana. Fie located in Perry township before ever the wild beasts of the forest had fled from the advancing steps of civilization, but, with the dusky savage, habited the vast wilderness. Taking up government land in section nine, he improved a homestead and on it remained until his death, at a venerable age. The maiden name of his wife was Mehitable Seeley. Jedediah Gilbert was born May 23, 1805, in Clermont county, Ohio, where he lived until after his marriage. A man of versatile talents and possessing much mechanical skill and ability, he never learned any special trade, but could turn his hand to almost any employment, and as a bricklayer built many of the first chimneys in this part of Indiana, where he settled about 1835. Taking up government land in Posey town¬ ship, in section eight, he also bought another tract, which had previously been entered. Building first a log cabin, he moved into it before there was either a chimney or door, hanging a quilt over the opening to keep out the wolves, which were inclined to be altogether too free and friendly. Coming from there to Perry township in 1844, he entered forty acres of land in section twenty-three, and bought one hundred and sixty acres in section twenty-two. A few acres of his purchase had been cleared and a log cabin had been built. Here he was actively and successfully employed as a tiller of the soil until his death, December 26, i860. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Lindsey, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, February 27, 1807, a daughter of Hezekiah and Elizabeth (Lavcock) Lindsey. She survived him, passing away December 3, 1893. She reared four children of her own, namely : Nancy, Mehitable, Sarah and Nelson. She and her husband also brought up several orphan chil¬ dren, one of whom, a girl, was kidnaped when two years old in Cleve¬ land, Ohio, and after her marriage, found, by advertising, her mother.

Mr. and Mrs. Barber are the parents of nine children, namely: Mary Aletha, Aaron Gleason, Laura Ella, Hervey Briley, Cordelia Mehitable, Willard S., Roberla Olive, Grace Victor and Edith Catherine. Mary E., wife of John Coble, has nine children, Maude, Harland, Edward, Her¬ vey, Desta, Walter, Berlin, Lester and Ernest. Aaron G. married first Carrie Corbin, who at her death left one child, Daisy Dove ; and married second Laura Logston. Laura M., wife of William S. Gard, has two children, Ernest and Ethel. Cordelia, wife of Norris Swearengen, has three children, Rachel, Bessie and Hope. Roberla O. married Nathan Ely. Grace V., wife of Edgar Scherb, has one son, Von. Edith C. is the wife of Harvey Nees. On November 19, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Barber celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage on the old farm on which their union was solemnized, they having succeeded to the owner¬ ship of the Gilbert homestead. It was an occasion long to be remem¬ bered, the many friends and relatives there congregated having a most enjoyable time, bringing, also, joy and comfort to the host and hostess, and leaving with them substantial tokens of their love, regard and esteem. Mr. Barber's homestead is known as "Pine Ridge Farm."

Robert A. Macbeth, who passed away in Brazil, January 17, 1907, at the age of sixty-five years, belonged to that public spirited, useful and helpful type of men whose ambitions and desires are centered and directed in those channels through which flow the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number. It is true that his chief life work was that of a successful foundryman, yet the range of his activities and the scope of his influence reached far beyond this special field. He belonged to that class of men who wield a power which is all the more potent from the fact that it is moral rather than political and is exercised for the public weal rather than for personal ends.

Mr. Macbeth was born in Wellsville, Ohio, January 3, 1842. His parents, Alexander and Mary (Henderson) Macbeth, were both natives of Scotland, but coming to the United States at an early day, located in Wellsville, Ohio. The father was a stonemason by trade and thus pro¬ vided for his family until his early death in Wellsville, when he was but thirty-seven years of age. He was a devoted and faithful member of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as an elder. To his widow was left the care of their family of five children, two of whom were born in Scotland. The birth of Mrs. Macbeth occurred in Stirling, Scotland, and in early womanhood she accompanied her husband to the new world. Few mothers have more faithfully and nobly performed their part in rear¬ ing their families. She was brought up in the faith of the old Scotch Seceders, with which sect her parents were connected, but later united with the Presbyterian church and throughout her life her faith in the Christian religion was unshaken. In her last days she repeated from beginning to end psalm after psalm which she had committed to memory in her childhood. She had no fear of death and in her last illness arranged all her worldly affairs and spoke many words of consolation and encour¬ agement to her children and friends around her, passing away at the old home in Wellsville, Ohio, in the sixty-eighth year of her age. Only two of the five children of the family are now living : Katherine, who is a missionary at Lapwai, Idaho; and Mary, the wife of Daniel Crawford, living in East Liverpool, Ohio. The oldest daughter, Susan, was a mis¬ sionary in the west among the Indians for many years and did remarkable work among the Nez Perces of Idaho in connection with her sister Katherine. Of Scottish ancestry and training, Miss Macbeth early showed the sturdy qualities and the energetic and intelligent piety which so often come from this source. Her familiarity with the Scriptures was remarkable, and her comprehension of religious truth, its philosophy, and its application to the problems of life, was a constant surprise to her friends. In the little Ohio town where she lived she became the terror of careless and unprincipled skeptics, who were unable to bear up under her assaults and arguments. She both understood God's word and had the ability to so present the truth as to make it plain and pungent. She was always of fragile and delicate constitution, but her prodigious energy enabled her to accomplish an enormous amount of work. One who knew her from childhood said: "From the first she was engaged in God's work. Her parents were poor and she and her sister learned millinery in order to support and educate themselves. She was a great student, but the Bible was her chief text-book; next to this, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress was her almost constant companion. But though so studious, her active temperament prevailed and she always longed to be a missionary. When the Civil war broke out she went into the hospitals and there did a won¬ derful work. After that she labored for a time among the Indians of the southwest, and was so successful that she was presently transferred to the Nez Perces tribe in Idaho, where she has been for years." In the latter state she and her sister did equally effective work for the Christianization and civilization of the Nez Perces. A number of the Indians converted to belief in Christianity became teachers and preachers among their own people and thus passed the years in which Miss Macbeth gave her life to spreading the seeds of truth and culture among her brothers of the red race - seeds that have already borne rich harvests but which will grow and multiply for untold ages to come.

Robert A. Macbeth was reared in his native city of Wellsville, where he acquired his education and learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed in Ohio, for some time before coming to Brazil. He served his country as a soldier in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company D, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Septem¬ ber 6, 1864. at Alliance, Ohio. He was then a young man of twenty-two years and he continued at the front until honorably discharged at the close of the war at Nashville, Tennessee, 1865.

The war over, Mr. Macbeth returned to Wellsville, where he remained until his removal to Brazil in 1869. It was on the 2d of Sep¬ tember of that year that he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Tane Gilmore, the wedding being celebrated near West Point, Ohio. Mrs. Macbeth was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, March 25, 1847, and was a daughter of William and Catherine Ann (Lewis) Gilmore. Her father was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and was a farmer throughout his entire life, much of which was spent in Ohio. He advocated Demo¬ cratic principles and was a faithful and devoted member of the Presby¬ terian church, dying in that faith in 1892 at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, who was a native of Ohio, died March 27, 1865, at the age of forty-nine years. They were married in the Buckeye state and became the parents of nine children, but only two are now living: William, of Ohio, who wedded Mary Arbuckle; and Mrs. Macbeth, who was the seventh in order of birth. Noah, who wedded Margaret Crawford and resided in Ohio, died April 13, 1908.

Soon after their marriage in 1869, Mr. Macbeth and his bride came to Brazil, Indiana, where he established the business that is now conducted under the name of the Crawford & McCrimmon foundry and machine shop. He had previously learned and followed the blacksmith's trade and manifested much ability in mechanical lines. By reason of his quali¬ fications he developed a good business as a machinist and foundryman and was connected with the enterprise for many years. After selling out his interest in the machine shop he turned his attention to the coal trade, having sunk the Black Diamond shaft. He also bought a farm and like¬ wise purchased the Maston furnace, becoming owner of the entire plant. He was engaged in the sawmill business for eight or ten years and like¬ wise dealt in real estate. In 1897 he retired from active business, how¬ ever, and from that time until his death gave his attention only to the supervision of his investments, which were largely in realty. His activi¬ ties, wide in scope and varied in interest, proved an element in the indus¬ trial progress and business development of Brazil and he was regarded as one* of the prominent and leading residents of the city.

Mr. and Mrs. Macbeth had a family of six children, of whom three sons and two daughters are yet living, namely: Robert William; Grace Chadwick, the wife of C. B. Munson, by whom she has. one son, Robert Cevert; Edgar R., Franklin A. and Mary Catherine, all yet at home.

Mr. Macbeth was a valued member of General Canby Post, No. 2, G. A. R., and greatly enjoyed the campfires of the organization. During his younger years he took an active part in politics and was a stalwart supporter of the Republican party. When death claimed him his remains were taken back to the old home at Wellsville, Ohio, for interment and the pallbearers at his funeral were members of his regiment and three of them were members of his own company. In November, 1907, his remains were removed to "Highland Lawn," Terre Haute. He was an active and substantial citizen, respected by all for the straightforward methods which he followed, and success with him was gained through the rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity and unfaltering diligence.

Joseph R. Finley is engaged in the fire insurance business in Brazil as a member of the firm of Finley, Ell & Finley. In former years he engaged in farming and in teaching school, but now concentrates his entire time and attention upon the insurance business with the result that success is attending the firm, their patronage having reached extensive proportions.

Air. Finley is a native of Van Buren township, Clay county, Indiana, born on the 17th of October, 1848. His father, James Milton Finley, died on the 27th of December, 1907, and was buried on the last day of that year. Further mention of the history of the family is made on another page of this volume. The public schools afforded to Joseph R. Finley his early educational privileges and he lived at home until twenty-three years of age, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He left home at the age of twentythree years and, becoming identified with educational interests, taught his first school in Clay county, William Travis being at that time county superintendent. The winter seasons were devoted to the work of the schoolroom, while in the summer months he carried on the labors of the fields and thus his life was a busy one, with few leisure hours. He taught school in Putnam county, Indiana, for fourteen or fifteen winters, and that his services were most acceptable is indicated by the fact that he taught in only two districts in Washington township, being employed year after year in the same district. In the summer months he plowed and planted the fields and cared for the crops and was thus engaged con¬ tinuously until 1901, when he came to Brazil, Indiana, and engaged in the fire insurance business, being today a member of the firm of Finley, EH & Finley. The firm is well known in their special line and their busi¬ ness is large and growing.

On the 25th of August, 1871, Mr. Finley was married to Miss Lucinda Riddel, who died twenty years later on the 2d of September, 1891. She was a daughter of Thomas and Lucinda Riddel and by her marriage she became the mother of four children : Walter, who married Ella Lambert; James Ross, who wedded Anna Riseler; and Grace, the wife of Thomas Boyd. After losing his first wife Mr. Finley was again married, in November, 1893, his second union being with Matilda Bobo, who was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, a daughter of Garner and Elizabeth Bobo. The father is now deceased, but the mother is living with Mr.^and Mrs. Finley. By this marriage there is one son, Harvey F.

In his political views Mr. Finley is a stalwart Republican but has never cared for nor sought public office. He is, however, faithful in citi¬ zenship and cooperates in many measures which have direct bearing upon the interests of the community. He belongs to the Christian church and his life is in harmony with his professions.

John A. Finley early displayed the elemental strength of his char¬ acter in providing the way whereby he might acquire a more advanced education than the common schools afforded. Strong purpose and lauda¬ ble ambition have ever been numbered among his salient characteristics and have made him a man of local prominence and worth. Long identified with educational interests, he did much to raise the standard of the schools in this part of the state. He is now engaged in the fire insurance business as senior partner of the firm of Finley, Ell & Finley.

One of Indiana's native sons, John A. Finley, was born in Van Buren township, Clay county, on the 5th of April, 1858, his father being James Milton Finley, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume and who died on the 27th of December, 1907. The son spent his boyhood days on the farm, working in the fields in the summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his education in the public schools. Desirous of enjoying better opportunities than he had thus far received, in the winter of 1874 he was a student in the academic department of Union Christian College at Merom, Sullivan county, Indiana, and con- tinuing his course there as opportunity offered, he was graduated in the class of 1 88 1. In the meantime he taught school in the winter months to provide funds necessary for continuing his college course and also taught in the college to some extent. The year after he left school he was married and then engaged in farming for a year. Subsequently he took up the profession of teaching in Van Buren township, where for six terms he was principal of the schools. In 1884 he established his home in the city of Brazil, where he taught for seven years, being principal of three different ward schools. He was thus connected with the Lambert street school for one year, for one year was principal of the Pinkley school and for five years was principal of the Jackson school. He had the ability of inspiring teachers and pupils with much of the zeal and interest which he himself felt in the work. He stood for high ideals and wrought along practical lines toward securing the progress which he desired. At length,, retiring from that field of professional labor, he became a partner of the firm of Miller & Finley in the fire insurance business and subsequently the present firm of Finley, Ell & Finley was organized. They have a large clientage, annually writing an amount of insurance which makes their business profitable and gratifying.

On the 8th of October, 1882, Mr. Finley was married to Miss Mattie Davis, a native of Ohio and a daughter of L. A. and Ann (Griffith) Davis, both of whom were natives of Wales. They were married in West Virginia, however, and had two children, Mrs. Finley and Evan J., the latter a resident of Jackson township, Clay county.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Finley have been born three children, Gladys A., who died in infancy ; Vita Ethel, who was graduated from the Brazil high school with the class of 1907 and is now attending DePauw Uni¬ versity ; and John M. B. Mr. Finley gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and is in thorough sympathy with its principles and purposes, yet has never been an aspirant for office. He is a member of the Christian church and in all his life has been actuated by high and honorable principles that have been manifest in his stalwart and loyal citizenship and his fidelity to all the duties of business and home life.

Elias D. Wilder, associated with the commercial and industrial interests of Brazil as a partner in a lumberyard and planing mill, belongs to that class of representative American men who through the judicious use of their opportunities and the careful development of their native talents, have gained whatever success has been theirs. In the community where he lives Mr. Wilder is known as a reliable, energetic business man, actuated at all times by a spirit of progress. He was born June 5, 1861, in Van Buren township, Clay county, Indiana. His parents were Christopher and Lucinda (Pell) Wilder. The father was born in the state of New York November 20, 1836, while the mother's birth occurred in Van Buren township, Clay county, Indiana, September 27, 1840. By trade Christopher Wilder was a carpenter and for some time was engaged in the operation of a sawmill. He came to Indiana in 1856, settling first in Putnam county and engaging in the sawmill business, but for a year or two was engaged in teaching school in Parke and Clay counties, this state. On the 8th of June, 1859, he wedded Miss Lucinda Pell, and for a vear they resided in Illinois, Mr. Wilder engaging in teaching school in Fayette county. They then returned to Indiana and located upon a farm in Clay county near Harmony. In 1866 Mr. Wilder went west on account of . impaired health, devoting some time to prospecting near Helena, Montana. In 1870, however, he returned to Clay county, where he devoted his time and energies to contracting and building and also engag¬ ing in agricultural pursuits. In 1874 he removed from his farm to Brazil and bought a furniture store, which he conducted for about three years.

In 1880 he established a lumberyard and planing mill, thus entering upon one of the successful epochs in his business career. He is a member of Brazil Lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M. ; Brazil Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M. ;

F. He is in fact one of the oldest Odd Fellows of the city, having been a representative of the order for fifty-one years and throughout this entire period has been most loyal to the beneficent teachings and purposes of the society. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as one of the trustees, and his views upon the temperance ques¬ tion are indicated by his allegiance to the Prohibition party. In fact his influence is always found on the side of right and progress, of justice and truth, and his efforts and life have ever been an influence for good in the community where he has lived.

Elias D. Wilder is the second of the three surviving children in his father's family, his sister, Hattie B., being the wife of James N. Halstead, while his younger sister, Myrtie A., is the wife of Dr. S. G. Hollings¬ worth. Two children of the family died in infancy.

In the public schools Elias D. Wilder acquired his early education, which was supplemented by study in Asbury College, now DePauw Uni- ^ versity, in 1884. When he put aside his text-books and turned his atten¬ tion to business interests and cares he worked at drilling for coal in Clay and Parke counties for a time, while later he became weighmaster for the Brazil Block Coal Company. For one winter he engaged in clerking in a grocery store, and in February, 1887, entered the employ of his father in connection with his lumber and planing mill interests. In January,

1901, he became a partner in the business, in which he has since continued with gratifying success. They have a large trade in both departments, and theirs is to-day one of the important industrial enterprises of the city.

In 1893 Mr. Wilder was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 18th of December of that year, leaving two children, Marshall P. and Louisa B. On the 226 of June, 1905, Mr. Wilder was again mar¬ ried, his second union being with Miss Dora Diel, who was born in Brazil March 16, 1876, a daughter of J. Henry Diel, a resident contractor of Posey township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilder has been born a daughter, Katheryn Virginia, born September 12, 1906. The parents are greatly esteemed in the community where they live and have an extensive circle of warm, admiring and faithful friends. Mr. Wilder belongs to the Modern Woodman Camp and to the Methodist Episcopal church, serving on the board of stewards of the latter. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he prefers to give his time and energies to his busi¬ ness affairs. He is now closely associated with the commercial and indus¬ trial interests of Brazil as a representative of one of its important business concerns. Added to the long experience and keen discrimination of the father is the enterprise, diligence and energy of the younger man, con¬ stituting this one of the strong firms of the city, and their combined efforts have brought to their business a large degree of success. The methods and plans which have been augmented commend themselves to the judg¬ ment of all and have secured to the company a patronage which makes their business a profitable one.

Mary E. (Rardin) Cornwell. - Having a pleasant home on the National Road, near Knightsville, Mrs. Mary E. (Rardin) Cornwell, widow of the late Benjamin Franklin Cornwell, is held in high respect and esteem by her neighbors and friends, who have eVer found her kind and helpful. A daughter of James Rardin, she was born April 23, 1844, in Van Buren township, this county. Her grandfather, Timothy Rardin, moved from Kentucky, his native state, to Ohio, becoming a pioneer of Clermont county. Securing a tract of government land about a mile from the present site of New Richmond, he cleared a good farm from the dense wilderness and there resided until his death, at a ripe old age. His children, named Pamelia, William, Timothy, George, James and Jonathan, all came to Indiana, settling first in Parke county, some of them subsequently going from there to Illinois.

James Rardin, born in 1805, in Clermont county, Ohio, was there employed in tilling the soil until after his marriage. Subsequently, accompanied by his wife and three children, he came across the country with teams to Indiana, bringing with him all of his effects. For a few years thereafter he lived in Parke county, where he had taken up land, but there being so much sickness, known as milk sickness, in that locality he sold out and came to Van Buren township. Here buying one hundred and sixty acres of land that was still in its virgin wildness, he cleared a space to make room to erect the small log cabin which the family occupied for several years and in which Mrs. Cornwell was born. There being no convenient markets near, all farm produce and the dressed hogs were drawn to Terre Haute to be disposed of. The people lived almost entirely on the products of their land, cornbread being their chief article of diet. The women of the household cheerfully performed their full share of the pioneer labor, carding, spinning and weaving the homespun with which the family was clothed, and with their own hands fashioning the gar¬ ments. Mrs. Cornwell now has among her most treasured possessions a coverlet wroven by her mother, who also spun and carded the flax from which it is made. Improving a farm, Mr. Rardin occupied it about forty years, when he sold and bought another farm north of Brazil. Disposing of that, he bought a place south of Brazil, and there resided until his death, in the seventy-fifth year of his age.

Mr. Rardin married first Mary Sapp, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Sutton) Sapp, both of whom were born in Ireland, emigrated when young to Ohio, and spent their last years in Clermont county, Mrs. Sapp attaining the age of ninetytwo years. Mrs. James Rardin died in 1848, leaving seven children, as follows : Amanda, Edward, Rebecca, Pamelia, Abel, James and Mary E. Abel, James and Edward served in the Civil war. Abel and James both lost their lives while in service, Abel dying in the Andersonville prison and James at Bowling Green, Kentucky. Edward now lives in Cumber¬ land county, Illinois.

Mary E. Rardin Cornwell, the special subject of this sketch, was but four years old when her mother died, and at the age of ten years she went to live in the family of John and Nancy Weaver, with whom she remained until her marriage, October 19, 1866, to Benjamin Franklin Cornwell.

Benjamin F. Cornwell was born in Clermont county, Ohio, June 3, 1836, a son of David Cornwell. The latter was born in New Jersey, but in early manhood moved to Clermont county, Ohio, and wras there a resident until 1839. In that year he made a trip to Indiana, coming on horseback, with his gun and axe strapped to him. Entering a tract of government land in Dick Johnson township, he built a log cabin, and then went back to Ohio for his family. On his return trip to this state he brought with him his family and all of his worldly goods, journeying with teams and camping and cooking by the way. This part of the county was then a wilderness, in which wild turkey, deer, coons, and other wild game were abundant, helping in a large measure to supply the home larder. After occupying the log cabin for a number of years he erected a brick house, in which he lived until his death, in 1865. His wife, whose maiden name was Diadama Frazier, was born in Ohio and died on the Indiana homestead in 1865, a short time before he did. Seven of their children grew to years of maturity, namely: Maria, Benjamin F., Eliza¬ beth, Oliver, William, Delitha and Henry.

But three years of age when he came with his parents to Clay county, Benjamin F. Cornwell grew to manhood on the home farm, attending the short sessions of the pioneer schools, and at other times assisting in clearing the land, being reared to habits of industry and thrift. In 1861, at the first call for troops, he enlisted in Company F, Tenth Indiana Vol¬ unteer Infantry, and with his regiment went to the front and participated in the battle of Rich Mountain, Virginia, serving bravely until the expiration of his term of enlistment. Receiving his honorable discharge in July, 1861, he returned home, and the following December married Mary E. Griffee, of Parke county. She died in October, 1864. In Feb¬ ruary, 1865, Mr. Cornwell enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment joined the command of General Thomas at Pulaski, Tennessee. In the following July he was honorably discharged from the service, resuming the peaceful operation of farming at his old home. In 1868 he purchased a farm in the northwest quarter of section twenty-one. A part of the land had pre¬ viously been cleared and a set of log buildings had been erected. After living in the log cabin a few years he built a commodious brick house, a frame barn and other necessary buildings, and made other improvements of value. Clearing the remainder of the land, he there carried on general farming with most satisfactory pecuniary results until his death, in August, 1900. A few weeks prior to his death Mr. Cornwell had bought a home on the National Road, near Knightsville, and in this his family now reside. By his first marriage he had one child, Nettie R., wife of Thomas S. Pell. By his second marriage he had four children, David, James, Elda and Ora. David married Katie Miller, and they have one child, Mary. James is unmarried. Elda, wife of Frank W. Hunt, has an adopted son named Frank. Ora is the wife of James Summers. Mrs. Cornwall and family are members of the United Brethren church, to which Mr. Cornwell also belonged. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and in politics was a sound Republican.

Joseph M. Smith. - A practical and enterprising agriculturist of Van Buren township, Joseph M. Smith exercises great skill and excellent judgment in his chosen vocation, and during his many years of toil and labor has accumulated a competency. He is distinguished as a nativeborn citizen, his birth having occurred in this township January 19, 1857. His grandfather Smith was an early settler of Indiana, and but little is known of his history, excepting that he spent his last years in Rush county, where, it is thought, his son Perry, father of Joseph M., was born.

Left an orphan in childhood, Perry Smith was early thrown upon his own resources and he successfully paddled his own canoe, working at any honest occupation. He was employed in different places, for awhile being in Madison county. Coming from there to Clay county, he traded property for land in section three, Van Buren township, and at once began its improvement, his first work being to cut down enough timber to make room for a small log cabin, it being the one in which his son Joseph was born. This cabin he afterwards replaced by a more commo¬ dious one made of hewn logs, and it is still in excellent condition. By dint of hard pioneer labor he cleared quite a tract, and was here engaged in tilling the soil until his death in 1872. He was twice married. The maiden name of his second wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was Mary Harmless. She was born in Ohio, but came with her parents to Indiana when a girl, and here lived and died.

Joseph M. Smith received his early education in the district schools, and during his long vacations assisted his father on the farm, thus becom¬ ing early acquainted with agricultural labors. After the death of his father he continued to reside with his mother, and now, having pur¬ chased the interest' of the remaining heirs, owns the old homestead. Possessing excellent business and executive ability, sound in judgment and a wdse manager, Mr. Smith has met with eminent success in his operations, and in addition to owning the home farm of one hundred and fifteen acres has also title to eighty acres in Parke county.

In 1879 he married Laura E. Coleman. She was born in Mansfield, Parke county, Indiana, a daughter of Zopher and Tabitha Coleman. For a number of years Mrs. Smith has been an invalid, unable to fully enjoy the comforts of life. Fraternally Mr. Smith is a member of Carbon Lodge, No. 145, Knights of Pythias, and of Carbon Lodge, No. 693, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

James K. Moss, M. D. - The medical profession of Clay county numbers among its leading members Dr. James K. Moss, of Ashboro, a representative of one of the county's earliest pioneer residents. In the early and formative period, in 1827, there came to reside within its bor¬ ders one George Moss, the grandfather of Dr. Moss. He settled near where Center Point is now located, and in 1832 he came to Ashboro and became the proprietor of one of the old historic inns of Clay county, and there the stage coach on the road between Terre Haute and Bloomington used to stop for a change of horses. He also laid out the Ashboro ceme¬ tery and deeded the same to Clay county on the 9th of July, 1845. He was one of the most prominent factors in the early history of this vicinity. Both he and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Bilderback, w^ere born in Virginia.

son George Me., who was born in Sugar Ridge township, Clay county, November 19, 1832. On the 16th of August, 1854, at what was then known as Grimes church, located in the center of the county, he married Martha E. Adams, who was born in Rosedale, Parke county, Indiana, a daughter of Samuel C. and Nancy (McGinnis) Adams. The young couple took up their abode on one hundred and sixty acres of land on the northwest half of section 16, township 11, range 6 West, Clay county, and there spent their useful lives and died, the husband in June, 1899, and the wife on the 22d of January, 1882. Of their large family of ten children, six sons and four daughters, four sons and two daughters are now living, as follows: Andrew, whose home is in Ashboro; James K., who is mentioned later ; Samuel T., an educator in Birmingham, Alabama ; Ida M., the wife of William Slack, of Ashboro; Eva, the wife of Henry Fogle, and their home is in Sugar Ridge township ; and John J., who resides on the old homestead farm and is the assessor of Sugar Ridge township.

Dr. James K. Moss, the second born of the ten children of George Me. and Martha E. (Adams) Ross, was born in Ashboro October 14, 1857, and received his early training in its common schools and in the high school of Center Point, where he was a pupil of William Travis. His professional training was received in the Medical College of Indiana, at Indianapolis, where he graduated as a physician and surgeon, and after his marriage he began practice in Ashboro. During the many years which have since come and gone he has become well known as a medical practitioner, and at the present time is also the proprietor of a drug store in this city. He owns twenty acres of the old Moss farm, but his resi¬ dence, a beautiful place surrounded by eight acres, is in town. For twenty years the Doctor served as committeeman of this precinct, and during two years or one term served as the coroner of Clay county.

He married, on May 2, 1878, Kate L. McAllister, a daughter of Dr. R. B. and Elizabeth (La Feber) McAllister, natives respectively of Baltimore, Maryland, and Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Dr. McAl¬ ister was one of the prominent early physicians of Ashboro and he died here December . 23, 1879. Mrs. McAllister resided with her daughter, Mrs. Moss, until her death, April 23, 1906, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. The following children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Moss: Fred, born November 4, 1879, a resident of Birmingham, Alabama; Daisy, born July 25, 1882, the wife of Charles W. Witty, of Center Point; George Mack, born November 19, 1888; Clifford, born January 25, 1892; Lo., July 15, 1894; Helen, November 29, 1898; Hil¬ dreth, July 17, 1902; and Paul, July 19, 1905. Dr. Moss is a Mason, a charter member of Center Point Lodge, and is also a member of the blue lodge and the Order of Eastern Star. His religious affiliations are with the Universalist church.

Cassius M. Funk, a substantial farmer and a well known citizen of public affairs, resides on section 30, Washington township, Clav county. He is also one of the most influential members of the Methodist Episcopal church in that section of the county, having been faithful and untiring in his good work for a period of forty-one years. During this long period he has either been a steward or a class leader. There are few citizens of the county whose usefulness has been broader, and none whose life labors have been conducted on a higher plane.

A native of Champaign county, Ohio, Mr. Funk was born on the 4th of July, 1847, son °f Daniel and Sarah J. (Ellis) Funk, both natives of Virginia. They were married in Ohio, where the father followed his trade as a carpenter, and in September, 1854, when Cassius was seven years of age, the family moved to Clay county, locating on a farm in Washington township. In the spring of 1855 the elder Mr. Funk bought eighty acres of land in section 29, of the township named, and this remained the nucleus of his homestead until his death, April 6, 1903, aged eighty-six years. His wife died in January, 1901, at the age of seventy-eight. Before the death of the father he had added to his original purchase until the family estate had reached three hundred acres. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Funk were as follows: Cassius M., the oldest; William H., a resident of Marion township, Owen county, Indiana; and Annie Funk, who died in 1874.

Cassius M. Funk was reared on his father's farm in Washington township, and received his education in Clay county, with the exception of his first two terms of schooling in Ohio and the season of 1865-6, which he also spent as a pupil in Champaign county, that state. He assisted his father until his marriage, on April 22, 1866, to Mary N. Addy, daughter of Solomon and Catherine (Norman) Addy, both natives of the Buckeye state. For about five years after his marriage he farmed on the paternal estate, and then bought sixty acres in section 30, Wash¬ ington township, where he still resides. It was originally a timber tract, boasting for improvements only a small, old log house. But the land is now all cleared and thoroughly cultivated, a productive fruit orchard of over an acre is a valuable and attractive feature of the home¬ stead, which also includes a commodious house and substantial barns and other agricultural conveniences. He ,has owned altogether about four hundred acres in Washington township, and is now the proprietor of sixty-one acres in Harrison township and forty in Lewis township. He is engaged in general farming operations, and is strongly influential both as a progressive agriculturist and a public and religious man. He is a Democrat in politics, was elected justice of the peace in the fall of 1907, and appointed road superintendent in the beginning of 1908. He is a member of Bowling Green Lodge, No. 513, I. O. O. F., and in whatever field he has been active he has conducted himself as an able and upright man.

He has three of the old parchment deeds executed by Presidents John Tyler, Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren, the fifth of their kind found in southern Clay county. There are valuable heirlooms in the Funk family.

Nine children have been born to Mr. Funk, two of whom are deceased, the family being as follows : Alice B., deceased ; John H., a resident of Washington township; C. Ellen, deceased; Cora, wife of Dennis Luther, of Terre Haute ; Allen, of Washington township ; Eunice, who married Harlie Lasell, of Washington township; Daniel V., of Lewis township; Ida J., wife of Elmer Francis, who lives in Terre Haute, and Lewis R. Funk, who resides at home. The family recently suffered an irreparable loss in the death of the wife and mother, and her life was beautifully commemorated in the following paragraphs from the local papers :

M. Funk April 23, 1866. To this union were born nine children; of that number seven survive her, three girls and four boys. She became a member of the M. E. church in 1867 and remained a faithful member until death.

"Sister Funk was a great sufferer for almost two years, but so hopeful and uncomplaining that it was inspiring to be in her company. She was a firm believer in God. She believed that her long affliction was God's will and rejoiced in Him every day for grace given. Hus¬ band, you have not only lost a faithful wife; children, you have not only lost a loving mother, but we have all lost a true friend and a good neighbor, and now that she is gone, we are lonely. A. N. Elrod."

"Mary M. Funk, wife of Cassius M. Funk, died at the home in Washington township Saturday morning, September 12, in her 62d year, after an illness of almost two years.

"The funeral services were held at Mt. Zion church, conducted by her pastor, Rev. J. F. Dyas, pastor at Patricksburg. Mrs. Funk had been a member of the M. E. church at that place since her marriage and was one of the most spiritual members of that class. She leaves a hus¬ band and seven children, three girls and four boys. The funeral was in charge of Miss Kate Tapy, of Bowling Green."

Franklin Pierce Elliott. - Among the sturdy, energetic and thriving agriculturists of Clay county who have a thorough understanding of their vocation and consequently are enabled to carry on that calling most profitably is Franklin P. Elliott, of Perry township, a well-known and prosperous farmer. A son of Bluford Elliott, he was born November 16, 1852, in Washington county, Indiana, near Salem.

Mr. Elliott's paternal grandfather, William Elliott, lived in North Carolina until sixteen years old. Ambitious then to try life on the frontier, he came to the territory of Indiana, which seemed to him a land of bright promise. Locating in Floyd county, he lived and labored there until after his marriage with Nancy Biarly, who, it is thought, was born in that county. Settling then in Washington county, he was employed as a tiller of the soil near Salem until about i860, when he went to Middletown, Vigo county, where he continued his independent occupation during the remainder of his active life. Both he and his wife there attained good old ages, he being eighty-two years old at the time of his death, and she nearly as old when she died.

A native of Washington county, Indiana, Bluford Elliott was there reared to agricultural pursuits, and there spent the earlier years of his life. Locating in Vigo county in 1853, he rented land near Centerville, and there as a general farmer met with good success. Seven years later, having accumulated some money, he bought a tract of unimproved land lying three and one-half miles northwest of Centerville, and having cleared away a part of the brush and timber erected a substantial hewed log house, which is still standing and is in excellent condition. He planted fruit and shade trees, and made other improvements of value, and there resided until his death, at the age of three score years. He married Mar¬ garet Haugher, who was born in Washington county, Indiana, a daughter of Solomon and Miss (Perkizer) Haugher. Her father, a native of Pennsylvania, fought in the Indian wars. He was a pioneer of Washing¬ ton county, Indiana, but afterwards located in Middletown, Vigo county, where he purchased a small farm, which he managed as long as he was able, and on which both he and his wife lived to advanced ages, her death occurring about a year before his. Mrs. Bluford Elliott survived her husband, passing away at the age of eighty years. She reared seven children, namely: Franklin Pierce, Milton, Edward, Clifford, Mary, Martha and Philander.

But a year old when his parents settled in Vigo county, Franklin P. Elliott was brought up amid pioneer scenes. There were at that time no railroads in the state, transportation being made by teams, and Terre Haute, the most convenient market, was but a small village. He began as a boy to assist on the farm, remaining at home until twenty-five years old. Working then by the day or month, he saved his earnings until he had enough to buy a team, when he rented land and commenced his career as an independent farmer. Prosperity greeting his efforts, he was enabled in 1888 to buy in section thirty-four, Perry township, a farm which had been partly cleared and had a fair set of farm buildings. Selling out in 1898, Mr. Elliott bought the place which he now occupies and has since carried on general farming with good results. He has eighty acres of rich land, well improved, and a substantial set of buildings, the whole estate being a credit to his industry and good management.

Mr. Elliott married first, November 16, 1882, Louisa Latham, who was born in North Carolina, and died on the home farm in Perry town¬ ship November 18, 1903. Her parents, Solomon and Elizabeth (Bolin) Latham, came from North Carolina to Indiana in November, i860, locat¬ ing in Montgomery county at first, but afterwards living in Putnam county, and then at Sugar Ridge township, Clay county, and later in Perry township, where both spent their last days, Mrs. Latham surviving her husband a few years. Mr. Elliott married second Mrs. Senna (Goedeker) Latham, who was born in Holland, a daughter of Joseph Goedeker. Mr. Goedeker was born, reared and married in Germany. On leaving the Fatherland he lived for awhile in Holland, and then, accom¬ panied by his wife, two children and his mother, emigrated to Indiana, settling in Terre Haute, where he worked for awhile at the carpenter's trade. He subsequently bought land in Perry township, and was here engaged in carpentering and farming until his death.

Mrs. Elliott married for her first husband Noah Latham, who was born in North Carolina, a son of Solomon Latham. He died in 1902, leav¬ ing six children, namely: John F., Lon, Lana, Lizzie, Annie and Elsie. John F. Latham married Mattie Gibbons, and they have four children, Ruth, Carl, Daisy and Iretha. Lon Latham married Minnie Varner, and they have two children, Clifford and Dorothy. Lana, wife of George Cortner, has four children, Jessie, Rosa, Glendolin and Willis. Lizzie married Oliver Bosley and they have one child, Esther. Mr. Elliott is a Democrat.

Joseph V. Ayer, who is now living retired in Brazil, was one of the first to develop the clay working industry in this part of the state and his labors in this direction proved a source of revenue to the county and were therefore of inestimable value. His birth occurred upon a farm about four and a half miles south of Staunton, Indiana, August 15, 1856, his parents being John M. and Mary Ayer. He was educated in the pub¬ lic schools and in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. In 1880 he came to Brazil and entered the office of the county clerk in the capacity of deputy, serving for four years and seven months. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the fire insurance busi¬ ness, in which he continued for three years. It was during that period that the Brazil Commercial Club was organized and Mr. Ayer became its first secretary. After giving up his local business in insurance he accepted a position as adjuster and state agent in fire insurance lines, but after two and a half years thus passed resigned and in the fall of 1891 took up his abode in Brazil, where he assisted in organizing the first clay plant in Clay county for the development of the rich resources of this part of the state, whereby the material advancement of the county has been greatly increased. The company started with two kilns and the rapid development and growth of their business is indicated by the fact that within six years they had twenty-four kilns in operation. The business was carried on under the name of the Brazil Brick & Pipe Company, which is today the McRoy Clay Works. .

Having sold out his interest in that business, Mr. Ayer in 1899 organ¬ ized the Aver-McCarroll Clay Company and established a plant which is now operated under the name of the Hydraulic Brick Company. Again success attended- the venture and the business proved a profitable one, bringing to the stockholders a good annual dividend. Mr. Ayer's previous experience well qualified him to establish this enterprise upon a safe basis and enabled him to prosecute its interests with marked ability. In 1905 he retired from the business and has since enjoyed a well earned rest. He was one of the men who organized and built the first clay plant in Terre Haute, Indiana, then known as the Terre Haute Brick & Pipe Company, the predecessor of the present Terre Haute Vitrified Brick Company. He has been a heavy shipper of clay from Brazil to outside points and this branch of his business has been a gratifying source of profit. The first multiple duct clay conduit in the United States was made by the Brazil Brick & Pipe Company. Through his efforts in this direction Mr. Ayer has contributed in large and substantial measure to the material develop¬ ment of this part of the state in recognizing and utilizing the natural resources and the opportunities offered for activity in this connection.

On the 5th of December, 1883, Mr. Ayer was married to Miss Isabel Hamilton Dempsey, a native of Brazil and a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Daniels) Dempsey. Mr. Ayer belongs to Centennial Lodge, No. 541, A. F. & A. M., and to Brazil Lodge, No. 762, B. P. O. E., while his political allegiance is unfalteringly given to the Republican party. In citizenship he is progressive and public spirited, withholding his support from no interest calculated to prove of benefit to the community. For years a most active and enterprising business man, he is now enjoying well earned ease, spending the winter months in Florida, California and other warm climes, while the summer seasons are passed at his home in Brazil. The consensus of public opinion regarding his life and work is altogether favorable and he is honored and respected bv all, not alone because of the success he has achieved but also by reason of the straight¬ forward business methods that he has ever followed.

Isaac Shelby Harger. - Prominent among the representatives o{ industrial interests in Brazil is numbered Isaac Shelby Harger, a painter and a decorator with an extensive and growing business. His careful management, combined with his unwearied industry, constitute important elements in the success which he is now enjoying and have won for him a place among the substantial residents of his adopted city. He was born in Bardstown, Nelson county, Kentucky, January n, 1846, his birthplace being one of the historic points of the south and especially identified with the early founding of the Catholic church in that section of the country. In the earlier portion of the nineteenth century Bardstown had acquired such a standing as a center of education and culture as to be christened by Henry Clay the "Athens of the West." In 1774 Bardstown was first settled as Salem, but when it was incorporated by the Virginia legislature four years later it adopted its present name. Its original settlers were English Catholics, and one explanation of its name is that among the earliest and most prominent were the Bairds. Later came the Jesuit missionaries, and the Sisters of Nazareth founded a seminary for the higher education of "gentlemen's daughters." The town also became a large manufacturing center, and its importance as a center of industry and culture induced the pope to create it an episcopal see, the first west of the Alleghany mountains. This, however, was transferred to Louisville in 1841, the Jesuits abandoned their college, and Bardstown commenced to wane. Although still a picturesque place, it is mainly noted for its past. It is a village of 1,800 people and the county seat of Nelson county.

The parents of Isaac S. Harger were Samuel Preston and Margaret Elizabeth (Taylor) Harger. The father was a native of Deerfield, Ohio, and he died of cholera in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1851, his wife, who was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, passing away in 1853. They were mar¬ ried in Kentucky, and the two of their four children who are living are as follows: Isaac and Samuel P., the latter being a resident of Haywards, California. The father was a shoemaker by trade and after locating in Nelson county engaged in the manufacture and sale of boots and shoes. He employed ten or fifteen men in the manufacturing department, de¬ veloped a good business and died in St. Louis, while on a western pros¬ pecting tour looking for a larger and more favorable field. At an early day he was a member of the state militia of Kentucky and gave his politi¬ cal allegiance to the Whig party.

Isaac S. Harger spent his boyhood days in Owen county, Indiana, whither the family removed after the marriage of the widowed mother to Henry Townsend. As the son was only six years of age when he lost his father and eight years old when his mother died, he returned to Ken¬ tucky and made his home with his uncle, Arthur Taylor. When ten years of age he again became a resident of Owen county and was bound out to William Phillips, whom he was to serve until he was twenty-one years of age. At seventeen he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company K, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, on the 15th of November, 1864, and later being connected with the Sixth Indiana Cavalry. After participating in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, the regiment was de¬ tached to collect government supplies and to establish martial law at Eastport, Mississippi, and Florence, Lebanon and Gallatin, Tennessee. From the last named point the troops crossed the Cumberland mountains to Murfreesboro, where they were discharged, being formally and honora¬ bly mustered out of the service at Indianapolis, on the 15th of Septem¬ ber, 1865. Mr. Harger then returned to Owen county and continued his work for Mr. Phillips until he was twenty years of age, when he became identified with mercantile interests in Vandalia, Indiana. Afterward he established himself in business at Spencer, Owen county, where he re¬ mained until 1872, when he sold his store and became a collector for Dr. Bruell for about a year. In 1873 located at Cory, Indiana, building the first house at that place. He took a contract with the railroad company to furnish 12,000 railroad ties between Terre Haute and Middlebury, as well as to supply all the timber for the building of trestles and bridges along this line. In the spring of 1874 he traveled through the states of Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin, and at Stevens Point, in the last named state, he assisted in building a lumber raft of 1,600,000 feet of lumber, which, with others, he floated down the Mississippi river to St. Louis, Missouri. He then returned to Owen county.

It was at this period of his life that Mr. Harger was married to Miss Carrie Reynolds, who was born in that county and died five years after their union. Afterward Mr. Harger removed to Brazil, where he engaged in the business of contracting and carpentering, being thus associated with the building interests of the city until 1883. During that period he erected over forty houses for the Brazil Block Coal Company. Since 1883 Mr. Harger has been engaged in the painting and decorating business, as a contractor, and enjoys a liberal patronage. Soon after Jerome Bogle's arrival in Brazil, he was associated with that gentleman in the painting business, the two also succeeding Mr. Oswell in a restaurant business. Mr. Harger withdrew from the latter, and has since confined his energies and abilities to the field which has embraced some of the finest homes and business houses in Brazil.

Mr. Harger's second wife, to whom he was united on the 25th of April, 1893, was Miss Minnie C. Schnerenberger. A native of Ohio, she was born in 1862, daughter of George and Martha (Otterman) Schneren¬ berger. Her father was born in Germany and died on his farm near Brazil, at the age of sixty-one years, while her mother was a Pennsyl¬ vanian, her marriage occurring in the Keystone state and her death, at Brazil in 1907, aged seventy-three. Mr. Schnerenberger had come to America in early life, crossing the Atlantic on a sailing vessel and locat¬ ing in Pennsylvania, where for several years he followed the wagon maker's trade. Subsequently he removed to Ohio ; then to a farm in Jackson township, Clay county, and finally became a citizen of Brazil. There he worked at his trade with Eli and John Hendricks, while later he pur¬ chased a farm near the city upon which he spent his last years. His life was one of well directed activity and strict honor. He was an exemplary member of the I. O. O. F., which he joined in Ohio, and was devotedly attached to the Methodist church. Politically he was associated with the Democracy. The five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Schnerenberger were: Mrs. Harger; Jennie, now the wife of Charles Oeffinger; May, Mrs. George Anderson; Eva, wife of William Daken; and George.

Mr. and Mrs. Harger are well known socially in Brazil, where they have a warm as well as a large circle of friends. They are the parents of Frederick S., Earl L. and John C. Harger. Mr. Harger has been a Re¬ publican since he attained the right to vote, has served as a member of the city council for four years, and his devotion to the public good is above question, being actively interested in temperance reforms and law enforce¬ ment. He and his wife are loyal members of the First Methodist Episco¬ pal church and are connected with William Black Chapter No. 80, O. E. S., and Mayflower D. of R. No. 62, while Mr. Hargar is also identified with Brazil Lodge, No. 264, A. F. and A. M. ; Brazil Lodge No. 215, I. O. O. F., and Iron City Encampment No. 118, and Patriarchs Militant No. 47. Throughout his entire life he has made it his purpose to hold closely to a high standard of conduct, and in citizenship, his social rela- tions and private life, as well as in his business career, he has earned the high honor of his associates. From the very commencement of his inde¬ pendent career he has made steady advancement in the business world, utilizing his opportunities to good advantage, and his entire record is characterized by an orderly progression that has led to good results.

John Murphy, now practically living retired, was in former years closely identified with business interests in Brazil and maintained an unassailable reputation for commercial integrity as well as enterprise, hold¬ ing at all times to a high standard of business ethics. He was born in county Mayo, Ireland, June 12, 1838, his parents being John and Mary (Gallagher) Murphy, both of whom were natives of county Mayo. They spent their entire lives on .the Emerald Isle, as did the paternal grand¬ father of our subject, Patrick Murphy, who followed farming as a life work in Ireland. To that occupation John Murphy was reared and he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death. He was a member of the Roman Catholic church and in that faith reared his family. He died at the age of fifty-two years and his widow, surviving him for a number of years, passed away at the age of sixty-nine. They were the parents of six children, of whom four are now living: John, of this review;' Patrick, who resides in Clay county, Indiana ; Anthony, who makes his home on Ashley street in Brazil ; and Michael M:, who is living in Rhode Island.

John Murphy, reared and educated in his native country, became an apprentice at an early age in a loom factory. In 1849 left the land of his nativity and went to England, after which he returned to Ireland, but on the 3d of February, 1870, he sailed for the new world, attracted by the opportunities which, according to report, were to be secured in this coun¬ try. He landed at New York city on the 16th of February and soon after¬ ward made his way to Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in mining coal. He spent but a brief period there, however, for on the ist of May of the same year he arrived in Brazil, Indiana, where he was engaged in mining until the early '8os. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until the sum was sufficient to justify his engaging in the grocery business on his own account. Accordingly he opened a store at Ben wood, which he conducted successfully uhtil 1890. In the meantime, in 1888, he was elected sheriff of the county and filled the posi¬ tion so acceptably during his two years' term that in 1890 he was re¬ elected. In order to facilitate his official service he removed to the county seat and embarked in the harness business in Brazil, in which he con¬ tinued for about a year. On the expiration of that period he again became connected with the grocery trade and for three or four years conducted a store in that line, after which he turned his business over to his son in 1903. He was then engaged in the coal trade until the 5th of August, 1905, when he retired to enjoy well merited rest.

In 1859, in England, Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Welch, who was born December 12, 1838. She was a native of county Sligo, Ireland, and a daughter of Martin and Mary Welch, both of whom were born in county Sligo and spent their entire lives there. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have been born twelve children, but six of the num¬ ber are now deceased. Those still living are: Thomas; Michael; Martin; Mary ; Joseph ; and Sarah, the wife of Francis Turner.

Mr. Murphy votes with the Democracy but has never sought nor desired public office for himself. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church and is loyal to its teachings. His life record has covered the scriptural span of three score years and ten and in the evening of his days he js now enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly mer¬ its. He was for many years active in business, manifesting unabating energy and strong purpose in carrying on his individual interests and at the same time being just in all of his dealings with his fellowmen. He never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for here he has found the opportunities he sought, which, by the way, are always open to ambitious, energetic men. As the years went by he pros¬ pered in his undertakings and is now living retired in Brazil, respected and esteemed by all who know him.

Michael J. Murphy, who in January, 1907, was appointed receiver and general manager of the Progressive Coal & Mining Company at Brazil, was born in Bradford, England, September 16, 1866. His parents were John and Mary Ann (Welch) Murphy. As the name indicates, the ancestry of the family is Irish. The grandparents of our subject were John and Mary (Gallagher) Murphy, who were natives of county Mayo, Ireland, where they spent their entire lives, John Murphy, Sr., there fol¬ lowing the occupation of farming until his death, which occurred when he was fifty-two years of age. His wife survived him and died at the age of sixtv-nine years. He was a son of Patrick Murphy, also a farmer of Ireland, and the family through successive generations have been com¬ municants of the Roman Catholic church.

John Murphy, father of our subject, was born in county Mayo, Ireland, June 12, 1838, and was the eldest of a family of four children. In early life he was an apprentice in a loom factory. In England he wedded Mary A. Welch in the year 1859. He had left Ireland ten years before and had taken up his abode in England at that time. On the 3d of February, 1870, he sailed from the old world to the new, landing at New York city on the 16th of the month. He made his way to Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in mining coal, but later in the year came to Brazil, Indiana, where he worked at mining until the early '8os. He then established a grocery business at Bentoood, Clay county, Indiana, where he continued until 1890. In the meantime, in 1888, he was elected sheriff and was re-elected in 1890. After removing to Brazil he established a harness business, which he conducted for about a year and then again became proprietor of a grocery store, which he conducted for three or four years, when he turned the business over to his sons. He was then engaged in the coal trade for about two years and since the 5th of August, 1905, has lived retired. He is a Democrat in politics and he and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic church. Twelve children were born unto them, of whom six are now living: Thomas, Michael, Martin, Mary, Joseph and Sarah, the last named being the wife of Francis L. Turner, Brazil.

In his early boyhood days Michael J. Murphy of this review worked in his father's grocery store and also became identified with mining inter¬ ests. His education was acquired through the medium of the public schools and in 1893, when about twenty-six years of age, he became his father's patner in the ownership and conduct of a grocery store. They were thus associated for about ten years, when his father withdrew from the business and his brother, Martin C. Murphy, was admitted to a partnership. The brothers then carried on the business alone for about three years, when they sold out.

Mr. Murphy of this review has filled several local offices. He was appointed deputy sheriff of Clay county by his father and in 1900 was elected clerk of the circuit court, which position he filled for four years. In 1904 he took up the real estate and insurance business and secured a good clientage, successfully conducting the business until January, 1907, when he withdrew, having been appointed receiver and general manager for the Progressive Coal & Mining Company. This is his present busi¬ ness connection save that he is also secretary and treasurer of the Inde¬ pendent Telephone Company, of which he was one of the organizers, since which time he has served as its secretary.

The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Michael Murphy was in her maidenhood Miss Anna Burke and their marriage was celebrated November 17, 1890. Mrs. Murphy was born in Vigo county, Indiana, in 1869 and is a daughter of Patrick and Bridget Burke, the former a native of America and the latter of Ireland. They were married in Pennsylvania, where Mr. Burke engaged in mining coal until his removal westward to Vigo county, Indiana, in the J6os. There he carried on mining and farming up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was fifty-three years of age. He was a member of the Roman Catholic church and in politics was a Democrat. In his family were five chil¬ dren, four sons and one daughter, all of whom reached years of maturity, namely: William E., who is train master for the Vandalia Railroad Company: Martin, residing at Logansport, Indiana; John, who has charge of the government supplies in the Philippine Islands ; Mrs. Murphy; and Mary, wife of James McNulty, of Brazil.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have been born seven children: Edward L., Michael, Jr., John, Agnes, Frances, Gertrude and Macrenia. Mr. Murphy is an inflexible adherent of the Democratic party. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church and to Brazil Lodge, No. 762, B. P. O. E., and the Knights of Columbus. The greater part of his life has been passed in Clay county and his official and business record is characterized by much that is commendable, so that throughout the entire period of his life he has made steady progress.

Reece Jeffres. - Noteworthy among the veteran agriculturists of Clay county is Reece Jeffres of Perry township, who has spent the greater part of his life in this vicinity, and is a true type of the energetic, hardy and enterprising men who have actively assisted in the development of this fertile and productive agricultural region. A native of Ohio, he was born, January 1, 1834, in Clermont county, a son of James Jeffres. His grandfather, William Jeffres, moved from Pennsylvania, which it is supposed was his native state, to Ohio, where he spent the declining years of his life.

James Jeffres was born, reared and married in the Keystone state, from there migrating to Clermont county, Ohio, where he resided until 1835. In the fall of that year he came, with his wife and nine children, to Clay county, Indiana, making the entire journey with teams. Locating in Perry township, he bought a tract of land from Abel Donham, a part of it being prairie and the remainder heavily timbered. The family moved into the small cabin made of round logs which stood upon the place, and occupied it for some time. He afterwards built a hewed log house and then the brick house, and continued his residence there until his death, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, being a successful tiller of the soil. His wife, whose tgaiden name was Margaret Reece, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Reece, who was born in the same state, of Welsh ancestry. While living in Pennsylvania Mr. Reece followed the trades of a wagon maker and cabinet maker, and after his removal to Clermont county, Ohio, purchased a tract of timbered land on the Ohio river, near Richmond, and there cleared a farm, which he sold, in 1833, for twelve dollars an acre. Coming to Clay county about 1840, he located in Perry township, where several of his children were then living, and here spent his remaining days. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Mordock, died in Ohio. Nine children were born of this union, and all grew to years of maturity, married, and reared families. Mrs. Margaret (Reece) Jeffres lived to the venerable age of eighty-four years. She reared nine children, as follows: Andrew; Lucinda; John and William, twins; Susan; Elmoth; Marion; Tilda; and Reece.

The youngest child of the parental household, Reece Jeffres, was but little more than a year old when he was brought to Clay county, so has really no recollection of any other home than Perry township. Growing up amid pioneer scenes, he has seen Clay county develop from a wilder¬ ness to a thickly populated and wealthy country. During his boyhood there were neither railways nor canals, Terre Haute, then a small hamlet, being the nearest market and depot for supplies. Deer, wild turkeys and other kinds of game were abundant, and he early became an expert hunter and trapper, and in these occupations or sports, as they are now called, he made money. From the sale of deer pelts, venison, wild turkeys, and coon and mink skins he bought, when he was twenty years old, forty acres of canal land in section 17, Perry township. The land was at the time covered with brush and timber, but he soon cleared a small space, and in it built a hewed log house, in which he and his bride set up house¬ keeping, and in which his children were born, the family occupying it for a number of years. Prosperity smiled upon his undertakings, and he continued the improvements on his place, each year adding to the value of his property, and after a time bought four acres of land adjoining his original purchase. On this tract Mr. Jeffres erected a fine set of frame buildings, and here he and his family have since lived, honored and respected members of the community.

On October 3, 1853, Mr. Jeffres married Amanda Fagan. She was born, June 13, 1834, in Clermont county, Ohio, a daughter of Stephen Fagan. Her grandfather, George Fagan, was a pioneer settler of Ham¬ ilton county, Ohio, where he improved a homestead, on which he spent the remainder of his life, both he and his wife, whose maiden name was Maria Woodruff, living to good old ages. Born in Hamilton county, Ohio, Stephen Fagan was reared to agricultural pursuits. Coming to Clay county, Indiana, with his family in 1850, he bought a tract of prairie land in section 17, Perry township, and there improved a homestead. Success crowned his efforts, and from time to time he made other wise invest¬ ments in land until he became owner of three hundred acres. He died October 17, 1881, aged seventy-six years. His wife, Eliza Donham, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, a daughter of Robert and Ruth Donham, and died in Perry township, Indiana, October 13, 1878. She reared eleven