Clay County, Indiana - The whole text, 1909 (part 19 of 21)

Mr. Staggs married first, in February, 1859, Ellen Mason, who spent her entire life in Perry township, her birth occurring here in 1843 and her death in 1884. She was a daughter of Joseph Mason, and a granddaughter of John Mason, an early pioneer of this township. Mr. Staggs married second, in 1887, Mrs. Sarah (Putoff) Kay. She was born, November 16, 1851, in Franklin township, Owen county, a daughter of Simeon Putoff. Simeon Putoff was born in Ohio, became a pioneer settler of Franklin township, where he improved a small farm, upon which he spent his last years. He married Priscilla Medlock, who was born in Washington county, Indiana, and died on the home farm in Franklin township. Sarah Putoff married first John Tryce, of Alabama. Her second husband, John Kay, lost his life in the cyclone that destroyed a bridge in Lewis township. By his first marriage Mr. Staggs had five children, Ida, Etta, Ollie, Clara and Cora. Ida, deceased, married Leander Reece, and at her death left two children, Effie and Reed R. Etta, deceased, married John Morgan. Ollie, wife of Charles Long, has chil¬ dren, Ernest, Obed, Harlan, Rosa and an infant. Clara, the wife of Byron Dalrymple, has six children, Carrie, Grover, Zoa, Marie, Grace and Blanche. Cora, wife of Emery Turner, has two children, Courtney and Dineen. By his present marriage Mr. Staggs has three children, Joel, Bonnie and Hazel. By her first marriage Mrs. Staggs had one daughter, Emma, who married Howard Jackson, and has three children, Oakey, Ermel and Fay. By her marriage with Mr. Kay Mrs. Staggs had one daughter, Bertha Kay. She married Don Fortner, and they have one daughter, Oka. Politically Mr. Staggs is an active member of the Democratic party, and for six years served as township trustee.

Caswell H. Cooprider. - Prominent among the capable, skilful and progressive agriculturists of Harrison township is Caswell H. Cooprider, who carries on general farming in a thorough manner, and is meeting with most excellent results. Of him it can be most truly said that he is a native and to the manner born, his birth having occurred July 19, 1867, on the farm where he now resides. He is a son of the late Francis Marion Cooprider, grandson of George Washington Cooprider, a life-long resi¬ dent of Clay county, and great-grandson of John and Elizabeth (Fleshman) Cooprider, who were among the very early settlers of this part of Indiana. In an interesting sketch of John Cooprider, which appears else¬ where in this volume, may be found further ancestral history of the family.

George Washington Cooprider was born in Harrison county, Indiana, near New Albany, December 29, 1817, and came to Martz, Clay county, when two years old. Learning the trades of a carpenter and cabinet maker, he followed both for many years, residing in the meantime in Middlebury. About 1858 he bought land on section nineteen, Harrison township, and from that time until his death, May 30, 1890, was actively interested in agricultural pursuits. He married for his first wife Lidia

His second wife was Polly Bowman, widow of Jacob Miller. She had three children by Jacob Miller, John W., Barbara Ann and Mary Catherine Miller. George Washington Cooprider and Polly Miller had three children, Elizabeth, Eliza Jane and Joseph J. His second wife died December 8, 1862. He married for his third wife Delitha Cummins, in the year 1863, April 7, and to this union five children were born : Christena, on March 6, 1865 ; Wilson, born September 20, 1867, died October 18, 1868; Mary Etta, born March 1, 1869; George W., born January 31, 1871, died April 20, 1887; and James B., born June 6, 1873. Delitha, his third wife, had one child when she became his wife, Granville P. Mize, now in Dundurn, Saskatchewan, Canada. Mr. Cooprider had the follow¬ ing grandchildren: By first marriage, by Francis M.: Caswell H., James W., Florence and Lethie M. Cooprider. By Missouri Ann (Cooprider) Brandenburg: William Simon, Bell and Rachel. By Simeon Cooprider: Clifford, Brisbane, Francis, Rilla, Mamie and Clarance. By second mar¬ riage, by Elizabeth (Cooprider) King: Leo, Mandy, Joseph and Mary. By Jane (Cooprider) Shawewecker : Charles, Nettie, Nellie, John, Jessie, Clarence *and Ruth. By Joseph J. : Louis, Chester and Argetha Bell. By his third marriage, by Christena (Cooprider) Freed: Vivian, Esther and Elsie. By James: Atha and George, living at this date, August 20, 1908.

George Washington Cooprider framed and operated the last water saw mill, with a sash saw which ran up and down, and there is where his son Francis learned to swim in the tail race. This was the last such mill in the county. He also had a set of burrs to grind corn, and one of the stone burrs is still lying on the bottom of the little creek (Lick Branch), one and one-quarter mile west of Clay City. He framed the first frame for the first coal shaft on his brother Henry's farm, near Clay City, that was in southern Clay county.

A native of Harrison township, Francis Marion Cooprider was born August 24, 1844, and as a boy and youth materially assisted in the pioneer labor of redeeming a farm from the timbered land. When, in 1861, the tocsin of war rang throughout our land, he quickly responded to the first call for troops. Enlisting, he went into camp at Gosport, where he was soon stricken with measles and nearly lost his life, in consequence being sent home rather than to the south. In 1864 he again offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company I, First Indiana Heavy Artillery, and continued with his regiment in all of its engagements until receiving his honorable discharge in October, 1865. Returning to Harrison town¬ ship, he settled in 1866 on section twenty-five, and began the improvement of a homestead by building the log cabin in which his son Caswell, the special subject of this sketch, first opened his eyes to the light of this world. Devoting his time and energies to the clearing of the land, he met with exceptionally good success, having at the time of his death, which occurred October 28, 1906, a well-appointed and finely improved farm, with a substantial set of frame buildings, his estate comparing most favorably with any in the neighborhood.

Francis M. Cooprider was twice married. He married first, in June, 1866, Margaret Watts, who was born in 1850, in Cataract, Owen county, Indiana, a daughter of Dr. James Watts. Dr. Watts was born, bred and educated in Kentucky, and there began his professional career as a physician. He was a strong abolitionist, and on that account, at the breaking out of the Civil war came to Indiana to live. He subsequently raised a company of stalwart soldiers, and was commissioned captain of Company B, Ninety-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which he com¬ manded in some of the most closely contested battles of the entire war, in one of the engagements all but ten of his men being either killed or wounded. At the end of eighteen months, his wife having in the mean¬ time died, Captain Watts resigned his command, and returned home to care for his motherless children. Locating after his return in Martz, Clay county, the Doctor was there engaged in the practice of his profes¬ sion until his death. By this marriage F. M. Cooprider had three chil¬ dren, namely: Caswell H., the subject of this sketch; James, a wellknown farmer of this township ; and Lethie, wife of Allen D. Hayden, of Terre Haute. Mr. Cooprider married second Margaret Burkhart, who survives him, and with her step-son resides on the home farm. A brief sketch of her life may be found on another page of this biographical work.

An excellent scholar, fond of his books, Caswell H. Cooprider acquired a substantial education* when young, and successfully passed the examination required of teachers. His health, however, demanding out¬ door exercise, he relinquished his ambitions for a professional career, and turned his attention to the rural pursuit of agriculture, and in this occu¬ pation has found pleasure, profit and physical vigor. With his step-mother he occupies the old homestead, and in its management is meeting with success.

On March 22, 1894, Mr. Cooprider married Julia May Fritz, who was born in this township, a daughter of Martin L. and Mary E. (Padgitt) Fritz. She passed to the life beyond August 4, 1904, leaving one child, Cecil.

John H. Nees. - For nearly forty years John H. Nees has been actively identified with the agricultural interests of Clay county, his home¬ stead being pleasantly located in Perry township, and in the pursuance of his independent calling he has met with good success. He was born Sep¬ tember 10, 1836, in Jackson township, Owen county, Indiana, a son of Adam Nees, a pioneer settler of that place. His grandfather, John Nees, born in either Virginia or Tennessee, migrated from the latter state to Indiana, and lived first in Union county. He subsequently pushed on to Owen county, becoming one of the first householders of Jackson town¬ ship, and on the farm that he redeemed from the forest he and his faithful wife spent their remaining years.

Adam Nees was born, May 29, 1807, in Tennessee, and in the eastern part of that state was reared and married. Emigrating with his parents to Indiana, he made the overland journey with teams, bringing his family and all of his earthly possessions. After spending a short time in Union county he settled in Owen county, which was then but sparsely populated. Buying a tract of woodland in Jackson township, he first erected a cabin of round logs, and in that his son John H. was born. He rived the boards to cover the roof and also to make the door, no sawed lumber being used. Later he built a hewed log house, in which he resided until his death, in 1850, while yet in the prime of life. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. Nees, was born in Tennessee, March 27, 1811. Her father, Michael Nees, a native of Tennessee, but not a relative of John Nees, was a pioneer settler of Cass township, Clay county, Indiana, where his death occurred in 1848. Mrs. Mary A. Nees survived her husband many years, passing away April 2, 1885. She reared ten children, namely: George W\, Andrew J., William M., John H., Margaret, Mary, Louisa, Sarah, Henry H., and Thomas N.

In the boyhood days of John H. Nees there were no free schools in this part of Indiana, but for three months of each year a subscription school was maintained in each district, and in these schools he obtained his early education. The school building was a very primitive structure, being a log cabin furnished with seats which were made by splitting small logs and inserting wooden pegs for legs. There were no desks in front of the rude seats, and a row of glass inserted in place of one log was the only window. On September 5, 1861, Mr. Nees generously offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company B, Thirty-first Indiana Vol¬ unteer Infantry. With his regiment he took an active part in many noted battles, including among others those of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Land¬ ing, Perryville, Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. He was subsequently with Sherman in his march to Atlanta, taking part in the engagements at Dalton, Resaca and Buzzards Roost. 'On June 21, 1864, in front of Marietta, he was wounded and sent back to the hospital. On account of the expiration of his term of enlistment, Mr. Nees did not rejoin his regiment, but was honorably discharged from the service on September 21, 1864, an<J returned to his Indiana home.

Resuming the occupation to which he was reared, Mr. Nees carried on farming on rented land for awhile, and then bought the parental home¬ stead in Jackson township. This, however, he sold before occupying. Subsequently, in 1870, he bought his present estate in Perry township, and has since been most prosperously employed in tilling the soil, having his land in a good state of cultivation.

Mr. Nees married first, October 23, 1864, Nancy J. Gard, who was born in Jackson township, Owen county, a daughter of John H. and Phebe (Nelson) Gard, natives, respectively, of Indiana and Ohio. She died March 2, 1903. Of this union eight children were born and reared, namely : Ulysses Grant, Ettie, William, Leora, Alonzo, Alverta, Otha and Fred. Ulysses G. married Laura McCullough, and they have three children, Marion, Marie and Berlin. Ettie, wife of John W. Ward, has two children, Fanchon and Essie. William married Mary Huffman, and at his death, at the age of twenty-two years, left one child, Alta. Leora married first William Irvin, by whom she had two children, Zella and William, and by her second marriage, with Edgar Staggs, has one child, Russell. Zella died in April, 1908, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Alonzo married Edith Moss, and they are the parents of four children, Paul, Carl, Earl and Warren. Alverta, the wife of Peter Harris, has seven children, Firmen, Lela, Melvin, Ruth, Dolly, Bessie and Elsie. Otha married Leora Wallace, and they have two children, Wallace and Wendell.

Mr. Nees married second, December 3, 1903, Lucinda Jordan, a daughter of Jacob Jordan and widow of John Kellum. She was born in Morgan township, Owen county, Indiana, August 18, 1855, of pioneer ancestry, her grandfather, Reuben Jordan, having been one of the original settlers of Morgan township. Reuben Jordan came with his wife and three children from North Carolina, his native state, to Indiana, bought a tract of timbered land in Morgan township, and after improving a part of it sold out and bought another tract in the same township. On that he built a hewed log house, in which he and his wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Beaman, spent their last years. Jacob Jordan was but a boy when he came with his parents to Morgan township, where he grew to manhood. There after his marriage he purchased land that was still in its original wildness, and was busily engaged in its improvement when the Civil war broke out. Laying aside his axe and plowshare, he enlisted, in September, 1861, in Company B, Thirty-first Indiana Volunteer Infan¬ try, went with his regiment to the front, and at the battle of Shiloh was so severely wounded that he was unable to rejoin his command. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Nichols, was a life-long resident of Morgan township, her death occurring there June 15, 1865. She reared seven of her children, namely : Harriet, Lydia, Lucinda, Mary, Ezra, I la and Elbert.

Lucinda Jordan married first, in 1873, John N. Nees, who was born in Jackson township, Owen county, a son of William and Martha (Birchfield) Nees, and grandson of Michael Nees. He was a farmer by occu¬ pation, and the first year after his marriage lived in Washington town¬ ship, Clay county. In 1874 he bought land in Lewis township, Clay county, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, December n, 1877. Mrs. Lucinda (Jordan) Nees then married, March 2, 1880, John Kellum, of Cass township, Clay county. He, too, was a farmer, and for fourteen years resided in Lewis township. Removing then to Clay City, he was there a resident until his death, June 30, 1896. On December 3, 1903, as above mentioned, Mrs. Kellum became the wife of Mr. John H. Nees, the special subject of this sketch. By her first marriage Mrs. Nees had one daughter, Alverda. By her marriage with Mr. Kellum she had one daughter, Lillie Kellum, a successful teacher in Perry township. Religiously Mr. Nees is a consistent and valued mem¬ ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mrs. Nees and her daughter Alverda are members of the United Brethren church.

John Calhoun Bollinger. - Among the substantial and successful agriculturists of Clay county, whose names are scattered through the pages of this volume none is more worthy of mention than John C. Bollinger, of Lewis township. A man of industry, intelligence, and ex¬ cellent ability, he has achieved success through his own efforts, and may be properly ranked among the self-made men of our times. A son of John R. Bollinger, he was born, January 1, 1844, m Guernsey county, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, John Bollinger, was born, reared and married in Ohio. With a growing family, he was ambitious to do more than make a bare living, so emigrated with his wife and children to the United States, locating in Buchanan county, Missouri, where he spent the remainder of his life, his four sons, with the exception of John R., making that state their permanent home.

Born in Switzerland, John R. Bollinger attended school in his native land during his youth, and subsequently learned the trade of a weaver, after which he served for three years in the army. Coming to America at the age of twenty-three years, he lived in Ohio until 1847, in the mean¬ time marrying and establishing a household. In that year, with his wife and four children, he made an overland journey to Buchanan county, Missouri, where he followed farming for about four years. Returning as far east as Indiana in 1851, he lived for a few months in Posey town- ship, then came to Lewis township, where, at first, he rented land. He then bought a tract of timbered land, on which a small log cabin was the only building. With true pioneer grit he began the improvement of a farm, working on the land at all times excepting in the winter season, when he operated a loom. Clearing and improving a comfortable home¬ stead, he resided here until his death, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Ovley, was born in Ohio, of German ancestors, and died, a few years after he did, on the home farm. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Nancy, Wyanna, Alary, John C, Margaret, William, Hezekiah, Louisa, and Henry.

But seven years old when brought by his parents to Clay county, John C. Bollinger remembers well when this section of the country was still in its primitive condition, bears, deer, wolves and wild turkeys infest¬ ing the woods, while Terre Haute was the nearest market. He assisted his father in the pioneer labor of clearing a farm, and after his marriage began life for himself as an independent farmer on rented land in Lewis township. Fortune smiling upon his efforts, he made money, which, in 1875, he invested in land, buying the homestead property upon which he has since resided. A small part of the land' had been cleared when he assumed its possession, and a log cabin had been erected. Working steadily and intelligently, he has brought his farm to a fine state of culti¬ vation, and has erected a set of frame buildings that will compare favor¬ ably with any in the vicinity, his estate being a credit to his industry and good management.

Air. Bollinger married, April 14, 1867, Lena Elvus Briley, who was born in Westfield, Clark county, Illinois, a daughter of Rev. Absalom and Martha (Steward) Briley, and sister of Flavius J. Briley, of whom a brief sketch may be found elsewhere in this work. Three children have been born of the union of Air. and Mrs. Bollinger, namely: Alattamoras, Vancie, and Opal. Alattamoras married Rufus Brush, and their only child, Lena Vancie Brush, is the wife of Charles Frerry, and has two children, Leon and John R. Opal married James M. Mace, and they have one child, Zenith. Religiously both Air. and Airs. Bollinger are members of the United Brethren church and active in its work.

Henry Tiefel, one of the most prominent farmers and stock raisers of Posey township, is a native son of the fatherland of Germany, born on the 2d of October, 1835. His parents, George and Eva (Ballard) Tiefel, were born, reared and married in Germany, and they became the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom Henry was the seventh born. In 1847 the family set sail for the United States, arriving in this country after an ocean voyage of fifty-one days, and they estab¬ lished their home in Hamilton, Ohio. In 1853 Air. Tiefel, the father, bought one hundred and sixty acres of timber land in Posey township. Clay county, Indiana, and in 1856 he purchased another one hundred and sixty acres and the following year moved with his family onto this land! In after years he sold a part of this farm to his son Henry and finally sold the remainder to him, and bought property in Marshall, Illinois, where he lived retired until his death at the age of eighty-four years. He gave his political support after coming to this country to the Democracy and was a member of the Lutheran church.

county, Indiana, where his father lived for six years before moving to Clay county, and after coming here he cleared eighty acres of land in Posey township and fenced and improved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1881 he sold the old homestead and bought two hundred and ninety-two acres of his present homestead. Since then he has sold and deeded away a part of the tract, owning at the present time about two hundred acres. He raises the best grade of stock, making a specialty of Berkshire hogs and short-horn cattle, and he also does a large dairy business, owning about thirty milch cows and about twenty-eight head of young cattle. He takes a prominent and active part in the public life of his community, voting with the Democratic party, and during the long period of seventeen years he has served his township as a supervisor.

The marriage of Mr. Tiefel was celebrated in Posey township on the 29th of August, 1858, when Mary Elizabeth Nolte, a daughter of Adam Nolte, represented elsewhere in this history, became his wife. She was born in Germany and was but six months old when brought by her parents to the United States, and when she was ten years of age she came with them to Indiana. They have had eleven children, of whom four died in infancy, and those living are Magdalena, John Frederick, Mar¬ garet, Jacob T., Henry L., William M. and Edward L., all bom and reared in Posey township. The eldest son, John Frederick, is the present candidate (1908) for the office of commissioner of Clay county. Mr. Tiefel is a member of the Lutheran church.

Oswald Theodore Carrithers is a member of one of the first families to seek a home in Clay county, and he is now numbered among the county's most prominent farmers and' stock raisers, owning a val¬ uable and well improved homestead in section 36, Jackson township. He was born in Washington township, Clay county, August 15, 1850, and is a grandson of Thomas and Sarah Carrithers, who came from Kentucky to Vigo county, Indiana, in an early day, and from there to Clay county. They were among the first to establish their home here, but subsequently moved around a great deal.

Among their children was James Carrithers, who was born in Vigo county, Indiana, April 12, 1827, and was reared principally in Clay county, having come here with his parents when small, and he remained with them until his marriage, working at different occupations until he finally purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Washington township, which he cleared and improved. In i860 he traded his Wash¬ ington township farm for two hundred and eighty acres in Jackson town¬ ship, of which he cleared a large amount and improved, but in 1872 he left the farm and lived in Center Point until 1880, when he returned to the homestead and died there in his seventy-second year. His wife, Mahala E. Walker, was born in Washington township, Clay county, a daughter of Nathan D. Walker, one of the earliest of the pioneers of the county. Of the eight children of this union, two sons and six daughters, all were born in Clay county, and four are now deceased. Mr. Carrithers, the father, gave his political support to the Republican party, and was a member of the Masonic order.

Oswald T. Carrithers, the first born of the eight children, received his education principally in the schools of Jackson township, and on the 16th of April, 1874, he was married to Mary Euphronia Kennedy, born in Ohio March 22, 1856, a daughter of Dr. William J. Kennedy, a farmer, merchant and physician at Center Point. He was born in Ohio and came to Clay county, Indiana, in February of 1857, locating in Sugar Ridge township, near Center Point, where he bought a farm and also taught school for two years. Moving then to Center Point he practiced medi¬ cine there during the remainder of his life with the exception of four years which he spent in Stockton. He was married in Ohio to Margaret Currv, a native daughter of that state, and Mrs. Carrithers is the younger of their two children, a son and a daughter. The father died in Center Point in 1878. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Carrithers was blessed by the birth of nine children, four sons and five daughters, namely : Ross, Susie, Stella, Porter (deceased), Ellen, Gertrude and three who died in infancy. All were born and reared in Clay county.

In 1880 Mr. and Mrs. Carrithers moved to Center Point, but after two years there they returned to the farm and located on one hundred and twenty-six acres of land, their present homestead. Mr. Carrithers has been a life-long supporter of Republican principles, an active worker in local party ranks, and he is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity.

Frederick Morse Peavey. - Prominent amopg the energetic and pro¬ gressive men who have been actively identified with the development and advancement of the agricultural interests of Clay county is Frederick M. Peavey, a well-known and highly esteemed resident of Clay City. Coming from a long line of New England ancestry, he was born, August 2, 1855, in Moultonboro, Carroll county, New Hampshire, a son of Alvin Peavey.

Joseph Peavey, the grandfather of Frederick M., was born,, it is thought, in Maine. He was a man of ability, and for many years was successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits in Tuftonboro, New Hamp¬ shire, where he spent his last days. His wife, whose, maiden name was Mary L. Drew, was born in Maine, and after the death of her husband went to Boston to live with her children, and died in that city at the very remarkable age of one hundred and seven years. Of her family of eleven sons and two daughters but one child is living, that being Mrs. Lizzie Tower, of South Boston, Massachusetts.

A native of Tuftonboro, New Hampshire, Alvin Peavey was reared to habits of industry, and began his active career in Boston, being first a bell boy in the old United States hotel, in which he subsequently worked his way up until made clerk. He was afterwards employed as hotel man¬ ager in different places, having served in that capacity in many of the leading hotels of the East, including among others the old Willard's, the National, the Ebbet, and the Kirkwood, in Washington ; the Dixon, at Westerly, Rhode Island ; and the Fabyan, the famous White Mountain resort, in New Hampshire. Retiring from hotel life in 1892, he assumed charge of the estate of his father-in-law, in Meredith, New Hampshire, and there resided until his death, September 2, 1900. He married first Abbie Augusta Morse, who was born in Moultonboro, a daughter of Calvin and Lydia (Moulton) Morse. She died October 15, 1869, leaving six children, namely: Daniel W., Frederick Morse, George, Elmer Alvin, Mortimer, and Abbie Frances. He married second Mrs. Laura (Ela) Bedee, daughter of Joseph Ela, and widow of Daniel G. Bedee.

Beginning life as his father's assistant, Frederick M. Peavey worked with him in various hotels, remaining in the East until 1873. In that year he came to Indiana to visit his uncle, Hazen Peavey, at Howesville, and being especially pleased with the country roundabout has since been a resident of Clay county. He has for many years past been associated with the development of its agricultural resources, having been engaged in general farming in Lewis township, on the Muir estate (which came into the possession of his wife by inheritance), although since 1892 Mr. Peavey has lived in Clay City, employing men to do the farm work, which he superintends.

Mr. Peavey married, December 22, 1878, Margaret Viola Muir, who was born, July 11, 1859, in Indianapolis, a daughter of the late William Muir. Her grandfather, Thomas Muir, was a life-long resident of Ayr¬ shire, Scotland, but his wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Thomp¬ son, came to the United States after the death of her husband, and spent her last years in Indiana. Her children, eight in number, all came to this country, namely : James, Thomas, Robert, John, William, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Jane. Born and bred in Ayrshire, Scotland, William Muir there began as a lad of nine years to learn the art of weaving, and became an expert in the making of fine silk paisley shawls. Although he was constantly employed, working from early morn until late at night, he seized every opportunity for acquiring knowledge, studying hard in the evening schools, and thus obtaining a good practical education. Emi¬ grating to the United States in 1840, he was sixty-five days in sailing across the Atlantic. The following two years he lived in Germantown, Wayne county, Indiana, and then located in Indianapolis, which was a very small city, without any railroad, and was noted, only, as the seat of government. There he started the first loom ever operated in that city, and for a number of years was superintendent of the mill. Subsequently Mr. Muir turned his attention to market gardening, succeeding so well that in 1865, determining to broaden his scope of action, he purchased a tract of land in Lewis township, Clay county, and embarked in general farming and stock-raising on an extensive scale. He added to his landed possessions at different times, becoming owner of two thousand acres of good land, the value of which is steadily increasing. He continued actively employed in agricultural pursuits until his death, in June, 1888, meeting with eminent success in his undertakings. Mr. Muir married Mary Warman, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Guinn) Warman. She died in 1889, leaving five children, as follows: Thomas Robert, William Henry, Sarah, John, and Margaret Viola. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Peavey, two of whom, Elva and Frederick L., died in infancy, and three are living, namely: Mary Abbie, Frank, and Elmer Alvin. Mary Abbie, wife of John Calvin Allen, has one child, Chester Peavey Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Peavey are members of the Presbyterian church.

Smith F. Auld. - Prominent among the leading citizens of Coalmont is Smith F. Auld, who is actively identified with its mercantile inter¬ ests, is influential in public affairs, and is now rendering excellent service as its postmaster. Coming from substantial Scotch ancestry, he was born, April 19, 1858, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, a son of John W. Auld. His paternal grandfather, Archibald Auld, was born in Scotland, but was reared in Ireland, where his parents settled when he was a small child. Coming to America soon after his marriage, he located in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he resided a few years. Migrating from there to Ohio, he became a pioneer of Morrow county, and was there employed as a tiller of the soil until his death, at the venerable age of

John W. Auld was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and there learned the trade of a millwright. Becoming an expert at his trade, he subsequently made a business of building mills in different localities, and operating them until able to sell at a good profit. He confined his opera¬ tions in this line mostly to Ohio, and spent his last years in Cleveland, dying in 1876. He was twice married, his second wife, whose maiden name was Jane Hall, bearing him three children, namely : Louisa ; Smith F., of this sketch ; and Martha. The mother was three times married, her first husband having been Jesse Harris, by whom she had three children. When Smith F. Auld was three years old, his parents sepa¬ rated, and, by mutual agreement, he remained with his father, holding no communication whatever with his mother. Twenty years later, learning the whereabouts of his mother, he went to see her, and on being ushered into the room where she sat she immediately recognized him, even before he had time to speak.

At the age of seven years, Smith F. Auld went to Greene county, Pennsylvania, to live with an aunt, and there attended school regularly un¬ til fourteen years old, obtaining a good elementary education, after which he continued his studies for three years in Columbus, Ohio. After the death of his father he was for three years employed as meat inspector in Armour's packing house in Kansas City, Missouri. Coming then to Middlebury, Indiana, to see his mother, from whom he had been so many years parted, he has since been a resident of Clay county. The first few years after coming here Mr. Auld was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Clay City, but when Coalmont was started he transferred his residence and his business to this place, and here as a general merchant has built up a large and remunerative trade. Since July 8, 1904, he has also served as postmaster, and has managed the business connected with his office most ably and satisfactorily.

In 1882 Mr. Auld married Amanda M. Kress, who was born in Har¬ rison township, this county, a daughter of William R. and Lydia Kress. Their union has been made happy bv the birth of two children, Clinton H. and Ora E. A prominent member of the Republican party, Mr. Auld has taken an active interest in political affairs. A candidate for the position of county clerk in 1900, he reduced the usual Democratic ma¬ jority from five hundred to sixty, and in 1902 he was elected county treasurer by a majority of thirty-five votes. A recount being called for, he was beaten by one vote only, and as he did not care to incur the expense of carrying the matter to a higher court gave up the contest. Fraternally Mr. Auld is a member of Martz Lodge, No. 361, I. O. O. F. ; LTncas Tribe, No. 68, I. O. R. M. ; Unica Council, No. 13, Clay City Camp, No. 95, M. W. A.; and to Royal Americans, No. 134.

Charles Raab. - During many years Charles Raab has been num¬ bered among the leading farmers and stock raisers of Jackson township, his valuable and attractive homestead being located in section 11. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, April 22, 1863, and *s of German parentage. His father, Valentine Raab, for many years one of the best known farmers and business men of Jackson township, was born, reared and educated in Germany, and coming to the United States when a young man and locating in Ohio, he was there married to a native daughter of his own land, Phebe Neihart. Their union was blessed by the birth of fourteen children, eight of whom grew to years of maturity and Charles is the seventh born of those living, four sons and four daughters. In 1864 Valentine Raab emigrated with his family to Clay county and located on what has since been known as the Raab homestead in Jackson town¬ ship. Purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land, he cleared and improved his farm and made his home thereon during the remainder of his life, dying at the age of eighty-three years and in the faith of the Evangelical church, of which he was long a faithful member. His poli¬ tics were Democratic.

In 1895 Charles Raab became the owner of the old farm which was his boyhood's home and where his parents had so long lived and labored, and he has ably continued the work of his father and has made the old place one of the most valuable in the township. He is prominent in the public life of his community, voting with the Democratic party, and in 1904 he was elected the trustee of Jackson township.

Mr. Raab married, May 13, 1886, Nancy B. Riddell, who was born in Jackson township, and the history of her father, Job Riddel, is also given in this work. Mrs. Raab was the second born of a family of six chil¬ dren, and by her marriage she has become the mother of five, three sons and two daughters, - Gladys, Everett, Alfred, Thomas and Jessie, all of whom were born on the homestead farm. Mr. Raab is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Red Men fraternities.

Pearson Francis Gardner Miller. - Intimately associated with the agricultural and industrial interests of Harrison township is Pearson Francis Gardner Miller, who is actively and prosperously engaged in general farming on the Miller homestead, which he is managing with ability and success. Here he was born, February 2, 1859, his birth occur¬ ring in the log house originally used by his parents as a dwelling, and which is now in use as a stable on the farm. His father, Jacob Miller, and his grandfather, Jeremiah Miller, Jr., were born and reared in Somer¬ set county, Pennsylvania. His great-grandfather, Jeremiah Miller, Sr., was a native of Germany, and with a brother emigrated to this country in colonial times, being the only members of the family to come to America. He located in Pennsylvania, and at once became identified with the highest interests of his adopted home. On the breaking out of the Revolutionary war he enlisted in the army, and fought with the colonists in their struggle for independence. Returning home when the war was over, he was told that his wife had gone to join him, and he never after¬ ward heard from her. He was four times married, by his second marriage having one daughter, and by his third union having five sons, of whom Jeremiah, Jr, was the second in succession of birth.

Born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, Jeremiah Miller, Jr., lived there until after his marriage. Subsequently moving to Ohio, he settled near Bedford, where he carried on farming on rented land for a number of seasons. Coming then to Indiana, he spent the remainder of his life with his son Jacob, passing away at the age of sixty-five years. He mar¬ ried Mrs. Susanna (Hamburgh) Miller, the widow of his brother, Henry Miller, who died in early manhood, leaving three children, Elizabeth, Susanna, and Kittie. She, also, was born in Pennsylvania, and died at the home of her son Jacob, in Indiana, being at the time of her death about sixty-five years of age. She bore her husband four children, namely : Leah, Sally, Mary, and Jacob.

Jacob Miller was born, April 4, 1822, in Somerset county, but at the age of seven years was taken by his parents to Ohio, where he was reared and educated, and for awhile worked at the shoemaker's trade. Migrat¬ ing from there to Clay county, Indiana, in 1850, he bought land at two and one-half dollars an acre, in section 4, Harrison township, and at once began its improvement. His first step in this direction was to clear space in order to make room for the humble log cabin in which all of his chil¬ dren were born, and in which the family lived a number of years. His land, like the greater part of the surrounding country, was at that time heavily timbered, but he at once began its improvement, laboring with a courage and never-failing energy that enabled him to successfully cope with all difficulties that arose. By dint of perseverance he placed the entire tract under cultivation, set out fruit trees, and erected a substan¬ tial set of frame buildings, rendering his estate one of the best in the neighborhood as regards its improvements and equipments. Now, in the sunset years of his long and useful life, he is living retired from active cares, on the home farm that he hewed from the wilderness, having long since given to his son its entire management. He married, February 3, 1848, Margaret Van Horn, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Mary (Rose) Van Horn. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and were of German ancestry. She died February 1, 1904, leaving four children, namely : Julia Ann, wife of Abraham Snellenberger ; Leah Elizabeth, wife of George Roush ; Pearson F. G., of this brief sketch ; and Ellen, wife of Lewis Storm.

Growing to maturity on the homestead, Pearson F. G. Miller acquired a substantial common school education in his younger days, and as a youth assisted his father in many of his pioneer labors. When his father gave up active business, Mr. Miller assumed the management of the home farm, on which he has spent his entire life, and has since successfully pursued his pleasant and independent occupation, being numbered among the skilful farmers of his community.

Mr. Miller married, March 12, 1882, Anna Werner, who was born in Harrison township. May 20, 1861, a daughter of Louis and Catherine Werner, of whom further notice may be found elsewhere in this work, in the sketch of their son, Joseph L. Werner. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of eight children, namely : Ethel, Grace, Emma, Gertrude, Ruth, Esther, Cledus, and Raymond. Ethel, wife of Robert Orman, has two children, Ruby Fern and Harry. Grace married Clifford Buell, and they have one child, Lucille. Emma married Earl Coan, and Gertrude is the wife of George Rea.

George W. Miller. - Ranking high among the practical and enter¬ prising agriculturists of Clay county is George W. Miller, of Lewis township, whose finely improved and well cultivated farm bears visible evidence of his skill and ability as a farmer, it being one of the best in regard to its improvements and appointments of any in the vicinity. A son of John G. Miller, he was born, October 27, 1854, in Jefferson town¬ ship, Owen county, Indiana, where he passed the days of his boyhood and youth. His paternal grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania, and early pioneers of Coshocton county, Ohio.

Born in Coshocton county, Ohio, John G. Miller was brought up on a farm, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits in his native state until 1854. Migrating then to Indiana, he bought a tract of land in Jef7 ferson township, Owen county, and in the space that he cleared built the log cabin in which his son George was, a few months later, born. Owen county had been settled several years previous to that time, but improve¬ ments therein had been slow, owing to the fact that there were neither railroads, canals, or convenient markets. Deer, turkeys and other wild game abounded, and in a large measure supplied the family larders. Beginning the improvement of his land, he lived there nine years, then sold and bought another tract in the same township. There he erected a commodious double hewed log. house, a very pretentious structure for those days, and continued his agricultural operations. Selling out in 1873, he purchased land in Wright township, Greene county, where for a number of years he carried on general farming with most excellent pecuniary results. Having by hard work and good management acquired a competency, he subsequently removed to Coal City, Owen county, where he lived retired from active business until his death, September 17, 1898, in the seventieth year of his age. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Hilligas, was born in Ohio, a daughter of John and Mary Hilligas. She died September 5, 1907, in the seventy-fourth year of her age, leaving five children, namely : Reuben, George W., Addie, Alonzo, and Daniel V.

Receiving a good common school education in the district schools, George W. Miller was well trained in the various branches of agriculture while living beneath the parental roof-tree. After his marriage, he set¬ tled in Lewis township, on the farm where he is now living, and continued in the free and independent occupation to which he was bred. He has made improvements of an excellent character, placing the land in a good state of cultivation, setting out fruit and ornamental trees, and entirely rebuilding the house. Mr. Miller is a systematic and thorough farmer, and everything about his premises indicates the existence of cultivated tastes and ample means.

On September 2, 1884, Mr. Miller married Minnie Vermillion, who was born in Terre Haute, a daughter of James Vermillion. Of their union eleven children have been born, namely : Albert, Leola, Ada, Edith, George, Neely, Marshall, Della, Clarence, Leonard and Chloe. Albert married Nellie Robinson and has one son, William Henry. Leola is the wife of Everett Shields, and has one child, Eveland. Ada wedded Stan¬ ley Hardesty, a coal miner and a resident of Greene county. They have one little son, Clarence Edward. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Miller are consistent members of the Church of God and Mr. Miller has been a minister in his church for about fourteen years. He has wedded about two hundred couples and preached two hundred and fifty funeral sermons.

John W. Englehart. - The farming interests of Clay county in¬ clude among its most prominent representatives John E. Englehart, whose attractive and valuable homestead is located in section 11, Jackson township. The three years subsequent to his marriage and leaving home were spent in Harmony, Indiana, where he was engaged in teaming and coal mining, and then coming to Jackson township he bought forty acres of land, the nucleus of his present estate of one hundred and thirty and a half acres, of which he has cleared about eighty acres and has made many valuable and substantial improvements. He makes a specialty of the raising of stock, and is very successful in both his farming and stock interests.

Mr. Englehart was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, March 20, 1846, and is of German parentage. His father, John Englehart, for many years a prominent farmer in Jackson township, was born in Ger¬ many, and when a young man came to America and married in Zanes¬ ville, Ohio, where he first located, a native daughter of his own country, Magdalina Zimmerman, they becoming the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters. For several )jears after coming to America Mr. Englehart worked at the stone cutter's trade, and was then engaged in agricultural pursuits in Ohio until his removal to Clay county, Indiana, in an early period in its history. He arrived here soon after the war and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jackson township, which he and his sons cleared of its dense growth of timber, and this farm con¬ tinued as his home until his death. He gave his political allegiance to the Democratic party, and was a member of the Lutheran church!

His son, John W. Englehart, was a young man when he came to Clay county, and he was married in Jackson township in 1869 to Lena Byers, who was born and reared in Zanesville, Ohio. Her father, John Byers, came from his native land of Germany to America when a young man and located in Ohio, where he was married to Lena Bastian, also a native of the fatherland, and together thev came to Clay county about five years subsequent to the arrival of Mr. Englehart, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jackson township. Mr. Englehart affiliates with the Democracy, and is a member of the Lutheran church.

Wilson Neal. - For many years a popular and successful educator, but now a farmer, Wilson Neal, of Lewis township, has spent the greater part of his life in this vicinity, and, ever regardful of the public weal, has been an able assistant in advancing the highest interests of town and county, at the same time gaining for himself the reputation of one who deserves the confidence and trust of his fellow-men. A native of this, township, he was born October 19, 1857, being a son of Rev. John and Elizabeth (Love) Neal, of whom a sketch may be found elsewhere in this work.

The boyhood of Wilson Neal was passed in laying the foundation of his substantial education in the district schools of Lewis township. Being ambitious and studious, he afterwards attended a graded school in Rilev township, Vigo county, taught by Prof. Moss, from there going to Hymera, where his teachers were Mahlon R. Neal and Judge Henry. Later he attended the State Normal School at Terre Haute, and at the age of nineteen years began his professional career in his home district, teaching in the Buchanan school. For twenty years he taught through the school terms of each season, being employed, principally, in his home town, although he taught a short time in Greene county, Indiana, and one term in Nebraska, near Lincoln. In 1888, turning his attention to agriculture, Mr. Neal located on his present farm, which then contained twenty-five acres of land, with no improvements. He has since bought additional land, having now eighty acres in his home farm, and twenty acres of bottom land, and in the care and management of his property displays much ability and skill. He has erected a good set of frame build¬ ings, the house being pleasantly located on an elevated site, and has

On October 7, 1888, Mr. Neal married Mary Baughman, who was born in Wright township, Greene county, Indiana, January 21, 1863, a daughter of George W. and Emily (Larr) Baughman. Her parents were both of German ancestry, and natives of Ohio. Coming from there to Indiana in pioneer times, Mr. Baughman bought land in Wright town¬ ship, and was there extensively engaged in farming until after the dis¬ covery of coal in that vicinity, when he sold out, and afterwards lived, retired from active pursuits, in Linton, his present home. Mr. and Mrs. Neal are the parents of six children, namely: Ralph Emerson, Letha, Virgil, George, John M., and Mabel Louise. Politically Mr. Neal affil¬ iates with the Democratic party and has been an important factor in the political arena, in the furtherance of his party's measures. He has been delegate to both state and county conventions at various times. He is a member of Jasonville Lodge, No. 530, F. and A. M. Religiously Mrs. Neal is a worthy member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Joiix E. Grider is prominently identified with the farming and stock raising interests of Posey township, and is also serving his fellow citi¬ zens in the office of trustee of his township. His family were early resi¬ dents of this community, and from the early days to the present they have been prominent in developing the agricultural interests. Cornelius Jones Grider, the father of John, came to Indiana with his parents when a lad of eight. He was born in Tennessee May 30, 1827. On arriving in Indiana the family located on a farm in Nevins township, Vigo county. There the little son grew to mature years, but during his early manhood, however, he came to Clay county, where he had charge for several years of a tannery in Posev township, and for some time following this oper¬ ated a flouring mill here. lie then bought sixty acres of land in Posey township, which he cleared and improved, and in this township he was married to Marv Grass. She was born in Virginia, of German ancestry, and was reared and educated in Indiana. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Grider, a son and two daughters, and by a former marriage Mr. Grider also had three children, but all are now dead. He has been a lifelong Republican, and is a member of the United Brethren church at Cloverland.

John E. Grider remained in his parents' home until the age of twenty-one, attending the district schools of Posey township, and from the age of maturity he has made his own wav in the world. After his mar¬ riage he farmed on rented land for six years, and then bought eighty acres in Posey township, also at one time owning thirty-seven acres in another tract, and in addition to his home farm of eighty acres he also owns property in Cloverland, where he resides. In 1904 he was elected to the office of trustee of the township, and lie has been quite active in local politics for many years.

Mr. Grider married, November 16, 1898, Dean O'Connor, who was born and reared in Posey township, Clav county, a daughter of Timothy and Martha (Roberts) O'Connor, the father a deceased miner and farmer of this locality but a native of New York City. Mrs. Grider is the second of their four children, and all were born in Staunton. Mrs. O'Connor had four children by a former marriage. Two children, a son and a daugh¬ ter, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Grider - Stanley and Anna Dell.

Mr. O'Connor, the father of Mrs. Grider, served four years and eight months in the Civil war, a member of the Thirty-first Indiana Vol¬ unteer Infantry, and he was in service in Texas after the close of the conflict. He was wounded in battle, participated in the famous march of Sherman to the sea, and was discharged with the rank of a corporal.

Rev. John Neal. - Prominent among the pioneer preachers of Clay county was the late Rev. John Neal, for many years an honored and esteemed resident of Lewis township. He was a man of earnest convic¬ tions, strong character, and deep consecration, bound heart and soul to the religious work in which he was engaged, and as a loyal and faithful min¬ ister of the Christian church was very successful in reaching the hearts of his hearers. To him, perhaps, may aptly be applied the poet's couplet regarding the village pastor of ancient Auburn :

A son of Henry Neal, he was born in Miami county, Ohio, in 1816, coming from Welsh-Irish ancestry. Henry Neal was one of the early settlers of Miami county, and there spent the larger part of his active life, being engaged in agricultural pursuits. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Duncan. She was three times married, Mr. Neal being her second husband. A more extended sketch of her life may be found on another page of this volume, in connection with the sketch of Benja¬ min Coppock, the only child born of her third marriage. Henry Neal and his wife were both Quakers, and reared their children in that faith.

Coming from Ohio to Indiana in 1835, Rev. John Neal became a pioneer of Lewis township, living first in a log cabin on section ten, shar¬ ing it with his brother-in-law, and his family. Subsequently purchasing government land in section twenty-one, he erected a log house, which was the family home for many years, and the birthplace of nearly all of his children. Being converted in his youth, John Neal joined the United Brethren Church, but later transferred his allegiance to the Christian Church, and soon after settling in Lewis township became an ordained preacher. For many years thereafter he devoted the most of his time to the spread of the gospel, not only in Clay county, but in the neighbor¬ ing counties, making the rounds on horseback, and preaching more often in the log cabin homes of the pioneers than in a church edifice. It is hardly necessary to say that the salary of the itinerant in those days was by no means a munificent one, being never a stated sum, and he was often paid in the productions of the land rather than in cash, all realizing that the minister and his family must live, and ready money being a scarce article. In his religious capacity, Mr. Neal contributed his full share towards the intellectual and moral progress of this part of the state, and until his death, January 29, 1897, at the venerable age of eighty-one years, was deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of town and county.

Mr. Neal married Elizabeth Love, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a daughter of James and Barbara (Hastings) Love, both natives of Ireland. Both parents came to America from the Emerald

Isle when children, and were married in Philadelphia, where Mr. Love spent his remaining days, dying at the early age of thirty-six years. Mrs. Love survived her husband for many years, spending the latter part of her life in Indiana, with her children. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Neal, twelve children were born, two of whom died in infancy, while ten grew to years of maturity, namely : Mary Ann, Amanda, Barbara, Louisa, Elihu, Henry, Sarah E., Susan, Wilson, and John A. Mrs. Neal survived her husband six years, passing away July 23, 1902.

Lewis Field. - Distinguished as a native-born citizen of Lewis town¬ ship, and as the descendant of an honored pioneer family, Lewis Field is, also, a representative of the prosperous and well-to-do farmers of this part of Clay county. An experienced agriculturist, possessing sound sense, good judgment, and an energetic nature, he has been quite suc¬ cessful in the work to which he has given his attention since early youth. A son of the late Aquilla Field, he was born in Lewis township, Clay county, Indiana, December 13, 1854, and was here reared and educated.

Henry Field, the grandfather of Lewis, was born in Kentucky, and for a number of years after his marriage resided there. Coming with his family to Indiana in 1830, when this section of the country was in its primeval wildness, he bought land in Honey Creek township, Vigo county, lying about six miles from the site of the Court House at Terre Haute. With true pioneer courage, he began the improvement of his land, and on the farm which he reclaimed from the wilderness, both he and his wife, whose maiden name was Miss Ball, spent the remainder of their lives.

A native of Kentucky, Aquilla Field was born, February 24, 1824, and when six years old came with his parents to Indiana. Brought up on the home farm in Honey Creek township, he learned the trades of a car¬ penter and a shoemaker when young, and after settling in life for him¬ self made the shoes and did the carpentering for the family. In the spring of 1844 Mr. Field came to Lewis township, Clay county, where he had previously entered forty acres of government land in section thirty. He lived for a few months on land lying near his own, and while living there built a hewed log house on his own tract, and in the fall of the year took possession of it. There were neither railways nor canals here at that time, and no convenient markets, the chief subsistence of the people here¬ about being produced on farms, or obtained by expert marksmen from the surrounding forest, which was filled with deer, wild turkeys, and other kinds of game. Devoting his time to the clearing of the land and the tilling of the soil, he lived and labored here until his death, in April, 1901. He was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Alartha Hughes, was born in Ohio, a daughter of John Hughes, a pioneer of Honey Creek township. She died in March, 1859, leaving six children, namely : Susan, Henry, James, John, Lewis, and Thomas. He married second Nancy Holladay, by whom he had four children, as follows: George, Lucinda, William, and Frank.

Leaving the parental homestead when ready to assume the responsi¬ bilities of a married man, Lewis Field settled on the farm which he now owns and occupies. It then contained but fifty acres, thirty of which had been cleared, and a hewed log house had been built. Beginning work with a will, he added constantly to the improvements already begun on the place, setting out fruit trees of several varieties, erecting a substantial set of frame buildings, and has since bought additional land. On this pleasant homestead of ninety acres, he is now carrying on general farming and stock-raising to great advantage, meeting with well-merited success in his agricultural operations.

On February 29, 1880, Mr. Field married Elizabeth Henry, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, July 7, 1854, a daughter of Jacob Henry. Her grandfather, David Henry, was born in Pennsylvania, where his parents, who were born in Ireland, of Scotch ancestors, settled on coming to the United States to live. He subsequently migrated to Gallia county, Ohio, where he spent his closing years. He married Nancy Lyons, who was born in Pennsylvania, of Irish parents, and died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Jacob Henry was born and reared in Beaver county, his birth occurring March 1, 1829. He married Elvira Rowles, who was born in Ohio, close to the Pennsylvania state line, a daughter of William and Dorothy (Leach) Rowles. Mr. and Mrs. Rowles were both natives of Culpeper county, Virginia, and were there married. They subsequently moved to Ohio, following the emigrants' trail on horseback, and taking with them all of their earthly possessions. Settling on land situated about five miles from Palestine, Columbiana county, they spent the remainder of their lives on the farm they improved from its original wildness. Of the fifteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rowles, twelve grew to years of maturity, and all married and had large families. After their marriage, Jacob Henry and his wife lived on the Rowles homestead, in Columbiana county, Ohio, until 1858, when they came to Greene county, Indiana. Buying a tract of timber land in Wright township, they built a log house, improved quite a portion of the land, and lived there till the family were grown. Mrs. Henry died in November, 1904. Mr. Henry sold that property, and is now living in Sullivan county. Mr. and Mrs. Henry reared nine children, as follows: David W. ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Field; James P. ; Leroy ; Rachel; Lewis; Thomas; Marietta ; and Alfred. Mrs. Field is a woman of culture, and at the age of sixteen began teach¬ ing school, and taught for seventeen consecutive terms, being very suc¬ cessful as an educator. Mr. and Mrs. Field have three children, namely: Rupert, Viola, and Eva, all of whom are well known teachers in Clay and Vigo counties.

\V n. liam F. Salladay is numbered among the farmers and stock raisers of Jackson township and also among those who fought for the Union in the Civil war. He enlisted December 2, 1861, in the Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company H, with which he served until May 14, 1862, and two years afterward re-enlisted in the Fifty-first In¬ diana, Company E, remaining with this command until the close of the conflict, and in the meantime taking part in the battles of Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and in many skirmishes. After the close of the war he returned to the old Sallady homestead, of which he now owns thirty-four acres, but the boundaries of his farm include one hundred and four acres, all of which he has placed under an excellent state of cultivation .

Mr. Salladay is a son of one of the early pioneer farmers of Jackson township, John Salladay, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 22. 1802, and was there married to one of the county's native daughters, Hannah Roberts, she being of English and Welsh descent, while Mr. Salladay was of German descent. They became the parents of nine children, four sons and five daughters, of whom William is the sec- ond son and seventh child. In an early day John Salladay moved with his family to Guernsey county, Ohio, from there to Noble county in the same state and thence to Clay county, Indiana, in 1854, locating on what is now the Salladay homestead in Jackson township. He bought two hun¬ dred and eighty acres here, but later gave eighty acres to his son-in-law, Jacob Barry, and with the aid of his sons he cleared about one hundred and sixty acres of his farm and made many improvements. He later bought one hundred and sixty acres adjoining the original purchase, and he lived on this farm until his death at the advanced age of eighty years. In his political allegiance he was first a Democrat and then a Republican, and he was a valued and worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

William F. Salladay, a son of this well remembered Clay county pioneer, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, December 26, 1839, and received his education in the district schools of Jackson township. Clay county, Indiana. On the 15th of November, 1863, he was married to Lucy J. Fugate, who was born in Clay county March 24, 1842, a daughter of another of the early pioneer farmers of Jackson township. Jahial Fugate. They have had nine children, namely: Joseph; Carry, wife of Frank Fields, of Terre Haute; Letha, wife of Frank Berner, of Brazil; Luetta, wife of S. J. Young, of Tangier, Indiana; Irena, wife of John Ross, of Brazil ; Mary, wife of William Stroble, also of Brazil ; Bertha and Clyda, both deceased; and William L., all of whom were born and reared on the old Salladay homestead. Mr. Salladay is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics has been a life-long supporter of Republican principles. He also has membership relations with the Methodist Episcopal church.

Benjamin Coppock, Esq. - Prominent among the active and re¬ spected citizens of Lewis township is Benjamin Coppock, Esq., who has spent the larger part of his business life in this section of Clay county, and has materially assisted in developing and advancing its agricultural growth and prosperity. A son of John Coppock, he was born, September 15, 1832, in Miami county, Ohio, of which his father was a pioneer.

Born either in one of the Carolinas, or in Tennessee, John Coppock settled in Ohio after his marriage, purchasing a tract of government landin Miami county. He cleared a part of his purchase, and was there em¬ ployed in tilling the soil until 1836, when he came across the country with a team to Indiana, intending to locate here. He spent some time in looking about, but finding nothing that suited his fancy he returned to his Ohio homestead, and was there afterwards happily and contentedly en¬ gaged in general farming until his death, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Duncan, was born in South Carolina, a daughter of Samuel Duncan, another early pioneer of Miami county, Ohio. She survived him, dying at the advanced age of eighty-one years. She had been married twice before marrying Air. Cop¬ pock. By her marriage with her first husband, Isaiah Pemberton, she had one daughter, and by her second husband, Henry Neal, she had three sons and one daughter. Her only child by her third marriage was Benjamin Coppock, with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned.

Leaving home at the age of ten years, Benjamin Coppock came to Clay county, Indiana, to live with his half-borther, Thomas C. Neal, a resident of Lewis township. The country roundabout was then in its original wildness, game of all kinds was abundant, the roads were princi¬ pally forest trails, and all transportation was with teams, there being neither railways nor canals in this part of the state. Neither were there markets or mills, people being obliged to go to Port Commerce, Greene county, or to Terre Haute, to get their grain ground, or to exchange the productions of their land for domestic supplies. At the time of his mar¬ riage, Mr. Coppock left the home of his half-brother, settling in section thirty-two, Lewis township, where he bought a tract of wild land. Mak¬ ing an opening in the forest, he built a log cabin, in which he set up housekeeping. After clearing a part of the land, he settled in section twenty-one, the same township, on a forty-acre tract given to him and his wife by his father-in-law, Elisha Puckett, and was there engaged in tilling the soil when the Civil war broke out. His patriotic spirit being aroused, Mr. Coppock enlisted, in 1862, in Company K, Eighty-fifth In¬ diana Volunteer Infantry, and was with his regiment in all of its engage¬ ments, including the march to Atlanta, thence to the Sea, and through the Carolinas, to Washington, where he took part in the Grand Review.

Being honorably discharged with his comrades from the service, Mr. Coppock returned to his farm, and resumed its management. Sell¬ ing out two years later, he purchased land in section nine, Lewis town¬ ship, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1880, when he disposed of that property, and bought his present home, in section 27. During the years that have since intervened, he has made excellent im¬ provements on his place, and has carried on general farming most suc¬ cessfully, being one of the most prosperous and skilful farmers of the neighborhood.

Mr. Coppock married first, in 1853, Zeresh Puckett, who was born, in 1831, in Shelby county, Illinois, a daughter of Elihu and Rebecca (Hughes) Puckett. Her parents came from Illinois to Lewis township in 1836, locating in section 21, and from the land that they bought improved a farm, on which both spent their remaining years. Mrs. Zeresh Coppock died February 27, 1873, leaving five children, namely: Jemima, wife of Charles B. Cooprider, of Clay county, Indiana ; Rebecca Ann, wife of Calvin C. Mattox, has eight children, Lulu, Clifford, Lillie, Earl, Susie, Ivan, Curtis, and Zeresh ; Mary M., wife of Benjamin Worth, has four children, Arlie, Reuben, Ivan, and Louise ; Ida May, wife of Leander Worth, has one child, Otis ; and Thomas B. The maiden name of Mr. Coppock's present wife was Mary Merrill. She was born in Coshoc¬ ton county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Catherine Merrill, and was married twice before becoming the wife of Mr. Coppock. By her mar¬ riage with her first husband, Andrew J. Kent, she had four children, namely: Collins, who was living in San Francisco when last heard from; Henry, who married Martha Garvin, has one son, Earl; Jacob married Mary Belle Row, and they have five children, Onie, Elmer, Frankie M., Mabel Bennie, and Cynthia ; and Clementina, wife of George W. Bennett, has six children, Mary, Alice, Frankie, Georgie, Leo, and Ethel. Mrs. Coppock's second husband was William Cutshaw. Politically Mr. Cop¬ pock is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and has served thir¬ teen years as assessor of Lewis township, and as justice of the peace for eleven years.

preaching the gospel, being settled in many different places in Kansas, and in whatever towns he preached his ministries were full of good works and faithful service for the Master. Of recent years, he has devoted his time and attention to agricultural and horticultural pursuits, and as fruit grower is meeting with much success. A son of Wesley Edmonson, he was born, January 8, 1846, in Sugar Ridge township, Clay county, com¬ ing from an old and honored colonial family, some of whose members, descendants of Samuel Edmonson, the great-grandfather of John F., spell their name "Edmundson."

Samuel Edmonson, a native of Delaware, migrated to North Caro¬ lina prior to the Revolutionary war, and for a time lived in the vicinity of Guilford Court House. Going from there to Tennessee, he settled near Knoxville, and was there a resident until his death, at the venerable age of ninety-six years. His son John was the next in line of descent.

Born in Tennessee, John Edmonson lived there until 1840, when he came to Indiana, thinking that a change of location might be beneficial to his finances at least. Purchasing a tract of government land in section 28, Lewis township, he cleared and improved a homestead from the wilder¬ ness, and was employed in tilling the soil until his death, in 1867. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Grayson, survived him for a number of years, and died at the home of one of her sons.

Wesley Edmonson was born, bred and educated in Knox county, Tennessee, and was eighteen years old when he came with the family to Lewis township. He subsequently married Caroline Moss, daughter of George and Lydia (Bilderback) Moss, pioneer settlers of Sugar Ridge township. Receiving from his father-in-law a deed to eighty acres of land in Sugar Ridge township, he resided there a few years, and then traded with his brother-in-law, exchanging his farm for a tract of tim¬ bered land in sections twenty-seven and thirty-four, Lewis township. Clearing a small space, he built a log cabin, which the family occupied a few years, when he replaced it with a substantial frame house, which he occupied until his death, August 3, 1903, at the age of four score years. His wife died a few months before he did, her death occurring February 1 5, 1903. They reared nine children, namely: John Fletcher, Francis M. (burned to death at age of two years), George M., Elizabeth J., Benoni, Elijah T., Mack, Saditha, and Nancy.

Taking advantage of every offered opportunity for advancing his education, John F. Edmonson attended the pioneer schools of his day, and at the age of seventeen years enlisted for a period of six months in Com¬ pany C, One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment took part in several of the engagements of the Civil war. He was stationed the greater part of the time in Eastern Tennessee, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment was honorably discharged from the service. Returning to his home in Sugar Ridge township, he attended the school taught by William Travis, historian of Clay county, and under his instruction was fitted for a professional life, and began his career as a teacher. In 1873 Mr. Edmonson migrated to Kansas, where he taught school for awhile. Manifesting strong religious tendencies when young, he was converted in early manhood, joined the United Brethren Church, and while in Kansas was licensed to preach at Pleasant Plains school house, Elk county, Kansas, afterwards being ordained as a minister, by Bishop Kephart. at Havana. For a number of years thereafter he was busily employed in the Master's vineyard, preaching in eight or ten dif- ferent circuits in Kansas, becoming widely known as an earnest and faith¬ ful worker in gospel fields, while his Spiritual influence was felt in many communities. Returning to Indiana in 1887, Mr. Edmonson's father pre¬ sented him with ten acres of the land belonging to the old homestead, in Lewis township, and having erected a house upon it he has since resided here. Upon the death of his father, Mr. Edmonson succeeded to the own¬ ership of fifty-three and one-third acres, and is here successfully engaged in agriculture and horticulture, making a specialty of raising small fruits, a very profitable branch of industry, and one in which he takes great pleas¬ ure and pride.

On March 25, 1869, Mr. Edmonson married Minerva Agnes Holladay, who was born, October 27, 1850, in Owen county, Indiana, near Stockton, a daughter of David Holladay. Her great-grandfather, Will¬ iam Holladay, was an early settler of Lewis township, and spent his last years on the Peavey farm. George Gallagher Holladay, Mrs. Edmonson's grandfather, migrated from Kentucky, his native state, to Indiana in pioneer times, locating in Owen county, where he bought a large tract of government land. Going to Kansas in 1854, he remained there during the perilous times that gave to that state its name of "Bleeding Kansas." Finding life there too strenuous to be pleasant, he returned, in 1858, to Indiana, and lived first in Washington township, and later in Wright township, Greene county, finally buying what is now known as the Sexton farm, one of the choice estates of Greene county, and there resided until his death. His first wife, whose maiden name was Agnes Huddleston, died in Washington township, and he married second Jane Thompson, who died on the home farm in Wright township. By his first marriage there were ten children and by his second union one child. David Holla¬ day, Mrs. Edmonson's father, was born in Covington, Kentucky, and was but a boy when he came with the family to Indiana. After his marriage, he bought land in Owen county, and was there employed in farming until 1854. In that year, with a colony of eight or more families, he joined the train of emigrants that went streaming across the prairie in whitetopped wagons to Kansas. Difficulties in government arose, "Jay-hawk¬ ers" harried the country, and neither life nor property was safe. Dis¬ heartened with the state of affairs, he came back to Indiana in 1856, mak¬ ing the return trip overland with teams, some of them being ox-teams, and the next few years resided in Jasonville. Buying land in Lewis town¬ ship in 1865, he was afterwards here engaged in agricultural pursuits un¬ til his death, March 24, 1877. At the age of nineteen years, David Hol¬ laday married Margaret Barnes, who was born in Kentucky, and when but two years old was left an orphan. She was subsequently brought up by strangers, and as a child was brought to Owen county, Indiana. She died November 27, 1867, ten years before her husband. Eight children were born of their union, as follows : Rosella ; Marv E., who was burned to death at the age of six years; David Howard; Minerva Agnes, wife of Mr. Edmonson; James William; Sarah A.; Henry A.; and Nancy Irene.

Mr. and Mrs. Edmonson have reared eight children, namely; Ro¬ sanna, Zorada J., Julia B., Irene, Milton W., Edna C., Mary H., and John Wesley. Rosanna married E. Grant Richards, and they have four chil¬ dren, Edith, Julia Agnes, Ralph and Howard. Zorado j. married Daniel. M. Stark, and has two children, Agnes Christiana and Sophia. Julia B., wife of James \Y. Hove, has one child, Laura. Irene married Jesse Liston, and has one son, Joseph E. Edna C. is the wife of Dr. Y. A. Shanklin of Terre Haute, Indiana.

John Mason Duncan. - In the ancestry of Air. Duncan are found men who have distinguished themselves in their day and generation. They have been efficient laborers in the cause of Christianity as ministers of the gospel, earnest and eloquent in the presentation of the truth, and they have been conspicuously identified with many interests which have sub¬ served the material prosperity of their country. Dr. John Mason, the grandfather of John M., was the leading Presbyterian minister in Balti¬ more, Maryland, in his day, and his son, Dr. John McKim Duncan, com¬ menced life for himself as a lawyer, but afterward studied for the ministry under the able leadership of Dr. Jewett of Terre Haute and became a Presbyterian minister in Maryland. He preached mostly in the East.

Dr. John McKim Duncan was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and was of Scotch descent. His wife, in her maidenhood Elizabeth Lawrence, was of English descent, and was born and reared in Exeter, New Hampshire. Her father was a successful lawyer in New Hampshire, and was an inti¬ mate friend of Daniel W ebster and a first cousin of Franklin Pierce. Three, children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Duncan - John Mason, Eliza McKim and Lena.

John Mason Duncan, the first born of the children, is a native son of Philadelphia, born December 14, 1855, and in 1863 he came to Cloverland, Indiana. But after two years here he went to Terre Haute to at¬ tend school, and remained in that city until March, 1870. Going thence to Exeter, New Hampshire, he entered the Exeter Academy, and after leaving college went west, returning in 1875 to Terre Haute, where he studied under the preceptorship of Harvey D. Scott. In time Mr. Duncan entered the insurance business with Luther G. Hager, continuing for nine years as an insurance man, and then coming to Posey township, Clay county, he became the owner of his present farm of two hundred acres and is engaged in dairy farming.

In Terre Haute, in 1887, he married Glenn Philips, who was born and reared in Michigan, and they have six children: J. McKim, Donald Mc- Gregory, Margaret G., James Modesett, Ellen E. and Theodore. From the Republican party Mr. Duncan transferred his political allegiance to the Democracy, and he is an active worker in local politics.

Lewis McCullough. - In a discussion of success the distinguished merchant and statesman, John Wanamaker, said : "The chief reason that everybody is not successful is the fact that they have not enough persist¬ ency. I always advise young men who write me on the subject to do one thing well, throwing all their energies into it." The course indicated above has been the one followed by Lewis McCullough, and gradually he has worked his way upward, gaining a prominent place among the sub¬ stantial residents of Clay county. Now a resident of Brazil, he was born in Jackson township, February 18, i860, his parents being Alexander and Mary (Payne) McCullough. The father was born in Tennessee June 24, 1824, and his life record covered a span of seventy-eight years, his death occurring February 8, 1902, on the old family homestead in this county. He came to Indiana with his parents, William and Lavina McCullough, when a mere child. His father and mother were both natives of western

Tennessee and traveled to Washington township, Putnam county, Indiana, by team at a very early day, locating there in the midst of the wilderness. Thus amid pioneer scenes and environments, sharing in all the hardships and privations incident to frontier life, Alexander McCullough was reared. He aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm, and after attain¬ ing his majority he built him a good log house just over the boundary line in Clay county. It was in this house that Lewis McCullough was born. Year after year Alexander McCullough carried on farm work, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and at the time of his death he owned two hundred and forty acres, all of which he had cleared with the exception of a wood lot. He w,as a hard-working, industrious man, whose sterling traits of character gained him the respect of all. He filled the office of school director for a number of years and the cause of education found in him a stalwart champion. He was a regular attendant at the services of the Baptist church, although not a member, and his life was actuated by high and honorable principles. In his political views he was a Democrat. In early manhood he wedded Miss Mary Payne, who was born in Clay county, Indiana, July 24, 1828, and who is now living in her eightieth year. They were married in Clay county and became the parents of eight children, of whom six are now living, while two children died in infancy. Those who still survive are : Robert, who lives in Oklahoma ; Charlotte, the wife of George L. Summers, who resides in Putnam county, Indiana ; William, a resident of Posey township, Clay county, Indiana ; Sarah E., the wife of Frank Lucas, who makes his home in Parke county, this state ; Lewis, of this review ; and Mary, the wife of George Haney.

The old homestead farm was the playground of Lewis McCullough in his boyhood and youth and also his training school for life's practical duties, for from an early age he assisted his father in the farm work, aiding him in clearing land and developing the fields. He also taught school when seventeen years of age, having charge of a school in Jackson township. He followed that profession in all for three years and in 1880 turned his attention to merchandising, joining his brother William in a drug business at Asherville, Indiana. They conducted the store with suc¬ cess for five or more years, at the end of which time Mr. McCullough purchased his brother's interest and extended the scope of his mercantile activity by adding a stock of general merchandise. He is still the owner of this store and has a well appointed and well equipped establishment, which receives a liberal patronage. He also owns a farm of four hundred and twenty acres, which he superintends and which is devoted to general farming pursuits. He is likewise one of the stockholders and a director in the Riddell Bank of Brazil. Whatever he has undertaken he has made it his purpose to do well.- There has been nothing indefinite in his business plans. On the contrary, they have been well formed nad carefully exe¬ cuted, and his keen sagacity and business discernment are also features in his success.

Mr. McCullough was married January 25, 1885, to Miss Mary Dunnihay, who was born in Scotland in 1868, a daughter of Matthew and Mary Dunnihay, who were married in the land of hills and heather. They came to the new world in 1872 and located in Clay county, Indiana, where the father followed mining up to the time of his death. His widow now resides with her children. In their family were twelve children, of whom one son and six daughters survive: James, Agnes, Murren, Mrs. McCul¬ lough, Grace, Tillie and Margaret.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. McCullough has been blessed with six . children, but they lost two in infancy. Those who still survive are Everet, Eunice, Helen and Marvin. Mr. and Mrs. McCullough both have mamfriends in Brazil and Clav county, where their entire lives have been passed. Mr. McCullough served as postmaster at Asherville for eight years under President Cleveland and in politics has always been a stal¬ wart Democrat. Fraternally he is connected with Brazil Lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M. ; Brazil Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M. ; Brazil Council, R. & S. M. ; and Brazil Commanderv, No. 47, K. T., while both he and his wife are members of the William Black Chapter, No. 80, O. E. S. Mr. McCul¬ lough is also connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Asherville, while his wife is a member of the Pythian Sisters there. Their good qualities of heart and mind have endeared them to many friends, and Mr. McCullough belongs to that class of public-spirited and representative American citizens who, while advancing individual interests, also promote the public welfare.

John D. Stonerurner. - Among the prominent business men of Cory is numbered John D. Stoneburner, who wras well prepared for his subsequent successful business career by an excellent educational training in his youth, passing from the public schools to the Merom University at Merom, Indiana, and later pursued a business course in the University of Kentucky at Lexington. He came to Corv at the age of twenty-two and for six years was the proprietor of a meat market here. At the close of that period he became the manager of the Haas general store in this city, a position which he has ever since continued to fill with ability and credit. In this store he has charge of its mercantile department, farm implements and all other articles found in a general establishment of this kind, having full control of the business.

Mr. Stoneburner was born in Perry township, Clay county, the youngest of the eight children born to Joseph H. and Arietta (Hartley) Stoneburner, natives of Virginia and New Jersey, respectively. They came with their parents to Ohio in their early lives, and were married in Guernsey county, Ohio, where they wrere farming people until i860. In that year they came from there to Clay county, Indiana, and bought a farm in Perry township, which is yet the home of the wife and mother. Her husband died there on the 22d of April, 1888.

Mr. Stoneburner married, on the 15th of October, 1890, Sarah J. Holland, who was born in Staunton, Indiana, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Gomery) Holland, who died during the infancy of their daughter Sarah, and she was reared in the home of her uncle, John Reece, of Riley. The only child of this union is J. Curt, who was born January 3, 1893. Mr. Stoneburner gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, and in his fraternal relations is a member of the Knights of Pythias order. Saline City Lodge No. 220, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Clear Creek Lodge of Cory. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has served his church as a trustee for a number of years.

George W. Wolfe. - Numbered among the practical and successful agriculturists of Harrison township is George W. Wolfe, who is thor¬ oughly acquainted with the various branches of his independent calling and pursues it with profit as well as pleasure. A son of Eugene Wolfe, he was born August 31, 1853, in Dover, Dutchess county, New York, but spent a large part of his early life in Connecticut. His grandfather, Thomas Wolfe, was born in Orange county, New York, where, it is supposed, his father, Henry Wolfe, was born, and where he spent the larger part of his life, being engaged in shoemaking, although his closing years were spent with his children in Dutchess county, New York.

Thomas Wolfe was a man of enterprise and energy, and while employed as a farmer and teamster in New York, first in Orange county and afterwards in Dutchess county, he accumulated some money. Moving then from Dover to Salisbury, Litchfield county, Connecticut, he bought land and was there engaged in tilling the soil until his death.

Selecting farming as his life occupation, Eugene Wolfe, succeeded his father in the ownership of the homestead at Salisbury, Connecticut, and resided in that place until 1874. Allured then by the sale of cheaper lands in the west, he sold the New England farm and came with his family to Clay county, Indiana. Locating in Dick Johnson township, he there spent the remainder of his life, being engaged in farming on rented land. He was twice married. He married first Sarah Ward, who was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, a daughter of Spencer and Huldah Ward. She died in 1870, and he married second Phoebe Prindle. His children, all by his first marriage, were as follows: Charles, George W., Mary, Eugene, Edward, Ward and Edwin.

Drought up on the home farm, George W. Wolfe attended the dis¬ trict schools as a boy and youth, there acquiring ample education to fit him for a worthy position in the ranks of the world's workers, among whom he began to do his part as soon as able. Coming from Connecti¬ cut to Clay county in 1877, he found employment in farming, an occu¬ pation which he has since followed.

On August 7, 1882, Mr. Wolfe married Eliza E. Cooprider, who was born in a log house on the old Cooprider homestead November 5, 1857, a daughter of Henry and Melinda (Lankford) Cooprider, and granddaughter of John Cooprider, a prominent pioneer settler of Clay county. Further ancestral and parental history appears on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Mrs. Wolfe's brother, Eli Cooprider. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe have occupied the homestead on which her birth occurred, it being pleasantly located in close proximity to Clay City. Here Mr. Wolfe, is carrying on general farming and stock-raising with most satisfactory pecuniary results, meet¬ ing with signal success in his operations. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe have one son, Henry E. Wolfe. Their only daughter, Edna, died at the age of eleven months. Mrs. Wolfe is a consistent Christian woman, and a valued member of the Good Hope Baptist church.

Fredrick Hoffmann. - A man of industry, enterprise and thrift, Fredrick Hoffmann, of Perry township, is closelv associated with the agricultural interests of this part of Clay county, being profitably engaged in general farming on the homestead of his father, Mathias Hoffmann, managing the estate with ability and success. He was born on this homestead September 19, 1868, and has here spent a large portion of his life.

came with his bride to the United States, being sixty-five days in sailing across the Atlantic. Landing in Baltimore, he did not tarry long in that city, but came directly to Clay county, where he had relatives. This part of the state was then mostly a wilderness, belonging to the govern¬ ment. He was without other resources than his natural endowments of courage, perseverance and energy, and with these no man need fail in life. With money lent him by one of his friends he bought sixty acres of timbered land, erected a log cabin, and with his young bride began housekeeping. Laboring with a hearty good will, he improved the farm on which he resided until 1865. Selling then at quite an advance on the original cost, he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in Perry township, part of it being prairie land, and the remainder covered with timber. He erected at first a set of log buildings, but these gave way in a few years to a substantial group of frame buildings. He cleared a large part of the land, as a general farmer meeting with well deserved success, and subsequently added to his landed possessions by buying a farm in section two of Perry township.

In 1853, in Bavaria, Air. Mathias Hoffmann married Margaret Bar¬ bara Housley, of Bavaria. She cheerfully performed her part in the pioneer labor of building up a home in the wilderness, looking faithfully after the interests of her family until her death in 1892. She bore her husband nine children, namely: Eva Barbara, born February 24, 1854, married George C. Miller, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, and at her death left two children, Maggie and Michael; Michael, Lorn March 28, 1856, died July 28, 1878; Katie, born April 2, 1858, died January 13, 1876; John, born November 25, 1859, died November 17, 1885: Conrad, born January 22, 1862, died March 23, 1872; Marv, born September 17, 1863, married Wesley Miller, and died February 25, 1884, leaving one son, Jacob Mathias Miller: Rosa, born March 25, 1865, married Ross Deeter, and at her death, February 24, 1887, left one son, Elmer Leonard Deeter ; Fredrick, the subject of this sketch ; and ^ Leonard, born June 18, 1871, died July 18, 1894. Since the death of his wife Mr. Mathias Hoffmann has met with a great misfortune, having lost his eyesight, and on account of this affliction he is unable to super¬ intend the management of his farm, and has therefore turned it over to the care of his only surviving child, Fredrick Hoffmann.