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

On December 4, 1871, Mr. Adamson married Sarah J. Evans, who wras born February 2, 1851, in Bartholomew7 county, Indiana, a daughter of William Evans. Her paternal grandfather, John Evans, was born in Pennsylvania, but in early life settled in West Virginia. A few years later he migrated to Butler county, Ohio, from there coming to Indiana, about 1844, to make his home with a son who had previously settled in Bartholo¬ mew7 county. William Evans, Mrs. Adamson's father, was brought up and married in Butler county, Ohio. In 1840 he entered a tract of gov¬ ernment land in Bartholomew county, near the east line of the county, and for his first dwelling place built a small cabin of round logs. This was subsequently replaced by a more pretentious house made of hewn logs, and in this domicile Mrs. Adamson first drew the breath of life. Selling that farm in 1856, Mr. Evans came to Van Buren towmship. Clay county, and having purchased a tract of partly improved land, engaged in tilling the soil for some time. Subsequently retiring from active pur¬ suits, he spent his last years in Harmony. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Phillips, was born in Butler county, Ohio, and died in Har¬ mony, Indiana. She reared seven children, namely: Mary. Susan. George, John, Elizabeth, Rachel, and Sarah J. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Adamson, six are living, namely: Charles Clay, Monte May, Ora Etta, Clarence Clinton, Sarah Alice, and Claude Evans. Bernice Beulah died at the age of twenty-four years, and Blanche Beatrice when but eighteen years old. Fraternally Mr. Adamson is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 316, Independent Order of Odd Fel¬ lows ; and of the Ben Hur Social Insurance Association. In politics he is a Republican, although in local affairs he votes independent of party restrictions for the best men and measures. In their religious beliefs the family are Methodists, attending and supporting the church of that denomination.

Jesse E. Allee. - Of pioneer stock on both sides of the house, Mr. Alice is a worthy and honored representative of those energetic, hardy and courageous men and women who came to Indiana in the early days of its settlement, bravely daring all the hardships and privations incidental to frontier life, in order to pave the way for those who followed, and that their children, and their children's children, might enjoy the com¬ forts and even the luxuries of life without the labor and toil which marked their lives. A son of John Allee, he was born, March, 1843, *n Putnam county. His grandfather, William Allee, for many years a resi¬ dent of Kentucky, moved from there to Putnam county in 1835, being among its earlier settlers. That region was then in its virgin wildness, guiltless of railways or canals, and gave few, if any, evidences of civiliza¬ tion then existing. Continuing his occupation of a farmer, he resided there the remainder of his life, in the development of that section of the country giving good assistance.

John Allee was born in Kentucky, about eight miles north of Lex¬ ington, and in his youthful days came with his parents to Putnam county, Indiana. For a number of years after beginning life for himself he was engaged in farming in Owen county. In 1851, with about twenty families from that part of the state, he treked westward to Iowa, the removal being made with teams, each householder taking with him all of his goods, and driving his stock. There were then no railways west of the Mississippi, and the greater part of Iowa was owned by the government. Deer and antelope roamed over the vast prairies,, and each year the Pot¬ tawatomie Indians spent a part of the time in their former hunting grounds. All grain had to be teamed to the river, which was ninety miles from that part of Keokuk county in which he located, and all supplies brought back on the return trip. Purchasing a tract of partly improved land, John Alice was there actively employed in tilling the soil until his death, six years later, in 1857. The maiden name of his wife was Rachel Helm. She was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Thomas Helm. Mr. Helm was one of the first pioneers of Owen county, and assisted in cut¬ ting the bridle-path from there to Terre Haute, the nearest milling point and market. Having cleared and improved a farm, he removed from there to Center Point, where he spent his closing years with a son, dying at the remarkable age of ninety-nine years and six months. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Rachel Allee returned to Indiana, living in Harrison township from 1861 until her death. She reared five children, namely: Henry, Jesse, William, Lucinda, and Samuel. Henry died at the age of eighteen years. William married Elizabeth White, and they both died when about thirty-four years of age, leaving three children, J lin. Jesse, and Lizzie May. Lucinda, deceased, married Martin Rynes, and they became the parents of eight children, Maggie, Elizabeth, Min¬ nie, Albert, Martin V., Ida and Ada, twins, and Charles. Samuel died when but fourteen years old.

Eight years old when he accompanied his parents on their journey to Iowa, Jesse Allee remembers well the incidents of the long trip, and the many hardships and trials of the pioneer life that followed. In 1859, an energetic youth of sixteen years, he returned to Indiana in search of congenial employment, and for three years worked at farming in Clay county. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Ninety-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment performed valiant service in many important engagements. He was with Sherman in his march to Atlanta, from there to the sea, and thence northward through the Carolinas, and on to Washington, where he participated in the grand review. In June, 1865, he was honorably discharged, after which he returned to his home, and resumed farming. Purchasing land in Sugar Ridge township in 1870, Mr. Allee was there employed in tilling the soil for fifteen years, when, in 1885, he removed to Harrison township. Here, having bought a farm lying in sections thirteen and eighteen, he con¬ tinued his agricultural operations most successfully for the next thirteen years. In 1898 he was appointed superintendent of the County Infirmary, and for three and one-half years managed that institution in an able man¬ ner. Resigning the position in 1902, Mr. Allee returned to his farm, and there continued his pleasant occupation as an agriculturist for about three years. In 1905 he took up his residence in Clay City, and has since lived retired from the active cares of business, enjoying a well earned leisure in his attractive home.

On November 19, 1866, Mr. Allee married Margaret Drake. She was born in Washington township, Clay county, a daughter of Thomas and Maria Drake. Fraternally Mr. Allee is a member of Bowling Green Lodge, No. 85, Ancient Free and ^Accepted Masons.

Henry Clay Cornwell. - Holding a noteworthy position among the prosperous agriculturists of Clay county is Henry Clay Cornwell, who has a finely-appointed and well-cultivated farm in Van Buren town¬ ship. A son of the late David Cornwell, he was born, October 4, 1851, in Van Buren township, and has here spent the greater part of his life.

David Cornwell, a native of New Jersey, spent a part of his early life in Ohio, coming from there to this state at an early day, and settling in Clay county as a pioneer. Purchasing a tract of heavily timbered land in Brazil township, in that part now included within the limits of the city of Brazil, he at once began its improvement. He first erected two round log buildings, splitting the boards to cover the roof, and in one of these cabins his son Henry Clay was born. Laboring with untiring diligence, he cleared a goodly portion of the land, and in course of time erected a brick house, in which he resided until his death, in J865, when but fiftynine years old. He married Diadama Frazier, who died in 1852, leaving seven children, namely: Maria, Benjamin F., Elizabeth, Oliver, William, Delitha, and Henry Clay, then an infant of six months. Elizabeth and Henry, of this sketch, are the only members of the family now living.

During his youthful days Henry C. Cornwell obtained the rudi¬ ments of his education in the little log schoolhouse of pioneer days, and as soon as old enough began helping his father on the farm. After the father's death, he lived with his brother Benjamin until attaining his majority, when he began the battle of life for himself, buying at first a home at Benwood. For a number of years thereafter, excepting when at work in the harvest fields, he was employed as a weigher at the mines. In 1900 Mr. Cornwell settled on the place he now owns and occupies, in section twenty-one, Van Buren township.

At the age of twenty-four years, Mr. Cornwell married Mary A. Woolford, who was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, a daughter of John George Woolford. A native of Holland, Mr. Woolford was the only member of his family that ever came to America. For a number of years after coming to the United States, he lived in Ohio, but in 1865 came to Indiana, settling in Vigo county. He was a stationary engineer, operating at different mines during his active career. Now, in the sev¬ enty-ninth year of his age, he is living retired in Owen county. He mar¬ ried Theresa Cramer, who was born in Germany, came to this country with her parents when but a year old, and died in Owen county, Ind. She reared four children, as follows: Marv, Annie, Frank and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell are the parents of three children, namely: George W., Anna, and Theresa. George W. married Katie Pell, and they have two children, Hila C. and George Henry. Anna, wife of Samuel Treager, has two children, Cornwell R. and Mildred. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell are members of the United Brethren church.

Eli Coopridkr. - One of the best known and most highly esteemed men of Harrison township. Clay county, is Eli Ccoprider, who is dis¬ tinguished alike for his good citizenship, for his services as a soldier during the Civil war, and for the honored ancestry from which he traces his descent. A son of Henry Cooprider, he was born, June 4, 1840, in Harrison township, where the greater part of his life has been passed. I11 a sketch of his grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Fleshman) Cooprider, which may be found elsewhere in this work, a brief history of his ancestors may be found.

Henry Cooprider was born in the territory of Indiana, in Harrison county, December 15, 1815. and was reared amid pioneer scenes. Wild animals of all kinds were then very plentiful, including bears, deer, wolves and foxes, and his work as a boy was to watch the live-stock and guard the grain, as these animals were destructive to both, but were easily scared away when he rang the bell which he carried with lrm. On arriving at manhood, he purchased a tract of land in Harrison town¬ ship, a part of which is now included in Clay City, and in the midst of the timber he put up a house hastily constructed of poles, covering them with boards rived by hand, and building a stick and earth chimney. Before the huge fireplace, his wife did all of her cooking, making cornmeal bread, using a good deal of hominy on the table, while venison and wild turkey furnished the meat for the family. She used, also, to card, spin and weave all the material from which she fashioned the gar¬ ments for her entire family, and all of the bed-clothing and towels used in the household. After a few years, the humble log cabin was replaced bv a house made of hewed logs, and that in turn gave place to a sub¬ stantial frame house, built in colonial style, which, even at this (lav,, is one of the best farm houses in Clay county. On the farm which he redeemed from the wilderness, he snent the remaining years of his life, passing away February 16, 1893. He married Melinda Lankford, who was born in Rock Castle county . Kentucky, July 8, 1S17, and died on the home farm, in Clay county, Indiana, February 25, 1893. just nine clays after her husband's death. Her father, W alker Lankford, was born in North Carolina, where his parents settled on coming to this country from Scotland, their native land. Further history of the Lankford family may be found in connection with the sketch of James F. Lankford. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cooprider. namely: Mary Ann, Eli, Levi, Zimri, Uriah, Henry, Candace, Joseph A.. Eliza, and Susanna and Elizabeth, twins.

Educated in the district schools, Eli Cooprider was well trained in agricultural work while young, and assisted his father in clearing and improving the homestead. Enlisting in November, 1861, in Company (i. Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, he was with his regiment in all of its marches, campaigns and battles, including the Siege of Vicksburg. He marched with Sherman's forces to Atlanta, and on to the sea, thence through the Carolinas to Washington, where he took part in the grand review, after which he received his honorable discharge from the service. During the time that, he was in the army, Mr. Cooprider traveled four¬ teen thousand miles, eleven thousand miles of the distance being on foot, and was at the front in twenty-three hard-fought battles. After returning home, Mr. Cooprider was for twenty years engaged in mercantile pur¬ suits. lie has been prominent in local affairs, serving for two years as towmship trustee : for eight years as postmaster ; and for twelve years as justice of the peace.

On May 24, 1866. Mr. Cooprider married Rachel Everhart, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Judy Ever¬ hart, of whom a more extended notice is given on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of Peter Everhart. Mr. and Mrs. Cooprider have four children living, namely: Frank W. : Rollie H.; Irvin B. ; and Gladys. Rollie H. married Hattie Graden, and they have one child, Magdalena. Politically Mr. Cooprider is a Democrat, and religiously Mrs. Cooprider is a member of the Baptist church.

Lucinda (Triplett) Cornwell. - Widely known throughout the community in which she has so long resided as a woman of fine character and keen intelligence, Mrs. Lucinda Cornwell, widow of the late Oliver Perry Cornwall, occupies one of the finest and best improved homesteads in Van Buren township, its well-tilled acres and substantial improve¬ ments bearing evidence of the thrift and enterprise which first established it, and by which it has since been carried on. Mrs. Cornwell was born, April 2. 1846, in Muskingum county, Ohio, and is a sister of John Triplett, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Coming with the family to Indiana when she was ten years old, she resided with her parents until her marriage, in 1866, to Oliver Perry Cornwell.

A native of Clay county, Oliver P. Cornwell wras born in Brazil, September 12, 1837, a son of David and Diadama Cornwell. Further history of his parents may be found on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of H. C. Cornwell. Choos'ng for his life work the occupation to which he wras reared, Mr. Cornwell bought land adjoining parental homestead when he wTas ready to settle in life, and there tesided a few years. Selling out then, he was for a time engaged in teaming in Brazil, after which he carried on farming in both Brazil and in Dick Johnson townships. Subsequently locating in Van Buren township, Mr. Cornwell bought a timbered tract of land, and having cleared a large part of it, and erected a substantial set of frame buildings,' was here employed in his free and independent occupation until his death, in 1902.

Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell became the parents of two children, namely: Charles O. and Minerva. Charles O. married Minnie Bowers, and they have four children, Harry, Ninas, Raymond, and Lucinda K. Minerva, wife of Edward Fienkhauser, has six children, Deo, Bertha, Raymond, Elva, John Wesley, and Edward. Mrs. Cornwell is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mr. Cornwell also belonged.

Louis Van White. - Noteworthy among the native-born citizens of Harrison township, Clay County, is Louis Van White, whose birth occurred in 1848. His father, Edward White, spent the larger part of his life in this locality, while his grandfather, David White, was one of the earliest settlers of Harrison township, coming here from Kentucky, which was, without doubt, his native state. Taking up land in section nineteen, he erected a commodious hewed log house, and having cleared and improved a comfortable homestead, was here employed in tilling the soil during the remainder of his active years.

Edward White was born, June 16, 1822, in Pulaski county, Kentucky, and was quite young when he came with the family to Clay county. After his marriage, he bought land in section twenty-nine, Harrison township. A few acres were cleared at the time he purchased it, and a set of log buildings had been erected. He lived there until 1857, when he sold out, and bought, in section twenty, a farm on which there stood a double log house, into which he and his family moved. He began farming, and was busily employed at his chosen vocation until after the breaking out of the Civil war. Then, in July, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for a period of three years. Unable, however, to endure the privations and exposures incidental to army life, he was honorably discharged, on account of physical disability, November 14, 1861. Returning home, he resumed farming, and was quite successful, clearing a goodly part of his land, and erecting a sub¬ stantial frame house in place of the log house, but it was unfortunately burned very soon after its completion. He then began the erection of another, and there resided until his death, June 9, 1883. He married, August 15, 1844, Elizabeth Huddleston. She was born April 11, 1824, in Virginia, probably, coming of Virginia ancestry, and died, in Harrison township, Clay county, November 29, 1899. Of their union, ten children were born, namely; Louis Van, of this sketch; John Albert; William Anthony and Willis Logan, twins: Algy Deen ; Francis Marion; Irena Ellen : Henry Harrison ; Perry Wilson ; and Minerva. Willis Logan was accidentally drowned in the Eel river, July 6, 1862, in the eleventh year of his age.

Brought up on the homestead, Louis Van White attended the pioneer schools of his day, and assisted as soon as old enough in the pioneer labors of the farm. In 1863 he enlisted in an Indiana regiment, but being so young his father objected, and he was not accepted as a soldier. But. on February 28, 1864, he again offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company G, Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years, or during the war. Going south with his regiment, he was with Sherman on his march to Atlanta, and then on to the sea. Con¬ tinuing with his regiment as filer, he having been detached as a musician at Huntsville, Alabama, Mr. White passed through the Carolinas to Washington, where he took part in the grand review, and subsequently. 3t Louisville, Kentucky, July 17, 1865, was honorably discharged from the service. Returning home, he began farming with his father, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits.

On December 11. 1873, Mr. White married Eliza Ann Gonser, who was born in Harrison township, Clay county, Indiana, June 11, 1859, of pioneer descent. Her father, Daniel Gonser, was born in Pennsylvania, lived for a few years in Ohio, from there coming to Clay county, Indiana. Buying land in Harrison township, he carried on general farming in connection with his trade of a wagon and carriage smith, residing here, with the exception of the time he was serving in the Civil war, until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Dickey, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio. She survived him, married a second time, and spent her last years in Kingman county, Kansas. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. White, namely : Ora H., born Septem¬ ber 19, 1876; Lillie D., born November 30, 1878, died June 19, 1898; Arthur G., born August 28, 1880; Effie, born January 14. 1883'; Harry L., born March 27, 1884; Vivian, born March 8, 1886; Capitola, born January 2, 1890; Gustava, born January 3, 1893; Ivan M., born May 18, 1895; Floy, born January 25, 1898; and Beulah, born November 4, 1903. .

Silas Green Cooprider. - A life-long resident of Harrison town¬ ship, Clay county, Silas G. Cooprider is numbered among the intelligent and prosperous agriculturists of this locality, and has won for himself an excellent reputation as an honest man and a good citizen. He was born January 17, 1833, in the log cabin built by his father, Elias Coop¬ rider, in section 31. His grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Fleshman) Cooprider, were pioneers of Harrison county, Indiana, settling there in territorial days. A brief sketch of their lives may he found elsewhere in this volume.

Born in Harrison county. Indiana, November 23, 1810. Ehas Coop¬ rider came to Clay county with his parents, and was here reared to agri¬ cultural pursuits. On attaining his majority, he entered seventy-six acres of government land in section 31, Harrison township, and among the first improvements he made was the building of a log cabin. He was a man of wise forethought and much enterprise, and wisely invested all of his surplus money in land, becoming owner of upwards of seven hundred acres. In course of time the small log cabin was replaced by a hewed log house, and that subsequently gave way to a commodious frame house. He made improvements of great value on his place, and was there prosperously employed in general farming until his death, in 1901, in the ninety-first year of his age. He married Polly Lankford, who was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, a daughter of Walker and Polly (Warrum) Lankford. She died, in Harrison township. Clay county, November 23, 1897. Nine children were born of their union, namely: Jackson, Silas G., Emeline, Sylvia Ann, Elias, Polly, John, Elizabeth, and Chester M. Jackson and Elias both served in the Union army during the Civil war, the latter losing his life at the siege of Vicksburg.

Assisting his father in reclaiming a homestead from the dense forest, Silas G. Cooprider early became familiar with agriculture in all of its branches, and finding the occupation of a farmer congenial as well as profitable chose it for his life work. At the time of his marriage, he began housekeeping in a log house on his father's farm, in the northeast quarter of section 36. Harrison township. He succeeded well in his operations, and after twenty-one years built the substantial frame house which he and his family now occupy.

On July 26, 1860, Mr. Cooprider married Isabelle Van Horn,, who was born in Harrison township, Coshocton county, Ohio, October 15, 1837. Her father, John Van Horn, a native of Somerset county, Penn¬ sylvania, was an early settler of Coshocton county, Ohio, and on the land that he bought in Harrison township was employed as a tiller of the soil until his death when upwards of seventy years of age. His wife, whose maiden name was Alary Rose, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and died in Indiana, where she spent her years of widow¬ hood, living with her children. Air. and Airs. Cooprider have reared ten children, namely: Douglas, Joseph, Rhoda, Clinton Alartz, Rebecca Jane, Emilius G., John E., William X., Perley Alav, and Alorgan. Douglas married Rosa Reed, and they have three children, Beulah, Cor¬ bett. and Jackson. Joseph married Elizabeth Travis, and they have one child. Josephine. Rhoda, wife of Philip King, has five children, Dora. Charlie, Frederick, Alarshall, and Mabel. Clinton AI. married Ida Guthrie, and has seven children, George, Forrest, .Frederick, Edith, Uneda. Raymond, and Refina. Emilius G. married Jessie Moody, and they have two children, Yancie and Alartin. Perley Alav, wife of Al Pool, has one daughter, Oakie. Religiously Airs. Cooprider is a valued member of the Baptist church.

Sami:ki. Austin Edmundson. - Numbered among the venerable and respected citizens of Clay county is Samuel A. Edmundson, who has, mayhap, resided in Harrison township, his present home, longer than any other person now residing within its limits. The son of one of the earlier pioneers of this part of the county, he is a typical representative of the brave and daring men who came here when the country round¬ about was in its pristine wildness, and assisted in the development of this fertile and productive agricultural region. A son of William Edmundson, he was born, December 20, 1826, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Samuel Edmundson, the grandfather of Samuel Austin, was born in Delaware in colonial days. After arriving at manhood, he removed to Guilford Court House, North Carolina, and the day following the Revo¬ lutionary battle fought there on Alarch 15, 1781, he assisted in burying the dead soldiers of both armies. Subsequently removing to Tennessee, he located about twelve miles from Knoxville, and there spent the remainder of his long life, passing away at the venerable age of ninetysix years.

Born on the home farm, near Knoxville, Tennessee. William Edmundson was reared and married in his native state, living there until 1828. In that year, accompanied by his wife and child, he came to Indiana, walking the entire distance, while his wife, who carried her babe in her arms, rode on horseback. Journeying along the wild and rugged pathway for ten days, he arrived in Harrison township, poor in pocket, but rich in energy and courage, his only assets being a horse, a saddle, and twenty-five cents in money. Entering a government claim in Har¬ rison township, he cleared a small space, erected a small log cabin, which lie and his family occupied a number of years. For some time thereafter, he was employed in making staves, which he used to take down the Fel. White, Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Xew Orleans. Selling out his load, he would make the return journey as far as Louisville by steamer, and from there would walk home. In 1850, he removed to Vigo county, where he resided until his death, in 1865. His wife, whose maiden name was Delilah Holt, was born in Knox county, Tennessee, and died, at the age of seventy-three years, in Clay county, Indiana. Her father, Joel Holt, was a blacksmith, and followed his trade on the Clinch river, where he also operated a ferry for many years. He died in that county at the remarkable age of one hundred and six years.

The oldest of a family of twelve children. Samuel Austin Edmundson was but an infant when he came with his parents to Harrison town¬ ship. In the days of his boyhood the wild beasts of the forest had not fled before the advancing steps of civilization, but, with the dusky savage, inhabited the wilderness, deer, wolves and panthers being plentiful, while an occasional bear was seen. He attended the first school taught in the vicinity of his present home, and often tells of the term being shortened on account of the schoolmaster eloping with one of his older girl pupils. After arriving at man's estate, Mr. Edmundson was for five years employed on the canal. Buying then thirty acres of timber land, he cut down a few of the giants of the forest to make room for a cabin, which he built of poles, and in which he and his bride began house¬ keeping. Laboring industriously and persistently, he cleared his land, bought more from time to time, finally becoming possessor of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, nearly all of which he cleared and improved, erecting a comfortable and convenient set of frame build¬ ings. In his agricultural labors, Mr. Edmundson was successful.

On December 18, 1848, Mr. Edmundson married Elizabeth Friedly, who was born in Harrison township, Indiana, February 17, 1832, a daughter of Daniel and Rebecca Friedly. She died March 30, 1897. leaving five children, William Daniel, Henry R., Columbus Lafayette. Huldah. and Jacob Ashley.

William Lawson Buckallew. - One of the oldest residents of Harrison township. Clay county, and a veteran agriculturist, bearing with ease and dignity his burden of eighty and more years, William L. Buckallew is the owner of a comfortable homestead, on which he has been for many years engaged in his useful calling. A son of James Buckallew, he was born. June 6, 1828, in Harrison county, Indiana, of honored Scotch ancestry, his paternal grandfather, Jonathan Buckallew, having been born and bred in Scotland. The only member of his family, as far as known, to emigrate to America, Jonathan Buckallew settled in Vir¬ ginia, and there spent the remainder of his life. He reared nine children, five daughters and four sons, the names of the sons being, Jonathan. William, James, and George. Jonathan and William served in the war of 1812, the former losing his life in battle.

A native of Virginia, James Buckallew left home in early manhood, going to Tennessee, where he firmly believed there was a better oppor¬ tunity for a young man to make a livelihood. He soon afterwards married Mahala Flolt, who was born in Wales, and came with her parents, Joel and Elizabeth Holt, and located on the Clinch river, in Knox county, Tennessee, where both her father and mother resided permanently. Coin- ing with his young wife to Indiana in 1827, he made the long and tedious journey with teams, bringing all of his household effects with him, and for about two years lived in Harrison county. Coming with a colony to Clay county in 1829, he became one of the original householders of Har¬ rison township. Buying forty acres of land lying a short distance south of the present site of Middlebury, he lived there four years, and then sold out. Then, buying forty acres in Lewis township, he built a cabin of round logs, men coming from ten and twelve miles away to the raising. Two years later, he purchased eighty acres of timbered land about half a mile from his home, and there built a commodious hewed log house, his neighbors from near and far coming to help raise it, which they were two days in accomplishing. For many years after he came to Clay county there were no railroads, and Terre Haute was the nearest market, while Vincennes was the most convenient milling point. His wife, who was proficient in the domestic arts, used to card, spin and weave, and did the dressmaking and tailoring for the family, dressing herself, husband and children in the homespun which she manufactured. He improved a good farm, and lived there until after his second marriage, when he moved to Middlebury, where he died at the advanced age of eighty years. His first wife, Elizabeth (Holt) Buckallew, died in 1863, leaving four chil¬ dren, namely: Sarah Ellen. Mary Ann, William Lawson, and Joel Holt.

But an infant when brought by his parents to Clay county, William L. Buckallew has been a continuous resident here since. He received his early education in the pioneer schools of Harrison township, the first which he attended having been a subscription school taught by Elder John Neal in a log cabin which his father had built. He remained an inmate of the parental household until after his marriage, when he settled on forty acres of land which his father gave him, beginning housekeeping in a small log cabin, which he occupied for four years. Subsequently buying one hundred acres of land in a near-by section, Mr. Buckallew erected a log cabin, riving the boards by hand, putting up a stick and clay chimney, and for a few years having no stove, but doing the cooking by the fireplace. Deer, turkeys and other wild game was abundant, and formed a large part of the family living. He cleared the land and on the farm made improvements of value, each year adding to the beauty and attractiveness of his home estate,

In 1850, Mr. Buckallew' married Elizabeth Goble, who was born in Vigo county, Indiana, a daughter of Daniel Goble, and grand-daughter of Thomas Goble, pioneers of that part of the state. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Buckallew, namely: Sarah Ellen, wrife of William B. Little, has nine children; James D. married Marv M. Worth, and has three children ; and Joel, who married a Miss Shaw, has one child.

Watsie C. Pell. - Among the energetic and enterprising young agriculturists of Van Buren township is Watsie C. Pell, who has started out in life with excellent prospects for a prosperous future, his industry, ability and good business tact having already placed him among the prominent husbandmen of this part of Clay county. A native and to the manner born, his birth occurred on the farm where he now resides, August 4, 1885, a son of John F. Pell, Jr., and Mary C. (Stallcop) Pell, of whom a brief sketch may be found on another page of this volume. His grandfather, John F. Pell. Sr., w^as one of the early pioneers of this section of Indiana, coming here in 1838, from Virginia, where his father, John Pell, settled when coming to this country from England, his native home. Further ancestral history appears elsewhere in this work, in connection with the sketch of William F. Pell, an uncle of Watsie C. Pell.

Growing to manhood on the home farm, Watsie C. Pell attended the district school during the days of his boyhood and youth, and was early trained to agricultural pursuits, residing with his parents until their removal to Harmony. He has since continued to occupy the old, homestead, which is located in section eleven, and in its management is meeting with signal success. He is prosperously engaged in general farming and stock-raising, exercising great skill and good judgment in his undertakings.

On September 23, 1906, Mr. Pell married Frances Odell Altman, who was born in Van Buren township, w^ich was also the birthplace of her father, Perry Altman. Her grandfather, George Altman, who married Maria Cornwell, was one of the pioneers of this township, and an able factor in developing its agricultural resources. Perry Altman was for many years employed in farming in this locality, and subse¬ quently turned his attention to mining, pursuits, and is now a resident of Harmony. He married Paulina Crabb, a daughter of William and Eliza Williams Crabb, of whom further notice may be found in connec¬ tion with the sketch of W. H. Cutshaw. Mrs. Pell, who has spent her entire life in Van Buren township, has a large circle of warm friends, and is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Emery Loudermilk. - Emery Loudermilk, for many years a promi¬ nent farmer in Jackson township,. was a son of one of its early agricul¬ turists and was born in Jackson township on the 15th of January, 1846. His grandfather, Stephen A. Loudermilk, was one of the early pioneers of Jackson township. He was born, reared and married in North Caro¬ lina, and in an early day left that state for Indiana. The wife died en route, but the father continued on with his ten children and settled on the Eel river. Shortly afterward, however, he moved to Jackson town¬ ship and entered eighty acres of land from the government, to which he later added another tract of eighty acres, and in time cleared his land and placed it under cultivation, remaining in Jackson township until his death at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, six months, and twentytwro days. He was a life-long supporter of Republican principles, and for twenty years was a justice of the peace. He married in Clay county Sarah Bolin, a member of another of the pioneer families here, and they had four children.

William Loudermilk, one of the children by his father's first mar¬ riage, was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, September 27, 1816. He was sixteen years of age when he emigrated with his father to Indiana, and later he entered forty acres of land on Birch creek, of which he cleared a part, but finally sold that land and bought eighty acres in Jackson township, which he also sold after clearing, and im¬ proving and then bought one hundred and sixty acres of his present homestead. He later became the owner of two hundred and eighty acres in the home place and two hundred and twenty acres in the Eel river bottoms, and with the aid of his sons cleared over half of his land. He was an active supporter of Democratic principles, and at one time served as a director. He became very prominent in the business and public life of his county and elsewhere, having dealt quite extensively in stock in different counties, and during about two years he also operated a saw¬ mill in Jackson township. His death occurred at the age of seventy-six years. Mrs. Loudermilk bore the maiden name of Mary Wright and was a native of Harrison county, Indiana, born on the 17th of October, 1822, and she was only about six years of age when she came with her parents to Clay county. Her father, Elijah Wright, entered land in Jackson township, this county. After the death of her parents Mrs. Loudermilk was reared in the home of Amos Hedge, D. D., of Jackson township. Nine children, four sons and five daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Loudermilk, of whom four are now deceased, and all were born in Jackson township.

Stephen Loudermilk and his eldest son William named the town of Ashboro, Clay county, ancL at that time it was expected it would be the county seat. It was named after the county seat of Randolph county, North Carolina, where . the Loudermilk family came from. Stephen Loudermilk also named Mt. Olive church after their home church in North Carolina. The first money that William Loudermilk ever earned was at the age of eleven years, the sum of $2.75. He gave it to his mother and she advised him to buy a Bible with it, which he did. This Bible he brought with him from North Carolina and about two months before his death he gave it to his grandson, Dennis Loudermilk, request¬ ing him to keep it for his lifetime.

Emery Loudennilk, the eldest son and second child of William Loudermilk, was married here on the 28th of December, 1869, to Mary C. Neidlinger, born in Canal Dover, Ohio, January 5, 1851, and who was twelve years of age when she came with her parents to Indiana, the family locating in Jackson township, Clay county. Her parents were Jacob and Katherine (Renor) Neidlinger, farming people of this town¬ ship. Mrs. Emery Loudermilk died in 1901, leaving three children - Dennis, Stella, and Oris. Mr. Loudermilk owned at the time of his death one hundred acres of his father's old homestead, of which he had cleared about fifteen acres. During six months he owned and conducted a store in Asherville, but at the close of that period his property was destroyed by fire and he then returned to his farm. He was an active public worker, voting with the Democratic party, and he was a member of the United Brethren church. In its faith he passed away in death on the 22d of May, 1908.

John Thatcher Gardner. - The legal fraternity of Clay county is well represented by John Thatcher Gardner, of Clay City, who has brought to the practice of his profession a well-trained mind, and those habits of industry and observation that almost invariably win success in life. A son of George Ray Gardner, he was born, January 22, 1848, in Conewango, Cattaraugus county, New York, of thrifty Scotch ances¬ try. There is a well-established tradition that five brothers named Gard¬ ner came from Scotland to America in the very early part of the last century, one of whom, George R., the grandfather of John Thatcher, settled in Vermont. One located in Rhode Island ; one in Maryland ; one in Ohio ; and the other sought a residence in the Sunny South.

Vermont, on coming to New England from his Scottish home, and was there a resident until 1825. Going then with his family to the adjoining state of New York, he took up wild land in Conewango, and by dint of hard labor cleared from the forest a homestead, on which he spent the remainder of his life. He married a Miss Mourton, who ably assisted him in his pioneer labors, in common with her few neighbors carding, spinning and weaving the material from which she made the garments worn by her family.

George Ray Gardner was born in Windsor, Vermont, in 1812, and as a boy of thirteen went with his parents to Cattaraugus county, New York, where he assisted in clearing and improving a farm. After attaining his majority, he secured employment in a saw-mill at Corydon, Pennsylvania, where he became familiar with the details connected with the manufacture of lumber. Returning then to Conewango, New York, he bought land, purchased a saw-mill, and was there profitably employed in the mill and on the home farm until his death, at the ripe old age of four score and four years. He married Lurena Crossfield, who was born in New Hampshire, a daughter of Roswell Crossfield. She survived him just three weeks, passing away when eighty- two years of age. She reared five children, namely: Emma A., wife of H. B. Aldrich, of Cone¬ wango, New York; Frank T., of Chautauqua county, same state; John Thatcher, of this sketch ; William F., a practicing physician of Conewan¬ go, New York ; and George D., also of that place.

After completing his studies in the public schools of his native town, John T. Gardner entered Chamberlain Institute, at Randolph, New York, from which he was graduated in 1871. He subsequently resumed the study of law, which he had previously commenced while teaching school, and later entered the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the class of 1874. Going, then to Unionville, Putnam county, Missouri, Mr. Gardner taught school for one term, and was there admitted to the bar. Not caring, however, to settle there, he came to Indiana in the fall of 1875, and having opened an office at Middlebury, remained there until the establishment of Clay City, when he came here to reside. Since that time, with the exception of one year spent in the state of Washington, Mr. Gardner has been in active prac¬ tice in this city, by his professional knowledge, skill and ability winning a lucrative patronage.

In 1880 Mr. Gardner married Caroline Travis, a native of Ohio, and they have five children now living, namely: Lurena, George W., G. Cleveland, Emma Mildred, and John Thurman. Mr. Gardner is an unswerving Democrat in politics, and an earnest advocate of the prin¬ ciples of his party. Mrs. Gardner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

John C. Leachman. - Noteworthy among the active and practical farmers who have so ablv assisted in developing the rich agricultural' resources of Clay county is John C. Leachman, who is successfully em¬ ployed in general farming and stock raising, in Dick Johnson township. He is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred, February 24, 1840, in Sugar Creek township, Hancock county. He comes of honored pioner stock, his father, Richard Leachman, and his grandfather, James Leachman, having settled in this state in 1824, nearly eighty-five years ago. His great-grandfather, the emigrant ancestor, was born in Scotland, and after coming to this country spent his years, as far as known, in Virginia.

Born in Virginia, James Leachman lived there until after his mar¬ riage. In the early part of the nineteenth century, accompanied by his wife and two children, he went to Maysville, Kentucky, where he resided a short time. Not content, however, he crossed the river, located in Brown county, Ohio, where he purchased land, and for a number of years followed farming. In 1824, with his wife, and six of his eight children, he came to Indiana, making the trip with teams. A pioneer of Hancock county, he entered government land in Sugar Creek township, and with true pioneer grit improved from the dense forest a farm, on which he lived until 1853. Disposing of that land, he purchased a farm in Sugar Ridge township, Clay county, and there resided until his death, in February, 1865, at the venerable age of four score and four years. He married Matilda Brown, also a native of Virginia. Her father, Thomas Brown, was a native of England, and the only one of his family, it is thought, to come to the United States. His first wife had previously died in England, and he subsequently married, in Virginia, a Miss Tatelv. Matilda (Brown) Leachman, wife of James Leachman, died in Ohio, in middle life. She was the mother of the following-named children: George, Thomas, Elizabeth, William, James, Richard, Fanny, and John M.

Richard Leachman was born July 2, 1814, in Brown county, Ohio, and was but ten years old when he came with his parents to Hancock county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. As a youth, he learned the carpenter's trade, and there followed it a number of years, helping to build up towns and villages. Coming from there to Clay county in 1855, he rented land in Washington township for two years, and then removed to Sugar Ridge township, where for a number of years he worked at his trade. When ready to retire from active labor, he came to Dick Johnson township to spend his closing days with his son John. He died in 1898, at the advanced age of eighty- four years. He married Isabelle Bailey, who was born in Greenbrier county, Virginia, June 9, 1816, a daughter of Rev. George Bailey.

Rev. George Bailey was born of English parents in Virginia, where he grew to manhood. In 1834 he came to Hancock county, Indiana, locating in Sugar Creek township, on a tract of land that he took up from the government. The country roundabout was then in its primitive wildness ; Indians were numerous, but not unfriendly ; and bears, deer, wild turkeys and other game were plentiful. Building a log house, he improved a homestead, on which he spent his remaining days, dying, December 24, 1848. He was a preacher in the Wesleyan Methodist church, and while assisting to redeem a portion of the uncultivated soil, also labored to incline the hearts and minds of the people to religious things. He married Isabelle Christy, a native of England. She survived him, and after his death went to Iowa to live with her children, and died in that state at the remarkable age of one hundred and six years. Her daughter Isabelle, who married Richard Leachman, as mentioned above, died July 8, 1857. To her and her husband nine children were born, namely: James, Martha, John C., Elizabeth, Lucinda, Lloyd, George Ethan, Lewis William, and Richard Thomas.

took the place of the chairs used in modern schoolrooms, and boards placed against the sides of the cabin furnished a place upon which the children could write. At the age of eighteen years he began working - with his father at the carpenter's trade, continuing thus employed four years. Going then to Illinois, he worked on a farm a few months, and then returned home. Having in the meantime saved some money, Mr. Leachman continued his studies under the tutorship of William Travis, after which he taught school thirteen terms, one term in Vigo county, three in Parke county, and the remainder in Van Buren and Dick John¬ son townships. From 1866 until 1869 he was a resident of Vigo county. Coming to Dick Johnson township in the latter year, he was for a number of years employed in farming on rented land. Meeting with encouraging results while thus employed, Mr. Leachman, in 1878, purchased the farm on which he is now residing. His estate contains eighty acres of rich and arable land, well improved and judiciously cultivated, constituting one of the model farms of this vicinity. Here he is prosperously engaged in general farming and stock-raising, in his operations being uniformly successful.

Mr. Leachman has been twice married. He married first, December 24, 1865, Sarah J. Wilson, a daughter of Peter and Mary Wilson. She was born in Van Buren township, and died, October 27, 1900, on the home farm. Mr. Leachman married second, June 23, 1893, Mrs. Mahala (Girton) Wright, who was born in Van Buren township, a daughter of Stephen and Margaret Girton, and widow of Benjamin F. Wright. Stephen Girton was born, it is thought, in Pennsylvania, and as a boy removed with his father, George Girton, to Brown county, Ohio, where the father cleared a farm, and spent his remaining years. In 1837 Stephen Girton, with his wife and three children, came overland to Indiana, making the tedious trip with teams. Entering government land in sections 13 and 24, Van Buren township, he at once built a log cabin for himself and family, and then began the arduous task of clearing and improving a homestead. Working with indomitable perseverance and a resolute will, placed the larger part of his estate under cultivation, erected a comfortable set of frame buildings, and there resided until his death, in 1862. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Van Sandt, survived him, passing away at the age of eighty-seven years, in 1897. She had a large family of children, rearing twelve of them.

Mr. Leachman has five children living, all by his first marriage, namely: Mary Isabelle, Lewis William, Albert Melvin, Ida Ellen, and Richard Otis. Mary I., wife of Harvey Yant, has four children, Hilda, Charlotte, Jesse, and Mary Ellen. Lewis W. married Orpha Webster, and they have three children, Lewis William, Dulcie and Baby. Albert M. married Minnie Yocum. Ida E., wife of Frederick Greenwald, has four children, Clara, Mabel, Clarence, and Carroll. Richard married Charlotte Knapper, and they have two children, William Calvin and Orville. By her first marriage Mrs. Leachman had one child, Lillie, who is now the wife of William Winn, and they have one child, Willie Epperson.

Politically Mr. Leachman is a straightforward Democrat, and since casting his first presidential vote for George B. McClellan has worked for the advancement of his party's interests, and the good of his country. In 1872 he was elected trustee of Dick Johnson township, and was re¬ elected in 1876 and 1882. Fraternally he is a member of Brazil Lodge,

Lewis Englehart, who is known as one of the most prominent, business men and agriculturists of Jackson township, is a representative of a pioneer family of Clay county, and the history of his parents is given in the sketch of his brother, John W. Englehart, in this work. When a boy of twelve Lewis Englehart came with his parents to Clay county, Indiana, and he completed his educational training in the district schools of Jackson township. His birth occurred in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, June 21, 1853, and after leaving school he spent three years as a clerk in a mercantile store in Bowling Green. Returning then to his father's home¬ stead he took charge of the farm, and this valuable old place has ever since been his home. He helped to clear its land, and at the time of his father's death he rented eighty acres of the place, and has since become the owner of one hundred and fifty-one acres, all of which is under an excellent state of cultivation. He makes a specialty of the raising of stock, handling thoroughbred English Berkshire hogs and short-horn cattle, and he also owns a house and lot in Terre Haute and property in Indianapolis.

Mr. Englehart married, November 6, 1875, Rosanna Raab, and the history of her father, Valentine Raab, also appears on other pages of this work. She was born in Ohio, but was reared in Clay county, Indiana, and in her girlhood days attended the district schools of Jackson township. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Englehart has been blessed by the birth of four children, namely: Phoebe, the wife of Homer Boyd, a Jackson township farmer; Margaret, deceased; and John A. and Charles F., all of whom were born on the old Englehart homestead. The politics of Mr. Englehart are Democratic, and he is a member of the Red Men and of the Lutheran church.

William Francis. - Prominent among the native bom represen¬ tatives of the brave pioneers of Clay county is William Francis, who is one of the most thrifty and prosperous farmers of Harrispn township, and possesses in a marked degree those principles that constitute him an honest man and a worthy citizen. A native of Clay county, he was born January 26, 1856, in Washington township, a son of William Jacob Astor Francis. The grandfather, named Joseph Francis, was bom, it is thought, in Virginia, but subsequently settled in Kentucky, and from there in the later years of his life came to Clay county, Indiana, to spend his last days.

William J. Francis was born in Crab Orchard, Kentucky, in 1818, and was the sixth of a family of eight children born to Joseph and Millie (Grizzard) Francis, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of North Carolina, and both were of German extraction. Shortly after he reached his majority William J. came to Clay county, Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his life with the exception of four years, which he spent in Terre Haute. On his return he was married to Rebecca Stevens, a native of Clay county and a daughter of James and Wealthy Stevens. Mrs. Francis died in less than a year after marriage, and about three years after her death Mr. Francis married for his second wife Mrs. Almira (Luther) Kendall, a widow and the daughter of William and Patience (Long) Luther. Mrs. Kendall was a native of North

Carolina of English and German descent. She had one daughter by her first marriage, Clarissa Kendall, now the wife of Albert Wilson. To Mr. and Mrs. William J. Francis were born eight children, viz: James M. (deceased), Joseph L., Nancy E., Harriet (deceased), William, Jacob (deceased), Andy, and Mary J. (deceased). Mr. Francis was in politics a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for William H. Harrison in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Francis were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Christian Luther, the grandfather of Mrs. William J. Francis and the great-grandfather of William Francis, of this sketch, was born in Ireland of Scotch ancestry. Emigrating when young to the United States, Christian Luther lived for a number of years in North Carolina, but spent his last days in Indiana, making his home with his children. William Luther, his son, was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, and there grew to manhood. In early life, probably about 1825, he came to Clay county, becoming a pioneer of Washington township. Securing from the government two hundred acres of woodland he cleared a space in which he built the log cabin that was the place of birth of all his children. In common with his neighbors, who were few and far between, he lived in a very primitive manner, with few of the comforts and conveniences of these days. He never had a wagon, but did own a sled, which was doubtless home-made. Traveling was performed on horseback in those times, and in this way he used to go to the distant mill and have a little meal ground. His farming implements were crude, and he always used a wooden mould board plow. He raised sheep and flax, and the family dressed in homespun garments made by the wife and mother from material which she carded, wove and spun, and in addition she spun and wove all the be(J clothing, towels, table linen. The husband was equally industrious, splitting by hand the rails with which he fenced the land that he cleared, running the fences by the compass. On the farm which he improved he resided until his death, in August, 1844. Patience Long, the wife of William Luther, was born in Virginia, a daughter of Benjamin Long, who accompanied by three of his daughters and one son, came overland from that state to Indiana with one horse, the father and two of the children walking the entire distance. Settling in Clay county, Mr. Long entered government land in Washington township, cleared a farm, and there spent his remaining days. The wife of William Luther survived him a number of years, dying in 1856. Of the six children she reared, but two are now living, Margaret J. and William Luther. Margaret J. is the wife of Jacob Hudson, who was born in North Carolina, a son of James Hudson, a native Virginian, who became a pioneer of Clay county. William Luther served as a soldier in the Civil War, and is now a resident of Terre Haute, Indiana.

Brought up on the homestead, William Francis acquired a practical education in the public schools, and while yet young became familiar with the various branches of agriculture. In early manhood, after farming for a time with his father, he bought a part of his present farm, and has since been actively employed in general farming. His untiring industry, combined with skill and practical judgment in con¬ ducting his operations have met with a well merited reward, his home¬ stead, with the substantial set of buildings which he has erected, being one of the most valuable in the locality. He has added to the farm by purchase at different times, and now has one hundred and ninety-five

On November 30, 1876, Mr. Francis married Mary Harden, who was born in Harrison township, June 14, 1859, °f honored pioneer ancestry, her father, Henry Harden, and her grandfather, Nathan Harden, having been early settlers of Clay county. Nathan Harden and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Hammond, were natives of Pennsylvania. Coming to Indiana in an early day, he bought government land in section 4 of Harrison township, and in the dense wilderness erected a log cabin for himself and family. For years thereafter there were no railroads in the state, the chief subsistence of the people being produced on the farms or obtained by the expert marksman in the surrounding forests. His faithful wife and helpmate, carded, spun and wove all of the table linen, bed clothing, and the homespun in which she dressed her family, making the garments herself.

Henry Harden, a farmer and stock raiser, was born December 20, 1835, in Knox county, Ohio, and was the seventh of twelve children born to Nathan and Mary (Hammond) Harden, both natives of Penn¬ sylvania and of Irish and German extraction. Henry Harden moved with his parents to Logan county, Ohio, when he was quite young, and they remained there until the fall of 1852, when they came to Harrison township, Clay county, Indiana. At the age of twenty-one Henry com¬ menced life for himself, receiving no help, but by his own efforts he owned at his death four hundred and seventy-nine acres of land. On December 25, 1857, he was married to Melinda Bolick, now deceased. Eight children were the fruit of this marriage: Lewis, Mary, John, William (deceased), Lydia, Nathan, Emma (deceased), and Elias (de¬ ceased). The second marriage of Mr. Harden occurred March 16, 1877, to Nancy Oliver, who is also deceased, and the two children of that union died unnamed. He was next married to Alice Whited, April 15, 1880. Seven children were born to them: Ezekiel, Clara (deceased), Charlie, Curt, Harrison, Henry, and Edgar. Mr. Harden was politically an active member of the Republican party. He died January 5, 1892.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. William Francis eight children were born, namely : Otis, Minnie, Cleo, Lydia, Athel, Lozier, Earl and Emory. Minnie, who married Isaac B. Turner, died at the age of twenty years, leaving one child, William Turner, who was born November 2, 1897. Otis, who by a former marriage had one son, Leverett Francis, married for his second wife Stella Woods, and has a daughter, Kyle, one son unnamed, who died and a daughter, Mirle, born September 14, 1907. Cleo married Marjorie Pherson and they have one daughter, Marjorie Virginia, born July 8, 1908. Lydia is the widow of the late Joseph L. Hicks. Athel died when but .twelve years of age and Earl and Emory are also deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Francis are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bellaire, Indiana.

James Crooks Cromwell, a well known business man of Clay City, this county, is identified, through both sides of the family, with the founding of the county, his mother being a granddaughter of David Thomas, who was its first white settler. Mr. Cromwell was born on a farm about three miles north of Bowling Green, Clay county, and is a son of Owen D. and Huldah Cromwell. He is also a grandson of Judge

Nicholas G. Cromwell, who was a direct descendant of Oliver Cromwell, the great lord protector of the English commonwealth. His mother was a daughter of Samuel Risley and, as stated, granddaughter of David Thomas, the pioneer white of Clay county.

Mr. Cromwell, of this sketch, was educated in the common schools of Clay county; was reared to agricultural pursuits, and thus continued for seVeral years after his marriage. In 1894 he settled in Clay City, where he has been engaged in various lines of business, at present being employed in a prosperous poultry house. In addition to this he has re¬ cently become interested in a restaurant at that place. He is a sub¬ stantial, moral citizen, and has been especially active in temperance work - in politics, his classification being that of a Temperance Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias in good standing, and in his religious connections faithfully identified with the Methodist church.

On June 21, 1885, Mr. Cromwell was united in marriage to Miss Mary Catherine Robertson, born in Jackson township, this county, on the 6th of October, 1865. Mrs. Cromwell is a daughter of Ethan Allen and Mary Elizabeth (Witty) Robertson, both of whom are deceased, and a granddaughter of Richard Walker, one of the pioneers of Washington township. To Mr. and Mrs. James C. Cromwell have been born the following six children: Lucius Hardy, April 24, 1886; James Herschel, August 21, 1887; Hazel Marie, December 24, 1892, now deceased; Oliver Thomas, March 8, 1894; Lucia, September 22, 1896; and Owen D. Cromwell, June 21, 1898. It may be added, regarding the paternal ancestry of Mrs. Cromwell that her father was born October 17, 1840, and died March 2, 1890, and that her grandfather, William Robertson, was a native of Chester county, Maryland, who was born January 6, 1783, and died June 18, 1853.

Henry William Fraasa. - Henry W. Fraasa who is proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres a few miles north of Bowling Green, this county, is especially widely known as a breeder of fancy poultry. He is a native of Washington township, Clay county, born September 10, 1869, and is the oldest son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Werremeyer) Fraasa. He comes of a good substantial German family, his parents emigrating from the fatherland about forty-five years ago and soon afterwards locating on a farm in Washington township. Within the intervening period of industry and wise management they have be¬ come the possessors of a fine estate to the amount of four hundred and fourteen acres.

The son, Henry W., has followed in his father's * footsteps and although still comparatively young is himself the owner of a fine piece of property as above mentioned. Although a general breeder of live stock for a number of years past he has made a specialty of fancy poultry, and ' many good housewives for miles around can testify to the good quality of his produce. On April 14, 1897, Mr. Fraasa was married to Mary Ann Krack, a native of Washington township, Clay county, Indiana, born March 17, 1873, being the oldest daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Krack. Her parents who were natives of Germany emigrated to this country about the same time as the Fraasa family. Mr. Krack is now deceased and his widow, Mrs. (Kaelber) Krack, still resides on the old homestead in Washington township. Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Fraasa are both members of the Zion Reform church of Poland, having been long connected with that organization as active and influential workers. Although they have no children of their own they have adopted a nephew, Willis Golden Krack, son of Mrs. Fraasa's brother. The youth who was born June io, 1896, is a bright boy and a beloved member of the Fraasa household.

Everett Bancroft Smith. - Everett Bancroft Smith, a widely known farmer and stockman and proprietor of a magnificent farm of three hundred and seventy-two acres near Poland, Clay county, was bom February 7, 1858, on a farm one and one-half miles northwest of that place, being a son of Robert and Martha Elizabeth (Beem) Smith, both natives of the Old Dominion. His father, who was also a successful farmer and stock dealer, was born near Fancy Hill, Rockbridge county, Virginia, March 12, 1825, and died on the 15th of January, 1889. The paternal grandfather, John Smith, was a native of Ireland who came to America settling in Virginia in the latter portion of the eighteenth century and died in that state in the year 1827. His wife, nee Mary A. Gore, died in 1841. Mr. Smith's mother, Martha Elizabeth Beem, was born April 6, 1833, a daughter of Levi and Sarah (Johnson) Beem, the former entering land and settling in Owen county, Indiana, upon the present site of the town of Spencer. Mr. Beem died in July, 1888, and his wife followed him January 14th of the following year.

Everett B. Smith was educated in the common schools of Clay county and he has always been a farmer and stock raiser, residing continuously on the farm on which he was born and reared. He now owns three hundred and seventy-two acres of fine improved land and is in every way one of the county's most substantial and honored citizens. In politics he is a prominent Republican and is a member in fine standing of the Knights of Pythias, of which order he has been an active trustee for a period of fourteen years. He and his wife are both members of the Rathbone Sisters, an auxiliary of the fraternity mentioned. The parents as well as their children are members of the Methodist church of Poland, of which Mr. Smith has been one of the trustees for about eight years.

On August 16, 1888, Mr. Smith married Miss Alizouma Bell Fore¬ man, of Poland, Indiana, born July 13, 1869, daughter of Henry Lee and Pauline (Halfpenny) Foreman. Her father was a son of Lee Foreman who came to Clay county from his native state of Ohio about the year 1865 and has been dead for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Everett B. Smith have become the parents of two children : Amma Alpharetta, born May 29, 1890, and Prentiss Decalb Smith, born March 26, 1894.

William W. Collins. - William W. Collins, a well known farmer whose country place is one-half mile south of Middlebury, this county, of late years has also become quite well known as a contractor. He is also a supervisor of Clay county and has done much to forward its public affairs. A native of Middletown, Owen county, Indiana, Mr. Collins was born June 25, 1873, being the oldest son of George W. and Carrie (Slater) Collins, both natives of the Hoosier state. The family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, both his grandparents, Robert and Mary Ann (Robertson) Collins, being natives of Kentucky. The maternal grand¬ parents, James and Mary (Waters) Slater, were both natives of Penn¬ sylvania.

Mr. Collins' education was obtained in the country schools of Clay county and at the graded school at Worthington, Greene county, Indiana, and nearly the entire period of his life has been passed as a resident of Harrison township where he has been almost continuously engaged in farming with a side avocation of contracting. Going more into details it may be stated that Mr. Collins spent about three years of his life in Knox county, Illinois, engaged in farming and selling hardware and in the employ of the postal department as deputy at Gilson. For many years his attractive homestead has been located near the old town of Middlebury, on a fine farm of forty-two acres which he well cultivates. In his political connection Mr. Collins has always been a firm Democrat of the conservative stripe; has served as township supervisor for two terms and is now trustee of Harrison township, having been elected to that office in November, 1908.

On April 5, 1898, Mr. Collins was married to Miss Nellie Frances Null, daughter of Henry and Ann (Sink) Null, both natives of Ohio, of German extraction. The father was a son of William and Lydia Null, the former a native of Bremen, Germany, born January 16, 1820, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. The father emigrated to America in 1844, landing at New York on September 18th, of that year. To Mr. and Mrs. William W. Collins four children have been born : Ralph Raymond, October 9, 1899; Roy Laville and Coy Latelle (twins), born January 22, 1901, and Paul Lester, July 10, 1904. The last date also marks the death of the mother of the family. On November 26, 1908, Mr. Collins wedded as his second wife Miss Ettie Lillian West, second daughter of George W. and Ellen (Anderson) West, the former a native of Indiana of English extraction and the latter born in Pennsylvania of German extraction.