Clay County, Indiana - The whole text, 1909 (part 7 of 21)

Sanford B. Modesitt, now living retired in Brazil, occupied the old homestead farm of the Modesitt family for fifty-five years and was numbered among the leading, representative and successful agricultur¬ ists and stock-raisers of Clay county. He has a very wide acquaintance in this county, where his entire life has been passed, his birth having occurred in Posey township on the nth of February, 1842. His parents were James W. and Frances (Cole) Modesitt, the former born in Vir¬ ginia, November 4, 1804, while the latter was born in the same state in 1806. They were reared and married in the Old Dominion and the year 1832 witnessed their arrival in Clay county, Indiana, which was then a part of the "far west/' It was in this year that the Indians, resenting the intrusion of the white race upon what they regarded as their hunting grounds in the middle west, brought on the contest between the races known in history as the Black Hawk war. There were a few flourish¬ ing settlements in Indiana but the greater portion of the state was cov¬ ered with the native growth of timber or the wild prairie grasses and gave little evidence of the progressive civilization which was soon to work a marked transformation in the state. Mr. Modesitt desired to enter one hundred and sixty acres of land but found that he could only enter eighty acres. This tract he secured near the present site of Cloverland. It was then in the midst of an unbroken wilderness and in the green forest he built a log cabin and cleared a small tract of land. In the fall of 1832 he returned to Virginia for his wife and four children and in the spring of 1833 came with his family to this state, making the journey by wagon to the Ohio, river, then proceeding down that stream to the Wabash and up the latter river to Terre Haute, whence he drove across the country to the present site of Cloverland with an ox-team and cart. Mrs. Modesitt and her children had been in the little log-cabin home but a brief time when she heard a knock at the door and on opening it met her first neighbor, a Mrs. Parr, who had come some distance to make a call and presented her with a wild turkey. Mrs. Modesitt greatly appreciated this act of friendship and courtesy and the two ladies were ever afterward fast friends. The family settled down to the routine of pioneer life. Their home was distant from that of neighbors and yet there was a spirit of hospitality which reigned supreme in that early day, making each one willing to do what he could for the assistance and comfort of the others. The improvement of the farm was a most arduous task. Trees had to be cut down, the brush burned and the stumps cleared away before the plow could turn the furrows for the planting. The farm machinery, too, was of a very primitive character as compared with that of the present time, but with perseverance and energy James W. Modesitt made the wilderness to bloom and blossom as the rose. He added to his land as the years went by until at the time of his death he was the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres, having thus met with gratifying success in his labors. He was also prominent and influential in community affairs and served as justice of the peace for the four townships of Posey, Van Buren, Dick Johnson and Brazil, which at that time were all in one district called Van Buren. There were only eighteen votes cast in Van Buren township and these gave to Mr. Mode¬ sitt unanimous support. He was also county commissioner at an early day and the compensation which he received for his official service was relief from the necessity of working on the roads, the law requiring all able-bodied men to meet twice each year to work the roads and keep them in good condition. Mr. Modesitt continued in the office of county com¬ missioner for many years and still higher political honors awaited him, for in 1855 he was chosen to represent his district in the state legislature for a two years' term. lie did much toward molding the policy and shaping the history of the county at an early day and no record of this portion of the stale would be complete without honorable mention of James \Y. Modesitt. one of the leading, influential and valued pioneer settlers. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy in support of principles advocated by Jackson and Jefferson. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church. He died October 23, 1893, having for twelve years survived his wife, who passed away in 1881.

Sanford P>. Modesitt was reared upon the old homestead farm and pursued his education by attending the country schools in the winter season, the term lasting from forty to fifty days. He later had the privi¬ lege of attending the Friends' Bloomingdale Academy at Bloomingdale, Indiana, and subsequently he engaged in teaching, following that profes¬ sion through the winter months until twenty-eight years of age. At that time he married and settled down to the work of the farm. He made an agreement with his parents to care for them as long as they lived and for twenty-three years his filial devotion made their old age happy and comfortable. Mr. Modesitt, coming into possession of the old home farm, carried on the work of further development and im¬ provement, having two hundred acres of land which he brought under a high state of cultivation, annually gathering rich harvests that found a ready sale on the market. He also bred shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs and his stock-raising interests proved a profitable depart¬ ment of his business. For fifty-five years he continued to reside upon the farm and then retired from agricultural life, establishing his home in Brazil, where he is now located.

Mr. Modesitt has been married three times. On the 7th of April, 1871, he wedded Eliza Vanness, who was born in Ohio and died August 30, 1900. For his second wife he chose Mrs. Rachel Sheppard, the mar¬ riage being celebrated November 7, 1902. She was born in Canada and died July 20, 1906. On the 8th of August, 1907, Mr. Modesitt married Mrs. Sarah Witty, who passed away on the 26th of September of the same year. In his political views Mr. Modesitt has always been a Demo¬ crat and for one term served as township trustee but has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his busi¬ ness affairs, which have been capably managed and have brought to him well merited success.

James Milton Finley, whose name is now on the roll of honored dead, was a prominent pioneer settler of this section of Indiana. He came here at a very early day and was closely associated with its agri¬ cultural and business development during its formative period. He be¬ longed to that class of substantial citizens who brought with them into the new west high ideals of citizenship, combined with personal courage and endurance that enabled them to unflinchingly face the conditions and hardships of frontier life. He was born in Guilford county, North Caro¬ lina, August 29, 1820. His father, George Finley, was, as far as is known, a life-long resident of the old North state, where he engaged in the occupation of farming up to the time of his death in 1832. In early manhood he wedded Mary Ann Bishop, who was born in Maryland and was a daughter of George Bishop, who removed from Maryland to North Carolina and subsequently became a resident of Ohio, settling in Preble county, where he resided until called to the home beyond. Fol¬ lowing the death of her husband in 1832, Mrs. Finley also went to Ohio and lived in Preble county until 1870, when she came to Indiana. In that year she took up her abode in Washington township, Putnam county, where she remained throughout the evening of her days, passing away at the age of eighty-eight years. At her husband's death he left to her the care of a family of seven children, whom she reared to be a credit to her name.

James Milton Finley was a youth in his thirteenth year when he - accompanied his mother on her removal from North Carolina to Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In 1840 he again started westward, making an overland journey with teams to Putnam county, Indiana, which was then largely a frontier district, comparatively few settlements having been made within its borders. He entered land in both Putnam and Clay counties, his claim in the latter being situated in Van Buren town¬ ship. He established his home, however, in Putnam county, building there a log cabin which he occupied, living in true pioneer style. In 1845 he built a log house in Van Buren township, Clay county, w.as married the same year and took up his abode in his new dwelling. At that time the greater part of all this section of the state was an unbroken wilder¬ ness with every evidence of frontier life. There were many hardships ' and privations to be endured from the fact that they were remote from the older centers of civilization where the necessities and comforts of life could be more easily secured. Deer, wild turkeys and other kinds of game was to be had in abundance and the meals were usually prepared over the old fireplace where hung the crane, while the bread was baked in the coals. There were no railroads for some years after the arrival of the Finleys in this district and Lafayette was the nearest market. Mr. Finley took his first load of wheat there and sold it for fifty cents per bushel and at the same time paid three dollars for a barrel of salt. All supplies were very high, while farm products brought a comparatively low price.

Mr. Finley energetically improved and developed his farm, upon which he erected substantial buildings and as the years passed added all the modem accessories and conveniences of a model farm. He con¬ tinued to make his home there until 1905, when he rented his property and went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Maria Belk, passing away at her home on the 27th of December, 1907, when he had reached the extreme old age of eighty-seven years. He was a tall and athletic man and though time had left its marks upon him, he was mentally strong in his last days and an entertaining talker.

Mr. Finley was married twice. In 1842 he wedded Isarelda Gor¬ don, who was born in Union county, Indiana, and was a daughter of Levi and Sophia Gordon, both of whom spent their last years in Preble county, Ohio, each living to be about one hundred years of age. Their daughter, Mrs. Finley, passed away in April, 1845, and for his second wife Mr. Finley chose Sarah Ann Belk, who was born in Russell county, Kentucky, in February, 1824, and was a daughter of William Belk, whose birth occurred in the same county in 1801. Her grandfather, John Belk, was a native of Tennessee and became one of the pioneer settlers of Russell county, Kentucky. There he took up several tracts of government land, which he cultivated and improved with slave labor, lie was a soldier of the war of 1812 and an influential and leading citizen of his community, remaining a resident of Russell county, Kentucky, until his demise. His wife bore the maiden name of Anna Tackett. Their son, William Iielk, was reared to agricultural pursuits but at times worked with his brother, who was a cabinet maker. In 1828 he emi¬ grated to Indiana, accompanied by his wife and three children, making the journey overland with a pair of oxen which were hitched to a cart, while his wife rode horseback. He lived in Clay county for about one year and then crossed the line into Washington township, Putnam - county, where he entered land from the government and at once built thereon a log house. With characteristic energy he began clearing away the heavy timber, cutting down the trees, grubbing out the stumps and preparing the land for the plow. When the national road was being constructed he took a contract to build a part of this highway in Vigo county and removed there in order to better superintend his work. After a year he took up his abode in Van Buren township, Clay county, where he lived for a few years, returning thence to his farm in Putnam county. When the Vandalia Railroad was being built he took a contract to con¬ struct a portion of it and removed his family to the locality now known as Eagles. There he died a few months later in June, 1848. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Elizabeth Bolin, was born in Adair county, Kentucky, a daughter of Benjamin and Prudence (Calico) Bolin, who were natives of North Carolina and were pioneers of Adair county, where both spent their last days.

Mrs. Finley is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-nine years and is one of the respected and highly esteemed old ladies of the county. She was but four years of age when her parents moved to Indiana, so has little recollection of other districts than her adopted county, but the incidents of pioneer life had made a deep impress upon her memory, which forms a connecting link between the primitive past with all of its hardships and privations and the progressive present with its com¬ forts, conveniences and improvements. She recalls many an interesting incident of the early days. In her girlhood she was taught to card, spin and weave and following her marriage dressed her family in homespun. She has lived to witness the wonderful development of this county as it has been converted into a thickly settled district which is the home of a prosperous and contented people, busily engaged with the pursuits of commercial, industrial, professional and agricultural life. Unto Mr. Finley by his first marriage there was born a daughter, who is now the widow of Benjamin F. Belk. By the second marriage there were four children: Joseph R., George, John A. and Robert E. No history of this part of the state would be complete without mention of Mr. and Mrs. Finlev, honored pioneer people, whose life record is closely interwoven with the substantial development and progress of this part of the state.

George W. Finley. M. D., who is known as an active and substantial practitioner of Brazil, Clay county, was born April 29, 1855, near Har¬ mony, in the county named. He is a son of James M. and Sarah Finley and his early education was confined to an attendance of four months of each year in the district schools then buried in the woods of his home neighborhood, the remaining eight months being occupied with farm work. His next decisive steps were as a student at Union Chris- tian College and as a teacher in the country schools of Clay and Putnam counties. During his college course he taught in these counties alternately until 1878, when he graduated from the Union institution with the degree of M. S.

Dr. Finley first assumed his professional studies with Dr. R. H. Culbertson, of Brazil, and in 1881 graduated from the Medical College of Indiana, at once settling at Harmony for practice. There he remained for eighteen years, and in 1898 commenced his career at Brazil. He has been an active member of the Clay County Medical Society since its organization in 1885 and is also identified with the state and national bodies, having served as a representative to the national meetings of the American Medical Association at Milwaukee (1893), Baltimore (1897) and Portland (1905). At these and other stated meetings he has pre¬ sented papers which have been published in the regular transactions, and is a familiar contributor to the standard literature of his profession.

Jacob F. Houser. - The name of Jacob F. Houser is prominently connected with the industrial interests of Turner, where he has been the proprietor of a general mercantile store since the nth of September, 1899, and also with its public life, for since 1904 he has served the town as its postmaster. He has been identified with the interests of Turner since marrying and starting in life for himself, and the first seventeen years of his business career was spent in the employ of the Ehrlick Coal Company.

Mr. Houser was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, January 1, 1850, a son of George and Mary (Whitmyer) Houser. The mother was born and reared in Ohio, and was of Pennsylvania Dutch parentage. The father was born in Germany October 26, 1818, and was but fourteen years of age when he came to the United States and located in Ohio, where he was married and remained until 1854, in that year coming to Indiana and locating in Owen county. In 1858 he moved to Clay county and became the owner of a farm near Bowling Green in Washington township. On the 2d of August, 1862, he enlisted in the Eighty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and served for one year in the Civil war. He was wounded in action which terminated his service, and he returned to his home and family in Clay county. He voted with the Democracy before the war, and afterward was a Republican. His death occurred at the age of fifty-six years and six months. Mr. and Mrs. Houser had ten children, four sons and six daughters, and eight of the number grew to years of maturity, and four are now living. All but two of the number were educated in the schools of Clay county.

Jacob F. Houser, the third child and second son, attended the dis¬ trict schools of Washington township, and on the 22d of July, 1879, in Sugar Ridge township, he was married to Anna M. Tribble, who was born near Bowling Green in Clay county, and was reared and educated in Sugar Ridge township and at Staunton, a daughter of William and Charlotte (Sparks) Tribble, prominent early settlers of Washington township. Ten children have also been born of this union - William Frederick, Callie M., Walter, Ross W., Ethel, Ira Lee, Harry, Clarence, Georgia and Inez, all of whom were born and reared in Posey township, but five of the number, Walter, Ross W., Ethel, Harry and Inez, are deceased. Mr. Houser votes with the Prohibition party, and fraternally

Rochester K. S. Hobbs. - The worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Clay county and a life-long resident of Washington township, Rochester K. S. Hobbs occupies a prominent position among the leading agriculturists of this part of the state, being prosperously engaged in general farming and stock-raising. A son of Rev. Mont¬ gomery Hobbs, he was born in this township in 1842, and has here spent his life. His grandfather, Hanson Hobbs, a noted abolitionist, freed his slaves, and thereafter was a strong anti-slavery leader, advocating the cause throughout Indiana.

A native of Kentucky, Montgomery Hobbs married in that state Nancy J. Pullum, and in 1826 migrated by way of the Ohio and Wabash rivers to Illinois. Returning to Kentucky in 1828, they remained there four years, then, in 1832, came to Clay county, where he farmed on rented land for awhile, teaching school during the winter seasons. He subsequently entered three hundred and twenty acres of land in sections eleven and twelve, Washington township, and from the dense growth of timber began the strenuous labor of hewing out a farm. Deer, timber wolves, and other wild animals were plentiful, and the Indians had many towns in this vicinity, he and his wife constituting one of the first white families to locate here. He cleared some of his land, and in addition to his agricultural labors was one of the first Baptist ministers of Clay county, preaching in this vicinity until his death in 1853. His wife sur¬ vived him a number of years, residing on the home farm. She reared eight sons and three daughters, of whom but three children, two sons and one daughter, are now living, namely: Rochester K. S. ; Sylvester, of Washington township, of whom a brief sketch may be found on another page of this volume ; and Margaret, widow of J. B. Lee, who, with her two children, resides with her brother Rochester K. S.

Acquiring his elementary education in the pioneer log schoolhouse of his day, Rochester K. S. Hobbs completed his studies in the Normal School at Brazil. Choosing for his life occupation that to which he was reared, he made his first investment in real estate in 1861, buying seven¬ teen acres of land that was covered with heavy timber, and to this he has added by purchase from time to time, having now three hundred and twenty acres of rich and fertile land in Clay county, one hundred acres of which, in Washington township, is under cultivation, the remainder being good pasture land. A skilful and practical agriculturist, he de¬ votes his attention to general farming and stock growing, raising cattle, Poland-China hogs and sheep, in each branch of his industry meeting with satisfactory pecuniary results. Politically Mr. Hobbs sustains the principles of the Republican party by voice and vote. Fraternally he was a member of Brazil Lodge, A. F. & A. M., from which he demitted, and was one of the first Knights of Pythias in Clay county.

Mrs. Eliza (McKinley) Pell. - A life-long resident of Van Buren township and one of its most highly esteemed and respected women, Eliza (McKinley) Pell was born on the farm where she now resides De¬ cember 3, 1834, a daughter of George Green McKinley. Her grand¬ father, Michael McKinley, was born in Pennsylvania, which was also the birthplace of his wife Elizabeth. He moved to Kentucky and became

Born July 17, 1802, in Adair county, Kentucky, George Green Mc¬ Kinley was there bred and educated. Commencing life for himself when young, he rented land in Kentucky and was there employed in tilling the soil for a number of years. Building a flat boat in 1828, he took his crop of corn down the river to market, being accompanied by his wife and children. Selling his entire crop and the boat at Xanchez, he returned to his Kentucky home, packed all of his belongings into a cart, hitched on a pair of steers, and immediately started for Indiana. Ilis two small children rode in the cart, while his wife rode a small mare. Arriving safely in Clay county with the four hundred dollars in silver which he had received for his corn and boat, Mr. McKinley entered two tracts of government land, one in section twenty-seven and one in sec¬ tion thirty-four of what is now Van Buren township. On the latter he built a log house, in which the family lived for some time. The settlers were then few and far between, there being but two families nearer than Eel river, ten miles away, and for a number of years Spencer, in Owen county, was the nearest post office.

A man of great enterprise, energetic and public-spirited, Mr. Mc¬ Kinley was what is now popularly called "a live wire." He was ever interested in local progress and improvements, and was among the fore¬ most in advancing all enterprises of public benefit. When the National Road was completed he built a brick house and a large barn and opened a stage station, which he kept for several years. He was one of the prime movers in the building of the Wabash and Erie Canal, and was largely instrumental in having the Vandalia Railway put through here. At the time it was to be built there were two proposed routes, one being through Parke county, that being the one favored by other contractors, who refused to consider any other way. Mr. McKinley, who was decid¬ edly in favor of the Clay county route, attended a meeting of the direc¬ tors and came forward and took the contract for building through this section of the state, giving the required bonds, and thus securing a rail¬ road for this county. No individual did more and few, if any, did as much as he in promoting and advancing the welfare of Clay county, and his name will ever be remembered most gratefully for generations to come. He was the first postmaster at Harmony, where the first post office in Van Buren township was established. He was a man of strong character, an ardent Christian, and a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church, contributing generously towards its support and advancement.

Mr. McKinley married first Barbara Belk, who was born April 1, 1799, in Adair county, Kentucky, and died October 4, 1856, in Clay county, Indiana. She was the mother of four children, as follows : James; Polly Ann; Eliza Jane, now Mrs. Pell; and Rhoda. Mr. McKin¬ ley married second Hannah Haymaker, by whom he had three children, Victoria, .George and Kansas.

On December 7, 1852, Eliza Jane McKinley became the wife of Richard Dudley Pell. A native of Kentucky, he w^as born in Lewis county, a son of John and Rebecca (Ales) Pell. Further parental his¬ tory may be found on another page of this w'ork in connection with the sketch of William F. Pell. Coming to Indiana when a boy, Mr. Pell acquired a good education for those days, and was subsequently one of the fir^t school teachers in Van Buren township. At the time of his marriage lie received from his father one hundred and sixty acres of land situated in the northern part of the township, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits for a few years. Settling then on a part of his father-in-law's land, he resided there until his death, in 1886. Mrs. Pell, with her son Oscar and his family, now live on the homestead on the National Road, occupying the commodious brick house built by Mr. Pell in 1871.

Four children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Pell, namely: George G., of whom a brief sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Cynthia I., who married George Riddell ; Charles A., who died aged two years; and Oscar E. Oscar E. Pell was born November 3, 1871, and since leaving school has been successfully engaged in general farming. In 1890 he married Mary E. Early, who was born in Putnam county, Indiana, a daughter of John and Jane (Steele) Early. Mr. Early was a pioneer settler of Putnam county and built the first saw and grist mill erected within its limits, drawing the machinery with teams from Cin¬ cinnati. The country roundabout was then but thinly populated, and for a number of years after he came here Terre Haute was the nearest market place and "depot for supplies. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Pell have four children, namely: Cynthia, Bertha, Mary and Edwin. Politically Mr. Pell is a strong advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. Fraternally he is a member of Knightsville Lodge No. 409, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

William James Ward. - Among the prominent and influential men of Harrison township is William J. Ward, editor and proprietor of the Clav Citv Reporter, a bright, newsy paper, which he is conducting with signal success. A son of William Ward, he was born Apiil 5, 1844, in Worcester county, Maryland, and there received his elementary educa¬ tion in the public schools.

William Ward, a son of James Ward, learned the trade of a shoe¬ maker when young and followed it in his native state until 1856, when he migrated with his family to Indiana, settling in Worthington, where he spent the remainder of his days. He married Ann Elizabeth Dryden, who was born in Maryland, a daughter of William Dryden. She died in Worthington, Greene county, Indiana, leaving three children, Little¬ ton; Mary; and William James, the subject of this brief sketch.

Soon after coming with his parents to Indiana, William J. Ward began learning the printer's trade in the office of the White River Val¬ ley Times, at Worthington, Greene county, and in the years that ensued became well versed in the duties of a newspaper office. Leaving his work in the summer of 1862, Mr. Ward enlisted in August of that year in Companv H, Seventy-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he went to' the front. While in action at the engagement in Richmond, Kentucky, he was severely wounded, receiving in the thigh a gunshot wound which incapacitated him for further duty. After remaining for a time in the hospital he was honorably discharged from the service on account of physical disability. Returning to Worthington, Mr. Ward resumed his former position in the office of the White River Valley Times of which he subsequently became a part owner, and for a number of years was connected with that paper. Coming to Clay county in 1889 he 'purchased the Clay City Reporter, which he has since published.

Being a versatile writer and an excellent business manager, the paper under his supervision has largely increased in circulation, and as one of the best conducted journals of this locality is eagerly sought by the intel¬ ligent reading public, while its articles are clipped by exchanges through¬ out this section of the state.

On January 5, 1869, Mr. Ward married Carrie A. Beach. She was born March 12, 1848, at Point Commerce, Greene county, Indiana, a daughter of James and Agnes Beach. Four children have" been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ward, of whom but one, Dona E., is now living. Cora B. died when seventeen years old; Pearl F., who married H. P. Ingersoll, died at the age of thirty-nine years, leaving one child, Bessie Ingersoll; and Freddie died at the age of two and one-half years. In early man¬ hood Mr. Ward joined Worthington Lodge, No. 137, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is the only one of the members now alive belonging at that time.

Captain Edward A. Thompson, wTho died at his home in Bowling Green, Clay county, on the 23rd of November, 1905, had already entered the seventy-fifth year of his age, and since early boyhood the strong and the good influences of that long life had been devoted to the development of Washington township along many lines of endeavor and progress. He was born in Jackson county, Indiana, September 7, 1831, a son of John D. and Elizabeth A. (Elsey) Thompson, the former, of Scotch- Irish extraction, being a native of Kentucky, born on the 10th of Jan¬ uary, 1793, and the mother, of German descent, was a native of Vir¬ ginia, born on the 15th of September, 1796. The father died April 13, 1881, at the age of eighty-nine years, and his widow passed away Jan¬ uary 16, 1886. John D. Thompson first bought a farm in sections 16 and 17, Washington township, where the family resided for about two years, when he bought a hotel in Bowling Green, which he conducted until it was destroyed by fire. The homestead was then re-established on the old farm, but the parents finally returned to the town, where they passed their last years.

Edward A. Thompson came to Clay county from Jackson county, Indiana, when he was but a boy, and received his education in the dis¬ trict schools of Washington township. He had mastered the tailor's trade by the time he had reached his majority, but found that vocation too sedentary, and associated himself with a Mr. Hopkins in cabinet making, continuing to be thus engaged until the commencement of the Civil war. In the meantime he had become so proficient in instrumental music that he enlisted in 1861 as a member of the band attached to the Fourteenth Indiana Regiment, and in that capacity participated in a por¬ tion of the Virginia campaign of the Army of the Potomac. Desiring more active military service, in 1862 he joined the ranks of Company D, Seventy-first Indiana Infantry, but was elected first lieutenant, and as such participated in the battle of Richmond August 30 of that year. In that engagement he was severely wounded in the shoulder with a piece of shell, was soon after captured and paroled, returning to his home until he recovered from his injury. Upon the re-organization of the Seventyfirst Infantry as the Sixth Indiana Cavalry, Lieutenant Thompson was promoted to be captain of Company M, which he helped to recruit, and served in that capacity throughout the war. The command with which he was identified was a part of the Army of the Cumberland, and its chief scene of operations embraced Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. Captain Thompson served with Stoneman and Kilpatrick in their celebrated raids, and was seriously wounded at the battle of Pulaski, Tennessee, in 1864. When he retired from service he was a major in the army.

At the conclusion of his military service Captain Thompson re¬ turned to the cultivation of his farm in section 16, Washington township, which he had purchased from his father, but in 1882 he moved to Bowling Green and formed a partnership with his brother in the drygoods business. He thus continued until 1886, when he retired from active business, and continued in comfortable circumstances until the time of his death in 1905. The deceased was an old and honored mem¬ ber of the M. E. church of Bowling Green, and was also identified with the local Masonic lodge and the G. A. R. post. He was a man of many and warm friends, a brave soldier, and an active and able citizen.

Captain Thompson was married October 31, 1854, to Miss Cordelia Sutliff, born in Lafayette, Indiana, November 3, 1833, daughter of Cur¬ tis H. and Jane ( Blanton ) Sutliff. The father was a native of Kinsman, Trumbull county, Ohio, and the mother was born in Virginia. Mrs. Thompson was quite a young child when her father died and her mother moved with the family to Bowling Green, where she resided until her death, February 15, 1894. Captain and Mrs. Thompson were the parents of four children, as follows: Alice, deceased; Clinton M., whose biog¬ raphy is given elsewhere ; Florence, who died in infancy ; and John D. Thompson. The last named and youngest child was born in Bowling Green, being educated in the schools of that place and the district schools of Washington township. Except that for two years he assisted his father in his store, he has spent all his life on the farm.

Benjamin F. Kester, who is farming in Perry township, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, August 26, 1840. His father, Jesse Kester, was born in Pennsylvania, and in his early life taught school during the winter months and clerked in a store in the summers. He was a son of John and Martha (Hartley) Kester, who were born respectively in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and in 1847 he came to Perry township, Clay county, Indiana, and bought eighty acres of timber land, which he at once began to clear and improve, but in 1851 he sold that farm and bought forty acres in section 21, Perry township, which now joins Cory on the southeast, but the town at that time had not been laid out. He died on the farm that he had sold, in August of 1851. In 1833, *n Ohio, Mr. Kester had married Lydia E. Webster, who was also born in Penn¬ sylvania, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Gray) Webster, natives of Pennsylvania. After the death of her husband Mrs. Kester moved to a farm in section 21, which was her home until 1865, and thereafter until her death she lived among her children, dying in Greene county in 1897. In their family were four sons and three daughters, and all are yet living with the exception of two, and three are living in the vicinity of Cory.

Benjamin F. Kester, the fourth born of the seven children, devoted his early life to farm labor, and in August of 1862 he enlisted in the Eighty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He took part in many of the decisive battles of the war, having been at Rawley, North Carolina, at the time of the surrender of General Johnson, and he also participated in the siege and fall of Atlanta, receiving his final discharge in June of 1865, and he was mustered out at Washington, D. C. After returning from the war Mr. Kester bought a forty acre farm in the western part of Clay county, which he sold a few years afterward, and in 1872 bought the old family homestead from John West, who had previously purchased it from Mr. Kester's mother, and the land was only partially improved when it came into the possession of the latter. He has since, however, converted it into one of the finest and best improved places in Perry township.

Mr. Kester was married on the 22(1 of February, 1866, to Mary Knight, who was born in section 21, Perry township, a daughter of Sam¬ uel and Matilda (Donham) Knight, he born in Vigo county, Indiana, and she in Clermont county, Ohio, and the grandparents were Joseph Knight and John and Susan (Reece) Donham, the latter born respectively in Ohio and Pennsylvania. In 1833 the Donhams came to what has since been apportioned as section 21 in Perry township, but this section of country was then in its primitive state, and Mrs. Knight has lived in this section since that formative period with the exception of three months spent in Vigo county, and can recall to mind the time when the wild ani¬ mals roamed at will in this vicinity. She was born on the 5th of April, 1826, and since 1900 has resided in the home of Mr. Kester. She is active in both mind and body, and possessing a retentive memory can recall many pleasant reminiscences of the early days of Clay county. She has been a second time married, wedding in September, 1848, Milton H. Pearcy, who was born in Kentucky, and died on the 5th of June, 1900. They had the following children : Elmira, deceased ; Silas E. ; Oliver Newton; Sarah A., the wife of John Jeffers; James H., of Brazil; and George and Wilson W., also of that city. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Kester are: John J., who died in infancy; Laura A., the wife of Miller Ray, of Vigo county, Indiana; Clarence Almon, of Perry township; and Leo Carl, at home with his parents. Mr. Kester is a Republican politi¬ cally, and he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Cory Post No. 477. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

John A. Krider, well known to the business public of Brazil as proprietor of the Globe Grocery, was born in Christian county, Illinois, April 28, i860. He comes of German ancestry and in his life manifests many of the sterling traits of the German race. His parents were Con¬ rad and Malinda (Abies) Krider, the former a native of Hanover, born in September, 1818. Coming to this country as passenger on a sailing vessel, he landed in New York city in 1848 after a voyage of eleven weeks. Eventually he drifted westward to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked on a farm in that part of the country. Later he continued on his west¬ ward way to Franklin county, Indiana, and it was there that he met and married Miss Malinda Abies, who was born in that county in 1825. They began their domestic life upon a farm in Franklin county, where they lived for some time and then removed to Christian county, Illinois, where Mr. Krider carried on general agricultural pursuits until the fall of i860. He then returned to Indiana, settling in Williamstown, Clay county. It was not his intention of locating there when he again came to this state, but he went to visit over night with his friend, Isham Yocum, who induced him to buy land in that locality and locate there. This he did and in his farming operations won success, continuing at that place up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1893 when he was seventyfive years of age. His wife passed away in 1893 at the age of sixtyeight years. They were devoted and faithful members of the New Light or Christian church and Mr. Krider gave his political allegiance to the Democracy. In their family were five sons, of whom four yet survive: George M., Anthony, William and John A. The last named remained at home with his parents until he reached adult years and the public schools acquainted him with the common branches of English learning, while lessons of industry, enterprise and diligence were impressed upon his mind by his parents. On reaching his majority he engaged in clerk¬ ing for a short time in a grocery store and then, ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he engaged in the grocery business with George W. Bevis, with whom he continued until 1881. In that year he disposed of his interest and for a short time engaged in clerking for W. H. Tififey. With his former partner he then re-entered the grocery store on West Main street, where they conducted a successful business until the winter of 1883, when they were burned out. Not discouraged by this disaster, however, they resumed business in the fall of 1884 in the Thomas Block, conducting their store there for a time, after which they again sold out. Mr. Krider then engaged in clerking for Mr. Booth for one year, when he formed a partnership with Ed Brake and purchased a grocery store, which they conducted together for about five years, when they sold out to Owen T. Stark. Mr. Krider received for his interest one hundred and twenty acres of land in Lewis township, Clay county, In¬ diana, and removed onto this farm in August of that year, but he did not find agricultural life congenial and in the following November returned to Brazil, securing a clerkship in the store of Daniel Davis. In the mean¬ time he was looking out for a favorable opening in the business world and soon purchased the grocery store of Mr. Stark and entered business with *A. O. Reubelt. Although this venture proved unprofitable, Mr. Krider deserves great credit for the fact that he paid up every dollar in full, working earnestly until this task was accomplished. Later he joined Marion Houk in the conduct of a grocery store, which they carried on together for about five years, when Mr. Krider bought out Mr. Houk's interest in the business on the 16th of December, 1901, and has carried on the store alone to the present time. He conducts business under the style of the Globe Grocery and has a well appointed establishment, carry¬ ing a large and carefully selected line of staple and fancy groceries. His stock is tastefully arranged and the neat and attractive appearance of his store is one of the elements of his success. He is also reasonable in his prices, straightforward in his dealings and earnest in his efforts to please his customers, so that his business has steadily increased.

In 1883 Mr. Krider was united in marriage to Miss Mary B. War¬ ner, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Derrick and Amanda Warner, who were natives of Kentucky. The father died in Brazil but the mother is still living. He removed from Kentucky to Illinois soon after his marriage and in the latter state engaged in farming for some time. He afterward took up his abode in Parke county, Indiana, where he fol¬ lowed farming. Subsequently he removed to Brazil, where he opened a meat market and in that city spent his remaining days, becoming widely known as a reliable and enterprising business man. His political views accorded with the principles of Democracy and he was a devoted member of the Christian church, to which his widow still belongs. I11 their family were ten children: David, who served as deputy sheriff of this county but is now deceased; Eliza A.; Amanda, now Mrs. A. O. Reubelt; Charles; Thomas; Margaret; Mrs. Krider; N. N. ; Albert and Dovie, who are deceased.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Krider have been born five children: Albert Ray, at home; Sadie, who died in infancy; Derrick Conrad, Lilliard Smith and Jack Davis, all yet under the parental roof. The parents are members of the Christian church and are highly esteemed for their many good traits of character, having here an extensive circle of friends. Mr. Krider votes with the Democracy and fraternally is connected with Brazil Lodge, No. 215, I. O. O. F., Iron City Encampment, No. 118, and the Modern Woodmen of America. Although in his business career all days have not been equally bright, he has persevered in a persistent pur¬ pose and has ultimately gained a satisfactory reward. In an analyzation of his life and work it will be found that his prosperity has come as the result of a careful recognition and utilization of his opportunities, com¬ bined with a fidelity to business principles which neither seek nor require disguise.

Clayton C. Chambers. - Clay county has been signally favored in the class of men who have occupied her public offices, for with few ex¬ ceptions they have been citizens of ability and of public virtue, interested in discharging their duties to the best of their ability in behalf of the community at large. Such a record was made by Joseph M. Chambers, formerly county recorder of Clay county, to which position Clayton C. Chambers succeeded upon his father's death. He is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having here occurred July 26, 1882. His parents were Joseph M. and Susan (Lambert) Chambers. The father was born in Clay county, Indiana, September 15, 1848, and died Septem¬ ber 28, 1906. The mother, who was born in Hart county, Kentucky, June 1, 1862, gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Chambers on the 28th of February, 1878, and they became parents of four children: Ola, Clayton C., Bessie L. and Addie May. The father was a farmer by occupation and a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Clay county. His parents were Marshall and Betsy (Crevison) Chambers, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Kentucky. It will thus be seen that the great-grandparents in the paternal line were residents of this state, locating here when the great district comprised within the borders of Indiana was largely a wild and unimproved region, which they as¬ sisted in reclaiming and converting into the uses of civilization. The maternal grandparents of Clayton C. Chambers were William and Pricy (Polly) Lambert, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, in which state they were reared and married. The former is now deceased but the latter is still living at the age of seventy-two years. She had a family of four children, of whom two sons and a daughter yet survive, Mrs. Joseph M. Chambers being the youngest child. Mr. Lambert was a soldier of the Civil war for three and a half years, valorous and loyal to the cause he espoused when on the field of battle. The last six years of his life were spent in Clay county, Indiana, where he died in his fifty-ninth year.

Joseph M. Chambers was a farmer by occupation and carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1904, when he was elected county recorder. He had previously served as township trustee of Lewis town- ship for five years and in public office was always prompt, accurate and faithful in the discharge of his duties. During the period of hostilities between the north and the south he enlisted for active service with Com¬ pany C of the Forty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteers for three years or during the war, and at the front met all of the experiences inci¬ dent to military life. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party and upon that ticket he was elected to the office of county recorder, in which position he served until his demise. He was the only candi¬ date on the republican ticket elected to a county office that year - a fact which was strongly indicative of his personal popularity and the confi¬ dence and trust reposed in him by his fellowmen. He was long a de¬ voted member of the Baptist church and in his younger days was affiliated with the Order of Red Men. He likewise belonged to the Masonic Lodge at Lewis, Indiana, and when called to his final rest was accorded the honors of a Masonic burial. In business life, in public office and in home and social relations he ever commanded the respect and good will of those with whom he was associated and his name is now enrolled with the honored dead of Clay county.

Reared upon the home farm in this county, Clayton C. Chambers pursued his education in the graded schools of Lewis township, and after his father's election to the office of county recorder he became his assistant. Two years later, upon his father's death, he was chosen to succeed him in the position November i, 1906. His previous experience had well qualified him for the capable discharge of his duties and his appointment was a gratification to his many friends who recognize his worth and fidelity. He is yet a young man but has full appreciation of the responsibilities that devolve upon him and in the discharge of his duties is proving himself worthy of the public trust. Like his father, he has given his political support to the Republican party since attaining his majority.

William D. Stewart. - Among the representatives of commercial interests in Brazil is numbered William D. Stewart, who is successfully conducting a grocery store. He deserves representation in this volume by reason of the fact that he is closely associated with the present progress and prosperity of the city and also because he is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county. He was born in Williamstown, this county, September 5, 1851, his parents being James Harvey and Henrietta (Yocom) Stewart, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, the former born January 27, 1827, and the latter in 1829. Coming to Indiana in early life they were married near Cloverland, in Posey town¬ ship, Clay county, and three children were born unto them, but two have passed away, leaving William D. Stewart, the second child, as the only survivor. The wife and mother died in 1853 and the father after¬ ward married Catharine Russell, a native of Pennsylvania. Unto them were born five children, four daughters and a son, all of whom have passed away with the exception of the eldest, Mary, who is now the wife of Jacob Earlish, Sr. The father, James Harvey Stewart, left an orphan when quite young, was bound out to a Mr. Rogers near Crawfordsville, Indiana. While working for Mr. Rogers, they many times drove from Montgomery county to Cincinnati, Ohio, with wheat and there traded it for salt, bushel for bushel, showing the condition of the times then. When twenty years of age he hired a young man to serve out his time with Mr. Rogers, while he enlisted as a soldier of the United States army in the war With Mexico in 1847. He was honorably discharged the following year and returned to Indiana, after which he engaged in teaching school. Later he located in Turner, Indiana, in the blacksmith's business and subsequently carried on a shop at Williamstown and also in Staunton, where he died on the 12th of October, 1871. In politics he was a Union Democrat. In pioneer days he was a resident of Clay county and belonged to that class of representative men who in the faith¬ ful performance of each day's duties ably upheld the best interests of the community and promoted its general progress and improvement.

William D. Stewart in his boyhood days assisted his father in the blacksmith shop and was early taught the value of industry and energy as factors in active business life. In the winter months he attended school and in his youth he worked to some extent in coal mines, being thus en¬ gaged until April, 1883, when he entered the employ of Webster & Van Cleave, proprietors of a general mercantile establishment at Staunton. He was with that house for two years and in 1885 engaged in business on his own account, opening a meat market in Staunton, which he conducted successfully for about four years, when in 1889 he removed to Brazil and opened a grocery store. Here he has carried on business contin¬ uously since and in 1905 he built one of the first store buildings located in Brazil with cement floor throughout. He has a neat and tastefully arranged store, carrying a large and well selected line of staple and fancy groceries and as the years have passed has enjoyed a constantly increas¬ ing trade, which has come to him in recognition of his straightforward dealing, his earnest desire to please his patrons and his reasonable prices.

On the 13th of October, 1875, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Juretta B. Kirk, who was born in Brazil, Indiana, May 19, 1854, a daughter of William and Sarah (Myers) Kirk. Her father was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1816 and died in 1883, while his wife, a native of. Orange county, Indiana, born in 1816, passed away in 1897. They were married in Clay county, this state, in 1836. The father came to Indiana in 1832 when fifteen years of age, driving across the country with teams from the old home in Kentucky to Orange county, Indiana. He made the trip in company with his parents and in 1836 he became a resident of Clay county, where he built a log cabin in the midst of the wilderness upon the present site of the town of Staunton. He aided in the pioneer development of that locality and subsequently removed to the site of Brazil. There he built a log house in the midst of the green woods, for the district was then an unbroken wilderness, giving no evi¬ dence of the influences of progress and civilization. He assisted in clear¬ ing away the timber and lived at that place until 1852, when he removed to Bridgeton, where he worked at the cooper's trade for James Mulli¬ gan, for about three years. He then returned to his first location in Clay county and in 1862 removed to Sullivan, Illinois, where he worked at the cooper's trade until 1866. In that year he again came to Clay county and spent his last days in Staunton. In politics he was a Democrat and both he and his wife were members of the Christian church. The family numbered nine children, including Mrs. Stewart.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have been born five children: Frances Annie, the wife of Monroe Williams; Sarah Catherine, the wife of Ben¬ jamin Cheek; Ralph William J. ; Rav Austin; and Elizabeth La Vern.

but in 1886 left the ranks of that party and endorsed the principles of the Prohibition party. lie often casts an independent ballot, however, and does not consider that he is bound by party ties. While living in Posey township he served for a short time as justice of the peace but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. In July, 1875, he was made a Master Mason in Staunton Lodge, A. F. & A. M. and in Feb¬ ruary of the same year became a member of Staunton Lodge, No. 415, I. O. O. F. He has filled all of the offices in the latter organization, was noble grand and has been a delegate to the grand lodge of Indiana. For thirty-three years he has been a member of this lodge and has never asked nor received any benefit funds. In February, 1880, he united with the Christian church and his life has been in harmony with his profes¬ sions. Men who know him trust him because he has proven himself worthy of their confidence. His life in all of its phases has been actuated by honorable principles and manly conduct and wherever known William D Stewart is respected and esteemed.

Montervill V. Huff. - Among the prominent and well known agriculturists of Perry township is numbered Montervill V. Huff, whose valuable and well improved homestead is located in section 27, Perry township. He was born in section 28 of the same township No¬ vember 22, 1849, a son of William and Matilda (Likens) Huff, born respectively in Clark county, Virginia, and in Mercer county, that state, and the mother was a daughter of Jonas Likens, also from the Old Dominion state. In an early day William and Matilda Huff made the journey from Virginia to Ohio on horseback, and a few years later came to Clay county, Indiana, where they entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Perry township, a part prairie and the remainder timber land. The father at once began the task of clearing and improving his land and placing it under cultivation, and about forty acres of the farm is yet covered with its valuable growth of timber. He died on his homestead here June 1, 1894, when ninety years of age, and his wife died in May of 1889, aged seventy-nine years.

Montervill V. Huff, the third born of their eight sons and three daughters, spent his boyhood days on the homestead farm, attending the district schools of Perry township, and after his marriage he resided for eighteen months with his parents. He then spent seven years on another part of the home farm, farming forty acres, and then returning to his parents' home he cared for them until their deaths. He then inherited two hundred acres of the farmstead, and since then he has greatly im¬ proved the old place, replacing the old home which was burned by a sub¬ stantial dwelling, and he is engaged in general farming and stock raising.

On the 23d of January, 1873, Mr. Huff was married to Andora Godfrey, who was born in Washington township, Clay county, November 29, 1854, a daughter of Abraham and Nancy (Philips) Godfrey, who were born in Kentucky but were among the early residents of Clay county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Huff are: Howard, who resides on a part of the old Huff farm ; Della, who became the wife of Worth Coble, and died in 1903, aged twenty-five years, after becoming the mother of a son and daughter, Charles M. and Eva B. ; Elsie, the wife of George Summers, of Perry township; and William C., at home. Mr. Huff is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist

Episcopal church at Cory, Indiana. Fraternally they are members of the I. O. O. F., Cory Lodge No. 449, and the Rebekahs No. 155, and Mn Huff is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 390, at Riley, Indiana. Their estate is known as "Sunny Lawn Farm."

George Washington Prather. - On the list of Clay county's hon¬ ored dead appears the name of George Washington Prather, who for a considerable period was connected with agricultural interests in this part of the state. He was born in Brown county, Ohio, November 9, 1825, and passed away in Harmony, Indiana, in June, 1884. His parents were Thomas and Eliza Prather, both natives of Maryland. Removing to Brown county, Indiana, the father there engaged in farming and was also prominent in community affairs, serving for some time there as a constable. His family numbered five children.

George W. Prather was reared and educated in the county of his nativity, pursuing his studies in the public schools, while upon the home farm he was trained to habits of industry, diligence and integrity. Hav¬ ing arrived at years of maturity, he was married to Miss Lillian Lucas, on the 22d of January, 1852. Mrs. Prather was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1827, and was a daughter of George W. and Rachel (Jewell) Lucas. Her father was born in Bedford county, Penn¬ sylvania, and became a minister of the Christian church, preaching for some time in Virginia. He died in Kentucky at the age of seventy-two years and thus was ended a life of great usefulness and honor. He was an earnest, faithful follower of the church and did all in his power to promote its cause. His wife, who was a native of Mercer county, Penn¬ sylvania, died in Brown county, Ohio, in 1849, at the age of fifty-three years. They were the parents of three children, a son and two daugh¬ ters, but all have passed away with the exception of Mrs. Prather, who was the youngest.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Prather located upon a farm in Brown county, Ohio, where they lived for a number of years and then removed to Clay county, Indiana, where they arrived on the 3d of No¬ vember, 1866. Mr. Prather accepted the position of superintendent for the Watsons, having charge of their agricultural interests and led a busy, useful and active life until called to his final rest. He died at the com¬ paratively early age of fifty-six years and his death was deeply regretted by many friends as well as his immediate family. He was a member of the United Brethren church and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all with whom he was brought in contact.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Prather were born five children, but one has passed away ; John E., who was traveling salesman for the John V. Farwell Company of Chicago, died February 26, 1908. Those still living are: Aggie, now the wife of William Adamson, a resident of Harmony; Louise, the wife of Daniel Davis, of Indianapolis ; William, who is living in Carbondale, Illinois; and Sara, who is now teaching in the Pinkley school in Brazil and is doing excellent work in educational lines.

John Henry Daugherty, who for many years was well known in Brazil as a successful liveryman, was born in Ohio, May 24, 1849, and died on the 1st of March, 1906, at the age of fifty-seven years. His parents were Campbell and Amelia (Eller) Daugherty. The father, a native of Ohio, died upon his farm in Illinois at the age of sixty-five years. Pie was a blacksmith bv trade and in the year 1867 he left Ohio and came to Indiana, where he carried on blacksmithing for a time. Later he engaged in the livery business in Brazil and when he disposed of this interest to his son, John H., he removed to Illinois, where he purchased a farm, giving his time and attention to its development and improvement until his life's labors ended in death when he had reached the age of sixty-five. Ilis political allegiance was given to the Democ¬ racy, but he was never a politician in the sense of office seeking. His loyalty in citizenship was manifest at the time of the Civil war, when he offered his services to the government, enlisting in an Ohio regiment and becoming captain of his company. His wife died in Ohio at the age of sixty-two years. Their family numbered three children : John H., Julius and Amos.

John H. Daugherty spent the first eighteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and then came with his parents to Indiana. He had acquired a good public-school education and after the removal to this state he was associated with his father in business until 1884. They conducted a successful livery, and in the year mentioned Mr. Daugherty purchased his father's interest and carried on the business alone. In 1889 he built the finest brick livery barn in Brazil, and he always had a large number of good horses and many fine vehicles of various descrip¬ tions. Plis straightforward business dealings, his earnest desire to please his customers and his marked energy brought to him an extensive patron¬ age, making his business very profitable. In connection with his father he also engaged in dealing in stock, buying and selling many horses and mules.

On the 24th of September, 1874, Mr. Daugherty was married to Miss Elizabeth Donnelley, whose birth occurred in London, England, February 22, 1852. Her parents were John and Julia (Hogan) Don¬ nelley, both of whom were natives of Ireland but were reared in London, England, where they were married. In the year 1853 they came to this country with their family, settling in Marion, Ohio, where they lived for some time. They removed to Terre Haute, Indiana, and afterward be¬ came residents of Brazil, where the death of Mr. Donnelley occurred when he was thirty-eight years of age. His widow survived him for some time and died at the age of fifty-nine years. Both were com¬ municants of the Roman Catholic church. Their family numbered five children, of whom three are living, namely: Mrs. Daugherty; William; and Sarah, who married Michael Classick, now deceased, and she resides in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty became parents of six children, but only three now survive, namely: Julia, the wife of Charles Bolin, by whom she has one son, Roger ; John, who married Miss Beulah Neece and has one son, John Herman; and Gertrude, who is attending St. Mary Acad¬ emy near Terre Haute in Vigo county, Indiana. The son John is asso¬ ciated with his mother in the ownership of the livery business, which he is managing and which is conducted under the firm style of Daugherty & Company. This business was established by his grandfather and con¬ tinued by his father, and in the business circles of the city the name of Daugherty has ever been a synonym for straightforward dealing.

Mr. Daugherty belonged to the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Brazil Lodge No. 762, and to the A. O. U. W. His political alle¬ giance was given to the Democracy, and he was also a member of the

Roman Catholic church. He died when in the prime of life and his death was deeply regretted bv many friends as well as his immediate family. He was genial in disposition, of social manner and kindly spirit, and his good qualities won him favorable regard wherever he was known. The family are prominent socially here, and John Daugherty is a member of the Elks Lodge and also of the Knights of Columbus.

James Arthur Belk. - Prominent among the energetic and enter¬ prising young men of Van Buren township who have become farmers from choice is James Arthur Belk, who is actively engaged in tilling the soil on section thirty-six. A native of this township, he was born June 15, 1883, a son of Benjamin F. and Maria Elizabeth (Finley) Belk. In connection with the sketch of Morton Belk, which appears elsewhere in this volume, may be found an extended account of the Belk family.

Maria Elizabeth (Finley) Belk was born in Washington township, Putnam county, Indiana, in 1843, a daughter of James Milton Finley, and granddaughter of George Finley. George Finley was, it is thought, a lifelong resident of North Carolina, where he was engaged in agri¬ cultural pursuits until his death, in 1832. He married Mary Ann Bishop, a native of Maryland, a daughter of Robert Bishop, who moved from Maryland to North Carolina, thence to Preble county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining years. In 1833, a year after her husband's death, she moved to Ohio, and in 1840 came to Indiana, locating in Washington township, where she lived to the advanced age of eighty-eight years.

James Milton Finley was twelve years old when his mother migrated with her family to Ohio, making the entire journey with teams, and cooking and camping by the way. Coming to this state in 1840, he took up a tract of government land in Washington township, cleared an open¬ ing and erected the log cabin in which when he married he began house¬ keeping and in which his daughter Maria Elizabeth was born. The land hereabout was then covered with a heavy growth of timber, and the set¬ tlements were few and far between, Lafayette being the nearest market. After living in Putnam county three or four years, he came over into Van Buren township, secured a tract of timbered land, and on it built another log cabin. Deer, wild turkey and game of all kinds were plenti¬ ful and furnished food for the early pioneers. Clearing a part of the land, he sowed wheat, and when he harvested his first crop took it to Lafayette, where he sold it for fifty cents a bushel, at the same time pay¬ ing three dollars for a barrel of salt. Succeeding well in his undertak¬ ings, Mr. Finley improved a good farm, erected a substantial set of frame buildings, and was there actively employed in his free and inde¬ pendent calling until 1905, when he rented his farm. He is now living with his daughter, Mrs. Belk, a hale and hearty man of eighty-eight years. Mr. Finley was a typical frontiersman, very tall, athletic and fearless. Hard work and the burden of his years have racked his frame, but his mental vigor is unimpaired, and he talks in a most interesting manner of pioneer life and of the wonderful transformations which have taken place in the face of the country.

Mr. Finley has been twice married. He married first, in 1842, Izrelda Gordon, who died in April, 1845. She was born in Union county, Indiana, a daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Card) Gordon. Her maternal grandparents, Levi and Sophie Gard, each lived to nearly one hundred years old, dying in Preble county, Ohio. Mr. Finley mar- ried second, November 7, 1846, Sarah Ann Belk, who was born in Russell county, Kentucky, February 10, 1824, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Bolin) Belk, and granddaughter of John and Anna (Tarckett) Belk. She is still living, a smart and active woman of four score and four years.

James Milton Finley was born August 29, 1820, and died December 29, 1907. Izrelda, his first wife, died when twenty-two years old. A member of the Hauery Creek Church in Union county, Indiana, she was a devout Christian. Hauery Creek (Indiana) and Concord (Ohio) are the home churches of the families.

A daughter of James Milton and Izrelda (Gordon) Finley, Mrs. Belk was but twenty-two months old when her mother died. She then went to live with her grandmother, and staid with her as long as she lived. She subsequently married Benjamin F. Belk, wrho was born in Washington township, Putnam county, a son of William and Elizabeth (Bolin) Belk, and died in Van Buren township April 7, 1896. By this marriage, she had two children, Mary Lillis and James Arthur, who, with her, occupy the old homestead on section thirty-six.

Dr. T. Roy Cook, a most worthy and the sole representative of* the medical profession in Washington township, has been located at Bowling Green since November, 1907. He was born at Solsberry, Greene county, Indiana, where for nearly a quarter of a century his father was a successful practitioner and is now holding the office of county auditor. The younger man was educated in the district and County Normal schools prior to assuming his professional studies, which he pursued at the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons, Indian¬ apolis, graduating therefrom with the class of 1903. He then served for one year as an interne in the Indianapolis City Hospital, and in 1904 lo¬ cated for practice in his native town of Solsberry. He remained there until November, 1907, when he opened an office at Bowling Green, where, from the present prospects, he will make his permanent home.

On August 23, 1903, Dr. Cook was united in marriage with Miss Fern Woods, daughter of Rev. C. W. and Hannah (Fleming) Woods, of Solsberry, Indiana. They have two sons : - Rilus Eastman Cook, born September 14, 1905, and Rawls Myers Cook, born January 19, 1907. The Doctor's practice in both medicine and surgery is steadily increas¬ ing, he is a member of the board of health of Bowling Green, and is decidedly progressive both in his profession and the public affairs of his locality. He is also actively identified with the fraternities, being a Master Mason of Bowling Green lodge No. 85; Royal Arch Mason of Bloomfield, Eastern Star lodge ; a member of Rebecca lodge of Bowling Green, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Bowling Green lodge No. 513; and a member of the order of Elks, lodge No. 446, Bloomington, Indiana. In national affairs the Doctor is a Republican, basing his support of local candidates solely on their individual fitness for the duties which they aspire to assume.

The paternal grandparents were Thomas R. and Harriet (Gibbons) Cook, natives of Ohio, who located in Solsberry, Indiana, in the early days of Greene county. James and Polly (Bryant) Gaston, the maternal grandparents, were natives of Kentucky, but also pioneers of Greene county, whose first school was taught by the grandfather. Dr. P. M. Cook, the father, graduated from Miami Medical College of Cincinnati with the class of 1883, and in the same year opened an office at Solsberry. There he continued in active practice until January, 1907, when he was elected to the office of county auditor, which he still holds. Three chil¬ dren have been born to him. Maude, the eldest, is the wife of H. S. Bullock, of Solsberry, a well known merchant of that place ; Dr. T. Roy is the second in birth, and the youngest, Eva, is the wife of C. O. Yoho, clerk of the Greene county circuit court and a resident of Bloomfield.

Rev. Charles W. Woods, for thirty-five years zealous and useful in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, a member of the In¬ diana conference, and since the fall of 1904 on the superannuated list, is now an honored resident of Bowling Green, Washington township, Clay county. He is a son of Samuel and Cynthia (Hooper) Woods, the father having been born in Virginia and the mother in Tennessee. William Hooper, the maternal grandfather, was of English parentage, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a Tennessee pioneer. The parents of Charles W. were married in Claiborne county, that state, where the father was a farmer for several years before coming to Clark county, Indiana, in 1833. He there acquired some prominence in public affairs, and for two years had charge of the county farm. He then removed to Memphis, Tennessee, was overseer of a negro plantation for some years, and still later removed to New Albany, Indiana. In 1865 he migrated to Illinois, and subsequently was engaged in the truck business at Kansas City, Missouri, after which he returned to the home of his son, Charles W. Woods, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, where he died in 1895.

Charles W. Woods is the youngest of four sons and was born in Floyd county, Indiana, on the 9th of August, 1844. After receiving a few months schooling and before he had attained his seventeenth year (on July 10, 1861) he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, being assigned to the Seventeenth Army Corps under Generals Lew Wallace and McPherson in General Division. Although he was neither wounded nor taken prisoner he endured with fortitude all the hardships which are the lot of the soldier in the ranks, and after three years of this wearing life returned to Crawford county, Indiana, rented a farm and resided upon it until the date of his marriage to Hannah C. Flemming, on the 18th of June, 1865. His wife is the daughter of Thomas A. and Mary (Gillet) Flemming, natives of Vir¬ ginia. Her grandparents on both sides of the house were Thomas and Gillet Flemming, of Irish descent, and John and Eve Gillet, both natives of Virginia. After his marriage Mr. Woods went to Coles county, Illi¬ nois, and farmed there until 1868 when he returned to Crawford county and in the following year permanently entered the ministry of the M. E. church. His first charge was at Riglesville, Davis county, Indiana, and he remained on the supply list until 1875, when he went into conference and has since had a number of regular charges. He continued in active work until the fall of 1904, when he was placed on the superannuated list and became a resident of Bowling Green. The children born to Rev. and Mrs. Charles W. Woods are as follows: Charles W., who resides at home; Miles D., who died in 1868; Emma G., now Mrs. Oscar Gresham, of Bucklin, Kansas; Alonzo, of Theodore, Alabama; Lottie M., a twin of Alonzo, who became Mrs. Thomas Erton and died in 1895; Russell B., of Martinsville, Indiana; Maud, Mrs. William Hale, of Au¬ gusta, Georgia; Pearl, Mrs. Samuel Bridwell, of Bowling Green; Reece, of French Lick, Indiana; and Fern, who married Dr. T. Roy Cook, of Bowling Green. Mr. Woods is a member both of the .Masonic fra¬ ternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also an enthusisiatic G. A. R. man. His identification with the last named is with Bowling Green post No. 375, in Masonry with the local lodge No. 85, and in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows with No. 513, also of Bowling Green.

David B. Pilant. - A worthy representative of the agricultural in¬ terests of Clay county, David B. Pilant ow;is and occupies a good home¬ stead in Van Buren township, where he has a substantial frame residence and kll the necessary out-buildings for the storing of hay and grain and the care and shelter of his stock. A native of Indiana, he was born in Henry county March 18, 1838, a son of James Pilant.

Born and brought up in North Carolina, James Pilant, determining to take advantage of all offered opportunities for securing the comforts of life, came as a young man to Indiana, then a frontier state, locating first in Henry county. Investing his money in a tract of land of which a few acres were cleared and on which a log cabin had been built he began the improvement of a homestead. Not quite satisfied with the results of his labors he disposed of that property in 1857, came to Clay county, and in section one, Van Buren township, bought a tract of heavily timbered land. Clearing a goodly portion of the land, he was here em¬ ployed in tilling the soil until his death, about fifteen years later, at the allotted age of seventy years. He married Elizabeth Tweedy, who was born in North Carolina, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Tweedy. James. Tweedy, a native of England, was, it is supposed, the orfly mem¬ ber of his family to cross the Atlantic. He followed the sea for a few years after his emigration, and then located in North Carolina. From there he migrated to Indiana, becoming a pioneer of Van Buren town¬ ship, Henry county, where on the farm that he improved from govern¬ ment land he spent his remaining days. Mr. and Mrs. James Pilant had nine children, as follows: Joshua, David, Elizabeth, Maria, Whitman, Millie, James, Jonathan and Joanna.

Born in the little log cabin in which his father's family first lived on coming to this state, David B. Pilant remembers well the trials and hard¬ ships incidental to pioneer life. When he was a boy railroads were con¬ spicuous by their absence, and the surplus produce of the farms had to be taken by teams to Cambridge City, the nearest market and depot for supplies, and also to Cincinnati. The family lived principally on wild game and the productions of their land, and in common with others dressed in homespun garments woven and made by the mother. Com¬ ing with his parents to Clay county, Mr. Pilant remained with them until his marriage, when he rented land and began work for himself as a farmer. He subsequently bought forty acres of land on section one, and lived there for awhile. Selling out, he purchased his present home¬ stead of one hundred and twenty acres in section fifteen, and at once began cutting off the dense timber which covered it from one end to the other. Toiling with well-directed energy and wisdom, he has evolved a good farm from the forest, erected excellent frame buildings, and made other improvements of value, everything about the place bespeaking the thrift and good management of the owner.

In November, 1858, Mr. Pilant married Jane Poff, who was born in Van Buren township, Clay county, where her parents, Samuel and Sarah Poff, settled as pioneers, coming here from Virginia, their native state. Eight children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Pilant, six of whom are living, namely: Octavia, Mary Sophronia, Peter J., David Milton, John F. and Elizabeth Catherine. Azbarine died at the age of one year, and seven months, and Sarah Amanda, who married Joseph Bultz, died at the age of twenty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Pilant are held in high respect throughout the community in which they reside, and are valued and consistent members of the Christian church.

Clinton M. Thompson, a successful farmer of many years of hon¬ orable standing, with a fine landed estate of agricultural productiveness in Washington township, was born in Bowling Green, Clay county, on the nth of October, 1856. He is a son of Edward R. and Cardelia (Sutliff) Thompson, his father being a native of Jackson county, In¬ diana, and his mother of Putnam county, same state. In 1865, at the close of the Civil war, when Clinton M. was nine years of age, his par¬ ents moved to the farm of ninety acres in section 16, Washington town¬ ship, where the son now lives and which he has had vastly improved as his own homestead. The elder Mr. Thompson (Captain, as he was generally called) had owned this property for about a year before the war, and it remained the family home until 1882, when Captain Thomp¬ son returned to Bowling Green and engaged in general merchandising until 1889, in that year deeding the business to his two sons and retiring to spend his remaining years in comparative quiet and rest.

After Clinton M. Thompson had completed his education, he en¬ gaged in work upon the farm until his father removed to Bowling Green, when he assisted him in the store for some three years, about 1885 re" turning to the home farm. This he rented and operated until 1889, when he purchased the farm of one hundred acres, his brother continuing the business which their father had made over to his two sons. Mr. Thomp¬ son has not only conducted the old home farm with profit but has con¬ tinually added to his land ownership until he now possesses two hundred and ten acres of improved property in section 16, Washington township. Since 1885 he has resided on the original homestead, which has thereby become endeared to him both from family associations and from the fact that most of its improvements are the results of his industry, judg¬ ment and taste.

On January 29, 1888, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Miss Alice Hostettler, a native of Stockton, Owen county, Indiana, born October 13, 1858, daughter of Jacob P. and Mary J. (Ellis) Hostettler. Her parents, who were Ohioans, came to Owen county with their par¬ ents when they were children, and were there married. The father, who was a# physician, practiced in Stockton until 1861, when he enlisted in the surgical service of the Union army, and after three years of such experi¬ ence returned to Indiana and located at Bowling Green. There he pur¬ chased a drug store, which, with his professional practice, he conducted until his death, April 1, 1877. His widow is still living, being a resident of Crawsfordsville, Indiana, and the mother of four children, of whom Mrs. Thompson is the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Clinton M. Thompson have become the parents of the following : Glennie O., now the wife of John

Blubaugh, of Washington township; Willet W., Aubrey C., Jean O., Vivian C. and Emmons E., all residing with their parents. Mr. Thomp¬ son is a faithful member of the M. E. church of Mt. Zion, Patricksburg circuit; is connected with the Bowing Green lodge of Masons, No. 85, and because of his fathers' fine war record is enrolled with the Sons of Veterans, also of Bowling Green. In politics he is a Republican, and although he is highly honored for his record in the ways of industry and peace he has never sought advancement through public channels.

Andrew J. Jeffers. - Prominent among the pioneer farmers of Perry township was the late Andrew J. Jeffers, who spent the larger part of his long life in Clay county, being actively engaged in agri¬ cultural pursuits. A son of James F. Jeffers, he was born April 30, 1817, in Clermont county, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, William Jeffers, was, as far as known, a life-long resident of Pennsylvania.

James F. Jeffers was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and there spent the earlier years of his life. About 1835 he came across the country to Clay county, Indiana, being accompanied by his wife and nine children. Settling in Perry township, he bought a tract of land, partly prairie and partly timber, and on the farm which he redeemed from its original wildness he spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the venerable age of four score and four years. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Reece, was born in Greene county, Penn¬ sylvania, a daughter of John and Susan (Mordock) Reece. John Reece was an expert wood worker, and manufactured both furniture and wagons. Moving from Pennsylvania to Ohio, he settled on the Ohio . river, a short distance above Richmond, and there improved a farm, which he afterwards sold for twelve dollars an acre. Subsequently com¬ ing to Indiana, he located in Perry township, Clay county, where some of his children were then living, and was here a resident until his death.

About eighteen years old when he came with the family to Indiana, Andrew J. Jeffers remained with his parents until his marriage. He then began housekeeping in a log cabin that stood on his father's farm. Sub¬ sequently removing to Sugar Ridge township, he bought a tract of heavily timbered land and erected a rude log cabin of round logs, putting in one door, a three-light window, and making the chimney of sticks and mud. It was heated by a fire in the fireplace, before which his wife did all of her cooking, stoves being then practically unknown in this locality. After living there five years Mr. Jeffers returned to Perry township, purchased land in section five, and for a number of years carried on gen¬ eral farming. He then traded that farm for land in Kansas, but his wife refused to move to that state, so he purchased another farm in section fourteen, and there resided until his death, August 31, 1889.

On December 26, 1840, Mr. Jeffers married Jane Gilbert, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Ebenezer and Mehitable (Seeley) Gilbert. Coming from Ohio to Indiana in 1832, Mr. Gilbert settled in section nine, Perry township, Clay county, and on the farm that he improved spent his remaining years. Mrs. Jane (Gilbert) Jeffers survived her husband, passing away October 13, 1894. She reared nine children, namely: Margaret; Frank; Reece; Ebenezer; Marion; John, of whom a brief sketch may be found on another page of this work; Porter; Ben¬ jamin; and Mary.

Frank G. Casteel was one of the organizers of the firm of Cas¬ teel, Hauck & Casteel, conducting a real estate, loan and insurance busi¬ ness in Brazil. He was born in Van Buren township, Clay county, In¬ diana, a son of James T. and Olivia J. (Taylor) Casteel. The father was a native of Madison county, Indiana, born September 2, 1845, and his death occurred in Missouri, September 3, 1887. He was married on the 2d of September, 1865 - the twentieth anniversary of his birth - to Miss Olivia J. Taylor, who was a native of Marion county, Indiana, born January 1, 1847. She survived her husband for several years and passed away October 13, 1893. They were married in Carbon, this county, and both were, representatives of old families of the state. The paternal grandparents were Franklin and Martha A. (Dunlavy) Casteel, who were of Spanish and German extraction, the great-grandfather Dunlavy having been banished from Spain on account of his religious belief. Franklin Casteel was a native of Ohio, while his wife was born in Ken¬ tucky. They were married in October, 1844, in Madison county, Indiana, where they established their home, and there upon a farm James Cas¬ teel was reared, receiving but limited educational opportunities. At the outbreak of .the Civil war he proved his loyalty by enlisting as a mem¬ ber of Company I, Sixty-seventh Indiana Infantry. Proceeding to the front, he was first under fire at Munfordsville, Kentucky, and later par¬ ticipated in the siege of Vicksburg. He did valiant service at the front and after being honorably discharged returned home May 18, 1865. Taking up the pursuits of civil life he engaged in the operation of a sawmill and also in speculation, and in 1874 in association with a brother he opened up a coal mine on his father's farm, finding a rich vein of this mineral deposit, so that the venture proved successful. In the same year he embarked in merchandising at Benwood and continued in that busi¬ ness until called from private life to public service. He received from the Democratic county convention the nomination for the office of county auditor and was elected to the office by a good majority, serving in that position until 1882. That his administration received public endorse¬ ment was indicated by the fact that he was reelected and continued as county auditor until 1886, when after an eight years' incumbency he retired from the office as he had entered it - with the confidence and good will of all. He was always a zealous advocate of the Democracy and labored earnestly and effectively for its welfare. In 1872 he had been chosen justice of the peace and was filling that position when called to the office of county auditor. For a long period he figured as one of the prominent and influential residents of the community and enjoyed in large degree the respect and confidence of his fellowmen. Unto him and his wife were born five children : Minnie M., now the wife of W. J. Hauck ; Emma, the wife of John S. Montgomery, a resident of George¬ town, Kentucky; Welby, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Frank G., of this review ; and Bence L., who married Estelle Torbert.

The father removed from Clay county, Indiana, to Missouri, settling near Springfield, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until a short time prior to his demise. He was survived by both his parents, his father, Franklin Casteel, passing away February 16, 1906, while the mother, Mrs. Martha A. Casteel, is still living. She has passed the sev¬ enty-seventh milestone on life's journey, her birth having occurred in Wayne county, Indiana, December 24, 1830. She is now a resident of Brazil and is enjoying good health for one of her years.

Frank G. Casteel, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the public schools of Brazil and started upon his business career when a youth of fifteen years as a clerk in a grocery store. He gained a thorough knowledge of the business in principle and detail, being thus employed until he attained his majority, when he embarked in business on his own account. He was thus engaged for ten years and later was called to public office, serving as deputy county recorded from 1900 until 1903. He then took charge of the farm belonging to his grandmother, Airs. Martha Casteel, and managed it until December, 1907, when lie turned his attention to the real estate, loan and insurance business, in partnership with his brother and brother-in-law, .under the firm style of Casteel, Hauck & Casteel. They handle fire and tornado insurance and are agents for the Shawnee lore Insurance Company of Topeka, Kansas. They have built up a good clientage in the real-estate and loan department of their business and the new firm is meeting with gratifying prosperity.

Frank G. Casteel is well known as a stalwart supporter of the Democracy and an earnest worker in its ranks. He is an enterprising young man, of good business ability and keen discernment and possesses the strength of purpose which enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.