Clinton County, Indiana - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 15 of those read), 1886 (part 2 of 3)

Isaac Cook, resident at Frankfort, was born in "Washington County, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1820. He was a child of four years when his parents settled in Darrtown, Ohio. He found himself with the privilege of self-maintenance at the age of fourteen years, through the death of his father, and he was also under the necessity of assisting in the support of his widowed mother and the other members of the family. He came from Butler County, Ohio, to Clinton County, Indiana, in the fall of 1842, for the purpose of prospecting as to the chances of making a fair living there, and finding what he considered a satisfactory outlook, he made a loca- tion in Owen Township, in 1846. There he was occupied with the duties of a farmer until 1853, when he removed to Frankfort. He had been elected sheriff of the county and removed to the county seat for the purpose of securing the facilities necessary to a successful discharge of the duties of his ofSce. At the expiration of his official term he engaged in the sale of groceries, at Frankfort, and conducted tiiat line of business for several years. He converted his mercantile interests into those of a liveryman and operated as snch until 1872, when he was elected justice of tlie peace of Center Township. He has been the incumbent of the office ever siice by appointment and election. He is an adherent of tlie Democratic party. Mr. Cook was married February 29, 1844, in Owen Township, to Miss Mary, daughter of John and Hannah (Whitesill) Miller, pioneers of Clinton County, of 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have four children^John M. resides at Frankfort; Mrs. Eliza J. Petty is also living at that place; William is in business in Indianapolis, and Hannah lives with her parents. Mrs. Cook was born in Butler County, Ohio, April 6, 1824, and has lived in Clinton County over fifty-six years. She is a member of the Presbyterian ehurcli. Mr. Cook is a prominent Odd Fellow and has passed all the chairs in the Frankfort Lodge, No. 108, and Willis Wright Encampment, No 36. He is a member of the Grand Lodge of the State.

Captain Lewis Henev Daniels, contractor and builder, residing at Frankfort, was born at Indianapolis, Indiana, December 7, 1841, a son of Samuel P. and Barbara (Hinkle) D.miels, natives of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the father being of Irish and the - mother of German origin. Both parents are deceased, the mother dying in 1851, and the father in th; year 1885. Our subject grew to mmhaod in his native city, and there learned the carpenter's trade. At the age of twenty years, in 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Thirteenth Indiana Infantry, to serve three years. He was promoted through all the grades, except Orderly Sergeant, to Captain, and with hiscompmy participated in the engagements of Rich Mountain, Green Brier, Cheat Mountain, Winchester, Cold Harbor and'tlie storming of Petersburgh, besides other battles and skirmishes of mimr importance. He was discharged at Indianapolis in July, 1864, after serving faithfully for three years and two months. After his discharge from the army, Captain Daniels worked as a journeyman carpenter for two years. In 1866 he engaged in contracting and building, and from 1869 to 1871, in- elusive, he was employed as superintendent of bridges by the Louisville, Cincinnati & Lexington ilailroad Company, on the west division between La Fayette and Greensburg, Indiana. In August, 1871, he came to Frankfort, where he has since resided with the exception of five years, from 1875 to 1880, when he carried on contracting and building at Michigantown. Ris work for the past few years has been principally c mtracting and building of churches and school-houses throughout Clinton County. In his political views Mr. Daniels is a Democrat. He served one jear as president of the village of Frankfort before its incorporation as a city, and while living in Michigantown he was president of the School Board for three years. December 28, 1866, he was united in marriage at Indianapolis to Miss Mary A. Beam of that city. She is a member of the Baptist church. . Mr. Daniels is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge, chapter and commandery at Frankfort, and is master of the second vail, and also belongs to the lodge and encampment in the Odd Fellows order. He is a member of Dakota Tribe, No. 42, I. O. R. M., of which he is past sachem. He is also a comrade of Stone River Post, No. 65, G. A. R., of Frankfort.

William L. Dearth, of Frankfort, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, August 28, 1841. He has resided in the State of Indiana since he was thirteen years of age, when his father and mother removed to Boone County. The family remained there until 1858, when a second transfer was made to Jefferson Township in Clinton County. Mr. Dearth was then seventeen and commeuced to traffic in live-stock at Jefferson, and in the fall of 1869 he went to Holden, Missouri, where he was similarly interested until 1871. He returned thence to Clinton County and engaged in the sale of agricultural implementb in company with G. W. Aughe, under the style of Aughe & Dearth. He withdrew from the relation in 1374 and entered the employ of the L i Fayette Agricultural Works as salesman, but continued with the concern but a short time, when he commenced manufacturing cigars at Frankfort. He abandoned that business in the spring of 1876 and became one of an inci'rpuration known as the Vernon Stone and Lime Company, located at Vernon, Indiana, where the organization operated in the several branches of their business until 1880. During the time Mr. Dearth established the business of a liveryman at Frankfort, and oughfare was built in 1884. Mr. Dearth was married to his first wife, Miss Matilda Darr, in 1861, at Mucatine, Iowa. She died at JeflEerson in 1864. Her successor. Miss Nancy Bradford, became Buch in January, 1870, dying in 1877 and leaving two children - Clayton 0. and Nellie F. Mr. Dearth was married to Miss Anna E. Strain, of Boone County, in June, 1878, and they have one child - Horace. Mrs. Dearth is a member of the Presbyterian church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is a member of the lodge at Frankfort. Edward Dearth, his father, was born in Ohio, of German parentage, and died in Jefferson in 1876, aged seventy-one years. He was a Democrat of the Jackson school and was for many years a justice of the peace in Washington Township. The mother, Elma (Griggs) Dearth, was born in Pennsylvania and was also of German extraction. She is the survivor of her husband, with whom she lived fifty years. She is seventy-seven years old and lives with her children at Frankfort. She belongs to the Cin-istiau church.

Benjamin Fkanklin Douglass, of Frankfort, was born in Preble County, Ohio, .September 6,| 1816. In 1828 he came with his parents to Clinton County, Indiana, they locating in Jackson Township in wliat is now a part of Center Township. He was reared a farmer, remaining on the home farm till reaching his majority, when he made a trip through the Western and Northwestern parts of the United States, and was variously employed during this time in Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, and other places, being absent from Clinton County about two years, after which he clerked in a mercantile establishment at Franktbrt a year. While in Wisconsin, in 1837, he was elected a clerk of the committee on land claims, in Milwaukee County. August 1, 1S39, he was married in Frankfort to Miss Mary G. Thomas, daughter of Isaac P. Thomas. Of the eleven children born to this union six are living - Isaac G., a physician of Michigantown; William E., deputy clerk of Clinton County; Virginia F., wife of Elwood Avery, of Frankfort; Sarah Adelaide; Martha G., wife of Milton T. Merritt, a postal clerk, residing at Frankfort; Amy V., wife of Charles Ross, of Frankfort. Four children died in early childhood and a daughter, Harriet E., died at the age of eighteen years, December 25, 1861. In 1839 Mr. Douglass was elected assessor of Clinton County for the term of two years. The same year, 1839, he engaged in the mercantile business at Frankfort, and in 1843 removed his business to Michigantown, where he followed mercantile pursuits till 1884 when he retired from the active duties of business life and became a resident of Frankfort. In his political views Mr. Douglass is Democratic. In 1860 he was commissioned to take the census of the eastern half of Clinton County. He was commissioned First Lieutenant of a militia company and in 1860 he received a commission of notary public. In 1861 he was a member of the relief committee of Clinton County to look after the families of those who were serving their country and to distribute funds for their relief. In 1861 he was elected a trustee of Michigan Township, holding that office several terms by re-election. Mr. Douglass is a member of Clinton Lodge, No. 184, A. F. & A. M., of Michigautown, of which he is past master. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order and has passed all the chairs in both lodge and encampment at Frankfort, and has represented both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders in the Qrand Lodge of the State. Mrs. Douglass is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Henry Clay Eldeidge, blacksmith, Frankfort, Indiana, was born in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana, August 6, 1842, a son of "William and Ann (Lewis) Eldridge, natives of Pennsylvania, of Welsh ancestry. When he was an infant his parents moved to White County, Indiana, and there his father died September 2, 1846, aged forty-six years, one month and twenty-five days. He remained with his mother until manhood, her death occurring October 1, 1863, aged fifty-five years and seven months, and the war of the Rebellion having in the meantime broken out he, in the fall of 1863, enlisted and was assigned as a recruit to Company D, Twelfth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the engagements at Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain and Dallas, and for eight months was off duty on account of sickness, and was in the hospital at Rome, Georgia, Hilton Head, South Carolina, David's Island, New York.and Madison, Indiana. He was discharged at Madison, May 3, 1865, and returned to White County. The following fall he began to learn the blacksmith's trade, and after working eighteen months he went to Montana Territory and worked at his trade and at mining at Big Blackfoot, Little Blackfoot and Helena City three years and eight months. In December, 1871, he returned to White County and worked at Brookston until the fall of 1873, when he moved to Frankfort where, with the exception of three months spent in Kansas, he has followed his trade. In politics Mr. Eldridge affiliates with the Republican party. In 1882 he was elected a memnC" ber of the city council of Frankfort and served two years. He is a member of Clinton Lodge, F. & A. M., and of Stone River Post, No. 65, G. A. K He was married January 25, 1876, to Miss Viola Sims, daughter of Eobert and Eebecca (Holliday) Sims, of Frankfort. They have two children - Ethel and Glenn Dale.

Samuel Parkbe Fisher was born in the village of Jefferson, Clinton County, Indiana, July 12, 1842, a son of Thomas and Ann (Parker) Fisher, the father born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestry, and the m:)ther a native of Ohio. The father came to Clinton County in 1831 and settled in Jefferson, Washington Township, where he lived till 1858, since which he lias resided in Frankfort. He is by occupation a carpenter. He was married in 1838, to Anna Parker, who had come to Clinton County sometime in the 30's. She died at Frankfort in 1861. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Samuel P. Fisher, the subject of this sketch, was reared in tbe village of Jefferson, and in Frankfort, receiving his education principally in the schools of Frankfort. In his youth he learned the carpenter's trade which he followed till 1871. December 22, 1868, he was married at Frankfort to Mary E. Smith, a daughter of Nelson R. and S.irah (Catterlin) Smith. She died on November 29, 1883, leaving two children - Effie D. and Raymond C. Mr. Fisher was again married October 29, 1885, to Mrs. Mary M. (Suit) Gibbens. In 1871 Mr. Fisher was elected clerk of the Circuit Court of Clinton County for a term of four years, and in 1871: was re-elected to the same office, which position he tilled the following four 3'ears. In 1879 he engaged ill the grocery business at Frankfort, in which he continued until 1883. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. lie is a Knight Templar Mason, and belongs to the lodge, chapter and commandery at Frankfort. He is also a member of Dakota Tribe, No. 42, I. O. R. M., and is past sachem of the council of that order.

Jacob Llewellen Foksyth was born near Southport, Marion County, Indiana, November 7, 1833, and when ten years of age accompanied his parents to Adams County, Illinois, remaining there ten years, and in 1853 returned with them to Marion County. In 1854 he came to Clinton County and worked at farming three years, when he began to learn the cooper's trade, at which he worked until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. In June, 1861, he enlisted and was assigned to Company B, Seventeenth Indiana Infantry, and in January, 1864, re-enlisted in the same company. He participated in the engagements at Green Brier, Chattanooga, Hoover's Gap and Kenesaw Mountain. At the latter battle, July 7, 186i, he was taken prisoner and conlined at Andersonville until April, 1865, experiencing all the horrible sufferings'and loathesomeness of that most infamous prison pen. On being discharged from Andersonville he, with about 1,500 other prisoners, was taken to Jacksonville, Florida, from there to Annapolis, Maryland, and thence to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was discharged June 20, 1865. He then returned to Clinton County and engaged in farming several years, when he located in Frankfort. In politics Mr. Forsyth is a Republican. He is a member of Stone River Post, No. 65, G. A. R. He was married November 7, 1865, to Mrs. Susan Jane Stephenson, widow of Thomas Stephenson, by whom she had two children - William F. and Adaline. Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth have six children - Alonzo, Thomas Isaac, Louis Harman, Winnie Myrtle, Maggie and Ott. They are members of the Antioch Christian church, in Jackson Township.

Jesse Gard was born on the Sth day of March, 1811, in Hamilton County, Ohio. His parents names were William and Sarah (Woodruff) Gard. His father was the son of Jeremiah and Experience Gard, and was born June 9, 1788, in Fayette County, in the State of Pennsylvania. Jesse's mother died when he was only two years old. His father afterward married his deceased wife's sister, Phoebe Woodruff, who was a kind and attentive mother to the little boy and girl left to her keeping. In the winter of 1826 and '27 he was a member ot the Indiana Legislature, and on returning home on horseback got caught in the rain, taking cold, which resulted in hasty consumption from which he died, April 11, 1827. He was buried on his farm in what is now York Township, in Switzerland County, Indiana. Jesse in the meantime had been attending school as much as circumstances would permit. He was engaged for awhile before his father's death in clerking in a store at Liberty, Union County, Indiana. At the death of his father he was called home to take charge of iiis affairs and look after his stepmother, a sister, two half-sisters and a half-brother. Though but sixteen years of age he did not hesitate as to his duty, and from that time until his death he had the cares and responsibility' of looking after some one dependent on him for support. He was married to Amanda McHenry, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth McHenry,on the 2l8t day of February, 1833. He resided on a part of the old farm iii Switzerland County until the spring of 1819; there eight of their children were born and two of them died. He was elected and served one term in his township as justice of the peace, and from that time on, according to the usual custom of the county, was known as 'Squire Gard. He had been reared a Democrat, but in the great tidal wave of 1840 he united with the Whig party, and from that time on until the dissolution of that party he was its faithful follower. Afterward he was among the most ardent supporters of the Republican party. In the spring of 1849 he moved to this county, buying of Page Sims and William Sims the farm of 120 acres on which he afterward lived and died, one mile east of the village of Middle Fork. This fwrm was then covered with a heavy growth of black walnut trees ; the fences were all made of black walnut rails. A few years after he settled there he built a frame dwelling house almost entirely of black walnut timber, even to the weather boarding. A great many of these fine trees were cut down and burned, little thinking of the wealth stored away in them. After his removal to this county two sons were added to the family, and one died - Joseph M., after having arrived at manhood. His life though one of toil was not devoid of content and had very much that went to lighten the burthen of care and responsibility and served to make up for its labors and its trials. He enjoyed work, he was not satisfied to be idle, he was a great reader and took pleasure in books and newspapers. He was always a close observer of the current events of the day, and was thoroughly posted in all the leading movements of the times. During the dark days of the Rebellion he was keenly alive to the importance of the situation, and his anxiety for the success of the Federal army and the overthrow of the Rebellion was that of a loyal patriot and true friend of his country. For some ten years before his death he was a great sufferer from a cancerous affection behind his left ear. He submitted to surgical operations which seemed to check its growth but had the effect to partially paralyze that side of his face. He died October 19, 1881, leaving surviving him his widow and the following named children - Perry W., Oliver, McHenry and Edward, his sons, and Charlotte McKown, Cynthia A. Dronberger and Eliza A. Oonnaway,his daughters. Of these. Perry Ward, Dr. Oliver Gard and Mrs. Dronberger live in Frankfort ; Mack lives in Texas, and Ed is carrying on business at Middle Fork in the same storeroom where his three elder brothers have done business before him ; Charlotte lives on a part of the home place, and Eliza resides at Liberty, in LTnion County, Indi-

City Of Fkankfort

Newton Jasper Gaskell, auditor of Clinton County, is a native of this county, born in Center Township, April 9, 1838. His father, John Wesley Gaskell, was a native of New Jersey, but when a child his parents moved to Warren County, Ohio, where in 1833 he married Miss Abigail Rippey, a native of Ohio. The same year came to Clinton County and entered a tract of heavily timbered Government land in what is now Center Township, which he improved and lived on, carrying on farming and stock dealing until 1868, when he. moved to Frankfort, where he died October 19 of the same year. In early life he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but later was connected with no denomination, inclining toward the Universalist faith. The mother is living in Frankfort with her children. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which she united in her youth. Our subject was reared on the farm where he was born, and received his early education in the district schools, attending one term in the preparatory department of the Wabash College at Crawfordsville. In 1859 he began to teach in the schools of Clinton County, and followed the vocation several years during the winter. March 12, 1867, he married Miss Maria Brandon, daughter of Samuel and Maria (Hill) Brandon, old settlers of Clinton County. After his marriage he settled on a farm in Center Township, where he lived until 1871, when, renting his farm, he moved to Frankfort, and for a time was engaged in the marble business. In politics Mr. Gaskell is a Democrat. In January, 1873, he was appointed trustee of Center Township to fill a vacancy, and the same year was employed as assistant in the auditor's oflBce. In 1874 he was appointed deputy auditor by Cyrus Clark, and held that position until 1878 when he was elected auditor, and was re-elected in 1882. He is a member of no religious denomination, his wife being a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has taken the Knight Templar degrees. He has been presiding officer of lodge, chapter and commandery, holding at ,'present the office of eminent commander in the latter. Mr. and Mrs. Gaskell have no children, but have living with them a niece, Miss Stella Brandon.

George D. Halliday, Street Commissioner at Frankfort, is a native of the city in which he is serving as one of its municipal officers. The date was ; September 17, 1842, and he was reared a farmer, obtaining his education in the public schools of that place. Samuel E. Halliday, his father, was born in Ohio and was of Scotch extraction. The latter came to Clinton County in 1828, in the days of first things there, and located on a farm in Frankfort, where he died August 27, 1817, at the age of forty-four years. His wife, Reuhannah (Davis) Halliday, was bora in the same State as himself, and was "of Irish lineage. She removed to Clinton County immediately after her marriage with Mr. Halliday in 1830 and she is his survivor, living in Frankfort with her son, aged seventy-seven years. Mr. Halliday was elected a constable of Jackson Township in 1863 and in the following year he was re-elected. In 1S65 he contracted to carry the mail between Frankfort and Colfax, and for a period of six years ran a luck between those two places. At the end of that time he engaged in running a draj' and express business at Frankfort which he continued to do until 1879. During that year he was appointed street commissioner and has filled the position continuously since. He served as city councilman through the years^l876-'7. In political connection he is a Republican. Mr. Halliday was married to Miss Susannah Talbert October 14, 1863, and they have five children. Carrie A. is a teacher in the public school at Frankfort. She graduated from the high school there in 1882. Reuhannah J., Georgiana, Addie and Samuel T. are the names of the others. Mrs. Halliday is the daughter of Thomas H. and Jane (West) Talbert. Both parents are members of tlie Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Halliday is a member of the Masonic lodge and chapter at Frankfort. He has filled the chairs of master and priest. He also belongs to Dakota Tribe, No. 42, I. O. R. M. and is a past sachem.

John W. Hammond, architect, resident at Frankfort, was born at Martin's Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio, September 23, 183S. His father and mother, James C. and Rebecca (Cochran) Hammond, were both born in Ohio and the former was of German descent. The mother is of Scotch-Irish extraction. The family were residents of Belmont and Jeiferson c6unties until 1855 when they came to Indiana. They settled at Richmond, in Wayne County. The son received a liberal education in the common and advanced schools, and at the age of twenty-one began to fit himself for the branch of business in which he is engaged. He commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter at Richmond and was occupied with his relations as an apprentice until 1863 when he enlisted in the Union army. He went to the front as Orderly Sergeant of Company C, Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, enrolling to serve three years. He lost his health and was discharged in April, 1865, for disability. On recovering, he located at Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana, where he commenced to operate as a contractor and builder. Later he went to Thorntown where he remained until 1867 when he went to Indianapolis for the purpose of taking instruction in the details of architecture. He studied there two years and returned to Boone County. He continued to operate there until 1875 when he settled at Frankfort. In 1881 he abandoned the relations of a contractor, with the determination to devote himself to the business of an architect. He has drawn plans and acted as superintendent of many important buildings since that time. He has operated in Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Kansas and Minnesota, and has earned well-deserved reputation in his art. He is a member of the "Western Association of Archit'cts of Chicago. Mr. Hammond was married September 3, 1860, in Union County, Indiana, to Miss Lydia Bufinger. She died in I>oone County, Indiana, November 20, 1867, leaving three children - Don Carlos is a merchant at Thorntown, Indiana; Harry A., is an arcliitect at Omaha, Nebraska; Otto M. is in the employ of a druggist at Frankfort. Mr. Hammond was a second time married, to Miss Mary A. Padgett, of Boone County, Indiana, August 11, 1869. The only issue of this union, a son, Alonzo John, is a student at Hose Polytechnic Institute, at Terre Haute, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is one of its stewards. He is also an Odd Fellow, and belongs to the subordinate lodge at Frankfort and to the encampment at Indianapolis. He lias passed the chairs of grand and high priest. He is also a member of the Grand Lodge of Indiana. He belongs to'Shula Lodge, No. 71, Knights of Pythias, and is a comrade of Stone River Post, No. 65, G. A. R.

Joel W. Harland, Sr., was a native of Kentucky, born in 1792, and in 1831 came to Clinton County, Indiana, and settled in Frankfort. In 1836 he was elected sheriff of the county, and reelected in 1838, holding the position at the time of his death, which occurred June 11, 1839. He was a member of the Methodist Epis^copal church, and in the early days of the church in Clinton County was one of the most earnest workers, officiating as class-leader, steward and trustee. He married Miss Polly Mulkey, a native of Monroe County, Kentucky, born in 1798. They 'had a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters - John Mulkey, James Madison, Hannah, Elizabeth, Jackson, Hester Ann, Isaac N., Jemima, William F. and Joel "W. James M. enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, and was commissioned Lieutenant and subsequently promoted to Captain. He was shot and instantly killed at the battle of Mission Ridge. Mrs. Hester Ann Miller died June 13, 1886. Hannah and Isaac are also deceased. Mrs. Harland reared her family, and after the marriage of her yonngest son spent the most of her time with him, and died at his house July 30, 1875, aged seventy-three years.

Samuel Claek Hartzog, one of the educators of Clinton County, was born near Lancaster, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in 1846. Sophard and Catherine (Clark) Hartzog, his parents, were respectively of German and Irish descent. They removed to Clifton, Greene County, Ohio, when he was a lad of eleven years, and three years later another transfer of the household and its interests was made to Indiana. They located near Delphi, Carroll County. Mr. Hartzog was still a youth when the civil war was upon the land, and in November, 1864, when he had reached the age of eighteen, he decided to become a soldier of the Union, and accordingly enlisted as a private in the Twenty-fourth Indiana Battery to serve one year, which purpose was frustrated by the close of the war. tie received an honorable discharge August 11, 1864. He was absent from his company most of the time on detached duty in East Tennessee. His first service was at Louisville, Kentucky, where he passed the spring after his enlistment. He returned from the war to Carroll County, and was occupied in the duties of his father's farm until the year next following, when he entered the old Purdue University at Battle Ground, in Tippecanoe County, which he attended four years. In 1869 he commenced teaching, and ha3 since made that calling his occupation. He has taught three years in Carroll County, one year in Tippecanoe County, and twelve years inClinton County. His earnest devotion to the duties of an instructor has given him a merited popularity in his profession. He has been a resident at Frankfort since 1874. May 18, 1876, he was joined in marriage with Miss Carmie Y. Hildebrand, of Delphi, Carroll County. She is the daughter of David G. and Matilda (Byers) Hildebrand. Mr. Hartzog is a member of Frankfort Lodge, No. 54, A. F. & A. M., and also of Dakota Tribe, No. 42, I. O. R. M.- In the latter he is filling.the position of junior sagamore of the degree order.

James A. Hedgcock was born in Dresden, Ohio, April 6, 1853. His father, John S. Hedgcock, was born in Ashford, Kent County, England, and came to this country wh^n quite a young man, stopping first in New York City, where he worked at his trade, that of shoemaker. Becoming dissatisfied he moved to Ohio, where he became acquainted with and married Miss Nancy Ross, in 1852. In 1855 he moved to and located at Michigantown, where he has since resided. Young Hedgcock was taught the trade and worked on the bench until 1875, daring which time he received a commonschool education. He then moved to Frankfort, Indiana, and embarked in the dry-goods business under the firm name of Smith & Hedgcock, continuing in this until 1880, when he was nominated and elected by the Democracy of the county to the office of recorder, and in 1884 he was re-elected, and will serve until August, 1889. April 6, 1881, Mr. Hedgcock was united in marriage to Miss Lena A. Lydick, daughter of George Lydick, who died Feb ruary 3, 1863, at Murfreesboro, Kentucky, from sickness caused by exposure. At the date of his death he was First Lieutenant of Company I, Fourth Indiana Cavalry.

Luther V. Heichekt, photographer at Frankfort, was born near New Castle, Indiana, February 26,1853. He is of German origin, as his parents, John and Rebecca (Clunk) Heichert, were descendants of ancestors of that nationality. They were natives of Pennsylvania. The family removed to Indiana, where the son was born as stated, and in 1860 they settled at Frankfort. The father and mother resided in the city for the space of two years, after which, in 1862, they went to Camden, Carroll County, whither the son accompanied them, and remained until he was fifteen years old. He then obtained work as a farm-laborer in Carroll County, and followed that pursuit three years. In 1871 he came to Frankfort to acquire a practical knowledge of the business in which he is at present engaged His brother, Oscar Heichert, was established in the business there, and he entered upon an apprenticeship with him. He remained seven years, and in 1878 became associated with him, their business being transacted under the name of Heichert Brothers. In 1880 he was left in sole proprietorship by the retirement of his brother. Mr. Heichert is a member of the Odd Fellows, and belongs to Frankfort Lodge, No. 108. He was married July 19, 1877, at Frankfort, to Miss Maggie P., daughter of Henry Y. and Nancy A. (Campbell) Morrison

Abijah James Huff, was born in Schuyler County, Illinois, in the year 1840, where he was reared till nine years of age. He was then taken by his parents to St. Louis, thence to Louisville, Kentucky, and Indianapolis, Indiana, where he grew to manhood, and there learned the blacksmith's trade. In August, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Tenth Indiana Infantry, to serve three years, and was discharged at Indianapolis at the expiration of his term of service. In September, 1861-, he reenlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and on the organization of the company was chosen First Lieutenant, and was so commissioned by Governor Morton. He was discharged at the close of the war. He was in many of the most important engagements, among them being Mills Springs, Shiloh, Stone River, Perry ville, Chickamauga (in which he was wounded), Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, Atlanta, Chattahoochee River and Tullahoma. After his discharge he came to Clinton County, Indiana, and located at Kirklin where he followed blacksmithing until 1868. August 31, 1865, he was married at Kirklin to Catherine C. Kutz, a daughter of David and Rebecca (Holman) Kutz, of Clinton County. They have six children living - "William C, Lurena, Savilla M., Burtie M., Maud E., and Walter. Their son, Harry Edward, was killed in a wind storm in Kansas, May 5, 1878, when seven years of age, and Edith May died July 26, 1886, of scarlet fever. In 1868 Mr. Huff went to Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana, where he carried on blacksmithing for a time, after which he carried on a restaurant and bakery at Danville, and Carbon, Indiana, until 1873. He then went to Indianapolis and was employed in the freight office of the Bee Line until 1876, when he returned to Clinton County, and was engaged in business at Kirklin and Russiaville till 1878. He then went to Sterling, Kansas, where he carried on a bakery until 1881, when he returned to Clinton County and settled at Frankfort, where he established his present grocery and bakery on Morrison street, in 1884. Mr. Huff is a comrade of Stone River Post, No. 65, G. A. R., at Frankfort.

Thomas Peter Keys, dealer in fruit and vegetables at Frankfort, was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, in 1833. He was brought to Clinton County by his parents when two years old and the family settled in the township of Jackson. The son was brought up to the age of nineteen on his father's farm, and at that age he came to Frankfort, where he was employed as an engineer in the carding-mill of J. E. Bolbey. He acted there in that capacity two years and liis next occupation was as a teamster in the same city. He pushed that line of business until 1862, when he became a soldier. He enlisted in Company D, One Hundredtli Eegiment Indiana Volunteers with the purpose of serving his country three years, but the war closed previous to the expiration of his term of enlistment. He became a pi'ivate citizen by honorable discharge June 25, 1865. He was advanced from the ranks to the position of Corporal and Orderly Sergeant. Hollow Springs, Vicksburg, Jackson, Black River, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Peach- Tree Creek, Atlanta, Duncan's Farm, Goldsborough, Culpeper Court-House, Raleigh, Columbus, Jonesborough,Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Noonday Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, New Hope Church, Oleche River, Lovejoy Station and Chattahoochee River make up the roster of the actions in which he was under rebel tire. Mr. Keys was one of the first to reach the spot where General McPherson was killed at Peach-Tree Creek, and with three others carried the body from the field. He was one of the special detail who accompanied the ambulance in which the dead officer was carried to Marietta and remained one of the guard of honor during the process of embalming and until the remains were sent North for interment. After receiving his discharge, he returned to Frankfort, and until 1870 was engaged in t]^e work of a carpenter. In that year he was employed by Messrs. Neptune & Co. to cull and class staves, in which avenue of employ he was occupied until 1875. He then commenced operations as a grocer and formed a partnership with C. Fuller, the connection being known under the firm name of Fuller & Keys. They dissolved their business in 1876, and afterward Mr. Keys entered the employ of S. P. Fisher as a olerk and continued to ofliciate in that capacity until 1879. He passed' the next two years in various occupations, and in 1883 commenced' traffic in feed, associated with S. P. Fisher. In 188ihe began the trade in which he is at present interested. In political connection he is a Republican. He was hiarried to Miss Martha E. Ferguson A-ugust 15, 1852, at Frankfort. They have four children Mrs.

Mary Florence resides at Frankfort; Joseph William is the second in order of birth; Mrs. Nancy G. Barto and Nellie Keys live in the same place as their parents. The mother is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Keys belongs to Dakota Tribe, No.

Edward Kramer, justice of the peace in Center Township, Clinton County, is a native of Butler County, Ohio, where he was born October 28, 1829. He is the son of Philip and Mary (Brandenburg) Kramer, who were natives of Maryland and both of German descent. The family of his mother was one which distinguished itself in the war of the Kevoliition. The parents of Mr. Kramer of this sketch were married in Maryland and soon after that event they i-emoved to Butler County, Ohio, where they resided until 1832, the year in which they took up their abode in Clinton County. The date of their marriage was 1815. Philip Kramer was a Whig in early political connection and was one of the first commissioners in the county in which he located when it was still in an unsettled and unorganized state and where he improved a farm on which he was the first settler. He was successively elected to the office named for twenty years. He was a member of no church, but adhered to the doctrines of universal salvation and was a great student of Biblical literature. The mother died in Preble County, Ohio, where she resided with her daughter. Her demise occurred September 1, 1882, at the age of eightysix. She belonged to the Presbyterian church. Mr. Kramer was two years of age when his parents became residents of Clinton County. He was reared on a farm in Owen Township, where he passed the years as a farm assistant and in alternating winter seasons attended the common school. In 1858 he engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Clinton County, and was similarly occupied until 1883. In addition to the several avenues of traffic, common to transactions in lumber, he operated a saw-mill for several years in Frankfort. In 1861 he removed to that place. Politically he is an adherent of the Democratic party, and while living in the township of Owen he served as township clerk and also as justice of the peace. In 1868 he was elected justice of the psace in Center Township and re-elected in 1872, holding the office eight consecutive years. In 188i he was elected for the term in which he is at present serving (current jeav, 1886). May 31, 1854, he contracted marriage in Owen Township with Miss Mary A. Choat. They have nine children as follows: AValter S. is agent for the American Express Comany at Frankfort; Alice; Wilber B., express messenger on the C, I., St. L. & C. R. E. ; Mary J.; Edward, residing in Washington Territory ; Christina, wife of George Fowler, of the Frankfort Times; Cora B. ; Albert P., a machinist at Frankfort, and Harold M. Mr. Kramer belongs to the fraternities of Odd Fellows and Masons at Frankfort. He is also a member of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows at Indianapolis.

William Balser and Louis N. Kramee are the respective members of the lumber firm of Kramer Brothers, of Frankfort. They manage a considerable interest in the various avenues pertaining to traffic in lumber and are the owners of a planing-mill. William B. Kramer was born near the city of Frederick, Marj'land, January 31, 1836. His father and mother, Frederick William and Margaret (Schnoll) Kramer were natives of Frederick County, Maryland, and were born of Russian parentage. The ancestors in the paternal line came to America about 1739. They were farmers, and the father of the Messrs. Kramer passed nearly all his life where he was born, dying at the age of fifty-nine. He was prominent in local politics and was in sympathy with the Whig party until its defection, when he became a Democrat. He held the oflice of district judge, which is a position similar to that of justice of the peace in the Northern States. He was also county commissioner. In religions belief he was liberal. He married Miss Schnoll in 1832. She was reared in the faith of the German Reformed church, but is now a member of the Presbyterian church at Frankfort, whither she came in 1879, as her children had all removed hither. Mr. Kramer of this account was brought up on the farm of his father and was a pupil in the common schools until he entered the academy at Urbana, Frederick County, Maryland, where he completed his studies. In 1823 he left home and engaged in farming on his own account. He located his business in that line in the vicinity of Frederick City and operated there until 1873, when he determined to try his fortune in the AVest. Accordingly, he came to Frankfort and engaged in the business in which he has since been interested, associated with his brother and cousin - Louis Kramer and JohiFA. Kramer. The firm became as now constructed at a later date. Mr. Kramer was married February '1, 1860, in his native county, to Miss Elizabetli Trimdle, and they have six children - John Frederick, Samuel Brook, Eleanor, Ledru Rollin and Bertha Luella. Samuel is in the employ of a railroad company as train dispatcher and located at Indianapolis. The motlier is a member of the Episcopal Mission at Frankfort. Mr. Kramer is a Mason of advanced degree, and has been for many years a member of the lodge, chapter and council and is also a Knight Templar.

Louis E". Kramer was born at the home of his parents on the farm in the vicinity of Frederick City, Maryland, in 184S. He is the youngest of four sons of his father and mother, and his father dying while he was still in comparative youth, he naturally remained with his mother, taking the responsibility of the management of the homestead. He continued to do so until 1879, when he came with his brothers to Frankfort, and in the year following their business vvas established. His marriage to Miss Georgie Cogswell took place in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, in 1881. She is a native of that place. Katie M. and Louis Care the names of their children. Mr. Kramer is connected with the Protestant Episcopal church at Frankfort and the wife is a member of no church as there is none of the denomination in which she was reared. The brothers Kramer are both Democrats in political opinion.

James Wiley Lawson, proprietor of the Frankfort omnibus and transfer line, was born near Kidgeville, Randolph County, Indiana, May 29, 1854. His parents, John and Mary (Wooters) Lawson, were natives respectively of Tennessee and Pennsylvania. They belonged to the agricultural class, and the son was reared on the farm and instructed in its duties until he was eighteen years of age. At that period he sought and obtained employ in the stave factories at Union City, Ohio, wiiere he was engaged until 1879. In that year he came to Frankfort, where he established the business in which he has since been interested. The method and measure of the success of Mr. Lawson are worthy of special mention an^ afford an example of the truism that all that is needed in this worka-day world is an understanding of a want in a community and the pluck to combine energy with a comprehension of the merits of the case. He had literally no means to make a start, but he hired a " 'bus " and team for the space of nine months and had so managed that at the expiration of that time lie was able to buy his outfit. He is now the owner of two 'buses and five horses, besides being the proprietor of his home, which is free from incu*nbrance. In 1885 he added the traffic in ice to his other relations and is still engaged in his connections therewith. He is a Democrat in political persuasion. Miss Isabella Linder became the wife of Mr. Lawson October 2, 1879. They were married at Marion, Indiana, and have four children - James, Elsie, Ethel and Mabel.

Adam Leisure, senior of the building firm of Leisure & Son, at Frankfort, was born in Dayton, Ohio, August 9, 1830. Ten years later his parents removed to Greenville, Ohio, and thence to Peru,

Indiana, in 1846. The son remained in the latter place with his parents but a short time when he began to operate in an independent fashion as a farm-hand. In Julj', 1847, he came to Clinton County, and obtained a situation on a farm in the township of Washington. He remained there and in Jackson Township until 1853, the year in which he commenced his first work as a carpenter. He entered upon a regular apprenticeship at the business with Jesse Aughe, and in 1857 commenced business as a contractor. He has conducted his relations therein ever since. In 1884 he received his son Charles M. into the partnership, when the firm was constructed as now. Politically he is a Eepublican. The union in marriage of Mr. Leisure to Miss Nancy Matilda, daughter of "William and Mary Isgrigg, took place August 23, 1855, in Jackson Townsliip. Three children - Charles Marion, Jacob Ellsworth and Grant, were born to them. The second son is a carpenter, and the youngest was graduated from the high-school at Frankfort in the class of 1886 (current year). Mrs. Leisure belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Leisure is a member of the lodge, chapter and council in Masonry, at Frankfort.

John Wesley Maish, grocer at Frankfort, was born in Center Township, Clinton County, May 5, 1859. Joseph Maish, his father, was a native of Indiana and of German parentage. He came to Clinton County in IS - , and died on his farm in Center Township in 1866. His wife, Mary E. (Looney) Maish, was also born in Indiana, and came to Clinton County in 1857. In 1858 she was married and became the mother of sis children. They are all deceased excepting the son who is represented in this account. He was reared to manhood in Frankfort, and in 1880 was graduated from the high school of the place. He then went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he attended the high school for a year. He received a diploma of scholarship and entered the freshman class of the Univei-sity of Michigan at the same place. He entered the sophomore class with the intention of completing the college course, but abandoned the purpose on account of having a business opening at Frankfort. In 1883 he embarked in his present business enterprise. January 25, 1886, Mr. Maish was married to Miss Ella Blinn, at Frankfort. She is the daughter of Adam and Lucinda (Derick) Blinn. Mr. Maish is a member of the order of Masonry, and belongs to Lodge No. 108, I. O. O. F.

dence of self-maintenance at the age of ten years, and passed the succeeding four years as a chore-boy in the service of farmers and in other capacities. When he was fourteen he commenced an apprenticeship at Frankfort to learn the trade of a shoemaker. He went thence to Colfax three years later, and was there employed in the same business until he decided to enter the military service of the United States. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company D, One Hundreth Regiment Indiana Infantry, to serve three years, or during the continuance of the war. He remained in the service until the end of the war in 1865, acting the greater portion of the time in the capacity of a Corporal. Among the more important actions in which he was a participant were Vicksburg, Jackson, Mission Eidge,Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Buzzard's Koost, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station and in all the principal battles of the campaign of Sherman's army in the " march to the sea." After the surrender of the army of Johnston Mr. McCarty went with his regiment from Raleigh, North Carolina, to "Wasliington, and was in the grand review at the capital. He was mustered out of the military service of his country in June, 1865, and returned to the place of his birth. He worked at his trade there until 1885, when he became a clerk in the shoe store of J. W. Gutheridge. His union in marriage to Miss Eliza Hodgden took place at Colfax, January 15, 1861, and they have six children - Thomas S., Sarah Alice, Jacob H., Daisy Adell, Ina Gertrude and Trace. The parents are members of the Christian church. Mr. McCarty is an Odd Fellow, and belongs to Frankfort Lodge, No. 108, in which he is past grand. He is a comrade of Stone River Post, No. 65, G. A. R.

James Wayne Meridith, dentist at Frankfort, was born September 16, 1831, at Flemingsburg, Fleming County, Kentucky. His parents, William Riley and Harriet (Davis) Meridith, are deceased. The family removed to Morristown, Shelby County, in the same State, where the father died two years later. The son was then eight years of age. From that time he sustained himself, obtaining employment on farms until he reached his seventeenth year, when he determined to learn the business of a cabinet-maker and went for that purpose to Connersville, Indiana. He remained in that place until 1852, when he came to Frankfort, Indiana, and engaged in the sale of furniture until 1855. In that year he commenced his preparations for his profession, and in May, 1856, he located in the city where he is still living. He opened dental rooms, and, with the exception of a few months, has been in constant practice. Meanwhile he has conducted the relations of other enterprises. During the years 1857-'8 he edited the Clinton County RepuUican in the interests of the Republican Central Committee of the county and was for several years in the drug and mercantile business. Dr. Meridith was married January 16, 1853, near Marseilles, Kentucky, to Miss Missouri J. Boling. Her demise occurred at Frankfort, Indiana,on the anniversary of her marriage, two years later. The present wife of Dr. Meridith, to whom he was married at Frankfort, was Miss Jennie, daughter of Isaac D. and Nancy (Moorhead) Armstrong. Of this un,ion nine children have been born, eight of whom survive. A married daughter, Mrs. Hattie Cooper, is deceased. Jennie, Lu A., Georgie, Carroll, Katy, Isaac Watt, Augustus and William Fletcher are the names of those still living.

Horace Willard Miner, of the firm of J. H. Miner & Son, boot and shoe dealers at Frankfort, was born at Mexico, Missouri, October 16, 1861, and is the only son of J. H. Miner, with whom he is associated in business, and who is represented by the sketch following. The family removed to Frankfort in 1864 where the son received a substantial education in the city schools, after which he became a student at Purdue University at Lafayette, and later at De Pauw University, at Greeucastle, both noted educational institutions of Indiana. In 1881 he became an assistant in the store of his father, and in the year following their business connection was formed. Mr. Miner is connected with the Method-, ist church in membership and is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 71, in which he is vice-chancellor. He belongs to Dakota Tribe, No. 42, I. 0. R. M. Mr. Miner was joined in marriage with Rilla C. Gerard, June 29, 1882. They have two sons - John Henry and Gerard. Mrs. Miner is the daughter of Rev. W. C. and Elizabeth Gerard. She is a member of the Methodist church.

John Henry Miner, of Frankfort, senior of the boot and shoe house of J. Miner & Son, of that city, was born in Darke County, Ohio, near the county seat. The date of his birth was June 10, 1836, and he is the son of Darius and Hannah (Baker) Miner. His father and mother are deceased. His father was born in the State of New York, of parents of Scotch-Irish extraction. The mother was born in Delaware, of German parents. Mr. Miner removed to Indiana with his widowed mother in 1839, settlinsr in Frankfort.

Little means were left for their maintenance and the son was early under the necessity of self-support. His first money was earned in digging the medicinal root, ginseng, which was to be found in the near vicinity of Frankfort. He was chiefly employed on a farm until he was fifteen years of age , and he became an expert in the business of cutting cord-wood, which was his principal occupation. For two years subsequent he drove a team and carried a hod in the same city, and at seventeen he entered the service of William Kelly, a shoemaker, as an apprentice. After a period of two years he purchased the unexpired portion of his time and passed two years as a journeyman there. In 1857 he was employed by Thomas Hoops to attend the sales of the trust-lands of the Delaware Indians in Kansas and operated there three months. He went thence to Mexico, Missouri, where he worked a short time at his trade, after which he entered into a co-partnership with a man named Hamilton Hall for the joint purpose of manufacturing and selling boots and shoes. The firm conducted their transactions under the name of Hall & Miner. His associate retired from the connection in 1859 and Mr. Miner continued to operate at that point until 1864, when he returned to Frankfort. He has since been engaged in the business in which he is still interested. In 1882 he received his son, Horace W., into partnership with himself, the firm style becoming as stated. In his political connection Mr. Miner is a Democrat. In religious belief he subscribes to the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a trustee and steward. He is an adherent of the Masonic fraternity at Frankfort. The marriage of Mr. Miner to. Miss Frances Allen took place at Frankfort, December 28, 1858, and they became the parents of two children - Horace Willard and Carrie May. The latter is the wife of John E. Underwood, of Frankfort. Tlie son is married and his two sons are the source of great joy and pride to the grandparents. Their names are John Henry and Gerard.

LEONiDis Mitchell, a retired farmer, residing at Frankfort, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, in 1824. He is of Scotch origin, his father, George Mitchell, having descended from ancestry of that nationality. The latter died at the homestead in Clermont County in 1847, aged fifty-two years. The mother of Mr. Mitchell was Miss Sarah Hankins previous to her marriage with his father, and she was a native of New Jersey. She died in 1826 aged about twentj'-four years. The death of his mother relegated the care of her sou to the family of her brother, Enoch Hankins, who cared for him until he arrived at his majority. He was thoroughly trained in the calling of a farmer, and he followed that business in his native county until 1852, when he came to Indiana and located in the township of Jackson, in Clinton County. He remained there until 1855 when he removed to the city of Frankfort. He interested himself in the business of running a line of 'busses, and carried the United States mail between Lafayette and Frankfort until 1860. In 1862 he was elected sheriff of Clinton Connty and re-elected in 1861:, serving in all four years. From 1867 he acted in the capacity of deputy sheriff under Sheriffs Fred Tice and William A. McCray. He has discharged the duties of justice of the peace two years in Center Township. In political adherence he is a Democrat. He was married to Miss Sarah Allen in Clermont County, Ohio, in 1844, and she died at Frankfort in 1855, leaving five cliildren. Three only are living. Mrs. Sarah Thompson is a resident at Crawfordsville, as is the youngest, Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson. The only son, Greorge, lives at Frankfort. Mr. Mitchell married for his second wife Miss Elizabeth Ghere, of Frankfort. Their union in matrimonial bonds took place in 1857, and they have had two children - Harry and Ella. The former is not living. The father and mother are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Mitchell is a Mason and belongs to Clinton Lodge, JSJo. 54, A. F. & A. M.

William Giles Morris, postmaster at Frankfort (1886), was born at Waterford, New York, July 8, 1846. His father, Justus S. Morris, now deceased, was of Irish descent, and was a native of the Empire State. His mother, born Eleanor Teneyck, belonged to the Dutch element of New York in descent. Mr. Morris was one of the earliest to respond to the call of the nation in its hour of distress on the advent of civil war, although but fifteen j'cars old. He enlisted April 20, 1861, in the Second New York Infantry, and after a service of two years received honorable discharge at Troy in May, 1863, having been promoted from the ranks to the grade of Sergeant. His regiment was on duty at Fortress Monroe, and Newport News during the first year, and throughout the remainder of the time was with the Army of the Potomac in front of Richmond. Mr. Morris was in the actions at Big Bethel, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Bristow Station, Bull Kun (2d), Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. At the close of his military career he proceeded to the city of New York, where he was employed by the firm of McClave Brothers, lumber dealers, the senior member beiug his brother-in-law. He operated in various capacities until 1871, when he came West for the purpose of buying walnut lumber. He commenced his operations in that avenue in Wabash, Indiana, where he remained until July, 1872, in which year he came to Clinton County, having received information that a supply of the timber of which he was in pursuit was to be obtained in that locality. He was favorably impressed with the outlook and location in Frankfort, where he continued to conduct the lumber business until 1882, when he abandoned his operations in that line, finding it no longer profitable from scarcity of material. His next venture was in the sale of coal and wood, in which he is still interested. Mr. Morris has occupied his present incumbency since August, 1885, when he received his commission as postmaster of Frankfort, from President Cleveland. His marriage to Miss Margaret Gorman, of the city of New York, took place June 10, 1868. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also belongs to the K. of H. and K. of P. In the former he has officiated as grand dictator and in the latter as chancellor commander. He is a comrade in Stone River Post, No. 65, G, A. K., and has served as commander therein one year.

Feancis Mason Nixon, drainage commissioner of . Clinton County, was born in Warren Township in tiie same county, February 24, 1838. His parents, William and Sarah (Gordon) Nixon, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio and his father was of Irish origin. The latter was a farmer and settled in Clinton County, in the days of its earliest period, and there improved a farm. He was its owner and resident until his death in 1871. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church from his early manhood, and in political faith a Democrat. He was always active in local politics but was never an office-seeker. The mother died on the homestead in Warren Township, in 1866, aged sixty-four years. She lived an exemplary Christian life and died in the triumphant faith of a consistent believer in the essential doctrines of salvation. Mr. Nixon had only the advantages of the common-schools, and at the age of eighteen years obtained work as a carpenter, at which business he worked in the various townships of Clinton County for six years, when he abandoned the trade for the exclusive prosecution of the business of farming. He located in Michigan Township, where he operated until 1883. In that year he retired from connection with active labor and re- moved to Frantfort. He is a Democrat in political persuasion. In 1883 he received his present appointment by the judge of the Circuit Court to fill a vacancy, and in 1884 was re-appointed for a full term of three years. Mr. K^ixon was married February 12, 1862, in Michigan Township, to Elizabeth, daughter of Oved and Helen (Beard) Miller. Her parents were natives of Ohio, and came thence to Clinton County about 1836, and settled in the township of Michigan, where their daughter was born in 1841. She is a member of the Methodist church. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Nixon are three in number - Hurral E. resides in Frankfort; Mrs. Sarah E. Stoms lives in the same place, and the youngest, Carrie L., is still a member of the family of her parents. Mr. Nixon is a member of the fraternity of Masonry. He belongs to the lodge at Michigan town and to the chapter, council and commandery at Frankfort.

David Wareen Osboene, grocer at Frankfort, is a native of the State of Ohio. He was born on Christmas day, 1851, in Troy, in that State, and is the son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Daily) Osborne. The death of his father, which occurred while he was j^et in infancy, naturally consigned him to the sole care of his mother, with whom he resided in his native place until he reached his sixteenth year. In 1867 he went to Homer, Illinois, for the purpose of learning the business of a baker. After an apprenticeship of three years he went thence to Covington, Ohio, where he remained until 1871. In that year he removed to La Fayette, Indiana, where he operated in the capacity of shipping clerk in a wholesale confectionery establishment one year. While there he utilized his evenings by attending the night sessions of the Star City Commercial College. In 1872 he became a traveling salesman for the same house and ofBciated in that employ about four years. In 1876 he became an attache of the business house of Euger & Eodgers, of the same place, and in the same avenue of employ. A few months later he entered the service of C. Paige, a grocer at La Fayette. He remained in that situation but a short time, going thence (o Homer again where he commenced his first independent business venture, associated with Mr. E. Stearns. The house of Osborne & Stearns embarked in a satisfactory connection in the business of bakers and confectioners and continued to operate until 1877, when they sold their joint interests and Mr. Osborne entered tlie employ of .Kobinson & Hale, wholesale grocers, at La Fayette and was engaged as a traveling salesman in their interest through one season.

In January, 1878, he came to Frankfort and again embarked in business in his own behalf. The grocery and provision house of Osborne & Adair was established and they conducted their business together until 1880 when Mr. Osborne retired from active participation therein. He became bookkeeper in the hardware store of John M. Cast at Frankfort, with whom he remained until August of the year last mentioned. In that month be commenced operations in the grocery business in partnership with G. A. Smith, the firm style being Smith & Osborne. Their relations were severed in 1883 by the retirement of Mr. Osborne, and in the month of November following he opened the business which he still continues. In political bias he is a Republican. He has served as councilman of the Second Ward of Frankfort two years, to which position he was elected in May, 1881. The organization known as the Building and Loan Association, No. 5, at Frankfort, was incorporated in June, 188i, in which he was one of the charter members. He was elected its first secretary and is now the incumbent of the same position which he has occupied continuously. The marriage of Mr. Osborne to Miss Anna Paris took place October 30, 1879, at Frankfort. Mabel Paris, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Osborne, was born on the thirtieth anniversary of the birthday of her father - Christmas, 1881. The mother is the daughter of J. H. and Julia A. i^Blinn) Paris. She is a member of the Methodist church.

James H. Paris, merchant and president of the First National bank, Frankfort, Indiana, was born near Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky, March 22, 1826, a son of Stephen and Sarah (Peoples) Paris, also natives of Kentucky, his father of English and his mother of English and Irish extraction. When he was quite young his parents moved to near Edinburg, Johnson County, Indiana, and from there in 1837 to Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana, where he was educated, and attended the Asbury, now De Pauw, University. In 1847 he left home and came to Frankfort, where he was employed about two years as salesman in the store of N. T. Catterlin. In 1849 he embarked in the mercantile business, becoming a member of the firm of Fisher, Paris & Co. Two years later he retired from the firm and engaged in the grocery and hardware business, the firm being known as J. H. Paris & Co. This firm continued three years, when he sold out and was employed the next year by Harriman & Gassett, dry-goods merchants. In the spring of 1857, his father having moved to Frankfort, he be- came associated with him in the general mercantile business, under the name of S. F. & J. H. Paris. This partnership was dissolved in 1860 by the death of his father; he then conducted the business alone until 1865, closing out his stock of merchandise to other parties. In 1867 he began to deal in real estate and with others took steps to enhance the growth of Frankfort by advocating the building of raih'oads, the result being the Logansport, Crawfordsville & Southwestern Railway, now a branch of the Vandalia system, of which he was chosen a director and secretary. This was followed by the building of the Lake Erie & Western, the Toledo & St. Louis, and the Chicago & Indianapolis roads. In July, 1871, the First National Bank of Frankfort was organized, of which he was a stockholder, and was elected one of the directors, still holding this position, and in January, 1885, was elected president bv the corporation. In the spring of 1877 he established the mercantile business which he still conducts, assisted by his four sons, Jacob, James, Thomas and Walter, and is now one of the leading business men of the city. In politics Mr. Paris is a Republican. In 1868 he was a delegate to the National Convention at Chicago, when General Grant was nominated for the presidency, and has a number of times attended the State and county conventions of his party. He is a liberal contributor to any enterprise proposed for the advancement of Frankfort, and is especially interested in educational matters. In 1873 he was elected a member of the educational board, and was serving in that capacity when the present high-school building was erected. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders and has held all the highest offices in each order. He is a member of no religious denomination, but is a liberal supporter of the cause of Christianity. His wife and three daugiiters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and one daughter is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Paris was married June 6, 1850, to Miss Julia A. Blinn, a daughter of Jacob and Lucinda (Thatcher) Blinn, early settlers of Clinton County, locating here in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Paris have eight children - Sarah E., wife of Charles R. Gordon ; Jacob B.; Anna, wife of D. W. Osborne ; James H., Jr.; Linna; Thomas C; Julia May, and Walter Scott. Mr. Paris's father died in 1860, aged fifty-six years, and his mother in 1870, aged sixty-seven years. Mr. Paris commenced life without a dollar, and unaided by friends has, by his own energy, push and industry, succeeded in accumulating quite a large property. In the management of his various interests and investments, his motto has alwaj's been " To lead and not to followP His example is worthy of imitation by the young men of the present day who are desirous of succeeding in life. The day of small beginnings is not to be despised, and Mr. Paris has a word of encouragement for the young man who is willing to commence at the bottom and build upward.

John Pence, Frankfort. - In the early history of Indiana, the life of the pioneer was one fraught with numerous and serious dangers. Fortitude and an indomitable will were indispensable requisites to success. The task of redeeming the wilderness from its wild, native state and tranforming it into a habitable home for man was an undertaking to be accomplished only by the strong arm and inflexible courage so characteristic of the sturdy adventurers who pushed their way westward beyond the confines of civilization; who prepared the way for the development of the vast resources which in later years have entitled the United States to a place second to no nation on the globe. John Pence, whose biography we here briefly outline, was identified with the history of this State for more than fifty years. Arriving at a time when the savage and wild beast held almost undisputed sway, he witnessed the transformation which took place, and was personally instrumental in bringing about many of the valuable improvements which have been made, more especially such as are connected with Clinton County. Mr. Pence was born in Virginia, in the year 1800. His father, George Pence, married Miss Anna Nicholas, and reared a family of five children, of whom John was the third born. In 1806 death robbed the family of the kind and gentle influence of the mother. Twelve years later the family emigrated to Ohio, where the father, George Pence, purchased a farm of 120 acres near Lebanon, Warren County. Here young John passed his early life, much like the average boy of that period, attending the district school in the winter season and working on the farm during the summer months. Here he passed a quiet life, unmarked by any event of special import until the death of his father, which occurred in 1824. In that year Mr. John Pence and Miss Judith Aughe were united in marriage. In the following year he disposed of the homestead for $2,500, which amount was divided equally among the five survivors of the family. Two years later (1827) he left the scenes of his boyhood in the " Buckeye State," with the then new State of Indiana as his objective point. After the delay's incident to overland journey, he arrived at his destination, locating in what subsequently became the city of Frankfort. He purchased 320 acres of land, for which he paid $400. Not even a cabin stood upon this tract to oifer its friendly shelter; wild wooded land surrounded him on every hand. Undaunted by the difficulties which loomed up before him, he proceeded to clear a place upon which to erect a home for himself; this accomplished, his next step was to reduce his forest farm to a state of productiveness. This he accomplished after the severe labor so well known to all who are conversant with the history of the early settlement of this county. His persistent energy was rewarded by the sight of a beautiful little city on the land once held in undisputed possession by the savage. Mr. Pence's family consisted of himself, wife, and ten children, named respectively Infancy J., Amanda E., Harriet L., Harmon, Louisa M., Samuel D., Charles P., John W., Aaron W. and Thomas C. On the 2d day of January, 1874, Mr. Pence was called upon to part with the faithful wife, who, through fifty years, had shared with him every joy, every grief and difficulty which crossed his path. Thus was another great grief added to his burden in his old age. In 1839 Mr. Pence united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and of that denomination was an active and consistent member, practicing in his religious life that iniiexible subjection to duty which characterized his whole life. He was not a man who adopted a measure " in haste to repent at leisure." All his transactions were consummated after careful investigation; and, as he was of a very positive nature, a decision with him was final. In politics he was a Republican, and acted with that party since its organization, previous to which he was a member of the Whig party. These principles were adopted, not through prejudice, or because they were the principles of his ancestors, but from a conscientious conviction that he was right. In 1830 he was appointed treasurer of Clinton County, and through a period of ten years discharged the duties of that office with diligence and fidelity to the trust reposed in him. The uprightness and integrity of his character are too well known to all the residents of the county to require any words of eulogy at our hands. A man who has witnessed the various stages of improvement through which Clinton County has passed in a half century, who was always foremost in the adoption of measures to promote such improvements, cannot fail to be respected by all who share the advantages secured to them by himself and those who were associated with him, in taking initiatory steps for this advance of civilization. Too much praise cannot be given to the hardy pioneers who entered the wilderness of Indiana in the "long ago," who endured the hardships so inseparably connected with pioneer life, and who, by their irrepressible zeal, have encouraged the advancement of a State which now stands second to none in her production of great men. Mr. Pence was a man of robust constitution, but the white-robed messenger removed him from his field of activity on this earth, July 31, 1882.

Hon. Wilson Seaweight, deceased, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, September 29, 1807, a son of Samuel R. and Mary Ann (Wilson) Seawright, also natives of the Keystone State, the former of Irish descent and the ancestry of the latter unknown. In his childhood his parents moved to Ohio and lived in Warren and Butler counties until .the fall of 1830, when they moved to Clinton County, Indiana, and settled near the present site of Hossville. His father was by trade a wool-cardev and fuller and in his youth he learned the same trade. Leaving the sparsely settled country of Clinton County, he went to Montgomery County and built a small woolen-mill near Yountsville, which he ran until 1837, when he sold out and moved to Frankfort and engaged in the mercantile business with his father-in-law, Samuel Mitchell, under the firm name of Mitchell & Seawright. They continued in business until they were forced to suspend and he lost the greater part of his former accumulations. He subsequently built a steam woolen-mill at Frankfort which he conducted about twenty years and then sold out and bought a fine farm near Frankfort. His home was on the corner of West Walnut and Clinton streets, where he lived until his death, October 21, 1885, aged seventy-eight years. He was a man of unflinching integrity, and by unceasing attention to business accumulated a good property and paid all the indebtedness resulting from his mercantile failure. He was elected three times, in 1845, 1846 and 1853 to represent his district in the State Legislature. He made a profession of religion and joined the Oxford Presbyterian Church at Dayton, Ohio, in 1832, and for nearly fifty years was a deacon, and for nearly forty years an elder in his church. He was recognized as a leader in the Frankfort church and three successive times was elected by the presbytery as commissioner to the General Assembly. In the temperance cause he was a foremost worker and was one of the first to espouse and defend it. He was married April 14r, 1835, to Martha B. Mitchell, daughter of Hon. Samuel and Hope (Bishop) Mitchell, who was born in Union County, Ohio, January 25, 1816, and when twelveyeai's of age accompanied her parents to Clinton County, Indiana. Her father was one of the first associate judges of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Seawright were born nine children, six of whom are living - Mrs. Margaret H. Sroddy, of Dayton, Indiana; Mrs. Harriet E. Crebs; William W., of Crawfordsville, Indiana; Mrs. Martha E. Erisman; Mrs. Mary A. Norris, and Frances, of Frankfort. Mrs. Seawright was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church and in her girlhood joined the church in Frankfort, of which she is still a member.

Stephen Sims was born in Cocke County, Tennessee, November 21, 1792, died on his farm near Middle Fork, in Clinton County, Indiana, January 16, 1863. His father was a Revolutionary soldier, and a descendant of one of the early families of Virginia. In 1811, at the age of nineteen, he emigrated with his fatlier's family from Tennessee to Indiana Territory, and settled in Franklin County, near Brookville. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and served in the ranks with the late Judge Isaac Blackford, who was then a rising young lawyer of Brookville. He was first married in Franklin County, and afterward lived in Fayette, where he resided until January, 1821, when he removed with his family to the then lately erected county of Rush, and settled on a tract of land he had purchased from the Government near the present site of Rushville before that town was located. While living here,, there being no county seat established, the records show the second term of Rush Circuit Court was held at his house. He was the first justice of the peace and second settler in Rushville, and acted a prominent part in the early development of that county. By trade a bricklayer and brickmaker, he assisted in that capacity in the erection of the first court-houses in the counties of Franklin, Fayette and Rush. He was the first school commissioner of Rush County, and while he held that office sold all the school lands in that county, and converted their proceeds into the commorl school funds, as then provided by law. In 1831 he removed to Boone County, and was the first appraiser of the taxable property of that county, preparatory to the taking effect of the eid valorem, system of taxation. He was subsequently elected associate judge of that county, which office he held until he removed in April, 1836, to Clinton County. At the annual election in August, 1850, he was chosen a delegate to the ensuing constitutional convention from the counties of Clinton and Tipton, notwithstanding he was in , affiliation with the political party in the minority in his district. This was the last office he ever held or sought, and it may be fairly said that he fulfilled the duties of all the offices with which he was intrusted with fidelity and efficiency. His early education was such as was attainable in the common schools of his day, which, however, he afterward improved by subsequent study, reading' and observation. His political affiliations were with the Whig party until its dissolution, when he united with the Republican party, and continued to act with that party the remainder of his life. He was twice married, and was the father of a large famil}' of children, thirteen of whom still survive, with numerous other descendants in different counties in Indiana and other States. And he had six sons and four grandsons in the National army during the war of the Rebellion. For many years he was a zealous opponent of the use of intoxicating beverages, and took an active interest in the advancement of the temperance reformation. He never attained wealth, but was always recognized as an influential, upright and useful citizen.

William Scott Sims, Superintendent of Schools of Clinton County, resident at Frankfort, was born in the township of Warren, in the county in which he is living (1886). The date of his birth was January 19, 1855, and he was reared to the profession of a farmer by his father, Lewis Sims. His mother, Mrs. Courtney (Scott) Sims, was of Scotch ancestry, as was his father. They were pioneers of Clinton County and natives of Indiana. The son obtained a good common-school education and attended the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, three terms. Later, he went to Crawfordsville, Indiana, to become a student at the Wabash College. In 1872 he began to teach school in Clinton County, and was engaged in that occupation in his native township for three years. He operated nine years in the same capacity in Madison Township, acting as principal in the graded schools of Mulberry during six years of that time. In June, 1885, he was chosen superintendent of the schools of Clinton County by the trustees of the various townships, to serve a term of two years. He is an adherent of the Republican party. His union in marriage with Miss Emma Kyger took place May 20, 1880. Mrs. Sims is the daughter of James and Mary (Smith) Kyger. Her father is a native of Ohio, and her mother of Pennsylvania. Both are of German descent. The daughter had been a successful teacher in Center Township in Clinton County several years previous to her marriage.

Charles Sipe. - The name of this gentleman is one that will be on permanent record as one of the pioneer spirits of Clinton County, where he located in 1835. Mr. Sipe was born May 6, 1811, in the vicinity of Xenia, Ohio. He is of German extraction, his parents, William and Julia Ann (Richards) Sipe, being descended from that nationality and natives of Pennsylvania. His mother died when he was three months old and he was taken by his father to Greenville, Ohio, where he was reared. His father being a potter by calling he was brought up to a knowledge of the same craft and followed it as an occupation until he was twenty years of age. In 1831 he came to Indiana and obtained employment as a wood-chopper, clearing land in the vicinity of Logansport, and remaining in that locality until 1835, when he came to Clinton County. At that date settlers were scarce and Indians plenty. His first point of location was at what is now Rossville. He had picked up a sufficient knowledge of the trade of a carpenter to make it profitable for him to engage in that occupation, where he settled, and he worked as such until 1837, when he came to Frankfort. He readily obtained employment there, and among the early buildings still in existence are many that are his work. He found his skill in demand in other parts of the county and has been continuously engaged in carpenter work ever since he has lived in Clinton County. He is a Democrat in political fnith and cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson. Mr. Sipe was married to Miss Mary Venard,of Greenville, Ohio, on Christmas da}', 1834. Their marriage occurred at Logansport. Four of their children are living. Tliey are - Mrs. Matilda Catherine Swanky, of Crawfordsville, Indiana ; Mrs. Belle Kodhers, of Frankfort ; Charles, a resident at Frankfort, and Mrs. Amanda Laverty, of Hulstead, Kansas. Eight of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Sipe have passed before them to the land of silent mystery. Three died in infancy. William Jackson died October 22, 1831:, aged about seven years. Margaret Ann died September 10, 181:3, at ten months. Louisa Jane died June 17, 1848, when a little more than two years of age. Mary Eliza died March 11, 1857, when about nine years old. Mrs. Clarissa Chrisman, wife of Levi Chrisman, died May 5,1865. Her husband was a soldier in the Union army and died a short time before her demise, at Grand Junction, Tennessee. Mrs. Sipe was born October 22, 1817, near Miamisburg, on the Miami River.

Her parents were Francis and Rachel Venard, and they located in Indiana when she was seven years old, in 1824. They settled near Winchester, Randolph County. She went to Greenville when fourteen and remained there until she was eighteen, when she went to Logansport and remained there until the time of her marriage. She and her husband are members of the Methodist church, with which she has been connected over thirty years. Mr. Sipe is the owner of valuable real estate at Frankfort.

George Adam Smith, senior member of the grocery and provision house of Smith, Coulter & Co., at Frankfort, has been a resident of Clinton County since the second year of his life. He is thei-efore identiiied with the county and city in the same manner as their native-born citizens. He was born in Oxford, Ohio, December 9, 1833. He is the son of Jeremiah G. and Jane (Parker) Smith, who removed to Clinton County two years after his birth. The family settled in Frankfort, where he was brought up. At the age of fifteen he entered the employ of a druggist and was engaged in the duties of that position for four years. In 1853 he went to California, where he was occupied in the county of Tuolumne as a miner until the latter part of the year 1855, when he returned to Frankfort. In the spring of the year following he went to Kansas, where he pre-empted land, of which he disposed by sale in 1857. He was an observer of the diificulties of the troublesome times which have made the State and that period of the history of the country prominent, and was himself involved in them. He gave up the purpose of finding a home anywhere else and returned thence to Frankfort for the second time to make a permanent settlement. He caught the infection of the gold excitement oif Pike's Peak in 1859. To use his own expression, whose force he comprehends to the fullest degree, he there " dropped his wealth." After accomplishing that feat, if no other, he returned to Frankfort. He devoted his attention to the business of a farm assistant, in which he was occupied until 1865. In that year he established his present business enterprise. He has been associated at several different times with various individuals, the acting firm being organized in July, 1885. He is also operating in the connections of a milling business at Rossville, having formed a co-partnership with Messrs. Kreesher, of that place, the firm style being Kreesher & Smith. Mr. Smith is a Republican in political principle and has filled the position of trustee of Frankfort several terms. He was a member of the first City Council. November 18, 1857, he was married to

Miss Elizabeth T. Kelly. Mrs. Smith is the dauojhter of John R. and Nancy (Furguson) Kelly. They were pioneers of this county, where they located in 1828. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four children. They are named - Charles R., who is his father's assistant ; Mrs. Fanny N. White, of Frankfort ; Jolm E., a resident of Arkansas City, Kansas, and Walter W., a pupil in the public school at Frankfort. Mr. Smith is connected in membership with Clinton Lodge, No. 54, A. F. & A. M., and of Dakota Tribe, No. 42, I. O. E. M.

Maek Clinton Smith, liveryman at Frankfort, was born in that city, April 5, 1844. He is the son of Jeremiah G. and Jane (Parker) Smith, of whom a sketch appears elswhere in this volume. Mr. Smith was brought up and educated in Frankfort until the age of fifteen years, when he went to Waynesville, Ohio, and entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the trade of saddle and harness making. He made his craft his business for a period of eight years and operated as a journeyman, working at various places in different States. He passed some time each in Chicago, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and St. Louis. During the period mentioned he was employed in the Government shops at Quincy, St. Louis and Cincinnati. In 1866 he returned to his native place, where he was associated for some time with his brother George in the sale of groceries. Their affairs were managed under the name of G. A. Smith & Bro., and they operated together in that traffic and in the sale of boots and shoes until the year 1880. In that year they commenced operations as liverymen. His brother retired from his relations in that branch of business in 1883, and since that date he has been in sole proprietorship. Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Angeline Fulkerson, June 17, 1867, at Frankfort. She died in that city December 2, 1885. She was the mother of three children. Jennie, the eldest, died December 1, 1874, aged six years. Bert and Euby survive. Mr. Smith is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is connected with Dakota Tribe, No. 42, I. O. R. M., in which latter he has passed two terms in the capacity of presiding officer of the State. He has also represented the organization in the grand council of the United States two years.

Thomas Jefferson Smith, manager of the cloak and carpet departments in the mercantile establishment of J. H. Paris, Frankfort, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 30, 1844, a son of George and Eva (Ward) Smith, who were both natives of Virginia and of Scotch ancestry. In 1853 our subject came with his father to Clinton County, his mother being deceased, who settled in Center Township. He remained with his father till seventeen years of age, when, July 3, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company E, Twentieth Indiana Infantry to serve three years. In December, 1863, he re-enlisted as a veteran in the same company and was mustered out at Jeffersonville, Indiana, July 30, 1865, having served his country over four years. He was promoted from the ranks to Sergeant, and was subsequently made Adjutant of his regiment. He was wounded in battle three times, first at Chancellorsville where he was struck in the breast by a minie-ball, then at North Ann Eiver in the side by a piece of shell, and at Petersburg he was wounded in the right leg by a minie-ball, and was away from his regiment but three weeks while he was in the regimental hospital. He participated with his regiment in the engagements at Yorktown, "Williamsburg, the seven days' fight in front of Eichmond under GeneVal McClellan, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Eun, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Culpeper Oourt- House, Gettysburg, Battle of the "Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Appomattox, besides many others of minor importance. After his discharge from the army he returned to Clinton County, and following ten years clerked in mercantile establishments, remaining two years with one firm and eight years with another. He has been twice married, his first wife, whom he married at Frankfort, in March, 1866, dying in January, 1867. For his second wife he married at Frankfort, October 22, 1871, Miss Agnes Morrison, daughter of the late John and Jane (Skidnon) Morrison, of Frankfort. To this union have been born three - children - Guy D., Clara M. and Max. In 1875 Mr. Smith began dealing in lumber with "W. J. E. Morris, under the firm name of W. J. E. Morris & Co. In 1876 he retired from the firm, after which he clerked in the store of J. H. Paris for one year, when he accepted the position of deputy clerk of Clinton County, serving as such for eighteen months. He then clerked in the clothing store of S. A. Hoover over four years, when, in 1885, he accepted his present position in the store of J. H. Paris. In politics Mr. Smith is a Democrat. In 1878 he was elected coroner of Clinton County, and on the death of the sherifl", "W. A. Brandon, he acted as sheriff a short time by virtue of his office. In 1880 he became manager of the old city hall of Frankfort, which he conducted successfully for three years, and on the completion of the Coulter

Citt Of Feankfoet. 58 Sj

Opera House, in 1883, be became its lessee and manager, and has made it a financial success. Mr.Smitb is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the thirty-second degree. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows and Ked Men, and has passed all the chairs in both orders, and in the latter has twice held the office of chief of recorders of the Grand Council of the State of Indiana. He is a comrade of Stone River Post, No. 65, G. A. E. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.