Delaware County, Indiana - The whole text, 1908 (part 8 of 15)

direction of Dr. John A. Windle, of Blountsville. He continued his reading with him for eighteen months and completed his preparatory course with Dr. D. N. Kendall, of the same place, while subsequently he passed one term in the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. He began his practice at Economy, Wayne county, in 1867, at which place he remained one year, returning thence to Blountsville, where he practiced his profession until 1873. Ill ^^^ y^2ir h^ located in Granville, Delaware county, Indiana, and in 1884 came to Eaton, where he continued in active practice until failing health in 1892 caused him to retire from practice, but in 1889 he engaged in the drug business with J. M. Motsenbocker.

Near Blountsville, Delaware county, Indiana, December 24, 1870, Dr. Murray married Miss Viretta Jordan, of Delaware county, where she was born on the 30th of January, 1849, ^ daughter of William A. and America (Davidson) Jordan, of Irish and English descent, and both natives of Indiana. The father now resides near Blountsville, where he was well and prominently known as an agriculturist, but since 1897 he has lived retired. He is a Republican in his political affiliations and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Jordan died at the age of fortyone years, in 1872. In their family were twelve children, nine of whom are now living: Viretta, F. M., Mary C, Josephine, Seward W., John R., Carrie, William and Volney. Three children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Murray: Bertha, the wife of C. K. Van Buskirk; Goldie and Cora, deceased. The Republican party received the Doctor's active support and cooperation, and he took an active interest in the public affairs of Delaware county, which numbered him among her representative citizens. Straightforward in all his business dealings, loyal to his duties of citizenship, he commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow men, and by his death the community lost one of its valued citizens. He was accidentally killed on the 7th of June, 1906. He had been visiting his farm just south of Shideler and on returning started to walk down the tracks of the Hartford City Traction Company, but he was overtaken by a car and killed. Few men were so well or so favorably known in the county as was Dr. Murray, and for many years he was one of the foremost physicians in this section

Henry Witamyer. For many years Mr. Henry Witamyer lias been an honored resident of Delaware county, Indiana. His probity, fidelity and sterling worth have won him the unqualified confidence of his fellow citizens, and now in the evening of his life his pathway is brightened by the veneration and respect which ever follow an upright career. He was bom in Richland county, Ohio, May 14, 1833, a son of John and Elizabeth (Beachley) Witamyer, both of whom had their nativity in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The father's death occurred in Richland county, Ohio, at the remarkable age of nearly one hundred and one years, and the mother was eighty-one when called to the home beyond. They became the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom are yet living, namely: Emanuel, Abraham, Mary, Henry, Harriett, Sarah, Isaac, Amanda, Eliza Jane, Rodema and Mahala. Mr. Witamyer, the father, was numbered among the honored pioneer residents of Richland county, Ohio, where he took up his abode in a very early day, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was a well known agriculturist, a Jackson Democrat in his political affiliations, and a member of the Baptist church.

In November, 1851, Henry Witamyer, whose name introduces this review, came to Indiana and located in Wabash county. He was a carpenter by trade, and he continued his residence in that county until in September, 1857, when he removed to Union township, Delaware county, and purchased him a home with ten acres west of Eaton and resumed the work of his trade. Not long afterward, however, he sold that place and moved to Hamilton township, where he purchased a farm and lived for some lime, going thence to Muncie and entering the contracting and building business. He was thus employed for four or five years and during that time erected the city mills and many other large and important buildings. Purchasing him a farm near Shideler, he remained there until 1872, when he sold and bought a farm in Union township, near Eaton, but in July, 1896, he again sold and purchased another place near Eaton, which he now rents. In October, 1906, he purchased a home in Eaton, and in February, 1907, took up his abode therein, where he is now living in quiet retirement, enjoying the comforts and luxuries which his former years of labor have brought him.

On the 7th of September, 1857, in Wabash county, Indiana, Mr. Witamyer was married to Miss Nancy Younce, who was bom in Miami county, Ohio, July 28, 1838, the daughter of Joseph and Amy (Fife) Younce, the former of whom died in Indiana at the age of sixty-six years, and the latter in 1838, when her daughter Nancy was but a babe. They had become the parents of five children, but only two are now living - Margaret and Nancy. For his second wife Mr. Younce chose Mrs. Lydia Thayer, and of their three children two are living - ^Joseph and Minerva. Mr. Younce came to Indiana in 1857, locating in Union township, Delaware county, where he became a well known farmer and there spent the remainder of his I^^fe. His political views were in accordance with the Whig principles, and he was a member of the German Baptist church. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Witamyer, but only three survive: William E., who married Ella Lucas; Ada L., the wife of Frank Wood; and Rella L., who became the wife of Ross Thompson. They also have seven

John E. Smith. This well known agriculturist and honored citizen of Delaware county has throughout his active business life been prominently identified with the farming interests of this community. He was bom in Miami county, Ohio, January 28, 1869, a son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Rairigh) Smith, the former of whom was bom in Pennsylvania April 18, 1832, and the latter in Bradford, Ohio. They were married in Q)vington, Miami county, Ohio, and their union was blessed by the birth of one son, John E., whose name introduces this review. The father followed blacksmithing as an occupation until 1869, when he became identified with agricultural pursuits, and in 1875 he located two miles southwest of Covington, Ohio, which continued as his home until 1885. It was in that year that he came to Delaware county, Indiana, establishing his home in Union township, where he purchased a farm and spent the remainder of his life, passing to the home beyond on the 21st of April, 1903. His wife preceded him in death, passing away November 15, 1899, at the age of fifty-nine years. He gave his political support to the Republican party, and was a member of the German Baptist church.

The boyhood days of John E. Smith were spent on his father's farm, where he assisted in its work during the summer months and attended school in the winters. After his marriage he began farming for himself on the one hundred and thirty-six acres which form his present estate, and on which in 1903 he erected a pleasant and commodious residence, while three years later, in 1906, he doubled the size of his barn, making it one of the largest and best structures of its kind in the community. His land is fertile and under an excellent state of cultivation, and is adorned with many substantial and valuable improvements, all of which stand as monuments to his industry and ability.

The marriage of Mr. Smith was celebrated on the 13th of September, 1890, when Mattie Sala became his wife. She was born in Henry county, Indiana, October 4, 1868, the daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Good) Sala, the father a native of Miami county, Ohio, and the mother of Henry county, Indiana. She was born on the 5th of December, 1840, and is now living in Hartford City, Indiana. The father spent his early life as a farmer's son in Ohio and finally became a minister of the German Baptist church. When a young man he came to Randolph county, Indiana, and during his life he labored in many churches, his death occurring in Blackford county, Indiana, on the 8th of July, 1895, when he had reached the sixty-second milestone on life's joumey. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sala five are now living, namely: William, who married Mrs. Sarah Underwood and is living in Wells county, Indiana; Mattie, who became the wife of Mr. Smith; Montana, the wife of Ananias Hinecker, of Grant county, this state; John B., who married Maggie Sherrette, and also resides in Wells county ; and Maggie, the wife of Charles Studebaker, who IS living near Keystone, Indiana. Mr. Sala gave his political support to the Republican party. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith: Freadus, Lois, Ruth, Eunice, Dorothy and Dalton. Mr. Smith upholds the principles of the Republican party, and he and his wife are valued members of the German Baptist church in Union twonship. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one of the old clocks, which is almost a century old and belonged to Mr. Smith's grandfather, Jacob Rairigh. Mr. Smith's father was a soldier in the Civil war, a member of Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-second Pennsylvania Militia, and he was a corporal when discharged. Mr. Smith has an old tent, mess spoon, fork and knife he used in camp.

Albert W. Evans is a well known agriculturist of Delaware county, whose skill and ability in his chosen calling are plainly manifest in the well tilled fields and splendid appearance of his place. He was bom in Guernsey county, Ohio, January 20, 1869, a son of John and Sarah (Rice) Evans. The father, a native of Ohio, was identified with the educational and farming interests of that state until his removal to Indiana in 1864, where he conducted a store in Hendricks county. He returned to his Ohio home in 1870, but came again to Hendricks county, Indiana, where he was engaged in teaching school until 1880, and in the fall of 1881 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Delaware county, spending the remainder of his life here and dying in 1901, at the age of seventy-four years. He was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Evans passed away in death at the early age of twenty-five years, after becoming the mother of three children : Lydia, who died at the age of six years ; Albert W., the subject of this review ; and the youngest child died in infancy.

When nineteen years of age Mr. Albert W. Evans entered the profession of teaching, being a member of the faculty of the normal school of Eaton for two years, where he taught mathematics, and during one year he taught in Union township. Soon after his marriage he began farming on the old homestead, and in 1894 he purchased a part of the old DeLong farm, while in 1900 he became the owner of a tract of eighty acres on the north of the homestead, and at the present time he is farming about four hundred acres of rich and fertile land. He is also one of the leading men in Delaware county in breeding Poland-China hogs, of which he has a sale once a year, and he also breeds Plymouth Rock chickens, of which he is one of the largest breeders in the county. In 1892 he erected the was born in Union township March 9, 1874, the daughter of Joseph G. and Mary A. (Karn) DeLong. The father spent his entire business career as a farmer, and his busy and useful life was ended in death at the age of forty years. He was a native son of Union township and was a member of the German Baptist church. Mrs. DeLong is still living and a resident of this township. In their family were two children, Harriet and Birdie, but the last named died in infancy. One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Evans, Gladys Columbia, whose birth occurred on the 22d of June, 1902. Mr. Evans gives his political support to the Republican party, and he is a worthy and leading member of the Maple Grove Brethren church, in which he is serving as secretary.

Henry Smith has been identified with the agricultural interests of Delaware county during a long period, and while promoting the material welfare of the community he has also given an active and liberal support to those measures which tend to advance its intellectual and moral status. He is of German descent, for his paternal grandfather, Henry Smith, was bom in the fatherland, from whence on a sailing vessel he emigrated to the United States and took up his abode in North Carolina. He lived there but a short time, however, and then removed to Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer, and he was numbered among the honored pioneers of that commonwealth. He also had the distinction of serving as a minute man during the Revolutionary war. His son and the father of our subject, David Smith, was bom in Miami county, Ohio, April II, 181 1, and in 1842 he came to Delaware county, Indiana, and purchased eighty acres of timber land in section 8, Union township. This locality at that time was a wilderness, and he cut the timber and built him a log house, later performing the arduous labor of clearing his land from its growth of timber, while in i860 his little log cabin gave place to a modem and commodious residence. At the time of his arrival here there were no roads in the county, only the Indian trails, and he assisted in cutting the road through to his farm, and was numbered among the honored early pioneers of Delaware county.

In his early life Mr. Smith married Catherine Roderick, who was bom on the 17th of May, 1814, a daughter of John Roderick, who was bom in Maryland of German ancestry. When quite young he removed to Virginia, and a short time afterward to Pennsylvania, from whence he joumeyed to Ohio. Spending a short time in that state, he came to Indiana in 1846 and established his home in Union township, Delaware county, where he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer. Eight children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but only two are now living. Jonathan, the eldest child, lies buried in Union cemetery, while Nancy, Elizabeth and Sarah J. sleep beside their parents in the Roderick cemetery, and John and an infant child were buried in Miami county, Ohio. Mary A., the widow of John R. Lambert, resides in section 10, Union township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith spent the remainder of their lives in Union township, Delaware county, Indiana, where the father died on the 27th of March, 1874, and the mother on the 23d of November, 1904, and both lie buried in the Roderick burying ground on the old Roderick homestead in Union township, on the banks of the Mississinewa river. The father was a Jackson Democrat in his political affiliations, and was a member of the German Baptist or Dunkard church.

Henry Smith, their fifth child in order of birth, was bom in Miami county, Ohio, December 3, 1839, but his educational training was received in Delaware county, Indiana, where during his boyhood days he also worked on the old home farm, working in the fields during the summer months and attending school during the winters. In 1863, by stage and rail, he made the journey to St. Joseph, Missouri, from where he started on the overland trip to Central City, Colorado, thirty-six days being spent en route, and there he was engaged in mining for about six weeks. Returning to Denver, he secured an outfit and spent forty-seven days in an overland journey to Virginia City, Idaho, which was a very rich mining country at that time, and there he spent the following three years. At the close of that period Mr. Smith resumed the overland journey to Fort Benton, down the Missouri river about twenty-three hundred miles to St. Joseph, Missouri, which consumed a period of three weeks, and thence by rail to his old home in Delaware county. Purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of timber land in Union township, he erected a little log cabin and began the hard and laborious work of clearing his land, while in 1881 his little cabin home was succeeded by a pleasant and commodious dwelling, and this valuable homestead is now known as Shadyside Farm. With the passing years Mr. Smith has added to his land until he now owns over four hundred acres, all of which is under an excellent state of cultivation, and he is extensively engaged in general farming and stock raising, dealing principally in Oxford sheep and the standard bred cattle and horses. He was also one of the organizers of the Farmers' State Bank at Eaton, in which he is a director and also a stockholder.

The marriage of Mr. Smith was celebrated on the 22d of April, 1869, when Miss Lucinda Hedrick became his wife. She was bom in Madison county, Indiana, November 24, 1850, the daughter of Daniel and Annie (Thomas) Hedrick, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Miami county, Ohio. The father was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Maryland until his removal to Madison county, Indiana, in the '40s, married Minnie Pierce and resides in Union township; Dora, the wife of Roland Landis, also of Union township; Stella, the wife of William A. Strong, an agriculturist of this township; and Carlton, at home. Mr. Smith is independent in his political affiliations, reserving his right to vote for the men whom he regards as best qualified for public positions, and during one term he served as the township trustee. His life has been spent principally in Delaware county, and he is well known among its residents and is held in uniform regard.

Alfred Miller, one of the pioneer agriculturists of Delaware county, has long been recognized as one of her best and leading citizens, while his straightforward, manly course through Hfe may well setve as an example to the young. He was born in Brown county, Ohio, January i6, 1820, a son of James and Sarah (Shery) Miller, the former of whom was born near Lexington, Kentucky, and the latter in Brown county, Ohio. In a very early day Mr. James Miller located in Ohio, and in 1819 he removed to Ripley county, Indiana, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of timber land and built a little log cabin in the wilderness. Later this rude structure gave place to a hewed log house and barn, but after a time he left that place and came to Delaware county, where he purchased eighty acres of John W. Studebaker in Union township, cleared the land of its dense growth of timber and spent the remainder of his Hfe there, dying at the age of seventy-three years. His wife was eighty years of age when she was summoned to the home beyond. They were married in Brown county, Ohio, and became the parents of nine children, of whom only three are now living: Alfred, whose name introduces this review; Mary Ann, the widow of William Brinson, and a resident of Switzerland county, Indiana; and Sarah, the widow of John Rarick, and a resident of Union township.

Mr. Alfred Miller was but a little babe two months old at the time of his parents' removal to Ripley county, Indiana, and during his young manhood he worked in Kentucky, near Rising Sun, cutting cordwood, which he hauled to the river and loaded on his flat boats preparatory to selling to the steamers running up and down the river. He thus continued until 1838, when he purchased of David Chery forty acres of land in Union township, Delaware county, paying one hundred dollars for the timber tract. Building a little log cabin, he brought his bride to the new home, but after clearing fourteen acres of the land he traded with Robert Buckels for eighty acres of timber land. The little log cabin which he there built was in time replaced by a groat house, which continued as his residence until he erected the house in which he now lives. He is the oldest resident of the township, both in point of years and length of residence, and during a long period he has served as its trustee. He has also settled as many as twenty-six estates, has been guardian for forty-three children, and the largest bond he has ever given was for forty thou^nd dollars. In the early days he cast his ballot in favor of Whig principles and since the formation of the Republican party he has been a member of its ranks, taking a prominent and active part in the public affairs of his community.

On the 9th of April, 1839, Mr. Miller married Sophronia Yates, a native of Miami county, Ohio, and a daughter of Jonathan and Polly (Frazy) Yates, in whose family were six daughters and one son. Of the nine children born to this union five are now living: Becky, Mary E., John, who is living in Michigan; Jonathan, a resident of Muncie, and Joseph, who makes his home in Dakota. After the death of the wife and mother Mr. Miller married Mrs. George W. Jacobs, the wedding having been celebrated April 10, 1877. She was born March 2, 1842, at McKeesport, Pennsylvania, but was reared in Allegany county, Maryland. She bore the maiden name of Annie Wilhelm, and was first married to George W. Jacobs at Grafton, West Virginia. He was born at Morgantown, that state, was engaged in railroad work, and his death occurred at Muncie. Of the seven children born to them six are now living: Idonia, May, Dorothy, Elizabeth, Myrtle, Frank and Oteretta. Mr. Jacobs served for four years in the Civil war, enlisting on the 7th of August, 1861, in the First Regiment, West Virginia Light Artillery, and was discharged on the 14th of September, 1864. Mrs. Miller saw the body of John Brown after it had been hung at Harper's Ferry, and also saw his colored troops pass through Newburg, West Virginia. Mr. Jacobs gave his political support to the Republican party, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Miller has given a stanch and unfaltering support to the Republican party, and prior to its formation he was identified with the Whigs. He has crossed the Missouri river fourteen times into Nebraska, has never used tobacco, or whisky as a drink, and during his long and useful career he has been identified with many of the interests that have contributed to the substantial development and improvement of Delaware county. His probity, fidelity and sterling worth have won him the unqualified confidence of his fellow citizens, and now in the evening of life his pathway is brightened by the respect and veneration which ever follow an upright career.

Liberty Ginn. Since he came to Delaware county over seventy-five years ago Mr. Liberty Ginn has been a witness of very important changes in this vicinity, and his reminiscences of the early days here are most interesting and entertaining to a listener. He was bom in Morgan county.

six weeks on the ocean and experiencing a stormy passage. Landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he purchased a small farm near Pittsburg, that state, but after seven years he sold the place and removed to Morgan county, Ohio. There he also purchased a farm and spent six years engaged in agricultural pursuits, on the expiration of which period, in 1830, he ag^in sold and came to Indiana, locating in what is now Union township, Delaware county, although at that time that particular division had not been organized and the county was a comparative wilderness. He was obliged to clear a space from the dense timber to erect his little log cabin, which in time gave place to a more modern and commodious residence, and there he spent the remainder of his life and died at the age of fifty-seven years on the 29th of October, 1841. His wife survived to the age of seventyone years, also dying in Union township. Mr. Ginn gave his political support to the Whig party, and he was also a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Liberty Ginn, whose name introduces this review, was a Httle lad of seven years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Delaware county, where he attended the district schools during the winter months and in the summers assisted his father in clearing the farm and placing it under cultivation. At that time the Indians still roamed at will over this section of the state, as did also the deer, and many a one he has killed during his boyhood days. When he had reached the age of seventeen years he engaged in farming for himself, but he continued to care for his widowed mother until she joined her husband in the home beyond. He is now the owner of eight hundred and fifty-four acres of land, six hundred and seventy of which lie in Union township and the remainder in Washington township, and in addition to his general agricultural pursuits he was also extensively engaged in the raising of cattle and hogs. Mr. Ginn and Mr. Jesse Nixon were the first to deal in stock in this section of the state, they having begun in 1874 to buy and ship cattle and hogs, and continued the business during the long period of twenty-two years. In 1904 Mr. Ginn rented his farm and has since been living in quiet retirement, this having been made necessary by an accident which he received from a runaway horse in Eaton.

In January, 1845, Mr. Ginn was united in marriage to Martha Ann Martin, who was born in Miami county, Ohio, and they became the parents of five children, but only two are now living - Susan and Mary. Mrs. Ginn was the daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Wilson) Martin, both natives of Pennsylvania, and in their family were nine children. From Ohio the father came to Delaware county, Indiana, in 1829, securing government land in Niles township, and he was numbered among the early pioneers of the community. He first erected a little log cabin and at once began the arduous task of clearing and cultivating his farm, continuing his labors there as an agriculturist until his busy and useful life was ended in death. He was a member of the Baptist church, and was a Whig in his political views. On the 14th of July, 1862, at the age of thirty-five years, three months and one day, Mrs. Ginn was called to the home beyond, and for his second wife Mr. Ginn chose Sarah Long, their wedding having been celebrated in 1884. Two children blessed their union, DoUie and William, and Mr. Ginn also has two grandchildren. He upholds the principles of the Republican party, and for eight years he served as a justice of the peace, while for a similar period he was also county commissioner, he having been first appointed to that office for one year and was then elected for two terms. He is a man of genial temperament and genuine worth, and is respected and esteemed in all circles.

WiLUAM Crow. Among the best citizens of Delaware county, esteemed alike for his sterling worth of character and his activity in the business world, is Mr. William Crow, a worthy representative of one of its earUest pioneer families. In a very early day in its history the family home was established in Noble county, Ohio, Michael Crow, the grandfather of the subject of this review, having been but three weeks old when they settled there. When he was a little lad of four or five years he was left alone in a deserted cabin in the depths of a dark forest while his two brothers with a company of men were in search of savage Indians who had murdered a man near their home. At night the little fellow would raise a puncheon of the floor, wrap himself in a blanket, and creeping under, manage to replace the puncheon. He thus felt secure from the wolves, and if the Indians found his hiding place he could crawl out and run away. During the day he would go to a moss-covered rock and quietly lie there watching for friends or foe. One of the most terrible murders ever perpetrated in that vicinity occurred in this family. Four of Michael Crow's sisters. Elizabeth. Susanna, Christina and Katherine, from ten to sixteen years of age, set out for pleasure, intending to visit the family of a friend. While amusing themselves looking at the beauties of nature, a heartless man by the name of Spicer, whom the Indians had captured and raised, and two hideous savages emerged from behind a large flat rock, which still stands some fifty feet from the banks of Wheeling creek. They led the captives hurriedly up the hillside a distance of six hundred yards to a secluded ravine. After making inquiries in regard to the location of the settlement, one of the Indians took a hand of each of two of the girls in one of his and with uplifted tomahawk prepared to deal the death blow. Christina, the youngest, had formed a resolution to make a break for liberty at the first opportunity. Suddenly she gave a jerk and releasing herself from his grasp ran down the hillside. The Indian pursued, and when in reach he struck her with the muzzle of his gun. Thinking he had disabled her, he returned to aid in the bloody work. Looking back, Christina saw the Indian's retreating form, and speeding away with marvelous speed escaped to tell the awful story. The next morning a company repaired to the place of death. There lay two of the girls, literally butchered, but the third sister.

Katherine, was not there. Traced by stains of blood, she was soon found near the creek, where she had crept for water. Reviving somewhat, she related what she remembered of the terrible affair, and after three days of terrible agony the gentle spirit took its flight. A grave was prepared and lined with puncheons, and in this rude casket the three sisters were laid side by side. When John, another child and favorite son, had been cruelly murdered by the red men, the home of Jacob Crow, the father of Michael, was truly a house of mourning.

William Crow, whose name introduces this review, was born in Washington township, Delaware county, Indiana, near Wheeling, October 25, 1841, a son of John and Nancy (Johnson) Crow, the former a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, born January 15, 1813, and the latter of Guernsey county, Ohio, bom January 31, 1817. They were married in the latter county on the ist of September, 1836, and became the parents of ten children, four of whom are now living : William, of this review ; Mary A., the widow of W. C. Braddock, of Muncie; John, a resident of California ; and Jane, the wife of Frederick Wilhelm, of Grant county, Indiana. The father came to Delaware county the year following his marriage, in 1837, purchasing of Mr. Johnson one hundred and sixty acres of wild timber land near Wheeling, while later he bought a tract of four hundred and eighty acres and still later a tract of eighty acres. Delaware county at the time of his arrival was a wilderness, and he was numbered among its earliest and most honored pioneers. Building a little log cabin on his land, it continued as the family home for a number of years, finally giving place to a large and attractive franae residence. Game was plentiful in those early days, and the wolves proved very troublesome by killing their smaller stock. Mr. Crow subsequently purchased a farm near Cumberland, where he spent the remainder of his life and died on the 19th of July, 1891, his wife having preceded him in death, for she passed away on the 9th of December, 1887. They had the privilege of celebrating their fiftieth anniversary with their children, friends and neighbors. She united with the Presbyterian church at the age of twenty years and lived a consistent Christian life for a half century. Her home was ever a place of family and secret prayer, a place where the minister of the Gospel was always welcome, and her suffering at the last, though protracted and severe, was endured with patience and resignation to the Master's will. Mr. Crow united with the Presbyterian church when quite young, and was one of the organizers of the church of his denomination in Elizabethtown, under the pastorate of Rev. Robert Irvin. He gave his political support to the Whig party.

During his boyhood days William Crow assisted his father in clearing the home farm and placing it under cultivation, and in the early days here he shot many a wild turkey. On the nth of August, 1862, he enlisted at Muncie for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company B, Eighty- fourth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Going to Richmond, Indiana, they drilled for some time, and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr.

Crow was with his regiment in all its battles and skirmishes except that of Chickamauga, when he was ill. He participated in the following engagements: Buzzard's Roost, Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, Pumpkinvine creek, Pine mountain, Kenesaw mountain, Neal Dow church. Peach Tree creek, in front of Atlanta, Sholes creek, Lovejoy Station, Franklin and Nashville. Thus with a long, arduous and faithful military record he was discharged from the service on the 25th of June, 1865, at Camp Harker, Nashville, Tennessee. Returning thence to his home in Union townhsip, Delaware county, he started to make him a home in the wilderness, first building a log cabin and clearing the timber from the land. With the passing years his fields were placed under an excellent state of cultivation, and in 1897 he erected a pleasant and commodious residence, where he is now living retired from the active work of the farm, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He is a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank at Eaton, Indiana, and on his farm is a gas well which furnishes fuel and light for his home.

On the 25th of January, 1868, Mr. Crow was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Beath, who was bom in Blackford county, Indiana, January 25, 1846, a daughter of John and Annie (Christian) Beath, early pioneers of Delaware county. Five children were born to bless this union, of whom three are now living, George M., Harris L. and Carrie C. In 1869 Mrs. Crow united with the Presbyterian church of New Cumberland, and led a most humble, earnest and sincere Christian life to the time of her death, which occurred on the 8th of July, 1876. She was a most exemplary neighbor, indulgent mother, loving and devoted wife, striving to fulfill all her duties to the best of her ability. Her funeral services were conducted in the beautiful grove in the front of her residence. It was an impressive sight to witness those funeral ceremonies in a beautiful grove not more than fifty yards from the door of her home, under the same trees where she had sat and held sweet communion with her husband in her bridal days, and where at subsequent periods she had witnessed with a mother's fondness her little ones at play. It was in this grove where her husband and children, friends and neighbors, took their last look and bid their last farewell to her, who was beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Crow married Mrs. Martha Carmon, nee Geyer, April 4, 1877. She was born in Union township, Delaware county, September 8, 1851, the daughter of Abel and Sarah (Flummer) Geyer, early settlers of this locality. They departed this life when their daughter Martha was married. Mr. Crow is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations, and he is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has given his aid in many ways to the upbuilding and through many years he has been an important factor in its financial interests. His birth occurred in Toune, Switzerland, January 20, 1861, a son of Abraham and Anna (Streit) Baur. They were born and married in that country, and became the parents of seven sons and two daughters, of whom Emil was the fifth child in order of birth. Mr. Baur, the father, was engaged in business in the city of Berne, Switzerland, and he also graduated in law from the University of Berne. Coming to this country in 1872, he located in Toledo, Ohio, where his death occurred at the age of fiftyfour years, and there his widow yet resides.

Mr. Emil Baur was twelve years of age when with his parents he left his native land of Switzerland for the United States, and the educational training, which he had there begun, was completed in the city of Toledo. He there also became interested in the manufacture of window glass, and in 1891 he removed to Dunkirk, Indiana, where he became secretary and treasurer of the Gem Window Glass Company, and continued his residence in that city for two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Eaton, Delaware county, and took charge of the Eaton Window Glass Company, the business of which at that time had become greatly depreciated, but under his successful management it soon rose to its former high standard, and he continued in charge for about three years. In company with Joel Hamilton, Mr. Baur then organized the Eaton Manufacturing Company, taking in the old Fort Manufacturing Company, and later Mr. Baur purchased his partner's interest and continued the business alone under the name of the Baur Window Glass Factory, for about eight years, in the meantime organizing the Standard Wash Board Company, the business of which had formerly been operated by the McCormick Brothers as a stock company. Mr. Baur became president and treasurer of the organization, and furnished the means with which to build up the business. He erected a thirty-blower furnace and tank house, the latter having been purchased from ex-Governor Foster of Ohio, and moved from Fostoria, that state, to Eaton, and this was one of the very few houses of its kind in this country at that time. Mr. Baur is also interested in the hardware business in Toledo, Ohio, and has an interest in a glass plant at Morgantown, West Virginia. His energetic nature, strong determination, sagacity and capable management have won him a leading place in the industrial interests of Delaware county, and his business methods have ever been in strict conformity with the ethics of commercial life. His political views are in accordance with the principles of the Republican party, and he has fraternal relations with the Knights of Pythias.

Peter R. Shaffer. Wheeling, Indiana, numbers Mr. Peter R. Shaffer among its well-known and honored residents. He was born in Miami county, Ohio, October 15, 1832, and in that county his father, John Shaffer, also had his nativity, bom on the same farm as his son, and there he ^ent the remainder of his life and died in 1890. He was a son of one of the early pioneers of Miami county, Samuel Shaffer, who was bom in Berks county.

Pennsylvania, of German parentage, and moved to Miami county, Ohio, at a very early day in the commonwealth's history. He burned the brick and gave them to the German Lutheran congregation for the erection of their church, and he also gave two acres of his land for church and burial purposes. He was the owner of four hundred and eighty acres, and he lived during the days of the log cabin epoch.

During a very early day his son, John Shaffer, came with others to Indiana and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land ten miles north of Bluffton, but he later returned to Ohio, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1890. He was a prominent man in Miami county, holding many of its leading offices, and was a member of the German Reformed church. He affiliated politically with the Whigs until the dissolution of the party in 1856, and afterward voted with the Republicans. Mrs. Shaffer bore the maiden name of Nancy Reed, and was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and in Miami county of that state she died in 1884. To this union were born four sons and two daughters, namely : Peter R., of this review ; David, who married Sallie Swain and is living on the old homestead in Miami county ; Isaac, who married Kate Kniseley and also resides in Miami county ; Martha, the widow of Aaron Kniseley, and a resident of Ohio ; and two who are deceased.

Peter R. Shaffer came to Indiana soon after the war, in 1866, first purchasing land in Washington township, Delaware county, but later located in Wheeling and began working at his trades of blacksmithing, carpentering and wagon-making, having thus continued up to the present time. He is a natural mechanic, and has achieved success in his various callings.

On the I2th of June, 1859, Mr. Shaffer was united in marriage to Miss Angeline McFadden, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, April i, 1834, and died on the i6th of July, 1907. She was the daughter of Samuel and Maria (Hatcher) McFadden. The mother died at the age of twentyfour years, but the father lived to the advanced age of eighty-three years. He was born in Pennsylvania, but in an early day located in Miami county, Ohio, where he became quite a large landholder, having cleared one hundred and sixty acres of timber land. During the early '30s he came to Grant county, Indiana, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of timber land, but later returned to Ohio and ended his days in that commonwealth. He was a member of the German Reformed church. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer only three are now living : Florence, the wife of Charles Coton; Elmer, who married Annie Shaffer and resides near Shideler ; and Arthur R., who married Rena Hoppins. He also has eleven where he is well known as a merchant. He was bom in Henry county, Indiana, February 20, 1859, and is of Pennsylvania German descent. His father, William W. Hoover, was bom in Blair county, Pennsylvania, July 3, 183s, and was reared as a farmer's son. Coming to Indiana in an early day, he located in Washington township, Delaware county, where he purchased eighty acres of timber land, and his name is enrolled among the honored early pioneers of this community. Building him a little log house, he took up his abode therein and began the arduous task of clearing his land and placing it under cultivation, but gradually his well directed efforts were attended with success. Later on he returned to Ohio and Pennsylvania, but again making his way to Washington township, he was married on the 3d of June, 1858, in Hagerstown, Henry county, Indiana, to Catherine Hoover, who was also bom in Blair county, Pennsylvania, September 2, 1834, and they became the parents of six children : Miles L., the subject of this review ; Estella, the widow of David Hoover ; George W., who married Maud E. Hyer; Alvin B., who married Margaret Barrett; Alta M., the wife of Denton Tomlinson; and Benton, who died in infancy. Mrs. Hoover came to Indiana with her parents when but six years of age, and with her husband she now lives in Matthews, Indiana, they having retired from their farm in 1904. For one term Mr. Hoover served as the assessor of his township. He is one of the most prominent members of the Odd Fellows fraternity in the state of Indiana, affiliating with Lodge No. 325, Wheeling Encampment No. 125, Wheeling, Indiana, and is a past noble grand of his order. He also holds membership relations with the Grand Lodge of Indiana and with the Grand Encampment of the state. Ehiring the long period of twenty-five years he has been enrolled as an Odd Fellow, and he now wears a veteran's jewel. Mr. Hoover is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, of the Progressive German Baptist church and of the Republican party.

Miles L. Hoover received his educational training in the public schools of Delaware county, in the Lebanon, Ohio, National Normal University, and in the Danville Central Normal College of Danville, Indiana. He remained at home with his father until eighteen years of age, when he began teaching school in Jefferson township. Grant county, Indiana, entering upon the profession in the fall of 1877, and for three years he also taught in Washington township, Delaware county. In 1881 he began teaching in New Cumberland, now known as Matthews, and after serving as principal there for three years he came to Wheeling in the spring of 1884 and entered the employ of J. H. Carter, with whom he remained for one year. For about four years thereafter he was associated with his former employer in business, and with his brother George he then bought Mr. Carter's interest, the firm being known as Hoover Brothers until 1893, when Mr. Hoover of this review purchased his brother's interest and has since been alone in business. In 1885 he received his commission as postmaster of Wheeling, and he has ever since filled this important office with the exception of four years during

President Cleveland's first administration. Ehiring a number of years he was also a member of the Republican Central Committee, he being a stanch supporter of the principles of that party. In fraternal relations he too has attained distinction in the ranks of the Odd Fellows order, affiliating with the Wheeling Lodge and Encampment, and is also a member of the Grand Encampment of Indiana. He holds membership relations also with Sioux Tribe of the order of Red Men in Gaston.

Mr. Hoover married Melissa Richards August 24, 1882. She was bom at Palo, Iowa, October 31, 1858, and died on the i8th of February, 1893. She was the daughter of Daniel and Sarah A. (Lewis) Richards, who were bom in Ohio but came to Indiana in an early day in its history. They only lived here for a short time, however, and then removed to Linn county, Iowa, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Two children were born of this union, Mabel E. and Dan W. The daughter is a stenographer in Valparaiso, Indiana, and the son is employed as a clerk in the treasurer's office in Muncie. Mr. Hoover married secondly, March 27, 1894, Miss Carrie A. Miller, who was born in Gilman, Indiana, March 27, 1871, the daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Milhollin) Miller. The father, who was born in Virginia, died in 1883, when forty-four years of age, and the mother bom in Grant county, Iowa, died in 1880, aged forty-one years, both passing away in Gilman, Indiana. Of their four children two are now living : Carrie, the wife of Mr. Hoover, and Edward, who married Ida Lewis, and is living in Delaware county, Indiana, near Stockport. Mr. Miller came to Indiana with his parents during his childhood days, and he spent the remainder of his life in Madison county, engaged in agricultural pursuits. At the time of his death he was the owner of three hundred acres of rich and fertile land, and was one of the prominent and successful business men of the county, honored and revered by all who knew him. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations.

George W. Nixon, one of the boys in blue during the Civil war, has for many years been a prominent agriculturist of Delawju-e county. He was bom in its township of Washington June 16, 1843, a son of Samuel and Catherine (Husher) Nixon, the former born in Virginia April 25, 1786, and died September 12, 1849, while the latter was bom in Ohio July 30, 1799, and died September 15, 1848. They were married in Ohio, and became the parents of five sons : Benjamin, who was bom on the 23d of September, 1823, and died in 1879; Jesse, born March i, 1825, died October 9, 1894; John, born April 25, 1828, died September 15, 1894; Samuel, bom July 19, 1831, died in 1854; and George W., whose name introduces this review. It was at a very early day in its history that Mr. Samuel Nixon, the father.

space from the dense timber to build his little log cabin, and it was in this primitive structure that the son George was bom in 1843. ^^ time this rude structure gave place to a modem residence, and later Mr. Nixon secured eighty acres of land in Grant county, Indiana, where he kept a tavern for many years, and spent the remainder of his life there. His political support was given to the Whig party.

George W. Nixon spent the days of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, and on the ist of August, 1863, he answered the call to arms and enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana Volunteer Regiment, for six months' service, his discharge taking place on the ist of March, 1864, at Indianapolis. On the 2Sth of October, following, he entered the service for one year or during the war in the Twenty-fifth Indiana Battery, Light Artillery, from which he was discharged on the 20th of July, 1865. During his military career he was in all the skirmishes and battles in which his battery participated, principally in Kentucky and Tennessee, and included Walker's Ford and Nashville. At the latter engagement, on the 14th of December, 1864, in Thomas' division, he was under fire for twenty-one days, during which time the harness was never off the horses or the knapsacks off the men. They went into camp at Huntsville, Alabama, on January 6, 1865, and did detached duty until their discharge.

With an honorable military record Mr. Nixon returned to his home on the 26th of April, 1866, but a short time afterward went to Atchison, Kansas, where he secured an outfit and crossed the plains, seventy-two days having been spent on the road, and his destination was Virginia City, Montana, where he was engaged in mining until the spring of 1867. Going thenc^ to Salmon City, Idaho, he later returned to Deer Lodge, Montana, from whence he went to Cable City, that state, where he spent the winter of 1868. From that time until the following September he was engaged in mining about seven miles from Butte City, going at the close of that period to Oregon, where he spent' the winter of 1868-9. In 1870 he went overland to Portland, that state, where he took ship for British Columbia, and arriving at the mouth of the Fraser river, went to New Westminster in the spring of 1871, thence up the river one hundred and fifty miles to the Cariboo country, where he was engaged in farming during the summer of 1872. In 1877 Mr. Nixon was on the head waters of the Nation river, from whence he returned in the spring of 1878 to the Cariboo country, and in the following spring bought a pack train and went overland along the Fraser river one hundred and fifty miles to Dense lake, British Columbia, wintering at Steamboat Landing. In the spring of 1881 he began mining in the Dense lake country, but in 1882 came down into Alaska, there remaining until in September, 1884, when he left for home and arrived here on the 29th of October, following. From that time forward Mr. Nixon has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Delaware county, farming for a time with his brother Jesse, but since the latter's death he has been alone in the business.

Miss Mary E. Keller, who was born in Union township, Delaware county, Indiana, July 21, 1854, the daughter of Phillip and Sarah (Smith) Keller, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Ireland, bom February 8, 1822, but both died in Wheeling township, Delaware county, the father on the 9th of June, 1871, and the mother on the 20th of March, 1899. They were married in Ft Wayne, Indiana, and became the parents of ten children, of whom six are now living : Julia, Mary, William, Jesse, Emma and Bell. The father came from his German home to the United States on a sailing vessel, and locating in Union township, Delaware county, in 1849, spent the remainder of his life there as a farmer. He was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a Whig in his political affiliations. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nixon: Frank Wade, Ada M. and Jesse E. Mr. Nixon gives his political support to the Republican party, and he holds pleasant relations with his old army comrades of the blue by his membership in Grand Army Post No. 565.

John W. McCreery. Numbered among the native sons of Harrison township, Delaware county, is John W. McCreery, who was born on the 2Sth of June, 1862, to Thomas and Catherine (Brown) McCreery. When he had reached the age of nineteen years he began farming for himself on eight> acres of timber land which his father had given him, and with the passing years he cleared and improved his place and in 1889 built thereon a residence. This was destroyed by fire on the Sth of March, 1904, and he then erected his present residence, the finest home in Harrison township. He is now the owner of an estate of two hundred and thirty-five acres, his land being as rich and well improved as any in the township, and there he is extensively engaged in the breeding of high grade cattle, hogs and horses in addition to his general farming.

On the 20th of November, 1880, Mr. McCreery was united in marriage to Martha A. Woodring, who was born in Washington township, Delaware county, Indiana, December 22, 1861, a daughter of Ezra and Lydia (Miller) Woodring, both of whom were born in Ohio, the father on the 7th of September, 1 83 1, and the mother on the 21st of May, 1831. During his childhood days Ezra Woodring came with his parents to Delaware county, and the remainder of his life was spent within its borders. He followed both farming and carpentering, and was an important factor in the early days in the erecting of the homes of this community. He saw the country transformed from a wilderness to its present high state of cultivation, and assisted

Rocky Ford, Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, Pumpkin Vine creek, Pine mountain, Kenesaw mountain and many skirmishes. He aided in the hanging of two spies in the army. He gave his political support to the Republican party, and was a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. Mrs. Woodring died on the 27th of November, 1882. They were married April 14, 1853, near Gaston, Indiana, and had eight children, six now living, namely : Mary S., the wife of William W. Brown, of Muncie ; John C, who married Emma Jackson; Martha A., the wife of Mr. McCreery; Nettie, the wife of L. H. LaRue ; Delpha Jane, the wife of Vincent Janney ; and Levi, who married Artie Maynard. Mr. Woodring was a second time married, April 11, 1883, Hattie E. Heavenridge becoming his wife, and their three children are all living, as is also Mrs. Woodring, who resides in Muncie.

Eight children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. McCreery : Clayton I., who married Osie Chalfant; Harry D., Fay N., Thomas H., Docia, Margaret, Watt and Hugh P. Mr. McCreery has membership relations with New Comer Lodge, No. 425, I. O. O. F., serving as vice grand at the present time. He votes with the Republican party.

Charles W. Rector. The Rector family is one of the old and historic ones of Delaware county, well represented here since the early days of its history, and one of its prominent representatives in Harrison township is Charles W. Rector, who was born in the township of Perry September 9, 1847, a son of Arthur and Mary (Cary) Rector. He was a student in the first school house erected in Perry township, later attending a special school in Selma, and as a boy he worked on the farm with his father. On attaining the age of nineteen years he began teaching school, continuing in the profession for twelve years, and soon after his marriage he began farming for himself on forty acres of land, going in debt for the property, which in time he cleared from its dense growth of timber, and in the log house which stood upon the land he and his young wife continued their residence until they erected their present commodious dwelling in 1886. He has added to his landed possessions from time to time and in addition to his general farming has been extensively engaged in the stock business, for a number of years being associated with W. L. Milhollin. They were the largest stock dealers in this section of the state, buying and shipping to the Buffalo, New York and* Cleveland, Ohio, markets.

The marriage of Mr. Rector was celebrated on the 4th of April, 1872, Miss Elizabeth Hedrick becoming his wife. She was born in Liberty township, Delaware county, Indiana, December 23, 1852, the daughter of Cyrus and Elizabeth (Richey) Hedrick. Cyrus Hedrick was bom in Pendleton county, Virginia, January 26, 1820, and died November 18, 1907. In 1836 he came with his parents, Phillip and Nancy (Shreeve) Hedrick, to Indiana, the journey having been made overland with teams and wagon, and en route they stopped in Ohio for some time. Continuing their journey they finally arrived in Delaware county and located on the Mississinawa river.

Cyrus was then sixteen years of age, and he lived with his parents until his marriage. Erecting him a little log cabin in the wilderness of Liberty township, he brought his bride to his new home, where they lived and labored for many years, and in time the little cabin home gave place to a more pleasant and commodious frame residence. They were married in Delaware county November 25, 1841, and became the parents of ten children, five now living, namely: Nancy A., the wife of Louis Goontz; Malinda E., the widow of Thomas J. Hudson; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Mr. Rector ; Julia E., the widow of Dr. Seth Allen ; and Matilda M., the widow of J. A. Hudson. Mr. Hedrick yet resides on his old homestead farm three miles east of Muncie, but the wife and mother, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio, September 2, 1824, died August 30, 1897, ^g^d seventy-three years, eleven months and twenty-eight days.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rector: Vora D., who died at the age of nineteen years; Cyrus A., who married Charline Prutzm.an, and they are the parents of Elizabeth Rector, born November 11, 1907; Frank E. ; Laura, who died in infancy; Maggie M., the wife of Roliert B. Broyle; and Ivy F., who died at the age of eight years. Frank E. Rector married Lola C. Childs March 14, 1900. She was born in Delaware county, Indiana, May 8, 1880, and died April 23, 1907, after becoming the mother of one son, Chester C, who is of the fifth generation of the Rector family in Delaware county. Mr. Rector is a life-long member of the United Brethren church, and for twenty years served as a minister, and has also filled most of the offices in his church.

William T. Downing. Since he came to Delaware county as a boy of eight years William T. Downing has been a witness of very important changes in this vicinity, and throughout his entire business career he has been identified with its agricultural pursuits. He was bom in Logan county, Ohio, September 21, 1845, a son of James and Maria (Rector) Downing, both of whom were also born in the Buckeye state, the father in 1819. In 1853, with his wife and children, he made the overland journey to Indiana with team and wagon, locating in Perry township, Delaware county, where he secured government land from a warrant issued in Pauling county, Ohio. Perry township was at that time a dense wilderness, and the family took up their abode in a little log cabin which stood on their land. Later they resided in Henry county, Indiana, for a number of years, and then took up their abode on a farm south of Muncie, where Mr. Downing soent the remainder of his life as a farmer and died in

When he had reached his eighteenth year William T. Downing, the subject of this review, became a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting in Company G, Seventh Regiment of the One Hundred and Nineteenth Indiana Cavalry. He enlisted at Indianapolis, Indiana, August 25, 1863, and was discharged on the i6th of March, 1866, having been mustered out of the service at Austin, Texas. During that time he participated in the battles of Okolona, Guntown, Grand Gulf, Egypt and Oxford, Mississippi ; Big Blue, Missouri ; Mine Creek, Kansas ; Raleigh, Tennessee ; Port Gibson and Verona, Mississippi; Boliver, Tennessee; Hurricane Creek, Independence and Osage River, Missouri; Bastrop, Louisiana, and La Navoo, Mississippi. After the close of hostilities Mr. Downing returned to Delaware county and to his farm labors, purchasing soon afterward, in 1869, his present homestead in Harrison township. From a wild and heavily timbered tract he has transformed it into a beautiful and well cultivated farm, and in 1902 he built the pleasant residence which now adorns the homestead.

On the 24th of March, 1870, Mr. Downing married Miss Eliza Jane Brown. She was born in Clinton county, Ohio, November 6, 1847, the daughter of Joseph S. and Mary Jane Brown, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The father was born on the 20th of March, 1819, and died March 7, 1905, and the mother, born August 20, 1809, died February 9, 1891. They were married on the 8th of September, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Downing have three children - Mary, Charles and Ethel. The eldest daughter is the wife of Nathan Dunn. The political affiliations of Mr. Downing are with the Republican party, being a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has membership relations with the Grand Army Post of Gaston.

Mahlon Crampton is one of the honored pioneers who aided in laying the foundation on which to erect the superstructure of Delaware county's present prosperity and progress. Through the period of early development he was an important factor in the improvement and advancement of this section of the state, becoming identified with its interests when a young man of twenty-seven years. It was in the year of 1854 that he came to Indiana and cast his lot with the early residents of Harrison township, Delaware county, locating on the farm on which he now resides and on which had been erected a little log cabin. Into this cabin home he installed his family and they began life here in true pioneer style. All was then new and wild, but Mr. Crampton has lived to see his land cleared from the timber and placed under an excellent state of cultivation, and to him belongs the credit of having built the first ditch in this locality. He also took an active part in the building of the roads of Delaware county, assisting in building seven turnpikes in all, and many other equally as important public matters owe their origin to Mahlon Crampton. In 1870 his little cabin home

Mr. Crampton was born in Ashland county, Ohio, March 2, 1827, a son of Joel and Elenor (Ross) Crampton. The father was born in New Haven, Connecticut, November 20, 1802, and when a little lad of seven years, in 1809, he went with his parents to Ohio and there spent the remainder of his life, although his death occurred in Delaware county, Indiana, August 27, 1882. His entire business career was devoted to farming and stock raising, driving his stock to the Sandusky, Cincinnati and Toledo markets, and he became well and prominently known throughout the entire state of Ohio. His political affiliations were with the Whig party. In Ashland county, Ohio, Joel Crampton married Elenor Ross, born in Jefferson county, that state, March 14, 1808, and she died in Warren county, Ohio, September 20, 1861. Their marriage was celebrated on the 13th of April, 1826, and they became the parents of six children, three of whom are now living: Mahlon, the subject of this review; Charles C, bom in Ashland county, Ohio, October 9, 1838, married Mrs. Mary A. Benadum, nee Lincecum, and she is now deceased; and Hiram, who was bom in Warren county, Ohio, May 23, 1842, married Rosa Lyons.

When but a boy of nine years Mahlon Crampton entered upon a clerkship in a store in Richland county, Ohio, and from his Ohio home he journeyed to Indiana in 1854. Two years previously, on the 2d of September, 1852, he had married Miss Ruth Jane Crane, who was bom in Warren county, Ohio, April 3, 1829, the daughter of Abner and Hulda (Robinson) Crane, both of whom were born in New Jersey, the former May 16, 1773, and died April 3, 1848, and the latter September 26, 1775, died on the 8th of December, 1835. They were married in Warren county, Ohio, and became the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to years of maturity, but all are now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Crampton. Mr. Crane was numbered among the early Ohio pioneers and business men, he having conducted a cooper shop, and was also interested in the making of brick, pottery and crockery. He was a member of the New Light church and was a Jefferson Democrat politically. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Crampton five are now living: Ira E., who married L. Beuoy; Leroy R., who married Annie Smith, now deceased ; Hulda E., the wife of John O. Lewelen ; Isaac W., who married Nellie Thornburg; and Alfred S., who married Alta Reasnor. During the past fifty years Mr. Crampton has held membership relations with the Methodist Episcopal church, and for many years has served as its trustee. As early as 1840 his father served as superintendent of a Sunday-school of that

William H. Lee. Delaware county has many prosperous and honorable farmers who have reached their high stations through able individual eflfort, and prominent among the number is William H. Lee, residing on section 36, Harrison township. Coming to this locality nearly forty years ago, when a large proportion of the land was still virgin, he became an important factor in developing its rich agricultural resources, and by his energy and thrift improved a good farm. A son of Daniel Lee, he was bom January 20, 1834, in Rush county, Indiana. He is of English ancestry, his greatgrandfather, Nathan Lee, having been bom in Virginia of English parents. His grandfather, Hilliary Lee, a native of Virginia, had five uncles in the Revolutionary army of patriots.

A son of Hilliary Lee, Daniel Lee was bom in 1810 in North Carolina, and died in Monroe township, Madison county, Indiana, in 1877. He came to Rush county, this state, in 1832, making the overland journey with the t3rpical pioneer teams. The country in which he located was then but sparsely settled, the wilderness being the home of deer, bears, wolves Jtnd other wild beasts. In 1836, after a four years' residence in this locality, he removed to Monroe township, Madison county. Entering one hundred and twenty acres of government land, he built for himself and family a log house, and after many years of incessant toil and skill evolved a good farm from the forest, and there spent the remaining days of his life. He was A man of strong personality, and a Jeffersonian Democrat in politics. His first wife was Mary Garner, who was bom in North Carolina and died in Indiana in August, 1847. Five children were bom of this union, the following three of whom survive : William H., the subject of this sketch ; Isaac and Thomas. By his second marriage, with Nancy Cunningham, he also had five children, of whom Richard M. is the only survivor.

William H. Lee assisted his father in his pioneer work of clearing and improving a homestead, remaining in Monroe township until the spring of 1871. Coming then to Delaware county, Mr. Lee bought his present farm, lying in section 36, Harrison township, and at once set to work vigorously to improve it. He labored most diligently to add to its improvements and appointments, and in 1880 erected a good frame house. Subsequently he turned over to his son, John D. Lee, with whom he is now living, the entire management and control of the estate, and the younger Lee, a man of fine ability, has greatly added to the value and attractiveness of the homestead, one of his improvements being the modem bam built in 1902.

William H. Lee has been married three times. His first wife, to whom he was married Febmary 27, 1858, was Elizabeth Ann Broyles, who was bom in Delaware county, Indiana, June 3, 1836, and died February 22, 1859, leaving one child, Mary C, who is now the wife of O. H. P. Goble. Mr. Lee's second marriage was to Carolina Lutz, on the 14th of November, 1861 ; she was bom Febmary 14, 1842, and died October 26, 1865, leaving one child, George W. Lee. He reached maturity, married, became a police officer, and on December 8, 1899, was shot and killed by postoffice robbers, the tragedy occurring in Alexandria. He left a wife and four children. On March 19, 1867, Mr. Lee married for his third wife Mrs. Sarah (Jones) Hinchman, who was bom July 28, 1829, and died February 14, 1900. She was a daughter of John D. Jones, bom in Darke county, Ohio, and in 1829 came with her parents to Indiana, locating in Delaware county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Hinchman was bom one daughter, Mary J., October 17, 1854. By his third wife he had one child, John D. Lee, born August 13, 1870. Politically our subject is a Democrat, and has been a steadfast member of the Methodist Episcopal church since 1852.

John D. Lee and wife are now the owners of the two hundred and twenty acres contained in the home farm, having bought out all who were interested in the same, and he is carrying on general operations and stockraising on an extensive scale. On December 26, 1894, he married Nora A. Stanley, a native of Henry county, Indiana, born March 17, 1871. Her father, Philip Stanley, was bom in Jefferson township, Henry county, September 20, 1842, and there resides on the farm entered from the government by his father. He married Elmira Thomburg, bom in Delaware county, May 13, 1850, and of their union were bom nine children, of whom eight are living, Mrs. John D. Lee being the second child of the family. Mr. and Mrs. John D. Lee have three children, namely : J. Frank, William Rea and George H. Fraternally he is a member of Oilman Lodge No. 745, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is justly proud of his substantial and honorable ancestors, and among the family relics which he most highly prizes is the old Longfellow clock, which is nearly a century old - a memorial of his mother's family, and which was originally hauled from Ohio in one of the old Virginia wagons.

JosiAH Ferguson. A fine representative of the native-bom citizens of Delaware county and a well-known farmer of Harrison township, Josiah Ferguson is an upright, honorable man, and one who ever uses his influence to promote the best interests of town and county. Coming from excellent Virginian ancestry, he was born November 9, 1865, in Harrison township, a son of Josiah Ferguson, Sr.

A native of Virginia, Josiah Ferguson was born January 16, 1816, in Southampton county, and died in Harrison township, Indiana, October 30, 1891. Left an orphan when a boy, he left his native state, going first to Ohio, where he worked as a tiller of the soil for several years. In 1848, following the trail of the pioneer, he came to Harrison township, and having bought ninety-six acres of heavily timbered land, moved on to it with his wife and children, spending his first summer in a rail pen. The following year he erected a log cabin, and in common with the other pioneers of this section endured all the privations and hardships of frontier life. He subsequently built a house of hewed logs and made many improvements of value on his place. He lived to see the country hereabout well settled and himself the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres, the greater part of which he had in a good state of cultivation. A man of keen intelligence and good business ability, he was active in the management of local aflfairs, and served for many years as supervisor. He was a Whig in politics during his earlier years, but was afterwards identified with the Democrats. He was especially interested in everything pertaining to agriculture, and belonged to the local Grange. He married Susan Oliver, who was bom in Northampton county. North Carolina, January 9, 1823, and died December 25, 1904, in Harrison township. She bore him sixteen children, of whom six are living, namely : Lucinda, wife of Henry Hazelbakei ; Ruth, widow of the late L. A. Miller ; Mary, wife of R. M. Miller ; Silas D., married Rosetta Hazelbaker; Josiah, Jr., the subject of this sketch; and Joshua, who married Tillie Wiggins.

Until sixteen years of age Josiah Ferguson worked on the farm summers with his father, attending the district school during the winter terms. From that time until his marriage he remained beneath the parental rooftree, assisting in the management of the home farm. On the death of his father he purchased the interest of some of the heirs, and has since carried on the homestead property with great success. He is a skilled and practical agriculturist, and in his farming operations has met with most gratifying results, his land yielding extensive crops of hay, corn and oats, the cereals most common to this region. He is a man of much enterprise, and since 1894 has run a threshing machine in connection with his farm labors, being kept busily employed during the threshing season. He has acquired other property of value and is one of the stockholders in the Gaston Tile Company. Politically he is a sound Democrat.

On December 3, 1890, Mr. Ferguson married Ida E. Carpenter, who was bom October 12, 1872, near Summitville, Indiana, a daughter of the late William F. Carpenter. A native of Indiana, Mr. Carpenter was bom in Decatur county January 17, 1835, and died on his farm in Harrison township November 27, 1904. Losing his father by death when he was but a youth, he joined Colonel Walker's expedition and with it went to South America, where he spent five or six years, three years of the time being confined as a prisoner. Returning home in 1850 in destitute circumstances, he was fortunate enough on arriving in New York city to fall in with a friendly old gentleman who fitted him out with suitable clothing and paid his railroad fare from there to Indiana. He labored diligently after his return, invested his money in timber land in Jennings county, buying eighty acres, and for six years manufactured staves by hand. Removing then to Union county, he carried on farming for two or more years, and then purchased forty acres of heavily wooded land in Madison county. In the small log cabin standing upon the place when he bought it he lived for three years, when he replaced it with a good frame house, which he and his family occupied for three years. Disposing then of that property, Mr. Carpenter came to Delaware county, and in Harrison township bought eighty acres of land, on which was a log cabin. Taking possession of it, he lived in it until 1892, when he built a substantial frame house, in which he spent the remainder of his life. He was a Whig in politics until the formation of the Republican party, when he became a supporter of its principles, and in i860 cast his presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He was a man of strong religious convictions, and for a quarter of a century belonged to the Christian church. On October 18, i860, Mr. Carpenter married Annie Himelick, who was bom October 14, 1842, in Jennings county, Indiana, and was there bred and educated. Seven children were bom to them, namely : Mary E., who married John Trice, died when but twenty-two years old ; Morton F., married Laura C. Ocker; Sarah A., married first John McLaughlin, and aftq* his death became the wife of Frank Bryant ; Joseph H. ; Ida E., wife of Mr. Ferguson ; John W., married Laura Randolph ; and Ora, married Velma E. Needier. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have a fine family of seven children, namely : Ormal J. W., Archie F., Sylvia S. H., Elva R. H., Lola R., Joshua P. and Lillian F.

Samuel F. McNett was born in Logan county, Ohio, November 9, 1845, a son of Abram and Julia Ann (Downs) McNett, both of whom also claimed the Buckeye state of Ohio as the place of their nativity. The father, who was born in Greene county June 10, 1819, died on the ist of April, 1899, and the mother, bom in Champlain county in 1823, passed away in death on the 25th of August, 1867. They were married in January, 1844, and became the parents of nine children, but of this large number only two are now living, Samuel F. and Rose. The daughter, the youngest of the family, married George Bland, and after his death she became the wife of J. P. Wilson. Mr. McNett, the father, removed from his native county of Greene to Logan county, Ohio, when but seven years of age, and there he spent the remainder of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a member of the New Light Christian church, and his political affiliations were with the Whig party. He was a man highly respected by all who knew him.

Until reaching the age of twenty-one years Mr. McNett remained in the parental home, and he afterward taught school for eight years during the winter months and farmed in the summers. In October, 1873, he came to Indiana and established his home on the Wheeling pike, where Stockport now stands, and his first winter here was spent in teaching school in Washington township. He continued his residence on his farm here until the spring of 1877, when he exchanged the land for the farm where he now lives in Harrison township, section 6, and in 1899 he built the pleasant and attractive residence which now adorns the homestead. He is farming one hundred and seven acres of as fine land as lies within the borders of Harrison township, and in addition to his general agricultural pursuits he is also extensively engaged in stock-raising, breeding Percheron and coach horses.

On the 25th of December, 1873, was celebated the marriage of Mr. McNett and Mary A. Shawver. She was born in Logan county, Ohio, December 24, 1853, the daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Foust) Shawver. The father, who was bom in Carroll county, Ohio, April 9, 1827, accompanied his parents on their removal to Logan county, that state, when twelve years old. He was the eighth son in order of birth of a family of thirteen children, and he received his educational training in the district schools of Harrison township, Logan county. He was confirmed in the Lutheran church at Bellefontaine, Ohio, on the 25th of October, 1845, thus becoming a member of the church of Christ when eighteen years of age. He was held in universal esteem by all who knew him, and he at all times manifested the most noble traits of manhood, passing to his final reward on the nth of May, 1902. Mrs. Shawver, who is now living on the old homestead in Logan county, Ohio, was born in Portage county of that state June 7, 1834. They were married on the 27th of January, 1853, and became the parents of nine children: Mary A. the wife of Mr. McNett; Malinda, the widow of John Hemphill ; George L., who married for his third wife Mary Worth ; John W., who died in infancy ; Lucinda M., the widow of Sylvester Morris; Rebecca E., the wife of Frank Cockrell; David E., who married EflSe Piper; Dora; and Mattie E., the wife of David King. Nine children have also been born to Mr. and Mrs. McNett : Augusta E., the wife of Walter Bennett; Ida L. M., the wife of John Ray; Daniel A., who married Anna Quff , and resides in Dayton, Ohio ; Ira J. E., who died at the age of fourteen years, eleven months and eighteen days; Pearl I., who died at the age of three years and three months ; Guy T. ; Ralph S. ; Esta Hannah ; and Dorothy I. Mr. McNett exercises his right of franchise in support of the principles of the Democratic party, and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

William Clinton Thomas. Prosperously engaged in the free and independent occupation upon which the stability and prosperity of our country so largely rest is William Clinton Thomas, a well-known and successful agriculturist of Harrison township, Delaware county. A son of the late Charles S. Thomas, he was born August 24, 1862, in Hancock county, Indiana. He comes of Welsh ancestry, his grandfather, Rease Thomas, having been bom in Wales, while his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah A. Thomas, was born in Pennsylvania.

Charles S. Thomas was born October 31, 1832, in Pennsylvania, and when but two years old was taken by his parents to Ohio, and three years later came with them to Indiana, locating first in Martin county. When old enough to use an ax he assisted in the pioneer labor of clearing a homestead. He subsequently removed to Hancock county, where he purchased land and began farming on his own account. In 1875 he came with his family to Delaware county, and for a quarter of a century was here employed in improving a farm, laboring faithfully and ably. Removing to Alexandria, Madison county, in 1900, he resided there until his death, December 7, 1902. He was a pioneer in the true sense implied by the term, and in the different places that he lived became fully acquainted with all phases of frontier life. Little do the people of this generation realize the hardships and trials endured, the great ambition required and the physical endurance demanded to secure the homes established by the early settlers for themselves and their descendants. On May 11, 1858, Charles S. Thomas married Sarah A. Morgan, who was born in Madison county, Indiana, May II, 1843, ^ daughter of John and Phebe (Rash) Morgan, natives of North Carolina. Coming as a pioneer to Madison county, John Morgan bought a tract of forest-covered land, and in the years that ensued worked with courage and perseverance to clear and improve a homestead. He first cleared a space in which he might build a log cabin, which with its puncheon floor and shake-covered roof was the family domicile for several years. Game of all kinds was plentiful, and the family larder was kept well supplied with turkey and venison. Wolves and bears were also troublesome, necessitating a frequent use of firearms on his part. Meeting with success in his labors, he cleared a good farm, and was there a resident until his death. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan ten children were born, two of whom survive, namely, William Morgan, and Sarah A., widow of Charles S. Thomas, who makes her home with her children. Five children blessed the union of Charles and Sarah A. Thomas, three of whom are living, as follows: William Clinton, the subject of this sketch; Isaac Oscar, and Stephen Oliver.

Beginning a farmer's life on his own account in early manhood, William C. Thomas commenced on a modest scale, at first having but twenty acres of land in Harrison township. Succeeding from the first, he has gradually enlarged his operations, and has now a farm of fifty acres, on which he has made almost every improvement, having taken possession of it when it was in its virgin wildness. He has met with unquestioned success, having his land in a good state of tillage, and in 1904 erected his present modern farmhouse. He is a steadfast Democrat in his political views and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Thomas married first, October 16, 1886, Lydia S. Carter, who was born in Ohio April 11, 1863, and died September 4, 1894, leaving two children, Callie S. and Dora A. Mr. Thomas married second, December 24, 1896, Cynthia E. Haney, who was born in Hancock county, Indiana, May II, 1874, and died October 27, 1903. Four children were born of their union, three of whom are living, namely, Edna O., Rena S. and Ruth L.

themselves, is John F. Jackson, of Harrison township. Well and favorably known throughout the community in which he resides, he is numbered among its best and most active men politically and socially, being prominently identified with the advancement of its best and highest interests. A son of the late Jeremiah S. Jackson, he was born May 19, 1853, in Henry county. His grandfather, Jesse Jackson, located as a pioneer in Delaware county.

Coming when a boy to Delaware county, Jeremiah S. Jackson knew the seamy side of pioneer life, its hardships, trials and tribulations. By experience he learned to wield the ax with dexterity, and assisted his father in clearing a homestead from the dense forest. Selecting farming for his own life work, he first located as a farmer in Henry county, but subsequently came to Perry township, Delaware county, to live. Purchasing eighty acres of timber land, he erected a log house in the clearing, and at once began the improvement of a homestead, labpring with the ambition and zeal characteristic of the brave pioneers who so cheerfully spent their lives in un* ceasing toil in order that their descendants might have the comforts, if not the luxuries, denied to them. He was successful in his labors, making improvements of value on his place. The log house which he built was sul> sequently completed by the putting on all around of a siding of black walnut, which he cut from his timber and had sawed in the neighboring mill. In this house he spent the remainder of his life, dying September 25, 1870. During the Civil war he offered his services to his country, but on enlisting was rejected on account of poor health. He was a Whig in politics in his younger days, and belonged to the United Brethren church. He married in 1839, in Indiana, Keziah Cary, who was born near Sidney, Shelby county, Ohio, March 31, 1818, and died February 25, 1894, in Delaware county. Eleven children blessed their union, six of whom are now living, namely : Minerva, wife of J. Harold ; Tabitha, widow of the late Albert Gates ; Zerilda, wife of George Chalfant; John F., the subject of this sketch; Boyd E., who married Emma Dorothy ; and Melissa, wife of John Masterson.

The early life of John F. Jackson was spent after the manner of tho majority of the sons of the early pic«ieers, in a comparatively imeventful manner, attending school winters and making himself useful around the homestead as his years increased. When he was twenty-one years old his father died, and the following two years he worked out by the month, giving to his widowed mother a part of his earnings. Assuming then the care of the parental homestead, he managed it for five years and took care of his mother. Taking upon himself then the responsibilities of a married man, Mr. Jackson worked for a while as a brick manufacturer, in the meantime carrying on farming on rented land. Prudent in his expenditures and wise in his savings, he accumulated money, and in 1894 bought his present home in section 13, Harrison township. He has thirty-six acres of land, the greater part of which he has brought to an excellent state of culture, and is pursuing his independent vocation in an able and skillful manner, having a substan-

On September 25, 1881, Mr. Jackson married Laura M. Williams, who was born in Madison county, Indiana, December 12, 1862, a daughter of Dr. John Williams. Dr. Williams was born in Madison county, Indiana, and there grew to manhood. Fitting himself for the medical profession, he was first located at Fisherburg, from there coming to Delaware county and settling at McCowan Station, where he remained as a leading physician until his death at the age of forty-nine years. He was a man of influence in the community, identified with the Republican party in politics, and was a member of Newcastle Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Dr. Williams married Emeline Ford, who was born in Madison county, and died in Delaware county at the early age of thirty-seven years. Seven children were bom of their union, six of whom are living, namely : James, who married Matilda Taylor; Isaac, married Priscilla Hutchings; Jasper, married Mary Graham; John, married Jane Clevinger; Laura M., wife of Mr. Jackson; and Leroy.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, namely: James A., engaged in teaching school ; Bertha, wife of P. Jarrett ; Grace, wife of Earl Lawson ; Elzie ; and Addie, who lived but six years. Mr. Jackson has always identified himself with the interests of this part of the county, and has proved himself a worthy and valuable citizen. In 1884 \ie was elected assessor, and served ably for five years. He is a Republican in politics, and an active worker in party ranks. Fraternally he is a member of Bethel Lodge No. 731, I. O. O. F., which he has served as noble grand and which he has represented as a delegate in the Grand Lodge of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are members of Lincoln Rebekah Lodge No. 563, at Bethel, Indiana, and both are active members of the Christian church, belonging to King's chapel.

Gilbert A. Brunton. Numbered among the intelligent, active and enterprising agriculturists of Harrison township is Gilbert A. Brunton, who is successfully engaged in general farming on the old Hutson homestead. Intimately associated with the agricultural and industrial prosperity of this part of the county, he is especially deserving of mention in a volume of this character. A native of Decatur county, he was bom June 10, 1868, a son of Noah L. and Louisa H. (Bentley) Brunton. A more extended history of his parents may be found elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of his brother-in-law, William Hiatt.

Living on the home farm in Decatur county until 1884, Gilbert A. Brunton obtained his rudimentary education in the district schools, while under his father's instructions he was well drilled in the various branches the Hutson estate. He is now carrying on eighty-five acres of his own land, and farms forty-one acres besides, with much success. His land is now in an admirable state of culture, and, owing to the sound judgment and persistent energy with which he has devoted himself to its care, is a valuable piece of property.

Mr. Brunton married, August 21, 1892, Larma J. Hutson, who was bom in Harrison township December 28, 1870, a daughter of the late Enos Hutson. Enos Hutson was born in this township September 22, 1840, and died on the home farm March 16, 1906. He spent the larger part of his life in Delaware county, although he lived for two or three years as a young man in the west. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil war, when the call came for more troops, he enlisted for a term of three months in Company B, Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was with his comrades in several engagements, at one time being severely wounded on the field of battle. At the end of three months, his patriotic ardor and enthusiasm still undimmed, he reenlisted, and served until the close of the war, taking an active part in some of the most important and closely contested engagements of the conflict. Discharged from the service with an honorable record as a brave and faithful soldier, he returned to his -native county, settling in Harrison township. Purchasing sixty acres of wild land, Mr. Hutson cleared the brush and timber from it, erected first a log cabin, which was subsequently replaced with a frame house, and from that time until his death was engaged most successfully in farming and stock-raising. He was for many years one of the substantial and reliable citizens of the community, and for many terms served as school director. He was a Republican in politics and a member of the Christian church.

On March 18, 1868, Mr. Hutson married Melvina Gamer, who was bom in Harrison township April 21, 1851, and died in this township March 19, 1906, surviving him but three days. Five children were born to them, as follows: Eleanor H., wife of Borter Simpson; Larma J., wife of Mr. Brunton ; John, died in infancy ; William V., married Hattie Clevinger ; and Sylvia E.

Mr. and Mrs. Brunton have three children, namely, Ray F., Lulu May and Perry M. Fraternally Mr. Bmnton is prominent in the organization of Odd Fellows, belonging to Bethel Lodge No. 731, I. O. O. F., of which he is past noble grand, and has for four years been the secretary. He is also a member of Oilman Encampn)ent No. 30, and both he and his wife belong to Lincoln Lodge No. 563, Daughters of Rebekah. Politically Mr. Brunton is a Republican, and religiously he and Mrs. Brunton are valued members of the Christian church.