Delaware County, Indiana - The whole text, 1908 (part 9 of 15)

perity, and in his agricultural operations he is meeting with merited success. A native of this county, he was bom September i6, 1846, in Monroe township, a son of the late William J. Hiatt.

A son of John and Charity Hiatt, early pioneers of Henry county, William J. Hiatt was born in Ohio and came with his parents to Indiana when a small boy. Following the occupation in which he was reared, he was employed as a tiller of the soil in Henry county for a number of years.* Moving with his family to Delaware county, he located on a tract of timbered land and, having cleared a space, erected for his first dwelling a log house, which is standing today. Farming wisely and well, he accumulated considerable property, at one time owning two hundred and twenty acres of good land. He built a frame house when he had sufficient means to warrant him in so doing, and there spent his last years in comfort, dying May 3, 1886, aged seventy-two years, five months and seventeen days. He was an able assistant in aiding public improvements, helping cut the timber for the public highway, and being one of the contractors in the building of the Newcastle, Wheeling and Bethel pike. He was also, in company with his son Jonathan, one of the contractors in the building of the Bethel pike, and the Muncie, Lafayette and Bloomington railroad, now known as the Lake Erie railway. He was a Whig in politics, and a*member of the Quaker church. - William J. Hiatt married Charlotte Adamison, who was born in Kentucky and died October 30, 1885, on the home farm, aged seventy-three years and twenty days. Of the nine children born of their union four are living, as follows: Jonathan A., the subject of this sketch; Annie, widow of the late William West; Simon, of Muncie; and Charity, the widow of David Jackson.

In that primitive pioneer dwelling of his parents Jonathan A. Hiatt grew to manhood, assisting in the farm labors, and gleaning his early education in the rude log schoolhouse with its puncheon floor and slab seats. He remained at home with his father until twenty-eight years of age, as previously mentioned, helping, as a contractor and builder, to build different pikes and railways. Going to Kansas in March, 1878, Mr. Hiatt resided in Osage county about three years and then returned to Delaware county, locating in Monroe township, where he remained two years. Since that time he has been engaged in farming in section 24, Harrison township, where he has improved a fine farm of seventy-three acres. He is continually adding to the improvements which he first established, and in 1906 entirely remodeled his house, transforming it into a modemly equipped home.

Osage county, Kansas, Nancy E. Harris, who was born in Washington county, Ohio, December ii, 1857, a daughter of William S. Harris. Mr. Harris was born in Washington county, Ohio, July 24, 1832, and was there engaged in farming until the time of his enlistment as a soldier in the Civil war. He died in 1867. He married Louisa Lukins, who was bom in the same county July 24, 1840, and died in 1886 in Osage county, Kansas. Six children were bom to them, and four are now living, as follows: Nancy E., wife of Mr. Hiatt ; Anna, wife of Wesley Harris ; George W., married Etta Bunder; and William, married and living in West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Hiatt are the parents of three children, namely : James V., who married Zenia L. Millspaugh ; C. C, deceased ; and Larma S. In his political relations Mr. Hiatt is a sound Republican, and religiously he belongs to the Christian church. He is a prominent member of Bethel Lodge No. 731, I. O. O. P., in which he has passed all the chairs, serving as noble grand and as a delegate to the Grand Lodge of Indiana. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hiatt are members of Lincoln Rebekah Lodge No. 563.

LuciAN Alonzo Johnson. Th^ agricultural community of Harrison township is composed of live, energetic and persevering business men,' conspicuous among whom is Lucian A. Johnson, an intelligent, well-informed man and a successful farmer. A native of Indiana, he was born January IS» 1863, in Madison county, a son of William Johnson.

William Johnson was born and bred in North Carolina, his birth occurring April 3, 1833. Coming to Indiana when young, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Madison county until after the breaking out of the Civil war. Enlisting in the One Hundred and Fortieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, he took part in various engagements, serving until the term of his enlistment expired, when he received his honorable discharge. Returning then to his home, with his health impaired from exposure and privations, he never recovered his former physical vigor, but on November 25, 1865, died from disease contracted in the army. He was an honest, industrious man, upright in his dealings with his fellow men, and in politics supported the principles of the Republican party. He married Elizabeth Sexton, who was bom in Indiana July 28, 1839, and has here spent her life, her home now being in Summitville. Three children were born of their union, as follows: Hannah J., wife of Leander Williams; Frank, married Mary E. Myers ; and Lucian A., the subject of this sketch.

Beginning the battle of life for himself when but thirteen years old, Lucian A. Johnson, who ten years before had been left without a father's care, went to work on a farm, and until attaining his majority labored for wages. Marrying then, he began farming on his own account, continuing thus employed for nearly ten years. In 1895, wishing a change of occupation, Mr. Johnson opened a store of general merchandise at Bethel, Indiana, which he managed successfully until 1904, when he sold out. In the meantime he. served as postmaster at the Stout postoffice until the establishment of rural free delivery service in the Bethel district. On retiring from mercantile pursuits Mr. Johnson resumed his agricultural labors, and is now engaged in farming and stock-raising on the old Stout homestead of eightyfive acres, which has come into the possession of himself and wife. This property formerly belonged to Jeremiah Stout, Mrsv Johnson's grandfather, who took it up from the government on August i, 1837. It was in 1903 that Mr. and Mrs. Johnson erected their modem residence.

In 1900 Mr. Johnson was elected the trustee of Harrison township, the most important office in the township. He erected the Beech Grove schoolhouse, and had thirteen schools under his jurisdiction, and the aflfairs of the office were administered in an able and efficient manner. His administration began at the finishing of the Bethel high school building.

Mr. Johnson married February 24, 1884, Junnie E. Stout, who was born in this township December 31, 1866. Her father, the late Isaac Stout, was bom in Wayne county, Indiana, and died in Harrison township July 16, 1891, aged sixty-four years. He came to Harrison township, this county, when eight years old, with his parents, Jeremiah and Sarah Stout, and on the farm which they cleared from the wilderness he grew to manhood. Learning the carpenter's trade, he followed that in connection with farming for many years, being kept busily employed until the breaking out of the Civil war. His patriotism being then aroused, he offered his services to his country and fought valiantly in her defense. He afterwards established himself in the mercantile business at Bethel, and until his death was one of the leading general merchants of the place. He was also postmaster at the Stout postoffice, which was named in his honor. He was a stanch Republican in politics, and a member of Delaware Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Muncie. He married Gincie A. Doty, who was bom in Ohio and died in Delaware county, Indiana, February 27, 1886, aged forty-nine years, eight months and thirteen days. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom are living, as follows : Daniel W., married Lucy Roe ; Junnie E., wife of Mr. Johnson; and James Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have four children, namely: Minnie A., wife of Frederick Van Laningham; Grace B., wife of Burt Clock; Lola Maud; and Virgil Glen. Minnie completed the common school course and received her diploma, and she then took a three years' course in the Bethel high school with the class of 1903. She also received instrumental music. Lola received her diploma with the class of 1907 and is now taking her first year's high school work at Muncie, Indiana. She has also taken instrumental music.

Politically Mr. Johnson invariably upholds the principles of the Republican party. Fraternally he is a member of Bethel Lodge No. 731, I. O.

John M. Conner. Indiana numbers the Conner family among its early residents. During his boyhood days Daniel Conner, who was bom in Kentucky March 20, 181 3, came with his parents, Rubin and Nancy Conner, to the Hoosier state, the family locating seven miles south of Connersville, in Fayette county, where the little son grew to years of maturity and was married. On the 6th of September 1832, he wedded Eliza Green, and they shortly afterward came to Delaware county, Indiana. In 1850 they purchased land in Harrison township to the amount of two hundred acres, about forty acres of which had been cleared, and they moved into a little log cabin which had been built on the land. In time this cabin home gave place to a more commodious frame residence, and there Mr. Conner spent the remainder of his busy and useful life, dying on the 8th of January, 1868. His wife, who was bom in Fayette county, Indiana, July 21, 1814, died on the 2 1 St of June, 1868. Their imion was blessed by the birth of eight children, but only two, John M. and his sister Margaret, are now living. The daughter is the widow of Simon Miller. Mr. Conner was a good and devoted church member, and he transferred his political allegiance from the Whigs to the Republican party.

John M. Conner was bom in Fayette county, Indiana, August 9, 1842, and his boyhood days were spent on the farm with his father, working in the fields during the summer months and attending the district schools in the winters. On the 9th of August, 1862, he enrolled his name as a defender of the Union in Company B, Eighty-fourth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, and with his regiment he participated in many of the hardfought battles of the conflict, including Chickamauga, Buzzard's Roost, Tunnel Hill, Rocky Ford, Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Pine Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, in front of Atlanta during that engagement, Shoales Creek, Love joy Station, Franklin and many skirmishes. He was mustered out of service at Camp Harker, at Nashville, Tennessee, June 20, 1865, with a brave and honorable military record as a defender of the stars and stripes.

After the close of the war Mr. Conner returned to his home in Harrison township, Delaware county, Indiana, and resumed his former occupation of farming and stock-raising. In 1902 he erected the pleasant and commodious residence where he now lives, and his homestead is one of the valuable estates of Harrison township.

On the 4th of October, 1869, Mr. Conner married Sarah E. Darter, who was born in Harrison township, Delaware county, Indiana, July 21, 1 85 1, to Alexander and Margaret (McKinley) Darter. The father was bom in Fayette county, Indiana, April 5, 1821. On the 8th of Febmary, 1865, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, for service in the Civil war, receiving his dis- charge on the 4th of the following August. He moved to Butler county, Kansas, in March, 1877, and there his death occurred on the 6th of January, 1898. He received the honors of a veteran's burial, for he was an honored member of the G. A. R. post at Douglas, Kansas. During his residence in Delaware county he served for two terms as a county commissioner, also held the office of trustee, and was a Whig and a Republican in his political affiliations. He was a member of the New Light church. On the 22d of January, 1846, Mr. Darter wedded Margaret McKinley, who was born March 20, 1820, and died on the 22d of October, 1868. They became the parents of seven children, but only two are now living, Mrs. Conner and Thomas. On the 3d of June, 1869, Mr. Darter married Miss Sarah Ackaman, and of their four children, two sons and two daughters, three are now living, Esley, Addie and Roy. Mrs. Darter is now living in Kansas. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Conner: Willis D., who married Eva Stephenson ; Margaret E., who died at the age of four years; and Ozro and Olive, twins. Olive is deceased, and Ozro married Maggie Shirk. The fraternal relations of Mr. Conner are with Lodge No. 731, L O. O. F., and his political affiliations are with the Republican party, of which he is a stanch and active supporter. He is a member of the Christian church.

John A. Sites. One of the aged and venerable citizens of Delaware county is John A. Sites. His probity, fidelity and sterling worth have won him the unqualified confidence of his fellow townsmen, and now in the evening of life his pathway is brightened by the veneration and respect which ever follow an upright career. He has been prominently identified with the interests of Delaware county during the past twenty-two years, but he is a native son of Grant county, West Virginia, born on the i6th of October, 1819, to John and Marie (Smith) Sites, both also natives of that commonwealth. John Sites was prominently identified with the farming and stock-raising interests of West Virginia for many years, there owning five hundred acres of land, and he also served as a justice of the peace during an extended period. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed church, a Whig in his political affiliations, and he lived to the age of seventy-seven years. His wife reached the remarkable age of one hundred and three years, while her mother was one hundred and nine when called to the home beyond. Thirteen children, seven daughters and six sons, were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Sites, namely: John A., Jacob, James, Izar, Sampson, Charles, Scott, Aaron, Jacob, two that died in infancy, Arthur and Ray Grant.

John A. Sites, the eldest child, offered his services to the Union cause during the period of the Civil war, enlisting in 1861 for three years, and whence four weeks later he was transferred to Staunton prison in Rockingham county, Virginia, there remaining for six weeks, when he was taken to Castle Thunder prison at .Richmond and thence to the famous Libby prison. During eight months he was held as a prisoner of war in that horrible prison pen, and at the close of the period the United States gave up three rebel prisoners for Mr. Sites, who was taken to Salisbury, North Carolina, and placed on parole. From there he was taken with others to Richmond, Virginia, and thence with thirteen other prisoners to a parole camp in Maryland, from whence after six weeks they were sent to headquarters at Wheeling, Virginia. But as the officer in charge there could not read their papers, they having been made out by a drunken man, they were told to return in ten days for their discharge. Returning home, Mr. Sites was again taken prisoner, but succeeded in making his escape, and he then came to Greene county, Ohio, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. From there in the spring of 1885 he came to Indiana and established his home in Harrison township, Delaware county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, putting his all, one thousand dollars in money, in this little home. He lost the entire amount, however, and he then became the owner of forty acres of land where he now lives, to which he added another forty-acre tract in 1903, and in the following year he erected his pleasant and comfortable home. For six years Mr. Sites represented his fellow townsmen in the office of road supervisor. His first presidential vote^vas cast for William H. Harrison, and when Abraham Lincoln made his race for the presidency Mr. Sites fought his way to the polls to cast his vote for the famous statesman.. During William McKinley's presidential race the family, including Mr. Sites, his brothers and sons, cast thirty-six votes for the Republican candidate. Although bom and raised a Dunkard, he is a member of the Friends church.

Mr. Sites first married Elizabeth Bond, who was born in West Virginia and died in 1844 after becoming the mother of six children : Jane, Samuel, Mary, Frances, John and George F. In 1855 Mr. Sites married Miss Mary A. Howland, who was bom in Brown county, Ohio, the daughter of Rawlson and Rebecca J. (Gilliand) Howland, the former a native of Adams county, Ohio, and the latter of Ireland. Of their family of two sons and four daughters five are now living : Elizabeth, Martha, Gilmer, Armstrong and Mary. The wife and mother reached the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten, and the father was seventy-three when death claimed him. Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sites : Albert, Emma, Eve, James, Tessic, Harvey, Minnie, Josephine, Arthur, Drah, Ray and Sibble. The career of Mr. Sites has been an active, useful and honorable one, and to his children he will leave the priceless heritage of an unblemished record.

Morton F. Carpenter. Holding a position of considerable prominence among the more progressive and successful agriculturists of Delaware county is Morton F. Carpenter, a widely and favorably known general farmer and stock breeder and raiser of Harrison township. He was bom in Jennings county, Indiana, November 5, 1864, a son of William F. and Annie (Himelick) Carpenter. His father was bom in Decatur county, Indiana, January 17, 1835, and died in Harrison township November 27, 1904, and his mother, who was bom in Jennings county, Indiana, October 14, 1842, still lives on the homestead farm. Further parental history may be found elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of Josiah Ferguson, who married Mr. Carpenter's sister.

But ten years of age when his parents removed to this county, Morton F. Carpenter was here bred and educated. On attaining his majority he began farming on his own account, at first locating in Harrison township, not far from the old family homestead. Four years later he went to Muncie, where he resided for three years, after which he lived for nine years in Washington township. Returning December 23, 1902, to Harrison township, Mr. Carpenter has since been actively employed in farming and stock breeding and raising, having now one hundred and thirty-seven acres of land, the most of which is in a good state of culture. He takes great pride in his stock, keeping a fine grade of cattle and horses, at the head of the latter herd being the famous Belgian stallion "Rubis," an imported draft horse, whose registered number is 2648. His cattle are Durhams and shorthorns, the finest grades raised in this part of the state.

Mr. Carpenter married September 25, 1886, Laura C. Ocker, who was born in Wells county, Indiana, January 9, 1866, a daughter of John and Annie M. (Wean) Ocker. John Ocker was a Virginian by birth, having been born in Rockingham county in 1821. Left fatherless when a boy, he came with his widowed mother to Henry county, Indiana, the slow journey being made with teams. The mother entered land in Henry county and with the help of her twelve children cleared and improved one of the finest homesteads in that vicinity, having at one time title to two hundred acres of land. She was a woman of rare courage and ability, and in the log cabin which she erected in the wilderness brought up her children wisely and well. Soon after starting in life for himself John Ocker opened a store near his mother's home, and after a few years in that place sold out and removed to Wells county, where he carried on farming for a number of years. Going then to Mount Summit, he erected a building for a store and residence, and for a while was there employed in mercantile business, and was likewise station agent for the Fort Wayne, Muncie and Richmond Railroad Company, the road being today known as the Lake Erie and Western railroad. Removing^ from there to Sulohur Sorines. four miles to them, two of whom are living, namely, Sarah, wife of Edward Myers, and Laura C, wife of Mr. Carpenter. The father, was a Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife were members of the United Brethren church. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, one of whom, Omer, died at the age of seventeen years, and four are living, namely, Delia May, John W., Roxanna and Charley B. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter belong to the Christian church and pay liberally toward its maintenance. In his political views Mr. Carpenter is a straightforward Republican.

Ambrose A. Manring. Prominent among the substantial representatives of the farming community in Harrison township is Ambrose A. Manring, who has been here engaged in his chosen vocation for twenty years, as a farmer meeting with most encouraging success. Throughout his years of residence in this vicinity he has ever evinced a warm interest in local progress and improvements, and has heartily endorsed all enterprises calculated to benefit the public. A native of Indiana, he was born Setpember 21, 1850, in Bartholomew county, a son of the late James H. Manring.

Bom in Kent county, Delaware, December 9, 1823, James H. Manring came with his parents to Franklin county, Indiana, in 1835, they, Ambrose and Nancy Manring, being among the earlier pioneers of that part of the state. He subsequently assisted his father in clearing the land, learning to wield the axe most dexterously, thus aptly illustrating the poet's description of the transformation that so rapidly followed the advent of the pioneer :

"The beech and elm and maple, and e'en the sturdy oak. All bowed beneath the power of the axe's cleaving stroke ; The red man moved afar, the forests disappeared.

And the prospering pale-faced people their pleasant homesteads reared." Finding farming a congenial occupation, he selected that as his life work. After becoming the head of a household he removed to Madison county, Indiana, bought land that was still in its virginal wilderness, built a log house, and again began the pioneer work of clearing and improving a homestead for himself and his growing family. A man of resolute will and determination, he met with success in his untiring efforts, and having placed a goodly portion of his homestead in a state of cultivation, erected a frame house, in which he spent his remaining days in comfort and pleasure, passing to the life beyond June 6, 1906. As a young man he was identified with the Democratic party, but during his later years was a strong Prohibitionist. He was a true Christian and a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church. For a number of years he was connected with Alexandria Lodge No. 235, A. F. & A. M., and at his death was buried with Masonic honors.

died April i6, 1902. Six children blessed their union, as follows : Nathaniel, who married Virginia Garrison ; Ambrose A., the subject of this sketch ; Martha C, wife of John Spears ; James W., who married Ellen Miller for his first wife, and married second Mrs. Alta (Blacklidge) Melbum; Ella N., wife of Sylvester Parker; and Edwin B., who married Emma Wiseheart.

Coming from thrifty Scotch ancestry on his father's side and from English ancestry on the Hammond side, his mother's earlier ancestors having migrated from England to New England, Ambrose A. Manring inherited many of the family traits of both parents. Industrious, active and energetic, he worked on the farm as a boy, obtaining his early education in the winter terms of the district school, remaining an inmate of the parental household until twenty-eight years old. Taking upon himself then the responsibilities of a married man, he embarked in general farming in Monroe township, Madison county. On October 13, 1886, he took up his residence in Harrison township, and having purchased eighty acres of land, took possession of the log cabin standing upon it and has since been here engaged in agricultural pursuits. With the Scotch thrift and English persistency of his ancestors he has labored unceasingly, and in the management of his property has met with substantial rewards. In 1899 Mr. Manring erected a modernly built frame house, and this, with the barn and outbuildings previously built, has added essentially to the value of his improvements. He is a general farmer, raising grain, fruit and stock of a good grade, his orchard containing one hundred and fifty trees which he has set out.

On October 2, 1878, Mr. Manring married Angelina Mabbitt, who was born June 2, 1855, in Madison county, Indiana, a daughter of Anthony Mabbitt. Mr. Mabbitt spent almost his entire sixty-three years of earthly life in Madison county, although his birth occurred in Union county, Indiana, December 28, 1824, and his death. May 4, 1888. When a young man he took up government land, and in the pioneer labor of clearing and improving a homestead met with phenomenal success. The small log cabin which he reared in the wilderness, and in which he and his bride began housekeeping, was replaced by a commodious frame house, equipped and furnished to meet the needs of the family, and he became one of the leading farmers of Madison county, at one time owning and managing two hundred and fifty acres of land. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat, very prominent in public affairs, and for eight and one-half years served as a justice of the peace. He was a member in good standing of the Baptist church, and generously contributed towards its support. He married Sarah J. Caulgan May 6, 1847, who was born December 19, 1827, and she bore him twelve children, of whom six survive, as follows : Granville, who married Nancy Long:; Angfelina, wife of Mr. Manring; Amanda; Rebecca,

D., who married Dora E. Lewis; Homer W., who married Carrie Beck; Lenna; Winona, wife of Lloyd McCreery; Mary J., and Eric Hammond. Hubert D. completed the common school course and received his diploma in 1895, ^^d he also spent one term in Valparaiso College. Homer W. completed the common school course in the year of 1897 and received his diploma. Lenna completed her course in the common schools with the class of 1900, and then took two years' high school work in Bethel High school. She has taken both vocal and instrumental music. Winona completed her common school course with the class of 1900, and also received the same course in the Bethel High school as her sister Lenna. Mary completed her course with the class of 1904, and she also finished the Gaston high school course with the class of 1907. Eric is in the seventh grade of the public schools. He is a lover of history. Mr. Manring is prominent in local fraternal organizations, and does much to promote the good' of the orders to which he belongs. He was formerly a member of Alexandria Lodge No. 235, A. F. & A. M., and now belongs to Bethel Lodge No. 731, I. O. O. F., and to Lincoln Rebekah Lodge, No. 563, of Bethel, of which his wife and two of his daughters, Lenna E. and Mary Jane, are also members. In this lodge Miss Lenna E. Manring has held all of the offices. Mr. and Mrs. Manring are both faithful members of the Christian church.

Henry Clevenger. A life-long resident of Delaware county, well known as a citizen of worth, Henry Clevenger has been closely identified with the advancement of its agricultural interests, and is now one of the most highly respected and prosperous farmers of Harrison township. A son of the late Thomas Clevenger, he was born September 26, 1850, in Mount Pleasant township, this county, and was there brought up and educated.

A native of Ohio, Thomas Clevenger was born in Licking county in February, 1824. Coming with his parents to Indiana, he was one of the early pioneers of Delaware county, and ably assisted his father in his brave efforts to reclaim a homestead from the wild land which he took up from the government. Embarking in life as a farmer, he was at first located in Mount Pleasant township, but some time in the early seventies removed to Gaston, this county, where he carried on general farming until his death, in 1897. He was patriotic and public spirited, and during the Civil war served in the Union army for a year. He was a Democrat in politics, and a valued member of the New Light Christian church. He married Mary Myers, who was bom in 1832, in Licking county, Ohio, and died on the home farm in Gaston in 1895. Seven children were born to them, and six are now living, namely: Henry, the subject of this brief sketch, James, Johanna, Martha, Christina and David.

saved enough money to warrant him in purchasing land on his own account, and with that object in view came to Harrison township to locate. Buying a farm on section twenty-two, Mr. Clevenger has since been busily engaged in its management, meeting with signal success in his undertakings. It was in 1906 that he erected his comfortable residence and splendid bam, at a cost of $3,000. Laboring with earnest purpose, he has secured a competence, being well rewarded for his years of toil. He is now in the iM"ime of life, active, energetic, with a clear head for business, and is a prominent factor in the industrial interests of this part of the coimty.

On October 27, 1876, Mr. Clevenger married Martha E. Branson, who was born in this township December 29, 1861, a daughter of the late John H. Branson. A native of Delaware county, Mr. Branson was born February 10, 183 1, and for many years of his active life was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Harrison township, having cleared and improved a homestead from land which he took up from the government. One of the early and practical farmers of this township, he was largely instrumental in advancing its growth and prosperity, and his death, May 10, 1902, was a great loss to the community. He married, in Harrison township, Mary A. Fox, who was bom in Kentucky March 16, 1836, and died in Cammack November 19, 1899. They became the parents of thirteen children, of whom seven are now living, namely : Elizabeth, wife of Charles St. Clair ; Sarah, wife of John Conner ; Martha E., wife of Mr. Clevenger ; George W., who married Emma Murphy ; Joseph, who married Emma Coplinger ; Edward, who married Myrtle Cunnigum, and Flora, wife of Robert Van Buskirk. Mr. Branson was identified with the Whigs in early life, but after the organization of the Republican party stanchly suppcwted its principles. Both he and his wife belonged to the New Light Christian church, in which he was for many years a deacon. Seven children have been born into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clevenger, namely: Wesley, who died when but thirteen years old, John, who died in infancy, Jesse, Qinton, Mary, Joseph and Bessie. True to the political and religious faith in which he was trained, Mr. Clevenger is a Democrat and belongs to the New Light Christian church. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Eaton.

Spencer H. Benadum. In reviewing the early history of Delaware county it will be found that one of the first men to seek a home within its borders was Allen Benadum, the father of Spencer H. It was in the fall of 1840 that he first came here, but after looking the county over he returned to his native commonwealth of Ohio, where his birth had occurred on the 5th of October, 1819, in Fairfield, Lancaster county, but two years after his first visit he came again to Delaware county, Indiana, this time purchasing eighty acres of timber land in Harrison township. Returning later to Ohio, he for the third time made the journey west. This was in the fall of 1848, and he made the trip to Delaware county with team and wagon, accom- panied by his wife and six children. They established their home in Muncie and Mr. Benadum resumed his trade of blacksmithing, on High street. In the spring of 1883 he erected a brick shop on East Main street, and there he diligently worked at his trade until he purchased in the fall of 1856 eighty acres of land in Harrison township, adjoining his first purchase, and later he added one hundred and sixty acres more to the boundaries of his estate. In the fall of the same year he transferred his residence from Muncie to his farm, their first home being a little log cabin, but later on this gave place to a frame residence, which was destroyed by fire on the 4th of March, 1866. A log house was then built in its place, and during all this time Mr. Benadum and his sons were actively engaged in clearing the land and preparing it for the plow. In addition to his general farming Mr. Benadum was also extensively engaged in the breeding of Chester White and Poland China hogs. He was successful in his business operation, and Delaware county numbered this pious Christian man among her most honored pioneer residents. For over fifty years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was also an active worker in the Sons of Temperance. He gave his political support to the Whig party and cast his vote for the first presidential candidate of its successor, John C. Fremont. In his native city of Fairfield, Ohio, February 15, 1838, Mr. Benadum married Susannah R. Ebright, born in Fairfield December 18, 1816, and they became the parents of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, but only four are now living: Spencer H., the subject of this review; Almira O., the widow of Dillard Drake ; Mary E., the wife of John Gerard, and William E., who married Rosa Green. The death of Mr. Benadum occurred on his homestead farm in Harrison township January 9, 1893, ^tnd on the i8th of December of the same year his wife joined him in the home beyond. She too was a worthy member of the Methodist church, her name having been on its membership role during the long period of fifty-nine years.

Spencer H. Benadum was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, June 21, 1846, and as a boy he worked with his father, assisting him to carry the brick for the erection of the little building in which he so long carried on his trade, and after the removal of the family to Harrison township he assisted in clearing the homestead from its dense growth of timber, working on the farm during the summer months and attending school in the winters. Soon after his first marriage he engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself, but later left the farm and from the fall of 1878 until the fall of 1879 he was engaged in the meat business in Osborn City, Kansas. At the close of that period he returned to Muncie, and after his second marriage removed to his farm in Harrison township, this being in the year of 1880, and he has since devoted his entire attention to its cultivation and improvement with the exception of two years, from 1886 to 1888, when he resided in Muncie. During the period of the Civil war Mr. Benadum put aside personal considerations and offered his services to his country's cause, becoming a member on the 13th of December, 1863, of Company G, One Hundred and

Twenty-first Regiment of the Ninth Indiana Cavalry, enlisting for three years or during the war. During his military career he participated in the battles of Pulaski, Tennessee, September lo and 28, 1864; Wilson's Pike, December i, 1864; Granny White Pike, December 16, 1864; Nashville, Tennessee, December 15, 1864; Franklin, Tennessee, December 17, 1864; Little Harper on the night of December 17, 1864, and also in many skirmishes. His brave and loyal service as a defender of the Union now entitles him to membership in Lookout Post, No. 140, G. A. R., of Gaston, and he is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations.

On the 22d of October, 1868, Mr. Benadum married Miss Alice Conner, who was born in Harrison township and who after a happy married life of eleven years was called to the home beyond in 1879. Of her three children only two are now living, Hattie, the wife of James Barker, and Stella, the wife of David Flora. On the 20th of June, 1880, Mr. Benadum wedded Miss Cora E. Milhollin, who was born in Shelby county, Ohio, June 22, 1861, a daughter of Edward J. and Jennie E. (Holmes) Milhollin. Six children have been born of this union: Jennie, the wife of Marion Drumm; Susan, who became the wife of Arthur Brown ; Minnie, the wife of Halph Cecil; Clarence E., Allen and Walter. Mr. Milhollin, the father of Mrs. Benadum, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, March 19, 1830, and after entering upon his business life he spent some time in farming and contracting in Sidney of his native state. In 1876 he came from Ohio to Indiana and located in Muncie, where he became a contractor on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. On the 2d of May, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Regiment, with which he served until his discharge September 10, 1864. After returning from the army he began contracting in ' ditches, thus continuing until his return to Ohio, and after a sojourn in that state of five years he came again to Indiana. In Shelby county, Ohio, he married Jennie E. Holmes, who was born in Fairfield county of that state December 14, 1834, and her death occurred on the loth of June, 1881. Mr. Milhollin survived his wife until the 6th of July, 1899. They became the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, and the four now living are Thomas, Cora E., Minnie, the wife of William Case, and Samuel, who married Pearl Fry. Mr. Milhollin, the father, was a member of the United Brethren church, while his wife was a life-long member of the Methodist denomination, and in his political affiliations he was a Jackson Democrat. Both Mr. and Mrs. Benadum are members of prominent pioneer families of Delaware county, and worthily they bear the name of an honorable ancestry.

Emmitt Mullin was born in Henry county, Indiana, November 30, 1849, ^ son of John S. and Margaret (Emmitt) Mullin. John S. Mullin was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1797, and departed this life at the home of his daughter, Mrs. M. M. Vestal, in Newcastle, Henry county, Indiana, July 12, 1887, aged ninety years, one month and nine days. He moved from Pennsylvania to Hamilton county, Ohio, with his parents in the year of 1811, at the age of fifteen, where he continued his home until the year of 1823. In that year he was joined in marriage to Hulda Struble, and they had four children, one son and three daughters. From Ohio he removed to Indiana in the year of 1830, and on the 29th of March of that year entered eighty acres of land east of Newcastle and moved onto it on the 29th of the following April. On the 3d of November following his wife died, leaving him with four children and in a wilderness home. He was again married February 14, 1833, to Margaret Emmitt, who was bom in Ohio and died October 5, 1885. Of their ten children, six sons and four daughters, two sons and one daughter preceded him to the home beyond, and five are now living : Jane, the widow of M. M. Vestal ; David, who married Laura Williams ; Annie, the wife of Charles Ball ; Emmitt, the subject of this review ; and Ruamy, the wife of John W. Abbott.

Mr. Mullin continued his home on the farm entered in 1830 until he went to live with his son James in the city, October 7, 1885, and just one year later he went to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Vestal. As a husband and father he was kind and tender, and those who were the objects of his care in their infancy and youth will ever cherish the memory of a kind father. As a citizen he was honest in all his dealings and generous as a neighbor. He never formally connected himself with any church but was a great reader of the Bible and accepted it as a revelation from God. He assisted in erecting the first courthouse in Henry county, and he also burned the brick with which to erect his residence, this superseding the old log house erected in the wilderness. Henry county numbered him among her most honored pioneer residents. He was a Jefferson Democrat politically.

During his boyhood days Emmitt Mullin worked with his father on the farm, laboring in the fields during the summer months and attending school in the winters. Thus he continued until 1885, when he purchased the farm where 'he now lives and continued his agricultural labors until his removal to Muncie to embark in the grocery business. This was in 1897, and for about seven months he continued that business with his son Arthur. In 1905 he became interested in the dairy business, and has but recently closed out his business as a dairyman.

On the 1st of October, 187 1, Mr. Mullin was imited in marriage to Sarah Bicknell, who was bom in Newcastle, Henry coimty, Indiana, October 10, 185 1, the daughter of Darling and Frances (Anderson) Bicknell, both of whom were bom in North Carolina, the father on the 19th of March, 1817, and the mother in July, 1812. They were married in Newcastle, Indiana, and of their eight children all are now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Mullin, the youngest of the family. Mr. Bicknell, the father, came with his parents, Randolph and Mary Bicknell, to Indiana in 1822, when five years of age, the family home being established three miles south of Newcastle, where the little lad grew to years of maturity and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1876 he sold his interests in Newcastle and went to Nashville, Tennessee, there resuming his mercantile business, and he died there at the age of eighty-eight years. Mrs. Bicknell died February 21, 1900. He was a member of Newcastle Lodge, I. O. O. F., a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a Jefferson Democrat politically.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mullin - ^John A. and Floyd. The elder is engaged in the meat business in Muncie, and he married Ophia Chalfant. Mrs. Mullin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her husband of the United Brethren, and he is a stanch Republican in his political views.

Francis H. Benadum. When Francis H. Benadum passed away on the 15th of July, 1902, one more name was added to the list of honored dead of Delaware county. He was a member of one of the county's oldest and most prominent families, but his birth occurred in Fairfield coimty, Ohio, April 26, 1844, a son of Allen and Susannah Benadum. He remained at home with his parents until eighteen years of age, and then with all the ardor of youth he offered his services to his country's cause in her Civil war, enlisting for three months, and at the close of that period he veteranized on the 9th of March, 1864, for three years or during the war as a member of Company F, First Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, heavy artillery, and was discharged at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, January 5, 1866, for his term of enlistment had expired and the war had closed. Coming thence to Muncie, Indiana, Mr. Benadum engaged in the teaming business, but later selling his interests in that occupation he embarked in the restaurant business and continued as the proprietor of an eating house for six years. At the close of that period he removed to a farm of fifty-three and a third acres in Harrison township, on which he erected a valuable residence, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was honored and revered in the county in which he so long made his home, and in his death the community mourned the loss of one of its best known citizens. In political matters he voted with the Republican party.

On the 29th of April, 1866, Mr. Benadum was united in marriage to Ellen Sullivan, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Irvin in Muncie. She was born in County Kerry, Ireland, August 10, 1846, a daughter of Michael and Ellen (Moriarity) Sullivan, both of whom also claimed that county as the place of their nativity. The father died in 1849, when his daughter was but three years of age, and in 1854, when she was but a little maiden of eight years, her mother was called to the home beyond, dying in Muncie, Indiana. She came to the United States in a sailing ship in 1850, and, landing in New York city, she spent a short time in the metropolis, and then continued her journey to Newport, Rhode Island. There, strange

Michael Quinland, and he is now living in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Ellen, who became the wife of Mr. Benadum. She made the voyage to the United States by sailing ship in 185 1, when but five years of age, in company with a cousin. Four weeks were spent on the ocean, and after landing in the harbor of New York they went to Newport to join her mother. With her mother and stepfather Mrs. Benadum came to Muncie, Indiana. She there gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Benadum, and they became the parents of three children : Minnie, who died at the age of twenty-two years ; Charles E. ; and Don H., who married Mary Johnson.

Oscar O. Boxell. Occupying a position of prominence among the leading agriculturists of Harrison township is Oscar O. Boxell, a man of energetic determination and excellent business qualifications, who readily puts his best efforts into everything he undertakes. He was bom October 21, 1872, in Michigan, Indiana, a son of the late Rev. George W. Boxell. He is descended from an honored pioneer family, being the grandson of Joseph Boxell, who came from Virginia to Indiana in 1836, locating in Van Buren township. Grant county, where he was the fourth householder, there having previously been but three log cabins erected in that vicinity.

Bom in Virginia January 16, 1833, George W. Boxell was but three years old when he was brought across the country to this state. Although bred in the wilderness, he had a natural aptitude for books, and took advantage of every opportunity offered for adding to his knowledge. He assisted his parents in the tedious work of clearing a homestead from the forests, which at that time were inhabited by Indians, bears, wolves, and wild beasts of every description. As a youth he became interested in religion, and at the age of nineteen years entered the ministry of the Methodist Protestant church. Beginning his duties as an itinerant, he traveled over long stretches of territory, making his way through the wilderness from place to place by the means of blazed trees, the modes of traveling in those days being in strange contrast to those now employed. In this capacity he led a busy and useful life for nearly a quarter of a century, by his ministry giving comfort and good cheer to hundreds of people, and extending and advancing the Master's cause. Receiving a call from the First Methodist Protestant church of Indianapolis in 1876, Rev. Mr. Boxell remained there four years, and then went to Muncie, where he held a pastorate eight years. Going then to Elwood, he remained there until 1892, when he accepted a call to Anderson. In 1896, his health failing, he retired from the ministry, locating in Harrison township, on the farm which he had purchased in 1859. Turning his attention to outdoor pursuits, Mr. Boxell carried on general farming to some extent, and although not able to preach regularly was often called upon to conduct funeral services, in the course of his life preaching more than seventeen hundred funeral sermons. In politics he was a Jefferson and Jackson Democrat, and served one term as trustee of Harrison township. He died December 5, 1905, loved and respected by all.

Rev. George Boxell was twice married. He married first January i6, 1858, Rhoda McKeever, who was bom near Marion, Grant county, Indiana, in 1836, and died January 10, 1880, in Muncie. She bore him six children, of whom Oscar O., the special subject of this sketch, is the only one living. He married second, July 26, 1882, Emma Thompson, who was bom October 18, 1862, and is now living in Muncie. They had but one child, Estella L., now the wife of Carl Rees.

Brought up on the home farm, Oscar O. Boxell was given excellent educational advantages, and when ready to embark upon an active career accepted a position with the Pmdential Life Insurance Company, with which he was associated until 1905, for four years being superintendent of the office at Muncie, and also having charge of other branch offices of that company. Locating in 1905 on the old homestead, Mr. Boxell at once erected the fine, modernly equipped and furnished home that he now occupies, and has since devoted his energies to agriculture. He makes a specialty of stock raising, keeping Duroc hogs, and a good grade of horses and cows. On the 15th of October, 1907, he lost his barn by fire, and is now erecting a new barn thirty by sixty feet and covered with sheet steel.

On May 13, 1893, Mr. Boxell married Bessie Hoffman, who was bom in Salem township, this county, May 9, 1875, a daughter of William C. and Mary (Lambert) Hoffman, of whom a brief sketch may be found elsewhere in this volume. Three children have come to bless this union, namely: Wilbur B., who died in infancy; Lois E. and George W. Politically Mr. Boxell supports the principles of the Democratic party by voice and vote. Religiously he belongs to the Methodist Protestant church, of which his wife is also a member. Fraternally he is a member of Welcome Lodge, No. 37, K, of P., of Muncie.

Nathan A. McCreery is a member of one of Delaware county's prominent pioneer families and is a native son of its township of Harrison, his natal day being the 25th of September, 1859, ^^^ his parents Thomas and Catherine (Brown) McCreery. His boyhood days were spent in assisting his father to clear the homestead farm from a wilderness, working in the fields during the summer months and pursuing his educational training in the district schools in the winters. Thus his time was employed until he reached his twenty-first year, when he began farming for himself on a part of the old home farm, receiving eighty acres of timber land from his father. With his young wife he took up his abode in a little log cabin which stood upon the place, and he began the arduous task of clearing his land and placing it under cultivation. This little cabin home continued to shelter them for eleven years, when it was burned and they lost their all in the fire. The pleasant and commodious dwelling which now adorns the homestead was soon built, and with the passing years Mr. McCreery has succeeded in clearing his land with the exception of ten acres, and his fields are under an

On the 27th of December, 1883, Mr. McCreery married Nettie V. Trout. She was born in Washington township, Delaware county, Indiana, July 29, 1864, the daughter of Hannibal and Barbara (Wharton) Trout, both natives of Licking county, Ohio, the father born January 24, 1830, and the mother April 17, 1834. They were married on the 4th of April, 1853, and became the parents of eleven children, six now living: Leroy S., who is married ; Derilus, who married Martha Miller ; William L., who married Emily McCreery; Nettie V., the wife of Nathan A. McCreery; Lois A.; and Frank O. Mr. Trout, the father, came to Indiana in 185 1 and secured a farm of heavily timbered land in Harrison township, of which he cleared about forty acres, and later removed to Washington township and there purchased ninety acres of land. After residing there for about five or six years he sold the land and in 189 1 came to Gaston, his present home. He is a Democrat in his political affiliations and has served as a road supervisor. Mrs. Trout died on the 30th of May, 1907. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McCreer>': William C, Delrey, Effie F., Ina C, Edna E. and George Washington. The eldest son, William C. McCreery, married Elsie Rector, the daughter of James A. Rector, and they have one daughter, Thelma Fern. The fifth child in order of birth, Edna E., died in infancy. Mr. McCreery votes with the Republican party, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as is also his wife and their two daughters, Effie and Ina.

Alexander Hiatt. A representative agriculturist of Harrison township, Alexander Hiatt has met with excellent results in his farming operations, his fine and well appointed estate giving substantial evidence of the good care and skill with which it is managed. A native of Indiana, he was bom August 25, 1857, in Henry county, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, the late Solomon Hiatt.

A son of John and Charity Hiatt, Solomon Hiatt was bom December 20, 1833. In his boyhood days he assisted in the pioneer labor of clearing and improving a homestead from the wilderness, and as a young man engaged in farming on his own account. Soon after choosing his life companion he bought land in Delaware county, and from that time until his death, which occurred July 17, 1906, he carried on general farming ably and successfully. He was influential in public affairs, and for eight years served as a justice of the peace. In his earlier years he was a Whig, but in 1856 he cast his presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and from that time was identified with the Republican party. For thirty-nine years he was a Mason, belonging to the lodge in Alexandria. On November 10, 1856, he married Elizabeth McCollester, who was bom in Delaware county, October 13, 1839, and died on the home farm July 31, 1906, surviving him but two short weeks. She was a woman of many virtues, and one whose daily life was in harmony with the Master's teachings, as a member of the Christian church, with which she united at the age of seventeen years, being true to the faith which she professed. Of the eleven children bom of their marriage, four daughters have passed to the higher life, and five sons and two daughters are now living. She had, also, at the time of her death twenty-eight grandchildren living, and four great-grandchildren.

Brought up on the home farm, Alexander Hiatt, in common with his brothers and sisters, attended the district school winters, and during the days of his youth and young manhood was practically educated in the work of general husbandry. At that time the toils of the field were arduous and almost endless, the labor-saving machinery of today being unknown, and to successfully manage a farm required incessant industry, energetic perseverance and good judgment. Proving himself possessed of all these requirements, Mr. Hiatt chose farming as his occupation, and, with the exception of four years spent in the glass factory of Ball Brothers, manufacturers of fruit jars, has been employed in agricultural pursuits. From the thrifty appearance of his farm it is evident that he takes pride in his business, his land being finely improved, and amply supplied with all the accessories of a first-class estate.

Mr. Hiatt married, October 4, 1883, Sarah A. DeLong, who was bom March 16, 1865, in Washington township, Delaware county, a daughter of the late Chauncey DeLong. Mr. DeLong was bom Febmary i, 183 1, in Ohio. As a young man he came to Indiana, located in Delaware county, where he took up land in pioneer days, and from that time until his death, December 14, 1879, was engaged in tilling the soil. He was a man of much worth, a patriotic and loyal citizen, and during the Civil war served as a soldier, valiantly performing his duty in camp and field. His second wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Ann Hayden, was born in this county January 18, 1837, and here spent her life, paissing away January i, 1880. She bore him five children, four of whom are living, namely : Sarah A., wife of Mr. Hiatt; Minnie, Ollie and George. By his first wife, Margaret Hiatt, who was born in Ohio and died in Indiana, Mr. DeLong had five children also, and of these four survive, as follows : Orson, Frances, Samantha and John. Mr. and Mrs. Hiatt are the parents of four children, namely: Minnie, wife of Thornton E. Hadden ; Charles P., Flossie V. and Reba M. Politically Mr. Hiatt is a stanch Republican and fratemally he was a charter member of Muncie Tribe, No. 144, I. O. R. M., and now belongs to Caux Tribe, No. 123, 1. O. R. M., of Gaston.

Mary (Cary) Rector. Further parental and ancestral history may be found elsewhere in this work, in connection with the sketch of Arthur Rector.

As a boy, while working with his father, James A. Rector became familiar with all the hard labor connected with the clearing and improving of heavily timbered land. At this he workied during the summer seasons, while in winter he attended the district school, the longest term that he ever regularly attended having been one of four months. When twenty-two years old he began the battle of life for himself, taking charge of thirty acres of his father's farm. He planted two acres of potatoes, devoting the remainder to com, and one-third of all he raised belonged to him, while his father had two-thirds. His father gave him a colt, and he bought another, and the following year he carried on forty acres of land. In 1875 Mr. Rector bought forty acres of his present farm, moved into the log cabin that stood upon it, and continued his agricultural labors. In 1880 he added to his original tract by the purchase of twenty acres of land, and in 1882 bought an additional twenty acres, his purchases showing the good success with which he had met as a tiller of the soil. In 1902 he erected the fine house which he now occupies, this .with the other substantial improvements which he has made upon the place rendering it one of the most valuable and attractive of any in Harrison township.

Mr. Rector married, December 30, 1873, Cordelia J. Cary, who was born in Perry township, Delaware county, October 29, 1855. Her father, John W. Cary, came to Delaware county from Ohio, where he was bom, in early manhood, being a pioneer settler of this section of the state. He cleared a farm from the wilderness, and also worked at his trade of a stonemason and manufactured brick to some extent. He was a man of versatile talents, possessing great mechanical ability, and while working at his trade took contracts and erected many buildings in this county, including among others several school houses and also the church at Philadelphia, Hancock county. He was a man of sterling integrity, a member of the United Brethren church from his boyhood, and in politics was a Republican. He married Elizabeth Hutchins, who was born in Delaware county. Eight children were born to them, seven of whom are living, namely : Cordelia, J., wife of Mr. Rector ; John, who married Stella Rector ; Charles, who married Alta Chalfant; Franklin, who married Sarah Backsley; Cory, wife of George Benadum; Samuel, who married Ola McCreery; and Hester, wife of Walter Bryan. Neither Mr. or Mrs. Cary are living, he having passed to the life beyond in October, 1888, aged fifty-two years, and Mrs. Cary, who survived him, having died August 3, 1898, aged sixty-two years. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rector ten children have been born, namely : Ida F., wife of Edmund Rowlett; Edna P., wife of John T. Clark; Dorsy C, who married Edith Vanmeter; Curtis V., who married Bessie Jenning; Dott E., wife of William McCreery ; Opal B. ; Chad ; Bertha B., who died at the age of twelve years ; Glennie, who died at the age of six years ; and Virgal, who died at the age of four years. In hearty sympathy with every practical effort made to promote and advance the welfare of town or county, Mr. Rector never shirks the responsibilities of office, and for eight years has served as supervisor. Politically he is a firm adherent of the Republican party. Religiously he is a member of the United Brethren church, as is also his wife, and is very active in the organization, in 1891 joining the Conference, and in 1894 being ordained as minister.

Arthur Rector. The life history of Arthur Rector is closely identified with the history of Delaware county, which has been his home for three score years and ten. When he was but a little lad of ten years his parents with their family came from Ohio to Delaware county, Indiana, making the journey with team and wagon, and throughout the years which have since come and ^one he has been closely allied with the interests and upbuilding of the county.

Mr. Rector was bom in Clark county, Ohio, near Northampton, June 12, 1827, a son of Jonathan and Mary (Downing) Rector, both of whom were also born in Clark county. There they were married, and their union was blessed with eleven children, but only two of this large number are now living, Arthur, the eldest of the eleven children, and Eliza, who has been three times married, but her husbands are all now deceased and she is living in Oklahoma. About 1837 Jonathan Rector came with his wife and children to Delaware county, and as above stated located seven miles southeast of Muncie, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in the wilderness, his nearest neighbors in those early days being the Indians and wild animals. The first home of the family was a little log cabin, but this in time gave place to a modern frame residence, the first frame house of the locality, but Mr. Rector later sold this homestead and purchased the farm where his son Arthur now lives. There he spent the remainder of his life and died at the age of seventy-four years. He inscribed his name high on the roll of Delaware county's pioneers, and his name is honored and revered as one of its foremost founders. He was a member of the United Brethren church, and politically was a Jefferson Democrat until he cast his vote for John C. Fremont and the Republican party. Mrs. Rector died at the age of seventy-four years.

The boyhood days of Arthur Rector were spent with his father on the home farm, assisting in its clearing and cultivation and at the same time pursuing his educational training in the district schools. The first work which he performed after his marriage was the splitting of three thousand fence rails, receiving in compensation twenty-five cents a hundred, and at the time of his marriage his cash capital consisted of but fifty cents, his possessions now representing earnest and unceasing labor. After working for others about four or five years he purchased forty acres of timber land, erecting in the dense woods a little log cabin of tlie most primitive kind. Its furnishings were equally as crude, and its first bedstead was built by boring holes in the side of the cabin, in which were inserted poles with uprights, while stripped hickory elm was tied across the poles to support the straw mattress. The farm was located in Perry township, and with the passing years he added to his original purchase until he became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres, which he sold in 1882 for eight thousand dollars. Coming thence to Harrison township he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, later adding sixty acres thereto, thus making him the owner of two hundred and twenty acres. In 1883 he erected the pleasant and commodious residence which now adorns the homestead. In 1906 he laid aside the cares of an active business life and is now living retired. In 1862 Mr. Rector entered the ministry of the United Brethren in Christ, and has ever since been an active laborer in the cause of Christianity. During twenty-seven years he traveled a circuit in the interests of his church. His first presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren, and since then he has supported the principles of the Republican party.

On the 3d of December, 1846, Mr. Rector married Mary Cary, who was bom in Sidney, Ohio, March 7, 1831, a daughter of William and Hannah (Jackson) Cary, and her death occurred on the 25th of July, 1903, after becoming the mother of eleven children, the nine now living being Charles W., Marcus C, James, Mary E., Barbara C, Annis, John E., Elmetta F. and William A. Mr. Rector married for his second wife Mary Amanda Dines, who was bom in Wayne county, Indiana, February 14, 1842, a daughter of William and Rebecca (Wadman) Johnson, the former of whom was a native of Wayne coimty, Indiana, and the latter of Maryland. Their deaths occurred, respectively, in 1842 and August 26, 1851, the mother being but twenty-eight years of age when death claimed her. Mrs. Rector is their only child, and she was first married to John L. Dine March 15, 1873. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, October 28, 1850, and died on the 27th of October, 1890. One daughter, Elva R., was bom of this union, and she died at the age of seventeen years, August 20, 1892.

William H. Brown bears an honorable record for service in the Civil war and Delaware county also numbers him among her prominent agriculturists and business men. He was bora in Clinton county, Ohio, March 12, 1844. His father, Joseph S. Brown, claimed Pennsylvania as the commonwealth of his nativity, bom March 20, 1819, but when a boy of fourteen years he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio. He continued as a farmer in that state until his removal with his family to Indiana in 1852, first purchasing forty acres of timber land in Harrison township, and in the little round log cabin which stood upon the land the family began their pioneer life in the Hoosier state. The country was then new and wild, without roads and the other improvements of the present day, but as the years grew apace and the country became more thickly settled conditions changed, and in the meantime Mr. Brown cleared his land and added forty acres to its boundaries, while in time the little log cabin gave place to a more commodious frame residence. There this Delaware county pioneer spent his remaining days and died on the 7th of March, 1905. He was a lifelong farmer and for a number of terms served his fellow townsmen as a supervisor. He upheld the principles of the Democratic party and was a member of the New Light Christian church for about thirty years. During his residence in Ohio, on the 8th of September, 1841, Mr. Brown married Mary (Jones) Taylor, who was bom in Virginia August 20, 1809, and she died in Harrison township February 9, 1891. She was twice married, first wedding James Taylor, by whom she had six children, and two are now living - Sarah, the widow of James Goodrich and a resident of Hartford City, and George W., who married Susan Clevenger. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown' two are now living, William H., the subject of this review, and Eliza Jane, the wife of W. T. Downing, of Harrison township.

William H. Brown was but a lad of eight years when the family home was established in Delaware county, and during his boyhood days he assisted his father in the work of the home farm, attending school during the winter months. In his eighteenth year, on the ist of August, 1863, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, for six months, and was discharged at Indianapolis, Indiana, March i, 1864. Re-enlisting in Company D, Sixteenth Regiment of Mounted Infantry, October 21, 1863, he was later transferred to Company I, Thirteenth Regiment of Indiana Cavalry, October 24, 1864, and was discharged at Jackson, Mississippi, October 23, 1865, by reason of the expiration of his term of service. During his military career he participated in the battles of Walker's Ford, Blue Spring, Greenville and in many skirmishes, and after his return from the war he resumed his agricultural labors and soon located on the farm where he now resides in Harrison township, prominently engaged in general farming and stock raising. In 1897 he remodeled his residence and his homestead is now one of the best in the locality.

On November 13, 1871, Mr. Brown married Miss Rachel M. Coffen, who was born in Harrison township, Delaware county, September 13, 1849, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Reed) Coffen. The father was bom in Fayette county, Indiana, November 21, 1812, from whence he removed to Delaware county, Indiana, in 1845 or 1846, purchasing land from his father, Samuel Coffen, in Harrison township. This land had been formerly entered from the government. The little log cabin in which Mr. Coffen first made his home in Harrison township was later replaced by a frame residence, the parents of five children, of whom two are now living - William H. and Mrs. Brown. Four children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. Brown: Mary A., the wife of James McCreery; Martha S., the wife of George Stinson; Arthur, who married Susan Benadum; and Ralph. The Republican party receives Mr. Brown's active support and cooperation, and he has membership relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army Post in Gaston. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.

John McKnight Bloss, deceased, patriot and educator of national reputation, was a native of Indiana, born in Washington county, near New Philadelphia, on the 21st of January, 1839, and his death occurred April 26, 1905, at his late home in Hamilton township, Delaware county, Indiana. He was the only son of Isaac Scott and Agnes (McKnight) Bloss, but he had two sisters, Elizabeth J. and Margaret A., and also four half-brothers and two half-sisters by the father's second marriage. In tracing the lineage of Mr. Bloss it is found that the progenitor of the family in America was Edmund Bloss, who came from England about 1634, and was one of the founders of Watertown, Massachusetts. He had a son, Richard, the father of Richard, Jr., and the last named was the father of Samuel, who had a son Samuel, and he became the father of Dorman Bloss, the grandfather of John M. Bloss. Dorman Bloss and his son Isaac were pioneers of Washington county, Indiana.

In his youth John M. Bloss assisted his father on the farm and in the tannery, and was permitted to spend a few months each year attending the early pioneer schools, which did not afford the best of educational advantages, but with indomitable energy and courage he applied himself to his books, making his own way so rapidly that at the age of sixteen we find him teaching, beginning at that early age the work of his life. In the year of 1854 he entered upon his college course and six years of his time were spent at Hanover, teaching his way when necessary to defray expenses in college. He graduated in i860 with honors, receiving the degree of A. B., and at once entered upon the regular work of his life as principal of the public school at Livonia, Indiana.

Soon after Fort Sumter was fired upon by the South young Bloss tendered his services with other youths of Livonia to Governor Morton, who could not accept their services for the reason that the state's quota had already been more than filled. However, in the following summer he again tendered his services in the defense of the Union and was accepted. He enlisted as a private in Company F, Twenty-seventh Indiana Volimteer Infantry, and was sworn in on the 9th day of August, 1861. His regiment was sent directly to the Potomac and placed in McClellan's army. In the dreadful conflict that followed between the states young Bloss took part in the battles of Ball's Bluff, Winchester, Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Resaca and others. After the battle of Antietam he was made first lieutenant of his company, and six months later was placed in command of the first division, Twelfth Army Pioneer Corps. After this he was for a time inspector on General Ruger's staff, and on the 12th of May, 1864, he was promoted to the captaincy of his company, which went west under Hooker and took part in the engagements at Resaca and Atlanta. While in the service Captain Bloss was wounded four times, once each at the engagements of Antietam, Winchester, Chancellorsville and Resaca, the last time so seriously that he was compelled to resign and return home. His resignation was dated October 17, 1864, and thus it is seen that he served nearly through the war, having been exposed, to fire in no less than fifteen engagements.

The most noted event in the military career of Captain Bloss was the finding of the "Gen. Lee's Special Order No. 191," or Lee's Lost Dispatch. In this dispatch General Lee directed General D. H. Hill to move from Frederick to South Mountain, and informing him that General Stonewall Jackson had been sent to capture Harper's Ferry, also disclosing General Lee's plans in the Maryland raid. General Lee had designed not only to hold "heroic Maryland," but also plant the war in the "wheat fields" of Pennsylvania and take Washington city. The entire plan was drawn out in detail and a copy given to each of his corps commanders, one of which was General D. H. Hill, who was so displeased with the place given him in the plans that in a fit of ugly temper he threw the dispatch on the ground, even overlooking two cigars contained in the envelope, and of cigars, too, he was very fond. This dispatch was written on the 12th of September and found on the following day. Sergeant Bloss was in command of a skirmish line in the advance upon Frederick, and as a short pause in the march was ordered the soldier boys threw themselves down on the ground for rest. It was about nine o'clock in the morning of a fair day, and nothing indicated that only a few hours before the command of General Hill had left the scene in obedience to General Lee's orders. Sergeant Bloss noticed at the feet of a comrade some papers and said, "What is that paper ?" "An envelope," was the reply. "Hand it to me," said the sergeant. Taking it, the soldier noticed the two enclosed cigars and playfully divided them, but to Bloss he handed the envelope containing General Lee's dispatch. Sergeant Bloss learning its import knew that it was a valuable find and at once forwarded it to General McClellan, who by these means became aware that General Hill alone was in his front and General Jackson was advancing on Harper's Ferry. He accordingly pushed on to South Mountain, defeated this lost dispatch, and at one time Harper Brothers published an authentic story of its finding, crediting Private Mitchell for finding it, but the story as here told is authenticated not only by Mr. Bloss, but by several trustworthy affidavits now in possession of Mr. Bloss' widow. In this regard, while there can be no reasonable doubt as to who found the "Lost Dispatch," the writer, after having made full investigation, would observe that had Private Mitchell been the actual finder of the dispatch, credit is due Mr. Bloss for interpreting its import and forwarding it to his chief commander.

The army will resume its march tomorrow, taking the Hagerstown road. General Jackson's command will form the advance^ and, after passing Middletown, with such portion as he may select, take the route towaid Sharpsburg, cross the Potomac at the most convenient point, and, by Friday night, take possession of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, capture such of the enemy as may be at Martinsburg, and intercept such as may attempt to escape from Harper's Ferry.

General Longstreet's command will pursue the same road as far as Boonsborough, where it will halt with the reserve, supply, and baggage trains of the army.

General McLaws, with his own division and that of General R. H. Anderson, will follow General Longstreet. On reaching Middletown he will take the route to Harper's Ferry, and by Friday morning possess himself of the Maryland Heights, and endeavor to capture the enemy at Harper's Ferry and vicinity.

General Walker, with his division, after accomplishing the object in which he is now engaged, will cross the Potomac at Cheek's Ford, ascend its right bank to Lovettsville, take possession of Loudoun Heights, if practicable, by Friday morning. Keys' Ford on his left, and the road between the end of the mountain and the Potomac on his right. He will, as far as practicable, cooperate with General McLaws and General Jackson in intercepting the retreat of the enemy.

General D. H. Hill's division will form the rear guard of the army, pursuing the road taken by the main body. The reserve artillery, ordnance, supply trains, &c., will precede General Hill.

General Stuart will detach a squadron of cavalry to accompany the commands of Generals Longstreet, Jackson, and McLaws, and with the main body of the cavalry will cover the route of the army and bring up all stragglers that may have been left behind.

The commands of General Jackson, McLaws, and Walker, after accomplishing the objects for which they have been detached, will join the main body of the army at Boonsborough or Hagerstown.

Each regiment on the march will habitually carry its axes in the regimental ordnance wagons, for use of the men at their encampments to procure wood, &c.

Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill

As a member of Co. A. 27th Regt - Indiana Volunteers I wish to make a statement about the finding of The Lost Dispatcher ** Lee's Special Order No - 191" found near Fredrick Maryland, Sept. the 13th, 1862.

That morning Company *<F" and Company **A" of the 27th, were on the skirmish line. John M. Bloss was then the first or Ordily Seargeant" of Company **F". We moved forward but discovered no enemy and halted near the city limits in a meadow J it was a warm morning and when we halted we threw ourselves on the ground to rest. I was one of the smallest of Company **A" and my position in the ranks of the Company formation was on the extreme left and this would place me immediately at the extreme right of Company **F" and very near the position of "Ordily Seargeant" Bloss of Company *'F".

We were in the position indicated when my attention was called to an envelope which was picked up near me. I saw Seargeant Bloss with the envelope in his hand drawing a paper or papers out of it, he then and there read the contents of the papers aloud to us, of what proved to be Lee^s Special order No - 191. Sergeant BI088 remarked **Thig is of great importance if genuine," he then started to the rear with the papers in his hand, there was no one with him when he left the Company to take the order to the officers. I distinctly remember seeing Bloss hand the envelope to Col. Colgrave who drew out the papers and then went through the motion of reading them; Col. Colgrave then mounted his horse and disappeared from my sight. At no time did I see anyone have the envelope or papers in his hands except Bloss until I saw him place them in the hands of Col. Colgrave.

My position of the left of Company * * A ' ' and the position of Sergeant Bloss on the right of *<F" brought ub near together and when we halted we were not more than four or five feet apart, and when he began to read aloud those who were near all clustered about him. WILLIAM H. HOSTETTER.

I wish to make the following statement in regard to the celebrated lost dispatch, Special Order, No. 191, found near Frederick City, Maryland, September 13, 1862. I was a private soldier in Company *^F", 27th. Indiana volunteers. On the morning of September 13, 1862, about nine o'clock, Co. A and Co. F. were sent forward as a skirmish line near the city of Frederick, our Company being in charge of John M. Bloss, who at that time was Ordily Sergeant of the Company. We advanced across a field to where there had been a fence, but at that time only a row of weeds, grass and some small shrubs or bushes. The men lay down. Sergeant Bloss at the head of the Company, Barton W. Mitchell next to Bloss, and on Bloss 's left; 1 next to Mitchell, and so on down the line. Just after we lay down I saw a large envelope to my left, lying in the grass and weeds, and was in the act of reaching for it with my left hand when at the same moment Bloss said **What is that paper f" I had got the package in my hands by this time and read the address, **Gen. D. H. Hill, Commanding," etc. Bloss said **Hand it to me." As I passed the paper to him over Mitchell 's body, two or three cigars fell out of the package. Mitchell picked up one of the cigars and said **I know what this is." Bloss took the package and took the order out of the envelope and read it, or a part of it aloud, and remarked **Boys this is an important matter (or important paper) if genuine. I will take it to Captain Kopp." Bloss went to the rear with the order, to where Captain Kopp was, and later on I saw him and Captain Kopp talking to Col. Colgrave.

I make this statement, feeling that Captain John M. Bloss, has not had the recognition in this matter that is due him. B. F. Mitchell did not see the paper until after Bloss spoke to me about it, and did not have it in his hands, and did not accompany Bloss to the rear when Bloss took it to Captain Kopp. Bloss being in charge of our Company on the line, none of the men could retire to the rear where Captain Kopp or Col. Colgrave were, without Bloss 's permission.

Daniel B. Vance M. H. Peacock

As stated above Captain Bloss on account of a disabling wound received at Resaca resigned and returned to his home. In the winter of 1864 he pursued post-graduate courses, and the next year taught in New Philadelphia. His rise in the profession of teaching was rapid. For four years he was principal of the academy at Orleans, Indiana, and then, 1870, was law, Mr. Bloss became a member of the state board of education. He remained at the head of the city schools of Evansville for five years, and in 1880 became the Republican nominee for the office of state superintendent of public instruction, and was elected to the office. He held the position for two years, or one term, was renominated by his political party as its candidate for the office, but with all his colleagues shared the defeat of his party at the polls in 1882. At the expiration of his term of office Mr. Bloss was called to the superintcndcncy of the city schools of Muncie, Indiana, which position he held from 1883 to 1886. In the latter year he was chosen superintendent of the city schools of Topeka, Kansas, where he remained five years, and was then made president of the State Agricultural College of Oregon at Corvallis. There he remained until 1896, when on account of failing health he resigned and returned to Delaware county, Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his days on a farm in Hamilton township.

The thirty-second report of the superintendent of public instruction, state of Indiana, dated 1884, states that Mr. Bloss at the head of the state department displayed high ability in every phase of his work, and from that same report we take the following excerpt:

"For years he had been an eminent and practical worker in the institute. On entering the office of state superintendent of public instruction he gave direction to his work throughout the state by issuing an outline for institute work or instruction, the first in this state. This increased the value of institute work beyond measure. The financial statistics of the department received the most careful and patient attention. Many needed reforms were inaugurated, and a system of issuing and distributing lists of questions for teachers' licenses was adopted, by means of which was weeded out the evil of selling the list to applicants for teachers' licenses.

"During the term of Superintendent Bloss there was no great educational exhibit, neither was there any material change in the school system, but everywhere was there growth and prosperity, and the department was administered to with justice, skill and magnanimity."

The writer was a teacher in the public schools of Indiana at the time Mr. Bloss was superintendent of public instruction and remembers that he introduced questions for examining candidates for teachers which called for the diacritical marking of words. This was altogether new and led to a special study of diacritical markings to the extent that the dictionary was in great demand and practically became a text book in the schools. I hold that in this way Mr. Bloss put in motion the influence that led to the use of school readers in which words were diacritically marked, and by reason of which the pronunciation of the Hoosier schoolmaster and his pupils has which positions he filled with remarkable ability. On account of failing health he retired but he could not remain idle. So while residing on his farm in Hamilton township there came to him another honor in his election to the office of township trustee of his township. While filling this position he advanced many ideas which have done much to make a better administration of township aflfairs in Indiana. During the time he was president of the state township trustees for one term and was particularly well and favorably known among the trustees. He was the father of the consolidated school system in Hamilton township, a plan which has since been adopted in many townships of the county. While trustee of Hamilton township he built at Royerton a handsome and modem school building, and here the pupils of the township under the consolidated system have all the advantages of an education from the primary work to high school work. Mr. Bloss was the primal factor in establishing the township high school on a successful basis. The object of this concentration of the township schools into one centralized building and school was to afford or give all pupils in the township the same curriculum of study as in the city schook of Indianapolis, Muncie or any city in the state of more than minor population. This plan of centralizing the township schools is being carried out in a number of the counties in the state of Indiana.

During his term the public roads were so improved that not a mile of unimproved roads are to be found in the township. In this township he developed and improved one of the best farms of Delaware county. He was never idle and his life was in the advance of the time, for with much wisdom he foresaw the future and anticipating it so planned for the constantly new changes as they came and was prepared for them.

In 1865 Mr. Bloss married Miss Emma McPheeters, a daughter of Colonel McPheeters, of Livonia, Indiana. Two children were the fruit of this marriage: William H., of Indianapolis; and Minnie, the wife of Mr. Dumont Lotz, of Royerton, Indiana. While Professor Bloss was superintendent of schools at Topeka, Kansas, his wife died there, and in 1893 he married Miss Mary A. Woods, who was a teacher in the Topeka schools, and who survives him, residing on the homestead in Hamilton township. Politically Professor Bloss was a supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and was given burial according to the rites of the Masonic order.

First of all John M. Bloss was a patriot who fought for his country. He was an educator of prominence and worth, not only in his native state, but also in others. Broad in his views, a scholar, possessed of high domestic virtues and kindness, and fair and just, he was beloved in his own family

"The many warm friends he made in many localities, the neighbors he fraternized with, the Masonic brethren he knew in lodge room, the soldiers he fought with, the family he left with a noble heritage, all classes of people, including thousands of young people whom he taught and trained in habits of beauty and honor - all mourn his death and pay tribute to his memory. Rest in peace, John M. Bloss."

John Snider^ Sr. During many years the Snider family have been closely associated with the progress and development of Delaware county, and none of her citizens have manifested greater public spirit or more earnest interest in the reduction of the country from a wilderness to a fertile land of fine farms, with its flourishing towns and settlements. One of its leading representatives, John Snider, Sr., was bom in Miami county, Ohio, April 25, 1829, his parents being Joseph and Catherine (Studebaker) Snider, both natives of Pennsylvania. They were also married in the state of their nativity and became the parents of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, but only three are now living, namely: Alexander, John and Abral^m. In the fall of 1835 Mr. Joseph Snider drove across the country with horses to Union township, Delaware county, Indiana, entering -ie:hty acres of land in what was then a dense wilderness, and later on he added a tract of forty acres to his original purchase, in the meantime clearing his land and placing his fields under an excellent state of cultivation. In 1844, with the brick of his own manufacture, he erected the residence which still stands upon this old homestead, and many other substantial improvements assist in making it the valuable estate which it now is. For many years Mr. Snider served in the office of school director, and in the early days he assisted in making the roads through the timber. He was also one of the organizers of the German Baptist Brethren church, of which he was one of the leaders for many years, and his political affiliations were with the Whigs. The death of this honored old Delaware county pioneer occurred on his homestead near Eaton, and his wife was called to the home beyond when she had reached the age of seventy-five years.

When a little lad of six years, in 1835, Mr. Snider came with his parents to Indiana, and until his twenty-first year he remained with his parents and assisted in the work of the home farm. After his marriage he established his home on eighty acres of timber land, but later he received seventytwo acres of his father-in-law's, Mr. Cunkle, estate, and he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fertile and well improved land. His first residence was a little log cabin, and this primitive dwelling still stands as a mute reminder of the pioneer's early life in Delaware county. In 1868 he erected the pleasant and commodious residence in which he now makes his home. During his boyhood days Mr. Snider witnessed the life of a frontier settler in all its phases, wild game, such as deer, bear and wild turkey, being then plentiful, and his father killed many a deer in this community. During many years Mr. Snider was the incumbent of the office of school director, the cause of education always finding in him a warm and helpful friend, and he is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations, voting for John C. Fremont. Since 1854 he has been a valued and worthy member of the Brethren church, now the German Baptist, and since 1855 he has served as one of its deacons, he and his brother being the two oldest members of this church now living.