Elkhart County, Indiana - Topographical and Industrial, 1881 (part 10 of 11)

L. H. Nohle is one of the leading manufacturers of Goshen. He is the senior member of the firm of Noble & Son, manufacturers of school furniture and dealers in hard-wood lumber, an account of whose large business appears in another place in this history. He was born in Brownsville, Fayette Co., Pa., April 7, 1816. His father was Joseph T. Noble, and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Turner. His parents moved during his boyhood to Zanesville, Ohio. His early education was obtained in district schools. Tlie elder Mr. Noble was engaged in the hotel, business in Zanesville. When Mr. N., the subject of this sketch, was 22 years of age he engaged in the dry-goods trade in Ohio which he continued until he came to Goshen in 131:9. Here he established himself in the same line of trade and did business for eight years thereafter. For some time he had a partner named Ma.xfield. At lengtli he engaged in the hardware trade, with Charles E. Lawrence as partner, and during this time branched out in the hard-wood lumber business, an enterprise that eventuated in the present lumber and furniture establishment of L. H. Noble & Son.

Mr. Noble was married at the age of 22 to Miss Elizabeth Motte, by whom he has had 2 sons and 2 daughters. Both sons are engaged with him in the fnruitureand lumber business. One of the daughters married Mr. Joseph Jenkinson, a lawyer of Fort Wayne, and the other, Mr. F. A. Hascall, brother of the noted Gen. M. S. Hascall, of Goshen. Mr. Noble has been a man of remarkably successful career, and now resides in a pleasant home on Fifth street, where himself and his estimable lady can, with satisfaction, reflect upon their past life of industry and usefulness, and comfort themselves with the knowledge that the competence that their own hands have brought them shall cheer them in their declining years.

Wm. M. Norton, of the Goshen Democrat, was born at Penn Yan, Yates Co., N. Y., March 4, 1836. He was the sou of Asa A. and Mary E. (Stokes) Norton. His parents removed to Goshen when he was a small child, and settled on a farm one and a half miles from town. At the age of 15 he went to Indianapolis to learn the printer's trade, and was employed iu the office of the

Statesman, then under the control of Dr. Ellis, who was at that time Auditor of State. He remained there three years, when he returned to Goshen, attended school a while, and afterward went to Chicago. He was employed in the Chicago Democrat oifice when '- Long " John Wentworth controlled that paper. When the Pike's Peak fever broke out Mr. Norton was swept away by the wild rush and remained out at the mountains two years. He seems to have struck something of a lead, for he returned to Goshen in 1861, bought the Democrat office, and conducted the paper till 1S63. He then sold it to Hon. Robt. Lowry, and removed to Fort Wayne, wdiere he purchased a job-printing establishment and continued business there till 1S69, when he sold out and returned to Goshen. Since that time he has mostly been connected with the Deviocrat. He was married in 186i to Miss Eliza J. Foote, of Hillsdale, Mich. They have 4 children. Mr. J^orton is a member of the Masonic order, and votes the Democratic ticket.

^-1. M. Parsons, Esq., member of the Common Council of the city of Goshen, was born in Lewis coimty, IST. Y., in 1831. He was the son of Aaron and Lucina Parsons. He lived at home till he was 19 years of age, attending district school, and also the academy at Denmark, N. Y. At 19 he went to Pome, N. Y., and made an engagement to learn the sash, blind and door-making trade. From 1856 to 1860 was in Chicago, and in September of that year he returned to Goshen. He here engaged in the liquor trade, and has remained in that vocation until the present time. Mr. Parsons made money rapidly, and at one period was the possessor of an ample fortune. He erected the finest building in Goshen, namely, Masonic Hall, on Main street, which stands to-day a monument of his enterprise and good taste. Mr. Parsons was elected a member of the Common Council of Goshen, from the first ward, in 1878, and is now serving the third year in that capacity. He is a member of the order of the Knights of Pythias. He has the advantage among his fellows of being a man of tine personal appearance and of urbane and generous nature, qualities that make him popular as a purveyor in his particular line and among the constituents of his ward . His place is the resort of the respectable and order-loving portion of the citizens of Goshen and vicinity.

Hev. IF. 0. Pierce, D. D., was born at New Haven, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Oct. 28, 1835; entered Wilmington (Ind.) Seminary in 1855, and graduated at the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1859; was engaged in teaching up to 1865, in which time he was President of Morris Hill (Ind.) College; entered the ministry of the M. E. Church in 1865, in which relation he filled the oflice of Pastor until 1875, when he was elected Professor of Greek and Hebrew in the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, which position he resigned to re-enter the work of the regular pastorate. He is now (lb80) stationed as Pastor over the Goshen M. E. Church.

French, Spanish and Italian; and five ot- the Shemitic languages, Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac, Chaldee and Samaritan. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Cornell College in 1S78.

William D. Platter is a native of Koss county, Ohio, and was born Sept. li, 1832. His parents were George and Ann (Andrews) Platter, who removed with their family to this county in 1835. They settled 12 miles from Goshen; for five miles of that distance they were obliged to cut a road through the heavy timber. Their first house was made after the fashion of an Eastern sugar camp, with one side open, and a large log heap in front by which to warm themselves and do their cooking. Their bedstead consisted of poles placed the entire length of the cabin, a little above the floor, answering for two pair of beds, the parties lying feet to feet. This was in the thick timber, and grubbing, picking, chopping, etc. must be done before a hill of corn could be planted. This they did by toilsome labor. After working in various Hues of business, Mr. Platter in 1854, originated the Goshen Pump Manufactory. His first pumps were made as follows: He would go out, cut down a tree and hew it to the proper size, and bring it to his little shop and bore it. In this way he would make two or three pumps, and then proceed to sell them. His trade increased, and he employed some hands to assist him. It grew better and better, until when he sold ont in 1879, his annual sales amounted to $90,000. He now owns 972 acres of valuable land, besides a magnificent residence in Goshen, and a great deal of other property in the city. He was married June 15, 1852, to Miss Mary Stutsman, a very estimable lady, who died Oct. 8, 1879. Mr. Platter is a worthy member of the Reform Church of Goshen. In politics he is a Republican.

Perry C. Purl, who with his brother owns a fine farm on the outskirts of the city of Goshen (his residence being in the city), was born in Goshen Jan. 2i, 1842. He is thus one of the few natives ofthe place who have arrived at manhood and are now actively identified with the business and interests of the locality. He was the son of Elias and Lavina (Francisco) Purl. His father came to Goshen about 1834, and stopped here the first winter. He afterward settled on the fiirm the sons now occupy. The original farm comprised 157 acres, to which the sons have added sufficient to make a domain of 175 acres. Mr. Purl remained on the farm with the father till he died in 1872, and then assumed the management ofthe property with his brother, Wm. W. Purl, the mother remaining with them. The brothers began the improvement of horse-stock in January, 1879, an enterprise that has made them well known throughout the county. They imported the first Clydesdale stallion owned in this vicinity. This tine animal, who bears the suggestive cognomen "Time of Day," was reared by John Henderson, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and cost $2,000. The Purls have several other fine stallions, and are doing much for the improvement of horses in Elkhart and the surrounding counties. They also are contemplating the introduction and breeding of fine-blood sheep

P. N. Reitzell was born in Franklin county, Pa., Feb. li, 1824-. His parents died when he was but five years old, and he was then " tossed from pillar to post," with no guardian or friends. He attended school but 90 days, and then paid his board and tuition. He learned the blacksmith trade when quite j'oung. He soon after learned the art of boring rifles in guns, which he followed until the war. He is also a natural machinist. He was married Oct. 18, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Hentzell, by whom he has had 5 childi'en; but 1 is living, Clara. Mr. R. now works in the Walker manufactory . Mr. Eeitzell's family are members of the Baptist Church.

Samuel A. Rod'ibaugh. - This enterprising 3'oung farmer is a native of this county, and was born Oct. 24, 1850. His parents were Samuel and Anna (Bowman) Kodibaugh, natives near Dayton, Ohio. Mr. E.. was raised on a farm, and now resides on the old homestead, sec. 33, Elkhart tp. His parents were early settlers here. There was an Indian camping ground just in front of the house which he now occupies. He was married, Sept. 24, 1874, to Miss Martha Leedy, daughter of John Leedy. They have 4 children, Edith, Blanche, Florence and Vera.

Ernst A. Satathee was born in Ebersdorf, near Lyons, France, May 25, 1829. His father's name was Ernst "W. Salathee and his mother's maiden name was Adelaide Hess. He was two years of age when his parents moved from France and settled in Newsalz, Silesia, Germany. There he attended school, and entered Hildersheim College when he was 1.5 years of age, and graduated at that institution at the age of 17. At this time he began employment in a store in Newsalz. In 1846 he came to this country, his father having preceded him. He landed in jSTew York, and from there went to Bethlehem, Pa., a Moravian town. He remained there three or four years, and taught school, and was employed for some time in the deputy recorder's oiEce in Easton. From there he went to Akron, Ohio. At this place he was employed as clerk in a store, and tauglit penmanship. At length he took up the art of ornamental painting. This he continued for several years, both in Akron and after he came to Goshen. Since arriving here he has, besides ornamental painting, followed the employment of clerk, and also has been engaged in the drug business. At this writing he occupies the position of deputy recorder, having filled that office for several months past. He owns 40 acres of land outside the city, which employs the interims of oificial labor. Mr. Salathee was married about 20 years since, in Ohio, to Miss Ann K. Latimer, by whom he has 5 children now living, 2 sons and 3 daughters. Only one of these children is married, a daughter, to Mr. Geo. Inbody.

Christian H. Schaefer is one of the most prosperous merchants in Goshen. He was born in Ottenstein, in the Dukedom of Brunswick, Germany, July 14, 1826. His father's name was Frederick Schaefer, and his mother's name before marriage was Wilhel- miua Giesman. Mr. Scliaefer spent his boyhood at home, and attended the primary schools of his native place. Id his lith year he was coniirmed in the Lutheran Church. Before he was 18 years of ao-e he served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade; after that he traveled as a journeyman blacksmith, and thus visited diiTerent parts of Germany and England. During the revolution of 1S4S Mr. Scliaefer joined the fortunes of the revolutionists of Germany, and was taken prisoner by the Prussians, but was released the same year, when he enlisted in the regular army. He was a soldier from ISIS to 1851, and experienced much campaigning and hard fighting in Schleswig-PIolstein. He was discharged from the service in 1S5.3, and soon thereafter emigrated to America. Landing in jSTew York, he remained there a short time, and then journeyed westward, stopping at Ft. Wayne, where he found employment in a hotel. He also worked there at his trade a portion of the time during his stay. Pie came to Goshen in 18.55. In 1856 he was married to Miss Christiana Gall, who has presented him with 2 sons and 1 daughter. He worked at blacksmithing till 1861, when his health failed and he embarked in the grocery and produce business. He is now doing a thriving business in the dry-goods line. He is a member of the Masonic order, and in politics is a Democrat. He was elected a member of the Common Council in 187i, and City Treasurer in 1880, and the latter office he now holds. Mr. Schaefer is one of the substantial and enterprising men of Goshen, a man of liberal and kindly impulses, and in all respects an excellent citizen.

Isaac A. Simmons, attorney at law, of Goshen, was born Dec. 28, 1845, in Miami county, Obio. He was the son of Andrew and Mary A. (Weatherhead) Simmons. His father was a farmer, and came to Elkhart county in 1847, who, after several years of industrious management of his farm and nurture of his family, departed this life in 1861. Isaac remained at home until 1863, when he enlisted in the First Indiana Regiment, which was ordered to the Department of the Gulf, and went first to New Orleans, and was placed under command of Gen. iST. P. Banks. With his regiment Mr. Simmons accompanied the Red River expedition, and was in all the engagements and captures of towns along that stream toward Shreveport. He was also in Arkansas, and participated in the battles of Marksville Plains and Yellow Bayou. On Jan. 10, 1866, he was honorabh' discharged, and returned to Goshen. He soon after entered the Goshen Collegiate Institute as a student, of which Prof. Butler was principal and Prof. EUwood associate principal. He spent two years here, when he became a student of the law department in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He had previously read law under the preceptorship of Wilson & Osborn, and had taiiirht schools in the intervals of study at the Collegiate Institute. He returned from the universitj', and was married in June, 1869, to Miss Jennie McKibben, of Goshen, who has presented him a son and a dauffliter. About this time he was admitted to the Bar, and went into law practice in Goshen, and has since continued Iiis professional labors here. He was Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for this district during six years, closing in the spring of ISSO, and during his terms of service managed the State prosecutions and legal business connected therewith in Elkhart county. Mr. Simmons i~s a member of the Odd Fellows order, and also that of the Knights of Honor. He has recently had the misfortune to lose the estimable partner of his joys and sorrows, who died Jan. 13, ISSO, an affliction which has drawn a dark zone across his life pathway, and tinged his future with a somber shade.

John B. Slav'ghter, the only marble dealer in Goshen, was born at Eavenna, Portage Co., Ohio, March 3, 1831. He was the son of Solomon and Ruth (Burdick) Slaughter. He passed his boyhood on his father's farm, and attended common school. When he had arrived at a sutficient age he was apprenticed to the marble cutter's trade, his employers being Jones & Sons, of Cleveland, Ohio. One of the sons of Mr. Jones at this date is United States Senator from Ohio. Mr. Slaughter finished his apprenticeship in three years, and then traveled throughout the West as a journeyman marble cutter, working by intervals in various places, among them Chicago, Toledo, Huntington and Ligonier. In the latter place he carried on the m.arble business for three years. In 1S59 he came to Goshen, and established himself in marble cutting and dealing, since which time he has commanded that trade in Goshen, being the only proprietor of marble works here. Having been so many years in the business, and having begun in his present location so early, he can justly claim to have erected more tombstones and cemetery monuments than any other marble dealer in Elkhart county, or probably in Northern Indiana. He has been engaged in the trade on his own account for 21 years, and has been a marble cutter for 31 years, - a length of period passed in this branch of industry that few men of his craft can claim. Mr. Slaughter in 1861: was married to Miss Lydia M. Dean, by whom he has had 2 sons and 1 daughter. Mr. Slaughter is an ardent Republican in politics, and a Freemason, holding in the order the office of Scribe in chapter 45, and has belonged to the mystic brotherhood 'I'd years. He has been honored by his fellow citizens with an election as City Councilman for two successive terms. The gravity of Mr. Slaughter's occupation does not prevent his being a cheerful gentleman, and one whose every-day life is characterized by kindness and fair treatment of his fellow men.

Zdw iSmiiSA. deceased, was born in Rockdale county, Ky., near the town of Crab Orchard, Feb. 8, 1815, and is a son of Jonathan and Barbara Smith, natives of Tiger's Valley, Va. His mother was a daughter of Col. Crow, of Revolutionary fame. His father died when he was but three years old, and consequently he was compelled to work assiduously and undergo many hardships, as his mother was poor. He removed to Clarke county, Ohio, with his motheiv in 1S20. He aftei-ward served three years' apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, in Logan county, Ohio. He came to this count}' in 1S34 and established a distillery in company with Samuel Barns, near Watertbrd. He was married j^ov. 9, 1837, to Miss Polly McDowel, by whom he had 1 child, James A., now in Elkhart. Mrs. Smith died in June, 1840, and he returned to Ohio in 1842, and engaojed in the distillery business. In May, 1843, he returned to this county, and Aug. 21 following he married Miss Elizabeth W. McDowel by whom he had 10 children; of these, 6 are living, viz.: John H., Levi M., Rebecca R. , William P., Lovina C. and Carrie L. He engaged in farming one mile south of Elkhart for several years, and grew wealthy. He died July 26, 1880, loved and respected by all. He was a very benevolent and kind man. He left 92J acres of land to each of his 7 children, and the same to Mrs. Smith.

Wm. M. Starr was born in Mitiiin county. Pa., April 16, 1837. His father's name was Geo. L. Starr, who married Lucinda Ratter. The family removed to Ohio when William was an infant, locating in Williams county, and settling on a farm, where they remained till the fall of 1855. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Starr entered the office of the Hepuhlican Standard as an apprentice, and remained there two years. After an interval of one year he resumed the art preservative and traveled as a journeyman. When the war broke out he enlisted in the 13th Indiana Infantry, at Peru, prompted by the first call for troops after the fall of Fort Sumter. He served 13 months and was captured in the Shenandoah valley when on the skirmish line. He was taken to Libby Prison, but was confined there but a few hours, when he was paroled and sent to Washington. Tliere, in due course of time, he was honorably discharged. Returning to Bryan, Ohio, he purchased a partnership in the Press and Leader, with S. L. Hunter, and was connected with that paper for five years. He removed to Goshen and assumed control of the Times in August, 1867. He continued in the editorship of the paper and management of the Times printing establishment till the summer of 1880, when he sold his share of the property to Dr. Beyerle, the present proprietor, who had owned an interest in it since 1877. Since his disposition of the Times he has bought a half interest in a printing establishment in Jacksonville, 111., Joseph J. Ironmonger being the original owner and his present

Sartner. Mr. Starr also owns 160 acres of land in Emmet county, [ich. He was married in Bryan, Ohio, May 8, 1S66, to Miss Aggie E., daughter of Rev. Thos. Tanneyhill. Mr. Starr is a member of the Methodist Church, also of the Masonic order, and of the Odd Eellows. He is a Republican in politics. At this writing, he intends soon to depart from Goshen and take up his residence at Jacksonville, the scene of his future labors.

Samuel Strirklerv;&s born id Pennsylvania. When he was six years of age his parents moved to Canada, and resided near the JSTiagara river till after the war of 1812, when they removed to New York, and resided 18 miles east of Buffalo until 1826, when the family returned to Canada. Benjamin W. Strickler, son of Samuel Strickler, came from Canada to Indiana with his parents when he was 12 years of age. His father lived in Goshen one year and a half, when he settled on a farm of 160 acres, in sec. 7, this tp. He improved and cultivated this farm till 1868, when he died, at the age of 58, leavino- a widow and 5 children. The north half of the farm fell to the share of Benjamin, and he cultivates this estate at the present time. In 1860 he was married to Miss Eebecca Shunk, who had recently come from Pennsylvania. They have 3 children, George Allen, John Henry and Mary Alice.

Samuel Stutsman was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, Oct. 11, 1821, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Stutsman, natives of Pennsylvania. He came with his parents to this county in 1833, when there were many wild Indians here. He has played and shot with bow and arrows " many a day with the Indian boys." Plis father settled on the east side of the Elkhart river, and the school was on the west side, and he could attend school only when the ice was thick enough to allow him to cross on it. As this was only a portion of the winter, and the school taught by subscription, his early educational advantages were very limited. His school-house, of course, was of the pioneer class, viz. : a little log cabin furnished with slab seats, and boards supported on pins in tlie wall for a writing desk. He was married in 1845, to Miss Caroline Swinehart, by whom he has had 11 children; of these, 7 are living, viz.: Benjamin, Amanda, Amelia A., Martha, Sarah, Sealon and Delilah. Mr. Stutsman resided in Concord tp., and still owns the same farm of 170 acres. He grew feeble, and in 1874 removed to Goshen, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the United Brethren Church in the locality where they formerly resided, Mr. Stutsman having served as Church Trustee for some time.

William A. Thomas, banker and capitalist and a leading manufacturer of flour, was born in Monroe county, Va., March 3, 1816. His father's name is Thomas Thomas. He still resides in "Warsaw, this State, and is 88 years of age. His mother's maiden name was Mary Kelley. The family remained in Monroe county, Yirginia, until William was 10 years of age, during which time he had some tuition in a subscription school. Leaving Virginia in 1826, the family removed to Kichmond, Ind., and settled there. William enjoyed the advantage of such tuition as the district schools afforded at that early day. In 1828 the family again struck their tents, and this time drove their stakes in the then famous St. Joseph's valley, but not " flnding anything to live on" there, as Mr. Thomas expressed it, they finally sought a resting'place in Elkhart county. This was in the spring of 1829. The family settled on a farm, which was located on what was called "Two-Mile

Plain." There the}' remained until the elder Mr. Thomas was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, when they changed their residence to Goslien. For some time afterward William worked on a farm near town. In 1S35, his father having opened a store in Leesbarg, William became a clerk in it, and remained in that occupation till 18-37, when he returned to Goshen, and was employed in his father's store as salesman here. This was continued till 1S3S, when he went into the Circuit Clerk's otKce as deputy to his father. This employment lasted until the close of his father's term of service, which e.xtended over 1-1 years. In 1844 Mr. Thomas was a candidate for clerk on the Whig ticket. His was the losing party that year, and he was consequently defeated. After this campaign, and until the spring of 1845, Mr. Thomas was not particularly employed. Daring the last-named year himself and Milo Mercer engaged as partners in the dry-goods trade. Their store was on Main street. On October of the same jea.r Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Sarah McKenney, by whom he had 1 daughter. The firm sold goods till the spring of 1848, when the partnership was dissolved, after which Mr. Thomas continued the dry-goods business alone. Pie sold goods for 20 consecutive years without the intermission of three days. He was burned out in 1872, but this did not materially interrupt his business. He closed up his drygoods trade in 187.5. In 1809 he established a Hour mill on the hydraiilic canal. This enterprise is still in a flourishing condition. In September, 1876, Mr. Thonuis opened the Farmer's Bank on Main street, Goshen, and that enterprise is still maintained under' his management. The first Mrs. Thomas having died, Mr. T., in 1850, was again married, to Miss Eliza McKenney, sister of his former wife. She has presented her husband 3 daughters; 2 of these are married : one to C. M. Harris, and the other to Laporte Eaton. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Republican.

Benjamin F. Toms was born in Ashland county, Ohio, in 1838; came to this State in 1860 and located in Goshen, where he has since resided, and for the greater part of this time has been in the employ of Mr. Hawks as miller. Mr. Toms was married to Miss Matilda Price Feb. 22, 1866, who was born in this county, and there have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Toms 6 children, of whom there are 5 living: Benjamin F., Alpheus, Emily, Ellen, Lizzy and Jasper. Mr. John T. Toms, father of the subject of this sketch, is a native of Pennsylvania, as is also his wife. Mr. Toms is a very energetic man and a good financier, as his present circumstances indicate, having had but a limited education, such as could be obtained in the common schools of Ohio 30 years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Toms are members of the Baptist Church.

Wm. Twomey is of Irish descent, having been born in Killarney, county Kerry, about 1824. His father's Christian name was Thomas, and his mother before marriage was Miss Catharine Mc- Sweeney. His parents were Catholics, and William attended parish school in his native place until he was 16 years of age, when he went to London to finish learning the shoemaker's trade, which he had parti}' learned under an apprenticeship to his brother. He worked in London about seven years, when he and his brother resolved to come to America. In the month of January they embarked in the ship Fi'anklin, commanded by a Swedish captain, which was in the American trade. The passage over was a stormy one, and consumed six weeks before the rugged coast of New England was descried. Unfortunately the Captain missed his reckonings, and the vessel was grounded on a sandbank near Cape Cod. The peril was imminent, as the sea ran high and was pounding against the vessel fearfull\-, and threatening to break her in pieces. The Captain had concluded that the tide would soon be at the ebb and thus the ship would be floated off the bank; but again he had miscalculated, for the tide began to flow, bearing the vessel still deeper into the fatal bank, and making her total loss certain. The sea continued to dash upon the ill-fated bark until she went to pieces. All the crew and passengers but four, of which number our hero was one, were swept off by the waves, or were lost by attempts to launch the life boats. The four clung to the bowsprit until they were rescued by a party of wreckers. Mr. Twomey's brother was among the lost. After l)is escape from a watery grave he was hospitably treated by the inhabitants of Cape Cod, where he worked for some time at his trade, thus procuring means to purchase clothes and tools. He went to Boston and there worked at his trade for 18 months; thence he went to Worcester, Hartford, New Haven and New York, finding employment for a time in each city. While in Hartford he was married to Miss Mary Kough, by whom he has had 6 children. He removed to Goshen in the summer of 1855, where he was employed as a journej'man for about 18 years; he opened a shop on Market street, opposite the postoffice, about six years ago, and has kept it ever since. Mr. Twomey is a genial gentleman, and vividly recites the story of his shipwreck to his friends.

Rev. H. L. Vannuys, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Goshen, was born in Kentucky Nov. 3, 1829; his father, Tunis Vannuys, was a native of New Jersey, and his mother, Kate (Demaree) Vannuys, was a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Vannuys is a graduate of Hanover College, and also of the Theological Seminary of Princeton, New Jersey; he came to Goshen Oct. 21, 1852, where, in March, 1853, he organized the Presbyterian Church, with fifteen members; he is still the pastor, and his is, perhaps, the longest pastorate in Indiana; the summer of 186T he spent in Europe; during his labors in Goshen, nearly five hundred have been added to the Church. He was united in marriage with Miss Pebecca H., daughter of S. P. Williams, of Lima, Lawrence county, Ind., and they have had 1 child ^deceased). Mrs. Vannuys died in 1869. and in 1872 he married Miss Lillie W. Loring, by whom he had 1 child, which is also deceased.

Maj. W. H. Venavion was born in Piqua, Ohio, in 1836; his father was Harvey Venamon, and his mother's maiden name was Margaret Barnes; they were both Kentuckians, and of English descent. When JVIr. Y. was six months old, his parents moved to Koscinsko county, Ind., where they remained till 1849; they then made another remove, this time locating at Goshen, this county. Maj. Venamon, when a boy, attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and in 18.51 he began to learn the cabinet maker's trade; he worked at this occupation until 1859, when he attended Bi'yant & Stratton's Commercial College, in Chicago. In 1862 he enlisted in the 100th Ind. Reg., and performed three years of service; he followed the illustrious Sherman from Vicksburg to the sea, and was in 47 battles; he entered the army as First Lieutenant, and was promoted through the regular gradation to the rank of Major; he served as Quartermaster and Adjutant; when he was Captain he took his company into the battle of Mission Ridge, 32 strong; when the carnage was over, only seven men answered the roll-call; 25 had been either killed or disabled. On June 18. 1865, Maj. Yenamon was honorably discharged, and returned to Goshen; soon after, he went into the boot and shoe trade with Jacob Ilattel; in about a year from that time he was appointed County Treasurer, in place of Hiram Morgan, deceased. lie served in this capacity for one year, and when election recurred, he was voted into office for another term, and reelected for the ensuing term. After the expiration of his last terra, he spent two years in traveling through the Eastern and Western States; returning from this diversion, he settled down in Goshen. Five years since he engaged in the sash, blind and door manufacture with Mr. W. R. Whitmer, and has since continued this business relation. Maj. Yenamon is a genial gentleman, of excellent physical propoi'tion, and is yet untouched by time and the vicissitudes of experience through which he has passed. He belongs to the Masonic order, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery.

John B. Vesey was born in Cayuga county, Ohio, May 22, 1836 ; in 1838 the family moved west to Indiana and settled in Middlebury tp., this county, then a very new country. The howling of wolves could then be heard often at night. As the country improved they removed to Elkhart tp. and bought a farm one mile northeast of Goshen, tlien a small village of 800 or 1,000 inhabitants. Here the subject of this sketch worked on a brick yard and farm, as necessity directed (his fether trying to attend to both), the most of the time until he was of age, attending the common subscription school then in vogue from three to four months a year. At the age of 16, however, he attended for a year the Ontario Collegiate Institute. Lagrange county, then the best school in this part of the country. In the mean time he had some experience in business. He rode considerable as Deputy Sheriff for C. W. Seely, collected taxes, etc.; also taught a number of terms oi common school, witli good success. His services were considerably sought after, and he always received the highest wages paid in the tp. where he taught at that time. Aug. S, 1S60. he was united in marriage to Miss Alice JSTeweli, of Jefferson tp., Elkhart county. He had by strict economy and iudnstry saved up about $1,200, and after buying a team and farming utensils, household goods, etc., he had $700 to pay on a farm of S5 acres. He soon sold the first farm, being unable to pay the balance of payments as they came due (^for §300 more than he gave, however), and bought a large farm of 205 acres, for which he went in debt for more than two-thirds of the price paid, and paid every dollar he owed in three years. He owns the same farm yet and a part of his father's small farm, for which he paid the money. He never received anything from home. He also has property in Goshen, where he now lives.

He followed the pursuit of a farmer, mixing a little other business with it, mainly stock, until 1875, when his wife's health became very much broken, and he was advised to change climate. He was with his wife and two children in Minnesota, then through the West to San Francisco ; after remaining there a few days they started down the coast and went as far as Los Angeles; returning to Indiana, the}' went to Michigan near Detroit, thence to New York, Philadelphia and Washington. After about IS months, Mrs.Vesey's health being much improved, he returned to Goshen and engaged in the lumber trade ; after continuing in this business two years his health failed and he was obliged to sell out, since time he has been looking after his tarms and attending to some otlier business.

Jsaiith Violett, son of the well-known and prominent John W. Vioiett,deceased, was born in Elkhart in 1S35; he received his education in the public schools of Goshen; was married in 1862 to Miss Helen C. Hale; is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and lends his aid to all charitable institutions. He resides on the old homestead sec. 27, owns 1-10 acres of valuable land and is engaged in genera} farming. In politics Mr. Yiolett is a staunch Kepublican.

John H. Yiolett^ a wealthy farmer and a prominent citizen ot this tp., was born Nov. 22, 1S29, at a point about two miles south of what is now the city of Goshen, and was the first child of white parents in Elkhart county. They were among the earliest settlers of the county. The father, John Wesley Violett, was a native of Virginia, but of French descent, his ancestry having emigrated to America in the earl\' days of this country's settlement. He was born Aug. 29, 1795, near Harper's Ferry, where he lived until he was about seven years of age. His father having died, his raotlier, with her fan:ily, emigrated to Ohio and settled on Buck creek, about 10 miles from Springfield, where he was engaged in assisting his mother on the farm, when not attending school, until he reached the age of IS. He enlisted in the army during the war with England in 1S12. serving about two years. When Fort Meigs was besieged he v/as at Fort Finley. For bis services in the army be was granted a Government land warrant in after life. In politics he wasaWbigof the Henry Clay school, and he was a great admirer and ardent snppoi'ter of '' Harry of the West," for whom he cast his first ballot for President, a copy of which he carefully preserved. la 1S20 he went to Missouri, where he remained about three years, receiving an appointment as Justice of the Peace. In 1S23 he returned to Ohio and purchased a farm in Clarke county. Aug. 31, 1S'21, he was elected Sergeant-major of the 2d Regiment, Fifth Brigade, Fifth Division of the Ohio militia. Mr. Yiolett was a man of close observation and good judgment, and methodical in all his business habits. He kept a memorandum of passing events, and bi;t a few months prior to his death he collected from his diary an account of his journey from Ohio to Indiana. In the spring- of 1S2S, he sold his farm in Clarke county, Ohio, with a view of removing west of the Mississippi to procure a larger tract of land. Having heard favorable reports of the country in Indiana, watered by the St. Joseph of Lake Michigan and its tributaries, he concluded to look at it. Oct. i, 1S38, he set out, accompanied by his fatherin-law, each being supplied with a good stock of provisions for the trip, knowing they would be obliged to camp out a part of the ti)ne -during their explorations. They went to Fort Wayne, then but a hamlet, and the following day they proceeded as far as Wolf lake, where they camped over night. Leaving this desolate place, they found a better country for the next 80 miles. They soon struck the Elkhart bottom, a rich expanse of timber land. After crossing the river they discovered Elkhart Prairie, which they thought the most beautiful tract of land they had ever seen. They came to a spring at the Elkhart river, wliere DeCamp afterward built a mill, and remained over night. The next morning they crossed the St. Joseph river near the mouth of Elkhart. Here they found tlie first settler since leaving the neighborhood of Fort Wayne. In about nine miles they reached Beardsley's Prairie, a beautiful rolling plain with a few squatters, and put up with Mr. Beardsle}*, where they found good accommodations. ITere they found the first crop of growing corn, and investigation showed it to be good, both in quality and quantity, for sod corn. The blades were yet green, no frost appearing that fall until Oct. 9. In this place they became acquainted with Hon. George Crawford, now of La Porte, and his partner, Mr. Meacham, who gave them satisfactory information in regard to the country and its probable wealth and productiveness. The following day they visited Young's Prairie, a rich and beautiiul tract of land, where the]'' put up with a squatter for the night. He claimed a large amount of the prairie for himself and friends. In this place was another crop of good corn. JN'ext day they went to White Pigeon Prairie and stayed over night with Judge Winckel. He also had a good crop of corn. In the morning they left for Elkhart Prairie. Major Violett had concluded to settle there, and wished to further examine the prairie and its surroundings. Arrived there they camped for the night at Elkhart river, where Benton now stands. The following day was spent in looking over the prairie. They found the prospect for a settlement very flattering, a plentiful supply of good water, and an abundance of valuable timber. They were soon joined by Messrs. Crawford and Meacham, on their way South to purchase stock-hogs; about the same time Matthew Boyd arrived at their camp. He afterward became a resident of Benton . Oct. li, they started for home. That evening they met Elias Kiggs and his son-in-law, with their families, moving to the Elkhart Prairie. They first built a house on the land afterward owned by Colonel John Jackson, and were the first settlers on the plain. During the winter Major Violett made preparations to move to Elkhart Prairie, and March 3, 1S29, he started with an ox team loaded with provisions, farming utensils, and their heavy furniture, leaving his family with his friends for a time. He was accompanied by two other men with ox teams and by two young men, William Chance and James Bishop, whom he had hired to assist him in starting his farm. They were 1'2 days on thejourne}'. He made a squatters claim on the prairie running through the timber lands to the river. Here he built a cabin and soon after began making rails for fencing. During the spring he put in cultivation S2 acres of corn, inclosing with a substantial rail fence 50 acres of his land. This was the first crop of corn raised in the vicinity, and proved of great use the following winter and spring to families and stock that had come into the country without sufficient grain. In July, Major Violett moved his family to his Indiana home.

He was a pioneer of the county, and among the first of the settlers who are entitled to the credit of opening up this beautiful region. He was a man of marked ability, a pungent writer, a ready, pleasing and convincing speaker, and his intellectual superiority made him respected and influential. In religious matters he was unorthodox in belief, always entertaining a high respect for Church organizations, religious rites, and the convictions and opinions of others, but unable to accept many of the creeds and practices of the Churches. He was firm in his political position, and active in the support of his convictions, but was in no sense a politician. In 1S30, upon the organization of the county of Elkhart, he was elected Pecorder; his commission being signed by James Morrison, Secretary of State, and James B. Ray, Governor of Indiana. He held this oQice seven successive years. In 1830 he was appointed Major of the S2d Pegiment of Indiana Militia; in 1S40 he was a candidate for Associate Judge, but his party being largely in the minority, he was defeated, and in 1842 he was appointed Commissioner for the Erie & Michigan canal, and subscribed SI, 000 toward its construction. He was a candidate of the Whigs for State Senator in 184i, bnt was defeated, although securing more than his regular party vote. In ISoi-'S he built the Yiolett House in Goshen, which stands to-day as a monument of his public spirit.

During his life-time be was a model and enterprising farmer, and engaged extensive!}' in a nursery, supplying the county with fruit and ornamental trees, in which he was the pioneer of this section. Major Violett in private life was a cordial, genial gentleman. His home was the center of a free and hearty hospitality, dispensed without ostentation by himself and family. Here, surrounded by a loving family and kind friends, endeared to him by long years, he passed the remainder of his days. His character was above reproach. He died Oct. 24, 1S71, in the 76th year of his age. lamented by a large circle of relatives and friends. The subject of this sketch, JohnH. Violett, as we have before said, was the first white child born in Elkhart connty. The old cabin, which his father built in the spring of 1S29, in which the family lived at the time of his birth, was afterward sold to Daniel Hess, but the outside door, being the only one in the cabin, and the first one hung on hinges in the county, is still perserved by the family as a relic of value.

His early educational advantages were extremely limited. The log cabin in which John received his first school experience was built on sec. 27, near where Waterford now stands, and was constructed with one log left out on the side, with strips of wood nailed across, over which oiled paper was pasted, serving as a window. At the age of 15 he closed his school-going daj'S, and devoted his time exclusively to hard farm labor for about six years. In the spring of 1850, in company with others, he went by the overland route to California, where he engaged in mining with satisfactory success, remaining there until the following March, when he set out for home from San Francisco, by way of Panama and New Orleans. Unfavorable winds and weather drove them hundreds of miles south of the equator in the first part of the return trip, and they ran near the Marquesas Islands, arriving in port after a V03'age of 74 days. He soon afterward bought a farm of his father not more than 100 rods from where he was born, upon which he built a substantial and commodious brick dwelling. He also purchased a saw-mill on the Elkhart river, and engaged in farming and the manufacture and sale of lumber, continuing both until 1853, when he sold the mill, and gave his attention entirely to his other interests. At the opening of the war of the rebellion he at once set about arranging his affairs so that he could leave home, and on Sept. 2, 1861, he enlisted as a private, refusing promotion, in Co. E, ythliegiment Indiana Infantry, in which he served faithfully for three years. Among the sanguinary battles in whicli he was engaged were the two days" confiict at Pittsburg Landing, April 6 and 7, 1862; Stone Piver fought, Dec. 31, 1863, and Jan. 1 and 2, 1863; Chickamauga, of June 19 and 20, 1863; Lookout Moimtain, on the occasion of the great achievement of General Hookers division, by which the summit was reached, and the rebels were charged and defeated by the boys in blue, that memorable conflict known in history as the battle fought " above the clouds," which occurred ^Slov. 24 and 25, 1863; and was in nearly all the severe engagemeuts in which. Ids regiment participated. He was made prisoner in Tennessee and taken to Libby prison, but was immediately e.xchanged. being among the last of the captured who received that favor from the hands of the rebels. At the expiration of the term of enlistment of his regiment, and after having experienced three years of active duty in the service of his country, he was with his regiment ordei'ed to Indianapolis, where they were mustered out Sept. 6, 1864, since whicli time he has devoted himself chiefly to farming until the spring of 1S7S, when, his wife having died, he rented his farm for two years. He has now practical!}' retired from active business; but his inclinations having always been for agricultural pursuits. His habits of active business life make him await with niucii anxiety the time when he may again assume control of his farm. In ail his transactions he is methodical, prompt and energetic. His farm, which we have before referred to, consists of 170 acres, mostly prairie land, with a valuable tract of timber extending west to the river, which gives a delightful view. lie prides himself on keeping his farm in a high state of cultivation. In the fall of 1864, before Mr. Violett returned from the army, he was placed in nomination by his friends as a candidate for Sheilfl:'. The Goshen Times in reference to his nomination said:

"John H. Violett was nominated for Sherifl' without his knowledge or consent, while he was manfully doing his duty as a private soldier ''way down in Dixie,' and that, too, over other worthy men, who were present in the convention working for the place."

He was elected by a gratifying majority, and held the oifice for two years. In politics Mr. Yiolett is an uncompromising Republican. He was a Whig until the breaking up of that organization in 1S54. He is earnest in the support of his political convictions, as well as a liberal contributor. Mr. Yiolett is an extensive reader, being familiar with the general news of the day, as well as with present and past matters of litei-ature. He is a clear thinker, a close observer, and a sound reasoner, and acts upon his own jadgment. He is a good and pleasing converser. His contributions to the press are clear, comprehensive and forcible, and he is especially strong in sarcasm and pungent humor. In religion he is entirely unorthodox in belief He was reared in a strong moral atmosphere, although not under Church discipline. In early youth he began his reflections, and soon became doubtful concerning theological dogmas, and may now safely be termed a radical. Mr. Violett was married April 28, 1852, to Miss Catherine, daughter of David Eodibaugh, of Elkhart tp., an esteemed lady, and a woman of marked ability. She died July 16, 1^77. They had 4 children, 1 of whom is living: Mariet J., born Oct. 11, 1853, died June 2, I860; Horace E., born IS^ov. 2, 'l855. died April 23, 1859: Chios, born Aug. 11, 1857, married Charles A. Irwin, son of E. D. Irwin, of Elkhart Prairie, Oct, 14, 1873; Florett.born April 21. 1860, died Oct. 16, 1863. He was married ISTov. 28, 1878, to Melissa Leedy, of Elkhart tp., a ladj of pleasing presence, of good parentage, cultivated and refined in appearance, and highly respected. They have by this marriage 1 child, Ethel May, born Jan. 26, 18S0. Mr. Violett is of the usual stature, squarely and solidly built, stands erect, and possesses a robust constitution and good health. His character is above reproach. A portrait of him is given in another part of tliis volume.

William N. Violett (deceased) was born in Ohio Oct. 25, 1S26; his parents, John W. and Chloe Violett, came to this county in 1S29, and it being a new and wild country, he had but limited educational advantages; he managed, however, to acquire a good education, and became a good writer and autlior; many of his articles and excellent poems have found their way into the newspapers. He was married in 1852 to Miss Eliza A. Haney, daughter of Joseph Haney, of St. Joseph county, Ind. They had 4 children: Frank S. (dec'd), James E., Byron H. (dec'd), and Mary E. Mr. Yiolett died Feb. 27, 1873, loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a zealous worker in the cause of temperance, and labored for the promotion of morality and good society. He was a great lover of home and family.

Henry Wanner was born in Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., March 28, 1832. His father was John Wanner, and his mother's name, before her marriage, was Elizabeth Behiel. He passed his childhood in his native place, and attended subscription school; when he was 16 he was apprenticed to his brother to learn the tanner's trade; he served at this three years, and afterward worked as a journeyman three years; he then went on a tour of observation, traveling through Pennsylvania, Ohio and other countries. Returning to Berks county he engaged in the tanning business with his brother, which he followed for six years; then went to Ohio and worked at his trade in Canton, Wooster and Mansfield, and afterward in Ft. Wayne, Ind. He again went to Canton, Ohio, where he engaged in the leather trade and currying business; remained there one year, and then, in 1860, removed to Goshen, where he located, starting in the tanning business again, and continued in it for five years. Latterly he has been engaged in the manufacture and sale of composition stone, and laying sidewalks; he also combines with this a trade in coal, lime and cement; he has experimented largely in the making of composition stone, and has brought his work to perfection. He makes an article as enduring as the natural rock, avoiding all cheap material that would injure the stone which he turns out. The large amount of wide and handsome stone sidewalks that beautity Goshen, and give it such an unusually mature and substantial appearance, can be attiibuted to Mr. AVanner's enterprise and perseverance. He is thus leaving a record of himself in enduring stone that shall last through many future generations, and should thei-efore rank among Goshen's benefactors. Mr. Wanner is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the order of Knights of Pythias. He adheres to the Democratic political faith.

J . M. Wanne?', one of the substantial citizens of Goshen, was born in Kutztown, Pa., Jnly 6, 1S57. His parents were P. C. and Sarah (Moyer) Wanner; he remained at Kutztown durino- his boyhood, leaving that place and coining to Goshen in 1S76; he attended jSTormal school in his native place, beginning at the age of 10 years; he was six years in the model department of that institution; he taught school two terms. After arriving at Goshen he worked for his uncle, who was in the leather trade, until July, 1879, when he bought his iincle's interest, and has since continued the business on Main street; he deals in hides and leather, and has the only establishment of the kind in Goshen, and probably the largest in the county. Mr. Wanner belongs to the Peformed Church, is a Democrat in politics, and being still young gives promise of success as a business man, and usefulness as a citizen.

Lou Wanner, Esq., is one of the younger attorneys of Goshen, yet he has had a large experience in public and professional life, as the following sketch will show. He was born in Berks county. Pa,, in IS-iG; his father was David Wanner, and his mother's maiden name was Miss Elizabeth Bower; he attended common school in Reading, Pa., he spent 12 years at the AUentowa Seminary, and hniahed his school days there in the fall of 1861. During that fall he entered Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., and graduated from that institution in 186i. After a course of legal studies he was, in 1868, admitted to the Bar, and began to pi-actice in Peading. Fortune seemed to favor him, and he was made Deputy Register of Berks county, and served in that capacity in 1S6S, 1869, 1870 and 1871. Fie was a member of the City Council of Reading 1871-2, and presided over that body. Thinking that he could better his fortune in the West, he prospected in Kansas and I'Tebraska in 1875. Returning eastward, he iianlly located in Goshen, and opened a law office the same fall; here he has since practiced his profession with increasing success. Being an active Democrat, he was the candidate of that party for District Attorney in 1876, but failed of an election through the numerical weakness of his supporters; he has been City Attorney since the spring of 1878. In 1866 he was married, in Allentown, Pa., to Miss Kate M. Deck and they have 4 children, 3 daughters and a son. During the last presidential campaign Mr. W. was actively engaged in making speeches at political meetings, and did much to further the success of his party.

Hev. Luther M. C. Weicksel, the Reformed clergyman of Goshen, was born in Venango county. Pa., April 30, 1853; he was the son of Rev. Henry AVeicksel, a Bavarian by nativit}', and Angelina Crager Weicksel, a native of Maryland. There were 6 children in his father's family, 4 sons and 2 daughters, one of the latter a half sister to the other children. Two of the sons are now studying for the ministry. The boyhood of Mr. Weicksel was principally spent in Warren, Warren Co., to which place his father removed when Luther was about live years of age. The father had a pas- torate at "Warren, and remained there until Luther was 11 years of ao-e. His education was begun in the common and graded schools of the place. In 1864 he removed with his parents to "Wilmington, Del., and in 1S67 was placed at school in Thiel Hall, an academylocated at "Water Cure, Pa., and which has since been removed to Greenville, is now called Thiel College, and is under the control of the Reformed Church. Mr. Weicksel remained at Thiel Hall two years, when he entered Muhlenberg College, Allen town, Pa. , and graduated at that institution in 1873. He afterward took a three years' course in the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, and was ordained as a Reformed minister at Reading, June 14, 1876, by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. In March of the same year he received a call to the pastorate of the Reformed Church in troshen, accepted it, and began his labors here in the June following. The congregation was then just organized. The German Methodist church building was purchased and refitted for a place of worship. A charge was also established in Benton, of which Mr. Weicksel became Pastor, and so remains to the present time. Under Mr. "Weicksel's ministration these two congregations have steadily prospered, and the outlook for the future is encouraging. Lately the church building at Benton has been considerably improved, and both that and the parent organization at Goshen are free from debt.

John Werner is a native of Saxony; was born on that noted day July 4, in the year 1825, and is a son of Godfrey and Christiana "Werner, who were also natives of Saxony. John was yet an infant when his father died, and his mother died when he was only five years old. In 1849 he came to America, landed at New York city Aug. 28. His vocation is masonry, having learned it in the old country. For some time after he came here he was engaged as a day laborer. In 1850 he moved to Goshen, where he followed his trade. In 1858 he moved west of Goshen, and for two years pursued brick-making. In 1860 he purchased the farm where he now lives, which contains 250 acres. Since his residence here his occupation has been brick-making. He manufactured the brick for the present court-house, which required 1,200,000. He also superintended the building of this edifice. He also furnished the brick for the Presbyterian church, which took 250,000, and for the Episcopal church and the new school-house. In June, 1848, he was married to Caroline Saxon, who was born in Saxony. To them were born 2 children, both now deceased. Mrs. "VVerner died April 20, 1S65, and Mr. "W. married again, jSFov. 19, the same year, Frances, daughter of Samuel and Susanna Cripe, of Ohio. In 1878 Mr. Werner built a very fine residence, at a cost of $5,000. In politics he is a Democrat.

Reiiben WIntmer was born in IMorthumberland county, I'a., in 1833. Lie is the son of Benjamin Whitraer, and his mother's maiden name was Lydia Michael. Both parents were of German descent. About a year after Reuben first saw the light the family removed to Juniata valley. They remained there 10 or 15 years. "When Mr. Whitmer was IS years of age he began an apprenticeship to the wood-worker's trade in Lewistown, Pa. His education then consisted of what he had been able to acquire in the common schools. In 1861 he came to this State and landed in Bristol. At last he settled in Goshen, and soon after he was married to Miss Mary Hackenberg and they have had 5 sons. He embarked in the sash, blind and door business in 1866. He afterward took in a partner, Albert Yates, and still later "W". H. Yenamon boneht out the share owned b}' Mr. Yates, and Whitmer & Yenamon have since carried on the business. Their factory is the only one of the kind in Goshen, and they consequently have a thriving trade. They have a iine brick factory building on the hydraulic canal, tilled with excellent machinery. Mr. Whitmer is a Presbvterian, a Mason, and adheres to the Republican political faith.

Dr. William W. Wiclcham is one of the veteran physicians of Goshen. He was born at Onondaga Hill, Onondaga Co., E". Y., Auo-. 16, 1S20. His father's name was Allen Reynolds Wickham, and his mother's maiden name was Susan Starkweather. His father's ancestors were English, and his mother was of Scotch descent. His paternal grandfather was one of the Mayflower pilgrims, and therefore the Doctor can glory in being a scion of the Plymouth Eock stock. He seemed to be an enterprising boy at a tender age, for he was only nine when he left his father's house to seek his fortune in the wide and unfriendly world. He then was unable to read, not even knowing the letters of the alphabet. His first venture was at work on a farm in jSTiles township, Cayuga Co., IST. Y. At 16 years of age he apprenticed himself to the carpenter and joiner's trade, and thus labored for three years, studying medical books in the evenings. After he began to work at his trade on his own account, he continued to study medicine. In 1843 we find liim in Ohio, where he continued to work at his trade. He practiced medicine for a period in Ohio under the direction of his preceptors, Drs. Johnson and Price, of jSfew Haven, Huron Co. He finally moved to Goshen, Indiana, and began medical practice here in 1847. He has continued to practice here since that time, a period of 33 years.

Dr. Wickham has been married to four wives. The wife of his youth was Miss Lydia A. Rogers, by whom he had 2 daughters, both of whom are now living. The younger is married to Dr. Wm. B. Krider, of Goshen; the elder is" still single. The first wife died of consumption, after living with her husband seven years. After his bereavement the Doctor remained single for three years, when he was married to Miss Anna Reiley, wh'^) died of dropsy, after about eiglit years of wedded life. Two children were born of this union; the first a daughter, Mary Eliza; the second a son, William Allen Reynolds. The son began reading medicine with his father at the age of 15, and graduated at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College at the age of 19. He practiced a short tiDie, and is now in Chicago. After the death of his second wife Dr. Wickham married Miss Amanda E. Wood worth, daughter of IraB. Woodworth, of Middlebury, Elkhart Co. The ceremony was performed while the lady was enduring her last illness; she, seeing that her days were drawing to a close, with touching constancy and devotion requesting of her affianced that the contract of marriage be ratiiied on the appointed day, so that she might die the wife of Dr. Wickham. Her disease finally terminated in a brain fever, which was the cause of her death. After a lapse of time the Doctor was again married, to Miss Emma L. Kendall, which was in 1S65.

The fruit of this last union was a daughter, who has developed a wonderful genius for music; in fact, she is a musical prodigv. At three years of age she astonished her parents by stepping to the piano and playing a tune without the slightest instruction. That was the initiative of a remarkable unfolding of musical proficiency. About three years ago she clamored for a violin, and at length her father procured one for her. She seized it with eager hands and immediately displayed wonderful facility in performing- upon it. She was instructed by Prof. J. B. Henry Van der Velpen, and after three months' tuition she played the overture "William Tell " to very near perfection. After taking lessons a year of the Professor she was taken to Cincinnati by her parents, and was interviewed by Theodore Thomas and Yacobson, both of whom were astonished at the manifestation of her musical genius. They urged her parents to place her under tuition in Cincinnati, but the Doctor informed them that, as he was then situated, he could not possibly afford the money to defray the necessary expense. So enthusiastic were the two great musical instructors that they offered to give her tuition gratuitously. The offer was accepted and the young prodigy entered upon a course at the conservatory. She has remained there one year, and has made wonderful progress. Pemenyi has seen her, and, after witnessing one of her performances on the violin, declared that, considering her age, only 12 years, her equal could not be found in Europe or America. She even now plays in the best orchestras of Cincinnati, with the oldest musicians. The world will soon have a new musical sensation in the performances of Miss Wickham.

Dr. Wickham's present wife was a daughter of Emanuel Kendall, of Mansfield, Ohio. Her parents died wlien she was only 1:^ years of age; she at that age was placed in " College Hill Seminary, " was there six 3'ears and graduated at IS years. She is a fine pianist. Mrs. Wickham's grandparents on both sides were natives of Germany.

The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Master Mason. Politically, he is a Greenbacker. In 1863 he was called by Gov. Morton to go to Stone river to act as a surgeon for the relief of those who suft'ered from the battle there. He had charge of hospital No. 14 during that service. Of late years the

Doctor's life course has been eveu, bis time being devoted to his lara;e practice. Latterl}' he lias associated with himself Dr. Albert J. Irwin, a yonng physician of ability and reputation, and only thus is Dr. AVickham able to manage his large practice.

Susan Wogoinan is the earliest representative now living among the pioneer settlers of Elkhart county. She was born Sept. 9, 1S06, in Adams county, Ohio. She, with her first husband, John ifickeson. left Nobleville, Hamilton Co., Ind., JSTov. 12, 1827, and reached Pleasant Plain Dec. 1. They came with an ox team and wagon bearing their household goods, one barrel of flour, two bushels of corn-meal, tea, cotfee, etc., to last one and a half years. There was snow on the ground, which obscured the wagon track of the five families that had previously gone through from Ft. Wayne, but they traced their way by the blazed trees. Though undisturbed by Indians and other mishaps that often befall pioneer travelers, yet the}' experienced the hardships of emigrant fare. They were obliged to build fires, gather boughs, and scrape away the snow for their night camping, and once, when five miles in the wilderness, the king-bolt of the wagon broke and Mr. Nickeson was obliged to go back that distance and get it mended, while his wife built a fire, and with babe and cows for company spent the long hours of the day. For iO miles she walked and drove three cows, and much of the time carried the baby. They settled on the east side of Pleasant Plain, on nice prairie land, built a comfortable cabin, plowed the land and raised vegetables. Wild game was plentiful. Other settlers began to come in, and the prospect was a pleasant home, after the usual pioneer hardships. In 1829 Col. Brown was surveying in the county, and they paid hiiii §S to run the section lines, which, when completed, divided all the land they had taken between the Indian reservation and the school section. After this they were allowed to remain only by paying rent, thus losing all their labor in breaking the land.

They then removed to Kosciusko county, to get where there was prairie, and taking up a claim, lived there about two years, when a man appeared and swore that he had cultivated one corner of the section, and again they were thrown out of two years' hard labor and, what is so dear to every heart, a permanent home. They then went on to Iowa, remaining a few years, but affairs did not prosper and they returned to Elkhart county to an SO-acre lot they had purchased before going to Kosciusko county.

The early settlers in these days enjoyed life, felt less of want and more of satisfaction than came to some of them in their latter days. There was no written law or preached gospel, but in many cases they lived more peacefully and religiously than now when court-houses and churches dot the county like trees in an orchard. Religious meetings were held from cabin to cabin occasionally, and in 1830 two preachers of the Christian denomination held a service, and ultimately a Church of that faith was established. For a year or more Mrs. Nickeson meditated on the duty of professing a belief in God Almighty and joining liis visible Church. Many hindrances were in the way, but Feb. 12, 1832, she rode on horseback nine miles, forded a river filled with floating ice, and on the next day was immersed and became connected with the Church of which she has ever since been a consistent member.

In 18il John ]Nickeson died, leaving her a widow with several small children. In 1842 she married Jacob Wogoman, and had by him 2 children. In these early days Indians were plentiful, but they suifered no loss save once: One day an Indian and two squaws came to her when husking corn, traded muslin and calico for corn, wishing to sit by her cabin fire to shell it. When they left she thought their bags too fall, and on examining the house she found they had been to the pork barrel, taken a shoulder and side meat, some meal, and linen thread which she had spun and bleached ready for use. They were pursued, but an Indian encampment being within a few miles, further chase was deemed unsafe.

Like a thrifty pioneer that she was, she had a small iiock of sheep, but they must be confined in a rail pen for fear of the wolves, and often she chased tlie hungry pack away from the pen where they were gnawing and scratching for a taste of mutton. Tlie hog and nine pigs were missing one day, when she followed and found wolf tracks and six pigs gone; the remainder she succeeded in driving home again.

Mrs. Wogoman enjoyed no advantages of education, but her mother wit was such that rarely any designing person got the better of a bargain. One instance we will give, though many might be recorded. While a widow, a neighboring man hired her horse for 25 cents a day and kept him till he owed her $6. He died, and his son, a lawyer, settled the estate and paid her $3 in merchandise. She often asked him for the remainder, and at last he came to pay it. He demanded a receipt. She said, " Write it and I will sign it." It was so done, and he handed her $2, and then triumphantly carried oft' the receipt for $3! After this he avoided her. Time passed, she needed the money, yet could not collect it. She wrote a plain, concise statement of fact, and to which she could give oath, handed it to Dr. Ellis, then editor of the Democrat, saying if a man would serve a poor widow like that he deserved to have the story carried as far as the papers went. The Doctor said if the man did not pay he would publish it; but the delinquent soon appeared and found his creditor digging potatoes in the field. He rode up by the fence and called out, Here's your money." She replied, without moving, " You can keep it," and he again said, " Come and get your money," while she answered, -' If you can live and keep it I can live without it. You are a big lawyer in fine clothes and I am a poor widow with a baby and small children to support. I was not raised in the woods to be scared by an owl, and if you cheat me out of much you must get up before daylight." He passed her seven shillings, and the remainder is unpaid to this day.

The hardships of pioneers are of a peculiar kind and develop hard}', rugged virtues. They beget kindly feelings and hearty sympathy with one another, for which the more complicated customs of civilized society and an abundance of wealth sometimes fail to furnish an equivalent.

Hon. William Allan Woods was born near Farmington, Marshall Co., Tenu., May 16. 1837. June 16, 1837, his father, Allan Newton Woods, was buried, who was a student in theology, preparing for the Presbyterian ministry. His mother {uee Ewing), left without dower or estate, was compelled for several years to support herself and children (two daughters, besides an older son than our subject) by the use of needle and loom. The ancestry on both sides (including in the various branches the names of Blair, Caldwell, Dawson, Donaldson, Leeper and McCleary) was of Scotch- Irish extraction, the tirst of them in this country having conre over from Ireland about 1760, and settled in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

In 181r± the mother of our subject married Capt. John J. Miller, who in the spring of 181:7 removed with his family to Iowa, and settled on a farm near Troy, Davis Co. In the fall of the next year Mr. Miller died, leaving Allan (so he was called at home) the only reliance of his mother, to condnct and work the farm, which he did with fair success for two years or more. At the age of 14, his mother having married again, and not to his liking, he left home, to make his own way in the world. For a year and a half he had employment with a steam saw and grisj; mill company, driving ox-team, haulino- logs, and doing all kinds of work in and about the mill, at $12 per month, one half of which went for board, washing and mending, and yet he saved money, never using tobacco or intoxicating liquor. Next for a few months, he "clerked in a store," being entrusted with the conduct of a branch store. Always identifying himself with tlie interests of his employers, his judgment was often consulted and followed.

In his earlier years he had attended a few terras of common school, and had made nnusual, but necessarily limited, progress. He developed an early taste, a passion, indeed, for reading, but had the use of very few books.* At li he read Shakspeare with great delight, and about the same time the ''Wandering Jew,'^ which was his tirst novel. In 1853 the Troy Academ.y was founded, and he became one of its first pupils. He subscribed a small sum ($5) toward the erection of the Academic building, and, unable to spare the money, '' worked it out" by carrying hod for the plasterers. Promised by a friend the loan of the money to pay his way through college, he entered vigorously upon his preparatory studies, paying his way in the academy bj' services as assistant teacher. During this time he was the Chief of the Lodge of Good Templars, at Troy, and in the winter of 1854-'5 went as delegate from that lodge to Iowa City, and there helped organize the Grand Lodge of that order for the State, and was elected one of the officers of that body.

In September, 1855, he was matriculated as a Freshman in Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Iiid., and at once was recognized as one of the most laborions and promising- students. He very soon achieved leadership in his debating society. Easily mastering the regular course of study and taking besides such optional studies as were allowed, he gave much time to reading, especially in history and metaphysics. Graduating with his class in 1859, he was employed for the next year as tutor in the college and received from the examining committee special commendation of his class in history. In the fall of 1860 he was employed to teach in a collegiate school in Marion, Ind., and continued in that work until the news of the battle of Bull Kun broke up the school.

He then enlisted and made preparations to go into the army, but, by an accidental fall into a stone quarry (on the farm of Sterns Fisher, near Wabash, Ind. ), received such an injury of foot and ankle as to disable him for the service.

Before graduating from college he had read Blackstone, with reference to his choice of professions; and having chosen the law, had pursued, while teaching, a course of legal studies, and Feb. 30, 1S61, had been admitted to the Bar of the Grant Circuit Court, then presided over by Judge Biddle, now one of the Snpreme Judges. Continuing his legal studies, he served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at the Febrnary term, 1S62, of said court, and then removed to Goshen, arriving March 17, 1862. He came an entire stranger, having neither kindred nor acquaintance in the county. The war had prostrated business and, still burdened with the debt of money borrowed while in school, his prospects were not encouraging; but his abundant time was improved to advantage by hard study. Confidence was soon won and with it helpful friendship. On the recommendation of Dr. E. W. H. Ellis, he was appointed Provost Marshal for the county to conduct the draft of 1862, and as such had the collection, without giving bond or security, of near !p20,000 from the "conscientious exempts" from the draft; and afterward had the refunding of this money to those of whom it had been exacted. The faithful execution of this trust established his reputation for integrity.

Within half a dozen years he had reached the front rank of lawyers in ITorthern Indiana and held his place with increasing success and reputation until raised to the Bench of the 34th Judicial Circuit. In 1866 he was elected Representative in the Legislature and was known as "a working member," originating many, and securing the passage of several measures, - among them a bill to regulate railway freight charsres, perhaps the first measure to pass in any Legislature in the direction of what was afterward known as the Granger movement. (This bill was defeated by a veto.) He was practically the leader of the opposition to schemes of legislative jobbery and corruption.

Since Oct. 22, 1873, he has served upon the Circuit Bench with eminent success and acceptability. In 1878 he was nominated and re-elected without opposition, and having but fairly entered on his second term as Circuit Judge, June ] 7, 1S80, received the nomination of the Kepublican party of the State for a place on the Supreme Bench as the successor of Judge Biddle, and his nomination having been ratiiied by an election, he will, if spared in life and health, be entitled to take his seat on that Bench on the first Monday in January, 1S81.

From boyhood he has been intensely opposed to the institution of human slavery, as indeed was his father before him, and his stepfather, Capt. Miller, and on this account was disinherited by his Grandfather Woods, who died Oct. 28, 1851, leaving his estate and negroes to those who, or whose parents, had not antagonized his pro-slavery views and prejudices. While borrowing money to pay his way in college, he insisted upon and accomplished the manumission and bringing to the free North of a negro boy to whom he and his sisters had become heirs, declaring his readiness and purpose to leave college and abandon hope of a professional career rather than go on by the aid of the price of a human being sold as a slave. His share of the sum offered for the boy would have paid well nigh a year's expenses in school.

In his youth Judge Woods became a member of the Presbytei"ian Church at Troy, and has always maintained an attendance upon the services of that denomination.

He was married Dec. 6, 1S70, to Miss Mata A. Newton, daughter of lion. A. Newton, ex-Mayor of DesMoines, Iowa, and gi-anddaughter on her mother's side of Gen. Wm. B. Mitchell, a wellknown pioneer of this county, and who was the Government agent for the removal of the Indians from this vicinity, and represented the county in the State Senate. They have 2 children, Alice Newton, born "Nov. 22, 1871, and Floyd Allan, born Sept. 11, 1875.

Rev. Wm. H. Ziegler, Pastor of First Reformed Church, Goshen, was born in Cumberland county, Pa., Oct. 3, 1852. He was the son of Jonathan Ziegler, his mother's maiden name being Elizabeth Jacobs. His father was a farmer, and William was reared on the farm until the age of 17, and attended common school and thus fitted himself for teaching, a vocation which he began at the age of 17. He taught three terms, employing the time interveuing by attending the Normal School at Newberg, Pa. In the spring of 1873 he went to Chirke county, Ohio, and near Springfield taught another term. After this he went to the Theological school of Tiffin, Ohio, where he reuiained three years and completed his course of study. He was ordained to the ministry in 1876, and received a call soon after from the Goshen Reformed Congregation to become their Pastor. He accepted it and soon entered upon his labors. He has remained in this relation ever since. When he became Pastor of the Goshen Church it was a mission, and had but 12 members; now there are 75 members and a comfortable and commodious church. Mr. Ziegler is a Royal and Select Master Mason,a member of Bashor Council, No. 12,Goshen, and is a Republican in politics. He is also a member of a Good Templar Lodge. He is a man of excellent native quality, and has proved himself to be a very accep'table minister of the gosptd.

This township is diversified with slight hills and valleys, and it is mostly woodland, although the greater portion is under cultivation. The land is quite productive and yields large crops of corn and wheat.

The first settler in this township was Daaiel B. Stutsman, who came in 1831. He erected a log cabin, moved into it, and commenced the work of clearing. His was the first white man's ax that was lieard in this township. The wild Indian was yet there. They were the neighbors to the white man, and indeed were their true friends. They would seldom visit tlie white settlers, but before leaving would give them some trinket or article of some sort, as a token of their love and respect for them. Mr. Stutsman's was the only white family in the township for a long while. They indeed encountered many hardships in those pioneer days. They subsisted cliieiiy, besides bread, on wild meat, and while he had various ways of capturing wild game, we will make mention of one in connection with an incident.

Mr. S. had off at some distance from his " cabin home " a turkey pen or trap. The trap was constructed of poles, perhaps three feet by four feet in size, with a ditch dug along under the pen for the turkeys to pass in, he having previously scattered shelled corn around the pen and also in the ditch as a bait. They would devour the corn in the ditch to its terminus, tlien to get out would fiy upward, instead of returning via the entrance, and would soon find themselves entrapped. A turkey will always fly upward instead of downward to get out of a trap. On one occasion Mr. Stutsman went out to his turkey pen with his rifle, baited it with the corn as usual, and stepped back a few paces to wait for turkeys to come. He soon heard the rustle of leaves (it was autumn and the leaves had just fallen) at a distance, and on looking some rods apace saw an object resembling a red-headed gobbler moving along as if looking over a log. Mr. S. coolly raised his gun, intending when Mr. Turkev alighted on the log to dispatch him with a bullet; just then an Indian with a red handkerchief tied around his head, seeing that " big Injun be shot " leaped from behind the log and came running withall the (.987)

Speed tba: he could make to Mr. Stutsman, and clapping his hands on his benefactor's shoulders, exclaimed, " G-ood che-mo-ko-mon, good che-mo-ko-mon!" ( interpreted, good white man) '- no shoot Injnn." so glad was he that he did not meet with the fate to which he was destined, had he not emerged from his hiding place at that moment. iSlor very soon after did Mr. Redman disguise himself as a turkey.

In 1833-'4 David Y. Miller, Conrad Brumbaugh, James and Wm. Stewart and Samuel Bilehanan effected settlements in this township, and in 1835 came James McDowell and Christian S. Farber. Time continued to rollover these old pioneers' heads till the spring of 1836, when the}' numbered 10 families. The 10 voters there convened and organized the township. The first election was held the following jSTovember, where 10 votes were cast, all Whigs and all were cast for Gen. Harrison. From the result of this election the township derived its name.

In 183S the citizens erected a log house for school purposes. We can have but a faint idea of the rudeness of these huts, and do not wonder at them for not receiving a very scientific education when we consider the limited advantages they enjoyed. There are now nine frame and brick school-houses in the township, and we see what pre-eminent facilities the present generation enjoys above those of earlier days. We see now as the result of these advantages, a large number of the natives are teachers, and many are teaching their home schools.

Keligions meetings were held in school-houses for a number of years. The first church in the township was built by the Mennonite society on sec. 28, in 1855, by Daniel B. Stutsman and Abraham Teeter. In 16(32 the Dunkards erected a church on section 26. The Mennonites also built a church on the same section in 1868.

About 1810 apostoffice, designated as "Cabin Hill," was located in the western portion of the townsliip, but was discontinued after a few years of business, and was subserjuently established at Southwestern, a small village in the southern part of the township. It was rnn there a few years, then discontinued, and some years since was re-established.

The justices of the peace from the beginning to the present are: Wm. Stewart, elected in 1840 for five years; Christian S. Farber, elected in 1815 for five years; Solomon P. Yeoman, elected in 1S50; then Benjamin Benner, Christian S. Farber again, John Otto, Joseph Criipp, Martin P. Grash, Melcher Gulp, Joshua Shriver, Aaron B. Craig and Leander Anderson. Others liave been elected, but never qualified.

The prominent men of this township are Messrs. Josepli G. Gulp, John A. Wliisler, Leander Anderson, John Hay and Andrew and Peter D. Berlcey, Daniel B. Stutsman, Wm. McDowell, Jacob Bechtel, P. H. Kurtz and Benjamin Hoft'man, stock raisers; and Benjamin Benner, J. Shively, J. Buzzard, J. S. Gripe, Wm. Coughman, C. S. Farber, G. M. Borntrager and some others are the leading men that are engaged only in farming.

Following are short biographical notices of several citizens of Harrison township, whose lives have been so identified with its history as to be an essential part of it. Some are pioneers who have experienced all the scenes of frontier life elsewhere delineated in this work, and some are more prominent in the modern progress of the community.

. Leander Anderson was born July 12. 1S±S, in this county. His parents, Noah and Mary Anderson, were natives of Delaware and Pennsylvania, respectively. His father was born Sept. 10, 1810. In 1833 he came to this count}', first settling in "Waterford, where he lived till 1837, then moved into Harrison tp., where he resided till his death, which occurred Sept. 29, 1874. He was married Jan. 25, 1831, to Mary Ann Hay, daughter of Valentine Hay. To this marriage were born 10 children; 8 are living, viz. : Warren, Felix, Isabella (now Mrs. Kaylor), Esther (now Mrs. IvTicholas Reed), Benj. F., Leander, Hiram, Erastus G., Uriah and Wai-ren. Mr. Anderson was quite prominent among the people of this county. He served as County Commissioner for several years, and as a member of the Legislature for one term.

Jacob Bechtel. - Among the prominent farmers of Harrison tp. Mr. Bechtel ranks with the leading. He was born in Lancaster county. Pa., May 30, 1815. His parents, Peter and Sophia Bechtel, were natives of Pa. In 1828 they moved to Ashland county, Ohio. There he was reared, and received his mite of knowledge of school books in the rude log hut. To give a description of this school building would not be out of place. It was a log structure, and not so very spacious within its massive walls. The roof was constructed by laying large loes on the top, and covering with dirt; the floor was formed of rough, unplaned puncheons, the seats of slabs; the room was heated bv a large fire-place, which occupied the full width of one end of the room; the win- dows were made by removing a log from the side of the building, and greased paper was used for the window lights. What a hardship this would be to children of the present day ! In 1850 he came to this county, where he still resides, following the independent vocation of farming. April 20, 1S37, he was married to Miss Anna Mover, daughter of John and Elizabeth Mover, natives of Pennsylvania. They have had 10 children, 7 of whom are living, viz.: John, who married Sarah Hoover, now deceased; Elizabeth, now Mrs. C. "W. jSTusbaum; Abraham, who died while in the war, at Gallatin, Tenn., Feb. 19., 1S63; David S., who married Sophia Otto; Barbara A., now Mrs. Geo. H. Hoover, in Kansas; Sophia, now Mrs. Levi Hoover, also in Kansas; Peter, Catharine, Joseph (deceased), and Caroline (deceased).

Mr. Bechtel was elected to the office of Tp. Trustee. He served in this capacity three years, then was elected County Commissioner. He served in that office till 1S62, and in 1S65 he was re-elected and served six years. Mr. B. is a Republican, and is also a member of the Evangelical Church. His grandfather, Jacob Kinch, was a Hessian, and came across some time during the Revolution.

JBenjamiii Benner, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Philadelphia, Peun.; was born March 23, 1804, and is a son of John and Mary A. Benner, natives of New Jersey. In 1806 the family removed to Baltimore, Md., where they lived till 1821, when Benjamin went to Cumberland county; in 1832 he moved to Clarke county, Ohio, and in 1834 he came to this county and settled near Waterford, where he lived till jSTovember, 1839, when he moved into Harrison tp., in a little, low, "log cabin in the woods." which had neither doors nor windows. Wild game was plentiful, and the}- subsisted chiefly on wild meat. Sept. 27, 1839, he married Caroline Broughton, daughter of iSathau and Lydia Broughton, natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Mr. Benner was born in iNew York, on the Mohawk river. Ten children were added to this family, 7 of whom are living, viz.: Elizabeth (now Mrs. Henry Bowser), Lydia A. (now Mrs. Isaac Richards), Caroline fnow Mrs. Joseph Dalrymple\ Maria (now Mrs. Wm. Misnei'), Franklin (married to Lizzie Collins), Martha (now Mrs. Warren). The father of the subject of this sketch was a soldier in the war of 1812, and well does Mr. Benner remember the battle of North Point, which occurred Sept. 12, 1814. and where Gen. Ross was killed.

The subject of this sketch has held various offices of the tp.. although no office-seeker. He owns a farm of SO acres, in sec. 25, worth $7,500.

Andrew Se^'key was born May 19. 1831, in Somerset county, Penn. His parents, Daniel P. and Fanny Berkey, were natives also of Penn. Mr. Berkey went to Fulton county, Ohio, in 1855, and the same year he came to this county, where he still resides, farming and stock-raising. In 1854 he married Rachel Wertz, daug-liter of John and Susan Wertz. natives of Pennsylvania ; of their 7 children 6 are living, viz. : Elizabeth (now Mrs. Moses Baringer), David (who married Christiana Sherman), Malinda (now Mrs. David Means), Albert, Hiram, Allen, and Mary Ann, (deceased). Mr. Berkey owns 160 acres of land in sec. 10, worth $60 per acre.

P. W. Berhey was born in Somerset county, Penn., July 22, 1844. His parents were David and Fanny Berkey, wlio were born also in Pennsylvania. In 1866 he came to this county. He was married October 20, 1868, to Miss Catharine Berkey, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Berkey, natives also of the Keystone State ; 5 children were born to this union, viz. : Idella, Warren, Julia, Morris, and . Mr. Berkey has tilled the office of Tp. Trus- "