Elkhart County, Indiana - Tue Churches, 1905 (part 11 of 15)

A wide-awake business man, eminently public-s]3irited. Ah-. Mc- Masters has displayed commendable interest in all matters pertaining to the advancement of his city. He is a Republican \oter, and fraternally is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He married, in 1878, Miss Candace Hart, a daughter of William Flart, deceased, and they have two daughters, Edith and Mayme.

Edward B. Zigler

Edward B. Zigler, T)f the firm of Harman and Zigler, is one of the able young lawyers of Elkhart. Born on a farm in Jefferson township, this county, April 24, 1875, '''^ belongs to one of the oldest families of the county, his father and grandfather having been prominently connected with the industrial and jnililic affairs of the county since the thirties.

His grandfather, Benjamin Zigler. was lnjrn in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, was reared and married there, and about 1838 came west and located in Jackson township of Elkhart county, where he l»ught eighty acres of land covered with dense timber, erected a log house for the use of his family, and in a few years had cleared up and improved his place into a nice farm. Selling it in 1853, he mo\ed into Jefferson township, where his home remained till his death, at the age of seventy y;ears. He had made farming a lifelong vocation, and was successful beyond the average. He was a member of the Lutheran church and always voted the Democratic ticket, at one time having serv-ed as trustee of Jefferson township. He married Mary A. Wagner, a native of Lebanon county. Pennsylvania, who died in Elkhart township, this county, at the advanced age of eighty-two. They were parents of the following children, seven of whom are living: Elizabeth Judia, of South Bend ; David, deceased : Henry, of Goshen ; Louisa Shoup, of Goshen : .Andrew, of whom further below ; Jonathan, of Mishawaka : Mary Jane, of Elkhart ; Sarah C. Kessler, of Jefferson township.

successful farmer for years and resides on section 26 of Cleveland township, was the fifth child and third son of his parents and was l>orn in Jackson township of this county. August 9. 1845. He was reared and educated in his native township, attending the Goshen schools, and spent the first twenty-one years of his life at home. He alternated between the occupations of teaching in the winter and farming in the summer. In 1866, at the age of twenty-one, he married Lovina Ricks. daughter of John and Eliza .\. ( Stockham) Ricks. She was born in Allen county. Ohio, and came to Jefferson township. Elkhart county, when four vears old, being reared and educated there. ,\fter his mar- riage Andrew Zigler moved over to St. Joseph county, where he was engaged in farming and teaching two years, and then returned and located in Jefferson township about three miles north of Goshen. Three years later he bought and moved to a farm of eighty-four acres, which he cultivated until 1900, when he sold and moved into Elkhart. He bought his present farm in 1901 and located on the same in 1904.

Mr. Andrew Zigler has manifested much interest in public affairs. He served as assessor of Jefferson township nine years, and is the present trustee of Cleveland township, having been elected to the office in 1904. He is a prosperous and successful farmer, his estate com- ])rising one hundred and sixteen acres, and in civic and material affairs he has been an impurtant factor. He Jiad tliree chiUh-en : Carry, the deceased wife of George Stauffer; Ira EHiert, who is registr}^ clerk in the Elkliart jiostotfice. a jmsition he lias held ele\'en vears: and Edward B.

Ed'vvard B. Zigier spent his hoylK.iod and youth on the farm, antl his education was obtained in the country schools and at Valparaiso. At the age of seventeen he began teaching country school and continued that vocation three \ears. His law studies in the meantime had already Iveen begun first in the scientific department at Valparaiso Normal and then in the law department of that institution. He was admitted to the bar March 8. i8g8. and at once began practice in Elkhart, where he has built up a large and profitaljle business. His partnership with Mr. Harman began on Januar)- i, 190J. and this is nowone of the well known legal firms of the county.

Fraternally Mr. Zigier affiliates with the Benexolent and Fnjtective Order of Elks, with the Knights of Pythias antl with the Modern ^Voodmen of America. He and his Avife are Methodists. He married. November i-j. 1895, Miss Maud E. Rice, of this county, and they have one son, .\rthur E.

Charles Mutschler. a member of the Coppes, Zook & Mutschler Company of Nappanee and assistant manager of the furniture department of the company, is a young business man whose connection with the manufacturing affairs of the county has given him deser\-ed prominence among the men who are responsible for the de\'elopment and progress of the county along these lines.

The fifth child in the family of George and Sarah (Froelich) Mutschler. well known citizens of the county whose lives are sketched elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Mutschler was Ijorn at the old home in Millersburg. this county. ^Va\ i i, 187^), and was reared and educated in his native town and in (ioshen. He began preparation for the law, pursuing his studies along that line for two years in the University of Indiana, but at the end of that tnne turned his attention to business life, taking the position of l)0(!kkee])er for the Nappanee Furniture Company in 1896. He was with them two years, and in i8g8 took charge of the Union Canning Comjiany of Na]>panee. When, several vears later, the Napjianee Furniture Comiiany and the Coppes Brothers and Zook Companv consolidated as the Co])])es, Zook & Mutschler Company, he became a member and director in the business and also assistant manager of the furniture de]>artment. He has amply demonstrated his fitness for business life and for the position he holds, which is a x'erv responsible one, his company being em])lovers of three hundred jiersons in the various de]:)artments.

Knights of Pythias fraternity. He married, June lo. 1901, Miss Delia Coppes, who is the daughter of S. D. and Elizal>eth (Berlin) Coppes. Their marriage has been blessed with two children, Helen E. and Sarah 1.

John D. Coppes

Jnhn 1). Cnp])es, vice president of the Coppes, Zook & Mutschler Compan)- at Xapiiauee, has been identified with manufacturing enterprises since he was eighteen years old. He has spent practically all his life in this county, and is one of the able men whu ha\e l)een at the foundation of Nappanee's prosperity as a commercial and industry center. The enterprising spirit of the Coppes family can be traced in almost every important lousiness or public institution of Nappanee, and the family name has that digniity and stability of character which is fitting in a house of such long and jirominent standing in the community.

Mr. Coppes. who was born in Jackson tov,nshi]>, this county. -August 14. 1856, was the ninth child in the family of Jacob D. Coppes, who was born and married in Pennsylvania, and thence moved to Ohio and from there became one of .the early settlers of Elkhart county. At the time of his arrival Goshen was a village of log houses, so that the family history gx)es back to the early days of this county. He was a farmer by occupation, and liought considerable land in Elkhart township and unproved a fine farm. He died at the age of sixty-one. in 1873. His father Samuel was also born in Pennsylvania, and died in Ohio, being of German descent according to the best information. The mother of John D. Coppes was Sarah Fravel before her marriage, and she was Ixjrn in Pennsylvania and lived to be about se\enty-seven years old. she being also of German descent. They were the parents of ten children, two of whom died in infancy, while the re.st grew to adult years.

Mr. Coppes had a couim(>n '^chuf.il etlucation such as has helped many a bov on tlie road to success, and when he was nineteen years 1)1(1 he liegan an mdependent business career. At that age he started one of the first sawmills at Nappanee. aufl has been identified with the manufacturing affairs of this \mrt of the county ever since. His furniture plant, planing mill and box factory was bought, three years later. by J. C. Mellinger and Company, which existed about eight years, and then Mr. Coppes' brother .Samuel bought out the Mellinger interests, and the firm was then known as the Coppes Brothers for a time. Mr. Coppes also in the meantime had interests in the Nappanee I'urniture Company. In 1891 Mr. Zook purchased the share of Samuel Coppes. and for ten years the different enterprises were conducted under the name of Coppes Brothers and Zook, until the organization, in 1901, of the Coppes, Zook & Mutschler Company, the most extensi\e manufacturing concern in Nap])anec. L'nder tin's firm name are ciin<lucted the large furniture manuiacturing plant, the Xappanee flouring mills, and the sawmill, all enterprises ot Xappanee and employing in the aggregate between two hundred and fifty and three hundred men. Mr. John D. Coppes is the senior member of the firm. The Coppes Hotel, the leading" hostelry of Xappanee and a distinct credit. t<j the town, is another institution foundefl Ijy the Coppes brothers, who erected it in 1892, and the fine opera 'louse was built bv them in 1900.

Mr. Coppes, though a sl;mch RepnI'ican and often sought to hold at the gift of his fellow citizens, has ne\'er allowed himself to figure to any e^ctent in public life, notwithstanding that he has done as much as any other man for the upbuilding of X'^appanee. He served as president of the town boai'd two years.

He married, in 1879, Miss Malinda Strohm, a daughter of Joseph and }\lary ( Hara ) Strohm. Tliey have only two living children. Mar- \in, who is a graduate of Purdue University, is assistant shipping clerk in bis father's business, and Ir\in, wlro likewise studied at Purdue University, is also a member of the firm. One child died in infancy, Gertrude died at the age of six years, and Lloyd died also at the age of six years.

D. \\". Thomas is one of the best known men in the public life of the city of Elkhart. His position as superintendent of the city schools, which he lias held for nearly twenty years, has brought him into very intimate relation with all classes of citizens, and such long tenure of that important ofiice means that he has exerted a broad and far-reaching influence on the development in character and mind of many hundreds of boys and girls, the majority of whom have already taken their places in the serious pursuits of life. In the portion of this history devoted to education in the county will be found considerable mention of Mr. Thomas and his work as an educator in Elkhart, and the very rapid and substantial growth of the schools of that city within the last few years is the best encomium that can be pronounced on his professional career.

Born in Hancock county, Ohio, ?\ larch 26, 1839, Mr. Thomas was a son of ^lichael and Charlotte (Shippey) Thomas, the father of Welsh and the mother of Irish descent, and both natives of Ohio. They were parents of four children, and aftc" the death of the mother in Ohio, the father was again married, having one child bv that marriage. The father and his second wife came to Indiana and settled in Allen county in 1849, where he died in 1880.

His father being a farmer by occupation, Mr. Thomas was reared on a fami, living in Ohio the first ten years of his life and since then having been a permanent resident of this state. His early education was acquired in private and puljlic schools and at Fort Wayne College. He entered upon lus inde])en(lent career at the age of sixteen.

and thence forward for some years lie persex'ered steadily in his efforts to obtain an education befitting- one who aimed at teaching as a profession. He began teaching when sixteen years old, and thereafter for some years he alternated in farm labor and teaching and in attending school. From I'ort Wayne College he entered Asbury ( now _De- Pauw) University, where he was graduated with the class of 1872. In 1873 Mr. Thomas became superintendent of the Wabash city schools, this state, and resigned there to accept the more lucrative position as superintendent of the Elkhart city schools, in 1886, so that his professional career has been devoted to two localities, a rather unusual record for an edttcator, especiallv one who has been in that line of acti\'- ity over thirty years.

]Mr. Thomas is one of the best known educators of Indiana, and his connections are correspondingly large. He is a member of the Northern Indiana Superintendents" Club, of the Town and City Superintendents" Association, the State Teachers' Association, the Northern Indiana Teachers" Association, of which he was the founder, in 1883, and also a member of the National Educational Association. He is affiliated with Elkhart Commandery No. 31, K. T. He and his family are Methodists.

Mr. Thomas is a Grand .Vrmy man, having membership with that organization b}- virtue of his active service in the Civil war. He enlisted, in April, 1861, in Company G, Twelfth Indiana Infantry, and after a year of service volunteered in Company E, Fifty-fifth Indiana Infantr}-, in which he served as orderly sergeant until the close of his term of enlistment. He is a member of Shiloh Post. G. A. R., at Elkhart.

]\Ir. Thomas married, in 1872, Miss -\nna Beechgood, and they have t\\ o living children, namely : Paula B., who is a teacher in the Elkhart schools, and Frost B.. who is an orange grower of California.

Wilson Roose

Wilson Roose, ex-state representative, a prominent attorney of Elkhart, and by lifelong residence and in many other ways intimately identified with this county, was born on a farm in Harrison township, February 20, 1866, a son of John M. and Mary A. (Myers) Roose. His father and mother were torn and were married in Columbiana county, Ohio, and came to Elkhart count}^ in 1854, settling in Harrison township, where they lived till their deaths, the mother in 1882, aged fifty-five, and the father in 1893, aged seventy-three. There were eleven children, four daughters and seven sons. The father was a farmer and by trade a carpenter, and in early life had followed contracting extensively. .Although not interested in politics he had voted for candidates as far back as Folic and including Lincoln, Garfield and

Reared on a farm and with his early education acquired in the country schools supplemented by attendance at normals, when he was seventeen years old Mr. Roose obtained a license to teach and therewith began teaching a country school, an occupation which he carried on for eight years altogether. At the same time he was pursuing with characteristic energy the study of law, and in 1892 he was prepared to enter ujxm his chosen career, being admitted to the bar in that year. He practiced in Goshen until 1903, and since then has ]>een located in Elkhart. One of the prominent and influential Republicans of this count)', he served as couiity chairman of the Republican county central committee in 1894-96. and in the latter year was elected representative to the state legislature and re-elected in 1898. ^Ir. Roose's career as a legislator was marked by steady and consistent effort for the welfare i)f his constituencv and the state as a wlmle. He introduced the liill which became what is known as the Labor Arbitration Law. w hereb)' a labor commission ])ro\ ided for the .arbitrating of labor troubles. This is one of the splendid laws which no\\- adorn the statute books of the state, and Air. Roose's ]3art in other matters was of no less iniijortant character. In 1899 Governor Mount appointed him a member of a commission for the purpose of drafting certain bills that w(juld teml to curb the wastefullness as well as extravagance in the management of the and township governments of Lidiana. The result was the enactment of what became known as the County and Township Reform laws, which ha\e saved millions to the taxpayers since the measures became laws. .\ man of known reliabilitv and executive power, on the failure of the Indiana National Bank he was selected by the Comptroller of the Currencv as recei\'er and has administered the tangled matters in \-ery creditable fashion.

Wr. Rcii/se is a Master Alason. ;ind is es]5ecial!y prominent in the lm])roved Order of Red Men. in which he has held all the offices in the local lodges and in icjoo was elected ( ireat Sachem of the state and has since been a representati\"e to the Great Council of the United .States l)0'ly.

Mr. Roo.se married, in 1890. Miss Mary Murray, who was the oblest of three daughters of Benjamin 1. Murra^- and Zillah ( G.arwood ) Murrav. Mr. and Mrs. Roose are members of Trinity Methodist church.

Christian Blodier. the father of John M. Blocher. present trustee of Olive township, himself for many \ears an bonoretl citizen of the township, and well remembered for tlie honesty and industry which characterized his life throughout, was born in Erie county. New York. December 13, 1S36. a son of L'hristian and Catherine (Beam) Blocher.

His grandfather, a native nt the little repnhlic nf Switzerland, and his parents de\-iiiu memliers of the Mennonite church and people who reared their children to li\-es of God-fearing integrity ancl worth, it was natural that Christian Blocher should display the fine characteristics of his race and his ancestry, and no one recalls him hut as possessed of the most sterling traits.

Receiving a good practical education in the schools of New York, at the age of nineteen he came to the Woh-erine state, where he turned his energetic attention to the lumher industry. \Mien Fort Sumter was fired upon he took up arms in defense of his country, was one of the first men to enlist, and as a member of Company G, Seventh Michigan Infantry, served three years, holding first the rank of corporal and then sergeant, as which he was discharged. As part of the Army of the Potomac, he participated in the battle of the Wilderness, second Bull Riin, Antietam or Sharpsburg, and the pivotal battle of the rebellion at Gettysburg. He was wounded May 6, 1864, b_\- a sjient ball, Imt not seriously enoug'h to hinder his active service.

Christian Blocher married Miss Susannah Martin, who was Ijorn in Erie county. New York, June 6, 1837. ^ daughter of Abraham and Maria (Herst) Martin. After his marriage JNIr. Blocher moved to Ohio, but in a few months came to Elkhart county, where, after renting for awhile, he purchased a partially improved farm of eighty-five acres. During the remainder of his career he was prosperous from his private standpoint and also identified himself closely with the affairs of the community. Politically a Republican, he served as township supervisor for eight years, and for two terms was the incuml^ent of the office of township trustee. He and his wife were devout members of the Mennonite church. They bad four children : Martin A., who is a farmer in Olive township; John M.. whose history is given at length elsewhere: Anne E., who married J. W. Moyer, of Olive township; and Ida A., who was born February 14. 1872, and who wedded Charles W. Witner, a resident of Michigan.

John M. Blocher

John M. Blocher. one of the young men of enterprise and energy upon whom in this modern life of stress and strenuous endeavor rests the robe of responsibility in the fullest measure, is a citizen of longestablished resitlence in Olive township and the city of \\'akarusa. is a successful attorney with a good and growing practice, and bv election in 1904 is serving as trustee of his township, a position that he is especially well fitted to fill.

A native son of Elkhart county, where his lifetime of useful activity has placed him among the worthiest citizens, Mr. Blocher was born June 7, 1868, and is the second child of Christian and Susannah (Martin) Blocher, whose lives are briefly sketched on another page. Reared on the farm, Mr. Blocher spent a youth of imusnally dihgent application alternately hetween farm duties and attending the common schools. A man of self-achievement throughout life, he gained most of his education - and he is very well educated indeed - by his own efforts. When he was twenty-one years old, hax'ing obtained a teacher's certificate, he began teaching in this county, and as a practical educator pursued his calling for eleven and a half years. All oi this time was spent in one township and in just four schools, a record which shows how hig'hly he was esteemed as a teacher. Outside of the summer normals he had never attended aught save the common schools, and his self-fitting for his vocation was an accomplishment of which he may be proud and which no doubt gave him the self-reliance needed for other undertakings. He began his career without capital, and the fact that he has continued to prosper and add to his material circumstances is another proof of his sound and substantial ability and manhood.

January i, i8g8, Mr. Blocher married Miss Amanda Musser, and the}- have one little daughter, ^lary Saxton, who dispenses joy and gladness in copious abundance throughout the Blocher household. Mrs. Blocher is also a native to this county, born December 29, 1868, a daughter of Ephraim and Mary (Martin) Musser, the father a native of Ohio and still in the ranks of the prosperous and active agriculturists, he and his wife making their home in Harrison township. Mrs. Blocher was educated in the common schools of this county.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Blocher cast his first vote for Benjamin Harrison and has always supported the party of his first choice. His life work has always identified him more or less with the community at large, and after leaving the school room he became connected with the official affairs of his county. In 1904 he was selected as a delegate to the state convention of his ]Xirty, and has been a member of the township precinct committee. He held office as justice of the peace two terms. In the fall of 1904 he was elected trustee of the township of Olive. This, as is well known, is the most important administrative position in the county, especially as it bears upon the welfare of ihe public schools, six of which are under Mr. Blocher's sujiervision and are in a most flourishing condition. This office of trust has l>een well placed in him, a practical and thoroughly experienced teacher.

During his service as justice of the peace Mr. Blocher applied himself to the study of the law. both by private reading and through corres)X)ndence law school, and with characteristic energY has become a well equipped attorney, in addition to his official and legal duties he does a large fire insurance business as representative of .some of the leading comjianies, the Ohio Farmers", the American. German-American and Security, and he also makes a sjiecialty of buying and selling real estate, making loans, collections, etc. .\ thoroughly wide-awake and aggressive young business man, yet possessed of the courtesy and gracious conduct withal which are the distinguishing marks of .sound and self-poised ability, he has always enjoyed the confidence and patronage of the business and general public. In the fall of 1898 he purchased a pretty cottage home on Elkhart street, and has improved it into a modern residence and a most delightful, homey place. He has four pieces of real estate in Wakarusa and forty-five acres in Olive township. Mr. Blocher and his wife are genial people who take pleasure in the world as they have found it and give forth of their warmth of heart and mind to their many friends, so that it is not surprising that thev fill a large place in the social life of their CDnimunity.

Frederick Brooks Pratt for over forty years was one of the most prominent business men of Elkhart. Dying in this city July 18, 1903, when past the age of fourscore, with fullness of years he had likewise attained completeness of achievement and character, and his name and influence are destined to survive yet a long time in the community where his activity was centered. An able business man, with executive powers fully developed, he was also a man of kindly and philanthropic character, and his dailv life was in accord with the highest principles of honor and integrity.

This late respected citizen of Elkhart county was born in the city of Springfield, Vermont, December 18, 1822, being- the only .son of Herbert and Caroline (Brooks) Pratt, both of whom were of old New England stock. Their only daughter, Louisa J., now resides in Detroit, Michig-an. The first twenty-three years of his life Mr. Pratt spent in his native state, and then came west and located in Battle Creek, Michigan, where he was joined some time later by his parents. Subsequently his father died while visiting in the still farther west. The father's desire was that his son should be a lawyer, with which purpose in mind the latter had been liberally educated, but young Pratt preferred the business rather than the professional life and had early identified himself with that line of activity.

At the age of eighteen he had gone to Boston and gained an amjile mercantile experience during five years" employment in one of the largest dry-goods establishments of that city. On moving to Battle Creek he had first been employed in the mercantile house of an uncle, but seven years later became a ' member of the new ly organized firm of Pratt, Rue and Rogers, general merchants, who instituted a verv large business but finally met with reverses and discontinued.

Mr. Pratt came to Elkhart in 1858, and thenceforward practicallv up to the time of his death was intimately identified with the business and manufacturing interests of the city. In conjunction with and aided by his uncle, William Brooks, of Battle Creek, he engaged in the hardware business, and for years his hardware house was one of the best known business houses of the city. On the entrance of his son \Y\]\- iain B. into the business the firm was known as F. B. Pratt and Son. This estabHshment was finally discontinued, or. more correctly speaking, was n-:erged with tlie ETkhart Carriage and Harness Manufacturing Company, which was establi.shed by the father and son in 1873. This has become the largest firm of its kind in the United States, its dealings being carried on directly with the consumer without the use of middleman or joljber. Mr. Pratt's second son. George B. Pratt, came into the business in 1882 and in i8gi Mr. F. B. Pratt sold his interest in the business to his sons and retired from active business life. Mr. Pratt was married in Battle Creek, Michigan, November 30, 1848. to Miss Charlotte E. Byington, a native of New York state and a daughter of Rev. Joel and Delia (Storrs) Byington, the former of Hartford, Connecticut, and the latter of Vermont. Her father was a distinguished Presbyterian divine. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt became the parents of five children, but the sons William B. and George B., of Elkhart, are the only ones living. Mr. Pratt was a member of the Presbyterian church, taking an acti\e interest in all church work, and he was .nmong the organizers of tlie cliurch of hi'; denomination at Elkhart.

Janies A. Juday, engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Millersburg. was born in Benton township, Elkhart county, July 31, 1856, and is of German lineage. His ]>aternal grandfather, Henry Judav. was a nati\e of Pennsylvania, a fact which indicates that the famih was ftnnided in America by previous generations. Henry Juday vemo\'e(l from the Keystone state to Ohio, and thence to Indiana, locating in the Solomon's Creek settlement, in Benton township, where he spent his remaining days. Ide A\as a farmer and was actively interested in the pioneer develo]iment of this county along agricultural lines. He owned one hundred and sixty acres of land together with other property interests and he became quite well-to-do. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Ex'angelical Lutheran church. Tn hi; family were eight children: John: Jacob: David: Solomon: Baltzer: Sarah, who married John Vance: Adam, who died in 1904: anfl :i deceased daugliter. All of this generati'in ha\'e now passed away.

Baltzer Juday, born in Preble county, Ohio, June 18. 1818. came to Indiana with his parents in 1834, when about sixteen years of age. Elkhart county was then a sparsely settled region, in which much of the land was unclaimed and the broad prairies were covered with their native grasses, while the timber stood uncut along the streams. Towns and cities which now have much commercial and industrial importance, were then but hamlets or had not yet sprung into existence, and thus the name of Juday has been associated with agricultural de\^elopment in Elkhart county almost from its beginning. Baltzer Juday was twice inairied. He first wedded Sarah I'ricc and to them were horn two daugliters : iViatiltla. who Ijecame the wife of (ieort^e Hapner. and lias three children: and one died in infanc}'. After losing- his first wife Baltzer Juday married Eliza))eth Heltzel, who was horn in Alleghenx count)'. Pennsyhania, Se])temher jj. 1832, and was a daug'hter of Conrad Heltzel, a native of l'enns\ivania. who remo\'ed from Ohio to Indiana about 1842. He located in the southeast corner of Beuton township, where he followed general agricultural pursuits. He was of German descent. Jn his family were eight children: Hettie. the deceased wife of John Wolf: Catherine, the deceased wife of Wallace Rogers; Margaret, who married Oscar VV'ilkison, and has also passed ruvav : Sarah, deceased, who wedded Solomon Rogers: Elizabeth, John, Peter and ]Mar\-, all of whom ha\e departed this life.' Mr. and Mrs. Juday became the ]iarents of fifteen children, of \vhom foiu' died in infancy, the others being: Henr\-. now living in Beuton township: Nelson, of Ligonier, Indiana; Jane, the deceased wife of Charles Culver; Ellen, the deceased wife of Samu.el Cnrue ; James; Thomas, a resident farmer cif Clinton townshi]); Ira. a dealer in flour and feed in jMillersburg: John, a grain dealer of Millersburg': Chauncey. a teacher and specimen collector for educational institutions, living in California: Ada, the wife of Edward ^^'ehrley. a farmer, of Benton township: and Amanda, who became the wife of John Hofifmau, and died, leaving two children. The father died March 26, 1883, while his w^ife's death occurred January 27. 1882.

James .-\. Juday pursued his earb- education in the schools of Benton township, afterward spending a short time as a student in Ligonier, Indiana. He was reared to farm life and for eleven years followed that pursuit in Xoble county, this st.':te. After marriage he conducted his father's farm for two years, but on account of il! health he remox'ed to Millersburg, in 18Q3. and since tlien has engaged in the fire and life insurance business, in collecting and real-estate dealing. He owns the old mill property in Benton township, a residence in Millersburg and six lots in the city of Goshen, and in the department of business to which he now gi\'es his attention he has secured a good clientage.

Mr. Juday was married in 1878 to Miss Elizaljeth A. Growcock, wlio was born in Noble county, Indiana. September 15. 1856. her parents lieing George and Elizabeth (Ambrose) Growcock. in whose family were nine children, namelv : Mrs. Juday; George, who is a farmer of Noble county, Indiana, and a trustee in his township ; Isaac, wlio is engaged in cultivating onions and is also a stock buyer at Kimmell, Indiana; Nellie, the wife of Thomas Juday, a farmer, of Clinton township, now deceased; .Mice, the wife of Nelson Hite. a farmer, of La- Grange county, Indiana; Oscar, of Millersburg: Camilla, the wife of Frank McDivitt, of Goshen; Edward, who is with his l:rother George in Noble county; and Florence, deceased.

Icrs : Lutlier, who is pursuing a course in civil engineering in Angola, lu' liana, and has taught for a numlier ni years; Addie, a teacher; Wesley, who is attending the Goshen high school ; George, a student in Goshen; Alattie, also in school; and Dean, at home. The parents are members of the Christian church and Mr. Juday's father and mother and all liis )>rothers and sisters with the exception of two are members of that church. He takes an active part in church work, has served as deacon and has been superintendent of the Sunday-school at Millersburg for several years. He has likewise been president of the Christian Endcax'or Cnion for several \cars rmd his labor in behalf of the church has lieen a helpful factoi' in its upbuilding- and growth, fie belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. Castle No. 328, - now vice-chancellor; and he votes with tb.e Democracy. On the Democratic ticket he was elected justice of the ])cace until he had filled the office for ten years, anc' he has likewise been a member nf the school board. A man of ger.uine worth, meriting the esteem in which be is unifi irmly held b_\- his fellow-men, it is therefore consistent with the purpose and ])lan of this work that bis record lie gi\-en among those of the representative men of the county.

The Juday fann'ly for man_\- years ha\-e held annually and semiannually, reunions, and many ])leasant reminiscences are retold and gone over with so much pleasure tO' all. .Some of the Judays come from Ohio to attend these reunions. Each June the reunions will be held at Hake Wawassee. This \A'awassee reunion includes all liy the name of Juday.

Jcibn .\lberl Cook. M. 1)., of Ciosben, is one of the younger but none the less remarkably progressi\e ])hysicians and surgeons of this count}-, and in die course of ten years' practice has made a reputation and gained .'! jirofessional business which are exceedinglv creditalile to bis ability and skill

Dr. Cook was liorn in C'linton. Canada. December u. 1S73. and his parents, I'cter and Lucinda (Cook) Cook, were .also natix'es of the Dominion. I'or his early rearing and educational training Dr. Cook remained in bis native town of Clinton. He matriculated at Trinity Medical College of Toronto. ;ind in 1S95 was graduated from that well known (irofessional scliool with the degree of M. D. .Mmost at once he came to Goshen, and h.as since l>een actively engaged in building up his practice. He makes a specialty of surgerx". being tliorougbh- erpiiiiped by training and natural deftness for this line of wurk-, and he also has a good general practice to attend to. lie is \ice-president of the Elkhart County ^Medical Societ}- an<l is ;i member of the State Medical Society. Alert and enterprising, with ;m .imbition that keeps him out of ruts and the mediocre, he gives much time to stud\\ and in loot liroadened his jirofessional training by ;i i.ost-gr.'iduate course in the Chicago I'olvclinic.

Dr. Hiiyh Al. Hall, cnj^atjed in the .general practice of medicine and surgery and also making <i specialty of ophthalmology, is a native of Michigan, his birth having occurred in Union, Cass county, in 1872. He is a representative of an old X'irginian family, his paternal greatgrandfather having been born in that state, whence he remox'ed to Indiana, and later to Michigan, settling in the Wolverine state at a vei)' early period in its development and improvement. Two of his sons, Henry and John, were soldiers of the Civil war. going to the front with a Alichigan regiment, llis sun, M.arlin Hall, was born in Michigan, and became a farmer by nccuiiation. dexiiting his entire life to that ])ursuit. He married riud had two sons, Orlando and Hiram, the latter a prt)fessor of music connected \vitb the Boston Conservatory. Orlando J. Hall, ])orn in Cass cnunty, Alichigan. was roared to the occu])ation of farming and follow in 1 that pursuit thrcughout bis active business career, but is now li\-ing retired, makmg bis home in b'.lkbart, at the age of sixty years. He wedded Miss Alary May Sulli\-an, whose birth occurreckin Bureau county, Illinois, in 1850. She is a daughter of Patrick Sullivan, a native of Ireland, who- came to the L'nited States in his boyhood days with his father, who located in Klkliart count}-, but sooti afterward removed to Illinois, passing through Chicago when on his way to his destination. At that time the great metro])olitan cit\-, whose growth has been one of the wonders of the world, contained Indian wigwams and the cabin hianes of a few white .settlers. I'atrick .Suni\'an became ;i well-to-do' farmer of L)Ureau count}', lllinnis. and eventually he remoxed to Missouri, where be had accumuLited consiilerable landed property and s]Dent his last days. His wife, who liore the maiden name of Rose Downey, was also' a native of Irclaml. and they became the parents of four children, all of wdioin tlied in infancy with the exce|)tion of Mrs. Hall. Patrick Sulli\-an was again married .after the death of his first wife and had eight children b}' that union. Air. and Airs. Orlando J. Hail were members of the Baptist church until recentl} . when they miited with the Presbyterian clunxb. The\- have a large circle of friends in Elkhart, where they now make their home. In their family were six children: Hugh M.. of this review: Grace .S.. the wife of C. P. Hulce. count}" superintendent of schools of Hillsdale count}-. Alichigan; Fred H.. a farmer of Cass countv, Michigan; Blanch, who is a nurse and lives in Elkhart: Charles J., of the .same city: and Alar^-. al home with her jiarents.

Hugh Al. Hall began bis education in the district schools of his nati\-c count}- and afterward attended the high school at Bristol. Indian.a. He then engaged in teaching school f<ir two wears prior to entering upon preparation tur the ])ractice of medicine. His preliminary reading was done under the (lirectiun df Drs. [-'. }il. Aitken and C. E. Dutrow, of Bristol, and subsequently he attended lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Chicago, a department nf the L'niversity of Illinois. There he recei\ed his diploma in tlie year 1898, and in die fall cf 1904 he pursued a post-graduate course in his alma mater on the eye. ear. nose and throat. He began the practice of his profession in Chicago, m 1897. being permitted to dO' so through special examination. After remaining in that city for a year he opened an office in Millcrsburg, where he has since gained an enviable reputation as a skilled and capable represcntati\'e of the medical fraternity. He is now a general practitioner with a large and growing" practice. Init he also makes a specialty of the treatment of diseases of the eye. for which he is well qualihed by tiiornugli training. Reading and study also kee]) bini informed concerning the new thought of the medical fraternity and he is quick to adopt all advanced methods whose efficienc\" and value seem exideiit. He is local siu'geon of the ^^'al>ash Railroad Cumpany and health officer of Millersliurg. He is also a member of the Elkhart County and Indiana State Medical .societies, the American [Medical Association, the Northern Tri-State and ^^'abash Railroad Surgeons" Association and the International Association of i'iailroad Surgeons.

In 1895 Dr. Hall was married to Aliss Rose M. Trager. who was l)orn in Bristol, in 1868. a daughter of John W. Trager. a harness maker, who married Wilhelmina Koeblin. lioth of whom are natives of Germany, and they had nine children, of whom seven are living: \\'. F... h'red C. and Julian H.. who are in partnership in the ownership and contluct of a meat market at Lansing. ^lichigan : Christian M.. a harness dealer at South Bend. Indiana; Martin L.. who is also conducting a harness business in Bristol: Emma, ilie wife of Ceorge .\. Kantz. a farmer of j\Iichigan; and Rose M.

Dr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the Lutheran church and they have a wide and favorable acquamtancc in Millersburg. where the hospitality of their own home is greatl_\- enjoyed by their many friends. Dr. Hall is quite ]irominent in fraternal circles, holding niemliershii) with the Masons. Knights of Pythias, in both the lodge uniform and endowment ranks, the Woodmen of the World and the Patricians. He is now' medical examiner for these various organizations and likewise for a number of the old line life insurance companies. In politics he is independent at local elections, where no issue is involved. 1>ut at national elections gives his support to the Republican party. Interested in bis iirofession and with a full realization of the responsibility and oblig'rition that devolve upcni him. he lias to the best of his aliility qualifieil himself for the work and is now recognized as one of the ca]iable re]iresentati\es of the medical fraternity in his part of Elkhart countw

Jacob M. Garber

Jacob M. Garber, followiiig tbe occupation of farming in CHnton township, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1848. His father. Aliraham Garber, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and about 1813 removed to Ohio, whence he afterward came to Indiana. He was one of a family of ten children, others being: Jacob, Henry and David, all now deceased : Christian, v\'lio is living in Clinton township; Mary, the deceased wife of Henry Geisinger;^ IMartha, the deceased wife of Aln-aham Hoover; Fannie, deceased; and Hettie, who is living with her l>nither Christian. Abraham Garber was the second in order of birth in that family. Reared and educated in Ohio, he was there married and made his home until about 1857, when he came to Elkhart county, settling on section 2. Clinton township, where he spent his remaining days. He was a carpenter by trade and for a number of years followed building operations, but later devoted his energies to farming. He passed away on Christmas tlay. 1889, amid the deep and widespread regret of many friends who had learned to respect and honor him because of his genuine worth. His wife bore the maiden name of Fannie Martin, and was born in Pennsylvania. She is now living at the age of seventy-eight years, making her home with her son Jacob. She is a daughter of Henry Martin, and the eldest in a family of four children, the others being : Mary, the widow of Samuel Weaver, her home being near Harrison Center, Lidiana; Nancv, the widow of Jacob Brenneman. and now living in Orville, Ohio: and Christian, who makes his home in Goshen. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Garber were the parents of tliirteen children : Henry, who follows farming in Emmet county, ^Michigan ; Jacob INl. ; Fannie, the wife of "Peter Schrock. a farmer of Nampa, Idaho ; Nancy, the wife of Daniel Schrock, of Goshen ; Christian, a carpenter residing in Goshen ; Mary, deceased ; David, a farmer living in Hesperia. California; John, a resident farmer of Clinton township: Annie, the wife of Noah A. Lehman, a furniture dealer of Nappanee; Abraham, who is engaged in carpentering in Nappanee ; Marvin, deceased ; Lizzie, tlie wife of Aaron Smeltzer, a farmer of White Cloud, Michigan ; and one who died in infancy.

Jacob M. Garber was reared lipon his father's farm and now lives on section 16. Clinton township, where the family own eighty acres. He obtained his education in the public schools near his home, and in liis youth learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in his earlv manhood, but now he gives his undivided attention to his agricultural interests. His place is neat and thrifty in appearance and the well tilled fields and substantial buildings always in good repair indicate the careful super\ision of a practical and progressive owner.

are deceased, and David, the fourth of the family, has also passed away. The others are: Jennie, the wife of Charles McClintock, who is a mechanic in a tablet factory in Elkhart : and Harvey, a carpenter, living in South Bend.

Mr. Garber was married in 1884 to Miss Catherine B. Stutzman, a daughter of Jonathan Stutzman. She was bom in Ohio, in 1850, and her father came to Indiana about i860, taking up his abode in Clinton township. He had five children : Elizabeth, the wife of Solomon Yoder ; Catherine B. : Aimie, the deceased wife of Moses Kauffman ; Jeptha, who is living in Clinton township ; and Sophronia, who married David Hartzler and afterward Frank Boyts. but is now .deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Garber have fovu" children : Clayton and Lulu, both at home; Arvilla; and Warren, deceased. The parents are members of the Mennonite church and arc well known in the locality where they reside and where they have many friends.

Charles R. Myers

Charles R. Myers, following the occupation of farming in Clinton township, has not confined his efforts alone to any line of activity but has extended his labors to other fields, being now the president of the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company. He was born in Clinton toAvnship, in 1870, and is a grandson of John Mj'ers, who came to Indiana several years after Jacob Myers, the father of our subject, arrived in this state. Jacob Myers was a shoemaker by trade but during much of his life carried on agricultural pursuits and after coming to this state he made his home w'ith his son Jonathan, in Clinton township. Lie was a member of tiie German Baptist church and in his political \-iews was a Democrat. He married a Miss Bowman, a native of Ohio, antl they became the parents of eight children : Jonathan, David. George. John, Daniel, Mrs. I. Miles, Mrs. Betsey Shively and Mrs. Barbara Miller.

John Myers, the fourth member of the family, was born in Montgomery coimty, Ohio, in 1822, and when twenty-one years of age made his way to this .state. He located first in Union townshi]) and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers who were engaged in the wdrk- of reclamation, there utilizing for the purposes of civilization the land which had hitherto been in possession of the red men. .Vbdr.t 1850 he removed to Clinton township, where he carried on farming fur many years. He wedded Miss Hester Ann Riley, who was born in Miami cou.nty, Ohio, and is now living on the old homestead farm at the age of seventv-five vears. There John flyers continued to niake his home imtil his death, which occurred in iqoi. when he had almost reached the eightieth milestone on life's iourney. His wife was a daughter of Isaac Riley, a native of Miami county. Ohio, who was married :here to Miss Stutzman, also a native of that connt^-. Prior tn the

they came to Indiana, settling in Elkhart township, Elkhart county. Their children were: Levi, deceased; James A., who is engaged in the hardware business in Goshen; Mary, the deceased wife of Henry Miller: Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Moses Berkey-Pile; and Matilda, who is living in Goshen.

Charles R. Myers spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farm lads of the period and locality and his early educational privileges were supplemented by study in Mount Morris College, at Mount Morris, Illinois. In early life he engaged in teaching school for eight years in Clinton township, and the periods of vacation were devoted to farm labor. Now his attention is largely given to agricultural pursuits and he owns and operates ninety-four acres of land on section IQ, Clinton township, constituting a well improved farm supplied with all modern equipments. He is engaged quite extensively in stock feeding and he is likewise the president of the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company, with headquarters at Millersburg. Associated with Robert W. Davenport he organized this enterprise, and has since been at its head. Such a course is indicative of his progressive spirit, and the line has been of the utmost value as well as of convenience to its many patrons.

January 2, 1892, \lr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss Myra Belle Miller, who was born in ]\Iiami county, Ohio, in 1872. Her father, Dallas Miller, was a native of Maryland, and removed to Miami county, Ohio, whence he came to Indiana in 1875, settling in Clinton township, Elkhart county. He was a carpenter by trade and after his arrival in this state followed building operations in Goshen, while in Clinton township he carried on general agricultural pursuits. He and his wife belonged to the Baptist church and his political faith was that of the Democratic party. At the time of the Civil war he stood loyally by the Lhiion cause and for three years faithfully defended the stars and stripes upon the battlefields of the south, participating in nineteen different battles and forty engagements. He afterward became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintained pleasant relations with his old army associates. His death occurred December ig, 1896, when he had reached the age of fifty-one years and eleven months. He was one of a family of twenty-one children born of his father's two marriages. Dallas Miller was joined in wedlock to Miss Pr'sciUa Yates, also a native of Miami county, Ohio, and now living at the home of her daughter. ^Irs. Myers, at the age of fifty-nine years. .She was the youngest in a familv nf eleven children born tn ]\lr. and Mrs. Nezer S. Yates.

^Ir. and ^Irs. J^Iyers ha\e two cliildren : (ieiirge Earl, who was l)orn in 1893; and Join: Dallas, born in 1898. The parents are members of the German Baptist church, actively interested in its work and upbuilding. Mr. ]\Iyers votes with the Democracy, although he has nol been active in search of political office. He has served as superin- tendent of his Sunday school and has been helpful in all of the church work. He is a young man of enterprise, who has closely studied business conditions and possibilities of the times, and his utilization of opportunity has made him a foremost factor in business circles of Clinton township.

The name of Hire is well known in the southeastern part of Elkhart county, for representati\es of the family to which Henry Hire belongs and of which he is a worthy member have for many years figiu-ed in public life here as reliable business men and enterprising citizens, their influence being given for the furtherance of all movements that promote public progress and impi"ovement. It was on the i8th of November. 1X52, in this county that Henry Hire first opened his eyes to the light of day, being the third in a family of six children, four suns and two daughters, who were born to William and Elizabeth ( Wilkinson ) Hire. The father, now one of the most venerable and respected citizens of the county, was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1820 and is therefore eighty-five years of age at the present writing. His mind is still bright- and active and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. Throughout his entire life he has engaged in agricultural pursuits, entering upon that work as soon as he had completed his education in the pioneer schools that were common in his boyhood days. He Ijecame a resident of Elkhart county when a young lad, locating in Benton township, where the Hire family entered claims from the government, and the original property has since remained in possession of representatives of the name. William B. Hire in an early day built a log cabin, to which he took his bride at the time of his marriage. Thev began life there in true pioneer style and shared many of the hardships and incidents common to a frontier existence, but as the years passed they were enaliled to add many comforts to their home, and the husband and father prospered in his business affairs. As his financial resources increased he made judicious investment in real estate, becoming the owner of four hundred acres of land in Elkhart and Noble counties. He was very successful in all of his transactions and moreover was strictly fair and honorable, never being known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any business dealing. His earlv political allegiance was given to the party and when the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he espoused its principles and has since rested his political faith upon its platform. He and his wife were devout Methodists, first worshi]Ji)ing here in a little schoolhouse. Later a small frame church was liuilt on section twenty-two and Mr. Hire contributed generously toward its construction. In i88t a beautiful brick church was built on section twenty-three and the congregation expects soon to rebuild and remodel this, making a more modern, commodious and attractive house of worship. In all of the church work Mr. Hire has been deeply and zealously interested and has served as a trustee, steward and class leader. Now in liis declining years he leaves the church work largely to others, yet his interest therein has never abated. The work of the farm to*, has been given over to his children and he is enjoying a well earned rest. His wife, also a native of Ohio, was born about 1823 and died May 15, 1904. She too was a devout Christian and her many womanly qualities and good traits of heart and mind endeared lier to ail who knew her. Four children born to this worthy couple are yet living : Susan, now the widow of John Haney of Benton township and the mother of four living children : Rudolph, who is married and is a prosperous agriculturist of Benton township ; Henry, of this review : and Thomas JeiTerson, viho is a lireeder of fine short-horn cattle, Ii\-ing on a farm in Bentonjownship. He too is married.

Henry Hire, well known to many citizens of Elkhart county as a worthy native son of Indiana, has spent his entire life in this section of the state, li\-ing for many years in Elkhart county and for twenty years in Noble county, just east of his present homestead. He is an agriculturist, having been reared to that occupation, and he has seen no reason to change his mode of life, finding in this work ample opportunity for the exercise of his native talents and the development of his latent energies. .\s a school boy one can see him in retrospect conning his lessons in a little log building about eighteen by twentytwo feet. It was built after the architectural style of the times and he studied from the elementary spelling book and McGuffey's readers, sitting on a slab bench which had no back, neither was it upheld by iron supports, but rested upon wooden pins, and the same supports upheld a board which extended aroiuid the room and ser\ed as a desk on which the older pupils wrote out their exercises. The i>ioneer school has long since been replaced by modern educational institutions and the methods of teaching have been ecjually impro^-ed and the standard of learning greatly raised. High schools have been established since the youthful days of ]\Ir. Hire, but in the early common school he gained a fair knowledge of several branches of English learning and by reading, experience and oliservation be has greatlv broadened his mind in later years.

Mr. Hire remained upon his father's farm until his marriage. which was celebrated on Christmas day of 1873. Miss Jane Wolf becoming his w ife. She was born near Joliet, Illinois, her natal day being February 17, 1852, while her ])arents were John F. and Saloma (Pontius) A\^olf, in whose familv were eight children, four .sons and four daughters, Mrs. Hire he'mg the fifth in order of birth. Seven of the number are vet living, but she is the only one residing in Elkhart county. Her father, who was a native of Germany, died in 186 1 at the age of fifty-five years, after following agricultural pursuits as a life work and also dividing his time with the church as a minister of the Evangelical denomination. His wife, who was a native of Ohio, died about 1890. The members of their family are as follows: Lewis, who was a soldier of the Civil war for four years and is now living in Kansas; William, who is a follower of ^Alexander Dowie and resides at Zion City, Illinois ; Lydia, the wife of Joel Wilkinson, who is now living retired at Leesburg, Indiana ; Jacob, who is married and is. engaged in teaching music in Kansas ; Mrs. Hire ; Samuel, who is a music teacher residing in Los Angeles, California ; and Ellen, the wife of William Scott, a dealer in real estate in Houston, Texas. Mrs. Hire was a little maiden only six months old when brought by her parents to Elkhart county, where she has resided since, and at the usual age she entered the public schools.

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hire took up their abode ujxjn the tarm which has been their home continuously since. It is a splendid property, comjirising two hundred and forty acres of land that is very arable and productive. He has done much to raise the standard of stock found in this part of the county and makes a specialty of polled Durham cattle and has paid as high as four hundred dollars for two head. He also raises Pcjland Qiina hogs and Shropshire sheep. The improvements arc of the best class and the home wfndd be a credit to a city in its architectural style, furnishings and .silrroundings. Mr. Hire has installed an acetylene gas plant whereby the residence is illuminated, and has introduced other modern equipments. The home has been l;lessed with the presence of one son, Curtis (i.. who mw resides in Noble county, where he is actively engaged in farming. He received his dii^ioma from the common schools in the class of 1890 and afterward entered the Ligonier high school, in which he pursued a two years' course. He possesses much natural musical talent and performs well on the \'iolin and cornet and at one time W'as a member of the Ligonier band. He wedded Miss Delia Emory and tliey have two children: Lucile Marie and Margaret Elizabeth. Their farm comprises ninety acres of good land in Noble county :md Curtis Hire is capably and successfullv cultivating this tract. He is a Republican who cast his first presidential ballot for William Mc- Kinlev. and lie belongs to the Bene\()lent and Protecti\'e Order of Elks. '

Henry Hire is also a stalwart Reiiublican and his first presidential bal'ot was cast for R. B. Haves, since which time he has xoted for Carfielfl, Blaine, McKinley and Roosevelt. In the fall of 1904 he was elected trustee of Benton townshi]) and in the office exercises his official prerogatives to advance every movement for the public good. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and he now has under his supervision ten excellent schools, while ten pupils in Benton township received diplomas in 1905 in recognition of their completion of the regular school course. Mr. Hire has ser\ed as a delegate to both county and stale conventions for his party. He and his wife are faithful members of the Richville Methodist Episcopal church and contributed toward the erection of that house of worship in 1881. They are both workers in the Sunday school and Mr. Hire is serving" as (jne of the trustees and one of the stewards of the church. He is a representative of a ])roniinent pioneer family of the coimty. and yet it is his personal worth which has won him the high regard in which he is uniformly held and which classes him with the leading and influential citizens of the community, while his earnest labor has made iiim one of its most prosperous agriculturists. I'here is in the Hire family one of the old parchment deeds for land entered from the government, under the hand and seal of l^^esident Andrew Jackson.

Edson C. Bartholomew, a well known agriculturist of Clinton township, is engaged extensivel\ in the raising of cattle and sheep. He also raises Duroc Jersey hogs, and while he conducts a business of considerable extent and importance he also finds time to aid in matters of public progress, being interested in the church and in political affairs, representing his township at the present time in the office of trustee. He was born in Clinton township. Elkhart county, July 21, 1869.

His father. George Bartholomew, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, is now living on section 30, Clinton township, at the age of seventy-seven years. He came to Indiana in his boyhood days with his parents, wdio settled in Benton township, Elkhart county, and after his marriage, which was celebrated in 1847. lie removed to the farm upon which he now lives and which has been his home for almost six decades. His father was Henry Bartholomew, a native of Pennsylvania, who removed to Ohio at an early period in the settlement of the latter state. He married !\liss Ann Sloan, a nati\e of Ireland, who came to the I'nited .States in her girlhood days. They had a family of twelve children. fi\e of whom are now living. The record of the family is as follows: Alexander, wlm became a Lutheran minister and is now deceased; Moses, who was alsn a minister of the Lutheran church and died in the spring of \()0^: William and James, who have passed away: George: Amos, who is pastor nf the Lutheran church at Prospect, Pennsylvania: Caibcrint', the deceased wife of David Darr ; Eliza, the widow of William Tiirrence, ;i Presbyterian minister: Mary, the deceased wife of Morgan Butler, a jeweler of Go.shen: Lydia. the wife of Clinton E. Foster, a retired farmer living in Goshen : Emma, the wife of Dr. J. .\. Work, of Elkhart.

(leorgc Bartholomew was re;ired Id the occu])ation <if farnn'ng. worked at the carpenter's trade in earl\- life, but for many }-ears has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits and is now a large farm and projjertv holder. He is engaged in the breeding of Hereford cattle aiiJ Duruc Jersey hogs and is well kiiuwn in this cunneclion, having conducted a very successful business. He is a devoted member and active worker m the Lutheran church, w'ith which he has been connected from his boyhood days, and he has held several official positions therein. He cast his vote for Abraham Lincoln in 18G0 and again in 1864, but smce that time has been a Democrat. He served as township assessor, but has never been active in search of office, i>referring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with signal success. In the year 1847 h^ wedded Mary Cook, a native of Montgomer}- county, Ohioi, now sixty-eight years of age. She was a daughter of jNlichael Cook, wdio lived in Pennsylvania in early life and thence removed to Ohio. He married Lydia Keener, and they had three children, of whom two died in infancy. In 1840 they removed to Indiana, entering from the government a tract of land know'n as the Michael Cook farm, adjoining Millersburg on the west. This farm I'emained in possession of the original family until the fall of 1904, and Mrs. George Bartholomew, the only child of Michael Cook, sold it to a real-estate firm of Syracuse, Indiana.

Edson C. Bartholomew, having mastered the elementar\- branches of learning" in tiie public schools of Elkhart county, afterward si>ent two years in the Northern Indiana Normal College, at Valparaiso. He then engaged in teaching in the district schools of Clinton township for six years. He was reared to farm life and with the e.xception of the period devoted to educational work has always engaged in farming. He is now living on section 31, Clinton township, where he owns forty acres of land, and here he is breeding and raising thoroughbred Hereford cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs. He has also been a large feeder of cattle and .sheep for a number of years, and his stock-raising interests liave in their extent anf! importance classed him with the prosperous representatives of the business in Elkhart county.

Mr. Bartholomew was married in 1895 to Miss Florence Dunn. a native uf Marion ccainty. Indiana. l)()rn in 1874. iler father. Re\-. Jesse Dunn, was born in Tipton ci.unl\. Indi.-iiia. and is a Lutheran minister now in charge of the church nt his denomination in Donegal, Pennsylvania. He came to Elkhart cnuntv in 1SS4, and was engaged in preaching in Benton for fourteen years. He still in\ns one hundred and sixty acres of land in. Clinton tow'nship and Ik- iperated his farm while living in this county. He also tauglit school for a time and lilled the office of township trustee, to which he was elected on the Democratic ticket. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Frances Clingensmith, is a daughter of Sinmn and Louisa Clingensmith, and was Ijovu in Marion county. Indiana. Air. and Mrs. Dunn are the parents of three children; Florence, now Mrs. Bartholomew: I\-}-. the wife of Samuel Myers, a farmer, residing on her father's land in Clinton township; and Arlist, who follows farming in Illinois.

!x)rn in 1897; and Bernis, born July 3. 1901. The parents are meniljers of the Lutlieran church and tlieir active work in its behalf has been far-reaching and beneticial. Air. Bartholomew has ser^-ed as a deacon in the church for several years and has been superintendent of the Benton Sunday-school for the past ten years. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias, Castle No. 328, and went through all the chairs and was delegate to the State Lodge. Voting with the Democratic party he takes an active interest in political cjuestions of the day, as everv true American citizen should do, and is always firm in support of what he believes will promote good government and insure public progress. For the past six years he has been a member of the Democratic county central committee, and in the fall of 1904 he was elected township trustee, so that he is the present incumbent in that office. Flis interests, centering along lines of activity wherein is conserved the material, political and moral welfare of the community, ha\-e ma'ie him a valued nnd representative citizen of his native township.

W Illiam P.. Barnard

\\'illiam B. Barnard, editor and proprietor of the ]\Iillersburg Grit and owner of a leading mercantile enterprise in Millersburg, was born in New Paris, Indiana, September 20, 1867. His father. \\'illiam T. Barnard, was a native of New York, born in 1827, and in 1850 he came to Indiana, locating i/i Albion. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, devoting many years to that calling, but during the last few years of his life he conducted a drug store in Millersburg. From Albion he removed to New Paris in 1865 and was pastor of the church of his denomination in that place. He afterward engag'ed in preaching in j\Iillersburg hut finally turned his attention to the drug business there. He was a Mason in his fraternal relations and a Republican in his political \iews. He became well to do in his business affairs, and in private and public life enjoyed the high regard of all with whom he was associated. All of the members of his father's family have departed this life sa^-e one brother, who is now employed in the pension department in Washington. AVilliam T. Barnard was twice married and had two children by the first union, Mrs. \A'. J. Charpie of New Paris, and LeRoy E., who is li\-ing at JMancelona. [Michigan, where he is engaged in loaning money, .\fter losing his first wife William T. Barnard was married to Miss Lizzie J- Stoo]is. who was born in Preble county. Ohio, in 1844, and was one of a familv of seven children of whom four are now living, her brothers being Samuel W. Stoops of .\lbion and A\'illiam Stoops of Toledo, Oliiti. Her sister is Syrena Morris, also of Albion. Mr. \\'. T. Barnard departed this life in 1882 at the a,ge of fifty-five years, since ^vhich time liis widow has married \A'illiam Slyter. a retired farmer. Their home is now in Goshen, Indiana. AN'illiam B. Bai'uard of this rei'ie\\- was the eldest of four children of his father's second marriage.

the others being Emma, the wile of J. A. Snapp, a practicing physician of Goshen, Inchana; Mamie, the wife of D. A. Zartmen, a fruitgrower of Goshen ; and Sadie, who died in 1877.

Wilham B. Barnard pursued his education in the schools of Millersburg and in early life entered his father's store, clerking for his mother after the father's death. Later he was employed as a salesman in a store at Orland, Indiana, for five years and on the expiration of that period he returned to and purchased the drug store of his mother, becoming its owner in 1892. It was then a small establishment and from year to year he has enlarged the concern until he now has a double store and carries an extensive line of goods. He has broadened the Held of his business operations by adding to his stock of drugs a large line of general merchandise, and he now has a liberal patronage which is growing year by year. His business methods are strictly reliable' and his fair dealing and earnest desire to please his patrons, combined with liis reasonable prices, have secured him a very gratifying trade. In 1892 the Gi'ii, a weekly newspaper, was established by \\'. S. Taylor, and in 1893 ^'^^'- Barnard joined C. H. Myers in the purchase of the paper and plant. After a partnership of four months IVIr. Myers retired and Mr. Barnard assumed full management, being still editor and proprietor of this journal. The Grit is neutral in politics, is a good advertising medium and is a well printed sheet, being a five-column eight-page quarto published each Thursday. He has a good patronage, both on the subscription and advertising lists, and the paper is a welcome visitor in many homes.

Mr. Barnard was married on the ist of September, 1889, to Miss E.nola Rosser, who was born in Orland, August 12, 1871, a daughter of William and Anna Rosser. the former a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Barnard was an only child and by her marriage she has become the mother of two children: W. Birch, born in 1891, and Angelo, in 1899. '^'"'^ parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and in his fraternal relations Mr. Barnard is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a Modern Woodman. He is independent in politics and is now serving as president of the school board. He takes an active and helpful interest in everything pertaining to general improvement, and through the columns of his paper and as a private citizen he has contributed in substantial measure to the welfare and upbuilding of his locality. His business career has been marked by consecutive progress and the utilization of all of the opportunities which have come to liim and now he is one of the prosperous and prominent representatives of :\liriersburg.

Charles E. Xeidig

Charles E. Neidig, a leading man of affairs of the city of Goshen and who comes of a prominent familv uf Elkhart count v, was born two and a half miles south of the conntv seat on lanuarv 2, 186!;. He is a

The Waterford school, being not far from his birthplace, afforded Mr. Neidig the early training which was the basis for his business career. The first twenty-four years of his life were passed on the home farm and in the labors incident to an agricultural career, but since 18S9 he has been thoroughl}- identified with Goshen, especially as a factor in its business affairs. He was employed in the postoffice four and a half years, and then engaged in the lumber business by purchasing the interests of James O. and Joseph Smith in the firm of Smith Brothers and Davis. For the subsequent five years the firm of Davis and Neidig carried on a flourishing trade. On April 22, i8g8. Mr. Neidig became the leading member in the firm ni Neidig. Drake and Kolb. and it is largely due to his energv and business enterprise, that this has come to be one of the most extensive retail lumjjer firms in northern Indiana. All kinds of lumber materials and building supplies, including Imilders' hardware, paints, oils and varnishes are carried in their large stock.

An active Republican politically, Mr. Neidig for twenty years has been interested in political developments in this county, where he is one of the influential members of his party. Fraternally he affiliates with the Knights (if P\thias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

November 23. 1895, Air. Neidig married Miss Carrie Riley, and they have one child, Myra. Mrs. Neidig was born in Elkhart county, and is a daughter of James A. and Mary Jane (Berkey) Riley.

Mr. Neidig holds a substantial place in the life and acti\-ities of Goshen. In the lifteen years that have elapsed since he came oft" the farm his career has been one of steady progress and prosperity until he is now counted among that coterie of men whose work and influence are most potent in directing the current of business in Goshen.

Solomon L. Thomas

Solomon L. Thomas, conducting a hardware store in Millersburg, is a typical citizen of the middle west, possessing the enterprising spirit that has been the dominant factor in the growth and upbuilding" of this section of the country. He has spent his entire life in Indiana, his birth having occurred in Marshall county, near Plymouth, in i860. His father, W'illiam A. Thomas, w^as born in L'nion county. Indiana. June 10. 1833, and in 1837 he was brought to Elkhart county by his parents. Air. and Mrs. Samuel Thomas, who were natives of Noi'th Carolina. Samuel Thomas was one of seventeen who org^anized the township of Clinton, and in public affairs relating to general progress and improvement he took an active interest and helpful part, so that his name is inseparably interwoven with the ]>ioneer histor\- of the county. He was a farmer by occupation and thus ])ro\-ide(i for his large family, numbering sixteen children, of whom William Thomas was the youngest. One of the sons, Elkanah Thomas, is a farmer of Etna Green, Kosciusko county, and he and his sister. Mrs. O. E. Dewey, are the only ones now living.

William A. Thomas was a young lad of only four years when brought by his parents to Elkhart county and he thus Ijecame familiar with its pioneer conditions, sharing witli the family in the usual hardships and trials incident to the establishment of a home in a frontier settlement. He learned the carpenter's trade, following it for many years. When a young man of t\\enty-two years he iDecame a member of the Methodist church, but afterward united with the Lutheran church and lived a consistent Christian lite for thirty-four years. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy. He married Aliss Jane Taylor, wlin was liorn in Eng'land, in 1838, and came In the L'nited States with her parents, who e\'entualh- located in Kosciusko county, Indiana, where her father followed the occupation of , farming. William A. Thomas departed this life March 5, 1901, in his sixty-eighth year, and his remains were interred in what is known as the Chapel cemetery on the old Thomas farm. His widow still survives him and is now living in ^lillersburg. She is a mem1>er of the Lutheran church and is one of the esteemed pioneer women of Elkhart county. In the tamil}' of this worthy couple were seven children: Jasper, now deceased; Jonathan \\'.. a saie.sman living in Chicago; Solomon L. ; William, of Goshen, Indiana; Harvey, \\ho was engaged in the oil business in Englewood, Illinois, and nnw in business in the city of Goshen: Dove}-, the wife of Isaac Myers, A\ho is with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, at Ligonier, Indiana; and L. J., deceased.

Solomon L. Thomas was educated in the public schools of Millersburg and at the age of twenty ^'ears entered upon his business career as an employe in a blacksmith shop in Goshen, following that pursuit for three years. He then went to Kansas, where he worked as a plasterer until 1889, iri which year he returned to Millersburg and purchased the hardware store of Lafayette Smith. He has since conducted this business with growing success, carrying a large line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, tinware ajid farm implements, as well as hard and soft coal. In his business life he has made a name that is synonymous with that of integrity and straightforward dealing, and this has l">een one of the strong elements in his prosperity. He owns two lots on Main street and his business house has a frontage of twentv-four feet, but the other lot is vet unim]iro\ed. He also has a beautiful residence on the same street.

In 1893 ^^i"- Thomas was united in marriage to ?vliss Delia Dewey, who v.'as born in Clinton township, in 18-2. a daughter nf Benjamin Franklin Dewev, a native of Ohio, Avho came to Indiana with his parents. W'hen he had reached adult age he was married to Miss Mattie Lnngcor. and in order tn nro\-ide for his family he has followed the occupation of farming', his home being now in Clinton township. To him and his wife were liorn four children: Delia; Jessie,, the wife of Charles Miller: Warren, who is living in Nappanee, Indiana: and one who died in infancy. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas has lieen graced with three children: Paul, liorn in J 894: Helen, in. 1897; ''"*' Esther, in 1902.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are members of the Lutheran church, in whicli he is serving as a trustee and his name is also on the membership rolls of the Knights of I'ythias and Masonic lodges in Millersburg. .His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party, and he is now serving as city treasurer of ^lillersburg and has been in that olTice for ten years. He Ijelongs to one of the oldest pioneer families of the countv, and since the days when his grandfather aided in organizing Clinton townshi]> rejiresentatix-ts i;>f the name have lieen loyal to the public interests and active in sup]iort of measures which have for their object the welfare and ujibuilding of the entire community. It is a well attested maxim that the greatness of a state lies not in its machinery of government nor e\en in its institutions, but in the sterling qualities of its indivickial citizens in their capacity for high and unselfish effort and their devotion to the public good. Regarded as a citizen Mr. Thomas belongs to that class of public-spirited, useful and. helpful type of men whose ambitions and desires are centered and directed in iliose channels through whicli flow the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number.

Robert Wesley Davenport

Rol)ert Wesley Davenport, originator and organizer of the b'armers' Mutual Telephone Company, of Millersburg, and a practical and progressive agriculturist living in Clinton township, was born in Union township, Elkhart county, his natal year being 1861. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to England, whence John Davenport sailed for the new world, taking up his atode in Rhode Island, in the eighteenth century. He was banished from that colony, however, because of his religious views. Later generations of the family found homes in Ohio. Noah Davenport, Sr., a native of the Buckeye state, came to Indiana with his wife Catherine and their children, arriving in Elkhart county on the 8th of February, 1836. They settled in Concord township, west of Goshen, and they became the parents of six children : David and Martha, both deceased ; Noah : Susan, the widow of Heniy Van Scoik, a resident of North Liberty, Indiana : Mary, the deceased wife of Daniel Ulery; and Catherine married Adam Aliller and has also passed away. The mother of this family died in 1872, at the age of sixty-eight years.

Ijmught li\- his parents to this county, where amid pioneer environments he Wets reared, sharing in the hardships of frontier life and in the arduous duty of developing a new farm and teaching school in the winter season. He wedded Sarah Geyer, who was born in Montgomery county. Ohio, January 4, 1831. Her father was born in the Shenandoah valley of Virginia, whence he removed to ^Montgomery county, Ohio, where he followed the occupation of farming, his death occurring in that state. He was twice married, his wives being sisters of the name of Artz. By the first union he had four children : Abraham, Isaac, Sarah. Mary. The children of the .second marriage were : Eliza, Catherine and Andrew. Both parents of Mrs. Noah Davenport, Jr., are now deceased. To Noah and Sarah (Geyer) Davenport were born six children : Catherine, deceased : Emma, who is the widow (if Albert Garver and lives in Goshen with her mother; Dora Belle and Levi, who have departed this life; Robert of Clinton township; John, also deceased. The daughter Emma began teaching when sixteen years of age and successfully followed that pursuit for .sixteen terms, being regarded as a capable instructor of Elkhart county. Noah Davenport, Jr., was called to his final rest May 13, 1894, and his loss was deeply regretted, for he was known as a reliable business man, progressive citizen, an honored pioneer and a devoted husband and father. His widow still survives him and is now living in Goshen.

Robert Wesley Davenport, reared upon the old home farm in Concord township near Dunlaps, began work in the fields almost as soon as old enough to reach the plow handles and thi-ough the summer months he aided in the work of the fields, while in the district schools in the winter seasons he accpired his education. He now resides on section 29, Clinton town.ship, where he owns and operates eighty -two acres of rich land, and he is regarded as one of the progressive and energetic farmers of his locality. Everything about the place is kept in good condition and modern machinery facilitates the work, while substantial buildings furnish shelter for grain and stock. In addition to his farming interests he was the originator and founder of the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company, which laegan business with forty subscribers, the central being in his own dwelling for three years, and its headquarters later being transferred to Millersburg.

On the 20th of December, 1883, Mr. Davenport was married to Miss Mary J. Cripe, who was born in Clinton township, in i860. Her paternal grandfather. Samuel Cripe, had seventeen children. By his first wife. Esther Cripe, there were three: Benjamin. Daniel and Jacob. For his second wife he chose Susan Mikesell and they had fourteen children : Joseph, Emanuel, Noah, David. Levi. Catherine. Magdalene. Fanny, Susan, Mary, Solomon, Elizabeth, .\aron and Tobias. With one exception all remained residents of Elkhart county and all reared families but one. Afost of them became residents of Clinton township. The grandfather gave to each of In's chil- dren eighty acres of land in Elkhart county and thus they secured a good start in hfe. Daniel S. Cripe, who died November 3, 1904, father of ]Mrs. Davenport, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1821, and was only eight years of age when in 1829 he was brought by his parents to this state, the family home being established on Elkhart prairie. He married Miss Barbara Rarick, who died April 12, 1900, a daughter of Christian and Effie Rarick, and they became the parents of nine children: Lucinda, deceased; Elizabeth, who married A. S. Yoder, and has also passed away; Effie, the widow of Adam Opperman, of Goshen; Isaac, who operates a restaurant in Goshen; Christian, living in Goshen; Noah, a farmer of Canada; Mrs. Mary Davenport ; Levi, a resident of Goshen ; and Ida, the wife of John Price, living west of New Paris.

Mr. and Mrs. Davenpi^rt have a family of seven children : Ida, a teacher and graduate of North Manchester college; Grace; Gertrude; Pearl ; Ray and Jay, twins, the latter dying when one year old ; and Merle. The parents hold membership in the German Baptist Brethren church, in which they take an active interest, contributing generously to its support. Mr. Davenport is a deacon in the church and is secretary of the German Baptist Brethren mission board of northern Indiana. His views on the temperance Cjuestion are indicated b}^ the active support wdiich he gives to the Prohibition party. He is an advocate of all honorable and worthy principles, and in his relations with his fellow men has ever been straightforward and reliable. His word is as good as any bond and his business career has been such as neither seeks nor requires disguise. In August and September of 1900, in company with D. R. Yoder, of Goshen, he went to Europe, and while abroad visited many points of modern and historical interest in England. Italy, France, Switzerland. Germany, Holland and other countries, spending two months in the old world.

Homer A. Johnson

Homer A. Johnson, a prominent farmer of Osolo township living on section 19, was born in this township July 26. 1852, his parents being Guy C. and Frances C. (Hatch) Johnson. His paternal grandfather, Solomon Johnson, was a native of Vermont and became one of the pioneer settlers of Elkhart county, locating in Osolo township. There were few residents in this section of the state and he joined with the other frontier settlers in developing the county, planting the seeds of progress and improvement here. Throughout his entire business career he carried on agricultural pursuits. Guy C. Johnson, father of our subject, was lx)rn in Vermont and came to Elkhart county with his parents in the "305. Here he was reared amid the pioneer environment and assisted in the arduous task of developing new land. His vouth was largelv a ])eriod of earnest toil, but he developed thereby the industry and enterprise which have prox'ed such imjiortant ele- ments in iiis later business career. At the time of his marriage he located in Osolo township and for many years successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits, but eventually retiring from active business life he took up his abode in the city of Elkhart about twelve years ago. There his remaining days were passed, his death occurring when he had reached the venerable age of eighty years. In politics he was a Republican, believing firmly in tlie principles of the party as most conducive to good government. Elis wife was a native of the state of New Y( rk and lived to be about sixty-six years of age. Her father, Nathaniel Hatch, was one of the early settlers of Cass county, Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. Guy C. Johnson were born two sons and two daughters but only two of the family arc now living, the deceased sister being Lora May, the wife of John Brumbaugh, and Laura is the wife of Kit McKean of Elkhart.

Homer A. Johnson, the eldest of the family, is indebted to the public school system of Elkhart county for the early educational privileges he enjoj'ed. He afterward continued his studies in Notre Dame University at South Bend. He has always followed farming as a life work and is the owner of two hundred and six acres of rich and arable land on which he is carrying on general agricultural pursuits. He has. good equipments upon the farm, using the latest improved machinery in the care of the fields, and he annually harvests good crops as a reward for the labor he bestows upon his place. He has resided continuously in this county with the exception of one year which he spent in Kansas.

Mr. Johnson was married in 1874 to Miss Clara Evans, a daughter of Henry H. and ALatilda (Hicks) Evans. They have one daughter living, Geraldine C, who is a teacher and resides at home. She was educated in Elkhart Normal and Mennonite College, now of Goshen.

Mr. Johnson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party but has never sought or desired office. He has always taken a helpful interest in public affairs, however, and in as far as possible has aided in furthering all movements for the general good. During a residence of more than a half century in the county he has witnessed many notable changes, for pioneer conditions have been replaced by modern advancement and where once was seen wild and unimproved land fine farms are now found and the country is dotted here and there with schools and churches. Mr. Johnson has taken just iiride in what has been accomplished and has long been classed with the ])uMic-s])irited citizens of Osolo townshi]).

Benjamin iviw, one of the old settlers of l^Ikhart county, is lixiuL;' within one and a half miles of the city of Elkhart anrl is classed with the ]irominent and representati\-e farmers of Concord township, his home being on section ii. lie was l)i)rn in Suniniil c<>iint\-, Ohio, Janiiar}- 9. 1S37. His father, John Row, was a natixe of L'nion county, Pennsylvania, and remained lliere until a younq- man. when he remo\'ed to Summit count}-. Ohi<i. In that locality he was married to ^liss Rlizabeth ^^"c\-rick. also a natixe of L'nion county, rennsyKania. They -lieg'an tlieir donieslio life in Summit count}-, Ohio, where ihe father worked as a gunsmith, having prexiousl}- learned the trade. He also carried on farming to a limited extent. In 1849 he ren-ioved to Elkhart countv, Indiana, reaching his destination on the 2jd of May and estahlishing" his home in Washington town.shijj. where he remained for a short time, when he located in Concf)rd township. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits u]i to the time of his death, whicli occurred when he was about fifty-four years of age. lie always gave his political allegiance to the Democrac}- and kejit well informed on the questions and issues of the day.

Benjamin Row, the onlv child rif ]\Ir. and Mrs. fohn Row. was reared in Summit countx-, Ohio, until twehe xears of age, when 1-ie came with his jwrenls to Elkhart countv, where he has now lived for fifty-six vcars. In his \-outh he aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm and he continued to assist his father until the latter's death. In the meantiiue he was married on the sth of August, i860, to Miss Louisa M. Bickel, who was born in Summit county^ Ohio, May II, 184c, and was Ijrought to Elkhart count}- by her parents when only one and a half years old, since which time she has lived in Concord township. She is a daughter of Andrew and Catherine Bickel, who were pioneer settlers of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Rowhave l>econie the parents of seven children: Lydia A., the wife of E. Collins; Willard A.; John H. ; Cora, tlie wife of Bert Halsted ; Francis; Lucy, the wife of C, Stutsman; and Alice, the wife of Harley Himebaugh. All were born in Concord township and were educated in the public schools there. The family home is one of the fine+^t residences in the township, having been erected hv Mr. Row in 1882. It is a fine brick building, containing thirteen rooms, is two stories in height, tastefull}- furnished and supi)lied with all modern coi-iveniences. He also has large and sulistantial harns and all other outbuildings necessary for the shelter fif grain, stock and farn-i machinery, and he uses the latest impro\-ed im])Iements in carrying- on the farni work. He has done eA"er\thing- in his pow-er to make liis farm one of the best in the county and feels a laudable pride in what he has accon-iplished. while his example is one that is well worth}- of emulation. .\s his financial resources have increased he has invested in niore land until he now- ow-ns four hundred and seventy four acres all in one body w-ith the exception of a. tract of twent}--nine and a half acres in Jefifersoii tow-nship. which is timber land except two acres. His home is pleasantly and conxenientlv located aliout one and a half miles from the citv limits of Elkhart and he is now- one of the most prosperous farmers of his county. He has taken an acti\'e i)art in jnililic affairs, has been a hfelong" Democrat, and does all in his power to promote the growth and insnre the success of liis party, yet he has never been an office seeker, content to do his duties as a private citizen. Few men in the county are more widely or favorably known than Benjamin Row because of the extent and importance of his business interests, his reliability in all trade transactions, his attention to the .general good and his loyalty to family and friend?.

Orlando Church Vernon

Orlando Church Vernon, present county recorder of Elkhart county, was born on a farm in Benton tow^nship, this county, September i, 1859, and has spent practically all the years of his life in this county. A son of Eli and Sarah Jane Frances (Butler) Vernon, his father, who was born in Zanesville. Ohio, came to this county when a >x)ung man, was married here, and taking up his residence in Benton township has continued to make that his home to the present date. He has been a successful farmer, and a man whose character and opinions are held in esteem among all who know him. His six children, of whom ihf county recorder is the third, were all reared on the farm.

Beginning his education in the country schools, Mr. Vernon later attended the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, where, liaving shown proficiency in penmanship, he completed the course while attending this institution. Obtaining a teacher's license, he taught in the public schools three years, thereafter conducted an institute of penmanship in Ligonier for twO' years and a similar school in Goshen two years. After this career in educational work he returned to Benton township and began farming, which he has continued more or less under his personal direction ever since. About 1890 he began the breeding of thoroughbred stock, and in this line of agricultural industry he has gained a reputation throughout this part of the state. His farm is located three miles south of Millersburg. In 1897 at the organization of the Ohio Improved Chester Swine Breeders' Association, at Cleveland, Ohio, he was elected vice president and a trustee of this association. In 1Q03 he was elected by this breeding association as judge of the Ohio Improved Chesters at the International Live Stock Show at Chicago.