Fayette County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1917 (part 13 of 16)

To Mr. and Mrs. Archey seven children have been born, namely : Daisy, who married Ernest Watt, of Wayne county, and has four children, Sarah Sylvira, Robert Earl, Erna Luella and Helen Louise: Bertha, who married Alfred Bateman and lives in Waterloo township; Frank, now living in Union county, who married Bertha Kershner and has two children, Glenna Fay and Frances Ruth ; Errol, who lives in Waterloo township with his sister, Mrs. Bateman, and husband, and Carl, Ethel May and Annis Mildred, who are at home with their parents. The Archeys have a very pleasant home and have ever taken a proper part in the general social activities of the community in which they live, helpful in promoting all agencies having to do with the advancement of the common welfare thereabout. Mr. Archey is a member of the Connersville lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that popular organization.

Howell G. Fyke

Howell G. Pyke, a well-known and substantial farmer and stockman of the Orange neighborhood in the southwestern part of Fayette county and proprietor of a fine farm in section 2 of Orange township, was born in Tipton county, Indiana, January 6, 1870, son of Robert H. and Lucinda (Stires) Pyke, who spent their last days on a farm in that county.

Robert H. Pyke was born on January 10, 1836, a son of John Wesley and Nancy (Hastings) Pyke, pioneers of Orange township, this county. John Wesley Pyke, who was born on February 4, 1797, was married on May 21, 1823, to Nancy Hastings, who was born on June i, 1800, a daughter of Robert and Isabella Hastings, the former of whom was born on June 20, 1765, and was married on October 27, 1796. After his marriage John W. Pyke established his home in Orange township, this county, then moved to Howard county and there spent the remainder of his life, one of the substantial pioneer residents of that community. Robert H. Pyke grew to manhood in Fayette county and was united in marriage in 1854 to Lucinda Stircs, who was born in the neighboring county of Rush on Septemljer 27, 1833. a daughter of Benjamin and Barbara Stires. Al^out a year after his marriage Robert H. Pyke moved to a farm in Prairie township, Tipton county, and there he and his wife spent the remainder of their Hves, his death occurring on December 2, 1903, and hers, January 25, 1916. They were nieml)ers of the Methodist church and were the parents of ten children, two of whom ched in infancy and the others of whom are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being as follow: O. M. Pyke, of Tipton county; Mrs. Ella Hutto, of Kingman, Kansas ; J. F. Pyke, a lawyer, of Tipton ; Mrs. l-aura M. Amstett, of Fowler, this state; Robert E. Pyke, of Indianapolis; William M. Pyke, of Constantine, Michigan, and Sherman Pyke, of Tipton county.

Howell G. Pyke grew to manhood on the home farm in Tipton county and remained there until 1897, when he came to Fayette county and rented the farm in section 2 of Orange township, the northwest quarter of that section, which he now owns, and after his marriage a few months later established his home there and has ever since made that his place of residence. When Mr. Pyke took charge of that farm of one hundred and sixty acres the place was badly run down, hut by industry and the exercise of modern methods of agriculture he has built it up until he has one of the best-improved and most highly cultivated farms in that part of the county. Seven years after taking charge of the farm he tought it and has since made many substantial improvements on the same, having an excellent residence and good farm buildings. In addition to his general farming Mr. Pyke has given considerable attention to the raising of a good grade of live stock and has done very well in his operations. Mr. Pyke has ever given close attention to local civic affairs and in 1912 was the nominee of the Progressive party for sheriff of Fayette county.

On August 18, 1897. a few months after coming tn p'ayette C(junty, Howell G. Pyke was united in marriage to Emma Hitchell, who was born in the neighboring county of Franklin, daughter of Jacob and Caroline (Porter) Hitchell, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in the neighborhood of the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jacob Hitchell moved with his family from Franklin county to this c<)unt\- in the fall of 1892 and located on a farm in section 11 of Orange township, where he died a year later. His widow did not long survive him, her death occurring about a year later. She had been previously married to Jonathan Abercrombie, who died leaving five children. By her marriage to Jacob Hitchell she was the mother of four children, those besides Mrs. Pyke being as follow:

Carrie, who married James Cox and died in the spring of 1910: Jacob, who is Hving on his own farm in the southern part of Orange township, and WiUiam, who is making his home with the Pykes. Mr. and Mrs. Pyke have two sons, Virgil H., born on December 26, 1898, who has just completed the high-school course, and Lester M., born on January 10, 1907. Mrs. Pyke is a member of the Christian church and Mr. Pyke belongs to the Methodist church. They have a very pleasant home and have ever taken a proper part in the general social activities of the community in which they live.

Hiram Shipley

Hiram Shipley, former member of the board of county commissioners of Fayette county and a well-known and substantial farmer of Harrison township, this county, was born in that township and has lived there all his life. He was born on a pioneer farm near the Yankeetown school, in the northwestern part of Harrison township, August 24, 1856, son of Thomas Rodney and Sarah P. (Groves) Shipley, the former of whom, born on that same farm, spent all his life there and the latter of whom is still living there.

Thomas Rodney Shipley was born on November 15, 1821, a son of Thomas and Eleanor (Morgan) Shipley, the former a native of the state of Maryland and the latter of Virginia, who became pioneers of Fayette county and here spent their last days. Thomas Shipley was born near the city of Baltimore on February 16, 1772, a son of Adam and Rachel Shipley, the former of whom died on November 20, 18 18, and the latter, September 16, 1820. Thomas Shipley served as a soldier during the war of 181 2 and later moved from Maryland to Kentucky, whence he came up into Indiana in 1821 and settled on a tract of "Congress land" which he had bought from the government in the western part of section 2 of Harrison township, the original parchment deed to the tract signed by President Monroe on April i, 1823, being now in the possession of the first settler's grandson, Hiram Shipley, the subject of this "sketch. Thomas Shipley created an excellent farm there and on that pioneer home place spent his last days, his death occurring on January 7, 1846. His widow, Eleanor Morgan, who was born in Virginia in 1782, survived him for more than ten years, her death occurring on October 3, 1857.

who was born on a pioneer farm over in Rush county, just west of Fairview, May 9, 1828, daughter of Donovan and Sarah (Hix) Groves, natives of Kentucky, who had come up into this part of Indiana in pioneer days. Donovan Groves was born in Kentucky on December 5, 1797, a son of Roljert and Martha ( Miller ) Groves, the former of whom was a soldier in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War, and who moved from Kentucky into Indiana about 182 1 and settled on a farm on the eastern edge of Rush county, near Fairview. Robert Groves was a well-known minister of the ^Methodist church in early days and exerted a wide influence for good hereabout. He died on August 25, 1855, at the age of ninety-one years and six months. His wife preceded him to the grave just five days, her death having occurred on August 20, 1855, aged eighty-nine years and five months. They had been married for a bit more than sixty-seven years. Donovan Groves spent his last days as a farmer in Rush county and there died on May 28, 1858, at the age of fifty-one years. His wife, Sarah Flix, was born in Kentucky on May 22. 1798. Thomas Rodney Shipley was an excellent farmer and accumulated quite a lot of land, having been the owner of nearly five hundred acres. He died on March 2;^,, 1891, and his widow is still living on the old home place where her children were born. There were seven of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being as follow : John, who died from the effects of a fall into a kettle of scalding water when he was about three years of age; Donovan, who died at the age of twenty-one years, three weeks after his marriage, from the effects of a fall off a horse; Martha, wife of Elbert Caldwell, of this county ; Matilda, wife of Sanford Caldwell, of this county; Eunice, wife of Thomas Scott, and James, who was killed about ten years ago by an explosion of dynamite while blasting stumps.

Hiram Shipley was reared on the old home farm and there continued to make his home for two years after his marriage in the fall of 1877, after which he moved onto the old Shipley homestead, the place his grandfather bought from the government, the northwest quarter of section 32 of Harrison township, which he now owns, and where he has made his home ever since, being quite successfully engaged there in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Shipley is a Democrat and has for years given his earnest attention to local civic affairs. In the fall of 1912 he was elected commissioner from his district, the first Democratic member of the board of county commissioners of Fayette county in more than a quarter of a century, and he was re-nominated for that ofiice by his party in the campaign of 19 16, but failed of election, the Republicans regaining much of their former strength in that district in that year.

Mr. Shiple)^ has been twice married. In the fall of 1877 he was united in marriage to Emma Baker, who died about ten years later, without issue. On November 6, 1889, two years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Shipley married Mary J. Curtis, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, daughter of Wesley W. and Emaline (Brant) Curtis, the former of whom is still living in Posey township, this county, where he is the owner of a fine farm of four hundred and fifty acres. Wesley W. Curtis was born in Butler county, Ohio, September 2, 1831, son of Daniel and Charlotte (Pocock) Curtis, natives of Maryland, who moved to Ohio, where their last days were spent. Daniel Curtis was a soldier during the War of 1812 and he and his wife were earnest members of the Methodist church. Wesley W. Curtis grew to manhood in Butler county, Ohio, and there married Emaline F. Brant, who was born in that county in 1837, daughter of Mathias and Harriet Brant. After his marriage he settled on a farm six miles east of Hamilton, where his wife died on April 4, 1859. He afterward married Ellen Blue and in March, 1864. came to Fayette county and bought a farm in Posey township, where he since has made his home. His second wife died there in 1895.

To Hiram and Mary (Curtis) Shipley one child has been born, a daughter, Elsie, who married Wilbur Gibbs and lives at Fairview, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Shipley are members of the Christian church at Fairview, as is their daughter, and Mr. Shipley for years has been the superintendent of the Sunday school of that church, both he and his wife taking a warm interest in general church work.

Alvin E. Barrows

Alvin E. Barrows was born in Dorset, Vermont, on February 9, 1843, and died at his home in Connersville, July 12, 1913. He was the son of Milutus Barrows, who was the son of Experience Barrows, who was the son of Solomon Barrows, who was the son of Lieut. Thomas Barrows, who was a son of Robert Barrows, who was the son of Robert Barrows, who was a son of John Barrow or Barrows, who arrived in Plymouth colony, Massachusetts, in 1637. His mother, Lucina Gray Barrows, was a daughter of Susannah Cleveland, who married Alvin Gray, she a daughter of Job William Cleveland, a Revolutionary soldier, the fifth generation from Moses Cleveland, w'ho came to -New England in 1636 from Ipswich, England, who is also an ancestor of Grover Cleveland.

The naiiK' Alvin. it ma\' lie ^ocn. was (lcri\cil from liis .i;raiiilfatlier, Alvin Gray, wliile tlic middle initial stdod for ICNperiencc. the name i>\ liis (ither i^raiid father, lixperienee I'.arrdws. who was the son of l.ueretia Wales Barrows, she the daiis^hter of L'apt. Xathaniel Wales, an ofilicer in the Reviiliitionary War, and (iraee lirewster Wales, who was the daughter of 1 )amaris Gates and William Brewster, who was the son of Elizabeth Witter Brewster and Benjamin Brewster, who was the son of Lydia Partridge Brewster and William Brewster, \\ho was the son of Sarah Collier Brewster and I.ove Brewster, who was the son of holder William Brewster, oldest and most distinguished of the Pilgrims on their arri\-al in Ameriea.

Milutus Barrows, the father of the suliject of this sketch, was twice married, first to Lucretia Gray, and afterwards, when she died, leaving a family of small children, to her sister, Lucina Gray, who was the mother of Alvin E. Barrows. \\'hen he was aliout seven years old. the famih- mo\ed from near Dorset, \'ermont. to Chautauqua county, Xew York, and were residing there at the outbreak of the war. In 1861 Alvin was employed on an oil derrick, just over the line in Pennsylvania. His father had been more or less active in the abolition movement, and upon the call for seventy -five thousand volunteers, he quit his job and went home for permission to enlist. At the battle of Pair Oaks. \'irginia. he was severe!}' wounded, barely a\-oiding the amputation of his left leg at the knee. In the same year he was again wounded. .\t the battle of Chancellorsville. where he was taken prisoner, he was officially commended for conspicuous bravery. He served a short time in Libby prison, but his conduct had won for him such attention as secured his speedy release. He served in the army more than four years, in the Seventy-second. One Hundred and Twentieth and One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Xew ^'ork \'olunteers. When the war was over, he returned to his home in Xew ^'ork and attempted to do car])enter work and farming. This his lameness made im])ossible, and he drifted into mercantile pursuits, being for a time employed in the general mercantile Inisiness, but \erv soon turning to the business of writing life and, later, fire insurance. I-"or forty years he was a successful fire underwriter, nc\er ceasing this actixitv until, on June q, 1913, he was stricken down at his desk. In i88r he left West Farmington, Ohio, where he had commenced in the insurance business, coming to Connersville, Indiana, and purchasing the insurance agency of Ignatius Zeller, forming a partnership with Charles B. Sanders, under the firm style of Sanders & Barrows. Until 1884 this partnership continued, "(67) when it was succeeded by the firm of Fearis & Barrows, which continued until 1887, when Col. J. H. Fearis withdrew to move to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Barrows then associated himself in business with the late Charles Mount and the late Major Francis T, Roots, under the firm name of Mount, Roots & Barrows. The interest of Messrs. Mount and Roots was bought later, and for a number of years he did business under his own name until he transferred his business to the corporate form in which it now stands, The A. E. Barrows Company, with himself as president and treasurer and his son, Frederic I. Barrows, as secretary. It has thus continued for a number of years. In 1887 ~Mv. Barrows closed up the affairs of the stocking mill, acting as assignee of the Keatley Stocking Company. At the inception of the Fayette Banking Company he was one of the original partners, continuing with it and its successor, the Fayette National Bank, until 1906, when he sold his stock and became the vice-president of the Central State Bank. Later he succeeded to the presidency of this bank and was active in the discharge of his duties until the beginning of his last illness.

For many years Mr. Barrows had lieen a close friend of the late William Newkirk, by the terms of whose will he was made joint executor with James ]\I. Alclntosh, of Indianapolis, a trust which he was executing up to the time of his death. Perhaps the business activity which brought him in closest touch with the people of Connersville was his long and honorable service as a building association officer. ]\Ir. Barrows was a pioneer in Connersville in providing means for home building to persons dependent on weekly savings. In 1886, with Dr. A. M. Andrews, Thomas Downs, R. G. Wait and others, he organized the Connersville Building and Loan Association. This was an association of the old style where all the shares matured at one time. It was organized with a very limited membership and with great difficulty because there was local prejudice against building associations. The association, of which Mr. Barrows was always the secretary, was so satisfactorily managed that a year later a series association, the Fayette Savings and Loan Association, was established. As the first association met in Mr. Barrows' office on Monday nights, the new association met on Tuesday, for he was secretary for both. More than a quarter centur)^ has passed since the first association was organized and as it paid out it was compelled by its charter to disband. The second kept on maturing some twenty-five series, until, at Mr. Barrows' suggestion, it modified its rules to adopt the individual or perpetual plan. It now has assets in excess of half a million dollars, a monument of faithfulness, persistence and prudence.

Fayktte Cocnty. Indiana. Io59

In 1 87 1, while living- in northeastern Ohio, Mr. Barrows was married 1(1 .Mary .\. I'cck. She was the daughter of Caroline Merriman I'eck and Durt.n rVck. Im.iIi .'t Xew Haven cnnnty. Connecticut, the latter being the vnn of .M(.r;ili .Mews IV.k and jdin I'cck. who was the son of Jernsha Hall Feck and John Peck, who was the mhi n\ Mary I'armalee Peck and Samuel i'eck. who was the son nf .Susannah and John Peek, who was the son of Mary M.-ss I'eck and J<.hn Peck, wh.) wa> the son of I'.lder William Peck, one of the earliest .\'ew luiiiland settlers .-nid a founder <if .\ew tlaven. To this union were horn four ehildren, 1-reiIeric 1.. P.urton .Milutus. Caroline Lucina (Dixon) antl Josephine. These, with two brothers, George .\. Barrows, of Denver, Colorado, and Charles E. Barrows, of Greenville, Pennsylvania, and the children of his son. Burton M. Barrows, Marian, Joseph B.. and Catherine, are the only members of his immediate family surviving.

-Mr. Barrows had been, during nearly the whole of his life, an acti\e member of the Methodist Episcopal church and on its official board for about thirty C(.nsecntive years, being both a trustee and chairman of the board of stewards. Mr. Barrows was always an acti\e Republican, though never an office seeker, ffe served two terms as township trustee because two of his good friends, Charles Roehl and Moses Kahn. tied for the nonunation. ;iud then withdrew and asked him to be a candidate as a coiupromise.

.\t bis death, the etlitor of the Conncrsz'illc Xcn's wrote the following ]jersonal tribute, under the heading ".\ Worthy Citizen".: "In the passing of AKin E. Barrows from this stage of action, Conners\ille and vicinity loses from its social, its business and its industrial life a unit of striking outlines. Since 1881 this man had been an active, steady, certain force in local affairs. His earl\- life, ami bis arm\- record especiall\-, offer some glim])ses of a ])o-.vcrful character. These were fully sustained by the life of .Mr. Barrows here, and diey present but a single asjjcct of a temperament of more than usual distincti\-eness. Perhaps no man in Connersville was clearer of anv suggestion of eft'eminac\- than was .\. E. Barrows. Serious minded, his intellect bent itself, engine-like, to the work he set himself to do. The light, the fri\olous, tlie fcjolish he wuuli! nc'ther suffer in himself nor tolerate in ethers. His business in the world was to do things. Thus it came about that many a casual eye jierceived the rugged busk which encased the actual man. and mistook the exterior for the entirety. L'nder the cloak of what might be taken f(U- a blunt manner, there was a warmth of sentiment in .\. E. Barrenvs which, undemonstrative as it was. was deep and earnest and fore\'er in its place. Without tiie suggestion of ostentation, he was a deeply religious man. Without being loud, he was a patriot of the highest t_vpe. Without bold pretense, he was generous and philanthropic. Without a hint of weakness, he was no stranger to the truest and most enduring of affections. Thus it happened that Mr. Barrows' truest friends were those who knew him fully, rather than those who merely met him. But in the circle of those who were able to see and interpret the depths of his personality, he had such friends as men of superficial makeup never know.

"Rugged, tenacious, severely methodical and unbendingly honest, .Vlvin Experience Barrows long ago compelled for himself a high ])lace in the affairs and in the eyes of men. This place, by the sheer might of him, he held to the end nf his life. The recollection of his virile manner and uncompromising self-reliance somehow lends a peculiar depth, of pathos, for whoever really knew him, to the realization that his work is done and that he is gone."

Scott E. Caldwell

Scott E. Caldwell, one of Harrison township's best-known and most progressive young farmers and the j)roprietor of beautiful "Caldwell Home Farm" in the southwest quarter of section 33 of that township, a tract that has been in the possession of the Caldwells from the days of the beginning of settlement hereabout, is a native son of Fayette county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in section 32 of Harrison township, the place now occupied by Cleve Caldwell. March 24, 1881, son of Enoch and Sarah Jane ( Scott ) Caldwell, both now deceased, who also were natives of Indiana, the former born in this county and the latter in the neighboring county of Wayne. .

Enoch Caldwell was born on the pioneer farm now owned and occupied by his son, the subject of this sketch, October 27, 1833, son of Joseph and Asenath (Powell) Caldwell, the former of whom was born in Preble county, Ohio, August 15, 1809, a son of Joseph and Miriam Caldwell, natives of North Carolina and members of the Society of Friends, who became numbered among the earliest settlers of this county and here spent their last days. The elder Joseph Caldwell was a son of James Caldwell, who was born in 1749, and who, in company with his son came over into Indiana Territory in the winter of 1811-12, locating in Fayette county, where for a time tlie (.'alilwcll family fciuiul prutcclidii a.t^aiii'^t the ihrcaloiied depredations of tlie Indians in tlie old block house that had been established on the present site of the city of C'onner>ville. On .\ni;ust 31, iHi^:^, Joseph Caldwell enteretl from the government a tract of "C'on,L;ress land" in the southwest cpiarter of section 33 of Harrison township and there establisheil his home, he and his wife spending their last days there, active and influential pioneer residents of that part of the county. Their son, Joseph, was about four years of age when they settled on that homestead tract and there he grew to manhood, thoroughly familiar with pioneer conditions of living, antl in turn established his home on that farm, remaining a farmer and stockman and becoming prominent and intluential in the affairs of that neighborhood. He was several times elected to offices of public trust and in many ways made his influence manifest for good. He cast his first Presidential vote for General Jackson and voted with the Whigs until the f<jrmation of the Ivepnl)- lican party, when he became an earnest adherent of the principles of that party and so remained the rest of his life. As a member of the Baptist church he took an active part in church work and was an earnest promoter of all agencies designed to advance the common good in this community during his generation. He died on October 3, 1894, and was buried in Lick Creek cemetery.

Joseph Caldwell was twice married. On January 31, 1833, he was united in marriage to Asenath Powell, and to that union four children were born. Enoch, Martha, who married Buel J. Thomas, Caroline and Alexander. The mother of these children died on November 3, 1844, and on October 7, 1847, Joseph Caldwell married Salenah Saxon, who was born in this state and who survived him, and to that union two children were torn, Horace I", and Alice, the latter of whom marrietl Homer M. Rroaddus. Following the death of Joseph Caldwell in 1894 a local newspaper remarked that "he was widely known and respected. In his death one of Fayette county's oldest and best citizens is lost."

Enoch Caldwell, eldest son of the junior Joseph Caldwell, grew to manhood on the farm on which he was born and in his young manhood taught school for several terms, teaching both before and after his marriage and doing much to advance the cause of education in this community. After his marriage in 1864 he lived for a few years on the farm now occupied by Cleve Caldwell, in section 32 of Harrison township, and then moved to a farm two miles south of Bentonville, but after awhile moved back to the place where he had begun kee]iing houbc and tliere he and his wife spent tlie remainder of tlieir hves. Enoch Caldwell was a good farmer and also did much to promote, the raising- of pure-bred live stock, giving much attention to his Poland China hogs and registered cattle. He died in 1884 and his widow survived him until March 11, 1895.

On May 17, 1864, Enoch Caldwell was united in marriage to Sarah Jane Scott, who was born in the neighborhood of Jacksonburg, in Wayne county, this state, well-known residents of that community, and to that union live children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the last-born, the others being as follows : Cora, who married L. K. Tingley ; Sylvia, who first married Wellington Beeson and after his death she married Omer Donicher; Myrtle, now deceased, who was Omer Donicher's first wife, and Alice, who married Fred Hackleman.

Scott E. Caldwell was about three years of age when his father died and after the death of his widowed mother in 1895, he Uien being alxiut fourteen years of age, he made his home for some years with his sister, Mrs. Sylvia Beeson. Before reaching his majority he married and began farming for himself on the farm where he was born and where he remained until _in May, 1914, when he moved to his present beautiful home, "Caldwell Home Farm," the place entered from the government by his great-grandfather, Joseph Caldwell, the senior, in 1813, and the sheep-skin deed attesting that transfer is now in his possession. Mr. Caldwell is the owner of one hundred and fifty-eight acres of "Caldwell Home Farm" and a tract of fifty-three acres cornering the same, and is regarded as one of the substantial farmers of that part of the county. He brings to his farming operations modern methods of agriculture and is doing very well, both in his general farming and in his stock raising.

On December 24. 1901. Scott E. Caldwell was united in marriage to Evelyn M. Stone, who also was born in Harrison township, a daughter of Edwin ^I. and Indiana (White) Stone, and who completed her schooling at Purdue University, where she took an agricultural course, including domestic science and kindred subjects, and is an admirable helpmate to her husband in the operation of the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell had three children, Joseph L., Mark Stone, who died August 13, 1908; and Helen Louise. They have a very pleasant home and take a proper part in the general social activities of the community in which they live, helpful in promoting all movements having to do with the advancement of the common welfare.

Fayette Col'Ntv. Indiana. Io63 Hexry Maurer

Henry Maurer, a well-known farmer and stockman of Harrison township, this county, and the proprietor of a well-kept farm about four miles northwest of Connersville, is a native of Switzerland, but has been a resident of this country, since he was nineteen years of age and of Faj^ette county since he was about twenty-one. hence has spent the greater part of his life in this community. He was born on January i8, 1852, son of Crist and Susie (Russell) Maurer. both natives of Switzerland, the latter of whom died when her son. Henry, was four years of age, the father dving about fifteen years later.

After the death of his father,' he then being nineteen years of age, Henry Maurer left his native Swizerland and came to this country, locating at Hamilton, Ohio, in the vicinity of which city he worked for three seasons as a farm hand. He then came on up into Indiana and for five years thereafter was employed on the farm of William N. Huston, in this county. He married in 1880 and established his home on the Shields farm, just south of East Connersville, which he farmed on the shares and where he made his home for thirty- four years, at the end of which time, in March, 191 2, he moved to his present farm in Harrison township, four miles northwest of Connersville, where he is now living and where he and his wife have a very pleasant home. Upon locating in Harrison township, Mr. Maurer bought a farm of ninety-six acres, but he later sold fifteen acres of the same and now has about eighty acres, which is well improved and on which, in addition to general farming, he gives considerable attention to the raising of high-grade live stock. For years Mr. Alaurer has been well known as a breeder of purebred Shorthorn cattle and has also kept Percheron and French Coach horses. He is now the owner of a fine Belgian stallion and has done much to improve the strain of horseflesh in this count}' ; he also has a fine jack He has often exhibited his cattle at fairs and stock shows and generally has taken most of the prizes for stock in his class. He showed some fine horses at the first Connersville free fair and has exhibited live stock there eveiw year since with the exception of one year.

In 1880 Henry Maurer was united in marriage, in this county, to Ida Hine, who was born in Harrison township, this county, a daughter of Herman and Adeline ( Frink ) Hine, who came to Indiana and settled in Favette countv before the davs of the Civil War. Herman Hine was born in New York state, or in Pennsylvania, on Febrnary 17, 1822, and who was married on April 15, 1846, at Montrose, Pennsylvania, to Adeline F. Frink, who was born at that place on March 10, 1828. Following their marriage, Herman Hine and his wife made their home in New York state until about 1857, when they came to Indiana and located on a farm near the Yankeetown school house, in this county. In 1S62 Hennan Hine enlisted for service in the I'nion army and on January z-j. 1863, died at a hospital at Ashland, Kentucky, as the result of exposure endured during his service. He also had a son. Lyman Hine, who enlisted for service during the Civil War and who died in a hospital at Indianapolis on September 15, 1864. After the death of her soldier husband, Mrs. Adeline Hine continued to make her home in the Yankeetown neighborhood, in Harrison township, keeping her five children together and sewing and doing anything she could to maintain her home. There she spent the rest of her life, her death occurring on January 29, 1892, she then being sixty-three years of age. Mrs. Hine was a devoted member of the Baptist church and was a kind and helpful neighbor, highly esteemed by both old and young throughout that community for her many excellent traits of character. Despite the affliction which beset her own life, she was ever cheerful and was always ready to help others who were afflicted or in need.

Joseph Dale Florea

Joseph Dale Florea, one of the oldest and best-known farmers of Fayette county and the proprietor of a fine farm home in Harrison township, northwest of the village of Harrisburg, is a native son of Fayette county and has lived here all his life, having thus been a witness to and a participant in the development of this region since pioneer days ; now in his seventyninth year forming one of the few remaining living connecting links between the present period of development in this county and that period of the county when much was still in a formative state hereabout in the way of social organization. He was born on a pioneer farm in the immediate vicinity of his present home on March 24, 1838, son of Lewis C. and Eliza (Dale) Florea, who were among the most influential pioneers of that section of the county and whose last days were spent here.

Lewis C. Florea was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, in 1808, a son of John Florea and wife, the latter of whom was a Collins. His mother died when he was but a child and when he was thirteen years of age he accompanied his father up into Indiana, the latter settling in Fayette county, where he died not long afterward. After the death of his father Lewis C. Florea returned to Kentucky and there made his home with a cousin, George Cleveland, until he had attained his majority, when he came back to Fayette county, bought a farm about a mile north of the village of Harrisburg. in Harrison township, and there .si)ent the remainder of his life, becoming a well-to-do farmer and landowner, the proprietor of between four hundred and five hundred acres of land in that part of the county.

Not long after returning to this county to make his permanent home here, Lewis C. Florea married Eliza Dale, who was born in branklin county, this state, in 1814, daughter of Joseph and Polly ( Bradburn ) Dale, who had come up into this county in 1815 or 1816 and had settled on a farm one mile west of Harrisburg. There still were many Indians in this part of the state when the Dales settled in this county and the Indian children at once made playmates of the Dale children. One of the squaws took a great fancy to little Woodford Dale, then two years of age, and stole the child, with an apparent view of rearing the boy in the tribe as a child of her own. The kidnaping was quickly discovered, however, and after a hurried pursuit Mr. Dale recovered his little son. Mrs. Dale was a daughter of Doctor Bradburn, who was well known in the country northwest of Connersville in pioneer days and who, in self-defense, was compelled to kill a couple of men who had broken into his house at night with ulterior purpose, while under the influence of liquor. The Doctor attacked the intruders with one of his surgical knives and inflicted upon them injuries from which the\- later died, although he bestowed upon their wounds his best surgical skill after he had rendered them hors dc combat. Joseph Dale built a distillery on his farm in the early days and the same was extensively patronized, not only by his pioneer neighbors, among whom the constant use of whisky was not regarded in the same bad light as at present, but by the Indians, who would call at the distillery to have their buckskin bottles replenished with "fire-water." Eliza Dale was but an infant when her parents came to this county from Franklin county and after her marriage to Lewis C. Florea continued to make her home here. li\-ing to lie eighty-three years of age. her death occurring on October 26. 1897. being at that time one of the oldest continuous residents of Fayette county.

To Lewis C. and Eliza (Dale) Florea seven children were born, six sons and one daughter, of whom six are still living, those beside-s the subject of this sketch, the second in order of birth, being Albert, who is living at

Coffeyville, Kansas, now past eighty years of age; John, of Eldorado, Kansas; Fannie, wife of John Murphy; VViUiam, deceased; Lewis, of Texas, and George, a well-known attorney at Connersville.

Joseph D. Florea grew to manhood on the home farm in Harrison township and from the days of his early boyhood was a valued assistant to his father in the labors of improving and developing the place. He completed his schooling in the high school at Connersville and for three or four years thereafter taught district school. In 1862 he bought a cjuarter of a section of land from his father, the same lying one mile north and two miles west of Harrisburg, and following his marriage the next year established his home there and has ever since continued to reside on that farm, which he has improved in excellent shape. As Mr. Florea prospered in his farmingoperations he bought additional land until he became the owner of more than four hundred acres, a part of which, however, he has since given to his children, though he still retains about two hundred acres. In addition to his general farming Mr. Florea has long given considerable attention to the raising of high-grade hogs and has done very well. He and his wife have a very pleasant home and are quite comfortably situated in the quiet "evening time" of their lives, honored and respected by the entire community.

Joseph D. Florea has been thrice married. It was in 1863 that he was united in marriage to Sarah E. Wilson, who was born near Milton, over the line in Wayne county, daughter of Gideon and Margaret (Charles) Wilson, earnest Quaker folk, who came from the Carolinas to Indiana about 1820 and settled in Wayne county,' where they spent their last days. To that union three children were born, namely: Charles, now living on a farm about a mile north of his old home place, who married Flora Thomas and has one child, a daughter, Barbara; Frank, now living on a farm two miles north of his old home place, who married Minnie Beeson and has one child, a son, Lee, and Pearl, who married Daniel Green, a druggist, of Connersville, and has three children, Dorothy, Catherine and Mary. Mrs. Sarah E. Florea died in 1873, and on February 28, 1875, Mr. Florea married Lucinda Corbin, who was born on November 22, 1855, a daughter of Jackson and Mary Corbin, and to that union two children were born. Homer, now living on a farm one mile north of his old home, who married Bertha Manlove and has one child, a daughter. Hazel, and Oscar, born on July 14, 1878, who died in infancy. Mrs. Lucinda Florea died on June 25, 1879, and on November 17, 1881, Mr. Florea married his present wife, Ella Guard, who was born on October 25, 1850, daughter of Sanford and Eliza Guard, which union has been without issue.

Damd L. Wise

David L. Wise, one of Harrison township's su))stantial farmers, is a native Hoosier and has Hved in this state all his life, a resident of Fayette county since 1891. He was born in the neighboring county of Wayne on October 19. 1853, a son of Henry A. and Martha (Whisler) Wise, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Indiana, whose last da\s were spent in \\'a_\ne count}-, this state.

Henr}- A. \\'ise was liorn in Lancaster county, Pennsyhania, and was there trained as a shoemaker, becoming very expert at that form of craftsmanship. His parents died in Pennsylvania before he had reached his majority and shortly afterward he came to Indiana and located in Union county, where he presently opened a shoemaking shop and became very successful in that line in the days when shoes and boots were handmade, often having orders three or four months ahead of his abilit}- to fill the same. He also did some farming. He married after locating in Wayne county, his wife, ]\Iartha Whisler, having been born in that county, a daughter of Peter Whisler and wife, who caine to this state from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.

David L. \\'ise grew up in Waxne count} and during his Ijoyhood was an aid to his father in the shoe shop, becoming a proficient shoemaker. His life work, however, has been farming. He farmed in \\'ayne count}" until the fall of 1 89 1, about six years after his marriage, when he moved down into Fayette county and settled on his present location, the farm of George Richmond, a place of one hundred and sixty acres along the north line of this count}-, north of C'onnersville, where he ever since has made his home. In the fall of 1910 ^Ir. Wise and his son, Frank R. Wise, bought the adjoining cjuarter section on the west, known as the Hittle farm, and are now farming both places, a total of three hundred and twenty acres, and are doing very well ; in addition to their general farming being (juite extc!-isi\-el}- engaged in raising live stock.

On January 28, 1885, David L. Wise was united in marriage to Sarah Retherford, who was born on a farm in this county, east of Connersville, a daughter of Isaac and Harriet (Earl) Retherford, the former of whoni also was born in this county, a member of one of the pioneer families of this section of the state. Mr. and ^Irs. Wise have one son, Frank R. Wise, who is married and is living on the farm adjoining his father's place, the quarter section mentioned above, which he and his father purchased in 19 10,

Frank R. Wise was born in Wayne county on May 9, 1886, and on May 9, 1906, was united in marriage to Josie McFerren, who was born on a farm east of Connersville, in this county, a daughter of Abraham and Susan ( Breitenbaugh) McFerren, both natives of this county, who are now living in Waterloo township. Abraham McP^erren was born on a farm east of Connersville, a son of David McFerren, one of the old settlers in that community, and his wife, Susan Breitenbaugh, was born on a farm east of Waterloo, this county, a daughter of George and Catherine (LeRoy ) Breitenbaugh, natives of Germany, who were married in their native land Snd came to this country before the days of the Ci\'il War, settling in this county. George Breitenbaugh enlisted for service in the Union army during the Civil War and served for three years during the struggle between the states. To Frank R. Wise and wife one child has Ijeen born, a daughter, Jeannette.

Cleve T. Caldwell

Cleve T. Caldwell, one of Harrison township's well-known and progressive farmers, is a representative in the fifth generation of one of the first families of Fayette county, a family that has been represented here since the year 181 1. He was born on a pioneer farm on the northeast quarter of section 6 of Harrison township, just west of Vankeetown, August 1 1, 1888, and has lived in this county all his life.

The Caldwell family in Fayette county descends from James Caldwell, who was born in December, 1748, and who died on May 3, 1830, aged eightyone years, four months and twenty-seven days, and is buried in the private burying ground on the old Joseph Caldwell homestead on the southwest cjuarter of section 33 of Harrison township. Joseph Caldwell, son of the James Caldwell mentioned above, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, and some time after his marriage moved from that state to Ohio, moving thence, in the winter of 1811-12, over into Indiana and entering a tract of land from the government in this county, the southwest quarter of section ^^ of Harrison township, where he established his home and where he spent the remainder of his life, one of the useful and influential pioneer settlers of that part of the county. Upon moving over here from Ohio the Caldwells were compelled to take refuge for a time in the old block house that had been erected on Lick creek, in the southwest quarter of section 34 of Harrison township, the menacing attitude of the Indians at that time rendering such precaution necessary. On Christma-; day, 1815, Joseph Caldwell completed his house on section 33, but on account of Indian troubles did not occupy the same at night for some time thereafter, the family, as well as the other early settlers of that region, continuing to occupy the block house. On the farm which he entered from the government, Joseph Caldwell spent the rest of his life and is buried in the family burying ground on that place. That farm still is in the possesion of the Caldwell family. Joseph Caldwell's children were John. James, Joseph, Mary .(who married George Manlove. Sr. ), Margaret (who married Nathan Morphew) and Lydia (who married Zenas Powell).

John Caldwell, eldest son of Joseph Caldwell, was born in Guilford county. North Carolina, January 20, 1798, and was but an infant when his parents moved from there to Ohio and was twelve or thirteen years of age when the family moved from Ohio to Fayette county. Here he grew to manhood and when of legal age entered the northwest quarter of section 3 of flarrison township and there, after his marriage, established his home. He and .\lexander Dale and William Trowbridge gave the land on which the I)ai)tist church north of Harrisburg was erected. John Caldwell was twice marrie<l. Dy his first wife, Phoebe Rich, he had the following children : Samuel, Oliver, John, Jr.. Sanford, James. William, Josepli ( who <lied in infancy), Elizabeth (who married James Elliot), Mehnda (a spinster) and Mary (who married John I'Tazee). Samuel, the first-born of the above-named children, was born on January 7. 1820, and on July 2, 1840, married Mary Parrish. who was born in Butler county. Ohio. Octoloer 3. 1821. a daughter of Zachariah and Phoebe Parrish. the former of whom was a soldier during the War of 181 j, and who came over into Indiana about 1824 and settled near Fairview, in the township of that name, in this county. Samuel Caldwell established his home on an unimproved tract of land on the northern edge of Harrison township and proceeded to clear the place. In addition to his farming he also engaged in the ])ork-packing business at Connersville, a member of the firm of Caldwell, Loder & Company, which was put out of business during the panic of 1873. He continued farming his place in Harrison township and there spent his last days, his death occurring on June 24. 1896. His widow preceded him on February 22, 1890. They were memliers of the Baptist church and their children were reared in that faith. There were six of these children, sons all. John. .\mos. Albert. Joseph, Sanford and Da\'id.

of Harrison township on Februar}' 12, 1858, and there grew to manhood. He still makes his liome in that township, one of the best-known fanners r.. the northern part of the county. Sanford Caldwell married Matilda Shiple) , who also was born in the northern part of Harrison township, November 6, i860, daughter of Thomas Rodney and Sarah (Groves) Shipley, both of whom also were born in this part of the state. Thomas Rodney Shipley was born in the northwest part of Harrison township, this county, November 15, 182 1, a son of Thomas and Eleanor (Morgan) Shipley, the former of whom, born near the city of Baltimore, Maryland, February 16, 1772, came into Indiana by wav of Kentucky and entered a tract of "Congress land" in the northwestern part of Harrison township, this county, and there established his home. That tract still is in the possession of the family, the original parchment deed signed by President Monroe on April i, 1823, being now held by Thomas Shipley's grandson. Hiram Shipley. There Thomas Rodney Shipley was born and reared and in turn became a farmer on his own account. He was successful in his operations and accumulated nearly five hundred acres of excellent land in that neighborhood. His death occurred on March 2t,. 1891. His wife, Sarah Groves, was born on a pioneer farm in Rush county, west of Fairview, May 9, 1828, daughter of Donovan and Sarah (Hicks) Groves, early settlers in that part of the country. Donovan Groves was bom on December 5, 1799, a son of Robert and Martha (Miller) Groves, the former of whom died on August 25, 1855, at the age of ninety-one years and six months, and the latter of whom died five days previously, August 20, 1855, aged eighty-nine years, five months and three days. Robert Groves and wife lived together for sixtyseven years. He was a soldier in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War and in early days was a well-known preacher in the Methodist church. He moved from the East to Kentucky and thence up into Indiana, settling in Rush county in pioneer days. Donovan Groves spent his last days, a well-todo farmer, in Rush county, his death occuring on May 28, 1851, at the age of fifty-one years, five months and twenty-three days.

Cleve T. Caldwell, son of Sanford and Matilda (Shipley) Caldwell, grew to manhood on the home farm in Harrison township and remained there until hi^ marriage on Thanksgiving Day. November 25. 1914. to Ruby Leffingwell, who also was born on a farm on the northern edge of Harrison township, daughter and only child of Elmer and Dora (Johnson) Leffingwell, also members of pioneer families in this part of the state. Elmer Leffingwell was born on a farm in the neighborhood of Alquina. in Jennings township, this county, August 29, 1866, a son of Jonathan Avery and Lucy (Ellis) Leftingwell, t^i,e former of whom was born in Genesee county, New York, in 1826 and was.j.iut eight years of age when his parents came to Indiana and settled about Oiie mile west of Hawkinsville, in Harrison township, this county. There the father died not long after coming here, but the widow and children continued to make their home there until the children were grown. Jonathan A. Leffingwell grew to manhood in this count)- anil licre married Lucy Ellis, daughter of Lewis and Samantha (Thomas) Ellis, the former of whom was a son of Moses Ellis, who came to Indiana and estaljli.shed his home in Layette county more than a century ago. .\fter his marriage Jonathan A. Lefifingwell farmed in Layette county for awiiile and then moved to Madison county, moving thence to Illinois, but after a l)rief residence in that state returned to Layette county and for a time thereafter operated a saw-mill at Bentonville. He then moved to a farm near Lalmouth, in Rush county, and thence back to this county, farming for three or four yt^irs in Jennings township, whence he moved to the farm on the northern edge of Harrison township where his son, Elmer, now lives, and there he spent his last days, his death occurring > in July, 1884. His widow survived him for sixteen years, her death occurring in 1900. They Mere the parents of nine children, namely : Edgar, who died at the age of seven years; twins, who died in infancy; Lewis, who lives in Posey township, this county: Ada, who died about 1896; Emma, of Gonnersville; Minor E., of Gonnersville ; Elmer, who is living on the old home farm in Harrison township, and INIinnie, who married S. D. Lynch and now lives in Kennewick, W'asliington. Elmer Leffingwell was about two years of age \vhen his jiarents moved to the north edge of Harrison township and there he grew to manhood. He married Dora Johnson, who was l)orn in the neighboring county of Wayne, a daughter of Samuel and Hester ( Hoo\er) Johnson, anfl after his marriage farmed on rented land until about 1902, when he liought the old homestead place where he was born and where he since has made his home, being quite successfully engaged there in general farming and in the raising of hogs. He is the owner of a well-improved farm of two hundred and twenty acres and has a vers- comfortable home. Since his marriage Cleve T. Caldwell hi^^ been farming on a farm owned by his wife's father and is doing very well. In bis political faith he is a Democrat and gives a good citizen''^ attention to local civic affairs, Init has not been a seeker after public office.

Among the old families of Fayette county there are few that became identified with the affairs of this county at an earlier date than did the Worster family. The family has ])een represented here since territorial days and some members have maintained a continuous residence on the old Worster homestead in Jennings township since it was entered by James Worster about 1813. Of this pioneer family the subject of this memorial sketch was one of the best-known representatives in his day and generation.

The late Thomas W. \\'orster. for years one of the most honored and influential residents of Jennings township, was born on the farm above referred to and on which he resided for many years, a son of James and Nancy ( Milner ) Worster, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Kentuck}'. His parents were among the early settlers in Jennings township, where their last days were s]jent, influential and useful members of that pioneer community.

James Worster was born on December 31, 1772, and was but a lad when his parents, the Rev. Robert and Mary (Gorman) Worster, left Pennsylvania and moved to Kentucky. The Rev. Robert Worster was a native of England, who, as a young man, came to the American colonies and located .in Pennsylvania. He was a minister of the Methodist church and enjoyed the distinction of being the first preacher of that denomination west of the Alleghany mountains. For years he labored in Kentucky and then in his old age, came up into Indiana and spent his last days at the home of his son, James Worster, in Fayette county. He was a remarkable man in many ways and was an educator as well as a preacher, his services in both connections creating a distinct influence for good upon the pioneer community in which he spent his last days in this county. He was enthusiastic and earnest in his work and possessed great powers of endurance. That he was blessed with a hardy constitution is shown by the fact that he attained the great age of one hundred and one years, his death occurring in this county in December, 1830. His widow, who was many years his junior, survived but a little more than a year, her death occurring on February i, 1832. The family has been noted for longevity and the present generation seems to be maintaining the record of the past generations along that line. To the Rev. Robert W^orster and wife a considerable number of children were born, all of whom long since have passed to the great beyond.

Thomas W. Worster Mrs. Mary A. Worster

As noted above, James W'orster was l)ut a latl when his parents moved to Kentucky and his early years were spent in running a llatboat down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. He took part in the earlier engagements of tlie War of 1812 and in the fall of 1813 came up into Indiana and settled at Brookville. Previously he had entered a tract of land in Jennings township, in Fayette county, and presently occupied that tract. It was one of the first places settled in the township and has remained in the possession of the family ever since. At the time that tract of "Congress land'' was entered the Indians still were numerous hereabout, considerable num!)ers of them often being seen hunting for game. Although great niunbers of Indians fought with England in the war then in progress, it was rarely that the settlers in this section were molested, a fact due, no doubt, to the kindness with which the whites invariably treated the aborigines. Before coming to Fayette count}- James Worster married Nancy Milner, who was born on September i, 1789, a daughter of Amos Milner and wife, of Kentucky, the former of whom was a soldier of the patriot army during the Revolutionary War and in the French and Indian Wars and was a participant in General Braddock's defeat in 1755. Amos Alilner died at the age of ninety-one. James Worster and wife were industrious and highly respected pioneer citizens of Jennings township, prominent in the work of the Methodist church and were jxjtent influences for good in the days of the beginning of a social order in this county. James Worster died on September 29. 1849, in his sixty-eighth year, and his widow survived him for many years, her death occurring on September 24, 1876. Eight children were born to them, all of whom, with one exception, reached ad\'anced age. Those children, besides the subject of this memorial sketch, were as follow: Hannah, born on July 31, 1806, who lived to the age of eighty-seven years; Mary Jane, October 16, 1808, who died on February 6, 1899; Amos M., May 25, 1811, who lived to the age of eighty-five years; Robert, December 7, 1814, who lived to be about eighty-tw-o; John O., June 10, 181 7, who also attained length of years; Lucinda, November 23, 1822, who lived to ripe old age. and Elizabeth, who died at the age of thirty years.

Thomas W. Worster, who was born on the farm his father had entered in territorial days, February 8. 1828, grew to manhood on that farm and there made his home during his life, an energetic and influential farmer. On October 26, 185 1, he was united in marriage to Mary A. Blue, who was born in the neighboring county of Union on February 16, 1833, daughter (68) of Jacob W. and Mar}' (Stout) Blue, the friendship formed in school days ending in their marriage. Both the Blues and the Stouts, early settlers in Fayette county, are of Revolutionary stock, Mrs. Worster and her children thus being eligible along three lines to membership in the Daughters of the Revolution and in the- Sons of the Revolution. Mary Stout's father, Jonathan Stout, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, later going to Kentucky, his father having been there a companion of Daniel Boone, the famous scout and Indian fighter. Mrs. Worster was left an orphan at an early age, her mother having died in 1840 and her father four years later, leaving two children, Mary A. and James ;\I., and she was reared by her aunt, Mary Blue.

To Thomas W. and Mary A. (Blue) Worster six children were born, namely: James Austin, born on March 21, 1853; John O., October 26, 1856; Charles S., October 24, i860; Thomas Lincoln, April 18, 1863; Mary Jane, August 6, 1867, and Grace H., November 21, 1872. There are five grandchildren: Thomas W., only son of James A. Worster; Melvin Paul, son of John O. Worster, and Edna May, Dorotha and Robert Clififord, children of Charles S. Worster. There are also two great-grandchildren, Senora Jean, daughter of Melvin Paul, and Bertha Caroline, daughter of Edna Worster \\'hite. The Worsters are members of the Methodist church and take an earnest interest in its various beneficences. Thomas W. Worster died on August 18, 1904, and his widow died on June 29, 1916.

Thomas W. Worster was a member of the Masonic order at Everton and remained a member until the hall burned, which brought the lodge to a close. He had been a faithful member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for thirty years ; he was always ready to see after the sick of that order. Fie was a great stock raiser and liked fine horses.

Mrs. \\'orster's earliest teacher was her uncle. Job Stout, so well remembered by older citizens. She was left an orphan at the age of seventy years and was raised by her aunt, Mary Blue. At the age of seventeen she went to West Union, as it was then called, but now is known as Everton, to learn the tailor trade with Billy Williams and met her future husband, T. W. Worster. After her marriage she went to the farm entered from the government by James Worster and lived there until the death of her husband, -August 18, 1904. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Mt. Garrison, and later was a member of the Everton church until her death on June 29, 19 16. She was also a member of the Order of Rebekah and of the Ladies Aid Society at Everton. Their house was always open to llie ministers of the gospel and they were free to come and go without formahty. Mrs. WorsteT' as.sisted at the County Centennial in Connersville in 1 916 and was a great help to the organizing committee.

\Vith the death of Thomas W. Worster and his good wife two of the most prominent pioneers of the county have passed awa)-. It is a pleasure to record the lives of such people. It is to such as these that the state owes its prosperity and it seems eminently fitting to set forth in this manner the records of their achievements. Their children and their grandchildren, and descendants for all time to come, may here read the life history of this worthy coujile, and it should be an inspiration to them to know all the good they accomplished in the county where they lived so many years.

Ernest A. Maurer

Ernest A. Maurer, one of Fayette county's best-known and most progressive young farmers and the proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred and fifty acres in Harrison township, was born on that farm and has lived there all his life. He was born on June 29, 1882, son of Alexander and Anna ( Wenger) Maurer, natives of Switzerland, and the former of whom is still living, one of Harrisqn township's best-known residents, where he has made his home since 1873, i" which year he came to this country from his native Switzerland.

Alexander Maurer was born on December 22, 1848, son of Chri.^.tian and Susan ( Rosell ) Maurer, also natives of Switzerland, who spent all their lives there. At the age of twenty-five years Alexander Maurer came to the United States and proceeding to Indiana, settled in Fayette county, where he ever since has made his home. In 1875 he liegan farming on shares on the Shields farm in Harrison township and after his marriage in 1878 established his home there, continuing to farm that place for thirty-one years, at the end of which time, finding that the farm was too big for him to handle as he grew older, he bought a farm of seventy-two acres, where he now lives, just east of Hawkins, in Harrison township. There he built a house and barn and made other improvements in keeping with the same and is very comfortably situated. He has for years given much attention to the raising of fine live stock and has done much to improve the strain of, the stock raised in his part of the county. He is a member of the German

Lutheran church, as was his wife. The latter died on March 22, 191 5. She also was born in Switzerland, Anna Wenger, and there grew to young womanhood, coming thence to this country and locating in Hamilton county, Ohio, where on January 24, 1878, she was united in marriage to Alexander Maurer. To that union two children were born, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Margaret.

Ernest A. Maurer was reared on the Shields farm, where he was born and which he now owns, and received his schooling in the schools of that neighborhood. During his youth and young manhood he was the victim of a series of distressing accidents and seemed to have had more than his normal share of misfortunes up to the time of his marriage in 1904, but since then his "luck" seems to have turned and he not only has had no further accidents, but has prospered beyond the average. Seven times during his youth he was laid up with broken bones, his last accident having befallen him on the night before the date set for his wedding, when he was tossed by an angry bull and one of his shoulders and four of his ribs were broken. Just a few days before he had paid out about all his ready cash for a fine horse and two days after coming into possession of the same, the animal killed itself. Though not at all superstitious, Mr. Maurer cannot help recalling that several of his most serious accidents befell him on a Friday.

The spring following his marriage in 1904, Ernest A. Maurer began farming on his own account, starting as a renter on the farm on which he was born, and six years later bought that entire farm of two hundred and fifty acres and has since done much in the way of improving the same and bringing the farm plant up to modern standards. The place has a large brick house on it and this, as well as the barn, he has remodeled in up-to-date fashion, has built a new garage and lias otherwise improved the place until it is regarded as one of the best-kept farms in that part of the county. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Maurer has given considerable attention to the raising of pedigreed Hereford cattle and has quite a bunch of fine, pure-l^red stock of that strain. He has been cjuite successful in his operations and he and his family are cpiite comfortably situated.

In 1904 Ernest A. Maurer was united in marriage to Rannah B. Williamson, who was born on a farm near Lyons, this county, daughter of Edmond R. and Lucinda (Strong) Williamson, both of whom also were born in this county and who are now living retired at Connersville. Edmond R. Williamson was born on June 29, 1851, on the old Williamson homestead, one mile south of Springersville, in Jennings township, this county, a son <il Samuel E. ami Elizal>fth ( L'onoway ) Willianisdn, the formor of whom was horn in 1807. a son of Moses and Jane ( Kijj;gs ) Williamson, the former horn in 1774 and the latter in 1788. who came over into Indiana from Ohio and settled on a farm one mile south of Lyons, in this county, in picMieer days. There ]\Ioses Williamson l)ecame the owner of two hundred and fortythree acres and there he and his wife spent their last days. Samuel Williamson spent all his life on that same farm, one of the best-known farmers in that part of the county in his generation, he having been one of the most extensive stockmen thereabout. He died in 1858, leaving his widinv with a large family of children. She was born, Elizabeth Conowaw in North Carolina and hatl come to this iiart of the cmmtry with her parents in pioneer days. She remained on the home farm the rest of her life, her death occurring in 1884.

On that pioneer farm in Jennings townshij), Edniond R. Williamson grew to manhood. After liis marriage in 1874 he continued to follcnv farming and gardening in that vicinity, living on that portion of the old homestead that fell to his share, and there remained until 1894, when he moved to the old Mount farm in Harrisi^i tnw nslii]). north of Conners\ille, where he lived for eight years, at the end of which time he moveil to the Huber place, where he spent two years and a half. He then returned to the old ^Villiamson homestead, where he remained until his retirement and removal, in ^larch, 1912, to Connersville, where he and his wife are now making their home. Mrs. Williamson, before her marriage, was Lucinda Strong. She was born in Waterloo township, this county, daughter of Wilson and Eliza (Fiant) Strong, well-known residents of that part of the county, both now deceased. Wilson Strong, w-ho was a veteran of the Civil War, w'as lx)rn and reared in Waterloo township, a son of Moses and Susie (Gebe) Strong, the former of whom was born in North Carolina and became one of the early settlers in Waterloo township, this county, and the owner of a <|uarter of a .section of land there. Wilson Strong bought a farm just on the western edge of Union county and there sjjent his last days. His wife. Eliza Eiant. was Ixirn in Montgomery county, Ohio, and came here with her parents, Martin and Lucinda (Schack) Fiant, of Pennsylvania-Dutch parentage, who moved from Ohio to Indiana and settled in Waterloo township, this county. Rannah B. Williamson was a little girl when her parents moved to the farm north of Connersville and she lived in that locality until her marriage to Mr. Maurer.

Mr. and Mrs. Maurer have one child, a son, Gail Wenger, who was born on December 4. 1913. Mrs. Maurer is a member of the Christian church and

Mr. Maurer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in the affairs of that organization takes a warm interest.

Lafe Cokefair

Lafe Coke fair, former trustee of Jackson township and a substantial farmer and hmdowner of that township, now living retired in the village of Alquina, is a memlier of one of the oldest and best-known families in this part of the state. He was born over the line in the neighboring county of Union, December 8, 1869, son of Sylvanus and Mary A. (Brookbank) Cokefair, the former a native of that same county and the latter of this county, both members of pioneer families.

In an early day the name of Cokefair was one of the best-known in this section of Indiana. Associated with the Cokefair mills it was a synonym of fair dealing and honest service and the first of the name hereabout, Elisha Cokefair, grandfather of the subject of this sketch and the founder of the Cokefair family in this section of Indiana, was widely known, not only up and down the valley of the White Water, but throughout all the eastern part of the state and adjacent section of Ohio by reason of the products of his mills along the creek over in Union county, near the line of Fayette county. Elisha Cokefair was a man of untiring energy and established a woolenmill, a saw-mill, a flour-mill and other enterprises in that settlement. He prospered in his affairs and at his death in 1864 left an estate valued at above one hundred thousand dollars, a considerable sum of money in those days. It is narrated of Elisha Cokefair that so scrupulously fair and just was he in his dealings with his fellow-men that there was a standing offer at his woolen-mill to replace any product of that mill that showed signs of wear or required patching within one year of service ; and it is said that rarely indeed did it become necessary to apply this guaranty, for clothes made of Cokefair goods were expected to last for four or five years.

Elisha Cokefair had a somewhat eventful career in his younger days. He was born in New Jersey in 1798 and was early apprenticed to learn the dyeing trade. Dissatisfied with the nature of that employment he presently escaped the indenture and ran away to sea, but was caught and taken back. Three months later he again escaped and started out to make his fortune in his own way, walking to Philadelphia and thence to Pittsburgh, in which latter city he olnained cni])liiynient in a mill. His restless spirit, liowcver, caused him to leave that city after awhile and he went tm ddun the river to Cincinnati, whence he and anotlier htiy presently proceeded on down to Xew Orleans. After working awhile in the latter city they decided to make their way to Xew York and took passage on a vessel that turned out to be a privateer or some such character of piratical craft and before they were long at sea they found themselves involved with the crew of that vessel in an attempt to board a merchant ship with piratical design. The boarders were repulsed, however, and the boys, whose eyes were thus opened to the nature of the craft on which they had taken passage, secured return passage on the merchantman and presently found themselves again in Xew Orleans. After awhile Elisha Cokefair returned to Cincinnati and remained there and in that vicinity until after his marriage to Frances Miller, in the meantime perfecting himself in the knowledge of the details of the milling business, particularly with reference to woolen-mills, and started a woolen-mill in Ohio, where he remained until 1822, when he sold his interests there and moved over into Indiana and in Union county, near the line of this county, east of Everton, erected a small woolen-mill, operated by power supplied by the creek there. Afterward he built a larger mill and a brick house, hauling the brick for the same for some miles in a wagon, the wheels of which were transverse sections of a poplar log. He also built a saw-mill and a flour-mill, which he operated with success, and was likewise actively interested in other enterprises his various activities giving him a wide acquaintance throughout this whole section of the country.

Sylvanus Cokefair, one of the sons of Elisha Cokefair, the pioneer manufacturer, was born at the old woolen-mills over in Union count)' in 1832 and grew up to a thorough acquaintance with the details of his father's extensive business. In 1854 he and his brother took charge of the mills and continued to operate the same until 1S88, ever maintaining the high standard of excellence which gave to the products of the Cokefair mills such a wide reputation, the mill becoming known to every wool grower in Indiana and eastern Ohio. When the mill finally was abandoned, Sylvanus Cokefair then being the surviving owner, he left it just as it was when the stern competition of more modern and more extensive mills put it out of business and it is still standing there on the creek, its ancient machinery now rusted and useless, a fine old relic of the early industrialism of this section. Sylvanus Cokefair lived to be within four days of eighty years of age, his death occurring on October 25, 1912. while on a visit to his son and his widow is still living at the old home over the line in Union county, in company with a married niece. She was born on a farm in the southwestern part of Jennings township, this county, February 7, 1845, a daughter of Henry and Lucinda (Corbin) Brookbank, the former of whom was a Hfelong farmer in that section. To Sylvanus and Mary (Brookbank) Cokefair two children were born, the subject of this sketch having a sister, AHce May, who married Sanford Keltner and now Hves at Anderson, this state.

Lafe Cokefair grew to manhood over in Union county, his earlier years being spent in his father's mill and in labor on the home farm, remaining there until he was twenty-five years of age. He married in 1891 and about three years later came to this county and located on a farm a quarter of a mile north of Everton, where he remained, actively engaged in farming, for nearly twenty years and became the owner of an excellent fann of three hundred and twenty acres, the same having two sets of houses on it. In 191 5 ilr. Cokefair sold an "eighty" of his half section, including one of the houses, and moved to Alquina, where he now resides. On April 20, 1916, he bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres lying near his old home farm and is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres, all well improved. Mr. Cokefair is an ardent Republican and for four years, 1904-08, served as trustee of Jackson township.

On April 9, 1891, Lafe Cokefair was united in marriage to Mary Caroline Murphy, who was born on July 18, 1873, in Jennings township, this county, on a farm adjoining that now owned by Mr. Cokefair, daughter of Frank and Sarah Elizabeth (Corbin) Murphy, both of whom were born in that same neighborhood. Frank Murphy was born on a farm near the Cokefair farms in Jackson township in 1844, a son of Samuel Murphy and wife, and was living there when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted for service in the Union army and served for three years and four months. Upon the completion of his mihtary service he resumed farming in Jackson township and remained there until his retirement and removal to Connersville, where he is now living with a daughter, ]\Irs. Sarah E. Sefton. His wife died on July 15, 1916, while on a visit to her daughter, Mrs. Cokefair. She was born in that same neighborhood, a daughter of Alfred and Katura Caroline (Myers) Corbin, both members of old families thereal)Out. The Myers family came here in pioneer times from the Carolinas and settled on "Congress land" in Columbia township.

To Lafe and Mary Caroline (Murphy) Cokefair four children have been born, namely: Elisha Alfred Cokefair, born on May 18, 1892, now managing his father's farm north of Everton, who married Alma Hubbell and has one child, a daughter, Carolyn Elizabeth ; Frank Sylvanus Cokefair, born on June lo, 1896, now living at Connersville ; Sanford Keltner Cokefair, born on September 16, 1899, who is living with his brother I'Llisha on the olil home farm, and Lafe, Jr., liorn on May 2S, 190S. The Cokefairs are members of the Universalist church. ;\Ir. Cokefair is a member of the local lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of Pythias, of the Improved Order of Red Men and of the Haymakers and is affiliated with the encampment of the Odd Fellow order.

Warren B. .Murray

Warren B. Murray, a well-known and substantial young farmer of Columbia township, this county, and former trustee of that township, is a native son of Fayette county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Connersville township, a short distance west of the city of Connersville, June 6, 1882, son of William T. and Mary A. (Goble) Murray, well-known residents of this county, who are now living quietly and comfortably retired at Connersville, where they have a pleasant home.

William T. Murray, v.^ho for years was actively engaged in fanning and in buying and selling of live stock in this county, is a native of the Blue Grass state, born in Mason county, Kentucky, December 17, 1846, son of Jeremiah and Melinda (Steele) Murray, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Kentucky. Jeremiah Murray was about six years of age when he came with his parents, George Murray and wife, to this country, the family settling in Mason county, Kentucky, where he grew to manhood. His father later moved to Cincinnati, where he died in 1863. Jeremiah Murray married Alelinda Steele, a daughter of William Steele and wife, natives of Pennsylvania, who had moved to Mason county, Kentucky. William Steel was a soldier in the War of 1812, a member of a Pennsylvania regiment, and participated in the battles at Ft. Defiance, Ohio, and at Camden border. He later moved to Mason county, Kentucky, as above noted, and in 1854 moved to Cass county, this state, where he died in February, 1864, he then being seventysix years of age. Some time after his marriage, Jeremiah Murray moved from Mason county, Kentucky, to the city of Louisville and thence to Cass county, Indiana, where he died at the age of thirty-six years. He was both a carpenter and a farmer. His widow later came to this county and here spent the remainder of her life, her death occurring in 1892. They were the parents of five children, of whom William T. Murray was the third in order of birth and the onlv one now living.

William T. Murray was six years of age when his parents moved from IMason county, Kentucky, to Louisville, and was eight years of age when they moved to Cass county, this state, in 1854. He was but a boy when the Civil War broke out, but on January 2t,, 1864, he then being but little more than seventeen years of age, he and two brothers enlisted for service in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was attached to General Sherman's army, thus serving through the Atlanta campaign. He then returned with General Thomas to Nashville, where he was taken ill in 1865 and after recovering was transferred to the Seventeenth Veteran Reserve Corps, with which he was serving when honorably discharged on November 22, 1865. Upon the completion of his military service Mr. Murray returned to his home in Cass county and was there engaged in farming for a couple of years, at the end of which time he moved to Rush county, where he learned the harness-making trade and was engaged working at that trade until 1873, when, he having married the year before, he located on a farm in the Connersville neighborhood and for many years thereafter was actively engaged in farming, stock raising and in the buying and selling of live stock in this county, and has long been regarded as one of Fayette county's substantial citizens. He lived in the southern part of Connersville township until 1901, when he moved to a farm one mile north of Connersville, in Harrison township, where he lived for seven years, at the end of which time he retired and moved to Connersville, where he and his wife are now living, and where they are pleasantly situated.

In 1872, at Connersville, William T. Murray was united in marriage to Mary A. Goble, of that city, and to that union eight children have been born, all of whom are living. Mr. Murray is an active Republican and has for many years paid close attention to local political afifairs, a frequent delegate to county, district and state con\-entions. In 1896 he was elected assessor of Fayette count}- and for twenty years gave good service in that office. He is a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic and has for years given his earnest attention to the affairs of that patriotic organization.

Warren B. Murray grew to manhood in this county, early trained to the work of the farm and has been engaged in farming most of his life. After his marriage in 1904 he began farming for himself on the old Heman Jones homestead in Columbia township, where he now resides, their farm being one of the best-kept and most profitably cultivated places in that part of the county. In addition to his general farming Mr. Murray has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and in buying and selling the same and has done very well. He is a Rcpuhliean and served for some time as trustee of Columbia township, his term of office expiring on January i, 1915.

On February 11, 1904, \\'arren B. Murraj' was united in marriage to Nellie Utter, who was born in Columbia township, this county, daughter of Robert and Alary F. (Jones) Utter, the latter of whom is still living on her old home farm in that township, a farm adjoining the farm on which she was born. Robert Utter was burn on the farm on which his widow is now living, on January 2, 1843, ^ ^"H "f '^imri and Susan ( W'inchell ) Utter, natives of New York state, the former of whum was born on .\ugust 14. 179O, and the latter, June 11, 1798. who came to Indiana with their respective i)arents in 18 16, the families settling in h'ayette county, where Zimri Utter and Susan W'inchell were married on December 25, 181 7, and where both spent the remainder of their lives, the latter dying on November 6, 1864, and the former surviving until January 30, 1880. Zimri Utter was one of the best-known and most substantial farmers of Columbia township in his day and for years served as justice of the peace in and for that township.

Robert Utter grew up on the farm where he was born and on August 22. 1862, he then being nineteen years of age, enlisted at Indianapolis for service during the Civil War, as a member of Company I-. Third, Indiana Cavalry, serving in General Kilpatrick's command until liis term of enlistment expired, when he re-enlisted in Company A, Eighth Indiana Cavalry, and was mustered out with that command on July 20, 1865, with the rank of sergeant. During his service he received an injury to his right arm, which proved permanent and his arm was thereafter seriously crippled. Upon the completion of his military service Robert Utter returned to the farm and engaged in the practical labors of the same. He married in 1877 and continued to make his home on the old home place until his election to the office of county' treasurer in 1880, when he moved to Connersville, the county seat. He was re-elected in 1882 and thus served as treasurer of the county for two terms. He had previously, in 1868 and in 1869, served as trustee of Columbia towioship and was ever interested in local civic affairs. Following his service as county treasurer Robert Utter became part owner of a flour-mill at Connersville and was for a couple of years engaged in the milling business there. He then returned to the old home farm in Columbia township, and there spent the rest of his life, his death occurring on April i, 1907. His widow, who still survives, continues to nmke her home there, where she owns two hundred acres of land, besides two hundred and forty acres of the adjoining farm on which she was born, a total of four hundred and forty acres.

Ios4 Fayette County, Indiana

was born on the farm adjoining that on which she now Hves, July 12, 1839, daughter of Heman and Lydia A. (Hughes) Jones, the former a native of the state of New Hampshire and the latter of Virginia, early settlers in Columbia township, this county. Heman Jones was born near Hanover, New Hampshire, June 10, 1812, a son of Nathan and EHzabeth (Spaulding) Jones, natives of Massachusetts, of English extraction, who had moved to New Hampshire and after a sometime residence in the vicinity of Hanover had moved to Vermont; thence back to New Hampshire and thence, in 1820, to Huron county, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Heman Jones was but a boy when his parents moved to Ohio and when about sixteen years of age he went to Mt. Vernon, that state, where he began learning the shoemaker's trade, completing his apprenticeship at Springfield, Ohio. He spent the winter of 1829 working at his trade at Hamilton, Ohio, and then went to Mason county, Kentucky, where he followed his trade until 1831, when he came up into Indiana and tought a boot-and-shoe store at Liberty, in Union county, where he married in 1835 and where he continued in business until October, 1838, when he sold his store and moved over into Fayette county, where he bought a farm of eighty acres in Columbia township. A few years later he traded that place for a quarter of a section of unimproved land in the same township and there established his home. As he prospered he added to his holdings until he became the owner of a fine farm of about six hundred acres, besides other valuable holdings, being regarded as one of the well-to-do citizens of Fayette county in his day. In the fall of 1884 Heman Jones retired and moved to Connersville, where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring on November 22, 1905, he then being ninety-four years and five months of age. His wife had preceded him to the grave about ten years, her death having occurred on July 7, 1895, she then being seventyseven years of age. She was born, Lydia A. Hughes, in Campbell county, V^irginia, November 26, 1817, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Fosdick) Hughes, who became early residents on this part of Indiana, settling in Union county at an early day. Robert Utter was a member of the Christian church, as is his widow, and their children were reared in that faith, There are two of these children living, Mrs. Murray having a brother, Ottis, who is farming his mother's farm. There was another daughter, who died in childhood, while the family was living at Connersville. Mr. and Mrs.- Murray have four children living and one, a daughter, who died in infancy, those living being Mary Candace, Frederick Maynard, Robert Milton and John Richard.

place adjoining tlie ^Murray farm, was born in Columbia townsbip on August 30. 1870, and was reared on the farm, continuing fanning with his father until the hitter's death and since then taking general charge of the home place, on which he has maile a specialty of the raising of pure-bred Duroc- Jersey hogs, his stock attracting much attention at the Indiana and Ohio state fairs. He also lately has been quite extensively engaged in buying and selling cattle. On September 13, 1893, Ottis Utter was united in marriage to Norvella Carroll, who also was born in Columbia township, a daughter of Timothy and Ann (Eddy) Carroll, both members of old families in this county, the former of whom was killed by lightning when his daughter, Xorvella, was an infant. His widow later married and thereafter much of the youth of her daughter, Norvella, was spent in the household of her mother's parents, G. W. and Louisa (Cox) Eddy, well-known residents of this county. Ottis Utter and wife have two children, daughters, ]\larie and Mildred, the former of whom was graduated from the Connersvillc high school, later attending the State Normal School at l^erre Haute and is now teaching school, and the latter of whom is attending the high school at Orange. Mr. Utter is a member of Orange Lodge No. 234, Free and Accepted Masons, and takes a warm interest in the afifairs of that organization. Both the Murrav and the Utter families are very pleasantly situated in their homes adjoining in Columbia township and take an earnest interest in the general social activities of that neighborhood.

Eew men of East Connersville, Fayette county, are more entitled to special mention in the history of the county, than is George M. Williams, a veteran of the Civil War, who was born on July 5. 1845, ^t ^'"^'^ Washington, Wisconsin, and is the son of .\braham and Elizabedi ( Shepard ) Williams.

Abraham and Elizabeth \\'illiams were natives of Wales and the state of Ohio respectively, and received their education in the schools of their respective communities, where they grew to manhood and womanhood. .\s a young man Abraham Williams left his native land and came to the Uniterl States. On his arrival in this country, he located in Ohio, where he engaged as a farm hand and where he lived for a number of years. It was in the Buckeye state that he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Shepard. .\fter their marriage the young people established their home in that state where they continued to live for some time, when they moved to Wisconsin, where Mr. Williams engaged in the making of potash. He died in that state at Goodhope; and his wife died in Chicago, of cholera, in the year 1853.

Abraham and Elizabeth Williams were the parents of the following children: Harriett. Sarah, Charles, George and James. Harriett married William Spivey, and she made her home at Beecher City, Illinois, until the time of her death on August 23, 1916; Sarah is the widow of Leander Dodge and lives at Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Charles, who was a member of Company E, Twenty- fourth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and gave three years of his life in the defence of the Union, died at his home in Alilwaukee, Wisconsin; James was also a soldier during the Civil War, having enlisted in Company C, Thirty-first Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and died at his home in Frankfort, Michigan. The parents of these children were were among the highly respected people of the community in which they lived and where they were so highly esteemed.

George M. Williams received his education at a subscription school, held in an old log school house, with slabs for seats, and the writing bench on the side of the wall. He remained at home until he was but a little past sixteen years of age when he came to Connersville. and here in 1862 he enlisted in Com.pany E, Sixteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He later served in Company D, Twenty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, from April to November, when he was transferred to Battery F, Fourth United States Artillery, Regular. Some time later he was placed in Battery M with the Army of the Cumberland, and still later was with General Thomas in the Army of the Cumberland. He saw much active service, and remained in the service until March 2-j, 1865, when he received his discharge and returned to Connersville. During his term of service he had the measles, a most dreaded disease for the hoys in the field, and lay in the hospital from July 5, 1862, until November of that year, and which left him in a condition of poor health since.