Gibson County, Indiana - Chapter 6: | Fauna, 1884 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 6: | Fauna

of the animals of a country, state or county are always of interest to tbe i habitants, and especially so to the scientist and student of natural history, J After inquiring into the political and civil history of country, wo turn with pleasure to the investigation of ita nattural history, and of the animals which inhabited it prior to the advent of ma their habita and the means of their sub- \ come a study. Some were f prey, others were harmle and mbristed upon the vegetable prod- | wola of the country. Tt in dificult | for many of the present day to believe thatthe wild but | flo of tho Western plains once roamed over the country 'east of the Mississippi and Wabash, or that the elk and "ck bent were on their native heath in this part of tho country, only littlo moro than a half century ago. Many of the varieties of animals which found their | homes inahe forests and on the small prairies of this part of the state have fled before the onward march of | civilization, and aro now seen by our children only in | the cages of the menagerie, In order to more fully in-

Of the hoofed animals, one of the most prominent the American bison (Bison, or Bos Americanus), which | disappeared from this part of the country before or soon after the arrival of the white man. The horns and | bones of the slain animals and a fow "buffalo wallows," discovered by the early settlers of this and adjoining counties, give unmistakable evidence of their having | frequented this part of the state. The bison is a large 'animal, with thick, heavy body, short, stout legs, short, Mack horns, and black, or brown, shaggy hair. Large herds of these animals at present roam over the plains | at the vastern base of the Rocky Mountains. Like the | mastodon and other ancient aniwals, tho bison is des- | tined, nt no distant day, to become extinct, Tho Amer enm elk (Cervus Americanus), next to the moose, is the urgent deer of America, It is retarkublo for tho size 'of its antlers, which sometimes grow to the height of six fect, and weigh from forty to eighty pounds. 'Tho ani mal itself is about as tall as an ordinury horse, ix very. lect, and has wonderful powers of endurance, It long left this part of the conntry, and is now fonnd in the northern part of the United States and in British America. Tho deer family (Corvid) hus had two rep resentatives in thin region, viz.: 'The common American deer (Cervus Virginians) and the white-tailed decr (Corvus Lonenras), both of which may still ho found here occasionally. 'The flesh of the deor is very sweet 'and palatable, and is highly prized in the finest murkets, whero it commands n ready sale nt the highest pric ww ani al of the carnivorous order common to this country, is the wolf, which belongs to tho dog family (Canidn). Phere were formerly two spocios of this animal in this county, viz. Tho prairie wolf (Canis latrans) and the common American or gray wolf (Canis occidentalis). The former is small with long body, elongated, sharp mukzle, smooth tongue, and like | all the dog family has five-tovd and fowr-toct hind ones. It was formerly found horo in largo numbers, but luttorly has almost disappeared from this purtof the state. 'The latter is lurge, with long, slim body, serenade of the pioneer settlers, and forcboded havoc among the flocks of those times. A | few of this species are still found in denso woodlands | nod unfrequented thickets. Two species of fox (Vulpes) |

Foxes aro readily distinguished by their slender, pointed muzzle, long, bushy tail, and the elliptical pupil of the eye. Of the ent family the only two indigenous representatives are the American wild-cut (Lynx rufus), and the Canadian lynx (Lynx Canadensis). The former was very common during the early history of this country. 10 was about thirty inches long, of a pale rufous color dappled with gray, ears black on the outside, til short, th black patch above the end, It was very destruct. ive to Jamba, kids, poultry, ete, Tt hns within the last low years almost disappeared. The lynx was never common, though it was occasionally seen. It is abont forty inches long, of a grayish color streaked with black; cars tipped with a bunch of black hairs, and tail vo short. It is furthor distinguished by having one molar less than the (eue eat in ench side of the upper jaw. Die. panther (Felis pardus), was also an early inhabitant of this region although not numerous The common raccoon (Prosyon lotos), is one of the iost familiar wild animal in these parts. It inhabits the timberod regions, ar some stream or body of wntor to which it re d, in the shape of erawtish, froga, mussels, ete. also feeds upon roots, berries, young corn, ronsting ds and other small animals, Tt is also a gront ter of "hen roosts." his anit), from the end of the nose to the tip of ite tail, is about two feet Jong, 'and has a pointed muzzle, five toes on enc foot, and a ringed tail. Jt iw nocturnal im its habits, and in cold climates passes the winterin n partinllytorpid state, Tts far is valuable, The raccoon belongs to the fami of Procyonidie, of which it is probably the only represntativo in this region,

To the weasel family (Mustetiden) belong the well. Yuown animals, minka, skunks, otters, common wensels, ete., most of whiels have lo feet, und which secrete n very disagreeable odor. Otters and mink are hunted for their furs, which are very valuable, The former are amphibions, and are nt present rarely seen, The costly for called eru tained from n weusel which inhabits the northern parts of Europe amd Asin, Weasels are brown in summer ud white in winter, the tip of ihe tail being black. Tpo color of minks is dark brown, or bluek, throughont the The Otter (Dutra. Canadensis) iv black and noted for its size and strength. Iis toos are webbed; hend large and flat; caro short; tail slightly dattoned, and mails crooked. It is aquatic and subsiste on fi Minka und weasels prey on birds, poultry and small animals of various kinds. The skunk (Mophiti Ameri cana) bas a pointed nose, bushy tail, and is noctur mal. It feeds upon beetles amd other small animals, Tt is also fond of eggs. It was very common u few years ago, but like most of the ally disappearing. Of the opossum family idw) «be only species here is the common opossum (Didelphys Virginiane). Opossums are sinall animals, boat twenty inches long to the tail, which is from twelve to fifteen inches in length, nearly bare, and prehensile. Its hair is whitish with dark-brown tips. | When captured and wounded, it feigns itself dead. It | in a massupial, or pouched animal, and carries ite young which at birth weigh only a few grains, in a ventral pouch situated near its bigd legs. On emerging from 'pouch, which occurs four or five weeks from birth, the young twine their tals around that of their moth the United States and throughout most of North Amer- RODENTIA OF ONAWERS. | 'Tho animals of this order are casily distinguished by their teeth. In the front part of each jaw they bare two chisel-shaped incisors, between which and the molar is a considerable space without teeth, these animals having no canines. The largest representative of the rodents ever known in this country is the American beaver (Castor Canadensis). The rats and mice (Muridu) constituo the most numerous family of the rodents, | They number in all about threo hundred species in the world. Their appesrance and habits are too well known to require any description here. The black rat (Mus | ratius) was formerly very common, but of late years it | hns been almost extirpated by the brown, or Norway rat (Mus decumanus), which is much farger and stronger. | 'Of the mice we note, as found here, the common houso mouse (Mus musculus), the feld-mouse, the meadow mouse, the jumping mouse (Jaculus Hudsonius) of the family Jaculidao, which has a body about three inches long, and a tail six inches - and the tree mouse. 'The musk-rat (Ondatra zibethicus), allied to the beaver,

In the following list of birds that are native to this county and climate the old system of groups or orders is used rather than the new classification of birds adopted by the Smithsonian Institute at Washington. 'The former, as it contains fewer and less dificult technical terms, will, it is believed, be more readily understood by the general reader. The chief characteristics of all the birds belonging to each order are given first, and appended thereto are the names of such birds of tho order as are native to this region.

'These are generally of large size and stout form; bills hooked and very strong; claws sharp and curved? wings extensive and muscles powerfnl: females largor than males live in pairs and choose their mates for life (2). Under this order and belonging to the hawk family (Falconide), are the swallow-tailed hawk (Nauclerus furcatus), red-tailed hawk (Butes borealis). pigeon hawk (Falco columbarum), Mississippi kito (Ieteria Miesiseippinsis), sparrow hawk (Tionunculas alandarius), ben-barrier (Circus cyaneus), bald englo (Halinetos leucocephalus), ring-tailed eagle (Falco fulvine).

To the Owl family (Strigidae) belong to the great homed-owl (Bubo Virginians), hoot or barred owl (Bymiur nebulosum), snowy ow) (Strix nivoa), barn or screech ow] (Strix fammen), spotted owl and marsh owl,

Birds of this order are characterize! by their stout bodies, strong logs and feet, and their general adaptation to living on the ground. It includes the wild turhas but one species. "This animal is about the size of a cat and has a strong, musky smell. It is amphibious, | building ite mud houses in ponds and shallow lakes. It | is a native of North Americo, and is still quite common. | Its far, like that of the beaver, is valuable. The fur of | the later is used for making the fipest hata. | "Too squirrel. family (Ssinride) is represented hereby | the red or fox squirrel (Sciurus Hudsonins),thogray aquirrel (Sciurus Carolinensis), the flying squirrel (Pteromys volucella), the ground squirrel (Tamias striatus), the 'gopher (Spormaphilus) and the woodshuck or groundhog (Arstomys all of which are so common 'that they need not be described.

Of the hare family (Leporide), the common gray rabbit (Lepsus cuniculus) is the only representative now inhabiting this region. It is very prolife, and is destined to propagaw its species loug after some of the 'animals meatioued ehall have become extinct.

key (Meleagris gallopavo), prairie hen (Tetrao cupido), idge" (Ortyx Virginianus), quail (Philohela Minor), turtle-dove (Turtur auritus), wild pigeon (Eetopistes migratorio), American raven (Corvus carniverons), common crow (Corvus Americanus). ORALLATORES WADING mapa.

They have long necks, long bills, very long and slender legs, and slender bodies. Their general form weil adapted to wading. This order includes the plover (Charadrius), common snipe (Scolopax gallinago), American woodcock, Wilson's snipe (Gallinago Wilsonii), red-breasted snipe (Gambetta melanoluca), telltale snipe (Gambe'ta flavipes), yellow lega (Limosa felos), marbled gadwit (Scolofax-fedon Wilson), the curlewa (Numenius), Virginis rui (Bailus Virginianus), rougb-billed pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhyactius), the

'They are broad and fat, feathers compact and well oiled; lega wide apart, femur short and feet webbed. Under this order are found the common wild goose (Anser Americanus), snow goose (Auser hyperboreus), brant (Anser bermicala), Canada goose (Bermicala Canadensis), American swan (Cygnus Americanus), trumpeter ewan (Cygnus buccinator), black duck (Anas obscura), pint il duck (Dafila acuta), green-wingod teel (Nettion Carolinensis), blue-winged teel (Querguedala discors), shoveler (Spatula clypatea), American widgeon (Maresa Americana), summer or wool duck (Aix spousa), heat duck (Aythaya Amerisina), e back duck (Aythaya valisneriana), butter ball (Buecphale albeola).

The perchers differ greatly among themselves; all Mave three front toes and a single hind one; fect well adapted to perching. To this order belong the majority of birds, of which we note, as belong ticularly here: The wood thrash (Turdus mustelinus), brown thrush (Harphorhyachns rufus), blue jay (Cyan Cuistatis), bobolink (Dolichonyx orisysorus, red-winged black bird (Argelaius pharneers), meadow Hark (Sturela magna), golden or Baltimore oriole (Icteros Baltimore), yellow bird (Chrysometris tristis), snow bird (Junco hem li), chipping sparrow (Spizeal socialis), field sparrow (Spizella pusilla), swamp sparrow (Melospica palustris), indigo bird (Cyanospiza cyanea), cardinal rel bird (Cardiwulis Virginianus), chevink (Pipilo erythropthulmms), white-bellied nu hatch (Sitta Carolinensis), mocking bird (Mimus pol lotus), cat bird (Mimus Carolinensis), house wren (Troglodytes barn swallow (Hirundo hordeo ram), bank swallow (Cotyle riparia), blue martin (Progue purpurea), cedar bird (Ampellis cedaorum), scarlet tanager (Pyrangea rubra), miner red bird (Psraugra astiva), robin (Turdus migratorius), blue bird (Syanmus Carolinenen), peweo (Suyorins fucus), beltel king fisher (Corglo aleyon), whippoorwill (Antrostomus vociferus), night hawk (Chordeiles popotne), chimney swallow (Cletura pelasgia), ruby-thronted humming bird (Trochilus eol brio), hairy woodpecker (Picus villosus), downy wool pecker (Picus pubescens), redheaded woodpecker (Me. Janerpes erythrocephalus) golden winged woodpecker (Colaptus auratus), Carolina parrot (Conorus linens.

Birds of tb order have their toes in paire - two in. front and two behind. Under this order and native to this county aro the swift, or chiminey swallow (Cypeslus pelasgia), Carolina paroquet, sapsucker and all of the woodpecker family. These have previously been given as belonging also to the order of Insessores.

Under this class we find represented here the order 'Testudinata, or turtles, and including such individuals as ox-turtle (Cistud virginea), snapping turtle (Chelyara serpoutina), wood tortoise (Glyptemys insculpta) and soft shelled turtles including mud turtles. Of the order Lacertin (Lizards) the common stripped lizard (Ameiva sexlinatea) is found here and perhaps one or two other representatives. Under the order Ophidia or serpents, we note the common black snake (Basconion constrictor) water snake (Serpens aquatacus), rattle snake (Crotalus horridus), moccasin (Lexicaphius attapicus), copperhead (Teigouocophalus contortrix), garter snake (Entauía sirtalis), house snake, joint snake, blue racer anil green snake. OF these the rattle snake, cop perhead and moccasin are very poisonous, and therefore most to be dreaded. The blowing or hissing adder, a

'The order Batrachia, or frogs, has many representatives here, among which are the leopard frog Inulecina), bull frog (Rana pipiens), wood frog, tree frog, or" tree tond " (Rana hyla), March frog (Rana palustris), common tond (Bufo vulgaris), tadpole, salamander (Amblystoma punctatum), tritosa, or water mewt (Diemictylus viridescens), and mud puppy (Minobraechus lateralis).

This class is represented in the streams of this county, by the white, the black and the striped bass, the cat fish, pike, sturgeon, gar, goggle-eyed pereh, sun fish, white perch, eroppie, chubb, white and black suckers, buffalo and a few others of minor importance. These fish are all well-known and need no further description.

Incidents, Anecdotes, Stc

Fis à a ae at sinking 1 ret the toils and privations of the border, whither they came, buoyed up with hope and uerved with vigor, to build 270 for themselves and their loved ones homes amid this beautiful scenery, while yet the whoop of the Indian resounded on 'every sido, und war's alarms came not ith imperious demands for genn of the present, and whose endowment was lofty examples of courage and unabated energy. and who Ihave durably stamped their clmmaeteritics upon worthy and what tl to make their county what it ix. The ties of home have, ere now, thrown around hills nud vales the halo of the love of patriotic happy people. 'surprising, then, th undulating aud open vistas of park-like Lave for extent wud natural beanty far exceed the baronnial manors of European aristocracy, and watered with runing streams and quiet lakes - which beautiful landscape ix embraced within the limits of this county - ehould harm the eyes of the first settlers ns they emerged from the dark, dense forests of rolines, Tennessee,

Kentucky and the Old Dominion, and beget in their hearts a love for the surroundings of nature that clings to them in their old age, and falls but little short of

Teverunce when they speak of the old county, which witnessed their struggles for life and competency. 'These associations have made it to them a sacred and allowed spot. To leave the borders of eivilizution and penetrate the deep primeval forests, necessitates an example of courage worthy of the hero.

'The pioneers of Gibson County shall not be forgotten. Their ranks are fast becoming thinned. A few who have luin aside the gan and the axe for the staff yet survive to tell us the story of their privations and to claim our gratitude, They have lived to see their labors crowned with success which the most sanguine hope could not hare anticipated.

| ings and and religions tiber, as effect follows cause. On the ruins of the wigwam rest the foundations of industry, and the noisy din of the trades are heard where once the stillness was unbroken, save by the war-whoop. The "noble md man," the Indian f bim like a withering blight; | it dwarfed his stature; it made him weak, and to- | day, far removed from the home of his fathers, he sita | lamenting the loss of those rude virtues which were once the Indian's pride. Jealously and with surprise he looks back on his footprints and beholds his favorite haunts and hunting grounds possessed by what seem | the appliances of some evil genius, While we caynot stop here to discuss a question of ethics, we may sym- | pathize with the Indian, in what he has suffered at the hand of the white man; yet we may recollect that he, too, was a despoiler. A civilization of no mean preten. sions antedated his advent, or at east his savage condi ion. Whether this civilization was that of a distinct race, or that which the Indians had lost, cannot be safely told. Certain it is, however, that what is now Gibson County was inhabited by a prehistoric race. Evidences of its existence and civilization are numerous. Specimens of pottery of fair workmanship, with artistic ndoruments, are found in the mounds which these ancient people, for reasons best known to themselves, threw up. In some parts of the state various imple ments of copper lave been found, the work of these | Aborigines. Copper blades have been discovered tempered so highly as to defy the efforts of modern art. The Indiana who roamed and hunted over the wooded hills and vales of Gibson County were principally remuante of the Kickupoos, Shawnees, Sax, Foxes, Pottawatories and the Miamis. They were generally friendly, seldom committing depredations beyond stealing occasionally poultry, hogs and sheep. Old " Trackwell," n chief of the Shawnee tribe, had a town of several wigwams. 'The town was here when the first settlers It was located on Indian Creek, two miles northeast of Princeton on Section 4, Township 2, Range 10. The old chief and his tribe were very friendly with the whites, 'The Miamis claimed ownership to a part of this locality. 'They had a fort on the south side of the river, a short distance from the present site of the Patoka bridge.

The honor of being the first white resident of the 'country now comprised within the limits of Gibson County, belougs to John Severns, Sr. He was a native 'of Wales and came with his parents to America several years before the Revolutionary War, They located in Virginia. He was for a while a soldier in the war for independence, and when home on a visit to bis parents | in the then wilds of Western Virginia, he with the whole | family was captured by a band of Indians. His father, mother, sister, aud younger brother were killed, and, he and an elder brother were kept as prisoners, and marched with the Indians back to their town. John Severus remained a prisoner for seven years. When a favorable opportunity presented itself he made his escape, and went to Pennsylvania. His brother continued to remain with the Indians, married of the squaws, and reared a family of children. Some time after John's arrival in Pennsylvania he married. Prior to his capture he had been carefully instructed in mathematics by his father, mid after his escape from the savages he acquired a knowledge of surveying and assisted the Goverument surveyors in Maryland and Kentucky. He moved to the latter state at an early period, and ss 'early as 1789 or 1790 he penetrated the wilderness of the Northwest Territory and settled with his family on | the south bank of the Patoka, at a place now known as Severus Bridge. The family lived for the first few years after their arrival in a cave hollowed out of the side of the By his knowledge of the Indian dialect, and their customs aud habits, he was enabled at once to make friends with the Indians then inbabiting this region, and was permitted to settle among them. Opposite his place on the sume stresin was an Indian village. After awhile he erected a rude log cabin, and kept a ferry. He was allowed to do so by the Indians upon the condition that they could use his ferry, and that he would keep "fire water" for them. Sevens was a short, heavy-set man of powerful build and won- endurance. He was a celebrated hunter, and very fond of the chase, and world frequently go of with the g expeditions, aud He was trusted by the red men because he always kept his word with them. On his arrival here his family consisted of himself, wife and John Auna, jah. During the residence of the family in Kentucky Anna married Robert Falls, and they came here a few yeurs later and settled in the same nity. One of his grandsons, Isane Falls, is a judge in the city of New Orleans, and another, Ebenezer Falls, is a merchant in the same city. Abraham while a single man. The other son, John, married and reared a family. He also nequired a kuowledge of the Indian tongue and acted as one of the interpreters for Gen. Harrison, during the Indian troubles, and at the battle of Tippecanoe. For this service a small tract of land was afterwards awarded his children by the general movement Mary married William Leathers, mention of whom is made elsewhere, When John Severns came here he brought apple and peach seed from Kentucky, and cultivated a few trees, and prior to 1800 he had apple and peach trees in bearing.

During the early years of his settlement here, Mr. Severns' influence with the different Indian tribes was largely instrumental in preserving peace. He was fre- | quently called upon to act as interpreter for the tribes and negotiate with the Indian agents. About the year 1817 two of his nephews, sons of his brother who Ind married an Indian squaw, come here to visit their rela tives. Thenephews were dressed in Indian garb. They stayed here two or three weeks. Mr. Severus endeavored to prevail them to remain, and to adopt the customs of civilization, but they refused, as they could not give their wild life and habita which they lind acquired among their relatives, the wild tribes of the forest aud. plains. Mary, the wife of John Sevens, Sr., was quite popular as a "medicine woman," as the Indians called her. She frequently made long trips to the tribes and different settlements, and many au ancedote has been told of the labors of this itinerent doctress. She atone time appeared before the county board to acknowledge a power of attorney, making the celebrated Ben Hardin, of Kentucky, her attorney in fact, to collect dues for her. John Severns was made a Mason in Willi burg, Va.» in 1776, and his granddaughter hus the certificate of Lodge No. 457, issued to him by that lodge. June 20, 1776, aud is signed by William Waddell, W.M., John Rowsay, S. W., John Dison, J. W. Mr.

ied about the year 1829, and in compliance with h request was buried near where he settled. He was a warm-hearted man and kindly disposed to his fellowmeu. The locality where he settled was for years known as Severus Ferry, now better known as Severin" Bridge. The next settlers to follow Severns were Gervas and Daniel Hazleton and their families. Gervas Hazleton established a ferry on White River, and was a wellknown aud highly respected pioneer. He reared a large family and muy of his descendants are still residents of the county.

Davi Ros was the pioneer of the Robb family Gibson County. Im the year 1900 he settled with his family on a tract of land a half mile south of the present village of Hazleton. He began housekeeping în a carp; subsequently cleared a small piese of land, erected a log cabin and made a farm, He was u native of Ireland.

His father, James, and mother, Margaret Robh (nee Barr), with their two children, Thomas and James, took passage in a sailing vessel at a port in Ireland for America, in the year 1773, and landed in Philadelphia. Te was their intention to bring young David with then then two years of age, but his grandfather Barr, just st the moment when the stage-plank was being removed and the vessel spreading her canvas to suil, picked mp his little grandson David and carried him ashore, and kept him at the old home until the year 1776, when, accompanied by his nurse, he sent hin over to join hi parents, who were then living in Philadelphia. During the revolutionary struggle they lived in different places in Pennsylvania, until the year 1786, when they removed to Kentucky, and settled about ten miles from tho "Falls of the Ohio" (now the site of Louisville), at a place not far from " Man's Lick." Here David was 'employed a few years in assisting to make salt. His father engaged in farmióg, and in 1804 be followed his son to Indiana Territory, and settled near Severus' Bridge (then Severn's Ferry). The tract of land on 'which he settled was afterward known as the " Yellow. Spring" place, and it was there that the wife of James und mother of David Robb died, in the year 1807. He lived there for a mumber of years, then moved to Posey County, finally returned to Jefferson County, Ky., where he died about the year 1825, at the residence of his son, Henry Robb. James Robb and wife were persons of education and refinement. David Robb was born in Ireland, July 12,1771. For his early education he was mostly indebted to his parents, and after coming here he formed the nequaintance of Gen. Harrison, then Governor of the territory, whose residence was at Vincennes. 'The General frequently loaned him books from his library, und by this means he was able to improve hin education. In Inter years he became on quite intimate terms with Harrison, who would occasionally call und spend a night at his residence. He was married March 20, 1800, in Jefferson County, Ky., to Nancy Eckley, the daughter of Joseph und Su Ricketts). The original home of the Eckleys was in Maryland, in what is now the District of Columbia, Mr. Kekley wns killed in a battle with the Indians prior to the Re widow and family subsequently removed to David Robb and wife soon after their rsebaek for the then wildy of Indiana. (They were accompanied by Samuel Means nnd wife, who settled north of Vi They drove with th of course camped out nights. After arriving at destination, they lived for the first two month camp, which was constructed by felling a largo walnut tree that served for the bick of the camp, and by mea of poles and bark they constructed a rudo hut. It fur nished shelter to them from the rain aud heat of tho sun., The front was open, and there the fires were made, which served to cook their frugal meals, and add 'warmth during the chilly nights to their humble home. Such was the habitation of this hardy pioneer and his youthful and happy bride. How few of the brides of the present day would be willing to start in the battle ol wedded life with such a crude beginning. How dauntless and brave these early settlers proved themselves to be, leaving, se they did, the happy homes of their ancestors and starting life anew in the wilderness, surrounded by the wily and treacherous Indian, and the wild animals of the then almost impenetrable forests of the White River region, gaining their livelihood for the first few months from the game and fah that surrounded them. During the summer, and before the winter set in, Mr. Robb succeeded in con- structing a fairly comfortable though small log-house, | in which they spent the winter. When he and his wife | came bere, in 1800, they found John Severn and Daniel | Hazelton and their families. Mr. Robb and wife had born to them a family of ten children, and as the chil dren were born pioneers of the county, we give their names in the order of their birth, follows

| County). He was bora in the log cabin mentioned above. The second child was Eleanor, born Dec. 31, | 1801. She is the widow of the late Judge Elisha Em bree, lives in Princeton. James, born May 1, 1800, died at the age of twenty-two; Susan R., May 18, 1808. | She married Rev. Hiram A. Hunter. Nancy, the widow | of Joseph Devin, was bora June 8, 1810. Eliabsth

E. was born Sept. 80, 1812, She married William Me. Clare. They are both now deceased. Her death occurred Aug, 24, 1888, Sally Ann, born Nov. 22, 1814, died Oct. 1, 1835, Franklin, born Feb. 15, 1817, resides nt Robinson, Charity was born April 80, 1810. She was the first wife of Dr. V. P. West, and died Aug.

David Robb was a brave and gallant soldier during the early Indian troubles. He was captain of a com- | pany at the battle of Tippecanoe, and afterward became | ^ major of militia, He and his neighbors constructed | & block house at his residence prior to the Indian war, to | which tbe families of the settlers of the neighborhood | could resort in the event of an attack from the s ges, which attack, however, was fortunately not made,

Mr. Robb was a man of considerable enterpeis | 1814 ho established a saw- and grist-mill on Rob; | Creek. Is was propelled by water-power. | carried a blacksmith and carpanter shop, and a small distillery. The three last businsss enterprises | were begun about nine or ten years after the building In 1819 he built a brick residence, which

'county. He was also a surveyor and farmer, and was of the justices of the peace when the county formed a of Knox, and after the organization of Gibson County he at intervals held the office for several years. He was also a member of the territorial legislature and of the first constitutional convention, and subsequently a member of the state legislature. Under the administration of Andrew Jackson he was registrar of the became residents of this county. The family consisted | Indian came along and a little dispute arose aud Harof nine persons: John and his wife, Sarah, and their | grove told the Indian he lied, which exasperated the seven children, viz., Rebecea, Betsy, Mary, Hannah, | latter and he raised bis tomahawk to strike him, but one Jacob, David and John. The parents, and several of | of the bystanders knocked him down. The Indian, the elder children, were natives of Virginia. In 1798 | though keenly feeling the insult, arose and left, and they removed to Kentucky, and four years Inter crossed | the next day, bent on mischief, he returned to the settlethe Ohio, at MeGary's cabin, now the site of Evansville, | ment and at one of the cabins finding the men folks and made their way north on pack horses, to the tract | absent he led his horse within the cabin, and besides of land since known as the McCurdy farm, a mile west | insulting the wife of the settler, he broke up what litle of Princeton, Here they built a shanty and wintered. | furniture there was and turned things generally topsy- Daring the winter their horses got away and started for | turvey. The lady found means to escape and ran over eje old Kentucky home. One of the boys, Jacob, | and informed Mr. Hargrove, who with rifle in band, started in pursuit, bareheaded, through the forest, keep- | mediately started after the redakit. Arriving at the ing their trail, and caught them near where they had | cabin the Indian was not there, but he suw him nt crossed the Ohio River, in coming. The boy encoun- | the spring a short distance away. He at once gut a tered no habitation or persons, and fearless and alone, | large hickory whip, and voiselessly slipped up on the pursued his way, and accomplished his purpose. When | savage, seized him and gave him n severe whipping and spring opened they built a log cabin on the old place | then knocked him in the creek, and pointing his rifle at grandson David resides, a few miles north- | him told him to be gone. The Indian needed no second 'east of Princeton. 'The male members of the family | invitation, being glad to get off with his life, Harwere quite celebrated as hunters aud trappers. Jacob, | grove kept the horse until after the Indian mude reparone of the sons, enlisted in 1818 in Hargroves | ation for the broken furniture - in peltries - then the company of rangers. He also assisted in the survey of | horse was returned to him, when he mounted and rede the sominary lands as camp kespor. He first married | off, and never after returned to the settlement. x Sant, ahd upon her death a Skelton, daughter of | Hargrove was at two different times in the ringing Skelton. Of the first union there were two service, and deserves much credit for hia wood-craft and ro, James Johnson, of Mt, Carmel, and Mrs. MsFet- | bravery in assisting to repel the carly Indian attacks, ridge. Of the second wife there were six children: John, | and did his full share in driving the Indinns from the Jackson, Mrs. Fairchild, Mrs. MeCrary, Lydi ima Territory, thereby making it safo David, above mentioned. of the white settlers, He ruined n (For another branch of the Johnson family see bio- | company of rangers and was made their cnptain, and graphical sketch of John W. Johnson.) | with them fought bravely at the battle of Tippeem 'One of the most distinguished of the early families | He had a family of fourteen children, seven sons and ot Gibson County were the Harzroves. William Har- | seven daughters. thing rather peculiar in regard | | grove, the pioneer, was a South Carolinian by birth, | his children, and of which the old pioncer was very born in the year 1776, and while still a lad moved with | proud, was that seven were red-headed und seven blackhis parents to Pulaski. Connty, Ky., whero he grew to | headed, all of whom lived to attain the estate of mau manhool, and married Sarah Jasper. A few years | and womanhood. In 1690 Mr. Hargrove settled in the later con luting to change his location, he set out with | neighborhood of Oakland, wherehe resided until hisdeath, his wife and three children for the West, with the few | which occurred in 1846 or "47. His wife died the sumo worldly goods he possessed, loaded on pack mules, on | year. 'The most prominent of the sons of Mr. Hargrove which his wife and children also role. Their destins- | and wife was John Hargrove, who was born in Pulaski tion wis Missouri, bat after arriving in the vicinity of | County, Ky., Nov. 29,1798, He was the son of William tho presant site of Princeton, and admiring the beauti- | and Sarah (Jasper) Hargrove, who were of Dutch descent, fal country here, they concluded to go no farther, anl | He came with his parents to Indian in "November, in the early part of November, 1809, settled on Section 1808. John Hargrove married Isiphina Latham, daughter 35, Township 1 S. Range 11, on the farm now | of William Latham. This marriage took place Dec. 'owned by Hon. Robert Mitcholl. Hore he erected a | 81, 1818. She was born in Virginia, in 1794. She re- log cabin and livel for a timo; then settled on a | moved with her parents to Kentucky in 1805, and came tract of land afterwards known as the Isaac Woods | here in 1807. She died March 14, 1877. Her husband form, north of Princeton, on Section 6, Township 2 | died in October 1874. They had born to them five sons S, Range 10. William Hargrove was a noted In. | and seven daughters, one son and four daughters dien hunter in Kentucky, and here also. He was a | living. John Hargrove was for many years a prominbrave and plucky man. Tho following incident will il- | ent and influential citizen of this county. He filled Iustrata the heroic qualities of this pioneer: - One time | many offical positions of honor and trust, and in the early when the neighbors had congregated at log rolling, an | days was an ardent Democrat, and was the recognized leader of bis party in this county. In 1825 he was lected justice of the peace, and served for five years, and at that time was a member of the county board of justices; in 1820 was assessor of the county. Ta 1881 he was elected to represent Gibson County in the state legislature and subsequently represented the district in the stato senate. He held other oficial positions which are shown in the roster of county officials.

'The Milburns became residents of the county in 1909. They were formerly from Virginia, though they had lived a short time in Kentucky. Joseph Milburn and wife brought with them the following child ren: Robert, John, David, Sally, Jonathan, William, with a son-in-law, Robert Mosley. They settled in the northern part of the county between Patoka and White Rivers. The eldor Milbarn died in 1914 ut the age of sisty His widow survive! hing 1845 and died wt the of niusty years, of the sons, John Milburn, was exptsin of u ranger company under the territorial ulministeation of Gon. Harrison, and in 1912 was stationed at Port Lanotte on the Wabash

Arthur son Robert Milburn. He was born in the part of the Old Dominion, ant came to this county with the balance of the family. InJ812 he married Miss Nancy Archer. He carried on the trade of hatter in Princeton for years; afterwards became interested in the old Steam Mill Company. He died in 1847, aged vixty-two years, leaving several children.

Ivania, born in 1778; subsequently removed with his parents to Kentucky and thence here. His death took place in 1863 at the age of eighty-five. His widow afterwards died near about the same ago.

Another pioneer name here is the MeChuro family. James MeClure was born Oct, 1785, in Maryland nnd at the age of twelve years he removed with his mother and the balavee of the family to Kentucky. Mis futher was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was killed in oue of the last battles of that eventful straggle. Tu the fall of 1805 Mrs. McClure removed with her family to Indiana Territory and settled on Section 13, Township 26, S., Range 11 W. Her son, James McClure, had the year prior, 1804, made a trip to spy out tho land, and he bad selected the above place us being suitable to make a settlement. Here he made an improvement and then went back to Kentucky and prominent and noted citizen of this county. When James McClure came here in 1804 the country was only sparsely settled in the locality bordering on the Patokaand White Rivers. James McClure married Malinda Ann Warrick. She was born May 24, 1788. Her father died in Kentucky, and her mother, Mrs. Ellen Warrick, removed with her family to thia locality in the year 1806. James McClure and wife had born to them 'leven children, ten sons and one daughter, and as itis proper to preserve the names of the pioneers, we subjoin the date of their birth: Albert P., born March 29, 1809; Edwin, April 7, 1811; Jawes B., Nor. 14, 1812; Ellen J., June 6, 1814, she died in infancy; Joseph P. Oct. 6, 1815; William M., Feb. 7, 1819; Henry, May 9,1620; David H., May, 1822; Robert, March 10, 1825; George W., Feb. 22, 1827; John W., Dec. 28, 1830, the sons grew to manhood. Only two sons are now residing in this county, Joseph P. on Section 20, Township 26, 8., Range 10, Patoka Township, and Albert P. at Owensville. The first tan yard established in the county was by James McClure on Section 18, Township 2, S. Range 11, in the year 1808, He was an active, energetic and ws an early settler did much to promote the growth and development of the county. Heand his wife lived toa good old wge. Joseph P. McClure was married Feb. 18, 1894, to Catharine Devin. She was a daughter of Rev. Alexander Devin. They have had a family of twelve children, and seven sons and four daughters are still living. Further mention of the McClure family is made in the sketch of Patoka. Another old settler was James Whee He had a large family, u wife, Ave sous and four daughters. He was a peculiar sort of man, fond of fun and occasionally enjoyed taking part in a hand to hand fight, and at gatherings such as log rollings or muster days, Wheeler was sure to imbibe quite freely and then get into a misunderstanding with some cne, which would generally result in a fist fight. Wheeler, though a man of small stature, was very spry and active and mostly came out victorious. He settled in the timber about five miles southeast of where Princeton is now situated, in the summer of 1805, where he erected a cabin, cleared sm lltractof land, but hia subsistence for himself and family for the first year was gained princi: pally by hunting, as be arrived too Inte in the summer to make a "crap." He became quite noted hunter, and proved himself to bo quite a valuable acquisition to the settlement. He was foremost in repelling any Indian aggressions, and frequently boasted that he was mot "afeared of the red-skins," and be proved it, 'because on the breaking out of the Indian troubles he promptly enlisted, as did three of bis sons, and. participated the battle of Tippecanoe. The war over and peace declared he returned to his humble home, where he lived the quiet life of a farmer for many years, and he and his wife died, after filling in usefulness their

'The Montgomerys ure among those families whose settlement and history here dates back several years prior to the organization of the county. They were prominent here for years in political and official circles. 'The pioneer of this family to this county was Thomas Montgomery. He was one of ten children (aud the youngest of seven sons) born to Hugh Montgomery Hugh Montgomery was an Irishman by ignated to Virginia many years before the His seven sons, Thomas among ber, served in that sanguinary struggle. In 1703 Thomas Montgomery emigrated to Kentucky and settled near a little town called Mt, Sterlin which county however, was until after he settled there, und was so-called in h of his name, Having met with reverses in Kentucky by not having a good title to his Jand, he removed to Indiana in 1805, und settled on Section 18, Township 3, Range 12, on the west bank of Black River, in now known ns Montgomery Township, He while yet a resident of Vinginin, a luly by th Martha Crockett, She was a sister of Crockett, who werved nd ol. Joseph Washington in the Revolutionary War. Sho wus also a fist cousin to the famous David Crockett, of Tennessee, uud who so gallantly gave bis life at the old. Alumo bravely fighting for Texan independence,

"Thomas and Martha Montgomery had bom to them five sons and three duughters. Tho sone' name were Hugh, Joseph, Thomas, gnd Walter; th of the daughters were Polly, Jeny and Puts died in Kentucky while quite smul. Jane married Namey Davis in Kentucky, and emigrated with his futher, did all the other children, to Indian. Joseph etilo dë, married Betsey Warrick in | emme und settled on what is known as the old Janes Stewart farm, His children were Polly, elton; Nelly, wife of Joseph Roberts;

Moses: Nancy, wife of Joseph Skelton; Jueob and | Tho His wife died, and he married Katie Tcl By her he had the following children: Julin, who beeume the wife of Thomas Summers; Lucy, who married |

Joseph Summers, The youngest child was Catharine. Judge Isane Moptggmiery married Martha McClure, She was the James McClure; their marriage took place in Kentucky. Mr. Montgomery and wife settled in 1005 on what is known as the Jam Finney farm, noar Princeton. It is said that he built | fat that place the first horse grist-mill in the county. He was a very prominent man here in the early days. |

Y, INDIANA. 53 Was for n time one of the county commissioners, and was also a representative in the state legislature for twelve years. His children were June, who beeume the wife of John 1, Neely, who wns for many years à oficial; John Ra, also a well-known citizen, was county clerk eight years; Josephi Archilus; Thoms; Eliza married a Mr. Johnson; aud Maria, became the wife of a Mr. MeGrady. Judge Isuse Montgomery probaly Attained the most prominence in the county of muy of the family. Le will be observed that in the on chapter he is frequently mentioned as à county He was a large, athletic man, and in physical w was one of the best-looking men in the Ho was fond of hunting, and was regarded un shot in the He a urge gan nade Princeton on purpose to kil vith, On hun ing and other expeditions, the settler. wore bekkin breeches, About 1852, Mr. Montgomery, his wife and their eldest removed to Texas, where he died a few your later.

Walter Montgomery married Nancy Roberts, in I diamo, and remained on. the okt form settled by hie father, Their chidren were Matilda, Thomas, Wa rick (who served two youre in the logilature, ond still lives on Section 19, Township 8, Range 11), Joseph, snae, John R., Murtha (wife of Louis Barr), Nell (wife of Joseph Knowles), Walter, Robert (whio died when nineteen yours old), William and Andrew J. Polly Montgomery married Smith Momts Mer children were. Smith, Thomas. Steven, Hogh, Josep Nancy, (married A. Emerson), (became the wife of Henry Ayres), Colin (married n Mr. Hunt) «ssi Jane Copt. Jacob Warrick, who fell in the tato of 'Tippecanoe). Mer second Inland was Dr. Mudlos, of Kentucky. 'They hud three children. Some yenrs after, old Thomas Montgomery emigrated to Tydiann Mis brother Samuel eame and settled on the enst wide of Black River, on what is now known na tho William Benson farm. Ho married Polly MeFurland, in Ken tuky. Their children were Polly, James, Robert, Ienjuin, John, Samuel, Rachael, Doreas and Kati.

Grex. M, Evans was ome of the mont compie nous men in the early history of Gibson Connty, being clerk, agent, and in fact directing and managing nearly the whole affairs of the county for several yours Je was born in Frederick County While small boy his parents removed to Kentucky, and from thence, in 1700, to Te whore, nt the age of seventeen, he acted as deputy county elerk of the county im which he resided, He was married in Kentucky, im 1803, to Jano Trimble, sister of Judge Robert Trimble, of the United States Supreme Court. Tn 1905 with bis family he moved to Indiana Territory, nud settled in the woods, two miles north of where Princeton now stands. At the first salo of government lands in 1807, he purchased the tract upon which he had settled, and continued to reside there until 1809, when Le moved to Vincennes, and kept hotel on Market Street. This was a favorite stopping place of all the old pioneers of In After two years he returned to his old settlement, and at the breaking out of the Indian wars in 1811, ho joined Gen, Harrison's army and participated iu the battles of Tippecanoe, Thames and other less important engagements, und acquired the reputation of a brave and sagacious commander. He was commissioned brigadier general, and had command of u large body of militia, His brother William was killed by tho Indians at Tippecanoe. After the war he returned to hi old improvements, and it was very soon afterward that Gibson County was organized, and the value of one with his experience and education was soon realized in the manipulation of the affairs of gov- Ho wus elected clerk, and appointed agent for the transaction of the county's business. He continued to hold these positions for several years with to the people, and honor to himself. He 'wns one of the original proprietors of Evansville, and did much toward the early building up and progress of thepluee. 111824 he eft Princeton, and made his home in Evansville. He wns, however, resident of New Harmony for a short tive, in 1828, and remained a resident there until bsi death, in 1844. His wife died in 1840.

Jn 1810 James, Alexander Lile and Thomas Jefferson Evans, brothers of General Robert M., became residents of the county and afterward of Princeton, where they were engaged in business. Thomas J. Evans moved to Towa in 1640, und was appointed to a judgeship. He died there in November of the same year. One daughter, Mrs. D. C. Smith, at Crawfordsville, Ind., is the only one of his family living, Alexander L. was engaged in the cooper business iu Princeton until 1896, when he moved to Evansville. He died there in June, 1844. W. H. Evans, editor of the Princeton Democrat,istheouly of his family residing in the county. Herman ^ printer in Ilinois, is another son. James Evans built and operated « wool-carding machine on Main Street, in 1818, in which business he continued until his death in 1882. ' Ho was also largely engaged in farming and owned the land upon which the southwestern portion of the city of Princeton now stands, and was for years justice of the peace. Eliza A. was the wife of Dr. Andrew Lewis. She died in 1878, J. H. and William L, are the only children of James Evans now living. W. L. Evans was a merchant in Princeton from 1963 to 179, and is now president of the Princeton Natioual Bauk.

'We append the following, as the recollections of the venerable Patsey Ralston, (nee Neely), widow of Andrew D. Ralston, who now at the advanced age of ninety-two years, resides in Fort Brauch. In regard to the early 'events sho seems to possess a memory unimpaired. She is the fifth of a family of nine children born to Joseph aud Martha Neely. Her parents came to this county in March, 1805. They made a short stop with John Lathams father, who was then living where Princeton now stands. Subsequently, they moved to farm about three miles from where David Robb and family were thea living, south of White River. Joseph Neely and wife were natives of Pennsylvania. In 1790 Mr. Neely find family moved to Kentucky and lived for about two years near Lexington in that etate; then moved to Mercer County, Ky., where Mrs. Ralston was born, Oct. 19,1792, Atthis writing there is but one of the family living besides Mrs. R., a sister, Juliette Johnson, who resides in California. She was the youngest child. The Neely family are of Irish origin. The grandparents of? Mrs. Ralston on both her father and mother's side were born in Irelend. Her father, Joseph Neely, died in 1806, and her mother in 1811. After the death of her parents Mrs. Ralston returned to Kentucky and lived with a sister in Bath County, near Licking River. Here she became acquainted with and married Andrew D. Ralston in November, 1817, remaining in that vicinity until May 1, 1818, when she returned to this county with her busband and settled in Princeton. He was a blacksmith and worked at his trade there about eight years. Iu 1826 they moved on a farm about one mile southeast of Fort Branca, 'There Mr. Ralston died Jan. 4,1920. At that time their family comprised five children, two sons nnd three daughters, viz., Dr. W. G. Ralston, « physician in Evansville, and Martha J. Hopkins, a resident of Fort Branch. The third child was accidently killed on the farm at the age of seven. Nancy Holcomb also resides in Fort Brauch, and Elizabeth Henuenway 'The fifth child, livesin Boonville, Warrick County, this state.

Mrs. Ralstows two brothers, Gen. John I. and Thomas Neely, were both in the War of 1812, John serving as aid do camp to Gen. Harrison. He remained in the service until the close of the war. At the battle of Tippecanoe his horse was shot from under him and his spar shot off from his boot. On his retar home ut the close of the war he was made a general of the state militia. He was for many years one of the most noted men in the county. He was a son-in-law of Judge Isaac Montgomery. Gen. Neely was probably more 'widely known at one time than any other man in Gibson County. His death occurred about the close of the late war. Botl of the brothers when young assisted to wurvey lands in this part of the state, They were lads of about sixteen and seventeen years respectively. John L Neely served bis county as clerk for a period of about fifteen years, and Joseph, another brother, was sheriff of Gibson County one term. Mrs. Ralston has been blind the past mine years, occasioned by neuralgia. Her general health is, however, very good, and her mind very clear on efents thst occurred in her younger days,

When she frat settled here the people went to Kalt "mill, located on a stream called River Du Shee, to get their grists ground, which was about eighteen miles from where they lived. It was a ill to grind corn only Wagons were then not much in use, and most of the people carried their com on horseback or a homemade sled, The first preacher Mrs. Ralston heard preach was a Mr. Nixon. She was present at a baptizing of a man named Westfall. Nixon was a Dankard. She says he ducked him under three times face downward in the name of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This baptism occurred in White River. She was then living 'up in that part of the county with her parents. Mrs. Ralston remembers seeing Gen. Harrison m the death of Gen. Washington, at the time it occurred. Wien her parents left Putsburg they embarked on a large flat boat, which was loaded with Hour and horses for th ts. They came on it down the Ohio as fur as Marysville, Ky. They also near a lame spring. He born m, 1700 and was a igrated to n few years lats, (now Heuderso toreanshore. His rw isaixmilesaway. About 1810 he built a water-mill on a branch of Blask River, distant about 200 yards from his cahi afterwards built a horse mill which he operated as us 1819. He bad n family of three sons daughters who arrived at mat families. Their ried a Mr. und Ine id Jesse C. are sons of Elisha Kimball, who was born at Red Banks, Ky.rin 1796. Tenn his one son, William Kimball, living on the tract where his grandfather settled. The old pioneer, Jesse Kimball, died Nov. 18, 1857, and was buried in the family grave-yard at the old homestead. He was very fleet of foot and frequently had foot-races with the Indians; on one occasion in a trial of speed he beat 'chief running, which so disgusted the latter that he declared he would never run again.

| thia cantv. Joseph Woods, the pioneer, was horn in Irelánerin 1745 and reared in Vi ried in 1768, and raised a large number of children. From that state he emigrated to Kentucky at a very 'early day, and in 1807 camo to the Territory of Indiana, His first stopping-place was on the River Du Shee, in Knox County, where after n residence of one | moved und made a permanent settlement on Turkey Hill, in Section 23, of Townshi Mis sons John, James, Patrick, Isaac, William P., David L. Samnel H., and danghters Peggy, Jano and Elizabeth, came to the county with Their mode of cor ance was on horse-back and in wagons, crossing the | Ohio at Red Banks. All of the sons and daughters were either married when they me here or married soon afterward, and settled around. th old gentleman, except William P., who followed schol teaching, and dieda bachelor. Their neighborhood was known ms the | Woods' Settlement. 10 is related that nt the early elec- | tions, the Woods and Montgomery families, by join ing, could elect muy officer to whom th choose to give their votes. Sam at Tippecanoe. Joseph L Woods, another son of th pioneer, came with his family in 1811, and settle the southeast } of Section 21. He had six sons and two daughters: Patriek, born in Tem 1909, now resides in Princeton, and loves to relato the incidents of those primitive days; William L, another son of Joseph La, was born on the old homestead, where ho still resides; and Mary, wife of Silas Stone, now residing at Pt. Branch, are all the children of Joseph L. Woods that are now living. mue H. Woods, of Princeton, is the son of Isanc Wooda, and his weventy-fifth year. Mey. Margaret Hill is tho only survivor of David L. Woods. Elizubeth Woods, of old Grandfather Woods, war the wife of

Me bed the nk af general in the muster service. Peggy and Jane married gentlemen of the anne name - Saranel Hogue--unele and nephew, and moved West. 'The old pioneer of this family was a very large and powerful man and a great h nd lived to the ngo of eighty-four yours. The Hogue family, mentioned several times in this work, came with the Woods in 1407. They afterward moved West.

William Harrington wan one of tho first judges of the courts in Gibson County, and the first sessions of the court held in the county was at his in May, 1818. Judge Harrington was a native of N lina; from there he moved to and settled

Tenn., residing there a short time," then became a resident of Kentucky, and in 1807 removed with his family to the Territory » and settled in the vicinity of Fort Branch, where he made a crop, and the next season purchased a small improvement. of Mr. John Johnson a short distance west of Prince ton. 'The place is now known as the McCurdy farm. | at this writing are Mary N., widow of John Munford, and William Harrington was a brave and gallant man and | Samuel, a resident of Evansville, Ind, The only participated in the battle of Tippecanoe, and also his | survivors of John Archer are Samuel, who resides near two sous, James Harrington, who was afterwards killed | Princeton, and Sarah, the wife of Hugh Cairns, of by the Indians in the ranging service at Fort Harrison, | Princeton. Lucilla is the only survivor of Robert 'and Charles Harrington, bis brother, was also wounded | Archer, Sr. Bera and Elizabeth, who live in Princeat the place. The Indiens surprised them at day- | con with their mother, are the only survivors of David light when the young meu endeavored to get to the Archer. And they are descendants of Thomas Archer. fort, when the former was killed and the latter was | One of the distinguished early settlers and Indian wounded, Judge Harrington had a large family of | fighters was Capt. Jacob Warrick. He raised a comchildren, some of whom attained to the estate of man | pany of rangers during the Indian troubles of 1811, and womanhood, among whom were James, Charles, | and at the request of Gov. Harrison joined the main was and William. Elizabeth married John Trues- | army at Vincennes, and with it marched against the dell and Sarah the wife of Dr. Joel Casey, who | Indians, and while gallantly leading a charge at she er physicians. Jane married | battle of Tippecanoe was killed, and was buried on the is still living now at the advanced | field, where he had so bravely fought for the preserva- Mary died quite young; Irene | tion of the lives of those he held dear, and for th married. Sylvester Jeranld, who was for many years a | safety of the homes and firesides which were so sacred it at Puloka. Emily married a gen- | to the settlers. Gen. Harrison in his official report of Arkamu, Judge Harrington diod about the | that battle took occasion to commend in the highest Me was for many yours a prom | terms, the bravery and intrepid conduet displayed by v during the ently history of the. Capt, Warrick. He was a Kentucktan by birth and re- As the render will observe, the Carolinas furnished | moved here with bis family in 1807, and settled on the f the early among whom were Thomas | northwest 4 of Section 11, Township 3, Rango 12, 4 William Archer, brothers. They were natives of | about two miles west of Owensville. For that enrly Chester District, S. C., and came here in 1807. They | period he was regarded as a man of considerable wealth left their mative state in the fall of 1806, and in the | He brought with him several slaves, and was probably following spring mise. erop the first to introduce well bred horses in this section of the fall nde their way here. Indiana. After his death his family continued to hither wns hy means of fo reside here, and several of his descendants are now crossed the Ohio nt the old + Red Banks." Archer fist near. the clearing of James Robb, north of aud entered land. Tho following business, besides being a large 'year William Archer returned to South Carolina and | land owner. He also did a large business in shipping Brought back with by to the New Orleans market, large quantities the balance of the of pork, com, and other products. He also operated a soldier in the Res E kristamill. He was a man of energy and good judgm here, and after u residence here of about | ment, and amassed considerable wealth. He died in ten years he died. Mis home was located on the hill | January, 1847, leaving no children. John Benson, who was born in Pennsylvania removed to Kentucky in 1788, where he married, and in 1807 came here. William was single when he | immigrated, on the northwest { of Section 35, Towncame, but it was not long fter until he married Anna 2, Range 12, now known as the Sylvester

Benson place, where he raised the usual bumble log cabin, He was a soldier in the Indian war of 1811 and near Patoka. Robert Archer had six daughters: they | took part in the battle of Tippecanoe. He continued all with their parents. Their names were Isa- | to reside in this county until about 1820, when he rets were also among the early settlers, | | bellas Mary, Roun, Catherine, Naney and Margarette. | moved with his family to Ilinois. His brother Wi in this county and many of their des- | Benson was born in Kentucky, March 3l, 1768 - ho Molly, as she | came to this county while a single man, in 1816 - marwas familiarly called lived to the age of eighty-four. | ried and subsequently bought bis brother's place. He Tomas Archer was married when be came in, (1807). | was by trade a wheel-wright, at which he worked in His daughter Mary N. was born in 1800. His other | connection with farming. He bad a family of eight children who came herewith him were Robert and John. | children, six of whom are now living, viz.: Martha, after arriving were Samuel, Thomas, David, | wife of Manoah Smith, Ellen, widow of Amasa P. Wil iam, Calvin and Beza ` The only onesliving | son, Louisa, wife of James A Robinson, Sarab, widow of Rev. Martin Miller, Lemira gomery, and Sylvester Benson, who was born in 1928 and resides on the old home place, He is one the prominent citizens of the county and ene of the eounty Jesse and Asa Music, brothers-in-law of Jolm Ben- came with their families the year, and settled about a mile west of Benson. wounded at the battle of Tippecanoe, and when the army was marchi Abont 1815 Asa Music removed with his family to Illinois The brothers were from Kentucky, Elisha, Willian, Jolm and Jesse Barker, brothers, and James Stewart, a half brother - all natives of Kentucky moved here in 1807, and settled in the Montgomery neighborhood, near Owensville. 'They all hud families when they eme but Jesse, He married Elizabeth, the daughter of William Key, who was an early resident of Gibson Jesse settled on the sonthwest.] of Section I, 3, Range 11, alittle north of Owensville he lived until his death, in 1863. Mary J. wife of mel Davis, of Patoka Township, Sarah, wife of h Mhear of Jolmson Connty, ad Hiram Barker, ae all living in

Jose born in 1824, now living on the old home plac the descendants of the ori the county. Virginia, the Old Dow many carly settlers to this connty, among whom was Thomas Waters. When a Carolina, where he married then moved to Kentucky, where his wife died. He ngain married mid in 1807 ae with his family and settled on the banks of moe Creek, in the uorthesst } uf Section 4, Township 8, Range 12, where he built à small log cabin and Tegan to improve a farm, Te died about 1825, He ad a family of six children om his removal hither Their mmes were William. W., James R, Thomas, who died quite young, Parthena, William W. and had two children his removal to thi county with his father born to hin afterward, and many of his descendants are now residents of the county, Of his children, Rachel is the widow of James Frazier and resides in Minois, Martha, the widow of William Harmon and William P. Waters, living near Ownesville. Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Drake, came here u few years after her father, and Jane, the wife of Samuel Drake, ren in Kentucky. Polly, the wife of Jolu Gooch, removed here in 1834 or 789. James R.--of his family dure daughters and two sons attained maturity. Their mames are William A., now at the advanced uge of seventy-two, resides on his farm near Owensville. Mary the widow of Samucl P. Welborn, Sarah, widow of James Rosboronsh, Jobu L., died in Posey County, Eliza A., married Joseph Roberts - died without issue James R. Waters died about the year 1815. Parthene was the wife of John Simpson - they are hoth deceased.

d Nunes, both um living iu the co 'The Mounts fan ús county ure descended from John and Providence Mounts, natives of Switzerlum 'They were among the early residents of Philudelyhias and subsequently went to Virginia, and from there to Kentucky, where they became noted Indian f) Maghias and Smith, sons of John Mounts, b 1907. Smith settled on Section 21, Township 3, Range 12, where he lived mutil his death. Me as weil us his father was n celebrated Indian fighter, aud formed a part of Gen. Wayne ring the Indian ware He way fond of unti, nd devoted much tin ef the chase, He also fought at the butik of Tippeeniocs e had family of eleven ehilàren, two of whom ure ing, vig: Smith and Thomas A. 'two other son, Gurrard und Múitgomery, both deceused, married and had families, und died in this county, Garrard was at commissioner, and held other offices His death took place in 1882 Mathias place, where he lived until his death, Nome of his descendants are now living in the county. Ahont this time, 1807, came Thomas Sharp, Luke und William s families, and settled in the timber a short distance south of Owensville. A few years later the Wiley brothers moved into Posey County, whe fone of them was lost in a storm and frozen to dent. 'Thomas Sharp cleared u farm, where he settled a lived until his death, which took place about sixty years ago. "The only one of his children now living is John Sharp, who at the nge of yy yenrs is n citiven of Montgomery County, Hl Willian Sharp timber southwest of the present town of Owensville And the sume year George Sharp, a son of Thome, with his wife and family of partly grown chil dren, erected a cabin about two miles sonthwest of Owensville. He was the first clerk of the Salem Baptist Church, His children married aud settled in the neighborhood, His son, Willium, was eaptain of and was also a deacon in the church a man of considerable prominence iu his neighborhood.

Rey, Stephen Strickland, a minister of the Regular Baptist ehureh, settled with his family five miles wonth. east of Princeton, in the year 1808. He cume to Indiana Territory from Kentucky. He raised a family of five sons und four danghters. He was a very devout Christian man, und was one of the first to preuch the gospel to the few scattered settlers then living here. His death occurred on the 19th of July, 1839. Of the above children the only one now living is the Rev. Jutnes Strick lund. Elisha Strickland came to this county in 1808. Me participated in the battle of Tippecanoe, Me was for many years a farmer, He raised a funnily of eleven children, all of whom grew to maturity and married. | fall of 1808, and settled southwest of where Fort Branch He died ut the age of eighty-five years in 1858, now is. At this time the family comprised Mr. Wilkin-

Another early settler who cume in 1808 was William | son and his wife - her maiden name was Sarah Man. Clark. He enlisted in the War of 1812, and was sta- | grum, (she was the daughter of Wiliam Mangrum, Sr.) tioned in Alabama at the time of the battle of New , - and eleven children, four of whom died quite young. Orleans. 'Those who grew to man aud womanhood were: Mary,

"The Skeltons were also un old pioneer family. Mr. Nancy, William, Rebecca, Delaiah and Balaam, Strickland relates that Jacob Skelton, Sr, and bis 'Those bom after coming here were Isaiah and Martha, brothers, Robert and Z. Skelton, also came and located 'The trip was made from the home in Kentucky, in an in whut is now Gibson County, two years after his | old fashioned conestoga wagon. They brought with father came (1810). The most prominent of the | them very little household goods. Their livestock combrothers was Jacob, who was for muny years a justice | prised two horses and a few head of cattle. After the of the peace. He settled some twelve miles sontheast | usual toils and fatigue of such a journey, they arrived of Princeton, where he raised a large and respected | on the banks of the Ohio, at Red Banks, now Henderfamily of children, all of whom are now deceased, save | Son, from which place they could look across the beatwo, John Skelton, aged eighty-two years, and Mrs. | river and see the promised land. At Henderson Ama McCleary, widow of the lute Esquire Willian | they crossed on the ferry, and made their way to th

McCleary, who is in her cighty-fourth year, The | destination, The settlement was made in the timber. mmes of the children were William, Jumes, Ralph, | Then began the work for a small clearing preparatory dr, John, Wilson, Robert, Tempy, (she | to the building of a log cabin, the size of which was inarricd a Mr. Vandergrift), Diey (married Elisha | 18x20 fect. It was constructed in a very primitive Strickland), and Anun, (married William McCleary). | manner. Not a nail or window glass was used. The Many of the grandchildren und grent grandchildren of | floor was of punchcon, and the roof was held down by te Skelton brothers are still living in the county. | weight poles, and all the Tight which ceme into the ¿col Skelton opened the first store in the southeastern | room was from the chimney place und door. The chimpart of the county in 1820 | ney or fireplace was one of those broad, generous ones,

Rev. Aussasoen Devis was a native of Pitisyl | about seven feet across, made of clay aud sticks. County, Va. His wife wus Susan Nowlin, She wns | The interior conveniences were very limited. They the county and state. They were mar. | made their beds in the old fushioned manner, by boring ried in the above county in the year 1793, and continued | holes in the logs along the side of the room and about to reside there until after the birth of their fo three feet above the puncheon floor and erecting a sort of when they removed o Kentucky in the year 1798, where | low scaffold, upon which the bed clothing was spread, thoy lived until the spring of 1808, when, in March of that | and this constituted their beds. That room was used year, they came to Indiana Territory and settled on a | as a kitchen, dining room, sitting room and bed room, iret of land about n balf mile north of the present | and with this large family was certainly crowded; town of Princeton, where they built a cabin and lived | and yet the proverbial "Iuteh string" always hung with the fall of 1814, when they moved out | ont, and the traveler was made welcome at the and settled om the northeast quarter of Section 20, | humble cabin of the Wilkinson family. Soon after arriv Township 2 S., Range 10, which nowforuisa part of the | ing they planted a small patch of corn. The first cornhome farma of their son-in-law, Joseph P. McClure. | meal used by this family after arriving and making their 'They had a family of thirteen children, twelve of whom | settlement was that madein what they termed a mortar, grew to the estate of man and womanhood, married and | which was simply a eavity hollowed ont in the heart of. raised children, The only one of the children now liv- | a stomp. This was accomplished by the ax and knife, ing is the wife of Joseph P. McClure. The children of | aided by fire. Deer, bears, panthers, the black and Mr. und Mrs. Devin in the order of their ages Eliz- | gray wolf and an abundance of wild honey and socks Lucy, Jamen, Susan, Sara, Alexander, Jr, | of wid ture abounded, and tho principal fod o Virginia, Joseph, Robert, Peytan, Nowlin, Mary and | the settler in that neighborhood consisted for many Cathrine, AR Davin belonged to the Regular Baptist | years of corn bread and wild game. Cary Wilkinson Church, aud was one of the first preachers of that | only lived a few years after coming here, us his death denomination in this county. He was a very excel- | ocourrod in the fall of 1815. His widow survived him leot man, and he reared a family of children who be- | about forty-five years. She subsequently married David came useful and enterprising citizens. He died Jan.8, | Miller. In 1808 there were still a few Indians in the 1897. His widow survived him until Nov. 8, 1840. | county, and every summer and fall bands of them

Tue Wuxtwoxs were among the early settlers in the | would return here to fish and hunt. They were not insouth part of tho county. Cary Wilkinson and bis | clined to the settler or his property. The family came from Barren County, Ky., early in the | block house, or Fort Branch, as it was called, was built in the spring of 1611, and Mr. Wilkinson and his boys | assisted in its construction, Williama Wilkinson, then a Ind of eleven years, drove an ox team and assisted the hanling together some of the logs of the fort. more extended description of this block ho elsewhere. William Wilkinson was bore in North Car olina, where his parents were then livi nd came lere, as mentioned he hiad the usual hardships to undergo, whieh to the settlement of a new country. His first teacher was William Woods, who taught in u little Jog M of the block home. Woods was a bachelor snd was a man of fair education. This was in 1810. He afterward. attended » school tanght by Jol Johnson. The school house was of the most primitive character, with the usual greased paper windows. One of the text books used then was the old Dilworth speller. The scholars made thcir ink by boil ug the outside and joner barkot the maple tree with a little copperas, wh a blak aid, und this with the quill pen fumi ements for writing. The Wilkinson fumi ih origin, the ancestors of Cary W settled in North Carolina prior to the Revo War, aud it was in that stato that he was born.

Posey County, Ind., aud the two latter of Gibson County. Me, Wilkinson was for years an activo farmer, and by industry and economy amassed | a comfortable competeuey. A few years azo he left this county, und is now a resident of Cynthiana. In early lie he was a Whig, ant on party became a Republica dent was for Jolm Q. Adams. He was always opposed to the institution of slavery, of Lincoln, and during the memorable campaign mado by Linsolu and Douglas, he so mneh admired the former that | crossed over into Ilinois and attended three of weetings, to listen to the wonderful eloquence of him who hecame known to the world as the great emanci ator. Mr, Wilkinson is one of those men who have witne that have taken place in the last three-quarters of a century in this county. From region then inhabited by the wild beasts, and wily Indim of the forest, he has seen it changed to fertile elds and happy homes, and occupied by a population of indnstrions and peaceful citizens. To illustrate in part the condition of this county seventy-five years ago, we will relate a circumstance that occurred "to m, when a lal of nine years. Accompanied by his father and of his sisters and two lange dows, they were wending their way one morning through the heavy | timber on an errand to the residence of Howell Mas On the way the dogs treed a large panther. The elder Wilkinson aod his children immediately reputed to the cabin of Allen Ingram, where he procured a rill med and shot the panther. It was a lange besst and measured nine feet from the end of its tail to the tip of its The hide was tanned and was nsed as robe in the family for many years. Willian Wilkinson killed po with Tarlton Ubanks, he helped to kill three panthers. Ubanks was a noted deer and turkey hunter and in 1619 he and Wilkinson killed two bears, one of which your ears sgo Me. ow known ax the Christian Church, and at the age of thirty stopped the use of tobacco and whiske these years has heen a strictly temperance mum. his temperate habits he attributes much of his good health and long life. Prior to his joining the chureh, he was what the boys would call, a "good fellow," fond 'of tolucco, whiskey, horse-ricing and other sports. this time he was noted as a swift runner and a 1 wrestler, and at the log rollings and eabin ings of that early day he wax a noted character. He o in a fight, either in defence of friend onor on slight provocation. Tt ix suid that he was quite favorito among the ladies, ax he was handsome and gallant. But after he joined the church. he settled down to the more sober duties of life, became a more valnel citizen, and the seendants of this old pioneer are among Zens of this part of the state. And now, in Fis green 'old age, he is quietly enjoying the fruits of a weil spent life at his home in Cynthiana.

was a favorite m settlers. The destiny of the I the approach of the white man: honey-bee to net on tho reverse and precede the ndvuneo of civilization. The approach of the honcy-bee was always a sad harbinger to the Indians, for they knew the pale faces were not far behind. At an early period bees wero very numerous in Indiana, in the groves and along the skirts of timber, hence the produet of the became a desirable commodity in trado and com and when the farmer wished a little "hind office" mon xy, this was about the only article Gat would readily command it. Bee-hunting excursions were of ammul 'occurrence. In the spring of 1417 William Wilkinson and a few other settlers of the neighborhood mate a litte excursion down to Pigeon Creck, where they 'camped and remained a week. In the timber along the that stream they found thirty bee-trees. 'The party seenred during that trip fifty-five gallons of honey, an seventy pounds of beeswax. The usual for such fa trip was a lot of kettles and a wagon drawn hy a team of oxen.

An. influential man here in the early days was Major James Smith. He was one of the early teachers in Princeton and was a man ofeducation. He was by birth a Virginian, and removed with his father's family to Kentucky, and in the year 1808 they all re- | moved from the letter state to this county. Major Smith served on Gen. Ha us sid-de-camp | at the battle of Tippecanoe, util Capt. Jacob War- | rick was mortally wounded and taken o£ the field, when, | the solicitation of the company, he became its captain. | Major Smith was one of the delegates from this county to the constitutional convention of the state in 1816. Ho was alto appointed the first commissioner of the | Seminary School Township, and acted assuch for thirty years. Ho also held the office of school commissioner Tor many years; also that of county surveyor. He married and reared a family. His death occurred in November, 1966, at the age of eighty-two years. His widow mnrvived him. A few of his descendants are still residents of the county. Another old setter and carly justico of the peace was John Braselton, who was ive of Ho went to Pennsylvania, where From there they removed to Kentucky, where he stopped a season and made a rop, und in the fall of 1808 came to Gibson County, on pack-horses,and located in Pigeontirove settlement. (This Settlement was about four miles northeast of Fort Branch, + Tt was so named on account of the great number of pigeons which inhabited the oak ridge.) Braselton brought with bim his wifo and six children, viz.: David B., Jacob June F. (who married Arousa D. Foster, both deceased), William, Hannah, (became the wife of Samuel Treble), James, (was born after their removal here). Tho | only surviving male member of the family is John Braselton, who resides on his farm west of Princeton. In 1810, when the Indians became troublesome, John | Brasetion moved his family into Fort Hopkins, located about a mile north of Princeton, in Section 6. He | went to tho war as a member of Capt. Hargrove's com. pany. He was one of the early justices of the peace, | and performed many marriage ceremonies. After the war he settled on Section 18, south of Princeton. About tho same time came Daniel Putaninand Zachariah Taylor | with their families, Putnam was for a time one of the county commissioners, and after a residence here a few | year moved from tho county. Among the old and 'pected pioneer families of Gibson County are the MeGarys. Robert MeGury immigrated hither from Kentacky with his family in the year 1809, and, after prospecting for a short time for a location, he settled in the imber, cleared a small tract of ground, and erected a on Sec. 9, T. 2 S., B. 11, and tbe same season put in a small patch of cora, bat the subsistence for himself and family for the rst season was largely gained from tho forest, which thon abounded in plenty of game and bee trees. AL that time it was no uncommon thing to see a herd of ten to twenty deer, and especially during the winter, when the snow was lying on the ground, they would come up close to the cabin of the settler, browsing in the small patch of coro, and thereby falling an easy prey to the unerring rife of the pioneer. As the name would indicate, the MeGarys were of Scotch- Irish ancestry. Robert McGary's wife's maiden name was Davis. They reared a largo family of children. Among them were Hugh, Harrison D., Daniel, William H., and Patsey, who subsequently married a Mr. Crow. The two firstmentioned sons were quite noted end prominent men in the early daye of the county. James MeGary and wife both lived to a good old age. Ho died about the year 1845. "Harrison D. the second son, and father of Hugh D. McGary, of McGary's Station, was bora in Kentucky and came hero with his parents, He was a soldier from this county in the Indian war and fought in the battle of 'Tippecanoe. He was a man noted for his bravery and determination of character, and had some local celebrity as a hunter, and he annually killed largo numbers of deer and other game. An incident took place during the Indian troubles which will illustrate the pluck of the man. On his return from the battle of Tippecanoe he tarred for a while at Vincennes. It is related that durthe latte Modazy accused ons ofthe ofloers of cow. alice, and after the army had returned from the battle, the officer, learning of the aspersions mado in regard to Tack of bravery, soon after met and accosted MoGary and invited the latter to step with him into a room, when officer locked the dour, and then and there informed MeGary that he intended to whip him. Itis said that MeGary retorted that "that was a game that two could play at;" and so thoroughly did MeGary punish his ad- 'veruary that it became necessary for some of the outsiders to break in the door and part the belligerents, It old-fashioned fst fight, and the officer was glad to call quits, and after the adversaries bad washed the 'blood from their faces they shook bands, and with tbe srowd repaired to the nearest grocery, where the drinks were set up, and after that they werefriends. Harrison business was that of a farmer. He married for his first wife Gudgel, the daughter of the pioneer, Andrew Gudgel. "She died, oni his sec- 'ond wife was Nancy Pritchett, the daughter of John Pritchett, an old settler of the neighborhood where McGary lived. By this union they had three sons, Hugh D., William H., and Joseph K. William H. was a member of Company A, Fifty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers during the Rebellion, and was killed at the battle of Stone River. Hugh D. enlisted in Com- Tany P, Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, and Joseph K. in Company E, Forty-second Indiana Regiment. Harrison D. McGary's home was on Section 9, about a half-mile west of MeGary's Station, where he died in 1847. His widow survived him until the year of 1879, and for the

'About the years 1809 to 1810 there was quite an influx of 'settlers, among whom was John Armstrong, 'who was descended from Irish parents and born in 'North Carolina, His parents died when he was young, and at the age of fourteen he went to sen, where he rade his home he grew to manhood. During his sailor days ho was shipwrecked three times. He qu seafaring and married Molly Swayne. Her parents emgrated at an early period from Scotland,

Nantucket Island. After his marriage Mr. Armstrong returned to North Carolina, subsequently moved to Kentucky, and in 1809, with his family, came to Gibson ty. He afterwards moved to the north part of inderburgh County, where he lived until bis death. had seven children, four sons and three danghters. One sons, Miles Armstrong, was a noted hunter and Killed a great number of deer bear. He served asa private soldier at the battle of Tippecanoe; he was after tho war made captain of militia. Elsberry, another brother, was also in the Tippecanoe battle. By the marringe of Nancy, the Waters and Armstrong families were united. Other settlers to the county about this time were William Forbes. Charles Cross, Fielding, 'Zachariah, and Oliver Lucas, with their families, Capt. Money Hopkins settled the Sanforl Howe place. William Latham was an early settler and left many desce ants who are residents of the connty. Absalom. and family also came in 1810, In 1810 Morgan Leath ers located with his family in the hamlet afterwards known as Patoka, He hada wife and several children. He wasa man of stalwart build and daring courage, and was regarded as one of the strongest men in the com t that period was resorted to to settle most on a warm August day, a few years after he came here, and at a gathering in Patoka, he had a dispute with John Robb. A ring, was then the custom, was soon formed and seconds chosen, and then the fight began. Both were very powerful men and equally matched. They fought for a long time in the intense heat until both were exhausted and quit. Leathers died a few minutes afterwards from the effets of tho severe struggle. His son, William Leathers, wh now resides near the old Severns place, was bom in Kentucky, in the year 1806, and came here with bi parents in 1810, ond after he grew up he married for his first wife Mary, the daughter of the pioneer, John Sevens, St. Robert Slaven, with a large family, came in 1810, and carried on the first blacksmith-shop at Patoka. His sous, John and Samuel, belonged to Hopkin's company and fought in the battle of Tippecanoe. Daniel McFetridge, native of North Carolina, located in. Section 6, T. 1, R. 10, at an early date. He had a family of four children by bis first wife and five by a second marriage. John Q. McFetridge is a son of his, and

Jemina, wife of W. A. Spain, a daughter. Col. Smith Miller came to the county with the MeFetridzes, and grew to manhood here and married Susan Robb, dunghter of James Robb. He was in the constitutional con- 'vention of 1851, was a representative in the state legis. | lature, sud in 1856 was elected to Congress from this | district, and re-elected in 1858. He was a Democrat. | He died about 1872. Eli Strain settled in the county 1810, was a native of North Carolina, He located

| about a mile and a half west of Princeton. He was in 'the ranger service and participated in the battle of | Tippecanoe. He had a family of seven children, only two of whom are now living, T. M. and Sinai, widow of | Charles Barrington, both residents of Fort Branch | Other early settlers were James Steward, John Roberts, % ho Overton and

'were also pioneers. Orc of the prom- | inent settlers of 1811 was Jesse Emerson, who came from Kentucky and located about five miles southwest | of Princeton, on the northwestern quarter of Section 28, Township 2, R.11. He erected the usual log cabin of the day, and began carving out of the wilderness a homo

| for himself and family: Upon the organization of the | county he was called npon to serve as associat judge | of the court, and afterward held other offices and. posi- | tions of trust. He was quite a conspicuous among | the carly settlers. He died about 1897 or 738. Henry | Emerson, at Haubstadt, is the only survivor of the family. Reuben Emerson, brother of Jesse, to | the county in 1813, and settled in Sec. 82, T. 9, R. 11,

James L. Emerson, residing on the old homestead, Lucilla Rosborongh, and Thomas Emerson, of Owens: | "ile, are the only members of bis family now ti