Gibson County, Indiana - The whole text, 1897 (part 1 of 5)

The whole text

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Introduction

Prior to the incoming of the white man. the red mail inhabited the territory now marked bv the limits of Gibson county. The In¬ dians who roamed and hunted over the wooded hills and vales of this region were made up from remnants <>f several tribes, among which were the following: Shawnee, Sacs, Fox. Kickapoo. Miami and Pottawatomics. Of the Shawnee tribe, old "TrackwcH" was a noted chief, lie had a village of several wigwams, located on Indian Creek, about two miles northeast of where Princeton is located. The Miami's had a fort on the Tatoka River, and claimed ownership to a portion of the territory. As civilization approach¬ ed from the South and East, the Indians gradually disappeared, moving westward. The forest wilds yielded to the ax of sturdy pioneers, and were transformed into fields of waving grain. Long since have rested on the ruins of the wigwam, the foundations of industry, and has been heard the noisy din of the trades, where once the stillness of the dense forest was unbroken save by the warhoop of the redman.

The first white man to become a settler within the borders of what is now Gibson County, was John Scverns, Sr., who was a native of Wales. He came to this country with his parents prior to the revolutionary war. in which struggle he served a short time, ami while on a visit to his parental home, then in the wilds of Western Virginia, he and all of his family were captured by a band of Indians, who killed his father, mother, sister and younger brother, lie and an elder brother were held as prisoners. TTis brother remained with the Indians, married a squaw and reared a family. John remained a prisoner for seven years; made bis escape at the first favorable opportunity: went to Pennsylvania, and there married. Subsequently he assisted in making govern - ment surveys in Kentucky, and from that State came to the Northwest Territory about 1789. and settled with his family, then consisting of himself, his wife and five children, on the South bank

John Scverns. Sr., was a good man. and his influence with the Indians enabled him to preserve peace between them and early settlers. Ilis death occurred about 1820. and his remains were buried near where he settled, as he requested they should be. With the settlement of this hardv pioneer came the dawn of civili¬ zation in (iihson County. The next settlers to follow him were (iervas and Daniel Hazleton. The former established a ferry on White River, was a prominent citizen and the head of a large family. In the year 1800, David Robb settler! in the county. He was the pioneer of the Robb family in (iibson County, lie was originally from Virginia, hut directly from Kentucky. He was a noble man and of much prominence. John Johnson, the pioneer of this family in (iihson County, settled here in 1802. He came from Kentucky, but was a native of Virginia. William Hargrove settled in the county in 1803. He was a Virginian by birth, but came from Kentucky to this State. Joseph Milburn, from Ken¬ tucky (originally from Virginia) settled here in 1803. John Hinemann. a native of Pennsylvania, removed from Kentucky to Indiana, and became a settler of Hibson County in 1803. James McC lure and his widowed mother came to the county in 1805. In the same year the following settled in the county: Thomas Montgomery, Cicn. Robert M. Evans, Joseph Neely, Jesse Kimball and others. In t8o^ the following named persons and their families made settlements in the county: Joseph Woods, William Harrington, Thomas and William Archer (brothers), John Benson, Jesse and Asa Music, John and Provi¬ dence Mounts.

Rev. Stephen Strickland, regular Baptist minister, settled here in 1808, and in the same year William Clark. Rev. Alex. Devin and C arrie Wilkinson settled in the county. Major James Smith.

who came also in 1808, was an influential man in the early days in this county. Another old settler was John Braselton. who also came in 1808. The years 1809 and 1810 marked a strong influx, of settlers, among whom were: Robert McGarv, John Armstrong, William Forbes, Charles Cross, Fielding and Zachariah and Oliver LucasCCapt. Henry Hopkins, William Latham. Absalom Linn, Morgan Leathers, Robert Slaven, Daniel Mc- Fetridge, Col. Smith Miller, James Stewart, John Roberts. William Leach. The Overton and Vaughn families were also pioneers. Jesse Emerson, a prominent pioneer, came in 1811. In the same year Joshua Embree and Andrew Gudgel became the pioneers of two families that have been prominent in the his¬ tory of the county.

The early settlers of (iihson County were principally from the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia. They were a hardy and sturdy people, who possessed more intelligence and piety, than usual for new settlers, and the moral tone of their in¬ fluence and example has left impress on their descendents.^

Prior to the organization of Gibson County, its territory was a part of the county of Knox. The civil history of the county of Gibson properly dates from the 9th of March, 1813. the day upon which the act for (he organization of the county was approved by the territorial legislature of Indiana. Since the date of the organ¬ ization of the county, portions of its territory, at different times, have been taken off, and have assisted in forming the counties of Posey, Vanderburgh, Pike and Warrick. The present area of the county consists of 490 square miles. The-population of the county in 1890 numbered 24,920 souls. There are now (1896) probably 30,000 people in the county. The county was given the name of Gibson in honor of Gen. John Gibson, a brave and gallant soldier of the French and Indian and Revolutionary wars. He was also Secretary of the Territory of Indiana from 1800 until the admission of Indiana into the Union as a State, in 1816.

During the progress of events that led to the full and perfect organization of the county, in the civil and legislative functions, a judicial power was necessarv to the protection of the rights and general welfare of the peopled The organization of the court of common pleas was an important, as well as one of the first steps toward the completion of the organic system of the county.

Bench And Bar

Pursuant to the provisions of the enabling act for the organiza¬ tion of the county, the Gibson Court of Common Pleas was begun and held at the house of William Harrington on Monday, May 1813. Hon. William Harrington was president judge, and Isaac Montgomery and Daniel Putnam were his associate judges. The reader must remember that this occurred three years before Indiana became a State. The first courts of the county were known as that of common pleas courts, which were continued un¬ til the organization of the State in 1816. The constitution of 1816 provided that the judicial powers of the State should be vested in one Supreme Court and Circuit Courts. The latter courts were fornted by a president judge and two associate judges, who were elected by the qualified electors in the counties forming the circuits. Hon. Isaac Blackford succeeded Hon. William Harrington as president judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and he in turn was succeeded bv Hon. David Raymond, who was succeeded by Hon. William /Prince, and those who succeeded to this office were the following, and they came into the office in the order in which their names are given: Hon. David Hart, H011. Richard Daniel. Hon. James R. E. Goodlett, Hon. Samuel Hall, lion. Clias. I. Battcll, Hon. Elisha Etnbree, Hon. James

Lockhart. As. (he Court of Common Pleas was discontinue*! in 181O, the Circuit Court took its place, but as the Circuit Courts were formed by a president ami two associate judges as were formed the Courts of Common Pleas, the above named president judges are named without reference to whether they presided over the Courts of Common Pleas or the Circuit Courts. How¬ ever, Judge Isaac Blackford organized and held the first Circuit Court in Hibson County. The Circuit Courts continued to be presided over by a president and two associate judges until 1851, when the new State constitution of Indiana abolished the office of associate judge. Hon. Alvin P. Ilovey became judge of the Circuit Courts in September, 1851, and served till April, 1854. He was succeeded by lion. William E. tyiblack, who served till March, 1858, when he resigned to enter Congress, llis unexpired term was filled by Hon. Ballard Smith. He was succeeded by Hon. Michael E. Burke, whose successor was Hon. James C. Denny, who in turn was succeeded by Hon. John Baker, whose successor was Hon. Newton E. Malott. The latter served from 1870 to 1873. T11 March of that year Hon. Oscar M. Wclborn was appointed to succeed him, ami.Judge Wclborn has since re¬ mained 011 the bench. Elsewhere in this volume is given a bio¬ graphical sketch of him.

T he Probate Courts, for the settlement of decedent estates, first met in Gibson County in 1830. The Judges of Probate Courts in this County were: Isaac Montgomery, from 1830 to 1832; Jaines Devin, from 1832 to 1837; John Hargrove, from 1837 to 1838; William French, from August, 1838 to December, same year; Samuel A. Stewart, from December, 1838, to 1845; Frederick Bruner, from 1845 to *849; Atnasa D. Foster, from 1849 to 1851. Jn 1851 the Probate Court was abolished, and its business trans¬ ferred to the Common Picas Courts. Those who served as Judges of the Common Pleas Courts were: John Pitcher, Andrew L. Robinson, Morris S. Johnson, William P. Kelson, William M. Land, J. P>. Handy. In 1873 the Common Pleas Coyrt was abol¬ ished by act of the Legislature, and the business of the Court transferred to the Circuit Court.

Judge William Prince was the first resident attorney in Gibson County. He was a resident of the County at the time of its organzation and was appointed the first Prosecuting Attorney. Shortly after the organization of the County, David Hart and Richard Daniel located in Princeton. They afterward became Judges of the Circuit Court. Ju the early history of the County the most noted resident lawyers, perhaps* were Judge Samuel Hall and Judge Elisha Embree. Judge John Pitcher was an able lawyer but he resided at Princeton for oidy a brief period. Among other early resident lawyers of the County the following names appear: Judge Bowman, Judge Elias Terry, William P. Hall, Alex. C.

Among the present members of the Gibson County bar the following arc among the most prominent: William M. Land (the Nestor of the bar), Clarence A. Buskirk, Thomas R. Paxton. John H. Miller, Arthur P. Twineham, John W. Ewing. Henry A. Veager, M. W. Fields, Lucius C. Embree, James B. Gamble, John R. McCoy, W. D. Robinson, L. W. Gtulgel, Thomas Dun¬ can, John W. Brady, and others.

Hon. J. E. McCollough, now of Indianapolis, resided and prac¬ ticed law in Princeton several years,* and rose to prominence. The present bar of Gibson County is particularly strong ami its members are among the ablest attorneys of the state. This has always been true of this bar.

Public Improvements And Finances

The seat of justice for Gibson County was located in February 1814, and it was ordered by the court that it should be known as Princeton. The location of the seat of justice having been defi¬ nitely agreed upon, the next step was the erection of a suitable building for the accommodation of the public officers. In 1814 this step was taken, and in the following year Hie first court house (a brick) was completed and at once occupied. This first building was used by the county for over a quarter of a century, until 1841, when it appeared advisable to erect a new court house. The nec¬ essary steps were taken, ami in the year 1843 a nevv structure of brick was completed, at a cost of about $9,000. This building was a substantial one and was used fro about forty years. In 1884 the present court house was erected at a cost of about $120,000. It is of modern style of architecture, and is a commodious and handsome edifice.

In 1814. the first steps were taken for the building of a public jail for the county, and the building was soon afterward completed, and was used till 1835, * n ^ ,e spring of which year a new jail building was completed. The second building served the county for many years, and until the present substantial brick jail was built. The poor in Gibson County have always received careful attention. Comfortable buildings serve as an asylum for the un¬ fortunate poor, and are creditable to the citizens and officials of the county.

Public roads and bridges in the county have been looked after in a manner manifesting a spirit of progress on the part of the county. Good school buildings and excellent schools also mark progressiveness of the people. But few counties in Indiana have better public buildings and other improvements than has Gibson County. The county also lias many fine homes and well im¬ proved farms. Tire county is almost wholly an agricultural dis¬ trict; ami in the production of wheat stands second to no county in the State. It is perhaps the leading wheat producing county. The present assessed value of real and personal property in the county is about $14,563,775. Tlie county is one of the oldest in the State. It has not witnessed any phenomenal ad¬ vances in growth and development, still it has made steady pro¬ gress. It has convenient shipping facilities, having four lines of railroads, viz.: The Evansville (k Terre Haute; the Louisville, Ev¬ ansville & St. Ijouis, (Air Line) the Evansville & Indianapolis and the Mt. Vernon branch of the 1 C & T. 11 ., from Et. Branch.

A review of the financial condition of the county each year since its organization would be of little historical value, but a re¬ capitulation of the county auditor's report of receipts ami dis¬ bursements for the fiscal year ending May 31, 1896, will givb the reader an idea of the financial condition of the county at the time of this writing. According to the Treasurer's annual report for 1896, the amount on hand June r, 1895, was $111,948.57. For the fiscal year ending May 31, 1896, the receipts were $258,458.39, which amount, together with the amount on hand June I, 1895, makes a total receipt of $370,407.96, for the above named fiscal year. For this same year the amount expended was $260,003.00, hence the amount on hand May 31, 1896, was $110,404.96. Of this amount $32,913.96 were county revenues; $9,290.75, State revenues; $4,655.48, township funds; $13,057.46, tuition funds; $13,880.05, special school funds; $10,645.49, road funds; $7,184.04, special road funds; $917.79, dog funds; $9,196.38, corporation funds; $366.93, library (Princeton) funds; $406.19, railroad funds; $3,349.13, school bond funds; $20.00, surplus tuition funds; $300.00 saloon license; $7.80, estray fund; $2,045.74, school fund principal; $2,167.77, school fund interest.

Medical History

At this late date, in the absence of the necessary data, it cannot be expected that much of the history of the medical profession in Gibson County can be recorded. Who were the first physi¬ cians to practice the healing art in the county cannot be ascer¬ tained. Below is given the names of several physicians who may be appropriately classed as "olden time" practitioners in the county: J. J. Pennington, Wiloby Walling, George B. Graff, H.

Gibson County met at Princeton for the purpose of organizing a county medical society, and on that date the Gibson County Medical Society was duly organized. Tlie following physicians Imvc been members of this society and have practiced medicine in the county: J. Stott, II. IJ. Patten, J. C. Patten, V. T. West, VV. W. Blair, S. E. Mumford, W. (». Kidd, Robert Moore, J. W. Runcie, S. II. Slioptatigh, Win. A. Downey, W. II. Church, I\ II. Curtncr, E. J. Howard, W. II. Stewart, J. L. Dow, J. A. Malone, R. Davis, J. C. McClurkin, J. C. Woodruff, J. F. Gudgel, F. II. Maxam, W. G. llopkins, D. P. Reavis, G. C. Mason, G. M. Scars, W. W. French, G. W. Runcie, W. II. Maghce, F. Nelson, W. P. Ilornbrook, Geo. A. Thomas, G. C. Kendle, A. R. Burton, J. P. Ward, G. C. Fisher, F. Blair and others.

The following is a list of those who have practice!I medicine in the county more recently, and perhaps the list embraces nearly, all physicians now residing in the county: R. S. Anderson, A. R. Burton, Hiram Burton, John Ballard, W. W. Blair, Frank Blair, Thos. M. Browh, R. A. Benson, Geo. B. Bearsfortl, John

War History

The people of Gibsoh County from pioneer days to the present have been law abiding citizens, as well as patriotic. The first war in ^which the citizens of the county participated, was tliat struggle with the Indian confederacy, organized and led by Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet, in 1811. Several com¬ panies were organized for that struggle, from the territory em¬ braced in Gibfcon County. After the close of this struggle little occurred to rouse the military spirit of the citizens of this county until the Mexican war cable on. This war occurred between the United States and Mexico in 1846 and 1847. The State of Indiana furnished five regiments, ami there were a few men en¬ listed from this county. The lion. Judge William M. Land, of Princeton, was one of them. Joseph and Thomas Summers were in the Black Hawk war of 1832. In 1842 tlie Board of County Commissioners exempted George Holbrook, Sr., from paying tax on i 60 acres of land on vvhicli he resided in this county, on proof of his having served in the Revolutionary war. Jesse Kimball, I Thomas Montgomery, Samuel Montgomery, Jerre Wyatt and joslmn Kitchens were also Revolutionary soldiers, and after¬ ward residents of this county.

'Phe war of the rebellion fully aroused the military spirit of the county, and to the call for volunteers to enlist in the army of the rition, Gibson County quickly responded, and her sons went forth to aid the nation in the Ivour of its peril, nobly discharging the duty imposed by their obligations to their common country, ami tilie purpose to maintain the supremacy of the laws. The greatest of conflicts began on the memorable 12th of April, i86r, when the guns of treason opened fire on the flag of liberty, at Fort Sumter, and closgcl with the surrender of Gen. Lee to Gen. Grant at Appomattox, April 9, 1865. Of the record her citizens bore in that conflict Gibson County may well be proud. The State of Indiana furnished 280,367 soldiers to the war for the Union. Of the above number Gibson County is credited with having furnished 2,199, which number 193 were re-enlisted veterans, and consequently served two terms. The quota assigned to this county was 2,314, and the credits 2,392, making a surplus of 78 more than the county was required to furnish. Gibson county not only gave her best and noblest blood, but also subscribed lib¬ erally her money and other means so necessary to carry on a great war. The county paid a total bounty of $104,014.15 and a total relief fund of $31,035.51.

Inasmuch as this volume contains the history of fudiana in the civil war, in which a brief mention is made of each regiment or¬ ganized and sent out from the State, the reader is referred to the history of Indiana embraced in this work, for further information on this subject.

Common Schools

1'he history of early education in Gibson County is involved in considerable obscurity, as the official records furnish little infor¬ mation in regard thereto. The early settlers, however, fully appreciated the importance of establishing schools, for as early as 1807 a few subscription schools were maintained in the more thickly settled neighborhoods. The first school house was erected in the Robb neighborhood in the northern part of White River Township. Phe structure was a one-story log house, with clap¬ board roof and puncheon floor; the roof was held clown by weight poles made fast by hickory withes; it had windows of greased paper to admit light, a portion of a log being left out on each side to give place for the paper windows. A large fire place, extend¬ ing from side to side at the rear end of the building, and the chimney was of day and sticks. Large logs were rolled into the fire place and a roaring fire heated this primitive country lyccum. Puncheon, benches served for seats, and slabs fastened up around the sides of the room by pegs resting in holes in the logs, served as writing and ciphering desks. Reading, writing and arithmetic were the rudimentary studies. The schools of those early days were subscription schools, and the teacher generally boarded round with patrons of the schools, ti many instances pupils had to go three, four and five miles to and from school, morning and night. Joseph Duncan taught school in the county as early as 1808. William Woods and John Johnson were pioneer teachers. David Burch, Solomon D. King, John Coursly. Mathew Cunning¬ ham. William Chittenden, Ira Bostick, Major James Smith. John Kell, William Putnam and others were among the early teachers in this county. The first constitution of Indiana wisely provided that "it shall be the duty of the general assembly, as soon as cir¬ cumstances will permit, to provide by law for a general system of education, ascending in a regular gradation from township schools to a State university, wherein tuition shall be gratis and equally open to all.*' The schools'of the State, however, were supported by an inferior system up to about 1853, about which time the new state copstiution made it the duty of the general as¬ sembly to provide by law for a general and uniform system of common schools, wherein tuition shall be gratis, and the schools equally open to all. The law of 1855, and later of 1865, carried out Hie plan of the constitution, and hence our present magnificent system of free schools in Indiana. For many years the schools of Gibson county have been managed under that beneficent sys¬ tem of free instruction, provided by law, and the many good school houses that are now in this county, and the excellent schools taught therein are abundant evidence that the cause of education in Gibson county has always had many supporters.

The people of Gibson county have always been a deeply moral and religious class. The following have been the prevailing de¬ nominations of church in the county: Presbyterian, Cumberland Presbyterian, General Reformed Presbyterian, United Presbyter¬ ian, First Reformed Presbyterian, Independent Covenanters. Methodist Episcopal, Evangelical, Regular Baptist, General Bap¬ tist, and Roman Catholic. The clergymen of the Regular Baptist and Che Methodist Episcopal were among the first to preach the gospel in this county. Limited space forbids giving a detailed history of churches in this county.

Principal Towns

justice should he known as Princeton. It is located nearly in the geographical center of the county, and is at the junction of the Evansville and 'Ferre l laute railway and the l^ouisville, Evans¬ ville and St. Louis railway. 'Hie town was surveyed and the plat was recorded March 28, 1814, but owing to a mistake a new sur¬ vey was made the following year. The name of the town was decided upon by the commissioners, who cast lots among them¬ selves for the privilege of naming it. Capt. William I Vince was the fortunate one in the contest, and hence the name Princeton. The first merchant of Princeton was Willis C. (>sborn, who located here in the latter part of 1814. In the same year Robert Stockwell became a merchant of the town, and was for many years the leading merchant of the place. A postoffice was early estab¬ lished and John J. Neely, a prominent man in the early history of the county, became the first postmaster. The town had a steady growth and enjoyed for several years the largest mer¬ cantile trade of any town for many miles eastward. The place did not have a newspaper until 1845, when John 1\ Munton brought an outfit here and established the Princeton Chronicle, which was the first newspaper printed in the county. The town now' has two daily and four weekly newspapers.

Princeton has good schools, ten well supported churches, a public library of 6,000 volumes, water works, electric light plant, the Air Line railroad shops, one of the largest saw mill and lumber yards in the State, several other industrial enterprises, many wellstocked and managed mercantile establishments, and now (1896) has a population of about 7,000. Its population has doubled dur¬ ing the last five or six years.

The Maule coal mine was recently opened, and thereby another' very important industry added. The people of this thrifty town are not plodders, but enterprising, intelligent and progressive.

(1AKLAND CITY, the second largest and commercial town in (iibson county, is situated on a beautiful elevation, and commands an extensive view' of the surrounding country, and located in the center of a rich agricultural district. It has excellent railway fa¬ cilities, as the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis, and the Evansville & Indianapolis form a junction here, giv¬ ing an outlet to the north, south east and west. With these advantages the town has had a prosperous growth and has developed into a first-class town of nearly 2,000 popula¬ tion. Its population in 1890 was 1,524. One of the first settlers here was Jesse IJouchins. The Hargroves, Cockrums, Barretts and others have been prominently identified with the history of the place from an early day. The town was laid out bv Janies W. ('ockrum and Warrick Hargrove, in 1856. The first physician to locate here was l)r. William R. Leister. In 1871 the Inde¬ pendent, the first newspaper, was established. The place now lias two newspapers, the Enterprise and the Journal. Oakland City has always been an educational center. She has maintained good public schools, and at present has a splendid academical in¬ stitution. The town is enterprising and progressive, and a pleas¬ ant resident town.

FORT BRANCH is a prosperous town of perhaps one thou¬ sand people. In 1890 the population of the place was 748. It is located on the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad, and is the northern terminal of the Mt. Vernon branch of this road. The town is pleasantly situated in the midst of one of the richest agri¬ cultural districts of the county. In 1852 the railroad was built through here, and a station located, and called La Grange. in honor of ^\aron La Grange.who owned the land, and the postoffice was removed from Little York, which was about one mile north of the station on the state road. There being a La Grange in the northern part of the state, the name here must be changed. The name Fort Branch was selected in order to perpetuate the name of the old fort built here by the pioneers as a means of protection against the Indians. The town has had a steady growth and at present does a large, volume of business. A bank was recently es¬ tablished and one good flouring mill and elevator is operated here, and three papers are issued here. Good schools and several churches indicate the progressiveness of the people. Tt is an incorporated town, and its people are law-abiding citizens.

ITAUBSTADT, formerly known as Hatib's Station,tan old stage station on the state road, is located on the E. & T. TT. R. R.. and nearly in the center of Johnson township. The town was laid out in 1855, by James IT. Oliver. The place is peopled by a thrifty and enterprising class of German citizens. In 1877 the Roman Catholics built here a handsome- church edifice. The public schools are well maintained. The town contains a popu¬ lation of about 600.

OWENSVTLLE was laid out in 1817, and named in honor of Thomas Owens of Kentucky. The town is situated on the branch of the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad, which runs from Fort Branch to Mt. Vernon. The surrounding country is one of the richest agricultural districts in the state. The leading and most important business man in the early history of the town was John C. Wttrrick, son of Capt. Jacob Warrick. T\fc town has never had a phenomenal growth, but a steady one. June 20, T876, tbc whole solid front of stone buildings, on the east side of the scpiarc. except the northeast corner brick, was swept away bv fire, with a loss of about $40,000. The town was incorporated in t88t. lias one bank, one weekly newspaper and one religious jour¬ nal devoted to the Baptist church. The place is peopled by an intelligent and enterprising class of citizens. T11 1890 it bad a population of 759: it has grown but little since then.

PAT< >K A is situated on the north hank of Patoka liver, from whirh it derives its name, and on the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad. Patoka is an Indian name and signifies "log on the bottom. * and was applied to the river on account of so many logs having settled to the bottom and there sticking fast in the slimy mud. This town was first known as Smithfield, then Columbia, and was platted and recorded as such in the fall of 1813. It is the oldest town in (iibson county, and the name Patoka was given it in order to avoid having two postoffices in the state by the name of Columbia. In 1890 it had a population of 729; there are now i 1896) alnnit 1.000 people domiciled here.

1 IAZLET( )N has a population of about 850, and is situated 011 the south bank of White River and on the Evansville t fc Terre Haute railroad. The town was laid out by Gervas Hazleton, from whom it takes its name. The second settlement made in the county was made here.

FRANCISCO was platted and laid out in January, 1851, by John Perkins. It is on the line of the old Wabash & Erie canal, and during the time that canal was in operation the town was very flourishing. It is now on the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis railroad, and is a thrifty little village of about 500 people.

Elections An Register Of Officers

The firM election held in ( iibson county was on the 30th dav of May, 1814. To give tabulated returns of all elections held in Gib¬ son county since that date, would be only to consume much space, and would be of no practical value, except to show which political party has from time to time controlled the balance of power; and as the county has long l>ccn a recognized republican county, with occasional variations, and as a list of the officials, who have filled the more important offices, is of particular interest, a partial regis¬ ter of officers in the count vis given below:

Members Of The Legislature

SENATE. - In the senate, from (iibson county, or the district of which the same is a part. First senator William Prince. First session held at Corydon, November 4,. 1816. Session held at Gnrvdon. IVccmber 2, 1818, Isaac Montgomery. Session held at Corydon. November 17, 1821, Richard Daniel; session held at Corydon. December 2, 1822, Richard Daniel: first session held at Indianapolis. December 5, 1825. Isaac Montgomery - served fr6m 1825 to 1829. Then David Robb served from 1829 to 183V. Elisba Etnbrec served from 1833 1 ° *835; Thomas E. Stewart served from 1835 to 1838; John Hargrove served from 1838 to 1841; Smith Miller served from 1841 to 1844: Benjamin R. Ed- f numson served from 1844 to 1847; Smith Miller served from 1847 to 1850; Benjamin T. Goodman served .from 1850 to 1855: William

Under the chapter on the Bench and Bar there has been given a list of those who have served as judges ofBie courts in Gibson County. In the year 184T, the office of County Auditor was created, and the first officer elected was John Ames, resigned September 2, 1843, and Alfred Poland was appointed to fill the vacancy until the next ensuing election. Since then the following have held this office: William Kurtz, John E. Phillips, Willis S. Hargrove, John C. Holcomb, William J. Casey, Alexander J. Montgomery, John W. Johnson, L. W. McDonald and Samuel R. Adams.

Robert M. Evans, John I. Neely, J. R. Montgomery, John Har¬ grove, Andrew Lewis. S. M. barton, (resigned), (). M. Welhorn (ap|H>inted to fill vacancy), Richard M. J. Miller, Dr. W. P. Wclborn, James S. Epperson. William IT. Coleman and Samuel A. Stewart.

Robert M. Evans, John J. Neely, J. R. Montgomery. John Hargrove, John McCoy, T. R. Montgomery (died in office), J. I.. C raig (appointed* to fill vacancy), Janies Tl. Eewtriss, Thomas 1 . Robh, [ames M. Kevs, Solomon Van Nada, W. R. Steele and T. A. Walters.

C Ounty Officers

In the Indiana constitutional convention of 1816, Gibson County was represented by Alexander Devin, James Smith. Fred¬ erick Rapp and David Robb. In the constitutional convention of 1852 Smith Miller was the delegate from this county.

Many grand men and women have lived within the borders of Gibson County. The succeeding pages arc devoted to the per¬ sonal mention of many prominent citizens who have l>ecn identi¬ fied with the progress of the county.

Hon. William M. Land, the Nestor of the Gibson county bar, is one of the most prominent jurists in Southern Indiana, and no history of this section of the state would be complete without a record of his* life. He was born in Gibson County, August 28, 1827, a son of Abraham and Sarah Ann (Edwards) Land. His father was born in Chester district. South Carolina, in 1781, and tlie grandfather, Joseph A. Lind, was native of the same state, and of German lineage. He spent his entire life in South Caro-

Abraham Land was a soldier of tin* war of 1812. lie married in Tennessee, and in 1827 came with bis wife on horseback to Indiana, locating in Johnson township, (iibson ('utility. Mrs. l^ind was a daughter of W illiam Fdwards, who was I>orn in North Carolina of Wcbh parentage, and was also one of the heroes of the war for independence. She was born in Koann County, North Carolina, in 1806, and became the mother of four sons and four daughters, of whom seven are living, although our subject is now the only resident of Indiana. The father was a cooper by trade, but became the pioneer miller of ( iibson County, devoting his life to milling, although he made his home on a farm. For many years he served as Justice of the Peace, and had the high regard of all u I10 knew him. Ilis death occurred in 1844, and his wife passed away in 1864.

William M. 1 and began his education in the primitive log school house of the time and through his boyhood attended the common schools near his home. In January. 1848, at the age of twenty, he enlisted for service in the Mexican war as a member of Company t.F omteenth United States Infantry, continuing with that command until honorably discharged in August, 1848. After his return home he attended school for a time and then engaged in teaching for twelve years. He also followed farming. I Icing the eldest of eight children he assumed the management of the home farm at his father's death, although onlv sixteen years of age. and was the mainstay and support of the family until the children reached maturity.

From early life. Mr. [.and has been called upon to serve in positions of public trust. From 0853 until i860 he served sueccssivelv as township assessor, county commissioner and town¬ ship trustee, and while acting in the last named office was instru¬ mental in erecting the first frame school houses in the township. Not long after his return from the Mexican wa r he took up the study of law and in February. 1857, was admitted to the (Iibson County bar, of which he is now the oldest living member. In 1864 he removed to Princeton, where he has since engaged in successful law practice, lie has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the science of jurisprudence, and in his argu¬ ment of a case rests more upon the clear, decisive truth and logic than upon oratorical effects. TI is devotion to his client's interests is proverbial, and his preparation of a case is thorough and pains¬ taking. Probably as many as nine different members of the bar have studied under him. including his present partner.

Judge band has served as deputy district attorney, also as city attorney for Princeton. Tn 1868 he was elected a member of the Hoard of balneation, and during his term the first brick school house of Princeton wns erected. In July, 1872, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term as judge of the common pleas court for the first district of Indiana, composed of Hibson, Vander¬ burgh.. Posey and Warrick Counties, lie has served as special judge of the C ircuit Court on several different occasions in Hibson, Knox, Pike and Warrick Counties, and has acted as judge of the Vanderburgh Superior Court. Few of the cases tried by him have ever been appealed and none have been reversed in the higher courts. Few can boast id a similar record and it is one which plainly indicates his superior ability.

In 1850 Judge I^and married Sarah Ji. J. Harmon, of Posey County, who died in 1888. Of their six children five are living. Judge Land has always been a warm friend of education, has largely promoted the interests of the schools in C.ibson County, and has in many ways contributed material aid to public enter¬ prises. In r868 he became a member of the ()dd Fellows Society ami is past grand of the order, lie voted with the Democracy in early life, and from 1862 until 1884 supported Republican principles, but for the past twelve years he has been a prohibi¬ tionist. F\>r thirty years he has been numbered among the ardent advocates of the temperance cause, and since 1857 has been a faithful member of the Raptist church.

Hon. Clarence A. Ruskirk, whose ability as a lawyer and eloquence as a speaker have won for him an enviable reputation at the (iibson County bar, has maintained his residence in Prince¬ ton since 1866. There is no calling which demands the exercise of individual talent more than the legal profession: its members must depend entirely upon their own merit, and he who attains prominence at the bar is the one whose energy, fidelity and knowl¬ edge have been the stepping stones on which he lias risen. Mr. Ruskirk to-day stands in the foremost rank among the leading lawyers of Southern Indiana, and his devotion to his client's interests is proverbial.

He was born in the village of Friendship. Allegancv County, New York, a son of Andrew C. and Diantha (Scott) Ruskirk, natives of Steuben County. New York, and New Hampshire respectively. The father was of Holland Dutch descent, and Hie family name was originally Van Ruskirk. The mother was of Scotch ami Irish lineage. Andrew Ruskirk engaged in mer¬ chandising in Friendship and also followed farming. His son, the subject of this review, was reared in the parental home and early l>egarr^vork on the farm. His elementary scholastic train¬ ing was received in the Friendship Academy, after which he pur¬ sued a collegiate course in Alfred, New York. His mothers death occurred when he was seventeen years of ago am! he soon started out in life for himself. At the age. of eighteen he went to Kalamazoo County, Michigan, where lie taught school for five winters and in the meantime studied law at Kalamazoo. Ilis preparation for the har was completed in the law department of the University of Michigan and in 1865. at the age of twentythree, he was licensed to practice. 'Hie following year he came to Princeton, where he soon rose to prominence in his profession. In 1X72 he was elected to represent Gibson Omnty in the general assembly of 1873; in 1874 he was elected attorney general for Indiana, and in 1876 was re-elected serving for four years in that important position. Ilis superior ability and his fidelity to duty won him high commendation, and on his retirement from office he resumed the private practice of law, having now an extensive clientage, lie has no superiors and few equals at the bar of Southern Indiana. Ilis love for his profession, his thorough preparation of cases and his logical reasoning, combined with superior oratorical powers make his briefs and arguments most convincing. < )n the political and lecture platforms he is also an earnest and entertaining speaker, who by his strong appeals to tin* intellect of his hearers wins their adherence to the cans' which he advocates. For about ten years Mr. Huskirk has been largely interested in the cultivation of fruit, and is the pioneer of commercial orcharding in (iibson County.

Mr. Ihiskirk was married in 1867 to Amelia, daughter of William II. Fisher, of (iibson County, and their home is blessed with three children - F.lla, Zelia and Agnes.

lion. Wodfin 1 >. Robinson is a man of scholarly attainments, whose thorough understanding of the science < f law and its application to all points in litigation has won him a foremost position at the bar of Southern Indiana. He was born in Dc Witt County, Illinois. January 27, 1857, a son of James A. and Louisa (Henson) Robinson. His father, now a resident of Gibson County, was born in Warren County, Kentucky, in 1826, of Seotch-lrisb descent, and has made farming his life work. His wife was Iwirn in this county, and is now in her sixty-first year. Her father, William Henson, was a native of Kentucky, and was of Irish lineage, lie was a soldier in the war of 1812, and soon after became one of the pioneers of (iibson County.

Mr. Robinson is one of a family of three sons and five daugh¬ ters. He was nine years of age when his parents came to Gibson County, locating near (hvensville. His early scholastic training was received in the country seltools and later he attended the high school o f( hvensville, where he prepared for admission into the University of Indiana. He matriculated iti that school in 1875, and in June, 1871). was graduated. The following year he taught school in Cynthiana,. Indiana. and for two years had charge of the Owensvillc schools, after which lie spent a spring and summer term in the Law school of the University of Virginia. In the fall of 1882. he entered the law department of the Univer- sity of Michigan at Ann Arl)or, and was graduated in March. 1883, and was immediately admitted afterward to the bar in Gibson County. This was followed by his election to the ofTicc of county superintendent of schools in this county, and he rend¬ ered efficient service to the educational interests during a four years* term. ()n the expiration of that period he began the prac¬ tice of law, in which he has been very successful, and in 1889 lie entered into partnership with lion. A. l\ Twinehani, since which time the firm of Twinehani & Robinson has been recognized as one of the strongest in Southern Indiana. In 1884, Mr. Robin¬ son married Miss Jessie, daughter of T. J. Montgomery, M. 1 )., of (hvensville. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and in politics has always been a stalwart Republican. I11 1894 he was elected on that ticket to represent (iibson County in the General Assembly, and as a legislator made an enviable record. Although only thirty-five years of age he was a recognized leader of the house and served as chairman of the judiciary com¬ mittee. His power of analysis and clear reasoning which have made him a distinguished jurist, were also manifest in the assem¬ bly. and he was known as 011c of the ablest debators on the floor. Since June. 1885. he has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the State University. In the fall of 1896 he became the nomi¬ nee of his party for judge of the Appellate Court of Indiana, and was elected to this important State office, for a term of four years.

Mr. Robinson is the author of a work entitled 0 Indiana County and Township Officers, Board of Commissioners," which was issued in 1893, and novv being revised by him for a second edition. He has always been a close student, is a man of broad general information, a fluent writer and a ready and entertaining speaker. His career as a lawyer, palitician and statesman is envi¬ able and above reproach, and in all probability the future holds in store for him still higher honors.

ELISHA EMBREE was a native of Lincoln County, Ken¬ tucky, born September 28, 1801. He was the son of Joshua and Elizabeth Enibrec. Joshua Embree was a native of Kentucky, and his wife, whose maiden name was Edmondson, w'as a native of Virginia. Joshua Emhree and family came to Gibson County in Hie month of November, 181.1; and settled on a tract of land about two and a half miles southwest of the present site of Princeton. It was a densely timbered district in which the settlement was made, and here was erected a,cabin for the shelter of the family, ami a small farm .wa& cleared. Joshua Embree was a member of the Baptist church and his.wife of the Christian church. He lived only alnnit two years after coming here. His widow sub¬ sequently married a Mr. Spencer, and lived in the county until her death, which took place June 24. 1829. On the death of his father, Elisha Embree was obliged to labor hard toward the sup- port of himself and family. 11 is early educational advantages were limited. What education lie did gain was such as the dis¬ trict schools of that early period afforded, lie read law with Judge Samuel Hall, and began practicing in Princeton in 1826. lie soon arose to prominence and for many years was a leader in public life, lie was eminently successful as a lawyer; was an able and eloquent advocate; a wise and practical counselor, and universally respected. In 1833, he was a member of the State Senate, and in 1835 was elected judge of the Circuit Court. lie served ten years in this judicial position. In 18.17 '^ c wns elected to Congress from the hirst Congressional District, defeating the 1 1011. Robert I >ale < Even, and being the first Whig ever elected in this district.

(>11 the 15th of March, 1827, lie was married to Eleanor Robb, the daughter of Major David Robb, the pioneer of the Robb family in (iibson County. Cnto the marriage six children were 1 w>rn, viz; Maria 1 .ouisa, James *lV*fphelia (died in infancy). Ophelia Elizabeth (died in infancy), David F/^mrTMiltoii Vjjv+j

When the civil war came on Elisha Embrec was advanced ij old age. lie was a strong Union man and aided and encouraged the enlistment of troops, and his three sons entered the army.

[AS. T. EM JJ REE was one of the most learned and profound lawyers who have ever practiced before the courts of (iibson county. He was a native of the county. His birth occurred at Princeton on the 2nd of January, 1829, and 'here he died in the year 1867, at the age of thirty-eight years. lie was educated at the Asburv University, read law with his father, Elisha Embrec. and graduated from the law department of the University of Indiana in 1852, and at once became associated with his father in the practice of his well chosen profession. His predilections led him to the profession in which he rose to prominence and gained him an enviable reputation. lie was Uieutenant-Colonel of the Fifty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. In 1852 he married Mary Magdeline Landes, who bore him the following children and passed to her final rest in the year 1863. The chil¬ dren were: Lucius ('.. Samuel L. and Eleanor.

DAVID E. EMFREE completed his collegiate education at the Asburv University, and studied law under the direction of his brother. James T. Embrec. lie enlisted in the Forty-second Indiana Regiment of Volunteers and remained in the service three years, arising to flic rank of Captain of Company E of the regiment. After the close of his war service he attended the Al¬ bany (N. V.) law school for one year. Tn 1865 he graduated from the law school of the University of Michigan, and immediately began the practice in partnership with his brother, James T. Enibree at Princeton. He arose to distinction in his profession, be¬ came a very successful practitioner, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of a wide acquaintance for many years. His deatli occurred in 1877. He married Alary Fleming, who bore him the following children: Anna F. and Charles F.

LUCIUS C. EMI 5 REE, son of Janies T. Fmbree, deceased, was born in Princeton September 8, 1853. He first attended the public schools of Princeton, then EarHiam College, and then com¬ pleted a one year's course in Asbury University. He took up the study of law under the guidance of his uncle, David F. Embree, in 1873, and was admitted to the bar in 1875. I* 1 the fall of the following year, Mr. Embree entered the University of Virginia, and there completed a law course in 1877, and then returned to Princeton, where he has since practiced his profession with grati¬ fying success. He has au excellent knowledge of the law, and possesses ability to clearly and forcibly present his knowledge both with the pen and as a speaker. Mr. Embree has done some literary work, which has been well accepted. In 1880 lie married Luclla Casey, the daughter of the late William J. C asey, who was once Auditor of (ribson oCunty. The marriage has given issue to four children, viz., Janies C'asev, Morton Casey, Louise and Clotilde. Fraternally, Mr. Embree is a Master Mason, and in politics a staunch Republican.

JOHN R. McCOY, a well known attorney of Princeton, w'as born in Spencer County. Indiana, September 15, 1852. and is a son of Clark and Asa (Lockhart) McCoy. Ilis father w r as also a native of Spencer County, and a son of James McCoy, a native of Ireland. The mother was born in Indiana, and in her family were five sons and one daughter, John R. being the eldest. He spent his early boyhood days on the farm and early became fa¬ miliar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturists. I Hiring the winter season he attended the district schools, and at the age of seventeen he entered Hartsville College. At the age of eighteen he began teaching, but Hie following year re¬ sumed his studies in ilartsvillc College, which completed his literary education. For six years he was numbered among the successful teachers of Spencer County, and afterward engaged in teaching for two years in Gibson Cofinty, wdicre he located in 1879. In the meantime lie took up the study of law, which he diligently pursued and in 1880 w'as admitted to the bar, but did not begin practice until August of the following year. I r or nine years he was alone in business, and his thorough understanding of the law, his able advocacy of a trust committed to his care and lus devotion to his clients' interests soon won him a large prac¬ tice. In December, 1881, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McCoy and Miss Carrie lit Craig, of Princeton. They have two children - llcssie TC and James Royal. The parents are mem¬ bers of the United Presbyterian Church, and in his political views Mr. McCoy is a staunch Republican. Ilis careful and pains* taking preparation of cases, his ability to <|uickly recognize the strong points of a cause and bis clear and logical reasoning have won him marked prestige as a member of the (iihson County bar.

LKWIS J. OSWALD has won a distinguished position among the business men of Princeton and is now the successful and popular manager of the Maule Coal Company, lie was born in (iihson County, May 24, 1862, was reared in the county scat, and obtained a practical Fnglish education in the public schools of Princeton, lie entered upon his business career at the age of fifteen, as a salesman in a general store of Port llranch, where he remained for seven years, a most faithful and trusted employe, lie then returned to Princeton, where he embarked in general merchandising on his own account, conducting his store with profit until 1892, when lie sold out. In the meantime, Mr. Os¬ wald turned his attention to other interests, lie began dealing in real estate, and was the promoter of various enterprises which have largely advanced commercial activity in this city, lie was instrumental in the organization of the Maule Coal Company, and was a prominent factor in placing the enterprise in successful operation. It was through his influence that the company was induced to come to Princeton, and on the 1st of April. 1895, when the plant was completed, a handsome banquet was given in honor of John Maule, the president of the company. Mr. Oswald has since acted as general manager and sales agent, and is fully competent to discharge the responsible duties that devolve upon him. He is a most progressive and wide-awake business man, whose energy brooks no opposition that can be overcome by perseverance, thrift and determined and honorable effort. He is, indeed, an important element in the business activity of his native county, and well deserves honorable mention in this vol¬ ume. It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the family of Mr. Oswald. His father, John Oswald, Sr., was born in Laden, Germany, February 15. 1*831, and at the age of seventeen came alone to America. He made bis first location in Princeton, and in 1855 was married here to Theresa Allgeyer, who was born in Laden, Germany, June 24, 1832. She came to America with her mother in the spring of 1855, a,1( l was married the same year in Kvansville, Indiana. Mr. Oswald then accepted a position in the St. Louis Mills of Princeton, where he was em¬ ployed for many years. When his labors had brought him suf¬ ficient capital he engaged in business for himself, establishing a grocery store, which lie conducted eighteen years. He was a good business man and highly esteemed for his honesty and his charity. FI is political support was always given the Democracy. He died November 16, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Oswald had nine children, one of whom died in infancy, while a son, John F., died at the age of twentv-fivo. The living children are Lewis J., Albert, a merchant tailor of Dennison, Iowa; Julius A., a jeweler and engraver, of Princeton; Charles F., a salesman for a New York 'house; Oscar II., proprietor of the Orient Cigar and News Stand, of Princeton; and two daughters, viz: Henrietta, wife of C. C. Kuhn, Ft. I'ranch, Ind., and Thresia. The sons all grew to manhood and are active in business circles, while their probity, enterprise and thrift have won them high regard.

ROYAL G. HIGGINS, M. D., possessing a typical progressive spirit, stands to-day as a leading representative of the homeopathic fraternity in this section of the state, lie was born in Par Har¬ bor, Hancock County, Maine, September it, 1867, a son of Royal (1. and Mary F. (Snow) Higgins, who were natives of Eden, Maine. At an early day in New England history the first American ancestors, natives of the Emerald Isle, crossed the Atlantic and located at Cape Cod. The descendants are now numerous and are widely scattered over the country. The ances¬ try of the Snow family is traced back to England, and their first American emigrants also located on Cape Cod during early colonial days. The parents of Dr. Higgins were married at Par Harbor and had three children. Ella F., Stephen W., deceased, and Royal G. The father was a sea captain and died when his son was oidy five years of age. The doctor was reared in Bar Harbor, where his mother still resides, and attended its public schools until eighteen years of age. He then spent four years in East Maine Conference Seminary, a Methodist institution, and during the summer months for a period of three years he studied medicine under the direction of a practicing physician of Par Harbor. In the fall of 1889 he entered Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, and was graduated with honor in the spring of 1892. 1 le also won in a competitive examination for the position of physician in Hahnemann Hospital, where he spoilt one year. In July, 1893, he came to Princeton, and has since been a leading representative of the medical fraternity here. In February, 1894, Dr. Higgins married Miss Catherine Little, of Philadelphia, and they have one son, Royal G. In politics the doctor is a Repub¬ lican, but the demands of bis profession leave him little time for political work. His skill and ability are attested by the liberal patronage which is accorded him.

JOHN W. BRADY, who has been a member of the Gibson County bar since 1888, was born in Princeton, January 30, 1862, a son of Matthew J. and Laura A. (Bucklin) Pradv. The father, a native of Ireland, came to America when a young man, and located in Gibson County, where he married Miss Bucklin, a native of this county, and a daughter of William and Lucy (Car¬ penter) Bucklin. Her father was a native of New England, and 011c of the early settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Matthew has made his home in Petersburg since 1878, where lie carries - on a photographic studio, being one of the pioneers in this busi¬ ness in the county. John W. 1 'rady spent his boyhood days in Princeton and acquired his literary education in its public schools. I )etermining upon the practice of law as a life work, he was grad¬ uated from the law department of the University of Virginia in 1888. He immediately afterward returned home and entered into partnership with Clarence A. I'uskirk, a connection that has since been maintained with mutual pleasure and profit, lie is well versed in common law, and his thorough knowledge of the sci¬ ence of jurisprudence has made him a leading member of the Hib¬ son County bar. I11 his political views lMr. Ihady has always been a staunch Republican, but never an active politician. In i8c;2 he married Miss Effa C. Sumners, of Owensville, Indiana, and they have one child, John Sumners Ihady. Their pleasant home is noted for itshospitalitv and their circle of friends is extensive.

J< >11 X \V. EWING, a member of the Gibson County bar, and a public-spirited and progressive citizen of Princeton, was born in this county, February T4, 1850. His father, John Ewing, was a native of Ireland, whence he emigrated to America in bis boy¬ hood, locating with his parents in Maysvillc, Kentucky, where lie grew to manhood. For many years he was a resident of Gib¬ son County, but his last days were spent in Pike County, Indiana, where he died in 1859, at the age of sixty years. Throughout life lu r followed farming and milling, and was a successful business man. He amassed considerable wealth and at his death owned about twelve hundred acres of land, lie was twice married, his second union being with Sarah Brunner, widow of William Key. She has three children by her first marriage and two by the sec¬ ond. She was born in Kentucky, and now in her ninetieth year is living with the subject of this sketch. John VV. Ewing was reared on the home farm, and after attending the district schools pursued his studies in the graded schools of ()wensville, and later entered the Indiana .State University, where he completed the literary course and was graduated in 1872. The following year he was graduated in the law department and in April, 1873, was admitted to the Gibson C ounty bar, after which lie began the practice of his profession in Princeton. At different times he has been associated in partnership with I). F. Kmbrce. James F. MeCollough, M. W. Fields and J. R. McCoy. Mr. Ewing is interested in several business enterprises, whic'h add to the general prosperity of the community, as well as to promote his individual success. He is now treasurer and manager of the Princeton Water Works C ompany, and has been deeply inter¬ ested in all that pertains to the development and progress of

Prince ton. In 1882 lie was elected the first Mayor after its in¬ corporation as a city, and his two years' administration of the municipal affairs proved of material benefit to the town, f or about twelve years he served as a member of the Princeton Hoard of Education, and has given his staunch support to every enter¬ prise or interest calculated to aid the coimminitv.

HON. ARTHCR PERRY TVV 1 NE 11 AM. - Rising above the bead of the mass are many men of sterling worth and value, who, by their own unaided efforts, have risen from the ranks of the common place to eminence. Nature richly endowed Mr. Twineham with those brilliant qualities of mind which mark the great lawyer, but sterling worth and honest manliness and a strong, resolute character are the qualities which have enabled him to put the talents which nature gifted him to the best possible use. Mr. Twineham was born in Switzerland County, Indiana, August 16, 1847. His parents, William S. and Sarah Ann (!»ranti Twineham, were poor but respectable people. The father was born in Switzerland County, in t823, and died there at the age of sixty-five. He was a son of Arthur Twineham, whose father, William J. Twineham, was a son of James Twineham. of Scotch- Jrish lineage, and a native of Kentucky. The last named cu gfaged in merchandising in Paris, Kentucky, whence in 1802 he removed to Switzerland County, Indiana, where his remaining clays were passed. The mother of our subject was horn in Mt. Carmel, Indiana, in 1823, and died in Switzerland County about 1890. Her father, a native of Pennsylvania, located here at an early day. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Twineham, celebratNl in 1846, was blessed with five children, blit three died in infancy. One son, Francis M., is now a leading business man of Moran. Kansas. Arthur P. Twineham was reared in the village of Pen¬ nington, and received but limited educational advantages, owing to the financial condition of his father. After studying for a time in the village schools lie defrayed the expenses of a year's study in Hartsviile College by working Saturdays and in leisure hours. Early in life he developed a fondness for books, and in the school room made rapid progress in his studies. At the age of sixteen lie obtained a teacher's certificate and in the winter of 1863-4 taught school in Jefferson County. In July of the latter year, as a member of the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, he joined Sherman's army at Atlanta, just after the.fall of that city. He participated in the march to the sea, the Carolina campaign, aided in the capture of Raleigh, and was with his department at Durham, North Caro¬ lina, when Johnston surrendered. In July, 1865, he received an honorable discharge. After his return home. Mr. Twineham en¬ tered the Hartsviile Commercial College, was graduated in 1866, and in the fall of that vear entered Wabash College at Crawfordsville, where he remained three years. I11 1869 he entered the

University of Indiana, where lie was graduated in 1870. lie taught school in Greenfield and Rockville for about one year, and in the fall of 1871 entered the law department of the University of Indiana. In June, 1872, he began reading law in the office of Harrington & Korblv, of St. Louis, and in 1873 he came to Princeton, where he began practice. Mis rise in the profession was very rapid and he has long stood in the front rank among the representatives of the bar in Indiana. For a year after com ing to Princeton he was in partnership with Judge Land, and since 1880 has been associated with Hon. W. D. Robinson, under the firm name of Twiueham X* Robinson. In 1879 Mr. Twineham married Miss Letlie R. Peviner, who died in 1890. leaving a daughter. (lertrude. now fourteen years of age. In 1894 lie marriedi Mss Agnes Lockhart, and they have one son, Arthur P. Mr. Twineham is a member of the Grand Army of the Re¬ public and the Knights of Pythias society. He has always been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and is recognized as one of its leaders in Southern Indiana. His first official ser¬ vice was rendered as city attorney of Princeton, and in 1884 he was elected to represent Gibson County in the State Legislature, loom 1874 until 1882 he was chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Gibson County, and was a member of the State Central Committee in 1890, also the First Congressional Com¬ mittee. In 1888 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention, and in 1892 was the Republican candidate for Con¬ gress. but like the others of his party in that year was defeated. In January, 1893, President Harrison appointed Mr. Twineham a member of the commission to the Round Y'allcy Indian Reser¬ vation in C alifornia, and he served with the commission until in the spring of 1894, when the work of tbe commission was satis¬ factorily completed. In political and social circles, in professional and in private life he has won the high regard of all with whom he has come in contact.

Tilt 'MAS DUNC AN, attorney and counselor at law of Prince¬ ton. is one of the native sons of Gibson County, of which she has every reason to be proud. He was born in Patoka township. May 5. i8<V>, a son of James L. and Rebecca M. (Duncan) Dun¬ can. His father was l>orn in Gibson County, June I, 1827. and now resides near Mackey. Indiana. Throughout life he has fol¬ lowed fanning, and is a man of sterling worth. In politics he is a Democrat, and both he and his wife are members of the Paptist Church. Mrs. Duncan was born in Rush County, Indiana, Sep¬ tember t. 1837, and by her marriage became the mother of eleven* children, of whom four are now deceased. The paternal grand¬ parents were Joshua and Sarah (Logan) Duncan. When very young the grandfather served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and as a life work he followed agricultural pursuits. On the home farm Thomas Duncan was reared to manhood. His elementary education obtained in the district schools was supplemented by a course of study in Fort branch in the winter of 1876. At the age of eighteen he began teaching, and for four years devoted his time to that profession and farming. 1 fe then entered the Central Nor¬ mal College of Danville, Indiana, and after two years and a half spent in earnest study completed the scientific and classical courses. In 1884 he had the honor of addressing the alumni of that institution.. After his graduation he taught for three years in Francisco, and as an educator won high rank. In the mean¬ time, he took up the study of law, was admitted to the bar in February. 1889, and has since engaged in practice. He has a com¬ prehensive understanding of the science of jurisprudence, is a close rcasoncr. a gifted speaker and logical in argument. .He has, therefore, secured a large and representative clientage. Mr. Duncan was married in 1884 to Lida M. Wise, of Frankfort. In¬ diana. They have four children - Leila, Prentiss, Denver and Ruth. Mr. Duncan is a recognized leader in the ranks of the Democracy of Hibson County, and served as chairman c f th » Dem¬ ocratic County Central Committee from 1892 until 1894. In 1802 lie was presidential elector for the First Congressional District, and received the nomination of his party for representative in Congress at the convention held in Evansville on the 27th of August, 1896. and for this office made a most creditable race, however he was defeated by a small majority. His entire life has been spent in Gibson County, where by his own merit he has risen to a prominent position among his fellow townsmen. He is the peer of any member of the Gibson County bar, and should he have been elected to Congress the district would have found the same loyal representative of its interests in the council cham¬ bers of the nation.

CAPTAIN JAMES S. EPPERSON is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Gibson County, and his identification with its interests has been long and honorable. For more than half a century he has witnessed its progress and development, and in the advancement of its commercial interests has borne an acitve part. His name is, therefore, indissolubly linked with the history of this community and this work would be incomplete without the record of his life. Captain Epperson was born in Warren County, Kentucky, February 4, 1830. and was of Irish lineage, bis ancestors emigrating from the Emerald Isle and locating in Westmoreland County, Virginia, where (diaries Epperson, the father of our subject was bom in 1772. He l>ecame one of the early settlers of Warren County, Kentucky, and in 1839 took up bis residence in Johnson township, Gibson County, Indiana. There he died in 1844. He was a wheelwright and followed that business for many years, but his last years were devoted to farm- ing. lie was twice married, liis second union being wtih Mrs. Elizabeth Redman, daughter of James Smith. They had two children. David 1 ,. and James S. Captain Epperson was edu¬ cated in the subscription schools and afterward engaged in teach¬ ing in the winter, while in the summer months lie followed farming. At the age of twenty-three he was married and began farming three miles east of Cynthiana. but his work was inter¬ rupted in August. 18O2, by his enlistment in defense of the Cnion. He went to the front as hirst Lieutenant of Company 1 \ Eightieth Indiana Infantry, and was commissioned adjutant of the regiment just before the battle of Resaca. During the engagement the captain of the company was killed and Mr. Kpperson was pro¬ moted to the position, being mustered in as such after the fall of Atlanta. The Kightieth Regiment returned with General Scofield to \ : ashvillc f and aided in the abolishment of Howl's army. The command was then transferred to the east, and after participating n the capture of Wilmington. North C arolina, joined Sherman's army at < ioldsboro. and encamped at Salisbury until June 22, 1865. when Company K was mustered out. C aptain Epperson at once returned home and was engaged in the grain business and in merchandising in Eort branch until October, 1878. when he was elected C ircuit Clerk of the county. After a four years' term he was re-elected in 1882, acceptably filling that position until 1886. when he retired to private life. He is now engaged in the hardware and implement business as the senior member of the firm of Kpperson & Herriol. In 1853 Captain Kpperson married C aroline boren, who died in 1861, leaving a daughter, Alice, who became the wife of Robert llerriot, and died on January 17, i8c)t. On the 19th of Kcbrttary, 1865, the C aptain married a second time, wedding Esther K. Muck, who died in 1873, leaving the following children: Ktta. wife of Edgar Shoptaugh: and C larence. O11 the 29th of November. 1879, Mrs. Ellen Skinner became the wife of C aptain Epperson. He is one of the leading Republicans of Hibson County, is an active member of the Grand Army, and a trustee in the Presbyterian Church. He was a brave and loyal soldier, ever found at his post of duty and is a reliable, conscientious business man, whose straightforward career com¬ mands the respect of all.

Jl'DGK (). M. WELbORN. - This gentleman is one of the most conspicuous figures in the public life of Gibson County. Kor twenty-four years he has occupied the bench of the Circuit Court of the Eleventh District, and stands to-dav as one of the ablest representatives of the bench and bar of Southern Indiana, lie was horn in Gibson County. December 7, 1841. and through many summers during his youth he piled brush and hoed corn - a barefoot hoy on his father's farm near Chvensville. He was educated in the Princeton and (hvensville academies, and at the age of twenty began reading law under I lie direclion of f Ion. A. C. Donald, an eminent lawyer of Hibson County, lie further continued his studies in Cleveland. ()hio. where he was graduated in 1863. Returning to Princeton, Incite Welborn opened an office and at the ape of twenty-two was appointed deputy clerk, fill¬ ing that position for one year. No dready novitiate awaited him. for within a short period after his admission to the har he had gained a reputation as an able, industrious and earnest lawyer, ami in a few years was considered the equal of any attorney in the eleventh circuit. Ten years were given to general practice and proved an excellent training for his judicial duties, which he assumed in accordance with the appointment of Governor Hen¬ dricks. whereby he was raised to the C ircuit Court bench, with jurisdiction over the counties of Hibson. Tike and OuRois. The circuit now includes Hibson and Posey Counties. In October, 1*873. he was elected to the same office without opposition. He has been four times re-elected, ami at the conclusion of the pres¬ ent term will have served a little over thirty years He has a keen, analytical mind, ami a strong mental grasp, which enables him to note every detail and at the same time master a case in its entirety. His decisions are models of judicial soundness, clear, incisive, and the logical sequence of the facts presented and the law applicable to them. Judge Welborn was married in May, 1*867. to Miss Marv, daughter of Sylvester lerauld. She died in 1*877, leaving two daughters - Cornelia, wife of Dr. P. P>. TVesslar, Los Angeles, Cal., ami Kate. Tn horticultural pursuits fudge Welborn finds a source of recreation and pleasure ami Ids garden and orchard arc a favorite resort to him, producing many fine varieties of peaches, pears and quinces. He is a man of scholarly attainments, ranking equally high in professional and social circles and it is safe to say that no man in Hibson County is more highly respected than Tudgc Welborn.

HENRY A. YEAGER was born in Hibson County, November 23, 1843, and since attaining his majority has been prominently connected with public affairs in this section of the state. TTis thorough American spirit and his great energy have enabled him to mount from a Imvlv position to one of affluence, and Ids life demonstrates what niav he accomplished through energy, careful management and the utilization of the powers with which nature has endowed one and the opportunities with which tire time sur¬ rounds him. The Yeager family, of which our subject is a repre¬ sentative, is of Herman origin. Joel Yeager was horn in Culpeper County, Virginia, where he married Anna McDonald, also a native of that state and of Scotch-Trish descent. T»hcv had one daughtern Hcl three sons who reached maturity, namely: Mnses, Marv, Absalom and George. The last named died recently in Hibson Comity, after a long residence here. Hie father of this family located near Danville, Kentucky, at an early flay, and in 1827 removed to Posey County, Indiana, near llie (Iibson Comity line. Throughout life lie followed farming., and was a man of sterling qualities. In politics lie was a Democrat, lie died at the age of eightv-seven, and -his wife at the age of eighty years. (>f their children. Marv and Absalom are now living. The sons all married and located in (tihson County. Absalom Yeager was born near Danville, Kentucky, in 1819, and was married in November. 1842, to Elizabeth Williams, daughter of Bennett Williams. She was born in Posev County, Indiana, in 1822, and is yet living. The children of this marriage are llcnrv A.. Nek¬ ton. James M.. Mary A., who died April 11, 1896; Andrew J., William C. and Fmma F. In November, 1892, the parents cele¬ brated their golden wedding. The father has always been an agriculturalist, and he and his esteemed wife still live on the farm in Johnson township, where they located soon after their marriage. They and their children liold membership in the bap¬ tist Church, and the family is one of the most highly respectecl in t iibson County. Henry A. Yeager attended the district schools during his youth, and at the age of nineteen entered the high school of Owensville. pursuing a two years* course there, lie afterward continued his education in Cvnthiana, Posey County, ami supplied the means'for his education bv teaching in country schools in the meantime. In September, 1868. he matric¬ ulated in the State Cnivcrsitv of Bloomington, pursuing a law ami literary course for three years. From 1870 until June, 1876, he was superintendent of the schools of Fort Branch, and won a place among the ablest educators in this part of the state. In 1872 he married Carrie Stascr. of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, daughter of John C. Staser. She died in April, 1878. leaving three children - Lester L., Maggie L. and Wilber A. I11 1881 Mr. Yeager wedded Mary Howe, daughter of Sanford and Ann llowc, of (iibson County. On tbe ?8th of August, 1875. Mr. Yeager removed from Fort Francli to Princeton, and in Novem¬ ber of that year was admitted to the bar, since which time lie lias been actively engaged in practice. T11 June, 1881. be was elected county superintendent of schools for a two years' term, and in 1883 was re-elected. He has agricultural and horticultural inter¬ ests, lint gives the greater part of his time to his law practice, which is large and lucrative. His devotion to bis clients' interests is proverbial, and lie lias attained at the bar of Southern Indiana a conspicuous and honorable place. Fraternally be is a Master Mason, and politically is a Democrat.

A. R. BCRTON, M. D., a skilled physician, who is successfullv engaged in the practice of medicine in Princeton, was born in (iibson County, April 26, 1858. His father. Basil Burton, was born near Winchester. Va.. ami emigrated to this county in 1842, making the journey on foot in company with his brother. Levi, lie liKated near Somerville, and afterward married Lucinda Killpat rick. whose father, Thomas Killpatrick. was of Irish lineage. They became parents of four children. The Doctor is the young¬ est of the family, and was reared on the farm near Francisco until 1879, when at the age of twenty-one he came to Princeton and began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. V. T. West. He was graduated from the Medical College of Ohio mi the 4th of March, 1882, when twenty-three years of age, and at once opened an office in Princeton. ITis business has steadily increased and he is now enjoying a large and lucrative practice. T11 1885 1 ,c was appointed a member of the United States Pension Board for Gibson County, and was its treasurer for four years. T11 May. 1882, he became a member of the Gibson County Medical Society, and has been its secretary since t886. He is a member of the Indiana State Medical Society, and of the American Med¬ ical Association. He has served ten years as secretary of the Democratic Central C ommittee of Gibson County, and usually takes an active part in political affairs. On the loth of August, 1883, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Burton and Maggie Feirtriss, whose father, T- H. Fentriss, deceased, was a pioneer of Princeton, and served as County Recorder of Gibson County. They have a little daughter, Blanche, born in December. t8qt. Dr. Burton is a man of sterling worth, of marked ability in his profession, and his high standing in the medical fraternity is shown not only bv his liberal patronage, but also by his official preferment in the medical society, which attests the esteem in which he is held by his professional brethren.

HON. TAMES B. GAMBLE is one of the honored and leading citizens of Princeton, a prominent representative of the bar. an important factor in political circles, and a gentleman whose true worth has gained him the esteem of a large circle of acquaint^ ances. The true western spirit of progress and enterprise finds an exponent in him and his active efforts in behalf of his adopted city have materially advanced its interests. Mr. Gamble was born in Carmi, White County, Illinois, December 19, 1853. His father, Robert Gamble, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and was of French descent. At the age of thirty-five he removed to White County. Illinois, where he met and married Nancv Crow¬ der, a native of that state. Of their five sons and one daughter, who comprised their family, only our subject is living. ITis mother jdied during his infancy, and his father afterward married Ruth Brashier, who surrounded him with all the loving care and attention of an own mother. ITis father joined the armv in t86t as a private of the Eight-seventh Illinois Tnfantrv. and died in St. Louis in the early spring of 1862. James B. Gamble remained with his stepmother until fourteen years of age, since which time he lias depended upon his own exertions. lie worked on a farm iii White County-until 1870, after which he spent one winter in Kentucky, and in 1871 came to Gibson County, Indiana. Here he attended school in Francisco, and later completed a high school course in Fort I'ranch. Tie then taught school for five years with excellent success, and in the meantime took up the study of I«tw. In March, 1877, he entered the law office of Judge W. M. Land, and in August of that year was admitted to the bar. In 1882 he formed a partnership with Judge Land, and the connec¬ tion has since been maintained. He occupies an enviable position at the bar, and has a large and distinctly representative clientage. As counsel he is reliable and conscientious, and as an advocate is earnest and forceful, his arguments being logical and founded on the best authority. T11 1888 he was elected Mayor of Prince¬ ton, filling the office for two years, and in 1894 he was again olecied for a four years' term. He is very progressive and his adminis¬ tration of municipal affairs has marked an era of advancement and improvement in Princeton. In politics he has always been a stalwart Republican, and was a delegate to the national conven¬ tion which nominated Major McKinley for the Presidency. So¬ cially he belongs to the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities. Mr. Gamble married Oma J., the only daughter of Judge W. M. Land. Their home has been blessed with two sons - 'Vesper Land and John Harmon.

LEWIS KOLTT was born in Princeton some fifty years ago, and for many years was one of the prominent citizens of the place, lie was a son of Ludwig Kolb, the pioneer of the family in Gib¬ son County. This pioneer came to Princeton in an early dav, and was proprietor of one of the early taverns of the town. He died in Princeton, aged about sixty-five years. Tie was a native of Germany, and the father of the following children: Lewis*, Jacob, John, Sophie, C aroline and Elizabeth. IT is son Lewis, the immediate subject of this review, was for many years a suc¬ cessful business man, and at the time of his recent death left a valuable estate. His wife, Mary A., was a daughter of Robert Nightingale, of English nativity. She bore him the following children: (). M., present postmaster of Princeton; Christine, wife of W. A. Ihoonic^of Columbia, Tenn.; Robert F., Effie M., Mamie O., Lewis E. and'Lucy OJ .O

O. M. KOLP» was born in Princeton, Indiana, April 2, t866. Mention of his father, Lewis Kolb, is made elsewhere in this volume. To the public schools of Princeton, Mr. Kolb is in¬ debted for his educational privileges. He began his business career as a clerk in his fathers grocery store, the management of which he assumed upon the death of his father. He was ap¬ pointed postmaster of Princeton bv President Cleveland, on the 7th of October, 1893, and is the present incumbent of that office.

Mr. Kolb was united in marriage October 29, 1889, to Miss Harriet E. Carter. The issue of the marriage consists of two in¬ teresting children, namely: Carter M. and Raymond L.

J AMES A. MORGAN, a well known and highly esteemed citi¬ zen of Princeton, was born in Rockport, Ind., December 5, 1854. His father, M. J. Morgan, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, was born in 1811, and in early life was a river trader. His father was a pioneer merchant of Cincinnati, Ohio, and one of his sons became the head of the large lithographing firm of Morgan, Russell & Co., of Cincinnati. Ephraim Morgan was the first bookbinder of that place and one of the leading citizens. M. J. Morgan married Elizabeth R. Ray, daughter of James Ray, a wealthy farmer of Lewisport, Kentucky. The subject of this review is the second of their three children. He was reared and educated in Rockport, and began learning the painter's trade there with S. W. Stocking. I^ater he was employed for one year in a carriage factory in Henderson, Kentucky, and spent three and a half years in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was en¬ gaged in painting street cars and carriages. He then went to Owensboro. Kentucky, where he spent several months, was after¬ ward with the Columbus Buggy Company, and later entered the employ of the Studebakers of South Bend, Indiana. On leaving that company he was employed at Evansville by the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad, then in the St. Louis Car Works, after¬ ward in another place or so, and finally entered the employ of the Air Line Railroad at Huntingburg. His service with that rail¬ road, however, was not continuous, for during a period he was foreman of the paint department of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad. In 1895 he came to Princeton, and has since been foreman of the painting department of the Air Line Road at this place. He is one of the most competent men in his line in the state, and has so closely studied the trade that he has become tlvoroughly proficient. He has evolved a most perfect method of mixing colors and has recently prepared a very valuable and interesting article on this subject. Since attaining his majority, Mr. Morgan has exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. He is a valued mem¬ ber of the Odd Fellows' Society, and has served as representative to the grand lodge. He was married in Rockport, October 13, 1883, to Sarah, daughter of Logan Williamson, and they have two children.

PHILIP L. DRESCHER. - Among the faithful and energetic employes of the Air Line Railroad is this gentleman, who is serving as foreman of the machine shop. He was born in New York City, July 24, 1863. The following year his father, Dr. Drescher, removed with his family to Covington, Kentucky, where he engaged in the practice of medicine. He was a native of Germany, a graduate of a medical college of that land, and also held a diploma from a Cincinnati school of medicine. He served for a required term in the (German army, and was surgeon of a New York regiment during a part of the civil war. lie married Wilhelmina Wollciiherger, a native of Schweinfurth, Germany, ami they became parents of two children - Minnie, wife of George 1 *. Woods, of Covington, Kentucky; ami Philip L. The latter learned the machinist's trade in Cincinnati, entering upon an ap¬ prenticeship at the age of fourteen. He was employed in that city until 1884, when he went to Evansville, Indiana, and secured a |K>sition in the Novelty Machine Works, where he continued some time. Tn 1888 he came to the Air Line Company, and was employed as a machinist until 1891, when he was promoted to the position of foreman of the shop. Tie is fully competent to perform the duties which devolve upon him, and is one of the most trusted employes of the works. On the 30th of August, 1886, Mr. Drescher married Miss Mary E. Van Mess, who died February 8, 1893, leaving two sons - Adolph and Philip. On the 1st of September, 1893, l ie was again married, his present wife, bv whom he has one son, Clifford. In politics Mr. Drescher is a staunch Republican, and is now acceptably serving in the City Council, to which position he was elected in May, 1896. . ERNEST E. NOPiLE, of Princeton, was born in Centralia, Illi¬ nois, January 9, 1864. TTis father, E. T. Nooldc, an ativc of Newark. Ohio, was born in 1836. Tie learned the trade of a ma¬ chinist in Zanesville, and with the exception of fifteen years spent in the hotel and liverv business in Centralia and Mt. Vernon, Illi¬ nois, alwavs followed his trade. He married Eliza Wilson, who died in 1882, at the age of fiftv-onc years. Of their ten children the following named arc living: C. M.. a boiler maker of Terre Haute, Indiana: E. E.; Mrs. George F. Alderman, of Goshen, Indiana; E. Th. of Princeton, who is connected with the Air Line Railroad Company: and Hattie, of Goshen. Ernest E. Noble spent his youth in Terre Haute, and acquired his education in its public schools. He learned the tinsmith's trade in the service of the Vandalia Railroad Company, with which he remained for eight years. In September, 1890. he entered the employ of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad as foreman of their copper and tin department at Danville, and on the 1st of March, 1873, accepted a similar position with the Air line Railroad. Mr. Noble was married in Vigo County, Indiana, June 19, T884, to Mary E. Light foot, daughter of Profe-ssor F. W. Lightfmot. an accomplished instructor of vocal and instrumental music. Thcv have three children - Clyde, Rov and Evadine. Mr. Noble is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Presbyterian Church. ITe is an active and valued worker in both lodge and church, and his fine tenor voice makes him a valued addition to the church choir. As a business man he is

SAMUEL 11 . ARCHER, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising, was born in Patoka township, Gibson County, Oc¬ tober 14, 1833, a son John and Catherine (McMullen) Archer.

II is father was born in the same township, June 26, 1804, and the mother was l>orn in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1803. The gcat-grandfathcr was one of the valiant soldiers of the Revolu¬ tionary war, and his last days were spent in Gibson County, where lie located in 1806. Thomas Archer, the grandfather, was born in Chester County, South Carolina, came with the family to In¬ diana, in 1806, and served under General llarrison in the war against the Indians in this state. John Archer was reared on the frontier and received but meager educational privileges. At the age of twenty-two he was married and began life on a farm of eighty acres, which he had purchased. Subsequently he spent ten years in Princeton, working at the gunsmith's trade, which he had learned in his youth, but afterward returned to the farm, which he continued to cultivate until his death. He at one time owned and cleared what is now the southern portion of Prince¬ ton, and was a leading agriculturist of the community. He was reared in the United Presbyterian Church, of which his father was an elder, and one of the organizers. At the formation of that church a strong protest was made against slavery, in which Thomas Archer heartily concurred, for it was that evil which was the main cause of his removal to the north. He also hired the first contraband that cairn? to Gibson County, thus showing his willingness to aid the persecuted people. John and Catherine Archer became the parents of eight children - William, who lost his life in the battle of Resaca during the civil war; Georgiana; James W., deceased; Samuel II., Sarah M., Rebecca A., Mary J., Margaret and Theodore, all deceased. Samuel H. Archer re¬ ceived only the educational privileges afforded by the common schools. lie assisted in the cultivation of the home farm until twenty-two years of age, and then began farming on rented land in partnership with his brother. After two years he returned and took charge of the home farm, which lie cultivated for fourteen years. lie then married Ophelia Robb, daughter of David Robb, Jr., and to them have been born six children, namely: Luelfci, John and William, deceased; David F,. Mary and Sarah. With the exception of three years spent in Princeton, Mr. Archer has remained on the farm since his marriage, earnestly and energet¬ ically devoting his time and attention to the further development of his land and the improvement of his property, until now the well tilled fields and substantial buildings plainly indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner. His residence was erected in 1879. in connection with general farming he carries on stock- raising, and has been an active worker in the agricultural society of Gibson County, whereby he has materially aided in promoting the interests of the farming class. lie and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and in politics he was formerly a Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist. He belongs to one of the oldest families of the county, and is himself an honored pio¬ neer, whose identification with the interests of this locality has been long and honorable.