Henry County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1884 (part 3 of 3)

R. and his family have always given influence and material aid in the improvement of the country in their neighborhood, and as zealous workers in school and Sunday-school, exert an influence of moral worth. Mr. and Mrs. Roof are the parents of eleven - ' children, three dying in infancy; the surviving ones, four sons and four daughters, fill honest and honorable places in life. Mr. R. has seen much of real life - what hardships endured, what changes taken place within his recollection! From a handful of pioneers with scanty means, he has seen comparatively a dense population with abundance upon every hand. The young people of to-day have but faint conceptions of what had to be endured half a century ago in Henry County. Mr. and Mrs. Roof with some of their children are members of the Christian church.

Samuel Roof born in Shenandoah County, Ya., March 3, 1797. His parents were from Germany. When a boy, his mother being left a widow, with a large family, the son Samuel was apprenticed to the tanning business, which vocation he followed at intervals for more than fifty years. March 25, 1819, he was married to Miss Dorothy Steffy, of Rockingham County, Ya. They were the parents of nine children - four sons and five daughters. When

James, the youngest son and seventli child, was four months old, toe tami y started in a wagon to move to Indiana. After a tedious and penlous journey of one mouth they landed, Nov. 1, 1835, at ashington, W.ayne County. M.arch, 1887, Mr. Eoof contracted to take chargm ot the tannery of John Powell at New Castle, and moved his tamily to this place, which then contained but few houses, surrounded by dense forests abounding in wild mtme. Two taverns opened tlieir hospitable doors to weary traveters - one kept by Thaddeus Owen, the other by Rev. George B. Rovers Iwo stores-Miles Murphey's. in a log-house on the present store, room site; and Silvers & Thornburgh's, where Campbell Brothers now sel goods. One church, the Methodist Episcopal, st.andinv where the "Shady Side" boarding house is now located on East ace street. The brick buildings were the new court-house, which had been erected about tive years; the seminary, a two-story building, with one room and a hall on each floor, and a small, one-story residence, occupied by Henry Hazzard. In 1839 two brick buildings for comity otflces were erected, one on the southeast and one on the northeast corner of the court-house yard; manv tenements were of the primitive order. In this village two daughters were born tlioiii - Sarah A. January, 1838, and Leah E., July,/ ^10. Samuel Roof and his wife were the first persons immersed as .Disciples of Christ, in New Castle, Nov. 5, 1839, by Elder Janies Me \ ey. At the organization of the Christi.aii church, in this place, he was chosen as one of its Elders, and has served as Sunday-school buperiiitendent a number of terms. Nothing but sickness prevents hull from fllling his place in all services of the church. Until within the present year he has had excellent health, and borne the burden ot his years well. Blessed with an exceedingly retentive memory, he discourses on "the days of yore" with unusual clearness and distinctiveness. In December, 186(1, the youngest son, James, was buried wn December, 1871, his wife w,as laid away to rest; in August, 187.5, his eldest d.aughter, Ann Eliza, was called I'lence;

111 May, 1880, his second son, Erasmus, was siiiiimoiied by the pale-faced messenger. His remaining sous - John, of this coiinty-r^ and Fy;a»jgj?f ITells; his daughters - Catharine Murray, of Iowa; Leah E. Mnrphey, of Illinois; Elizabeth Brown, aiid" Sarah A. R. Boor, ot New Castle, take pleasure in various ways of adniiiiisteriiig to his wants in his declining years. "The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness." Many tokens of respect have been shown the old pioneer by citizens and members of the Christian church. March 3, 1878, when he was eighty-one years old, a large number of members of the church dined with him at Dr. W. F. Boor's - where his home has been for several years - and, among other interesting exercises, an original poem was read by Mrs. Anna E. Robson:

For nearly half a century Samuel Koof has resided in Henry County, and noted its growth and development, attained through the energies and industries of an enterprising people and the blessing of a kind heavenly Father. He has followed most of his contemporaries to their long home, and contemplates with delight the silent, solemn shore of that vast ocean upon which he must soon launch his boat.

George H. Boot^ proprietor of City Meat Market, Hew Castle, Ind., is a native of Yirginia, born in the Shenandoah Yalley, in December, 1829. He came to Henry County, Ind., in 1861, and engaged in farming till 1870. In the spring of 1871 he moved to Hew Castle, and carried on a dairy two years, milking from fifteen to twenty cows. He also began butchering in 1871, and in 1878 bought his present place of business. Mr. Root was married in his native State in 1855, to Catherine B. Stowers. She died in 1870, leaving one daughter - Mary H., wife of J. Gilbert. In 1872 Mr. Root married B. J. Lowery, daughter of George Lowery. They have two children - Martha B. and Catherine C. Mr. and Mrs. Root are members of the United Brethren church. He has been a member of the City Board several years.

Bichard B. Budy^ dealer in pianos, organs, and all kinds of musical instruments. Hew Castle, Ind., was born in Middletown Yalley, Md., March 15, 1851, a son of Joshua and Phoebe ^udy.

He was educated in the State Hormal College, Baltimore. He then began to learn the piano-maker's trade, at the same time educating himself in the art of music. He subsequently went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and obtained the position of manager of the music house of Rudolph Wurlitzer & Bro., remaining with them eight years. He then accepted a' position in the office of the Chase Piano Works, Ricbmiond, and subsequently went to Toledo, Ohio, remaining till the company failed in business. In the winter of 1883 he came to Hew Castle, and became associated with D. S. Johnson & Co., opening his present place of business at 124 Broad street. He keeps a full line of musical instruments, including the Chickering piano and Johnson organ. He thoroughly understands his business, and is a reliable and expert tuner and repairer. He was married in 1876 to May, daughter of W. C. Bowman. They have two children - W. Otto and Leona.

Lewis Shelley^ farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Horth Carolina, born July, 1818. He came to Indiana when a young man, and was married in Henry County to Mary A. Coates, a native of England, who died in 1873. They had a family of eight children, live sons and three daughters. All lived to be married, but the sons only are now living. One son, George, resides in Minnesota; the others are at home with their father. Mr. Shelley's farm contains eighty acres of choice and valuable land, most of it under cultivation. He is one of the most enterprising and public-spirited men of the township, giving of his time and means liberally to all laudable causes.

Winford IF. Shelley was born June 28, 1822, in North Carolina, a son of William and Prudence (Cordry) Shelley, natives of North Carolina and Virginia respectively. They came to Henry County, Ind., in 1828, residing near New Castle till 1857, when they moved to Iowa, where William Shelley died in 1868. His wife died several years previous. They had eight sons, of whom four are living. Our subject was reared on his father's farm till he was about twenty years old, when he was employed in the livery stable of Joshua Chappell. He was then engaged some four years in selling fanning mills for Daniel Coble & Co. He then sold stoves and tinware for a firm in Dublin, Ind., after which he sold clocks for A. D. Bond. He was also engaged in selling lightning rods. He was married in 1849 to Mrs. Ruth A., widow of Exum Saint Pickering. She has one son by her former husband. In 1853 Mr. Shelley was elected Sheriff of Henry County, and served two terms of two years each. After retiring from that office he acted as Deputy Tax Collector of Henry County for several years, and during the same time was engaged in auctioneering. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since 1871. His wife belongs to the Society of Friends.

John W. Sherry is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, bom Dec. 15, 1822, a son of George and Susannah Sherry, natives of Pennsylvania, who moved to Montgomery County in the spring of 1822, remaining there till the death of his father. In 1832 his mother, with her family of six children, moved to Henry County, Ind., and settled in Liberty Township, near the present site of Millville, and with the help other sons cleared forty acres of land, where she remained till her death, in June, 1847. At this time the children were all married, except one, and the farm was sold. John W. was married the year previous to Louise, daughter of David Shell, and settled on the old homestead. He remained in Liberty Township till 1880, when he moved to his present farm, a mile and a quarter north of Hew Castle, which contains sixty acres of good land. His wife died Dec. 25, 1877, leaving five daughters, one of whom has since died. In 1879 he married Sarah A. Yan Zant, widow of Nicholas Yan Zant, and daughter of George andKhoda Reed. She has four children, two sons and two daughters, by her former marriage.

Benjar)%in Shirh^ of Shirk, Johnson & Fisher, manufacturers of grain cradles, was born in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Fa., March 20, 1819. In 1847 he came to Hew Castle, Ind., and established a factory for making grain cradles, carrying on the business till 1853, when he was appointed agent of what is now the Pan Handle Railroad, and served in that capacity two years, and in 1855 was appointed Deputy County Clerk; four years later was elected Clerk, and re- elected at the end of his term, thus serving eight years. He then served as his successor's deputy two years. In 1871 he resumed the manufacture of grain cradles, forming a partnership with Messrs. Johnson & Fisher. In the fall of 1876 Mr. Shirk was elected State Senator from the distiict comprising the counties of Henry and Hancock, and served two terms. For the last fifteen years he has been Secretary of the New Castle Cemetery Association. He served as disbursing agent during the building of the Henry County court-house. He was married in 1842 . to Frances Newcomer, of Franklin County, Ta. She died in 1857, having six children - George W., who was mortally wounded at the battle of Chickamauga ; Sophia J., wife of D. W. Kinsey; John J. ; William H. ; Anna E., wife of 0. M. Harrison, of Huroo, Dak. ; Mary F., died at the age of seven years. In 1859 Mr. Shirk married Mrs. J. F. Wood. They have had two daughters - Martha O., who died in infancy, and Lois. Mr. Shirk has been a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity since 1849. He is a member of the English Lutheran church. In March, 1876, upon the death of E. Johnson, Vice-President of the Citizens' State Bank of Hew Castle, Ind., Mr. Shirk was elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of that officer, which position he now holds, and has held ever since his election in 1876.

Henry L. Shopp^ florist and vegetable gardener, East Broad street. Hew Castle, Ind., was born in Cumberland County, Pa., March 24, 1831, a son of Jacob and Ann Shopp. When twentytwo years of age he came to Henry County, Ind.; in February, 1853, returned to his native State and married Mary A., daughter of William and Elizabeth Wilson, near Mechanicsburgh, Cumberland County, and immediately came again to Indiana. He engaged in farming till the year 1858 when he moved to Hew Castle, and worked at the carpenter's trade till after the breaking out of the Eebellion. In Hovember, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, and served till June, 1865. He participated in the battles of Franklin, Hashville and others. After his return home he resumed work at the carpenter's trade. In the spring of 1868 he was appointed by the commissioners to superintend the finishing of the court-house, grading and completing the yard and its surroundings, .Morris F. Edwards having resigned. After its completion he served as janitor for the courthouse ten years. In 1876 he resigned his position as janitor, and then opened the greenhouse, where he is still located. Mr. and Mrs. Shopp have two children - Anna E., wife of W. W. Modlin, and Wilson A., married to Ella, daughter of Jacob Weaver. Mr. Shopp is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.

Henry Shroyer is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Greene County, July 28, 1810, a son of David and Catherine Shroyer. He learned the saddler's trade in his native county, when a young man. He lost his father in 1826, and in 1835, with his mother and sister, he came to Henry County, Ind., and settled in Hew Castle, where his mother died in 1838. He opened the first saddle and harness shop in the town and worked at his trade eight years. He then disposed of his stock and engaged in the drygoods business. He was one of the leading merchants in that line for thirty years, carrying a complete stock of general merchandise in connection with dry goods. He retired from active business life in 1882. He was nominated by the Democratic party, Treasurer of Henry County, but was defeated by 260 votes. March 21, 1839, he was married to Estjier, youngest daughter of David and Catherine Hoower, of Wayne County, Ind. To them have been born seven children, but five of whom are living - A.. R., a wholesale grocer of Logansport, Ind. ; Caroline, wife of J. T. Elliott, a partner of A. R. ; Julia, wife of T. B. Loer; Catherine, wife, of G. W. Hillock; Lizzie, wife of Henry Bierhaus, a teacher in the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Indianapolis. Mr. Shroyer has been a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity thirty years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mrs. Elizabeth Stanford^ the youngest daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth Martindale, is a native of Wayne County, Ind. She was married in 1848 to Philip Stanford, and was left a widow at the age of twenty-seven years. After the death of her husband she taught school several years, when it devolved upon her to take the care of her parents. She has always had a taste for pursuits of a literary nature, and has been a frequent contributor to the columns of several journals.

Edward K. Strattan was born in Warren County, Ohio, April 19, 1831, only son of Joseph and Rebecca (Kindley) Strattan, his father a native of Pennsylvania, of English descent, and his mother of Horth Carolina, of German descent. Both, parents had been previously married and had children. Joseph Strattan was run over by a pair of horses and killed before our subject's birth. In 1839 his mother came to Indiana, and settled on the farm now owned by her son. She purchased 227 acres of land from Joseph Hall, where she reared her family, and resided till her death in October, 1855. She was a woman of rare ability and management. Edward K. received but a limited education in the common schools, but by home reading has acquired a good knowledge of all general subjects. When fourteen years of age he took charge of his mother's farm, and by the time he was twenty-one had paid an incumbrance of $2,700. He then purchased the homestead of his mother, and was married to Hannah, daughter of Enos Bond. His mother made her home with him till her death. He now owns 1,200 acres of the finest land, well stocked with the finest grades of horses, hogs and cattle; also a s'aw-mill, pike and bank stocks, and has put up and owns the first roller fiour-mill in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Strattan have had six children; but four are living - Albert, Ella, Benjamin and Minnie. They are members by birthright of the Society of Friends.

Lewis H. Swindell is a native of Gruilford County, N. C., born Oct. 27, 1820, a son of John and grandson of Joshua Swindell, who was a native of England and emigrated to North Carolina in an early day. John Swindell was a sailor on the Atlantic Ocean seven years. Lewis H. was married in February, 1843, to Nancy H. Petty, who was born June 7, 1824. In 1857 they came to Henry County, Ind., and settled in Henry Township. In 1868 he bought his present farm, which contains 283 acres of choice limestone land. Of late years he has turned his attention to raising horses, owning several fine Clydesdale horses, imported direct from Scotland. He is one of the most influential men of the township; public spirited and progressive, he is an enthusiastic worker for all projects of public benefit. He has been a director of the free pike many years. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the lodge at Greensboro, chapter and council at New Castle, and commandery at Knightstown. Mr. and Mrs. Swindell have nine children, five sons and four daughters, all married with homes of their own.

John Taylor a native of Athens County, Ohio, born Dec. 1, 1802, a son of George and Mary (Fulton) Taylor. When he was six years of age his father died and his mother, with her four children, three girls and one boy, returned to her native State, Pennsylvania, where she died in 1855. When sixteen years of age Mr. Taylor began learning the saddle and harness maker's trade, and worked at it in Jefferson, Pa., till 1835, when he came to Indiana and located in New Castle. Soon after coming here he built a saw-mill, which he ran three years. In 1838 he opened a hotel on the site o the Citizens' State Bank, and subsequently opened what is now tlie Bundy House, running it nine years. Since 1877 he has lived retired from active business. He has always been a public-spirited man and many improvements of the city and county are due to his enterprise. He was the first man in the county to take stock in the Richmond & Cincinnati Railroad and solicited subscriptions from his friends to the amount of $25,000. He received the nomination on the Democratic ticket for Treasurer of Henry County, and in the face of a strong Republican majority was defeated by only forty votes. Mr. Taylor has been a member of the Masonic fraternity over thirty years. He was married in 1827 to Ann Shroyer, of Jefferson, Pa. They have had a family of six children - Maria, wife of James A. Mc- Means, of Nebraska; Mary, wife of Jesse Mellett; Kate, wife of R. B. Smith; Emma, wife of Judge E. B. Martindale, of Indianapolis; George, married M. E., daughter of Waterman Clift; James H., married Lizzie Strawn, of Ottawa, 111.

John F . Thompson^ M. Z)., is a native of Carroll County, Ky., born June 17, 1851, a son of Thomas F. and Mary C. (Ca^enter) Thompson. His parents reside in Lebanon, Ohio, removing there when our subject was six months old. He received his early education in the schools of Lebanon and in 1868 began the study of medicine. In 1869 he received instruction from Dr. Cropper, an eminent physician of Lebanon, and in 1870 took a course of lectures at the Homeopathic Hospital College, Cleveland, Ohio, after which he began his practice in Liberty, Union Co., Ind. In 1874 he came to New Castle and the following winter returned to the college and took a second course of lectures, graduating in 1875. He returned to New Castle and has since had a steadily increasing practice. He is now Secretary of the Board of Health of New Castle. He is a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 59, I. O. O. F.; New Castle Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M., and of the K. of P. and K. of H. fraternities. In 1876 Dr. Thompson was married to Mary Wright, of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have one daughter - Cordelia L.

Moab Turner^ farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Virginia, February, 1838, and on attaining his majority went to Tennessee, where he remained till the breaking out of the civil war. He enlisted in the Union army in the First Tennessee Cavalry, and served three years, participating in the battles of Chickamauga, Resaca, Atlanta and many others. At Atlanta he was taken prisoner and was confined in Andersonville about a month; was then sent to Florence, S. C., and remained six months, when he was paroled and exchanged. Returning to Annapolis he was in the hospital two weeks when he was sent home on a furlough, and was afterward discharged at Nashville. In the fall of 1866hecame to Indiana and settled in Wayne County, remaining there till 1878, when he came to Henry County and settled on the farm where he now resides. He was married in Tennessee to Frances Derrer.-.^ They have eight children, three sons and five daughters. Mrs. Turner is a member of the Dunkard church.

Isaac Yan Matre^ farmer, was born in Highland County, Ohio, Jan. 2, 1813, a son of Isaac and Mary (Caldwell) Yan Matre, his father a native of Yirginia and his mother of Pennsylvania. His parents moved, to Fayette County, Ind., in 1814:, and in 1834 to Madison County, where the father died in 1835. In the fall of 1835 he moved to Wayne County, and in 1838 to Henry County and bought 118 acres of timber land, which he has cleared and improved. He was married in Wayne County, to Judith Cripe, and to them were born nine children, four sons and live daughters, seven of whom are living. Mr. Yan Matre is a member of the German Baptist church, and has been a minister of the denomination thirty-five years.

Frank J. Vestal^ Treasurer of Henry County, Ind., was born in Greensboro, April 14, 185Y, a son of Henry L. and M. C. Yestal.X He moved with his parents to Knightstown in September, 1865, and there received an academic education. After arriving at manhood he taught two winters. He was then appointed Deputy Treasurer and served five years. In Hovernber, 1883, he was appointed Deputy County Auditor, and in the spring of 1884 was elected to his present ofiice. In March, 18Y9, Mr. Yestal was married to* Alice M., daughter of Allen T. and Lucinda C. Kixk, of Knightstown. They have one son - George K. Politically Mr. Yestal is a Kepublican.

Milton M. Vestal^ dealer in hardwood lumber, Hew Castle, Ind., is a native of Horth Carolina, born Jan. 7, 1836, a son of William and Elizabeth (Hewby) Yestal. When he was thirteen years old his father died, and in 1852 his mother came with her family to Henry County, Ind. , residing here till her death , Dec. 19. 1880. Of her seven children four are living. Soon after coming to the county Mr. Yestal was employed as engineer on the Pan Handle Railroad, serving in that capacity several years. He then engaged in his present business, in which he has been very successful. He deals in all kinds of hardwood lumber, shipping extensively to the seaboard. He was married March 27, 1858, to Jane E. Mullen, daughter of John S. Mullen, of Henry County, coming here from Georgetown, Ohio, in 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Yestal have four children - Lizzie, John S., Mollie and Yaughn E. Mr. Yestal is a member of New Castle Lodge, No. 59, F. & A. M.

Jacob S. Walker^ deceased, was a native of Milton, Ind., born May 29, 1841, and died in Henry County, Feb. 10, 1880. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Second Indiana Cavalry, and served twenty-two months. He was injured by a fall while on duty, from which he never fully recovered. He was discharged in 1863 on account of disability. Soon after his return home he was married to Lydia, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Marlatt, of Wayne County. They lived in Milton till the following spring and then moved to Henry County, and settled on a farm belonging to the Walker heirs. Two years later he bought the Wishart farm, containing 200 acres. He was an industrious, enterprising man, one of the most successful breeders of short-horn cattle in the county, owning at the time of his death some very fine blooded animals. Mr. and Mrs. Walker had a family of five children - John T., Myrtle E., Mary, Alice and Jacob M. Mrs. Walker and her son are carrying on the farm.

John N. Watkins, grocer, Hew Castle, Ind., is a son of George W. and Mary (Heedham) Watkins. His grandfather, Thomas - Watkins, came to Henry County in an early day from Virginia, and settled near Middletown, Fall Creek Township, but subsequently moved to Miami County, where he died. George Watkins located on a farm in Franklin Township, where he died March 20, 1863. His widow afterward married T. J. Smith, and resides in \ Douglass County, 111. They had a family of four sons, but three of ) whom are living - John H., Henry C. and Eobert R., the two lat- / ter in Illinois. John H. Watkins went to Kansas in 1870 and* traveled over the eastern part of the State, finally locating in Sumner County, where with John Baxter he pre-empted land and remained eighteen months. He returned to Indiana in 1874. He afterward clerked for Hixon & Son, druggists, eight years. He then, in company with William Redding, took the contract of building a fence for the Hew Castle & Rushville Railroad, and after its completion was appointed agent for the American and Adams Express companies, at Hew Castle. In July, 1883, he erected the store-house on Pennsylvania avenue, and opened his grocery, where he has since had a constantly increasing trade. His residence is on the corner of Broad street and Pennsylvania avenue. In 1874 Mr. Watkins was married to Sophia Rareshaid, of Wayne County, Ind. She died in Hovember, 1878, leaving one daughter - Jessie Ray. May 24, 1882, Mr. Watkins married Jennie, daughter of Helson and Jane, Sisson, of Rush County, Ind. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

tained in the schools of Kew Castle, and when sixteen years of age he began clerking in the store of Burr & Black, remaining there three years. He then went to Anderson, Madison Co., Ind., and clerked for J. B. Cain & Co. four years. While at Anderson, in 1869, he was married to Alice Connell, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. She died in 1873, leaving one son - Frank L. From Anderson he went to Cambridge City and engaged in the grocery business four years. In August, 1873, he came to New Castle and opened a grocery in Powell's Block, and in 1877 erected his line two story brick building, 25 x 125 feet in size, on the corner of Broadway and Elm streets, to which he moved his stock, and where he is still carrying on a thriving business. Mr. Wayrnan was married a second time in 1875, to Alcestia Thornburgh, daughter of Hiram and Lydia Thornburgh, of New Castle. They have three children - Kate E., Omar A. and William H. Mr. and Mrs. Wayrnan are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity. His father was a native of Kentucky, and an early settler of Henry County. He first located on Blue River, three miles north of New Castle, but subsequently moved to New Castle, where he worked for some time at the tailor's trade. He afterward engaged in the dry-goods business, in which he continued till failing health compelled him to retire from active life. He died in 1856.

Lanson Wilkinson^ farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born Feb. 11, 1821, a son of Joel T. and Hannah Wilkinson, his father a native of Connecticut, and his mother ot Kentucky. His father died in 1851 and his mother then moved to Henry County, and located in Liberty Township, where she died in 1865. Our subject was reared a farmer, and has always followed that vocation. He now owns 107 acres of fine land, with good dwelling and farm buildings. He has of late given considerable attention to the raising of Clydesdale horses. He was married to Jane Lockwood, of Hamilton County, Ohio, but a native of New York City. They have six children - John, Augustus, Lewis, Hannah (wife of Albert Hilton), Rhoda (wife of J. A. Millikan), and Hettie. Politically, Mr. Wilkinson is a Democrat, holding to the principles of the old Jetfersonian party.

Loring A. Williams^ agent for the United States Express Company, New Castle, Ind., is a native of this city, born June 18, 1849, a son of Simon and Ann J. Williams, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Indiana about 1845. His father was a saddle and harness maker, and worked at his trade several years in New Castle. Subsequently was employed on the Pan Handle Railroad, and was killed July 27, 1854, while in the discharge of his duty, the train passing obliquely over his body. He was a prominent Mason. His mother died about six years after her husband. They had a family of four children - John F., James M., Loring A. and Caroline Y., all, save our subject, deceased. He was educated in the New Castle schools and Spiceland Academy, attending the latter school three years. He then taught several years; afterward was bookkeeper for the I., B. & W. Railroad contractors, in the meantime serving two years as Deputy Clerk. March 1, 1882, he received his appointment to the position he now occupies. He was married in 1881 to Carrie, daughter of Wrn. C. Bowen, then of Wayne County, but now of New Castle. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 59, I. O. O. F., and the Knights of Honor^ and Knights of the Golden Rule.

William R. Wilson^ County Superintendent of Schools, Henry County, Ind., is a son of Christopher and Elizabeth Wilson. He was born in North Carolina, April 2, 1844, and when ten years of age came to Indiana with his mother. He was educated in the schools of Wayne County, and later attended Spiceland Academy. He began teaching when nineteen years of age, and taught in the schools of Henry and Wayne counties several years. He subsequently engaged in the mercantile business till 1880, when he was appointed Deputy Clerk of Henry County, serving till his election ^o his present position, June 4, 1883. He was married in 1872 to Sallie E. Riddick, a native of Virginia. She died Nov. 15, 1880, leaving three children - Jessie, Lizzie and Louise. Mr. Wilson's mother died in 1875, aged lifty-six years. June 24, 1884, he married Miss Mary I. White, of Richmond, Ind.

Samuel Wining s, dealer in grain and agricultural implements. New Castle, Ind., was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in April, 1837, a son of Joseph and Jane (Mullen) Winings. His father died in 1880. His mother lives in Millville, this county. He came to Henry County with his parents in 1853, locating in Liberty Township. In 1861 he enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga. Lookout Mountain, Atlanta and others, serving till September, 1864. After his return home he engaged in the mercantile business in Millville five years, when he moved to Ashland, and engaged in the grain trade. In March, 1884, he came to Hew Castle and formed a partnership with Frank P. Ice, the firm name being Ice & Winings. He was the first man to introduce the selfbinder in Henry County, in 1877. Mr. Winings was married in 1865 to Mary A. Forkner, a sister of Judge Mark E. Forkner. They have six children, four sons and two daughters.

Captain Pyrrhus Woodward is a native of Henrj^ County, Ind., born Aug. 1, 1822, a son of Asahel and Catherine Woodward, his father a native of Virginia and his mother of Maryland. His parents were married in Ohio, and came to Henry County, Ind., in 1819, settling in the woods near the present site of the I., B. & W. Bailroad depot. His father planted the first corn in this part of the county, and continued to reside on the land entered from the Government till his death, March 19, 1875. His mother died Jan. 11, 1871. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. His grandfather, Thomas Woodward, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and at the battle of Germantown was taken prisoner, but soon after made his escape by crawling on his hands and knees past the guard. Captain Woodward was reared and educated in New Castle. When twenty years of age he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it till the breaking out of the Mexican war. He enlisted in that war as a private, but was appointed First Sergeant, and served as such till the close of the war. He then returned to New Castle and engaged in farming till 1861, when he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Company C, Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry, and was elected its Captain. He served two years and two months, participating in twenty-one battles and skirmishes, among them Shiloh, Stone River, Perryville and Chickamauga. In the latter he was wounded by a fragment of shell, and resigned his commission. He returned to New Castle where he has since superintended his farm, which lies just in and north of the corporation of the town. He was married in January, 1850, to M. E., daughter of Walter Riprl M TTawl-iTig They have