Huntington County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (5 of 11 so headed), 1887

and Indiaiia, respectively. Abner and Jane Allred were married June 10, I860, and are the parents of two children, viz.: the subject of this biography and Lundia, wife of Alonzo L. Ham. They are still living at their home at this time, being about one mile north of Eoanoke in Jackson Township. Laban Allred was raised on a farm, and in addition to the common schools attended three terms at the Central Normal College, Danville, Ind., where he obtained a liberal education. At the age of twentytwo, he took charge of a farm of 146 acres, in Section 30, Lancaster Township, which he has since successfully managed, owning at this time sixty- six acres of the tract. His farm is well improved, and he is looked upon as one of the successful agriculturists in the community where he resides. He is a Republican in politics, but has never aspired to official preferment.

CHAELES BAIN, prominent business man of Mt. Etna, and son of John and Esther (Horney) Bain, was born in Wayne County, Ind., on the 6th day of December, 1838. John Bain was a native of Scotland and early came to the United States, moving to Wayne County, Ind., in the year 1830. Esther Bain was born in North Carolina, came to Indiana about the year 1824, and with her husband resided in Wayne County, until their removal to Huntington County, in the early part of 1857. They settled in Polk Township, where they lived until their respective deaths, which occurred as follows: the father September 6, 1879, and the mother on the 18th day of May, 1885. Charles Bain was reared to agricultural pursuits, received in the common schools a good English education, and at the age of twenty-one began life for himself, farming in the summer and teaching in the winter seasons. He continued in this capacity until about the year 1868, at which time he embarked in the mercantile business at Mt. Etna, where he has since continued. He served in the late war as member of the Ninth Indiana Infantry, but was in the field only nine months. Mr. Bain has been quite successful in his business ventures, and at this time, in addition to conducting a general store and meat market, is proprietor of the only hotel in Mt. Etna. He was married December 33, 1860, to Miss Ruth C. Penland, a unidn blessed with six children, viz.: John D., born September 23, 1861; James, born December 18, 1863; Edna B., born May 11, 1866; Alfred M., born August 39, 1871; Elma, born February 25, 1875, and Emil, born February 27, 1879.

MOSES BATSON. farmer and stock raiser, was born in Henry County, Ind., Feburary 37, 1840, and is a son of Samuel and Lucinda (Robinson) Batson, the father born in Ohio and the mother in Indiana. Samuel Batson was born June 3, 1814, came to Huntington County, January, 1841, and settled in Lancaster Township, where his death occurred, December 33, 1861. Mrs. Batson was born on the sixteenth day of June, 1814, and is still living. They are the parents of three children, to-wit^ Amanda, born February 27, 1840; Moses, whose birth is given above and John, born October 16, 1849, died December 22, 1861. The subject of this sketch was raised on the farm, where he now resides, and in tue country schools enjoyed the advantages of a practical English education. He began life as a farmer taking charge of the home place, the greater part of which he now owns. This farm consists of 320 acres, of valuable land, which under Mr. Batson's successful management has been made one of the best places in Lancaster Township. Mr. Batson in 1880, was elected to the office of a Constable, the duties of which position he has discharged, until the present time. His marriage with Miss Augustine C. Milner of Fayette County, Ind, , solemnized May 20, 1858, has been blessed with the birth of the following children, viz.: John S. W. R. M., born May 12, 1859, died April 25, 1886; Moses J. A. B., born April 20, 1861, died January 15, 1873, and Luciuda M. E. A., born July 24, 1863. Mrs. Batson was born on the 15th day of June, 1840. Mr. Batson is one of the leading citizens of the township, alive to every interest for the general welfare of the community. He is a Democrat in politics, and was formerly an active worker in the Grange movement.

JOEL BURKET, one of the oldest living settlers, and one of the leading citizens of Lancaster Township, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, January 24, 1816, the eldest son of David and Hannah (Byerly) Burket - parents both natives of North Carolina. He was reared on a farm in his native county, received in the common schools a limited education, and remained with his parents until attaining his majority, at which time he began life upon his own responsibility, choosing agriculture for a vocation. On the 13th day of October, 1836, he was married to Miss Susannah Wissler, and two years later emigrated to Huntmgton County, Ind., and settled in Lancaster Township, choosing for his home 160 acres of valuable land on the northeast quarter of Section 34, where he made a comfortable home, and where his family of five children were reared to man and womanhood. Mr. Burket, in 1841 or 1842, was elected Trustee of Lancaster, and discharged the duties of that office in an eminently satisfactory manner for three terms. He is a notable example of what energy and determination can do in the face of adverse circumstances, as he began life in the wilderness of this township with little capital save willing hands and a vigorous constitution. He has taken an active interest, not only in the physical development of the township, but in the moral condition of the community as well, and is at this time one of the leading members of the German Baptist Church at New Lancaster. In politics he votes with the Democratic party, but is not, and never has been, an aspirant for official honors. Mr. and Mrs. Burket have a family of five children, whose names and dates of birth

ELI BURKE T, farmer and stock raiser, eldest son of Joel and Susannah (Wissler) Barket, was born in Wayne County, Ind., April 27, 1839. Ha enjoyed the advantages of a common school education, early bscams familiar with the rugged duties of farm life and until his marriage, which occurred when he was twenty-one years of age, remained with his parents, acquainting himself with the carpenter's trade in the meantime. On leaving home he began working at the trade which he carried on with gooci success for a period of thirteen years, abandoning it at the end of that time and engaging in agricultural pursuits which he has since carried on. He now owns 100 acres of choice land in Section 35, Lancaster Township, which in point of improvements will compare favorably with any other farm in the southern part of the county. He is an energetic man, fully alive to the interests of the public and is held in high esteem by all with whom he comes in contact. He is a Democrat in politics and as such has rendered valuable service to the party in this county, having been its candidate for various oflScial positions. The following are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Biirket: William E., born November 29, 1831; Teressa J., born September 7, 1863, and Millie M., born July 8, 1876. Of these William and Teressa are married, the former to Miss G-race Mason and the latter to Frank Wmebreaner. Mr. aud Mrs. Burket are active membars of the German Baptist Church.

DAVID BUEKET, son of Joel and Susannah Burket, is a native of Huntington County, Ind., and dates his birth from the a5th day of July, 1841. He received a good, practical education in the common schools, and passed the years of his youth and -early manhood on his father's farm, thus early familiarizing himself with the details of that most useful of all occupations - 4. e., the pursuit of agriculture. On the 8th day of October, 1862, he responded to the country's call for volunteers, and as a member of the Twenty-Third Indiana Battery did valiant service in of the old flag, until honorably discharged from service at the close of the war in 1865. On severing his connection with the army, Mr. Burket returned home and resumed farming, which has since successfully continued, owning at this time a comfortable home in Section 35, Lancaster Township. He is a Republican in politics, and in the fall of 1885 was elected County Commissioner by the largest majority ever given any one man in the -county up to that date - .a fact which attests his great personal popularity. He was married March 24, 1867, to Miss Mary A. Ulrich - a union blessed with the following children, viz.: Nancy C, born February 16, 1868, died February 7, 1886; Ada, born June 6, 1870; Samantha J., born December 16, 1872; Jesse, born July 18, 1876; Levi, born July 17, 1881. ISTancy G, was married to Jcaob Beemer, by whom she had one child which died in in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Burket belong to the German Baptist Church.

GEORGE BUZZARD, a native of Adams County, Ohio, was born September 1, 1819, the eldest son of John and Rachel (Buggies) Buzzard, natives, respectively of Virginia . and Kentucky. John Buzzard, in 1834, settled in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and one year later moved to Huntington County, having been one of the earliest pioneers of this part of the State. He was by occupation a farmer and died in this county on the 5th of June, 1855. His wife survived him several years, departing this life on the 12th day of April, 1881. George Buzzard grew up with but few advantages for obtaining an education, but by applying himself in later y^rs, having always been a reader, has become quite well informed upon all the general -topics of the day. He was raised a farmer and early chose agriculture for his life work, and at this time owns a beautiful place of 160 acres of yaluable land in Lancaster Township, the result of his persevering industry. He remained with his parents until his marriage which was solemnized on the 24th of July, 1844, with Mrs. Mary A. (Shanklin) Cline, who has borne him the following children, viz.: John S., born May 24, 1845; Mary E., born September 14, 1846, died June 19, 1857; Rachel E., born August 3, 1849; Sarah C, born May 6, 1852; George B., born September 6, 1854; Charles H., born June 14, 1857, and Jesse J., born January 34, 1859. Mr. Buzzard in 1852, was elected Trustee of Lancaster Township, the duties of which office he discharged in a creditable manner until 1863. In 1876, he was elected on the Democratic ticket a member of the board of County Commissioners, besides which he has frequently served in various official capacities. He is one of Lancaster's representative men, and with his wife belong to the Church of God.

JOHN S. BUZZARD, eldest son of George and Mary A. Buzzard, was born in Huntington County, Ind., May 24, 1845. He received a common school education, grew to manhood on his father's farm, and remained with his parents until after his nineteenth year. February 1, 1865, he enlisted for one year in the One Hundred and Fifty- Third Indiana Infantry, with which he served for a period of about ten months, acting in a clerical capicity the greater part of the time. After his discharge he returned home, and for some time thereafter was engaged as clerk in the grocery house of W. H. Rhinehart, a businesss he subseq^uently abandoned for farming, which he now successfully carries on. He owns 160 acres in Sections 3 and 9, Lancaster Township, and is one of the leading farmers ot the community in which he resides. August 36, 1866, he married Rebecca Shaffer, who wag born in this county, September 19, 1848. The issue of this marriage are eight children, viz. : William T., born June 10, 1867; Rosanna, born March 28, 1869; Louis S., born March 29,1872; John F., born January 23, 1874; Charles A., born April 5, 1877; Jacob U. born October 14, 1879; Ora M., born April 23, 1882, and Bertie, born May 14, 1884. Politically Mr. Buzzard is a Democrat; in religion a member of the Church of God, to which his wife also belongs,

DAVID CHAMBERS, deceased, was a native of Greene County, Ohio, born September 20, 1817. On the 9th day of May, 1843, he married Hester Ann Woodward, of the same county and State, by whom he had four children; to wit: infant, deceased, unnamed; Harriet, deceased; Martha E., born December 17, 1846, and William E., born December 31, 1848. The same year of their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Chambers moved to Huntington County, Ind., and settled in Section 27, Lancaster Township, where the family was reared, and where the father's death occurred February 7, 1870. The place upon which Mr. Chambers settled was at the time of his appearance an almost unbroken wilderness, but with an energy and determination born of a will to succeed he went to work and by persevering industry finally carved out a home which at the time of his death was one of the most valuable farms in Lancaster Township, consisting of 260 acres of fine land substantially improved and in a high state of cultivation. The farm is now successfully managed by the only son, William E. Chambers, one of the representative citizens of the township. David Chambers was a substantial business man, an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and his death was an event that cast a shade of gloom over the entire community in which he resided. The members of his family now living are prominently identified with the Methodist Church.

GEORGE P. CHENOWBTH, M. D., was born at Mt. Etna, Ind., March 11, 1849, the eldest son of Joel and Elizabeth (Leverton) Chenoweth, who were among the early pioneers of Huntington County. Dr. Chenoweth's early educational training was obtained in the common schools, supplemented by a course in the Antioch High School, where he pursued his studies for a limited period. On quitting school he engaged in teaching in Jefferson Township, a profession he followed four years, abandoning it with his last school taught in Mt. Etna. Having early determined to make the medical profession his life work, Dr. Chenoweth, in 1873, began preparing for the same by a course of reading in the office of L. C. Beckford, M. D., of Mt. Etna, and the following year took his first course of lectures at the Chicago Medical College, from which institution he subsequently graduated, his diploma bearing date of March 20, 1877. After completing his medical education the doctor at once entered upon the active practice of the same, and is now one of the successful and rising physicians of Huntington County. He was married October 30,

1873, to Miss Matilda C. Sleisure, of Mt. Etna, who has borne him two children, to wit: Mary E., born October 7, 1874, and Albert^ born February 27, 1877. The doctor takes an active interest in political affairs, voting the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of Mt. Etna Lodge, No. 304, I. O. 0. F., in which he at present holds the position D. D. G. M. His portrait appears on another page of this volume.

THOMAS CRANDEL, M. D., physician and surgeon, of Kelso, is a native of Indiana, born in Fayette County, June 7, 1838, the eldest son of Michael and Sarah (Londenback) Crandel. The father and mother about the year 1849, or 1850, moved to Huntington County and settled near Warren, Salamonie Township, where the former's death occurred in 1870. The mother is still living, being at this time a resident of the town of Warren. Thomas Crandel received a good common school education and remained under the parental roof until the age of twenty- one, assisting his father on the farm in the meantime. After a few months spent with his father in the capacity of a farm laborer he accepted a position as teacher in the public schools and was thus engaged in Salamonie and Jefferson Townships until the breaking out of the great Civil War, when he exchanged the quiet duties of instructor for the more active and arduous duties of the soldier. August 28, 1861, he was mustered into service as a member of Company C, Thirty-Fourth Indiana Infantry with which he served for a period of nearly five years, participating in a number of active campaigns and bloody battles during that period. At the battle of Thompson Hills, Tex., he was the victim of a mishap caused by the action of a comrade in firing a gun close to his ear, causing a partial deafness from which he has never entirely recovered. At the expiration of his term of service, February 3, 1866, Dr. Crandel returned home and for some time thereafter was engaged in teaching, which he subsequently abandoned for the medical profession, beginning the study of the latter under Dr. Yingling, of Huntington. On completing his preliminary reading he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute, at Cincinnati, from which institution he graduated in the spring of 1869. After graduation heat once engaged in the active practice of his profession, which he now carries on in connection with the drug and retail grocery business at the town of Kelso. In addition to his mercantile interests the Doctor owns a fine farm of 136 acres in Salamonie Township and a smaller one in Wells County, both of which are substantially improved and well cultivated. He is a member of Majenica Lodge, No. 563, F. & A. M., and also belongs to Monroe Laymon Post, No. 211, G. A. R. He is a member of the Methodist Church, as is also his wife, and in politics votes with the Republican party. He was married February 21, 1869, to Miss Hannah M. Morgan, of Franklin County, Ind.

SOLOMON DILL, was born in Wayne County, Ind., on the 13th day of August, 1838. He was married to Miss Susan Huntsinger, August 12, 1858. She is also a native of Wayne County* and was born May 8, 1810. Five children were born to this union, viz.: Elizabeth E., born December 28, 1859; Benjamin F., born November 8, 1861; William W., born December 26, 1867; Elmina, born May 2, 1873, and Catherine (deceased), born November 8, 1863, died May 29, 1868. The subject was a soldier in the late war, and was in the service nine months, being wounded in the right leg, for which disability he draws a pension of three dollars per month. He owns fifty -four acres of fine farming land on Section 2, Lancaster Township, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. Politically, Mr. Dill has formerly been a Eepublican, but now is somewhat inclined toward the Greenback Organization. The farm is under the management of Mrs. Dill and her son William, while the father is engaged with his son Benjamin F., in retailing musical instruments at Kalamazoo, Mich., where they have been thus occupied for the past three years. In 1866, this family moved ft-om Wayne County, Ind., to Huntington County, and settled where they now reside. The subject is a member of the Evangelical Church, while his wife and three children are members of the Church of God. They are highly respected citizens in the community where they reside.

CLINTON C. ELLIS. - Conspicuous among the representative citizens of Lancaster Township, is Clinton C. Ellis, who was born in Brown County, Ohio, February 1 1, 1840, the eldest child of Jeremiah and Catharine (Lawrence) Ellis. He was educated in the common schools, and until his twentieth year remained wit.h his parents, working on the farm in the meantime. On the 30th day of August, li-60, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of William and Isabella (McCallahan) McGovney a union blessed with the birth of the following children: Isabella C, born November 8, 1861; William J., born February 23, 1864; John F., born June 4, 1867; Ella M., born June 2, 1869; George D., born April 10, 1876; Jesse O., born September 28, 1874. Isabella C, the eldest daughter, was married February 18, 1882, to J. C. Kitch, by whom she is the mother of one child, Claude E. Kitch, born January 18, 1883. Mr. Ellis, in 1866, moved to Huntington County, Indiana, and purchased 116 acres of land in Wayne Township, from which he raised one crop. He then exchanged the farm for a drug store in Mt. Etna, and after continuing that business with encouraging success for about two years, purchased his present beautiful farm of 240 acres in Section 22, Lancaster Township, upon which he has since resided. Mr. Ellis, is a progressive, wide awake man and his place is one of the most highly improved in the township. He w£j,s prominently identified with the Grange, during the existence of that order,

OZIAH C. ELLIS, a native of Randolph County, Ind., was born on the 25th of August, 1841, the second son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Clark) Ellis, natives of Ohio, who came to Randolph County, Ind., in about the year 1835, and resided there until the fall of 1847, when they removed to Polk Township, this county, where they now reside. Our subject received a common school education, was reared on a farm, remaining with his parents until he was twenty years old, after which he was employed as a farm hand until his marriage, which occurred December 1, 1867, he taking as a life-partner Miss Susan E. Richardson, a native of Henry County, Ind., born November 35, 1849. She is a daughter of George and Amanda (Bailey) Richardson, natives of Kentucky. To this marriage two children were born, viz.: Lizzetta S., born September 19, 1869j Clara E., born September 16, 1883. The subject is the owner of forty acres of land on Section 33, Lancaster Township, and forty acres on Section 16, Polk Township. There are seventy-two acres under good cultivation, and improved in a comfortable and substantial manner. Mr. Ellis enlisted in the Thirty-Fourth Regiment, IndianaVolunteer Infantry, Company G, in September, 1861, and served for about eleven months, being discharged on account of physical disability. He then enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry in July, 1863, when his service continued until March 4, 1864. His time for which he had enlisted expired, and he then was enrolled as a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-Third Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, February, 1865, and remained in the service until the close of the war. Mr. Ellis is a member of the German Baptist Church, and is a minister of that organization. Politically, our subject is at present a Prohibitionist, but formerly was a member of the Republican party.

JOHN EVANS, deceased, was a native of Warren County, Ohio, born in the year 1811. He was raised to agricultural pursuits, became a very successful farmer, and in 1860 moved to Huntington County, Ind., settling in Jefferson Township where he accumulated a very large property. He was one of the largest fanners and stock raisers in the county, and also one of its most successful business men, owning at the time of his death over 900 acres of valuable land, the result of his persevering industry. He was three times married, the issue of his first union being two children, viz.: Mrs. John J. Ruggles, of Jefferson Township, and Mrs. Samuel CruU, of Stark County. His second wife was Ann M. Sherman, a native of Ohio, whom he married in the year 1851. She died October, 1864, leaving one son, Samuel Evans, whose birth occurred April 6, 1854. In 1862, Mr. Evans married Martha A. Robinson, of Wayne County, Ind., who died in 1874.

SAMUEL M. EVANS, son of John and Ann M. (Sherman) Evans, was born in Wayne County, Ind., April 6, 1854. His early education was obtained in the common schools, and he later attended a normal school at Dresden, Ohio, where he made substantial progress in the higher branches of learning. After his mother's death, which occurred when he was but seven years of age, he went to live in the family of an aunt at Dresden, and at the age of twenty, began his business life buying and selling stock, which occupied his attention for about four or five years. He then began farming and stock raising, and subsequently in 1881, went to Texas and engaged in raising sheep, purchasing a large area of land in that State for grazing purposes. He remained in Texas two years, disposing of his stock at that time and returning to Indiana. He then went to Frankfort, Colorado, where for some months he was interested in the livery business, but did not remain in the west any great length of time, disposing of his property there and again returning to Huntington County, where he has since resided. He is now engaged in the brokerage business, loaning money, dealing in stocks, etc., and is one of the successful men of Lancaster Township. He was married March 17, 1876, to Miss Emma V. Planck, who has borne him four children, whose names are as follows: RexL., OttJ., Bess and Cubb, all living. Mr. Evans is a member of Mt. Etna Lodge, No. 304, 1. O. O. F., and in politics is identified with the Democratic party.

HARVEY FISHER, one of the pioneers of Lancaster Township, is a native of Wayne County, Ind., and son of Daniel and Damarus (Starbuck) Fisher. The parents were both born in Guilford County, N. C, but early moved to Indiana, locating in Wayne County when that part of the State was a comparatively wild country. Harvey Fisher was born January 6, 1828, passed the years of his youth and early manhood upon his father's farm, and in the common schools obtained the elements of a practical education. At the age of nineteen he began life for himself and two years later, 1848, came to Huntington County, and located a farm on the northwest quarter of Section 2, Lancaster Township. He subsequently purchased a tract of land in Section 18, same township, and is now the owner of a good home, the result of his own efforts and persevering labor. Mr. Fisher is one of the oldest residents of Lancaster now living, and has seen the township develop from an almost unbroken wilderness into one of the most fertile and enlightened communities in Northern Indiana. His first marriage was celebrated January 30, 1846, with Mary Brown, of Wayne County, who bore him the following children, viz.: Mahlon B., October 13, 1848; Amanda A., born November 3, 1850; Emma J., born March 4, 1856; Elizabeth E., born March 12,

1860, and Charlotte A., born December 30, 1863. Mrs. Fisher died on the 13th of August, 1864, aged a httle over thirty-eight years. Mr. Fisher was again married October 3, 1865, to Lucy A. Coll, who was the mother of one child, Willie Fisher, born August 3, 1866, died February 17, 1869. In the fall of 1868, Mr. Fisher was again bereaved, his wife dying that year. His third marriage was solemnized in the fall of 1870, with Miss Susan E. Snider, a union blessed with the birth of one child, Clara E., born January 16, 1880. Mr. Fisher is a public spirited citizen, alive to all the interests of the community, and since the organization of the Republican party, has been one of its most earnest supporters.

SAMUEL H. FRIEDLEY, Trustee of Lancaster Township, was born in Huntingdon (now Blair) County, Pennsylvania, June 13, 1841, the eldest son of David R. and Christina (Hoover Friedley. Parents natives of the same State. When six year of age, our subject, in company with his mother and grandfathe came to Indiana, and settled in Wayne County, from whence, two years later, they moved to Henry County, where Samuel lived until 1863. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and in the common schools received the rudiments of a good English education. He entered the army in 1863, enlisting in Compamy A, Fifty- Fourth Indiana Infantry, with which he shared the fortunes and vicissitudes of war until his discharge on the 35th of December, 1863. On leaving the army he came to Huntington County, where his family had preceded him, and settled in Section 13, Lancaster Township, where he purchased a farm, and where he has ever since resided. He owns at this time a farm of 160 acres of well improved land and is justly entitled to mention among the progressive and well to do citizens of Lancaster. He was elected to the oflBce of Township Trustee, in the fall of 1885, running as the regular Republican candidate, and receiving the handsome majority of ninety-two votes. September 10, 1867, he married Charlotte Brumbaugh who departed this life April 6, 1873, at the age of twenty-two years. She was the mother of three children, whose names and dates of births are as follows, towit:, Frances C, born February 6, 1869; Christina R., born March 11, 1871, and Henry M., born November 11, 1873.

THOMAS F. HACKER, native of Preble County, Ohio, and third son of Jonathan and Catherine (Herrin) Hacker, was born on^'the 11th day of July, 1833. The father, as early as 1841, moved to Huntington County, Ind., and settled on a farm in Section 11, Lancaster Township, where his death occurred four years later. This sad event left the mother and her six children in rather straitened circumstances, in consequence of which a large share of the responsibility of supporting the family early fell to the lot of our subject. Thomas F. Hacker attended the public schools as occasions would admit, and renaained on the home farm until attaining his majority, when he began learning the plasterer's trade, which he followed until 1863. In that year he entered the army, enlisting in Company F, Seventy-Fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for only a short time, owing to physical disabilities. For the following three years he was almost entirely disabled, and on account of being incapacitated from engaging in any physical labor, took up the study of medicine under the instruction of Ur. Smith of Lancaster. This he discontinued in 1870, and embarked in the mercantile business which he carried on at the above town for about five years. At the end of that time he purchased sixty acres of land in Section 14, Lancaster Township, upon which he lived until the spring of 1886, carrying on the manufacture of drain tile in connection with farming. In 1886, he purchased a half interest in the drug and grocery store of Dr. Thomas Crandel at Kelso, with whom he is still connected. Mr. Hacker was married December 27, 1858, to Miss Mary J. Shutt, who has borne him the following children, viz.: David F., John P., and Orange V. L. Mrs. Hacker died May 26, 1872, aged thirty-one years. December 15, of the same year, Mr. Hacker was again married to Melvina J. Updyke. Mr. Hacker is a local minister of the Methodist Church, and an ardent worker in the cause of temperance, being a supporter of the Prohibition party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Majenica Lodge, No. 565.

SAMUEL HARE, the subject of this sketch, was a native of Baltimore County, Md., and eldest son of J ohn and Catharine (Hochfacker) Hare. He was born May 25, 1817, and in 1847, was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Moore, a union blessed with three children, to wit: Jacob, born May 14, 1848; Sarah, born November 9, 1849, and John, born in 1851. His wife dying some time the latter year. His second marriage was solemnized on the 3d of January, 1854, with Mrs. Phebe Wisman {nee Miller), who was born in Wayne County, Ind., March 20, 1828. The following are the names of the children born to this marriage, viz.: Julia A,, born September 21, 1854; William H., born - May 8, 1856; George H., born July 11, 1858; David D., born October 6, 1860; Benjamin F., born October 6, 1862; Noah W., born January 11, 1866. Mrs. Hare's first marriage was celebrated, December 10, 1846, with George Wisman, by whom she was the mother of two children, Nancy A., and Hannah Wisman, the former born November 20, 1847, and the latter, October 4, 1849. Mr. Wisman departed this life on the 6th day of 'August, 1849. Mr. Hare moved to Huntington County, Ind., in 1854, and settled in Jefferson Township, where he resided for a period of about twelve years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm in Section 29, Lancaster Township, which he improved and upon which he lived until his death, January 20, 1875. He was one of the representative citizens of Lancaster Township, and a man widely and favorably known for his many sterling qualities. Mrs. Hare is a member of the Christian Church, of which

DAVID HEASTON, a prominent farmer of Lancaster Township, is a native of Wayne County, Ind., was born February 10, 1838. He is the second son of nine children born- to Jacob and Katherine (Goodlander) Heaston, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively, who came to Wayne County, this State, about the year 1815, and then, in 184t?, moved to Huntington County, where they were deceased. Our subject received a common school education; was reared on a farm, remaining with his parents until he was of age; then rented his father's place for two years, after which he commenced to clear a home from the dense forests on Section 3, Lancaster Township. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Harter on the 19th of January, 1849. She is a native of Henry County, born June 13, 1837. They have seven children: Mahala, born September 39, 1849; Joseph, born April 15, 1851; Catherine H., born April 11, 1853; Jacob G., born July 18, 1858; Levi H., born March 38, 1863; Phebe J., born October 11, 1865; Sarah E., born October 30, 1869. Mr. Heaston owns 136 acres of land in Lancaster Township, 130 in Sections 3 and 6 and in Section 3, ninetyfive of which are cleared and in a high state of cultivation and substantially improved. He and family are members of the German Baptist Church, and politically is a Republican, and usually manifests a live interest in political matters. He now has a pleasant home, reared a large family, all of whom are living, and command the respect of the entire community in which they reside.

JOSIAH S. HELTON", farmer and carpenter, is a native of North Carolina, and dates his birth from the 15th day of October, 1834. He is the second son of Alexander and Mary (Jewels) Helton, who emigrated from North Carolina about the year 1834, and settled in Wayne County, Ind. Josiah S. Helton grew to manhood amid the active scenes of farm life, and at the age of twenty abandoned agricultural pursuits and took up the carpenter's trade, at which he served a four years' apprenticeship. He then began working at the same and has since continued the vocation with good success, carrying it on at this time in connection with his farming interests. On the 15th of June, 1847, in Preble County, Ohio, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Davis, and a shore time thereafter moved to Randolph County, Ind., and from thence in 1851, to Huntington County, where he has since resided, owning at this time a good farm of eighty acres in Section 17, Lancaster Township. Mr. and Mrs. Helton are active members of the German Baptist Church, and are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. They have a family of children whose names and dates of birth are as follows: John W., born May 1, 1818; Dison D., born February 14, 1850, Hiram C, born September 30, 1853; Elizabeth,

JOHN H. HILDEBRAND was born in Huntington County, Ind., March 15, 1848. He was educated in the common schools and in his father's mercantile house at Mt. Etna received a practical business training which has enabled him to successfully discharge the duties of subsequent life. He was married September 10, 1878, to Miss Nancy A. Mills, a native of Tipton County, Ind., daughter of John and Mary Mills. To this union have been born two children, to-wit: Dattie, born August 8, 1880, and Gracie, born July 9, 1883. Mr. Hildebrand and brother, George W. Hildebrand, are at this time partners in a general mercantile house at the village of Kelso, and are meeting with encouraging success in their business venture. They are both men of tact and energy, and by strict attention to business have already acquired a fair proportion of the current trade. Mr. Hildebrand in 1879, was appointed Postmaster at Majenica (Kelso) and held the office until January 19, 1886. He is a Republican in politics, and since 1869 has been prominently identified with the Odd Fellows' fraternity. He and wife are active members of the Christian (New Light) Church.

GEORGE W. HILDEBRAND, junior member of the mercantile firn of Hildebrand & Bro., is a son of Henry and Ehzabeth Hildebrand, and dates his birth from the J 3th day of November, ] 850. His early education was that usually obtained from attendance at the public schools, but by becoming familiar with the details of the mercantile business in his father's store he soon obtained a practical education which has enabled him to successfully discharge the duties of an active business life. He was united in marriage, July 1, 1883, to Miss Clara Sprinkle, daughter of Christian and Levi Sprinkle. Mrs. Hildebrand was born November 30, 1863, and is the mother of Cwo children, viz.: Mary Winifried, born May 10, 1884, and Henry C, born April 6, 1886, died August 10, 1886. Mr. Hildebrand, in addition to owning a half interest with his brother in the general mercantile house at Mt. Etna, owns other property in the village also, and is justly esteemed one of its active business men. He is a member of Salamonie Lodge, No. 392, 1. O. O. F., Warren, Ind., and in religion worships with the Christian Church. Politically he is a Republican.

ISAAC N. HILDEBRAND, merchant, Mt. Etna, is a native of Huntington County, Ind., born in Lancaster Township on the 38th day of April, 1854. His parents Henry and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Hildebrand, were natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively, and among the early settlers in the southern part of Hunt- ington County, moving here as long ago as 1839, and locating at Charleston, a short distance east of Mt. Etna, where the father was for some time engaged in the mercantile business. The immediate subject of this sketch received a limited education in the common schools and at the age of fifteen began life for himself as a farm laborer, in which capacity he continued for a period of about nine years. In 1880, he was awarded the contract for carrying the mail between Huntington and Mt. Etna, and from that time until 1883, performed the duty in a manner highly satisfactory to all concerned. Possessed with a desire to do something more in the world than to drive a mail hack, and with a determination to succeed, he in the month of April, 1883, with a cash capital of §130, opened a small general store, out of which has since grown, his large and successful mercantile establishment. He handles all kinds of goods demanded by the general trade, and by strict attention to business and fair dealing has succeeded in building up one of the best business houses in the southern part of Huntington County. He was appointed Postmaster at Mt. Etna by Postmaster- General Gresham, and is the present incumbent of the office. On the 6th day of March, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Malinda A. Mitchell, of Huntington County, a union blessed with two children - infant, deceased, and Leland L., born November 28, 1885. Mr. Hildebrand is a Republican in politics, and in religion, belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JEREMIAH J. JACKSON, dealer in drugs, Mt. Etna, was born in the State of Ohio, November 4, 1839, and is the third son of Edward C. and Margaret (Smith) Jackson, natives respectively of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The parents, in 1850, emigrated to Blackford County, Indiana,, where the father's death occurred in the year 1876, and where the mother is still living. Jeremiah J. Jackson was educated in the common schools, and grew to manhood amid the active scenes of farm life, with the rugged duties of which he early became familiar. In 1865 he went to Illinois, where for some years he found employment as a farm hand, and where, in August, 1861, he entered the army, enlisting at the City of Peoria, in the Forty-Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he shared the fortunes and vicissitudes of war in many battles and campaigns, including Island No. 10, Siege of Corinth, Vicksburg Campaign, Red River Expedition, and others. He was honorably discharged October 16, 1864:, having, while in the service, earned a military record of which he feels justly proud. Mr. Jackson has been twice married, the first time on the 20th of June, 1859, to Miss Emily M. Herriott, of New York, by whom he had one child, a daughter. Flora E., born October 16, 1860. His second marriage was solemnized August 27, 1881, with Mrs. Isabelle (Garwood) Planck, of Huntington County, Ind., a union blessed with the birth of one child, Albert L.' born October 17,

1883. Mr. Jackson came to Huntington County in 1880, and for about two years thereafter was engaged in the saw milling and lumbering business, in which he was reasonably successful. He established his present business at Mt. Etna in 1882, and at this time has a fine stock of drugs, and is in the enjoyment of a lucrative and constantly increasing trade. He is identified with the Masonic and Odd Fellows' fraternities, and also holds an important position in the R. S. Thomas Post, No. 341, G, A. R., at Mt. Etna.

JACOB KITCH. - The gentleman whose name introduces this skech is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and third son of Michael and Susanna (Kister) Kitch, the father born in Pennsylvania and the mother in Ohio. Michael and Susan Kitch moved to Huntington County, - Ind., in ;the fall of 1854, and are now residents of Clear Creek Township. Jacob Kitch was born August 5, 1845, grew to manhood on his father's farm, and remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age. On the 7th day of April, 1867 he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Glass, of Ohio, and within a short time thereafter began learning the trade of a carpenter and builder at which he served an apprenticeship of one year. In connection with the carpentering he was for some time engaged in the milling business, and subsequently purchased land and began farming which he has carried on since about the year 1876. He owns a beautiful farm of eighty acres in Section 30, Lancaster Township, all of which is well underdrained and highly improved. In connection with his agricultural interests Mr. Kitch has been for some time engaged in the manufacture of cheese, having at this time twenty-five cows, and all the necessary appliances for the successful working of the business. The product of his factory averages about 7,500 pounds per year. Mr. Kitch in 1862, entered the army, enlisting in the Fifty-Fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry with which he served until honorably discharged one year later. He is a Democra,t in politics, and in religion an active member of the German Baptist Church. The following are the names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Kitch: Lillie B., born February 24, 1868; Ida M., born September 8, 1869; Ella R., born March 24, 1873; Fannie A., born April 11, 1875; Anna 0., born February 28, 1878, died April 9, 1878; Matilda J., born December 30, 1881; Ola M. and Ora C. (twins), born September 25, 1885.

ANDREW KLEPSER, one of the old residents of Lancaster Township, was born in Wertumburg, Germany, July 6, 1806, and is the oldest son of Andrew and Hannah (Mosier) Klepser. When quite young his parents immigrated to the United States, settling, about the year 1817, in Huntingdon County, Pa., and from thence subsequently moved to Bedford County, the same State, where their respective deaths occurred many years ago. Andrew Klep- ser was early in life apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade, in which he soon acquired an unusual degree of proficiency and which he carried on quite successfully for a number of years, seventeen of which were spent in Henry County, Ind., to which place he moved in 1833. In 1852 he abandoned his trade and came to Huntington County, Ind., locating in Section 26, Lancaster Township, where he still resides and where he owns a comfortable home. He was married January 22, 1835, to Sarah SwafEord, a native of North Carolina, and daughter of Jacob and Abigail (Hammer) Swaff ord. She was born July 2, 1816, and is the mother of ten children, to wit: Margaret S., deceased, born October 20, 1835; Catherine E., born December 22, 1837; Jacob S., born February 10, 1810; Abigail S., born October 15, 1842; Hannah, deceased, born March 25, 1845; Esther L., deceased, born February 1842; William H., born January 6, 1851; Mary E., deceased, born August 17, 1853; Nortilious I., deceased, born February 14, 1855; David C, born August 12, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Klepser are consistent members of the German Baptist Church.

DAVID C, KLEPSER, youngest son of Andrew and Sarah Klepser, was born in Huntington County, on the 12th day of August, 1858. He- received a good English education in the common schools, and upon his father's farm early learned those lessons of industry and thrift without which no man's life can be a success. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage which was solemnized on the 17 th day of March ,1883, with Miss Mary Isabelle Eubank, whose birth occurred in Huntington County, Indiana, September 27, 1 865 . Mr. Klepser is now engaged in agricultural pursuits, and with his wife enjoys the honor and esteem of a larg(5 circle of friends and acquaintances. He is a member of Majenica Lodge, No. 563, F. & A. M., and in politics votes the Republican ticket.

GEORGE L. KRIEG, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Baden, Germany, October 18, 1833, the third son of Michael and Barbara (Karsh) Krieg. He was reared on a farm, attended the schools of his native country until fourteen years of age, when he began life for himself as a farm laborer, finding employment near his home, where he remained until his twentythird year. Thinking the new world ofi^ered better inducements to a young man, Mr. Krieg in February, 1854, sailed for the United States, and after a sea voyage of forty-two days landed at the City of New Orleans. From thence he went to St. Louis, reaching the latter city with $2.50 in his pocket, his sole earthly possessions, which after securing employment he loaned to an acquaintance and taking a watch for security. He worked about two months near St. Louis, and at the end of that time severed his connection with his employer and started for Huntington County, Ind., for the purpose of joining some friends who had preceded him to this part of the country. Arriving here he con- eluded to make this county his permanent home, and accordinglysought, and soon obtained employment on the Wabash Railroad, then in process of construction. Later he found employment with Israel dinger and John McLaimy, farmers, working for the former one month and for the latter about six years. Upon reaching Huntington County, Mr. Krieg had a cash capital of $5.00, but by close application and persevering industry he has since succeeded in accumulating a handsome competence, including a fine tract of 440 acres of land in Lancaster Township, the greater part of which is under a successful state of cultivation. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Majenica Lodge, JSio. 563. He was married February 11, 1858, to Miss Anna M. Wilhelm, daughter of Michael and Mary Wilhelm, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Krieg was born May 9, 1841, and is the mother of ten children, whose names and births are as follows: Barbara E., born February 8, 1859, died May 8, 1883; Michael L., born September 4, 1863; John Mc, born May 13, 1862; William H., born June 9, 1868; George F., born January 5, 1871; Mary L., born January 38, 1873, died June 13, 1873; Rebecca E., born September 4, 1874; Emma J., born June 17, 1878; Jacob E., born July 39, 1880; Otto H., born October 1, 1883. The following of his children are married, to-wit: Barbara E., to William D. Schoeff ; Michael, to Anna M. Schoeff, and John Mc, to Mary E. Batson. Mr. and Mrs. Krieg are both members of the German Reformed Church.

ABSALOM R. LARGE, mechanic and prominent citizen of Mt. Etna, is a native of Hunterdon County, N. J., and dates his birth from the 26th day of August, 1833. His parents, Thomas R. and Amanda (Alger) Large, were natives of- New Jersey and New York, respectively, and among the early residents of Wabash County, Ind., immigrating to this State in 1846. One year later they settled in Polk Township, Huntington County, where they resided until 1869, at which time they returned to Wabash County. The father died in April, 1868, and the mother in June, 1886. A. R. Large was raised on a farm and spent the years of his youth and early manhood in Huntington County, coming here with his parents when but fourteen years of age. He received a good English education in the common schools, and, being a great reader and an intelligent observer, he subsequently acquired a vast fund of general and practical knowledge, such as schools fail to impart. He remained with his parents until attaining his majority, when, in 1854, he took up the carpenter's trade, in which he soon acquired great proficiency, and at which he worked almost continuously until 1874. In the latter year he established his present business at Mt. Etna, that of "cabinet making, and is now in the enjoyment of a very prosperous and constantly increasing trade. At the breaking out of the war he was one of the first to offer his service to his country, enlisting on the 20th of April, 1861, in Company F, Thirteenth Indiana

Volunteer Infantry. He shared with his regiment the viscissitudes and fortunes of war for a period of two years and eight months, at the end of which time he was forced to sever his connection with the service on account of physical disabilities. On the S-tth day of September, 1868, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Mary Jennings, which marriage has been blessed with two children, viz. : James, born November 2, 1869, and Thomas, born June 21, 1871. Mr. Large is an active worker in the Masonicfraternity, and at this time holds the office of Secretary of Mt, Etna Lodge, No. 333. He is also identified with the G-. A. R., having held various official positions in R. S. Thomas Post, No. 241, in Mt. Etna. He was originally a Republican in politics, but at this time claims affiliation with no party, being independent in all that term applies.

WILLIAM A. LITTLE, successful farmer and prominent citizen of Lancaster Township, was b )rn in Highland County, Ohio, June 20, 1828, and is the second son of David 0. and Rebecca (Adams) Little. The parents were both natives of Rockbridge County, Va., but in an early day emigrated to Ohio, where they resided until their removal to Huntington County, Ind., in the year 1838. They settled on the Salamonie River in Jefferson Township, where they lived until their deaths which occurred a number of years ago, the father dying about the fall of 1862, and the mother a little later. The subject grew to manhood amid the stirring scenes of farm life, and since coming to this county has been one of its active and progressive farmers and business men. He received a common school education, and remained at home until attaining his majority, when be began working as a farm laborer, and sometimes taking contracts for clearing heavily timbered tracts of land. By persevering industry he finally succeeded in purchasing land of his own, and is now the possessor of about 210 acres in Lancaster Township, the greater part of which is under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Little has always taken an active interest in the public improvements of the county, and for a period of seven years served as director of the Lancaster gravel road, of which he was also one of the projectors and principal movers. He is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Mystic Lodge, No. 110, at Huntington. He married, March 13, 1853, Miss Elizabeth Boyd, who was born July 12, 18 U, To this union were born the following. children, viz.: Clarrissa J., born May 20, 1854, died March 8, 1881; Mary A., born January 9, 1856, died April 28, 1879; Sylvester, born October 8, 1857, died July 29, 1858; Tobitha, born February 10, 1859; David E., born September 12, 1860; Sarah A., born May 1, 1862; Martha E., born September 9, 1863, died August 21, 1844; Henry, born June 3, 1885; Laurella, born March 17, 1868, and Elizabeth, born January 29, 1872, Mrs, Little departed this life on the 13th of February, 1872.

THOMAS MAHONEY. - Conspicuous among the successful and self-made men of Huntington County, is the gentleman whose biographical sketch is herewith presented. Thomas Mahoney, eldest son of James and Mary (Vance) Mahoney, is a native of Washington County, Tenn., and dates his birth from the 39th day of August, 1831. His parents were natives of Virginia, but in an early day emigrated to Tennessee, and from that State in 1831, to Rush County, Ind. Ssubsequently, about 1841 or 1843, they moved to Huntington County, and settled in Wayne Township, where their deaths occurred a number of years later. Thomas Mahoney removed with his parents to Rush County, Ind., and until the age of nineteen remained on the farm, attending such schools as the county afforded in the meantime. Having early manifested decided tastes for mechanical pursuits, he finally abandoned the farm and tv as apprenticed to learn the cabinet maker's trade at New Salem, Ind., his employer being William Miller, of that place. ' After becoming proficient in his trade, Mr. Mahoney opened a shop in the town of New Salem, an undertaking which proved anything but a fortunate venture. His earnings did hot equal his necessary expenses, in consequence of which he soon became financially embarrassed. His creditors finally levied upon his property, excepting only a few household articles, even the tools upon which he depended for his support were under the ban of the law, and although it was -his privilege to exempt from execution properfy to the amount of $135, he positively refused to do so, believing it would be acting in bad faith toward his creditors. His refusal to avail himself of legal means of escape at once established his reputation as an honest and conscientious man, and inspired his creditors with a new confidence. By preserving labor he finally succeeded in overcoming his difficulties, and discharging all his obligations. On the 30th of October, 1843, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Marj'^ J. McClanahan, who was born in Kentucky, July 10, 1831. In 1843, Mr. Mahoney came to Huntington County and settled at the Town of Mt. Etna, where for a number of years he carried on the cabinet maker's trade. He struggled hard against the many difficulties which beset his way, and by diligent application and rigid economy, accumulated in time a comfortable competence. In 1855, he disposed of his property in Mt. Etna, and purchased forty acres of land a short distance from the village, upon which he still resides . By subsequent purchases he enlarged the boundaries of his home until he is now the owner of 145 acres of valuable land in Lancaster Township, and thirteen acres in the vicinity of Mt. Etna, upon which is situated his large three-story frame flouring-mill, and the steam saw mill operated at this time by his sons. Mr. Mahoney purchased his milling interests recently, and in addition to farming is now largely engaged in the lumber business. For many years Mr. Mahoney has been actively identified with the cause of religion and temperance. He united with the Methodist Church when but sixteen years of age, and one year later signed the Washingtonian temperance pledge. He is one who has always been honored and respected by his neighborSj and has done much developing the resources of the country. Starting in life with no capital, but a determination to succeed, he has steadily won his way to prosperity; but this point has been obtained by the most unremitting toil and good management, and is by no means the result of favorable circumstances. His marriage has been blessed with nine children, whose names are as follows: Mary A., born December 4, 1843, died May 23, 1878; Almira S., born March 1, 1846; died May 10, 1865; Martha J., born October, 1848, died January 12, 1849, Orange L., born February 7, 1850; Thomas E., born November 9, 1853; George A., born May 10, 1855; Anna J., born January 5, 1859, died November 12, 1874; William M., born August 31, 1860; Elmer I., born July 5, 1864.

LEWIS C. MARKS, mechanic in Mt. Etna, is a native- of Grant County, Ind., and fifth child of Thomas J., and Harriet (Chambers) Marks, the father born in Kentucky and the mother in Ohio. He was born October 31, 1848, attended the common schools at intervals until his nineteenth year, at which time he engaged to learn the wagon maker's trade under Samuel Wood, at that time a resident of Mt. Etna, but now a citizen of Marion. After becoming proficient in his trade, Mr. Marks began business for himself, purchasing in 1869, the shop and appliances of his employer, which he has since operated with encouraging success. He has taken an active interest in all movements having for their object the public good, and has held several official positions in Mt. Etna, including those of Town Clerk and Marshal. He is an earnest worker in the cause of temperance and believes that the only way to deal effectually with the rum power is to vote it out of existence, hence he is a firm believer in the principle of prohibition. His marriage on the 25th of September, 1876, to Miss Mary J . Young, has been blessed with four children, to wit: James, born August 36, 1877; Lola, born January 27, 1880; Lansford, born March 25, 1883, and an infant, deceased, not named .

S. P. MITCHELL, M. D. - Dr. Mitchell is a native of Huntington County, Ind., born in Lancaster Township, on the 18th day of June, 1847. He is the eldest son of Eobert and Mary (Harriman) Mitchell, of Preble County, Ohio, who immigrated to Indiana in 1844, and from that date until 1866, resided in Huntington County. In the latter year they removed to St. Claire County, Mo., and two years later returned to Huntington, where the father's death occurred July 18, 1878. The mother is still living, making her home at this time in the City of Huntington. S. P. Mitchell was raised in his native county and received the advantages of a practical education in the country schools which he attended at intervals until nearly his twentieth year, frequently walking a distance of six miles to and from the old log building known as the Ream School House in Lancaster Township. In 1871-73 he attended the Howard College, Kokemo, Indiana, and in 1873 began the study of medicine with Dr. A. H. Shaffer, of Huntington. He entered the medical department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor in 1873. Attended one term, and later became a student of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, from which institution he graduated in the spring of 1874. Having thus thoroughly familiarized himself with the theory of his profession, he began the active practice of the same at the town of Mt. Etna, where he has since continued in the enjoyment of a very prosperous and lucrative business. The doctor is a wide-awake, energetic man, an enthusiastic student, and as a successful practitioner, few medical men in the county stand higher in the estimation of the people than he. He is a member of Lodge No. 333, F. & A. M.; has held the office of Treasurer of Mt. Etna, and at this time Secretary of the Board of School Trustees of the town. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but is now an ardent supporter of the principles of the Prohibition party. On the 28th of October, 1875, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Jennie M. Van Antwerp, a union blessed with the birth of two children, viz.: infant gon, deceased, and Merrill V., born April 13, 1885. Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell are both active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, belonging to the Mt. Etna congregation.

MILLER MORGAN, farmer and business man, son of John and Barbara (Miller) Morgan, natives respectively of Tennessee and Ohio, was born in Union County, Ind., December 24, 1835. He was educated in the country schools and until his twentysecond year remained with his parents, becoming familiar with the details of the farmer's occupation in the meantime. December 7, 1848, he married Miss Mary Hay ward, a union blessed with the birth of six children, whose names are as follows: Cornelius, born August 6, 1853, died August 15, 1854; Joseph B., born November 11, 1856; John V., born June 3, 1863; Anna, born January 28, 1866, and two that died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. Morgan a number of years ago, engaged in farming in Lancaster Township, and at this time owns a fine place of 120 acres, eighty of which are in cultivation and well inaproved. September, 1886, in partnership with a son, John V. Morgan, Mr. Morgan purchased a stock of general merchandise at the village of Kelso, which they now carry on. They handle all kinds of goods demanded by the general trade, and do their proportion of business. Mr. Morgan was formerly a Democrat, but now advocates the principles of the Prohibition party. He has rendered material assistance in the general improvement of the county, and takes a live interest in all movements having for their object the welfare of the public.

JOHN V. MORGAN, son of Miller and Mary Morgan, was born in Huntington County, Ind., June 3, 1863. His early education was received in the common schools, supplemented by a course at the Central Normal Institute, Ladoga, Ind., and a commercial course at the Columbus, Ohio, Business College. Mr. Morgan was raised on a farm, but in the fall of 1886, in partnership with his father, engaged in the dry goods business, at Eelso, of which place he is also Postmaster, having been appointed to that office by Postmaster-General Vilas, in January of the above year. On the 30th day of November, 1886, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Nellie Lewis, daughter of Wallace and Clementine Lewis. Mrs. Morgan was born in the State of Iowa, on the 36th day of November, 1870. Mr. Morgan is a Democrat in politics, and one of the representative young men of Huntington County. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Majenica Lodge, No. 563, of which he is at this time Secretary.

THOMAS A. RODGERS, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, Mt. Etna, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, March 31, 1840, the fourth son of John and Mary (Marks) Rodgers, natives of West Virginia. John Rodgers in 1847, moved to Grant Councy, Ind., and subsequently about the year 1854 or '55 the family moved to Huntington County. Thomas Rodgers was reared on a farm, and at the early age of fourteen left the paternal roof, for the purpose of making his own way in the world, and from that time until his twentieth year, worked as a farm laborer. He then took up the shoe-maker's trade, and after acquiring a skillful knowledge of the same, under Ezra Coun of Warren, began business for himself, which he has since continued at the town of Mt. Etna. In addition to running ten hands and doing all kinds of maufacturing and repairing, Mr. Rodgers deals quite extensively in Eastern work, and is now in the enjoyment of a very prosperous and constantly increasing business. He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Democrat in politics, but has never been an aspirant for official position. He was united in marriage with Miss Phoebe J. Mitchell, of Preble County, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers have been born eight children, only three of whom are now living, viz. : Lillian Mitchell and Charley.

ABRAHAM B. SHIDELER. - The gentleman whose name introduces this biography, is a native of Wayne County, Ind., born October 13, 1843, to Jonas and Fannie (Berg) Shideler, natives respectively of Ohio and Pennsylvania. He grew to manhood in LancasterTownship, Huntington Co., his parents moving here when he was quite young, and in the common schools received an education, which though not of a high scholastic order, has enabled him to successfully discharge the duties of a very active business life. At an early age he commenced with John

W. Burns to learn the blacksmith's trade, and has since continued the same with gratifying^ success, being at this time the proprietor of a shop at the village of New Lancaster, where he is doing a very prosperous business. Upon the breaking out of the war, when but little more than seventeen years of age, with the spirit that actuated the movements of young men and old throughout the entire North, he volunteered in the service of his country, to do battle for the maintenance of her rights. He responded to the first call for troops, enlisting in the Thirty- Fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged, his period of service amounting to four and a half years. Mr. Shideler was married Jane 17, 1866, to Miss Esther Burris, of Preble County, Ohio, a union blessed with the birth of four children, two of whom, Minnie B. and Tennis E., are living, the former born August 31, 1868, and the latter on the 27th day of February, 1879. Mr. Shideler is a staunch Republican in politics, and, in November, 1 886, was elected by his party a member of the Board of County Commissioners. He and wife are active members of the Methodist Church, belonging to the New Lancaster congregation.

ELIJAH SMITH, successful farmer of Lancaster Township, was born in Harrison County, W. Va., November 5, 1823, son of Jacob and Anna (Warmsley) Smith. Parents natives of the same State. He was raised on a farm, remained with his parents until attaining his majority, at which time (1844), he began life for himself 'as a common laborer, and continued as such for a period of about five years. On the 12th day of January, 1850, was solemnized, his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Starbuck of Clinton County, Ohio, and the same year moved to Huntington County, Ind., and settled on his present farm of 120 acres on the northwest quarter of Section 8, Lancaster Township. Mr. Smith has been a verv industrious and wide-awake man, and is justly entitled to a mention among the representative citizens of the county of his adoption. He and wife are consistent naembers of the Christian Church, and in politics he is an earnest supporter of the Republican party. The following are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, viz. : John M., Mary L., Anna J., Sarah J. and Latham L., the last two of whom are living.

OLIVER N. SNIDER, dealer in general merchandise, Harlansburgh, is a native of Huntington County, Ind., born in Polk Township on the />th day of December, 1854. He is the eldest son of John and Mary (Fisher) Snider, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio, who were among the early pioneers of Huntington County, moving here when the country was in almost a wilderness state. He enjoyed such educational advantages as were afforded by the common schools, but such was his progress in his various studies that he early obtained a teacher's license, and followed the profession of teaching for a period of seven years. In addition to teaching he was variously employed, buying and shipping produce, soliciting and collecting for the medical firm of G. & H. Bundle, of Pickaway, Ohio, and a part of the time acting as traveling solicitor for the publishing house of Rand, McNally & Co., of Chicago. In 1883, he purchased the mercantile establishment of Karst & Hollett, at Harlansburgh, and since that time has beeii doing a very prosperous business. He has a fine stock of merchandise, keeping all articles demanded by the general trade, and by honorable dealing has already succeeded in attracting a large and substantial class of customers. Mr. Snider's marriage with Miss Lida J. Randolph, daughter of Rhodes and Mary J. (Fish) Randolph, was solemnized June 24, 1886. Mrs. Snider was boi'n in Shelby County, Ohio, March 34, 1861, and accompanied her parents to Huntington County in the fall of 1863. Mr. Snider is a Republican in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

LEVI SOURS, a native of Lancaster County, Penn., was born October 1, 1809, the youngest son of nine children born to Henry and Catharine (Harter) Sours, both natives of the same State. Our subject received a limited education, owing to the inefficiencies of the school system of those days, was raised on a farm and remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, when he was then married to Miss Abigail Weston, the event being solemnized on the 33d of September, 1830. His wife was born in Northumberland County, Pa., December 15, 1808. She is a daughter of John and Margaret (Shineberger) Weston, natives of Pennsylvania, also. Nine children were born to this marriage, viz.: Alfred H., October 15, 1831; John J., June 12,1834; Rebecca J., August 5, 1836; Simon F., March 23,1839; Isaiah, December 18, 1840; Ruhamina E , April 26, 1842; Phebe C, September 20, 1844; Eliza M., November 13, 1846; Lidia A., October 14, 1849. Two of these are dead, John J., died August 25, 1835; Eliza M., July 4, 1867. About the year 1846, the subject came to this county and located in Jackson Township, and remained about six years, after which he moved to Iowa, and resided about two years, then they returned to this county, buying land in Huntington Township, where they made their home for about twenty years, and then to Huntington they moved. Here they resided for eight years, then being dissatisfied with town life, they purchased a small tract of land on Section 16, Lancaster Township, where they expect to remain the balance of their days. They have a nice little home on the Lancaster Gravel Road, nicely located, etc. This aged couple are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Republican. Socially they are held in high esteem by the large circle of friends with whom they are acquainted. When he retired from active life, he divided an estate of about 3,300 among his child-

JOHN J. SPRINKLE, dealer in general merchandise, New Lancaster, was born in Lancaster Township, Huntington County, March 24, 1860, the eldest son of Absalom and Salome (Heffner) Sprinkle, the father a native of Ashland County, Ohio, and the mother of Huntington County, Ind. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, received a good English education, and on attaining his majority, engaged in the mercantile business, at Pleasant Plains and New Lancaster, being still located at the latter village, where he has a good stock of general merchandise. He was married June 17, 1883, to Miss Lucinda E., daughter of John and Catharine (Shultz) Boyd, of Huntington County. Mr. Sprinkle is a Republican in politics, and with his wife, belongs to the German Baptist Church.

GEORGE B. STECH, one of the enterprising and self-made men of Lancaster Township, was born in Baden, Germany, May 18, 18-^9, and is the eldest son of William and Catherine (Zeigler) Stech, who came to the United States a number of yesics ago and settled in Louisville, Kentucky, where the father soon died. The family subsequently moved to Indiana, where for the first three years George B. was employed in the capacity of farm laborer. By carefully husbanding his earnings during that period, he was enabled to purchase a team, after which he rented land for a period of seven years. At the end of that time, in the fall of 1866, he came to Huntington County and purchased eighty acres of land in Section 36, Lancaster Township, to which he has since added, until now his farm numbers 173 acres, 113 of which are in cultivation. Mr. Stech is in the true sense of the word a selfmade man, as he was in a destitute condition when landing in this country, his sole earthly possessions amounting to but 5 cents in cash. Previous to coming to America he was a soldier in the German Army, and as such served for a period of four years. October 3, 1861, he married Sarah A. Updyke^ of Union County, Ind., v/here she was born April 11, 1842. The following are the names of the children, viz.: Isaac M., born February 21, 1864, died February 2, 1887; Fr. derick W., born June 20, 1867, and Benjamin F., born August 6, 1869. Mr. Stech is a Republican in politics, and with his wife and family belongs to the Lutheran Church.

JOB C. STOUT. - The subject of this biography was born in Franklin County, Ind., April 1, 1833, and is descended from one of the oldest families of the State, his parents having been residents of said county as early as the year 1814. Owing to lack of school advantages he grew to manhood with but a limited education, and when still a young man, served a two years' apprentice- ship at the brick mason's trade, in which he acquired great proficiency, and to which he devoted his entire attention for a number of years. In October, 1865, he moved from Jennings to Huntington County, and purchased in Section 23, Lancaster Township, 160 acres of land, upon which he at once went to work preparing a home for tlie reception of his family. By persevering industry he soon succeeded in bringing the greater part of his land into cultivation, and his farm at this time is one of the most productive and best improved in the township. Mr. Stout has always taken an active interest in the internal improvement of the county, and to him, as much as to any one man, is due the credit of bringing about the construction of the Huntington and Warren turnpike, of which road- he served as superintendent. He is a Republican in politics, but of late years has inclined to the principles of the Prohibition party, believing the latter to be the only hope of redeeming the country from the accursed rum power. Mr. Stout, on the 11th of November, 1855, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brady, daughter of John P. and Eleanor (Nutt) Brady, of Pennsylvania. She was born January 37, 1838, and is the mother of seven children, viz.: Mary E.. born November 36, 1857; Sarah J., born June 17, 1861; William L., born October 3, 1864; Martha A., born August 16, 1866; Lucinda E., born February 17, 1869; John F.. born June 7, 1871, died August 1, 1873, and Nettie, born April 13, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Stout, together with nearly all their children, are members of the Missionary branch of the Baptist Church.

JASPER H. TERRELL, a native of Clinton County, Ohio, was born March 26, 18:^6. His parents were Newcomb and Jane (Johnson) Terrell, natives of Maryland and North Carolina, both being deceased in the above county. Our subject received a common school education, was reared on a farm, where he remained until he was seventeen years of age, when he commenced to learn the wagon and carriage maker's trade, with James Trouth, of Lynchburg, Ohio, and afterward served with his brother William, and Joseph E wert. The subject traveled over considerable territory as a journeyman and in about the year 1857, came to Mt. Etna, Huntington County, where he opened a shop for himself, which he conducted until the year 1875, when he disposed of the same to William Harvey. He was married to Miss Catharine Marshall, a native of Ohio, on November 7, 1856, and to them seven children were born, Nora, an infant, unnamed (deceased), Clara, an infant unnamed (deceased), Minnie, Haassah and Charley. Our subject is a member of Mt. Etna Lodge, No. 333, F. & A. M., and Mt. Etna Lodge, No. 304, L 0. 0. F. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1870, and served for four successive terms, being elected on each occasion. He is the owner of 110 acres of land in Lancaster and Jefferson Townships, which is under a fair state of cultivation, and is all cleared land but

STEPHENM. VENARD. - Mr. Venard was born in Wayne County, Indiana, June 3, 1858, and is the eldest son of Philip and Ruth (Willcuts) Venard, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively. The parents were married in Wayne County, where the mother still resides, the father having departed this life December, 1882. Stephen M. Venard was raised on the farm and in the common schools received the basis of an education which, supplemented by a systematic course of reading and study in later years, has developed into a fund of valuable knowledge making him in the true sense of the terra a well educated man. At the age of eighteen he obtained a teacher's license, and from that time until the present has been more or less permanently identified with the educational matters, being at this time one of the most widely known and successful instructors in Huntington County. After about four years' close application as a teacher he engaged as solicitor for insurance, a business in which he has been very successful, and which he still carries on in connection with school work, having at this time an office in the town of Mt. Etna. Mr. Venard is a man of broad views, has decided opinions upon all the leading questions of the day, and while not a partisan in the sense of seeking office, takes an active interest in political affairs, being an uncompromising supporter of the Republican party. His marriage to Miss Melvina B., daughter of Joel and Elizabeth (Leverton) Chenoweth, of Huntington County, was solemnized on the 15th day of September, 1881. Mrs. Venard was born September 1, 1862, and is the mother of one child, Elgithe Dot Venard, whose birth occurred October 8, 1882.