Kosciusko County, Indiana - The whole text, 1887 (part 17 of 21)

J. HATFIELD was born in this county August 18, 1858, son of * Sidney and Sylvania (Harland) Hatfield, of this county, who came from Carroll County, Ohio, in 1842. His mother was a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Disher) Harland. Her father was a native of this State, and her mother of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Hatfield were the parents of seven children, six of whom are living. Mr. Hatfield obtained his early education in the common schools of this county, and commenced teaching in 1878, teaching thirteen terms, a vocation in which he was very successful. He then rented a farm of his fatherin-law, and has followed farming for the past year. He married Miss Rosa, daughter of Jacob and Emily (Thompson) Winner, of Jefferson Township. They have one child - Edna. Mr. Hatfield is a rising young man, and in the near future will be one of the prominent men of Kosciusko County. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.

tNDREW G. WOOD, member of the law firm of Wood & Bowser, was born ..|, in Marysville, Union County, Ohio, January 16, 1835. His father. Dr. Ira Wood, was a native of New York and of Irish ancestry. He removed to Ohio in 1821, locating'atMarysville,where he practiced medicine until his death, which occurred in 1839. He was a leading member of the Presbyterian church, of which he was an elder at the time of his death. The mother of our subject, Margaret (Haverley) Wood, was a native of Ohio and also of Irish ancestry. She died at the homestead in Marysville, February 22, 1883, in the eightieth year of her age. She continued to live in the same house built by her husband when he first located there in 1824. The property is still owned by their children. She was a very zealous, active member of the Presbyterian clinrch. Andrew Wood was educated in the common schools of Marysville during his early life, and later attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. His mother being a widow, he was obliged to educate liimself with his own earnings. When eighteen years old he was employed as a mercantile tlerk by Fullington, Garwood it Co., at Milford Ceul| ter, with whom he remained two years. In 1856 he removed to Waterloo, Iowa, wliere ]ie engaged u\ the mercantile trade by becoming associated with Timothy and John Elwell, in the firm naine of Elwell & Wood. In April, 1857, he retii'ed from the firm, returned to Ohio, and engaged in business at Milford Center with Dyer Reid, the firm name being Wood & Reid. This partnership contin\ied until 1859, when he discontinued the mercantile business and returned to Marysville, entering the law ottice of P. B. Cole as a law student. lie was admitted to the bar at Marysville December 10, 1861. In 1862 he came to Indiana and entered upon tlie practice of his profession at Lawrence^ burg, associated with Richard Gregg, the firm being Gregg & Wood. In 1863 he assisted in recruiting a company of volunteers, which became Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-third Indiana Infantry, and when organized at Greensburg, Indiana, he was elected Fii-st Lieutentant of the company, and served as such until his discharge at the close of the war, in September, 1865. During the last four months of his service he was on duty as Judge Advocate of the western department of North Carolina, with headquarters at Salisbury, that State. He was in the engagements of the Atlanta campaign and Boonesboro, and with his regiment followed Hood through Alabama. He was in the engagements at Columbia, Franklin, Northville and Kingston. After his discharge he returned to Indiana, located at Warsaw, and resumed the practice ot law, where he has since continued, having been a member of several law firms. The firm of Wood & Bowser was formed in May, 1886, his associate, Edward T. Bowser, being a former student. Politically he is a Democrat, and has been either secretary or chairman of the Kosciusko County Democratic

Central Committee for ten years. During 1866-'67 he was editor and proprietor of the Warsaw Union, a Democratic paper publisiied at that place. In 1868 he was the nominee of his party for auditor of this county. He ran ahead of the general ticket, but his party being in the minority, he was defeated. August 20, 1855, he was mari-ied at Milford Center to Miss Rose A. Reid, of that place. They have four children - Lutrella, wife of Abram Brubaker, a lawyer of Warsaw; Jennie, wife of O. P. Eversole, a merchant of Waterloo, Dakota; Emma, wife of Oscar Baker, a merchant of Warsaw, and Nettie, unmarried and still at home. Mr. Wood is a member of St. Andrews Protestant Episcopal Church, at Warsaw, of which he is junior warden. He is a member of Lake City Lodge, No. 430, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand. He is also a member of the Union Order of Honor, of which he is past president. He is a comrade of Henry Chipman Post, G. A. R., of which he is adjutant.

:f^O PERSON CHILCOTE, farmer, Van >-| M Buren Township, was born in Crawford ^-:.\ County. Ohio, March 10, 1832, son of Nicodemus and Elizabeth Chilcote, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. He was reared to maidiood in his native county, and received a rudimentary education in the subscription schools. He was married in Crawford County March 22, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Stoutenour, who was born in Pennsylvania and reared in Ohio. I To this union were born six children, three of whom survive - James, Roberson and An- I drew. In 1855 he removed to Elkhart j County, this State, and lived there until the fall of 1863, at which time ho removed to this county and settled on section 32, Van Biiren Township, where he has since resided. He has a well-improved farm of 268 acres. When he came to Indiana he was a poor man, and has made what he owns by hard labor and good manairement. During several years of his early life he followed the trade of carpenter and joiner, but the greater portion of his life has been spent in agriculture. Politically he is a Republican; has held the office of road supervisor and school director.

^^ILLIAM HENRY BOWSER, post- '^^fWm master of Warsaw, was born at I'-sjte^j Hagerstow-n, Maryland, October 30, 1882. His father, Henry Bowser, was also a native of Maryland, and of German ancestry. He was a farmer and miller by occupation, and removed to Ohio about 1834, where he lived in Richard and Hancock counties until 1854, when he came to this county and settled near Wai'saw, where he died May 14, 1866, at the age of fifty-six years. He was a member of the United Brethren church. His mother, Emily (Hammond) Bowser, was also a native of Maryland, and of English ancestry. She died at Warsaw on Easter Sunday in 1878, aged sixty-si.x years. She was also a member of the United Brethren church. They were the parents of seven children, only three of whom are living - William H., Fi-ank and Mrs. Anna Thompson, of this county. The subject of this sketch was reared in Ohio. When fifteen years of age he began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed about thirty-five years. He located at Warsaw in the spring of 1855, where he worked at his trade until 1871. Ten years of that time he taught school during the winter season. In 1871 he began tu deal in sewing machines, an occupation he still continues. Politically he is a Democrat. He has served as a member of the Kosciusko County Democratic Central Committee since 1878. He was elected justice of the peace of Seward Township and served four j-ears. February 7, 1858, he was married to Miss Catherine Margaret Kinsey, daughter of Francis and Hattie (Creamer] Kinsey, old settlers of this county. Tiiey have six living children - Melinda, wife of Francis Robbins, a farmer of this county; Francis Eddie, attorney at law at Warsaw; Ethel Leora and Althea Luella, teachers; Lucy Jane and Maud, at home. OrviUe Andrew died May 22, 1885, aged seventeen years, and Harry died October 15, 1878, aged six years. Mrs. Bowser is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Bowser is a member of Lake City Lodge, No. 430, I. O. O. F. He was appointed postmaster at Warsaw under President Cleveland, in August, 1886.

|ARTIN BROWN, one of the old piof neersof Kosciusko Conn ty,residing on -^:^:^^ section 35, Harrison Township, is a native of Virginia, born in Roanoke County, August 10, 1835, a son of Lewis and Elizabeth Brown. He grew to manhood in his native State, and was there married to Miss Miriam J. Doran, by whom he had eleven children. The names of those still living are - Tirey, Mary, James R., Martha, Levi and Eliza. In 1852 Mr. Brown immigrated with his family to Kosciusko County, Indiana, when he settled on the farm on section 35, Harrison Township, which he still occupies. When he first located in the township the timber was so dense on his land that he was obliged to clear a space before erecting his humble log caliin. Here he and his family experienced all the hardships and pri- vations which generally tall to the lot of settlers in <i new country, but they are now reaping the benefit of their early years of toil. Mr. Brown came to the county in very limited circumstances, and many a day hired out for 50 cents a day, and sometimes worked till after midnight clearing land. His early struggles have been followed by years of prosperity, and he now has his farm, which contains eighty-eight acres of choice land, under fine cultivation, and his residence and farm buildings are comfortable and commodious. Mr. Brown was a great liunter in those early days, and at that time was familiarly called Coony Brown, owing to his expertness in securing coons and minks. He was perhaps the most expert hunter and trapper in his neighborhood, and for years made that his principal occupation. He was bereaved by the death of his wife in 1882. In politics he athliates with the Democratic ]iarty. In his religious faith he isaDnnkard.

fOHN AV. NOEL, farmer, section 1, Plain Township, was born in Frederick County, Virginia, June 20, 1834. His parents were Henry and Lydia Noel, the former of German and the latter of English ancestry. They were married in Virginia and removed to Fayette County, Ohio, residing there several years. In 1842 they came to this county, locating for a short time in Van Buren Township, and subsequently in Turkey Creek Township, where they resided some thirtyyears. They finally removed to Leesburgh, where Mr. Noel died June 25, 1878. Mrs. Noel is still a resident of Leesburgh. Of their five children, three survive - John W., Jacob F. and Lewis A. The father was for a time an extensive grain merchant at Leesliurgh. He was a member of the Christian churcli, and had served as deacon. John W. was reared and educated in this county. March 8, 1860, he was married to Mary A. Nyce, of Nol)le County, this State, daughter of John and Matilda A. (Wilmouth) Nyce. Their children are - Martha A., Matilda, wife of Loren Teeple, William and Charles. Mr. Noel has served as school director of his district. He owns valuable real estate. Politically he is a Democrat.

f Syracuse, wjis born in Benton, Elkhart County, Indiana, March 2, 1839. He completed his education at Hillsdale College, Michigan. He had been in attendance three months, when the call came for 75,000 men to assist in suppressing the Rebellion. Mr. Stettler enlisted, but his company was not accepted. In the fall of 1861 he went to Fort Wayne, and made an engagement with the firm of Williams A: Huestis, wholesale grocers. He remained with them until August, 1862, then returned to Benton and enlisted in Company I, Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry. He enlisted as a private, rendezvousing first at P^ort Wayne, then at Indianapolis, where they received their arms. They then went to Louisville, Kentucky, going into camp for a few days, and he was then transferred to the quartermaster's department, O. H. Woodforth, now of Columbus, and remained there until July 10. 1863. At that time he received a commission from Governor Morton as Quartermaster of his own Right and Center, and he served in that capacity until June 6, 1865. He then returned to Benton, and in the fall of 1867 engaged in the millino- business at Ann Arbor with his l)rother Samuel. Tiie}- continued tlieir business at this place until the spring of 1S(JS, when they sohl out and came back to Benton and purchased the Benton mills, whicli were burned one year later, incurring a loss of $10,000 to the brothers. Samuel returned to Michigan, and John engaged in the saw-milling business at Benton, where he remained until the fall of 1873. The following spring he received the nomination for sheriff on the Republican ticket, but being defeated, he came to Syracuse in November of that year, and has since remained here. He was married January 2, 1879, to Miss Rebecca Kendig, who was born in York County, Peimsylvania, February 2, 1855. Mr. Stettler's father, John Stettler, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, August 21, 1799. In 1804 his father removed to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm. He was married May 11, 1826, to Catherine Shoup, and came to Elkhart County in 1838. He died March 22, 1886, and is buried in Jackson cemetery. His mother was also born in Berks County, August 29, 1806, and died October 8, 1884. His grandfather, William Stettler, was born in Berks County, and died in Montgomery County, Oliio, at the age of sixty years. His grandmother, Mary (Schaffner) Stettler, was born and died in the same counties as her husband, and was between sixty and seventy years old. They were the parents of eight children - Margaret, born April 6, 1797; John, the father of our subject; Mary, born June 24, 1804, widow of William Shupert; Jacob, born May 4, 1807; William V., born July 4, 1873; Ann and Sarah. AVilliam Shupert was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his wife, who lives in Elkhart City, draws a pension. Mr. Stettler's great-grandfather, Volentine Stettler, was born in Germany, came to America, and probably settled in Pennsylvania, where he was married, and then removed to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he passed the I'eniainder of liis davt. His great-grandmother. Eve Catherine Myei's, died in Montgomery County at the age of ninety-seven and a half years. In April, 1884, Mr. Stettler was elected township trustee, and re-elected in 1886. When he first commenced business in Syracuse he was in partnership with Joseph A. Kendig, and afterward purchased his interest; since that time he has conducted the business alone.

^, AMES WILKINS COMSTOCK, of the jM grocery firm of Comstock Brothers, of Warsaw, was born in the vicinity of Warsaw, in Wayne Township, September 30, 1846. He is one of two living sons of James C. and Elizabeth (Pittenger) Comstock. He was reared a farmer at his birthplace, and educated in the common and high school of Warsaw. When sixteen years of age he clerked several months in the store of Hudson Beck, at Warsaw. He then returned to the farm and remained until May, 1864, when he was again employed in the same store, and remained until the fall of 1865, and the following winter taught one term of school. During the following summer he again worked on the farm, and in the fall was again employed as clerk by Mr. Beck for one year. In 1868 he rented a farm in Noyes Township, what was known as the Homman farm until 1877. During that time he taught live winters in this county. In October, 1877, he became associated with 0. C. Holbrook in the grocery business at Warsaw, under the firm name of Holbrook & Comstock. In 1878 Wilson Parker succeeded Ml-. Holbrook, and the firm became Comstock & Parker. In the spring of 1880 his brother, Henry P., succeeded Mr. Parker, changing the firm to Comstock

Brothers. December 31, 1868, Mr. Coinstock was married to Miss Louisa Ilomraau, daughter of George and Mary (Hare) Hominan. They have three children - Wilbur, Zelda and Earl. lie is an attendant and his wife a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of Lake City Lodge, No. 430, L O. O. F., and of Forest Lodge. No. 46, K. of P. He is a vice-chancellor, and is now chancellor. Politically lie is a Democrat.

]p|,ANIEL D. MYEPtS, the genial host of Ijlglj the American Hotel at Silver Lake, is '^ a native of West Virginia, born in Berkley County, a son of John and Ellen (Brooks) Myers, with whom he removed to Tippecanoe, Miami County, Ohio, in 1837. In 1859 he came to Silver Lake, Kosciusko County, Indiana, and opened a shoe-store, which he carried on till the beginning of the late war, when he enlisted in Company D, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry. During that long campaign he participated in many of the most noted engagements, including the battles of Fort Gibson, Champion Hill, siege of Vicksbnrg, F^ort Blakely, Spanish Fort, and Jackson, Mississippi, and at one time his regiment was for eighty-one days under fire. He narrowly escaped being wounded at the siege of Vicksburg, where he had his shirt collar shot away and a lock of hair cut from his head by a minie ball. He was promoted to a non-commissioned officer, but refused to accept, preferring to remain a private in the ranks, and at the close of the war he received an honorable discharge, having served throughout as a gallant and faithful soldier. After bis return from the army he engaged in the dry goods trade at Silver Lake with Lawrence <t Wells, discontinuing that business in 18(56. He then purchased a farm near the vilhige of i Silver Lake, and soon after was married to ! Miss Anna Craig, a daughter of Amos W. j and Rachel (Lackey) Craig, of Marion County, Indiana. One daughter, Myrtle D., has been j born to bless this union. The}' commenced : married life on the farm near Silver Lake, and in 1870 returned to that village, and the I following year was ap])ointed postmaster, i which office he resigned two years later. In 1879 he was re-appointed to the same office, I resigning his position the tirst week of Presi- ! dent Cleveland's administration. It is needless to add that Mr. Myers is an uncompromising Republican, and has been a member of the Republican Central Committee, and has always worked in unison with that party. In April, 1886, Mr. Myers became proprietor of the American Hotel, which under his excellent management has become noted among traveling men, who invariably iry to make this their objective point when on the road. Its clean, airy and comfortably furnished rooms, the elegant cuisine and courteous treatment, bring guests from afar to patronize this house. Mr. Myers is one of the esteemed and respected men of the village of Silver Lake, where he is classed among the most influential and public-spirited citizens.

y^ffFIARLES CLASE, farmer and tile manu. AK facturer, Wayne Township, was born in ^1 Northampton County, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1821. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth Clase, who were the parents of ten children, eight of whom survive - Charles, Peter, Simon, Jacob, Joseph, John, James and Sarah. Mr. Clase married Lovina Stever, and they had five children- - Lewis, Samuel;

Almina, wife ofHenry Gny ; Alabama, wife of Adain Annsbaugh; Barbara, wife of Joseph Van Ness. In 1849 Mr. Claso removed to Crawford County, Ohio, and in 1862 came to Kosciusko County, where he has since resided. He owns 163 acres of improved land, and in company with his son Samuel is engaged in the manufacture of tile for draining ]nn-poses. Mrs. Clase died in November, 1884. He is a member of the United Brethren church, and has officiated as steward. He has served as road supervisor, and in politics is a Democrat.

PR. CALVIN MARK CLAYTON, of i Warsaw, was born in Manchester, England, August 5, 1852. When ten years of age he came to America with his parents, who settled in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Calvin M. Clayton, was born in Leeds, England, and of English parentage. He was a druggist by profession, and after his arrival in America was traveling salesman for Wernon Drury, in New York, Boston and Philadelphia. He died in Brooklyn August 28, 1861, aged lifty-four years. He was a member of the Episcopal church. His mother, Elizabeth Jane (Hendress) Clayton, was a native of Manchester, England, and of Scotch descent. She came to America with her husband and family, and died in Brooklyn June 2, 1862, aged forty-six years. She also was a member of the Episcopal church. She was the mother of three children, of whom the doctor was the oldest. He was educated mostly in Brooklyn. At the age of fourteen he entered a drug store in Brooklyn and served a term of three years. He then attended a select school at Buffalo, New York, for six months, and after a vacation of a few months was employed as clerk in a drug store for a year. In 1S71, when nineteen years of age. he entered the drug btore of Dr. J. H. Townseud, of Rochester, New York, with whom he studied medicine and clerked for three years. During the fall an<l winter of 1874-'75 he took a course of lectures in New York City. He then clerked in a drug store in Brooklyn until 1876, when he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and liegan the practice of his profession. A few months later he came to Indiana, locating at Logansport, where he practiced until 1877. In November of tiiat year he located at Warsaw, where he has since i-emained, and where he has built up an extensive and lucrative prac tice. September 28, 1885, he was married at AVarsaw to Miss Eva May Reeves, daughter of Homer and Maria (Bigbee) Reeves, and granddaughter of Rev. Reeves, for several years rector of the Episcopal church at Warsaw.

T^TILLIAM H. YASTE, of Van Buren .1/ \l Townshij), was born in Frederick l"=e/3^) County, Maryland, December 27, 1826, son of Samuel and Mary Yaste, also natives of Maryland. He was reared to manhood in his native county, and received a common-school education. In 1850 he removed with his parents to Miami County, Ohio, where he was married December 29, 1852, to Harriet Wyland, daughter of Daniel and Margaret Wyland, who settled in Elkhart County in the spring of 1853. They have four children - Margaret E., wife of Thomas Dalton, of Kossuth County, Iowa; Edgar, Elmer and Minnie. Mr. Yaste came to this county in the fall of 1861, settling in Van Buren Township, and owns a farm of eighty acres, which is well improved. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served as road super- visor and school director. He was formerly a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity. He is a self-made man, having commenced life with very little means.

§AVID GROVE, farmer, section 1, ! Plain Township, was born in Frederick -m- County, Virginia, July 11, 1843, son of Henry and Phoebe Grove, who were the parents of nine children. The survivors are - Charles, William, James, Joseph, George, Mary, Sidney A. and David. The latter was reared to manhood in his native State, and received a fair English education. In 1862 he emigrated to Greene County, Ohio, working on a farm near Xenia. He then came to this county, and was engaged as a farm hand for several years, and then worked a rented farm for a number of years. In December, 1867. he was married to Miss Alvena Talbert, daughter of Francis Talbert, of this countj', now deceased. To this union have been born two children - Eosa, born April 14, 1869, and James, born July 11, 1875. Mr. Grove settled upon his present farm in the northeast corner of Plain Township in the spring of 1882, and has made for his family a comfortable home. He has met with pecuniary success, having started in life a poor boy. Politically he is a Democrat.

fOHN LATE WINCE is a native of the State of Virginia, born in Culpeper County, December 24, 1832, a son of Philip and Martha (Scott) Wince, who were both born in Loudoun County, Virginia, of Scotch- Welsh descent. When our subject was about a year old he was taken by his parents, in November, 1833, to Muskingum

County, Ohio, tiiey moving from tlieir native State on the morning of the phenomenon of the falling stars. They followed farming in Muskingum County until 1854, when they came with tlieir family to Indiana, and settled on a farm in Washington Township, Whitley County, where the mother died October 20, 1869, aged tifty-nine years. The father still lives in Forest, Whitley County, at the advanced age of eighty years. Both were members of the Disciple church. John L. Wince, the subject of this sketch, was reared to the avocation of a farmer on his father's farm near Zanesville, in Muskingum County, and his education was obtained in the district school and in the high school at Columbia,^ Indiana. He left home at the age of twenty years, and engaged in teaching school, following that avocation in Muskingum and Licking counties, Ohio, teaching in all ten terms. He was then an in\alid for seven years, and lived with his father in Whitley County, Indiana. He came to Kosciusko County in 1867, and March 13 of the same year was married to Miss Sarah Roxanna Chaplin, born near CoUamer, Whitley County, Indiana, in 1836, but reared in Kosciusko County, near Pierceton, her parents, Steadman Atherton and Sarah (Qui gg) Chaplin, having settled there when she was an infant. Her father was a native of Vermont and her mother of Spencer, Tioga County, New York, the latter born April 12, 1802. They settled in Whitley County, Indiana, in 1836, and in the fall of 1838 removed to Washington Township, Kosciusko County, where the father bought a tract of 160 acres of heavily-timbered land, which he cleared and improved. Here they experienced all the hardships and privations which usually fall to the lot of pioneers, but lived to see the wilderness change into well-cultivated farms and thriving villages. Mrs. Chaplin died on their homestead, near Pierceton, October 24, 1872, aged over seventy years. After his wife's death Mr. Chaplin went to Plymouth, Indiana, where as a minister of the Church of God he preached the word, and still supplies the pulpit at that place, besides being editor and publisher of the Restitution, a religious paper published at Plymouth. Mrs. "Wince still resides on her father's homestead, which she partly inherited, the remainder being purchased by Mr. Wince. Mr. and Mrs. Wince have no family, their only child. Steadman, dying in infancy. They are both members of the Church of God, in which Mr. Wince is an elder, and preaches at Pierceton and other places.

fOSEPH BOWMAN, farmer and stockraiser, section 35, Scott Township, was -ivi born in Stark County, Ohio, November 3, 1829. His parents, Abraham and Christina (Crider) Bowman, were natives of Pennsylvania, and of .German ancestry. They had ten children - Mary, Christina, Henry, Samuel C, David, Martin, Adam, Joseph, Isaac JST., and Elizabeth. The father died at the age of seventy-six years and the mother at the same age. Our subject resided at home until he reached his majority, attending the common school for a period of two and a half years. He was married February 29, 1852, to Miss Lucy A. Wagner, daughter of Phillip and Elizabeth (Oberlin) Wagner, natives of Pennsylvania. To this union six children were born - John F., Elizabeth T. (deceased), Mary Jane (deceased), Phillip H., William A., and Laura M., who married William F. Mentzel, of Marshall County. Mr. Bowman removed from Ohio to Elkhart County, thence to this county in 1864, purchasing 160 acres of partially improved land, which is in a good state of cultivation. He was elected township assessor of Union Townshiji, Elkhart County, in the spring of 1856, serving two terms. Politically he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.

fACOB H. SCHUE, farmer, Wayne Township, was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1840. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth Schue, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Jacob II. was an only child, and was thrown upon his own I'esources when only eight years of age. He worked by the day and by the month as a farin hand, and in a savv-mill. He remained in his native State until 1854, when he went to Illinois, and for a time worked on a farm in the neighborhood of Joliet. In the fall of 1856 he came to this county, and has been a resident here ever since. AVIien in his twenty-first year he began to learti the carpenter's trade, at which he has worked a portion of the time up to the present. July 20, 1860, he was married to Elizabeth Castater, who was born August 10, 1841, daughter of George and Sarah Castater, the former of whom is deceased. They have had nine children - William L., born July 17, 1862; Thomas E., born January 26, 1865; George C, born March 26, 1867; Samuel J., born December 14, 1870; Alice E., born June 18, 1872; Margaret J., born December 4, 1874; John F., born January 21, 1877; Frederick A., born January 24, 1880, and Millie I., born July 22, 1861, died August 13, 1861. In July, 1863, Mr. Schue enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, and was assigned to the Armj' of the Cumberland. He participated in the battles of Blue Springs, Taylor- ville, AYalker's Ford, and tlie entire siege of Kuoxvilie. He was honorably discliarged from the service at Iudiaiiai)olis in March, 1864. He then returned to this county, where he owns 140 acres of valuable land. He has been very successful, considering the fact that he was §35 in debt after his marriage. He is at present serving as school director in district Xo. 8. In politics he affiliates with the Ivepublican party.

pRS. MAKY L. WELLS is a native vjlBV/tttf of New York State, born in Oswego ^^:4ipf^ County, a daughter of Captain "William J. and Nancy (Kelly) Bonlton. Her parents had a family of fourteen children, all dying young but five, and of this number only two reached maturity. The parents removed with their family to Lenawee County, Michigan, in 1832, being among the early settlers of that county. Mrs. Wells has been twice married, her first husband, whom she married in Lenawee Connty in 1852, being Richard Carter, and to this union were born two sons - William M. and George J., the former married to Miss Martha McNair, and the latter married to Miss Pireria Pancake, of Noble County, Indiana. Mr. Carter went to California, where he died a few years later. In 1864 Mrs. Carter married Captain John S. Wells, at that time in the United States service. Aftei- the close of the war the Captain and his wife located in Noble County, Indiana, remaining there till 1870. In that year they came to Kosciusko County, remaining at Warsaw until 1872, the Captain being in the employ of the Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan Railroad Company, and was with that company till his death. In 1872 they removed to Claypool, and the Captain commenced building the first hotel in the village.

but died before its completion, his death taking place in 1S74. He was a man of much etiterprise, and was the first to commence building in Claj'pool, where he built the depot, and also the first blacksmitii in the village. Mrs. Wells has a large and substantial residence, beautifully located on a site overlooking the village of Claypool, which she uses as a private boarding-house, this being the only private boarding-house in Claypool. Her eldest son lives at Wawaka, Indiana, and her son George is practicing dental surgery in Kenton, Ohio.

fAMES A. MEEK, one of the representative citizens of Silver Lake, and an active and enterprising business man, was born in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana, in 1841. His parents, Lorenzo Dow and Martha M. (Carey) Meek, removed with their family to Whitley County, Indiana, in 1855, and there our subject grew to manhood. His parents had seven children born to them in Henry County, whose names are - John, Samuel. James A., Irvin R., Isophine, Josephine and Belle Irene, James A. being the only member of the family residing in Kosciusko Cotmty. The father at one time was the leading merchant tailor of New Castle, which business he carried on till he was elected treasurer of Henry County in 1852, when he discontinued his business to assume the duties of that ofKce. James A. Meek was a gallant and faithful soldier during the late war, enlisting July 1, 1861, in Company D, Twentieth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the expedition from Fortress Monroe to Cape Hatteras, and on the second day out he was detailed with a guard to care for camp equipage on the boat Fanny, which was liound for an island ofl' the coast of North Carolina, wliere the main army was encamped. We give the story of his capture by the rebels in his own words: "We steamed up the river, and when within three hours' ride of the island, hailed the gunboat Putnam. The Captain advised us to keep a sharp lookout, for strange sails had been seen hovering near, and for greater security he lowered to the transport a sixty-four pound gun, manned by a few of Hankins' Zouaves. They had barely gone out of sight, when three rebel gunboats, the Curlew, Ceres and Juniluska hove in sight and opened fire. In the meantime the Fanny had grounded upon a sandbar, and the game guards began tiring, but the gunboats completely surrounded the transport, and the brave fellows were obliged to surrender. The crew and othcers had left the transport before the firing commenced, and the rebels found the boat deserted, save by the above mentioned guard." The prisoners were taken to Roanoke Island, and the following day the rebel.'; returned to the island before mentioned, and captured 300 more Union prisoners, who were with the first named taken to Norfolk, thence to Richmond, Virginia, and afterward to Columbia, South Carolina, and about six months later were sent back to Richmond and released on parole. Mr. Meek then returned to his home, broken down physically, and nine months later, after having recovered his health, he re-enlisted in Company D, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, and was engaged principally in Louisiana and Mississippi, and took part in numerous battles, among which was the last general engagement of the war at Mobile, Alabama. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Upon his return from Libby prison, and while on parole, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Brown, of Wabash County, Indiana, and after the war they located at Silver Lake, where they have since made their home. Two childi'en have been liorn to them - J. II. Leonard, of Silver Lake, and Loring C. Mr. Meek was principally engaged as stationary engineer since coming to Silver Lake till 1882, when he embarked in the furniture business, j)urohasing a tine stock of new goods, and has since done a thriving business, he being the only regular furniture dealer in the village, and is also engaged as an undertaker, and has a neat hearse and accoutrements. He is one of the charter members of Post No. 306, G. A. R., and was its second commander. Three of the brothers of our subject were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion, all returning home unharmed, although participating in many battles. His maternal uncles, Captain Ebenezer, Decatur, Oliver H., James N.and John Terry, were soldiers during the Mexican war, and took part in the battles of New Oi'leans, Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Buena Vista, and other engagements during that campaign.

tENRY E. GEYER, farmer, Van Buren Township, was born in this county May 26, 1850, son of John and Catherine Geyer, early settlers of Elkhart County, Indiana. His father was twice married, and was the father of ten children, seven of whom survive - Hii'am, Joseph, John, Elizabeth, Saloma, Anne and Susan. Henry was reared to manhood in this county, and received a rudimentary education in the district schools. January 6, 1876, he married Mary C. Utz, born November 10, 1857, in Darke County, Ohio, and a daughter of Daniel and Lydia Utz, the former being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Geyer have two children - Ardie W., born January 25, 1869, and Chloe M., born January 18, 1886. Mr. Geyer owns a farm of 120 acres, and also owns a lialf interest in a saw-mill, the other half being owned bj his brother, John Geyer. In politics he is a Republican, and is at present serving as road supervisor. He and his wife are members of the Dunkard church, and are higlilj-esteemed members of society.

fETIl MALOY, farmer. Van Buren Township, was born in Wayne County, Oliio, July 9, 1838, son of John and Mary Maloj, of this county. In 1841 he came to Whitley County with his parents, who lived in that county for six years. In 1851 the family came to this county, and settled in the timber in V^an Buren Township. His parents had twelve children, of whom fonr are living - John, Daniel, David and Seth. He was reared a farmer, and was married December 10, 1865, to Mahala J. Coy, daughter of Henry and Mary A. Coy, of this county. They have had fonr children, three of whom survive - Milo, Frank and Ada. Mr. Maloy settled upon his farm in 1880, where he owns fifty acres of good land. He is a member of the Church of God, and is oificially an elder and a trustee of the church property in Syracuse. In politics he is a Republican.

tM^ C. BROWER, farmer and dealer in inMi '^"'^ manufacturer of lumber, resides '^f^® on section 28, where he owns eighty acres of land. He also owns 135 acres on section 25, making a total of 210 acres. He came to this county in 1854 with his step-father, who was a brother of his father. The family settled on section 34, where Isaac Brower now lives. A. C. M-as thirteen A'ears old when he came to this county. When he was fifteen he commenced working by the month among the farmers and in the mills, and continued in that work until he was twenty-four years of age. November 26, 1865, he was married to Sarah A. Hess, who was born in Turkey Creek Township November 13, 1844. Her father, John Hess, was born near Columbus, Ohio, in 1808, and died in March, 1872. Her mother, Barbara (Roarer) Hess, was born in Elkhart County, this State, and died when Mrs. Brower was quite young. Mr. Brower was born in Pennsylvania December 27, 1840. His father, Henry Brower, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, about 1818. He died in the spring of 1842, and is buried in Fishing Creek cemetery, Pennsylvania. His mother, Sarah (Mouck) Brower, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1819, and is still living on section 32, Turkey Creek Township. When our subject was seven years of age he came to Elkhart County with his step-father, and later they went to Grnnd}- County, Illinois, remaining there fonr or five months, and then settled in Kosciusko County. His grandfather, Abraham Brower, died in Turkey Creek Township at the age of eighty-four years, and is buried in the Cable cemetery. He was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His grandmother, Mar^' Brower, died in Elkhart County in 1849 or 1850, and is buried in the Baugo cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Brower have four children - Mary C, born May 13, 1866; Edward H., born March 13, 1872; Anna, born July 3, 1876, and Elmira, born August 20, 1885. Mr. Brower is a Republican in politics, and Mrs. Brower is a member of the General Baptist church. Ml-. Brower enlisted April 1, 1861, in Company C, Ninth Indiana Infantry, serving first in Western Virginia under Colonel Milroy,

General Grant being coTnmander uf that departinent. lie then went to Philadelphia and sei-ved 100 days, and was then mustered out. He participated in several skirmishes - Laurel Hill, Cheat River, etc., then caine home and followed farming and milling.

j^;LARK L. HATFIELD, a merchant of ^Wa Clavpooi, is a native of Kosciusko ^1 County, Indiana, born in Seward Township in 1854, a son of Martin and Margaret (Luttrell) Hatfield. Martin Hatfield was a native of Ohio, coming from that State to Indiana about 1840 with iiis father's family, which consisted of parents and eight children. The family first settled in Elkhart County, but came to Kosciusko County before the marriage of Martin. He was mar- ried here, and purchased a farm in Seward it Township, where his three sons - Clark L., Isaiah W. and Samuel A. were born. Mrs. Hatfield died in 1863, and for his second wife Mr. Hatfield married Elizabeth Vanator, a daugliter of John Vanator, of Kosciusko County, and to this union were born three children - Jasper, Adaline and Jennette. Martin Hatfield was a farmer during his life, and was a respected citizen wherever he made his home. He left behind him a small property and an unsullied name. His widow subsequently married Price Kupe, and is still living in Clay Township. Clark L. Hatfield, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm, receiving g. od educational advantages in his youth, attending the schools of his native county, completing his classical education at the Normal schools of Warsaw. He taught his first school in Washington T(nvnship, at Kosciusko Station, in 1874, following the teacher's profession in this county for several terms. In 1876 he went to Van

Buren County, Michigan, and engaged in the lumber trade, which business he followed for three years. In 1S79 he returned to Kosciusko County, Indiana, where he followed farming till 1883, since which time he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits in Claypool, where he owns his business house and residence, and by strict attention to his business, and accommodating and obliging manners, he has built up a good trade. Mr. Hatfield was united in marriage in 1880, to Miss Ida E. Kelly, a daughter of William and Salina Kelly. Two children, Leroy and Corda B., have been born to this union. Mr. Hatfield has never. allowed politics to interfere with his business, to which he devotes his entire attention. Quiet, unassuming, industrious and strictly honorable in all his dealings, he has gained the confidence of the entire community.

sflLLIAM D. WOLFORD, farmer, \]'' section 25, Wayne Township, was born in Hancock County, Oliio, July 17, 1837. His parents, Godfrey and Elizabeth Wolford, were natives of Pennsylvania, and removed to Ohio when Hancock County contained but twelve families. William came to this county with his parents in 1852. They settled upon what is now known as the Caleb Cininger farm, in AVayne Township. His father purchased 143 acres of land, and lived upon it until his decease, July 28, 1860. His mother survived him several years. His parents had nine children, six of whom are living - Gideon, Robert, John, Elizabeth, Major G. and William D. Our subject was reared to farm life, and educated in the subscription schools. October 21, 1859, he was married in this county to Mary E. Hiner, daughter of William and Elizabeth Hiner, early settlers of this county. They have had eight children - Charles, Catherine E., now Mrs. Eugene Cowic, Elsie, Ilnldah, Mary E., Bertha, Nora, and Curtis, deceased. Mrs. Wolford died in October, 1880. Mr. Wolford owns 120 acres of excellent land, and has made his property by hard work. He is a member of the Masonic fraternit}' at Pierceton, also of the Eagle Lake Grange, Lodge 420. In politics he is a Republican. He has in his possession the first ballot-box used in DelawareTownship, Hancock County, Ohio, which was made by his father.

fl^IIOMAS RIDGEWAY BOULTON. '^fififi. contractor and builder, at Warsaw, was born near Mount Union, Stark ( ounty. Ohio, February 10, 1840. His lather, Zebedee D. Boulton, was a native of New Jersey, and of English-Irish extraction. His mother, Rebecca A. (Bryant) Boulton, was also a native of New Jersey and of English-Irish ancestry. She died in 1857. He was reared a farmer, and came to Indiana with his parents in 1849, locating in Marshall County. In 1858 he went to Bracken County, Kentucky, and cultivated a rented farm until the spring of 1850, when he returned to Bourbon, Marshall County, and began to work at the carpenter's trade. He followed carpentering two years, then enlisted in the Union army as a private in Company F, Twelfth Indiana Infantry, serving until the close of the war, which was three years. He was dischai'ged as Sergeant, in AVashington City, June 10, 1865. While in the service he was engaged in the battles of New PIopo Church, Jackson, Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, the engagement before Atlanta July 22-28, 18G4,"Griswoldville, North Carolina, and numerous skirmislieB. He was also in

Sherman's celebrated march to the sea. After his discharge he returned to Bourbon, and was engaged in contracting an<l building until 1876, when he came to Warsaw, remaining only one year, then returned to his former occupation at Bourbon, and also engaged in the fire and life insurance business, and in selling musical instruments and sewing machines. In 1879 he again removed to Warsaw and engaged in contracting and building. November 1, 1866, he was married at Bourbon, Indiana, to Miss Mattie A. Kaiser, ot Mahoning County, Ohio. He is a member of Lake City Lodge, No. 430, and of Hackelman Encampment, No. 27, I. O. O. F., and is past master. Politically he aflSliates with the Republican party.

^ENRY BAUGHMAN, a son of Michael 'im\ and Salome (AVinters) Baughman, was "ifS^ls born in Crawford County, Ohio, in the year 1843. The family came to Kosciusko County, Indiana, in 1849, and settled near Palestine, where the father died a year later. His widow subsequently married William Gochenour, and to this union were born seven children - Benjamin, John D., George B., Eliza, Elzie, Lavina and Alice. By her first marriage Mrs. Baughman had seven children - Jacob, Matilda, Maria, Kitty A. and Henry, our subject, all natives of Ohio, and Lydia and William, born in Kosciusko County. Henry Baughman was about six years of age when he was brought by his parents to Kosciusko County, and here he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the district schools. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Sevent^'-fourth Indiana Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Munfordville, Kentucky, and was released on parole, and after his exchange returned to his company and regiment, and was on active duty until the close of the war. He was united in marriage in 1869 to Miss Elizabetli J. Ward, of Marshall County, Indiana. One son, Henry, was born to this union, who died at the age of nine years. Mr. Baughinan is one of the active and enterprising men of Seward Township, taking an interest in the advancement of his township or county. For the past five years he has had chai'ge of the farm of A. P. Rupe, with whose family he resides, and under his skillful management the farm has become one of the best in the neighborhood. He is a charter member of Kosciusko Post, No. 114, G. A. R.

^XYID BRUMBAUGH, merchant, is a a native of Indiana, born in Elkhart County. His father, John Brumbaugh, was a native of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Ohio in 1832, and thence to Jetl'erson Township in 1833. In 1826 he was married to Miss Catherine Bowser, and they had four children - Jacob; Rachel, who married John Rich, of Elkhart County; Susan, who married Abraham Guyer, of Jeflerson Township; and David, who was married October 25, 1860, and has three children - Charles L. ; Clara Jane, who married William Smith; and Catherine, who married Martin Holmes. Mr. Brnmbaugh attended the common schools for twelve years during the winter season, and worked upon his father's farm dui-ing the summer. He remained at home until he reached his majority, and then purchased the farm where he now resides. In 1874: he embarked in the mercantile trade, which lie carries on in coimection with farming. He owns 108 acres of land. He served

I^REEMAN S. WILLIAMS, physi- 31% cian and surijeon, living in Burkett, ~Z<^ is a native of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, born September 13, 1847, a son of Swain O. and Mary M. (Doud) Williams. In 1851 the parents removed with their family to Allen County, settling on a farm near Lima. Six children were born to them in Pennsylvania, and two in Ohio, as follows - Rasilla, Daraxa, Alvina, Demas (enlisted in Company B, Ninety-ninth Ohio Infantry, and died soon after tlie battle of Stone River), Isaac (deceased), Freeman S., Nelson and Mary M. Freeman S., the subject of this sketch, received good educational advantages in his youth, and after graduating from the high school at Delphos, Ohio, he followed the teacher's profession for several years, teaching in Carroll County, Missouri, Pleasant County, Ohio, and Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. He began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. A. T. Brundage, of Factory ville, Pennsylvania, in 1871, remaining with him two years, when he entered the University of Michigan, graduating from that college of medicine and surgery in March, 1875, and the same spring located at Kalida, the county seat of Putnam County, Ohio. June 6, 1876, he was married to Miss Nora I. Parker, a daughter of Lorenzo and Louisa Parker, who were natives of Ohio. They settled in Kalida, Putnam County, in 1838, where the father died in 1883. Mrs. Parker is still a resident of that city. They were the parents of live children - Mary, Ormond, Norah, Justina and Lena. Di-. Williams located in the village of Burkett in April, 1885, where lie has since practiced liis profession, and beini,' well skilled in medicine and siii-gery, has built up a larye practice. lie has made investments in business property in Burkett and intends to make this village his permanent home. lie is popular with the people in this vicinity, and since coming to Kosciusko County has made many warm friends. The great-grandfather of our subject, Enos Williams, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his grandfather, Gershour Williams, was a soldier in the war of 1812.

OHN WESLEY ROYSTON, manutacturer of cigars and dealer in tobacco, at AVarsaw, was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, March 1, 1833. His father, William Royston, was also a native of Maryland, and of Scotch ancestry. He was a farmer by avocation, and died on tlie homestead where he was born, in Baltimore County, in 1847, aged fifty-five years. His mother, Elizabeth (Fuller) Royston, was a native of the same county, and was of Welsh ancestry. She died at the homestead in 1869, aged seventyeight years. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. John Royston was the fifth of nine children. When thirteen years of age lie left home and was employed as a mercantile clerk in the city of Baltimore for three years. He was then employed as a hotel clerk in that city, and afterward in the cities of Washington, D. C, Chambersburg, Caledonia Springs, Hamburg, Loretta Springs and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Hyde Park, Illinois. In 1864: he was employed as agent of the American E,\- press Company at Fort Wayne, and in 1865 was transferred to Warsaw by the company, and remained in their employ until 1868, fESSE FLOWERS, farmer and stockraiser, section 1, Scott Township, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, April 1, 1838. His father, James Flowers, was of English ancestry. He married Miss Elizabeth Migard, of Virginia, about 1817, and they had eleven children - Samuel, Joel, Mary (deceased), Andrew, Jacob, Hannah (deceased), Adam, Jesse and Isaiah. Two, unnamed, died ill infancy. The father died in Ohio in 1847, and the mother in Scott Township in 1879, at the age of eighty-one years. Our subject removed from Ohio to Whitley County in 1861. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Company L, First Indiana Cavalry, and served nine months. He was in the battles of Helena, Arkansas,YazooCut,and in several skirmishes near that place. He was mustered out of the service, with an honorable discharge, in August, 1863. He was married in February, 1865, to Miss Lovina Kyle, daughter of Jacob and Susaii (Raber) Kyle, natives of Germany, ilr. and Mrs. Flowers have had eight children - John Nelson, Olive Hadley, Josephine, Charles Edward, Irving Ellis, Rosa Nellie, Delia Ella (deceased) and Minnie Alice. Mr. Flowers removed to Scott Township in 1867, purchasing 192 acres of unimproved land, and subsequently selling ninety acres. He now lias si.xty of the 100 acres in a good state of cultivation. He has built a fine house and one of the best barns in the township, besides good farm buildings. When he came here he had comparatively nothing, but by his own industry and economy has acquired one (if the finest pro]ierties in the township, his farm being only half a mile from the fOlIN MAKEMSON was born in Logan County, Ohio, December 19, 1811. His parents were natives of England, and after their immigration to the United States, settled in Kentucky, and moved from there to Logan County, Ohio, in an early day". When they settled in Logan County the Indians were the principal inhabitants, and were savage, and the settlers were obliged to build block-houses, to protect themselves at night from their troublesome neighbors. October 21, 1835. John and Vincent Makemson came from Logan County, (^hio, to Kosciusko Count}-, Indiana, and settled in Washington Township, and built their houses, and prepared for winter. John Makemson thinks himself the Tnost independent man that ever came to Kosciusko County, and the following will show that he has good reasons for thinking so. When he came to the county he had 200 acres of land, $5 in money, two horses, one wagon, six head of cattle and fifteen head of hogs, an ax, a hand-saw, across-cut saw, two planes, a broadax, a drawing knife and grindstone. AVith these tools he, for ten years, made with his own hands all the bedsteads, tables, chairs, etc., to be used in the house, and all his farming tools, comprising plows, liarrows, cultivators, sleds, rakes and grain cradles. In addition to this he killed deer, which supplied his table with meat, and after tanning the hides he made the shoes for his family, making his own lasts and pegs. His lasts would compare favorably with those Tiiade in the Eastern factories. From this experience of one of Kosciusko's prominent pioneers, the young people of to-day may learn a lesson of independence, as what he has done and accomplished may be done by any who have like determination and pluck. He never learned a trade, having been brought up to farming, and his handy use of tools is but another example of the proverb: " Necessity is the mother of invention." After coming to Kosciusko County he bought some sheep, and his wife spun and carded the wool, got it woven, and made all their clothes. He cleared his land and raised corn, beans and potatoes enough for his own use, and some to sell. The first year he was here he cut his own road to Warsaw and Leesbiirgh; cut browse enough during the winter for six head of cattle, killed five deer, fifty muskrats, six minks, one otter and twenty-five raccoons, and found four bee trees. His first year was his best one in the fur trade, as when the county became settled the game lett. The Indians were nuniei'ous in the county for five years after his arrival. The Squawbucks were very peaceable, but the Miamis were somewhat hostile. Mr. Makemson's first tax receipt in Kosciusko County was for 33 cents. The first installment of his taxes for 1887 was $96. Thus it will be seen he has not only been self-sustaining, but has acquired by his industry and integrity a competence for his declining years. He is public spirited and enterprising, and has been a liberal contributor to all interests of benefit to his county. He has an interest in ten churches, and in all the school-houses in the county. He feels that he has an interest in the great court-house of his county, which is only second to any in the State. It has always been a source of pleasure to him to help any who could not help themselves. He feels now that the work of his hands is almost done, but that when the earthly house of this tabernacle is dissolved, he has an interest in the shed blood of Christ, which assures him an inheritance in tiie briijlit and lieavenly plains of eternal day, where the light of God's countenance will ilhunijiate it throughout all eternity, undinimed by a cloud from that region of eternal night, the abode of the lost. He has tried to live peaceably with all men throughout the journey of life, and to banish trouble from his mind as he would an evil tliought, so that his pathway might be as smooth as the UTitroubled ocean, having none to molest, and none to annoy, but all ready to aid in making his last days his best days, glad to show by any act the esteem and gratitude they feel to the old pioneer, whose life has been spent in making their county one of the grandest in the grand State of Indiaiui.

Indiana, born on a farm in Noble County, near Kendallville, the date of his birth being November Ifi, 1850. He was reared at his l)irth-place till his seventeenth year, when he began to attend the high school at Kendallville, teaching in the district schools of Noble County daring the winter terms, which he followed till twenty-two years of age. In 1872 he entered the office of Dr. J. L. Gilbert, of Kendallville, where he studied medicine for one year, and in the fall of 1874 he entered the Detroit Medical College, from which institution he graduated in March, 1876, after taking two regular and one special course. He then V)egan the practice of medicine at Moscow, Michigan, where he followed his profession until November, 1877, since which he has lived in Pierceton, Indiana, and during his residence here has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice, and has gained the respect and confidence of the entire community. November 11, 1879, he was married to Miss Ida B. AVilson. a daughter of Albert and Bathia (Trobridgej Wilson. She is a native of Noble County, Indiana, and was reared on a farm adjoining the home of our subject in that county. The}' are the parents of one son, named Ralph Newton. The doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Pierceton. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is now serving his fourth term as worshipful master of Pierceton Lodge, No. 377, A. F. c^ A. M., and is a charter member of Pierceton Chapter. No. 56, of the Eastern Star, of which he was the first worthy patron. In politics he is a Republican. The parents of our subject, Michael and Rachel King, were natives of Baden, Germany, and Richland County, Ohio, respectivel}^ the mother being of Scotch-Irisli descent. Tiie father, on coming to Ainei'ica in 1830, first located in Ohio, and in 1849 removed to Indiana, settling on his farm in Noble County, where he died in February, 1885, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife died on the same farm in 1864. aged fortv-tw(.) years. Both were active and worthy members i^f the Lutheran church.

L ^TT was born September 13, 1824, in Monroe County, New York, near the city of Rochester. His parents were John and Mary (Harvey) Stanton, the former a native of Washington County, New York, and the latter of Dutchess County, same State. When in his seventeenth year his ])arents I'emoved to Oakland County, Michigan, where his moth'er died September 9, 18-44. Plis fatiier remained tliere several years afterward, and finally came to this county, where he died at the home of his son William September 12, 1859. Three of their four children are livin(»' - William E., Edwin and Rahania. After his mother's death William returned to New York State, remaining there until 1850, then came to this county, where he has since resided. In December, 1852, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Hutchinson. Of their two children one survives - William B. Mrs. Stanton died May 5, 1874, leaving many sorrowful relatives and friends to mourn her loss. Mr. Stanton is a self-educated man, and is well versed on general topics. He is identified with tiie Republican party.

ILLIAM HECKERMAN was born , in Marshall County, this State, May ^^j 28, 1850. His father, Jacob Heckerman, was a native of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. About 1835 he married Elizabeth Shearer, daughter of John Shearer, a native of Stark County, Oliio, also of German ancestry. They had eleven children - John, Sarah Ann (deceased), Mary (deceased), Samuel, Emanuel, Rachel, Phillip, William, Jacob, Margaret and Adam. Mr. Heckerman removed from Stark County to Marshall County in 1836, entering 240 acres of unimproved land, which he improved until it is one of the best farms in Marshall County. His education was limited, owing to the scarcity of schools, but by his own eftbrts he has obtained a good practical education. He resided with his parents until 1882. He was married in July, 1871, to Miss Mary Burgner, daughter of John and Christina (Shaffer) Burgner, of Scott Township, and they have live children - Rosa Emeline, Anna Elizabeth, Ella Nora, Clarence and Ira. Mr. Ileckerman came to Scott Township in 1882 and purchased 120 acres of partially improved land, seventy of which are now in a good state of cultivation. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. Himself and wife are members of the Evangelical church.

fOHN M. MILLER, the present efficient principal of public schools at Silver -T^-", Lake, is a native of Indiana, born in Wabash County, September 18, 1855, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Weybright) Miller, the father born near Plarrisburg, Pennsylvania, and the mother near Dayton, Ohio. To them were born ten children - Kelson E., Sarah J., Jacob L., Mary E., Henry, George W., John M., Charles F., Francis A. and Levra, all of whom received good educational advantages, four of them following the teacher's profession for several years. Nelson and Jacob were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion, Nelson being Captain of Company H, Twentieth Indiana Infantry, Jacob being a member of the same company and regiment. The former enlisted in 1861, and the latter in 1863, both serving till the close of the war, Jacob receiving a severe wound at the battle of the Wilderness. Captain Miller was wounded a number of times, but was not long disabled for duty. John M.Miller, the subject of this sketch, came to Kosciusko County, Indiana, in 1870, and taught his first term in Jackson Township, and followed that vocation in that neighborhood for twenty-two Consecutive terms, in four different schools. While teaching in Jackson Township he was married to Miss Nellie A. Girton, one of his fornjer pupils, tlu'ir marriage being c<.)nsummated Octobei- 15, 1882. One son, Ernest

Girton, lias been born to this union. In 1885 Mr. Miller came to Silver Lake, lie having been ottered the position of principal of the village school, and this engagement proving highly satisfactory to the school board, he was re-engaged for the second year. Mr. Miller is a popular teacher, and under liis skillful management and firm mode of government, the school has greatly improved, and is a credit to the village of Silver Tyake.

fAMES CURRY, a pioneer of Kosciusko County, was born in Tennessee February -,s, 5, 1821, son of George and Mary Curry. His father, who was a farmer in a poor agricultural country, emigrated with his family to Kentucky in 1826, and in 1830 removed to Fayette County, this State, thence to Henry County. Five of their nine children survive - James, Ann, Jane, John and Amanda. The deceased are - Elizabeth, Alice. Mary and Susan. The father died in 1844, and the mother in 1873. The father was one of the first constables of Plain Township. In 1841 the subject of this sketch came with his parents to this county. During his boyhood schools were not as abundant as they are now, and the efiforts of every one were necessary in order to raise provisions to eat and procure the necessaries of life, so that the amount of education he received was limited. Upon his arrival in this county he immediately commenced working as a farmer, which has been the employment of his life with the exception of about three years. In 1854 he took the "gold fever'" and went to California, crossing the plains witi; an ox team. The journey occupied almost as many months then as it does days now. He remained there a little over three years engaged in mining, at which he was fairly successful in accumulating money. He then returned home, and has since lived on his farm, two miles east of Leesburgh. January 30, 1851, he was nnited in inarriage with Margaret Leazenby, daughter of William and Catherine Leazenby, who came to this county in 1839. The father died in 1848, and the mother in 1871. Of nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Curry, seven survive - James E., George W., Charles F., Calvin B., John W., Frank E. and Leonora B. Mr. Curry has a well-improved farm of 140 acres, and has been very successful in life. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Leesburgh Lodge, No. 181. He does not desire public positions, preferring to live in quiet among his friends and neighbors. Politically he is a Democrat.

^r^ County, Ohio, March 15, 1824. He was reared in his native county, and received a limited education in the early snhscrijition schools. He was married in Ohio, April, 1844, to Miss Caroline Keller, who was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1822, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Keller, natives of Pennsylvania. To this union have been born five children, of whom four survive - William, a resident of Kosciusko County; Samuel, also of this county; Cyrus, an engineer on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and Richard, living in this county. In 1856 the family left Ohio and came to Elkhart County, this State, where they resided three years. They settled in their present home in the spring of 1877, where they have since resided. Mr. Traster has done a great deal of hard work in his adult life. He commenced a poor buy. but lias ln'cn ijuitc successful in business. Politically he is a

Kepiiblican, ami liiinselt" and wife are members of tlie (;liiirch of God. He is a iibei'al contributor to all enterprises that tend to benefit the community intellectually or socially.

'1^,ARVEY BYBEE, proprietor of saloon Wm\) and billiard room in the village of "ss4 Burkett, is a native of Kosciusko County, Indiana, born in Seward Township, a son of Nathan and Clarissa (Taylor) Bybee, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father of our subject was twice married, the maiden name of his first wife being Susan Blue, a relative of the Blues of Kosciusko County, who are among the prominent citizens of the county. By his first marriage he had five children - Nancy, Martha, Hannah, Phcfibe and Joseph, all born in Kosciusko County, and by his marriage with Clarissa Taylor he had four children - Cynthia, Amelia, Harvey and Levi. Nathan Bybee sold his homestead in Kosciusko County in 1863, and removed to Fulton County, Indiana, purchasing a farm in New Castle Township, on which he resided till his death in 1877. During his life he was a pi'omiiient dealer in stock, not only in this but in Kosciusko County, and his son Joseph succeeded him in the business which he has since conducted. Harvey Bybee, whose name heads this sketch, was united in marriage in 1883, to Miss Mary Stockbergei-, a native of Fulton County, Indiana, living in New Castle Township till after her marriage. Her parents, George and Julia Taylor, are among the prominent citizens of Fulton County. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bybee, of whom only one, a daughter, Lelia, is living. Their first child, a son named Charles, died in infancy. In 1884 Mr. Bybee purchased a stock of drugs in North Webster, Kosciusko

County, and carried on the drug business at that place for several months. He then returned to his farm, remaining uu it until lie purchased his present property in Burkett, September 9, 1886. The building which is now occupied by our subject was tlie third erected in the village, being built in 1882 by John Newby, and since then has changed ownership several times. It was used first as a drug store and saloon. Mr. Newby sold the building to Samuel Ilaney, and he to Franklin Long. Arthur Davis became the ne.\t proprietor, and he disposed of the building to his brother, John Davis, who in turn sold the buildiiig and his saloon outfit to Llarvey Bybee. Mr. Bybee has, since becoming proprietor, added to his stock of liquors, pool and billiard facilities, and contemplates making e.xtensive alterations in the building, enlarging its capacity, etc. He is an enterprising citizen, and conducts his business in a quiet and orderly manner. During his residence at Burkett he has built up a good trade.

AKTIN V. H(,)LBIlOOK, an early settler of Kosciusko County, was born in Washington County, New York, December 18, 1833, son of Amariali W. and Polly Holbrook, also natives of New York. He was reared on a farm in this county, and received a common-school education. He was married June 29, 1865, to Miss Martha Neefer, daughter of Charles and Julia Neefer, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were early settlers of Franklin County, Ohio. Of their six children, four are living - Orville, born March 8, 1867; Cora B., born April 30. 1871; Lyman F., born December 27, 1873, and Oscar T., born August 20, 1876. The deceased are -

On-ill E. ami Alice L). Mr. lluibrut^k settled upon his present farm about twenty years ago. lie owns 140 acres of go()(i land, and well cultivated. He has served as school director of district No. 2, and politically is a Democrat. lie resides »\\ section 24.

|HILLIF HUFFMAN, proprietor of \iK-fi Ilnti'man's saloon, at Warsaw, was born ^ in Michland County, Ohio. August 2, 1822, were he was reared a fanner. Ilis father, Fhillip Hulfman, was a native of Brussels, Gernianv. He emigrated to America in 1801, first locating in Baltimore, where he remained four years. He then went to New Lancaster, Ohio, where he lived several years, and finally located in Richland County and entered a tract of wild Government land, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred in January, 1839. His wife, Catherine (Styer) Hufi'man, was a native of York County, Penns\'lvania, and of German ancestry. She died at the old homestead in Richland County, in 1835, aged fifty-one years. Upon reaching his maj\)rity Mr. Hutl'man became heir to his father's property. He worked on the homestead farm until 1858, when he sold out and came to Indiana, first settling in Fulton County, where he was engaged in the milling business until 1860. He then came to Wai-saw and engaged in the grocery and grain business, being associated with Allen Saine, under the firm name of Saine & Huffman. In 1865 he purchased Mr. Saine's interest, and conducted the business alone until 1869, when he embarked in the saloon business at Warsaw. Mr. Huffman has been twice married. His first wife was Mrs. Elvina Montgomery, whom he married in Richland County, Ohio, in 1845. She died at Warsaw, August 24,

1869, leaving five children, all of wliom are deceased - Amelia died February 25, 1871, aged eighteen years; Silas died October 13, 1872, aged twenty-three years; Olive died July 30, 1879, aged twenty-three years; Izora died January 11, 1880, aged fourteen years, and John died March 26, 1885, aged twentyfour years. In 1874 Mr. Hutfman was married to Mrs. Mary Woodward, of Warsaw. She is a member of the Protestant Episct>pal church.

^mMARIAH HOLBROOK, an early set- |TO^ tier of Kosciusko County, was born in '^^fi^ La Porte County, this State, December 29, 1837. His pai-ents, xVmariah AV. and Polly Ilolbrook, were natives of the State of J^few York. About the year 1835 they came to La Porte County, and remained there until the fall of 1837, then came to this county, settling in AYayne Township, east of AVai'saw, where the father purchased 160 acres of land, which he improved and cultivated. He died in October, 1877. The mother died in 1853. His parents had thirteen children, five of whom are living - Orville M., Martin, Amariah, Joseph and Dallas. The deceased are - Oscar, Polly, John and Deborah. His father belonged to the Masonic fraternity, and politically was a Democrat. He was a man much respected by all who knew him. Mr. Holbrook was reared in this county on a farm, and was educated in the common schools. August 7, 1862, he enlisted in the Twentieth Indiana Battery of Light Artillery, and was attached to the Army of the West. He was engaged in the siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Nashville, and numerous others of less importance. He was honorably discharged June 28, 1865, and has since resided in this county. He was married September 3, 1872, to Catliei-iiiu MeCleary, born November 4, 1S51, ami daughter of Ephraiiii and Rachel MeCleary, early settlers of this county, both of whom died in this county several years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Holbrookhave had seven children - Harvey, Mary E., Amariah, John, Annie and Mahlon R. One is deceased. Mr. Holbrook owns 176 acres of well-improved land. He is a member of Kosciusko Post, No. 114, G. A. R., and politically is a Democrat.

P^^ENJAMIN BLUE, a son of William " and Margaret Blue, is a native of Indiana, born in Kosciusko County May 12, 1846. He was reared and educated in Kosciusko County, and from his youth has followed agricultural pursuits. He was united in marriage November 8, 1871, to Miss Elmira .1. Shatto, a native of Ohio, the date of hei- liirth being August 14, 1850. Her parents, Henry and Lucinda Shatto, were early settlers of Marshall County, Indiana, locating there about 1853, and later became residents of Kosciusko Connty. Mrs. Shatto is deceased. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Blue, of whom one is deceased. Those still living are - Margaret L., born December 21, 1873; Leona L., born July 22, 1875; Conn D., born October 29, 1878, and Homer E., born September 10, 1884. Mr. Blue has spent about twelve months on the plains of Nebraska, Montana and Colorado, and during this time was engaged principally in hauling merchandise with oxen. While in Montana liis wagon boss, Thomas Dillon, was killed by the Sioux Indians. Mr. Blue is a thorough, practical farmer, as can be plainly seen by his farm on section 34, Harrison Township, where he has over 176 acres under line cultivation.

He is an active and public-spirited man. and in all enterprises which have for theii' oliiecl the development or improvement of his township or county he is a liberal contributor.

!SAAC BROWER, farmer, resides on the southeast quarter of section 32, where he ^- has 130 acres of land. He came to this State April 20, 1850, landing in Elkhart County, where he lived three years. He then removed to Grundy County, Illinois, and farmed one season, and August 20, 1853, came back to his present farm. It was a piece of wild land, not a stick had been cut. He lived in a cabin adjoining his farm until he had built his hewed-log house, 20 x 28 feet, one and a half stories high. He lived in that house thirty years, then built his present brick residence, commencing it in 1883 and finishing it in 1884. It was built at a cost of over $2,000, besides his labor. He came to this farm with about $700. and has acquired sufficient means to support him in his declining years. Mr. Brower was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, in 1821. When he was twelve years old his parents moved to Dauphin County, twentylive miles north of the Susquehanna River, living there twelve years. During this time he was assisting his father on the farm. The family then moved live miles east of the Susquehanna, in the same connty, living there until Isaac came to Indiana. He was married in April, 1842, to Sarah Mouck, who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1821, where she passed her early life. Her parents. Christian and Nancy (Hubly) Mouck, were born near Philadelphia, and both died in Lancaster County, her mother being born in 1800. Her father was a blacksmith by trade. Her grandfather

Moiick, ami grandmother, Catherine Moiick, were born in Grerinany. and settled in and near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Her maternal grandparents, Henry and Elizabeth (Linda) Hnbly, were also born in German}', coining to America when children and settling with their parents in Lancaster County. Mr. Brower's parents, Abraham and Mary (Ochs) Brower, were born near Philadelphia. The father died February 10, 1872, in Tippecanoe Township, aged eighty-three years, and is buried in the Cable cemetery. The mother died in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, when Isaac was iifteen years old. Mr. Brower's parents had nine children - Abraham, Henry, Nancy, Samuel, Isaac, John, Adam, Christian and Polly. Of these children Samuel, Isaac and Nancy are all that are living. Mr. and Mrs. Brower have had seven children, live of whom are living - Harry B., born September 19, 1845, Id Dauphin County, Pennsylvania; Mary C, born February 23, 1847, also in Dauphin County, John, born December 24, 1848, in Dauphin County, died October 21, 1868; Isaac, born July 6, 1850, in Elkliart County, died in December, 1850; Sarah, born September 6, 1852, in Elkhart County; Emma R., born April 12, 1856, in Kosciusko County; Jacob, born October 14, 1861, in this county. Politically Mr. Brower is a Republican. Himself and wife are members of the General Baptist church.

tENRY COY, engaged in agricultural pursuits in Van Buren Township, is a native of Indiana, born in Elkhart County in November, 1841, a son of John and Hannah Coy, who were natives of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and Montgomery (/ounty. Ohio, respectively, the mother now deceased. He was reared a farmer, which avocation he has followed through life, and by his own efforts he has acquired a tine farm, which contains about lifty-three acres of choice land, well improved and under good cultivation. He was a soldier in the late war, enlisting at Goshen, Indiana, in 1863, in Company B, Fifty-seventh Indiana Infantry, and took part in the battle of Stone River. He was in the service of his country almost ten months, when he received an honorable discharge. He then returned to Elkhart County, Indiana, and in the fall of 1865 was married to Miss Mary Fuller, of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Coy have been born seven children, whose names are as follows - Edward, William, Sylvester, Rena, Minnie, Irvin and Clarence. Mr. Coy settled in Kosciusko County in 1868, where he farmed on rented land for several years, when he removed to his present farm in Van Buren Township. He is a member of the German Baptist church. Politically he casts his suffrage with the Republican party.

fiPHRAIM J. McCLExiRY, farmer, section 23, Wayne Township, was born in ^ this county July 8, 1848, where he was reared and educated in the district schools. He was married September 3, 1872, to Clara E. Ditfendarfer, daughter of Henry and Leah Ditfendarfer, of this county, formerly of Pennsylvania. Her father is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McCleary have four children - William H., Annie L., Lillie M. and Gladdis E. Mr. McCleary owns forty acres of wellcultivated land, and is a successful farmer. In politics he is a Democrat. The parents of our subject, Ephraim and Rachel McCleary, were natives of Virginia and Maryland respectively, and both emigrated to Ohio when youTig, at'terward removing to Michigan, where they were married. In 1832 they came to Kosciusko County, and entered 160 acres of land near Leesburgh, for which Mr. McCleary paid $1.25 per acre. The title to this land, although he had improved eighty acres, was invalid, owing to its being within the limits of the Indian Reserve. This necessitated his removing to other land, and he came to Wayne Township, where he spent the remainder of his days. Like other pioneers he endured some hardships, and quite often hauled wheat to Fort "Wayne for three shillings, and 40 cents a bushel. His greatest inconvenience and perplexity were the rough roads. He was one of the very first settlers of the township. Himself and wife were the parents of nine children, of whom six arellving - Joseph, Matilda, George W., Adelia, Ephraim and Catherine. Both parents died in Wayne Township.

tAPTAIJSi PETER L. RUN Y AN, cashier of the State Bank at Warsaw, was born in that city in May, 1843. He was educated in the common and private schools of that place, lie is the oldest of three sons of Peter L. and Sophia (Lynch) Runyan, and of Irish-Scotch ancestry. When twelve years of age he commenced clerking, and was so employed until August 27, 1861, when he enlisted in the Union service as a musician in the Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry for three years, but was discharged by a general order from the war department, at Washington, September 7, 1862. He then enlisted as a private in Company G, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment Indiana Infantry. When this company was organized he was elected Second Lieutenant, and was commissioned bv Governor Morton. He served in this caiiacity until mustered out with his company at Indianapolis. March 1, 1864. He then re-enlisted and was mustered in as First Lieutenant of Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment Indiana Infantry, being detailed for a time as drillmaster of that regiment. September 22, 1864, he was detailed as Provost-Marshal, and was stationed at Decherd, Tennessee. January 13, 1865, he was detailed as a recruiting officer to raise recruits for the One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment, and on March 7, of the same year, he was mustered in as Captain of Company D, of tliat regiment. On the 27th of the same month he was detailed by Brevet-General Egan as Provost-Marshal of the Second Provisional Division of the Army of the Shenandoah, at Charleston, Virginia. In addition to these duties he was detailed by General Hancock Depot Provost-Marshal of the Military Middle Division at Stevenson's Depot, Virginia. May 18, 1865, on account of sickness and over-work, he asked to be relieved from the duties of Provost-Marshal; but before he had fully recovered his health, at the earnest solicitation of General A. G. McCook, he was detailed by Major Seward for First Assistant Brigade Inspector of the Third Division of the Army of the Shenandoah. In July, 1865, he was ordered with his regiment to Charleston, West Virginia, to be mustered out of the service, the war being closed, and while there was detailed as Inspector General of the sub-district of the Kanawha, and served as such until mustered out in August, 1865, at Charleston, West Virginia. All of the detail favors were unsolicited by Captain Runyan. They were conferred for meritorious service. Being on detached duty, he did not participate in all the battles in which his regiment took part. He was in the siege of Corinth, the engagement at Clinch River, and was witli his regiment under General Miiroj during the raid of General Wheeler in Tennessee, and WHS under tire for two weeks. After histiual discharge the Captain returned to Warsaw, and was employed as clerk for various mercantile firms in Warsaw until 1871, wiien lie engaged in the hook and stationery business until 1880, when he accepted his present position as cashier of the State Ba k at AYarsaw. June 25, 1866, he was married at Warsaw to Miss Frances Marvin, daughter of Peter and Harriet (Shord) Marvin, of Adrian, Michigan, former residents of Warsaw. Mrs. Runyan is of English-Scotch ancestry. They have two children - Ilattie, a student of the high school at Warsaw, and Carl E. The Captain is an attendant and his wife a member of the Alethodist Episcopal church. He is a member ot the Odd Fellows' and Knights of Pythias fraternities, and a comrade of the Grand Army Post at Warsaw. He was the first commander of the uniform rank, K. of P.. at Warsaw, and held the same until August, 1886, when he was promoted to Assistant Inspector General of the State. He is a member of Forest Lodge and Encampment, I. O. O. Y., of the State, and the same in the order of K. of P.

VINSON L. VAN GILDER, a prominent )lffl< farmer of Harrison Townshin, is a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born October 10, 1813, a son of Reynolds and Martha L. Van Gilder. His paternal ancestors were from Holland. His maternal grandfather, Daniel Hutchison, was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was reared in his native State, living with his parents, and assisting his father on the farm wiien not in school. In the fall of 18^9 he went to

Kansas, ami lived in Osage County fiveytars, and in 1874 came to Indiana and settled in Kosciusko County on the farm where he now lives, which contains eighty acres of welliinproved land. Mr. Van Gilder was married May 7, 1863, to Ella AVeiker, daughter of Adam and Mary AVeiker, early settlers of Wayne County, Ohio. They have a family of lise children - AA'^i.yne C, born March 25, 1861; Mary C, August 5, 1865, wife of Henry Ridenonr; Hugh M., born September 27, 1867; LiUie A"., born April 26, 1872; Ira R., born Alarch 14, 1878. In politics Mr. Van Gilder is a Democrat.

fROFESSOR JOHN LATHROP was born in Penzance, Cornwall. England, -K October27,1841. At theageof tenyears he was brought to America by his ]iarents, who settled in the village of Vallet Valley, between Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts. Tliey lived there two years, and in 1853 removed to Indiana, living at Americus, Tippecanoe County, and on a farm near Delphi, also at Delphi, until 1861, when our subject entered the Union army as leader of the band in the Ninth Indiana Infantry. He was discharged in August, 1862, by a general order from the war department at AVashington, D. C. AVhile in the service he was present at the battles of Greenbrier, AVest A^irginia, Shiloh, and witnessed the evacuation of Corinth, Mississip]n. After his discharge he clerked for his father at Delphi until 1869, when he engaged in the grocery, bakery and restaurant business at Delphi. In 1882 he discontinued that occupation and engaged in the clothing business at the same place, becoming associated with James P. Kiely, under the firm name of Lathrop & Kiely. In January, 1882, still retaining his interest in the store at Delplii, lie cuine to Warsaw. At the early age of seven years he manifested an unusual musical talent, and began learning to play the trombone, which he easily mastered, and at the age of eight years began to play that instrument in a band, in Bradford, England. He has been identified with band music ever since, and as a professor has for years been engaged in band instruction. During 1869 he traveled witli a " Hamlin's Wizard Oil" party, as a cornetist, he being an e.xpert on that instrument, and traveled through Pennsylvania, New York and New Jerse3^ He has been leader of bands in several places in Indiana, and is now director of the Warsaw Cornet Band. He has a State reputation as a band leader, and has frequently acted as judge at band contests. At the business meeting of the State Musician's Association, consisting of the musicians of the State of Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, after its annual session, held at AVarsaw in June, 1886, Professor Lathrop was elected president of the association for the ensuing year. The following, t ken from the Indiantan^ of Warsaw, expresses the estimation in which he is held as a musician: "At the annual business meeting of the Tri-State Musicians' Association, held at the opera-house in this city on Thursday last. Professor John Lathrop, of AVarsaw, was by unanimous vote elected president of the association for the ensuing year. This mark of lionor and distinction our community of musicians and citizens regard as a well-earned tribute, as Mr. Lathrop possesses every quality to fit him for the position, being a gentleman of afl^ability and tine address, and a musician of high standing, and we predict under his able management an increased development of interest in the association the coining year. Professor Lathrop has a wide reputation of being one of the finest artists in the country on his favorite instrument, the cornet, as well as being a thorough instructor and director in all band and orchestra music, having tlevoted a greater portion of his life to the closest study of the intricate details of developing all that is so grand and beautiful in the arrangement and execution of the productions of the great masters. Our community may well feel a pardonable pride that this compliment has been conferred on one of its citizens, and so well merited." Politically the professor is a Republican, and while a resident of Delphi was a member of the city council, by election, for ten years. In 1868 he was married at Delphi, to Caroline Assion. They have six children - Emma, Joseph, Ada. Emerson, Lillian and Harry. Lulu died in infancy. He is a 32d degree Mason, and belongs to the lodge and chapter at Delphi, the commandery at Warsaw, and consistory at Indianapolis. He is also an encampment Odd Fellow, and belongs to the lodge and encampment at Delphi, and has passed all the chairs in each. He is also a Knight of Pythias and member of the lodge at Warsaw, and has passed the chairs in that order.

SAAC SMITH, engaged in farming in 11 Van Buren Township, where he has a tine " farm of eighty acres, is a native of Ohio, born in Stark County July 3, 1840, a son ot Joseph and Mary Smith, who were natives ot Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. They were the parents of six children, five of whom 3'et survive - John, David, William. Mary and Isaac. When about seven or eight years old our subject was brought by his parents to Indiana, they locati; g in Huntington County, where he spent several years. He subsequently spent some time in Ohio and Iowa. His youth was spent in assisting with tlie wurk of the farm, and in attending the district schools, vvliere he received a fair edtrcation in the common hranclies. He has always followed farming pnrsuits, and for iiiaiij years worked as a farm hand. He was married in Elkhart County, Indiana, April 19, 1862, to Miss Joanna Weybright, a native of that county, born July 22, 1S44, a daughter of Martinand Catherine Weybright, the father born in Ohio, and the mother a native of Germany, they being among the early settlers of Elkhart County, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born ten children, eight still living, whose names are as follows - Charles I., who was born May 31, 1803 ; John M., August 7, 1865; Mary C, July 7, 1869; Levi,May 10, 1872; Joseph, December 24, 1874; David, February 25, 1880; Elizabeth, September 9, 1882, and Samuel, September 9, 1885. In the spring of 1873 Mr. Smith came with his family to Kosciusko County, when he settled on his present farm on section 25, Van Buren Township, and since coming here has met with good success. He has served efficiently as road supervisor. Both he and his wife are members of the German Baptist church, and among the respected citizens of Van Buren Township.

fOHN COOK, farmer and stock-raiser, of Plain Township, was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1814. When six months old he was taken by his parents, Asa and Mary Cook, to Wayne County, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood, and received a limited education in the schools of tliat day. His parents had ten children. John and Lovina are all that are living. John w'as married in Wayne County, Ohio, to Mary A. Robison, a native of Stark

County, Ohio, by whnin he had ten children - Emily, deceased; Nancy, wife of James Tenant, uf Warsaw; Christie, deceased ; William H., Samuel H.; Margaret, deceased; Elmira, wife of George Robison, of Menoquet, Indiana; Charlotte, wife of M. Burkey, of Plain Township; John, and Jane, wife of John Hasp, of Warsaw. Mr. Cook came to Indiana in 1849, and has been a resident of this county ever since. Ileiirst settled tiiree and a half miles east of Milford, in Van Buren Township, and lived there about twenty years, then removed to his present farm in Plain Township. He owns ninety acres of well-cultivated land on sectiim 21. He is a successful farmer, a liljeral contributor to all good and worthy objects, and is respected by all.