Miami County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (1 of 9 so headed), 1887 (part 3 of 3)

E. H. SHIRK (deceased). Elbert Hamilton Shirk was born in Franklin County, Indiana, Februar}- 14, 18 18. He was the second son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Stout) Shirk, nati\es of Georgia and Kentucky, respectively. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm, where he enjoyed the limited advantages afforded by the public schools during the winter months On arriving at manhood, he attended college two years in Miami University, at Oxford. Ohio, where he studied Latin, French and Mathematics. After leaving the University he was employed as teacher in the County Seminary, at Rush\ille, Indiana, for two years, and immediately thereafter located in Peru, arriving here in the summer of 1844 and forming a partnership with the late John Ilarlan in the mercantile business. June 18. 1845, he was married to Mary Wright, of Franklin County, a lady of English descent, who returned with her young husband to the new and strange home in Peru. They came the old-fashioned way, bringing all of their goods in a two-horse wagon. A year later the firm of Ilarlan & Shirk was dissolved and Mr. Shirk continued the business alone. He was very successful as a merchant and ac- cumulated wealth very rapidl}'. From 1850 to 1855 he invested largely in Mexican war land warrants, which he laid judiciously in Iowa and other western States, which in turn were exchanged for improved farms in Miami County. This was the beginning of operations in real estate which laid the foundation for a colossal fortune, equal in magnitude to that amassed in his commercial pursuits. The most profitable of these deals was the purchase of a large number of lots in Evansville and lands in southwestern counties of the State, in 1862, that had been forfeited as donations to a railroad company; the purchase of large tracts in Kansas in 1868, and in Michigan in 1867: and the securing of equities in unencumbered Chicago real estate in 1874-75. In 1857 he established a private bank and received deposits from farmers and others who had a surplus. In i860 he resumed mercantile business, which he had dropped for a few years previous. Under the national banking act Mr. Shirk procured a charter and proceeded to organize the First National Bank of Peru, taking for himself one-half the stock, and subsequentlv, bv purchase, acquiring over nine-tenths. He was elected president of the bank and was re-elected annually from that time until his death. This bank has been a remarkable financial success, having already invested three hundred tiiousand dollars of its surplus earnings in government bonds, and having accumulated an additional surplus of two hundred thousand. At the beginning of 1867 the firm of Kilgore & Shirk, in general merchandise, was formed, to which George C. Miller was admitted as partner, some years later, and from which Mr. Kilgore withdrew in 1880, leaving the firm Shirk & Miller, as it stands to-day. In politics, Mr. Shirk had strong convictions on which he always agted, first as a Whig and afterwards as a Republican, though he never took a prominent part in partisan contests. In early manhood he professed Christianity and united with the Baptist church before locating in Peru. He was one of the eleven original members of the Baptist church of this city in 1867, and continued one of its devoted members till his death, contributing liberalh" of his means towards its support. Mr. Shirk was of medium height, erect and quite slender. His life was clean and free from vicious habits, which weaken and destroy the physical system. He was therefore clear headed: able to utilize all his tremendous energ}-, and accomplished the purpose of his will, even though it required long continued, unremitting effort. The probity of his character was the foundation of persistent honesty and commercial integrit}- that stood unimpeached and unchallenged through a business life of more than forty years in this community. This was the inspiration of that universal confidence which selected him as the reliable custodian of the accumulations of others, a confidence which insured his success as a banker. Measured bv the most practical standard known - the results accomplished - Mr. Shirk's life was a most conspicuous success. He was a financier of transcendant ability, endowed with wise foresight, intuitive perceptions, broad comprehension, accurate judgment, and his death left a vacuum in commercial affairs, felt as a personal bereavement by a large number of persons in the comrhunitv with whom he had relations of a business character. He was a conspicuous example of the successful self-made man, and the acquisition of his immense fortune, by honest business methods in an agricultural community, was something akin to the marvelous. He owned at the time of his death valuable propertj' in various cities of Indiana, Illinois, and other States, immense tracts of real estate and fine farms in \'arious States, the larger share of stock in the banks at Monticello, Delphi and Tipton, and was in fact the wealthiest man in northern Indiana, and one of the wealthiest in the State. He died at his home in Peru on the 8th day of April, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Shirk have had four children, three of whom (two sons and one daughter) are at this time living; Milton, the eldest, is President of the First National Bank of Peru; Elbert W. Vice President of the same: and Alice, wife of Richard A. Edwards, Cashier of the bank.

MILTON SHIRK, President of the First National Bank, and eldest son of E. H. and Mary Shirk, is a native of Miami County, Indiana, born in Peru on the 2ist day of November 1849. His tjducational advantages were those afforded by the city schools, which, supplemented by a thorough business training under his father, have enabled him to successfully discharge the duties of a verj- active business life. In the year 1867, when but seventeen years of age, he entered the First National Bank, of which he was, in a couple of months, promoted cashier, and on the death of his father in the spring of 1886, succeeded to the presidency of the same, a position he holds at this time. Thoroughly familiar with all the details of the business. Mr. Shirk on the death of his father became president not only of the First National Bank in the city, but also of banks in Monticello, Delphi and Tipton, and their present successful condition is largely due to his superior management. He is a worthy successor to his distinguished father, and has already carried financial success into all his business enterprises, including in addition to the banks referred to, large transactions in real estate, and also the mercantile business, having at this time a one-lliird interest in the large goods house of Shirk & Miller, in Peru. He is a marked e.xample of those sound, practical business qualifications which secure the confidence of the people and those personal qualities that win and retain the public esteem. As a successful financier, he has few, if any superiors in the State, and as a public spirited and courteous gentleman, he occupies a conspicuous place among the representative citizens of Peru and Miami County. On the 6th day of June. 1868, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Ellen Walker, of Worcester, Massachuetts. Mr. and Mrs. Shirk have two children, viz: Elbert W., born November 9, 1879, ^""^ Joseph H., born Januarv 6, 1881.

HARVEY J. SHIRK, prominent lawyer of Miami County, and for thirtv-six years a resident of Peru, was born in Franklin County, Indiana, January 20, 1826. His father was Samuel Shirk, a native of Georgia, and his mother Elizabeth (Stout) Shirk was born in Kentucky. His paternal grandfather, Andrew Shirk, was a native of Pennsylvania, a Revolutionary soldier and an early pioneer of the Hoosier State, moving to the same about the beginning of the present century. Samuel Shirk came at the same time and settled in what is now Franklin County. Harvey J. Shirk was reared amid the active scenes of farm life until his sixteenth year, when he became a student at Oxford College, Ohio, from which institution he graduated in 1846. His literary education being thus completed, he engaged for a time in teaching school, but abandoned that profession after a limited period and began reading law in the office of John D. Howland, at Brookville, Indiana. Having, by diligent application acquired a knowledge of the profesion, he was admitted to the bar and began the practice at Peru, in 1850, whei;e he early won a conspicuous place among the successful lawyers of Miami Countv. Mr. Shirk is a man of high legal ability, thoroughlv devoted to his profession and has a large and lucrative practice in the courts of Miami and a number of other counties in the state. As an adviser he is trustworthy, and as a close logical reasoner clear in his comprehension and correct in his application of legal principles. He handles the facts of a case with wonderful power and effect. A methodical and painstaking industrv has been one of his marked characteristics through life, and with his mental endowments unimpaired, and a well preserved ph3-sical constitution, he apparently has before iiim many years of usefulness and honor. He is and has been since 1865 associated in the practice with Hon. John Mitchell, under the name of Shirk and Mitchell, a law firm having a wide and honorable reputation throughout the State of Indiana. Mr. Shirk, in 1S51 was married to Catharine Remy. of Brookville. Indiana, who died the following year. His second marriage was solemnized in 1852 with Eliza M. Cole, of New York. A union blessed with these children, viz: Winona, wife of W-ni. McClintic, Elizabeth, wife of Charles C. Cole, Martha and Charles. The result of the first marriage was one daughter, Catharine Shirk. In politics Mr. Shirk was originally a Whig, but since tiie organ-

JOSEPH SHROCK, JR., a native of Holmes County, Ohio, was born August 28, 1833, and is the eldest son of David and Susanna (^Hostetler) Shrock, natives of Penns3-lvania, who came to Miami County in 1841 and located in Peru Township. The father was a farmer and died in i860. Joseph, Jr., remained upon the farm during the most of his life and received a common school education, and now owns eightv-three acres of tine farming land. On March 8, 1859, he was married to Miss Caroline Working, a daughter of Mr. Jacob Working (deceased). They are the parents of live children, whose names are Laura B., Dewitt C, Stella, Pearl and Bertha. Our subject is the owner of a saw-mill in the north part of the township, w'hich he has managed for several years. He was elected Justice of the Peace on the Democratic ticket in 1876, and is the present incumbent of the office. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

WILLIAM SMITH, a native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, was born March 15, 181 1, the eldest son of Peter and Barbara (Knowles) Smith, who both had their origin in the State of Pennsylvania. His father died when he, the subject, was but nine vears old. Until about 1834 our subject remained on the farm when he emigrated to Peru, and since that event his time has been divided in the various occupations of farming, buying and selling grain, and retailing goods. Was married to Miss Mary Runyan, in 1845, who was a native of New York. Twelve children were the result of this marriage, seven of whom are now living, and whose names are: Harriet, Alice, Caroline, William, Lillie, Lincoln and Joseph. He followed selling goods for about twenty years, thereby amassing a handsome fortune. His education was such as is generally received in the common schools. In the vears 1859-60-61 he was a member of the Legislature, having been elected to that responsible position on the Republican ticket.

GILES W. SMITH was born in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana, April 3, 1830, and is the eldest son of William C. and Phoebe T. (King) Smith, natives of Wayne County and of New York, respectively. His grandfather, George Smith, came from North Carolina to Wayne County in the year 1807. The subject of this biography was partly reared in the same county, but his father being a ^lethodist minister, the family were constantly shifting from place to place, and in consequence he received but a common school education. Until he was eighteen years of age he followed farming and then commenced to learn the trade of a printer at Madison, Indiana, at which he worked until 1849 when he purchased a one-half interest in the Bloomington Herald. In the spring of 185 1, he started the Orleans Commercial Review, the management of which he controlled until 1853, when he disposed of his interest and procured an engagement on the New Alban}- & Chicago R. R. in the engineering corps, in which he continued until the road was in running order, after which he became a train conductor for the same company. He and Benjamin R. Prosser superintended the construction of twenty-four miles of the road, and he continued in the corporation until 1857, and he then located at Peru, employed by the Indianapolis, Peru & Chicago Company as freight and ticket agent, which position he held for about eighteen months. He was next to be found in the occupation of farming on the Eel river. At this occupation he was not successful but continued until 1870, when he returned to Peru and engaged with the Howe Machine Company, for which he became general agent, traveling through Indiana and Illinois. In 1876 Mr. Smith began selling farm implements, and was in the employ of Messrs. Shirk & Miller in that department of their store for more than six years, when he, with Frank O. Rettig, opened an implement store in Peru. This co-partnership existed until 1885 when Mr. B. W. Matthews came in as a partner, and since this change they have added the retail of hardware to their business. Our subject was united in matrimonial bonds on January 15, 1852, to Martha A. Prosser, of Orange County, Indiana, and to this union six children were born, three of whom are now living, whose names are as follows: Lora M., Martha and Mary D. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, and he is prominently idenlitied with the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. fraternities. "Politically, he adheres to the principles of the Republican party.

M. F. SMITH, the gentleman whose biographical sketch is herewith presented, was born in the town of Madrid, New York, February 7, 1838, son of Ferdinand and Elvira (Peck) Smith, natives of the State of Vermont. He was reared in his - native State, and early evincing decided taste for mechanical pursuits, entered at the age of thirteen the locomotive and machine shops of an eastern railroad and continued at the trade until attaining his majoritv. At the age of twenty-one he located in the City of St. Albans, Vermont, and three years later, in April 1861, entered the armv, enlisting in the i6th New York Volunteer Infantry, one of the first regiments from that State mustered out of the service. He subsequently joined the 13th New York Heavy Artilerv, with which he served until near the close of the war and with which he was engaged in some of the bloodiest battles of the Virginia campaigns. He was wounded at the batde of Fredericksburg and for some months was in the hospital in New York. On leaving the army he returned to St. Albans, \'ermont, and shortlv afterwards, 1865, came to

Peru, Indiana, where he engaged in the locomotive department of the I., P. & C. Raih'oad, with which he was identified until 1872. Severing his connection with the road he, in 1873, established the foundry and machine shops of which he is at this time manager and proprietor. Mr. Smith has been an active business man, and as a mechanic takes higii rank. He is an active member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities and one of Peru's representative men. In August, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Beaty, of St. Albans, Vermont, to which union two children have been born, viz: Wyan Everett and Louis F.

WILLIAM SMITH, Jr. is a native of Peru Township and was born the nth of October, 1856, the eldest son of William Smith, whose biography appears elsewhere. He is the proprietor of two pieces of land containing seventy-eight and thirt\-lhree acres respectively, or a total of in acres. His education was but ordinary. The i6th of March, 1886, he was married to Miss Mary Everly, daughter of Mr. John Everly. He has been reasonably successful in life and has bright prospects before him.

ABRAHAM L. SMITH, a native of Peru Township, was born in September, .i860, and is the youngest son of William and Mary Smith, natives of Pennsylvania and New York, who came to Miami County about the vear 1834. Our subject received a common school education. In the month of October, 1884, he married Miss Nellie Rettig, daughter of John Rettig (deceased). He owns and has under a high state of cultivation about 190 acres of fine farming land, which has reached that state of productiveness which affords a handsome yearly remuneration. Mr. Smith is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, having advanced to the Ro}-al Arcanum degree. In political matters he is a Republican.

JOHN T. STEVENS, the subject of this biography, was born in the City of Indianapolis on the 14th day of JVIarch, 1828, and is the son of Isaac and Sarah (Tracv) Stevens, parents natives of Vermont. Mr. Stevens' paternal ancestors were natives of England, his grandfather emigrating from that countrv manv years ago and settling in one of the Eastern States. Isaac Stevens came to Indiana in the year 1822, and for some years resided in Indianapolis, moving from that city to Greenfield about the }ear 1830. He was a merchant and in his store at the latter place, the subject took his first lesson in practical business life, serving in the capacity of salesman there until his removal to Miami County, Indiana, in the vear 1845. On reaching this city he engaged as clerk in the mercantile house of Carlton R. Tracy, and later accepted a position of the same kind in the dry goods store of Henry Dutton, with whom he subsequently severed his connection and took service with the firm of Smith & Foote. In 1852 he went to California where he accepted a clerkship with John and Silas Atchison, general merchants at Foster's Bar, where he remained until engaging in the goods and mining business with J. O. Cole in Oak Valley, one year later. The firm thus constituted continued until 1867, at which time both partners returned to Indiana and engaged in farming and stock raising in Miami County. Mr. Stevens for some time has made a specialty of breeding and selling fine horses, in which branch of business he has met with the most encouraging success. He owns at this time, besides other property a valuable farm of 16S acres in Peru Township, and is justly considered one of the successful business men of the county. On the 17th day of April, 1856, he married Miss Indiana Wilson, a daughter of Alexander Wilson, who was killed b}^ guerrillas immediately after the Mexican war. He was a trader in that struggle and was on his return home when killed. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have two children. Nellie, wife of F. O. Rettig, and Grant I. Stevens.

JAMES M. STUTESMAN, retired business man and prominent citizen of Peru, is a native of Montgomerj- County, Ohio, born August 3, 1819. His paternal grandfather, David Stutesman, was a native of Germany, but early came to the United Slates and settled at Hagerstown, Maryland. He subsequently moved to Pennsylvania, from which State in the year 1808 he emigrated to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he followed his trade, that of weaver, until his death in 1820. His son, Nathaniel Stutesman, father of James M., was born at Hagerstown, Maryland. He left that city about the year 1795, and with his father moved to Brownsville, Pennsylvania, where he subsequently married Miss Sarah Flynn, and in 1808 located in Montgomery County, Ohio, which was his home until he removed to Aliami County. Indiana, in 1866. He followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and died in Peru about 1880, at the advanced age of ninety-five years. Mrs. Stutesman was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, of Scotch parentage, and departed this life in Montgomery County, Ohio in the. year 1839. Nathaniel and Sarah Stutesman were the parents of the children, whose names are as follows, to-wit: Ctitharine, wife of Henry Stauffer: Amy A., deceased: Jonathan, David, deceased: James M., Ellis, deceased: Nathaniel, Daniel, deceased: Perry, deceased: Robert, and Marietta, wife of Lyman Baldwin, of Chicago. James M. Stutesman spent the first sixteen years of his life as a farmer, and enjoyed during that time such educational advantages as the country afforded. In 1835 he commenced- learning the trade of saddler\- and harness-inak- ing in the city of Dayton, and after serving a five years' apprenticeship and acquiring great proficiency, began working at the same at Lewisburgh, Preble Count}-, Ohio, where he continued until 1842. In that year in compan}- with his brother, Jonathan Stutesnian, lie came to Miami County, Indiana, and opened a saddlery and harness shop in Peru, which he carried on with success and financial profit until 1858, dealing extensively with the Indians a portion of the time, and also supplying many of the trading houses along the Wabash river from Fort Wayne to Peru. He abandoned the trade the above year, and in partnership with W. W. Kilgore, under the firm name of Stutesman & Kilgore, engaged in the general hardware and agriculture implement business, which was continued until he sold out to his partner in 1864. He. then purchased the hardware stock of Palmer & Deniston, ran a very successful business until 1871, when the Puterbaugh Bros, bought an interest, and the wellknown firm of Stutesman & Puterbaugh continued, until Mr. Stutesman sold out to his partners and retired from active life in 1 88 1. In his various business enterprises Mr. Stutesman was eminently successful, and as a public-spirited and popular citizen, few men in Peru stand higher in the estimation of the people than he. On the 31st of March, 1831, Miss Elizabeth Shields, daughter of John and Mar}- Shields, of Vincennes, Indiana, became his wife, and to this union has been born the following children, to-wit: Mary A., deceased; Harriet, wife of John S. Male; Edwin H., deceased; Frank M., Clara E., wife of W. V. Spinning, and James F. Mr. Stutesman is a member of the Presbyterian Church, with wliich he has been identified since 1845, and with his wife and family belongs to the Peru congregation. In politics he was originally a Whig, and in 1840 cast his first vote for General William Henry Harrison. On the dissolution of that party he joined the Republican party, and has since been an earnest supporter of its principles and measures. WILLIAM W. SULLIVAN, Lawyer, was born in Butler Township, Miami County, March 19, 1843, and is the eldest son of Jonah and Louisa (Smith) Sullivan, natives of Kentucky and Delaware respectivly, the father of German-Irish extraction and the mother descended from English-Irish ancestors. Jonah Sullivan came to Miami County in 1840 and purchased land in Butler Township, to which he moved his family the following year. He was prominently identified with the growth and development of that part of the county and resided upon his original purchase until 1S76 at which time he retired from acli\e life and moved to South Peru where he now resides. William W. Sullivan was raised on a Tarm and in addition to agricultural pursuits, worked for some years at the carpenter's trade. He received a liberal education in the schools of Peru and in 1864 accepted a clerkship in the mercantile house of George A. Crowell, in which capacity he continued for one year. The profession of law having more charms for him than any other, he severed his connection with the mercantile business and in 1865 entered the office of Shirk & Mitchell where he pursued his legal studies until September of the same year when he became a student in the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He attended this institution until 1867 at which time he graduated with the degree of B. L. and immediately thereafter engaged in the practice of his profession in the courts of Miami Count v, Indiana In 1872 he was elected County Surveyor and bv re-election in 1874, '^'^^'^ ^'''*^ office until 1S76. Since the latter j^ear he has given his attention to his profession having at this time a large and lucrative practice in the courts of Miami and other counties, besides an extensive real-estate business which he has conducted with success and financial profit. Mr. Sullivan, while taking an active interest in political affairs, supporting the principles of the Repubfican party, is not a partisan in the sense of seeking official honors at the hands of his fellow citiizens. He is a courteous gentlemen, honored and respected by a large circle of friends and occupies a conspicuous place among the attorneys of the Miami County bar. In October, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Savers, of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have two children, viz: Nannie L. and William W. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan are members of the Presbyterian Church of Peru.

FRANK M. TALBOT, proprietor of the Peru Basket Factory, was born in Epping, N. H.. April 3, 1849, son of Ezekiel M. and Nancv W. Talbot, both of whom were natives of Turner, Maine. Ezekiel M. Talbott was for many years engaged as civil engineer in the construction of railroads, first on the Grand Trunk, then on the New York Central, and came to Indiana as Resident Engineer of the Wabash Railway, spending some time at Fort Wayne, and ten years as a prominent citizen of Peru. In 1870 he moved to Lafayette, taking charge of the construction of the Lafayette, Muncie & Bloomington R. R. as Chief Engineer. In 1874 he became a member of the Kankakee Ice Company, managing their business and at the same time serving as Cit}' Civil Eng^ineer for the City of Lafayette till 1884, when he suffered a strolce of paralysis which caused his death. Frank M. Talbot's mother dying when he was three years old, he, with his sister, Nancy W., lived with their grandparents in Turner, Maine, until 1859, when they came to Peru, where he has since resided. He attended the public schools, being only absent one term, at Cincinnati and one at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In 1868 he obtained employment of Rettig & Cole, at the brewery, and remained with them the greater part of the time as book-keeper until 1S82, when he, in partnership with Frank Henton, engaged in the manufacture of baskets, taking charge of the large factory in the western part of the city erected in 1870 by Gardner, Blish & Co. He purchased his partner's interest in 1884, and at this time controls the entire business, which is large and constantly increasing. Mr. Talbot's factory produces more baskets and a greater variety than any other factory, and is one of the leading industries of Peru. It is represented on the road by three competent salesmen, who dispose of an immense number of baskets in all parts of the United States. Mr. Talbot was married February 10, 1875, to Lorena M., daughter of George Rettig, a prominent citizen of Peru. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot have two children, George W., born February 8, 1876, and Frank M., born April 3, 1879.

JACOB THEOBALD, contractor and builder, is a native of Bavaria, German}-, born there on the 19th of August, 1839, son of Peter and Catharine (Licht) Theobald. He passed the first two years of his life in his native countrv, and at the end of that time, in 1849, accompanied his parents to the United States and settled in Washington County, Wisconsin, where the father died in 1875. Mrs. Theobald survived her husband five years, departing this life in 1880. Jacob Theobald received his earlj- education in Wisconsin, and in that State took his first lessons in the science of agriculture, in the pursuit of which he continued until attaining his majority. He then abandoned the farm and commenced working at the carpenter trade, and after following the same for a period of three 3'ears, engaged in contracting which he has since successfulh' continued, his principal business being confined to Miami County, having moved to Peru in the year 1861. Mr. Theobald is a man of great energy and industry, and since locating in Peru has taken an active interest in all that appertains to the city's welfare, having been elected a member of the Common Council in 1880 and 1886. In March, 1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Slfireman, of Germany, who died in 1873. Two children were born to this marriage, vi/: Katie and Marj- Theobald. Mr. Theobald's second marriage was celebrated August 27, 1S74, with Martha C. Keyl, of Monroe, Michigan, who has borne him four children, viz. : Ernest, Oscar, Clara and Martha. Mr. Theobald is a Democrat in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Luthern Church, of Peru.

OLIVER TILLETT, bom May i, 1831, is a native of Wayne County, and is the fifth son of James and Susanna (Buck) Tillett, who hailed from Virginia and Pennsylvania, and came to Peru Township in the year 1833. The father held the position of County Commissioner in an earl}- day. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was reared on the farm, and onl\- received a common school education. He was married in the fall of 1873 to Anna Duncan, daughter of James Duncan. Thev became the parents of three children: John, born in 1874; James, born in 1876, and Harry, born in 1881. Mr. Tillett is the owner of 377 acres of nicely improved land, in Peru Township, and belongs to the I. O. O. F., also to the Democratic partv.

JOSEPH TILLETT (deceased), a native of Miami County, was born in October, 1839, and died April 30, 1880. He was a son of James and Susanna (Buck) Tillett, natives of Virginia. Our subject was reared in Miami County and always followed farming. His marriaire with Miss Sarah E. Townsend, daujrhter of Georsre and Susanna (Dingman ) Townsend, former residents of Ohio, who came to Peru Township in the year 1832 and purchased his land from the government. He was once Township Trustee and built the first corn mill ever constructed in the township. He was born in 1810 and died in 1855. and his wife died in 1870. The widow of our subject was born in Peru Township. She is the mother of four children: Carrie A., Dora A., Emma P., and Joseph G. She owns 217 acres of land in Peru Township, which is under a high state of cultivation.

JOHN. W. TIMBERLAKE, is a native of Campbell County, Virginia, born Februarv i, 1810, eldest son of Christopher and Polly (Farley) Timberlake, both natives of Virginia and of English descent. His father emigrated to Jay County, Indiana, about 1838, where he remained until his death, which occurred during the war. Our subject was engaged in farming until his tvventv-first year when he came to Highland County, Ohio. There he learned the carpenter trade, and there continued until 1835, when he removed to Miami County, Indiana. Mr. Timberlake was married in 1833 to Miss Mary Sanders, a native of Highland County, Ohio. To this union were born two children, now deceased. Mrs. Timberlake died in 1836. Our subject was again married in 1839 ^° Miss Mar\- Hussey, also a native of Highland County. To this marriage were born six children, all of whom are deceased. In 1858, in partnership with Aaron H. Gregg, he engaged in general merchandising. In an early day he was township trustee and overseer of the poor. Mr. and Mrs. Timberlake are members of the M. E. Church. He was one of the compan\' who went out to remove the Miami Indians. He is one of the directors of the Citizens' Bank, and a man of wealth and prominence.

WILLIAM S. TODD. The subject of this biographical sketch is a native of Kentucky, born in Jessamine County on the 13th day of March, 1814. His parents, David and Sallie D. (Smith) Todd, were natives of Tennessee, and his paternal grand- father, John Todd, one of the pioneers of that State, served with distinction in the war for American Independence. When the subject was about seven vears of a<;e his parents emigrated to Indiana and located in Parke Countv, about eight miles from Rock\illc, having been among the earliest settlers in that section of the countr\'. Here on a farm William S. Todd passed his youthful vears, and in the common schools, which he attended under many difficulties, he obtained the rudiments of an English education. By coming in contact with business men in after years, and b}' alwavs taking an active interest in literary matters, he became in time the pos-. sessor of a fund of v^aluable information which has enabled him to successfully fill positions of trust at different times. He began life for himself at the age of nineteen, as clerk in a mercantile house at Rockville. in which capacity he continued until about the year 1843. In 1837, July 13th, while at Rockville, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Christian, a native of Virginia, by whom he had eight children, to- wit: Mary D., born April 15, 1838; Sarah E., born Januarv 6. 1840; William B., born July 31, 1841; Margaret, born August 18, 1S43, died June 6, 1871; Martha E., born October 9, 1845: David R., born March i, 1848; Lucy A., born April 18, 1850, and Lewis C, born April 21, 1852. In 1845 he moved to Jefferson County, Iowa, where for eight years he was engaged in the pursuits of agriculture. He left Iowa in the fall of 1853, and returning to Indiana, located in Peru, where he accepted the position of salesman in the mercantile house of Blake & Todd, continuing in that capacity until elected to the office . of County Recorder in 1862. He took charge of the office in 1863 and served for a period of eight years, during which time he transacted the business of the position in a manner satisfactory to his friend and political opponents. Since the termination of his official career Mr. Todd has been actively engaged in preparing a complete abstract of the real estate of Miami County. His first wife died November 3, 1854, and in i860, March i, was solemnized his second marriage with Mrs. Mary Ann (Oldshue) Brownell, who departed this life August 15, 1884, leaving him the second time a widower. Mr. Todd is a Democrat in politics, and a consistent member of the Masonic fi-aternitv.

HON. JAMES N. TYNER, of Peru, was born at Brookville, Indiana, January 17, 1826. He is the eldest of eleven children of Richard and Martha S. W. S. (Noble) Tyner. His father, a native of South Carolina, was a pioneer of Indiana, and for forty vears a leading merchant of the south-eastern portion of the State. His mother's brothers were men of ability and prominence. Noah Noble was Governor of Indiana, James Noble was elected to the United States Senate about the time Indiana was admitted to the Union, serving fourteen years, and was a mem- ber of that body at the time of his death. Lazarus Noble was at one time Register of the Land Office at Indianapolis, and George T. Noble for a number of years held various local positions in Wayne County. James N. Tyner was educated in the Brook ville Academ}^ and in 1846 removed to Cambridge City, where for five years he was engaged in selling goods and in carrying on an extensive grain and provision trade. In June, 185 1, he established himself permanently in Peru and there continued for 'some time in the same business. Subsequently he entered upon the practice of law in the firm of Brown & Tyner, a partnership which, with occasional intermissions, was maintained until recently. Mr. T3-ner was at first a Whig, and since the organization of the Republican party has been one of its most faithful supporters. In 1856 he was the Republican candidate for Representative to the Indiana Legislature, but was defeated by a small majority on a strictly party vote. He served four sessions - from 1S56 to 1862 - as one of the secretaries of the State Senate. In 1S61 he was appointed special agent of the postotfice department, ha\ing charge of the postal service of Indiana and Illinois, and during part of the time of the entire country. In 1866 he was removed by an order from President Johnson. In 1869 Mr. Tyner was elected Representative to Congress from the Eighth Indiana district and by re-election served in this position three terms, during two of which he was one of the committeee on postoffices and post roads. He was considered the best informed member on postal affairs. The increased mail facilities received by him for his district, with every portion of which he was perfecth* familiar, were highly appreciated by his intelligent constituents. He was also . acting Chairman of the Committee on Public Grounds and Public Buildings during his second term, and many important repairs in the capitol building and furniture were made under his supervision. During his third term he served on the Committee of Appropriations, the most important and powerful of the House committees. At the expiration of his term as Congressman, on the urg^'nt solicitation of President Grant and Governor Jewell, Postmaster General, Mr. T\-ner accepted the position of Second Assistant Postmaster General, and for sixteen months had full charge of all the mail contracts of the United States. Upon the retirement of Mr. Jewell Mr. Tyner was appointed Postmaster General, and served as such from Julj^ 1876, to March, 1877, the expiration of Grant's administration. Upon the inauguration of President Hayes and the appointment of David M. Key as Postmaster General, by the continuous solicitation of these gentlemen, Mr. Tyner was induced to return to the Postoffice Department as First-Assistant Postmaster General, to take entire charge of the business of the Department and of the appoint- meiits in lliu postal service of the Northern and border States. This position he filled to the entire satisfaction of his superior in olllce and of the countr}- at large, his long experience and excellent executive abilit\-, especially qualifying him for the oflice. Postm ister General Blair's expressed opinion that an energetic and etlicient special agent could do the public greater service by expediting the transportation and delivering the military mails, than by serving either as a private or commissioned officer in the Volunteer Army, prevented Mr. Tyner from resigning his position in the postal service and entering the army during the late civil war. Mr. Tyner was brought up in the Methodist Episcopal Church but is not now connected with any religious denomination. He married his first wife, Dena L. Humiston, daughter of Lewis Humiston, of Cambridge Cit}', November 8, 184S. This estimable lady died in 1S70, leaving one son, Albert H. Tvner, and one .daughter. December 24, 1872, Mr. Tj'ner was married to Christine Hinds, daughter of John P. Hinds, late of Washington, District of Columbia.

HENRY F. UNDERWOOD - A native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born, October 3, 1843; son of Henry and Maria (Brandt) Underwood, both natives of Pennsylvania and of German extraction. The subject of this sketch was raised on the farm and received a common school education. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I., 43d Ohio Volunteers. He ser\'ed one year and then came home, being honorably discharged in 1862 on account of wounds received at the battle of Corinth, Mississippi. In January, 1864, he went again to the front and remained until the close of the war. He came to Miami County in 1S66 and in 1868 entered the law office of Shirk and Mitchell and in 1869 began the practice of his profession. Previous to 1869 he began the pension claim business, which he has since continued. During 1879 and 1880 he was a law partner of Nott N. Antrim. He was married October 3, 1871, to Miss Nannie Hollipeter, of Wabash County, and daughter of Elizabeth Hollipeter. They have seven children as follows: William E.. Charies H., Lyman M., Viola M., Nancy E., Frank I., and Edith Flov. He is a Republican. In 1868 was elected a Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the G. A. R. and Secretarv of Canton, Peru, No. 20 P. M., f. O. O. F., and of the K. of P. Order.

LYMAN WALKER, ex-Judge of the Twenty-seventh judicial Circuit, was born at Peacham. Vermont. January 26, 1S37. He is the son of L\-man and Elmira G. Walker. Soon after Judge Walker's birth, the familv removed to Thelford, Vermont, where the father engaged in mercantile pursuits. Here he laid the foundation of hh education in the district schools and fitted for college at the Thetford Academy. He was early thrown upon his own resources, and ill order to obtain the means for a complete education, engaged in teaching. He entered Dartmouth College in 1854, and after remaining there two years entered Middlebury College from which he graduated in 1856. Thus did he in early life manifest a spirit of determination to succeed in whatever he undertook, and bv his own unaided efforts succeeded in gaining a classical education. The years 1859 and i860 were occupied in teaching and in studying law in the office of Messrs. Cruss & Topliff, Manchester, New Hampshire. Earh' in 1861, Mr. Walker took charge of the public schools of Peru, Indiana, and to him belongs the honor of establishing the hrst graded school there. After remaining about one year in that position he began to practice law in connection with Harvev J. Shirk. This partnership was continued two years, after which Mr. Walker went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where for the next four years he was in practice with Hon. R. M. Corwine. He then returned to Peru, where he has since enjoyed a large and lucrative business in the County, State and United States Courts. Mr. Walker is an honored member of the Masonic Fraternity of the Knight Templar degree. In politics he is a Republican, and takes an active interest in all public measures brought before the people for their consideration. He has usualh" preferred the quietude of private life, but such talents as he possesses being needed and demanded by the public, he was elected October, 1878. Judge of the Twentyseventh Judicial Circuit, entering upon the discharge of his official duties 1879. His eminent legal abilities enabled him to perform the duties of this office faithfully and efficiently, and his record as a Judge is one of which he and his many friends may justly feel proud. Since the expiration of his term of office in 1885, Mr. Walker has been busily engaged in the practice of his profession. In personal appearance, Judge Walker is rather above the average in height and build and of commanding presence. Although still in the prime of life, he has by integrity and persistent industry won in an eminent degree the respect and confidence of the communitv. CAPTAIN WILLIAM WALLICK. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was born in Tuscaraw as Count\ , Ohio, November 4, 1832, the eldest son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Shalter) Wallick, of the same State. The paternal grandfather, Benjamin Wallick, senior, was a native of Pennsxlvania and an early settler of Tuscarawas Countv, where he lived until his removal to Miami Countv, Indiana, in the winter of 1840. He died in this county about the year 1855-6. Benjamin Wallick, junior, father of William, was born in Tuscarawas Countv, and in early life worked at the carpenter's trade. He came to Indiana in 1S40, and locating in Peru worked at his trade for a time, and then erected a planing mill on Little Pipe Creek, a short distance southwest of the citv, which he operated with good success for a number of years.

He died in 1S83. Elizabeth Wallick was also a native of Ohio, and departed this life in Miami County, Indiana, in the year 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Wallick had a family of six children whose names are as follows, to-wit: William, the subject of the biography; Joseph (^deceased), James M. (deceased ), John W., Charles F. and Emma, wife of Jackson Ewing, Esq. William Wallick grew to manhood in Miami County moving here with his parents in 1840, when but eight years of age. His early educational advantages were limited, attending only the county district schools irregularly until his seventeenth 3'ear. During this period his time when out of school was spent at farm labor, but at the age of eighteen he abandoned agricultural pursuits and began the carpenter's trade. He was thus engaged till the fall of 1861, when the drum and fife (music still familiar to his ears) was heard throughout the North, calling the friends of the Federal Union to organize and rally in its support. The loyal sons of Indiana responded nobly to that call and early took steps to the music for the Union. Among them William Wallick was found on the muster roll of Companj- G., 51st Regiment Volunteer Infantry, which compan\- he was largely intrumental in organizing. He enlisted on the 8th day of October, 1861, entering the service as Second Lieutenant, and with his re<riment soon after proceeded to the front, where in a number of the bloodiest battle of the war he bore an active and conspicuous part. The 51st was attached to the 4th Arm}- Corps, Armj' of the Cumberland, and in common with other regiments that participated in the southwestern campaigns suffered extreme hardships and endurance. Among the most important battles in which Captain W^allick was engaged were Murfreesboro, Nashville, Shiloh, Franklin, besides lesser engagements, in all about twenty-nine. At an encounter near Rome, Georgia, on the 8th of May, 1863, the entire command to which the 51st belonged was captured, and the prisoners Hrst taken to Rome and later to Atlanta. Captain Wallick with many of his comrades were subsequently incarcerated in the Libb\' Prison at Richmond, Virginia, where for a period of nine months, exposed to all the hardships and horrors of that notorious pen, he lived with the one object in view - that of regaining his liberty. Among the many thrilling experiences of the Captain's prison life was that when with seventy other unfortunate comrades he was obliged to take his chances in drawing lots to determme which two of their number should be executed in retaliation for the death of a couple of C<)nfederate officers captured and hanged by General Burtiside He, with twenty -four others, among whom was Col. A. D. Streight, of Indianapolis, all sworn to secrecy on penalt}" of death, matured and finally succeeded in carrying into successful effect a plan of escape by exca\ating a tunnel under the prison walls. Through this aperture one hundred and nine persons made their escape.

fifty -seven of whom were recaptured and taken back. The Captain, in common with those who succeeded in reaching the Union lines, narrates with thrilling interest the many adventures he encountered during the two days and nights spent in making his wav to Williamsburgh, Virginia, the nearest available point in possession of the Federal forces. To escape observation he was compelled to secrete himself during the da_v in swamps, thickets, etc., and to travel wholly by night, suffering intensely during the trip from hunger, exposure and cold, the time being earh' in the month of Februarv, 1864. On reaching Williamsburgh he at once procured a furlough, and after a short time spent with his family and friends in Peru, again returned to the front rejoining his regiment in Tennessee, where he found a Captain's commission awaiting him having been promoted to the command of the company- while a prisoner in Libb\-. He was with his regiment in the campaign of central Tennessee, and the dav succeeding the bloodv battle of Nashville, in which engagement he took an active part, his term of service expired and he once more became an private citizen. Immediately after his discharge he returned to Peru and resumed his trade which he has since followed, principally in the city and Miami County. Captain Wallick has recently prepared an interesting lecture entitled, Libby Prison, in which are narrated in detail the sufferings, privations and death of union prisoners and prison life in general, with a full account of his wonderful and almost miraculous escape. He is delivering this lecture in various parts of the country and has already won many encomiums from the press and those who have heard him. Mr. Wallick was married June 11, 1855, to Miss Marv E. Burns, of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. To this marriage was born one child, Flora M. Wallick, deceased.

WILLIAM WEESNER. Conspicuous among the sell-made men of Peru is the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical sketch. Mr. Weesner was born in Wayne County, this State, on the i6th of May, 1836, and is the only son of Micajah and Elizabeth (Mendenhall) Weesner, natives of North Carolina and early settlers of Southern Indiana. He passed the 3-ears of his youth upon a farm, with the rugged duties of which he early became familiar, and in 1S50, when but fourteen years of age, came to Miami County and located at the village of Peoria, where he subsequently engaged in the blacksmithing business. He worked at his trade in Peoria until 1 871, at which time he removed to Peru, where for eight vears lie followed his chosen vocation with success and financial profit. He then began dealing in pine lumber, which he has since handled on quite an extensive scale, and in connection with that branch of business deals in coal, buying and shipping for many of the leading cities of the State. Mr. Weesner is a man of great energy and industry. Believing idleness a crime, he has devoted all his life to active labor, and while this principle has been valuable as a precept, it has redounded to his own financial advantage, lie has met with deserved success in his various undertakings, and is now in the enjo3'ment of a comfortable competence, including a fine farm of i6o acres in Butler township, Mr. Weesner ]iolitically votes with the Republican part)'. On the ist day of October, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Minerva Hiatt, of Jav County, Indiana, a union blessed with one child - Alvina Roscoe Weesner, born May, 29, 1863.

DANIEL WILKINSON was born in Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio, July 26, 1830. He migrated to this county in the vear 1S61. His father and mother, John and Hannah (Sharp) Wilkinson, natives of Yorkshire, England, emigrated to this country in 1819 and located in Ohio. Our subject was reared in Zanesville. At sixteen j^ears of age he began to learn the machinists trade, at which he worked in all about seventeen years, when he en<jaired in saw-millintr, followintr this business for about seven vears. In 1868 he opened a planing mill in Peru, and was burned out in 1872, but which was immediately rebuilt. The enterprise was converted into the use of manufacturing doors, sash, blinds, and of that order in first-class stvle, and which gave emplovment to from ten to tweh'e workmen. In 18S2 Mr. Walter Wilkinson came into the establishment as a partner. Our subject is a member of the F. & A. M., and I. O. O. F. fraternities, and in politics is a Republican.

ASHER WILLIAMSON, Superintendent of the Peru Water Works, is a native of Cincinnati. Ohio, and the eldest son of Levi D. and Elizabeth (Musserj Williamson, parents born in England and Pennsylvania, respectively. He was born on the 19th day of August, 1844, and when but four years of age was taken by his parents to Indianapolis, in which cit)' he passed the years of his youth and earl}' manhood. At the age of thirteen he entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the machinist trade, at which he served three years, and, after becoming proficient in the same, commenced working at Indianapolis. At the breaking out of the war he entered the employ of the Government, working in various capacities., and in 1864 enHsted in the 2 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery, with which he served one year, taking an active part in the Southwestern Campaigns during that time. He was with Banks in his celebrated expedition up the Red River, and participated in ail the battles of that unfortunate raid and several others. At the close of the war he returned to Indianapolis and resumed his trade, working at the same in that city until 1871, at which time he came to Peru and accepted a position with the Indiana Manufacturing Company, with which he was identified until 1878. In that year he severed his connection with the company' in order to take charge, as Superintendent, of the citv water works, a position he has since retained. Mr. Williamson ranks high as a skillful mechanic, and. since taking charge of the water works, has demonstrated his peculiar ritness for the position. He is an active member of the Masonic, K. of L., K. of H. and Red Men fraternities, and in politics generall}- votes with the Republican party. His marriage with Miss Caroline Berrvman, of Hamilton County, Indiana, was celebrated on the 31st day of May, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have three children, viz. : Cora. Maude and Gordon Williamson.

ALBERT T. ZERN, a native of Montgomery County, Penns}'lvania, was born November 28, 1S28, the eldest son of Henry and . Deborah (Shepherd) Zern. natives of Pennsylvania, who came to this county in 1837 and located in Peru. His father built the Peru Flouring Mills about the year 1838. He was one of the early Commissioners of the county, and was deceased at the age of sixty-three, January 21, 1868. His wife died in December, 1876, aged .seventyeight. Our subject was reared in the Town of Peru and received a fair education. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the art of chair-making and painting, ^yhich occupations he pursued jointl}' for twelve 3-ears. In November, 1854, he and Miss Rachel Bell, a daughter of Thomas Bell, who came to the county in 1834, were united in marriage. She is a native of Harrisburg,, Pennsylvania. To them was born but one child, Liddie, the wife of William Kunkle, of this county. Mr. Zern is a Democrat, and belongs to the subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also to the Encampment.