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

NER. BLACK was born in Peru township May 3, 1837, and is the eldest son of Samuel and Mar}- (Haines) Black, natives of Virginia and Connecticut, who were of English descent. His father came to Peru township in 1834, and followed farming the whole of his life. Born in 1800 and died in 1880. The subject was raised on the farm and has always pursued the occupation of farming. His wife was Margaret Honan, daughter of Solomon and Mary Honan, who came to this country in 1832 or 1833, and remained until death, which occurred in 1852. The subject was the father of four children, whose names are Nellie A., Charles E., Milton W., and Fred G. He adheres to the principles of the Republican partv.

EDMUND BLOOMFIELD, M. D., prominent physician and surgeon of Peru, is a native of Ohio, born near the city of Eaton on the 29th day of December, 1841., His father, Reuben Bloomfield, was born in Preble County, Ohio, in the year 1S09, and his mother, Ann (Hopkins) Bloomrield, was a native of the same state also, and died there about the year 1856. Dr. Bloomfield's early educational training was received in the schools of his native city, supplemented by a course in the Miami Universit}-, Oxford, Ohio, in which institution he pursued his literary studies for nearly two years, making substantial progress during that period. His early tastes leading him to a choice of the medical profession, the Doctor, in 1866, commenced preparing for the same by a course of reading with A. L. Dunham, M. D., of Eaton, under whose instruction he continued until the fall of the following year. He then entered the medical department of the Universit}' of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, completing the prescribed course in 1869, and graduating the summer of the same year in Pharmaceutical chemistry. Having thus thoroughly familiarized himself with the profession, he began the active practice in 1870 at Peru, Indiana, where his superior professional abilit\' soon won for him a conspicuous place among the successful medical men of the county. Dr. Bloomfield, as a skillful physician and surgeon takes high rank, possessing many of the elements of popularity, and, since locating in Peru, his practice has been eminently successful, both professionally and financially. His extensive acquaintance in this and adjoining counties, together with his well known integrity and ability, has brought him a large an^ lucrative business, while his standing as a citizen is such as to make him popular with a large circle of friends and acquaintances. In politics he is a Democrat, but in no sense of the word a partisan : although firm in his convictions and intellectually qualified to till official position he avoids the strife of political contests, preferring to give his entire time to his profession. Dr.

Bloomfield's marriage with Miss Helen Davenport, of Peru, was solemnized April 26, 1 87 1. They have three children, viz: Mary G., Guv D., and Nellie B. Bloomfield. Mrs. Bloomtield is a member of the Episcopal Church of the city. Dr. Bloomfield is a member of State Medical Society, American Medical Association and Countv Medical Society.

JOHN P. BOWMAN, a native of Montgomery County. Virginia, was born September 2, 1826, to John and INIarv (Cromer) Bowman, natives of \'irginia, but of German descent. His father emigrated from Virginia to Tippecanoe County when the subject was only about twelve years old, and they then came to Peru Township. John C. was reared on the farm and received a medium education. His occupation has ahvavs been that of a farmer. He was married in 184S to Miss Catharine Meyers, a daughter of Nicholas Meyers. To them were born ten children, viz: Sarah J., Emeline, William R., Julia A., Noah, Amanda, Daniel, Phoebe, Charles and George W. (deceased). Mr. Bowman is the proprietor of 277 acres of fine land in Peru Township, and also 291 acres in Cass Countv, all of which is under good cultivation. His politics are Democratic.

PHILIP H. BOYNTON, the immediate subject of this sketch is a native of Miami and son of Joseph D. and Hannah Bovnton. Captain Joseph Bovnton, the paternal grandfather, was a son of Joseph and Sallie (Goss) Boynton, who were early residents of New Hampshire, the former born in Stratham and the latter in the town of Greenland, that State. Captain Joseph Boynton was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, was at the capture of Burgoyne and Cornwallis, and also took part in the celebrated eampaign against Quebec imder General Arnold. He was two years adjutant of the New Hampshire Division - died June 25. 1831, aged 76 years. Joseph D. Boynton was born in Cornish, Maine, June 4, 1793: was raised a farmer and wiiile \oung familiarized himself with several trades, among which were those of shoemaking, carpentering, tanning, plastering, etc., in all of which he became a skillful workman. He married November 30, 1S15, Hannah Chick, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Lord) Chick, who were members of one of the oldest and most respectable families of Maine. Mrs. Bovnton was born at the town of Parsonsfield, Maine, January 24, 1794, and died at Freeport, the same State, Februaiy 12, 1882. Mr. Boynton departed this life earlv in the' eighties, exact date unknown. The following are the names of the children born to Joseph D. and Hannah Boynton, to-wit: Mary P. (deceased), Hannah, Frances A., Ammi L. (^deceased), Alvira P., Harriet O., Lucy A., Joseph W., Elizabeth B., Caroline N., Philip H. and Martha E. S. Bovnton. Philip H. Bovnton was raised to agricultural pursuits.

received in the district schools the rudiments of an Enj^lish education, and later attended the Cornish high school where he acquired a knovvledtje of the higher branches of learning. When nineteen years of age he accepted a position in a cotton factory at Saco, Maine, and after working at the same for one year, went to Rochester, New York, and engaged as repairer of track on the Rochester & Niagara Falls railroad. In August, 1852, he came to Indiana, and for three years thereafter was engaged in the construction of what is now the Wabash railroad. At the end of that time he went to Indianapolis where, for a limited period, he worked in the freight office of the I., P. & C. railroad, and later engaged as brakeman for the same company. For about one year he had charge of the freight oflice in Peru, Indiana, and then took charge of an engine, running freight and construction trains for about three j-ears. In December, 1862, he began running a passenger engine on the I., P. & C, a position he has since filled, being at this time one of the oldest and most reliable engineers in Indiana. An estimate of his mileage since engaging as engineer would be difHcult to determine, but an approximation of the distance traversed in his engine would be equivalent to over forty trips around the earth. Mr. Boynton has been twice married, the first time on the 4th day of July, i860, to Miss Elizabeth Livesay, of Virginia, who died July i6lh of the following year. He married his present wife. Mar}' J. Todd, daughter of H. S. and Agnes Todd, of Rockville, Indiana, in Januarv 1863, a union blessed with one child, Charles J. Boynton. Mr. Boynton is a member of the Masonic and K. of H. fraternities and belongs to the Baptist church. Mrs. Boynton is a member of the Presbyterian church of Peru.

DR. WILLIAM H. BRENTON, M. D., eldest son of Francis and Mar)- (Giltner) Brenton, is a native of Clarke County, Indiana, born May 2, 1828. His grandfather, William Brenton, was one of the pioneers of Indiana, moving as earlv as the beginning of the present centurv to Clarke Countv, of which part of the State Francis and Marv Brenton were natives. The Doctor was raised on a farm and his earlv educational privileges were such as the public schools of that day and locality afforded. During the progress of this primar\- course he decided upon the medical profession for a life work, and at the age of 16 began preparing for the same, under the able instruction of Dr. Frank Taylor of Westport, Kentucky. He subsequently took a course of lectures in Memphis, Tennessee, and in 1852 graduated from the medical department of the Indiana Asbury University. Prior to that time [in 1849) '^^ engaged in the practice of his profession at Ta^ylorv-ille, Indiana, and after having completed his collegiate course went to Metropolis,

Southern Illinois, where he continued until 1857. In the meantime, with a laudable ambition to increase his knowledge of the profession he, in 1853 and '54 attended the St. Louis medical college, and subsequently in 1866 graduated with honor from Belle vue Hospital medical college. New York, one of the largest and most thorough medical institutions in the United States. In 1862 he joined the Seventythird Indiana volunteer infantr\- as first assistant surgeon, in which capacity he continued until his resignation in 1863, acting as surgeon during the greater part of his period of service. He came to Miami Countv, Indiana, in 1857 and on leaving the army resumed his professional duties in Peru, where he has continued to enjoy a well merited reputation in his calling. He is a member of the county and district medical societies, and also belongs to the State and American Medical Associations. His professional career has been singularlv successful, the reputation being awarded him as one of the most skillful surgeons and thorough practitioners in Miami Count}-. Although a Democrat in his political affiliations, the Doctor has not been an aspirant for official honors, preferring to give his entire attention to the practice of his chosen profession. He was married December, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth T. Bills, a native of Louisiana, but at that time a 'resident of Bartholomew County, Indiana, by whom he had two children, both deceased. Mrs. Brenton died September, 1856. In 185S he married his second wife, Lucinda Marsh, who bore him two children, viz., Etfie M., deceased, and William M., who is at present in the employ of the Wabash railroad companv at Peru. The Doctor's third marriage was solemnized in the vear 1879 with Miss Loantha Search, of Peru, a union blessed with the birth of three children, viz., Emma E., Mary M., and John H. Brenton.

JAMES M. BROWN, prominent member of the Miami County bar, is a native of Union County, Indiana, born October 16, 1826. He is the son of Walter Brown who was born in Hamilton Countv, Ohio, and Keziah (Laboyseaux) Brown, a native of New Jersey. His paternal ancestors were English and on the mother's side he is descended from the French. Walter Brown was a prominent pioneer of Union County, moving to that part of the State in 1S20, where he was wideh' and favorably known for his many excellent qualities. James M. Brown was reared on a farm, and in earh' life attended the common schools. At the age of eighteen he entered Beech Grove Academv, an institution under the control of the Friends and conducted at that time by one William Haughton. Until he was twentv-two Mr. Brown was varioush" occupied in attending school, farming and teaching. In the fall of 1848 he married Emilv C. Willis, also a native of Union County. For five j-ears he continued teaching, farming and studying, spending eighteen months of the time in preparing to enter upon tlie practice of the law. hi the meantime he held the otfice of Township Trustee for one year in Preble County, Ohio. He removed to Connersville, Indiana, in 1854 ^°'' '^'^'^ purpose of completing his studies, and there entered the law office of Hon. Nelson Trusler and was soon after admitted to the bar. In October, 1855, Mr. Brown removed to Peru, Indiana, where he began the practice of his profession, and one year later effected a co-partnership in the law with Orris Blake, Esq. From 1859 ""''^ 1862, witli some intermission, he was associated in a law partnership with Hon. James N. Tyner, ex-Postmaster-General. In the spring of i860, Mr. Brown was elected Mayor of Peru, and being three times re-elected served for four successive terms. Immediatelv after he was elected City Engineer, the duties of which position he discharged for a period of about eight years. He also served as School Trustee two years, and from 1877 until 1879 ^^'^^ '^ member of the Peru City Council. He has always been identified with the Republican part}-, and in 1868 was connected with G. I. Reed as part owner of the Peru Rcpiihlican, continuing as associate editor of the same the greater part of the succeeding three years. Mr. Brown is recognized by all who know him, as one of the most useful and upright citizens of the communit}' in which he lives. Possessing an extraordinary fund of exact information on many subjects, his qualifications to discharge with ability the duties of each official trust to which he has been called are unquestioned. A close student of history, science and ancient literature, he is also a genial, companionable gentleman, beloved by his family, and honored and respected by his friends. His marriage has been blessed with the birth of two children, viz: Benjamin and Mary E. Brown.

GEORGE W. CHAMBERLAIN, contractor and builder and son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Johnson) Chamberlain, natives of New Jersey, was born in that state on the 13th day of June, 1S22. He was reared in the state of his nativitv until his fourteenth vear, at which time (1836) he removed with his parents to Seneca Count}-, Ohio, where one year later he began working at the carpenter's trade. He soon acquired great proficiency in his chosen calling and worked at the same at different places until 1S51, when he ' came to Peru, where he has since followed the trade with success and financial profit. He is at this time engaged in contracting and building principally in Peru and Miami County, and some of the most elegant residences and business houses in the city and adjacent country were erected under his personal supervision. Mr. Chamberlain is an intelligent mechanic, and, with his family, possesses in an eminent degree the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. His marriage with Miss Margaret Morrison, a native

GEORGE R. CHAMBERLAIN, teller First National Bank, was born in Peru, Indiana, August 4, 1854, son of George W. and Margaret (Morrison) Chamberlain. He was educated in the city schools, which he attended until his sixteenth year, completing the High School course in 1870. He then engaged as clerk in the mercantile house of J. S. Hale, Peru, in which capacit}- he continued one year, severing his connection with the dry goods business at the end of that time and engaging February 17, 1872, as book-keeper in the First National Bank. In Mav, 1881, he was promoted teller, the duties of which responsible position he has since discharged in a manner eminently satisfactory to his employers. Mr. Chamberlain is an accomplished business man, enjoys the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact, and has before him a future fraught with much promise. He is a member of the K. of P. order, and politicallv votes with the Republican party.

DAVID CHARTERS (deceased) was a native of Lewiston, Pennsylvania, and son of William and Elizabeth (Comfort) Charters, parents natives of the same state. The family moved to Miami County, Indiana, in 1846 and settled on a farm two miles west of Peru, where the mother died in 1873 and the father in 1865. David Charters was born, January- 24, 182 1, was reared a farmer and followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He came to Miami County in 1846 and from that time until his death lived upon the beautiful home place west of Peru. He was a man of much more than ordinary intelligence as is attested by the fact that he was several times chosen by the people of Miami to positions of trust, in all of which he acquitted himself with such commendable fidelity that no one was ever known to utter a breath of suspicion against his oflicial record. During the war and for several years thereafter, he served as County Commissioner and in 1874 was elected to represent Miami in the State Legislature. In his business transactions he was uniformly successful and as a farmer he stood among the first in the county. On the 24th da}' of October, 1852 he was married to Eliza Long, daughter of John and Elizabeth Tingle) Long, of Delaware. Mrs. Charters was born in Eaton, reble County, Ohio, and is the mother of nine children, seven of whom are living, to-wit: William, Juniata, Mifflin, Emmet, Margaret, Lafayette and Charle Charters. The deceased members of the family were Sarah and Catharine. Mr. Charters died on the nth day of March, 1882. His widow and several of the children still reside upon the home place, which is one of the best improved farms in Peru Township.

ferson Township, Miami County, March 15, 1847. His paternal ancestors were Pennsjlvanians, his grandfather. Christian Clymer, emigrating from that State in an early day to Warren County, Ohio, where he lived until his removal to Miami County, about the 3-ear 1834. He, with his son Levi Clymer, father of subject, settled near Mexico, Jefferson Township, and was among the earliest pioneers of that section. He was a farmer by occupation and died sometime in the latter part of the forties. Levi Clymer was born in Warren County, Ohio, January 15, 1811. He - was a resident of Jefferson Township, this county, until the year 1848, at which time he removed to Clay Township, where he has since resided. He is one of Miami County's representative farmers and a man widely and favorably known for his manj- sterling qualities. Subject's mother, Elizabeth Clymer, was the daughter of Henry Kirby, one of the earl\- and substantial citizens of Warren Coun'tv, Ohio. She departed this life at her home in Clay Township, in the year 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Clymer, were the parents of nine children, four of whom are living, Joseph C, being the voungest son of the family. He was reared on his father's farm in Cla\- Township, acquired in the common schools a practical education and subsequently attended the Peru High School and the Valparaiso Normal College. He began life as a farmer and followed agricultural pursuits until 1881, at which time he accepted the position of Deputy County Treasurer, under E. Humrickhouse, and continued in that capacity for a period of four 3'ears. In the meantime, 18S4, he was nominated by the Democratic party as a candidate for that office, and at the ensuing election received a large majority of the county vote, a fact which attested his great popularity with the people. He having discharged the duties of the responsible trust in a manner highly satisfactorj' to all he was in 1 886 re-elected and is now entering upon upon his second term. Mr. Clymer is an intelligent, thoroughly well posted business man, and his career has been a marked success. He was married January 21, 1885, to Miss Emma, daughter of Isaac and Maria Miller, of Miami Count}-.

JUDGE ALBERT COLE (deceased) was born May 13, 1790, at Berlin Connecticut. He was the son of Stephen and Lucy (Deming) Cole. His father was a farmer and died in 1801. Albert, then eleven years old, went to live with his oldest brother, who was also a farmer, and until the age of fifteen attended the district schools during the winters. He spent the interval between fifteen and twent}' in learning tanning and shoe-making at Meriden, Connecticut, illness obliging him to give up his trade, he engaged one year in selling notions through the country. In 181 2, he decided to go to Mississippi, where he had an older brother living. He having reached his destination he remained one year, a part of the time assisting his brother in a saw mill - on account of sickness, which he could not throw off, he purchased a pony at New Orleans and started Xorth by land - there being at that time only one steamer on the Western Waters. After a long and tedious journey, during which he passed through the possessions of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, he reached a white settlement near Columbia, Tennessee, where, owing to a severe illness, he was obliged to remain four weeks. In the fall of 1813, he reached Cincinnati, Ohio, and remained there until the following spring. In the meantime news came that peace had been declared between the United States and Great Britain. After leaving Cincinnati Mr. Cole returned to Connecticut. There in September, 1814, he married Mary Galpin, and started for the west. He purchased a farm of eighty acres in Zanesville, Ohio, where as a farmer, tanner and shoemaker, he remained until 1833. That year bv means of a four horse wagon - probable among the first seen in that section, he transferred his family tirst to Goshen, Indiana, and afterwards, July, 1834, to Peru, in the same State. Miami County had then been recently organized and Peru selected as the County Seat. Considerable enterprise had, however, been manifested in the construction of the Wabash and Erie canal, the laying out of town lots, etc. Soon after going to Peru Mr. Cole formed a partnership w'ith Mr. D. R. Bearss, carried on a general mercantile business for one year and erected a store house. At the end of that time the firm dissolved. Mr. Cole taking his share of the goods to Lewisburg on the canal where he put up some log buildings, and sold goods for another year. He then returned to Peru and was engaged in mercantile pursuits for about six years, after which in 1848 he was elected postmaster, which office he held till 185 1 and then retired to a farm which he purchased in an early day just north of the city. After the death of his wife who had been a faithful companion for forty years, he returned to Peru, having disposed of his farm, and invested his capital in city property. Judge Cole w-as a Whig during the existence of that party and after its dissolution identified himself in the Republican party, voting the latter ticket until his death. He was elected Judge at the August election in 1840, when the circuit \vas composed of a President judge, elected by the Legislature and two associate judges, from each county, chosen by the people. He was United States Commissioner under President Harrison, for distribution of Surplus Revenue. In 1857 he married Mrs. McCleary, of Zanesville, Ohio. Judge Cole had six children by his first wife, namely : Emma A., now Mrs. D. R. Bearss, Alphonso A., deceased, Lucy, wife of Lewis D. Adkison, Mary L., the late Mrs. James T. Miller, James O., and Ellen, wife of H. G. Fetter. Mr. Cole died November, 1878.

RICHARD H. COLE, of the Miami County Sciilincl and one of the proprietors of the Cole Block, was born in this city, Nov. 26, 1S53; son of Hon. Alphonso and Sarah H. (Henton) Cole, and is of English extraction. His father was born near Oberlin, Ohio, December, 25, iSi8. He came to Miami County in 1834. Bv occupation he was a lawyer and one of the earl}- members of the Miami County Bar. In 1847 and '48, and in 1849 ^""^ '5°' '^^ '"'^P" resented this county in the Indiana Legislature. He was one of the early prominent men of this county. His death occurred August 4, 1862. Our subject is the elder of two living children. After graduating at the Peru High School, he was a student for two years at the University of Illinois, located at Champaign. In 1876 he was elected Surveyor of Miami County, and in 1881 was elected City Engineer of Peru. In 1879 he purchased a half interest in the Miami Count}' Sentinel, and with which he is now connected. In politics he is a Democrat and is a member of the K. of P. fraternit}- of this city. He was married November 15, 1882, to Miss Belle M. Talbot, of this city, born March 15, i860. Mr. Cole is a representative of one of the early families of this county.

HARVEY COMER, gunsmith, was born in Allen County Indiana, May, 30, 1846 and is the fifth child of James and Sarah E. (Somers) Comer, natives of Virginia. James Comer moved to Indiana in an earl}- day and settled in Allen County prior to the founding of the City of Ft. Wayne. He was a cooper by trade but after moving to Indiana engaged in farming which he carried on until his death in 1875. Mrs. Comer is still living on the home place in Allen County having reached a ripe old age. Harvey Comer was raised on a farm, enjoyed such educational advantages as were afforded by the common schools and at the age of nineteen began life for himself in the employ of the I. P. & C. rail road companj- at Peru. He worked in the shops here until 1S73 at whicfi time he took up his present trade, that of gunsmith and after following the same for some time in Peru, went to Terre Haute. He soon returned to Peru, where, since 1874, he has ceen actively engaged at his vocation, and is now in the enjoyment of a verj^ prosperous business. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and National Union Orders and is in every respect an honorable and trustworthv citizen. On the 15th day of April, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Marshall, daughter of John Marshall, of Peru.

GODLOVE CONRADT, native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and son of Henry and Catherine Conradt, was born on the loth dav of July, 1834. When four years of age he was brought by his parents to the United States, and from 1840 until 1845 lived in Springfield, Columbiana County, Ohio. The family moved to Miami County, Indiana, the latter year, and settled in Peru, where the father for a number of years carried on a successful tannery business. The parents both departed this Hfe in the year- 1870. Godlove Conradt received in the common schools a practical education, and at an early age learned the tanning trade, which he followed until his twentieth year. He then engaged in the mercantile business, opening a leather and shoe-tindings store in Peru, which he ' carried on in connection with the tannery, operating the latter with encouraging success until 1884. In addition to his private enterprises, Mr. Conradt has at different times been called to hll positions of trust, the first of u'hich was that of Township Cleik, to which he was elected in i860. He was subsequenth- chosen a member of the City School Board, the duties of which position he discharged in a manner highly satisfactorj- to all concerned for a period of nine years. In his business ventures Mr. Conradt has been successful, and at this time, in addition to other propert}-, owns a valuable tract of 200 acres of land in Deer Creek township. On the 27th day of December, 1857, he married Miss Mar}' Smith, daughter of Christopher Smith, of Germany, a marriage blessed with the birth of four children, three of whom, Matilda, Fred and Albert, are living. Mr. Conradt is liberal in his political views in State and National affairs, voting the principles of the Democratic party, and in local matters voting for the man best qualified for the position. Mrs. Conradt is a member of the Lutheran Church of Peru.

JONATHAN D. COX, was born in Butler December 9, 1818, being the third son of David (Bake) Cox, native of Monmouth County, The father of Mr. Cox emigrated to Ohio, came to Decatur Count\-, Indiana. He was born in 1792 and died in 1837. The mother of Mr. Cox died in 1836. The subject of this biography, received a common school education. He came to Miami County in 1837, and for some years worked on a farm and later clerked in a store. In 1840 he, in partnership with Richard Miller, started a general store at Pawpaw. He continued this business for four years and then engaged in farming. February 2, 1842, he married the daughter of Richard Miller, who died in 1848. By that marriage were born two children, Wm. H. and Alphonso C. Mr. Cox was married again February 12, 1850 to Miss Caroline, daughter of Col. William M. Reyburn, (deceased), who was one of the pioneers of Miami County. They have two children, viz: Charles R. and Horace G. Mrs. Cox died in 1856. Mr. Cox was married again in 1859 ^^ Miss Jennie Thornburg, a native of Wayne County. Indiana. By this union they have one child, Jessie B. Mr. Cox removed to Peru in 1856. In 1857 he engaged in the stove, tinware and lumber business. This business he continued one year and then again engaged in the agricultural pursuits which he continued until 1885, when he retired from active life. In 1867 he was appointed Assessor for Miami County of Internal Revenue. In 1868 he was elected to represent Miami County in the General Assembly of Indiana. He was re-eleeted to the same office in 1870. He is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic fraternity.

HON. JABEZ T. COX. The gentleman whose biographical sketch is herewith presented, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, January 27, 1846. His parents, Aaron and Mary (Skeggs) Cox, were natives respectivel}' of Ohio and Kentucky, the father of English-Welsh, and the mother of German lineage. Jabez T. Cox, in earl)' life attended the common schools and subsequently entered the Westfield Academy, an educational institution under charge of the Society of Friends at Westfield, Ind., in which he pursued his literarj- studies for a period of four years. Having early decided upon the legal profession as his hfe work, he, in 1865 entered the law office of the late Hon. N. R. Overman, of Tipton, Indiana, under whose instructions he continued until his admission to the b;ir, a little later, and with whom he formed a partnership in the practice which lasted from 1867 till 1869. In the latter year he abandoned the law for a time and entered the field of journalism as editor of the Frankfort Crescent, of which paper he was proprietor until 187 1, when he returned to Tipton and again took up the legal profession with his former partner. Judge Overman. From 1871, till 1875 ^'^ practiced with marked success in the courts of Tipton and adjoining counties, but in the latter year owing to his wife's ill health disposed of his interests in Indiana and removed to Hutchinson, Kansas, In that state he soon acquired more than a local reputation, as is attested by the fact that in 1878 he was nominated on the Democratic state ticket for the office of Attorney General. Although defeated at the ensuing election, the Democratic party in Kansas being in a hopeless minorit}-, yet, when the vote was canvassed it was found that he had run 3,500 ahead of his ticket. Owing to continued ill heath of his wife he shortly afterward left Kansas and went to Colorado where he remained until 1883 when he returned to Indiana and located in Peru, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. In politics Mr. Cox has always been a pronounced Democrat, believing earnestly in his political convictions. In 1886 he received the nomination for Representative to the Lower House of the State Legislature and after a brilliant canvass defeated his competitor by a very decided majority. Mr. Cox's legal career presents a series of continual successes and his acknowledged familiarity with the principles of law, and thoroughly independent cast of his mind make him a safe and trusted counselor. He has a military as well professional career, entering the service of his country in 1864 as private in Company B, 136th Indiana Infantry, and serving with the same until honorably dis- charged at the close of the war. He is prominently identified w ith the G. A. R. and the Odd Fellows fraternities. He married his first wife, Miss Jennie Price, of Tipton, Indiana, in 1S67. She died in Colorado in the spring of 1882. Two children were born to the marriage, viz : Edward E. and Inez. His second marriage was solemnized in the year 1884 with Miss Lizzie Meinhardt, of Peru, who has borne him one child. Carl M. Cox.

GEORGE A. CROWELL, retired business man and prominent citizen of Peru, is a native of Jefferson County, Virginia, born there June 25, 1820, the son of Samuel and Mary (Link) Crowell, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectiveh', and of English- Scotch and Irish-German ancestr\'. His early school experience embraced the studies appertaining to the educational course presented by the usages of those days in Sandusky County, Ohio, to which he moved with his parents when but seven years of age. He was raised to agricultural pursuits and remained with his parents on the farm until after attaining his majority, when he began life for himself as clerk in a mercantile house in the town of Fremont, Ohio. He continued in the capacity of salesman at the above place until 1843 and in 1845 came to Peru, Indiana, to take charge of a stock of goods for Sanford E. Main, in whose employ he remained for a period of about one and a half years. From the time of severing his connection with Mr. Main, up to 1850, he clerked for different parties, but in the latter j'ear effected a co-partnership in the general mercantile business with William Smith, which lasted until 1855. He purchased his partner's stock that year and conducted a successful business until 1876, at which date he retired from active fife, having by diligent and judicious management accumulated a handsome competence in the meantime. In addition to his large business interests, Mr. Crowell always took an active part in all the enterprises for the city's welfare and was several times elected its treasurer, the duties of which position he discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner. He was largely instrumental in inaugurating the street improvements of Peru, in which he encountered much opposition, and also brought the first plate glass store front to the city, besides introducing a number of other modern improvements. He took an active interest in the internal improvement of the country, and to him, more than to any other man, is due the credit of securing and building up of the present efficient turnpike system of Miami County. At this time he is Superintendent of the following roads, to-wit: Peru and Mexico, Peru and Santa Fe, and Peru and Mississinewa Turnpikes, and their present superior condition is largely owing to his careful and judicious management. In the year 1869 he w^as appointed special Indian agent for the Miamis of Indiana and the Eel River bands of Miamis, and discharged the duties of the same until 1876. Mr. Crowell was married in May 185 1, to

Mary A. Steele, daughter of Joseph S. Steele, one of the pioneers of Miami County. Mrs. Crowell was born in the State of Ohio, and is still lixing. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Crowell, but one, Alice O., is living at this time. The following are names of the of the children, deceased, to-wit: Mary C, George G. and Byron F. Throughout a long and active life, during which he passed through many vicissitudes, Mr. Crowell's ruling elements have been industr}- and honesty, qualities which have made themselves apparent to all with whom he has been associated in a business capacitj- or otherwise. And now in the sixty-seventh ^-ear of his age, he is still an energetic, wide awake citizen, in possession of all his faculties and enjoying the full confidence and respect of all his friends and acquaintances. His portrait will be found elsewhere in this volume.

PHILIP Q. CURRAN, merchant tailor, was born in the. City of Quebec, Canada, Jul}' 12, 1829, and is the third son of Patrick and Marv Curran, natives respectively of Ireland, and Scotland. Mr. Curran's early life was passed in his native cit\-, in the schools of which he received the rudiments of an Enirlish education. It may be said with .propriet\- that he is not an educated man in the accepted meaning of that term, 3'et thoroughhskilled in the details of practical business, such as is acquired only by the experience of years and the active observations of well developed common sense. At the age of twelve he apprenticed himself to learn the tailor's trade, and after serving for a period of three years, during \\hich time he acquired great proficiency, began working for himself in the city of Troy, New York. From there in 1848 he went to Massachusetts, and located at the citv of Cheshire, where he opened his first shop, and where he continued with encouraging success for a period of three years. He subsequentlv worked in various places, and, in 1854, experiencing a desire to move bevond the boundaries of the Eastern States, went to Detroit. Michigan, in which city he was cutter in a large tailoring establishment until the spring of 1858. He then removed to Peoria, Illinois, where he followed cutting principally until 1866, at which time he located in Anderson, Indiana, where he carried on a successful business until he removed to Peru in 1873. On locating in this city he at once took high rank as a cutter, and continued that branch of the trade until 1878, in the spring of which vear he opened a business of his own, which he has since successfuUv operated. Mr. Curran is a wide-awake, energetic man, alwavs alive to the interests of his business and the general prosperit}' of the city. He has a large and lucrative patronage, and the business, now conducted under the firm name of Curran & Co., is the leading tailoring establishment in the city. Mr. Curran has a military as well as a business record, of which he feels deservedly proud. He entered the army August, 1861, enlisting in the Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and served with the same until honorably discharged October, 1864. He went into the service as first sergeant, but early in 1S64 was promoted captain, a position he held at the time of his discharge. In politics Mr. Curran is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, but has never asked official position at the hands of his fellow-citizens. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities, having taken a number of degrees in the latter, including that of Sir Knight. On the 30th day of April, 1850, was solemnized his marriage witli Miss Ellen Brazee, of Canada, a union blessed with the birth of six children, only two of whom - Philip H. and James W. - are living. Mr. and Mrs. Curran are members of the Methodist Church of Peru.

WILLIAM F. DALY, lumber inspector for Indiana Manufacturing Company, was born in North Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut, on the 25th dav of September, 1842. His father, Dennis Daly, was a native of North Ireland, and his mother, Alvira (French) Daly, was born in the State of Connecticut. Mr. Daly's parents dying when he was quite young, earlv threw him upon his own resources and he made his first start in life as a boot black. This employment he subsequentlv abandoned for mechanical pursuits, engaging at the age of fifteen, to learn the trade of carriage making, which he followed in his native city until the breaking out of the war. In September, 1861, he entered the army, enlisting in Company I, Sixth Regiment Connecticut Infantry, with which he served until honorabl}- discharged three years later. During his period of service Mr. Daly took part in a number of engagements, among which were the following: Fort Wagner, Mackey's Point, siege of Port Pulaski, seiges of Forts Walker and Beauregard, all the battles around Charleston, Alosta, Fla., and Drury Bluff, Cit\- Point, Deep Bottom, Pittsburgh and others of the Virginia campaigns. On leaving the army he returned to Bridgeport and resumed liis trade until 1 866, when he accepted a position with the Wheeler & Wilson sewing machine companv, in their shops in that city. Two years later he took charge of the wood-work department in the Howe machine shops at Bridgeport, and continued as foreman of the same until promoted superintendent of the company's shops at Peru, Indiana, in 187 1. He was identified with the shops here until 1875, when he became foreman of the Muhltield wagon and dimension works, Peru, the duties of which position he discharged until 1880. In the latter vear he ensjajjed with the Indiana manufacturing companv, with which he has since been identified, holding at this time the responsible position of lumber inspector. Mr. Daly is a public spirited citizen, takes an active interest in politics, and has been his party's candidate for different official positions. He served in the Common Council of Peru, and in the deliberations of that body bore a conspicuous part. He belongs to the G. A. R., Masonic, Roval Arcanum, and K. of H. orders; in politics, votes the Republican ticket. On the 25th of September, 1873, he married Miss Hattie M. Scott, daughter of Aaron B. Scott, a union blessed with the birth of two children, one of which, Nellie, born September 23, 1877, is living.

^GEORGE W. DEIBERT, assistant general foreman of the Wabash shops, came to Miami County in May, 1S54. Was born October 28, 1833, in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and is the second son of Jacob and Rosanna (Zimmerman) Deibert, natives of Pennsylvania, ^yho migrated to Indiana in 1854 and located in Peru. The father, who was b\' trade a carpenter, died in March, 18S1, and the mother and brother - Albert - in 1854, soon after their arrival in Indiana. The subject returned to his native counts', and on the 14th of February, 1857, was married to Miss Henrietta Wervert, a native of Schuylkill Count\-, Pennsylvania, of German origin. They were blest b}- the birth of five children, four of whom are now living - John, Frank, Florence, Georgie (girl), and Philip (deceased). In May, 1867, the subject returned to Peru and worked at the carpenter trade, which he learned when a boy. In the fall of 1868, engaged with the I., P. & C. R. R. in the car department, and continued until June, 1872, when he assumed charge of that department. He is a Knight of Pythias and also an Encampment Odd Fellow, and was elected by the Republicans to the City Council, serving from iSSoto 1884.

REV. HERMAN H. DIEMER, pastor St. John's Luthern Church, Peru, and son of Christain Diemer, is a native of Wurtemberg, German}-, born on the 26th day of October, 1851. When he was ten years of age his parents left their native country for America, but before the completion of the voyage the mother died and was buried in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The father died shortly after reaching the United States, and Herman, thus early left an orphan, was sent to Perr\- Count\-, Missouri, where, until his thirteenth year, he attended school at the town of Altenburgh. In 1869. he entered Concordia College, at Fort Wayne, Indiana, in which institution he pursued his studies for a period of six years with the object of the ministry in view. After securing a thoroughly classical education he entered Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, which he attended three 3ears, completing the prescribed course in that time. In 1874 he entered upon the active duties of his sacred calling at Elkhart, Indiana, being the first minister of the Lutheran

Church to proclaim the gospel in that city. He remained at Elkhart until 1877, at which time he went to Fulton County, Ohio, where he was actively engaged in pastoral work until 1S83, moving to Pomeroy, Ohio, the latter year and remaining there until the spring of 1884, when he accepted the pastorate of St. John's Church, Peru, Indiana. Rev. Mr. Diemer is a popular pastor and eloquent and forcible pulpit orator, and since locating in this city has made many warm friends irrespective of church and creed. He was married July 6th, 1876, to Margaret Schuster, a union blessed with four children, viz. : Emma, Gerhart, Paul and Martin.

AARON N. DUKES. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is a native of Randolph County, Indiana, and son of William and Matilda (McKim ) Dukes, the father born. in Maryland, and the mother in the State of Ohio. On the father's side he is descended from English ancestors, his grandfather, Isaac Dukes, emigrating from England to the United States in an earlv dav and settlintj in Marvland. William Dukes in earlv life moved to Randolph County, Indiana, where for a number of years he was alternately engaged in merchandising, milling and agricultural pursuits. He subsequentlv disposed of his interests in that part of the State, and in 1846 moved to Miami County, locating near the village of Gilead, where he lived until he removed to a beautiful farm adjoining the city of Peru, several years later. He was a prominent farmer and stock raiser, and deserves mention as one of the successful men of his adopted county. His death occurred in the year 1S78. His wife, Matilda Dukes, was the daughter of William and Jane McKim, who came to the United States from Ireland about the beginning of the present century. It is related that on the voyage to the newworld, the vessel on which they sailed encountered a terrific storm, which for a time threatened the complete destruction of all on board. The sails were riddled and torn by the fierce gale, and in order to mend them Mrs. McKim spun threads on a little spinning wheel which she was bringing over with her, the Captain holding the wheel and Mr. McKim holding the chair in which she sat. By this means the sails were repaired, and in due time the vessel was enabled to proceed on its course in safet\-. William McKim settled near Chillicothe, Ohio, but subsequently emigrated to Randolph Count}-, Indiana, where he lived until his removal to Miami County, about the year 1855. He was a farmer by occupation and died in the county in 1862. His wife survived him about eight years, departing this life in 1870. Mrs. Dukes, the mother of our subject, died at her home near Peru in 1874. T^he following are the names of the children born to William and Matilda Dukes, viz: A. X., Levi, Lydia, wife of Oliver Wilson, Jane, wife of John McRea, Mary, wife of Mr.

Parmley, Emma, wife of James Pugh, John, and Priscilla, wife of Dr. Frank Black. Aaron N. Dukes was born on tlie 27th day of October, 1S34; accompanied his parents to Miami County in 1846, and has been one of its most successful and highly esteemed citizens ever since. He attended the public schools during winter seasons, where he acquired a good practical education, and when out of school improved his time working on the farm, early acquainting himself w^ith the details of that useful occupation. He remained with his parents until his seventeenth year, at which time he abandoned agricultural pursuits and accepted the position of salesman in the mercantile house of E. H. Shirk, Peru, in which capacity he continued one year, effecting a co-partnership with his employer at the end of that time, in a general store at the town of Gilead. After remaining in the latter place about two years he disposed of his interest, and in 1S56 removed to Mankato, Minnesota, where until 1S62 he was engaged in merchandising, milling and dealing in real estate, retaining his connection with Mr. Shirk in the meantime. He returned to Peru, Ind.. in the latter year and from that date until 1865 was a partner of Mr. Shirk in the general mercantile business, their house during that period being one of the largest and most successful of the kind in Northern Indiana. He withdrew from the firm in 1865, and in partnership with J. H. Jamison engaged in the grocery and pork packing business, which branches of industry were conducted with financial protit until 1868, Mr. Dukes purchasing his partner's interest that year. Two years later he sold out and purchased what is knovyn as the Holman farm, adjoining the city of Peru, a part of which he subsequently laid off in town lots, known as Dukes' first and second additions. In the meantime he began dealing in real estate, a business he carried on quite extensively until 1881. In 1877 he was appointed assignee of the Ulrich wagon works of Peru, the duties of which position required the greater part of his time, until the satisfactory arrangement of the business in iSSi. In the latter year he was appointed receiver of the Indiana Manufacturing company of Peru, one of the largest manufacturing enterprises of the State, to which he has since devoted his entire attention. Mr. Dukes took an active part in the Sioux war of Minnesota in 1862, having been for some time in command of the militar\- post of Mankato. His has been a very active business life, throughout which he has discharged his duty with commendable fidelity, proving himself worthy the confidence of his fellow citizens and competent to fill responsible positions intrusted to him. He is a Republican in politics, and a consistent member of the Presbvterian church, with which he has been identified since about the year 1854. In September, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Thompson, daughter of Rev. James Thompson, the projector and one of the founders of Wabash College, at

Crawfordsville. Mr. Thompson was a man of deep piety and scholarlj- attainments, and was actively engaged in the work of the Master for over half a century. He died in Minnesota in the year 1876. To Mr. and Mrs. Dukes have been born two children, to-wit: Elbert, born in i860, and William, born in 1862, died in 1871. JAMES S. DURET, Deputy Auditor Miami County, was born in Logansport, Indiana, Alarch 9, 1841, and is the second son of John B. and Elizabeth (Bell) Duret, natives respectively of Canada and Kentucky. John B. Duret accompanied General Louis Cass from Michigan to Indiana about the year 1824, and subsequently in 1827 located permanently in Logansport. He took an active part in the organization of Cass County, and at the tirst election was chosen Clerk of the same, the duties of which position he discharged for a period of twenty-nine 3ears, or until his"death in 1855. He was married in 1828 to a daughter of Major Daniel Bell, who was the tirst person to make permanent settlement on the present site of Logansport, locating there as early as the year 1826. John B. Duret was a man of fine abiHty, and is remembered as one of the most accomplished officials of the county, in the welfare of which he took such an active interest. James S. Duret passed the years of his youth and early manhood in Logansport, attended the schools there until twelve years of age, when he entered Notre Dame University, in which institution he pursued his studies for a period of two years. Subsequently in 1857 and in 1858 he studied telegraphv, and for two years thereafter worked at the same. In Ma}-, 1863, he entered the army, enlisting in Company H, Eightyseventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and in August of the same ^-ear was commissioned second lieutenant of his company, and as such served until honorably discharged. Previous to the war in 1859 he came to Peru, and subsequently, in 1863, was appointed Deputy Treasurer of Miami Count}-, the duties of which position he discharged for a period of six years. Then for a number of years he was employed in the railroad business, and held several important positions in that capacity until his appointment as Deputy County Auditor in 1881. He is still connected with the ofiice, and being deservedly popular and possessing unusual ability, may yet serve the public in a wider and more extensive sphere. He has led a remarkably industrious life, full of energy and of great force of character, and as an accomplished business man none in Peru stand higher than he. In January, 1861, he was united in marriage with Mi'ss Mary Miller, adopted daughter of James T. Miller, of Peru. He is a Democrat in polities, and in religion adheres to the creed of the Roman Catholic Church.

HENRY DUTTON, was a native of Schoharie County, NY.; was born June 25, 1824, and was a son of Julius Dutton. a native of Connecticut. At the a<re of fifteen he came to Fort Wavne and secured an engagement as clerk in a dry goods store, where he secured the greater part of his education. He then engaged in the retail dry goods business, in which he continued until the latter part of his life, when he emerged into the business of private banker and broker, which avocation he pursued during the eighteen years preceeding his death, which sad event occurred in July, 1877. Mr. Button was elected Count)- Treasurer on the Democratic ticket and was re-elected to the same office. He manifested a deep interest in the success of his party. Remaining at Fort Wayne for a number of years, he then came to Peru and resumed his former occupation - the dry goods business - in 1847. Was married in New York City July 20, 1847, to Miss Nancy M. Moore, daughter of John and Nancy (Wicks) Moore, natives of Duchess County, N. Y. To this union there were born four children, two of whom are living, viz: Mrs. Emma McWhinney, now residing at Richmond, Henry D. D., born November 9, 1855, now a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri. Those deceased are: Mary M., born September 9, 1849, and died in 1877; Lillie D., born February 10, 1868, and died 1877. Mrs. Dutton was born in Schoharie Count)-, N. Y. The subject of this sketch was a delegate to the National Convention at Baltimore which nominated Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency, and was also for many years chairman of the Democratic Central Committee for the County of Miami.

RICHARD A. EDWARDS, cashier First National Bank, son of Prof. Richard and Betsey (Sampson) Edwards, was born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, November 9, 1851. Richard Edwards, Sr., was born in Wales, and came to the United States in 1832, settling originally in Ohio. He subsequently moved to Massachusetts, where for a number of years he was principal of the State Normal School at Salem, in the organization of which institution he took an active part. In 1859 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, to take charge of the City Normal School, a position he retained until 1862, at which time he .iccepted the presidency of the Illinois State llniversity. He held the latter position for a period of sixteen or eighteen j-ears, and was for some time pastor of the First Congregational Church at Princeton, Illinois. In 1886 he was elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction of Illinois, and is the present incumbent of that otllce. Prof. Edwards is a man of brilliant attainments, and as an educator ranks among the first in the country. He is the father of eleven children, nine of whom are living, the subject of this sketch being the second in number. Richard A. Edwards received his elementary education at Normal, Illinois, and subsequently attended Princeton and Dartmouth Colleges, graduating from the latter in 1876. His literary education then completed, he accepted the position as instructor of Latin and Greek in the Rock River Seminary, Morris, Illinois, and two years later became Professor of Rhetoric and En<rlish Literature in Knox College, Galesburg. He held the latter position three years, and at the end of that time severed his connection with the college, and in i8Si came to Peru, Indiana. He entered the First National Bank in this cit}^ as assistant cashier in 1882, and in June, i886, became cashier, a position he holds at this time. On the ist of June, 1880, he married Miss Alice Shirk, daughter of the late E. H. Shirk, of Peru. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have four children, viz. - Richard E., Milton A., Mary A. and Clara E. Politically, Mr. Edwards votes with the Republican party, and in religion adheres to the creed of the Congregational Church. Mrs. Edwards is an active member of the Baptist Church of Peru.

WALTER H. EMSWILER. Mr. Emswiler was born in the city of Peru, May 10, 1858 and is the second son of John H. and Sarah E. (Miller) Emswiler, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Indiana. The father came to Miami County in a very early day, was for many years one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Peru and departed this life September, 1884. Walter Emswiler received a good practical education in the city schools and at the age of twenty began life for himself as clerk for his brother Charles, in the mercantile business, with whom he remained until his twenty-fourth year. In 1883 he became a partner with Schuyler Mercer in the livery business and subsequently purchased the entire interest which he still controls. Mr. Emswiler has already a well established business reputation and is meeting with encouraging success as a liveryman. He was married March 2, 1881 to Miss Rose Fisher, daughter of Joseph Fisher, one of the substantial residents of Jefferson Township, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Emswiler have been born one child, Joseph, whose birth occurred September 2, 1883.

JOHN J. ENGLISH. The subject of this biography is a native of Miami County-, born in Peru Township on the 6th day of April, 1848, and is the eldest son of Benjamin and Mary E. (Baker) English, of Licking County, Ohio. The father came to Miami County in 1846, settled in Peru Township, but subsequently lived in Pipe Creek and Erie Townships, and finallj^ purchased a home in Richland Township, where he is at this time living. John J. English remained at home until his mother's death, which occurred when he was eighteen years of age, at which time he abandoned the farm and took up the carpenter's trade. He served a four years apprenticeship at the same under W. D. Allen, of Richland, after which he began working for himself, and subsequently, August 27, 1877, accepted a position as skilled mechanic in the coach department of the railroad shops (I., P. & C.) at Peru,, which he still retains. He is one of the substantial employes of the company with which he is identified, and ranks amon<,f the best mechanics of Peru. His marriage with Miss Mar\- C. Bouslog, daughter of R. Bouslog, of this city, was solemnized on the 29th day of October, 1S78, a union blessed with three children, viz.: Nellie D., Hazel B. and John W. English. Mr. English is a Democrat in politics, but in no sense of the word a partisan.

JOHN L. FARRAR, prominent member of the Miami County bar, was born in Jefferson County, New York, April 29, 1824, and is the eldest son of Lloyd and Rachel Farrar, natives respectively of Vermont and Rhode Island. The family came to Miami County, Indiana, in 1847 and settled in Butler township, where for a number of years the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. Lloyd Farrar was a man of local prominence, served as Justice of the Peace for Butler Township for a series of years and died in i860. Mrs. Farrar survived her husband four j-ears, departing this life in 1864. John L. Farrar spent the ^-ears of his youth and early manhood as a farmer, and received in the common schools the elements of an English education, supplemented by a course in a college at Kalamazoo, Michigan where he pursued his studies for a limited period. At the age of twenty he engaged in teaching, and during the time he continued at that profession, read law under the able instruction of Hon. Charles E. Stuart, of Kalamazoo, who at one time represented the State of Michigan in the Senate of the United States. After acquiring a partial knowledge of the legal profession, Mr. Farrar was admitted to the bar in 1852 and at once entered upon the active practice in the courts of Miami County, where his real ability as a criminal lawyer soon won for him a conspicuous place. He has practiced his profession in Peru continuously since 1852, and in addition to his large and lucrative business in Miami County, is frequently employed in important cases in various parts of the State. He is, without doubt, the most successful criminal lawyer in northern Indiana, and few attorneys in the State have presented the result of more labor and research in behalf of their clients than he. As a public speaker Mr. Farrar is forcible and logical, bringing his cases before the court with much skill, and in his addresses to the jury analyzing the testimony and conducting it upon the point at issue. In early life he was not favored with any peculiar advantages and his professional success must be attributed to the indomnitable will and energy which he has displayed in all his undertakings. He takes an active interest in politics, voting in conformity with the Democratic party, but is not a partisan in the sense of seeking official position. Mr. Farrar was married on the 26th day of March 1848 to Miss Everisa Foster, of Vermont. The issue of this union was one child, Arnold, born May 29, 1857. Arnold Farrar was a young man of much more than ordinary intelligence. He received a good literar\- educa- tion, early began the study of law with his father and subsequentl)- graduated from the law department of the State University at Bloomington. Before commencing the practice, however, he met with a violent death, having been accidentally shot in the year 1877.

JOSIAH FARRAR, a leading lawyer of Peru, is a native of Jefferson County, New York, and second son of Llovd and Rachel Farrar, He was born September 25, 1826, and grew to manhood on a farm in his native county, receiving his early education and training in the common school from which he was subsequently promoted to the academic grade. He took an academic course in which he acquired the knowledge of the higher branches of learning and while thus engaged decided upon the legal profession for a life work. In 1846 he came to Miami County, Indiana and selected in Butler Township a tract of land to which his father's family removed and settled the' following year. For some time after coming here he was engaged in teaching school and in the meantime pursued his legal studies as opportunities w'ould permit. Actuated by a laudable desire to increase his knowledge of the profession, Mr. Farrar, at the age of twenty-three went to Rochester, New York, where he read for some time under the able instruction of Lysander Farrar, one of the leading attorneys of the citv. In this county he read in the office of H. J. Shirk in 1849 and the following year returned to Rochester, where he w'as similarh' engaged until 1852. Having thus completed his preparatory reading, during which he made substantial progress in his profession, Mr. Farrar, in 1852, engaged in the practice at Peru, Indiana, in partnership with his brother John L. Farrar, and the firm thus constituted still continues. In 1856, he was elected on the Democratic ticket, prosecutor for the counties of Miami and Cass, and in 1867, against his wishes, was elected mayor of the city of Peru. Since his admission to the bar Mr. Farrar has, by close application to business and commendable studiousness gradually surmounted the obstacles in the course of every professional man and won for himself a fine reputation as a successful practitioner. In 1862 he closed his office and tendered his services to his country recruiting in Ma}' of that year. Company D., 99th Indiana Infantry, of which he was chosen captain. He accompanied his command through all its varied experiences in the southwestern campaigns of the Mississippi department, and at the battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864. was in command of the brigade of skirmishers, a duty fraught with a great deal of danger. At the battle of July 28th, of the same year, he was second in command of the regiment, and while his Colonel was sick during the siege of Atlanta, he commanded the regiment one week when the duty was very difficult to perform.

The confidence which the Hne officers reposed in his abiHty is attested by the fact that they frequently requested him to take command on trying occasions, and it is also a conceded fact that in nearly every hotly contested battle in which the 99th was engaged he was at its head. He commanded the regiment during the reconnoisance toward Dalton and Rocky Face Crap, in February, 1864, and subsequently on the arrival at Savannah, being the ranking ofiicer succeeded to the command which he held until mustered out of the service. On May 20, 1865 he was mustered as Lieutenant Colonel, and on the mustering out of the regiment ix'ceived a commission as Colonel. Among the battles in which he participated were the following: Vicksburg, capture of Jackson, Mississippi, Mission Ridge, the numerous engagements in the advance upon Atlanta, the battle of the 22d of July, when General McPherson was killed, battle of the 28th, same month west of Atlanta, flank movement which resulted in the capture of that city, and battles consequent, Sherman's march to the sea and up through the Carolinas, and to the battle of Bentonville, the last fight in which the Ninety-ninth was engaged. At the close of the war his regiment marched to "Washington City, and after participating in the " Grand Review," he was honorabh' discharged. Col. Farrar was a brave and honorable soldier, and his military record is bright with duty intelligently and faithfullv performed. In him were combined those qualities of mind which display under the most trying circumstances the possession of great executive abilit}', added to a personal courage, that made him the trusted leader on many blood}' battle fields. Returning, after an absence of three years, to the quiet of civil life, he resumed the practice of his profession, which he has since successfully continued in Peru. He is an able lawyer, thoroughl}- acquainted with the methods and principles of legal jurisprudence, and stands high among his professional associates of the Miami County bar. He is and always has been a Democrat in politics. Though he adheres to his political faith with tenacity and expresses his sentiments fearlessl}', he is far removed from partisan intolerance, and on several occasions has followed his convictions rather than the dictates of party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and takes an active interest in the G. A. R. post in the city. He married on the 13th day of November, 1856, Miss Emma Gould, daughter of Solomon and Eliza Gould, of Peru. Mr. and Mrs. Farrar have three children, viz: William C, Ada and Maude Farrar.

H. G. FETTER was born in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1828. His father, Samuel Fetter, was a carpenter and contractor. His mother's maiden name was Mary Wise. The parents were both of German descent. While the subject was quite young his father removed to Sunbury, Pennsylvania, where he erected a number of the churches and principal buildings still standing in that city. H. G. Fetter, at the age of sixteen, went to Danville and learned the printer's trade, remaining in the office four years. His health then failing, he learned the art of daguerreotvping, then in its infancy and conducted mostly by traveling artists in tents. For the next four years with a short interruption he pursued the art of picturemaking in West Virginia, Ohio and Indiana, locating in Peru in 1853. For a number of years he operated two galleries. In 1861 he was appointed postmaster of Peru two weeks after Lincoln's inauguration, and held that position four years and a half, being succeeded by his brother, J. H. Fetter. In 1867 he removed to Logansport, and conducted a gallery there about ten years, when - he returned to Peru, where he has since resided.

JAMES H. FETTER, dealer in furniture, is a native of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, apd the eleventh of a family of twelve children born to Samuel and Mary (Wise) Fetter, of the same State. He w-as born on the 28th day of February, 1842, and after receiving a liberal education engaged, at the age of sixteen, as a salesman in a dry goods house in his native town. He continued in that capacity until his nineteenth year, at which time, October 14, 1861, he came to Miami County, Indiana, and became deputy postmaster at Peru, under his brother, H. G. Fetter. Subsequently, August 6, 1865, he succeeded his brother as postmaster, and discharged the diities of the office continuously till April I, 1879, when he effected a copartnership in the furniture and undertaking business with L. C. Gould. He is still engaged in that branch of the trade, carries a large stock of all kinds of furniture, and leads the business in Peru. Mr. Fetter's marriage with Miss Lucy Adkison, daughter of Hon. Lewis D. Adkison, of Peru, was solemnized March 9, 1873. They have two children - Robert A., born March 28, 1874, and Thomas C, born on the 26th da}' of August, 1883. Mr. Fetter is an active member of the I. O. O. F., belonging to the Encampment, and with his wife belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Politicallv he is a Republican.

JAMES B. FULWILER was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, on the 6th day of September, 181 2. Was educated at Hopewell Academy and Gettysburg Gymnasium, now Pennsylvania College. His father, Abraham Fuhviler, was one of the early graduates of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penns\lyania, where he was born and reared, and died in 1830, leaving a large estate. His paternal ancestry is traceable through centuries into Switzerland, where the inevitable millions are said to be awaiting identification of the descendants. His mother was a cousin of the late Jeremiah S. Black, a Cabinet officer of President Buchanan, and a daughter of the Rev. James Black, of Pennsylvania, a Scottish dixine of extensive erudition. In the year 1834, the subject of this notice came to Peru, Indiana, with a stock of merchandise under the management of one Samuel Pike, his employer, who who subsequentH became famous as a campaign editor of countless newspapers in many of the States, beginning with the Peru Forrester, the first newspaper printed and published in Miami County, Indiana.* In the j-ear 1838 Mr. Fulwiler's name was announced by his friends as a candidate to represent the counties of Miami and Fulton in the State Legislature, which he at first stoutly resisted '^or the reason that his views in regard to the simultaneous prosecu- .lon of all the public works which had been projected bv former Legislatures of the State, was so unpopular that there could be no hope of his election, but finall}- 3'ielded to the importunities of his friends, and he was defeated, as he expected to be. He was one of the few men of Indiana who at that time favored the classification of the public works, and the prosecution to completion of the most important work first. The people of the several counties had been led to believe that a road or canal would pass by their very doors and that "an additional hen and chickens would pay the additional tax." Hence a "classifier" was more odius to the people, if possible, than an "aboHtionist." As they became more enlightened on the subject, however, they changed their views, and in the brief period of two years there was not to be found within the i^orders of the State a public man who would acknowledge himself in favor of an indiscriminate prosecution of the thirteen projected works known as the "cow bill," ivnd classification became a popular word. In 1843 Mr. F. was called to the State of Pennsylvania to attend to the disposal of a large body of unproductive land in Schuylkill County, being a part of his father's estate King in a mountainous region and traversed bv rich veins of anthracite coal, where, with the aid of miners from Pottsville, in the spring of 1844, he located, opened up and leased thirteen veins of coal - among the number was the celebrated "mammoth vein," twenty-two feet in tiiicknes.s - and at the same time laid off the town of Fremont upon the premises. This town, situated as it is, in the midst of an extensive coal region, is now a prosperous little city. In 1847, Mr. F. was elected clerk of the Miami Circuit Court, which office he held until the 6th day of June 1855, when he was succeeded b\' Alexander Blake. In the vear 1S60, he was selected as a delegate at large for the State of Indiana to the Deiuocratic National Convention which nominated Stephen A. Douglass, at Baltimore, for President of the United States, and was one of the committee of two

*0n tlio 7th day of Miirfh, 1837, he wa.s married to Pauliiip Avaline, daughter of Francis Avaliiif, of Fort Wayne, hid., and sister of Francis .S. Av.iline, late iiroprietor of the Avaline House, of Fort Wayne, a beautiful and accomplished lady.

from Indiana, who escorted Mr. Douglass, when on his presidential tour, from Cincinnati, Ohio, to hidianapolis, Indiana, and had Mr. Douglass been successful in the race, Mr. F. had reason to believe that a prominent position would have been reserved at Washington for his acceptance. In 1861 Mr. F. purchased of Messrs. Todd & Zerne, wholesale and retail grocers, their stock in trade: and in 1865 bought the undivided half of a furniture manufacturing establishment of Messrs. West & Jamison, which burned to the ground within ten days after his purchase and before he had the same insured against fire. In 1868 he embarked, with considerable capital, in extensive purchases and sales of Kansas and Iowa lands, which, for a time, yielded him an immense proHt, but which eventualh' proved disastrous. In his present coflrt of judicature in the citj- of Peru, his duties are greatly facilitated by a course of legal studies pursued at an earljperiod of his life. Mr. F. has six children living and one deceased. Julia, his eldest daughter, married to Harry F. Clark, late superintendent of the western division of the W., St. L. & P. Railroad, at present manager of a western road with headquarters at Keokuk, Iowa: his second child, William died at Portsmouth, Washington Territorv, some years ago: Louis Berthelet, second son, is one of the editors and proprietors of the Miami County Sentinel: Clarence, late clerk in the W., St. L. & P. Railway offices at Toledo, is now a resident of Peru. Marv Frank is married to J. R. Hamlin, of the Merchants' Exchange, St. Louis; Ada Pauline, wife of William E. Clark, of Edwards\ille, Illinois; Frank, the youngest child of Mr. F., is clerk in a railroad office of the W., St. L. & P. Railway Company at St. Louis. All of his children are naturally bright and have had the advantages of good educations.

" LOUIS B. FULWILER, editor of the Miami County Scniinch and son of James B. and Pauline (Avaline) Fulwiler, was born in Peru, Indiana, on the 13th day of July, 1842. He received a liberal education in the schools of his native city and began life for himself by accepting a position in the office of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railway, at Peoria, Illinois, where he remained only for a limited period. In 1861 he entered the army, enlisting in Company A, 20th Indiana Infantry, for the three years service, and with that noted regiment took part in some of the bloodiest battles of the war. In the se\'en days fight before Richmond, June 25, 1862, he had the misfortune to lose a limb, and being incapacitated for further service he was honorably discharged and returned home in October of the same year. In 1862 he was appointed deputy clerk of the Miami Circuit Coui-t, the duties of which position he discharged for a period of seven years. In 1870 he was elected Auditor of

Miami County, re-elected in 1874, ''""^ '^^^'^^ '^'^^ office two terms or ciijht years. In 1869 he entered the tield of journalism as editor of tlie Miami Count\- Sciiliiirl, with which paper he has since been identified and in which he now owns a one-half interest with Richard H. Cole. As the Sentinel is the exponent, so is Mr. Fulwiler's influence one of the prime factors in moulding the character and action of, the Democratic party in Miami Count)'. He has proved himself a superior politician, bold and zealous, undertaking what others deem impossible and being judicious and untiring, nearly always succeeds. Mental culture and strong common sense have developed and supplemented his natural talents, till all combined have made him one of the ablest newspaper writers in Northern Indiana. In 1869 he was united in marriage with Miss Cora L,. Scott, who was born in Logansport, Indiana, September 13, 1846. Mr. Fulwiler is prominently identified with the G. A. R. and K. of P. Orders.

WILLIAM A. GIBNEY, Recorder of Miami County, the subject of this biographical sketch, is a native of Holmes Count}-, Ohio; the son of WilHam S. and Nancy (Landis) Gibney, and dates his birth from the 30th day of September, 1837. His parents were born in Faj'ette County, Pennsyhania, but early emigrated to Ohio, where they lived until their removal to Miami County, Indiana, in 1849. William S. Gibney was a farmer by occupation and died in Peru in 1873. His wife preceded him to the grave, departing this life in the year 186S. William A. Gibney passed the j^ears of his youth amid the active scenes of the farm, and in the common schools of the country received a fair English education, which, supplementing a practical knowledge such as books fail to impart, has enabled him to successfully discharge the duties of an active business life. He followed agricultural pursuits until 1865, at which time he abandoned the farm and engaged in saw-milling and railroading, which he followed some years, working at intervals, in the meantime, as deputy in the Sheriff's office. In 1871 he accepted a position in the railroad shops in Peru, later run as fireman on the I. P. & C, and was afterwards promoted baggage master at the depot in this cit\-, the duties of which position he discharged until 1879. In the meantime, 1878, he was elected Recorder of Miami County, and the following year severed his connection with the road in order to enter upon the discharge of his oflicial duties. He was re-elected in 1882, and at this time is nearing the close of his second term. In politics Mr. Gibney is an unflinching Democrat, evincing at all times a lively interest in the success of his jiarty upon the principles of political purity, rigidly averse to anything that savors of deception or trickery. His official record, together with his acknowledged integrity as a trustworthy and reliable Christian gentleman have won for him a prominent place in the estimation of his fellow citizens, irrespective of part}- affiliation. He was married September, i860, to Miss >Iary E. Ninon of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, which union has been blessed with the birth of eleven children, seven of whom are living, viz.: George M., Lillie M., lona, Dora, Mattie, Pearl and Albert C. Mr. Gibney is an active member of the K. of H. and Odd Fellows fraternities, and with his wife, belongs to the Methodist church.

HON. JOHN A. GRAHAM was born in Baldmore, Maryland, January 8, 1S17. His parents were natives of Ireland and emigrated to this countrv in 1815. They landed in Baltimore after undergoing great hardships during a prolonged vovage in which thev narrowlv escaped being ship-wrecked. In 1826 the family removed to Pittsburgh, in 1827 to Wheeling, and in 1828 returned to Baltimore. In 1830 the}' went to Harper's Ferry, and finally in 1832 settled in Indiana." John A. Graham was employed at Harper's Ferry as clerk until 1835. I" May of that year, being then eighteen he started for Indiana. At Wheeling he took passage on a steam boat and was landed at mid-night, a solitary passenger at the mouth of the Wabash. He there expected to find a town filled with enterprising people; but he saw only a dreary waste of turbid waters. No sound greeted his ear but the hoot of the owl and the crash and crunch of the running drift. After sitting upon his baggage at the waters edge until near daylight, he discerned from the top of the bank something like a building in the obscurity of the morning fog and detected a faint sound of human voices coming from a point farther up the river. About a half mile from where he landed he found a steamboat bound for the upper Wabash: and after various adventures and detentions, he succeeded in reaching Peru. There he made arrangements for taking charge of a store in Logansport for Alexander Wilson. He remained in the latter place until the business was closed up, in June, 1835, when he returned to Peru. He acted as clerk for jNIr. Wilson until 1839 when he became a partner. The firm of Wilson & Co., packed pork in 1839. It was the first undertaking of the kind in the place and proved a financial failure, owing to the low water in the Maumee which pre\ented its quick transportation to New York. They built flatboats and in 1840 commenced sending pork to New Orleans. This also proved a failure on account of hard times and low prices. In 1841 and 1843 Mr. Graham was elected Sheriff of Miami county. In 1846 he was appointed clerk in the Wabash and Erie Canal Land Office. He held this place until 1847 when the office was moved to Logansport, under an act of the Legislature adjusting the State debt, known as the Butler Bill. He then bought the printing office at Peru and June 28, 1848 issued the first number of the Miami County Sentinel. This paper was successfully man- agod liy him, as editor and proprietor until 1861, when he sold out and retired from the editorial chair. In 1850 Mr. Graham was a delegate to the State Convention to form a new State Constitution. In 1870 he was elected clerk of the Miami Circuit Court and at different times served as a member of the town and city council. He was special agent of the United States to pay the Miamis in the years 1857 and 1S59 and has held many other positions of trust. In 1 88 1 he was elected Mayor of the Cit}- of Peru, a position he holds at the present time. He has been a life long Democrat and in religion is a Roman Catholic. He was married to Caroline A. A\ aline in Peru, June 28, 1842; a famih' of three sons and six daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Graham. Mr. Graham is below the average height but is heavily and compacth" built. He possesses a strong constitution and although having reached the allotted three score and ten vears, manv years of usefulness and honor may j'et remain to him. His opportunities for an education were limited but he has been a constant reader and has a wonderful memorv. He is recognized as the "Historian of Miami." As a writer he is fluent precise as to dates and figures, and full of humor. Few men possess the confidence of the comnuinit\' in a more eminent degree.

EDWARD T. GRAY. Sheriff of Miami County, is a native of Markham. Canada, and the son of Thomas and Margaret (Hines) Gray, the father born in Canada and the mother in Southampton, England. Mr. Gray was born on the 24th of Ma\-, 1836, and at the age of sixteen commenced to learn the blacksmithing and carriage making trades, at Norwich, Canada. At the age of twentv-live he came to Miami County, Indiana, and began working at his trade in the city of Peru, where he has since resided. In 1872 he purchased an- interest in the firm of H. Armantrout & Co., manufacturers of carriages, after which the name was changed to that of Armantrout & Gra}', under which title thev continued business until 187S. In that year Mr. Gray purchased the entire interest, and under his efficient management, the concern soon became one of the leading manufacturing establishments of its kind in the citv. Mr. Gray has always taken an active interest in local politics, and in 1S84 was elected on the Democratic ticket Sheriff of Miami Count}-, the duties of wliich position he has since discharged, having been re-elected in 1886. As a citizen Mr. Gray has the respect and confidence of all who know him, and as an official he is faithful and diligent discharging the duties of his position in a manner highly satisfactor}' to all concerned. He is a man of consciencious scruples and is ever read\' to do what he can to promote the interest of the public welfare. He is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a Royal Arch Mason, and in religion holds to the creed of the Episcopal church. On the

WILLARD GRISWOLD, of the tirm of Griswold & Geves, hvery stable, was born in Watertown, New York, August 8, 1833, the third son of Daniel and Sarah ( Barry ) Griswold : parents natives of Vermont and of English ancestrv. Daniel Griswold moved to Miami Countv in 1844 and settled at the village of Mexico, where he followed the plasterer's trade a number of years and later engaged in the mercantile business. He was a man of considerable local prominence: took, an active part in the earlv growth of his adopted town, and departed this Hfe in the year 1858. Mrs. Griswold survived her husband fourteen years, dving in 1872. Willard Griswold received the advantages of a common school education in his native State, and shortly after coming to Indiana engaged as salesman in a store at Mexico, where he remained for a number of vears. At the breakin</ out of the war he tendered his service to his country, and in September, 1861, enlisted in' Co. B, 40th Indiana Volunteer Infantrv, with which he served imtil honorably discharged on the 21st day of December, 1865. He shared with his regiment the \-icissitudes of war in manv of the bloodiest battles of the southwestern campaigns, and was twice severely wounded, the first time at Stone River and later near Kenesaw Mountain. He entered the service as private, at the time of his discharge was adjutant of his regiment, and a short time after being mustered out was commissioned captain. Mr. Griswold's mihtarv record is one of which he feels justly proud, and in all the battles where his command was engaged he took an active and gallant part. His military career thus being completed he returned to Mexico, and engaged in the general goods business, which he continued until his election to the office of Sheriff, in 1872, when he moved to the countv seat. He discharged his official duties in a manner highly creditable to the people, who in 1874 re-elected him bv a decided vote, a fact which showed his popularity in the county, which had previously given decided Democratic majorities, he being a Republican. In 1878, in partnership with R. H. Segar, he engaged in the liven*- business, which he has since successfully continued, being at this time a partner with H. Geves, in the largest stable in the citv. Mr. Griswold is a public spirited citizen, and deserves mention as one of the representative business en of Miami County. He belongs to the G. A. R. and Masonic fraternities, is a decided Republican in politics, and as such has rendered valuable service to his party. He was married in 1867 to Miss Harriet Graft, daughter of Benjamin Graft, of Mexico, a union blessed with the birth of one child, Charles Griswold.

HENRY MAUPT, foreman wood machine department, Indiana Manufacturing Company, is a native of Germany- and dates his birth from the 19th day of May, 1835. He was raised on a farm, received in the schools of his native country the advantages of a good education, and at the age of fifteen commenced to learn the saddler's trade at the town of Barken, where he served a three years' apprenticeship. After becoming proficient in his chosen vocation he worked at the same at different places in Germany until 1836, at which time thinking the new world offered a more remunerative held, sailed to the United States and located in liridgeport, Connecticut. Here he worked at his trade until 1861, where being infected with the war spirit he enlisted in the First Connecticut Infantrv, with which he served until August of the same year. He then reintered the service, volunteering in the Sixth Connecticut regiment, with which he shared the fortunes and vicissitudes of war until honorablv dischared in 1S65. He participated in a number of bloody battles in one of which. Fort Fisher, North Carolina, he received a severe wound. At the expiration of his term of service Mr. Haupt returned to Bridgeport, and engaged with the Howe Machine Company in that citv, where he remained until sent by the companv to Peru, Indiana, where for sometime he acted in the capacity of contractor and later as foreman. He subsequentlv severed his connection with the company and from 1880 until 1883 was superintendent of Muhltield's variety works. He engaged the latter year with the Indiana Manufacturing Companv, and at this time holds the position of foreman of the wood machine department. Mr. Haupt's marriage on the ist of May. 1873, with Anna M. E. Kranzman. of Germany, has been blessed with the birth of two children, both deceased.

JOHN H. HELM, M. D., of Peru, is one of the ablest physicians in Northern Indiana. His early life was not like that of many here chronicled - a struggle with poverty - but was characterized bv the possession of ample means, and for some \ears by travel and adventure. Having previously acquired a literary and professional education, he was able to improve his opportunities for travel bv intelligent observation. Both physical and mental, he bears evidence of descent from superior stock. His paternal grandfather was a well educated German, who having settled in America, lielped in the Revolutionary war to defend the land of his adoption. His father. Dr. John C. Helm, an early settler of Miami County, and one of its most wealthy and influential citizens, was a man of vigorous intellect and iron will, and his mother, Amy (Hampton) Helm, was the daughter of Major John Hampton, of South Carolina, who served with General Jackson in the war of 181 2, and ft second cousin of the noted