Miami County, Indiana - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 12 of those read), 1887

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 12 of those read)

Deer Creek To\vnship - Situation and Surface Features - First Settle.ment by the Whites - Land Entries - Township Organization - Industries - Secret Societies - Village of Miami - Biographical Sketches.

DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP lies in the extreme southwest corner of the county, and derived its name from Deer Creek, its chief water course. The area of the township is equivalent to twenty- four square miles, or 15.360 acres, and its boundaries are as follows: Pipe Creek Township on the north, Clay Township on the east, and the counties of Howard and Cass on the south and west respective^. Deer Creek, the largest stream, is very permanent and constant in its supply of water, and affords ample drainage for a large area of territory. It enters the township from the east, flows a westerly direction through Sections 17 and 18, of Township 25 North, 4 East, and crosses the ^vestern boundary from Section 23, Range 3, East. The general surface of the country is level with the exception of occasional undulations along the creek, and the soil may be described as a black loam of great depth and fertility. It is well adapted to agriculture, and the principal productions are wheat, corn, rye, oats, grass and all the fruits indigenous to the northern part of the State. The timber which originally covered the entire surface of the countrj^ consisted of the usual varieties - black walnut, poplar, elm, beech, maple and oak predominating. Much of this was ruthlessh' destroyed by the early settlers, although sufficient still remains for all general purposes. Deer Creek occupies no second place as an agricultural region, and within its borders are to be seen many of the best and most highly improved farms in Miami County.

Settlement. - The first recorded settlement within the present boundaries of Deer Creek was made about the y^ar 1844 by Richard Miller, Thomas Pearson and David Hoffman. Mr. Aliller made an improvement on what is known as the John O. Smith farm, about one mile west of Miami, and was perhaps the first permanent settler of the township. He was a true type of the pioneer, spent much of his time in hunting the game in which the country at that time abounded and was an honored resident of the County until within a very few years.

Thomas Pearson made a home two miles west of Miami village, and early earned the reputation of a good and substantial citizen. Hoffman settled near the northwest corner of the Township, in the vicinity of Bunker Hill, and was one of the leading citizens of the township for a number of years.

In 1845 a number of settlers came to the township; but it will be impossible to name them in the order of their arrival. One James McCrary, a transient settler, located near the northern boundary early in the above year, and about the same time Eli Oliver and James Davis selected homes; the former on the Haggerty farm xind the latter on the Coulter land. Richard Webster came early in the year and settled in the central part of the township and with him came his brother-in-law, Thomas Lewis, who located near Miami where Mr. Herrell now lives. Others of 1845 were David Armstrong in the vicinity of Miami; Jesse Julian in the western part of the township: D. C. Jenkins, Elisha Garrett, W. Garrett, Joseph McConnell and William McConnell, near the western boundary; William Mahon in the eastern part of the township; Allen Busby on land adjoining the Herrell farm and James Adamson near the southwest corner. Prominent among the arrivals of 1846 was Austin Herrell, who had previously made a settlement in the northern part of Richland Township. Mr. Herrell has been identified with the growth and development of Deer Creek for a period of over forty years and is one of the oldest settlers now living within its borders. Oliver Sandifur came in 1846 and is still living where he originally settled, a short distance west of the village of Miami. Isaac Herrell, brother of Austin Herrell and proprietor of Miami, located on the town site in 1846 and others of the same year were Sylvester Tumlin, in the northeast corner of the township; John Hicks near Miami; Frazee Swinford, J. D. Larimer, William and George Swinford, near the Howard County line. The years 1847 ai^d 1848 witnessed the arrival of a number of substantial settlers among whom were Sampson Reed near Miami ; William Balinger in the southwest corner of the Township: Thomas Caster, Christian Caster, Samuel Truax and Corneilus I'homson in the southern and western parts and Reuben Mendenhall near the northern boundary. Additional to those enumerated, the following settlers came in an early day and made substantial improvements, namely: John Beesley, ill Section i. Township 28 north, Range 2, East: Joscjih A. Burr, Section 2: William G. \'andorn. Section 2: Oliver and James Jenness, Section 1 1 ; John B. Brown, Isaac Burrough, Alfred Murphy and Hiram Lott, Section 12; Adolphus Runnells, John Nock and G. W. Cline, Section 13: John Dixon, B. F. Brown, William Pearson, James N. Crist and Leonard Dixon. Section 23: Thomas A. Long, Emery Daggett, William Daggett, C. L. Brown and Thomas Woodrick, Section 2g\ Samuel Truax, Samuel Martindale and Thomas Martindale, Section 36.

Lewis N. Snodderlv, William Marrow and George Hagertv, in Section 5, Township 25 North, 4 East; George W. Larimer, Jacob Hockman, Benjamin Ilann and Joseph Pontius, in section 7, same township and range: Nathan Overman, D. R. Taylor, Svh'ester Tumlin, James Adams, Simeon Farlow and Jacob Knettle, Section 17; Jesse Gettinger and Noah Sandifur, Section 18; James Lewis, L. Platts and Stephen Chittick, Section. 20: Archibald Chittick and Philip Vandevender, Section 29: Christopher Carter, Section 30; James Avelin, Zebedee Wright and Andrew Snyder, Section 31 and Daniel Russell, section 32. The above named men formed the basis of the early settlement of the township and the majority of them purchased land from the Government and moved on to the same prior to 1849.

Land Entries. - Deer Creek Township formed a part of the "Great Miami Reservation" and consequently was not surye\ed and opened for settlement as early as many other parts of the county. The land was put upon the market subject to entry in 1847, and during that year patents were obtained b\ the following parties in various parts of the township, to-wit: John Beeslv, John B. Brown, B. F. Brown, Isaac Burroughs, A. Runnells, James S. Davenport, W. McConnell, James McCrary, G. W. Larimer, James R. Davis, John W. Davis, O. H. Sandifur, S. R. Reed, R. M. Daniel, Benjamin Beaver, D. C. Jenkins, Jesse Gettinger and James Avelin. During the year 1848 the following persons purchased Government lands, viz: Grandison Merrill, Jos. Graves, James Tillett, Isaac Hiatt, J. A. Burr, W. G. Vandorn, O. Jenness, John Ilinthman. James Jenness, senior, A. Murph\', R. R. Reed, H. Lott, John Mock, G. W. Cline, Wm. Dixon, J. M. Dixon, L. Dixon, J. Crist, J. T. Watkins, M. Bell, Wm. Miller, John Truax, George Spray, T. A. Long, F. Daggett, Emery Daggett, T. M'^oodrick, Nathan Piles, A. Watkins^

Deer Creek Tow.Nmiip

John Keever, Samuel Richards, S. Truax, S. Marlinchile, Thomas Martindale, John Hicks, L. N. Snodderl\% Wm. Morrow, Jos. Larimer, Jacob llockman, B. Hann, D. R. Taylor, Geo. Pontius, N. Overman, James Adams, S. Tumlin, Austin Ilerrell, Elisha Garrett. \V. E. Johnson, A. B. Walter, Arthur Compton, James Lewis, S. Cliettick, J. B. Detray, W. Swinford, C. Caster, G. W. Swin^ ford, Archibald Chittick,' L. Platts, Z. Wright, A. Srtyder, Daniel Russell and James Fettis, quite a number of whom became permanent residents of the township.

Tuivnship Oro'(iuiz:t/ion. - Deer Creek Township was formally organized in the vear 1847. The lirst election was held at Reynold's mill, when the following officers were elected: D. C. Jenkins, Justice of the Peace: Austin Herrell, Thomas Pearson and Lewis Snodderly, trustees; W. H. Miller, Clerk, and Daniel Ellis, Treasurer. Warren Truax served as trustee in an eirly dav, as did also William Zehring. The present township officers are Ed. McConnell, Trustee: Jacob Shaffer and Da\id Sherrick. Justices of the Peace.

///dits/r/cs. - The honor of building the first mill in the township is due to one "Dolph" Re\'nolds, who, as earl}' as 1846, constructed a small corn cracker on Deer Creek, the water of which stream furnised the motive - power. The mill stood in the western part of the township, and was a primitive affair, the building being a rude log structure, and the grinding apparatus consisting of a single run of buiirs, which manufactured a coarse article of meal. Indifferent as it was the mill was higli!}' prized by the early settlers, and it was kept running almost constantly for a period of about five years. Another mill was erected bv John Hicks, about the vear 1850, and stood on Deer Creek, one half mile southeast of the village of Miami. This mill was a great curiosity, and its like has never been seen in this or any other country. The building was a square box structure, built upon four slender posts, and the rude buhrs were chisled b\- Mr. Hicks out of a couple of rough nigger heads found in the vicinitv. Its capacity under favorable circumstances is said to have been as much as a bushel of corn per day, but ordinarily it fell much below that amount, as is attested bv the lact that a gentleman who brought a half bushel early one morning, insisted upon the miller "retolling'' the grist in order that he might be enabled to reach home with the meal before midnight. It is related upon another occasion, while the machinery was in full operation, and the corn grains were falling from the hopper at the rate of about thirty or forty per minute, the wheels, as if by mutual consent, suddenly stopped short, and to the miller's intense disgust refused to proceed further with their work. Investigation revealed the fact that a good sized sow seeing a cool place wherein to pass the sultry afternoon, had made her bed in the race way, thus effect- ualh' damming the race and cutting off the water supply. Many other incidents of the quaint mill and quaint miller could be narrated - how a boy was kept employed to scare the black birds from the hopper, and how the resolution that the mill was a nuisance to the country was ably discussed in the backwoods debating club of the day. But enough has already been said to convince the reader that Hicks' corn-cracker was something extraordinary in the line of of manufacturing enterprises. The first saw mill in the township was erected by Oliver and Nelson Sandifur, about the year 1850, or 185 1, and stood a short distance below Miami, on Deer Creek. It did a fairly successful local business, and was in operation about four or tive years. The other industries of the township will be appropriately mentioned in the history of Miami village.

Lodges. - Crescent Lodge No. 280, F. and A. M., was established about the year 1854, '"^"^ among the charter members were the following, viz: A. Armstrong, Allen Hatheld, M. T. Norman, E. Humrickhouse, Warren Truax, and Joseph \'andevender. The first place of meeting was a hall over the Christian Church, .which which was used until the erection of the present brick hall in the year 1882. The lodge has enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperity ever since its organization, and at the present time has an active membership of forty-four. The officers are Elijah Vore, W. M.; S. L. Phister, S. W.^E. E. Kling, J. W.; A. J. Haynes, Sec'y.; James Coulter, Treasurer; Eugene Masters, S. D. ; Jesse D. Gettinger, J. D., and Robert Larimer, Tyler.

Deer Creek Lodge No. 256, I. O. O. F., was instituted May 16, 1866, with the following charter members, viz; T. Ellis, E. Bowman, S. B. Sprinkle, D. Shewman and H. Murden. The lodge purchased a hall in 1868, and sold in 1875, erecting their present hall that year, at a cost of about $700. The organization is not so strong as formerly, numbering at the present time only about ten or twelve members. The following is a list of officers: S. L. Pheister, N. G. ; W. B. Pryor, V. G. ; Isaac Records, Secretary; J. P. Coulter, Treasurer; H. Dye, Warden.

Religious. - Many of the early pioneers of Deer Creek were religious people and no sooner had a settlement been founded than measures were taken towards the establishment of churches. "The first meeting in the township was held at the residence of L. N.

Snodderly in 1846 by the Methodists, Rev. James Rickets, officiatino'." A society of the denomination was founded in due time which is still kept up in the village of Miami. A good house of worship was erected a number of years ago, and the societ}- although, not so strong in numbers as formerly, is still a power for good in the community.

"The denomination known as tlie Christians, or Disciples, was, perhaps, the next church organized." They held public worship in the dwelling of Austin Herrell, and later in the neighboring school houses. Among the early preachers were Elders Geo. W. Smith, Daniel Flinn, Shocky, and Hansberry. The society increased in numbers to such an extent that within a few years after the organization a substantial house of worship was erected in Miami. The church enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperity for some \ears, but at the present time is quite weak having lost the greater number of its members by deaths and removals. Elder D. A. McDowell is pastor in charge.

The Deer Creek Baptist Church was organized sometime prior to 1850 and is now one of the progressive societies of the count}-, having upon its records the names of about one hundred active members. The present pastor is Rev. R. B. Ward.

In the southwest corner of the township is a flourishing church of the old Christian (New Light) denomination, organized a few years ago bv members of the Cassville congregation in Howard County. Meetings are held regularly and the society is reported in good condition.

Vilhii^c of Miami. - This flourishing little town, the outgrowth of the I., P. & C. R. R., is situated near the central part of the township, and dates its history from August, 1849. It was laid out by James Herrell, and the original plat consists of forty-five lots and five streets, three of which - Main, Elm and Walnut - run north and south, and two - Fulton and Cherry - east and west. In March, 185 1, an addition of fifty-one lots was made by William H. Cox. In 1852 an addition of twelve lots was made by Richard Miller, and Isaac Herrell platted an addition of seventj'-two lots in February, 1853. The first house in the village was a log store building near the railroad, erected by .\le\ander Blake shortl\- after the plat was surveyed. Mr. Blake brought a small stock of general merchandise to the place, and for several years carried on a fairly successful business, his store having been extensively patronized by the settlers in the vicinitv. Another earl\- resident of the town was S. R. Reed, who purchased a lot in 1849 and built the house now occupied by Jesse Needham. E. Hum was perhaps the second merchant, and about the year 185 1 Austin Herrell engaged in merchandising, and was prominentlv identified with the business interests of the village for a period of twenty years. Among those who sold goods from time to time in the town were the following: E. B. Farmer, Timothy Scott, Small, Warren, Truax, Needham, Yates, Nelson, Sandifur, William Burt, John Turley, W. H. Coucher, C. Davis, C. L. Vanwinkle, John Farlow, R. Garrett, D. C. Craig and E. Humrickhouse.

Iiichistrics. - The earliest industry of Miami was a large steam saw-mill, brought to the village in 1852 by Alexander lilake, who operated it successfulh' for several years. It was burned down at one time and afterwards rebuilt, after which it passed through the hands of various parties, closing operations several years ago. In 1870 Austin Herrell built a steam saw-mill and ran it upon quite an extensi\ e scale for a period of ten years. About that time, or perhaps a \ear later, a steam flouring mill was built by Eh. Humrickhouse, w ho afterwards sold out to William Tubbs. The mill was operated until 1880, at which time Mr. Tubbs moved it to Walton, Cass County, w'here it is still running.

The leading industry of the town at the present time is the large steam saw mill erected in 1883 b\- Lewis Miller, who does a flourishing business in the manufacture of lumber, fencing, lath, mill hops and various other kinds of wood- work. The first hotel in the village was operated by Sampson Reed whose house early became a favorite stopping place. The present hotel is kept by F. M. Ewing.

Casualties. - In about the year 1867 or '68, a man met with a violent death in the village by being thrown from his horse. He was intoxicated at the time, and several mischievous boys, thinking to have some sport at the poor fellow's expense, frightened the horse, which ran furiously down the street, and threw him upon the hard, frozen ground, resulting in almost immediate death. In 1881 an old man by the name of Wesner was killed by a train on the bridge across Deer Creek, a short distance south of the village. He attempted to cross the bridge in company with his daughter, but before reaching the end was overtaken bv a part of a freight train, which had been cut off at the switch and crushed in a horrible manner. A number o£ vears ago several stores in the village were broken open and a large amount of goods were stolen. A couple of men passing through the tow'n one night were strongly suspected as the guiltv parties, and shortly after they had left the town a drunken mob. composed of the rougher element of the neighborhood, started in pursuit with the determination of extorting from them a confession and then hanging them. The travelers were overtaken about one mile from the village, and the scene that followed was disgraceful in the extreme. The poor wretches were set upon without mere}- and hanged to a tree until nearly dead, and let down in order to make them admit their guilt. This was repeated several times with no success, as the men strongly persisted that thev were innocent of the charge. A couple of men in the crowd, convinced that they were persecuting the wrong parties, tinallv cut the rojies and permitted the poor fellows to proceed on their wa}'.

Bennett!., or Bennett Switch, a railroad station in the extreme southern part of the township, is a local trading point of considerable importance, and at this time has a large general store, several shops, a saw-mill and ware-house. The population does not exceed two hundred, but the place is likely to command a good share of the current trade for years to come.

Biographical, Sketches

JOHN COMERFORD, a native of Ireland, came to America in 1S50. He was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, August 26, 1826, where he received a common school education. On his arrival in New York he found himself without friends and only a few dollars in money. He soon found employment on a farm at $iO per month. His marriage with Miss Ann Lawler,. also a native of Ireland, born in 1830, was celebrated April 21, 1851. In 1855 i'fter having lived in Ohio, he removed to Rush County, Indiana, where he continued to reside until i860, at which date he came to Miami Countv and purchased forty acres of land which comprises part of his present home. Mrs. Comerford has blessed her husband with a famil}- of seven children: Margaret Ann, Mary J., Thomas, Elizabeth, John L., Catharine and James H. The youngest child is at present taking a collegiate course at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Comerford now resides upon a farm of 236 acres and since his settlement has been among the most influential and upright citizens of the county. He is politically a Republican, and with his wife belongs to the Catholic Church.

County Ohio, and was born September 6, 1837. His parents, Andrew and Barbara (Stiver) Cotterman, were also natives of Montgomery Countv. Mr. Cotterman's early life was spent on a farm and in receiving a common school education. Catharine Weaver became his wife January 13, 1859. '^'''*^ ^^'"^^ born in Hagerstown, Indiana, March 5, 1838, her parents, David S. and Hannah (Mason) Weaver, were natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Cotterman have been born twelve children, ten of whom are living: David T., Elva A., Barbara E. (deceased), Clara E., Jacob S. (deceased), Francis M., Andrew Y., Lottie L., Lizzie J., Charles E., Robert M. and Laura A. Mr. and Mrs. Cotterman were married six months before thev could afford a set of chairs or a table. He came to Miami Countv in 1858, and began life with no capital but a determined will, and has succeeded b\- diligent attention to business, in accumulating a comfortable home. He has been a life-lonir Democrat. Mrs. Cotterman is a member of the Gero

JAMES W. CROCKETT was born in Deer Creek Township, Cass Count}-, October 25, 1861, and is a son of Asher and Susannah (Plank) Crockett. Asher Crockett was born in Montgomer}- Countv, Ohio, July 4, 1820, and was the fifth son of William and Nancy (Asher) Crockett, natives of North and South Carolina. In the paternal line Mr. Crockett is of Scotch-Irish extraction and of Welsh in the maternal line. At the age of ten years he was taken bv his parents to Carroll County, Indiana. At this time Carroll Countv was almost a wilderness, it being four miles to the nearest neighbor. His marriage with Miss Susannah Plank, daughter of Henry and Mary M. (Guice) Plank, natives of Adams County, Pennsylvania, was solemnized April 3, 1845. This union was blessed with seven children: Irmaiida (deceased), Henry A., Eliza J., Delilah E., Sarah C, James W. and Susan A. (deceased). Mr. Crockett is an ardent Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for political honors. With his wife he belongs to the Christian Church. His early hfe was spent amid the stirring scenes of pioneer times, and he earlv became accustomed to those rugged duties which fit him for the active labors of subsequent life. James W. Crockett, the subject of our sketch, was trained to farming and now resides on the old home farm ; his education in youth was fair. On March 23, 1884, he united in marriage with Miss Martha L. Pollock, a native of Howard County, Indiana, born July 27, 1864, and a daughter of John and Rosanah (Kettenhouse) Pollock, natives of Ohio. Bv this union two children have been born, named: Rosanah L. and David H.

Biographical Sketches

26, 1S55. At the age of twenty-one he began the stud}- of medicine under the instruction of a brother, Dr. S. H. Davis, then of Miami, but now of Bunker Hill, with whom he remained for a period of three years. In 1879 he entered the Electic school of Medicine at Cincinnati and graduated in surgery and medicine the year following. Immediately after graduating, he returned to Miami and engaged in the practice of his profession. His parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth J. (Watts) Davis, natives of this State. Miss Sadie Perry became his wife March 1,1877. She was born in Decatur Count}', December 3, 1859 '^"^ ^^ '^ daughter of Stamper and Margaret Perry. Mrs. Davis received a good education in youth, especially in music. Dr. Davis is a RepuHcan. but liberal in his political opinions, believing in every man voting his own sentiments.

JACOB DUCKWALL, a prominent farmer of Deer Creek Township, is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and was born Julv 21, 1S24. His father, Henry Duckwall, was a native of Viririnia, and married in 1800, to Rosanah Lriiminfelter, of Maryland. Upon arriving at man's estate, Jacob began to work for himself. His first year's wages amounted to $100. In 1845 he came to Cass County, Indiana, and received $8.00 per month. His wages were raised the two following years to $10.00 per month, and during the year 1847 he made some money trading, and his wages were again raised to $11.00 per month. He \vas united in marriage, November 3, 1848, to Miss Mary Emrick, native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and born October 27, 1829. Six children have been born to them, as follows: x\nna V., Henry A., John W., Ella L., Oliver S. and Cora A. Mr. Duckwall began married life as a renter. In 1857 he came to this county and bought eight}- acres of land in Section 32. Ashis means increased he added to what he already had so that by economy and industry, he now owns a valuable farm of 42a acres, and p.ays a larger tax than any man in Deer Creek Township. He is a staunch Republican, firmly believing in the principles of his party, and he and wife are consistent members of the Methodist Church.

JESSE GETTINGER (deceased), was born near Fredericktown, Maryland, March 10, 181 1. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Hooker) Gettinger, were natives of Germany and Maryland, respectively. Mr. Gettinger's early life was spent in Maryland, where he received a good education, his father being well educated both in German and English. He began life upon his own responsibility, at twenty-one years of age, by engaging as superintendent in a boot and shoe factory in Paris, Ohio, which business he followed until his marriage, September 15, 1839, with Miss Melissa Miller, of Lebanon, Ohio. Mrs. Gettinger was born July 8, 1818, a daughter of Richard and Julia (Jaqua) Miller, both of Pennsylvania, and of German and French descent. Her grandfather, Gamaliel Jaqua, was a native of France, where he received a collegiate education, and emigrated to America for the purpose of teaching the languages. He entered a New York regiment during the war and fought three years. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gettinger, namely: John T., Mary J., Sarah E., Charles C, Kiziah M. (deceased), Jesse D., Anna A. (deceased), and Ellsworth. Mr. Gettinger was upright and generous in all his dealings and esteemed by all who knew him. Mrs. Gettinger still resides on the old home farm.

JESSE D. GETTINGER, merchant, Miami, Indiana. Among the successful business men of Miami may be found the name of Jesse D. Gettinger, born in this townsliip, September 5, 1852. His father, Jesse Gettinger, Sr., was born in Maryland. At the age of seventeen years, our subject began life for himself, by working in a saw mill. In 1874, he engaged in the grocery business, but followed it only a short time. He went into the drug business in 1881 and continued in the same for five years. He then purchased the stock of goods known as the Coucher stock, owned by Shirk & Miller, and has successfully carried on the business ever since. He is a zealous Democrat, and when twenty-four 3'ears old was elected township assessor b}' a majority of thirty-tive, while at the same time the Republican State ticket received a majority of forty-rive, which is sufficient evidence of his popularity. In April, 1882, the confidence reposed in him by the community was attested by his being called to serve them in the office of township trustee, when he received a majority of forty-five. He was re-elected in 1884 by eighty-nine majority. He was married June 12, 1874, ^^ Miss Olive EUars, who was born September 8, 1855, in Clay Township. Two children were born to them: Gertie (deceased) and Ola, Mr. Gettinger is a member of the Masonic Order.

GEORGE W. GRAVES, one of the leading farmers of Deer Creek Township, was born in Decatur County, Indiana, May, 15, 1835. He is of English origin on the paternal side and of Irish on the maternal side. His parents were Joseph and Sarah (Howe) Graves. George W. was reared to early manhood in his native county and received such education as was afforded by the common schools. In 1854 '^^ bought eight}' acres of land in Deer Creek Township, where he has ever since resided, devoting his time to agricultural pursuits. This part of Miami County was then known as the swamps and he at once commenced the task to clear and improve it. He cut the first ditch in this township. Having no money he was obliged to clear his farm unaided. He went to work with a stout heart and willing hands, and, as a proof of his success, he now owns four improved farms. February 4, 1854, Samantha Fickle became iiis wife. She was born November 30, 1835. Daniel and Hetty (Tipton) Fickle, natives of Ohio, were her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Graves are the parents of the following children : Newberrj- J. (deceased), Arthur E., Warren, Oscar, Clement V., hy Pearl and Florence (deceased). Mr. Graves is a staunch Republican. JOHN W. HAGGERTY, a highly esteemed pioneer of Miami County, Indiana, was born in Fairfield Count}-, Ohio, February 15, 1824. His parents, David and Sarah (Larimer) Haggerty, were both natives of Pennsylvania. When John was four 3'ears old his father died, leaving a widow and six children. Until twenty-two years of age Mr. Haggert3-'s earnings went toward the support of his mother. He then purchased fort^- acres of land in Elkhart County, but soon left there and bought a tract of land in Pipe Creek Township. He again sold out and settled in Deer Creek Township. His marriage with Miss Sarah C. McCreary was solemnized in 1851. The result of this union was one child,' named George A. Mrs. Haggerty died in 1854. ^''- Haggerty's second choice was Miss Ellen Hann, daughter of Benjamin and Mary A. Hann, citizens of Pipe Creek Township. To their union seven children have been born: Carey, Annetty, Emma J., Alonzo E., Idella M., Melvin E. and an infant that died unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Haggerty have lived to see the county develop from an almost unbroken forest into one of the most fertile and populous regions of northern Indiana. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

AUSTIN HERRELL is one of the leading farmers of Deer Creek Township. The place of his nativity is Henry County, Kentucky, and the date of his birth, August 15, 1825. He is a son of William and Rachel (Wiley) Herrell, whose ancestors were of English extraction. He received in youth a limited education, and in 1842 came to Miami County and hired as a farm hand. He began life with no means, but has succeeded, as the years went by, in accumulating a comfortable competency for his declining j'ears, owning at one time over 500 acres of land. He served the people in the important office of Township Trustee for several years. He has been twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Hicks, daughter of Isaac and Elsie Hicks. Mrs. Herrell died in 1862. His second marriage occurred in 1863 with Miss Mattie Julian, by whom he had four children - Frankie T., Lulu, Clyde and Bell. His second wife was called away in 1875. In business Mr. Herrell has alwavs been thoroughlv energetic and straightforward. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and has been a Republican until

EDWIN T. McCONNELL, son of William H. and Sarah (Thornton) McConnell, was born in Deer Creek Township, December 29, 1849. The mother, widow of William H. McConnell, was a native of Highland County, Ohio, born October 15, 1818. Her parents, John and Mary (Johnson) Thornton, were natives of South Carolina, and of English and Irish descent. When seventeen years of age her parents moved to Cass County, Indiana. Her father entered a ' piece of land near Logansport, where he resided until death. Mrs. McConnell was married in 184^. W. H. McConnell was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 181 5. He came to this county in 1846 and entered land where his eldest son, James, now resides. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell were the parents of eight children, as follows: Samuel W. (deceased), James H., Mary (deceased), Edwin T., Cornelia (deceased), Robert F., John W. and Fanny J. (deceased). The boyhood of our subject was like that of any other Indiana lad of the same period, and he earlv in life learned the bitter but beneficent lesson of self-dependence, and at the age of eighteen took up the business of life in manly earnest. In 1877 he engaged in the manufacture of drain tile, but disposed of his factory in 1882, and has since followed farming. Mr. McConnell is a man of public spirit and was elected Township Trustee in 1886, making the race on the Republican ticket. He was married May II, 1882, to Miss Belle Underwood, native of Howard Count}', Indiana, and daughter of John and Acta E. (Leonard) Underwood. One child has been born to this union, Carrie, born April 18, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell are members of the Christian Chmxh.

DAVID McCORMICK, farmer. Deer Creek Township, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, January 19, 1818, and is the eighth in a family of twelve children born to WiUiam and Mary (Clemer) McCormick, the father of Tennessee and the mother of Virginia. David McCormick removed with his parents to Montgomery County, Ohio, at quite an early age, where he remained until his eighteenth year. He then worked at the carpenter trade, but soon returned to the farm. He came to this county in i860 and now owns a tine improved farm in section 26. He was married December 20, 1838, to Miss Margaret Orellus, who died February 7, 1850, after bearing the following children: Levi (deceased), Mar}-, Rebecca, Absalom, Sarah J. (deceased), William and Henry. In 1850 he was united in marriage with Barbara Showalter, a native of Pennsylvania, born May 5, 1826, and to their union were born these children: Margaret, David F., Barbara I., Martha E. (deceased), and James. In politics Mr. McCormick acts with the Republican party.

advantages offered in America, sailed for this countr\-, in company with his uncle, Mr. Brown, in September, 1S43, and landed at New Orleans in November. Our subject procured employment for a short time and then began firing on a Mississippi steamboat and followed this occupation until June, 1844. The year following he worked on a farm, receiving $75 for his \ear's work. He then contracted with a man by the name of Snyder to work by the month, and worked out for four years. September 26, 1847, he was married to Elizabeth Good, daughter of Philip Good, a native of Virginia. They began house-keeping in rented property, but the next year bought twenty acres of land in Brown County, Ohio, where he resided until 1850, when he came to Miami Count}- and purchased fort}- acres of the farm he now owns for $320. He has added by degrees to his first purchase until he now owns a fine farm with first-class improvements. Mr. and Mrs. McHale had a family of seven children: Edward (deceased), John W. (deceased), James, Rebecca, Ann, Philip L. and Nellie. Mrs. McHale was called away February 23, 1885. Mr. McHale was again married May 30, 1886, to Sarah J. Groves, of Clermont County, Ohio. Mr. McHale was born March 15, 1826 and was a son of Edward and Mary McHale.

JOHN C. McILWAIN, eldest son in a family of ten children born to John and Sarah (Logan) Mcllwain, natives of Scotland and Ireland. The parents emigrated to the United States, first settling in South Carolina, and removed from there in 181 3 to Fayette County, Indiana, where the}' entered a home. Our subject was born in South Carolina, May 10, 1810. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and obtained the rudidiments of an education in the rude log school house common to this country forty years ago. He was apprenticed to learn the saddler and harness trade when eighteen vears old, and engaged in that business in New Marion, Fayette County. April 10, 1834, Nancy Shafer, daughter of George Shafer, of Butler County, Ohio, became his wife. Mrs. Mcllwain died in 1865, leaving a family of seven children - William A., Theodore S., George O., Sarah E., Lida J., Mary and John W., of whom William, Mary and Theodore are now deceased. Mr. Mcllwain came to Deer Creek Township in 1856, and experienced all the hardships and privations incident to life in the backwoods, but actuated by energy and will, is now considered one of the successful farmers of the county. Mr. Mcllwain is a decided Republican, always readv in the support and defense of his political convictions.

MRS. JANE MENDENHALL. Mrs. Mendenhall was united in marriage with Reuben E. Mendenhall, native of Ohio, September 9, 1853. He was born September 23, 1828. His parents located in this county when the few settlements were but niches in the almost impenetrable forests. Mr. Mendenhall was a farmer by occupation, a man of local prominence, a member of the Baptist Church, and departed this life February 9, 1885. Mrs. Mendenhall was born December 20, 1825, in Ohio, a daughter of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Hanes) Shirley, both of Virginia. The greater part of Mrs. Mendenhall's life has been passed in this county, haying resided here some forty-seyen years, and witnessed the forests give place to the growing fields, and the wild game that was once so abundant, disappear, and in her way has contributed her share to the work of ciyilization. She now lives on the farm her husband purchased a short time after their marriage. Mrs. Mendenhall belongs to the Baptist Cliurch. JOSEPH OLDHAM, the subject of'this sketch, is now a resi- _ dent of Bennett's Switch, and probably the oldest living pioneer of tj this county. He was born in Lampen County, Va., April 5, 1816. His parents were James and ETTzabetTi Oldham, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of French and latter of German descent. When Joseph was quite young his parents emigrated to Preble County, Ohio, and later moved to Randolph Count\% this State, thence to Wells County, and in 1827, Mr. Oldham, Sr., Joseph's father, purchased 80 acres of wild land in Peru Township, this county, from Louis Godfroy, an Indian. The government had erected dwellings for the Indians, one on each section, into one of these houses Mr. Oldham moved, and resided there about seven years, by which time Mr. Oldiiam had built on his own land, and in 1834 occupied his own home. There were but few white settlers here then, Miami County was not organized yet, Peru was not thought of, and Mr. Oldham says there was only two houses on the site where Logansport now stands. It was here among the Indians that Joseph spent his young life. There were no schools and what education Mr. Oldham has was obtained after maturity. At the age of seventeen he began to do for himself by engaging at blacksmithing, but soon gave that up and tried the tanning business for a while, but finally gave that up and began butchering, which occupation he has followed principally through life. In September, 183S, he was married to Lucinda Fobs, and this union was blessed with six children: Charles, James, Mar^^ Elizabeth, Sarah and David, one of whom. Mar}-, is now living. In September, 1854, Mrs. Oldham was called away. On June 23, 1855, he was again married to Mary Countryman, and to this union was born seven children: Jacob, Daniel, Julia, Eliza, Joseph F., Philip and Otto, of whom Jacob, Philip and Otto are deceased. Mr. Oldham began life a poor man and to-day has a comfortable home in Bennett's.

und Mary Sandifur, moved to Carroll County, where he remained until his twenty-tirst year. In 1S46 he took a claim of 160 acres of heavy timbered land where he now resides. He went to work with a will and soon had a cabin erected and a few acres of land readv for cultivation. He and wife by diligence and economv, have acquired a good home and pleasant surroundings. He was married August II, 1853, to Sarah Beaver, and by her is the father of six children: Jacob A. (deceased), Mary E., Emma R., Noah A., Oliver U. and William H. Mr. and Mrs. Sandifur are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Sandifur is a Republican, and held tlie otlice of Justice of the Peace for four j-ears. He possesses an unblemished character for honesty and integrity.

WILLIAM H. STEDMAN, farmer, was born in Orange Count\', New York, May 4, 1823. His parents, Richard and Hannah Stedman, were natives of Ireland and New York respectivelv. They moved to Muskingum Count}-, Ohio, in 1833, where our subject remamed until thirty j'ears of age. He emigrated to Tippecanoe, County, Indiana, and followed boating on the Wabash and Erie Canal for ten \ears. He then engaged in steamboating on the lower Wabash and Ohio rivers for a number of years. In 1867 he purchased the farm where he now resides. He makes farming his sole business, and is justly regarded as one of the progressive and wide-awake citizens of Miami County. Mr. Stedman was married in 1862 to Julia Todd, by whom he had five children - Hannah, Mary, James, John and Burt. He is a Republican in politics, believing the principles upon which that party is based to be conducive to the greatest good to his section and to the country at large.

MRS. ELIZABETH A. THOMPSON, whose maiden name was Garretson, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, October 28, 181 2. She is a daughter of Read and Jane Garretson, natives respectively of New Jersey and Virginia. Mrs. Thompson, when seventeen years of age, removed with her parents to Warren Count\-, Ohio, where she remained until the age of twenty, when she married Cornelius Thompson, a prosperous 3'oung farmer of Warren County. He was a son of Roden and Clara (Sayles) Thompson, natives of North Carolina. In April, 1849, ^^^- '^"'^ Mrs. Thompson removed to Miami County and entered forty acres of land where Mrs. Thompson now resides. Mr. Thompson was a member of the Baptist Church and a highly respected citizen. His death occurred August 15, 1870. Mrs. Thompson has been a member of the Baptist Church over half a century. She is the mother of six children, only one living - John C, who was born July 26, 1852. Miss Anna Stevens became his wife, October 22, 1873, and to them have been born three children: Charlev, Pearl and Harve\'.

thirteen children, born to Beverly R. and Nettie (Glore) Ward. His parents were married in Kentucky, October 23, 1799. Mr. Ward is a native of Rush County, Indiana. He remained with his mother until 1838, his father having died October 23, 1829. His early education was obtained in the country school, which in his youth were of rather an inferior type. In 1838 he accompanied his brother James to Clinton Countv, where James entered eighty acres of land. Our subject took a claim in 1841 in what was then known as the seven mile strip or canal lands. In 1848 he removed to Alto, Howard County, and engaged in the cabinet business, which he followed three years, and then sold out and entered the Franklin Theological College, a Baptist institution. He was ordained a minister in 1852, and has since been actively engaged in the ministry, having under his charge three appointments: Young America, Cass County; Dunkirk, and Mt. Pisgah Church, near Alexandria, Madison County. He is also a farmer and owns a tine farm in Section 14. He has been twice married, the first time to Miss Nancy Lett, by whom he had eight children: Williamson D., James O., Sampson L., John H., Carey J., Preston B. and a child that died in infancy. Mrs. Ward was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and her death, which occurred January 15,1864, was much lamented. Mr. Ward's second marriage took place in 1864 with Mrs. Rebecca C. Okeson. Six children have been born to the marriage, four of whom are living, viz: Luella, Nellie G., Mary T., Lizzie May. Mr. Ward is a Republican.

HON. WILLIAM ZEHRING, a prominent citizen and farmer of Deer Creek Township, is a native of Butler County, Ohio, born May 3, 182 1, and is a second son in a family of five children born to William and Elizabeth (Garst ) Zehring, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and of German extraction. The father died in 1872 and the mother in 1885. Although our subject's educational training was somewhat limited, attending school only two or three months of the year, he was selected to teach the school in his neighborhood, and continued in that vocation until he had taught eleven terms. In 1S56 he bought one hundred acres of land in Montgomery County, Ohio, for which he paid $2,000 down, the amount of his savings for thirteen years. In 1857 he came to Miami County and purchased a farm of 160 acres, where he has ever since resided. His life has been marked by industry and energ}', and b}- diligent labor he has amassed a competence to sustain him in his declining years. He is a Democrat in politics, and has filled the positions of Township Trustee, County Commissioner and Representative in the Legislature. His marriage with Susannah Feagler, daughter of John and Susannah Feagler, residents of Montgomery County, Ohio, took place August 20, 1845. Of their nine children these are now living:

Josiah, William, Irving, Benjamin F., Sarah E., John H. and Alfred E. Mrs. Zehrin<r died March i8, 1865. Mr. Zehring's second marriage was solemnized March 16, 1869, with Mrs. Lucinda Wilson. To their union one child has been born, namel}*: Katie (deceased). Mrs. Zehring is a member of the U. B. Church.