Randolph County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (3 of 3 so headed), 1882 (part 12 of 24)

JOHN B. MILLS, farmer, P. O. Trenton. This esteemed citizen was born October 4, 1827, in Wayne County, Ind.,and came to this county in the spring of 1856; he was educated in the common schools of Wayne County, and from boyhood has been a farmer. He was married, Jan. 29, 1847, to Jane Lock, who was born May 23,1830; deceased Dec. 11,1880. His father, Moses MiHs, was a native of Tennessee, where he was born Dec. 4, 1787; he was one of the first settlers of Wayne County. His mother, Elizabeth Mills, formerly Hamburg, was also anative of Tennessee, and born there March 12, 1792; deceased June 1, 1877. Mr. Mills is a worthy member of the Wesleyan Church, and of Trenton Lodge, No. 248, 1.0.0. F. He owns a good farm of eighty acres of land, is industrious and energetic for oneofhis age. His parents were of English descent, and of Quaker religious faith. Mr. Mills has four children living - Moses A., born November 15, 1851; Henry I., January 15, 1854: daughter of Job and Rhoda Worth, was born in Guilford County, N. ©., November 1, 1805. She is a sister of Daniel Worth, and the only living child of Job and Rhoda Worth. She came with her parents to Indiana in 1824. Her education was obtained from the common schools of North Carolina and Indiana. She was well educated for one of her time, and at the age of nineteen she began the profession of teaching; she continued teaching a portion of the time for five years, when she was married, to Isaiah Osborn June 24, 1829, They settled in Economy, an account of which is given in Isaiah's biography. At the death of her first husband, she was left with the care of eight children, but being a woman of rare executive ability, and untiring industry, she provided comfortably for her fatherless children, giving them an education above the average of those around them. She remained a widow until 1858, when she was united in marriage to David Maxwell, of Union County, Ind. She and her second husband lived in Union and Henry Counties until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1880, since which time Lydia has found a home with her son Charles, where she is comfortably situated, and all that loving hands can do is done for her comfort and happiness. Mrs. Maxwell has been auseful and honored member of the Society of Friends all her life. She had a varied and extensive experience during the dark days of slavery. She has a never-failing memory, and relates many interesting incidents in the protection of runaway slaves. She has lived the life of a devoted Christian, has been a loving wife and faithful mother ; she is well preserved for one of her age, and bids fair for yet many years of usefulness.

OLIVER H. MILLSPAUGH, farmer, P.O. Swain's Hill. He was born July 20, 1831, in Clermont County, Ohio; he went with his parents to Shelby County, from thence to Fayette County, and finally settled in this county in the fall of 1864; he was educated in the district schools of Fayette County, Ind., and was married, the first time, to Mary J. Mundemore, who was born May, 1834, and deceased June 23, 1869. Six children blessed this union - Edwin G., born October 14, 1852; Eveline, October 4, 1855; Sarah A., October 8, 1858; John C., December 1, 1860; William T., October 23, 1862, and Nellie R., August 26, 1566. Mr. M. was married, the second time, March 2, 1871, to Phebe Maulsby, who was born August 24, 18384. One child blessed this union - Mary L., born August 9, 1872. Mr. Millspaugh is a member of the Baptist Church, and a Democrat of the old school; he owns a valuable farm of 230 acres of land, and is considered a reliable citizen; his father, Gilbert C., was originally from New York, where he was born August, 1806; deceased in 1859, in Grant County, Ind.

GEORGE MOORE, farmer, P. 0. Unionsport. This worthy pioneer was born September 13, 1808, in the State of Delaware; he settled in Wayne County, Ind., in the fall of 1817, and from thence located in West River Township, this county, in the spring of 1840; he was educated in the common schools of Wayne County, and was united in marriage, June 6, 1831, to Mary Hiatt, who was a native of North Carolina, and born July 9, 1814. She is a worthy member of the Christian Church. These parents had six children, of which number five are living - Mahala, born September 28, 1832, deceased February, 1834; William A., May 22, 1834; Rachel, March 29, 1836; Martha, October 16, 1887; David W., December 13, 1839 (served in Company D, One Hundred and Fortyseventh Indiana Infantry), and Henry H., December 7, 1840 (served in the same organization with his brother). This worthy citizen owns a valuable tract of 200 acres of land, and for one of his age is very active.

John Moyer

John Moyer is a resident of West River Township; he was born in the State of Pennsylvania December 25, 1811, and resided there until about thirtyfive years ago; he was educated in the German schools of his native State, and is very much like a Pennsylvania '' Dutchman." He was married, January 31, 1837, to Catherine Hafer, who was also born in Berks County of the same State in the year 1818. :

Mr. and Mrs. Moyer emigrated to the woods in Randolph County, Ind., about thirty-six years ago, where, by great industry and hard labor they have procured and improved a valuable farm. They have seen the growth of the country from a howling wilderness to a high state of improvement, with plenty and to spare.

These parents have been gifted with seven children, of which number four are living, viz., Mary., born May 31, 1842; Julia A., born August 10, 1844; Catherine, born September 25, 1847, and Martha, born October 11, 1852.

Mr. Moyer's deceased children were as follows: Henry, born November 23, 1839 - he enlisted in Company D, Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry. and died March 10, 1863, while in the service, and was brought home for burial; he participated in all the battles of his regiment till his death. Another son, William R., was born January 25, 1850, and died September 23, 1851; and a daughter, Eliza E, born August 11, 1855, and deceased June 28, 1863.

The two older daughters were married December 23, 1869; the elder, to John Allison, a native of England, and the other, to William S. Stakebake, who was horn in Preble County, Ohio, March 12, 1850.

Mr. and Mrs. Stakebake are the parents of three children, namely: John M., born December 19, 1870; Millicent, born April 23, 1875, and Morton B., born March 24, 1877.

Mr. Moyer's daughter, Catherine, was married, December 19, 1876, to Mr. Pharoah W. Brewer, a native of this county, and son of Nathan Brewer. By

Isaiah Osborn

ISAIAH OSBORN, the father of C. W. Osborn, and son of Charles and Sarah Osborn, was born in Knox County, Tenn., November 25, 1803. He was the fourth of a family of sixteen children, of whom six are now living. Charles Osborn, the father of Isaiah, was born in Guilford County, N. C., in the year 1775, and Sarah Newman, his mother, was born in Virginia in the year 1778. After marriage, they settled in Tennessee, and while residents here, Charles became the founder of the Manumission Societies of 'Tennessee and North Carolina. As the name indicates, these societies were formed for the purpose of liberating slaves from bondage. They removed to Mount Pleasant, Ohio, about the year 1817, where Charles commenced the publication of a paper entitled The Philanthropist, the first anti-slavery paper published in America. This paper boldly advocated the immediate and unconditional emancipation of the slaves. It was ably edited, and though taking astep far beyond public sentiment, had its influence in the final consummation of the cause that brought it into existence.

Charles and his family moved to Indiana about the year 1819, and settled in Wayne County, where he entered land and laid out the town of Economy, where he lived until the year 1842, when he removed to Michigan, and from thence to Porter County, Ind., where he died in the year 1850. He was an honored member of the Society of Friends, and was recorded a minister of the Gospel about the year 1808. Asa minister, he traveled extensively over the United States, and in the years 1832 and 1833, he visited the Continent of Europe for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel.

Charles Osborn was a remarkable man, noted for his strong convictions on all public questions, especially that of slavery, when he stood almost alone, and uncompromising in principle. He saw from the beginning the true nature of the Colonization Society, and voted alone against merging the Manumission Society, which he had founded, into that of colonization, thus placing conditions on emancipation which should be unconditional. He was devoted to the church, but his firm stand on the slavery question cost him his position; believing that he was right, as God gave him to see the right, he yielded up his membership in the church rather than retract from the stand he had taken. He died full of the faith he had so long preached, and which had sustained him during a long, eventful and useful life.

Isaiah lived with his father until the year 1822, when he emigrated to Greenville, Tenn., and engaged to Benjamin Lundy asa printer on his antislavery paper. He returned to Indiana in the year 1824, and located at Centeryille, Wayne County, where he continued to work at the printer's trade in the employ of John Scott. Heremained here until the spring of 1827, when he removed to Indianapolis, and worked in the office of John Douglassin the same capacity. He remained here for one year, when he returned to Wayne County and entered eighty acres of land. He was married to Lydia Worth, daughter of Job and Rhoda Worth, of Randolph Connty, June 24, 1829. His wife, who is the only living child of Job Worth's family, is a woman of more than ordinary abililty, and was eminently fitted to be the wife of the honored subject of this sketch. After marriage, they settled in Economy, where they remained for four years, Isaiah serving as Justice of the Peace during the entire time. They then moved on afarm situated one mile northeast of Economy, where they remained until the death of Isaiah, which occurred June 16, 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn were the parents of eight children, of whom four are now living. Two of their children reside in Randolph County, one in Wayne County and the other in Henry County, this State. They were both acceptable and useful members of the Society of Friends, and remained so all of their lives. Isaiah entertained a strong anti-slavery sentiment from his youth, was a fine business man and had extensive experience in public life, of unquestioned integrity, and beloved by all who knew him. He had strong convictions for the right on all questions, and dared maintain them. Ile was particularly qualified for usefulness in either church or state, and, it may be truly said, he lived up to the full measure of his ability, and died honored and respected by all who knew him.

Charles W. Osborn

Charles Worth Osborn, son of Isaiah and Lydia Osborn, was born in Economy, Wayne (o., Ind., February 8, 1833. He is the second of a family of eight children, of whom four are now living. His boyhood was uneventful up to the death of his father, which occurred when he was thirteen years of age. After this sad affliction, the responsibility of the care of the farm rested principally upon Charles' shoulders. Although young in years, he was ripe in experience, and he was indeed a great stay to his mother in managing the farm and raising the family.

His education was principally confined to the common district schools. He attended the Union Literary Institute of this county in the year 1853. He also attended Antioch College for six months in the fall of 1856, and winter of 1857. His education was obtained at great sacrifice, having to work his way through. While attending the Literary Institute, a kind of agricultural institution, he paid his own way, and also that of a sister, by working on and superintending the farm connected with the institution. It is needless to state that. in all of this work, Charles made the most of his advantages, was of untiring industry and succeeded in obtaining an education above that of the average young men of his time.

He began teaching school in the fall of 1854, and continued teaching during the winter, until 1866, with the exception of the fall and winter of his attendance at Antioch College. During the summer months he was generally engaged in farming. As a teacher, Charles was eminently successful, being a young man of more than ordinary energy and of unquestioned moral character. He was a living example to his pupils of purity of life and Christian deportment. He was especially adapted to the profession of teaching, and, after nearly twelve years of faithful work in the school-room, left the profession with many regrets. He not only attempted to train the minds of his pupils, but their hearts as well.

He was married to Asenith W. Wood, daughter of Jacob and Phoebe Wood, of Henry County, Ind., March 25, 1858. After marriage, he settled on his father's old homestead, in Wayne County, where he remained until the spring of 1860, when he removed to the farm where he now resides. He purchased this farm in 1857, and it consisted of fifty-three acres, with about twenty under cultivation. He now has sixty acres, fifty of which are under a high state of cultivation. He is comfortably situated, farm in good repair and provided with convenient and commodious buildings.

Mr. and Mrs. Osborn are the parents of six children, three of whom are now living - Arthur W., born January 7, 1859; Daniel W., October 19, 1860; Laura C., born June 4, 1865, deceased Jannary 26, 1877; Edgar C., born October 25, 1872, deceased October 7, 1874; Carrie, born June 23, 1876, and deceased the same date, and William E., born June 23,1876. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn have been active and useful members of the Society of Friends all of their lives. Charles was recorded a minister of this church in 1876, and his services in this capacity have been highly acceptable. He has been a strong advocate of the temperance cause for years, and has done much to mould public sentiment in favor of prohibition. He has acted as Superintendent of the Sabbath school at Economy continuously for ten years, He is a Republican in political preferment, and has always been anti-slavery in sentiment. Charles Osborn is a useful man in the community in which he lives. He is well qualified to serve in any capacity to which he may be called. He is systematical in all of his transactions and honest in all of his dealings.

Mr. and Mrs. Osborn lead a quiet and happy life, surrounded by loving and obedient children, endeavoring to make all around them better and happier by their presence. 'They are honored members of the church and society, and it is to be hoped that they will have many years of usefulness yet to come.

JOUN W. PRICE, farmer, P. O. Economy; he was born July 4, 1834, in Wayne County, and was educated in its common schools; he was united in marriage, October 1, 1857, to Jane Shugart, who was a native of Wayne County, Ind., and born June 15, 1838. This union was blessed with three children - Eva L., born January 20, 1859; William E., March 15, 1862, and George O., May 17, 1872; he and his family are worthy members of the M. KE. Church; his father, William Price, was a native of North Carolina, born October 20, 1804; came to Wayne County, Ind., about the year 1817. Still living, at this date, his wife, originally Jane Massey, was a native of South Carolina, born 1808, deceased about the year 1869. Mr. Price is an energetic farmer and enjoys the confidence of his neighbors.

DAVID F. PURSLEY, farmer, P.O. Trenton. This farmer and soldier was born July 10, 1839, in this county; he was married, September, 1866, to Jane Clevenger, who was born February 26, 1850. They have three children - Franklin C., born May 1, 1868; William C., November 18, 1870, and Frederick E., May, 1876. Mr. P. had but little advantage of school and has followed farming; he early espoused the Union cause and enlisted in Company C, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, serving through the war. The Nineteenth was assigned to the "Iron Brigade,"' of the Army of the Potomac, and Mr. Pursley participated in all the battles of that grand old organization; he was severely wounded in the left hip and wrist at the bloody battle of Antietam; he had three brothers in the war - Lafayette and Aleazer, who served in Company C, Nineteenth Indiana, and James M., who served in Company A, Highty-fourth Indiana; his father's name was James M. Pursley, who was originally from Virginia, where he was born about the year 1805; deceased in this county, 1865; his wife's father's name was James M. Clevenger, who was a native of this State, born in the year 1828; deceased at Indianapolis, Ind., August, 1880. Mr. Pursley stands high in the community in which he lives.

ANNA RETZ, farming, P. 0. Economy, was born September 23, 1820, in this county. She was educated in the common schools near where she has resided for over a half century; her maiden name was Zimmerman, and she was married, November 20, 1834, to John Retz, who was born July 30, 1810, in Germany; he came to this county in 1833, deceased August 4, 1876. Mrs. Retz is the mother of thirteen children, of which number seven are living. The living are Catharine, born August 23, 1837; Lewis W., December 16, 1844; Sarah, December 23, 1846; John W., December 11, 1847; Michael A., August 14, 1858; Mary C., January 29, 1855, and David, May 21, 1859. The deceased are Henry, born October 23, 1838, died October 28, 1838; William, January 23, 1848, died December 8, 1844; Daniel, January 15, 1850, died October 9, 1851; Charles, November 15, 18389, died October 8, 1858; Martha J., January 21, 1857, died October 21, 1858, and James Mc, December 18, 1862, died February 21,1863. Mrs. Retz owns a valuable farm of 160 acres of land, is a consistent member of the M. H. Church, and deserves much praise for rearing her large family and keeping them together.

Joshua J. Sheppard

Joshua Johnson Sheppard, the son of William and Jane Sheppard, was born in Frederick County, Va., March 6, 1823. Ile is the seventh of a family of twelve children, of whom five are now living. His father was born in Pennsylvania February 23, 1791, and his mother in Virginia September 2, 1814. His parents settled in Virginia, where they remained until October, 1843, when they removed to this county and settled near Huntsville upon a farm rented of John Harris. They remained residents of this county until their deaths. His father died November 15, 1851, and his mother April 15, 1863.

The subject of this sketch was twenty-one years of age when he removed with his parents to this county. He continued with his father on the farm for one year afterward, when he was united in marriage with Martha Jane Paschall, daughter of Jesse Z. and Jane Paschall, of this county, December 5, 1844.

His education was limited to the insignificant subscription schools of Virgina. Notwithstanding the imperfection of these schools, he obtained a fair common-school education sufficient to transact all of his business. After marriage, he settled upon his father-in-law's farm and remained about two years, when he leased 160 acres of land three-quarters of a mile southeast of Huntsville, and remained one year. He then purchased forty acres of the farm of which he is now owner and proprietor. This tract was in the forest with no improvements, and he devoted his energies to the development of a farm. He now owns 160 acres of excellent land of which 120 acres are in a good state of cultivation. His farm consists of two eighty aere tracts separated by a forty. It is conveniently located, gently rolling, and is very productive. His farm buildings are both commodious and convenient ; he has recently erected a most excellent farmhouse of modern architecture, two stories in height, situated on a beautiful eminence and facing to the west. It contains nine commodious rooms, and is tastefully furnished. His farm being well adapted to raising stock as well as grain, he gives increased attention to the production of corn and hogs ; he has also given especial attention to underdraining, having no less than 1,500 rods of tiling, ranging from two and one-half to eight inches.

Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard are the parents of seven children. They also have an adopted daughter. 'hey have been peculiarly unfortunate in the loss of their children by death, being called upon to mourn the demise of five. The following are the names, dates of the birthsand deaths of their children: Willinm Z., born October 1, 1845, and died May 2, 1864; Oscar J., born August 3, 1847, and died August 20, 1856; James 0., born August 3, 1847, and died August 15, 1847; Louisa J., born March 17, 1850, and died August 26, 1856; Julian H., born April 9, 1853; Emma M., born June 30, 1857, and died December 9, 1858; Marcellus C., born January 22, 1860; MinnieS. (the adopted daughter), born February 15, 1864.

His son, William Z., enlisted in the army December 25, 1863, in the Ninth Indiana Cavalry, Company D. He never left the camp at Indianapolis, bat was taken sick and died in the hospital at that place of diphtheria.

Mr. Sheppard and daughter, Minnie, are acceptable members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Sheppard is an honored and active member of the I. O. O. F.; he belongs to Trenton Lodge, No. 248, and White River Encampment, No. 50. He has been a member of the Grand Lodge since 1870; he has passed the chairs of the subordinate lodge twice, and was District Deputy Grand Master eight years in succession. [Lis sons are also worthy members of the same order. Mr. Sheppard has always been astanch and active Republican, and he has done much to advance the interest of the party. While living in the South, he was uncompromisingly opposed to the institution of slavery, having formed a hitter hatred for it very early in life.

Marrita JANE Suepparp, wife of Joshua J. Sheppard, and daughter of Jesse Z. and Jane Paschall, was born in Warren County, Ohio, October 31, 1821. She is the second of a family of nine children, of whom seven are now living. Ifer father was born in Pennsylvania November 28, 1794, and her mother in the same State October 12, 1802. They removed to this State and settled in this county about the year 1836. Her mother died in this county July 21, 1844, aged forty-one years nine months and twenty-one days. Ter father died January 11, 1865, aged seventy years two months and fourteen days. Martha spent her youthful days upon the farm. Her experience in toils and hardships was about the same as that of most pioneer daughters. ITowever, in addition to the various household duties of those times, she spent a large portion of her time serving asa hand upon the farm. Her edueation is very meager, having, comparatively speaking, no opportunities for attending school. She has always been industrious and frugal, and has been a helpmate indeed to her husband through all the years of their married life. Mr. and Mrs, Sheppard are quiet unassuming people, industrious and frugal. They are well situated in lite, being surrounded by all that is necessary to make them happy.

James Stevenson

James Stevenson, the son of George and Charlotte W. Stevenson, was born in Warren County, Ohio, September 25, 1847. He is the fourth of a family of seven children, of whom five are now living. THis father was born in Warren County, Ohio, July 51, 1818. His parents moved to Randolph County in J853, and settled two and three-quarters miles west of Bloomingsport on a farm of 220 acres. James passed his youthfnl days upon this farm until he was twenty-one yenrs of age, rendering assistance in clearing 2 homestead,

His education was obtained from the district schools of this township, and through his efforts and meager advantages, he succeeded in acquiring a fiir business education. After he was twenty-one, he hired out by the month as a farm laborer for one season, when he and his brother William rented a farm married to Elizabeth M. Davisson, danghter of Ira and Catherine Dayisson, of Randolph County, August 15, 1872. His wife was born July 11, 1849. Ller father was a native of North Carolina, and her mother of New Jersey. They moved to Randolph County very early in life, her father being ten and mother about seven years of age.

After marriage, James settled on a farm three miles south of Winchester, where he lived for one year. He then bought the farm upon which he now resides. It consists of eighty acres, with fifty-five under cultivation.

Mr. and Mrs, Stevenson are the parents of three interesting children, two of whom are now living - George, born March 22, 1873, and deceased September 22, 1878; Wlza D., born November 23, 1874; Mary, born July 23, 1878.

In political preferments Mr, Stevenson has always been a Republican, and has always manifested a deep interest in the welfare of the party. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson are both industrious and frugal, kind neighbors and honored members of society.

West River Township, is a farmer and stock-raiser. He is a permanent resident of the county, and is interested in aiding to build up the country where he has chosen his home. He has surrounded himself with all the comforts of life, and erected for the habitation of his family a handsome and convenient dwelling, with all the appurtenances for the enjoyment of life. He has also made ample provision for the protection of his stock, and the care and preservation of his farm products. Although comparatively a young man, yet he has given proof of enterprising energy and permanent prosperity. Mr. Stevenson was born November 29, 1840, in Clinton County, in the State of Ohio, where he resided with his parents till he was six years old, when his father went to Warren County in search of a home, but remained only a short time. In the year 1847, the elder Mr. Stevenson with family, came to the forests of Randolph, where the subject of this sketch has resided ever since. Having come here when the country was mostly woods, he realizes what the woodman's ax has done when he casts about and sees the fertile fields, the great highways, hillsides covered with all kinds of domestic animals, and scores of elegant abodes in one glance, which he once saw a howling wilderness. His youth was spent as all the youths of the pioneers had to undergo, in hard work and deprivations, which the youth nowadays cannot realize. Mr. Stevenson was educated in the public schools of this county. They were not as they are now - equal to academies - but were of short sessions in winter time, not exceeding three months each year. And he can look back and see the old log cabin and the long, backless benches, and the inclined board projected from the wall, and think of his happy school-boy days that floated by, while the worried teacher looked grave, and kept in his reach the powerful persuader with which he often made impressions. Mr. Stevenson has been married twice. His first marriage took place in January, 1868. He was then married to Mary-A. Cox, who was a native of this county, and was born on the 9th day of July, 1842. By this union there was one child, named Charity E., who was born July 4, 1869, Mrs. Stevenson died January 20, 1870. Mr. Stevenson, after having battled life alone for a year and three-fourths, contracted a second marriage with Emily A. Haynes, and the event was celebrated on the 21st day of September, 1871. Mrs. Stevenson was born in this county October 25, 1849, and is familiar with pioneer life. She was eduéated in the common schools, and is an estimable lady. She is a daughter of Jesse G. Ilaynes, and a grand-daughter of Stephen Haynes, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. JJer mother's maiden was Matilda Cropper; she was a daughter of Bela Cropper, an old pioneer. Since their union Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson have had four accessions to their family, viz.: James E., born September 6, 1872; Mary A., born September 7, 1874; Edna L., born March 22, 1876, and Laura M., born March 28, 1879. Mr. Stevenson's father's name was Clayton Stevenson. He was born in Warren County, Ohio, July 19, 1816. He was a farmer all his life, and a hard working man. He was aman of strong prejudices, of Scotch descent, and an early Abolitionist. Ie cast his religious faith with the Society of Friends. Ile was averse to the use of tobacco in any form. He once informed the writer that he could smell the smoke of a pipe or cigar along a highway, two hours after any one had passed along smoking. Te could not bear the sight of tobacco atall. Ife had a horrid fear of fire; he usually put it all out before retiring at night, or leaving the house alone; he kept a wire door to close up the fire-place, which he never failed to close if he left the room for any length of time. The subject of this sketch is a member of F. & A. M., Lodge No. 367, 'Trenton, Ind. He owns a farm of 160 acres in a high state of cultivation with the improvements, of which the accompanying view is an exact representation.

CHARLES M. STINE, farmer, 2. O. Winchester. He was born February 23, 1841, in Darke County, Ohio, and came here in the year 1842. He was educated in the common schools of this county, and has followed farming from boyhood. Ile was united in marriage to Mary A. Hill July 18, 1864. They have one child - Clara R., born September 18, 1868. Mr. Stine served in Company I, Kighth Indiana, participating in the battle of Rich Mountain, Va., and, upon being discharged, re-enlisted in Company C, Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and was severely wounded in the right lung at Richmond, Ky. He was compelled to leave the army on that account. His father's name was James W. Stine, born in the year 1812, in the State of New Jersey, and deceased October &, 1876, in this county. The family is of Dutch descent, and one of good standing in socicty. Ife and his worthy wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are universally respected by their neighbors.

WILLIAM G@. WRIGILT, farmer, P.O. Economy. This successful farmer was born January 16, 1858, in Wayne County, Ind. He settled in this county in the spring of 1843, and was edueated in its district common schools. He was united in marriage to Catharine Grubbs, who was born April 29, 1837, in this county. 'They have four children - John W., born October 18, 1858; llicks K., August 1&, 1860; Sarah, March 12, 1865, and Martha J., August 3, 1868. Hicks K. Wright, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of the State of Maryland, and born October 1Z, 1812; he came t» this county with his family in 1848. He served the people as County Commissioner for a number of years,and was noted for his ability and integrity. He deceased April 16, 1875; his wife, originally Sarah Stevens, was born January 30, 1812, in Maryland, and deceased in August, 1874. Mr. Wright is a Republican in politics, owns a valuable farm of 478 acres of land, and is universally esteemed.

Rev. Daniel Worth

Prominent among the early settlers of Randolph County was Daniel Worth, aman of more than ordivary ability, and a leader in anti-slavery, temperance and other reforms of his time. He early espoused the cause of anti-slavery, and devoted most of his time for more than twenty years to advocating it with a zeal and power, through suffering and imprisonment, that gave him a national reputation. His life stands out as a beacon light upon life's highway, showing that the path of duty leads to honor and distinction. Daniel Worth, the son of Job and Rhoda Worth, was born in Guilford County, N. C., May 3, 1795. He was the fourth of a family of ten children, of whom but one is now living, Job Worth, the father of Daniel, was born on the Island of Nantucket July 11,

Franklin

1764. His mother was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Macy, and was born on the same Island December 26, 1769. 'The removed with their parents and settled in Guilford County, N.C., in the year 1770. Job Worth and Rhoda Macy were married about the year 1788, and continued to reside in Guilford County till the spring of 1822, when they removed to the western part of Indiana, where Job Worth died, September 30, 1822. After the death of her husband, Rhoda, with her three children, settled in the southern part of Randolph County, where she resided till her death, which occurred February 27, 1837. Daniel lived with his parents in North Carolina till he was twenty-one years of age. His educational advantages were very meager, but were the best the schools then afforded. Notwithstanding the inefficiency of the schools, he, by his perseverance and untiring energy, obtained a fair education. He not only obtained knowledge from the books he read, but was a close observer of human nature, and gained much knowledge frum association with his fellow-men, which fitted him for a public teacher. He was married, March 5, 1818, to Elizabeth Swaim; she was the daughter of Joshua and Sarah (Elliott) Swaim, of Randolph County, N. C., and was born January 27, 1798.

After marriage, he settled on a farm in Guilford County, and remained about four years, when he removed to Indiana, and, after speniling the summer on the Wabash, in the western part of the State, where he lost two children by death, he settled in the southern part of Randolph County in the spring of 1828, where he purchased eighty acres of land, on which he resided till the fall of 1850. In 1824, he was elected a member of the State Legislature, and for seven years was a member of the Senate and House of Representatives. About the year 1831, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Chureh, but severed his connection with that church in 1842, 0n account of its complicity with slavery, and assisted in organizing the Wesleyan Methodist Chureh, which would not fellowship slave-holders. He was licensed to preach in September, 1843, and was ordained an Elder in a Conference at Cincinnati, the following September. The greater portion of his time, from 1842 to 1850, was devoted to lecturing on the subjects of temperance and anti-slavery, and preaching, principally in Eastern Indiana.

In the fall of 1850, he left the farm and removed to Ohio, where he first located at Troy, taking charge of a church there. From Troy, he went to Wilmington; from Wilmington to Felicity, and from thence to Ripley. At all those places he was pastor of churches. After remaining in Ohio for six years, he returned to Indiana, locating at Carthage, and filling pulpits in various parts of the State. His denomination had planted some churches in the State of North Carolina. Three different ministers had been sent there to take charge of these churches, but each one of them in turn had been driven away by mob violence. It was thought that as Worth was a native of North Carolina, had spent his early manhood there, and as he and his wife had many relatives and friends there, that his presence would at least be less obnoxious than his unfortunate brethren. Circumstances seemed thus to point him out as the one to occupy this hitherto dangerous field. So, in the fall of 1857, in company with his invalid wife and unmarried daughter, he took his life in his hand, as it were, and returned to his native State to preach the Gospel of his Master. This he was permitted to do unmolested till the fall of 1859, when the South became excited and alarmed over John Brown's attempt to free the slaves of Virginia and other causes. In addition to preaching, Daniel Worth had been disseminating some anti-slavery literature. Ife had sold several copies of Ielper's '' Impending Crisis ;"' and for selling and circulating this incendiary document, he was arrested by the Sheriff of Guilford County, on the 23d of December, 1859. He had a preliminary trial in the presence of a large and excited crowd, in which he defended himself, arguing that slavery was an evil and that it was his duty as a minister to preach against it. He was bound over to court and held to bail in the sum of $5,000 for his appearance and a like sum to keep the peace. His friends would have furnished the bail, but he was liable to arrest on similar charges, and taken before a Judge who would not admit him to bail; and besides the mob was thirsting for his blood in case he was released. A dispatch to the New York Herald, of December 30, says: ''I was glad to see that mob violence was not exercised on him.'' Another correspondent in the same paper says: 'At the close of the examination, remarks were made by Ralph Gorrell, Esq., and Robert P. Dick, Esq., to the effect that the public mind was much excited by this examination, and that threats had been made as to a disposition of the prisoner, but that they would recommend the people to let the law have its course.'"' The same correspondent thus describes Worth's appearance and demeanor in the presence of the above-described surroundings :

"The Rey, Daniel Worth is « large, portly man, with a fine head, an intellectual and expressive countenance, and a large, commanding eye. Ile is fluent in speech, and the general style and manner of his speaking are calculated to win attention. He did not appear to be at all embarrassed or frightened at his position, but, on the contrary, expressed his ideas and opinions with boldness and fearlessness.'' He was remanded to jail, where he lay for four months in a cold, filthy, uncomfortable building, awaiting trial. However, his friends were allowed to take him bedding and make him as comfortable as they could under the circumstances. He was first tried in Randolph County, where an indictment had been found against him for selling copies of the same book. He was found guilty and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment in the county jail, the additional punishment of whipping, which was at the discretion of the court, being omitted. Ilis second trial was held shortly after in the court of Guilford County, with the same penalty as the result. In the meantime, a third indictinent was found against him in the Randolph Court for incendiary language in the pulpit. Ile appealed the two cases that had been decided against him to the Supreme Court, and was held to bail in the sum of $1,000 in each, and the same amount in the case pending. Being convinced that he could not obtain justice in the courts, he resolved, if possible, to leave the State. He knew that his enemies were watching him and guarding every avenue of escape should he give bail; but his friends arranged the matter so quietly that he was beyond the limits of the State before they knew of his release. The bonds were signed late in the evening, and he placed in a close carriage with two friends, one a slaveholder, well-armed (without his knowledge, however), and driven over unfrequented roads in a direction unexpected by his enemies. The following day was a drizzling one and but few people on the road, and they were not recognized by any one, and they succeeded in putting him on a train in Virginia, when he was soon north of Mason and Dixon's line. He now made a lecture tour through the Eastern and Northern States, reciting his prison experience, and firing the people against the institution of slavery, the object and spirit of which he so well knew by bitter experience. His friends of the North -generously contributed the amount necessary to enable him to reimburse his bondsmen of the South. The bail bonds and costs amounted to nearly $4,000. The spring following his return to North Carolina, the wife of his youth died. She passed away May 12, 1858. He was united in a second marriage to Huldah Cude, a widowed sister to his former wife, May 19, 1859, who is still living and resides in Fountain City. At the close of his lecture tour, Worth returned to Indiana, where he was joined by his wife. They spent the summer of 1862 in visiting their children and friends in Iowa, after which they returned and settled in Fountain City, Wayne Co., Ind., where they remained till his death, which occurred December 12, 1862. Fountain City was the place where he had many times met in council with the fricnds of freedom, and it seems meet that this should be the place where his labors should close, aud that he should be laid to rest by the side of H. P. Bennett, Benjamin Stanton, Daniel Pucket and others who stood beside him in the times that tried men's souls.

Daniel Worth was the father of eight children, only one of whom is now living - KEmily Yard, who resides in Iowa. His son William, the only son who reached his majority, enlisted during the late war in the Thirty-ninth Iowa Regiment, but died in camp before the regiment left the State. William left one son, Charles Sumner Worth, the only descendant of Daniel's bearing the name of Worth.

Daniel Worth held the office of Justice of the Peace in this county for a number of years, as he also did in North Carolina before emigrating to this State. As a public officer, he manifested the same bold and fearless spirit that characterized his life, doing his duty regardless of consequences. His dress and manners were plain and simple. He canvassed the State for years in the interest of freedom, riding on horseback, clad in a suit manufactured, cut and made by his wife and daughters. In person, he was tall, measuriog six feet and four inches in height, and in his old age reached the great weight of 300 pounds. He was a fine speaker and a gooil debater, being fluent in language, logical, sarcastic, abounding in wit, and never wanting an anecdote to illustrate his point. He had rare conversational powers, which drew persons around him at all gatherings.

Franklin Township is located in the northern part of the county, being the smallest in extent of territory, as also the latest in formation. The township embraces twenty-four square miles, being six miles long by four miles wide. Franklin Township lies in the valley of the Mississinewa River, on both sides of that stream, the river dividing it into two unequal parts. As to surface, the township is mostly rolling, though in some portions inclined to be level.

9 to 16, 21 to 28 and 33 to 86. The streams of water in the township are the Mississinewa, in the north part, flowing westward; Day's Creek, entering the Mississinewa on the north, and Bear Creek on the south. Day's Creek comes from Jay County, and Bear Creek from White River Township. Mississinewa River is in this portion of its course a large and important stream, serving a good purpose for water power. Bear Creek is of considerable size, and in early times was utilized to some extent, though latterly it has been suffered to be unimproved for the most part.

of the township, the angle of the boundary lying a little north of Ridgeville. Beginning at Fort Recovery it proceeds in a direct line to a point near Ridgeville, twelve miles west of tho old or Wayne's boundary; then changing its course it extends to the Ohio River in a line parallel to the old boundary, and twelve miles distant therefrom, Franklin Township thus is seen to have been at first, so to speak, the outmost corner of civilization in this direction.

Like the rest of the county, this part of Randolph was covered with a heavy growth of deciduous timber of many kinds, among which oak, sugar maple and walnut were prominent. Many of the early pioneers made great quantities of sugar from their maple orchards in those original days, and though some things may have been scarce, "sweetening" was not. Deer, bears, wolves, etc., were plentiful, as were also turkeys, squirrels and all] the animals of various kinds common to the climate and region, and hunters found the Mississinewa valley a very paradise for them. One of the first settlers killed six deer and wounded a seventh before ordinary breakfast time.

The first settlement in Franklin was made in 1817 by Meshach Lewallyn, an elderly man with a large family. The great body of the township remained a wilderness for many years afterward. A few settlers, however, made a location upon the river in the neighborhood, Mr. Lewallyn as just stated, in 1817, and Joab Ward in 1819.

Mr. Lewallyn about 1819 built a mill on the river, which has been a noted point ever since that day. The Mississinewa was in time of flood navigable for flat-boats to Lewallyn's mill, and not much above.

This place became the nearest point of connection between the settlements in Wayne County and the Wabash Valley, and for many years produce in large quantities was brought through the wilderness to Lewallyn's mill, and Joab Ward built boats and sold them to the produce owners to float it down the river into the Wabash Valley. Many curious and some dangerous advenutres occurred in connection with that old-time navigation down the booming Mississinewa during the spring flood upon the stream. In the reminiscences of Thomas Ward, Burkett Pierce, Arthur McKew, Edward Edger. William Robinson, etc., may be found statements concerning the matter, to which the reader is referred for more detailed information.

The Indians were yet residents of the region, and some tragic occurrences took place near Ridgeville. Fleming was shot and wounded near Joab Ward's, and killed at Meshach Lewallyn's, though not by him nor any of his family. Shadrach Lewallyn, one of Meshach's sons, shot and killed an Indian, and the natives were greatly enraged and made threats of vengeance. They were, however, quieted by the pacific efforts of Meshach Lewallyn, as also of David Connor, the Indian trader, who, though a rough and wild man himself, had yet a great influence over the savage red men of the forest; and he often employed it in the interest of peace and order, insomuch that he was, in solemn state and with imposing ceremony, according to their custom in such matters, installed a chioftain among the Miamis.

Joab Ward, who came to Ridgeville in 1819, bought land on credit of Mr. Lewallyn; and for ten years those pioneers were literally in the woods, cut off from their fellow-countrymen, and dwelling far amidst the mighty forests. The next settlers after the Lewallyns and the Wards, were, so far as now known, James Addington and Dayid Hammer, who entered, and, it is to be presumed, settled upon Section 10, about two miles west of Ridgeville and on the river.

An interesting incident is related (perhaps by Temple Smith) of a wedding at Meshach Lewallyn's, at which the groom and bride were a young Hammer and a daughter of Lewallyn's; and. at the nuptial dinner the male guests attended dressed in buckskin breeches and hunting shirts and leather belts, with huge knives in their belts; and one of the " white braves" carved the turkey with a hunting knife taken from the belt round his waist. Rough times these would seem to have been, yet these people were upright, civilized American citizens; and, in such families dwelling in the forest thus, were trained such quiet, peaceful, cultured gentlemen as Hon. Thowas Ward and Arthur McKew, Thomas W. Kizer, Esy., and many others like them, who are at once the ornament and delight of the later cultivated and polished society of the present day.

We are unable to follow the course of settlement further with any cortainty. About 1830, the current of emigration began to set with a slight force in that direction, which grew still stronger in 1832 and 1833, and from that time and onward till 1838 the township came to be filled with occupants, at least the land was by that time almost wholly entered. Not much needs to be said as to early efforts in the line of education and religion. The usual "woods schools" in the greased-paper log cabin were established in theso forest nooks also.

Hon. Thomas Ward, now a gentleman of intelligence and distinction, and of high eulture as well, got all his schooling in one of these old-fashioned seminaries; and such facts connected with the lives of our distinguished men may well put to shame thousands of our younger citizens, who, notwithstanding the boasted modern advantages a thousand-fold more showy and costly than those old time slab-seated puucheon-floored structures, have, nevortheless, failed to approve themselves men after the model of the backwoods times; and it may well raise a wonder whether, aftor all, some serious defect may not exist in our magnificent system of public education, failing, as many believe it to do, to develop the strong individual manhood and womanhood of the subjects of its training.

As to religion, noble souls and pious hearts found a dwelling place in those outposts, and the Gospel Shepherd sought out, the stray sheep in the wilderness, giving to them the needed care and comfort. And what was thus sown has proved to be good seed cast into a fruitful soil, which has in these latter

The mineral advantages are found in its beds of lime rock, which between Deerfield and Ridgeville have been utilized for burning lime, and its banks of gravel which have, however, been suffered strangely enouzh to be useless till within a year or two past. The people are now waking up to the mine of value that lies in their gravel banks, and are rapidly constructing pikes in various directions; and in afew more years the citizens will wonder how they could have been content to drag through the impassable seas and oceans of mud in which for forty years past they had been helplessly floundering and hopelessly engulfed. Franklin is so small, and Ridgeville is so centrat, that there seems tow have been no call for any other town to grow up within its limits. At any rate, no other has ever found place in that neighborhood.

The roads through Franklin are chiefly the route from Wincheter to Ridgeville and northward, and the route from Greenville via Deerfield and Ridgeville into Delaware County. The rail. roads are the Richmond & Grand Rapids Road and the Union City & Logansport Road, crossing at Ridgeville, thus making that town an important center of trade, and furnishing to the township a good market and abundant commercial facilities.

Some twelve or fourteen years ago, the Free- Will Baptists, in connection with leading citizens of the place and region, established Ridgeville College, which has ever since been maintaining a heroic, and moreover a successful struggle for existence. Arthur McKew, Hsq., of Ridgeville, not to mention others, is understvod to have given at various times $11,000 to its funds. Ezekiel Clough, of Jackson Township, has contributed many thousand dollars to the same excellent purpose.

The township is occupied by an intelligent, moral population, and Ridgeville in particular has been successful through much of its existence in barring from its midst those curses to humanity and foes to happiness and peace - liquor saloons.

Carlisle. - Location on Mississinewa River, Section 12, 21, 13, directly opposite the old town of Ridgeville, Edward McKew, proprietor; D. W. McNeal, surveyor; twenty-eight lots; recorded October 18, 1836. Ridgeville (first plat) was recorded September 21, 1837. Carlisle was south of the river, and Ridgeville was (and is) north of it. Both the towns were still-born. Sixteen years after 1835, no town was at eithor place, and the plat had relapsed into ordinary farm land. Ridgeville was laid out again, however, in about 1853, and this time the town began to grow. Yet it did not do mush for a long time, not, in fact, till the Pan-Handle track was completed through its hmits. But Carlisle never so much as " peeped." We have never heard that it ever had even so much as a beginning.

Olive Branch. - Stands wpon Sections 27, 28, 33 and 34, Town 21, Range 13. It has two stores, two or three dwellings, one church, one schoolhouse, one smith shop, one wagon shop, one toll-gate, one lodge, F. & A. M., and one Granger Lodge. It is not laid out, though it has more business than some towns. A pike runs through it east and west. The people are trying to get a grant for a post office. How they will succeed cannot now be told, though their energy deserves, and we hope, may command success.

Ridgeville. - -Location, Section 12, Town 21, Range 14, north side of Mississinewa River, Willian and John Addington, proprietors; Jere Smith, surveyor; sixteen lots; street east and west, Main street; recorded September 21, 1837. Ridgeville (new town), Arthur McKew and Joab Ward, proprietors; 128 lots; streets, north and south, Race, Walnut; east and west, Water, Main, First, Second, Third. Location, Section 12, Town 21, Range 13, north of Mississinewa River, at what is now the crossing of the Pan-Handle and Grand Rapids Railroads. Recorded January 5, 1853. McKew's First Addition, Arthur McKew, proprietor; forty-eight lots; location, north and east of the old town; new street, north and south, George; recorded April 380, 1867. McKew's Second Addition, Arthur McKew, proprietor; nine inlots, two outlots; location, west of Race, north of Second; recorded April 30, 1867. McKew's Third Addition, Arthur McKew, proprietor; fifteen lots, including college grounds, Lot No. 14; location, north of Logansport Railroad; recorded February 28, 1868. Addington's Addition, heirs of Addington, proprietors; fifty-eight lots, Section 12, Town 21, Range 14, north side of Mississinewa River; streets, north and south, College, Sheridan; recorded February 25, 1869. Mc- Kew's Fourth Addition, Arthur McKew, proprietor; twelve inlots, two outlots; west of George street; recorded June 22, 1869. Ward's First Addition, D. W. Ward, proprietor; twelve outlots, north of Second street, west of Grand Rapids Railroad; recorded December 20, 1869. Pierce's Addition, Pierce, proprietor; nine lots; recorded November 4, 1870. McKew's Fifth Addition, Arthur McKew, proprietor; forty-five lots; new street, old railroad bed, McKew street; recorded May 2, 1873. Thus it is seen that Ridgeville was laid out twice, and has had nine additions at various times. It was platted by William and Jchn Addington in 1837. There had been a mill built by Meshach Lewallyn and a flat-boat factory, carried on by Jacob Ward for years, but not even the semblance of a town had come into being. And even after the village was located by Mr. Addington (who was the proprietor of the mill after Lewallyn), no growth took place. Only three or four houses were erected, and the town seemed still-born. For sixteen years, no business of importance was transacted in tho place, and the lots had been remanded to their original farm state.

Some of the men who were, or had been, residents up to 1852, were Meshach Lewallyn, miller; Joab Ward, farmer and boat-builder; William Addington, Jerry Barker, Legraves and Jenkins. Jenkins had a store in 1837. Jerry Barker built a hewed-log house soon after. Lewallyn's mill was built about 1820, and in 1836, was owned by William Addington. At first, it was only a corn-cracker, and was afterward changed into a flour-mill, with a hand-bolt (water mill). The stones were home-made. Joab Ward and Arthur McKew re-laid the town in 1853, calling it Newtown. It stands on the Deerfield State road, as also atthe crossing of the Pan-Handle (P. C. & St. L.) and the "Shoo-Fly " (Richmond & G. R.) Railroads, and on the Mississinewa River, at tho head of flat-boat navigation. A fine bridge spans the Mississinewa south of the town. The country is good and the lands are fertile. During the summer of 1880, the people of the town and region began to build pikes from Ridgeville into the surrounding country, and a few years will doubtless witness a very greatimprovement in Hranklin Township and the regions adjoining in this important respect.

In i503, the Union & Logansport Railroad was projected, and there was large activity at Ridgeville. A long row of shanties for laborers was bailt. Arthur McKew, Robert Sumption, Dr. Bailey, Dr. Shoemaker, Robert Starbuck, ete., were there. Robert Sumption was building a hotel, and the railroad men hurried him up, telling him the railroad track would be down before his hotel would be done. In 1853-54, there were thirty carpenters at work in the town at once. Railroad work, however, soon ceased. The Logansport road was not made until 1867, and the "Shoo-Fly " in 1872.

Robert Sumption had a hotel in 1854. Robert Starbuck had a store; he built a pebble dash house, which is yet standing and in good repair. Arthur McKow had a store as early as 1850, or before. Dr. Shoemaker came in 1853, and Dr. Bailey in 1854.

The railroad ceased in 1557, and the town lagged. Mz. Sumption's hotel prospered, and the stores, also, but up to 1566 there were no more than one hundred people, perhaps not so many. From the completion of the Pan-Handle Railroad, the growth of the town has been constant. Tho foundation of Ridgeville College was laid in 1867, the instruction began in 1868, and the college building was inclosed and oceupied in 1569. The number of students has never been large, there being now about eighty. First President, J. L. Collier; Present President, 5. D. Bates; professors and teachers, Messrs. Atkinson, Reed, Moulton, Harrison, Boltz, Misses Brockett and Abbott; Executive Committee, Messrs. McKew, Farquhar, Pettijohn and Sumption; Treasurer, Robert Sumption. The college is under the control of the Free- Will Baptists.

The business of Ridgeville may be stated as follows: Two grist-mills, one water, one steam; two saw-mills, both steam; one handle factory; two dry goods stores, one large; four groeries, three shoe stores, three drug stores, two hardware stores, two harness shops, one tin and stove store, five physicians, three clergymen, four attorneys, three smith shops, three shoe shops, one jeweler, three barbers, two livery stables, two churches, one college, one post office, one schoolhouse, two depots. two hotels, one butcher shop, two grain merchants, one cooper shop, one furniture dealer, two stock buyers, two milliners, one agricultural store, one brick-yard, one tile factory, one sewing-machine store, one pump dealer, one book store, one lodge F. & A. M., one lodge I. O. O. F., one printing office, one coal dealer, one wood dealer, one lime dealer, etc., ete.

Principal men; Arthur McKew, shoe dealer, ete.; R. H. Sumption, trader; D. W. Porter, grocer; A. H. Farquhar, physician; Rey. 8. D. Bates, President of Ridgeville College; Rev. Harrison, professor and Acting President of Ridgeville College; Brooks, blacksmith; Wellinger, butcher; James Addington, carpenter; Asa Orcutt, carpenter; EH. Myers, architect; Dayid S. Kitzelman, merchant, dry goods; Henry Kitzelman, dry goods; William E. Miller, merchant; C. C, Hiatt, physician; Joseph Hdger, salesman; Robert Starbuck, business man and trader; Reuben Whipple, miller; Charles Starr, miller; J. W. Seney; grain dealer; Henry Meyer, Joseph Bowersox, miller.

Two railroads cross at Ridgeville, the P. C. & St. L. and the Grand Rapids (Pan-Handle & Shoo-Fly) Railroads. The Mississinewa River passes near the town onthe southside. For many years this place was the point whence flat-boats were sent down the stream. laden with flour, bacon, apples, ete. Joab Ward built great numbers of these in the earlierdays. That business, however, stopped long ago.

Ridgeville is now a prosperous and thriving villlage, and an important and growing center of business and trade. In the vicinity is a good lime kiln, and there is also a rock quarry on the banks of the Mississinewa. A fine state of moral sentiment exists, and temperance and good order largely prevail. Saloons, for the most part, have been suppressed, aud wherever the public feeling and principle are strong enough to prevent their existence, good morals are sure to be in the ascendant.

Distances: Deerfield, three miles; Union City, fourteen miles; Winchester, nine miles; Randolph, three and one-half miles; Fairview, nine miles; Kmmettsville, four' miles; Farmland, twelve miles.

For nearly or quite half a century, the dwellers in that region have been floundering, helpless and well-nigh hopeless, in the mud. But they are now waking up to the hitherto unrecognized fact that gravel banks are located here, and that for the express purpose of being spread out over the surface of the highways; and they are actively engaged in putting that late-found knowledge into energetic practice. Several pikes have already been commenced, and some, perhaps, have been completed, and ere long the prospect is that the reign of mud, for that section of country at least, will be over.

BIOGRAPHIES. Below are given, some of them briefly, accounts of the personal history of a few of the residents of the county: Jesse Addingion was born in Wayne County, Ind., in 1814, and his wife, Margaret Sullivan, in North Carolina in 1815. She came to Washington, Ind., in 1828, and moved to Wayne Thoy ware married in 1834, and moved to what is now Iranklin Township in the same year. They settled on Bear Creek, "in the woods," three and a half miles from Ridgeville. He has always been a farmer, has had three childrea,"is a Methodist and Republican; only one child of theirs is living.

cee Edger, Ridgeville, was born in 1822 in Harrison County, Ky.; came to Darke County, Ohio, in 1824, his father died there, and he was brought up by his uncle, Edward Edger. In 1837, he accompanied this uncle to Deerfield, Randolph Co., which town having been laid out a few years before that date, had not yet began to grow. Four log cabins at that primal period constituted the sum total of that embryo town. In one of them, Henry Taylor played at keeping hotel, and also sold whisky. In another, Henry Sweet worked as a blacksmith. Jonathan Thomas lived near and wasa farmer. William Andergon was also a resident, but what was his occupation is to us utterly unknown. Edward Hdger came there to show the dwellers in those woods what could be accomplished in the business of a merchant, bringing with him a magnificent stock of goods, the value of which could not have been less than $200. After a time, asecond store was opened by John Jenkinson. A somewhat amusing instance of apparent larceny occurred in connection with Mr. Jenkinson's stock of goods. Some ribbons were missing, and in these days the absence of a few rolls of ribbons would be readily discovered. The lost treasure was looked for high and low, and were given over at last as having been stolen. They had been stolen in fact. but not by felonious biped burglars. They were found weeks afterward in a mouse hole in one of the logs of the wall. George Ritenour owned a mill one mile below Deerfield very early, as he was one among the very first settlers in the region. Since that primeval period, there have been as merchants, among others, Beales' branch store, in a log cabin; H. L. Searl, B W. Hawkins, Fitzpatrick & Edger, Putnam & Avery, etc.

The first physician was Dr. Ayres; he went to Marion, and is there still. Others have been Drs. Longshove, Beales, Floyd, McAfee, Washburne, Banks, Snow, Bosworth, Purcell, Clevinger, etc.

There has been for a long time a flouring mill, built and at first operated by Jason Whipple. There was for many years a woolen factory by Robert Murray; it is now gone. Joseph Edger had a grain house; he also built an ashery, the second and the last in the county.

Deerfield was at one time an important center of trade and business, and bid fair to become a prosperous place. It was rather too high up the river for flat-boats. Two, and only two, were built and launched there. Deerfield is now nearly extinct. Union, Ridgeville, Randolph have "sucked out" nearly all the life it ever had. Henry Taylor was the first settler in the town of Deerfield. Burkett Pierce was the first in Ward Township, in 1820, probably. :

Joseph Edger married Alice Kinnear in 1846, and has had six children. He has lived at Deerfield, Winchester and Ridgeville; wont to New Orleans and Texas, hunting a home, but came back to Ridgeville, where he now resides. He was partner witb his uncle Kdward in a store at Deerfield; built an ashery and operated it two years; clerked for Hawkins; partner with Fitzpatrick four years; was several years at Winchester, selling out to Harmon Clark: sold grain and produce at Winchester, but failed, and tried farming two years; started for the Southwest and went to New Orleans and Texas, returning at length to Randolph County and settling at Ridgeville. In 1874, he was elected Justice of the Peace, but after serving three years, he resigned the office. He is now selling boots and shoes for Arthur McKew.

George Huffman came to Randolph County, two miles west of Winchester, in 1818; moved to Franklin Township, on Bear Creek, in 1838, and died in 1863, having had ten children.

Their names, ete., are as follows: Polly (Parsons); Nancy (Lidy), five children; Samuel, dead; Lydia (Sutton), two children; John (married Susan MeNees), four children; Henry (married Lydia Debay), two children; William (married Jane McGuire), seven children; Isaiah (Mary McNees, Prudence Wright), five children; Jeremiah (Mary Ann Coons and Tabitha Miller), ten children; Simon (married Miss McNees), one child; Milton (married three times), two children. Mr. Huffman's descendants who survive all reside in Randolph but two, and they 'are all farmers by occupation.

Elizabeth Janes, Ridgeville, was born in 1797, near Columbus, Ohio. The region must have been a deep and pathless wilderness, since the date of her birth is five years before the admission of Ohio asa State. She married Samuel Janes, and lived for many years near Hill Grove, Darke Co., Ohio. 'They reared a large family, and her husband died at Hill Grove, aged about eighty years, and was buried at Union City Cemetery. The aged widow removed to Huntington to reside with her daughter at that place, and in 1876, changed her home to Ridgeville, Randolph County, with her son William, continuing with him until her death, May 5, 1882, at the ripe age of eighty-four years. Her funeral was preached by Rev. Prof. Harrison, of Ridgeville, at that place, and her remains were deposited beside the body of her husband, in the cemetery at Union City, Ind. One of her sons was Dr. John M. Janes, formerly of Union City; later, and now, a practicing physician in Illinois.

Arthur McKew was the son of Edward McKew, who moved to Ridgeville, Ind., in 1831, from Fayette County, Ind., and previously from Cincinnati. He was born August 14, 1819, above Cincinnati, in Ohio, and was taken to Fayette County, Ind., in 1819, and to Ridgeville in 1831. He married Margery Ward, daughter of Joab Ward, and sister of Hon. Thomas Ward, of Winchester, Ind., in 1844. They have had six children, one only of whom is now living. He farmed in Jay County four years, but returned to Ridgeville and sold goods, and has done so ever since. He owned «a mill twenty-eight years at Ridgeville, and now he runs a boot and shoe store, a farm, etc., being understood to be wealthy. He was County Commissioner of Randolph County two terms, and President of Winchester National Bank for sixteen months. He isa Republican in politics, and by religious profession, a Methodist. He is a man of high public spirit, greatly interested in all schemes of public advantage, and is a supporter of the temperance cause, and of intelligence and morality in general. He was one of the chief founders Of Ridgeville College, as also he has been one of its firmest friends and most efficient helpers since its establishment. He is still in active business. His wife is a worthy and estimable lady, a fit companion for her respected husband, though for some years feeble as to bodily health. Arthur McKew died January, 1882, highly respected and greatly lamented; he was in his sixty-third year.

Jeremiah L. Mock, son of Daniel Mock, of Ward Township, was born in 1815, in Ohio; came to Randolph in 1828; married Matilda Pierce, in 1834, who was the daughter of Burkett Pierce, and born in 1817, and died in 1873. Mr. Mock has had ten children, and has resided in Franklin Township, northeast of Ridgeville, for twenty-eight or thirty years, being a member of the Democratic party and in vocation a farmer. When he came, with his father, to Ward Township, southeast of Deerfield, some of the settlers southeast and northeast of that town were Francis Peake, Eli Blount, Riley Marshall, James Massey, - - - - Massey, - - - Massey, - - Massey, Reason Malott, Allan Wall, Samuel Kane, Daniel B. Miller, Jepbtha Suton, William Kizer (south of Deorfield), William Jackson (head of Mud Creek, farmer). David Conner still had his trading post east of Deerfield. We had supposed that Conner left that post sooner than 1828.

Pardon Sherman was born in 1801, in Greene County, N. Y. He married Mary D. Parke, in 1826; they came to White River, Randolph Co., Ind., in 1835, and to Franklin Township in 1837. He entered eighty acres, on which he still resides, having been a farmer ever since. They have had six children; four are liying, and two are married; one lives in Randolph County, Ind., one in Illinois and two in Minnesota. The settlers when he came here were William Wright, west of New Dayton, on Bear Creek; Seth Elliott, north of Wright's; Jonathan Addington, near Elliott's; Jesse Addington, near the Mississinewa; George Huffman, died in 1869; James Addington, near Jesse Addington's. After his arrival came Mary Helms, 1837; Jesse Helms, 1845; William ' Huffman, 1845; John Henry, 1841; Josiah Bundy, 1845. Mr. Bundy died in Kansas. The country settled slowly. It was difficult of access, and few people 'found it. Mr. Sherman is a Republican and a Methodist, residing at New Dayton. His son has kept a store there for many years.

Mr. Sherman was one of fourteen children, eight boys and six girls, all grown, only eight of whom, however, were married, and only two are now living. His wife died in January, 1882, and her husband ended his life among mortal men in about a month afterward.

Francis and James Stevens came in 1830, from Monroe County, Ohio, to Franklin Township, west of Ridgeville. Francis during his life had nine children, and James had seven children. They each entered eighty acres; they were both farmers, and have been dead fifteen or twenty years.

Andrew and Alexander Stevens came in 1835. eight children, three now living. Alexander had twelve children, foar now alive. Andrew has been deadtwenty years. Alexander has been dead twenty-five years. James Stevens has three sons liying in Jay County. Andrew Stevens has three sons living in the region, Garvin, Jacob and Francis. Alexander Stevens has two sons, Joseph and Elijah. The Steyenses have always been active farmers and Democrats from olden time.

Robert H. Sumption, Ridgeville, was born in Darke County, Ohio, in 1817;:moved to Deerfield, Ind., in 1835, and graduated at Green Castle, Ind., in 1845, teaching school more or less during his time of study. He married Berilla Ward, in 1845, and moved to St. Joseph County, Mich., teaching and farming till 1854. They returned to Ridgeville in that year, and he kept hotel in that place till 1872. Since that time, he has been areal estate dealer. They have three children; the two sons are railroad agents and operators. The daughter is a graduate of Ridgeville College; has been a teacher in Nebraska and is now employed in Ridgeville among her youthful acquaintances and friends, making a success of her chosen profession. Mr. S. is a Free Will Baptist and a Republican; he is an influential member of the community, being a member of the Executive Committee of Ridgeville College, and also the Treasurer of the institution, having been one of its active friends from the beginning. He was acquainted with the famous Indian trader, David Conner, in early times, especially during the residence of Mr. Conner at the place of his final settlement, below Marion, having taught school in his neighborhood, Mr. Conner being, also, among his most liberal patrons. Mr. Sumption has been a citizen of Ridgeville ever since the renewal of the town as the village of Newtown. The new name did not hold, however, but Ridgeville it was from the beginning, and Ridgeville it is to-day, and will continue doubtless so to be while countless ages roll, or at least while the " Yankee Nation" lasts on the shores of America.

|The name of Newtown did " stick" somewhat for awhile. In the " Soldiers' Record," a volunteer is said to have died (in 1863 or 1864, perhaps) in Newtown, Ind., meaning the new town of Ridgeville. |

John Woodard, Franklin Township, was born in New Jersey in 1801; married Sarah Lake; came to Green Township in 1837; has had ten children, six living and five married; is a farmer; entered forty acres when ho came; was poor; has worked hard and has gained a competence for his old age. He is a Republican.

ually went down, until nota vestige remains. Hopewell Church (old) was built about 1840. Hopewell Church (new) was built about 1877. and has been in use as a burial ground for many years.

Joab Ward, Ridgeville, was born in North Carolina December 14, 1790; came to Ross County, Ohio, about 18V0, and to Champaign County, Ohio, on King's Creek, between 1818 and 1819; married Amy Grave in 1813; moved to near Ridgeville April 7, 1819; changed his residence for a short time to a farm east of Winchester, for fear of the Indians, but returned soon afterward to his former abode, near Ridgeville, and never moved elsewhere from that time till his death. He bought of Meshach Lewallyn a small tract of land, reckoned to be fifty acres, at $3 per acre. Tho land was situated south of the river, near the present water tank. Mr. W. built a house, scutching down the logs and making a stick chimney anda clapboard roof. In about 1888, he put in new sills, raised the building to a story and a half, pebble dashed and shingled it, making, also, two brick chimneys, and it is a good house to this day, still occupied as a residence, after standing sixty-three years, A fine spring was near, which in those times was reckoned a very great advantage. He had fifteen children, one still-born, and twelve grew up, nine living still, William, died at seventeen; Mary (John Sumption), died in 1845, three children; Thomas, living at Winchester; Margery (McKew), living at Ridgeville, four children; Sarah, died a little girl; Berilla (Sumption), lives at Ridgeville, four children; Eleanor (Pettijohn), lives in Jay County, seven children; Edith H. (Moffatt), Hancock County, three children; Harriet P. (Thomson), Whitley County, three children; Susannah, died a child; David, died at Ridgeville in 1874, five children; Joel, livesnear Ridgeville, three children; Lydia (Way), Winchester, four children; Joab, lives south of Ridveville, three children.

Joab Ward had been a trader in Ohio, but he had " broken up," and plunged into the Western woods, going to the bounds of civilization, Ridgeville then being the extreme outskirt and corner of white settlement. His health was poor and his prospects were not bright. Without means, without health, with a growing family, he still lived in hope, and did his best, looking and wishing for better times. He first settled ina camp, cleared some land, made sugar, killed deer, ete. He was a great hunter, having killed more than once two deer with the same shot. At one time, he killed six deer and crippled the seventh in one morning before ordinary breakfast time. He used to hunt deer by driving sharpened stakes into the ground, with points upward at the places where the deer would jump into the field, often crippling them thus. Several times four were killed by him in asingle day. He died November 7, 1874, having lived thera nearly fifty-six years, and being eighty-four years old. He was a Whig and a Republican. His wife was a very religious woman, though she was deprived, by long distance, from meetings of religious socicties; she died in 1864. Both are buried at White River Burying Ground.

Mr. Ward was employed for many years in building flat hoats for sale to persons who wished to transport merchandise, during the season of floods, down the Mississinewa to the Wabash Valley for traffic with the Indians and the early settlers in that region. He was for nearly sixty years a prominent citizen of that portion of the county, the towuship receiving from him the name it still bears. When first formed, Ward 'Township comprised the entire north part of the county, out of which, in process of time, were created four distinct townships - Green, Franklin, Ward and Jackson. Mr. Ward was greatly respected and highly esteemed, though quiet and unassuming, and not inclined to press into active public life.

BENJAMIN ADINGTON. farmer, P.O. Ridgeville. Benjamin Adington was born in Wayne County, Ind., June 28,1824. His father, Joseph, wasa native of South Carolina, and his mother, whose maiden name was Ceilie Townsend, was born in North Carolina, They came to Randolph County, Ind., in the spring of 1834, The fa'her died in 1837, and the mother in 1853. His grandfather Townsend was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Adington was married in 1850 to Rebecca Harrald, who died March 4, 1876. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom are now living - Cornelius M., Sylvester, Milford, Elvira, Emma and Asa. Lincoln died in infancy. Mrs. Adington was fhe daughter of Amasa and Leah (White) Marrald. In June, 1878, Mr. Adington was married to Jane Day, his present companion. Her son, Joseph T., is a successful school teacher. Mr. Adington was engaged for some time in milling pursuits, but since the year 1863 he has given his attention to farming. He has 140 acres of land in Section 27. He is a Republican, and a member of the Society of Friends. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ELISITA T. BAILEY, physician, Ridgeville. Elisha T. Bailey was born in Clinton County, Ohio, September 19, 1821. Iis father, Hiram Bailey, was born in Sussex County, Va., in 1796, and his mother, whose maiden name was Rachel Thomas, was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1802. The parents removed to Wayne County, Ind,, in 1830, where they remained until death. The mother died in 1868, and the father in 1872. Elisha, their son, attended the common school and worked on the farm until twenty-two years of age, and then began the study of medicine under Dr. Stanton Judkins, brother of Prof. Judkins, of Cincinnati. In 1846, he was examined by the Wayne County Medical Board, and licensed to practice medicine. In 1847, he located at Emmettsville, Randolph County, and practiced four years, then attended the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in that institution. In 1854, he located at Ridgeville, where he has ever since continued the practice of his profession. Tle was appointed Postmaster at Emmettsville in 1848, and at Ridgeville in 1862, having held the office ever since. He also served as Township Trustee four years. Ile was engaged in mercantile pursuits until his partner, James Addington, went into the Union army. In his religious relations, Mr. Bailey is identified with the Friends, He is also a Master Mason. He has fifty-five acres of good land in Section 2, and enjoys a comfortable share of worldly prosperity. In 1845, he was married to Julia A. Morgan, a native of Randolph County, who died in November 17, 1854. On the 27th of September, 1856, he married Paulina Mack. Her father, Jeremiah L. Mack, was a native of Ohio, and her mother, Matilda (Pierce) Mack, a native of Randolph County. 'Ihe second marriage was blessed by four children - Minnie E., Roselle, Ralph and Ferrel. The mother died March 3, 1873.

Joseph. Butterworth

Joseph Butterworth, farmer, P. O. Ridgeville, was born in England June 28, 1813, and came to the United States about the year 1820 with his father, Thomas 'They settled at Baltimore, Md., where the father died about the year 1826. His mother was alsoa native of England, and died at Baltimore, March 18, 1835, and was buried at Cedar Grove, fifteen miles away. Mr. Butterworth removed to Ohio April 25, 1836, and located within four miles of Dayton May 2, finding employment in a cotton factory. He came to Randolph County, Ind., in 1838, and entered eighty acres of land, afterward purchasing forty acres additional. He worked on the farm of Joab Ward, although he had no experience in farm work. He was married December 20, 1840, to Mary Sumption, 4 native of Darke County, Ohio. Her father, Charles S. Sumption, was born in April, 1791, and her mother, Mary Embry, was born July 12, 1799, in Tennessee. Ifer mother died March 24, 1839, and her father February 10, 1852. Mr. Butterworth and wife are the parents of six children - Charles S., James M., Susan M., Hannah E., Annetra and Thomas H. Thomas If. died March 8, 1864; Charles S. married Mary E. Parkison; Susan M. married Klisha B. West, and was united with her present husband, Charles Manford, in 1880; Ifaonah E. was married to John C. Minton, and Annetta was married in 1878 to Charles A. Minton. Mr. Butterworth and wife and three children are members of the M. KE. Church. Tis son, Charles 8. was a member of Company F, Seventy-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

John M. Coons

John M. Coons, farmer, P. O. Ridgeville, was born in Highland County, Ohio, January 3, 1827. His father, Michael, was born in Virginia, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Alison, was born in the State of Drlaware; his father died in 1865. The family came to Indiana in 1887, and settled on the line between Randolph and Jay Counties. The nearest neighbor was a mile distant. There was no schoolhouse near by, and the subject of this sketch often went as far as Richmond, Ind., to mill. He once killed a wolf and received $5 bounty for its scalp, at Portland. His grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution, and fought at the battle of Bunker IIill, and his two brothers served in the Union army during the war of the rebellion. Mr. Coons is an ordained minister of the Christain Church, and one of the oldest members of the Hast Indiana Conference. His wife is alsoa member of this church. Heis engaged in the pursuit of farming. He has about 300 acres of good land. He isa member of Doric Lodge, No. 262, and is at present Master of the lodge. His son, George F., is a Past Grand of Powers Lodge, No, 496, I. O. O. F., and his son, John W., is a Master Magon. Mr. Coons was married, on the 26th of October, 1843, to Margaret M. Wilson. They are the parents of six children - John W., George F., Sarah E., James P, and Martha Ann and an infant; the latter three are deceased. James Wilson, the father of Mrs. Coons, was born in Virginia in 1777, and died in Randolph County, Ind., at the age of seventy-five years. Her mother died in Virginia. Her father settled in Randolph County, Ind., in 1836.

JOSEPH EDGER, sboe dealer, Ridgeville, was born in Harrison County, Ky., September 25,1822. Ilis father, Thomas Edger, wasborn in the same State November 14, 1791. His mother, Nancy Edger, was born in Ireland. They moved to Butler Township, Darke County, Ohio, in 1824, where the father died April 1, 1836, and the mother October, 1829. Mr. Edger came to Randolph County in 1887 with his uncle Edward. [le was educated in the common schools of this county. He served two terms as Justice of the Peace; was reelected, and resigned. Ife was married, December 3, 1846, to Alice Kinnear. Her father was born in Virginia in 1780, and her mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Gray, was born in Ireland in 1792. Mr. Edger and wife are the parents of six children - Sarah E., Nancy, Eliza, James W., Thomas and Archibald. The two last named are deceased. Mr. Kdger has long been engaged in mercantile pursuits, and is now a partner with Arthur McKews in the mercantile business at Ridgeville. He has been in this business six years, and has the largest and best establishment of the kind in Ridgeville. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Chapter at Winchester, and Muncie Commandery, K. T.

JOHN R. FRENCH, farmer, P. O. Ridgeville. John R. French was born in Randolph County, Ind., May 6, 1859. His father, Howell B. French, was born in Ohio, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah F. Flood, was also a native of that State; his parents are both living in Randolph County; his Grandfather Flood, was perhaps the first Methodist preacher in this county, and he and his Grandfather French laid out the first burying-ground in Greene Township; his Grandfather Miller was one of the first settlers in Franklin Township. Mr. French formerly taught school, but is now engaged in the pursuit of farming. He was married, August 9, 1878, to Miss Alice A. Miller. They have one daughter - Leonora Garfield. Jacob Miller, the father of Mrs. French, is a native of Indiana; her mother's maiden name was Mahala Green; her father was a member of the Kighteenth Indiana Regiment during the late war, and was killed at the battle of Antietam a few days after his enlistment.

GEORGE L. GEGNER, harness-maker, Ridgeville, was born in Germany November 29, 1842, and came to the United States when six months of age ; his parents, George and Johanna Gegner, were both natives of Germany ; his father died at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 4, 1877. George L. received a good common-school education at Cincinnati; he came to Randolph County, Ind., in 1869, and has ever since been engaged in the harness business at Ridgeville ; he enlisted in Company A, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the Union army, at the first call for three months' volunteers, and re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry Regiment for three years, working his way from the ranks to the office of First Lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Resaca, Buzzard Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, Lost Mountain, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw, Neal Dow Church, Decatur, Alatoona, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's, Nashville, Tenn., Smithfield, N. C., and others. Onthe 8th of March, 1866, he married Elizabeth Wayman, who was born at New Castle, Ind., December 2, 1842; her father, Milton Wayman, was born in Kentucky ; he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Middletown, Md., and has been thus engaged for twenty-six years ; he is now sixty-seven years of age. Mr. Gegner and wife have five caildren, viz.: Charles M., Mary, Jennie R., William L. and John W. Mr. Gegner has succeeded well in business, and is now in comfortable circumstances, having a good business block and residence. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was identified with the schools of Howard and Madison Counties as a teacher.

JOHN I. HOKE, jeweler, Ridgeville. John I. Hoke was born in Jackson Township, Randolph Co., Ind., May 12, 1849; his father, Seth Hoke, was born in Pennsylvania August 20, 1824; his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Johnson, was born near Dayton, Ohio, in 1829. She came to Randolph County about 1833, and his father came about 1845. 'They are now living in Union City, and are probably the oldest settlers there. The father enlisted as a substitute for Eli Noffinger, Jr., in the Thirty-eighth Indiana Regiment, in 1864, and took part in the battle of Nashville. The subject of this sketch was married, December 30, 1876, to Mary E. White, daughter of Thomas and Barbara White, of Jay County, Ind. Mrs. Hoke was born in that county December 1, 1854; her father, Thomas White, was born July 15, 1826, and her mother was born September 21, 1830. They are both living at Portland, Jay Co., Ind. Mr. Hoke engaged in the jewelry trade and has ever since followed that occupation ; he has been in the business at Ridgeville for four years; he keeps an assortment of clocks and watches, and does a general repair business. Mr. Hoke and wife are the parents of one daughter - Edith L. His Grandfather Johnson served in the Revolutionary war. His grandmother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Coblentz, married Thomas Young. They lived tegether about three years, and had one son - John. (ne day, in 1820, the elder Young started to Dayton, Ohio, with a load of corn, but disappeared mysteriously, and nothing further was ever heard from him. Mr. Hoke's grandfather subsequently married the supposed widow of Young. The son, John, was subsequently killed ina distillery at La Fayette, Ind.

REV. THOMAS HARRISON, A. M., Ridgeville, was born at Thirsk, in Yorkshire, England, in 1813. His father, early in life, became a minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and continued in the ministry until his death, at the age of seventy-seven. 'Ihe son received a liberal education at an academy, commencing the study of Latin when only eleven years old. As he early evinced a fondness for reading, he was put to the printing business, at an office in connection with which there was a large book store. Here, he acquired a an extensive acquaintance with general literature. At the age of seventeen, he began to preach and lecture. After residing some time in the city of York, he came, in 1835, to the United States, and located at Springfield, Ohio, where he was associated with John M. Gallagher (brother of William D., the poet), in editing and publishing the Springfield Pioneer. Not relishing the bitterness and acrimony of party politics, he disposed of his interest in the business, and in 1841 became assistant editor of the Western Christian Advocate, C. Elliott, D. D., being the principal. Here he remained until 1848, when, meeting with an accident which resulted in the loss of a limb, he determined to turn his attention to teaching. For some time previous, he had an inclination in this direction, thinking it a fine field for usefulness, notwithstanding its arduous duties. He wrote to his friend, S. Howard, D. D., then Principal of the High School at Springfield, Ohio, who offered him a position in the institution. Here he labored until 1852, when, upon the invitation of a number of friends, he opened an academy in New Carlisle, where he remained until the breakingout of the rebellion. Nearly all the young men left and joined the Union army. He then spent a short time in lecturing, when he was elected Superintendent. of the Union Schools of Springfield. In 1864, he was elected President of Moore's Hill College, Indiana. During the six years he remained there, the average number of students was about 350 annually, while previously it was about 150. Having several sons who had received an education there, and who wishel to prepare for business life, he thought it advisable to move to a larger place, where they could have the requisite facilities. In 1872, he was elected Principal of the High School at Shelbyville, Ind., several of the citizens there desiring to have a more extended course of study in the institution. In 1878, after attending a normal school and some county institutes, where he had a large amount of teaching and lecturing to do, he was attacked with nervous prostration, and suffered severely for several months, but by rest and the unremitting attention of his family, he was restored to health. In 1880, he was elected Acting President of Ridgeville College, and Professor of Latin and Greek. During 1880, the number of students was double that of the preceding year. While connected with literary institutions, Prof. Harrison has made it a practice to go about the country on Saturdays, lecturing on science and education, and preaching on Sundays. Three of his brothers became ministers of the Gospel, and one, Judge Harrison, of Columbus, Ohio, a Member of Congress. One of his sisters married a minister, and two of his nephews are ministers of the Gospel, making eight ministers in the family and its connections. His wife is a sister of C. Morris, attorney at law, Troy, Ohio. For several years she was President of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of the Sixth Congressional District of Indiana. One of his sons is a lawyer, one a physician and the other an editor. One of his daughters is the wife of Prof. R. W. Wood, and the other of Dr. Cushman. The Professor is the originator of the Numeral System of Musical Notation, and author of several works on music. He is also author of a work on elocution. His attainments as an educator and scholar have called forth the heartiest commendation from prominent literary men, among whom are Dr. Elliott, of the Advocate; Mr. Hobbs, Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Indiana; Prof. Staley, of the Frankfort Ind.) Crescent, and many others.