Randolph County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1914 (part 18 of 20)

Miller building. Mary Jane Diggs is the librarian and is well qualified for the successful discharge of her duties, not only knowing well all phases of the work of a librarian, but is uniformly courteous and obliging.

George W. Edwards

Formerly, nearly all the people of the earth were in direct contact with the soil, but the past three-quarters of a century has been one of city building, with the population gravitating toward the centers of population, leaving the small number remaining on the farm to provide the food necessary to preserve the lives of the city dwellers. Very often the dependent ones have looked down on or treated with indifference the man who stayed on the job of producing things to eat. Agriculture has too long been considered a less desirable, a less honorable, a less remunerative vocation than a business carried on in the city. One of our citizens who has taken a delight in farming and has always found it profitable is George W. Edwards, of West River township, Randolph county.

Mr. Edwards was born in Randolph county, December 29, 1843, ^"^ is a scion of one of our oldest families, a son of Zebulon and Sarah (McNeil) Edwards, and was one of eight children, namely : Florin T. is deceased ; George W. of this sketch ; James lives at Modoc ; Andrew lives in Winchester ; Francina lives in Atlanta, Iowa; Ely lives in Randolph county; Alva is deceased; Jason lives in Randolph county. The father of these children was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, October 23, 1818, and his parents' brought him to Ohio when he was a child, but not long thereafter they removed to Randolph county, Indiana and the grandfather of our subject took up land from the government here where he established the future home of the family. Here Zebulon devoted his life successfully to farming and his death occurred September 15, 1890. The mother of our subject was born in Wayne county, Indiana, January 25, 1820, and died July 26, 1897. Her people were from Virginia.

George W. Edwards grew to manhood on the home farm and he received his education in the local schools. On July 20, 1865 he married Victoria Harris, a daughter of William P. Harris, a farmer, whose family consisted of six children. To our subject and wife three children were born, a daughter and two sons, namely: Ida Olinda, born September 12, 1866, married Cliff Gordon, a farmer of West River township, and they have two children, Willia O. and George W. ; Alden J., born April 5, 1869, married Carrie

Adamson, is farming in this county, and they have one son, Garver Hobart ; William Zebulon, born June 19, 1880, married L. Olive Sharp, and they have one child, Idris Irene. The last named son seems to be a natural born horseman, is a good trainer and he now has five valuable stock horses.

George W. Edwards was a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in the Sixty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, from which he was discharged on account of sickness, but after he recovered he re-enlisted in "the One Hundred and Fortieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry in which he served faithfully until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, but was soon paroled. He was in all the important engagements of his regiment.

Mr. Edwards has devoted his life successfully to general farming, and is now owner of a finely improved farm of one hundred and fifty acres, on which stands a modernly appointed dwelling and good outbuildings. He is well fixed to enjoy life in every respect, owning an automobile, good horses, the latest patterns in farming machiner}'-, and everything about his place denotes thrift and good taste. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church, and politically he is a Republican.

Riley Smith Lee

Since the days of the first plowman, it has been the custom to regard the farmer as a man who should be satisfied with a fair living and only small cash returns. With many the belief is inherent that the farmer is a man who should be glad that he is alive, whether he is out of debt or not. These people, and there are altogether too many of them, are among the class who talk about the advantages of going back to the farm - for other people, but never for themselves. They seem to be inherently capable of realizing that the farmer may have the same hopes, desires and aspirations for better things as the city man. They are prone to deplore the fact that the farmer's children want to go to the city, and they like to expatiate upon the health of the country, its pure air, uplifting scenery and the joys of living close to nature - and all that sort of thing, but they always recommend this life for someone else. One of the citizens of Randolph county who has been contented to remain in the country and has succeeded as a farmer, not only to the extent that he has always made a comfortable living, but has laid by a competency as well, is Riley Smith Lee.

1 87 1, and is a member of one of our oldest and most widely known agricultural families. He is a son of Ezra S. and Alice (Jordan) Lee, the father also a native of this township and county and here he grew to manhood, received his education in the early-day schools and married, and has spent his life engaged in farming. He is now sixty-two years old, and is living on the old Lee homestead, which he has kept well improved. His father was a native of Tennessee and came to this locality when settlers were few and here he developed a good farm from the woods.

Six children, three sons and three daughters, were born to Ezra S. Lee and wife, namely: Rilej^ S., of this review, is the oldest; John, who is farming in West River township, married Martha Howell and they had four children, one of whom is deceased; Bessie married Charles R. Farquhar, a farmer of West River township, and they have five children; Jennie, who married Homer Hernley, a railroad man of Chicago, has two children; Josie is single and living at home ; Graydon died in youth.

Riley S. Lee grew to manhood on the home farm and he worked hard in the summer months, and in the winter attended the district schools. Later studied at a normal school and at the State University at Bloomington. He began life for himself by teaching school in West River township for a period of thirteen years, during which his services were in great demand and he was ranked among, the county's leading educators, for he waas a man of progressive methods and both instructor and entertainer in the school room. He taught eight years in the home school at Modoc. He has for some time devoted his attention to general farming and stock raising and has been very successful, owning a valuable and well-improved farm and he has a pleasant home.

Mr. Lee was married December 27, 1893, to Victoria Gaines, of West River township, Randolph county, where she was reared to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of Alden Gaines, a farmer, carpenter and builder and a well-known citizen of this county for many years. Mrs. Lee has one sister. Six children have been born to our subject and wife, namely : Roberta is a student of domestic science at Peoria, Ilbn'^is; she was born October 7, 1894; Oleta died in infancy; Reed, born August 6, 1898; Albert, born December 19, 1902; Walter, born October 20, 1904; Alice Elizabeth, born January 15, 1907.

jNIr. Lee is a Republican in politics and is active in local public affairs. He has served as trustee of his township for some time and was influential in building two consolidated school houses, and repaired two country school buildings. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, also is a member of the Masonic Order at Huntsville. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church.

Cyrus Bousman

In this country of ours it is necessary that some people should follow the occupation of farming, some store-keeping, some banking, some the professions, and so on. All are necessary to each other and form parts and parcels of the great body of society. There was a time, in the days of our grandfathers, when each family was also wholly self-sustaining, when the mother made the garments and the father secured the food, but this older order of affairs has been done away with by advanced methods more in accordance with our progress and present-day institutions. The farmer can not get along without the store-keeper and the banker, and the two latter are depending on the farmer under the new order of things. The dependence is mutual and each is required to fill his position. One of the modern business men of Randolph county who has lived to see the transformation of this locality from the pioneer epoch to the twentieth century advancement of which we of today are acquainted is Cyrus Bousman, for many years a successful merchant and now head of the State Bank of Saratoga, and one of our best known, most useful and highly honored native sons, who has done much for the general improvement of his locality and is rounding out the Psalmist's allotted life-span of three score and ten years in a manner that stamps him as the possessor of rare attributes of both head and heart.

Afr. Bousman was born in Randolph county, Indiana, October 27, 1845. He is a son of George W. and Sarah (Almonrode) Bousman, a sterling old pioneer family, who braved the wilds of this locality three-quarters of a century ago. Their family consisted of eight children, named as follows : Susanna is the wife of Benjamin Mace, a farmer near Browerville, Minnesota, and they have six children; Mary, who died at the age of sixty years, was twice married, first, to John Coats, by which union three children were born, and secondly to Frank Holmes, by whom four children were born; Cyrus, subject of this review; John H., who lives on the old homestead in White River township, has been twice married, first to Mary Clear, by whom one child was born, and secondly to Mahala Mowry, which union resulted in the birth of six children; Sarah J., who died at the age of fifty-one years, married N. J. Beard, a farmer of White River township, and to them eight children

George W. Bousman, father of our subject, was born in Preble county, Ohio, February 22, 1822, and there he spent his boyhood and received such educational advantages as those early times afforded. He was sixteen years old when, in 1838, he came to Indiana, entered a section of land in White River township, Randolph county, which he cleared, developed into a good farm in due course of time and there eetablished the future home of the family and spent the remainder of his life there, dying at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a successful farmer and a good citizen, highly respected by all who knew him. The county was practically a wilderness when he came here and he endured the usual privations and hardships of first settlers. His father was a native of Germany who emigrated to America in an early day and settled in Preble county, Ohio. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in what is now West Virginia, and there she grew to womanhood and married her first husband, Simon Holmes, by whom two children were born. She subsequently removed to Ohio where she and Mr. Bousman were married. Her death occurred May 30, 1908, at the advanced age of ninetyone years. After the death of her husband she made her home with the subject of this sketch. She was a splendid woman of the old school, possessing many fine traits of character.

Cyrus Bousman grew to manhood in his native community in this county and he received his education in the common schools. He assisted with the general work on the farm when a boy and he began life for himself as a farmer, which he followed for six years, then turned his attention to merchandising, conducting a general store at Saratoga for a period of twenty-eight years, during which time he built up a large and lucrative patronage, doing a most satisfactory business with the surrounding country, carrying at all times a large and well-selected stock of goods, and, dealing honestly, and courteously with his many customers, he alwa3^s enjoyed their good will and respect. Finally, selling out his store he started the Saratoga State Bank in Saratoga, in partnership with George Edger, and has been head of the same for the past ten years. His able management and wise foresight has made this one of the sound, safe and popular banks of this section of the state and it has a large number of patrons which is constantly growing and the institution is a pronounced financial success and has been of great assistance in the progress of the community during the past decade, being the center of a large and thriving agricultural community. Mr. Bousman has been very successful in a biisiness way and is one of the most substantial and influential business men in this part of the county. He owns considerable valuable property, including a handsome and modernly furnished residence.

Politically Mr. Bousman is a Progressive, and while he exerts a potent influence on local public affairs is not a politician in any sense. He has for years been a member of the United Brethren church and, in fact, a pillar in the same.

Mr. Bousman was married November ii, 1865, to Margaret A. Fraze, a daughter of John Fraze, a prominent early-day farmer of Randolph county, where she was reared and educated. She is one of a family of six children. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue, but they have reared three children, namely: Bessie Fraze, who married Victor Harmon, and Delia Jenkins and Thomas Davis.

Personally Mr. Bousman is a genial and companionable gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet. He is a man of the best character and reputation and is one of the county's foremost citizens in every respect.

John Fink

Among the present generation of progressive farmers of Randolph county who are especially worthy of notice as having been active in the improvement and prosperity of their localities and have acquired valuable property through their individual enterprise, at the same time building up a reputation which shall endure the test for generations to come, none have exerted a more beneficial influence on those about them than the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical review.

John Fink was born August 9, 1861, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. He is a son of Jacob Fink and wife. Both his parents and grandparents were of German descent and were among the thrifty and respected people of the old Keystone state. To Jacob Fink and wife seven children were born, six sons and one daughter, namely : Lewis is a railroad man and lives at Kankakee, Illinois; Henry lives in Colorado; Samuel; Daniel was next in order of birth; Jacob is fruit farming in the state of Washington; John, of this sketch; and the daughter's name was Mary.

John Fink spent his earlier years in his native state and there received a common school education which has in later life been greatly augmented by home reading and contact with the world. He left his native state in 1906 and came to Randolph county, Indiana, where through his industry he soon got a good foothold and here he has remained to the present time, gradually advancing his interests with passing years. He is owner of an excellent farm of i6o acres which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation and where he carries on general farming and stock raising, being regarded as one of the best farmers in the vicinity of Ridgeville. He has a pleasant home in the midst of attractive surroundings and a good set of outbuildings, everything about his place denoting good management. He is an excellent judge of all kinds of livestock and keeps some good herds and droves, which he prepares for the market annually.

Mr. Fink was married March lo, 1897, to Nannie McFarland, of Ward township, Randolph county. She is a daughter of William and Maria (Mitchell) McFarland. The father died in March, 19 12. The mother is living at the advanced age of eighty-four years.

Mrs. Fink was born in Pittsburg, November 11, 1878, in Ward township, and received a good education. She is a lady of talent and has taken a part in temperance work, for years lecturing in support of the cause, and her services are in great demand in this field of endeavor. She is an earnest, instructive and entertaining speaker and a woman of engaging personality, broad-minded, cultured and genial and makes friends wherever she goes.

To Mr. and Mrs. Fink three children have been born, namely : Fern, born March 5, 1898, was graduated from the Saratoga high school. She has decided tastes toward the field of medicine and proposes to educate herself to be a physician. Henry, the second child, was born February 15, 1900, and at this writing is in his first year in the Saratoga high school; Pauline, born September 25, 1902, intends to prepare herself for a trained nurse.

Politically Mr. Fink is a Progressive. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He attends the Methodist church. He and his wife are prominent in the affairs of their locality and number their friends only by the limits of their acquaintance.

Devoted to the noble work which his profession implies, the gentleman whose career we essay to briefly outline in the following paragraphs has been faithful and indefatigable in his endeavors and is not only earning the due rewards of his efforts in a temporal way but has also proved himself eminently worthy to exercise the important functions of his calling, by reason of his ability, his abiding sympathy and his earnest zeal in behalf of his fel- low-men. His understanding of the science of medicine has always been regarded by those who know him as being broad and comprehensive, and the profession and the public accord Dr. Wallace a distinguished place, although yet a young man, among the men of his class in northern Indiana.

Dr. John M. Wallace, of Ridgeville, Randolph county, was born September 13, 1878, in Richland, Logan county, Ohio. He is a son of Andrew M. and Susan (Manifold) Wallace, who grew up, married and established their home in Ohio and were among the highly respected citizens of Logan county. Only two children were born to them, a son, John M., of this sketch; and a daughter, Anna Gammel, wife of Rev. J. H. T. Gordon, who was a minister in the United Presbyterian church; they live in Huntsville, Ohio, and have three children, Andrew, Miriam and Philip.

The paternal grandfather of our subject came from Pennsylvania, having long been a resident of York county, and located on government land in Ohio in pioneer days. He drove a flock of sheep overland from his old home to his new one. He was a man of imposing stature with a heavy head of white hair and he was greatly admired by the Indians with whom he had no difficulty in making friends. He was a typical pioneer, rugged, honest, hardworking, and he cleared his land in the Buckeye state, redeeming a good farm from the wilderness. His family consisted of six children, five sons and one daughter, the latter was accidentally killed, and one of the sons died in youth. The father of our subject and two brothers are still living, the father remaining on the old homestead in Logan county, Ohio. The place consists of five hundred acres, and he is one of the leading farmers of his community and an influential man there. He burned the brick with which his dwelling was constructed without any assistance. His wife, mother of the Doctor, was of English descent and she was born in York county, Pennsylvania, where her father settled after emigrating from England. The paternal great-grandfather was of direct descent from Sir William Wallace, famous in history. The father of our subject and his brothers all worked their way through college. The father milked twenty-four cows to get money to pay his tuition, and he taught school for a period of ten years, during which he conducted the farm, raising a crop in the summer-time. He was very successful as a school teacher and has been ecjually successful as a general farmer and stock raiser.

Dr. John M. Wallace grew to manhood on the home farm in Logan county, Ohio, and there he worked hard, when he became of proper age, during the summer months, attending the district schools in the winter-time, later was a student in the high school at Belle Center, Ohio. He then entered college at Monmouth, Illinois, where he remained until his graduation in 1900, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the medical college at Indianapolis where he made an excellent record and from which he was graduated with the class of 1903. He spent nine months as interne in the Deaconess hospital in Indianapolis and eighteen months as interne in the City Hospital there, giving the utmost satisfaction in both to all concerned. He then practiced his profession at Franklin and also Mount Carmel for a short time, then came to Ridgeville in June, 19 10, where he has since remained, and here he has built up a large, lucrative»and rapidly-growing practice, taking his place among the leaders of his professional brethren as a general physician.

Dr. Wallace was married March 15, 1906, to Dolores Strickler, a young lady of many admirable characteristics, and a daughter of Martin V. Strickler and wife, a highly esteemed family of Franklin, Indiana.

Fraternally, Dr. Wallace belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Methodist church.

Joseph W. Lollar

One of the venerable native sons of Randolph county who has made a success of his life work and at the same time has conferred honor upon his locality is Joseph W. Lollar, who, after an active and useful career, is now living retired at Saratoga. He has always been looked upon as a man thoroughly in sympathy with any movement looking to the betterment or advancement of the community in any way, never shirking his duty when questions involving the general good are at stake, for he believes it the duty of every citizen while laboring for his own advancement, to look to the progress of his locality and the happiness of his neighbors as well. He has always been regarded as a man of sterling honesty and worthy of the utmost confidence and respect, which his fellow citizens have been free to accord, owing to his genial disposition, his public-spiritedness, and his uniformly upright and industrious life.

Mr. Lollar was born December 22. 1844 in Ward township, Randolph county, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Pogue) Lollar, an excellent pioneer family, whose children were six in number, namely: John C, a farmer of Ward township, married Amanda J. Bousman, became the parents of six children, and they are now both deceased; Elisha D., who died in 1895 at the age of fifty-four years, leaving a widow and three children, his wife having been Mary A. Warner, was a soldier for three years in the Civil war, a member of Company E, Eighty- fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; he was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, and was discharged for disability in March, 1865. Mary Elizabeth, third child of Joseph and Sarah Lollar, died in youth; Joseph W., of this sketch, was next in order of birth; Mariah and Charlotte also both died in youth.

Joseph Lollar, the father of our subject, was born at Lebanon, Ohio, October 18, 1800, and died December, 1869. He came to Indiana in 1838 and located on a farm in Ward township where his children were all born and reared. He was twice married, first, in Ohio, where his first wife died. He then married in Greene. county, Ohio, Sarah Pogue, who was a daughter of a farmer in Ward township, this county, and was one of eight children. Her grandfather Pogue was a native of Virginia.

Joseph W. Lollar, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm in Ward township, as above indicated, and there he assisted with the general work. He received his education in the rural schools of his locality and early in life he took up farming which he has continued to follow successfully, however, he is now living practically retired in his pleasant home at Saratoga, having accumulated a competency for his declining years. He owns a finely improved and well kept farm of 200 acres near Saratoga on which stands an excellent group of buildings, and which is regarded as one of the choice farms of this part of the county. He has been a hard worker and has managed well and is regarded as one of the best general farmers of the community. Politically, he is a Democrat and has been influential in local public affairs. He belongs to the United Brethren church.

Mr. Lollar was married December 26, 1865 to Sarepta Ford, a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, who came to Indiana when she was nine years of age and here she grew to womanhood and was educated. She proved to be a true and faithful helpmeet. Her death occurred February 21, 1912. She left to her children and grandchildren the priceless heritage of a noble Christian life. To this union two sons and two daughters were born, namely : Erastus E. was born September 25, 1866 and died October 18, 1913. He was a lawyer and school teacher and married Lizzie Dentner who survives with four children, Horace, Homer, Freda, and Pauline. Enos D. was born May 24, 1868 and was married to Nora McFarland who was a teacher before her marriage. To this union three children have been born, namely, Wallace

Eugene born November 28, 1896 was accidentally killed May 29, 191 3. He was a bright and promising lad and was on the eve of graduating from high school ; Gordon Wright was born September 9, 1900 ; and Alice Elizabeth was born December 18, 1908. Enos D. Lollar is a druggist and was formerly a teacher. He has a large store in Saratoga and is a successful business man. 'Clara J., eldest daughter of J. W. Lollar, was born February 16, 1870, and married E. A. Fields, a farmer and lumber manufacturer of Saratoga. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fields : Hazel, born May 21, 1889; Merritt, born September 24, 1894; Sarepta Constance, born August 4, 1899, died November 21, 1903; Noble, born April 8, 1908; Richard, born September 27, 191 1 ; Carol Lorraine, born April 6, 1913. Luella May, fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Lollar, was born January 26, 1874 and was married to J. B. Sarff, a farmer and breeder of Percheron -horses. They have the following children : Bernice deceased ; Beatrice, Edna, Lola, Prudence and Delight.

Louis C. Gable

Although we are not supposed to covet our neighbor's good things, if we are making an effort to carry into our every-day lives the admonitions of the Mosaic laws, yet it would be difficult for most people who are doomed to spend their lives in the city, living in undesirable homes, mostly rented, to view the beautiful modern home and finely kept farm of Louis C. Gable in Monroe township, Randolph county, and not envy him. He has for many years ranked among the leading agriculturists and stock men of this section of the county, where his entire life has been spent, resulting in the accomplishment of a comfortable living for himself and family and no little amount of good to the locality in general, for the base element of selfishness, it seems, has never formed a very large part of his nature, and he believes in assisting others on the rugged highway of life while striving for his advancement.

Mr. Gable is a descendant of sterling German stock, but he was born in the above named township and county, on June 17, 1877. He is a son of John M. and Nancy J. (Cecil) Gable, and is one of a family of three children, a brother and sister both dying in infancy. The father was born in Delaware county and still survives, living on a good farm in Monroe township, near that of our subject. The date of the father's birth was 185 1, and the mother first saw the light of day in the year 1856 in Monroe township, this county. These parents grew to maturity in their respective communities and received

Louis C. Gable was reared on the home farm where he worked when a boy and received his education in the local public schools. On December 24, 1898, he married Ella E. Starbuck, daughter of W. E. Starbuck, a farmer, who was born in Ohio, and who served three years in the Civil War, a faithful soldier for the Union. Leaving his nati\'e state after the war, he moved to Ridge^'ille, Randolph county, Indiana. Later he was married to Mary C. McKinney.and their family consisted of six children, an equal number of sons and daughters. Mr. Starbuck was a man of sterling character, both morally, socially and intellectually, taking a leading interest in church and political enterprises, and was widely known throughout the county, while Mrs. Starbuck proved herself to be a woman of rare financial ability, as well as an enthusiastic worker in church relationship and temperance and missionary movements. The father's death occurred in 1893 and that of the mother in May, 1912.

Jesse B. McKinney, grandfather of Mrs. Gable, was one of the wealthy and popular citizens of Green township, who was born in 1822 in Clark county, Ohio, and was brought by his parents that year to Randolph county, Indiana, where he grew up, began life at the bottom of the ladder and by the exercise of good judgment and industry forged to the front, as a miller, merchant and farmer, finally acquiring some two thousand acres of valuable land here, and was regarded as a man who possessed a financial ability of a high order. His farm was generally regarded as the best in Randolph county, and on it he erected what might be called a mansion in that day, the cost of which was thirty thousand dollars. At the time of his death, which occurred February 14, 1888, he had besides his extensive landed estate, large herds of livestock and vast sums of money invested in other and safe enterprises. He was an influential man in local public affairs and was regarded as one of the leading citizens of this part of the state.

To Mr. and Mrs. Gable two children have been born, Fredora Hope, whose birth occurred December 11, 1900, and John William, who died in infancy.

Mr. Gable has followed farming all his life and is now owner of a fine farm of eighty-four acres, which was purchased from his grandfather Cecil. He has kept the place well fertilized and improved, and he has just recently erected thereon one of the most modernly appointed and attractive bungalows in the county. He pays considerable attention to the livestock business, and takes especial interest and pleasure in cattle feeding.

Politically, he is a Republican and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his family are members and liberal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Charles L. Thornburg

The Thornburg family is certainly entitled to representation in a history of Randolph county, partly because Hiey have been among those who helped redeem the rich land from the wilderness and encourage material, civic, and moral progress, and partly because they have lived honest, industrious and patriotic lives, consequently, have ever enjoyed the respect and good will due the best citizens of a thriving community. One of the well-known members of the present generation of this name is Charles L. Thornburg, successful business man of Farmland, where he conducts an extensive undertaking and livery establishment, a man who seems to have inherited many of the sterling and commendable characteristics of his honored father and grandfather before him.

]\Ir. Thornburg was born in Randolph county, March i, 1875. He is a son of Tilnias and Aliranda (Ralston) Thornburg, whose family consisted of five children, namely: Lydia J., of Wayne county, married 'M. J. Yoke, a farmer, and they had five children, two of whom are deceased; Myrtle, of Farmland, married Charles Hobley, a commercial traveler, and they have one child, Stewart; Charles L., of this review; Cora, who lives in Colorado, married William A. ^loore, a farmer; Ella who lives in Richmond, Indiana, married Leonard J. Brooks, and they have two children, Ralston and Alarcile.

Tilnias Thornburg, father of the above named children, was born on the old homestead in Randolph county, which place is well located in Stoney Creek township, and which was entered from the government by Job Thornburg, grandfather of our subject, in 1825, he having thus been among the earliest settlers here. He began life in typical pioneer fashion, erecting a log cabin and clearing the land of its heavy timber. Here he spent the rest of his life, dying at the advanced age of ninety-four years. On this same farm the father of our subject lived for a period of sixty-four years, successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising; but he has been retired from active hfe during the past nine years, making his home in Farmland. This family is of Irish descent, all of Quaker faith. Job Thornburg, the grandfather, was born in Xorth Carolina. James Ralston, father of the mother of our subject, was born in Randolph county, and was one of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, of a pioneer family. James Ralston spent his life on a farm here, dying in 1900. The mother survives, being now sixty-three years old.

Charles L. Thornburg was reared on the home farm and educated in the public schools. He was married on February 20, 1896, to Maggie Holder, daughter of Henry and Catherine Holder, in fact, their only child. To Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg six children have been born, two of whom are deceased, namely: Irene died in infancy; Roger cHed in 1910 when six years old; Margaret, born October -27, 1907; Dolores, born March 10, 1909; Glen, born September 27, 1912; Ralph, born November 22, 1913.

Mr. Thornburg left the farm when twenty-nine years old, and went into the furniture and undertaking business at Farmland in 1904, and was successful from the first. In 1912 he took in H. Wasson as a partner in the livery and undertaking business, having sold out the furniture business. They are now among the leading undertakers and liverymen in Randolph county and do an extensive and rapidly growing business, their customers coming from all over this section of the state. They are well equipped in every way for these enterprises, everything modern and first-class. Honesty and prompt service are their watchwords.

Politically, Mr. Thornburg is a Republican, as are all his family, and they have been loyal in their support of 'the party from the time of its founding back in the fifties. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He attends the Friends church.

James P. Goodrich

James P. Goodrich was born in Winchester, Indiana, February 19, 1864, the second of six sons born to John B. and Elizabeth (Edger) Goodrich. The father was born in Virginia in 1831, but when only one year old was brought by his parents to Randolph county. Thus the Goodrich family was among the early pioneers, and devoted arduous labors to the material, civic and moral welfare of the country. John B. Goodrich was prominent as an attorney, reading law with his uncle, Carey S. Goodrich. He was subsequently associated in the practice with the late Enos L. Watson. From 1861 to 1869 he served as clerk of the Randolph circuit court. He died in the prime of life in 1872.

James P. Goodrich was educated in Winchester, graduating from the high school in 1881, in the same class with Prof. John R. Commons, of Wis- consin University, and Hon. James E. Watson, former congressman, and for the following year and a half taught school in the rural districts of his native county. In 1884 he entered DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, where he remained two years, pursuing a literary course. After studying law in the office of Watson & Engle a short time he was admitted to the bar in Winchester in 1887, and formed a partnership with his uncle, John W. Alacy, which continued for several years under the firm name of Watson, Macy & Goodrich. Later E. L. Watson's place in tjie firm was taken by John J. Cheney, the firm name changing to Cheney, Macy & Goodrich, which continued for five years, when Air. Cheney retired and A. L. Nichols became a member of the firm of Alacy, Nichols & Goodrich. Air. Alacy went out on the bench in 1901, and the firm became Nichols, Goodrich & Bales, A. L. Bales having been admitted to partnership. When Judge Alacy left the bench he returned to the old offices and the firm became Alacy, Nichols, Goodrich & Bales, continuing thus until the death of Judge Macy in 19 12, when his son, J. W. Macy, Jr., succeeded to the vacancy in the firm. In 1910 Mr. Goodrich opened offices in Indianapolis with Judge L. J. Monks and John W. Robbins, under the firm name of Alonks, Robbins & Goodrich, with offices in the Pythian building.

Mr. Goodrich is regarded as a most thorough, painstaking and alert attorney, an earnest, forceful, and at times, an eloquent pleader, having great weight with juries and equally impressive to the bench. He has remained a profound student of all that pertains to his vocation and has kept fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to legal matters, being familiar with the statutes of Indiana and the latest decisions of tribunals of higher courts of the United States.

However, while Mr. Goodrich holds a high position in the estimation of the public for his legal talents, he has a greater genius for constructive, commercial and fiduciary enterprises than for the' love of Blackstone, and in these he has been pre-eminently successful. He has extensive interests throughout the state in various public utility enterprises, likewise similar enterprises in other states.

Air. Goodrich was appointed receiver for the Chicago, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad in 1908, and sold, in 191 1, the road to the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Company, which is now known as the Indiana division of the last named road. His business acumen in this capacity soon manifested itself. He was also made receiver of the Noelke, Richards Iron Works of Indianapolis and Pittsburg, having been but recently appointed to the latter position.

Politically, Air. Goodrich is a loyal Republican and is one of the party leaders of the state. He was at one time chairman of the Indiana Republican

State Committee, holding this important office from 1901 to 1910, discharging the duties of the same in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned and doing much to insure the success of the party in Indiana. He has been a member of the Republican National Committee from Indiana since 1912, and is also a member of the National Executive Committee. For many years he was an ardent member of the Knights of Labor and was in charge of the labor department of the last named committee in the campaign of 1912. Prior to his connection with state politics he was county chairman for many years in Randolph county, and was a member of the Winchester school board for thirteen years. He has been trustee of Wabash College of Crawfordsville since 1902. While deeply and actively interested in political and public affairs for many years, he has never been a candidate for office. Religiously, he is a Presbyterian, and since early life has been a teacher in the Sunday school, and since 1910 he has held a men's Bible class of over one hundred and seventy-five members for the purpose of teaching, which he returns to Winchester every Sunday if possible, even if he has to travel half across the continent. While in college he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He is a member of the Masonic order, having attained the thirty-second degree in this time-honored lodge. He also claims membership in the Knights of Pythias.

Mr. Goodrich was married on March 15, 1888, to Cora I. Frist, a lady of talent and culture, whose many estimable attributes have made her a long favorite with a wide circle of friends. She was born in Middleborough, Wayne county, Indiana, and is a daughter of Jonas and Amy (Powell) Frist, old settlers of the county, and a highly esteemed and influential family. The union of our subject and wife has been graced by the birth of one child, Pierre F. Goodrich, who at this writing is a student of Wabash College, and is a young man of bright mind and rare promise.

Personally, James P. Goodrich is a gentleman of the strictest integrity, and his private character and important trusts have always been above reproach. He is a vigorous as well as an independent thinker, extensive reader of the best in literature, and he has the courage of his convictions upon all subjects which he investigates. He is also strikingly original and fearless, prosecutes his researches after his own peculiar fashion and cares little for conventionalism or for the sanctity attaching to person or place by reason of artificial distinction, tradition or accident of birth. He is essentially cosmopolitan in his ideas, broadly democratic in the non-political sense of that term, a man of the people in all the term implies and for the people - a friend of the common man, and in the best sense of the word, a representative type

He has so impressed his individuahty upon his county and state as to win the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens and has become a strong and influential power in leading them to high and noble things. Measured by the accepted standard of excellence, his career, though strenuous, has been eminently honorable and useful, and his life fraught with great good to his fellows and to the world. Unpretending as to piety, yet few men more dutifully fulfill the Master's command to care for the needy - ^to minister unto the sick, clothe the naked, feed the hungry and speak cheer to those in prison. Many the circumstances in which his left hand knoweth not the generosity of his right. In fact, Mr. Goodrich is a well-rounded man in all directions, keen in business, forceful in public counsel, decisive in action, faithful to confidences reposed in him, a friend and well-wisher of all human kind.

In reading over the record of the lives of many leading citizens of a county like Randolph, one becomes impressed with the fact that certain families show at the outset their strong inclination toward books and learning generally or in at least keeping up with the times on current topics, especially dealing with educational or national affairs. Among the people of the agricultural counties of Indiana it is the rule and not the exception to find ordinary educations, but occasionally a family is met with that rises above many of their neighbors in the scale of education and the capacity to grasp the larger questions of mental improvement. Such families are somewhat numerous in Randolph county, and it is a sign that this county is equal to any in the Union in point of citizenship. One such is that represented by William C. Bosworth, the Bosworths having long been potent factors in the educational and civic affairs of the county. They are people who in every way are deserving of the high esteem in which they have ever been held by their acquaintances, for their lives have been industrious, helpful and honorable.

\^'^illiam C. Bosworth was born in Randolph county, Indiana, July 4, 1871. He is a son of Marcus and Colista (Barnes) Bosworth, being their only child. His father was a native of Jay county, Indiana, where he spent his boyhood and received a common school education. When a young man he moved to Ridgeville, Randolph county and began life for himself as a teacher. He taught there for a number of years in both the common and high schools with much success. He was a born teacher and was a gramw. c. Boswoirn-i.

marian of considerable note. He was the author of a grammar text-book which was widely adopted in the schools of the country and which received high praise from critics and educators over the land. He subsequently taught in the schools of Farmland. After teaching for a period of ten years in this county, he went to Denver, Colorado, much to the regret of the people here, for he had in that time become the foremost teacher in the county and was popular with all classes. He continued to teach in Denver, giving his usual high grade service, until his untimely death which occurred at the early age of thirt_v-nine years. He was buried in that city. During the Civil war he served gallantly for the Union as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, seeing much hard service in the campaign and battles with the army in the South.

Colista Barnes, mother of the subject of this sketch, spent her girlhood years at Ridgeville and received a common school education, and there she met and married JNIarcus Bosworth while he was teaching in that town. Her family originally lived in Wayne county, Indiana, and moved from there to Ridgeville. Our subject's paternal grandfather came from Virginia to Jay county, Indiana in pioneer days and there engaged in farming. He was a friend of education even in those early times and was one of the prominent advocates in organizing Liber College south of Portland. Our subject had three uncles who were influential and successful teachers and ministers in the Christian church.

William C. Bosworth was educated in the common schools of his boyhood home and in Ridgeville College. He married on October 28, 1893, Zella Cortner, a daughter of Washington Cortner, a successful farmer of Monroe township, Randolph county where he still resides. His family consists of six children, four daughters" and two sons.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bosworth three children have been born, namely: Chester Orlan, born December 13, 1894, is a graduate of the Farmland high school, is now a pupil of Professor Williams of Winchester; he will follow music as a profession, being gifted as a musician and is a young man of much promise. Leo Lawrence, our subject's second child, was born November 30, 1898; the third child is Helen, born March 30, 1913.

Mr. Bosworth is a member of the Christian church. He has been secretary of the Eastern Indiana Christian Conference for the past three years and still holds same position. He has also been county superintendent of Sunday schools for three years.

Mr. Bosworth has followed farming through life and now owns a farm of one hundred and eleven acres, all under cultivation except six acres of timber. He is a member of the Democratic party.

Capt. Edaiund Engle

Capt. Edmund Engle, for years one of the most prominent insurance agents in Winchester, Randolph county, Indiana, was a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and was born August 8, 1831. His father, Isaac Engle, was also a native of Chester county, and was born in 1804. He was reared on a farm, but learned the wagonmaker's trade, and followed that occupation until 1842. In 1830 he married Miss Catherine Tussey, a native of Chester county, whose ancestors settled in Pennsylvania as early as 1648. In 1835 he removed with his family to Wayne county, Indiana, and in 1842 came to Randolph county, Indiana. He located in Washington township, where he purchased eighty acres of land, upon which only a partial clearing had been made. He completed the labor of clearing and developed a fine farm, which he cultivated successfully for many years. Edmund was reared on the home farm, and, during the greater part of his early life, his time was occupied in the performance of farm work, in the winter he attended school, and acquired a good, practical education. At the age of eighteen years he began an apprenticeship at the plasterer's trade, working at this trade during the summer and fall, and clerking in various business houses during the winter. He was thus engaged until 1864. In February of that year he enlisted as a private soldier in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Indiana Regiment, but upon the organization of the regiment he was promoted to the rank of orderly sergeant. In July, 1864, he was advanced to the office of second lieutenant, for meritorious services, and in December of the same year was promoted to the office of first lieutenant. He was with his regiment in all the battles of the Atlanta campaign, and after the fall of Atlanta the regiment, under command of General Thomas, fell back to Tennessee, and took part in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. On the 9th and loth of IMarch, 1865, they participated in the battle of Wise's Fork, North Carolina, where Capt. J. L. Neff was killed. Lieutenant Engle was commissioned captain, and continued in command of this company until he was mustered out, at Greensboro, North Carolina, August 31, 1865.

He returned from the army with his health greatly impaired and for a few months remained out of active business. Later, however, he engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, in connection with the insurance business, associated with his son, John R. Engle. In the meantime, in connection with Dr. ^larkle. he laid out the Engle and ^Nlarkle addition to the town of Winchester, and was extensively engaged in the sale of lots. Later on, the captain turned his attention exclusively to the insurance business, repre- senting for years a number of the safest and wealthiest fire insurance companies in the country, as well as several life insurance corporations. Mr. Engle was married October i6, 1856, to Miss Gertrude K. Bishop, daughter of John W. Bishop, late of Randolph county. By this union they became the parents of seven children four of whom are now living, viz : John R., Emma G., Charles F., and Walter J. His wife is an estimable lady, and possesses the affectionate regard of all who know her. She is a member of the Disciple church, as was also her husband. His death occurred September 5, 1895. Although he never occupied public office, Mr. Engle took quite an active part in local politics, always wielding his influence in the favor of the Republican party. He was identified with both the Masonic and Odd Fellows of \A"inchester.

Stephen E. Clayton

In the past few years a great change has been made in the manner of general farming, of constructing farm buildings. Formerly, farmers and dairymen treated the matter of farm buildings principally from the standpoint of dollars and cents. Labor-saving features were secondary in consideration, and sanitation was scarcely thought of about the outbuildings and ventilation was practically lost sight of in both barns and homes. But now all these kindred subjects are given careful consideration by the tiller of the soil and he is therefore more prosperous, happier and healthier. One of this class of modern agriculturists in Randolph county is Stephen E. Clayton, a representative of one of our oldest and most industrious families, his grandfather having braved the wilds of this locality with the early frontiersmen and here he and his father did much in advancing the cause of civilization.

Mr. Clayton of this review was born on the old home place in White River township, this county, September 21, 1864. He is a son of Samuel A. and Elizabeth M. (Ludwig) Clayton. The father was born on the farm which our subject's grandfather, Stephen Clayton, owned, March 7, 1834, and there he grew to manhood, spent his life in his native county successfully engaged in general farming and here his death occurred in 1900. He was one of seven children. The grandfather was born February jo, 1787, and his death occurred on June 29, 1834; his wife, Mary Cheffins, was born August 4, 1796. They were married February i, 1821. They are buried in the Alaxville cemetery.

county, and they have five children, two daughters and three sons; William R., a farmer of Stoney Creek township, Randolph county, married Rachel Mclntyre, and they have four children.

Mr. Clayton of this sketch grew to manhood on the home farm and assisted with the general work there when a boy, and during the winter months he attended the neighboring schools. August 20, 1897. he married Sarah Mc- Intire, a daughter of Henry Mclntire, a farmer of White River township, Randolph county, where Mrs. Clayton grew to' womanhood and received her education. She was one of seven children, one of whom is now deceased.

Politically Mr. Clayton is a Republican, but has never been active in local public affairs. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he attends the Methodist Episcopal church. He has always followed farming and "has kept the old home place, consisting of foo acres, well cultivated and well improved and the buildings carefully repaired. He is a painstaking farmer and has made a comfortable living.

Thomas Willard Hough

It is an axiom demonstrated by human experience that industry is the keynote of prosperity. Success comes not to the man who idly waits, but to the faithful toiler whose work is characterized by sleepless vigilance and cheerful clerity, and it has been by such means that Thomas Willard Hough, widely known and capable young undertaker and funeral director of the town of Spartanburg, Randolph county, has forged to the front and won an honored place among the substantial and enterprising citizens of this locality. He is a young man of high character and therefore enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.

Mr. Hough was born on the old homestead in Greensfork township, this county May 28, 1886. He is a son of John and Mary B. (Manning) Hough, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work.

Thomas W. Hough grew to manhood on the home farm and there he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the common schools of his vicinity, and was graduated from the Spartanburg high school in June, 1906. He then entered the Columbus Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, where he made an excellent record and was graduated from the department of undertaking and embalming in 1913. He located for the practice of his protession at Spartanburg, Indiana, and is building up a large and lucrative patronage. I^e has learned his business thoroughly and is a deep student, keeping abreast of the times in all that pertains to the same, and high-grade, honest and prompt service are his watchwords. He is well equipped in every respect, having the latest model hearse and other equipment and a neat office.

Politically, Mr. Hough is a Progressive, and religiously he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed all the chairs in the local lodge. He is a member of the Encampment and has also passed all the chairs in it. He has been representative to the Grand Lodge from both the above named orders.

Mr. Hough was married on December 25, 1896 to Ethel Mitchel, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, November 7, 1885,- and to this union three children have been born, namely : Mary Frances is in school ; Thomas Hubert and John Gordon are at home.

Rufus G. Hindsley

Rufus G. Hindsley was born in Darke county, Ohio, February 21, 1847. He is a son of Stephen Hindsley, who was born in North Carolina, August 20, 1 81 8, and when about six years of age he accompanied his parents to Darke county, Ohio, where he, grew to manhood, was married and began life for himself and there he remained tmtil 1848, when he removed to Randolph county, Indiana, and settled in Jackson township, buying a farm on which he spent the rest of his life, dying here March 29, 1893. His wife, who was known in her maidenhood as Anna McConnell, survived him less than two weeks, dying April 10, 1893, and they were buried in Lisbon cemetery. This family all lived to good ripe ages and the sixteen of them are all buried in two cemeteries only twenty'three miles apart, Lisbon and New Madison cemeteries. The father of our subject was a typical pioneer, courageous, hospitable and honest and by hard work he gained prosperity in later years.

Rufus G. Hindsley grew up on the old homestead and he was educated in the common schools and attended Ridgeville College three terms. He began life for himself by teaching school, which vocation he followed for fifteen years, but tiring of teaching he began general agricultural pursuits in 1882, which he has continued to the present time, and is now owner of a valuable farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres, on which stand a substantial dwelling and large outbuildings.

Mr. Hindsley was married August 17, 1871, to Malinda Noff singer, who was born in Randolph county November 17, 1849, ^^^ '^^'"^ she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. She is a daughter of Absolem and Elizabeth fjohnson) Noffsinger. The grandfather, John Noff singer, was born January 27, 1767, and he cast his first vote for George Washington in his first race for President of the United States.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hindsley, namely: Alvah C, born December 24, 1872; Orvah L., second son of our subject, was born February 15, 1875; Minnie E., third child of our subject, was born November 13, 1877; Odessa B., second daughter of the subject of this sketch, was born May 22, 1880; Alice Armeda Hindsley, born February 20, 1883, and Etta A. Hindsley, born March -30, 1887,

Samuel H. Hunt

One of the leading educators of Randolph county is Samuel H. Hunt, at this writing, principal of the high school at Huntsville and for eight years a teacher in various other local schools of this locality. During his successful career he has also been merchant and husbandman. He grew to manhood amid the healthful scenes of rural life. During his earlier years his employments were such as were common to farmers' boys. He alternated farming with schooling, made progress in study and books, and laid a few foundation stones upon which some parts of his life's structure yet rest. To these early years, under the tutelage of father and mother, whose chief ambitions were to impress upon the minds of their children such principles as would make possible lives of usefulness and honor, Mr. Hunt, like myriads of others, is deeply indebted for that probity of character, and those justifiable aspirations that prominently characterize him as a citizen in all the passages of life. In these immature years, when the mind is taking its bent, when youthful ambitions are shaping themselves for manhood achievements, no influences have ever been found more prolific or potential for good, than those which the farm with such accompaniments, has afforded. The farmer's home, - the chaste purity of its teachings, - ^the broad fields, the forest, the orchard, the meadow, hill and dale, the song of birds, the hum of bees, the merry brook, the silent river - all the opulence of beauty that Nature spreads out with lavish hand, are teachers of youth whose lessons are never forgotten. It was amid such

Mr. Hunt was born in Nettle Creek township, Randolph county, Indiana, January 7, 1873. He is a son of Fairfax and Mary A. (Hunt) Hunt, and is one of ten children, namely: Artaminca B., Charles Edward, Schuyler Colfax, Loretta, Samuel H. (subject), Lula Florence, Nancy Catherine (deceased), America Ellen, Pearl Lee, and Grace Greenwood.

Fairfax Hunt, father of the above named children, was born in Nettle Creek township, this county, in 1842, being a son of one of our old pioneer settlers, and from that early day to this the Hunts have been among the best known and most industrious people of the county. Fairfax Hunt grew to manhood on the old homestead and received such educational advantages as the old-time rural schools afforded. He began farming when a boy and devoted his life to general farming and stock raising, also learned the carpenter's trade when a young man and became a carpenter and builder. The last twenty years of his life were given to the latter occupation. His death occurred Septernber 10, 1909. The mother of our subject was also a native of Nettle Creek township, this county, and represented an old family. Here she grew to womanhood and received her education in the early-day schools. Her birth occurred on April 16, 1845. She is still living, having spent her life in. her native locality, and now although advanced in years is active and has the appearance of a much younger woman. The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in Kentucky, from which state he came to Indiana in an early day, and purchased land from the government which he improved through hard work. He married a native woman of this township. The Hunt family is of English descent.

Samuel H. Hunt was educated in the public schools of his native community, as already intimated, and he began life for himself by teaching, which profession he followed with pronounced success for a period of eight years in the public schools of Randolph county, then turned his attention to business affairs and conducted a store at Modoc for eight years, during which he enjoyed an excellent trade as a result of his honest and courteous dealings with his hundreds of customers, many of whom were from remote parts of the county. Selling out his mercantile business in March, 1912, he turned his attention again to educational work, and in order to further equip himself for the same he attended the Tri-Siate College at Angola, Indiana, and was graduated from that institution in 191 3. He then accepted a position as principal of the high school at Huntsville, which he is now filling in a manner to reflect much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned.

In the school room he is both an instructor and entertainer, and, being a close student has kept well abreast of the times in everything educational, and he easily ranks among the leading teachers in this section of the state. He is a member of the United Brethren church at Modoc, of which his brother, C. E. Hunt, is pastor.

Ernest Thornburg

This is an age in which the farmer stands pre-eminently above any other class as a producer of wealth, and there is a rapidly growing sentiment among the dwellers of the great cities that the rural districts are the best, so they are going back to the soil in ever-increasing numbers, for there they not only find a greater independence but really have more of the good things of life, riot the least of which is better health of both body and mind. The farmer does not have to put forth such strenuous efforts to feed himself and his family. He simply takes advantage of the winds, the warm air, the bright sunshine, the life-giving rains, and, handling Nature's gifts rightly, reaps the rewards that always come to patient, persistent toil. One of Randolph county's foremost agriculturists is Ernest Thornburg, whose tastily kept and altogether model farm lies one mile southeast of the city of Winchester.

Mr. Thornburg was born March 18, 1873, on Little White river, on a farm in the southwestern part of Randolph county. He is a son of Joab A. and Harriet (Parrott) Thornburg. The father was a native of this county, but the mother was born near Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio. The Thornburgs were early pioneers of Randolph county, the paternal grandfather locating here when the country was a wilderness and settlers were few and here he developed a good farm through thrift and spent the rest of his life and here the father of- our. subject grew to manhood and engaged successfully in general farming, and he and his wife are now living on a farm near Jerico, where they moved when their son, Ernest, was quite young, and there the subject of this sketch grew to manhood and assisted his father with the general work on the place, attending the rural schools the meantime. He had about three years study in high school. He remained at home until his marriage, on October 18, 1893, when he espoused Irene Turner, a daughter of John M. and Mary Jane (Hartman) Turner. The mother died when the daughter, Irene, was about ten years old, but the father is still living. Two children, a son and daughter, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg, namely: Marvin H., whose birth occurred March 30, 1896, and Margaret Harriet, born August 26, igoo. They are both attending the public schools of Winchester.

Ernest Thornburg And Family

Mr. Thornburg- began farming for himself on part of his father's farm, where he remained three 3'ears, thereby getting a Httle stock around him. He then moved to a farm two miles southeast of Winchester, where he lived ten years, and in 1908 he bought his present farm, which adjoins the farm where he previously lived. The place consists of one hundred and twenty-five acres of fine land, which he has kept well improved and exceptionally well tilled. It was pretty much run down when he moved here, but being a scientific farmer as well as an industrious one he set to work with a will, employed natural fertilizers, carefully rotated his crops, etc., until the land today is as fertile as it was when first reclaimed from the wilderness. He has also constructed a splendid set of buildings on the place. Today no land in Randolph county surpasses it in point of productiveness and few farms equal it. One only has to glance at his substantial dwelling, large barn, ample granaries and sheds, also implement store rooms to quickly see that he is aj:wentiethcentury husbandman of the first rank, to say nothing of his well-ordered fences, clean fence-rows and fields without weeds. However, in his recently erected residence is to be seen the acme of perfection reached in the modern styles of architecture. It is built of vitrified brick, with stone trimmings. It is modern in its appointments throughout and is symmetrical and attractive in general appearance. It is installed with all up-to-date appliances, electric lights, water system direct from the well, with hot air furnace, in basement for heating, also a thoroughly equipped laundry, a dairy room for the care of milk and butter, a fruit room for the storage of both canned and stored fruit; a work room, equipped with all kinds of tools and work bench; a fuel room and other apartments, all being reached from the ground floor by an elevator so there is no necessity for carrying articles up or down steps. A chute from the bath room on the second floor carries all soiled clothes to the laundry. On the living floor is a raodernly equipped kitchen, with range, cupboards, closets and sinks supplied with well water and cistern water, both hot and cold. The dining room is large, as are also the drawing room and living room, all tastily arranged and elegantly finished in hardwood. The bedrooms above are large, well ventilated, well lighted and pleasant in all seasons. Above them is the attic, which is a convenient store room. This magnificent residence must be seen to be fully appreciated. It has been pronounced by many as being, not among the largest, but perhaps the most upto-date country residence in the state.

Mr. Thornburg has devoted his life to general farming and stock raising, both of which he carries on on a large scale, feeding, from year to year, many head of live stock for the markets. He is a lover of good stock and a most excellent judge of all kinds. There are always to be seen about his barns some fine specimens of the Norman breed of horses, Durham cattle, and his hogs are among the best in the county, as are also his Barred Plymouth Rock chickens. Whatever he raises, his aim is to have the best. For a period of five years he has secured the medal for champion corn raiser of Randolph county, quality and quantity per acre, these being the two main points considered in the contest. Whatever he attempts he keeps in mind the motto, "Raise the best." Mr. Thornburg has i^assed the examination and qualified as an expert judge of corn and is entitled to act in that capacity at any county or state fair or exposition in the country. He was one of the promoters and organizers of the Randolph County Agricultural Association, the aim of which is to encourage better methods of tilling the soil in every manner possible. He is a member of the Indiana State Corn Growers' Association, and is the scorer in the Randolph county boys contest. He is chairman of the Randolph County Farmers' Institute work, is widely known over the eastern part of the state as one of the most influential and ambitious of the modern twentieth-century agriculturists, is actively interested in all organizations and movements that have for their object agricultural progress.

Politically, Mr. Thornburg is a Republican and is deeply interested in local public affairs, but is not an office seeker or desirous of becoming a political leader. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He and his family belong to the Friends church, and are highly esteemed by their neighbors and wide circle of friends.

John R. Engle

John R. Engle was born in Winchester, Indiana, December i, 1857, ^"^ is a son of Capt. Edmund and Gertrude (Bishop) Engle. The father was in his day and generation one of the leading citizens of Randolph county, prominent in both business and public life. His death occurred here on September 5, 1895. His widow survives, being now advanced in years, and is making her home in Winchester with her son, whose name initiates this sketch.

John R. Engle grew to manhood in Winchester, and here he attended the public schools. In 1875 he accepted a clerkship in the office of the clerk of the circuit court, in which he remained until August, 1877. In August, 1881 he again became deputy clerk under I. P. Watts, serving four years.

In the fall of 1888 he was elected clerk of the circuit court for Randolph county, and assumed office in August, 1889, serving four years. He had been a law student all these years and was admitted to practice on the same day that his term of office as clerk of the court expired. He at once formed a partnership with Hon. John W. Macy and James P. Goodrich, under the firm name of Macy, Goodrich & Engle, giving special attention to probate practice and abstracting. When he was a young man he had formed a partnership with his father in the general insurance and real estate business which continued through all the years until his father's death. The partnership of Macy, Goodrich & Engle continued for some tirne, Mr. Engle finally becoming state agent and adjuster for various insurance companies, which line of endeavor he has since followed with great success, giving every satisfaction to the companies which he represents. His' business frequently takes him into all parts of the country. He has been very successful in a business way and is a director in the Peoples Loan & Trust Company, and a stockholder in various other banks and business enterprises.

Mr. Engle has ever remained an uncompromising Republican and has long been active in local party affairs, and has been a frequent delegate to party cenventions and conferences.

Mr. Engle was married February 26, 1879 to May A. Hammond, a daughter of George F. and Martha (Duncan) Hammond, a prominent family of Winchester at that time, formerly of Zanesville, Ohio, where Mrs. Engle was born. The family finally removed to Topeka, Ivansas, and subsequently to Los Angeles, California, where the father's death occurred and where the mother still resides. Mrs. Engle had the advantages of a good education and is a lady of refinement.

Four children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Engle, named as follows : George Edmund is married and resides in Chicago ; Robert L. is married and lives in Louisiana ; Helen is a student at Hanover College ; Russell B. is a student in the Winchester high school.

Fraternally, Mr. Engle is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and he often attends organizations of this order. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian ^hurch, of Avhich he is a trustee, and is active in church and Sunday school work. He is a man of decided literary tastes and has a large and well-selected library. The family is prominent in the social life of the city of their residence, and Mrs. Engle is active in philanthropic work, and was one of the potent factors in securing the public library for Winchester. She is now a member of the public library board, the first board under the present organization.

Johx Hough

The enterprising citizen whose name introduces this sketch is one of the painstaking farmers of Randolph county, where most of his hfe has been spent and in the development of which during the past half century he lias taken a part, for his parents brought him here in the pioneer epoch and - established the family home. He has been taught to do well whatever was worth doing and he is therefore very comfortably situated, having a good farm, the old homestead, where he has been fortunate enough to spend the major portion of his life. He takes a great pride in keeping the same welltilled and well-improved and the buildings in good repair, and he has so ordered his daily life that he has kept untarnished the splendid name of Hough.

John Hough was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 18, 1847. He is a son of Thomas and Alary W (Randolph) Hough. The father was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1807 and in his boyhood days moved with his parents to Butler county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and received his education. In 1843, iri Cincinnati, he married Mary W. Ronney, where he lived a few years then in Alarch, 1849, he moved to Spartanburg, Indiana where he owned and operated a good farm until his death, July 3, 1886. He was a progressive man of affairs and served as justice of peace of his township for twenty-four }ears, being esteemed by all. He was a stanch Republican and although not a soldier in the front, he was a strong supporter of the Union and wielded a venerable influence. His wife, ]\Iary W., was born in IMiddleton, Connecticut, August 2, 1807, and early in life came west, locating at Cincinnati, where she met and married ]Vlr. Hough, proving a worthy- helpmeet and a fine mother. She died at Spartanburg July 3, 1873, having been a consistent member of the Episcopalian church.

John Hough grew up on the home farm and worked hard when a boy, receiving a meager education in the rural schools, ^^^hen a boy, his parents removed from Ohio to Randolph county, Indiana, and located on a farm in Greensfork township, and here he has since lived, being still a resident of the old homestead, which he has kept well-improved and has made a success as a general farmer and stock raiser.

Politically, Air. Hough is a Republican, but is "progressive" in his ideas. He was a member of the advisory board of his township for a period of twelve years, and is still a member. He has been president of the same for ten years, and has discharged his duties in a manner eminently satisfactory to all concerned, as might be surmised from his long retention on the board. He was at one time a member of the Republican County Central Committee. He has long been active and influential in local public affairs. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined in 1870, and he has passed all the chairs in the local lodge. He is also a member of the Encampment and has passed all the chairs in it.

Mr. Hough was married on September 19, 1872, to Mary B. Manning, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, January 21, 1856. To this union seven children have been born, two of whom are deceased, the living being named as follows : Clarence R., of Wayne county, Indiana ; Elizabeth F. married L. Chenoweth, and they live in Greensf ork township, this county ; Chester A. is at home; Thomas W. is an undertaker at Spartanburg; Ethel J. is the wife of Xoral Anderson and they live in Greensfork township, this county.

Alden L. Gaines

It is no doubt possible for every able-bodied young man to prepare against a period of ill-luck which comes to everyone sometime along the highway of life ; but some instead of doing so, trust to fate, which is an elusive and capricious thing, and so, believing in the optimism of the future, they spend all on the present. Alden L. Gaines, farmer of Randolph county, has been wiser, it seems, his prudence having urged him at the outset to pursue a different course, which, all contemplative minds will agree, is wiser, and therefore his example and that of his worthy father before him as well, are to be commended to the younger readers of this work whose destinies are yet matters for future years to determine, and who now hesitate, apparently unable to clearly determine which course it were better to pursue. Mr. Gaines is one of those who believes in keeping busy, being honest, enjoying life as he goes along, but at the same time laying by a competency for the unknown future.

Mr. Gaines was born March 17, 1848, in Herkimer county. New York. He is a son of Hoyt and Sophia (Klingin) Gaines, and was one of four children, the first a son died in infancy; Mary Elizabeth died when a little more than eight years old; Alden L., of this sketch; and Wilbur H., a merchant of Huntsville, who married Zerelda Botkin, and they have four children, Frank, Martha, Frederick and Florence.

Hoyt Gaines, the father, was born near Brattleboro, Vermont, in 1812. When young he removed to Herkimer county, New York, where he engaged in farming and cheese making, removing to Randolph county, Indiana, in 1853 and locating on a farm in West River township and there engaged in general agricultural pursuits on his farm until the death of his wife in 1864, after which he made his home with relatives until 1870, after which he lived with his son, Alden L., until his death, which occurred in 1889. His wife was' born in the state of New York, grew up and married there, and her death occurred in this township in 1864, when forty-eight years of age.

Alden L. Gaines grew to manhood on the home farm and he received his education in the district schools. He learned the ins and outs of general farming and stock raising under his father and when a young man he launched out in this line of endeavor for himself and has followed the same to the present time with gratifying results, and he is now owner of a farm of two hundred and seventy-three acres in West River township, on which stand a comfortable dwelling and convenient outbuildings. He raises considerable live stock in connection with general farming. When only sixteen years of age he was thrown on his own resources. He learned the carpenter's trade when a boy, which he followed for some years. In the summer of 1868 he worked on the Union Pacific railroad, then resumed his trade, which he followed until 1883. He has been farming now for a number of years.

Mr. Gaines was married March 18, 1869, to Celia E. Harris, of West River township, a daughter of William P. Harris, and was one of six children, four sons and two daughters. She was born October 21, 1851, and her death occurred May 3, 1910, at the age of fifty-eight years, six months and twelve days. She was an excellent woman in every respect, kind, neighborly and had many friends.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gaines, namely : Clara L., who married Andrew F. Yetter (now deceased) of Hancock county, and Charlotte v., the second child, married Riley Smith Lee, of this county, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work.

Thomas A. Almonrode

It is not uncommon for one to take his place in public life through some daring or fortunate stroke of public policy, and ever hold an abiding place in the hearts of friends and neighbors, but to attain a position of honor in a community by dint of the practice of an upright life and without being ambitious for exaltation merely for selfish ends, whose principal desires seem to be to serve others and lead a life of usefulness and honor, is worthy of the highest commendation. Such a gentleman is Thomas A. Almonrode, widely known contractor and agriculturist of Randolph county.

1857, and here he has been content to spend his Hfe. He is a son of Alexander and Delilah Jane (Pierce) Almonrode, whose family consisted of four children, namely : Anthony R., who is farming near the town of Saratoga, this county, married Rhoda Ann Dickover, and they have three children ; Thomas A., of this sketch, was second in order of birth; Luther, an engineer living at Saratoga, married Nora O'Connor; Sarah E. is the wife of D. E. Barber, a farmer and contractor of Saratoga, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, and they have five children.

Alexander Almonrode, father of our subject, was a -native of Virginia, from which state he came to Ohio when young, but shortly afterwards moved on to Indiana, his mother taking up a homestead here and establishing the future home of the family thereon. This old home place is now owned by our subject, he having in his possession the original deed, signed by President James Buchanan. The homestead was proved up in 1840. Alexander Almonrode spent his life on a farm and was a well-known and highly respected citizen in this locality for many decades. His death occtirred in Saratoga, March 13, 1909, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. Grandmother Pierce was a native of Randolph county, being of one of our earliest families. Her death occurred at the age of sixty-eight years. In fact, the progenitors of our subject on both sides of the house were among the substantial people of this locality in the early days of its development.

Thomas A. Almonrode grew to manhood on the home farm and there he assisted with the general work when a boy. He received his education in the local rural schools and he has devoted his life principally to general farming and stock raising. He has lived on his present farm for a period of twenty years, and his industry during that time has resulted in improving one of the best farms in the township and also in the accumulation of a substantial competency. He has a good set of buildings on his place and keeps an excellent grade of live stock. In connection with general farming and stock raising he finds time to do a great deal of general contracting, his work always coming up to a high standard.

Mr. Almonrode was married on December 29, 1882, to Katherine Kelley, a daughter of John and Bridget (Hurley) Kelley. The father died when ]\Irs. Almonrode was a child. He was a farmer and his family consisted of eight children, only two of whom now survive, Mrs. Katherine Almonrode and John Kelley. They both grew up in this county and were educated in the common schools. Mrs. Kelley lived with our subject and wife for twentyseven years, dying on December 13, 1910.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Almonrode has been without issue, but they have reared two children, namely : Charles Almonrode and Lena Schaffer. Mr. Almonrode is a member of the United Brethren church and is active in the affairs of the same. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically, he is a Republican, and he served as county assessor for two years in a highly acceptable and praiseworthy manner. He is an influential and substantial man of his locality, a successful farmer and has a large and valuable estate, and is a man respected by all who know him.

Luther L. Williams

The day of the pioneer in this country is gone, and we are in the midst of a settled stability and permanency. Nevertheless, as we look about us we find a few representatives of the early days, who become at once the center of interest because they carry in their minds recollections of our hardy forefathers. In this connection we make reference to one of the sturdy farmers of Randolph county, Luther L. Williams, who having nearly reached his three score and ten milestone, has come down to us from ithe pioneer period of which he can relate many interesting things, and he has lived to take part in the momentous transform.ation of the country. Mr. Williams is one of the veterans left to us who, in the stormy and turbulent days of the great rebellion, gallantly went forth to preserve the Union, thus being entitled to our undying gratitude.

Mr. Williams was bom in Fountain City, Wayne county, Indiana, July 30, 1846. He is a son of Nathan and Mary Ann (Brown) Williams, whose family consisted of five children. The father was three times married, and three children were borne by his third wife, two of whom are deceased; his children are Elizabeth, widow of Nathan Addington, a farmer, lives in Richmond, Indiana, and has three children; Luther L., of this review; Mahala married Aaron Adams, a farmer who is now deceased, and to them twelve children were born, ten of whom are still living ; Joel H., of Winchester married Mary E. Wright, now deceased, and to them three children were born, one of whom is deceased ; John Wesley, who is living retired in Parker, married Rebecca Herron, and they have four children.

Nathan Williams, father of the above named children, was born in Pennsylvania where he spent his childhood, being fourteen years of age when he came to Wayne county, Indiana with his- parents. He learned the carpenter's trade when a young man which he followed in connection with contracting and building. After his marriage he moved to Randolph county and bought a farm of forty acres where he spent the rest of his life, dying at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife came from Ohio.

Luther L. Williams grew to manhood on the farm and he received his early education in the common schools. He has devoted his life successfully to general farming and stock raising, and is the owner of a valuable and highls' improved farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Franklin township, Randolph county, and he has a good home. Mr. Williams was elected a director of the Ridgeville State Bank at its organization in 1901, and is still serving in same capacity. Although a mere bo}- in his teens when the Civil war was in progress, he proved his courage by enlisting in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty- fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry in which he served three months, then enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served faithfully in the great army of the Potomac until the close of the war when he was honorably discharged from the service at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. After the war he returned hom.e and resumed farming, and on December 25, 1866 he married Elizabeth A. Roe, a daughter of Abraham and Hannah Roe. Mrs. Williams' father was a notable character in his day and generation. He was one of- the very earliest settlers of Randolph county. He was a great hunter and had a record of killing nine hundred and eighty-seven deer. The Indians predominated in this country when he came here and the wilderness had scarcely become familiar to the sound of the axe. He worked for some time in Fort Wayne at six dollars a month. There was but one store there at that time. He walked from Randolph county to that place to obtain the job referred to above. Abraham Roe died in 191 1 at the advanced age of ninety-two years.

Luther L. Williams is a prominent member and a liberal supporter of the Friends church. Politically, he is a staunch Republican and he served one term as county commissioner. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Moses Herron Po.st, No. 261, of Farmland.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, namely: Schuyler Colfax, born in 1867, owns and Qperates a farm adjoining that of his father's; he married Efifie Addington, and they have one child, Doris; Arlam Roy, a farmer of Franklin township, married Maud Gordon, and they have three children, Ruth, Esther and Gordon ; India married Harvey Allen, a farmer of Franklin township and they have two children, Martha and Charles Lee; Nova married Clayton Addington, a farmer and to them one child has been born, Bernice.

J 542 Randolph County, Indiana William D. Jerles

The agricultural interests of Randolph county is well represented by William D. Jerles, one of our most typical twentieth century farmers, enterprising and progressive. His thorough system of tillage, the well-cared for condition of his fields, the excellent order of his buildings and fences, demonstrate his successful management and substantial thrift. This is the result of his having inherited from his ancestors a nature that believes in doing things well and in keeping at it.

Mr. Jerles was born in Greene county, Ohio, February i8, 1857. He is a son of Henry and Caroline (]\Iinton) Jerles, whose family consisted of four children, two sons and two daughters, namely : Laura is deceased ; she was the wife of John W. Bird, a farmer of Delaware county, Indiana, and to them three children were born, Bertha G., Mavie O. and Goldwin. William D., of this sketch, was the second child; one son died in infancy; and Eva, now deceased, married H. G. Hayes, a farmer of Randolph cotmty.

Henry Jerles, father of our subject, was born in Ohio, where he spent his earlier years and recei\-ed such education as the early-day schools afforded. He eventually removed to Indiana and established the family home in Randolph county, where he spent the rest of his life, his death being caused from a disease contracted while a soldier in the Union army, as a member of Company B, First Indiana Heavy Artillery. He was mustered in on March 18, 1864, and discharged January 21, 1866, with an excellent record. Caroline Minton, mother of our subject, was also a native of Ohio and there she grew to womanhood, received a meager common school education and there she and Henry Jerles were married and established their home for a time in Greene county. Both she and her husband died Avhen our subject was young, however she had married a second time, her last husband having been G. H. Byrd. After the death of her first husband she kept a toll gate, and thus she managed, by the help of her children, to keep the wolf from the door. ^Ir. Jerles was always a farmer.

William D. Jerles grew to manhood on the home farm, where he worked when a boy, and during the winter attended the neighboring schools, receiving a practical education. He has devoted his life to general farming and stock raising, having begun early and has advanced with succeeding years until he is now owner of a finely improved and valuable farm on the banks of the Mississinewa river in Randolph county, where he carries on general farming and stock raising, and where he has a pleasant home and a good set of outbuildings.

Randolph Counjy, Indiana. I 543

Mr. Jerles was married November 12, 1880, to Lucinda E. Wright, a daughter of Washington and Hannah (Thornburg) Wright, who Hve on a farm near Farmland, this county, and whose family consisted of ten children. Here J\Irs. Jerles grew to womanhood and received a common school education.

Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Harry Garfield, born October 19, 1881, married Gladys V. Goodwin and they have two children, Gilaff Mariam, born May 21, 1908, and James William, born December 8, 191 1. Harry G. Jerles is engaged in farming in this county. Earl W., second child of our subject, is farming in Green township, this county; he married Lizzie Stephens January 10, 1903, and they have two children, Garnett I., born October 28, 1903, and Mary P., born May 26, 191 1.

William D. Jerles attends the Methodist church. Politically, he is a Republican. He has served as trustee of his township four years in a highly acceptable manner.

Barzilla C. Mendenhall

That the products of the farm will continue to have a reasonably safe market is indicated by a constantly increasing consumption in our own country ; that the business of farming as a business compares favorably with any other vocation in stability; that the security of farm investment assured, invites and encourages the inclination landward. With all of these influences working in one direction supported by the incalculable forces of the agricultural schools and colleges, the press, and vast aggregation of brains identified with the vocation, it would seem that the most radical predictions of the present day may prove far too conservative before another decade has passed. So that man is indeed fortunate who is well established in agricultural pursuits, like Barzilla C. Mendenhall, of Randolph county.