Tipton County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1914 (part 7 of 11)

Mr. Wood wras a man of exceptional judgment and strong convictions and when he was convinced that a thing was right nothing could swerve him from the path of duty as he sawr it. He was a quiet and unassuming man, who cared little for the plaudits of the populace and always preferred to serve his friends and neighbors in as unostentatious a manner as possible. He was a man of exalted integrity and high ideals and he left a name to his posterity without a single stain to mar its purity. His w'hole life was fraught with good to his fellow men and his influence was always for the best in¬ terests of the community honored by his residence. As a citizen his life was an open book in which no pages were marred by any conduct unbecoming a Christian, and when his time came to pass away he could set his face toward the setting sun and look into that land from which no traveler returns with¬ out a fear to trouble him.

Walter Cleveland Wood

Walter Cleveland Wood, who resides on the home farm in Prairie township, Tipton county, with his mother, for whom he has operated the farm since a quite young man, was born on January 6, 1885, on the farm where his entire life has been passed. He is the son of John T. and Louisa (Gosnell) Wood. When a boy he attended the schools of his native town¬ ship and after leaving school he assisted his mother in the operation of their farm, she being a widow by that time. He took as his wife Ina Ethel Honeas, daughter of Daniel and Adaline (Wisner) Honeas, to whom he was united in marriage on December 24, 1908. She is one of a family of three chil¬ dren, the other two being Iva, the wife of Frank Spears, and Verne, who re¬ mains unmarried. Mrs. Honeas died in June, 1896. To Mr. and Mrs. Wood has been born one child, Frances Ollene.

Politically, Walter C. Wood is aligned with the Democratic party, to which he gives his earnest support. Fraternally, he is a member of the timehonored order of Freemasonry, holding his membership in Lodge No. 363 at Reserve. He is also a member of the tribe of Red Men and his religious sympathies are with the society of Friends, of which he is a consistent mem¬ ber. earnestly interested in the advancement of the interests of that society. Though still a young man, Walter C. Wood is of that character which early impresses its individuality upon the community honored by his residence. Honest and straightforward in all his dealings, he early made for himself an enviable reputation and bids fair to become a man of great influence for good in his community as the years pass. He is a worthy son of his father, John T. Wood, who during the many years of his residence here drew to himself a great number of friends by whom he was highly esteemed. He, too, was a member of the society of Friends, politically a Democrat, and his fraternal affiliation was with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His death was considered a distinct loss to the community, for he had been a man of sterling character, whose support was ever given to the best things and whose in¬ fluence was always exerted for the highest ideals. Quiet and unassuming in disposition, his kindly nature endeared him to those who knew him best.

William S. Kelley

Some men, because of their natural ability, are leaders in whatever enterprises they enter and become so by virtue of their abilities being recog¬ nized by their fellow citizens. William S. Kelley has been a leader in many of the various activities of his township. As a member of the township advisory board, as a county commissioner, as president of the Farmers In¬ stitute of Tipton county, as president of the Farmers Insurance Company of Tipton county, as president of the Tipton County Sunday School Insti¬ tute, as Sunday school superintendent - as the head of these various organi¬ zations he has become prominent as one of the leaders of his community. In every organization with which he has been connected he has shown his capacity for leadership and without any effort on his own part it has come to him. He is the type of American citizen who proves himself equal to every emergency, and in all of his dealings, whether of a private nature or in a public capacity, he has shown that ability which always characterizes leaders.

William S. Kelley, who is proprietor of two hundred and forty acres of land in Prairie township, Tipton county, was born in Shelby county, In¬ diana, April 30, 1852, the son of Cyrus and Margaret (Shirley) Kelley, who were both natives of Kentucky. Cyrus Kelley was reared in Kentucky, as was his wife, and thence moved to Shelby county, Indiana, where he worked at day labor for different farmers in the community. As soon as he was married he moved to Tipton county and purchased forty acres of land in Liberty township, and resided here until his death, which occurred in 1880. Cyrus Kelley and wife were the parents of three children, Mary, the wife of Jesse Ault; Quintella, wife of Francis Mills, and William S., the immediate subject of this sketch.

William S. Kelley was accorded such educational privileges as were afforded by the schools of his township, and all of his time when not in the school room was spent in working on his father's farm. Early in life he decided to follow the occupation of a farmer and bent every energy in that direction. Upon his marriage to Mary C. Lee, daughter of William and

William S. Kelly And Family

Naomi (Wilkerson) Lee, in 1874, he immediately went onto a farm of his own, and has gradually added to his possessions until he is now the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres in Prairie township. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley are the parents of one son, Floyd, who married Maude Wood. Mrs. Kelley was'one of a family of seven children, the others being Belle, Amy, Clora, McClain, Clifford and one who died in infancy. Bell is the wife of Samuel Biddinger; Annie married R. A. Romack; Clora is the wife of W. T. Tyner; Clifford married Jennie Grishaw, while McClain is still unmarried.

Mr. Kelley has been a life-long Democrat and his party has recognized his abilities in various ways. As a member of the advisory board of his township he performed efficient service for the community. He was then elected county commissioner and here again he demonstrated his peculiar fitness for official work. Not every man is gifted for work of this sort, but Mr. Kelley has shown an aptitude for administrative work, and his fellow citizens have not been slow to take advantage of this. As president of the Farmers Insurance Company of Tipton County and president of the Far¬ mers Institute of his home county, he has rendered good service for both organizations. The fact that the farmers of the county so honored him shows that he is recognized by them as one of the most progressive and wide-awake farmers of the county. He keeps well read on all the latest developments in modern scientific farming and is qualified to speak as one with authority on all subjects pertaining to scientific agriculture. As presi¬ dent of the Farmers Insurance Company of Tipton County, he has made a special study of insurance problems and brings to this company the result of his experience and education along this particular line, thereby making him a valuable servant of the company. However, all of his interests have not been of a material sort, for he has been president of the Tipton County Sunday School Union for two years. His interest in church and Sunday school work dates back to his boyhood. As a lifelong member of the Society of Friends, he has always taken a very sympathetic interest in all the activ¬ ities not only of his own church, but of every other church as well. He has served as trustee of his own church, as well as Sunday school superin¬ tendent, and, in fact, there is hardly an office within his church which he has not filled at some time. It is easy to see that his life has been well spent and his history is one which neither seeks nor requires disguise. In all of his transactions, whether of a public nature or of a private nature, whether secular or sacred, he has been straightforward and loyal in his duties of citizenship, devoted to the interests of his home, of his church, of his state and of the nation. Such qualities command respect everywhere, and are particularly commended in this land of ours, where family connections count for little and the individual counts for everything. A study of the life of such a man should be an inspiration to the coming generation and as an example of a man who embodies the highest type of American citizen¬ ship.

William Monroe Bennett

A review of the life jf the subject of this sketch must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details in the life of William M. Bennett, touching the struggles of his early man¬ hood and the successes of his later years, would far transcend the limits of this article. Peculiar honor attaches to that individual who, beginning the great struggle of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable environment, removes one by one the obstacles from the pathway of suc¬ cess and, by the master strokes of his own force and vitality, succeeds in winning for himself a competency and a position of esteem and influence among his fellow men.

William Monroe Bennett, well known farmer of Prairie township, Tipton county, Indiana, is a native of the state of North Carolina, having been born in Guilford county, that state, on May 12, 1842, the son of Major and Catherine Malinda (Hege) Bennett, both natives of that state. There they grew to maturity, receiving the best educations their locality afforded, and early in their married life they came westward into Indiana, locating in Morgan county. Here Major Bennett rented a farm and remained for about eight years, when he removed to Tipton county and located on a farm in Prairie township. On that farm he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1895. He was a member of the Home Guards and was considered one of the leading farmers of his community in his day. Cath¬ erine Malinda Hege, his wife, was a daughter of David Hege, a native of North Carolina, and she was the mother of eleven children, namely: Eliza¬ beth; William, the immediate subject of this sketch; John N., Eliza Ann, Marv Ann, Washington C., Ellen, Frank, Emily, Agnes and Joseph. Of this large family, Joseph was the only one who died in infancy. Elizabeth became the wife of Thomas Adams; John married Eliza Morn; Eliza Ann married Henry Low; Mary Ann's first husband was William Townsend, and upon his death she married Samuel Biddinger; Washington C. took as his wife Emma Banks; Ellen became the wife of Lindsey Swing; Frank married Anna Davis; Emily became Mrs. Harvey Coleman, and Agnes married Kemsie Keck.

William Monroe Bennett received but a limited schooling in his youth, partly due to the poor facilities offered at that time and partly due to the limited circumstances of his parents with their large family. He attended the common schools of Tipton county and when quite young assisted his father in carrying on the work of the home farm. He remained under the paternal roof until he was nineteen years of age, when he married. He then rented a farm and engaged in agricultural work on his own account. In 1869 he was able to purchase his first farm, but did not remain in that loca¬ tion long. He sold his farm and purchased the land where he at present resides. All of the efforts of his mature years have been directed along lines of agriculture, except the time he gave in service to his country during the dark days of the sixties. In October, 1864, he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and gave faithful serv¬ ice until receiving his honorable discharge, on July 29, 1865. After being mustered out, he returned to his home in Tipton county and again took up his work as a farmer.

On October 8, 1861, Mr. Bennett was united in marriage with Sina Ellen, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Youngeman) Arbuckle, one of a family of seven children; the others being James, who married Rebecca Washington; John, whose wife was Maggie Cole; Jacob, whose wife was a Miss Phumphrey; Martin, who took as his wife Susan Purvis; George, who married Etta Welcher, and Henrietta, who became the wife of A1 Miller.

, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have an interesting family of thirteen children and a number of grandchildren. John, the eldest of the family, took as his wife Ida Turner and they are the parents of three children. Claude, Pansy and Thelma; Claude married Marv Eaton and they have one child, Bernice; Pansy is the wife of Roy Ora, and Thelma remains unmarried. Mr. Ben¬ nett's son Charles married Nora Gross and they have a family of four chil¬ dren, namely; Cleo, Roscoe, Lela, and Earl, who is married to Edith Cole¬ man and has a small son, Kenneth. Ida Belle Bennett married Charles Randolph and to their union have been born six children, Pauline, Emma, Dora, Etta, Mabel, and Jesse, who married Emma Atkinson and has a son

William. Cora Bennett became the wife of Louis Lloyd, while Luetta mar¬ ried John Edwards and they have a family of five children, Ora, Walter, Carl, Lola and Garr. Mattie Bennett is the wife of Robert Ray; Delsena is Mrs. Frank Land and has three children, Roy, Chester S. and an infant deceased. Gertrude Bennett is the wife%of Melvin Gross and the mother of two children, Gladys and Garr. The wife of George W. was Edna Gross and to their union have been born five children, Eva, Garnett, Letta, Hazel and Margaret Of Mr. Bennett's family, four children died in infancy, being Margaret, William, Mary and Laura.

Politically, Mr. Bennett gives his support to the Republican party, always being keenly interested in its affairs, although never aspiring to hold office. His influence, however, is known and counted upon by those who do so aspire. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, through the local post at Sharpsville. While in the army, he served most of his time under General Sherman and saw active service. His fraternal affiliation is with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in the work of this order he has taken an active interest and is one of the past grands of that society. Mr. Bennett's religious sympathies are with the Separate Baptist church, of which he is a member and to whose support he contributes. Mr. Bennett is regarded as one of the leading men of his community, being public spirited, honest and upright in all his dealings with the world and winning and re¬ taining friends. Mrs. Bennett is also much liked by those who know her for her kindliness and various womanly traits.

Thomas L. Gross

The life of the eminent and successful business man, though filled to repletion with incident and activity, presents fewer salient features to excite the interest of the general reader than the man whose place in the public eye has been won through political or military achievement. But to acquire dis¬ tinction or prosperity in the business pursuits which give to the country its financial strength and credit, requires ability of as high if not higher order than that which leads to victory at the polls or on the field of battle. This will be readily appreciated by all who tread the busy thoroughfares of trade. Eminent business talent is composed of a combination of high mental and moral attributes. It is not simply energy and industry; there must be sound judgment, breadth of capacity, rapidity of thought, justice and firmness, the foresight to perceive the course of the drifting tides of business and the will and ability to control them, and, withal, a collection of minor but .im¬ portant qualities to regulate the details of the pursuits which engage atten¬ tion. The subject of this review affords an exemplification of this talent and, notwithstanding the limited theater of his operations, he has proved himself to be possessed of business ability of a high order.

Thomas L. Gross is a native of the good old Hoosier state, having been born in Madison county, Indiana, on May 23, 1845, the son of Martin and Sarah (Taylor) Gross, both of whom were natives of Virginia. When fifteen years of age, Martin Gross removed with his parents to Ohio, where he finished his education and where he made his home until he was about thirty years of age. He remained under the parental roof until he reached his majority, when he secured a position on the boats that ran the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, plying between Cincinnati and Louisville and New Or¬ leans. He followed this occupation for about four years, when he returned to the farm which he owned and stayed there until he came to Indiana. This was when he was about thirty years old, and he located on Fall creek, near Pendleton, remaining there for about two years, when he entered land in Madison county near Fishersburg. This was a tract of eighty acres, which he put in an excellent state of cultivation and where he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1875. His wife was Sarah Taylor, daugh¬ ter of Frederick Taylor, and to their union were born fourteen children, namely: Mary C., who died in 1910 and who was the wife of Jacob Hite; Julia, whose death occurred in 1907, was the wife of Joseph Flemming; Enos, who died in 1896, was first married to Agnes Gramlee, who died in 1868, and his second wife was Eliza Ellinwood; Sarah J. became the wife of James Pool and died in 1896; Maurice has been twice married, his first wife being Lettie Lindsey and his second wife Elizabeth Hunt; Jacob married Violet Martin; Martin, who died in 1910, married Lettie Ellinwood; Frances E. is the wife of Samuel White; Hester and Harvey remain unmarried and John P. and Isaac died when small ; Thomas L., the immediate subject of this sketch.

Thomas L. Gross received his education in the schools of Madison county and was still attending school at the outbreak of the Civil war. While quite young, his heart was fired with patriotism for his country and on August 8. 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Eighty-ninth Regiment Indi¬ ana Volunteer Infantry, and remained in service three years, receiving his honorable discharge on August 8, 1865. He was in several noted engage- ments of the war, among them being the battle of Nashville, which lasted two days; the engagements at Mumfordsville, Kentucky; Pleasant Hill, and the siege of Mobile. He was also in the battle of Fort Blakely, the last engagement of the war. After the close of the war he returned home and again entered school, where he remained for about a year. After leaving school, for three or four years he tried several occupations, among them being that of a plasterer and lather. He saw an opportunity in the manu¬ facture of high class shingles, and in this he was engaged for twenty-two years. He then disposed of that business and entered the fruit and vege¬ table canning industry, having his plant at Sharpsville, this county. To this line of business he gave about seventeen years of his life, when he retired to his farm of one hundred and forty-six acres which he owned in Prairie township, this county, and where he is now living in peace and comfort, appreciating fully the fact, which the public is coming more and more to understand, that the most wholesome and independent life of all is the life of the farmer. No longer is it considered in the light in which it was held only a few years back.

In 1872, Mr. Gross was united in marriage with Frances Hawkins, daughter of Elder John and Nancy (Hackeman ) Hawkins, one of a family of nine children, the others being: Pleasant, who took as his wife Elizabeth Hawkins; Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Dawson; Nancy, whose first hus¬ band was William Garrison and after his death she married Levi Gustin; Eliza became the wife of Milton Zell; William married Neil Rogers; Sparks was twice married, his first wife being Irene Manos and his second wife Anna Seibert; Urias married a Miss Shaw: Charles' first wife was a Miss Seibert and after her death he took as his second wife Alice Lawson. Emelie also has been twice married. Her first husband was Charles Gustin and upon his death she married Wesley Legg. To Thomas L. Gross by his first wife, Frances Hawkins, was born a family of thirteen children. The eldest of these was Lenora, the wife of Charles Bennett, who has four children, Earl, Cleo, Roscoe and Lela. Earl married Edith Coleman and they have one son, Kenneth. Oscar Gross took as his wife Jennie Kirk¬ patrick and they are the parents of three children, Harriet, Thomas, and Marie, deceased. John M. Gross has been married twice. His first wife was Maggie Foster, to whom were born two children, Beulah and a child which died in early infancy. His second wife was May Davidson and they have a family of six children. Lulu, Owen, Ralph, Harvey, Mildred and Irene. Walter M. Gross married Daisy Hughes and they have one child.

Lottie. Emelie Gross is the wife of Benjamin Puckett and they are the parents of four children, Gladys, Raymond, Howard, and Orville, deceased. Erwin Gross took as his wife Amie Hagerman and they have four children, William, Francis, Kenneth and Shirley. Albert Gross married Sarah Cardwell and they have one child, Dallas B. Maud Gross is the wife of Arthur Hilligoss and they are the parents of four children, Rolden, Thomas, Wilbur and Everett. Thomas F. Gross married Damie Carter and they had one child, which died in infancy. Wilferd remains at home, unmarried, and two children, Benjamin and Iona, died when small. The mother of this large and interesting family died in 1896, and Mr. Gross took as his second wife Martha Hunt Gwinn, daughter of Phannel and Elnora Hunt, and to their union has been born one child, Wilferd. The present Mrs. Gross is one of a family of eleven children, the others being: Emelie, wife of Perry Mc¬ Laughlin; Elmerinda, who died w.hen small; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Doctor J. A. Baldwin; Clinton, who married Mary Applegate; Lida, wife of Frank Pitzer; Edwin who married Sarah Lamb, now deceased; Will¬ iam, who took as his wife Lucinda Poe: Alvin, deceased, who never mar¬ ried, and May and Clarence, who died in infancy.

Politically, Mr. Gross endorses the principles of the Progressive party, being an enthusiastic admirer of the principles of Theodore Roosevelt, and he gives to the new party his loyal support. He is a member of the honored Grand- Army of the Republic and his religious affiliations are with the Friends church, and he is deeply interested in the' welfare of that society. Air. Gross .is a man of good business ability, strict integrity, with fine per¬ sonal qualities, and because of his genuine worth and high character he has long enjoyed a splendid reputation in the community honored by his citizen¬ ship. He gives his support to all movements for the advancement of his fellow citizens and is today numbered among the representative men of Tipton county.

Eli. C. Coverdale

The value of any citizen to the community in which he lives is deter¬ mined by the life he leads and the amount of good he does for his fellow men. With these two things as a criterion, it is safe to say that the subject of this sketch has been one of the most valued men of the community which has been honored by his residence. He is well known as a business man

Eli C. Coverdale, the son of Eli and Mary (Richart) Coverdale, was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, on February 3, 1868. Eli, senior, was a native of Kentucky, while his wife was born in Ohio. He came to Hamil¬ ton county with his parents in 1832 and continued to reside at home until his marriage, when he moved to Tipton county and bought a farm of eighty acres, spending the remainder of his days in Tipton county. He died December \6, 1907. He married Mary (Richart) Layton, and to this union there were born three children: Eli C., the subject of this sketch; Susan M., born September 12, 1869, the wife of William L. Campbell, and the mother of four children, Adie, Luther, Ernest and Gladys; Samuel B., born July 5, 1872, who was married to Florence Chism, and has five chil¬ dren, Oris, deceased, Clara, Frank, Carl, deceased, and Elbert. Mrs. Eli Coverdale, Sr., died March 5, 1910.

Eli C. Coverdale was reared upon the old homestead and was early trained to habits of industry and economy. The value of these he has proved in his later life by using them in his business career with a fair measure of success. In the public schools he mastered the branches of learning usually taught and, after putting aside his school books, he farmed with his father for some years. After his marriage he rented a farm and in addition to managing his farm he became interested in the buying and baling of hay and straw, a business which he has conducted very successfully for several years. In fact, it has reached such proportions that he now puts up an* average of thirty thousand bales a year and derives no small part of his income from this source.

Mr. Coverdale was married to Emma L. Pendergrass, the daughter of Raleigh and Mary (Henry) Pendergrass, and six children have been born to bless this union : Ernest, who married Latuscha Dutton, and has one son, Raleigh; Raleigh, unmarried; Laura, the wife of Vem Gappins, and three chil¬ dren who are still at home, James Albert, John and. Cordelia Esperence. Mrs. Coverdale's parents were both natives of Indiana, being married in Rush county and living there until 1880, when they moved to Tipton county, where they lived the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Raleigh Pendergrass were the parents of ten children, Clinton, Oscar, Luella, Emma, Louella, Etta, James Albert (deceased). Bailey, Earl and Eva.

Eli C. Coverdale has been a member of the Prohibition party for many years, and keeps well informed on the issues of the day and thus is able to support his position by intelligent argument. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He also holds membership in the order of Royal Neighbors. He and all the members of his family are closely identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Coverdale being a trustee of the church at the present time. He was also the superintendent of the Sabbath school several years and takes a very prominent part in all the activities of the denomination. The family on both sides arc members of the church, his father being a mem¬ ber for more than sixty years. The success which Mr. Coverdale has at¬ tained in life has been by no means the result of fortunate circumstances, but has come to him through energy, labor and perseverance, directed by an evenly balanced mind and by honorable business principles. His whole life has been such that he has the satisfaction of feeling that every one with whom he has come in contact feels that he is a friend and neighbor indeed.

George W. Duncan

Success in this life comes to the deserving. It is an axiom demon¬ strated by all human experience that a man gets out of this life what he puts into it, plus a reasonable interest on the investment. The individual who inherits a large estate and adds nothing to his fortune cannot be called a suc¬ cessful man. He that falls heir to a large fortune and increases its value is successful in proportion to the amount he adds to his possessions. But the man who starts in the world unaided and by sheer force of will, controlled by correct principles, forges ahead and at length reaches a position of honor' among his fellow citizens, achieves success such as representatives of the two former classes can neither understand nor appreciate. To a consider¬ able extent, the subject of this sketch is a creditable representative of the class last named, a class which has furnished much of the bone and sinew of the country and added to the stability of our government and its institu¬ tions.

George W. Duncan, a successful farmer of Prairje township, Tipton county, Indiana, residing on his well-cultivated farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres, is a native of the Hoosier state, born in Rush county on January 8, 1846, the son of James and Matilda (Cones) Duncan, the former of whom was a native of West Virginia and the latter was born in Kentucky. James Duncan did not come to Indiana until after having reached years of maturity. He was educated in his native state and when a young man worked for a short time on boats plying the Ohio river. He soon gave up that occupation and took up the vocation of a farmer, which he followed until his death, which occurred in August, 1885. In the fall of 1852 he came to Indiana, locating in Howard county, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres. He married Matilda Cones, daughter of John Cones, and to their union were born ten children, namely: John J., who married Susan Neal; Margaret, wife of Clark Shelton; Robert, who took as his wife Lida Gib¬ bons; Jacob A., whose wife was Catherine Coons; William C, who married Lida Brummet, and Mary E., who became the wife of Thomas Carr. Be¬ sides these, Rachael and Mary Jane died young and unmarried and William J. died in infancy. George W., one of the sons of this family, is the im¬ mediate subject of this sketch.

George W. Duncan received his early education in the schools of How¬ ard county and after leaving school, while still a young man, he enlisted, in September, 1863, for service in the war of the Rebellion, being a member of Company I, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He gave faithful service and received his honorable discharge in 1864, after which he returned home and for about a year he assisted his father in the operation of his farm. Becoming dissatisfied, he made a journey into the state of Missouri with the intention of making that his future home, but did not find it to his liking and soon returned to the good old Hoosier state. Here he and his brother formed a partnership and farmed together, which relationship was continued up to the time the subject married, when he en¬ gaged in farming on his own accord. In September, 1869, he was united in marriage with Sarah Evans, daughter of John Evans. No children were born to this union, Mrs. Duncan not living long after her marriage. Her death occurred in 1871 and on March 20, 1873, Mr. Duncan took as his sec¬ ond wife Ida Chase, daughter of Joseph and Georgia (Redmon) Chase. There were five children in the Chase family, of whom Jesse, Charles and Belle are deceased, Josie is the wife of Edwin Featherstone, and Ida, as above stated, is the present Mrs. Duncan. To Mr. Duncan by his second wife were born five children,- two of whom died in early infancy. The remaining ones are: William A., who married Viola Coleman and they have one child, Irene ; Mabel is the widow of William Jarrett, whose death occurred in 1910. They were the parents of six children, Beulah, Osta, Nellie, George N. and two who died early in life. John Omar took as his wife Carrie Cooper and they are the parents of a daughter, Wilma.

Politically, Mr. Duncan is a staunch supporter of the Democratic party, to whose affairs he gives his loyal support. He served his party as town¬ ship assessor of Prairie township from 1886 to 1891, and discharged the duties of this trying position to the satisfaction of all concerned. Since then he has not sought office for himself, but his influence is well known and counted upon by those who so aspire. Mr. Duncan's religious sympathies are with the Christian church, although not a member of that society himself. Mrs. Duncan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

In every avenue of life's activities in which Mr. Duncan has engaged, he has been true to every trust and he is eminently deserving of the enviable position he holds in the esteem of all who know him. In the public life of the community Mr. Duncan takes a deep interest, giving his support to every movement which will conserve the best interests of his fellow citizens.

Frank B. Spaulding

There are some men who seem to be aide to make a success in any call¬ ing to ^vhich they turn their attention and the man who is versatile in more than one line is fortunate indeed. The subject of this sketch has made a notable success in three distinct lines of endeavor, namely, the teaching pro¬ fession, farming and, lastly, real estate and insurance business. There are certain qualities which any man must possess before he can hope to make a success of any profession,. and it is safe to say that Frank B. Spaulding has these necessary qualities. As an educator for fifteen years in the schools of this county he was among the most successful teachers which the county has ever had. As a farmer for a number of years, he was no less successful along the line of agricultural pursuits. As a real estate and insurance man in Sharpsville he has built up a business which is second to none in the township. The success which he has attained in these three callings has been the result of steady and persistent labor and is not the result of any lucky accident or fortuitous circumstances. The family of which he is a sterling representative is one of the old honored ones of this section of the state, and the name which he bears has been conspicuously identified with the industrial and civic advancement of the county.

Spaulding was born in Jennings county, this state, October 9, 1827. When a young man he moved to Tipton county and bought the land on which the present town of Sharpsville is located. Nathan Spaulding was married to Mary M. Franklin, the daughter of Allen and Nancy Franklin, of Hancock county, Indiana, and to them were born twelve children, namely : William, who lives in Montana; Joseph, of Liberty township, this county; Allen, of Prairie township, this county; Frank B., Liberty township, this county; Monteville, of Liberty township; Leora, Edgar, Ward, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Walter, of Tennessee; Jerry, deceased; Ella May and one child who died in infancy. Nathan has the honor of being the oldest Mason in Tipton county and the only living charter member of Reserve Lodge No. 363.

Frank B. Spaulding was given the best education which the county schools afforded and upon his graduation from the common schools he con¬ tinued his studies by attendance at the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana. After graduating from the teachers' course in this institution, he engaged in the teaching profession for a period of fifteen years in Liberty township, this county. The training he had received in college was supplemented by wide reading, which he maintained during all his teaching experience. There is no profession which gives such a knowledge of human nature as the teaching profession, and the experience which Mr. Spaulding gained in his fifteen years of school room service stood him in good stead in his later career. The teaching profession lost one of the best teachers which the county has ever had when he decided to lay aside the rod and engaged in agriculture. He had been saving his money and had in¬ vested it in land and at the time he retired from teaching he owned seventy acres of fine land in Liberty township. The next fifteen years of his life were spent on the farm and here he was signally successful as he had been in the school room. He was soon recognized as one of the most popular and wide-awake farmers of the township and took high rank as a general farmer and stock raiser. However, after fifteen years of continuous work on the farm, he decided to retire from active farm life and engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Sharpsville. Here again he was suc¬ cessful from the start, because he possessed those qualities of mature judg¬ ment, sound discretion and courtesy in all his business transactions. He handled not only, land in Indiana, but has listed farm lands in other states as well. He handles both fire and life insurance and has an intimate knowl¬ edge of the intricacies of insurance problems.

Aaron and Elizabeth Goodwin. They have been very unfortunate with their children, both dying in the same year. Otis, the first child, was born January i, 1890, and died January 4, 1911. Their only daughter, Vera, was born March 26, 1896, and died April 26, 1911. Mrs. Spaulding was one of six children, the other five being as follows: Maggie, the wife of Amos Brookbank; May, the wife of George Rollin, and the mother of three children, Delbert, Edward and one who died in infancy; Bridge, who lives in the state of Washington ; Henry, deceased, and Isom, of Oklahoma.

Mr. Spaulding has been a Republican since he was old enough to cast a ballot for the candidate of that party, but he has never been a seeker for any political office at the hands of his party. He has always been very much interested in Masonry and has served for ten years as Master of Lodge No. 363, of which his father is the only living charter member. He also takes a very active interest in the Order of Eastern Star and has been the worthy patron of the Sharpsville Chapter since it was organized eighteen years ago. It is a question whether this record can be duplicated by any other man in the state of Indiana. His other fraternal connection is with the Knights of the Maccabees. The business career of Mr. Spaulding has not only been a successful one, but an honorable one as well, and the most envious could not grudge him success, for it has been gained by the most straightforward methods, hard work and good management, and these qualities have proved the base of his prosperity and made him a man who has won the esteem of his fellow citizens. He always manifests commendable zeal in the support of any enterprises which have for their purpose the welfare of the community in which he lives.

The Gosnell Family

The Gosnell family are best known in Rush and Decatur counties, Indi¬ ana, where for more than four score years they have toiled and labored un¬ ceasingly, supporting all public improvements, maintaining churches and schools and advocating progress in every direction. The Gosnells have been a family of pioneers from the early colonial days of America's history.

Peter Gosnell, the founder of the family in the United States, came to America from England in colonial days, landing near Baltimore, Maryland, and it is stated upon good authority that he built the first house erected upon the site of that now prosperous city. It is not known how long he resided there. Later on he married and moved to Virginia, near Lynchburg.

There a son, Benjamin, was born on March 4, 1760, he being the only child. His mother died when he was seven years old. There the lad grew to man¬ hood, strong and brave, and when the war for independence came on he enlisted in the cause of the colonies, and served under the leadership of Gen. Nathaniel Greene. He participated in numerous important battles and was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. After the war was over he came home and married a Miss Barlow. To them five children were bom, Benjamin, John, Thomas B., Edith and Patience. He survived his wife and was again married to Dorcas Fornash Porter, a widow. To them were born five children, George, Washington, Alexander, Nancy and Delilah.

Thomas B. Gosnell comes next in line. He was born in Virginia, February 5, 1798, went with his father to Kentucky when a small boy, and from there they came to Indiana. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, received a good education for that day and was a teacher of public schools. He was married to Hetty Porter in 1827, and to them was born one son, Benjamin, on March 2, 1828. They began housekeeping in Rush county, Indiana, but their happiness was of short duration, for upon the 15th of June, 1829, the husband and father was killed by lightning as he stood under a tree for shelter from a violent rain storm. Thus ended a promising life and, saddest of all, leaving a young wife with her little child to battle alone in the world. But she was brave and strong and met every difficulty with a Christian spirit. Her talent was more than ordinary and she was held in high esteem by all who knew her. She died at the age of eightv-two years. Her son Ben, as she called him, grew to manhood at his birth place and chose farming for his occupation. At the age of twenty-two he was married to Jane Farlow, who was born October 7, 1827. To this union seven children were born, four girls and three boys, namely: Lucinda Selby. Louisa Wood, Ada Fenley, Sarah Milligan ; Benjamin F. Gosnell died at the age of twenty-six, unmarried; Andrew and Lewis died while small. In 1863, he enlisted as private in Company D, One Hundred and Twentythird Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. With his comrades, he took part in many of the important battles. He was under the leadership of Gen¬ eral Thomas at Nashville when the Confederate army, under General Hood, was defeated by the Union forces, and later went with Sherman on the famous march to the sea. At the close of the war he returned to his home on Little Flatrock, Decatur county, and took up farming again. He was a successful farmer for more than half a century and he and his good wife journeyed together. On the 9th day of September, 1897, she was called home and he will soon meet her where parting is no more. Uncle Ben, as he is called by a host of friends and acquaintances, is a wonderfully well pre¬ served old man and, at the age of eighty-six, he can walk and go where he pleases and reads two daily papers without the aid of glasses. He is often surrounded by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoys their company very much and entertains them by telling them interesting stories. He has always been a Democrat, his Democracy dating back to Jefferson. He enjoys the best of health and the respect of all who know him.

Michael Hoffman

Among the prominent business men of Sharpsville, Indiana, who have won a conspicuous place in the business circles of his town and community is Michael Hoffman. Starting out in life with practically nothing, he has. by close application and hard work, made a distinct success in the business world, and his life shows what can be accomplished by any person who has the will and determination to proceed along definite lines. It is interesting to note that the descendants of German parents are always industrious citizens wherever they are found and Mr. Hoffman is no exception to the general rule.

Michael Hoffman, the son of John and Genevieve (Ott) Hoffman, was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, on July 7, 1854. Both of his parents were natives of Germany, coming to this country early in their lives. John Hoff¬ man came to the United States in 1849, settling in Dearborn county, Indiana, where he purchased land and with true German thrift he began to carve out a fortune on this tract. He at once cleared, fenced and drained this land and soon had it where it was producing him a comfortable income. . However, receiving a good offer for this land, he sold it and went to Ripley county, this state, where he remained about five years. He then moved to Jennings county, Indiana, where he lived until 1880, when he removed to Tipton county, this state, where he lived until his death. His wife, Genevieve Ott, had settled in Dearborn county with her parents and here they were married. To Mr. and Mrs. John Hoffman were born six children, Timothy, who mar¬ ried Anna Hill; Mary, wife of Theodore Hurtle; Barbara, the wife of Gus Vielbhaver; Joseph, deceased; John, who is unmarried, and Michael, the im¬ mediate subject of this sketch.

North Vernon, and worked on his father's farm during the summers while he was attending school during the winter months. When he was sixteen years of age he quit the school room and apprenticed himself to a wagonmaker at North Vernon. Within two years he had mastered the trade suffi¬ ciently to go on jobs for himself and in 1873 went to Indianapolis, where he took employment as a wagonmaker. After one year's sojourn in that city he moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he worked for a short time, but, feeling that he could command better wages at Indianapolis, he returned to that city and continued to follow his vocation there until the fall of 1876, when he moved to Sharpsville. He immediately opened & wagon shop in a small way and gradually increased his business until within a short time he had all he could do. In 1884 he engaged in the hardware and implement business at Sharpsville and in 1901 he added the lumber business to his firm. However, his lumber business increased at such a rapid pace th?t he felt that he could do better if he devoted all of his time and attention to this branch of his business. Therefore, in 1912, he disposed of everything except his lumber interests, Sind since that time has devoted himself exclusively to the lumber trade. Starting in Sharpsville thirty-eight years ago with noth¬ ing, he has bv sound judgment and strict integrity built up a business whic'n is second to none in the town. In 1893 he built the first high-class building in Sharpsville, which at that time was a credit to towns of many times the size.

Michael Hoffman was married to Mary A. Mullarkev. the daughter of John and Mary (Gillespie) Mullarkev, and to this union there have been born five children: John C. married Mary Mattingley, and now lives in Pueblo, Colorado, and four who are still under the parental roof, Margaret A., Mary A., Francis J. and Leo J. Mr. Hoffman is giving his children the benefit of an education which will fit them for the needs of the twentieth century and they are taking advantage of the opportunities which are being accorded them by their parents. Mrs. Hoffman is one of seven children, the others being Frank, Patrick, Manis. Margaret, Michael and Nell.

Mr. Hoffman is a disciple of Andrew Jackson and always casts his vote for the Democratic candidate. While he takes an active interest in political affairs and keeps well informed on the political questions of the day, yet he has never sought for any political office, his increasing business affairs having demanded all of his time and attention. He and the members of his family are devoted adherents of St. John's Catholic church of Tipton, Indiana. Mr. Hoffman is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is a good example of the self-made man who builds his own fortunes on his own initiative. He has always exhibited those marked German characteristics of thrift and con¬ scientious devotion to duty which have made the German citizens of this country such valuable members of the commonwealth. Mr. Hoffman's life has not all been devoted to the material affairs of this world; he is also in¬ terested in the intellectual and moral advancement of his community and lends his support and sympathy to any cause which seeks to uplift the town of Sharpsville and its immediate vicinity. He is a quiet, unobtrusive gentle¬ man, who makes friends easily and has won a wide circle of friends and ac¬ quaintances bv his genial and kindly demeanor.

Among the men of sterling worth and strength of character who have made an impress upon the life of the locality in which they live, none have received a greater meed of respect and regard than W. C. Legg, whose family name is well known throughout this section of the county. His lifelong resi¬ dence in one locality has given the people an opportunity to know him in every phase of his character, and that he has been true to life in its every phase is manifest in the degree of confidence and regard in which he is held by all those who know him. He is a man of unusual attainments and has achieved success in the truest sense of the word, which means that he has been not only a factor in the material advancement of his community, but has also helped it along civic, educational and moral lines.

W. C. Legg, the son of Benjamin F. and Sarah fSprong) Legg, was born in Wildcat township, Tipton county, on May 13, 1863. Benjamin Legg was a very prosperous farmer, but is now retired from active life. He spends his winters in Mississippi and his summers at Lake Maxinkuckee, Marshall county, Indiana. His wife was born in Fayette county and has been dead several years.

W. C. Legg was given the best education the county schools afforded and then went to the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, for a time. He completed his education by graduating from Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, in the business department and was retained as an instructor in the college. The work did not suit him, so he resigned his position and returned to the home farm, having made up his mind to follow the occupation of a farmer. With the exception of one year in which he was engaged in the mercantile business, he has continued to lead the life of a farmer and has proven to be one of the most successful tillers of the soil in the county. He rented for a few years and then bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he has improved until it has the general reputation of being one of the best farms in the county. He has recently built several new buildings upon it and otherwise improved it until it presents a very attractive appearance. Mr. Legg makes a specialty of fine stock, especially draft horses and Hampshire and Duroc hogs. He is in great demand as an expert judge at county fairs throughout Indiana, and also is an auctioneer of first class ability.

Mr. Legg was married November 8, 1889, to Mary A. Summers and their union has been blessed with one son, Byron S., who is now attending Indiana University at Bloomington, from which he will graduate in June, 1914. Byron has taught school and is recognized as one of the strongest students of his class.

Mr. Legg has always been an ardent Democrat, and while he is one of the best informed men in the county on the questions of the day, he has never been a seeker for political office. He and the rest of the family are consistent members of the Christian church and contribute generously of their sub¬ stance to its support.

Throughout his whole career in this county there has been no movement of civic or moral import which has not found in Mr. Legg a sympathetic and ready helper. He is a man of broad and liberal views, charitable to the short¬ comings of others and always stands ready to assist those who are in need. He is a very genial and unassuming man who has won popularity simply because he has always been an ideal citizen in every sense of the word.

Grant Mitchell

It is the progressive, wide-awake man of affairs that makes the real history of a community and his influence as a potential factor in the body politic is difficult to estimate. The examples such men furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish, and there is always a full measure of satisfaction in ad¬ verting, even in a casual way, to their achievements in advancing their own interests and those of their fellow men and giving strength and solidity to the institutions which make so much for the prosperity of the community. Such a man is Grant Mitchell, a farmer of Wildcat township, Tipton county, and the present county commissioner.

Grant Mitchell was born October 30, 1868, in Shelby county, Indiana, the son of Dodridge and Elizabeth (Phillips) Mitchell, the father a native of Shelby county and the mother of Kentucky. Dodridge Mitchell was educated in the schools of Shelby county and came to Tipton county about 1870, buy¬ ing and clearing thirty acres of land and building a cabin. Here he remained about three years and then returned to Shelby county, where he r.esided for twelve years, eventually returning to Tipton county and securing more land, and has continued here since. Here he reared his family and is now living at Windfall, he and his wife enjoying a well-earned respite from the strenu¬ ous labors of their lifetime.

The early education of the subject of this review was begun in the Curtisville school, he then going to Shelbv county with his parents, where he secured most of his schooling, and on their return to this county he finished in the Spring school house, applying himself earnestly to his studies under these rather trying conditions of change and securing a very good education. At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Mitchell started out on his own account on rented land, beginning with a debt of eighty dollars hanging over his head. He remained on this farm one year and then moved to another farm which he rented for ten years, and then came to his present place about twelve years ago. Here he made all the improvements himself and has developed a model farm, having sixty acres of fine land, which a careful and scientific course of cultivation has rendered highly productive. In connection with general farming Mr. Mitchell has specialized in the breeding of Berkshire hogs, being the only farmer in the county to breed and raise these valuable swine. His feeding operations are on a common-sense basis and his knowl¬ edge of the breed has gained for him a wide reputation as a competent and intelligent stock man.

On December 24, 1889, the subject of this review was united in mar¬ riage to Remv Thrawl, the daughter of John and Helen (Weaver) Thrawl. To Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have been born two children : Elmer married Twila Detrich and they are the parents of one child, Maxine; the other child is named Helen Alma.

Being a firm advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, the sub¬ ject has long been a prominent worker for the success of the same. He has been highly honored by his fellow citizens in being chosen by them for county commissioner, and he is at present discharging the duties of that responsible position with credit to himself and his constituents. Always alert in the interests of the tax payers and carefully weighing every project affecting the public welfare, Mr. Mitchell has gained a reputation as a most faithful and broad-minded public servant. A member of the Christian church, the sub¬ ject is especially interested in Sunday school work, giving liberally of his time and means to all branches of the church's activities. Mr. Mitchell is of a genial and social nature, modest and unassuming, and his circle of friends is ever widening, as his personality is such as to inspire confidence and trust.

The physician who would succeed in his profession must possess many qualities of head and heart not included in the curriculum of the schools and colleges he may have attended. In analyzing the career of the successful practitioner of the healing art it will invariably be found to be true that a broad-minded sympathy with the sick and suffering and an honest, earnest desire to aid his afflicted fellow men have gone hand and hand with skill and able judgment. The gentleman to whom this brief tribute is given for¬ tunately embodies these necessary qualifications in a marked degree and by energy and application to his professional duties is building up an enviable reputation and drawing to himself a large and remunerative patronage.

E. B. Moser, well-known physician and surgeon of Windfall. Tipton county, Indiana, and proprietor of the Moser Hospital in that city, was bom July ti, 1877, the son of James P. and Josephine (Livingston) Moser. The father was born in Brown county, this state, on his father's farm in Jackson township, his parents being Calvin and Margaret (Williams) Moser. Calvin Moser, a native of North Carolina, was a very early settler in Brown county, where he settled on government land during the administration of President James Monroe. He was the father of nine children, as follows: Aquilla R., Mrs. Martha A. McCoy, Mrs. Mary E. Waltman, Manville S., James P., Isaac B., Mrs. Nancy A. Phillips, deceased, Mrs. Rebecca Pritchard and Mrs. Kate Powell.

James P. Moser, the father of the subject of this review, received a com¬ mon school education and then took up the study of medicine under Dr. E. S. Arrvine, at Georgetown, Indiana, later attending two courses of medical lectures at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. He graduated in April, 1876, whereupon he commenced practice at Georgetown, removing subsequently to Spearsville, and finally locating in Windfall in July, 1902, where he has since practiced his profession. While he was following the science of healing in Brown county he served as county health officer for four years and was also examiner of pension applicants for the government. In 1871 the subject's father was united in marriage to Josephine Livingston and to them were born three children : Mrs. Laura V. Bridges ; R. S. married a Miss Walker and they have three children, Thelma, Clifford and Garnett; E. B., the immediate subject of this review, is the youngest child.

E. B. Moser attended the common schools in Brown county and then taught for one term in the schools there, but early having decided to make the practice of medicine his life work, he entered the Medical College of Indi¬ ana, completing the four-year course in that institution and receiving his diploma in 1903. Coming direct to Windfall, the Doctor formed a partner¬ ship with his father, which still continues and has proved both pleasant and profitable to both, they having a large practice and being rated among the leading practitioners of the community.

On May 25, 1899, Doctor Moser was united in marriage to Verney E. Derringer, the daughter of James and Mary E. (Phillips) Derringer, and one child, Ralph, has been born to this union. The subject has displayed an active interest in public affairs, serving as health officer and also as a member of the town council. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men, while his religious affiliations are with the Baptist church, to which he gives liberally of his means and in which he takes an active interest.

David W. Shook

It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legiti¬ mate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, and only the men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the influential retired farmer and representative citizen of Tipton county whose name forms the caption of this review, it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been .won bv commendable

David W. Shook, retired farmer, now living in Windfall and the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of land in Madison township near Cicero, was born April 20, 1836, in Ripley county, this state, the son of Lorenzo and Miriah (Ludwig) Shook. The father, Lorenzo, was born in Frederick, Maryland, and came to the Hoosier state in 1808, locating in Dearborn county, where he engaged in agriculture. Lorenzo was the son of John and Dorcas (Ball) Shook, who came to Dubois county in 1808. To the subject's parents were born the following children: Ellen, deceased; Calvin lives at Sharpsville; Margaret; David W. ; Abraham, who died in 1875, was the husband o'f Elizabeth O'Neil, also deceased, they having had one son, Wal¬ ter; and a daughter, America, who was the wife of William M. Grishshall, who is now deceased. His wife was the mother of five children, Grant, Byrom, Charles, Harry and Orie; James K., of Tipton; Harriett; Luther V. ; Joseph B. is married and has one child, Mayme.

David W. Shook attended school in Ripley county, first in the districts and later in Versailles, working at farm labor during his youthful days on his father's place and securing a training in agricultural pursuits that was valuable to him in later life when he was working for himself. O11 reaching mature years Mr. Shook purchased fifty acres of land, which he later sold at a good profit and bought eighty acres, on which he farmed with great success. This tract he eventually sold and then he removed to Tipton county, where he rented land in Cicero township for five years, at the end of which period he bought one hundred and sixty acres. To the improvement and development of this tract the subject devoted his energies with such success that he was enabled from time to time to add additional acreage, finally becoming the possessor of two hundred and eighty acres of as good land as can be found in the county. On his retirement from active farming Mr. Shook moved to Sharpsville, later coming to Windfall.

On May 15, 1862, Mr. Shook was united in marriage to Sarah Jackson, the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Waters) Jackson. Mrs. Shook's father was born in 1813 and came to Ripley county in 1826. He was a farmer and his father and mother were Hezekiah and Rebecca (O'Neil) Jackson. Samuel Jackson was the father of the following children: Sarah, Amos, Rebecca, Tabitha, John and Kaizirrah are deceased; Mildrey; Mar¬ garet is deceased; Silas; Mary; Rebecca is deceased.

who married May Peters; Elmer is married and the father of four children, Esther, Floyd, Glen and Helen Gertrude; Willard is married and the father of three children, Hazel, Carrie and Roscoe; Nora is the wife of William Smith; Lorenzo is married and the father of three children, Gladys, Donald and Doris; Bernice married Ira Melson and has a son, Ralph; Albert is married and the father of two children, Alpha and Wilber; Flora is still at home.

Although never having sought public office, Mr. Shook has ever taken an active and intelligent interest in political affairs, casting his ballot with the Republican party, while his religious membership is with the Baptist church.

Calvin Shook

The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. The subject of this sketch is one of the best known and highly esteemed men of Tipton county. He has resided in the state for eighty-two years and in this county for more than thirty. His career has been a most commendable one in every respect and well deserving of being perpetuated in the pages of an historical work of the present nature. Like his sterling father before him, he has been a man of well defined purpose, and has never failed to carry to a successful completion the works of enterprise to which he has addressed himself. He is one of those old pioneers who is familiar with all the dis¬ advantages of farming a half century ago. He has let nothing deter him during the four score years of his life, and during that time he has led a life which has commended him to a long list of loyal friends. The young far¬ mers of today little appreciate the advantages of their surroundings, and it is by perusing the sketches of such men as Calvin Shook that they will under¬ stand what our forefathers had to contend with. Mr. Shook began life in a practically new country and certainly under unfavorable auspices for success¬ ful farming, and yet he let nothing deter him and before the lapse of many years he had a fine farm under cultivation. All honor to these good fore¬ fathers of ours who have made it possible that the farmers of today are able to possess the valuable farms which are scattered throughout the length and breadth of our fair state.

Calvin Shook, a retired farmer of Sharpsville, was born June 17, 1832, in Ripley county, Indiana, the son of Lorenzo and Maria (Ludwig) Shook.

His father came from Maryland to Dearborn county, Indiana, and followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was John Shook, who came to Indiana, bringing his family with him, buying land in Dearborn county, and made that his home throughout the remainder of his life. To him and his wife were born the following children: David P., deceased; John, Hezekiah, Peter, Amos, David, Susan, Lorenzo, Lydia A., Margaret, Sarah and Jabez. Lorenzo Shook's wife died in Tipton county, Indiana. They were the parents of a large family of eleven children, of which the subject is the oldest chilcl. L. V. Shook, who is represented elsewhere in this volume, is a brother of Calvin. James, a brother of Calvin Shook, came to Tipton county and engaged in the mer¬ cantile business. Later, in 1884, Calvin came to this county and rented a farm from Mr. Grishaw, which he managed for a period of five years. He then went on his brother's farm, where he remained for seven years. By the exercise of thrift and frugality he saved his money and purchased a farm of eighty acres in Wildcat township. A few years later he bought another farm in Liberty township, which he conducted for a few years, after which he moved to Sharpsville, where he has since lived a retired life.

Mr. Shook has been married four times, first to Martha Holman, to which union was born one child, Mary, who married Peter Archibald. His second wife was Sarah A. Harper and to this union were born four children. Mr. Shook's third wife was a Miss Jackson, and to them were born five chil¬ dren, Daly E., Charles D., Daisy P., Bessie and one who died in infancy. His fourth wife was Marv Ewing, and to them was born one child, Bertha M. His last wife was the daughter of James and Jane (Richards) Ewing, both of whom are now deceased. They were natives of Pennsylvania and spent their lives in Holmes county, Ohio, being buried in Holmes county, that state.

Mr. Shook has been a life-long Republican, and has always advocated the principles of that party, but his own business affairs demanding his time and attention, he has never been a seeker for public preferment, although in¬ terested in all the current questions of the day and giving of his earnest support and influence to all movements looking toward the \velfare of his community. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for more than fifty years, and during all this time he has contributed liberally to its support and taken an active interest in the various departments of the church work. He has always taken a deep interest in all the affairs of his community, social, moral, material and educational, and has so ordered his life that he has won the esteem and affection of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He has the satisfaction of looking back over his four-score years and feeling that he has done his best; that his life has not been lived in vain, and as one of the old and substantial citizens of his county he enjoys the esteem and confidence of all who know him.

Allen F. Spaulding

The success of any man should be judged by the good which he does, by the friends and enemies he makes, and the benefit society derives from his presence in the community. Within the last few years there has been coined an expression which is deeply significant, and which has aroused an endless amount of discussion. Just what an "undesirable citizen" is, prob¬ ably no two people could agree, and yet there are such people in nearly every community. Judging a man's success by the criterion set forth in this para¬ graph, the subject of this immediate review is a successful and a very desir¬ able citizen, for his wholesome influence has been a potent factor for good in the community where he has spent his whole life. He comes from an old and highly honored family whose various members have been promi¬ nent in the affairs of the county for many years, and have always acquitted themselves with credit to themselves and honor to the county.

Allen F. Spaulding, the son of Nathan and Mary M. Spaulding, was born in Liberty township, Tipton county, Indiana, October i, 1865. Nathan Spaulding was a native of Jennings county, this state, and was born October 9, 1827. He came to Tipton county when a young man and purchased land on which the present town of Sharpsville is situated. Nathan Spaulding was married to Mary M. Franklin, the daughter of Allan and Nancy Frank¬ lin, of Hancock county, Indiana, and to them were born twelve children: William, who lives in Montana; Joseph, who is a farmer in this county; Allen, the subject of the present sketch; Frank, who is a farmer in this county ; Monteville, who is a farmer in this county ; Leora, Edgar and Ward are in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Walter lives in Tennessee; Jerr, deceased; Ella May and one child which died in infancy. Nathan Spaulding has the unique honor of being the oldest Mason in Tipton county and the only living char¬ ter member of Reserve Lodge No. 363.

Allen F. Spaulding received all of his education in the Sharpsville schools and after graduation he spent five years in the West as a traveling salesman. He then returned to Tipton county and took up farming with his father, continuing to reside under the parental roof until his marriage in 1889.

On December 12, 1889, Mr. Spaulding was married to Viola Rayl, the daughter of William H. and May (Wiles) Rayl, and this union has been blessed with two children : Belva, who married Lora Van Bibber and has one child, Lowell Ward, and Mary L., who is still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Rayl were both natives of Switzerland county, Indiana, and were the parents of a family of ten children: Elwood, deceased; Green, who married Amelia Reese; Caroline, the wife of James Smith; Nancy, the wife of Rodis White; Thomas, who married Mary Hunt: Richard, who married Jane McCreary, deceased, and then Flora Ramseyer; Oscar, deceased, who married Emma Smith; Mary, the wife of Lewis B. Lee; Viola, the wife of A. E. Spaulding, and Joseph, who married Mary Goodknight.

Mr. Spaulding has been allied with the Republican party for many years and has been actively identified with the campaigns which it has car¬ ried on in this county. An evidence of the esteem in which Mr. Spaulding is held in his township is shown by the fact that he was nominated for the office of township assessor, and despite the fact ihat the township has always been strongly Democratic, he was elected as the first Republican official the township has ever had. His efficient administration of the affairs of the of¬ fice brought him the commendation of all his fellow citizens irrespective of party affiliations.

Mr. Spaulding has taken a very prominent part in the fraternal organ¬ izations of his community, being a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a past grand of the Odd Fellows lodge at Kempton. The honesty of Mr. Spaulding stands as an un¬ questioned fact in hrs career and his many strong qualities have won for him the unqualified confidence of those with whom he is associated.

William E. Cline

Whenever a man shows a special aptitude for any particular work, the community of which he is a member usually recognizes the fact. However, past experience has shown that the community is not always infallible in its choice of public officials, and the tendency of the present time is to elect only such men for our public offices as have the necessary qualifications to fill them to the best interests of the public. The public school teaicher was the first public official in the United States to be compelled to pass an examination to show his fitness for the position he was seeking, but within the last fifty years the number of offices to be filled by competitive examinations has been rapidly increasing. Every one admits, of course, that there is a special train¬ ing along particular lines which the teacher must undergo before he can suc¬ cessfully perform the duties of his position. As it is in Indiana today, there are only two officials who are required to pass an examination, and neither one of these is directly elected bv the people. The public school teacher must pass an examination, but he owes his place to appointment, while the county superintendent of schools must pass an examination, but he owes his election not to the direct vote of the people, but to appointment by the trustee of his county. The office of township trustee, one of the most important offices within the suffrage of the people of Indiana, is of such importance that a man should possess special fitness in order to perform its duties in an intel¬ ligent manner. It is readily seen that the men who appoint all the teachers who are to instruct the youth of our state should possess more than ordinary education in order to do this in a satisfactory manner. It has often been said that the township trustee exercises more authority in his chosen sphere than does the President of the United States. It is greatly to the credit of the. people of Indiana that they are choosing, as a rule, the best qualified men for this important office. What has just been said in regard to the qualifications for public officials has a special bearing upon the life of the man whose his¬ tory is here briefly set forth. William E. Cline has not only been a success¬ ful teacher of several years' experience ;n Tipton county, Indiana, but he is now, and has been since 1908, performing the duties of township trustee of Prairie township in a manner which shows that he is eminently qualified for this responsible position.

William E. Cline was born April 15, 1876, in the township where he has always lived. His parents were George and Mary Alice Cline, both of whom were natives of Ohio. George Cline was born March 20, 1831, and died April 26, 1912. His wife was born February 24, 1833, and passed away September 15, 1905. George Cline received his education in Ohio, where he lived until after his marriage, when he moved to Indiana and settled in Clin¬ ton county, this state, in the year 1853. Since he was a minister in the Ger¬ man Baptist church, his residence was not confined to one place, a fact which is true of practically all ministers of the Gospel. After living in Clinton county for a few years he returned to Ohio and remained in that state a few years. In 1864 he returned to Clinton county, Indiana, where he remained for a short time, returning again to Ohio, where he remained until 1872, when he came to Tipton county, Indiana, where he remained until his death. He was married to Mary Ellis January i, 1852, and this union was blessed with ten children: John T., who married Artie Smith, of Clinton county, Indiana; Nancy, the wife of J. A. Armstrong, of Prairie township, this county; Joseph, who married Alice Mott, lives in this county; Ida, the wife of Philip McClelland, of Girard, Kansas; Marv, the wife of John Tash, of Kokomo, this state; Sarah, whose first husband, William Kemp, died shortly after their marriage, is the wife of Perry Stewart, of Lebanon, Indiana; David married Agnes Watson, of Jefferson township, this county; Martha, the wife of Oscar Watson, lives at Monon, this state; James, who married Cora Miller, lives in Prairie township, this county.

William E. Cline, the youngest of these children, received his elementary education in the district schools of Prairie township, this county, and after graduating from the common schools he attended the high school at Kempton. Upon graduation from this high school, he became a student in the nor¬ mal college at Tipton, Indiana, and finished his education by graduating from the Central Normal College at Marion, this state. This extended course in college has given him the basis for a successful career as a public school teacher, and for the seven years following his graduation from college he taught in the schools of his home township. At the same time he farmed every summer and was able to combine successfully the two professions. By good management and thrift he accumulated a farm of eighty acres and was very successful in managing it. In the summer of 1908, when the Demo¬ cratic party of his township began. to look over the field for a suitable candi¬ date for the office of township trustee, they selected Mr. Cline as being the best candidate of their party in the towpship. Accordingly he was nominated for the position and was triumphantly elected in November of that year, and has been serving his township continuously in that capacity up to the present time.

On September 4, 1905, William E. Cline was married to Hester O. Mil¬ ler, the daughter of Franklin and Evelyn Lydia Miller, and to this union have been born two children, Ernest E. and Aubrey Beryl. The parents of Mrs. Cline reared a large family of ten children, Myrtle, Cora, Louis, Williard, Hester, Tiffin, Cornelius, Gladys, Olive and Mary: All of these chil¬ dren are living except two. Myrtle and Mary. Mr. Miller died September 13, 1911, his widow still surviving.

Mr. Cline, as has been stated, is a Democrat and has always taken an active part in the deliberations of his party. Owing to his education and in- formation on the great political questions of the day, his counsel has been frequently sought and he has been recognized for several years as one of the leaders in his township and county in the body politic. He is a devoted and earnest member of the United Brethren church and recognizes the great work which the church does for every community by throwing his influence toward the church in its various activities. Mr. Cline has been successful in more ways than one. As a public school teacher he was one of the best m the county, and as a farmer he was progressive and wide-awake, while as a public official hi's services have been in every way eminently satisfactory not only to his own party, but to all the citizens whom he serves. Such men are a blessing to any community and have a value which can not be estimated. Mr. Cline is a genial gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet and makes and retains friends wherever he goes. He stands as one of the most representa¬ tive men of his township and a man who is certainly well worthy of mention in this volume.

Thomas Carter

Some one has said that there is a niche for every man, and he who is the most successful is the man who finds his particular niche. It is true that a man's value to the community is determined bv the service which he ren¬ ders it, whether it be the result of professional skill, or that of the common, ordinary, everv-dav laborer. Some men help their community by doing one thing and some another. Some are doctors, some are lawyers, some are teachers, some are preachers, some are manufacturers or commercial men of some kind, while still others cultivate the land. Thp 1910 census showed that in one particular township in Indiana there were thirty-two different occupations represented, each one of which occupied a distinct place in the welfare of the community and no one of which could have been dispensed with without' retarding the welfare of the community. In this day of spe¬ cialization, there is work for every man in a particular field. It is not as it was in the days of our forefathers when each one of them was his own physician, his own tailor, his own blacksmith, and so on. The pioneer farm¬ ers of the thirties and forties in Indiana successfully combined the occupa¬ tions which are now held by more than a score of different professions and performed them well enough for their time. Farmers we have always had, and farmers we will continue to have in the future, and until such a time comes when there will be no necessity for bread and meat the farmer will continue to be the most important figure of the life of any nation. Among the prominent farmers of Tipton county, Indiana, who are contributing their share to the welfare of the community in which they live, there is no one who is more deserving of mention in this volume than Thomas Carter, of Prairie township.

Thomas Carter, the son of Samuel and Ruth (Quakenbush) Carter, was born in Prairie township, where he has always lived, November 18, 1852. Samuel Carter was born in Orange county, this state, and received his early education in his native county. After leaving school he worked on his father's farm until his marriage. Immediately after this event he removed to Tipton county, Indiana, where he purchased forty acres of land in Prairie township, and here he remained in the active operation of his land until his death, at which time he was the owner of one hundred and thirty-six acres of fine land in the township, which he had brought to a high state of cultivation. His wife was the daughter of Thomas and Hannah Quakenbush, and to their union were born ten children, Hannah, who became the wife of Franklin Fitzsimmons, and after his death married Edward Graham; Martha died in infancy; James married Alvera Riglev; Sarah and George, who both died at the age of seven : Cyrus, whose first wife was Etta Wright, and who, after her death, married Elizabeth Huser; John and Samuel died when young: Oliver married Martha Gray for his first wife, and subsequently married later he was married to Nancy (Wiles) Glenns, the widow of Joseph Glenns and daughter of Richard and Sarah (Atwood) Wiles, and to this union there were born three children, William G., May and Laura, none of whom is now living.

Thomas Carter received the best education which his district school af¬ forded, and at an early age started out to work bv the month for the farmers in his neighborhood. By thus working for the different farmers, he ac¬ quired a good knowledge of the practical side of farming, which has stood him in good stead in his later career as a farmer. Upon his marriage he settled in Howard county, Indiana, on a farm of twenty acres which he bought and there he remained for four years. He then purchased his pres¬ ent farm of one hundred acres in Prairie township, Tipton county, Indiana, and has continued to operate this tract up to the present time. He carries on a general system of farming and raises considerable live stock. As a farmer he is one of the most progressive and wide-awake agriculturists of the locality in which he resides and believes in keeping pace with modern, scientific methods.

Mr. Carter married Louisa A. Runk, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Runk, and their union has been blessed with two children, Milton, who mar¬ ried Daisy Orr, is the father of two children, Everett and Opal: Lillie, who married John Ramseyer, is the mother of three children, Mabel, Merle and Richard. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Runk, the parents of Mrs. Carter, reared a family of nine children; William, who died in the service of his country during the Civil war; Jacob, unmarried; Matilda, wife of Joseph Elliott; Hannah, wife of Marion Duncan; Miles married Sarah Orr; John married Mariah Brim; Louisa, the wife of Thomas Carter; Maggie, wife of George T. Lindley; Lincoln, who married Leary Heaton.

Mr. Carter ,has been a Republican since he was old enough to cast a ballot, and although he takes an intelligent interest in the political issues of the day he has never been an aspirant for any public office. Mrs Carter is a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and culture, and is a devoted wife and mother, realizing that in performing these duties she is performing the highest function of woman. She is actively interested in church work and as a member of the Christian church she engages in the various activities of that denomination. Mr. Carter is a type of the aggressive American farmer, who starts out in life with nothing and, with sheer determination and force of will, builds up for himself a fortune as a tiller of the soil. Such men are valuable members of any community in which they live, and if it were not for such substantial citizens the affairs of this country would soon be in a bad shape. Mr. Carter takes an interest in the various enter¬ prises in his community which .seek to ameliorate conditions, and is a man of broad and liberal mind, being justly regarded as one of the most repre¬ sentative citizens of his locality.

William Joseph Vawter

Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Tipton county within the pages of this book, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored locality, and whose interests are identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its nonnal and legitimate growth. Among this number is William Joseph Yawter, one of the rural residents of Prairie township, Tipton county, In¬ diana.

The subject of this sketch was born in Howard county, Indiana, on April 23, 1871, the son of Samuel and Katie (Etherington) Vawter, both of whom were natives of Switzerland county, this state. When Samuel Vaw¬ ter was seven years old his parents came to this county, locating in Prairie township on the farm where the subject now lives. He received his education in the district schools of Prairie township, and after leaving school he farmed with his father until he was about eighteen years of age, when he started out in life for himself, hiring out to the neighborhood farmers by the month. This he continued until the time of his marriage, when he pur¬ chased a farm of forty acres, where he has since made his home. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Vawter had a family of six children, namely: Nora, who mar¬ ried James M. Maggart: John, who took as his wife Nellie Russell; Irene, who became the wife of William Overholser, and, beside William Joseph, the immediate subject of this sketch, two children died when small.

William Joseph Vawter received his education in the schools of Tipton county and after discontinuing his studies he engaged in agricultural work with his father on the home farm. This arrangement held in force for about four years, when he for a time worked out by the month ^mong the farmers of the community. At the time of his marriage he rented a farm in Howard county, where he remained for one year, later returning to Tipton county, where he took charge of his father's farm and purchased twenty acres nearby, which he also cultivated.

Mr. Vawter has been twice married, his first wife being Nota Maggart, daughter of James and Mary Maggart, to whom he was united in marriage on October 28, 1893. There were six children in the Maggart family and besides Nota, wife of Mr. Vawter, there were: Lilva, whose first husband was Oliver Conner, and after his death she married Melvin Maggart: Ernest took as his wife Minnie Wright; Bert married Lulu Glenn; Lorin married Susie Rogers and Elza took as his wife Ida Stewart. By his first wife Mr. Vawter had a family of four children, Ray, Irvin, Ernest and Guy. The first Mrs. Vawter died October 22, 1902, and on October 1, 1905, Mr. Vaw¬ ter took as his second wife Lulu Haskell, daughter of Charles and Marv A. (Steele) Haskell, and to their union were born four children, Melba, Victor, Dale, and Thelma, deceased. The second Mrs. Vawter was one of a family of twelve children, the others being; Eli, who took as his wife Ella Medan*; Lucy, who became the wife of Thomas Brown; Mary, who married Dan Weaver; Bartholomew, who married Rebecca Wakefield; Nannie, who be¬ came the wife of Gus Shelton; Clara, who married Alexander Hankins; John, who took as his wife Myrtle Smith; Andrew, who married Elizabeth

Politically, Mr. Vawter is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party and, while never interested in office for himself, is anxious to see the right man put into the right place. His religious affiliations are with the Wesley Methodist Episcopal church, and in the affairs of that so¬ ciety he takes a sincere interest, giving of his time and means to further the cause of same. He has been one of the stewards of the church since 1912. Mr. Vawter has always given his support to every movement calculated to advance the best interests of the community, and because of his integrity of character, his genial disposition and his genuine personal worth, he is held in high esteem in his community.

Alphonso C. Miller

The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this review belongs to that class of men who win life's battles by sheer force of personality and determination, coupled with soundness of mind and judgment, and in what¬ ever he has undertaken he has shown himself to be a man of ability and honor. He is always ready to lend his aid in defending principles affecting the public good and for this reason is one of the most representative citizens of Tipton county.

xMphonso C. Miller, the son of Zachariah G. and Caroline (Smith) Miller, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, October 15. 1853. Zachariah Miller was a native of Virginia, but removed to North Carolina when a young man and followed the trade of a tailor. He met and married his wife in that state and all of their children were born there. His wife was the daughter of Echelston and Elizabeth (Cruse) Smith, and their marriage was blessed with eight children: Cornelius, who married Louisa Pike, and after her death, Miss Mangram; Belle, deceased, who married Eli Alexander, deceased; Betsy, deceased, who married Joseph Russell, deceased; Nollie, de¬ ceased; Bashti, deceased; Caroline, deceased, who married Stephen Moffett; Chester, whose wife is deceased, and Alphonso, the subject of this immediate sketch. The first wife of Zachariah Miller died in 1863 and he then married Julia A. Compton. There were five children by the second marriage: Dora, deceased; Phila, who married Lincoln Green, deceased; Louisa, who married

Alphonso C. Miller attended the public schools of Liberty township, in this county, and there received a good practical education. After leaving school he started out to make his own way and before he was married he rented a farm near Hopewell. About a year later, August 26, 1875, he came to the conclusion that he needed a helpmate and on that date he was married to Henrietta Arbuckle, the daughter of Henry and Margaret (Youngman) Arbuckle. Immediately after his marriage he rented a farm five miles west of Sharpsville, which he operated for a period of three years. By that tirhe he had saved enough money so that he felt able to purchase a small farm. Accordingly he invested in a farm of twenty acres which he got for the low price of seventeen and a half dollars an acre. He now felt more independent and, with the help of his good wife, he began to improve his farm and increase his income from it. He has been able to add to his landed possessions until at the present time he has ninety-three acres of fine land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been blessed with nine children : Elizabeth E., who married Walter Wooters, and has three children, Noma. Velma and Clinton; Henry F., who married Lillie Pregnet, and has one child. May, living and one who died in infancy; Myrtle C., who married Roy Wood, and has five children, Ardella, Merrell, Dale, Lena and Flo; Ada, who married Oral Gill; Maggie, who married Oliver P. Smith, and has four children, Mabel, Dorothy, Nellie and Ruby; Chester, deceased; Hazel, deceased; Goldie, who married Nolan Hite, and has one child, Beulah; and Oshia, who is single.

Mrs. Miller's parents, Henry and Margaret Arbuckle, reared a large family of children: James, who first married Agnes Waterman, deceased; second, Johanna Jones, deceased, and third, Rebecca Washington; John, who married Margaret Cole; George, who married Etta Wright; Martin, who married Eliza Lock, deceased, and Susan Purvis; Jacob, deceased; Sinia. who married William M. Bennet, and Henrietta, the wife of Mr. Miller,