Vermillion County, Indiana - The whole text, 1888 (part 11 of 15)

tMOS FLESHMAN, a prominent and enterprising citizen of Iligldand Town- fhip, is a native of Indiana, born in IIarri^oIl County, October 12, 1822, a son of William and Sarah Fleshman, old pioneers of Vermillion Countv. The father of our subject was born in Greenbrier County, Virginia, November 18, 1795, and was of Gei-nian descent. When about ten years of age he was taken by his parents to Kentucky. He subsequently engaged in flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, making a number of trips to New Orleans, and on two occasions, he walked the entire distance from that city to Louisville, Kentucky. While on a flat-boat trip to New Orleans in 1815 the celebrated battle of New Orleans took place between the British and the American army. He had reached Natchez, Mississippi, when that event occurred, and was pressed into the service for duty if necessity required. He reached New Orleans soon after the l)attle, and visited the scene of the recent contest where the terrible slaughter made by the American army under General Jackson in the ranks of the British under General Paekingham was plainly visible. Ou these trips he passed through many strange experiences and vicissitudes of fortune. On one occasion returning from New Orleans he made his way by helping work a barge loaded witli merchandise up the river. It was hard work and their progress was very slow - so slow that frequently when stopping in the evening for the night, they could look back and see the smoke of their fires of the previous night. They were ninety days making the upward trip. AVhen a young man William Fleshman came to Indiana, and was married in this State in 1815, to Miss Sai'ah Charley, a native of Kentucky, born August 3, 1798, who was brought to Harrison County, Indiana, when a child. They lived in Harrison County until 1827, when in October of that year they came to Vermillion County. Mr. Fleshman then located on eighty acres of land in Highland Township, which had been entered by Isaac Chenoweth. A log cabin had been built on the land. 14x16 feet in size, ill which the family of Mr. Fleshinaii, tlien consisting of nine persons, and anotlier family of three, passed the first winter. The food in those days was easily attainable. Deer and other wild game was abundant, and the choicest venison could be secured with but little trouble. The wearing apparel of the family was made by the mother from iiax which she spun and wove with her own hands, and later when sheep were introduced, she prepared garments by the same labor. Their humble cabin was occupied by the family | about six years, when a more commodious residence was biiilt. Mr. Fleshman was very successful in his agricultural pursuits, and was enabled to add to his original purchase from time to time until at his death he possessed over 400 acres of choice land. He died at his homestead August 14, 1853, his widow surviving until April 12, 1866. Both were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a classleader for many years, and in the pioneer days religious services were held at his house. They are yet remembered by many of the early settlers, for their many excellent traits of character. They were the parents of thirteen children, four sons and nine daughters. Six of their children are still living - Christena, wife of George Wier, of Logansport, Indiana; Amos, the subject of this sketch; John W. ; Sarah, wife of David Iloobler; Martha and Mary (twins), the former married to Frederick Hoobler, and the latter the wife of Jacob Zigler. The last four are residents of Livingston County, Illinois. Amos Fleshman, whose name heads this sketch, is the only representative of his father's family living in Vermillion County. He was but five years of age when brought to the county, where he has since lived, a period of sixty years. lie was reared a farmer, which avocation he still follows, and is classed among the successful agriculturists of the county. His farm adjoins the old homestead of his father, a part of the latter being included in his farm. Beside his home farm in Highland Township, which consists of 365 acres of valuable land, he also owns 208 acres located elsewhere in the same township. He was united in marriage November 5, 1845, to Miss Susan A. Smith, a native of Virginia, born August 6, 1824, a daughter of David and Susan Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Fleshman are the parents of two daughters - Sarah, present superintendent of public schools, residing at Perrysville. They have two grandsons, children of their daughter Sarah - Johuie, born February 15, 1877, and Robbie, born December 27, 1878. In politics Mr. Fleshman casts his suffrage with the Republican party.

fAMES C. LEAVIS, a .^^ettler of Vermillion County, and an active and public-spirited citizen, was born in Carter County, Tennessee, May 23, 1885. His father was a native of Ashe County, North Carolina. He was a gunsmith by trade, but lived the greater part of his life on a farm. Our subject was reared to the avocation of farming, which Irhas followed the greater part of his life. In his boyhood he attended the common and subscription schools of his neighborhood, completing his education at Taylorsville Academy, of Johnston County, Tennessee. He then taught school some ten or twelve years. In 1863 Jie went north, and enlisted in defense of the Union as State Guard, stopping first at Mecca Mills in Parke County, Indiana, and in the fall of the same year he came to Vermillion County. He went to his home in Tennessee in August, 1865, and , in the spring of 1866 returned to Parl^e County. In the spring of 1867 lie came to i Vermillion County-, and has since made his home in Helt Township, his farm heing on section 7, where he owns sixty-eight acres of good land. January 4, 1866, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Nancy J. Uugger, and to tills union eiglit children have been born as follows - Frederica 1., Addie X., Mollie E. (deceased), William F., James Lawson, DEdgar, Nannie E. and Ferry M. Mr. Lewis was deputy assessor of Helt Township for two years, and is now serving his second year as township assessor, having been elected such in April, 1886. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.

-ILLIAM J. HERBERT, retired farmer, residing on section 27, Verinill- I'^ojIpH ion Township, isone of the prominent ])ioneer& of the county. He was born in Campbell County, Kentucky, March 25, 1819, a son of Charles and Elizabeth Herbert. His father died at New Orleans in 1821, leaving his wife with three small children. In 1831 the mother with her family came to Indiana, and settled in Vermillion County, bringing with her a capital of $100. She died in Coles County, Illinois, in 1868. William J. was reared to manhood in Vermillion, amid the privations and hardships of pioneer life. lie began farming at the age of twelve years, struggling for a living here until 1839, when he removed to Coles County, Illinois, having but $3 in money, and this he had borrowed. At that time the country was in a primitive condition, no mills nor railroads, which made it hard for the early settler. Mr. Herbert, by hard Avork and jiersevering industry, succeeded in getting a good hcnne in .Coles

County, where he lived many years. In 1875 he went to California, but not liking tliat country he removed in 1876 to Kansas, and in 1881 he returned to Indiana. With the exception of seven years spent in the dry goods business, Mr. Herbert has always followed agricultural pursuits, in which he has been highly successful, and is now the owner of sixty-three acres of well improved land located a half mile from Newport, an eighty acre farm in Douglas County, Illinois, besides valuable town property in Newport, all of which he has acquired by years of persevering toil and good management. He is now living athisJiome near Newport, surrounded with all the comforts of life, and enjoyingthc fruits of his years of toil. Mr. Herbert was first married in 1837 to Miss Martha G. Arasmith, who was born in Sullivan County, Indiana, in 1816, and died in the year 1878. To them were born nine children, five of whom are living - America Ann, wife of Charles Odell; Mahala, wife of Robert Carnahant; Belle, wife of John Gregg; Louisa, wife of Jackson Brown, and William Alexander, v/hu married Miss Queen Smith. Mr. Herbert was married a second time, March 10, 1881, to Mrs. Mary Nixon, a daughter of William Hopkins. She was born in the year 1830, and in 1872 married the late Joshua Nixon, ilrs. Herbert has been a member of the Methodist Ejiiscojial church for thirty-seven yeai-s, and Mr. Herbert has been a member of the church for forty-seven years. Politically he is a Democrat.

fOSEFH BURKS, proprietor of the .Montezuma Fire Brick Works, located one _ mile north of Hillsdale, A^ermilliuii County, is a native of Ohio, born in Pickaway County, March 17, 1822. His father.

Vermillion Countt

James Hiiriis, was one of tlic pioneers of Parke Conuty, Indiana, settling there as early as 1828, on M'ild land when wild animals and Indians were nnmerous. The latter camped within a half mile of his home. The father being a farmer, our suhject was reared to the same avocation, his youth being spent in assisting in clearing and improving the home farm and in attending the rude log cabin subscription schools of his neighboi-hood. Air. JJurns was first married in 18-17 to Caroline Yanlandigham, a daughter of Thomas Yaidandigham. Mrs. Burns left at her tleath one child, Cai-oline, who is now the wife of Enos Kuhn, of Lawrence, Kansas. Mr. Burns was married a second time in 1857 to Mary Millikin, whose father, Stephen Millikin, was an early settler of Ilelt Township, A^erniillion County. Seven children were born to this union, of whom four are yet living - Mary L., Edward H., Belle and Joseph. In 1851 Mr. Burns purchased the ferry property, wJiich he has since owned, operating it himself for twenty years, and now running it by hired help. In 1872 he built a warehouse near whore his factory now stands, and in 1873 Josephus Collett, Isaac Porter and himself built the Montezuma Fire Brick Works, which he has since operated successfully. He is also the owner of a line tract of 300 acres of land, surrounding his factory. lie is a member of the Odd Fellows order, and a much respected citizen, having by his fair and honorable dealings gained the conlidenee and esteem of all who know him.

fE(_)RGE W. EUWAPvDS, the present efficient postmaster at Clinton, is a native of Indiana, born in Lawrence (bounty, November 11, 1827, and is the fifth child and third son born to JohnE. and Mar garet (Brindley) Edwards. His parents cauir to Vermillion among the pioneers of 182U. crossing the Wabash River midway between Newport and Clinton. They established their home in the forest about one and a half miles south of Newport, their old homestead beini; owned by Charles Potts. There the family lived ]nany years, and finally changed their residence to Ilelt Township, where the parents died when but little past the meridian of life. George W., the subject of this sketch, was reared and educate<:l in Vermillion County, where he has lived from the age of two yeais with the exception of five or six years. He was the first man who left Vermillion County to try his fortune in the California mines, joining a party nunibe'ing twenty-one in Coles County, Illinois. They commenceil their weary march on March 9, 1850, which occupied 175 days. Their route ran througli Fort Hall, Fort Kearney and Fort Laramie, and at these places M'ere seen the only buildings in 2,000 miles. Dr. Joseph Goodman, their only physician, died on the plains of Kansas, after a few hours sickness, which led to gloomy forebodings, but no other loss was met with. During the journey Mr. Edwards rode not more than ten miles. He spent two years in California, in mining and prospecting with varied success, the wild life agreeing with him, and in this tiuie he improved his health if not his wealtli. He I'eturned via the Isthmus of Panama, reaching the old home in the fall of 1852, and shortly afterward he engaged in the mercantile business at Highland, this county. In 1854 he was married to Mis^ Mary A. Derr, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and they are the parents of two children - Maurice C, a young man of good business qualifications, residing on the liio Grande River in Texas, and Etta L., at home with her parents. In 1868 Mr. Edwards removed with his family to Terre Haute,

Biogbapuical Sketches

Indiana, remaining there three years, since which time he has made his home in Clinton, this county, lie lias been an active business man nearly all his life since reaching manhood, and has done much toward building up the town of Clinton. He erected and for a time owned the linest residence in the place. During tlie past few years he has been engaged in the boot and shoe business, and in 1885 he associated with him in business, Matthew W. Scott, thus forming the present tirm of Edwards & Scott. He has been a life-long Democrat, and one of the leading members of that party in the county, and with the change of administration he was appointed to the ofhce of postmaster, whicli he has filled since 1885, Mr. Scott acting as his deputy. Mr. Edwards is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge at Clinton. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and among the respected people of Clinton.

:ILL1AM HENRY SKIDMOIIE, a 'If^ll worthy representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of Vermillion County, was born in Helt Township, September 4, 1853, a son of Hon. William and Amelia Skidmore. He was reared on the home farm in his native county, and in his youth received good educational advantages in the seminary at Sullivan, Indiana, lie subsequently taught a school for three years during the winter terms, being a popular and successful instructor. He is now devoting his attention to general farming and stock-raising, and is the owner of a tine farm containing 115 acres of valnahle land on section 14, Helt Township, where he resides.

daughter of James Mays, a resident of Tuscola, Illinois. Mrs. Skidmore is a lady of culture and relinemeut. She is a graduate u^ the State University of Bloomington, Indiana, where she received the honors of hei' class. She was a teacher in this county, and won the confidence and respect of all her pupils. She is a consistent member of the Christian church at Dana.

(Taylor) Highfill, natives of Maryland, of English and Irish descent. They left their native State for Kentucky, and thence in 1826 to Vermillion County, Indiana. The mother died in 1852, aged about sixty years, and the father in 1857, aged eighty-five years. They reared a family of seven children, but two of whom are living - Mrs. Melissa Slater, widow of James Slater, and our subject. John Highfill, was roared amid the scenes and incidents of pioneer life. He received but limited educational advantages, attending school in the rude log cabin school-houses of his day, wdiere the window lights were of greased paper, and the seats were of slabs, and with puncheon floor and clapboard roofs. He was brought up on the home farm, where he plowed with wooden mold board plows, and the harvests in those days were cut with reap hooks. The first reaping machine seen by our subject in operation was one bought by his father-in-law in 1856. The machine was attached to the front wheels of a wagou, and the bundles raked off by hand. He remembers when the women spun and wuve the ch'th for most all the clothing worn in those days. He has always followed farming and has ever been an energetic, industrious man, and l>y economy and good management has acquired considerable property. His homestead, a part of which was inherited by him, now contains 300 acres of land, and his improvements are among the best in his township. Mr. liighfill was married April 24, 1855, to Elizabeth H. Hudson, a native of Clermont County, Ohio, borsi March 20, 1828, a daughter of David and Margaret (Jackson) Hudson. Her parents came to this county in 1830, and here her father died in 18<i0, aged sixty-six years, and her mother in 1872, aged seventy-two years. Mrs. liighfill is the third of eight children. The others yet living are - Benjamin F. ; Alvira, wife of Alfred Newlin; Euhama, wife of John O. Rodgers; Cleopatra, wife of Richard Mitchell, and Rebecca, wife of Robert F. Stokes. Mr. and Mrs. Highlill have had born to them one child - Amelia Florence, now the wife of Ura A. Johnson, of Vigo County. She has two children - Elizal>eth C. and John C. Mr. and Mrs. liighfill are active member.'^ of the Methodist Episcopal church. A new bi'ick chapel was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1887, of which Mr. liighfill is a trustee.

f progressive agriculturist of Yermilliou County, resides on section 13, Clinton Township. When he settled at this place in August, 1856, his farm of eighty acres was covered with a heavy growth of timber. The woi-k of clearing the forest occupied several years, but his land is now well improved and under fine cultivation. He is a native of North Carolina, born in Chatham County, November 11, 1828, a son of Jonatha:i and Nancy Whitted. When he was in his ill June, 1865, when he returned to liis liome ill Clinton Township. He receives a pension from the (Tovernment for the services in the war. lie is a comrade of Owen Post, G. A. K. lie also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, bfinga member of Jerusalem Lodge, No. !JH. In politics he is a Republican with Prohibition proclivities.

fAMES ('. STUTLER. general merchant, and one of the acti\'e business men of Gessie, is a son of Joseph S. Stiitler, and a grandson of William Stntler, one ol' the old and honored pioneers of Vermillion County. The latter settled in Highland Township in 1830, where lie died one year later, leaving a widow, who died at the age of about seventyseven years, and si.\ children. Of the children but two are living at the present time - Francis W., of Parke County, Indiana, and^ Mrs. Sarah Randall, of Gessie. Joseph S. Stutler, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio, in the year 1820, and was but two years old when brought by his parents to this county, and passed the remainder of his life in Highland Township. He married Miss Laviiia Cossey, a daughter of Nehemiah Cosse}', and of the eight children born to them, but four are living - William H., of Highland Township, born August 7, 1842; James C, our subject, who w^as born yeptembor 13, 1813; Peter F., born October 17, 1849, and Mrs. Christiana Jane Gouty, born August 5, 1854. Four children are deceased - Lewis B., born January 8, 1845, died December 7, 1849; Robert Amos, born January 16, 1856, died j\lay 15, 1880; Joseph B., born February 9, 1862, died February 8, 1863, and Edmond S.. born Novem!)er 13, 1864, died October 9, 1865. P>oth parents are deceased, the lather dying November 2, 1878, and the mother July 20, 1881. James C. Stutler, whose name heads this sketch, was reared in the vicinity he now lives, in Highland Township, where he was born, and with the excejition of a residence of ten years in Kansas, he spent his life here. He has been twice niari-ied. His first wife was Miss Elizabeth Lewis, a daughter of James J. Lewis, of Highland Township. She died May 23, 1870, leaving at her death two children - Charles J., born July 29, 1865, now a telegi-aph operator, was married July 24, 1887, to Effie Isl. Wingfield, and Corban E., born March 12, 1868, and died October 4, 1875. Mi: Stutler was united in marriage a second time to Miss Martha A. Nichols, a daughter of Corlian Nichols. Six children have been born to this union, as follows: Ida M., born August 29, 1873; Sarah L., June 2, 1876; William C, December 13, 1878, and Piukey L., born June 30, 1881, and died in infancy in Cherokee County, Kansas. The three eldest M-ere natives of Cherokee .County, Kansas. Mr. Stutler established his present mercantile business at Gessie, March 16, 1881, and by his accommodating manners, and fair and honorable dealings, he has Iniilt up a good trade, and gained the conlidence and respect of his man}- customers.

fHOMAS J. NICHOLS, carpenter and joiner, Vermillion Township, is a na- ^J ti\c of Vermillion County, born in 1844, a son of Robert II. and Adaline (West) Nichols, his father a native of Union County, Indiana, of Scotch-Irish descent, and his mother a native of Massachusetts, of French descent. His parents came to Vermillion County in 1842 and settled in Clintdii Township; m.ivcd to Ilelt Township in 1849, where the father died in 1872, aged fifty-five years, and the mother in 1874, aged sixty-five years. They had a family of two children - Jaines and Thomas, the former being dead. Thomas J. Nichols was married in 1862 to Ann Jones, who was born in Vermillion County, ill 1847, a daughter of Samuel Jones, a pioneer of the county. They have had nine children, six of whom are living - Bell, Adaline, Robert, Maria, Bert and John C. In August, 1862, Mr. Nichols enlisted in Company B, Eighty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and served three years, and participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the war. He was with Sherman from Chattanooga to the sea, and was mustered out at Indianapolis at the close of the war. After his return home he began to work at his trade, which he has since continued. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are members of the Society of Friends. In politics Jie casts his sufirage with the National party. Mr. Nichols is a master mechanic and one of the best in the county.

fXAWSON L. GOODWIN, farmer, section Wit '^'^' ^^^^ Township, was born in Carter W' County, Tennessee, December 22, 1837, a son of Alfred L. Goodwin. He was reared and educated in his native county, attending the common schools and Pine Grove Academy at Taylorville. When twenty-one years old he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked fifteen years. He enlisted in the defense of his country in the war of the Eebellion, and was assigned to Company G, Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and partici- ]iated in the battles at Bull's Gap, Morristown, Carter's Depot, Kingsport, Marion, Saltville and others. He served twenty months, when he was discharged on account of general orders of the war department, and now draws a pension. Mr. Goodwin was married March 3, 1861, to Mary A. E. Dugger, a native of Carter County, Tennessee, a daughter of William C. Dugger. To them have been born ten children, six of whom are living - Allison S., Frank L., Indiana M., Stella N., Ellsworth and Clindham. Two children died in infancy, and two, Mary E. and William B., when four years of age. Mr. Goodwin came to Vermillion County in 186G, and has since lived in Ilelt Township. He and his wife are members of the Baptist clinrch. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Bepublie.

fOHN FOBD was born in Delaware County, Ohio, August 18, 1809, and died at his home on section 10, Helt Township, Vermillion County, May 6, 1882. His father, Augustus Ford, was a native of the State of Virginia. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Vermillion County, coming here when our subject was but a child, when the surrounding country was a wilderness, and inhabited principally by Indians and wild animals. Here he and his family experienced many of the privations and hardships of pioneer life. Their nearest millingplace was Shaker Prairie, twenty miles away, and at that time traveling was very ditficnlt, there being no roads but mere Indian trails. John Ford, the subject of this sketch, was reared amid the wild surroundings of life in a new country, and was early inured to hard work, his youth being spent in assisting his father clear and imjirove his land. He was married March 24, 1831, to Miss Jane Skidmore, a daughter of John Skidmore, who was among the early pioneers of the county, making his home here in the year 1818. To Mr. and Mrs. Ford eleven children were born, four of whom arc living at tlie present time - Albert, Edwin, Mary and Martlia. Three sons, Henry, Josephus and Leander, died in the army during the war of the Rebellion. Caroline, Elizabeth J., Elijah and Sarah are also deceased. Mr. Ford was a representative citizen of the county and took an active interest in any enterprise which had for its object its growth or advancement. He was a kind and aft'ectionate husband and father, and a devout Christian, having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal chnrch at Spring Hill for over thirty years. His widow is a member of the same church. She still resides on the old homestead in Helt Township, vvhei-e she enjoys the respect and esteem of all wliu know her.

fRANCIS MAPtlOX WRIGHT, a native of Vermillion County, Indiana, was born on section 31, Clinton Township, February 20, 1840, a son of Philander and Catherine (Swan) AVright, and a grandson of the old and honored pioneer, George "Wright, who settled in this neighborhood in 1820. The parents of our subject were married in Clinton Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father, a most worthy man, died in June, 1856, his death being caused by the accidental discharge of a gun. The mother survived her husband about twenty years. They were the parents of nine children - Mary Ann, who died in infancy; Oliver, living in Clinton Township; Francis Marion, or Marion, as he is called; Levi, living in Clinton Township; Mrs. Mary J. Salyer, deceased; Philander and James, residents of Kansas; Mrs. Thnrsy Foltz, of Clinton Township, and Mrs. Laura Keesel, of East Tennessee. Marion Wright, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native township, to agricultural pursnits, and has always followed the avocation of a farmer. He received twenty-iive acres of land from his father's estate, and from this beginning he has acquired a iine property by his persevering industry and good management. He resides on the same section where he was' born, where he has a fine farm of 288 acres, most of which is improved, and ranks not only as an agriculturist, but as a citizen, among the best in Clinton Township. Mr. Wright was married February 20, 1862, to Miss Catherine Fnnkhouser, who was born in Vigo County, Indiana, February 11, 1844, a daughter of Isaac and Hila Fnnkhouser. Her father died on the old homestead in Vigo County, where her mother yet lives. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have four children living - Levi, married and living in Clinton Township; and Nettie, Wirt and Warren, still at home. Arthur, the fourth child born to Mr. and Mrs. Wright, died in infancy. Mr. Wright volunteered in defense of the Union during the war of the Rebellion, but was rejected as physically disqualified for active service. In politics he is an ardent Republican. Both he and his wife are worthy and consistent members of the United Brethren church.

IfRWIN R. LAMB, of Newport, is a native |]j of Indiana, born in Wayne County, 4 March 19, 1840, a son of Elias Lamb. He was reared in Wayne County, making his home there until coming to Vermillion County. He has been twice married, taking for his iirst wife Miss Melissa Bailey, March 15, 1860. She died November 29, 1875, leaving a family of four children, named - Alma S., Martha E., Frank A. and May Belle. May 18, 1879, Mr. Lamb married for his second wife Mrs. Mary Elizabeth (Jac'^- son) Hall, who was born August 14, 1838, a daughter of Arthur Jacks .n, one of the early settlers of Vermillion County. Mrs. Lainb was iirst married to James R. Hall, who was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-iifth Illinois Infantry, in the war of the Rebellion. He left at his death a family of five children who are yet living, their names being - John C. F. Hall^ Bertha Hall, Allen W. Hall, Josephine Hall and Efiie Hall. Arthur Jackson, the father of Mrs. Lamb, was a native of North Carolina, born in 1814, and when four years old was taken by his father, Corben Jackson, to Wayne County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood, and was there married to Miss Ellen Cook, who was born in Union County, Indiana, in 1816. To this union eight children were born, four of whom grew to maturity - Alonzo, the eldest, was a soldier in Company E, Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and was killed at the hard fought battle of Chickauiaugain 1863; the second child, Mary Elizabeth, is the wife of our subject; Edgar, the third child, was the first man to volunteer in defense of the Union from the township in which he lived, and was killed at the battle of ilission Ridge; Theodoi-e Jackson, though but a boy, entered the service of his country, and later was a member of the Seventy-third Indiana Infantry. Hedied'at home April 1, 1862, from disease contracted in the army. Mr. Jackson was a carpenter and builder, and a superior workman. In 1846 he came with his famil}' to Vermillion County, and built a saw-mill on the Little Vermillion River on Horse Shoe Bend, one of .the most beautiful locations in the county. He operated the mill until 1851 when he removed to Ceorgetown, Vermillion County, Illinois^ and later he settled in AVabash County, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying

February 10, 1873, in his fifty-ninth year. His wife died of cholera July 29, 1855, and after her death Mr. Jackson was twice married. He was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church for thirty years. He was an upright and honorable citizen and was highly esteemed for his many excellent characteristics.

ILLIAM F. KERNS, an enterprising agriculturist of Vermillion Coun- ^ir^i ty, engaged in farming and stockraising on section 11. Helt Township, is a representative of one of the early pioneer families of the county. He was born in Helt Township, May 2, 1839, a son of William and Agnes (Skid more) Kerns. The father was a native of Kentucky, and came to Vermillion County in 1825. The maternal grandfatli. r of our subject, whose name was John Skidmore, settled in the county as early as l^l^. William F. was reared on his-father's honn - stead to the avocation of a farmer, which lir has made his life work. He recei\ed his education in the common-schools of his neighborhood, and at Bloomingdale Academy, and subsequently engaged in teaching school which he followed during the winter terms for seven years, teaching three years in the same school district at Spring Hill. During the late war he was a member of Company I, Forty-third Indiana Infantry, serving his country for fifteen months. He was married November 6, 1864, to Miss Catherine Saxtun, a daughter of Benjamin Saxton, who \\:is among tlie early settlers of Helt Townsliip. Five of the seven children born to them aif yet living, their names being as follow.- - Leila A., DeWitt C, Eva G., Mervin E. an.l Gordon. Mr. Kerns is classed among the prosperous citizens, l)eing the owner of r24('> acres of valuable land, which he by industry and good manageuient. In politics he is a stauneli Eepnblican. lie lias served many years as justice of the peace and notary public, and in 188G was elected county commissioner, and in all these public trusts he has served with credit to himself and satisfaetioti to his constituents. Pie is a member of the Grand Army of the llepublic. Both he and his wife are memliers of the Methodist Episcopal church.

fOSEPII WESLEY REEDER, a representative of one of the early pioneer families of Vermillion County, resides on the homestead on section 28, Clinton Township, where he was born August 26, 18-45. The "history of the family in this county dates back to the year 1822, when Joseph Keeder, the grandfather of our subject, with his family, came from the State of Ohio, and settled in the forest on section 21 of Clinton Township, and commenced the work of improving eighty acres of wild land, lie WHS liorn in Pennsylvania, his wife, Eleanor (^Stockton) Reeder, being a native of the same State. Both died at an advanced age in Clinton Township. Their children in order of their birth are as follows: John, Nelson, James, Joseph, Amos and Ellen, all of whom married and settled in Vermillion County. All died in Clinton Township except Joseph, who died in Illinois, and John, who died in Iowa. The grandfather was a prosperous man, and became the owner of over 400 acres of land, which during his life he divided among his children. Nelson Keeder, his second son, was the father of our subject. He was a native of Ohio, born January 10, 1816, and was but four years of age when brought to Vermillion County. When a young man he married a Miss Elizabeth Round, a lady of German ancestry. To them were b(irn six children - Mrs. Sarah Clark, of Veniiillinii Tuwi.ship; Mrs Martha Dewey, of Clinton Township; Silas died aged seventeen years; Ellen died aged sixteen years; Joseph Wesley, and Hi ram who died aged twenty-live years. The mother died in 1848, and the father was married a second time to Mrs. Mary (Luellen) Wyatt, who made a good mother for his children. To this union three children were born - Frank L., of Clinton Township; James M., also living in Clinton Township, and Mrs. Mary lielle Blunk, of Danville, Illinois. By her first marriage Mrs. Nelson Reeder had one child, John Wyatt, who was a soldier in Company I, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, and died on Cheat Mountain, and was brought home for burial. The father of our subject died in the spring of 1880, leaving an estate of about 600 acres. As a citizen he was loyal and publicspirited, a generous and kind hearted neighbor, and an affectionate hnsband and father. In politics he was an ardent Republican. His widow still survives, and makes her home with her son Frank and her daughter Mrs. Blunk. Joseph Wesley Reeder, whose name heads this sketch, has always lived on the old iiomestead where he was born, except the time spent in the service of his country during the war of the Rebellion. While in his seventeenth year, July 10, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Seventy-first Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, and was one of the men who escaped capture that day. In 1863 the regiment was reorganized, and recruited at Indianapolis, taking the field as the Sixth Indiana Cavalry. The winter following it was under General Burnside at Knoxville and vicinity, and was part of the cavalry force under General Sherman at the Atlanta campaign, although Ml-. Reeder was on duty as

Orderly for General Scholiekl. lie rejoined his regiment after that campaign ended, and was in battle at Nashville, under General Thomas in December, 1864. He passed through the war unscathed, and was honorably discharged at Fnlaski, Tennessee, when he returned home and engaged in more peaceful pursuits. November 27, 1867, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Ann Smith, a daughter of Joseph Smith. She was born in West Virginia, July 4, 1848, and was but seven years old when her parents came to Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled in Clinton Township, where she was reared. Both of her parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Reeder are the parents of five children - Lura May, Van Valzah, Thursa Ellen, Joseph Nelson and Etta Glehdora, all yet nnder the home roof. Mr. lieeder erected his present commodious I'esidence in 1881, which was built with a view to comfort and convenience. His homestead contains 200 acres of finely improved land. In politics, like his father, he is a stannch Eepnblican. He is a a member of Amant Lodge, No. 356, of Clinton, and has passed all the chairs of his lodge, ami has represented his lodge in the grand lodge of the State.

HARLIN, farmer and dealer in graded stock, resides on section 8, Vermillion Township, where he owns 300 acres of land. He is a native of Vermillion County, born April 23, 1839. a son of Cornelius and Martha (Tate) Ilarlin, natives of Tennessee. He was reared in his native county, and is now'one of her most enterprising citizens. His fine farm is under good cultivation, but he makes a specialty of raising stock, the most of which he sells on the farm, although he occasionally senils a shipment to

Chicago. Mr. liarlin was married October 17, 1871, to Hattie A. Shepard, daughter of I'en and Eliza Shepard, pioneers of Newport, Vermillion County, where Mrs. Harlin was born March 15, 1844. In politics Mr. Ilarlin is a Democrat.

tOBERT A. CRAIG, an enterprising agricultnrist of Eugene Township, residing on section 8, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, November 7, 1826, a sou of John and Isabel (Wishard) Craig, both deceased, the father having been born in the State of Pennsylvania. Our subject leai-iied blacksmithing in his boyhood, and worked at that trade for a period of thirty-five ycai-s. He came to Indiana in 1847, locating in Clay County. He was married August 18, 1849, to Miss Margaret Price, a daughter of Isit.cI and Margaret (Gordon) Price, both of whom are deceased. To this union nine children were born - Sarah, Alex, Francis M., Martha, Samuel, Amanda, Dollie B. (deceased), .James and William E. Mr. Craig served in the Seventh Indiana P.attery during the war <.!' the Rebellion, and participated in the battles d I' Pittsburgh Landing, Stone River, Chiekamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Rid^-^-. Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, siege of Atlaiifa. Jonesboro, and a number of skirmisln-. While in battle their Captain always told bis men to have the last shot. Mr. Craig has ic ceived a pension from the Government sim r 1865 for his services during the war. lie came to Vermillion County in the spring nf 1867, settling in Eugene Township where he has since made his home. He is the owner of a fine farm of 170 acres and is no\v en gaged in farming and stock-raising. He has a fine stone quarry, containing the best quality of sand stone, which is used in build ing bridges tlirougliout the siirroiinding country. In politics Mr. Craig affiliates with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian churcli.

fEORGE W. WATSON, one of the respected citizens of Eugene Township, where he is engaged in farming, was born in LaSalle County, Illinois, September 8, 1858, a son of Alva Watson, of Danville, Illinois. His father settled in Danville when our subject was quite small, and here he was reared, receiving his education in the schools of that city. He has always followed the avocation of a farmer, in which he has met with fair success. He came to Vermillion Coiinty, Indiana, in 1876, and has since made liis home in Eugene Township, and during his residence here has won many friends by his fair and honorable dealings, and genial disposition. He was united in marriage in February, 1882, to Miss Taicinda Sprouls, a daughter of Andrew Sprouls, of Eugene Townshi]). They are the parents of three children, named Edith Grace, Eu Dora and Daniel A.

tENRY B. JAMES, an active and enterprising agriculturist of Vermillion County, was born on the homestead on section 17, Plelt Township, where he now resides, January 29, 1852, his father, Samuel R. James, being still a resident of the same township. He was reared to the vocation of a farmer, which he has followed tlirough life, and in his youth he attended the schools of the county, there he received a fair common school education. He was united in marriage October 11, 1876, to Miss Virginia, a daughter of Jolm S. Anderson, of Helt Township, Vermillion County. Mrs. James died in the year 1880, and in 1882 Mr. James was again married to Miss Caroline Dinsmore, a daughter of James Dinsmore who is now deceased. Tliey are the parents of three children, their names being as follows - Homer, Golda and Samuel. In connection with his general farming Mr. James devotes some attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of graded stock. He is a thorough, practical farmer, and is the owner of a fine farm of 143 acres where he resides. He is a man of strict integrity, honorable in all his dealings, and is numbered among the respected citizens of Helt Township.

ILLIAM A. GOODWIN, section 8, Helt Township, was born in Carter County, Tennessee, October 18, 1839. His father, Alfred L. Goodwin, was a native of the same county, born in 1815, and was a son of Lawson Goodwin, a hero of the war of 1812. William A. was reared a farmer in his native county, but when a young man learned the carpenter's trade at which he has worked thirty years. He came to Indiana in Jul}', 1866, and lived in Parke County two years, and in 1868 moved to A^ermillion County. His homestead contains twelve acres of good land which he cultivates in addition to working at his trade. Mr. Goodwin enlisted during the war of the Rebellion in Company A, was transferred to Company G, Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and served two years, participating in many hard fought battles and campaigns. He served two years, and was honorably discharged. Mr. Goodwin was married in the fall of 1861 to Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Hider M. Mitchell, of Taylorsville, Ten- iiessee. She died in 1863 leaving one child, John A., now of Compton, Kentucky. November 1-4, 1866, Mr. Goodwin was married to Mrs. Susan Dvkes, daughter of James Xntirrass. To tliem were born two children, hut one is living - William L. Mrs. Goodwin had two children l)jlier lirst marriage - Nancy J. and Thomas M. Dykes. Mrs. Goodwin died July 9, 1873, and March 19, 1874, Mr. Goodwin married Susan, daughter of E. Moore. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin are members of the Baptist church. lie is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

riLLIAM WOOD, a worthy repre- ,. ,, ,A sentative of one of the early pioneer <'^J^-i families of Vermillion County, is a native of Indiana, born in Terre Haute, October 21, 1822, a son of Ichabod and Catlierine (Mai's) Wood. lie was the fourth white child born in Ten-e Haute, and is now probably the only one of the four living. He was but a year old wlien his parents settled in Clinton Township, Vermillion County, and since that time has always lived in the township. He has occupied his present homesteiid on section 82, for more than a quarter of a century, and has one of the best improved farms in his neighborhood. Mr. Wood cast his first presidential vote for James K. Polk in 1844, and has never since missed a general election, his last vote being cast for Grover Cleveland. During his early manhood lie spent a few years tlat-boating, making eight trijis to New Orleans. He was first married to ^liss Ann Wright, in April, 1849. She was born in Clinton Township on section 82 where lier brother William "Wright now li\es, a daughter of George Wi'igiit, Jr., une of Vermillion County's j pioneers. A year after their marriage Mr. I and Mrs. Wood settled on land which they I owned, and to them were born three children I - George, now living in Clinton Township; I Jane, who died in her nineteenth year, and Ann, who died in infancy. Mrs. Wood died I in March, 1855, and Mr. Wood was married a second time to Miss Jane Ballard who died not long after her marriage. Mr. AVood was again nuirried January 19, 1862, to Miss Mildred C. Hall, a native of Virginia, liorn in Rockingham County, April 21, 1841. where she was reared and educated. In 1858 she accompanied her parents. Andrew and Elizabeth (Jordan) Hall, to Paris, Illinois, where her inother died in 1858, aged fiftyone years. Her -father is still living, aged eighty years. She came to Vermillion County in 1860, where she has since lived. To Mr. Wood and his present wife have been l)orn two children - Andrew, living at home, r.ml Israel, who died in infancy. Although ileprived almost entirely of educational advantages in liis youth, Mr. Wood has by constant reading and close ol)servation become oiu- -i the Ijest posted men in his township, and : greatly interested in public aifairs. He li i served several terms as assessor in Clint' Township, and it is no disparagement t others to say that the township never had a more efficient officer. He is a member of tlic Masonic fraternity, belonging to Jerusalem Lodge, No. 99, at Clinton for many years. Ichabod Wood, the father of our subject, was born and reared at Middlel)ury, Massachusetts. He came west when a young man, and for several years worked at the carpenter's trade at Terre Haute, Indiana. He was married there to Miss Catherine Mars, who was a native of Bordentown, New Jersey, and to this union the following children were born- William, the subject of this sketch; Priscilla died in early childhood; Israel lives on sec tion 24, Clinton Township; and Mary Ann died in cliildiiood. On coming to Clinton Townsliij), A'erniiilioii, they settled on section 24, in a rude log cabin, where Mrs. Wood tanglit one of the iirst schools in the township. The father often had to leave his family to find employment at his trade. lie did not live to make many improvements on his place, his death occurring about 1828. His widow subsequently married William Swan, and reared another family. She died in Clinton Township in September, 1875.

f|LONZ() L. MACK, farmer and stoclc- I raiser, section 15, Helt Township, was ^ born May 20, 1844, a son of Spencer Mack, wdio came to Vermillion County, with his parents when a boy, settling in Helt Township, where he grew to maidiood and silent his life, lie was by trade a blacksmith and also carried on a farm, being assisted in his occupations by his sons. Alonzo Mack remained with his parents until manhood. He was given a good education attt'iiding the district schools and the high school at Montezuma. In 1863 he enlisted in the war of the Kebcllion and was assigned to Company' C, One Hundred and Twentythird Indiana Infantry, and served twenty months, participating in many severe battles, some of the more important being Resaca, Xashville and Kingston. After his retnrn fi'om the war lie clerked si.x months in the store of M. P. Hedges at Clinton, and since then has devoted his attention to agriculture. He owns a good farm of 145 acres, and Mrs. Mack owns eighty acres. He pays special attention to stock-raising, having fine shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. Mr. Mack was married October 21, 1866, to Isabel White, a daughter of Enoch White, an early settler of Helt Township. They have had nine children, seven of whom are living - Eschol L., Nettie G., Annie G., Serena I5., Roy W., Daisy and Forrest. Mr. and Mrs. Mack arc members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Qpiiblic-spii'ited citizens Newport, was .. _, l)()i-ii in AV^cstern New York near ]\Ioiint Morris on the Genesee River, February 22, 1826. His father, Jabez Cady, was a native of Steuben County, New York, born December 13, 1801, where he was reared, and was there married to Miss Sybil Church, a native of the same county, and after his marriage he located on the Genesee River but subsequently returned to Steuben County. The Cady family is of Scotch ancestry, Jonathan Cady, the great-grandfather of our subject, coming from Scotland, to America, and settling in New York State in a very early day. When the subject of this sketch was eleven years old, his parents removed to Washtenaw County^ Michigan, remaining there until he had reached the age of eighteen years, when the family settled in Ripley County, Indiana. Jabez Cady was a carpenter and buiklcr by occupation, and December 22, 1861, he was killed by falling from a scaffold on which he was working. His widow survived him some three years. Of the si.x children born to them, live are yet living - Harriet A., Hiram S., Susan A., Manly S. and Sarah. One son, named Delos L., died in the army in 1861. Hiram S. Cady came to Indiana in 1849, and April 19, 1849, he was married in Ripley County, to Miss Lucinda 1). Knapp, a daughter of Charles and Susan Knapp, who were natives of Connecticut and Vermont, respectively. The parents of Mrs. Cady settled in Ohio soon after tlieir marri.ige, and in 1886 removed to Kijjley County, where they made their home until their death. They had a family of nine children, eight of whom reached maturity. Four of their children are yet living - Ann, Aden W., Lucinda D. and Mary N. Mr. and Mrs. Cady have had seven children born to them of whom two are deceased - Harriet E., who died at the age of four yearsj and Mary L., who died aged two months_ The names of those living are - William W., Esther L., Zilla R., Linna M. and Lou A. Mr. Cady learned the trade of carpentering and bridge building, which he has made the principal avocation of his life. After his marriage he lived two years in Bartholomew County, Indiana, going thence to Jackson County. He remained at Jackson County until 1872, when he came to Vermillion County, and has since been a resident of Newport. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cady and all their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are active in promoting Christian enterprises, and charitable objects. In all his life Mr. Cady has never drank liquor, nor played a game of cards. Mr. Cady cast his first presidential vote for General Taylor in 1848, and subsequently voted for all the Whig candidates, until the organization of the liepublican party, since which time he has voted that ticket. Mr. Cady is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge at Newport.

WILLIAM P. CARMACK, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 8, Vermillion Township, where he owns eighty-five acres of good land, nnder a high state of cultivation. He is a native of Vermillion County, born July 4, 1841, a son of Andi'ew and Rachel (Nichols) Carmack, natives of Tennessee, and early settlors of Vermillion County, now living in Dana. William P. was reared on his father's farm and with the exception of three years has always followed agricultural pursuits. He was given good educational advantages and has taught three winter terms of school. He was married in 1866, to Mary E. Asbury, who was born in Vermillion County, in 1847, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Jones) Asbury. They have nine children - Ida M., Sarah E., Rachel J., Fred O., Elsie L., William R., Robert R., Carrie B. and Mabel F. In politics Mr. Carmack atfiliates with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

l^ENRY II. AYE, fanner and stock-raiser I'm) section 9, Helt Township, Vermillion "jfS'lft County, was born on the farm which he now occupies, the date of his birth being May 14, 1846. His father, Henry Aye, was a native of Maryland, and one of the old and honored pioneers of Vermillion County, Indiana, coming here in 1839 from Marion County, Ohio, where he had lived from boyhood. The father being a farmer, our subject was reared to the same vocation, which he has followed the greater part of his life. He received his education in the public schools of Montezuma, Indiana, and the Indianapolis Commercial College. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting July 19, 1862, in Company C, Sixth Indiana Cavalry, or Seventy-first Mounted Infantry. He was discharged February 11, 1863, for disability, caused by a gun-shot wound received at the battle of Richmond, Kentucky. He now draws a pension from the Goverment. Mr. Aye was united in marriage February 5, 1870, to Miss Minnie James, a daughter of the late Daniel James. Four children have been born to them, of whom only two are living, named Beatrice and William Curtis. Mr. Aye is the owner of ninety acres of choice land, forty acres being located across the line in Edgar County, Illinois, the remainder being in Ilelt Township. He never seeks to hold public office, preferring to devote his time to the duties of his farm, and by his ijuiet, unassuming manners and industrious habits he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Eepiiblic.

fACOD UNDERWOOD, who has been identified with the county many years, ,^ was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1818, a son of William and Elizabeth (Huffman) Underwood. In 1828 they removed to Coshocton County, Ohio, where lie was reared on a farm, and attended subscription school, taught in the rude log cabins with their puncheon floors, clapboard roof and slab seats. When a young man he taught school a short time. He spent a few years in Licking County, Ohio, and in the fall of 1854 he came to A^ermillion County, Indiana, settling where he now lives on section 5, Helt Township. He has made farming the principal vocation of his life, and is now the owner of a fine farm containing eighty acres of choice land, well improved and under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Underwood was united in marriage August 21, 1842, to Miss Mary A. Slater, who was a daughter of Nehemiah Slater. They had born to them eleven children, of whom four are deceased. The names of those yet livingare as follows - Mary E., William, Joseph, Elizabeth J., David S., Emma A., and Henry O. Mrs. Underwood died November 12, 1869, and February 16,1873, Mr. Underwood was again married to Mrs. Rosa J. Uierce, widow of Albert S. Pierce, and a daughter of Thomas and Hannah Dugger. To this union three children have been born, named - Thomas, Rhoda and Cyrenia C Mr. Underwood is a member of the United Brethren church, and his wife belongs to the Baptist church.

fAMUEL R. JAMES, farmer an,l stockraiser, resides on section 3, Ilelt Township, where he has a tine farm ot eighty acres. He was born in Helt Township, Vermillion County, August 2, 1826, a son of Dr. William James, who was the pioneer physician of the county, practicing medicine here when the Indians were the principal inhabitants. Our subject was reared to the vocation of a fiirmer, receiving such education as could be obtained in the rude log cabin subscription schools of that early day. He was married March 16, 1848, to Matilda Hougland, who was born in Helt Township in 1829, a daughter of William Hougland, who came to this county from Ohio among the early pioneers. Nine cliildren were born to this union of whom six are yet living - Maurice H., Henry B., Caroline, Joseph F.,. George W. and Robert C, all of whom are married and living near the old homestead. Maurice married Caroline Kearns, and of their four children, two named Harvey L. and John, are living. Henry has been twice married, his first wife being Virginia Anderson, who left at her death two children - Myrtle M. and V. Gertrude. He was subsequently married to Caroline Dinsmore, and to this union four children have been born, three still living - Homer, Golda and Samuel. Caroline married Charles Bassett, and has two children - Albert and Ethel. Joseph married Alice Randalls and h:i3 three children- Lslia, Edna, and an infant daughter yet unnamed. George married Ella Casebeer and they have one child, named Mervin. Robert married Ella Pearnian. Mr. James has served his township as assessor two terms, and during the present year acted as assistant assessor. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, an organization in wliich he takes an active interest. He is a worthy member of the Metlicniist Episcopal church, and a respected citizen of Vermillion County.

fAYTON M. MERRIMAN, deceased, was one of the enterprising farmers of the early days of Vermillion County. He was born in Tennessee, January 16, 1806, a son of Jesse and Mary ]V[erriman, and when a young man came to Indiana, and settled in Vermillion County. He owned at his death ninety-nine acres on section 9, Vermillion Township, and eighty acres on another section. He died in May, 1856, leaving many friends to mourn his loss. He was married September 8, 1831, in Tennessee, to Anna Campbell, who was born January 16, 1808, and died September 28, 1839. To them were born live children - Mary E., wife of James Horlin; Jane, widow of William jSTichols; Martha, deceased; Matilda, wife of Eldridge Horlin; and Rachel, deceased. April 5, 1840, Mr. Merriman married Julia A. Sears, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Hoffstetten) Sears, natives of Kentucky. They had a family of five children - Isabel, Amanda, John il., R. T. and Bruce E. Amanda married Allen Frazer and has two children - Urc M., and James H. Bruce married Alice Rice, and has two children - Collett and Jessie. John M. resides on the homestead with his mother, and has charge of the farm.

which contains ninety acres of valuable land. In politics Mr. Merriman was a Democrat. He and his wife were among the first members of the Methodist church in Vermillion County.

fHILO HARKNESS, residing on section 34, Clinton Township, was born in Allegany County, New York, August 29, 1816, a son of Robert and Roxalana (Boyce) i Ilarkness, the father born in Maine, and the mother in the State of New Hampshire. They were married in New Hampshire, and after the birth of their two eldest children, they removed to Allegany County, New York, where four children were born to them. In 1825 the father decided to work his way to the west with his family to see if he could better their circumstances, he being a pot)r man. The following winter was spent at Rochester, New York, where their youngest child was born. A short time was then spent at Buffalo, New York, when the family came to Indiana, reaching Fort Harrison Prairie in August, 1826. For several years Mr. Harkness was compelled to make changes of residence to find work to support his family, but his home was always in Vigo County. He died in the fall of 1832, his widow surviving until 1846. She died at the home of our subject. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harkness - Almira, deceased; Mary died aged twelve years, the year the family came to Indiana; Rossel; Philo, the sul)ject of this sketch; Ophelia, j deceased; ^Vnianda, and Roxie, deceased. Philo Ilarkness has lived in Western Indiana from the age of ten years. At the age of sixteen years he was thrown upon his own himself. He was united in marriage Septetnber 19, 1844, to Miss Lnratia Ward, a native of Tennessee, born September 12, 1S24, a daughter of Elijah M. Ward. Her parents settled in Indiana when she was a child of six years. J3oth are \w\\' deceased. iS'iiie children liave been born to Mr. and Mrs. Harkness as follows - Mary died after her marriage leaving a family; Albert; Laura; Elizabeth, died aged seventeen years; Harrison, Nancy, Morton, Tina and Tena (twins) the latter dying in infancy. Mr. Harkness has a valual)le farm of l-to acres, most of which he entered from the Government, and it has been his home ever since his marriage. By industry, economy and good management he has succeeded well in life, winning a good name, and a competence sufficient to spend his declining years in comfort.

fONATHAN E. ELLIS, farmer and stockraiser, section 9, Vermillion Township, was born in Vermillion County, Illinois, December 3, 1841, a son of Levi and Mary (Haworth) Ellis, his father a native of Ohio, of Scotch and Welsh ancestry, and his mother of Indiana, of Scotch-Irisli descent. The father moved to Vermillion County, Illinois^ in 1836. The parents were married January 10, 1838, and reared a family of Hve children, three of whom are living - Rebecca, wife of George F. Iloskins; Jonathan E., and Susanna, wife of Micajah Haworth. One son, William F., was a soldier in tlie war of the Rebellion, and was wounded at Chickamauga, captured, and died in Andersonville prison. Their eldest son, Richard H., was a prominent citizen of Eugene Townsliip. The father died in Vermillion County, Illinois, April 27, 1847, aged thirty-five years, and the mother in 1864. After the death of his father, Jonathan Ellis was brought to Vermillion County, Indiana, and remained liere ten years. He then returned to Illinois and remained there three years, then came back to this township, where he was living at the l)reaking out of the Rebellion, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Seventy-third Illinois Infantry, and served three years. He participated in the battles at Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, New HopeChurch, Kenesaw Mountain, Rocky Face Gap, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, and many others of less importance. He was discharged at Camp Butler and returned liome at the close of the Mar. He was married September 1, 1870, at Lel)anon, Warren County, Ohio, to Kate E. Linder, daughter of Samuel and Lucinda (Neice) Linder, lier father a native of Ohio, and her mother of Pennsylvania, both of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have two children - William F. and Samuel L. Mr. Ellis settled on the farm where he now lives November 4, 1884. He owns 132 acres of valuable land, all under cultivation, and his improvements are among the best in the township, and his residence a large brick building. In politics Mr. Elljs affiliates with the Republican party. He and his family are members of the society of Friends.

fOHN S. KEARNS, a worthy representative of one of the old and honored pioneer families of Vermillion County, is engaged in general farming on section 4, Helt Township, where he has forty-two acres of valuable land. Ilisfather, AV'illiam Kearns, was born in Virginia,a son of William Kearns, who immigrated to Kentucky as a slave holder in an early day. William Kearns, Jr., left his father's home when sixteen years old, and came on foot to Danville, Illinois, where there was one log cabin used as an Indian trading post. He foiind employment in the salt works fifteen miles west of Danville, where he M'as engaged two years. He then came to A'eriuiliion County, locating at Springfield, near the present site of Eugene, and here he helped make the first brick in the county, and built the first brick chimney made in the count}', which was placed on the cooper shop where he learned his trade, that of a cooper. He built a cooper shop in Halt Township, and made the barrels in which the first pork of the county was packed. He married Miss Agnes Skidmore, a daughter of John Skidmore, an early settler of the county, and to them were born nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity - John, Polly, Mrs. Euth Eogers (deceased), William F., Mrs. Ellen J. Carter, Mrs. Caroline James and Albert Harvey. William Kearns died August 27, 1884, aged seventy-seven years. He was always a hard-working man, and did much toward building up the county. He was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church for some time, and was an active worker for the cause of Christianity. He came to the county when it was principally inhabited by Indians and wild animals, and made his home right in the woods, where he experienced all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, but by persevering industry and good management he made a good home out of the forest, and lived to enjoy the fruits of his years of toil. John S. Kearns, whose name heads this sketch, is a native of Vermillion County, Indiana, born in Helt Township, June 8, 1831. He was reared amid the scenes of pioneer life, and in liis boyhood attended school in the rude log cabin schools of that early day with tlieir puncheon floors, clapboard roof, and slab seats, and greased paper for wimlows, receiving here but a limited education. He w;i> married September 20,1855,to liachel Spriggs, a daughter of Henry Spriggs, and to tluin were born three children, all of whom aie deceased. Mrs. Kearns died June 19, 1861, and December 31, 1863, Mr. Kearns was married to Miss Parthena J. Ivie, a daughter of John Ivie, of Harrison County, Missouri. They are the parents of four children nameil - Oscar, Ruhama C, U. S. Grant and Ellen J. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kearns are menibLT.^ of the Methodist Episcopal church at Spring Hill.

PANIEL HELT, one of the earliest settlers of Helt Township, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1791, a son of John Helt. In 1815 Daniel Helt accompanied his father to Yincennes, Indiana, and in the fall of 1817, they came to Vermillion County, and built a cabin and in the spring of 1818 moved the taniily into it. The country at that time was inhabited by Indians and wild animals and tliey had many thrilling adventures, which Mr. Helt never tired of relating, and many are remembered by his family. The Indians were in the habit of coming to the houses of the white settlers for provisions and at one time when the larder was nearly empty Mr. Helt refused to give them anything. At this they became angry and came to liis house with the intention of killing him, but he was absent from iiome and tiius avoided a quarrel. At one time an Indian went to the house of his father, John Helt, and demanded either his gun or his pappoose (his son George), but Mr. Helt told him he could liave neither, but if lie did not leave he would gladh' give him the contents of the gun. Mr. Helt was a veteran of the war of 1812, and had no fear of the Indians. They were obliged to go to Yinceunes to mill, and were some times three or four weeks in making the trip. Mr. Helt was married June 17, 1819, to Mary M. Ely, daughter of George Ely. To them were born nine children, five of whom are living - Francis M., Henry E., Phoebe (now Mrs. Jacob Miller), Catherine (now Mrs. Wm. Hammon), and Mary J. (wife D. E. Strain). A daughter, Lucinda, died at the age of two 3'ears, and two sons, George and Eli, after they had reached manliood. Eli left a wife and four children. Mr. Ilelt died March 15, 1879, in the eighty-eighth year of his age, and Mrs. Ilelt September 30, 1884, in her ninety-first year. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

tENIlY AYE, deceased, who was identified with the early history of Ilelt Township, was born in Maryland in November, 1794, a son of Jacob Aye, who was a Revolutionary soldier of some note. His education was limited, as the schools of those days were of short sessions. At the age of seventeen he volunteered in Lieutenant Devaull's Company of Ohio Militia, and was honorably discharged after peace was declared. An the age of thirty he married Mary, daughter of the Eev. Simon Jones, the first settler of the Welch Hills, Licking County, Ohio, and alter his marriage settled near Calidonia, Marion County, Ohio. He migrated to Indiana in the fall of 1839, and settled in the woods on section 9, Helt Township, where he cleared the land and built a comfortable home for his family. In politics lie was a Whig, and a Republican; in religion he was an old-time Methodist. His house was always open to receive the itinerant, and no stranger was allowed to go away hungry.

He died as he lived, an honored citizen and Christian gentleman. His widow still lives on the old homestead with her eldest son, Francis, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. They were the parents of fourteen children - Francis S., Eliza, Eufiis B., Nancy, Jacob, Phoebe A., Rachel, Nathan, Viiial S., Maria, Mary, Electa, Henry II. and Albert. Ten are still living.

ILLIAM PHEUBY is a native of Yermillion County, born in Eugene Township, near Eugene, April 28, 1833. His father, John Rheuby, was born near Perryville, Kentucky, in the year 1800, and during the war of the Rebellion the battle of Perryville was fought on the farm where he was born. John Rheuby was left an orphan at an early age, and in 1812 he immigrated to Washington County, Indiana, with his Uncle Nathaniel Green. He came to Yermillion County in 1830, and settled in Eugene Township when Indians and wild animals were the principal inhabitants. He was a soldier during the Black Hawk War. He married Rachel Dickerson, and of the four children born to them two are yet living - William, our subject, and Kinzer who lives in Finney County, Kansas. One son, Nathaniel, died in hospital at Madison, Indiana, during the late war. The fatlier died in June, 1875. AVilliam Rheuby was reared to agricultural pursuits, and has always followed the vocation of a farmer. He received a common-school education in the schools of this county, and subsequently taught four terms in Jiis home district in the old log cabin school-house. He was married October 12, 1859, to Miss Eliza Sprouls, a daughter of the late James Sprouls. To them have been born ten children, six of whom are living, named - Joliu A., Alva E., Laura A., Gould G., Deborah G. and Morton C. Alva E. married Robert C. JMesbitt, of Yermilliou County, Illinois, and has two children - Elizabeth Estella and William K. Laura A. married George IL Mitchell, then of Georgetown, Illinois, and has one son - Harlan R. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are now living in Pawnee, Kansas. Mr. liheuby resides on section 30, Eugene Township, where he owns 109 acres of choice land. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of hog raising. He was a soldier in the war of Rebellion, being a member of Company A, Thirty-first Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battles of Tunnel Hill, Buzzard Roost, Dalton and Resaca. After the last mentioned battle he was detailed to the Commissary department where he served until the close of the war. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Both ho and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

:ILL1AM R BREMER, inerehant, Quaker Hill, Indiana, has a well assorted stock of dry-goods, boots and shoes, hats, patent medicines, groceries, qneen'sware, tin and hardware and notions. He located at Quaker Hill, February 14, 1881, and has built up a good trade, his genial manners and honorable dealings gaining the confidence of the public. He was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, September 15, 1851, a son of Simeon R and Mary K. (McPherson) IJremer, natives of Kentucky, iiis father of German and his mother of Scotch descent. William P. was reared on a farm, receiving but limited educational advantages, but by observation and reading has acquired a good business education. He was married in Vigo County, Indiana, November 2n. 1881, to Melissa L. Iluntvvork, who was burn in that county March 6, 1859, a daughter nt Jacob and Catherine Huntwork. They have one child - Bertlia B. Mr. Bremer is a member of the Cdd Fellow's order, Newport Lodge, No. 594. In politics he affiliates with the Prohibition party. In 1885 he w;i> appointed postmaster at Quaker Ilill. and still holds that position.

fOHN BILSLAND, one of tiie uld and respected citizens of Helt Townshiji, residing on section 10, is a native of Ohio, born in Ross County, September '2^. 1808. His father, Alexander Bilsland, w,-- born in the State of Pennsylvania, and wa- : soldier in the war of 1812. The subject this sketch was reared to the vocation of :i farmer, and in his youth received such education as could be obtained in the subscription schools of that early day. The schools of that time were held in the most primitive style of log cabins, built with clapboard roof, puncheon tloor, slab seats, greased paper used for windows, and a huge iire-place across one end of the room. He began learning tiie carpenter's trade at the age of seventeen years, an occupation he followed for forty years. He was married October 25, 1832, to Mahala De Haven, a daughter of Jacob I)e Haven, and of the seven children born to this unimi only two are now living - Mrs. Emma TayN ; and Mrs. Gabrianna Arnold. One son namtii Frank, was a soldier in the war of tiie Rel)ellion, and was killed in the West. Mrs. Bilsland died July 10, 1849, and ISlay 21, 1850, Mr. Bilsland was married a second time to Eliza Seweli, daughter of David Sewell, and to them were born two children named John E. and Euseba Malone. Mrs.

Bilsland, the second wife of our subject, died February 10, 1884. Mr. Bilsland came to Verniillion County, December 31, 1850, settling -where he now lives in Helt Township. He has by his industrious habits, and good business management prospered through life, and yet owns 197 acres of valuable land, after having given to his children 314 acres of land, all of which he acquired hy fair and honorable dealings. He is a memljer ^of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he attiliates with the liepublican party.

T^ K^^ II ARYEY L. GKIMES, aresident of M II, 'It Township, was born in AYatertown* ~^ ^\';lshiIlgton County, Ohio, August 19' 1857. His father, Dr. Wilson Grimes, who is now deceased, was also a native of Ohio. He was united in marriage to Miss Emily Harris, a daughter of Morgan Harris who is a resident of Helt Township, and to them were born eight children as follows - Mrs. Dr. Bradley, John, Anna, Mrs. Dr. Xewton, Harvey L. (our subject), Morgan, Jonas and Ruth. The fatlier came with his family to Yermillion County, Indiana, in 1861. In 1870 the family removed to Edgar County, Illinois, where the father died in 1871, the mother and family returning to this county in 1872. The subject of this sketch was reared to the vocation of a farmer, receiving in his boyhood the benefits of the common schools. He made the most of his oppoi-tuuities, and by close observation and diligent study he became a well educated man, and since 1878 he has followed the teacher's profession both summer and winter, becoming a successful and popular instructor. He lives with his mother who is now in her sixty-first year. He began preaching the gospel in tiie Methodist Episcopal church in 1886, and has now four appointments. He has held the position of Secretary of the County Sabiwtli- School Association, and takes an active interest in Sabbath-school work. He has collected a fine library, his liooks being valued at %qQO.

tARON MARTIN, a farmer of Clinton Township, was born in Rockingham County, North Carolina, January 25, 1824, a son of George and Elizabeth (Riddle) Martin, who M-ere born, reared and married in that State. In 1827 they came north with their family, and after a short residence in Ohio, they settled in Shelby County, Indiana, remaining there until 1837. They then removed to Edgar County, Illinois, and spent the remainder of their life in that and A"ermillion County, Indiana, both dying in Edgar County many years ago. Aaron Martin, the subject of this sketch, has spent most of his life in agricultural pursuits, and nearly all his life since reaching manhood has been spent in A^ermilliun County. He now resides on section 22, Clinton Townshij), M'here he is engaged in farming and coal mining. He is the owner of forty acres of land where he resides, and a tract of ten acres located in another part of Clinton Township. Mr. Martin was united in marriage February 14, 1850, to Miss Hannah Norton, who was born in Fayette County, Ohio, April 25, 1829, a daughter of Samuel and Hannah Norton. She came with her parents to Yermillion County, Indiana, in 1848, they shortly after removing across the line to Edgar County, Illinois, where they lived until their death, the father dying in September, and the mother in November, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have seven children living - Mrs. Missouri Bell, of Clinton Township; Mrs.

Charity Haupt, of Lyon County, Kansas; Mrs. Laura Pennington, of Edgar County, Illinois, and Elizabeth Adon, of Edgar County, Illinois; George S., Emma and Delia, at home with their parents. Two of their children, named Sarah O. and Erancis, are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Martin, with four of their daughters, Missouri, Elizaheth, Laura and Emma, are members of the Protestant Methodist church. In politics Mr. Martin is a Republican with Prohibition proclivities.

tEVI S. SCOTT, a prominent and enterprising agriculturist of Vermillion County, engaged in farming and stockraising, was born on the liomestead where he now resides, on section 15, Clinton Tonwship, the date of his birth being October 29, 1855, a son of Matthew W. Scott, who is now a resident of Clinton. He was reared to the vocation of a fanner, and all his life has been spent in this neighborhood. The homestead upon which he resides was his father's tirst home in Clinton Township, and here he lived until January 5, 1882, when he removed to Clinton. He still owns the property, his son, the subject of this sketch, managing the same, and at the same time carries on his own farm on section 21, where he has 160 acres of choice land, the latter being known as the McPheter's farm to old settlers. Levi S. Scott was united in marriage September 10, 1878, to Miss Susannah Scott, a daughter of James and Emily Scott. Though of the same namehis wife was not arelative. She was born in Connorsville, Indiana, May 27, 1855. Her parents now reside in Charleston, Illinois. Two children have been born to Mr. and ]\Trs. Scott, named Grace D. and Ivan AV. In his political views Mr. Scott afhliates with the Democratic party. Mr. Scott is classed among the active and public-S])irited men of his township, and every enterprise calculated to advance the interests of his township or county has his encouragement and assistance.

fHARLES P.WALKER, superintendent and treasurer of the Norton Creek Coal Mines, and one of the leading business men of Yermillion County, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born October 22, 1819. His father, Christopher Walker, was a merchant in that city, and later was in the mercantile trade at Connorsville, Indiana, and from Connorsville he removed to Logansport, Indiana. He became interested in railroad enterprises, and at the time of his death, which occurred in Chicago, Illinois, in January, 1869, he was the treasurer of the Chicngi) &, Great Eastern, now known as the Pan- Handle Railroad. Charles P. Walker, whose name heads this sketch, received a good business education, and early in life became one of the clerical staff in the railroad treasurer's oflice, under the supervision of his father. He has been a resident of Clinton since the spring of 1874, and during his residence in Vermillion County he has been engaged in coal production. About 300 men on an average are employed by the Norton Creek Mining Company, and in his position as treasurer Mr. Walker is trusted with the management of large interests. The company, in order to accommodate their extensive business, erected a large building for mercantile trade, and put up several tenement houses to accommodate their employes, in Clinton Township, two and a half miles northwest of Clinton, and gave this villnge the name of Geneva, in honor of Mr. Walker's second daughter. Mr. Walker was mar- ried in Logausjjort in 1872, to Miss Jennie Sam mis, a native of Brooklyn, New York, and of the five children born to them only three are living - Nettie, Geneva and Charles P. r'anuie died in her third year, and Eachel died in.infancy. Mr. Walker belongs to both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. He is an active, public-spirited citizen, and is always interested in the welfare of his town or count v.

Adison Nolan

"^^ May 10, 1837, and a worthy repre- -fiilative of one of the earliest pioneer families of the county. His parents, Samuel and Sarah (Cellars) Nulan. were born, reared and May 10, 1816, were married in Shenandoah County, Virginia, where their three eldest child ren were born. They left the Shenandoah Valley for A^ermillion County, Indiana, in 1820, and settled in the woods on section 33, Ilelt Township. The father in his younger days was a school-teacher, and followed that voca-- tion eight years. He brought with him to the county quite a cash capital, and being a man of great energy and good business management, he was soon classed among the most prosperous farmers in the county. At one time he suifered quite a loss by having §1,450 in currency stolen from his residence. After reaching manhood he affiliated with the Whig party, and became a strong antislavery man, and naturally became one of the organizers of the Republican party. He was a consistent Christian and a member of the Protestant Methodist church. He retained his mental and physical vigor until about three 3'ears before his death, which occurred February 9, 1872, in bis eighty-first year. His estate, outside of his personal property, consisted of about 1,500 acres of land. The mother of our subject died in 1851. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Nolan are as follows - Angeline first married John Ilollingsworth, and after his death married Benjamin Ailsher and reared a family by each marriage; she died in Kansas in 1883, aged sixty-five years. Alfred died at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving a widow and two children; John died in June, 1883, aged sixty-two years; James died aged fortj'-eight years, leaving a widow and one child; Mrs. Emily Dustheiiner, a widow, residing in Kansas; Alcain, living in EdgarCounty, Illinois; Melinda died aged two years; Mrs. x\manda Hollingsworth, deceased; Jeftersou was a member of the Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and died July 25, 1865, in Edgar County, Illinois, aged thirty-three years; Mrs.[Lydia Schrader, a resident of California; Madison, the subject of this sketch; Milton, who now lives in Edgar County, Illinois, was a soldier in the Seventy-ninth Illinois Infantry. Samuel Nolan was a second time united in marriage to Mrs. Lucinda Fitzgerald, who survived him about four j'ears. Madison Nolan, whose name heads this sketch, was reared on the homestead of his parents, and educated in the schools of his neighborhood. With the exception of the time spent in the late war and two years in Kansas and Missouri, he has always lived in Vermillion County and near the home of his birth. While a young man he taught two terms of school. He was a loyal and ardent supporter of Abraham Lincoln's administration, and August 12; 1862, he enlisted in defense of the Union, becoming a member of Company D, Eighty-fifth Indiana Infantry. Tlie regiment left Indiana September 3 following, and was employed on guard and garrison duty and in protecting lines of communication in Kentucky and Tennessee until the beginning of tlie Atlanta campaign. In tlie campaign cnlminating in the capture of Atlanta the regiment did gallant service, and followed the banners of Sherman to the sea, and through the Carolinas. At Averasboro, North Carolina, in one of the last engagements of the war, March 16, 1865, Mr. Nolan was so severely wounded in the left arm as to necessitate its amputation. He now receives a liberal pension from the Gorernment. June 29, 1865, he was honorably discharged from David's Island Hospital on Long Island Sound. He was united in marriage December 31, 1868, to Miss Harriet L. Stillwell. a native of Edgar County, Illinois, and a daughter of John Stillwell. She died April 20. 1870, aged twenty years, leaving at her death one child named Vachel, who died at the age of ten years. Mr. Nolan was married a second time, April 20, 1871, to Miss Minerva A. Scissel, who was born in Ohio June 20, 1844, but reared and educated in Edgar County, Illinois, and there taught several schools, and is a daughter of James Scissel. They are the parents of one daughter, Cora, a young lady of fine literary and musical accomplishments. Mr. Nolan is the owner of a fine farm of 140 acres on section 4, Clinton Township, where he resides, with excellent building improvements. His residence is surrounded by shade and ornamental trees, and everything about the place indicates the owner to be a thorough, practical farmer. In politics Mr. Nolan is an ardent Republican. He is a member of the United l>retliren church, and a respected citizen of the county.

1821, a son of William Strain, a native of Kentucky. His father and an uncle, Thomas Strain, were in the war of 1812, and both were present at Hull's surrender at Detroit. His grandfather, Thomas Strain, was a native of Scotland. In 1833 his parents moved to Shelby County, Indiana, and lived a few miles southeast of Indianapolis si.\ years and in 1839 he came to Vermillion County, where he has since lived with the exception of about five years spent in Edgar County, Illinois. He is one of the prosperous farmers of Helt Township, where he owns a good farm of 160 acres. He makes a specialty of graded stock, having some of the best cattle and hogs in the county. Mr. Strain was married in 1850 to Mary Helt, daughter of Daniel Helt, a pioneer of Vermillion County. To them have been born six children - Isaac, America, Charles H., Elizabeth, James (deceased), and Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Strain are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican.

fAMES r. HAAYORTH, farmer and stockraiser, section 7, Vermillion Township, is a native of Vermillion County, born in 1834, a son of Richard and Susannah (Henderson) Ilaworth, natives of Tennessee and South Carolina respectively. His parents lived for some time in Ohio, and from that State moved to Vermillion County, Indiana, in 1820, and settled on a tract of wild land in Vermillion Township, their nearest neighbor at that time being sixteen miles distant. This land they improved and made their home until their death. James P. was reared on his father's farm, and now owns a part of the old homestead. After nearly seventy years of cultivation, the hmd in this section has proven to be immensely rich, affording heavy crops of all kinds of grain grown in this climate. Its adaptation to the different kinds of grasses is admirable. Blue grass and white clover are natives in this soil; they make a luxuriant growth, thus affording an abundant pasturage for all domestic animals, thus making stock-raising a paying enterprise. He was married in 1858 to Eebecca Tiiornton, a native of Yermillion County, Illinois, born in 1837, a daughter of Joshua and Sarah (Brown) Tiiornton. Mr. and Mrs. Ilaworth have had eight children, six of whom are living - Justin, Rosella, liichard, John T., Lucy and Dayton D. Justin married Matilda Mills, and has two children - Lucy and Huher. Rosella is the wife of Cassius Hester. Mr. Ilaworth and his family are members of the society of Friends. In politics he affiliates with the Prohibition party.

flLLIAM I. HALL, M. D., the pioneer physician of Gessie, was l"=?y^I born in Williamsport, Warren County, Indiana, in May, 1841, his father, Rev. Colbratli Hall, being among the ffrst farmers and preachers of that county, where he still lives. Rev. Colbrath Hall is a native of the State of New York, born January 20, 1806, and although in his eighty-second year, he is still active, and y^t engaged in the ministry. Dr. Hall was reared to manhood in his native county, and enlisted from there in August,

1862, in Company E, Eighty-sixth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battle of Perryville, bnt in December, 1862, he was compelled to go to the hospital on account of illness. On his recovery he was detailed for hospital duty at Nashville, and this hospital service was his first school in medicine. He remained on hospital duty until the close of then returned home and shortly after his return, he was appointed i)y Gove, nor Morton, Assistant Military Agent of the State of Indiana, with headquarters at Chattanooga, which position he occupied until after the fall of Atlanta, when he resigned. During his service in the hospital he liad laid the foundation for medical study, and on his return from Chattanooga, he entered the drug store of his brother-in-law at Williamsport, and at the same time studied medicine. In Octobei-, 1865, he entered the medical department of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, where he remained until .\pril, 1866, when he returned to Williaiiis])ort. In the spring of 1867, he began the practice of medicine at Jelferson, in Clinton County, Indiana. During the winter of lS69-'70, he attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, graduating from that institution in the spring of 1870. In 1870 he came to Iligliland Township, Vermillion County, and when the railroad station was located at Gessie, in 1872, he established himself at this place where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He purchased the first lot and erected the first house on the village plat, and has ever since been one of the most active and public-spirited men of the place. Dr. Hall was married at Jefferson, to Miss Elizabeth Hall of that place, and tliey are the parents of three children - Wendell Velpeau, a student at AVabash College; William B. and Mary Henrietta. In politics the doctor is a Republican, and is a warm supporter of tlie principles of his party.

fEORGE FRANKLIN SKIDMORE, residing on section 16, Helt Township, Yermillion County, is a blacksmith by trade, also carries on a general repair shop, and also works a little in wood, lie is a skillful and reliable workman, and is meeting with good success in liis business. He is a native of Ilelt Township, this county, the date of liis birth being January 13, 1855, and is a son of Hon. William Skidmore, now deceased, who was a prominent citizen of the county for many years. Our subject was leared to the vocation of a farmer on the old homestead in Ilelt Township, and received his education principally in Liberty schoolhouse, lie owns nineteen and a half acres of choice land where he resides. He was united in marriage, October 31, 1878, to Miss Susannah Tillotson, a daughter of Daniel Tillotson, her father being deceased. Three children liave l)een born to Mr. and Mrs. Skidmore, whose names are Cora B., George W. and Hoy B. JBoth Mr. and Mrs. Skidmore are active and consistent Christians, the former being a member of the United Brethren church at Liberty, and the latter being a member of the I'aptist church at Toronto.

1^11. IIENHY T. WATKINS, physician y*\ iMn and surgeon, St. Bernice, Vermillion ^^ Connty, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 14, 1850. His father, John C. AVatkins, who is now deceased, was a native of England, coming to the United States when a young man. For thirty years he was engaged in contracting and building in Cincinnati. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Cincinnati. graduating from the high school at that city in 1868. He subsequently attended the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati. He graduated from Ilahnneman Medical College, of Chicago, Illinois, and is also a graduate of the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, Kentucky, taking a special course in chemistry and surgery while at Louisville.

He took special courses in Chicago in diseases of the eye and ear, and in diseases of women and children, and is now making a specialty of tliese diseases. He came to St. Bernice in 1881. Dr. Watkins was married in the spring of 1869, to Miss Mary A. P. McAwane, and they are the parents of two children, named Annie and Alma. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity.