Vermillion County, Indiana - The whole text, 1888 (part 12 of 15)

f'EOPtGE W. STULTZ. one of Clinton f Township's representative citizens, re- L siding on section 21, is a native of Vermillion County, Indiana, born in Clinton Township, October 29, 1841. George Stultz, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the early pioneers of the county, coming with his family from Ohio, and settling on section 85, Clinton Township, about the year 1832, where he lived until his death. His second son, Solomon Stultz, was the father of our subject. He was about fifteen years of age when his parents settled in this county. He married Miss Zenia A. Groves, and of the eight children born to this union our subject was the eldest. The other children are - Lewis G., who served in the Seventy-first Indiana Infantry, and the Sixth Indiana Cavalry durtng the war of the Rebellion, is now living in Clinton Township; Joseph II., a resident of Edgar County, Illinois; Drusilla J. and William died after reaching maturity, and three *who died in infancy. In 1852 the family removed to Knox County, Missoiiri, where the mother died in February, 1854, aged thirty-two years. Not long alter his wife's death Solomon Stultz returned to this county, and about six months later he married Mrs. Melinda Ileeder, widow of William Reeder, by whom she had five children. Mr. Stultz then settled on section 21, Clinton Township, the former home of "\Yilliam Reeder, and to his second marriage were born three children - Alfred C, of Clinton Township; John, who died in infancy, and Mrs. Nettie G. Gray, of Clinton. The father died in February, 1886- He was a worthy and consistent member of the Baptist church, and a much respected citizen. His widow still survives, and lives at the old home in Clinton Township. George W. Stultz, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and has always followed the vocation of a farmer. He received his education in the log cabin subscription schools of his neighborhood, where he made the most of his limited advantages. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Fourteenth Indiana Infantry for three months, but went to the front in Company H, Sixteenth Indiana Infantry, under an enlistment for one year, which he served in Maryland and Virginia. October 25, 1863, he married iliss Sarah Clark, who was born on the homestead, where she now lives, the second child of James and Serena (Bright) Clark. Her father was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1800, and was first married in his native State to Miss Sarah Round, and three of the children born to this union are yet living - Mrs. Jane Halter and Mrs. Lydia Crabb, residents of Washington Territory, and Mrs. Mary Stone, of Clinton. Mr. Clark settled in Vermillion County, when it was a dense forest, and when Indians and wild animals were the principal inhabitants. He was again united in marriage to Mrs. James S. Sinitli, who was born and reared in the State of North Carolina. To this union live children were born, Mrs. Stultz being the second child. Of the others, Joseph S. and James G. live in Clinton Township near Mrs. Stultz; Mrs. Delia Ann Martin lives in Kansas, and Mrs. Susan E. Porter is deceased. Mr. Clark died April 11, 1877, his widow surviving until September 16, 1880, both dying at the age of seventy-nine years. Mrs. Clark was twice married before becoming the wife of Mr. Clark, taking for her first husband Jesse B. Co.x, and ^for her second husband James S. Smith. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Stultz are the parents of three children, all yet alive under the home roof; their names being - Charles A., Samuel C. and George R. Five of their children are deceased - Lewis M., died in his eighth year; Lawrence E., aged four years; Lena, aged four years, and two who died in infancy. As before stated Mr. and Mrs. Stultz make their home on the old homestead of her parents, which is located on the Hazel Bluff Gravel road, and contains 120 acres of choice land. Besides this farm Mr. Stultz owns a tract of eighty acres also located in Clinton Township. In polities he is an ardent Republican, and prominent in local politics. He held the othce of trustee of Clinton Township from 1882 until 1886, serving as such with credit to himself, and to the best interests of his township. He is a meml)er of tiie Odd Fellows order, belonging to Amant Lodge, No. 350, I. O. O. F., of Clinton. Both he and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist church.

fACOB MILLER, one of the old and honored j^ioneers of Vermillion County, [ residing on section 22, Ilelt Township, was born in Lewis County, Kentucky, February 28, 1818. His father, Jacob Miller, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a son of Jacob Miller, who was a native of Germany. The mother of our subject, Barbaia (Fried) Miller, was a native of Maryland, and of German descent. The parents came with their fomily to Indiana in 1831, they settling in Parke Comity. In those days they paid $1.50 per Imndred for pork, and corn was sold as low as 8 and 10 cents per bushel along the Wabash, and as there was no market for it, it was shipped by flat-boat to New Orleans. In 1832 the family came to Vermillion County, and located in Ilelt Township, where our subject was reared, his early life being spent in assisting on the home farm and in attending the subscription school, where he received but a limited education. When a lad of fourteen years he found employment as cook on a keel-boat which carried salt and goods from the Eapids on the Wabash, in low water, to Terre Haute, Covington and La Fayette. When fifteen years old he helped to drive 400 head of hogs to Columbus, Ohio, walking the entire distance home. In early manliood he made iive trips to New Orleans on a flat-boat, with produce, returning by steamer to Evansville, Indiana, sometimes making the remaining distance by stage, and sometimes walking home from Evansville. He has always been a great walker, sometimes walking forty miles in one da3^ In his younger days he raked and bound wheat, keeping up with the cradle, for $1 a day. In one day he bound 183 dozen sheaves, making him the champion of the county, and in fact thei-e is not another parallel case on record in the county. In one day he raked and bound six acres of oats for Silas Davis, Sr., receiving in payment a twenty-two-gallon vinegar keg, iron bound and painted, which keg is still in his possession. He began life on his own account in limited circumstances. About that time he had gone security for $250, which he had to pay; but by hard work and persevering energy he has succeeded well in his agricultural pursuits, and has now a competence for his declining years. His farm where he resides contains 153 acres of well-improved land, under a fine state of cultivation. ]\Ir. Miller was married June 20, 1841, to IMiss Phcebe A. Helt, whose father, Daniel, was among the early settlers of this county. Eight children have been born to them, as follows - Indiana (deceased), Mary J. (^deceased), Daniel, Sylvester, Bloomer, Charles F., Emma and Jacob, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Miller and a number of their children are members of the Methodist Protestant church. In polities he is a Republican.

one of the 3 farmers of W^ Clinton Township, and a much respected citizen, is a native of Illinois, born in Edgar County, November 3, 1851, a son of William and Kesiah Hopkins. The father died many years ago, but his widow still survives, Ijeing yet a resident of Edgar County. They were the parents of two children - Mrs. Cassandra Layton, who lives in Illinois, and George R. The latter was reared to the vocation of a farmer, which he has made his life work, and ranks among the thorough, practical farmers of Vermillion County. He resides on section 17, Clinton Township, where he has a well improved and very productive farm of 120 acres, all under a high state of cultivation, with the exception of thirty-five acres reserved for timber. Mr. Hopkins keeps up with the spirit of the age in availing himself of improved methods in farming. In 1873 Mr. Hopkins was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Skidmore, a daughter of Joshua Skidmore, one of the prominent early settlers of Clinton Township. To this union two children were born, both of whom are deceased - Ada, who died at the age of three years, and Mary, aged one month. ISIrs. Hopkins died in 1876, at the age of twenty- three years. Mr. Hopkins was again married December 28, 1882, to Miss Annabel Harrison, a daughter of Robert Harrison, and a granddaughter of Benjamin, an early pioneer of Clinton Township. In politics Mr. Hopkins is a Republican, and a strong adherent to the ])rinciples of that party.

;ILLIAM BALES, farmer and stockraiser, resides on section 36, Helt Township, where he owns a half interest in 320 acres of valuable land, lie was born in Lee County, Virginia, June 22, 1827, a son of George Bales, who was born the valley of the James River, in Virginia, and in 1830 brouglit his family to Indiana, and settled on what is now the farm of liis son William. At the time of his sett]en:ent in Vermillion County it was a lieavily timbered tract, and was infested with deer, wolves, wild cats and otlier animals. William Bales was reared in tlie midst of this wildness, and in his early life was obliged to undergo many hardships unknown to the young people of Vermillion County to-day. He began to assist his father when very young, and as lie was only allowed to attend school wlien liis services were not required at home, his education was limited; bnt he lias taken an interest in the affairs of his county, and is well posted on all topics of general importance. He learned tlie carpenter's trade wlien a young man, and has followed it in connection with the cultivation of his tarm, and has built many of the l)est liouses in his neighborhood. Mr. Bales was married February 28, 1862, to Ann Anderson, daughter of Calvin Anderson. To Mr. aTid Mrs. Bales have been born nine children, all at home - Pharaba, Effie, Esther, Myrtle, Ida, George, Mattie, AVilhelmina and Mary.

f MARTIN SMITH, one of Highland Township's active and enterprising cit- ® izens, was born in Blair County, Pennsylvania, in 1834. He was reared to manhood in his native State, remaining there until twenty years of age, when he went to Galion, Crawford County, Ohio, remaining tliere until 1865. Mr. Smith was engaged in railroading for twenty-five years, and during the last fifteen years of that time he was engineer on the Wabash road. He resided in Springfield, Illinois, until 1880, since which time he has been a resident of Vermillion County. He was married in 1876 to Miss Isabella Barnett, a daughter of George W. and Jane (Moore) Barnett. She was born on the old homestead, where she still lives, in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of two children, named Florence and Pearl. Both parents of Mrs. Smith were representatives of early pioneer families, and the Bar-, nettfamilyhas long been recognizedamongthe progressive families of Vermillion County, Illinois. James Barnett, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Smith, was of Irish descent. He married a Miss O'Connell, an Irish lady, and reared a large family. He spent the greater part of his life in Pennsylvania, where he died, and soon after his death his widow removed with her family to Kentucky. George Barnett, Sr., the grandfather of Mrs. Smith, also reared a large family, six sons, James D., Robert E., William R., John M. George W. and Elbert, and two daughters, grew to maturity, all being natives of Kentucky. The father removed from Kentucky with all his family but James, who was en- gagrid in teaching in Davies Cloinity Indiana, and settled in Ycnnillion County, Illinois, in the summer of 1828. James subsequently settled in the same coiinty, where he died. Robert E. and George W. subsequently became residents of Vermillion County, Indiana, the former coming in the year 1830, in which year he began clerking in the store of J. and S. S. CoUett at Eugene. Four years later he formed a partnership with S. S. Collett and Nathaniel Adams, under the firm name of Collett & Adams. About 1845 he bought out Mr. Collett and became associated in business with Joseph Moore, Mr. Adams having died, this partnership continuing until 1853. In 1858 Robert Barnett returned to his farm in Vermillion County, Illinois, where he has since resided. George AV. Barnett, the father of Mrs. Smith, was much younger than his brother Robert, and came to this county some time after he settled here. He began life at Eugene as a clerk, and later engaged in business for himself. He was married at Eugene to Miss Jane Moore, a daughter of Thomas Moore, and to them were born two children - Isabelle, wife of ]\Ir. Smith, and Thomas, who died at the age of seventeen years. They lived in Vermillion County, Illinois, for a short time after their marriage, but in 1845 returned to this county and settled in the south part of Highland Township. In 1851 during the gold excitement in California, Mr. Barnett went to that State. Mrs. Barnett died at the homestead in Highland Township, October 13, 18G9.

fOSEPII C. LYNN, farmer and stockraiser, Helt Township, near St. Bernice, was born in Prince William County, Virginia, August 13, 1828, a son of Josej)h

C. Lynn, a native of the same county. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and spent his life in his native State. Our subject was reared on a farm, receiving but a limited education in the schools of the early day. He remained in his native State until 1854, when he moved to Washington County, Ohio, where he worked at the tanner and currier's trade until 1860, when he went to Missouri, but remained there only a few weeks, returning east as far as Vern^illion Coiinty, and located in Helt Township, where he has since lived. He owns thirty-one and a half acres of land, but pays special attention to farming and stock-raising, his stock being of the graded Poland-China and Chester white hogs and Holstein cattle. Mr. Lynn was married March 18, 1856, to Mary E. Dowell, daughter of Jesse Dowell. Mrs. Lynn died September 12, 1877, leaving two children - Annie V. and William T. Mrs. Lynn was a member of the Baptist church and an earnest, consistent Christian. Mr. Lynn is also a member of the Baptist church. He is an honorable, upright man, and is held in high esteem by all who know him, and has been appointed in several instances administrator to settle up estates, always giving entire satisfaction to all concerned.

fOSEPII A. MOREHEAD, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 26, Vermillion Township, where he owns 646 acres of good land, 166 acres of which was a part of the old homestead, entered from the Government by his father. He is a son of Alexander and Elizabeth Morehead, natives of Ohio, who came to Vermillion County in 1822, and settled on the farm which our subject now owns, where the father died in 1844, and the mother in 1849. They had a family of five children, but two of whom, Joseph A. and Saimiel, arc living. Joseph A. Morehead was born in 1826, and his youth was spent in assisting liis father clear and improve the farm, his educational advantages being limited. lie has been industrious and bj good management has acquired a valuable property, lie was married in 1848 to Sarah J. Eggleston, a native of Scioto County, Ohio, born . in 1824, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy Eggleston, j^ioneers of Vermillion County, coming in the year 1825. Her parents both died in 1855. They reared a family of seven children, six of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Morehead have had nine children, five of whom are living - Alexander, Hitha, Margaret, Horace, and Joseph E. Alexander manned Alice Isles, and Margaret is the widow of Wilson Ilarshaw, and her daughter, Mabel, is also deceased. Elizabeth, Henrietta, and two infants ai'e deceased. In politics Mr. Morehead is a Republican. He is one of the influential men of Vermillion County, and one of her most liberal and charitable citizens.

<)P,ERT BALES, farmer, and lessee of the St. Bernice flouring mills, resides on section 35, Helt Townsliip, on the homestead where lie was born September 22, 1^.5:3. His father, George Bales, came to Wimillion County in 1830. and entered 280 acnes of Government land, which he cleared and improved. Robert Bales was reared a farmer until sixteen years old, when he began to work at the carpenter's trade which he followed the greater part of the time until 1887, when he leased the St. Bernice mills, which he has since superintended, and at the time has attended to his farm. He liwiis a half interest in 320 acres of valuable land, which is under good cultivation. Mr. Bales enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Company A, Seventy-first Indiana, Sixth Cavalry, and served two years. He participated in the battles of Richmond, Resaca, Cassville, Tilton, Kenesaw Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Campbell's Station, siege of Knoxville, Bull's Gap, and others of miiujr importance, serving as First Lieutenant of his company. Mr. Bales was married in March, 1865, to Nancy A. McCowan, daughter of Cold well McCowan. To them liave been born six children, three of whom are living - Minnie, Annie and Morton C. T\Ir. Bales is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

^RANCIS C. COMBES, section 17, Helt rrt| T'jwnship, is a native of Vermillion *^ County, born in Helt Township February 25, 1830, a son of Thomas Combes, who came from Virginia to this county when a young man. He was reared a farmer, his educational advantages being limited to the suljscription schools. In the fall of 1847 he went to Iowa, and lived in Davis, Appanoose and Van Buren counties until the spring of 1860, when he returned to Vermillion County. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Company C, One Hundred and Twentythird Indiana Infantry, and served nearly two years, participating in several severe conflicts, including the siege of Atlanta. After his return home he engaged in farming, which he has since continued. He was married December 23, 1852, to Mary A. Steele, daughter of James Steele, of Seattle, Washington Territory. They have had four children - Sarah F. (deceased), Alice J., J. Minnie and Fannie B. Alice married William F. Morrison, of Indianapolis, and has had two chil-

(Jreii, but one, AVilliain F., now living. The eldest chilti, an infant son, is deceased. Minnie is the wife of Alexander Harrison, of Hamilton, Ohio, and has fonr children - Lewis F., Harry and Nellie (deceased), and Fannie. Fannie married Stephen Mears, of Detroit, Michigan, and has fonr children - Willie G. and Tomie G. (twins), Mabel and Dollie. Mr. Combes is in politics a stannch Republican. He is a member of the Grand Army of tlie Republic.

tEOlS ARD SHEW, a son of John P. and Sarah (York) Shew, was born on the homestead of his parents in Clinton Township, Vermillion County, May 24, 1834. The parents came here from Wilkes County, North Carolina, as early as 1826. Of the cliildren born to them in North Carolina three are yet living - Mrs. Hila Funkhonser, a widow, residing in Yigo County, Indiana; Mrs. Zilpha Freeman, also a widow, residing in Arkansas, and Mrs. Dorothea Hay, living in Jones County, Iowa. The children born to the parents of our subject, after settling in Vermillion County, are - Daniel, now a resident of Pawnee County, Nebraska; Mrs. Elizabeth Starks, living in Edgar County, Illinois; Mrs. Emeline Knight, living in Clinton Township, this county; Mrs. Mary Byerly, living in Jones County, Iowa, and Leonard, our subject, the youngest of the family. Boston, their eldest son, was a soldier in the Eighteenth Indiana Infantry in the war of the Rebellion, and died from wonnds received in battle. A daughter, Lucy, became the wife of Sylvester Seeds, and after marriage they moved to Kansas, where she died. Leonard Shew was but seven weeks old when his mother died. His father survived her many years, dying October 15, 1873, when over eighty years of age. He was always a hard-working man, but he never became rich. He was a consistent Christian, and one of the earliest and most active workers in the United Brethren church, of which lie was a member at the time of his death. He was kind-hearted and generous, always giving to the poor and needy. LeonardShew, whose name heads this sketch, is a man who attends strictly to his own affairs, and is much respected throughout the community where he has made his home for so many years. He commenced life for himself without capital, and by his own efforts he has acquired a comfortable home. Before and after his marriage he worked at the carpenter's trade, which he followed nntil 1875, and is now devoting his entire attention to his farm. His homestead consists of eighty-nine acres of choice land, and is a part of the property once owned by William Hedges, one of the earliest settlers of Clinton Township. Mr. Shew was nnited in marriage in 1860, to Miss Alma C. Hedges, a daughter of William Hedges, and they are the parents of four children - Mrs. Arietta E. Kehoe, of Clinton ; Mrs. Ida Etta Bumgardner, of Clinton Township, and Elza Eschol and Everett C, still at home with their parents. In politics Mr. Shew votes the Democratic ticket at general elections, but in local elections he votes independent of party ties.

R. CUTHBERT F. KEYES, deceased, born near Dugee Ferry, in Indiana, in the year 1822, and in 1826 was brought by his parents to Vermillion County, where he was reared to manhood. His father was a gunsmith and wagon-maker, and while he kept his slaves at work in the gun factory the white men worked at the wagon yard, and he liimself ran Ijoats on the Potomac Iliver. After his father's death he lived with his mother and uncle, attending school at Clinton. riding to and fro every night and morning. He spent a portion of his younger life clerking in a store for his uncle, and passed from this to the study of medicine with Drs. Kile and Palmer at Clinton. He studied medicine some time and during this time he had to work for his board, doing any little odd jobs he could fiud, but this only helped to make the man he afterward became. He then went to St. Louis, where he attended one term of lectures. June 30, 1846, he married Miss Jane Bales, they beginning their married life on the farm. Here he began the practice of his profession, which he followed until he went to St. Louis to attend a second term of lectures. In this term his eyes began to fail and he became blind. He still continued the lectures, Prof Van Zandt giving him the privilege of this term free, and at the close commended him for his close attention and industry, although he was stone blind. His eyes were treated in the city at the same time. At the time of the birth of his son. Dr. O. M. Keyes, he was blind. When he returned to his home from St. Louis he found by the care and industry of his wife that his affairs had been kept in good order. He subsequently moved to Clinton, but becoming dissatisfied he returned to his farm, where he practiced medicine until his death. On the morning of that event he arose, ate a hearty breakfast and started for Bono, about three miles south of Dana, to see a patient. On his way he suffered a sudden and severe attack of congestion of the stomach and bowels. He suc- I ceeded in reaching Bono, and leaving his - team unhitched, staggered into Frank Austin's store, where lie fell on the floor exclaiming as he fell that he had come there to die.

He was taken to the house of Mr. Austin, where everything possible was done to alleviate his intense agony. Dr. Hall was sent for, but one hour before he arrived, and at ten o'clock that same evening the restless spirit of the old veteran took its flight to that bourne whence no traveler returns. No man in tlie county was more successful in his methods of treatment than Dr. Keyes, and iione had a more extensive professional experience. He never refused a call because the patients were poor. He was one of the few who followed his profession not for the purpose of amassing a great fortune, but because he took delight in alleviating the sufferings of his fellow mortals. He was a man of kind disposition, and noble and generous impulses, and was ready to make any sacrifices for the accommodation of a friend and neighbor. Though somewhat eccentric in his style, his warm and sympathetic nature, his kind and generous disposition made him a host of friends. Dr. Keyes left a wife, three sons and two daughters in sad bereavement by his death. Thus one by one the old pioneers pass away leaving the world and the duties incumbent upon life to the rising genei'ation.

,^[LI SHEW, deceased, late of Clinton WJL TownsJiip, was born in Wilkes County, ^i North Carolina, July 11, 1819, and died October 24, 1887. He was a son of Daniel and Eve D. (York) Shew, honored pioneers of Vermillion County, they having settled in the forest on section 31, Clinton Township, as early as 1826. Our subject had but a faint remembrance of the long wagon journey from North Carolina, but he distinctly remembered his early life in Clinton Township, the abundance of game, and the old log scliool-liouses where he received his limited education. Like the youth of his early day, he was inured to hard toil when quite young. His father built a small-^inill, which he operated in connection with his farm, and this furnished plenty of work for his boys. Ho died al'ter the close of tiie war at the advanced age of eighty years. His wife died some six years before. Of their family, Eli was the fourth child. Two of their sons, named Henry and. Joel, are_^still residents of Clin ton Township. With the exception of a short residence, from the spring of 1856 until the fall of that year, in Richland County, Wisconsin, and from that time to the spring of 1857 spent in Jones County, Iowa, Eli Siiew lived in Clinton Township from the time of his coming here with his parents, and always in the neighborhood of his father's pioneer home. April 4, 1847, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Adaline Hedges, a daughter of William and Permelia Hedges. She was born on their homestead in Clinton Township, near her present home, August 23, 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Shew commenced housekeeping in limited circumstances, but by their industrious and frugal habits, they succeeded in making a good home for their family. The homestead contains 110 acres of choice land, of which sixty acres are well improved, and under good cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Shew had eight children born to them. The eldest, Mrs. Permelia A. Tennis, lives in Clinton Township. Two children, named Clarinda and LeoJiard M., died in early childhood. Lurena, deceased, wife of William P. Atkins, left at her death a family of seven children. William D. is living with his parents. Milton P., the sixth child, died young. John E. married Margaret E. Bright and lives in Clinton Township. Edwin N. married Betty L. Foltz, and they are living with Mrs. Shew. In politics Mr. Shew was a meni- i'-^^I^J Township, residing on section 2s, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Vermillion County. His father, Constantine Hughes, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, January 10, 1782, where he grew to manhood, and married Miss Hannah Giftbrd. Fourteen children were born to them, of whom ten reached maturity, and . of these oidy three are living - Ehud, living in Vermillion County; Coustantine, residing in Nebraska, and William, the subject of this sketch. In 1829 the father immigrated with his family to Indiana, locating first at Clinton, Vermillion County, where he remained until the following spring. The family then lived in the vicinity of Perrysville about six months, when they settled on the land now owned and occupied by our subject. Here the parents lived until their death, the father dying May 23, 1848, and the mother January 7, 1857. They were niucli esteemed among the early settlers for their many excellencies of character, and for many years were faithful members of the Baptist church. In his political views the father was a Democrat. AVilliam Hughes, whose name heads this sketch, was liorn on the homestead where he now lives, the date of his birth being November 9, 1830, this having been his home for fifty-seven years. Mr. Hughes has been twice married, taking for his first wife ]\[iss Cynthia Ann Smi Smith, one of the < She died in 185G, Harvey, now living in Kansas; John,

Highland Tuwnship, and James A¥. Mr. Hughes was married a second time to Miss Hester Ann Spry, wlio was born in Highland Township in 1834, her father, David Spy, coming to the county in an early day, and is now living at Perrysville. Her mother died many years ago. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hughes six are living - Martha E., David M., Annie J., Charles G., Albert and Oral. Their fourth child, a son, died in infancy. Mr. Hughes has always followed agricultural pursuits in which he has met with excellent success. He has 213 acres of choice hind where he resides, 167 acres of which was the old homestead of his father. Beside his home farm he owns other land in Highland Township, having altogether 455 acres of choice] land. In politics he attiliates with the Democratic party, although he believes in voting for the man best titled for office regardless of party ties. In matters of moral and social progress he is among the leading citizens of his county.

tBEL SEXTOX, a prominent and enterprising citizen of Vermillion County, with whose interests he has been identified for many years, is a native of Oneida County, Xew York, a son of Jlsaac J. Sexton, a native of Connecticut. The Sexton family are of French origin, and among the early settlers of Connecticut. When our subject was young he was taken by liis father to Fulton County, New York, his mother having died in Oneida County, the father making his home in Fulton County until his death. He was twice n:arried, and by his first wife had a family of four children - Mrs. Mary Ann Bingham, of Columbus, Wisconsin; Abel, the subject of this sketch; Andrew O., ' 2;rain merchant of Columbus, AVisconsin, and the present mayor of that city, and Kalph, the youngest son, now lives in Gloversville, Fulton County, New York. Abel Sexton grew to manhood in Fulton County, and his father being a farmer he was reared to the same avocation. The farm being small and there being a number of sons in the family, he decided to try some other vocation, and early in life began learning the carpenter's trade, but soon after entering upon his trade he accepted a situation with an auctioneer, M'ith whom he traveled about the country in the pursuit of his business. This occurred in 1840, when he was about twenty years old. He subsequently traveled in his business as auctioneer with the circus of Raymond, AYaring & Co., which was traveling through the country at that time, going with it as far as Cincinnati, several months being consumed in making the trip. He left the circus at Cincinnati, and traveled to Kentucky, and the following season he and a young man from New York State, with whom he ti-aveled, decided to return to their native State, and accordingly set out on horseback, reaching their destination about a month later. After spending a few weeks at his home, Mr. Sexton returned to Kentucky, where he continued auctioneering for some time. About 1843 he came to Indiana, locating-first at La Fayette, and in the month of October, 1844, he came to Newport, where he spent four years. He then went to Columbus, AVisconsin, where his brother lived, and after remaining there about four years he returned to Newport, where he has since made his home. Mr. Sexton was married at Newport to Miss Lucretia Blanchard, November 5, 1845. Mrs. Sexton was born in Perry County, Indiana, May 21, 1826, and in September of the same year her father, AVilliam Blanchard, came to Vermillion County and settled in A'ermillion i Township, where he died about tM-o years later. The inotlier married a second time, and lived in Vermillion County until her death in May, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Sexton are the parents of one daughter, Mary Ellen, now the wife of Robert E. Stephens, of Newport. Mr. Sexton has been one of the leading- merchants of Newport for twenty-five years, beginning here before the time of railroads. He brought his stock of goods with wliich he commenced business, from La Fayette. In 1861 he erected the store building now occupied by II. B. Riioads. In 1862 he bought 160 acres of land adjoining the villag'e of Newport on the east, and on about ten acres of this tract he laid out an addition to the town in March, 1872. He was president of tlie First National Bank of Newport for five years, being one of the organizers of that institution. He was a director of the bank during its entire existence, and also after it was changed to the Yermillion County Bank. In early life in his political views he was a Whig, casting his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay in 1844, but has been a Republican since the organization of that party. For fil'teen years he served as commissioner of Vermillion County. He and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Newport.

^^TESLEY SWITZER, who has been -.Cjl'Mp identified with the interests of Verl .«i>^ million County for many years, is a native of Ohio, born March 24, 1821. His home is on section 6, Highland Township, the land having been entered by his brother John Switzer about the year 1824. After partially improving the land he had sold it to his father, Peter Switzer, who settled here in 1834. Peter Switzer was a native of the State of Virginia, born May 9, 1769. He was reared in his native State, and was there married October 24, 1794, to Mary Hoover, who was born in Virginia May 3, 1774. They left Virginia for Ohio, and were among the pioneers of Pike County, where the father cleared a large farm of heavily timbered land. Several of his children had settled in Indiana before he came to the State, in 1834. He lived on the land now occupied by his son, Wesley, until his death which occurred November 14, 1844. He was a consistent member of the Methodist church for many years, and was held in high esteem by all. In politics he was a AVhig. His widow survived him about four years, her death taking place November 26, 1848, in her seventy-fifth year. Peter Switzer and wife had born to them ten children, seven sons and three daughters, and of this once numerous family only three are living - Absalom in Marion County, Illinois; Mary Ann, wife of Charles Loney, of Grant County, "Wisconsin, and Wesley, the subject of this sketch. The latter came to Vermillion County with his parents, at that time a lad of about thirteen years, and here he grew to manhood amid the scenes incident to pioneer life. He was married June 3, 1841, to Miss Nancy Henderson, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born July 12, 1823. This union was blessed with twelve children, nine of whom are living - Mary Ann, William, Sarah, John, Peter, David, Rose Ann, Lincoln and Nancy Main. After a married life of more than forty yeai-s Mrs. Switzer died April 10, 1882. Siie was a devoted wife and mother, a kind neighbor, and was respected by all who knew her. Wesley Switzer has made farming the principal avocation of his life, and is classed among the prosperous agriculturists of Highland Township, and is now the owner of the farm on which he settled with his father's family in 1834. He is always interested in any movement calculated to promote the public welfare, and by his honorable and upright dealings he has gained the confidence and esteem of the entire community.

tNDREAV J. BECK, a progressive farmer of Highland Township, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born June 2, 1838, a son of Nicholas and Sarah Jane (Ferguson) Beck, the latter dying when our subject was a child. He was reared in his native State, remaining there until April, 1861. He then went to Vermillion County, Illinois, and in June following he came to Highland Township, this county. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company I, Fortythird lndiana"Iufantry, and was in the service of his country until June 14, 1865. He participated in many of the severe engagements of the Southwest, including the battles of Island Ko. 10, New Madrid, Fort Donelson, siege of Fort Pillow, the liattles at Memphis, Helena, Jenkins Ferry and Marks Mill. Mr. Beck was married in Highland Township, in 1866, to Miss Nancy A. Shaw, who was born in the same township in 1837. Mrs. Beck is a daughter of Hiram Sliaw, one of the well known and highly respected jiioneers of Highland Township. He was l)orn in Ohio, in 1805, coming to Vermillion County, Indiana, with his mother when a young man. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in the army before the close of the war. The ShaM- family first settled in Eugene Township, and later came to Highland Township. Mr. Shaw purchased land on sections 17 and 18, in the south part of the township, where he lived until his death, which occurred in February, 1878, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, Rachel (Gerrard) Shaw, died the following

May. They left a family of seven children - Alias, Samuel, Mrs. Nancy A. Beck, Rachel (wife of Courtland Mack), Hannah (wife of John Lunger), Caleb and Martin Luther, all yet living but Martin L., who has since died in Kansas. The following children died before tlie parents: Mary Elizabeth, Cynthia, Hiram and Sarah Jane. At his death Mr. Shaw left a valuable property, which he had acquired by persevering industry and good management, and the farm occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Beck is a part of his old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Beck have had born to them five children, of whom four are living - Malind E., born July 9, 1868: Martin A., born December 8, 1870; Laura Ettie, born February 10, 1873, and Sarah May, born May 10, 1878. The eldest child, a son, died May 3, 1877, in his tenth year.

fOIIN ANDREWS, a prosperous agriculturist of Vermillion County, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 18, Helt Township, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, February 19, 1811, a son of James Andrews who is now deceased. The fatlier was a native of Pennsylvania, and was an early settler of Ohio. He came to Helt Township among the early pioneers, settling in Helt Township in 1823, when Indians and wild animals were the principal inhabitants. Here the subject of this sketch was reared amid the wild surroundings of pioneer life, and was early in life inured to hard work. He received but limited educational advantages, and never attended school until reaching the age of eighteen years. He has always followed farming with the exception of 1832- '33 when working in the lead mines at Galena, Illinois. He has been very successful in his agricultural pursuits, and is now the | owner of a fine farm o± 250 acres of choice land. Mr. Andrews was married August 14, 1834, to Miss Amanda Klioads, daughter of Silas Khoads, and to this union were born thi-ee children, one son, Sihis, being the only one living. A son named James was killed in the Eebellion while fighting for the Union. Their daughter, Elizabeth, died after her marriage, leaving at her death two children. Mrs. Andrews died in 1840, and in 1841 Mr. Andrews was married again, taking for his second wife. Miss Margaret Rhoads, a sister of his former wife. Of the ten children born to this union seven are jet living - Caroline, Harriet, William, Ira, Otis, Annie and Laura.

fOIIN W. BEAUCHAMP, of Highland Township, was born in the State of Ohio, in 1821, of French descent, and is a son of David Beauchamp, one of the old and honored pioneers of Vermillion County. He was born in the State of Delaware in 1799, and when young was taken by his parents to Ohio, where they made their home until death. He was married in Ohio to Miss Dorothy Jubinal, a native of Kentucky, and to them were born twelve children^ seven sons and five daughters. In October, 1826, Mr. Beauchamp brought his family, then consisting of his wife and four children, to this county, and settled on section 6, Highland Township, on the farm now owned by Henry Parks. He cleared and improved this place and resided here until his death. Here his wife died March 14, 1851, and he afterward married Mrs. Matilda (Henthorn) Hines, a daughter of William rienthorn, and to this union one son, Thomas, was born, who died in childhood. Mr. Beauchamp came to the county a poor man, but by years of persevering industry and economy he became the owner of a good farm, and in his later years was in comfortable circiunstances. He died March 27, 1868. Of the children of his first marriage, five of the sons are residents of Missouri, and one, son lives near Oakwood, Illinois; a daughter lives in Iowa, and another daughter lives in Illinois. Three of the daughters are deceased. John W. Beauchamp, whose name heads this sketch, is the only member of his father's family now living inlndiaiKi. He was but five years old when brought {< > this county, and although so young he remembers incidents of the journey to the county. He has been a resident of Yerinillion County for sixty-one years, and has always taken an active interest in its growth and advancement. He was married August 17, 1843, to Miss Amanda Hughs, who was born in Virginia, March 14, 1823, and to this union the following children were born - James C, who was born October 14, 1844, enlisted in the Fifty-seventh Indiana Infantry, during the war of the Eebellion, and died in Kentucky a few months after his enlistment; William Mc, born November 15, 1846, served during the last year of the war in the One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Infantry; Margaret Ann, wife of William Miller, was born December 10, 1849; Barbara E., born July 8, 1851, is the wife of Perry Jones; Asbury M., born August 24, 1853; Clark J. was born March 4, 1856, and died when about sixteen years of age; Mary F. was born November 17, 1858, and died February 8, 1880, and Charley Mc, born November 16, 1860. Mr. Beauchamp was bereaved by the death of his wife, who had been a faithful helpmeet for over forty-three years, her death taking place at the homestead in Highland Township, December 27, ISSC. Mr. Beauchamp is the owner of a fine farm.

and a pleasant home in Iligliland Township, where lie has made his home since the year 1855, and is one of the respected men of his township.

fAMES SMITH, an active and enterprising citizen of Highland Township, has lived on the same farm where he now resides since 1866. He is a native of Indiana, born in Fountain County, December 13, 1834, a son of Khoads Smith, who was born in Scott County, Kentucky, August 29, 1803. Berryraan Smith, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia, removing thence in 1820, to Scott County, Kentucky, settling on Mayor Hum's farm, five miles from Georgetown, where he made his home for twenty-live years. He then immigrated to Indiana, and settled in Fayette County near Connersville, where he resided seven years, removing from there to Fountain County, Indiana, where he died in 1839. Rhoads Smith was united in marriage at Connersville, to Miss Christiana Conner, a native of North Carolina, whose father, Daniel Conner, was a native of the same State. They resided a number of years after their marriage in Fountain County, Indiana, and linally removed to Yermiilion County, Illinois, about the year 1849, where the father of our suliject died in 1882. He was a worthy and consistent Christian, and a member of the Baptist church for a period of sixty-five years. James Smith, whose name heads this sketch, was reared in his native county. On reaching manhood he was married to Miss Lucretia Goff, a daughter of David Goff, and to them have been born seven children, live sons and two daughtei's. Mr. Smith has a good farm and a pleasant home, and most of the improvements on his place have been made by himself, erecting his present residence and l)arn and making other substantial improvements, the entire surroundings of the place indicating the care and thrift of the owner. Mr. Smith lias been a member of the Baptist church since June 16, 1855, and has been engaged in the ministry about ten years. He is a preacher of much force and earnestness, and well informed on scriptural subjects, and is one of the most respected citizens of Highland Township.

tEVI A. Mcknight, one of the active and progressive business men of Vermillion County, was the pioneer merchant of Gessie, establishing his business at this place in the spring of 1871. He was born in Xenia, Ohio, June 1, 184:6, a son of Linton McKnight, Avho removed from Virginia, his native State, to Ohio, and in 1850 to Fountain County, Indiana, where he lived until his death. The father being a farmer, our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, his youth being spent in assisting with the work of the farm, and in attending the public schools of his neighborhood. In his twentieth year he began teaching school. In 1865 he came to Highland Township, A^ermillion County, where he taught two years, when lie was appointed principal of the school at Eugene, a position he held two years. He then engaged in the mercantile business at Boswell, in Benton County, where be remained until the building of the railroad through Vermillion County, and the establishing of the station at Gessie, \vhen he removed to this place. In connection with his general mercantile business he is also engaged in buying grain, and is the leading grain and general merchant of the ' place. Mr. McKniarht has been twice mar- i ried, taking for his first wife Miss Flora E. Bennett, who was a daughter of David Bennett, Sr., who for many years was a prominent and successful fanner of Highland Township, but now a resident of Danville, Illinois. The maiden name of the present wife of Mr. McKnight, was Sarah Belle Erwin, she being a i-elative of Eobert J. Gessie. Mr. Mc- Knight is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a Republican, and |an able advocate of the principles of that party.

fOHN lUCHARDSON is one of the active business men of Newport, and a representative of one of the pioneer families of Vermillion County. His father, Benjamin Richardson, was a native of Southern Ohio, born April 28, 1808, a son of Joseph Richardson, who was one of the early settlers of this county, father and son settling about two miles northwest of Newport, where Benjamin Richardson lived until his death, which occurred February 18, 1870. His wife, Elizabeth Richardson, was born May 16, 1818, and died September 16, 1866. They reared a family of three sons and three daughters - Willian:, of Eugene Township; John, our subject, living in Vermillion Township; Sarah, wife of Dr. Ira Gillum, of Milford, Illinois; Florinda, who resides with her sister Mrs. Gillum; Franklin, living near Georgetown, Illinois, and Jane, wife of Butler Gillum, of Sylvania, Parke County, Indiana. The parents of our Subject had born to them, besides those already mentioned, six children, who died before reaching maturity. John Richardson, the subject of this sketch, is a native of this county, born in Vermillion Township, March 21, 1843, and here he was reared to the vocation of a farmer. He enlisted July 26, 1862, in the war of the Eel hellion, and served in the Sixth Indiana Cavalry, until June 17, 1865, being in active service all the time. He served in Kentucky under General Sherman, and in Tennessee and Georgia, and was at the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, and the siege of Knoxville, Tennessee. He was in the Atlanta campaign, and participated in the battles attending that campaign, and was in Stoneraan's Macon raid. Mr. Richardson and another soldier named Lucien Wliipple, now of Eugene Township, were the only members of their regiment that escaped capture or death, in this last mentioned expedition. In April, 1865, the regiment went from Pulaski, where they were mustered out of the service. Mr. Richardson was united in marriage to Miss Susan H. Hart, a daughter of Gold M. Hart, and a native of Vermillion County, Indiana, the date of her birth being June 22, 1839. To this union have been born three children, named - Willie E., Ella and Annie Laura. Mr. Richardson has established a good business in Newport, where he deals in stationery, tobacco and cigars, confectionery and fruits, and by his fair and honorable dealing he has gained the contidence of all who know him.

fAVID GOUTY, a resident of Gessie, and a representative of one of the wellknown pioneer families of Vermillion County, is a native of this county, born in Highland Township, December 9, 1828. His father, Henry Gouty, was born in the State of ]\Iaryland in 1800. He went from his native State to Ohio, where he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Whitsell, and to them were born eight children, all of whom reached maturity, and of this once large family only two are living at the present time - Jane, wife of Daniel Shute, of Highland Township, and David, the subject of this sketch. The names of the deceased are - Henry, Thomas, Jeremiah, Zachariah, Eliza and Elizahetli. From Oliio, Mr. Henry Gouty emigrated with his family to Parke County, Indiana, and later removed to Vermillion County, where he lived until his death, which occurred October 14, 1858, at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife also died in this county in Highland Township, aged seventyfour years and ten months. David Gouty, whose name heads this sketch, is one of the oldest native born citizens living in Highland Township, and few men have become better known or more universally respected through the township than he. He has been three times married, taking for his first wife Miss Minerva Shute. He was a second time married to Miss Eliza Cosse^-jwhose father was one of the early pioneers of the county. The maiden name of his present wife was Catherine Hoobler. She is a daughter of Eev. John Hoobler, who settled in the county in the year 1832. Mr. Gouty has but one child, a son, by his second marriage. His son, "William Henry, was born in'Highland Township, in 1864. He was united in marriage to Miss Flora Eodgers, a daughter of Samuel Eodgers. They reside on the homestead farm.

fXOCH GEOEGE SPAEKS, a representative citizen of Yermillion County, was born on his father's homestead in Highland Township, July 19, 1843. His father, Daniel Sparks, was born in Maryland, near Baltimore, in 1805, and when a lad went with his parents to Ohio, they settling near Kingston where he lived many years. He was twice married, his first wife being named Miss Margaret Towers. Of the children born

Eugene. Shortly afterward he settled on section 9, Highland Township, where he spent the rest of his life. Here his wife died in 1839, and the following year heAvas united in marriage to Miss Mary Fleming, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1818. She was brought to Vigo County, Indiana, in early childhood, and when eleven years old to Veimiillion County, where she was reared. Seven children were born to this second union of whom only three survive - Enoch George, our subject, who was the eldest child of this marriage; Annie M., wife of Eev. J. B. Combs, and Warner who left his home a number of years ago, and his location is unknown. Of those deceased - Daniel died in his sixth year; Joseph F., died May 31, 1873, in his twenty-seventh year; Edith, wife of Samuel B. Lewis, died October 8, 1883, in her thirty-second year, and one child died in infancy. Their son, Joseph F., was a soldier in the war of the Eebellion, serving two years in the Seventy-first Indiana Infantry. He was in the ranks about a year when he was placed on detached service, and served in the commissary department. He was a young man of high ability, and for sometime was a student at Greencastle, Indiana. He studied law with Ehoads Brothers, at Newport, Indiana, and subsequently engaged in the practice of law at Danville, where he lived until his death. The father of our subject died ]\[arch 24, 1866. He was an honest, upright citizen, and was much esteemed by all who knew him. He began life poor, but by persevering industry, combined with good business ability, he acquired a good competence, and was the owner of 200 acres of fine land. For a number of years before his death he was in poor healtli. He M'as strictly temperate in all things, and was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. His widow is still living on the homestead, on which he settled over tifty years ago. Enoch George Sparks, whose name heads this sketch, was reared at the homestead, to the vocation of a farmer, and has always made his home in Highland Township. He now resides on section 16, where he has a fine farm, and a pleasant home. His farm is one of the finest improved in his township, as may be indicated by the fact that he has expended about §5,000 in improvements. Before her marriage the name of Mrs. Sparks was Miss Susannah Cossey, she being a danghter of Peter Cossey, who settled in Highland Township among the early pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks have five children living named - Mary Lnella, wife of Daniel Gouty; Edith, Enoch George, Elizabeth and Grace. Their eldest child, Peter Franklin, died at the age of five years. Politically Mr. Sparks casts his suffrage with the Republican party.

:ILLIAM N. HOSFOPD, a member of the firm of Hosford i^: Bell, general merchants, Eugene, was born in Eugene Township, Vermillion County, Indiana, February 3, 1858, his father, Lemon Hosford, being a native of the State of New York. He spent the first thirteen years of his life on his fatlier's farm, and his education was obtained in the schools at Pana, Illinois. He engaged in the mercantile business at Eugene in February, 1879, in which year the 'present firm was formed. They curry on two stores now, having in the fall of 1887 added a large dry goods, clothing and grocery establishment to their already extensive business, their other store containing drugs, paints, oils, groceries, etc. Both members of the firm are active business men, and by their accommodating manners, and strict attention to the wants of their customers, they have built up a good trade which is steadily increasing. Mr. Hosford was postmaster of Eugene from 1879 until 1886. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He was married in April, 1880, to Miss Anna Boyd, a daughter of the late Josiah Boyd, and to them have been born two children, named Fred and Hazel.

piPlIRAIM SHUTE, one of the success- (",'. fill agriculturists of Highland Town- "^^ ship, resides near Howard Chapel, where his father, Pichard Shnte, settled in the year 1829. Richard Shute and his wife, Hannah (McCartney) Shute, had a family of fifteen children, all yet living with the exception of two daughters, Minerva and Rebecca. The names of those yet living are - William, living in Illinois; Daniel, John, Ephraim and Jehu, residents of Highland Township, Vermillion County; Mahala, wife of William Nicholas; Sarah Ann, widow of Peter Cossey; Susan, wife of Reece A. Rabnrn; Marian, wife of Rezin Howard, living in Missouri; Mrs. Elizabeth Gouty, and three sons, Joseph, Richard and Hai'rion, living in Missouri. Ephraim Shute, the subject of this sketch, was born in the State of Ohio in 1827, and was but two years old when his parents immigrated to Vermillion County. He was reared on the homestead to the vocation of a farmer, and has resided on the same place almost sixty years. The farm on whicli he resides contains 240 acres of wellimproved land, under a high state of cultivation, besides which he has fifty acres elsewhere in the same township, and also a half section of valuable land in Kansas. Mrs. Shiite was formerly Miss Elziua Guft", a daughter of David Goff, who was one of the pioneers of Vermillion County. Mr. and Mrs. Shute are tlie parents of ten children, whose names are as follows - Martha, David (living in Missouri), Hannah, Aurelia, Elias M., Squire, Philander, Marintha, Marah Helen and Ephraim A., the two latter being deceased. Mr. Shute has always manifested a deep interest in the welfare of his township and county, and every enterprise for the public welfare has liad his encouragement and support.

fOIIN COLLETT, Se., was born near Wilmington, Delaware, in 1762, a descendant of an old English family whose traditions say that their remote ancestry came from Normandy to Britain with AVilliam the Conqueror, and shared in the division of Saxon property assigned to his favorite warriors. The name Collett is indirectly derived from the ancient Nicholas, through the following intermediate forms: Nicoletus, Coletus,Colet, Collett. A quaint volume now in the library of his grandson, John Collett, of Indianapolis, tells of an ancestral John Colet, who was Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in tlie reign of Henry VII. and VIII., and founder of St. Paul's School for Boys, and whose father, Sir Henry Colet, while serving his second term as Lord Mayor of London, became treaty bondsman for his monarch, Henry VI I., with the Dutch Republic. A branch of the Collett family, who were " Roundheads" with Cromwell for the Commonwealth, left England on the restoration ot Charles II., and after a brief sojourn in Ireland two brothers came to America, about the year 1755, landing at Wilmington, Delaware. The family early removed to the valley of the Juniata, in Pennsylvania, and at the age of nineteen years the subject of this memoir^ became a soldier under Washington. After his marriage to a German lady near the junction of the Juniata and Susquehanna, he made his home among the hills and mountains of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and found after the lapse of more than fifty years that his mind was liappy in reviving tlie memories of the "bright, blue Juniata, and its rushing, silvery current." In 1800 he removed with his family and little property in a flat-boat down the affluents of the Ohio River, and the river itself, to Lime Rock, opposite the present town of Portsmouth, Ohio. His objective point was the new capital, Chillicothe, and unloading his horses and wagons, lie cut out the first road from the landing to Chillicothe, which road was long known as "Collett's Trail." When the seat of government was removed to Columbus, he went with his family, and erected the first shingle-roof house in that place, which is now a considerable city. He was appointed to several public trusts in both these towns. At that time he kept tavern, before "hotels" were "invented," and was known as the kind and generous landlord. He was appointed United States Deputy Surveyor, and surveyed large tracts of land in the swamps of the Maumee Valley. One of his comrades was Captain Riley, famous as the author of "Riley's Narrative of Wreck and AVonders on the African Coast;" and he would mildly remark that Captain Riley could discover as many terrors and wonders in the swamps of the Maumee as in Africa. In 1818 he was directed to make surveys in Central Indiana, and came West by Indian trail, passing the spot where the city of Indianapolis is now located. In 1819 he surveyed parts of the counties of Owen and Putnam, making his liome at Terre Haute.

In 1825 he inos'ed to Eugene. During the early jears of his residence here he was active in political circles and public affairs, lie began merchandising at Clinton, and later engaged in the same business at the Little Vermillion Mills; was a useful citizen and a popular man. When Newport was founded he erected the building known as Place's Hotel, and was land agent for the sale of lots. He considered the bottom lands in and about Opedee to be the richest he had ever seen in his wide experience, and maintained a ferrj known as CoUett's Ferry, about a mile south of Opedee. As an examjile of pioneer custom, when one afternoon a train of moving wagons crossed at his ferry, bearing the household goods of the Worth family from North Carolina, he asked where they were going and what preparations they had on their land. They replied that they were going to section 9, township 17 north, 9 west, - the present residence of Mrs. J. W. Porter, - and that they would live in their wagons until they could get time to erect a cabin. His answer was, "Make ready to entertain your neighbors and friends to-morrow, and I will send word around that new-comers have arrived; to-morrow night your cabin will be built, roofed and ready for occupation." Within twenty-four hours their house was completed, and Mr. Worth ever afterward held this act as one of the kindest that had ever been done for him. Another anecdote we may relate in this connection. In those early times there were no prohibitionists. Coffee and tea were scarce and high. Whisky was a cheap necessity of life. It was taken for medicine, as a beverage, and used in the communion service. They all used it; and every merchant and shop-keeper was expected to have glasses and jugs of the liquor free to the public, on his counter or table. It appeared, however, that in a few families it was not viewed by the women as entirely commendable. In such cases, when the annual account current was rendered, the landlord's books would show that certain neighbors were charged every week or oftener with a quart to a half gallon of gunpowder ! Although advanced in life when he came to this county, Mr. Collett was still a stalwart man and maintained a soldier's bearing; was nearly six feet high, with high, full face, slightly stooped, with thin grayish dark hair, hazel eyes, and elastic step even in old age. lie was always kind and tender in his disposition, entertaining a horror for any of the improprieties or indecencies of life. In every essential he was a gentleman of the "old school," dressed somewhat old-fashioned, wore his hair in a queue, as is seen in portraits of Washington and the men of the Revolution. lie was a man of excellent judgment, slu-ewd in the selection of good land, and dignified in his conduct. One good characteristic he exhibited in the training of his children, was that he never allowed them to sleep in bed with their limbs "cuddled" up;" and the result was a peculiarly soldier-like erectness of stature enjoyed by his descendants. He died in Eugene in 1834, aged seventy-two years, and was buried in the Collett family cemetery. Ilis most intimate friends desired that the most appropriate sentiment should be engraved upon his tombstone, namely, "An honest man is the nublest work of God." His wife, Elizabeth, died at Columbus, Ohio. His two sons, Josephus and Stephen S., and daughters, Emily and Mary, came with him to Terre Haute. Emily died and was buried in the cemetery at Terre Haute; and in mcmoi'y of her acts of kindness many children within the circle of her acquaintance were named Emily. Mary married Mr. Dillow in Columbus, and after residing for a time in

Terre Haute, came to Newport, where she died and was buried in the Collett cemetery. She had three sons and three daughters, all of whom are deceased. William, her oldest son, was a stout blacksmith, and a kindhearted neighbor. Jack, the second son, kept tavern, and was ]:)robablj the most "entertaining" host in all the country, full of anecdotes, good at imitation, and generous and liberal in all his ways.

^-^rTILLIAM 13. WALTHALL, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 6, I'-o^J Yermillion Township, where he owns a good farm of ninety acres and in addition to this he o.wns a tract of 120 acres of land in Illinois. He was born in Dinwiddle County, Virginia, January 25, 1818, a son of William B. and Martha (Bailey) AValthall, who were also natives of Virginia, and of English descent. They were birthright members of the Friends' church, and endeavored to instill into the minds of their children from an early age the principles of the Gospel of Christ. In the year 1830, the parents, thinking it better on account ot their children to live in a free State, moved with their family to Ohio, the mother having near relatives in that State, being on the road one month and a day before reaching their destination, locating in Clinton County. In the father's family were seven children, three daughters and four sons, our subject being the eldest son and fourth child. The parents lived to a ripe old age, living to see the children of tlieir youngest child. Their seven children reached an average of over sixty-nine years before death entered their home, and six are yet living. Being born and reared until twelve years of age in a slave-holding community William B. learned to hate slavery in all its forms, and early in life began to oppose the system by speaking of its evils among his schoolmates, and in trying to teach colored people to read and write, and with his advancing years his hatred of the institution increased. He stood with the Free-Soil- party, and cast the iirst and only vote in the county for John P. Hale for President of the United States, and continued to fight slavery to its bitter end in 1863. He continued in the work of reform through life, and in early manhood gave up the use of tobacco, and joined the army of its opposers. Mr. Walthall grew to manhood in Clinton County, Ohio, remaining there until attaining the age of twenty-four years, and in the winter of 1842 he left the parental roof to iind a home in the then far west. After traveling on horseback for eight days he reached Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled on the farm where he now 1 i ves. He was married in this county, March 9, 1842, before a monthly meeting of the religious Society of Friends, to Sarah Ilaworth, who was born in Ohio, in 1817, a daughter of Kichard and Susanna (Henderson) Ilaworth. This union was dissolved by the death of Mrs. Walthall, April 28, 1854, after a happy married life of twelve years. She had a birthright membership in the Society of Friends, and was a worthy and consistent Christian. She left at her death four children - Martha A., Thomas E., Francis and Levi. Martha married Steven Cross, and has one child - Charlie. Thomas married Sarah J. Likens, and they are the parents of ten children. Francis married Roena Castle, and to them one child has been born who is now deceased. Levi married Elizabeth Cox, and to them have been born seven children. Mr. Walthall was a second time united in marriage, in the autumn of 1855, to Lydia J. Branson, a daughter of Aqiiilla and Lydia (Ellis) Branson, former residents of Belmont County, Ohio, who immigrated to Illinois in 1841. Twelve children were born to this union, six sons and six daughters. Seven of the children yet survive - David B., Sarah, Lydia, Allen J., Almedia, William H. and Smith. Believing that knowledge is power Mr. Walthall has endeavored to give his children a good education, and three of them have been students at Earlham College near Eichmond, Indiana. lie is now in his seventieth year, and is still hale and hearty, having inherited from his parents a sound constitution. Statistics proved that the longevity of the Friends is much greater than of others, which privilege is only attained, in accordance with the Bible, by honoring our parents and the observance of the laws of health from early childhood. Mr. Walthall's membership in the Society of Friends was transferred by letter from Dover Monthly meeting, Clinton County, Ohio, to Vermillion monthly meeting of Friends Vermillion County, Illinois, in the year 1842. In 1873 a new monthly meeting of Friends was established at Hopewell, Vermillion County, Indiana, of which Mr. Walthall is a member. In 1843 he was appointed overseer, and in 1853 he was made elder in the church by the Vermillion monthly meeting, the latter office being now subject to change every three years. His last appointment as elder was in 1886 by the Hopewell monthly meeting. Mr. Walthall is a member of no secret organization, having in early life taken a decided stand against secrecy and Baal worship in lodges. When a young man he found the appetite for strong drink increasing upon him, and then resolved to embrace the principles of teetotalism, to which he has since firmly held, ever with an increasing desire to destroy the rum power that the nation may be saved from the demon of alcohol. In 1876 he joined the American party and has since voted for its candidates and was the only man in his township to vote for John P. St. John for President, thus standing'firm for his principles though all be against him. This is characteristic of the man, and his honest, upright living has won him many friends who trust and honor him for his straightforward, unwavering integrity.

IgROWN H. MORGAN, general mer- ^^^^°*'' Clinton, is a native of Virginia, ^^ born at Middlebrook, Augusta County, September 30, 1861, a son of William and Eliza (Flinn) Morgan, both of whom were born, reared and married in the State of Virginia. They left Virginia May 1, 1874, and the same month settled at New Uoshen, Vigo County, Indiana, remaining there until August, 1876, since which time they have been residents of Clinton, Vermillion Count}-. Seven children have been born to them, their names in order of their birth being as follows - Sallie (wife of William H. Cole, of Clinton), John II. (living in A^igo County, Indiana), Mrs. Eutie Shepherd (deceased), Mrs. Mollie E. Hanger (living in Middlebrook, Virginia), Wilfred (a resident of Clinton), Mrs. Maggie Shepherd (living in Hartford County, Kansas), and Brown H., the subject of tiiis sketch. The father is engaged in wagon manufacturing and repairing at Clinton. Brown H. Morgan came with his parents to Clinton in August, 1876, and here he grew to manhood. Three days after reaching Clinton, August 15, 1876, he entered the general mercantile establishment of A. L. Whitcomb as clerk, and January 1 he became a partner in the l)usiness, and February 1, 1887, after the death of Mr. Whitcomb, he became sole owner of the stock. He is a young man of splendid business qual- itications, and is conducting the largest mercantile establishment in Vermillion County, and one of the largest in Western Indiana. Tiie sales of this establishment are over $50,000 annually. In politics Mr. Morgan afKliates with the Republican party. He is jirominent in social circles, and is identiiied with both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders.

fOSEPIUIS COLLETT, Sr., deceased, a prominent pioneer of Vermillion County, was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1787, and afterward removed to Columbus, Ohio. March 18, 1816, he was appointed deputy sheritf of Ross County, that State, by Thomas Steel, then sheriif, and November 5, 1818, he was elected sheriff", and faithfully served out his term. April 28, 1820, he was appointed deputy United States Surveyor by Governor GritRn, who was then surveyor-general of the Northwest Territory, and in this capacity he surveyed a district of country which embraces a large portion of the counties of Hendricks, Montgomery, Boone and Tippecanoe. In 1825 he removed to this county, where he continued to reside until his death, near Eugene, on AYednesday, February 21, 1872. During the early period of his residence in this county, he was an influential participant in the politics oil this district, and in all matters of public interest. He was also a man of sagacity and prudence in the management of his property. Starting with but little capital, he amassed a large fortune, which was estimated at the time of his death at about $130,000. He used to say, '< The young man who won't dig and work for himself will never become wealthy; for it is o-rubbino; for one's self that teaches him to economize." He was a man of original characteristics, vivid positiveness and strong will. Though a little vindictive, as is apt to be the case with men of his positive nature, he was uniformly kind, courteous and obliging. His hospitality was of the oldschool order, - broad, generous and liberal. His table, loaded with the richest viands, and his sideboard with the best of liquors, always had two or three extra plates for expected guests. No friend could be forgiven who did not partake of its bounties. Many such friends as Judge John R. Porter, &"enators E. A. Hannegan and Albert S. White, Congressmen Henry S. Lane and Richard W. Thompson, and the Judges of the Indiana and United States Courts were frequent partakers of his hospitality. On one occasion, when his house was crowded with such guests, word was brought to him after night that a poor, ragged man wanted to come in out of the storm and stay all night. They said they had told him that the house was full; but Mr. Collett insisted on seeing liim. The " intruder " was brought in, and at once recognized as poor, crazy Jack Stinson, of Williamsport. Immediately the old feeling of hospitality and duty tramped down the necessities of the case, and Mr. Collett met him with a graceful bow and a kind shake of the hand, and introduced him as an Ohio friend to the assembled judges and lawyers, as having been formerly in their profession, but recently in bad health and unfortunate. Said he, " He was my friend in days long ago, and I am still his friend." He was a welcome guest to all there assembled; and, being so treated, his insanity disappeared and reason was for the time restored. Mr. Collett was always a friend to the ]ioor, and no beggar ever went away empty from his door. His early educational facilities were limited to a few months' attendance at school in

Ohio, and in Louisville, Kentucky. He used to remark, luimorously, tliatlie was in danger of spelling Congress with a K; but even a classic scholar would wonder why his language was so correct as it was, and modeled so exactly after the Latin style. It could be explained only by the fact that in his young manhood he was " major domo " in the household of Governor Worthington, of Ohio, a highly educated Virginian of the strictest rules of courtesy and politeness. That position was to him a good school. He was present when the Legislature established a new county, cut off from that portion of Parke County lying west of the Wabash Eiver. When asked to give a name to the county, he said the principal stream was the Vermillion River, and suggested the name Vermillion for the county, which was adopted. Mr. CoUett took especial pains with his dress and appearance. Everything about his premises must also be kept neat and in its place. His horses were symmetrical, attractive and good travelers. His hogs and sheep were of the finest breeds, and kept in good condition; and his cattle were also the very best. The following instance illustrates his generous disposition. Learning that the Methodist church in the village was paying its preacher only $17 or $18 a year, with which he had to support himself, wife, baby and horse, he was amazed and furiously angry. He sent the young man a $5 bill, and requested him at his earliest convenience to take dinner with him. Though somewhat reluctant, the young minister was prevailed upon to accept. Arriving at the house of his benefactor, he was met with the kindest welcome, and a feast was served to himself and family. At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Collett loaded the young man with luxuries, and engaged to send him immediately a barrel of the best flour, a barrel of corn meal, a quarter of beef and potatoes and apples enough to last him through the winter. The yox;ng man was surprised and overwhelmed. At another time the Presbyterian minister at Perrysville was starving out under similar circumstances. He wrote a pleading letter to Mr. Collett, who immediately headed a subscription which made the poor minister comfortable. Such instances of generosity were common in the life of Mr. Collett. He became a Freemason in November, 1815, at Franklinton, Ohio. In religious sentiment he was liberal, if not free and easy. He wanted it distinctly understood that he was no Calvinistic Presbyterian, but preachers of all denominations were equally welcome guests at his table and fireside. Sometimes, after hearing a good sermon, he would say to the preacher, " I was delighted with your discourse: almost thou persuaded me to be a Christian." He had unbounded faith in the immortality of the soul, professed on his death-bed to have always been a believer in the Christian religion, and had had frequent visions and communications which he declared could come only from those purporting to deliver them. He had vestiges of what has been called " second sight." One time, during a severe spell of sickness, it seemed to him, at a moment when he was partially awake, that he was in the other world, holding a conversation with a spirit. The result of that conversation was that it was not yet time for him to leave the material world by ten years. On fully awakening in the morning, he was really distressed to iind his soul still in the body. He did live just ten years longer, dying at the age of ciglityflve 3'ears. On one occasion, when his friends, John R. Porter and Edward A. Hannegan, were at his house, they all became particularly serious, feeling that a s|)irit from the other world was influencing them; and they then and there solemnly pledged to each other that after death the first one to enter tlie next world wonld return if he could, and announce to the others the fact that there was a spirit world, etc. Judge Porter died first, and the other two never afterward received any communication from him.

'ILLIAM M. HAMILTON, senior member of the firm of Hamilton & I'-spTj Anderson, is one of the leading business men of Clinton, and one of the representative citizens of the town. He was born in Clinton, September 17, 1843, a son of James and Mary (Hines) Hamilton, and with the exceptiou of the time spent in the service of his country, he has always lived in his native place. The history of the Hamilton family in Vermillion County dates with the settlement of his grandfather, William Hamilton, who crossed the Wabash Eiver March 17, 1818, and shortly afterward settled on section 4, Clinton Township. He and his wife, formerly Margaret Pierce, were born in the State of Pennsylvania, but married in Ohio. James, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio, and was their eldest son. Their second son, John, is living on section 8, Clinton Township. He was also born in Ohio. Nine children were born to them after coming to Vermillion County, of whom only their daughters, Mrs. Mary Sprague, of Chicago, and Mrs. Emily Hubbard, are now living. AVilliam Hamilton was a kind neighbor, and always did all in his power to relieve the needy. His home in the pioneer days was the abode of hospitality, and although he was not rich in this world's goods, he enjoyed what he had, and died at the age of sixty-five years. His widow survived him several years. James Hamilton ved at the home of his parents until reaching manhood. He married Mary Hines, and of their three children William M. is the only one living. The father of our subject died in 1848, when he was five years of age. His mother was a second time married to Mr. N. Chappell, and after his death she was again married to John Straine. She died in Helt Township, this county, at an advanced age. William M. Hamilton, whose name heads this sketch was early in life, thrown upon his own resources, and has made his own A\'ay through life, his inheritance from his father's estate not exceeding $^250, but the hard lessons ^learned in his youth have been of lasting benefit to him in battling with the stern realities of life. Before reaching the age of eighteen years he enlisted in defense of the Union in Companj' C, Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, and his first engagement was at the memorable battle of Pea Pidge, Arkansas. He was in the operations of General Grant in the Vicksburg campaign, participating in the battles of Magnolia Hills, Champion Hills, Jackson and Raymond, and the siege of the city of Vicksburg. Later he served with his regiment in the Gulf Dejjartment, and in August, 1864, was honorably discharged. After his return from the war he attended the Commercial College at Indianapolis, and later engaged in clerking at Clinton. In December, 1868, he married Miss Fannie Keegan, a native of Vanderberg County, Indiana, and a daughter of Patrick Keegan, and they are the parents of one child, named Estella. In 1873 Mr. Hamilton began dealing in grain and agricultural implements at Clinton, with Alonzo Shepherd and William Nelson, under the firm name of Nelson, Shepherd & Co. Changes ensued in the business, and in 1876 Mr. Hamilton became associated with Decatur Downing, with whom he has ex tensively engaged in the same business, under the name of Downing & Hamilton. In the summer of 1887 the interest of Mr. Downing was bought by N. C. Anderson, when the firm name was changed to Plamilton & Anderson. In politics Mr. Hamilton is a Republican. He has served on the school board and in the city council with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders.

fOSEPHUS COLLETT (second), a prominent railroad manager and business man of Terre Haute, who, however, is still a voter in Vermillion County, was born in Eugene, this county, August 17, 1831. (For his parentage, see sketch of Stephen S. Collett, Sr.) He obtained his early education in a log-cabin school-house near his birth-place, and at the age of eighteen entered Wabash College; but before completing the full literary course lie was obliged to abandon study on account of feeble health and a serious disease of the nerves of the eyes. A cure of the latter complaint for some time afterward seemed hopeless; but he finally recovered, when he resorted to agriculture and dealing in live stock, in botli which branches of business he had great success. About 1869 he engaged in mercantile business at Newport, including pork-packing and dealing in grain. The pork and grain he shipped to New York and New Orleans, soon commanding a fine trade. Lack of transportation facilities then engaged his attention. After the failure of several previousatlempts at securing railroads, he consulted Chauncey Rose, a worthy friend of the family through three generations, who zealously enlisted his sympathies with advice and money. The result was the building of tlie Evansville, Terre Haute & Chicago Railroad, running through the whole length of

Vermillion County. Mr. Collett became president, and held that office until the road was leased to the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company, who now operate it. Unlike other railways, this road was built at such close contract prices, without the intermediate profits of middle men and speculators, and its alignments and grades were so perfectly surveyed, that it has been classed as a model railroad in economy of cost and construction. "While nearly all new railroad enterprises of the country have passed through the hands of receivers and assignees, this road, under the management of Mr. Collett, - wlm was not only its president but also its supurintendent andjtreasurer, - survived the crushing effects of the hard times of 1873-'79; and by universal consent the credit for this successful management is given to him. Even in the personal supervision of the track, he has never been afraid to ride ujjon a locomotive; and he made it a point to see every rail, tie and timber on his route once a month. He has also been engaged in many other railroad enterprises and large business ventures. He built the Otter Creek Valley Railroad through Vigo and Clay counties, the Genesee Valley Railroad in New York State, and in the construction of the Columbus iV: Sunday Creek Railroad, which opens up a new approach to the Hocking Valley coal region, was suparintendent of the Nevada Central Railroad two years, is now manager of the Austin & Northwestern Railroad in Texas, and is profitably interested in the improvements and extensions that have given such growth to San Diego, California, the great sanitarium of tlie Pacific coast. He is also interested more or less in a number of mining and manufacturing enterprises, not only at Terre Haute, but also in other places in Indiana and at various points in the west. And he has been fortunate in nearly every enterprise that he has undertaken. In noticing his successful career any one will readily conclude that "good luck" is a fiction, and that good management and persistent effor constitute the lever of victory. Mr. Collett is also known for his many acts of kindness and benevolence which he has peri'ormed in his peculiarly quiet manner. He is a leader ill all public-spirited enterprises that come within his scope of action. On the death of Mr. Rose, so widely known for his munificence, it was found that Mr. Collett had been appointed one of the executors of his will. The latter was also elected one of the trustees of Rose Polytechnic Institute at Terre Haute, and is president of the board. In his political principles our subject is a Republican; in manner, quiet and unobtrusive; toward Strangers, reticent; to friends, a genial and whole-souled companion. He has also a scientific taste, being particularly interested in geology and arciia?ology, and having one of the finest arcliffiologieal collections in the west, in some respects the best in the world, comprising over 12,000 of the finest specimens of the stone age.

fE0RC4E W. JACKSON, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 10, Vermillion Township, where he owns 300 acres of valual)Ie land. He was born in Clermont County, Ohio, July 3, 1816, a son of Joseph and Mary (Newkirk) Jackson, his father a native of Virginia, of English descent, and his mother of Pennsylvania, of German descent. In 1832 his parents came to Indiana and located in Vermillion Township, Vermillion County, where the father died in 1847. They had a family of eight eiiildren, l)ut two of whom are living - George W. and Edward, of Dana. George

W. Jackson was reared a farmer, an occupation he has tlius far followed. His first start as a farmer for himself was on 100 acres, to which he has added until he now owns his present vahialile farm. He was married in 1815 to Mary Driver, a native of Oliio, born in Parke County in 1822, a daugliter of Abram and Mary (Rogers) Driver, early settlers of Vermillion County. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have had five children - Joseph married Mary Lorman, and has two children - ' Fray and Free; Manford married Ella Firman; Sarah, wife of Silas V. Morgan, has two children - Maude and Claude; Charles and Harry are at home. Mr. Jackson is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a Democrat.

ana, February 28, 1840, a son of Durliam Hood, who was a native of Tennessee, and an early settler of this county, coming here when the surrounding country was principally inhabited by Indians and wild animals. He followed flat-boating for many years, going to New Orleans more than twenty times, and in later years he worked at the Ijlacksmith's trade. William II. Hood, the subject of this sketch, was brought up in Eugene, and was educated in the schools of this place. He enlisted in the late war in Company M, Second Colorado Cavalry. He was in the service two years, taking part in a number of engagements, all of them being with the Indians. He with his company was stationed at Fort Douglas, Utah, guarding the overland mail route and telegraph at that place, and were sent to arrest some Indians who had murdered some white people, and in their struggle sixty-seven men out of 140 were killed or wonnded, and of 300 Indians all but one were killed. Mr. Hood was wounded in tins engagement, and sent to hospital, where he remained three weeks. He returned to his home in Eugene in 1863, and for eight or ten years following followed the butcher's trade, and also worked in the pork packing houses at Newport, Eugene and Danville, Illinois. Ho is now living retired from active business life. He was married September 16, 1883, to Mrs. Evaline Craig, a daughter of John Holtz. She died July 18, 1885. She had three children by her first marriage, their names being John, Ella and Claude. Mr. Hood is a member of the Odd Fellows order, and is a comrade of the Grand Army of the Eepnblic.

f|SCAR B. GIBSON, one of the rising 0) young attorneys of Vermillion County, ^ began his professional career in Newport, in the fall of 1880. In that year he was admitted to the Vermillion County bar, and for one year following he was in the law office of Jump & Ward, of Newport. He then became associated with J. C. Sawyer, which partnership continued until the present firm of Ward & Gibson was formed in November, 1886. Mr. Gibson is a native of Vermillion County, Indiana, born in Helt Township in November, 1859, a son of Edmond Gibson. He received his primary education in the common schools of Helt Township, and subsequently was a student at Asbury University at Greencastle, Indiana, for four years. For his wife Mr. Gibson married Miss Hattie Elder, a daughter of James A. Elder, a resident of Helt Township. Mr. Ward is an active and public-spirited m:in, and is always interested in any enterprise which has for its object the welfare of the public, and every movement calculated to aid in building up his town or developing its business interests, has his encouragement and assistance.

fAMES DUZAN, a representative of one of the early pioneer families of Ver- ,^ million County, is a native of Kentucky, born in Mason County, July 31, 1818. His father, William Duzan, was also a native of Mason County, Kentucky, and there grew to manhood, and married Miss Sarah Williams, a daughter of Charles Williams, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. William Duzan settled with his family in Vermillion Township, Vermillion County, Indiana, in February, 1835. He made his home in this county for upward of twenty years, when he removed to Parke County, Indiana, and engaged in farming, and was also postmaster at Howard, that county, for a number of years. Both he and his wife died in Parke County. They were the parents of eight children, of whom only three are now living - James, their eldest child, and our subject; Peter E., living at Dora in Wabash County, and Catherine, widow of Dr. Surbaugh, residing at Harveysburg, Fountain County, Indiana. James Duzan, whose name heads this sketch, was seventeen years of age when he came with his father to this county. He learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and has followed that pursuit much of his life. He also ran a cooper's shop in Vermillion Township for twenty-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Ann Myers, was born in Mason County, Kentucky, and died in this county in August, 1880, leaving a family of five children - Mary Jane, John, Fred, Maria and Lizzie. In politics Mr. Duzan was formerly a Whig, but has been a Republican since the organization of that party. In religion he was reared a Methodist, but is not identified with any church.