Washington County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1916 (part 10 of 11)

Patrick H. Gill

Patrick H. Gill, one of the prominent and successful business and professional men of Washington county, was born on a farm near New Providence (now Borden), in Clark county, April 3, 1857. His early life was spent on the farm and he received his early education in the common schools of his county. Later he attended the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, where he was under the direction of Alfred Holebrook and O. P. Kinscy, now of the Valparaiso Normal School. After completing his education he taught for fourteen years in the schools near Pekin and was a successful educator.

In A])ril, 1884, Patrick H. Gill was united in marriage to Liliie B. Martin, a native of Pekin and a daughter of Isaac H. ancl Candace S. (Hamiltcjn) Martin. She was born on August 29, 1859.

was born in Kentucky on May i, 1804. Louis M. was the son of Peter and Sarah Martin and was born on December 16. 1763, in Virginia. Peter, according to his own records, was born on February 8, 1741, in N'irginia, and the date of his marriage was 1761.

The Martin famihes were large in nunilier, and many of the meml>ers are located in the southern part of Washington county where they are known as excellent citizens and successful men and women. Being pioneers in this section they suffered the privations and the hardships of the early settlers. With all their noble qualities they were industrious and frugal and soon the dense forest and the wild prairie ]>egan to blossom into wellcultivated fields, (iood houses and well constructed barns and outlxiildings were erected and the country took on an aspect of prosperity.

\mong the very early settlers was Dr. Abner JNIartin, one of the prominent men of his time. In addition to his professional duties he did much to advance the social and business conditions of the neighborhood and mucli of the success of this section was due to his acti\ity and interest in all that would tend to the betterment and ad\'ancement of his neighbors and friends. Many of the educational advantages of the younger meml>ers of the settlement were made possil)le by the work of John Martin, a noted educator of the time. 'I'he early teachings of this man had much to do with the excellent educational condition of the people ni the county.

Candace S. Hamilton, the mother (if Mrs. Lillie P.. (iill, was born on July 23. 184 1, and was the daughter of Xinian Hamilton, who was born in North Carolina, ]*"ebruary 10, I7''^0. He was of a famil\- who had taken a prominent part in the l\e\olutionar\- War and assisted in the constructive work that followed. Many members of the familv occupied important legislative and administrative positions, whicli they tilled with honor to themselves and to the people. The leadershi|i manifested by the familv has been transmitted to the members that have settled in this countv, for Jiere they are among the leaders and promoters of tlie communil\ in winch thev live and prosper.

was born on Septeml)er 2. 1892. He is a graduate of the Pekin high school and has taught two terms of school in his home county. At present he is a junior in the law school of Indiana University. Edith A., at home, was born cm June 28, 1895. Anna Josephine was born on April 18, 1898, and is a student in the Pekin high school. Loretta was born on February 19, 1901.

Patrick H. Gill, the senior member of the firm of Gill Brothers, is a man of much force of character, progressi\e and active in all the affairs of life. For years he has been a leader and a promoter in all social, religious and commercial activities of Pekin and the county, and the people owe much to him for the success of their community.

Mr. Gill and his faiuily are active and prominent members of the Catholic church at Bradford, Harrison county, and take much interest in all church work. He is broad-minded in his religion, as he is in all things and can see the good resulting from the work of all churches.

Politically, Mr. Gill is a Democrat and takes an active interest in the work ot his party, being a leader in the party's councils. Pie stands for the [jurity of the ballot and the liest men for office.

Elza \\ Bartlett, a young farmer of more than ordinary abihty, is a native of this county, having been born in Pierce township on October i, 1882. The place of his birth was the farm of his parents, Taylor M. and Sarah J. (Boss) Bartlett, the former of whom was born in Floyd county on December 23, 1856, and came here at the age of seventeen. Three years later he married Sarah Boss, the daughter of Simeon Boss, whose home was located near the "Boss bridge.''

The grandfather of Sarah Boss also was a farmer, and his parents emigrated from North Carolina, where their income was derived from farming and from a mill which they owned on Blue river, this river furnishing the water power necessary to run the mill. ^ son of this worthy pioneer couple lost his life on a southern battlefield, after four years of faithful service in the Civil War. Simeon Boss married a Miss Baker, daughter of \'alentine and Polly Baker. Valentine Baker was also of southern origin, being a descendant of a family that came from Virginia. The grandmother of Mrs. Sarah Bartlett lived to be ninety-five years of age

The house in which she Hved is now owned Id}- Jane iiaker. \'alentine Baker, who was \'ersatile enough to he a doctor and also to give some attention to the farm antl mill which he owned, and which was located on the "Baker Branch," ser\ed so valiantly in the Mexican War that he was raised to the rank of colonel. Many members of this branch of the frunily li\'e in Kansas and Nebraska, where they went as pioneers, and are prosperous and well-known in the communities in which they reside.

Solomon Bartlett, grandfather of Elza V. Bartlett, was of southern birth, and came from Blue Lick, Kentucky, when only a child, settling in Floyd county w-here he afterward became a successful farmer. His brother, a great uncle of Elza, served his country when in the throes of the Ci\'il War, anil left as a priceless heirloom now in possession of Elza, a sword which he carried for three years.

After his marriage, Taylor M. Bartlett purchased the farm on which his son now' li\-es, the ow;ner at that time being Isaac Alartin. Taylor M. Bartlett lived to be only thirty-six, and at his death left a w'idow and seven children, six of whom were girls. These are Susie, Ella, Lena, Pearl, Ora, Estella. Susie married Carl Turner, whose home is the farm formerly owned b}- David Turner, near Alt. Washington; Ella, a dressmaker, lives in Waterloo, Nebraska; Lena, after teaching school in Nebraska, married Julius C. Morse, proprietor of a store in Waterloo; Pearl has taught school in Pierce and adjoining townships: Ora. who was a student at Pekin high school, is the wife of Rosco Blackman, and their home is two miles southeast (if Martinsburg: Estelle. who gra'duated fmm the Pekin high school, has since taught school in Pierce township.

Eha V. Bartlett has remained a farmer on the (ild h<.ime farm, and by his progressi'.e methods has become eminently successful. \\'hcn a lioy, he attended the Katts school, and during vacations devoted himself tn the occupation of his father. The family are members of the (.'hurcb of Christ.

.Mr. Bartlett's ])olitical afliliations ;ire with the Democratic part\-. and through his active interest in ])o1itics lie was elected to the office of iru-^tee of Pierce township, an oftice whicli he filled with credit to himself and the satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Mr. I'arllett is :i (piiet, unassuming voung man, l)Ut resourceful to a m.arked degree. I lis ambition'- li;i\ e m.ide him successful from a niateri;d jioint of \ iew . .-ind what i-- perh:ip- niorv.

hold the confidence and res])ect which hi-- ability and ]iersonality .iwaken. Tie is looked upon as a leader among the younger generation of thi> township.

Gill Brothers

The well-known firni of Gill Brothers, who are public spirited and successful farmers and lawyers, is composed of Patrick H., James W. and John X. Gill, the sons of John Gill. The firm was established some years ago o^ the death of the father, who was a native of Ireland, where he was born in ]8ji, near the Curragh of Kildare.

John Gill was the son of Patrick and Sarah (O'Tool) Gill. The father lost his life in an uprising in Ireland to free it from the English rule. John Gill remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age when he came to the LTnited States, landing at New Orleans, and later located in Cincinnati, where he li\ed for some years.

On January i, 1854, John Gill was married to Bridget Whelan, of Cincinnati, the daughter of Michael and Margaret (O'Bracken) Whelan, natives of Portarlington, Queens county, Ireland. Bridget Whelan was also a native of Ireland, where she was born on December 25, 1-829, ^"d came with her sisters to Cincinnati at the age of thirteen years. Through the influence of an Irish friend, who had located in Indiana, John Gill and his bride located in New Providence, Clark county. They soon located on a farm where they had a most pleasing and accommodating class of neighbors. The new-found friends made a lasting impression on the memories of the Gill people, which has been cherished to this day by the members of the familv. To this tmion ten children were born, only four of whom are now li\ing, the sons above named and a sister, Sarah C, who became the wife of Augustus G. Martin and lives in Indianapolis.

John Gill was known as an industrious and prosperous farmer and livestock raiser and dealer. He always took an active interest in all affairs that tended to the ad\ancement of the community in which he lived... .Mr, .Gill and his family were acti\e members of the Catholic church and took much interest in the work of the church. Mr. Gill died on March 20, 1883, and was soon followed by his beloved wife who died on September 19, 1886.

The Gill P.rothers formed their partnership in 1885 ^"d they have worked toi^ether in a most agreeable and pleasant manner since that time and lia\e dexcloped a .strong and growing organization. They received their education in the schools of their county and wnere they all taught for some years.

They now (jwn inan\- hundred acres of virgin timber land as well as nian\- inii)ro\ed hcWb. with beautiful houses and sub.stantial barns. Their

In their legal practice they have been successful and have a lar.oe clientage. They give conser\ative advice to those who come to them, and always advise against htigation where an honorable compromise can be effected. Their advice is much sought, for they are known to be broad-minded, honest and honorable. Being jiublic s])irited. they are interested in all that tends to the betterment of the community and the country at large.

I'Vank J. Schocke was burn in bVanklin county, Indiana, on the 25th ui .\ugust. 1839. lie is the son of John ('. and Mary I-'.. ( Mergenthal ) Sch(jcke. On the i)atern'al side he is a grandson of Lewis 1*. and ivachel ( '. ( I'^loor ) Schocke. both nati\'es of Germany, who cr<jssed tiie Atlantic together, and who landed in this countr\- after a sea journey of eleven weeks. The couple went first to Cincinnati, where for two years Mr. Schocke was emplo\-ed in one of the pork packing houses. After lea\-ing ("incinnati, Mr. Schocke mo\ed to ("he\iot, ( )hio, wliere he li\-ed two years. In iS_V' he mo\ed to iM-anklin count}', Indiana, when that section of the state was a wiklerncss. There he entered a claim for one hundred and twenty .acres (jf land, which at that time could be secured for a doll.ir ,and a quarter an acre, (^n tins farm Lewis Schocke and his wife endured the greatest hardships. The t;isk id" clearing the land was not an easy one and aside from this therr- were man\ wild anim.als to contend witli. The deer of the forests served as food, .-md as was customarv in that time and location each farmer liuilt his own cabin dwelling. The couple experienced the roughest pri\ations of ])ioneer life, Imt both Mr. and Mr>. Schocke remained in the liest of health an<l the remarkable result of then- h.ardships was the fact that each of them li\ed to an ad\-anced age, Mr. Schocke passing away in ( )ctober. iSSo, ;it the age of ninet\-one \e.ars .-md his wife, who sur- \i\efl him four \c,ars, li\ing to the age of eight)- four. Her death occurred in iSo.V

Lewis I'', and Kachel Schocke were the ]>arents of the foil,, wing children: (".eorge. the eldest son, died when still a child, of spotted fever; John ('. is the father of the subiect .,f this sketch; Lewis \'. resides in I'.rook- ville, PVanklin county: Caroline C. (Mrs. Brunse) is living in Franklin county, and her sister, Rosanna (Mrs. Thomas Robinson), resides in the same county ; Fred C. is living near Oxford, Ohio, and William T. makes his home near Laurel, ]*"ranklin county.

John C. Schocke, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in ("he\iot, (3hio, in 1835, and as a boy moved to Franklin county with his ]>arents, where he grew to manhood. In 1858 he married Mary E. Mergenthal, the daughter of Michael and Louisa (Prifogle) Mergenthal, who was born in Franklin county, Indiana, in 1837.

Michael Mergenthal, who was a native of Switzerland, settled in Franklin county, after his arrival in this country, where he took possession of a homestead on Pjlue creek. Aside from his farming interests he also conducted a store for general merchandise. His wife, Louisa Prifogle, was a native (if Pennsylvania, and lived until 1894, when she passed away on the jjnd of December. Her husband lived to be seventy-two years old, and he passed awa\- on the 22nd of December, 1911. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mergenthal were: Mary ]L., who became the mother of Frank .Schocke; (Catherine, who died in 1914'; John, who is also deceased; William, (if the United States army, whose home is at Brookville, Indiana; Michael, who is deceased, and Peter, who lives in Connersville.

After the marriage of John C. Schocke he settled on a farm three miles south of Brookville, where during the winter he followed the cooper's trade. He continued to follow the occupation of a farmer in the summer, until his death, which occurred on January 20, 191 1. During the Civil War, Mr. Schocke enlisted, in 1864, in Company F, One Hundred and I'orty-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He served as a private until the close of the war and during that time was under General Grant.

To .Mr. and Mrs. John C. Schocke the following children were born: Frank J,, who is the su1>ject of this sketch; Louisa married Edward L. Meyncke, and resides in Windfall, Indiana; Frances married Paul Deutch, and li\es in Brookx ille, Indiana; ^Villiam F., deceased; Charles E., also deceased, and Anna C, who married Richard Posey, of Tipton, Indiana.

The career of Frank J. Schocke has been notable for its achievement. He began life as a farmer on his father's homestead, after receiving his education in the schools of I'Tanklin coimty. .After following the occupation of a farmer for fi\e years, in the county where he was born, the subject of this sketch moved to Tipton county, Indiana, where he lx>ught forty acres of farm land In K)03 he sold this farm and moved to Tipton, where he engaged in the Inlying of live stock in partnership with A. G. BurklOOJ WASIUNCTOX Cni-\TY. IXDTAXA.

hardt. For three vear?. Mr. Slmcke was nccupied with tlie interests of stock liuving- and at the end of tliat time nmved tn WashiiiL^ton county, where he l)ouo;ht twu liundred an<l twenty-se\en acres of hmd located in Pierce and \\'ashington I'jwnship^. As a farmer .Mr. Schocke ha> >tndied e\-er\- liranch of agricuhure in a most thorough manner. lie helie\es in impro\cment of farm conditions and surroundings and has huilt up his nwn farm to represent the most modern ideas, h^ir the last fi\e years he has devoted most of his time to live stock buying, assisted by his son, I'dlsworth, who also does the general farming on the home place. Mr. Schocke, aside from his business as a stockman, is also considered, an expert poultry judge, and his opinion has been asked in a number of poultry sh<iws. where he has been the authority un cpiestions ]iertaining to that branch of rural activity. In IQ13 he built mie of the most thoroughly modern Ijarns in the count}', which stands in marked contrast to the small log buildings erected b\- the ])ioneers over a century ago in the same community.

The marriage of I'rank J. Schocke to Mary 1'".. Keeler was solemnized on the J I St of December. 1880. Mrs. Schocke, who is a native of Franklin county, Indiana, was born on the 3rd of February. 1863, and is the daughter of Thomas and Al)igail ( Snedeiger) Keeler. She became the mother of fourteen children, three <if whom died in infancy. ("lilTord, a minister in the Christian church, has a missionary held in Indiana, embracing Mt. Tabor and Chapel Mill, in Floyd county. He is a graduate of Lexington Unixersity, in Kentucky, and also of Transyhania Seminary, and has been married twice. His first wife, who died shortly after their marriage, was Bessie Burkhart, and his second wife, wdio was Flsie Wright, has jirox-ed an invalual)le assistant to her husband in his religious labors. The\' ha\'e one child. Mar}- .\nn.' Paul follows the occupation of a farmer in Pierce township and married Anna Martin, the daughter of ( "harles 1-'. Martin: b'dlsworth, who assists lii-^ father in the ])n}'ing of stock and in genei'al farming, married Stella Hoover, the daughter of Jacob C. IbiONxr, and had four children, (d.adyv, Hildred. brank and Plvthe. Ollie married Abijah Richard^, a farmer of this countw and the coujile Ii.k four children, Iniogene. Irene, Roliert and Paul. ( ora li\es in Tii)toii, Indiana, where her husband, (".u\- Xewkirk. conducts a general store. She is the mother of two children, Frank an.l Paul. Ruby .\., wh., became the wife of William P. I'.auer. omdnct'ir fi.r the Pnion Traction ( oiupaiix. resides m Tiptoii ( jftic married

Frank J. Schocke has Iiecome prominent not only in his chosen field of endeavor, lait also in political and fraternal affairs. He held the of^ce of township assessor for nine years, and two years ago made the race for county commissioner, which he lost by only seventy-one votes. He is an acti\e member of the Washington County Farmers Club, and has been chairman of the Washington county institute work for two years. In fraternal organizations he holds membership in the Independent Order of Red Men and in the Modern Woodmen of America. For the last seven years he has been count}- correspondent for the United States department of agriculture crop bulletin. Mr. and Mrs. Schocke are members of the old Tllue Ri\er Christian church, and each member of the familv manifest a deep interest in things pertaining to its welfare.

John A. Williams

Among the progressi\'e farmers and prominent citizens of Washington county, Indiana, is John A. Williams, who was born in Washington township, I'ebruary 27, 1880, the son of James and Sarah Catherine (Fleenor) Williams, a sketch of whose lives appears elsewhere in this volume.

John .V. Williams received his education in the township schools of his native township, after which he worked with his father on the home farm until he was twenty-two years of age, and then, having married, Mr. Williams continued as the cultivator of the home place for five years. Later, about iQO/, John .\. Williams bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, where he now li\es, a ]jlace which has been greatly improved and to which Mr. Williams has added one hundred acres, all of which is in a high state of cultivaticm. Mr. Williams is now successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits, being one of the progressive and scientific men of farm life in the community.

( )n IVbruary (). irjoj, John A. Williams was married to Ammie Denny, who was born in Monroe township, Washington county, the daughter of Jacob and llindiga (Callaway) Denn)-, whose sketch appears on another ])age of this xdlumc. To the marriage of John A. and Ammie Williams ba\i- burn born llic following children: Pasal, P.eryle and Audrey, a!! of w lioin li\ e at home.

lolin \. W tibaiiis Is actixe in the Republican party circles of Franklin t<iwnsliip. ano wliilc he has not occu])ied office, with the exception of that of road superN'isor, lie is conceded to he a man of influence and x'alue to his party in pohtical affairs. In fraternal Hfe, Air. Williams is a well-known member of the Indejiendent Order of Red Men, at Salem, having been a loyal member of this organization for about fifteen years. Air. Williams attends the Methodist Episcopal church at West Point, a congregation of which Mrs. Williams is an active member and worker. John A. Williams and his famil)- are among the highly respected and esteemed people of the township and county, their unselfish life and devotion to the interests of others having won for them a host of friends.

The following is a brief record of the life of bA'ans H. Wright, one of the itrominent and prosperous farmers of this township. Air. Wright was born on January 6, 1845, 'J'^ the site of his present home, four and one-half miles south of Salem, and is the son of i-'.vins and Nancy (Hinds) Wright.

Philbird and Alolly ( Sears ) Wright, paternal grandparents of lAans H. Wright, came from North Carolina in 1808 and after living for a short time in Clark county, Indiana, moved to this county, locating in the southern section of Washington township, where they entered government land. They became the parents of eleven children, including Nancy. Eli and Evins, the latter of whom was born in Rowan c<.iunty. North Carolina, in the year 1797. E\ins Wright was twelve years old when his family came here, and with them he lived until his marriage, when he moved to the adjoining farm, tht- present home of Air. Schocke. He later bought the farm on which his son, Evans, now lives. Besides his agricultural interests, he built and operated a water-power mill for grist and a saw-mill. He was a Democrat, casting his first vote for Andrew Jackson in i8-'S, and when his son, Evans, was a boy, served as county conmiissioner.

One of the early recollections of ]'"\ans H. Wright is the preparing of breakfast at the request of Morgan's raiders, who crossed his father's farm. His mother was liorn in 1805. E\-ans H. Wright is one of six children, the others being Sarali Ann, b"li, Peter. Joseph and I'.manuel. Their mother passed away on December 14. 1870, and the father died at the home of his son. lA'ans. on Seiitember 5, 1805.

his principal schooling was obtained at Eikosi Academy, after which he taught school both before and after his marriage, which occurred on March 9, 1 87 1. The bride was Anna Clark Shanks, a native of Pierce township. To this union were born six children. Ollie S., the eldest, is a civil engineer for the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy Railroad. Joseph B., who married Elizabeth Cavanaugh, has three children, Harry, Ralph and Robert, and li\es on the farm of his Grandfather Shank, in the northwest section of Pierce township. IMilo B., the husband of .Alice Sizemore, resides at Buffalo Junction. They are the parents of two daughters, Elsie and Ruth. K\sk, who is the wife of Clifford Schocke, lives in Pierce township. Her husband is attending the theological department of Transylvania Universitv, at Texington, Kentucky. They are the parents of a daughter, Mary .\nna. Erasmus Evans is engaged in farming with his father on the latter's land. He and his wife, who was formerly Eupha Mitchell, have two children. -Vrline and Roger. Jennie is living at home.

Mrs. Wright Anna ( .Shanks ) is of a well known family of this county. Her mother was Joanna Brewer, and her father, Erasmus W. Shanks, born at Charleston, Indiana, January 8, 1824, was the son of William and Hannah (Cravens) Shanks, who came from Virginia. The latter was born twelve miles from Harrisonburg, and was a daughter of William and Jane (Harrison) Cravens. Jane Harrison was a cousin of William Henry Harrison, former President of the United States.

William Shanks, who was born on May 12, 1791, at Bototourt county, A'irginia, and his wife, came to Charleston, Clark county, in 1822, remaining there for two years, when they located on Blue river, in this county, west of r'arral)ee Station, where, after a useful life, they died. As a Methodist preacher, Mr. Shanks rode the Salem circuit until i)oor health forced him to become a local preacher. He was at one time a member of the Indiana Legislature, including a term as state senator. He was a man of remarkable self-possession, of culture, of imiform vigor of thought and clearness of expression, and was highly honored by this community. A power in the church, his ministerial associates never looked to him in vain for counsel. lie died on May 20, 1863. His wife's father, also a minister, preached in the Shenandoah valley. He liberated his slaves and came to Indiana, where he ;uk1 his wife lived with their daughter, Hannah, uniil their death.

h'rasmus W Shanks, who was a farmer here all of his life, was in the Legislature before the Civil War, and in the seventies was a member of the state Senate, fle owned three hundred and seventy-one acres of land, this comjjrising the farm on which Joseph Wright now lives. His wife, who

In the fall < d' 1870, while attendin;.^ hjkos, Academy, i-.vans H. Wni;ht was elected count\' Mir\eyor, an ofhce which he held until 1874. He ha^ also keen elected to the 1 iPice of townshi]) trustee, tilling- this ]iosition from l8.'^4 until 1888. His election and re-election was due to his ri^id atlherence to dut\-. Although a Democrat, he was twice elected in a Repuklican townshi]). He is now li\in,;v on his splendid f.arm of four hundred ,ind se\fnt\-fi\e acres. i-Aans 11. W'ri.^ht is of the honest, str.-ught forward type of citizens who alwavs wins esteem and confidence, ami for this reason he is looked upon as a leader in the comnuinit\- in \\hich he li\es.

Dawson Lyon I'urkliiser. one of the hest know 11 and one of the most successful of the farmers ami dair\nien of Howard township, \\'ashin<,^ton count}-, Indiana, was horn in Howard township on Au.t.;ust 31. 1831, the s.ni of William an<l I'.lizaheth 1 f 'oloia/ier ) rurkhiser. natives of Washington count\-, the former horn (jii Januar\- 7. i8i'i. the latter on l-'ehruary 7, 1815. William I'urkliiser \Nas the son <pf Christopher I'urkhiser and wife, the former ;i nati\e of Xorth Carolina, who came to Indiana, about i8t;, and settled on a farm in Howard townshi]). where he li\ed the reiuainder of his life as a general farmer. ( 'hristo])her Curkhiscr and wife were the jKirents of six children, of whom William, father of the subiect of this sketch, was the first born.

William Purkhiser gre^v to maturity on the home farm, and following his m.irriage mo\ ed to a farm of two hundred and fort\ acres of land in Howard townshi].. ;i ])lace which Mr. I'urkliiser cul'n.ated as a f.armer until late in life, when he of all his kind with the excejitiou of sixtv acres, r.u which he sj.enl his last days. William I 'ui-khi,ser, on X.wember 4, 1837, was married to I'.li/abeili ( olglazier. ;uid to this marriage wen born fpc chiklren, |ohn, .Susan. William, Dawson and Harriet, Williair,

Purkhiser died on October ?2, iSoi ; his wife died on March 2^,, 1897. The elder Purkhiser was an ardent Repubhcan in pohtics and was a man prominently active in the hort Hill Church of Christ, in Washington township.

Dawson Lyon Purkhiser received his education in the township schools of Howard township, afterward working on the home farm until a short time before the death of his father, when he bought the greater part of the Purkhiser homestead, a place which Dawson I,yon Purkhiser has improved and a farm to which he has added land until now he is the owner of one hundred and eight}-fi\e acres of well-improved and highly-productive land. Mr. Purkhiser is now successfully engaged in general farming and in the dairy business, his place being one of the best conducted and most progressively managed farms of the community.

On April 4, 1872, Dawson Lyon Purkhiser was married to Rebecca Purlee, who was born in Pierce township, Washington county, on February 9, 1853, the daughter of Hiram and Polly (Naugle) Purlee. To this marriage ha\e been born fourteen children : John, a farmer on a part of the old home place, who married Play villa Hazelton Marshall, and to whom have been Ixjrn three children, Nellie, Caris and Sherman; Lula, the wife of Otto Marshall, a farmer of Ploward township, and to whom have been born twelve children, Jessie, Silas, Elsie, Ora and Oris (twins), Laura, Albert and Delbert (twins), Emmett, Mary Ellen, Josephine and Alva Noel; Carrie, the wife of Frank Watts, a farmer of Howard township, and to whom has been born one child, Hobart ; W'Uliam, a farmer of Vernon townshii), who married F^thel Thickson, and to whom have l>een born two children, Frank and Noel; Benjamin, a farmer of Washington township, who married Grace Brewer, and to whom has been Ijorn one child, ^largaret Ellen; Anna, who is the wife of Samuel Zink, a farmer of V'ernon townshij), and to whom have been born three children. Merle and Mvrtle (twins) and Mable; Thornton, a farmer of Pierce township, who married Louisa I'jiieline Souder, and to whom has been born one child, Mary Elizabeth; lilanch, the wife of I'V-ed Zink. a farmer of Howard township, and to whom has ]>een horn one child, Mary: and Mary Etta, Eliza, Zella, Oran and Charles, who live at home; one child died in infancy.

Dawson Lyon Purkhiser is a prominent member of the Fort Hill Church of (hrist, Washington township, and for .some time served his church as a trustee. In politics. Mr. Purkhiser is a Republican. Dawson Lyon Purkhiser has held no oftices with the excejition of road supervisor, preferring t<i scr\e bis eonnnunity as a private citizen.

Joseph Rmmett Re\man, the son of John W, and Rebecca (I.indley) Reyman, was born near his present home, one mile northeast of Salem, on April 20, 1844. While but a small boy his mother died and later his father married Hulda Stanley, who cared for the children of the family as though they were her own. The kind treatment and the motherlx' consideration given Joseph has always been a pleasant memory t(j him. John W. Reyman was born in Shenandoah county. \'irginia, and was of Penns\l\ania-Dutch descent. Rebecca Lindley was born in North Carolina, of English and Scotch ancestry. One of her forbears was (icneral Alacl'herson, one of Cromwell's ablest generals.

.At the age of eighteen and as soon as he could get his father's consent, Joseph E. Reyman enlisted, on August 2. iS6j, in Company B, Sixty-sixth Regiment, Indiana A'olunteer Infantry, and served for nearly three years in the Civil War. .\mong the important engagements in which he participated were the battles at Richmond, Kentucky, and at Colliersville. Tennessee. At the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, the Union forces were endeavoring to save Eouis\ille and Cincinnati from capture by the Confederate troops under Gen. Kirl)y .Smith. The Sixty-sixth Indiana was in action all day, and Ijeing greatly outnumbered, sutYered a loss of thirty-five men killed and six hundred captured. At Colliersville, Tennessee, Air. Redman was with his regiment when the)- defeated the Confederate forces and saved General Sherman and his staff and supply train from capture. Later he took part in the Atlanta cain])aign, the battles of Resaca, Dallas and Jonesville, and the capture of .\tlanta. He went with Sherman on the march to the sea, then to Savannah and Columbia and finally to \\'ashingtun, D. C. where he was honorably discharged. During his entire enlistment he was in active service.

At the close of the war Joseph E. Reyman returned to his father's home, where he remained until the following winter, when he went to Alinnesota, where he assisted in the building of a mill. After remaining there for two years he returned to the home farm. The father, in order to ha\e the son remain at home. ga\e him the use of one hundred and seventyone acres of lan<l, with the understanding that all he was to pay was the taxes. Eight years after this the father deeded him three hundred and seven acres, his present home northeast of Salem.

cattle ranch, which proved to be a losing venture. On going to Kansas he left the management of his farms, consisting at that time of six hundred and eighteen acres, to his son-in-law, Otto Zink. On his return he again engaged in farming and now owns six hundred and eighty-two acres of well-improved land.

From the time he was twelve years of age, Mr. Reyman advocated the principles of the Republican party. He was one of the leaders in the Garfield and Harrison campaigns. With the advent of the Progressive party he entered the new organization and fought with a determination to win. It was due much to his tireless efforts that the Republicans met defeat at the last general election.

In 1868 Joseph Emmett Reyman married Emma Jones, a native of Jonesville and a daughter of William and Pathena (Stalker) Jones, natives of this county. To this union the following children were bom: Florence, the wife of George Thompson, of Salem; Edna, the wife of Bert Stanley; Bessie, the wife of Edward White; Stella, the wife of Charles Spurgeon; Flora, the wife of Pratt Parker, of .Springfield, Ohio; Elmo, an employee of the Santa Fe railroad in western Kansas; Lee,' unmarried; Caddie, who died six years ago, was the wife of Otto Zink. The mother of these children died in 1889. In 1889 Mr. Reyman was married to Mrs. Irene (Clark) Lewellyn, a native of Salem and the daughter of James G. and Sarah (Neal) Clark.

James G. Clark was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1810. There he grew to manhood and worked in the factory owned by the father of Mary Todd, who married Abraham Lincoln. After the death of his first wife he came to Salem, where he was engaged in the druggist business until his retirement. His second wife was Sarah J. Neal, a native of Harrison county, the daughter of James and Mary (Martin) Neal.

James Neal was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, in 1783, and died in Brown county, Indiana, aged ninety-two years. His parents settled in Shelby county, Kentucky, in 1800. they being natives of Virginia. The mother was Mildred Beasley, and a member of a prominent family. James was a son of Micajah Neal, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was with Washington when Cornwallis surrendered. Micajah Neal died at the age of eighty-four years in Shelby county, Kentuckv, in 1832. Micajah Neal enlisted under General Washington, was at the battle of Germantown and endured the terrible winter at Valley Forge.

Mr. Clark eiioaoed in the (lru<^- l)usiness lie was the superiiitendeiit of Campbell's woolen factory. He was a schixil trustee and a man of inlluence and highly esteemed.

Irene ("lark was married in iSSi to ( leorge Llewellyn, the son of William and Ruth (0\erniani IdewelK'n. (ienri^e Lle\vell\-n was graduated from the I'hysio-Medical College, at Indianapolis, and practiced medicine at Little York until his death, in iSS.V Bessie, their daughter, is the wife nf A. Werner, (.)f L.edfurd, and is the mother of one child, Llewellyn.

Joseph lunmett l\eyman is a man of deep religious con\ ictions. although he Ijelongs to no church. He was conxerted while in the army, without any preaching or solicitation on the ])art i>i anyone. He had no fear in the heat of battle, f(jr he felt that God was \vith him. He is frank and plain spoken and as a farmer he has always sought to excel. He has not had for his ideal the accumulation of wealth, but r.ilher to li\e a good and useful life. To be a well-informed man was his greatest ambition from childhood up to the present time.

In 1S70 he decided that he w-mld brmg wlnte corn to that stage of ])erfection to which, yellow corn had been brought by "Lcaming." For fort} years he h;is devoted his energies to thi^ efl'ort, and today Mr. Revman has m Ills "l\e\nian Success Wdiite" a corn tli.at out\ields ;mv other e\er grown in the county. He was the first man in Indi.ana, south of Indianapolis, to introduce Hereford cattle, having paid thirty-six hundred dollars for tweKe head. Lie has since refused eleven hundred dollars for a cow and calf, the cow ha\ing cost him iL'e hundred dollars.

.Mr, and Mrs. Revman have ;i beautiful home, well ke])t and most con- \enient, surrounded by a beautiful l.awii, and here Mrs. Re^'man devotes much time to the cultivation of her flowers.

Among the many substantial and jirogressive farmers ,,{ Washington countv. none has :i wider ,iC(]uainl,ince or is held in higher esteem than James Lewis Shanks, ,mc of the leadmg tAnners of Jackson townshiii .and and Hannah (Cravens) Shanks, pioneers of that section of the county. VVilHam Shanks, who was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, emigrated to this county in pioneer days and he and his wife early became recognized as among the leaders in that community. In addition to his labors on the farm, \^^illiam Shanks was an earnest laborer in the Lord's vineyard and as a circuit rider of the Methodist church was known far and wide throughout this section of the state as a most ardent and effective minister of the Gospel. He arid his wife, the latter of whom also was a native of Vir^^inia, were the parents of se\en children, all sons, James Lewis, Erasmus W., Robert R., John T., George \\'., Glark'and William, all of whom long since have Ijeen deceased.

Robert R. Shanks was reared on the homestead farm in Pierce township and received the ruthments of an education in the primitive schools of that place and period, to which constantly were added the gentle admonitions and instructions of his God-fearing parents. He remained' on the home farm until his marriage in 1850, after which time he made a home of his own in Pierce township and there farmed his place of three hundred and thirty acres during the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 191 1, he l)eing then eight}-two years of age. The wife of Robert R. Shanks, who before her marriage was Elizaljeth Fulmer, also was born in Pierce township, this county, in 1S25, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Hommell) I'^ulmer, ])ioneers of that section of the county, the former of whom was born in this county, son of one of the very earliest residents thereof, and the latter in Kentucky, daughter of one of Washington county's earliest settlers, who came to this county with her parents when she was a young girl. Henry l*"ulmer and his wife were the parents of but two children, Elizabeth, mother of the subject of this sketch, and John, long since deceased. Robert R. Shanks and wife were devoted members of the Methodist church, in which Mr. Shanks wa^ for years one of the leaders, and they were genuinely useful in all good works thereabout. He died in 191 1, at the age of eight\-t\\(i }ears. and his widow died in 1912, at the age of eighty-seven \-ears. She was a kindly woman, a lo\'ing mother and a prudent and industrious wife, who k'fl many pleasant memories in the community in which her long and useful life had been spent.

Growing up on the home place farm in Pierce to\vnshi]j, James L. Shanks receixed tlie lienefit of the local schools of that section and remained on the home farm until the time of his marriage, when he was twenty-four years (jf age, after which he l>ougbt a farm in Jackson township, where he e\er since has made his home. Additions made to this farm since he pur- chased the original tract have increased it to three hundred and ninetyeight acres, one of the liest farms in that part of the county, its fertile fields and well-kept appointments showing many e\'idence> of the careful forethought which Mr. Shanks gives to his agricultural operations. During the years of his early manhood, Mr. Shanks varied his activities by teaching school during the winters and was one of the best-known school teachers in Pierce and Jackson townships. He began teaching when he was nineteen years of age and was thus engaged during the winters for ten years. His great interest in education was further demonstrated when, in 1910, he retired temporarily from the farm and bought a residence in Salem, in which he and his family lived during the time his son, Carl, was attending the high school there, the family returning tu the farm in February, 191 5. In addition to his fanning, ?^Ir. Shanks finds time for other useful activities and for years served the public as county ditch commissioner, during which period of service he was instrumental in securing the location of numerous ditches throughout the county. He also is active in other lines of service and is now serving his fourth term as treasurer of the W'ashington County Independent Fire Insurance Association, an organization which has proved its worth in this community for years.

On October 10, 1876, James L. Shanks was united in marriage to Laura A. Wright, who was born in Jackson township, this count}', a daughter of Ransom and Sarah { Sheppard ) Wright, and to this union was born one child, a son, Rolx-rt l^ansom Shanks, born on February 15, 1878, now a well-known young farmer of Pierce township, where he owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres. I\ol)ert R. Shanks married Xancy Crandall, wiio was born in this county, and to this union has been born one child, a son. Grant.

Airs. Laura A. (Wright) Shanks died in December. 1890, and James L. Shanks married, secondly, October 11, 1893, Sarah Lucinda Callam, who was born in Jackson township, this county, daughter of Augu.stus and Anna (Loughmiller ) Callam, and to this second union there has been born one child, a son, Carl, born on September 9. 1896, who lives on his father's farm. Carl Shanks was graduated from the Salem high scho<il witli the class of 1914, after which he entered Purdue Uni\ersit\-. taking the sh(irt course in agriculture there and is now gi\'ing his most intelligent attention to the development of the home acres along the most approved lines of modern agriculture. He is a bright and capable young man, who takes a sincere interest in the work of the farm. Carl Shanks is a member of the Church of Christ at Salem, Indiana, in which he takes much interest.

Mrs. Lucinda Shanks died on November ii, 1915. She was an earnest member of the Church of Christ at Salem, of which Mr. Shanks is a member. He was for years an elder in the South Liberty church in Jackson township, ever taking a deep personal interest in community development along the lines of right living. Mr. Shanks is a Democrat and gives to political affairs such attention as a good citizen owes to the commonwealth, his influence in the councils of his party in this county ever being exerted in behalf of good government. Mr. Shanks is not connected with any of the secret societies, it being his theory that a man's home is his best "lodge," and to his home he gives his first thought and most devoted care. His home is equipped with e\ery modern convenience, including electric light plant and waterworks. He is a quiet, pleasant-spoken man, a lover of farm and home, a good citizen, devoted to the best interests o£ the community, and he and his family are held in the highest regard throughout the entire countrvside.

John Jackson Blackman

The late John Jackson Blackman, who was a well-known fafmer and earlier in life a carpenter and builder, of Jackson township, Washington county, Indiana, was born near Martinsburg, in Jackson township, during the year 1827, the son of Samuel and Charlotte (Jackson) Blackman, pioneers of this community. Samuel Blackman moved to Louisville, Kentucky, from Boston, Massachusetts, and after twelve years as a poultry farmer of Louisville and as an employee of the river boat "Tamerlane" on the Ohio river, he moved to Jackson township. Washington county, Indiana, and homesteaded a farm which he cultivated for the remainder of his days.

John Jackson Blackman was educated in the public schools of Jackson township, after which he learned the carpenter trade, a business which he followed for many years, later in life becoming a contractor and builder. He was a contractor, but he followed the occupation of carpenter and was considered a fine mechanic. Mr. Blackman continued as a contracting car- ])enter until his failing heaUh required that he discontinue that line of acti- \ity. Then John Jackson Blackman became a farmer, devoting such time as possible to agricultural pursuits on his farm of one hundred and twentyse\-en acres, in Jackson township.

Ioi4 Washington County, Indiana

the daughter of Daniel and Frances ( Sears ) Rush. To the marriage of John Jackson and F.hzabeth Blackman were born the following children : Laura, wlio li\-ed with her mother; ]\[ay. of Louisville, Kentucky, the widow of John L. Brinly; Edgar, a huckster, of Greenville, Floyd county, who married Lula Scott, and to whom have been born two children, Gyrene and Ruth: Gharles, a groceryman of Indianapolis, who married Eva Lingle, and to whom has been born one child, Elizabeth. John Jackson Blackman died in the month of January, 1910, mourned by a host of friends and admiring fellow citizens,

Daniel Bush, father (if Elizalieth Blackman. was l)orn in the state of Virginia in 1799, the s(in of John and Mary Pjush, natives of Germany. During the year 1812, when Daniel Bush was twelve }ears of age, the Bush family moved to Washington county, Indiana, and settled on Dutch creek, in Jackson townshi]), where the\- li\ed as farmers for the remaintler of their li\xs.

Frances (Sears) Bush, mother of Mrs. l*]]izal)eth Blackman, was born at Shelby\ille, Ken.tucky, the daughter of Jacol) and ]\Iary ( Hann ) Sears, who came to Indiana alxnit t.Sij, and settled near Bradford, in Floyd county.

SigniHcant not onl\- for its in(li\idual achievement InU also for its puhHc ser\ ice has been the career of Joel ' olgjazier. \\hi> is one of the prominent repre<entati\es of the agricultural industry in Washington county. Flis life has been one of muiring energ\- and his success is the logical result of conservative intlustry. The subject of this -ketch was born on the i^tli of I'eliruary, 1S34. on the origuial homestea.d of his parents m \\;isbmg1on township, of this count\ , lie is the son of l);i\ id and Louisa 1 Wright ) Colglazier. The louiKkr of the Colola/Kr f,imil\ in this country was l)a\id Golglazier, a nati\e of Del, iw are eount\. Peiiiisyh .mi.i. Me wa- liori: in 1 704. .and his wife, who w;is Gvlbiaiii M;iv, a ii.ui\e of the same eouiilx', was l.orn in 17(12 notliing there Ijut l)li)ckhouses. Staying at tins point until the year 1810, they ino\ed to Covington. Kentucky, and there remained for two years. They came then to Indiana, arriving at Beck"s settlement on April 5, 1812. Some time during the summer they entered land on Mill creek, just below the Mill Creek Baptist church. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. David Colglazier, Sr., \\ere: John, Abraham, IDavid, Elizabeth (Mrs. Blanchard), Catherine (Mrs. Kytt-), Jacob, Rebecca (Mrs. Steward) and Lewis. The father of this family died in 1855, and his wife passed away in 185 1.

Abraham Culglazier, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, followed the occupation of a farmer during his life. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1 791, and came to Washington county with his parents in 1812. His parents entered land un Mill creek in 1812, where Abraham farmed until his death, in 1885. His wife was Sarah Button. The couple was among the most highly esteemed in the community in which they settled. The\- endured the hardships of pioneer life with a courage that was admirable, and built the foundations of a community with the perseverance that citizens today might well term remarkable. The children born to Abraham and Sarah Colglazier were: David, born on July 23, -1825; Samuel, Abraham. James, Mary (Mrs. Brown), and Lydia (Mrs. Mitchell), all of whom are deceased.

With the cxcei)tion of one year, which was spent in service during the Alexican \Var, David Colglazier, Jr., lived and worked in Washington county. In 1851, the year after his marriage, David Colglazier, Jr., located on the home farm, consisting of two hundred and twelve acres, to which he later added one hundred acres adjoining. On this farm he carried on the management along the lines of general farming and gave special attention to the rearing of cattle, sheep and hogs. Owing to his wide experience in handling cattle, he was considered one of the best judges of stock in the county. David Colglazier, Jr., was occupied fully with the interests of the farm and never aspired to political offices, although he gave firm support to the cause of the Democratic part)-. He had a personality which gained a wide popularity for him throughout the county. In 1850 David Colglazier, Jr., married Louisa Wright, a native of Franklin township, this county, the daughter of Le\i and Sarah Wright. She was born on the 6th of October, 1827.

Aaron. Levi Wright married the daughter of William Wright, who settled where Joe Wright now lives, which place is better known to older people as the W. E. Shanks farm. William Wright was a Revolutionary soldier and was buried on the Harry Denny farm in an unmarked grave. William Wright had a son old enough at the time of Lafayette's visit to the United States to act as one of his escorts. In the year of 1824 an event occurred which caused great joy to the United States, the visit of the Marquis de Lafayette, who came as far west as JefTersonvillc, where a big reception was tendered him in the form of a liarbecue, and Arvin Wright, the son of William Wright, was appointed one oi his escorts. It is said that Lafayette complimented Indiana (in the way the reception was held. The escorts of Lafayette met him in IJoone Parke, Louisville, and from there he was escorted to Indiana. Le\i Wright assisted in laying otT the public square of Salem, using a grape \ine in measuring the distances. Levi Wright died in June, i860, at the age of seventy-two years. Arvin Wright, a descendant of William Wright, was sent as a delegate to Washington to get the charter for the Southern Pacilic railroad, which was secured through the help of Senator Butler.

The following children were born to Mr. and ]\Irs. Levi \\'right : Mary (.Mrs. Fults). Lucinda (Mrs. Carter), Henry, Jesse. Louisa, the mother of the subject of this .sketch; Joel, Marian and Levi, Jr.

Mrs. Louisa (Wright) Colglazier, who passed away on the 31st of March, 1895, was one of the most highly resi>ected women of \A'ashington covuit\'. She Ijecame the mother of the following children: Le\i, who was killed in a railroad accident; Isaac, a resident of Salem; Joel, the subject of this sketch; William, deceased; Mary, now Mrs. \"oyles, of Richmond, Indiana; Sarah, deceased; Abraham, who resides in Louis\ille, Kentuck}-; Rachel, deceased; David W., who lives in \\'ashingt(Mi township; l-Vancis, who is deceased; Jacob, of Mitchell. Indiana; Catherine, now Mrs. Meyers, of Richmond, and John, of Scottslmrg, Indiana. One child died in infancy, [oel (."olglazier received his elementary education in the country schools and afterwartl in the high school and private school in Salem. Upon reaching the age of manhood he qualified for the i)rofession of teaching and acccjited a positi(;n as teacher in the schools of his nati\e county. On the Jist of December, 1876, he was married to .Vdalia (\auble, the daughter of James and Eunice (Hitchcock) Cauble, who was born im tlie JJnd of April. 1X37. To this union have been i)orn the following children: Cecil, the eldest mih, married i-^ffie Huif. the dau^liter of Har\ ey HulT, and 1- :\ tanner in Phillips county, Colorado, where he is owner of nine hundred and twenty acres of land, three hundred and twenty acres of which he entered as a claim. He is the father of five children, Brnst, Lucille, Louise, Harold and Effie. Granville Colglazier, who married Madge Findley, a native of Orange count}', Indiana, is a medical director at Leipsic, Indiana. He is a man well qualified to assume the resix)nsibiHty given him, being a graduate of the old Scnool of Medicine in Louisville, with the class of 19O8, and also of the .Surgical Hospital of Cleveland, Ohio, in the class of 1909. Leroy, the third son, is a farmer living in Jennings county, Indiana. He married Minnie Maddox, a native of Kentucky, who has become the mother of three children. Juniata, Lemonine and Irvin. Carl Colglazier resides on the old home farm. He married Cora Hedrick, the daughter of David Hedrick, and has one son, Joel, Jr. Adelbert and Walter Colglazier are unmarried. A beautiful home, called "Boy's Delight," which is surrounded by fifty acres of excellent farm land, is the residence of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Colglazier ga\e the farm this name in honor of his children. In his political interests, Mr. Colglazier is a member of the Democratic party. He is an honorary member of the Washington County Historical Association and is correspondent for the local newspapers. He is a man of marked literary ability and has always taken a keen pleasure in that branch of work which deals with biography. Owing to his highly developed memory he can talk as an authority on all questions of pioneer history of the county in which he lives, and one of the most complete historical libraries in the county may be found in his home. The popularity which Mr. Colglazier now enjoys is the result of his activities as a social worker and as a citizen who has labored unceasingly for the welfare of the county in which he was born.

Robert Ransom Shanks

One of the best-known young farmers of Jackson township, this county, is Robert R. Shanks, who is bringing to a high state of cultivation his fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in that township and who is giving to his agricultural pursuits a degree of studious and thoughtful attention which promises well for his material future.

Robert Ransom Shanks was born in Jackson township, this county, oh I'^eliruarv 15, 1878, son of James L. and Laura A. (Wright) Shanks. On another page in this volume there is set out, in the biographical sketch relating to James L. Shanks, a detailed history of the Shanks family in this county, and it therefore will be unnecessary in this connection to enter into these details in this present rciew, it being sufficient to say that the subject of this sketch is a member of one of the oldest and most respected pioneer families in this section of the state, his great-grandfather, the founder of the family in this count}', ha\'ing been nijne other than the saintly Rev. W dliam Shanks, a \irginian. who for many years, as a "circuit rider" of the Methodist church, carried the message of the Giisi)el into fruitful fields throughout this faxorcd portion of Indiana. A'uuug Mr. Shanks gained his bai>tismal name from his two grandfathers. Kuberi Shanks and Ransom Wright, Ijotii of whom, in their day, were accountetl among the most substantial and influential men m the lower part of the county, and his father, who is still lix'ing on his fine farm in Jackson township, continues to be a large iiiHuence for good in that section, one id' the nio^t substanti;d and bighly-respected citizens of Washington county.

Reared on the paternal farm in Jackson township, Ivibert R. Shanks receixed the adx'antages of the excellent schools of that neighborhootl and grew up under the careful direction of his father, one of the best farmers in the county, to entertain a real liking for the farm. He remained on the home place until his marriage in 1903, after which he moved to his present fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Pierce township and entered seriously ui)i.in the life of an agriculturist. Since taking up his residence there he has made man)- improxements on the place and has but recently remodeled his dwelling house along more modern lines, these improvements giving him and his famil\- one of the pleasantest homes in that part of the county. ]\lr. Slianks is a good farmer and is getting good results, his farm having been brought to an excellent state of cultivation.

On I'ebruar\' g. u>03, Roliert R. Shanks was united in marriage to Nancy Crandall, who was born in Posey township, this county, on July 13, 1880, daughter of John and Sarah ( McOueary ) Crandall, both of whom were born in that same township, memliers of old and well-known families thereabout. Mrs. Shanks was bereft of her jiarents when she was about six years of age, her mother ha\ing died on Jul)- _-_', 1886. and her father in January. 1887.

To Robert ]\. and Xaucy (Crandall) Shanks has l)een born one child, a son, Wilbur (irant, b(irn cm September i. 1004. Mrs. Shanks is a member of the Church of Christ. Mr. Shanks is not affiliated with any of the lodges. He and his wife take a warm interest in the social and genera! affairs of their comniunit\- and are held in the highest regard in their \'icinage.

Simon Grider

.\mong the well-known farmers and )jrominent citizens of Monroe township, Washington county, Indiana, is Simon Grider, who was born on May _', 1843, i'"^ Adair county, Kentucky, the son of William and Mary (Bailey) Grider. William Grider was born in Kentucky, and farmed the greater part of his life in Adair county, later going to the state of Illinois, where he died. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Mary Grider returned to her former home in Adair county, Kentucky, and when her son, Simon, was si.Nteen years of age they came to Washington county, Indiana, in i860, and settled on Buffalo creek. Mrs. Alary Grider returned to Kentucky in 18O0, where she died in 1880. William and Mary Grider were the parents of fiinr children, J^'lizabeth, Luckie, Archie and Simon.

Simon Cn-ider li\ed in .\dair county, Kentucky, where he attended schonl until i860, when he came to Washington county and engaged in farming in 3.1onroe township for some time. In 1862 he enlisted in Compan\ \\. Uiiib Indiana Ca\alry, for service in the Civil War, serving until |nne, 1865. Simon (Jrider served with General Sherman as far as Jones- Intro and then was returned to Lexington, Kentucky, later going to Kouis- \illo. where after being given new clothing and equipment, he, with others, was sent to Pulaski, Tennessee, where they served on gtiard duty for the remainder of the war.

After his military service Simon Grider returned to Washington county and rented a farm which he cultivated for some time and then bought eighty acres of land in Monroe township, where he now lives a retired life.

During the year 1865 Simon Grider was married to Samiara Barnet, wild w.ts born in Jeft"erson township, Washington county, the daughter of RuiIki^ and Xanc\' ( Brandeman) Barnet. To the marriage of Simon antl Samiara Grider were born the following children: William, who married Caddie Jackson, to wbnm were born three children, all of whom are deceased, and after tlie death of his iirst wife, William married, secondly, (iertrude [ackson, and to them ha\ e been born li\e children, Edward, Elsie, rinmett, Morence and lunma, all li\ing with their parents in the state of Washington; Ida, who married ^^'illiam D. b'leener, a farmer living near ib-dwustown, Indiana: Charles, a fanner of Monroe township, who married Mary Huckleberry and to whom ha\ e been born eight children, Herschel. rkjvey, X^ersal, Milburn, Oa, l-'lmir:!. I'.asil and another; Archie, a faruKT of Monroe township, who married Dora Smith, and to whom have

Simon Grider is (.me of the highly respected men of Monroe township, his unselfish life and his public-spirited nature having won for him a host of friends both in Washington county, Indiana, and in the state of Washington, where he spends considera]:ile time. In jjolitics, Mr. Grider is an ardent Re])ublican, although he has preferred to serve as a private citizen rather than as ofilice holder.

John C. Bright is one of the active professional men of Martinsburg, Washington county, Indiana, as well as an agriculturist of no mean ability. He was bom on August 30, 1873, "^ Martinsburg, Indiana, and is the son of William Henr\- and Hester ( Martin ) Bright. W^illiam Henry Bright was born on Septem1>er 13, 1831, in Oldham county, Kentucky, and was the son'of Benjamin Harrison and Suzanna ( Trueman ) Bright.

William Henry Bright remained on his native heath only a few years, being five years of age at the time his mother and her famih' located in Parke county, Indiana, where they lived until his mother became the wife of WilHam Miller. Her second marriage was solemnized on I\Iay 30, 1839, and almost immediately they removed to Martinsburg, Indiana. William Henry Bright was one of three children born of the union of Benjamin Harrison Bright and Suzanna Trueman. the names of these children being: Mary E., William Henry and Benjamin Harrison. The eldest and the youngest of these died in infancy. William Henry Bright received only a meager education during the early years of his life, but by great effort he succeeded in his desire to gain a medical education, graduating from Rush Medical College in Chicagt), Illinois, with the class of 1863.

On December 13, 1863, William Henry Bright v\as united in marriage to Hester Martin, and they became the parents of nine children, whose names follow: James C. (deceased), Elora A. (deceased), Charles M. (deceased), Amelia I-. (deceased), William Henry, John C, Mary O., Nancy Iv and l-'.fiie. The father of these children became one of the leading men of his comnuinit\- and had a very lucrali\e practice. Politically, he was a stanch Republican Ili-^ death occurred on January 11, 1906. His widou still survives.

Hester Martin was the daughter of Archibald C. and ParmeHa W. (Denny) Martin. Archibald C. Martin was born in 1813 and was married to Parmelia W. Denny in March, 1838. To their union were born six children: Cyrus, born in March, 1840, in Washington county, Indiana, served in the Civil War for three years; Hester, bom in December, 1841; Martha, born in March, 1844, is living in Crawford county, Indiana; Doro^ thy (deceased) ; Otho, born in December, 1855, lives in Oklahoma, and Lydia E., who lives on the old home place. Archibald C. Martin was the son of William M. and Mary Ann B. (Wayfnan) Martin, who were the parents of the following children: Emma, born in 1807; Nancy, bom in 1809: Simpson, born in t8ii ; Archibald C, born in 1813 and died in 1871 ; Jesse H., born in 1815 and died in Texas; Elisha, born in 1817; Elizabeth, born in 1820; Levi D., born in 1822; Absalom ,S., born in 1824; Willet W., born in 1826, and Ezra W., born in 1829, who lives in Wahoo, Nebraska.

William M. Martin was born in Virginia, February i, 1787. He removed with his parents to Shelby county, Kentucky, where his wedding was solemnized. His wife was a native of Maryland and was bom in 1 70 1. After their marriage they removed to Washington county, Indiana, in 1814, locating on the farm where Lydia Hottle now lives. Upon the day of their arrival, with the aid of some neighbors, they erected their home completel)- and served .supper in it that evening. - His wife died in 1852. and he in 1863. Mary Ann B. Wayman was the daughter of Edward Wayman, who served three years under George Washington, in the War of the Revolution, and is buried on a farm three miles west of Martinsburg,' Indiana. The farm is now owned by Augustus Miller.

Permelia W. Denny, wife of Archibald C. Martin, was the daughter of Samuel and Dorothy Denny, and was born on the farm which is now owned by Oden Parker. She was born in 1822 and died in 1909.

John Bright, great-grandfather of John C. Bright, was a native of Maryland and removed to Parke county, Indiana, where he died at the advanced age of ninety- four years. He and wife were the parents of Benjamin Harrison Bright, whose birth occurred in Maryland. They removed to Kentuck)- in 1812, locating in Oldham county. It was in that place that Benjamin Harrison Bright was united in marriage to Suzanna Trueman, February 3, 1829, and his death occurred on August 13, 1833, in Kentucky. In 1836 his widow located in Parke county, Indiana, and in 1839 she removed to this county, locating in Jackson township. It was in this place that her son, William Henry, grew to manhood and resided until his death, and it was here that his son, John C, was born.

Washington Col'Xty

John C\ Bright received his early education in Alartinslnirg, Indiana, later becoming a student in Borden Academy. Upon the completion of his education he taught school for two terms in Jackson township and then entered the Indiana Dental College, in the fall of n'^'jo, graduating with the class of i()02. He then returned to Alartinsburg, Indiana, where he began his practice and has since remained. He is a member of the National Dental Association and the Indiana Dental Association. Politically, he is a Republican and was a delegate to the state con\ention in 1908. In 1914 he was a candidate for township trustee of Jackson township, but was defeated. The farm called "Glendale Jersey h'arm," which is operated by him and owned by him.self and the other heirs, is located one-half mile .south of Martinsburg. John C Bright has a herd of twenty-eight full-lilood, registered Jerseys, and has .shipped cattle to the states of Kentucky. Illinois and Ohio. Oeam is also shipped from this farm.

Mrs. Mary Jane Wire, widow of the late William Harvey \\'ire and owner of a fine farm in Jack.son townslii]), this county, is a native of Washington county, having been born on a farm on Dutch creek, aliout one-half mile northwest of Martinsburg. in Jackson townshii), th.is county, on December 7, 1644, daughter of Solomon and Catherine (Smith) Karnes, the former of whom prohal)!)' was liorn in Wa.shington county about iSo<) ;md who died in .March, 1874. at the age of sixty-five years.

Solomon Karnes's father entered one hundred and sixt}' acres from the government in Jackson township at an early day in the settlement of that region and there --pent the remainder of his life. Solomon Karne^ liecame the owner of four hundred and se\-enty acres of line land there. He married Catberuie Smith, who was born in Xortb Carolina < .n September 30, 181;. ;inil who bad come to this count\- with her iiarent- in the days of her giilho-.d. T<, SoLni-u and 1 atherine ( Smuln K.irnes nine children were liorn. of whom luit threr U'^w siirvnc: Soli.inon K.-irne<. a retired farmer of Pekin ; John Karne^. a pronnnent retired I'armcr of tlii- count\-. a biographical -ketch of ,> procnted ePewherc in tbi^ VMlnnic. and Mr>. .\kiry lane Wire, the -.ubiccl of tlii- -ketch, Solomon K.anic- died in 1874 and I. IS widow -nr\i\tMl hini man\ \ ears. Iht death occurring on Xovcinbcr ji. i8or. she then lieuiu in the eiubtx di ith vear .if |ut a-e.

Mrs. Karnes was a true pioneer wife and mother and had witnessed the wonderful development of this region, from the primitive conditions which the settlers hereabout faced during the days of her girlhood, to the advanced state of civilization with which she was familiar during the latter years of her life.

Alary fane Karnes grew up on the parental farm on Dutch creek, in Jackson township, and on December 24, 1863, when nineteen years of age, married William Harvey Wire, who was born on a farm near College Hill, northwest of Pekin, this county, on September 11, 1830, son of John Wire and wife, who some time later moved to Chestnut Hill, in the southeast part of I'Vanklin township, and at the latter place William H. Wire grew to manhood, working at the carpenter trade and farming. He presently went to the Dutch creek neighborhood to work on the farm of his half-brother, -Merlin Charles, and while living there was united in marriage to Mar}' Jane Karnes. Following his marriage, Mr. Wire leased a tract of fifty acres of green timber on Dutch creek, in Jackson township, and there he and his bride established their home, their housekeeping having been Ix^gim in a little log cabin of two rooms. Mr, Wire cleared the place and five years later bought a tract of eighty acres surrounding his home, Mrs. \\'ire's father at the same time buying forty acres of the same estate, which he later presented U> her. Upon the death of her father she inherited sixty acres adjoining, and she and her husband later bought an additional tract of sixty acres, .\fter her husband died, Mrs. Wire bought an additional ten acres and now is the owner of two hundred and fifty acres in Jackson township, well kept and profitabi}- culti\'ated.

To William II. and Mary J. (Karnes) Wire ten children were born. as follow: Laura \'... who married James Laughmiller, a farmer, living three miles south of Mrs. Wire's h'ime, near the South Libertv church, and has three children. Ona. I'.ssie an<l .\da; John M., born on February 6, 1866. niarnc<l .Vmanda Tin >mpsoii. and lives on Lick Branch, three miles southwest of his mother's home; .Mary Gertrude, who married John Coleman, of Palmyra, and has li\e children, Fthel, Agnes, William, John and Olive; William JloiiKT, June o, iS-o, who married Mary Jane Bogle, and has four children. Herbert, .\drian. l.ucile and .\udrey; Sarah C, who married Rosco !\;irnes. now Inin^ 111 Missouri, and has seven children, Tony, Hugh, Cla(l\s. l.anrcnce. |oc\', llernian and Robert; .\ugusta C, who died at the age .if fourteen years: Maud \'., now deceased, who was the wife of Otto iiimUT. ;iiid had twd children, I'ern and Rulh ; Thomas S., who died at the age of three; Katie E., who married Eihs ^lartin, hving southeast of Pekin, in this county, and has two children. Hazel and Rolland, and Theodore, November 8, 1885, who li\es on the home farm with his mother, managing two farms for her, married Earle Roby, and has four children, Elorence, Lawrence, John and Harr\'. William H. Wire was a devout memljer of the Methodist church.

Mrs. Wire has many vivid recollections of her pioneer days and of the difficulties she was compelled to overcome during the earl}- days of her housekeeping in the little cabin in the woods. She did her own spinning and weavmg and wove hundreds of yards of linsey, jeans, blankets and the like. Though she had a crane in her fireplace, she always used a cook stove, but recalls well the first cook sto\'es brought to this county, her father having procured the second or third one that was used in his neighborhood.

William Towxsexd Pickelhelmer

Seventeen years ago the Standard Oil Company established a supply station at Salem, in Washington county, for the distribution of its various products, in charge of William T. Pickelheimer, who has remained in that position ever since, rendering a service satisfactory both to his employers and to his patrons. Owing to the increased use of gasoline, oils and other petroleum products by automobiles and all internal combustion engines, Mr. Pickelheimer has, from }ear to year, handled an increasing volume of business.

William Townsend Pickelheimer was bom on Xovember 20, i860, in Clermont county. Ohio, son of William H. and Sarah H. (Harris) Pickelheimer, both of whom were natives of Clermont county, Ohio. William H. Pickelheimer was the son of Moses Smith and Martha (Grant) Pickelheimer.

Moses Smith Pickelheimer was born on November 9, 1816, on what is now Sycamore street hill, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The locality was then all in woods and Cincinnati was only a small \illage. When a young man he moved to Clermont county, Ohio, and there, in 1837, he was married to Martha Grant, wln) was a nati\'e of that county and a relati\'e of Gon. U. S. Grant. Moses S. Pickelheimer was a ])rominent man in his day and was a leader among men in the several localities where his lot was cast. He was elected to the Ohio state Legislature in 1856 and re-elected in 1858. In

Washington Col'Nty, Indiana. Io25

1 87 1 he moved to Lexington, Indiana, and in 1873 moved back to Cincinnati. Two years later he went to Osgood, Indiana, where he hved until about 1876, wlicn he mo\ed to Aurora, Indiana, where he spent the rest of his life. In 1890 Moses S. Pickelheimer was elected mayor of Aurora and served twd years. Later he served as justice of the peace, and was filling that (jffice at the time of his death, January 12, 1896.

William 11. I'ickelheimer v^'as born on August 10, 1828, in Clermont county, Ohio. .\s a 1)oy he attended the common schools and when he was a young man learned the carpenter's trade. On December 10, 1859, he was married to .Sarah H. Harris, who was born on No\ember 12, 1837, in Lleriuont county, (^hiu, a daughter of John and Xancy Harris. In 1880 William H. Pickelheimer moved his family to .Vurora, Indiana, where he worked at his trade as a carpenter. Later he moved to Washington, D. C, where he held a jjositiim in the government printing office until his death, on December ij. 1905. His wife, Sarah ( Harris ) Pickelheimer, died on Septemljer i"]. 1886.

William T. Pickelheimer received his elementary educational training in the public schools of Clermont county, Ohio, and was about twenty years old when his father moved to Aurora. He assisted his father as a carpenter at Aurora until 1885, when they moved to Washington, D. C. There he secured a position in the supply division of the government postofifice department. ( )n March 17, 1890, Mr. Pickelheimer moved to Evansville, Indiana, and ]i\ed there seven years. He then came to Wa.shington county and spent nnc \-ear on a farm in Madison township. In 1898 he moved to Salem and opened on office for the Standard Oil Company, and has continued as the manager of that supply station, which at the time of its establishment was the first oil supply station in Washington county.

In October, 1888, William T. Pickelheimer was united in marriage with Ida L. Trinkle, who was born in ^ladison township, this county, a daughter of John and Julia A. ( Trabue ) Trinkle. John Trinkle was born on April 17, 1838, in Madison township, this count}', and now resides in the southwestern part of the county, between Hardinsburg and Livonia.

Mr. and Mrs. William T. Pickelheimer are the parents of three children, namely: Lloward Otho, born on February 13, 1890, in Washington, LX C. ; Jerome Edwin, December 8, 1893, in Livonia, Indiana, and Bethel I'-tta, June 28, 1900, in Salem, Indiana. The children are all at home with their parents. Mr. Pickelheimer has a picture which he prizes verv highly;

Mr. Pickelheimer is a Democrat. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red ]\len. Ho and his wife are both members of the Tribe of Ben-Hur. The family are ail members of the Presbyterian church and take an active part in the affairs of that denomination.

Dexxis B. Wesxer

(3ne of the best-kn')\vn farmers and a man who has the respect of all in Jefferson townshii>, \\'ashington county, Indiana, is Dennis B. W'esner, who was l_)(_irn in lirown township, Xovember 22, i.'^54, the son of A\'illiam and Sarah ( Legg 1 \\^esner, nati\es of Brown township.

William Wesner was the son of Jacob Wesner and wife, the former of whom was born in Germany and came to America at an early date and located in the Twin Creek hills of A\'ashington county, Indiana, where he operated a still house. Jacol) Wesner was one of the most extensi\'e distillers of the territory, and worked at this together with general agricultural pursuits, w Inch he followed on his farm in Brown township. William Wesner. after his school days, became a farmer, living as a farmer in \\'ashington county for the wh(ile of his active life with the exception of two years, when he was a farmer of AIi^st)uri. William Wesner was a prominent Democrat of his locality and was an acti\e member of the Eree and Accepted Masons. William and Sarah Wesner were the parents of the following children: James B.. Minerva Ellen. Angeline. IVnjamin (deceased). Dennis B.. Mary Ann. .\lma. Ollie, John and E.lmer. who died in infancy.

Dennis B. Wesner was educated in the townshii) schools of Brown township, after which he 1)ecame a farmer, working on the home place until his marriage, when he went to Jackson ccnmty. Indiana, and there farmed for two years, afterward returning to \\'ashington county antl renting a farm in Brown t<iwnship, which place he culti\-ated for two }-ears and then secured his present farm of <iiie hundred and twehe acres in Jefferson township. Mr. Wesner has greatly improsed his farm, has efpiipyied the place with the most appro\ed implements and con\eniences antl is now successfully engaged in gCTieral farming.

Baker, who was born in Washington county, the daughter of William and Zurelda Baker. To the marriage of Dennis and Hannah Wesner were born the following children: Melvin, a farmer of Kansas; William C, a farmer of Jefferson township, who married Carrie Thompson, and to whom have been born four children, Ray, Nina, Vada and Claude; Charles, a farmer of Jefferson township, who married Sarah Alice Smith, and to whom have be.n born two children, Dennis and \"ance ; Herbert, a farmer of Illinois, who married Rose Wickiser, and to whom have been born two children, Laura May and Myrtle Irene : Clarence,' a farmer of Brown township, who married May Smith, and to whom have been born two children, Helen and Ruby.

Mrs. Hanna (Baker) Wesner died in 1887, and on January 12, 1888, Mr. Wesner was married, secondly, to Louisa C. Pennington, a native of Washington county, the daughter of Barnes and Mary (Stanley) Pennington, the former born in Kentucky, the latter in Washington county, Indiana. Dennis B. and Louisa C. Wesner are the parents of three children : Harry, who cultivates the home farm, with his father; Lillian, who is the wife of John Nicholson, a farmer of Jefferson township, and to whom has been born one son, John C. ; Lellis, who is deceased. Dennis B. Wesner and his family are members of the Christian church at Walnut Grove, in Jefferson township. In politics! Mr. Wesner is a Democrat.

Henry Howard Brown

Henry Howard Brown is of pioneer stock, his grandparents, Matthew and Rebecca (McClay) Brown, having come to Indiana about 1821. Matthew Brown was of Scotch-Irish parentage and a child of Covenanters. He was left an orphan at an early age and removed to Indiana from Chillicothe, Ohio. His wife, Rel^ecca (McClay) Brown, was a native of Pennsylvania, her birth having occurred in 1796, in that state. After their marriage they purchased government land, located in Rush Creek valley, Jefferson township, Washington county, Indiana, on which they lived until 1830, removing thence to Monroe township, where they lived until their deaths. He was born in 1790 and died at the age of seventy-two, in 1862. She died in 1831. Matthew Brown was a wheelwright, but followed farming as well. After the death of his wife, her sister, Ann McClay, took charge of the home and the children. The parents of Rebecca and Ann ]\Jc(.lay were Moses and Jane (Ray) McClay, who came down the river from Pittsburgh to Jeffersonville, Indiana, and thence to Washington county, locating in Monroe township about T824.

Robert L. Brown, father of Henry Howard Brown, was born on October 26, 1826. on his father's farm in Monroe township, Washington county, Indiana, and was reared to maturity on this place. On September 11. 1851. Robert L. Brown was united in marriage to Xancy Gordon, and six children were born of their union. iVIatthew E. was born on January 24, 1853. He married Rebecca Elack^vell and oi>erated a farm near Campbellsburg, Indiana, until his death: ]\Iattie, deceased, was the wife of Charles C\ Davis. She died in 1898 in Kansas City. David Lusk lives in Ozark county, Arkansas. His first wife was Amanda Cole, and after her death he married Ada Hamilton. His third wife was Mattie Stringfield. Zella V.. is the wife nf James R. Williams, of Lamar, Missouri. ]\Iary E. is the wife of Robert I-". Lusk, and li\es with her mother on the home farm. Her husband culti\ates the place. Henry Howard is a farmer living north of the town of Salem.

Robert L. Brown was a soldier in the Ci\il War. ha\ing ser\'ed in Company 0, Thirty-eighth Regiment. Indiana \'olunteer Infantry. He was wounded while in ser\-ice at the battle of Perrys\ille and dischargefl for disabilit\- in 1803. ?le continued in service as an enrolling officer, and as a detecti\'e for the apprehension of tleserters. later bringing to justice \ iojators of the rexenue laws. The latter years of his life were siient on the farm, southwest of the town of Kossuth, He died in 1868. His wife had the first cook stove in her community and used to cook big wedtling dinners in the fireplace. She also remeinl)ers the stagecoach that used to pass from Xew .Alljany through Kossuth. Site has in her possession the g(~i\ ennnent deed to the land in Rush Creek valley. Jefferson townshi]). this countv. w^hich was formerly the property of Matthew Pirowii.

Xancv ( Ciord.on ) P.r.iwu was born on Ma\ 1. 1N34, ou the f,-inii ;i<lioining her ])resent home. Her jiareiUs were 1 1nward and Mar\ ( Shield- » Gordon. Howard < iordon was lioni in \ irginia and renioxed to Kentucky, thence remoxing to Indiana in iN2_|. He located in Monroe township, where he [jurchased go\ ernment lantl and where he f.irmei married Polly W,.odward and she died, leaving l^^ married Alary Shields, who was born in i S< 1 1 . near and was a (kmghter of John and Hann.ab ( McClurt to Indiana with her i>;irenls when ;i child <-{ ele\en ' their settlement on the l)ank of the Muscatatuck river, where the town of Sparksxilie is now located, there were only two or three other cabins beside the small one which they erected. Howard Gordon followed farming until his death. He also drove a huckster wagon, taking produce to Louisville. It was long before the railroads were laiilt and on his return trips he would deli\er merchandise to the business men of his locality.

Henr}' Howard Brown was born on March i6. 1867, in Jefferson township, ^^'ashington county, Indiana, and was reared on his father's farm near Kossuth. He began farming on an indei>endent basis when he was twenty-one years of age, marrying two years later. In 1890 he married lulith lone Singer, and almost immediately removed to Monroe township, where he remained until he came to the present home near Salem. In igo8 he purchased the farm of ninety-seven and one-half acres. The house is located on high grt)und and surrounded by a grove of forest trees, set so the\- will gi\e the appearance of having grown there naturally. Henry Howard r.rown follows general agriculture. He has served as a member of the townshij) conunittee and is a Republican. To him and his wife have been born h\e children : Pearl, LaX'erne, \'irgil, Robert M., Robert Singer and Helen Rurchman.

The mother of these children, lulith lone (Singer) Brown, was born in Driftwood township, Jackson county, Indiana, the daughter of Morse B. and Pauline ( Rurchman ) Singer. Morse B. Singer was Ixjrn in Miami county, ( )hio. and was the fourth child of eight children Ixjrn to Christopher and Mary ( I'.rown ) Singer. Christopher Singer was born in Germany and his wife ni Khode Island, both removing to Ohio when they were children. Morse R. Singer -^jjcnt his rarly life on the farm, although his father was a mercliant in 'i'my. ()hiii. He chose agriculture and stock raising as his \-ocation and snccessfnll) prosecuted the same until his death. He became one of tlie largest landowners in Driftwood township, opening one thousand two hundred and thirty acres. He came to Jackson countv, Indiana, in iX^d. \\v sfr\eil as lownsbi]) trustee for two terms, l>eing the first Republican elected in that township. In \Hh] he married Paulina Burchman, daughter of J;nnes Rurclmian. n\ JelTersiui township, and they became the parents Albert. ( larence, James, Ola (deceased), Edith ( I'airchnian) Singer died in 1874, and on Sep- -ingcr married Selma Santog, daughter of Moron se\en children were born: Emma, Mvra, ivo that died in infancy. Morse P.. Singer died isbii). lacks, m countv, Indiana.

Tames L. Tucker

Washington county has among her citizens many representatives of the sturdy pioneer AmerK'ms who became the basic element of the population in Indiana over a century ago. Of the native born sons of this county none could be mentioned as a better example of the pioneer characteristics of industry, sincerity of purpose and determination to succeed than James L. Tucker, who is well known thoughout the county in which he lives as an attorney of prestige and distinction. The subject of this sketch was born on the nth of March, 1874, and is the son of Benjamin Warren and Louisa (Howe) Tucker. His father, who was born near New Philadelphia, in this county, on the loth of March, 1836, was a son of James and Sarah (Houston) Tucker. James Tucker, who established the Tucker family in Indiana, was a native of Virginia, and came to this county during the early days of its development. He followed the occupation of a farmer and reared a family of fourteen children, ten of whom were boys. Five of these children are still living: Jerome Tucker is now living in Louisville, Kentucky; Alexander resides in Fredonia, Kansas, and three daughters, Mrs. Martha Campbell, Mrs. Louise Albertson and Mrs. William Huston, all of whom reside in this county.

Benjamin Tucker, the father of the subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood near New Philadelphia, and after reaching the age of manhood attended Hanover College, from which institution he was graduated. He was a man of unusual mental ability and took adxantage of the educational offerings of that location and period in which he ]i\'ed and when still a 3'oung man gained a prestige o\'er others of his age, who through lack of means or force of character, were unaljle to avail thcnisel\-es of a more liberal education. He attended the Medical College of Cincinnati, and after his graduation began the practice of medicine in Salem, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1883, just after he had completed his forty-ninth year. Benjamin Tucker had live brothers ni the ('i\il War. Bluford, Huston. Harry, John and Jerome. All Imt Jerome died in the service or passed away soon after the war fnim injuries receixed during ilie conflict. Harry Tucker lost his life at l!ie l>attle .>f [...,, k, ,111 .\biuntain. Mrs. Louisa (Howe) Tucker was born in inemi)ig^liiirg. K(.-ntiu:k\, where she lived mitil her marriage to Beniamin Tucker Mr- 'I uckei- iiecame the mother of eight cliildren, two of whom died in nifaiKx, the rliil<h-cn now living are: ?Janb;i. the wife ct Harxxw \\,,vri^: h.I.:/:ilieili. ilu- wid.wv of

1^'rank P. Calwell ; James L., the subject of this sketch; Lula, the widow of Simeon Hudson; Margaret, the wife of Robert Dwyer, of IndianapoHs, and Bessie Warren Tucker, of Chicago.

James L. Tucker received his early educational advantages in the public schools of Salem. In 1898 he received his degree from the law school at Indiana University and after his graduation began to practice law in Salem, where he has resided ever since, and where he has a wide practice.

The marriage of James L. Tucker to Myrtle E. Mitchell was solemnized on the I2th of June, 1907. Mrs. Tucker, who is the daughter of S. H. Mitchell, has become the mother of three children: James, Mary Esther and Warren Samuel. With fraternal organizations the subject of this sketch has always been actively identified. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men's lodges and' has attained the Royal Arch degree in the Masonic fraternity.

John Alonzo Bush

John Alonzo Bush, a blacksmith living in Pierce township, Washings ton county, Indiana, was born on September 7, 1865, at Saltillo, the son of John, Jr., and Esther (Reno) Bush.

John Bush, Jr., was born in 1831 near Big Springs, the son of John Bush, Sr., a native of Germany, who immigrated to America with his family in early times and entered government land at Big Springs, where he spent the remainder of his life. John Bush, Jr., after reaching his majority and being married, purchased land situated across the river from his father's farm, where he lived until 1872, when he removed to Douglas county, Illinois, only to return two years later to Indiana, settling in Crawford county. There he farmed the remainder of his life, passing away on December 4, 1878. His wife died the year previous. Both were active members of the Church of Christ.

Only a lad of thirteen years of age at the time of his father's death, John Alonzo Bush came to Washington county at the age of fifteen years and worked on various farms until 1893, when he purchased a farm and began farming operations on his own accord. About 1901 Mr. Bush erected a l)]acksniith shop on his farm and began blacksmithing, which trade he has ciintinued until the present time. He assigns the work on his seventyacrr farm to hi.s sons, while he himself conducts his trade.

To32 Wasttington County, Indiana

Laura Keple\ . a native of Tierce county and the dauglitcr of Solomon and Sarah (Alexander) Keiiley, the former of whom was a Hfe-long farmer of Pierce t(j\vnshii). 'r(.> this union there was- l)orn one son. Loren. Mrs. Laura ( Kepley ) Bush (hed on Decemlier 28, 1896. .Mr. Bush was married, secondh, on April _i, \H<)j. to l-"Jitlia W'ingler, a native of Howard township and tlie .laughter ..f William and Afary l'.lizal)etli ( Xapier ) W'ingler, the former Ixirn m Howard township, m i8,V). m m of John and Xancy W'ingler, .and the latter also a native of Howard tnwnshi]), the daughter of I'rancis and Matilda ( I'out;'. ) .\'ai)ier. l'i\' Mr. Bush's second marriage, one son, Kaym.nid Uenzcl. was horn on March S. i.,oj.

hihn W inglcr was horn in Xorth ( arohna in iX{i3. the son of l'"rancis Wingier and wife, who came to Indiana and settled m Howard township, this count\. m 1NJ4. P'raucis W'ingler entered go\ernmcnt land and lived and <lied there. When hihn W'ingler reached manho,,,] he settled on a farm near his father's place. He married Xancx" .Miller, a n,iti\e of .Xorth Carolina. \vhosc parents came to Indiana with the Wmglers. William W'ingler, son of I. lin and Xancy (Miller) Wingier, farnietl m Howard township all his hte. He die.l 111 I NoM He and his wife were memhers of the Church of ( hri.t.

\(|nila ('mils, editor of the /\'kiu .hlraiiic. a s|)rightly weekly newspaper which he puhlishes m the jjleasant village of I'ekin, this county, a welhkiioxMi merchant of ihat jilacc, secretary of the Pekin Rural Telephone <onip,an\ aii<l former trustee of Polk townshi]), is a native son of Washin section S, of Rolk township, .March 10, iS;*), ,s,m of .Me.xander and hanaline I Te.iguc I ('urtis, hoth of whom were horn in that same township, memhers of pioneer families there.

Mexander ( urtis was h.^rn in 1S3J. ,s, ,n of William and Xellie ( Morgain (urtis, natues of .Xorth Carolina, who had come to this countv with their respectue iiarents in the da\s of their youth, shortly after the ..]ieimig of this portion of the state to settlement. William Curtis was horn near I-";iyette\ ille, .Xorth (arohna. on ()ctiiher i, i8oq, and was a lad when his ])arents came td this section, settling on what is now the Chris Morris farm, abou* three miles east of Pekin, where they established a home in the then wilderness. William Curtis grew up on that pioneer farm and married Xellie Morgan, who was born in 1807, and who also was but a child when her ]iarents, Isaac Morgan and wife, came to this region and settled about a mile south of the jjresent \illage of South Boston. Following his marriage, William Curtis liAcd and farmed south of South Boston until about 185?, when he bought a farm in section 17, of Polk township, which he gradual;; increased until he liecame the o\\ner of two hundred acres there and there he lived until his retirement from the farm in old age, after which he lived with his children, his death occurring in December, 1883, ^t the age of seventy-eight. His wife died many years earlier. They were members of the regular Baptist church and were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. Two of the daughters died in the davs of their vouth, the children who grew to maturity ha\ing l)een James C, John M., .\lexan- (ler, Morgan. William Kile)-, Oelibie, Thomas J. and Daniel M.