Washington County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1916 (part 7 of 11)

James Denney remained on the homestead until twenty-three years of age. He then married Jemima Nicholson, which event occurred on December 12, 1872, and for a period of fourteen years continued to farm for himself. At the end of this time, he removed to Millport where he learned the trade of blacksmith which trade he followed, in connection with the operation of a farm, for twent}--eii_';ht years. He remained in Millport until in Januarv, 1014. at which time he returned to the home farm in order to culti\atc the place for his sisters, Mary and Ellen. The farm consists of one hundred and twenty acres," hut James Denney is also the owner of se\'enty acres on the banks of the Muscatatuck ri\er and eighty acres near Millport.

Jemima ( Nicholson) Denney, v.-ife of James Denney. was born in ^^'ashington townshiji. Washington county. Indiana, northeast of the town of Salem, and is the daughter of William and Melinda (Johnson) Nicholson. William Nicholson was a farmer and 1)lacksmith and a native of Washington county, having been born of pioneer parentage. James Denney and bi'^ wife are the ))arents of five chil(h-en. William, who lives at Little York, is married to ( 'lara ('die. 'l"he\- ha\e four lioys, Lawrence, Talmage, Carson and Stanle) . Ludella, wlm Ijecanu- the wife of Charles Scifres, a minister of tlie Cliristian church, and who-c home is in (laktown, Indiana. Mary is the wife of Lewis linrnett and the\- are the parents of two daup^hters. Evaline and Lorene. Their home is in .Salem, Indiana. James Joseph married Louisa Smith and they are the parents of two children, Edna and Avis. Their home is in Little York, Indiana. Charles Denney was a student at the Terre Haute normal school and ;ilso m the university at Valparaiso, Indiana, following the vocation of teacher after receiving his education. He married Bessie Nicholson and they have one child, Geneva. They reside on the seventy-acre farm owned by the father, James Denney. and which fs located on the Muscatatuck river.

James Denney and his wife, as well as three of their children, William, Marv and laidella, belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. James Denney is, and alwavs has been, very active in the affairs of his community and is at present a member of the township board of supervisors. He is a Democrat in a Republican township but he has been elected to several offices in spite of his politics. He served as justice of the peace one term of four years. He also servetl as ]iostniaster of the town of Millport, Indiana, for ten vears, and was townshij) assessor si.x years. James Denney still remembers much of the pioneer life and tells with pride of the time when he pulled flax and scutchel, and swung the scythe and cradle from morning until night, while his father used the reap hook. He still has an old grease lamp and a tin lantern, pierced with holes to let out tlie light, and old-fashioned candle molds. He is using andirrms that were made by him. In the old days, James Denney was sujierintendent of the Sunday school and president of the debating society, and very active in local affairs.

Dr. Havilla C. Hobbs

Havilla (.'. Hobbs was born in (j.skaloosa, Iowa, on December 21, 1849, and died at Salem, on April 18, it) 10. and \Nas the son of Dr. Seth and Elizabeth (Nixon) Hobbs.

,Seth Hobbs, a prominent antl w ell-kn(.)\\ n ph\.Mcian <.)f Salem, the son of Elisha and Lycha ( Coffln ; llobl,>. ;, Nvdl-knoun family of the county, spent most of his life on the old 1 liil)l)s larni two miles east of Salem, having lived for fifteen year> ni Iowa. fli/abeth 1 \i\on) Hol)bs was also a native of Washington county. lia\ ing licii bcini neat" Sakin and was the daughter of Samuel and Kulli 1 l.nidle\i .\i\on. the patent-- having come to the county from North ( arolina 111 an ear1\ d.iy.

Havilla C. Hobbs spent hi^ early lilr and childb.Mid Iowa, after which he came, with his parents, on their return, to W.ishington coiint\-, and here received .nuch of his early educalidu. ha\ int; attended the Mays Acadeniv. during which time he worked 011 ihr i.irni He taught lol for two years and then lived on his farm in Kansas and during this time taught 'school in Kansas, remaining in Kansas for three years, after which he attended the Eclectic Medical School of Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated. He later took a course in the same school of medicine at Cincinnati and then in 1883 graduated from the Louisville Medical College. For four years before attending the latter school he practiced medicine at Jasper, Indiana, after which he located at Salem, where he built up a large and lucrative practice and became one of the leading and most successful physicians m this paxt of Indiana.

Politically, Doctor Hobbs was a Republican and took an active part in the campaigns of his party, having been for four years the chairman of the central committee of his county. He was the delegate of his party to the convention at St. Louis, when William McKinley was the nominee of his party for President of the United States. He was the postmaster at Salem for four years, during which time the present rural delivery system was established and perfected. For four years he was a member of the board of trustees of the Indiana reformatory under Governor Durbin, and during the .idministration of President Harrison he was a member of the pension board at Salem.

Doctor Hobbs was the organizer of the Salem Building and Loan Association and was its president almost from its inception. He took the greatest interest in the success of the institution and devoted much time and means to further its interests. He was ever looking after the interests of the l)orrowers, who were composed mostly of the working class, of both men and women, who were endeavoring to get a home for themselves and family. -After sixteen years of active service he refused to accept any remuneration for his services. He was also the president of the Washington county fair association for eight years and a member of the finance committee of the Citizens State Bank for several years.

Fraternally, Doctor Hobbs was a member of the Masonic order, having attained the chapter and the council degrees; he was also an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the order of Red Men. In all the positions of honor and responsibility held by him, he proved himself worthy of the trust and a man of sterling worth and the highest integrity, of the purest motives and undoubted honesty; he ever spurned *he semblance of an evil or dishonest act.

Personally, Doctor Hobbs was a man of most pleasiiyg appearance, aKvavs having a smile and a kindlv greeting for those whom he met 6n thfe (56) street, in the home or in the place of business. The poor received from him encouragement and wise counsel, as well as generous assistance, in times of need, and many were the deeds of kindness and charity bestowed upon the deserving in a quiet and unheralded manner. He believed in helping others to help themselves and was perhaps, responsible for the successful college education of many young men. whom he trusted and took an interest in.

On June 23, 1880, Doctor Ilobbs was united in marriage to Mattie L. Sayles. the only daughter of Colonel and Mrs. S. D. Sa^-les. whose life history may be found on another page of this volimie Airs. Hobbs is a woman of much force of character, refined and innate courtesy, and highly esteemed by all v.'ho know her. She was a most fit companion for a man of such high and noble purposes as Doctor Hobbs.

Allen Wyatt was a nati\-e of North Carolina, ha\'ing been born in that state on July 8, 1810, and came with hi.-> ])arcnth t<i Washington county when but eight years of age, his father iia\iiig died 111 I'ierce township. Mr. Wyatt was the sun (it .\llen and Xancy (Brooks) W'vatt. natives of North Carolina and \'iri4ini,'i. res]>ecti\ely. -The >eninr Allen having died when the ^on, Allen, was sixteen years old. the burden of pro\idn,g for the family fell upon the }oung man.

On December 0, 1N30, Allen WAatt was married t \melia Spurgeon. the daughter of l-.li and Rachel ( .Xeweonilo .Spurgeon. To this union eight children were liorn: .Mrs, Sanuintlia Stur(le\;int, /ekiel, Milton, .Mrs. Rachel Terrel, Nancy aiul Cohimbus. all (if whom are deceased, and (^inimodure Butler and .\nianda, the wife of John Plott, of I'olk township

Mr. W'vatt was a Denioer.at and .active in the campaigns of liis partv. l'\ir many years he was nne of the three trustees of Ins t(jwnshi|i and ser\-ed :)ne term as assessor.

Stitt, and they are the parents of the following children, Alpha and Mabel. Cora is the wife of Lee Gorman, a farmer in Polk township. They are the parents of three children, Cl^o, Bernice and Gertus.

Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt lived for the first year after their marriage with Mr.s. VVyatt's parents, who were prominent people of the county. In 1869 they came to their present farm, where Mr. Wyatt had bought fifty acres, which later was increased to one hundred and thirty-nine acres, In 1876 he established a general store, which was conducted in connection with his farm work. He served for thirty years as postmaster at Blue River, being the only Democrat that was ever appointed to that position. The family are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bethel, Mri Wyatt l)eino- one of the trustees of the organization, and does much active work for its success,

Mr. Wyatt, having learned the hlacksmithing and carpenter's trades when a young man, was in a ]>osition to do most of the work on all of the improvements of his farm, as well as the construction of the building in which he conducts his store. By hard work, economy and close application to the small things he has made his life a successful one. He is well read and has a keen and active intellect.

Eli r^lrod, brother of Sarah (Elrod) Rickard, was born on July 23, 1830, in Washington county, the son of Stephen and E!izal>eth (Wyman) Elrod, the former of whom came from North Carolina in 181 5 and entered a farm in Jackson township. Some time later he came to Polk township, where his wife owned three hundred and twenty acres of land, and here Air. P'lrod bought many more acres that adjoined. Elizabeth Wyman was the daughter of Frederick Wyman, who was a native of Hesse and was lirought to America by the English to fight the American colonists. After escaping from the army he fled into Tennessee and later came to Polk township, this county, where he became the owner of large tracts of land.

Stephen Elrod and wife were the parents of thirteen children, all of whom, with the exce):)tion of one that died in infancy, krew to maturity and reared families. Eli was the seventh child and grew to manhood in Polk townshi]>, where he received his education. He married Lewanna Dudley, who was born on August i, 183s, in Sullivan county, Indiana.

Eli f'-lrod lived in Polk township all his life, where he was engaged in farming. In early life he was township trustee and later served for over fifty years as justice of the peace. His death occurred on August 28, igi2, and that of his wife on March 18, 1913. They were the parents of the following children: Joseph W., Wiley E., Edward L.. who died in 1908;

Hester S., wife of O. H. Van Gilder; Alice N., who died at the age of five; Horace G., Stephen B. and Elizabeth, who is the wife of Ulrick Temple.

Joseph W. Elrod was born on November ii, 1855, on the farm in Polk township, where he grew to manhood and received his common school education He later attended the Normal school at Paoli and taught school for sixteen years, at which time he was also engaged in farming. Before taking up his residence in Salem he had lived in both Polk and Pierce townships, this county. Mr. Elrod has always been an active Democrat, and in 1906 was elected to the office of county commissioner and in 1908 was re-elected, serving in all six years. He proved to be a faithful public official, discharging his duties in an honest and business-like manner. On March i, 1878. he was married to Martha E. Gray, who was born in Polk township, the daughter of Daniel W. and Ann (Overton) Gray. Daniel Gray was the son of Samuel Gray, who came to Polk township in an early day from Kentucky. The Overtons were an old and well-known family in Pierce tov\'Tiship, where they were successful and prominent people.

Mr. and Mrs. Elrod were the parents of the following children : Alice M., wife of Dr. J. V. Baker, of Edinburg, Indiana; Foster, who married Edith Johnson, lives in California; Dennis married Lulu Scott, and lives in Salem, where he conducts a garage. INIr. and ATrs. Elrod are active and influential members of the Church of Christ.

George E. Roll

George E. Roll, well-known farmer and respected citizen of Posey township, Washington county, Indiana, was born in Posey township, August 4, 1872, the son of Thomas and Erances (Adams) Roll, natives of Washington county and of Harrison county, Indiana, respectively. Thomas Roll was the son of Thomas Roll, Sr., and Erances (Turley) Roll, both of whom were born in Virginia, a state in which Thomas Roll. Sr., lived until young manhood, when he came to Indiana, and after some years as a farmer in Harrison county, moved to Washington county, where he lived as a farmer for the remainder of his days. After coming to Washington county, Thomas Roll, Sr., was married to Erances Turley and to this marriage were born ten children, of whom only one, Matilda, now survives.

Thomas Roll, father of the subject of this sketch, grew to niaturitv on the home farm, where he engaged in general farm duties until 1862, and the enlisted in Company H, Sixty-sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which command Mr. Roll served, as a part of the western army and as part of the army of General Sherman in his march to the sea. Dur'ng his military service, Thomas Roll was taken a prisoner of war and was confined in a military prison for some months, when he was paroled and returned to his regiment. Alvin, a brother of Thomas Roll, died while confined in Andersonville prison. After the Civil War, Thomas Roll returned to Washington county, and took up farming on the home farm until 1867, when, having married, he secured a fann of one hundred and fortv-seven acres of land in Posey township, a place which Mr. Roll made his home as a general farmer for the remainder of his days, he dying on Julv 31, 1912. On November 17, 1867, Thomas Roll was married to P>ances Adams, who was born on January 23, 1850, the daughter of Leander and Frances (Whitman) Adams, the former a native of Massachusetts, where he was born in 1812, the son of Aaron Adams and wife. Frances Adams Roll grew to maturity in Blue River township, Harrison county, Indiana, where she li\ed until her marriage. Thomas and Frances Roll were the parents of seven children, Leander (deceased), Anna (deceased), George, Mary (deceased), Bertha, Albert and Curtis, who is an attorney-atlaw, of Kokonio, Indiana. Thomas Roll and his wife were active and devout members of the Regular Baptist church at Hardinsburg, a congregatinn which the elder Roll served as a trustee for many years.

George E. Roll was educated in the common school of Posey township, and .it the Hardinsburg high school, after which he worked on the home farm for some years and then bought a small farm in the same community, a place which Mr. Roll improved and a farm to which he added land until now George E. Roll is the owner of one hundred and fifty-five acres of highlv productive soil. In addition to his general farm duties, Mr. Roll is engaged, to a limited extent, in the dairy business.

On A])ri! j, 1890, George E. Roll was married to Cora A. Newby, who w;is liorn in Howard township, the daughter nf John Ervin and Lucinda (A'ovles) Xewl)v. Lucinda X'oyles was the daughter of Lindsev D. Vovles and Clarissa (Bishop) A'oyles, the former of whom was born in Howard township, Washington county, Indiana, on January 16, 1822, he I>eing the son of 'I'liomas and Esther (Headley) Voyles. natives of North Carolina. Thomas A'oyles moved from his home in North Carolina, to the state of Kentucky, in 1810, and in i8ti he came to Washington county, Indiana, where he lived for the remainder nf his days. Thomas Voyles was of Welsh descent: his wife, Esther, was of Irish descent.

Lmdsey D. Voyles received a limited education in the schools of Howard township, Washington county, after which he became a farmer, working on the farm of his father for some years, or until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he was married, on November 28. 1849, to Clarissa Bishop. To this marriage were born fourteen children. Lindsey D. Voyles died in 1(>14 at the age of ninety-two years. Mrs. Clarissa Voyles died on January 2, 1916, aged eighty-six years.

John Ervin Newby was born in Washington county. Indiana, on November 2, 1852, the son of .Samuel and Orpha (Omstadt) Newby. John Ervin Newby was a life-long farmer, he being the owner of eighty acres of land which he cultivated as a general farmer, until his death on November 3. IQOO. Mr. Newby was active as a Democrat and was prominent in the United Brethren church, a congregation which John Er\in Xewby served for many years as a class-leader.

Lucinda Newby was born in Howard township. Washington county, on May i, 1850, and died on September 15, 1884. She was a member of a well-known family of the community, who liverl on a farm in Howard township, for many years.

After the death of his wife, Lucinda, John Ervin Newby was married, secondly, in the year 1887, to Nancy E. .\rnold, who was born in Howard township, Was' mgton county, the daughter of John S. and Jane (Goldsberry) Arnold. To this marriage were born six children.

George E. Roll and his wife, Cora, .are the parents of four children, lohn Thomas, Walter Fred, Carter .Mliert and Mary Frances. Mr. Roll and his family are members of the United Brethren church. George E. Roll, for many vears, being the treasurer and a trustee of Kays chapel, in Posey township Washington county. In politics. George E. T\(^ll is an arrlent Democrat, although he has not been an aspirant of public office.

Gilbert Preston Martin

Owner of considerable land in Pierce township, all of which has beei acquired by his personal achievement and by a liberal use of credit whicl has willingb been extended him, is the suliiect of this biograi>hical sketch

Gilbert Preston Martin wa^ born on May 12. 1853. near Barden, it Clark county, the son of \nderson .and Lticinda ( Goss) Martin, the fnrniei of whom was bom in Pierce tnwnshiii. -^on of Enoch ami Matilda (Daxi-^: Alartin. Enoch Martin, origin.ally a native of Kentucky, emigrated fron that State to Washington county during the early twenties and Hved on land entered from the government by his father, Louis Martin, upon which land he lived the balance of his life. He and his wife had the following children, Anderson, Harrison, Logan, Franklin, Harvey, Amanda, Zoulda, and a child who died in infancy.

Anderson Martin, upon being married to Lucinda Goss, daughter of David Goss, of near Borden, Clark county, farmed for ten years in that county, at the end of which time he returned to the old Martin homestead in Pierce township, where he lived the remainder of his life. To Mr. and Mrs. .\nderson Martin were born five children, namely : Mrs. America Irene Ratts, of Old Pekin; Augusta, also a native of Old Pekin; Oliver, who resides on the old Martin homestead; Gilbert Preston, subject of this sketch, and a child who died in infancy.

Gilbert Preston Martin, reared to manhood on his father's farm, continued to live on the farm for seven years after his marriage. At the end of this time he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on Mill creek, five miles west of Salem, paying down only three hundred dollars cash. After spending twelve years on the Mill creek farm he bought the Frank Turner farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the fall of 1894, to which farm he moved in the following spring and on which farm he has since resided. Subsefjuently, he added ninety-three acres. He engages in general farming and stock raising.

On Octolier 15, 1875, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Ella F. Roberts, a native of Pierce township and the daughter of Burrell B. and Nancy f Zink) Roberts, the former of whom was born in Washington county, the son of William antl ^Malinda (Wilson) Roberts, and the latter the daughter of Peter Zink, a prominent pioneer of Salem. BtuTcll B. Roberts served four years in the Civil War as a drummer boy.

To Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been born five children, namely: Viola, who died at the aije of sixteen years; Jasper W^, who lives in Harrison cnuntx', Morgan township, on his own farm of two hundred and twentythree acres, located on the "Dixie Highway." Jasper W. married Nettie McCinnis and has six children, Herbert, Walter, Ada, Roscoe, Mamie and (larc-nce; Curtis G.. unmarried, lives at home with his parents; Lillie, the wife of Wihner Souder, a teacher of Chicago, and Addie Myrtle, the wife of L. .\. Tvatts. who is a farmer.

A'Tr. and Mrs. ATartin are devoted members of the Christian churchy a denomination with which Mr. Martin has been identified since seventeen \ears of ace.

Col. Stephen D. Sayles

Stephen D. Sayies, formerly one of the most prominent and well known men of southern Indiana, was born in Brown township, Washington county, on December 26, 1828, and died in Salem on April 4, 1907. He was the son of Eliab and Persis (Jenks) Sayies, the father being a native of Utica, New York, while the mother was born in St. Johnsbury, \'ermont. They came to Washington county in the early twenties, making this tiieir home the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1862 and the mother in 1880.

Eliab Sayies, the father, was besides being a most careful, painstaking and successful farmer and a mechanic of more than ordinary ability. ]\lany of the fine-edged tools of the neighborhood were the results of his workmanship. With the assistance of the son, Stephen, who at an early age became proficient in the art, an industry in the making of edged tools, farm implements and firearms, w^as established and became known for miles. The honesty and integrity of the men w^as such that they had the confidence and respect of all. Early in his twenties the son became known throughout that section of the state for his workmanship and the "Sayies ax" and the "Sayies plow" became the pride of all who were fortunate to own them. In 1856 the son, then twenty-three years of age, came to Salem where he bought the Forsey factory and continued his work with an ever-increasing patronage. He was contemplating the enlargement of his factory at the time of the call of Lincoln for troops and he was the first in the county to answer to that call. Stephen D. Sayies at once proce-eded to organize the first company of volunteers that left the county. The company thus organized was later mustered into service at Indianapolis as Company G, Thirteenth Indiana X'olunteers, and was a part of the first Indiana regiment to enter the threeyear service.

Mr. Sayies was elected captain of his company on being nnistered into the service, and at once went with the company to the scene of active engagements. His was the life of an acti\"e soldier having been in twenty-one battles and skirmishes, among which \vere Rich Mountain, Greenbrier, Port Republic, Blackwater, Blue Springs and \\'inchester. In the latter battle he was twice wounded, one being a severe wound in the right arm, yet he remained with the company until January 18. 1S63, when he was discharged for disability. Before he had fully recovered from the disability for which he was discharged, he again enlisted and in August. 1863, was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the One Hundred and Seventeenth Indiana Infantrv.

After the war, Colonel Sayles lived for one year in JVlissouri and then located in Salem where he engaged in the lumber business, with the same vigor and intelligenec that marked his military career. At this time the nidustry was in its infancy and Mr. Sayles was not slow to see the future possibilities of the trade. He made the business a success, as he did in all things and was soon numbered among the successful and influential men of that section.

In 185 1 he married Eleaiiore (.ireen, a native of Bono, Lawrence county and the daughter of Nathaniel and Sallie (Coots) Green and to this marriage live children were born, all of whom are dead except Mrs. Mattie L. Hobbs, the widow of H. C. Hobbs. Colonel Sayles was a most companionable man and one whose neighborly acts and deeds of charity made him the friend of all. He was a good citizen and a kind and affectionate husband and father. The widow of Colonel Sayers survived him until February 11, icjii, when she passed awa}-, having spent her last years in the old home in the companionfehip of her son-in-law, I )i)Clor Hobbs and his wife.

Nathaniel Green, the father of Mrs. Sayles, was one of six brothers who came from Pennsylvania and were among the early pioneers of the (.Duiity. The Ijrothers were associatetl in Inisiness, owning much land and a large mill, as well as other property along White river. The close relationshi]) continued after marriage, for four of them married sisters while the wives of two of the others were sisters.

During the paiade of the first Decoration Day at Salem, the four colihrIs (if the CMunty rode in nne carriage, the second year one had died and the iitiier tlivee rude Icigcther in the carriage with one decorated seat; the I bird \ear another had passed a\\a_\- and the two remaining, rode in the carriage with the two seats decorated for their tlead comrades. The ne.xt year all but Colonel Sayles had passed U> the Great lieyond and that year, as well as fur se\eral years thereafter, the ("olonel occupied the carriage with the three decorated seats in honor of those thai hatl gone before.

Pdlitically, Colonel Sayles was in his younger days a strong advocate I if the princii)les of the Democratic p;irty and remained a steaflfa.st adherent (it the part\- until the beginning of the agitation over the Kansas and Nebraska bill. His natural disposition and love of liberty, led him at this time to espouse the cause of the opposing party and he voted for John C. Fremont and ever after viited the Republican ticket.

thinktT and an organizer, he was nominated by his party m the third thstnct, for Congress. The district was hopelessly Democratic, yet he rednced the majorities far below wliat they had ever been i)etore. He was a member nf the Grand Army of tlie Republic and attended the encampment and took a very active interest in its atlairs. Colonel Sayles during his lifetime was an active and useful member of the Old Settlers' Historical Society, to the affairs of which he lent his best efforts, and its accomplishments were largely due to the intelligent aid given by Colonel Sayles.

Thomas J. Goss

Thomas J. Goss, farmer, stock raiser and extensive landowner, of Jackson township, Washington county, Indiana, was born near Borden, Clark county, Indiana, on November 20. 1848, the son of David H. and Jemima (AIcKinleyJ Goss, natives of Clark county, Indiana. David H. Goss was the son of George and lilizabeth (Wright) Goss. George Goss came from his native state of North Carolina to Indiana over one hundred years ago and homesteaded a farm in Clark county, which has been in the possession of the Goss family since that time and which land is now cultivated by Thomas J. Goss, of this sketch. George Goss married Elizabeth Wright, daughter of Le\'i Wright and wife.

Da\id Goss lived and died on the same farm in Clark county, he ha\ing married Jemima AlcKinley, who was born near IJurden, Clark C(.iunty, the daughter of I'hoinas McKinley and wife, pioneers of southern Indiana, where they located after lea\ing their home m Kentuck}-. Da\id H. and Jemima Gnss were the parents of four children, Thomas J., lieorge, William and Sallie. \>\ a later marriage U> .Maria l\iiipe\ . Da\id Gos.s was the father of four children, Samuel, .Allen. Rosa and Nancy.

Thomas J. Goss receixed his educatiun m the i)ublic schuols of his natU'C community, after which he workeil on the home farm until twentyone )ears of age. when be niarrieil and continued his agricultural pursuits. .Mr. (ioss h;is prospered until he now (jwiis six hundred and tift\ acres of land ill WashnigTon count), Indiana, two hundred acres in CLark county, Indiana, an.l one thousand s,x luin.lred acres 111 the state of Te.xas. Air. (.o>s f(.|l(,ws general fanning and ^tock raiding 011 his land in Washington countw where he has |i\cil tor more tb.in fort\ years, and on his land in Te.xas he is extensively eiig.iged in the breeding of large numbers of all

During die year 1875 Thomas J. Goss was married to L.ucretia JVIartin, who was born in Harrison county, near Martinsburg, Indiana, the only daughter of Allen and Melinda (Durnil) Martin, and to this marriage were born two children : Ida, who married William Eflward McKinley, the son of Lewis and Josephine (Shaddine) McKinley, and Allen, who married Kffic Sanders. On May 22, 1892, Lucretia, the wife of Thomas J. Goss, died, after a protracted illness of two years, during which time her faithful husband gave her the best of care and attention. Mrs. Goss was a devout and active member of the Presbyterian church. Thomas J. Goss is a member of the Christian church.

Omar Leroy Cauble

Omar Leroy Cauble, well known business man of Salem and Pekin, Washington county, Indiana, is a member of one of the oldest families of this county, the various members of which have been active in local affairs in their various times. The original Cauble to come to this section was the great-grandfather of the immediate subject of this sketch, and he came at a time when this section w^as scarcely more than a dense wilderness and what few white settlers there were had to live in blockhouses as protection against the unfriendly Indians.

Omar Leroy Cauble was born in Jackson township, February 25, 1874, son of -\ndrew Jackson and Elizabeth (Hinkle) Cauble, the former born in Polk township, Washington county, about three miles northwest of Salem. on January 7, 1835. and is still actively engaged in farming in his native county. Andrew Jackson Cauble is a son of Adam Cauble, Jr., and Mary Hubbard, his wife. y\dam was born in North Carolina about the year 1797 and died in this county on June 26, 1883, at the age of eighty-five years, three months and twelve days. .Adam was a son of Adam Cauble, who was born in Germany and located for a time in North Carolina. About the year i8to or 1812, Adam Cauble, together with his family, made the long and tedious journey to the new territory of Indiana and for a number of years operated a grist-mill on Blue river about four miles south of where Salem now stands. In later life he retired and lived in the then straggling \illage I if Salem fnnu about 1820 until the time of his death on September

30, 1858, at the age of eighty-five years, eleven months and t\vent_\-three days. .\dam Cauble was the father of three children: Adam, Jr., Peter and C'harles.

Adam Cauble, Jr., In 1814, while still a youth, sought to enlist in the War of 1812, hut the controvers)- was ended before he was able to gain admittance to the ranks. He grew to manhood in and near the town of Salem and at the time of his death owned about two hundred and thirty acres of land, most of which he had entered from the government. He was one of the most progressive farmers of this section in his day and was a reco.gnized leader among the men of the community. Always keenly interested in politics, he was throughout his life a most ardent adherent to the principles of the old-time Democrat party. Adam Cauble, jr., and his wife, A-Iar)' Hubl>ard, were lung rcgarrled as one nf the very finest couples this section had known. Mrs. Caul)le ilied on March 12, 190J, at the age of one hundred years, three months and ele\en da\ >. She was a daughter of Nicholas and Barbara (I'rost) Hubbard and came with her parents to this section, locating on the west side of the Millport njad. just north of what is now the northern edge of Salem, em land which her father entered. Mrs. t'auble easily recalled when Salem was a mere settlement, deep in the woods. .\t the time of her one hundredth birthday, there was a great celebration in her honor, aliout two thousand friends and ac(|uaintances pa}-ing her honor, and she was alile to get aboiU as li\ ely anrl cheerfully as many thirty or forty vears her junior. Her death came soon after her triumphant daw

.\ndrew J. Caul)le grew up on the farm northwest of Salem and at the age of twenty- four married Idizalieth J. Hinkle. Ixirn about fi\e miles north of Salem, in 1840, daughter (jf \le\ander and ^Margaret ( Xaugle ) Hinkle. Vlexander Hinkle w.is born m Salem, .a sou of \nthon\- Hinkle who came to this section from South !'.osto!i. where he operated a gristiuill for many vears. Alexander Hinkle became a cabinet-maker in bis vontb and later farmed )i\e miles north of Salem, where he jiassefl bis remaining days. .\fter hi-^ ^ous were old enough to manage the farm, he ag.ain turned to his trade.

.\nilrew J. Cauble learned tlie cooper's trade when a mere boy and he and his brothers were able to make as man\ ;i^ forty lard kegs in a day. In tlie earl\- days of the Civil War. in the spring of 1862. he enlisted as a |)ri\ate in (_'oni])any i^. Ninetieth Ives^inient, Indiruia \'olunteer Inf.autry. ,uid -^erxed for three xears. He was assigned lo scont duty in Keutuck\- .and Tennessee until rhe fall of 1^(13 ami then m.irehed to Nicholasville, Keutuck\-, and prejiared for the Georgia cani|iaigu. He joined the m.ain arm\ at Dalton and was with Sherman until within thirty miles of Atlanta and was from there stnt with a large scouting detail around to Macon, Georgia. Near that place he and his comrades were surrounded by a large detachment of the enemy and were made prisoners, July 31, 1864. They were placed in .Andersonville prison on August second and Mr. Cauble was one of four hundred and forty-four prisoners massed on the sands. They were taken out to the front to he stripped and searched, four at a time, and Mr. Cauble had with him a written account of his movements while in service up to that time, which naturally he wished to retain. He deftly buried it in the sand at his feet and it escaped oljservation and he was able to regain possession of it and continued its narrative until the close of the war. He was kept in Andersonville about five months and was three weeks on the race track at (Charleston, South Carolina, during which time that city was bombarded by Union forces and the prisoners could see the screaming shells as they plowed their way to scatter destruction and death in the city. From there he was taken to Florence, South Carolina, where he was kept five weeks and from there to Goldsboro, North Carolina, for three weeks, stopping one night at Wilmington, that state, en route. From Goldsboro he was sent back to his own lines and was quickly hurried to Annapolis, Maryland, to be decently clothed, his garments being in tatters with trouser legs off at his knees and sleeves gone above the elbow, unkept, worn and miserable. He underwent the privations which brought to Andersonville such evil repute and was spent in body and mind. From Annapolis he was brought to Columbus, Ohio, and from there sent on to his home.

After his return, he farmed for some two or three years and then started up a saw-mill on a corner of his father's farm. In 1869 he moved to Harristown and erected a grist-mill, which he operated for about three years and then traded it for a half interest in the Pekin grist-mill. In 1875 he traded the mill for a farm, but three years later again got the mill in his possession and continued to operate it until 1898. In 1888 his mill burned down and he immediately rebuilt. Some time previous to the fire, he has replaced the old buhr stones with the new roller process, which of course he also put into the re-built mill. During all this time, he was operating his saw-mill at Pekin, continuing in that business over thirty years. In 1896 Andrew Jackson Cauble disposed of his mill to his sons, Elmo and Omar L., and since that time has been engaged in farming about two miles north of Pekin, with his son-in-law, Emerson E. Zink. Mr. Cauble is a member of the Church of Christ and has been a widower since the death of his wife in 1903.

Omar L. Cauble is one of a family of eight children, the eldest being Aura, wife of Richard Newlon, livmg on the grade road between Fekin and Salem. I'^ha is the wife of Kenton Tash, of Polk township. Ollie married W. H. Baker, both being deceased. Maggie is the wife of A. G. Blackman, living near Martinslmrg. bdmo W. resides at Henryville. Omar L. is the si.xth of the family in the order of birth, and the other two children are Leota, \vife of |. T. ]. Gra\es, of .Salem, and Pearl, who married Emerson \i. Zink.

Omp.r P. recei\'ed his education in the public schools of Pekin. where he lived from the age of two years, and from early boyhood wi)rke<l for his father in the Htuir-milk Iwjr .about two years, beginning in 1896, Mr. Cauble operated the mill ni ciimpan\- with his brother. Elmo, and following that arrangement, had in iiartnershij) with him for about eighteen months, William J. Johnson. He was next associated with Ransom Johnson for aiiout the same length of time and ^ince the discontinuation of that partnershi]). has i>i)erated the mill alone. This mill has a capacitx of sixty barrels per (lav and manufacture^ the well knnwn brand of 'Town Talk." a wmter wheat Hour, fie also deals in other brands of flour, meal, mill {t:ed and grain and has a branch hou-e in Salem for the sale of his milling products. Also in I'okin he has another business, disposiug of fertilizer and building materials of all kinds, and is ^..^euerally conceded to lie one of the most practic;il anil tlioroui.;b business uien of his section.

tc.wiislii]). m 1833. Andrew Wilson was the son of Richard and Betsc)- Wilson, the former oi whom was born in the state of North Carolina, and shnith .-ifter his marriage came to Washington county, Indiana, where he hc'niesteadefi a farm on which he made his home for the remainder of his

Andrew Wilson, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, grew to maturit\- on the Wilson homestead, after which he was ma,rried to Martha .V. Ah-irkland, the daughter of Thomas and Nancy Markland, the former a native of Xorth Carolina, who came to Washington county, Indiana, and homesteaded a farm which he cultivated for the remainder of his days. Following his marriage, .\ndrew Wilson continued as a farmer on the old homestead, for two years and then he bought a farm in Pierce township, where he made his home until his death. Andrew and Martha Wilson were the parents of eleven children, of whom Walter Andrew was one.

Walter .\ndrew Wilson lived on the Wilson homestead until he was eight vears of age and then, with his parents, moved to Howard township, in iSSo, where he lived as a farmer and as a teamster, until 1907, when Walter Andrew Wilson moved to his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Pierce township,, where he is now successfully- engaged in general agricidtural ]iursuits.

On October 22. iS()4, Walter -\ndrew Wilson was married to Emma Adams, a daughter of Thomas and Phoebe Adams, of Washington county To the marriage of Walter .\ndrew and Emma Wilson have been born the following children: Carl E., Clyde, May, Ralph, Goldie, Stella ( decea.sed ") , Carrie, Kerniit, Knolle, and one child who died in infancy.

Walter Andrew Wilson is active in the public life of Pierce township, at the last election having Ijeen elected to the office of assessor. In political affdiation Mr. Wilson is a Republican. .\s a fraternal man, Walter Andrew Wilson is a well-known member of the Improved Order of Red Men, at Pekin.

Carl ]l. Wilson receixed his early education in the public schools of I'lerce townshi]), after which he attended and graduated from the Pekin high school, h'ollowing the completion of his public school education, Mr. Wilson became a student at the Danville Normal College, at Danville, Indiana, an institution where Carl E. Wilson was trained' in normal and educational meth(xls for two years, after which he was elected as teacher (it the grade schools at Pekin, a position which he now holds and a profession which .\lr. WiKon is now >erving in a most capable manner. Carl E. Wil- -111! has taught in the schools of Jackson township, and by his methods and manner has demonstrated his value as a teacher and as an educator.

No name at Salem, Indiana, or in the surronnding territory, is better or more favorably known than that of the gentleman whose biography is here presented to the reader. Having been a student all his life, the skill and ability of Doctor Overman are above question, the large and remunerative practice which he has built up, standing as witness to this fact.

William Overman, Salem, Washington county, was born in 1840, in a log cabin on Twin Creek, seven miles northwest of Salem, in Jefferson township, Indiana, and is a son of John and Anna ( Macy ) Overman. His professional education was obtained at the Medical College of Cincinnati, and also at Indianapolis, where he graduated in 1875, from the Physio-Medical College of Indiana, after which he practiced in Salem until the fall of 1880. when he went into the saw-mill business in Florida, expecting to discontinue the practice of medicine, but was prevented from doing so by being required to give medical, attention to the mill hands and the people in the neighborhood. In 1883, he returned to Salem and resumed his practice, in which he has since been successful.

John Overman got his start in life by giving his note for one thousand dollars to John Reyman, without security, whose word was as good as his bond. He bought a farm, and worked hard to pay for it, employing his time on a farm during the days and working in a cooper shop during the vvinter nights, making his own sta\es and heading, and when he got a load of kegs he hauled them to Louisville. He worked far into the night, many times until dawn was near, and then made his bed on the shaving for a brief nap until time to go to work again. In a few years time he paid for his farm, which he sold and bought a better place east of Salem, where he l)ecame a prominent stock raiser, known all over the country. He handled nothing but the best grade of stock, including Shorthorn cattle, Poland China and Chester White hogs, his horses being mostly draft horses, his farm consisting of over two hundred and fifty acres of good land. Politically, Mr. Overman originally was a Whig, and later became interested in the Republican party. He never sought recognition in local politics, but was identified in all matters pertaining to the welfare and advancement of his communit)'. giving his son, at one time, the free use of a yoke of o.xen, and drivirig them himself for a week, with the understanding that Salem would do as much to improve the road. He was pulilic spirited and a good worker, never shrinking from his duty. John Overman was united in marriage with

Anna Alacy, daughter of Isaac and Avis (Starbuck) Macy. She was born in the Blue River neighborhood, in Washington township. To this marriage the following children were born: Newton, Doctor William; Elizabeth, who became Mrs. William Anderson; Charles, Oliver, Albert, Amanda, who became the wife of Barton Trueblood; Alvah, who died young, and a twin sister of Doctor William, who died in early infancy.

More than one hundred years ago, two 0\'erman brothers came from England to America and settled in Pasquotank county, North Carolina, their names being Benajmin and John, frotn the latter of whom Doctor William is descended. Benjamin Overman, son of John and Elizabeth, was born in 1790, in Pasquotank county, North Carolina, and remained there until his father's death and his mother's remarriage, in 1815, like many other Ouakers, to get away from the evils of slavery, he came with his sister, ?vliriam, to Indiana territory, where he was married, August 17, 1816, to Abigail Coffin, daughter of Libni and Elizabeth' Coffin, after wliich he entered two hundred and forty acres of land, two miles east of what is now known as the Highland Friends church. He sold two eighties and he and his wife settled in an uncleared forest. He afterward bought forty acres more where the Rush Creek Valley store is now located. They began farming in a small way, in a round log cabin, moving later to a large and better house. Having learned the cooper's trade in North Carolina, Benjamin built a cooper shop and established quite a large trade for those days, making kegs and barrels, in which to ship pork, lard and flour. Benjamin had a fair education and spoke good English, compelling his children to do likewise, a rare thing in those days. He gave the use of his shop for a summer school, and donated a corner of his farm for the erection of a log school house. He contributed liberally to the support of the Female Institute at .Salem, which was taught by the noted John I. Morrison, Mr. Overman was a broad-minded man, recognizing the good in those with whom he could not agree in all things. He owned and operated one of the first, if not the first, tr-eafl-pnwer threshing machines in this county. He was the first in his comnnniity to abolish the use of liquor from his harvest fields. His death 'HTurred in Februarv. 1S54. Mrs. Benjamin Overman died in September,

T.ilini Cnffin, father of Mrs. Benjamin Overman, was bom on the Island 'if N;intuck(.t, December t2. 1767, and died on his farm, August 21, 1821. At ihai time the Coffins owned all of Nantucket Island. In 1794. he was united in niarririgc to FH7.abeth Macy, who was born on November 10, 1768, and died in Washington county, Indiana. Ang-ust ji, i8_'i. She was also a native of Nantucket. In 1803, they nio\-ed to North I'aroHna and after a few years, went to \'irginia, where lie lost all he had by going security for another, and with what they could load into an ox cart, they came to Wayne county, Indiana, their daughter, Abigail, walking every step of the way.

Isaac Macy, the maternal grandfather, is supposed to have come from North Carolina, and his wife. Avis ( Starbuck) Macy, was also a native of that state. Mr. Macy was a farmer, and also conducted a mill for Nathan Trueblood in the Quaker neighborhood, northeast of Salem, and later l)ought a farm, on which he spent the remainder of his life.

Dr. William Overman was united in marriage, on August 22, 1877, to Alary Nixon, daughter of Toms and Semira ( Himt ) Nixon. Mary Nixon was a granddaughter of Priscilla Hunt Cadwallader, the noted minister in the Friends church. She was torn at the Nixon homestead at Highland, August 31, 1846. She was a birthright member of the Society of Friends; always steadfast in that faith and acti\-e in Sunday school and church work. She was married at the Highland Friends church by Friends ceremony. Before her marriage she taught for a numl>er of }ears in the rural schools, teaching six winters in one school: later, she assisted Frofes.sor Phillips in the Eikosi Academy in Salem. Her love for children was manifest in the school room particularh-. She was prominent in many lines of religious work, being an elder in her church, chairman of the committee on temperance of the Illinois yearly meeting of Friends. She often spnlce in the yearly meeting and in her home meeting; she was ver}- actixe and enthusiastic in temperance work; was county president of the Woman's ( hristian Temperance Union. At one time was president of the Salem Woman's Relief ('orjis. She and her husband were charter members of the Salem High Priests Club. She was energetic in all lines of philanthropic work; was a line P.il)le student and well informed general!}-, .^hc wrote and published a bi .ok of dialogues for use in schools. She also wrote occasional poems, snnie "f \\hich appeared in the Salem papers.

Doctor Overman is a quiet man, more given to good deeds than talk. He is friendly, frank and sociable, and is highly esteemed throughout Washington county. Mrs. Overman died on September 30, 191 5, and was interred in the Friends cemetery in this county-

Henry Davis

Among the successful farmers and men of prominence in the life of Polk township, Washington county, Indiana, is Henry Davis, who was born in Franklin township, Washington county, on July 15, 1838, the son of Joab and Sarah (Mull) Davis, natives of North Carolina, where the former was born in 1809, the latter in 181 2.

Joab Davis, who was the son of Henry and Catherine Davis, and a relative of Jefferson Davis, with his parents, moved from the state of North Carolina, to a point on the Blue river, north of South Boston, where Joab Davis grew to maturity and learned his trade as a wagon-maker. After his marriage, he cleared a piece of ground on which he built a log cabin on the fort\- acres he entered one-half mile north of the Charlestown road, on I'ringle creek (the farm now owned by James Thompson.) He also built a Ioj4 cribiii in which to work at his trade (wagon making.) He was an ex])ert in making all kinds of wooden articles, such as stocking cradles (to cut grain I, wooden mold-board plows, for which he would go to the woods and find a tree that had the right twist to make the mold-board. He went to the wiiods and hewed out all the timber with which to make the running gears of the wagon. The bed alone was all that was sawed. The lathe by which he turned the hul> was turned by hand. He never disappointed anyone, when he promised to have a piece of work done, though it often caused him to work the most of the night, for weeks at a time. It was said he coiiM make anything out of wood but a "hornet's nest." He was also an ideal farmer.

married tn Sarah Mull, the daughter of Tobias and and to this marriage were born the following chili<Ia. i'".li/'al)eth, Caroline. Henry, Thomas Jefiferson, Catharine, Susan, Matilda and Ellen. Of these chil- (arnline. Elizabeth and Sarah being past seventy years of age, the other four survivors being Thomas, Wilham, Matilda and | Catharine. Joab Davis was a vakied citizen of his community, he having | taken an active part in school affairs and in matters of local interest, as | well as having been an active and devout worker of the Church of Christ. He contended that no one could live a better life than that which the Bible teaches him to live. Many years ago when the great temperance movement swept over this country, he refused to become a member of the tern- | perance society because they allowed the use of intoxicating drinks in ! moderution. He was a total abstainer and contended this was the only safe position on this great (juestion. The elder Da\is died on December j 15. 1857.

Henry t)avis, following his education in the public schools of Franklin township, Washington coimty, attended college one term at Hartsville, Indiana. After which he taught two successive terms of school in Franklin township. The death of his father caused him to give up his school work and remain with his mother, brothers and sisters, continuing to work on the home place until after his marriage when he secured a farm located on the Charlestown road, in Franklin township, a place which Mr. Davis cultivated until 1879, when he moved to his present farm, in Polk township. On his farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres. Henry Davis has placed extensive improvements, among which is one of the most beautiful country homes of the community, he also having equipped bis farm with the most approved and modern implements and conveniences.

In 1863, Henry Davis was married to Ruth Jane Williams, who was born near Flowers Gap, in Polk township, Washington county, the daughter of Thomas and Malinda (Crow) Williams, early settlers in the communitv, and 16 this marriage was born one child. Hesker.

Hesker Davis was born on September 6. 1865. and during the month of December. 1888. he was married to Dora Robertson, who was bom in Polk township, Washington county, the daughter of John T. and T^Ialinda (Goss) Robertson. John T. Robertson was born on the Muddy fork, in Clark county, Indiana, the son of Reuben and F.lvira (Littell) Robertson, the former born in Clark county, Indiana, in 1812, and who, in 1830. was married to Elvira Littell. Reuben Robertson was the son of Ch.irles and Mary ( P'ord) Kobertson, who were married in i/QQ, in Scotland, .-ind then came to Indiana, and settled in Clark countv, near Ronlen, in t8oj. where Charles Robertson engaged in general farming. Reuben Robertson for manv vcars was a jiioneer school-teacher, he later beconn'ng ;ni early merchant of New .\lb;inv. Indiana. John T. Ri^bertson grew to maturitA- at

New All)any and after his school days became a carpenter and contractor, engaging in this occupation, in various localities, until his death on March 8, 1904'. John T. Robertson was married to Malinda Goss, a native of Polk township, and the daughter of John and Phoebe (Crim) Goss.

John Goss was the son of David and Elizabeth (Boss) Goss, David Goss having been the son of a native of Switzerland, who came to America in the eighteenth century and settled near Raleigh, in Davis county, North Carolina. David Goss. at an early date, came to Clark county, Indiana, and located near Borden, where he spent his last days. John Goss was a life-long farmer, who li\ed in the northeast part of Polk township. Washington county, Indiana.

Dora Robertson moved with her parents, when she was an infant, to a place near Leavenworth, Crawford county, Indiana, where she lived for some time and then went to New Albany, for about five years, after which the family returned to Crawford county, where Dora Robertson made her home until one year before her marriage, when she, located at New Albany. Following their marriage, Hesker and Dora Davis lived on the Davis farm, a place which they made their home as farmers until March 20, 1900, when Hesker Davis died; his widow now lives on the home place.

After the death of his first wife, Henry Davis was married, secondly, in August, 1872, to Parthena (Goss) Charles, the daughter of John and Phoebe (Crim) Goss. Phoebe Crim was a daughter of Martin Crim and wife, of Shelby county, Kentucky, Martin Crim having settled near Martinsburg, Washington county, Indiana, in 1822. The father of Martin Cnm was killed by the Indians in Kentucky, during the time of Daniel Boone.

Henry Davis is a prominent member of the Church of Christ, in Polk township, and is a man who because of his unselfish and useful life has won a host of friends and admirers in his community.

James Edwards Charles

James Edwards Charles is a farmer, living on Dutch creek, Jackson township, Washington county, Indiana, where he was born on April 14, 1865. H^' ^^'is a son of Levin Merlin and Mary TWyman) Charles, the fomier of whom was born in Davidson county. North Carolina, July 28, 7823. The parents of Le\in M., Jonathan and Margaret Charles, had cnnie to Pierce tnwnshirr. Washington count\-. from North Carolina, in

18^5. Three children were born before coming from North CaroHna, one born after coming. The family first settled near the College Hill neighborhood, on what is now known as the Charley Souder farm, and there Levin M. grew to manhood, aiil spent most of his life in Pierce township. There he was first married, his wife being Mary Monicle, whom he married on August 20, 1844, who died childless. His second marriage was to Amanda Martin, January 3, 1849, to whom four children were born. His third marriage was to Mary Wyman, April 14, 1858, and afterward he lived on Dutch creek in Jackson township. Levin M. Charles was a lifelong farmer, was also trustee of Jackson township, and held other local offices; was a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church, his wife, Mary, being a member of the United Brethren congregation. Levin M. Charles died in 1876, and his wife, Mary, lived until 1895. She was born on Dutch creek, in Jackson township, the daughter of Henry Wyman, Jr., and Anna Catherine (Boss) Wyman. Henry Wyman, Jr., was a son of Henry Wyman, Sr., and Catherine Wyman, the last named Henry Wyman, when sexenteen years of -^ge, was sent by his government, as a Hessian soldier to fight for England against the colonists in the revolutionary War. He was captured at the battle of Trenton, by W'ashington's forces, and made shoes for the American soldiery for eight years, and received his pay in government script with which he bought land in the southeastern part of Washington county, Indiana, paying one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. This was in 1804, and the public land entered by him extended from the farm later owned by Noah Wyman, to and including the James L. Shanks farm, in Jackson township ; also a section of land north of that which was inherited by the Boss family; and also entered a good body of land in the southwest part of Pierce township, now occupied by Marion Brown: also, that where Lewis Leach is living; also, the old land now known as the "Old Steplien Elrod Farm,'" besides other land east of Pekin. He made a fortune entering land, fattening hogs on beech and other mast in the woods and pasturing cattJe on the "barrens" southwest of Bear creek, where they only required an occasional supply of salt. He died about 1840, a,ged about eighty years.

Anna Catherine Boss, mother of Mary Wyman, was a sister of Philip Boss, her parents having been early settlers near Borden, the history of that family being presented elsewhere in this volume.

James E. Charles was only eleven years of age when his father died, and was the only child of his marriage to I\Iary Wyman ; and the children by the former marriage were grown and had left the home, so the boy lived on the farm with his mother, and when about sixteen years of age took cliarge of the farm, and has farmed it to the present. His mother died in 1895, at which time Mr. Charles was about thirty years of age. He now has an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres, rich, black soil alongside of Dutch Creek, and is prosperous.

December 31, 1895, James Edwards Charles was married to Nancy Bell Howell, who was born in Jackson township, daughter of Jesse and Sarah Howell. She died in 1905. childless. Two years later, in 1907, Mr. Charles was united in marriage to Minnie Rosella Roberts. She was born in Martinsburg, daughter of Dallas and Parthena (Cooley) Roberts, whose record is given in full elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Charles and wife have one son, Ralph Merlin, who was bom on December 7, 1907.

Henry Wyman, Sr., brought two sons and two daughters and a colored man and settled in the unbroken, heavy timbered forest, very difficult to clear, and in the spring of 1812, cleared a patch of ground and built a shanty of poles roofing same with bark, which answered for shelter until autumn, when they cut timbers and built a substantial log house. During that first summer he left wife and little ones at Louisville, Kentucky, as Indians were a menace to such an extent that if the children heard fire of gun would, at once, hide in the brush till sure danger was over; even after a church had been built the men would carry their guns to church as protection. The family raised and spun flax for the clothing; tanned leather for shoes, and when thev had fine shoes would carry them on the way to church, then put them on until time to go home, when they would again removed them, and walk home in bare feet, as nice shoes were a rare article. Those were days of labor and hardships but as neighbors became more plentiful, they would become quite sociable with each other, and mutually helpful. The women would work in the fields with the men ; they would have "husking bees," "log-rollings," and assist in putting in crops and work together. James E. Charles, although but a boy, recalls the fact that his mother still clung to the fireplace cooking, and one of his fireplaces has one of the old cranes from which his mother hung the kettle in cooking, as in pioneer days. She moulded candles by the dozen ; and the use of candles was quite a l^roirress from the old grease lamp. In times of Indian raids the folks gathered in a fort near where I. H. Hiestand lives, in the northeast part of Jackson township. Henry Wyman, Sr., built his first permanent log cal)in. a two-story structure, of two rooms and an "entry," on Blue river one mile north of where Mr, Charles lives now ; and that cabin stood until alioul twent) years ago. and Mr. Charles has some of the spikes that were hand-made by Henry Wyman, Sr., and which Mr. Charles prizes as relics. Also Mr. J. E. Charles has the old original government deeds as given Henr}' Wyman, Sr., for his land dating from 1812 to 1824. They are drawn up on sheepskin.

William Ax Drew Graves

The following memoir gives a few salient facts in the life of William Andrew Graves, dearly remembered by many old friends and relati\es of Washington county, Indiana. Mr. Graves, who was a man of exceptional character, was active in the public affairs of Pekin, a promoter of important enterprises, a leader in charitable and benevolent movements, and a man of wisdom and experience, admired for his ability and trusted for his integrity. Tie had a sincere, genial disposition and his handclasp was an inspiration to a downcast friend. The spirit of good fellowship was strong within him and the hospitality of his home was proverbial. To his family he was all that can \ye contained in the terms '"husband and father." He was interested in advancing every enterprise for the promotion of the better life of the community and wa.s antagonistic to nothing but evil and its influences. Many who knew him eagerly sought his ad\ice in m;itters of gra\'e import and he handled thousands of dollars belonging to others, with ne\er a suspicion of his integrity, -\fter his death it was said of him that his motto in life must have been "to accommodate," for he was markedly unseltish in seeking the welfare of others, without considering the cost to himself.

William Andrew Graves was born on .\ugust 10. 1851, m the nurthe;:st portion of Pierce township and died on March 7, 1908, in the town of Pekin, Washington county, Indiana. Me was a son of Thomas and Amanda (Cravens) Graves and the former, who was born on April Ji, 18J3, was a son of John and Margaret ( Hrookshire ) Graves. John Graves and wife were both natives of Randolph county. North Carolina, and came to Indianii in 1829, settling near Ladoga, in Montgomery count}-. They remained there until 1849, when they came to Washington count\- and located about three miles south of Salem, where they passed the remainrler of their lives. At the time they became residents of this section, wolves and other wild animals were in abundance, as were also the Indians, none loo friendly. Thomas Graves was a boy when his parents brought him {i_i this couut\- and here he grew to manhood. On l\lay 14. 1850, he was united in marriage with Amanda Cravens, who \vas liorn .'>eiitem1)er 16. [8j8. ,1 daugluer of

John Cravens. Thomas Graves spent all the acti\e years of his life on the farm where William A., the subject of this sketch, was born. Amanda Cravens Graves died when her son William A. was not quite fourteen years of age, and Thomas married Elizabeth Baker, for his second wife.

William A. Graves grew up on the parental homestead, remaining there until the time of his marriage. For a time he occupied the farm adjoining his father's, remaining there until 1879 and the following two years found him about eight miles down Blue River. He went from that farm to another located north of Pekin on the grade road, that tract containing eighty acres. He afterward disposed of that and in 1883 purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which is the present site of Pekin. At that time the little settlement of Pekin consisted of enly one dwelling and another building which contained a general store, the postoffice, e.xpress office and railroad station, all combined. When Mr. Graves purchased the farm, he also came into possession of the business building and became postmaster, express agent and station agent, while he and his brother-in-law became partners in managing the store. Mr. Graves appreciated the advantages of the location he had become possessed of and platted the town. He sold a goodly number of lots and five years later erected a tile factory, which he disposed of and immediately started a heading and sta\'e factory. Also he and a brother-in-law, Robert Elrod started up a saw-mill. Mr. Oaves was continually seeking to estalilish new enterprises to give employment to men and promote the welfare of the town. He urged the erection of the school building, pleading for as large and well-equipped a building as the community could afford and he c(nild induce others to agree to. While not a member of any church society, he donated the land for the erection of the Methodist Episcopal church and parsonage and gave liberally of his means in a manner best calculated to inspire a like liberality in others. Tn January, 1907. the bank commenced business, due as largely to the earnest efforts of Mr. Graves as to any other cause, and from the first he filled the office of vice-president of the institution, continuing therein until the time of his death.

Mr. Graves was married on August 8, 1871, to Mary E. Elrod. Mrs. Graves was born about two miles east of Pekin, a daughter of John and Louisa (Tash) Elrod, her father being born in the same neighborhood on .\ugust 19, 1825, a son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Wyman) Elrod. John Klrod passed his entire life in the one community, engaged in farming. He was a man interested in the public affairs of his section and was counted one of the most loyal Democrats of his dav. Enuisa Tash, who was John Elrod's first wife, was linrn in the same neighborhood as he on September 28, 1824.

She was a daughter of Jacob Tash. who was born on February 2, 1790, by his first wife Mary (Stanley) Tash. Ijnrn 'm\ h"el)ruary 19, 1793. They both were natives of North Carobna and Mum after their marriage came to this section, in eariiest pioneer times. John l-drud i)assed from this bfe in 1897 and his wife, Louisa Tash Klrod, died July 21, 1913.

Stephen Elrod, father of John, was aKo frnm North Carolina, coming to this section aljout 1815. He entered land fnini the government in Jackson township and later moved to I'dlk township where his wife owned a half-section of land, to which he added fioni time t(.i time, until his holdings were quite large. He was the father of thirteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity. The wife of Stephen bdrod was Elizabeth Wyman. a daughter of Frederick \\'\nian. a nati\e of Hesse, Germany. Frederick Wyman had been brought to this country Ijy the English to help their cause in the war of 181 2, and not relishing his task, lie escaped from the British army and went into Tennessee, where he remained imtil peace was restored. He had located in Jackson township and the family was prominently identified with the life of that community for many years

To William Andrew Gra\es and his a\ i fe, Mary bdrotl, were born se\'en children, the eldest of whom is Tinna .\n.lelia, married on Xo\eniber 0. 1893, to Edward Alotsinger, li\-ing east of Farraljee station. They ha\e a family of five children, namely: Ra^-nnjiid, F'.stelle, l-"rank, lr\in and Homer. The second child is John Thomas Jacob, named for five ancest<irs, all of whom Avere living at the time of his birth. John is a leading business man at Salem, being interested in banking, hardware and im])lement business and other lines. He married Leota Cauble on May 26, iSijs, and thev have five living children, and one who died in infancy. Those remaining are Ruby, Lena, Elizabeth. Paul Andrew and George Garland Oliver P. Graves lives four miles southwest of Pekin and owns two farms in this countv as well as land in Texas. He married .\lvada Soudt-r on June 17, 1900. Robert Edward Graves lives in Pekin and is engaged in farming He married Tula E, Norris, September 5, 1897, and to them ha\e been born three children : Harry, Edna and Marie. Everett Gra\es fives in Srdem and is interested in the implement business with his lirotber John. On Mav 24, 190;, he married Cora Swaim. Logan E. Gra\e-. \ on the railroad on November 4, i8()4. wl T. Graves, the youngest of the fanfilx . ni: The Graves family lias always been numb' this section and much of the advancement lines has been due to the entenirise of its \

Charles Preston Bush

Charles }'. Fhisli was horn on Octoljer 31, 1857, in Jackson township, two miles west of Martinsburg, the son of George and Lavina (Wyman) Bush, George Bush was born one and one-half miles west of Martinsburg, June 27, 1833, a son of Daniel and Franev (.Sears) Bush. Daniel Bush was born in North Carolina, May 14, 1798, and died in July, 1849, aged Hfty-one years. He was the son of John and Mary (Phillips) Bush, the latter of whom was of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent. John Bush was a Hessian soldier brought by the British to America to fight the Colonies, and settled in North Carolina, and married Mary Phillips. He came to Indiana probably about 1810, and his old "sheep-skin" deed from the government, still in the family, was dated August 27, 1813, for land in section 15, in Jackson township. John Bush and wife had the following named children, .Abram, John, Solomon. T^avid, Joseph, Andrew. Daniel, Sarah, Elizabeth and Delilah.

Daniel Bush grew to manhood and married Franey Sears, who was bom near Lexington, Kentucky. October 13, 1806, and died on May 24, 1884. She came to the vicinity of Burnville, in Floyd county, with her parents, and in June, 1824, was married, and lived in Jackson township. Daniel Bush farmed west of Martinsburg till 1849, when he died of the cholera scourge. He had the following children: John W., Jacob, Martha A., Daniel. Jr. (who died in infancy), David and Solomon (twins), George, Mary h^dizabetli (widow of John Elackman), and Daniel Newton, also twin sisters, Frances Jane and Sarah Ellen.

George Bush was a soldier in Company I, Forty-third Regiment, Indiana \'olunteer Infantry, and died from results of a grape-shot wound in the leg, received in battle of Milligan's Mills. He had farmed here up to i860, then moved to A^erniillion county. Indiana, in i860, and was there when he enlisted. His wounded leg was amputated twice, a part being first taken off, more later, but he died in 1864. His wife, Lavina Wyman, born in Jackson township, .'\pril 5, 1837, was the daughter of Leonard and Eliza (Leach) AA'yman. Leonard Wyman was born in North Carolina, about 1794, a son of Henry and Catherine (Karnes) Wyman. Henry Wyman, a Hessian soldier, l>rnught nyer in the time of the Revolution, sent by the king to fight for I'jigland, was captured by Washington's army, at the battle of Trenton, and made shoes tor \\^ashington's armv to the end of the war and then settled in North Carolina, ancl from there came here in 1804, atid entered guoci land, aljout twenty-one quarter sections in Jackson, Pierce and Polk townships, and became a wealthy landowner. His children were as follow: Mrs. Margaret Smith; .Su.san, who married William Brooks: Frederick, who married .t Baker; Henry, who married a Baker; Polly, who married Philip Boss; Catherine, who married Henry Sherley; Elizabeth, who married Stephen Elrod. Henry Wyman's name was originally "Henri Wiman," as it appears on his monument on his farm on Dutch creek.

I^onard VVyman lived on what is now James L. Shank's farm in Jackson township. He first married a Baker, and later married Eliza Leach. By his first marriage he had four children, Sally B., .Anna, David and Margaret (twins) ; and by his marriage to Eliza Leach were born Samuel, Silas, Lavina', Margery, Perlina, Marie Jane. Mary Elizabeth (now Airs. Royse"). Eliza Leach bom in Kentucky.

The children of George and Lavina Bush are as follow : .\n infant born in 1856; Charles P.. Clarence E. and William E. are all dead excepting Charles P., who grew up in Jackson and Pierce townships and was onh' about se\'en }ears of age when his father died, leaving his widow and three children. The mother died on July 2, 1909.

Charles P. Bush attended l^ikosi .Academy and graduated there in 1882, and for ten \'ears taught in Jackson and Posey townships. He also farmed of summers. .About 1895 he rented a farm in Jackson township; and in 1903 bought the farm he now owns, one and one-half miles east of Fredericksburg on the New Albany pike. He has ninety-three acres of good land, uiK)n which he has a beautiful home that he built in 1909. It stands on a rise of ground, and is surroimded by a beautiful maple grove; and the farm is called "Sugar Grove Farm," was so named in 1906.

On ATarch 29, 1896, Charles P. Bu^h married Willia X. Worle}-. She was born in Jackson township, and is the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Martins) Worley. Mr. Worley was born on February 20, 1S25, and died on November 29, 1899, aged seventy-four years and nine months. He was a son of Martin and A'lalinda Worley. On October 30, 1849, he married Elizabeth Martin, daughter of Peter Alartin and wife, who were the direct ancestors of most of the Martin families in this county. William Worlev was a man of great zeal and energy and by those means i>r()S])ered in life. In religion he \\as without compromise and strnng in his faith in (](k\: and in politics a stanch uid active Reiniblican. He was an excellent singer and lover of music, and all his children are musically inclined. He owned a beautiful home .ind l;oi>(1 farm in the west part of Jackson township, and farmed :dl bis life.

Mr. and Mrs. Bush have one daughter, Bernice, born on February 27, 1000. She i.s a bright student, now in the fourth year of high school before she is sixteen vears old. The family belonsr to the Church of Christ.

Thomas M. Denney

Thomas M. Denney is one of the representative agriculturists of Monroe township, Washington county, Indiana, and takes great interest in local affairs. He was born on July 5, 1878, in the northwestern part of Monroe township, Washington county, Indiana. He is the son of Jacob and Hindiga (Calloway) Denney. Jacob Denney was born and reared south of the town of Kossuth, where his brother, James Denney, still lives. Jacob Denney was a son of Joseph and Minerva (Elliott) Denney. Joseph Denney was a native of Virginia and his birth occurred in 1809. He was the son of Thomas and Mary (Hattabaugh) Denney, who settled in Indiana when their son Joseph was a small child. They purchased government land on which they remained until their deaths, and which then became the property of the next in line.

Jacob Denney, father of Thomas Denney, was a farmer and, for one year after his marriage to Hindiga Calloway, operated a place in Jackson county, Indiana, following which he continued to farm in Washington county until his death. He lived for nearly five years in JefYerson township and spent the balance of the time in Monroe township. Most of his time was devoted to general farming and to the breeding of a high grade of horses. He and his wife were the parents of eight children: Menzo. of Salem, Indiana; Thomas; Ammie, wife of John Williams; Hindiga, wife of Elmer Cauble; Delia Catherine, wife of Anson Morris; Thornton, living one mile west of Salem, Indiana; John C, lives with Thornton; Noble, died when a child of one year. Hindiga (Calloway) Denney was born in the southern part of Monroe township, Washington county, Indiana, on the farm where Charles Calloway now lives, and she was the daughter of Noble and Catherine Callowav. She died in .\pril, IQOO. and her husband's death occurred in April, iqio.

On .\pril 15, 1004. Thomas Denney was united in marriage to Anna E. Coffc\ and tlicv are the parents of three children : Myrtle Margaret, Marion Earl and Marshall \'ance. Soon after his marriage, Thomas Denney began farmint; in the Mu^catatuck bottouT^ on the north edge of Monroe township.

where he remained for three years, at that tmie renK)\ iiit; to the place on which they now reside. 1'his place consists of two hundred and twenty acres of land and is devoted to generrd farming. Both Thomas Denney and his wife are members of the ^^ethodist Kpiscojial church. .Anna E. Coffey was Iiorn on September 6. 1876). in Jefferson tciwnship, and is the dai'ighter of John Waid and Eliza Matilda ( Persinger ) C'oft'ey. John Waid C'oft'ey was born on Januar\- 13. 1841, in Salem. Indiana, and is the son of Janies Harve\- and Ann Eliza (Graham) Coft"e\-. John Har\-ey Coff'e\- was lx)rn on August 6, 1806. in Kentuck}'. and is the son of John Waid Coffey, Sr. .\nn F.liza Graham was born on September 5, 181 5, in Xorth Carolina, removing to Jackson county, Indiana, in a prairie schooner at the age of four years, accompanied bv her parents, Jonathan Graham and his wife. The Grahams are of Scotch-Irish descent and can trace their ancestry to the time the Romans in\aded Great Britain. They were Scotch Coxenanters and left Carolina in order to ax'oid the e\-ils <if ^laxery. John Waid Coff'ey. the elder, came to Indiana from Kentucky and. after a short sojourn near Terre Haute, Indiana, he rem<ivetl to Washington county, Indiana, where he remained until h\< death. He was a school teacher and was \-ery actix'e in the Baptist church affairs. His son, James EIar\-ey Coffey, grew to maturity in Salem, Indiana, where he learned the trade of car]>enter and followed this vocation until near midiile life. It was while working at his trade in the Aluscatatuck ri\er bottom^, that he met and married his wife. Ann Eliza ( Graham ) Coffey.

John Coffey was a lad of fdurteen when his father, lames Har\ev Coff'ey. died, leaving his mother with eight children tn educate and support. They at once remoxcd to the place in Jefferson township, where lohii Waid Coff'ey still lives. He was a soldier in the Civil War. having served in Company C\ of the Fiftieth Regiment. liKbana X'olunteer Infantrv. He was taken prisoner by Morgan's raiders October 26. T86y. John A\'aid Coff'ey Rersinger and the\- I>ecanie the |iarent Henry, now Ii\ing at Brownstovn, I Jefferson townshi]); William Waid. Thomas .M. Dcnnev: Alary I-'.li.-/abetli nr fourteen year>. and Miiiard Ernet..wnsliip. Indian;!. l-.liza .Matilda ( I beth (Newson) Pers,inger was reared in Ohio and Luke Persinger was a native of Botetourt county, Virginia. He was German, while his wife was Irish.

Andrew J. Dodge was born on August 25, 1852, near Greenville, Floyd county, Indiana, was son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Boston) Dodge; his father, Joshua Dodge, Jr.. was born in 1820, at Greenville, a son of Joshua, Sr. and Dorcas (Groves) Dodge. The senior Joshua came from Maine to Kentucky, and was married there to Dorcas Groves, of Kentucky and then came to Indiana, settling in Floyd county in pioneer times, and they farmed near Greenville through life. There Joshua, Jr., grew up and married Elizabeth Boston. She, also, was born near Greenville in 1820, a daughter of David and Mary (Jones) Boston. David Boston came from Kentucky, in 1812, with his father, Benjamin Boston, who was in the battle of Tippecanoe. David was then but fourteen years old. It was in November when they came to Indiana, and the father went back to Kentucky to get the rest of the family, leaving fourteen-year-old David and sister, twehe years of age, to await their return. Winter coming on early with great severity the family was unable to come until the following April. The only neighbor, a white-haired old man, lived two miles distant, but he came each morning to see if the children were safe, as the country was infested with wolves, bears, panthers, etc., and Indians also had to be reckoned with. There, near Greenville. David grew up, lived and died when ninetv-two years old. His wife, also, was born near Green\'ille.

Andrew J. Dodge grew up on the farm where his grandparents on both sides had lived from first settlement. Benjamin Boston had entered a lot of land from the government. When Andrew J. was about eighteen years of age he left home and worked out as a farm hand. He came to Pose\- township, Washington county, where he has lived most of his life. For fourteen years he was engineer at McPheeter's old mill on Blue river. He was running the engine for William McPheeters, who was (ince sheriff of Washington county. In 1S78 he bought thirty-five and one-half acres of land about two miles northeast from Fredericksburg, where he still resides. In 1879 he married Mrs. Emma C. Beard, widow of Daniel I'eard, deceased. and mother of John R. Beard. One child b(irn of her marriage to Dodge, a son, Elmer, who died Jnlv 4. 1890, shorth after his tenth birthdav. Mrs.

DodgL- died on April 2y, 1912. She was a member of the Methodist l-'.piscopal church. Mr. Dodge belongs to the lndei)endent Order of Odd l-'ellovvs at I'redericksburg.

Mr. Dodge and his ::tei>-son, John R. Beard and family, live logetlu-r on Mr. Dodge's farm near Fredericksburg. Mr. Dodge is well known anti well thought of as a good citizen and good neighbor.

Edgar D. Hush

Edgar D. Bush, the son of Jeptha 11. and Eunice (Coffin) Bush, was born in Jefferson township, Washington county, on February 3, 1873. Jeptha B. Bush was born on January 16. 1S4O, and was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Monicle) Bush, both of whom were nati\es of this county, the former having been born on October 13, i8jo, and the latter in 1822. Daniel Bush was the son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Beck) Bush. Solomon Bush was a nati\e of (lermaiiy and the son of |aco1> Bush, who was born in 1760 ami came to .Vmerica, settling in Xew ^'ork state, where he died some years later. The father of nati\e country and conducted a silk mill assisted his father in the mill and did s Pennsylvania, where they had settled.

Solomon Ijush li\ed for a time w 1 later came to Washington county, whei in Jefferson township. He was a most his farm being one of the best in the co of .Mr. Bush until his death at the age <

Daniel Bush grew to iiiaiihiind on farmer. He was twice married, his firs to this union the fnllnwing cliildrcn were Samuel R., of Jeiferson t.iw n,-.liip. .\1 1S52. he was niarned t., ( viithia A. ' this union six children were lidrii, F.lizal Dalton, of Salem; Alonzo. also of Saleii Brewer, of Salem, and Lemuel J., of I'.l, died in A])ri'. 1X88. the father dving on .\pnl farm WLirk Miid attended school, having received his education in the pubhc scIkjoIs and at the old Eikosi Academy at Salem. Having completed his education, he in connection with his other duties taught school for seventeen years. On April i6, 1868, Mr. Bush was married to Eunice I. Coffin, who was l)orn on .September 15, 1849, 'i"d was the daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Davis) Coffin. Mr. Coffin was born on December 27, 1800, and his wife on .\ugust 8, 181 1. Samuel Coffin was the son of Lebni and Elizalieth Coffin, the former being born on July 6, 1746, and died on April 4. 1835. I.ebni Coffin entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Washington township, five miles northwest of Salem and here he lived until his death. lie was a cooper by trade and followed this work in connection with his farming, during his life. The farm remained in the family until just a few years ago.

Samuel Coffin was an active member of the Hicksite Quaker church and took much interest in all church work. Politically he was a member of the Whig party. Mr. and Mrs. Coffin were the parents of the following children, Elizabeth, Priscilla, Lebni, Maben, Anna, Ruth, Susan, Joseph R. and Eunice. Priscilla Hoggat lives in Terre Haute; Elizabeth, Lebni and Maben are deceased; Anna B. Stalker (Ruthj. Enochs) and Susan Denny all live in Salem; Joseph R., in Iowa; Eunice grew to womanhood in Washington lov,nship and lived at home until she became the wife of Jeptha P.nsh. To this union tvs o children were born, Joseph C. and Edgar D.

Jeptha Bush follow^ed farming for some years, but later became a painter, decorator and paperhanger and moved to Salem where he lived until 1 89 1 when he moved to Bloomington in order to educate his sons in the Indiana University. In 1896 he returned to Salem where he followed liis trade until his death on September 7, 1906. The widow, a highlyrespected and refined woman makes her home at the old homestead.

F.dgar D. Bush lived on the home farm in Jefiferson township until twcUe years of age. when he came with his parents to Salem. For a time he was engaged by Warder W. Stevens on the farm, and here he laid the finnidation for his agricultural work, which developed in later years. Mr. F'lish is a graduate of the Washington county district school, the Salem higli school and the department of history of the Indiana University, from which institution he graduated in 1895. Mr. Bush taught school for a time, having l)cen principal of the North .\nderson township high school, r=;8)

After discontinuing teaching Mr. Bush was the representative of Campbell, Wild & Com^-any's Bond House, of Indianapolis. He later engaged in the bonding business under the firm name of E. D. Bush & Company, remaining in this work for five years, and then came to Washington county, locating on a tract of six hundred and iive acres which he had purchased some time before. The place is in a high state of cultivation, with excellent improvements and a Ijeautiful craintry residence.

Mr. Bush is a member of the Indianapolis Stock Exchange and the Columbia Club and belongs to the Masonic Order, being a member (^f the Mystic Tie Lodge, of Indianapolis.

Edgar D. Bush has always been a stanch and active Republican, taking much interest in the campaigns of his party. He is a keen thinker, excellent public speaker, pleasing and jovial in disposition, a hard worker and a man of much intellect. He is a good mixer and stands high in the communitj' for his fairness in all things and for his sterling character. In 1914 Mr. Bush was a candidate for Congress from his district and made a splendid campaign, but was defeated with the rest of the ticket. He is a candidate for the Republican nomination for lieutenant-governor in 1916.

Mrs. Bush is a woman of splendid literary attainments and has been a distinct acquisition to the social and literary life of the community. She has been instrumental in establishing a newpaper and magazine exchange in this county. This exchange affords many persons access to up-to-date magazines and newspapers, which when read are exchanged for others. She has also established a girh' "nature study" class, which supplements their school work. This class, which now numbers twenty-two, due to the efiforts of Mrs. Bush, has progressed in nature study, music and other features of interest in their school work. Under Mrs. Bush's supervision they have presented dramatic versions of poems, among others, "The Village Blacksmith," and others, which will be followed by "Hiawatha." Supplementary studies, such as domestic science, are taught. This work has been fruitful of the greatest results and Mrs. Bush's contribution to the betterment of rural life in this county is evidenced by the splendid results of her efforts in this direction.

Charles Stephen Batt

In enumerating the successful citizens now residing in Jefferson township, who have won for themselves special distinction in the agricultural line, the list would be inconiplete were the name of Charles Stephen Batt omitted from the pages of this volume.

Charles Steplien Batt, farmer, Salem, Jefferson township, Washington county, was born on September 5, 1858 in the township where he still resides, and is a son of Eli and Ann (Hen wood) Batt. His education was received in the common schools and at the Eikosi Academy at Salem, Indiana, after which he taught school for one year, and has followed farming nearly all his life. He began farming for himself when about twenty-two years of age, on a small place inherited from his father. After his marriage he bought a farm in Jefferson township, located just west of Rush Creek valley, and is now the owner of eight hundred acres of fine agricultural land. Politicallv, Mr. Batt is a stanch Democrat, and has been active in local politics, having been elected as township trustee in 1890, in which office he served for five years, during which time his term was extended one year. He was also a member of the county council, immediately following his term of township trustee. Religiously, both Mr. and Mrs. Batt are earnest members of the Baptist church. Mr. Batt has a trench around a hill on his farm that is said to have been dug by the Indians for the purpose of killing game. It was quite deep during pioneer days, and is three feet in depth at the present time.

Eh Batt, father of the subject of this sketch, was bom about fifty miles from London, near Aires ford, in Hampshire, England. He grew up in his native country, and was there united in marriage with Ann Henwood. They afterward came to America and made their permanent home in Jefiferson township, this county, where they both died. Mr. Batt followed agriculture, and owned about three hundred and twenty acres of land. To Eli and Ann (Henwood) Batt were born si.x children, one of whom died on the voyage to America, and another child clied at the age of three and a half years, soon after they came, and lies buried near its parents at Livonia. Those now living are : Samuel, who lives in the southern part of Jefiferson township; Lucy, who became the wtfe of John Martin, and lives in Washington township, we.st of Salem; Charles S., and Lewis H., a resident of Jefferson township. Eli Batt. the father of this family of children, died on September 3, 1875, and his wife died on August 23, iqoo.

Charles Stephen Batt was united in marriage, December i6, 1880, with Nantie M. Goodpasture, daughter of Samuel and Ann (Bush) Goodpasture. She was born in Jefferson township. Washington county, Indiana. This union has been blest witl; six children, one of whom died in infancy; the others are: Laura A., who became the wife of Virgil E. Holsapple, and died on .August 29, lOii, leaving surviving her husband and two children, May and Edna; Satnuel Lewis lives near Rush Creek valley, and was married to Effie Morris, daughter of Samuel Morris, by whom he has had two sons, Arthur Eugene and Charles Morris; Ellis A., who is married and lives on the home place near his father, married Ona Barrett, daughter of Hiram Barrett; Clara E. and Velva L. are at home.

Samuel Goodpasture, father of Mrs. Charles .Stejihen Batt, came from near Lexington, Kentucky, with his parents, when quite young. He was a son of David and Rebekah (Peugh) Goodpasture, who located north of Salem, Washington county, Indiana. Samuel Goodpasture was united in marriage with Ann Bush. They were pioneers in Indiana, where Mr. Goodpasture followed farming all his life. They used the spinning wheel, and cooked their meals in the fireplace. Mr. Goodpasture who was a public spirited aian, and took an active interest in the advancement of the welfare of the commtuiity in which he resided. He served as trustee in early days when we had three trustees instead of one.