Clay Township (part 1 of 2)

Clay Township

For three manifest reasons, the liistory of Clay township must necessarily be short. First, the township itself is small, and unless something remarkable be connected with it, it could not have a length)' and elaborate history. Secondly, it was not organized as a township until 1S40, and therefore everything concerning its early history, particularly concerning the names of early settlers of the township up to that year, will be included in the history of German township. And thirdl}', the most important thing in connection with Clay township, and indeed, in all probability, in connection with St. Joseph county, namely its educational interests, including Notre Dame University and St. Mary's Academy, has been included in the State and countj' history of this work.

At the June session of the Board of County Commissioners in 1840, an order was passed constituting Clay a separate township, and it was named after Henry Clay, who was just in the prime of his political glory. The first election in the township was held in " Brooks' barn," now burned down, then on section 30. The first justices of the peace of Clay township were Jonathan Hardy and Samuel Brooks.

During the early settlement of German township, that part of it lying east of the St. Joseph river, which is now Clay township, did not settle very rapidly until about 1837-'8. The first settlement was along the eastern bank of the St. Joseph river, where John Eyler, Lambert McCombs and John Weaver, a German Baptist preacher, together with a few other families, located. From that time to the present the population has gradually increased, and at the last census it was ],476? At present the citizens are mostly Germans.

Clay township is 38 north, range 3 east, is situated in the northern part of St. Joseph county, and is bounded on the north by the State of Michigan, on the east by Harris and Penn townships, on the south by Penn and Portage, and on the west by the St. Joseph river, beyond which lies German township. Nearly all of the land is broken, or marsh, or timbered land, and across the southwestern part flows a small stream branching off from the St. Joseph river on the west. Across the western part runs a branch of the Michigan Central railroad, connecting South Bend and Niles, Mich. Tlie sections of the township are somewhat irregular, a part of the northern road being in Michigan; and on the west the line is very irregular, owing to the fact that when the township was organized, the St. Joseph river was made the western boundary. At present a large and substantial wooden bridge is in process of erection (GTOi

History Of St. Joseph County

There is a grist-mill on section 23, on the river, owned by John F. Curly, of South Bend. At present the mill is not running; it was built several years ago by Jonas Harris. Prior to the erection of the grist-mill by Mr. Harris, Mr. Weaver had built a sawmill on the same location; Mr. Weaver also had a cardingmachine and fulling-mill, and for a time did quite an extensive business; but these were afterward removed, and tlieir place supplied by the present grist-mill. There was also at one time a fulling-mill near where St. Mary's college now stands, run by a man named Graham. And at one time in the history of the township, S. Ulery ran a carding-machine. But these have all long since been dispensed with, and to-day there is very little or nothing to add to the business interests of the township by way of mills or villages, there being but one of the former, and none of the latter. But villages in Clay township are not necessary, as it is conveniently and closely situated to South Bend. Politically, the township is Democratic.

Churches And Cemeteries

There is only one chnrch in Clay township besides the Catiiolic, a history of which is given in connection with its college. It is a German Baptist organization, and the church building is located on section 24. It was erected in 1868 by means of individual donations. The first pastors of the church were -Jacob Cripe and Christian Weuger. The present pastor is John B. AVrightsman. The congregation at first was quite small, but is now respectable in number, and is inci-easing, including many of the highly resjjected citizens of Clay township.

There are three public cemeteries in the township; one on section 25 near the German Baptist church; one on section 30, known as the Township Cemetery, and another in connection with ISTotre Dame University, situated near it and on the land owned by that institution.

Educational Interests

The first school ever taught in the township was on section 23, in Mr. Eyler's house. Charles Murray, a married man from " Dutch Island," in Harris township, whom the patrons of the immediate neighborhood hired, was the first teacher. The first school-house in the townsliip was built on section 28, and Daniel A. Veasey was probably the first teacher. However, the scarcity of school-houses and school funds did not long continue in Clay township; and today its citizens can say withont hesitation, and without any fear of contradiction, that they have better school-houses than an}' township in the county, and indeed as good as any in the State. In the township there are six excellent school buildings, all brick, with stone foundations. Thej' are conveniently located throughout the entire township, and are known by number and by name. In them are furnished to the cliildren nine months of school annually. Altliough a great part of the farming land of the township is rather poor, yet this one distinctive characteristic of it will suffice to place Clay township among the foremost ones in the county, and the inhabitants may justly attribute this to the unceasing labors of their last two school trustees, namely, Thomas Eaton, who held that office for a number of years, and George Stover, the present incumbent.

But here, in the progress of this subject, let the reader stop and reflect. Were he unacquainted with the educational interests of the township, he would doubtless think that what had already been said concerning them, was in part flattery, but not so. What would be his surprise upon learning that not one tithe has yet been mentioned; for here in the southwestern part of this township are located two mighty literary institutions, St. Mary's and Notre Dame, two powerful dispensaries of charity and intelligence, whose names are household words throughout all the neighboring States.

But here we forbear from making further mention and giving a more elaborate history of those institutions, as it is given complete in the State and count}' history of this, volume. And then, including these institutions under the head of schools, we can now safely say that the educational interests of Clay township are second to none in the State of Indiana.

We find personal sketches of those who have made the history of the town and township, and are to-day thus engaged, to be quite interesting, and fully as good history as we can give. We will therefore speak briefly of some of the old settlers and prominent persons of the township:

Thomas B. Clmlfont, a prominent farmer on sec. 31; P. O., South Bend; is the son of Evan and Anna (Bulla) Chalfant, and was born in AVayne county, Ind., Feb. IS. lt*20, and is of English- Irish-Welsh Dutch descent. He came to this county with his parents Nov. 1, 1S32, and settled on the farm on which he still resides; here his father and mother both died, the former, who was a native of Pennsylvania, in 1870, the latter, a native of North Carolina, in lS-19. In 1848 Mr. C. was united in marriage to Jane Melling, a native of Ohio, boru in 1825 and died in 1861 ; she was the mother of i children, of whom 2 are now living: Nancy J. and Evan P. Mr. C. was married the second time in 1864, to Eleanor C. Alford, a native of Indiana, who was born in 1841 ; from this union they have been blessed with 2 children: Anna L. and Mary L. Mr. C. has held the office of Tp. Trustee; he is a member of the Grange, of whicli organization he is Treasurer. Politically, he is a Republican . i^His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Iiistokt Of St. Joseph County. 6Y9

His education was limited, but be reads a great deal now, and takes nine or ten papers. He owns 2:^6 acres of land, 175 of wbicb are under cultivation; be values it at §75 per acre. Mr. C. is a successful fanner, and an industrious man.

J. H. Chirhiirt, a farmer on sec. 30; P. O., Notre Dame ; son of Apollinaris and Mary (Meyer) Cbirbart, was born in Oiiio in 1S36, and is of German descent. He came to tbis county in 1845, with his mother, and first located in Harris tp., where they lived till 1865. During that year he was married to Mary M. Palley, a native of Connecticut, who was born in ISS-t; they have the 6 following named children: Mary M., Alfred M., Edward S., Cecelia J., Anna C. and Joseph. Mr. C. and wife ai'e members of the Catholic Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. He owns 276 acres of laud, worth about $80 per acre.

Peter Gripe, the subject of tbis sketch, is a very old settler and farmer in sec. 26; P. O., South Bend. He is the son of John and Eva (Roof) Cripe, both of whom are now deceased, and were natives of Pennsylvania; and was born in Ohio in 1824, of German descent. He was brought by his ])arents to this county in the fall of 1830, and they first located in German tp., where they died and are buried. Peter, the subject of this sketch, came to this tp. in 1S52, and was married in 1855 to Philistia A. Skiles, a native of Indiana, who was born in 1836: she is now the mother of 9 children, all of whom are living: Jane, the wife of Aaron Uler^', a farmer of Clay tp. ; Fannie, the wife of John Wrightsman, a minister and teaclier of the same tp. ; John, Edward, David, Jacob, Eveline, Elsie and Mary. Politically, Mr. C. is a Eepublican. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church. Mr. C's education, in early life, was limited to subscription schools, in log houses. He owns 137 acres of land on sec. 26, which he values at about $80 per acre. He has been a hard-working, industrious man all his life, and is a higbl}' respected citizen of his community.

Jacob Eaton, a farmer on sec. 13; P. 0., South Bend; is a son of Isaac and Margaret (Metzger) Eaton, both of whom died in this tp., - the former Dee. 25, 1860, at the age of 94 years, and the late ter, April 23, 1863, at the age of 81 years; his father was a native of Virginia, and bis mother of Maryland. Mr. E. was born in Mai-yland, May 1, 1819. His parents came to this county in September, 1831. and first settled in this tp., afterward entering land on sec. 17, where tbey resided for a number of years. He was married in 1846 to Elizabeth Barnes, a native of Maryland, born Oct. 27, 1820; she is the mother of 7 children, of whom 6 are now living: Emma F., Clarissa M., the wife of Charles Jennings, a farmer of tbis tp.; Edwin D., Joanna W., Norman E. and Mark B. Mr. E. is a Democrat; he held the oflice of Tp. Trustee for 17 years. His education, when young, was limited, attending subscription schools, in log hoi;ses. He owns 225 acres of land, worth §50 per acre, all of which be has earned by hard work and judicious management. He is the oldest permanent living settler in the tp. at present; he fished and swam in the lakes of this tp. with ex-Judge

Theohold OiiU, son of Theobold and Barbara Gnli, was born in France in 1821 and came to this country about 1831. He was married in 1847 to Mary Chokar, a native of Germany, wlio died in 1853, leaving 4 children. He was married the second time in 1855 to Terace (Theresa) Emily, a native of Germany, who is now the mother of 4 children, all of whom are living: Edmond, Michael, Lora and William. Mr. G. and wife are members of the Catholic Church. He owns on sec. 20, 250 acres of land, worth about $70 per acre, and 100 acres of land in Penn tp. He is an industrious man and respectable citizen.

Samuel Jennings, a farmer on sec. 30; P. O., South Bend; is a son of Samuel and Matilda (BargdoU) Jennings, and was born in this tp. in 1845; hs is of English-German descent. His father, who died in 1S74-, was a native of New York; his mother, a native of Virginia, died in 1864. Mr. J. was married in 1870 to Mary Milton, a native of Missouri, born in 1856; she is the motiier of 3 children : Lillian M., Harry S. and Asher M. He owns on sec. 30, 80 acres of land, worth about $60 per acre. His wife is a member of the Catholic Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. His educational advantages were good, attended college at Notre Dame for several years. Mr. J. is now Assessor of the tp. In 1S63 he enlisted in the army at South Bend, as a private, under the command of Capt. W. W. Andrews, in the 21st Indiana Battery; he was in the service until the close of the war, when he was discharged, June 27, 18G5.

JohnG. Kotz, a farmer on sec. 29;^ P. O., South Bend; Mr. K. is a son of Jacob and Anna (App") Kotz, both now deceased, and was born in Germany in 1822. He came to this country Aug. 11, 1840, and first settled in Ohio, where lie lived about five years, and in the spring ot 1846 came to this county; he became a resident of Clay tp. in 1847. In 1844 he was married to Christina Blind, a native of Germany, who was born in 1823; from this marriage they have 10 children, all of whom are living. Jacob, a wagon-maker in South Bend; George, a blacksmith in the same place; William, a farmer in this tp. ; Daniel, an artist in Chicago; the following are still at home: John, Charles, David, Mary, Elizabeth and Matilda. Mr. K. and his wffe are devoted members of the Evangelical Church. Politically, he is a Bepublican. His educational advantages in Germany were good; he now reads fluently both the English and the German languages. He owns 160 acres of land, on sec. 29, worth about $75 per acre. Mr. K. is an enterprising, successful farmer. He built a large, two-story frame house in 1879, at a cost of $1,500.

Win. McComhs, son of Lambert and Hannah (Hague) McCorabs, was born in Wayne county, O., in 1818 and is of Irish-English descent. His father died in 1849, and his mother is now living in California, 92 years of age; they were natives of Pennsylvania and came to this county July 5, 1829. They first settled in German tp., where they lived for a short time and then came to this tp. In 1839 Mr. McCombs was married to Eva Cripe, a native of Ohio, born jSov. 2, 1S16; she is the mother of 9 children, of whom all are livinaj: Betsy, John, Lambert, Maria, Samuel, Ellen, Hannah, Amanda and William. His wife is a member of the Dunkard Church. Politically he is a Democrat. He owns 2-47 acres of land, whicli he values at $00 per acre. Mr. McCombs was a very early settler of this tp., and is an honest, industrious man.

Thomas J. Sossomen, son of David and Elizabeth (Savidge) Sossomen, was born in this county in ISiti, and is of Dutch descent. His parents, now living in Mishawaka, are natives of Pennsylvania, and came to this county about 1S40. In 1874 Mr. S. was married to Salinda Shearer, a native of Indiana, and is now the mother of 2 children, Ilarvey and Harlow. He and his wife are members of the Dunkard Church. Politically, he is a Eepublican.

George H. Stover, School Trustee and farmer on sec. 28; P. O., Soutii Bend; was born in Virginia in 1839, and is of German descent. His fatiier, Jacob, a native of Virginia, was born in 1807, and is now living with him; his mother, also a native of Virginia, whose maiden name was Sarah Nofsinger, died in 1871. Mr. S. came with his parents to this county in 1850 and settled in this tp., where he has lived ever since, and where his mother died. He was united in marriage in 1862 to Sophia Meyers, a native ot Indiana, who was born in 1837, and thej' have 2 children, both living, William C. and Ella V. Mr. S. is a member of tlie Masonic lodge at South Bend, No. -45. Politically, he is a Democrat. His educational advantages were fair; he taught several terms of school and attended college at Franklin, Ind. He owns 40 acres of land, which he considers worth about $7.5 per acre. Mr. S. is now School Trustee, and the high esteem in which he is held as a citizen of the tp. is manifested by the fact that he has held every other office in the tp. He is an industrious, enterprising man.

John B. Wrightsmiyn, a minister and teacher, located on sec. 26; P. O., South Bend; he is a son of Samuel and Mary (Redpath) Wrightsman, natives of Virginia, and was born in Pulaski county, Virginia, in 1853; he is of German descent. His father is living in Botetourt county, Virginia, and his mother died when he was only an infant. He came to this county in 1875, and first stopped in Soutli Bend, where he remained about two years, in the mean time, attei:ding high school at that place; he also attended college at Huntingdon, Penn. He afterward moved into Clay tp., where he was united in marriage in 1879 to Miss Fannie Cripe, a native of this tp., l)orn in 1850; slie is the mother of one cliild, John Earl Cripe. Politicall}', Mr. W. is a Republican; his educational advantages were poor, being compelled to depend upon his own resources for his education. He has been a minister of the gospel ever since he was 15 years old, having united with the Church at the age of 14. He is now pastor of the German Baptist Church in Clay tp., and is a zealous Christian and an upright -mmx.

There ie a peculiar, instinctive characteristic of man which seems to lead him, as it were unconsciously and imperceptibly, in the footsteps of progress and direct him to locate in that part of an unsettled country which is destined to become in the near future a country tlie most highly civilized, the most beautiful and fertile. It is probably to be attributed to this innate feature of finite man that German was among the earliest settled townships in St. Joseph county. Taken as a whole, there can surely be no more desirable locality in the county in which to live than German townshij). Here everything exists in abundance, and the country is richly embellished with all the beauties of nature; and, all in all, it seems to be one grand and lovely combination of nature and art in which the former largely predominates; for, civilize the country all yon may, im])rove it all you can, and then bring to bear upon it the inventions wrought out by all the skill and ingenuity of man; then compare its condition witli what it was in its early, pristine state, when tiie timbered land was inhabited by the red man, and the prairies were covered with tall and waving grass, interspersed here and there with wild flowers which sent forth their sweet perfume as a presentiment of the coming future, - yes, do all this, strain your imagination to conceive and comprehend all these, and you will find the two conditions almost incomparable, with the present one gradually fading away like the rays of the setting sun. But no commendatory prelude can do justice to the history of German township; plain facts must be presented.

Nov. 25, 1830, at a special session of the Board of Justices, the following order was passed: " Ordered by the Board aforesaid that from the second priiicipal meridian of the State until the center of range 2 east, shall form and constitute a township in said county, to be known by the name of German township; and that the sheriff is hereby ordered to give public notice to the citizens of said township, according to law, for the qualified voters to meet at the house of David Miller in said township, to elect one Justice of the Peace in and for said township, on the 18th day of December next."

On the appointed day the citizens of said township met at the house of David Miller, and at that meeting elected Lambert McCombs the first Justice of the Peace of German township.

"We have been unable to ascertain definitely why the name " German " was proposed for this township; but all supposition in regard to the subject is based upon the fact that at the time of the (683)

From the order passed by the Board of Justices it would be difficult for one to imagine the size of the township. Suffice it to say that it is quite small, being little more than half of a full township. It is township 33 north, range 2 east; is bounded on the north by the 8tate of Michigan, on the east by the St. Joseph river (and beyond it lies Clay township), on the south by Portage, and on the west by Warren township. About one-third of the northern tier of sections of this township lies in Michigan, and on the east the line is quite irregular, owing to the indentations made by the St. Joseph river which marks the eastern boundary.

In noticing early settlements the greatest care must necessarily be exercised, for it is of the greatest difficulty to avoid all mistakes. Upon a few of the pioneer settlers of this township, who have long survived their contemporaries, we are dependent for the authenticity of this part of the history. Their statements differ; hence we kindly ask all those interested to overlook all unavoidable errors. Judging from the best authorities, Lambert McCombs, John Hague and William Brookfield were the earliest permanent settlers of the township; the former two came from Wayne county, Ohio, and settled in this township as early as 1829 or '30; the latter, who was at that time the surveyor of all the Government land throughout this community, chose a situation in the township about 1829, bought land on sections 3i and 35, and laid out a town, mention of which will be made hereafter.

:,; About 1831 Brooktield's family went down the Kankakee river in a boat, and probably went to Texas. John Hague and wife died in Warren township, this county, and are probably buried in German township. Lambert McCombs went to Oregoii and died there. Such has been the fate of the three pioneer settlers of German township.

In 1830 a great many made German township their home, of whom the following are a few: John Smith, who settled on section 32; David Miller, also on section 32; Christian Holler, on section 7; Joshua and Benjamin Hard man, who came either in 1830 or in 1831. However, as much as two decades prior to the earliest settlement of the township, in the year 1810, a man passed through the territory, not then known as German township, coming from Detroit, Mich., who declared at that time that if ever this country was settled by white men he would lie one of them; sure enough, in comparatively a short time the country, once wild and uncultivated, was settled by white men, and the Indians were thereafter soon removed; and true to his firm resolve, that man did come in 1831, and settle on section 27, where he remained two years and then went to La Porte county, and finally died in Wills township; that man was John Cissne,' father of Robert G. Cissne, now a very old settler of the township, and to whom we are indebted for a great deal of its early history.

During the same year came Aarou Miller, brother of David, before mentioned, and settled on section 23; in the same year came also J. D. Miller, son of Aaron Miller; Samuel Witter, who settled on section 16, and Samuel Good, on section 28; in the year 1832 came Jesse K. Platts, who settled on section 21, John Witter on section 20, Daniel Wagner on section 16, Jacob and Samuel Ritter. In 1833 came Jacob Miller, a nephew of Aaron Miller, who settled on section IS. Simultaneous with him, and even before, came numbers of others whose names it is not easy to obtain ; suffice it to say> that from this date onward the township settled very rapidly, and a country soon began to don the robes of improvement, civilization and progress. Of the old settlers not yet mentioned, the following may be named as having come prior to the year 1836: Jesse Frame, Prosper Nichols, James Nixon, Jacob Ritter, John and James Huston, Henry Denslow, James Good, David Hoover, Michael Smith, William Roe, Charles Roe, John Martindale, Eli Roe, Henry Brown, James R. McGee, Christian Smith, Mr. Overacker, Scott West and John Cripe. Henceforward the township became rapidly settled by an honest, intelligent, industrious class of people who loved the " sons of toil," and who, like them, earned their daily pittance by the "sweat of their face," and many of whose posterity still survive, well-situated citizens, reaping the reward of their ancestors.

It is altogether probable that Henry Smith, son of John and Nancy (Miller) Smith, was the first white child born in the township and, indeed, even in the county; he was born Sept. 15, 1829, and is now a farmer in the township on sec. 16; P. O., South Bend. The first marriage in the township was probably that of John Harris and LavinaEiler; they were married, however, in Michigan, but were residents of this township. The first frame house in the township was built by Christian Holler, and is now standing on section 7, on the farm now owned by Jacob M. Whitraer. John Hague is said to have plowed the first furrow in the township.

In the winter of 1832, quite a remarkable little episode occurred, which for a time greatly frightened the few scattering inhabitants of German township: Jacob M. Whitmer, now a resident on section 7, then only a little child three and one half years old, went out one morning in pursuit of his father and accidently became lost. Search for him was immediately instituted by his parents and the neighbors; but all seemed in vain, and for three long days and two nights the lost child still wandered, enduring the bleak winds of winter. His sorrowful parents and 200 anxious friends who were in search of him, had given him up as lost forever and supposed him to have been captured by the Indians. But about this time, when despondency and gloom had settled upon many anxious hearts of that community, Judge McCartney, now deceased, continued the search on horseback, when lo! by him the child was found and returned to its anxious, awaiting parents; and where before had been the shadow of gloom and sorrow, was now the sunshine of gladness.

Some time prior to 1836 a grist-mill was built on tlie St. Joseph river, on section 27, by Shank & Downs, two inilhvri^hts; the mill was owned and controlled by William McCartney, who ran it for a while, doing a good business; but the mill did not long stand, on account of difficulty in securing water-power.

A verj' sad accident happened a short time prior to 1844. Jesse K. Platts, who has been already mentioned as a very early settler of the township, was killed by runaway' horses. TJpon a certain appointed day all his children ^were coming home to have a re-union; the day previous Mr. Platts went out into the timber to get some wood; his horses becoming frightened ran away. His cries of anguish were heard by Mr. Good's family, residing near by, who started immediately for his rescue, but only to find the man dead. No one was able to ascertain definitely how he met his sad fate, but they supposed him to have been killed by being crushed between the sled and a log. Ihe following day all his children did come, hut oh, what a spectacle met their view! oh, what a change! for in lieu of a happy re-union of parents and children there was a sad and sorrowful funeral of a man bemoaned by weeping children and hosts of sympathizing friends.

Villages And Business Interests

There is very little witliin tlie limits of German township which adds in any way to its business interests. By a careful examination of statistical records and the removal of the dust from the pages of history of the days of by-gone years, it is found that there were at one time iu German townsliip three places which deserved the name of a town. An elaborate history of these towns it is impossible to give, as nothing can be obtained from the records, and very little from the old settlers now living.

Aug. 19, 1836, the town of Mount Pleasant was laid out, on what is called the Michigan road, on sections 31 and 32. At this place, during the same year, the first and only postofiice that ever existed in the township was established, with Levi Wills as postmaster. There was once a dry-goods and grocery store kept by a man named Mar; there was also in the place at one time another small store; also two blacksmith shops, the first one of which was run by Joseph Barker. At one time in the history of the town John Tipton opened a boot and shoe store; and two hotels, the proprietors of which were Christopher Lentz and James It. McGee, once graced the little country village. But all these were of short duration, for the town was soon after vacated, and to-day not even a trace of its ruins remain to mark its former existence

July 12, 1834, the town of Portage was laid out along the St. Joseph river on section 26. This place never became noted as a town. At one time in its history there were two stores in the place, one of which was run by Elisha Egbert; and there was also once a tavern in the place. - an institution very common in those days.

And still another place is yet to be mentioned; thongh last and least in size, it is by no means least in repntation; tliis place was St. Joseph, at one time the county-seat. In May, 1830, the Board of Justices located the cou.ityseat of St. Joseph county at this place. Sept. l-i, 1830, the town was laid out on the St. Joseph river, about two and a half or three miles northwest of South Bend, either on section 27, or on sections 34- and 35. The land on which the town was located was then owned by William Brookfield, the Government surveyor. Nov. 25, 1830, an order was passed by the Board aforesaid for "William Brooktield to sell lots in the town of St. Joseph; and one would naturally suppose, upon reading that order, that sales of real estate would be rife for a season; but how different must have been their expectations when not a single house was ever erected in the place. And at the meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, on the second Monday of May, 1S31, an order was passed to have the county-seat re-located, the County Commissioners testifying that they were "of the opinion that public interest requires a removal of said seat of justice;" and after careful examination and due deliberation, the place selected was South Bend, then a mere village, now a prosperous city.

" A petition had been circulated among the settlers, and over 125 names were secured in favor of South Bend. The friends were verj' active and finally triumphed. Bonds were given by L. M. Taylor, Alexis Coquillard, Joseph Rohrer, Samuel Studebaker, Samuel Hanna and David II. Coldrick, in which they obligated themselves to pay the sum of $3,000, if tlie county-seat be permanently located at South Bend. Fifteen lots were donated by Taylor and Coquillard for the use of the county, and lots No. 341, on said town plat, for the use of the United Brethren to build a church tliereon, and lot No. -103 to the German Baptist denomination, and lot No. 234 for the Presbyterians, and four acres of land for a public graveyard."

These liberal offers carried the day, and South Bend became the capital of St. Joseph county permanently, and the town of St. Joseph was vacated, to be remembered only as a thing of the past, bearing the lamentable motto, " It might have been." To-day nothing remains to mark the former existence of any of these towns.

There is a steam saw-mill in the northwestern part of this township, on section 18. There are two dairies in the township: one on section 34, run by John Beyrer, established in 1S79. Mr. B. keeps IS cows, runs one wagon, and sells milk at South Bend; this is known as the " Portage " dairy. The otlicr one is on section 26, on the St. Joseph river, and is conducted by Francis Johnson. He keeps 75 cows, sells milk at South Bend, and runs two wagons, making two trips daily each way; this is known as the " Kiverside " dairy. Boih are doing a good business.

one; this is a small branch of the river which cuts off a very small portion of the southeastern part of the township. But the surface throughout is beautifully diversilied, and the tilled land responds richly and bountifully to tlie labor of the industrious husbandman. There is just timber enough in the township adequately to supply the wants of the inhabitants and make it one of the best townships in the county. Along its eastern line flows gently and ever onward the beautiful little St. Joseph river, which drains the St. Joseph valley and washes the shore on the eastern boundary of German township.

Schools And Chukches

As regards the first school taught in the township, there are some conflicting statements. Some say it was held in an old log house on section 27, and was taught by Dwight Dennings; others say it was on section 21, in the house of John Martindale, who was the teacher in the winter of 1831. The first school-house in the township was a log structure, erected on section 19 by the people of the immediate neighborhood; this was about 1S32, and Judge Farren was probably the first teacher in this house. But the ' days of small things " in the direction of log houses in (lerman township have long since passed away, and to-day they have five good, substantial buildings, conveniently located throughout the township, where the children of the citizens are afforded eight months' school annually. The present school trustee is W. H. H. Ritter, also a farmer on section 29.

The first minsters of the township were Aaron and David Miller, who settled here very early and were members of the German Baptist Church. John Martindale, a Christian minister, and Robert Martindale, his brother, a Baptist minister, were early settlers and preachers of the gospel. Here in this small township, in its early history, these four good men preached the gospel in school-houses and in private houses where their hearers were wont to go and worship God " according to the dictates of their own conscience."

The first church built in the township was the German Baptist, which is a brick building, situated on section 18, and was built in 1851. The first pastor was Elder David Miller, who had organized the congregation about the year 18.31. The following are a few of the charter members: David Miller and wife, Benjamin Ilardman and wife, Cliristian Holler and wife, John Ritter and wife, Samuel Jones and wife, Joshua Hardman and wife and Samuel McMullen and wife. The present pastor is James H. Miller, who holds regular services in the church every two weeks. At present the congregation numbers about 100.

Baptist Church. - There was a man by the name of Zigler, a Methodist, who built the church about 1854. The building was put up hy the Methodists, but there being some incumbrance upon it the Baptists took it oflT their hands and now control it. The

Baptist congregation in this townsliip is quite small, and is only a part of tlie general congregation at South Bend. J. G. Keltner is now trustee of the Church. There is a Sunday-school in the church, of which Mrs. Caldwell and Mr. Sweet are Superintendents. Kev. Mr. Egbert, of South Bend, is the regular pastor and holds services there every two weeks. Elder Campbell was probably the lirst Baptist minister who ever held regular meetings in the church.

UniveraaliM Church. - An elaborate and complete history of the Universalist Church it is impossible to give, on account of the of records; suffice it to say that it is located on section 32. The lirst pastor of the Church was Rev. Jacob Maryfield, from Mishawaka. The Church proper was organized about 1858. At present they have no regular pastor and no regular services.

Politically, German' township is Republican. J. G. Keltner was appointed census enumerator for the year 1880, and the population of the township was 579. The present justice of the peace is Mr. Wallace, but he has never qualitied, as the business to be transacted does not justify it. The present assessor of the township is William Dietrich, and the office of school trustee, the highest in the township, is held by AV. H. H. Ritter.

Although the farming land of German township, most of which is included under the name of Portage Prairie, in the shape of a horse shoe, is most salubrious, yet the cold and icy hand of death, the common leveler of time, the reprover of all humanity, has left its trace, and three graveyards, with tombstones and slabs of marble pointing upward to heaven, which mark the final resting place of many of the pioneer settlers, are found in the township. One, known as Portage Cemetery, is on section 18; in it lie buried the following of the early settlers of the township : Jacob Miller and J. D. Miller and wife. TheWitter Cemetery, on section 22, was named after W. "Witter, already' mentioned as an old settler, who donated the ground. The last remains of four old settlers, Samuel Witter and Aaron Miller, Daniel Wagner and wife, lie buried in it. Mount Pleasant Cemetery is located on section 32, near the Universalist church and near where the town bearing the same name was once laid out. Within its limits lie the last remains of the following pioneers of German township: David Miller and wife, John Smith and wife, John Witter and wife. The above named are only a few, many more sleep here too, but the final resting place of many is unmarked by man; yet somewhere they sleep, and let them sleep on; for disturb them, we cannot; but cherish their memory forever we will.

Biographical Sketches

Godfrey Bestle, a farmer on sec. 16; P. O., South Bend; is the son of David and Elizabeth (Slagel)Bestle, and was born in Germany in 1S26; coming to this country in 1852, he first settled in Michigan, near the Indiana State line, where he lived until 1864, when he came to this tp. He was married in 1855 to Dora Beyrer, a native of Germany, born in 1835; they have 9 children, all living: Mary, John, AVilliam, David, Henry, Charles, Emma, Adolphus and Frederick. Mr. B. and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church. His school advantages in Germany where he received his education, were good; he now reads both German and English. He owns in this tp. 140 acres of land and 115 acres in Michigan. Mr. B. has been a hard-working, industrious man all his life.

Thomas Calvert, farmer, sec. 27; P. O., South Bend; is the sou of Isaac and Isabella (Bird) Calvert, and was born in England in 1815; was brought by his parents to America when only four years old; his father lirst settled in Pennsylvania, where they remained till 1834, when they came to this county. He was married in this county to Sarah Curry, a native of Ohio. They have 4 children living: Isaac, Daniel, Mary J. and Sarah E. Mr. C.'s educational advantages were limited. Politically, he is a Democrat. He owns here 183 acres of good land worth about $100 per acre. He had no start in life, and has succeeded remarkably well.

Eli Chamherlaia, a farmer on sec. 19, was born in Ohio in 1832; his parents were William and Julia A. (Rush) Chamberlain; came to this county Aug. 0, 1848. His educational advantages in youth were quite limited. He is a Democrat, owns 183 acres of land on sec. 19, which he values at $85 per acre, and is a man who is faithful to the demands of industry and frugality.

Robert G. Cissrte, a very old settler and prominent man, is a farmer on sec. 32; P. O., South Bend; is the son of John and Jane (Glass) Cissne, both of whom died in La Porte county; the former was a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of New Jersey; he was born Oct. 23, 1811, and is of French descent on his father's side and Welsh-Irish on his mother's side. He came to this county with his parents in 1831, and located in this tp. Here they stopped two years and then movedto La Porte county, where they remained until 1839, when they returned to this tp. In 1836 Mr. C. was married to Anna Miller, a native of Ohio, born in 1817; they have had 11 children, of whom 8 are now living: Sarah J., Mary, Adelia, John, Joseph, Oliver, Orrilla and George. Mr. C. has held the office of Justice of the Peace and Constable in this tp. ; he is a Eepublican. He and his estimable wife are devoted members of the German Baptist Church. His educational advantages were somewhat inferior to those of to-day, being compelled to attend subscription schools in log houses with paper for windows. He owns 160 acres of land, which he values at $S5 per acre. He is an industrious man, trying now to take life easy; and the greatest of all, he has enjoyed Nature's best blessing, good health, not having been sick over half a day at a time since he was 16 years old.

Wm. B. Dleirich,, a farmer, on sec. 28; P. O., South Bend; was born in Pennsylvania in 1838, and is of Dutch descent. His parents, Gideon and Boutch (Royel) Dietrich, were natives of Pennsylvania. He came to this State in 1867 and settled in this county. He was married in 1859 to Amelia Meyers, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1837, and is now the mother of 6 children, 3 of whom are living: Edward C, Katie and Charles W. He owns 170 acres of well-improved land, worth $80 per acre. He has held the office of Assessor in this tp. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church. Politically, he is a Republican. Mr. D. has been a laboring, industrious man all his life.

Chas.B. Farnam is a successful farmer on sec. 31; P. 0., South Bend; is the son of Lyman and Ruth (Dean) Farnam, and was born in New York in 1836, of Welsh descent. His father died in 1840, and his mother is living with her son, the subject of this sketch. Mr. F. came to this county in 185i, with an older brother. In 1805 he was married to Miss Sarah Cissne, who is now 42 years old, a native of this tp. and the mother of 6 children; of these -4 are living: Anna, Mary, Fred and Lyman. Mr. B. lias been a resident of this township about 10 years, and has held the office of Assessor. Politically, he is a Republican. Having been left upon his own resources at an early age, his education was necessarily somewliat neglected. He owns, on sec. 31, 74 acres of land, worth about $100 per acre. He has worked hard all his life and has been a careful manager, a liberal and successful farmer.

John GilUs, a farmer on sec. 22, was born in Ohio in 1822, and is of Dutch-L-ish descent; his parents were Arthur and Elizabeth Gillis, now both deceased, who were natives of Virginia. Coining to this county in 1865, he settled in this tp. He was married in 1843 to Margaret Pool, a native of O., who was born in 1S20, and is the mother of 8 children; 7 of these are living: George A., Martha, Robert, Lewis, John, Manda and Ella. Mr. G. and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. He owns 150 acres of land in this tp., worth about $60 per acre. He had no start in life, and has earned all he has by honest diligence.

John Huston, a farmer on sec. 15; P. O., South Bend. Mr. H. is the son of Jacob and Catharine (Kingery) Huston, and was born in Indiana, Feb. 7, 1814, of Dutch-English descent; came to this county with his parents in 1833; was married in 1835 to Rhoda Johnson, a native of Ohio, who died at the age of 27 years; she was the mother of 10 children, of whom 6 are now living: Harriet, Harrison, Susanna, Caroline, Sarah and Abram. He was married the second time in 1863, to Harriet Johnson, a sister to his former

History Of St. Joseph Oountt, 691

she is the mother of 7 children, of whom only one is now livino;, Luke. Mr. II. is a member of the Duiikard Church, and his wife is a Methodist. He is a Republican. His education at an earl}' age was neeflected. He owns SS acres of land, all of which is under cnltivation, e.xcept IS acres of timber. The only start in life which Mr. H. had when he began for himself was $50 in money and a yoke of cattle which his father gave him.

A?nos JV. I rv! II, a, i'ixrmer on sec. 16; P. O., South Bend; was born in Ohio in 1S31, the son of Amos and Minerva (Munger) Irvin, both of whom are now deceased. ]\[r. I. came to this county in 1855. In 1S5S he was united in marriage to Nancy Whitsle, a native of Indiana, born in 1841. Politically, Mr. I. is a Republican. His educational advantages were ordinary; reacfs a good deal now. He owns SitV acres of land, on sec. 15, nearly all of which is under cultivation, worth about $S0 per acre.

George Keller, farmer, sec. 20; P. O., South Bend; was born in Ohio, in 1841; is the son of Jacob and Rosina (Beyrer) Keller. He came to this county about 22 years ago; he was married in 1808 to RicaE. Currly, who is the mother of 4 children: Clara, Fred, Hettie and Dora. He owns here 330 acres of good land, worth about $75 per acre. Politically, he is a Democrat; wife is a member of the Methodist Church.

Jacoh Keller, brother of the preceding, is a farmer ou sec. 20; was born in Ohio in 1835, and came to this connty in 1856. He was married in 1872 to Mary Snyder, a native of Pennsylvania, who is now the mother of 3 children: Daniel, Frank and Fiola. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. K. is a Democrat. He owns 180 acres of land, which he values at $75 per acre, and all of which is under cultivation except 20 acres of timber.

J. G. KoUar, a farmer; P. O., South Bend; was born in Ohio in 1S24; is the son of Adam and Hester (Snihart) KoUar, both now deceased. He came to this county in 1852. In 1851 he was married to Elizabeth R. Leach, who is now the mother of 7 children, all living: Melissa, Adam, Charles, William, Harvey, Clara and Laura. Mr. K. and wife are members of the Dunkard Church. He owns 220 acres of land, which he values at $100 per acre, all of which is under cultivation except 10 acres ol timber.

James R. Miller, a farmer on sec. 27; P. O., South Bend; is the son of Jacob and Sarah (Backus) Miller, and was born in this tp. in 1834, of German descent. His father, a native of Ohio, died in 1871; his mother, who is a native of Massachusetts, is now living in this tp. They came to this tp. in May, 1833. In 1854 James, the subject of this sketch, was married to Amanda E. Ritter, also a native of this tp., who was born in 1837. She is the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Ritter, and is the mother of 5 children, of whom 4 are living: Flora E., the wife of Jno. Beyrer, a resident of this tp.; Dora B., Homer J. and Byron B. Mr. Miller and wife are members of the Universalist Church. Politically, he is a Republican. His educational advantages were somewhat inferior to those of modern times, being limited to a few months during the winter. He owns here 157 acres of excellent farming land, as good a farm as there is in the county, which he values at $125 per acre. His land is well improved, having a beautiful residence which he bnilt in 1870 at a cost of $4,000, situated but a short distance from St. Joseph river. The latter is a most beautiful little stream, carrying onward its bright, pure, sparkling water.

Madison Miller is the son of James H. and Mary (Huston) Miller, both of whom are now living in this tp., and was born in this tp. in 1847; he has been a resident here all his life. In 1868 be was married to Miss Addie Broadhurst, a native of Michigan, who is now 29 years old and the mother of one child, Edith. Mr. M. owns on sec. 18, 100 acres of land, all under an excellent state of cultivation, worth about $100 per acre. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Politically, he is a Eepublican. His educational advantages were fair; he has been a hard-working, successful farmer all his life.

Elwood Peak, a gardener on sec. 34; P. O., South Bend; is the son of Samuel and Margaret (Cox) Peak, both of whom are now living in New .Tcrsey, and was born in New York in 1820; he is of Scotch-English descent. lie came to this county in 1852. Married the first time Adaline King, a native of New Jersey, who died in 1865; during the same year he was married the second time to Sarah J. Crane, a native of Ohio, who is now 44 years old. Politically, Mr. P. is a Republican. He owns, on sec. 34, 20 acres of land, worth about $100 per acre. He has been industrious all his life; was formerly a carpenter. He is now a gardener, raising all kinds of fruit and vegetables.

Oeorge Rinehart, a farmer on sec. 10; P. O., South Bend; is the son of George and Julia A. Rinehart, and was born in Ohio in 1818. He came to this county about 21 years ago. He was married to Sarah A. Ruth, who died in 1877. He owns 135 acres of good land, some being timber, which is worth about $60 per acre. Mr. R. is a member of the Baptist Church; his wife was also a member of the same. Politically, he is a Democrat. His early education was limited, but he reads considerable now.

John P. Bitter, farmer, sec. 31; P. O., South Bend; was born in this tp. in 1833, and is of German descent. He is the son ot Michael and Rachel (Parsons) Ritter, both of whom are now living in Greene county. Mo.; his father is a native of Ohio, and mother of New Jersey.' They came to this tp. in 1831. In 1861 Mr. R. was married to Roxana (Depevv) Sweet, a native of New York, born in 1834 and died April 3, 1S75; she was the mother of one child, Clara J. Sweet. He was married the second time in 1877, to Mabel Brown, a native of Ohio, born in 1855; she is a Methodist. Politically, Mr. R. is a Republican. His education was limited to about three months' winter school annually. He owns olJ^ acres of land in this tp., and 70 acres in Portage, worth about $100 per acre.

JV. E. E. Bitter, School Trustee, and fanner on sec. 20; P. O., South Bend. Mr. Eitter was born in this tp. in IS-tO, and is of German descent; he is the seventh in a ftimily of 1-i children, of whom 10 are now living. Their parents are Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Ritter. The)' came to this tp. at a very early day. Here they made their home until 14 years ago, when they retired from farming and removed to South Bend, where his mother died shortly after their location there. In 1S65 Mr. R. was united in marriage to Helen M. Suenplion, a native of Indiana, born in 1814; she is now the mother of 2 children : Gertrude and Bessie. Mr. R. is now living on his father's place, but owns 100 acres in Portage tp., which he values at about $60 per acre. He is a Republican, a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, and he and wife are members of the Universalist Church. In 1S62 he enlisted in the army at Soutli Bend, under the command of W. W. Andrews, of La Porte. He enlisted as a volunteer in the 21st Battery of Indiana, and was in the service until 1865, when he was discharged. He engaged in the battles of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, ]S"ashvi!le and several others.

W. S. Robertson, son of James W. and Mary A. Cord, was born in this county in 1850, and is of Scotch descent. His father, who is now living in South Bend, is a native of Ohio; his mother, who died in 1858, was a native of Indiana. In 1876 Mr. R. was united in marriage to Josephine Sweet, a native of ISfew York, and is now 25 years old. He owns 100 acres of good land, worth about $100 per acre,

Eenry Smith, a farmer on sec. 16; P. 0., South Bend; was born in this tp. Sept. 15, 1829, and is said to be the first white child born in the county. He is a son of John and Nancy (Miller) Smith, both of whom are now deceased; they were natives of Pennsylvania and were of Dutch descent. Mr. S. was married in 1855 to Mary J. Roof, a native of Pennsj'lvania, who died in 1877 leaving 5 living children to mourn herloss; Alice and Awilda (twins), Clara, James W. and Anna. His wife was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and all her children are also members of the same. Politically, Mr. S. is a Republican. His early educational advantages were quite limited. He owns 120 acres of good land on sec. IG, which he values at about $80 per acre. He had no start in life, but has earned all he now ]3ossesses by hard work and careful and industrious management. Since he was 20 years of age, he has crossed the Western plains five times.

Jonathan Smith was born in Ohio in 1817, and is of Dutch descent; he is the 6th in a family of 14- children, whose parents were John and Nancy (Miller) Smith. Mr. S. came with his father's family to this county in 1833; his father had come the year previous and put in a crop. He was married in 1838 to Susan J. Runion, a native of Virginia, who is now 61 years old and the mother of 9 children; 6 of these arc living: David, Mary, Henry, William, Harriet and Jane. He and his wife are members of the Dnnkard Church, and Mr. S. is a Democrat. He owns 410 acres

Oliver H. Smith, son of Abram and Marj' A. (^Hoover) Smith, now living in this tp., was born here in 1853. and is of Dutch descent. In 1871 he was married to Mary M. Williams, a native of Michigan, wlio is now 27 years old and the mother of 2 children: Frank and Bird. Mr. S. is a Republican. His education when young was limited. He is a hard-working, industrious man.

JuJiii F . Ulery, an old settler, a prominent and successful farmer on sec. 30; P. O., South Bend; was born in Germany in 1820. His parents, Adam and Mary M. (Wittig) Ulery, now both dead, were natives of Prussia. Mr. U. came to this country when quite young; his parents first settled in Pennsylvania, and after a few years moved into Ohio, where they died. He came to this county in 1851, and settled in this tp. In 1840 he was married to Mary D. Stinchcomb, a native of Ohio, who is now 58 years old and the mother of 12 children, and 10 of these are living: John C, George A., David T., William H., Josepii F., Schuyler C., Horace G., Mary, wife of Abram Miller, of ^licliigan; Martha, wife of J. A. Cissne, a farmer of this tp. ; Laura, wife of John Dunn, Superintendent of County Poor Farm. Mr. F. has been Tp. Trustee. He and his wife are members of tlie Methodist Church. His education when young was limited, but he has acquired a great deal since by reading and general observation. He has been an industrious man all his life, and a careful manager; he now owns 505 acres of excellent land, worth about $75 per acre. He had no start in life; at the time of his marriage, after paj'ing his expenses he iiad only $1.50. Politically, he is a prominent Greenbacker, and was one of the first in tlie county. He takes an active part in politics and manifests an interest in tlie Government.

John Wertz was born in Ohio in 1831; his parents are George and Catharine (Raff) AVertz. He came to this county in 1853 and settled in Centre tp.; he came to this tp. in 1872. In 1855 he was married to Belinda Kollar, a native of Ohio; she is the mother of 6 children, 5 boys and one girl. Politically, Mr. W. is a Republican; his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. His educational advantages were limited. He owns 80 acres of good land, worth about $(j5 per acre. He is an industrious man, upright and honest.

Jacob M. Whitmer, a farmer on sec. 1; P. 0., South Bend; is the son of Abram and Catharine (Bowman) Whitmer; was born Oct. 20, 1828, and is of German descent. His father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, died in 1873; his mother, who is a native of Ohio, is now living in this county. Mr. W. was brought to this county by his parents when only three years old; they first settled near South Bend, and came to this tp. about 22 years ago. He was mari-ied in 1857 to Miss Nancy Miller, a native of Indiana. They have had 4 children, of whom 2 are now living: Elmer J. and Martha E. Mr. W. and wife are earnest members of the German Baptist Church. His early education was somewhat limited, on accountofbein^ compelled to attend subscription schools in log houses. Mr. W. owns 193J acres of well improved, excellent farming land, nearly all of which is under cultivation; he values it at $125 per acre; he has worked hard all his life, having had very little start when he began life for himself. He and his excellent wife are highly respected citizens of their community, who live a life consistent with their Christian profession.

This township consists of various kinds of soil, the marsh, prairie, barrens, and the thick woodland soil. The eastern part is somewhat broken and hilly. The soil here is a sand and clay mixed, and is very productive for any of the cereals. In the southern part the surface is about the same as in the eastern. As the Kankakee river forms the western and northern boundaries of the tp., that part of it for about two miles of the margin is known as marsh land. It consists of a black loam or peat, which has been formed by the decaying of the rich and luxuriant vegetation of the marsh for ages in the past. The land, it is said, is becoming more dry and solid every year, and there is no doubt that in the future this almost worthless tract of land will become one of the richest in the county. At present it is worth nothing, but for the pasture, hay and iiuckleberries which it produces. South of this and in the central part of the township is Gumption's Prairie. This is a beautiful rolling prairie, several miles in extent, and around it is the land which is known as the barrens. The soil here appears to be a black sand, mixed with gravel. In this part of the township is located some of the best farms in the county, or, we might say without boasting, in the State.

Early Settlemknt

The first settler in this township was George Sumption, after the prairie took its name. He lived here for many years. The family have all left now, but some are still living in the county. Mr. Sumption came here in April, 1830, and settled on section 32. The second to come into the township was John Rupel, who came from Pennsylvania to Elkhart county in 1830, and while living there he bought his present farm in sections 30 and 31 of this township, at the land office, then located in Fort Wayne, paying $1.25 per acre. In March, 1831, Mr. Rupel l)rought his family and all his property to this point. There was no bouse on the place, but he soon procured some clapboards and constructed what he called a little shanty. Rude as it may have been, it served as a shelter from the spring storms, and made a home for him and his family. His property consisted of two yoke of oxen, four cows, some young cattle, one horse, a few hogs, a few chickens, two dogs and about $2 in money. This, together with a large and strong body, plenty of muscle, a firm and resolute will to conquer and put aside all obstacles, which he had acquired in the mountain air of Pennsylvania, was the capital he had. A week or two after he came, it began to snow, and continued for a week. The snow lay a week and was (690) about sixteen inches deep. The only food he had for his stock at this time was the timber that he cut for them to browse upon. At night the numerous wolves would venture up to tlie door. His two dogs would chase them off a little way, when they in turn would turn and chase the dogs. Thus many a night would be spent and nothing to be heard but the bowlings of the wolves and the barking of the dogs.

The same year that Mr. Rupel came (1831), Jolin Birt settled on section 31, AVilliam Antrim on section 14, Abraham Whitmer on section 36, George Holway on section 1, and Stacy Garwood on section 7.

In 1832 came Jacob Eupe, the father of Henry, Samuel, Martin, Daniel and Jacob, and settled on section Y, Jonathan Wharton and Mr. Barton on section 8, and George Baker on section 5. In 1833, Mr. E. Hammond settled on section 6, .John McCulIougii on section 6, George Fender on section 6, Samuel Pearson on section 8, and David Barrett on section 31. From this time on settlers came in fast. The country soon began to change for the better as the farms were improved.

We often judge of the cliaracter of the people of a city or country by its churches, schools and other public institutions. If we are allowed this rule to judge the people of Greene township, we can but speak highly of their moral and social character. In talking with the people we discover in every family an' inherent love for their church and schools; and but little wonder when we think that it was almost the first thought that came to the minds of their fathers, when they first began the settlement of the township, after they had erected their log shanty and put a crop into the ground for their future subsistence. The first Church organization was effected in 1832, by the Episcopal Methodists, under the superintendence of Rev. N. B. Griffith, of tiie Indiana conference. There M'ere 15 members of this first class, of whom Geo. Baker was appointed class leader; he served until 1838, and from tliat time to 1879 - over 40 years! - John Eudduck served as class-leader. The society held their meetings in a log school-house and in cabins until 1841. when a church building was dedicated by the presiding elder of South Bend district. That building served until 15 years ago, when the present one was erected. Ycry few are now living who remember the labors of Eevs. James Armstrong, R. T. Eobinson, G. ]\r. Beswick, Eichard Ilargrave, Warren Griffith and several others. For the last 30 years the preachers have been : Elias Cook, 1852-'3; Mr. Moore and E. Cook, I853-'4; J. S. Donelsou, 1854-'6; Hiram Bali, 185tj-'7; Thomas Hackney, 1857-'8; Albion Fellows, 18o8-'9; P. H. Bradley, 1859-'60; John Mahon, 1860-'l; George Guion, 1861-'2; A. Byers, 1862-'3; A. Hayes, 1863-'4; Jesse Hill lS64-'5; J. H. Clypool. lS6o-'7; John E. Newhouse, 1867-'9; E

In 18G5 the society felt the need of a new church building. By the urgent solicitation of their presiding elder, S. G. Cooper, a subscription was taken up to the amount of §2,500, and they decided to build a church 36 by 55 feet, with a basement, tiie upper story for an audience room. The basement is in three departments, one for the Sabbath-school, one for a class room and the third for the minister's study. The church when finished cost about $4,000. Mr. Holway had the general euperintendeucy of the building, and the paying out of all money. The society at present is in a flourishing condition.

The second religious organization was effected by the Presbyterians in 1836, Rev. Alfred Bryant, of South Bend, being the minister. They had seven members, viz.: John McCullough, his wife and three daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Hammond. They met in an old school-house on the site now occupied by their church, on the farm of Mr. McCullough. Soon after they organized, Nathan Green and Mr. Hammond were made elders. Their church was built in 1838 or '39. Mr. Bryant, the minister, did a great deal of the carpenter work himself. " He would walk out from the Bend where he lived, and work on the building for a week at a time. The highest membership the church has ever attained has been about 65. It now has but about 12. Among the ministers who have officiated here were Revs. Tombley and Reeves. Mr. Brown here when the' war broke out, and left for a chaplaincy in the army.

The Baptist Church was first organized on the prairie in a schoolhouse about a mile from where their church now stands, on the 22d day of February, 1846, under Elders Samuel Miller and Peter Hummer, with 10 members. They were Peter and Sarah Hummer, Obadiah and Susan Reeves, William and Sarah White, AYilliam and Elizabeth Ogle, Mary Hildreth and Rhoda Crannise. Their elders have been Hummer, McDonald, Hasting, Hitchcock, Miller and Craft. Mr. Vaughn was ordained here in November, 1865. March 4, 1873, H. J. Finch was ordained minister of the Sumption's Prairie Church, J. P. Ash acting as moderator. April 24, 1852, three trustees were appointed to hold a meeting relative to building a church. They were P. Hummer, S. Huggard and C. Curtis. The church was completed in 1855. The society at one time numbered 60 members. It now has about 17.

On section 19, the Dunkards or the German Baptists built a church at an early day, which is generally known as the Oak Grove church. Mr. Whitmer was one of the first ministers.

The next Church organization in the township was the Adventist, under the Rev. James Ferris, about the year 1868. They built their church about the same time. It is a beautiful brick structure,

The next church built in the township was the Maple Grove Church. The society here was first organized a mile or two north and west of where the church stands af the Hummer school-house. After a course of years it grew small and the society was removed to Olive Branch, in Union township. In the spring of 1878 they built their church. It cost about $1,200, and for neatness, taste and design is excelled by none. The society is in a flourishing condition, and sustains a splendid Sunday-school. Tiie same minister ofiiciates at this society as at the M. E. Church on Sumption's Prairie.

These hardy pioneers, although in a new country and compelled to toil from morning till night for a subsistence, never thought of giving up their educational privileges. As early as 1833 or 1833, we find them joining together and erecting a school-house on the prai'ie, near where the Advent church now stands. These settlers met, bringing with them their axes and other implements needed for such work which they possessed, and with an ardor that meant business went to work building a house for school purposes. We can but look with admiration on the zeal which they displayed in this way when we consider that there was as yet no saw-mills in the country. Mr. Eupel says that those of them that had a spare board took it along. Thus we can easily imagine where the lumber came from to build the first school-house in Greene township. The floor was what is known as a puncheon floor, and the roof was of clapboards. About the time that this structure was done, the grass on the prairie being dry, as it was in the fall of the year, caught tire; as there were many chips and shavings lying around and under the building they also caught, and the new structure was soon in ashes.

But these men had met with too many misfortunes in a new country to be daunted at this. We soon see them erecting another at the crossing of the roads on tlie sitenowoccupied by the Presbyterian church. Here were held the first schools in the township. At this time there was no public money for a school fund. After they had built their school-house they had nothing but a subscription school for many years. Soon after this another building was erected in sec. 11, near where Mr. Knott resides. There are still many persons living in the township who well remember the wooden benches, puncheon floor, the creaking door with its wooden hinges, and string latch, and the board supported by pins that extended along the wall around the room. When they had a couple of books, a goose quill and a few sheets of paper, they thought that they were well equipped for school. Mrs. Hammond speaks of an old log house near where her sou Seth's barn now stands, which was

Ainong^ the pioneer teachers of the township were W. J. Holway, Matthias Rohn, Miss Green and Mr. Dwindle. At present, instead of log buildings we lind beautiful brick structures, with all the modern improvements, while the teachers are among the best in the State.

The first saw-mill in the township was on Potato creek, built by John Green, Jr. The first birth was Andrew Bird, June 24, 1832. The first death was that of Isaac Rudduck, Jan. 13, 1S33. He was the first buried in Sumption's Prairie grave-yard. The first couples married were John Rudduck and Elizabeth Rupe, and Abijah Sumption and Rachel Rupe.

Personal mention of the leading and representative citizens of the township, of those who made and are making its history, we regard as a most important feature of local history and therefore give the following sketches.

M. A. Aldric/t was born Julj' 9, 1834, in Sandusky count}', Ohio. His parents were David and Elizabeth (Bi.xler) Aldrich, the former of New York and the latter of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. They moved from New York about 1825, to Sandusky count}', Ohio, and iu 1854 they came from that place to this county, settling in Penn tp. The subject of this sketch was married Aug. 1, 1858, to Mary Antrim, daughter of William and Sarah Antrim, of this county. They have 4 children: Henry, Matthew, William and Mary. Mrs. Aldrich died in May, 1874. Mr. A. was again married in July, 1875, to Mar}' E. Garwood, daughter of Jonathan and Martha Garwood, who were among the first settlers in this county. Mrs. Garwood is still living. Her father was among the first settlers of Indiana. Mr. Aldrich is a member of the Baptist Church, has a farm well cultivated; P. 0. South Bend.

WiU'unn Bassett, sec. 9, is the son of Thomas and Nancy (Hicks) Bassett, of Lorain county, Ohio, formerly of New York, but natives of Massachusetts. Mr. Bassett's grandmother on his father's side was a descendant of Miles Standish, about the fourth generation from the old Captain. Mr. B. was born in Genesee county, N. Y., May 16, 1828; removed with his parents to Lorain county, Ohio, in 1835. He came to this county when 19 years of age, and has made it his home ever since. He was married in the spring of 1849, to Amie Ann Auten, daughter of William and Sarah (Wharton) Auten, of this county, who came here in 1835. They have 9 children: Charles IL, Cordelia, Mary (dec), Arminda, Martha, William, Miles S. and Willis Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett are worthy members of the M. E. Church at Maple Grove; P. O., South Bend.

L. E. Coder, farmer, sec. 15; P. O., Sumption Prairie; was born iu Ashland county, Oliio, June 5, 1839. His parents, Peter and Catharine Coder, were natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. They came to Elkhart county, Indiana, in 1854. His father died in Marshall county in 1866, and his mother is now living in Hanover, county, Ohio. Mr. C. came to this tp. from Elkhart county in 1859; married Oct. 22, 1866, Martha A. Rizer, daughter of William and Sarah Antrim, of this county, but natives of Ohio. They have 5 children: Ernest, Cora C, John, Asa and Sylvester. [Mr. Coder was Corporal in our late civil war, in ,Co. B, 9th Mich. He has a farm of 130 acres.

A. J. Crocker, son of Ezra and Julia Crocker, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Massachusetts, was born in Summit county, Ohio, Dec. 4, 1832. He came to St. Joseph county and settled in Penn tp. in 1843; in 1860 he removed to Union tp., and in 1873 came to the farm on which lie now resides; was married in 1860 to Miss Christina Slick, of Starke Co., Ohio. Her parents, Samuel and Mary Slick, are now living in South Bend. They have 3 children: Ernest, aged 19; Grace, aged 17; and Charles, aged 9. Mrs. Crocker is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. C. is a farmei , owning 102^ acres; P. O., South Bend.

Joseph E. Davis was born in Montgomery county. Pa., in 1811. His parents were Mordecai and Eleanor (Brodson) Davis, natives of the same county. Mr. Davis left the paternal roof when 16 years of age, going to Roxbury, now a part of Philadelphia, to learn the blacksmith trade. He served five years' apprenticeship, worked at journeyman work one year, and ran a shop of his own for the next 2 years. He was married April 7, 1835, in Germantown, to Mary Hogland, who was born Xov. 9, 1814. She is the daughter of Elias and Elizabeth (Evermore) Hogland, natives of Philadelphia county, Pa. Mrs. Davis' family met in Philadelphia in 1876. She had five uncles and aunts assembled, the youngest of whom was 71, and the eldest (her mother) 83 years. They are all living yet, except one. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have 5 children : Elizabeth, born in 1836; Martha J., born in 1839; Sarah, born Dec. 8, 1841; Lucinda, born Aug. 20, 1844; George, born May 25, 1848. They arrived in this county in June, 1835, coming all the way from Pennsylvania in a one-horse wagon. He setup a shop on his farm on the site now occupied by the school-house; has been working at liis trade and farming ever since. Is a member of the M." E. Church. P. O., South Bend.

Elisha D. ta'ir, son of Jacob and Eve Fair, natives of Somerset county. Pa., was born in December, 1827; came to Holmes county, Ohio, in the fall of 1837, from there to this county in fall of 1858, and to his present farm on sec. 17 in spring of 1863. He was married in March, 1851, to Susan Barnett, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Barnett,. also of Somerset county, Pa., but later of Ohio. She was born Aug. 24, 1831. This couple have 8 children: Harvey, Elizabeth, Leander, Alvilda A., Thomas M., John B., Rosa A.

Clarissa Garwood was born May 1, 1821; she is the daughter of "William and Sarah Throckmorton, of this tp. In 181:0 she was married to Stacy Garwood, who was born in Ohio in 1816. His parents were Stacy and Joicy (Wharton) Garwood, natives of New Jersey, who came to this tp. in 1831, and settled on sec. 7, the farm which Mrs. Garwood still owns. They have 7 children, 6 livin.o;: Matthew, born in 1843; Mary J., born in 181:5; Sarah, born in 1850 and died May, 1S80; Margaret M., born in 1S52; Lydia Ann, born in 1854; Ezekiel, born in 1857, and Stacy M., born in 1859. Mr. G. was a farmer. He and all of his family are members of the M. E. Church. He had been a member for over 30 years, at the time of his death, which occurred in May, 1877.

Matheio B. Hammond was born March 8, 1791; his parents were James and Mary (Brown) Hammond. He was married Jan. 7. 1823, to Susan McCormac, of Lycoming county. Pa., daughter of Seth and Margaret (Simons) McCormac, formerly of Lancaster county, Pa. Their children are as follows: William, born Feb. 25, 1824; Sarah M., Dec. 6, 1820; Margaret A., March 28, 1828, died Jan. 11. 1834; Angeline, Jan. 0, 1830, died, Feb. 11, 1840; Samuel M., Jan. 9, 1832, died, Aug. 16, 1S52; Eliza E., Feb. 26, 1834; Seth, Jan. 5, lS36;Cynthia A., Jan. 25, 1838, died in October, 1839; and Caroline, Oct. 20, 1S33. Mr. Hammond came to this county in October, 1833, stopping in the Bend that winter, and came on their farm in this tp. the following spring, where he died Oct. 16, 1867. Mrs. Hammond and two of her (laughters still live on the old farm. She and her husband united with the Presbyterian Church while young, and sheas well as the children are still strong pillars in the Church. Mrs. H. has seen much of the hardships of pioneer life; has seen her country change from a howling wilderness to a beautiful and fertile land that calls forth the praise and admiration from all that behold it.

William Hoke was born in Kichland county, Ohio, July 19, 1833. His parents, Emanuel and Magdelina Hoke, were from Pennsylvania, and of Dutch descent. They left Ohio about 1840, going near Union City in the southern part of this State. He was married to Margaret Guard, daughter of Samuel and Priscilla Guard, of this countv. May 12, 1856. She was born December, 1835. They have 2 children: J. I., born July 4, 1857; and Ida P., born Dec. 7, 1861. J. I. Hoke was married to Nellie Rush, of this tp., in April, 1877. They are now living in South Bend. Mr. Hoke is engaged in farming. He followed lumbering for a number of years while young. Mr. Hoke and family are all worthy members of the M. E. Church. Ida received her education in Valparaiso Normal, and Fort Wayne Musical Conservatory. John I. was educated in North Liberty and South Bend. Mr. H. has a farm of 160 acres, well improved, in sec. 1; P. O., South Bend.

History Of St. Joseph Oodntt

T. L. HoUoway was born in February, 1816, in Clarke county, Ohio. His parents, William and Pliebe (Crispin) Holloway, the lormer a native of Virginia, and the latter of New Jersey, came about 1790 to Eoss county, Ohio. In 1S16 they removed to Clarke county, in that State, where they died, his mother in October, 1839, and his father in April, 184-0. Mr. Holloway came to this county, and in 1812 married Miss Ducilla McCullough, daughter of John and Eleanor McCnllough, residents of this tp. They removed to Clarke county, Ohio, but returned in 18-i5 and settled on the farm which Mr. Holloway still occupies. They had 5 children, 4 of whom are yet living: Edward B., born in August, 1843; John H., March, 1845; Alice, September, 1848; Helen, September, 1851. Mrs. Hollowaj' died in March, 1856. Edward is now a dentist in Sturgis, Mich.: John H. is in Buchanan, Mich., dealing in livestock; Alice married Wm. Beese, who is farming near Vermillion, 111.; Helen married Willis Warner who has a grocery in South Bend. Mr. Holloway was again married in June, 1858, to Ann (Heatonj Rush, and they have 2 children: Kittie, born March, 1861, and Lizzie, February, 1864. Edward served three years in the 21st Iiid. Battery, and took part in battle of Lookout Mountain. Mr. H. united with the M. E. Church when 18 years of age, and has been a member ever since. Business, farming; P. O., South Bend .

Peter J. Howell, farmer, sec. 8; P. 0., South Bend. Among the industrious and intelligent farmers of this county, we find Mr. Howell. He was born in Ohio in 1851, removed with his parents, Peter and Eebecca Howell, to this tp. in 1855; was married in the spring of 1873 to Helen Woofter, daughter of James Woofter, lateof this tp., and they have 2 children: James Peter, aged three years, and George D., aged four months. Mr. Howell is a Catholic.

WiUiam Hummer, son of Washington and Mary Hummer, formerly of this township, but now living in Walkerton, was born in March, 1843. He was married in April, 1869, to Miss A. Rupe, daughter of Samuel Rupe of this tp. They have 2 children: Arthur, born Jan. 10, 1870, and Delbert, born Feb. 15, 1873. Mr. H. is a farmer, and received his education in the common schools of the tp.; is a member of the Methodist Church at Maple Grove. Has 80 acres of land in sec. 17; P. O., South Bend.

Asa Knott was brought by his father to this section when he was but four years old, and he has seen the country change from a wilderness populated with wolves, panthers and Indians, to the blooming country that delights the traveler's eyes to-day as he rides over it. Mr. Knott was born in Greene county, Ohio, May 27, 1834; his father came to Marshall county in 1838, and to this tp. in 1839. He followed lumbering in Marshall county. Mr. Knott removed his family back in 1842 or '43, but staid for a few years only, when he again removed to the old farm, on which

Mr. Knott still resides. Jan. 7, 1868, he was married to Caroline E. Dooffield, daughter of John and Sarah Dooffield, of South Bend, who was born in 1844. They have 4- children: AVillie, born Aug. 25, 1870; Charlie, Jan. 16, 1869; Asa Guy, July 13, ls73; and Nellie, Nov. 19, 1878. Mr. Knott is engaged extensively in farming and stock-raising; has 890 acres of land, 700 of which is under good cultivation. He resides on sec. 10. He was First Lieutenant in Co. B, 48th Indiana, in our late war. At present is one of the five directors and the treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of St. Joseph county. Is a Granger and Republican. P. O., South Bend.

John H. Mack, son of the late John Mack, of South Bend, came to La Forte in April, 1844. The next winter he engaged in teaching school. For a number of years he taught during the winter, and worked at his trade in the summer. In the fall of 185.5 he bought an interest in a saw-mill in Green tp., and has been engaged in lumbering till about seven years ago, when he went to farming; has 160 acres in sec. 4. The record ot their family is given here. John Mack, Sr., was born April 2, 1762, and died March 6, 1818; Silence Enos, born Oct. 14, 1771, died Oct. 30. 1799; Elizabeth, born June 4, 1790, died April 25, 18T3: married Richard Smith; Mary Polly, born Nov. 3, 1793; she married Samuel G. Barr, who died Jan. 24, 1876, aged 84; she died April 6, '1835; John Mack, Jr., born Nov. 15, 1794, died April S, 1878;' James E., born Dec. 6, 1797, died March 20, 1832; Experience Joyner, second wife of John Mack, Sr., was born in August, 1775, and died in 1857. Their children are: Pauline E., born Feb. 6, 1801, married Mr. Hall, and died May 4,1861; Charlotte, born May 11, 1803, married Mr. Gillett, and died Dec. 29, 1873; William J., born Sept. 30, 1805, and resides in Buffalo; Hiram, born May 19, 1808, left Buffalo May 16, 1834, starting for St. Louis, and was never heard of afterward; James Huggins, second husband of Experience Jovner, was born July 4, 1766, and died Oct. 31, 1842; Joseph Haniord, father of Clarissa W. Hanford, was born in 1739, and died May 2, 1826; Clarissa W. Hanford was born Feb. 8, 1793, and died Sept. 6, 1841 ; John H. was born Oct. 26, 1820; an infant was born Aug. 17, 1822, which died the next day; Helen, born April 10, 1824; Elizabeth M., born Oct. 26, 1825, and died July 30, 1826; Walter B., born May 6, 1827, residence Cedar Rapids, Iowa; William, born Oct. 9, 1828, and resides in this county; Achsah M. Leland, second wife of John Mack, Jr., born Feb. 22, 1805, and died April 6, 1875; a female infant was born March 6, 1846, which died the same day; James L., born June 28, 1849.

John Mack, Sr., married Silence Enos Sept. 1(>, 1788; and for his second wif'e. Experience Joyner, Nov. 2, 1799. Cliildren ot John Mack, Sr.: Elizabeth, married Richard Smith Jan. 18, 1808; John Mack, Jr., married Clarissa W. Hanford March 7, 1819, and for his second wife, Achsah M. Leland, March 27, 1842; Pauline E.

Jo/in B. Moffitt was born in Stark county, Ohio, May, 1840. His parents were Patrick and Susan (Galliger) Moffitt, the former a native of Sligo, Ireland, and the lat,ter of Pennsylvania; his parents came to Ohio in 1812; his father died in Stark county, O., in 1863; became to this tp. in 1865, and settled on this farui in the fall of 1874; attended the high school at Louisville, O., and afterward took a select course at the Francisca College at Luretta, Pa. ; he is a member of the Catholic Church at South Bend, and follows farming and teaching; residence, sec. 12; P. O., South Bend.

Peter Oherly, son of Peter and Juliet (Sofer) Oberly, of New Chatel, Switzerland, was born March 17, 1831. In 1838 he came to Pennsylvania, and in the year 1839, to Canton, Ohio, where he married Catharine Walder, who was born in 1832, daughter of George Walder, of Wurtemburg, German}'. They have 3 children, Peter, born Nov. 17, 1855, married Mary Stein; Louisa B., born March 12, 1857, married John D. Hummer, and lives in Walkerton; and Annie B., born Nov. 5, 1859, married James Skiles. Mr. Oberly came to this county in November, 1854, and settled in South Bend, and lived there till he came to his farm in Green tp. When the war broke out in 1861 he was among the first to go, and remained until it closed in 1865; was in 48th Reg., Co. H; he took part in a great many battles, among which are Corinth, Black River, Champion Hill, the siege at Vieksburg and Huntsville, Alabama, was with Sherman on his march to the sea; from there he went to Washington, and from there to Louisville, Ky. He is now cultivating his farm of 42 acres in this tp. He received his education in Switzerland, but afterward attended the Eualish schools in Canton, Ohio. P. O., South Bend.

IF. /. Oliver, son of George and Bessie (Irvin) Oliver, was born in Roxboronghshire, Scotland, June 1, 1821; in the fall of 1834 he came to Gen-^'a, N. Y., landing at Mishawaka in the fall of 1836; this has been his home until a few years since, when he moved on the farm on which he now lives, llis father died in 1837, at the age of 74 or 75 years, and his mother died in Lagrange county, this State, at the age of 85, in June, 1867. Mr. Oliver was married in October, 1842, to Lucinda D. Ford, daughter of John and Lois (Hammond) Ford, natis-es of New York, and they have 5 children, namely: Jennie, born in September, ISi-i, now living in Mishawaka; Henry E., now in Kansas, was born in 1847; Bessie, born in 1857; Hattie, born in 1864, and Mollie in 1867. Mr. Oliver is a blacksmith by trade and swung his sledge iiammer for many years in his shop at Mishawaka; he is now tilling one of the beautiful farms of Sumjition's Prairie, on sec. 32. He received his education in Scotland. P. O., South Bend.

Malilon Pearson was born Aug. 16, 1 828, and came to this tp.when but five years old, with his parents, Samuel and Mary (Wharton) Pearson, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Virginia; they settled on the farm noAv owned by 0. Schang in 1833. Mahlon was married in 1849 to Sitlia Jenkins, who was born in North Carolina; their children are as follows: Charles, now in the regular army; Lucetta, married to Mr. Hay and living in Franklin county, Neb.; Ida, married Frank Hagerman, and living in Michigan. Mrs. Pearson died in 1867, and in 1869 he married Betsey A. ( Inman) Hummer, who by her former marriage had 4 children: Lawrence, Louise E., Ada and Henrietta.

Mr. and Mrs. Pearson have 2 children, William and Cora. Mrs. P. was born in this tp. Nov., 1836. Mr. P. was in the 12th Mich. Inf, Co. I, in our late war; is a member of the M. E. Church; was educated in the common school; is a carpenter and farmer, sec. 16. P. O., South Bend.

John PhUlips was born in Floyd county, Va., in 1832; came to this county with his parents, William and Jane Phillips, in 1834; moved on his farm in this tp. in January, 1855. In December, 1854, he married Mary Shibily, daughter of John and Margaret Shibily, of Union tp., who was born Aug. 4, 1836; their children are: Francis A., born Oct. 7, 1855; John W., June 17, 1859; Theodore A., Dec. 21, 1861; Mary V., July 1, 1864; Daniel M., June 1, 1867. Mr. Phillips is a farmer and mason; owns 80 acres in sec. 16. P. O., South Bend.

Daniel Jtupe, son of Jacob and Susanna (Long) JRupe, natives of North Carolina, was born in December, 1816, in Wayne county, Indiana; he came witli his parents to Wayne county, Indiana, and from there to Pleasant Plain, in Elkhart county, in 1829; came to this tp. in the spring of 1831, and settled in sec. 1. His mother died in 1854, and the father in 1868. Mr. Knpe was married in December, 1840, to Martha Stull, who was born in Jennings county, Indiana, in 1820, and they have 5 children: William, Henry, Margaret, Melissa and George. Margaret married James Cook; Melissa married Linus Foot, Jr., Jan. 22, 1870, who was born in 1850; his parents are William and Maria Foot, of Centre tp., who came to this county in 1851 ; they were natives of Connecticut. Mr. Foot lived in South Bend several years after his marriage, where he f ollowed teaming; he is now engaged in farming on sec. 7; they have one child, born in 1874. P. O., South Bend.

John M. liiijye, son of Ilenry and Martha (Garwood) Rupe, natives of Ohio, was born in this tp. Ano;ust, 1837. He was married April 16, 1857, to Miss Hannah M. Ball, daughter of Rev. H. B. Ball, of this conference of the M. E. Church,"who was born in 1838, and they have 3 children: Henry F., born Feb. 3, 1858; Edward H., born Oct. 19, 1S67; Mary M., born Jan. 10, 1878. Mr. Ball removed to Wayne county lud., in 1871, but returned again to this tp. in 1879; he has 80 acres of land in sec. 13; was educated in the public schools of the county, and is a Republican. P. O., South Bend.