Franklin Township (part 1 of 3)

Franklin Township

The mineriil advantages are found in its beds of liino rock, which between Doerlicld and Eidgevillo have beon utilized for borning lime, and its banks of gravel which have, however, been saflfared sti'angely enough to be useless till within a yeiir or two past. The people are now waking up to the mine of value that lies in their gravel banks, and are rapidly constructing pikes in various directions; and in a few more j'ears the citizens will wonder how they could have beon content to drag through the impassable seas and oceans of mud in which for forty years ]iast they had beon helplessly floundering and hopelessly engulfed. Franklin is so small, and Ridgeville is so central, that there Seems til have been no call for any other town to grow ui) within its limits. At any rate, no other has ever found place in that -neighborhood.

The roads through E'ranklin are chiefly the route from Wincheter to Ridgeville and northward, and the route from Greenville via Deerfield and Ridgeville into Delaware County. The rail roads are the Richmond & Grand Rapids Road and the Union City & Logansport Road, crossing at Ridgeville, thus making that towu an important center of trade, and furnishing to the township a good market and abundant commercial facilities.

Some twelve or fourteen years ago, the Free- Will Baptists, in connection with leading citizens oE the place and region, established Ridgeville College, which has over since been maintaining a heroic, and moreover a successful struggle for existence. Arthur McKew, Esq., of Ridgeville, not to mention others, is understood to have given at various times $11,001) to its funds. Ezekiel Clough, of Jackson Township, has contributed many thousand dollars to the same excellent purpose.

The township is occupied by an intelligent, moral population, and Ridgeville in particular has been successful through much of its existence in barfing from its midst those curses to humanity and foes to happiness and peace - liquor saloons.

13, directly opposite the old town of Ridgeville, Edward McKew, proprietor; D. W. McNeal, surveyor; twenty-eight lots; recorded October 18, 1830, Ridgeville (first plat) was recorded September 21, 1837. Carlisle was south of the rivor, and Ridgeville was (and is) north of it. Both the towns wore still-born. Sixteen years after 183'j, no town was at either place, and the i)lat had relapsed into ordinary farm land. Ridgeville was laid out again, however, in about 1853, and this time the town began to grow. Yet it did not do much for a long time, not, iu fact, till the Pan-Handle track was completed through its limits. But Carlisle never so much as " poepeil" We have never heard that it ever had even so much as a beginning.

Olive Branch. - Stands upon Sections 27, 28, 33 and 34, Town 21, Range 13. It has two stores, two or three dwellings, one church, one schoolhouse, one smith shop, one wagon shop, one toll-gate, one lodge, F. & A. M., and one Granger Lodge. It is not laid out, though it has more business than some towns. A pike runs through it east and west. The people are trying to get a grant for a post office. How they will succeed cannot now be told, though their energy deserves, and wn hope, may com-

Ridgeville. - Location, Section 12, Town 21, Range 14, norths side of Mississinewa River, William and John Addington, proprietors; Jere Smitli, surveyor; sixteen lots; btreet east and west. Main street; recorded September 21, 1837. Ritlgovillo (now town), Arthur MjKew and Joab Ward, proprietors; 128 lots; streets, north and south. Race, Walnut; east and west, Water, Main, First, Second, Third. Location, Section 12, Town 21, Range 13, north of Mississinewa River, at what ia now the crossing of the Pan-Handle, and Grand Rapids Railroads, Recorded January 5, 1853. McKew's First Addition, Arthur McKew, proprietor; forty-eight lots; location, north and east of tJie old town; new street, north and south, George; recorded April 30, 1807. McKew's Second Addition, Arthur McKow, proprietor; nine inlots, two outlets; location, west of Race, north of Second; recorded April 30, 1867. "McKew's Third Addition, Arthur McKew, proprietor; fifteen lots, including collogt? grounds, Lot No. 14; location, north of Logansport Railroad; recorded February 28, 1808. Addiugton's Addition, heirs of Addington, proprietors; fifty-eight lots, Section 12, Towu 21, Range 14, north side of Mississinewa River; streets, north and south. College, Sheridan; recorded February 25, 1869. Mc- Kew's Fourth Addition, Arthur McKew, proprietor; twelve inlots, two outlets; west of George street; recorded June 22, 1809. Ward's First Addition, D. W. Ward, proprietor; twelve outlots, north of Second street, west of Grand Rapids Railroad; recorded December 20, 1809. Pierce's Addition, Pierce, proprietor; nine lots; recorded November 4, 1870. McKew's Fifth Addition, Arthur McKew, proprietor; forty-five lots; new street, old railroad bed, McKew street; recorded May 2, 1873. Thus it is seen that Ridgeville was laid out twice, and has had nine additions at various times. It was platted by William and John Addington in 1837. There had been a mill built by Meshach Lowallyn and a flat-boat factory, carried on by Jacob Ward for years, but not even the semblance of a town had come into being. And even after the village was located by Mr. Addington (who was the proprietor of the mill after Lewallyn), no growth took place. Only three or four houses were erected, and tho town seemed still-born. For sixteen years, no business of importance was transacted in the place, and the lots had been remanded to their original farm state.

1852, were Meshach Lewall_\Ti, miller; Joab Ward, farmer and boat-buildor; William Addington, Jerry Barker. Lograves and Jenkins. Jenkins had a store in 1837. Jerry Bar ker built a hewed-log house soon after, Lewallyus mill was built about 1820, and in 1830, was owned by William Addington. At first, it was only a corn-cracker, and was afterward changed into aflour-mill, with a hand-bolt (water mill). The stones were home-made. Joab Ward and Arthur McKew re-laid the town iu

1853, calling it Newtown. It stands on the Deerfield State road, as also at the crossing of the Pau-Handlo (P. C. &St. L.) and the " Shoo-Fly " (Richmond & G. R.) Railroads, and on the Mississinewa Rivor, at the head of flat-boat navigation. A fine bridge spans the Mississinowa south of the town. The country is good and the lauds are fertile. During the summer of 1880, the people of the town and region began to build pikes fi'om Ridgeville into the surrounding country, and a few years will doubtless witness a very great iraprovomeut iu Franklin Township and the regions adjoining in this important respect.

In 1853, the Union & Logansport Railroad was projected, and there was largo activity at Ridgeville. A long row of shanties for laborers was built. Arthur McKew, Robert Sumption, Dr. Bailey, Dr. Shoemaker, Robert Stiirbuck, etc., were there, Robert Sumption was building a hotel, and the railroad men hui-ried him up, ttdling him the railroad track would be down before his hotel would be done. In 1853-54, there were thirty carpenters at work in the town at once. Raih-oad work, however, soon ceased. The Logansport road was not made until 1807. and the " Shoo-Fly " in 1872.

Robert Sumption had a hotel in 1854. Robert Starbuck had a store; ho built a pebble dash hoase, which is yet standing and in good repair. Arthur McKew had a store as early as 1850, or before. Dr. Shoemaker came in 1853, and Dr. Bailey in 185-1.

The business of Ridgovillo may be stated as follows: Two grist-mills, one water, one steam; two saw-mills, both steam; one handle factory; two dry goods stori's, one large; four grooricB, throe shoe stores, three drn'j; slmi's, two hardware st;Ores. two harne.ss shops, one tin mid stove slmv, live physicians, three clergymen, four attorneys, three srmtli shw|is. tliren shoe shops, one jeweler, three barbers, two livery sdilili's, two clmrche:^, one college, one post office, one schoolhous(>. two doiiots. two hotels, one butcher shop, two grain merchants, one coo[)er shop, one furniture dealer, two stock buyers, two milliners, one agricultural store, one brick-yard, one tile factory, one sewing-machine store, one ]5ump dealer, one book store, one lodge F. & A. M., one lodge I. O. O. F., one printing office, one coal di\iler. one wood dealer, one lime dealer, etc.. etc.

Two railroads cross at Uidgeville. lh(> 1', C. it 81. E. an,l the Grand Rapids (Pan.H,mdle<t Shoo-Fly) Railroads. The :Missis sinewa River passes near the town on tln^ s(julli^ide. For manv youra this place was the point wheuot> rt;it boafs were sent down the stream, laden with llour, bacon, iiii|,lH-,, ,^[c. .Joah Ward built groat numbers of these iu the earlierdiys. Tliat luisiuess, however, stopped long ago.

Ridgevillo is now a prosperous ;n: 1 tlinviug villlage, ;uid an important and growing center of business and trade. In the vicinity i.s a good lime kiln, and there is also a rock (piarrvon the banks of the Mississlnewa. A line state of moral sentinient exists, and temperaiK-e and good order largidy prevail. Salnous. for the most part, have beon suiipre.-ised, an.i wherever the ])u!)- lie feeling and |.rineiple are strong enough to pfeveut their existence, good morals ai'e sure to be in the ascendant,

Distan(H.s: Deedi.ad, ihreo miles; ITniou Citv. ' fimricen miles; Winchester, nine miles; Randolph, lluveanl one hidf miles; Fairview, nine miles; Eiumcttsvill... four miles; Fan,, land, twelve miles.

fe, Margaret Sullivan, in North Carolina iu 1815. She came to W;ishiugt<m, Ind., in 182S, and moved to Wayne C>unty. [nd., in 1S;{|. They ware m irried in 18:U, mid moved to whit is u jw Franklin Township in the same voiir. They settle! on 15 Ml- Crck, " in He,' woods," three and ;i half miles' from RIdgeville. Ke ha, alwavs be.-n a farmer, h;is had three children.'is a Meth xlist and Republican; only one child of theirs is living.

Jo.seph E Iger. Ridgevilhl, was born in 1822 in Harrison County. Ky.; came to Darke County, Ohio, in 1824, his father died there, and he was brought up by his unch', Edward Edger. In 1837. he acompanied this uncle to Doerliold, Randolph Co., which town liaving been laul out a few years before that date, had not yet began to grow. Four log cabins at that primal p.'riod c >n-;titut:e I th ' sum totfd of that' embryo town. In one of th^m, Henry Taylor played at keeping hotel, and also sold whisky. In anotlier. H 'ury Swot worked as a blacksmith. Jonathan Thi>mas lived )u<ar and was a farmer. William Anderson was ;ilso a resident, but what was his occupation is to us utterly unknown Edward Edger came there to show the dwellers in thosi^ wo.ids what (^jiild be accomplished in the business of a merchant, bringing witii him a magnificent stock of goods, the value of which could not have been h>ss than !?200. After a time, asecond store was openeil by John Jenkinson. A somewhat amusing iuslanee of :ipp:irent larceny occurred in connection withMr. Jenkihs )n'sstoi;k of goods. Some ribbons Were missing, and in these d lys the ;ilisence of a few rolls of ribbons would bo readily discovered. Tlu^ lost treasure was looked for high and low, ami Were givisn over at last as having boon stolon. They ha,l been stolen in f.-ict. but not by f.donious bipod burglars, Thev wen- found weeks aftc'rward in a mouse hole in one of the log-,\,r ii,e w.ill. ( leorg., Ritenour owned a mill one milo below Di'ei-lield very e;iily. ii- he w;is one ;imong the very lirst settlors in the re,;ion'. Sim-e th,-it primeval period, there have beon as ir<'rehanis. among oiliers. Lleales' branch store, in a log cabin; II. L. Scarl, i.! W. Hawkins, Fitzpatrick & Edgor, Putnam <.VAverv. etc.

The (irst physician was Dr. Ayres; ho went to Mju'ion, and is ther<- still. Othei-. have been Drs. Longshovo, Beales, Floyd, -Mc.Vfee, Wa-hlnniie Biudvs, Snow. Bosworth. Purcoll, Cloviu w,is ;il one time an important center of trade and bid fair to become a [u'osperous place. It was ,di n]> the liver for flat-boats. Two, and only two, d luum'he.l there. Deerfield is now nearly extinct. viUe, Uandolph have "sucked out" nearly all the id. llenr\ Taylor w;ts the first settler in the town Uurkeit Pierce was the iirst in Ward Township,

Their nameH, etc., iiro as follows: Polly (Pareons) ; Nancy (Litly). live childron; Samuel, dearl ; Lydi a (Sutton), two cbildvon; John (married Susan McNees), four children; Henry (married Lydia Dobay), two children; William (married Jane McGuirc), seven children; Isaiah (Mary JIcNees, Prudence Wright), dvo childron; Jeremiah (Mary Ann Coons and Tabitha Miller), tenctiildi-i>n; Simon (married Miss McNeos), one child; Milton (married throo times), two children. Mr. Huffman's descendants who survive all reside in Randolph l)ut two, and tlioy are all farmers by opcai>:i-

Elizaboth Janes, Ridgevillo, was born in 1797, no.ir Columbus, Ohio. The region must have been a deep and pathless wilderness, since the date of her birth is live years before the admission of Ohio as a State. She married Samuel Janes, and lived for many years near Hill Grove, Darke Co., Ohio. Tlioy reared a large family, and her husband died at Hill Grovo, aged about eighty years, and was buried at Union City Ooinetnry. The aged widow removed to Huntington to reside with her daughter at that place, and in 1S7G, changed her home to llidgeville, Randolph County, with her sou William, continuing with him until her death, May 5, IS.S'2, at the ripe age of eighty-four years. Her funeral was preached by Rov. Prof. Harrison, of Ridgevillo, at that place, and her remains wi<re d.'posited beside the tody of her hnsl)and, in tlie cemetery at Union City, [iid. One of her sons was Dr. John M. Janes, formerly of Union City; later, and now, a lu-aetioiiig phvsii'iaii in Illinois.

Arthur McKeW was the son of IMward MeKew. who ninved to Ridgevillo, Ind.. in lS;il, fimn l-'asell,, (.!,,u;itv, Ind.. ae.l p,e viously from Cincinnati. He was iiorn Vm^nisi U, ISlil. al.nve Cincinnati, in Ohio, and wns fiil;en Im I'av'lle County, Ind., in ISl'J, and to Ridgevillo in 1S:!1. lie n.anied Margery Ward, daughter of .loab Ward, an<l si-l<>r of llm,, Thomas Ward, of Winchester, Ind., in 18H. TI.ev have lia I six children, one only of whom is nou liviu-. He r.arni,..| ni -lay County tornyears, but returned to Khl-'eville and .sold L'/iods, and has done ville, and now ho runs a l«"ii, ami shue slore. <a farm, etc.. heini,' understood to bo wealthy. He was Cnnntv Connnissioner of Randolph County two terms, and President" of 'Winchester National Bank for sixteen montlis. He isa Uo|ml)lican in polities. and by religious profession, a .^lethodist. Ho is a man of high public spirit, greatly intoresteil in all sehonios of public advantage, .and is a supporter of tho toniperanco cause, and of intelligence and morality in general. He was one of the chief founders of Ridgevillo College, as also lie has binni one of its iirmest friends and Tuost eflioiont holjters since its ostaVilishment. H(^ is still in active business. His wife is a worthy and estimable lady, a fit compani-m for her respected husband, though for some years feeble as to bodily health. Arthur McKewdied January, I8fS2, highly respected and greatly lamented; he was in his sixty-third year.

Jeremiah L. Mock, S(m of Daniel M,)ck, of \Var.l Township, was born in 1815, in Ohio; camr to Randolph in 1.S'2fi; married Matilda Pierce, in 1884. who was (he ,lan:rl,ter of Dnrkelt Pierce, and born in 1S17, and died in |S7:!. Mr. MneK has had ten children, and has resided m Franklin Townslu,., northeast of Ridgevillo, for twenty-eight or thirty ye.n-s. l-eing a member of tho Democratic party and in vocation a farmer. When he came, with his father, to Ward Township, southeast of Deerfield, some of the settlors southeast and northeast of that town woi'o Francis Peake, Eli Blount, Riley Marshall, Janiiw

Massey, M.assoy, Massey, Massey, Reason Mnlott, Allan Wall, Sanniol Kane, Daniel B. Miller, Jephtha Snton, AViUiam Kizer (south of Dooriield), William Jackson (head of Mud Creek, farmer). David Conner still had his trading post east of Decniiidd. Wo had supposed that Connor loft that post sooner than 1 S2S.

Pardon Sherman was born in 1S01, in Greene County, N. Y. Ho juai-riod Mary D. Parke, in lS2fi; thoy c,a?no to While River. Randolph Co., Ind., in 1835, and to Franklin Township in 1837. He entered eighty acres, on which he still resides, having been a farmer over since. They have had six children; fonr are living, and two are marrio.l; one liv(>s in Uandolpli County, Ind..

one in Illinois and two in Minnesota. The settlers when he came here wore William AVright, west of Now Dayton, on Bear Crook; Soth Elliott, north of Wright's; Jonath.m Addington, near Elliott's; Jesse Addington, near tho Mississinfewa; George Huffman, died in ISO'.); James Addington, near Jesso Addington's. After his arrival came Mary Helms, 1837; Jesse Holms, 1845; William Huffman, 18-15; John Henry, 1841; Josiah Bnndy, 1815. Ml-. Bnndy diod in Kansas. The country settled slowly. It Wcos difficult of access, and few people found it. Mr. Sherman is a Republican and a Methodist, residing at Now Dayton. His son has kept a store there for many years.

Mr. Sherman was one of fourteen childron, eight boys and six girls, all grown, only eight of whom, however, wore married, and cmly two .ai-o now living. His wife died in January, 1S82, and her husband ended his life aiAong mortal men in about a month afterward.

Francis and J.ames Stevens came in 1830, from Monroe County, Ohio, to Franklin Township, west of Ridgevillo. Francis during his life had nine children, and James had'soven children. Thoy each entered eighty acres; they were botli farnic.rH, and have been dead fifteen or twenty years.

Andrew and Alexander Stevens camo in 1835. Andrew had eight, chiklren, three now living. Alexander had twelve chi Idren, fonr now alive. Andrew has been dead twenty years. Aloxandejhas l)een dead twenty-live years. James Stevens has three sons living in Jay County. Andrew Stevens has three sons living in the ro- (Marvin, J.acob and Fr.ancis. Alexander Stevens has two sons, .loseph and Elijah. Tho Stovenses have always boon active farm ers and Democrats fi'om olden time.

Robert H. Sumi)tion, Ridgevillo, was born in Darke Cotnity, Oluo, in 1817; moved to D(>orliold. Ind., in 1835, and graduated at Green Castle. Ind., in 1845, teaching school more or loss -luring his time of study. Ho marrie.l Berilla Ward, in 1845, and laoveil to St. .loseph (Jnuntv. .Mich., teaching and farming till isr, I. They returned to Knlgevillo in that year, and ho kept hotel in lliaf place till 1S72. Since that time, he has been a real estate dealer. They have three children; the two sons are railroad agmits and operators. Tho daughter is a graduate of Ridgevillo Coll<'s,'e; h.as boon a teacher in Nebraska and is now employed in Ridgevillo among her youthful acquaintances and friends, making a success of her chosen profession. Mr. S. is a Free Will Baptist and a Rejutblican; he is an influential m(<mbor of tho comnnmity, being a member of tho E.xocntive Contmittno of Ridgevillo College, and also tho Treasurer of tho institution, having been ono of its active friends from the beginning. Ho w;is iicqnaintwl with tho famous Indi.an tr.ader, David Connor, in early times, especially during tho residence of Mr. Conner at tho place of his final settlement, below Marion, having taught school in his neighborhood, Mr. Connor being, also, among his most liberal patrons. Mr. Sumption has been a citizen of Ridgevillo ever since the renewal of the ton^n as the village of Newtown. The new name did not hold, however, but Ridgevillo it was from the beginning, and Ridgevillo it is to-day, and will eontiiino doubtless so to bo while countless ages roll, or ,at least while the " Yankc^o Nation " lasts on tho shores of America.

I The name of Newtown did " stick " somewhat for awhi lo. In the " Soldiers" Record," a voluntoor is said to have diod (in 1803 or 1S(W. iierliaiis) in Newtown, Ind., meaning tho now town of Ridgevdlo.l

.lohn Woodard, Franklin Township, was born in Now Jersey in 1801; married Siu-.ah Lake; came to Green Township in 1837; has had ton children, six living .and five married; is a farmer; forty aci-os when ho camo; was poor; has worked hard and has gained a competence for his old ago. He is a Republi-

There was (moo a little town called Rockingham, laid out by John Marino on tin- Mississinowa below Ridgevillo. It h.as been extinct a long, long time. It nevin-had much growth, and grad- nnlly wont down, until not a vestig« remains. Hopowoll Church (old) was bnilt about 1840. Hopewell Church (now) was built about 1877. The comotory there was laid out in early times. and has been in use as a burial ground for many years.

Joab Ward. Ridgeville, was born in North Carolina December 14, 171i0; came to Ross County, Ohio, about 1800, and to Champaign County, Ohio, on King's Creek, between 1813 and 1810; married Amy Grave in 1813; movitl to near Ridgeville April 7, 1810; changed Ids residence for a short time to a farm cast of Winchester, for fear of the Indians, but returned soon afterward to his former abode, near Ridgeville, and never moved ("Isevvhero from that time till hi.s death. He Ixjught of Meshach Lewallyn a small tract of land, reckoned to bo fifty acres, at S3 ))or acre. The land was situated south of the river, neai- the pieaont water tank. Mr. W. bnilt a house, scutching down the logs and making a stick chimney and a clapboard roof. In about 1838, he put in new sills, raised the building to a story and a half, pebble dashed and shingled it, making, also, two brick chimneys, and it is a good hoxiso to this day, still occupied as a residence, after standing sixty-thi-ee yoai-s, A lino spring was near, which in those timcis wa.s nx-konod a very groat advantage. He had tifti!en children, one .stillborn, and twelve grew up, nine living still. William, died at seventeen; Mary (John Sumption), ilied in 184'), three cliildren: Thomas, living at Winchester; Margery (BIcKow). living at Ridgeville. four children; Sarali, died a little girl; Berilla (Sumption), lives at Ridgeville. fom- children; Eleanor (Pettijohu), lives in Jay County, seven children; Edith H. (MoflFatt), Hancock County, three, children: Harriet I'. (Thomson), Wliitley County, three children; Susan nab. diodachild; David, died at llidgeville in 1S7I. live children; Joel, livesne.ir Ridgeville. three children; Lvdia (Wav). Winchester, tour children; Joab. lives soutli of RidgrviUe. three children.

,loab Ward had been a trader in Ohi<i, but he had " broken np." and phnu'ed into the Western woods, going to the bounds of civili7,;ition."r.idgevillo then being the extreme nnlskirt and corner of white settlement. His healtli was poor and his pi-ospi-cts wenMiot briglit. Without means, without health, wiili a -rowing family, he still livwl in hope, and did his best, looking .-ind v.-isliin^' for beHnr times. He tirsi settled in a camp, cleared some l,T,n.l. made sngar, killed deer. rtc. I [e was a great lumter, having killed more tlnui once two deer with th(> same shot. At one lime, lu. killed six deer .and crippled the seventh in one morning before onlinary breakfast time. He used to hunt doer bv diivingsharpened stakes into the ground, witlnwints upward (h(; places whei-e the doer would jump into the field, often crippling thorn thus. Several times four were killed by him in -M single day. Ho <lied November 7, 1874, having lived there nearly fifty-six years, and being eighty-four years old. He was n Whig and a Ropnblican. His wife was a very religious woman, thouixh she was iloprived. by lonir dist,anco, from meetings of religious so<'iolies; slii- dieil in 18(54. Both are buried at White River Burving (Ironn.l.

in 1850 to llehecca HarraliJ, who dieJ March 4, 1870. They were the parents of seven c.hililreii, six uf whom are now living - Cornelius M., Sylvester, Milford, Elvira, Emma and Asa. Lincoln died in infancy. Mrs. Adinglon was the daughter of Amasa an<l Leah (While) Harrald. In .Tune, 1878, Mr. Adington was marrie<i to .Jane Day, his present companion. Her son, .Joseph T., is a successful school teacher. Mr. Adington was engaged for some time in milling pursuil-i, but since the year 18B;i he ha,^ given his atti-ntion to farming, lie lias 140 acre.s of land in .Section 27. Ue is a UepuWican, and a member of the Society of Friends. Hia wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ELISriA T. ISAtLEY, physician, Ridgeville. Eli.sha T. Bailey w.is born in Clinton County, Ohio, September 19, 1821. His father, Ilinim Bailey, was

Rachel Thomas, was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1802. The parents removed to Wayne Couniy, Ind., in 18:iO, where they remained until death. The mother died in 18118, and the fiuher in 1872. Elisha, their son, attended the common school and worked on the farm until twenty-two years of age, and then began the study of medicine under Dr. Stanton Judkins, brother of I'rof. Judkins, of Cincinnati. In 184i), he was examined by the WayneCounly Merlical Board, and licensed to practice medicine. In 1847, he located at Emmeil.'ivillo, Uandolph County, and practiced four years, llien attended the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in that institution. In 18.')4, he located at Ridgeville, where he has ever since continued the practice of his profession. He was appointed Postmaster at Emmeltsville in 1848, and at Ridgeville in 18(12, having held the olfioe ever since. He also served as Township Trustee four years. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits until his parl-

,Mr.' Bailey is identified with the Friends. lU: is also a Master Mason. Ilii has fifiy-fivc acres of good land in .lection 2, and enjoys a comfortable share of worldly prosperity. In 1845, he was married to .lulia A. Morgan, a naiivt of Randolph County, who dietl in November 17, 18.-)4. On the 27tli ot ,^ep lemher, 185(1, lie married I'liulina Mack. Her father, .Teremiali L. Mack, wan a native of Ohio, and her mother. Matilda (Pierce) M.ack, a native of Randolph County. The second marriai^e was blessed by four children - Minnie K., Koselle, Ralph and Ferrel. The mother died M.arch :i, IHT.i.

Jo.Skpii Butterworth

arv Ut, 1.S62. Mr. Biitterworth and wife are the parents of six children- Charles S., James M.. Susan M., Hannah E., Annetia and Thomas H. Thomas II. clicd March 1801; l^liarles S. married Mary E. Paikison; Susan M. married Klisha B. West, and was unitctl with her present hu.sband, Charles Manford, in 1880; Hannah E was married to .lohn G. Minlou. and Anneii . was married in 187S to Charles A. Minion. Mr. But terworth and wife ai.d three children are members of the M. E. Church. His son, tjliarles S. wils a member of Company F, Seveuiy-fifth llegiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

John M. Coons

JOHN M. COONS. Ji.hn M. Coons, farmer, P. 0. Ridgeville, was born in Highland County, Oliiu, January .i, 1K27. His father, jMicliael, w.as born in Virginia, and his inoiher, father ilicd in 18(15. ThcVamily came to Indiana in 18-.i7, and seilled on the line bo'.ween Randolph and Jay Couiitiea. The nearest neighbor was a mile distant. There was no schoolhouse nearby, and the subject of this sketch often went as fir as Richmond, Ind., to mill. Ueonoe killed a wolf and received $5 bounty for iis scalp, at Portland. His grandfather was a soldier in the Revoliition, and fought at the battle of Bunker IliU.and his two brothers served in the Union army

Cluisiain Church, and one of the oldest members of the Host Indiana ("..nfereuce. His wife is .also a member of this church. He is engaged in the pursuit of fni nciiiR. He has about 300 acres of good land. Ho is a member of Dorle Loilge, No. 3(12, and is at present Master of the lodge. His sou, C.eoige V. is a Past (irand of Powers Udge, No. 490, I. 0. O. F., and his son, John VV., i.s a Master Maeon. Mr. Coons was married, on the 26th of October, 1843, to Margaret M. Wilson. Tliey are the parents of six children - .lohn W., (ieorgc F., Sarah E., James P. and Martha .\nn and an infant; the latter three are de ceased. James Wilson, the father of .Mrs. Coons, was horn in Virginiain 17T7 and died in Randolph County, Ind., at the age of seventy-five years. Her mother died in Virginia. Her father settled in Randolph County, Ind., in 183il JOSEPH EDOER, shoe dealer, Ridgeville, was born in Harrison (!oHuly, Kv., September 25, 1822. His father, Thomas Edgor, was born in the same State November M, IT'.il. His mother, Nancy Edger, was horn in Ireland. Thev moved to Ibitlcv T.wnship, Darke County, Ohio, iu 1824. where the father die.i April 1, 18:ii;, and the mother October, 182!(. Mr. Ivlger crime to Randolph County iu 1837 with his uncle Edward. He was educated in the common schools ot this county. He served two terms as Justice of the Peace j was re igned. He wa.s married, December 3, 184Ci, to Alice Kim parents of six children - Sarah E., Nancy, Eliza, Jamoa W., Thomas and Archibald. The two last named are deceased, llr. Kdger has long been engaged oantile business at Ridgevilln. He has been in this business six years, and has the largest and best establishment of the kind in Ridgeville. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Chapter at Winchester, and Muncie Command-

'jOHJj R. FREN'CH, farmer, P. 0. Ridgeville. John R. French was born in Randolph County, Ind., May 6, 1859. His father, Howell B. French, was born in Ohio, and Ms mother, whose maiden name was Sarah F. Flood, was also a native of that State; his parents are both living in Randolph County; his Grandfather Flood, was perhaps the first Methodist preacher in this county, and he and his Grandfather French laid out the first burying-ground in Greene Township ; his Grandfather Miller was one of the first settlers in Franlilin Township. Mr. French formerly taught school, but is now engaged in the pursuit of farming. He was married, August 9, 1878, to Miss Alice A. Miller. They have one daughter - Leonor* Garfield. Jacob Mill(

GEORGE L. GEGNER, harness-maker, Ridgeville, was born in Germany November 29, 1842, and came to the United States when six months of age ; his parents, George and Johanna Gegner, were both natives of Germany ; his father died at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 4, 1877. George L. received a good common-school education at Cincinnati ; he came to Randolph County, Ind., in 1869, and has ever since been engaged in the harness business at Ridgeville ; he enlisted in Company A, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the Union army, at the first call for three months' volunteers, and re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry Regiment for three years, working his way from the ranks to the office of First Lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Resaca, Buzzard Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, Lust Mountain, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw, Neal Dow Church, Decatur, Alatoona, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's, Nashville, Tenn., Smithfield, N. C, and others. On the 8th of March, 180fi, he married Elizabeth Wayman, who was born at New Castle, Ind., December 2, 1842 ; her father, Milton Wayman, was born in Kentucky ; he entered the ministry of the Metho'dist Episcopal Church at Middletown, Md., and has been thus engaged for twenty-six years ; he is now sixty-seven years of age. Mr. Gegner and wife have five children, viz. : Charles M., Mary, Jennie R., William L. and John W. Mr. Gegner has succeeded well in business, and is now in comfortable circumstances, having a good business block and residence. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was identified with the schools of Howard and Madison Counties as a teacher.

JOHN I. HOKE, jeweler, Ridgeville. John I. Hoke was born in Jacksou Township, Randolph Co , Ind., May 12, 1849; his father, Seth Hoke, was born in Pennsylvania August 20, 1824 ; his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Johnson, was born near Dayton, Ohio, in 1829. She came to Randolph County about 1833, and his father came about 1845. They are now living in Union City, and are probably the oldest settlers there. The father enlisted aa a substitute for Eli NoflSnger, Jr.. in the Thirty-eighth Indiana Regiment, in 1864, and took part in the battle of Nashville. The subject of this sketch was married, December .30, 187ii, to Mary E. White, daughter of Thomas and Barbara White, of Jay County, Ind. Mrs. Hoke was born in that county December 1, 1854; her father, Thomas White, was born July 15. 1826, and her mother was born September 21, 1830. They are both livingat Portland, Jay Co., Ind. Mr. Hoke engaged in the jewelry trade and luw ever since followed that occupation ; he has been in the business at Ridgeville for four years ; he keeps an assortment of clocks and watches, and does a generil repair business. Mr. Hoke and wife are the parents of one daughter- Edith L. His Grandfather Johnson served in the Revolutionary war. His grandmother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Coblentz, married Tliomas Young. They lived together about three years, and had one son - John. One day, in 1820, the elder Young started to Dayton. Ohio, with a load of corn, but disappeared mysteriously, and nothing further was ever heard from him. Mr. Hoke's grandfather subsequently married the supposed widow of Young. The son, John, was subsequently killed in a distillery at La Fayette, Ind.

REV. THOMAS HARRISON, A. M., Ridgeville, was born at Thir.sk, in Yorkshire, England, in 1813. His father, early in life, became a minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and continued in the ministry until his death, at the age of seventy-seven. The son received a liberal education at an academy, commencing the study of Latin when ocly eleven years oM. As he early evinced a fondness for reading, he was put to the printing business, at an office in connection with which there was a large book store. Here, he acquired a an extensive acquaintance with general literature. At the age of seventeen, he began to preach and lecture. After residing some time in the city of York, he came, in 1835, to the United States, and located at Springfield, Ohio, where he was associated with John M. Gallagher (brother of William D., the poet), in editing and publishing the Springfield Pioneer. Not relishin<; the bitterness and acrimony of party politics, he disposed of his interest in the business, and in 1841 became assistant editor of the Western Christian Advocate, C. Elliott, D. D., being the principal. Here he remained until 1848, when, meeting with an accident which resulted in the loss of a limb, he determined to turn his attention to teaching. For some time previous, he had an inclination in this direction, thinking it a fine field for usefulness, notwithstanding its arduous duties. He wrote to his friend, S. Howard, D. D., then Principal of the High School at Springfield, Ohio, who offered him a position in the institution. Here he labored until 1852, when, upon the invitation of a number of friends, he opened an academy in New Carlisle, where he remained until the breakingout of the rebellion. Nearly all the young men left and joined the Union army. He then spent a short time in lecturing, when he was elected Superintendent of the Union Schools of Springfield. In 1864, he was elected President of Moore's Hill College, Indiana. During the six years he remained there, the about 150. Having several sijns who had received an education there, and who wished to prepare for business life, he thought it advisable to move to a larger place, where they could have the requisite facilities. In 1872, he was elected Principal of the High School at Shelbyville, Ind., several of the citizens there desiring to have a more extended course of study in the institution. In 1878, after attending a normal school and some county institutes, where he had a large amount of teaching and lecturing to do, he was attacked with nervous pro.-flration, and suffered severely for several months, but by rest and the unremitting attention of his family, he was restored to health. In 1880, he was elected Acting President of Ridgeville (Jollege, and Professor of Latin and Greek. During 1880, the number of students was double that of the preceding year. While connected with literary institutions, Prof. Harrison has made it a practice to go about the country on Saturdays, lecturing on science and education, and preaching on Sundays. Three of his brothers became ministers of the Gospel, and one, Judge Harrison, of Columbus, Ohio, a Member of Congress. One of his sisters married a minister, and two of his nephews are ministers of the Gospel, making eight ministers in the family and its connections. His wife is a sister of C. Morris, attorney at law, Troy, Ohio. For several years she was President of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of the Sixth Congressional District of Indiana. One of his sons is a lawyer, one a physician and the other an editor. One of his daughters is the wife of Prof. R. W. Koad. and the other of Dr. Cushman. The Professor is the originator of the Numeral System of Musical Notation, and author of several works on music. He is also author of a work ou elocution. His attainments as an educator and scholar have called forth the heartiest commendation from prominent literary men, among whom are Dr. Elliott, of the Adooazte ; Mr. Hobbs, Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Indiana ; Prof. Staley, of the Frankfort (Ind.) Orescent, and many others.

CHRISTOPHER C. HIATT, physician, Ridgeville, was born in Randolph County, Ind., March 18, 1832. He is the son of Sil.as and Mary Hiatt, both natives of Virginia. His father, Silas Hiatt, came to Randolph County, Ind., in the year 1818, and lielped to build the first cabin in Winchester, near the present site of J. Norman's bank. In 1862, the subject of this biography enlisted as a private soldier in the Fifth Indiana Cavalry, Ninetieth Regiment. He was promoted to the office of Surgeon. He was in the Department of the Ohio, and was present at the first capture of Knoxville, September 1, 1863. He was also in the battles of BlountviUe, Danville, Bean SUtion, Walker's Ford, and other engagements. After the battle of Walker's Ford, they were sent to join Gen. Sherman's command at Tunnel Hill, and his regiment was sent with Gen. Stoneman to raid on Macon, but were nearly all captured by the rebels. Surg. Hiatt was detailed to return to Marietta, Ga., to take care of the sick and wounded, and was shortly afterward sent to Indianapoli.'!, Ind., before the Stale election of 18C4, and remained until after the Presidential election, and was assigned to do duty as Examining Surgeon of Recruits. Rejoined his regiment^ - those who were taken prisoners having, in the meantime, been exchanged. The regiment was again fitted for the field, and ordered to Nashville, to participate in the last fight at that city, but arrived too late to take any part in that action. They were next sent to Pulaski, Tenn., where Dr. Hiatt was placed in charge of the hospital as Surgeon, remaining until September, IH65. lie had charge of all sick and woundeil and about 400 smallpox patients, as well as the sick in the military prison. He finally fell a victim to small-pon, but escaped with a light attack. Under a law giving three months' pay as a bounty to all officers who should remain to the close of the war, he

MILTON R. HIATT, druggist, Ridgeville, was horn in Jay County, Ind. He is the son of Jonathan Hiatt, a native of Virginia. His grandfather was one of the early sel tiers of Randolph County, Ind. Mr. Hiatt enjoyed acommoneohool educition in his native county, and afterward attended the college at Oberlin, Ohio, fjr one year. He graduated in the Commercial College at ha.yton, Ohio, in 18G6. In 1809, he married Levina Mastick, a lady of fine accomplishments. She was at one time a teacher in the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, also in Ihe college at Ridgeville in this county. Her father, Owen Mastick, was a native of Vermont, and her mother a native of Connecticut. Until twenty-six, years of age, Mr. Hiatt was engaged in farming, but afterward adopted mercantile pursuits. For fourteen years, he has been engaged in the drug trade at Ridgeville. and has one of the finest stores in Randolph County. It is situated on the corner of AValnut and .Main streets. Mr. Hiatt was elected Town Clerk at the organization of Ridgeville, and served four years, and is now the 'I'reasurer of the corporation and Secretary of the Board of Ridgeville College, in which capacity he is serving his second term. By his own efforts and industry, he has succeeded in accumulating property to the value of several thousand dollars. His brother, John W., who now resides in Nebraska, was a soldier in the Union army. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

GEOIIGH W. HOLOWELL, farmer, P. 0. Ridgeville, was born July 11, 1842. His father was William Holowell, and his molher before marriage, was Catharine Newburn. Both were natives of Ohio. Mr. Holowell came to Indiana in 1847. He enlisted in the Fortieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry and served four years. He parlicipated in the battlus of Mill Creek, Ky., Chickamauga, Nashville and other engagements, and at Kenesaw Mountain he was wounded in the arm and breast. He was married, February C, 1868, to Julia A. Stephens, daughter of John Stephens; her parents are natives of Monroe County, Ohio. They have seven children living, viz., John W., Francis S., Jacob W., Jane G., George E., Adda E. and Oliver P. Adda E. died April 22, 1881. Mr. Holowell has a good farm of IGO acres, and is comfortably situated. In politics, he is a true Republican.

HALE HOLOWELL, farmer, P. 0. Ridgeville, was born in Randolph County, Ind., April 4, 1854. His father, William Holowell, "was born in Preble County, Ohio ; his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth McKerr ; his paternal grandfather served in the war of 1812. Mr. Holowell was married,

December 31, 1874, to Luzena RidJlebarger, daughter of David and Mary A. Riddlebarger, both of whom are now living at Ridgeville. They have one daughter living. Mrs. Holowen'.s grandfather served in the war of 1812 ; her father, David Riddlebarger, was born in Virginia ; her mother, whose maiden name was Mary A. Rhoades, was born in Indiana.

HENRY D. HORN, farmer. P. 0. Sherman, was bora in Randolph County, Ind., February 15, 1841) ; his parents, Jacob and Sarah Horn, were natives of North Carolina; they came to Randolph County in Ig.'SO; his mother dieil in 1S73 and his father in 1878. His grindfather Wood was in the war of 1812. Mr. Horn was married to Sarah J. Malthie December 29, 1860. They have four children living, viz., Ida M., Annie 15., George Thomas and .lames A. Mrs. Horn is the daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth 0. (Brown) Maltbie, the farmer a native of Ohio and the latter a native of Kentucky ; her mother is living at Farmland. Mr. Horn is engaged at the pursuit of farming. He is a lember of the Society of Friends, and in politics a Republican. His wife is a member of the Disciples' or Christian Church. She has two sisters - Malinda A., wife of Stephen Norman. Rachel M., and two brothers - George W. and Robert T., both of whom are dead.

MARION L. JACK, tinner, Ridgeville, was horn in Ward Township, Randolph County, Ind., November 4, 1856. His father, John W. Jack, and his mother, Mary E. (Lewis) Jack, were both natives of that township, and his grandfather, Robert Jack, was one of the Tery early settlers of this county. Mr. Jack is engaged in the tinware and stove business at Ridgeville. He is an enterprising young man. He was iii:ivried, December 4, 1879, to Miss Mary E. Collins, a native of Jay County, Ind., and daughter of Martin T. and Victoria Collins.

WILLIAM M. JANES, farmer, P. 0. Ridgeville, was bom in Campbell County, Ky., October 20, 1817. His father, Samuel Janes, was bora in Virginia October 15, 173(5, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth McCollum, was born in Kentucky October 2ti, 1708. His father was an officer in the war of 1812, and fought gallantly in a number of battles. At the surrender of Hull at Detroit, he forced his sword into the ground and broke it, rather than humiliats himself by handing it to a British olfioer. The subject of this biography first visited Rjindolph County in 1828, but did not settle here until 1868. On the lOlh of February, 1842, he was married to Lucinda Baughman. a native of Virginia; her parents were both natives of that State. In early life, Mr. Janes was engaged in boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. He kept hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1863 and 18r,4, and in Covington, Ky., for the next three years. He has been engaged at the carpenter's trade ever since, aad is still an able and efficient hand. He has a good residence on the corner of Main and Portland streets, Ridgeville. and seven and a half acres of good land adjoining the town. He served as Justice of the Peace three years and Trustee six years in Adams County. Ohio Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Kpiscopal <;imrch. He was mado a Master Mason in 1842, and a Royal Arch Mason in 1844. His mother died at the aie of eighty-four years six months and ten days. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church fir more than fifty years, Mr. Janes anil wife have two adopted daughters - Mary A. and Annie Belle, both estimable young ladies.

MRS. ELMIRA MrKHW, farming, P. 0. Ridgeville. Elmira Taylor was hnvn in Virginia February 14, 18.'57. Her father, James Taylor, and her mother, Ann (Thomas) Taylor, were both nativesof that State. Hergrandfatherserved in the war of 1812. Her father died in Virginia. Iler mother .still reshles there, at an advanced age. Miss Taylor was married, in 1855, to George Mc- Kew, a native of Ireland. He came to Randolph County in 183R, and died in 1870. She has two children living, named Ella and Robb, respectively. Mrs. McKew has 140 acres of good laud in section 12, under a fine state of cul-

ISAIAH C. MILNER, farmer, V. (). Clark's. Isaiah C. Milner w.-is born in Riuidolph County, Ind., September 10, 1822. His father, John Milner, was bom in North Carolina; she died August 25, 1846, and his father died May 2;}, 1850. They came to Randolph (.bounty about the year 1820, His grandfather Milner was in the Rcvoluliimary War, and was wounded, and, although entitled to a pension, he always refused to apply for It. His maternal grandfather. Case, also served in the Kjvniutionary war for five years. Mr. Milner was reared in the county in which he now lives, and is well known. He taught anger days during the wint ' , - ..,. , has been engaged in farming. May 8, 185: Freeman. Thev have three children - Marv J., Surnh S and Nathaniel M. Mrs. Milner is'the daughter of Thoniton S. and Nancy P. ( Holingsworlh) freeman, both natives of South Carolina. Her mother is still living; her father died February 19, 1849. Mr. Milner was elected Township Trustee in 1859, and, after serving four years, was re-elected. He also served as Laml Appraiser and Assessor. He has 160 acres of good land, in .Section 26, where he locatcil when thirty-two years of age. Ho is a Republican in politics. His family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HENRY T. KITSELMAN, mei'chant, P. O. Ridgeville. Henry T. Kit,solnian was born in Wayne County, Ind., March 17, 185.'i. His lather was Joseph Loven. but he was adopted anrl reared by Davis S. Kitselinan. lie enjoyed good educatiimal advantages in youth, and attcndeil college for more than two years. He was married to Martha Niswunger in January, 1874. Her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth, are both living at Ridgeville. Mr. and Mrs. Kilaclman are the parents of three children, two of whom (Nina and Zella) arc now living; Elsie died in February, 18"*0. After the close of his school life. Mr. Kitselnian act cil as express agent for three years, but has since been engaged in mercantile pursuits. He is now the senior menfiber of the firm of Kitselman. Seaney & Cj., dealers in dry goods, clothing, etc. He is a member of the Methodist KpLscopal Church, as istilso his wife ; he is also a member of Ridgeville Lodge, I. 0. O. F. Ho has long been identified with the Republican party.

and has served as Town Clerk and Councilman, and is at present a member of the School Board. He has some valuable town property, and is comfortably situated.

DAVIS S. KITSKLMAN, hardware, Ridgeville. Davis S. Kitselman was born in Chester County, Penu., October 23, 1819. His father, John H., and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Graham, were both natives of that county, and both died there - the father in 1841, and the mother in 1849. John H. Kitselman served in the war of 1812, and his father in the warof the Revolution, and was in the encampment at Valley Forge. Davis S. Kitselman came to Randolph t/ounty, Ind,, in 1854, and htis resided here ever since. He married Mabala A. Starbuck, a' native of Indiana - born October 19, 18:i;i. She is a member of the Baptist Church ; her father was a native of North Caroused b

M., Ida F., Carle M., Edwin F. and A Henry T. Mr. Kitselman was reared on a farm, but h^is, at various limes been engaged in other pursuits, among them, the occupation of milling, aud has spent a good portion of his life in mercantile pursuits. For six years he was engaged in the drug trade, with Dr. Ward, and for the past seven years, has l>een in the hardware trade at Ridgeville. His store is on the corner of First and Walnut streets, where he keeps a general assortment of hardware, stoves and tinware. He has been a member of the Town (Council of Ridgeville, and is a Past Grand in Ridgeville Lodge, No. 297, I. 0. 0. F. He has 135 acres o! good land, a neat, comfortable residence and several town lots.

ARTHUR McKEW. Arthur McKew, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Ridgeville. was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, August 12, 1819. His parents came to the United States Trom Ireland, and were married in Pennsylvania. They removed to Fayette County, lad., when their son, Arthur, was butachild, and h' grew up among the scenes that marked the pioneer period in this State. Hi educational privileges were nccessivrily very limited, yet by close application and faithful study he acquired sufficient knowledge to enable him to conduc' intelligently and successfully an extensive business in later yeaw, and qualif; himself for a varied and successful career as a merchant,, miller and banker When about twelve years of age he came to Randolph County, Ihd, with hi^' parents, and located with them on a farm directly across the river from the present site of Ridgeville. Here a great portion of his time was employed in assisting his father to clear his land and cultivate his farm, until he had nearly attained his twenty-first year. During this period, however, he spent a term of four months at school in Fayette County, which closed his school life. Upin nearing his majority, he stiirled out to earn a livelihood for himself, anil for the next throe year.^ worked as a farm laborer, at very low wages, but manag ing to save a portion of the little pittance he cpirned. After working thus for about three years, he learned the plasterer's trade, without assistance from any one, and was engaged .at this pursuit, in connection with farming, until about twenty-eight years old. By that time, he had saved enough from his earnings to enable him to purchase a small farm, and invested it accordingly. He purchitsed sixty acres, and opened a store at what w.os then the cross-roads, but now the principal part of the town of Ridgeville. This little farm was the nucleus of a large landed estate, comprising 1,200 acres in a body, and the little store the beginning of a prosperous mercantile career. He conducted a. large and promiscuous trade with farmers througho'it the surrounding country, buying from them everything convertible into CJish. ami keeping his store sup plied with the class of merchandise most in demand. His personal popularity, and his honorable and manly treatment of his customers secured to hia eslal; lishment a large Ir.ade from all the surrounding country throughout a perio. of many years. Hia business grew with the years, and he became identificix with other enterprisxs, thus making his interests varied and extensive. In ]85'1. - Ridgeville, and, in 185'.), erecli'n ties for manufacturing the beat of tluiir [e sold this mill in 1870, and purcliased one at Walton, Ind., in 1875, rcniovig it to Ridgeville. This mill, wiili all its fine machinery, together with a iluable lot of grain, were destroyed by fire on the 6th of May, 1877, but not Iscouraged by this disaster, he at once began the erection of a fine fire-proof lill, with all its appointments and machinery of the latest and most approved yle. His industry and fine financial ability could not fail to return him goldeii awards, and his fortune accumulated rapidly. Yet he never possessed any irdid propeniities, and, instead of seeking to add to a fortune already ample, J found the greatest pleasure in disbursing his rabney in ways that would do )od to hii fellow men. and ease the burden of some one les.s fortunate than he was written of him, by one who knew well, thai " there is no material im id public spirit of this good man. There was never, during his lifetime, any jod work commenced in this cotnmutiity that did not have him fur a leader, e was one of the men born to leivd ; one of the men to whom it was given the )Wer to succeed in almost every undertaking, and one of the grand old pioncounty, and org of this collepe from its founding uniii nis acairi. tie was one oi loe organizers of the First National Bank of Winchester, and was the first Cashier of that institution. He founded the Uidgeville Bank, and served as its President until his decease.

In his political affiliations, Mr. McKew was at first an anti-slavery Whig. Later, however, he identified himself with the Republican party, and was a valued member of that organization. He filled several elective ofBces, among them that of County Commissioner, in which capacity his fine judgmentproved of great value to the materi.al interests of the county. He was an \incompromising temperance man, and a strong ally of the temperance cause. He united with the order of Anci'ent, Free and Accepted Masons in IS-")!, and for more than thirty years was an active member. He transferred his membership to Doric Lodge, No. 302, at Ridgeville, upon its organization, and was identified with it at the time of his death. He was a Royal Arch Mason in the Council at Winchester, and was unanimously admitted as a Sir Knight in the Comniandery at Richmond, Ind., but was never initiated. He died on the Ist day of January, 1882, mourned by all who had known him in life.

He was married, in 'March. 1844, to Margery, daughter of Joab Ward, and sister of Hon, Thomas Ward, of Winchester. Six children were the fruits of this union, all of whom are now deceased, save Melissa i:., wife of AV. F. Studebaker, of Ridgeville. His wife still survives him, occupying the home where they spent the years of a happy wedded life, ere death severed the tie that bad so long bound their hearts as one.

ASA ORCUTT, carpenter, Rid^reville, Ind., October 10, 1840. His father, Jacob i his mother, whose maiden name was Christina Rarick, was born in Pennsylvania. They came to Randolph County, Ind., in 1838, where the father died in 1846, and the mother in 1873. His father was a soldier in the Indian wars, and his grandfather Rarick in the war of the Revolution. Mr. Orcutt was married, on the 24th of August, 1862, to Miss Anna E. Hacrshman, daughter of Jacob Haershman, a native of Pennsylvania. He died in 1863. They have one son - Reuben, born January 23, 1864. Mr. Orcutt was reared a farmer, and followed that occupation until sixteen years of age. He learned the carpenter's trade, and has ever since been engaged in that vocation. He has succeeded by industry, and is now comfortably situated.

HENIir A. RARICK, milling, Ridgeville, was born in Dayton, Ohio, June 12, 1846. His father. Dr. H. J. Rarick, was born in Germany, and his mother, whose maiden name was Catharine Wertz, was born in Pennsylvania. Both are now living at Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Rarick came to Indiana in 1876. In 1862, ho enlisted in the Union army, and was engaged in thirteen battles, among which were the battles of Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Stone River and Chickamiuga. He was in the Red River expedition, and was twice wounded, but not seriously. He was mustered out of the service in 1865. On the Ifit'.i of October, 1867, he was married to Isabella Ray, daughter of William Ray, a tanner, of Indianapolis, Ind. Mr. Rarick has long been engaged in milling pursuits, but has recently adopted the vocation of farming. He has a good farm of eighty acres in Section 22. He was a member of the Seventeenth Independent 0. B. Light Artillery, and still retains, as a relic, the saber he carried through

ABRAHAM ROE, farmer, P. 0. Ridgeville, was born in Ohio April 10, 1819. , His father, Ezekiel, was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Funk, a native of the same State. His father died June 20, 1860, and his mother in 1863, both in Randolph County, Ind. Mr. Roe came to this county at a time when Indians and wiM game abounded. He has killed, according to his own testimony, !»70 deer, the largest part of this number having been killed in this county, and his father was aiso a successful marksman. Mr. Roe was married, February 28, 1844, to Hannah Renbarger,

Mrs. Roe is the daughter of Abraham .'ind Puichael (Luellec) Renbargei former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Ohio. Mr. Koe has always followed the occupation of fivrmiug. He has eighty acres of fine land, and is a successful farmer. He and wife are members of the M, E. Church, and in politics he is identified with the -Republican party.

MRS. ANGELINE WHIPPLE, housekeeper, Ridgeville, was born in Randolph County, Ind. Her father, Reuben Whipple, wag horn in Delaware County, Ohio, in January, 1834. Her mother, whose maiden name was M.ary Orcutt, was horn in Darke County. Ohio, October 18, 1838. Mrs. Whipple was married, on the 4th of .May, 1876, to Newton McKew, a native of Randolph County, Ind., and son of Arthur .McKew. Her husband wm horn July 13, 18.54, and died July 6, 1879. They had two children - Newton A. and Ida, of whom only the former survives. Ida died September 25, 1878, aged thirteen months. Mr. McKew was a member of the .M. E. Church, and a life member of the .Missionary Society. Reubeu Whipple was a member of the Eighty-fourth Indiana Regiment. He enlisted in 1861, and served three years.

ALEXANDER WOOD, farmer and lawyer, Ridgeville, wast born in Darke County, Ohio, October 30, 1832. His father, Samuel Wood, was born in Virginia iMay 22, 1794, and hia mother, Elizabeth (Tliompaon) Wood, was born at Elizabethtown N. J., March 4, 1801. His grandfather was born July 4, 1760, in North Carolina, and his grandmother, Jemima Phillips, was born in Delaware January 26, 1774. They were morried January 15, 1793. Mr. Wood's parents came to Randolph County, Ind., in February, 1837. His father served in the war of 1812, and his grandfather Wood in the Revolutionary war under Gen. Greene. He was wounded in the hip at Gilford Station, and was at the battle of Hunker Hill, Eutaw Springs, and others. His grandfather, Thompthis county, and in yocjth enjoyed good educational advantages. After completing the common school course, he graduated in the classical department of Ridgeville College. He studied law, end on the 4th of July, 1855, was admitted to the bar. His time since tfrat has been devoted more or less to his profeasion, and by diligence in his cJiosen field ho has made life a success. He haa a handsome residence and 100 aores of land adjoining the corporation of Ridgeville. also a good business houe-e on Walnut street, in Ridgeville. His brothers, George ami William, were boti killed by Indians, in Minnesota, in 1857; his brother, Charles R., enlisted in Company G, Eighth Indiana Regiment, in August, and died on the field in November of the '- ime year; another brother, Elijah, enlisted in the three months' service when but sixteen years of age, and re-enlisted, in 1863, in the Seventh Indiana Cavalry. He received a wound in the arm. from the elTects of which he died In August, 1864. Elisha, the twin brother of Elijah, enlisted in Company B, Seventh Indiana Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, and was mustered out under the general at Ridgeville College, also at Ann Arbor, Mich., Law School, and is now practicing law at Long Prairie, Minn. He has been engaged in some very important apeak of him in the highest terms as a lawyer

ANDREW J. WOOD, grocer, Ridgeville, was born at Ridgeville, Randolph Co., Ind., September 12, 1842. His father, Samuel Wood, was born in Virginia, and hia mother, Elizabeth, in New Jersey. They came to Randolph County, Ind., about the year 1830, where the father died in 1846. .Mr. Wood enlisted in the Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, July 15, 1861, and re-enlisted in 1864, serving as Second Duty Sergeant. He participated in the battles of Gainesville, the second Bull Run, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, Antietam, Fitzhugh'a, Gettysburg, Chancelloraville, Mine Run, Spottsylvania, the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, and minor engagements. He was wounded in the hip, while bearing the flag of his regiment. He has saved a portion of the flag, as well as the ball that pierced him. The flag was literally torn into shreds by the etorm of bullets. Hia ancestors were soldiers, his father having served in the war of 1812, and his grandfather in the war of the Revolution. He was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill. Mr. Wood was reared on a farm, but since the war has been in the grocery trade at Ridgeville. He has built up a good trade, and by industry has accumulated a comfortable share of this world's goods. He woa married, July 25, 1867, to Rebecca Finch, a native of Ohio. Her parents were natives of the same State. Mr. Wood and wife are the parents of six children, viz.: Maud, Rex, Lenna, Alonzo, Annie, ond one who died in infancy. .Mr. Wood was made a Master Moson in 1864. He was Marshal of the town of Ridgeville for three years, and has held other positions of honor and trust. He recently spent three months on a hunting excursion in Montana, Dakota ami Wyoming. During the war, a minie ball struck hie cartridge-box, exploding sixty rounds of ammunition.

JOHN W. SEANEV, merchant, Uidgeville, was born in Wayne County, Ind., August 5, 1843. His father, Owen Seaney, was born in North Carolina, and came to Wayne County, Ind., at an early day; he married Martha Grimes, a native of the latter county. Both died in that county, the mother in June, 1846, and the father on the 17th of March, 1871. John W. Seaney came to Randolph County, Ind., and was married to Rosannoh Starbuck December 5, 1866. Her father, Robert Starbuck, was a native of North Carolina, and her mother, whose maiden name was Hannah Addleman, was a native of Chester County, Penn. Her mother died April 8, 1870. Mr. Seaney and wife are the parents of five children, viz. : Erminnie, Oran E., Bertha E., Ina Ethel, Erma E., and of this number the eldest, Erminnie, is deceased. Mr. Seaney was reared on a farm ; he taught school five years, then, in 1860, began the dry goods trade, as the successor of E. T. Bailey ; he was also ia the grocery trade for a time ; he is now a member of the dry goods firm of Kitselman, Seaney & Co., who carry the largest stock of dry goods and ready-made clothing in Ridgeville. In 1870, Mr. Seaney was elected Trustee of Franklin Township, and served four terms consecutively. He haa a good residence on the corner of Portland and Second streets, and is comfortably situated. His wife was born February 20, 1842. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an estimable lady.

ANDERSON SLUSHER, farmer, P. 0. Ridgeville, was born in Wayne County, Ind., September 15, 1842 ; his parents, George and Sarah Slusher, are both natives of Virginia. They came to Randolph County in 1844, and now reside in Franklin Township. Mr. Slusher served the Union cause as a member of the Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Regiment, and participated in the battles of Stone River and Chickanmuga. In the latter engagement, he was shot through the face, and was honorably discharged in consequence of his wound; he was married, in June, 1865, to Eliza Ann Silvers ; her father, George Deboyd, was bom in Virginia, and her mother, Millie Waters, in Kentucky. Mr. Slusher and wife are the parents of six cliildren, viz. : Annettie, Lucy, Alice, Nora, Arlie and Ella. Mr. .Slusher has 112 acres of fine land in Section 21, and is a successful farmer.

JOHN E. SMITHSON, farmer, P. 0. Ridgeville, was born in Randolph County, Ind., May 15, 1830; his father, George W. Smithson, was born in Virginia ; his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Thornburg, was born in North Carolina. They came to Randolph County, Ind., in 1824, and settled in Stony Creek Township ; his father wius the second Justice of the Peace elected in that township ; he was elected to this office in 1827, and re-elected in 1832 ; he was subsequently the candidate of the Abolition party for the office of Commissioner, but his parly being in the minority, he was defeated. Ho was President of a society for the promulgation of the doctrines of Abolition. Grandfather Smithson was a Revolutionary soldier. The subject of this biography enjoyed a common-school education ; he was reared a farmer, and has followed that occupation in connection with stock-raising all his life ; he was married, March 14, 1860, to Caroline Beck. They are the parents of ten children, viz. : Eliza Jane, Elvin L., George M., William H., KelUe S., Sater,

Maryland. Mr. Smithson and wife are both members 'of the Christian Church, an.l Mr. Smithson is a member of the .Masonic frater-aity ; he has 139 acres of line laud adjoining the farm of his father, in Seoti'on 15.

ISAAC N. STRATTON', merchant, Hidgeville, was born in Jay County, Ind., February 12, 1839. His father was barn in rennsylvauia. His mother WM born in West Virginia, but was reared in Ohio. They moved to Jay County, tnd, in 1837. His mother died in tb.-at county in 1857. His father still resides iliere, and at the age of ei^ghly years is still hale and hearty. Mr. Straiten enjoyed acommon-sch(M)l education, and afterward taught school. He followed the occupation of fa-Tming in early life, and up to the outbreak of the late rebellion, but has »ince been otherwise engaged. He enlisted in the Tliirty-ninth Indiano- Volunteer Infantry, in July, 1801. Subsequently his regiment was supvlied with horses, and servsd as mounted infantry. They " vetcranizivi" in 18B4, and were known as the Eighth Cavalry. Mr. Stratton participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Stony Creek, Chickamauga, \\ie b.itlles around Chattanooga, and the entire series of battles from Atlanta In the surrender of Johnston, He was commissioned Lieutenant in 1862, and assigned to Company C. He was promoted to the office of Captain in 18H4, taking command of Company I, and was mustered out in 1865. At the battle of Pittsburg Landing, he was wounded in the shoulder. Sinoethe close of the war, he has been engaged chiefly in mercantile pursuits, and is now in the grocery trade at Hidgeville. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and I. 0.0. F., and .stands high in the communitv. On the Hth of February, 1867, he was married to Emma F. Hiatt. Her father, William Hiatt, wa.s born in Randolph County, Ind., June 24, 1822. Her mother's maiden name was .Malintance E. Ward. Both her parents are now deceased. Her father dieil in 1862, and her mother in 1868. Capt. Stratton and wife have live children living, viz. : Nellie G., Alice C, Melvin B., Ruth W. and Edith M.

ItOBKllT H. SUMPTION, farmer, P. 0. Ridgeville, wa« born in Darke County, Ohio, October 30, 1817. His father, Cliarles L., moved to Randolph County in 1835. His mother, .Mary Embree, was born in Tennessee and died in Franklin Township, Randolph County, in 1839. Ilia father died in 1851. The latter was Captain of a company in the war of 1812, and served under Gen. Harrison during the entire war. Mr. Sumption was married on the 23d of April, 1845, to Berilla Ward, who was born in Randolph County, Ind., January 25, 1825. Her father, Joab Ward, was born in North Carolina and came to ll.iudolph County, Ind., in 1819. Her mother. Amy Ward, was also a native of North Carolina. Mr. Sumption and wife have three children living, viz. : Josephine, David W. and Albert O., and one, William, deceilscd. Their children are all at present residing in the Slate of Nebraska, the sons being agents on the Union Pacific Railroad, while the daughter, Joserihinc, is teachin'.; .school at Madi.son, in that State. She was erected precbtiltess in Iho female det)aitment of Ridgeville College for 1881, having graduated at that in- .stituiion with the highest honors. She stood at the hfead of het- classes and had no superior in the school. Mr. Sumption and wife, as well as two of their

Will Baptist Church. He has been Post- I'ublic for eight years. He is Treasurer of of the College Financial Committee, and lias a good private residence and two busimber of town lots. D. W. died April 16, Mr. Al Tyrrcl, a banker of Madison, Neb.,

JOAB WARD, Ja., farmer, P. 0. Ridgeville, was born in Franklin Township, lUndolph County, Ind., .May 14. 1840. His father, Joab Ward, was born in North Carolina, and his mother, whose maiden name was Amy Gi-aves, was born in Ohio. Both parents are now deceased. His father came to Randolph County, Ind., in 1819, and died November 5, 1874, at theageofeighty-fouryears. His mother died in 1864, aged sixty-six years. Mr. Ward was married, April 26, 1866, to Ann Webb, who died July 6, 1875. There were four children by this marriage, two of whom, Delia and Grant, are now living. On the 20th of November, 1879, Mr. Ward was wedded to Ruth Resnr, his present companion. They have one son, Kit Carson. Mrs. Mary Ward is the daughter of Cyrus and Mary (West) Resur, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. She is a member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Ward is a member of the M. E. Church, a Republican in politics and a good citizen. He has a good farm of 146 acres in Section 13. IILs brother, David, served in the Union army for three years. He was a member of the Sixty-ninth Indiana Regiment, and was appointed HoBpilal Steward. After the war, he practiced medicine. He died January 20, 1874.

GEORGE W. WESLER,farmerand proprietor of saw-mill, P. 0, Ridgeville, was born in Wayne County. Ind., August 26, 1847. His father, Thomas Wesler, was born in Chester County, Penn., April 12, 1799. His mother, Susanna (Conkle) Wesler, was born in the city of Philadelphia. She died in September, 1879, from the effects of injuries sustained by being thrown from a buggy. His grandfather, Conkle, was a Captain in the American .Navy during the Revolution. He was captured by the British and held a prisoner until the close of the w.ar. His great-grandfather was also a Revolutionary soldier, and was at the attack on Quebec. The elder Wesler, father of George W., settled in Wayne County, Ind., in 1834. The subject of this sketch enlisted, in 1864, in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and served five months. On the 23d of April, 1868, he was married to Miss Emily Henley. They have two children, Lizzie F. and Harry. Mrs. Wesler was bofn in Wayne County, Ind., September 8, 1850. Her father was a native of the same county. Her mother, Lucy A. Meridith before marriage, was born in North Carolina. Both her parents are now living at Richmond. Ind. Mr. Wesler engaged in the nur.suit of farming, and was also a partner in the sawmill tir.ii of Wesler & liorncs, at .Stone Station. He was an energetic man, and had made life a success. Ills Wife is a member of the Society of Friends. On the 3d dhy nf .March, 1882, Mr. Wester was instantly killed while getting ready to begin work iti his saw-mill by an explosion of the boiler in the mill which destroyed the bijililing and the machinery ; three other men (employes

As lit prospnt constituted, it embiaces Township 21 north, Ksingo 1 4 o,i.st of the Soconl Princi jial Meridian, comprising a fiill township of thirty -six sections, equal to 23,040 acres. It lies wholly iu'tho Missiswinowa Valley. That river passes through the ttwn.'^hip in a direction neai-Jy west and toward the north side of tlio township, the larfjor portion being south of the river. i\[assey's, Hickoiy auil Mud Creeks, from the sottth, and (roshen Tk, from the north, How through the township to the Mi noi-thoru tier in the the north io the Jay County line. The surface ;tt.lv rolling, Netir the river the land is soni tiiward llio head of the stretuns, it becoi fluiiigh less inclined to bo niiU'.shy than if nea

Oiigiuiilly, like the county in general, tho earth was covered Avith ii thick and heavy forest of many kinds of trees, tho weight and buideii ul' which sixty years of wearisome labor, perf(jiiued by Iwoor thiee generations of hardy yeomaniy, have scarcely been tiblo to retnnve. Indeed, ranch still remains, greatly more, in fact, th.-in the farm needs of the county rot^uire. To get rid of the timber h;is, in days gone by, been a fearful task; it t'lsk, too, till within a few yeat-s, well-nigh useless, except that it was taken nut of tht! way. Tho labor of clearing the j,pound !uid of fencing the lields, is greater by far than would readily be supposed, and the amount of work of that kind that the farmers of Randolph County have ficcomplished since first the white man's as became a factor in the human problem in this region, is past all belief. Tho ringing ax, the crashing branches, tho thundering trunk, the resounding maul, tho cracking of the tt>;unster'8 whip, all the vai'it)us noises of a woodman's life, have for ages past been tlie music of the clearing. It is tnie, indeed, that now, when the timber is noiirly gone, a mai'kot begins to spring up. The increasing needs of civilization in town and in country, the numberless uses of material of wood, the growing scarcity of forest trees throughout the country - all these consjiire to create a larger demand for the timber product. Not twenty years ago, the sttitely walnut trees abounding throughout tho woods w(>re reckoned no more than oak or ash, and men employetl that wood for usw of an ordinary kind. Btit now tho highly incre;isc»l jirice hits swept tho walnut almost wholly from among us, and ash is rapidly t.tking its place. Even the elm, that tree in olden tituo so utterly worthles.s, too mean to burn itself up, has lately come to be a marketable commodity, and farmers get more for the elms themselves than no long time ago the choicest woods could command.

The growth of tho manufactiu-es of the couoty, and that of the towns, hirgo and small among ns, and everywhere, tho pike roads for convenient hauling, the railroads for general marketing, conspire to make the smtill remnant of the timber product

Source changes here: from Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana : with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by Smith, John L., Writer on Local History, published 1914; 26,174 words in this source stream.

Franklin Township

The next and last change to be made in the county, was the organization of Franklin Township, off the west end of Ward, when Robert Starbuck and one hundred and fifty other citizens of Ward township jiresented the following petition to the county commissioners :

"We the Undersigned Residents And voters of Ward Township In Said County Would Respectfully Show your . honors, that owing to the Erronnous Length of Said Township East & West Bounded. as it now is that we Labour Under Inconveniences in Many Respects And therefore Ask your honors for a Dicision of Said Township Believing that it would greatly facilite the Interests And Convenience of a Majority of the Citizens of Said

Township, we ask for Said Division to Commence at the North East C(;rner of Section one in Township No. 21 of Range No. 13. East on the Township and Range line of Said Congressional Township Runing thence Southe on Said line to the Southern line of Ward Township as it now is Bounded.

"Notice of said petition having been given according to law & the subject having been duly considered thereupon the Board granted the prayer of the petitioners, & Ordered that Ward Township Randolph County Indiana be divided as follows (to wit) commencing at the North East corner of Section one, in township No. 21 of Range No. 13 East, on the township & range line of said congressional township, running thence South on said line to the southern line of Ward township as it is now bounded. The western end of said division to be known & designated as Franklin township & No. 12. And it is further ordered that such division shall not take effect till on the first Monday in Api-il i860."

No doubt, the time for its taking effect was made for April, i860, so as to allow the officers of Ward township time to adjust the financial matters between the two townships. This was done in the spring of i860 and on March 9, it was "Ordered by the Board that two Justices of the Peace for Franklin Township be elected at the April Election i860, & such other Township officers as may be required by law." This was the last change in the civil townships of Randolph County. As our townships stand today,' Ward is the only civil township that coincides with a congressional township, it being Township 21, Range 14 East.

It may be as many more years before any changes will be made, but the writer of this article predicts that at sometime the following changes will be made: White River township will be divided into two townships by a line north and south somewhere near the center, east and west. The West River township line will be pushed east at least one-half mile, perhaps one mile. The Washington township line will be pushed east one and one-half miles.

Our purpose in giving the records and details accompanied by the maps as found in this chapter, has been to show not only the exact origin of our townships as they are today, but to show the people of the present and future generations that our fathers wrestled with many local problems and met them as well as seemingly could have been done, although were the county to be redistricted today, a much better organization could be made. Qjnditions have arisen that even the most fanciful dreamer of a few years ago could not have thought. Alodern times have brought about conditions that will make the township problem with its schools and its roads, a more serious one in thp future than it ever has been in the past. Men equal to the problems of the past have always arisen, and no doubt, the people of the future will find their solution by men of equal ability.

Public Buildings

As has been noted before, one of the duties of the newly elected county commissioners of a new county, was to provide public buildings to be paid for out of the sale of lands donated to that county for that and other purposes specified. Agreeably to this, the commissioners of Randolph county early set to work to provide for the building of a court house, jail and a stray pen. This court house and jail were to be put upon a square selected by the state commissioners. These commissioners having established the seat of justice in what is now known as Winchester, no doubt advised with the county commissioners as to the exact location of these buildings. The plans and specifications for the court house and jail are to be found in the first record of the county and are as follows :

December Term, 1818

"At a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners in the Town of \Mnchester for the purpose of the Letting to the lowest Bidder the Building of a Court house Jail and Stray Pen in said town The Court house to be of the following Description towit 24 feet Long 18 feet wide two stories High Covered with Joint shingles made of Walnut or Popler two floors to be made of Good seasoned plank ij4 inches thick sills and sleepers made of Oak an Walnut the \^^all to be of hewn timber to face at Least 12 inches hewn to 9 inches thick Both floors to be Tounged and Grooved the underside of the upper floor to be made Smoothe 7 joist in Each story. Planed and made smooth 7 by 33/2 inches two Doors of a suitable size to be made of good well seasoned Plank 4 Windows 2 below and 2 above 12 lights Each with good shutters Hung on the out side of the house doors & window shutters to be hung with good Iron hinges a good Paire of Winding Stairs doors & windows Cased A Brick Chimney made of good well burned Brick a good firel!.iiidoli)li CouiiH' -Inlinii.-ii-y.

place below and above the house to be Neatly daubed also Set on Walnut Blocks 3 at Least on Each side i8 inches long the floor to be well nailed down all to be finished in a Workinlike manner Abner Overman Became the Undertaker to Build said house for the sum of $2.54 & 50 cents and Give Bond and security to have the same Finished according to the foregoing Description in 18 Months from this Date.

The jail to be of the following description towit: To be built of timber hewn Square to 13 inches 18 feet Long 14 feet Wide with a partition Wall 7 feet from one and floors as above and below with timber of the same Discription a Window in Each Room 12 inches square the windows Well Lined with Iron and Iron grates Well fastened into said liheing two Doors made of Good Soiled Oak Plank well seasoned.

I inch thick Doubled & nailed with Double tens cut nails in Every three inches square Storongly Hung on Good Iron Hinges 7 feet 6 inches Between floors the under floor laid on Good Oak sills settled on the Ground so as to Bring the floor Verry near the Surface of the Ground a good Joint shingle Roof well nailed on the under floor and first Round to be made of Same good lasting timber let down Close.

Albert Banta Became the undertaker to Build said Jail for the sum of $1.25 dollars and give his Bond to have the same finished according to the above Description in 18 months from this Date."

No doubt a stray-pen was built as well as a court house and jail, but no record is made of such for some time. There may, however, have been but little need of the stra3'-pen because there were only a few settlers. Practically all stock ran at large and no one would stop to take the time or trouble to "pen" a pig, horse or cow.

The court house and jail were crude affairs'but served their purpose and served it well. The men who built them had plenty of time and no doubt did their work well as is seen by the report of acceptance at a special term, June 6, 1820, just eighteen months to a day from the time the contract was let and the exact time that the buildings were to be done. At that time the following report was made :

"State of Indiana, Randolph County, Board of Commissioners, June 6, 1820: A Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners in the towne of (10)

It is agreed upon by the Commissioners that they the Court house and Jail in said town of Winchester and ordered that the treasurer pay Albert Banta the sum of one hundred and twenty Eight Dollars and twenty Cents in full of his Contract for building Jail and also Ordered that the treasurer pay Abner Overman the sum of two hundred and fifty nine Dollars and thirty Cents for Building Court house in said town of Winchester."

It will be noted that Mr. Overman received the" munificent sum of $4.80 extra upon the building of this court house, which was certainly a record for even so early a time and only equaled by that of Mr. Banta, the undertaker of the jail, who received $3.20 extra for his services in the construction of the "County Bastile."

The "oldest inhabitants" differ as to the exact location of the court house, some saying that it was on the present court'house square, others that it was on the north side of Washington street. No doubt the first opinion is the correct one. It could hardly have stood in the center of the court house square, as the new one which was built in 1826, is known to have stood in the center of the yard and at various times during its construction, the records make mention of the meetings and the elections held in the court house which would necessarily have been torn away for the construction of the new building.

The jail was situated near the southwest corner of the court yard, just east of the box-elder trees now growing at that corner of the yard. There are many people now living who remember having seen this jail and all who remember it agree that it was a log jail as specified, with the corners interlocked and no opening in the lower room except the window as described in the specifications. The entrance to this room was made by a trap door in the floor of the upper room. No provision was made for any heat which certainly must have made "thirty days" a very unpleasant sojourn in the winter. The stairway leading to the second story was what is commonly known as the "Mill stairs," and instead of running up the side of the building as outside stairs usually do, it is built leaning to the building very much as a ladder would stand.

"John Coats, David Frazier, and Samuel D. Woodworth are appointed a committee to form the plan of a courthouse in the County of Randolph and make an Estimate of the probable Expense and Report the same to the Board of Justices at July term 1826."

There are two important conditions to keep in mind at this time, one is that the county did not have county commissioners, the law creating the office of county coinmissioners having been repealed, but the business was transacted by a board of justices. This board of justices was composed of all the justices of the peace to be found in this county. This would put a man of authority in practically every neighborhood of the county, as every township had from one to three justices and frequently the meetings were attended by ten to twelve of these men. Another important factor in all public work at that time, was the county agent, a man elected by the commissioners or justices and whose duties were to look after public affairs in a general way. Paul W. Way, of Winchester, was elected near the beginning of the county's organization and served for a great many years and was in office at the time of the building of the second court house and upon him fell largely the responsibilities of its engineering, both as to the building and the raising of the funds with which it was to be built. To show that the question was discussed thoroughly and that opinions were frequently exchanged, we give the transcript of the records concerning this building as follows :

July Term, 1826

a Randolph Board of Justices began and held at the courthouse in Winchester on monday the 3rd day of July, 1826 present the honorable John Coats president & William Massey, John Odle, Isaac Barnes, Samuel D. Woodworth, William N. Rowe, George Reitenour Esq's members.

Ordered that Paul W. AVay County Agent advertise and let to the lowest bidder the building of a Brick courthouse in the Town of Winchester of the following description towit forty feet Square on the out side wall to begin one foot at least under the Surface of the Earth two feet three inches thick until the wall rises one foot above the Surface of the Earth then the wall to be Eighteen inches thick until it rises twelve feet above the Surface of the Earth then the wall to be thirteen and one half inches thick until the wall is 21 feet high from the Surface o^ the Earth, with two chimneys one in the North west and the other in the North East corner of said house with a lower and upper fire place in Each chimney and a Brick moulding at the top of the wall on the North and South side gable ends of Brick in the usual form of a dweUing house brick to be well laid in morter made of Sand and lime and clay one third of Each the wall to be penciled on the outside two doors in the lower Story one in the middle of the south side and one a proper distance from the corner in the East side Sixteen windows of a Suitable Size to admit of twenty lights 8 by 10 inches order of the same to be designated by the Agent aforesaid Doors and windows faced with Scantling 3 inches thick and width thickness of the wall a Post in the center of the house of Sufficient Strength and Size to Support all the weight that may be on the same from the Second third floor and roof one Summer at Each Story 10 by 14 inches Post of Black walnut Summers of oak Rafters and collar beems of durable timber and Sufficient Size Sheeted with plank ^ inch thick and covered with Joint Shingles 18 inches long 4 inches wide ^ of an inch thick at the but end popler or black walnut. Sale to be on the last Saturday in July (instant) Brick work in one contract and woodwork in another - the Brick work to be completed on or before the first day of November 1827 and wood work on or before the first day of December 1827 one half of to be paid to the undertakers on the ist day of January 1827 and the balance when the work is completed. Bond and approved Security will be required of the undertakers."

At a called session of the board Of justices began and held at the court house in Winchester on Saturday the 29th day of July, 1826 presents the honorable John Coats president and David Frazier and Joseph Hale Esquires members.

"Ordered that the following be the conditions of the Brick work of a court house in the Town of Winchester in County of Randolph to wit, the wall of said house to commence one foot under the Surfice of the Earth, the wall to be 2"] inches thick, till it rises one foot above the Surfice of the Earth to be made of good sound well burned Brick no Salmon Brick in the first 2 feet. Then the wall to be 18 inches thick till it rises 16 feet above the Surfice of the Earth, then to be 121^ inches thick till it rises 27 feet above the Surfice of the Earth with a chimney in the North East corner of sd. house with a fire place below 4 feet wide, and one above at least 2 feet wide, and one in the N. W. corner of the Same description, with Straight arches over the doors and windows in a workmanhke manner, the Brick to be laid in mortar of Equal parts of Sand, lime) and clay, the work to be done in a workmanlike manner and to be completed by the first of November 1827 and the undertaker will be Entitled to one half of his pay, on the first of January next, the balance on or before the ist of November 1827 if sd. work should be then completed, if not, when sd. work is completed the undertaker will be required to give Bond with approved Security in double the sum of his contract.