Harrison Township

By H. 0. Fellow

With what fond recollections do we look back to the past history of our lives and read the great tale of the by-gones in the wilderness. But few of the aged veterans remain to weave the historical fabric of facts with the thread of personal incidents. The silent dust of the sleeping pioneer whispers on the winds his hardships and his trials, and we list and we hear the echo come back from the forests of the long ago. Those who are spared paint on the canvas of a treacherous memory, as best they can, the picture of their lives. The aged hand trembles like the aspen of the wood as it tries to depict the hills and valleys, the ups and downs of pioneer life. With what pride can he point to the broad acres of cleared land that extend far and wide, and say, " I was the first to make it thus." How we love to hear the pioneers' stories of how they raised their cabins, rolled their logs, husked their corn, killed the deer and trapped the otter and the wild cat. It falls like the tale of another world upon the ears of Young America. The days when they rocked their babes in a sugar trough and reared them on hog and hominy are past. How the old veterans love to look back through the gray mists of years and read the picture we pen in the following lines :

The Cabin In The Clearing Descriptive

Harrison Township is situated in the southwestern part of Howard -County, and contains nearly twenty -one and a half sections of land. The surface is somewhat undulating, especially through the central and northern part. Of the Little Wild Cat Creek, the West Fork begins near the Tipton County line in Section 26, flows through Sections 23 and 15 in a northwesterly direction to a point near Greeson's saw mill, south of Alto, where it meets with the East Fork that flows north of west through Sections 24, 13 and 14 to the conjunction. Thence the creek flows north of west through Sections 15, 16, 17, 8 and 7. Along on each side are frequent affluents of small spring branches. The Big Wild Cat forms a part of the northern boundary, flowing in a westward direction in a very irregular manner through Sections 4, 5 and 6. This portion of the " Reserve" was once covered with a very fine growth of maple, white oak, poplar and black walnut, but the woodman's ax has made great inroads in the rich forests. Along the streams there are large deposits of gravel and sand ; and in the southern part of the township a clay forms a subsoil for a rich black loam, thus making it one of the best tracts in Howard County for agricultural purposes. The history of this section extends back over a period of forty-four years, while the organization 6f the township will date back to 1846. It is probable that no histories of this section extend farther back and are any more interesting than those of Judge T. A. Long and James Brooks.

Origin Of Name And First Settlers

From Mr. Long it is learned that when the township was laid out it was named in honor of John Harrison, at whose house the first election in the county was held. Although James Brooks, one of the pioneer hunters and trappers, came to the reserve in 1838, the first man that we have any knowledge of who settled in this township is Martin Crist, who, in company with Judge Long in the fall of 1840, came to search for homes in the wilderness. As it was long before the land was for sale, Crist took a claim on the north half of Section 7, of which the present farm of Walker Thorn forms a part. This claim he marked by notching four logs and making a pen out of them. Mr. Long went across the -creek into Clay Township and bought a claim of a man by the name of Heart. Mr. Heart had cleared out some four acj-es and built a brush fence around the same and erected a small cabin on the quarter for an Indian, but as the Indian would not pay Heart the $100 required for making such improvements, Long took the claim and paid the money. Later in the season of 1840, Joseph W. Heaton, Thaddeus Baxter and Thomas McClure came from Kirklin, Clinton County, and took up claims. The next spring, they erected cabins on their claims and moved their families to them. Now began the great rush for homes in the rich region along the Wild Cat. During the season of 1841, David Bates, James Hamilton and Charles Harmon arrived, and following them in rapid succession came Bernhart Lerner, Ephraim Bates, William Coats, Philip Ramseyer, James Scott, Nathan Comer, Clinton Gray and Bland Jones. But a few more years had passed till the Thorns, the Hollingsworths, Pitzers, Greesons, Middletons, Stringers, Wilsons, Waggamans and many others had commenced to hew out their fortunes in the wilds. In 1845, Mr. Long sold his claim and purchased the tract where his sons, Bobert and James, live, and some years afterward moved to Harrison Township and bought where he now lives.

Early Reminiscences

Of the histories of the old pioneers who plied their vocation as trappers along the Wild Cat, that of "' Uncle Jim " Brooks is the most important. James, at the age of twenty-seven, and his father left Hamilton County in the fall of 1838 and followed an Indian trail through to the reserve and camped with a party of land-hunters soutii of the present site of New London. In a few days, they built some bark wigwams on Little Honey Creek and trapped during the winter. The products of their toils were the skins of seventy otter. During the summer of 1839, they caught 140 coons on Shaw's Prairie. In the fall of 1840, they built some bark huts on the land afterward owned by Foster, near Kokomo, and trapped above the town extensively. They caught a great many coons and wild cats. It being very cold, they frequently found coons frozen in the snow. One evening the father, returning from up the creek, found a frozen turkey, but before he got home dropped it near a buttonbush pond where the court house now stands. James, going out to look for it, found it in the clutches of a wild cat, so he set two otter traps and the next morning went out and found that he had caught the wild cat. The next spring they found five bee-trees in an Indian sugar-camp ; these they cut down and by the use of moss strained out seventeen gallons of fine honey, and this with a lot of sugar- ^vater they boiled down to a sugar. Undoubtedly this is the sweetest part of " Uncle Jim's " recollections. In that day, wolf hides sold for 75 cents and scalps for $1.50. Wild cat hides sold for $8, otter hides from $6 to |9, and deer hides from 50 cents to $1 apiece.

From the history of Judge T. A. Long, we take a few of his early reminiscences, and place under this head. Mr. Long, in that day, was called " Old Specks " by the Indians, on account of his wearing glasses. Sometimes a " big Injun, me, whoop ! " would get mad at him and " cuss " him in this way: "Old Specks, he heap good man, maybe d - n rascal."

Mr. Long erected a little shop near his cabin, and for several years repaired guns for the Indians. Across the creek from his shop stood Foster's trading house, where the Indians would take their skins, and buy blankets, and " lots heap good whisky," and then would go and get Long to fix their guns. Foster would frequently interpret and vouch for them, and Long would charge the bill to Foster, and Foster would charge three or four times as much up to the Indians. Long had a nice little horse, worth some $50, which Foster wanted; but, being afraid of making the price too high, asked him what he would give. Foster replying he would give $65, agreeably surprised Long at his generosity, and consequently got the horse. Foster kept the same for ten days, and sold it for $250 to an Indian. Uncle Tommy being rather surprised, a second time concluded he could sell a horse, which his father-in-law owned, for a good price. As the horse would lay down and let its rider mount, the feat greatly pleased the Indians, and Foster sold it to one for $400. The next autumn the Indian brought the horse back to be put in order, and for doing so was charged the sum of $200 by the trader, Foster. Mr. Long having several cattle, and needing some brass to make bells for them, was informed that he could get it of the old chief, Kokomo. He went to chief's wigwam, and was introduced by a Mr. Barnett to his dusky highness, as a Kentuckian. The chief began to act strangely, went out and painted himself, returned and told Barnett that he had scalped several Kentuckians, and would scalp the new-comer; but Long told Barnet that Kokomo had better not try that game, or he would shoot him on the spot. The Indian being told of Long's intent, permitted them to go to the squaw camp, get their brass, and depart unmolested. An Indian, Shapendocia, once tried to get away with Mr. Long, for some work done, but as he was informed Long would sell the gun he had repaired, the Indian getting afraid, sent his mother, the old squaw, Manson Zequa, with the money, who paid the bill and took the gun.

The first birth in the township was that of Benjamin F. Lerner, born of Mr. and Mrs. Bernhart Lerner, May 29, 1842. How many times had Thadeus Baxter and Samuel Waggaman, dressed in their homespun, trudged along an Indian trail, through the deep, unbroken forest, to the cabin where the Heaton girls lived, and there, before the great fire, essayed to woo and win, with lays of love, the pioneer maids of the forest. Not long did the boys thus court under difficulties, for Baxter was married to Miss Lavina Heaton in February, 1843, and Mr. Waggaman and Malinda Heaton were joined in the bonds of wedlock March 5, 1843. They procured a magistrate from Kirklin, twenty miles away, who, after he had ridden on horseback through the swamps and performed the ceremony, was compensated with $1 for services rendered. The hardy yeo- men needed shoes and leather aprons, so they took the hides of various animals to a man by the name of Judkins, who ran a small tannery near where the Mount Zion Church stands, and when tanned, to Bernhart Lerner, the first shoe-maker, to be made into the articles desired.

Saw And Grist Mills

The first saw mill in this township was built in 1846 by John Test on the banks of the Little Wild Cat, on the place formerly owned by A. C. RatcliflF. The mill was afterward owned by the Rels Bros. & Bates, and in 1848 was purchased by Jonathan and Samuel Stratton and Richard Bates, and was traded in 1852 to Isaac Hollingsworth. The Strattons then purchased a small mill down the creek, which had- been recently erected, and this they ran some four years. In 1856, Mr. Samuel Stratton purchased the former site and erected a grist mill in connection with the saw mill. In 1848, Stephen Brooks built a small corn-cracker and wheat mill south of Alto. A part of the frame is yet to be seen ; the bolting box is now being used by Mr. George Greeson as a grain bin. In 1853, the Fred Bros, built a mill on the creek, near where George Greeson's house stands.

The Church And School History

Most all the families who settled in the Reserve were those who tenaciously held to the religious dogmas of some sect, and they early felt the need of a place of worship. The pioneers living in the vicinity of Twin Springs started to work at building a large log church house, each member agreeing to furnish so many logs on the ground. When the walls were up ready for the roof, the project was abandoned and a large log church house was erected in Alto, and here the people met for some time and sang their psalms in common meter, unmolested by the savage warwhoop of the dusky denizen of the forest. But a short time after the church at Alto was built, one was erected by the Baptists and Methodists in the west end of the township on Martin Crist's place.

In this building was taught the first school in the township. The first structure, however, especially for school purposes, was erected in the year 1844 or 1845, not far from the present site of the Mount Zion Church. The school in those days, when they sat on the flat site of a backless pole bench, and conned their Bible and worked their sums by the light of the sun shining leaden-like through the windows of greased paper, was one taught only by subscription, and lasted but a month or so in the winter. The first improved school furniture was some rough desks made by ex-Judge Palmer, of Clinton County, who was teaching school at Alto in 1856. The money to buy the lumber was made up by sub- scription, Shadrach Stringer doing the soliciting, and Palmer making the desks at night and teaching in the day-time. Palmer then lived in a little hut across the road from Stringer's tile mill. Among the early preachers we find the names of Frank Taylor and John D. Hopkins, while Charles Price and Thomas Stubbs were about the earliest teachers in the township.

Medicine, Law And Politics

The list of professionals, though not lengthy, was yet all sufficient. L. McGrary served in the capacity of the first Justice of the Peace, and Vaughan and Stoneman as the first dispensers of physic. Charles Allison, as early as the spring of 1844, built the first trading house in the township, on the tract afterward owned by L. Bates. And near this building in 1844 the first county convention met. The first election held in the township was in 1848, the polls for voting being in an old hut on the place now owned by Widow Thorn, east of G. P. Pitzer's. At this occurred a disgraceful fight and one of the two murders ever perpetrated in the township. In the township election held August, 1849, two men by the name of Brahard and Lane, having an old grudge, agreed to go to the election and fight it out. They formed a ring, appointed seconds, and commenced in dead earnest. After a few rounds, Brahard struck Lane in the side, thus bursting a blood-vessel and causing almost instant death. A trial was held, and Brahard acquitted on the ground of selfdefense, as Lane had urged the fight upon him.

CHARLES L. BALDWIN, son of George W. and Margaret Baldwin, was born in Fayette County, Ind., July 14, 1843, and is one of a family of four children, he and a sister, Dora, being the only survivors. In 1849, the parents moved to Tipton County, this State, and settled on 420 acres of land in Prairie Township, where they led the life of pioneers. Deer were abundant and wheat had to be taken to Logansport to be milled. There Mr. Baldwin received a common school education, and there he worked on the home farm until his enlistment, August 19, 1861, in the Seventy-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He took part in several battles, and was wounded at Chickamauga, but after a furlough ot twenty days returned to the front and marched with Sherman to the sea. He was mustered out at Washington, June 8, 1865, and then engaged in farming, and then in the butchering and grocery business at Russia- ville, this county. He was burned out in 1881, and he then purchased and moved upon a farm northwest of Middleton. In 1867, he married Miss Lizzie Hopkins, of Clinton County, and to this union have been born two children - William F. and Jennie H. Mr. Baldwin is now Secretary of Neii Lodge, No. 358, I. 0. 0. F.; in politics he has always been a Republican, and is now Justice of the Peace of Harrison Township.

JOHN M. DENTON, son of David and Emeline Denton, was born in North Carolina March 21, 1847. He is of English-German descent, and is a nephew of the celebrated geologist, William Denton, of Philadelphia. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Washington County, Ind., settled on a farm of eighty acres, and there died. At the age of ten, he removed to Orange County, and there he attended what school he could during winter and worked at farming during the summer. In 1862, he came to Howard County and worked for Oliver Moulder until his enlistment, in 1864, in the Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving under Gen. Thomas. Twelve months he served faithfully, and was mus°- tered out at Louisville, Ky. Since his return, he has been chiefly engaged in the saw and planing mill business. In 1870, he married Miss Martha Stratton, who died in 1879, the mother of two boys and two girls. Mr. Denton is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, a member of the G. A. R., and of the Friends' Society.

JOHN S. EDWARDS stands among the younger representative men of Harrison Township. He was one of a family often children born to Sylvester and Mary S. Edwards. Was born in Harrison Township, Howard County, on the farm where he now resides, and assisted his father in clearing a large farm, and obtained a fair education in the common schools. His father was a hard-working, energetic farmer, and frequently walked upon his knees laying fences, when his back had become too weak to stand. The subject of this sketch has excelled in the study of music, and has always taken an active interest in public improvements. He now owns the home farm of 135 acres, two and a half miles south of Alto. Mr. Edwards was married in Illinois, December 25, 1871, to Miss Alice Thompson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Thompson, of Russiaville, Ind. By this marriage they have four children - Julia A., Vessie, Elden and Vernie G. Mr. Edwards is an enterprising young man, and he and wife are active members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

W. T. HOLLINGSWORTH was born in Union County, Ohio, May 31, 1842, and in 1846 came to this county with his parents, William N. and Susannah Hollingsworth, who were strict members of the Society of Friends. He was reared during the anti-slavery agitation, and became imbued with the prmciples of the agitators, and, considering the limited advantages, obtained a very fair education. When quite young, he learned the milling business, which he has ever since successfully followed. During the war, he operated what is known as the old Stratton Mill, and afterward purchased an interest in the Russiaville Mills, which were run under the firm name of Seward & HoUingsworth, the senior partner being Niel Seward. November 30, 1862, he married Rebecca Sparling, of Indianapolis. For the past twelve years he has been a usefel member of the I. 0. 0. F., and at present resides with his family at West Middleton, and is operating the Merchant Flouring Mills at that place.

JUDGE T. A. LONG, one of the oldest pioneers of Howard County, was born in Lexington, Ky,, October 16, 1796, and is the son of Benjamin and Margaret A. Long. They moved to Bourbon County in 1798, and his father dying soon afterward, he lived with his mother on the farm about nine years. He was then apprenticed to Billy Barlow, an old gunsmith of Nicholas County, Ky., and worked for him six and a half years for nothing and clothed himself; he then returned to Bourbon County, and started a gun and blacksmith shop, continuing in business there until 1826, when he moved to the small town of Indianapolis, Ind., where he was in the same business until 1840, when he came to the Reserve and entered a claim ; he continued in the gunsmith business, in connection with farming and the nursery business, for a number of years. Subsequently he removed to the place where he now lives, with his son, John, in Harrison Township. Mr. Long was married January 14, 1819, to Margaret McClure, of Kentucky. She was born November 9, 1799. They have been married sixty-four years. Judge Long has been one of Howard County's most useful pioneers ; he served as the first Associate Judge seven years, and since has filled various offices of honor and trust. In an early day he was a strong Whig, but of late has voted the Republican ticket. He and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty years.

JOHN T. LONG, son of Judge T. A. and Margaret Long, was born in Marion County, Ind., August 10, 1838 ; he came to this county with his family and settled in Clay Township, where he spent his youthful days in playing with the old peace chief, Pete Cornstalk, and in helping to clear up the farm when he was large enough for the work. He attended two terms of school taught in an old log dwelling house on the Henry Smith farm, and afterward a school taught by a Mr. Caffee, of Crawfordsville, in a house on the Stringer farm, and at twenty-two had acquired a very fair education, and was preparing to enter the Normal School at Kokomo when the war broke out ; he then made arrangements to go to the front as First Lieutenant, but circumstances at home prevented his going. In 1863, he married Miss Annie Havens, who bore him six children - William G., Emma, Arthur, Omer, Ethel, and one unnamed ; of these three are deceased. Mr. Long now resides with his parents on an excellent farm of 167 acres north of West Middleton ; is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has always taken an active interest in public affairs.

WILLIAM MIDDLETON was born in Montgomery County, Ind,, December 6, 1830, and is the son of Levi and Mary Middleton, who are active members of the Society of Friends, in whose faith William was reared. The father was a carpenter and built the first house in Crawfordsville. William was reared a frontiersman, and attended school in the winter until he was twenty-one years of age, when he walked to the Reserve and began clearing on the farm his father had entered for him, repeating the trip the two succeeding years and working out in Montgomery during the intervals, at f 10 per month. November 12, 1854, he married Jane Moulder, daughter of John and Eleanor Moulder, pioneers of this county. To this marriage have been born three children - Charles, Mary Florence and John. Mr. Middleton's original tract of land in this county contained ninety-three acres, which he increased to 160 acres ; in 1865, he sold this farm and settled on the 160 acres where he now lives. This he has cleared of every stump and rock ; his fields are well-drained and supplied with living spring water, and are second to none in the county. Mr. Middleton has been one of the most liberal contributors to works of public advancement and local improvement, and his example is well deserving of emulation. In politics, he is liberal, but inclines to Republicanism.

JACKSON MORROW, one among the representative men of Harrison Township, was born in Howard County, near Kokomo, March 3, 1849, and is the son of Charles and Sarah Morrow. At the age of eight years, he began attending the common schools, and received a good common education from his limited advantages ; he spent two terms in the Kokomo Normal, and at the age of sixteen Avas granted license to teach in the schools of Howard County ; he taught his first term in Harrison Township and his second in Taylor, and the next year entered the classical course of Ann Arbor. After four years, he graduated with high honors in the class of 1872, after which he taught two winter terms in the graded schools of the county. In 1873, he was married to Mary E. Henderson, of Howard County. They have had three children, two of whom are living - Albert V. and Frederick E. In 1880, he was elected Trustee of Harrison Township, which oflEice he filled one term with much credit. In politics, he is of the Andrew Jackson stripe, but when in office his political principles are for the best interests of the people in general ; he has taken an active part in public improvements, and it was during his term of office as Trustee, that the large township graded school building at West Middleton was erected. Mr. Morrow has for some years been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; he now resides on his excellent farm one and one-half miles east of Alto.

JOSEPH OREM was born in Switzerland County, Ind., December 22, 1841, and is the fifth of the twelve children born to Josiah and Ann (Orr) Orem, natives respectively of Maryland and Indiana ; the family came to Howard County when Joseph was quite young, returned to Switzerland County, and then moved to Tipton County, where Joseph enlisted, in the summer of 1862, under Col. Carver and Capt. Alexander McCrary; he fought at Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Jonesboro and Milton, Tenn.; was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and, after they left Louisville, they had transportation by rail only twelve miles, the balance of the distance to Washington City being made on foot. During his career, he received one flesh wound and had two guns shot to pieces while in his hands ; he was mustered out in June, 1865, and on his return engaged in farming. January 18, 1866, he married Eliza A. Irby (now deceased). There were no children born to their union, but they adopted and reared Melissa Brown. October 20, 1881, Mr. Orem married Mrs. Mary E. (Cobb) Caldwell, and to this union one child, Josiah L., was born, August 17, 1882. Mrs. Orem is also mother of four children by her former husband. Mr. Orem is an active worker in the Democratic ranks, and both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

ROBERT ORR, son of Joseph and Agnes Orr, was born near Vevay, Ind., September 6, 1826, and was reared on the home farm until 1843, and from eight until sixteen years of age attended the subscription schools. In 1843, both father and son took claims of 160 acres each, in Prairie Township, Tipton County, and when Robert attained his majority, only a few months before the land came into market, he entered his tract at Indianapolis, By hard work he has succeeded in clearing up his farm and has increased his possessions to 348 acres, in Howard and Tipton Counties, some two years ago purchasing the place where he now lives, west of West Middleton. February 25, 1848, he married Miss Jemima E. Fanchier, Frank Price, the first Clerk of Howard County, furnishing the license. To this marriage eleven children have been born - Louisa, Joseph F., Sarah A., Nancy C, John F., William H., Jennie, Lawrence, Laura E., Julia E. and Nora E. Mr. and Mrs. Orr are members of the New-Light Christian Church, and Mr. Orr has always taken an active interest in public improvements.

GEORGE P. PITZER was born in Botetourt County, Va., November 20, 1820, and is the son of Davison and Amanda Pitzer ; he attended two terms of school in his native State, but at the age of ten was taken by his father (who had for many years been County Sheriff in Virginia), to Fayette County, Ohio, where he began his first lessons in farming ; however, he availed himself of every advantage offered by the frontier schools and succeeded in acquiring a very fair education. When the great rush was made for the Reserve, George joined the tide, and September 20, 1847, reached Harrison Township, where he bought the tract of eighty acres, on which he is still living, and to which he has added until he now owns a finely improved farm of 265 acres, lying south of Alto. In the sp.ing of 1848, he married Clarinda Snodgrass, of this township, and to this union six children have baen born - Francis M., Marcella, John, Mary, Ida and Mattie. Mr. Pitzer, some twenty years ago, served as one of the first Assessors of the township, and since then has very acceptably served two terms as Assessor and two terms as Township Trustee ; he has also filled the office of County Commissioner the past seven years. From an early day he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is also a member of the I. 0. 0. F. of Alto. JESSE RATCLIFF, the son of Abner and Sarah Ratcliff, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, October 4, 1816 ; his parents were members of the Society of Friends, and in this faith he was reared ; his youth was passed on the home farm and in attending the subscription schools, where he acquired a practical education. When he first came to Howard County he settled south of Russiaville ; he next bought 120 acres north of New London, for $1,100, paying down $475 ; six months later, he sold this land for $1,500 and bought the place on which he now lives south of West Middleton ; he added to his original purchase until he owned 320 acres, most of which he has since divided among his children. Mr. Ratcliff was married to Elizabeth Turrell, of Clinton County, Ohio, and of the children born to hira there are five living. Mr. R. is a Republican in politics and is among the few who have witnessed the growth of the township and the county from its pioneer days.

AMOS C. RATCLIFFE, son of Jesse and Elizabeth Ratcliffe, was born in Clintor^ County, Ohio, July 3, 1844. At the age of nine, he removed westward with his parents and located south of Russiaville in Howard County, and in the fall of 1853 the family located near West Middleton, in Harrison Township, where his father still resides. Our subject assisted his father in clearing the farm and burning the deadenings. He availed himself of all the educational advantages of his day, and received his first schooling from David Hodson, of Russiaville, At twenty, he commenced teaching, and subsequently entered Earlham College, where he pursued his studies for two years ; he then taught in the high schools of Vermillion, 111., Russiaville, Ind., Bridgeport, Ind., and others for nine vears, after which he followed the occupation of farm- ing. Later, he was in the milling business in Eastern Indiana, and is now one of the proprietors and operators of the large merchant flouring mills located at West Middleton. Mr. Ratcliffe was married, in 1871, to Miss Martha Cox, of Sugar Plain, Ind. He is a strong Republican, and an active member of the Society of Friends.

JOHN RATCLIFFE, son of Jesse and Elizabeth Ratcliffe, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, and when quite young came with his parents to Howard County, and settled south of Russiaville, and a few months later located on the place where his father now lives ; he worked hard in clearing the farm from the forest, and gained an excellent education in the common schools ; he taught school in Howard County for several winters, but has followed the occupation of farming the most of his life. Mr. Ratcliffe has always been a member of the Friends' Society and the Republican party. Rachel (Lamb) Ratcliffe, his wife, is a daughter of Anderson and Polly Lamb, of Miami County, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Ratcliffe have one child. They live on a fine farm south of West Middleton, Howard County, and Mr. Ratcliffe has a fourth interest in the West Middleton Flouring Mills.

CHARLES SEAWARD was born near West Carlisle, Ohio, in 1820, and is the son of Ebenezer and Eleanor Seaward. Our subject received about fourteen months' schooling, and for some time worked on a farm during the day and made and mended shoes at night. He was married, in 1840, to Miss Ann P. Taylor, a native of Smithfield, Ohio, and by her became the father of seven children - William, Benjamin, Melvin. Melissa, Shirley, Maria and Charles. October 17, 1851, he came to the little village of Russiaville and started a shoe shop, which he successfully conducted about eighteen months. In the meanwhile he bought eighty acres of his present farm southwest of Alto, to which he moved in 1853, and to which he has since added 108 acres, making it one of the best gr^in farms in the township. In politics, Mr. Seaward was first a Whig, then a Free-Soiler, and is now a Republican. Mr. Seaward sent three of his sons to the front during the late war, losing Benjamin, who was killed at the siege of Richmond ; he has always taken an interest in public improvements, and has been a member of both the Methodist Episcopal and Seventh-Day Adventist Churches.

WILLIAM T. SEWARD was the eldest of seven children born to Charles and Ann (Taylor) Seward, natives of Ohio. The subject of this sketch was born July 13, 1841, in Coshocton County, Ohio, where he lived with his parents until 1851, when they moved to this county and located in Russiaville ; here he worked at the shoe-maker's trade until the spring of 1853, when he moved on the farm where his father now resides. Mr. Seward received a good common school education, and remained with his parents until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in the service of his country, in Company G, Fifty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Capt, Willis Blanche, and was in the most hard-fought battles ; he w^as twice wounded in the right knee and in the right shoulder. Mr. Seward was commissioned First Lieutenant in Company A, and later was promoted as Captain of the same company ; he returned home June 15, 1865, and began work on the farm. While home on a veteran furlough, he was married, March 20, 1864, to Miss Nancy A. Finch, a native of Ohio. They had four children - Ida M. (deceased), Ulysses, Merab and Blanche. Mr. Seward is an active member of the I. 0. 0. F., being one of the charter members of the Alto Lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Seward have been identified with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church for a number of years, and Mr. Seward is one of the most ardent workers in the Republican party.

SAMUEL STRATTON, son of Jonathan D. and Prudence Stratton, was born in Wayne County, near Richmond, in 1833 ; he removed with his parents to Rush County, where he lived until 1848, when his father purchased a farm in Harrison Township, Howard County. Our subject received a limited education, and early evinced a love for mechanics. At sixteen, he became a millwright, and erected a small mill on the creek, and at seventeen he repaired the corn crackers and wheat mills at New London and Alto ; he subsequently constructed the Stratton Mill on the Wild Cat, near W^est Middleton, and successfully operated this mill for fifteen years. For some years, he was senior partner of the Anderson Machine Works. In 1867, he was elected to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Kirkpatrick as County Commissioner, and was re-elected to the same office in 1868. During his term, he superintended the building of the court house in Kokomo, and has always taken an active interest in public improvements. For several years, he has been a director on the Kokomo & New London gravel road, and is now one of the owners and operators of the West Middleton Flouring Mills. Mr. Stratton was married, April 10, 1852, to Sarah J. Hollingsworth ; he was reared in the Friends' faith, but having married outside of the denomination, was disowned by them. Mrs. Stratton died, and in July, 1868, he married Esther A. Stratton. This marriage was blessed with two children, both deceased. Mr. Stratton has been a strong believer in Spiritualism for thirty years. He is a Republican, and his father before him was a strong anti-slavery Friend.

JOHN T. STRINGER, son of Shadrach and Isabella Stringer, was born January 3, 1849, in Clinton County, Ind., and is of Anglo-German descent. Shadrach Stringer, son of Eli and Margaret Stringer, was born July 26, 1815, in Franklin County, Ind.; was reared on a farm and re- ceived a practical education. He moved to Clinton County, and in 1856 came to Howard County, locating in Harrison Township, on 320 acres of land joining Alto. He has always taken great interest in the development of his community and county. He has been a church member and a member of the I. 0. 0. F. for years, and has served as Township Trustee John T. Stringer was reared on his father's farm. At the age of seven, he came with his parents to Howard County and settled on the place he now owns. He availed himself of every educational advantage of his day, and at the age of fifteen was licensed to teach in the common schools of the county ; taught his first school in Monroe Township, and at sixteen entered Brookville College, where he remained one term. He then entered the classical course at Asbury University, pursued his studies successfully for two years, and in 1869 entered both the literary and law courses at Ann Arbor, In 1871, he completed the junior year in the literary course and graduated with honors in the law in a class of 120 ; then came to Kokomo and engaged in the practice of law until 1873, when he moved on his farm. He has made this one of the finest grain and stock farms in his section. He also manufactures tile quite extensively, and for four years with much credit filled the office of President of the State Tile Association. He has served as Justice of the Peace and Deputy District Prosecutor for some years. Mr. Stringer was married, February 6, 1872, to Miss Mary A. Plum, of Washington, Ohio. They have three children - Alonzo P., Shadrach and James J. T. Mr. Stringer is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. at Alto, the Knights of Pythias of Kokomo, and he and wife are active members of the M. E, Church. HON. MICHAEL THOMPSON was born near Uniontown, Va.. May 22, 1815, and is the son of David and Mary Thompson, respectively of Irish and German descent. About 1820, the family moved to Butler County, Ohio, and six years later to Henry County, Ind. Michael attended district school for about twenty-six months, but was a hard student and acquired a good practical education. In 1833, he moved to Delaware County, and in 1835 married Miss Lucretia Davis. He was a diligent student of the law, and at the age of twenty-eight was elected a Commissioner of Delaware County. He served one term, and then was elected County Assessor for the years 1847 and 1848. In 1849, he was elected to the Legislature, and re-elected for the following two years. From 1852 until 1857, he served as Township Assessor, and in the latter year came to this county and settled in Jackson Township. One week after he had "got fixed up for housekeeping," he was elected Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he served thirteen years, and durino' his residence in that township he cleared and brought under cultivation one of the finest farms in eastern Howard. In 1874, he engao^ed in the millino- business, and also practiced law one year in Somerset, Wabash County, and then purchased his fine farm in this township. In 1878, he was elected to the Legislature from this county, and again in 1882. During his legislative career, he was chiefly instrumental in giving power to the Auditor of the State to issue patents on canal lands, and also granting Commissioners the right to refund taxes paid on lands not subject to taxation or not legally assessed, and otherwise proved himself the friend of the people. During the last session, he never missed a roll-call or a vote. He has served the people in office forty-one years, and has never been beaten when a candidate. He is a Republican, and since the war has affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. He has also been a lifelong member of the Christian Church.

ROBERT E. TORRENCE, son of Matthew F. and Nellie D. Torrence, was born in Charlestown, Mass., January G, 1839 ; he attended the puHic schools until fifteen years old, and was then apprenticed for three years in the blacksmith department of the City Carriage Manufactory ; he then worked in Boston and other New England towns until twenty-one, and then traveled through Connecticut, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana, and finally in February, 1861, returned to this State, and secured work at Somerset, where, at the call for three months' troops, he was the first man to respond ; he was mustered into service April 20, 1861, and was placed in Company H, Eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Before his time expired, he enlisted for three years ; came home on a short furlough, and August 14, 1861, married S. J. Jones. Returning to the front, he was mustered in as Orderly Sergeant, Company I, Eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry ; he took part in all the battles and skirmishes in which his regiment was engaged, and was wounded at Pea Ridge. September 26, 1862, he was promoted to be First Lieutenant, and served as such until the close of the war, and was on the staff of several Generals. July 10, 1865, he was promoted to a Captaincy, and August 28, 1865, was mustered out at Darien, Ga. On his return, he was appointed Clerk to the State Senate Military Commander for the session of 1865-66. In the spring of 1867, he came to Howard County, and in 1868 started a blacksmith shop on the Fairfield and Russiaville road in connection with A. Fortner, wagon-maker. March 4, 1874, he moved to West Middleton, where he is now doing a large business. Mr. Torrence is a Freemason, a member of the Society of Friends, and a Republican.

JOHN E. WILSON was born in Wayne County, Va.,in 1843; is the son of Samuel and Eliza Wilson, and is of English descent ; he was two years of age when his parents moved to Tennessee, from which State they came to Howard County, Ind., in- 1849, and took a lease on the old

Kyger farm in Harrison Township, Mr. Wilson availed himself of all the advantages afforded by the schools of the day, attending from the age of six until twenty. In 1853, the family moved to the Spring farm, where the father died when our subject was eighteen. For a time, John E. leased the home place, but it was soon after divided, John E. taking the east half, and his brother Charles the west half. Mr. Wilson was married in 1864 to Martha Beeks, of Attica, Ind., and to this marriage have been born six children - William, Charles, Frank, Lora, Louie and John. Mr. W. is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and also an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.